South Africa: Eight candidates shortlisted to be next Public Prosecutor

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Parliaments Ad Hoc Committee to Nominate a Person for Appointment as Public Protector has shortlisted eight candidates for the position with interviews expected to be held in August.

The term of current incumbent, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, ends in October. She is currently suspended.

The eight candidates vying for the position are:

Current acting Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka

Advocate Oliver Josie

Johannah Ledwaba

Muvhango Lukhaimane

Advocate Lynn Marais

Professor Boitumelo Mmusinyane

Advocate Kwena Tommy Ntsewa

Advocate Tseliso Thipanyane

Committee Chairperson Cyril Xaba said the candidates will be interviewed over two days, 23 and 24 August 2023. He said the committee agreed in its previous meeting that 38 nominations and applications received complied with the criteria and included all the required documents. Two candidates have since withdrawn from that process.

[The] committee followed the guiding principles in shortlisting candidates and reduced the initial 38 to eight. Mr Xaba said the committee had to look for a fit and proper person for the position but as the law does not describe the term fit and proper, the committee used case law, which offers a guide in this regard, specifying character, experience, knowledge and skills, the committee said.

A two week screening process of the candidates will commence from 1 August until 18 August.

As part of this selection process, all shortlisted candidates will be subjected to suitability screening, reference checks and qualifications verification, among other processes.

This will be followed by interviews and the committees deliberations on candidates. The committee is expected to report back to the National Assembly by 31 August 2023, the committee said.  SAnews.gov.za

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This story has been published on: 2023-07-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Patching Georgia's Voting System Will Not Secure Our Elections NEWS PROVIDED BY

VoterGA

July 27, 2023



ATLANTA, July 27, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- As a few Georgia politicians begin advocating that Georgia's Dominion voting system be patched to address massive security and inaccuracy concerns, VoterGA expounded today upon its position that a patch from version 5.5 to 5.17 will not secure Georgia's 2024 elections nor ensure the accuracy of 2024 results because: The Halderman Security Analysis concluded: "it would be extremely difficult to retrofit security into a system that was not initially produced with such a process.";

There is no evidence a vendor patch would mitigate most of the system security flaws identified by the Halderman Security Analysis;

There is no evidence a vendor patch would rectify other Dominion counting problems detected in Georgia and Tennessee during the 2020 and 2022 elections;

A patch would destroy forensic evidence needed for court cases attempting to force the Secretary of State to determine whether or not our voting systems were secured;

Ballots would continue being counted secretly by tabulators and then sealed after certification so voters would never be able to determine accuracy of any election;

Estimates show that an upgrade would unnecessarily cost Georgia taxpayers well over $37 million for new poll books, new printers, supplies and procedural changes. Professor Halderman explained that the Dominion ICX touchscreen system "was developed without sufficient attention to security during design, software engineering, and testing." which is why it cannot be retrofitted for security with software updates known as "patches."



A simple solution is to hand count ballots in public at polls and processing centers to ensure election results for each race are correct and to detect any counterfeits. Two counties have already decided to perform a 100% audit of all races by hand counting their ballots to ensure accuracy of their 2024 results. More counties will likely follow. Why shouldn't the state at least do this much to improve the security of Georgia's 2024 election?



Co-founder Garland Favorito added: "And yet, the absolute best solution is to replace the system that a U.S. District Court has already found in violation of two Georgia statutes with hand marked, publicly hand counted, ballots. Recent studies show the time it takes to hand count all hand marked ballots is only slightly more than the time it takes to pack up and return all the expensive, unnecessary equipment used at the polls. Most Georgians want to protect their votes with full hand counts because it provides a secure, verifiable, accurate, legal and cost-effective election process. Anything less is an insult to Georgia voters."



VoterGA is a non-partisan, 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization created by a coalition of citizens working to restore election integrity in Georgia. We advocate for independently verifiable, auditable, recount capable, transparent and tamper proof elections.



SOURCE VoterGA



CONTACT: Sheryl Sellaway, 404-273-5133, sheryl@righteouspragency.com



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There's great news for Indians who love watching Broadway shows. One of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time, 'West Side Story', is all set to make its grand India debut at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC). Directed by Broadway luminary Lonny Price, this modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet will be staged at The Grand Theatre the Cultural Centres world-class performing arts space between August 16 and August 27. Excited to bring 'West Side Story' to India, founder of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre(NMACC), Nita Ambani said, "We are delighted to bring yet another iconic Broadway musical 'West Side Story' to India for the very first time. This carries forward our vision of showcasing the best of India to the world and bringing the best of the world to India. At the heart of this theatrical is the emotion of love - a force that transcends boundaries and binds cultures. I thank all the friends of NMACC for their wholehearted support to our Centre; and invite them to join us in this celebration of love through art and music." West Side Story narrates the story of two young, star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, in the throes of life-changing events that play out on the streets of 1950s New York. In this vibrant and passionate retelling, trouble brews on Upper West Side as rival gangs Jets (American) and Sharks (Puerto Rican) battle for dominance of the neighbourhood, even as the protagonists whose kin are sworn enemies find themselves irrevocably in love. Driven by ancient feuds, electric rhythms, a cinematic period setting and the tragic obstacles of destiny, this is a timeless tale that is bound to enthrall. Celebrated for the immortal melodies of Leonard Bernstein, outstanding choreography of Jerome Robbins, playwrighting by the famous Arthur Laurents and the evocative words of multi-award-winning lyricist Stephen Sondheim, this rendition of West Side Story is the only touring production to feature the original Broadway choreography. The theatricals incredibly talented choreographer Julio Monge also served as a consultant for Hollywood legend Steven Spielbergs Oscar-winning movie adaptation, which was released in 2021. Director Lonny Price, who transports the audience to the New York of the 1950s with his fresh new production, said, "We wanted to rejuvenate this 'classic on stage'. To do a traditional production of it, and a truthful one, using the means available today, but staying as close to the original as possible. West Side Story is a timeless masterpiece, perfect in every way. All of our effort was to portray the story as truthfully and as authentically as possible. Without doubt, India is the land of epic love stories, a truly wonderful and magical place. We hope that the Indian audience will embrace our West Side Story and are very much looking forward to our time at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Producer Martin Flohr added. Earlier this year, the NMACC brought 'The Sound of Music' Broadway to India. So, Mumbaikars what are you waiting for? Check the schedule and grab the tickets for the 'West Side Story' musical show as soon as possible. (ANI)
Imbued with a history as ancient and resonant as the murmurings of the Buddha himself, northeast India has cradled the illustrious tendrils of Buddhism for centuries. The heart of this region has pulsed with a Buddhist rhythm, infusing its culture, moulding its religious ethos, and breathing life into its philosophical undertones. However, there has long been a dissonant note in this symphony due to the overbearing patriarchy in the religious institutions. But today, there is an insuppressible sound rising from the depths of this silence, a chorus led by the Buddhist nuns who are challenging the unyielding terrain of gender bias. Like ardent sculptors, they are chiselling out fresh spaces for themselves within the aged tradition, standing up to patriarchal dominion, and breathing life into the dharmathe Buddha's teachings delineating the path to liberation. Lord Buddha insisted that females, like men, possess the potential for enlightenment. He defied opposition to establish the first Buddhist nuns, declaring, I will not take final Nirvana until I have nuns and female disciples who are accomplished until I have laywomen followers who will teach the Dhamma. Emerging as the vanguard of this progressive movement, the Jangchub Choling Institute, also cloaked under the moniker Gyangong Ani Gompa, stands as a beacon of enlightenment in the quaint town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. With roots reaching back to 1993, the nunnery has evolved into an epicentre for Buddhist learning and praxis, pulling in women from across Northeast India and afar. Today, it serves as a spiritual nest for over 200 nuns, marking it as a significant powerhouse of its kind in the region. The annals of the nunnery whisper an enchanting tale. Merak Lama Lodroe Gyatso, a man of the cloth, built a sanctuary for his nun sister who was denied a dwelling in the Tawang monastery. Over time, the humble meditation retreat burgeoned into a full-fledged nunnerythe present Jangchub Choling or Gyangong Ani Gompa. The nuns at Jangchub Choling are far from passive scholars of the dharma. They serve as radiant channels of Buddha's teachings, reaching out to schools, hospitals, orphanages, and breaking religious barriers to foster understanding and unity. Notwithstanding hardships, the nuns held fast to their faith and resilience. They formed their own governing body, laid out a unique curriculum encompassing English, computer skills, social work, alongside traditional Buddhist studies, and stepped into leadership roles within the nunnery. Their firm conviction has proved that women can equal men in commitment, knowledge, and capability when it comes to practising dharma. Echoing the progressive chants of Jangchub Choling's nuns, Buddhist nuns across Northeast India are creating tremors of change, demonstrating through their lives of mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom that spirituality knows no gender. The audacious nuns, through their steadfast dedication to dharma and their ceaseless activism, are reshaping the Buddhist landscape, etching their own niche within the tradition, and giving testament to the transformative power of spiritual practice. (ANI)
A mesmerizing fusion of spirituality and martial arts thrives in the rugged terrains of the Himalayas. Among the lofty peaks of Ladakh, India and Nepal, a unique sisterhood of 'Kung Fu Nuns' transcends the traditional boundaries of religion and gender. The 'Kung Fu Nuns' is an unusual group that has been shattering centuries-old stereotypes while combining service, activism, and martial arts with serene Buddhist practices. Their remarkable story is one of the determination, transformation, and fearlessness that transcends borders and offers lessons of resilience and empowerment. The Kung Fu Nuns hail from the Drukpa lineage, an ancient Buddhist sect that has its roots deep in the heart of the Himalayas. Guided by the dynamic leadership of the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, this extraordinary group started their journey of martial arts in 2008, breaking the long-standing Buddhist law prohibiting nuns from physical training. Named Jigme, meaning "fearless one," these nuns embody audacity and grit, taking spirituality to new horizons. However, the journey hasn't always been smooth. The nuns have faced immense backlash from more conservative sects, even facing threats of their nunneries being burnt. But the fearless nuns remain undeterred, growing in number, with nearly 800 nuns across various nunneries in Ladakh and along the Himalayas. Contrary to traditional roles where nuns were confined to tasks like cooking and cleaning, the Kung Fu Nuns are encouraged to drive, lead prayers, and acquire various trade skills, from plumbing to typing, solar panel installation, and even the English language. Their intense Kung Fu training, which often stretches to 8 to 10 hours daily, underscores their belief that physical fitness and spirituality are complementary facets of personal growth. Their mission, however, extends beyond spiritual and physical development. The Kung Fu Nuns are ardent environmentalists and social activists, pedalling across India and Nepal to promote world peace and green transportation, and trudging the Himalayan expanse to collect plastic waste. Their commitment to service came to the forefront in 2015 when Nepal was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake. They swiftly became relief workers, distributing aid with the support of the international non-profit, Live to Love. The nuns also took up the colossal task of building 201 homes for the earthquake victims, demonstrating a profound commitment to community welfare. The Kung Fu Nuns are not just about breaking barriers; they are about building bridges. They are part of the Live to Love Eye Camps, assisting doctors in providing free cataract surgeries. They epitomize the ideal of service above self, becoming beacons of hope in the face of despair. Their extraordinary journey and inspiring endeavours have attracted global recognition. In 2012, their Kung Fu prowess led to an invitation to London for demonstrations as part of the pre-Olympic celebrations. Their impact reached new heights when they received the prestigious "Game Changer Award" in 2019 from the Asia Society, becoming the first all-female group of honourees. More recently, the Delhi Commission for Women honoured the Kung Fu Nuns on International Women's Day, acknowledging their extraordinary achievements in women empowerment, disaster relief, environmental conservation, and societal transformation. The Kung Fu Nuns are an exceptional testament to the power of the human spirit, their saga an inspiration for every woman striving for equality and every individual aspiring for a harmonious blend of physical and spiritual growth. These 'fearless ones' have not only transformed themselves but have also sparked a beacon of hope, signalling a new dawn for gender equality, environmental sustainability, and societal reform. As they continue their journey, they carry with them the wisdom of the Himalayas and a vision of an empowered and enlightened world. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attacked the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan over paper leak cases and alleged that it is playing with future of the youth of the state. Addressing a rally in Sikar, PM Modi said the central government is working for the progress of youth. But what is happening in Rajasthan? Youth's future is being played with in Rajasthan. A paper leak industry is being run in the state. The youth of the state are capable but the government here is ruining their future." Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the state government of corruption and being complicit in the leak of examination papers. "The Congress has run a market of lies in Rajasthan in the name of running government. The latest product is 'Red Diary'. It is said that in this diary Congress' black deeds are listed," he said. He also launched a scathing attack on Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) and said that the way Mahatama Gandhi gave the slogan of Quit India, it is time for corruption and appeasement to quit India. "With the label of INDIA, they want to cover up their old deeds, the deeds of UPA. Had they really cared about India, would they have asked foreigners to interfere in India?" "The way Mahatama Gandhi had said Quit India, today's slogan is Bhrashtachar (Corruption) Quit India, Parivarwad Quit India, Tushtikaran (Appeasement) Quit India. Quit India will save the country and help our nation develop," he added. PM Modi said a top Congress leader had given the slogan Indira is India, India is Indira but the public defeated the Congress. "They had once given the slogan, 'Indira is India, India is Indira.' At that time, they were uprooted by the people. These people of arrogance have done this again," he said. "Congress has become a directionless party. Congress and its allies have changed their names just like the earlier fraud companies did. They have changed their name so that they can remove the stain of capitulating in front of terrorism. Their ways are similar to that of the country's enemy. The name INDIA is not to show their patriotism but with an intention to rob the country," he added. Earlier today Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated various developments projects worth crores in Rajasthan's Sikar district, including PM Kisan Samriddhi centres and medical colleges and said that his government is "standing shoulder to shoulder with the farmers" of the country. "The power of the farmers and the hard work of the farmers extract gold from the soil. That's why our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of the country," PM Modi said. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that the Central Government must be aware of the situation in Manipur and should no longer remain in power. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav said that the situation in Manipur has happened due to the vote-bank politics of the Bhartiya Janata Party in the region. "BJP and PM are one. Whatever is happening there is due to the hatred spread by RSS and the vote bank politics of BJP. Government must be aware of everything. It is not possible that Central agencies didn't know about the situation. They must be aware of whatever is happening there. If Government saw all this happening, they should not remain in power," Akhilesh Yadav told ANI. Earlier today, opposition MPs of the I.N.D.I.A alliance arrived at the Parliament wearing black clothes as a mark of protest over the situation in Manipur. While speaking to ANI, Aam Admi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chaddha said, "Today the MPs of the alliance have decided that to oppose the atrocities on the people of Manipur and the barbarism going on there, we will wearblack clothesand go to the Parliament today. This will be a symbolic protest to give a message that we stand with the people of Manipur in this hour of grief." He further stated that Chief Minister N Biren Singh should be sacked from his position. "We will try to make the government realise that an integral part of this country, Manipur is burning. We urge the government to save Manipur and shoulder their Constitutional duty. The State government of the day should be dissolved and the CM should be unceremoniously sacked," he said. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jagannath Sarkar reiterated that the government was ready for a discussion on the situation in Manipur in Parliament and said the anti-BJP coalition is creating ruckus inside the House. His remarks came after the opposition alliance INDIA moved a no-confidence motion to the House by Congress Party MP Gaurav Gogoi against the Government a day earlier. The motion was accepted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the same day, adding that he will speak to leaders of all parties and announce when the discussion on the motion will be taken up. (ANI)
Amid the unrest in Manipur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aware that BJP's ideology has set the northeastern state on fire. According to the Congress leader, PM Modi has got nothing to do with the violence-hit state because he is the Prime Minister of only a few selected people. In a video message shared by Indian National Congress on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, "What is Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing for Manipur? Why is he not saying anything about Manipur? It is because Narendra Modi has nothing to do with Manipur. He knows that his own ideology has burned Manipur. Hitting out at PM Modi for not visiting the northeastern state,Rahul Gandhi said, Have you seen what happened in Manipur? And what is happening? You will be surprised that the Prime Minister has not said a word about Manipur. You would have thought that when a state of the country is burning, the Prime Minister of the country would say something. Many of you would have thought that the Prime Minister of the country would go to Imphal to at least talk to the people. If it had been any previous Prime Minister, especially one from the Congress party, they would have been present there. But you will be surprised why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not going to Manipur. Why is he not speaking about Manipur? Because Narendra Modi Ji is the Prime Minister of selected people, he is also the Prime Minister of the RSS. He has nothing to do with Manipur. He knows that his ideology has burnt Manipur. But the sorrow in Manipur, the pain, the injury to womenNarendra Modi Ji does not care about it, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi added. Accusing the BJP-RSS of only focusing on getting to power, Rahul said, "There is an ideological war going on between the RSS-BJP and the Congress. While the ideology of Congress is to protect the Constitution, unite the country and fight against social inequality, RSS-BJP wants that a few selected people should run this country and all the wealth of the country should be in their hands." "BJP-RSS only wants power and can do anything to get power. For power, they will burn Manipur, they will burn the whole country. They don't care about the sorrow and pain of the country," he added. Alleging BJP-RSS of "dividing India", the Congress leader said, "You have patriotism in your heart. When the country gets hurt, when any citizen of the country gets hurt, you also feel the pain. But the people of BJP-RSS are not feeling any pain, because they are doing the work of dividing India." A team of opposition MPs belonging to I.N.D.I.A is slated to visit Manipur on July 29 and 30 amid their demand for a detailed discussion in Parliament on the situation in the state, which has seen ethnic violence. "A team of INDIA alliance MPs will visit Manipur on July 29, 30," an opposition leader said. Opposition parties have been pressing for their demand since the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20. The government has said it is ready for debate on the issue but the opposition has insisted on debate under adjournment motion. Manipur has been witnessing violence since May 3, following the protests by the Kuki and Meitei communities against the High Court's order asking the state government to consider the inclusion of Meitei community in the category of Scheduled Tribes (ST). Only STs can buy lands in hilly areas. The majority Meitei community, which occupies the Imphal Valley and nearby areas, sought the ST status keeping in view their increasing population and increased requirement of land so that they could purchase lands in the hilly areas. (ANI)
Considering the national interest, The Supreme Court on Thursday extended the tenure of the Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Sanjay Kumar Mishra till September 15. The court, however, clarified that no further application seeking an extension would be entertained. A bench of justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol passed the order while hearing the Centre's application. Centre on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to extend the tenure of Mishra till October 15, in view of the ongoing Financial Action Task Force (FATF) review. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre told the Supreme Court that it is an extraordinary circumstance and urged the court to extend the tenure of SK Mishra as ED Director till October 15. The court remarked that such plea is giving a picture that your entire department is incompetent and there is only one competent person and the department cannot function without one person, the SC remarked, questioning, Is it not demoralising the entire force. Justice BR Gavai, who is heading the bench, also remarked, If tomorrow he doesnt come, will the Supreme Court collapse? Replying to this, Tushar Mehta said that no one is indispensable and urged the court to accept the Centre's plea. SG Mehta said the continuity of ED Director tenure would help the country. The SG urged the apex court to extend the ED director's tenure to October 15 at least on the ground that the FATF review will put questions and they have to answer. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju apprised that there is a terror financing issue. The court sought to know whether terror financing is in money laundering. SG Mehta replied terror financing is also a part and apprised the court that there are countries on the grey list such as Pakistan. Petitioner's counsel asked not to bring Pakistan to the hearing. SG responded that he is not comparing with Pakistan as the country is not comparable. Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Anoop George Chaudhary, appearing for the petitioner in the matter opposed the plea. The Centre in its plea to the Supreme Court said that it may be permitted to extend the tenure of ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra in view of the ongoing FATF Review which is at a critical stage where submissions on effectiveness have been made on July 21 and an on-site visit is scheduled to be conducted in November 2023. "At such a critical juncture, it is essential to have an individual who is well-acquainted with the overall status of money laundering investigations and proceedings across the country and also the intricacies of the procedures, operations and activities of the investigating agency, at the helm of affairs at the Directorate of Enforcement. This is necessary to ensure that the assessment team can be promptly and ably assisted with necessary reports, information, statistics etc," the Centre said in the plea. Centre said that any transition in leadership at the Directorate of Enforcement at this stage, would significantly impair the ability of the agency to provide necessary assistance to and co-operation with the assessment team and thereby adversely impact India's national interest. Early in the morning, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the Supreme Court that the Centre is moving an application seeking an extension of the tenure of Enforcement Directorate Sanjay Kumar Mishra. A bench headed by Justice BR Gavai agreed to hear it tomorrow. On July 11, the Supreme Court held that the extension of the tenure of ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra was illegal and he would continue to serve in the post till July 31, 2023. Centre in its application apprised the top court the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body which has developed its recommendations to prevent and combat money laundering and terror financing. About 200 countries including India, have committed to implementing these standards. FATF conducts peer reviews of all its member countries on a regular basis to assess levels of implementation of its recommendations. These peer reviews or mutual evaluation assess technical compliance with FATF recommendations and reviews the level of effectiveness of a country's Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system. According to the application, India is currently being assessed in the fourth round of mutual evaluations. The mutual evaluation of the country was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre said. The Indian Mutual Evaluation has already commenced and the written submissions have been made on July 21 2023. Centre said that next two to three months the assessors will be seeking clarifications and leadership at a very senior level is required to respond to their queries. The assessors are likely to visit India for a period of three weeks starting November 3 2023. The onsite assessment involves having detailed meetings with officers investigating and prosecuting money laundering offences, officers of FIU, regulators and reporting entities and would require a high level of coordination at senior levels. Several presentations on technical topics would also be required to be made, Centre said. The government said that the intricacies of complex money laundering investigations may also need to be explained to them, which can be done only by a person with hands-on experience. "Since Enforcement Directorate is the only money laundering agency in India, its role in the presentation of the effectiveness of anti-money laundering provision and administration before the assessor is very significant and important from a national interest perspective," the Centre said. On July 11 The Supreme Court held that the extension of the tenure of ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra was illegal and he would continue to serve in the post till July 31, 2023. However, it had rejected the plea to the extent of challenging the amendments to the Central Vigilance Commission Act (CVC) and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPEA). The court made it clear that it rejects the plea to the extent of challenging the amendments to the Central Vigilance Commission Act and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol passed the order on various petitions challenging the extension of the tenure of ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra. The court was hearing petitions challenging the Centre decision dated November 17, 2022, whereby the government has extended the third tenure of director of Enforcement Directorate SK Mishra. Among the petitioners were Jaya Thakur and others. (ANI)
Amid the prevailing situation in Manipur, the law and order situation has been relatively better in the state, the government sources said on Thursday. According to government sources, nearly 35,000 security personnel has been deployed on the ground. No shortage of medicine and daily supplies, prices of food and essential materials are under control, a large number of government staff are returning to work, schools are also slowly resuming, the sources informed. Meanwhile, the Centre held several rounds of talks with members of the Kuki and Meitei communities. Six rounds of talks with each community were held, the sources said. The sources further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur. He is regularly being briefed by Home Minister and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will refer Manipur viral video case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the government sources said on Thursday. A 26-second video from Manipur has triggered outrage in the whole country where two women were stripped naked, assaulted and paraded by a mob. The sources further told ANI that the Centre will also file an affidavit in Supreme Court requesting the trial of a viral video case to take place outside Manipur. The incident allegedly took place on May 4, a day after ethnic clashes broke out inManipur. After a video of the same went viral, the police swung into action and arrested seven people, including the main accused. The source further said that the mobile phone from which Manipur women's viral video was shot has been recovered and the person who shot the video has also been arrested. The violence inManipurerupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union ofManipur(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)
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will be implemented in 42 Kendriya Vidyalayas of Guwahati Region. In the run-up to the 3rd anniversary of the National Education Policy, 2020 on July 29, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Regional Office Guwahati on Thursday held a press conference at KV IOC Noonmati in Guwahati on the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the 42 Kendriya Vidyalayas of the region. Representatives of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) were also present. During the media briefing, it was informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam which is coinciding with the 3rd anniversary of NEP 2020, on July 29 at ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The two-day event is being organised by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The Prime Minister will be launching various initiatives on the occasion. National Education Policy (NEP) promotes critical thinking rather than rote learning, focuses on learning instead of studying and encourages scientific temperament, said Chandrashekhar Azad, DC, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) Regional Office, Guwahati on Thursday. The Samagam will provide a platform for experts of schools, higher educational institutions, and skilling institutions to discuss, deliberate and share insights, strategies, success stories and best practices in implementing the NEP 2020. PM Modi will also launch various initiatives on the occasion, at the event being organised by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The Samagam will provide a platform for experts of schools, higher educational institutions, and skilling institutions to discuss, deliberate and share insights, strategies, success stories and best practices in implementing the NEP 2020, the officials said. Earlier, speaking about the implementation of NEP 2020, Professor Gautam Barua, Director, of IIIT Guwahati said, The vision and provisions of the National Education Policy are so vast and holistic that all the provisions of the policy can be expected to be fully operationalised by 2040.Dr Ferdous A Barbhuiya, Associate Dean (Administration) at IIT Guwahati shared the details of initiatives taken by IIIT Guwahati in holistic academic growth as well as student welfare. In his opening remarks, Professor Parameswar K Iyer, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati said NEP 2020 has set up the base for streamlining an array of progressive objectives, which is expected to catalyze the furtherance of academic and research excellence in the institutes of higher education. NEP2020 envisions setting up a workforce to fulfil the needs of an enlightened, conscious, knowledgeable, and skilled Nation capable of identifying and solving its own problems for long-term sustainability. At IIT Guwahati, we are implementing NEP2020 in a phase-wise manner to make sure the best practices can be included in our curriculum in the most efficient way possible. He also listed some of the key features of NEP2020 implemented by IIT Guwahati through multiple inter, multi, and trans-disciplinary initiatives. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh school education department authorities have ordered an enquiry into an alleged incident in which a principal posted at a 'CM Rise School' in Madhya Pradeshs Rajgarh district, stopped the students from chanting 'Gayatri Mantra' during morning assembly. The incident took place at the school situated in Biaora town of the district on Wednesday morning. The principal stated that it is a government school and activities promoting any religion were not allowed on the school premises. A video of the incident was recorded by one of the teachers and was shared on social media platforms, prompting authorities to launch a probe. Taking cognizance of the matter, Minister of State for School Education (independent charge) Inder Singh Parmar on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the same. An inquiry has been ordered into the matter. This type of act will not be tolerated. Education will be imparted in all the schools according to Indian culture and tradition, it has been said in the new education policy. Saraswati Vandana is mandatory in all the schools and is also being followed, Parmar said. "SDM will investigate the matter and submit a report soon," the minister added. The school principal, identified as Dushyant Rana, however, said on Wednesday, Since it is a government school, any kind of religious activity is banned here. In this context, we had a meeting on Tuesday in which it was decided that only the national anthem, national song and an inspirational song would be sung during the morning school assembly. But the children were instigated by our three teachers Harish Saxena, Bajrang Jangde and Nutan Dubey, and students were purposefully made to chant prayers that we had decided to stop earlier. Gayatri Mantra, Mahamrityunjaya Jaap and also there were three-four verses which are related to Hinduism. I said that no particular religion can be promoted in government schools in such a way. But the teachers did not listen to me and instigated the children to do all those prayers. They also started the prayer before time so that I could not get to know about it, he added. (ANI)
Congress MP Randeep Surjewala on Thursday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the prevailing situation in Manipur and alleged that the ruling party thinks of Manipur as if it is Pakistan". "How will they (BJP) even see the black colour of protest when their (BJP) hearts are black?... Dr Manmohan Singh during his tenure as PM used to answer questions every week...Today, they (BJP) think of Manipur which is an integral part of India as if it is Pakistan", MP Surjewala said. Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aware that BJP's ideology has set the northeastern state on fire. According to the Congress leader, PM Modi has got nothing to do with the violence-hit state because he is the Prime Minister of only a few selected people. In a video message shared by Indian National Congress on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, "What is Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing for Manipur? Why is he not saying anything about Manipur? It is because Narendra Modi has nothing to do with Manipur. He knows that his own ideology has burned Manipur. Hitting out at PM Modi for not visiting the northeastern state, Rahul Gandhi said, Have you seen what happened in Manipur? And what is happening? You will be surprised that the Prime Minister has not said a word about Manipur. You would have thought that when a state of the country is burning, the Prime Minister of the country would say something. Many of you would have thought that the Prime Minister of the country would go to Imphal to at least talk to the people. Meanwhile today, the opposition MPs of the INDIA alliance arrived at the Parliament wearing black clothes as a mark of protest against the Manipur violence. While speaking to ANI, Aam Admi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chaddha said, "Today the MPs of INDIA alliance have decided to oppose the atrocities on the people of Manipur and the barbarism going on there, we will wear black clothes and go to the Parliament today. This will be a symbolic protest to give a message that we stand with the people of Manipur in this hour of grief. "He further stated that Chief Minister N Biren Singh should be sacked from his position.'We will try to make the Government realise that an integral part of this country, Manipur is burning. We urge the Government to save Manipur and shoulder their Constitutional duty. The State Govt of the day should be dissolved and the CM should be unceremoniously sacked," he said. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that they are wearing black clothes against the arrogance of PM Modi. "Our black clothes are against the arrogance of the PM. When the country is burning and Manipur is divided, he is bothered only about his own image," Gaurav Gogoi said. Meanwhile, the Leaders of the INDIA alliance held a meeting in the Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the Floor of the House. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "We do not get a chance to speak in the Parliament. We demanded that PM Modi should come to the Parliament & have a detailed discussion on the Manipur issue. Don't know why the Prime Minister is not speaking. We were forced to bring a no-confidence motion." "We know that this will not bring down the government, but we have no choice. The Prime Minister of the country should come in front of the country and speak on Manipur," he added. All Members of Parliament from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) on Thursday will wear black clothes to the Parliament to register their protest over the situation in Manipur. (ANI)
Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested one person from Pune for giving shelter to two suspected terrorists who were earlier wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). ATS charged the accused with giving shelter to the suspected terrorists identified as Imran Khan and Yunus Saki in Pune and said that the another accused involved in a similar role was on the run. "During the investigation of the duo suspects, it was found that they took the help of a person in Pune to make arrangements for their shelter when they arrived in the city. On the information received during interrogation of the accused, the said person was detained first, and after questioning, he was arrested and booked along with the two suspects," the press release issued by Maharashtra ATS on Thursday said. Maharashta ATS further stated that both accused were booked under UAPA charges. "During the investigation, it was revealed that both were planning to carry out anti-national activities to disturb the unity and safety of the nation, and for this, both had taken the training to make bombs and kept the required materials in their possession," an official statement said. "ATS has recovered a tent from their residence that was planned for future use to have shelter in the jungles. ATS has also recovered a laptop, some Arabic literature, and a shining white powder that was found to be an explosive material. accused also had a weighing machine, a drone, electronic circuits item soldering machine," it added. Earlier, both suspected terrorists Imran Khan and Yunus Saki were arrested by Pune city police during a regular combing operation while they were trying to steal a bike from the Kothrud area of the city on July 18 in the early hours. Pune Police, on patrol, had nabbed the three accused all together, but somehow one of them managed to run away. ATS has launched a massive hunt for the absconding accused. Later, the whole case was transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra on July 22, and both were booked under UAPA charges. Both accused were also wanted by the National Investigation Agency in a terrorism plot in Rajasthan and had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each. (ANI)
As Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to move a resolution on Manipur in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendhu Adhikari on Thursday said that this resolution is politically motivated. "There must be discussion on the atrocities happening against women in West Bengal, it's not about just Manipur, this resolution (by TMC) is politically motivated...", West Bengal LoP Suvendhu Adhikari. However, TMC will move a resolution on Manipur in State Assembly on July 31. The date was finalised today in the Business Advisory Committee meeting, informed officials. Meanwhile, the law and order situation has been relatively better in Manipur, as informed by government sources today. The sources further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur. He is regularly being briefed by Home Minister and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will refer Manipur viral video case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the government sources said today. A 26-second video from Manipur has triggered outrage in the whole country where two women were stripped naked, assaulted and paraded by a mob. The sources further told ANI that the Centre will also file an affidavit in Supreme Court requesting the trial of a viral video case to take place outside Manipur. The incident allegedly took place on May 4, a day after ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur. After a video of the same went viral, the police swung into action and arrested seven people, including the main accused. The source further said that the mobile phone from which Manipur women's viral video was shot has been recovered and the person who shot the video has also been arrested. 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)
Sri Lankan Navy Police arrested the fishermen on July 8, claiming that they had crossed the border and were fishing in the area under the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka.

Following the arrest fishermen were produced before the court and were later remanded to judicial custody.

Their case came up for hearing in the Oorkavalthurai court on July 21, the judge ordered the release of all 15 fishermen.

Their release came days after Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's official tour to India. During his visit, Sri Lankan President had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier, four Indian fishing boats were impounded and 22 fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on June 22, for allegedly crossing into Sri Lankan waters.

Palk Strait, which is a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries and because of that fishermen keep on going to the area and end up entering Sri Lankan water. (ANI)
A joint session of Pakistan's Parliament on Wednesday passed amendments to the Election Act 2017, granting additional powers to the caretaker government to take important decisions on the economy and engage with international institutions, Geo News reported. Under the new amendments, the interim government can exercise power on ongoing projects and can also look into urgent matters. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that it is important to empower the caretaker government to sign bilateral and multilateral agreements or the projects already initiated under the Public Private Partnership Authority Act 2017, the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Act 2022, and the Privatisation Commission Ordinance 2000. The bill titled "Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2023" was tabled in the joint session by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi which was approved with a majority vote. Subclauses 1 and 2 of Section 230 of the election act related to the functioning of the caretaker government have been amended. The caretaker government will be able to exercise powers on matters related to the ongoing projects, according to the amendments, Geo News reported. The bill also envisages measures aimed at ensuring the timely compilation and announcement of election results, it said. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) successfully persuaded its allies in the Centre to approve a bill granting additional powers to the caretaker setup a day after the amendment bill was deferred in the parliament for further deliberations, sources toldGeo News. In this regard, Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms meeting was held with PML-N's Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair to discuss Section 230 which relates to the functions of a caretaker government. The sources also said that under the proposed bill, the caretaker government was given unbridled powers, which the allied parties, as well as the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), opposed. After the discussion on Wednesday, the PML-N agreed to make minor changes in the bill that would allow the interim government to only engage with bilateral donors and multilateral institutions, reported Geo News. Meanwhile, the joint session of parliament also approved an amendment for the transparency of postal balloting which stated that the ECP will upload the details of the postal ballot on the website before elections and if the winning or losing ratio is five per cent then recounting of votes will take place. (ANI)
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country's main airline is once again in hot waters as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) froze its account on the basis of non-payment of more than Rs 2 billion in taxes, according to ARY News. In January last year, the FBR had frozen 53 bank accounts of the PIA after it was found to be a tax defaulter of Rs 26 billion. However, those bank accounts were restored after PIA assured them of early clearance of the taxes. According to sources, PIA owed about Rs 2.8 billion to the FBR in taxes. However, the airline claims its dues amount to around Rs 1.3 bn, reported Dawn. Moreover, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) also denied providing fuel for three PIA aircraft which interrupted the scheduled flights including PK-309 Islamabad-Karachi, PK-330 Karachi-Multan and PK-739 Multan-Jeddah, reported ARY News. The spokesperson of PIA said that they are contacting FBR on the government level for the restoration of the accounts, ARY News reported. He further said that the bank account closure will not affect the PIA's flight operations. However last week, according to The News International, PIA reached a point where it needed money from the national fund to operate for even one day. The government was thinking of bringing in specialists to draw a time-bound restructuring plan through shadow management in light of the total accumulated losses, which have exceeded PKR 600 billion. Additionally, the officials wondered how long a PIA that is operating at a loss would continue to operate and added that first and foremost, leaks needed to be sealed, a reorganisation plan needed to be created with deadlines, and the major functions needed to be gradually privatised. Earlier, the board of directors of the country's main airline PIA failed to make a decision on employees' pay raise due to financial hardships, according to ARY News. Moreover, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) team will arrive in Pakistan for a physical audit in September. (ANI)
The FOC was co-chaired by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs and Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "3rd India-Laos FOC held today in Vientiane, co-chaired by Secy (East) @AmbSaurabhKumar and Dy FM Mr Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Laos."

The two discussed the review of comprehensive partnerships in different sectors.

"Discussions encompassed comprehensive review of partnership across sectors, including development cooperation, trade, defence, agriculture, health, heritage conservation, capacity building and current regional and global issues of interest," Bagchi added in his tweet.

https://twitter.com/meaindia/status/1684449453468700672?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the 2nd Foreign Office Consultation was held in New Delhi on 10 August 2015.

India and Lao share "longstanding, friendly and mutually supportive relations", according to the MEA. The two sides' views converge on many issues of mutual interest in international forums. Moreover, Laos support Indias claim for permanent membership in the UN SecurityCouncil.

Laos is a part of Indias extended neighbourhood as only Myanmar separates Laos from Indias North East. According to the MEA, "As the Indian presence grows and the success stories become more, India-Lao relations in different spheres are likely to grow." (ANI)
Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa will be arriving in New Delhi on Thursday evening on a two-day visit to India, the Ministry of External Affairs press release said on Thursday. He would reach the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday evening and later in the evening will hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House. On Friday, he will attend the India- Japan Forum at Imperial Hotel in New Delhi. He will depart for his country on Friday late evening. Yoshimasa will travel to India as part of his visit to Southwest Asia and Africa to bolster relations with a group of nations known as the Global South, NHK World-Japan reported. Speaking to reporters in Tokyo earlier this week, Yoshimasa said he will visit India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia through August 4. During his visit, he plans to hold meetings with foreign ministers of those countries and other senior officials, according to the NHK World-Japan report. Yoshimasa highlighted the importance of listening to the views of the Global South and responding to the needs of the group. Hayashi visited Delhi in March this year to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting. Yoshimasa's visit is part of a push to realize Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's "free and open Indo-Pacific" and maintain the international order based on the rule of law, NHK World-Japan reported. Speaking in Delhi in March this year, Kishida emphasised that India is indispensable in Tokyos plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Earlier this May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the full range of relations between India and Japan during his bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Hiroshima. The two leaders also discussed the focus areas of India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency towards making the planet better. The two leaders also discussed deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, according to the statement. The leaders agreed on ways to further strengthen the bilateral Special Strategic and Global Partnership. PM Modi tweeted, "Had an excellent meeting with PM @kishida230this morning. We reviewed the full range of India-Japan relations and also discussed the focus areas of Indias G-20 Presidency and Japans G-7 Presidency towards making our planet better." India and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1952. India, Japan, Australia, US are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), commonly known as the Quad. (ANI)
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda said on Wednesday that the Sri Lankan President thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for the financial assistance rendered during the recent economic crisis which served as the lifeline towards laying the critical initial steps towards economic stabilization, a press statement by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner said on Thursday. He also stated that the future India-Sri Lanka cooperation would mainly focus on connectivity and investment which will be founded on a vibrant economic integration strategy. Sri Lankas High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda attended a closed-door panel discussion organized by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi on Economic Recovery of Sri Lanka and Visit of the President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe to India as the lead speaker on Wednesday. High Commissioner Moragoda went on to elaborate on the significance of India-Sir Lanka relations and the special status it has reached in the recent past. Commenting on the recent visit of the President of Sri Lanka to New Delhi, High Commissioner stated that the visit not only further strengthened the existing bilateral relationship, but laid a solid foundation towards a vibrant India-Sri Lanka economic partnership.Further, the High Commissioner also explained the broader contours mentioned in the joint vision statement along with the importance of MoUs that were signed and underlined the necessity of both countries working towards reaping mutual benefits founded on the key pillars of connectivity and integration, which are expected to be implemented through five key enablers stated in the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision. Ambassador Ashok Kantha, former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Ambassador Mohan Kumar, Professor, and Dean of the Office of International Affairs and Global Initiatives, Jindal University also shared their views on the theme along with High Commissioner Moragoda. The ICWA was established in 1943 by a group of eminent intellectuals led by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and H.N. Kunzru. Its principal objective was to create an Indian perspective on international relations and act as a repository of knowledge and thinking on foreign policy issues. The ICWA is funded by the Ministry of External Affairs and enjoys full autonomy.Ambassador Vijay Thakur Singh, Director General - ICWA, former Indian diplomats, officials of the ICWA, and members of the leading New Delhi-based Think Tanks were also present at the event along with scholars and research personalities. (ANI)
Economic, cultural and business ties have strengthened over the last couple of years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the Bangladesh Minister of Information and Broadcasting said.

The Bangladeshi Minister said in recent months, India-Bangladesh ties have got new dimensions because we have started business by exchanging Rupee and Taka. So day by day, our relationship is strengthening under their leadership.

Speaking on Indias G20 Presidency, Mahmud said: The Indian presidency is very encouraging for us and is good for the region as well.

The Bangladeshi Minister further said the two countries need to focus on their cultural exchange and that more cultural relationships will strengthen ties between the people.

We have a strong relationship and we are working to strengthen the ties between the people. And day by day, that is strengthening, Mahmud said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary East Saurabh Kumar, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen recently held in-depth consultations on Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) issues in Dhaka.

"Secy (East) @AmbSaurabhKumar held in-depth consultations in Dhaka with Foreign Secretary Amb Masud Bin Momen of Bangladesh on BIMSTEC related issues," MEA Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

"They reviewed the recent significant progress in regional cooperation under BIMSTEC and steps taken to strengthen its institutional framework. Also discussed ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC cooperation agenda and forthcoming events," Bagchi further wrote.

Bagchi wrote: "Indialooks atBangladeshas a key driver of theBIMSTECprocess and appreciates its constructive role including as host toBIMSTECSecretariat."

Earlier in May, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Bangladeshi Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka.

"Honoured to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. Conveyed personal greetings and warm regards of PM @narendramodi. The guidance and vision of our leaders continue to strengthen India-Bangladesh Maitri," Jaishankar tweeted. (ANI)
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening as part of his two-day visit to India. Later in the evening, Hayashi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House. On Friday, the Japanese Foreign Minister will attend the India- Japan Forum at Imperial Hotel in New Delhi. Hayashi will depart for his country on Friday late evening. He will travel to India as part of his visit to Southwest Asia and Africa to bolster relations with a group of nations known as the Global South, NHK World-Japan reported. Speaking to reporters in Tokyo earlier this week, Yoshimasa Hayashi said he will visit India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia through August 4. During his visit, he plans to hold meetings with foreign ministers of those countries and other senior officials, according to the NHK World-Japan report. He also highlighted the importance of listening to the views of the Global South and responding to the needs of the group. This is his second visit to India this year. Earlier in March this year, Hayashi visited Delhi to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting. This visit is part of a push to realise Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's "free and open Indo-Pacific" and maintain the international order based on the rule of law, NHK World-Japan reported. Speaking in Delhi in March this year, Kishida emphasised that India is indispensable in Tokyos plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Earlier this May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the full range of relations between India and Japan during his bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Hiroshima. The two leaders also discussed the focus areas of India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency towards making the planet better. The two leaders also discussed deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, according to the statement. The leaders agreed on ways to further strengthen the bilateral Special Strategic and Global Partnership. "Had an excellent meeting with PM @kishida230this morning. We reviewed the full range of India-Japan relations and also discussed the focus areas of Indias G-20 Presidency and Japans G7 Presidency towards making our planet better," PM Modi said in a tweet. India and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1952. India, Japan, Australia, US are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), commonly known as the Quad. (ANI)
India on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of the dinner hosted by the Indonesian President during the Bali G20 Summit last year, exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilize bilateral relations. During the Bali G20 Summit last year, Prime Minister and President Xi Jinping, at the conclusion of the dinner hosted by the Indonesian President, exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilize our bilateral relations, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing on Thursday. The MEA Official Spokesperson said India has steadfastly maintained that the key to the resolution of India-China issues is to resolve the situation along the LAC on the western sector of the India-China boundary and to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Bagchi said: I think Foreign Secretary did mention this, maybe he didn't mention the second part of it. He did talk about exchanging courtesies and I think there was a general discussion or they spoke of the need to stabilize our bilateral relationship or relations." Meanwhile, in a stern message to China on the sidelines of the 13th BRICS National Security Advisor's (NSA) meeting in Johannesburg on Tuesday, NSA Ajit Doval said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has eroded the strategic trust between the two nations. In a meeting with Chinas top diplomatWang Yi, Doval stressed the significance of continuing efforts to thoroughly address the issue and re-establish peace in the border regions. "During the meeting, NSA conveyed that the situation along theLACin the Western Sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 had eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the relationship," the Ministry of External Affairs stated in an official release. "NSA emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas, so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral relations. The two sides agreed that the India-China bilateral relationship is significant not only for the two countries but also for the region and world," the release added. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met the Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Political Bureau and Director of the Office of the CPC Foreign Affairs Commission, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs Meeting in Johannesburg on Tuesday. (ANI)
India has lodged a strong protest with China for issuing stapled visas to Indian nationals from Arunachal Pradesh and termed it "unacceptable", adding that New Delhi reserves its right to suitably respond to such actions, Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. "This has been something that we have discussed many years ago. Our longstanding and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. There have been reports that China has issued stapled visas to people from Arunachal Pradesh, who were due to participate in an international sporting event in China. "It has come to our notice that stapled visas were issued to some of our citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China. This is unacceptable. And we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions," he added. According to reports, three members of India's Wushu team were not able to travel to China as they were issued a stapled visas since they are from Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier in April, India outrightly rejected China's attempt to rename places of Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi asserted that Arunachal Pradesh will always be an integral part of India. The statement of Arindam Bagchi came after China's Ministry of Civil Affairs announced the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it referred to as "Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet." In response to media queries regarding China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, Arindam Bagchi in a statement said, "We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright." He further said, "Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality." MEA's statement came after China released names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh in Chinese characters, Tibetan and pinyin according to the rules on geographical names issued by the State Council, China's cabinet, Global Times reported. (ANI)
Gallant and Kurilla discussed the Iranian terror activity throughout the Middle East, including financing, training and the transfer of weapons to the terror organizations in Syria and Lebanon, according to a readout of the meeting provided by the Israeli Defense Ministry.

They also talked about the progress in the security-military coordination between Israel and the US, to prevent Iran from obtaining military nuclear weapons.

The statement continued, Minister Gallant emphasized to General Kurilla the importance of continuing military, security and technological cooperation against the growing threats in the region.

Iran on Wednesday said that it gave new details to the International Atomic Energy Agency about two sites near Tehran where the UN nuclear watchdogs inspectors had found traces of highly-enriched uranium.

It was the fifth official meeting between Kurilla and Gallant, with Wednesdays consultations taking place in the Defence Ministrys headquarters.

On Tuesday evening, Gallant spoke by phone with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following the passage in the Knesset of the first law in the governing coalitions judicial reform initiative.

Austin underscored the United States belief that broad consensus through political dialogue, especially in the coming weeks and months, are critical elements of a resilient democracy.

According to the Pentagons readout of the call, Austin reiterated that the US commitment to Israels security is steadfast and unwavering, and affirmed that the Department of Defense is focused on initiatives that deepen military cooperation. (ANI/TPS)
After the order of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Mohammad Khan was released from Mardan jail on Thursday after nearly 80 days of incarceration, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Ali Mohammads lawyer Shehryar Khattak said the PTI leader had left for his village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Hathian. Ali Mohammad Khan's lawyer said that he was arrested eight times and kept in prison for 80 days. After his release from prison, PTI on its official Twitter handle stated, "After spending 80 days in jail, facing 8 arrests and bogus cases our Ali Muhammad Khan is finally out of jail!." Imran Khan-led party also shared a video on Twitter which showed Ali Muhammad Khan walking out of prison. On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court asked authorities to immediately release Ali Mohammad after his counsel approached the court for bail, according to Dawn. Ali Mohammads lawyers Nadeem Shah and Ali Zaman participated in the court proceedings.Mardan additional deputy commissioner was also present in the court. During the hearing, the court expressed displeasure over Ali Mohammad Khan's arrests. In the court, Justice Ijaz Anwar said, "If one deputy commissioner is punished for indulging in illegal activities, it would be a lesson for everyone else." Justice Anwar asked the additional deputy commissioner why the PTI leader was re-arrested on Wednesday. In response, an additional deputy commissioner said that a letterregarding arresting Ali Mohammad under 3-MPO was sent to the administration by the district police officer. During the court proceedings, Justice Anwar asked, "Do you not have a thinking of your own? Anyone will tell you and you will prepare a case?" Dawn reported. He said, "Ali Mohammad is in jail for two months how did he violate the law and order?" The judge summoned Mardan's deputy commission to be present in person at court on August 8 and adjourned the hearing, Dawn reported. On May 11, the Secretariat police first arrested Ali Mohammad under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Order (MPO) in relation to the violence that took place on May 9. Protests erupted in Pakistan after Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. Shehryar Khattak said, "But despite getting bail, he was arrested seven times by the anti-corruption establishment in Mardan in several cases," according to Dawn. Khattak said that his client was granted bail in a corruption case by a Peshawar sessions court on Wednesday against surety bonds of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 200,000. However, after the court ordered his release, Ali Mohammad was re-arrested under 3-MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) for one week after the orders of the Mardan deputy commissioner. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi on Thursday emphasized the role of India-Japan partnership in ensuring a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that is inclusive and rules-based. EAM Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Thursday held the 15th India-Japan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress made in the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The two ministers engaged in comprehensive discussions covering a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional, and global significance. They highlighted the importance of further strengthening India-Japan partnership based on shared values and principles. The Ministers emphasized the importance of achieving the target of JPY 5 trillion Japanese investment in India in the period 2022-27. They explored potential areas of collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors; resilient supply chains; and digital public infrastructure, among others. During the meeting, the ministers also expressed satisfaction with the strengthening of defence and security cooperation, including regular exercises and staff talks between all three services. In this context, they discussed a way forward to deepen Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation. The Ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues of interest. Jaishankar, his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi also discussed cooperation under multilateral and plurilateral frameworks, including Quad. They agreed on the need for early reforms of the UNSC. They also exchanged views on their respective G20 and G7 presidencies. Noting the celebration of 2023 as the Year of India-Japan Tourism Exchanges with the theme of Connecting Himalayas with Mount Fuji, the Ministers acknowledged the importance of people-to-people exchanges. They also discussed ways to promote the movement of skilled human resources from India to Japan. The India-Japan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to strengthen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The meeting further deepened bilateral cooperation and set the stage for enhanced collaboration on regional and global issues. Japanese Foreign Minister arrived in New Delhi earlier on Thursday. On Friday, the Japanese Foreign Minister will attend the India- Japan Forum at Imperial Hotel in New Delhi. He will depart for his country later in the day. Yoshimasa Hayashi is in India as part of his visit to Southwest Asia and Africa to bolster relations with a group of nations known as the Global South, NHK World-Japan reported. Speaking to reporters inTokyoearlier this week,YoshimasaHayashi said he will visitIndia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia through August 4. During his visit, he plans to hold meetings with foreign ministers of those countries and other senior officials, according to the NHK World-Japanreport. He also highlighted the importance of listening to the views of the Global South and responding to the needs of the group. (ANI)
Yet another protest against forced disappearances was organised outside the Quetta Press Club here on Thursday. The protest was organized by Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, an organization working to find people who forcefully had disappeared. @VBMP5 Protests were held in front of #Quetta Press Club under auspices of Quetta Press Club, mothers & sisters from remote areas of #Balochistan came with pictures of their loved ones. But no one listened to them @MaryamNSharif and @RanaSanaullahPK. You forgot your promises, tweeted Seema Baloch, one of the organisers. During the rallies, the speakers talked about the families of missing Balochs who are undergoing severe mental trauma due to prolonged forced disappearance of their loved ones. The speakers criticised the government and the judiciary for their apathy towards the agony of the missing peoples' families. The speakers also appealed to the protesters staging rallies in other cities to help find missing peoples by creating more pressure on the insensitive government ofPakistan. The protesters termed the disappearances as extra judicial kidnappings by security agencies like CTD, Frontier Corps and state police in order to plunder and loot the mineral and petroleum rich province. They said they have lost the confidence in provincial andPakistangovernment and their only hope is the judiciary which should take cognizance of their plight and instruct thePakistangovernment to ensure protection of rights given to people by the constitution and recover the missing people. Earlier, similar protests were held inKarachi, led by Sammi Baloch GS VBMP. The protests started fromKarachiArts Council and culminated at theKarachiPress Club. The protestors demanded immediate recovery ofmissing Baloch peopleThey said that those responsible should be made accountable and resolving the issue according to the laws of the country. VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch, inKarachi, thanked the gathering of leaders and workers of different political, social and student organizations who participated in the protest for expressing their solidarity with the families of missing individuals. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], July 27 (ANI/TPS): Foreign Minister of Israel Eli Cohen is on a two-day visit to the African nation of Ghana where he met with the countrys President Nana Akufo-Addo and Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said she was delighted to welcome Cohen adding, This visit serves as a testament to the strong bilateral relations between our two countries and hopeful that the visit would further deepen our bilateral relations. Cohen thanked her for the friendship, hospitality and a successful visit and said he is looking forward to welcome her in Israel and build further our traditional cooperation, a model relationship. On the visit itself, Minister Cohen tweeted, Upgrading Israels status in Africa! Ghana is our friend in Africa, a member of the UN Security Council and an influential factor in the African Union, he said. Cohen explained that he arrived at the head of an economic delegation with the purpose of increasing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of the economy, cyber, agriculture, infrastructure and medicine. This is part of what he called a series of strategic visits that Cohen is holding in Europe, Africa, Asia and Eurasia, which he said will strengthen Israels position in the world. (ANI/TPS)
Authorities are continuing the investigation into a deadly car crash over the weekend.

Georgia State Patrol told Channel 2 Action News that on Sunday at 8:10 p.m., troopers received reports of a crash in Hall County near Poplar Springs Road.

According to the investigation, a Toyota Camry, driven by 53-year-old Quang Long Tran of Gainesville, turned left from Farmbrook Lane onto Poplar Springs Road.

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Officials added that three passengers were in the car with Tran at the time of the crash.

Troopers determined that Tran failed to yield after stopping at the stop sign and entered the path of an oncoming Ford F-250 driven by 25-year-old Lizandra Franco Canales of Gainesville.

All four occupants of the Camry and Canales were taken to the hospital.

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Authorities confirmed that Tran succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

According to the report, Trans backseat passenger, 67-year-old Toan Thi Tran suffered serious injuries.

Officials added that 67-year-old Dong Cong Tran and a 12-year-old boy received non-life-threatening injuries.

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Canales condition has not been released.

The crash is still under investigation.

IN OTHER NEWS:
A dramatic child kidnapping case took an unexpected turn in Florida when deputies realized their only witness  an 11-year-old girl  made up the story as part of a YouTube challenge, according to the Volusia Sheriffs Office.

The girl was arrested July 26 at her home in Port Orange, while she was still in the process of texting false leads to 911, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Port Orange is about 60 miles northeast or Orlando.

The saga began at 9:45 a.m. when a dispatcher at the sheriffs Communications Center advised of a suspicious incident reported by text message. The girl said her 14-year-old friend had been abducted and she was following in a blue Jeep, the sheriffs office said in the news release. For the next hour and a half, the girl texted updates including a description of the male suspect and that he had a gun.

The kidnapper was driving a white van south on Interstate 95 in the Oak Hill area, the girl told 911.

A search for the van was launched by multiple law enforcement departments in the area. However, suspicions were aroused when the texting phone was traced to a home in Port Orange, rather than a blue Jeep on the interstate, officials said.

At 10:23 a.m., deputies arrived at the home on Poppy Lane and contacted the girls father, who said she was inside with her family, officials said. As deputies approached the girl, she was holding her cell phone, which was ringing as she walked out to meet the deputies. When answered, Volusia Sheriffs Dispatch was on the line and deputies verified they were on scene.

When confronted, the girl told deputies she got the idea to prank 911 through a YouTube challenge and thought it would be funny, the sheriffs office said.

The girl was arrested and charged with one felony count of making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner and a misdemeanor charge of misuse of 911, officials said.

She was transported to the Family Resource Center for processing, then transferred to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center, the sheriffs office said.

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Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced the sheriffs office will be hosting a series of community forums July 31 through Aug. 29 to help parents protect their kids from Internet dangers.

This kind of prank activity is dangerous, Chitwood said in the release. Were going to investigate every incident but today it wasted valuable resources that might have helped someone else who legitimately needed our help.

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Decades after a 12-year-olds body was found under orange trees in a rural Florida county, a man has been charged with murder, the sheriffs office announced.

On a Friday afternoon in 1993, 12-year-old Jennifer Odom got off the school bus carrying her backpack and clarinet in a rural part of Pasco County, Florida, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Her classmates watched her walk away, followed by a blue pickup truck, as she headed home, according to the outlet.

That was the last time anyone saw her alive.

After six days of searching, Jennifers naked body was found in an abandoned orange grove in Brooksville in neighboring Hernando County, WTSP reported.

Her death rocked the community, but no progress was made in finding her killer.

Two years later, a couple who had been scrounging for scrap metal found her backpack and clarinet case, WFLA reported.

But again, Jennifers case remained cold.

Now thirty years later, a man has been charged with murder, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis announced in a July 27 news conference.

Jennifers body was found in an abandoned orange grove six days after she disappeared, the sheriffs office said.

This is a day weve been waiting for for a very, very long time, Denise Moloney with the public information office said at the beginning of the conference.

Jeffrey Crum, 61, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery in the Jennifer Odom case.

Crums name was well known in Pasco County, following his 2015 conviction in the attempted murder and rape of a high school girl in January 1992, Tampa Bay Times reported.

In that case, a 17-year-old who was enrolled in a special education program was approached by Crum as she got off the school bus and taken to an abandoned house, where she was hit on the head and sexually assaulted, the outlet reported.

Crum was sentenced in 2019 and is currently serving two life sentences in the Hernando County Detention Center.

When Crum became a suspect in the 1992 case, he almost instantaneously became our No. 1 suspect in the Jennifer Odom case, Nienhuis said in the news conference.

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Jennifer was killed just a year later, and her case had similar details, the sheriff said.

Crum also had a long history of violence, particularly against women, according to the sheriff.

After his conviction, law enforcement now had a full DNA profile from the 1992 case to compare to evidence collected in Jennifers case, and soon deputies found a common suspect.

The sheriff said they believe there may be other victims and encouraged anyone with any information to come forward.

State Attorney Bill Gladson said in the news conference the prosecution will be seeking the death penalty as the case goes to trial.

Brooksville is about 50 miles north of Tampa.

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A man sitting outside an Ohio gas station was beaten by a group of 12 teenagers in a brutal and unprovoked attack, Cleveland officials say.

Surveillance video captured the group arriving at the gas station  on the citys northeast side  in stolen Kias and Hyundais at about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25, city officials said at a news briefing.

Several teens walk up to a man sitting against a wall and unleash a flurry of kicks and punches, video shared by officials shows. The man tries to get away, but more of the group step in, surrounding him, and hes unable to escape.

At one point, the man is thrown into the air and body slammed onto the parking lot, video shows. Eventually, hes able to escape by running into the store.

I was disgusted and appalled watching the level of violence directed at someone who appears to be simply doing nothing but sitting outside of a gas station, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley said.

The man is lucky to be alive, he said, adding that after receiving medical care, hes doing OK.

OMalley was joined by a host of police and city leaders condemning the violence, including Mayor Justin Bibb.

The beating was just the beginning, according to officials.

After the victim flees the group, multiple juveniles pull out guns  one pulling a rifle out of their pants  and fire dozens of shots at someone or something down the street, OMalley said. Police arent sure what the teens were firing at, but nobody was injured.

One of the juveniles can be seen pulling a rifle, believed to be an AR-15, out of his pants, officials say.

Several individuals involved in the beating and shooting have not been identified, officials said.

The entire incident happened over the course of five minutes, OMalley said. The juveniles got into the stolen cars and drove away.

However, some of the group were arrested within two hours thanks to a 911 call, officials said. Police said they found the teens inside a house they had broken into and took them into custody.

Of the 12 arrested, all were between 12 and 16 years old, Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond said.

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Despite their ages, city officials promised to pursue serious charges.

What were seeing here is ... animalistic behavior, Drummond said.

All of the juveniles arrested have been charged with receiving stolen property, officials said. Seven are facing charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot, and others have also been charged with a slew of firearms offenses.

One of the dozen arrested was also wanted on a murder charge, officials said.

Strong actions must be taken to combat the senseless violence that is gripping not just Cleveland, but many communities within our county, OMalley said.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Cleveland police at 216-623-5500.
Ritchie boys. (Family photo)

In July 1942, as Japanese forces gobbled up Alaskan islands and the U.S. flew its first bomber missions over Nazi Europe, 36 student soldiers reported for training at a small, remote camp in the Maryland panhandle. The soldiers became the first Ritchie Boys, part of a training program that would eventually send over 15,000 intelligence specialists into combat around the world, including 2,000 Jewish refugees who returned to Europe to defeat Hitler.

The Ritchie Boys

The idea for the intelligence training program came before American involvement in World War II. The U.S. instated the draft in 1940 to prepare for possible conflict. Military planners quickly realized they needed much better intelligence gatherers for the new, fast-paced, mechanized warfare.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall pushed for a new, tactical intelligence gathering. Britain agreed to host American observers in its intelligence units.

Those observers recommended that intelligence training be centralized. And so, the Army looked for a place to train tactical, flexible and smart soldiers as intelligence gatherers.

It settled on the Maryland National Guard's Camp Albert C. Ritchie, shortened to Camp Ritchie. Hence the name Ritchie Boys, even though that name grew out of a 2004 documentary and was not common during the war.

And then the military leaders had a stroke of genius. They decided that the best troops to fill this unit wasn't Americans smart enough to learn a new language. Instead, the Army wanted civilians who knew a target language and preferably had experience in a target country.

Refugees and other immigrants. The Army wanted immigrants. And they got almost 2,000 German and European refugees who fled the Nazis and other oppressive regimes. And the Army convinced them to join the new, top-secret unit, learn battlefield intelligence gathering, and then go to the front lines to read documents and question prisoners in real-time.

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This was a gutsy move by the soldiers. Many fled Europe precisely because of the threat Nazis posed to Jewish people. Now, these 2,000 volunteered to go back. In total, Camp Ritchie trained over 15,000 soldiers during the war, with speakers of languages like Polish, Yiddish, Japanese, and more joining their German brethren.

The intel specialists in Europe

Most of the graduates of Camp Ritchie spoke German or Italian, and so saw some involvement in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. But the Army really got them into the fight on D-Day and after. Some Ritchie Boys came ashore on D-Day, 63 parachuted in with the 101st, and follow-on forces often brought additional Ritchie Boys with them.

Military leaders coveted the intelligence from Ritchie Boys for the speed at which it was gathered and for the cultural context the immigrants could add. When a prisoner told a Ritchie Boy something suspicious, the native European was more likely to know something was up. They could think like the German units they were hunting.

Historian David Frey estimated that over 60 percent of actionable intelligence gathered on the battlefield in Europe came from Ritchie Boys.

While the Ritchie Boys' primary duty was intelligence gathering, many received citations for their valor in combat. In total, Ritchie Boys received 65 Silver Stars and dozens of other medals for valor and performance.

For many, coming back to Europe as a soldier was an empowering as well as terrifying mission. Henry Abraham, a son of a German World War I-veteran, remembered his father surviving the concentration camps of Sachsenhausen and Dachau. But he also remembered returning to Europe as an Army officer and finding his elementary school teacher.

Seven years after I had escaped the Naziss grasp, I returnedas a Ritchie Boy, American citizen, and U.S. Army 2nd lieutenantto my birthplace, war-torn Offenbach au Main, and attended a poignant service in my boyhood synagogue. I sat in a pew with my elementary school teacher, a Protestant, holding my hand throughout the liturgy. His support of my studies had cost him his job in 1934. Henry J. Abraham

After the war, Ritchie Boys assisted with the Nuremberg Trials to guarantee that Nazis and their victims received justice. Some even hunted for their missing family members and, when they couldn't find them, put their intelligence skills to work gathering evidence of Nazi crimes.
Two people were arrested in Calhoun after a lengthy drug trafficking investigation, according to the Gordon County Sheriffs Office.

According to deputies, the Sheriffs Drug Enforcement Unit detectives executed a search warrant at a Calhoun home while looking into illicit methamphetamine trafficking.

While executing the search warrant, detectives found and seized what they said was a large quantity of meth, packaging and sales materials, and an assortment of electronic communications devices.

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Deputies said in a statement that Fite Howell Casey and Charlotte Nadine Jameson of Calhoun were arrested at the home without resistance.

The home had been targeted for the search and seizure after conducting surveillance on the house, where officers saw multiple people coming and going.

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Casey and Jameson were charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and are currently in custody at the Gordon County Jail.

Officials said Casey was on felony probation for a previous drug trafficking conviction in Bartow County.

This methamphetamine seizure and these arrests are the direct result of the excellent relationship we enjoy with the people we serve here in Calhoun and Gordon County. Our ordinary citizens are our eyes and ears. In spite of the federal governments open borders policy wherein massive amounts of illegal drugs flood into our country and subsequently into our local communities on a daily basis, our relentless fight against this poison and those who profit from it remains, Sheriff Mitch Ralston said in a statement.

He said the two suspects, Casey and Jameson, would face a Gordon County jury.

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OTHER NEWS:
Say bye-bye to Buybuy Baby.

The big-box retailer of strollers, car seats and other items for babies and young children has closed its Independence location and will close its Overland Park store on Sunday.

The chains parent company, Bed Bath & Beyond, filed for bankruptcy in April. Buybuy Babys assets were sold at auction to Dream on Me, a New Jersey retailer that opted to close Buybuy Babys physical stores.

The shelves in Overland Park (12055 Metcalf Ave.) were getting bare on Wednesday evening, but baby clothes, nursing bras and a variety of toys were still available, marked down 70% to 90%.

Bed Bath & Beyond, next door at 12035 Metcalf Ave., will also close Sunday. The online retailer Overstock.com bought its assets at auction and closed all its stores nationwide. It was more picked over on Wednesday, though there were still plenty of deals on bedsheets, shower curtains and glassware.

The Independence Buybuy Baby location, which closed last month, was near Independence Center.

Founded in 1971, Bed Bath & Beyond became a go-to destination for housewares, small kitchen appliances, wedding registries and college dorm supplies. But business began to cool in 2010, as Amazon, Wayfair, Walmart and Target grew.

Last fall, the retailer still had 949 locations, including 762 Bed Bath & Beyond stores and 137 Buybuy Baby stores nationwide.
At least 23 people were killed when this small boat capsized in a lake near Manila; rescuers later righted the boat and dragged it close to shore (JAM STA ROSA)

A small passenger boat capsized in a lake near the Philippine capital on Thursday, killing 23 people on board and leaving six missing, rescuers said.

The accident happened in the early afternoon at Laguna lake, near Manila, hours after Typhoon Doksuri had swept out of the northern Philippines.

"Some survivors begged us to rescue those trapped beneath the boat," resident Monica de la Cruz, who watched the rescue effort off the municipality of Binangonan, told AFP.

"They were crying and some of them were injured."

Cruz said the accident took place following a "sudden gust of wind, big waves and rain", with locals initially too afraid to assist, fearing they would be "dragged down as well".

The wooden outrigger "encountered strong winds prompting all passengers to panic" and move to one side of the vessel, the coast guard said in a statement.

"The boat had clearance to sail," coast guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo told reporters, downplaying speculation the typhoon had caused the accident.

The passenger boat was making its regular run from a Binangonan port to the island of Talim in the middle of the lake, municipality rescue official Kenneth Cirados told AFP.

Rescuers retrieved 23 bodies from the water and there were 40 survivors, he said.

Six people remained missing with the search set to resume Friday.

By nightfall, rescuers had righted the boat and dragged it close to shore, where its yellow hull sat in shallow water.

A broken motorcycle cargo and soiled pieces of tarp were draped over it.

- 'Sank in front of us' -

"The boat sank in front of us while on its way home to the island," said Binangonan resident Frederic Sison, who had been standing at the Kalinawan port when the incident happened.

Video footage of the rescue shared by the coast guard showed a man standing on the hull of the boat that was lying on its side, shouting "There are so many people here", as small outrigger boats circled trying to help.

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Another clip showed two rescuers leaning from the side of a boat to pluck a person who appeared to be unconscious from the calm waters.

Mobile phone footage taken by Sison and shared with AFP showed anxious people standing on the shore watching the boats take part in the frantic rescue effort.

In the video, a young boatman said he saved four people including a disabled person and a girl.

A woman could be seen doing chest compressions on one of several victims laid out on the concrete pier, as men lifted more motionless people out of small boats.

Boats, including wooden outriggers and passenger ferries that provide transport between islands, had been ordered to shore in Luzon and central islands earlier in the week due to gale warnings as the typhoon intensified the southwest monsoon.

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has a poor maritime safety record, with scores dying in mishaps at sea each year, usually aboard wooden-hulled outriggers used for fishing or to move people from one small island to another.

bur-cgm/ssy
The three Marines who were found dead inside a car at a North Carolina gas station died of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to police.

The Pender County Sheriffs Office said in a news release sent to The Hill that autopsies confirmed the Marines had passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning, but police did not release any further information.

Pender County Sheriff Alan Cutler said he was saddened by the timeless and tragic death of these three young men, who served our country honorably.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and colleagues during this time, Cutler said in a statement.

The Marines were found Sunday morning at a Speedway gas station in the town of Hampstead, N.C., just outside of Camp LeJeune.

Police said they responded to a missing persons report from the mother of one of the Marines, who called to report her son had failed to arrive on a flight to Oklahoma on Saturday night.

The three Marines are Tanner Kaltenberg, 19, from Madison, Wis.; Merax Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Okla.; and Ivan Garcia, 23, from Naples, Fla., according to police.

The U.S. Marines have also confirmed the identities of the servicemembers, all of whom were lance corporals at Camp LeJeune and part of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A 30-year-old has been arrested after he was accused of dismembering the body of a man he said overdosed in his home, Arizona officials told news outlets.

The man, later identified as Carlos Guadalupe Leon Soto, was arrested July 26, according to a news release by the Phoenix Police Department.

On June 28, police received reports someone smelled something gross coming from a bag in an alley, McClatchy News previously reported. When police arrived, they said they found a bag with human remains inside.

The remains were identified July 5 as 34-year-old Jose Gutierrez, police said.

A man was seen on video walking to an apartment complex in the area, according to CBS 5. Witnesses identified the man as Soto, and he was taken into custody.

During his interview with investigators, Soto said he met Gutierrez while working at a restaurant, according to CBS 5.

Soto told police Gutierrez was staying with him for a few days and overdosed in his apartment, according to ABC 15.

Out of fear of being deported, Soto threw him away, according to police documents obtained by ABC 15.

Soto told police he dismembered Gutierrezs body inside the apartment over the course of several hours with a kitchen knife, according to court documents obtained by FOX 10.

He also told investigators he flushed Gutierrezs organs down the toilet and placed his body parts in trash bags, according to the news outlet.

Soto is facing multiple charges, including concealing a dead body, destroying evidence and hindering prosecution, according to CBS 5.

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Remains found in crawl space identified as Virginia man missing since May, cops say
WASHINGTON (AP)  Former President Donald Trump faced new charges Thursday in a case accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents, with prosecutors alleging that he asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in an effort to obstruct a federal investigation into the records.

The new indictment includes extra charges of obstruction and willful retention of national defense information, adding fresh detail to a criminal case issued last month against Trump and a close aide.

The Florida charges came as a surprise at a time of escalating anticipation of a possible additional indictment in Washington over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The latest allegations also make clear the vast, and still not fully known, scope of legal exposure faced by Trump as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024 while fending off criminal cases in multiple cities.

The updated indictment from special counsel Jack Smith centers on surveillance footage at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, evidence that has long been vital to the case. Trump is alleged to have asked for the footage to be deleted after FBI and Justice Department investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents he took with him after leaving the White House. The new indictment also charges him with illegally holding onto a document he's alleged to have shown off to visitors in New Jersey.

A Trump spokesperson dismissed the new charges as nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden administration to harass President Trump and those around him and to influence the 2024 presidential race.

Prosecutors accuse Trump of scheming with his valet, Walt Nauta, and a Mar-a-Lago property manager, Carlos De Oliveira, to conceal the footage from federal investigators after they issued a subpoena for it. Video from the property would ultimately play a significant role in the investigation because, prosecutors said, it captured Nauta moving boxes of documents in and out of a storage room  including a day before an FBI visit to the property. The boxes were moved at Trump's direction, the indictment alleges.

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According to the indictment, Nauta met with De Oliveira on June 25, 2022, at Mar-a-Lago, where they went to a security guard booth where surveillance video is displayed on monitors and walked with a flashlight through a tunnel where the storage room was located, observing and pointing out surveillance cameras.

Two days later, according to the indictment, De Oliveira walked through a basement tunnel with an unidentified Trump employee to an audio closet, where De Oliveira in a private conversation asked how many days the server retained footage.

De Oliveira, prosecutors said, told the employee that the boss wanted the server deleted and asked, What are we going to do?

During a voluntary interview with the FBI last January, prosecutors say, De Oliveira lied when he said he never saw nothing with regard to boxes at Mar-a-Lago.

De Oliveira was added to the indictment, charged with obstruction and false statements related to that FBI interview. His lawyer declined to comment Thursday evening.

The new charges were filed as Trump is bracing for the prospect of an additional indictment related to his efforts to undo the 2020 election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Last week, he revealed he had received a letter from the Justice Department informing him he was a target in that probe, suggesting that charges could be forthcoming. His lawyers met with prosecutors on Smith's office earlier Thursday to discuss that case.

But despite the anticipation, the only charges filed Thursday were in Florida, not Washington.

The superseding indictment also charges Trump with an additional count of willfully retaining national defense information, arising from a document he showed off to visitors at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club during an July 2021 interview for a memoir of his onetime chief of staff Mark Meadows. Prosecutors have described the document as a Pentagon plan of attack and Meadows, in his subsequent book, said the country it concerned was Iran.

The indictment says the document was returned to the federal government on Jan. 17, 2022, which is the date Trump provided 15 boxes of records to the National Archives. The decision to charge him with possession of that document is notable since the other records cited in the indictment are ones that Trump either handed over to authorities in June 2022 in response to a grand jury subpoena demanding the return of classified documents, or are ones the FBI found during an August search of Mar-a-Lago.

Trump has denied he had secret documents before him when he spoke.

There wasnt a document. I had lots of paper. I had copies of newspaper articles, I had copies of magazines, I had copies of everything, he said in an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier.

Both Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty to the original 38-count indictment. De Oliveira is due in court in Florida on Monday.

The trial for Trump and Nauta is currently scheduled for May 20, 2024. It was unclear if the addition of a new defendant could result in a postponement.

____

Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston, Michael Kunzelman, Lindsay Whitehurst, Farnoush Amiri, Nomaan Merchant, Lisa Mascaro and Gary Fields in Washington and Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
Three former military officials told Congress Wednesday that they believe the government knows much more about UFOs than it is telling the public.

A House Oversight subcommittee held a hearing on UFOs  officially known as unidentified aerial phenomena or UAPs  and heard mystifying testimony about unexplained object sightings and government possession of nonhuman biological matter.

Lawmakers on the committee, baffled by some of the testimony, repeatedly noted that UAP sightings are an issue of bipartisan concern and raise national security questions. Separately, some accused the federal government of endeavoring to conceal key UFO-related information from the public, though they did not provide evidence to support those allegations.

The sheer number of reports, whistleblowers and stories of unidentified anomalous phenomena should raise real questions and warrant investigation and oversight. And thats why we are here today, Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the subcommittee, said in his opening statement. "UAPs, whatever they may be, may pose a serious threat to our military or civilian aircraft. And that must be understood."

These UAP sightings, experts say, might be attributable to balloons, drones, optical illusions or even the blinking lights of a commercial airliner. The Pentagon has said they have seen no evidence linking UAPs to alien activity, though they have not ruled out that explanation.

Here are five of the witnesses' main claims from the hearing:

Government is absolutely in possession of UAPs

David Grusch, a former U.S. intelligence official, told the panel that he is absolutely certain that the federal government is in possession of UAPs, citing interviews he said he conducted with 40 witnesses over a four-year period.

The former U.S. intelligence official said he led Defense Department efforts to analyze reported UAP sightings and was informed of a multidecade Pentagon program that endeavored to collect and reconstruct crashed UAPs.

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Asked by Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., how such a program is funded, Grusch claimed that the effort is "above congressional oversight" and bankrolled by a "misappropriation of funds."

"Does that mean that there is money in the budget that is set to go to a program but it doesn't and it goes to something else?," Moskowitz asked.

"Yes. I have specific knowledge of that," Grusch said, though he did not provide more details, claiming the information remains classified.

Nonhuman biologics were found at a crash site

Grusch, who underscored that he has not personally spotted a UAP, told the panel that he knows of "multiple colleagues" who were injured by UAPs. He also said he has interviewed individuals who have recovered "nonhuman biologics" from crashed UAPs.

Grusch said he prefers to use the term "nonhuman" rather than alien or extraterrestrial.

Asked by Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., to substantiate the crashed UAPs claim, the former intelligence official said he could not divulge specific details, once again claiming the information was too sensitive to share with the public.

He did, however, describe the nature of what he saw: "I have to be very careful here ... [but] what I personally witnessed, myself and my wife, was very disturbing."

A Pentagon spokesperson told NBC News that Grusch's claims are false.

Officials must establish a 'safe and transparent reporting process'

Some lawmakers and witnesses pushed the federal government to establish clear channels to communicate UAP information with both the public and the military, and said the military should establish a comprehensive reporting process for unidentified objects sightings.

Ryan Graves, a former Navy pilot, told the panel that military pilots do not feel adequately briefed on UAPs, which he said leaves them unprepared to respond to UAP encounters.

The former Navy pilot claimed that commercial airline pilots have spotted UAPs too.

"There has to be a safe and transparent reporting process for pilots both on the commercial side and the military side to be able to report UAPs," Garcia said.

Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, testifies on July 26, 2023. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., echoed the calls for more transparency. She noted that Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, had previously told Congress that there was no credible evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Grusch objected to Kirkpatrick's claim, prompting Foxx to say that "contradiction is a perfect example of why we need to inject transparency into our government."

Stigma associated with sightings 'silences' possible witnesses

Some witnesses and lawmakers at the hearing argued that the stigma associated with reporting UFO sightings  as well as the alleged harassment of those who work to investigate them  may be hindering efforts to determine their origins.

Graves told the panel that stigma "silences" pilots who fear "professional repercussions," which he said is "compounded by recent government claims questioning the credibility of eyewitness testimony."

The Federal Aviation Administration has no mechanism for pilots to report UAPs, and instead directs them to civilian groups that are often dismissed as the domain of cranks and conspiracy theorists.

Those institutional hurdles led Graves to form a first-of-its-kind group that pushes for policy changes, serves as a hub for pilot whistleblowers and advocates for more disclosure by the military and other government agencies.

Lawmakers said they hoped the hearing could help assuage pilots' fears of speaking out.

"This hearing will not be the end of this discussion, but a new chapter and start. We should encourage more reporting, and more study of UAPs," Garcia said. "The more we understand, the safer we are."

UFO spotted accelerating to 'supersonic speeds'

David Fravor, a former Navy commander, said he and three fellow military pilots spotted a white Tic-Tac-shaped object in 2004, hovering below their jets and just above the Pacific Ocean.

As he descended to inspect the sighting, he claimed the unidentified aircraft  which he said bore no visible rotors, wings or exhaust  began to ascend and approach his fighter jet.

He claimed that the UAP then vanished, only to reappear a few seconds later, but this time it was spotted 60 miles away.

Fravor told the committee that the technology he and his team encountered defies logical explanation.

"The technology that we faced is far superior to anything that we had," Fravor claimed. "And theres nothing we can do about it, nothing."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
If youre a parent, worrying about how to pay for college begins as soon as your child is born. What kind of savings account should you open? How much can you afford to set aside each month? Will it all be enough by the time your child graduates from high school?

The rising cost of college is outpacing families earnings. Between 2000 and 2018, the average family income in the U.S. rose by 5%, while just between 2010 and 2020, the average cost of attending a private, nonprofit four-year college rose by 18%.

On June 30, the Supreme Court struck down President Bidens student loan forgiveness plan, which would have erased up to $20,000 of debt for more than 40 million borrowers. There is no other relief plan on the horizon yet for families hoping to reduce the burden of their educational debt, nor is there a plan to lower tuition, so most of us are going to have to find a way to cover costs within the system as it now exists.

Without an unexpected windfall, or your child being awarded a coveted full-ride scholarship, the reality is that most families will use a combination of savings, earnings and loans to cover all the costs of a college education. Theres not a magic formula that makes it all easily affordable, but by adjusting some of the variables at play, you may be able to come up with a plan that works for your family.

With the goal of keeping costs manageable, here are some things that experts suggest you keep in mind.

Start saving as soon as possible.

The longer your money has the chance to grow, the less you will have to set aside to begin with. My husband and I added a little bit to 529s even before our kids were born  we opened them and put ourselves as the beneficiaries in the meantime, financial advisor Shang Saavedra of Save My Cents told HuffPost. There are calculators available online that can help you figure out how much you will need to set aside each month to reach your goal.

There are also a number of options when it comes to opening up a college savings accounts.

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529 accounts are a popular option. The money grows tax free and can be used tax-free on qualified education for your children, explained Saavedra. Money that you put aside for your child in a 529 is counted less heavily (at 5.64%) as an asset against the Expected Family Contribution when it comes to applying for needs-based financial aid, she continued. This means that for every $10,000 you have in a 529, your expected family contribution only goes up by $564.

The main drawback of a 529 is that if you need to take out money for a non-qualified expense (for example, if your child decides not to go to college, or you set aside more money that they end up needing), youll be hit with a 10% penalty plus taxes, which can be significant, Saavedra said.

Most states have 529 programs, although you are under no obligation to open the account in your state of residence. Just keep in mind that if the plan has state income tax breaks, they may only apply if you live there. You can also open up 529 plans in multiple states, which might be something to consider if you move.

If they are available to you in your community, child savings accounts (CSAs) can be an excellent resource. Oftentimes, those come with some kind of matching component from the community through either workforce, or block development grants or different things, said MorraLee Keller, senior director of strategic planning at the National College Attainment Network, an organization working to expand college access.

For example, eligible New York City public school children (regardless of immigration status) are automatically enrolled in the NYC Kids Rise program, which starts a 529 account for them with an initial $100 allocation and allows families to grow the account by earning rewards through the program. Community organizations and other entities can also make deposits into the account, although parents cannot, so you might want to set up an additional 529 to make your own deposits.

Another option is to use your own taxable brokerage account. With this type of account, you control the money fully, and you can access it at any time to provide for your kids (or for any purpose really), said Saavedra. But there wont be any tax savings, and you may owe capital gains taxes. Money in these funds will be credited like a 529 when your child is applying for financial aid.

You can also open a taxable brokerage account (a UTMA or UGMA) on behalf of your child and enjoy the same level of control over the money, but you likewise may need to pay capital gains taxes on them. Money held in these kinds of accounts will count more heavily than a 529 (at 20%) when it comes to determining need-based financial aid. For every $10,000 your child has in a UTMA or UGMA, your expected family contribution will go up by $2,000.

While most people associate Roth IRAs with retirement, you can also open this kind of account in your childs name for their college savings. The catch is that this will only work if your child earns their own income. Contributions cant top more than what your child earns in a given year, but there are a couple of significant advantages. You can make withdrawals from the Roth IRA to use on qualified educational expenses and not incur any early withdrawal penalty, and because it is a Roth IRA, the money grows tax-free, explained Saavedra. Also, it wont count against the Expected Family Contribution when it comes time to apply for financial aid  though withdrawals will count as untaxed income, which could lower your financial aid package in subsequent years.

Of course, you can always use a regular savings account set up at your local bank, although because the money wont earn as much interest, this isnt usually the option that families choose.

If your employer offers a tuition benefit for dependents, which is not common, you should definitely take advantage of it.

Keep financial fit in mind when making your college list.

In addition to thinking about what kind of environment your child is looking for and what they plan to major in, Keller said that families should ask, Is there a financial fit associated with the students choices? Families need to be doing their homework, looking at costs. She recommended using the net price calculator that all colleges are required to have on their websites, which will allow you to get a sense of what your financial aid package would look like there.

On the same note, it may be worth considering a local college that would allow your child to live at home and be a commuter student. For four-year public institutions in most states, the cost of on-campus housing now well exceeds tuition, said Keller. The bulk of your expenses may be about having your child live there. Eating and sleeping at home could cut these costs in half. This savings would be significantly less for private institutions, which charge much more in tuition.

Consider alternate pathways to a bachelors degree.

Its not where you start, its where you finish your degree, said Keller.

One way to save a significant amount of money is for your child to start their college career at a two-year community college and transfer in their third year to a four-year program. Average yearly tuition at a community college is less than half that of a four-year public institution, and only a tenth of what you would pay at a private four-year institution.

Keep in mind, however, that community college students are more likely to be low-income and juggling family and work obligations, all of which leads to much lower graduation rates. On average, only 13% of students complete community college programs in two years, although this rate goes up to 28% after four years. Seeing peers take leaves or drop out can impact a students morale.

Dual-enrollment programs, in which high school students can earn college credits, are another option that can shorten students time in school and save money on tuition.

Search for scholarships.

There are many scholarships available to students, particularly those headed into their first year of college. Advisors can recommend scholarships that they think a student should apply for, and should know what scholarships are available in the community.

There are also a number of websites you can use in your search, including The College Board, Fastweb, Going Merry and Scholarships.com.

Keller advises students to think about how big the applicant pool is. Your odds of winning a local scholarship are generally much higher than a national one.

Maximize your financial aid.

Make sure to file your FAFSA on time, and take advantage of any free help available, such as from a local college access organization, to make sure you are filling it out correctly.

By meeting deadlines, students ensure that they get the maximum amount of aid that they are eligible for, said Keller.

Its worth noting that this year, because of legislative changes, the FAFSA application will open on a yet-to-be-determined day in December instead of the usual date of Oct. 1. The form promises to be simplified, but the date change does throw into doubt some of the college timeline, such as early decision admissions, for the class of 2024. Ask your childs college advisor to keep you up-to-date on this development.

Only take out a parent loan as a last resort.

Taking out a private loan from a bank in order to pay for your childs college tuition is a sort of worst-case scenario, financially. Ideally, you want to cover all expenses using savings, your own earnings (your family contribution), your childs earnings (often from a work-study job), and federal loans that your child takes out  and wont have to begin paying back until after they graduate.

If all of these combined still arent enough to cover costs, some families consider a PLUS loan, which are federal loans families can take out to cover college costs for dependent students. But the burden of these adds up quickly.

For parents who borrow, their repayment begins 60 days after the second disbursement of the freshman year, usually in March, explained Keller. Each year when you borrow, that loan payment is gonna keep jumping up, because now you have a new balance.

If your student attends an elite private college, you can easily have the equivalent of a second mortgage on your hands a few years in.

For families who own their homes, home equity loans are generally a better option.

Dont neglect your own retirement savings.

We often expect parents to sacrifice for their children, but putting college savings ahead of retirement savings isnt usually a good idea, Saavedra believes. Counting on your children to fund your retirement is a gamble. They may not have the income to do this, especially right after they graduate.

Ive calculated that oftentimes it makes more sense for parents to save more for themselves, and then they can gift more out of their estate as they get older, to their adult children, once their assets have had more time to grow and appreciate, she said, noting that while youll have some 20-40 years to save for retirement, you usually only have 18 to save for college.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misstated the name for the National College Attainment Network.

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Hannah Lee, a college student whos attending a gathering Thursday in Washington, D.C., to call for a real end to the Korean War, says she remembers the first time the conflict was mentioned at her public school in Tacoma, Washington.

In sixth grade, my teacher told me that the Korean War was over. But I knew from my parents that the war had never officially ended, the activist and rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania said.

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, hundreds of advocates are gathering in the nations capital to take part in a mobilization to formally end the conflict. The multiday event is supported by a range of U.S.-based peace organizations and will include a congressional news conference with co-sponsors of H.R. 1369, a House bill calling for serious diplomatic efforts toward a permanent peace agreement in Korea.

Student activist Hannah Lee. (Courtesy Hannah Lee)

The Korean War, sometimes called The Forgotten War in the United States, was only a small footnote in Lees history books at school. I realized later that the war played a huge part in the United States extensive military involvement abroad, Lee said. Its important that younger activists like me increase public awareness on how devastating the lasting effects of the war have been across generations.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces invaded South Korea. The Soviet Union and China trained and aided North Korea, while the U.S. supported South Korea with United Nations-backed forces. The war was a proxy for these larger powers and became the first military action taken during the Cold War.

The Korean War Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953 by representatives from the U.S., North Korea and China. South Korea, intent on reunifying the two Koreas, refused to be a signatory of the truce. The following year, there was an attempt at the Geneva Conference to broker a peace deal, but the negotiations fell apart.

US Soldiers With Captured North Koreans (Hulton Deutsch / Corbis via Getty Images)

The armistice was originally meant to serve as a temporary agreement while the parties reached a permanent peace treaty within three months. Seventy years later, the conflict remains unresolved and is the longest-standing conflict in which the U.S. has taken part.

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Political support for a peace agreement has slowly but steadily grown over the years within the U.S. On the 60th anniversary of the war, in 2010, only two members of Congress publicly supported a peace treaty. This year, H.R. 1369 was reintroduced to Congress with 33 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

This years mobilization is unprecedented. Nothing in recent U.S. history has been organized of this scale, with so many diverse voices calling for peace, said Christine Ahn, who in 2015 led a symbolic crossing of the Korean demilitarized zone, a border barrier dividing the peninsula.

The 70th anniversary of the armistice comes as the nuclear-armed North, formally known as the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, has been ramping up weapons-testing, including of ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental U.S. North Korea has said the tests came in response to the enhanced military cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea, formally known as the Republic of Korea.

Korean Armistice Agreement (Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

Denuclearization talks with the North, with which the U.S. has no official relations, have been stalled since 2018. The Biden administration says it stands ready to negotiate with North Korea without preconditions.

The State Department said in a statement to NBC News, We continue to consult closely with the Republic of Korea, Japan, and other allies and partners about how to best engage the DPRK, deter aggression, and coordinate international responses to the DPRKs violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. The United States harbors no hostile intent toward the DPRK.

Neither the South Korean government nor the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Mission to the United Nations respond to requests for comment.

Another issue at stake is the travel ban to North Korea instated by former President Donald Trump in 2017, rendering North Korea the only country Americans are prohibited from entering. The U.S. has the largest population of Korean nationals overseas, so the travel ban prevents Korean Americans from visiting family in North Korea.

The Biden administration has upheld the ban despite campaign promises to reunite Korean families. Addressing the restrictions, the State Department said that the decision to renew the geographic travel restriction  was made after careful consideration, taking into account that the State Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. The administration recently worked with the United Nations and Swedish officials to determine the status of U.S. Pvt. Travis King, who fled across the demilitarized zone to North Korea earlier this month.

A new generation seeking closure

Hana Marie Kim, 14, is an actor and activist based in California who is protesting the travel ban as a fifth-generation member of a divided family. Kims great-great-grandfather was a social reformer who traveled to what is now North Korea in 1948 in an attempt to help reunify the Korean Peninsula after it was split between the U.S.-occupied South and Soviet-occupied North at the end of World War II. After the borders closed, he was never able to see his family members again.

Activist and actor Hana Marie Kim. (Courtesy Hana Marie Kim)

Kim expressed a desire to travel freely to North Korea if the travel ban is lifted. I hope to visit my great-great-grandfathers gravesite and meet my North Korean relatives one day, she said.

Cathi Choi, the director of policy and organizing at Women Cross DMZ, a women-led group advocating peace in Korea, noted the importance of the young Korean Americans in the effort.

So much depends on the Korean diaspora in the U.S. As American citizens, we get a say in how our elected representatives spend our military budget. We can engage with our democratic systems to demand an end to this war, Choi said.

Kee Park, a neurosurgeon and lecturer at the Harvard School of Global Public Health, has traveled to North Korea 18 times on humanitarian medical missions but has not returned since the travel ban was put into place. Park described the large pieces of inoperable equipment he saw when he volunteered in North Korean operating rooms. Because of harsh sanctions, hospitals were not able to repair and maintain basic machines like X-rays and ventilators.

Park said establishing peace is a necessary requirement to build an effective public health system in North Korea. The absence of peace is the worst thing that could happen to the health of a population. North Korea needs the ability to access outside knowledge and interact with international medical staff. There is a huge outcry from the development community to make humanitarian work viable there, Park said.

Deann Borshay Liem, a Korean American adoptee and filmmaker whose latest documentary, Crossings, followed the 2015 DMZ crossing, said her goal is to educate people through her film and shift dominant narratives about the war. Liem sees her adoption case  along with the cases of 200,000 other Korean children sent overseas  as a microcosm of the millions of family members who were divided during the Korean War, even within the peninsula.

Through my filmmaking, I came to understand that my adoption happened in the context of war and division. The irresolution of the war and the continued militarization of the Korean Peninsula resulted in a society that couldnt support families in need, Liem said.

For longtime activists like Ahn, the 70th anniversary is a crucial moment to challenge the status quo. Weve had enough of the establishments definition of security. Their approach has not worked. The threat of nuclear war, the division of millions, humanitarian crises  this is not deterrence, this is violence, Ahn said. The U.S. has a moral responsibility to finally end the war.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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 never was signed. This state of unending war  which marked 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.

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.

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.

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 often is 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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Korean Armistice Agreement isn't enough. Let's end our 'Forgotten War'
During the night of Thursday, Aug. 15, 1946, and into the next day, OFallon was drenched with a historic rainfall, which, up to that time, was unprecedented with regard to the damage it caused. Here is how the OFallon Progress reported it at the time.

OFallon experienced the worst damage from water in the history of the city last Thursday night as the result of an all-night torrential rainfall which at times resembled a cloudburst.

Streets in all parts of the city were inundated to various depths at some places as much as 14 inches, the sewers, already overtaxed from torrential rains the night before, being unable to carry the excess water.

As a result the waters backed up into basements and in other cases surface water filled basements.

In Lincoln Heights (the residential area adjacent to Community Park on the west) the water in a number of basements almost reached floor level. Many citizens who watched the swirling waters in the inundated streets held an all-night vigil in their basements and started moving the furnishings to the first floor.

Others were not as fortunate as the onrushing water reached the basement before they were aware of the amount of rain which fell.

One of the citys business houses where much concern was in evidence was the OFallon Locker Company (in the Opera House building at 220 E. State). Here the water entered the large basement, flooding the refrigeration units and equipment. Several nights were required by the fire department in pumping out the basement.

The department rendered a similar service to the residential sections. Highways were flooded and traffic came to a standstill as the roads were barricaded by state police.

On the State street cutoff at the Joseph Feder home near the western city limits an Industrial bus was caught in the swirling waters across the highway and some passengers were marooned for several hours.

The water reached a depth of three feet and nearby residents declare it was the first time that traffic was stalled at that point since the road was paved.

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Traffic on U.S. 50, between here and Lebanon was suspended during Thursday night due to flood waters across the pavement in Silver Creek bottoms where it reached a depth of six feet between the slough and channel bridges.

The highway was reopened late Saturday afternoon.

Traffic on the B. & O. railroad came to a complete standstill due to the numerous washouts.

At Ruby, west of this city, the two large culverts were completely washed away, together with a large amount of new trackage, recently completed. In other places large trees were uprooted and thrown across the right-of-way.

At Caseyville, Willows and Cone tower, near East St. Louis, damaging washouts occurred, section crews working night and day to temporarily repair the damage. Partial service on the railroad was restored by Monday afternoon.

In Belleville, East St. Louis and Washington Park thousands of people were rendered homeless due to the flash flood which swept through homes, inhabitants being rescued by police and volunteer crews.

At Washington Park the Coast Guard assisted with the work. The rain was the worst in the 109-year history of the St. Louis Weather Bureau which recorded 14.97 inches which fell during the week, the rainfall with Thursdays downpour measuring 20.25 inches for the month.

Much damage resulted to growing crops and fruit on trees. Farm Advisor B. W. Tillman estimated that the loss to St. Clair County farmers would reach $500,000. The damage in rural and city areas is estimated at $4,000,000.

75 years ago, July 29, 1948

R.H. Braun, for the past five years, superintendent of OFallon Township High School and the grade schools, has resigned to accept a position as principal of the high school at Urbana, Ill.

Mr. Braun has already departed for that city where he will enter on his duties Monday to assist in arranging the school program and in the registration. His wife and their 10-year-old daughter Myra and seven-year-old son Bobby will remain in OFallon until he can locate suitable living quarters in Urbana.

Superintendent Braun came here from Lebanon in 1943, succeeding J. E. Hinchcliffe, Sr., as head of the schools.

During his stay here he and his family formed a wide acquaintance who will be sorry to learn that they will leave OFallon.

Mr. Braun, aside from being an outstanding school man also took an active part in the civic life of the community, being a member of the Rotary Club where he was on the Board of Directors.

His wife was equally interested in OFallon. She was active in Womans Club work, being past president of the organization. Braun is well-qualified for the position tendered him at Urbana. He received his Bachelors Degree at McKendree and Masters Degree at Washington University.

For the past five years he has been attending the summer term at the University of Illinois, studying for a Degree of Doctor of Education. His successor for the local post has not yet been named.

50 years ago. July 26, 1973

Floyd Miller, 312 West Second, will be installed commander of American Legion Fischer-Sollis Post 137 Saturday evening, August 4 at 7 p.m.

Other officers to be installed include Wayne Haukapp, Senior Vice Commander; Jack Denz, Junior Vice Commander; Bernard Schwarz, Adjutant; John Klingelhoefer, Finance Officer; Phil Schildknecht, Service Officer; Arthur Villhard, Chaplain; Charles Heitman, Sergeant-at-arms; and Marta Pascuzzo, Historian. The retiring officers are Herman Devine, Commander; Laverne Malare, Senior Vice Commander; and Wayne Haukapp, Junior Vice Commander.

Following the installation ceremony a dinner will be served and dancing will be held from 9 to 1 a.m.
An 81-year-old man was found dead after failing to return home from a morning hike, California police said.

When the mans wife got home in the afternoon on Wednesday, July 26, and her husband still hadnt returned from his trek at Lake Hodges, she called 911, a spokesperson with the San Diego Police Department said in an email to McClatchy News.

His phone showed he was still on a Lake Hodges trail, police said.

After searching the area, police said officers found the man north of a hiking trail shortly after 2:30 p.m. and started CPR on him.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics arrived, according to police.

San Diego Fire officials told FOX 5 News the man may have died from heat-related issues.

The high in San Diego on July 26 was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to The Weather Channel.

The medical examiners office will determine the mans cause of death, police said.

73-year-old cyclist who called wife about flat tire found dead in desert, AZ cops say

71-year-old hiker dies in 121-degree heat at Death Valley National Park, officials say

Man dies after hikers find him unresponsive by Rocky Mountain National Park trailhead
BUCKS COUNTY, Penn.  Authorities announced Wednesday they have suspended search efforts for a 9-month-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters along with six other people in a community north of Philadelphia.

Dozens of first responders were involved in the more than 10-day search for Conrad Sheils, who was swept away with his sister and mother after 7 inches of rain fell over Bucks County on July 15.

Six bodies were recovered, including that of 2-year-old Matilda "Mattie" Sheils, whose body was found more than 30 miles away along the Delaware River.

BODY OF CHILD PULLED FROM RIVER BELIEVED TO BE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED DURING PENNSYLVANIA FLASH FLOODING

Matilda (Mattie) Sheils (2 years old) and Conrad Sheils (9 months old)

Police said the family was visiting from Charleston, South Carolina, when several vehicles became submerged after more than a half-foot of rain fell in less than an hour.

The familys grandmother, father and two others managed to escape the flooding and were rescued by first responders.

"Although, at this time, we were unable to reunite Conrad with his loving family, he will forever live in our hearts, and he will never be forgotten," police wrote in a statement. "We thank all of you for your messages, for your offers to help, for all your encouragement, and for all your patience and understanding during this tragic event."

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV

Officials stressed that the event was a tragic accident, and the family did not attempt to drive through flooded roadways and were simply surrounded by the rising water.

A GoFundMe page was established for the surviving family members, which has already raised more than $250,000.
Detectives on Wednesday arrested an Elk Grove man accused of secretly putting fentanyl in his wifes food before the woman died in January from being poisoned with the synthetic opioid.

Glennis Douglas Smith, 48, was arrested on suspicion of homicide in the death of his wife, 49-year-old Jennifer Ann Smith-Floyd, the Elk Grove Police Department announced Thursday in a news release.

The husband, who remains in custody at the Sacramento County Jail, also faces felony charges of arson and insurance fraud in a separate criminal case. Police said Smith burned the couples travel trailer in an insurance fraud scheme.

The couple had been married for five years but had been living apart for several months before the wifes death, according to the Police Department.

On the morning of Jan. 12, Smith called 911 to report his wife was unconscious and not breathing. Medics and police officers arrived at the couples home, where the husband had been predominately living. Authorities provided medical aid, but Smith-Floyd was pronounced dead.

Detectives investigated the womans death. An autopsy found fentanyl in Smith-Floyds system. Police said the detectives determined Smith had intentionally put fentanyl in his wifes food on two occasions without her knowledge, and the second instance proved fatal on Jan. 12.

Authorities say fentanyl can come in pills, powder and vape pens, and 2 milligrams can provide a lethal dose. The synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

A few months after the wifes death, the couples travel trailer was found burned at a self-storage business. Arson investigators with the Cosumnes Fire Department, along with Elk Grove police, determined that Smith was responsible for setting the fire that burned the couples trailer.

The detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Smith and took him into custody Wednesday in Elk Grove.

Investigators asked anyone with information relevant to this investigation to call the Police Departments Investigations Bureau at 916-478-8060.
Jackson Memorial Hospital will soon resume adult heart transplants after receiving the OK on Wednesday from the national transplant network that urged them to suspend the program back in March after the group received at least one complaint about preventable patient deaths.

The Miami Transplant Institute  part of Jackson Health System, the public hospital network in Miami-Dade County  received the news while in Detroit for a progress meeting with the United Network for Organ Sharing, the nonprofit that operates the countrys organ transplant system for the federal government. Among those attending the meeting: Carlos Migoya, Jackson Health CEO; Dr. Rodrigo Vianna, director of the institute; and Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghami, chief physician executive and chief clinical officer, Jackson Health.

While the details of the meeting are required to be kept confidential under medical peer review, leaders from Jackson Health System and MTI received the committees support of our plan to move forward with reactivation of the program, said Krysten Brenlla, a Jackson spokesperson, in an emailed statement to the Herald.

Leadership at the institute will methodically execute a reopening plan that includes expeditiously re-evaluating patients who were previously placed on inactive status for heart transplantation, said Brenlla.

Back in March, Luke Preczewski, vice president of the Miami Transplant Institute, announced the voluntary suspension of the adult heart transplant program in a staff Zoom meeting, noting the news would not be shared with the public. The Herald independently learned about the suspension, which prompted Jackson to confirm.

The hospital told the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that the review of its temporarily shuttered adult heart transplant program was expected to take six to eight weeks, according to an email obtained by the Miami Herald through a Freedom of Information Request. The shutdown lasted four months.

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READ MORE: Jackson/UMs renowned adult heart transplant program is abruptly suspended, pending review

Investigation by national organ network

The suspension came after the transplant network sent a letter to the hospital urging the suspension while the organ network nonprofit performed an investigation. The investigation, prompted by at least one anonymous complaint the network had received, involved a peer review of the hospitals heart transplant program in April.

The complaint, reviewed by the Herald, detailed deaths that Jackson whistleblowers considered preventable and named Dr. Anita Phancao, a cardiologist who headed the heart-failure team that collaborates closely with the transplant surgeons before and after heart transplant and pump implant procedures. The complaint also blamed issues on Dr. Matthias Loebe, who was the head of heart transplant surgery at the time.

Dr. Matthias Loebe and Dr. Anita Phancao of Jackson Health System. As part of the leadership overhaul at the Miami Transplant Institute, they have been replaced. Jackson Health System

One of the deaths detailed in the complaint is that of Miami hairdresser Frank Ricigliano, 56, who underwent heart transplant surgery in 2021 and died less than three months later.

After the heart transplant programs suspension was confirmed, Jackson and Institute leaders met with a team of Herald reporters and editors and said they had also received anonymous complaints. They noted they wanted to put together a stronger team to lead the program.

Loebe had been the chief of heart transplant surgery but he had received a letter in October 2022 that he would no longer serve as chief, effective February 2023. But Loebe continued in the role for weeks thereafter  that is, until Jackson confirmed to the Herald in April that he was no longer seeing patients.

Loebe joined the Miami Transplant Institute in 2015 after being recruited from the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Texas. It remains unclear whether he is still employed by the University of Miami. Doctors at the institute are employed by the University of Miami and work at Jackson as part of a partnership between the two. The University of Miami has declined to comment on personnel matters.

Leadership overhaul at Miami Transplant Institute

The adult heart transplant program at the institute has undergone an overhaul since its closure four months ago. In May, Dr. Joshua Hare, a leader in stem cell treatments at UM, was named interim chief of heart failure for both Jackson and the University of Miami Health System, with Dr. Leonardo Mulinari as the new interim chief of heart transplants. The doctors replaced Phancao and Loebe, respectively.

READ NEXT: Jackson overhauls top staff at heart transplant program, amid patient deaths, investigations

Regulators with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which oversees hospitals in the state, also visited the transplant center in April to conduct a surprise inspection of its adult and pediatric heart, adult lung and adult kidney transplant programs. Their visits came after they received at least one complaint about possible noncompliance with federal health and safety regulations. They found no deficiencies and determined that the programs were complying with federal requirements for Medicare/Medicaid-certified providers.

In her statement, Brenlla said since deactivating the program in March, the institute had implemented changes focused on leadership, enhanced teamwork and communication, and process improvement  all aimed at elevating the heart transplant program to the same level of excellence as our other organ transplant programs.

A new surgical leader to permanently replace Loebe will be announced soon, hospital leaders said during the most recent Public Health Trust meeting in late June.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is suing the city of Edgerton, arguing it illegally annexed land for an expansion of its booming industrial park.

Its the latest in a years-long saga in southwestern Johnson County, where neighbors continue to fight industrial growth as they watch farmland get eaten up by warehouses.

In 2020, the Edgerton City Council annexed and rezoned nearly 700 acres of unincorporated rural land to make way for an expansion south of Interstate 35 at the sprawling Logistics Park Kansas City intermodal facility.

A group of homeowners unsuccessfully sued the city in 2021, arguing the annexations were illegal. They accused the city of annexing a narrow piece of land for the sole purpose of connecting the rest of the acreage to the industrial park. They are now appealing, challenging a judges ruling that they do not have the legal standing to bring the case.

Kansas law prohibits cities from annexing a narrow corridor to gain access to other land it doesnt border. Annexed land must have a tangible value other than facilitating future annexations.

Now, Kobach is challenging the citys annexations. He filed the lawsuit in Johnson County District Court on Tuesday.

Annexation is one of those issues that is extremely contentious, sometimes involves a lot of money and often involves a lot of emotion, Kobach told The Star on Thursday.

The Kansas Legislature wisely established a series of rules that cities must obey when they go into the annexation arena. And its the job of the attorney general to be the referee and ensure that the cities follow the rules. And thats simply what were doing here. The city of Edgerton clearly violated the statute, and thats why we brought this action.

Nearby homeowner Jennifer Williams said it is cause for celebration for neighbors who have been fighting the expansion for years. She said she is more excited than if I had won the billion dollar lottery last week, because without protection of our freedom and constitutional rights, nothing else matters.

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The citys illegal actions were stealing the homeowners property rights with rezonings that would destroy the fabric of our community.

The Kansas attorney general is suing the city of Edgerton over its annexations for a sprawling industrial park, arguing that it illegally annexed a narrow corridor to connect the rest of the land.

The first piece of land annexed by the city in 2020 was 47 acres southwest of 199th Street and South Gardner Road. The attorney generals lawsuit says that property was the only piece of land out of the 700 acres that adjoined the city.

The lawsuit claims by annexing that property, the city created a narrow corridor connecting it to a second five-acre parcel, and then to the rest of the land.

Kobach argues the first property had no value to the city other than enabling the other annexations.

He told The Star the city annexed the land without notice and very quickly with the narrow corridor being annexed, and then a week later the significant number of acres being approved.

It also appears to be coordinated and pre-planned, he said. You can tell from circumstantial evidence that this was all well-orchestrated in advance.

The city of Edgerton has defended the annexations over the past few years.

In a statement on Wednesday, officials said the city, believes the facts of this case will show the annexation to be legal and look forward to presenting the case to the court. The property owner voluntarily requested annexation into Edgerton in late 2020, which was granted. We strongly deny accusations that any illegal or inappropriate actions were taken in this case.

BNSFs 400-acre cargo facility opened in October 2013. It is part of Logistics Park Kansas City, which has continued to expand onto farmland in southwest Johnson County.

The attorney general is asking the court to order the annexations invalid and restore the land to unincorporated status.

Williams helped lead an effort a couple of years ago, along with about 300 other Miami County homeowners, to form their own town outside of Edgertons industrial park. They argued that their city borders would have protected their agricultural and residential land from the proliferation of warehouses. But the Miami County Board of Commissioners rejected their petition.

Edgerton leaders tout the growth at the industrial park, which has brought corporate giants like Amazon and Hostess, as well as thousands of jobs and additional tax revenue, to the tiny town of 1,700. But for several years, the development has come with opposition from neighbors, who worry about the environmental impacts, noise and traffic, as well as city tax incentives offered to the developer, NorthPoint.
Plans to move an appropriations bill funding agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the House floor were brought to a halt amid internal GOP division over whether to further slash spending and a provision related to abortion.

The House Rules Committee  the last stop before a bill hits the House floor  had started consideration of the bill Wednesday. But as hard-line conservatives continue to negotiate with GOP leaders on spending cut demands, the committee is not expected to return to consider the bill Wednesday evening, according to Rules Committee aides.

The bill was also not listed on Thursdays schedule, which was released Wednesday night by the office of Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.).

One House Republican told The Hill that they do not expect the bill to come to the floor at all this week as scheduled, punting its consideration until when the House returns in mid-September.

Were not bringing the bill up. Were not gonna be here Friday to vote on the [agriculture appropriations], said the GOP lawmaker, who requested anonymity to discuss the internal deliberations.

A main point of contention on the measure is a provision that would nullify a Biden administration rule allowing the abortion pill mifepristone to be sold in retail pharmacies and by mail with prescriptions from a certified health care provider.

Moderate Republicans have been vocal in their opposition to the provision, warning that they will not support the bill unless it is stripped. That posture spells trouble for Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.): With all Democrats expected to vote against the legislation, he can only afford to lose a handful of Republicans and still clear the measure.

I have said from the very beginning that I would not support legislation that would ban abortion nationwide, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) told reporters Wednesday morning. And to me, some of these issues that are being dealt with should be dealt with at the state level, and thats it. Some states allow it to be mailed, some states dont. But that should be a decision with the states and the FDA.

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But the GOP lawmaker suggested those who object to the mifepristone measure are in no hurry to take it out because it gives them a reason to delay the whole damn thing amid disagreement with the Freedom Caucus members and other conservatives pushing for cuts.

Theres a reason that we dont want it stripped, the lawmaker said. We dont really like the rest of the bill. Leave it in and delay the whole damn thing.

The delay in moving the funding bill to the floor comes as House GOP leaders secured one procedural victory on their first appropriations bill to come to the floor earlier in the day, when a military construction and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding bill cleared a procedural rule despite conservative Republican pushback on the process for appropriations bills as a whole.

But unlike that bill, which increased VA funding, conservatives are seeking to make further cuts in the agriculture and FDA bill  something other lawmakers do not want.

Freedom Caucus wants deeper cuts, we cant possibly accept that, the GOP lawmaker told The Hill.

Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a key negotiator in discussions with conservatives and GOP leadership, indicated that the agriculture appropriations bill might not come to the floor this week.

Itll go to the floor when its ready. And whether thats this week or not, I dont think anybody is ready to make that call yet, Graves said.

Conservatives for weeks have demanded further overall spending cuts to spending bills passed out of the House Appropriations Committee, and have also asked to see the final version of all 12 regular House appropriations bills before the chamber passes any of them.

The Senate has advanced spending bills with higher levels  in line with the debt limit agreement made by President Biden and McCarthy  setting up a clash when lawmakers return in the fall to resolve those differences that increases the chances of a government shutdown.

Aris Folley contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
EVANSVILLE  Using portions of court documents and defense transcripts, local school board member Amy Word has mounted a furious public defense against allegations that she negligently allowed drugs to be sold at her Franklin Street bar.

Word has been on a temporary, unpaid leave of absence from the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. board of trustees for nearly one year, after police arrested her in July 2022 on a charge of maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony.

Word pleaded not guilty immediately after her arrest, and on Thursday, the court set a trial date in her case: March 4, 2024. According to Word's defense team, the trial will be held at a yet-to-be-determined location outside Vanderburgh County.

As part of a renewed public defense, Word and her attorney, Bob Canada, have challenged the evidence against her, submitted a flurry of legal filings and deposed Police Chief Billy Bolin - Evansville's highest-ranking law enforcement official - among other witnesses.

Word also took to Facebook between late June and early July to publicly excoriate the police and local news media for associating her with the alleged sale and use of drugs at the Lamasco Bar & Grill she owns.

Word's posts, along with documents and evidence reviewed by Canada, dispute a set of specific allegations put forth by investigators in Word's arrest affidavit and attempt to cast doubt on the credibility of confidential informants who accused the school board member of participating in a drug scene at Lamasco.

The Evansville Police Department declined to respond to Word's claims, as did Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers.

Defense releases portion of expletive-riddled jail phone call Word claims the police misrepresented

EPD Detective Matthew Knight authored the probable cause affidavit accusing Word of maintaining a common nuisance through her ownership of Lamasco. Word also owns the popular restaurant Amy's on Franklin.

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Under Indiana law, a common nuisance can constitute any building that is used for illicit purposes, including the manufacture or sale of drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Knight's affidavit, which draws heavily on confidential informants, cites a March 2022 recorded phone call between Word and a Vanderburgh County jail inmate who had been arrested on narcotics charges and was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In his sworn affidavit, Knight claimed the inmate, Jourdan Dabbs, warned Word to "get rid of" items in a safe. Word responded with a series of profanities, saying the only thing in a safe was her money and  according to the police rendition of the conversation  someone's "dope."

Detective Knight personally attributed the word dope to Word in the document.

But Canada provided the Courier & Press with an audio file he said detailed the portion of the call Knight cited, along with a defense-prepared transcript. Canada, who did not release audio of the entire phone call, claimed the files prove Word never said dope during her conversation with Dabbs.

You can listen to the call below.

Canada also claimed Dabbs was not a former Lamasco employee, as stated in Knight's affidavit, but of Sportsman's Grille & Billiards  another Franklin Street bar that was also cited in Evansville police reports as a hub of alleged drug use and dealing.

"This probable cause is sloppy and inaccurate in a lot of places," Canada told the Courier & Press.

Canada said Word was upset while talking to Dabbs because she had recently discovered that a Lamasco manager had embezzled more than $30,000 from the business  a theft that could prove pivotal to Word's defense.

Canada: Potential state witness has reason to lie about Word

Word informed Evansville police of the alleged embezzlement in April 2022, according to an EPD report the Courier & Press obtained via a public records request.

The case's supplemental report lists more than 10 instances when the suspect, a since-fired manager, allegedly absconded with large quantities of money from an Old National Bank account affiliated with Lamasco. Canada said a forensic auditor hired by Word's insurance company quickly identified the culprit.

But by the time Word reported the alleged theft to Evansville police, detectives were already conducting the investigation into narcotics dealing along Franklin Street and at Lamasco Bar & Grill, records show.

Canada makes the bombshell claim that the EPD turned the suspected embezzler into a key witness against Word instead of conducting a proper investigation. Police records state the investigation into the reported theft of Lamasco funds lasted less than two weeks, and no arrests were ever made.

"It's the prosecution's intent to call a confidential informant to testify," Canada said, referencing the former Lamasco employee accused of stealing thousands from Word's business. "She has a motive to lie."

Knights affidavit cites at least five confidential informants, but Canada told the Courier & Press that only two such witnesses appeared willing to testify at trial: the accused embezzler and their romantic partner.

The Courier & Press submitted a list of questions to the EPD and afforded the department the opportunity to comment on Word's claims. An EPD spokesperson declined to specifically comment on the matter.

"At this time, with this being an active litigation, we cannot provide any comments about the investigation or allegations," Sgt. Anna Gray wrote in a brief statement. "Once this has run its course through the legal system, we would be happy to provide a statement and answer any questions."

Word claims prosecutors failed to locate damaging photos and videos cited by the police

In the probable cause affidavit Knight wrote, he claimed an investigation into alleged drug dealing at Lamasco began sometime prior to 2019.

That initial investigation led police to conclude a Lamasco employee could have been involved in an overdose case and frequently sold heroin, marijuana, cocaine, and pills at both Sportsmans Grille & Billiards and Lamasco Bar on West Franklin Street.

The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force compiled anonymous tips and information from credible and reliable sources" over a span of at least two years, Knight wrote, that allegedly named other Lamasco employees as being involved in the drug trade.

Amy Word

In Words arrest affidavit, Knight went on to claim that Word personally used drugs and had direct knowledge of drug dealing activities inside Lamasco Bar & Grill. Knight's and the EPD's claims have been included in news articles, including in the Courier & Press.

To support the claim, Knight wrote that videos cited by confidential informants showed Word using cocaine. He also said it had become a common practice among Lamasco employees to take damaging photos and videos of Word as potential blackmail material.

And yet, nearly one year after Word's defense first filed a motion to obtain the evidence investigators had against her, Canada said prosecutors have failed to turn over a single photo or video that shows Word using drugs of any kind.

"We requested that: the photographs and videos," Canada said, referencing his efforts to obtain the photos and videos mentioned by the police. "We were told they don't exist."

In a July 6 filing, Canada again pressed the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office to locate and provide the photos and videos to Word's defense team.

"The confidential informant alleged that they possessed photographs and videos of Ms. Word using cocaine," Canada wrote in the filing. "The prosecution has produced no such photographs or videos."

A close reading of Knight's affidavit shows that the EPD did not directly claim to possess the videos in question, nor did it directly claim the confidential informants it cited possessed them, either. Knight said informants only "mentioned" the video of Word using cocaine.

According to Canada, if prosecutors are unable to actually produce the videos or photos, Knight would likely be barred from testifying about them at trial.

Word's claims that police improperly leaked materials to the media disputed by attorney

On June 25, Word took to Facebook to address another aspect of her ongoing case: media coverage.

"I was booked and jailed for maintaining a common nuisance nearly 2 hours prior to the search warrant of Lamasco was (sic) signed and executed by a judge," Word wrote in the lengthy post. "NOT ONE SINGLE DRUG, TRACE OF A DRUG, RESIDUE OF A DRUG in my building."

In the June 25 post, Word accused Bolin of releasing a nearly 2-inch stack of documents directly to the media before a warrant to search Lamasco Bar & Grill had ever been signed.

We FOIA'd what was released to the media, Word wrote, referencing the Freedom of Information Act, which allows members of the public to access government records. Word also claimed the EPD misconstrued evidence it handpicked and delivered to reporters.

The Lamasco Bar & Grill's sign hangs outside the establishment on Friday, June 23, 2023.

The Courier & Press obtained documents pertaining to Words arrest and court case through Indianas Access to Public Records Act, which grants the public and reporters the right to obtain public documents, and through the Vanderburgh County Clerk of Courts and law enforcement records offices.

Aside from standard court and police records, the EPD published one news release hours after Word's arrest detailing its joint investigation into Franklin Street narcotics dealing.

Canada showed the stack of documents Word cited in her post to the Courier & Press, but he acknowledged that the records were public in nature and said they were not forwarded to reporters by Bolin directly.

"We did a (public records) request for what was sent out before her release from jail, and we got this stack of documents," Canada said. "She believed that came directly from [Bolin]... That's probably inaccurate, and that's just a misunderstanding."

Word claims her use of WhatsApp misrepresented by detective

Another claim Knight cited in his affidavit has drawn Word's public ire for months: That Word used a so-called "encrypted phone application" to communicate with Demario Holman, the man police accused of being a "main supplier" of drugs at Lamasco Bar & Grill and other Franklin Street establishments.

Word and her attorney claim the only encrypted messaging application on Word's phone is WhatsApp  software developed by Meta which has been downloaded more than 3 billion times globally.

Canada claimed Word's use of WhatsApp was made to look incriminating even though she used it for standard text messaging purposes. On June 28, Word publicly posted what Canada said is a partial transcript of Knight's deposition.

According to Word's post, Knight framed WhatsApp in a sinister light.

"It's the same thing as sending something over, like, the Dark Web," the partial transcript reads.

Canada declined to provide the full transcript to the Courier & Press.

According to Meta, WhatsApp is, by definition, an encrypted messaging application. But so is Apple's iMessage and Google's updated Android messenger. All three use cryptography to seal the contents of messages, making them only visible to the sender and the recipient.

The partial transcript Word posted appears to state that Knight, and the Vanderburgh County Cybercrime Task Force, were unable to decrypt the messages Word sent via WhatsApp.

Word's team has deposed Bolin and is seeking massive review of Lamasco surveillance footage

Bolin's counsel filed a motion to quash Word's deposition subpoena, but Vanderburgh County Judge David Kiely ruled that Bolin, and the detective responsible for investigating the alleged Lamasco embezzlement, VanCleave, could be deposed.

As of Thursday, Canada said he had already deposed Bolin.

According to a July 6 filing, Canada sought to question Bolin about a flashy EPD recruitment video the department filmed inside Lamasco Bar & Grill several years prior to its 2022 raid on the establishment.

The fact that the chief of police picked Lamasco is an endorsement of Ms. Words and the bars reputation in the community, Canada wrote in his explanation as to why Bolins testimony could prove relevant to Words defense.

According to court records, Word's team was also pushing the court to appoint a "special master" to review 90 days of surveillance footage captured inside Lamasco Bar & Grill. A special master is an outside party who can be tasked with reviewing evidence in an unbiased fashion.

But, Word's defense team is no longer seeking such an appointment.

"I withdrew the request for the special master because the prosecutor said that his witnesses will testify that, by the time of trial, they have viewed the video and it either does or does not contain drug use," Canada said.

In a recent court filing, Canada stated that if the footage failed to depict drug use and dealing inside Lamasco, it would "provide very damning impeachment" of witness testimony. But, if the footage does show drug use inside Word's bar, Canada said it could prove "incriminating" for Word.

Prosecutors will have more than six months to review the footage ahead of Word's March 2024 jury trial. Shortly after Word's initial arrest, she petitioned the court to move proceedings out of Vanderburgh County due to media coverage of the case.

According to Canada, the court has yet to determine where Word's trial will be held.

Houston Harwood can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Amy Word releases documents about Lamasco investigation and the EPD
Artificial intelligence could learn to become so shrewd and nimble at carrying out tasks that the tech systems could replace CEOs and political leaders - and politicians in the U.K. are already sounding the alarm that they could face an AI takeover.

A peer in the U.K.'s House of Lords, Richard John Denison, sounded the alarm this week that he and his colleagues could be replaced with "peerbots" that mimic their personal writing styles and voice inflections to deliver speeches "with no hesitation, repetition or deviation."

"Is it an exciting or alarming prospect that your Lordships might one day be replaced by Peerbots with deeper knowledge, higher productivity and lower running costs?" Denison said while addressing the upper chamber, according to the Guardian.

WHAT IS AI?

"I was briefly tempted to outsource my AI speech to a chatbot and to see if anybody noticed. I did in fact test out two large language models. In seconds, both delivered 500-word speeches which were credible, if somewhat generic," he added.

AI COULD GROW SO POWERFUL IT REPLACES EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS WITHIN 10 YEARS, SAM ALTMAN WARNS

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

AI replacing politicians or CEOs holds merit, according to Director of the Center for AI Safety Dan Hendrycks. Hendrycks is a machine learning researcher who has published extensive studies on the potential catastrophic ramifications of artificial intelligence, including AI gaining the upper hand over humanity by playing by Darwinian rules.

Hendrycks told Fox News Digital this week that AI could evolve to the point that the machines take over politicians jobs, as well as jobs in the highest echelons of industry, and pointed to a corporation in China that already has an AI CEO.

AI COULD GO 'TERMINATOR,' GAIN UPPER HAND OVER HUMANS IN DARWINIAN RULES OF EVOLUTION, REPORT WARNS

"For instance, a company in China has already appointed an AI as its CEO. This is not saying whether this is a good idea or not, but that people are willing, so long as the AI can perform well enough," Hendrycks said.

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Last year, a Chinese gaming company called NetDragon Websoft announced it was installing an AI-powered virtual humanoid robot named "Tang Yu" as CEO of its subsidiary, Fujian NetDragon Websoft, to increase proficiency and help "ensure a fair and efficient workplace for all employees."

"We believe AI is the future of corporate management, and our appointment of Ms. Tang Yu represents our commitment to truly embrace the use of AI to transform the way we operate our business, and ultimately drive our future strategic growth," NetDragon Chairman Dejian Liu said in a press release at the time.

Hendrycks authored a paper earlier this year, "Natural Selection Favors AIs over Humans," which argued "that natural selection creates incentives for AI agents to act against human interests," citing that "natural selection may be a dominant force in AI development" and "evolution by natural selection tends to give rise to selfish behavior."

TECH EXPERTS OUTLINE THE FOUR WAYS AI COULD SPIRAL INTO WORLDWIDE CATASTROPHES

"In the marketplace, its survival of the fittest. As AIs become increasingly competent, AIs will automate more and more jobs," Hendrycks told Fox News Digital earlier this year of the paper. "This is how natural selection favors AIs over humans, and leads to everyday people becoming displaced. In the long run, AIs could be thought of as an invasive species."

Hendrycks told Fox News Digital this week that if AI plays by Darwinian rules, the systems would be favored "over humans even for politicians and CEOs."

Hendrycks said there is a "non-exhaustive list of ways AIs could outperform humans," which he boiled down to four examples, including how "AIs could work nonstop," and that "AIs get faster and faster each year."

Experts argue difference between AI investment in China and the U.S. is the fact that the American model is driven by private companies whereas China takes a government approach.

"The difference between 60 or 80 hours a week is large for a human executive. An AI executive could work 168 hours a week without rest or breaks," Hendrycks explained. While faster operating systems employed as an executive "could think quicker, making high quality decisions even under time pressure."

JUDGES LIKELY TO TAKE AI RULES INTO THEIR OWN HANDS AS LAWMAKERS SLOW TO ACT: EXPERTS

He also said that the same AI "could work on many tasks simultaneously," and manage "an arbitrary number of relationships or employees," and could serve as an "expert in many domains or at least have a superhuman understanding in many domains of interest."

"The companies that don't replace their CEOs with AIs would become less competitive and fade into irrelevance," he argued.

For now, a handful of studies found that CEOs are the least likely professionals to be replaced by AI when compared to jobs such as customer service representatives or data entry clerks. Potentially employing AI to serve as lawmakers, however, has already received a warm welcome from voters, with an IE Universitys Center for the Governance of Change study conducted in Europe in 2021 finding 51% of Europeans want to replace members of parliament with AI.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that on the night of July 27, Russia launched eight Iranian-made Shahed drones from the direction of Krasnodar region.

All eight were destroyed by air defense in Khmelnytsky, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk Oblasts, wrote the Air Force in a statement.

A Russian Navy submarine in the Black Sea also launched two Kalibr cruise missiles towards port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast.

The strikes killed one civilian guard, destroyed a guard building and damaged cargo terminal equipment, according to Oleh Kiper, the regional governor.

The Air Force reported that they have launched 11 air strikes on Russian targets over the past 24 hours.

On July 26, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that 33 Kh-101/Kh-555 and three Kalibr cruise missiles were shot down.

Russian forces launched a massive air strike against Ukraine on July 26 as the air raid siren became active across the entire country.

Read also: How Russia uses Iranian drones to try to overwhelm Ukraines air defense
The Air Force will not elaborate on the consequences of the Russians' use of Kinzhal aero ballistic missiles on the airfield in Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

Source: Colonel Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force of Ukraine, on air of Ukraines national 24/7 newscast

Quote: "Yesterday, in addition to the missiles that flew one after the other from the southeast and were headed first seemingly to Kharkiv [Oblast], then to Dnipropetrovsk [Oblast], and then went to the south, from there to the west, and then to Khmelnytskyi Oblast, namely Starokostiantyniv; at the same time the enemy decided to also strike from the north using MiG-31K aircraft with Kinzhal missiles.

...there is some damage [on the territory of the airfield  ed.], which, of course, we will not report, but the enemy did use those four Kinzhal missiles, and they were visible."

Background:

Early, Yurii Ihnat reported that the Russian cruise missiles that were launched on Ukraine on Wednesday evening targeted Starokostiantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

There is a military airfield in Starokostiantyniv that hosts Ukrainian Su-24M tactical bombers. These aircraft serve as carriers of the Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!






Dani Robertson said she thinks "sustainable tourism is absolutely the solution"

Dani Robertson's childhood home can count just two other sets of neighbours in a street of 37 houses as most, she says, are rented out on Airbnb.

The 33-year-old said her village of Rhosneigr, Anglesey, used to be a tight-knit Welsh-speaking community where neighbours were like family.

But she said it has been "hollowed out" by tourism and has called for sustainable solutions.

A rental cooperative which has launched in Wales is claiming it does just that.

Ms Robertson said she was "really fortunate" to have grown up in the village before the boom of holiday lets, but things had changed, with Welsh no longer heard and grocery shops becoming "eateries".

She said this was happening across the island.

Data from AirDNA showed there were 367 short-term rentals in Rhosneigr as of this month, while the Office for National Statistics said there were 4,375 holiday home users on Anglesey as a whole as of June.

Meanwhile, Anglesey council said there were 908 applications for social housing as of July.

The authority said tourism contributed 342m to its economy in 2021 and supported more than 3,600 jobs.

Anyone with a second home on the island must also pay a council tax rate of 150%.

Ms Robertson, who has now moved to nearby Aberffraw, said her home village will never recover as too many people have left.

She said she has also seen the same process in her new village.

Aberffraw on Anglesey, is about 5 miles (8km) from where Dani Robertson grew up

"I can see history repeating itself, Aberffraw is Rhosneigr 15 years ago," adding the village had just lost its primary school and had no childcare provisions.

She said tourism was needed to "some extent" but could not continue as it was, adding: "Sustainable tourism is absolutely the solution. But I don't know how you get there, and I don't know how you force the hand of owners."

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Anglesey is not unique in Wales or across the world.

In 2019, Emanuele Dal Carlo, from Venice, founded Fairbnb, a cooperative created to provide a sustainable alternative for holidaymakers in response to "over-tourism" in the Italian city.

In April it launched its first three stays in Wales.

Mr Dal Carlo said: "We wanted to find a better way, because tourism also creates a lot of collateral damage, especially to residents."

Emanuele Dal Carlo says people are welcome to come forward as ambassadors for their community

Fairbnb aims to have ambassadors who live in communities and can speak on behalf of residents.

Like most short-term rentals, it takes commission, but 50% goes into community projects. Hosts are also expected to live in the area and let only one property, with the community having a say if it is right for them.

Hosts are also verified with the local authority and a network of residents.

There are 2,150 active hosts across Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the UK.

One of those is Rachel Shiamh, who built her straw bale off-grid eco-home in St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire, 20 years ago.

Ms Shiamh said the original land the house is built on is an ancient site and has a ruin

She said she shared her off-grid home with her guests to "show what's possible in terms of off-grid living".

"It's not about creating more and more businesses and holiday lets, which is quite an issue in our area at the moment now," she said. "It's making it more and more difficult for local people to find places to rent or to buy.

"I couldn't offer it to locals to live in as I also need to be here.

"We need tourism here. We need visitors, and it also keeps a wider mind view of life as well."

Half of her commission from Fairbnb goes to the national Big Issue project, which has branches in nearby Cardigan, Ceredigion.

Hosts can support up to three projects and she said she would support more "as they come up".

Rachel Shiamh says tourism is important to keep a "wider mind view of life"

Hostel Llety Arall in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, was also launched on Fairbnb in April. Menna Machreth, of the Other Accommodation initiative behind the hostel, said residents sometimes felt tourism "negatively impacts our area", but they wanted people to visit.

She said the group was aware of "people buying houses for them to be placed on Airbnb and that not being regulated at all" while "local people struggle to buy houses".

She added the hostel, which sits in a "renovated and empty large building" on a busy street in the town was a "community benefit society" which was not taking away homes.

Menna Machreth says when they renovated the property they re-used or put materials on freecycle to reduce the impact

"Where there were offices and an empty shop, there are now eight rooms for short-term visitors, a thriving shop selling upcycled products and a space for community activities," she said.

"This is in contrast to what is happening in many communities in Gwynedd, with homes being bought to be holiday lets, denying people from a home and leading to prices skyrocketing out of reach of young people.

"The aim of the business is to benefit the town, by supporting the circular economy and promoting sustainable tourism," she said.

The group behind Llety Arall aim to show off the real Caernarfon

Llety Arall wants to join up with other social enterprises to find a community project that can benefit from its Fairbnb commission. "We've got nearly 90% of people in town speaking Welsh day-to-day," Ms Machreth said.

The purpose of the hostel was to give people the "experience of the Welsh language as a living, urban language".

But at the moment, no community projects have been found to put the 50% of commission into, so it goes to Big Issue instead.

Rebecca Wiles, UK ambassador for Fairbnb said its next step was to find local projects "to keep the benefit" of tourism in communities.

She said community projects were welcome to put themselves forward.

The organisation's definition of sustainability is broad, "not just focusing on do they plant trees and focus on the environmental aspects," she added.

"Whether that's domestic abuse charities or women's rights, animal welfare or health of rivers."

Community projects in other countries include village shops, not-for-profits targeting homelessness, and insect protection amongst many others.

Airbnb said in a statement that across Wales, the typical host shares one home, often their primary residence, for less than three nights a month.

It added that more than a third say this helps them afford rising mortgage, food and energy costs.

"Airbnb supports new rules and continues to work with the Welsh government to help local authorities to protect everyday families sharing space in their homes, and clamp down on the speculators driving housing and over-tourism concerns," the company said.

Across the BBC banner
A good actor can show off many sides of himself. Alan Cumming is certainly no exception.

The acclaimed actor, who is vegan, appears naked in a new ad promoting veganism for PETA shot at Ladybird, a restaurant in New York Citys East Village.

I think its the first time Ive been naked in an East Village restaurant, he said in a behind the scenes video for the shoot. Lets leave it at that.

In the video, Cumming poses in his birthday suit with a plate of baked goods covering his milk and cookies. Another image captures him with a menu in front of his nether region. A third one features him splayed across a bar with a lettuce leaf over his groin area, while in another shot he stands with an eggplant covering him up.

Cumming extolled the virtue of choosing a vegan lifestyle.

If someone is questioning being vegan, I would say to them, Dont be ridiculous  just do it. Its much, much easier than you think. Were not living in the dark ages anymore. You can totally function, he said.

Alan Cumming PETA Vegan Ad (peta.org)

The Cabaret star also explained how his choice to go vegan stemmed from what may seem like an unlikely source.

The reason I became a vegan is because Mike Tyson is a vegan. And I thought, If Mike Tyson can do it, surely I can, he said.

PETA recommends going vegan, for a multitude of reasons, including the fact it spares nearly 200 animals immense suffering and terrifying deaths every year, while also noting the health benefits to humans.

Alan Cumming is all smiles in his racy photo shoot. (peta.org)

Vegan eating provides us with all the nutrients we need, minus the saturated fat, cholesterol, and contaminants found in animal flesh, eggs, and dairy, the organization says.

Scientists have also found that vegans have stronger immune systems than meat-eaters, which means theyre less susceptible to everyday illnesses such as the flu. Vegans live, on average, six to 10 years longer than omnivores.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
One of the most memorable and relatable "star" witnesses in the recent double murder trial of disgraced former lawyer Richard "Alex" Murdaugh has now been recognized by his peers with one of the state's highest law enforcement honors.

Dr. Kenneth Kinsey, who currently serves as the Chief Deputy for the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office, was recognized by the South Carolina Sheriff's Association as Deputy of the Year.

The award, which was voted on by the Sheriffs in all 46 counties in South Carolina, was one of several presented at the SCSA annual conference held July 12 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

"Thank you to the Sheriffs in South Carolina who thought I was worthy of this great honor," Kinsey stated on his Facebook page. "I have and always will hold myself to the highest standards. I look forward to what the future may hold and hope to continue to serve you (the public) in some capacity."

Chief Kinseys testimony during the Alex Murdaugh trial described the gruesome sequence of events of the night of June 7, 2021, when Murdaugh's wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, were found dead, shot multiple times in a horrific fashion. He offered expert opinion as to which of the shots were fired first, which were fatal, how it happened, and the trajectory of the rounds fired based on the evidence around the crime scene.

Dr. Kenneth Kinsey was recently named South Carolina's Deputy of the Year.

After testimony from Kinsey and other expert witnesses during a six-week trial in Walterboro, S.C., Murdaugh was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

Kinsey's testimony, delivered with a down-home Southern style and a touch of humor, was so memorable and relatable to the Colleton County jury, who had to consider mountains of financial and scientific evidence including cell phone and vehicle GPS data, that after the trial the jury asked to meet with Kinsey personally to thank him for helping them understand a complex case in such a personable fashion.

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After the trial, Julie Grant of Court TV, which livestreamed the entire event, called Kinsey a "break-out star," as throngs of reporters gathered around him for interviews.

Dr. Kenneth Kinsey became a literal star witness during this trial, arriving to a crowd cheering as he walked into court for the last time, said broadcast reporter Grace Runkel, Carolina Fox News.

Orangeburg Sheriff Leroy Ravenel nominated Kinsey for the award, and here is an excerpt from that nomination letter: "It is from this extreme act of professionalism developed from his three decades of law enforcement, hands-on experience, leadership, knowledge, training, honed to the level as a crime scene reconstruction expert, we nominate OCSO Chief Deputy Kenny Kinsey for the South Carolina Sheriffs Associations Deputy of the Year."

As Chief Deputy, Kinsey is the second highest ranking officer in the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office, answering directly to Sheriff Leroy Ravenel. Kinsey, whose parents were also involved in law enforcement and public safety, has extensive law enforcement and investigative experience, from working with SWAT teams to state police crime scene units with a S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and has even launched his own private forensic investigative consulting firm.

Dr. Kenny Kinsey will be in Hampton this weekend raising money for fellow law enforcement officers.

Kinsey to be guest of honor at Hampton County Sheriff's K9 fundraiser

As he eyes a possible retirement soon, Kinsey will cap off this honor by giving back to the law enforcement community by appearing as a guest speaker for a police fundraiser in cash-strapped, rural Hampton County.

Kinsey will be a special guest speaker on Saturday, July 29, at 7:30 p.m. for a Hampton County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit fundraiser at the Stanley Arts Center, on Lee Avenue, Hampton.

"Dr. Kinsey will share a message regarding his passion for law enforcement and the importance of community involvement," the HCSO announced. "With his wealth of experience, knowledge and dedication, he has captivated many world wide, creating a legacy of inspiration for his fellow colleagues and law enforcement officers everywhere."

The fundraiser is a formal, black-tie event. Interested guests can purchase a $25 ticket today by contacting the HCSO at 803-914-2200 or 803-914-2177. You can also contact Deputy Donahue at 803-842-5550 or Deputy Sanders at 803-942-2567.

Kinsey urged locals and corporate supporters alike to support this fundraiser and the Hampton County K-9 unites.

"These men and women need help with equipment and supplies for their new K-9 unit," stated Kinsey. "Sometimes they are expected to perform miracles with fugitives, missing children or elderly dementia patients."

All proceeds from the fundraiser will exclusively be used for the care and support of the HCSO bloodhounds and K-9 team.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Murdaugh murder trial star witness Kinsey named SC Deputy of the Year
Wildfires raging across Algeria during a blistering heatwave killed 34 people and forced mass evacuations (Handout)

Algerians in the fire-ravaged northeast were Thursday counting the cost of the blazes that killed 34 people, destroyed homes and reduced vast forest areas to scorched wastelands.

The wildfires raged for days, mainly through the mountain forests of the Kabylia region on the Mediterranean coast, fanned by winds during blistering summer heat.

"Many people are traumatised. Our aim is to provide moral support and psychological care," said a member of a psychiatrist support unit sent to the disaster area.

Water and electricity remained cut off in wide areas but aid supplies were arriving.

"We need help, all the help we can get," said a man at an aid supply point in Bejaia, 250 kilometres (150 miles) from Algiers. "We need clothes, mattresses, things like that."

In the small village of Ait Oussalah, 16 people were killed as they tried to flee the flames, witnesses said, pointing out that they made up 10 percent of the village population.

Tahar Chibane, 35, from the town of Ait Oussalah, lost several family members and almost all of his farmlands.

"We've lost 99 percent of our land, and suffered great human losses," he said at a funeral ceremony in nearby Souk el-Djemaa. "We're still standing on our feet, because of God's protection."

Djudi Zenoud, also burying a loved one, said: "How can you remain sane when so many members of your family are lost at once?"

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has sent his condolences to the families of those killed, among them 10 soldiers trapped by flames in Bejaia province.

A judge has ordered that 12 people alleged to have been involved in starting several of the fires be held in provisional detention, the prosecutor's office in Alger said.

At the height of the disaster, more than 100 fires burned across 17 provinces, said Interior Minister Brahim Merad, the fires forcing the evacuation of more than 1,500 people.

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More than 8,000 civil defence personnel were mobilised, along with 500 fire trucks and multiple chartered aircraft.

Merad said local authorities have been instructed to assess the damage and losses, and to "identify the victims in order to compensate them as soon as possible".

Northern and eastern Algeria battle forest fires every summer, but they have been exacerbated by this year's Mediterranean heatwave.

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Alicia Navarro, a Glendale teenager who has been missing for nearly four years, has been found alive in a small Montana town near the Canadian border, Glendale police announced on Wednesday.

"She is, by all accounts, safe. She is, by all accounts, healthy," Glendale spokesperson Jose Santiago, said. "She is, by all accounts, happy."

Navarro, who has autism, was 14 years old when she went missing in September 2019 after leaving a note saying she was returning home soon.

Newly released photo of Glendale teen Alicia Navarro, 18, who had been missing since 2019. She was located in Montana after identifying herself to police.

Navarro's mother, Jessica Nunez, said in a video posted on Facebook that she does not know the details of the recovery but could confirm the young woman was alive and well.

"I, first of all, want to give glory to God for answering your prayers and for this miracle," Nunez said.

Nunez said she had only heard about her daughter being found only about an hour before she posted the video.

Santiago said that the now 18-year-old went to police in the Montana town with the hopes of being taken off a list of missing children. He said that Navarro went to them of her own free will and identified herself to police. The name of the town was not released.

The young woman is asking for privacy with the hopes of moving on and building a life for herself, police said.

Police said they do not know the full story of what happened to Navarro, only that it started as a runaway situation because of statements she had made to them. They said she showed up to the Montana police station alone and did not require medical attention.

In two short videos recorded during a FaceTime call that police released, Navarro told investigators that she had not been hurt in any way.

In the first video, investigators reassure her they just want to ensure she is safe. In response, Navarro, with closed eyes, stutters as she tells officers that she understands. In the second video, investigators thank her for talking to them, and Navarro calmly thanks them for offering her help.

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Lead investigator Lt. Scott Waite said that thousands of tips came in for Navarro over the years from all over the country. All were looked into. He said he had to look back and check if the Montana town was ever brought up on the tip line.

At this time, there are no imminent or pending charges against anyone in relation to the case, Waite said.

"We are also thankful she appears to be in good health and happy," read a statement from police.

Police said Navarro is still in Montana and is cooperating with police. They said she was in good spirits and is very apologetic for what she put her mother through over the past few years.

The department said in a news release that they will be working with federal authorities to investigate her whereabouts since the time she was reported missing.

Navarro's hand-written note on the night she was last seen read, I ran away. I will be back, I swear. I'm sorry. - Alicia"

As a child, the former Bourgade Catholic High School student was diagnosed as "high functioning" on the autism spectrum.

Nunez had voiced suspicion that her daughter had been abducted.

"Whoever took my daughter thought that she was just going to be another statistic, that I was just going to let it be. And that's not going to happen," Nunez previously told The Republic.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Missing Arizona teen Alicia Navarro found in Montana
The mother of an Arizona teenager who showed up at a Montana police station nearly four years after she disappeared said it was a "miracle" that her daughter had been found alive.

"I do feel I owe this video to the community and to God, because first of all, I want to give glory to God for answering our prayers and for this miracle," Jessica Nunez said in a video message Wednesday, about an hour after authorities announced that Alicia Navarro had been located.

"For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example that miracles do exist and never lose hope and always fight," she continued.

Jessica Nunez, mother of Alicia Navarro, thanks God for her daughter being found safe and alive in a video posted online. (via Facebook; Navarro family)

Navarro, 18, was 14 when she disappeared from her mother's home in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept. 15, 2019. Nunez told NBC's "Dateline" in 2020 that she had found a note in her daughter's bedroom saying she ran away, which she said was out of character.

The FBI and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children helped search for her.

Authorities in Glendale said Wednesday that Navarro went to a police station in a small Montana town near the Canadian border and told officials she was the missing girl.

"She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy, Jose Santiago, a spokesman for Glendale police, told reporters at a news conference.

Alicia Navarro in a photo released after she was found safe. (Glendale Police Dept.)

Police Lt. Scott Waite said the case remains under investigation. Police did not immediately have details about how she arrived in Montana.

"Every indication shes given to us so far is that she willfully left her home," Waite said. "Now, the dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something were looking into."

Waite said Navarro arrived at the police station by herself. Santiago said she "basically asked for help to clear her off of a missing juvenile list." Authorities would not name the town and said Navarro does not face any charges.

Nunez said in her video that she does not have any details about the disappearance. Police initially said Navarro was reunited with her mother, but clarified Friday that they "were connected electronically."

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"They have not been in physical contact. We are working with Alicia to fulfill her needs/wishes. That said, we have been in communication with her mother," a spokesperson said.

"But the important thing is that she is alive. And I want to thank the community and God for all that you have done," she said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Two alleged gang members have been indicted on multiple charges in connection with a fatal 2020 drive-by shooting, according to Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.

Marquise Hawkins and Kendaryl Rogers, were indicted for a fatal drive-by shooting on August 6, 2020, in Columbus, according to a statement from the Attorney Generals office.

The shooting led to the death of Alex Bales-Davis, 26, who was shot along with a 23-year-old woman at Brennan Road and St. Marys Road in Columbus, according to Ledger-Enquirer reporting.

Hawkins and Rogers are alleged members of a local criminal street gang known as Drive By Hustle Boys, which primarily aligns itself with the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, the release says.

Our Gang Prosecution Unit has indicted three separate cases in Muscogee County, and each one involves a fatal shooting that should have never occurred, said Carr in the statement. This type of senseless violence will not be tolerated in our state.

Hawkins, 29, of Columbus, faces the following charges:

Felony Murder

Malice Murder

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated Battery

Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree

Rogers, 30, of Columbus, faces the following charges:

Felony Murder

Malice Murder

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated Battery

Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon During a Crime

Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree

The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriffs Office and the GBIs Gang Task Force.

The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office stands committed to staying in this fight to ensure those committing gang crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the laws of Georgia, Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said in a statement.

The hard work of the investigative team and the prosecutors are what it will take to make our city and communities safer, interim Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis said in a statement, noting the importance of the teamwork among the various departments.
Last week, Florida adopted regulations demanding lessons on race be taught in an objective way that doesnt try to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will not hold its 2025 general convention in Orlando as planned, citing the states racist laws as justification.

According to The Hill, Willis L. Lonzer III, the fraternitys general president, said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has consistently pushed for laws and regulations that harm Black people and other marginalized groups.

However, announcing the news Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the Black fraternity said the controversy surrounding the states new education standards was the tipping point in its decision.

Willis L. Lonzer III (above), the general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., accused Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of consistently pushing for laws that negatively impact Black people. The fraternity has decided to move its 2025 convention out of the state. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/Alpha Phi Alpha Social Media)

Last week, Florida adopted new regulations demanding lessons on race be taught in an objective way that doesnt try to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view.

The revised standards include calls for teachers to explain how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Another mandates lessons on acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans, such as the Tulsa Race Massacre, be taught in schools.

Alpha Phi Alpha noted in a statement that the fraternity joins a large group of groups in denouncing Floridas slew of damaging and discriminatory laws regarding demonstrations, voting rights, public schools and diversity, equity and inclusion.

We start first with the laws rejecting the teaching race and the cultural diversity of our nation. We can even talk about the bill that he supported, banning [diversity, equity and inclusion] initiatives in colleges and universities, said Lonzer, The Hill reported. But the final straw really was his advancement of this new curriculum standards released last week, suggesting enslaved people developed skills that could later be a personal benefit to them, which is absolutely absurd.

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Black leaders nationwide immediately opposed the new educational standards, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who blasted DeSantis for pushing propaganda on children.

Lonzer stated that the other members of the Divine Nine, historically Black fraternities and sororities, are aligned with understanding the importance of ensuring everyone is treated respectfully.

He also urged Floridians to exercise their right to vote when it was time, asserting that Alpha Phi Alpha is committed to motivating them to remain watchful and ensure they participate in the electoral process.

Some of the most prominent Black leaders in America were members of Alpha Phi Alpha, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also are current members. All three are Democrats.

Although a new location has yet to be selected, Lonzer said his fraternity anticipates the move will cost the greater Orlando area $4.6 million in revenue.

We will not spend our money, he told The Hill, where Black people and other marginalized communities are continuously harmed by policies at the highest level of government.

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The post Alpha Phi Alpha, citing racist policies, moves convention out of Florida appeared first on TheGrio.
Oklahomans Alyssia Lee and her son Ka'Marion were at the center of an Amber Alert issued Wednesday and have been found safe in Texas.

A 10-month-old boy and 23-year-old mother at the center of an Amber Alert issued Wednesday were found safe in Texas.

According to the Norman Police Department, Alyssia Lee and her son Ka'Marion were located safe at 1:30 a.m. Thursday in Houston, KOCO reports.

The Amber Alert was issued Wednesday when loved ones realized the mother did not return home over the weekend.

The specific circumstances surrounding their discovery have not been disclosed at this time.

More: Missing Edmond man featured on billboards is found in Texas

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Amber Alert canceled after mother, 10-month-old found safe
American Airlines will begin offering direct service to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in February. It will be the first time American has served the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco.

The airline will fly a 76-seat Embraer 175 regional jet on the route, which debuts Feb. 15.

The daily flight will depart Phoenix at 11:20 a.m., landing at Pasco at 1:30 p.m.

It will leave Pasco at 3 p.m., arriving back in Phoenix at 7 p.m.

American is the sixth airline to provide services to the Tri-Cities Airport, operated by the Port of Pasco. The new flight adds a second connection for Tri-City travelers headed to the American Southwest.

Allegiant Airlines flies between Pasco and the Phoenix-Mesa airport.

The addition comes as the Tri-Cities Airport is poised to return to prepandemic passenger numbers. The airport recorded a record 438,123 boardings in 2019.

The airport is also served by served by Alaska, Delta, United, Avelo.

Go to flytricities.com
The battle over who controls the Boilermakers union erupted outside the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, Thursday afternoon following a hearing on whether Newton Jones will remain international president after being ousted by the unions top executives.

Two dozen rank-and-file members confronted Jones as he left the courthouse.

Prison for the president! some chanted, holding signs with a photo of Jones and the words Not my President.

We do not trust you, said Adam Mendenhall, of Kansas City-based Local 83, who started the chant. Youre a snake. You guys are crooks! Youre a scam, Newt. The membership wants you gone.

Jones, dressed in a dark suit and maroon tie and holding a copy of the unions constitution, stood there for several minutes while the shouting continued. He described his ouster as a coup.

Im sorry that you guys feel that way, he said quietly, adding that everything hed done had been in the interest of all union members.

I think the vice presidents have worked very hard to do a good job, he said. However, he added, I think weve got crossways.

At the end of the day, the question of whos in charge of the union remained unresolved. Chief Judge Eric F. Melgren, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, said he needed to study the matter further before issuing a ruling.

I have a couple matters I think need a bit more development on my end before I can rule, he said. He said he would issue a written order promptly but wasnt more specific on when that would be.

At issue Thursday was whether the international vice presidents who voted to remove Jones had properly notified him of a May 30 hearing on internal charges filed against him and whether the three who voted constituted a majority of a quorum.

The courtroom was packed, with some forced to listen to the hearing via an audio feed in an overflow room.

The case of the dueling Boilermakers presidents landed in federal court last month, but after an intense hearing, Melgren said then that another hearing was needed.

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He issued an interim preliminary injunction that kept Jones in power at least until Thursdays hearing. But the judge also placed restrictions on the longtime union president that were designed to keep his spending in check.

The unions infighting became public in early June when its top executives voted to remove Jones over allegations of misusing union funds for personal gain. Since then, theres been an ongoing conflict over who is in control.

At the June hearing, Melgren ordered a stay of the actions by the unions executive council to oust Jones as president and the councils decision to elect retired international vice president Warren Fairley to replace Jones.

But Melgren also ordered that any efforts to remove the executive council members from office for expelling Jones be stopped. And he said that Jones action to remove them from other appointments, such as committees and trust funds, would be stayed, saying it was clearly done in retaliation for the officers ousting him.

Melgren said at the end of Thursdays hearing that his June order would remain in place until he issued the next one.

The allegations against Jones went public after three members of the unions executive council  Tom Baca, of California; Arnie Stadnick, of Canada; and Timothy Simmons, of Alabama  issued a decision June 2 to remove Jones from office. The council ruled that Jones had violated a section in Article 17 of the Boilermakers constitution that deals with the misappropriation of funds.

Another executive council member, John Fultz, of New York, was not eligible to participate in the decision because he filed the internal disciplinary charges against Jones that led to his removal. The councils fifth executive council member, Lawrence McManamon Sr., of Ohio, did not attend the hearing at which the decision was made, nor did he vote to remove Jones. The executive council is composed of the unions five international vice presidents and Jones.

The unions executive council found that Jones ordered the union to give his wife, Kateryna, more than $100,000 plus benefits in back pay for apparently no union purpose while she was living in the Ukraine and spent more than $20,000 in union funds for flights to Ukraine to visit his wife and to go to the home which he owns in the Ukraine.

Jones and his wife also turned in about $40,000 in receipts for meals for them and other family members when at their home in North Carolina  some quite lavish and expensive  with no justification for the expenses, the executive council found.

Jones, 69, has denied misusing union funds and said the executive council had no authority under the unions constitution to dismiss him.

The union represents about 46,000 workers in the United States and Canada who assemble, install and repair boilers, fit pipes and build power plants and ships.

During the June 20 hearing, Melgren wanted to know what Jones wife did for the union. The unions attorney, Michael Amash, said she was a special assistant to Jones.

Whats her salary level? the judge asked. He appeared surprised when the executive councils attorneys said it was $165,000.

During the confrontation outside the courthouse Thursday, Mendenhall asked Jones why his wife is on the payroll.

Shes my trusted assistant, he said.

What does the average boilermaker make a year? Mendenhall shot back.

The case ended up in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas, after the union filed a civil suit against Baca, Stadnick and Simmons, requesting a temporary restraining order and then an injunction to prohibit Jones removal. Though the lawsuit was filed by the union, many members say it doesnt represent their feelings and they want no part of it.

The union executives fought back, filing a counterclaim against Jones, his wife and International Secretary-Treasurer William Creeden. They asked the court for a temporary restraining order followed by an injunction enforcing their decision to remove Jones.

The counterclaim alleged that Jones misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union and its members. But instead of putting a stop to the practice, it said, Creeden authorized the transactions. And because Baca, Stadnick, Simmons and Fultz participated in the internal disciplinary process that led to Jones ouster, they said, Jones had engaged in a campaign of retaliation against them.

Jones limited their travel, the document said, and removed them from long-held appointed leadership positions. And he filed internal disciplinary charges against Baca, Stadnick, Simmons and Fultz, accusing them of violating the unions constitution.

Prior to Thursdays hearing, a group of rank-and-file boilermakers  some traveling from Colorado, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Texas  rallied in support of Jones removal.

Robert Zimmerman, of Local 29 in Boston, said he was anxious to see if Jones would show up for the hearing.

This is very important, he said. We need to get the corruption out. Its a handful of guys spending money thats not even theirs. Its the working mans money.

Jared Moss, of Local 132 in Galveston, Texas, attended the hearing in June and returned for the one Thursday.

Hopefully, theyll wrap this thing up today, Moss said. Its beyond time for Jones to go. You leave people in power for too long, corruption settles in.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the company that owns Bud Light, is firing about 350 corporate employees amid declining sales caused by a conservative boycott of the company for partnering with a transgender influencer. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI

July 27 (UPI) -- Anheuser-Busch InBev, the company that owns Budweiser, is laying off about 350 corporate employees as the company faces a continued conservative boycott after partnering with a transgender influencer.

"While we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success," said Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whiteworth.

Modelo beer, which is owned by Constellation Brands, overtook Bud Light as the most purchased beer in the U.S. in May. The consulting firm Bump Williams released data showing that Bud Light sales for the first week of June were down 28% when compared to the previous year.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has blamed the company for the conservative boycott it has faced since running a promotion in partnership with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney during March Madness.

Last week, DeSantis ordered the state Board of Administration, which oversees the state's pension, to open a review to investigate if Anheuser-Busch InBev breached shareholder duties by partnering with Mulvaney because Florida has pension funds invested in Anheuser-Busch InBev.

"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," DeSantis tweeted Friday.

Anheuser-Busch InBev said it takes its responsibility to shareholders, employees, distributors and customers seriously.

"We are focused on driving long-term, sustainable growth for them by optimizing our business and providing customers products to enjoy for any occasion," Anheuser-Busch InBev said in a statement.

The company said the layoffs will target about 2% of its corporate staff and wouldn't affect workers in the breweries, or employees such as truck drivers or salespeople in the field.
SHREWSBURY  Another auto dealer was hit as five men went on a shopping spree at Choice Auto Center on Route 9 in Shrewsbury last Friday - only these guys never paid.

In, out cars were moved and gone. Nobody saw anything, said Shayan Daneshmand who owns the dealership with his father.

They came in a stolen Subaru from an Enterprise in Providence, said Daneshmand.

But they left in three cars worth more than one hundred thousand dollars. As the men drove off one of the cars got stuck as they drive over the curb.

Daneshmand says police believe its the same Rhode Island-based gang ripping off car dealers across Massachusetts.

Police told me its a theft ring that theyve known about and are actively investigating, he said.

Boston 25 showed you how these same thieves broke into a dealer in Grafton on July 7th and Canton the same week stealing cars, checks, cash and even guns.

The owner says these guys are pros and they move fast. They showed up here last Friday at 3:40 in the morning and were gone by 3:50 a.m. In ten minutes, they made off with three cars and several dealers plates.

However, they did make away with three cars totaling about 120,000 dollars and about six sets of keys as well, he said.

Daneshmand says he heard about the group and added new lights four months ago to deter them.

At night I have all led lights so it looks just like Fenway Park, he said.

But bright lights didnt faze these thieves. So, Daneshmand is doing what he can to stop them if they come back.

So, now I have to take extra measures here. Whatever cars they took the keys to I have them blocked in and there is no way they can get them out now.

Police tell Daneshmand they are aware of the group and are actively investigating.

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An 18-year-old has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2020 drive-by shooting death of Arizona State University student Carlos Garcia.

Kevontay Myers, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pled guilty to second-degree murder and assisting a criminal street gang. In Arizona, anyone 15 years or older accused of certain felony crimes must be charged as an adult.

The shooting took place outside a Kwik Korner convenience store in south Phoenix on the night of July 2, 2020. Garcia, 19, was hit while waiting in line for the walk-up window. Shots were fired from a gray Chevy Impala.

Police said that though Myers was only 15, he had a history of gang involvement. According to court records, the intended target of the shooting was a member of a rival gang, who was present at the scene.

Garcia was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In a probation report, a Phoenix police detective said the case's focus narrowed to Myers when his social media profiles surfaced. The detective said that Myers' posts often featured weapons and contained allusions to gang affiliations.

But defense lawyers argued that Myers' life has been shaped by neglect and violence, including the fatal shooting of his teenage brother. They said they intended to explain the events that led up to the Kwik Korner shooting, not to minimize Garcia's death.

The case against Kevontay Myers has raised questions about police and prosecutor conduct. It also came to exemplify conflicting views on juvenile offenders with a history of gang activity.

Who was Carlos Garcia?

Garcia was a junior majoring in computer science. His mother, Christina Garcia, said that Carlos Garcia hoped to enlist in the Air Force after graduation. Having spent time in Germany after high school, he wanted to be stationed there as an officer. He would have been the second in his family to graduate from college.

That night, Garcia had wrapped up a shift at a Chipotle restaurant before going to the Kwik Korner. He told his mother that he was picking up an energy drink and something to eat, planning to spend the night working on a summer course.

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He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another witness said that he "felt Carlos Garcia's last breath."

Police said that the gray Impala was captured by convenience store surveillance footage. According to court documents, investigators identified the vehicle and questioned the driver. The driver, also a minor at the time of the shooting, became a state witness, to whom prosecutors granted immunity.

According to court documents, police matched fingerprints taken from the car to Myers.

Myers was indicted on Dec. 20, 2020, and arrested the next month. He was charged with nine counts, including first-degree murder, drive-by shooting, and assisting a criminal street gang.

This year on May 19, Myers agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder and assisting a criminal street gang. The sentencing range was 18 to 22 years.

Sentencing moves forward despite misconduct allegations

The sentencing hearing had initially been set for June 19. But at 5:10 p.m. on June 15, one business day before the hearing, prosecutors emailed defense lawyers with instructions to come to their office with a large USB drive.

According to court documents, prosecutors said they erroneously neglected to disclose a year of jail calls. Deputy County Attorney Heather Livingstone said that she planned to use some of those calls in her sentencing memo to justify seeking the maximum prison term of 22 years.

The new materials included thousands of calls made by Myers from Maricopa County Jail, including video visits. Collins said that there was no time to review such a volume of material.

In an email sent to Maricopa County Superior Court Judge William Wingard, Collins characterized the last-minute disclosure of evidence as an "emergency." He said that prosecutors had engaged in a "pattern of discovery violations," including concerns about police misconduct brought up by an unrelated homicide case.

The court agreed to omit the jail calls from sentencing considerations and set a new hearing for July. The judge declined a June 22 motion to dismiss the case.

In that motion, Collins included exhibits related to both the late discovery and possible police misconduct that had surfaced in an unrelated case.

In the court's response, Judge Wingard indicated that Myers could withdraw from the plea agreement to pursue the dismissal. But Myers wanted to move forward with the sentencing.

In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Collins said that withdrawing from the plea was "taking a huge risk" with a possible life sentence for Myers.

"We shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place," Collins said, referring to how prosecution had dealt with disclosing evidence.

In a reply to the motion to dismiss, prosecution said that there were no due process violations with regards to police misconduct or the late disclosure of jail calls. Neither, they said, would have disproven Myers' guilt or led to a dismissal.

"Defense counsel relies upon inflammatory language in an attempt to manufacture a due process violation that does not exist," prosecution wrote.

They also pointed out that defense lawyers never disclosed the educational and health records they used in their sentencing memo.

Phoenix police: Body found on grounds of Arizona state Capitol

Ahead of the July 21 sentencing hearing, prosecutors submitted a new memo, citing recordings that had been disclosed earlier this year.Prosecutors used them as they had wanted to use the recordings that had been thrown out: to characterize Myers as a hardened criminal without remorse for his actions.

During the hearing, Collins argued that the excerpts were "cherry-picked" by prosecutors and that Myers had matured in the two years since the recordings were taken.

As part of its report, the Maricopa County Attorneys Office submitted a series of screenshots from Myers Facebook and Instagram accounts, posted before his arrest.

Livingstone wrote that Myers is proud to be a gang member and has little regard for the justice system. She pointed to Myers 14 previous referrals to juvenile court, though only two were misdemeanors  one for property damage and one for disorderly conduct. The rest were probation violations.

Defense lawyers painted a more nuanced portrait of Kevontay Myers, one they say contextualizes his actions at the south Phoenix Kwik Korner.

In their sentencing memorandum, lawyers for Myers said that he did not expect to encounter the rival gang member at the convenience store. Myers described seeing that person reach for what he thought was a gun.

At that moment, the filing said, Myers [realized] he was going to die.

A fraught sentencing hearing

At the July 21 sentencing hearing, prosecutors said there was little evidence for this interpretation of events. But defense lawyers believed that Myers' personal history explains why he may have instinctively turned towards violence at the Kwik Korner.

The defense's sentencing memo laid out Myers' path towards the "vicious cycle of retaliatory shootings that has plagued south Phoenix."

Myers, the youngest of eight children, grew up in a tumultuous household. At the sentencing hearing, his sister described a childhood rife with instability. She recalled sleeping in cars and brushing her teeth in gas station restrooms.

The defenses sentencing memorandum characterized Myers father as violent and his mother as neglectful. Myers has a documented history of serious intellectual and psychological challenges, which went untreated.

The defense described Myers foray into gang activity as a survival tactic. According to court documents, his mother instructed [Myers] in the necessity of gang protection.

2 shot while asleep in Phoenix park: Police searching for suspects

According to the report, Myers fired his first gun at 12. By 13, he had his own gun, which he kept under his pillow while he slept.

Myers older brother, Kenyon Myers, was killed at 17 in a gang-related shooting in south Phoenix on April 20, 2020. Kevontay Myers was present, and his brother passed out in his arms before dying the next day. The murder was never solved.

During the sentencing hearing, Myers apologized to the Garcia family. He described the aftermath of his brothers death and how it changed him.

I never meant to make another family feel the same pain, Myers said.

Myers' older sister said that she hoped, one day, the Garcia family might forgive her brother.

Friends and family of Carlos Garcia asked the judge for the maximum sentence of 22 years.

The state's sentencing memo included several letters written by some of Garcia's cousins, who described their extended family as tight knit.

"Why can this cruel, selfish individual still get to live out his adulthood while my cousin an innocent soul never got to live his," one read.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Teen's 20-year sentence spotlights cycles of gang violence in Phoenix
Alicia Navarro. (Facebook/Finding Alicia )

Jessica Nunez had been living on a prayer since her 14-year-old daughter Alicia Navarro went missing from their home in Glendale, Arizona, nearly four years ago.

Everything indicated that when Alicia climbed a fence in the backyard of the home on 15 September 2019, she intended to come back; the teen took her phone and laptop with her but not the chargers, all her clothes remained in her closet and she promised to return in a rushed note she left behind in her bedroom.

I ran away. I will be back, I swear. Im sorry, Alicia wrote on a crumpled piece of paper.

Despite thousands of leads, days turned into weeks and years without reliable information regarding Alicias whereabouts. Ms Nunezs initial fear was that her daughter, who is on the Autism spectrum and struggles with social anxiety, would become an easy target for predators.

But worries have grown over time that Alicia was lured out of the home in the first place. In several media appearances, Ms Nunez vowed that her daughters disappearance would not become another statistic, and after four years of pleading for Alicias safe return in any and every way she could, the mother and daughter have finally been reunited.

The Glendale Police Department announced on Wednesday evening that Alicia had walked inside a police station in a Montana town near the Canadian border. Authorities have refused to say where exactly the now-18-year-old was found, but have said she is happy, healthy and safe by all accounts.

Alicia Navarro (left when she disappeared and right since her return) (Navarro Family/Glendale Police)

From what she stated, this started as a runaway situation. But of course, there are more dynamics at play as we start to put together the puzzle, Lieutenant Scott Waite said during a press briefing.

In a video shared by law enforcement, Alicia is seen talking with detectives and saying that no one hurt her  but the mystery remains as to where she has been all this time. Police have said that the investigation is far from over.

Heres everything we know about the case:

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15 September  Alicia vanishes

Alicia went missing just five days before her 15th birthday.

She was last seen by her parents at their home near the area of 45th Avenue and Rose Lane.

When her mother woke up on the morning of 15 September 2019, she found that the door leading to the backyard was ajar. Near the fence were stacked chairs and bricks Ms Nunez believes Alicia may have used to climb out of the house, she told True Crime Youtuber Kendall Rae in a 2021 interview.

Alicia, who was diagnosed as high-functioning on the Autism spectrum, had asked her mother two days before going missing to skip school in order to have a mental health day.

Alicia Navarro left a .note in her room reading, I ran away. I will be back, I swear. Im sorry (Glendale Police Office)

Ms Nunez said that her daughter had not been acting in an unusual way and that she even seemed happy when they visited a chocolate factory on 14 September.

Just hours before going missing, Ms Nunez said that Alicia asked her when she planned to go to bed, she told The Arizona Central two years ago. Ms Nunez described her daughter as an introverted girl who had a small group of friends in real life and spent a lot of her time playing video games online.

Alicias mother feared daughter had been lured out of the home

At the time, Ms Nunez raised concerns that Alicia may have been lured out of the home by an internet predator, emphasising that it was out of character for her daughter to run away because she didnt even know how to take public transportation

Im more than 90 per cent sure that my daughter met this person online, Ms Nunez told The Arizona Central.

I didnt even think these types of people existed that would lure our youth. I know this world can be evil, but honestly, that didnt cross my mind at all, Ms Nunez said. Knowing the way my daughters personality is, I dont think that she would have fallen for that. This person probably took a while to be able to gain (her) trust.

Alicia went missing just five days before her 15th birthday (Finding Alicia)

Shortly after Alicia went missing, a Silver Alert was issued by authorities. Ms Nunez also reached out to several private investigators and organizations that work with families of missing and exploited children.

Alicias disappearance prompted a massive search operation by local police and the FBI. The Glendale Police Department said that thousands of tips have been received throughout the years.

She is by all accounts happy, healthy and safe

Glendale Police Department spokesperson Jose Santiago said detectives are confident the young woman who identified herself as the missing teen is indeed Alicia Navarro, following several interviews with her family.

Mr Santiago said Alicia showed up at a police station in Montana by herself. He said the town is about 1,000 away from Glendale but did not specify where exactly.

In a video posted to the Finding Alicia Navarro Facebook page, Ms Nunez said: For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example that miracles do exist, never lose hope, and always fight.

Ms Nunez said she found out about the news just an hour before the developments were shared by law enforcement.

Alicia showed up at a police station in Montana by herself, Glendale Police said (Glendale Police Deparment)

Lieutenant Scott Waite said Navarros return is probably only the beginning of where this investigation goes as police continue to investigate where Alicia has been during the last four years and if anyone was with her.

We also have a message from Alicia herself, who is asking for privacy. This has been a traumatic situation for her, as you can imagine, but she is looking to be able to move on in her life, shes looking to build a life for herself, and shes asking for some privacy and patience as well, Mr Santiago added.

In the video shared during the presser, Alicia thanked the department for looking for her and said no one had hurt her.

An investigation into the teens mysterious disappearance is now underway.
Clay County School District via YouTube

A lone parent filed a complaint to a Florida school district that a book in the Arthur seriesyes, the same Arthur from the beloved PBS animated showcontained references to Spin the Bottle, and now its possibly on the districts chopping block.

A member of the Clay County School District community, based in Green Cove Springs, filed the challenge on July 12 to Marc Browns Arthurs Birthday, a childrens book geared towards students in kindergarten to sixth grade. District spokesperson Terri Dennis told The Daily Beast that it was among 45 challenged titles now pending oversight committee review.

On Wednesday, the district provided The Daily Beast with the stack of challenge forms the school district had received for July. At least eight book challenges filed that month were submitted by a local conservative activist named Bruce Friedman.

Arthurs Birthday details the title characters upcoming birthday and how it falls on the same day as another party for a classmate, who happens to be a girl. Arthur wants all of his friends to show up, and figures out a plan to combine the parties together. At the end, Arthur receives a Spin the Bottle present from one of the girls.

Clay County School District

Clay County School District

On his form, Friedman wrote, PROTECT CHILDREN!! IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS SPIN THE BOTTLE WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. THIS BOOK IS FOUND IN ALL/ALMOST ALL [DISTRICT SCHOOLS]!

Friedman continued to scribble across the form how SPIN THE BOTTLE is NOT OKAY FOR K-5 KIDS! and how the content could potentially DAMAGE SOULS. He also included images from the book that he felt were not suitable for its intended audience.

Clay County School District

The entire book is about being inclusive of all friends and not only inviting boys or girls (based on your gender) to your birthday party, literary watchdog Florida Freedom to Read Project wrote on Twitter.

Reagan Miller, a member of Florida Freedom to Read Project, said she believes book banners are just trying to create chaos in the education system and make a boogeyman out of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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I think its more to keep feeding a narrative, she told The Daily Beast, suggesting that even Barney & Friends could be the next target.

And just like that, 20 additional titles have been added to the 23/24 list in @oneclayschools.



One man has filed over 700 challenges in this district of 35K+ students. Of those students, only 3 - yes, 3 - had parental restrictions in the library.https://t.co/smKpfCq5lT https://t.co/Cw7Nu4Pf8Z pic.twitter.com/9YIu7pIzZO  Florida Freedom to Read Project (@FLFreedomRead) July 17, 2023

Friedman wrote disapproving notes on other book challenge forms. However, he also included disparaging comments about librarians, suggested that district administrators needed to be fired, and consistently berated some authors for being repeat offenders.

Dennis told The Daily Beast that 95 [percent] of the book challenges in Clay County come from one individual in the community. She didnt specify who that individual was, but Friedman is responsible for nearly all book challenges in the county, according to independent newsletter Popular Information.

Friedman is the president of Floridas chapter of No Left Turn in Education, a group known for fear-mongering the teachings of Critical Race Theory. According to the groups website, its goal is to use all forms of media to expose the radical indoctrination in K-12 education.

At a Florida Department of Education meeting in December, Friedman bragged about creating a list of over 3,600 books that he felt contained concerning content, Popular Information reported. In June 2022, Friedmans mic was cut off when he attempted to read a rape scene aloud during a school board meeting.

Friedman declined an interview request with The Daily Beast on Thursday. No thank you, he wrote in an email.

Arthurs Birthday by Marc Brown Hatchette Book Group

Clay County School Districts Library Media Services Manual states that challenged materials should be presented to the District Curriculum Council.

Materials under question will be held until a decision has been made, the manual reads. A decision to remove materials from the library media center is based on the recommendation of the District Curriculum Council and the final decision of the Superintendent or designee.

If a book is resubmitted as part of a complaint, the oversight committeemedia and academic administrators within the districtcan choose to completely chuck the book from schools libraries or dismiss the challenge. If the person who filed the complaint wants to appeal the groups decision, then the school board schedules a hearing and they make the final call.

According to district records, as of Thursday, Arthurs Birthday is still Pending Oversight Committee Review.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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In South Florida, its often tough to find a moderately priced meal at a locally owned restaurant. The prices of food and staffing have gone up so much since the COVID-19 pandemic came into our lives in 2020, and the costs have hit individually run eateries especially hard.

Still, I was able to find plentiful affordable sites in Coral Springs, my definition of affordable being $20 or less for an entree. For the list I created below, I hunted for destinations that get consistently good reviews from the South Florida Sun Sentinels veteran staffers and in Lets Eat, South Florida, the Sun Sentinels foodie Facebook group.

If youre looking for a meal outside Coral Springs, check out my previous Ask Lois columns: Ive looked at Tamarac-Margate-Pompano Beach; Weston-Plantation-Davie-Pembroke Pines; Fort Lauderdale; Boca Raton and Boynton Beach-Delray Beach-Lake Worth.

Heres my list. Feel free to email me with additional suggestions; Im at AskLois@sunsentinel.com.

Greek

Hellenic Republic, 2764 N. University Drive, Coral Springs. 954-302-8994; thehellenicrepublic.com.

The Big Plates, platters with chicken or salmon or pork chops, are $20 and above, but you can get a chicken sandwich for $14 or a House Gyro Feast, with sauteed vegetables, pita, side salad and choice of side dish, for $17. Lets Eat diners have been raving about this place. Said one recently: Chef Nikol (Zarbalas), hearing that it was a special occasion, made the most awesome dessert for the table! Her talent in the kitchen is incredible. Jackson, our waiter, was perfect. This was not our first time there and it certainly wont be our last!

Italian

Pizza Time, 11504 W. Sample Road, 954-753-7828, pizzatimecs.com; Pizza Carousel, 4619 N. University Drive, 954-344-2717, pizzacarousel.com; Scuola Vecchia Pizza E Vino, 6240 Coral Ridge Drive, 954-420-6312, orderscuolavecchiapizzaevino.com.

Some of the large pizzas go over our $20 mark, but you can still get a calzone, pastas and salads for reasonable prices. At Pizza Carousel, two pizza slices and a drink go for $7.99 on the lunch special; at Pizza Time, a large 16-inch cheese pizza costs $19. These joints have many devotees on Lets Eat; one diner said recently of Pizza Carousel: Very nice casual eatery with fantastic food that wont break the bank!

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South American

Crocante Cafe & Gourmet Bakery, 2708 N. University Drive; 954-341-4416, crocantebakery.com

Open for breakfast and lunch, this cafe touts its Argentinean/Venezuelan baking style, most notable in its desserts, including flan and dulce de leche croissants. For breakfast, try the omelet with four mix-ins ($12.99); for lunch, theres a Cuban sandwich, $10.75.

Asian

Phat Boy Sushi, Kitchen & Bar, 2702 N. University Drive, 954-360-8456, phatboysushi.com; Chopsticks Asian Cuisine, 10339 Royal Palm Blvd., 954-227-2888, chopstickscoralsprings.com; Fisho Sushi & Thai, 10430 W. Atlantic Blvd., 954- 866-9966, fishosushithai.com; Shibuya Grill and Sushi Bar, 11346 Wiles Road, 954-757-7888, shibuya.us/restaurant/coral-springs

Sushi, ramens, bento boxes, stir fries, hot pots: Coral Springs has so many Asian options with moderately priced entrees. Several restaurants offer lunch specials at reduced prices; a Thai lunch at Fisho goes for $11.50. If youre a soft-shell crab fan, Shibuya (which also has a restaurant in Weston) serves them as an appetizer with ceviche, Crab vuelve a la vida (Spanish for Crab returns to life), for $19.

Peruvian

Embarcadero 41, 3111 N. University Drive, 954-688-6495, embarcadero41.us/coral-springs; Bravo Peruvian Kitchen, 9711 W. Sample Road, 954-688-9265, bravoperuviankitchen.com; Chabelos Cafe, 8021 W. Sample Road, 754-812-1948, chabelosfamily.com

So many ceviche options at these Peruvian restaurants! Many are more than $20, but you can still find a traditional fish ceviche for $19 at Embarcadero 41, $16.50 at Chabelos and $18 at Bravo. For those looking to explore non-traditional menu items, these restaurants offer an abundance, such as Chabelos Cau Cau, a beef tripe stew, for $17.60, or its Chicharron de Pescado o Calamar (pork rind with fish or calamari), also $17.60.

Indian

Aruns Indian Kitchen & Taco Masala, 10278 W. Sample Road, 954-227-1123, arunsindiankitchen.com

Former Sun Sentinel restaurant reviewer Michael Mayo described Aruns as a marvelous hole in the wall. He said every dish he tried was letter-perfect. Bold flavors from Indian spices and local herbs are artfully simmered, sauteed and tandoor-oven baked into chicken, lamb, vegetables and shrimp. The restaurant is oriented toward take-out, but there are a few no-frills tables for dine-in. Chicken biryani goes for $14.49, lamb korma, $16.49. Aruns also has restaurants in Boca Raton and Sunrise.

Spanish

Patio Tapas and Beer, 9651 Westview Drive, 954-906-5543, patiotapasandbeer.com

Patio serves montaditos, or little open-faced sandwiches, and bocadillos, or larger toasted baguette sandwiches. All the bocadillos are $12 at dinnertime, and theres a choice of salmon, lamb, chicken, pork belly, ham or steak. A Lets Eat reviewer raved about his meal: The food reminded my wife and I of being in Barcelona last year. The octopus, churrasco, pork belly, & tortilla were standouts, but everything was great  especially the almond cake. Patio also has a restaurant in Boca Raton.

Sports bar

Wings n Ale, 4685 N. University Drive; 954-344-6644 wings-n-ale.com

This is a local favorite for its wings, wraps, burgers, sandwiches and Huge Hot Dogs (several options, including the $8.95 Chicago Dog, served with stuffed peppers, onions, diced tomatoes and relish). A Lets Eat reviewer wrote: Unlike most wings places, Wings-N-Ales wings located in Coral Springs are grilled. That means extra crispiness and less fat or grease than you might find at other wing restaurants. Plus, its a bit healthier!
Ashley Lomboy's 6-year-old was asked to cut his hair because the school deemed his Native hairstyle

Ashley Lomboy's 6-year-old was asked to cut his hair because the school deemed his Native hairstyle "faddish."

InFebruary,my 6-year-old Waccamaw Siouan son was told that he must cut his long hair to continue attending a public charter school in North Carolina  and our world stopped. In that moment, every negative emotion, from depression to rage, rushed over me. Those at the school somehow considered his long hair, which he sometimes wears in a braid, to be faddish, and this wasnt acceptable, according to their dress code.

The only way I could justify the demand was to assume that maybe they just dont know that my sons hairstyle is an important expression of our culture. For over a century, the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe has been living on and caring for the land that the school currently occupies. Long hair, as a style, is traditional for boys and men.

I want my son to be strong, self-possessed and proud of who he is. Im realizing that this could require his constant effort to educate others about our culture and, subsequently, why they should respect it. Ive had to do this my whole life, so I know that its exhausting. Eventually, you grow weak from having to convince people that you deserve respect. I dont wish for that emotional labor and trauma to weigh down my sons shoulders. Yet there we were, at a crossroads: Do we continue to educate, or simply walk away?

My son loved his teachers and his friends. How could I look him in the eyes and tell him thathe is not wanted at school as his most authentic self?

I chose not to do this  and so we set out to educate the schools administrators. It sounds like an oxymoron to teach educators, but thats what was necessary. After that, we waited for a response that would allow our son to continue on there with his beautiful hair styled exactly as it was. When the pushback came, it hit us hard.

Denying my beautiful boy as his authentic self  with a hairstyle that wasnt hurting anyone  is a poignant form of cultural erasure. It disrespects the heritage that we have been trying hard to preserve for generations. Also, forcing someone to cut their hair is an assimilation effort that was used years ago at Native American boarding schools. Killing the Indian in a child changes future generations, and we have seen this story before. We must resist these attacks on our culture and call them what they are. Were not trying to move backward here.

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In the moments I was processing all of this, I remember dropping to my knees and collapsing into the arms of my elders. I leaned and prayed to the creator for strength, because I knew there was a fight ahead. Most importantly, my sons safety from the world was in jeopardy. The school gave us two weeks to cut his hair before he could return to class  and we both knew we wouldnt touch a hair on his head.

So, I called on every person of influence I knew in North Carolina. I reached out to anyone who I believed could help me navigate this situation and get my son back into school with his teachers and friends. Finally after many calls, emails, interviews and letters, my son was able to return to class and finish the school year strong.

Administrators conveniently decided to push off any discussions about changing their policy until the very end of the school year. They altered one word in another area of the rules and passed this as a policy change to combat the negative press the school had received. (HuffPost reached out to Classical Charter School for comment but did not receive an immediate response.) When the next school year began, so did the looming cloud of another attack on our culture.

This will be an ongoing battle, not just for me but for all Native Americans who face similar attempts at cultural erasure. So how do we fight back?

Resilience comes from the wounds and battle scars of these events. It takes an intentional resistance to those who wish to remove and assimilate our existence without even understanding why they want us and our customs gone in the first place. We all process this trauma differently. Just as its in my DNA to fight back against oppression, it is in others DNA to uphold it.

The first thing to remember, especially if you want to be an ally, is that rules for rules sake are oppressive. There should always be a why. Some people dont want to find meaning behind rules, further solidifying their core values as oppressors of Indigenous people. It takes courage to speak out against a society that was designed to destroy your existence.

If we continue to let Native children be robbed of their customs, we reinforce the narrative that our people do not deserve to exist. So, educating young people on Native sovereignty is crucial. The trauma can end with this generation. We can end the continued and failed attempts of colonized minds, by basking in the clarity that comes from appreciating and celebrating another persons culture. This is how we can change the world for the next generations and stop the pain.
Kansas State Department of Education kicked off a pilot program Tuesday morning meant to provide aspiring teachers with an alternative path to their career.

The Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program allows students to get four years of full-time paid employment as educators while pursuing their degree in education.

If you can learn on the job, you have an opportunity to see the entire breadth of the education world, and you also have an opportunity to figure out if you really love this profession, because if you dont, then there are other places you can get a job, said Kara Belew, a U.S. history and government teacher at Andover Central High School and Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist. This is for people who already know they love education, and they just need an extra help and an extra hand to get going.

Belew is part of a group that will provide the teaching apprentices with professional development programs during the summer in preparation for their full-time positions.

Students in the program will see increased responsibilities across their four years on the job as they apprentice for experienced teachers in the classroom. In addition to this, they will take night and summer courses.

At the end of the four years, students will earn a degree the same as any other four-year program.

This model is different than going to college to become a teacher, and were not trying to do away with that model. Were trying to add to it, Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson said. These are people that generally could not afford college or could not see their path of going to college to become a teacher.

WSU Executive Vice President and Provost Shirley Lefever said the program fits in with the universitys priority of access and affordability. Paid applied learning is something WSU is always on the lookout for, she said.

When youre applying what youre learning immediately, you just you learn differently, Lefever said. Its a much deeper learning, and I like to say it lasts you a lifetime.

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The program is a collaborative effort between Wichita State University, the Kansas Department of Education, the State Board of Education and the Kansas Department of Commerce. By fall of 2024, Watson said they hope to have other Kansas universities included in the program.

So far, eight school districts are participating in the program: Salina Unified School District, Wellington, Lyons, Dodge City, Auburn-Washburn, Tonganoxie, Topeka and Attica.

The program comes amid a teacher shortage in the state. As of Spring 2023, the State Board of Education reports 1,634 teacher vacancies in the state.

When we have a teacher shortage, then we have a future shortage, Belew said.

The program aims to expand into a statewide project in the 2024-25 school year following the pilot programs completion.

Currently, 15 apprentices are enrolled in the pilot program. Watson said they are expecting up to 100 apprentices in 2025, and 500-800 apprentices within the next five years.

Watson said the program will be primarily targeted at first-generation students. Any students looking to become educators, regardless of age, will be considered for apprenticeship.

We heard from so many people, I cant afford to go to college, and it wasnt just the cost of college. It was I have to earn money day one, Watson said.

Those wanting to get involved with the program can express interest to the principal or superintendent of a participating school district. The district faculty can then choose to reach out to the apprenticeship program to start the process.

Mike Beene, assistant secretary with the Kansas Department of Commerce, said the Teacher Apprenticeship program will use roughly $3 million of a recent grant given to the state as part of the MeadowLARK Initiative. The MeadowLARK Initiative, announced earlier this week, seeks to bring more Registered Apprenticeship programs and opportunities to the state of Kansas.

I think if we focus in on keeping talent within the state of Kansas, this is a key component, or part of that component, of keeping young adults and older adults engaged in their communities, both large and small, Beene said.
Now this could be something to really worry about.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)  a large system of ocean currents that carry warm water from the tropics into the North Atlantic  could collapse by the middle of the century, or possibly any time from 2025 onward, because of human-caused climate change, a study published Tuesday suggests.

Such a collapse could trigger rapid weather and climate changes in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere. If it were to happen, it could bring about an ice age in Europe and sea-level rise in cities such as Boston and New York, as well as more potent storms and hurricanes along the East Coast.

It also could lead to drastically reduced amounts of rain and snowfall across the central and western U.S., the study's authors say.

Earlier studies about the AMOC collapse drew comparisons to the scientifically inaccurate 2004 disaster movie "The Day After Tomorrow," which used such an ocean current shutdown as the premise of the film.

"We estimate a collapse of the AMOC to occur around mid-century under the current scenario of future emissions," the study authors write.

The AMOC collapse is one of several dangerous climate "tipping points" scientists say are possible because of climate change.

A tsunami floods New York City in the wake of a catastrophic climatic shift in a scene from the 2004 motion picture "The Day After Tomorrow." The premise of the scientifically inaccurate film mirrors that of several recent studies about the collapse of a key ocean current.

What is the AMOC?

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation really is one of our planets key circulation systems, said Niklas Boers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, the author of an earlier study on the topic.

The AMOC is a crucial conveyor belt for ocean water and air, which creates weather. Warm, salty water moves north from the tropics along the Gulf Stream off the U.S. East Coast to the North Atlantic, where it cools, sinks and heads south.

The faster it moves, the more water is turned over from warm surface to cool depths.

The cycle keeps northern Europe several degrees warmer than it would otherwise be and brings colder water to the coast of North America.

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Studies in 2018 and 2021 have found that a collapse of the AMOC is possible at some point this century.

What's new in this study?

Using new statistical tools and ocean temperature data from the past 150 years, researchers calculated that the AMOC will stop  with 95% certainty  between 2025 and 2095. "Using new and improved statistical tools, weve made calculations that provide a more robust estimate of when a collapse is most likely to occur, something we had not been able to do before," said study co-author Susanne Ditlevsen, a professor at the University of Copenhagen.

The researchers' prediction is based on observations of early warning signals ocean currents exhibit as they become unstable.

The calculations contradict the message of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, in which an abrupt change in the AMOC is considered "unlikely" this century.

"Our result underscores the importance of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible," said study co-author Peter Ditlevsen, also from the University of Copenhagen.

How could climate change cause the AMOC to collapse?

Study co-authors Peter and Susanne Ditlevsen explained to USA TODAY how the collapse of the AMOC could occur: "Greenhouse gas emissions cause global warming, which speeds up the melting of Greenland ice. The melted freshwater entering the North Atlantic can then disrupt the AMOC, potentially causing major climate disruptions.

"When the increased meltwater from Greenland enters the North Atlantic, it's freshwater, which is lighter than the salty seawater around it," the Ditlevsens said. "This excess freshwater can disrupt the normal sinking of the salty water, weakening or even shutting down the AMOC. If the AMOC collapses, it can have far-reaching effects on weather patterns and ocean currents, leading to significant climate changes."

What do others say?

Experts not involved in this study offer mixed reviews of its conclusions. Michael Mann, of the University of Pennsylvania, said, "Im not sure the authors bring much to the table other than a fancy statistical method. History is littered with flawed predictions based on fancy statistical methods; sometimes theyre too fancy for their own good."

But Stefan Rahmstorf, a climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, told USA TODAY that "a single study provides limited evidence, but when multiple approaches lead to similar conclusions, this must be taken very seriously. Especially when we're talking about a risk that we really want to rule out with 99.9% certainty. The scientific evidence now is that we can't even rule out crossing a tipping point already in the next decade or two.

"There is still large uncertainty where the tipping point of the AMOC is, but the new study adds to the evidence that it is much closer than we thought just a few years ago."

The study was published Tuesday in the peer-reviewed British journal Nature Communications.

Contributing: The Associated Press; Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Atlantic Ocean current near collapse? Could be sooner than expected
Donald Trump; Gavel Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images

Donald Trump could soon be facing a federal indictment for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, but the former president is struggling to assemble a legal team that can defend him.

One attorney, who spoke with Rolling Stone, said he declined the offer to represent the former president since Trump's personal lawyers often find themselves in legal jeopardy while working for him.

Others believe the defense is destined to lose the case in the nation's capital, a jurisdiction where Jan. 6th rioters have been receiving convictions for months.

In recent weeks, some of Trump's top legal and political advisers have even privately referred to the task of defending him against an indictment in the 2020 election case as a "suicide mission", Rolling Stone reported.

Other lawyers, who have been approached about joining Trump's legal team and initially showed interest, later backed out after their colleagues raised concerns. Partners at their firms objected to representing Trump as a client, fearing the potential loss of other clients, according to Rolling Stone.

"President Trump is struggling to find attorneys to defend him because he embodies the worst attributes of difficult clients: he is known to ignore legal advice; he will ask his lawyers to engage in ethically dubious behavior; he often refuses to pay his legal bills; and, he always thinks he knows best," Temidayo Aganga-Williams, white-collar partner at Selendy Gay Elsberg and former senior investigative counsel for the House Jan. 6 committee, told Salon.

"Although President Trump faces an uphill battle in his numerous criminal cases, his inability to find and keep quality legal counsel is not because his cases will be tough to defend," Aganga-Williams said. "Lawyers take on hard cases all the time. President Trump is a uniquely difficult client."

Even prominent lawyers who have been publicly defending Trump are refraining from taking on this particular case. Alan Dershowitz, the lawyer who defended Trump in his first Senate impeachment trial, told Insider last August that most reputable law firms are avoiding any association with Trump as his legal issues continue to escalate.

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"All big-firm lawyers have told me that their firms won't let them do it," Dershowitz said in an interview. "The firms won't let them go near any case involving Trump. These are firms that want to continue to have clients, and they know that if they represent Donald Trump, they'll lose a lot of clients."

The challenges in recruiting legal representation in a case of this historic magnitude is a unique one for Trump  who "revels in being a lightning rod for controversial and baseless positions," Aganga-Williams pointed out.

"This may make for good politics for Trump, but for any serious lawyer, it is a recipe of reputational damage," he added.

Even still, the ex-president is laser-focused on turning any potential trial into a spectacle to rehash his baseless election fraud theories. Privately, Trump has conveyed to members of his team that if prosecutors proceed with a Jan. 6-related case against him, he wants the trial to serve as a platform to promote his false claims of winning the 2020 election, two people told Rolling Stone.

Trump has also said that during the trial  which he's hoping will be televised  his lawyers should display "proof" of Trump's lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

But a D.C. district court judge will have a "low tolerance" for the former president's "antics outside the courtroom and a high expectation that he respect the orders that come from inside the courtroom," Aganga-Williams said.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

He added that the jury pool will also not be favorable for Trump, having a "uniquely personal" understanding of the real-world impact of the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

"Not many cases will have jurors that have likely visited and revered the very scene of the crime," he said.

But that doesn't mean that Trump won't receive a fair trial since the court system has a rigorous process to exclude jurors with overt political bias, and Trump's legal team will also have a say during the jury selection process. At the same time though, the significant local support for Trump's Democratic opponents indicates that he is unlikely to find much sympathy in the courtroom for his desperate efforts to try to overturn the election and claim that he is the target of a "witch hunt."

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 in southern Florida.

Read more

about the Jan. 6 probe
MELBOURNE, Australia  Australia has selected a South Korean infantry fighting vehicle as the winner of a program to replace its fleet of M113AS4 armored personnel carriers.

The office of Australias defense industry minister revealed the decision Thursday morning that the government chose Hanwhas Redback for the effort dubbed Project Land 400 Phase 3Land Combat Vehicle System (Infantry Fighting Vehicle).

The Redback beat out competition from Germany company Rheinmetalls KF41 Lynx vehicle.

The program will see 129 Redback vehicles built in Australia for an estimate cost between AU$5 billion and AU$7 billion (U.S. $3.4 billion and U.S. $4.7 billion), making it one of Australias largest defense acquisition programs.

The decision comes after an extensive risk mitigation effort that saw both vehicle types put under testing that began in 2019. The tests were to last two years, but were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conroy said the government will accelerate the Redback acquisition, with the first vehicle to be delivered in 2027, two years earlier than planned. Deliveries will be completed in late 2028.

The Redback is based on the South Korean K21 infantry fighting vehicle with extensive modifications and locally provided technology. These include improved armor, a turret with a mounted Bushmaster 30mm gun, a launcher for Elbit Systems Spike LR anti-tank guided missile, and one-piece rubber tracks made by Soucy Defense.

Australias Redbacks are to be made in a purpose-built factory under construction at Avalon in the southeastern state of Victoria. The factory will also build the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer based on Hanwhas K9 and its associated ammunition resupply vehicle.

Several other Australian defense contractors will assist with the program, including Electro Optic Systems and Marand.

Australia originally planned to acquire 450 infantry fighting vehicles under Project Land 400 Phase 3 when the program began in 2014 in order to replace its M113s on a one-for-one basis. However, its recently released Defence Strategic Review reduced that number to 129.

The review said this amount would provide sufficient vehicles for one mechanised battalion in particular for littoral manoeuvre, including training, repair and attrition stock, and allow for a focus on the acquisition of land-based, long-range rockets and missiles.

This change in focus will see Australia accelerate and expand plans to acquire the Lockheed Martin-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and a land-based maritime strike capability.
Authorities have identified the Ipswich man who drowned in Plum Island Sound on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers and firefighters responding to a report of a man struggling to swim near the Ipswich Bay Yacht Club at 124 North Ridge Road around 3 p.m. spotted an individual in the water near the clubs mooring area, according to Ipswich Police Chief Paul Nikas and Ipswich Fire Chief Paul Parisi.

Marine units were deployed and the victim, who authorities identified as 72-year-old Richard P. Collins, was returned to shore. Lifesaving measures were performed before Collins was rushed to Beverly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Collins appears to have been swimming at Clark Beach in Ipswich, investigators said.

His death appears to be an accidental drowning but remains under investigation by the Ipswich Police Department and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Essex District Attorneys Office.

There were no additional details available.

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

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Autopsy contradicts Lee County Sheriff's account of inmate death

On Sept. 13, 2022, five days after Carl Harper Jr. died in a cell in the Lee County Jail, the president of the local NAACP chapter stood at a podium with Sheriff Carmine Marceno to deliver a message:

Nothing to see here.

At this time, there is no sign of trauma, Marceno said.

That assessment was wrong, according to an investigation by The News-Press / Naples Daily News.

Harpers autopsy report concluded that Harper died accidentally, from a heart arrhythmia caused by drug toxicity. But it also documented multiple injuries to his face, head and neck that experts say are clear signs of blunt force trauma.

And witnesses from within Harpers cell block say they heard Harper screaming and sounds of a violent struggle with guards in the minutes before he died.

It sounded like he was being stomped in there, said Travis Fletcher, an inmate who was housed near Harpers cell that day.

From the autopsy there were no signs of any blunt force or trauma," Lee County NAACP President James Muwakkil told The News-Press / Naples Daily News in an interview at the time.

The Lee County Sheriffs Office conducted a formal investigation after Harpers death, which was reviewed by the Office of State Attorney Amira Fox. That review stretched on until May, when her office closed the case without filing charges.

The News-Press / Naples Daily News based this investigation on Harpers autopsy and toxicology reports, interviews with experts who independently reviewed those documents, court filings, conversations with three inmates who were in Harpers cell block that afternoon and audio recordings from the Lee County Sheriffs Offices death investigation.

Two forensic pathologists reviewed Harpers autopsy for this story. Both said the injuries described in the report showed that Harper had sustained multiple impacts on both sides of his body. They could not determine from the autopsy whether the injuries were caused by deliberate strikes, falls, or accidental collisions.

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Lee County NAACP President James Muwakkil addresses the media at a Sept. 13, 2022 press conference about Carl Harper Jr., who died in the county jail the week before.

Those injuries would not have been lethal, they said. But both said it was possible, though not proven, that an altercation with guards could have contributed to Harpers heart stopping. Both independently noted that the autopsy found burst blood vessels under Harper's eyelids and a hemorrhage on one of his neck muscles  injuries sometimes found on people who die after struggling to breathe.

That indicated there was kind of intense pressure around the neck and or head, said Joseph Felo, an Ohio-based forensic pathologist who has conducted more than 4,000 autopsies. That could be anywhere from pressure around his neck, him being positioned face-down for example, or if he was having a violent seizure."

The autopsy report attributed the death solely to a heart arrhythmia caused by drugs in Harpers system.

The question is why did he have the fatal arrhythmia at the time he was restrained in the chair and a spit mask was being placed, said Howard Robin, a California-based forensic pathologist with four decades of experience testifying as a medical expert witness.

Harper was one of 11 people who died in Lee County jails in 2022, the highest total in at least five years, according to records obtained in a public records request. None of the deaths, which included suicides, drug overdoses and other medical emergencies, were ruled homicides.

In Florida, jails are run by sheriffs, county governments or private contractors and are not regulated by the state Department of Corrections. Facilities are inspected by the Florida Model Jail Standards Commission, which consists of members appointed by the Florida Sheriffs Association and Florida Association of Counties.

The Commission gave Lee Countys jail system a clean bill of health in its 2022 inspection, finding no violations in its facilities or its policies.

The State Attorneys Office declined to comment, referring The News-Press / Naples Daily News to investigation records it provided through a public records request. The 21st District Medical Examiner's Office did not respond to a request for comment.

The Sheriffs Office did not respond to a detailed list of findings and questions sent by email last week, saying it does not comment on "pending or active litigation." A search of federal and state court records showed no current lawsuits relating to Harper's death, and the Sheriff's Office did not respond to a request for records of any pending litigation prior to publication.

In an interview last week, Muwakkil said the NAACP was offered a copy of the autopsy before the press conference but did not review it because they toured the jail after Harpers death and found no signs of foul play.

Inmates told us that deputies did not do anything wrong, Muwakkil said.

When told the autopsy actually did show multiple blunt force injuries, he said the NAACP would take another look and change its stance if the facts merited it.

We have no problem with re-establishing our position, he said.

A fateful arrest

It was 1 a.m. on Sept. 7, and Carl Harper Jr was allegedly strung out and on the edge.

In a call to the Lee County Sheriffs Office, Harpers wife said he had been using molly, a synthetic street drug, and was making violent threats.

Dimethylpentylone: New street drug implicated in Lee County inmate death

The booking photo for Carl Harper, taken after his arrest on Sept. 7, 2022.

The complainant explained the suspect was walking up and down the hallway yelling that he would kill his canine, everyone in the house and himself, Deputy Paz Becerra wrote in her report. She stated she feared for the suspects well-being due to his behavior and asked for deputies to go to the residence to check on the suspect.

When deputies arrived, they found Harper standing over his bed, his arms braced on the mattress and a Smith & Wesson handgun inches from his right hand, Becerra wrote. Deputies took Harper into custody and ran his information, finding he was not allowed to own a gun due to a prior felony conviction. In 2018, Harper pleaded no contest to unarmed robbery for stealing a womans cell phone and served 14 months in state prison.

Harpers wife gave deputies a bag of powder that she said Harper had dropped on the floor. Deputies arrested him on drug possession and firearms charges and booked him into the Lee County Jail that morning, according to a sheriffs office incident report. His booking photo showed no visible injuries on his face.

Harpers wife declined to speak to a reporter for this story.

Harper was calm during his booking, according to statements that jail personnel later gave to sheriffs detectives. But that night, his behavior became erratic.

Deputies placed Harper in a communal cell to wait for his court appearance the next day. Cellmates said he started waking them up in the middle of the night and talking incoherently, according to recordings of interviews with detectives.

Harper was not violent, but his behavior annoyed and concerned cellmates, who called for guards. Corrections officers placed him in an individual holding cell.

The next morning Harper refused to go to court, Corrections Deputy Jose Chimelis told a sheriffs detective. Hours later, guards were ordered to move Harper from a holding cell to other housing in the jails F Block, a loop of cells known to inmates as the horseshoe.

The cell block in the Lee County main jail where Carl Harper died on Sept. 8, 2022.

Fight with guards

That afternoon, inmate Oscar Davis was talking to a corrections deputy when the officer cut their conversation short, Davis said in a law enforcement interview obtained by this news organization through a public records request.

He was like oh, hold on a second, were going to beat this persons ass, Davis told detectives. A second inmate corroborated his account in a separate interview with investigators.

Sheriffs detectives interviewed the deputies involved and inmates in nearby cells within hours of Harpers death. The following account is based on recordings of those interviews obtained through a public records request.

Deputies had been ordered to move Harper, so they approached his holding cell and told him to come to the bars. He obliged, and they cuffed his hands behind his back. But when they opened the door, Harper ran to the back of the cell, began yelling and refused to come out, deputies said.

The deputies grabbed him and he tried to kick and squirm out of their grasp. They said they took him to the ground without injuring him and bound his legs and upper body with emergency response belts  flexible restraints designed to wrap up and immobilize struggling inmates.

They brought a wheelchair to Harpers cell and lifted him into it before rolling him to cell 6 in the jails F block. Once inside, they put Harper on the floor and began removing the belts. Then, they said, he grabbed Deputy Brandon Gardner and pulled him down to the ground.

It was a busy cell block, heavily trafficked by newly booked inmates, and inmate Travis Fletcher did not think much of it when he saw corrections deputies wheel Harper into cell 6.

Then the screaming started, he told The News-Press / Naples Daily News in an interview.

I heard a lot of commotion, Fletcher said.

Fletcher said he heard sounds of a violent struggle coming from Harpers cell, though he did not have a direct sightline.

He was screaming as he was going in, inmate Thomas Deane, who was housed in a cell adjacent to Harpers, told detectives. They wheeled him in and I heard a couple of punches being thrown, physical contact.

Deputies crowded into the cell, held Harper down, reattached the belts and called for a restraint chair, according to interviews they gave to detectives.

At some point in the struggle, Harper sustained a cut near his right eye, which spilled blood onto the cell floor. All the interviewed deputies told detectives they did not see when it happened  the ones holding his legs said they did not have much of a view, and Gardner, who held Harpers upper body, said he didnt know either.

I have no idea to be completely honest with you, Gardner told detectives. He was on the ground, we were on the ground, concretes hard. Im guessing behind all of it, he smashed it, we hit it by accident.

None of the inmates interviewed by investigators had a direct sightline into the cell, according to their statements.

All the guards told detectives they did not strike Harper and that the inmate did not appear to have any other injuries.

With Harper again wrapped up, Sgt. B. Pezzella authorized the use of a restraint chair and moved him again. A jail nurse told detectives that medical staff were checking out the cut above Harpers eye and needed better lighting than was available in the cell.

The deputies said Harper continued to wriggle as they hoisted him into the chair, removed the emergency restraint belts and began affixing the chair straps to his legs and torso. They also put a spit hood over his face, which Gardner described as a preventative measure taken because Harper was making noises. Another deputy said Harper appeared to be spitting blood.

By the time the deputies finished tightening the final strap, Harper was no longer moving. And once they brought Harper into the hall, medical staff realized he was not breathing. Deputies took him out of the chair, began CPR and administered a shock from an automated defibrillator. EMS arrived and continued working on Harper for 35 minutes before declaring him dead at 3:39 p.m.

At a press conference on Sept. 13, 2022, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno updates the media on the case of Carl Harper Jr. who died in the county jail the week before. Lee County NAACP President James Muwakkil was also present to speak.

Inconsistent stories

In some cases, the accounts given by deputies contradicted each other.

Pezzella told detectives that Harper was no longer handcuffed by the time he pulled Gardner to the ground. But both Gardner and Chimelis, another deputy in the cell, said that Harper remained cuffed until the restraint chair arrived.

And while Pezzella said Harper was screaming about wanting to die and kill deputies, none of the other staff reported hearing those specific threats. Gardner said he couldnt recall Harper saying much of anything coherent, except for one thing:

He was calling out for somebody at one point, like his dad, Gardner told detectives.

Fletcher said he wanted to prevent Harpers death from being covered up, so that day he called Muwakkil, head of the Lee County NAACP, and told him what he had witnessed.

Muwakkil contacted the Sheriffs Office and asked to visit the jail, who obliged. Muwakkil arrived and walked around the horseshoe, Fletcher said, but did not interview him about what he heard and saw.

I expected to talk to him, but he just turned around, waved at me and kept on walking, Fletcher said. I actually stated my name because we had got off the phone not that long ago.

When Muwakkil appeared with Marceno at a press conference the next week, he said members of his team had spoken to inmates and found no evidence of foul play in Harpers death.

There is no pattern or practice of police misconduct, excessive force or fatal force coming from the sheriffs department both out in the streets and inside the jail, Muwakkil said.

And he said the inmates who called him, including Fletcher, had lied, saying other inmates who witnessed the incident saw no wrongdoing by deputies.

In 2022, the sheriffs office gave $5,000 to the Lee County NAACP, according to a list of agency donations obtained through a public records request. Muwakkil initially denied that the NAACP received financial support from the sheriffs office, but then said he remembered the donation after The News-Press / Naples Daily News informed him it had records of the gift.

Muwakkil said he and his wife are business owners who personally fund the NAACP branch, and that any donation has no impact on his organizations positions. The organization has not held a fundraiser in three years, he said.

I fund it all, Muwakkil said. Every check written is from our company,

The News-Press / Naples Daily News was unable to obtain security video from Harpers cell block. The State Attorneys Office said surveillance footage was exempt from disclosure under Floridas public records law, and the Sheriffs Office said all its videos are routinely deleted after 30 days.

They just brushed it under the rug, Fletcher said. Its sickening.

Autopsy findings

The morning after Harper's death, the District 21 Medical Examiners Office began the autopsy.

The autopsy report lists his cause of death as cardiac arrhythmia  an irregular heartbeat  caused by acute N,N-dimethylpentylone toxicity. Dimethylpentylone is a synthetic stimulant commonly sold as the street drug molly, according to the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education.

It is a relatively new substance and first entered the drug supply in 2021, said Alex Krotulski, a toxicologist who co-authored an analysis of deaths linked to the substance. And, like other synthetic stimulants, it is capable of causing dangerous heart arrhythmias.

The medical examiner also documented blunt force injuries far more extensive than those disclosed by Muwakkil and Marceno.

Harper had a laceration under his right eyebrow  the cut described by deputies in their interviews with detectives. He also had three small hemorrhages under the left side of his scalp, a larger 2.3 inch hemorrhage under his right scalp and scrapes on his arms and legs. And the medical examiner found bleeding in both his left and right temporalis muscles, which connect the skull to the jaw.

The report found no skull fractures or bleeding in the brain, though did list mild cerebral edema  brain swelling, in laymans terms.

Hes got multiple impact injuries on many surfaces of his body, said Felo, a forensic pathologist who reviewed the autopsy for this story. None of this is just from him falling down once.

In contrast, Muwakkil said the autopsy found no signs of trauma, and Marceno did not mention any head injuries aside from a single cut.

"The injuries noted by the medical examiner were minor in nature," Marceno said at the press conference. "There was bruising on the wrists and ankles consistent with handcuffs and shackles that were being applied."

Felo and Robin said the autopsy appeared thorough, but noted that the report did not describe the color of the bruises or the appearance of the blood in the hemorrhages  making it impossible to say exactly when those injuries occurred.

And both noted that Harper had burst blood vessels under both eyelids, which is sometimes seen in victims of asphyxiation or hypoxia  low oxygen levels in the blood.

Harper was 58 and 250 pounds, according to the autopsy report. Felo and Robin said that when obese people are restrained face-down, they can have difficulty breathing or even suffocate.

If hes laying on his chest and his hands are cuffed behind his back and his feet and tied down, that puts a lot of pressure on the abdomen, Robin said.

If Harper was still responsive when they hoisted him into the restraint chair, that would rule out total asphyxiation from his time being restrained on the cell floor, Felo said. If he was hypoxic but still conscious, that could have theoretically contributed to him suffering a heart attack  though that would be difficult or impossible to prove.

Was he unresponsive because of the position of his body? Felo said. Hopefully that was determined not to be the case, since they listed this as an accident.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida sheriff's account of jail inmate's death contradicts autopsy
"And you, my father, there on the sad height," wrote Dylan Thomas, "Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

There are no good nights in Jenin. There are nights when Israel bombs Jenin with American-made fighter jets, and other nights when one stays up worrying about when bombs might again fall on their families.

Let there be rage.

Robert Azzi

On July 3, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved an extensive military campaign against Palestinians living in the Jenin refugee camp on the Israeli-occupied West Bank, stating as a pretense for the assault that Israel was attacking the most legitimate target on the planet - people who would annihilate our country.

The Jenin camp is a squalid city of poverty, high unemployment, and raging resentments against their Israeli occupiers. Built in 1953, it is one of dozens of refugee camps designed to house most of the 750,000 Palestinians displaced from their homes during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, which Israelis call their War of Independence and which Palestinians call Al Nakba - The Catastrophe.

The Palestinians Netanyahu claimed Israel was targeting were not resistance fighters "who would annihilate [Israel]." No, it appears he was targeting Palestinian groups like Islamic Jihad and the Jenin-based Lions Den, resistance fighters whose targets include illegal Israeli squatters and occupiers of Palestinian territory on the West Bank; fighters resisting home demolitions, land expropriation, and expansion of illegal settlements.

Under such a pretense the apartheid state of Israel in July attacked the refugee camp of 17,000 residents packed into a quarter of a square mile with aircraft, drones, military forces and bulldozers. It sealed off the camp, attacked it, and destroyed roads and buildings and crucial infrastructure for water and electricity as collective punishment.

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Netanyahu's invasion - which killed 12 Palestinians, wounded hundreds, and displaced thousands while causing wanton damage to residences and public infrastructure, came just two weeks after Israeli national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, said: There needs to be a full settlement here. We have to settle the land of Israel and at the same time need to launch a military campaign, blow up buildings, assassinate terrorists. Not one, or two, but dozens, hundreds, or if needed, thousands.

Let there be rage.

I heard you in the other room asking your mother, 'Mama, am I a Palestinian?' Ghassan Kanafani wrote in "Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories." "When she answered 'Yes' a heavy silence fell on the whole house... I knew, however, that a distant homeland was being born again: hills, olive groves, dead people, torn banners and folded ones, all cutting their way into a future of flesh and blood and being born in the heart of another child ...

Let there be rage.

The truth is that the battle is not just about Jenin, just as it wasn't just about South Africa or about Ukraine.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu has said: Israel is not a state of all its citizens  Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people  and them alone, and the truth is that today his government is trying to annihilate Palestinian resistance and occupation on behalf of settler colonialists who daily build illegal settlements, destroy Palestinian crops and deny the Palestinian people the right to dignity and respect.

For a colonized people the most essential value, because the most concrete, is first and foremost the land: the land which will bring them bread and, above all, dignity. Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth.

Let's be clear: Under international law the Palestinian West Bank, along with East Jerusalem, is all occupied territory, in spite of the fact that Israel has built illegal colonies across the land with the intention of annexing them to Israel.

Today, protected by United States policy and 3.9 billions of dollars annually, Netanyahu's government represents a nation which, according to international and Israeli human rights organizations, including BTselem, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, is practicing apartheid against the Palestinian people.

As former Israeli Environment Minister Yossi Sarid once pulished in an OpEd in an the Israeli newspaper: What acts like apartheid, is run like apartheid and harasses like apartheid, is not a duck  it is apartheid.

And as former Israeli Education Minister Shulamit Aloni published in the Israeli website Ynet in 2006. The state of Israel practices its own, quite violent, form of apartheid with the native Palestinian population.

It's a loser's game: What Israel, as the last settler colony of the 20th century, refuses to recognize is that resistance to colonial repression and systems of oppression and humiliation grow so desperate and intense that the state is unable to control the outcome, as in Algeria where, in 1962 after 132 years of occupation, the French were driven from power.

Do you know, Mother, that Haj Salem was buried alive in his home? Does he tell you stories in heaven now? I wish I had had a chance to meet him," Susan Abulhawa wrote in "Mornings in Jenin." "To see his toothless grin and touch his leathery skin. To beg him, as you did in your youth, for a story from our Palestine. He was over one hundred years old, Mother. To have lived so long, only to be crushed to death by a bulldozer. Is this what it means to be Palestinian?

I am a supporter of BDS, a movement formed by Palestinian civil society organizations that calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) as a form of non-violent pressure on Israel. It's a movement that worked against South African apartheid and it will, over time, work against Israel.

Counterpoint: England: Responsibility for the Israeli-Palestinian 'cycle of violence' is far from equal

I am not drawn to Palestine by ethnicity or faith, by love of falafel and musakhan. I am drawn by a sense of justice, by a refusal to remain silent in the face of injustice, by my understanding that Palestinians as as worthy of respect, dignity and liberation as Ukrainians and South Africans.

I cannot go on living my privileged life - enriched by the laments and cautions of Franz Fanon, Ghassan Kanafani, Susan Abulhawar, Dylan Thomas and so many others - without acting on my beliefs - and protected by my First Amendment rights.

"Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Let there be rage.

Robert Azzi, a photographer and writer who lives in Exeter, can be reached at theother.azzi@gmail.com. His columns are archived at theotherazzi.wordpress.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Azzi: In Jenin, Palestinians refuse to go gentle into that good night
Reuters

(Reuters) -A federal appeals court on Monday blocked the Biden administration from proceeding with another piece of its student debt relief agenda, a rule that would make it easier for people who are defrauded by their schools to have their loans forgiven. At the request of a group representing for-profit colleges, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals prevented the rule from taking effect pending the outcome of an appeal to be heard in November. The three-judge panel gave no reason for granting the emergency injunction sought by the trade group, Career Colleges and Schools of Texas (CCST), which is appealing a lower-court judge's decision not to block the U.S. Department of Education's rule.
An Olympia man accused of slashing his roommates face with a machete on July 19 is being held in the Thurston County jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.

James Raungsang Reinholdt, 49, attended his preliminary appearance in Thurston County Superior Court on Tuesday. Olympia police arrested him Monday on suspicion of first-degree assault, domestic violence.

The incident occurred at a residence on the 500 block of 10th Avenue Southeast near the Olympia Post Office. The 62-year-old victim reportedly interrupted Reinholdts video game session because he was locked out of the apartment, Police Lt. Paul Lower said. Thats when Reinholdt allegedly grabbed a machete and started swinging.

A neighbor took the roommate to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, but he was later transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to court records.

Olympia police responded to the scene the day of the incident, but they were unable to locate Reinholdt until Monday afternoon. Lower previously said police found the suspect on the 400 block of Carpenter Road Southeast thanks to a tip from the Thurston County Sheriffs Office.

On Tuesday, Judge Mary Sue Wilson found probable cause for second-degree assault, domestic violence, while armed with a deadly weapon and set the bail amount. In doing so, she reasoned there existed a substantial danger that Reinholdt may commit a violent crime if released.

Reinholdt has a criminal history that dates back to 1992 and spans multiple states, including Arizona, California, Florida and Washington. Those cases include assault, firearm and narcotics-related crimes, among others.

The investigation

A probable cause statement describes the investigation into the incident from the perspective of law enforcement.

The neighbor went to the police department to report the alleged assault at around 1 a.m. July 19. Officers responded to the residence on 10th Avenue and found a blood trail on the sidewalk from the neighbors apartment to the victims apartment, according to the statement.

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The officers attempted to hail Reinholdt from outside the apartment but there was no response. Another neighbor then informed the officers that Reinholdt drove away from the scene before they arrived.

After acquiring a search warrant, the statement says officers searched the home and collected evidence. They reportedly found a 3-foot-long machete with a silver blade and black handle that was covered in dried blood and white hair.

Meanwhile, another officer interviewed the victim at Providence St. Peter Hospital. He told police he called Reinholdt to the door to let him in because he forgot his key inside the residence.

Reinholdt allegedly became very angry about having to open the door and blamed the alleged victim for his characters death in the video game, according to the statement.

The victim alleged Reinholdt grabbed the machete and hit the couch with it in anger. Then, the victim said, he raised the machete to hit the victim, but the victim didnt flinch. This reportedly angered Reinholdt further.

The victim said Reinholdt then slashed the victim with the machete on the right side of his face. The cut to the victims face was about 14 centimeters long and ran from nose to ear, police reported.

The statement says the victim needed a medical specialist at Harborview Medical Center to reattach part of his face.

Reinholdts arraignment has been set for 9 a.m. Aug. 8.
Tri-City ballots are trickling in for the Aug. 1 primary election.

In Benton County, where nearly 60,000 are eligible to vote, roughly 16% had returned their ballot by Wednesday.

The most hotly-contested ballot issue is an effort to recall three Richland School Board members. Voters must vote on each board member individually to weigh in on whether or not they should finish their terms.

There also are six others races in Benton County that must be narrowed down to two candidates who then will face off in November.

In Franklin County, 1,200 ballots were mailed out for one race in Connell. About 11% of the ballots already have been returned.

Of the total 9,500 ballots returned so far in the two counties, election officials are challenging the signatures on about 132 of them. After submitting your ballot, you can check to see if your ballot was accepted online at vote.wa.gov.

In all, 142 candidates registered to run for 90 seats for the 2023 election cycle.

Hopefuls are running for seats on city councils, school boards, fire districts, hospital districts and port commissions.

The only races on the primary ballot involve more than two candidates filing for one position.

The top two vote-getters move on to the general election on Nov. 7.

Races with two or fewer candidates automatically are on the November ballot.

Voters still have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to put their ballots into a county-certified drop box.

Ballots also can be returned by mail, no postage required, although they must be postmarked by Aug. 1.

The Richland School Board Recall campaign group hands out signs during a July rally.

Richland School Board recall

Voters in the Richland School District will get to decide whether or not three school board member should be removed from office over a February 2022 vote to make masks optional in public schools.

The charges allege that Audra Byrd, Semi Bird and Kari Williams:

Violated the Open Public Meetings Act by voting at a special meeting taking final action on a matter, to wit: masking optional, that had not been included in the published public meeting agenda.

Voted to make masks at schools optional, in knowing violation of the law and in excess of the powers of a school board, even after warnings from the state and from legal counsel.

And violated district policies and procedures by failing to assure compliance with law and policy.

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If a school board member is recalled, they must leave office prior to the certification of the election on Aug. 18. A successful recall does not bar a candidate from running for the same office at a later date.

A Resist the Recall sign supports three members of the Richland School Board facing recall.

Bird would be forced to leave office three months before the end of his term if recalled. He isnt seeking reelection this year in lieu of focusing on his 2024 campaign for Washington state governor.

Byrd still has two years left on her term. If shes recalled, the school board would have to appoint a new person to fill out the rest of her term.

Williams name is on the primary ballot in two spots. She is facing the recall vote, and she is trying to get reelected to a second term on the school board.

The voters could choose to both remove her from office and appoint her to another four-year term.

In that case she would be out of office for only three months before starting her new term.

Benton County races

Eighteen candidates will duke it out for six publicly elected seats in Benton County. But only 12 candidates will move on to the November general election.

Port of Benton

Christy Rasmussen is seeking her first full six-year term after being appointed in 2021.

The educator and Hanford trainer is being challenged by Scott Keller, the ports retired executive director, and by Clif Dyer, owner of Sundance Aviation.

Prosser Mayor

Prosser Mayor Randy Taylor is seeking his third consecutive term as the citys leader, and two candidates are running to unseat him.

Restauranteer and Prosser native Gary Veger and former budget analyst and economist Harold Lewis are Taylors challengers.

Richland City Council

Kurt Maier, Marc Newman and Kent Madsen will face off for the vacant Position 6 seat on the Richland City Council.

Maier is a computer engineer at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Newman is an account executive for Vehrs Distributing, and Madsen is a professional who has worked for companies such as General Electric.

Richland School Board

Three of Richland School Boards five seats are up for reelection this year  and all three have three candidates in the primary.

Small business owner Nino Kapitula, licensed electrician Tony Gonzalez and PNNL chemist Chelsie Beck are facing off for a seat being vacated by 2024 gubernatorial hopeful Semi Bird.

Parent Kari Williams is defending her seat against IT professional Aaron Riggs and PNNL scientist Katrina Waters.

And former hospitality marketer Jill Oldson is facing challenges from former Navy Captain Gene Nemeth and parent Matthew Bishop.

Connell race

The only race appearing on Franklin Countys ballot is for Position 5 on the Connell City Council.

The at-large seat has attracted three candidates as incumbent Katrina Kunkel has decided not to seek reelection.

The race includes food processing manager Preston Hart, hotelier Patrice Hebel and licensed nurse Stephanie Hallman.
Mattel is doubling down on its plans to expand "outside the toy aisle" after the smash hit Barbie movie.

The comments come as the California-based firm said its sales fell by 12% for the three months to end of June.

Mattel's brands - including Barney, Hot Wheels and Polly Pocket - are also set to feature in upcoming Hollywood films.

Barbie "speaks to the potential of Mattel films," chief executive Ynon Kriez said in the company's earnings presentation.

"This is a milestone moment for Mattel and a showcase for the cultural resonance of our IP [Intellectual Property]," he added.

Mattel, which has not yet said whether it will make money directly from the Barbie movie, has also released a soundtrack album and entered into more than 165 consumer product partnerships for the film.

The company's net income for the period came in at $27m (20.8m), which beat Wall Street expectations despite falling by almost 60% compared to the same time last year.

Mattel's shares, which have risen by almost 16% in the last month, dipped 1.8% in extended New York trading after the earnings were announced.

The Barbie movie, which stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, sees the children's character and her friend Ken exploring their identities.

Earlier this month, Mr Kriez told the BBC that he aimed to create a "Mattel universe" to emulate the success of Marvel.

Disney's Marvel universe is the setting for dozens of blockbuster movies, featuring a cast of characters including Iron Man, Thor and Captain America.

Along with its best-selling brand Barbie, Mattel's stable of household names includes Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine and Uno.

Also on Wednesday, Mattel announced that its chief operating officer Richard Dickson would be leaving the firm.

Mr Dickson, who helped revive the Barbie brand, was named as the new chief executive of US clothing retailer Gap.

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BBC iPlayer

From Doll to Icon?

BBC News looks at the full story of the Barbie film

Available now on BBC iPlayer (UK Only)
The BBC's analysis editor Ros Atkins answers key questions about Dame Alison Rose' resignation.

The modern chief executive officer has to talk and embody values as much as profits.

The modern institutional shareholder and the modern company recruit want to know that they can be comfortable with those values.

Dame Alison Rose, NatWest CEO, has now resigned after admitting she had made a mistake in speaking to the BBC about Nigel Farage's relationship with the bank.

Yet her departure also brings into focus the potential pitfalls if companies become too picky about customers and whether they align with those values.

Dame Alison's predecessors at NatWest, when the whole group was under the Royal Bank of Scotland brand, focused on maximising shareholder value by more conventional means.

Fred Goodwin did that in buccaneering and bullying style, trampling over the older canny values of conventional Scottish finance with the goal of creating a global giant. It crashed, hideously, and the British taxpayer had to bail it out.

The next two chief executives, Stephen Hester and Ross McEwan, spent much of their time apologising, clearing up the mess and trying to return to vanilla-flavoured banking. They shrank the global bank, with $2.2 trillion in assets, to one focused on the UK, while preparing it for the gradual sale of the Treasury's 82% shareholding. That is now around 42%.

One could argue that shareholding was influential in the departure of Dame Alison at 01.45 on Tuesday morning, after Downing Street and the chancellor expressed "significant concerns" about her handling of the controversy over Nigel Farage's account with NatWest's private banking division Coutts.

Former Royal Bank boss Fred Goodwin's goal was creating a global giant

But ministers could have weighed in to any other bank in the same position, and without having a shareholding. They are calling in bank executives to warn them against account closures.

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This is political. And corporate Britain should be on notice that it could be coming to other sectors, boardrooms and executive suites.

The issue relates to other news stories around climate change and culture wars.

NatWest - or as it then was, Royal Bank of Scotland - was a major financier of fossil fuel extraction around the world. It was heavily involved in developing the North Sea industry.

In recent years, however, it came under pressure to pull out of the industry. Campaigners reckon that oil and gas can be squeezed dry by pressuring institutional investors and the banks behind the industry.

So when the Cop26 environment summit came to Glasgow, Alison Rose was prominent in the agreement between governments and major financial institutions around the world to dedicate trillions of pounds to financing the great energy transition.

She resisted pressure to pull out of oil and gas, conceding only that NatWest would stop funding coal.

Her reasoning, when I interviewed her last year, was that NatWest will only finance them if they have a credible plan to reduce emissions and to invest in renewable power. If banks like NatWest aren't doing that, she reasoned, the same companies will get their finance elsewhere, without such conditions.

Dame Alison also defended the continued funding of farming, where it too can be linked with global warming. The bank's agriculture relationship managers were being tooled up with advice on how to reduce emissions down on the farm, she said.

'Not in line with our purpose'

You can see how conversations like that could influence other thinking within the bank. If oil companies and farmers are at risk of being red-lined as too toxic, because they don't meet NatWest's carbon-reducing targets and values, perhaps it could lead to discussion of other customers.

Nigel Farage says he was kicked out of the bank because of his political views.

It has led to him calling for the entire board to resign and to questions over the public's rights to an account.

Responding to a briefing, reported on BBC news outlets, that indicated he was being pushed out of Coutts because his finances did not meet the criteria to be within its high-income, high-wealth clientele, the former UKIP leader and MEP released a leaked document which said, in highly unflattering terms, that his views were "not in line with our views or our purpose".

Nigel Farage has called for the entire NatWest board to resign

"Purpose" has been one of Dame Alison Rose's favourite words, and it has come back to bite her. She has emphasised that NatWest, under her leadership, is not banking for the sake of money but to make a difference and to fulfil a sense of purpose about what it can achieve for customers and for wider society. That thinking was driven through the organisation.

Other chief executives talk in similar terms. That bank crash in 2008 hit public trust in business and in business values. It influenced the current generation of leaders with a need to show that corporate values are in sync with customer views and with society.

Pressures come from outside lobbying, from regulators, from government, from investors and, importantly, from their own staff to show they are being diverse and inclusive, and working towards shared targets for reduced carbon emissions.

Increasingly, auditors, business consultants and lobbyists are having their links to controversial clients challenged through the media. Retailers face pressure to review their supply lines in favour of ethical sourcing.

But making those changes risks a backlash.

This goes beyond the case for a right to bank. Mr Farage has said that NatWest and Dame Alison's problems were rooted in their move towards inclusion and diversity, and says her exit is only the start of an assault on "woke" values in the financial sector.

'Culture wars'

That reflects a strand of conservative opinion that big business has become too liberal. It has become a major issue in US politics.

Where once companies were assailed from the consumer movement led by Ralph Nader, they are now under attack from the right, and not on their products but their values. Some legislators are trying to ban business from taking an inclusive stance on gay, trans or abortion rights.

In the US, Bud Light was targeted with a boycott over its links to a trans influencer.

In Florida, Ron de Santis, the Republican governor and presidential hopeful, has locked horns with the Disney Corporation.

These politicians see mileage in the so-called culture wars. Their targets are not just, as they used to be, political opponents at national or more local level, but companies.

Chief executives wanting to talk and embody values may find it difficult to answer back.
A Jewish organisation has written to Amazon Prime asking the streaming service to remove Bollywood film Bawaal from its platform for its "insensitive portrayal" of the Holocaust.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center says the film trivialises the "suffering and systematic murder of millions".

Many in India have also criticised the film for the way it has used the Holocaust in the romantic drama.

But the cast and director have called the criticism unwarranted.

Since the film released on Prime Video last Friday, cinema critics and viewers have criticised some scenes and dialogue that draw a parallel between the protagonists' love story and the Holocaust.

The film includes a fantasy scene inside a gas chamber and uses Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and the Auschwitz death camp as metaphors.

It stars popular actors Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles as a recently-married couple, travelling in Europe.

He's a history teacher and his aim is to make Instagram reels to teach World War Two to his students and she is hoping to make one last attempt to save their failing marriage.

Websites that track the performance of Bollywood films have declared Bawaal a commercial hit - they say it has already attracted between six and seven million views and, on Thursday, the Prime Video app showed it leading the "Top 10 in India" list.

But ever since its release, the film has been making news for the wrong reasons - it did not get many positive reviews, with critics pointing out that the use of the Holocaust imagery and dialogue was in bad taste.

In one scene, Hitler is used as a metaphor to describe human greed, with the character played by Kapoor saying, "We're all a little like Hitler, aren't we?"

In another instance, she says "every relationship goes through their Auschwitz" - a reference to Nazi Germany's largest death camp where almost a million Jews were killed.

Some of Janhvi Kapoor's dialogue in the film has been criticised

In a recreation of the horrors at the camp, the couple dressed in striped clothing are placed inside a gas chamber, where they are surrounded by people who are screaming and suffocating.

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On Tuesday, Jewish human rights organisation Simon Wiesenthal Center also joined in the criticism - it said in a statement that Auschwitz should not be used as a metaphor as it's a "quintessential example of man's capacity for evil".

"By having the protagonist in this movie declare that 'Every relationship goes through their Auschwitz', Nitesh Tiwari [the director], trivialises and demeans the memory of six million murdered Jews and millions of others who suffered at the hands of Hitler's genocidal regime," the statement said.

"If the filmmaker's goal was to gain PR [publicity] for their movie by reportedly filming a fantasy sequence at the Nazi death camp, he has succeeded," it added.

The statement also asked Amazon Prime to "stop monetising" the film and immediately remove it from its platform.

Though the makers of the film have not responded to the statement yet, Dhawan had said in an earlier interview during the film's promotional tour that people took offence at small things in Hindi films but tended to give more leeway to English films.

Director Nitesh Tiwari had said that films should not be viewed with a "magnifying glass" because then "you'll find problems with every piece of work created".

BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
As one of the most desirable places to live in the US for several years running, the Texas capital is currently hot in more ways than one. Austin interior designers happily have their work cut out creating homes for the creatives, tech workers, and other design-conscious individuals that have been relocating there even prior to the pandemic, attracted by the financial incentives, abudant space, and outdoor lifestyle that the city offers. For anyone who has recently moved to Austinor is simply ready for a home decor refreshthe following AD PRO Directory designers have vast collective experience in projects that range from lake houses and Texas Hill Country retreats to grand new-build homes and renovations of 1930s architectural gems. Several of these professionals specialize in spaces that are full of color and personality, while others are more minimalist in their approachbut all come with the AD seal of approval.

See the video.

Chase Daniel

Recently named on ADs New American Voices list for 2023, Melanie Raines runs a full-service interiors studio that steps away from a defined aesthetic and towards an integrated, experience-forward approach. Backed by a foundation of architectural rigor and an appreciation of working at the intersection of mind-body-spirit-space, the studio aspires to bridge a deeper connection between individuals and their environments.

Chase Daniel

Working across the US and internationally, the studio practices a methodology that weaves together ritual, form, material, and objectcreating spaces of resonance for the lives that inhabit them. Recently, Raines has designed residences in Austin, Miami, and Mexico City, as well as boutique hotel and restaurant spaces in Los Angeles, Austin, and Malibu.

Stephen Karlisch

Liz MacPhail Interiors is a boutique, female-led design group known for creating interiors that speak to the past but are rooted in the present. Valuing family history and cherished collections, MacPhail and her studio meld a mix of styles to create spaces that are at once personal and memorable. Their team is based in Austin, with projects across the country

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Nathan Schroder

Liz MacPhail Interiors strives to cultivate joy through a comprehensive, unfolding design process that is straightforward, service-oriented, and aligned with client expectations. The firm has been awarded multiple design distinctions over the years, including the Austin Home Best Designer designation year-over-year, the Interior Design Society awards, and an appointment as a designer in the highly acclaimed Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas in 2021.

Lindsay Brown

Avery Cox Design crafts thoughtful custom interiors with a spirit of warmth, playfulness, and theatricality. Known for a lively use of color and artistic approach to space, the studio draws clients who seek its original brand of nostalgic modernism. Always rooted in function and classic design principles, the firm aims to create spaces that gain patina and always feel timeless.

Lindsay Brown

A hallmark of Coxs style is the incorporation of family heirlooms and antiques, and her team relishes in working with artistic or historical architecture. With projects in Wyoming, Texas, Vermont, Maine, and beyond, the studio is interested in designing private residences, restaurants, bars, small hotels, and other welcoming spaces.

Douglas Friedman

Fern Santini Inc. designs one-of-a-kind residences for a diverse group of clients across the US. Though aesthetics and style differ from person to person, Santini always comes with the same goal: to listen, listen, listen. The studio pays close attention to each clients style, what they gravitate to, how they live (and how they want to live), likes and dislikes, kids, dogs, and anything else that may help them interpret what the client is after. Through this study, they develop new ways of looking at projectsand ultimately aspire to make the space better than the client ever dreamed it could be.

Douglas Friedman

The team prides itself on its collaborative spirit, working closely with like-minded creatives to throw out crazy ideaseven bad ones can be refined to become great concepts with everyones input. Santini loves mixing historical references in a tongue-in-cheek way (she believes that irreverence and wit are underrated) and designs interiors that are layered in detail, both in broad strokes and tiny moments. In her projects, expect pieces like functional art, a sculptural chair, an avant-garde light fixtureand the unexpected.

Lindsay Brown Taunton

Amity Worrel & Co. Interior Design specializes in period renovations, seamless additions, and custom homes with character. While the studio focuses on creating thoughtfully designed eclectic spaces in and around Austin, the team has worked on projects from coast to coast, including recent residences in Society Hill, the Hamptons, and Greenwich.

Andrea Calo

Despite its Texas roots, the studio does not ascribe to a bigger is better approach. Instead, the team focuses on the why of the design, and leads clients to make interior choices that reflect their character and lifestyle. Amity Worrel & Co. aims to create the home office that inspires the novel, the living room that serves as the backdrop for memorable holiday gatherings, and the dining room of the years best dinner party. Rooted in unpretentious practicality and emotional warmth, the studios designs endure because they are grounded in lived experiences.

Douglas Friedman

The strength of collaborative design studio Ashby Collective is derived from the shared talent and experience of Mark Ashby, Michele Lorenz, Anne Grandinetti, Christina Simon, and a team of savvy designers, interior architects, assistants, and operations managers. Established in Austin, in 1997, the studio has a distinguished and celebrated history with clients throughout Texas and beyond.

Shade Degges

Greater than the sum of its individual parts, the practice is built on decades of cumulative reference and research, with a design process that borrows from the studios broad range of perspectives and expertise. Ashby Collectives work is unified by a timeless system rooted in analog aesthetics, subtle international touches, and a deep reverence for history and architectural context.

Avery Nicole

Urbane Design is a full-service interior design firm based in Austin that specializes in new home construction, remodels, and furniture. Its team of degreed interior designers with over 18 years of experience considers a clients lifestyle, habits, and personality to create spaces that make life flow seamlessly. Whether building a home from the ground up or breathing new life into an existing space, the studio blends styles and elements to create rooms that could only belong to their users.

Avery Nicole

Urbane Design partners closely with clients, walking them through every step of the design processfrom initial concepts to material selection, installation, final walkthroughs, and everything in between. The team approaches interior design from an individualized standpoint, considering what makes clients unique, and designing their spaces using a blend of contemporary and recycled pieces.

Lindsay Brown

Annie Downing Interiors is a boutique, female-led design studio based in Austin, with projects throughout the US. Founder Annie Downing was born and raised in Laredo, a South Texas border town, where she spent holidays and weekends at a one-bedroom ranch house that had been in her maternal grandfather's family for over 100 years. The rich history of this ranch house, as well as moments spent painting alongside her artist grandmother, helped fuel Downings desire to forgo her 10-year career in politics and pursue her passion: design.

Lindsay Brown

After assisting friends with various interiors projects, Downing created Annie Downing Interiors, which is now is known for its unique, eclectic use of color and whimsical details in a clever yet approachable way. The studio focuses on large-scale renovations and new construction projects in multiple locations throughout the country, such as family homes on Lake Austin, several projects in Central Austin and Rollingwood, and others in Washington, DC, and Houston.

Lars Frazier

With more than 30 years of experience in the interior design industry, Austin-based Bambi ALynn Interior Design focuses on the residential market, helping homeowners turn their dwellings into their sanctuaries. Whether scouring Round Top for the perfect antique to complete a space, or visiting the Dallas showrooms with clients to locate the best fabric or wall covering, Brattons approach is as personal as her final product.

Buff Strickland

While known for her dressmaker detail and eye for color, Bratton believes that the essence of a house begins with the hard finishes, encompassing everything from cabinetry, fixtures, and flooring to hardware and paint colors. She believes that a good design always begins with the basicsthings many people might not notice right awayand she ensures that these evoke an atmosphere of thoughtfulness and a sense of home.

Kelly Bauch Photography

Established in 2006, Merrilee McGehee Design was founded with the pursuit of exploring creative boundaries in our homes, both literally and figuratively. The studios approach is deeply rooted in reflecting the individuality of its clients through bold, colorful, and personal designs. Founder Merrilee McGehee is an accomplished interior designer, artist, and actress who has worked in the visual and theatrical arts in Los Angeles, New York, and Texas.

Dave Mead Photography

The studio works on both residential and commercial projects, and creates custom painted floors, wall murals, and commissioned art pieces. McGehees art has been shown at The Betty Moody Gallery in Houston, the Galveston Arts Center, and various group shows in Los Angeles and New York City. In 2019, she and her psychologist husband Pittman McGehee created a lecture on the intersection of psychology and design titled The Colorful I.

Shade Degges

At the heart of Allison Burke Interior Designs philosophy is an ability to seamlessly integrate with architects, engineers, and artists alike to help bring clients shared vision to life. Founder Allison Burke and her team have developed dependable relationships across residential, restaurant, and commercial industries, leveraging partnerships and professionalism to ensure every stage in the process is completed with the absolute highest attention to detail, no matter the size or scope.

Shade Degges

After receiving her interior design degree from the University of Texas Austin School of Architecture in 2001, Burke began her career in San Francisco. Over the next 10 years, she cultivated her signature style working alongside award-winning designers including Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, Michael Hsu, and AD100 listees Nicole Hollis and Marmol Radziner. In 2013, Burke established her own firm in Austin, earning some of the industrys highest accolades while transforming interior spaces as well as the daily lives of her clients. The studio has projects across the United States, with a primary focus in Austin.

Chase Daniels

This collaborative group of Austin interior designers works hard to create unique spaces that support their clients lifestyles. Focusing on modern design, SLIC Design strives to bring soul and personality to minimal spaces, with a clients story and purpose serving as the heart of the project. The studios broad range of services includes material specification, furniture and art procurement, styling, and custom furniture design.

Matthew Williams

SLIC Design moves through projects with an organized and systematic approach. The firm is also committed to the process of collaboration, working closely with the architecture and building team to execute each detail for the project. The studios favorite projects are those in which its members are involved from the very beginning, where they are able to select each finish in the home and curate all details to create a final product that is both thoughtful and original.

Are you looking for an interior decorator or designer to hire for your next project? Wherever you are in the US, visit the AD PRO Directory to browse our list of AD-approved designers and find your match for a design consultation

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

More Great Stories Featuring AD PRO Directory Members
The Biden administration on Tuesday said it was canceling $130 million in federal debt for 7,400 students who went to a Colorado college that the government says lied about its successes.

"These borrowers were lied to, ripped off and saddled with mountains of debt," President Joe Biden said in a statement.

It's not the first time the administration has canceled federal loans for people whom the government believes were misled or short-changed by for-profit colleges: So far, the Department of Education has forgiven $14.7 billion in such debt, spread across nearly 1.1 million borrowers, including for those who attended Corinthian Colleges and ITT Technical Institute, both of which are now defunct.

Tuesday's debt relief will be automatic and covers Colorado students of CollegeAmerica who attended between 2006 and July 1, 2020.

The effort also comes on the heels of debt relief actions for people who participated in programs like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and income-driven repayment loan plans, both of which, the Department of Education has acknowledged, were not working as intended for borrowers.

MORE: Teachers share how revamped forgiveness program helped with their student loans

CollegeAmerica had three locations in Colorado and closed down completely in 2021 after a successful lawsuit brought by the state, according to the Department of Education. (Center for Excellence in Higher Education subsequently appealed.)

"CollegeAmerica knowingly took advantage of students by luring them into high-priced, low-quality programs with promises of high-earning potential and job placement that it knew were not attainable," Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a Tuesday news release.

"Protecting borrowers from predatory lending and helping Coloradans navigate through student loan burdens will continue to be a priority for our office," he said.

The Center for Excellence in Higher Education, which operated CollegeAmerica, could not be reached for comment. The organization sued the Department of Education last year, claiming that the federal government improperly targeted their schools and illegally withheld funds such as reimbursements for student financial aid. The Department of Education is seeking to dismiss the suit.

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PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, July 25, 2023. (Susan Walsh/AP)

"While my predecessor looked the other way when colleges defrauded students and borrowers -- I promised to take this on directly, and provide borrowers with the relief they need and deserve," Biden said in his Tuesday statement, swiping at former President Donald Trump. "As long as I am president, we will never stop fighting to deliver relief to borrowers, hold bad actors accountable, and bring the promise of college to more Americans."

According to the Department of Education, among other misrepresentations, CollegeAmerica was advertising that students would earn high salaries post-grad, when, in fact, graduates earned just $25,000, on average, five years out of school -- less than the salaries of high school graduates.

CollegeAmerica also advertised "inflated and falsified job placement rates" of 70%, though the Department of Education said the actual rate was just over half that -- 40%.

"This included counting a business administration graduate working as a produce clerk and a medical specialties graduate working as a waiter as successful placements," the Department of Education said.

MORE: Biden's Plan B on student loan forgiveness relies on Higher Education Act: What to know

In two other examples, according to the department, CollegeAmerica falsely maintained from 2006 to 2010 that one of its programs could "lead to EMT certification" even though "it never offered EMT classes at its Colorado campuses" that would qualify for the state's certification test. And from 2007 until 2017, CollegeAmerica described a financial assistance program, EduPlan, as "affordable" despite knowing "students were unable to afford [the] loans," the department said.

The debt relief comes after a multiyear government investigation.

Borrowers will have their federal loans canceled regardless of whether they have filed a borrower defense to repayment application, the Department of Education said. That application is a form people can fill out to report schools for misleading their enrollees.

People will begin to be notified in August if they are approved for cancellation related to CollegeAmerica and see any remaining loan balances zeroed out as well as credit trade lines deleted, the department said, and any payments they made to the department will be refunded.

Biden admin canceling $130M in debt for students who it says were 'ripped off' by Colorado college originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
HARLINGEN, Texas  When President Joe Biden lifted the pandemic-era border restriction known as Title 42 in May, government officials expected a steep increase in the number of migrants coming into the United States.

The worst-case scenarios didnt happen, and the administration has been touting a 42% drop in illegal border crossings since May.

But the reality at the border is more nuanced: The number of migrants arriving in the U.S. is still high, multiple law enforcement sources said. And the Biden administration has been ramping up deportations.

A central part of that effort could be seen here on the tarmac at an airport in the Rio Grande Valley, where on Wednesday morning, more than 100 migrants  mostly women and children  were stepping off buses and onto a chartered plane that would take them back to Honduras.

The flight is run by ICE Air, a program that charters multiple planes each week from several states to send migrants back to their home countries.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, about 85,000 migrants have been repatriated since Title 42 was lifted. Thats up 65% since the same period last year, which saw 51,246. During the same period the previous year, there were 33,087 repatriations, according to it.

The Department is sending a clear message about the consequences of coming to the United States and seeking asylum improperly, said Miguel Vergara, ICE Harlingen field office director.

More migrant crossings are also being classified as legal because theyre scheduling screening appointments at ports of entry on a mobile app. Still, the number of migrant families with children crossing the southern border has nearly tripled in the past two months, raising concerns of yet another overall uptick in crossings.

A grandmother holds her 2-year-old in Matamoros, Mexico, as her family waits for an appointment to present themselves at the Brownsville, Texas, port of entry. (Gabe Gutierrez / NBC News)

Our approach of expanding lawful pathways for people to reach the border and delivering consequences for those who arrive at our border irregularly is working, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday in testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.

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But his assurances were met with skepticism from Republican lawmakers, many of whom are calling for his impeachment and saying he has not done his job.

The reason theyre showing up at the ports of entry is because youve got the turnstile open, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said. So long as theyve downloaded this app, you just let them in.

Mayorkas testimony came a day after a federal judge blocked the Biden administrations new, stricter asylum policy, which supporters had cited as a key factor in reducing the number of illegal border crossings. (The judge stayed his decision for 14 days, leaving the asylum policy in place while the federal government appealed the decision.)

The Biden administration insists the immigration process is now more orderly. But critics say that the drop in illegal crossings is misleading, and that migrants have instead been pushed to ports of entry and are now just being classified differently.

Migrants are now required to schedule screening appointments using the CBP One mobile app, which has drawn criticism and complaints that it was frustrating to use. The app was updated in May and more appointments were added. According to a senior Customs and Border Protection official, federal authorities are now booking 1,450 appointments daily across the southern border. That compares to 300-400 a day during the early 2010s, the official said, adding that an extra 500 CBP officers have been sent to the southern border to support expanded processing efforts.

Migrants at the Hidalgo, Texas, port of entry wait for the screening appointment they scheduled on the CBP One mobile app. (Gabe Gutierrez / NBC News)

The CBP official said most migrants were getting appointments within eight weeks, but some migrants are telling a different story as they struggle to apply for asylum.

A tent camp in Matamoros, Mexico, has swelled to more than 1,000 people. Migrant children play in the dirt as the stench of sewage hangs in the air, baking in the almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit heat. One woman said she fears being sexually assaulted at night in the camp, just steps from the U.S. port of entry.

A tent camp in Matamoros, Mexico, just feet from the Texas border has between 1,000-1,200 people. (Gabe Gutierrez / NBC News)

Gladys Canas, who runs the group Ayudandoles a Triunfar  a migrant advocacy group  spoke to migrants and warned them not to cross into the U.S. illegally because theyd risk being ineligible for asylum.

The psychological stress that has permeated the entire camp is high, she said. They are all stressed and anxious due to a lack of appointments.

NBC News spoke with dozens of migrants who said they found the CBP One mobile app exceedingly difficult to use and would repeatedly get error messages.

Alvaro Andres Rodriguez Anez said hed been trying for 20 days with no luck.

I need money to eat and to help my family in Venezuela, he said. Im desperate because for 20 days  nothing.

Alvaro Andres Rodriguez Anez, a migrant at a tent camp in Matamoros, Mexico, gets an

Other migrants said theyd been trying to secure an appointment to present themselves at the port of entry for months. Still, many acknowledged that the Biden administrations new policy of making it harder for migrants who cross illegally to apply for asylum was a factor in waiting across the border  no matter how challenging it was to get an appointment.

Under the blistering sun, Enrique Blanco, 34, from Venezuela, was in agony. He said severe pain was shooting up his torso and leg. Volunteers at the camp frantically called an ambulance for him and carried him away on a stretcher.

If I die, he sobbed, I hope, please, that I dont die in vain.

Canas, the migrant advocate, hugged Blancos face as he was loaded on a stretcher, trying to reassure him. You are not going to die, she whispered.

Many women and children in this camp need help, he said.

Gladys Canas, a migrant advocate, comforts Enrique Blanco, 34, who was loaded onto an ambulance after complaining of severe leg pains while staying at a tent camp in Matamoros, Mexico.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden dispatched his national security adviser Jake Sullivan to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for talks with the kingdom's de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the White House pushes for a normalization of relations between the country and Israel.

The White House in a brief statement said that Sullivan arrived in Jeddah on Thursday for talks with the crown prince, who is often referred to by his initial MbS, and other Saudi officials. The wide-ranging talks covered initiatives to advance a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East," and efforts to find a permanent end to the years-long conflict between the Saudis and Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen, according to the White House.

Sullivan and the prince also discussed the Biden administration's hopes to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to a White House National Security Council official familiar with the matter. The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

For its part, the kingdom's state-run Saudi Press Agency acknowledged the meeting, saying only that the two sides discussed the Saudi-U.S. strategic relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, in addition to the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern.

The kingdom released no images of the meeting, which saw Saudi Arabia's defense and energy ministers attend, along with the head of its Public Investment Fund. The U.S. has been trying to get Riyadh to end its war in Yemen while also trying to lobby it over global oil prices, without much success.

The effort to strengthen the historically fraught relationship between the Middle East's two significant powers comes after the Trump administration helped usher in the Abraham Accords," normalizing relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.

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A normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, the most powerful and wealthy Arab state, has the potential to reshape the region and boost Israels standing in historic ways. But brokering such a deal is a heavy lift as the kingdom has said it wont officially recognize Israel before a resolution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sullivan's visit comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the kingdom last month in part to promote normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

During Blinken's recent visit, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that normalization with Israel would have limited benefits without finding a pathway to peace for the Palestinian people.

The Saudis have also shown hesitance to proceed with normalizing relations with Israel at a time when it is led by the most right-wing government in its history, and when tensions have soared with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Israel remains mired in a political crisis over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to weaken its judiciary, a move which has unleashed the biggest protests in the country's history.

The Saudis have repeatedly called for the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, territories Israel seized in the 1967 war.

Saudi Arabia also has pushed increasingly for a nuclear cooperation deal that includes America allowing it to enrich uranium in the kingdom  something that worries nonproliferation experts, as spinning centrifuges open the door to a possible weapons program.

Prince Mohammed already has said the kingdom would pursue an atomic bomb if Iran had one, potentially creating a nuclear arms race in the region as Tehrans program continues to advance closer to weapons-grade levels.

___

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Intellectual Property (IP) has become an indispensable asset to businesses of all sizes in todays rapidly evolving and innovation-focused environment. IP includes trademarks and patents to copyrights and trade secrets. Protecting and effectively using them can have a dramatic effect on a companys success.

One effective method a business has at their disposal for using their assets is licensing agreements. This article, underpinned by the expertise of professionals in intellectual property at Darwin Gray, delves into their crucial role in guaranteeing profitability and safeguarding intellectual assets for businesses.

Intellectual Property Licensing

IP licensing refers to granting permission for another party to utilise intellectual property belonging to a company on specific terms and conditions. This agreement grants permission for users (known as licensees) to utilise the licensors IP for specific uses within an agreed-upon purpose, duration, and geographical region. In return, compensation in the form of royalties is usually given back.

Benefits of IP licensing

1. Expanding Market Reach:

IP licensing provides businesses with a cost-effective means to expand their market presence without incurring additional investments in product development, production or distribution. By licensing their intellectual property to partners with established networks they can quickly penetrate new markets and reach a broader customer base.

2. Diversifying Revenue Streams:

Licensing agreements allow businesses to diversify their revenue streams. Instead of solely relying on sales of their own products or services for profit generation, companies can generate income via licensing fees and royalties that provide a steady source of recurring income.

3. Leveraging Expertise:

For businesses lacking the resources or expertise to fully leverage their IP assets, licensing offers them the chance to partner with industry specialists or other businesses that complement their capabilities to ensure their IP reaches its full commercial value.

4. Risk Mitigation:

Licensing can be an effective risk mitigation strategy when investing heavily in developing new technologies or innovations. By licensing their technology to multiple parties, companies can reduce exposure to market risks while creating alternative revenue sources.

5. Protecting IP:

Licensing can bring many advantages, yet also presents issues pertaining to intellectual property protection. A well-drafted licensing agreement can help safeguard a companys assets against unauthorised use or infringement from licensees, so an IP lawyer plays a vital role in creating robust yet enforceable contracts that meet your unique business requirements.

Key Components of Licensing Agreements

An effective licensing agreement should cover key elements that protect the licensors rights while creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the licensee and the licensor. Among them are:

Scope of License: Set out in writing how the IP is to be used, including any restrictions or exclusivities associated with its usage.

Duration: Outline the length and renewal options of the agreement.

Royalties and Fees: Outline payment terms such as royalty rates, frequency and payment mechanisms for royalty rates and fees.

IP Ownership and Protection: Clarify who owns the intellectual property that needs protecting. Also, make clear the obligations of both parties to keep it protected.

Termination and Breach: Include provisions for terminating the agreement as well as dealing with potential breaches in it.

Dispute Resolution: Establish an alternative dispute resolution mechanism such as arbitration or mediation to resolve disagreements among employees.

Conclusion

IP licensing agreements provide businesses with powerful tools for capitalizing on intellectual property assets, expanding market reach and diversifying revenue streams. Entering into licensing agreements requires careful thought and legal expertise to ensure both profitability and protection; an experienced IP lawyer can guide businesses through this arduous process, crafting agreements that secure IP rights while creating profitable collaborations between licensees. By strategically licensing IP assets businesses can thrive in todays highly competitive landscape while building long-term success.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has ordered the U.S. government to start sharing information about possible Russian war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court, a U.S. official familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The decision, which was made in recent days and first reported by The New York Times, overrides months of resistance by the Defense Department.

Biden has said Russian President Vladimir Putin has clearly committed war crimes.

The U.S. is not a member of the ICC, and the Pentagon had blocked efforts to share evidence of war crimes. The Pentagon has had concerns that by working with the ICC, the U.S. could open the door to the prosecution of U.S. troops deployed abroad.

The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, has investigated allegations that U.S. forces and the CIA committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said in a statement Wednesday that the U.S. supports a "range of international investigations" to hold perpetrators responsible, including through the ICC, the Ukraine prosecutor generals office and the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission.

"On the ICC specifically, we are not going to discuss the specifics on any cooperation, which is consistent with the Courts practice of treating requests for cooperation in a confidential manner," the spokesperson said. "More broadly, we will keep working with Ukraine and other countries to expose the war crimes and atrocities that Russian forces and officials are committing for the world to see."

The U.S. has deployed international investigators and prosecutors to help the Ukraine prosecutor generals office prepare war crimes cases, the spokesperson said.

In September, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin signed a memorandum of understanding for closer collaboration in identifying and prosecuting perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine.

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In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, a move that Biden said was "justified." It said Putin was responsible for illegally transferring children from Ukraine to Russia.

Putins press secretary, Dmitriy Peskov, said at the time: We do not recognize this court. We do not recognize the jurisdiction of this court. This is how we treat this.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled a whole-of-government approach to protecting communities and workers from what he called the real crisis of extreme heat amid a recent spate of high temperatures and 150 million Americans are under heat alerts.

Part of the reason were here today is to get the word out so state and local governments know these resources are available and use them. I want the American people to know: Help is here and were going to make it available to anyone who needs it, Biden said Thursday, calling on Americans to listen to public officials, stay indoors if vulnerable, know the signs of heat stroke, be careful on hot pavement, always have a bottle of water and take advantage of cooling centers.

Around 150 million people from coast to coast are under heat alerts Thursday after extreme heat expanded into the highly populated I-95 corridor, bringing the highest temperatures of the year there. The heat also wont let up in the South and Southwest, where heat-related deaths are climbing, emergency rooms are filling with heat-related burn victims and even animals are falling victim to heat illness.

Heat indexes  a measure of what the temperature feels like when accounting for relative humidity  are expected to top 100 degrees Fahrenheit across many areas in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Northeast through Friday.

Biden announced that hes asked acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to issue a heat hazard alert clarifying protections for workers.

We should be protecting workers from hazardous conditions, and we will. And those states where they do not, Im going to be calling them out, he warned.

Su, he said, will also work with her team, to intensify enforcement, increasing inspection in high-risk industries like construction and agriculture.

The US Forest Service is awarding more than $1 billion in grants for the planting of trees that is aimed at helping to bring down temperatures in the long term.

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The Department of Housing and Urban Development, he added, is providing billions to make buildings more efficient and more heat-resistant, as well as for the opening of cooling centers. The Department of Interior, he said, is using infrastructure funding to expand water storage capacity to deal with future droughts. And NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is partnering with universities and impacted communities to improve the nations weather forecasts and its accuracy.

Biden pressed the importance of the local officials on the front lines. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg both participated in the conversation virtually, sharing their perspectives in dealing the extreme heat challenges.

The president also spoke more broadly about the impact of heat and climate change.

I dont think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore I dont know anybody who honestly believes climate change is not a serious problem, he said, pointing to droughts, hurricanes, wildfires and record temperatures.

Phoenix, he noted, has had temperatures over 110 degrees for 27 straight days, and he referenced ocean temperatures near Miami like a hot tub topping 100 degrees.

Heat, Biden said, has been the number one weather-related killer, with 600 people dying annually from its effects, more than from floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes in America combined. He told the story of an elderly woman in Phoenix who fell out of her wheelchair and had third-degree burns after five minutes on the hot ground, and noted farm workers and firefighters and construction workers who risk their lives working in extreme heat.

Folks, we really want to pretend these things are normal? Experts say extreme heat is already costing America $100 billion a year and hits our most vulnerable the hardest: seniors, people experiencing homelessness who have nowhere to turn, disadvantaged communities.  And its threatening farms, fisheries, forests that so many families depend on to make a living.

He also went after MAGA extremists in Congress, who, he said, are trying to repeal legislative progress. And he called on Americans to visit heat.gov, a national integrated heat health information system.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Joe Biden told the Labor Department on Thursday to issue an alert for extreme heat and to ramp up workplace safety enforcement as scorching temperatures engulf much of the country.

This summers heat has created dangerous conditions for millions of workers who toil outdoors or in hot facilities like warehouses. Dozens of U.S. workers die every year on average due to heat exposure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and safety advocates fear the numbers will increase as climate change makes heat waves longer and more intense.

The Biden administration said it will call on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is part of the Labor Department, to increase safety inspections in high-risk fields, including construction and agriculture, in the coming weeks. The White House said its hazard alert will reaffirm that workers have heat-related protections under federal law.

There is no specific rule under OSHA mandating what companies must do to protect their employees in extreme heat.

Although OSHA can fine employers for exposing workers to dangerous levels of environmental heat, there is no specific rule mandating what companies must do to protect their employees, such as offer reasonable rest breaks and adequate shade. A large number of workplace safety and environmental groups  as well as a former OSHA leader  have been calling on the Biden administration to issue clear and enforceable rules as soon as possible.

The White House said in a statement Thursday that OSHA will continue to develop a national standard for workplace heat-safety rules.

OSHA has no enforceable heat standard to protect workers.

OSHA has no enforceable heat standard to protect workers.

More than 100 Congressional Democrats sent a letter to Biden on Monday calling on the administration to prioritize an OSHA rule for both indoor and outdoor work. They said it should require not only water and rest breaks, but training to spot heat-related illnesses.

Climate change has made scorching temperatures, incidents of workers collapsing and deaths all too common, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who helped lead that letter, said in a statement. The Biden administration must act.

Parts of the Southwest have seen record-setting heat for weeks, with Phoenix enduring a nearly monthlong streak of days topping 110 degrees. The Maricopa County Department of Health said there were at least seven heat-related deaths from July 16 to July 22 alone. A doctor in the area reported that people have been treated for third-degree burns just from touching hot pavement.
US President Joe Biden meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office (Brendan SMIALOWSKI)

US President Joe Biden on Thursday praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for strongly backing Western efforts to help Ukraine fight off Russian invasion -- while setting aside any qualms about her far-right government.

Biden said Meloni had also provided "very strong support in defending against Russian atrocities."

The Italian prime minister, sitting with Biden in the Oval Office, said she was "proud" of Italy's actions in assisting Ukraine.

"We know who our friends are in times that are tough and I think that Western nations have shown that they can rely on each other much (more) than some have believed," she said.

"Supporting Ukraine means defending the peaceful coexistence of people and states everywhere in the world. Contrary to what some (say), Ukrainian resistance distances a world war -- does not bring it closer, as some say," she said in occasionally broken English.

The White House played down controversies over Meloni's domestic agenda, instead focusing on the roles Italy plays as a key member of NATO and the G7, which Italy will head up in 2024.

Biden said that US-Italian trade hit $100 billion last year and "there's no reason why that can't increase."

- 'Be nice,' Biden says -

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday that Biden had been looking forward to the visit "quite a bit" and he dismissed any controversy over Meloni's politics.

US officials see the Italian prime minister as having moderated since coming to power and she has surprised many with her decisive posture on supporting Ukraine against Russia, where Vladimir Putin was close friends with the late, long-serving Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Asked about Biden's view of the far-right in Italy, Kirby said "the Italian people get to decide who their government is -- it's a democracy. The president respects that."

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The White House also played down any tensions over the prickly subject of China.

European countries and Washington broadly agree that the time has come to reduce dangerous dependency on Beijing -- "de-risking," as the new policy is dubbed. However, there is less agreement on details of how far to go and how much economic risk can be tolerated.

Meloni in particular has come under pressure to pull Italy out of China's Belt and Road initiative -- a trillion-dollar infrastructure investment scheme that Beijing has used to secure influence around the world, mostly in countries with economic difficulties.

Kirby would not confirm that this would come up, saying only "they certainly will talk about shared concerns and perspectives and challenges with respect" to China.

On a more concrete level, the US link to Italy is ensured through a major military presence, comprising some 30,000 Americans -- whether service members or their families -- in five bases.

Meloni said that the long history of Italian immigration to the United States added to their bonds, making Italy an "integral" part of the US fabric.

Referring to Meloni's upcoming role as organizer of the G7 summit next year, Biden quipped: "I hope you'll be nice to me."

sms/st
Deputies propose to return e-declaration in Ukraine

A bill that proposes restoring Ukraines e-declaration system for government officials has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament, on July 26.

Read also: Ukraines economy badly needs working-age refugees to come back  report

The e-declaration system, originally instituted in 2016, was meant to serve as a key anti-corruption measure, and required government officials to report the entirety of their assets and income to a publicly-checkable database. E-declaration requirements were suspended with the outbreak of full-scale war, and the e-declaration database was classified and restricted from public perusal.

Kyiv committed to restoring e-declaration by Aug. 1, 2023, as part of a previously signed IMF memorandum.

Read also: Servant of the People MP Saladukha charged with providing false information in declaration

This new bill aims to require declarations not only for the current year, but also for previous years. Additionally, the bill stipulates that declarations will be made publicly available in the Unified State Register of Declarations until the termination or cancellation of martial law. However, certain personal information will be excluded, such as:

Taxpayer Identification Number or Ukrainian citizens passport number;

Place of residence;

Date of birth;

Location of properties listed in the declaration;

Account number in banking or other financial institutions;

Data on the populated areas where the mentioned properties are located or the actual place of residence/registered place of residence;

Personal information of all other individuals mentioned in the declaration (excluding the declarant).

These individuals will have access to information about themselves and their family members through reference systems, registries, and databases.

Read also: Former health minister Stepanov facing charges by NABU

A number of military personnel would also be required to comply with the e-declaration regime, according to the bill. This includes those who:

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Serve in territories where active hostilities are conducted;

Reside in temporarily occupied territories;

Directly participate in combat operations;

Are employees of agencies engaged in intelligence and/or counterintelligence activities and are directly involved in conducting intelligence measures;

Are sent to other countries to participate in international peacekeeping and security operations.

Soldiers are required to submit their declarations within 90 days from the date of:

Determination of the end of combat actions;

Termination of temporary occupation for the temporarily occupied territories they were stationed in;

Return to the point of permanent deployment or place of permanent work (except rotation);

Termination or cancellation of martial law.

Read also: International law at work  Podolyak on Putin skipping BRICS summit

The bill would also require that those subject to e-declarations include owned objects valued at a market rate of over 50 living wages (for 2022, this is 124,050 hryvnias ($3,360)), which have been owned or in use over a period of at least 183 calendar days during the reporting period and/or two months preceding the end of the reporting period.

The bill also reinstates special checks, including those waived for certain appointments.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A bipartisan group of House members introduced a bill Thursday to designate space as a critical infrastructure sector, a move aimed at ensuring the rapidly evolving industry gets adequate resources and future security protections.

The Space Infrastructure Act would direct the Homeland Security secretary to designate space systems, services and technology as a sector of critical infrastructure. The bill was introduced by Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), co-chairs of the California Aerospace Caucus, along with Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.).

The government currently recognizes 16 infrastructure sectors as critical, such as water, energy, communications and financial services. The space industry, consequently, has had to rely on collecting threat and security information from a patchwork of the 16 existing sectors, a press release from the lawmakers offices stated.

The bipartisan bill is meant to ensure that space gets its own cogent security analyses of the space-based assets upon which our society relies, the announcement added.

The bill follows a recommendation earlier this year from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0 that called for space systems to be designated as a critical infrastructure sector.

Members of the commission, which is rooted in helping the U.S. defend against cyberattacks, wrote in a report in April that such a move would close current gaps and signal both at home and abroad that space security and resilience is a top priority.

The House lawmakers stressed the designation would strengthen national security, especially as the economy increasingly relies on technology support in space.

Space is infrastructure. So many things we rely on, such as navigation systems, banking, and communications systems, function with the help of technology in space, Lieu said in a statement. Designating space as a critical infrastructure sector would help ensure the industry receives the attention and resources it needs, thereby strengthening our national security.

Calvert said the legislation takes appropriate measures to protect space systems, adding, As our economy becomes increasingly reliant on the support of space-based systems and services, we must act accordingly to increase the safeguards that shield them from any potential threats.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Natalie Miller of the North and East Lubbock Coalition speaks during a news conference in Lubbock on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The North and East Lubbock Coalition filed a federal civil rights complaint against the city citing discriminatory zoning practices against Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune

Editor's note: This story contains offensive language.

LUBBOCK  In 1923, the Lubbock City Council approved an ordinance that forced Black residents to the east side of the town, prohibiting them from owning property west of Avenue C. City leaders at the time claimed negros and persons of African descent were dangerous and that they pollute the earth and atmosphere.

Then the city purposely created an industrial zone surrounding their neighborhoods.

One hundred years later, Avenue C sits in the shadow of Interstate 27. And while Black residents are allowed to own property anywhere, they continue to largely live east of the highway where emissions still billow from factories and waft through the neighborhoods.

Now, as the city updates its zoning laws, residents in East and North Lubbock have filed a civil rights complaint and are asking federal officials to force the city to end the practice of placing industrial companies and super polluters near their neighborhoods.

By forcing high-intensity industrial uses into North and East Lubbock neighborhoods, the City subjects residents of color to greater health risks, the complaint filed by Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas earlier this month says.

The Triple C Concrete Plant can be seen from a picnic area in Lubbock on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The North and East Lubbock Coalition filed a Title VI Civil Rights Complaint against the city citing discriminatory zoning practices. Credit: Mark Rogers for the Texas Tribune

The Lubbock complaint is the latest in an emerging movement known as environmental justice. Across the U.S., predominantly Black and Hispanic communities working with organizations such as Southern Sector Rising are demanding local governments review where they place industrial sites and waste. In Dallas, for example, one south side neighborhood fought for years to have 70,000 tons of toxic waste known as Shingle Mountain removed.

According to the complaint, 57% of Lubbocks Black residents and 38% of its Hispanic residents live within one mile of the industrial zone. By comparison, only 17% of white residents live within the same proximity.

In an email to the Tribune, a spokesperson said the city is reviewing the filed complaint. The council is expected to have a hearing Aug. 30 to receive public input and take action on proposed amendments. The code, which hasnt had major changes since the 1970s, is set to take effect Oct. 1.

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The federal complaint is not the first time the council has heard concerns about where industrial companies are approved to operate. The council was warned by residents for months leading up to the code renewal and still went forward with the plans to renew the zoning standards.

In emails reviewed by the Tribune, Adam Pirtle, a lawyer for the North and East Lubbock Coalition, sent a letter to the city last December. City Attorney Chad Weaver responded to the email three weeks later, stating The City has determined that there is no further action to be taken in response to the demands set forth in the letter at this time.

The council approved the renewed plan in May, with a vote of 5-2, and said it could still change as needed.

Dora Cortez, a member of the coalition and North Lubbock resident whose family has lived there for six generations, said the communities there have fought the industrial zoning codes for years, to no avail.

The City of Lubbock has willfully failed to provide fair and equal zoning protection to Black and Hispanic citizens in East and North Lubbock, Cortez said Wednesday at a news conference. Instead, [they] surround those neighborhoods with industrial zoning.

Natalie Miller, a sixth-generation East Lubbock resident, said the Lubbock zoning laws are deeply rooted in historical injustices, and that it has to stop now.

So our future generations are no longer burdened with the injustices that were forced upon prior generations, Miller said. As a community, we have a collective responsibility to acknowledge and rectify these wrongs.

Miller said the whole ordeal has caused her to lose confidence in the city. She would like to see the area rezoned or to build an amortization clause, which would give an expiration date for grandfathered property. Without changes, she says the pollution has pushed younger residents away.

A lot of our kids dont want to stay here because to them, theres nothing here to look forward to, Miller said.

Pirtle, the lawyer representing the neighborhoods, said the complaint was filed under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which states if a city takes money from a federal program, it may not have programs or activities that discriminate based on race. Lubbock has not followed that order, Pirtle says.

The city council broke that promise when it passed Lubbocks new zoning code, which reaffirms the discriminatory zoning map, Pirtle said.

The complaint was filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Treasury and the Department of Justice. Pirtle said they have an obligation to investigate Lubbocks zoning practices and force the city to create a fair system for all neighborhoods.

Every resident in North and East Lubbock deserves to be treated the same way as someone in Southwest Lubbock, Pirtle said. Every Lubbock child deserves to grow up in a neighborhood free from foul smells, noises and nuisances of polluting industries.

Pirtle added, Everyone who calls Lubbock home deserves to know their city leaders will protect their health, their safety and their quality of life, no matter their race or ethnicity.

Swings hang in front of the AEG Petroleum, LLC, business, at Guadalupe Elementary School in Lubbock. The North and East Lubbock Coalition has filed a Title VI Civil Rights Complaint against the city, citing discriminatory zoning practices. Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday called for the immediate release of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum.

Bazoum has been removed from power, according to a group of soldiers who appeared on the West African nation's national television late on Wednesday, hours after the president was held in the presidential palace.

"Whether this constitutes a coup technically or not, I can't say, that's for the lawyers to say, but what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution," Blinken told a news conference in the New Zealand capital Wellington.

Blinken called for Bazoum's immediate release.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal)
(Ron Galella Collection via Getty)

Oscar-winning screenwriter Bo Goldman, known for writing the script for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, has died aged 90.

He died on Tuesday (25 July) in Helendale, California, his son-in-law, director Todd Field, told the New York Times. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Born into a Jewish family in New York in 1932, one of five children, Robert Goldmans father was a Broadway producer who owned a chain of retail stores, but lost his fortune during the Depression.

His parents never married, and it wasnt until years later that Goldman learnt his father had several children with another woman. Having attended fancy schools, which he believed were paid for by his uncle, Samuel, Goldman began working as an assistant to renowned Broadway composer Jule Styne, before serving in the US army.

After leaving his wife and six children behind in 1974 and moving to Los Angeles in an attempt to revive his career, Goldman was offered the chance by director Milos Forman to adapt Ken Keseys novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, for the big screen.

The script, in collaboration with Lawrence Hauben, ended up winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay adapted from other material. The film was also named Best Picture and earned Oscars for Forman, along with actors Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher.

In 1980, Melvin and Howard won Goldman his second Oscar for Best Screenplay written directly for the screen.

A decade later, he bagged his third Oscar nomination for his work in 1993s Scent of a Woman.

The screenwriters other credits include The Flamingo Kid (1984), Little Nikita (1988), and City Hall (1996).

During his career, Goldman also won two Golden Globe Awards, two Writers Guild of America Awards, and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998, as well as two Bafta nominations.

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If there is a train of thought that runs through my work, he told The Washington Post in 1982, it is a yearning, a longing to make the people real and capture their lives on the screen. I think there is nothing more fulfilling in the world than to see your view of life realised in art.

For me, film is unique; it has a peculiar quality for re-creating life. I find life so wonderful, that to try to capture it in art is like trying to catch starlight.

He is survived by his son Justin Ashforth and four daughters: Mia Goldman, Amy Goldman, Diana Rathbun and Serena Rathbun. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Many people from the film industry have paid tribute to Goldman upon hearing the news of his death.

One of our greatest screenwriters has died, wrote writer Mark Harris. Melvin and Howard alone would earn him his place in history, but there was also Cuckoos Nest, The Rose, The Flamingo Kid, Shoot the Moon...

RIP Bo Goldman, a master not replaceable by AI or lesser talents.

Sad to hear of Bo Goldmans passing. He was a talented screenwriter who knew the magic shorthand of getting to the  of a character efficiently. My underrated fave of his: SHOOT THE MOON. No one could write divorce drama like this. THE ROSE is incredible as well. #RIPBoGoldman pic.twitter.com/Y3NdgwWyhD  Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) July 27, 2023

The Wraps Drew Taylor added: So sad to hear about the passing of Bo Goldman. Truly one of the great Hollywood screenwriters, his scripts always had such amazing energy & life, his empathy for his characters was enchanting.

Melvin & Howard is my favorite script of his & one of the greatest movies ever. RIP.
The Boeing 737MAX is the workhorse of many airlines' fleets. Taylor Rains/Insider

Boeing announced a $149 million loss for the second quarter, though it still exceeded analyst expectations.

The planemaker's defense and space arms brought it into the negative despite increased commercial deliveries.

Boeing plans to increase production of its 737 and 787 aircraft between now and 2026.

Boeing said it had a net loss of $149 million in the second quarter, despite improved delivery performance.

Boeing 737 factory in Renton, Washington. JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Boeing

Its space and defense arms are to blame, Boeing said, including a $257 million loss due to the delayed launch of its crewed Starliner aircraft.

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner space capsule stands atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA

Source: Boeing, Insider

However, the overall results are still above analyst expectations. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said the company increased deliveries.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner. AP

Source: Boeing

"With demand strong, we're steadily increasing our production rates across key programs and growing investments in our people, products and technologies," he said.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun at a ceremony at the White House in January 2020. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Boeing

In the second quarter, Boeing delivered 136 planes  that compares to 121 during the same time in 2022. The total first half deliveries also increased from 216 to 266.

This could be a sign that the supply-chain is getting less bottlenecked. Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Source: Boeing

Moreover, the company plans to up the production of its 737 and 787 Dreamliner jets. The MAX is ramping up from 31 per month to 38 per month with a target of 50 per month by 2025-2026.

Boeing expects to deliver 400-450 737 MAX planes this year. Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: Boeing

Meanwhile, Boeing is increasing its Dreamliner output to four per month, with a goal of five per month by the end of 2023 and 10 per month by 2025-2026.

Boeing expects to deliver up to 80 787 Dreamliners this year. Getty Images

Source: Boeing

The increases come as both jets have racked up several orders since the new year  particularly the 787 with over 200 purchased from carriers like United Airlines and Air India.

Boeing

Source: Insider

The MAX hasn't fallen behind, either, with a 150-strong order from European low-cost carrier Ryanair in May, with options for another 150.

Ryanair

Source: Ryanair

The variant chosen is the 737 MAX 10, which is the family's largest variant. At full list price, the deal is worth over $40 billion.

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Boeing's 737 MAX 10 testbed at the Paris Air Show. Pete Syme/Insider

However, the MAX 10 is still not certified to fly due to stricter guidance that was implemented in response to the MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people and led to a worldwide grounding of the plane.

Investigators look through debris from the 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crash. Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Source: Insider

One item involved Boeing adding another system to the MAX 10 cockpit, but that would make it different enough from other MAX variants that it may turn airlines away.

Airlines like continuity between aircraft variants to save time and money on pilot training. Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: Boeing, Seattle Times

Still, Boeing got a waiver from Congress in December as long as the planemaker adds two specific safety enhancements to all MAX jets three years after the -10s certification.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 test aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider

Since the Federal Aviation Administration signed off on the plane's airworthiness in November 2020, airlines have started flying them again.

WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 Joel Serre/Shutterstock

About a year and a half after its ungrounding, Insider toured Boeing's Renton factory to learn more about the 737 MAX final assembly line  take a look.

The Boeing 737MAX is the workhorse of many airlines' fleets. Taylor Rains/Insider

Production of the MAX started in 2015 and is the latest in a large family of 737 jets. Three models  the MAX 8, MAX 9, and MAX 8200  are currently in service with airlines around the world.

A lineup of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (Alaska -9, Ryanair -8200, and Southwest -8). Taylor Rains/Insider

To build this family of jets, Boeing's director of 737 program business operations, Dennis Eng, explained the factory is split into three assembly lines  east, west, and center.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Currently, the west and center lines are active, and Boeing plans to activate the east side once it has enough staff. The company has been reluctant to increase production until labor and supply shortages normalize.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: Boeing

Walking through the factory, Eng said the planes go through 10 different flow days during final assembly, which includes things like hydraulic, wiring, and systems installation, joining the wings to the fuselage, installing the interior, and testing.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The fuselage comes complete from Wichita, Kansas, and is built by Spirit AeroSystems. It is then transported via rail to Renton where it is joined to the wings.

Seattle Times

To join the body is a complicated process, according to Eng, who said workers use cranes and other tools to move parts around the massive building.

Cranes on the ceiling of the Renton factory. Taylor Rains/Insider

Because of the complexities, the movements are done during one of the three shifts employees work.

Seattle Times

When installing economy class seats, Boeing uses a modified hay bail. This process is done during the first shift and completed while the fuselage is still open in the back to make it easier.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The planes have their engines and landing gear by the last flow.

Taylor Rains/Insider

After final assembly, the jets will complete flight testing out of Boeing Field, be painted in their respective livery, and delivered to their operator.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Eng explained Boeing has reimagined its Renton factory over the years to create more efficient processes. Specifically, the planemaker has developed a system that better stages parts to ensure employees have the exact tools they need for each flow.

Some of the tool kits. Taylor Rains/Insider

This is done by assembling flow-specific kits that are positioned at each station. This eliminates the need for workers to walk back and forth between the plane and the tool room during shifts.

Some of the tool kits. Taylor Rains/Insider

The system improves quality and safety and decreases the risk of plane damage, according to Boeing.

Taylor Rains/Insider

We saw a few completed 737 planes at the factory, including Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and a United MAX 10, which Eng said is a test aircraft. It is rare to see the -10 in a completed livery.

The United-painted 737 MAX 10. Taylor Rains/Insider

Delta just ordered 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets to upgrade its narrowbody fleet. Take a look inside one of the test planes.

During our grand tour of Boeing factories, Insider also spent time in Everett where the manufacturer is building cargo planes and other passenger jets, like the 777 and 787.

Taylor Rains/Insider

There were several seemingly complete 787 aircraft in the factory, which, at the time of the tour in June, were unable to be delivered due to safety concerns from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding gaps between fuselage sections.

We were not given a full tour of the 787 side of the building. Taylor Rains/Insider

American just received the first Boeing 787 delivery in 15 months. Here's why the FAA paused deliveries of the jet and how it impacted airlines.

Boeing finally resumed deliveries of the Dreamliner in August 2022 after years of fixes, with the first being sent to American Airlines.

American's first 787 since the FAA paused deliveries. American Airlines

Source: Boeing

As a special treat, we also saw one of the last 747 planes ever to be built, which is one of three 747-8Fs delivered to cargo carrier Atlas Air in 2022.

Boeing 747 Factory Tour. Seattle Times

Source: Insider

The final freighter  and the last commercial 747 to be produced by Boeing  rolled off the assembly line in December and was delivered to the cargo giant on January 31.

Boeing's last 747 rolled out of the Everett assembly line in December and is headed to Atlas Air. Paul Weatherman/Boeing

Source: Insider

The delivery marked the end of a 54-year era that revolutionized air travel by making international flights affordable for the first time.

Boeing 747 Factory Tour. Taylor Rains/Insider

More airlines are choosing single-aisle jets for flights from North America to Europe  see the full evolution of jet-powered transatlantic flying

Read the original article on Business Insider
Prisoner, known as JJ, claimed eating boiled sweets was his 'last shred of humanity and dignity' - b-d-s/iStockphoto

Eating boiled sweets in prison is not a human right, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The court rejected an appeal by a severely disabled offender who had sued his prison carers for refusing to feed him boiled sweets.

The prisoner, known only as JJ, is a bedbound quadriplegic serving a lengthy sentence. He is entirely dependent on carers for personal care and feeding and had previously been allowed the treats and other snacks from the canteen.

However, a health assessment in 2021 ruled he should be limited to soft food because of the risk that he could choke.

The prisoner took his carers to court, claiming it was a breach of his human right to autonomy and represented his last shred of humanity and dignity after losing almost everything.

Dire situation

The court was told he had been on hunger strike in protest since the decision in June 2021, surviving on fluids apart from some cake, custard and ice cream in May last year.

His lawyers argued that his carers refusal to feed him foods of his choice was unlawful because it was irrational, discriminatory and in breach of his right to physical and psychological integrity.

JJs mind and communication skills are unimpaired, but physically all he can do is push a button with one finger. He has already had several episodes of choking while in custody, the court was told.

However, sitting with the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and Lord Justice Lewis, Lady Justice King dismissed JJs appeal and upheld a previous High Court judges decision.

One can fully understand the dire situation in which JJ finds himself, she said.

And [one] view says that if JJ understands and is happy to take the risk of choking for the modest pleasure of eating a boiled sweet, then that is a matter for him.

It may be that in certain different medical circumstances the balance would come down in JJs favour but not, in my view, in this case.

Giving JJ that boiled sweet may cause him to choke to death ... in circumstances where JJs advance decision would prevent all but the most basic life-saving intervention.

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She said that in the judges opinion, JJs carers would then be at risk of prosecution ... for gross negligence manslaughter.

Prisoners legal claims

The claim is one of multiple legal actions by prisoners over their treatment, including the lack of meal-time bananas, spiders in cells and hair clippers.

Last year, the Ministry of Justice revealed it had successfully challenged more than 1,700 legal claims, saving the taxpayer 58 million in bids by prisoners to get compensation.

Among the cases was a criminal who claimed he was being subject to torture under human rights legislation after finding a spider in his cell.

Another prisoner alleged he broke his ankle from slipping on a wet prison floor. CCTV footage revealed he actually fell while running away from the prison canteen after stealing a pasty and jumping over two wet floor signs.

A third offender claimed his human rights were being abused under the Human Rights Act as prison staff had stopped providing him with bananas, which meant his food was inedible.

A fourth claimed a breach of his Article 8 human rights to a family life for the failure to be provided with hair clippers for five months. The claim was struck out without hearing on the basis of being without merit.

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.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a heat emergency across the city with sweltering conditions expected to close out the work week.

Weather Alert: Heat, humidity, severe storms

Extreme heat can be dangerous to health, and even fatal. We want our residents and visitors to be safe during hot weather, the city said.

The emergency is in effect from Thursday through Friday. In Suffolk County, heat index values of 95 to 100 are expected, according to the National Weather Service.

Wu noted that 15 cooling centers will be open at BCYF centers in neighborhoods across the city on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BCYF Cooling Centers Address Phone Cooling Center Hours

(subject to change) BCYF Curley 1663 Columbia Road, South Boston 02127 617-635-5104 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Curtis Hall 20 South Street, Jamaica Plain 02130 617-635-5195 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Gallivan 61 Woodruff Way, Mattapan 02126 617-635-5252 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Gibbons (for older adults) 382 Main Street, Charlestown 02129 617-635-5175 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Grove Hall Senior Center 51 Geneva Avenue, Dorchester 02121 617-635-1484 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Holland 85 Olney Street, Dorchester 02121 617-635-5144 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Hyde Park 1179 River Street, Hyde Park 02136 617-635-5178 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Jackson Mann 500 Cambridge Street, Allston 02134 617-635-5153 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Nazzaro 30 North Bennet Street, Boston 02113 617-635-5166 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Paris Street 112 Paris Street, East Boston 02128 617-635-5125 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Roche 1716 Centre Street, West Roxbury 02132 617-635-5066 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Roslindale 6 Cummins Highway, Roslindale 02131 617-635-5185 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Shelburne 2730 Washington Street, Roxbury 02119 617-635-5213 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Tobin 1481 Tremont Street, Roxbury 02120 617-635-5216 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. BCYF Vine Street 339 Dudley Street, Roxbury 02118 617-635-1285 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

In issuing a heat advisory, the NWS said, Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.

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There are a number of additional options for residents looking to beat the heat:

DCR pools are open until 7:45 p.m.

DCR wading pools are open until 7 p.m.

DCR spray decks are open until 9 p.m.

Extended hours for lifeguards at local beaches.

Feeling the heat? Take these steps to stay cool and save your AC system

The City of Boston urged residents to adhere to the following tips:

Drink more water no matter how active you are. Avoid alcohol and sugary or caffeinated drinks. Dont wait until youre thirsty to drink.

Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

Know the difference between different heat-related illnesses.

A few hours in air conditioning can help your body recover and stay cool when you go back into the heat. Electric fans will not prevent heat-related illness.

Infants, children, people age 65 and older, and the homeless are at greater risk for heat-related illness. Other high-risk people are those who are physically ill or who take certain medications.

Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-15 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing, including long-sleeve shirts and hats.

A heat emergency has been declared in Boston from Thursday, July 27 through Friday, July 28 due to the upcoming weather forecasts.



Call @BOS311 with any questions about available, non-emergency City services. Learn more about heat safety at https://t.co/7bT3vODCcj pic.twitter.com/1nN1cljGBl  Mayor Michelle Wu  (@MayorWu) July 25, 2023

Heat safety tips: Don't leave children or pets in cars  rest in the shade,  stay hydrated, check on those at risk, including those experiencing homelessness,  wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen, &  swim safe with lifeguards and life jackets! https://t.co/nDLPwRZYnk pic.twitter.com/zm66c58KUR  City of Boston (@CityOfBoston) July 26, 2023

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Only female glow worms are able to give off light

A small population of breeding glow worms have been discovered living in a Nottinghamshire heathland.

Sherwood Forest Trust said it was "beyond excited" by the discovery at Sherwood Heath, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in Ollerton.

The glow worms are actually beetles and only survive for a few weeks in June and July to breed and lay eggs.

The trust said a lot of work had gone into creating an environment suitable for the creatures.

This summer the trust saw 25 female glow worms at Sherwood Heath.

It was hoped there were also a similar amount of males, which do not glow.

The glow worms will not be visible again at Sherwood Heath until June 2025

The adult beetles only live for a few weeks, during which time a female can lay up to 100 eggs on the ground.

It takes two years for the hatched larvae to fully mature meaning the glow worms will not be visible again at Sherwood Heath until June 2025.

Only one glow worm was seen at the site in 2021.

Katie Doull, a community conservation officer at the trust, said: "It's pretty exciting because glow worms in general are declining as a species throughout the UK.

"There's about 2,000 species worldwide and only two known in the UK."

She said they prefer heathland sites that were dry and sandy - an environment that had severely declined in recent years.

The trust said it was adapting its heath management plan to help protect the areas where glow worms were sighted

She said a lot of work had gone into creating a habitat at Sherwood Heath where they could thrive, like cutting down overgrown trees.

"We've got a lot of heather that grows on the heathlands," said Ms Doull.

"If we were to let it grow all this heather would be overshadowed by trees and scrub.

"We do a lot of volunteer sessions on the heath to get rid of this scrub and protect the heather and other important plant species on the heath."

In a bid to protect the glow worm eggs, the trust said it was adapting its heath management plan to help protect the areas where they have been sighted.

Walkers and dog walkers have been asked to stick to the paths.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.
Russia

The New Development Bank (NDB), a development bank established by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), is not planning to open new projects in Russia as it operates in line with financial and capital market sanctions against the country, head of the bank, Dilma Rousseff, told Reuters on July 26.

According to Rousseff, who was the president of Brazil until her impeachment and removal from office in 2016, any speculation regarding the discussion of new operations of the bank in Russia is baseless.

Read also: International law at work  Podolyak on Putin skipping BRICS summit

The NDB was created in 2015, headquartered in Shanghai.

The bank was set up to counter the dominant position of developed economies and search for alternatives to the U.S. dollar.

The next summit of the BRICS countries, which remain close to Moscow despite the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, will be held in Johannesburg on August 22-24.

Read also: Putin to skip BRICS summit in South Africa amid risk of arrest

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen declared during her recent visit to China that the U.S. dollar will remain the dominant currency in international trade, and there will be no alternative to the currency any time soon.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary was arrested in Almeria, southern Spain, in April 2020 along with two other alleged Islamic State members - SWNS

A London-raised jihadist who posted pictures of himself with a severed head in Syria has been found dead in his prison cell in Spain where he was facing charges of belonging to the Islamic State.

Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, 32, was arrested in Almeria, southern Spain, in April 2020 along with two other alleged IS members.

On Wednesday his body was discovered in his cell in the prison in El Puerto de Santa Maria in Cadiz, where he was awaiting the verdict from his trial. One unconfirmed report said there were no signs he had experienced violence.

Bary had been tried with two Algerian men of belonging to a terror organisation. He was warned by the presiding judge that he could face nine years in prison if was convicted.

A prison services investigation has been opened into the circumstances of his death.

An aspiring rapper brought up in Maida Vale in north London, Bary had joint British-Egyptian citizenship until he travelled to Syria in 2013.

He had his British citizenship stripped by the Government after he posted selfies on social media of himself holding a severed head in Raqqa, the IS caliphates capital at the time.

Abdelmajed Abdel Bary, foreground, in court in Madrid earlier in July

The 32-year-old was last seen in Turkey in 2015 and then disappeared until he was arrested in Spain in 2020, a week after he and his two Algerian companions entered Europe posing as economic migrants in a boat from the coast of the North African country.

Bary, Abderrazak Seddiki and Kossaila Chollouah were tracked down in a rented apartment by Spanish police and the CNI secret service agency.

According to evidence found in the apartment and on their mobile phones, the three men had formed a cell in Turkey sometime in or shortly after 2015.

The investigation revealed that he had financed the cells move to Europe by committing mass bank card fraud, renting several properties on arrival in Spain.

Among the photographs stored on his phone, Bary had three entry visas for Sudan under Syrian names. When he was arrested, he claimed to be a Syrian national called Ahmed Mohamed Al Oulabi.

Barys father is Egyptian Islamic extremist Adel Abdul Bary, who was extradited to the US and jailed for his role in the 1998 terror attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that claimed 123 lives.

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Bob Adair with his grandson, Tyrion James Horace, and Fuzzy, one of Adair's dogs.

Police found Bob Adair dead in the driver's seat of his red Ford F-150 pickup on Sept. 16, 2021.

The truck, still in gear and out of gas, was parked near the end of his driveway in southwestern Brown County near Belmont. Adair's foot was on the brake pedal. His hands rested clasped in his lap. He didn't have a gun.

The 70-year-old wood craftsman and Buddhist had been killed the previous afternoon by a neighbor. An ongoing dispute over a small plot of land there on Helms Road had escalated to murder by shotgun.

A memorial to Belmont-area resident Bob Adair at the site where he died after being shot in September.

Randy Steven Small shot Adair in the head, then drove off toward home on his tractor. He would later claim he acted in self-defense.

Carrie Powell, who knew both men, was doing yard work the afternoon of Sept. 15 when she heard two gunshot blasts around 2 p.m. Then she saw a neighbor go by on his tractor, a shotgun in one hand.

It was an unusual sight, but she wasn't alarmed. In the rural world it's not uncommon to see someone carrying, or firing, a long gun.

Brown County,: Apparent mailbox dispute led to a man's shooting death

Police didn't learn details of the crime or discover Adair's body until the next morning.

This week, jurors in Brown County found 58-year-old Small guilty of murder for killing Adair. After a five-day trial, the jury deliberated about four hours Tuesday before returning the verdict.

Small faces a prison term of up to 65 years, and will be sentenced Aug. 28.

A damaged mailbox marks the scene where Brown County resident Bob Adair was shot to death in September 2021.

The men had known one another, been neighbors, for decades. But they weren't friends.

"Both Bob and Randy believed the little patch of land was theirs. Bob had some building material on the property, and that made Randy mad. It culminated with Randy tearing out and running over Bobs mailbox," Brown County chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Seet said in a statement released Wednesday.

"Nobody should have been killed over such a trivial matter.

Adair was known around Brown and Monroe counties as a master woodworker whose specialty was constructing doors. He also played dobro for the White Lightning Boys bluegrass band.

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Bob Adair constructed this main entry door at the Brown County Art Guild in downtown Nashville. Jack Brubaker designed and crafted the ironwork and the stained glass was made at Shuster Glass Studio.

Another neighbor, Brent Hutton, erected a simple wooden cross at the site to mark the place where Adair was killed, a reminder to anyone who ventures down the dead-end road. There are just four houses; Adair bought 13 acres and moved there in 1972.

Brown County Prosecutor Ted Adams said that a few months after the shooting, Smalls lawyers told detectives where to find the .12-gauge shotgun used to kill Adair. It was hidden at Small's house, Adams said, where police found hundreds of guns, some new and others covered in dust.

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Robert Small convicted of killing Bob Adair in Brown County
Milwaukee Bucks forward Pat Connaughton, along with volunteers from cheesemaker Sargento including CEO Louie Gentine, raise the wall of a new Milwaukee Habitat house on North 25th Street in Midtown.

Pat Connaughton remembers tagging along with his father, a general contractor, to construction sites as a kid growing up in Boston.

And so he seemed right at home donning a hard hat and helping put up a wall for a new Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity home in Midtown last week, part of an ongoing effort by the organization to double its yearly output from 20 homes last year to 40 by 2028. Habitat is focusing on new construction in Midtown and King Park.

More: Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity announces plan to double housing construction by 2028

"I've been working on these job sites since I was 12 or 13," the Milwaukee Bucks forward said. "It brought back some memories of something I enjoyed."

Wisconsin cheesemaker Sargento, a longtime supporter of Habitat, also had employees on site all week to build the new housing in the Midtown neighborhood. The build featured approximately 20 volunteers  a mix of employees of Connaughton's real estate company and workers from Sargento given the option of a day on" to volunteer.

"I try to get involved in things that are organic to me," Connaughton said. "Housing can really help, especially in Milwaukee. Homeownership helps provide some stability to families in need, especially up here on the north side."

More: Milwaukee Bucks Pat Connaughton wins offseason NBA Cares Community Assist Award for community work

The house last week was being built on a vacant lot that the city had sold to Habitat for $1, freeing the city of the costs  more than $2,000 a year  of maintaining the lot.

Cant beat (that price) said Jake Brandt, Milwaukee Habitats director of marketing and communications.

The build, on N. 25th St., adds another Habitat house to a neighborhood already chock-full of them. Almost every house across the street was built by Habitat in the 1990s, and Brandt estimated there are more than 100 Habitat homeowners in Midtown.

One of those homeowners, Ron Smith, was watching the proceedings from his front porch next door to the construction site. Smith and his wife had lived in their home for 28 years, and he had effusive praise for Habitat, especially their sweat equity approach, in which home buyers volunteer hundreds of hours to help construct their homes.

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It makes you appreciate them more, being a Habitat homeowner, Smith said.

Smith was excited about the new build, and had been bringing doughnuts, ice and soda to the construction site, making sure the volunteers stayed fed and hydrated on the long days in the sun.

He was also preparing a special gift for his new neighbors.

Ive actually been taking pictures of the new house to give them to the new owners, he said.

Also on hand to watch the construction was Sophia Hullum Martin, a Habitat homeowner who had moved into her Midtown house last year after becoming frustrated with the private rental market.

The rent was just so outrageous, and I wasnt really getting what I wanted, she said.

The construction process was challenging for Hullum Martin. She volunteered more than 300 hours of her time, all while working a full time job for Milwaukee Public Schools and caring for her disabled son.

But she says the end result has been a massive improvement.

Its definitely easier, with the blessed gift that Sargento paid the mortgage for a whole year, she added.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Pat Connaughton poses with volunteers at a new Milwaukee Habitat housing build on N. 25th St. in Midtown.

Sargento has been Milwaukee Habitats longest corporate sponsor, helping Habitat build 35 homes since 1992.

Portia Young, the public relations manager for Sargento, explained that in 2022, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the partnership, the company had covered a year's mortgage for all the homeowners in houses they built.

More: This Wisconsin cheese company paid the mortgages of 28 Milwaukee Habitat homeowners for a year. Heres the impact it had.

The new build in Midtown was another step in that collaboration, and brought the Bucks into the fold.

[Pat] wanted to volunteer and help out, Young said. The Bucks have been great partners in helping us raise awareness for Habitat.

For Hullum Martin, the support for Sargento had earned them a customer.

Every time now, I pick up Sargento cheese in the grocery store, she shared, laughing.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pat Connaughton and Sargento join Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Clearwater Paddling's picture of what it dubbed "jellyfish soup" on Barra's coast in the Western Isles

Scotland looks set for a "bumper year" for jellyfish sightings, according to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).

Large numbers have been encountered around the coast, including in the Highlands, Western Isles and Ayrshire.

MCS said the animals were important indicators of changes in seas and oceans, including climate change.

It said most species were harmless to humans, but a few have a painful sting and people should not touch any jellyfish washed ashore.

MCS is in its 20th year of gathering reports of jellyfish and sea turtles. It hopes to have gathered 20,000 sightings from over the two decades by the end of this year.

Scotland conservation officer Catherine Gemmell said: "It looks to be a bumper year for jellyfish sightings across Scotland, but it is too early to tell just yet.

"We're encouraging people to report sightings of jellyfish to us, along with sightings of marine turtles.

"Both are vital in supporting ocean biodiversity and are indicators of changes in our ocean, like warming waters."

Jellyfish washed up at Prestwick

Different kinds of jellyfish have been seen so far, with reports of Moon jellyfish in north east Scotland, Compass off the west coast and Lion's Mane around central and south Scotland.

All three species can sting and people are advised not to touch even those found dead on beaches. Dogs are also potentially at risk of painful stings, and Scottish vets have advice on what owners should do if their pet is stung.

Jill Thomson, veterinary manager at Scotland's Rural College, added: "While most jellyfish are harmless, some have stinging components that might cause dogs to have allergic reactions around the lips and mouth if they pick them up.

"In places where there are reports of any unusual happenings, I would advise owners to keep their dogs on leads so they can prevent them from picking up unsuitable items, carrying them about or eating them."

Saeid Ullah said a Lion's Mane jellyfish washed up at Ayr beach

Alastair Burgess came across this jellyfish at Culzean beach. Mr Burgess said: "It looks more like a space invader. It's the biggest we have seen this year."

MCS said jellyfish played an important part in marine ecosystems, including as food for other animals.

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Large numbers of jellyfish, a type of simple organisms called cnidarians, occur in groups called blooms from spring through to autumn.

MCS said reported sightings would help it understand if there was anything unusual about this year's.

Ms Gemmell added: "Large strandings happen most years but they do vary in their timing and location.

"In favourable conditions of warming summer waters and plentiful food, jellyfish can reproduce rapidly, occurring in very large numbers.

"If these coincide with onshore winds or currents, then jellyfish, which can't swim strongly, can find themselves stranded on the shore.

"Jellyfish are a great indicator of change in our ocean, but we need more reports of them to fully understand our changing seas."
Investigators in California are looking to see if there are any connections between a missing child case from 1991 to a former pastor who is now in jail for murdering an 8-year-old girl in Pennsylvania nearly 50 years ago.

David Zandstra has been living in Marietta for the past 18 years with his family. Last week, he was arrested in the 1975 murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington, who vanished while walking to Bible school.

Zandstra was the pastor at one of the two churches the Bible school was held. Her father was the pastor of the 2nd church.

Prior to moving to Georgia nearly two decades ago, Zandstra lived in Fairfield, California. During his time living there, Amanda Campbell disappeared and has never been found.

Our research has led us to believe the suspect, David Zandstra, lived in the Fairfield area around the time Amanda Campbell went missing, the Fairfield Police Department said in an email to Channel 2 Action News on Thursday.

The department said that is the only connection they have between the two, but it has assigned a detective from its Special Victims Unit to look into the case and see if Zandstra could be a suspect in the girls disappearance.

Back here in Georgia, Channel 2s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell spoke to Detective Phil Stoddard with the Cobb County Police Department, who said that when Zandstra confessed to the Pennsylvania case, he was emotionless.

He was very calm. Placid, Stoddard said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Stoddard said Cobb County Police were contacted by Pennsylvania State Troopers two months ago and they requested police reach out to Zandstra and ask him about his ties to the family.

It was inside a room at the Cobb County Police Department that he confessed.

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A lot of times, when one is in custody, theres a lot of questions about whats going to happen next. What am I being charged with? Stoddard said. We got none of those questions from Mr. Zandstra.

A Pennsylvania State Trooper whose cracked numerous cold cases gave Harringtons case a fresh set of eyes, re-interviewing witnesses. He found alarming information, including a diary with disturbing allegations, that led him to Zandstra.

Zandstra pastored at five different congregations for the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

The organization issued a statement extending their condolences to the Harrington family and saying they are grieved to hear that a CRC pastor was responsible for her murder.

We join in prayer for the Harrington family and the Broomall, Pa., community. We are grateful that local law enforcement did not stop in their pursuit of answers, and we pray that the truth for Gretchen and any other survivors of abuse or violence will continue to come to light. We also commit to continue striving for our congregations to be places of peace, welcome, hospitality, and safety for all who attend and visit. As a denomination, we work hard to help our congregations be safe places that actively prevent abuse in all its forms. We encourage all congregations to have safe church policies and procedures in place to help prevent abuse.

RELATED NEWS:
The state of California is investigating the safety of Teslas autopilot technology amid complaints from customers and company employees, according to reports from CNBC and other outlets on Wednesday.

The complaints are related to so-called phantom braking issues in Tesla Model 3 cars, where the vehicles autopilot driving function suddenly causes it to stop in the middle of the road. The Phantom braking trend in Tesla models prompted a federal investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in early 2022.

Tesla owner Greg Webster reported the issue to the FTC in 2022, and a California attorney generals office employee reached out to Webster about the issue earlier this year, CNBC reported.

In addition to the safety risks of an autopilot vehicle stopping quickly on a highway, Webster also said he felt misled by Teslas advertising, which is marketed as full self driving.

Despite being advertised as such, Tesla autopilot is not a fully autonomous driving system, which industry experts categorize as Level 3. Teslas system is Level 2, which requires a driver at the wheel ready to pick up driving at any time.

Tesla should offer customers the option to receive a full refund of Autopilot features if they are unsatisfied with the product, Webster told CNBC. We bought a full autonomy product, and we received a driver monitoring product with partial autonomy.

Tesla Model 3 vehicles use Tesla Vision camera technology to detect the roadway ahead of the vehicle and any objects that may be in the road. Thats a new, different technology from the industry standard of radar, which is common among other auto manufacturers.

More than 750 people have complained of braking issues as of mid-2022.

Tesla has not publicly acknowledged the California investigation, and The Hill has reached out to the automaker for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vice President Kamala Harris attacked the erasure of Black history in three speeches this week and last. (Tony Avelar / Associated Press)

Republicans are doing their damnedest to make Vice President Kamala Harris a liability for President Bidens reelection, not without plenty of help from her over time.

But as they keep doing stupid stuff underscoring their racial insensitivity  the latest being Floridas and Gov. Ron DeSantis claim of a silver lining to slavery  Republicans have handed Harris an apt role: The Democrats weapon for calling them on their callousness, and for shoring up the Democratic base while shes at it.

Harris  the first woman, Black American and person of South Asian descent to be vice president  has had a pretty good week, turning the Republicans charge that Democrats are trying to politically indoctrinate Americas youth back onto the Republican Party itself. And shes put the lie to the claim that the left is forcing a guilt trip on white children simply by fully teaching them about the nations sins as well as its triumphs.

It helps that Harris is right: One of Americas triumphs is the progress made to expunge the countrys original sin, the racism inherent in the long enslavement of Black people.

DeSantis has given her an easy target. His insistence that Democrats are indoctrinating students on racial and sexual matters is central to his bumbling presidential campaign; rotely, ad nauseam, he promises to take his war on woke in Florida nationwide.

DeSantis is so wedded to his theme that he offered something of a defense for the indefensible at an event Friday when reporters challenged him about passages in Floridas new 216-page academic standards for teaching social studies. The curriculum bows to a 2022 state law DeSantis signed called the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act. Get it? The Stop WOKE Act.

Page 6 has this on how to teach about slavery: Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. And Page 17 tells teachers that educating kids about the race massacres of Black Americans will include acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans  the emphasis is mine  raising both-sidesism to an obscene level.

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Read more: Column: Ron DeSantis and the whitewashing of slavery's horrors

DeSantis, flanked almost entirely by white supporters, elaborated on the personal benefit of enslavement for Black folks: I think that theyre probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life.

What, you werent taught that the atrocity sanctioned for nearly a century in the U.S. Constitution doubled as vocational education? Or that those in bondage could parlay skills to their own profit, rather than solely for their enslavers gain?

Of course, DeSantis isnt alone in trafficking in such perilous ignorance, as he appeals to voters in a party thats become increasingly open to racism, nationalism and homophobia. Other Republican leaders are complicit by their silence, just as they have been for years by declining to unite in condemning Donald Trump for his obscenities.

When a prominent party figure challenges the fact that slavery was an unqualified horror, and foists that view onto children in the third-most populous state, it demands censure.

That is Harris point. She didnt even name DeSantis, not that she had to, when she rushed to Jacksonville, Fla., Friday to attack not only the architects of the states revised academic standards, but also others who want to be talked about as American leaders.

Lets be clear  I do believe this is not only about the state of Florida. There is a national agenda afoot, she said to a diverse audience. An agenda, as she described it, that encompasses book bans and dont-say-gay laws, as well as the soft-pedaling or even erasure of the nations racial history.

Harris was most impassioned on the history of slavery and racism: Come on  adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity in our world.

How is it, she asked, that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities, that there was any benefit to be subjected to this level of dehumanization?

On Monday, Harris was in Chicago delivering a similar message at separate conventions of the Latino group UnidosUS and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition founded by the just-retired Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. And on Tuesday, she joined Biden at a White House event to establish a national monument to the murdered Black teenager Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who by showing her sons mutilated corpse to the world in 1955 exposed the inhumanity of white supremacy.

Let us not be seduced into believing that somehow we will be better if we forget, Harris said at the Till commemoration. We will be better if we remember.

The vice president  call her Bidens attack dog, as some accounts have, or simply a truth-teller  is not going to dissuade Republicans from their attempt to rewrite history. Yet even if shes preaching to the choir, hers is a message that must go out.

Maybe shes finally found her niche.

@jackiekcalmes

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.
More than half of the children in Canadian foster homes are indigenous, despite them making up less than 8% of the country's child population, census data shows

Canada's Human Rights Tribunal has approved a landmark C$23.4bn ($17.7bn; 13.8bn) settlement for indigenous children and families harmed by the child welfare system.

It is said to be the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history.

The agreement also includes a request for an apology from the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

Around 300,000 people are expected to be compensated, including babies and children currently in care.

The settlement, approved on Wednesday, comes after the tribunal ruled in 2016 that Canada had underfunded on-reserve First Nations children's services compared to those for non-indigenous children.

This resulted in indigenous children being removed from their families unnecessarily and denied basic services, the ruling said.

Cindy Blackstock, the executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society who has helped negotiate the settlement, said the funds will go to indigenous people who were impacted by the child welfare system from 1991 to 2022.

"There are babies who are eligible for compensation," Ms Blackstock told BBC News. "A large number of these children in care are actually still children."

A federal court will review the settlement in October. If approved, those who are eligible could begin to receive the amount they are owed as early as summer 2024.

It is part of a long-running legal battle that began in 2007, when the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society filed a complaint alleging the child welfare system was discriminatory.

Nine years later, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) ruled against the federal government and ordered that it offer compensation payments worth C$40,000 plus interest for each indigenous child forced to leave their home to access services.

That amount is the maximum allowed under Canada's Human Rights Act.

Others, like caregivers and parents, as well as the children's estates, are also entitled to compensation.

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At one point, the Canadian government challenged the findings, arguing that the tribunal was wrong to award the pay-outs. At the time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his cabinet wanted to "make sure we're getting compensation right".

Later, the government said it would pay C$40bn - with C$20bn going to children and their families, and the other half going to child welfare reform.

That proposal was rejected by the CHRT in late 2022 because of fears that some children would be left out or not compensated enough.

Canada and the Assembly of First Nations then agreed to increase the settlement amount to C$23.3bn in April.

Marc Miller, the minister responsible for crown-indigenous relations at the time, has said the agreement is "an important part of Canada's accountability towards First Nations children".

The class-action settlement is one of the largest in North America, surpassed only by a $20bn pay-out from BP in 2010 to cover environmental damage caused by an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and a $206bn lawsuit against tobacco companies in 1998 to recover healthcare costs for tobacco-related illnesses.
Tax calculator

Britains capital gains tax burden is soaring due to rising asset prices and a government crackdown on tax-free allowances.

Investors and property owners paid 16.8bn in capital gains tax in the first five months of this year  compared to 14.1bn in the same period in 2022 and just 11bn the year before.

Jason Hollands, of the wealth manager Evelyn Partners, said: The tax environment for capital gains has become increasingly restrictive with a sharp reduction in the annual exemption this year to 6,000 and plans to halve it again next April to 3,000.

The dramatic cut to the tax-free allowance will force thousands of investors to pay tax on the profits from selling shares and funds for the first time.

If you think you could fall into the net, then it is vital you take the steps to shield your investments from the taxman. Luckily, there are many ways you can protect yourself.

What is capital gains tax?

How do I work out my capital gains tax bill?

Capital gains tax is charged on the profit you make when you sell an investment or a second property.

Basic-rate taxpayers will be charged 10pc when selling shares and 18pc for profits made on a property sale, whereas for higher and additional-rate taxpayers the rates are 20pc and 28pc respectively.

You will only need to pay tax if the gain  the difference between how much you sell and bought the investment for  is larger than the allowance.

More investors will find this is the case now that the allowance has been slashed, and will be cut again next year.

Laura Suter of stockbroker AJ Bell said: An investor who made 12,300 of gains a year would have incurred no capital gains tax last tax year. But when the allowance is reduced to 3,000 in April 2024 they will be paying 930 extra in capital gains tax each year if they are a basic-rate taxpayer, and 1,860 a year if they are a higher rate taxpayer.

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Capital Gains Tax  additional tax hit

Use up your allowances

If you hold investments outside of a tax-free wrapper, the best thing to do is transfer them into an Isa or  assuming you can part with the money for longer  into a pension.

The annual allowance for an Isa is 20,000, while most taxpayers can contribute up to 60,000 a year into their pension without paying tax.

If you are already sitting on large capital gains, you can sell the assets to realise a gain up to your remaining CGT allowance and then repurchase the investments within your Isa or pension to protect any future gains from the tax man.

These processes are called Bed and Isa or Bed and Pension and can be facilitated by your stockbroker.

Ms Suter said AJ Bell saw more people carrying out Bed and Isa transactions last year as savers rushed to lock in gains and protect themselves from tax. Lots of investors were spurred into action at the end of the last tax year, in a bid to beat this hike in wealth taxes.

Transfer money to your spouse

If you are married or in a civil partnership, then you can use two sets of capital gains tax allowances and ultimately realise gains of up to 12,000 this tax year without incurring a charge.

Ms Suter said: If your spouse is in a lower income tax bracket to you theres a double benefit, as they will pay capital gains tax at a lower rate than you. That means even if they have used up their allowances, there could still be a benefit to shifting the assets to them.

You can also use up your partners 20,000 Isa allowance, if yours is fully used up.

A word of caution on interspousal transfers. It is important to understand before you transfer an asset to your spouse that they will become the full, legal owner of that asset, Mr Hollands said, and therefore you should think twice if your relationship is rocky.

Now read: Breaking Isa transfer rules could trigger a tax bill  heres how to avoid it

Use your losses

If one investment makes a gain but in the same tax year another makes a loss, then that loss could be offset against the gain to potentially bring yourself under the tax-free limit.

If you do not use them this year, then you can carry your losses forward to offset against future gains. But you can only claim up to four years after the end of the tax year in which you sold the asset.

Mr Hollands said you can also deduct certain transaction costs, such as estate agent or solicitor fees, when calculating a capital gains tax liability.

Take steps to drop your income tax band

If you cross over into the higher-rate threshold, then the rate of capital gains tax you pay is immediately doubled.

Income tax in England, Northern Ireland and Wales

For investors who have crossed this threshold, it may be worth taking steps to bring yourself back into the basic rate tax band. One way to do this is by contributing into your pension.

Ms Suter said: When you contribute to your self-invested pension, or Sipp, the gross value of the contribution has the effect of extending your basic-rate income tax band.

She added: If you have used your full pension allowance this year or cannot make a pension contribution, you can also lower your taxable income by donating to charity. If youre eligible, you can then also claim gift aid on the donation.

Now read: How to avoid paying higher-rate tax, even if you earn 110,000

What if I make a big capital gain?

Mr Hollands said investors should avoid making a pregnant gain where a long-held investment accrues a large capital gains tax liability.

To avoid this big end-of-the-road tax bill it is possible to use your allowance each year by disposing of a portion of the asset while staying within the annual allowance and not triggering capital gains tax. If you want to remain invested in the long-term, after a short period (30 days) you can buy back the same investment.

He added that it is also possible for investors who have a substantial gain to defer a capital gains tax liability by reinvesting the gain into Enterprise Investment Scheme companies.

These are early-stage, unquoted companies, so investing in them is high risk. However, purchasing a share in an EIS company gives you a 30pc income tax credit and no capital gains tax will be due once the shares have been held for at least three years.

The liability will recrystallize after the EIS shares are sold. At death the liability will disappear and the shares will also be free from inheritance tax, provided they have been held for at least two years.

However Mr Hollands said that with capital gains tax rates relatively low at 20pc, higher-rate taxpayers may decide it is better to pay the tax than to take a risk on an EIS investment.

Should a future government align capital gains tax and income tax rates, a move some Labour MPs support, this feature of EIS may become more tempting, he said.

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Every year, especially during hurricane season, the warnings go out: Don't use generators inside or near your house because of the risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

And most people also know about the danger of keeping a car running inside a garage.

The deaths of three Marines  including one from Naples  show the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning are only too real.

Here's what you should know about the deadly gas around us every day.

What happened to the 3 Marines?

Three U.S. Marines were found dead inside a parked car at a gas station in a North Carolina community over the weekend, authorities said.

The Pender County Sheriff's Office said deputies were responding to a report of a missing person when they found the three Marines at about 9 a.m. July 23 at a Speedway convenience store in Hampstead, about 30 miles south of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Results from autopsies showed the three died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The U.S. Marines Corps announced the names of the three men as: Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida; Marine Corps Lance Corporal Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, from Madison, Wisconsin; and Marine Corps Lance Corporal Merax C. Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma.

'It can't be': 3 Marines found in car near Camp Lejeune died of carbon monoxide poisoning

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in the blood, according to the Mayo Clinic.

When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, the body replaces the oxygen in the red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage or death.

It gas no odor, color or taste and is sometimes referred as the "invisible gas."

Where does carbon monoxide come from?

Carbon monoxide is found in fumes that are produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines  including generators stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges or furnaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

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Carbon monoxide can build up indoors and poison anyone or anything that breathes it.

Appliances and engines that aren't well vented can cause the gas to build up to dangerous levels. A tightly enclosed space makes the buildup worse, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning according to the Centers for Disease Control, are:

Headache.

Dizziness.

Weakness.

Upset stomach.

Vomiting.

Chest pain.

Confusion.

Symptoms are often described as flu-like.

If you breathe in a lot of carbon monoxide, it can make you pass out or kill you, according to the Centers for Disease Control. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before they have symptoms.

How fast can carbon monoxide become deadly?

High concentrations of carbon monoxide kill in less than five minutes, according to Iowa State University's Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

At low concentrations, it takes longer to affect the body. Exceeding the EPA concentration of 9 ppm for more than eight hours is suspected to produce adverse health effects. The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety limit for healthy workers is 50 parts per million.

Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to measure the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and sound an alarm if enough of the gas is around long enough to become a problem, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

If detected over the course of a few hours, carbon monoxide at 70 ppm will trigger an alarm. At the other end of the spectrum, dangerous concentrations above 400 ppm will do the same after just a few minutes.

What are the long-term effects of carbon monoxide exposure?

Continued exposure to carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain, nerve, or heart damage. Some people require years to recover while others never fully recover.

For those who survive, recovery is slow, according to Penn Medicine.

How well a person recovers depends on the amount and length of exposure to carbon monoxide. Permanent brain damage may occur.

If the person still has impaired mental ability after two weeks, the chance of a complete recovery is worse.

How is carbon monoxide poisoning treated?

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air immediately and call 911.

Treatment at the hospital may include:

Breathing pure oxygen to help organs and tissues.

Getting treatment in an oxygen chamber. This helps replace carbon monoxide with oxygen in the blood to protect the heart and brain tissue from carbon monoxide damage.

Do you really turn bright red with carbon monoxide poisoning?

Cherry-red skin color is seen in only 2 percent to 3 percent of cases, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Where should you place carbon monoxide detectors in your home?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends every home have a carbon monoxide alarm.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends a carbon monoxide detector onevery floor of your home, including a basement.

A detector should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door and there should be one near or over any attached garage.

Each detector should be replaced every five to six years.

Home monitors: Monitor your home's indoor air quality for these dangerous gases

When should you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning?

Some clues for a family include:

Entire family is sick at the same time.

Flu-like symptoms decrease while away from the house.

Illness is present when gas appliances are in use.

Excess moisture on the interior of windows.

Can carbon monoxide really get into your car?

Yes. There are several ways carbon monoxide can enter a vehicle, whether your vehicle is stationary or moving.

The most common method of carbon monoxide entering the car is via the heating and air conditioning system, according to Forensics Detectors.

Carbon monoxide also can enter a vehicle if there is an exhaust leak in the engine bay or under the vehicle. The gas also can enter the vehicle via the trunk.

Being exposed to carbon monoxide while driving can impair your motor skills, reflex time and hand-eye coordination.

Are there carbon monoxide detectors for your car?

There are meters that will detect any potential carbon monoxide buildup in your vehicle cabin, according to Forensics Detectors.

"We suggest using a portable CO detector designed for vehicles that can sound an alarm at 9 parts per million (ppm)," according to Forensics Detectors website.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Carbon monoxide poisoning: Symptoms, impact, monitors for home, auto
BANGUI (Reuters) - Central African Republic's opposition is calling for a boycott of a constitutional referendum on Sunday that could see President Faustin-Archange Touadera extend his time in office.

Touadera was first elected in 2016 and won reelection in 2020. He has been campaigning for the constitutional referendum which, if passed, would remove a two-term presidential limit and enable him run again.

Evariste Ngamana, head of the referendum campaign and vice president of the national assembly, said on Thursday that 80% of voters have been mobilised and called on the people to vote "yes".

However, the opposition coalition Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution has asked Central Africans to boycott the vote and stay home.

"The Political Bureau of the URCS (Union for Central African Renewal) urges the entire population... to refrain from taking part in this gigantic swindle, not to go to the polling stations and to freely go about their Sunday activities," the opposition party said in a statement on Wednesday.

Opposition leader Joseph Bendounga also said he was campaigning for abstention in Sunday's referendum.

Touadera turned to Russia for help tackling rebel groups which occupy large swaths of territory. The country of around 5.5 million people which is rich in gold, diamonds, and timber has struggled to find stability since independence in 1960.

Russia first sent security contractors to CAR in 2018, and stepped up its support with more than 1,500 troops including instructors and soldiers fighting alongside the country's army. Insecurity has persisted.

Dozens of troops from Russia's Wagner private military company arrived in the country earlier this month to help secure the constitutional referendum, the presidency said.

(Reporting by Judicael Yongo; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Nellie Peyton and Jonathan Oatis)
Chase Chrisley is sharing the nightmare conditions that his parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, are experiencing while at prison.

In the July 25 episode of Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley, the 27-year-old and sister Savannah Chrisley recalled recently visiting their parents seeing them live in inhumane conditions.

The Chrisley Knows Best couple reported to their respective prisons on Jan. 17 after being convicted of tax fraud. Todd Chrisley is serving 12 years at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, while Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years at Federal Medical Center (FMC) Lexington in Kentucky.

You went and saw Dad and you got to hear about the cluster of everything going on at his facility, Savannah Chrisley asked her brother.

Its a nightmare, he replied, adding, Now they both have no air conditioning. They are both in states where it gets to be 100+ degrees and theres no air conditioning.

While Savannah Chrisley said that at her moms prison she has rattlesnakes just casually slithering on the floor in front of her, Chase Chrisley clarified that they arent rattlesnakes but they were poisonous snakes.

So she just had snakes literally right there where her bed is, Savannah Chrisley continued, with Chase Chrisley adding, And then the way they think to apprehend the snake is to mace it.

The siblings continued by expressing their frustrations over the conditions inside the prisons, regardless if it's the parents.

I dont care if you killed somebody, if youre in a government facility, you should have air conditioning, he said, while his sister said that air conditioning is the least of it.

Savannah Chrisley, noted that she understands its prison and people dont have any sympathy for it, but said that theres black mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, snakes.

Were not going to sit here and act like it should be the Four Seasons, she said, before they both acknowledged that they do care how their parents are living. When your loved ones sitting there, literally having a heat stroke and ending up in a hospital or not being fed properly (it pisses you off), she said.

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The brother and sister, meanwhile, said that their parents are doing fine with what theyre given and are very, very strong individuals.

But while in inhumane conditions, theyre keeping their sanity, she said. Theyre putting one foot in front of the other. So theyre not giving up, there is no admission of guilt... Since the beginning, theyve always, always said (that theyre innocent).

Todd and Julie Chrisley, meanwhile, are appealing the conviction. The family has sought new legal representation, per Chase and Savannah Chrisley.

At the end of the day, I want mom and dad home, Savannah Chrisley  who got custody of her 17-year-old brother Grayson and 10-year-old niece Chloe while her parents are in prison  said.

The 25-year-old has kept her listeners updated on her parents wellbeing. Back in January, she said their dad was working in the chapel, while their mom was playing cards and also going to church.

The latest podcast episode came out the same day that Chase Chrisley announced that he and his fiancee, Emmy Medders, split nine months after getting engaged. While talking to his sister, Chase Chrisley said he was doing OK.

Without mentioning the breakup, Savannah Chrisley joked about how he wasnt giving any personal juice for the tabloids to take and run with. He replied that he was trying to keep his name out of the tabloids, but would possibly share more details of his personal life next time they sat down for another podcast episode.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
File

One of Ouachita Parish's largest employers is celebrating 30 years of operation in Monroe.

JP Morgan Chase marked the milestone Wednesday by announcing a $40,000 investment to Ascent Health, helping local students pay for job training certification fees.

Chase Manhattan Mortgage acquired Troy & Nichols from First Gibraltar Mortgage Holdings on July 6, 1993. Chase expanded the operation that was originally founded in 1982, adding $10 billion of residential mortgage loans to the center's existing servicing portfolio of $48 billion.

In 1994, Chase changed the name of the Monroe operation to Chase Manhattan Mortgage, which later evolved into Chase Home Lending.

"Chase and the local Chase team are unsung heroes of Monroe and Northeast Louisiana," Roy Heatherly, President & CEO of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. "Each day through financial support and volunteerism they do great and heroic things with very little recognition. We are blessed beyond words to call them friends. Chase is one of the big reasons 'It's a beautiful day in Monroe, Louisiana'."

There are more than 1,000 employees at the Monroe campus supporting Chase customers across the country. Locally, mortgage servicing accounts for about 75 percent of the business and 25 percent is consumer originations and auto financing. Chase is the third-largest non-governmental employer in Northeast Louisiana.

In addition to serving customers, Chase is an active community partner in Northeast Louisiana and supports various local organizations working to drive inclusive growth throughout the region.

The investment to Ascent will help cover certification exam fees for high school students completing job readiness training courses in both Ouachita Parish and Monroe City School Systems.

"Ascent is happy to partner with Chase in service to the students of Ouachita Parish," Brady Middleton, Director of Business Development for Ascent, said. "We are excited to see the impact this grant will have on not only the students of Monroe City and Ouachita Parish Schools, but also on their skill development and job readiness training as they prepare to enter the workforce. Thank you, Chase, for helping Ascent reach our mission, 'Serve Communities. Inspire Change'."

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"I'm so proud of this partnership with Ascent and its impact of removing barriers to career opportunities for young people in our region," Tania Hilburn, Managing Director and Site Lead for Chase in Monroe, said. "We're dedicated to driving economic growth that lifts up everyone in our communities. Our employees in Monroe share a passion for supporting their customers, their communities and each other."

"It's been a great experience working at Chase not just because I work alongside co-workers and supervisors who support my professional goals, but because I'm able to have a positive impact on my community," Torrence Sampson, Consultant at Custody Services for Chase in Monroe. "Whether I'm helping high schoolers with college readiness through Chase Leadership Academy or volunteering in food distribution with an internal business resource group like B.O.L.D. (Black Organization for Leadership Development), I have so many opportunities to make a difference in my community."

Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.

Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Chase donates $40K to Ascent to assist students with certifications
A body of a teenager was discovered in a murder suspects home (Chicago Police Department)

While investigating a 33-year-old suspect charged with murdering a 69-year-old HVAC contractor to death in broad daylight, authorities say they found a teenagers body in the suspects freezer.

The two deaths are linked by one man, according to authorities: Brandon Sanders.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, during an investigation of the suspects home, police discovered a teenagers body in the freezer. The victim was identified as 18-year-old Iman Al-Sarraj.

Mr Sanders has not been charged with the murder of Al-Sarraj, the Chicago Sun Times reported.

My heart is shattered in a million pieces, Al-Sarrajs father told the Sun Times. I will never, ever have a normal life, especially after I saw my daughters face and what the monster did to her.

Mr Sanders has been charged in another case, however.

Rasim Katanic was stabbed on 12 May around 4.40pm as he was working on a walk-in cooler compressor on the rooftop of a restaurant in West Ridge, Illinois. More than a month later, on 29 June, Mr Sanders, of Evanston, Illinois, was arrested for the fatal stabbing, according to the charge release.

Mr Sanders faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and residential burglary; he appeared in court on Tuesday.

My dad was slaughtered, Aida Sutardjo, Katanics daughter, told ABC 7.

This is not was not the first time my dad was on that roof. This has been my dads long-term client for 10-plus years, she told the outlet. He probably didnt think my dad was working. He probably did not see or assume anybody was working on that roof, encountered my dad, and then, I think, we know what happened.

According to the Tribune, the prosecution said after stabbing Katanic in the neck and head, Mr Sanders stole his wallet, keys and a screwdriver. The tool was used to unscrew and remove a skylight to a neighboring apartment building to force his way inside, the state argued.

But Mr Sanders wasnt done with his crime spree, as the prosecutors called it. Once he made his way inside Loyola graduates apartment, they continued, Sanders shaved in the bathroom, removed his own clothes and grabbed something new to wearalong with three watchesbefore leaving.

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When he swapped clothes, he seemed to have forgotten his wallet and ID cards, which the graduate students found the next day mixed with the clothes and a water bottle. DNA on the water bottle matched Sanders, they said. Furthermore, video footage captured Sanders leaving the building wearing the stolen clothes. The buildings mailbox also had the Katanics screwdriver sitting on top of it.

Prosecutors noted Mr Sanders unusual behaviour earlier that day. He had apparently visited a nearby furniture store, where his relatives work. The 33-year-old reportedly told the business owner that they didnt have to pay rent anymore because his landlord was on the roof dead and that he took care of that, Assistant States Attorney Kathryn Morrissey said. Its unclear whether Katanic was actully the landlord.

Two hours before Katanics death, according to the state, Mr Sanders entered a bank and called the FBIs national threat operation center to report a plot to overthrow the government, and gave his name and address.

Mr Sanders attorney cited his possible mental health issues and said there was no video evidence linking her client directly to Katanics stabbing. Mr Sanders was denied bail.

In August 2019, the suspect was also charged in Montana, facing counts of human trafficking and aggravated promotion of prostitution among others.
China is helping Russia evade Western sanctions and may be providing Moscow with military technology

According to U.S. intelligence agencies, China might be assisting Russia in evading Western sanctions and likely supplies Moscow with military and dual-use technologies, Reuters reported on July 27.

A recent unclassified U.S. National Intelligence report alleges that China is providing Russia with dual-use technologies, which the Russian military uses to continue the war in Ukraine, notwithstanding international sanctions and export controls. State defense corporations in China are suspected of delivering navigation equipment, electronic warfare technologies, and components for fighter jets to Russian defense firms under sanctions.

Read also: US, Canada impose new sanctions against Russian banks and MIC

The PRC is providing some dual-use technology that Moscow's military uses to continue the war in Ukraine, despite an international cordon of sanctions and export controls, Reuters quotes from the document.

Read also: Beijing has chosen a triumphant moment: How China takes advantage of Russia's war  opinion

The report further states that, since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, China has evolved into an "even more important partner" for Russia. The United States and its allies have consistently alleged that China is considering the provision of weapons to Russia. U.S. media suggested that these weapons might include drones, ammunition, and artillery. Beijing refutes these allegations, while Kyiv states that it sees no evidence of direct military assistance from China to Russia.

Read also: China reacts to NATO criticism, warns of resolute response

On July 21, an advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron stated that China is supplying military equipment to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.

Politico recently reported that imports of drones from China to Russia in 2023 exceeded $100 million, which is 30 times more compared to Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas military has launched an inquiry into corruption linked to procuring hardware going back more than five years, urging the public to step forward with tips on wrongdoing.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In an unusual move, the militarys Equipment Development Department listed eight issues it was looking into, including leaking information on projects and army units and helping certain companies secure bids.

The inquiry will focus on experts who reviewed the tender process, the department said in a statement on social media on Wednesday night, and was needed to create a good environment for procurement bidding and evaluation and to rectify violations of rules and discipline.

The investigation is a sign that Chinese leader Xi Jinpings nearly decade-long drive to clean up the Peoples Liberation Army is incomplete. Back in 2014, China started launching probes into some of its top current and retired generals, including two who had sat on the body that runs the PLA, the Central Military Commission.

See: Xi Urges China Military to Strengthen Communist Party Leadership

That has coincided with Xi pushing Chinas military to to modernize, including by stepping up innovation. Under his watch, China set a goal of fielding a modern military by 2027. The USs top uniformed officer, General Mark Milley, has told Congress that Xi wanted the ability to overrun Taiwan by 2027.

Xi  chair of the Central Military Commission  called for strengthening governance of the armed forces at a meeting of the Communist Partys 24-member Politburo on Monday, citing the need to improve oversight of spending. That came just days after he called on the party to command absolute leadership over the military.

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The latest announcement said that the military is investigating problems going back to October 2017, without saying why that date was significant. Chinas current defense minister, Li Shangfu, headed the equipment department from September 2017 to 2022, though there is no sign that he is suspected of wrongdoing.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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The US intelligence has found out that China is supplying Russia with military technologies that Russia uses in the war against Ukraine.

Source: an unclassified assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on the support provided by the Peoples Republic of China to Russia in their war against Ukraine released by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Details: The US National Intelligence said that "The PRC is providing some dual-use technology that Moscows military uses to continue the war in Ukraine, despite an international cordon of sanctions and export controls."

Quote from the report: "The customs records show PRC state-owned defense companies shipping navigation equipment, jamming technology, and fighter-jet parts to sanctioned Russian Government-owned defense companies."

Details: The US National Intelligence also reported that China became Russias "most important trading partner" since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with payments made in Chinese yuan. China has increased its imports of Russian energy, and financial institutions in both countries are expanding the use of internal payment systems.

Quote from the report: "The Intelligence Community lacks sufficient reporting to assess whether Beijing is deliberately inhibiting United States Government export control end-use checks, including interviews and investigations, in the PRC."

Background:

Politico earlier reported that China has ramped up its trade of dual-use goods with Russia, assisting Moscow in importing sanctioned Western technologies and other things, despite its public calls for peace.

Emmanuel Bonn, advisor to the President of France, said that France has evidence that China is assisting Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
By Andrea Shalal and Angelo Amante

WASHINGTON/ROME (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met at the White House on Thursday, vowing to deepen economic ties and strengthen cooperation on challenges posed by China, while skirting differences over LGBTQ rights.

Italy's first woman prime minister came to power last October and is staking out an assertive role abroad as she plans the upcoming Italian presidency of the Group of 7 (G7) nations in 2024.

Meloni and her right-wing coalition have staked out positions on abortion and LGBTQ rights sharply at odds with those of Biden, a Democrat who used last year's Italian election results as an occasion to warn fellow liberals about dangers facing the world's democracies.

On Thursday, Biden welcomed Meloni and said they had "become friends," and Meloni later told reporters that neither he nor the several U.S. lawmakers with whom she met brought up LGBTQ rights. "Nobody asked me anything on this," she said.

Meloni said she had a clear preference for Republicans, but that would not stop her from having "a great relationship" with Biden.

She said the two leaders discussed Italy's participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but Washington's approach was not to dictate Italy's policy on China.

"Our relations are strong," Meloni said at the start of the Oval Office meeting with Biden. "They cross governments and remain solid regardless of their political colors. We know who our friends are in times that are tough."

Meloni also used her first trip to Washington to spend some time on Capitol Hill, where her meetings included a visit with Republican House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Rome and Washington both emphasized the trip as an opportunity to reaffirm a strong partnership between the countries, including over the billions of dollars in military and other aid the West has provided Ukraine in its grinding war against Russia since 2022.

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During a small portion of the meeting open to reporters, Biden complimented Italy on what he said was its strong stance on Ukraine. Meloni said she was proud that Italy has helped defend international law.

Washington hopes the West's alliance against Russia's Ukraine invasion will help deter China from changing the status quo in democratically ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, and the broader Pacific.

The two leaders emphasized areas of cooperation and unity in a joint statement issued after the meeting, vowing to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes and to strengthening dialogue on the "opportunities and challenges posed by the People's Republic of China."

INCREASING TRADE

Meloni must decide in coming months over whether to maintain Italy's membership in Beijing's Belt and Road (BRI) infrastructure plan, a program which Washington has been working to counter.

Biden said Italy and the United States would only see their mutual trade increase.

"We're talking about our deepening economic connection that has fueled more than $100 billion in trade last year," Biden said during the White House meeting. "In my mind, there's no reason why that can't increase."

Biden brought some officials to the meeting who have a primarily economic portfolio, including his commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, whose department has spearheaded export controls on high-tech goods being sold to China.

Italy in 2019 became the first and so far only G7 nation to join China's major infrastructure initiative, with critics saying the partnership would enable China to gain control of sensitive technologies and vital infrastructure.

Italy is seen as highly unlikely to renew its BRI deal when it expires in March 2024, and Meloni said in May it was possible to have good relations with Beijing without being part of the pact.

Meloni, who said she planned to visit China during one of her next diplomatic missions and may meet one-on-one with Chinese President Xi Jinping, pointedly described the United States as "our most important trade partner outside the European Union." She also took aim at trade practices that undermined workers rights and safety and called for "fair" trade, in what trade experts saw as another jab at Beijing.

The G7 formally launched the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, its alternative to the BRI, last year. G7 countries said in May at their leaders' summit in Japan that they were trying to "reduce excessive dependencies" on other countries but "not decoupling or turning inwards."

The Biden-Meloni meeting took place less than a week after she hosted an international conference on migration in Rome, as Italy tries to cope with a high volume of migrants arriving by boat from North Africa.

Italy was planning to discuss with the U.S. how to support the development and stability of Africa, Meloni's office said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Angelo Amante in Rome; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson; Writing by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Don Durfee, Diane Craft, Alistair Bell and Leslie Adler)
Sweeping exit bans and arbitrary detentions in China are having a chilling effect, among not just the Chinese diaspora with ties to their homeland but also international businesses increasingly anxious about operating there, Western experts and human rights watchdogs say.

Under President Xi Jinpings decadelong rule, China has become more authoritarian by seeking to control many aspects of public life, from internet censorship and rewriting high school textbooks to imposing ideological crackdowns on the music and entertainment industries.

The Chinese government rejects these characterizations. But for many people and businesses with links to China, operating there has only become more difficult. Its increased use of so-called exit bans and sweeping new counterespionage laws are creating a hostile environment for foreign business, according to experts.

These changes have altered the life of one naturalized American citizen from Shanghai who asked not to be named to protect family and friends still living in China.

Before the pandemic lockdowns, he would travel to Shanghai every two years to visit his family and friends. But post-Covid things started to change, he said, and after a recent State Department advisory against traveling to China, combined with news reports about people being detained for no reason, he now thinks twice before booking a flight.

Before Covid we used to go there every other year. And every time we went back it changed so much, generally in the right direction. There were more people and the city was getting fancier, he said. But since Covid, there were so many things that happened, especially the lockdown in Shanghai, and the political situation is very different.

He said he would return in the event of a family emergency but wants to avoid it if at all possible.

I dont just want to go back because officials can stop you for whatever and you cannot leave, he said. Im not saying Im sure Im going to be stopped, but there is a possibility and thats a concern, especially as I have a family here.

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It was against this backdrop that the State Department issued its advisory in late June, urging Americans to reconsider travel to mainland China because of arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions.

U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment, the advisory reads, with officials potentially using these bans to pressure the family members of alleged dissidents abroad and gain leverage over foreign governments.

Andrew Scobell, a distinguished fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, an independent Washington think tank funded by Congress, said China has really ratcheted up the intimidation and its meant to cow people into silence.

But it will have adverse effects, including intimidating people to the extent that they wont go back and intimidating CEOs and other business leaders, he added.

Part of the issue is that China does not recognize dual citizenship, creating complications for naturalized Americans of Chinese descent.

A man talks to another person through a makeshift barricade to control entry and exit to a residential compound on March 8, 2020 in Wuhan, China. (Getty Images)

Beijing believes the global Chinese population have a shared cultural background, irrespective of their nationality anywhere else and they owe a debt of cultural obligation to China, according to David Lampton, a professor emeritus at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington.

These people feel particularly vulnerable to arbitrary action by China, which feels perfectly unconstrained to do with you what they want  irrespective of what other nationality documents you may hold, he said. People with dual travel documents dont necessarily know what the rules are, he added. You can think youre subject to American consular protection and so on but that may in fact not be the case.

This comes as relations between Washington and Beijing continue to cool off, with President Joe Biden characterizing his presidency as a U.S.-led democratic struggle against the autocracies, namely China. He and others want to de-risk their relationship with Beijing, in theory continuing lucrative trade but restricting some exports, such as microchips, while retaining the right to criticize China over human rights and other alleged malpractices.

China frequently bristles at what it sees as foreign meddling and has denied the allegations made in the travel advisory.

China welcomes the people and businesses of all countries, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said when asked about it on July 10. We are committed to protecting their safety and lawful rights and interests in China in accordance with the law, including their freedom of entry and exit.

On the same day, Chinas Foreign Ministry issued a warning to Chinese people in the U.S.

There have been frequent incidents of gun violence and discrimination against Asians in the United States, it said. It reminded Chinese citizens in the U.S. to pay close attention to the local social security situation and beware of falling into the tricks and traps of the U.S.

Human rights watchdogs and independent international analysts say the evidence suggests Beijings protestations of innocence are unfounded.

Since 2018, Xis China has passed or amended five laws authorizing exit bans, bringing the total to 15, according to the Spain-based human rights group Safeguard Defenders. Mentions of exit bans have skyrocketed eightfold in Chinas Supreme Peoples Court database, it said.

These bans have been used for years to target Uyghurs, the mostly Muslim ethnic group that Washington and others say Beijing persecutes. But the bans' reach is widening, according to Safeguard Defenders, encompassing relatives of activists and so-called fugitives living outside of China, as well as human rights defenders, businesspeople, officials and foreigners, the group said in an April report. These bans are often complex, vague and impossible to appeal, it said.

Furthermore, on July 1, China updated its counterespionage law, broadening the definition of spying and banning the transfer of any data the government deems related to national security. Fear is rife within the international business community that this could be used to target anyone indiscriminately.

Even before it was updated, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned in April that the law was a matter of serious concern for the investor community. It said in a statement that it cast a wide net over the range of documents, data or materials considered relevant to national security. This additional scrutiny dramatically increases the uncertainties and risks of doing business in China, it added.

The reach of Xis China does not end at its borders. In April, two people in New York were arrested on charges of operating an illegal Chinese police station, part of what Safeguard Defenders says is a global network to monitor dissidents that stretches to the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands, all of which have opened parallel investigations. China denies this, saying the facilities are volunteer-run sites assisting Chinese nationals with renewing drivers licenses and other services.

This landscape risks mainland China going the way of Hong Kong, which saw an exodus of intellectuals and entrepreneurs when Beijing introduced a new national security law in 2020 that critics said eroded its historical freedoms.

It isnt just ideological suppression, it can be a tool in business relations gone sour, said Lampton at Johns Hopkins. Chinese officials could snatch someone involved in a business deal off the street and say, Youre not leaving until weve resolved this.

For the unnamed naturalized American citizen from China, all of this presents an uncertain future, with his homeland subject to the chaotic whims of geopolitics.

I think its going to get better, maybe in a year or two, he said. It depends on what happens between the U.S. and China.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
California Highway Patrol investigators this week arrested a 66-year-old Elk Grove man accused of possessing more than 44,000 digital images of child pornography.

The Elk Grove man was arrested Wednesday after a three-month investigation by the CHPs Computer Crimes Investigation Unit. He remained in custody Wednesday at the Sacramento County Jail.

He was being held without bail, and is scheduled to make his first appearance Friday afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court, jail and court records show. He faces charges of possessing material depicting child sexual abuse, the CHP announced Thursday in a news release.

The investigation began in April, when an investigator identified an IP address located Elk Grove that was suspected of downloading and distributing a significant quantity of child sexual abuse material, CHP officials said.

The IP address led investigators to the Elk Grove mans home, according to officers. The CHP said the man lived there alone. Authorities in May served a search warrant at his home.

The CHP said investigators spent the next several weeks forensically analyzing multiple computers and storage media seized from the mans home residence and found more than 44,000 pictures and videos of sexually abused children in ages from 3 to 13 years old. Officials said the digitally stored child porn images totaled almost 200 gigabytes.

On Wednesday, the investigators and the CHP Valley Division Warrant Service Team served an arrest warrant in the 8900 block of Vista Campo Way in Elk Grove, where the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The CHPs commitment to public safety extends beyond the highway, CHP Deputy Commissioner Troy Lukkes said in the news release. Protecting the public from crimes of victimization and investigating those who engage in child exploitation is a top priority for members of our Computer Crimes Investigation Unit.
A 27-year-old man believed to be responsible for a recent road rage freeway shooting on Interstate 15 was arrested by California Highway Patrol investigators.

Public safety is the top priority of the CHP, said CHP Capt. Mario Lucio, San Bernardino area commander. Freeway shootings are a serious crime, and the CHP has highly trained personnel to actively investigate each incident of highway violence.

Road rage on Interstate 15

Around 9 p.m. July 19, the driver of a gray Toyota Yaris was involved in a road rage incident with the driver of a blue Peterbilt truck tractor. The suspect, later identified as Mingo Vera, shot the front right passenger side of the Peterbilt, narrowly missing the driver, CHP officials said.

Vera fled the scene and headed north on I-15, taking the Interstate 215 transition road. CHP investigators obtained the license plate of the Vera's car and urged nearby police to be on the lookout.

On July 22, Fontana police officers made a traffic stop and discovered the driver was Vera. CHP investigators arrived on the scene and arrested Vera.

CHP impounded the San Bernardino man's vehicle, and found evidence and the gun they believe was used by the Vera during the road rage incident.

Vera was booked into San Bernardino County Sheriffs Central Detention Center on suspicion of attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and negligent discharge of a firearm. His bail is set at just over $1.1 million, booking records show.

CHP officials said the publics help is essential to combating aggressive drivers and road rage. Anyone who witnesses any type of dangerous behavior is encouraged to call 911 and report the incident.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to call CHP Officer Dylan Gates at 909-383-4247.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: CHP officials arrest road rage shooting suspect from San Bernardino
GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie is calling for a special counsel to be appointed to oversee investigations into the dealings of the Biden family one day after a plea deal for Hunter Biden spectacularly collapsed.

"The attorney general has to appoint a special counsel tomorrow," Christie said on "Making Money with Charles Payne." "Get this out of the hands of the Joe Biden Justice Department. Put it in the hands of a special counsel. That's what should have happened right at the beginning, in my opinion. And it absolutely needs to happen now."

"This is a charade. Get rid of US Attorney Weiss & appoint a special counsel who will investigate with competence and independence," the former New Jersey governor said on Twitter.

DOJ REVEALS HUNTER BIDEN STILL UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FOR POTENTIAL FARA VIOLATIONS

Presidential candidate Chris Christie, right, says Hunter Biden's plea deal "makes no sense."

Christie spoke after a plea deal, in which Biden was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax and therefore avoid jail time on a felony gun charge, fell apart on Wednesday.

The judge refused to accept the deal as prosecutors revealed that the presidents son is still under federal investigation. The judge raised constitutional concerns about the diversion deal, in which Biden could be charged with the gun charge if he breached the deal.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Christie, himself a former prosecutor, agreed with the judges view of the deal.

JONATHAN TURLEY SKEWERS DOJ AFTER HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL FALLS APART: 'A PROBLEM OF THEIR OWN MAKING'

"I looked at that plea deal and it made no sense. Give somebody two misdemeanor tax counts, dismiss a gun charge, and give them immunity. For what? And I think that's exactly what the judge said, that this makes no sense," he said.

"No one could explain it, then the government backs off and says, 'Well, he's not really immune for other stuff. The defense says, Wait a second, I thought we were and we're off to the races."

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Christie said a special counsel, if appointed, would have the authority of the attorney general to investigate as they see fit.

BIDENS NARRATIVE ON NEVER DISCUSSING BUSINESS DEALS WITH HUNTER CONTINUES TO CRUMBLE

"So the authority is incredibly broad, and he doesn't need, or she doesn't need the approval of anybody to bring the charges, as we're seeing with the Special Counsel Jack Smith, on the Trump stuff," he said. "There should be exactly the same thing."

Christie also warned that if President Biden were involved in his son's business dealings, it could open a lane for an impeachment inquiry.

"And what's this mean for President Biden? More and more investigation into Hunter's business dealings, which there should be. And if [POTUS] has any connection to them and that can be proven, then an impeachment inquiry probably would be appropriate," he said.

The White House, meanwhile, has continued to say it respects the independence of the Justice Department and that there has been no interference from the president on behalf of his son.

"Hunter Biden is a private citizen, and this was a personal matter for him. As we have said, the president, the first lady  they love their son and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. "This case was handled independently, as all of you know, by the Justice Department under the leadership of a prosecutor appointed by the former president, President Trump."

Fox News' Brooke Singman and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.
The FCA has the power to intervene and investigate NatWest and other banks accused of closing down the accounts of politicians - ROBERT EVANS/ALAMY

The financial watchdog is poised to investigate NatWest over whether the bank unlawfully discriminated against customers on political grounds.

Banking laws overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) prevent banks from being prejudiced against customers.

The Payment Accounts Regulations 2019 make it an offence to withhold or shut down accounts of customers on discriminatory grounds including for sex, race and religious reasons. But it also stops banks shutting down accounts because of a clients political beliefs.

The rule would give the FCA power to intervene and investigate NatWest and other banks accused of closing down the accounts of politicians. The furore has been sparked by the decision of Coutts, which is owned by NatWest, to shut down Nigel Farages accounts after it compiled a 40-page dossier that concluded his views do not align with our values.

Sources at the FCA said the watchdog was monitoring the situation carefully before deciding whether to intervene. An investigation will be launched if the FCA is unhappy with the way an independent review, commissioned by NatWest into the scandal of its own making, is conducted.

A source at the FCA said: We will let NatWest go through the process of the independent review first and then decide if we need to take any further action.

The source added: We are not ruling out supervisory action. We are in touch with NatWest but we are awaiting the outcome of NatWests own review. We are certainly not ruling out further intervention with the bank. But we also want to look at how widespread this might be. We are taking a close interest.

The source said that while the FCA did have the power to launch criminal inquiries it would likely go down the route of a civil investigation. The FCAs powers are extensive and can even include withdrawing a firms authorisation to operate as well as banning individuals from working in the regulated financial sector.

Mr Farage has already reported NatWest and Coutts to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). That regulator is also considering launching an inquiry into whether NatWest broke data laws, firstly over compiling the dossier and then over the admission by its then chief executive Dame Alison Rose that she briefed a story to the BBC about Mr Farages private banking arrangements. She has admitted a serious error of judgment in doing so.

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The prospect of twin investigations by both the ICO and FCA will cause further alarm at NatWest after a bruising month. Dame Alison was finally forced to resign after Downing Street briefed that Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt had significant concerns about her remaining in post.

The scandal that has engulfed the bank was prompted by a series of Telegraph investigations that disclosed the existence of the dossier on Mr Farage, the former leader of Ukip, and that Dame Alison had sat next to Simon Jack, the BBCs business editor, prior to his story, that proved to be inaccurate, that Mr Farages accounts had been shut down for commercial reasons rather because of concerns over his political views.

On Wednesday, Andrew Griffith, the Treasury minister in charge of financial and City conduct, warned executives of the major high street banks that it was not their job to tell us what to think or what political party we should support.

Data compiled from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), an independent body that settles issues between customers and lenders, showed NatWest was the most complained-about bank for the past three years in terms of account closures.

The reasons for the accounts being shut are unclear.

In total, the FOS received a total of 1,389 complaints related to closed bank accounts last year, the majority of which relate to the UKs largest banking groups. The cases are only a fraction of the 165,149 new complaints received by the FOS last year.

The figures supplied to Bloomberg showed that customers complained about NatWest and Barclays Bank 274 times in 2022/23.

A spokesman for NatWest said: Like all UK-regulated banking institutions, we are subject to legal and regulatory requirements, and we treat compliance with them as a matter of priority. This may mean we are required to delay or refuse to act on a customers instructions, and/or suspend or restrict a customers account.

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Attorney Ben Crump speaks during the funeral of Andre Maurice Hill in Columbus in 2021.

Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced Thursday that he is representing Jadarrius Rose, the truck driver mauled by a Circleville police dog on July 4.

It is unacceptable for a police officer, while being instructed by other officers not to release the dog while Jadarrius was surrendering with his hands up, to do just that," Crump said in a news release announcing his involvement in the case.

Crump, 53, has represented clients in a long line of civil rights cases, including several cases of national attention: Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Keenan Anderson.

Among Crump's past cases are some in central Ohio. Two years ago, Crump filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio State University on behalf of those who accused former university doctor Richard Strauss of sexual abuse. Crump also represented the family of Andre Hill after the unarmed Black man was fatally shot in 2020 by a Columbus police officer.

Rose, a 23-year-old Black man from Memphis, Tenn., was pulled over in Circleville after failing to stop for a vehicle inspection in Jackson County. In a 911 recording from Ross County, Rose said he was afraid for his safety after seeing guns pointed at him.

After Rose was stopped, he stepped out of truck and held up his hands. Despite a State Highway Patrol officer warning Circleville Police Officer Ryan Speakman not to release his police dog, Speakman did. The dog, Serge, bit Rose's left arm and held on for at least 20 seconds before Speakman and another officer pried the dog's teeth from Rose, who was screaming on his back.

Circleville announced Wednesday that Speakman had been fired.

"Body cam video clearly shows Speakman lead the canine to attack unarmed Jadarrius who, at that point, was fully complying," Crump said in a news release.

"Jadarrius felt unsafe when the traffic stop was initiated and did everything he was supposed to do in that situation  he called 911 to explain his concerns and kept driving. The reality we live in is that Black people have an ingrained mistrust for law enforcement because of situations like this. A man was mauled by a police canine over a missing mudflap.

Crump is founder of the firm Ben Crump Law, based in Tallahassee, Florida, with offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Sacramento, California.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Attorney Ben Crump to represent truck driver bitten by Circleville K-9
Your cherished silver heirlooms can appear bright and shiny, or dark and dull. Luckily the steps for how to clean silver are easyand rewarding. Its a task most people can do at home with only a few simple supplies, similar to those you would use to clean copper. After all, the heirloom teapot your grandmother gave you, the vintage candlesticks you picked up at the flea market, or your silver flatware for special occasions all deserve to look their best. This is especially true for when theyre front and center in your home or during your next big gathering, which is why it is so important to take care of them properly.

Whatever you do, dont be tempted to put any silver pieces into the dishwasher, especially cutlery. Pete He, chief scientist at Dirty Labs doesnt recommend washing silver or silver-plated utensils in the dishwasher. The high temperatures and detergents can damage or tarnish the silver, he says. We recommend caring for precious metals by hand washing them and using a silver cleaner to clean them."

Steve Nelson, owner of Nelson & Nelson Antiques, in New York City, echoes this. Why take the chance? Many knife handles contain pitch, which connects the handle to the blade. It can soften with the heat of the dishwasher, causing the handle to twist. If this happens, a silversmith will be needed to restore the item.

Weve compiled expert hacks for dealing with everything from discoloration on household items to silver-plated flatware to sterling silver jewelry with gemstones. Plus, the best ways to store silver that will keep it from tarnishing.

How to clean silver at home naturally?

Photo: Stanislav Sablin/Getty Images

There are dozens of DIY methods for cleaning silver using common pantry and household items. The cleaning method may vary depending on which piece youre trying to restore. Experts swear by the white vinegar, salt, baking soda, and aluminum foil method. Thats because its a bit of a science experiment. When the ingredients are combined, tarnish (silver sulfide) is released from silver cutlery (or jewelry) and becomes aluminum sulfide on the foil.

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Step 1:

Find a deep glass dish or bowl. Do not use stainless steel, which causes a chemical reaction that will result in black marks as you clean silver.

Step 2:

Line the container with aluminum foil, shiny side up, and place the silverware, necklaces, or other tarnished silver jewelry pieces on the bottom. Do not let them touch.

Step 3:

Pour boiling water into the container. You probably need 1 to 2 cups of hot water, the items should be submerged. Add  cup of distilled white vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda, and one tablespoon of salt.

Step 4:

Allow the silver items to sit in the baking soda water for at least 10 minutes; check that the silver touches the shiny side of the aluminum foil to activate the chemical reaction.

Alternatively, place silver items in a bowl with one cup of white vinegar and about four tablespoons of baking soda, and cover with warm water. Let sit for at least two hours.

Step 5:

Remove silver pieces and place them on a paper towel. Use a microfiber cloth to buff and dry the items.

How can I make my silver shiny again?

Cleaning tarnished silverware comparison Photo: Santje09/Getty Images

There are different techniques that will help you learn how to clean silver at home. Most importantly, clean sterling silver after use, as you would with any delicate tableware. This isnt the time to leave your dinner party dishes until the next morning. Gently hand-wash your silver with unscented phosphate-free dish detergent soon after it leaves the table.

While washing, do not allow silver to come into contact with a stainless steel or metal sink, which can cause scratching, Herman says. Always be sure to line your sink with a plastic basin or a soft, clean cloth or towel.

Although adding ketchup (its the citric acid) to tarnished silver may work, professionals agree it is best to stick to more tried-and-true techniques. We know inexpensive products like silver polish work well, so why risk damaging your items with other methods? says Nelson.

If youre not sure how to polish silver, follow the instructions on the label. Weiman Silver Polish and Cleaner, for instance, only requires that you rub the polish in with a soft cloth, rinse with warm water, and then buff away to prevent water spots. This product works great on heirloom pieces with crevices, which may not lend themselves to the baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil method.

If you do prefer to clean silver at home without a product, try this DIY method. To add shine and luster to your silver items, you can make a paste using cornstarch and water. Create a thick paste and apply it to your silver, gently rubbing it in using a soft cloth, says Prerna Jain, owner Ministry Of Cleaning in Melbourne, Australia. The mild abrasive properties of cornstarch help polish the silver. Rinse off the paste, dry the silver thoroughly, and buff it with a clean cloth for added shine.

Why does silver tarnish?

Pure silver is too soft to use when crafting silverware, necklaces, and the like, so artisans use copper to make it more durable. But, over time, the copper can oxidize with sulfur and other environmental elements causing a chemical reaction that makes sterling silver discolor or tarnish. The longer a piece is exposed to these elements, the more tarnish will accumulate, making it more difficult to clean. This doesnt hurt the piece, but many people prefer the aesthetics of a nice, shiny piece of silver.

How do you remove tarnish from silver?

Close up of rusty silver spoons and napkin Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images

Whether its antique silver, a newer item, or even silver-plated jewelry, hand-polishing is the best way to go when it comes to dealing with heavy tarnish. Using quick chemical dips or a machine can dull or seriously damage the finish, says Jeanne Sloane, deputy chairman at Christies in New York City. No need for elbow grease hereyoull want a light touch when working with sterling silver items to prevent scratches.

First, put on a pair of cotton gloves, as fingerprints can make tarnishing worse. Rub a thin layer of a low-abrasive, low-ammonia liquid or paste polish, like 3Ms Tarni-Shield Silver Polish, onto the piece with a dry cloth, cotton balls, or the sponge that comes with the product. Avoid paper towels, which can be abrasive. Instead of a circular motion, rub the item with small up-and-down strokes. Rinse off all traces of the polish with warm water, making sure theres nothing left in the crevices, then dry the piece with a soft cotton cloth. Dont leave it to air-dry, as that can leave unsightly watermarks.

Be careful if using a toothbrush, Nelson warns, as it can scratch the surface, causing major damage. A toothbrush can come in handy, however, if youre trying to remove the polish residue that can sometimes become stuck in the crevices of more intricate designs. Nelson suggests lightly brushing the area in one direction with a bit of warm water until the polish is removed, then drying with a soft cloth.

Black marks that are difficult to remove from sterling silver tableware can be a sign that salt from the air or food has corroded the item. Resist the urge to rub harder to clean the item, which can damage it. Instead, look for a reputable silversmith who has the tools and know-how to deal with more substantial issues.

Keep in mind that you dont necessarily want to overdo it when it comes to polishing sterling silver items. More ornate and patterned pieces usually look best with a little darkness in the background, Nelson says as a caution to DIYers. The contrast makes the pattern more defined, which often looks nice.

For a small bit of tarnishif a piece only has a slight yellow discoloration or youre just trying to give something a little lusterNelson says gently buffing it with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a bit of dish soap is all you need to do. You can use a microfiber cloth if you like, but any soft, clean cloth will work, he says.

You can even use toothpaste to remove tarnish. Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids in Tennessee, says to rub in regular white toothpaste with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let it dry and use a soft clean toothbrush and a rag to remove it, he says. Make sure all tools you use are soft, so definitely stay away from steel pads or hard-bristle brushes.

How to protect silver from tarnishing?

Blue flatware box isolated on black background. Photo: Artem Zakharov/Getty Images

To prevent oxidation, proper storage is the way to go. The main culprit for tarnished silver is exposure to air, so wrap your silver in cloth and place it in a sealable plastic bag until you need it next. Cover flatware individually and arrange each piece side-by-side, says Jeffrey Herman, the owner of Herman Silver Restoration & Conservation in West Warwick, Rhode Island. For best results, use a treated flannel, like Pacific Silvercloth, or unbuffered acid-free tissue paper (felt or cotton fabric will also work). Avoid plastic wrap or rubber bands, which can cause discoloration that can be hard to remove.

Nelson is a fan of anti-tarnish sterling silver storage bags, such as the ones made by Hagerty. He suggests cleaning silver items by placing them in the bags and storing them inside a cabinet to help reduce air contact as much as possible. If you do this, your silver pieces should have a nice luster when youre ready to take them out again.

Your homes proximity to water, humidity, and other environmental elements can all lead to tarnished silver pieces. If youd like an extra layer of protection, consider the above methods along with anti-tarnish strips. These inexpensive pieces of paper can be easily tucked into storage bags, jewelry boxes, and more to help absorb sulfides and other pollutants that cause sterling silver to tarnish.

Be aware that while salt does help with cleaning cast iron pots and pans, it can easily damage sterling silver. The longer salt and silver are in contact, the greater chance there is to have a corrosive reaction, which can permanently damage your item. If youre serving a heavily salted dish or using a sterling silver salt shaker, its important to clean each piece thoroughly soon after use.

Although experts agree that cleaning silver is something that most people can do well at home, sometimes, its best to seek professional help. Keep in mind that while citric acid can be effective in dealing with oxidation and tarnish, it can damage opaque gemstones on your sterling silver jewelry. When in doubt, it is best to check with jewelers who know how to handle silver necklaces, rings, and earrings with soft stones, like opals, to ensure the item is restored without damage.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
Amid blistering heatwaves, July is "virtually certain" to be the world's warmest month on record, say scientists.

So hot has the month been to date that researchers are confident the 2019 record will be broken, even with several days to go.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said the planet is entering an "era of global boiling".

Scientists agree the extra heat is mainly linked to fossil fuel use.

US President Joe Biden described climate change as an "existential threat" and that no one "can deny the impact of climate change anymore".

Some experts believe that July might well be the warmest month in the past 120,000 years.

Researchers are not surprised that July is set to break the current record for the warmest month as there have been plenty of indications in recent weeks that the world is seeing far greater levels of heating.

The world's warmest day occurred on July 6, and the hottest 23 days ever recorded were all this month, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Multiple line chart showing the daily global average temperature by year since 1940. 2023 shows the hottest temperatures including the record set on 6 July of 17.08C

Their provisional average temperature for the first 25 days of the month is 16.95C, which is well above the 16.63C figure for the whole of July 2019.

Other analysis has come to the same conclusion.

Dr Karsten Haustein from the University of Leipzig has calculated that July 2023 will be 1.3C-1.7C above the average July temperatures recorded before the widespread use of fossil fuels. The best guess is around 1.5C. He's confident that even if the last few days are cooler, the margin of error is enough to make July the hottest yet seen.

"Not only will it be the warmest July, but the warmest month ever in terms of absolute global mean temperature," he said in a statement.

"We may have to go back thousands if not tens of thousands of years to find similarly warm conditions on our planet."

Story continues

Bar chart showing the difference between the average July temperature each year against the pre-industrial reference period, 1850-1900. Provisional data for July 2023 is about 1.5C above the average

Researchers work out the global air temperature by taking readings from weather stations dotted around the world.

However there are not enough stations to give a completely accurate global picture so scientists feed all of these readings - plus some measurements from the atmosphere itself - into computer models.

These allow scientists to create a "map without gaps", meaning the global temperature can be reliably estimated.

By combining these datasets with global weather forecasts for the next few days, scientists can come up with a reliable estimate of the global temperature even before the end of the month.

While July is likely to be the warmest in records dating back around 150 years or so, some researchers believe the final temperature may be the warmest in tens of thousands of years.

To work out these ancient figures, scientists use records like the air trapped in polar ice cores, or sediments in the deep ocean. These capture a signal of the climate at the time.

From this evidence, while scientists can't pinpoint specific months going that far back, they say the last time the world was similarly warm was about 120,000 years ago - when sea levels were around 8m higher than today, and hippos were present as far north as Britain.

Why are these records happening?

Researchers are confident that emissions of fossil fuels from human activities are mostly to blame for the levels of warming we are now seeing.

"The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future," said the World Meteorological Organization's Secretary-General Prof Petteri Taalas.

"The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before," he said. "Climate action is not a luxury but a must."

Experts believe that July's temperature record will not be the last one broken this year.

As well as the ongoing impact of greenhouse gases, there's the growing effect of the El Nino weather system - a natural event where oceans warm in the east Pacific and release heat into the atmosphere. This is likely to push temperatures even higher and may make 2023 or 2024 the warmest year yet recorded, because scientists warn we're yet to see its full impacts.

There are other factors that have might have added to global temperatures.

New shipping rules have led to a smaller amount of pollutants being released, and until recently levels of Saharan dust in the atmosphere have been low.

These airborne particles, called "aerosols", typically reflect some of the sun's energy back into space - although the science is very complicated. It's thought that having less of these aerosols may have made a small contribution to record North Atlantic heat.

The eruption of an underwater volcano in Tonga in 2022 has also added to the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere, which heats the planet like carbon dioxide.

A reduction in pollution from shipping may have played a small role in warming the oceans

What does this mean for the Paris agreement?

In 2015, nearly 200 countries signed up to the Paris climate agreement. They pledged to try to keep long-term global temperature rises to 1.5C above the pre-industrial period - before humans started burning fossil fuels at scale.

Scientists caution that while the July temperatures are worrying, extreme temperatures in a single month don't mean that international climate agreements have been broken.

"That does not mean we reach or breach the Paris goal or 1.5C because that is understood as the long-term increase in global warming," explains Dr Friederike Otto, a climate scientist from Imperial College London.

Limiting warming to 1.5C is seen as key to avoiding the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

But as the recent heatwaves have shown, the consequences of climate change increase with every fraction of a degree of warming.

What about the UK?

While southern Europe has been experiencing intense heat, the UK has been considerably milder.

This is linked to the position of the jet stream, according to weather experts.

But the Met Office warned today that the UK can expect to see warmer temperatures in years to come due to the ongoing rise in global temperatures.

Greece Wildfires

Could powerful heatwaves and summer wildfires, which have devastated communities and displaced tourists in Greece, become the new normal in Europe?

Available now on BBC iPlayer (UK only)
The clock is ticking on a crucial step in James Irven Staley III's appeal of his capital murder conviction for killing 2-year-old Jason Wilder McDaniel, according to court documents.

James Irven Staley III

Staley, 40, is serving a life sentence without parole at the Bill Clements Unit east of Amarillo where he is temporarily not allowed to receive visitors, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

A brief presenting Staley's grounds for appeal is due Aug. 23 to the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth from his attorney J. Warren St. John. Wichita County taxpayers are picking up the tab for Staley's appeal lawyer.

The deadline was triggered on Monday when the court reporter filed the record of Staley's trial. The murder case has been followed closely since Wilder's death by suffocation Oct. 11, 2018, in Staley's Wichita Falls home.

Jason Wilder McDaniel

The court reporter's record detailed a complicated trial in Fort Worth that lasted approximately 13 days, including jury selection that began Feb. 22.

A 12-person jury found Staley guilty of capital murder of a person under 10 on March 13 at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center where the trial was moved. Senior District Judge Everett Young handed down an automatic sentence of life without parole the same day.

The descendant of a wealthy Wichita Falls oil family who was, himself, once active in the energy business, Staley was led away from the courtroom in handcuffs to begin serving time  but not before he proclaimed he didn't kill Wilder. Some observers in the gallery reacted with anger to his outburst.

More: DA on Staley: Connecting a psychopath's puzzle pieces for Wilder's murder

After St. John files a brief detailing the grounds for Staley's appeal, the prosecution is expected to respond with a brief laying out arguments against the appeal. Wichita County Assistant District Attorney Bryce Perry, appeals specialist for the DA's Office, is assigned to the case.

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Amber McDaniel in the Wichita County Courthouse on April 28, 2023.

If the prosecution or defense do not ask to present oral arguments, the case can be submitted based on the briefs.

Gillespie has said he thinks the prosecution is in good shape for the appeal, which is a standard for every defendant.

St. John needed to review the trial record before deciding how to move forward, saying in April that he had "to read everything that transpired."

Amber's attorney requests change of venue

Wilder's mom, Amber Nichole McDaniel, testified against Staley during the trial. She admitted she didn't protect her son from her former boyfriend during her extensive testimony.

Amber, 33, pleaded guilty to charges of endangering a child and tampering with evidence before 30th District Judge Jeff McKnight at the Wichita County Courthouse. Proceedings to determine her punishment were set to begin Sept. 11.

But a jury in Tarrant County may determine her punishment. Defense attorney Mark Barber filed a motion July 20 requesting a change of venue to Tarrant County.

The defense and prosecution agreed Amber's punishment trial needs a change of venue because of pre-trial publicity, but they had not determined where that might be just after she pleaded guilty April 28.

Amber tearfully entered a guilty plea while her husband and Wilder's father, Robert "Bubba" McDaniel Jr., 40, looked on from the gallery. She did not have a plea deal in place then nor when she testified against Staley.

More: A mother's tears, a mother's punishment: What will happen to Wilder's mom?

Amber, 33, is eligible for probation for both offenses, which are connected to Wilder's death. She has not previously been convicted of a felony.

Tampering with evidence is a third-degree felony which carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison. Endangering a child is a state jail felony punishable by six months to 24 months in state jail.

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News in Wichita Falls, covers education, courts, breaking news, investigative projects and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Clock is ticking on James Staley's capital murder appeal
The man who was killed in a deadly shooting in north Charlotte in June has been identified and a warrant has been issued for the suspect in the case, who was recently arrested in Maryland.

According to CMPD, detectives were called to Old Statesville Road, south of Interstate 485, around 11:30 a.m. on June 20. Corbin Street, 32, was pronounced dead with gunshot wounds.

ALSO READ: Man charged after fight at Charlotte high school leads to shooting, CMPD says

Dominic Miller was identified as the suspect in the case. After an investigation, CMPD traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, when Miller was arrested by the Baltimore Police Department on unrelated charges. A murder warrant was signed on Thursday for Miller.

Street has ties to the Maryland area, according to court records.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene at the time of the shooting, and we could see several CMPD police units parked on Arthur Davis Road. Investigators were seen in a wooded area near railroad tracks.

A Gofundme has been set up for the victim.

The investigation is still ongoing.

(WATCH BELOW: After womans death, Marion police search for her sister)
Hey, everyone! Drew here. Its Friday Jr.!

Were on to the final four in our quest to find the best tattoo parlor in Charlotte.

Get on over and cast a vote for your favorite. Voting in this round closes at noon on Monday, July 31.

On to the news.

Illustration by

Tyrece Woods doesnt remember his mother, Brandi Henderson. Nor does he recall her death.

On March 9, 1994, Henderson, 18, was holding her 10-month-old son when Henry Louis Wallace sexually assaulted and garroted her in her east Charlotte apartment.

Woods is one of seven Charlotte children who lost their mothers to Wallaces killing spree.

In a new series from The Charlotte Observer, Mike Gordon spoke with Woods and others as they reflect on the killings nearly 30 years later.

Adam Johnson, the CMS Executive Director of Transportation, exits a bus at South Mecklenburg High School on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. CMS is offering a new bus stop plan, Express Stops, being rolled out this year that is designed to cut down on two-hour ride times and costs to the district.

Some parents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students are still unsure how theyll get their kids to school.

A new bus stop plan called Express Stops is being rolled out by CMS this year. Its designed to cut down on two-hour ride times and costs to the district and impacts about 5,200 students. However, theres a downside of the service for some.

Anna Maria Della Costa and Terry Benjamin explain.

Carolina Panthers Bryce Young arrives to Panthers Training Camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC., on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

After a strong first day of practice from No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young yesterday, he looked to build on it.

Day 2 of training camp at Wofford College didnt go as well as the first day, but Youngs leadership isnt fazed by his mistakes.

Mike Kaye recaps Young and co.s day in Spartanburg, S.C.

A filet with an onion ring at Beef N Bottle.

A new report says North Carolina is home to one of the best restaurants in the South.

Southern Living released a list of the best steakhouses in the region, and Beef n Bottle Steakhouse in south Charlotte came in at No. 20 on the list.

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Chyna Blackmon has more on the recognition earned by Charlottes oldest steakhouse.

5. Some more stories to read

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The potential collapse of Hunter Bidens plea deal with prosecutors during a contentious court hearing in federal court in Delaware on Wednesday will likely provide Republicans with more ammunition as they aim to link President Biden to his sons high-profile legal difficulties.

But looking ahead to the presidents 2024 re-election campaign, while Democratic strategists scoff at the notion that the younger Bidens scandals could weaken his fathers bid for re-nomination and potentially help primary challenger Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a veteran political analyst told Fox News that "this is not a good situation for a man whos weak in the polls and is running for re-election."

Hunter Biden was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax, as part of plea deal with federal prosecutors to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge. The younger Bien owned a handgun in 2018  during a period where hes admitted he was regularly using cocaine. That violates federal law, which prohibits drug users from possessing firearms.

But after the judge in the case refused to accept the plea agreement  due to questions of the constitutionality of the deal  Hunter Biden pleaded "not guilty" as federal prosecutors confirmed the president's son is still under federal investigation.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS NOT GUILTY AS PLEA DEAL FALLS APART DURING DELAWARE COURT APPEARANCE

Hunter Biden arrives to a Federal Courthouse at the Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. President Joe Biden's son is reportedly expected to plead guilty during the hearing to two federal crimes for not paying taxes on time.

Wednesdays legal fireworks come after Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower testimony revealed allegations of Department of Justice misconduct throughout the years long investigation into the president's son, which began during former President Donald Trumps administration.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Hunter Bidens foreign business dealing with Ukraine when his father was serving as vice president in the Obama administration are also in the spotlight. A separate whistleblower has alleged that the FBI and the Justice Department are in possession of an unverified document that claims a criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions.

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And this week House Speaker Kevin McCarthy floated that the Republican majority in the chamber may consider an impeachment inquiry into the president over the unproven claims of financial misconduct.

WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS SAYING ABOUT HUNTER BIDEN'S DAY IN COURT

"Theres a lot of questions and we need some answers," Republican presidential candidate and former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

Haley argued that "now theres enough questions and enough whistleblowers to say OK, should there be a congressional inquiry into looking into this and I think thats what Speaker McCarthys talking about and if he decides to go through the inquiry, it would totally be warranted."

The White House has pushed back against Republicans, criticizing what it says were "unfounded, unproven, politically motivated attacks against the president and his family" made "without offering evidence for their claims or evidence of decisions influenced by anything other than U.S. interests."

Hunter Bidens legal saga and the mounting inquiries come as the battle for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is heating up, and as Biden faces longshot primary challenges from Kennedy  the environmental lawyer and high-profile vaccine critic, and scion of arguably the nations most famous family political dynasty  and best-selling author and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson, whos making her second straight White House run.

Fox News reached out to Kennedys campaign for reaction to Wednesdays legal developments but didnt receive a response by the time this story was published.

But Kennedy, in a Fox News Channel interview this past weekend, said he backs McCarthys potential probe into the Bidens.

"The issues that are now coming up are worrying enough that we really need a real investigation of what happened," Kennedy told host Maria Bartiromo on Fox News "Sunday Morning Futures."

"I mean, these revelations where you have Burisma, which is this notoriously corrupt company, that paid out apparently $10 million to Hunter and his dad, if thats true, then it is really troubling.So I think  it needs to be investigated," Kennedy said.

RFK JR RIPS WHITE HOUSE'S BAD DECISIONS, WON'T SAY WHETHER BIDEN IS FIT TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT

Whether the controversy surrounding the Bidens will boost Kennedys bid against Biden is under debate in New Hampshire, which will likely be ground zero for attempts by Kennedy and Williamson to try and upend the presidents renomination.

Pointing to the presidents approval ratings  which have been underwater for nearly two years  and polls suggesting Democrats are anything but enthused with the 80-year-old Biden seeking a second four-year term in the White House, New Hampshire Institute of Politics executive director Neil Levesque told Fox News that "there is a lot of chatter right now and nervous Democrats concerned about Biden running anyway, and the polls indicate that."

"So if you add on any legal difficulties that his son might have that also tarnish the presidents image, its not good for him. This is not a good situation for a man whos weak in the polls and is running for re-election," Levesque argued.

And he said that "every week that goes by where Hunter Biden has more legal troubles it creates a precarious position" for the president.

But veteran political scientist Dante Scala of the University of New Hampshire disagreed, emphasizing that "until Democrats are confronted with incredibly solid evidence that the father himself has some wrongdoing in all this, their default is to confine the sins of Hunter Biden to Hunter Biden."

"Until something emerges that clearly shows that the president did something wrong here, I think Democratic primary voters shrug. Especially given the alternatives. The alternative in no way is Robert F. Kennedy or Marianne Williamson," Scala argued.

Voicing what many Democratic strategists are saying in a party that appears united behind the president, New England based Democratic consultant Joe Caiazzo told Fox News that "the reason why the Republicans are going after the president on Hunter Biden is because they cannot attack him on his record of governing because hes been a success."

"I think Democratic primary voters are focused on making sure that we win back the House and keep control of the Senate and keep President Biden in the White House in 2024," added Caiazzo, a veteran of multiple Democratic presidential campaigns.

The behavior of some controversial Republicans in Congress may also be energizing Democrats to support Biden.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Pointing to conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who is facing plenty of criticism for prominently displaying explicit photos of Hunter Biden at recent House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing, a progressive activist in New Hampshire said when it comes to Democratic primary voters, "even if there was something on Biden, its lost in all the nonsense and false accusations."

Fox News' Brooke Singman and Aubrie Spady contributed to this report
Hunter Biden's plea deal with federal prosecutors, which fell apart during his first court appearance in Delaware on Wednesday, would have granted him broad immunity, protecting him from prosecution over a wide range of alleged and potential federal crimes, according to newly released documents.

The son of President Biden was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge.

Specifically, the legal arrangement involved both a plea agreement over the tax charges and a related pretrial "diversion agreement" regarding a separate felony charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. Under the diversion agreement, the government wouldn't charge Hunter Biden with the more serious gun charge if he pleaded guilty to the tax charges.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS 'NOT GUILTY' AS PLEA DEAL FALLS APART DURING DELAWARE COURT APPEARANCE

Hunter Biden arrives at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday.

Judge Maryellen Noreika, who is presiding over the case, did not accept the plea agreement on Wednesday, questioning the deal's constitutionality  namely the diversion measure and the immunity Hunter Biden would receive. Noreika said the diversion agreement might be unconstitutional, which would mean the entire plea deal would be unconstitutional and he would not be getting the immunity he sought.

Ultimately, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty after the deal collapsed.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In the wake of the courtroom drama, Politico obtained and published the text of both agreements that were part of Hunter Biden's deal. Perhaps most notably, the diversion agreement included a clause granting him broad immunity, in perpetuity, for a range of issues scrutinized by the Justice Department during its yearslong investigation into the first son.

"The United States agrees not to criminally prosecute Biden, outside the terms of this agreement, for any federal crimes encompassed by the attached statement of facts and the statement of facts attached [to the plea agreement]," the document states. "This agreement does not provide any protection against prosecution for any future conduct by Biden or by any of his affiliated businesses."

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The statement of facts attached to the diversion agreement outlined Hunter Biden's history of often using crack and cocaine  behavior to which Hunter himself has separately admitted  and stated that the first son allegedly lied on a federal form to purchase a firearm by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs when he actually was.

REPUBLICANS POP OFF OVER HUNTER BIDEN'S REJECTED PLEA DEAL: 'JUSTICE IS COMING'

Hunter Biden appears during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 2022.

The statement of facts attached to the separate tax plea agreement outlined Hunter Biden's extensive history of lucrative business dealings in China, Ukraine and elsewhere that have long been under scrutiny. The document also detailed his tax and financial history relevant to the federal charges he's facing.

Fox News contributor and attorney Sol Wisenberg slammed both Hunter Biden's legal team and federal prosecutors for keeping the broad immunity provision, which he argued could potentially cover "every crime Hunter may have committed" during the relevant time frame, "hidden" in the middle of the diversion agreement.

"This was done by the parties in order that the judge could not accept or reject the broad immunity portion of the overall deal," tweeted Wisenberg. "Totally unprecedented. That's what appropriately set the judge off. She thought it should have been included in the plea agreement, rather than hidden in the diversion agreement. By the way, the transcript shows that the judge didn't even see the key paragraph until shortly before the hearing."

Wisenberg added that both sides can now "try to hammer out an honest deal," adding that if they do the judge will likely accept it, "even though it is a sweetheart deal for Hunter."

On Wednesday, prosecutors confirmed Hunter Biden is still under federal investigation as they clashed with his lawyer over whether the now-collapsed plea deal would protect the president's son from potential future charges.
The College Board rejected claims Thursday by Florida officials that some aspects of the state's new history standards align with an Advanced Placement African American Studies course that Florida officials banned earlier this year.

Florida's state Board of Education approved new African American history standards last week that have been widely criticized for including language on how "slaves developed skills" that could ultimately be used for "personal benefit." In defending the new state-created standards, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials have argued the College Board used similar language in the framework for its course.

But College Board officials denied that the AP course echoes the new Florida standards, noting that while the course "includes a discussion about the skills enslaved people brought with them that enslavers exploited as well as other skills developed in America that were valuable to their enslavers," the class does not frame slavery in a positive light.

"We resolutely disagree with the notion that enslavement was in any way a beneficial, productive, or useful experience for African Americans," the College Board said in a statement to USA TODAY. "Unequivocally, slavery was an atrocity that cannot be justified by examples of African Americans agency and resistance during their enslavement."

Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis press secretary, posted Thursday on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, a portion of the College Board's curriculum that discusses various trades that enslaved people learned. A learning objective for AP course states that "enslaved people learned specialized trades" and "once free, African Americans used these skills to provide for themselves and others."

Remember when Florida wouldnt allow that AP African American Studies course because it focused too much on CRT and not enough on history, and the @WhiteHouse lost its mind?



Well, here is one of the standards considered essential knowledge.



See it here https://t.co/MFjfBjEFc9 pic.twitter.com/s8boDdYzks  Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) July 27, 2023

Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for the Florida Department of Education, made a similar argument on the social media site.

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"The AP course supported by the NAACP, teachers unions and White House includes nearly IDENTICAL language about the skills learned by slaves," Lanfranconi wrote Thursday. "Something tells me this conspiracy theory about Floridas new African American History standards is about to go away."

Still banned: As demand for AP African American Studies surges across US, it's still blocked in Florida

Florida vs. the College Board

The College Board's rebuttal is the latest in a series of disagreements between the nonprofit and Florida's Department of Education.

The College Board, which administers the SAT and the Advanced Placement program, college-level courses taken by high school students, spent over a decade creating the AP African American history course. It was piloted at about five dozen schools last school year and will be test run at about 800 schools this fall, twice as many as originally planned.

Hundreds participated in the National Action Network in response to what they said were Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's efforts to minimize diverse education. The activists chanted and carried signs while making their way from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee to the Capitol building in February.

Just ahead of the deadline to apply to join the second year of the pilot program, Florida's Department of Education banned the course in mid-January, stating in a letter that it is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value."

Florida said the College Board's curriculum violated the state's Stop WOKE Act and specifically flagged topics like the Black Lives Matter social justice movement, Black queer studies and the reparations movement.

The decision  which sparked national outrage  prompted the College Board to revise the course and remove some of the content Florida officials took issue with. After being pummeled for some of those changes, the company apologized and said it would revise the content once again, reinstating certain concepts.

The course development committee, along with experts in the subject, are in the process of building the course and exam. A final framework for the course will be released later this year, the College Board has said.

"We are proud that AP African American Studies will offer a holistic introduction to the history, literature, and arts of Black people in the United States," the College Board said. "From origins in the African continent to the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the movements for equal rights, this course will provide an unflinching encounter with the facts, evidence, and invaluable contributions of African Americans."

When asked about the College Board's statement on how Florida is teaching slavery late Thursday, Redfern dismissed the nonprofit organization's stance.

"College Board is free to deny all they want," he said. "Regardless, the learning objective I described in the tweet is undeniable...Also, I never claimed that the entire curriculum was similar. I stated that the above-cited learning objective is the same."

Meanwhile, DeSantis told reporters Thursday in Iowa that what his state just approved "makes it very clear about the injustices of slavery in vivid detail ... And that particular provision about the skills  that was in spite of slavery, not because of."

CONTRIBUTING: Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register.

'Undermining history' New slavery curriculum in Florida is latest in century of missteps

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College Board: Slavery was not beneficial to African Americans
The Colorado Rockies

Three members of a Colorado family died while attempting to live "off the grid" in the Rocky Mountains, family members and investigators say.

The emaciated remains of sisters Christine and Rebecca Vance and the latter's 14-year old son, were found in a remote campsite this month.

On Tuesday a coroner ruled that they probably died from starvation or exposure during the cold winter.

It appears that the group began camping last summer and died over the winter.

Rebecca Vance's stepsister Trevala Jara, told the Washington Post on Wednesday: "She didn't like the way the world was going, and she thought it would be better if her and her son and Christine were alone, away from everybody."

The group - including the sisters who were in their 40s - had no outdoor survival experience and had watched online videos to learn about how to survive in Colorado's rugged backcountry, Mrs Jara told US media.

"You can't go on the internet and watch videos on how to live off the grid, and then actually do it, if you have no experience," Mrs Jara told the Colorado Springs Gazette.

"You just can't do that. They died of starvation because they weren't prepared."

All three came from Colorado Springs. Investigators say their cause of death has not yet been determined and will not be released until toxicology reports are complete.

On 9 July, a hiker stumbled upon their badly decomposed remains at the Gold Creek Campground in the Gunnison National Forest.

Gunnison County Coroner Michael Barnes said that two bodies were found in a tent, while another was found outside, at an elevation of around 9,500ft (2,900m).

The name of the teenage boy has not been released.

It appears they attempted to construct a shelter, but had given up as winter arrived and instead spent time inside their tent, he told AP News.

"I wonder if winter came on quickly and suddenly they were just in survival mode in the tent," Mr Barnes said.

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"They had a lot of literature with them about outdoor survival and foraging and stuff like that. But it looked like they [bought supplies] at a grocery store."

In early August, the group came to their stepsister's home "to say goodbye".

"We tried to stop them," Mrs Jara told the Gazette. "But they wouldn't listen. Their minds were made up."
A Columbus man was shot 15 times by police officers during a confrontation July 8 inside an East Side apartment building stairwell, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday by the Franklin County Coroner's Office.

Antwan Lindsey, 45, of Columbus' Southeast Side, was shot in the head, chest, arms and legs, according to the autopsy report. He died within seconds or minutes of the police shooting, the coroner's report said, but he was officially pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center.

The stairwell confrontation and shooting followed an exchange of gunfire outside the apartment building between Lindsey and a Franklin County Sheriff's deputy, according to Columbus police and the sheriff's office.

Authorities have not released the names of the five law enforcement officers involved, citing Marsy's Law, which is designed to protect the privacy of crime victims, which officials say under the law can include police.

The Franklin County Sheriff's deputy who was involved in an exchange of gunfire with Lindsey had 19 years experience with the sheriff's office. Columbus police have said their four officers involved had between two and 10 years of experience each.

More: Body camera footage has been released in Saturday's police shooting. Here's what it shows

Five days after the fatal shooting, the Columbus Division of Police and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office on July 13 released a video compiled from parts of officers' body camera footage in which officers' faces were blurred out.

The sheriff's deputy, who was working special duty at a Walgreen's drug store nearby, responded to Bexley Commons Apartments on the 3100 block of East Livingston Avenue after someone came into the drug store and reported to the deputy that a man said to be angry about his car being towed was behaving erratically with a gun.

Body camera video shows the deputy ordering the man  now known to be Lindsey  to put down his weapon. An exchange of gunfire occurred between them before Lindsey entered one of the apartment buildings.

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Columbus police officers are then shown arriving on the scene and asking the deputy if he had hit the suspect during the gunfire exchange.

"I think so; he went down," the deputy replied.

Inside the apartment building, officers are seen giving more commands to Lindsey to put his hands up as he stood in a doorway between a stairwell landing and a hallway. There appeared from the video to be some confusion among officers as to whether Lindsey had a gun.

One officer's body camera shows a gun on the floor of the stairwell landing near Lindsey's foot, suggesting he was no longer armed. Soon after, the video shows different officers nearly simultaneously deploying a stun gun and firing their guns on Lindsey.

Lindsey's sister, Renatta, previously told The Dispatch that her brother had a respectful fear of police, making the fatal shooting hard for his family to understand.

"He's never been the person to bring harm," Renatta Lindsey said. "I don't see him shooting at police."

She said Lindsey had a "rough life," undergoing multiple surgeries throughout his childhood for medical issues with one of his legs, and more recently, had been thrown from his forklift and knocked unconscious on the job.

When contacted Thursday by a Dispatch reporter, Renatta Lindsey was not immediately available for an interview.

The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting, as is required by Columbus law on any shooting involving any police officer in which someone is wounded or killed within city limits.

The autopsy report indicates most of the wounds to Lindsey's body were on the right side, consistent with how he was seen positioned in the doorway in the body camera video. A toxicology report that was a part of Lindsey's autopsy was not yet been completed or released as of Thursday afternoon.

One of Lindsey's children started a petition online to ensure the officers involved are held accountable for her father's death.

More: Family of man shot, killed by Columbus police, Franklin Co. deputy 'rocked' by his death

Dispatch reporters Bethany Bruner and Sheridan Hendrix contributed to this report.

Peter Gill covers immigration, new American communities and religion for The Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America at:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.

pgill@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Police shot Antwan Lindsey 15 times, according to coroner's report
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is proud of taking steps to throw more than 170,000 residents off Medicaid. (Will Newton / Associated Press)

Millions of Americans may have breathed a sigh of relief when the federal government declared the national pandemic emergency to have ended as of May 11.

That doesn't include Medicaid advocates and millions of Medicaid enrollees, however. The reason is that the end of the emergency meant the end of rules protecting those enrollees from losing their coverage for any reason.

As a result, 15.5 million people will the thrown off Medicaid, according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. Of that number, 6.2 million will become uninsured. That may be a conservative figure; the healthcare research organization KFF estimates that as many as 24 million people may lose their Medicaid coverage.

We are expecting children to take the biggest hit here. They're not going to have somewhere else to go.

Joan Alker, Center for Children and Families, Georgetown University

According to the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, as many as 6.7 million children alone may lose their Medicaid coverage, leaving them "at considerable risk for becoming uninsured for some period of time," the center says.

"We've been worrying about this for more than two years," says Joan Alker, the center's executive director. "We are expecting children to take the biggest hit here. They're not going to have somewhere else to go." That's because many of the low-income families that are Medicaid's core clientele don't have access to employer-sponsored health coverage for children.

The CBO projects that the nation's uninsured rate, which has fallen to 8.3% this year, will ratchet back up to 10.4% in 2029.

In stark terms, the U.S. is replacing one public health crisis  the COVID-19 pandemic  with another.

What has Medicaid advocates especially concerned is the high percentage of enrollees already getting kicked off the program not because of formal determinations of ineligibility (typically because their incomes have come to exceed state thresholds) but for "procedural" reasons.

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These generally involve a failure to complete or submit renewal paperwork. That can happen because the enrollee has moved sometime in the last few years and thus never received a renewal application, or was confused by the application or mistook it for junk mail and ignored or discarded it.

"There are myriad ways the procedure can go awry," Alker told me. The state might be mistaken in determining ineligibility. Applicants may have trouble obtaining help from call centers via overloaded phone lines. In many states, backlogs in processing renewals can stretch into weeks or months, while eligible families struggle with uncovered bills. Some may not know they've been disenrolled until they try to renew a prescription at a drugstore, only to be told their pills are no longer covered.

Read more: Column: COVID emergency declarations will end, but not the COVID emergency. Here's how that affects you

Since disenrollments began earlier this year, 73% of disenrollments have been due to procedural reasons, according to the enrollment and unwinding tracker maintained by KFF, compiled from data from the 32 states that have submitted reports to the government. That translates to 2.72 million out of the 3.72 million Medicaid enrollees thrown out of the program as of July 25. An undetermined number may still be eligible.

Let's step back for a primer on how this situation came to be.

It started with the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act, signed by President Trump in March 2020 as the first relief package addressing the pandemic. Among the act's provisions was a bump of up to 6.2% in the federal share of Medicaid costs, to last through the end of the pandemic emergency.

In return for the money, the states had to commit to freezing eligibility standards at pre-pandemic levels and to maintaining "continuous coverage"  they couldn't disenroll anyone from Medicaid unless the enrollee consented or moved out of state.

That put a halt on customary annual eligibility tests that were written into state rules, though often weakly enforced.

The rule changes were a boon to public health during the COVID-19 crisis. Enrollment in Medicaid and its Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) grew by 21.2 million, or 29.8%, from February 2020 through December 2022, with the caseload increasing in every state.

The budget bill signed by President Biden in December set an expiration date of March 31 for the continuous coverage provision. States were given up to 14 months after April 1 to complete the process. The great unwinding was cleared to begin.

Medicaid enrollment increased in every state during the pandemic, thanks to liberal eligibility rules. Now the rules are being reversed. (KFF)

Every state is grappling with the complexities of turning the clock back on Medicaid. In every state, it's likely that tens or hundreds of thousands of enrollees at least will be tossed out of the program.

Some states are launching that process with rather more enthusiasm than others. That category includes Arkansas, where Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has boasted with great glee about having launched the unwinding on May 1. Under a state law enacted before she took office, Arkansas must complete disenrollments within six months, not 14.

"This is the fastest pace in the nation," Sanders crowed in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal. "Im proud Arkansas is leading the nation in getting back to normal. ... As other states end temporary pandemic measures, they know where to look for guidance."

Sanders told a lie about her state's process, however. "Were simply removing ineligible participants from the program to reserve resources for those who need them and follow the law," she wrote.

The state's own figures contradict her. As of the end of June, according to "unwinding" reports the state submitted to the federal government, only about 35,300 of the 171,025 Arkansans thrown off its Medicaid program lost their coverage because they were deemed ineligible.

The rest  135,700, or about 80%  were disenrolled for procedural reasons. Some may indeed be ineligible, but obviously the state can't know that. More than one-third of the Arkansas disenrollees are children; many of them are likely to still be eligible, because the income limits for children are higher than they are for adults. Right off the bat, Arkansas disenrolled 11,000 newborns.

That may not be surprising, because Arkansas has long had a documented hostility to Medicaid. It was the only state to implement work requirements for the program. Its rules resulted in the disenrollment of 17,000 Arkansans between 30 and 49 years of age in the first phase of the rollout, a toll that was so unexpected that a federal judge ordered the effort stopped.

Read more: Column: Confirmed--Medicaid work rules are a health disaster for the poor and dont produce jobs

The same judge blocked several other states that were poised to implement similar rules. The Biden administration rescinded Trump's approval of Medicaid work requirements in every state shortly after taking office.

Arkansas was one of 14 states to start disenrollments in May. Four others  Idaho, South Dakota, Oklahoma and New Hampshire  started in April. Twenty states and the District of Columbia started in June and 11, including California, this month.

The toll is mounting because after three years of continuous coverage, the relaunch of eligibility testing has created chaos at state Medicaid agencies. In California, as my colleague Emily Alpert Reyes reports, 225,000 Californians have been disenrolled, nearly 90% for procedural reasons, in just the first two or three weeks of July.

The figure includes more than 34,000 households in Los Angeles County  an estimated 30,000 of which have lost coverage because their paperwork was not received or processed by the county in time. The actual number of individuals affected is certain to be much higher.

It's fair to say that the eventual end of the pandemic emergency was always pre-ordained, if not its timing. That doesn't make the chaos afflicting the vulnerable Americans dependent on Medicaid any less disgraceful.

Medicaid is the nation's largest healthcare program, with a caseload of 93 million. It may not be perfect, but its value to beneficiaries is indisputable. Among other things, the program's expansion under the Affordable Care Act has accounted for one-third to one-quarter of the decline in personal bankruptcy filings.

The nation is now poised to walk back the gains in health coverage that were achieved during a horrifically challenging public health emergency. Can any rational person explain why?

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
President Trump campaigned for Ron DeSantis before Florida's governor became a political rival. Despite their competition, DeSantis won't debunk Trump's stolen-election lie. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Some things are so obvious, they scarcely bear mention.

Birds fly. Fish swim. Politicians say things they hope will get them elected.

That's not as terrible as it might sound.

Candidates could have the most ingenious proposal to, say, banish poverty and end hunger, but what good is that if they can't win office and at least try to implement their vision?

There is, however, an important qualitative difference between telling voters what they'd like to hear or dialing an issue up or down depending on the audience and knowingly, calculatedly telling a flat-out lie.

Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. That is an incontrovertible fact.

And yet for many Republicans  including most of those seeking the party's 2024 nomination  Trump's irrefutable loss and direct responsibility for the Jan. 6 insurrection are a verity they dodge and duck.

At least right now.

Florida's flailing governor, Ron DeSantis offers a prime example.

The won't-back-down-culture warrior, who gleefully stoops to swat at teachers and transgender people, meekly tucks his tail when it comes to Trump's Big Lie and Jan. 6.

DeSantis won't say if he believes President Biden was duly elected and suggests it's wrong to call the assault on the Capitol "a plan to somehow overthrow the government of the United States"  though how else would you define a violent attempt to overturn the result of a free and fair election?

Read more: Column: Ron DeSantis faces a sobering lesson on ambition, hubris and big talk

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott blames the attempted coup on "the folks who broke into the Capitol" but not Trump  which is like faulting the gunman for a murder and absolving the mob boss who ordered the hit.

Scott and others in the Republican presidential field glancingly acknowledge Biden's victory (mumble, mumble) then go on to amplify provocative, unfounded claims of voter fraud and other election irregularities, which serves only to legitimize Trump's bogus claims.

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Their motivation isn't hard to figure out.

Polls have consistently shown most Republicans buying into Trump's lie about a stolen election, or at least telling pollsters they do. The sentiment is strongest among the likeliest GOP voters; roughly a third of the party base might be described as Bergdorf Goodman Republicans  those willing to back Trump even if he raped a woman in the department store's dressing room.

The candidate most bluntly calling out Trump's mendacity  New Jersey's ex-Gov. Chris Christie  and the one most directly associated with thwarting Trump's failed attempt to reverse the election  former Vice President Mike Pence  are both running far out of contention for the nomination.

Pence may not even qualify for the stage at next month's scheduled Republican presidential debate.

Yeesh.

There is, of course, nothing new about a candidate running to the right (or left) to secure their party's nomination, then scurrying toward the center in the general election. It's a well-thumbed page from the campaign playbook.

But today's Republicans aren't simply running rightward. They're running "Trumpward," as GOP strategist Gunner Ramer put it, "scared of alienating the always-Trump bloc within the Republican Party."

Ramer is political director for the Republican Accountability Project, a group working to deprogram members of the Cult of Trump.

As the 2022 midterms demonstrated, election denialism is a non-starter with most voters outside the MAGA minority. The GOP lost winnable races in Nevada, Arizona, New Hampshire and elsewhere around the country, turning an anticipated red wave into a pink puddle, by fielding numerous candidates who parroted Trump and his incessant lies.

Read more: Column: There's a price for parroting Trump's Big Lie. Will Republicans care?

Naturally, if he's the 2024 nominee, Trump will keep it up. But if someone else emerges to lead the GOP, watch how he or she does an about-face, moving to get on the right side of most voters.

In Nevada, Adam Laxalt was one of the architects of efforts to overturn Biden's victory and he recklessly fobbed off Trump's falsehoods throughout the 2022 GOP Senate primary. Then, once nominated, Laxalt allowed as how, yes, Biden had certainly won the White House and was legitimately president.

(Laxalt was among those deservedly defeated.)

In California, 2022 controller candidate Lanhee Chen steadfastly refused throughout the primary season to say whether he'd voted for Trump for president. Then, lo, just a few weeks later Chen revealed to CalMatters that he'd never cast a ballot for Trump and wouldn't in 2024.

(Chen also lost in the general election, though given California's Democratic hegemony he doubtless would have been defeated even if he'd tattooed "I  Joe" to his forehead.)

Read more: Column: Kari Lake is a deceitful fraud. Now she'll have to defend her lies in court

In 2012, during the Republican primaries, a strategist for Mitt Romney discussed his boss' positioning in the race.

Asked if he was concerned that Romney's rightward movement would complicate efforts to win in November, Eric Fehrnstrom glibly responded, "I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it."

Fehrnstrom's statement was one of those gaffes in which he'd merely said the quiet part out loud  though his candor certainly didn't help Romney, who was already dogged by an image of ideological elasticity.

Some Republicans may try to Etch A Sketch away their timidity toward Trump come the fall campaign. But voters should remember which candidates had the guts to speak truth and at what point in the election season.

Spreading Trump's corrosive lies  or, at the least, enabling his mendacity by failing to call him out is no typical infraction, like blithely promising a balanced budget or overstating the benefits of reforming the healthcare system. It's a knife directly in the heart of our democracy.

They say character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking.

But sometimes it's doing the right thing when everyone is watching.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Saudi Arabian company at the center of controversy over leases allowing it to pump groundwater under state land recently hired a new lobbyist: The business partner of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs top campaign adviser.

Fondomonte, the foreign company, inked a contract with Chad Guzman and his firm, Signal Peak Consulting. Guzman is the sole member of Signal Peak, according to Arizona business records, which show he also co-manages a lobbying firm called Fillmore Strategy with Hobbs senior adviser to her campaign, Joe Wolf.

Both companies list the same address on state business registration records. Wolf is close with Hobbs and serves as her spokesman for campaign-related issues, but said he has stopped receiving payments from the governor's campaign.

Signal Peak was hired about two months ago, according to Matthew Benson, a partner at the political firm Veridus and a spokesperson for Fondomonte. The company hired Benson earlier this month, as scrutiny of its below-market-rate leases of state land has intensified. Signal Peak was not registered as a lobbyist for Fondomonte on state-required reports until Wednesday, however.

Arizona's groundwater supplies: Arizona blocks Saudi company from drilling 2 more wells on state land

Benson and Wolf said Wolf was not involved with Fondomonte, which does business with state land and water departments under Hobbs' control.

Wolf did not respond to a question about how he kept his shared business with Guzman separate from Guzmans consulting clients, including Fondomonte. He said he had no ties to the Saudi company.

Given Ive never had a contract, been paid by Fondomonte or provided consultation, Id say this is a nothingburger," Wolf said. Chad's extensive experience over the years makes him a valuable asset to any client and he maintains a separate and solely owned consulting practice, of which I am not involved.

Guzman did not return two messages seeking comment. Benson said the contract with Guzman came about due to Guzmans work history.

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Chad and his firm  Signal Peak Consulting  were a natural choice, as he has spent his career working on natural resources issues and has extensive knowledge in the area of water, Benson said. Benson said he was hired to do strategic communications" for Fondomonte.

Guzman previously worked several years as a lobbyist for Arizona Public Service Co., the states largest electric company, and Epcor, the private water company that serves several cities in Arizona, according to state lobbying records. Wolf also has done consulting work for APS, which donated over $360,000 to the governors inauguration events earlier this year.

How Fondomonte got the OK to pump Arizona water

The Arizona State Land Departments leases to Fondomonte and other private companies that are allowed to pump unlimited amounts of water were revealed by The Arizona Republic last year.

Fondomonte agreed, under a prior administration, to lease state land in the Butler Valley near Bouse for $25 an acre, roughly one-fifth of the market price for farmland there. Fondomonte grows alfalfa to ship back to the Middle East to feed dairy cows, drawing on water from a groundwater transfer basin that could serve as a future water supply for the Phoenix area.

The controversy has unfolded as the West is amid a megadrought, with communities like Rio Verde Foothills serving as national symbols of the areas water scarcity.

Hobbs criticized the leases on the campaign trail and in her first State of the State speech as governor. The issue transcended partisanship during the 2022 election cycle, with candidates across party lines critiquing what they viewed as sweetheart deals.

New water rights and improvement: What to know about Buckeye's new budget

Hobbs' spokesperson, Christian Slater, said the administration is studying approaches for transportation basin leases and will administer them in a comprehensive way that puts Arizona interests firsts. He declined to comment on the connection between Guzman and Wolf or a July 16 article in the Washington Post that said Hobbs' staff recommended not renewing Fondomontes leases, which are set to expire next year.

The state Department of Water Resources, under Hobbs purview, stopped two well-drilling permits for Fondomonte earlier this year, though the company has other existing wells, and in May paused lease renewals and applications for state-owned land in basins such as Butler Valley.

Gov. Hobbs has always fought for accountability from special interests pumping Arizonas water," Slater said. She will continue to have a comprehensive and aggressive approach to managing our states water resources to ensure that Arizonas water supplies are protected and well managed for generations to come.

Fondomonte had already hired two prominent politicos in Arizona as lobbyists, including Jordan Rose, the founder of Rose Law Group, who has a background in land and water use and helped with GOP Gov. Doug Duceys inauguration and transition into office in 2014.

Former Congressman John Shadegg, a Republican, also is lobbying for Fondomonte. Benson said Fondomonte will utilize his expertise on water issues in communicating with officials regarding Fondomontes operations and the importance of agriculture  and alfalfa, in particular  to our economy.

Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. Follow her on Twitter @sbarchenger.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fondomonte hires business partner of adviser to Ariz. Gov. Katie Hobbs
On Jan. 15, the same day the Iowa caucuses kick off the Republican presidential primary, a civil trial is scheduled to begin in New York accusing GOP frontrunner Donald Trump of defamation against a woman accusing him of rape.

The next day, in South Florida, a federal judge will consider whether to admit classified material into a criminal trial that could put him behind bars.

The Republican primary calendar is set to run headfirst into the legal realities facing Trump, who currently tops the polls despite facing criminal charges in New York and Florida, with additional indictments possible in the coming weeks out of Washington, D.C., and Georgia.

Many of the most competitive contests that could determine the Republican nominee will take place before the first criminal trial begins on March 24, including the Super Tuesday races, forcing Republican primary voters to decide whether to elect Trump as their party leader once again without knowing his ultimate legal fate.

When we take all these cases and how theyve come about, most Republicans see these cases as political charges masquerading as criminal charges, Ford OConnell, a Republican strategist, said. I think youre going to have a hard time finding a Republican that doesnt see it that way.

But at least two of the criminal cases facing Trump could reach jury trials in the spring, before the Republican National Convention takes place in Wisconsin on July 15  raising the prospect of a contested convention if Trump is convicted.

That is really the key date here, said Norm Eisen, White House ethics czar under former President Barack Obama and co-counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during the first impeachment of Trump in 2020.

The principal decision point is going to come at the convention, where there will be two of these four big criminal cases resolved in jury trials, Eisen said. And theyll have to decide, if Trump has been convicted, whether they want to nominate a convicted felon even if he has won the most votes.

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Trump has been indicted by the Manhattan district attorney for allegedly falsifying business records in order to cover up payments to a porn star with whom he reportedly had an extramarital affair in the months before the 2016 presidential election. The judge overseeing that case has scheduled a trial to begin March 24 and said he intends to stay firm on the date.

An independent special counsel, Jack Smith, has charged Trump with mishandling highly classified documents under the Espionage Act by storing them at his home in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, refusing to return them to federal authorities and conspiring to obstruct justice. The judge in that case has set a trial date for May in Florida.

And any day now, Smith could charge Trump in a separate case alleging he attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election. That case, based out of Washington, D.C., could move quickly  especially if the calendar in the South Florida case slips. I anticipate hell schedule that on a double track, so if the documents case slips, you can get the election interference case in D.C. tried, Eisen said.

Trump also faces possible felony criminal charges at the state level in Georgia over his attempts to subvert the election results there in 2020. Charges stemming from that investigation could come as soon as next month.

Civil Suits

Trump also faces two civil cases out of New York. The defamation suit, which goes to trial on Jan. 15, is an amended lawsuit by E. Jean Carroll, who had previously won her case against the former president after he had denied sexually assaulting her at a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. Shortly after that decision came down, Trump verbally attacked her on cable television, leading Carroll to amend her claims.

And in October, Trump and his family organization will confront allegations of staggering fraud in another New York trial, accused by the attorney general of lying to lenders and insurers about the value of their properties and his personal net worth over the course of a decade.

The former president has said he is innocent in all cases.

The crowded schedule of legal engagements underscores the various political and logistical challenges that Trump faces as he seeks to return to the White House in 2024.

The issue is going to be: can the Justice Department get a conviction? OConnell said. And does it happen before the convention? Im not so sure about that, but I dont think its crazy to say that something could happen before the general election.

The various charges have also created an awkward entanglement between the political world and the justice system. Trump and his allies have seized on the indictments and investigations on the campaign trail to argue that he is the victim of a witch hunt by political opponents, and have repeatedly criticized prosecutors and judges whom he views as a threat.

Republican voters have largely shown a willingness to stand by Trumps claim that the cases against him are purely political. A Quinnipiac University poll released in June, for example, found that roughly nine in 10 GOP voters said they believe that the allegations that Trump mishandled classified documents after leaving office are politically motivated.

And while more than a dozen Republicans are challenging Trump for the partys 2024 presidential nomination, he remains the heavy favorite in the primary. Most national and state-level polls show him leading the GOP field by double-digit margins. His main rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has struggled in recent months to gain any ground on Trump.

Still, Trumps expected trials pose a challenge for a politician who would much rather be on the campaign trail than in the courtroom. Dallas Woodhouse, a longtime Republican operative who has worked in GOP politics in North Carolina and South Carolina for years, said the race is still fluid and that the indictments only exacerbate that dynamic.

Right now, most Republicans think Trump ought to be the nominee, he said. The question is will they still think that come January and February and March? You have these indictments, these trials. And you cant be in two places at the same time.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California at the Capitol on April 26, 2022. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

A top Senate Democrat pleaded with Sen. Dianne Feinstein during an awkward moment.

Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray told her colleague to "just say aye."

Feinstein appeared to be launching into a lengthy speech during a time when senators were just supposed to vote.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday appeared confused and attempted to deliver a longer speech during a Senate hearing, the latest in a string of episodes that have raised further questions about her ability to continue serving in office.

"Just say aye," Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray repeatedly pleaded with her colleague.

Instead of a short reply, Feinstein began her response by saying, "I would like to support a yes vote on this, it provides $823 billion ...." As the California Democrat continued to speak, an aide also intervened to try to remind the lawmaker that this was not the time for speeches.

"OK," Feinstein then said as Murray reminded her one final time to "just say aye." "Aye," she finally said.

A Feinstein spokesperson later said that the senator was confused during a "chaotic" hearing.

"The senator was preoccupied, didn't realize debate had just ended and a vote was called. She started to give a statement, was informed it was a vote and then cast her vote," Feinstein's spokesperson said in a statement.

Video of the hearing is available here. Both Murray and Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on the panel, had spoken about the proposal before Murray called for a vote. A clerk then began reading off the names, starting with Feinstein's.

The entire exchange lasted less than a minute but it comes as concerns remain on Capitol Hill about Feinstein's ability to adequately serve in office. The California Democrat is 90 years old, making her the oldest senator. She missed months of votes earlier this year, leading to delays in advancing President Joe Biden's judicial nominees.

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The Senate Appropriations Committee was considering legislation that would provide hundreds of billions of dollars for the Pentagon, the EPA, and other major federal departments and agencies. The panel's purse-string power makes it highly desirable but senior members have a better chance of securing a seat on the committee.

In recent weeks, Feinstein voted in favor of a Republican-led amendment during a different Senate hearing before being corrected. Insider Reporter Bryan Metzger also observed Feinstein asking her chief of staff "Where are we going?" as she was wheeled into an elevator.

Feinstein previously announced that she would not seek reelection. She has remained steadfast in continuing to serve, even as some California Democrats publicly call for her to step down.

Representatives for both Murray and Feinstein did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Two military officials from military recruitment centers in Rivne Oblast have been accused of assaulting a serviceman

Two military officials from military recruitment centers in Rivne Oblast have been accused of assaulting a serviceman and were found in possession of drugs, according to a report released by the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) on July 27.

The colonel and lieutenant colonel learned that a driver from a rifle platoon in one of the military units of the Rivne District military recruitment center planned to report their violations during service, the report stated.

They decided to prevent this and physically assaulted the man.

The DBR further revealed that the head of the Rivne Oblast recruitment center personally carried out the attack, while the head of the district center filmed the incident on a phone.

During these so-called disciplinary measures, physical violence was used, the DBR concluded.

The officials also forced the victim to kneel down and beg for forgiveness.

On July 26, DBR officers conducted six searches at workplaces, residences, and vehicles of the heads of military recruitment centers. Mobile phones were seized, including one belonging to the victim of the assault. The DBR noted that a bat, believed to have been used in the assault, was found at the residence of the head of the Rivne Oblast military recruitment center.

Additionally, during the searches, authorities found eight packages containing a white substance suspected to be amphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia, in the possession of the head of the Rivne District military recruitment center.

Read also: Ukrainian officer who beat soldier on video may face 12 years in prison  SBI

As a result of the investigation, the official has been arrested and charged with illegal possession of psychotropic substances with intent to distribute on a large scale, an offense punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years with property confiscation (Article 307, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Additionally, the head of the Oblast Territorial Center for Conscription faces charges of exceeding military service personnels authority during a state of war (Article 426-1, Part 5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), which could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 12 years if convicted.

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The military serviceman involved in the incident has also been detained. An application has been submitted to the investigating judge to determine the preventive measures for the detained individuals and to suspend them from their positions.

Media outlets reported that the detained individual is Serhiy Lutsiuk, the head of the Rivne Oblast Territorial Conscription and Social Support Center. A video has been published, showing him physically assaulting and humiliating his subordinate while discussing drugs.

Read also: Zelenskyy instructs Zaluzhnyi to dismiss Odesa draft commissioner

On July 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an urgent order to establish a commission tasked with verifying all military commissariats across Ukraine. The objective is to ensure that these institutions uphold the countrys reputation and honor the memory of the brave heroes sacrificing their lives on the front lines.

On July 25, Zelenskyy reported disheartening results from the ongoing verification process. In a video address, he stated, Today, I was presented with some preliminary results of the inspection of other commissariats, besides the former Odesa one. And the results are disheartening. Of course, law enforcement will handle them in a lawful manner, and the public will see everything.

Scandal over Odesa draft commissioner Borysov: What we know

Former lawmaker Ihor Mosiychuk gave a shocking statement to Radio NV in early May, claiming that he had provided the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) with evidence that the head of the Odesa district military commissariat, Yevhen Borysov, was purchasing elite real estate in Spain during a state of war.

Ukrainska Pravda, NVs sister publication, published an in-depth investigation supporting these claims, alleging that Borysovs family had acquired property on the Spanish coast and expensive cars worth millions of dollars while the country was in the midst of the full-scale war. Borysov denied any knowledge of these acquisitions, instead attributing them to his wifes alleged involvement in small-scale trade in Spain.

The damning evidence prompted the DBR to launch a criminal case against Borysov in May. He was accused of instructing subordinates to accept bribes in exchange for avoiding conscription for certain individuals. As a result, Borysov was swiftly suspended from his position.

On June 28, the Ukrainian militarys Operational Command South (OK South) announced the dismissal of Borysov from his role. Colonel Oleksandr Okhrimenko was appointed as his replacement.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angelica Ramseys three-year contract was extended this week after a closed-door evaluation by the districts Board of Education on Tuesday.

She was hired less than a year ago in September and completed her first school year focused on connecting with teachers and parents while cutting costs and administrative positions to combat declining enrollment.

The board voted 8-0 to extend her contract for an additional year, which will now expire in 2026, with limited public discussion. Trustee Kevin Lynch abstained from voting.

Were looking forward to the next three years and working together with Dr. Ramsey and moving our school district forward, putting the highest emphasis on our student achievement, Board President Camille Rodriguez said at the meeting.

Although Ramsey did not speak about the contract itself, she noted her excitement for the upcoming school year to start. Students return on Aug. 14.

In two weeks, we bring back all of our staff as we start professional development for the 23-24 school year. (Im) just really excited about seeing our students on that first day of school and continue our learning together as we grow into one Fort Worth, Ramsey said.

Neither Ramsey nor Lynch could not be reached for additional comment as of Thursday afternoon.

Ramseys annual salary is $335,000, according to her original contract. She previously served as superintendent at the Midland Independent School District before coming to Fort Worth.
Two men pretending to be contractors with a local company were damaging homes in attempt to get business, according to police in Minnesota.

In many of the cases, homeowners say they were visited by people offering free roof inspections, the Minnetonka Police Department said in a July 26 news release. The contractors returned with photos of damage they insisted needed to be repaired and sometimes offered to drive the homeowners to the bank to provide payment.

An investigation began when one of the homeowners contacted police with concerns about contractors offering to repair the chimney on her home, authorities said.

A work crew told her they had drone footage of chimney damage, police said, and they offered to inspect her roof in person.

Then the woman found broken chimney pieces in her backyard, according to the release.

She decided to call the local company written on the handwritten invoice she received, and thats when she learned the men did not really work for the business, authorities said.

The individual in this case did what we want people to do, Minnetonka Police Capt. Andy Gardner said in the release. She asked the work crew for identification and more information. When it didnt make sense, she called the police.

Detectives said they went to the home on Tuesday, July 25, and waited for the crew to return.

Two adult men, from England, were taken into federal custody, according to the release. Two teenagers who were traveling with the men were taken into protective custody.

The department is working with other area agencies and contractors in an ongoing investigation into the scam. It is unknown how many cases are involved.

One invoice obtained by police shows a homeowner paid $4,000 in full.

The suspects face charges of theft and damage to property, police said.

Investigators advise residents to be aware of traveling contractors who will often move temporarily to a region during storm season and approach homeowners with offers of free inspections, police said.

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Homeowners are asked to verify contractor information before signing any contracts. Police said homeowners also should avoid paying for repairs with cash.

Minnetonka is part of the Minneapolis metropolitan area.

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Pro-Trump supporters clash with police and security forces at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

A convicted Jan. 6 rioter says he threw up on the Capitol building because he drank too much peach schnapps.

Zachariah Sattler, 36, also allegedly smoked weed in the US Capitol building and bragged about it.

Sattler wrote in a letter to a judge that he was out of shape and had inhaled tear gas when he vomited at the riot.

A convicted January 6 rioter has apologized for throwing up on the US Capitol building, explaining he drank too much peach schnapps, was out of shape, and inhaled tear gas during the insurrection.

On Thursday, 36-year-old Maryland native Zachariah Sattler filed a letter to the court, including an apology for his involvement in the 2021 insurrection.

"I take responsibility for my actions, and I am diligently committed to making amends," Sattler said.

Those actions, prosecutors allege and Sattler admits to, include throwing up outside the Capitol and smoking weed inside the building.

"The reason that happened is, I was breathing heavy amounts of pepper spray and with the peach schnapps alcohol I drank and I had nothing for lunch to eat, also being out of shape [led] to my vomiting," he wrote.

Prosecutors allege Sattler was spotted in CCTV footage pushing inside the East Rotunda Doors of the building at 2:40pm.

He was also identified walking around Statuary Hall before reentering the Rotunda at 3 p.m. and taking "several puffs from a joint offered by another rioter," according to allegations in court documents.

After Jan. 6, Prosecutors say Sattler "bragged about his presence at the Capitol to others, specifically noting that he smoked marijuana while inside the Capitol."

Sattler had also recorded a video while at the riot, saying he wanted to "go hang out with the Proud Boys for a minute" and zooming in on his vomit pile on the Capitol building.

Sattler confirmed in his memorandum that he'd been smoking weed and drinking alcohol.

He's the latest person who was involved in the insurrection that's been charged. Over a thousand others have also been charged, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Prosecutors asked the judge in Sattler's case that he be sentenced to 60 days in jail, according to court filings.

Read the original article on Business Insider
[Source]

A councilmember in Georgia was shamed by her fellow councilmember for petitioning to add voting ballots in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Deans address: Van Tran, a Vietnamese American councilmember of four years, has spent the past four months advocating for Spanish and Vietnamese voting ballots. Although her colleagues opposed the idea in April, Tran continued to fight for the ballots during meetings.

In a council meeting on July 11, fellow councilmember Dorothy Dean accused Tran of dishonoring the oath she took as an American citizen.

You, as an immigrant American, you took an oath of citizenship that was read and given to you in English. That language you swore an allegiance to. I feel as a citizen of this city and as a fellow council member. You disregarded and you dishonored those oaths that you took as an American citizen. Id like to say that is un-American and inexcusable. Shame on you, Van Tran. More from NextShark: John Wick director says Jet Li, Jackie Chan part of dream list for future sequel As a citizen, as an elected official, you should be encouraging citizens to learn to speak, read, and write the language in which they are citizens of this country. But instead you want to get a petition signed to include another countrys language on the American voting ballot. Id like to let you know that offended me highly as a woman of color whos lived in this country for 72 years, who has had to mark, stand in line to protest to get the right to vote.

Trans response: In an interview with WSB-TV, Tran said that Deans comments were insulting.

Its very hurtful, its rude and its offensive to me as a minority, Tran said. I am an American citizen and having that term (immigrant American) being used is showing that Im not equal. To me, nothing is more American and patriotic than helping the American citizen to vote.

More from NextShark: Manga artist Fujiko Fujio A, co-creator of Doraemon, passes away at 88

According to the U.S. Census, Morrows population is 32.9% Asian and 22% Hispanic or Latino. Tran said she was motivated to add voting ballots in Spanish and Vietnamese because a significant demographic of the town is Latino or Vietnamese.

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Dean doubles down: When WSB-TV asked Dean whether she stands by her comments, she responded, I do.

[Tran] was not being fair to other non-English-speaking people or English-speaking people. She was only talking to Vietnamese people, Dean claimed.

More from NextShark: Asian Family in Bay Area Followed, Robbed of Watch at Gunpoint

Ive experienced discrimination and a hard life, she added. I want everyone to feel that they are equal. I dont discriminate. To me, I dont care where you came from, what your ethnicity is.

Trans supporters: At the latest Morrow City Council meeting, more than 30 people reportedly showed up in support of Tran, with citizens calling for an apology from Dean and for her resignation.

Voting rights are for everybody, one supporter said, according to WSB-TV.

More from NextShark: Japanese teacher's colleagues shocked after he is arrested while moonlighting at host club

Tran said that she was amazed by the support, noting that the chamber was packed.

Legislators denounce Deans comments: On Monday, 28 state legislators signed a letter condemning Deans comments.

As individual members of Georgias legislative Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black, and Hispanic Caucuses, we strongly condemn these remarks, which further a damaging narrative that immigrants are not truly American. There is no official national language of the United States, a country founded by immigrants. People who do not speak English as their first language are just as American as those who do. As a state that celebrates the proud legacy of John Lewis, we know there is no more American activity, nor one that better honors the founding principles of this country, than ensuring our citizens can access their right to vote.

For elected officials to question whether immigrant citizens deserve to participate in the electoral process, however, is truly un-American, the letter concludes.
McNeilus won an amended $2 million property tax reduction Wednesday from Rutherford County officials to build custom truck components.

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc. is a Minnesota-based company that's also part of Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corporation. The amended arrangement with the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board involves adding 100 more jobs at a Murfreesboro factory for a new total of 225 positions.

"We're excited to be in the area," local McNeilus general manager Ryan Kumpf. He touted that his company is ready to market a zero emission garbage truck, Volterra ZSL.

The garbage truck has earned three certifications from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB), according to a press release from the company's office in Dodge Center, Minnesota.

"It was skillfully engineered with technologies and design features covered by more than 50 patents and patent applications," the press release said. "Now this product adds the EPA Heavy Duty Greenhouse Gas Certificate of Conformity, CARB Heavy Duty Greenhouse Gas Executive Order, and the CARB Zero Emissions Powertrain Executive Order to its list of advantages."

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. builds North Americas first fully integrated, zero-emission electric refuse collection vehicle (eRCV), which incorporates technological advancements, driver comfort and safety. McNeilus won an amended $2 million property tax reduction arrangement with the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board on Wednesday.

The seven-year property tax abatement agreement won unanimous IDB support, including from Warren Russell. He was pleased to hear that McNeilus is providing jobs for welders, fabricators and other positions at a factory off Joe B. Jackson Parkway on the far southeast side of Murfreesboro.

"This is the type of jobs we need," said Russell, whose board in 2022 approved the previous $1.6 million tax break with McNeilus to gain 125 jobs and a capital investment of $136.2 million.

Warren Russell

Tax incentive: Truck manufacturing firm gets tax break for Murfreesboro plant, 125 jobs and $136.2M investment

Jobs will pay over $53K per year

The jobs will pay an annual wage of $53,242, which is less than the county's average of $56,212, according to an IDB consultant report completed by Younger Associates.

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McNeilus in the amended arrangement will be investing nearly $161.5 million overall in the operation. The capital investment combined with the jobs will generate an estimated $15.6 million in local taxes. So for every $1 of taxes abated, the agreement should provide an estimated $7.60 in local taxes, Younger Associates reported.

Most of tax abatement involves personal property taxes on equipment. McNeilus will be paying 90% of the real estate property taxes to the Rutherford County and Murfreesboro governments for seven years, said Patrick Cammack, a senior vice president of economic development for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc. builds North Americas first fully integrated, zero-emission electric refuse collection vehicle (eRCV), which incorporates technological advancements, driver comfort and safety. McNeilus won an amended $2 million property tax reduction arrangement with the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board on Wednesday.

McNeilus in the 2022 arrangement announced plans to build an 844,480-square-foot factory that's part of the Parkway Place development on 51 acres, IDB chairman Bill Jones said.

The factory is at 2120 Logistics Way and is behind the large Amazon fulfillment center on Joe B. Jackson Parkway.

The McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing factory is 844,480 square feet and sits at 2120 Logistics Way behind the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Joe B. Jackson Parkway off Interstate 24 in southeast Murfreesboro.

McNeilus is investing $25.2 million to expand its Murfreesboro operation, according to a press release from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

The state press release suggests McNeilus will employ more than 300 people in Murfreesboro.

Note: This story will be updated.

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital.

Tax abatement facts

Who's getting amended tax incentive: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc., which is based in Minnesota and part of Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corporation

Where does McNeilus operate in Tennessee : 2120 Logistics Way off Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Interstate 24 on southeast side of Murfreesboro, Tennessee

What is amended tax incentive: nearly $2.1 million property tax abatement over seven years with Murfreesboro and Rutherford County governments

Who approved tax deal: Rutherford County Industrial Development Board

Capital investment from McNeilus: nearly $161.5 million

How many jobs is company pledging in tax agreement: 225

What's average annual pay of jobs: $53,242

What's average annual pay of jobs in Rutherford County: $56,212

Estimated local taxes generated through seven-year agreement: $15.6 million

Source: Younger Associates report for Rutherford County Industrial Development Board

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Rutherford IDB approves $2M tax cut for McNeilus Truck, adds 100 jobs
Committed police work and improved technology combined recently in Fresno with the arrest of a suspect wanted for a murder that happened more than three decades ago.

The arrest marks a significant moment: After more than 36 years, justice may be finally achieved for the relatives of the slain woman.

Jacqueline Henry was 22 when her naked body was discovered in a field in southwest Fresno.

The Black woman had been stabbed multiple times and dumped days earlier. A field worker made the horrific discovery. Henry left behind an infant boy, as well as her own mother, Mae Henry.

Jacqueline Henrys killing occurred on Feb. 24, 1987. Two detectives were assigned to the case. They determined she had been sexually assaulted and murdered in the parking lot of Pearly Grove Baptist Church. The field where her body was found was across the street.

The detectives gathered as much evidence as they could, but it did not lead them to a suspect. Years went by. One of the detectives passed away in 2012. Henrys killing became a cold case, the term given to unsolved crimes.

Twenty-two years later, Bartlett Ledbetter, a detective in the Fresno PD cold-case unit, was assigned to revisit the Henry murder. Reviewing cold cases is a standard practice, so he submitted evidence to the California DNA Databank.

Initially, nothing got flagged. But technological advancements in DNA screening steadily occurred. It took 13 years, but in February 2022  35 years after Henry was killed  Fresno police received a letter from the state on a possible and probable match to the killer of Jackie, police Chief Paco Balderrama said at a news conference Tuesday.

That led to the arrest of Carl Eugene Sears, now 71, who police believe murdered Henry when he was 35 years old. He was booked into the Fresno County Jail in lieu of posting $1.2 million in bail. He previously served a prison sentence for a sex crime and was a registered sex offender.

Death penalty?

Working cold cases can be a thankless task until a break occurs. The Bee Editorial Board asked Balderrama if landing that break is like hitting a home run.

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A grand-slam home run is a good way to describe it, he replied in an email. Especially when you really werent expecting a break in the case after three decades.

Sears was paroled from Avenal State Prison last year. He was at the parole office in Fresno when he was arrested on suspicion of killing Henry.

For her relatives, the news was both a relief and a resurfacing of bitter anger.

In 1987, Henry was nothing but a baby and did not deserve none of that, said her sister, Connie Meux, fairly shouting her words at the news conference. Of Sears, she said this: Give him the death penalty. Hes a monster. He dont deserve to go nowhere but to death.

The death penalty is a punishment that is under consideration by Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp. No decision will be made until after the preliminary hearing, during which a judge determines if the prosecution has enough evidence to warrant a trial. Even if Sears is convicted of the murder, a separate trial must be held to see if the death penalty should be imposed. Gov. Newsom has halted executions, so life imprisonment would be a likely outcome.

Highest honor

Fresno Police Lt. Paul Cervantes said there are no other cases in which Sears might be a suspect. As to how many cold cases get re-examined each year, he estimated five, but stressed it varies with how many current cases are being investigated.

It takes team work to solve cold cases. If the initial detectives had not gathered sufficient evidence, Ledbetter would not have been able to submit useful material to the DNA lab.

Balderrama stressed how significant Sears arrest is for Fresno police. This is a once in a lifetime and career experience. It is extraordinarily rare that a case is solved after three-and-a-half decades. The many hours of hard work, dedication, and painstaking review of the case make it all worth it to bring justice and closure to a family who have suffered with the pain of losing a loved one, and not knowing who is responsible.

We feel extremely happy for the family of Ms. Henry, and for our homicide team, this is the highest honor and accomplishment one can have.
Criminal charges against journalist who revealed judges Russian citizen-ship dropped

A criminal case launched against a journalist from the U.S.-funded Radio Libertys Skhemy project has been dropped following a lack of evidence, Skhemy reported on Telegram on July 27.

The case against Skhemy journalist Heorhii Shabayev was initially opened after Skhemy published an article revealing that Judge Liudmyla Arestova of the Donetsk District Administrative Court currently holds Russian citizenship.

Read also: SBU aware of the Russian ties of its new deputy head

They based their findings on extracts from the automated Russian passport system (Rospasport), indicating that the judge obtained her Russian passport in 2014 under the so-called Treaty on the Accession of Crimea to Russia. This treaty granted Russian citizenship to Ukrainian citizens and stateless individuals who were permanent residents in Crimea at the time of its annexation.

Skhemys report also revealed that from 2018 to January 2022, the judge visited the occupied Crimea, spending a total of 255 days there.

Following the publication of the article, the Slovyansk District Prosecutors Office launched a criminal investigation against Shabayev, alleging possible interference in Arestovas judicial activities.

Read also: Parliament strips Yuriy Aristov of parliamentary mandate over Maldives trip scandal

Arestova reported the alleged interference in the administration of justice with the aim of discrediting her to the Higher Judicial Council and the Office of the Prosecutor General. She accused Shabayev of actively collaborating with Russia during the war and transferring gathered information to the Russian special services. Additionally, she accused him of engaging in unlawful surveillance to discredit her as a judge.

On July 27, investigators from the National Police in Slovyansk summoned Shabayev for questioning in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, the journalists behind the investigation claim to have found further evidence of Judge Arestovas use of her Russian passport by referencing the database of Russian flight records. According to their findings, after the Russian occupation of Crimea in May 2014, the judge traveled to Moscow and used her Russian passport for these flights.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
On Thursday, two New Hampshire women were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the sexual exploitation of children at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough.

Lindsay Groves, 38, of Hudson, and Stacie Marie Laughton, 39, of Nashua, were indicted on three counts each of sexual exploitation of children. Groves is also charged with one count of distribution of child pornography.

Laughton will appear in federal court in Boston tomorrow, while Groves will appear at a later date. Both defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography on June 22 and July 18. Both remain in custody.

These allegations are every parents worst nightmare. The individuals in todays indictments are alleged to have collaborated to take advantage of trusted access to children to create exploitative material, said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. Homeland Security Investigations and our partners will never cease in our pursuit of those who prey upon children.

Groves was a staff member at Creative Minds daycare in Tynsborough. She was first accused of taking photos of nude children as early as last summer, 25 Investigates reports. She was arraigned in June.

Laughton previously served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and was the states first openly transgender lawmaker. She and Groves were former intimate partners.

According to the charging documents, a review of Groves cellphone allegedly revealed over 10,000 text messages between Laughton and Groves that included explicit photographs Groves had taken of children at the Creative Minds daycare, or discussion about the photographs.

Ensuring the safety of our children is one of the highest priorities for this office. The conduct alleged today is horrific and inexplicable. This case is a reminder of how critical it is that we continue to focus on people who prey on our most vulnerable population, children. The U.S. Attorneys Office will never let up in our efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation. Perpetrators will be rooted out and aggressively pursued by this office, said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

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The charge of sexual exploitation of children can carry a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison, and the distribution of child pornography has a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years. Both offenses also require five years to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

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

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Mariah Barnett, 9, and her father, Troy, recline in a pool while trying to beat the 109-degree heat at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center in Bakersfield. Asked to sum up the recent heat wave, Troy Barnett uttered just one word: "Horrible." (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

For nearly a month, millions of people across the American Southwest have sizzled, sweated and sweltered under a heat wave that refuses to let up.

Day after day, residents from Fresno to Phoenix have endured triple-digit temperatures and hot, restless nights that have offered little relief.

Forecasters say the heat wave is being driven by a ridge of high pressure that has parked itself over the region, creating a pressure cooker of slowly sinking warm air.

But some experts say it is a worrisome indication of a climate that has been radically altered by human behavior colliding with the onset of El Nino.

"We would not see the kinds of temperatures globally that we're seeing without climate change  it's virtually impossible to explain these changes in the absence of climate change," said Katharine Jacobs, director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University of Arizona. "But for Arizona and the southern tier of the U.S., I think El Nino is contributing to exceptionally high temperatures at this point."

Read more: Southern California will broil for the rest of the week. How hot could it get?

El Nino is a recurring climate pattern in the tropical Pacific that is typically associated with higher global temperatures. It made its official arrival in June, and in early July the planet saw its hottest days ever recorded, with the global average shattering the previous record of 62.46 degrees four days in a row.

In the southwestern U.S., El Nino may also be resulting in a late monsoon season. That means the rain and clouds that typically move in from the Gulf of Mexico this time of year have yet to arrive and dampen the heat, Jacobs said. The high pressure associated with the heat dome may also have an added blocking feature that is preventing weather from moving as it normally does.

"We have seen a lot more of this kind of behavior since the climate change signal has been identified, where weather just doesn't move east with the jet stream the way we expect it to," she said.

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Indeed, researchers are investigating whether human-caused climate change is altering the jet stream  fast-moving air currents that drive weather across the globe.

What is undisputed, however, is that such patterns are occurring against the backdrop of global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. A study published this week by World Weather Attribution found that the ongoing Southwest heat wave  as well as concurrent heat waves in Europe and China  would not have been possible without climate change.

Climate change made the European heat wave 4.5 degrees hotter, the U.S. and Mexico heat wave 3.6 degrees hotter, and the China heat wave 1.8 degrees hotter, the study found.

"Unfortunately, what we have is this moving base line where warming is very likely going to continue, and the extreme warmth that we see this decade is going to become more commonplace three decades from now," said Daniel Cayan, a research meteorologist with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

He said that model projections indicate that the number of heat wave days could double by 2050, and that such events will become more extreme and longer lasting.

"We're getting a sort of flavor of that this summer, but if you're writing this article in 2047, you'll probably be remarking about how unusual it is compared to what it was in 2023," he said.

Read more: July is on track to be the hottest month on record  and things are about to get warmer

The current heat wave has already made life miserable for millions of people.

In California's Central Valley, temperatures have lingered at or above 100 degrees for the majority of the month, including a consecutive run of 14 triple-digit days in Fresno. Bakersfield has seen 15 days of triple-digit temperatures this July, with a 10-day streak ending Tuesday when it dropped to 99 degrees.

"We are super duper busy," said Mary Lisa Russell, a spokesperson with the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Though she could not provide the hospital's specific intake numbers for heat-related illnesses, she said that "whenever you have heat, you have more people coming into a trauma center."

In Phoenix, temperatures are so high that people are suffering pavement burns from sidewalks, which are sizzling at temperatures of up to 170 degrees.

Phoenix continues to shatter record after record as the heat wave refuses to let up. The city has seen 26 consecutive days of temperatures of 110 degrees or higher  obliterating the previous record of 18 days set in 1974. Wednesday was expected to be the 27th day, said Austin Jamison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service there.

"It's so many days, it's kind of blurring one into the next," Jamison said.

But while so many hot days are cause for concern, hot nights are also dangerous.

"Heat waves are measured both in terms of intensity and duration, and I think this particular one is breaking records in both categories," said Jacobs, of the University of Arizona. "And particularly, it's concerning because the nighttime temperatures are so high, and that makes it very difficult for people to recover at night from all that heat during the day."

Read more: Climate change leaves fingerprints on July heat waves around the globe, study says

It has been 16 days since Phoenix saw its low temperature drop below 90 degrees. The previous record was seven days set in 2012 and 2020.

Cayan, of Scripps, said such trends are also likely to increase.

Nighttime heat waves "carry a lot of consequence because it means that households don't cool off as much, and it means that ecosystems don't enjoy that break," he said. "It's something that bears watching, and of course it has a lot of human health impacts as well as demand for energy and cooling."

There are other factors that may be behind July's simmering heat, UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said. They include the Hunga Tonga volcano eruption of 2022, which shot record-breaking amounts of heat-trapping water vapor into the stratosphere.

During a briefing this week, Swain said that the effects of the eruption are still being studied, but that it is conceivable it may have led to temporary planetary warming.

There is some relief on the horizon, with conditions expected to be somewhat closer to normal in many parts of the Southwest beginning next week. But the relief may be short-lived, as seasonal forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate more heat is on the way in August.

NOAA officials also said the odds are growing that 2023 will be among Earth's hottest years on record  if not the hottest  and that 2024 will probably be even hotter.

"The reason why this is the warmest year on record globally  and so much warmer than anything we observed in the 20th century  well, that pretty much comes down to climate change," Swain said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The number of students receiving school meals fell dramatically in the 2022-23 school year as federally funded pandemic meals expired, according to a new report from the Food Research and Action Center.

Of the 91 large school districts surveyed, accounting for more than 6.5 million students, participation in school breakfast and lunch decreased by more than 100,000 and 250,000 students respectively.

In particular, school breakfast participation dropped from 1.84 to 1.74 million students, and school lunch participation dropped from 3.61 to 3.36 million students  a decrease of 5% and 7% respectively.

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Food Research and Action Center

The return back to normal school meal operations, which a number of the districts that participated in the survey had to do, really did negatively impact school nutrition operations, Crystal FitzSimons, director of school and out-of-school time programs at the Food Research and Action Center, told The 74.

Experts said participation declines came from young families whose children entered school during the free meals for all era unaware of how and where to fill out the proper forms when the federal program expired.

Experts also pointed out flaws in the free or reduced-price meal eligibility system some districts had to default back to.

For instance, a student from a household of three is eligible for free lunch if they made $32,318 or less in annual income and for reduced-price lunch if they made $45,991 or less, according to federal guidelines set for the 2023-24 academic year.

Its really tone deaf to the fact that people who might be above the free or reduced-price category could still be struggling middle class families, Joel Berg, chief executive officer at Hunger Free America, told The 74.

Large districts were defined as having an enrollment greater than 7,000 students  from more than 7,000 students in Californias Inglewood Unified School District to nearly 1 million in the New York City Department of Education.

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Other districts include Los Angeles Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, Chicago Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools.

Of the 91 districts surveyed, five were in states that have independently funded free school meals for all and 28 implemented the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP  a program that allows schools with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.

Related: Community Eligibility: The Key to Hunger-Free Students or Just a Band-Aid?

The remaining 58 districts went back to their tiered eligibility system where students had to qualify for free or reduced-price meals  thus contributing to the drops seen in student participation.

FitzSimons said the drops were not as dramatic as they could have been because a handful of the districts surveyed prioritized maintaining pandemic-era meal operations as much as they could afford.

However, FitzSimons noted rising food prices, labor shortages and supply chain disruptions among other operational challenges contributed to the struggle districts faced to provide students healthy school meals.

School districts were really struggling with the changes and with so many of the operational challenges that had been taking place throughout the pandemic, FitzSimons said.

91% of districts reported rising food prices as their topline issue, in addition to 86% that struggled with labor shortages and 85% that struggled with supply chain disruptions.

Other operational challenges include increased school meal debt, communicating changes to the school meal programs when the federal program expired and low student participation.

Food Research and Action Center

Matthew Essner, vice president of state nutrition at LINQ, said problems communicating changes to the school meal programs was a widespread issue.

When schools went back to the traditional meal setting, access and people even understanding that they were required to fill out those forms was a bit confusing, Essner told The 74.

FitzSimons added how labor shortages and the number of school lunch lines negatively impact kids being able to get food quick enough.

FitzSimons also noted how supply chain disruptions impacted schools ability to serve a variety of healthy school meals, which decreased students desire to participate in the meal programs.

[Healthy school meals] generate excitement, particularly with older kids, because we do see participation in the programs decrease as kids get older, FitzSimons said.

So far California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont have acted to independently fund free school meals for all students.

Related: Rhode Island Unlikely To Provide Universal School Meals For Public School Kids

As momentum grows, FitzSimons said statewide legislation as such is the most viable way to ensure every student has access to healthy school meals.

We need to be looking at Healthy School Meals for All as the way to operate school nutrition programs, FitzSimons said. It changes the whole culture of the school cafeteria.
With an Excessive Heat Warning issued for Montgomery County Friday, the City of Dayton will open multiple cooling centers in the city to help those in need of heat relief.

>>Heat Advisory issued for the Miami Valley; Hot, humid temperatures, poor air quality

The three centers will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Heat index values over 105 degrees are expected, which prompted the issuance of the Excessive Heat Warning Friday.

>>Extreme heat: 5 things you can do to get more out of your air conditioner

The citys three recreation centers will be opened and used as the cooling centers Friday:

Greater Dayton Recreation Center  2021 West Third Street

Lohrey Recreation Center  2366 Glenarm Avenue

Northwest Recreation Center  1600 Princeton Drive

Residents are encouraged to stay indoors in an air-conditioned building whenever possible. Those unable to remain inside should stay in the shade as much as possible and should hydrate more than usual, a spokesperson for the Dayton Fire Department said in a media release.

Residents are also encouraged to check on their neighbors for any assistance they may need, and to remember the hydration and shelter needs of pets.

Multiple splash pads are also located across the city which are free and open from noon to 8 p.m.:
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) demanded further information from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) about its plan to remove marijuana from the list of Schedule 1 drugs during a House Judiciary hearing Thursday.

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance during which she informed committee members that the agency has not been given a specific timeline to review and reevaluate marijuanas classification.

President Biden put out a marijuana reform statement in October 2022 that called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the attorney general to reevaluate the federal laws scheduling of marijuana.

The DEA must receive HHSs review and recommendation to conduct its own evaluation process before coming to a scheduling decision, according to Milgram.

To Gaetzs dismay, the DEA has yet to receive any such materials from HHS.

Thats unsettling, isnt it? When you dont even know a timeline, it doesnt really make it seem like somethings front of mind, Gaetz said to Milgram after she disclosed the status of this procedure.

Cohen supported Gaetzs stance on the matter, forming a rare bipartisan agreement in the House.

Cohen claimed that the federal discourse around marijuana has always been governmental gibberish, and that the government has messed this up forever.

Drug scheduling is used by the DEA to create lists of substances ranked by their acceptable medical use and the level of use considered abusive.

Marijuana currently stands on the Schedule 1 list, the classification meant for the worlds most dangerous drugs. Other substances on this list include heroin, LSD and ecstasy.

What I will say to you, not specific to marijuana, but just overall, is that I am committed on trying to move things as quickly as we can, Milgram said in response to Cohens question whether the department can do anything to speed up the process.

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After hearing Milgrams answer, Cohen told the administrator that he would help her out by calling his former colleague, the HHS secretary, today.

Were going to get this moving, he added.

Gaetz also mentioned that marijuanas current status provokes opioid dependencies and accidental fentanyl overdoses.

The Florida Republican explained that without medical marijuana, patients with chronic pain are more likely to turn to opioids to manage their symptoms, which is often the gateway to an addiction.

Fentanyl, which Milgram said is one of the deadliest drugs to exist, was not classified as a Schedule 1 substance when Biden put out his marijuana reform statement in 2022.

Fentanyl related substances were moved to the Schedule 1 list in 2018, but fentanyl itself remains under a Schedule 2 classification on account of its medical value.

I really hope we get this done, Gaetz told Milgram. Were two years into the Biden administration. And I honestly had hoped that by now, we would have already descheduled marijuana from the Schedule 1 list.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Police found a dead body while searching the home of a 78-year-old woman accused of robbing her third bank in Pleasant Hill.

Officers arrived around 2 p.m. Wednesday to serve an arrest warrant in the 1500 block of Eagle Drive for Bonnie Gooch, who was alleged to have robbed a bank in early April and failed to appear in Cass County Circuit Court Monday.

When officers knocked on the front door, it partially opened and they found a dead woman in a rear bedroom of the home, the police department said in a news release.

The body was taken for further investigation and formal identification of the body is pending. Police do not believe foul play is involved.

Gooch was arrested in early April for allegedly robbing a Goppert Financial Bank at 2100 N. Highway 7. In June, she was released from jail on special conditions that she did not consume alcohol, enter any financial institutions or be within 500 feet of any Goppert locations.

Witnesses said the suspect entered the bank wearing plastic gloves, a black N95 mask and black sunglasses along with an all gray outfit. Court documents show a note she allegedly passed to a teller saying she was robbing the bank and needed $13,000 in small bills.

Thank you sorry I didnt mean to scare you, the note read in part.

After she got the money, Gooch was allegedly seen leaving in a Buick Enclave traveling southbound on Highway 7. Officers later located Gooch and stopped her vehicle in an animal clinic parking lot.

Prosecutors claim she smelled strongly of alcohol and officers said they found a large amount of cash on the floorboard.

According to court records, Gooch has at least two other bank robbery convictions in 1977 in California and in 2020 in Lees Summit. Gooch waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

Her formal arraignment was scheduled for July 24.

The Stars Jenna Thompson and Bill Lukitsch contributed to this report.
Hundreds of millions of people from California to the Northeast are trying their best to stay cool as a coast-to-coast heat wave continues its deadly assault on the nation.

Record-breaking temperatures have scorched the western and southern half of the U.S. for weeks, putting a strain on power grids and has led to the deaths of dozens of people.

This week, however, hot temperatures have expanded to the east, putting millions more at risk of experiencing heat-related injuries.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

More than 151 million people across the country are under some kind of heat alert, ranging from Heat Advisories to Excessive Heat Warnings. That includes New York City, which hasnt been under an Excessive Heat Warning since August 2021. Heat index readings could reach 100 in the Big Apple.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE AND HEALTHY AS TEMPERATURES RISE

A boy cools off in a public fountain at a park as temperatures begin to rise on July 26, 2023 in New York.

Excessive Heat Warnings arent only confined to the Northeast, however. Theyre also in effect across portions of the Midwest and Plains, including St. Louis where "feels like" temperatures will climb towards 110 on Friday.

Phoenix and Palm Springs, California, are also under an Excessive Heat Warning as dangerous temperatures refuse to let up in the western U.S.

MINUTES MATTER: WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU SEE A CHILD LOCKED IN A HOT CAR

Children play with a dog in a water fountain on July 26, 2023 in New York during a heat wave.

Heat alerts stretch through the heart of the Northeast I-95 corridor and into New England, with Excessive Heat Warnings in place from the New York City metro south through New Jersey and into Boston through Saturday.

Excessive Heat Watches are in place from Maryland through Washington and into the Carolinas.

Friday's highs and feels like temperatures for the Northeast.

Washington's forecast high temperature is expected to reach the upper 90s, but it will feel like it's near 109 degrees.

Farther north, New York City should remain in the mid-90s during the day, but with a feels-like temperature of around 107 degrees, it will feel downright brutal.

Boston, too, will feel the heat. The city has a forecast high around 89, but it will feel like it's near 100 degrees during the day.

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DOCTORS SEE MORE HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES IN OUTDOOR WORKERS AS HEAT WAVE DRAGS ON

As temperatures rise, conditions could become dangerous if proper precautions aren't taken to prevent illnesses such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Cooling centers have been opened in cities like Philadelphia, New York City and Boston to help those without ways to stay cool.

Outdoor activities have also been canceled in many areas and instead have told people to stay indoors to stay safe.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a Heat Emergency in the city due to the extreme temperatures.

The Midwest has also been experiencing extreme heat for the past several days, and heat alerts in most areas will remain in effect through at least Friday.

Excessive Heat Warnings expired for the Minneapolis area Thursday night. But, Heat Advisories remain in place for Iowa, eastern Missouri and Illinois. They've also been posted for areas of northern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska.

Forecast high temperatures on Friday across the Central Plains and Midsouth will close in on 100 degrees. But feels-like temperatures will be much higher and could approach 105-110 degrees in some areas.

Friday's highs.

St. Louis, which is included in the Excessive Heat Warning, is being warned that feels-like temperatures could reach around 107 degrees and residents are being urged to stay out of the sun and drink plenty of fluids.

A Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust representative distributes shelter information during a heat wave in Miami, Florida, US, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings stretch from California's Central Valley to Miami.

The Northern Plains and the Northeast will feel a bit of relief by Sunday and Monday. Here are the actual forecast temperatures.

High temperatures Saturday to Monday.

The heat and humidity will continue to roast the South and Southern Plains.

Heat index for Saturday to Monday.

The extreme heat has claimed several lives this summer, including at least two people inside Death Valley National Park in California. In Phoenix's Maricopa County, Arizona, officials said at least 25 deaths have been reported since the start of the summer. Of those, 18 have been caused by the heat and seven were categorized as "heat-related."

Earlier this month, a 10-month-old was left alone in a hot car in Florida and died. This year 14 people have died in hot cars, 6 were in Florida.
Odesa City Council said on July 27 that the body of a woman was found under the rubble of a building on Parkova street, bringing the death toll of the Russian attack to two.

Russian forces bombarded Odesa's historic center with 19 missiles during the night of July 23 in one of the most damaging attacks on the city since the start of the full-scale invasion.

As well as injuring at least 22 people, Deputy Head of the President's Office Oleksiy Kuleba reported that more 44 buildings were damaged, including 25 historic buildings, among them the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that it targeted "facilities where terrorist acts against Russia were being prepared," Russian media reported on July 23.

In a statement released on July 23, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlighted that the intentional destruction of cultural sites may amount to a war crime, "as acknowledged also by the United Nations Security Council - of which the Russian Federation is a permanent member."

The attacks came after Moscow announced that it would not extend the Black Sea grain deal on July 17. Since July 18, Odesa and other ports along the coast of the Black Sea have been repeatedly attacked by Russia.

The U.K. Defense Ministry has said that its intelligence points to the Kremlin considering itself "less politically constrained" to strike Odesa and the surrounding region after the collapse of the deal.

Read also: As more soldiers go missing, desperate families left in limbo
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin (R) greets Joe Zadrozny, charge d'affaires, at the U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea and Elias Wohengu (C), deputy chief of mission, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Thursday. Photo by Chad J. McNeeley/Department of Defense

July 27 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a meeting Thursday with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said the United States is not interested in creating a permanent base there but will help bolster the country's forces.

Austin made the comments while meeting with Marape and other Papua New Guinea leaders at its capital of Port Moresby as they spoke about the Defense Cooperation Agreement in the Pacific that was signed in May.

The United States has had a series of meetings with countries in the Indo-Pacific on the growing threat from China and the freedom of international waterways.

Austin said the 15-year agreement lays a "fundamental, foundational framework, to deepen the defense relationship."

"I want you to appreciate the USA never tampered with our autonomy and independence or with respect of sovereignty," Marape said about the agreement he called a negotiation between friends.

Austin also met with Papua New Guinea's Minister for Defense Win Bakri Daki, Secretary for Defense Hari John Akipe and Chief of Defense Force Maj. Gen. Mark Goina.

"The leaders had a productive exchange of views on efforts to build capacity to provide humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, improve maritime domain awareness, combat climate change and address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region, including through the upcoming visit of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter to Papua New Guinea as part of the shiprider agreement," a White House readout of the meeting said.

In May, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the island nation's Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso to sign the pact. Blinken stood in for President Joe Biden who had been expected to attend, but cut short his Asia trip to return to Washington for debt ceiling negotiations.
Of all rock bands that formed in the 1960s and early 70s, none of them has a Behind the Music like Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Hits. Sold out shows. Some booze. Death. A plane crash. New members. Maybe a few drugs. Old members come back.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is the constant.

I look at it like the Rolling Stones; they have been around for 50 years, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke said in a phone interview. Or ZZ Top. Aerosmith. AC/DC. When you are in a band for that long, guys will go off and do side projects.

But Im a loyal guy. I am loyal to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

When Medlocke rejoined the band in 1996, he promised Gary Rossington that he would be there until the last note of Free Bird was struck. Rossington was the last founding member of the band; he died in March of this year.

His band lives.

There have been a lot of changes to the band, with people passing away, Medlocke said. One of Garys last wishes was the music not die. (Current member) Johnny Van Zant and I dont want to see this to go by the way of tragedy and sorrow.

The original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd are gone, but Tuesdays not.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will play Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on July 28, with ZZ Top.

Medlocke recently spoke about the band, the current state of rock, and whom he thinks is the best to ever play the guitar.

Star-Telegram: You are still rocking and performing in your 70s; isnt that hard on the body?

Rickey Medlocke: It all depends on being aware of your body, and your limitations. I go to extremes to take care of myself; I eat as clean as I can. I try to get as much rest as I can. As much exercise as I can.

S-T: To keep playing and performing, did you have to give up the cliche rock n roll lifestyle, or did you ever do that?

RM: I fell into it in my late 20s and early 30s. I got up one day, when I was 34 or 35, and I took a good look at myself and I didnt like what I was looking at. I said, This isnt for me.

I weaned myself off the drinking, and the party goods. I used to love Wild Turkey and tequila. I gave up the extra substances so I could still perform and have a life.

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S-T: Was it hard to re-join this band when you came back to a group that was so established and beloved?

RM: No, because I had been with them early on. I was one of the original drummers, and I played some guitar, wrote and performed six songs. Collectively Ive been with the band 27 years.

S-T: Most bands die, or end. The Beatles. The Police. How does this one keep going?

RM: Johnny and I want to call it a day on our terms. People say thats selfish, but I dont believe that because we are real musicians. This music is so iconic, and it will be here long after we are gone. This is the real deal, not some tribute band.

I have referenced this interview with Merle Haggard; a young lady asked him, Why do you keep doing this? He said, This is what I do. I play music. I entertain people. Thats Rickey Medlocke. It all seems like a flash, and it all seems like its gone by so quick.

S-T: Do you ave a favorite song from the Lynyrd Skynyrd set list that after all of these years you still love playing?

RM: All of them. I have some that I love to play more than others. I love doing Needle and Spoon. Tuesdays Gone is one of my all-time favorites. I love being able to play Free Bird. After all of this time I am never, ever not satisfied playing unless I am have tech problems.

S-T: When you play live, do you think the audience expects the song to sound like it does on their phone or CD?

RM: You put on a record you got a fine tune thats been mastered. When you go to our show, we rehearse it over and over and we try to keep the integrity of the original songs, you know, weve been that way since I got back in the band.

You might get someone who says, Aw, man, it doesnt sound like the original band. Please. Its two-thousand-whatever. The original was 1975. The equipment and fidelity has chaaaaaaaaaaanged.

S-T: A friend, who worked in the music industry for a while, almost insisted that on these big shows that the performer sings about 30 percent of the time. There is no way a persons vocal chords can take the repeated punishment. Tell me shes wrong.

RM: That might be Taylor Swift or whoever, and that is no knock to Taylor. She is a great performer. She has had a lot of great success that she earned. There are a lot of bands that rely on prerecorded background vocals, or guitar parts.

Take it from me, you still next to the stage for our show and Ill put you where the engineer is and you can see that everything coming off that stage is real and life. Nothing prerecorded.

S-T: Has there been anyone you played with that was sort of a bucket list moment for you?

RM: We did a tour in 1999 and 2000; we did 103 shows together. On New Years night in Houston ZZ Top invited us on stage. A few years ago, we played with Bad Company. Kid Rock has been on stage with us. We did the Grammys back in 2006, and we had Keith Urban with us.

S-T: Greatest guitarist of all time?

RM: I was able to see Elvis Presley before my seventh birthday. There is Elvis standing up there with Scotty Moore. The next thing you know, The Beatles come along. I was a huge George Harrison fan.

Then Jimi Hendrix. Then Eric Clapton. Then Jeff Beck. Then Jimmy Page.

I dont know, man. Its funny, time went by and then we have the guy who reinvented the guitar, in Eddie Van Halen. He was just unbelievable.

S-T: Can a song be great without commercial success?

RM: No, I dont think so at all. There are a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd songs that didnt have success on the charts yet they are great songs. Call Me the Breeze.

There are great songs out there that will never be commercials or see the light of day, which is a shame, especially the way the rock business is today. You have to record a song and see if its great by the YouTube standard. What the hell is that? If it doesnt get a million views, it stinks, or its not a hit.

I feel for the young artists coming up trying to get recognized.

S-T: Does the term sellout have a place in the commercial music industry?

RM: I know why people call (certain musicians) sellouts; because they feel like the started in one genre, and the next thing you know they are trying in another and they happen to hit it.

People feel like they should remain true to their roots, and what they were.

I dont look at having success in doing one genre or the next, as a being a sellout. I look at it as trying your best to come up with the next something that hits and puts you on the board. The only sellout you get is an arena from doing what you are doing.

If you want to call Lynyrd Skynyrd a sellout go ahead, because were selling out arenas.
Delhi Township will soon see a new, but familiar, face leading its police department.

Following the retirement of Police Chief Jim Howarth, Delhi trustees on Wednesday approved the promotion of Assistant Police Chief Jeff Braun. He will take the post when Howarth leaves his role Aug. 31.

Jeff Braun

As a lifelong resident of the West Side community of 30,000 residents, he said he is honored to take on the new leadership role.

Delhi is my home  both personally and professionally  and Ive always been proud to serve my neighbors whileworking hard to help build a police force that serves the community with fairness, care and compassion," he said in a press release. "The solidarity and relationships our officers have within the community are special, and Im excited to build upon the legacy established by Chief Howarth and those who came before him.

Braun has held various leadership roles in the department since he joined in 1996. He was previously a sergeant, corporal and lieutenant before he was named assistant chief in 2018. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati.

Delhi Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Davis said he has seen him advance through the ranks both professionally and as a community leader.

Delhis public servants are the backbone of our community, and we couldnt be prouder to nameAssistant Chief Braun as the next leader of our police force, Davis said. "We are so grateful to have had Chief Howarth for 30 years in Delhi. His leadership, thoughtful succession planning and close collaboration with Jeff, as well as with our other seasoned men and women in uniform within Delhi Police Department, will make for a smooth transition.

The Delhi Police Department staffs 32 officers and three full-time civilian employees. It is certified in all Ohio Collaborative standards, which include body camera usage, crisis intervention, use of deadly force and other regulations related to community policing.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Delhi Township police promote assistant chief to top role
delta pilot

Capt. Barry Behnfeldt is an Airbus A350 pilot for Delta Airlines and has been with the company for 24 years. He also served 30 years in the Navy, 17 of which were spent flying F-18s. With the goal of inspiring the next generation of aviators and raising money for a veterans organization, Behnfeldt set out to set a world record by flying to 48 states in under 48 hours.

(Left to right) Wilson, Behnfeldt and Twiddy with their Piper Saratoga (Delta Airlines)

Behnfeldt was inspired by another Delta pilot who attempted to set the record in 2021. In order to succeed, he enlisted the help of fellow Delta pilot Capt. Aaron Wilson. The two men, who both graduated from the Bowling Green State University School of Aviation, flew in a six-seat 1980 PA32R Piper Saratoga. They were joined by Thomas Twiddy, their in-flight technician with whom Behnfeldt served in the Navy.

The race against the clock around the country attracted attention and allowed Behnfeldt to encourage donations to the Veterans Airlift Command. VAC provides free, private air transportation to combat-injured veterans for medical or other compassionate purposes. To set the record, the trio had to land at a public airport in all 48 contiguous U.S. states and receive the proper signatures to prove they were there. The time started when the plane left the ground in Ohio and ended upon landing in the last state.

The flight was greeted by nearly 50 people, including several kids, in Kansas (Delta Airlines)

On June 4, 2023, at 2229 hours, Behnfeldt, Wilson and Twiddy took off from Henry County Airport with a sendoff from friends, family and local supporters. "The outpouring of people from our local community was incredible and so humbling," Behnfeldt told Delta News Hub. "I couldnt believe the number of people who came out. I hadnt seen that many people at the Henry County Airport in a long time."

Thanks to extensive planning, the record-attempting men had an efficient flight plan. A support team back at Henry County Airport monitored weather and made sure that every destination airport was properly staffed so that the trio would spend as little time on the ground as possible. Landing at Wayne Municipal Airport, Nevada, the crew was greeted by an illuminated number 48 on the side of the hangar. "It was so cool to see," Behnfeldt said. "Those kinds of things happened all along the route, and it added to the motivation and kept the mission exciting."

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Behnfeldt is greeted by Laughter at ATL (Delta Airlines)

In Georgia, Behnfeldt decided to stop at one of the busiest airports in the world: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International. The Saratoga pulled in under the wing of a Delta A321 where the team was greeted by Delta Chief of Operations John Laughter and other Delta employees. "Some people asked me why I would fly into one of the busiest airports when setting a Guinness World Record," Behnfeldt said. "Yes, it took extra time, but to be in Atlanta with the Delta family under an A321 wing was well worth it."

In Maryland, the trio was greeted by Adam Kisielewski, a combat-wounded veteran and member of the VAC advisory board, who brought the men sub sandwiches. "I was blown away by Adams generosity and kindness," Behnfeldt said. "Hes a young man who lost his left arm and leg in combat while serving our country, and we were honored to be there with him." As of June 24, Behnfeldt helped raise $30,048 for VAC.

(Left to right) Twiddy, Wilson and Behnfeldt under the wing of an A321 (Delta Airlines)

After 44 hours and 7 minutes, the Saratoga landed at Portland International Jetport; the final stop. Although the Guinness World Record still has to be verified, Behnfeldt, Wilson and Twiddy certainly accomplished their missions of inspiring future aviators and raising money for veterans.
California state Sen. Dave Min (D) is running to succeed Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) in Congress. He has Porter's endorsement, but some Democrats are nervous about his bid.

California state Sen. Dave Min (D) is running to succeed Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) in Congress. He has Porter's endorsement, but some Democrats are nervous about his bid.

California state Sen. Dave Min (D), a candidate in Californias 47th Congressional District, has a resume befitting a rising Democratic star.

A former law professor specializing in financial regulation, Min has worked for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the Center for American Progress.

His endorsers in the race to succeed Rep. Katie Porter, who is running for U.S. Senate, include California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Attorney General Rob Bonta, a host of progressive groups and labor unions, and perhaps most important, Porter herself.

Given all of that, theres one aspect of Mins curriculum vitae that stands out as an outlier.

As a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, Min served as faculty adviser for the campuss chapter of the conservative Federalist Society from 2014 to 2016, according to a copy of his resume while he was still on the university faculty.

The campus groups national parent in Washington is known for vetting Republican judicial nominees, and in so doing, shifting U.S. courts to the right. As a result, the Federalist Society is widely credited with setting in motion the judicial appointments that led the Supreme Court to overturn the federal right to abortion in June 2022.

EMILYs List, which supports pro-choice Democratic female candidates, is backing attorney Joanna Weiss over Min in the Democratic primary. The group suggested that Mins work advising the Federalist Society is cause for concern.

There is a direct line from the Federalist Society to our present reality  Republicans passing draconian abortion bans and criminalizing women and their doctors, Ben Ray, a spokesperson for EMILYs List, said in a statement. Any candidate who has spent time bolstering their resume with and advising this extremist organization should explain their association.

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The criticism of Min for holding the post comes as he is the early front-runner for the Democratic nomination in the blue-tinted swing seat, one Democrats dearly need to hold to win back the House in the 2024 election. A top House Republican said that the seat, where former GOP state lawmaker Scott Baugh is again running, is probably our best pickup opportunity in the country.

Some California Democrats fear Mins recent arrest for driving under the influence, of which the California Highway Patrol has released video to the public, makes him a weaker candidate than Weiss. Min, who attracted police attention for having his headlights off at night and running a red light, had nearly twice the legal limit of blood alcohol content for someone driving.

Mins allies see the attacks as thinly veiled attempts by national groups to push aside an Asian-American candidate, who made a one-time personal error, in favor of someone who can self-fund a campaign, but lives just outside the district and is untested at the ballot box. Whats more, some labor advocates are wary of Weiss and her husband Jasons work in the private sector representing companies accused of harming workers.

Joanna Weiss is trying to distract from the fact that she is self-funding her campaign with money earned from a career working against the labor movement and hard-working California workers, said Oscar Lopez, the political director of SEIU California, which has endorsed Min. Dave Mins progressive record speaks for itself.

Joanna Weiss, an attorney and co-founder of an Orange County Democratic women's group, has the support of the influential pro-choice group, EMILY's List.

Joanna Weiss, an attorney and co-founder of an Orange County Democratic women's group, has the support of the influential pro-choice group, EMILY's List.

Both Mins and Weiss campaigns delegated the harder-hitting responses to surrogates.

Weiss, a founder and past president of the Orange County Democratic group, Women for American Values and Ethics (WAVE), was less direct than EMILYs List in her criticism of Mins faculty advisory role.

My time as the president of the Public Interest Law Foundation chapter at my law school and a volunteer for legal nonprofits instilled in me a deep commitment to ethics and paying opportunity forward, Weiss said in a statement. Ive brought the values I learned from those organizations into my work throughout my career, especially my pro bono legal work with domestic violence survivors and students with special needs.

Mins congressional campaign responded with indignation at the suggestion that Mins volunteer work, borne out of respect for intellectual pluralism, undermines his progressive bona fides.

In a statement, campaign spokesperson Isabel Ocampo noted Mins years of work in Democratic policy circles, as well as perfect ratings from Planned Parenthood and NARAL as a state senator.

State Senator Dave Mins progressive record and accomplishments speak for themselves  the real question here is why his political opponent is resorting to these kinds of desperate negative attacks to distort Senator Mins record in bad faith? Ocampo said.

The campaign also shared a statement of support from Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. Chemerinsky, a progressive jurist who hired Min onto the UC Irvine School of Law, served as the first faculty adviser to UC Irvines chapter of the Federalist Society.

When Dave Min joined the faculty of UC Irvine School of Law, he was a leading progressive voice on financial regulation and banking policy, and his progressive political leanings were well known to students and faculty alike, Chemerinsky said. His role in advising the Federalist Society was consistent with the broader academic mission of promoting robust debate and free speech.

In fact, Senator Min was following the example that I set, as I was the very first academic advisor to the Federalist Society at UCI Law, Chemerinsky continued. The implication that Dave Min was secretly a closet right winger is absurd and contradicted by the substantial weight of his entire career.

Discussion of Mins work with the Federalist Society, however, may add to some Democrats existing concerns about Mins recent arrest.

Following his own decision to withdraw from the race, former Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Calif.) not only endorsed Weiss, but also called on Min to drop out of the race.

Lorraine Prinsky, a publicly elected trustee of the Coast Community College District, recently switched her endorsement from Min to Weiss. Prinsky is the chair of endorsements for the Women in Leadership PAC, which has endorsed Weiss. But she told HuffPost that Mins arrest cemented her belief that he is the wrong candidate for the seat.

That was an enormous mistake and that made me rethink any commitment I might have had to him, she said.

That factor might be a more compelling argument in the Democratic primary than Mins ideological credentials, not least because of Weiss past support for Min.

In July 2020, WAVE  then under Weiss leadership  endorsed Mins bid for the state Senate, alongside a number of other Democratic candidates.

Each of these races is an opportunity to advance progressive values in Orange County, Weiss said in a statement at the time.
Illinois Sen. Patricia Van Pelt said Wednesday she plans to retire from the state Senate next week after 10 years in the chamber.

It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the 5th Senate District for the last decade, the Democrat from Chicagos West Side said in a news release. Throughout this time, we have accomplished much change to ensure the voiceless are heard and the underserved receive the help they need.

Van Pelt , who made an unsuccessful bid for Chicago mayor in 2011, said earlier this year that she planned on retiring. In a Politico story published days before the new Illinois General Assembly was inaugurated in January, Van Pelt said she had thought of stepping down for years but just got to the point now that I just feel like I cant come back in here again.

She was still among the 40 Democrats who comprised the supermajority in the new Senate class. But she was either mostly or never in attendance throughout the spring legislative session, which ended in May, without any explanation from her or the Senate.

In an interview with the Tribune on Monday, she said she had undergone two hip replacements but insisted she was still doing work for her constituents, despite not being in Springfield during the spring session.

I did work for my district and Ive got plenty of proof, she said. Lots of meetings. Lots of Zooms.

The following day, on Tuesday, she sent a letter to the secretary of the Senate declaring that shes officially stepping down from office at 5 p.m. Aug. 1.

In the Wednesday release, Van Pelt said she wanted to thank all who have stood by me over this past year throughout my health challenges.

It has been a blessing to serve the people of this great state, but its time to pass the torch, she said. I will forever be grateful for the people Ive encountered, the stories theyve shared and the work weve accomplished together.

Van Pelt, whose district includes parts of the West Side, the Fulton Market area, the West Loop among other neighborhoods, has served in the state Senate since 2013 and was reelected to a four-year term last year.

A group of Chicago Democratic ward committeemen will choose a replacement for Van Pelts senate seat, which will be up for election next year.

jgorner@chicagotribune.com
The U.S. Department of Justice is opening a civil rights investigation into the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department to determine whether there is a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the constitution or federal civil rights law, the U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee made the announcement, saying the investigation was not prompted by one incident, but by multiple reports of violence and racism by the police department.

If there is reasonable cause to believe there is a pattern or practice of constitutional or statutory violations, we will issue a public report of our conclusions," Clarke said Thursday. "We will then aim to work cooperatively with the city and the police department to reach an agreement on remedies."

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee held a press conference about opening an investigation into the Memphis Police Department on July 27, 2023 at the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Tennessee in Downtown Memphis.

If no agreement can be reached, the DOJ can bring a civil lawsuit to seek injunctive relief.

Clarke said the DOJ has briefed Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis and Michael Fletcher, chief legal officer for the city. They have pledged their cooperation, Clarke said.

No single event prompted inquiry, DOJ says

The investigation will not focus on just one area of MPD, but the department as a whole. It will include scrutiny into whether MPD engages in pattern or practice of making unlawful stops, searches and arrests, whether MPD engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force and whether MPD engages in racially discriminatory policing practices toward Black citizens.

The DOJ has received multiple reports of officers escalating interactions with the public resulting in excessive force, Clarke said, including using "force punitively when faced with behavior they perceive to be insolent."

Officers have also used force against people already restrained or in custody, Clarke said, sometimes resulting in "serious physical injuries."

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Other information indicates the Memphis Police Department may be using an approach to street enforcement that can result in violations of federal law, including racially discriminatory stops of Black people for minor violations," Clarke said. "Such encounters can be harmful and can also violate the law. Our review indicates that even in a majority Black city, MPDs traffic enforcement may focus disproportionately on the Black community.

The announcement comes more than six months after Memphis police officers tased, pepper sprayed and brutally beat 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, who died three days later.

The U.S. Department orf Justice later said it would conduct a review of MPD's specialized units requested by Strickland and Davis. The department would also create a guide for mayors and police chiefs across the country to follow, it said.

The Department of Justice, however, had not previously committed to a pattern-or-practice investigation of MPD, something requested by state Reps. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, and Joe Towns, D-Memphis, as well as numerous community leaders.

Clarke said Thursday that the pattern or practice investigation does not stem from just one incident, although she spoke about Nichols' death, but also multiple reports of MPD escalating interactions with civilians.

The DOJ "will work expeditiously" and hopes to have findings to share soon, she said.

Ritz said the investigation is separate from the DOJ's criminal investigations and prosecutions. It is also separate from the technical assistance provided by the DOJ's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office, which has been working with MPD regarding use of force and de-escalation since March.

City to be 'good partner' but mayor disappointed with discussions

Strickland said in a written statement that the city will be "a good partner in this new inquiry."

"However, I am disappointed that my request was not granted by the Department of Justice to discuss this step before a decision was made to move down this path," Strickland said. "I know they discussed the need for such an action with many other individuals. I hope the remainder of the process is more forthright and inclusive than it has been so far.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee held a press conference about opening an investigation into the Memphis Police Department on July 27, 2023 at the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Tennessee in Downtown Memphis.

The DOJ's new investigation will include meeting with MPD officers, participating in ride-alongs and holding community meetings.

Ritz stressed that government has a duty to protect citizens from both crime and civil rights violations.

In the US Attorneys Office and the Department of Justice, my colleagues and I uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights and keep Americans safe. That work is predicated upon a fundamental principle that there is only one rule of law. There cannot be one rule of law for the powerful and another for the powerless. There cannot be one rule of law for the rich and another for the poor and there cannot be one rule of law for people who look like me and another for people of color, said Ritz, who is white.

In a written statement, Davis said MPD will "continue to fully cooperate" with the DOJ during the investigation.

"As we have said all along, all MPD officers are expected to act in accordance with their oath of office, their training, and department policies at all times. While the officers involved in the Tyre Nichols case demonstrated no regard for these tenets, I am appreciative of the MPD officers that continue to serve our city with integrity," Davis said. "As Chief of Police, I am committed to building and maintaining public trust with the citizens of Memphis that we took an oath to serve each and every day.

Nichols' family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city of Memphis, Davis, five officers who are now facing criminal charges for Nichols' death, two additional officers and three Memphis Fire Department employees. Notable civil rights attorney Ben Crump, along with a litany of other attorneys, is representing the family.

The lawsuit alleges negligence by the city in hiring Davis, along with asserting Davis' culpability in lax hiring processes, along with the development of the SCORPION Unit's "oppression style of policing" and poor training. SCORPION stands for Street Crimes Operation to Return Peace In Our Neighborhoods. The five officers charged in Nichols' death were members of the unit.

In an email statement, Crump said the family is "grateful" for the opening of the investigation, adding that he hopes this investigation will add transparency to the police department.

"The family of Tyre Nichols is grateful that the Department of Justice heard their cries for accountability and are opening this investigation," Crump said. "Actions such as this will continue to show that the federal government will not let corruption within police departments take the lives of innocent Americans. It is our hope that the investigation by the DOJ, under the leadership of Attorney General Garland and Assistant Attorney General Clarke, will provide a transparent account of the abuses of power we have seen and continue to see in Memphis."

Special report: MPD's SCORPION Unit was billed as a violent crime-fighting unit, but most of its cases were traffic violations and drug crimes

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee held a press conference about opening an investigation into the Memphis Police Department on July 27, 2023 at the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Tennessee in Downtown Memphis.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: DOJ launches civil rights investigation into Memphis police, city
Tyre Nichols was killed in January.

Tyre Nichols was killed in January.

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that its investigating whether the Memphis Police Department participates in discriminatory practices against Black people, following the high-profile police killing of Tyre Nichols earlier this year.

Nichols killing in January sparked nationwide outrage. Body camera footage showed five officers beating the 29-year-old Black man after a traffic stop in a residential Tennessee neighborhood.

The Justice Department initiated a review of the Memphis Police Department after Nichols death. The new formal patterns and practices review will be a broader look at how the department handles policing.

Authorities indicated the Justice Departments Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) investigation is separate from the civil investigation into the department as well as from the federal criminal civil rights investigation of MPD officers related to Nichols death.

The tragic death of Tyre Nichols created enormous pain in the Memphis community and across the country, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

The Justice Department is launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department engage in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct and discriminatory policing based on race, including a dangerously aggressive approach to traffic enforcement. We are committed to working cooperatively with local officials, police, and community members to conduct the thorough and comprehensive review that the residents of Memphis deserve, the statement continued.

The city of Memphis finds itself at the center of national discussions on policing and rebuilding trust with communities.

Nichols died the night of Jan. 7 as he was fleeing a traffic stop. Five Black police officers were seen taking turns punching and beating him on video footage released by the city.

The case has since sparked outrage among other families nationwide whose loved ones were killed by police violence, and many such families in Memphis have demanded their family members cases be reopened by Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.

Nichols death and broader conversations about policing have taken a key role in the citys upcoming mayoral election, while criticism of Cerelyn Davis, the current Memphis police chief, has led to questions of whether the city might bring in a new top cop.
Rep. Cori Bush unveiled a bill Thursday aimed at limiting the use of solitary confinement in prisons, a practice the St. Louis Democrat called depraved and sadistic.

The End Solitary Confinement Act would largely prohibit the use of solitary confinement in federal prisons, including immigration detention facilities, while incentivizing state and local correctional facilities to stop using the practice.

It is indisputable that solitary confinement is torture, Bush said during a virtual news conference. It doesnt matter what its called, whether its administrative segregation, restrictive housing or anything else. It leads to self-mutilation, to suicide, heart disease, anxiety, depression, psychosis, mental and physical deterioration and a significantly heightened risk of death.

The Missouri Democrat also pointed out that its use disproportionately impacts people of color and other vulnerable groups including youth and LGBTQ+ prisoners.

According to a report released in May, prisoners in Missouri are placed in solitary confinement, also known as restrictive housing or administrative segregation, at higher rates than the national average.

Bushs proposal allows for some exceptions including using solitary confinement for short-term, emergency de-escalation. It would also create due process protections such as access to representation and an oversight mechanism including mandatory reporting.

State and local facilities that do not implement changes to their use of solitary confinement could be at risk of losing 10% in funding from the federal Justice Assistance Grant program.

Bush said the measure will save lives.

In this file photo, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

We are, as a nation, we are facilitating the torture of own community members and were doing it on a massive scale, she said. And by inflicting this violence, we are only planting seeds for more of it.

Nationally, more than 122,000 people were in restrictive housing for 22 hours or more on a given day in mid-2019, a report put together by Solitary Watch, a nonprofit watchdog group, found.

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Across the U.S., about 6% to 7% of prisoners were in restrictive housing in state and federal prisons. In Missouri, though, that figure was 11.9% or 3,356 prisoners.

Last month, a transgender woman sued the Missouri Department of Corrections after she was kept in solitary confinement for more than six years. The woman alleged that she was put there as a result of a corrections policy that discriminates against people with HIV.

Bush joins New York Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Adriano Espaillat, California Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib and New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, all Democrats, in sponsoring the bill. The measure likely faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House.

The news conference, which was conducted on the meeting app Zoom, was twice interrupted by hackers who played inappropriate videos.

Whoever the haters are out there with the Zoom bombs, you must know that this is an important issue, Kamlager-Dove said.

She went on to say she considers solitary confinement to be torture.

We shouldnt be doing it, Kamlager-Dove said. If we cant find other ways to help people correct behavior or adjust or practice self-reflection, then shame on us for not being as sophisticated and humane and compassionate as we claim we want to be.

The legislation has been endorsed by 150 organizations, its sponsors said.

Locally, Decarcerate KC, a group working to reduce the use of incarceration, said it supports the bill.

(Solitary confinement) takes away sunlight, right? It takes away exercise, it takes away not just the ability to socialize, which is like really important, but to actually preserve your body right? organizer Dylan Pyles said. And so to me, it seems completely overdue. I dont think that solitary has ever been a remotely justifiable practice. But Im glad that were finally doing something on a federal level.

Pyles added that the measure represents a step toward larger reimagining of how we treat people who have committed harm in society, which we think is really important for the overall kind of like reevaluation of what prisons and jails actually do or dont do for people.
A deputy chief of the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department, who last year was accused of leadership failures by the union, has been placed on leave, according to an internal announcement.

First Deputy Fire Chief Jack Andrade was placed on leave last week until further notice, though it remained unclear why.

Interim Fire Chief Dennis Rubin, who took the helm in June, notified employees of the management change in an email. In Andrades absence, Rubin said he also will serve as acting deputy chief of operations, while another deputy chief will temporarily oversee the administrative division.

The Star could not reach Andrade for comment by phone.

Last year, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 64, the union representing members of the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department, issued a vote of no confidence against Andrade.

The union called for Andrade and then-Fire Chief Michael Callahan to be investigated. The union claimed the two caused workforce retention and recruitment issues. Callahan announced his resignation in April after nearly five years as fire chief.

For several years, Local 64 has desired to achieve a better working relationship from its department for the benefit of all involved but instead, has been met with hostile working conditions, threats of violence, and unprecedented actions involving members of the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department, union officials wrote at the time.

The union did not respond to requests for comment about Andrades leave.

At the time, the KCKFD said it was committed to ensuring a safe work environment. Callahan denied retaliating against anyone and said he inherited a fire department where employees were complacent and lacked discipline.

About 75 firefighters voiced their concerns last year by protesting over safety problems they said were ignored by department leadership. That included a lack of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relations between the union and fire leadership have been strained in recent years. That tension was outlined in a workforce assessment completed last month by the Center for Public Safety Management, a consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.

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Auditors found deep communication gaps in the fire department, a lack of trust and confidence in leadership and human resources, and low morale. There was also a perceived lack of transparency and fairness in promotional decisions.

The group reviewed 24 complaints filed from late 2019 and fall 2022 that stemmed from allegations of retaliation, sexual harassment and discrimination. Auditors also sent a survey to all staff.

Most respondents disagree or only marginally agree with statements that they feel they are treated fairly, that assignments are based on merit, that discipline is transparent, or that people are treated equally regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, the final report noted.

The center recommended that the fire department make a strategic plan with a core component of diversity and inclusion. It also suggested KCKFD form a policy review committee, which would include labor and management.

The findings were presented at last months Unified Government Board of Commissioners meeting. Joe Pozzo, of the firm, said then that many employees feel like top administration doesnt care about them in a department without a clear vision.

We dont know where we are, Pozzo said firefighters told him. We dont know where we are headed.

Despite those issues, Pozzo said, firefighters remain proud of the work they do, including their quick responses to emergencies, their aggressive fire tactics and their good rapport with residents.

Rubin, the interim fire chief, told commissioners the communication issues, as well as others, will be resolved.

With the comprehensive report that this group has left us, well be able to do some pretty good work, Rubin said.

Mayor Tyrone Garner told firefighters seated in the room that they were valued, vowing to provide assistance as the department works to improve relationships.

Asked this week about Andrade, a spokesperson said the Unified Government does not comment on confidential personnel matters.

The UG said under the new leadership of the fire department, as well as the county administrator, it will work through the audit findings and recommendations as part of our commitment to continuous improvement and community at-large.
Casey DeSantis, the wife of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, a Republican presidential candidate, at a campaign event in Johnston, Iowa, July 6, 2023. (Kathryn Gamble/The New York Times)

On the day his presidential campaign said it had laid off more than one-third of its staff to address worries about unsustainable spending, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida began his morning by boarding a private jet to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The choice was a routine one  DeSantis and his wife, Casey, havent regularly flown commercial for years  but also symbolic to close observers of his struggling presidential campaign. As DeSantis promises a reset, setting out Thursday on a bus tour in Iowa to show off a leaner, hungrier operation, several donors and allies remained skeptical about whether the governor could right the ship.

Their bleak outlook reflects a deep mistrust plaguing the highest levels of the DeSantis campaign, as well as its supporters and the well-funded super political action committee, Never Back Down, bolstering his presidential ambitions.

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Publicly, the parties are projecting a stoic sunniness about DeSantis, even as he has sunk dangerously close to third place in some recent polls. They have said they are moving into an insurgent phase in which the candidate will be everywhere  on national and local media, and especially in Iowa.

But privately, the situation is starkly different.

Major Republican donors, including hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin, have remained on the sidelines because they are disappointed in his performance and his campaign, according to two people familiar with their thinking.

DeSantis donors have specifically raised concerns about the campaigns finances, which appear both troubling and persistently opaque. Some prominent vendors did not show up on the first Federal Election Commission report, raising questions about how much of the spending has been deferred and whether the campaigns total reported cash on hand for the primary  $9.2 million  was even close to accurate.

The campaigns concerning financial situation prompted an all-hands review of the budget in recent weeks. This review extended to James Uthmeier, the chief of staff in the governors office and a longtime trusted aide. Uthmeier recently received a personal briefing on the campaigns finances from an official, Ethan Eilon, with the blessing of campaign manager Generra Peck, and then delivered an assessment to the governor, according to two people briefed on the conversations.

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Asked about the briefing, Uthmeier responded by email to express strong confidence in Peck, who he said had welcomed him to help the campaign as a volunteer. He added that DeSantis continues to receive support from tens of thousands of donors and that he has full confidence in DeSantis vision to beat Joe Biden and restore sanity.

In an attempt to assuage donors anxieties, DeSantis allies have promised a campaign pivot that includes a more open press strategy, humbler travel conditions and smaller events. Advisers say the governor will be promoting his vision for a Great American Comeback  a phrase they hope will also apply to his spiraling campaign. DeSantis, a big-state governor with little love for glad-handing, will have to prove he is up for the challenges.

On Thursday, DeSantis began a two-day bus tour across central Iowa that is being organized almost entirely by Never Back Down. Announcements for the three meet-and-greet stops scheduled describe DeSantis as the special guest.

In talking points provided to donors on the day of the layoffs, the campaign described the operation as leaning into the reset.

We will embrace being the underdog and use the medias ongoing narrative about the campaign to fuel momentum on the ground with voters, the guidance said.

On Tuesday, the campaign confirmed it had fired 38 campaign officials this month in an attempt to shrink its payroll. It remains unclear how many of those are leaving the DeSantis orbit. Some have discussed joining nonprofit groups with close ties to DeSantis political operation, including one linked to Phil Cox, who was an adviser on the governors 2022 campaign.

Among the known DeSantis vendors that did not show up on his first campaign filing are some companies  Ascent Media and Public Opinion Strategies  that are part of a consultancy umbrella group called GP3, in which Cox is a key financial partner. Cox, who has worked closely with some of the 2024 campaign leadership in the past and also spent a brief stint advising the super PAC, is now back informally involved with the DeSantis campaign and raising money.

But DeSantis himself has yet to adopt his campaigns newfound frugality. On Tuesday, he flew multiple trips on private planes to fundraisers around Tennessee. The private flights help explain part of how the campaign has burned through cash in its first six weeks. His campaigns first report showed that he had spent $179,000 in chartered plane costs, as well as $483,000 to a limited liability company for travel.

Some of DeSantis rivals have been eager to point out their cost-saving measures. On Wednesday, Nikki Haley tweeted a photo with her flight attendant under the hashtag #WeFlyCommercial.

Whats more, DeSantis and other parts of his operation showed little sign of a message shift.

In an interview with radio host Clay Travis that aired Wednesday, DeSantis said that he would consider picking Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a conspiracy theorist and anti-vaccine candidate running as a Democrat, to work at the Food and Drug Administration or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The stunning remark prompted criticism from some prominent conservative writers, including at The National Review, where staff had once sounded bullish on a DeSantis candidacy.

Later in the day, DeSantis campaign aide Christina Pushaw, who is known for fighting with reporters online, attacked the popular Republican Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, who is Black, for criticizing his states new required teachings on slavery. By nights end, the feud over Donalds devolved to the point where another DeSantis aide, Jeremy Redfern, got into a fight with a random Twitter user and posted her photo prominently in a tweet.

At a donor retreat over the weekend  at a luxury ski resort in Park City, Utah, hired out for $87,000  donors and allies, including Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, had tough conversations with both the governor and his wife, a close adviser, about the structure and management of the campaign, according to two people who attended the retreat.

Asked whether the congressman voiced concerns to DeSantis, Roy issued a statement saying only, Its not the campaign that needs to change; its the direction of our country. Governor DeSantis and his whole team are committed to doing just that. His spokesperson did not respond to a follow-up question.

Much of the rancor stems from the strained but increasingly intertwined relationship between DeSantis campaign and his super PAC. Having raised $130 million, the super PAC has vastly more money than the campaign and has taken over basic campaign functions, including its voter contact operation  a highly unusual extent of involvement.

The two entities  essentially a traditional campaign and a shadow one  are prohibited from coordinating strategy in private, but the campaign has aired its differences through a leaked memo. Peck, the campaign manager who has a close relationship with the governor and his wife, recently sent a memo to donors that appeared to call into question the super PACs decision to save money by staying off the airwaves in New Hampshire. The super PAC has since reserved airtime in the state, with advertising set to begin next week.

Peck also has harshly criticized Never Back Down in private, according to a person with direct knowledge of her remarks.

In response to questions about the distrust across the DeSantis orbit, the campaigns communications director, Andrew Romeo, dismissed palace intrigue.

Our campaign is laser-focused on electing Ron DeSantis president, and we are nothing but grateful for groups like Never Back Down that are also working to support this mission, he said.

Erin Perrine, a spokesperson for Never Back Down, declined to comment.

On Tuesday night, only hours after the announcement of the layoffs, DeSantis returned to Tallahassee, Florida, on a private plane.

Back at his campaign headquarters, some staff members who hadnt been fired brought in cases of beer to rally spirits after yet another dispiriting day. One staffer sarcastically described the evening to a friend as the survivors party.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) had a back-and-forth with a reporter on a campaign stop in Iowa Thursday over his states newly passed controversial school curriculum, which indicates that students should be taught that enslaved people developed skills for personal benefit.

A reporter posed a question to DeSantis about whether he believed there were beneficial aspects to slavery. DeSantis avoided answering, instead noting that the curriculum has been misinterpreted.

Thats not what the curriculum says. The curriculum is very clear, DeSantis said, chastising the reporter for omitting the wider context of the 200-page report.

The curriculum was criticized last week by Vice President Harris, who said it shows Florida is pushing propaganda on children.

They dare to push propaganda to our children, Harris said last week. Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother.

It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity in our world, she continued. So in the context of that, how is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities, that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization?

DeSantis went on to call out Harriss criticisms.

Anyone that actually read that and listens to Kamala [Harris] would know that shes lying, he said. That particular provision about the skills, that was in spite of slavery not because of it.

The curriculum changes have been challenged by Republicans as well, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) who got into a back-and-forth with the DeSantis team over his stance on the matter.

While Donalds said he expressed support for a vast majority of the new standards, he opposed a part that seemed to dignify the skills gained by slaves as a result of their enslavement.

National Black advocacy groups have also denounced the curriculum, as has the countrys largest Black conservative organization.

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The attacks come as DeSantis struggles in presidential primary polls behind former President Trump. Recent national polling averages have DeSantis receiving about 16 percent of support, to Trumps 52 percent.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), one of DeSantiss rivals in the GOP presidential primary, also called out DeSantis over the curriculum, saying its not leadership.

DeSantis is in Iowa Thursday and Friday on a bus tour with his largest supporting super PAC, Never Back Down. The Iowa caucus is the first vote in the GOP primary, and it is considered very important for DeSantiss campaign to perform well there in January.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTONSen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., mistakenly started reading a statement during a routine vote Thursday  another awkward moment at the Capitol that has fueled questions about whether the 90-year-old lawmaker is in decline.

During a Senate Appropriations Committee markup, Feinstein was supposed to cast her vote on a Defense funding bill, saying either aye or nay after her name was called. Feinstein was prompted multiple times to vote, but she started reading prepared remarks supporting the legislation.

An aide went to the Feinstein's side to guide her to vote, and shortly thereafter Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told her, Just say aye."

She cast her vote, and the hearing continued  and so did the questions.

Feinstein was preoccupied during the lengthy committee markup, which came a day before lawmakers are set to leave the nation's capitol for a recess, her office told USA TODAY.

Reporters have peppered Feinstein's office with questions since she returned to Washington, D.C. in May after a nearly three-month absence. She was hospitalized with shingles in March. She also suffered from encephalitis, or brain inflammation, as well as Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

What we know: Mitch McConnell has fallen multiple times this year, uses wheelchair

"I have returned to Washington and am prepared to resume my duties in the Senate," she said in a statement in May, explaining that she was advised by her doctors to work a lighter schedule.

But in the halls of the Capitol, where she was asked about her return, she told reporters she hadn't left, seemingly unaware of her hospital stay and prolonged recovery at home.

Fellow California Democrats and members of her party from other states questioned her fitness for office and called on the 90-year-old senator to resign. Those calls drew criticism from top California Democrat and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said at the time, "I've never seen them go after a man who was sick in the Senate in that way."

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Feinstein has announced she will not seek reelection in 2024.

Concern for the senator, who has served in public office for decades, comes after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., froze for roughly 28 seconds during a press conference on Wednesday and was escorted away from a lectern by colleagues.

McConnell was able to return to the press conference, but the moment came just months after he suffered a concussion and a broken rib from a fall. He has also fallen at least two other times this year, including at a Washington, D.C. airport and during a foreign trip, a source close to the senator confirmed to USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dianne Feinstein gets confused, had to be told to vote: 'Just say aye'
For at least the second time in a week, Democratic colleagues had to prod Sen. Dianne Feinstein on how to vote in a committee meeting, once again raising questions about her fitness for office and whether elected officials should be subject to an age limit.

In Thursday during a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the California Democrat failed to cast a vote until directed by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, the committee chair.

Feinstein, 90, didnt initially respond when prompted to say aye or nay regarding a defense spending bill.

Say aye, Murray, the committees chairwoman, encouraged three times.

Feinstein started to read from prepared remarks before an aide whispered to stop her.

Another back-and-forth between Murray and Feinstein ensued, with the California Democrat seemingly questioning what to do.

Feinstein then sat back and said, aye.

The episode comes a day after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., 81, froze mid-sentence during a press conference for about 20 seconds before being pulled away by Republican colleagues. About 12 minutes later, he returned, claiming he was fine in response to a question about his health.

An aide later told CNN that McConnell felt lightheaded for a moment.

The Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful, is in charge of funding the government and related projects. The panel is powering through all of the annual bills to fund the government for the next fiscal year before leaving for an August break.

A Feinstein spokesperson said of the incident that the committee markup this morning was a little chaotic, constantly switching back and forth between statements, votes, and debate and the order of bills. The senator was preoccupied, didnt realize debate had just ended and a vote was called. She started to give a statement, was informed it was a vote and then cast her vote.

Last Thursday in a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which vets candidates for the federal bench and legislation connected to the legal sphere, Feinstein slipped up by accidentally voting for a Republican amendment to a Democrat-backed Supreme Court ethics bill.

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The Republican amendment was a actually a bipartisan effort originally introduced outside of the committee to bar stock trading for members of Congress that Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., tried to attach to the Supreme Court bill. The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee explained that his party should vote against the amendment since it was tangential to the Supreme Court bill.

Feinstein accidentally voted for it. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the committees chairman, corrected her. She quickly switched to a no vote.

Age and politics

Feinstein earlier this year said she would not run for re-election again in 2024, kickstarting a race between multiple House Democrats to succeed her.

She has been followed closely by Capitol Hill reporters and lawmakers since she returned from a prolonged health-related absence in May. She had been diagnosed with shingles on February 26 and was hospitalized until March 7.

When she returned in May, she was still dealing with some side effects though she is stronger now, her office said. She has been pushed around the U.S. Capitol in a wheelchair, often hounded by reporters about her age and mental fitness.

Other younger politicians too have to correct their votes from time to time. Her every misstep is documented.

Her challenges are part of a broader debate about elected officials and age. The current president, Joe Biden,is the oldest in U.S. history at 80, and the median age of senators is 65. Every flub provokes a national conversation about a legislators age and capability to hold office.

Like Feinstein, McConnell, too, was absent from the Senate for a time this year after he had suffered a concussion this spring. The Kentucky Republican was gone for about five weeks between March and April while he recovered from a fall in Washington, D.C.

He has fallen several times this year, according to multiple reports, and frequently uses a wheelchair at airports.

Later Wednesday, McConnell told CBS News outside the Senate chamber that he got sandbagged during the press conference  joking about when President Joe Biden tripped over a sandbag onstage at the U.S. Air Force Academy commencement last month.

The president called to check on me, McConnell said. I told him I got sandbagged.

Biden has taken flack for his age in several moments. Following the commencement, news outlets reported about the shorter staircase he uses to avoid tripping up or down. The president, who is running again in 2024, has been criticized for taking few direct questions from reporters.

The White House has repeatedly pushed back about concerns regarding Bidens age and health.

A CBS News/YouGov survey conducted last year found 73% of people in the U.S. support some form of maximum age limit for elected officials, with 70 being the most-favored limit. The survey collected answers from 2,085 adults in the U.S. over the course of three days last August.
Residents of Boises North End dealt with a surreal situation Wednesday night: a shootout between police and a suspect that left the subject dead.

Police were called to the 700 block of N. 20th Street at 10:24 p.m., requested backup and eventually exchanged gunfire with the individual. The Boise Police Department has yet to release further information, but parts of the neighborhood where the incident occurred were reopened Thursday at around noon after investigators had closed a multiblock area.

Police continued to focus attention on a house and garage at 718 N. 20th Street well into the afternoon, though. It remained cordoned off with caution tape, and law enforcement personnel could be seen walking around on the second floor of the garage building and taking photos.

Mary Allen, 70, who lives next door, told the Idaho Statesman that police were at the house all night, too.

Several people told the Statesman on Thursday that they saw the suspect walking on 19th Street with a gun. Keith Cox, 71, who lives on Washington Street, said he saw a man in a hooded sweatshirt heading north on 19th carrying what looked like an AK-47. He said he called 911 at 10:46 p.m. and then hid in the bathroom with his wife.

Police said in a news release that officers initially heard gunshots at 10:43 p.m. and requested more assistance, and that responding officers were immediately engaged in gunfire upon their arrival at the scene moments later. Its not known how many total shots were fired.

Cox said his house was hit by bullets five times  including a round that went through a front window  and his truck was struck twice.

Keith Cox, 71, shows where his truck was struck by bullets during Wednesday nights shootout in the North End that left a suspect dead. Cox, whose house also was hit, lives and was parked on Washington Street.

Cox also said he saw the suspect lying on the ground at around 11 p.m., with a rifle next to him, near the intersection of 19th and Washington streets. There were still what appeared to be blood stains on Washington Street on Thursday afternoon.

Tyler Wasden, 44, a 19th Street resident, told the Statesman that from his front windows, he watched the suspect walking on 19th with a rifle pointed in the air. The suspect headed toward Resseguie Street, then came back toward Washington pursued by police, Wasden said.

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When a police officer and the suspect were about 25 feet apart, they opened fire on each other, Wasden said. It wasnt clear who fired the first shot, he told the Statesman, but the suspect had turned toward the officer.

After the suspect was shot, Wasden said he saw officers giving the man chest compressions on Washington Street.

Other people who live near the site said they first heard popping sounds at around 10:30 p.m. Jeff Bosse, 54, a 19th Street resident, said he was outside and heard gunfire as well as sirens.

I dropped to the ground because I didnt want to get hit, Bosse said.

Bosse told the Statesman that he didnt see the suspect but heard 12-15 gunshots.

Jordan Skyles, 32, and his wife, Kennedi, 26, who live at 19th and Resseguie streets, said they were in their living room when they heard at least eight shots go off. They said they grabbed their baby and headed to the basement.

Didnt feel real. That kind of stuff doesnt happen here in Boise, Kennedi Skyles said.

Curtis Wonacott, 74, who lives on 19th Street, said he had gone to bed when he heard three pop sounds. He told the Statesman that homes were hit by bullets.

Police spokesperson Haley Williams said BPD was working on getting more information confirmed and would update the public when possible.

Boise police have been involved in several shootings this year, including a fatal incident in late June in which an armed 22-year-old was shot in the head while fleeing downtown.
Image: Marvel Studios

Remember when Marvels shows on Disney+, like WandaVision and Loki, had everyone talking? Well, those days are long gone as its most recent show, Secret Invasion, came and went rather quietly. Many, many Marvel fans either started the show and gave up, or didnt watch it at all. Thats why now seems like a good time to give them an article they can read to catch them up on everything from Secret Invasion that may, or may not, become important for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Obviously, what follows is nothing but spoilers.

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Maria Hill is dead

Image: Marvel Studios

For real. Cobie Smulders character, one of the OGs of the MCU, was killed by a Skrull leader, Gravik, who looked like Nick Fury at the time. Her family was upset but it was largely inconsequential.

Talos is dead

Image: Marvel Studios

Talos, Ben Mendelsohns character from Captain Marvel and Spider-Man: Far From Home, was also killed by Gravik, this time during a Skrull attack on the U.S. presidents motorcade. Talos was protecting the president. His daughter was upset but it was largely inconsequential.

There are a million Skrulls on Earth

Image: Marvel Studios

Yup, you read that right. Many died over the course of the series, specifically those following the rebel Gravik, but there are still plenty around. And it seems as if the hosts they are duplicating are all being held in one place, which is run by Sonya Falsworth, the British version of Nick Fury played by Olivia Colman. Thats a photo of it above.



The U.S. president has declared war on the Skrulls

Image: Marvel Studios

Once the president (played by Dermot Mulroney) realized he was attacked by Skrulls, he made every one of them enemies of the state and vowed to kill them all if they didnt leave. This didnt make Nick Fury happy, as he was hoping for a more civil response, but now humanity has begun to murder people in cold blood they believe are Skrulls.

And yes, if this sounds like a gripping, interesting story, youre right. So of course it was introduced in the last 15 minutes of the series.

Talos daughter, Giah, is a Super Skrull

Image: Marvel Studios

We knew that Talos had a daughter, Giah, who we saw as a child in Captain Marvel. Well, shes grown up and is now played by Emilia Clarke. Giah killed Gravik before he could start World War III and, in the process, was infused with the powers of every single superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Shes now working for Falsworth. Yes, its crazy and we wrote more about it here.

Nick Fury collected Avenger DNA

Image: Marvel Studios

How did Giah and Gravik access the powers of all those Avengers? Well, after the fight against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, Nick Fury employed several Skrulls to go to the battlefield and collect blood samples. He was able to get every hero and villain and kept them together as something called the Harvest. The Harvest was used to make Giah and Gravik all-powerful but its unclear if theres any more of it.

Rhodey and Ross were Skrulls

Image: Marvel Studios

Over the course of the series, we see both Don Cheadle and Martin Freemans characters from previous MCU movies. Only, in both cases, theyve been taken over by Skrulls. We dont know how long Ross was a Skrull (we assume after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), but Rhodey has, apparently, been one for much, much longer.

Nick Fury is married to a Skrull

Image: Marvel Studios

Again, you read that right. At some point between the events of Captain Marvel and Iron Man, Nick Fury married Varra, a Skrull played by Unbreakables Charlayne Woodard. The two have lived a complicated life but ultimately reconciled by the end of the series.

Nick and his wife went back to space together

Image: Marvel Studios

With Skrulls being hunted on Earth, Nick invites Varra to go with him back to SABER in space, which she says shell do for a little bit at least. Thats how the series ends, leading right into The Marvels.

And thats it

Image: Marvel Studios

For real. Oh, sure, lots of other stuff happened on the show. We learn Nick Fury promised the Skrulls a new home but couldnt deliver. Before he gets the Harvest, Gravik has the power of Groot somehow. Fury walks around without an eyepatch. But in terms of actual events that will have ramifications moving ahead... that about sums it up.

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The debanking of Nigel Farage demonstrates the power of a law that is already being enforced without having been formalised. Found guilty of crimes by state censors, secret committees of bureaucrats, or inscrutable algorithms, individuals can be disconnected and de-personed by institutions that they didnt realise possessed such powers. Today it is banks terminating customers for their beliefs; tomorrow it may be primary schools and hospitals. The powerful consensus that once upheld the neutrality of key institutions as essential to maintaining peace in liberal societies is collapsing.

Belief in the value of neutrality was a hard-won product of bourgeoisie political revolutions and religious wars. Having lasted for centuries, it is teetering today under attack from two directions. On one side, a brand of political activism condemns the very idea of remaining neutral as being a cover for subjugation and exploitation. In this view, the passive act of not denying someone banking services is recast as an affirmative endorsement of their entire political outlook. Simultaneously, digital networks are thrusting formerly apolitical institutions into the general arena of public surveillance, where failure to affirm new ideological mantras is seen as an act of treason against the whole system.

Ironically, given its role as a pioneer of thought policing and financial cancellation, the Canadian government website hosts an astute paper on the techno-surveillance model pioneered by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Big data and the social credit system: The security consequences argues that the purpose of the social governance process in China is upholding the Chinese Communist Partys ruling position: ensuring state security. This is not simply about domestic or foreign-security policy. In the PRC, internal and external are also about what is inside and outside of the CCP. The Party is protecting an ideas space not bounded by physical geography. Security, in this context, is not measured by protecting Chinese citizens from outside attacks but, rather, by the states ability to exercise control over ideas, which it sees as essential to maintaining the partys power.

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The process is more decentralised in the US and UK than in China, but functionally the Wests policing of disinformation and illicit ideas, combined with punitive cancellations, achieves the same goal. Once seen as paragons of amoral profit seeking, banks now espouse values because they fear that to not do so would place them at risk of being deemed distasteful and out-of-touch. Those phrases, used by Farages bank to condemn him, are euphemisms for anything that threatens the ruling class ideology  something powerful institutions must avoid lest they be evicted from the palace of global technocracy. It is no coincidence that the most technologically advanced countries are also the most aggressive practitioners of de-banking.

Immediately after the January 6 riots in the US, PayPal and its subsidiary Venmo blocked the accounts of individuals and groups involved in organising the pro-Trump demonstrations, as well as a Christian crowdfunding site raising money for the protestors. GoFundMe said that it would remove fundraisers promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation about the 2020 election. Two years later, numerous people prosecuted for low-level felonies and misdemeanours such as trespassing and disorderly conduct at the Capitol have been blacklisted by banks and shut out of social media fundraising services, according to a recent report that cited a dozen such claims. In 2022, Justin Trudeaus government used debanking to punish truck drivers engaged in mass protests. Canadian financial institutions cut standard payments as well as freezing cryptocurrency accounts used by the protestors. Tellingly, one of the first instances of de-banking targeted WikiLeaks, the organisation founded by Julian Assange, arguably the most powerful critic of the emerging alliance between tech monopolies and the national security state. In 2010, one month after Wikileaks published a trove of leaked State Department diplomatic cables, Paypal froze its account.

Ultimately, the driver of this new social reality is not radical activism but the power of the tech monopolies. Moralistic fervour is burning away centuries of tradition, leaving the digital oligarchs to claim the new territory. The world we are living in is the one they have authored. In the same way that railroads once changed the world by collapsing physical distances, social media has collapsed the spaces that once differentiated private from public, as well as separating institutional spheres of power. Thus financial disconnection can be used as a tactic of warfare against Russia as well as a domestic tool in every country where digital networks predominate.

In the US, the unprecedented coordination between the various sectors of the counter-disinformation complex, which includes the media, intelligence agencies, non-profits, and universities, testifies to the same principle at work. Connected by a lattice of digital networks, they reinforce the same belief system while wielding their power to attack people accused of wrongthink and spreading disinformation. Political censorship and financial disconnection are two sides of the same coin.

Today, organisations such as the World Economic Forum and World Bank are promoting global digital IDs as a progressive cause to help lift unbanked people out of poverty. Their solution would herd billions of people into globalised surveillance databases where their every transaction, movement, and sentiment can be monitored and analysed. If the spread of debanking shows that the danger today comes from an interconnected digital web reaching into the foundations of privacy and neutrality, the response of the global elite is to insist we build a bigger bank.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Papua New Guinea leaders on Thursday to discuss developing the Pacific Island nations military strength and deepening security ties, as the United States competes with China for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Austin is the first U.S. defense secretary to visit the nation of 10 million people that was fiercely fought over during World War II and is gaining strategic importance in the U.S. struggle against Beijing.

The retired four-star general met with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape and discussed implementing the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the capital, Port Moresby, in May.

Blinken had stepped in for Joe Biden, who was to become the first U.S. president to visit Papua New Guinea but canceled to deal with the then-unresolved debt crisis in Washington, D.C.

Austin said the United States was not seeking permanent basing on Papua New Guinea but would help the country expand its military capability, modernize its forces and increase their interoperability with the U.S. military.

The Indo-Pacific is our priority theater and partnerships like ours are critical to keeping this vital region free and open, Austin told reporters in Port Moresby.

The United States has increased its diplomatic focus on the Pacific since China signed a security pact last year with Papua New Guineas neighbor, Solomon Islands.

Marape ruled out forging a bilateral security agreement with Beijing, saying Papua New Guineas relationship with China would remain economic.

The Chinese have not made any request to us for military relationships, Marape said.

Marape added that the Chinese government through its embassy in Papua New Guinea said it had no issue whatsoever with us signing the DCA with the U.S.A.

The signing of that agreement sparked student protests in Papua New Guineas second-largest city, Lae. Many in the Pacific are concerned about the increasing militarization of the region.

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Marape said that U.S. Defense Department officials would visit Lae in September to plan upgrading infrastructure. Papua New Guinea wants fuel storage facilities and energy security to receive priority in a 15-year infrastructure plan.

Austin said Papua New Guinea would be provided with a U.S. Coast Guard cutter next month to help enforce maritime law.

Marape said his people were hypersensitive to the possibility the U.S. could wage war against China from Papua New Guinea. He added that the U.S. does not need Papua New Guinea to be a launching pad for any offense anywhere else in the world.

I want to give assurance to everyone here, including our friends from Asia, that this is not about setting up for war. Rather, its about setting up presence for nation-building in Papua New Guinea and this part of Planet Earth and in the Pacific, he added.

Austin and Blinken traveled to Brisbane, Australia, for annual bilateral talks on Friday and Saturday with their Australian counterparts.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would also meet the two Americans on Friday.
The Justice Department will investigate whether the city of Memphis and its police department systematically violated civil rights, officials announced on Thursday.

Memphis police faced widespread condemnation earlier this year following the homicide of Tyre Nichols, an unarmed 29-year-old Black man who was viciously beaten by a large group of officers during a traffic stop in January and died three days later.

The tragic death of Tyre Nichols created enormous pain in the Memphis community and across the country, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

The Justice Department is launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department engage in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct and discriminatory policing based on race, including a dangerously aggressive approach to traffic enforcement, he added.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
The Justice Department asked a federal judge on Wednesday to order Texas to remove razor wire-covered barriers in the Rio Grande amid concerns they could harm or kill migrants seeking asylum in the United States.

Texas began deploying the floating barrier along miles of the river near Eagle Pass earlier this month, part of a multibillion-dollar effort to deter migrants. The initiative has sparked fierce condemnation from Democrats and human rights groups, who have called the barricades inhumane death traps.

The Biden administration asked the court to order their removal within 10 days, arguing the barriers had significantly harmed the nations relationship with Mexico and had been built without necessary approvals.

Texass deployment of the floating barrier has caused significant and ongoing harm to the United States foreign relations with Mexico, the DOJ wrote, adding Mexico had specifically asserted that Texass actions contravene various treaty obligations and has raised humanitarian concerns regarding possible loss of life.

Allowing the floating barrier to remain in place while the parties litigate this case would further compound this harm, the Justice Department added.

Migrants cross the Rio Grande from Mexico near the site where large buoys are being deployed to be used as a border barrier in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 12, 2023.

Migrants cross the Rio Grande from Mexico near the site where large buoys are being deployed to be used as a border barrier in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 12, 2023.

The Biden administration has also asked for an injunction that would bar Texas from deploying other river barriers without approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The San Antonio Express-News reported this month a trooper working along the southern border emailed his superior expressing grave concerns about the barricades. The officer detailed multiple incidents where migrants were seriously injured or trapped by the razor wire, adding border officials had been ordered at times to deny water to asylum seekers.

The filing comes just days after the Biden administration sued the state and its Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, alleging Texas didnt secure proper approval to build the barriers. The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday that Mexico had appealed to U.S. officials about the barrier, but by the time the Army Corps of Engineers found out about the effort, hundreds of buoys had already been deployed.

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Abbott has so far rejected any calls to take down the floating structures, saying he had the right to erect them amid an unprecedented crisis of illegal immigration.

Texas will see you in court, Mr. President, the governor wrote in a letter to Biden. 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.

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday that it is investigating the Memphis Police Department over potential constitutional and civil rights violations in the wake of Tyre Nicholss death earlier this year.

The probe will examine whether the police department engages in a pattern or practice of making unlawful stops, searches and arrests, using excessive force or employing racially discriminatory policing practices against the citys Black residents.

The Memphis Police Department came under scrutiny after Nichols was brutally beaten by officers during a traffic stop in January. The 29-year-old died from his injuries several days later, sparking national outrage.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized Thursday that the DOJs investigation is not based on a single incident, pointing to several reports of Memphis police officers using excessive force and indications that the departments traffic enforcement focuses disproportionately on the Black community.

Our decision to open this investigation now is not based on a single incident or event, nor is it confined to a specific unit or type of unit within the Memphis Police Department, Clarke said at a press conference.

The DOJ previously announced in March that its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) was conducting a review of the Memphis Police Departments policies and practices related to the use of force, de-escalation and specialized units.

The COPS review is separate and independent from the newly announced investigation and will continue to provide technical assistance to the police department while the probe is ongoing, the DOJ noted.

This pattern or practice investigation has a different purpose than the COPS review, Clarke said Thursday. This federal civil rights investigation will examine whether the police department has violated the Constitution or federal civil rights laws in a systemic way.

Our investigation will be thorough and objective, she added. We will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead. We hope community members throughout Memphis will trust us [and share] their stories, their experiences and views about public safety in the city.

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The Justice Department recently concluded probes into the Louisville and Minneapolis police departments. Both investigations were launched in the wake of high-profile killings of Black residents by police: the March 2020 shooting of Breonna Taylor in Louisville and the May 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

In a scathing report released in March, the DOJ found that the Louisville Metro Police Department regularly used excessive force, conducted searches without valid warrants, used no-knock warrants and discriminated against Black people.

A June report also concluded that the Minneapolis Police Department routinely used excessive force and unlawfully discriminated against Black and Native American people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
I am writing to share my heartbreaking experience as a single mother of an autistic son, who, after deciding to pursue college classes, was shockingly deemed ineligible for income assistance just one month into my studies. The reason cited was that I had not obtained the Ministry's approval to attend school full-time and lacked an employment plan, as I was previously on assistance due to multiple barriers. This decision has left me torn between providing food for my child and continuing my education, as dropping out would result in an overwhelming $25,000 debt and jeopardize my ability to access future student funding without having to pay a year's tuition out of my own pocket.

The journey to pursue higher education was not an easy decision for me, but I believed it to be the best chance to secure a better future for both myself and my son. However, encountering a system that requires bureaucratic approval to exercise my right to education has been nothing short of demoralizing. It has made me question whether our society truly values the importance of education for personal growth and breaking free from the chains of poverty.

As a single mother with limited resources and facing multiple challenges, I had hoped that assistance programs would offer a helping hand as I took this courageous step towards self-improvement. Instead, I was left without the support that I desperately needed, pushing me into an impossible position of having to choose between providing for my child or furthering my education.

The denial of reconsideration has only added to the distress, as it disregards the genuine efforts I have put into seeking a brighter future. By barring access to future student funding due to my current circumstances, the system further perpetuates the cycle of inequality and denies people like me a fair chance to improve our lives.

The prospect of accruing a $25,000 debt if I am forced to drop out is daunting, to say the least. It places an immense financial burden on a single parent who is already grappling with numerous challenges. This punitive approach to those seeking to better their lives through education seems to contradict the values of compassion and support that our society claims to uphold.

I implore policymakers and the Ministry to reevaluate my case with empathy and reconsider the flawed conditions in the assistance system. Education should be accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation, as it holds the key to breaking free from the cycle of poverty.

My story is not just about me; it represents the struggles of countless single parents and individuals trying to rise above their circumstances. Let us work together to create a more compassionate society that empowers its members to pursue education and, in turn, uplifts our entire community.

Sheena T Burt
A Memphis Police car Credit - Brad VestGetty Images

The Justice Department announced Thursday that it has opened a civil rights investigation into the Memphis Police Department and the city of Memphis, seven months after Tyre Nichols' death at the hands of police following a traffic stop stunned the city and the country.

The new pattern or practice investigation announced Thursday will work to determine whether Memphis police systematically violated the constitution or federal law. Federal officials will pay close attention to law enforcement's "use of force and its stops, searches and arrests, as well as whether it engages in discriminatory policing," according to a Justice Department statement.

While law enforcement in Memphis gained attention following the Jan. 7 police killing of Nichols, the latest probe, which also includes the city of Memphis, is separate from a continuing federal criminal civil rights investigation of the five Memphis police officers involved in Nichols' death.

The tragic death of Tyre Nichols created enormous pain in the Memphis community and across the country, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in a statement Thursday. The Justice Department is launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department engage in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct and discriminatory policing based on race, including a dangerously aggressive approach to traffic enforcement.

But DOJ did not open this investigation just because of Nichols. The investigation is not based on a single incident or event, nor is it confined to a specific unit or type of unit within the Memphis Police Department, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said Thursday.

Clarke said the agency has received multiple reports of officers escalating encounters with community members, resulting in excessive force. Sometimes such force is used in response to behavior they perceive to be insolent or those already restrained or in custody. At times, it has resulted in serious physical injuries.

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Law enforcements more routine police activity could be racially discriminatory, too, DOJ suggests. Even in a majority Black city, MPDs traffic enforcement may focus disproportionately on the Black community, said Clarke. Thats especially true when it comes to violations related to tinted windows or broken tail lights, she added.

Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for Nichols' family, released a statement following the DOJ announcement, applauding the decision to open an investigation. "Actions such as this will continue to show that the federal government will not let corruption within police departments take the lives of innocent Americans," they said. "It is our hope that the investigation by the DOJ, under the leadership of Attorney General Garland and Assistant Attorney General Clarke, will provide a transparent account of the abuses of power we have seen and continue to see in Memphis."

Five police officers were fired and charged with various felonies, including second-degree murder, after Nichols death; all five of them pleaded not guilty. Nichols was beaten for about three minutes on Jan. 7 after a traffic stop. Body camera and surveillance camera video showed Nichols trying to catch his breath and repeatedly calling out for his mother.

Rodney Wells, Nichols stepfather, told the Associated Press that the new DOJ investigation was a sign that were moving in the right direction, trying to get some justice.

After Nichols death, the citys SCORPION police unit came under fire from Nichols family and criminal justice advocates. SCORPION stands for Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace In Our Neighborhoods and was created in November 2021 to focus on violent crime reduction. It was permanently disbanded earlier this year; all five officers involved in Nichols death were part of the special unit.

A DOJ pattern-or-practice investigation involves assessing whether there is a systemic pattern or practice of unlawful conduct in a law enforcement agency. That could relate to excessive use of force, racially-biased policing, and discriminatory stops and searches. The investigation is typically followed by a public report that details whether systemic violations were found and federal oversight. The investigations can take years to complete.

This Justice Department probe marks the ninth such investigation into law enforcement by the Justice Department started under the Biden Administration. Ongoing investigations include those into the Phoenix Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the New York City Police Departments Special Victims Division.

Similar federal investigations in Minneapolis and Louisville started after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, respectively, uncovered civil rights violations.

Write to Sanya Mansoor at sanya.mansoor@time.com.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) indirectly revealed Wednesday that President Biden's son Hunter Biden is still under investigation for a potential violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

During a contentious court hearing in a federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, federal prosecutor Leo Wise confirmed to Judge Maryellen Noreika of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware that the DOJ is still investigating Hunter Biden over a potential FARA violation. According to the DOJ, a willful violation of FARA could result in a five-year imprisonment and $250,000 fine, or both.

"Yes," Wise stated after Noreika asked him whether the government could bring a charge against Hunter Biden related to FARA.

Wise's affirmative response sparked a disagreement between prosecutors and defense counsel which ultimately led to the collapse of Hunter Biden's plea deal. Chris Clark, an attorney representing Hunter Biden, remarked that the plea deal is "null and void."

JONATHAN TURLEY SKEWERS DOJ AFTER HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL FALLS APART: 'A PROBLEM OF THEIR OWN MAKING'

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, departs the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday.

The hearing occurred Wednesday morning and was expected to be routine.

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Hunter Biden was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax, as part of plea deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge. He was also expected to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement regarding the charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

BIDENS NARRATIVE ON NEVER DISCUSSING BUSINESS DEALS WITH HUNTER CONTINUES TO CRUMBLE

"Something is rotten in the state of Delaware, and the judge sniffed it out today. We're thrilled her reasoning tracked with the arguments we laid out in our brief to the Court," Mike Howell, the director of the Oversight Project at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital.

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"Hunter Biden won't be able to use this sweetheart plea deal as a get out of jail free card for any charges that may arise from the ongoing investigation into him," Howell added. "And that means that President Biden didn't get a pass either."

A courtroom sketch depicting Hunter Biden in the federal courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday.

Republican lawmakers who are leading the congressional oversight investigation into the Biden family's foreign business dealings similarly applauded Noreika's questioning of the plea deal Wednesday. GOP leaders have loudly criticized the DOJ for putting the deal forward earlier this year after a multiyear investigation into the president's son.

WHO IS DAVID WEISS? HUNTER BIDEN PROSECUTOR COMES UNDER MICROSCOPE AFTER CONTROVERSIAL PLEA DEAL

"Today District Judge Noreika did the right thing by refusing to rubberstamp Hunter Bidens sweetheart plea deal. But lets be clear: Hunters sweetheart plea deal belongs in the trash," House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement.

"No one should be above the law," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., added. "Even if your last name is Biden."

Congress enacted FARA to minimize the impact of foreign propaganda in the United States. It requires "certain agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities or other activities specified under the statute" to update the Justice Department on their activities periodically. They must also provide receipts and disbursements regarding the work.

Failure to do so can result in up to five years in prison and hefty fines. The New York Post reported that potential charges would have to come soon, given that it carries a five-year statute of limitations and Hunter Biden left the Ukrainian gas company Burisma's board in 2019. They also noted that its most lucrative Chinese government-linked partnership occurred in 2017 and 2018.

The White House, meanwhile, has continued to say it respects the independence of the DOJ and that there has been no interference from the president on behalf of his son.

"Hunter Biden is a private citizen, and this was a personal matter for him. As we have said, the president, the first lady  they love their son and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. "This case was handled independently, as all of you know, by the Justice Department under the leadership of a prosecutor appointed by the former president, President Trump."

The DOJ didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday urged a judge to order Texas to remove the floating barriers in the Rio Grande within 10 days and to prohibit the state from building any additional buoys.

The DOJ request for a preliminary injunction comes days after it filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for constructing the floating marine barriers, arguing it violates federal law and causes significant harm to human life and to diplomatic relations.

Governor Abbotts suggestion that Texas can violate the [Rivers and Harbors Act] in service of its own policy priorities inverts the Supremacy Clause and controverts Supreme Court precedent recognizing the federal governments plenary power over immigration and foreign affairs, Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza wrote in the filing.

The DOJ made the case that the federal government has clear authority over the matter and argued there was a substantial likelihood of prevailing on the merits. It argued the buoys make it difficult for government officials to carry out official duties.

The DOJ also argued Texas was causing irreparable harm to its relationship with Mexico, which, according to the agency, has lodged numerous protests with the United States about the buoys since late June, including at the highest diplomatic levels, and has asserted that the Floating Barrier violates various international treaties.

The DOJ cited a recent meeting that Mexican officials canceled, citing their concerns with Texass actions in the Rio Grande. In 2020, the United States and Mexico committed to reaching an agreement by the end of 2023 on a mechanism to improve water delivery from Mexico to the United States. The agency said Mexico canceled the meeting and stated that it may need to rethink and limit its cooperation with the United States going forward.

Mexico has raised humanitarian concerns regarding the prospect that the Floating Barrier could cause injury or death to persons swimming in the Rio Grande, which (in addition to loss of life) could prompt a significant international incident, it added.

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The buoys are part of Operation Lone Star, Abbotts multibillion-dollar effort to deter immigration, which has come under increased scrutiny over what some describe as inhumane practices that are also proving to be ineffective, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.

The buoys cover 1,000 feet in the Rio Grande, with anchors in the riverbed. Texas officials have said it is intended as a deterrent to illegal migration. Installation of the barriers began earlier this month and represents the latest escalation in the tension between GOP-led states and the Biden administration.

The pushback from Democrats has been resounding, and the federal government, facing pressure to take action against Texas, filed a suit against Texas and Abbott on Monday, after Abbott failed to meet the federal governments deadline to remove the barriers.

Texas will see you in court, Mr. President, Abbott wrote in a letter, defying the governments request to remove the barriers. Abbott also claimed he had a constitutional right to take the actions it has.

The cost to Texas of removing its unauthorized barrier pales in comparison to the harms that the United States is suffering and will continue to suffer if the Court does not issue the requested preliminary injunction, the DOJ wrote. So long as the Floating Barrier remains in the Rio Grande, it will continue to disrupt the United States conduct of foreign relations with Mexico, obstruct navigation on the river, present health and public safety risks, and interfere with federal agencies ability to execute their missions on the river.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tech giants have been targeted by the EU for a number of allegedly unfair practices (JUSTIN TALLIS)

The European Commission, which announced Thursday an inquiry into Microsoft's promotion of its Teams messaging app, has fought US tech giants on fronts from tax avoidance, disinformation and hate speech to data privacy and monopolistic practices.

Here is a summary of the tussles between Silicon Valley and Brussels.

- Stifling competition -

The European Commission on Thursday said it would investigate whether Microsoft was "abusing and defending its market position" by bundling its Teams app with its Office suite.

It comes a month after the commission recommended that Google sell off part of its business following a two-year probe into its dominance of online advertising.

If Google fails to comply it could face a fine of up to 10 percent of its global revenue under the 2022 Digital Markets Act.

Brussels has already slapped over eight billion euros in fines on Google for abusing its dominant market position.

In 2018, the company was fined 4.3 billion euros ($4.8 billion) -- the biggest ever antitrust penalty imposed by the EU -- for abusing the dominant position of its Android mobile operating system to promote its search engine.

The fine was later reduced to 4.1 billion euros.

The firm has also incurred billion-plus fines for abusing its power in the online shopping and advertising sectors.

Apple has also been in the EU's sights, with Brussels investigating its dominance among music streaming apps.

- Taxation -

The EU has had less success in getting tech companies to pay more taxes in Europe, where they are accused of funnelling profits into low-tax economies like Ireland and Luxembourg.

In one of the most notorious cases, the European Commission in 2016 found that Ireland granted illegal tax benefits to Apple and ordered the company to pay 13 billion euros in back taxes.

The EU's General Court later overturned the ruling, saying there was no evidence the company broke the rules, a decision promptly appealed by the Commission.

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The Commission also lost a similar case involving Amazon, which it had ordered to repay 250 million euros in back taxes to Luxembourg.

In October 2021, following extensive lobbying by European countries, the G20 group of nations agreed on a minimum 15-percent corporate tax rate.

- Privacy -

Brussels has also handed down billions in fines over breaches of data protection rules.

Ireland, which houses the European headquarters of several big tech firms, has hit Meta with a string of eye-watering fines.

They include a record penalty of 1.2 billion euros imposed in May for illegally transferring personal data between Europe and the United States.

Amazon previously held the record after Luxembourg slapped it with a 746 million euro penalty in July 2021 for breaching the bloc's landmark 2018 data protection regulation (GDPR).

- Disinformation, hate speech -

Web platforms have faced accusations for years of failing to combat hate speech, disinformation and piracy.

The EU adopted the Digital Services Act last year to force big online companies to tackle these issues or face fines of up to six percent of their global turnover.

Nineteen major platforms are required to comply with the act starting August 25 this year, they include TikTok, Instagram and Twitter, which is now being rebranded as "X".

- Paying for news 

Google and other online platforms have also been accused of making billions from news without sharing the revenue with those who gather it.

To tackle this, the EU created a form of copyright called "neighbouring rights" that allows print media to demand compensation for using their content.

After initial resistance, Google and Facebook agreed to pay French media for articles shown in web searches. Google has reached an agreement with AFP on neighbouring rights.

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Former President Donald Trump faces three new felony charges in the special counsels investigation into his handling of classified documents after he left the White House, including two accusing him of ordering the deletion of a computer server holding incriminating security camera footage.

The charges include additional counts of willful retention of documents and obstruction of justice, according to a superseding indictment filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The new counts came at the same time as a third defendant, Carlos De Oliveira, a property manager at Mar-a-Lago, was charged in the classified documents case. Trump and his aide Walt Nauta had previously been charged last month. Both have pleaded not guilty.

The new charges center on surveillance video from Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where the sensitive documents were kept, alleging all three men attempted to delete security camera footage at the Mar-a-Lago Club to prevent the footage from being provided to a federal grand jury.

Justice Department investigators had subpoenaed the footage after FBI agents noticed surveillance cameras near a storage room in the basement of the resort as they attempted to recover the cache of documents last year.

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, stacks of boxes can be observed in a bathroom and shower in The Mar-a-Lago Clubs Lake Room at former U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, stacks of boxes can be observed in a bathroom and shower in The Mar-a-Lago Clubs Lake Room at former U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

A day after Trumps attorneys told the former president about the subpoena Trump called his valet, Walt Nauta, who abruptly changed his plans and traveled to Florida, where he met with De Oliveira. A few days later, the pair went to a security booth where the video footage was displayed. De Oliveira later asked another employee how long surveillance video was stored on a server before insisting to his colleague that the boss wanted the server deleted and asked, What are we going to do?

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The other unnamed employee said he didnt know how to delete the server and did not believe he would have the rights to do that, according to the court documents.

The special counsel also filed a new charge related to previously reported audio of Trump discussing a sensitive military document during an interview. CNN first obtained the clip in which the former president described a document he said was complied by Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when Trump was president, on potential attacks against Iran.

Trump was speaking to people working on a memoir for one of his former aides after he left the White House.

Ill show you an example. He said that I wanted to attack [Country A.] Isnt it amazing? Trump said, per the court filing. I just found, isnt that amazing? This totally wins my case, you know. Except it is, like, highly confidential.

The Trump campaign issued a furious statement after the additional charges were unveiled:

This is nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their Department of Justice to harass President Trump and those around him, the campaign said. Deranged Jack Smith knows that they have no case and is casting about for any way to salvage their illegal witch hunt and to get someone other than Donald Trump to run against Crooked Joe Biden.

Special counsel Jack Smith had previously charged Trump with 37 felony federal counts, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, willful retention of national defense information and making false statements. The total number of counts leveled against the former president in the case now numbers 40.

Smiths office is also nearing charging decisions in the governments investigation into the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Trump said earlier this month the Justice Department had told him he was a target of that inquiry.

Trumps attorneys met with Smiths team on Thursday in relation to the Jan. 6 investigation, with the former president saying his team had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong.

Its unclear what was discussed, but a similar event took place before Trump was charged in the classified documents case.

S.V. Date contributed to this report.

Related...
Donald Trump faces new charges in classified documents case

Donald Trump is accused of pressuring an employee to delete security footage at his Florida home, in new criminal charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified files.

The latest indictment adds one count of wilful retention of defence information and two of obstruction, making 40 charges in total in this case.

Mr Trump denies any wrongdoing and has called the prosecutor "deranged".

He is fighting multiple legal cases as he runs for president again.

In a Friday morning interview, he reiterated that he would not end his 2024 campaign even if he is criminally convicted.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to earlier charges in the case, alongside his personal aide Walt Nauta, who also received two additional charges of obstruction on Thursday.

The property manager at the former US president's Mar-a-Lago estate, Carlos de Oliveira, has also now been indicted.

The revised charge-sheet outlines alleged efforts between Mr Nauta and Mr de Oliveira to obstruct the justice department's investigation.

According to the court document, they conspired in an effort to delete surveillance video after the Department of Justice issued a subpoena demanding footage of the area where it said confidential documents were held.

Prosecutors claim Mr de Oliveira twice told Mar-a-Lago's director of information technology that "the boss" wanted the server deleted, in a conversation he said must remain between them.

The IT worker responded that he did not believe he had the authority to do so, according to the indictment.

The employee, who is not named or charged in the indictment, has been identified as Yuscil Taveras.

The charge-sheet also describes a scene in which Mr de Oliveira "walked through the bushes" into a property adjacent to the Mar-a-Lago resort to meet Mr Nauta.

Later, the court filing adds, Mr Trump phoned Mr de Oliveira and promised him legal counsel at Mr Nauta's request.

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A lawyer for Mr de Oliveira has declined to comment on the allegations.

The updated indictment also says that Mr Trump knowingly discussed a top-secret document with biographers visiting Mar-a-Lago to interview him.

The paper Mr Trump allegedly revealed to the biographers contained possible plans to attack "Country A", which refers to Iran.

"Look what I found... Isn't it amazing? I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look," Mr Trump allegedly said to one of his guests.

The indictment included images of files allegedly stored in a shower

The documents case is led by special prosecutor Jack Smith, who is also overseeing a separate investigation into alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Trump's attorneys John Lauro and Todd Blanche met officials at Mr Smith's office in Washington DC.

The former president said on Thursday his lawyers had received no indication of timing of when charges may be filed in the case.

In an emailed statement, his presidential campaign dismissed the fresh charges as a "way to salvage their illegal witch hunt".

Congressional Republicans also defended Mr Trump against what many in the party have called a "weaponised Department of Justice".

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley suggested the charges had been timed to distract from the collapse of a plea deal for President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, over tax and gun offences.

Mr Biden is also facing a special counsel investigation into his handling of classified documents, some of which were discovered in a garage at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

On Friday, a former Trump lawyer said "the evidence is so overwhelming" against his former client.

"I think this original indictment was engineered to last a thousand years and now this superseding indictment will last an antiquity," Ty Cobb, who represented Mr Trump early in his presidency, told CNN.

The latest charge against Mr Trump adds to a growing list of legal problems for the property and reality TV mogul.

He currently awaits trial on 34 felony counts in a hush-money case in New York, and also faces a defamation case from writer E Jean Carroll.

Georgia prosecutors are still weighing whether or not to press state charges over an alleged effort to overturn the election results there.

Former Trump aide Stephen Moore told the BBC the charges against the former president would only serve to solidify his nomination in the Republican presidential race.

"The more they indict him, the more his popularity goes up with Republicans", he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
WASHINGTON  Donald Trumps lawyers Todd Blanche and John Lauro met Thursday with Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths team to discuss what made the former president a target of the investigation of potential election fraud in the 2020 election, according to a source familiar with the meeting.

Trump, who disclosed he was the target of the investigation, said in a post on Truth Social his lawyers weren't told an indictment is imminent.

"My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country," Trump said. "No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!"

Legal experts described this type of meeting as a courtesy before a grand jury hands up a potential indictment. Trump lawyers met with Smiths team before his June indictment charging him with mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. Trump announced that earlier indictment three days after the meeting.

"All indications are that this is the final courtesy meeting being extended to Trumps legal team to explain why Smith should not seek an indictment," said Bradley Moss, an attorney who specializes in national security matters.

"A similar courtesy meeting was extended to Trump before the documents case was indicted, Moss added. Absent some unforeseen circumstances, Smith will not be persuaded by whatever Trumps team presents."

Barb McQuade, a former federal prosecutor and law professor at the University of Michigan, said prosecutors rarely change their minds at this stage in an investigation but find it valuable to listen for important facts or legal issues.

"It most likely means that Trumps legal team is making a pitch to decline to file charges," McQuade said. "They may discuss legal or factual weakness in the case, defenses DOJ may have failed to adequately consider or best interests of justice."

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Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he visits Versailles restaurant on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get the records back.

What is the election fraud inquiry about?

No former president has been charged criminally, but Trump has already been indicted twice. The election-fraud inquiry represents what legal experts and historians say could the most serious set of potential charges against him because the allegations basically are that he tried to steal the 2020 election.

Trump revealed July 18 he is a target of the inquiry into offenses including conspiracy to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights and witness tampering. But that doesnt necessarily mean he will be indicted. Trump has denied wrongdoing and said he is the victim of a political prosecution.

Trump said he was given four days to testify if he wanted. He has not reported that he testified.

The inquiry focuses on Trump refusing to acknowledge losing the 2020 election, recruiting GOP electors to replace Democrats in states President Joe Biden won, pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to recognize the electors when Congress counted Electoral College votes and urging a crowd outside the White House to "fight" for him on Jan. 6, 2021, before a mob of his supporters ransacked the Capitol.

Trump faces several criminal investigations

Another federal indictment would become the third set of criminal charges Trump faces. He was charged federally in June with conspiracy to obstruct justice and retention of national defense documents in the classified records case. He was charged in April in New York with falsifying business records to pay hush money to a woman who claimed to have had sex with him before the 2016 election.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases. The New York trial is scheduled for March and the federal trial for May, both within the primary season when he is campaigning for the Republican nomination for president.

Former President Donald Trump departs after a visit with campaign volunteers at the Elks Lodge, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Trump leads GOP polls for president despite criminal cases

Despite his legal problems, Trump still holds a big polling lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

A Monmouth University Poll released this week said 54% of Republican and GOP-leaning voters prefer Trump, while 22% backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Other Republican candidates were in single digits.

Republican voters also seem unbothered by indictments, even in a general election match-up against Democratic President Joe Biden.

"Only one in four Republican voters express any real degree of concern (11% very and 16% somewhat) that the criminal indictments against Trump would make him a weaker candidate against Biden in the general election," the poll said. "In fact, nearly half (47%) are not at all concerned about these charges being a drag on Trump."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump lawyers meet with DOJ prosecutors about election fraud inquiry
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) clashed Wednesday with aides to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his presidential campaign after the congressman expressed reservations about new education guidelines in the state focused on African American history.

Donalds, the lone Black Republican in the Florida congressional delegation and a supporter of former President Trumps 2024 bid, said the states new standards for African-American history are good, robust, & accurate.

That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasnt the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this, Donalds posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Floridas new guidelines, which passed last week, require lessons on race to be taught in an objective manner that does not seek to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view.

One update requires teachers to instruct on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

DeSantis aides were quick to criticize Donalds, accusing him of parroting White House talking points in the wake of sharp criticism from Vice President Harris and other administration officials.

Supposed conservatives in the federal government are pushing the same false narrative that originated from the @WhiteHouse, Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis press secretary, posted on X in response to Donalds. Florida isnt going to hide the truth for political convenience. Maybe the congressman shouldnt swing for the liberal media fences like @VP.

Donalds responded with surprise that he was taking incoming after expressing support for most of the changes.

Anyone who cant accurately interpret what I said is disingenuous and is desperately attempting to score political points, Donalds posted. Just another reason why lm proud to have endorsed President Donald J. Trump!

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Christina Pushaw, who served in the governors office and works on the DeSantis campaigns rapid response team, replied with a GIF of Harris giving a thumbs up.

Redfern retweeted Pushaws message, and in a separate response to Donalds wrote that the congressman was repeating false talking points pushed by the Biden @WhiteHouse.

The online sparring between DeSantiss team and Donalds comes as the governors presidential campaign has undergone something of a reset in the face of difficulties gaining ground on Trump in the polls and questions about the operations spending strategy.

DeSantis entered the presidential race in May and was widely viewed as Trumps most formidable challenger, but the governor has struggled to put a dent in the former presidents sizable polling lead nationally and in early voting states like Iowa.

His campaign has faced blowback for multiple online missteps, including its initial launch on Twitter Spaces and the sharing of a video criticizing Trump as too friendly to the LGBTQ community.

Jason Miller, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign, called it a disgrace for a DeSantis spokesperson to be attacking the congressman.

Congressman Byron Donalds is a conservative hero, Miller said in a statement to The Hill. The Republican Party is lucky to have him as a leader, and President Trump is honored to have his endorsement.

The Congressman also calls it like he sees it, and if he thinks something is BS, hell tell you, Miller added. Thats why we like him so much.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Drop-tops are a national fascination for British drivers, says Jack Rear

Im zooming through the Surrey Hills in my pastel-pink electric Fiat 500e Convertible with my sunglasses on, the wind in my hair and feeling on top of the world.

Ive driven across some of the UKs most fantastic landscapes, up and down Lake District fells, across Dartmoor, and through thunderstorms in the Scottish Highlands, but nothing quite beats the feeling of zipping about in a convertible on a sunny morning.

So perhaps its no wonder that drop-tops are such a national fascination for British drivers. Despite our frequently rainy, miserable summers, for years more cabriolets were sold in Britain than anywhere else in Europe, even those countries such as Spain and Italy where the climate is arguably more suited to top-down driving.

From Thelma and Louises 1966 Ford Thunderbird to James Bonds Toyota 2000GT, James Deans Porsche 550 Spyder, Grace Kellys Sunbeam Alpine and Frank Sinatras 1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche  for decades the convertible was a symbol of freedom, luxury and elegance, as well as effortlessly cool.

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in To Catch A Thief, 1955

Now that all seems to be at an end. In 2004, nearly 95,000 convertibles were registered in Britain, but last year sales fell to just 16,500. Across the 30 most popular car brands in Britain, there are only 24 convertible models available in total, representing a 56 per cent drop-off since the 2005-2010 period, according to automotive website CarGurus.

Fifty-seven per cent of car manufacturers, including Toyota, Citroen, Peugeot, and Vauxhall, dont include convertibles as part of their UK ranges.

Nowadays, its the SUV which is the dream car for many. There is significant growth in SUV interest, with the SUV segment of the used market seeing a 63 per cent jump compared to 2022, explains Erin Baker, editorial director at Auto Trader.

Whilst used car demand is very strong in general at the moment, SUVs in particular are taking a greater share of the growth in demand and theyre also selling faster than last year  it looks like the only way is up for SUVs  which were seeing reflected in the new models manufacturers are launching, she adds.

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This seems such a shame to me. The reason behind my convertible experience is that Im taking part in a study to find out whether top-down driving makes us happier than keeping the roof up. And guess what? It does.

Jack with his pastel pink Fiat

Ive been charged with completing two drives of the same distance  once with the top up, and once with the top down, wearing a monitor to measure my stress levels.

My personal results show that my heart rate dropped from 61bpm when driving with the roof up, to the much calmer 57bpm with the roof down. I also showed an increase in my hedonic tone (thats a fancy way of saying happiness), from 28 to 30.

In pure numerical terms this might not sound like a lot, but I really felt it as I jaunted around the countryside just outside Guildford. Ill confess to being a somewhat anxious driver, but with the wind whistling through my hair, the fresh countryside air in my nostrils, and the odd beam of early-June sun on my face, it was hard to feel stressed.

The teams study found that drivers were indeed up to 19 per cent happier, 32 per cent less stressed, and 15 per cent more alert when driving around with the roof down.

Economists have noted the hemline index theory: that womens skirt and dress hemlines get shorter in more prosperous times and longer when the economy slows down. Perhaps something similar can be said of convertible cars. After all, the convertible is a symbol of freedom and a marker of optimism in those who own them. Could it be that we are simply feeling less free and optimistic in 2023 than we were in 2004?

Studies suggest that driving with the roof down can reduce stress

What if getting behind the wheel of a convertible is just the tonic that we all need?

When driving with the top down in a convertible we experience greater levels of feedback from the road environment, explains Dr Lisa Dorn, the driving psychologist who worked with Fiat to design the study I have been taking part in.

Data show that this creates a sort of open-air euphoria that makes us feel physically and psychologically better, and possibly even makes us drive more safely, she adds. Mood when driving will fluctuate depending on a variety of factors impacting the driver, vehicle and conditions. However, this study showed a significant effect that suggests, with repeated exposure, motorists could see health-related benefits of driving a convertible over time.

In short, we feel more connected to the road and the places we are driving around when we have the top down. And isnt that what driving a convertible is all about? Noticing the speed as the wind ruffles your hair and experiencing the sounds and smells of the world youre motoring through?

By turning our backs on convertibles, we risk losing the opportunity to see our cars as more than just objects to transport us from A to B and thus forgetting the pleasures of driving for its own sake. Do we really want to lose the thrill of the open road?

Do you own a convertible? Let us know in the comments

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.
Sheep walk over cracked earth at Morocco's al-Massira dam in Ouled Essi Masseoud village, some 140 kilometres south from Casablanca, on August 8, 2022 (FADEL SENNA)

From Tunisia to Morocco, sun-baked North Africa has embarked on a building spree of plants that purify sea and wastewater as climate change intensifies droughts in the water-scarce region.

Across the Maghreb region, which takes in parts of the Sahara desert and is plagued by scorching summer heat, countries are banking on new desalination plants and facilities that can purify wastewater for farming.

In Tunisia, struggling through its fourth year of drought, engineers recently inspected a desalination plant being built in the southern town of Zarat on the Mediterranean coast.

Across the region, "the only solution is the desalination of seawater for human consumption", said Mosbeh Helali, outgoing CEO of Sonede, the company constructing the plant.

The World Bank predicts that by 2030, the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will fall below the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic metres per person per year.

Ironically, most of MENA's existing desalination plants are powered by the very fossil fuels that belch carbon into the atmosphere, driving the global heating that is now intensifying droughts.

A large Saudi desalination plant, Al Khafji, runs on solar power, and Egypt is also planning facilities set to run on renewables -- but most existing plants rely on the climate killers oil, gas or coal.

Scientists and environmentalists also warn of the impact on marine life as the plants dump the extracted salt back into the sea as concentrated sludge.

Helali insisted this hasn't been a problem in Tunisia, where there had even been "a proliferation of aquatic life" around some discharge points, making those waters "highly prized by fishermen".

Despite concerns around energy-guzzling desalination, North African countries are embracing it as their fast-growing populations pile ever more pressure on shrinking groundwater tables and dam reservoirs.

- Lack of water 'unbearable' -

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Tunisia, where some reservoirs have run almost dry, has imposed water rationing for months, limiting household use and banning car washing and even farm irrigation.

"We have endured water cuts since mid-May," said Mohamed Ismail, 40, who lives in central Tunis. "Every evening it's the same story: there is no more water in the house until early morning.

"Now, with the heat, the situation has become unbearable."

Tunisia built its first desalination plants in the 1970s, to purify brackish groundwater, and constructed its first seawater desalination plant in 2018, on Djerba island to supply the arid south.

Today, Tunisia's 16 desalination plants provide six per cent of its potable water. The rest comes mostly from 37 dams, but now most reservoirs are only about one-third full.

To narrow the gap, Tunisia is building three new desalination plants, including the one in Zerat. Such plants are meant to meet 30 percent of Tunisia's water needs by 2030.

Morocco is also banking on the technology, which now provides 25 percent of its agricultural needs.

The kingdom operates 12 desalination plants and has seven more in the works.

While oil-rich Gulf countries have long relied heavily on desalination, this is more difficult for Tunisia and Morocco which lack such energy wealth.

"This technology is very expensive in terms of energy consumption and it is generally found in countries rich in oil or gas," Radhia Essamin, a water management expert, told AFP.

As Tunisia struggles with a severe economic crisis, it needs help, say experts.

The cost is "colossal", said Raoudha Gafrej, a hydraulic engineer. "We absolutely need technical support, financial support, assistance to be able to implement all this."

- 'We consider it vital' -

Energy cost is less of a problem for Algeria, which has huge oil and gas resources.

It already runs 23 desalination plants and has plans for 14 more, to meet 60 per cent of its water needs by 2030.

The region's other oil giant is Libya, but it has been torn by war and turmoil since the 2011 fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi and seen little new infrastructure built since.

Although Libya dabbled in desalination in the 1950s, Kadhafi changed course to instead tap ancient aquifers below the Sahara.

His ambitious Great Man-Made River project has linked that water with the densely populated northern coast through pipelines.

The other great, but so far largely untapped, water resource for the Maghreb is wastewater, which can be purified to make it fit for agriculture, or even human consumption as Israel has done for many years.

Tunisia already has 125 basic wastewater treatment plants that service farms and replenish groundwater, and Algeria is now looking to upgrade many of its treatment facilities.

Tunisian farmers have long used the often foul-smelling water, mainly to irrigate cotton and fruit trees but not vegetables.

A Japanese-financed plant, which opened in May in Siliana in northwest Tunisia, puts out water cleaned of 95 percent of its impurities.

Local farmer Lotfi Atyaoui, 52, said it had saved his fields and almond trees.

"We consider this wastewater treatment project vital because we suffer a lot from drought," he said. "If we don't have water, we will lose our agriculture, our trees and our livestock."

bur-ayj-str/fka/agr/hj/ysm/fz
New Zealand, Australia PMs meet to celebrate close ties

Xinhua) 16:57, July 26, 2023

WELLINGTON, July 26 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese met here on Wednesday for their first annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting and the celebration of several anniversaries.

The meeting took place as both countries celebrate the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations (CER), the 50th anniversary of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, and the 80th anniversary of diplomatic representation, said a New Zealand government statement.

"It was great to meet again with Prime Minister Albanese to celebrate our closest international relationship, mark this special year of anniversaries and work towards an even better future," Hipkins said.

It was the fifth time the two prime ministers met in seven months.

The Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting is their annual opportunity to "assess and set priorities for the relationship for the following year," Hipkins said.

Wednesday saw an agreement to put together a joint Australia-New Zealand expert group, with a clear deadline of 12 months, to "scope initiatives to move closer towards seamless travel across the Tasman," the statement said.

Measures would be adopted to help trans-Tasman businesses and tourism with a simplified border, without compromising security, it said, adding the expert group will report back by the end of June 2024.

The two sides also discussed issues of economic cooperation, trade, and climate change, among others.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Photo: . Film crews set up for a shot on the City of North Vancouver waterfront in April 2021. | City of North Vancouver

The lights have dimmed. The cameras arent rolling. And theres next to no action.

Film and TV production workers are reeling as two Hollywood-based strikes have put Metro Vancouvers sizeable film business into stasis.

Strikes by members of the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in their labour disputes against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers mean only small, non-unionized shoots are still happening in Hollywood North.

Thats a wrap

Tony Lazarowich, a 37-year special effects veteran, had been preparing to shoot Final Destination 6 but has now been told not to expect to get called back to the set until 2024.

For any producers to forecast that as the worst-case scenario, thats not encouraging at all, he said. Its pretty bleak.

Clare Husk, film co-ordinator for the City of North Vancouver, said it became clear that strikes were coming as early as February when the number of permit requests fell off.

In the first half of 2022, the city granted 71 film permits for 94 days of filming, bringing in $274,422 in revenues. In the same period this year, there were just 27 permits for 29 days of shooting and $65,719 in fees collected.

Our numbers are hugely down year on year, she said. And in April, I did not have a single permit, which I have never experienced in the nearly 10 years Ive been doing this.

Husk said the only film shoots happening now are commercials and independent passion projects that out-of-work filmmakers are pursuing for the festival circuit.

There are about 70,000 film workers in B.C., 5,000 of whom live in North Vancouver, Husk said.

In 2020 (the most recent year of stats available), more than $110 million was paid in wages to workers with North Shore addresses, according to Creative BC, the provinces film and creative industry marketing agency.

The economic consequences of the strike, though, also extend to businesses that serve the film industry like post-production jobs, caterers, equipment rentals, cleaners, etc.

Lazarowich said he has now had to lay off his staff.

Its like we were during COVID, having to pay for rent and all the bills that any regular business has to pay for but with no light at the end of the tunnel, he said.

Julie McHaffie, who has being doing actors hair for more than three decades, said there is no film work on the horizon.

Usually Im very, very busy. I had a massive year last year, she said. Now, Im unfortunately unemployed.

Long-term problems

A large number people who work in the film industry are contractors who own their own businesses. When COVID-19 shut everything down in 2020, a huge amount of them took out federal loans to keep themselves out of bankruptcy, McHaffie said. Those loans are now due in December and its highly unlikely film workers will have earned enough this year to cover their debts, she added. While some laid-off film workers have transferable skills, the money they can earn outside the industry doesnt compare.

I paid some of it, but not all of it and of course, I was planning on working through the fall and after Christmas, she said. People have bills to pay and its very worrisome.

McHaffie said she is looking to the federal government to further extend the payback period in light of the circumstances.

The film industry is notoriously feast-and-famine, but Lazarowich now said he worries film workers will seek out new careers out of necessity and wont be willing to come back when the strikes are over, making it harder for B.C. to land big productions with high-paying jobs in the future.

Theres lots of highs and lots of lows when it comes to work, but this is a very, very hard low, he said. I fear that a lot of really talented people are going to be leaving and the industry will suffer from it, and not suffer just for a short period.

Union support high

Lazarowich said it appears both sides in the labour disputes have dug in and arent negotiating, which is ominous for when a resolution may be reached, although he ultimately supports the union positions.

People assume that actors and writers are paid handsomely, but thats only the case for a small percentage of them, Lazarowich said.

These are just the bread and butter, working class actors who still have to have second jobs  to not live below the poverty line, he said. Its a necessity for people to get paid fairly and I feel that the actors and the writers are not being paid fairly.

Despite the hard times, McHaffie expressed a similar sentiment.

I support the actors, and I support the writers immensely. Without actors, I dont have a job, she said. I support what theyre trying to do, what theyre trying to say, because I see it in front of me all the time.
Members of the Wagner Group prepare to depart from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24, 2023. Arkady Budnitsky/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Some Wagner fighters stationed in Belarus have been told to go on leave, Mozhem Obyasnit reported.

But many are not returning home and are getting drunk at train stations instead, the outlet said.

One relative wrote online that the fighters are "boozing to their heart's content," it said.

Wagner Group fighters are getting drunk and loitering at train stations in Russia instead of going home, according to the independent Russian media outlet Mozhem Obyasnit.

After their failed armed rebellion last month, many Wagner mercenaries traveled to Belarus, where their exiled leader Yevgeny Prigozhin set up a new training base, according to the BBC.

While some of the Wagner fighters are receiving military training to be deployed to Syria and Africa  where the group has been active for several years  others have been sent back to Russia on leave, Mozhem Obyasnit reported.

But many have not made it home and are choosing to get drunk instead, the outlet reported, citing public chat groups between the supposed relatives of Wagner fighters.

One woman in the chat group complained that "those getting drunk at the station" are "idiots" for not going home, according to a translation from The Daily Beast. "They're boozing to their heart's content," she added.

"My [relative] is calling, he says one of them was taken away in an ambulance, he got drunk and became ill," another family member said, according to The Daily Beast.

A third person wrote: "Mine is home, although he's drunk. The others haven't managed to make it back yet, but they're hammered already."

Several Wagner fighters are ex-convicts who were released on the grounds they fight with the group in Ukraine.

But since the failed rebellion, some are back on the streets, with one Russian investigative media outlet claiming they have committed crimes again.

The Wagner Group's short-lived uprising, which experts said was the biggest threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin's power in decades, came after months of feuding between Prigozhin and Russia's military leadership.

In line with an agreement struck by Prigozhin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko after the rebellion, the Wagner Group leader was sent to Belarus. Prigozhin's current whereabouts are unknown.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Stepping outside on a Sacramento summer day can feel like youre opening the oven door, as a blast of fervent hot air smothers you and broils your skin.

Its a fury the inland city seems to be known for  the airless, dry heat.

The Bee spoke to an atmospheric scientist who broke down the science behind the popular caveat for the scorching sun: But its a dry heat.

What does it mean to have a dry heat?

Dry heat essentially means there is low humidity, which is water vapor in the air.



There are two ways to measure humidity, Ian Faloona, bio and micrometerologist and professor at the University of California, Davis, told The Bee. You can look at relative humidity or dew point.



Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, Faloona said, relative to the amount that can exist there before it begins to condense into a liquid.



At 100% humidity, the air will not be able to hold the water vapors , according to the National Weather Service, and will eventually become fog or rain if it continues to cool.



Dewpoint refers to the temperature the air needs to be cooled to reach 100% humidity. This measurement is a better judgment of how dry or humid the air is, according to the National Weather Service.



The service outlined general comfort levels using dew point in the summer. Dewpoint temperatures less than 55 degrees are considered dry and comfortable, 55 to 65 degrees is sticky with muggy evenings, and more than 65 degrees means lots of moisture in the air, becoming oppressive.

Is Sacramento heat actually dry this summer?

Early summer weather predictions hinted toward a potential for more humidity, following the downpours in the winter and spring.

However, Faloona said he cant see how the winter rains from six months ago could have any bearing on humidity currently.

In principle, yes, if your soil is wet, then therell be more evaporation and it will be more humid, he said. ... But thats not really what happens because we dont get rain for months on end here in California and so all the soil moisture in the Central Valley is really driven by irrigation.

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Faloona said that humidity is standard this summer.

In my experience, its been a drier heat, which is kind of normal because we dont get a big influence usually of that monsoon circulation, Faloona said.

The North American monsoon is a seasonal occurrence when the summer heat causes high pressure over the U.S. Southwest and brings moist, southerly winds from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California, according to a NOAA blog. Northwestern Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico regions are typically effected, seeing more precipitation at this time.

In the summertime, Faloona said dewpoint in Sacramento typically ranges around 50 to 55 degrees, but this can change depending on the strength of the monsoonal flow.

Forecasts for dewpoint temperatures in the Sacramento area for the remainder of July range in the 50s. The highest temperature expected is Thursday with 61 degrees at 2 p.m. According to NWS, this dewpoint temperature is considered sticky and muggy.

Why does Sacramento have dry heat?

Sacramentos not the only California city with dry heat.

Faloona said, for the most part, cities such as San Jose and Los Angeles also have it, too. But since they are closer to the ocean, they get a cold sea breeze so its relatively cool. The wind from the ocean typically blows west to east, he said, and as you go inland itll get hotter and drier.

With the cooler wind, Faloona added that the dew points dont usually get above 50 to 55 degrees, which stays within NWS dry and comfortable general comfort levels.

On the East Coast the ocean water from the Gulf Stream is warmer and its water vapors will make a more humid environment.

Looking at Raleigh in North Carolina, for example, dew point temperature forecasts for the week range in the 70s.

Sacramentos Delta breeze

Sacramentos heat isnt so relentless as it feels, thanks to its famous Delta breeze.

The Delta breeze is a sea breeze that comes from the Bay Area through the Carquinez Straits and into the Sacramento region.

A pressure difference in the warm air inland and the cool sea breeze reels the Delta breeze into the area, Faloona said.

What is the Delta breeze and why do Sacramentans love it so much? Bee Curious answers

Usually when temperatures approach 100 degrees  between 90 and 100 degrees  in the late afternoon, thats enough to kick in the Delta breeze, Bill Patzert, a climatologist who retired from NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, previously told The Bee. The irony is that the hotter it is, the stronger the breeze.

With the breeze, temperatures are able to cool down three to six degrees, Patzert said.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
It was supposed to be a fun day at the movies. Michael Hess, 33, was picking up his nephew for an afternoon outing when police say a woman stepped out of a white Chrysler 200 and gunned him down in the middle of the street.

A little after 3 p.m. June 7, Hess pulled his white Chevy Malibu into the 2400 block of N. Kenyon Street to pick up his 9-year-old nephew. Moments later, witnesses say gunshots rang out, sending people fleeing for cover as adults rushed to shield nearby children from stray bullets.

More Indianapolis gun crime: Bad firearm deal may have led to gunfire in death of Elijah Martin

Hess was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital where he underwent immediate surgery, court documents state. He died hours later.

On Tuesday, police arrested Monique Cooley, 30, for her alleged role in Hess' death. Investigators believe a handgun taken from Cooley's sister may have factored into his fatal shooting.

Detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department began speaking to witnesses shortly after Hess died in the hospital. Hess' wife told police she received an earlier phone call informing her that Cooley had shot her husband, according to a probable cause affidavit for Cooley's arrest.

Cooley had sold her sister a gun, Hess' wife told detectives, a firearm her sister allegedly still owed money for. Both she and Hess had taken the gun away from Cooley's sister due to "mental health issues," the affidavit stated.

Cooley may have thought that Hess still had possession of the gun, she told police.

Detectives obtained Cooley's cellphone records, which placed her in the vicinity and the time Hess was shot, court documents state. A witness told investigators a white car with two people in it was following Hess on June 7 when he pulled over to pick up his nephew.

Murder. A conviction. An exoneration: Was evidence of another suspect ignored  or hidden in Grundy probe?

A witness traveling to a job site told police he saw a Black female driving a white sedan stop the car in the middle of the road, before getting out and waving a gun, the affidavit states.

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Detectives obtained cellphone records of Cooley's phone, placing her in Kenosha, Wisconsin soon after Hess died.

Online court records show Cooley is facing a murder charge. The Marion County Prosecutors Office will make the final charging decision.

Anyone with information about this case can reach Detective Stephanie Herr at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by email at Stephanie.Herr2@Indy.gov.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis gun crime: Michael Hess killed in shooting, 1 arrested
The Rousseau Volunteer Fire Department serves a 170-square mile slice of Eastern Kentucky that stretches across four different counties.

Before last summers devastating flood, about 3,000 people lived within that jurisdiction, estimated Greg Wilson, the departments chief. A year later, he feels the population has dropped to easily 2,000.

We knew that was gonna happen, Wilson said.

Still, the non-profit fire department has done everything they can to prevent further depopulation. Since the flood, theyve assisted over 4,400 families and secured 15 camper trailers, two sheds, an RV and a mini home for flood survivors in Breathitt County. Theyve delivered 25 loads of furniture and close to 5,500 meals. The department continues to run a distribution center and was awarded an East Kentucky Leadership Award in April.

They havent received a dollar from the state or federal government.

The departments lone four-wheel-drive rescue truck just died on us from all of the extra hauling work, said Wilson, who now uses his own private vehicle instead. When they looked into getting state disaster funding for a new vehicle, Wilson said his state representative told him the department was ineligible.

Theres so much red tape and laws, Wilson said. Sure, some of them (are) good, but some of them, I mean without these volunteer departments doing like weve been doing, what would these people do?

A conservative estimate would put the amount of federal and state funds pledged to flood recovery in Eastern Kentucky at well over $750 million. But one year after that deadly disaster, much of the largest source of money  almost $300 million in federal disaster recovery funds  is making its way through a slow, months-long application processes.

As those funding processes march on in the background, county officials and housing advocates say they still feel a heightened sense of urgency on the ground as some flood survivors, with little other options, reside in precarious housing situations or consider leaving a region that faced widespread depopulation concerns before the flood.

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Government resources are necessary to recover from a disaster that last summer took 45 lives, wreaked havoc on public infrastructure and damaged almost 9,000 homes. A study from the Ohio River Valley Institute estimated it would cost anywhere between $450 to $950 million to rebuild the damaged homes.

We cant make things move fast enough, said Gerry Roll, the CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. And the fact that we are using government resources, which we have to do, makes that time go even slower.

Sherry and George Mullins poses for a portrait in front of their new home in Perry County, Ky., on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. They bought the home from the Hazard-based Housing Development Alliance after their former home was destroyed in last summers flooding.

The recovery gap

The new home Sherry and George W. Mullins live in now is evidence of the recovery work non-profits have done with the mix of state, federal and philanthropic dollars currently available.

Last year, a helicopter had to rescue the couple near their destroyed River Caney home in Breathitt County. When the flood hit, Sherry was just a month into retirement, she said. In March, they moved into the first home the Hazard-based Housing Development Alliance built for a flood survivor.

They no longer live next to a creek but rather in a near-treeless, growing subdivision near the Hazard airport on what is essentially a former mountaintop flattened by surface mining. Theyre adjusting to a less-rural setting but Sherry said theyre getting to the point where I actually know what retirement is like.

Relieved to be living out of the floodplain but pained to leave land thats been home to family for generations, Sherry said she knows theyre fortunate. They had the ability to buy their new home and stayed with family immediately after the flood.

Its just heart-wrenching to drive up into some of the communities, Sherry said, noting that some folks are still living in converted storage buildings.

Many of those still living in more dire circumstances could be caught in the recovery gap, said Scott McReynolds, the executive director of the Housing Development Alliance. Just after a disaster, afflicted areas get access to immediate emergency funding and resources. But thats followed by a months-to-years-long wait for the availability of further federal funding needed for long-term recovery.

In this recovery gap  a phrase McReynolds said he borrowed from SBP, a national disaster recovery organization that grew out of long-term recovery from Hurricane Katrina  those who are lower income or otherwise socially vulnerable could run out of initial aid in the first 100 days after a disaster.

Sometimes private insurance can help to bridge the gap, but researchers have estimated only about 5% of the people whose homes were damaged by the flood had insurance. McReynolds said hed been told by experts to expect a five to seven year long recovery.

It makes sense because theres a lot of houses to build, McReynolds said. But nobody really talks about where people live for five to seven years if theyre the last person to get recovered.

The Housing Development Alliance has so far completed more than nine homes and is working on a dozen more, and made about 30 repair jobs. Non-profits like the Appalachian Service Project, HOMES and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky are also working on housing.

Were excited about that, McReynolds said. But its also frustrating because we know its just really a very small amount of the need.

What state and federal money has been spent so far

Government resources have come in a few different forms. Between national flood insurance, FEMA and the Small Business Administration, over $281 million in federal funding has arrived in both direct assistance to survivors as well as funding for infrastructure projects in the afflicted counties.

FEMA also has made offers to buy 241 properties in flood-afflicted counties. Totaled together the purchase price would be over $40.9 million. Those flood-prone properties will become green space. Myra Shird, the FEMA federal coordinating officer assigned to the flood for the past year, didnt want to minimize the needs some survivors still have, but I will say better days are coming.

Recovery takes years, said Shird, who since 2019 said she has worked more than 20 different disasters across the country. And it may be in a flash of an eye that youve lost everything and it may take years to build back. That is just the nature of recovery.

The state government has offered two different batches of funding, both of which were approved shortly after the July floods. Via executive order, Gov. Andy Beshear authorized the creation of the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, which has raised over $13 million through donations. That fund  which provided direct payments to survivors, paid for funerals and has already paid for some home construction  is now the subject of a state audit.

Then weeks after the flood, the state legislature approved a $213 million aid package called the Eastern Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies, or EKSAFE fund. According to monthly updates provided to the legislature, approximately $96.5 million, or about 45% of that money, had been awarded through the end of June.

Distribution of the EKSAFE fund was assigned to various state departments and offices. Most of the money so far distributed has been done by Kentucky Emergency Management. The office has nearly exhausted the $65 million left in its charge on higher ground communities, various cleanup expenses and helping local governments (fiscally strained by unexpected disaster costs) still pay their everyday bills.

Local governments need to continue to pay their sheriffs department, their local jail employees, the sanitation workers, said state budget director John Hicks. So those funds have been kind of crowded out by the front-end expenses to respond to the immediate disaster.

In the most recent legislative session, state lawmakers carved out $10 million from the EKSAFE fund specifically for housing. The Kentucky Housing Corporation, which will be in charge of administering that money, told the Herald-Leader the application process isnt open yet.

Building homes to building neighborhoods

Various other federal programs like the Appalachian Regional Commission, Small Business Administration and USDA have also made grants and loans available to rebuilding flood survivors. But the biggest pot of money is the nearly $423 million in federal CDBG-DR funds.

That money, called CDBG-DR funds because it comes from the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, is given to the state to distribute after it comes up with an approved plan. The money does have some stipulations.

First, $123 million of it is specifically for recovery from extreme weather in 2021. Large portions will go toward Western Kentucky tornado recovery but some is for severe flooding events in the eastern part of the state. That money was just made available for applications from local governments in May 2023. The first of this funding to hit the streets  $1.3 million for construction on apartments and the county courthouse in Breathitt County  was announced on July 11 by Beshear.

Another $300 million directed toward just flood recovery was approved by Congress this year. It could be the end of this year before the states action plan makes its way through the reviews, meetings and public comment periods necessary for approval, said Michelle Allen, the executive director for the Kentucky River Area Development District, which is working on many of the grants bringing money to the hardest-hit counties.

When that money is unlocked, Beshear said it could be used to build close to 600 homes, many of which would be located in higher ground communities.

Were gonna go from building homes to building neighborhoods pretty quickly, Beshear said.

Construction is underway on homes for flooding victims in Perry County, Ky., on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The Hazard-based Housing Development Alliance has so far completed nine homes, is working on a dozen more and completed about 30 repair jobs.

Disaster finance

In Carrie, a Knott County community on the banks of Troublesome Creek, a handful of flood survivors gathered at a local church in mid-July. They were there to hear county-level officials and non-profit resource groups explain what the CDBG-DR funds are, connect with needed resource groups and share ideas on how the money should be used.

The meeting was one of several listening sessions hosted in the worst-hit counties by the Kentucky River Area Development District and Berea Colleges Brushy Fork Leadership Institute. The first occurred late last fall and winter, said Donna Daniels, the executive director at Brushy Fork.

At those earlier meetings, organizers heard about people living in dire conditions like tents or tarped-in porches, Daniels said. Six months later, theyre hearing more from folks who need drywall or flooring.

The flood survivors attending in Carrie were in various stages of recovery. Even with outside help from non-profits or government sources, the personal finances of recovery can be straining.

Della Ritchie and her husband, Reggie, watched their home get carried away by the raging creek. They still owed over $100,000 on the house and have still made payments on it even while living with a neighbor for the past several months. Della said they also make too much money to be eligible for many of the aid programs for low-income families.

We both work but it takes both of us making a living to survive, Della said.

The Appalachian Service Project is working to build their new home. The Ritchies gave ASP all the money they got from FEMA and a $20,000 outside donation they received. ASP is covering the rest of the costs.

Karen Mosley is in a different boat. Before the flood, she rented a residence in Carrie. Shes spent much of the past year raising her three grandchildren in a trailer at the Knott County Sportsplex  hard to do, Mosley said, on next to no income.

I just feel like sometimes Im going to be left behind, Mosley said.

The fact that she didnt own a home prior to the flood and with her income level has made it hard for her to understand what aid programs she actually qualifies for, Mosley said. She has a case worker now to help her with the confusing process but mostly shes left with more questions than answers.

I pretty much stay that way. Its a long, drawn out process, I understand, Mosley said. But its the not knowing that bothers me the most. It wouldnt bother me to wait another year on a home, if I knew I was going to qualify for one.

Digging a footer

More state money and eventually the CDBG-DR funds will accelerate construction on higher ground communities, Beshear said. But before those public funds can be used, they need to complete an environmental survey.

If you have been displaced, and its a year later, then youre rightfully frustrated and believe things should go faster, Beshear told the Herald-Leader. And candidly, we are frustrated about our inability to use state dollars on some of these higher ground communities until that permitting is done.

Theyre hoping to wrap up that permitting process as fast as possible, he said.

Building a high ground community takes longer, but we can reimagine what a neighborhood is, Beshear said.

The money from non-profits is far more flexible than government funding, said Roll, the CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. Using government resources requires a lot more scrutiny up front whereas aid from non-profits faces that scrutiny later in the process. Even if non-profits can work faster, theyll never be able to reach the scale necessary for recovery.

I could be wildly successful and raise millions of dollars, Roll said. But the chances of raising that hundreds of millions of dollars  thats going to take public support and thats what takes a lot of time.

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky has tried to put its money to work quickly. They and other non-profits created a fund with about $6 million earmarked for new affordable housing. The foundation is focused on developing one of those higher ground subdivisions, called Chestnut Ridge, on donated land in Knott County with enough space for 57 houses for flood survivors.

We have the land, we have the resources, Roll said. Its time that we cant push any faster and thats what it takes. In the meantime, people are still suffering.

Crews work to install drywall at a home in Perry County, Ky., on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, that is being built by the Hazard-based Housing Development Alliance. The organization has so far completed nine homes, is working on a dozen more and completed about 30 repair jobs.

Theyre hoping to start construction later this year but a lot has to happen in conjunction with other partners. A main road has to be built to the site. Available water and sewer is nearby but the plan has to be approved before we can dig a footer.

County governments are also crafting their plans for how they might use the CDBG-DR funding. Floyd County is working on a grant to acquire land for three different new subdivisions within the county, said Robbie Williams, the countys judge-executive. Close to 150 home sites in the county that have been affected by flooding have been bought out through various federal programs.

For those families that might otherwise leave, Williams is hoping instead they can offer them a free lot to build a home on. Williams said hes hoping theyd be able to offer those sites within 18-24 months.

It takes time, Williams said. Well, unfortunately, we dont have time. Were in an environment here in Eastern Kentucky, with the economy the way it is, and the decline of coal, that for these folks, this is just a another reason for them to leave the region.
Grant County police responding to a call about two men with gunshot wounds discovered a lot more than they bargained for.

Early Monday the Grant County Sheriffs Office, Moses Lake Police Department and Ephrata police were called about men being shot in the 14000 block of Road C N.E., about 30 miles north of Moses Lake.

When officers arrived just after 4 a.m. they found two men had been shot in an apparent robbery at an illegal marijuana growing operation, according to a social media post from the Grant County Sheriffs Office.

Personnel from the sheriffs office, Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team and several state agencies are investigating.

They found more than 5,000 marijuana plants, 1,200 pounds of processed marijuana, an AR-style ghost gun and a variety of fertilizers and chemicals.

There was no electricity connected to the property, but generators were found at the site.

The Grant County Sheriffs Office estimates the total value of the marijuana at more than $9 million.

Juan Cabrera Calderon, 49, of Hillsboro, Ore., and Martin Chacon Martinez, 38, of Yelm, were stopped and arrested in the area.

They were booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault and first-degree robbery. They are each being held on $1 million bail.

INET is investigating the grow operation, and the Grant County Sheriffs Office Major Crimes Unit is investigating the shooting and robbery.

The Department of Ecology is disposing of the chemicals and fertilizer and removed the illegal grow operation, with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Bureau of Reclamation.

The Grant County Sheriffs Office said that law enforcement focuses on grow operations like this in part because there is a substantial risk of fires caused by unpermitted and hazardous electrical modifications, as well as contamination introduced by chemicals and fertilizers.

The sheriffs office also said that such operations often bring risk of violence and robbery.

Despite recreational cannabis being legal in Washington, it is still against the law to grow marijuana without a permit.
At least 11 complete bodies and dozens of body parts, including human heads, were recovered on Wednesday from a major prison in Ecuador, after days of deadly prison clashes.

The remains were collected at the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where violence first erupted on Saturday.

Thirty-one people are dead, according to a tweet from the Attorney Generals Office on Tuesday. However, the National Forensic Service of Ecuador has cautioned that the official death toll remains to be fully determined, as many body parts must still be identified.

Some of the victims appeared to have been beheaded, the National Forensic Service of Ecuador told CNN en Espanol Wednesday.

CNN has reached out to multiple government officials for updates or clarification on the number of deaths, with no response so far.

Relatives of prisoners at a penitentiary in Ecuador learn about the fatal clashes in Guayaquil on Tuesday, where dozens of bodily remains were recovered. - Cesar Munoz/AP

Ecuadors prison system has long been the main theater of violence in the country, with hundreds of inmates killed in recent years as members of competing criminal organizations square off.

Security forces have often struggled to confront the gangs inside overcrowded prisons, where inmates often take control of branches of the penitentiaries and run criminal networks from behind bars, according to Ecuadorian authorities.

On Tuesday, Ecuadors prison service announced that it had successfully executed an operation to extract prison guards taken hostage by inmates, freeing at least 106 guards across five different prisons.

Our action continues the prison authority added on Twitter.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso has also signed a decree declaring a state of emergency across the countrys entire penitentiary system for the next 60 days.

Over the past two years, Lasso has named five different directors of the prison service, but none have proven able to reduce the violence.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A machine is rinsed that runs samples to test for PFAS compounds at the Orange County Water District on Oct. 9, 2019. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly half of the drinking water in the United States is contaminated with forever chemicals, the per- and polyfluoroakyl substances known as PFAS that can cause cancer and other health complications. And Southern California is among a handful of regions nationwide with a higher probability of tap water contaminated with PFAS.

These findings are worrisome, particularly for communities that are already suffering from other sources of pollution. In Los Angeles County, water agencies in cities such as Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Vernon, Downey were found to have PFAS higher than the recommended levels as early as 2019.

Los Angeles County supervisors this week launched an effort to assess the full extent of PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies. It's a good first step, but state and local authorities must do more to ensure drinking water is free of these chemicals, which are found in many household products, including cookware and cosmetics.

Read more: Editorial: 'Forever chemicals' are everywhere. It's time to rein them in

PFAS were first classified as an emerging contaminant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2016. But little is known about any disparities of PFAS contamination in different ethnic communities or the specific harms this pollution may be inflicting on these communities.

Last month, researchers at the University of Southern California began a new study on the health effects of PFAS contamination in drinking water in Los Angeles County, focusing on the predominantly Latino communities in the east and southeast that are overburdened with environmental pollution. The multidisciplinary study, which involves researchers from USCs medical and engineering schools, aims to develop prevention strategies and large-scale, sustainable remediation solutions that can be implemented in a cost-effective manner.

Lead researcher Lida Chatzi, director of USCs Center for Translational Research on Environmental Health, said previous research has linked exposure to PFAS to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic disorders. Other research she has conducted found that a mixture of PFAS can cause the disruption of critical biological processes in youth, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, developmental disorders and many types of cancer. In the latest study, scientists will study the effect of newer PFAS that have been created to replace those found to be harmful.

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Read more: Editorial: California needs more than just money to stop bungling the Exide cleanup

Federal officials have long known that PFAS, which have been detected in the blood of humans and animals, have been linked to many negative health effects and are found in thousands of commercial and industrial products such as nonstick cooking pans, water-repellent outerwear, non-stain food packaging, firefighting foam and many more.

However, government action has been sluggish and too narrowly focused. The Biden administration has proposed the first national drinking water standards for six PFAS, but there are more than 12,000 types.

California has recently banned the use of PFAS in many products, such as cosmetics, clothes, food packaging, cribs and firefighting foam. This year, state lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban the chemicals in products such as artificial turf and menstrual underwear, pads, tampons and other items. These moves may lower our exposure to PFAS, but scientists say this is not enough. Contamination of PFAS is so widespread it requires action from multiple government agencies to regulate PFAS levels in water systems, implement large-scale removal of existing PFAS and prevent future contamination.

Read more: Firefighting foam leaves toxic legacy in Californians drinking water

Their persistent toxicity may add an extremely dangerous layer of pollution if detected in communities already struggling with environmental damage, such as those in southeast Los Angeles County. The Biden administration's plan to tackle PFAS contamination includes a grant program for disadvantaged neighborhoods, but the burden for initiating remediation should not fall on these communities.

Each new study on PFAS has only uncovered more evidence of their omnipresence in our lives. This means that federal regulators should consider banning all PFAS as a class, as recommended by many scientists. More research is needed to assess the full range of harmful effects and to find sustainable ways to remove these toxins from drinking water. This will be particularly important as California and other states consider reusing wastewater to help replenish groundwater supplies, a move scientists believe will increase PFAS toxicity in our water.

The findings of the USGS study were not entirely surprising, but they should not be ignored.





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.
After letting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott run wild with his catastrophic border security posturing, the Justice Department is suing him in an effort to force him to haul in the floating obstacle hes placed in the middle of the Rio Grande. At the same time, a federal judge has struck down the Biden administrations rehash of a Trump-era anti-asylum program that had just recreated Title 42s draconian restrictions. The cycle of accountability continues.

We never thought that the transit ban 2.0  a rule that made would-be asylum seekers ineligible if theyd transited through another country unless had already been rejected for asylum there, or got an appointment through an app derisively termed asylum ticketmaster  was an appropriate response to the end of Donald Trumps signature Title 42.

On Tuesday, California Federal Judge Jon Tigar agreed, vacating the rule after reading the plain language of the law, which states that noncitizens shall be given an opportunity to apply for humanitarian protections regardless of how they entered the country.

Theres always a balancing act at the border, making processes fair but also expeditious, welcoming to humanitarian migrants without making the qualifying standards meaningless. Its a balance that requires investing resources into both the adjudicative processes that determine eligibility and the logistical processes that can place migrants where theyll be accommodated and give them the resources to self-sustain, including through work authorization. It doesnt require abandoning our commitments, and certainly doesnt require a state rolling out its own barbed wire.

Abbotts contention, in a recent interview with Fox News Bret Baier, that he was prepared to defend Texas sovereignty and its constitutional right to secure the border of our state and our country, is perplexing. Any claim Texas may have had to conduct sovereign border enforcement without Washingtons signoff evaporated around, say, 1865.

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We do of course have a federal system where individual states have their own ability to legislate and regulate around certain policy items. Immigration, national borders and customs are crucially not among those things, and havent been for well more than 100 years. In a pair of landmark decisions  Chae Chan Ping v. U.S. in 1889 and Fong Yue Ting v. U.S. in 1893  the Supreme Court made clear that the federal government has plenary power over immigration.

The regulation of borders is a fundamental facet of a sovereign nation, not a component state. In just the past year, Texas has created mayhem, with Abbott setting off the current wave of migrant arrivals to New York and triggering not one but two diplomatic rifts with Mexico, first over his aggressive truck inspections and then over the mid-river wall of buoys.

Thats not to mention the fact that one of the troopers involved in Abbotts ridiculous Operation Lone Star has now alleged that the ad hoc border force has received inhumane directives, including to deny migrants water and push them back across the barbed wire that they set up. This stomach-turning approach, which Abbott is pursuing exclusively as a political stunt to burnish his image and set up a showdown with the federal government, is predictably and intentionally causing the deaths of vulnerable migrants.

Were glad that the DOJ is taking action against Texas, just as were glad that a federal judge isnt giving the White House a pass to ignore immigration law. Ultimately, its Congress that must act, but in the meantime, its up to the federal government  and the federal government alone, not one of the 50 states  to honor our obligations in an orderly and sensical way.

That means at minimum taking back control of the border itself. Abbotts buoys are small potatoes. Hopefully, it is just the first salvo in an effort to make an example of the out-of-control governor. Is it the case that Abbott is salivating at the prospect of representing himself as stymied by the spineless feds when he was just trying to take action? Certainly, but that doesnt mean he should be left alone. He doesnt care about border security, and even less so about the humanitarian plight of the migrants despite insistences that his barriers are actually about helping them.

Either Abbott successfully wrangles control of the border away from the feds, or he gets shut down and gets to crow to all his supporters and donors about how his noble efforts were derailed by nefarious open-borders Joe Biden. Yet at least his fundraising tour wont kill anyone.

___
Taylor Swift performs in March during the opener of her Eras tour at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)

All the doomsday talk about a public transit death spiral? Shake it off. Because fans going to Taylor Swifts concerts are fueling a city-by-city transit boom that points the way to reviving slumping ridership by improving service for leisure travelers and non-9-to-5 commuters.

Cities across the country have seen ridership surge from Swifties choosing to take transit to the stars sold-out Eras Tour. In Atlanta, nearly 140,000 people took transit to see Swift perform over three nights  thats triple the normal weekend ridership. In Chicago, the concerts generated 43,000 bus and train trips, and the system had the highest weekly ridership in three years.

And when Swift comes to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood for six shows starting Aug. 3, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will add service and extend hours to accommodate some of the estimated 60,000 fans expected per performance. Metro will run shuttles to the stadium from select stations on the C line between Redondo Beach and Norwalk and the K rail line between West Adams and the LAX area. Trains throughout the system will run until around 2 a.m., rather than the usual midnight stop time.

Read more: Editorial: Metro riders need safer trains and buses. That doesn't necessarily mean more police

The goal is to meet the tremendous demand concert-goers have demonstrated in other cities and woo more Angelenos and visitors to public transit for their social and leisure travel.

Big-city transit agencies have traditionally designed service for 9-to-5 work commuters. Travelers outside those peak times, including people working night or weekend shifts, picking up kids from school, going to a midday doctors appointment, or visiting friends on a Saturday or Sunday, had longer  sometimes much longer  wait times than rush-hour riders.

That model disadvantages non-9-to-5 workers and people who rely on transit as their only mode of transportation, and it was already being reconsidered before the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro, for example, planned a major overhaul of the bus system to provide more frequent, reliable service throughout the day and on evenings and weekends.

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Read more: Editorial: Los Angeles County bus riders get no shelter from the storm

The pandemic completely upended the business model of most public transit agencies. The rise of remote work, decline in ridership, increase in public safety concerns and falling revenue has hastened fears of the collapse of public transit, when major systems end up cutting service, shedding more riders and losing public confidence.

But many transit agencies see growth opportunities. In Los Angeles, Metros weekend ridership on buses and rail lines has rebounded faster than weekday travel. Weekend travel was near pre-pandemic levels in June, thanks to big weekend events for Pride Month, CicLAvia in South L.A and the opening of the Regional Connector, which drew 100,000 people on opening day.

Metro recognizes there is a big market for off-peak and weekend travels, said Conan Cheung, chief operations officer. As the agency restores service cut during the pandemic, its reducing the traditional wait-time disparities during peak and non-peak travel, reducing frequency in peak travel time and increasing frequency for evening and weekend riders.

Read more: Editorial: Want a transit system that actually works? Then L.A. needs bus-only lanes

Metrolink, the six-county Southern California commuter rail network, is still well below its pre-pandemic weekday ridership, but its weekend service has bounced back. The agency is working with tourism agencies to promote Metrolink as an option for weekend outing and attracting leisure riders with special service, including running trains to last weekends X Games at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Of course, a few concerts and special events alone wont save public transit. Riders wont return if the service isnt easy to use, fast and safe. But big events present an opportunity to showcase the individual and collective benefits of buses and trains, and that's important because getting people out of cars is essential to reduce emissions and fight climate change.

Metro is right to meet the Swifties with plenty of transit service, and keep it up. Beyonce comes to town in September.

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.
An 11-year-old girl in Florida was arrested after reporting a fake abduction (Volusia Sheriffs Office)

A Florida girl was arrested after making a false report that her friend was kidnapped.

The 11-year-old girl, from Port Orange, Florida, texted 911 around 9.45am on Wednesday and falsely reported that her 14-year-old friend had been kidnapped by an armed man who was driving a white van, according to the Volusia Sheriffs Office.

The 11-year-old said she was following the van in a blue Jeep. For the subsequent hour and a half, the girl texted updates to 911, which included a description of the suspect and that he had a gun.

Multiple deputies said they responded to the report to search for the suspect van but to no avail.

Ultimately, the officials tracked the girls cell phone, which led them to her home. Roughly 40 minutes after receiving the initial 911 text, officials arrived at the home and talked to the girls father, who said she was inside with her family, the sheriffs office said.

As the police approached the 11-year-old, she was holding her cell phone, which was ringing. Volusia Sheriffs Dispatch was on the other end of the call. The girl then told the police that she got the idea to prank 911 through a YouTube challenge and thought it would be funny.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood didnt agree, saying: This kind of prank activity is dangerous  were going to investigate every incident but today it wasted valuable resources that might have helped someone else who legitimately needed our help.

The girl was charged with making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner, which is a felony. She was also charged with misuse of 911, which is a misdemeanour.

The sheriffs office said the Port Orange girl was transported to the Family Resource Center for processing, before being transferred to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

In bodycam footage released by the sheriffs office, a deputy is heard telling the girl, who is handcuffed and whose face is blurred: This is going to be an opportunity for you to turn this into a learning experience. This is not something youre going to carry with you for the rest of your life.

This isnt the first time that reports of fake abduction have circulated in recent weeks. The story of 25-year-old Carlee Russell made headlines after she mysteriously vanished for 49 hours, but then reappeared, explaining she had been kidnapped.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Lawyers for Donald Trump were meeting Thursday with members of special counsel Jack Smith's team ahead of a potential indictment over the former president's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The meeting included Trump lawyer John Lauro, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to describe a private gathering.

Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, earlier this month was informed by Smith's office that he was a target of the Justice Department's investigation, suggesting that an indictment could be soon.

The investigation has focused on the turbulent two month-period after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss to Democrat Joe Biden and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot.

In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen  despite the fact that numerous federal and local officials, a long list of courts, top former campaign staffers and even his own attorney general have all said there is no evidence of the fraud he alleges.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment on Thursday's meeting. Lauro, Trumps lawyer, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Trump was charged by Smith's team last month with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, Mar-a-Lago, and concealing them from investigators. He was also indicted in New York in March on charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn actor. And prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are preparing to announce charging decisions in the coming weeks related to efforts to subvert the election in that state.
House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said Thursday morning that she would "absolutely" support the opening of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

Stefanik's comments came during an appearance on FOX Business, where she told a "Mornings with Maria" panel that she has been in contact with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., about the issue.

Asked whether she would support a potential impeachment inquiry, Stefanik responded, "Oh, absolutely. I'm in conversations with Speaker McCarthy and all of our members. The important thing to know about an impeachment inquiry is that ensures that the House is at the apex of its power and oversight responsibility. It means that our subpoenas have the most power possible when it comes to litigating this out in court because we know getting the facts is not going to be easy.

"We know this White House, this Department of Justice, they are trying to cover up for Hunter Biden and ultimately Joe Biden," she continued. "What is important that you mentioned at the beginning of your statement is the White House is trying to quietly change its language. First it said that Joe Biden never spoke to his son about Hunter's business dealings. They have now changed that language to now saying Joe Biden has never been in business with Hunter Biden's business operations. That is a significant change"

SPEAKER MCCARTHY REVEALS RED LINE FOR POSSIBLE BIDEN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik said Thursday that she "absolutely" supports the notion of opening of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

"It is only because of House Republicans that we've discovered the dozens of LLCs, which is illegal money laundering, the fact that nearly 20 Biden family members have profited illegally," she added.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Stefanik said she believes that Americans are smart enough to realize, at this point, that the "big guy is Joe Biden."

"Having that impeachment inquiry allows us to get all the facts and have the most constitutionally recognized power for the House of Representatives," she concluded.

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McCarthy said this week that Republican lawmakers in the House may consider an impeachment inquiry of Biden over claims of financial misconduct.

JOE BIDEN LAUGHS, IGNORES QUESTIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL IMPEACHMENT BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters at the Capitol on July 25, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Speaking Tuesday at the Capitol, McCarthy said the questions that House Republicans are raising about the Biden family finances need to be investigated. He said an impeachment inquiry "allows Congress to get the information to be able to know the truth" about whether Biden committed any wrongdoing.

An impeachment inquiry by the House would be a first step toward bringing articles of impeachment. Such a probe could be as lengthy or swift as the House determines, potentially stretching into campaign season.

Speaking to Fox News Digital about the subject earlier this week, McCarthy said his party will, for now, continue seeking information related to the Biden family finances unless that information began being withheld.

Hunter Biden departs the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Delaware.

"What I've said is, if they withhold information, the impeachment inquiry allows Congress to have the apex of power to get all the information they need. All this information people are finding out now is only because Republicans have investigated," McCarthy said.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"The people of America have a right to know what went on. They have a president who lied to the American public and said they didn't get any money from China. We know that's true. We've had whistleblowers from the IRS come say the Biden family is treated differently and that other things were going on. And then you have a[n] informant with the FBI saying there was a bribe. We need to know the answer to this," he added.

Fox News' Brandon Gillespie and Charles Creitz, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Elizabeth Warren and Lindsey Graham are trying to regulate your favorite websites away. | Illustration: Lex Villena; Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom, Gage Skidmore

Anytime there's a bipartisan consensus and a preachy New York Times op-ed, you can assume something you enjoy is about to get regulated out of existence or made worse in quality.

"Giant digital platforms have provided new avenues of proliferation for the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, human trafficking, drug trafficking and bullying and have promoted eating disorders, addictive behaviors and teen suicide," write Sens. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) and Elizabeth Warren (DMass.) in today's New York Times. "Nobody elected Big Tech executives to govern anything, let alone the entire digital world," so the senators are introducing a bill to create a new regulatory agency that will fix the problem.

What follows is a litany of untrue statements and gross exaggerations about the way Big Tech operates and the purported harm done by the cluster of websites that millions of Americans willingly use on a daily basis.

"Platforms are protected from legal liability in many of their decisions, so they operate without accountability," Warren and Graham claim. This refers to Section 230, sometimes called the internet's First Amendment, which was adopted in 1996 as a means of protecting platforms from being held liable for the content their users post (and without which platforms might choose not to host much speech at all). It also "ensured online platforms' ability to regulate posts that violate their terms of service," per First Amendment lawyer Robert Corn-Revere. Warren and Graham seem to think that somehow politicians and regulators would be better at determining which speech is permissible on different platforms.

"Google uses its search engine to give preference to its own products, like Google Hotels and Google Flights, giving it an unfair leg up on competitors," they continue. "Amazon sucks up information from small businesses that offer products for sale on its platform, then uses that information to run its own competing businesses."

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"Apple forces entrepreneurs (and thereby consumers) to pay crushing commissions to use its App Store," even.

But they fail to argue for how consumers are made worse off by these purportedly destructive tactics. Google Flights makes travel planning far easier than the days before search. No person is prevented from going directly to an individual airline's website to book their flight if they prefer. Amazon has increasingly started developing Basics, its generic brand of commonly purchased household goods (just as Target has Target Brand products on offer); if someone needs a phone charger, they can get it more cheaply and quickly than ever before. As for Apple, of course other app developers must pay to place their products in the company's digital storefront; how nice that customers have access to products made by developers other than those at Apple!

"A few Big Tech companies stifle all competition before it poses any serious threat," the senators claim, ignoring that we're in an era where previously indomitable companies are crumbling before our eyes: Meta's Facebook is shedding daily active users (TikToka competitorhas long been on the rise) and Mark Zuckerberg's Metaverse augmented reality pet project has struggled to get off the ground; Twitter's U.S. ad sales are plummeting and traffic has declined each month since January (some users may be migrating to Meta-run competitor Threads, others to censorship-resistant protocols like Nostr). Hulu and YouTube are seeing drop-offs in weekly users (and some industry watchers are even noting a broader decline in the amount of time Americans spend on screens, post-pandemic).

But Big Tech companies are predatory, sucking up our data, claim Warren and Graham. Never mind the fact that we're not forced to use them, and that it's unclear what harm is actually done by them accessing our data. Most people, for example, aren't privacy hawks interested in setting up two-factor authentification, using only encrypted messaging, opting out of any governmental use of their biometric information, and the like, and just express vague concerns about data and algorithms, without any specific complaint as to how their life is made worse because of Meta knowing their birthdate.

Warren and Graham go on to announce they're introducing legislation to create an "independent, bipartisan regulator charged with licensing and policing the nation's biggest tech companies" which will be "nimble" and "adaptable" (just like all those other government agencies). The regulator will "prevent online harm" (by waving a magic wand and ensuring no bad actors ever go online); "promote free speech and competition" (by scrapping Section 230 and cracking down on mergers instead of trusting the existing process through which companies have cycled in and out of dominance); "guard Americans' privacy" (because government agencies do a great job at cybersecurity!); all while "protect[ing] national security" (it is unclear how banning Google Hotels will safeguard the homeland).

Contra Warren and Graham's implications, it's not easy to predict which new companies will emerge from the ashes of our discards. It's not clear that the existing landscape is detrimental to consumers (again, who use these products willingly) or immune from competition. Will Threads be successful? Will Elon Musk drive Twitter into the ground? Will the future be Substack? Patreon? X? More group messaging and less interest in expansive social networks? Are people losing interest in streaming, in favor of shorter-form content like Reels? Will Amazon's grocery delivery business succeed? Will its movie studios? Maybe neither, and it will actually be a health care industry disruptor, offering cheaper pharmaceuticals than ever before. And why is it that Microsoftthe still-massive company under investigation right now in the E.U., and the target of much 1990s antitrust ireis so infrequently mentioned today?

Warren and Graham have indeed reached a bipartisan consensus: They sell short the good done by these large companies, exaggerate the harms, and display the type of extraordinary hubris that commonly emanates from government officials.

The post Elizabeth Warren and Lindsey Graham Will Break the Internet appeared first on Reason.com.
Billionaire Elon Musk's Twitter rebranded 'X' has been reportedly blocked in Indonesia because of the country's laws on online pornography and gambling.

Mr Musk announced on Sunday that Twitter has been rebranded to X as part of his plan to create an everything app.

The Tesla CEO, who took over the platform in October 2022, replaced the famous blue bird with the new logo on Monday after crowdsourcing ideas from users over the weekend. The domain X.com which he previously used for PayPal will redirect to Twitter.com, Mr Musk said.

Subsequently, millions of Indonesians were unable to access the social media platform, Al Jazeera reported.

Indonesias ministry of communication and informatics said the site was restricted as the domain was previously used by sites that did not adhere to the countrys laws against "negative" content.

The Indonesian government has been in contact with X to clarify the nature of the site, according to Usman Kansong, the director-general of information and public communication at the ministry.

Earlier today, we spoke with representatives from Twitter and they will send a letter to us to say that X.com will be used by Twitter, Mr Kansong said.

Twitter users trying to access the social media platform allegedly received a message on the screen saying that the website had been blocked by the ministry for violating local laws and regulations.

Atas perintah Elon Musk, Twitter resmi rebranding menjadi X (xdotcom).

Jadi kalo kamu ketik url di web, kamu akan diarahkan ke Twitter. Tapi ternyata ga bisa di Indonesia.



Hayoloh om Elon Musk, ada apa nih? pic.twitter.com/j1lji6Xnu8  Eno Negatif Lari-Larian (@Eno_Bening) July 24, 2023

Gatria Priyandita, a cyber policy analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told Al Jazeera, that Indonesia tends to block websites that are considered to be offensive, criminal, or dangerous to social harmony".

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These may include pornographic materials, sites that violate intellectual property laws, those that incite hate or are filled with false information.

Given that Twitter can be freely used in Indonesia, I doubt removing X.com from the list of banned sites would be a great challenge, so long as Twitter can demonstrate that the domain name truly does direct to Twitter."

Indonesia in 2022 threatened to block popular sites including Netflix, Google, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter if they did not make a submission to the ministry detailing the content that appears on their platforms.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Elon Musk may want to send tweet back to the birds, but the ubiquitous term for posting on the site he now calls X is here to stay  at least for now.

For one, the word is still plastered all over the site formerly known as Twitter. Write a post, you still need to press a blue button that says tweet to publish it. To repost it, you still tap retweet.

But it's more than that.

With tweets, Twitter accomplished in just a few years something few companies have done in a lifetime: It became a verb and implanted itself into the lexicon of America and the world. Upending that takes more than a top-down declaration, even if it is from the owner of Twitter-turned-X, who also happens to be one of the world's richest men.

Language has always come from the people that use it on a day-to-day basis. And it cant be controlled, it cant be created, it cant be morphed. You dont get to decide it, said Nick Bilton, the author of Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal about Twitters origins.

Twitter didn't start out as Twitter. It was twttr  without vowels, which was the trend in 2006 when the platform launched and SMS texting was wildly popular. The iPhone only came out in 2007.

Twitter co-founder Evan Williams "went one day and purchased the vowels, two vowels for essentially $7,500 each, when he bought the URL for twitter.com from a bird enthusiast, Bilton said.

At the beginning, people didn't tweet  it was "I'm going to twitter this," Bilton recalled. But twittered doesn't roll off the tongue and tweet soon took over, first in the Twitter office, then San Francisco, then everywhere.

We've been tweeting for well over a decade. World leaders, celebrities and athletes, dissidents in repressive regimes, propaganda trolls, sex workers and religious icons, meme queens and actual queens. Former President Donald Trump's incendiary use of the bird app quickly punted tweet into near-constant headlines during his presidency. People who never signed up for Twitter knew what the word meant.

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For now, we still tweet, retweet and quote tweet, and sometimes  perhaps not often enough  delete tweets. News sites embed tweets in their stories and TV programs scroll them. No other social network has a word for posting thats entered the vernacular like tweet  though Google did the same for googling."

The Oxford English Dictionary added tweet in 2011. Merriam-Webster followed in 2013. The Associated Press Stylebook entered it in 2010.

Getting into the dictionary is an indication that people are already using it, said Jack Lynch, a Rutgers University English professor who studies the history of language. Dictionaries are usually pretty tentative or cautious about letting new words in, especially for new phenomena, because they dont want things to be just a flash in the pan.

As Twitter grew into a global communications platform and struggled with misinformation, trolls and hate speech, its friendly brand image remained. The blue bird icon evokes a smile, like the Amazon up-turned-arrow smile  in contrast to the X that Musk has imposed.

Martin Grasser was two years out of art school when Twitter hired him for the logo redesign in 2011. His wasnt the first bird logo for Twitter, but it would be the most enduring.

They knew they wanted a bird. So we werent starting completely over, but they wanted it to be on par with Apple and Nike. That was really the brief, he said.

Twitter launched Grasser's design in May 2012; the company went public on Wall Street later that year.

One early in-house design shown to Grasser looked like a flying goose with a tail. It looked kind of like a dragon. It was crazy, he said. Jack Dorsey, another co-founder (and twice-CEO) wanted something simpler.

The bird represented a vision of Twitter as a friendly place where everyone can weigh in and chat, Grasser said.

The round form evokes a sense of optimism, the bird even being sort of turned upward, as corny as that sounds, I think is different than a bird flying down or flat," he said. "We wanted to give it this idea of like soaring.

The word Twitter itself is playful, as is tweet. This was no accident, Bilton said.

Other names that floated as the platform started out included Status and Friend Stalker.

It was Noah Glass, another co-founder who never quite got the credit he deserved for his role in hatching Twitter, who had the winning idea.

Glass, Bilton said, had been thinking about like heartbeats and emotions. He was going through a divorce and he literally went through the dictionary word by word until he came across the word twitter. And he just knew instantly that was it.

He was one of the four founders who had the emotional intelligence to be able to understand that this was about connecting with humans, Bilton said. It was inviting, it was emotional. It was about connecting with humans and your friends and your loved ones.

Musk began his quest erasing Twitter's corporate culture and image in favor of his own vision as soon as he took over the company in October 2022. He lost three-quarters of the company's staff through firings, layoffs and voluntary departures, auctioned off furniture and decor, and upended policies on hate speech and misinformation. The rebranding to X was no surprise.

Twitters rebranding is rooted in ambition that Musk began to pursue nearly a quarter century ago after he sold his first startup, Zip2, to Compaq Computer. He set out to create a one-stop digital shop for finance called X.com  an everything service that would provide bank accounts, process payments, make loans and handle investments.

He has not given up on the dream. Twitter is now X, falling in line with Musks other X-named brands, SpaceX and Teslas Model X. Not to mention his young son, whom he calls X.

His goal for X is to turn it into an everything app  for video, photos, messaging, payments and other services, although he has given few details. For now, X.com is still, essentially Twitter.com, even as the blue bird and other playful tidbits start to disappear.

There used to be a saying inside Twitter that Twitter was the company that couldnt kill itself. I think that still rings true, whether its called Twitter or X, Bilton said.

I think that its kind of become a fabric of society. And even Elon Musk may not be able to break it.



AP Technology Writers Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, and Michael Liedtke contributed to this story.
In the photo: Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin

China's imperative at the global level is to become a technological and economic superpower that other countries depend on.

Read also: China ready to promote political settlement of crisis in Ukraine, Chinese official says

China's economic strategy aims to make it less dependent on other countries while making international production chains more dependent on China.

At the Vilnius summit, NATO adopted documents emphasizing the need to contain China. China's size and ambitions have allowed it to successfully penetrate all sectors of the economy of many European countries. China's imperative at the global level is to become a technological and economic superpower on which other countries depend. Beijing's imperative at the national level is to continue the dominance and control of the Communist Party of China.

If European governments are determined to confront the threat from China, they must be convinced that economic interests will not outweigh security concerns. European officials have emphasized that there is an urgent need for European companies to reduce the risks associated with China without seeking to separate economies. "For Germany, China remains a partner, a competitor, a systemic rival. But the aspect of systemic rivalry has become more and more prominent in recent years," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock. This also applies to the whole of Europe.

Read also: Dutch judge dismissed for attempting to influence MH17 investigation

China has restricted exports of two essential metals for chip production, which was a warning to Europe and the United States in the technological war for high-tech chips. In turn, China's containment is manifested in practical steps to control the supply of semiconductors. The Dutch government has joined Japan and the United States in deploying new measures to control the export of semiconductors and technologies that can be used to create new military systems.

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China is pursuing its interests much more assertively

and trying to change the existing rules-based international order in various ways. This affects European and global security. Economists emphasize that competition between states is good but must be based on fair rules.

China is the largest trading partner of many countries, including Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, in 2022, Germany's imports from China amounted to 191.1 billion euros. Meanwhile, German exports to China amounted to 106.8 billion euros.

China has the largest state intelligence apparatus in the world, which eclipses the intelligence agencies of most European countries and creates challenges for them. Analysts note that the intelligence threat from China is exacerbated by the participation of the "whole state" using state and non-state structures for intelligence, including economic intelligence.

Read also:

Meanwhile, Samsung and Apple are moving their business from China to other South Asian countries such as Vietnam and India. Today, Samsung produces half of its smartphones in Vietnam, paying a 10% income tax against the standard 25% in China. Apple also has facilities in Vietnam, making Apple watches and iPads there. Up to 30% of all Samsung smartphones are produced in India. This country is becoming a global smartphone manufacturing market, where the Koreans opened the largest smartphone factory near New Delhi in 2022.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed many things. Beijing's close ties to Moscow have also damaged its image in the Eastern European region, exacerbating a situation already worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, when China's reputation in Europe has taken a significant hit. In Eastern Europe, Beijing's support for Moscow's false propaganda against NATO and the United States is not accepted at all.

Read also: Ukrainian diplomat says Minsk-Moscow-Tehran-Beijing alliance is threat to global security

Beijing is pushing proposals that work well in non-EU Balkan countries but are incompatible with Brussels' labor and lending laws. While China's dependence on Europe has been steadily decreasing, the reliance of individual European countries on China has increased significantly in recent years. This is the basis for NATO and the EU's strategy to curb China's economic and political expansion.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Richard England

For two days in early July, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian militants traded gunfire in Jenin, a city in the northern West Bank. More than a thousand IDF troops supported by aerial drones entered Jenin and engaged armed militants even though, under the 1993 Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is responsible for policing most Palestinian cities.

Why, then, did the IDF engage in this brief military operation? The answer is two-fold. One reason for the IDF operation in Jenin is that it had become a hub for terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians, some in Jerusalem and others in Tel Aviv. During the months prior to the Jenin operation, dozens of Israeli civilians were killed or wounded during shootings, stabbings, or car rammings by Palestinian militants. It is likely that the final straw for Israeli leaders was the two rockets launched from Jenin during early July that were aimed at the Israeli village of Gilboa.

Second, Mahmoud Abbas, the aging president of the Palestinian Authority, is increasingly unpopular with his people. PA officials (including Abbas himself) are notorious for their corrupt and authoritarian rule. This growing unpopularity means that the PA is losing control of cities like Jenin. Iran has rushed to fill the political void in the West Bank and is now funding and advising groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Israeli military and political leaders have to fear an Iranian presence in the West Bank because Teheran has repeatedly threatened to destroy Israel. To put things in perspective, imagine the threat to Israel posed by Iranian-supplied rockets only ten miles from Tel Aviv.

What were the aims of IDF commanders as they launched their operation in Jenin? They sought to capture, and if necessary eliminate, suspected terrorists based in the city. They also sought to destroy weapons factories and stockpiles used to arm Palestinian terrorists. This brief incursion was at least partly successful. Arms caches, including one hidden in a mosque, were found and destroyed. The IDF says its troops questioned over 300 Palestinian suspects in Jenin, though only 30 of them were taken in for additional questioning. Twelve armed combatants were killed resisting arrest whereas no Palestinian civilians died during the operation.

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How were casualties limited? An answer has been provided by Col. (ret.) Richard Kemp, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan: No army in the world acts with as much discretion and care as the IDF in order to minimize [civilian] damage. During the recent fighting in Jenin, the IDF relied heavily upon foot soldiers in armored vehicles to detain suspected terrorists instead of relying on its superior airpower to kill suspects. The IDF also sent text messages to the residents of Jenin warning them to stay in their homes and away from combat. Compare that to Vladimir Putins use of artillery and bombers to utterly destroy the Russian city of Grozny during a 1999-2000 rebellion. Thousands of Muslim civilians died during the destruction of Grozny, and the Western world barely noticed.

The reaction to the recent IDF operation by some media outlets and politicians has been predictably negative and, in some cases, maliciously misleading. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar has described the operation as a massacre despite the small number of casualties. Others have accused the IDF of killing children because several of the Palestinian dead were teenagers. Those critics need to face the fact that those teenagers were armed combatants and members of terrorist groups that aim to kill Israeli civilians.

Counterpoint: Azzi: In Jenin, Palestinians refuse to go gentle into that good night

A cliche repeated by State Department and UN officials as well as media commentators is that Jenin was just the latest round of a cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. That cliche, however, fails to assign responsibility properly for violence between Palestinians and Israelis. We tend to forget that the United Nations proposed partitioning British-governed Palestine between its Jewish and Arab communities after World War II. The Jews of Palestine accepted the UN partition plan, but the Arabs did not. When Israel declared its independence in 1948, Palestinian Arabs and the armies of surrounding Arab states tried unsuccessfully to destroy Israel in its infancy. Once again in 1967 and 1973, Arab armies tried and failed to eradicate the State of Israel.

Since that third military defeat, its enemies have used terrorist attacks and propaganda campaigns instead of conventional warfare in an effort to undermine Israels very existence. Those enemies seek to murder Israeli civilians whenever and wherever they can. The IDF, on the other hand, tries to arrest or kill armed terrorists who threaten the lives of innocent Israelis. It does not target Palestinian civilians. Responsibility for the cycle of violence is far from equal.

Richard England is a retired UNH economics professor and an active member of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire.

A Palestinian youth holds a flag next to burning tires during a protest by the border fence with Israel east of Gaza City on July 3, 2023. Israel has stepped up operations in the northern West Bank, home to Jenin city and its adjacent refugee camp, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups where there has been a spate of attacks on Israelis as well as attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian communities. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: England: Responsibility for the 'cycle of violence' is far from equal
It's been a disturbing day in Oakland County Circuit Court, where a hearing to determine school shooter Ethan Crumbley's fate is underway as he faces a potential sentence of life without the possibility of parole for murdering four classmates and injuring seven other people at Oxford High School in November 2021.

The hearing, expected to run at least two days, included video footage of the school shooting, never before shown in a public setting, which brought many family members to tears. The afternoon included a disturbing video Crumbley made before the shooting, the first time his voice as a student has been heard in public.

The day also included gruesome testimony about Crumbley's obsession with torturing birds, harming children, kidnapping a classmate  and carrying out a school shooting.

(Watch replay of Ethan Crumbley's hearing below.)

'The demon will take over. There is nothing I can do about it.'

In perhaps the most chilling evidence presented Thursday, prosecutors played a video recording Crumbley made before the shooting, discussing his hate for the world, society's collapse, his plan to shoot up his school and his mental health.

"I have worn my mask for too long. I can't take it ... lying to myself over and over again," Crumbley says in his video. "Theres no voices in my head. The voices are me ... thats what people call the demons. There are no demons. I am the demon."

He continued: "The demon will take over. There is nothing I can do about it. My life is already on a downfall."

Crumbley also explains that he would shoot up his school to teach his peers and the world a lesson.

"To take action is what you have to do," he says. "People dont see it, but were on the brink of a downfall," Crumbley says in the video, before explaining the outfit he will wear for the shooting.

"I will have my black jacket on, and I will walk behind someone, and I will shoot a bullet into their skull. Im gonna open fire on everyone in the hallway, I will try to hit as many people as I can, I will reload, and I will find people hiding. I want to teach them a lesson of how they are wrong, how they are being brainwashed," he says in the video.

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"I understand that Im going to prison for this," he says, adding "I don't want to die."

Ethan Crumbley sits in court on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Pontiac. Oakland County judge Kwame Rowe is hearing evidence starting Thursday to help him decide whether the teen who killed four students and injured six others and a teacher in November 2021 at Oxford High School should be sentenced to prison without the chance of parole.

He also talks about God.

"There is no heaven, there is no God. The earth is just hell," Crumbley says, reiterating again that he is trying to teach the world a lesson.

"I'm not only shooting up the school because I'm mentally ill. I'm doing it to teach all the f------ dunces out there (a lesson) .... to understand everything .... I'm sorry that the families have to go through this."

Detective: 'His head was held high. He was in charge'

Earlier in the afternoon, a detective gave emotional and dramatic testimony about Crumbley's every move after emerging from the bathroom and opening fire, saying: "He had a sense about it, like the proud chest. His head was held high. He was in charge.

"He steps out and immediately theres Phoebe (Arthur), with her boyfriend, he immediately levels his gun at them," Oakland County Sheriff's Detective Edward Wagrowski testified, getting emotional at times. He struggled to get the next words out.

"He then turns the gun on Hana and Kylie and Riley, and fires some rounds in their direction," Wagrowski testified. One of those girls was 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, who was killed.

According to Wagrowski, Crumbley stopped to shoot Hana again.

"At this point she completely falls over, and then he runs down the hallway," the detective said.

What followed was even more difficult for him to get out.

"I dont know how to describe it. He puts the gun to Madison Baldywn's head, and you see as he turns to walk away, her body just slumps to the ground."

He then testified about Tate Myre, who was also killed. Tate was rounding a corner, not knowing what was going on, and fell to the ground.

Crumbley approached. "And before he gets to where Tate is, he levels the gun to shoot one more time. He walks past Tate without a care."

For reasons unknown, the detective said, Crumbley eventually made a hard right into a bathroom, where he shot and killed his final victim, 17-year-old Justin Shilling. Another boy was in the bathroom with Shilling, and was seen on video running at top speed down a hallway as he managed to escape Crumbley's reign of terror.

"The video lives in my head," Wagrowski said.

Ethan Crumbley's journal entries

After the school shooting video was shown, Crumbleys lawyer, Paulette Loftin, sought to show that Crumbley's troubled past played a role in the shooting. She did this while cross-examining Lt. Timothy Willis, who had testified about the shooting, questioning him about Crumbley's upbringing, grades, parents and bouts of sadness.

Loftin asked Willis to weigh in about Crumbleys grades, and he conceded that when Crumbley was in middle school, he received A and B grades. But when he entered high school, the year of the shooting, his grades fell to C down to failing levels. Willis also said Crumbley had no disciplinary issues prior to November 2021  the month of the shooting.

Oakland County Sheriff Lt. Tim Willis holds the gun Ethan Crumbley used to kill four students and injured six others and a teacher in November 2021 at Oxford High School, in court on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Pontiac, Mich. Oakland County judge Kwame Rowe is hearing evidence starting Thursday to help him decide whether the teen who killed four students and injured six others at Oxford High School should be sentenced to prison without the chance of parole.

Loftin cited several comments that Crumbley had written in his journal, indicating he no longer had happiness or optimism, hadnt had a real laugh in years, felt he was a burden to his parents and felt that he was in a time loop of sadness.

In other entries, he wrote:

Oh man my hallucinations are really kicking in.

My dark side has now taken over.

Im on the verge of losing it again. I have so much stuff compacted in a tight space and its about to explode.

Loftin also noted that Crumbley also cried out for help in his journals.

I want help but my parents dont listen to me, read one journal entry.

Crumbley also wrote that he hated himself, and sometimes regretted doing a shooting.

Scene in the courtroom

Judge Kwame Rowes courtroom was packed with Oxford High families, members of the media and attorneys. Nine deputies lined the walls of the courtroom. More media clustered in the hallway.

Crumbley appeared solemn as he took a seat next to his lawyer. Loftin asked at the outset that his chains and handcuffs be removed, but the judge denied that request, allowing only one hand to be free. The judge urged those in the courtroom to remain composed, and noted that a room was available in the hallway if someone needs to step out.

"I understand this is a sensitive" case, said Rowe, who is expected to issue a written ruling after the hearing on whether Crumbley is eligible for life without the possibility of parole. "I can't have any outbursts because we need to protect the integrity of the proceeding."

What the video showed

Spectators react during a hearing on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Pontiac, Mich., as they view video of the Oxford High School shooting where Ethan Crumbley killed four students and injured six others and a teacher in November 2021. A judge is hearing evidence to support a request to sentence the teen school shooter to life in prison.

At 11 a.m., the proceeding turned especially dark and emotional as prosecutors showed video from the shooting. Multiple women started crying, one sobbed, as Crumbley sat in his seat with his head bowed, staring at the floor. He didn't look up.

The video played for about five minutes with no sound, only images, of Crumbley exiting a bathroom and opening fire on a group of students in the hallway, shooting one girl in the face and killing two other females. Students begin running frantically. Crumbley walks down the hallway. A student collapses in the hallway, shot from behind from a long distance and then shot again while he was on the ground. Crumbley also shoots at doors. Police arrive 12:58 p.m.

An image from a video shows the contents of the backpack belonging to Ethan Crumbley in a bathroom. The image was shown Thursday, July 27, 2023, during a court hearing before Oakland County judge Kwame Rowe in Pontiac.

More: Crucial hearing starts for Ethan Crumbley  and Oxford students who witnessed his horror

Crumbley wanted to torture children and classmate

Several text messages between Crumbley and a friend that were introduced at the hearing highlight what the prosecution has argued was his "disturbed" and "homicidal" mind.

In one such text, Crumbley said he wanted to kidnap, torture and rape a classmate.

On May 12, 2021, he wrote: Kidnap her then tie her up then rape her then torture her then kill her then dissect her then take her eyeballs then bury the body.

In earlier texts from March 2021, he discussed drowning children, writing things like: Just looking them in their eyes as they look back at you while they know that their entire life is about to end so young, adding: The best feeling.

Also that month, he texted:

Whenever I see a little kid about a year old or a little more I want to pick them up and run off with them torture them before throwing them off a cliff.

In texts from February 2021, he talked about wanting to stalk and kill people, according to information presented in court. The texts say things like: Scary thing is I like being this f---ed up.

'I want to kill another bird so badly'

Numerous texts and journal entries were also presented in which Crumbley talked about wanting to torture and kill animals.

On May 3, 2021, he texted his friend about an 8-minute video he had taken of himself torturing a bird and talking to it like a child.

I put a drill in its stomach and skull, shot a gun at it, chopped it in half and smashed its head, the text read.

"He was enjoying it," Willis testified.

Ethan Crumbley is shown at a shooting range in a video displayed in court on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Pontiac.

In additional text messages about killing the bird, Crumbley wrote that he wanted to kill again. On June 20, 2021, he texted: There have been no baby birds to torture in for a long time and Im getting that feeling were I need to kill again.

Crumbley also made the following statements about birds:

Im going to snap (the beak) off.

I want to kill another bird so badly.

Crumbley also journaled about his mental state, writing: "I have zero help for my mental problems and its causing me to shoot up the f---ing school.

Testimony includes Crumbley journal plans for shooting

Willis testified about Crumbleys actions on the day of and before the shooting, how he emerged from the bathroom and flipped his hoodie inside out, put on a black hat, and went down the hallway opening fire, before ultimately surrendering.

During his testimony, Willis talked about Crumbleys journal, and the detailed entries about how he planned to shoot up his school, including one he wrote eight months before the shooting.

In an image from a video, a page from Ethan Crumbley's journal is displayed in court on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Pontiac.

Killing myself is too much of a pussy move. People will just forget about me  the only way is to shoot up the school, Crumbley wrote in a March 17, 2021, journal entry.

Other journal entries read in court include:

The first victim has to be a pretty girl.

want to be remembered through all of history.

I want all of America to see the darkness in me.

I want for the parents  to bawl their eyes out."

Prosecutor: This is why Crumbley's 'rare' case deserves life

The hearing opened with Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald's opening statement, telling Rowe, "The hearing today is the most important proceeding in this case," and urged him to sentence the teenage killer to life in prison without parole.

"No one can tell us what he will be like in 40 years. No one has a crystal ball, this hearing is not just about the defendants potential to be rehabilitated, it starts and ends with proportionality," McDonald said. "This is an offense unlike any this country has ever seen ... the picking and choosing of who would die."

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald proceeds with an opening statement as defendant Ethan Crumbley, right, listens on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Pontiac.

McDonald then talked about the video of the massacre she plans to show during the hearing, where the teenager is seen roaming through the hallway and gunning down his victims. The video, she argues, shows why the Crumbley case is one of the "rare" cases that qualifies for life without parole.

"The way he walks up to them and fires at point-blank range ... this is an offender like no other," McDonald said, noting the video of Crumbley torturing a 1-day-old bird, a video he made before the massacre. "The video ... shows he is capable of the level of violence that most humans are not, and he takes joy in it."

McDonald stressed that this was not a spur-of-the-moment crime, but premeditated.

"The way he researched and planned the shooting ... he stated over and over, 'I know Ill spend the rest of my life in prison.' He decided in advance that he was not going to kill himself," McDonald said. "He wanted to stay alive because he wanted to witness the suffering he created."

The U.S. Supreme Court and Michigan Supreme Court have held that mandatory sentences of life without parole for juveniles are unconstitutional and require the so-called Miller hearing, which is named after the 2012 Miller v. Alabama case before the U.S. Supreme Court. McDonald said a finding that a teen should lose the chance at parole is rare. "This is the one, your honor."

Defense argues Crumbley is not beyond rehabilitation

Crumbley's lawyer, Paulette Loftin, disagreed, saying: "It will be clear to you that 15-year-old Crumbley is not one of those rare juveniles who is corrupt and not (able to be) rehabilitated."

The defense lawyer also argued: "The fact that it's a vile crime itself is not enough."

The 16-year-old shooter will come face to face with a dozen students who witnessed his massacre as they will testify at the hearing, which is scheduled to last at least two days. Rowe will hear evidence and likely issue his decision in writing after the hearing is over.

Ethan Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are facing involuntary manslaughter charges and deny wrongdoing. They are the first parents charged in a U.S. school shooting, and maintain their son is the only one responsible for the deaths; that they had no way of knowing he would carry out a school shooting. Their case is pending before the Michigan Supreme Court.

Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com. Gina Kaufman: gkaufman@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ethan Crumbley hearing; Oxford students to testify: Live updates
Yeshi Kassa at Insider's headquarters in New York City on July 26, 2023, left, and King Charles III photographed during a visit to Poacher Cheese Farm in Lincolnshire, England, on July 24, 2023, right. Insider Events, Cameron Smith/Pool via REUTERS

Ethiopian royal Yeshi Kassa says the UK should return her ancestor who was buried there.

Prince Alemayehu was taken to the UK as an orphan and died there at the age of 18.

Kassa says King Charles would be "on the right side of history" if he returned Alemayehu's remains.

Ethiopian royal Yeshi Kassa said she was upset by Buckingham Palace's refusal to release the remains of her ancestor who was buried at Windsor Castle in the 19th century.

Kassa is the great-granddaughter of Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's last emperor who was deposed during the country's revolution in 1974.

Speaking at Insider's live editorial panel, "The Exiled Royal" on Wednesday, Kassa opened up about her experience living in the UK during the revolution and her experiences with the British royal family.

Although Kassa said she has a good relationship with the British royals, she said she wished they would reconsider the request to return the remains of Prince Alemayehu, an Ethiopian royal who died in the UK in the 19th century.

As Insider previously reported, Alemayehu was born in 1861 to Tewodros II, Emperor of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), and was taken to the UK as an orphan at the age of 7 by British soldiers following the Battle of Maqdala, during which the emperor's fortress was besieged by British troops. Alemayehu's father died by suicide in order to evade imprisonment after the battle, and his mother died during the journey to Britain.

The prince spent his childhood in the UK and died from pleurisy at the age of 18. He was buried at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, a 900-year-old residence that's occupied by the British royal family.

Alemayehu's descendants have been calling for the return of the prince's remains for several years with no avail. In a statement obtained by Insider in May 2023, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said it would be "very unlikely" to exhume the remains without disturbing the resting place of others who are buried in the vicinity.

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"The British royal family have been incredibly good to my family and Emperor Haile Selassie's family," Kassa said during Insider's panel. "But as an Ethiopian, it makes me very sad because we are now living in an era where we're able to exhume bodies in a very respectful and decent manner."

Kassa added that if the prince was returned to Ethiopia it would be "good for relations between Ethiopia and England, but also it would be good for King Charles to try and be on the right side of history with this."

"It would be lovely to know if they've even made an effort to do it," Kassa said.

"He's a member of our royal family, and it makes me sad now to even think about it. He was in exile like we were in exile, but we didn't want to go home. But he had a home and he had a family," she added.

Representatives for Buckingham Palace and St George's Chapel declined to comment when contacted by Insider.

Read the original article on Insider
The European Commission currently has no funds to organise the transit of grain from Ukraine by land following Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Source: Reuters; European Pravda

Details: In a letter dated July 21, Ukraines Agriculture Ministry asked EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis for the Commission to provide financial aid for the extra transport cost of using alternate EU routes known as Solidarity Lanes.

Ukraine estimates the extra cost to be US$30-40 per tonne of agricultural exports. In the letter, Ukraine also asked the EU to extend the Solidarity Lanes by 1-1.5 million tonnes a month through "green corridors" to the Adriatic Sea, the Baltic States, Germany and the Netherlands.

But sources in the European Commission told Reuters that the EU currently has neither additional financing nor a specific plan to support Ukrainian exports.

One diplomatic source said that funding for Ukraines needs could only come after the mid-term budget review, which might take another several months, even though the autumn corn harvest is expected to begin soon.

The source also said that pushback against importing Ukrainian corn to the EU has been growing in the EU, "as some states do not see the value in paying for the extra transport cost because of this ban," Reuters reported.

"It's not the Commission's role to provide (transport) insurance. States can give guarantees but there are no conclusive discussions," the source with knowledge of the Commission's discussions also told Reuters.

Background:

Ukraine has been forced to export its agricultural products by land and river following Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its attacks on Ukrainian ports, which have blocked Ukrainian sea exports.

The US State Department said that Russia may be preparing a false-flag operation in the Black Sea amid a series of attacks on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine. James Cleverly, UK Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said he was concerned about the possibility of Russia attacking civilian vessels in the Black Sea and hindering the export of Ukrainian grain.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The EU said Thursday it was investigating Microsoft over whether its bundling of Teams with its Office and 365 productivity suites breached anti-competition rules. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI

July 27 (UPI) -- The European Commission on Thursday launched an antitrust probe into whether Microsoft's bundling of its Teams business chat app as part of its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software packages is a breach of European Union competition laws.

Citing how remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams have become "indispensable for many businesses in Europe" amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrival of new players to meet demand for cloud-based messaging, video meetings and file sharing the commission said it was concerned Microsoft may be abusing its dominant market position to limit competition in the European Economic Area.

"In particular, the Commission is concerned that Microsoft may grant Teams a distribution advantage by not giving customers the choice on whether or not to include access to that product when they subscribe to their productivity suites and may have limited the interoperability between its productivity suites and competing offerings," the commission said.

The probe stems from a July 2020 complaint lodged by rival Slack Technologies alleging that Microsoft was illegally tying Teams to its market-dominant business productivity suites.

EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said it opened the probe to ensure the markets for products like Slack "remain competitive" and that companies "are free to choose the products that best meet their needs."

Microsoft responded by saying it would cooperate with the probe and work to resolve issues flagged up.

"We respect the European Commission's work on this case and take our own responsibilities very seriously. We will continue to cooperate with the Commission and remain committed to finding solutions that will address its concerns," said a spokesman.

The commission stressed that it would conduct an in-depth investigation in a timely fashion and that Microsoft was innocent until proven guilty, but that if the case was proven, it may breach rules contained in the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union that prohibit the abuse of a dominant position.

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The probe relieves individual competition authorities in the 27-member-country bloc of their legal duty to enforce competition rules against the practices being investigated and bans national courts from making rulings that may conflict with decisions being considered by the commission.

There was no legal time limit for an antitrust investigation, the commission said, with the duration depending on a number of factors including the complexity of the case, the extent to which the companies concerned cooperate with the commission and how they exercise their right to defend themselves.

Microsoft is fending off at least one other antitrust complaint relating to its dominance in cloud computing. Objections by Britain's Competition and Markets Authority forced Microsoft last week to push back to October the completion deadline for its $69 billion takeover of gaming giant Activision Blizzard.

The EU, by contrast, approved the deal in May after ruling remedies offered by Microsoft to address antitrust concerns were sufficient. The deal is opposed by rival game developer and PlayStation console maker Sony.
Photo: The Canadian Press Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, talks to reporters after a closed-door briefing on the Chinese surveillance balloon that flew over the United States recently, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Canada is again in the U.S. spotlight for what one Republican senator is calling its "feeble commitment" to defence spending. Sullivan called out the Liberal governments commitment to NATO during a confirmation hearing Wednesday for the next Norad commander. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/J. Scott Applewhite

Canada is again in the U.S. spotlight for what one Republican senator is calling its "feeble commitment" to defence spending.

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan called out the Liberal government's commitment to NATO during a confirmation hearing Wednesday for the next Norad commander.

Sullivan cited a Wall Street Journal editorial earlier this month that described Canada as a free rider on the global military alliance.

The country has a history of falling well short of NATO's agreed-upon spending target of two per cent of GDP.

And a Washington Post report in April said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has privately conceded that Canada, where defence spending is at around 1.3 per cent, would never meet NATO's threshold.

U.S. Air Force Lt.-Gen. Gregory Guillot, President Joe Biden's nominee to take over the continental aerospace defence system, promised Sullivan he would press Canada to meet the target.

"Americans get frustrated when our allies don't pull their weight," Sullivan said, noting the subject came up during the recent NATO summit in Vilnius.

"With regard to NATO, Canada's not even close to pulling its weight. Can you commit to us to have those tough conversations, but important, with your Canadian counterparts?"

"Yes, senator, you can count on me to do that," Guillot replied.
Should the outcome of the EU investigation go against Microsoft, the firm could face a heavy fine or other ordered remedies (GERARD JULIEN)

The European Commission on Thursday announced an antitrust probe into Microsoft bundling its Teams communications app with its popular Office suite, on concerns the firm could be cutting out competitors.

The investigation, to see whether the US software giant is "abusing and defending its market position" through the practice, comes as computer users have widely adopted online meetings since the coronavirus pandemic.

"Remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams have become indispensable for many businesses in Europe," said the commission's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager.

"We must therefore ensure that the markets for these products remain competitive, and companies are free to choose the products that best meet their needs," she said.

A Microsoft spokesman said the tech giant would cooperate with the commission's investigation.

"We respect the European Commission's work on this case and take our own responsibilities very seriously," he said, adding that the company was "committed to finding solutions that will address its concerns".

Teams is a platform that allows users to communicate through messages, video calls and file sharing.

The trigger for the commission's probe was a July 2020 complaint from Slack, a US start-up competitor to Teams which has since been bought by the company Salesforce.

As its market share shrank, Slack lodged its complaint with the EU executive.

Other rival communications platforms include Zoom, Google Meet and Cisco Webex.

Microsoft bundles Teams with its cloud-based Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites, which offer its popular Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Excel programmes.

The commission said that the shift to cloud-based platforms and apps has allowed more players to enter the market, and noted that such software is usually subscription-based, locking users in longterm.

It underlined that the Microsoft cloud-based suites were "well-entrenched", and bundling Teams with them could be "restricting competition" in Europe.

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- AI-enhanced Teams -

"The Commission is concerned that Microsoft may grant Teams a distribution advantage by not giving customers the choice on whether or not to include access to that product when they subscribe to their productivity suites and may have limited the interoperability between its productivity suites and competing offerings," its statement said.

"These practices may constitute anti-competitive tying or bundling and prevent suppliers of other communication and collaboration tools from competing," it said, adding that its probe would be carried out as "a priority".

Should the outcome of the investigation go against Microsoft, the firm could face a heavy fine or other ordered remedies.

There is no defined deadline for the probe to wrap up, with the commission taking more time if needed for complex antitrust cases.

Recently, Microsoft has been introducing artificial intelligence advances into its Teams product.

On its website, the company advertises the changes as making the user experience faster and helping to "scale your business to achieve more together".

Teams has been part of its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites since 2017, taking over from its Skype for business offering.

The company views Teams as an integral element of its range software offerings and the importance of the app has grown exponentially since the pandemic forced office workers into remote working -- a habit that holds today.

Microsoft would be loath to see Teams's shine diminished and is likely to argue that nothing prevents users from using Zoom or Slack in its place, alongside or instead of Teams.

aro-rmb/del/jmm
A local runs to avoid the flames of a wildfire in Gennadi village, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, south-eastern Greece. (AP)

Blazes besieging Greece have reached the outskirts of Athens, with 61 fires breaking out across the country in 24 hours.

As high temperatures and wind caused a perfect storm for fires to break out, firefighters and water helicopters rushed to a blaze in Kifissia, just north of Athens, managing to put out the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from islands including Corfu, Evia and Rhodes, while travel companies have announced flight cancellations to fire-hit hotspots.

And wildfires have continued to cause chaos elsewhere in southern Europe and North Africa, with blazes in Italy, Tunisia and Algeria.

At least three people have died in Italy and another four in Greece. In north Africa, at least 34 people died in Algeria due devastating forest fires along its Mediterranean coast.

Spain's Balearic Islands, also a popular tourist spot, have been put on high alert for wildfires as temperatures crept up to 40C this week.

The UK government has also updated its travel advice to areas hit by fires, advising travellers to ensure the correct insurance is in place, and signing up for local emergency alerts.

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Watch: First flights due to rescue British holidaymakers fleeing Rhodes wildfires
Elon Musk; Mitch McConnell. Chesnot/Getty Images; Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Elon Musk called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly freezing mid-sentence "insane."

The billionaire Twitter boss suggested that there needs to be a constitutional amendment for term limits.

McConnell suddenly fell silent during a weekly press conference on Wednesday, raising health concerns.

Even Elon Musk  who has aligned himself with Republicans in Congress  thinks Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly freezing mid-sentence during a weekly Republican leadership press conference was "insane."

The billionaire Twitter boss suggested in a tweet early Thursday that there needs to be a constitutional amendment to implement term limits for members of the United States Congress.

"We need a constitutional amendment. This is insane," Musk said in a reply to a tweet of a video showing McConnell suddenly stop speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

At the beginning of Senate Republicans' weekly press conference on Wednesday, McConnell froze up mid-sentence before being escorted away by other senators and an aide.

The 81-year-old Senate Minority leader from Kentucky later returned to the podium where he took questions from reporters and was forced to address the incident.

"I'm fine," McConnell replied after being asked whether his freezing up had anything to do with a concussion he had earlier this year after falling.

A McConnell aide said that the GOP senator stepped away because he "felt light-headed," and insisted that he was "sharp" when he returned to take questions.

In the past, Musk has floated the idea of age limits for political leaders, saying in 2021 that anyone over 70 years old should be barred from holding office.

Broadly speaking, Americans also think their government is too old. An Insider/Morning Consult poll conducted last year found that 77% of Americans would support an age cap on lawmakers serving in Congress. The survey was conducted as part of Insider's expansive "Red, White, Gray" series of reports that explored how the US has effectively become a "gerontocracy."

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Public support for passing an age cap is not likely to be enough. Experts say it would likely take a constitutional amendment to impose such a change. Lawmakers themselves, including younger ones, were also hesitant to support such a requirement. Many of them previously told Insider that would rather see term limits. Others said that the best bar remains the fact that lawmakers must continue to be reelected, even if incumbency comes with huge advantages.

Musk has also been supportive of Republicans. Insider previously reported that the SpaceX and Twitter owner gave more in political donations to the GOP than to Democrats and earlier this year, Musk hosted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Twitter where he launched his campaign in a glitch-filled Twitter Spaces event.

Read the original article on Business Insider
David Grusch speaking at a congressional hearing on UFOs on Wednesday. Tom Williams/Getty Images

An ex-intelligence officer told Congress this week that the US has evidence of "non-human" life.

The whistleblower previously made a shocking claim that the Vatican was part of a 90-year cover-up.

The Department of Defense has denied that a top-secret program with evidence of alien life exists.

The former intelligence officer who told Congress this week that the US has evidence of alien life previously made a wild claim that the Vatican was part of a massive UFO cover-up.

David Grusch is an ex-Air Force officer who said he worked on the Department of Defense's Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force with a high level of security clearance.

Since leaving the UAP Task Force in March, Grusch has been blowing the whistle on what he describes as a top-secret government program that he believes has proof of alien intelligence on this planet.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defense previously told the Associated Press that there is no "verifiable information to substantiate" Grusch's claims that such a program has ever existed.

In testimony to Congress on Wednesday, Grusch said people with direct knowledge of the secret program have told him that the US government has recovered "non-human" "biologics" from crashed UAPs, commonly known as UFOs.

In an interview with NewsNation in June, Grusch expanded on his belief that there's a massive international cover-up of alien life that's been going on for 90 years.

He told NewsNation that in 1933 the Italian government under Benito Mussolini recovered a UAP, which it then "moved to a secure airbase in Italy for the rest of the fascist regime until 1944-1945."

Then, shockingly, Grusch said Pope Pius XII "backchanneled that" and the Vatican "told the Americans what the Italians had and we ended up scooping it."

The interviewer, Ross Coulthart, then asked, "You're saying that the Catholic Church  the Vatican  they know about the existence of non-human intelligence on this Earth?"

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Grusch responded, "Certainly."

He told NewsNation that he's coming forward now because the American people have a right to know that they are being lied to.

NewsNation said Grusch didn't share photos or documents to back up his claims. The Vatican didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said Wednesday that Donald Trump only has himself to blame for failing to secure top-level attorneys to represent him amid his growing legal woes.

The struggle is one of his own making, Weissmann told MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell. Trump is reportedly soon facing another indictment, this time in special counsel Jack Smiths probe into his bid to flip the 2020 election result.

As a prosecutor and as a defense lawyer, I really believe every defendant is entitled to legal representation. They are entitled to have zealous advocacy, Weissmann explained.

Trumps exalted position as a former president would usually ensure the very cream of the crop in terms of the caliber of lawyering, he noted. But Trumps failure to listen to advice means that youre buying just a heap of trouble.

That is the reason that you find so many lawyers unwilling to represent him, even though he used to be the president of the United States, which is a very sad state, he added.

Related...
A former official from Donald Trumps administration is concerned that the former presidents corruption and chaos will be much more organized should he win another term.

In the first term, what Trump wanted to do ended up being very scattershot, Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff, told MSNBC in an interview on Wednesday. And not to be too reductionist about it  it was a little bit like a cat with a ball of yarn when he walked into the Oval Office. Constantly distracted, not a lot of focus.

He knew he wanted to take a wrecking ball to the government, but by no means did he have a clear agenda, Taylor continued. Whats worrying about a second term  and official after official that served in the Trump administration told me  is now the plans are systematic.

Taylor spoke of an extensive effort in recent years by Trumps closest allies to lay the groundwork from day one for what they call a shock and awe blitz on the federal government.

That means a department-by-department effort to weaponize the powers of the government against the political opposition, he said.

Taylor is currently promoting his new book, Blowback: A Warning To Save Democracy From the Next Trump, which contains alarming details from his time working in the Trump administration.

Taylor left the Republican Party last year, accusing it of poisoning Americans minds and going after the foundations of democracy itself.

He admitted in 2020 that he was the author of an anonymous 2018 opinion piece for The New York Times titled I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration.

Hes become an outspoken critic of the former president, and supported President Joe Biden in 2020.

Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 race, is under investigation by the Justice Department and a Georgia prosecutor for efforts to reverse his 2020 election defeat. He already has been indicted for mishandling classified government documents after leaving office and for a hush-money scheme prior to the 2016 election.

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Watch Taylors interview on MSNBC below.

Related...
By Mike Stone and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is expected to announce as early as Friday that it will provide Taiwan with military assistance worth more than $300 million, two U.S. officials told Reuters, a move likely to anger China.

Congress authorized up to $1 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority weapons aid for Taiwan in the 2023 budget.

One official, speaking on the condition anonymity, said the package is expected to be worth around $330 million.

The White House declined to comment.

The formal announcement is not expected to include a list of weapon systems being provided.

In recent weeks, four sources said the package was expected to include four unarmed MQ-9A reconnaissance drones, but noted their inclusion could fall through as officials work through details on removing some of the advanced equipment from the drones that only the U.S. Air Force is allowed access to.

Another issue was who would pay for the alterations to the drones, one of the people briefed on the matter said. Reuters could not determine if the drones were still part of the package.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan had previously agreed to purchase four, more advanced, MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, made by General Atomics, which are slated for delivery in 2025.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has increased military pressure on the island over the past three years. It has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims and says only Taiwanese people can decide their future.

Foreshadowing the upcoming aid, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on May 16 told a Senate panel: "And I'm pleased that the United States will soon provide significant additional security assistance to Taiwan through the Presidential Drawdown Authority that Congress authorized last year."

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Earlier this month, the top U.S. general said the United States and its allies need to speed up the delivery of weapons to Taiwan in the coming years to help the island defend itself.

Beijing has repeatedly demanded the United States, Taiwan's most important arms supplier, halt the sale of weapons to the island.

U.S. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had said Taiwan needed weapons like air defense systems and those that could target ships from land.

Taiwan has said its defense spending this year will focus on preparing weapons and equipment for a "total blockade" by China, including parts for F-16 fighters and replenishing weapons.

Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) has been used on an emergency basis to expedite security assistance to Ukraine by allowing the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stockpiles. The Taiwan PDA, however, is a non-emergency authority approved by Congress last year.

Taiwan has complained of delays to U.S. weapon deliveries, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as shipments from U.S. stockpiles moved to Ukraine.

(Reporting by Mike Stone and Idrees Ali; editing by Chris Sanders, Deepa Babington and Lincoln Feast.)
Iran has announced the production of artificial intelligence-powered missiles, which officials claim have the ability to avoid obstructions and hit a target with pinpoint accuracy, but experts remain skeptical the weapons can perform as promised.

"We see this from time to time and, more frequently, recently, that the Iran regime will flex its military might with a missile test or new technology," Lisa Daftari, Middle East expert and editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, told Fox News Digital.

"We arent able to verify the exact abilities of this latest missile, but I think it would be naive for the White House not to take Tehran seriously about their desire to increase their military arsenal, augment their presence in the Persian Gulf and its funding of terror proxies regionally and, of course, to continue developing its nuclear weapons program."

Irans defense ministry showed off the new missile, Abu Mahdi, after the deputy commander of a Tehran-backed Iraqi organization comprised of Shia militias, Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani, announced the missile utilized AI to guide the weapons trajectory.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

A giant image of Fattah, Iran's first-ever hypersonic missile, hangs on a wall of a government building in Palestine square in downtown Tehran, June 7, 2023.

"With the mass production of Abu Mahdi missile, we will be able to fire at the enemys moving targets in the sea from the depths of the Iranian soil and entirely hidden places at the maximum operating pace and completely destroy the enemys ships, frigates and destroyers," Ashtiani said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp Navy Rear-Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said the missile would better safeguard the countrys coast due to its improved strike range and accuracy, Iranian Press TV reported.

US F-35 FIGHTERS ARRIVE IN MIDDLE EAST TO DETER IRAN, ASSIST MISSION IN SYRIA

"We can fire the Abu Mahdi missile from deep inside the country. The missile has a dual seeker and performs successfully against the enemys electronic warfare," the general claimed.

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Combining these capabilities with the potential to avoid radar detection and fly at low altitudes for up to 620 miles, Iranian commanders boasted that the missile would appear at its targets like a "ghost," Al-Monitor reported.

Sowlat Mortazavi, minister of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare, right, and General Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, minister of defense, center, participate in a meeting of government managers at the Ejlas hall March 27, 2023, in Tehran, Iran.

Daftari questioned how Iran was able to develop these capabilities when the country remains under strict Western sanctions.

"Irans regime has been interested in the latest cutting-edge technology, from putting added resources into its cyber capabilities for the last decade or now utilizing artificial intelligence in various endeavors," Daftari argued.

RUSSIA EVADES WORLD'S SANCTIONS WITH LESSONS LEARNED FROM IRAN: AN ALLIANCE OF CONVENIENCE

Iran's medium-range ballistic missile called Hayber (Hurremshahr-4) is seen after the launch during the promotional program organized with the participation of high-ranking military officials in Tehran, Iran on May 07, 2023. The liquid-fueled ballistic missile Hayber, with a range of 2 thousand kilometers, can carry 1500 kilograms of warheads. (Photo by Iranian Defense Ministry / Hanodut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"Its a reminder to target the sanctions more carefully and actually enforce them so that enemy states do not have access to these latest technologies," she added.

Matt McInnis, senior fellow for the Institute for the Study of War, confirmed that Iran has pursued these kinds of weapons as part of a "long-term effort to increase the range and accuracy of both their cruise and ballistic missiles."

Iranian soldiers take part in an annual military drill on the coast of the Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, in Jask, Iran, Dec. 30, 2022.

He theorized that Iran announced the missile production as a counter-move to increased U.S. presence in the region, which occurred as a response to Iranian seizures of oil tankers and other ships.

McInnis cautioned that it is difficult to fully verify what Iran has actually developed and if the weapons can perform as promised.

A LOOK AT US SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, IRAN FROM OBAMA TO THE BIDEN YEARS

"Looking at some of the footage  this looks like another iteration of their existing cruise missiles. So, I think some of the basics of improving range and accuracy  theres a good chance that is correct. But we really have to see these in test-fired exercises or some other type of situation before we could really evaluate it," McInnis said.

"Iran has a long history of exaggerating a claim about weapon capabilities. So, you have to take everything with a grain of salt until you see it in action."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei views Iranian nuclear achievements.

Should the weapon prove as powerful as promised, it would present a troubling improvement of the Iranian armed forces combat capabilities, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"That is further proof of the diffusion of Iran's most strategic systems from the IRGC Air Force to other critical elements of Iran's military and [the IRGC] in particular," Taleblu said. "Youve seen this with shorter rockets and drones, and youre seeing it with cruise missiles as well.

"The regime has  talked about growing the range of some of its more limited cruise missile systems, and there is an allegation that this missile, which in the past claimed to be electro-optically guided, can now be controlled with AI.

"That's likely a bit of hyperbole by the Iranians, but precision is something that they're moving towards, as is range."
By Nellie Peyton

(Reuters) - Niger's regional and international partners are scrambling to respond to a military coup which political analysts say could have grave consequences for democratic progress and the fight against an insurgency by jihadist militants in West Africa.

Here is what is at stake.

'ONLY HOPE' FOR STABILITY IN SAHEL

Niger became a democratic outlier in West Africa's Sahel region following military takeovers in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad since 2020.

All four countries of the arid Sahel region, just south of the Sahara, are now run by military leaders after soldiers in Niger said on Wednesday night they had ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Western nations have poured resources into Niger to bolster its security forces in the face of a growing insurgency by Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

The landlocked country had become the West's "only hope" in the region to fight the militants, said one analyst, as military rulers in Mali and Burkina Faso have increasingly turned toward Russia as a strategic ally, distancing themselves from partners such as France.

The United States says it has spent around $500 millionsince 2012 to help Niger boost its security. The U.S. maintains a strong military presence in the country, where it has previously deployed armed drones.

KEY SECURITY PARTNER

Frustration over insecurity spurred the coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, although data from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a crisis monitoring group, shows that violence has worsened in those countries since military juntas took control.

While it has managed to protect citizens better than its neighbours, Niger still suffers frequent militant attacks and rural banditry, according to ACLED.

France, which has had counter-insurgency troops in West Africa for a decade, has turned to Niger to base the bulk of its forces.

Between 1,000 and 1,500 French troops are based in the country, with support from drones and warplanes. Their role is solely to support Niger's army when local forces identify operations in the border regions connecting Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

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The European Union decided in December to set up a three-year military training mission in Niger, to which Germany contributes troops. Italy also has about 300 soldiers in the country.

DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDE

For leaders of the regional bloc the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the military uprising in Niger is a blow to its efforts to shore up democracy.

Following coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and an attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau, the leaders of ECOWAS vowed that coups will no longer be tolerated in the region, which had been making strides toward shedding its "coup-belt" moniker before the latest wave.

Niger will be another test of the resolve and ability of regional leaders to dissuade soldiers from seizing power and convince them to return countries to democratic rule.

Following a summit in Guinea Bissau this month, ECOWAS leaders said they regretted that regional mediators had received minimal cooperation from the soldiers that took over in Mali, and Burkina Faso in ongoing efforts to restore constitutional order.

(Additional reporting by Moussa Aksar and Boureima Balima in Niamey and John Irish in Paris; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Bate Felix, Emelia Sithole and Leslie Adler)
By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) - Russia's defence minister was photographed this week viewing banned North Korean ballistic missiles with leader Kim Jong Un at a military expo in Pyongyang, signalling deeper ties between the two countries as they face off with the United States.

As Russia's isolation over its war in Ukraine has grown, it has seen increasing value in North Korea. For North Korea's part, relations with Russia haven't always been as warm as they were during the heady days of the Soviet Union, but now the country is reaping clear benefits from Moscow's need for friends.

Here's how North Korea-Russia relations began, and how they are becoming closer:

POLITICAL BACKING

Communist North Korea was formed in the early days of the Cold War with the backing of the Soviet Union. North Korea later battled the South and its U.S. and United Nations allies to a stalemate in the 1950-1953 Korean War with extensive aid from China and the Soviet Union.

North Korea was heavily reliant on Soviet aid for decades, and when the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, it contributed to a deadly famine in the North.

Pyongyang's leaders have tended to try to use Beijing and Moscow to balance each other. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un initially had a relatively cool relationship with Russia and China, which both joined the United States in imposing strict sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear tests.

After his country's last nuclear test in 2017, Kim took steps to repair ties.

He met Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2019 for the first time in a summit in the Russian city of Vladivostok.

In October, Kim sent a birthday greeting to Putin, congratulating him for "crushing the challenges and threats of the United States".

In a message for Russia's National Day in June, Kim vowed to "hold hands" with Putin and bolster strategic cooperation.

Russia has joined China in opposing new sanctions on North Korea, blocking a U.S.-led push and publicly splitting the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) for the first time since it started punishing Pyongyang in 2006.

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UKRAINE WAR SUPPORT

North Korea has reciprocated with public support for Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine. It was one of the only countries to recognise the independence of breakaway Ukrainian regions, and it expressed support for Russia's proclaimed annexation of parts of Ukraine.

The United States has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia for the war effort, including a "significant" number of artillery shells, as well as a shipment of infantry rockets and missiles to the private Russian military company, the Wagner Group.

Both Russia and North Korea have denied those claims, but this week promised to deepen defence cooperation.

"Moscow's 'special military operation' in Ukraine has ushered in a new geopolitical reality in which the Kremlin and (North Korea) may become increasingly close, perhaps even to the point of resurrecting the quasi-alliance relationship that had existed during the Cold War," Artyom Lukin, a professor at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, wrote in a report for 38 North.

It is notable Pyongyang has begun using the new phrase "tactical and strategic collaboration" to describe its relationship with Russia, he added.

ECONOMIC TIES

Last year, Russia and North Korea restarted train travel for the first time since railway journeys were cut during the COVID pandemic with an unusually opulent cargo - 30 grey thoroughbred horses.

Shortly after that Russia also resumed oil exports to North Korea, United Nations data shows, the first such shipments reported since 2020.

The vast majority of North Korea's trade goes through China, but Russia is a potentially important partner as well, particularly for providing oil, experts said. Moscow has denied breaking U.N. sanctions, but Russian tankers have been accused of helping evade caps on exporting oil to North Korea and sanctions monitors have reported labourers remain in Russia despite a ban.

Russian officials have openly discussed "working on political arrangements" to employ 20,000 to 50,000 North Korean labourers, despite U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban such arrangements.

Russian officials and leaders in the breakaway regions in Ukraine have also discussed the possibility of having North Korean workers help rebuild those war-torn areas.

(Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Photo: Rob Kruyt. The government started collecting data before the foreign buyers tax was imposed in August 2016.

An Iranian asylum seeker who recently purchased a $6.6-million home in the British Properties of West Vancouver has had his challenge to the foreign buyers tax dismissed by a B.C. Supreme Court judge.

Kourosh Esfandier Bakhtiari and Technocorp Venture Capital Inc., Bakhtiaris company used to purchase the home on Groveland Road in 2019, claimed the tax was unconstitutional on grounds it impeded Bakhtiaris right to liberty and economic security (under Section 7) and right to equality under the law without discrimination (under Section 15).

Within his claim, Bakhtiari claims he suffered loss of dignity, loss of social status, psychological distress and anxiety by having to pay the $1.32-million levy, which is 20 per cent of the homes sale price.

In his decision posted July 24, Justice Geoffrey Gomery ultimately dismissed Bakhtiaris claims, notably that of discrimination; however, Gomery provided Bakhtiari the right to seek leave from the court within 30 days to amend his Section 7 claim of liberty and economic security.

Bakhtiari was fighting an uphill battle, with the B.C. Court of Appeal already dismissing constitutional arguments against the tax in June 2021, after Peoples Republic of China citizen Jing Li argued it was discriminatory.

The tax was imposed to curb the inflow of foreign money that has helped decouple local incomes from housing costs, particularly in metropolitan areas of B.C.

The view that foreign nationals significantly contributed to the escalation of prices of housing in the GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District) is neither a stereotype nor a continuation of racist policies from the past, ruled Justice Gregory Bowden on Oct. 25, 2019 in the Li case.

The experts have agreed that the inflow of foreign capital has significantly contributed to price increases in the GVRD, stated Bowden.

The government started collecting data before the tax was imposed in August 2016 on most urban areas of the province.

The results of the first full month collection of data showed that 9.7% of residential real estate transactions in the GVRD involved foreign nationals, Bowden noted, adding, This represented a transactional value of $885,393,373. In the City of Vancouver the percentage was 10.9%, 17.7% in the City of Burnaby and 18.2% in the City of Richmond.

According to Gomerys decision, Bakhtiari came to Canada from Iran as a refugee in 1995 and has lived in British Columbia since. He is understood to have "deep ties" to the community. However, until 2022 he was unable to obtain the legal status of a permanent resident, as he claimed his application for permanent resident status was delayed or postponed by the Government of Canada, which is named as a defendant.

Although he is an Iranian citizen, he cannot return to Iran at the risk of his life. He says that, as a practical matter, he is a stateless person, noted Gomery.

But under B.C. law a stateless person would also constitute a foreign national, Gomery found. Regardless, Bakhtiari is not truly a stateless person, as defined in the (United Nations) Convention, noted Gomery.

Mr. Bakhtiaris definition of a stateless person is fundamentally uncertain. Even if it were well defined, the quality of being a stateless person would not be immutable, because it would depend entirely on the ever changing functional and practical implications of that persons foreign citizenship, stated Gomery.

Meanwhile, the Section 7 arguments were bound to fail, stated Gomery.

If Mr. Bakhtiaris argument that the [tax] interferes with his constitutionally protected liberty were accepted, the consequences would be far reaching. The argument does not engage Mr. Bakhtiaris personal characteristics, only his liberty, or freedom of choice, and the same argument would be open to anyone. It could be advanced against any land use regulation that attaches adverse economic consequences for some purchasers of property in a given municipality or region, the decision stated.

Furthermore, Bakhtiaris argument that home ownership is a crucial aspect of ones social identity and a potent symbol of belonging and social worth does not, in Gomerys judgment, establish that a person of ordinary sensibility required to pay the [tax] would suffer serious and profound psychological distress."
By Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Soldiers in Niger declared a military coup on Wednesday, overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum. The landlocked nation, a key U.S. ally in the region, has received millions in assistance from Washington.

Here are answers to questions about U.S.-Niger ties:

WHY IS NIGER IMPORTANT TO THE UNITED STATES?

The country, located in the semi-arid Sahel region, plays an outsized role in the United States' Africa strategy. Most importantly, it is a key partner for Washington's fight against Islamist insurgents who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more. U.S. military personnel have been training local forces to fight militant groups.

The Biden administration has also held up Niger as a democratic success story in a region that has faced a series of coups or attempted power grabs over the past three years.

Bazoum's ouster threatens both priorities.

WHAT ARE THE MILITARY TIES BETWEEN THE US AND NIGER?

Niger and its neighbors Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Chad are all struggling to repel Islamist insurgents.

Groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have carried out dozens of attacks in southwestern Niger, including some that have killed dozens of Nigerien soldiers, but the violence has not spread across the whole country as it has done elsewhere.

"Niger has been an incredible security partner on the continent, and so we will continue to pay close attention to this," State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters on Thursday.

There are about 1,100 U.S. troops in Niger, where the U.S. military operates out of two bases.

In 2017, the government of Niger approved the use of armed American drones from the country to target militants.

WHY HAS WASHINGTON PRAISED DEMOCRACY IN NIGER?

While violence in Mali and Burkina Faso led to military coups and a shift in alliances away from Western nations and towards Russia, Niger managed a democratic transfer of power in 2021 and has kept smooth relations with the West.

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The State Department in March said Niger had "taken important steps to consolidate and strengthen its democracy."

A State Department official in March also praised Bazoum for speaking out against Russia's private Wagner group of mercenaries, which has been hired by Mali's junta to help fight insurgents there. Mali describes the Wagner personnel on its territory as trainers.

Patel said on Thursday he was not aware of any indication that the Wagner force could be involved in the overthrow of Bazoum, but said the situation continues to be quite fluid.

WHAT ASSISTANCE DOES THE US PROVIDE TO NIGER?

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $150 million in new humanitarian aid for Africa's Sahel region in a visit to Niger in March, the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State.

The State Department in March said the United States had plans to provide $101 million in bilateral assistance to Niger in fiscal year 2022, including assistance for food security, democracy and governance, and security.

The U.S. also provided nearly $135.4 million in bilateral humanitarian assistance in fiscal year 2022, the State Department said.

It is unclear how much the United States has given in security assistance specifically. The U.S. Embassy in Niamey in 2021 said the Pentagon and State Department had provided Niger more than $500 million in equipment and training since 2012.

HOW WOULD BAZOUM'S OUSTER AFFECT U.S. AID?

U.S. law on foreign aid prohibits most assistance to any country where the elected head of government has been deposed in a coup d'etat or by decree, unless the Secretary of State determines that providing aid is in the national security interest of the United States.

Members of Congress who run the appropriations subcommittees responsible for foreign aid said on Thursday they were watching the situation closely.

"I think the State Department first has to reach the conclusion that the new junta has taken power in a coup," said Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who chairs the Senate subcommittee.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. If that's what happened, we will cut off assistance, consistent with U.S. policy."

Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, who chairs the House subcommittee, said he was monitoring the developments.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis, Patricia Zengerle, Moira Warburton, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)
After 03:00 on 27 July, explosions were heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and air defence systems were reported to be responding.

Source: Khmelnytskyi Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Sounds of explosions are heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

Air defence is responding.

Stay in the shelters! Take care of yourself and your loved ones!"

Background: The Ukrainian Air Force stated that at around 19:00 on 26 July, several Russian MiG-31K fighter jets took off and fired four Kh-47 Kinzhal aerial ballistic missiles at Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

The Russian cruise missiles that reached Ukraine on Wednesday evening were aimed at Starokostiantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, as well.

There is a military airfield in Starokostiantyniv where Ukrainian Su-24M tactical bombers are based. They are carriers of Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Exterior of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, where staffing of prosecutors, public defenders, court reporters and interpreters have all fallen since the peak of the pandemic. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Public defenders who work in Hollywood's decrepit mental health courthouse say they're juggling at least 500 cases each, a situation so out of control that their boss allegedly proposed a radical solution earlier this year: stop declaring doubts about the ability of their mentally ill clients to stand trial.

Mentally ill defendants arrested on low-level misdemeanors often find themselves languishing in jail as they wait for a date in the Hollywood court, according to public defenders who have worked in the courthouse in recent years, some whom spoke on the condition of anonymity over fear of reprisals from their employer. The building is home to a "very tiny lockup" that overcrowds easily, often causing case dates to be pushed back while public defenders sift through a to-do list that is hundreds of defendants deep, attorneys said.

The caseload crisis boiled over this year during a March training session, when the former head of the mental health unit, Christina Behle, "advised members NOT to declare doubts" about the competency of defendants, according to a written grievance filed by the union representing public defenders that was obtained by The Times.

"Her reason for asking members not to follow the Constitution was the amount of work being too large for the number of attorneys assigned to handle the work effectively," the document read.

The public defender's office claims Behle's comment was taken out of context. After this story was published, Behle sent an e-mail to The Times contending that she was discussing a limited number of cases involving defendants who suffer from substance abuse issues or those who can quickly be restored to competency with medication in the jails.

But several attorneys who spoke to The Times said they took it as an instruction to let defendants face charges they are incapable of understanding for the sake of lightening the staff's workloads.

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With Hollywood paralyzed by writers and actors striking for better pay and benefits, another labor crisis has been playing out behind the scenes in one of the country's largest court systems. Hundreds of public defenders, prosecutors, court interpreters and reporters have left their jobs since the peak of the pandemic, a Los Angeles legal chapter of the "Great Resignation" that could weaken the county's ability to provide some basic functions and harm the most vulnerable people in the legal system.

Read more: What to know about the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike

It does feel like [the county is] undervaluing the criminal legal system," said Garrett Miller, president of the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Union Local 148. "Were doing so much with our clients to help them get into a program, to help them find housing, but in order for all of that to happen, obviously you need to be well resourced. They keep talking about all these problems and wanting to address these problems, but were not seeing large-scale investments."

The staff shortage is often felt hardest by those most at risk of an unfair outcome in the court system: the mentally ill, non-English speakers and lower-income litigants. Complaints about a lack of available interpreters are common in the downtown courthouse, sometimes delaying cases for people in custody and frazzling interpreters asked to cover more hearings than they can handle.

'It's obviously not a therapeutic environment'

Some point to the L.A. County Mental Health Court in Hollywood as a microcosm of system-wide problems. Attorneys who have worked in the building said their intense caseloads have a cascading effect.

"Weve had clients commit suicide in the jail several times in the past year or so. We have clients who are unmedicated in the jail and they pick up new charges," said one public defender with a caseload of more than 400 mentally ill clients. "It's obviously not a therapeutic environment to say the least. Everyone has sort of accepted there are just going to be long, long delays.

Behle, the former head deputy of the mental health unit, did not respond to an e-mail sent before this story published online. After publication, she argued that her comments were in response only to a question about how to aid defendants who were being jailed longer than necessary.

"I explained that oftentimes the lawyer, at the first hearing, cannot truly get the entire picture of what will be the best course of action in each clients case," she wrote. "My suggestion was to trail the case for a few days, set it for bail review or pretrial which would not require a time waiver. As explained, when a doubt is declared, criminal proceedings are suspended, their constitutional speedy trial rights are put on hold, and they remain in custody for weeks to get evaluated by a doctor."

Behle also argued that data show approximately 35% of clients evaluated in mental health court are found competent.

In a written response to the grievance, the public defender's office said Behle had done nothing wrong and agreed to improve staffing of the mental health unit by providing two law clerks and one intern, but did not offer additional attorneys. Miller said the grievance is under review by the county executive's office.

Division Chief Mike Suzuki said Behle's comments were taken "out of context" and had no connection to workload issues. Suzuki said she was talking about a surge in misdemeanor cases "in which attorneys declared doubts, but at least a third of the clients were subsequently found to be competent."

"Ms. Behle used the spike to impress on attorneys that declaring a doubt automatically suspends proceedings and may subject our clients to extra time in custody while the process plays out," Suzuki said.

Although several attorneys and the union claim that some public defenders working in the mental health unit have caseloads as high as 500, Suzuki said the average caseload for those lawyers is just 112. The divide between managers and line attorneys on caseloads is part of a broader disagreement within the public defender's office. Public Defender Ricardo Garcia previously dismissed a Times report in 2020 that found his attorneys were carrying caseloads double or triple their normal size.

In a statement, Garcia said he has worked to blunt the broader staffing crisis by hiring additional support staff and installing a $23-million case management system to better track attorneys' workloads.

Read more: With L.A. courts paralyzed by COVID-19, public defenders say caseloads are 'unconscionable'

The staffing shortages reach beyond the mental health court, affecting other key aspects of the county's criminal justice system.

There are no records of at least 52,000 civil proceedings that took place in L.A. County during the first two months of the year, because there were no court reporters present to document them, a situation that David Slayton, the L.A. County Superior Court's executive officer, called a "constitutional crisis."

In the downtown criminal courthouse, a manager walked into a hearing last month and told a Spanish interpreter waiting to help a defendant to rush to another courtroom where she was needed. Both the defense attorney and prosecutor on the case turned to the interpreter and said "you can't leave," in a tone that was polite but a little bit pleading.

Labor leaders and frustrated courthouse personnel blame the staffing shortage on a combination of factors: the pandemic driving people out of a career path that requires packing into crowded confines, the county's struggles to pay comparable wages to the private sector, and frustration in some cases with the management styles or policies of Garcia and Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon.

There were 808 prosecutors in the district attorney's office as of mid-June, down from 915 when Gascon took office, records show. Additionally, the courts have lost nearly 200 full-time court reporters and interpreters since January 2020.

Miller, president of the public defenders' union, said the number of available attorneys in the office has fallen to 599 from about 700 in 2020, when accounting for attorneys on leave. Suzuki provided figures that show the number of "available attorneys" in the office is unchanged, though his data included managers and law clerks who "have their law degrees" and can appear in court on certain matters with supervision.

'We are working on a skeleton crew'

The lack of interpreters can severely harm mentally ill defendants who don't speak English or Spanish. The court staffs few full-time interpreters beyond those languages and does not staff any full-time interpreters whose only focuses are Indigenous languages, making it harder for those clients to speak to a clinician and receive a diagnosis.

Union officials say the number of full-time interpreters available in downtown L.A.'s main criminal courthouse has been slashed to just 12, and similar caseload crushes abound.

Spanish-speaking defendants often languish in arraignment court all day waiting for an interpreter to become available so they can understand the charges against them, said Begonya De Salvo, a representative for the union for interpreters in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

One June afternoon, as De Salvo was waiting to interpret for a Spanish-speaking defendant trying to accept a plea deal, a court manager appeared and asked her to cover a hearing in another courtroom. Minutes later, someone called the court asking for her as well. Down the hall, a deputy district attorney could be heard complaining that the sex crimes case she was working had been delayed because no interpreter was available.

In one case in March, court records show charges against an assault suspect were dismissed at a preliminary hearing after the court could not provide an interpreter for a key witness who spoke K'iche', an Indigenous Mayan language. The victim in the case also spoke K'iche', De Salvo said.

Basically, we are working on a skeleton crew," she said.

The pandemic hit the interpreter community especially hard. Several L.A. County interpreters died of COVID-19 and many complained of being forced to work in unsafe conditions, a complaint validated when the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health slapped L.A. County's Superior Court with fines for health and safety violations. De Salvo said some colleagues left the profession due to low pay or health risks during the pandemic and an additional 115 interpreters are expected to reach retirement age in the next two years.

Read more: State fines L.A. County Superior Court for safety violations during COVID-19 pandemic

Slayton, the court's executive officer, told The Times that he is "absolutely committed to making sure people have language access," but did not know of any situations in which the court had failed to meet "timely" requests for interpreters.

In the case where charges were dismissed due to the absence of a K'iche' interpreter, court spokesman Robert Oftring said prosecutors had only requested one interpreter when they actually needed two, and did not ask for the second until the day of the hearing.

Neither the prosecutor assigned to the case nor the district attorney's office responded to questions about the dismissal.

Although De Salvo and others have complained of low pay driving interpreters out of L.A. County, Slayton said interpreters received a 12% raise during their last round of contract negotiations, a massive increase compared with the minuscule pay increases in prior years. The median salary for full-time L.A. County interpreters is now $93,000, Oftring said, which appears to be on par with salary ranges for interpreter job listings in neighboring counties.

When asked about situations that a Times reporter witnessed in which court staff asked interpreters to leave one hearing in order to cover another, Presiding Justice Samantha Jessner said she'd look into it but warned that there was "probably more to that story."

'Our future does not look bright'

Slayon and Jessner have been dealing with dual staffing crises of interpreters and court reporters, who create official transcripts of proceedings that are crucial for appeals and ensuring there are detailed accounts of the hundreds of thousands of court hearings that take place each year. Although California law requires felony criminal cases to be documented by a reporter, the Superior Court has been forced to abandon recording certain probate and family law cases due to the staffing shortfall.

There are many times when self-represented litigants will go into a courtroom, especially in family law, where a very, very impactful decision is made and everybody in the courtroom is using lots of legal jargon ... and then that litigant will go to a lawyer and say, 'I cant see my kids anymore or now I have to pay this much,' and historically a prospective lawyer could go get the transcript and figure out what happened," Jessner said. "That is essentially not a reality anymore.

Slayton said the Superior Court simply can't compete with private-sector firms that can offer reporters as much as $5,000 per day to cover a deposition. Pay raises, retention rewards for long-term employees and signing bonuses of $20,000 are doing little to attract new reporters to the field, he said. When accounting for projected retirements, Slayton is worried that the court won't have enough reporters to cover its regular felony case schedule by 2025.

Our future does not look bright, with regards to this, he said.

In the district attorney's office, where there have been departures amid frustrations with Gascon's management style and policies, there has been an effort to replenish the ranks to address what some call a concerning backlog of cases. Gascon's office has hired 58 new prosecutors since his election, said Tiffiny Blacknell, the district attorney's director of communications.

Read more: L.A. County D.A.s office under Gascon is at war with itself. How does anything get done?

Public records show that approximately 10,000 criminal cases presented by law enforcement in 2021 and 2022 were still awaiting a filing decision in the county. Among those are defendants charged with murder, drunk driving that resulted in injuries, domestic violence and weapons offenses.

Records show that law enforcement agencies present an average of 180,000 cases to the district attorney's office each year. Laura Jane Kessler, head of the office's charge evaluation division, said she was unaware of any situation in which the statute of limitations ran out on a case pending a charging decision.

"We have such a high volume that I dont even know what that number of cases in queue should be," she said. "Really the question is not how many, but what kinds of cases, how much time has passed between the time it was submitted and the time we act on it.

Eric Siddall, vice president of the Los Angeles Assn. of Deputy District Attorneys, said there are fewer prosecutors working in L.A. than at any other time in his 20-year career, leaving them feeling as overburdened as their public defender colleagues.

"We dont have enough prosecutors in this office and the office is literally at a breaking point," Siddall said. "Once people become overwhelmed with a job, through no fault of their own, just because of poor management, thats when you start losing more people, and when youre not able to recruit replacements."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Federal Aviation Administration is launching a new initiative exploring possible regulations on commercial human spaceflight, a first for a nascent industry that is rapidly increasing the number of humans that visit space.

The new rulemaking committee will help the FAA plan, conceive, and implementwhen the time is righta well-informed, thoughtful, regulatory regime for commercial human spaceflight occupant safety, the FAA said in a statement.

The committee will gather recommendations from major stakeholders, which will no doubt include companies that operate human spaceflight services, including Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and SpaceX, and submit them to the FAA next summer.

While the committee is a step toward regulations, the FAA does not have any rulemaking authority over this aspect of human spaceflight in itself. Indeed, while the FAA has authority over launch as it relates to the safety of people on the ground, it is prohibited by federal law from regulating occupant safety on board launch vehicles, save in the case of death or serious injury. Instead, the FAA simply requires that crewmembers be made aware of the risks and hazards of spaceflight and sign an extensive informed consent form.

For the FAAs authority to change, Congress would need to act -- and it appears that they might, and soon. Lawmakers placed a moratorium on commercial human spaceflight regulations in 2004, with the idea being that regulations could kneecap an industry that was only barely getting on its feet. Congress has extended that moratorium, sometimes called a learning period, twice -- but unless they extend it again, it is set to expire this October.

Some think the moratorium should be further extended. At a recent House Science Committee Hearing, Karina Drees, president of the industry group Commercial Spaceflight Federation, told lawmakers that establishing regulations now would be premature.

[The] FAA does not yet have the expertise, resources or plan needed to implement a revised occupant safety regulatory framework, she said. Allowing the learning period to end this year would open the door to regulations that inadvertently freeze development before industry has had time to mature, harming safety in the long-term and our nations competitiveness.

On the other side of the issue, a report issued earlier this year by the RAND Corporation suggested that it was time for the moratorium to expire, even if the commercial human spaceflight industry was still in the early stages. One reason the researchers gave is that commercial spaceflight companies are not required to share safety data publicly, so theres a real lack of transparency regarding incidents and anomalies, and no real way for companies to learn from each other.

The current practice of nondisclosure and siloing of data and information may result in gaps or blind spots that could increase the likelihood of a catastrophic event, RAND researchers Douglas Ligor and Josh Becker said.
An image obtained on July 26, 2023, shows volunteers working to keep a pod of long-finned pilot whales alive near Cheynes Beach east of Albany, Australia July 26, 2023. AAP Image/WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions via REUTERS

43 pilot whales were euthanized after they were stranded on an Australian beach for two days.

Rescuers had brought them back into the water, but they were stranded again.

Officials described it as a difficult decision but the best one for the animals' welfare.

Wildlife officials in Australia euthanized 43 pilot whales that were stranded after attempts to move them into deeper waters failed.

The Parks and Wildlife Service of Western Australia said on Thursday that its officials decided, after veterinarians assessed the whales, that the most appropriate and humane course of action was to "euthanize the 43 remaining whales to avoid prolonging their suffering."

The whales were part of a larger group of almost 100 whales that were stranded at Cheynes Beach on Tuesday, the Parks and Wildlife Service said. Fifty-one perished overnight on Wednesday, according to reports.

Parks and Wildlife Service personnel and volunteers had tried to move the whales that were still alive back out into deeper waters on Wednesday, with the group sharing videos of people holding the animals in the sea as they were "in the water preparing to safely lead the 45 whales into deeper waters."

It said at the time that "staff and volunteers, with the assistance of small vessels and surf skis, will attempt to safely and gently move the animals into deeper waters, giving them the best chance of survival."

But in a later update, it said the whales had become re-stranded "further along the beach." It added that veterinarians would keep assessing the whales and "advise of the most appropriate course of action to ensure the most humane outcome for the whales."

The next update revealed the decision to end their lives.

In this photo provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, a rescuer tends to a long-finned pilot whale, July 26, 2023, after nearly 100 whales beached themselves at Cheynes Beach east of Albany, Australia. DBCA via AP

"It was a difficult decision for all involved however the welfare of the whales had to take precedence," the Parks and Wildlife Service said.

Tractors later removed the bodies, and volunteers who tried to save them struggled to leave, The Guardian reported.

Story continues

Wildlife researcher Vanessa Parotta told CNN that it's unclear why the whales were stranded.

"It could be that they are trying to avoid a predator, like a killer whale," she said.

Parotta added that they could also have been following one of the pod members who was lost as they are "very social and dynamic with strong bonds with others."

Peter Hartley, from the Australian government's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, told reporters that the decision was "one of the hardest" in his 34 years working in wildlife management, CNN reported.

"We know that whale stranding is a natural phenomenon. But we gave it a good go, spending the whole day in the water to give them to best opportunity," he said.

Earlier this month a pod of 55 pilot whales died after a mass stranding on a beach in Scotland. A marine life charity said it may have happened after they tried to help a female suffering complications while giving birth.

Read the original article on Insider
Update: Wednesdays launch attempt has been scrubbed, SpaceX said.

The new launch window is 11:04 p.m. Thursday evening.

SpaceX said the vehicle and payload are in good health.

Standing down from tonights Falcon Heavy launch of the @HughesConnects JUPITER 3 mission due to a violation of abort criteria. Teams are resetting for a launch attempt tomorrow, July 27; vehicle and payload are in good health  SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 27, 2023

Read our earlier version below:

SpaceX is planning to launch a Falcon Heavy rocket from Floridas Space Coast on Wednesday.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The 99-minute launch window will open at 11:04 p.m. at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX has confirmed that the weather forecast is 85% favorable for the planned launch.

The rocket will carry the EchoStar Jupiter 3 broadband communications satellite into orbit.

Read: Sinead OConnor dies at 56

The satellite is designed to support inflight Wi-Fi, maritime connections, community Wi-Fi solutions and more.

After the launch, SpaceX is planning to land two of the Falcon Heavy rockets boosters back at Kennedy Space Center.

The rocket boosters landing will cause a sonic boom in and around Brevard County.

CLICK HERE to read the original article by WFTV.

Read: Whats next for Brightline now that local rail construction is done?

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This article was produced for ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with Mississippi Today. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.

When sheriffs department staff in Mississippis Benton County took Jimmy Sons into custody several years ago, they followed their standard protocol for people charged with a crime: They took his mug shot, fingerprinted him, had him change into an orange jumpsuit and locked him up.

But Sons, who was then 20 years old, had not been charged with a crime. Earlier that day, his father, James Sons, had gone to a county office to ask that his youngest son be taken in for a mental evaluation and treatment. Jimmy Sons had threatened to hurt family members and himself, and his father had come across him sitting on his bed with a loaded shotgun.

On Sons booking form, in the spot where jailers usually record criminal charges, was a single word: LUNACY.

The booking form for Jimmy Sons, identifying his offense as lunacy Obtained by Mississippi Today

In every state, people who present a threat to themselves or others can be ordered to receive mental health treatment. Most states allow people with substance abuse problems to be ordered into treatment, too. The process is called civil commitment.

But Mississippi Today and ProPublica could not find any state other than Mississippi where people are routinely jailed without charges for days or weeks during that process.

What happened to Sons has occurred hundreds of times a year in the state.

The news organizations examined jail dockets from 19 Mississippi counties  about a quarter of the states 82  that clearly marked bookings related to civil commitments. All told, people in those counties were jailed at least 2,000 times for civil commitments alone from 2019 to 2022. None had been charged with a crime.

Most were deemed to need psychiatric treatment; others were sent to substance abuse programs, according to county officials.

Since 2006, at least 13 people have died in Mississippi county jails as they awaited treatment for mental illness or substance abuse, Mississippi Today and ProPublica found. Nine of the 13 killed themselves. At least 10 hadnt been charged with a crime.

Story continues

A woman going through the civil commitment process, wearing a shirt labeling her a convict, is transported from her commitment hearing back to a county jail to await transportation to a state hospital in north Mississippi this spring. Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

We shared our findings with disability rights advocates, mental health officials in other states and 10 national experts on civil commitment or mental health care in jails. They used words such as horrifying, breaks my heart and speechless when they learned how many people are jailed in Mississippi as they go through the civil commitment process.

Some said they didnt see how it could be constitutional.

If an ER is full, you dont send people to jail, said Megan Schuller, legal director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, a Washington, D.C.-based organization. This is just outright discriminatory treatment in my view.

Mississippi Today and ProPublica also interviewed 10 individuals who had been committed and jailed, as well as 20 family members.

Many of those people said they or their family members had been housed alongside criminal defendants. Nobody knew how long they would be there. They were often shackled when they left their cells. Some of them said they couldnt access prescribed psychiatric medications or had minimal medical care as they experienced withdrawal from illegal drugs.

It felt more criminal than, like, they were trying to help me, said Richard Millwood, who was booked into the DeSoto County jail in 2020 following an attempted suicide. I got the exact same treatment in there as I did when I was in jail facing charges. In fact worse, in my opinion, because at least when I was facing charges I could bond out.

DeSoto County leadership, informed of Millwoods statement, did not respond.

Millwood spent 35 days in jail before being admitted to a publicly funded rehab program 90 miles away.

Jimmy Sons didnt receive a mental evaluation when he was booked into the Benton County jail in September 2015, according to documents in a lawsuit his father later filed. Less than 24 hours later, he was dead. Left alone in a cell without regular visits by jail staff, he had hanged himself.

He had been back in Mississippi for just a few days, planning to join his dad in electrical work, said his mother, Juli Murray. He had set out from her home in Bradenton, Florida, so early in the morning that he didnt say goodbye.

Jimmy Sons at age 18 at his fathers home in Mississippi Courtesy John Sons

Murray remembers the phone call from Jimmys half-brother in which she learned her son was in jail. She didnt understand why.

If you do something wrong, thats why youre in jail, she said. Not if youre not mentally well. Why would they put them in there?

The Lesser Sin

When James Sons went to the clerks office in the tiny town of Ashland to file commitment paperwork for his son, he took the first step in Mississippis peculiar, antiquated system for mandating treatment for people with serious mental health problems.

It starts when someone  usually a family member, but it could be almost anyone  signs a form alleging that the person in question is in need of treatment because the person is mentally ill under law and poses a likelihood of physical harm to themselves or others.

James Sons filled out that form, listing why he was concerned: Jimmys guns, his threats, his talk of suicide.

Then a special master  an attorney appointed by a chancery judge to make commitment decisions  issued a Writ to Take Custody. It instructed sheriffs deputies in Benton County, just south of the Tennessee border, to hold Jimmy Sons at the jail until he could be evaluated.

The sheriffs office asked Sons to come in on an unrelated matter. When he showed up, Chief Deputy Joe Batts told him he needed a mental health evaluation. Batts tried to reassure Sons that the process would be as quick as possible and would end with him back home, according to Batts testimony in the lawsuit Sons father filed over his death.

Then Batts told Sons, What were going to have to do now is take you back and book you.

What he never told Sons, he later acknowledged in a deposition, was that the young man would have to wait in jail for days before he would see a mental health provider. The first screening required by law was four days away. If it concluded he needed further examination, he would be evaluated by two more medical professionals. Then the special master would decide whether to order him into treatment at a state psychiatric hospital.

The whole process should take seven to 10 days, according to the state Department of Mental Health. But sometimes it takes longer, the news organizations found. And if someone is ordered into treatment at their hearing, they generally have to wait for a bed, though the department says average wait times for state hospital beds after hearings have dropped dramatically in the last year.

While waiting for their hearing, people like Sons are supposed to receive treatment at a hospital or a short-term public mental health facility called a crisis stabilization unit. But state law does allow people to be jailed before their commitment hearing if there is no reasonable alternative. (The law is less clear about whats allowed following a hearing.)

The Benton County Sheriffs Department formerly housed the county jail where Jimmy Sons died, in Ashland, Mississippi. Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

Mississippi Today and ProPublica spoke to dozens of officials across Mississippi involved in the commitment process: clerks who handle the paperwork, chancery judges and special masters who sign commitment orders, sheriffs who run the jails, deputies who drive people from jails to state hospitals, and the head of the state Department of Mental Health.

None of them thinks jail is the right place for people awaiting treatment for mental illness.

Were not a mental health hospital, said Greg Pollan, president of the Mississippi Sheriffs Association and the sheriff of rural Calhoun County in the north of the state. Were not even a mental health Band-Aid station. Thats not what we do. So they should never, ever see the inside of my jail.

Batts himself, who took Sons into custody in Benton County, said law enforcement officers across Mississippi hate to detain people like that. But were told we have to do it. He acknowledged that the facility was substandard to begin with, not having the space and the adequate facilities to hold and monitor someone in that mental state  it just puts everybody in a bad situation. And he said he thought the state could provide alternatives to jail.

Some counties jail most people going through the commitment process for mental illness, Mississippi Today and ProPublica found. Other counties reserve jail for people who are deemed violent or likely to hurt themselves. And at least a handful sometimes jail people committed for substance abuse  even though a 2021 opinion by the states attorney general says that isnt allowed under state law.

This happens because until people are admitted to a state hospital, counties are responsible for covering the costs of the commitment process unless the state provides funding. If a crisis stabilization unit is full or turns someone away, the county must find an alternative, and it must foot the bill.

Counties can place patients in an ER or contract with a psychiatric hospital  and some do  but many officials balk at the cost. Many officials, particularly those in poor, rural counties, see jail as the only option.

You have to put them somewhere to monitor them, said Cindy Austin, chancery clerk in rural Smith County, located in central Mississippi. Chancery clerks are responsible for finding beds for people going through the commitment process. Its not that anybody wants to hold them in jail, its just we have no hospital here to hold them in.

Timothy Gowan, an attorney who adjudicated commitments in Noxubee County from 1999 to late 2020, said people going through the commitment process there generally were jailed if they were determined to be violent and their family didnt want them at home.

According to the Noxubee County jail docket, people going through the civil commitment process with no criminal charges were booked into the jail about 50 times from 2019 to 2022. Ten stays lasted at least 30 days. The longest was 82 days.

Putting a sick person in a jail is a sin, Gowan said. But its the lesser of somebody getting killed.

Some counties rarely hold people in jail  sometimes because a sheriff, chancery judge or other official has taken a stand against it. Rural Neshoba County in central Mississippi pays Alliance, a psychiatric hospital in Meridian, to house patients.

The practice isnt confined to poor, rural counties. DeSoto County, a populous, relatively wealthy county near Memphis, jailed people without charges about 500 times over four years, the most of any of the counties analyzed by Mississippi Today and ProPublica. The median jail stay there was about nine days; the longest was 106.

The state and county recently set aside money to build a crisis stabilization unit  currently, the nearest one is about 40 miles away  but the county and the local community mental health center havent decided on a location, said County Supervisor Mark Gardner.

Some county officials say that keeping people out of jail during the process requires the state to step up. State Rep. Jansen Owen, a Republican from Pearl River County in southern Mississippi who represents people during the commitment process, said he believes counties that spend millions of dollars on fairgrounds and ballparks could find alternatives to jail. But he also sees a need for more state-funded facilities.

You cant just throw it on the counties, he said. Its a state prerogative. And them being held in the jail, I think, is a result of the state kicking the can down the road to the counties.

Wendy Bailey, head of the state Department of Mental Health, said its unacceptable to jail people simply because they may need behavioral health treatment. Department staff have met with chancery clerks around the state to urge them to steer families away from commitment proceedings and toward outpatient services offered by community mental health centers whenever possible.

The Department of Mental Health says it prioritizes people waiting in jail when making admissions to state hospitals. The state has expanded the number of crisis unit beds from 128 in 2018 to 180 today, with plans to add more. And it has increased funding for local services in recent years in an effort to reduce commitments.

But Bailey said the department has no authority to force counties to change course, nor legal responsibility for people going through the commitment process until a judge orders them into treatment at a state psychiatric hospital.

Locked In the Lunacy Zone

Willie McNeeses problems started after he came home to Shuqualak, Mississippi, a town of about 400 people and a lumber mill, in 2007. He had spent a decade in prison starting at age 17.

He found the changes that had taken place  bigger highways, cellphones  overwhelming, said his sister, Cassandra McNeese. He was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Its like a switch  highs and lows, said Willie McNeese, now 43. I might have a whole lot of laughter going on, trying to make the next person laugh. Then my day going down, I be depressed and worried about situations that nobody can change but God.

McNeese has been involuntarily committed in Noxubee County 10 times since 2008 and has been jailed during at least eight of them, one for more than a month in 2019 according to court records and the jail docket. During his most recent commitment starting in March 2022, McNeese was held in jail for a total of 58 days in two stints before eventually going to a state psychiatric hospital.

Cassandra McNeese, left, and her mother, Yvonne A. McNeese, in Shuqualak, Mississippi. Cassandras brother, Willie McNeese, has been held in jail during civil commitment proceedings at least eight times since 2008. Cassandra McNeese said Noxubee County officials told her jail was the only place they had for him to wait. This is who you trust to take care of things, she said. Thats all you have to rely on. Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

From 2019 to 2022, about 1,200 civil commitment jail stays in the 19 counties analyzed by Mississippi Today and ProPublica lasted longer than three days. Thats about how long it can take for people to start to experience withdrawal from a lack of psychiatric medications, which jails dont always provide. About 130 stays lasted more than 30 days.

McNeese said he spent much of his time in jail last year standing near the door of his cell, what jail staff called the Lunacy Zone, screaming to be allowed to take a shower. A jailer tased him to quiet him down, and his clothes were taken from him. For a period, his mattress was taken, too.

Its a way of punishment, he said. They dont handle it like the hospital. If you have a problem in the hospital theyll come with a shot or something, but they dont take your clothes or take your mattress or lock your door on you or nothing like that.

McNeese said he had inconsistent access to medication and received none during his first stay in 2022, which lasted 25 days.

The Noxubee County Sheriffs Department did not respond to questions about McNeeses allegations.

Staff from Community Counseling, the community mental health center where McNeese had regular appointments, could have provided him with medication, but McNeese said no one from the center came to visit him in jail. A therapist at Community Counseling said staff go to the jail only when theyre called, usually when theres a problem jail staff cant handle. Rayfield Evins Jr., the organizations executive director, said when he recently worked in Noxubee, deputies brought people from the jail to his facility for medication and treatment.

Mental health advocates in Mississippi and other people who have been jailed during the commitment process said the limited mental health treatment McNeese received is common.

Mental health care varies widely from jail to jail, and no state agency sets requirements for what care must be provided. Jails can refuse to distribute medications that are controlled substances, which includes anti-anxiety medications like Xanax. The state Department of Mental Health says counties should work with community mental health centers to provide treatment to people waiting in jail as they go through the commitment process.

But those facilities generally dont have the resources to provide services in jails, said Greta Martin, litigation director for Disability Rights Mississippi.

Martins organization, one of those charged by Congress with advocating for people with disabilities in each state, investigates county jails when it receives complaints. We are not seeing any indication that these individuals are getting any mental health treatment while they are being held in these county facilities, she said.

McNeese said those jail stays added physical discomfort and pain to the delusions that got him committed in the first place. Then you get to the mental hospital  they have to straighten you all the way back over again, he said.

Since being released from the state hospital last year, McNeese said, he has been doing well. He is now living in Cincinnati with his wife.

Scott Willoughby, the program director at South Mississippi State Hospital in Purvis, said it can be hard to earn patients trust when they arrive at the psychiatric hospital from jail.

At his facility, patients sleep two to a room in a hall decorated with photographs of nature scenes. Group counseling sessions are often held outside under a gazebo. In between, patients draw and paint during recreational therapy.

Willoughby has spoken with patients who had attempted suicide and were shocked to find themselves in jail as a result.

People tend to associate jail with punishment, which is exactly the opposite of what a person needs when theyre in a mental health crisis, he said. Jail can be traumatic and stigmatizing.

Im More Scared of Myself

When Sons learned that he was going to be booked, he became anxious about being locked in a cell, Batts testified. So he was assigned to an area of the jail reserved for trusties  inmates who are allowed to work, sometimes outside the jail, while they serve their sentences.

On the afternoon of his first day in jail, Sons was sitting on his bed when a trusty named Donnie Richmond returned from work. Richmond said in a deposition that he asked a deputy who the new guy was.

You better watch him, Richmond recalled the deputy telling him. He kind of off a little bit.

Richmond offered Sons a cigarette and cookies and asked him why he was there. Sons took a cigarette and told Richmond the deputies had said he would hurt someone.

He was like, Man, Im going to be honest with you, Richmond testified. I aint going to hurt no one. Im more scared of myself, of hurting myself.

Sons was not placed on suicide watch. The jails suicide prevention policy applied only to those who had attempted suicide in the jail, although attorneys for the jail officials in the lawsuit over his death said there was an unwritten policy to closely monitor people going through the commitment process.

An excerpt of the Benton County Sheriffs Departments suicide prevention policy at the time of Sons death Obtained by Mississippi Today

That evening, Sons told a jailer he was feeling anxious around the other men. He asked to be moved to a cell by himself.

A guard took him to a cinder block cell with no windows. There was no television and nothing to read. He was given a blanket.

A security camera in Sons cell was supposed to allow jail staff to watch him at all times. But jail officials said in depositions that no one noticed anything unusual the next morning.

At 11:28 a.m., Sons rose from his bunk bed, walked to the door and placed his ear near it. He went back to his bunk, fashioned a noose and tied it around his neck. He sat there for three minutes before hanging himself, according to a narrative of the video in court records.

He stopped moving just before 11:38 a.m. A trusty serving lunch peeked through a tray opening in the door 48 minutes later and saw his body.

The door of the Benton County Jail cell where Sons was held Obtained by Mississippi Today

Sons father sued Benton County, the sheriff and several of his employees over his death. The defendants denied in court filings that they were responsible, but the countys insurance company eventually settled the case for an undisclosed sum. (All thats publicly known is that the county paid a $25,000 policy deductible toward defense costs.)

Sheriffs department staff said in depositions they had kept an eye on Sons, but they couldnt watch the video feed constantly. Lawyers for the defendants said there was no evidence sheriffs department employees knew someone could kill himself in the way Sons did.

Sheriff A. A. McMullen, who is no longer in office, acknowledged in a deposition that any mental commitment is a suicide risk, but he said he wasnt sure it would have made a difference if Sons had been placed on suicide watch.

You could write up the biggest policy in the world and you couldnt prevent it. Theres no way. God knows, you know, it hurts us, he said. If theyre going to do it, theyre going to do it.

McMullen couldnt be reached for comment for this story.

In an interview, jail administrator Kristy ODell, who joined the department after Sons died, said the jail still holds two or three people going through the commitment process each month.

John S. Farese, an attorney for Benton County, told Mississippi Today and ProPublica that the county, like others, does the best they can do with the resources they have to abide by the laws regarding commitments. He said the sheriff and the county will try to adapt to any changes in the law while still being mindful of our limited personnel and financial resources. He declined to comment on the specifics of the Sons case, which he didnt work on.

Murray, Sons mother, was at a grocery store around noon the day her son died. As she picked out a watermelon, she thought about him, a fitness buff who loved fruits and vegetables. A strange thought crossed her mind: Jimmys never going to eat watermelon again.

When she got home, she got the call that he was gone.

John Sons, Jimmys half-brother, wrote in a text to Mississippi Today and ProPublica that the family is left with complete and total guilt for putting him in the prison and always the wonder if we would not have done that move, if he would be with us today.

But Richmond, the trusty who briefly shared a cell with Sons, testified that it was jail staff who messed up.

He hung himself, Richmond said. I say this. God forgive me if Im wrong. We couldnt have saved that man from killing himself, but we could have saved that man from hanging himself in that jail.

Do you have a story to share about someone who went through the civil commitment process in Mississippi? Contact Isabelle Taft at itaft@mississippitoday.org or call her at 601-691-4756.

How we reported this story

No one in Mississippi has ever comprehensively tracked the number of people jailed at any point during the civil commitment process, according to interviews with dozens of state and county officials.

Last year, the state Department of Mental Health released, for the first time, a tally of people who were admitted to a state hospital directly from jail following civil commitment proceedings. The department tracked 734 placements in fiscal year 2022. (Under a law that takes effect this year, every county must regularly report to the department data regarding how often people are held in jail both before and after their commitment hearings.)

But that figure understates the scope of commitments. It doesnt include people who were sent places other than a state hospital for treatment or who were released without being treated, and it counts only the time people spent in jail after their hearings. People can be jailed for 12 days before a commitment hearing, or longer if a county doesnt follow the law.

County jail dockets can provide a more comprehensive picture, so Mississippi Today and ProPublica requested them from 80 of Mississippis 82 counties. Seventeen counties provided dockets that clearly marked bookings related to civil commitments  with notes including writ to take custody, mental writ and lunacy. In two more counties, we reviewed dockets in person.

Many counties didnt respond, said their records were available only on paper or declined to provide records. Some cited a 2007 opinion by the state attorney general that sheriffs may choose not to enter the names of people detained during civil commitment proceedings onto their jail dockets.

After cleaning and standardizing the data from the dockets, we counted the number of jail stays involving civil commitments in which the person was not booked for a criminal charge on the same day. (We ended up excluding about 750 civil commitments for that reason.) If the dockets provided booking and release dates, we calculated the duration of jail stays.

Our count of commitments includes those for both mental illness and substance abuse. None of the jail dockets specified which commitment process people were going through, although some county officials said they dont jail people committed for substance abuse and havent for years.

State laws regarding commitment for mental illness and substance abuse are different, but in many counties they were handled similarly until late 2021. Thats when the Mississippi attorney generals office said state law didnt allow people going through the drug and alcohol commitment process to be jailed.

To identify deaths of individuals held in jail during the civil commitment process, we reviewed news articles and federal court records. We also reviewed nearly 90 investigations of jail deaths from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Most of the deaths had not previously been publicly reported.

For our survey of practices in other states, we contacted agencies overseeing mental health and disability advocacy organizations in every state and Washington, D.C. We received responses from one or the other in every location, and we received responses from both in 33. We also searched for news reports of similar cases in other states.
The family of a Marine killed in Afghanistan was not asked to pay tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover the costs of shipping her body to Virginia for military burial, contrary to reports circulated by Republican congressmen this week.

Individuals connected to the controversy said the issue stems from a charity groups efforts to provide extra assistance to the family of Sgt. Nicole Gee, who was killed in the Aug. 26, 2021 terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. Her body was transported by military officials back to California for memorial services.

But shortly thereafter, Gees remains were moved again to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia for final burial. Costs of a private flight for her casket and remains were covered by Honoring Our Fallen, a non-profit group which provides support to military families.

Slain Marine who cradled baby at Kabul airport loved her job

Following a meeting last week with Gees family and relatives of other fallen service members, Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla. and an Army veteran, told Fox News he was outraged that Gees family faced a heavy financial burden after her death to handle transportation costs. In a letter to Pentagon leaders days later, Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., blasted military leaders for leaving the family with $60,000 in unpaid bills related to the burial.

But Pentagon officials told the Sacramento Bee they had no record of any such cost for the family, and officials from Honoring Our Fallen said the family was not refused transportation of Gees body from California to Virginia.

Laura Herzog, founder and CEO of the group, said in a statement that no monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. Instead, the group offered Gees family private transportation instead of commercial options that would have been available through the Defense Department.

Christy Shamblin, Gees mother-in-law, in an interview with Task & Purpose on Wednesday said that family members were not denied any aid or asked to pay for any transportation costs.

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I think that we got the information that thats how much it was going to cost, and the private non-profit just stepped in and took over from there, she told Task & Purpose.

Mills office did not return requests for comment on the confusion over the transportation issues.

Gees death and the deaths of 12 other American service members have become a contentious political issue in recent years, with Republican lawmakers accusing President Joe Bidens administration of creating unsafe conditions outside the airport during their push to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

Gee, 23, was serving with a Female Engagement Team to help evacuation of women and children from Afghanistan at the time of her death.
As a mother was at her 13-year-old sons chemotherapy treatment, she learned two people were trying to break into her home.

The mom, from Louisville, Kentucky, said the Monday, July 24, attempted break-in happened after her husbands truck was stolen from his work in nearby Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Security cameras at the home show one of the two suspects try to open a door, but he was unsuccessful. Amber ONeils 15-year-old child and her dogs were inside.

I was traumatized racing to my house (because) the 911 dispatch operator told me no one was available to help, ONeil said in a July 25 Facebook post. I begged her for 20+ minutes to help. I arrived on scene at the same time (Louisville police) did. Thankfully they didnt get in our house & my neighbor helped.

They didnt make it inside, but the two suspects gained entry into the garage. Police said they stole more than $1,000 worth of property, after having already stolen the truck the same day.

Officers identified them as Thomas Alexander and Sumer Browning, both 29. Police said in a citation the pair may have used registration paperwork in the truck to find the home.

Theyre bold, ONeil told WDRB. Who would think, Im gonna steal your car and then go to your house within a matter of an hour.

The two were arrested after ONeil shared video of the suspects on her Facebook page.

Jail records show Alexander and Browning were booked into the Louisville jail Wednesday afternoon. They were charged with receiving stolen property and third-degree burglary, records show.

ONeil said their truck was recovered but was placed on a police hold.

The ONeils 13-year-old son, Jeremiah, is undergoing treatment for Ewing sarcoma. The family has chronicled his journey on the Jeremiahs Army group on Facebook.

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The father of a 7-year-old boy who disappeared at Eastwood MetroPark in April, prompting two weeks of searches before his body was found in the Great Miami River, was arrested in Cleveland Wednesday.

Augustine Rosales, 48, has been accused of rape under 13, sexual battery, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, News Center 7 previously reported.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Father of boy who disappeared at local park in April accused of sexual assault

Rosales was arrested around 12:45 p.m. by the U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team and Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, according to a media release.

Police were called out to Rosales address on Wellmeier Avenue in Dayton earlier this month on a sexual assault complaint. The person who called in the complaint told police a 14-year-old victim, who is known to Rosales, had said he had sexually assaulted her and had been doing so for two years, according to an affidavit and statement of facts.

>> Inmate who escaped from correctional center in Warren County captured

News Center 7 spoke to Rosales at the same home address listed for him in court records in May when officials were searching for his missing son, Lucas Rosales.

Protecting children is a top priority of the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners. Those accused of sexually assaulting children have nowhere to hide in Ohio Michael D. Black, united states marshal for the southern district of Ohio said.

Rosales has been booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail and now awaits extradition to Montgomery County for his court appearance.
Photo: The Canadian Press Officials who run a summer camp north of Montreal for Ukrainian children say one of its signs has been vandalized with pro-Russian graffiti as shown in this image provided by Evgeni Dashkevich. A photo shows the Camp Ste-Sophie sign vandalized with graffiti spelling the words "Russia" and "Wagner" -- the name of the Russia-affiliated paramilitary group active in the invasion of Ukraine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Evgeni Dashkevich

Officials who run a summer camp north of Montreal for Ukrainian children say one of its signs has been vandalized with pro-Russian graffiti.

A photo shows the Camp Ste-Sophie sign vandalized with graffiti spelling the words "Russia" and "Wagner"  the name of the Russia-affiliated paramilitary group active in the invasion of Ukraine.

Also written on the sign at the entrance of the camp was the letter "Z," a symbol found on tanks and other Russian military equipment in the Ukrainian war theatre.

Simon Kouklewsky, vice-president of the Montreal-based parish that oversees the camp, says a parish member alerted him to the vandalism last Saturday and that camp officials reported the discovery to Quebec provincial police.

Rev. Archpriest Volodymyr Kouchnir, who leads the parish, says no children were present at the time the vandalism was discovered because the camp, located in Chertsey, Que., is being renovated.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is calling the vandalism an act of hate against the community.

Provincial police were not immediately available for comment.
WASHINGTON  Two brothers, both military veterans, were arrested by the FBI this week and charged with federal felonies after online sleuths identified them as rioters who had broken into the Capitol and squared off with police during the Jan. 6 attack.

The Justice Department alleges that one of the brothers, William Bierbrodt, is the man who had been dubbed #CrowbarBeardGuy because he used what looked like a crowbar to smash a window and break open a door near the Senate parliamentarian's office. Online investigators later realized he had used a cane.

Video from Jan. 6, 2021, appears to show Bierbrodt missing part of his right foot and using a knee scooter to ascend a ramp at the Capitol before he smashes the window with a cane and goes inside, at times using the wall for support as he confronts police. Court documents said Bierbrodt had a foot injury and "a scooter to assist in mobility."

Joseph Bierbrodt followed his brother and shoved a man who appeared to be a security officer up against a wall before he confronted officers farther inside the building, other video from that day appears to show. Video also appears to show both men were pepper-sprayed and soon went outside the building to recover but remained at the Capitol for hours and confronted officers on the other side of the building as night fell.

Joseph Bierbrodt, left, and William Bierbrodt at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois)

William Marty Bierbrodt and Joseph Eric Bierbrodt were identified by members of a community known as Sedition Hunters, who have aided in the arrests of hundreds of Capitol rioters who have been charged and have identified hundreds more who have not yet been arrested.

Online sleuths shared their information about the Bierbrodts with NBC News on the condition that it not be used until the two brothers were arrested. Online court records showed Joseph was arrested in Illinois and William in Florida.

William Bierbrodt faces charges of obstruction of a law enforcement officer during civil disorder, along with a number of misdemeanors. Joseph Bierbrodt, who appears to push a man resembling a Capitol security officer against the wall, faces charges of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and assault on a federal officer.

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Man shatters Capitol window, moments before people storm through it pic.twitter.com/xeOu21LYN9  Lisa Bennatan (@LisaBennatan) January 6, 2021

Joseph Bierbrodt, as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, received an award for leadership, patriotism and selfless devotion in 2018 after he escorted the daughter of an Army sergeant who died in training the previous year to a father-daughter dance. News of the escort got national media attention at the time, including from NBCs "TODAY" show.

A Parler account under William Bierbrodts name and featuring his image posted violent rhetoric in the lead-up to Jan. 6, including a comment that said that all the Obama cronies should be taken tied to a stack and shot in the head.

Public defenders for the two brothers did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

About 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, and hundreds more have been identified to the FBI but not yet arrested.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and several other agencies are currently searching a Newton County property relating to the disappearance of a 19-year-old woman seven years ago.

Morgan Bauer vanished two weeks after she moved to Atlanta from South Dakota in February 2016. She was last seen near a park in Porterdale before she vanished two weeks later.

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Police said Thursday afternoon that they have uncovered items of evidentiary value on the grounds of a historic mansion known locally as the Porter House on South Broad Street.

NewsChopper 2 was over the scene, where there were several tents set up in a wooded area near a large home. Police released video of FBI agents slowly combing the property in grid formation.

Police said a new search warrant was issued based on new details that recently came to light.

TRENDING STORIES:

Investigators said Morgan Bauer was reported missing by her mother on Feb. 12, 2017 after she flew into Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

The last contact friends and family had with Bauer was on Feb. 25.

She had left work in Gainesville and was not heard from again, Sgt. Michael Anthony Walden with the Porterdale Police said. Over time information becomes clearer and locations become clearer.

In an exclusive interview with Channel 2 Action News in 2017, Bauers mother, Sherri Sichmeller, said her daughter left their small town in search of a new, independent life. She had $20 to her name and was expecting a tax refund when she flew to Atlanta. Her plans didnt work out.

She was planning on staying with somebody that she had talked to on Craigslist, said Sichmeller, who added the agreement included cleaning house for the roommates until Bauer got a job.

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The arrangement lasted all of one night, Sichmeller said. Text message conversations between Bauer and her best friend indicated a falling out of sorts between the roommates.

From what I understand shed left her clothes there because she didnt know what to do, said Sichmeller. And then she went to go try to find a place to stay, a hotel, and thats what brought her to dancing.

While Atlanta police would not describe the workplace, they confirmed Bauer worked briefly in Hall County in mid-February. A Waffle House employee off Cheshire Bridge Road in Atlanta said she spoke with Morgan, who was a regular customer. The girl, she said, claimed to be a dancer at the Teasers Gentlemans Club across the street.

You know, like I said, we dont (often) see Caucasian women over there at that club, and I asked her if she was dancing or bartending and she said that she was dancing over there, said Kandice Avery.

On Thursday, Channel 2s Audrey Washington was able to confirm that some people reported seeing Bauer in the Porterdale area before she vanished.

The Porterdale Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, Peoria, Illinois Police Department, Newton County Sheriffs Office and Newton County District Attorneys Office are all assisting the FBI in the investigation.

Washington asked why police from Illinois were involved in the investigation.

I dont have the specifics, nor can I mention it at this time because its an ongoing development at this time, Walden said.




An ominous sight has appeared in downtown Phoenix, where temperatures Wednesday were expected to top 110 degrees for a 27th straight day  refrigerated containers capable of holding bodies.

Ten of the 8-by-20-foot coolers were trucked in this week to a parking lot near the office of the Maricopa County medical examiner, a county official confirmed.

While we typically see a surge in intakes in July, this year has been worse than prior years, said Jason Berry, a Maricopa County spokesman.

The M.E.s office has what Berry called "standard capacity," which means room to store 224 bodies. And it has "surge capacity," which means extra space can be carved out to hold up to 358 bodies, he said.

"Right now we're between standard capacity and surge capacity, so we thought it would be prudent to bring in the refrigerated containers as a precaution," Berry said.

Firefighters from Phoenix Fire Engine 18 start a breathing treatment for a resident having trouble breathing during a heat wave in Phoenix on July 20, 2023. (Caitlin O'Hara / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

No bodies are being stored in those containers now, Berry said.

The M.E.'s office has recorded 25 "heat-associated deaths" this year, and 249 are still under investigation.

Five of the victims were people whose bodies were found inside residences with air conditioners that either weren't working or weren't turned on, the M.E.'s report shows. The rest succumbed to the blistering heat while outside.

The vast majority were ages 50 and older, the M.E.'s office said  32% were 75 and older.

Asked who they were, Berry said that "the deceased who are brought into the medical examiner's office are typically people whose deaths are considered suspicious or who die under unique circumstances, like heat-related deaths."

A number of those "were likely people who experienced homelessness," Berry said. "I have also heard anecdotally about hikers who went out hiking without being fully prepared for high heat."

Image: Tucson police officers tend to an unhoused deceased person whose body temperature was 102 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of discovery at Estevan Park in Tucson (Rebecca Noble / AFP - Getty Images)

Last year at this time, the M.E. had recorded 38 confirmed heat-related deaths. But the first was reported in March 2022, a whole month before the first such death was recorded this year, according to the M.E.'s report.

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It isn't the first time the M.E.'s office has leased refrigerated containers, Berry said. When Covid was surging through Phoenix last summer, 10 of the units were brought in to store the bodies of pandemic victims.

The fiberglass containers were leased from Polar Leasing, an Indiana-based company with affiliates across the country. It didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

There's no relief for Phoenix from the 100-plus temperatures, according to the latest seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

"Phoenix may get a break this upcoming Monday," NBC News meteorologist Kathryn Prociv wrote in an email. "Weve been tracking their streak of days 110+ as the heatwave benchmark, but the forecast on Monday is to dip below that threshold which would snap their ongoing heatwave by current standards."

There's also, according to the NWS, a 50% chance that residents could get something this weekend that they haven't seen in months  rain.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(photo: The Bureau of Indian Affairs)

On July 26th, the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC) wrapped up its final stop on a seven-city nationwide tour gathering testimony from Native Americans affected by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis.

This weeks hearing took place in Billings, Montana, where Tribal officials, Native leaders, law enforcement and government officials convened for a panel discussion and to bear witness to testimony from MMIP survivors and family members. The hearing was also live streamed.

The hearing opened with a prayer and moment of silence, followed by an invitation for those in attendance to speak the name of a missing or murdered loved one. Names were spoken aloud for ten minutes.

Among those testifying was Carrisa Heavyrunner, whose 22-year-old daughter Mika Westwolf (Blackfeet) was killed in a hit-and-run on March 31 on Highway 93 near Arlee, Montana. Despite the Montana Highway Patrol identifying the driver as Sunny K. White, no arrests have been made in Westwolfs death.

Heavyrunner told Billings news station NonStop Local that the lack of urgency from law enforcement is slowing healing for Native American communities affected by the MMIP crisis.

You cant heal if youre not able to be seen and be heard, Heavyrunner said. Thats why I wanted to help these women share their stories about their loved ones that they lost We gotta keep Mikas name and other MMIP families and victims out there because everyone tends to forget things so easily nowadays. Weve gotta keep the momentum going.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Native women living on reservations are murdered at a rate ten times higher than the national average. Lack of jurisdictional clarity, lack of collaboration between law enforcement bodies, and systemic apathy have led to thousands of unsolved cases in Indian Country. While there is no comprehensive data on MMIP, the Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates there are 4,200 unsolved MMIP cases have gone unsolved. The oldest MMIP case profile on the BIAs public MMIP database dates back to 1969.

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Montana is home to twelve Tribal Nations and ranks among the states with the highest number of MMIPs in the nation, according to a report from the Urban Indian Health Institute.

The 37-person Not Invisible Act Commission was launched in 2020 by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo). The commission is tasked with developing recommendations on improving intergovernmental collaboration on violent crimes in Indian Country and providing resources for survivors and victims families. Information and testimony gathered at the hearings will be part of the commissions final report to Secretary Haaland, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Congress in October.

The commission will hold a nationwide virtual hearing on Aug. 1 and 2. Registration for the hearing can be found here.

About the Author: "Elyse Wild is senior editor for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. "

Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com
A federal judge Tuesday temporarily blocked a Mississippi law restricting the groups of people permitted to assist voters with casting their absentee ballots.

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate barred Mississippi officials from applying the law in the states primary elections next month and general elections in November and required that the Mississippi secretary of state help with the dissemination of information to the public about the courts order.

The law, which went into effect July 1, restricts people from delivering another persons ballot unless they are an election worker, a member of the U.S. Postal Service, a common carrier, or a family member, household member or caregiver to the person.

Disability Rights Mississippi, the League of Women Voters of Mississippi and three Mississippi voters sued state officials in late May, alleging that the law violates the Voting Rights Act. Under the 1965 law, those who need assistance with voting due to physical disabilities, blindness or language barriers have a right to seek help from any person they want.

Wingate took particular issue with the laws unclear definition of terms, such as caregiver, family member and household member.

The statutes prohibition, which requires criminal penalties, and the statutes unclear definition of key terms promise to deter otherwise lawful assistors from providing necessary aid to a vulnerable population, the judge wrote in Tuesdays order.

An estimated one in five adults, more than 850,000 people, in Mississippi suffer from a disability. In the 2000 elections, over 100,000 Mississippians voted absentee by mail, he added. This court is sorely concerned with the effect of this statute upon these voters, due to the statutes broad and vague nature.

Wingate suggested that the lack of data on ballot harvesting  the purported aim of the legislation  could have contributed to the lack of clarity.

When questioned by this court, Defendants were unable to provide any data illustrating whether Mississippi has a widespread ballot harvesting problem, he said. Seemingly, no fact-findings or committee-finding investigations or legislative committee inquiries have focused upon this perceived threat. This may explain why the definitional approach of the statute is so barren.

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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), one of several groups working on the case, touted the ruling as a huge win for voters in Mississippi on Wednesday.

We are pleased that voters with a disability or language barrier can continue receiving assistance with their ballot, the same way that they have in past elections, Ming Cheung, a staff attorney with the ACLUs Voting Rights Project, said in a statement.

Rather than making voting harder, Mississippi should pass legislation to expand opportunities for voting so that all citizens can participate in their democracy, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Amr Alfiky/Reuters

Campaign finance charges against fallen FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried will be dropped, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Bankman-Fried was slapped with charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and campaign finance violations in December after the crumbling of FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange. That month, he was extradited to the United States from the Bahamas, where his company was based.

But in a Wednesday court filing, prosecutors said officials in the Bahamas didnt intend to extradite him on the campaign finance charges.

In keeping with its treaty obligations to the Bahamas, the government does not intend to proceed to trial on the campaign contributions count, prosecutors said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan.

Authorities had alleged Bankman-Fried used about $90 million of FTX customer deposits to donate to hundreds of political campaigns and PACs.

Bankman-Fried was a major backer of the Democratic Party, donating $46.5 million in 2022. But he also claimed to be the second or third biggest donor to Republicans that year.

All my Republican donations were dark, he told YouTuber Tiffany Fong. The reason was not for regulatory reasons, its because reporters freak the fuck out if you donate to Republicans. Theyre all super liberal, and I didnt want to have that fight.

Prosecutors had alleged that Bankman-Fried had made political contributions in other peoples names in violation of campaign finance laws.

Wednesdays news was a rare win for Bankman-Fried, whos been peeving the court and his prosecutors lately with his antics amid a laundry list of serious charges.

Last week, he was accused of paying his legal bills with misappropriated funds and leaking his ex-girlfriends diary to The New York Times in an attempt to discredit her as a witness. Prosecutors asked Judge Kaplan to lock him up immediately, saying he had crossed a line with the media stunt.

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In June, Judge Kaplan slapped down Bankman-Frieds effort to have most of his criminal charges dropped, calling the arguments either moot or without merit. Bankman-Fried had ticked off the judge earlier when he used a VPN to watch the Super Bowl, losing access to the broader internet as a result.

Bankman-Fried is still facing seven charges at his October trial. Prosecutors withdrew five other charges back in June but intend to pursue those in a second trial.

He could face dozens of years in prison.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A convicted felon was arrested Monday for shooting a gun from a moving vehicle in Rome.

According to Rome police, Jaquavious Jaquail Carter, 22, was standing up through a vehicles sunroof as he shot the gun at around 1 p.m. on Friday, July 21 as it was being driven on E. 14th Street at Spring Creek Street in Rome.

Police say he shot into the air.

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It is unclear if anyone was injured by the shot.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Carter that same day after receiving information from a witness.

Carter is a convicted felon and is prohibited from having any firearms.

He was arrested on Monday, July 24.

Carter faces a misdemeanor charge of discharging a firearm near a highway and a felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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Robert Chelsea, 72, the first African American to receive a full face transplant (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)

Robert Chelsea waited with his sister to be seated at a restaurant in Los Angeles. It was his first time going out to eat since he awoke from a six-month coma  and it would be years before he would receive a rare face transplant.

He looks like a zombie, a little boy in the restaurant screamed as he ran behind his embarrassed father.

Chelsea laughed it off; he had become used to people being afraid of him or turning their heads away because of his appearance.

Ten years ago this August, he was driving home from church when his car overheated on a freeway in Los Angeles. He pulled over to the side and called roadside assistance. As he waited in his car, a drunk driver rammed into him. Chelsea's car exploded in flames, changing his life forever.

My skin is exposed and can burn in the sunlight because I dont have that outer dermis, he said. When its warm, my body gets super hot. Same with the cold. I had no lips and could not go into any body of water because I would drown.

Doctors advised Chelsea, who now had to drink liquids with a syringe, that plastic surgery could protect his mouth.

Four years ago in July, at age 68, he became the first African American and the oldest person to receive a full face transplant. He has dedicated the last decade to advocating for people with disabilities through his nonprofit, the Robert Chelsea Foundation.

I was in an accident, but someone was born that way, he said. I advocate for our disabled diaspora to raise awareness and the support that needs to come with it.

Chelsea has spoken at conferences and medical schools about the importance of diversity in the medical field and of the disparities in treatment people of color may experience as patients. He also speaks at middle and high schools to encourage children to be more accepting of others with disabilities.

I share what I look like with my burned legs, face and arms, he said. Some of their peers may look like that too underneath their clothing, and they shouldnt tease others because they dont know what they went through.

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Chelsea has maintained a positive outlook since the crash, but the changes were sometimes difficult for his family to process.

Ebony, his daughter, recalls receiving news of her father's accident 10 years ago. She was at the home of her mother  Chelsea's ex-wife  when she was bombarded by multiple incoming calls from an unknown number.

When she answered, police said they had been trying to get in touch about her father. She was a college student in her early 20s at the time. She racked her brain for a reason for the calls and thought, I dont have any money.

Ebony Chelsea feared police were contacting her to bail out her father. But what they told her was much worse.

Her father had fallen into a coma after a fiery crash on the freeway. I started screaming, she said.

She, her mother and his sister immediately went to Norwalk Hospital, where Chelsea was in intensive care. They arrived about midnight and waited in the lobby until around 6 a.m. before doctors allowed them to see him.

As they walked down the hallway, they caught a glimpse through the door. He was wrapped in white tape from head to toe like a mummy, Ebony Chelsea said. He had medical boots on to protect his burned feet.

It was just like watching a movie but worse because it was a real moment, she said.

Family members, often in tears, visited Chelsea in the hospital while he was in the coma, his daughter said. She never liked hospitals, and now they felt especially traumatizing. She began avoiding them entirely.

She would wait in the lobby or the car when Everick Brown visited Chelsea, his godfather. Brown said the visits were sometimes overwhelming, with Chelsea "attached to a million different machines."

But when he spoke to him or played music, Chelsea's heart rate would elevate. Brown persuaded Ebony Chelsea to join them during visits because her voice would comfort her dad.

Chelsea awakened from the coma after six months and went to live with his sister in Victorville for almost four years until he was able to live on his own. His daughter frequently visited and helped him as he attempted to eat with his damaged mouth and drink through a syringe.

He was upbeat through it all.

I couldn't believe it, his daughter said. How do you go into this with such positive energy? I didn't see any joy in it at all.

But for Chelsea it was a spiritual transformation. "God saw fit to let me have this experience," he said.

The surgery would protect his mouth, but it had broader ramifications in a systemically racist medical system.

Black Americans made up the largest minority group of people in need of an organ transplant in 2021, but were less likely to receive a donation compared with white patients on the waiting list, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .

Read more: Nonprofit that leads organ recovery in SoCal could be jeopardized by poor rankings

And the wait for a donor was longer for Chelsea than it had been for other patients because doctors needed to match his skin tone.

Once a donor was found, the procedure was not as easy as snapping on a "mask," Chelsea said. "You're putting in another chin, another pair of cheeks, a set of lips, a nose. All of those parts of the face have different reactions, he said.

Partial facial transplants are not common and full-face procedures even less so. Chelsea knew of the unique challenges he would face because of his race if he underwent the surgery. Medical journals note that signs of organ rejection can be a pink face or blue lips, but these symptoms may not be obvious in people of color.

It is one of the reasons Chelsea advocates for diversity in the medical field.

Most physicians are white, and they are used to looking at white patients, he said. They wouldnt know what to look for in me  my mother, brother and sister would, but they dont have a seat at the table.

Chelsea received the transplant in July 2019 at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. The surgery was performed by more than 45 medical staffers and lasted about 16 hours. It was the 15th successful face transplant in the country.

It was scary at first for me to see, his daughter said of her reaction to his new appearance. Even now when I look at him its like I dont know him, but then he opens his mouth and tells me what do, and Im like, OK, Dad. Hes still Robert.

Chelsea now lives in an apartment in a senior living community. He regularly has speech, physical and occupational therapy. He takes 12 to 14 medications a day, he said. Medical bills are expensive, and he has launched a GoFundMe to offset some of the costs. But hes grateful for his new outlook.

It may look like I need to have some regrets because Im all bruised up and grafted, he said. "I certainly wouldn't have chosen this route, but Ive been treated too well to have any regrets.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Tucked away in the scenic mountains of Malibu, California, along the Mulholland Highway sits a parcel of land with a rich  and depressing  history that has to do with a towering figure in the world of architecture.

Once upon a time, there was a retreat built by Frank Lloyd Wright sitting on the 100 acres of land that is now listed for $7.45 million  one that happened to be the only home the famous architect built in the area, the New York Post reports.

And its easy to see why it was so beloved considering the views.

Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned by Arch and Eleanor Oboler to design their Malibu residence, the listing on The Agency says. Named Eaglefeather, their home was designed to embrace the land featuring the use of wood and Wrights desert stone rubble masonry. It included a main house, pool, retreat, film studio, stables, paddock and childrens wing.

According to the listing, the originally planned main house was never built, but the gatehouse and Eleanors Retreat were. Disaster struck the compound in November 2018 when the Woolsey Fire ravaged through the Santa Monica mountains and burned almost 100,000 acres. The fire was considered to have burned more acres in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area than any other fire in recorded history, the National Park Service said.

A new owner can step in and rebuild on the land, which comes complete with a functioning well, three septic systems, solar system and a pond, the listing says. One could either begin anew or try their hand at recreating the Wright refuge.

Wright was known for changing the way we build and live, according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and had a long career. He was considered the greatest American architect of all time by the American Institute of Architects.

Stunning mansion for sale in Illinois has chic underground tunnel. See where it leads
As South Florida, like much of the nation, sweats through a record-breaking hot summer, President Joe Biden on Thursday announced steps to help American workers stay safe in extreme heat. Local advocates say these moves dont go far enough to protect workers.

The region has seen more heat advisories and dangerously hot days than ever before, and ocean temperatures have reached heights that are deadly for coral reefs and fish. At least one farm worker in Homestead has died from the unprecedented summer heat.

Ocean temperatures near Miami are like stepping in a hot tub. It just topped 100 degrees. 100 degrees! Biden said during a press conference about his administrations action plan. Thats more like jumping in a hot tub than jumping in an ocean to ride a wave.

Bidens protections for Americans from extreme heat include directing the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct even more inspections of potentially dangerous work sites, like farms and construction sites, as well as stricter enforcement of heat safety violations.

I dont know why it took them so long to do this, but they need to act quicker because things are only getting worse, said Yvette Cruz, a spokesperson for the Florida Farmworker Association.

Last week, the Farmworker Association held a vigil for a 29-year-old man who died while picking fruit on a Homestead farm on July 6, in the middle of a record-breaking streak of hot summer weather in South Florida.

Bidens actions may step up the pace of existing protections in Florida, but Miami-Dade County is on track to institute some of the strictest heat protections statewide, a first U.S. county-level standard for worker safety on hot days.

Already, climate change has made South Floridas hottest days more common, and scientists expect the trend to continue as long as countries keep pumping more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

This has been the worst summer so far and I dont want next summer to be even worse, Cruz said. I fear for more lives. Were only in July, and we still have August and September to go. Im not looking forward to more deaths.

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In recent years, OSHA has fined several Florida employers over the deaths of their employees from extreme heat. The most recent was an unnamed 28-year-old man who died on his first day of work at C.W. Hendrix Farms in Parkland. The farm operator was fined about $15,000 in connection with the workers fatality.

Biden also directed the labor department to issue heat hazard alerts whenever temperatures get high, reminding workers that they have some federal protections from extreme heat and offering employers tips how to keep their workers safe.

We should be protecting workers from hazardous conditions, and we will, the president said. In those states that dont, Im going to be calling them out for refusing to protect those workers.

Jose Delgado Soto, 74, center, a member of WeCount! and a farmworker who suffered two heat strokes, reacts after after attending a press conference outside of Government Center on May 15, 2023, in downtown Miami. The event was held to announce the start of the heat season throughout Miami-Dade County.

The federal government does not explicitly require employers to provide water, rest and shade on hot days to workers, but advocates have been pushing OSHA to formalize those rules, a process that began in 2021.

A Texas lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Greg Casar, led an 8-hour protest in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to highlight the lack of protections for outdoor workers in high heat. He  and other advocacy groups  encouraged OSHA to hurry up and announce the nationwide heat standard it has had in the works for years.

The protest followed a Monday letter from more than 100 members of Congress calling on the labor department to speed implementation of the heat standard, which would likely require employers to provide water, rest and shade for workers on hot days. Attorneys general from several states, including New York, California and Illinois  not Florida  also sent a similar letter earlier this year.

With federal protections lacking, that means workers rely on a patchwork of state protections, which vary greatly.

Most states, including Florida, do not have explicit heat protections on the books for workers. Only a few states  including California, Oregon and Minnesota  have formal protections that require workers be given water, rest and shade on hot days.

This summer, Texas overrode city-level policies mandating that outdoor workers be given water and breaks on hot days  part of a state bill blocking all local laws that dont match up with a state law critics have dubbed the Death Star bill.

Floridas attempts to pass a bill that only recommended such protections, with no penalties for failing to do so, failed without passing for the last three years running.

Aaron McElwain, 13, drinks some water after riding his scooter at Haulover Skateboard Park on June 14, 2023, in Miami Beach. That day Miami-Dade County issued a heat advisory for residents after the National Weather Service estimated the heat index would reach between 105 and 108 degrees.

Oscar Londono, co-executive director of WeCount!, an advocacy group that represents outdoor workers and has been pushing Miami-Dade County to draft the first county-level heat protections in the country, called Bidens announcement a step in the right direction. But, he said in a statement, these actions are too small for the scale of this crisis and will not be enough to save lives.

Londono called on the federal government to create specific rules requiring companies to give workers water and shaded breaks on hot days and to increase staffing at OSHA to enforce those rules. He also called on the White House to make sure heat protections are enforced on federal contracts and called on local governments to create their own heat standards.

We do not need any more alerts or advisories, he wrote. We need to listen to workers and take bold action now.

Miami-Dade County took the first step toward creating its own heat protections for outdoor workers on July 18.

Commissioners Kionne McGhee and Marleine Bastien introduced a heat standard bill that would require companies to train their workers on how to recognize the signs of heat illness and administer first aid in an emergency. The bill also would require employers to give their workers water and 10-minute breaks in the shade every two hours on days when the heat index hits 90 degrees.

The bill passed its first reading on a unanimous 11-0 vote. Now, it heads to a meeting before the commissions health committee tentatively scheduled for Sept. 11. The bill can be modified or rejected in committee. If it passes, it will have to pass a final vote before the full commission to become law.

McGhee said his office is working with worker groups like WeCount! and farm owners in his South Dade district to make sure the bill succeeds.

There are some things that need to be tweaked, that were going to tweak, but we have time to do that now, McGhee said shortly after the bill passed its first reading, but he didnt specify the tweaks.

This climate report is funded by Florida International University, the Knight Foundation and the David and Christina Martin Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content.
Photo: The Canadian Press International Trade Minister Mary Ng speaks with media in Kingston, Ont., on Thursday June 15, 2023. Canada is urging the United States to make a good-faith effort at finally negotiating an end to the interminable bilateral dispute over softwood lumber. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Canada is urging the United States to make a good-faith effort at negotiating an end to the interminable bilateral dispute over softwood lumber.

International Trade Minister Mary Ng is making the overture after a fresh U.S. Commerce Department review maintained duties on softwood imports from Canada.

Ng says the duties, while modestly lower, remain an unfair, baseless and punitive measure that hurts the economy on both sides of the border.

She says a negotiated settlement is the only way the two countries will ever fully resolve the decades-old dispute.

Such a deal is unlikely: the U.S. has a fundamental problem with a regulatory regime in Canada that it says puts American producers at a disadvantage.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has said the U.S. would be willing to negotiate, but only if Canada does away with its provincial stumpage fee system.

"An immediate negotiated solution to this long-standing trade issue is in the best interests of both our countries," Ng said in a statement.

"Canada is disappointed that the United States is not meaningfully engaging in discussions on a return to predictable cross-border trade in softwood lumber."

The Commerce Department established a combined "all others" duty rate of 7.99 per cent, only slightly less than the 8.59 per cent established after the last administrative review.

Ottawa, meanwhile, will keep up the fight through the dispute resolution tools in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the World Trade Organization and the courts in the U.S., Ng said.

"The only fair outcome would be for the United States to cease applying these baseless duties."

In Canada, lumber-producing provinces set so-called stumpage fees for timber harvested from Crown land  a system that U.S. producers, forced to pay market rates, say amounts to an unfair subsidy.

Federal officials in Ottawa have said Canada would never agree to implement such a fundamental change to the way a key Crown resource is managed before the two sides have even sat down.
It's not your imagination: Gas prices are going up.

Fast.

The national average for a gallon of gas jumped 13 cents since last week to $3.714, according to the American Automobile Association.

While below the national average, gas prices in Florida have hit $3.659 for a gallon of regular as of July 27.

That's an increase of 20 cents from the average cost of $3.459 a week ago.

Looking back, though, prices are still below the average of $4.031 a year ago.

How gas prices have changed in Florida

Here's how the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline in Florida has changed, according to AAA.

Average cost of gallon of regular gasoline as of July 27, 2023, according to AAA.

The highest recorded average price for regular unleaded gas in Florida was $4.891 on June 13, 2022.

Why have gasoline prices been going up?

The primary cause appears to be the price of oil, which is almost $4 higher over the past few days and now hovers near $80 per barrel.

In June, Saudi Arabia announced it will reduce how much oil it sends to the global economy in an effort to prop up the sagging price of crude. The announcement came as the other OPEC+ producers agreed in a meeting in Vienna to extend earlier production cuts through next year.

Saudi Arabia cut production by 1 million barrels per day, which started this month.

Oil accounts for almost 50 percent of the cost of a gallon of gas, according to AAA.

The Energy Information Administration reported domestic commercial crude inventories decreased by 600,000 billion barrels to 456.8 million billion barrels.

"With supplies tight, if demand should spike, pump prices will follow suit," according to AAA.

What's the future of gas prices? As global oil production is reduced, will gas prices increase or decrease? The answer is mixed.

Are people using more gas?

Gas demand, meaning people fueling up, remains tepid," said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson.

"Its lower now than at this time last year and in 2021. But while the heat may be keeping some folks home, it also suppresses refinery production, according to experts. Constrained supplies and a higher cost of oil are tipping the balance toward rising pump prices for now.

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Heat impact across US: Millions under advisories, warnings as extreme heat sears much of the US: Live updates

Florida among the top 10 states with the largest increase in gas prices

These 10 states have seen the largest increases in the average price of gas over the past week:

Indiana: 23 cents.

Florida: 20 cents.

Iowa: 20 cents.

Ohio: 19 cents.

Georgia: 19 cents.

Kansas: 18 cents.

Tennessee: 18 cents.

Texas: 18 cents.

North Carolina: 18 cents.

South Carolina: 18 cents.

Impact of diesel: Diesel supply dwindles, with few ways to boost it. How this affects the economy and you.

What states have the most expensive gas?

The nationstop 10 most expensive markets for gasoline:

California: $4.93.

Washington: $4.93.

Hawaii: $4.69.

Oregon: $4.59.

Alaska: $4.31.

Nevada: $4.24.

Utah: $3.94.

Idaho: $3.89.

Illinois: $3.95.

Colorado: $3.92.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Why are gas prices going up? Florida cost for gasoline jumps 20 cents
Ag Mart Produce this month notified state officials that it will be conducting a mass layoff of employees at its Plant City office/warehouse and at its farms in Myakka City and Duette.

The company grows grape tomatoes under the brand name Santa Sweets. About 120 workers are affected, Ag Mart Produce said in a letter to the Florida Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The majority of the workers are in Plant City, but four are at the companys Myakka City farm, 30975 State Road 64 E., and four are at the Duette farm, 3805 Taylor Grade Road.

The notice to the state is required under The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. It requires employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs.

Ag Mart has made the difficult decision to discontinue domestic farming operations and conduct this layoff due to the inability to compete with submarket pricing of imported produce from such areas as Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the company said.

Employees were verbally notified of the layoffs between July 5-11 and in writing July 18, Ag Mart said.

Those losing their jobs range from farm managers to drivers, mechanics, clerks and warehouse staff.

It is difficult to predict with certainty the exact termination date of these employees. The layoffs could begin as early as Sept. 15, 2023, and continue in phases until Feb. 29, 2024, Ag-Mart said in the WARN notice.

Manatee County tomato growers have long objected to what they say is unfair competition from Mexico. Bradenton Herald file photo

Ag-Mart Produce previously laid off 10 workers at its Immokalee operation on May 3.

The companys policies do not allow for bumping rights, and the company employees are not represented by any labor organization, the Ag Mart letter said.

The Santa Sweets website identifies it as a family-run company, which was founded by Joseph Procacci, owner of Procacci Brothers Sales Corp.

Procacci started his produce wholesale business out of a pushcart on the streets of Camden, N.J., in the 1940s.

Santa Sweets firmly established itself as the premier high-flavor tomato supplier when Joe attained worldwide rights to the first ever grape tomato seed. Seizing a great opportunity to market a bite-sized tomato bursting with flavor and sweetness, Joe began growing and shipping grape tomatoes throughout the United States, the webpage says.

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Foreign competition

Florida tomato growers have long complained about foreign-grown tomatoes, particularly those from Mexico.

At one time, Manatee County had seven tomato packing plants, and now has three.

Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato, said U.S. tomato companies continue to fight the dumping of foreign-grown tomatoes, which are produced without the benefit of health and safety regulations followed by domestic growers.

They dump their tomatoes below the cost of production, Spencer said. Its a tough battle. Weve been fighting it for 25 years.

We are highly regulated to protect the consumer and we protect the worker in the field. If you care about the people who do the harvesting, you want to buy American, Spencer said.

In 2008, a salmonella outbreak sickened more than 1,000 Americans and cost Manatee County tomato growers millions of dollars, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

Investigators eventually traced the salmonella outbreak to irrigation water and peppers grown on farms in Mexico.

For several years, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, has been calling for passage of legislation that would help level the playing field between growers in Mexico and the United States.

This week, Buchanan and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D- Weston, co-chaired a bipartisan meeting of Floridas congressional delegation discussing agriculture issues affecting Florida with a focus on the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.

Between hurricanes, citrus greening and Mexicos illegal dumping of specialty crops, it has been a trying year for Floridas farmers and ranchers, Buchanan said in a press release.

Floridas citrus production is nearing a historic 100-year low  the worst since the Great Depression, Buchanan said.
Pine Mountain, north of Ojai, provides a bird's-eye view of the sunrises and sunsets in Los Padres National Forest. (Stuart Leavenworth / Los Angeles Times)

An effort to stop the U.S. Forest Service from taking chain saws to a section of Los Padres National Forest that is home to old-growth pines and a multitude of native plants and wildlife has hit a dead end.

A lawsuit filed last year by the county of Ventura, the city of Ojai, the Patagonia clothing company and other environmental groups aimed at blocking the Forest Service plan to thin the trees on Pine Mountain was dismissed last week by a federal judge.

The lawsuit hoped to halt the Reyes Peak Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Project, which affects more than 750 acres of forestland north of Ojai.

We had hoped the court would rule in favor of the planet, biodiversity and the community, Hans Cole, head of environmental activism at Patagonia, said in a news release. Were disappointed, but the work to protect Pine Mountain will continue."

The plaintiffs alleged that the plan was without merit and improperly approved to meet logging quotas instituted by then-President Trump.

The project also garnered sharp criticism when it was proposed in 2020. The Forest Service received more than 12,000 comments from the public opposing the project  more than any other project in the history of the Los Padres National Forest, the plaintiffs said in a news release.

Read more: Pair of fires leap in size in Santa Clarita Valley; hundreds of firefighters do battle

A federal judge on July 19 dismissed the suit with prejudice, preventing Patagonia, Ventura County, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Earth Island Institute and other parties to the lawsuit from refiling.

They have 60 days from Monday to file an appeal.

"The court deferred to the Forest Service's arguments and we respectfully disagree with that," said Maggie Hall, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Center who was working on the lawsuit.

"This logging project would permanently harm this incredible ecological resource," Hall said. "It's also a popular recreation area, and it's on ancestral lands of the Chumash people."

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We believe this ruling is incorrect and are working with our legal team to determine next steps, Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch, said in a news release. We will explore all of our options for protecting Pine Mountain from a misguided and potentially damaging project.

In a statement, the Forest Service said the project would "protect an area that is at risk due to overstocking and the devastating impacts of disease and insect infestation."

We are in a wildfire crisis and must take immediate action to protect our forests in Southern California, Los Padres Forest Supervisor Chris Stubbs said in the statement.

The Forest Service said it would "work with states, counties, Tribes and other partners to address wildfire risks to critical infrastructure, protect communities, and make forests more resilient."

Read more: About 1 in 3 vertebrate species are used, eaten or traded by humans, study finds

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argued that the project had not gone through a proper environmental review process before it was approved.

Under a Trump-instituted loophole in the National Environmental Policy Act, certain projects could forgo environmental reviews if the impact was deemed limited.

The Forest Service told The Times in 2020 that the project was not intended for logging but noted that the wood from removed trees likely would be sold.

Stubbs, however, reiterated in his statement Thursday that "this is not a commercial logging project."

Let me be clear ... [w]e are trying to save the remaining trees on Reyes Peak from the devastating effects of a stand-replacing wildfire, he said.

That location was designated because of insect and disease treatment, Forest Service project manager Katherine Worn told The Times. And its on a ridgetop, and thats where you would put a fuel break.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Men, probably of the South African Native Labour Corps, cooking on a Soyer stove in a hutted camp on the Western Front, c.1917.

The British military in World War I quickly realized that it needed more manpower for the Great War than it had ever rallied for a single conflict before. That led to Britain deciding to recruit more deeply from its colonies than it ever had. But Britain still felt it needed to enforce a racial hierarchy, and so it deliberately glossed over battles where commonwealth troops did the bulk of the fighting, including commonwealth troops' hard-fought victories of Allies in Africa.

The roles of Black and commonwealth troops

While Black and other commonwealth troops served worldwide during World War I, Britain limited their roles in Europe. Modern historians at the Imperial War Museum point to the potentially disruptive nature of Black troops fighting white Europeans on the Western Front. For an empire built on racial dominance, having Black units kill Germans was an obvious step toward them potentially killing Britons.

So, in Europe, most commonwealth troops served in logistics or engineering. They dug trenches, manned ammo dumps, or buried bodies, often with little equipment and no respect.

There were some exceptions, like the mechanic and driver William Robinson "Robbie" Clarke. He traveled from Jamaica to Britain hoping to use his technical skills, rare in 1914, to get a role in aviation. He succeeded and is the first known Black fighter pilot, getting his license a few weeks before Georgian Eugene Bullard.

But in Africa, the story was different. Since commonwealth troops fought against troops from other the colonies of other European nations, racial hierarchy was not at risk. And so Black troops fought in full combat units in pitched battles. But those battles were, according to British historians, deliberately forgotten to protect the racial hierarchy at home.

Black British troops in Africa

In Africa, many troops remained relegated to non-combat roles. In the South African Native Labour Corps, for instance, over 25,000 Black troops served as laborers, couriers, and more, but never in combat roles.

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But other units, like the British West India Regiment, eventually received orders to engage in direct combat. This was often against other native units but occasionally against ethnic Germans. The 2nd Battalion BWIR fought at Palestine and cleared enemy posts, fighting through miles of open land under fire. Nine men were killed and 43 wounded, and many were decorated for valor.

Soldier of the 3rd West India Regiment, 1863. (National Army Museum)

The West India Regiment, separate from the BWIR, also fought in Africa. British leaders deployed it against the then-German colonies of Togoland and Cameroon, attacking wireless stations. And a multi-national force of West Indians, Nigerians, Ghanaians, and Indians eventually captured the two colonies from Germany.

Black troops were routinely undersupplied and sometimes even faced "prisoner of war"-like conditions in the camp. But they also reported better relations with their white counterparts on a personal basis than they would ever have received before.

But as the conflict drew to a close, Britain re-established the racial hierarchy. As Black soldiers reported to demobilization locations across the empire, the hierarchy got stronger the closer they got to British power centers like Australia, Canada, or England itself. The tension reached a boiling point in Taranto, Italy. Soldiers of the 9th Battalion BWIR mutinied against their officers for four days.

The British Empire quickly forgot the contributions of its commonwealth troops to its victory, but that is changing today. In 2018, then-Prince Harry met with Zambian military veterans. And then-Prime Minister Theresa May presented the ship's bell of a vessel on which 607 South Africans died to the government of South Africa.
WETUMPKA  A former Alabama Department of Corrections officer and two inmates are facing murder charges in the Wednesday death of an inmate at Elmore Correctional Facility.

Correctional Sgt. Demarcus Sanders and inmates Fredrick Gooden and Stefranio Hampton have been charged with murder, said Kelly Betts, a spokeswoman for the prisons system. Sanders, who has resigned his position with ADOC, is being held at the Elmore County Jail without bond. The inmates remain in ADOC custody.

The victim, Rubyn James Murray, was involved in an incident outside his dorm with correctional officers resulting in a physical altercation with one of the officers, said Betts. Murray was taken to the back gate holding area to be transported to the Staton Health Care Unit for medical assessment and treatment.

Before the transport could occur and in violation of ADOC policy, two other inmates allegedly gained access to the holding area, an ADOC press release said. Murray was found unresponsive and was transported to the health care facility at Staton and then to an area hospital for emergency treatment. Medical staff was unable to resuscitate Murray and he was pronounced dead by the attending physician.

The cause of Murrays death in pending.

More charges and personnel actions are pending, ADOC said. Murray, 38, was serving a 20-year sentence for robbery out of Montgomery County. Gooden, 60, is serving a 30-year sentence for theft of property out of Jefferson County. Hampton, 35, is serving a life sentence for robbery out of Montgomery County.

The ADOC said in a statement that it has reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Mobile Field Office and the Elmore County District Attorneys Office about the incident.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Former guard, two inmates face murder charges in Alabama prison death
A onetime Illinois Army National Guard sergeant was arrested Wednesday on charges he and his brother broke into the U.S. Capitol through a Senate fire door on Jan. 6 and assaulted police officers trying to keep the mob from overrunning the building.

Joseph Bierbrodt, 54, of Sheridan, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. with eight counts, including disorderly conduct in a restricted building, assault of a federal officer, and obstruction of law enforcement, court records show.

Bierbrodt appeared at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim, who ordered him released on a $10,000 recognizance bond, the records show.

His court-appointed attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. Bierbrodt left the Illinois Army National Guard in 2018, according to a spokesman.

Also charged in the same complaint was Bierbrodts brother, William Marty Bierbrodt, 55, of St. Cloud, Florida, records show. Court information for him was not immediately available.

Joseph Beirbrodt is at least the 39th Illinoisan to be charged so far in the Capitol breach, an ongoing investigation that has been described by prosecutors as the largest criminal investigation in the countrys history.

According to the complaint, surveillance images captured Beirbrodt and his brother, who had a distinctive long beard and was using a cane and scooter to move around due to a foot injury, as they approached a fire door on the Senate wing of the Capitol.

William Bierbrodt used his cane to smash through the window and then reached through the broken glass to unlatch the door, the complaint stated.

Joseph Bierbrodt, dressed in a red hat, American flag face covering and dark sunglasses, was seen rushing through the door despite the presence of police in full riot gear on the other side trying to keep it from opening, the complaint alleged.

Once inside, Joseph Bierbrodt assaulted one of the officers and slammed him into a wall, according to the complaint. As they moved deeper into the hallway, the brothers were met by another line of riot police and pepper sprayed, causing them to retreat, according to the complaint.

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Joseph Bierbrodt was photographed removing his face covering and trying to wash the spray from his eyes, according to the complaint. He then retreated back down the steps to where his brother had left his scooter and was again seen on surveillance images trying to wash his face, which was stained with blood from an apparent injury suffered in the melee.

The FBI first got a match for Joseph Beirbrodt using facial recognition technology last year, according to the complaint. His identity was then further corroborated by one of Beirbrodts fellow guardsman, who identified him for law enforcement from images captured at the Capitol, the complaint stated.

Bierbrodt was featured in a February 2018 story in the Tribune about escorting a kindergartener to her first father-daughter dance after her dad had died in a military training accident months earlier.

Bierbrodt, who has four children, was quoted in the article saying he was touched by the request to help the little girl. I consider it a huge honor to be able to do this, Bierbrodt said. We never forget the ones who have left, or leave their families unattended.

That May, he was given the Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award at Chicagos Memorial Day ceremony. A Facebook post still public on the Illinois National Guards profile shows him standing with then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel as the award was announced.

His brother, William, was also identified last year. Social media posts later uncovered by law enforcement showed William had advocated violence against members of a different political ideology just weeks before the Capitol assault, including one post on Parler stating all the Obama cronies should be taken tied to a stack and shot in the head.

Time for revolution French style, the post stated, according to the complaint.

More than 1,000 people have been charged as part of the investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack, including arrests in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Of the 39 Illinoisans charged so far, Bierbrodt is one of only a handful to be accused of engaging in violence.

Among them was James Robert Elliott, of Aurora, a former member of the Proud Boys militia group who assaulted police outside the Capitol with a flagpole. He was sentenced in June to more than three years in prison.

Earlier this month, Kevin Lyons, 40, an HVAC technician from Chicagos Gladstone Park neighborhood, was given more than four years behind bars for entering U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis private office during the riot and stealing a staffers wallet as well as a cherished photo of the speaker with the late civil rights icon John Lewis.

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Former Rep. Mo Brooks is mildly surprised that special counsel Jack Smiths office has not sought a meeting with him to discuss his accusations that former President Donald Trump urged him to help rescind the 2020 election and violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

Brooks, a Republican who represented an Alabama district in Congress, said in an interview that he would meet with prosecutors if they ask.

Yeah, if they asked me to, Id explain what I know about it. Whether its relevant or material, Im not sure, he said, continuing: I was shocked [Trump] was so blatant about it  illegal conduct.

Brooks left Congress this year after he lost a primary contest for one of Alabamas Senate seats. He had been backed by Trump, who then withdrew his support and backed now-Sen. Katie Britt.

Follow along for live updates on the Trump 2020 election investigation.

Brooks previously said Trump had made requests to overturn the 2020 election as late as September 2021  more than seven months after he left the White House.

Donald Trump wanted me to do four things: advocate rescinding the election, advocate physically removing Joe Biden from the White House, advocate reinstating Donald Trump as president of the United States and advocate a new special election for president of the United States  all of which violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law, Brooks said. And after I got done explaining that to him, he withdrew his endorsement and endorsed my opponent. So Im mildly surprised none of these people have made inquiries about the details of this, but it is what it is.

Brooks first made his allegations in March 2022 after Trump dropped his endorsement. Brooks contends that his rejection of Trumps illegal requests led him to reverse his support.

Brooks had been a staunch ally of Trumps. On Jan. 6, 2021, Brooks spoke at the rally near the White House before Trump spoke, notably remarking from the stage that it was time for American patriots to start taking down names and kicking ass.

Trump confirmed parts of Brooks accusations in a post to his Truth Social account in August, writing in part: REMEDY: Declare the rightful winner or, and this would be the minimal solution, declare the 2020 Election irreparably compromised and have a new Election, immediately!

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A former Republican candidate for Michigan governor pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection Thursday.

Ryan Kelley, who placed fourth in Michigans 2022 gubernatorial primary with 15 percent of the vote, was arrested last June after anonymous tipsters gave photos to the FBI showing that he was present at the Capitol.

Federal investigators said Kelley was part of the crowd that rushed the Capitol, forcing police to retreat up the stairs and into the building. He directed parts of the crowd to and around the Capitol but did not enter the building himself, investigators said.

Kelley initially pleaded not guilty to a slate of charges including entering a restricted area and destruction of government property. He pleaded guilty to the restricted area charge this week in an agreement that saw other charges dropped.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17.

Before the insurrection, Kelley was a prominent Stop the Steal activist in Allendale, Mich. At a rally there in November 2020, after the election, he gave a speech sowing doubt about the vote and denying the veracity of the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 was made so that they can use the propaganda to control your minds so that you think, if you watch the media, that Joe Biden won this election. Were not going to buy it. Were going to stand and fight for America, for Donald Trump. Were not going to let the Democrats steal this election, he said, according to prosecutorial documents.

At the time of his arrest in 2022, Kelley was the leading candidate for the GOP gubernatorial primary, according to polling.

In a primary debate, Kelley acknowledged that he was in Washington on Jan. 6, but denied any wrongdoing.

We were there protesting the government because we dont like the results of the 2020 election, the process of how it happened, and we have that First Amendment right, he said. And thats what 99 percent of the people were there for that day.

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January 6, 2021, back when gas was under two dollars a gallon, those were good times, he added.

Kelley ended up receiving 165,000 votes in the primary, placing fourth behind Tudor Dixon, who went on to be defeated by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D).

Kelleys lawyer said he plans to return to Michigan and continue his career as a commercial real estate agent.

He never went into the Capitol, he never hurt anybody  and there is no suggestion otherwise, attorney Gary Springstead said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BARNSTABLE  A Hyannis man pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Barnstable County Superior Court in connection with what authorities say was a racist tirade outside a Hyannis bar on May 31, captured on a video that went viral.

John C. Shea, 60, was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury on seven charges: three counts of threatening to commit a crime, assault to intimidate based on race or color, assault and battery to intimidate based on race or color, a civil rights violation and intimidation of a witness.

He was released on $2,500 bail.

The charges are in relation to an altercation police say Shea had with Millyan Phillips of Medford on Main Street in Hyannis, May 31, in front of Embargo Restaurant. The confrontation was caught on cellphone video recordings, and surveillance video provided by Embargo. Shea is the former manager of Trader Ed's Restaurant in Hyannis,

Former Manager of Trader Ed's Restaurant in Hyannis John Shea indicted on seven charges at Barnstable County Superior Court

During the arraignment, Deputy First Assistant District Attorney Russ Eonas outlined the basics of the case to Judge Mark Gildea.

Eonas said Millyan Phillips, 23, who identifies as African American, was at Embargo with two friends, including his girlfriend Madilynn Galloway. At about 11:30 p.m., Shea was informed by an Embargo doorman that Phillips was making calls to police to report that Shea was drinking and driving, the prosecutor said.

"As supported by testimony as well as surveillance video from Embargo, which includes audio, Mr. Shea exits a side door of Embargo and comes out through the alleyway and approaches Main Street," said Eonas. "In a loud manner, he hurls the N-word out loud and appears to be angry at the time."

Eonas said that Shea continually called Phillips the N-word and referred to Phillips as a "monkey." He also assaulted Phillips with his foot, Eonas said.

"He put his foot down on top of Mr. Phillips' (foot). While it may not seem like a real risk of physical harm, the context of that motion, that gesture, is incredibly significant," said Eonas.

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Eonas said Shea also threatened to put a shotgun to Phillips' head and threatened to shoot Phillips in the head.

"Phillips on the other hand was very calm. He was concerned and upset by what was transpiring but no actions towards Shea in a physical nature," the prosecutor said.

The investigation also extended to events that happened earlier at Trader Ed's when Phillips and a bartender there exchanged harsh words. Shea's lawyer Kevin Reddington said Phillips had called Shea a "pedophile" after seeing a photo of Shea's daughter on the wall at Trader Ed's.

"Mr. Shea was upset by Mr. Phillips' comments as well as the fact that Phillips was concerned about Shea driving around Hyannis under the influence of alcohol," said Eonas. "That's what started the animosity. But the evidence will show that Mr. Shea was unequivocally the aggressor in this situation."

Police did eventually respond to the situation at Embargo, said Eonas. They observed that Shea has slurred speech, and glassy eyes, said Eonas.

"It's clear from the evidence that alcohol was a significant, contributing factor to Mr. Shea's behavior on the night in question," said Eonas.

Defense attorney says Phillips was the aggressor.

Reddington, who practices in Brockton, argued that Shea doesn't have a significant arrest record, and said it was Phillips' behavior that motivated the confrontation. Reddington accused Phillips of stalking Shea.

Reddington has represented many high-profile clients, including Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn and Catherine Greig, the girlfriend of notorious mob boss James Whitey Bulger.

"It's apparent your honor that Mr. Phillips is the aggressor," said Reddington. "He (Shea) threw no punches, he didn't put his hands on him, he doesn't slap him. No physical contact. He (Shea) showed significant restraint when dealing with Mr. Phillips."

Reddington said the charges against Shea and the bail amount was mean-spirited.

"It was motivated to hopefully have him in jail and he wouldn't be able to have friends and family get together to raise money but he was able to do it," said Reddington.

During Reddington's argument, Gildea asked Reddington if he was going to address the civil rights charge against the defendant.

"There's evidence from the video of the confrontation and the improper use of language certainly," said Reddington.

Eonas argued that the $20,000 cash bail Shea posted Wednesday following his arrest remain in effect, and asked that pre-trial release conditions be imposed, including drug and alcohol screenings.

After watching the two videos for himself, Gildea set Shea's bail at $2,500 and declined to impose any conditions.

Gildea ordered Shea to stay away from and have no contact with Phillips.

Shea was ordered to appear in court Monday for a pre-trial conference. At that time, said Eonas to the Times, both parties can provide discovery.

After court, Shea declined to speak with the Times, and Reddington simply said "It's a beautiful day," to the Times when asked for comment.

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: John Shea indicted by grand jury after racist diatribe goes viral
PROVIDENCE  Developer and former chair of Donald Trump's Rhode Island re-election campaign Gerald P. Zarrella has filed a lawsuit in state court accusing the Rhode Island GOP  and its small cadre of leaders  of cooking up an ethics complaint in retaliation for his decision to leave the party.

The lawsuit centers on an ethics complaint that state GOP Chairman Joseph Powers filed in May against House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi that, Zarrella says, is packed with "false and misleading information" about what he [Zarrella] personally stood to gain from unsuccessful legislation to allow weddings and other events on farms back in 2017.

Powers argued that the proposed changes to Rhode Island's "Right to Farm" law  which died in the Senate after passing the House  would have benefited Zarrella, a client of Shekarchi's law practice. Shekarchi was the House majority leader at the time.

While the ethics complaint names Shekarchi, Zarrella alleges state GOP leaders were, in fact, retaliating against him for leaving the state Republican Party.

Representatives for the state's Republican Party have not yet responded to a request for comment.

Gerald Zarrella, co-chair of the Trump Rhode Island reelection campaign, at his farm in Exeter.

Zarella says he continues to suffer emotional distress, pain and physical suffering

Zarrella's lawsuit names as defendants the state Republican Party, Powers, the state GOP's National Committeeman Steve Frias, their National Committeewoman Sue Cienki and the party's executive director, Jesus Solorio.

Zarrella claims he "has suffered and continues to suffer great emotional distress, pain and physical suffering as a result of the conduct" of the state GOP leaders, specifically the "false and misleading statements" they made about him and his relationship with Shekarchi.

He is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from them for the "intentional infliction of emotional distress," attorney fees and reimbursement for all other costs related to his lawsuit.

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More on this complaint: Ethics investigations against RI officials in Philly debacle, Shekarchi move forward. What's behind them.

Zarella contends the GOP's claims in their ethics complaint are 'misleading'

The facts, according to Zarrella: he was a member of the Rhode Island Republican Party through Nov. 17, 2022, when he cut ties with the party over "differences of opinions with the leadership ... regarding party policy and direction" that led to animosity between him and GOP party leaders.

The impetus for his lawsuit is the May 30, 2023 ethics complaint filed by Powers, "with the assistance and collaboration" of Frias that alleges Shekarchi violated the state Ethics Code when he supported a "Right to Farm Act" that would have overridden zoning rules that prohibited farms of 15 acres or more from hosting up to weddings a year, in exchange for a fee.

According to Zarrella, "The false and misleading facts were" the state GOP's contention that:

"'This legislation if enacted would have uniquely financially benefited [Zarrella] ... [who] at the time this legislation was being considered by the General Assembly, including when it passed the Rhode Island House of Representatives on June 27, 2017... had a case on appeal before the R.I. Supreme Court over Zarrellas ability to host weddings on his 32 acre farm.

More: From shamans and billions to bankruptcy - Alex and Anis wild ride

Also untrue, according to Zarrella, is the claim that at the time of the vote on the Amendment to the Right to Farm Act, he was in the middle of a long-running legal dispute with the Town of Exeter.

In his lawsuit, Zarrella said: he "was at no time a legal client ...[or] business associate of K. Joseph Shekarchi," would not have received any financial gain from the proposed amendment to the Right to Farm Act, and did not have a case pending before the Rhode Island Supreme Court when the legislation was being considered.

"At no time did Plaintiff Zarrella own a 32 acre farm."

He said Powers and Frias "knew or should have known that The Gerald P. Zarrella Trust is the owner of property located at 1 Geralds Farm Drive in Exeter... [that] was involved in litigation with the Town of Exeter," and that Geralds Farm, LLC ... operates the farm."

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Former Donald Trump campaign chair in RI is suing the state's GOP
Rachel Edelson, a longtime Sacramento-area teacher, has aristocrats and celebrities in her family tree, but her maternal pedigree translated mostly to stories of bygone wealth.

Edelson, who now lives in Berkeley, is the daughter of jazz legend Benny Goodman. Edelsons mother, the former Alice Hammond was the great-great-granddaughter of 19th century rail and shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, among the richest Americans in history when adjusting for inflation.

By the time Edelson was born in 1943, Vanderbilts heirs had almost completely squandered his fortune through failing to adequately diversify the familys financial interests and spending extravagantly.

My mother remembered not only traveling in their own car on the railroad as Vanderbilts, Edelson said. She remembered dinner parties of lets say 20 people with a footman at each place and not silverware, goldware.

For people like Edelson, having a historically-important ancestor is part of who they are, can be an instant conversation starter and is getting easier to determine with the internet. But these connections dont always mean a lot in tangible terms, including when Edelson was young.

It meant zero, Edelson said.

A part genetically

Edelson isnt the only descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt to not get much from the association. Her third cousin is news anchor Anderson Cooper through their great-great-grandfather William Henry Vanderbilt.

William Henry Vanderbilt, Corneliuss son and primary heir upon his death in 1877, doubled his fathers estate before dying in 1885. The following generations were a different story, people like Coopers maternal grandfather Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt who gambled away much of his inheritance. Other Vanderbilts built opulent mansions that no longer stand on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

In 2021, Cooper wrote a No. 1 New York Times bestseller with Katherine Howe, Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty. In the books introduction, Cooper noted how the Vanderbilt name had little bearing on his life or meaning for him prior to the birth of his son in 2020.

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Ive always gone out of my way to avoid mentioning my relation to the Vanderbilts, wrote Cooper, who didnt respond to an interview request. When someone would find out and ask me, What was it like to grow up a Vanderbilt? my response was always the same. I dont know, Id say. Im a Cooper.

Another prominent descendant of the Vanderbilt family is Edelsons first cousin once removed, actor Timothy Olyphant, who didnt respond to an interview request. Edelsons never met Cooper, though she admires his work. She formerly knew Olyphants father John Vernon Bevan Olyphant fairly well, though shes been out of touch, she added.

Edelson grew up playing piano and eventually performed with her father at Carnegie Hall. As for the Vanderbilt ties, theyve never been of much interest to Edelson, though when her daughter was 12 or 13, they attended a Vanderbilt reunion and toured one of the familys remaining mansions in Newport, Rhode Island.

Asked if her Vanderbilt connection helped make her who she was, Edelson replied, I would say it played a part genetically.

Sometimes, a reunion at a distant mansion with strangers is the best a person might be able to hope for should they unearth a link to a famous ancestor.

Thomas Best, a 79-year-old California State University, Sacramento professor emeritus who lives in Granite Bay, spent years researching a bit of family lore that he might have been related to former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings.

Best and his wife attended a Hemings family reunion in the 2000s at Jeffersons Monticello estate and plantation in Virginia, getting to see some rooms the general public wasnt allowed in. But Jefferson and Hemings dont have a major impact today on Bests life.

I really dont talk about it, Best said. I dont spend a lot of time with friends or anything talking about the Jeffersons.

How connections to famous ancestors are made

Some people like Edelson or Cooper were more or less born knowing their ties to a famous person from history. Others like Best sussed it out by making in-person research trips long before websites like Ancestry.com began allowing people to scour the U.S. Census data and other records from home.

There are those skeptical that ancestral research can lead to any famous connections, including University of California, Davis history professor Ari Kelman. My guess is that the overwhelming majority  the massive majority of people in the United States would not be tracing their lineage back to anyone famous or infamous, Kelman said.

Still, its getting easier to learn about famous potential ancestors with genetic tests through websites like 23andMe. While there are privacy concerns around these tests, they can yield interesting results.

James Scott, an archival services specialist at the Sacramento Public Library discovered through a genetic test that hes in French King Louis XVIs haplogroup. This means they may or may not be a direct relation but they at least share a common ancestor through Scotts paternal line which is still cool, he noted in an email.

Sam Ancona Esselmann, a senior product scientist for 23andMe said that paternal haplogroups can trace Y chromosome or mitochondrial DNA through generations. She noted that mitochondrial DNA is inherited in a similar way to the Y chromosome in the sense that it doesnt get shuffled in every generation. So its, you can trace it really far back in time in theory.

Scotts not the only person to learn of a noteworthy potential relation through a genetic test.

Dexter Caffey, a 50-year-old technology business owner who lives in the Atlanta area, spit into a tube to take a 23andMe DNA test in November 2021. When he got the results back on Christmas Day that year, he learned that he was among 1,700 23andMe customers who shared a haplogroup with Egyptian Pharoah Ramesses III.

A painting of Ramesses III stands on the wall the tomb of his son. About 1,700 23andMe customers who share a haplogroup with Egyptian pharoah.

Caffey did some research to learn more about Ramessess III. When he saw a picture of a sculpture, he screamed at his resemblance to it, startling his wife. When I saw the sculpture, that was my reality, Caffey said. Nobody can look identical to a 4,000-year-old sculpture like that.

Caffeys been reading books on Ramesses III, noting the ways the two are similar and contemplating a trip to Egypt. Since he shared the results of his 23andMe test on social media, friends and family have been motivated to get tests, too.

I think about that sculpture every single day and I just shake my head, wondering how in the world is this even possible to look so similar to something like this? Caffey said.

Forging their own path

Coopers parents made clear to him, he wrote in his 2021 book on the Vanderbilts, that there wasnt any Vanderbilt money left and that no trust fund awaited him.

They wanted me to be my own person, and I am grateful to them for that, Cooper wrote. I dont think I would have been as driven as I have been if I had grown up believing there was a pot of gold somewhere waiting for me.

Edelson didnt grow up with Vanderbilt money either. Her father was already a famous musician and able to support a family by the time he married her mother in 1942.

Her parents met because Alices brother John Hammond worked with Benny in the music industry. Goodmans family didnt approve of the marriage because Alice was not Jewish. Shed been married before, too, having had three children with an English Parliament member Arthur Duckworth.

Atonement is set in a house like the one that my mother lived in (with Duckworth in England), Edelson said. Endless rooms and maids quarters.

Alice Goodman never provided the funds for the Goodman family to live on, not that this would have been possible. When Edelson was young, her grandmother Emily Vanderbilt Sloane Hammond donated her 277-acre Dellwood estate in Mount Kisco, New York to the Moral Re-Armament movement, something that Edelsons mother and mothers siblings resented.

Edelson only got glimpses of her mothers past life, such as hearing that her grandmother did her hair herself for the first time at age 70 or that her mom couldnt cook anything beyond Caesar salad or onion rings, having to use every pot in the kitchen to make the latter.

Still, while Alice Goodman had an aristocratic vibe, she was anything but snobby.

My friends adored her, Edelson said. They often found her the one adult who listened to them the best.

Edelsons parents have each long since died. Five years ago, she divorced her third husband and prepared to move from Curtis Park to Berkeley, finally selling the piano shed stopped playing years before, after concluding that her father never would have played with her were she not his daughter.

Instead, Edelson forged her own path professionally, moving to the Sacramento area in the 1970s and teaching English composition through Sacramento City College and UC Davis. What I became more and more interested in was teaching my students never what to think but how to think, Edelson said. Because thats more and more missing from education.

Edelsons given occasional interviews about her father over the years and at 80, is working on a book about their relationship that has a potential title of Dreamswing.

She noted the diametric difference between the privilege of her mothers early life and the childhood circumstances of her father, who grew up one of 12 children to Russian Jewish immigrants in Chicago and remembered days with no food in his house.

My ancestors represent the two most opposite dimensions of America, impoverished Jewish family having fled Russia from the pogroms and Vanderbilts, Edelson said. I like very much having those two bloodlines in me. I think its very interesting. I think its an honor.
A Greenville County woman has filed a federal lawsuit against a former Travelers Rest police officer accusing him of sexually assaulting her in a secluded area after dark on the Travelers Rest High School campus.

Gerard James Hildebrandt is also charged with sexual assault in General Sessions court in Greenville County.

The federal lawsuit names the city of Travelers Rest as well for what it calls repeated failures that allowed the assault to happen. The lawsuit says the city police had an environment where excessive force and officer misconduct is permissive if not outright encouraged.

Warrants for Hildebrandts arrest say he took a woman to a remote location at Travelers Rest High School and forced her to perform oral sex on him while on duty on July 3, 2022. He also performed oral sex on her, the warrant says.

He was charged with criminal sexual assault and misconduct in office by the State Law Enforcement Division. Hildebrandt is awaiting trial and was released on $125,000 cash bond.

SLED said the allegations were based on body camera footage, physical evidence and statements from the victim.

The lawsuit says the womans boyfriend called police during a dispute. Hilderbrandt answered the call and told the woman she needed to go with him to sober up. She followed him in her car to the high school. The lawsuit says he was on duty, wore his uniform and had his service revolver.

Travelers Rest Police Chief Ben Ford fired him.

The lawsuit states that Ford said there were no red flags when he hired Hildebrandt.

But the lawsuit says Hildebrandt had been accused of using excessive force when booking an inmate in Laurens County and was fired. The lawsuit says Hildebrandt used a banned chokehold.

If Chief Ford doesnt think this kind of violence and criminality constitutes a red flag, then what does, the womans attorney, Bakari Sellers, said in a news release. Thats exactly the kind of deliberate indifference that leads to a predator like Hildebrandt wearing a badge and a gun so he can take a woman to a dark, secluded area of Travelers Rest High School, rape her and think hell get away with it.

Further, the lawsuit points to another case in which the city settled a lawsuit alleging an officer sexually assaulted a Boy Scout in 2019 while he was in a mentoring program.

The similarities between these two sexual assaults are deeply disturbing, Sellers said. This isnt just a bad apple. Its a bad tree and this is our chance to do something about it.
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday rolled out a new pitch for $1 donations as he desperately seeks to snag a spot on the stage for the first Republican debate.

As lesser-known candidates lock up their spots for the Aug. 23 debate, Pence still needs to clear the hurdle of 40,000 individual donors set by the Republican National Committee.

After weeks of mostly courting larger donors, the ex-vice president issued a plea for donations of any size.

We need 40,000 freedom loving Americans to join us! Pence wrote in a message to supporters. Donate today and well see you on that debate stage!

The campaign has avoided giving updates on progress toward the 40,000 milestone, suggesting he could still be a ways short.

Pence has so far avoided gimmicks to attract donors compared to little-known North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who is giving $20 gift cards to anyone who donates even $1.

Burgums strategy worked so well that another lesser candidate, Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez, is doing the same thing, hyping his 20-buck donation a Bidenomics relief card.

Candidates also need to score at least 1% in a combination of national and early voting state polls to get on the debate stage.

So far, former President Donald Trump has already qualified for the debate along with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Sen. Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy and Burgum have also made the stage.

That leaves Pence as the odd man out, an unexpected predicament for the man with perhaps the biggest national profile going into the campaign.

Trump has suggested he will likely skip the contest in Milwaukee and a second one scheduled for September in southern California.

If so, the debate could turn into a prime opportunity for midlevel candidates like Scott and Ramaswamy to knock DeSantis off his perch as the main challenger to Trump.

DeSantis has been dropping in the polls for months as Trump consolidates his support and the Florida governor fails to light a fire under GOP voters.

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Pence is now widely despised by MAGA loyalists for refusing to help the former president overturn the 2020 election.

The former Trump standard-bearer has mostly sidestepped condemning Trump, even suggesting that prosecutors should not indict him for his role in the Jan. 6 attack when Trump supporters attempted to hunt down Pence.


A federal judge sentenced a Forsyth man to 35 years in prison Monday for possessing child porn, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Middle District of Georgia.

Kenneth Scott Queen, 35, formerly of Tennessee, admitted to having graphic child sex abuse material in court in April after police found he was unlawfully tattooing minors in Monroe County in 2020 and found the material, Telegraph records show.

Children will be safer because law enforcement quickly responded to reports of minors being tattooed and unveiled a predator, U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said in the press release. Protecting the most vulnerable citizens from harm  and holding criminals who prey on them accountable  is a priority for law enforcement at every level.

Queen had been convicted of sexual battery against a minor in Madison County, in 2008, meaning he was required to register as a sex offender, according to the attorneys office.

Queen registered when he moved to Tennessee but failed to register when he moved back to Georgia, the statement said.

Despite his prior conviction, Queen continued to abuse children, which the FBI will not tolerate, said Robert Gibbs, supervisory senior resident agent of FBI Atlantas Macon office, in the statement. Queens 35 years in prison will give him plenty of time to think about his unacceptable and repeated behavior, but more importantly while in federal prison, he wont be able to do harm to any more children.

The Monroe County Sheriffs Office investigated Queen after they learned about the illegal tattoos in 2020 from community members, according to the attorneys office. They then found Queen had explicit content involving a young child. The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service also helped with the investigation.

In addition to 35 years in prison, Queen must pay a $20,000 restitution fee to the minor, the press release said. His prison sentence will be followed by 25 years of supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender for life.
LE PECQ, France (AP)  French magistrates have filed preliminary charges against two Chinese citizens and two other people from France in an investigation of a leading chip supplier whose advanced technology with possible military uses was reportedly smuggled to China and Russia, allegedly skirting sanctions and export controls.

The probe of Ommic, a Paris-region semiconductor manufacturer now in American hands, was launched by France's national prosecution service that specializes in cases involving arms proliferation.

The probe is now being led by magistrates investigating suspected illegal exports, forgery and other suspected crimes, according to a French judicial official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of secrecy laws that cover magistrates' probes.

The official said four people  two French, two Chinese  have been placed under formal investigation since March. That means magistrates believe there is considerable evidence of potential crimes but want more time to investigate.

Two of the four people face preliminary charges of handing over protected know-how to a foreign power, the judicial official said. The official and the prosecution service, which also specializes in terrorism cases, refused to go into greater detail about the investigation.

The newspaper Le Parisien first reported on the case. It said investigators have uncovered nearly 12 million euros (more than $13 million) worth of suspected exports of technology.

It said the company's French manager is suspected of having personally delivered chips to Russian clients. It said products were also exported to Chinese armament manufacturers with the help of forged paperwork.

The newspaper said a Beijing-based Chinese businessman with ties to China's defense industry bought a majority stake and took control of Ommic in 2018.

France's counter-espionage agency suspects the Chinese investor was seeking to transfer French technology to China, notably a semiconductor manufacturing process that Ommic specializes in, the newspaper said.

Macom Technology Solutions Holdings Inc., a semiconductor supplier based in Lowell, Massachusetts, announced in February that it was acquiring Ommic for 38.5 million euros ($42.8 million). Le Parisien reported that French judicial authorities stripped Ommics Chinese investor of his stake and temporarily placed the company under state control before its sale.

Macom said Ommics portfolio of chips and its design know-how would strengthen its position in telecommunications, industrial, aerospace and defense markets.
Pavel Filatiev

Former Russian military officer, who initially fought in Ukraine, Pavel Filatyev, recently claimed to have been granted asylum in France. However, the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA) has refused to disclose any information on Filatyevs legal status in France, Ukrainian news outlet LIGA.net reported on July 26.

"Since OFPRA is obligated to respect the confidentiality of asylum applicants, we cannot answer your questions regarding Mr. Pavel Filatyev, even if he has taken the initiative to make his situation public," OFPRAs response to LIGAs request said.

Read also: Updates from NATO Summit, French long-range missiles, sales of seized Russian assets

Journalists inquired about Filatyev's specific status in France and whether the French authorities are aware of the war crimes he allegedly committed in Ukraine. They also questioned whether Paris received any extradition requests from Ukraine regarding Filatyev.

Filatyev left the Russian army in the spring of 2022 and wrote a book titled ZOV 56 about his experience in the war in Ukraine.

Read also: Gulagu.net will no longer help Russian soldiers escape abroad

Russian human rights lawyer and founder of Gulagu.net project, Vladimir Osechkin, who assisted Filatyev in fleeing to the West, later accused the former paratrooper of involvement in war crimes.

Read also: France and India seek new negotiating solution to end war in Ukraine  media

Gulagu.net eventually halted the evacuation of Russian military personnel abroad, after one of the beneficiaries confessed to involvement in war crimes.

Once he arrived in France, Filatyev publicly ripped up his Russian passport and harshly criticized Russian dictator Vladimir Putins regime.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Michel Rose

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron warned against "new imperialism" in the Pacific during a landmark visit to the region, denouncing predatory behaviour by big powers in a region where China is extending trade and security ties.

France, which has island territories spanning the Indo-Pacific including French Polynesia, has boosted defence ties with India and other countries in the region as part of a move to counter Chinese influence.

In a speech in Vanuatu, Macron, the first French president to have set foot on the Pacific islands nation since war leader Charles de Gaulle, said France would work "shoulder to shoulder" with states in the region to preserve their independence.

"There is in the Indo-Pacific, especially in Oceania, new imperialism appearing and a power logic which is threatening the sovereignty of many states, the smallest and often the most fragile ones," Macron said, without naming any country.

"The modern world is shaking up the Indo-Pacific's sovereignty and independence. First, because of the predation of big powers. Foreign ships fish illegally here. In the region, many loans with Leonine conditions strangle up development."

Pacific Islands nations are being courted by China, a major infrastructure lender which struck a security pact with Solomon Islands last year, and the United States, which is re-opening embassies closed since the Cold War.

MACRON FOLLOWS AUSTIN

China has been a major infrastructure lender to Pacific Islands nations including Vanuatu over the past decade. Vanuatu's largest creditor is China's EXIM bank, accounting for a third of debt, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Washington has stepped up U.S. Coast Guard patrols and surveillance for illegal fishing in the Pacific islands, after concern at China's naval ambitions.

After Vanuatu, Macron is due to arrive in Papua New Guinea on Thursday evening, hot on the heels of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was there on Thursday.

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In May, the U.S. and Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed a defence agreement that sets a framework for Washington to refurbish PNG ports and airports for military and civilian use.

The United States and its allies are seeking to deter Pacific Islands nations from establishing security ties with China, a rising concern amid tension over Taiwan.

Macron's advisers say France can be an "alternative" and help island nations diversify their partnerships without becoming too reliant on one single country.

(Reporting by Michel Rose; additional reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Last week, 13-year-old Ash Blakely decided to switch schools, and his mom thinks there's been something different about him since.

"There's just a little bit more of a smile on his face," Melanie Ford said.

Ash decided to enroll at the Queer Blended Learning Center, a microschool being launched in August for middle schoolers. The school will be funded by Arizona's education vouchers and housed at the downtown Phoenix headquarters of onenten, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ youth. The school's founders aim to give young people who may feel uncomfortable in a larger school a safe space to be themselves and learn. LGBTQ+ history will be on the curriculum.

Ash, who is transgender, said the school will take stressors off his mind. For one, the school uses single-stall bathrooms, removing a day-to-day complication he had to deal with at his old school. He said he's also excited by the smaller class size and more freedom to explore topics that interest him.

When Ash and his parents visited the space that will become the Queer Blended Learning Center recently, he was sold on enrolling before he left the building. Outside the classroom space, young people were laughing in a kitchen stocked with snacks. A friend Ash knows from camp, another onenten offering, was there checking out the school and decided to enroll too.

Jason McIntosh, the teacher for the new microschool, asked prospective students who visited last week how they felt about the classroom space. McIntosh plans to allow students to decorate the space. He wants them to feel comfortable.

"Maybe some Pride flags on the wall," Ash said.

School founders responding to anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment

Nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced this year in statehouses across the country, according to a tally by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Arizona's Legislature so far this year has passed bills to stop school officials from honoring transgender students' names or pronouns without parental permission and restrict trans students' access to public school bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. Both were vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.

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It's this environment that makes a school for LGBTQ+ youth so critical, the school's founders said.

Were seeing nationally that LGBTQ youth are, frankly, under attack legislatively and culturally, said onenten CEO Nate Rhoton. Its deadly to the youth that we serve."

Because of "this state of cultural war with the LGBTQ community at the epicenter," the organization's leaders believe programming like the Queer Blended Learning Center "is absolutely necessary and, in fact, lifesaving for the young people that we will reach," he said.

Rhoton said similar projects are underway elsewhere in the U.S. A queer-centered microschool recently opened in Atlanta and a microschool for LGBTQ+ youth is planned for Las Vegas.

Ash Blakely, 13, right, attends an enrollment information meeting at onenten discussing the opening of the Queer Blended Learning Center in partnership with Spark Community Schools in Phoenix on July 18, 2023.

Through onenten's existing programs, which include wellness programs and regular gatherings for youth across the Valley, the organization's staff has found that middle school is particularly challenging for young LGBTQ+ people, Rhoton said.

We just had this population of sixth, seventh and eighth graders that could really benefit from a safe space to be able to really have exceptional education while also having education that pertains to their own identity, he said.

LGBTQ+ youth "tend to be shy" and "don't want to become targets," said Clayton Davenport, onenten's director of development and marketing.

Being able to raise their hands and ask their questions in a safe, affirming environment is going to be key to their mental health and educational advancement," Davenport said.

The school's operators are cautious of potential backlash. But because Hobbs has been "very direct about her insistence on protecting LGBTQ youth," onenten has "some cover" to open the microschool without too much fear of retaliation from other elected officials, Rhoton said.

School will combine in-person and online instruction

So far, there are about a half-dozen students enrolled in the Queer Blended Learning Center, according to Darla Baquedano, the director of education for Spark Community Schools, a program of Thrive Services Group. While onenten is providing the space, classroom supplies, technology and internet access, Thrive Services Group hired McIntosh, lined up the curriculum and is in charge of the school's administration.

McIntosh will be instructing a mixed-age classroom that could grow to 10 to 12 students. Families will be able to pay for the whole cost of tuition through Arizonas school voucher program, which was expanded last year to allow all school-age children in Arizona to receive public funding for private school tuition, home school supplies and other educational resources.

Come Aug. 1, Ash and his new classmates school days will begin with sessions on topics like problem-solving and conflict resolution, said Baquedano.

We know that throughout the rest of the day, they might encounter situations where theyll need to use those skills, she said.

Reading, writing, math and science lessons will be delivered to students in the classroom through an online homeschool program called Time4Learning. Each student's instructional level will be determined through an individual assessment, Baquedano said.

Students will learn LGBTQ+ history each day from McIntosh, who will use a curriculum created by the New York City Department of Education called Hidden Voices: LGBTQ+ Stories in United States History.

The curriculum "highlights different significant historical figures in the LGBTQ+ community," Baquedano said.

It's a program the students will be able to "see themselves reflected in," she said. "We thought that that was very important."

More: How a Christian transgender man increased his faith by taking the fight over LGBTQ+ rights to religious schools

Social studies lessons will also be taught with a curriculum from the NYC Department of Education called Civics for All. The goal of these lessons will be to teach students about "history and government and civics ... through the lens of populations and communities that aren't always prevalent in traditional textbooks," Baquedano said.

Students will take on projects that will encourage them to delve into a topic they're interested in and "along the way, they're learning critical thinking and problem-solving skills," McIntosh said.

Although the curriculum is set, some logistical aspects of the school are still being organized. The school hopes to offer lunches and transportation in the future. For now, parents will need to fill in those gaps.

For Ash's parents, finding a way to get him from north Peoria to downtown Phoenix is a small price to pay.

Well do whatever we have to, Melanie said. Its important for him.

More: How these queer spaces are creating safe havens for LGBTQ communities

Helen Rummel is a Pulliam Fellow for The Arizona Republic. She can be reached at hrummel@gannett.com or on Twitter @helenrummel.

Madeleine Parrish covers K-12 education. Reach her at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter at @maddieparrish61.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Voucher-funded school for LGBTQ+ youth to open in Phoenix
European Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius speaks at a working group meeting ahead of a meeting of G20 ministers in the Indian city of Chennai (R.Satish BABU)

G20 environment ministers in India readied a fresh bid on Thursday to strike deals tackling climate change, days after heavy criticism for failing to agree on cutting fossil fuel use.

Environment chiefs from the Group of 20 major economies -- constituting more than 80 percent of both global GDP and CO2 emissions -- are focusing on critical topics including climate change adaption finance, biodiversity and principles for ocean-based economic activities.

Those agreed by environment ministers during their one-day conference on Friday will be signed off by leaders during a summit in New Delhi in September.

Global temperatures are hitting record highs, triggering floods, storms and heatwaves, climate experts say.

"The livelihoods of people are being destroyed," EU Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius told AFP late Wednesday, pointing to the "growing evidence on the ground of devastating climate impact", including in raging wildfires in Greece and Sicily.

Sinkevicius, who is attending the meeting in Chennai, said he wanted reforms to build the "resilience" of people but warned leaders must base decisions on scientific evidence.

"We live in an era of social media where you can be a scientist working for 20 years on climate change and where you can be just a populist, you know, fishing for votes," he said.

"And your opinions on social media will weigh very much the same."

- Dismay -

Campaigners across the world were dismayed after G20 energy ministers failed at a July 22 meeting in Goa in India to agree on a roadmap to cut fossil fuel use.

It was seen as a blow to mitigation efforts and a win for some major oil producers, such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, who have resisted a quick transition away from dirty fuels and were blamed by critics for a lack of progress at the crucial meeting.

It came despite G7 leaders agreeing in Hiroshima in May to "accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels".

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Among those at the Chennai meeting is Sultan Al Jaber, president of the upcoming COP28 climate summit who also heads the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

He has been heavily criticised for an apparent conflict of interests because burning fossil fuels is the main driver of global warming.

"The world needs its leaders to unite, act and deliver; and that must start with the G20," Al Jaber and UN Climate Change chief Simon Stiell said in a joint statement on Thursday.

"Those at the frontline of climate change need our support now, not in five years time," they said, also calling for a tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Progress has so far been slow, with the G20 polarised by Russia's war in Ukraine and sharp divisions on key issues between the West and developing countries.

Many have tired of the rounds of conference talks and apparent lack of progress that followed the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.

"Negotiations are not going fast, I'm not going to hide that," Sinkevicius said. "We are already so many years after the Paris Agreement, it's time to implement it."

- 'A pivotal moment' -

The G7 economies will also have to contend with a key demand of many developing countries, including India, for more finance to offset the impact of global warming on sectors such as agriculture and energy.

A report prepared for India's G20 presidency estimated the global cost of the energy transition at $4 trillion a year and emphasised the importance of low-cost financing for developing countries.

Some have pushed back against bracketing developing nations with countries such as India and China, both among the world's top five largest economies.

"When we talk about developing countries, we should not be referring to the situation in the 1990s," Sinkevicius said. "We definitely need to help the most vulnerable ones, who are already heavily affected."

India's environment and climate change minister Bhupender Yadav said Thursday the world was facing "critical challenges".

"We find ourselves at a pivotal moment -- a moment that holds potential to ignite action and introduce sustainable solutions that will safeguard the well-being of our planet and future generations," Yadav said in Chennai.

bb/pjm/pbt
Photo: The Independent

Updated 7/27/23 at 12:07 p.m E.T:

An attorney for Rick Chow, the South Carolina gas store owner charged in the murder of a Black 14-year-old boy who he falsely accused of stealing water, has requested that a judge stop a search warrant for Chows business records. In May, Chow allegedly chased Cyrus Carmack-Belton out of his store and shot him to death.

Read more

During an emergency hearing on Monday, a prosecutor said investigators need to search computers and other electronics from Chow and his family to see the stores employee manual and other documentation with hopes that it would reveal how Chow handled shoplifters. Additionally, it could possibly show how Carmack-Belton was treated differently.

Several news outlets reported that defense attorney Jack Swerling said investigators have no business looking at that stuff, including bank accounts, checks and various kinds of information that are used for the operation of a business. Judge Robert Hood temporarily prohibited state agents from executing the search warrant on Chow said there will be a ruling early next month.

Original Story:

On Monday (May 29), a South Carolina gas station owner was charged with murder in the death of a 14-year-old boy Black boy. Storeowner Rick Chow chased Cyrus Carmack-Belton and then shot him in the back, according to law enforcement officials.



Chow, 58, claimed he thought the teenager had stolen four bottles of water Sunday night from his Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia. However, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott stated that Carmack-Belton put the bottles back in the cooler and was away from the stores property when he killed.

A gun was allegedly found near the teenagers body. Chows son, who also was involved in chasing after Carmack-Belton, told his father he was armed. Lott has said there was no evidence the teen ever pointed the weapon at Chow or his son. Chow, who had a concealed weapons permit, was charged with murder after an autopsy showed that Carmack-Belton was shot in the back.

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In addition, deputies interviewed witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage and other video. Chow is being held in the Richland County jail as he awaits a bond hearing. He turned himself in with an attorney Monday, deputies said, but they did not disclose the lawyers name.

Richland County Coroner Nadia Rutherford explained that there werent any signs that Carmack-Belton was fighting with Chow before he ran out of the store. In addition, there was no injury to his body other than an abrasion from falling and the gunshot wound.

Rutherford also said that Carmack-Belton was running when the bullet went through his back and into his heart. I was at the autopsy I looked at his body inside and outside. He had one shot to the back which is why Mr. Chow is being charged with murder, she stated.

Lott acknowledged how heinous Chows alleged behavior was. Even if he had shoplifted four bottles of water, which he had taken out of the cooler and then put back  even if he had done that, thats not something you should shoot anybody over, much less a 14-year-old, he stated.

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In the matter of a couple of years, the Benner Pike will have gone from one gas station to four, as Wawa is set to join Sheetz, Rutters and the Giant gas pumps in a small stretch of the highway.

Wawa submitted its land development plan proposal for the gas station and convenience store chains first location in Happy Valley back in March. At the time, Benner Township Supervisors reviewed the plan, and approved and signed a memorandum of understanding, a standard agreement between the developer, county and township stating the developer agrees to reimburse the township for any costs related to reviewing their proposal. That mostly pertained to engineering for stormwater and traffic.

Last week, the Centre County Commissioners had their first look at the plans, as they were formally submitted to the county more recently. The board also approved the MOU on Tuesday as part of the meetings consent agenda.

Below are five things we know about Wawas first location in the area.

Where is it going?

Centre Countys first Wawa is planned for the corner of Benner Pike and Eagle Point in Benner Township, between Dunkin and Fulton Bank, and across from Sheetz.

During a July 18 Centre County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Mark Higgins talked about the growth of the area in recent years.

Weve got some gas wars going on in greater Bellefonte, Higgins said, noting that the area will have grown from one gas station to four.

The area has had a lot of motion lately, he said, as several developments are in the works. Most recently, Tru by Hilton announced it will have a location along the I-99 and Benner Pike interchange, and a new McDonalds is proposed for the intersection of Paradise Road and the Benner Pike. Other developments and plans in the township include the new Giant with gas pumps, a large residential development at the end of High Tech Road, a massive fulfillment center warehouse at the end of Penntech Drive and a four-story hotel at the corner of Benner Pike and Amberleigh Lane.

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Motorists will be able to access Wawa from Eagle Point, where an intersection will be created and can exit onto Eagle Point or make a right turn onto Benner Pike. There will also be access to the adjacent Dunkin, which also directs traffic to turn right on Benner Pike.

How big will it be?

The submitted plans show the building will be 6,606 square feet and will have 16 fueling stations within eight pumps.

When will it open?

A Wawa spokesperson previously told the Centre Daily Times that the company is expanding into central Pennsylvania, including the State College area, and are actively looking for sites for potential openings in 2025.

No timetable was submitted with the plans, but Chris Schnure, the countys subdivision and land development planner, said, as with any developer, the sooner, the better.

What does Wawa offer?

Sheetz vs. Wawa is often a big debate among Pennsylvanians, but the two share many similarities. Wawa places a focus on coffee and hoagies to pair with a more limited menu, but both establishments offer made-to-order sandwiches on top of other convenience store goods, like snack foods and fountain drinks.

Wawa offers fresh cold and hot coffee in staple flavors like Colombian and Cuban roasts with seasonal varieties added throughout the year. Macchiatos, lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, and several teas and iced coffee, including cold brews and lattes, are available, too.

As far as hoagies go, Wawa offers them in three different sizes  Junior (4 inches), Shorti (6 inches) and Classic (10 inches)  and customers can customize their selection while ordering online or at an in-store kiosk. Hoagies are available hot or cold.

A popular breakfast option at Wawa is Sizzlis, a breakfast sandwich. Theyre generally available with scrambled eggs, cheese and a choice of bacon or sausage on a bagel, a croissant, a biscuit or even a waffle.

Whats next?

The plans were just formally submitted to the county a couple of weeks ago and still need to go through the Centre County Planning Commission.

The next Centre County Planning Commission is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 in room 146 of the Willowbank Building, 420 Holmes St., Bellefonte. The agenda isnt currently available, so its unclear if the Wawa plans will be discussed at this meeting or a future one.

Benner Township has many regulations that are administered by the township, such as zoning, stormwater management and street standards. The developer is working with the townships zoning officer, engineer and traffic engineer to meet those regulations, Schnure said.
The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on July 27 that Russia has lost 244,270 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24 last year.

This number includes 590 casualties suffered by Russian forces over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 4,186 tanks, 8,147 armored fighting vehicles, 7,229 vehicles and fuel tanks, 4,745 artillery systems, 698 multiple launch rocket systems, 457 air defense systems, 315 airplanes, 311 helicopters, 3,996 drones, and 18 boats.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russian troops retreat from village near Bakhmut as Ukraine advances
Georgia Couple Gets Married In Hospital After Groom Suffers Chemical Burn: Theres Nothing That Would Stop Me From Marrying Him | Voiculescu Alin via Getty Images

A horrific burn accident left one Georgia man feeling like he and his fiance shouldnt go through with their wedding, but hospital staff members rallied together to ensure that the special ceremony still happened.

Peter Cobb had plans for the summer to be a special time since he had plans to marry his then-soon-to-be-wife, Tanesha, on July 22. A few weeks ahead of their I dos, he endeared a bad fall on the job that landed him in a chemical spill. The product he fell in had a temperature of 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit, which left one-third of his body harshly burned, according to the New York Post.

I literally watched the skin from my elbow like detach and literally just go to dust and crumble, Cobb told Fox Carolina. I literally felt like that was going to be the end.

Due to how life-threatening these injuries were, he was airlifted from the scene and transported to Augusta Burn ICU to be treated. The result of his burns caused him to lose nine of his toes and eight fingers, completely amputating four on his right and somewhat removing four from his left hand. Because his physical appearance changed, he was unsure Tanesha would still be interested in marrying him since he didnt look like the man who proposed to her in September 2022. Lucky for him, her love was unconditional, surpassing his exterior.

Theres nothing that would stop me from marrying him, Tanesha told Fox Carolina. Nothing. I knew that this day would come. I didnt think it would be like this.

While Cobb was steadily recovering, the original wedding date grew closer. They both wanted to be wed on the same day if possible despite the circumstances. Determined to make it happen, they were often discussing possible solutions. After overhearing some of the pairs discussions about their wedding, a JMS Burn Center nurse at Doctors Hospital named Mary Cook, rounded up some of her coworkers to help fulfill the pairs wish.

I wanted to give him something positive out of all this negative. Preston was adamant that he was not going to change his wedding date, Cook told the publication.

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When her plan got approved, she immediately told the veteran the good news, which he and Tanesha happily accepted.

She was like, I got good news for you,' Cobb said. And I was like, Whats that? and she was like, Youre getting married on the 22nd.'

The hospital hosted the wedding and the couple got married on their dream date in an intimate ceremony with the hospital nurses, friends and family gathered together to witness their beautiful romance and resilience. See picutres from the happy day below.

Cobbs family set up a GoFundMe to help raise money for him while hes unable to work.

This campaign is to help offset the loss of income due to tending to our hero making sure he is getting stronger physically and mentally, part of the GoFundMe post read. These funds will help with things such as bills, daily living, and help support his wife and daughter Mahogany (16), son Jaikell (3), and his bonus son Armani (9).
A Georgia man led a sheriffs deputy from Habersham County on a brief chase, wrecked his truck in Fairview by crashing into a tree and was arrested Tuesday evening.

Joseph Dale McCallister, of Cleveland, was charged by the Georgia State Patrol for driving under the influence.

Deputies said McCallister was charged by the Habersham County Sheriffs Office for fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement as well as multiple drug-related charges and driving violations.

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During a Tuesday afternoon patrol, Habersham deputies, along with a K-9 unit, were on Highway 115 when a deputy saw a green Chevrolet truck without a license plate.

Before the deputy could turn on his lights and sirens to start a traffic stop, the driver sped away, according to officials.

The truck led the deputy up Highway 105 onto Sutton Road and Jim Thomas Road before getting back on 105 toward Cornelia.

TRENDING STORIES:

After, deputies said the driver, identified as McCallister, turned his truck onto Fairview School Road, then before speeding onto Yearwood Road, where the truck traveled up an embankment and hit a tree, straddling a hole while the deputy turned onto Yearwood in pursuit.

The deputy used his patrol vehicle to keep the driver from opening the door and fleeing on foot, while McCallisters truck was moderately damaged from hitting the tree and took additional minor damage after the deputys push bumper struck his car.

The sheriffs office vehicle took some minor damage but was fully operable and driven from the scene.

McCallister was taken into custody and charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to maintain insurance, failure to maintain lane, no registration, driving on the wrong side of the road, and driving with a gore, according to the sheriffs office.

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The collision itself is still under investigation by GSP. McCallister was taken into custody after being evaluated by medical personnel and was booked into the Habersham County Detention Center.

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One Georgia Republican is hoping the recent concession by Rudy Giuliani that he made defamatory statements concerning two Georgia poll workers finally causes MAGA voters to open their eyes.

In a new filing, the former New York City mayor conceded that he made defamatory and false statements about Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman, but did not admit those statements caused damage to the pair.

The two women are suing Giuliani for defamation after he falsely asserted they committed election fraud to benefit President Joe Biden.

Still, Georgia GOP election official Gabriel Sterling pointed out on Twitter Thursday that Giulianis statement puts to rest any notion of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.

Rudy Giuliani admits that he lied about Shaye Moss & Ruby Freeman, he wrote. Weve known for years that he lied about them and the events at State Farm Arena. For those that still believe there was widespread voter fraud, these people are admitting they lied to you.

Rudy Giuliani admits that he lied about Shaye Moss & Ruby Freeman. We've known for years that he lied about them and the events at State Farm Arena. For those that still believe there was widespread voter fraud, these people are admitting they lied to you. https://t.co/B01EJ9BcZ0  Gabriel Sterling (@GabrielSterling) July 27, 2023

Giulinanis concession and Sterlings reaction to it come at a time when Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is holding a special grand jury to investigate the efforts by former President Donald Trump and others to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state.

Still, it remains to be seen whether Sterlings tweet will have an effect on voters.

Although most of the people engaging with Sterlings tweet approved of it, a few stragglers responded to it in support of Trump.

Related...
Vladimir Putin

The Russia-Africa summit, which is currently taking place in St. Petersburg, is nothing more than a PR show for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, said in an interview with ZDF.

"Anyone who promises cheap Russian wheat to African countries and at the same time bombs Ukrainian grain ports does not want to fight hunger, they just want to create new dependencies,"Schulze said.

Read also: BRICS bank NDB not planning new projects in Russia due to sanctions

Schulze said that Russia is an "anticolonial country" in words only.

In reality, Russia tries to exploit African countries and make them dependent on it as an imperial power, she said.

"This (Russia-Africa summit) is Putin's PR show," Schulze emphasized.

The summit is noticeably empty as 38 out of the 55 invited heads of state have decided not to attend.

Read also: Two-thirds of African leaders refuse to attend Putins summit

The Kremlin announced today that Putin's major speech at the summit will be in regard to a "new world order" based on "multipolarity and equality of all states."

It is clear however that he does not have much of an audience on the African continent.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The suspected Gilgo Beach murderer's family returned to their New York home after police wrapped up their intense, 12-day search of the property.

Rex Heuermann's now-estranged wife Asa Ellerup, who filed for divorce less than a week after his July 13 arrest, and their two children were seen back in their Massapequa Park home on Long Island Thursday morning.

They reportedly stayed at a hotel for nearly two weeks, as law enforcement tore up their home, including using excavators, searching for potential evidence.

"We have obtained a massive amount of material all of which has to be cataloged and analyzed," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said during a press conference Tuesday. "We wont know what we have for quite some time."

GILGO BEACH SEARCH WARRANT WRAPS UP AT SUSPECT REX HEUERMANN'S HOUSE

Asa Ellerup and Victoria Heuermann enter their home in Massapequa Park, New York, on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Ellerups husband, Rex Heuermann, is charged with six counts of murder relating to the bodies found in Gilgo Beach.

Asa Ellerup and Victoria Heuermann enter their home in Massapequa Park, New York on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

Police search Rex Heuermanns house in Massapequa Park, New York, Monday, July 24, 2023.

Heuermann's family members were led into the home by someone believed to be a law enforcement officer.

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There's been speculation that Heuermann may have killed in the house, which was his childhood home and where he lived with his family for more than two decades.

GILGO BEACH MURDERS: THE INVESTIGATION IN PHOTOS

Tierney said on Tuesday, though, that the collected evidence "doesn't point one way or the other that someone was killed in the house."

Heuermann allegedly killed three of the "Gilgo Beach 4" victims: Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27.

Asa Ellerup enters her home in Massapequa Park, New York on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

He remains the prime suspect in the death of the fourth victim  25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes  whose remains they found near the other three on Gilgo Beach along Long Island's South Shore.

He has been charged with six counts of murder (first- and second-degree murder for each victim) and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Asa Ellerups husband, Rex Heuermann, is charged with six counts of murder relating to the bodies found in Gilgo Beach.

Heuermann's family members were led into the home by someone believed to be a law enforcement officer.

Their home is about 15 miles from Gilgo Beach.

Police found Heuermann's alleged victims in December 2010 while they searched for a missing escort, Shannan Gilbert.

Story continues

By April 2011, they found the remains of at least six more victims in the area, which created one of New York's most infamous cold cases.

A Nassau County Police car sits outside of Rex Heuermanns house in Massapequa Park, New York on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Officials post signs that read "No Stopping No Standing Any Time" in the front yard of Rex Heuermanns home in Massapequa Park, New York on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

WATCH: REX HEUERMANN'S ARREST

Meanwhile, Heuermann remains in jail awaiting his next court appearance, which is scheduled for Aug. 1.

Heuermann faces life in prison without parole if he's convicted.
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The rumors are true: July could wind up being the hottest month in 120,000 years. The Justice Department is looking into the Memphis Police Department. And we have an update on Mitch McConnell's health.

 Hey! Laura Davis here. Y'all doing OK? Drinking enough water? Grab a snack and buckle up  it's time for Thursdays news.

 But first: A 93-year-old South Carolina woman is battling a developer over property owned by her family since the Civil War  and now, Snoop Dogg and some other celebs are joining the fight.

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Will July be the hottest month in 120,000 years?

Hot, hotter, hottest. Ever. End of story. (Just kidding.) Scientists reported Thursday that unless a mini-Ice Age happens over the next few days, July will end up as Earth's hottest month on record, and quite possibly the hottest single month in 120,000 years. July has already seen the hottest three-week period ever recorded with deadly, record-breaking heat waves across much of North America, Asia and Europe, along with devastating heat-driven wildfires in Canada and southern Europe. The heat has also done major damage to peoples health, the environment and economies, the U.N. weather agency said in a statement.  Here's what you need to know.

Updates: Millions under advisories, warnings as extreme heat sears much of the US.

A pedestrian walks down 7th Street as the temperature of 117 degrees is displayed on a billboard in Phoenix on July 18.

DOJ launches civil rights investigation in Memphis

The U.S. Department of Justice is opening a civil rights investigation into the city of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department to determine whether there is a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Constitution or federal civil rights laws. In January, Memphis police officers tased, pepper-sprayed and brutally beat 29-year-old Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop. Nichols died three days later, and federal investigators launched a civil rights investigation into his death. Officials acknowledged Nichols' death and the scrutiny it brought but said the investigation was not prompted by a single incident.  Here's what they're looking into.

Story continues

RowVaughn Wells, the mother of Tyre Nichols, holds up a painting of her son on what would have been his 30th birthday on June 5 in Memphis.

What everyone's talking about

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McConnell faces questions about health

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is once again being hounded with questions about his health after freezing for roughly 28 seconds during a news conference Wednesday. The 81-year-old Kentucky Republican, who is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, had to be escorted from a lectern by colleagues in a startling moment that came four months after he suffered a concussion and a broken rib from a fall in March. While McConnell joked about the incident afterward, a source close to the senator confirmed he has fallen at least two other times this year.  What we know about the senator's health.

Massive fire torches freighter carrying 3,000 cars in North Sea

At least one person has died and nearly two dozen people have been rescued as crews battled a massive fire Thursday on a freighter carrying nearly 3,000 cars in the North Sea. The blaze broke out Wednesday, and 23 people have been rescued from the ship, some of whom suffered serious injuries, the Dutch coast guard said. The fire was still raging Thursday morning, the coast guard said, as crews worked save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. Boats and helicopters removed crew members from the ship after they tried to put out the blaze, and some jumped into the sea and were picked up by a lifeboat.  Here's the latest.

A boat hoses the smoke from a fire which broke out on the freight ship Fremantle Highway in the North Sea on Wednesday.

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: July heat, Memphis police, Mitch McConnell, ship fire: Thursdays news
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., on Wednesday called on the state Education Department to "correct" its new standards for teaching Black history after it suggested that slaves benefited from skills used in forced labor.

"The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate," Donalds tweeted. "That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasnt the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this."

The comments echoed remarks Donalds made in an interview with WINK-TV of Fort Myers, when he suggested the standards need "some adjustments."

Florida's Board of Education could work to "bring refinement," he said in the interview, to a benchmark on slavery that included teaching students that some Black people benefited from slavery because it taught them useful skills.

The Board of Education laid out the state's approach to Black history in a 216-page document that was approved last week.

Vice President Kamala Harris opposed the new standards in a last-minute trip to the state last week, suggesting that "extremist" leaders were trying to "push propaganda to our children."

Gov. Ron DeSantis has defended the new standards and has used how issues of race are discussed in the classroom as a part of his presidential campaign.

Asked about the standards, DeSantis suggested Friday that some slaves had "parlayed" skills used in forced labor "into doing things later in life" and said the standards were put together by scholars.

"It was not anything that was done politically," he told reporters.

DeSantis has also pushed back against Harris, accusing her of having gone down to Florida to "perpetuate a hoax."

"She's here to try to push a fake narrative about what Florida did," he said Tuesday in a Fox News interview.

In March, Donalds snubbed DeSantis when he joined other members of Florida's delegation in endorsing former President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential bid.

Story continues

On Twitter, campaign aides were criticizing Donalds.

Reached for comment by NBC News, DeSantis' office referred to tweets by Florida's education commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr.

"The federal government wont dictate Floridas education standards," Diaz tweeted Wednesday.

"This new curriculum is based on truth," he added. "We will not back down from teaching our nations true history at the behest of a woke @WhiteHouse, nor at the behest of a supposedly conservative congressman."

DeSantis spokesperson Jeremy Redfern also tweeted that Donalds' office was repeating "false talking points" put out by the White House.

Christina Pushaw, the rapid response director, wrote in reply to Donalds tweet, "Did Kamala Harris write this tweet?"

Jason Miller, a campaign adviser to Trump, called Donalds a conservative hero in a statement Wednesday night.

The Congressman also calls it like he sees it, and if he thinks something is BS, hell tell you. Thats why we like him so much, Miller said, adding that any attempt by DeSantis campaign to smear Donalds was a disgrace.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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.

He said the blaze was the most dangerous of the 124 wildfires the fire service had to deal with on Thursday.

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.

Key Points

Fire risk remains extreme for several areas of Greece today, fire brigade warns

Mainland Greece hit by fresh wildfires overnight

It was like an apocalypse: Palermo journalist recalls overnight blaze

UK advises people visiting Greece to carry appropriate insurance

UK Met Office warns temperature higher than 40C will be frequent in future

Wildfire triggers massive explosions at air force ammunition depot

Wildfire triggers massive explosions at air force ammunition depot

20:37 , Martha Mchardy

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.

Story continues

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.

Despite their superhuman efforts, our forces were unable to stop the blaze, he said.

He said the blaze was the most dangerous of the 124 wildfires the fire service had to deal with on Thursday.

The wildfire burned on three fronts and forced a section of Greeces busiest highway to close for several hours while national rail services passing through the area were delayed.

State ERT television showed residents and visitors in the coastal village of Anchialos, close to the blast site, being evacuated by sea while others were leaving in cars and buses.

The mayor of the city of Volos, Achilleas Beos, appealed to all remaining village residents to obey the evacuation order, saying some 80% had left. The coastguard said dozens of residents were taken in small private boats to the city of Volos.

The Nea Anchialos air base is 12 miles from the city, where the blasts were heard loudly. The air force said that while the facility was not immediately threatened, some of the F-16 fighters based there were taking off for other air bases as a precaution.

Firefighters and volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire in the town of Nea Anchialos, near Volos city, central Greece (AP)

Watch: Good samaritan gives water to thirsty lizard after devastating wildfire in Turkey leaves forest in ashes

20:30 , Martha Mchardy

Toursist face uncertainty as holidays cancelled

20:00 , Martha Mchardy

Colin Spicer, 42, who had planned to travel to Rhodes with his wife and their two daughters, aged 11 and 15, said their hotel, the Rodos Princess Beach, had announced all reservations would be cancelled until the end of August.

He added that easyJet Holidays has not said if it will cancel or amend the package holiday.

Mr Spicer said easyJet has not been very helpful at all given theyve got quite a substantial amount of our money for the familys holiday, booked from August 22.

Addressing the company, he said: Your hotelier is saying its not going to open, so youve got no option but to give that money back because you cant fulfil the holiday to what weve booked.

He said his family are hesitant to book another summer holiday while they wait for clarity from easyJet Holidays due to the uncertainty of whether they will be refunded.

The firm told PA: EasyJet Holidays has cancelled package holidays to impacted resorts in the south of Rhodes departing up to and including 29 July and has proactively contacted impacted customers who are due to travel, and processed full refunds.

We are also contacting customers due to travel to a small number of resorts that remain impacted in Rhodes up to 10 August to discuss their options.

EasyJet continues to operate its flying schedule to Rhodes, however, we understand that some customers travelling to the affected area may want to change their plans.

Customers who are booked to travel to or from Rhodes until 29 July can transfer for free to another date or can request a flight voucher for the value of their unused flights, by calling easyJet Customer Services.

Britons face absolute nightmare trying to get refunds for Rhodes holidays

19:30 , Martha Mchardy

British tourists are struggling to get refunds for holidays to Rhodes after the island was hit by wildfires, with one woman describing her situation as an absolute nightmare.

Anita Madhas, 49, was scheduled to travel to Rhodes in early August with her 72-year-old mother in a group of around 20 friends and family, but they no longer wish to go to the island after their hotel, the Lindos Imperial, was partially damaged by fire.

Ms Madhas paid just over 1,000 for return flights for herself and her mother for August 3 to 13, which have not been cancelled.

She said: That flight is scheduled to go out to Rhodes and I wont get a refund. I only get a refund if that flight is cancelled.

Its just an absolute nightmare at the moment. Im trying to get everybody to get some kind of transfer or refund, so that we can all rebook and go somewhere else.

Even if we decided to change the hotel to a different destination on the island, theres still no 100% guarantee that the hotel is going to be safe and our holiday is going to be what we expected it to be.

Ryanair press office told the PA news agency: Ryanair flights to/from Rhodes are currently operating as scheduled and remain unaffected by the forest fires.

All passengers travelling from Tuesday 25 to Sunday 30 July inclusive to/from Rhodes can change their flight free of charge online via the website/app.

A wildfire burns in Vati village, on Rhodes island (EPA)

Dangerous US heat wave pushes eastward, capping globe's record July

19:00 , Martha Mchardy

An intensifying heat wave descended on the eastern United States on Thursday, prompting warnings about the dangers presented by the sweltering heat and humidity in the final days of a record-smashing July around the world.

Some 180 million Americans - about half the population of the United States - are under heat watches and warnings, with temperatures and heat index values well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius) in the forecast until at least Saturday, the National Weather Service said.

Officials in New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and other big cities urged people to avoid working or playing outside, to drink plenty of fluids and to check on loved ones and neighbors.

The next four days will be extremely hot - take care of yourself and the people around you, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said on X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. The nations capital was expected to see the heat index, a measure of what the temperature feels like to the human body, reach 107 degrees F (41.7 C).

In Philadelphia, officials declared a health heat emergency until Saturday and created a phone help line for the elderly, opened cooling centers and increased homeless outreach.

Cooling centers have also been opened across New York City for those who do not have access to air conditioning. The heat index could reach 103 degrees F (39.4 C) on Friday in the most populous U.S. city.

Heat is deadly, and climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and even more dangerous, especially for vulnerable New Yorkers, New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said in a statement.

One in four Britons think climate change is out of control, according to survey

18:30 , Martha Mchardy

One in four people in the UK think the climate crisis is out of control, a new survey has revealed.

An Ipsos poll revealed two-thirds think we are already feeling the effects of climate change, while more than half think there is still time to deal with it.

Six out of 10 people polled also think the Conservative government is doing a bad job at dealing with the crisis, but less than three in 10 think Labour do a better job.

Watch: Ice covers road in Germany as extreme weather hits country

18:00 , Martha Mchardy

Rhodes holiday maker: Tui rep urged my family to ignore evacuation order

17:37 , Martha Mchardy

A father forced to flee a hotel with his family to escape the fire on Rhodes has said a Tui rep urged his family to ignore an evacuation order.

Ian Noble, 41, claimed the company valued money over the safety of their guests by urging them to ignore initial evacuation orders.

Mr Noble, an IT professional from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, was staying at the Atlantica Dreams hotel with his wife, Rebecca, and their four-year-old daughter, Genevieve.

He was among the guests who received an alert from the Greek authorities on their mobile phones at 11am on Saturday ordering them to leave the area as the fire was spreading towards them.

Mr Noble said Tui reps and hotel management convinced them it was safer to remain where they were.

But at around 9pm that night there was banging on the hotel room door and we were told you need to run, go now, he told the PA news agency.

A Tui rep told them coaches would collect them from the resorts main gates, but the hotel manager started screaming at them to begin walking towards a beach.

Wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes (Ian Noble/PA) (PA Media)

He claimed Tui knew what was happening in terms of the need to evacuate but convinced guests to remain at the hotel for several hours because the company thought we still need to make some money and they valued money over the safety of their guests.

A Tui spokeswoman said: We understand how distressing and difficult its been for those who had to leave their hotels and curtail their holidays due to the wildfires in Rhodes.

Our teams have worked round the clock to offer support and we brought in many additional reps to help assist as soon as the situation escalated.

Theyve done their utmost in challenging and difficult situations, collaborating with the local authorities who managed the immediate evacuation.

We relocated impacted customers in new hotels as soon as we could and have brought hundreds of people home.

Many more travelled back to the UK on flights yesterday and today and our teams will be in touch with everyone who impacted on their return.

In pictures: Wildfires wreak havoc across Rhodes

17:00 , Martha Mchardy

A burnt cactus stands on a hill near Gennadi village (AP)

A burnt cactus stands on a hill near Gennadi village, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes (AP)

Burnt trees and vegetation are seen after a wildfire near Gennadi village, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes (AP)

Burnt cars are seen after a wildfire near Gennadi village, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes (AP)

A charred chicken caught in the wild fires is pictured, close to the village of Gennadi, in the southern part of the Greek island of Rhodes (AFP via Getty Images)

Explosion heard at an ammunition facility during wildfire in central Greece - state broadcaster

16:23 , Martha Mchardy

Explosions were heard at an ammunition facility in the coastal town of Nea Aghialos in central Greece during a wildfire in the area on Thursday, state broadcaster ERT reported.

Citing unnamed sources, ERT said the ammunition depot belonged to the Greek air force.

World set to overshoot Paris warming target, says UN climate agency boss

16:21 , Martha Mchardy

The incoming head of the UN climate science agency said on Thursday the world would exceed the Paris deal warming target of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, adding that states policies had not been ambitious enough.

In an interview a day after being voted the next head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Britains Jim Skea said the organisation was committed to at least a little bit of overshoot of the long-term threshold from the 2015 Paris deal.

They (governments) have not put in place policies that are ambitious enough to allow the goals of the Paris agreement to be met. That is absolutely for sure, he said via video link from Nairobi where he won a run-off against Brazils Thelma Krug.

We are, I think, committed to at least some degree of overshoot..., he said.

Ending fossil fuels for some sectors, like aviation and freight, was not realistic, he said, adding that this meant CO2 would need to be removed from the atmosphere in future.

Red Cross in force in Rhodes as fires ease

15:50 , Martha Mchardy

The Red Cross has been operating in Rhodes since the fires began 10 days ago.

There are now 50 to 60 Red Cross staff operating across the island, a medic stationed at Gennadi told The Independent.

Initially, those comprised solely medics from Rhodes, who have been joined by others from Athens, Katerini, Kos and Patras.

While today had been calmer, Evangelos Efthymiou said that the team in Gennadi had treated people mostly only for light burns and other minor injuries.

Red Cross staff stationed in Rhodes (Andy Gregory/The Independent)

Greek wildfires reach outskirts of Athens

15:20 , Martha Mchardy

Wildfires have reached the outskirts of Athens as strong gusts of wind cause flare-ups around Greece, disrupting motorway traffic and rail services.

Water-dropping helicopters and a ground crew were called early on Thursday to a blaze in Kifissia, just north of Athens, which was quickly put out.

Near the central city of Volos, a wildfire burned on two fronts, forcing a section of Greeces busiest motorway to shut for several hours, while national rail services passing through the area were delayed.

Firefighters also battled flames on Rhodes for a 10th successive day, while flare-ups were reported on the island of Evia.

UN chief warns era of global boiling has arrived

15:02 , Martha Mchardy

U.N. secretary-general Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the era of global warming has ended and the era of global boiling has arrived after scientists said July was the worlds hottest month on record.

Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning, Guterres told reporters. It is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and avoid the very worst of climate change. But only with dramatic, immediate climate action.

July is the hottest month on record - and likely in 120,000 years: A foretaste of the future

14:51 , Martha Mchardy

The warning lights have been on for weeks but now it is official: July 2023 is set to be the hottest month on record - and likely in 120,000 years.

The record-breaking average global mean temperature - the overall reading if you could stick a thermometer at every location on Earth - was confirmed by scientists including at the European Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organization on Thursday, based on analysis of international climate and weather datasets.

We are in absolutely new record territory, Dr Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at Leipzig University whose separate analysis was first to confirm the new record, told a press briefing on Wednesday.

Senior Climate Correspondent Louise Boyle reports:

July is the hottest month on record - and likely in 120,000 years

Wildfires in Portugal: Is it safe to travel to Lisbon and Cascais right now?

14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As wildfires rage across Sicily and Greece, Portugal is the latest Mediterranean country to be hit.

A fire broke out on 26 July near the popular coastal holiday spot of Cascais, just 30km west of capital city Lisbon.

The blaze started at 5pm in part of the Sintra-Cascais natural park, with strong winds fanning the flames and quickening the spread.

Local residents chipped in to help the hundreds of Portuguese firefighters sent to tackle the fires, with some attempting to protect their homes and villages with buckets of water and hosepipes.

The fear now is that it will get to the houses, local resident Ines Figueiredo told Reuters.

Is it safe to travel to Portugal right now?

Very high risk of fire for several regions in Greece on Friday

13:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

According to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection ( civilprotection . gov . gr ), for tomorrow Friday, July 28, 2023 , a very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted for the following areas :

Region of Attica

Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia, PE Fthiotida)

Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region)

South Aegean Region (Kos, Kalymnos, Rhodes, Karpathos)

North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region)

Region of Crete (Heraklion PE, Lasithi PE)

(https://civilprotection.gov.gr/)

Its my house, I have to protect it, says resident in Rhodes town threatened by wildfires

13:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A resident in a hillside village in Rhodes threatened by wildfires in recent days has spoken of her relief that the blazes appeared to have been tamed, but fears tense days and difficult months may still lie ahead.

Eirini Kousoulini, who has run a restaurant in Malonas for five years, warned that tense moments still lie ahead as the volunteer firefighters who have toiled to quell the blazes in the hills above the village for nine nights must remain vigilant for any embers to reignite.

While the village was advised to evacuate in the small hours of Sunday, Irene remained at her house, which is located close to where the fires burned on the hillside.

Its my house, I have to protect it, said Eireni, who has lived in Rhodes for 25 years, and is originally from the island of Astypalaia, also in the Dodecanese.

Everybody, everybody is worried about the impact of the fires on tourism, she said. All people in Rhodes work with tourists, everything is a chain. They work for six months and in the winter they dont have work.

The winter will be hard for sure, she added. Because everything is very expensive  life, the supermarkets, electricity, everything  I have to work 18 hours here every day.

(Andy Gregory)

Fires in Volos, Greece

12:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

In Volos, Greece, the labour ministry urged employers in the area to suspend operations on Thursday. Drone footage above Volos showed the fire leaving behind a trail of destruction with charred trees and land covered in grey ash.

The fire in Kymi on the island of Evia, where two pilots were killed on Tuesday when their plane crashed into a hillside as it was dropping water onto the flames, was brought under control. Rekindlings in the north of Corfu island and near the town of Lamia, south of Volos, were tamed.

On Rhodes, where more than 20,000 foreign visitors and locals fled seaside hotels and homes over the weekend, teams were trying to put out a blaze in a hard-to-reach mountainous area on Thursday.

Drone images show swathes of scorched forest land from a mountain down to the coast.

Large areas of the Mediterranean have sweltered under an intense summer heatwave in recent days, and firefighters have been battling to put out blazes across the region, from Portugal to Sicily to Algeria.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Greece PM says climate change 'not an excuse' as wildfires burn

12:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday said Greece needed to take more steps to combat the effects of climate change as wildfires on the mainland burned farms and factories overnight and left farmers rushing to evacuate their animals.

The fire brigade said more than 500 wildfires have burned across the country so far this year. While summer fires are common in Greece, scientists say higher temperatures and dryer weather are turning it into a Mediterranean hotspot for climate change.

Mitsotakis said Greece needed to reform its fire fighting and fire prevention policies and do more to alleviate the impact of climate change.

The climate crisis may be a reality, but it cannot be an excuse, he said during a meeting with President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Our country ought to take more steps... to be ready to mitigate, as much as possible, the effects of a reality that we are already starting to feel, and that could have dramatic effects on many different aspects of our economic and social life, he said.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Maps show the extent of wildfires in Rhodes, Corfu and Portugal

12:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Wildfires have ravaged at least nine countries in Europe and North Africa this week, forcing mass evacuations as firefighters battle on in tinderbox conditions.

Extreme heat and billowing winds have created the perfect storm for fires to rip through swathes of land in Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Gran Canaria, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Algeria and Tunisia.

In Rhodes, one of the worst affected Greek islands, more than 20,000 tourists and locals fled from the blaze in the biggest evacuation in Greeces history.

The Greek Fire Brigade has been battling more than 500 fires for almost two weeks, but the service said the risk of fire remained extreme for several areas of Greece on Thursday.

Here we look at where the fires have struck this week:

Maps show the extent of wildfires in Rhodes, Corfu and Portugal

In pictures: Nature scorched and charred in Corfu

11:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Pictures show the natural world scorched after fires ravaged the Greek island of Corfu this week.

The shell of a tortoise lies on the charred ground near the village of Loutses on the Greek island of Corfu (AFP via Getty Images)

The remains of a green house and charred vegetable plants are pictured at a small farm near the village of Loutses (AFP via Getty Images)

Charred fruit hang on tree branches at a small farm (AFP via Getty Images)

Fire risk remains extreme for several areas of Greece today, fire brigade warns

11:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The risk of fire remained extreme for several areas of Greece on Thursday, the fire brigade said.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said Greece was experiencing very dangerous summer days.

The fires, he said, were fanned by strong winds and worsened by abnormally high temperatures, kindling fronts stretching for several kilometres.

Given the climate crisis, we will again have extreme weather conditions that will again test our strength. Nothing is over, the battle will continue throughout the summer, he said.

(REUTERS)

It was like an apocalypse: Palermo journalist recalls overnight blaze

11:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A journalist from BlogSicilia said scenes of the overnight blaze in Palermo were like an apocalypse scene.

Italian firefighters said they battled nearly 1,400 fires between Sunday and Tuesday, including 650 in Sicily and 390 in Calabria, the southern mainland region where a bedridden 98-year-old man was killed as fire consumed his home.

Fires were still burning on the hills around Palermo on Wednesday, with Canadair planes back in operation to try to douse the flames.

Speaking to Sky News, Piero Messina said: The landscape from Palermo from the night of the fire seems to be really an apocalypse scene. It seems to be not real.

Though Mr Messina acknowledged climate change played a crucial role in the devastating wildfires, he said an inquiry has been opened by the prosecutor office in Palermo to investigate whether criminal elements are involved.

Every year in Sicily, we have to fight against arson fires and this time it could be really a nightmare, he said.

(REUTERS)

Mainland Greece hit by fresh wildfires overnight

10:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Wildfires ripped through mainland Greece late on Wednesday, leaving a wake of death and destruction.

Officials ordered the evacuation of several communities in the hard-hit area of Magnesia, a coastal area north of Athens.

The body of a 45-year old shepherd was found in a rural area on Wednesday evening, the fire brigade said. Earlier, authorities had found the body of a woman, state TV ERT said. Both deaths were attributed to the fires.

In Sesklo, a village near the coastal port city of Volos, the regional capital, the charred remains of a cow could be seen on a farm as locals coached away other cattle.

It started from the grass on various fronts in the area and we got to this situation from the lack of public authority, of regional governors, mayors, to burn half of Magnesia, farmer Kostas Koukouvinos said.

Late on Wednesday flames threatened the industrial zone of the city of Volos. Firefighters circled the area as they tried to protect it, a Reuters witness said.

The labour ministry urged employers in the area to suspend operations on Thursday.

A separate wildfire flared near the city of Lamia, south of Volos. Residents of several settlements were told to leave their homes.

(REUTERS)

Are flights still going to Rhodes and can I get a refund? TUI explains

10:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Here are the main updates:

Scheduled return flights from Rhodes to the UK  will continue to operate as planned.

Up to and including Friday 28th July  no outbound flights will operate to Rhodes - all flight-only customers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds, and package holiday customers will have the option to amend their booking or cancel with a full refund. Refunds will be processed within 14 days of the booking being cancelled.

Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July  our holiday programme to the North of Rhodes, where hotels and resorts are fully operational, will resume. Any customers who would prefer to amend to another available holiday can do so or they can cancel with a full refund.

Up to and including Friday 11th August  Whilst a number of hotels in the South of the island are open, TUI is offering customers travelling on a package holiday to a hotel in the south of the island the option to rebook or amend their holiday, or cancel with a full refund.

Our teams will be contacting these customers to discuss their preferred options, including anyone whos booked on a non-TUI flight.

(EPA)

Rhodes wildfires could be controlled by weekend, fire official says

10:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The wildfires burning in Rhodes for a 10th day could be largely quelled in the next two days, a fire service official on the island has said.

While strong winds have caused repeated flare-ups in recent days, the official told The Independent: The view today is quite [a bit] better  If the wind doesnt get stronger tomorrow, the last day could be today or tomorrow.

But it is still burning in a lot of places in the south, they said, adding that some 210 firefighters were currently battling persistent blazes near the mountain villages of Vati and Profilia, and behind the seaside town of Gennadi.

Along with four firefighting airplanes and four helicopters, there are also 45 fire vehicles from Rhodes and Athens currently out in force, and over 100 cars from volunteer civilians on the island, the official said.

Men sit on the back of their pick-up truck as wildfires rage in the background close to the village of Vati on the Greek island of Rhodes on 25 July (AFP)

Update from TUI

09:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A TUI UK&I spokesperson said: Our teams in Rhodes have been working tirelessly to support customers impacted by the wildfires in south-eastern parts of the island. Weve brought hundreds of people home and hundreds more will be travelling back to the UK on flights today.

We appreciate how distressing and difficult its been for those who had to evacuate their hotels and curtail their holidays. And we also understand those due to travel to Rhodes may be concerned about how their holidays could be affected.

Were continuing to monitor the situation and have made some changes to our holiday programme in the coming days. Wed like to reassure customers their health and safety is our top priority and re-iterate that we are constantly reviewing the situation and will provide any new updates as soon as we are able.

Firefighters battle Greece wildfires overnight as farms and factories burn

09:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Firefighters in Greece battled flames burning for the 10th day on the island of Rhodes, while new blazes erupted on the mainland that destroyed farms and factories overnight and left farmers rushing to evacuate their animals.

The blazes across the country, which have been supercharged by strong winds and temperatures exceeding 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), killed a further two people in central Greece on Wednesday, taking the death toll from the fires to five.

Officials ordered the evacuation of several communities in the hard-hit area of Magnesia, a coastal area north of Athens.

(AFP via Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Wildfire on Spain's Gran Canaria island 'stabilised' - emergency services

08:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Firefighters have stabilised a wildfire that ravaged 400 hectares of woodland in the centre of the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, local emergency services chief Federico Grillo said on Thursday.

Authorities declared the wildfire stable at 0.42 a.m. local time (2342 GMT) after it had forced the evacuation of hundreds of villagers from their homes as well as dozens of children from a camping site near a mountain top.

Three roads were closed off while emergency services deployed nine aircraft and 250 firefighters to contain the blaze.

Unfortunately, a house has burned down on Pico de las Nieves, Grillo said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. No injuries were reported.

Since Wednesday, authorities had allowed residents to return to their homes to check for possible damage and care for their pets, accompanied by security officers.

Earlier in July, 4,000 people were evacuated from their homes on the island of La Palma, near Gran Canaria, as a forest fire burned out of control while countries across Europe have struggled to cope with wildfires amidst a heatwave.

(EPA)

Tourist beach left in charred ruins on Rhodes

08:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

My colleague, Andy Gregory, reporting from Rhodes:

Just last week, Glistra Beach played host to tourists no doubt enchanted by its rugged charm and surrounding shrub land.

But visited by The Independent as the sun set on the ninth day of wildfires that have torn through parts of Rhodes, nearly all evidence of human activity on Glistra had been reduced to charcoal and scorched metal.

The burnt wreck of a bar commanded the view over the small bay, with crumpled wrought iron forming a twisted and stunted structure littered with debris.

While just a few miles to the north, tourists lounged on untouched Lindos beach, the smoke from fires still raging near Gennadi to the south lay thick in the air, with the smoke casting a heavy red haze as the sun went down on firefighters and civilians doing their best to quell the persistent flames.

(Andy Gregory)

In pictures: Fire rages near city of Volos in central Greece

08:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A wildfire raged near the city of Volos in central Greece on Wednesday as firefighters battled to tackle the blaze.

Firefighting vehicles are seen as smoke billows from a wildfire near the city of Volos, central Greece, on July 26 (AFP via Getty Images)

Smoke billows from a wildfire near the city of Volos, central Greece, on July 26 (AFP via Getty Images)

Fire flare-ups in Rhodes as state of emergency declared

07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Firefighters and civilians battling the nine-day wildfires ravaging Rhodes are contending with continuous flare-ups fuelled by unpredictable winds, as temperatures neared a scorching 40C.

Greeces civil protection agency extended the state of emergency across the entirety of Rhodes on Wednesday, which will remain in place for six months, to deal with emergencies and manage the consequences of catastrophic forestry fire.

In the town of Malonas, which was evacuated on Saturday, The Independent watched on alongside exhausted volunteers as a section of the charred forest nearby reignited.

Andy Gregory reports from Rhodes.

Winds fuel fire flare-ups in Rhodes as state of emergency declared across island

Are Greece wildfires caused by climate change?

07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Wildfires have raged across Greece for days, triggering large-scale evacuations, rescue flights for British tourists and warnings from officials that things may yet get worse.

While the cause of the blazes has not officially been identified, local authorities have suggested at least some could have been the work of arsonists.

But climate science and fire risk specialists say its undeniable that rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves mean the fires in the Mediterranean country have spread faster and burned over larger areas.

Maanya Sachdeva has more.

Are Greece wildfires caused by climate change?

Civilians tackle persistent blazes in hills of Rhodes for ninth night

06:32 , Andy Gregory in Rhodes

Volunteer firefighters were out in the hills of Rhodes again late on Wednesday for the ninth night running, as they sought to dampen persistent blazes.

One volunteer in the hills above the inland village of Malonas spoken to by The Independent at around 10:30pm local time said they were waiting on lookout for flare-ups, with the tanks of water on their vehicles still full  in a positive sign the fires there were finally subsiding.

Others were some 25 kilometres further south in Vati, a village nestled between olive groves and pine trees, in an area where firefighting efforts had been most intense on Wednesday.

Local outlet Rodiaki reported that there were three fronts constantly rekindling near Vati and Gennadi  but, as in Malonas, were hoped to ease significantly overnight.

Where are the Italy wildfires as temperatures rise to 47.6C in Sicily?

06:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Travel on and off the Italian island of Sicily has been disrupted after wildfires fuelled by extreme temperatures broke out.

Videos and photos show the fires ravaging the island holiday destination, including two of the main airports at Catania and Palermo.

Flames also threatened the ancient archaeological site of Segesta, which had to be closed temporarily to check for any damage.

The Messina area of Sicily has also seen wildfires breakout, with photos showing flames engulfing part of the village of Curcuraci.

Temperatures rose to 47.6C in some parts of the island on Monday, sparking at least 55 separate blazes.

Lucy Skoulding reports.

Where are the Italy wildfires as temperatures rise to 47.6C?

Two killed as wildfire erupts on Greek mainland

05:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Wildfires that have been supercharged by strong winds and temperatures exceeding 40C killed two people in central Greece yesterday, forcing a new wave of evacuations.

At least 61 wildfires erupted across Greece in the last 24 hours, the fire brigade said. Officials ordered the evacuation of several communities in the hard-hit area of Magnesia, a coastal area north of Athens.

The body of a 45-year-old shepherd was found in a rural area last evening, the fire brigade said. Earlier, authorities had found the body of a woman, state TV ERT said.

Both deaths were attributed to the fires.

When will heatwave in Europe end?

05:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Southern European countries suffering from a sizzling heatwave for weeks can finally hope for some respite as a new forecast reveals subtle changes in the jet stream that are expected to bring temperatures down.

With shattered temperature records, devastating wildfires in Greece and tragic loss of lives, people have been anxiously awaiting relief from intense heat conditions that gripped Europe this month.

The latest forecast from the UKs Met Office offers a glimmer of hope as conditions are projected to shift slightly, indicating the weakening of the heat dome that enveloped the southern part of the continent.

Stuti Mishra reports.

When will heatwave in Europe end? New forecast shows relief in sight

The nine affected countries mapped

04:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Wildfires continue to burn across at least nine countries in Europe and North Africa, forcing mass evacuations as firefighters battle on in tinderbox conditions.

Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Gran Canaria, Italy, Croatia, and Turkey have seen raging fires this week as extreme heat billows over the countries.

The Greek Fire Brigade has already been battling more than 500 fires for almost two weeks, while the high temperatures of the recent new heatwave are set to exceed 44C in some areas of Greece.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain has more.

Where are the wildfires? The nine affected European countries mapped

UK Met Office warns temperature higher than 40C will be frequent in future

04:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

In its annual State of the UK Climate report, the Met Office analysed the weather of 2022 and warned temperatures higher than 40C, summer droughts, grassfires and downpours will increase in both frequency and severity.

A severe heatwave gripped the country last summer, as a new temperature record was set (40.3C) and numerous wildfires were reported across Britain. More than 3,000 heat-related deaths were recorded in England and Wales during five heat periods between June and August 2022, according to a joint report by the Office of National Statistics and the UK Health Security Agency.

While 2022 was an extraordinary year for the UK in terms of weather and climate, the Met Office said these conditions are a potential warning of what we should expect in the future as a result of human-caused climate change.

Maanya Sachdeva has more.

UKs 40C summer of 2022 will seem cool as climate crisis worsens, Met Office warns

We refuse to cancel, say tourists flying into Greek inferno

04:00 , Jane Dalton

British tourists on an easyJet flight to Rhodes have said they refuse to let wildfires ruin their holiday  despite thousands of others heading back home from holiday hell. Andy Gregory reports:

Tourists flying into Greece inferno reveal why they refuse to cancel holiday

Wildfires and climate change: the link

03:00 , Jane Dalton

Local authorities in Greece have suggested at least some of the wildfires could have been the work of arsonists.

But climate science and fire-risk specialists say its undeniable that rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves mean the fires in the Mediterranean country have spread faster and burned over larger areas:

Are Greece wildfires caused by climate change?

Tourist recalls how Greeks saved her family

02:00 , Jane Dalton

A tourist broke down in tears as she detailed how she and her family managed to escape the Rhodes wildfires with the help of locals.

It was so awful, it was like Dantes Inferno, LBC caller Jane, from Preston, explained.

Tourist breaks down detailing how Greek locals saved her family from wildfires

Italy announces support for businesses hit by heatwave

Thursday 27 July 2023 00:56 , Jane Dalton

Italy has announced measures to help families and businesses hit by extreme climate events, as the country reels from a heatwave in the south and fierce storms in the north.

Giorgia Melonis administration approved a decree to help construction and agricultural firms keep staff at home in areas with very high temperatures.

The decree allows building and farming companies, both severely hit by the heatwave because their workers cannot work from home, to use the instrument without the hours being counted in the overall limits.

The measure will be valid for this year, labour minister Marina Calderone said.

The heatwave over most of the south took a particularly heavy toll on the island of Sicily, which was devastated by wildfires that killed three people.

Catania, below Mount Etna in eastern Sicily, has been hit by power and water supply cuts that officials blamed in part on the heat.

More than 40 people killed as wildfires rage in nine countries

Wednesday 26 July 2023 23:51 , Jane Dalton

More than 40 people have been killed in wildfires that have engulfed swaths of land in nine Mediterranean countries, destroying homes and livelihoods and threatening forests, amid one of the worlds fiercest heatwaves:

More than 40 people die as wildfires rage in nine countries in record heatwave

Greek fires release record greenhouse gases

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:44 , Jane Dalton

Greek wildfires released a record 1 megaton of carbon emissions between 1 and 25 July, the European Unions Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) says.

That was nearly double the previous record, set in July 2007.

Carbon emissions accelerate the climate crisis, which scientists say has intensified the heatwaves.

Tourist beach left in charred ruins

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:36 , Jane Dalton

Just last week, Glistra Beach played host to tourists no doubt enchanted by its rugged charm and surrounding shrub land, writes Andy Gregory.

But visited by The Independent as the sun set on the ninth day of wildfires that have torn through parts of Rhodes, nearly all evidence of human activity on Glistra had been reduced to charcoal and scorched metal.

The burnt wreck of a bar commanded the view over the small bay, with crumpled wrought iron forming a twisted and stunted structure littered with debris.

While just a few miles to the north, tourists lounged on untouched Lindos beach, the smoke from fires still raging near Gennadi to the south lay thick in the air, casting a heavy red haze as the sun went down on firefighters and civilians doing their best to quell the persistent flames.

Glistra Beach in ruins (Andy Gregory)

Glistra Beach (Andy Gregory)

Greece tries to salvage tourism

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:36 , Jane Dalton

The Greek government has sought to contain damage to the reputation of one of its crucial revenue earners, tourism.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni stressed that wildfires had affected only a small part of the island.

We have contacted the chamber of hoteliers and we want to see how we can bring people with holiday vouchers back, she told Open television.

Greece is heavily reliant on its sea and sun tourist trade and Rhodes, one of its largest Aegean islands, is among its top destinations, attracting about 1.5 million foreign visitors in the summer months.

Around 3,000 holidaymakers had left Rhodes to return home by plane by Tuesday, while tour operators cancelled upcoming trips. TUI dropped flights to Rhodes until Friday.

Winds fuel fires in Rhodes as state of emergency declared

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:00 , Jane Dalton

Firefighters and civilians in Rhodes are contending with continuous flare-ups fuelled by unpredictable winds, as temperatures neared a scorching 40C, writes Andy Gregory on the island:

Winds fuel fire flare-ups in Rhodes as state of emergency declared across island

Lizard laps up water from good Samaritan after Turkish wildfires

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:25 , Jane Dalton

Watch: This is the heartwarming moment a good Samaritan gives water to a thirsty after the devastating wildfires left a Turkish forest in ashes.

Good Samaritan gives water to thirsty lizard after devastating Turkey wildfire

Transport help for people returning from Greek holidays

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:50 , Jane Dalton

TransPennine Express, the intercity operator for the north of England and southern Scotland, has joined National Express in offering free travel to customers returning home from Greek wildfires.

Customers should present their stamped passport and airline boarding pass confirming travel from the islands as proof of returning from the disruption, the company says.

The company is also offering refunds on pre-purchased rail fares to passengers who have booked travel to Greece and have had their flights cancelled or no longer wish to travel.

When will heatwave in Europe end?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:14 , Jane Dalton

Southern European countries suffering under a sizzling heatwave for weeks can finally hope for some respite as a new forecast reveals subtle changes in the jet stream that are expected to bring temperatures down:

When will heatwave in Europe end? New forecast shows relief in sight

Fleeing holidaymakers all back in UK, says travel firm

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:45 , Jane Dalton

Travel firm Thomas Cook says all its customers that had to flee their hotels at the weekend have now returned to the UK.

It said: As normal tourism resumes across most of the island, we are also conscious that some of our customers do have some concerns about continuing with their original holiday plans. We are extending our offer to amend or refund customers who are due to depart up to and including Friday 28th July. We expect to reach a decision for the coming days in the next 24 hours.

Why no Foreign Office warnings against travel?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:15 , Jane Dalton

In his daily travel podcast, The Independents travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles the increasing calls for the Foreign Office to warn against travel to Rhodes because of the wildfires.

When the FCDO make such an assessment, holiday companies are required to repatriate their customers and not to send any more travellers out.

Calder says: The Foreign Office lost the plot and trashed the reputation of its travel advice during the Covid pandemic  when Portugal was classed as having the same degree of risk as the Afghan capital, Kabul, and parts of Somalia.

After such misjudgments, it is not surprising that some holidaymakers who are now reluctant to travel see the prospect of a FCDO no-go decision as a kind of get-out-of-jail-free card.

But such a rating should be reserved for real high-risk locations. Rhodes continues to be a good holiday destination, and now the bargain destination of the summer.

July 26th - A note of caution for the Foreign Office's response to this summer's wildfires | Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Hundreds of hectares of forest burned in Gran Canaria

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:55 , Jane Dalton

A forest fire in El Cortijo de las Huertas, in Tejeda, Gran Canaria, Spain, burned some 300 hectares.

(EPA)

EU plans to buy firefighting planes

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:18 , Jane Dalton

The European Union wants to sign contracts this year for up to 12 firefighting planes, the first it would fully own, to improve its ability to fight blazes fuelled by climate change, the blocs head of crisis management said.

The EU doubled its existing reserve fleet of firefighting aircraft in the past year, after devastating fires last summer in southern Europe exhausted its previous 13-craft capacity.

That fleet comprises 28 aircraft, which the EU pays to lease from EU countries own fleets or the market, to form a bloc-wide buffer during the wildfire season. That doubling of numbers is expected to cost 23 million euros, the commission said.

But as climate change increases the risk of severe blazes, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said Brussels wanted contracts signed this year to buy 12 EU-owned craft, plus another 12 to bolster countries own national fleets.

We could have the first planes delivered two years later. And the whole fleet would be there by the end of the decade, Mr Lenarcic told Reuters.

Manufacturer De Havilland Canada has agreed to re-launch production of the so-called Canadair aircraft, if the EU orders are placed, he said.

Six member states would sign the contracts: Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The EU would finance the purchase of the 12 planes for its own fleet, while member states would pay for their own.

We have neither energy nor power, say volunteer firefighters

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:00 , Jane Dalton

Volunteer firefighters battling blazes night after night for nine days on Rhodes have spoken of their exhaustion as fires continued to flare up, writes Andy Gregory on the island.

In the town of Malonas, which was evacuated on Saturday, The Independent watched on alongside exhausted volunteers as a section of the charred forest nearby reignited.

The handful of volunteers gathered outside St Georges Church stood up to watch as a firefighting plane flew overhead, dousing the flames in water  as smoke continued to rise skywards.

They expected to venture out again alongside hundreds, if not thousands, of other civilians on Wednesday night to do what they could to keep the fires at bay  having fought back the flames just the night before, as they encroached on the sleepy inland town.

We have no energy, we have no power  not enough to stop this ... We are waiting for the wind to calm down to try again tonight to finish the job, but it is very difficult because after 10 days everyone is very tired, a volunteer named Panos said, adding: Im going to sleep now for one hour.

Greek blazes less severe

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:45 , Jane Dalton

Wildfires raging across Greece for more than a week had abated, a fire brigade official said earlier.

Firefighters are still battling on several fronts to contain blazes that have killed three people and caused thousands of tourists to flee.

On the island of Rhodes, where more than 20,000 foreign visitors and locals fled hotels and homes over the weekend, dozens of firefighters are still trying to tame a front close to a mountainous area in the south.

Wildfires across Greece have abated, but firefighters are still operating at different spots, an official told Reuters.

On Rhodes, the fire is more intense close to the village of Vati, which is hard to reach, but no settlements are at risk, another fire official said.

The Greek government has sought to contain damage to the reputation of one of its key revenue earners.

Vati, marked with pin (Google Maps)

Fire threatens to engulf moving cars

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:25 , Jane Dalton

Flames threatened to engulf cars travelling along a main road in Sicily, terrifying drivers and passengers, as this video footage shows:

Rhodes blazes have started again  fire official

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:00 , Jane Dalton

Firefighters have been mobilised to the Rhodes village of Apollona, while fires also burned further south in Vati and Gennadi, writes reporter Andy Gregory, who is on the island.

The fires have started again, a fire service official told The Independent. A little wind and the fire returns  Thats the problem.

Speaking to The Independent in the town of Malonas, as the skies remained clear shortly before a fresh plume of smoke was spotted a short distance away, one resident described a pattern of flare-ups in recent days.

Miles, a 56-year-old artist from England who has lived on Rhodes for 17 years, said: Clear in the morning. By the afternoon, the skys gone dark ... theres smoke everywhere, and you can see it for miles.

Thats why the helicopters are flying over now, theyre damping down near the edges to try and make sure it doesnt come back, he added.

'Smoke is seen for miles (Andy Gregory)

State of emergency extended across all of Rhodes

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:55 , Jane Dalton

Greeces civil protection agency has extended its state of emergency to cover the entire island of Rhodes.

The measure will last for six months to deal with emergencies and manage the consequences of catastrophic forestry fire, civil protection minister Vasilis Papageorgiou said, according to local media.

A burnt car in the village of Asklipieio, Rhodes (REUTERS)

Asklipieio, on the island of Rhodes (REUTERS)

Tragic last words of firefighting pilots

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:48 , Jane Dalton

The tragic last words of two heroic pilots who died fighting wildfires in Greece have been revealed:

Tragic 'last words' of hero pilots who died in plane crash fighting Greek wildfires

Tunisia and Algeria fires contained

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:28 , Jane Dalton

Tunisian firefighters have completely contained fires that broke out in various regions, with the help of the Algerian army and firefighting planes from Spain, the Tunisian interior minister says.

Wildfires that swept across regions of Algeria, leaving at least 34 people, including 10 soldiers, dead, spread to Tunisian regions including forests.

Earlier on Wednesday, Algeria managed to contain the bush fire that had been raging in its forests, state TV said.

The fires in Tunisia forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes.

Temperatures of 49C were recorded in some cities in Tunisia this week.

Two elderly found dead in burnt home

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:19 , Jane Dalton

The bodies of two elderly people were found in a home that had been consumed by flames near Palermo airport, on the island of Sicily, which had been closed temporarily because of the encroaching flames, according to Italian news reports.

Firefighters are battling dozens of wildfires across southern Italy as searing temperatures continue to scorch Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria, where a number of evacuations were ordered.

Freak storms in the north of the countries also left two people dead on Tuesday from falling trees.

Greece crisis in pictures: Infernos, black skies and fleeing tourists

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:03 , Jane Dalton

Severe fires in parts of Greece and in other Mediterranean countries have spread, causing excess deaths, destroying homes and threatening nature reserves during a third wave of extreme temperatures. These are some of the most powerful images:

Infernos, black skies and fleeing tourists: The Greece wildfires in pictures

Melting power cables bring Sicily to its knees'

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:57 , Jane Dalton

A mayor in Sicily said his city had been brought to its knees by temperatures approaching 50C (more than 120F), which had melted underground cables.

Hundreds of thousands of people on Sicily have been left without power or running water as the heatwave hit utilities, as well as airports and public transport.

Most of our existing infrastructure was designed based on temperature averages 60 to 80 years ago, an expert in engineering and critical infrastructure told The Wall Street Journal, but these arent the conditions we are facing today. Repair bills could be high.

Flames burn a field in Capaci, near Palermo in Sicily (AP)

Holidays to Rhodes on sale at halfprice

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:46 , Jane Dalton

Exclusive: A weeks package holiday to Rhodes is being offered for sale for around half the normal summer levels on the wildfire-hit Greek island, writes Simon Calder:

Summer holidays to fire-hit Rhodes on sale for just 295

Fire in Portuguese holiday destination under control'

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:06 , Holly Evans

A wildfire that began on Tuesday afternoon in the popular Portuguese holiday destination of Cascais, near the capital of Lisbon, is now under control but firefighters will remain on the ground.

Civil protection commander Elisio Oliveira said the blaze no longer posed a risk to the population but urged people to avoid the area.

More than 600 firefighters and water-bombing planes battled the blaze, which was complicated by strong winds.

Around 90 people were evacuated as a precaution, but no houses were damaged and no major injuries have been reported.

Croatian firefighters endure long night to contain fires

Wednesday 26 July 2023 12:48 , Holly Evans

Firefighters in near Dubrovnik worked overnight to ensure that a burning wildfire was contained, amid concerns it would reach houses.

Several kilometers away from the famous walled town of Dubrovnik, in the countrys south along the Adriatic Sea coast, water-dropping planes and more than 100 firefighters battled the blaze.

The medieval stone city is a protected heritage site and Croatias best-known tourism destination.

Its been a long night but we managed to stave off the part (of the fire) that is important because of the houses, firefighting unit commander Stjepan Simovic said. We must be careful because the wind has started to pick up and the fire can grow again.

Firefighters have worked overnight to contain a blaze in Croatia (Ian Barton via REUTERS)

UK ambassador to visit Rhodes

Wednesday 26 July 2023 12:33 , Holly Evans

The UKs ambassador to Greece is due to visit Rhodes today as firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have caused thousands to be evacuated.

Ambassador Matthew Lodge will meet with Greek officials including the deputy prime minister Ioannis Bratakos, Rhodes mayor Andonis Cambourakis and south Aegean governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos.

Sky News reports that Mr Lodge is due to discuss the current status of the wildfires and the progress in relocating Brits to hotels or returning to the UK.

Nine countries burn across Europe and North Africa

Wednesday 26 July 2023 12:25 , Jane Dalton

Wildfires are burning in at least nine countries across southern Europe and North Africa, with thousands of firefighters working to contain the blazes.

At least seven people have been killed in Italy as it battled both extreme heat and violent storms. In the north, Milan residents reported torrential rain and hail with a 16-year-old girl killed after a tree fell on her tent. Meanwhile in the south, the heatwave reached 47.6C with three people found dead in Sicily.

In Greece, authorities have evacuated more than 20,000 from homes and resorts in Rhodes, while 2,500 have been evacuated in Corfu. Two pilots died when their plane crashed into the hillside in Evia, while the Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the country was at war with fire.

20,000 people have been evacuated from the island of Rhodes (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Nearly 100 firefighters have worked to contain a wildfire close to Nice airport in France, while 300 firefighters battled fires near the city of Arles.

Local media reported that winds were so strong in Croatia that firefighting aircraft could not take off, while wildfires have been reported in the south of the country.

Fires in Spain continue to pose a problem following two weeks of extreme hear, with a blaze in Gran Canaria reaching just metres from an air traffic antannae and prompting the evacuation of hundreds.

Two women watch a wildifire near Lisbon in Portugal (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Wind has also caused issues in Portugal as firefighters tackle a large blaze near the tourist hotspot of Cascais, with water-bombing planes used to reduce the spread.

Meanwhile in North Africa, at least 34 people have been killed in Algeria, with fires burning in a total of 15 provinces and 1,500 people evacuated from their homes. Among those killed were 10 soldiers who became trapped by flames.

Strong winds have resulted in fires spreading to neighbouring Tunisia, with two border crossings closed in an attempt to contain the blaze.

Locals fear Rhodes fires storing up problems in months to come

Wednesday 26 July 2023 11:45 , Andy Gregory in Rhodes

The fires ravaging Rhodes are also storing up problems for locals in the months ahead, residents fear.

Speaking to The Independent in the town of Arhangelo, a local doctor in his 50s named Renos warned that the first large rainfall could bring a deluge of debris to the affected villages.

Even once the fires have been tamed in Rhodes, volunteers will need to work for at least a week to ensure the embers of the decimated forests do not reignite, he said.

Praising the strength of the civilians toiling at the fire front through the night after working in hotels and other jobs during the day, he said: I think they deserve an Olympic gold medal.

Flames and smoke rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Gennadi, on the island of Rhodes, Greece (REUTERS)

Former Greek defence minister calls for help from Russia to fight fires

Wednesday 26 July 2023 11:30 , Tara Cobham

A former Greek defence minister has urged the Greek government to seek help from Russia to fight the devastating wildfires.

Panos Kamennos claims it is impossible to cope with the fires without the support of the Russian Be-200 amphibious aircraft.

Without Beriev, nothing happens. Lets bow out heads and ask for help now. We will be given... he said in a social media post.

Laura Sharman reports:

Former Greek defence minister calls for help from Russia to fight fires

Popular tourist site remains closed

Wednesday 26 July 2023 11:22 , Holly Evans

Temperatures in Greece have resulted in one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations closing for the afternoon, in a bid to protect visitors from the extreme heatwave.

With the heat expected to exceed 45C today, the Greek government said the Acropolis in Athens would be shut from 11am.

The historical landmark was forced to close last week as the stifling heat raised concerns around safety, with one woman attended to by paramedics after feeling faint.

Wildfires continue to rage across the country, with a blaze in Rhodes prompting the biggest evacuation in Greek history as 20,000 people were forced to leave their homes and hotels.

The Acropolis in Athens has been forced to close early due to the extreme heat (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

You feel like the fire is a beast

Wednesday 26 July 2023 11:15 , Andy Gregory in Rhodes

The area surrounding the villages of Gennadi and Vati have become hotspots for the fires ravaging Rhodes in recent days.

Speaking to The Independent in the town of Arhangelo, where hundreds of young volunteers have travelled from to fight the fires, a 41-year-old software designer named Stefanos Pardalos described his trip to the fire front.

I went at 11 oclock at night, I helped a little bit, but you cant do anything. You feel like [the fire is] a beast, honestly. Its the first time in my life Ive seen something [like that].

Imagine airplanes cant do [much], he said, comparing this to the difficulty facing volunteers on the ground, some of whom he said were loading pickups with water systems from their houses to combat the fires.

Temperatures approach peak in Rhodes as firefighting efforts continue

Wednesday 26 July 2023 11:00 , Andy Gregory in Rhodes

Temperatures in Rhodes are approaching their forecast peak of 40C, intensifying conditions for those working to quell the fires here.

Hundreds of civilians have been travelling to the fire front in recent days, using any means at their disposal to halt the blazes which have prompted thousands of people to be evacuated from homes and hotels.

Those efforts continued on Wednesday in the scorching heat, as volunteers at a hub visited by The Independent near Faliraki bussed in and out to pick up supplies to take to those toiling in the south.

As well as the heat, already at 36C, the winds which have fanned the flames in unpredictable ways in recent days were set to intensify throughout the day here, with gusts reaching 25mph, according to the Met Office.

Locals watch the fires approaching the village of Vati, just north of the coastal town of Gennadi, in the southern part of the Greek island of Rhodes (AFP via Getty Images)

Watch: Tourist breaks down detailing how Greek locals saved her family

Wednesday 26 July 2023 10:45 , Tara Cobham

Travel industry lost confidence in Foreign Office advice, says Paul Charles

Wednesday 26 July 2023 10:37 , Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent

A leading travel industry voice has called for a complete overhaul in Foreign Office consular advice.

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency and former Virgin Atlantic director, told The Independent: It needs a complete overhaul as Foreign Office advice has always been seen as the arbiter and signal for the industry.

"But the industry has lost confidence in it since Covid and it failed to move swiftly in the green/wildfire crisis. Either it needs to be relaunched, after industry consultation, or abandoned and the onus put firmly on tour operators, airlines and travel agents, following a new Code for Overseas Travel.
Smoke billows from a wildfire near the city of Volos in central Greece (Sakis MITROLIDIS)

Greek fire crews on Thursday scrambled to douse deadly wildfires raging for two weeks around the country before strong winds forecast for the day rekindle blazes.

Hundreds of firefighters backed by European Union reinforcements were struggling to contain the flames on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia, in addition to a new front that erupted Wednesday in central Greece.

"These are are difficult and very sad days," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

Mitsotakis said Greece was "mourning four fellow citizens, the two aircraft pilots... and two who could not distance themselves from the inferno in time."

Five bodies have been recovered from fire-stricken areas this week, but a police source told AFP that a cattle farmer found burned on the island of Evia on Tuesday had disappeared before the fire and was not listed among the casualties.

Around the Mediterranean, fires this week also flared in Croatia and Italy, and flames killed 34 in Algeria in extreme heat that has left landscapes tinder dry.

- Mass evacuations -

Officials have said more than 600 wildfires have broken out around Greece since July 13.

The vast majority were tackled before they could pose a threat, the government said.

The civil protection ministry has warned of an extreme danger of fire in over a dozen Greek regions on Thursday.

A forest fire broke out Wednesday in mountainous terrain in Haskovo, near the Greek-Bulgarian border, and was still out of control.

Early Thursday, another fire broke out near homes in the leafy Athens suburb of Kifissia but was swiftly extinguished.

Tens of thousands of residents and tourists at the height of the busy travel season have been evacuated, including 20,000 people on Rhodes, where officials declared a state of emergency this week.

A dangerous fire broke out Wednesday near the industrial zone of the central city of Volos, leaving two dead.

An elderly disabled woman was found dead inside her burned camper van in a coastal area near Volos and a cattle farmer was killed while trying to rescue his livestock.

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On Tuesday, two pilots died when their water-bombing plane crashed while battling a blaze in Evia.

The industrial zone was closed Thursday as a precaution. Six communities and villages around the city of nearly 140,000 people were evacuated early in the morning, with more placed on standby.

Temperatures are expected to drop Thursday after a prolonged heatwave but near-gale winds are expected to complicate efforts to douse the fires.

- Compensation -

"Very high temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and intense winds have created fire fronts of many kilometres," Civil Protection Minister Kikilias said, adding that crews were battling through "inconceivable fatigue."

The EU crisis management commissioner's office on Wednesday said over 490 firefighters and seven planes had been deployed to different areas in Greece under the bloc's civil protection mechanism.

In Italy, three people died as a result of the fires earlier this week, with investigations underway into a potential fourth victim, after a 61-year-old woman was found dead in a lift stuck for several hours in Palermo, potentially because of an electricity blackout.

Sicily's civil protection agency estimates the fires that have swept the island in the last two days "have caused more than 60 million euros in damage".

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government late Wednesday approved 10 million euros to compensate tourists whose trips to Sicily have been disrupted by the fall-out from the heatwave.

This includes those affected by the closure of Catania airport, which suffered a fire in the main terminal on July 16 and has been offering only a vastly reduced service since then.

Catania and surrounding areas have also suffered blackouts and water shortages in the past week that electricity suppliers blamed on heat damage to underground cables.

bur-jph/ach
The author and her family visited Peru in 2018. Maria Noyen/Insider

I was lucky enough to go on a few not-so-stereotypical family vacations growing up.

These "extreme" trips included activities like hiking with gorillas and whitewater rafting.

I've always been an anxious traveler, but these trips taught me to embrace taking calculated risks.

By all accounts, I am a nervous traveler and I never quite feel safe until I return home.

This is true, despite the fact I grew up with parents who  when it was financially and logistically possible  enjoyed taking me and my siblings on not-so-stereotypical family vacations.

With "extreme" tourism getting more attention lately in the wake of the Titan tragedy, I've reexamined some of the vacations my family and I took. I'll be the first to admit that some of our trips could be considered risky  and while I spent a good amount of our vacations feeling petrified, looking back I don't have any regrets.

I was always the most anxious on our 'extreme' family vacations

So just how "extreme" were these vacations, you ask?

Well, let's see...

There was the year we traveled to the Okavango Delta in Botswana and went canoeing in waters frequented by hippos. That was around the same time I learned that hippos  not lions or leopards, as I would've expected  are considered to be one of the deadliest large land mammals on Earth; according to BBC Wildlife Magazine, they cause roughly 500 deaths on average each year. The same source says they can be "very aggressive" and have a tendency to charge at and capsize boats.

There was the summer we went to Peru, trekked to Machu Picchu, and ended the trip with some whitewater rafting. While this may not be as perilous as canoeing alongside hippos, whitewater rafting can cause injuries including cuts and scrapes from collisions with rocks. Fatalities are thankfully very uncommon, but they aren't unheard of, as data from over the years cited by TripSavvy shows. Still, knowing what could happen if I fell out of the raft at any given moment terrified me and I only felt relief once we'd made it into calmer waters.

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Not to be forgotten was the trip to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo where, on a hike to see the gorillas in their natural habitat, I got momentarily dragged through the bush by a silverback gorilla.

The author standing metres away from a gorilla in Rwanda. Maria Noyen/Insider

From my memory, the entire incident lasted less than 10 seconds and was over as soon as a guide was able to make noises that encouraged the creature to let me go.

That said, I do remember standing up, wiping mud off my pants, and promptly bursting into tears  much to the amusement of my own family who stand by their account that they were very concerned at first until they saw I'd gotten away unhurt. I'll just say our recollections differ.

Before each of these trips, I was always the first to voice concerns about the risks we were all taking.

I'd read articles on the activities we'd signed up for, which of course would petrify me, and deliver the information to my parents. Call it naive, but I genuinely thought I could change their minds so we could stay in the safety of our home.

These moments led me to take more calculated travel risks as an adult

Don't get them wrong, my parents never booked a vacation without thoroughly taking our safety into account.

They were the ones who did the real research, sometimes months of it, to make informed decisions about whether or not we should go on a vacation in the first place. I, on the other hand, would relentlessly scroll the internet for any information on all the ways we could die before these trips.

But I will say that my fear of doing things that have the slightest bit of risk attached to them has subsided.

I'm still a nervous traveler, but I've gone on to take trips of my own where I've said "yes" to experiences I probably wouldn't have if it wasn't for these family vacations.

The author has been shark cage diving in South Africa. cunfek/Getty Images

As an example, years of watching "Shark Week" content has instilled a deep fear in me of what lies beneath the oceans and yet in the past five years, I've been been cage diving with great white sharks off the coast of South Africa (twice).

If anything, growing up in a family with an appetite for "extreme" travel has made me less afraid of adventures and pushed me to understand that just because bad things happen, it doesn't necessarily mean they always happen or will happen to me. In my experience, I've found that it's important to consider the worst-case scenario, but it's equally important to know that when the best-case scenario is the most likely outcome, it's worth taking a chance for.

And ultimately, travel, in any capacity, comes with risks.

But thanks to my parents, I'm not going to let fear stop me from seeing the world and making memories out of the moments where I feel most alive.

Read the original article on Insider
Group Vacation Planning: How to Keep the Peace

(CNN)  A vacation with your pals should be the perfect opportunity to unwind, catch up and have fun with some of your favorite people in  ideally  a fabulous setting.

But coordinating large groups isnt always easy. Weve all heard travel horror stories of fighting over finances, itinerary arguments, and barbed comments over cocktails.

Whether youre currently planning a future friend vacation, or about to embark on a long-awaited group trip, here are some top tips to keep the trip as smooth and fun as possible.

Think carefully about whos coming

So first things first, who are you inviting? Maybe the answers obvious because youve got a gang you always travel with, or a ready-to-go group of close pals who youve always wanted to vacation with en masse.

But if youre planning a trip with a friend group thats never traveled together before, or youre thinking of bringing together a mix of friends from different parts of your life, its worth considering the potential group dynamic.

It sounds obvious, but if youve got friends who prefer outdoorsy hikes and adventures, they may or may not gel with the group who enjoy bar-hopping and city breaks.

Plus, travel can be stressful  some friends might get on really well at social events, but their personalities could clash when theyre under pressure to make a flight, or dealing with a vacation rental that doesnt live up to the listing.

So, generally speaking, the closer the group, the more likely the vacation success. But traveling together can also be a great way to get to know people better, so definitely dont rule out an invitee just because theyre a newer addition to your circle.

A vacation could also be a great opportunity to get to know a friends partner a little better, so extending the invite to significant others could be a great shout, just  again  keep the overall dynamic in mind. If the trip suddenly goes from a college pals reunion to a couples trip featuring a sole single friend, that might be a less-than-fun outcome for that one person whos not coupled up.

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Of course, everyone is different, and theres no general rule for any of these situations  its just worth being considerate and thoughtful in the inviting.

On that note, also bear in mind the potential for a friend being offended if theyve not made the cut. Not everyone can come to every trip, but be mindful that you dont want to lose friendships before youve even boarded the plane.

Have a budget and stick to it

Talking about finances can be awkward, but its part and parcel of vacation planning. The best strategy is to set a budget early on for accommodation and travel costs.

If you want to make sure no one is priced out, ask everyone to be upfront from the beginning and make sure there are no surprise extra costs later down the line.

Chelsea Dickenson, the 33-year-old founder of website Cheap Holiday Expert, suggests one way of avoiding anyone feeling uncomfortable in the group chat is to set up a Google Form that everyone can fill out anonymously, detailing their preferred budget and any other concerns or thoughts.

You essentially create a questionnaire for your friends, Dickenson tells CNN Travel. And then its down to the organizer  which probably would be me, in my case  to look at that and see, Okay, what are we actually working with.

How you split costs both before and after vacation will depend on your group dynamic, your respective financial positions and your own preferences  but whatever the answer, its best to have that conversation before you embark on the trip.

While some friends might be happy to adopt an I paid for the Uber, you buy the drinks policy, others may feel more comfortable knowing everythings been split evenly.

Apps like Splitwise do the complicated sums for you, keeping tabs on who spent what when. Or if everyone in your party happens to use banking apps like Monzo or Revolut (both of which generally allow spending internationally without extra fees) you can set up a shared tab and pay as you go.

Pick your destination and accomodation carefully

So the gangs assembled and the budgets confirmed. Now youve just to figure out where youre actually going.

If youve not already had to consider the word compromise in the planning process, heres where its almost guaranteed to come up. Maybe one of you fell in love with the beauty of Sicily while watching The White Lotus and is desperate to fly to Palermo, but someone else already ticked Italy off their bucket list and is dreaming of hiking the fjords of Norway. Maybe some of the group love the idea of spending evenings chilling in a secluded cabin with a hot tub, but your other friends would prefer to stay in a buzzy city hotel with a rooftop bar.

A group vacation is  generally speaking  more about the group than the destination. After all, while exploring a fantastic place together is theoretically the purpose of your trip, if you wanted free rein to go wherever in the world you like, youre better off traveling alone  or picking just one like-minded travel buddy.

If youre going on a friend vacation, youre going somewhere to hang out with your friends, so you should consider their needs and preferences as much as yours. That doesnt mean totally abandoning your dream trip, it just means being candid and going into the experience knowing what everyone wants out of the trip and making sure youre all, more or less, on the same page.

And even if the group ends up voting on a destination youve visited before, returning with a different group at a different stage in life is always going to be rewarding.

Know your individual strengths - and your group dynamic

Some people are natural organizers. Others are great at map reading. Some people love driving. Others are pros at finding the best flight deals. Some bring the vibes on the day, arriving with a speaker and vacation-approved playlist.

Knowing your own strengths  and those of your friends  will help you plan and orchestrate the vacation as smoothly as possible.

If youre vacationing with people youve never traveled with before, this dynamic might be a little more of an in-the-moment surprise, but youll still likely cotton on to peoples natural roles early on.

And depending on how big your group is, some people will naturally step up into organizing roles, while others might take a backseat. If youre all natural organizers, you might have to reluctantly cede control to a friend  but if theyre your close pal, you know theyll do a good job and that you can trust them. Enjoy taking a backseat for once and go along for the ride.

Plan in advance - but also leave room for spontaneity

You dont want to force your friends to commit to a by-the-hour schedule, but its worth having some idea of what youre hoping to see and do on the trip before you set off.

This is especially important the larger the group  if there are 12 of you vacationing together, you might need to prebook restaurants or organize museum entry in advance. Plus, having a pre-planned schedule avoids 12 different people wasting hours each morning just agreeing on the days activity.

To avoid ideas getting lost in a torrent of messages in the group chat, you could create a shared Google Doc pre-vacation and encourage everyone to add in ideas and research theyve done in advance of the trip. As departure day gets closer, you can highlight the favorite ideas, or wait and go through them upon arrival, glass of wine in hand.

And while planning is always useful, some of the best moments in travel happen spontaneously. Dont commit to a concrete schedule that cant be switched around in the day, or leaves no room for improvisation.

Some of your best memories are going to be made at that little cove you randomly stumble upon, or the bar built into the clifftops you spot last minute, or just lying on the couch in the evening enjoying quality time with your best pals.

Take time to yourself when you need it

In a big group, people might naturally go their own way over the course of the vacation  everyone has different interests and its unrealistic to expect you all to stick together for the whole trip.

Plus, no matter how close you are to your friends, you might find yourself craving a bit of alone time as the days roll on. Dont be afraid to take time to yourself, if and when you need it  whether thats popping out for a solo coffee or taking yourself to see that landmark that only youre interested in seeing.

If you find yourself getting frustrated with any of your fellow vacationers, taking some me time is also a good way to diffuse the situation without ending up doing or saying anything youll regret.

Resist the urge to badmouth a friend to another friend mid-trip. If you really want to vent, text someone neutral back home.

Cherish the moment

Long after you move past the weird Airbnb your friend booked, or the restaurant that would never have been your first pick, or the slightly fraught conversation about splitting the grocery store bill  youll remember the quality time you spent with your friends.

It sounds cheesy, but cherishing the moment is the most important tip on this list. A getaway with your friends can become harder and harder with the passing years, as lifes commitments build up and people become more settled in their homes and jobs.

No one is flawless, and no trip is perfect, but there can be perfection in that imperfection. Love your friends for their quirks  which may be out in full force on vacation  and theyll love you for yours.

And before you know it, youll be back home sharing your favorite vacation photos and planning the next trip.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley is pushing back against fellow White House hopeful Chris Christies (R) claims that she and some other candidates do not call out former President Trump enough.

Well Im not obsessively anti-Trump like he is, Haley said in an interview with Fox News Digital. I talk about policies, she added, pointing to times she has disagreed with Trump, including over Jan. 6, government spending and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Christie, a former governor of New Jersey, has criticized 2024 Republican presidential candidates on multiple occasions for not taking aim at the former president. In April, Christie compared the candidates treatment of Trump to that of Lord Voldemort, a character from the Harry Potter series who is so feared people do not speak his name.

Christie has taken direct aim at Trump frequently throughout his campaign and continues to push others in the Republican field to do so. He echoed the sentiment earlier this week while in New Hampshire, specifically calling out Haley, a former governor of South Carolina, according to NBC News.

Hes like Voldemort in the Harry Potter books, he who shall not be named. The other candidates wont even name him, Christie said Monday. Nikki Haley says, the candidates whos about the past. Nikki, its OK. Save his name. Its alright.

There are multiple things I disagree with him, but it will be on policy, Haley said Wednesday while in New Hampshire. Its not just not liking someone because of a personal vendetta, its making sure we talk about who is going to the next president that can actually deal with the new issues and have new solutions.

Recent polling from Morning Consult shows Trump continues to be the front-runner in the Republican race. A recent Fox Business poll found Trump holding a wide lead in Haleys home-field of South Carolina, with 48 percent of support from GOP voters compared to Haleys 14 percent.

Christie fell far behind Trump in the Morning Consult poll, garnering around 2 percent of potential GOP primary votes compared to Trumps 59 percent and Haleys 4 percent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The first sign of invasion comes with a group of attack helicopters flying low over the northern Taiwan coast.

Following close behind, a bigger group of dark green assault helicopters loaded with troops.

Then from behind low sand dunes, two dozen amphibious assault vehicles move with surprising speed along the wide beach, their tracks churning up the sand. Soon they are disgorging scores of soldiers.

For a few minutes it seems Taiwan's defenders have been caught with their pants down.

But then a siren wails, heavily-armed soldiers are running along trenches, the rat-tat-tat of heavy machine gun fire. Out of nearby woods come battle tanks and armoured vehicles, their guns booming.

Apache attack helicopters roar in over the hills, strafing the invading troops. The beach erupts with loud explosions. The invaders are pinned down, then driven back. The invasion is vanquished. Taiwan is safe.

It's all taken about 20 minutes.

The simulated battle on the beach

"Today we have shown that we will do our utmost to defend and protect our country," the commanding officer tells the gaggle of reporters standing on a roof top watching all this unfold. "We are confident that through these exercises we will be ready to respond to any situation."

Really?

A cynic watching today might say the battle wasn't terribly realistic. The invading forces were tiny. The defenders were all waiting for them. It was all entirely scripted, and victory came rather too quickly and too easily.

But that cynic would be a little unfair.

I remember being taken around Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises as a young reporter 25 years ago. Then it really was a show for the cameras.

"I would say this is an inflection point," says Alessio Patalano, professor of war studies at King College in London. "There was a perception internationally that Taiwan was complacent about its military. This week you really get a sense that they are starting to grapple seriously with significant changes."

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It's clear Taiwan is learning from what's happened in Ukraine.

On the first day of the war there, Russian troops grabbed an airport on the edge of Kyiv and used it as a base to assault the Ukrainian capital. It failed.

So now Taiwan is focused on its most vulnerable points - places China would have to take control of if it were to successfully invade the island.

Those include the beaches of northern Taiwan, but also the main international airport and its main seaports.

Taiwan soldiers at a civilian airport in military drills to test defences in case China invades

But Professor Patalano says Ukraine has been crucial in another way. It has broken the complacent belief that China would never attack the island.

"The war in Ukraine shattered this fundamental assumption that war is a thing of the past. That it's not going to happen any more. And once that sort of myth is shattered, then everything else starts to be re-evaluated."

For those who've been listening, China's President Xi Jinping has been making it clear for several years that attacking Taiwan absolutely is an option.

And China is building the air and naval forces to make that possible.

President Xi has a clear timetable. By 2027 China should have the capability to fight and win a regional conflict. By 2035 It should be a world class military power. By 2049 the rejuvenation of the motherland should be complete.

For Taiwan the clock is ticking.

Taiwan soldiers at a civilian airport in military drills to test defences in case China invades

"So we know that it has that deadline," says Prof Patalano. "However, the use of force is not the first option. It is the option only if everything else fails. The objective is not the use of force per say, but having Taiwan capitulating, because it understands that coming back home is inevitable."

It's called coercive diplomacy, and the objective is to convince the people and government of Taiwan that resistance is futile.

The squeeze has already begun. In the first six months of this year the number of incursions into Taiwan airspace by Chinese military aircraft is up more than 60% compared with the same period last year. Beijing is now continuously pushing the limits, creating a "new normal".

Taiwan has a lot to do.

It is moving to increase military service to one year, from the current four months. It is revamping its military strategy to make the island more resilient to cyber-attack, and actual attack.

It is following Ukraine in buying lots of smaller but more mobile missile systems that can be used against tanks, ships and aircraft and is also about to launch its first home-built submarine. But many of its conscript soldiers remain woefully under-trained, and its weapons systems and military doctrine old and out of date.

There is one thing that is very striking. Despite the hugely disproportionate scale of China's economic and military strength, the psychological pressure does not seem to be working. More than 70% of Taiwanese now say they would fight to defend their island home. So far they do not believe resistance is futile.
President Harry Truman went around a stalemated Congress 75 years ago and issued an executive order to desegregate the military, offering a crucial victory for the Civil Rights Movement.

On Thursday night, amid a looming congressional battle over diversity efforts in the military, President Joe Biden will make a speech about the impact of the executive order and the work he believes are necessary to eliminate barriers for service members of color.

While more than 40 % of active duty service members are people of color, Biden said they are underrepresented in military leadership, face bias in the military justice system and are more likely to be dishonorably discharged.

Let us continue to break down barriers so that all qualified service members, no matter their race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious background, are treated with dignity and respect, can reach their full potential and have their contributions valued,  Biden said in a written statement Wednesday. On this day, the 75th Anniversary of the Executive Order that forever strengthened our military, we must remain unflagging in our effort to complete the work that lies ahead.

Bidens speech comes in the middle of what is a three day Truman Civil Rights Symposium in Washington sponsored by the Truman Library Institute.

Alex Burden, the executive director of the Truman Library Institute said Trumans decision to desegregate the military is not particularly well known and that he hopes to raise awareness about the importance of the orders desegregating the military and federal government.

In the greater flow of the civil rights movement, this was a hugely important step, Burden said. History is not just these isolated incidents that take place periodically. Theres an ebb and a flood. Theres a continuity and a connectivity to civil rights history in particular and there had really been no significant actions in terms of civil rights since reconstruction.

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The symposium began Wednesday night with an opening reception and conversation between Rep. Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat; Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress; and Judge Richard Gergel, a District Court Judge for the District of South Carolina about post-World War II violence against Black Americans and how it influenced the executive order between.

There are sessions for the rest of the week on Black Americans in the armed forces, the implementation of the executive order, how desegregation affected individual service members and the effort to create equal opportunity in the military.

It comes as the Biden administration has faced push back from conservatives in Congress who are eager to push back against some of the militarys diversity initiatives. In the House, far-right members were able to secure amendments in the chambers version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act to peel abortion rights, transgender health care and diversity initiatives for service members.

In the Senate, where the bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support, Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, secured amendments challenging the department of defenses diversity efforts, including an audit of their diversity, equity and inclusion office.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat who is attending the speech, said recognizing the history is important in a moment when the political culture wars threaten to derail what used to be an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill. He voted against the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act, saying it eliminated efforts to fight racism and extremism in the military.

My father and his two brothers all benefited from the G.I. Bill, Cleaver said. When [Truman] desegregated the military, as you may know, many of the advisors said no, and yet he did it. And then here we are now in 2023 almost re-litigating the same issues.
Harvard has the biggest endowment in the US, standing at just over $50 billion.

A chunk of its revenue comes from gifts from alumni, parents, and friends of the school.

The Education Department's inquiry into the school's legacy admissions process could shake up funding sources.

A major Supreme Court decision put a spotlight on the operations of prestigious colleges, how they admit students, and where their money comes from. And Harvard University recently emerged at the center of that debate.

At the end of June, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, meaning that colleges can no longer consider race as factor when deciding to admit a student. The decision threw into question the role legacy admissions play at Ivy League schools, and how favored children of donors and alumni are in the admissions process.

Harvard, in particular, is in the spotlight after the Education Department opened an inquiry into the school's admissions process following allegations from three groups  the Chica Project, the African Community Economic Development of New England, and the Greater Boston Latino Network  that claimed Harvard was favoring white and wealthy applications who were less qualified over applicants of color.

A Harvard spokesperson said in a statement that it is examining data on the way it admits students, and that "Harvard remains dedicated to opening doors to opportunity and to redoubling our efforts to encourage students from many different backgrounds to apply for admission."

While some schools like Johns Hopkins and Amherst have ditched the preference for legacy students altogether, Harvard has so far declined to do so. A 2018 Harvard committee to study the role of diversity in education said getting rid of a legacy preference could diminish donations from alumni. Here's how important those donations are to one of the richest schools in the country and how it spends its billions.

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Harvard has the biggest endowment in the country

Harvard has the biggest endowment in the US, totaling just over $50 billion as of fiscal year 2022. The endowment is made up of more than 14,000 funds, and according to the schools' fiscal year 2022 financial report, "endowment fund balances are classified and reported in accordance with donor specifications and state law."

Harvard fiscal year 2022 operating revenue sources. Harvard University

While the university does not disclose where individual donations come from, there is a breakdown of broad categories that contribute to the endowment  and where the money goes. According to the school's 2022 financial report, philanthropy, which includes gifts from donors and alumni, accounted for 45% of total revenue. Research accounted for 17%, education costs  like tuition, room, and board  accounted for 21%, and other sources like publications accounted for 17% of the school's total revenue.

"In fiscal year 2022, Harvard received current use gifts from alumni, foundations, and others totaling $505 million, representing approximately 9% of operating revenues," the school said. "Support for the University comes from donations of all sizes; more than 75% of gifts in fiscal year 2022 averaged $155 per donor."

When it comes to actually spending all that money, Harvard said it uses endowment funds to "support nearly every aspect of University operations." It allocated 70% of the endowment to areas where donors specified they would like the funds to go, including scholarships, research, and construction. The remaining 30% of funds "are more flexible in nature and are critical in supporting structural operating expenses and transformative, strategic initiatives. In this way, the endowment bridges the gap between revenue that is brought in from tuition and research grants, and the critical costs associated with the University's teaching and research activities."

As Harvard wrote on its website: "Even with endowment support, Harvard must fund nearly two-thirds of its operating expenses ($5.4 billion in fiscal year 2022) from other sources, such as federal and non-federal research grants, student tuition and fees, and gifts from alumni, parents, and friends."

That means that the school continues to rely heavily on donations from alumni and parents, and admitting children of alumni could ensure the money keeps flowing.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Brian Fallon is stepping down as executive director of Demand Justice, he announced Thursday, leaving his post atop the influential progressive group focused on court reform.

Fallon, in a letter first reported by Politico, wrote to the groups board of directors to share his plans to step down in the fall.

Our mission from the start has been to alert progressives to the profound threat posed by the far rights capture of our courts, and to begin mounting a counteroffensive, Fallon wrote. Today, the signs of a rising progressive legal movement are abundant.

Fallon pointed to an increased focus on the politicization of the Supreme Court, President Bidens focus on judicial selections and a rise in interest among Democratic voters in the courts as a political issue.

He also noted Demand Justices influence has grown from its founding in 2016. The group hosted a presidential forum in 2020 exclusively devoted to the issue of the Supreme Court in which Democratic candidates for the partys nomination were pressed on their views.

Demand Justice has also been at the forefront of the push for expansion of the Supreme Court, something many progressive lawmakers have gotten behind but that Biden and the White House have yet to endorse.

On these and so many other fronts, I know Demand Justice will continue to punch above its weight in the years ahead, Fallon wrote.

Fallon will remain as a member of the board of directors and as president of the Demand Justice PAC, the political action committee aligned with Demand Justice. He was an aide to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and worked on Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign.

The Supreme Court has gained increasing attention in the progressive movement in recent years as the bench has tilted to the right with three appointments by former President Trump. The court has overturned Roe v. Wade, gutted affirmative action policies in college admissions and rolled back environmental regulations.

Roughly 6 in 10 likely voters say the Supreme Court faces a legitimacy crisis, according to recent polling from progressive firm Data for Progress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Friday is going to be hot and humid in State College and other parts of Southern Centre County.

The National Weather Service at State College issued a heat advisory for South Centre County, which includes State College, for Friday afternoon. Between noon and 8 p.m. Friday, hot temperatures and high humidity will strike Southern Centre County, including State College, as a maximum heat index of 100 to 102 is expected, according to the heat advisory. The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature, according to the NWS website.

The NWS State College forecast for Friday shows a mostly sunny and hot day, with a high temperature of near 93 degrees F. Theres a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Friday nights forecast is mostly cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees. Theres a chance of rain and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., it states.

The heat advisory notes that because of the heat and humidity, heat illnesses may occur. The NWS recommends knowing the signs of and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea and weakness.

People should drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and check on relatives and neighbors. Pets should be provided with water and shelter from the sun, as well.

The NWS also suggests rescheduling any strenuous activities to the early morning to evening, and to wear lightweight and loose fitting clothes. And, as always, children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles, the advisory states.

The average high temperature for July 28 in State College is 81 degrees F, according to AccuWeathers website, and the record high was set in 1940 at 94 degrees. Last year, the high temperature was 81 degrees.

For additional excessive heat safety information, visit weather.gov/safety/heat.
Charlotte serial killer Henry Louis Wallace killed 10 women in east and west Charlotte over a 22-month period before he was identified and captured in 1994.

The question remains: How?

Thirty years later, former detectives involved in the investigation and families of the victims still debate why Wallace was able to kill for as long as he did.

Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry McFadden, a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police homicide investigator assigned to the Wallace case, said race played a role  that in the early 1990s CMPD put less emphasis on solving crimes in African-American neighborhoods.

Over 22 months from 1992 to 1994, Henry Louis Wallace killed 10 young women in Charlotte after killing a teenager in Barnwell, S.C. a few years before. He knew all his victims except one.

Dee Sumpter, whose daughter was murdered by Wallace in 1993, says police would have been more aggressive and possibly saved lives had the killings occurred in more affluent parts of the city.

Darrell Price, another former detective who helped track down Wallace disputes the notion that race was a factor, as do other CMPD officials. But Price acknowledged that the case revealed multiple weaknesses in how police handled homicide investigations at the time, leading to widespread reforms that remain in place today.

McFadden, Sumpter and Price made their comments to the Observer in 2018. Contacted recently, Sumpter and Price said they stand by their earlier statements. McFadden declined further comment.

A Killer's Long Shadow

30 years ago, Henry Louis Wallace cast a murderous shadow across Charlotte, raping and strangling 10 women before his arrest. Wallace's killings broke up families, stole daughters and sisters from their loved ones and left seven children without their mothers.

Story continues

Did race play a major part?

Wallace was convicted in 1997 of raping and killing nine women. All were African American. All were friends or acquaintances of the killer. All were strangled  a rarity in Charlotte at the time.

Wallace told police he murdered a 10th Charlotte woman in May 1992, but that case was never taken to trial. He also confessed to the 1990 rape and strangulation of a Barnwell, S.C., teenager, which occurred before he moved to Charlotte.

Despite so many killings and the rarity of strangulations, police became aware they were chasing a serial killer only a few days before Wallaces arrest. Even then, detectives did not know the full scope of Wallaces killing spree until he jotted down his victims names during his confession.

McFadden said he was among fewer than a dozen investigators  and the only African American  assigned to the case. He alleged that the race of the victims and the fact that many of their murders occurred in minority or blue-collar neighborhoods influenced how the investigation unfolded.

Sheriff Garry McFadden, a former CMPD homicide detective, said police put a lower priority on solving the Henry Louis Wallace case because his victims were Black.

I think (race) played a major part, if you want to be honest about it, he said in 2018. We say that we investigate cases the same, but I would say we did not. We did not use the manpower. We did not use the time.

Critics have long questioned the police departments handling of the case, claiming that the deaths of the young women never became a priority because the victims were Black.

McFadden, however, appears to be the first officer involved in the investigations to raise the allegation publicly. In the early 1990s, he said, serious crimes in predominantly white or more affluent areas were far more likely to become CMPD priorities.

We called them ZIP code cases. You do things a little differently, he told the Observer. If it happened over on the other side of town, we brought out everything. If it happened over here, no, we brought out fewer bells and whistles.

It just never stopped

Price, who helped track down Wallace and interrogated him after his March 1994 arrest, said the investigation took as long as it did because the detective unit was critically understaffed and failed to uncover or connect some clues. Wallace also proved to be one of the shrewdest killers Charlotte police had ever encountered, he said.

While Price said he was familiar with the term ZIP code cases, he contends that race and geography never influenced how police worked the cases.

Statistics from 1992-94 prepared by CMPD show that the department handled almost four times as many cases with African-American victims (237) as whites (60). The clearance rate for Black victims was slightly higher  84.8 percent to 84 percent  which was far above the national average for all cases, CMPD says. The Wallace killings, some unsolved for almost two years, are included in the cleared category, CMPD says.

Darrell Price, a former CMPD detective who helped track down Henry Louis Wallace, says the race of the victims had nothing to do with how police approached the case. But he acknowledged that the investigation uncovered weaknesses that police have since addressed.

If we didnt take those cases as seriously, I dont think our clearance rate would have been 84.8 percent, Price said. Race had nothing to do with it. You wanted to solve that crime.

Prices comments mirror what acting Police Chief Jack Boger said in defense of his department a few days after Wallaces arrest.

Nobody wishes more than we do that we had found out after Day 1  but we didnt, Boger told the Observer in 1994. If someone could show me evidence of a pattern of discrimination, Id certainly do something to fix that. I dont believe it would have been any different if the victims had been 10 middle-class, white women.

McFadden and Price agreed that the investigation leading to Wallace was impeded by other factors  from too few detectives handling a record number of homicides to flaws in CMPD procedures that resulted in too little internal communication about cases and too little interaction with the victims families.

In response to public pressure, CMPD doubled the size of its detective staff soon after Wallaces arrest and also created a cold-case unit. At the time of the Wallace killings, though, detectives frequently faced numerous homicides a week.

According to CMPD records, Shawna Hawk, Sumpters daughter, was one of five homicides over a five-day period in February 1993; Audrey Spain, another of Wallaces victims, was among six killings over a week that June.

Said Price: It just never stopped.

McFadden said police at that time did not have the luxury of discussing the investigation with families or delving into the victims backgrounds.

Had they, We may have seen where Henry crossed most of those paths, he said. Could we have prevented these cases if we had looked at this a little closer? Possibly.

Retired homicide detective Sgt. Tom Athey, who said he was McFaddens direct supervisor for the decade following Wallaces arrest, challenges the notion that racial bias influenced CMPDs investigations. He told the Observer in 2018 that McFadden never raised any concerns with him about the Wallace cases or any that followed.

That McFadden is raising the allegation of bias decades later is absolute fantasy land, Athey said. Its really insulting to everybody who ever worked in that department.

Opening the wound

Then and now, the families of the victims offer a variety of viewpoints.

When we look at the whole picture, we feel the Charlotte police department shouldnt be badgered, but they should be praised for what they have done, Alphonso Slaughter said in March 1994 after Wallaces arrest, which occurred the day after police found the body of his daughter Debra.

By comparison, Hawks strangulation went unsolved for more than a year. Thirty years later, Sumpter, her mother, says the Wallace detectives wore purposeful blinders that kept them from interacting with families or spotting the similarities between the killings that should have led to an earlier arrest.

We were shunned, she said. They would not talk to us. The police did not know there was even an us back then.

Sumpter, who credits CMPD for making significant reforms in response to the Wallace case, recalled how city officials told her at the time that homicide detectives were overworked and understaffed. She still finds the response lacking.

Lisa Burrell, left, comforts Dee Sumpter, mother of Henry Wallace murder victim Shawna Hawk, outside the courthouse in Charlotte on Jan. 7, 1997. Burrells cousin Brandi Henderson was also murdered by Wallace. Sumpter has long claimed that Wallace would have been caught sooner if his victims had been from more affluent parts of Charlotte.

When you say that to someone with fresh wounds from losing a loved one, that doesnt wash ... Thats like taking a stick and opening the wound and then pouring in the salt, said Sumpter, who co-founded the support group, Mothers of Murdered Offspring, in the wake of her daughters death.

If Shawna had been murdered in Piper Glen, then or now, top priority would have been given. Every day the homicide detectives walked into a war room. You see the same information on the board. And no one is connecting the dots? No one? These are all African-American women. Blue collar. And nothing is being said or done.

For two years this man was literally allowed to run rampant in this city, she said. The things that Henry Wallace did to my daughter and the others defies what makes us human.

Price, who most recently headed the police departments cold case unit, disagreed. He said the city has several longstanding homicides from affluent areas that remain unsolved.

I understand her (Sumpters) anger and frustration. She lost a child, and nothing will ever change that, Price said. But I just dont really have a response other than to say I do not believe that if Shawna Hawk had been murdered in Piper Glen, it would have changed anything.

Wake-up call

At the time of McFaddens comments on race, the Observer attempted to contact many of the detectives who worked the Wallace case. Some had retired. Several had rejoined CMPD on a part-time basis. Other than McFadden, they either declined comment or did not respond to multiple emails. Boger also did not return a 2018 phone call seeking comment.

CMPD made Price available after receiving a summary of McFaddens statements from the Observer.

During 1992-94, when the Wallace killings occurred, Charlotte-Mecklenburg averaged more than 105 killings a year. In 1993, the county set an all-time high of 132, according to state crime records. That was about three times the number from five years before.

Unlike CMPDs murder investigations today, McFadden and Price say, detectives in the Wallace years rarely discussed cases among themselves, making it less likely that similarities between killings would be spotted.

With so many cases, the homicide detectives barely had time to say hey passing each other in the hallway, Price said. Thats obviously one of the things that changed after these murders  communication.

By 1994, similarities in the Wallace killings had begun to surface but were not initially picked up on. Boger acknowledged at the time that the investigation did little research into the victims backgrounds.

Most of the crime scenes showed no signs of a struggle around the doorway, indicating that the victims trusted the killer enough to let him into their homes.

But the detectives never learned  until Wallace told them  that Wallace worked with several of the women at a Taco Bell on Sharon Amity Road; that one of his victims was the roommate of his then-girlfriend, while another, Brandi Henderson, lived with one of his best friends.

Deputies lead condemned serial killer Henry Louis Wallace to a van to transport him to Death Row in Raleigh on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1997.

There were also strong similarities in the killers method. Charlotte-Mecklenburg may have been hit with record numbers of killings during 1992-94, but fewer than 5 percent were strangulations.

Wallaces fourth victim, Audrey Spain, and his seventh, Vanessa Mack, were killed in almost identical fashion  with double ligatures, says Price, who was lead detective on the Spain case.

But Price said he first saw Macks name when Wallace wrote it down on his list of victims. As it was, the strangulations of the killers final four targets during a three-week period in 1994 helped break open the case.

Asked why detectives did not spot the string of strangulations earlier, Price said, I dont know the answer to that.

It was as if each case was in an individual can, and now I know you cant do that, he said. We had never experienced a serial killer. We knew they were out there, but we didnt think we would come across one.

Today, Price said, the similarities of some of the womens deaths would have been spotted earlier by CMPDs crime-analysis unit or would have surfaced during the regular meetings homicide detectives now hold to discuss cases, Price says. Neither of those existed in the early 1990s.

Police also likely would have homed in earlier on Wallace with modern DNA testing and expansive computerized background checks, he said. Investigators also spend more time interviewing victims families.

Chris Dozier joined CMPD in March 1994, the same month of Wallaces arrest. Now a retired captain, Dozier once headed the departments violent crime division.

Given CMPDs improved technology, training and communication, the department is far better equipped to recognize and stop a serial killer, he said, adding that the race of the victims is irrelevant.

It doesnt matter to me if that girl lives on Fairwood Avenue in west Charlotte or on Sharon Road in south Charlotte. Its the same grief and suffering that the families go through, Dozier said in 2018. We treat every homicide as a high priority.

Anne Tompkins, one of the two Mecklenburg assistant district attorneys who helped put Wallace on death row, says the detectives were siloed during the 1990s, one of the failings CMPD addressed after the Wallace case.

I think this made them more aware that they had to pay attention to each and every victim, said Tompkins, a former U.S. Attorney. It was a wake-up call for police, and they woke up.

Said McFadden: A wake-up call is the easy way to put it. It was an earthquake, and we got the message ... We started listening to people, and we never wanted to be in that position again.

The case still haunts him, he said.

People lost their daughters, McFadden says. They entrusted us with their safety. We like to think, You move to Charlotte, well take care of you. Did we take care of them? No, we did not.

Gavin Off contributed.
An expected deal for Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, to plead guilty to two federal tax misdemeanors was torpedoed by a federal judge Wednesday over concerns about the "broad" immunity afforded by prosecutors in the deal, as well as its "unique" structure.

After an hours-long hearing that included multiple dramatic court recesses, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the federal charges after Judge Maryellen Noreika deferred his attempts to plead guilty in a deal that she at times described as potentially "unconstitutional" and lacking "legal precedent."

In doing so, she ordered both defense attorneys, as well as federal prosecutors, to submit more paperwork justifying the legal legitimacy of both the plea deal, as well as a separate agreement for prosecutors to dismiss a weapons felony.

She also ordered the parties to clarify language that could grant Hunter Biden immunity for potential future prosecution related to his foreign investment and consulting work that has seen him rake in millions of dollars over the past decade.

In June, federal prosecutors charged the president's son with two misdemeanor crimes for willfully avoiding to pay tax on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018.

In court Wednesday, prosecutors said Hunter Biden took in $2.4 million in income in 2017 and $2.1 million in 2018 through Ukrainian energy firm Burisma, a Chinese-development firm, as well as domestic business interests and legal services.

Leo Wise, an assistant U.S. attorney, said an accountant prepared Biden's taxes both of those years, but his corporate and personal taxes were not paid. During this period, Hunter Biden made large cash withdrawals and covered other expenses like payments on a Porsche, Wise said.

Dressed in a blue suit and flanked by attorneys, the president's son told the court a third party paid the back taxes along with interest and fees pursuant to a personal loan he has not begun to repay.

Story continues

Hunter Biden, 53, also faces a weapons charge for falsely stating he was not addicted to any illicit substance on a required federal form he filled out to purchase a gun in Delaware in 2018. Before the hearing, he shook hands with David Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, who has spent the past five years leading the criminal investigation into his finances.

President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden leave Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Johns Island, S.C., after attending a Mass on Aug. 13, 2022.

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys entered Wednesday's hearing in the federal courthouse on King Street in accord. The expectation was that Hunter Biden would plead guilty to the two misdemeanor tax crimes and prosecutors would recommend to the judge a sentence of probation for the charges that carry a maximum of one-year imprisonment each.

And then, a separate agreement would see Biden agree to a two-year plan with similar terms as a probation sentence in return for prosecutors dismissing the gun charge, a rarely-charged felony that carries a maximum of ten-years in prison. That diversion plan for the gun charge included a provision that gave Hunter Biden immunity for crimes related to both the gun central to the charge, but also his finances that were central to the tax charge.

Noreika expressed concerns about portions of both the tax charge plea agreement, the weapons charge diversion plan and how the two separate agreements interact with each other. She repeatedly complained that both parties wanted her "rubber stamp" on the agreements and subjected them to hours of questions about both documents.

5 takeaways: Hunter Biden's plea deal falls apart after judge targets agreement:

A package deal?

The hearing started to derail when Noreika began asking Hunter Biden questions as part of a mostly standardized conversation to ensure the defendant is knowingly and willfully accepting the plea agreement. She asked if Hunter Biden was relying upon promises from federal authorities in accepting the plea agreement.

He replied that he was relying upon promises made in the weapons charge diversion agreement. He told the judge he would not be pleading guilty to the tax charges were it not for the existence of the diversion agreement and that if that diversion agreement were invalid, he would not be pleading guilty to the tax charges.

Noreika then centered on the immunity language contained within the diversion agreement and Hunter Biden acknowledged he was replying to those promises as well. This prompted the judge to ask prosecutors if the plea deal was a "package deal" with the diversion agreement.

Wise, assistant U.S. attorney, said the plea agreement "stands alone."

"He is saying they are," Noreika said to Wise of the "package deal" question.

This prompted the hearing to grind to a halt with Noreika telling the parties to confer among themselves over this contradiction. She left the bench and the attorneys began to discuss. At one point, Wise pointed to a paper on the prosecution's desk telling Biden's primary attorney, Christopher Clark, "We can't get around this."

"We will rip it up then," Clark replied.

When Noreika eventually returned, Clark said they had clarified the situation and the judge asked Hunter Biden the same questions as before. This time, the president's son said he was not relying on any promises made by the diversion agreement in accepting his plea.

'Broad' immunity

Noreika then turned her attention to what she described as the "unique" and "broad" nature of the immunity granted by the diversion agreement and how it covered issues related to both the weapons charge and the tax issues addressed by the plea agreement.

Hunter Biden and his legal team arrive for a hearing regarding his criminal tax case at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

She asked Wise, the prosecutor, if he had ever seen an immunity agreement so broad that it encompassed crimes from a different case and whether he could cite prior case law to bolster such an offer. He replied, "No."

Upon questioning from Noreika, Wise said the investigation into Hunter Biden was still underway and that the immunity agreement would not, hypothetically, preclude bringing charges against him based on him representing foreign governments.

Clark, Biden's defense attorney, stood up and said he disagreed.

"Then there is no deal," Wise replied.

Noreika told the men to take 10 minutes to discuss the disagreement. She then returned and Clark clarified that the defense agreed the immunity would apply to potential tax and drug crimes from 2014 to 2019, as well as the gun central to the weapons charge.

'Out of my lane'

The judge noted her concern that Hunter Biden wasn't knowingly accepting the plea because the boundaries of the immunity granted were so unclear and that the diversion agreement that guarantees the immunity may not "be worth the paper it is written on."

She complained that while she had no authority to approve or reject the diversion agreement, its terms mandated that she would have to determine whether it had been violated or federal authorities could not hypothetically raise future criminal prosecutions against Hunter Biden.

She said she feared she would be getting out of her lane and into the constitutional authority given to prosecutors to bring criminal charges.

Clark, the defense attorney, noted the politics surrounding Hunter Biden, raising the concern that future federal prosecutors under a Republican administration may abuse their authority while a judge could evaluate in neutral fashion whether a breach had occurred.

President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden arrives for a court appearance Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington.

The entire package, Noreika said, threw me into the diversion agreement and took me out of the plea agreement in a way that concerned her.

Several times, the judge asked whether prosecutors or defense attorneys had any precedent or authority to support certain provisions of the diversion agreement and most times, they answered no.

Did Hunter Biden get a sweetheart deal? How these cases play out with other defendants

After hours of questioning, she asked both sides to submit briefs on why the plea deals form was appropriate and why the obligations given to her by the diversion agreement were appropriate within legal precedent. She set a deadline of 30 days for those briefs.

I would like to understand why it is appropriate and why I would not be out of my lane, she told the parties.

After that, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty as the charges remain pending.

I know you want to get this over with and I am sorry, Norieka told Biden. But I want to be careful.

Last-minute Republican intervention:

While her rationale for deferring Hunter Biden's plea was separate, Noreika briefly addressed the last-minute court filings on behalf of Congressional Republicans and a conservative thinktank that sought to derail the plea agreement.

A lawyer for U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican, on Tuesday attempted to interject the IRS investigators' testimony into the judge's consideration on the plea agreement. The brief, filed by local attorney Ted Kittila on behalf of the congressman, argues that Hunter Biden benefited from "from political interference which calls into question the propriety of the investigation of the U.S. Attorneys Office. "

Julianne Murray, chair of the Delaware Republican Party, was in the courtroom Wednesday. She filed a separate brief on behalf of the conservative thinktank Heritage Foundation, which claims that it offers "information that has not, and likely will not, be presented to the Court by either the government or the defendant."

"I have not had time to review those submissions," the judge said, noting it consisted of 900 pages.

The last minute intervention in the case also led to one of the more bizarre subplots within the case in which one of Hunter Biden's legal team was accused of impersonating a staffer for the attorney representing the congressman in order to have certain documents pulled from the public docket.

That issue simmered into an order issued by Noreika the night before the hearing demanding an explanation as to why sanctions shouldn't be ordered. Attorneys representing Hunter Biden characterized the issue as a miscommunication. It was not addressed in court Wednesday.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to tax crimes after deal falls apart
A Ukrainian serviceman near Bakhmut. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

After a first phase marked by slow progress and heavy equipment losses, Ukraine has regrouped to launch a second, more forceful thrust to reclaim its territory. The purpose of the new counteroffensive is to smash through Russias fortified positions in the Zaporizhzhia region on the occupied nations eastern border.

If the Ukrainian charge can pry an opening in the Russian defenses and reach the Azov Sea, the Kremlin could see its grip on the four regions it illegally annexed last year weakened by the time cold weather arrives and the fighting slows.

This is the big test, an unnamed high-ranking official told the New York Times, which first reported on the battlefield development.

For months, Western allies have been equipping Ukraine with tanks, heavy armor and other equipment. Soldiers have been trained in sophisticated battlefield logistics. And expectations for the summer counteroffensive rose ever higher.

Those expectations were somewhat dashed last month when Ukrainian battalions discovered the extent of Russian antitank fortifications and minefields, which made progress almost impossible  and costly.

Now, after weeks of trying to soften up Russian positions with long-range artillery, Ukrainian troops are pushing east with renewed energy.

Read more from our partners: Pace of Ukrainian counteroffensive does not suggest a stalemate

Initial gains in Zaporizhzhia

A Ukrainian soldier covers his ears after the firing of an air cannon in Zaporizhzhia. (Gian Marco Benedetto/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions near the town of Orikhiv. They also managed to penetrate and drive through tactically challenging defensive positions near the village of Robotyne. Both villages are on the path to the Azov Sea.

In addition, Ukrainian troops took control of Staromaiorske, a village in the Donetsk region, east of Zaprozhizhia.

And verified aerial footage also showed intense fighting around Bakhmut, where ferocious combat raged throughout the winter, thanks in part to the involvement of Wagner Group mercenaries on the Russian side.

Story continues

Bakhmut is also in Donetsk, which Russia first occupied in 2014.

Ukrainian progress throughout the last 48 hours suggests a more considered  and coordinated  approach than during the first stage of the counteroffensive, when Ukrainian tanks and heavy armor often found themselves trapped and under attack from Russias Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has sometimes seemed disengaged from day-to-day battlefield realities, has seemed aware of current battlefield dynamics.

We confirm that hostilities have intensified and in a significant way, he said from his native city of St. Petersburg, where he was meeting African leaders.

Read more from our partners: Putin believes he will be able to survive Ukraine  Blinken

A war with no end in sight?

A Ukrainian army rocket launcher fires at Russian positions in the frontline near Bakhmut, in Ukraine's Donetsk region, on July 12. (Roman Chop via AP)

The second round of Ukraines counteroffensive could well turn out to be more successful than the first. But that does not mean the 17-month-old war is coming to an end anytime soon.

By placing too many bets on the outcome of this offensive, Western countries have not effectively signaled their commitment to a prolonged effort, warned the Russia analysts Michael Kofman and Rob Lee several weeks before the counteroffensive began.

Policymakers in the United States and Europe have continually been forced to balance Ukraines needs with the fear of spurring Putin into escalating the conflict. And in Washington, Paris and London, domestic considerations have also intruded.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has never been shy about asking the West  the United States in particular  for more and heavier weaponry.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby disputed the notion that the United States has been reluctant to provide armaments that could decisively swing the conflict in Kyivs favor.

We have provided the Ukrainians everything they asked for in the months leading up to the counteroffensive, Kirby told Yahoo News at a White House briefing earlier this week.

Some observers believe that outright military victory will be impossible for Ukraine. Prolonging the war, they argue, will only cause more death and suffering. The United States and its allies should begin to try to steer the conflict toward an endgame, analyst Samuel Charap of the RAND Corporation recently wrote.

Kirby said it was too soon for diplomacy, especially with Ukrainian forces advancing on Russian positions. Zelensky gets to determine if and when hes ready to sit down and negotiate, Kirby told Yahoo News. Right now, his country is still under attack. He still has tens of thousands of Russian troops on his soil dug in deeply, entrenched, protected by minefields, on ground that doesnt belong to them. And he has every right to want to reclaim his territorial integrity and his countrys sovereignty.

Read more from our partners: To help end the war in Ukraine, seize Russia's state assets and use them for reparations
Movie and TV writers in the US have been on strike since 2 May

Hollywood screenwriter Michelle Amor says she is fearful about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on her livelihood. "I don't want to be replaced with something artificial".

Ms Amor and fellow US television and film writers have now been on strike since the start of May.

One of their key demands is that the studios and streaming giants agree to limits on the future use of AI-powered writing tools, such as ChatGPT.

The writers and their union - the Writers Guild of America - want it in writing that AI can only be used for research purposes, and not to ever replace them.

"My mother's union job as a packer for 35 years was replaced with robotics," says Ms Amor, who currently has two TV projects in development - The Honorable and PG County.

Michelle Amor says that human art needs to be protected

"That's understandable because it's a labour intensive job, but we create art. Who wants a fake Picasso?"

Ms Amor, who says she is adamantly against the use of AI in screenwriting, adds: "We writers are the heart and soul of this entire industry. No-one works until we do - everyone knows it."

Fellow screenwriter Melissa Rundle says she was shocked at how quickly ChatGPT became a core issue of the ongoing labour dispute.

"I was surprised at first, because Chat GPT appeared seemingly out of nowhere - but as soon as I became more familiar with its ever-increasing capabilities it became a concern," says Ms Rundle. She has written TV series Kung FU and the movie Cup Of Love, among numerous other projects.

"It's likely here to stay, and we need to cope with the disruption. Writers are not trying to stop progress - we're just trying to build in some basic protections against employers who have proven time and time again they won't hesitate to exploit us if given the chance."

Melissa Rundle, centre, wants rules in place to protect writers from AI

Ms Rundle continues: "At a minimum, we are fighting for regulated use of AI on projects, and a firm understanding that it cannot write - or re-write - any literary material. Nor can it be used as a source material either.

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"I saw a great sign on the picket lines that read 'AI doesn't have childhood trauma' and this is truly important. As writers we are creating stories that touch people and oftentimes digging deep into our soul - this is storytelling at its most sacred and should never be robbed by a machine."

Elliott Kalan is a comedian and screenwriter, whose credits include The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and Mystery Science Theater 3000. He says that one of the biggest challenges writers now face is the threat of studio executives using AI to generate original ideas for movies or TV series.

"Rather than buying an original screenplay or television series, or even hiring a writer to adapt an existing work into a new medium, they'll try to have a computer program spit out ideas for shows or movies - then pay a writer a small amount to rework it and make it presentable and interesting," says Mr Kalan.

"If that happens, writers will lose a lot of the compensation they should be receiving for their ideas and their work, as well as losing the chance to really contribute something meaningful to audiences."

Nevertheless, Mr Kalan can see the potential for AI to help writers. "Ideally, AI should remain an optional tool used for organising information - or for communicating ideas."

Elliott Kalan doesn't want to see writers employed to write up ideas suggested by AI

AI raises hard, important creative and legal questions for everyone, says Scott Rowe, a spokesperson for The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

This is the trade association that represents the studios and streamers, such as Warner Bros Discovery, Disney, Netflix and Apple.

"We're creative companies and we value the work of creatives," says Rowe. "The best stories are original, insightful and often come from people's own experiences.

"For example, writers want to be able to use the new AI technology as part of their creative process, without changing how credits are determined, which is complicated given AI material can't be copyrighted. So it's something that requires a lot more discussion, which we've committed to doing."

Chun Xia is a founding partner of Silicon Valley-based technology investment firm TSVC. He envisages a future where sitcom writers use AI-generated scripts as a foundation for further development.

"AI algorithms will analyse existing scripts, comedic patterns, and audience responses, to generate content with comedic timing, character dynamics, and engaging storylines," he says.

"Writers will then infuse their creative expertise, adding their wit, humour, and original ideas to refine the AI-generated material."

He adds that this collaborative process between AI and human writers will optimize comedic impact, pacing, and character development.

"Through this iterative approach, AI will provide data-driven insights that aid in creating resonant storylines for the target audience. Ultimately, the integration of AI-generated content and human creativity will lead to enhanced sitcom scripts that maintain their unique voice, while benefiting from the AI-generated insights."

Banner around links to stories about AI

Banner around links to stories about AI

John Pollono, a writer, director and actor, is not impressed with the suggestion that AI can be used to write the first drafts of scripts.

He says that the idea of AI "scouring" all past movie scripts "to inform future ones" is "messed up and incestual". "It is like using the same playdough over and over again."

Mr Pollono, who has written the screenplay for upcoming comedy crime movie Riff Raff, which will star actors Jennifer Coolidge and Brian Cox, adds that writers are at risk of having their voices "robbed".

However, fellow screenwriter Sara Bibel says AI will never be any good at creative writing. "It's a glorified auto-correct that throws together random combinations of words based on coding," says Ms Bibel, whose writing credits include long-running US TV series The Young & The Restless.

"All it does is plagiarize what has been fed into the system and is not capable of writing anything."
Being known as a leader in our country  and throughout the world  is a point of pride for this state. Many of our out-of-the-box policies that improve the lives of Californians are one step ahead of the rest of the country.

Except when it comes to homelessness. California has the highest rate of homelessness in the country, and is home to nearly half of the entire countrys unsheltered population.

The explosion of homelessness and the growing shortage of affordable housing are our states proverbial Achilles heel. The commitment to tackling these twin problems remind us of the limits of one-time spending: these decades-in-the-making crises will not be solved one budget cycle at a time.

Opinion

There is some progress. Cities are working tirelessly to shelter unhoused residents and connect them to services. Simultaneously, cities are also meeting their state housing goals by planning, zoning and approving homes at all income levels. But the demand for housing and services is outpacing what our system can deliver.

One cautionary tale is from the city of Hayward. In the last three years, the city has helped more than 300 people move into permanent housing. Hayward bucked the trend of growing homelessness due in large part to the citys first Housing Navigation Center, which provided temporary housing and connected people to services such as behavioral health support and employment assistance. When the pandemic started, the city nimbly tapped into federal relief funds to convert a motel into an additional facility.

But the federal relief funding was only temporary. In late January, Hayward had no choice but to close the converted motel, which since opening had graduated 102 individuals into permanent housing.

National evidence shows us that the solution to ending homelessness is housing, including permanent supportive housing, affordable housing and rental assistance coupled with ongoing services.

A League of California Cities statewide survey found that nearly 85% of cities report they have implemented programs to reduce and prevent homelessness. However, nearly 90% of cities have concerns over their ability to keep delivering these programs long term. The top two barriers for cities? Limited supportive housing options and lack of ongoing funding.

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Cities throughout the state are tapping into multiple funding sources to deliver emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing. But Californians are falling into homelessness faster than cities can serve and rehouse them. City officials are frustrated that they are, in the words of one city manager, feeding into an endless cycle of removing one person by adding another.

The unreliable, one-time infusion of funds that the state has provided cities in recent years does not allow for the planning of long-term resources, services and care for unsheltered residents, nor does the funding incentivize construction of affordable housing.

In the southern California city of Pomona, more than 60% of the citys renters and over two-thirds of citys homeowners are cost burdened, which means they spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. For the past few years, the city has utilized a state housing fund to leverage the construction of three different affordable housing projects, creating more than 250 affordable units. But this state funding source only finances one affordable housing development a year  falling dramatically short of what the community needs.

Many cities face the same struggle: Demand for the last round of funding for the states flagship multi-family affordable housing program was so high that 90% of the developments did not see the light of day.

Instead, the Legislature and the Governor continue to favor short-term fixes over long-term solutions. Housing and homelessness-related nonprofits estimate that if the state invested $8 billion a year over 12 years, we could solve homelessness in the state. In this years state budget, there is zero long-term funding for housing and homelessness.

Local governments, homeless service providers, housing advocates, and business leaders agree that ongoing funding is key to ensuring an end to these crises. A bipartisan group of nearly 30 lawmakers have endorsed this idea as well.

If we all agree that ongoing funding is the urgent action needed, why wait?

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. The same can be said for the states piecemeal approach to funding housing and homelessness programs.

We are living in a time where greater state investments to address these crises are not an option  theyre a mandate. Lets deliver to Californians the housing and services they deserve and show the rest of the country what strong and compassionate leadership looks like.

Carolyn Coleman is the CEO and executive director of the League of California Cities, which defends and expands local control through advocacy efforts in the Legislature, at the ballot box, in the courts and through public outreach.
HOPEWELL  Days before he is due in court to answer claims that he took money from a murder victims GoFundMe account to pay child support, City Councilor Dominic Holloway has been served with another lawsuit pertaining to financial questions.

On Thursday, a Chester woman sued the first-term Ward 7 representative to collect $4,000 she and her partner lent him to cover fines he accrued during the 2022 councilmanic election. Holloway was unopposed on the ballot and held off last-minute write-in campaigns from two citizens, including a former mayor.

According to the papers filed in Hopewell General District Court, Britney McDaniel claims that Holloway knew the money was a loan, but he later refused to pay it back, saying it was a gift. She is suing him for $4,000, plus $1,064 in attorney fees and court costs.

Hopewell City Councilor Dominic Holloway sits at his seat on the council dais Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in the Hopewell Municipal Building. Holloway, already at the center of a lawsuit alleging he took $5,600 from a GoFundMe account for a murdered child's family, was sued Thursday, July 27, 2023 by a woman who claims he is refusing to repay a $4,000 to cover fines from his 2022 council run.

Last June, Hopewell resident Brionna Taylor sued Holloway for $5,600, saying he took that money out of the GoFundMe account he set up for her daughter, PAris Mi-Unique Angel Moore. The eight-year-old child was shot to death Dec. 30, 2022, in a case that remains unsolved to this day.

Holloway has repeatedly declined to comment on the Taylor suit. A message left for him seeking comment on Thursdays filing was not immediately returned.

During his campaign for the council seat, Holloway had amassed $4,000 in fines for unspecified election infractions. Under Virginia law, he had to pay back the fines in full before he could take his seat.

He and his wife, Iraida Holloway, knew that it was a loan from me and my partner, Richard Maddox III, McDaniel said in a handwritten statement accompanying the suit. She and Maddox gave Holloway a cashiers check in December 2022 for the amount because we both knew it was a loan and wanted to have some kind of trail, she wrote in the statement.

Two months later, according to the lawsuit, McDaniel and Maddox asked Holloway about repayment, and he reportedly told them it was a gift, not a loan to be paid back.

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I am not nowhere near rich, McDaniel wrote. I have eight kids.

McDaniel said she took the money from an account she set up to open a youth community center in Chester. She said she still owns the building but has not been able to open it because the $4,000 was never repaid.

She also wrote in the statement that she struggled with taking Holloway to court because she had known Holloway for years, knew he was a minister and she trusted the defendant. It was only after news broke about Holloway being sued over the GoFundMe account that she decided to act.

If I would have took [sic] him to court earlier, he may not have done it to the mother that lost her child, McDaniel wrote, adding that she also donated to that GoFundMe account.

Iraida Holloway also has been subpoenaed in the McDaniel case.

A court date for the McDaniel suit has been set for Aug. 16. Holloway is due in court Aug. 2 on the GoFundMe suit.

More: Hopewell councilor at center of GoFundMe lawsuit still not commenting on the case

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell councilor sued over disputed $4,000 loan
Lancaster bomber over the German city of Hamburg

Britains King Charles recently visited the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in eastern England, to pay tribute to the veterans of Bomber Command, who took the air offensive to the heart of Nazi Germany during World War II. The focal point of his visit was the 80th anniversary of the legendary Dambusters raid in May 1943. This daring  and very costly  raid, which has near-iconic status in the United Kingdom, is very much how the country likes to remember Bomber Commands contribution to victory over Hitlers Germany. The Dambusters targets were dams in the industrialized Ruhr region, their aim to diminish Germanys ability to produce armaments.

Less well-remembered is another raid, or series of raids, which took place two months later, in July 1943, 80 years ago this week. This was Operation Gomorrah, and it brought destruction on a terrifying scale to the port city of Hamburg in northern Germany.

A well-known photo showing an RAF Bomber Command Avro Lancaster during an earlier attack on Hamburg, on the night of January 30/31, 1943. The bomber is silhouetted against flares, smoke, and explosions. This raid was the first time that H2S radar had been used by the Pathfinder aircraft to navigate the force to the target. Crown Copyright

While the bombing of Hamburg in July 1943 actually involved six separate raids, including direct cooperation by RAF Bomber Command and the U.S. Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force, the raid on the night of July 27-28 was the most devastating. It killed around 20,000 in a single night. By comparison, the most lethal night of the German Luftwaffes Blitz offensive against London in 1940-41 killed around 1,400 people. No other single Allied air attack in the European Theater of Operations during World War II would come close.

Operation Gomorrah  its name grimly appropriate, for the biblical city destroyed by God with fire and sulfur  represented a change in tactics for Bomber Command and it would also usher in new technical developments, including the use of radar-spoofing chaff countermeasures. Meanwhile, the combination of high-explosive and incendiary bombs, placed accurately over a given residential area, would introduce the world to the terror of the firestorm.

Initially, the RAF had sent its bombers against mainly industrial targets in Germany, hoping to have an impact on the production of weapons as well as hinder other war-critical functions. But at this stage, the ability of aircraft to put their bombs onto such targets with the required accuracy meant much of this was a wasted effort, taking a very heavy toll on aircrews.

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The thinking of the British war-planners began to change. Where once an individual munitions factory might have been targeted, for example, the next logical step was to attack also the entire area surrounding such a factory. Finally, the target was extended to the workers that this factory relied upon. This meant launching raids against the sprawling residential areas of the cities where these civilians lived.

Two RAF Bomber Command aircrew, Sergeant J. Dickinson from Canada and Sergeant F. Gilkes from Trinidad, waiting to board their aircraft for a raid on Hamburg in 1943. Photo by Press Agency photographer/Imperial War Museums via Getty Images

A joint decision by the British War Cabinet and the Air Staff in 1942 called for the targeting of the morale of the enemy civil population  in particular the industrial workers. The RAF would achieve this by launching massed raids against German cities with populations over 100,000. The aim of the area bombing campaign was to kill and make homeless workers, disrupting industrial output while also sapping civilian morale  although this last one is something the Luftwaffe had singularly failed to do when targeting British civilians in 1940-41.

By 1943, Bomber Command had assembled a powerful fleet dominated by modern heavy four-engine bombers  Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax, and Short Stirling  and was ready to put the new strategy into practice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkXMIADq9d4

To wreak maximum havoc on city targets, it had been determined that the optimum payload comprised a mixture of high-explosive bombs and incendiaries. The larger high-explosive weapons would collapse the structures of buildings, as well as block roads, destroy water mains, and more. Densely packed incendiaries would then start fires among the wreckage.

At first, in spring 1943, the industrial areas of the Ruhr valley in the west of Germany were targeted.

As of July 1943, it was Hamburgs turn to experience this new type of aerial bombing. The city had been chosen, in part, because it was judged to be especially vulnerable to incendiaries.

A map of Hamburg from the German Hamburger Zeitung newspaper shows the travel time in minutes for Allied bombers and fighters. Morn/Wikimedia Commons

The first night raid, on July 24-25, involved around 790 RAF bombers and saw the first use of Window, the codename for chaff, which proved highly effective, only 12 bombers being lost. The tens of thousands of strips of aluminum paper successfully confused German radars and hindered attempts to intercept or shoot down the bomber force. Remarkably, at least some of the aircrews knew nothing about Window, or how to use it, until the night of this mission.

The accuracy of the raid was enhanced by the new H2S ground-scanning radar system, which provided the bomber with navigational cues based on high-contrast landmarks below. This would be particularly effective in the case of Hamburgs River Elbe and sprawling docks.

An H2S radar display screen unit as used during World War II. Elektrik Fanne/Wikimedia Commons

However, on July 24-25 the bombs did not fall with the desired density of concentration, reducing their effectiveness. Around 1,500 people were killed in this first raid.

July 25 saw a day raid on Hamburg by around 120 USAAF bombers, while around 50 USAAF bombers struck again by day on the 26th. On these occasions, the target was the port, rather than residential areas and German fighters badly mauled the bomber force.

An aerial view of Hamburg as seen from a formation of USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers during a daylight raid. Photo by SSPL/Getty Images

An oblique aerial view of severely damaged docks in the Steinwerder district of Hamburg, looking southwest from over the Rive Elbe. The area was subjected to repeated attacks by Bomber Command and USAAF raids. Crown Copyright

It was the night raid of July 27-28, this time involving about 780 RAF bombers, that led to the first firestorm in Hamburg, in the eastern part of the city, which was dominated by multi-story working-class housing.

The weather also conspired against the German port city. It had been a long, sultry summer, leaving everywhere very dry, and July 27 had been especially hot.

At the same time, fire crews were already engaged in tackling blazes that continued in other parts of the city, after the previous raids.

With Window again ensuring that most of the bombers got through, these aircraft started to arrive over the city shortly before 1:00 AM. This time, almost all the 2,326 tons of bombs fell in close proximity, exactly as planned.

Left: An RAF Lancaster releases bundles of Window over the target during a daylight raid on Duisburg, Germany, in October 1944. Right: The same Lancaster drops the main part of its load, comprising a 4,000-pound high-explosive bomb and 108 30-pound incendiaries. Crown Copyright

Very rapidly, the conflagrations began to connect and, as a column of fire ripped 1,500 feet into the sky, more air was sucked up from street level, creating the inferno known as a firestorm  Feuersturm in German.

As winds reaching speeds of 150 miles per hour tore through the parts of the city affected, temperatures rose to 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit or more. The heat was so intense that glass exploded, metal became twisted, and stonework glowed a dull red.

Bodies lie in the street after an air raid on Hamburg, likely in July 1943. Bundesarchiv

There was very little that the already overstretched fire crews could do about it.

At times, the hellish scene bordered on the surreal, based on witnesses accounts. One described the sound of the blaze as like an old church organ when someone is playing all the notes at once. Starved of oxygen, candles began to extinguish themselves. Horses ran down the streets, the animals also on fire. People in the open were trapped in melted roads as they tried to escape. Meanwhile, anything that was unsecured was dragged toward the center of the blaze, people included.

One resident, Henni Klank, recalled escaping to an underground shelter, together with her husband and baby once the curtains in their apartment caught fire and the ceiling began to crack.

At this moment something snapped in a neighbor and, caught up in a panic, he took his bed cover and wanted out, Klank recalled. None of us could stop him. We saw him still, but only as a living torch carried by the firestorm, flying through the air.

An annotated vertical aerial photo taken during the night raid on Hamburg of July 24/25, 1943. Sticks of incendiaries are seen burning in the Altona and dock districts at the top, while the bright circular object bottom left is a photo-flash bomb. Air Ministry

A similar account was provided by Paul Peters, another Hamburg resident: The firestorm was so strong that hats were torn off heads and whirled through the air like burning fireballs, he later wrote. Even little children, running around alone, were bodily picked up from the ground and thrown through the air.

Shelters offered little in the way of refuge, however, due to the intensity of the fires above. Many residents suffocated, as the air was sucked out of the shelters, or were otherwise cooked alive.

An area measuring around 4 square miles was almost entirely destroyed by the firestorm, although the damage from this raid extended over roughly 12 square miles.

At its worst, the raid left 16,000 apartment buildings, home to nearly 450,000 people, on fire.

An oblique aerial view of ruined residential and commercial buildings in the Eilbek district of northeast Hamburg after the Bomber Command raid on the night of July 27/28, 1943. Air Ministry

Even the aircrews above were not insulated entirely from what was happening in the city.

Some reported that they could feel the heat, and even the smell of roasting flesh, while their aircraft were becoming caked with soot.

The blaze was unimaginable, Flying Officer Trevor Timperley recalled. He served with an H2S-equipped Lancaster Pathfinder squadron, tasked with finding and marking the target for the bombers that followed. I remember saying to the navigator, who was always engrossed with his charts: For Christs sake, Smithy, come and have a look at this. Youll never see the like of it again!

But Hamburg raised for me for the first time the ethics of bombing, Timperley added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfH01O88g5Q

For others, the priority was simply to complete their assigned missions  and survive.

Air Gunner Douglas Fry, a mid-upper gunner on a Stirling, remembered the raid as: Brilliant, better than [earlier raids]. The fires were incredibly fierce; you couldnt see a black spot amongst this huge sheet of flame which covered acres and acres.

Fry added: We didnt know about the firestorm  we just knew the target was well alight, which meant a good raid.

A World War II-era color advertisement for Emerson Electric showing Hamburg in flames and smoke after a bombing raid. Photo by Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago/Getty Images

Local authorities ordered the evacuation of Hamburg on July 28, before the city was visited by another firestorm on the night of July 29-30, the result of a raid by around 770 RAF bombers.

The last of the raids in this series took place on August 2-3. This was less successful, with around 740 RAF bombers becoming scattered after encountering bad weather.

By the time Operation Gomorrah ended, between 34,000 and 43,000 people had been killed in the six raids. With around half of all homes in the city destroyed, approximately 1 million of the population of 1.7 million were forced to flee.

The following tweet thread, from historian Alan Allport, is well worth looking at for a concise summary of the Gomorrah raids:

https://twitter.com/Alan_Allport/status/1683515585978671106?s=20

Ultimately, the raids on Hamburg would not be repeated in terms of scale or brutal effectiveness. As the RAF turned to targets further away, the raids became more costly once again, while the Germans also made moves to improve their anti-aircraft defenses.

A heavily fortified Flakturm, or anti-aircraft artillery tower, in Hamburg, Germany, in April 1945. It is armed with four twin 12.8-cm Flak Zwilling 40 guns. Australian War Memorial

Of course, diverting fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft artillery to German cities meant fewer weapons elsewhere, including on the front lines, although the overall effectiveness of the area bombing campaign against German cities remains a subject of debate.

But for Air Marshal Arthur Harris, the chief of Bomber Command, the purpose of the campaign was very clear, as he expressed in October 1943:

The aim of the Combined Bomber Offensive  should be unambiguously stated [as] the destruction of German cities, the killing of German workers, and the disruption of civilized life throughout Germany  The destruction of houses, public utilities, transport and lives, the creation of a refugee problem on an unprecedented scale, and the breakdown of morale both at home and at the battle fronts by fear of extended and intensified bombing, are accepted and intended aims of our bombing policy. They are not by-products of attempts to hit factories.

A working-class residential area of Hamburg, still in ruins when photographed in 1947. Bundesarchiv

While Bomber Command did continue raids of this kind until the end of the war, including against Dresden, it was becoming increasingly clear that more accurate attacks against specific targets were possible  and, if prioritized, would almost certainly have been more effective and less costly in terms of aircrews lost.

The reason that the legacy of Operation Gomorrah sits uneasily with memories of RAF Bomber Command, and its World War II missions, is clear. This was an operation squarely intended to kill as many people  civilians  as possible, in the most efficient way. Very similar firebombing tactics would later be put to use by the USAAF over Japan, with even greater loss of civilian life.

Rescue workers sift through the rubble in search of victims of a bombing raid in Hamburg sometime during World War II. Bundesarchiv

In his comments at RAF Coningsby yesterday, King Charles addressed the problematic nature of the Allied bombing campaign directed specifically against German cities:

Were criticized by people who would not have come into existence if we had lost the war, he said, accurately.

https://twitter.com/UKdefUS/status/1683832148690898944?s=20

He continued: 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.

While theres no doubt that Bomber Command made a very significant contribution to winning World War II, it came at the cost of not only more than 50,000 of the commands own aircrew, but also as many as 600,000 German civilians killed in bombing raids. Very clearly, war planners were interested in killing civilians. As for the parts of Hamburg specifically targeted in July 1943, they were not chosen for producing armaments and other weapons, but because they housed civilian workers and their families.

The moral implications of this and similar decisions, and the question of how this bombing campaign affected the course of the war, should not be ignored.

The 80th anniversary of Operation Gomorrah is perhaps as good a time as any to revisit this less palatable part of Bomber Commands history and finally look at it in a more balanced way.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
At least 122,840 people are locked in solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and jails for 22 or more hours a day, according to a report by Solitary Watch.

At least 122,840 people are locked in solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and jails for 22 or more hours a day, according to a report by Solitary Watch.

A group of House Democrats introduced a bill Thursday seeking to end the use of solitary confinement, an internationally recognized form of torture, in federal prisons, jails and detention centers.

The End Solitary Confinement Act would ban people incarcerated in federal custody from being left in solitary confinement with several limited exceptions, including at night to sleep (for a maximum of eight hours a day), for medical quarantine (with access to phone, email and facility programs), and to deescalate an emergency situation (for a maximum of four hours a day and 12 hours a week).

These defined exceptions are notable because policies that only restrict the use of disciplinary solitary confinement allow unfettered use of other forms of the practice under a different name. People held in medical isolation, for example, told HuffPost that their conditions were often indistinguishable from disciplinary solitary confinement.

The bill would require every person in federal custody to be allowed out of their cell for at least 14 hours a day, including for seven hours of rehabilitative programming. It allows a person accused of posing a significant threat to others to be temporarily separated from a facilitys general population  but provides the person with access to representation and a neutral decision-maker for placement hearings.

The scenario envisioned by the bill is dramatically different from the current reality inside U.S. facilities. At least 122,840 people are locked in solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and jails for 22 or more hours a day, according to a report by the watchdog group Solitary Watch. This figure, which represents about 6% of people in prisons and jails, is almost certainly an undercount, as it is based on self-reported data from corrections departments. It also does not include people who are held in solitary for less than 22 hours a day, people who are in conditions that amount to solitary confinement by another name, or people held in immigrant or juvenile facilities, the report noted.

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The United Nations considers solitary confinement of 22 hours or more per day for more than 15 days to be a form of torture. There is extensive research showing how even a short stint in solitary confinement can lead to long-term physical and psychological harm, including insomnia, fatigue, migraines, anxiety, depression, paranoia, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm and suicide.

Solitary confinement is a moral catastrophe, said Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who introduced the bill along with Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).

This practice is traumatic for people subjected to it, harmful to communities, and isolating for loved ones, Bush continued. Moreover, it is disproportionately inflicted on Black and brown folks, young people, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized communities.

Although the bills restrictions on solitary confinement would only apply to those in federal custody, it would decrease certain federal funds to states or local entities that do not implement their own bans.

Last year, a group of Senate Democrats introduced a significantly more modest solitary confinement reform bill, which failed to advance. Over the past 15 years, several states have passed bills to limit the use of solitary confinement or end it altogether for children and vulnerable groups.

The more comprehensive bill introduced by Bush and her colleagues aligns with President Joe Bidens stated policy, if not the administrations actual practice. Before taking office, Biden promised federal prison reforms, including ending the practice of solitary confinement, with very limited exceptions. In May 2022, he signed an executive order stating it was his administrations policy to ensure that incarcerated people are free from prolonged segregation.

Despite these statements, by September 2022, the number of people held in solitary confinement in federal prisons climbed 11% from the early days of the Biden administration, NBC News reported. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it supports the bill introduced Thursday.

The End Solitary Confinement Act is endorsed by the Federal Anti-Solitary Taskforce and nearly 150 other organizations.

As someone who has personally endured the torment of solitary confinement, I can attest to the devastating toll it takes on ones mental and emotional well-being, Johnny Perez, the director of the U.S. Prisons Program at the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, said in a statement. Perez was placed in solitary confinement in New Yorks infamous Rikers Island jail complex when he was 16 years old.

I implore Congress to swiftly pass this critical legislation, for it is not only a matter of justice, but a matter of preserving human dignity and restoring hope for those who have been silenced and isolated for far too long across the United States, Perez said.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) led Democrats in introducing legislation Thursday to end solitary confinement in federal prisons, jails and detention centers.

The End Solitary Confinement Act would cap the time incarcerated people and detainees are alone at four hours and require prison or jail staff to meet with the inmate within one hour. The separation would be used as a de-escalation tactic in an emergency situation as opposed to punishment.

Solitary confinement is a moral catastrophe, said Bush, adding that the practice is psychological torture.

This practice is traumatic for people subjected to it, harmful to communities and isolating for loved ones, she said. Moreover, it is disproportionately inflicted on Black and brown folks, young people, LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities.

Black and brown incarcerated people are more likely than white people to be placed in solitary confinement. In a 2016 study, Black men made up 40 percent of the total prison population in 43 jurisdictions but 45 percent of those in solitary confinement. Also, 21 percent of incarcerated people in solitary confinement were Latino, even though they made up only 20 percent of the total prison population.

The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the use of solitary confinement  also referred to as segregation, secure housing, the hole or lockdown.

In 2015, the U.N. issued its Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, on prolonged isolation. Then, in 2020, one of the U.N.s human rights experts expressed concern over the U.S.s excessive use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities.

Still, in May this year, a report found that more than 122,800 people in federal and state prisons and federal and local jails were placed in solitary confinement for 22 hours or more on any day in 2019.

The End Solitary Confinement Act would require incarcerated people to have access to at least 14 hours of time out of their cells each day. Those 14 hours must include seven hours of programming meant to address mental health, substance abuse and violence prevention.

Story continues

Solitary confinement is torture, and torture should have no place in our society, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) said. It takes a devastating toll on mental health, heightens the risk of self-harm and suicide, increases recidivism and can lead to severe psychological trauma. We need to lead with restorative justice and recognize the human dignity of incarcerated people by abolishing this dehumanizing practice once and for all.

There has been a trend over the last few years to end solitary confinement in some capacity.

According to a report by the Unlock the Box Campaign, 500 bills in 44 states have been introduced over the last five years to address solitary confinement. Though some of these bills call for ending the practice in full, others are selective, with the focus on ending solitary confinement for young people, pregnant people, or people living with physical and mental disabilities.

We know the clear, irreversible harm that solitary confinement causes to individuals, yet we continue to use this form of torture across the American criminal justice system, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) said. These harms are well documented and lead to increased mental health risks and heightened rates of suicide. Solitary confinement is inhumane, and this form of torture should never be used, period.

Studies have shown that time spent in solitary confinement shortens lives and has devastating effects on the mental health of incarcerated people.

Although people in solitary confinement make up only 6 percent to 8 percent of the total prison population, they account for nearly half of those who die by suicide, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.

Research by Cornell University has also found that those who spent time in solitary confinement had an increased risk of committing more crimes after being released from prison.

It also found that time spent in confinement could affect a returning citizens probability of employment, with the impact to mental health most likely being the driving cause of this trouble.

Senate Democrats last fall introduced a similar bill that would reduce the use of solitary confinement in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, though Bushs law would end the practice completely.

As part of his 2020 campaign, President Biden promised criminal justice reform, including ending the practice of solitary confinement, with very limited exceptions.

Someday, we will look back and ask why we ever subjected people to prolonged solitary confinement and expected anything other than trauma, violence and death as a response, Bush said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. George Santos outside the House Chamber on June 21, 2023. Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

House Democrats are punting an effort to force a vote on censuring Rep. George Santos.

That's despite the measure likely having enough bipartisan support to pass.

It could now be weeks before that happens  lawmakers won't return after this week until September 12.

For a moment, it seemed as if Rep. George Santos was about to be censured by the House of Representatives  even though it's controlled by his fellow Republicans.

Several Republicans had indicated that they would support the measure, introduced by a trio of Democratic congressmen, that would have formally reprimanded the New York Republican for offenses including "hurtful lies and mistruths that have broken the trust of his constituents."

At a press conference last week, Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York  the primary sponsor of the resolution  said that he would consult leadership on exactly when he would force a vote on the measure, but said the "likely timeline is before the August recess."

In order to meet that timeline, Torres would have had to do so on Wednesday. He did not.

After this week, lawmakers will not return to Washington en masse until September 12, meaning the vote will not happen, at minimum, for several weeks.

The Democratic trio  which also includes Rep. Robert Garcia of California and Rep. Dan Goldman of New York  had pitched their effort as a backstop against an ongoing House Ethics Committee inquiry into Santos' misdeeds.

Garcia forced a vote in May on expelling Santos, but New York Republicans  who otherwise loath their scandal-plagued colleague  voted to table that measure, with Rep. Nick LaLota of New York telling Axios that he expected the ethics committee to produce a result "within 60 days" and that Santos would "be gone, by resignation or expulsion, before August recess."

That 60-day timeline elapsed last week. The ethics committee, even as it continues its probe into Santos despite ongoing federal criminal proceedings against the congressman, is known for moving at a glacial pace.

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Santos already does not serve on any committees, owing to his fabrications about his background, and he has struggled to attract legislative allies or pass any bills during his tenure.

But he is continuing to seek re-election, despite the wishes of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a 13-count federal indictment that includes charges of fraud and money laundering.

If the censure effort eventually succeeds, Santos would become the 26th member of Congress in American history to be formally censured by the House.

But the effort to censure Santos is also occurring against the backdrop of an increasing frenzy by Democrats and Republicans to censure individuals of the opposing party for various reasons, after Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California was censured on a party-line vote last month over Republican grievances about his handling of the Trump-Russia investigation.

Those other censure efforts include:

But unlike those efforts, the Santos censure effort enjoys bipartisan support, and would likely pass when it's eventually brought to the floor.

Read the original article on Business Insider
House Republican leaders on Thursday punted a second government funding bill and dismissed lawmakers for a six-week break from Washington, hamstrung by conservative demands for more spending cuts and internal division over social issues like abortion.

"Votes are no longer expected in the House tomorrow," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said on the floor, announcing one final vote series Thursday afternoon. "Then we will be finished for the August work period."

The Houses decision to adjourn for a six-week break amid the GOP stalemate portends a rocky September, when lawmakers will return to the Hill with just three weeks left to stave off a government shutdown.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy s leadership team hoped to pass as many of their 12 annual funding bills as possible on the floor this month, aiming for a show of Republican unity that might bolster the House in a coming standoff with the Senate over federal funding. Now House GOP lawmakers are leaving the Capitol on a note of disarray rather than cohesion, with a single passage vote to tout on a veterans funding bill and two spending measures still stuck in committee.

The speaker suggested the whipping effort will continue when lawmakers return to town in mid-September. Asked about his plans for advancing the Republican funding bills, McCarthy replied Thursday afternoon: Pass them. Just like today."

In a 219-211 vote on Thursday, the House passed the only Republican funding measure that GOP leaders could build support around before the break  the bill that funds the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects. Republican leaders persuaded members of the House Freedom Caucus to back that bill while negotiations toward a broader funding agreement remain unresolved, allowing GOP lawmakers to return to their districts touting united support for military veterans.

McCarthys team was still scuffling Thursday to whip support for the other funding measures while appeasing members of the conservative bloc who are demanding tens of billions of dollars in extra cuts to spending bills that leaders already finalized.

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In short, the perennial hitch for McCarthys five-seat majority came back into play: Pacifying some lawmakers on the right risked losing the support of others.

Sometimes when you come in and say, OK, Im gonna get savings here. Im gonna squeeze here, the balloon pops up in other places, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), one of McCarthys top negotiators, said in a brief interview. So I just lost four moderates and picked up two Freedom Caucus guys.

Well continue to have conversations, he added.

Graves contended that GOP leaders have made extraordinary progress so far on finding more savings in their spending measures as part of the ongoing talks, but he acknowledged that the last-minute haggling proved difficult.

Across the Capitol, Senate appropriators advanced some of their remaining fiscal 2024 spending measures on Thursday. They sent some of the years biggest bills to the floor, including those that would fund the Pentagon and the largest swath of domestic programs.

An immigration-related policy snag initially held up full committee approval of the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, representing one of the only real public hurdles that senators have had to overcome so far in their funding work  a stark contrast with the House.

The Freedom Caucus proposals for additional agriculture cuts have particularly infuriated a swath of rank-and-file Republicans, especially those in rural districts who have strong ties to GOP leadership. McCarthy himself represents an agriculture-heavy district in California.

Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) said he was mortified about some of the cuts to key agriculture programs that Freedom Caucus members were working to secure on Thursday. He added that further cuts to USDA would impact food safety and U.S. agriculture exports that farmers in his state rely on.

Graves confirmed that a whole spreadsheet of possible cuts to the agriculture bill were discussed Wednesday with Freedom Caucus members. Those proposed slashes included taking aim at the McGovern-Dole foreign food aid program, which is often heavily guarded by Republican members in agriculture districts, as well as other key agriculture programs.

Biden-district Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro of New York also confirmed that his resistance to the agriculture funding bills treatment of abortion pill access still isnt ironed out. Molinaro, a House Agriculture Committee member, reiterated that he would vote against the final bill if it included the GOP-backed ban on mail delivery of abortion pills.

However, far-right members have similarly threatened to vote against the bill if Republican leaders remove the provision.

Graves, asked about the abortion stalemate, said the negotiations at this point are narrowly focused on topline spending totals.

The main issue were focusing on right now is the overall dollar amount, Graves said.

Jennifer Scholtes, Caitlin Emma and Sarah Ferris contributed.
Xi inspects SW China's Sichuan

Xinhua) 08:08, July 27, 2023

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

CHENGDU, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively.

Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Virginia Baskerville at her apartment on July 27, 2023. She said she has faced challenges securing housing ever since she was evicted in 2019 from her Washington Heights apartment on the citys Far South Side after being the victim of domestic violence. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Two Cook County landlords are discriminating against Black renters by automatically denying their applications for units if they have any prior eviction history, housing advocates allege in two newly filed legal complaints.

Legal Aid Chicago filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Hunter Properties Inc. over the companys No-Evictions Policy  which states in its application portal that prior evictions filings will result in denial of housing applications. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges the policy violates the federal 1968 Fair Housing Act by discriminating against Black renters, particularly Black women, since they are disproportionately affected by eviction.

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The lawsuit also claims Hunter Properties is excluding tenants based on sealed eviction records, violating Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, which prohibits landlords from unfair residential leasing practices.

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The suit follows a civil rights complaint HOPE Fair Housing Center lodged with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development July 20 against Oak Park Apartments. That complaint alleges the same type of discrimination as Legal Aid Chicagos case, adding that such discrimination perpetuates and reinforces residential segregation.

The complaint takes issue with a statement that was in application materials posted on the companys website until Thursday saying that applicants cannot have a bankruptcy, judgment, eviction, foreclosure, history of late rent payments or short sale. As of Thursday, the companys policy statement said applicants cannot have an active bankruptcy (can override if discharged for two years), judgment, active eviction (although this can be overridden with proof of resolution), foreclosure, history of late rent payments or short sale.

HUD confirmed Wednesday it had received the complaint but declined to comment on the timeline for the investigation.

Kate Walz, associate director of litigation with the National Housing Law Project, one of the legal groups representing HOPE Fair Housing Center in the complaint, said the update to Oak Park Apartments policy language on its website does not remove the harm the group has done, and there still needs to be clarification around what the new policy means.

Oak Park Apartments did not respond to a request for comment. According to its website, the company owns more than 60 apartment buildings, with 1,500 units in Oak Park and other Chicago area neighborhoods.

Hunter Properties also did not respond to a request for comment. The company manages more than 2,500 apartments in Chicago, according to its website.

The plaintiffs are hoping these legal challenges have local and national implications that allow people to have greater access to housing in the rental market, as they say these are some of the first cases to challenge property owners eviction screening policies.

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Virginia Baskerville, 28, said she has faced challenges securing housing ever since she was evicted in 2019 from her Washington Heights apartment on the citys Far South Side after being the victim of domestic violence.

With help from Legal Aid Chicago, she won her eviction case and got her eviction records sealed. But she and her four kids had to live with her mom, two sisters and one of their partners in a three-bedroom apartment for about seven months because she was continually denied housing, as property owners cited her past eviction record.

It was terrible, Baskerville said, who has worked temp jobs and now works at a restaurant. It was too packed in there. ... That was just like the worst experience I ever had.

After that, she lived in a Chicago Housing Authority building until its contract with CHA expired, and she was forced to leave. Since November 2021, she has lived in a building in Woodlawn  which did not require an application for its units  and pays $1,450 in monthly rent for a three-bedroom apartment. Baskerville is searching for new housing again because she said her building is infested with roaches and does not always have hot water and electricity.

This type of landlord is the one Ill be having to find now, Baskerville said. Im in this little nasty, dirty building because of that eviction. It wont come off. They can find it, even though it is sealed.

[ Were on the front lines of gentrification: Beverly tenants protest mass eviction in six-building complex ]

HOPE Fair Housing Center and Legal Aid Chicago are bringing the complaints in their capacity as organizations that advocate for fair housing access. Individual renters have not signed onto the complaints, something the ACLU of Illinois attributed to a reluctance by people who have suffered harm to be publicly identified.

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The goal of the litigation is to mitigate harm  not force individuals to risk more discrimination, the ACLU of Illinois, which is representing the groups in their complaints, said in a statement to the Tribune.

Michael Chavarria, executive director of HOPE Fair Housing Center, said it is unnecessary to block access to housing for people who can afford it simply because they were the subject of an eviction filing, regardless of what the outcome was, the basis of the filing or how long ago it was.

(Oak Park) has invested so deeply in ensuring a diverse and integrated community, he said. To see a housing provider interfering with that work is just deeply concerning, and so our goal is to put an end to that.

Dennericka Brooks, director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago, said her clients often do not avail themselves of their rights as tenants out of fear of having an eviction on their record, since landlords harass their tenants with the threat of eviction.

We witness structural racism, discrimination and how that thwarts the health and stability of our clients and perpetuates poverty, Brooks said. Our housing stock is already limited the way that it is, and the mere filing of an eviction should not be the reason that people are denied housing.

In addition to the ACLU of Illinois and the National Housing Law Project, Legal Aid Chicago is being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the law firm Mayer Brown. HOPE Fair Housing Center is being represented by the same groups except for Mayer Brown.

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The legal groups conducted an analysis of Cook County sheriffs office data finding that while 33% of Cook County renters are Black, about 56% of people served with an eviction notice or evicted by the sheriffs office between September 2010 and March 2023 were Black.

According to a Tribune analysis of Cook County sheriffs office data, most evictions in 2022 took place on the South and West sides in majority Black and Latino communities, trends that line up with national data showing racial minorities are more likely to face eviction. The pandemic disproportionately affected racial minorities, who were more likely to experience hardships such as job loss and illness.

An eviction filing does not necessarily result in an eviction. Local and national data show eviction filing rates are much higher than executed evictions. Many tenants either leave right when they receive an eviction notice or are not evicted once the eviction process plays out.

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

Walz, with the National Housing Law Project, said there has been success in Cook County and at the federal level to prohibit discrimination against renters with criminal histories, and these two legal complaints aim to bring similar change for people with eviction records.

We are failing in ensuring that everyone, regardless of race or gender, has a home, Walz said. We need the type of national attention to this that has increasingly been recognized and followed as to criminal records screening.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the Just Housing amendment to the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance in 2019, making it illegal to refuse to rent or show a property to people with certain criminal records.

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[ Cook County makes it illegal to refuse to show or rent property to people with certain criminal records ]

So far, one similar lawsuit challenging eviction record screenings under the Fair Housing Act has played out. In 2017, the Northwest Justice Project, the ACLU and Virginia Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of a tenant who was rejected from an apartment in Seattle based on a prior eviction filing.

The case settled the same year. The housing provider agreed to have a policy giving every person an opportunity to submit an application, regardless of their eviction history, and made a payment to the client, according to Sandra Park, senior staff attorney at the ACLUs Womens Rights Project.

Brooks from Legal Aid Chicago wants to see similar reform in Cook County.

Its time that we see people as people and not an eviction record or filing, because it tells you absolutely nothing about their ability to be good tenants, she said.

We want to see the long-term effects as a way to help in the desegregation of housing in Chicago. We want families to have an opportunity to have actual housing mobility.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly cited which legal groups filed the Fair Housing Act lawsuit in Seattle. The error has been corrected.

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ekane@chicagotribune.com
House Republican leaders punted plans to pass an appropriations bill to fund agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to September amid internal discord about funding levels and policy gripes, canceling Friday floor votes and starting August recess a day early.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) announced on the House floor that votes would no longer be expected Friday.

We will be finished for the August work period after last votes Thursday afternoon, Scalise said.

The move to punt the bill comes as House conservatives have pressured GOP leaders to further slash the funding levels in the bill  and in other funding bills. Moderate lawmakers, meanwhile, have taken issue with a provision in the ag-FDA legislation that would limit access to an abortion pill.

Punting a bill sets up a September scramble to fund the government after the House returns from a six-week recess. The House is scheduled to be in session for just 12 days before a Sept. 30 funding deadline.

Senate appropriators are also marking up spending bills at levels higher than the House GOP is, laying the foundation for a clash between the two chambers in the fall.

Indications that the ag-FDA bill would be punted emerged Wednesday, when the House Rules Committee  which had been preparing the bill to come to the floor  did not come back to finish considering legislation Wednesday evening as negotiations between conservatives and leadership continued.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House GOP appropriators had already agreed to set overall top-line spending levels lower than the caps set out in the debt limit bill that McCarthy negotiated with President Biden. That infuriated Democrats, who pledge to vote against the House funding bills  leaving McCarthy in the difficult position of getting the slim GOP majority on board with the bills to pass them alone.

The House on Thursday passed its first appropriations bill to fund military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs largely along party lines.

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Another point of contention in the ag-FDA bill is a provision that would nullify a Biden administration rule allowing the abortion pill mifepristone to be sold in retail pharmacies and by mail with prescriptions from a certified health care provider.

Moderate Republicans have been vocal in their opposition to the provision, warning that they will not support the bill unless it is stripped.

But one GOP lawmaker suggested those who object to the mifepristone measure are in no hurry to take it out because it gives them a reason to delay the whole damn thing amid disagreement with the Freedom Caucus members and other conservatives pushing for cuts.

Freedom Caucus wants deeper cuts, we cant possibly accept that, the GOP lawmaker told The Hill.

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) tore into Republicans for delaying the vote and piling up spending bill votes in September, arguing that lawmakers should stay in Washington to strip out the divisive measures in the bills.

Extremists are holding your conference hostage, Clark said.

This is a reckless march to a MAGA shutdown, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Republicans are showing small signs of progress as leaders try to wrangle the conferences various factions together to pass their first batch of federal funding bills this week.

The House cleared a key procedural hurdle Wednesday by voting to begin debate on legislation to fund military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and related agencies for fiscal 2024  but not without hours of drama as conservatives press for deeper spending cuts.

Hard-line conservative Republicans huddled in Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) office for discussions that continued right up until the procedural rule vote. It ultimately passed 217-206, with two Republicans bucking the party and voting no.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, told reporters while walking into the vote that he would support the rule  despite his previous opposition  citing a supposed agreement to lower overall funding to levels he and other conservatives have been pushing for.

Norman and other conservative have pushed to review all 12 appropriations bills in their final form before voting on individual bills, so they can ensure overall spending levels are low enough.

Im voting for the rule, I previously was opposed to it, Norman said. They worked the things out with the topline numbers so well vote for the rule.

Top stories from The Hill

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), another member of the conservative group, also said he would vote in favor of the rule with the commitment that the partys funding bills would be set to fiscal 2022 levels.

McCarthy, however, denied that any deal had been reached, telling reporters there was no new agreement.

Im willing to work on any way we can save money, where we get to 218  I havent talked to Ralph, I mean, theres no new agreement to anything, weve all been working together the whole time through, he added.

Story continues

While McCarthy scored a victory on the rule vote, he faces an uphill battle to win passage of the Milcon-VA appropriations bill and another spending measure pertaining to agriculture, rural development, Food and Drug Administration and related agencies programs  both of which are on the schedule for this week.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) greets tourists in Statuary Hall of the Capitol after opening up the House for the week on July 25, 2023.

On the latter bill, GOP leadership is staring down a potential problem with moderates over provisions in the bill pertaining to the abortion drug mifepristone. The legislation would nullify a Biden administration rule that allows mifepristone to be sold in retail pharmacies and by mail with prescriptions from a certified health care provider.

I have said from the very beginning that I would not support legislation that would ban abortion nationwide, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), a top Democratic target in 2024, said Wednesday morning. And to me, some of these issues that are being dealt with should be dealt with at the state level, and thats it. Some states allow it to be mailed, some states dont. But that should be a decision with the states and the FDA.

Overall, conservatives have accused leadership of using rescissions, or clawed back funding that was previously allocated, to get to their preferred overall fiscal 2022 levels.

Conservatives support the proposals to yank back funds from some Democratic priorities that were greenlit in the previous Congress without GOP support. But they have been adamant that the funding should not be repurposed in appropriations bills to allow for spending at higher levels than those set for fiscal 2022.

Youre going to hear that we have made rescissions to get down to the number that you heard, the $1.471 [trillion], Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) said Tuesday at a press conference held by the House Freedom Caucus, referring to the top line sought by conservatives.

But then those rescissions are going to be added back later. Watch for it. That should not happen, he said. If we go down to the $1.471 [trillion], we stay there.

Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas)

Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) addresses reporters during a press conference with members of the House Freedom Caucus July 25, 2023, to discuss the fiscal 2024 appropriations process. (Greg Nash)

GOP appropriators announced earlier this year that they would mark up their funding bills in line with the fiscal 2022 levels, a key ask from some conservatives. But negotiators also proposed more than $100 billion in rescissions, while redirecting the funding toward areas like border security and addressing threats posed by the Peoples Republic of China and abroad.

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who serves on the appropriations panel, suggested that making such cuts would be tough.

Then you just drop it on the floor and stomp on it. What else do you do with it? he told reporters. You cant make logical cuts in there.

Simpson told reporters that he planned to meet with some members of the House Freedom Caucus later Wednesday to discuss some of the funding proposals. So, that they know what weve done, and why weve cut certain things  and why we havent, he explained.

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Simpson also acknowledged that theres an understanding that the partisan House-passed bills will likely look much different after negotiations eventually with the Democratic-led Senate.

Its not gonna become a law, he said, adding: Thats gonna take compromise. Thats the nature of politics.

The push and pull underscores the difficult balancing act leaders face in getting all 12 funding bills through the House floor with a narrow majority.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said on Tuesday that she isnt anticipating any support from her side of the aisle.

Why would we? DeLauro told The Hill, before taking aim at what she called programmatic cuts in the GOP-backed bills. Then they compound that with rescissions. So, they take money from other great programs, and they move it just to cover their tracks.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) speaks to reporters after a closed-door House Democratic Caucus meeting on June 6, 2023.

Some Republicans say theyre watching the process as closely as possible as more chatter emerges around potential amendments, with some making clear they wont be a rubber stamp for any changes.

Im of the view that when you make an agreement, like we did with the President and the Speaker, that we should live within that spirit, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said Tuesday.

Im not an absolute yes or Im not a stamp yes. Im gonna watch whats going on, and go from there, Bacon said.

Emily Brooks contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Republican-controlled House voted late Wednesday to block the Department of Veterans Affairs from updating its motto to include female veterans.

The VA would not be able to "modify or remove any display" of the mission statement it adopted 64 years ago under an amendment passed as part of an annual VA spending bill. The motto refers only to male veterans and was based on a line in President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address: "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan."

The new motto chosen by the VA hews closely to the original but acknowledges women who have served the country, as well as other surviving spouses and family members: "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers and survivors."

Read Next: VA Hospitals Rate Higher Than Civilian Facilities in New Federal Survey

VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced the motto change in March, timed for Women's History Month. The announcement came after two surveys of 30,000 veterans, focus groups and years of lobbying by advocacy groups, mostly prominently the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

But Republicans have bristled at what they claim are efforts to "erase" Lincoln's quote.

"It's a good quote," Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who sponsored the amendment, said on the House floor. "It's an historic quote. The fact is we should not use taxpayer dollars to allow this administration to unilaterally change the VA's historic motto and erase the words of President Lincoln to appease the radical left and advance yet another one of their cultural revisionist efforts."

The amendment, which was approved on a nearly party-line, 221-212 vote, would effectively prevent the VA from adopting the new motto.

The amendment adds to an array of provisions Republicans already inserted into the bill targeting VA efforts to be more welcoming to historically marginalized groups of people, including language to bar the department from providing abortions or gender-affirming health care.

Story continues

Partisan policy riders are often added to initial drafts of annual government spending bills, only to be taken out during negotiations on the final bill that becomes law.

But the volume of riders in this year's House bills, coupled with far-right lawmakers' demands to keep them in and enact deep cuts to non-military and non-veterans government spending, may mean lawmakers won't be able to fund the government by the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 without acquiescing to some of the hard-liners' demands.

Prior to McDonough's announcement, VA officials would sometimes use more gender-neutral language in internal messages, but the original wording is still emblazoned on bronze plaques on more than half of the department's buildings.

The VA has estimated the total cost to replace or remove all plaques, stationery or other signs bearing the old motto will be less than $2 million. That includes signs the Trump administration installed at all 145 VA cemeteries in 2020 as it strongly resisted calls to change the motto.

So far, no signage has been changed to the new motto, McDonough said at a news conference Wednesday, adding that the department expects to roll out its plans to replace signage after August.

While McDonough would not comment directly on his stance on the House amendment, he said he feels "very strongly" he made the right decision on the motto.

"On Sunday afternoon, I heard again from a senior, very senior, veteran how excited she is and how appreciative she is of the new mission statement," McDonough said.

Democrats in Congress sharply criticized Roy's amendment.

"This is 2023," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee subpanel in charge of VA spending, said on the floor. "It's hard to imagine that we are actually debating a motto on the floor of the House of Representatives and having a member of Congress suggesting that that motto should remain exclusive of women."

One Democrat, Rep. Mary Peltola of Alaska, crossed party lines to support the amendment, and two Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Nancy Mace of South Carolina, opposed the amendment.

The House is expected to approve the full VA spending bill Thursday afternoon largely along party lines. It will then need to be reconciled with the Senate's VA spending plan, which received bipartisan support in the Senate Appropriations Committee last month and does not include any of the controversial policy riders contained in the House bill.

The White House earlier this week threatened to veto the House VA bill because of "partisan policy provisions with devastating consequences."

-- Patricia Kime contributed to this report.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: VA to Change Motto, Switching to Gender-Neutral Language that Recognizes All Who Have Served
Jim Skea, a Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London, has been elected the new head of the UN's climate expert panel, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (FABRICE COFFRINI)

British professor Jim Skea told AFP on Thursday he will bring "a judicious blend of realism and optimism" to his leadership of the UN's climate expert panel, including a firm belief that humanity is not powerless to confront global warming.

Skea takes charge of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in a crucial decade which will determine the extent of warming and its impact on the planet for decades or even centuries to come.

The 195-nation organisation informs global policymakers on the latest science on climate change, and Skea will oversee hundreds of experts and the defining reports they produce on the best course of action.

Skea, a Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London, said extreme temperatures being felt across the globe this month were "a salutary lesson" for the task ahead as he assumes his new role.

But it was critical to offer "positive" ways for humanity to address these challenges, he said, and not just "messages of gloom that can induce a sense of existential dread about the future of the planet".

"We need to make the point that human beings do have choices they can make, and agency over their own future," Skea told AFP in Nairobi, where the elections for other IPCC leadership positions are also underway.

He said more than ever, governments wanted advice on steps they could take in the near term and there would be a "twin emphasis" on climate adaptation and mitigation under his stewardship.

Skea, 69, has decades of experience building consensus around climate change and was not "naive about the difficulty of getting the science messages across."

"I think it will be a judicious blend of realism and optimism... I am genetically optimistic," he said of his approach to the job.

- Daunting task -

The task ahead is enormous.

Under the 2015 Paris treaty, nations promised to collectively cap the rise in the planet's average temperature at "well below" 2C, and at 1.5C if possible.

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To get to that more ambitious target, the IPCC says emissions need to drop 43 percent by 2030 -- and 84 percent by mid-century -- to stay within the threshold.

Yet they continue to rise, and there are concerns the next IPCC reports -- due in five to seven years -- come too near the end of this critical decade to rally a sufficient global response.

Skea said rushing out reports would risk "that gold standard credibility that has been so influential for the IPCC in the past".

Skea had a leading role in publishing a landmark 2018 IPCC report that concluded only a 1.5C cap on warming could ensure a climate-safe world that did not risk ecosystem collapse.

Experts have said it might fall on Skea to finally say the world cannot limit temperature rises to 1.5C in time -- but the new chief said this was premature.

"If it appears that 1.5 cannot be reached on a more permanent basis, we will have to say so," Skea said.

"But we are not at that point yet, and we do not have the evidence for it".

He said he would strongly resist pressure to turn out more so-called special reports like the 2018 study, saying they dragged on the IPCC's core work and resources.

"I'll say something very strongly -- over my dead body will we see lots and lots of special reports," he said.

He succeeds South Korean economist Hoesung Lee, who led the IPCC for eight years, and was elected over three other candidates including two hoping to be the first woman chair of the organisation.

Skea said the IPCC had "big issues" around gender and diversity, and said a priority of his tenure would be increasing the number of women in their ranks.

np/amu/rox
The Prime Minister of Hungary's administration claims that the counteroffensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine has not brought significant results.

Source: The Hungarian service Radio Svoboda (Radio Liberty), reports European Pravda

Details: In particular, Gergely Gulyas, the head of the administration of the Hungarian Prime Minister, said on Thursday that the counteroffensive had not brought "any significant results" to Ukraine and that Budapest's position on negotiations was justified.

A representative of the Hungarian government said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive "so far has not shown any significant results": Ukraine liberated "only" 200 sq. km of territory, but Russia "captured about the same amount in Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts".

Gulyas added that "even according to the most conservative estimates", at least 310,000 people were killed and wounded in the Russian-Ukrainian war, and more on the Russian side, although it has more reserves than Ukraine.

Quote: "All this together indicates that the position of the Hungarian government is justified when it calls for a ceasefire and the earliest possible start of peace talks."

Background:

The US State Department stated that, taking into account the territory of Crimea occupied by Russia, Ukraine returned about 45% of the captured territories. Excluding Crimea, Ukraine regained 61% of its territory after 2014.

In turn, the White House announced that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is moving slower than planned but has not stopped. The UK Ministry of Defence has dismissed concerns about the slow pace of the counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Defence Forces, saying that operations are going according to plan.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Hunter Biden admitted to a federal judge Wednesday that he received over $600,000 from a Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-backed company, contradicting President Bidens insistence that nobody from his family "made money from China."

Hunter made his first appearance in a Delaware federal court Wednesday, pleading not guilty after Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected his plea deal that was criticized by Republicans as too lenient.

Prosecutors said in their proposed plea agreement with Hunter that he received $664,000 from a "Chinese infrastructure investment company," according to the official court transcript.

President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS CHEER BIG WIN FOR THE RULE OF LAW AFTER HUNTER BIDENS SWEETHEART DEAL COLLAPSES

Hunter then confirmed to the judge that he earned $664,000 from a company he formed in 2017 with the chairman of the CCP-backed CEFC.

"I started a company [in 2017] called Hudson West, your Honor, and my partner was associated with a Chinese energy company called CEFC," Hunter said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Who was your partner?" the court asked.

"I don't know how to spell his name, Yi Jianming is the chairman of that company," Hunter responded.

A courtroom sketch depicts Hunter Biden in a federal courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday.

Hunter Biden departs the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday.

BIDEN'S NARRATIVE ON NEVER DISCUSSING BUSINESS DEALS WITH HUNTER CONTINUE TO CRUMBLE

"$664,000 from a Chinese infrastructure investment company  is that one of the companies we've already talked about?" the judge continued.

"I believe so, yes, your Honor," he said, before adding, "I believe CEFC."

The House Oversight Committee highlighted the exchange on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

Fox News Digital previously reported in 2020 about an email showing Hunter reaching out to Zhao Runlong at CEFC, asking that they please "translate my letter to Chairman Ye, please extend my warmest best wishes and that I hope to see the Chairman soon."

"I hope my letter finds you well. I regret missing you on your last visit to the United States," Hunter wrote in the attached letter, dated June 17, 2017. "Please accept the best wishes from the entire Biden family as well as my partners."

Story continues

"We are all hoping to see you here again soon, or in Shanghai," he added.

Hunters apparent confirmation in the courtroom that he made more than a half million dollars from a Chinese company directly contradicts President Bidens previous denials.

"My son has not made money in terms of this thing about, what are you talking about, China," Biden told then-President Donald Trump during the October 2020 debate.

"The only guy who made money from China is this guy," Biden said at the time, referring to Trump. "Hes the only one. Nobody else has made money from China."

Biden denied the allegations again this year after the House Oversight Committee said subpoenaed financial records revealed members of the Biden family received more than $1 million in payments from accounts related to Hunter's business associate Rob Walker and their Chinese business ventures in 2017.

"Thats not true," the president said March 17.

Hunter's plea deal fell through Wednesday, leading him to plead "not guilty" as prosecutors confirmed the president's son is still under investigation.

Hunter was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a plea deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge. Now, jail time may be back on the table, House Republicans told Fox News Digital.

The White House did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden appeared in a Delaware courthouse today to formally agree to the plea deal he negotiated last month with federal prosecutors, but the deal fell apart.





Latest Developments





Jul 26, 6:45 PM

Attorneys have 30 days to submit briefs



No date has been set for a follow-up hearing after the judge deferred a decision on the plea deal at today's hearing.

The judge gave both parties 30 days to submit briefs meant to assuage the concerns she so thoroughly expressed in court, after attorneys for both parties, toward the end of the proceeding, agreed to hash out some of the judge's concerns.

A spokesperson for Hunter Biden's legal team says they do not plan to comment on Wednesday's hearing.





Jul 26, 6:44 PM

McCarthy, more lawmakers weigh in on Hunter Biden



House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reacted Wednesday to Hunter Biden's plea dealing being deferred for the time being.

He reiterated his allegation that the president's son has received different treatment from prosecutors, which the Department of Justice has pushed back on.

"There shouldn't be two justice systems in America, and hopefully today that's what is being done," McCarthy said.

"So now is the window to show that we have equal justice, and that's the real question ... is it going to be fair as you treat every other American? That will be the question," McCarthy said as he left the House floor.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, said Wednesday that he hoped Hunter Biden will "acknowledge his responsibility for the proceeding" and that the outcome will be "fair and just."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin and Lauren Peller





Jul 26, 6:44 PM

White House comments on deferred plea deal



At the top of her briefing on Wednesday afternoon, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre commented on "the news in Delaware today," as she called it, emphasizing that "Hunter Biden is a private citizen ... this was a personal matter for him," and saying the case was handled by a prosecutor appointed by former President Trump.

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"As we have said, the president, the first lady, they love their son and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life," Jean-Pierre said. "This case was handled independently, as all of you know, by the Justice Department."

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson





Jul 26, 6:43 PM

Judge said she wouldn't 'rubber-stamp' the deal



Judge Noreika scrutinized nearly every facet of the plea deal before deciding to defer the agreement so the parties could reconvene at a later date.

The hearing was punctuated by multiple recesses, during which lawyers scrambled to negotiate their way out of the deal's divergent perspectives.

A visibly agitated Hunter Biden spent much of the time shifting between sitting and standing, summoning members of his legal team to discuss developments. Across the room, U.S. Attorney David Weiss appeared to share his demeanor.

Toward the end of the hearing, Noreika herself lashed out, repeatedly saying she felt as though she was being asked to "rubber-stamp" the deal.

In the end, she did not.





Jul 26, 6:43 PM

Judge defers plea deal



U.S. Judge Maryellen Noreika deferred the plea deal negotiated by Hunter Biden's attorneys and federal prosecutors after a contentious hearing, taking issue with the structure of the arrangement and lamenting on multiple occasions the deal's "form over substance."

In the interim, Hunter Biden entered a not guilty plea. Noreika requested additional briefings from the parties in the coming weeks before determining next steps.

"I'm not going to say I'm going to accept the agreement, I'm not going to say I'll deny it," she said.

The three-hour hearing featured several turbulent interludes. Noreika's line of questioning about an immunity agreement exposed fissures between the two parties, with the discussion culminating in prosecutors threatening to bring foreign agent charges, prompting Chris Clark, an attorney for Biden, to say: "As far as I'm concerned, the plea agreement is null and void."

After a brief recess, the parties moved past those disagreements. Clark acquiesced to the government's position that any immunity of Hunter Biden would only include tax, firearm, and drug-related conduct investigated by the government.

Judge Noreika asked the parties to consult and brief her in the coming weeks.

In the understatement of the day, Noreika acknowledged that her probing threw "a little bit of a curveball" into the proceeding.





Jul 26, 2:00 PM

Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to charges after deal falls apart



In a dramatic scene in court, the plea deal struck by Hunter Biden fell apart amid the judge's concerns over the terms of the agreement.

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the charges.

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika had raised concerns about the parties linking the tax plea agreement to the deal on the gun charge, and over whether or not a provision in the deal would grant Hunter Biden blanket immunity, meaning that the government would not prosecute him further.





Jul 26, 1:27 PM

No plea deal amid judge's concerns

There is no plea deal in the Hunter Biden case.





Jul 26, 11:59 AM

Plea deal is in jeopardy of falling apart

A deal between federal prosecutors and Hunter Biden is in jeopardy of falling apart.



There is now a brief recess as the parties try to come to terms.



-Olivia Rubin





Jul 26, 10:36 AM

Hunter Biden arrives at courthouse



Hunter Biden has arrived at the federal court in Delaware for this morning's hearing.

The younger Biden and his legal team arrived shortly before 9:30 a.m.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden, arrives for a court appearance, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del. (Julio Cortez/AP)





Jul 26, 7:56 AM

Hunter Biden's legal team threatened with sanctions

Less than 24 hours before Hunter Biden was expected in federal court, the judge overseeing his case threatened his legal team with sanctions after she found that a staffer might have "misrepresented her identity" in communications with the court clerk.

The bizarre saga played out Tuesday on the court's public docket, where Ted Kittila, an attorney for the GOP-led House Ways and Means Committee, shared Hunter Biden's taxpayer information as part of an effort to intervene in the case.

Chris Clark, an attorney for Hunter Biden, asked Kittila to seal the information, and when Kittila refused, a member of the firm representing Hunter Biden reached out to the court seeking to have it removed from the docket.

Judge Maryellen Noreika wrote late Tuesday that, having "discussed the matter with the relevant individuals," Jessica Bengels, an attorney with Clark's firm, "represented that she worked with Mr. Kittila and requested the amicus materials be taken down."

"It appears that the caller misrepresented her identity and who she worked for in an attempt to improperly convince the Clerk's Office to remove the amicus materials from the docket," Noreika wrote.

Noreika asked Hunter Biden's legal team to explain why she should not level sanctions against them. In response, Matthew Salerno, an attorney for Biden, called it "an unfortunate and unintentional miscommunication," dispelling Noreika's suggestion that it might have been a nefarious ploy to have a docket entry suppressed.

"We have no idea how the misunderstanding occurred," wrote Salerno. "But our understanding is there was no misrepresentation."

ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
The path of Hunter Bidens criminal case took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when a judge appeared ready to toss out a plea deal the presidents son had reached with federal prosecutors over charges of unpaid taxes and lying on an application for a firearm.

Mr Biden was in court on Wednesday to enter a guilty plea had Judge Maryellen Noreika signed off on the agreement. Joe Bidens adult son was set to admit guilt on the tax charges in exchange for probation, while he would also enter a pretrial diversionary program that would allow him to avoid a guilty plea on the gun charge.

It was a deal that Republicans had decried as an example of the kid-glove treatment that they argue the younger Biden has received for years; Hunter remains uncharged, as one example, for years of narcotics abuse for which there is a veritable mountain of accumulated photo and video evidence.

But whether that deal will ever become reality is now in question, as Judge Noreika questioned whether the deal would prohibit the federal government from prosecuting Mr Biden for other crimes in the future, and later took issue with a clause designating her as the arbiter of whether the presidents son had violated the terms of his agreement. She has ordered that clause to be modified or removed.

To be sure, the deal looks to be in a safer place now following Wednesdays hearing than it did for brief moments during the proceedings themselves, but its implementation is far from a certainty.

So what happens next? On Wednesday, Mr Biden entered a plea of not guilty for all charges in the case, a move understood to be a formality as the intricacies of the deal are hammered out.

Should the deal be modified in a way that suits Judge Noreika, Mr Biden will then enter guilty pleas for the two tax charges while entering the pretrial program for the gun charge; his proceedings going forward would then likely be fairly uneventful, as would be the beginning of his probationary period.

Story continues

The only potential fireworks remain in the possibility that the deal falls apart at the last minute, and Mr Biden decides to fight his case at trial. Such an outcome would be the worst possible news for the White House and his father, currently campaigning for re-election while his press team continues to refuse questions about the subject. A criminal trial of the presidents son during an election year would be a spectacle closely followed by Fox News and other conservative media, overshadowed only by the potential beginning of the criminal trial (or trials?) of Donald Trump next year.

Either way, expect to hear Hunters name a lot more going forward: regardless of the fate of his plea deal, Republicans are set to make his treatment by the Department of Justice a top issue throughout the Republican primary and 2024 general election. The party is still hung up on other unproven claims that the younger Biden conspired with his father as part of an overseas influence-trading scheme, not to mention the surreal and attention-grabbing images of the presidents son smoking crack behind the wheel of a speeding car and other evidence of his addiction-fueled lifestyle. Those issues will be cannon fodder for the GOP for months, particularly as Republicans try to out-manoeuvre and one-up each other in a crowded primary where standing out is everything.

What truly remains to be seen is how the White House and the president himself treat the issue going forward. Karine Jean-Pierre, Mr Bidens press secretary, again declined to comment on the issue at her daily briefing on Wednesday. But its not likely that Mr Biden and his team will be able to maintain their silence on the issue throughout the campaign, particularly once debates begin in the summer of 2024.

One thing is clear: this is a big, ugly mess for the president at a very inconvenient moment.
Hunter Bidens legal thriller continues after a federal judge refused to accept a plea deal for his tax-evasion charges because of a last-minute drama over the fine print.

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika wanted more time to study a deal that began the day with a promise to cap a five-year federal investigation and ended with a cliffhanger rather than riding off into the sunset.

I know you want to get this over with and I am sorry, Noreika told Biden. But I want to be careful.

The decision added to twist to the long-running legal saga of criminal, civil and Republican congressional investigations of Biden and his father, President Joe Biden.

Its very unusual for a plea deal to collapse like this in front of a judge, but its not that unusual in these types of cases, where concern over the ultimate sentence to be imposed may exist because a defendant could potentially be the subject of investigations in multiple jurisdictions, said Joe Valenti, a former federal counterterrorism analyst who is now a partner at Saul Ewing.

Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal tax charges after judge rejects plea deal

What are the charges against Biden and what are Republicans criticizing?

U.S. Attorney David Weiss in Delaware charged Biden with two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay taxes and a gun possession violation. Biden pleaded not guilty Wednesday after the plea deal collapsed.

Prosecutors said Hunter Biden took in $2.4 million in income in 2017 and $2.1 in 2018 through Ukrainian energy firm Burisma, a Chinese-development firm, as well as domestic business interests and legal services.

Leo Wise, an assistant U.S. attorney, said an accountant prepared Biden's taxes both of those years, but his corporate and personal taxes were not paid. During this period, Hunter Biden made large cash withdrawals and covered other expenses like car payments on a Porsche, Wise said.

Biden told the court a "third party" paid the back taxes along with interest and fees pursuant to a personal loan he has not begun to repay.

Story continues

Prosecutors recommended probation for the tax charges, despite each carrying a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison. The agreement over the gun charge anticipated a pretrial diversion program that would wipe the charge off Bidens record if he complied.

House Republicans called the agreement a sweetheart deal for lack of jail time. But Weiss and Noreika was appointed by former President Donald Trump. The White House has denied interfering.

The day before the hearing, Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., urged Noreika to reject the plea deal because of alleged political influence. Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said Biden appears to have benefited from political interference which calls into question the propriety of the investigation of the U.S. Attorneys Office.

"I have not had time to review those submissions," Noreika said of Smiths filing and another from the Heritage Foundation.

Legal experts said Biden has been treated harshly because the charges he faces are rarely prosecuted.

A Syracuse University study found that from 2013 to 2017, the Justice Department prosecuted 35,758 cases with a firearm violation as the lead charge, but only 614 cases involved unlawful shipment, transfer, receipt or possession of a firearm by a drug addict.

These charges are rarely brought, said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor now practicing at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. Its unusual.

IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley, left, and IRS Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler, are sworn in at a House Oversight Committee meeting on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden.

Why did the plea deal collapse?

During the hearing, prosecutors and defense lawyers disagreed about the fine print.

The derailment began as Noreika asked Hunter Biden standard questions to ensure he was accepting the deal willingly and knowingly. He said he wouldnt be pleading guilty to the tax charges if not for the diversion program for the gun charge.

The judge asked if it was a package deal, but prosecutor Wise said the tax agreement stands alone. This prompted the hearing to grind to a halt.

After the lawyers conferred, Wise pointed to a paragraph amid the paperwork and said, We cant get around this.

"We will rip it up then," Biden attorney Christopher Clark replied.

Noreika told the lawyers to confer. When she resumed questioning Biden, he said that he would still plead to the tax charges if the diversion agreement were ruled invalid and if it granted him no immunity for further prosecution related to his taxes.

Noreika then turned her attention to the "unique" and "broad" nature of the immunity granted by the diversion agreement. She asked whether the immunity deal would prevent prosecutors from bringing charges for representing foreign governments.

Wise said it did not, but Clark disagreed.

"Then there is no deal," Wise replied.

After a recess, Clark told the judge that lawyers had clarified that the immunity agreement includes tax and drug charges from 2014 to 2019, as well as any charges related to the firearm in the case. But Noreika halted the hearing before asking Biden to officially enter his guilty plea so she could explore details of the diversion agreement.

It seems to me like you are saying just rubber stamp the agreement, Your Honor, Noreika said.

Legal experts said assurances against prosecution are often nuanced, which can leave defendants nervous.

Most defendants, when they agree to a plea deal, dont want to be looking over their shoulder for any other U.S. government prosecutor, Valenti said.

Hunter Biden leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington after the hearing regarding his criminal tax case, Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Hearing didn't cover potential sanctions for Biden team lawyer

Another potential subplot never materialized.

Noreika had questioned in the court docket whether she should sanction a lawyer from one of Bidens firms for allegedly trying to seal the filing from Smiths lawyer, Theodore Kittila.

"It appears that the caller misrepresented her identity and who she worked for in an attempt to improperly convince the Clerk's Office to remove the amicus materials from the docket," the order stated, commanding Biden's attorneys explain why the court shouldn't consider sanctions for "misrepresentations to the court."

Jessica Bengels is the lawyer at Latham and Watkins in New York City who contacted the U.S. District Court clerks office to ask about how to seal filings in Hunter Bidens tax case, according to a court filing.

Bengels, a lawyer who worked 18 years at the firm, provided a statement saying she hadnt worked on the case other than to research the docket and how to file electronically. She said she called the clerks office Tuesday to ask how to restrict confidential material from the court file and that there may have been some confusion in dealing with two clerks.

I am completely confident that I never indicated I was calling from Mr. Kittilas firm or that I worked with him in any way, Bengels said.

Noreika didnt mention the incident during the hearing.

White House continues to support Hunter Biden

In court, Biden said he had been in six inpatient rehabilitation programs in the past 20 years, primarily seeking help for alcohol addiction, most recently in 2018. He also shared he's been sober since 2019.

By his own account in his memoir Beautiful Things, Biden battled drug addiction and for periods during 2018 smoked crack every 15 minutes.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said Wednesday that Hunter Biden is a private citizen facing a personal matter and his parents support him.

As we have said the president, the first lady, they love their son, and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life, she said. This case was handled independently as all of, you know.

Legal expert: plea deal still expected because case 'isn't a whodunit'

Legal experts expect prosecutors and defense lawyers to reach a plea deal because the facts of the cases  unpaid taxes, gun ownership  are largely not in dispute.

Noreika gave the sides 30 days to provide written arguments in the case.

I would bet on negotiating a deal. Its very unlikely this goes to trial, Valenti said. This isnt a whodunit case.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden plea hearing provides drama. How will it all end?
President Biden's son left federal court Wednesday after his pre-arranged plea deal with the Justice Department (DOJ) fell apart after surprising revelations that Hunter Biden is still under investigation for possible Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) crimes.

Hunter Biden was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a plea deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge.

But Judge Maryellen Noreika did not accept the plea agreement, questioning its constitutionality and the broad immunity Hunter Biden would have received, leading Hunter Biden to plead "not guilty" instead.

Criminal prosection experts say that the younger Biden went from "a sweetheart deal" to a "real poison pill" that could "expose him across the board."

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS 'NOT GUILTY' AS PLEA DEAL FALLS APART DURING DELAWARE COURT APPEARANCE

A courtroom sketch depicts Hunter Biden in a federal courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 26, 2023.

"The judge had an obligation to make sure that the defendant and the government have a very clear idea of what is implicated guaranteed," Jonathan Turley, criminal law professor at George Washington University, told Fox News, adding that "they didn't have that."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Turley said the plea deal dissolving in such a manor is "extremely rare" akin to "a wedding where both the groom and bride object."

Hunter Biden, 53, has been under federal investigation since 2018. That investigation into his "tax affairs" began amid the discovery of suspicious activity reports that related to money from "China and other foreign nations." IRS whistleblowers said the investigation began as an offshoot from an existing probe into a foreign pornography platform.

Hunter was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay more than $1 million in federal income tax in exchange for immunity from other crimes.

He was also expected to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement for a separate felony charge of possession of a firearm  an element of which Noreika expressed questions of constitutionality.

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U.S. Attorney David Weiss, left, Hunter Biden and Joe Biden

HUNTER BIDEN AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL TAX CHARGES

Turley said the "sweetheart deal" was an effort to "cap off" the years-long federal probe into Hunter Biden's taxes and foreign business dealings. "But now, its the worst possible situation for Hunter Biden," Turley said.

Turley said Biden "doesn't have any protection at all" and that the Department of Justice is in a position where they can bring to bear any or all of the remaining counts, including FARA.

"And they usually do," Turley said. When a defendant "goes south" on a plea deal, the DOJ usually "puts everything on the table for a potential trial."

Jim Trusty, criminal prosecutor and former lawyer for former President Donald Trump, said the plea deal breakdown was unusual.

Hunter Biden arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2023.

EXCLUSIVE: JOE BIDEN ALLEGEDLY PAID $5M BY BURISMA EXECUTIVE AS PART OF BRIBERY SCHEME, ACCORDING TO FBI DOCUMENT

"Up until today, Delaware was looking like the place where investigations go to die," Trusty told Fox News Digital.

But DOJ attorneys reiterated to the judge that there is an "ongoing investigation" surrounding Hunter Biden.



At one point the judge asked DOJ prosecutor Leo Wise, "Is there an ongoing investigation here?"

Wise answered that "there is" but said he couldnt tell the judge what the investigation was into. When she asked if the government could potentially bring a FARA charge, Wise answered, "Yes."

Scharf said that a likely next-step scenario is that a new plea deal will be put in place that will be limited to crimes within the jurisdiction of the District of Delaware, namely the tax crimes, gun and drug charges.

"I think Hunter is just going to have to eat that and accept that he will continue to be under investigation for FARA," he said.

"Hunter is not out of the water. He is in a lot of trouble. And the situation is going to continue to develop. Today was, I think, in Hunter's mind, supposed to be the end. And instead, he found out he's really pretty close to the beginning," Scharf added.



Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Its Thursday, Chicago.

And were sandwiched squarely between the swampiest weeks of summer. We hope youre finding ways to stay cool! This week, we have a few indoor suggestions.

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If youre planning your next night out, we have a review for the new restaurant Calli in West Loops Soho House  possibly paired with No Mans Land, the ensemble drama playing at Steppenwolf Theatre  or maybe a cozy night in watching the latest season of Futurama.

We also have a feature on RAGBRAI, the bike ride across Iowa celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and Prairie Grass Cafe, a Northbrook restaurant that is planning sensory-friendly dining hours in August with the goal of raising awareness about accessibility.

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Have a great weekend, well see you next week.

 Lauryn Azu, deputy senior editor

Chef Jonathan Zaragoza on July 12, 2023, at Calli inside Soho House in the West Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger visited the new restaurant Calli from chef Jonathan Zaragoza, looking for a taste of home, as the name is the Nahuatl word for house. But instead of a warm hug, Zaragoza wants to keep us at arms-length, he writes. Read the rest of his review here.

Samuel Roukin, Jon Hudson Odom, Jeff Perry and Mark Ulrich in "No Man's Land" at Steppenwolf Theatre. (Michael Brosilow/HANDOUT)

The audience was clearly well aware they were back at a great Chicago theater, listening to the words of one of the greatest playwrights ever born, Tribune critic Chris Jones writes. Read his full review here.

People dine at Prairie Grass Cafe on Sept. 22, 2020, in Northbrook. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)

Chef Sarah Stegner wants to make diners at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook feel taken care of. New sensory-friendly dining hours at the restaurant are meant to be safe environment for people with autism, sensory input disorders, sensory sensitivities or disabilities. Read more here.

Fry (voiced by Billy West) in Season 11 of "Futurama." (Matt Groening/Hulu / HULU)

Futurama may have premiered nearly a quarter century ago, but the endearing qualities of animated TV comedy staunchly remain. Now in its 11th season, with its return, Futurama remains as joyously absurd and full of double-talk as ever, Tribune critic Nina Metz writes. Read her full review here.

Chef Maya-Camille Broussard cuts her Tomato & Basil Quiche, one of her longtime staples, in preparation for a grand opening preview of her first Justice of the Pies brick-and-mortar store in the Avalon Park neighborhood on June 4, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

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Eight years in the making, chef Maya-Camille Broussards new storefront is the latest home for Justice of the Pies. Broussard will host workshops, retail spaces for small Black-owned brands and continue supporting the South Side at the Avalon Park location. Read about what she has cooking here.

Zach Galifianakis in "The Beanie Bubble." (Apple TV+ )

Four movies about the wonders of corporate mythmaking have been released in the first half of the year. The Beanie Bubble on Apple TV+ starring Zach Galifianakis is the latest. It takes a look at Westmont-based Ty Inc., the company behind Beanie Babies, Tribune critic Nina Metz writes. Read more here.

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Chef John Manion at El Che Bar, 845 W. Washington Blvd. in Chicago, on June 7, 2018. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Warm up with a Rio vibe this November at chef John Manions Brasero in West Town. Wood-fired and Latin-inspired is how the chef would describe the project, with Brazilian classics like steak with chimichurri and caipirinha cocktails . Read on here for more details from Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger.

Paul Durica, 45, left,and Bill Savage, 61, near the Chicago River on July 23, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

This Sunday, Old Town Ale House will host Roykos Beer Test 50th with tastings for 11 beers by Chicagos craft-brewing experts. The sold-out event pays homage to Mike Roykos legacy and the explosive growth of craft brewing. Tribune writer Rick Kogan has what you can expect here.

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Dave Chappelle is coming to Chicago this October, the final date of his tour. Read how to get tickets here.

Riders participating in RAGBRAI  the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa  roll out of Storm Lake, Iowa, Monday, July 24, 2023. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Des Moines Register via AP/AP)

The daunting Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa begins at the edge of the Missouri River and spans across the state to the Mississippi River. While organizers say this years trip aims to break the world record for the largest group bike ride, bikers learn to appreciate small-town life along the way. Read on here.

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Hunter Biden Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Hunter Biden's deal with federal prosecutors calls for him to serve two years of probation.

Under the deal, the president's son would face standard requirements such as clearing foreign trips.

He would also have to maintain his sobriety and comply with any additional substance abuse treatment.

Hunter Biden's deal with federal prosecutors that is currently in jeopardy calls for the president's son to be subject to two years of monitored release that would allow him to avoid a felony gun charge, according to documents obtained by Politico.

The rough outlines of Biden's plea agreement with prosecutors were previously known. But Politico obtained both the plea agreement and a separate diversion agreement after the entire deal was thrown into question during a chaotic hearing on Wednesday. US District Maryellen Noreika refused to OK the deal at the end of the hearing after peppering both Biden's attorneys and federal prosecutors with questions about the scope and constitutionality of the deal.

Under the diversion agreement, prosecutors would move to dismiss the felony gun charge if Biden stays out of further trouble for two years. If he violates the deal, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Technically speaking, Biden would also not have to plead guilty to the charge. As part of the deal, Biden admitted to falsely claiming he was not using drugs when he bought a handgun in Wilmington, Delaware in 2018. At the time, as Biden would later write in his memoir, he was using crack.

The terms of Biden's agreement appear to be pretty standard. He can't drink or use drugs. He must agree to substance abuse treatment. Hunter Biden has said he has been sober since May 2019, when he married his current wife, Melissa Cohen. Biden could also never legally own a firearm. Biden must also submit all international travel plans for approval. Earlier this year, Biden joined his father, President Joe Biden, and some of his family for the president's trip to Ireland. Hunter Biden has been spotted frequently in the White House.

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It's not clear if the current deal will go into effect. Noreika must sign off on the deal and she raised repeated questions about its scope. Former federal prosecutor Ken White wrote that the wording of the agreement is partially ambiguous and it makes sense why it's unclear whether the deal would end the other ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden.

The proposed plea deal calls for Biden to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges, but it's not clear if federal prosecutors could impose additional charges related to Biden's foreign business dealings. Noreika asked prosecutors if Biden could still be charged under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the same law that former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was prosecuted under. They said the deal would allow them to charge Biden under that law.

There's also a final wrinkle with the gun charge. Conservatives have questioned the constitutionality of limits on gun ownership. The very provision related to Hunter Biden's case is currently facing legal challenges.

Former President Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans have railed against the possibility that Hunter Biden may not face any jail time. House Republicans have also continued their own probes into Biden's foreign business.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hunter Biden arrives at federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, to review a plea deal on misdemeanor tax charges. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The highly anticipated July 26, 2023, federal court appearance in Delaware by President Joe Bidens son, Hunter, ended in a completely unanticipated way.

Hunter Biden was there to get the court to sign off on a plea deal he and his lawyers had negotiated with the Department of Justice related to charges he had paid his taxes late and had illegally owned a gun. What was known of the agreement before the court date was that he would get two years probation for the unpaid taxes, which he had ultimately paid off, and that once Biden entered a diversion program, the gun charges would eventually be wiped from his record.

But that agreement was questioned by the judge in the case, Maryellen Noreika of Federal District Court in Wilmington, who wanted to know precisely how much immunity from prosecution the agreement gave Biden. He has been under a number of federal investigations since 2018. By the time the court session ended, the judge had sent the prosecution and defense to renegotiate the deal, which Bidens lawyers said would take about two weeks.

The Conversation interviewed legal scholar Thaddeus Hoffmeister, an expert in criminal law, for more background on plea deals.

What is a plea agreement and how is one typically reached?

A plea agreement is sort of like a contract between the prosecution and the defense. They agree on what the defendant will be pleading guilty to, and once their agreement is reached, it goes to the judge for his or her blessing.

Generally speaking, if its a plea agreement, then something favorable is going to happen for the defendant. Usually, the charges are going to be reduced or the sentence is going to be less than if the defendant went to trial and was convicted.

A plea agreement avoids trial because the defendant agrees to accept some responsibility for the charges they face. If theres no agreement, then ultimately the case will go forward.

Why do attorneys use plea deals?

It gives the government the certainty of a guilty plea, and prosecutors dont have to worry about whether or not they will lose at trial and the defendant is acquitted. And it benefits the defendant because the defendant knows exactly what charges they are going to plead guilty to. If defendants go to trial, they are exposed to a much higher penalty.

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Usually, the prosecutors will reduce a couple of charges if the defendant pleads guilty. In a plea deal, the defendant can also have an agreement about the sentence or the sentencing range.

Reporters huddle as a vehicle, top right, leaves with President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, after his court appearance on July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Delaware. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

What types of plea deals are there?

In some plea deals, the defendant agrees to cooperate with the government. In certain plea deals, the sentencing is not specified. Thats called an open plea. Its not hammered out in terms of exactly what the sentence will be. All the agreement says is that you knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently admit to your guilt.

Is there a difference between state and federal plea deals?

No. It doesnt vary too much.

The guilty plea process in federal court usually takes longer than state court. In state courts, pleas can happen fairly quickly. Ive seen people plead guilty in 30 seconds in state court. It doesnt take hours like it does in federal court, where prosecutors walk through every little step to make sure you understand what you are agreeing to. They dont have the sheer number of defendants that the state courts have.

In what circumstances would a plea deal be offered?

Its what we do every day  95% of the criminal court cases in America are resolved through plea deals. The system would break if everyone charged with a crime went to trial. Its standard.

Its a regular process. Before the judge signs off, you have a good understanding of what the judge is going to do. I was surprised about the change in the Hunter Biden case today. Im always taken aback when a judge doesnt accept a plea. That always surprises me because these things are worked out beforehand between the parties.

Its just a standard thing you do. The hard part is in the negotiation beforehand. Each side works to get a deal in their best interests and to make sure everyones on the same sheet of music. In this case, they werent.

The J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Delaware on July 26, 2023, where Hunter Bidens case was reviewed by a judge. Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Does a judge always have to sign off on a plea deal?

A defendants guilty plea, along with terms of a plea agreement between the defense and prosecution, goes into effect after the judge accepts the defendants plea. Plea agreements occur every day throughout the country. Its a regular process of prosecutors and defense attorneys coming to agreements in plea deals. So all parties have a good understanding of what the judge is going to do. But, as we saw in the Hunter Biden case, sometimes judges reject plea deals.

Reportedly, according to Hunter Bidens attorneys, their client was offered broad immunity from prosecution in perpetuity. Is such a deal common?

That type of immunity is rare. I would be surprised if the Department of Justice offered such immunity.

This story has been updated to clarify the role of judges in approving plea agreements.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

Read more:


Hunter Biden's plan to enter a guilty plea as part of a deal with federal investigators suffered a stunning collapse on Wednesday after a three-hour hearing that saw his defense team and prosecutors tussle in open court about the terms of the agreement.

The 53-year-old Biden, wearing a blue suit with a navy blue tie, walked into a federal court in Delaware ready to accept a controversial plea deal for a pair of misdemeanor tax charges, which would avoid a gun case that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

But within minutes, the plan started to unravel with the presiding judge grilling both sides and ultimately refusing to accept the Justice Department's terms with President Joe Biden's youngest son.

Hunter Biden arrives for a hearing regarding his criminal tax case at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

As a result, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the two misdemeanor charges that he failed to pay his taxes in 2017 and 2018, when he received more than $1.5 million each year. The legal snag keeps the case in the news, giving Joe Biden's opponents more ammunition related to the saga orbiting his son.

Here are the important moments to know about Wednesday's hearing.

Judge questions Hunter Biden plea agreement

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who presided over Wednesdays hearing, was skeptical from the start and peppered both sides with critical questions.

She asked prosecutors if the deal meant Hunter Biden would be immune from prosecution for other crimes, such as investigations related to his work with foreign governments. The judge was told it didnt.

That's when Hunter Bidens lawyer stood to say the agreement with the feds was "null and void," which almost blew up the entire situation.

Noreika, a Trump-appointed judge, later asked prosecutors if there was a precedent for such broad immunity in this kind of deal, and she was told there wasnt. Then she called for a 10-minute recess, and later expressed frustration at how the agreement tied her hands.

"You all are telling me, 'Just rubber stamp the agreement, Your Honor, Noreika told the lawyers.

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What's going on with the plea deal now?

The two tax fraud charges carry a maximum of 12 months in prison each, but prosecutors are expected to recommend probation.

Hunter Biden also is charged in connection with the purchase of a handgun in 2018, however. In that case, he is accused of lying on a government form that he was not using drugs when he obtained the firearm.

Under the agreement, prosecutors are offering not to prosecute him as long as he doesn't own a gun and doesn't use illegal drugs for at least two years.

After being grilled by Noreika, who questioned if that was part of the tax plea deal, Biden's attorney and prosecutors agreed that the gun diversion agreement is separate.

The younger Biden's not guilty plea Wednesday will reverse if his attorneys and the federal prosecutors change their agreement  which is expected to take two weeks  to the judges satisfaction.

Last-minute filing by GOP lawmaker

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, on Monday outside Trump Tower in New York after visiting with former President Donald Trump about Missouri issues. (Photo from Jason Smith Twitter account)

A day before Biden's plea hearing, Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, submitted a court filing that claimed a member of Biden's legal team lied to the court.

Smith, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which hosted testimony from two IRS investigators last week, has been one of most outspoken lawmakers about the investigation.

The GOP lawmaker alleged that Biden "appears to have benefited from political interference." He said that the court should consider what the agents told Congress when considering whether to accept the plea deal.

"Republicans are united in getting to the truth of this investigation and will follow where the facts lead," Smith said in a July 19 tweet.

Politics: Did Hunter Biden get a sweetheart deal? How these cases play out with other defendants

Calls for sanctions against Hunter Biden's legal team

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, speaks to guests during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, April 18, 2022, in Washington.

That last-minute drama caused another problem for Biden's lawyers, who request the judge remove exhibits in Smith's filing they said had sensitive financial information about their client.

Smith's attorneys rejected that argument, saying the information contained in the exhibits is already available in congressional committee records.

At some point, an attorney employed by a firm that is part of Biden's legal team called the court in Delaware and made it seem as if she worked with Smith's attorneys when she requested the exhibits be taken down, according court records.

"It appears that the caller misrepresented her identity and who she worked for in an attempt to improperly convince the clerk's office to remove the amicus materials from the docket," the judge's order said.

No Biden family members attended the hearing

President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden with his son Beau watch the Independence Day fireworks display from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 4.

President Biden has stood by his son during his legal and personal turmoil, saying he is "very proud" of his son following Hunter Biden's plea deal.

"Hunter Biden is a private citizen, and this was a personal matter, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday.

But as much as the Biden administration and the president's reelection campaign would like the public to move on, they are fully aware of how many voters feel about this situation.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey showed half of Americans believe that Hunter Biden is receiving favorable treatment from prosecutors because he is President Joe Biden's son, including 33% of Democrats and 42% of independents.

I dont think that it was a good deal for the American public," Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told USA TODAY.

"I think it was clear he was getting favored treatment because hes the presidents son and theyre trying to close down and shut down the investigations into the Biden (family)."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden pleads not guilty after deal falls apart: 5 takeaways
A dramatic scene unfolded in federal court in Delaware on Wednesday as a plea deal struck between prosecutors and President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden fell apart -- for now -- amid the judge's concerns over the terms of the agreement.

For the better part of three hours, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika scrutinized nearly every facet of the plea deal -- prompting shrugs, audible exhales, frantic glances and other expressions of discontent from the government's attorneys and defense counsel alike.

Noreika acknowledged that her probing threw "a little bit of a curveball" into the proceeding.

Hunter Biden had originally agreed to acknowledge his failure to pay taxes on income he received in 2017 and 2018. In exchange, prosecutors would have recommended probation, meaning he would likely have avoided prison time.

Hunter Biden also would have agreed to a pretrial diversion on a separate gun charge, with the charge being dropped if he adhered to certain terms.

In Washington, Democrats have hailed Biden's possible plea as a sign of accountability while Republicans panned the details as a "sweetheart deal."

MORE: What to know about the Hunter Biden federal investigations

In court on Wednesday, Noreika, a Trump appointee, raised concerns about the parties linking Hunter Biden's tax plea agreement to the deal on the gun charge and over whether or not a provision in the deal would grant Hunter Biden blanket immunity -- meaning that the government would not prosecute more broadly going forward.

Noreika ultimately deferred the plea deal after the hearing, lamenting on multiple occasions the deal's "form over substance."

On several occasions, she took issue with the agreement, including describing it as "atypical" and "not straightforward."

"I have concerns about the agreement, and that's why I'm asking these questions," Noreika said during the hearing, also saying, "I'm trying to exercise due diligence."

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Even if the two sides strike a revised deal, the judge appeared to raise questions about the probation agreement: "I can't predict if I will agree if that's an appropriate sentence or not."

In the interim, Hunter Biden entered a not-guilty plea.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden arrives for a court appearance, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del. (Julio Cortez/AP)

The three-hour hearing featured several turbulent interludes. Noreika's line of questioning about the possible immunity agreement exposed fissures between the two parties, and the discussion culminated in prosecutors threatening to bring charges under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

That prompted Chris Clark, an attorney for Biden, to say: "As far as I'm concerned, the plea agreement is null and void" -- stirring the courtroom into audible gasps.

After a brief recess, the parties moved past those disagreements. Clark acquiesced to the government's position that any immunity of Hunter Biden would only include tax, firearm, and drug-related conduct investigated by the government.

For the next 30 minutes, the parties fell into a pattern of negotiation, consulting in the middle of the courtroom with opposing counsel, retreating to their corners to discuss, and repeating.

At one point, a visibly frazzled Clark approached prosecutors with arms stretched wide, threatening to "rip it up" and looking to U.S. Attorney David Weiss, another Trump appointee. "Does anyone want to talk about this?" Clark said.

"Really bad for everyone ... no good," Clark was overheard telling prosecutors moments later.

The dispute seemed to arrive at something of an impasse.

During one recess, as the parties awaited the judge's return to the bench, Abbe Lowell, a seasoned defense attorney who is handling other matters for Hunter Biden, approached Weiss and introduced himself. "Looks like I'm going to be involved in the fray now," he said, before shaking his hand and returning to his seat in the gallery.

Meanwhile, a visibly agitated Hunter Biden transitioned from sitting to standing, summoning various members of his legal team to discuss developments, and consulting with Clark. Across the room, Weiss appeared to share Hunter Biden's demeanor.

At one point, shortly before the judge returned, Hunter Biden chuckled at something his friend and attorney, Kevin Morris, whispered in his ear.

Noreika ultimately requested additional briefing from the parties in the coming weeks before determining next steps.

"I'm not going to say I'm going to accept the agreement. I'm not going to say I'll deny it," she said.

Toward the end of the hearing, she herself lashed out at the situation -- repeatedly saying she felt as though she was being asked to "rubber-stamp" the deal.

In the end, she did not.

'Rip it up': Inside the dramatic unraveling of Hunter Biden's plea deal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Hunter Biden | Mega/Newscom/APCAN/Newscom

Hunter Biden's plea agreement, which fell apart under scrutiny by a federal judge on Wednesday, was the product of extensive negotiations between his lawyers and David Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware. Yet the two sides evidently did not anticipate that U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika would object to provisions that she called "not standard," "not what I normally see," and possibly "unconstitutional." In particular, Noreika zeroed in on two highly unusual aspects of the agreement that seemed designed to shield Biden from the possibility that his father will lose reelection next year.

The original plan, which was announced last month and is now up in the air, consisted of two parts: a plea agreement and a diversion agreement. Under the former, Biden agreed that he would plead guilty to two misdemeanors involving his willful failure to pay income taxes, and prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of probation. Under the latter, the Justice Department agreed not to prosecute him for an illegal gun purchase if he successfully completed a two-year pretrial diversion program.

Among other things, the diversion agreement would have required Biden to avoid drugs, stay out of legal trouble, "continue or actively seek employment," and permanently relinquish his Second Amendment rights. On that last point, the agreement says Biden will not "purchase, possess, or attempt to purchase or possess, or otherwise come into possession of, a firearmduring the Diversion Period or any time thereafter." It also says Biden consents to "a permanent entry in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System," meaning he would be blocked if he tried to buy a gun from a federally licensed dealer.

Pretrial diversion is generally reserved for nonviolent offenders. In deciding which defendants qualify, the Justice Department says, a U.S. attorney "may formally or informally prioritize young offenders, those with substance abuse or mental health challenges, veterans, and others." While Biden's acknowledged drug problem fits within that description, it was also the reason he was charged with illegally buying a gun in the first place.

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Under 18 USC 922(g)(3), it is a felony for an "unlawful user" of a controlled substance to "receive" or "possess" a firearm. Biden, by his own admission, was a crack cocaine user when he bought a Colt Cobra .38 Special from StarQuest Shooters, a Wilmington gun store, in 2018. That crime was punishable by up to 10 years in prison when Biden committed it, and legislation that his father signed last year raised the maximum to 15 years. But under federal sentencing guidelines, the recommended penalty for a defendant like Biden, who has no prior criminal record, would be something like 10 to 16 months.

By participating in a diversion system that favors people with drug problems, Biden could avoid any such penalty. Yet but for his drug habit, there would have been no penalty to avoid: His crack use was the justification for charging him with a felony, and it also appears to be the main justification for sparing him prosecution on that charge. That paradox just scratches the surface of the unjust, illogical, and unconstitutional mess created by arbitrary federal restrictions on gun ownership.

During Wednesday's hearing, Judge Noreika did not pause to reflect on the senselessness of Biden's situation vis-a-vis the gun charge. Instead, she focused on two puzzling provisions of the diversion agreement.

"If the United States believes that a knowing material breach of this Agreement

has occurred," the document says, "it may seek a determination by the United States District Judge for the District of Delaware with responsibility for the supervision of this Agreement." The Justice Department would ask that judgei.e., Noreikato determine, based on a "preponderance of the evidence," whether Biden had in fact violated the agreement, and Biden would "have the right to present evidence to rebut any such claim." If Noreika agreed with the Justice Department, prosecutors could decide to pursue the gun charge.

"Typically, the Justice Department could independently verify any breach and bring charges," The New York Times noted. "But Mr. Biden's team, concerned that the department might abuse that authority if [Donald] Trump is re-elected, successfully pushed to give that power to Judge Noreika, arguing that she would be a more neutral arbiter." Noreika thought that provision raised separation-of-powers issues by requiring her to perform a prosecutorial function.

Noreika also questioned language in the diversion agreement that shields Biden from future prosecution for certain crimes. The document says "the United States agrees not to criminally prosecute Biden, outside of the terms of this Agreement, for any federal crimes encompassed" by the statements of facts regarding his tax offenses and his illegal gun purchase.

Noreika thought it was odd to include such a promise in the diversion agreement, which according to both sets of lawyers did not require her approval, rather than the plea agreement, which does. "The judge said she couldn't find another example of a diversion agreement so broad that it shielded the defendant from charges in a different case," Politico reports. "Leo Wise, a prosecutor working for Weiss, told the judge he also was unaware of any such precedent." Noreika objected to the apparent expectation that she would "rubber stamp" that seemingly novel arrangement.

It also became clear that the Justice Department and Biden's lawyers disagreed about the scope of his immunity. "Wise said the agreement meant they wouldn't charge Biden with more serious crimes related to his 2017 and 2018 taxes," according to Politico, "and they wouldn't charge him for crimes related to the gun mentioned in the diversion agreement." But Wise said the federal investigation of Biden was ongoing. And when Noreika alluded to allegations that Biden had violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act through activities mentioned in the statement of facts regarding his tax crimeswhich refers to income he received as a board member of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, for exampleWise said the agreement would not preclude prosecution under that statute.

Christopher Clark, Biden's lawyer, rejected that interpretation. "Then there's no deal," Wise replied. Clark concurred: "As far as I'm concerned, the plea agreement is null and void."

That dramatic breakdown was followed by a recess during which the defense and the prosecution settled on the interpretation favored by the government. "Clark said Biden's team now agreed with the prosecutors that the scope of the agreement was charges on the gun, tax issues, and drug use," Politico reports. But that reconciliation did not allay Noreika's concerns about an overreaching diversion agreement.

The supposedly unreviewable promise regarding future prosecution, like the provision charging Noreika with deciding whether Biden had violated the diversion program's requirements, was aimed at insulating him from politically driven decisions by the Justice Department under a Republican administration. As the Times notes, the provision provides "some protection against the possibility that Mr. Trump, if re-elected, or another Republican president might seek to reopen the case."

Republicans, of course, complain that Biden received a "sweetheart deal" that would have allowed him to avoid prison and might also have protected him from prosecution for trading on his father's influence. "The Justice Department could have readily proved serious tax felonies (involving more than $10 million in income) and a gun offense carrying a potential 10-year sentence," National Review Contributing Editor Andrew C. McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor, writes in the New York Post. "Both Hunter Biden and the Biden Justice Department wanted an arrangement that would give Hunter the maximum amount of immunity from prosecution for the minimum amount of criminal admissions they thought they could get away with."

Just as it is hard to imagine that Biden could have earned a fortune for mysterious services if his father had not been vice president, it is hard to imagine that his lenient treatment as a federal defendant had nothing to do with his father's position as president. At the same time, Democrats are understandably concerned that a Republican administration's pursuit of Biden might be motivated by considerations other than justice. Both sides assume that the Justice Department's prosecutorial decisions are influenced by partisan politics, but they want us to believe that problem is peculiar to the other side.

In this context, judges like Noreika play a crucial role. They are under no obligation to approve sweetheart deals, and they can dismiss charges that are not adequately supported by the alleged facts. They also have broad discretion, within statutory limits, to impose penalties they think are commensurate with the offense. Those checks are no guarantee of justice, especially in cases involving conduct (such as Biden's gun purchase) that should not be treated as a crime at all. But in a system where largely unaccountable prosecutors wield vast power to crush defendants or let them off with a slap on the wrist, any countervailing authority is welcome.

The post How Hunter Biden's Plea Deal Fell Apart appeared first on Reason.com.
Everything has a unique spectral signature.

Imagine that you could detect the chemical makeup of a car, pipeline, or field of crops from space. In theory, that would allow scientists to identify leaks, runoff, pollution and more from a wide-scanning observatory hundreds of miles away from the target object.

A technology called hyperspectral imaging makes that possible, and it does so by working with the different wavelengths of light. According to GIS Geography, this approach divides a spectrum of light into hundreds of narrow spectral bands. Based on how certain objects transmit, reflect and absorb light, they can be assigned a unique chemical signature.

The approach is a bit different from other remote sensing approaches that may measure microwaves or radio waves, and is more detailed than other spectral imaging technology that works with fewer bands of light.

Everything from trees, soils, metals, paints, and fabrics have a unique spectral fingerprint. Northrop Grummans hyperspectral imaging system, for example, can distinguish a maple from an oak tree, and within the tree, healthy growth versus unhealthy growth.

This fingerprint can allow satellites to pick up on nutrient variations, moisture levels, and more. While fundamentals of the tech has been around since the 1970s, it still needs to be further developed for commercial use and has been heavily investigated by various agencies and research groups for the better part of the last decade.

[Related: Google expands AI warning system for fire and flood alerts]

Key hurdles to this technique becoming more common have been bringing down the cost, miniaturizing the materials needed in such a system, developing software and machine learning models that can rapidly process and sort through the data, and getting better image resolution.

This year, a growing number of investments by private companies and government agencies around the world are bringing this technique to the forefrontwhich could be useful in the fields of agriculture, defense, environmental science, industrial settings, forensics, art, medicine, energy, and mining. A research report from Spherical Insights & Consulting predicts that the market for hyperspectral imagery will grow to be worth 47.3 billion by 2032. It is currently valued at around $16 billion.

In March, TechCrunch reported that the US National Reconnaissance Office awarded five-year study contracts worth $300,000 each to BlackSky, Orbital Sidekick, Pixxel, Planet, Xplore and HyperSat to add hyperspectral satellite imagery to its available suite of remote sensing tech. One of the companies, Pixxel, also saw a massive investment in its latest funding round from tech giant Google.
In a major move by a top member of Illinois GOP leadership, the states Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter is urging party members to move past former President Donald Trump and instead pick Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the partys 2024 presidential nominee.

Our nominee will either be Trump or someone better than Trump  someone with chutzpah, but savvier and more likely to succeed. I believe that after flirting with other attractive candidates, the Republican alternative who will emerge is Ron DeSantis, Porter wrote Wednesday in a column on the website Real Clear Politics.

Republicans will weigh our attractive alternatives in the debates, as we should, he wrote. But with Trump in a commanding lead and only one candidate within shouting distance, the choice seems stark: We can win with Ron or lose, and lose everything, with Don.

Porter becomes the highest-ranking member of the Illinois GOP to announce a break with Trump. He has been the states committeeman to the Republican National Committee since 2014 and was an Illinois delegate pledged to Trump by party rules in the 2016 Republican National Convention and as one of three Illinois delegates to the pandemic-limited 2020 convention.

In his column, Porter said Trump has a fatal flaw of engaging in fights that show he is more peevish than principled.

Democrats lay traps in plain sight, and the muscle head of U.S. politics walks right into them, time after time. True, he rallies his MAGA loyalists with each fight, no matter how ill-conceived. Most Republicans who are not Trump haters watch his travails with admiration and morbid fear: Can the old lion escape the jackals yet again? Porter wrote.

But Porter noted the problems tied to Trump, most notably criminal investigations, indictments and possible trials during the upcoming presidential campaign involving the former presidents possession of confidential documents, as well as his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection and attempts to block the presidential transition to keep himself in office.

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Is Trump just a vain old guy whos easily egged into pointless bar fights that end up undermining our ability to win the broader war for our nations future? Porter asked.

A solid majority of Americans have tired of Trumps travails and will not vote to renew Trump for four more years. So, every Republican needs to decide for himself or herself: In the fight for freedom, whats more important  the fight or freedom? he wrote.

During his tenure as national committeeman, Porter has seen a regionalization of the state Republican Party and its base, evolving from a suburban moderation into a rural populist conservatism that was evident in the nomination of far-right downstate candidate Darren Bailey as the partys unsuccessful candidate for governor against Democrat J.B. Pritzker last year.

But elements of that populist GOP base have criticized the Illinois partys leadership as failing to work hard enough on behalf of its candidates in general elections, though the dissatisfied membership has not questioned the lack of electability of its nominees in a blue state.

Porter told the Tribune he tries to use his perch to help promote ideas and candidates that I think will help us win elections in Illinois.

In his column, saying there is a need to break the hold that Trump has over the Republican base, Porter noted anyone who spends time among our grassroots voters knows that Republicans will choose our nominee viscerally.

But he lauded DeSantis, currently trailing Trump in polling, as the de facto leader of everyday Americans because of his willingness to forcefully reject the top-down cultural revolution, despite howls from the woke media and chiding from quisling CEOs.

rap30@aol.com
Online posts in Kenya have shared an image of a badly damaged road claiming it is a thoroughfare running through Nairobis city centre. This is false: AFP Fact Check found the road is actually located in South Africa and was destroyed in a gas explosion in central Johannesburg in July 2023.

"Avoid River Road if you can," reads a post on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X.

River Road is a busy street in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

A screenshot of the false post, taken on July 25, 2023 Mary KULUNDU

The post, shared by an account called "The Nairobiyan" on July 24, 2023, includes an image of a collapsed road with large cracks, surrounded on both sides by tall buildings.

The same claim was shared on this Kenyan Facebook group consisting of taxi-hailing app drivers, warning them to avoid the area.

Another Facebook post repeated it here.

The story, however, is false.

Underground explosion

A reverse image search revealed the picture is a screenshot from a bystander's video captured after an underground explosion on Lilian Ngoyi Street (formerly Bree Street) in central Johannesburg.

South Africas national broadcaster SABC used the same photo in its report on the incident and attributed it to social media (archived here).

Other social media accounts in South Africa also posted similar images, including here and here (archived here and here). A video shared in a Facebook reel (archived here) captured the aftermath from the same angle as the image being falsely linked to Kenya.

On July 19, 2023, a blast ripped through a main road in central Johannesburg, killing at least one person and injuring about 41 others, according to South African authorities. AFP covered the story here.

AFP photographer Luca Sola captured the aftermath of the explosion and the street in his image matches the one seen in the false posts.

Both images feature a billboard advertising the Dorchester Mansions apartment block in Johannesburg.

A comparison of AFPs picture of the road (left) and the image shared in false posts in Kenya Mary KULUNDU

The outdoor ad is also visible on Street View on Google Maps.

Emergency services initially blamed underground gas pipes but the Egoli Gas company said it was "unlikely" the explosion -- which cracked tarmac and overturned vehicles including minibus taxis -- "was caused by a gas pipeline or leak".

"Our network has experienced no pressure loss, which indicates the gas pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted," the company said in a statement.

The City of Johannesburg said investigations into the origin of the explosion were still ongoing, in a statement published on July 26, 2023 (archived here).
Texans are getting a double dose of misery over the next six weeks: the daily drumbeat of the summer heat and nonsense stemming from the impeachment case against Attorney General Ken Paxton.

No one can do much about the weather, but our leaders owe us a lot better than the sniping thats preceding Paxtons Sept. 5 trial in the Senate. For starters, the suspended attorney generals legal team is seeking to remove three duly elected Democratic senators from the jury that will decide if Paxton can return to office, arguing that past statements prove they cannot be impartial.

Worse, though, is Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick  the judge in this proceeding  reporting $1 million in campaign contributions and $2 million in loans from a West Texas political group that has made defending Paxton a priority.

In a criminal proceeding, that would be grounds for recusal or disqualification. But impeachment, as weve said before, is a political exercise. Analogies to court trials are useful but imperfect. Politics is messy, and when Republicans who have had alignments and disagreements, conflict of interest is unavoidable.

That said, even a political knife-fight should have standards. Does no one here have a sense of honor  or at least an adviser to whisper, Sir, that might not be the best look?

Paxton lost any sense of political propriety long ago  if he ever had one. Hes in the fight of his career. Still, he doesnt get to choose his jury. Surely, some Democrats have essentially made up their minds to convict him  just as some Republicans firmly intend to vote to acquit.

By the standards of Paxtons attorneys, anyone who endorsed him or one of his opponents couldnt serve. A trial would be impossible.

The charges against Paxton strike at the heart of the integrity of his office. He stands accused of accepting bribes, shaping policy to help a donor, and abusing his power. The trial must be above-board.

Every juror should do the right thing and examine the evidence openly and fairly. But the duly elected senators will have to make that call and answer to their voters; its inappropriate, even vulgar, for Paxton to smear some of them in advance.

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Speaking of vulgarity, there might not be a better word for Patricks generous campaign donation from the Defend Texas Liberty PAC. The staunch-conservative group is largely funded by West Texas energy executives, and to be fair, its support of Patrick is not new or sudden. But the timing of the donation and loan for a state official more than two years out from his next campaign raises questions.

Presiding over the Paxton trial is the most significant thing Patrick will do in the near future. Accepting such largess from a group so dedicated to Paxton  and determined to inflict political retribution on the House members who impeached him  is an unacceptable conflict.

Patrick won re-election handily and wont be on the ballot again until 2026. Whats so urgent that he needed a huge campaign loan?

When lawmakers are in session, they and statewide officials are prohibited from raising money. Its one of Texas few strong campaign-donation regulations. In an ideal world, anyone connected with the Paxton trial would rebuff at least large-dollar donations until the proceeding ends. But that, too, is a political question, and no senator or statewide official will unilaterally disarm, appearance of conflict be damned.

When Paxton finally goes on trial, yes, his fate is inevitably a political question for senators. But they should remember, too, that its not just Paxton whom their verdict will affect. The integrity and dignity of state government will bear the mark of what they do as well.

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In The Impossible Fact, the 20th-century German poet Christian Morgenstern tells the story of an academic who undergoes a traumatising experience. He staggers home, wraps damp cloths around his forehead and collapses into his armchair to process what has happened. In the end, he comforts himself by concluding that he must have imagined the whole thing, because if something shouldnt be true, it cant be true.

To many in the West, an Afghanistan that flourishes under the Taliban, or even one that survives, cannot possibly be true. Under their rule, the country can only be a place of unremitting failure and misery. The decision of Tobias Ellwood, then, as chair of the UKs defence select committee, to post a video praising the Taliban for improving safety in Afghanistan was never going to find a warm reception.

In 2021, the UN issued a desperate warning about an impending disastrous famine in Afghanistan. The Taliban takeover and the exodus of international NGOs, they said, had caused a collapse in food supplies. They projected one million children were likely to die in the coming winter. And yet, winter came and passed without a famine and without mass deaths. Did the UNs experts take that as a prompt to review their metrics? Not at all. Instead, they repeated the prediction for the next winter, and were wrong again. Afghanistan is an agricultural country with centuries-long experience in handling scarcity; accustomed to harsh winters and isolation, they knew what to do.

From the moment the Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021, analysts have been confidently predicting the imminent collapse of the Afghan economy. Its not an unreasonable expectation. The nations financial reserves remain frozen. Sanctions have closed the door on foreign investment and business. The Central Bank is unable to access its funds, which are stuck in American and European banks. Not one country has recognised the Taliban government, and several of its key officials are on terrorist no-fly lists.

Nor do the Taliban have any of the requisite skills for governance. Their leadership consists of eccentric elderly religious figures and regional paramilitary commanders. The bulk of the Taliban are young, uneducated men who have never done anything but fight and have never lived anywhere but in remote rural areas. Anyone with education and professional skills decamped to the West. It could only be a matter of months before the ramshackle edifice collapsed. But to everyones incredulous amazement, including my own, Taliban Afghanistan lives on.

Ellwood was obviously naive in his presentation  its never a good look for a Government official to be retweeted by the Taliban  but the crux of his message is largely accurate. Afghanistans drug trade has been almost eradicated, as confirmed by international watchdog agencies and satellite surveillance. The borders are mostly secure, and the Taliban have built good cooperation with neighbouring border police such as that of Uzbekistan. Even the International Crisis Group, no fan of the Taliban, has acknowledged that security across the country has improved, with the exception of pockets of anti-Taliban extremists.

Elsewhere, the economy is better than it was under the Western-installed and Western-funded governments, the latter having required near total international subsidy while the Taliban are managing not just on their own, but under sanctions. Improved security also means improved trade routes and revitalised agriculture. As the US Institute of Peace, another critic of the Taliban, notes: the Taliban have taken some positive steps toward financial stability by publishing a fiscally responsible three-month budget and raising considerable amounts of domestic revenue  especially through customs duties, which have risen with a crackdown on corruption.

When did any of the previous governments have fiscally responsible budgets? Never. According to Sigar, the US governments Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, more than 80% of Afghan government spending on our watch was paid for by the US and its allies. As for corruption, Transparency International, the Europe-based watchdog agency, elevated Taliban-ruled Afghanistan by 24 places from where it had been under Western governments, from 174th to 150th, which the government-funded Voice of America termed a remarkable status upgrade.

Today, the biggest problem for the Taliban is Isis, which, despite some progress, remains a menace in the country. Given this is a concern we share, surely some cooperation would be wise  not least because there is no obvious alternative to Taliban rule on the horizon. If security is a priority, we cant treat them as a pariah forever.

And yet, there is what we might call The Big Obstacle: what the Taliban are doing to half their population, the girls and women. Despite earlier promises to the contrary, they are back to their former ways, with girls banned from education after Grade 6 (below the age of 12), womens employment strictly limited, female students excluded from universities, and strict rules on womens dress and presence in public. As the UN made clear earlier this year, 20 years of progress for women and girls rights has been erased since Taliban takeover. Although, for accuracys sake, this statement would have to read for women and girls in middle and upper-class urban neighbourhoods. The grim truth is that, in two decades, barely a dent has been made on female literacy, maternal and infant mortality, or the eradication of forced marriages and child brides in the poor neighbourhoods and rural areas where the overwhelming majority of Afghan women live.

All of which is a tragedy, and certainly does not make the even more restrictive policies of the Taliban any more palatable to us in the West, as the Taliban know well. So, given that they are seeking recognition and foreign investment, why wont they budge on this matter?

While on other issues, the Taliban have been capable of change or compromise, on the issue of women they are completely intransigent. In his recent speech to mark Eid, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, Afghanistans supreme leader, gave no ground, instead announcing that necessary steps have been taken for the betterment of women as half of society in order to provide them with a comfortable and prosperous life according to the Islamic Shariah. This was either an exercise in supreme cynicism or something he and his circle truly believe. In either case, we are dealing with a fundamental and irreconcilable difference in values.

So, can anything be done? Well, what we should be learning from the Afghan case is what not to do. As I have written before, we did the wrong thing, perhaps for the right reason. What we did, and what did not work, was to focus on a small group of middle and upper-class urban women, giving them a Western education, and then training in a series of workshops in skills that are helpful to activists only in the West. We wrote them a Constitution that guaranteed them seats in Parliament and funded them extensively. And this did produce a cadre of assertive, confident women, capable of aggressively demanding various rights and benefits  but only in a Western setting benignly overseen by us. Once the Taliban took over, they fled and Afghan women found themselves without an obvious grass-roots protest movement.

In Saudi Arabia, by contrast, without our instigation, women fought for their political and social rights, for the right to be in public, to get identity papers without the permission of a male guardian, to make decisions on matters affecting their children, to drive cars. Activists lost their jobs, some were jailed, but they persisted. And, over time, they succeeded in having all of those initially unthinkable demands met. Saudi Arabia today is a different universe from Saudi Arabia 20 years ago, and much of the credit goes to its courageous women. Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia  they all have indigenous, and influential, womens movements who have made legal and social gains.

And there are courageous activist women holding their ground at this moment in Afghanistan. Typically, they stem from less privileged personal backgrounds than those who departed, and work through local NGOs with the support of friendships earlier established with women on the outside. They are continuing to offer basic social services to widows, orphans and indigent women. They are using modern technologies for underground education.

Equally encouraging are the deep divisions within Taliban ranks over the issue of womens rights and female education. Quite a few Talibs send their own daughters to Pakistan or Qatar for access to education and continue to raise the matter internally. Other Islamic countries send regular delegations of Islamic clerics and scholars to Kandahar in an attempt to convince the hardliners that their stance is un-Islamic and is giving Islam a bad name.

There are many pressure points, then, and these would become more effective with the countrys opening. Ellwoods suggestion that Western embassies should return was not as ill-judged as some insist. The problem is that the Taliban is the government. There is no alternative in the offing; our sanctions are not working, and we are not going to do what the Diaspora would like, and send our militaries back in. So, again, what should we do?

Showing up is half the battle, as Stephen Hawking said. Western presence means Western influence, dialogue, and the demonstration of alternative possibilities. Afghan women activists still in the country, and their civil society groups, are asking for this and we should listen to them; they are on the ground and they know best what will help them.

After Ellwood posted his video, he was tarred, feathered and threatened with expulsion, causing him to ignominiously cave in and agree that, like Mr Morgensterns academic, he must have imagined the whole thing. This dream, however, has cost us, and them, incalculable harm. This time, lets focus on the facts rather than wishes.
New X-ray machines will greet some Chicago Public Schools students after they return to classes in the fall.

At Wednesdays Board of Education meeting, members unanimously approved a $1 million contract authorizing the purchase of X-ray machines that detect firearms, knives and ammunition in small bags, backpacks and briefcases. According to vendor LINEV Systems specifications of the model contracted by CPS, the machines use artificial intelligence to identify weapons, but a spokesperson said the district wont adopt that software.

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At a board committee meeting last week, the districts chief of safety and security, Jadine Chou, said the one-year renewal agreement will primarily fund the replacement of existing X-ray machines, which are present in 108 elementary and high schools. With the machines costing $14,000 each, according to Chou, the contract could allow for the purchase of up to around 70 units, not counting an unspecified amount to be set aside for installation, training and maintenance.

It would be great if we come back and we dont use all of that or any of that, Chou said. But I know the reality of our inventory is that inevitably were going to need some of that.

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The $1 million renewal agreement follows an initial two-year, $1.4 million investment in new X-ray equipment, approved by the board in 2021. (During the remote learning period of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually none of those funds were spent, Chou said.) But, with six of seven members just appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson early this month, new leadership presides over the Board of Education. And in response to the districts renewal request, some members initially questioned CPS reliance on the technology  though all members ultimately voted Wednesday to approve the funds.

At last weeks committee meeting, board member Mariela Estrada, a CPS parent and alumna, recalled attending Gage Park High School, where she said at least six X-ray machines greeted students. How different it would be, if we only imagine, without those X-rays, how that student would feel walking into a space?

A high degree of surveillance at schools  from detection equipment and cameras to security guards  can adversely impact student success, according to Odis Johnson Jr., executive director of Johns Hopkins Universitys Center for Safe and Healthy Schools.

An education and public health professor, Johnson and research partner Jason Jabbari analyzed U.S. Department of Education data from around 750 U.S. high schools to understand the effects of surveillance on students. They found students in high-surveillance schools are less likely to enroll and persist in college than their peers in schools with low levels of surveillance. Suspensions are also more likely to be doled out among highly surveilled students  regardless of the frequency of student misbehavior at the school. Students at low-surveillance schools also perform better on tests, according to the research, which controlled for a range of demographic, economic, school, household and community characteristics.

Schools that were in the top third of U.S. in their reliance on surveillance actually had lower academic outcomes in college-going rates compared to those schools that relied on surveillance the least, Johnson said in an interview with the Tribune. And this is after making sure that we were comparing apples to apples, that there werent any differences in the average student background characteristics, or the average school characteristics, or even the average neighborhood characteristics that kids come from. We wanted to take all of that into consideration to say: Comparing these two approaches to safety, this is what the cost is in terms of learning and college-going.

Back of the Yards College Prep High School students wait to get their bags scanned as they enter on the first day of school, Aug. 22, 2022. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

At the CPS committee meeting, Chou noted an increase in security concerns that she said makes school communities feel X-ray machines are necessary. But she also cited the districts Whole School Safety process, which she said emphasizes building trusting relationships between adults and students. If a school that doesnt have X-ray machines currently wants to adopt the equipment, Chou said the district will discuss the pros and cons with the Local School Council, although the decision is left to school administrators.

Its tempting and often a little easier to say, Lets put these at the front, thinking it will solve everything  and it doesnt, Chou said of the X-ray machines. The vast majority of our schools dont have these devices, and were still catching dangerous objects and we catch them through other means, like we have relationships with our students, so they tell us if something is going on. Theyll tell us if theyre going through something. And thats really what we promote, she said of building relationships with students.

The districts Whole School Safety process isnt perfect, though, said new Board President Jianan Shi, a former CPS teacher who was executive director of the advocacy group Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education until his board appointment in early July. Unfortunately, for every amazing process that you share, Ive also witnessed one where theres one person at the meeting, one where the community was not engaged in. If this is such an effective lever, if this is the chosen lever  how are we going to include conversations about (school resource officers), include conversations on metal detectors and other strategies for safety and really invest in it so that theres actual community dialogue on it?

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On Wednesday, the board also approved a $30 million contract, involving more than a dozen community organizations, to provide safe passage services as students travel to and from school. Its often not whats happening at school that compels some students to arm themselves, but what happens as theyre traversing their path on the way to school, Chou said.

This story has been updated to clarify that the new X-ray machines to be purchased by CPS will not use artificial intelligence, according to a CPS spokesperson.
Activists have been demanding marriage rights for same-sex couples in India

When 17-year-old Manoj - who was recorded female sex at birth - told his family that he felt like a man and loved a woman, he almost got killed.

He says his parents refused to accept him, tied his hands and feet, beat him up badly and locked him up in a corner of the house. His father threatened to kill him.

"The violence was beyond anything I had imagined," he says.

"I had thought whatever be my truth, I would be accepted, after all this was my family. But my parents were ready to kill me for their honour."

For a woman in rural India, wanting to assert the right to identify as a trans man could lead to sharp retaliation.

Manoj says he was pulled out of the village school in one of India's poorest states - Bihar in northern India - and forcibly married to a man twice his age.

"I even contemplated taking my own life, but my girlfriend stood by me through it all. That I am alive, and we are together now, is because she didn't give up on me," he says.

Now 22, and hiding in a big city for the past year, Manoj and his girlfriend, Rashmi, are eagerly awaiting the Supreme Court's verdict on their petition asking for the legal right to marry.

India decriminalised gay sex in 2018, but same-sex marriages are still not recognised. The Supreme Court heard 21 petitions asking for legalisation this year and a ruling is expected soon.

While others have argued for the right to marry as a matter of equality, Manoj and Rashmi's petition, filed jointly with two couples and four LGBTQ+ feminist activists, asserts that marriage is a way out of the brutal physical and mental violence inflicted on them by their own families.

"Legal recognition of our relationship is the only way out of this life of fear," Manoj says.

India has half-a-million transgender people, as counted in the last census in 2011, a number that activists believe is a gross underestimation.

In 2014, the Supreme Court had ruled that trans people be recognised as the third gender. Five years later, India passed a law that prohibits discrimination in education, employment, healthcare and criminalises offences against them, including physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse.

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But violence from families is a complex challenge.

Koyel Ghosh is the managing trustee of Sappho for Equality

Violent families

Most laws and the society perceive family by blood, marriage, or adoption as the safest space for individuals, says Mumbai-based feminist lawyer Veena Gowda.

"Familial violence is not unknown to any of us, be it against the wife, children, or queer trans people. But it is made consciously invisible, as seeing it and acknowledging it would mean questioning the very institution of 'family'," she says.

Ms Gowda was part of a panel comprising a retired judge, lawyers, academicians, activists and a government social worker that heard detailed testimonies of familial violence faced by 31 people from the LGBTQ+ community in a closed-door public hearing.

Its findings were published in April this year in a report titled, 'Apno ka bahut lagta hai' (Our own hurt us the most) that recommended that LGBTQ+ people be given the right to choose their own family.

"Seeing the nature of violence faced by the testifiers, it would amount to denying them their very right to life and life with dignity if they do not have a right to choose their own family, free from violence," Ms Gowda says.

"The right to marry would be a way of creating this new family and redefining it."

A few months after his forced marriage, Manoj tried to get together again with Rashmi, but was tracked down by his "spouse", who he says threatened to sexually assault both of them.

They escaped to the nearest railway station and boarded the first train that was leaving but he says they were found by their family and brought home to a fresh round of beatings.

"He was being forced to sign a 'suicide letter' that blamed me for his death," Rashmi recounts.

Manoj's resistance meant he was locked up again and his mobile phone taken away.

It was only after Rashmi contacted a LGBT feminist resource group and the women cell of the local police that they were able to get protection and escape Manoj's family home.

They moved into a government shelter for trans people but had to move out soon as Rashmi is not a transgender person.

India is home to millions of LGBTQ+ people

Escape and survival

Manoj was also able to get a divorce. But support systems that help in escaping violent families and building a new life are few.

Koyel Ghosh, who uses "they" and "them" as personal pronouns, is the managing trustee of Sappho for Equality, the first Lesbian-Bisexual-Transmasculine people rights collective in eastern India that started two decades ago. They remember clearly the day in 2020 they got a helpline call about a couple who had run away to a city in eastern India but then had to sleep on the footpath for seven nights.

"We rented a space and put them there so that they had temporary shelter for three months and they could focus on getting a job as that is the only way they can build a new life," Koyel says.

Apart from social stigma, the threat of violence at home, disrupted education and forced marriages, many trans people also struggle to find stable employment.

India's last census showed that their literacy rate at 49.76% was much lower than the country's 74.04%.

According to a survey of 900 trans people in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh by the National Human Rights Commission in 2017, 96% had been denied jobs or forced into begging and sex work.

Saphho has set up a shelter to help runaway couples rebuild their lives - 35 couples have been housed there in the past two years.

It's tough work. Koyel gets three to five distress calls daily and regularly reaches out to a support network of lawyers to find solutions.

"I have received death threats, faced mobs in villages, hostility in police stations because I am also open with my queer identity and they just can't deal with it," Koyel says.

When Asif, a trans man, and his girlfriend, Samina, reached out to Koyel, they were at their local police station in a village in eastern India.

Samina alleges that the constables called her a eunuch and said she should have died instead of going public with her relationship.

Childhood friends-turned-lovers, they had fled their families twice before but were brought back. This was their last chance to escape and they needed support.

"It was only when Koyel arrived that the police's bad behaviour stopped. A senior officer chided their juniors for their prejudice and ignorance of laws as public servants," Samina says.

Now living safely in a big city, the couple are co-petitioners with Manoj and Rashmi in the Supreme Court.

"We are happy now. But we need that piece of paper, a marriage certificate, to deter our families and community with fear of penalties or police action," Asif says.

"If the Supreme Court doesn't help us, we may have to die. We will never be accepted as we are, will remain on the run, always afraid of being separated," he says.

Names of petitioners have been changed to protect their identities.

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BEIJING (AP)  Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in southwestern China for talks about joint projects that include Indonesias development of a new capital.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the governments of China and Indonesia signed several agreements, including to exchange knowledge and experience for the capital project. Indonesia plans to move its capital from the congested and polluted city of Jakarta on its main island of Java to Nusantara on Borneo island next year.

During their meeting in Chengdu, the two leaders also discussed investments, cooperation in areas such as health, research and technology, and regional issues, including China's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to a statement from Widodo.

The Indo-Pacific is a strategic area that we must protect as a peaceful and stable area, said Indonesia's president, whose country holds the chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

Widodo is on a three-day visit to China and also plans to meet with Chinese businesspeople to discuss possible investments in Indonesia, especially in the petrochemical, renewable energy and health sectors, the statement added.

He also is scheduled to attend the opening of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu.

Indonesia and China are members of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies. China is Indonesias largest trade and investment partner.

Indonesia wants a bigger role as a supplier of nickel and other raw materials to China's fast-growing electric car brands.

___

Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Andrew Malkinson was finally declared a free man after his conviction for rape was overturned on Wednesday - Jordan Pettitt/PA

An innocent man who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit may have his prison accommodation and food costs deducted from any compensation he wins for his ordeal.

Andrew Malkinson, who is currently living on benefits, said he was enraged by the idea that he would essentially have to pay money for the torture he endured for almost two decades.

The 57-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of seven years after being found guilty of an attack on a woman in Salford, Greater Manchester, in 2003.

He continuously maintained his innocence and was finally declared a free man after his conviction was overturned by appeal court judges on Wednesday.

While Mr Malkinson would not have to reimburse the prison service directly if he wins compensation, he could be forced to sacrifice a chunk of any payment he does receive to account for costs he would have incurred on the outside had he not been imprisoned.

Sir Bob Neill, the justice committee chairman, said the Government should review the rules. The controversial guidance was confirmed by the House of Lords in 2007, when it was the UKs highest court.

While the Government makes the call on whether to grant compensation, it is then up to an independent assessor to determine how much is awarded, including any deductions for living costs.

Are you serious?

Speaking outside the High Court on Wednesday, Mr Malkinson said he had been kidnapped by the state and and called Greater Manchester Police liars.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said he was sickened by the idea he would have to pay for his kidnapping.

The idea of having to pay my torturers, when I heard about it, it just enraged me beyond... I almost couldnt cope with it, the idea. I thought thats so sick, he said. Proven innocents have to pay for their torture? What the hell? Are you serious?

Sir Bob said the rules governing deductions needed to be reviewed, adding: I think people will think back and say, ok, is it really fair?

Story continues

You can make a case about safeguarding taxpayers money, I understand that. But then you have to put the other side of the coin, well hang on, it was because of the states activity that this person was wrongly convicted, wrongly imprisoned as it turns out, should they actually then be having a deduction made from that?

The Ministry of Justice is not currently believed to be planning to change the rules.

It said deductions from compensation were sometimes made when there had been substantial savings made on living costs while a person was in custody.

At the time of Mr Malkinsons trial, there was no DNA evidence linking him to the crime, and the prosecution case against him was based only on identification evidence.

But a DNA sample, held by the forensic archive, was tested last October and found to link to another man, who has since been arrested. A decision on whether he will be charged is currently being awaited.

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The Scoop

Pornhubs parent company is surprisingly profitable despite recent financial and reputational hits, according to internal projections reviewed by Semafor that give a rare look inside the firm.

Executives anticipated making tens of millions of dollars in profits despite MasterCard and Visa refusing to process payments for certain websites including Pornhub, with operating margins of about 27% in 2021 and almost 30% in 2022, according to estimates the company showed potential investors in 2021. In comparison, Facebook parent Meta had an operating margin of 25% in 2022.

MindGeek, which owns Pornhub and other adult websites such as Brazzers, was expected to churn out profits despite not attracting high-end advertisers thanks to relatively low costs.

Getting banned by Visa and Mastercard lowered expected earnings by as much as 40% in 2022. If the payments giants started processing again, MindGeek projected its 2022 revenue to be about $455 million  less than the $460 million the company said it generated in 2018.

The figures come from presentations and internal reports MindGeek, through an outside firm, showed potential investors when hoping to attract takeover interest, according to people familiar with the effort. Investment group Ethical Capital Partners, which formed specifically for this acquisition, eventually bought MindGeek in March of this year.

Pornhub was the 12th most visited website in the world in June, according to web traffic data tracker SimilarWeb, ahead of Amazon, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Ethical Capital declined to comment.

Know More

When the deal was announced, Ethical Capitals principals  made up of lawyers, former law enforcement heads, and cannabis entrepreneurs  declined to share the price they paid for the company. The investment managers statement called MindGeek a dynamic tech brand that is built upon a foundation of trust, safety, and compliance.

Activists were quick to scoff at the description, with Justice Defense Fund founder Laila Mickelwait calling the acquisition a whitewashing farce.

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Bradleys view

Without knowing the price, its impossible to say if this was a good deal for Ethical Capital on fundamental valuation terms. But from a reputational and legal perspective, its an obviously toxic asset.

The streaming sites are the worst of the adult industry for both consumers and performers. Theres lax age verification on the free sites, leading to bans against pornography by conservative states. Meanwhile, porn stars and digital sex workers have migrated to paid sites like Only Fans for more autonomy and better working conditions  potentially a bigger disruptor to MindGeeks business than any state-wide bans, which spurred people to seek out VPNs.

And this isnt even scratching the surface of the legal issues. Theres at least seven class-action lawsuits related to alleged child porn and nonconsensual content that could cost the company billions.

Room for Disagreement

If you can stomach the headlines, the assets toxicity might be a selling point given how it likely deflated the asking price. And its traffic is real  how often is there a chance to buy a website that gets more eyeballs than Amazon?

Our pre-close reviews revealed that MindGeek operates legally and responsibly, said Derek Ogden, a partner at Ethical Capital Partners and a former director for Canadas Royal Mounted Police, in the release.

The View From Montreal

Despite pledges of a safety overhaul, a person who works in Pornhubs headquarters in Montreal said its been business as usual since the new owners took over, partly because a lot of changes have already been made. In late 2020, Pornhub deleted all of its unverified videos  previously anonymous users could upload content to the site  in response to Visa and MasterCards decision. It was two-thirds of the sites total library of content.

Notable
Another employee of a Lenexa manufacturing company is accused of dumping hazardous materials into the Johnson County sewer system in violation of the federal Clean Water Act.

A complaint filed Tuesday in the U.S. District of Kansas alleges Disposable Instrument Co. bypassed a treatment system for wastewater disposal, sending hazardous waste into the sewer as early as 2016. It accuses Bradley Bruss, the plant manager since 1990, of a criminal offense for violating the law.

The companys president, Brian Chansky, faced the same accusation in a complaint filed last year. In February, he was sentenced to two years probation, 50 hours of community service, and was fined $50,000, according to court records.

Chansky and Bruss were not immediately available for comment Thursday.

A spokeswoman with the U.S. Attorneys Office in Kansas declined to comment on the pending litigation, saying an initial hearing for Bruss had yet to be scheduled.

Disposable Instrument Co., founded in 1970, manufactures medical and surgical instruments through a process that uses heavy metals. Federal prosecutors say the process includes medical parts being washed with acid and another chemical.

The company was supposed to put water used in the manufacturing process through a three-sectioned tank that included filters and other chemicals before going into the sewer.

According to last years criminal complaint, a whistleblower alerted Chansky in August 2018 that employees were bypassing the treatment process and dumping waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency investigated by installing devices in manholes to measure the pH level of water flowing to and from the facility. An EPA lab in Denver analyzed data that showed the company was exceeding its allotted wastewater discharge limit on 10 of the 39 days that the devices were there, court records say.

Prosecutors also say the company reduced the amount of hazardous material waste that was shipped away while doing the same amount of business.

Story continues

As plant manager, Bruss was involved in all aspects of the manufacturing process and reported directly to Chansky, according to the new criminal complaint.

By bypassing the pretreatment process and dumping hazardous material into the DIC dumpster and the Johnson County sewer system, the company saved money and resources that would have been devoted to proper disposal practices, the complaint says.

Under federal law, Bruss faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, along with a $50,000 per-day fine.

Includes reporting by The Stars Bill Lukitsch.
A United Airlines plane. Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

A United pilot came to work more than six times over the legal alcohol limit, Le Parisien reported.

"He was staggering slightly, his eyes were glassy, and his mouth pasty," a police officer said.

The pilot was given a six-month suspended prison sentence, and his license was suspended for a year.

A United Airlines pilot who showed up to work under the influence of alcohol was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence by a French court on Tuesday, Le Parisien reported.

The 63-year-old American, identified by the newspaper only as Henry W, was set to fly from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia on Sunday.

The pilot told the court that he had only drunk two glasses of wine the previous night, but police officers said the pilot was "showing signs of obvious drunkenness" when he arrived for work at 3 p.m., The Local reported.

Le Parisien reported that the pilot had a blood-alcohol level of 0.132%, more than six times the legal limit for pilots in Europe and three times the Federal Aviation Administration's limit.

The Gendarmerie, part of French law enforcement, tweeted that the breathalyser detected the pilot at 1.12 grams per liter.

"He was staggering slightly, his eyes were glassy, and his mouth pasty," a police officer told the court, according to The Local.

The pilot was also fined 4,500 euros, according to the outlet, and his pilot license was suspended for a year.

"The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We hold all our employees to the highest standards and have a strict no-tolerance policy for alcohol," a United Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to Insider.

"This employee was immediately removed from service and we are fully cooperating with local authorities," they added.

In 2019, United Airlines tightened its "bottle-to-throttle" rule so that pilots must have their last drink 12 hours before reporting for duty, Skift reported.

Story continues

That came a week after two United pilots were arrested in Scotland on suspicion of being drunk less than two hours before they were set to fly to Newark, New Jersey.

Charles de Gaulle Airport did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Correction: July 27, 2023  An earlier version of this story misidentified the US airport that the plane was set to fly to on Sunday. It was Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A decades-long mystery over whether an Iron Age warrior who lived on the Isles of Scilly was a man or woman has been solved.

Archaeologists had been baffled about the identity of the prehistoric skeleton since it was discovered by a farmer on the island of Bryher in 1999.

The remains were found with both a 2,000-year-old sword and a mirror.

Researchers said new analysis of tooth enamel revealed the warrior was most likely a woman.

Historic England, which led the research, said the findings "provide evidence of a leading role for a woman in warfare on Iron Age Scilly".

The body said the discovery of the sword and mirror is considered to be "highly unusual" as swords were normally found with men and mirrors with women in other burials of the same period.

The single site on Bryher, discovered in a stone-walled chamber in a potato field, contained both objects and the remains of just one person.

They were re-examined by scientists in the US using a new process that looks at tooth enamel. Previous attempts to identify the remains using DNA analysis had failed due to the disintegration of the bones.

Prof Glendon Parker, from the University of California at Davis, said the team extracted traces of proteins from tiny fragments of surviving tooth enamel.

"Tooth enamel is the hardest and most durable substance in the human body," he said.

"It contains a protein with links to either the X or Y chromosome, which means it can be used to determine sex. This is useful because this protein survives well compared to DNA."

Prof Parker said the analysis revealed a 96% probability that the remains belonged to a woman.

He added: "Given the degraded state of the bones, it's remarkable to get such a strong result. It makes you wonder what could be discovered by re-visiting other badly degraded burials."

Dr Sarah Stark, a human skeletal biologist from Historic England, said the findings could shed light on the role of women in Iron Age Britain.

Story continues

'Captivated by the mystery'

"[The findings] provide evidence of a leading role for a woman in warfare on Iron Age Scilly," she said.

"Although we can never know completely about the symbolism of objects found in graves, the combination of a sword and a mirror suggests this woman had high status within her community and may have played a commanding role in local warfare, organising or leading raids on rival groups.

"This could suggest that female involvement in raiding and other types of violence was more common in Iron Age society than we've previously thought, and it could have laid the foundations from which leaders like Boudicca would later emerge."

The sword and mirror were returned to the Isles of Scilly Museum in 2002.

Kate Hales, a curator at Isles of Scilly Museum, said the findings meant the story of their discovery would now be reinterpreted.

"Visitors have been captivated by the mystery that the surrounds them," she said.

"It's fascinating to know they were buried with a young woman and we look forward to reinterpreting her story, wondering about the kind of life she led, thousands of years ago on our now tranquil islands."

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A summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and African leaders began in St. Petersburg on Thursday, with a far lower turnout than previous years.

Putin has been seeking to strengthen ties with African countries and offered to send free grain to the continent, something the UN warned would not make up for Russia pulling out of a crucial grain deal. Russia has also been targeting Ukrainian ports.

Just 17 heads of African states are attending this year, the Kremlin has confirmed, less than half of the 43 heads of state that attended the 2019 conference.

In the run-up to the event, the Kremlin fumed over the poor turnout, and accused the United States and its Western allies of putting unprecedented pressure on African countries in an attempt to derail the summit.

Among those absent is Kenyan President William Ruto, whose government has been critical of Russias recent decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal, describing the move as a stab in the back of global food security prices.

Moscow made the decision to withdraw from the deal  which ensured the safe export of Ukrainian grain to the rest of the world  on July 17, again sparking fears over global food supplies, particularly in parts of Africa that are reliant on exports from Russia and Ukraine.

Many African countries rely heavily on on Russia and Ukraine for their grain imports. Between 90-100% of the wheat Somalia and Eritrea needs comes from the two countries, UN data shows.

The shortage of grains has worsened food insecurity on the continent and shot up food prices, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Some African politicians  further than simply not attending the summit  have expressed grave concerns about Russias war of aggression on Ukraine.

I dont think that this moment in time is a good time for summits in Russia. Because Russia is involved in a war, a conflict, said Raila Odinga, the Kenyan opposition leader.

Africa needs to take a very firm stance on this issue. Its a question of right and wrong. Therefore, my view is that we cannot be neutral in the place of an aggression. You must take a stand one way or another, Odinga said.

Story continues

Despite the food crisis, Russia has allies in Africa. During a vote by the UN last year condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, Eritrea was one of only four nations globally that openly endorsed the invasion. Others were Belarus, North Korea, and Syria.

But attitudes vary. While 17 others on the continent, including South Africa voted to abstain. Eight other African nations did not put in a vote at all. A further 28 African states voted to condemn Russias aggression towards Ukraine.

Last month, an African delegation led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa led a peace mission to Russia and Ukraine to broker peace talks between the warring nations. The peace mission did not achieve its desired goal, with the delegation unable to persuade Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war - now in its second year.

Wagner leader appears on sidelines

The African states being represented at the St. Petersburg summit will be keen to sway Russia into rejoining the grain deal, and Putin has courted African leaders for years in a deliberate effort to broaden Moscows global influence. At the last summit in 2019, Russia announced arms deals worth billions of dollars for the continent, along with a plan to double its trade volume with the region.

Russias Wagner mercenaries have also been deployed in some African states. A CNN investigation from 2022 showed how an elaborate Russian scheme was plundering Sudans riches in a bid to fortify Russia against Western sanctions and to buttress Moscows war effort in Ukraine.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagners founder and chief, was spotted on the sidelines of the summit on Thursday, his first sighting inside Russia since he led an armed rebellion against the countrys military last month.

Prigozhin was seen meeting with an African dignitary who is part of the Central African Republic delegation, according to accounts associated with the mercenary group.

Wagner has had a presence in the Central African Republic for several years, as previously reported by CNN.

CNN was able to geolocate the photograph of Prigozhin and the dignitary to the Trezzini Palace Hotel in St. Petersburg, where, according to Russian media, the Wagner founder has kept an office. The hotel was one of the locations searched by Russian authorities on July 6, after the rebellion.

Since then, Prigozhin had only been seen in public on July 19, when he seemingly appeared in a video inside Belarus, apparently greeting Wagner fighters at a base in Asipovichy.

Russias free grain pledge

At this weeks summit, Putin is working against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, which has driven the country into diplomatic isolation and prompted heavy sanctions from the West. He enjoys more support from some African nations, however, some of whom are yet to condemn the invasion.

On Thursday, the Russian president told the delegation of African leaders that the continent will become one of Moscows key partners in a new multipolar world.

Russia is still a reliable supplier of food to Africa, Putin said, adding he would send grain free of charge to six African nations in the next few months.

He repeated his complaints about the grain deal, saying promises to Russia had not been met, and called the West hypocritical, arguing it was blaming Russia for food insecurity but at the same time hampering exports through sanctions.

Next month South Africa will host a BRICS economic bloc summit in Johannesburg. Putin, however, will not be present at that event and will be represented instead by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Ramaphosas office said Putins absence from the BRICS summit was decided by mutual agreement. In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

South Africa is bound by the Rome statute, the treaty that governs the ICC, and is obligated to arrest individuals indicted by The Hague court.

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Russia's chances of implementing a Black Sea blockade are slim, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its July 26 report.

The report underscores that the Russian fleet is escalating its military presence in the Black Sea, aiming to impose conditions for intercepting and searching civilian ships and enhancing control in the region. The Ukrainian Military Media Center stated that Russian forces "intensified the combat training of surface forces and naval aviation."

Despite this, the ISW thinks that likelihood of the Black Sea Fleet implementing a complete blockade of Ukraine remains low. Enforcing such a blockade would entail Russian forces firing on any ships attempting to reach Ukraine, a move that risks direct military conflict with NATO countries.

The ISW believes that Kremlin will steer clear of this possibility, trying to prevent more direct confrontation.

Russia's current actions in the Black Sea "more likely suggests that Russia is setting conditions to search civilian and commercial vessels while posturing for a blockade as a means of gaining additional leverage," the ISW writes.

Russian state-controlled media reported that Russian forces would consider all vessels proceeding to Ukrainian ports in the waters of the Black Sea as potential carriers of military cargo. This policy went into effect on July 19, after the Russian withdrawal from the Grain Initiative.

Read also: Wheat prices rise sharply after Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure
The Jackson County Prosecutors Office has joined a national effort to help Afghan prosecutors and their families still living in Afghanistan to move to other countries.

The campaign was born after the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys reported more than 3,800 prosecutors and their staff members remained in Afghanistan and requested they be moved. Officials said there have been 26 reports of prosecutors and staffers being tortured or killed by the Taliban.

There are hundreds of Afghan prosecutors and judges who put their duty ahead of their safety, said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker in a news release. Now we have a moral duty to act to protect them.

Peters Baker said her office would offer employment to relocated Afghan prosecutors.

The campaign hopes to raise $15 million to relocate 1,500 Afghan prosecutors and their families. Once the effort reaches its goal, it will expand to help every Afghan prosecutor seeking relocation.

Before the fall of Kabul in August 2021, officials said around 6,000 Afghan staff members of the Afghanistan Attorney Generals Office prosecuted cases against members of the Taliban for murder, terrorism, assault, kidnapping, abduction, violence against women and drug crimes.

Many of them were members of the Afghanistan Prosecutors Association who had been trained by the United States and other allied nations. The prosecutors office said many are now in hiding, unemployed and facing starvation.

Afghan prosecutors arent eligible for special immigrant visas to the United States, and other visa programs can take years to process. The prosecutors office said funding non-profit organizations that are able to relocate the prosecutors and their families would be the fastest way to take action.

Some of the involved organizations include the Jewish Humanitarian Response, International Association of Prosecutors and No One Left Behind.
NIAMEY, Niger  Nigers president defiantly declared Thursday that democracy would prevail, a day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup because of the West African countrys deteriorating security situation.

While many people in the capital of Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country and which side the majority might support. A statement tweeted by the army commands account declared that it would back the coup to avoid a murderous confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath. It was not possible to confirm that the statement was genuine.

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Meanwhile, President Mohamed Bazoum  who was elected in 2021 in Nigers first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960 and is a key ally of the West  appeared to have the backing of several political parties.

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Bazoum tweeted early Thursday.

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Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou issued a similar call on news network France 24, asking all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action.

He demanded the presidents unconditional release and said talks were ongoing.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who spoke to Bazoum by phone on Wednesday, said in a statement that he was extremely worried about the situation in Niger and warned of the terrible effects on development and civilians due to successive unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel region.

The Economic Community of West African States sent Benin President Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts.

Bazoum is a key ally in the Wests efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africas Sahel region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighboring nations.

Russia and the West have been vying for influence in the fight against extremism in the region.

Bazoum was seen by many as the Wests last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Wagner appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties. American, French and Italian troops train the countrys soldiers, while France also conducts joint operations.

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But the threat to Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger may also turn away from the West.

On Thursday, several hundred people gathered in the capital and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags. Later, they began throwing rocks at a passing politicians car.

If Mohamed Bazoum resigns from the presidency, Niger will probably move to the top of the list of countries where the Wagner Group will seek to expand, said Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at Dragonfly, a security and political risk consultancy.

Wagner already had its sights set on Niger, in part because its a large producer of uranium. But Bazoum posed an impediment because of his pro-French and pro-Western stance, said Baumgartner.

Wagners head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, weighed in on Thursday, describing the developments as part of Nigers fight against the colonizers.

It effectively means winning independence. The rest will depend on the people of Niger, on how efficient they could govern, Prigozhin, who led a brief mutiny against the Kremlin last month, said in a statement.

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Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Blinken said Thursday that he had spoken with the president, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the U.S. condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

Members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoums house and detained him on Wednesday morning.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed all the borders.

The coup was reportedly sparked because Bazoum was allegedly planning to fire the head of the presidential guard, Gen. Omar Tchiani, Niger analysts say. Military experts say some of the people who appeared on state television were high-ranking officers, including Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, the head of Nigers special forces who has a strong relationship with the United States.

According to someone close to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation, the president has not and will not resign and is safe in his residence.

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In a statement Wednesday, several political parties expressed their support for him, calling the coup suicidal and anti-republican madness.

The country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted, they said. Protesters also came out in support of Bazoum that day.

The international community strongly condemned the attempted takeover in Niger, where there have been multiple coups since independence in 1960.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna tweeted that France is concerned about the events in Niger and following the situation closely. France firmly condemns any attempt to take power by force, the minister said.

U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk called for Bazoums release and said all efforts must be undertaken to restore constitutional order and the rule of law.

Russia also called for the presidents release. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday in televised remarks that its necessary to restore the constitutional order in Niger. We believe that the coup is unconstitutional, and we always take a principled and clear position on that, he said.
Dunkin and some special guests from the Jacksonville Jaguars will be spreading awareness for childhood cancer.

The Dunkin Shine Gold program encourages guests to donate $2 to the Dunkin Joy in childhood foundation to receive a Gold Joy Donut.

Every donation is out towards kids battling cancer.

Jax de Ville and the Roar Cheerleaders will be there from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Read: Falcon Heavy launch scrubbed last-minute, new launch window given

The opportunity to donate to this cause and receive the Gold Joy Donut extends until August 5th.

Local proceeds throughout the greater Jacksonville region will support Wolfson Childrens Hospital to bring joy to kids battling cancer in their local communities.

Read: I thank God for slavery: Florida African American History Task Force appointments raise concerns

This event will be at the Dunkin at 7005 Gateway Parkway, Jacksonville, FL, 32256

To learn more about the Dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation, visit www.bringjoy.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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Read: Furry friends need your help! Jacksonville animal shelter at critical capacity

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A target letter special counsel Jack Smith has sent to former President Donald Trump signals he may soon be hit with another indictment -- this time with respect to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

But a year ago, much was already alleged about Trump's role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election in a separate investigation -- an 18-month probe by a House select committee formed to get to the bottom of what happened following the election, and on and around Jan. 6.

The lawmakers identified Trump as the "central cause" of the attack and related efforts and concluded after interviewing more than 1,000 witnesses, issuing many subpoenas and holding nine public hearings there was enough evidence to make criminal referrals against Trump to the Justice Department.

The four charges recommended were obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to make a false statement and inciting or assisting an insurrection.

PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump is displayed on a screen during a meeting of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, Dec. 19, 2022 in Washington. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

Trump long lambasted the Jan. 6 panel as a partisan witch hunt and denied any wrongdoing. After members recommended charges, the Trump campaign said the committee's actions made "a mockery of our democracy" and Trump himself said it only strengthened him among his supporters. When the committee's final report was published, Trump asserted they found no proof he "intended or wanted violence at our Capitol" because "the claim is baseless and a monstrous lie."

The former president has similarly attacked Smith's probe as the product of an allegedly "politically weaponized" federal government seeking to interfere with the 2024 election. After receiving the target letter, Trump said in a campaign email to supporters he did "nothing wrong" and was "completely innocent."

The House select committee, bipartisan but not supported by most Republicans, said its work was intended to be "a roadmap to justice" for agencies and institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law, with some members decrying Trump as unfit to hold office ever again.

Story continues

It's not known whether any of the committee's criminal referrals are playing a role in what the special counsel is presenting to the grand jury investigating Jan. 6 -- but here are some highlights of what lawmakers said they uncovered about Jan. 6 and Trump's efforts to stop a peaceful transfer of power.

Trump pushed false allegations of fraud: Jan. 6 committee

Various administration officials and White House staffers, including former Attorney General Bill Barr and Trump's daughter Ivanka, testified they informed Trump on numerous occasions he'd lost the election and there was no evidence of widespread fraud.

"I repeatedly told the president in no uncertain terms that I did not see evidence of fraud, you know, that would have affected the outcome of the election," Barr said.

Despite what he was told by several in his inner circle, the committee said Trump continued to push false allegations of fraud, including conspiracy theories about suitcases full of ballots and Dominion voting machines, in public and in some cases in court. The committee alleged that Trump used the false claims to raise $250 million for his post-election legal defense but little of it actually went to court battles.

Trump's involvement in 'fake electors scheme': Jan. 6 committee

Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, said in a deposition that Trump called her to discuss plans for an "alternate" slate of electors who would claim Trump actually won.

Appearing to substantiate that point, the committee aired taped testimony of McDaniel being asked about the scheme to send fake electors to Congress to decertify Biden's win and responding that Trump was on a call about the plan. McDaniel said it was her understanding that the electors were being gathered as a contingency in the event that court challenges to the election results changed the outcome in any particular state, according to a transcript of her interview with the committee.

"He turned the call over to Mr. Eastman, who then proceeded to talk about the importance of -- helping the campaign gather these contingent electors in case any of the legal challenges that were ongoing change the results of any states," McDaniel recounted.

"The campaign took the lead, and we just were helping them in that role," she added, appearing to try to distance the RNC from the effort.

When asked if she had conversations about other possible uses for the alternate electors, other than as a contingency pending litigation, McDaniel said she could have but did not recall.

Officials and election workers from Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania testified about their experience with the 2020 election, at times becoming emotional as they recalled how Trump and his allies pressured them to declare him the winner.

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump is seen on a screen during the last House Select Committee hearing to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol in Washington, Dec. 19, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

In one recording aired by the committee, Trump told a Georgia election official she'd be "praised" when "the right answer comes out."

Rusty Bowers, the former Republican speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, testified that when he was pressured to create a false slate of electors, he told Trump: "You're asking me to do something against my oath. I will not break my oath."

MORE: Has the Jan. 6 committee investigation changed American politics?

One statute raised by committee vice chairwoman GOP Rep. Liz Cheney -- conspiracy to defraud the Unites States -- criminalizes the agreement between two or more persons to "impair, obstruct or defeat the lawful government functions."

As part of the "seven-point plot" she laid out, the committee argued Trump's legal team violated this federal criminal statute when instructing Republicans in battleground states to replace Biden electors with slates of Trump electors and send those votes to Congress and the National Archives. They ultimately declined to do so.

Trump's pressure on Mike Pence; Jan. 6 committee

Much discussed by the committee were the lengths Trump allegedly went to try to try to persuade former Vice President Mike Pence to reject the certification of electoral votes by Congress.

Evidence presented included multiple social media posts in the days leading up to Jan. 6, a heated phone call between the two men on the morning of Jan. 6 and several references to Pence during his speech on the Ellipse.

Trump also took aim at Pence while the riot was unfolding in a Twitter post that read: "Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what was necessary."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The committee also pointed to exchanges they said showed Trump's legal team was aware the strategy wasn't viable.

An email exchange dated Jan. 6, 2021, between Pence aide Greg Jacob and Trump election attorney John Eastman showed Trump had already been advised that the former vice president could not overturn the 2020 election results.

MORE: What we've learned from the Jan. 6 committee hearings

"Did you advise the President that in your professional judgment the Vice President DOES NOT have the power to decide things unilaterally?" Jacob said in a text sent to Eastman.

"He's been so advised," Eastman replied.

Trump summoned supporters, march on Capitol was planned: Jan. 6 committee

The committee said a tweet sent by Trump in December 2020 announcing a "big protest in D.C. on Jan. 6" amounted to summoning a mob to Washington.

Members also said he tried to make his call on rally-goers to march to the Capitol during his speech appear spontaneous, but documents they obtained, they said, showed otherwise. An undated Twitter post, obtained from the National Archives, showed Trump planned to alert his millions of followers about the march in advance.

One witness, Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, also testified Trump was warned by a Secret Service official some people in the crowd that day were armed. Hutchinson said Trump planned to join them the Capitol but was told he couldn't go.

The committee alleged there were 187 minutes of inaction on Trump's part as witnesses testified he watched the riot unfold on television before being convinced to issue a social media post urging rioters to go home.

"President Trump did not fail to act during the 187 minutes between leaving the Ellipse and telling the mob to go home. He chose not to act," Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said at the time.

ABC News' Libby Cathey contributed to this report.

The Jan. 6 committee previously recommended Trump be criminally charged. Here's why originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese pop star Shinjiro Atae said he is gay in an emotional announcement at a fan event that was warmly welcomed in a country where the government does not legally recognize LGBTQ equality.

What Im going to tell you now may not be something you expect or hope to hear. Perhaps some of you may need time to understand, Atae told fans at the event in Tokyo on Wednesday.

For years, I struggled to accept a part of myself ... But now after all I have been through, I finally have the courage to open up to you about something, he said. I am a gay man.

As he choked up, fans cheered, saying hang in there! and applauding.

Atae performed for 15 years in the hugely popular group AAA before it went on a hiatus in 2020. He's been based in Los Angeles lately and is pursuing a solo career in the United States.

Ataes revelation comes at a time of increased awareness and support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Japan.

The political party that has governed Japan for most of its postwar history is known for its conservatism and many lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party oppose equal rights. Activists have increased their efforts to achieve an anti-discrimination law, but parliament in June passed a significantly weaker alternative that promotes awareness of sexual minorities without providing legal protections.

In Japan, where LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination in schools, workplaces and elsewhere, few public figures have come out. Popular singer and personality Ai Haruna is a transgender woman who rose to fame in 2009 as the first Japanese to win Thailands Miss International Queen, a beauty pageant for transgender women. Lawmaker Taiga Ishikawa is Japans first openly gay parliamentarian.

Atae posted on Instagram that admitting his sexuality took a long time and he worried he might be shunned from society and lose his career if he acknowledged being gay.

But, he overcame many of those struggles and realized "it is better, both for me and for the people I care about, including my fans, to accept who I truly am and tell you so," Atae said. "I hope people who are struggling with the same feeling will find courage and know they are not alone.

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LGBTQ+ activists and supporters welcomed Ataes announcement as a big encouragement for the community in Japan.

Sosuke Matsuoka, an LGBTQ+ activist who was at the event, said he got teary listening to Ataes words. If I heard his message when I was younger and struggling with my sexuality, it would have given me a big hope. Matsuoka wrote in social media message that Ataes coming out would give courage to his peers and lead to a change of social mindset.

Atae, 34, said he thought something was wrong with him when he was becoming aware of his sexuality as a teenager. Even as a pop idol with many fans, he felt isolated and thought about living overseas.

One day on a foreign trip, he saw men hugging and kissing in public and was shocked, but none of the people around them made an issue out of it.

I felt I was not alone. I felt relieved, Atae said. I started feeling encouraged, thinking that there is a way that LGBTQ+ people deserve to live happily.

It took more time to come to terms with his own sexuality, but he concluded anyone has a right to just being oneself and live a happy life."

Atae said he now has a clear message as an artist: to help all those who are struggling, and introduced his new single, Into the Light."

Atae said proceeds from the song will be donated to LGBTQ+ organizations.

___

This story corrects the first name of Atae to Shinjiro, not Shijiro.
An iconic brand of bouncy and gelatinous Americana is getting a modern makeover.

On July 27, Jell-O, the 126-year-old gelatin and pudding dessert brand, unveiled a new logo for the first time in 10 years. The new look, which also includes updated packaging, continues a long and storied tradition for the wobbly foodstuff of refreshing its look with the times.

The old Jell-O logo with the new design. (Kraft Heinz)

Originally developed in 1845, Jell-O has become synonymous with fun, creativity, and deliciousness, reads a news release by the company. With a rich heritage, Jell-O continues to delight generations with its fun and jiggly treats and remains a staple in households across America for either a dessert or a quick snack.

Jell-O and its parent company Kraft Heinz say that launching a new visual identity aims to capture the jiggly fun that Jell-O brings to folks young and old, nodding to its past while looking towards a vibrant future. And hey, for a over century-old dessert to have such a hold on the culture that its part of one of the most famous movie scenes of all time, it must know what its doing.

As Americas Most Famous Dessert, we aim to transcend generations and want to continue bringing our customers on a never-ending flavor journey, said Kristina Hannant, associate director of desserts at Kraft Heinz in a press release. After 10 years, it was time to take a look at our packaging and bring Jell-O into the future in a bold, playful, wonder-filled way.

The new Jell-O logo will appear on all packaging along with new designs. (Kraft Heinz)

Jell-Os new logo, according to the company, is loud, proud and simple, adding a bold and graphic drop shadow to its packaging for the first time. The brand says the design still holds onto what makes it recognizable to customers worldwide and intentionally put more emphasis on the O, turning it from a wave-like swirl into a bold and playful circle.

The logo has gone through many, many changes over the years, and its packaging has been revamped at least 10 times, from its original Victorian design scheme to simpler, fruitier or more complex and party-like designs. Through it all, though, the Jell-O logo has stayed a bold red color, and that commitment to cherry is here to stay, for now.

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In addition, the new fruit and pudding imagery shifts away from literal depictions of the product to re-imagining how the flavors can come to life in a playful, sensorial way, transporting customers into the Jell-O world of jiggly goodness, and also spotlight the fact that select Jell-O products have zero sugar when applicable.

The new Jell-O logo will appear on all packaging along with new designs. (Kraft Heinz)

Basically, if you look closely at the gelatin packages, theyre fun and cute illustrations of what you could feasibly make with the product if you had the right Jell-O mold, and not just images of fruit or Jell-O as the company has included in the past. The pudding packages also feature perfect-looking dollops of each flavor on a simple background, eschewing the busy look of the previous design.

The updated Jell-O packaging will be rolled out across the entire Jell-O portfolio which includes pudding, gelatin, cups and other boxes starting this July, so there might be a few of the new boxes already trickling into your local grocer.

This rebrand is certainly not the only one of Kraft Heinzs 18 brands that have changed its look and feel with the times. In 2022, Kraft Foods shortened the name of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to Kraft Mac & Cheese, additionally revamping the products logo, packaging and even its noodle smile on the front of every box.

In other cheesy parts of the Kraft Heinz landscape, in May, Kraft Singles announced the launch of new, easier-to-open packaging, a fresher look and redesigned logo, to boot.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Police in New Jersey say they have found four devices "consistent with being pipe bombs" after pulling a 51-year-old man over for a traffic stop.

The startling discovery was made Wednesday in Hamilton Township, outside of Trenton, when officers "conducted a motor vehicle stop on a green Honda" driven by Jeremy Giliberti of Mt. Laurel, according to the Hamilton Police Division.

"During the stop, the officers located four metal pipes with caps and green wicks consistent with being pipe bombs on the passenger side floor inside the vehicle," police said. "The driver was detained and South Broad Street was shut down between Harcourt Avenue and Churchill Avenue."

Authorities said surrounding businesses and residences were then evacuated as a precaution.

CIVIL WAR REENACTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO PLANTING PIPE BOMB AT VIRGINIA BATTLEFIELD, BLAMES ANTIFA

"The New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit was contacted and responded to the scene and took possession of the devices for destruction," the Hamilton Police Division said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

An ensuing search of "Gilibertis residence and additional vehicles" found one more "device" inside his home, which was also seized by the state police bomb unit, Hamilton police added.

Giliberti has now been charged with possession of a destructive device and is being held at the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

LOUISIANA TEEN INJURES HIMSELF AFTER HOMEMADE PIPE BOMB EXPLODES

Aerial images captured by Fox29 Philadelphia showed authorities using robots to inspect the devices.

"The Hamilton Police Division would like to thank the New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit, FBI, ATF, Mercer County Prosecutors Office, Burlington County Prosecutors Office, and Mt. Laurel Police Department for their assistance," it also said.

In May, federal prosecutors announced charges against 54-year-old Dale Stewart "in connection with two pipe bomb explosions in Weare, New Hampshire."

"According to the charging documents, Stewart allegedly constructed and detonated two destructive devices in Weare, New Hampshire on April 26, 2023 and April 27, 2023," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Hampshire said in a statement.

"In response to the explosions, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Stewarts vehicle and retrieved an additional destructive device, constructed of white PVC pipe, with glued end caps, wrapped in black electrical tape, with a green hobby fuse protruding from one of the end caps," the office added. "The destructive device found in the vehicle contained more than 4 ounces of an explosive material, consistent with the manufacturing of the two recovered suspected pipe bombs from the two separate detonation scenes in Weare, New Hampshire."
Byron Stinson has always been a man of strong faith.

And recently that faith came into play for a mission. Jewish faith leaders he knew needed a red heifer to replicate a ceremony depicted in the Bible.

I felt like it was my duty as a Texan to go out and look around Texas and see if I could find some completely red, pure red cows that fulfill the requirements of the red heifer and, if I could, then try to ship them here to Israel, Stinson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Stinson, of Glen Rose, didnt just find one heifer. He found five.

Those five, perfectly unblemished red heifers landed in Israel in September 2022, a feat that cost around $500,000 when you factor in the first-class plane tickets for rabbis to come examine the heifers and the American Airlines trip to Israel.

Theyre now being taken care of at a secure location, and Stinson and others hope to hold the ceremony theyll be used for during Passover in 2024. Stinson runs a nonprofit called Boneh Israel that helps build up and revive Biblical sites.

The goal of the whole ceremony is unity, Stinson said in a video interview from Israel Wednesday.

Why search for a cow? an excerpt from Boneh Israels website reads. These Red Heifers can bring world peace! The bible teaches us, that the key for building the Third Temple (the House of Prayer for All the Nations) is purifying us with the red heifer in Jerusalem.

If youre wondering how such a ceremony works, the short of it is that at the end one of the heifers will die.

But while there are five heifers, only one will be needed for the ceremony. Theyll mix the ashes of the heifer with water from Israels Gihon Spring and other ingredients, and sprinkle that water on members of the priesthood and the workers and tools for the temple. The ceremony needs to happen at the Mount of Olives, just like it did in the Bible.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the red heifer appears in a portion of the Book of Numbers 19:3 that reads This is the ritual law that God has commanded: Instruct the Israelite people to bring you a red cow without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which no yoke has been laid. The water and ash mixture is supposed to remove impurities from touching a corpse.

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Such a ceremony has likely never taken place, Stinson believes.

I dont think the Jewish fathers, they havent done this in 2,000 years, Stinson said. Ive never done it. Theyve never done it.

Finding those heifers wasnt a one person feat. Stinson said he put ads in magazines and sent mail to ranchers. Stinson and his team were able to find 20 red heifers they could use.

One of the heifers came from Urbanowsky Ranch just outside Houston. The other four came from Triple Creek Ranch in Rockwall, Stinson said.

This is a mission of peace, Stinson said. Its a mission of unity. Its a mission of love.

When the heifers arrived in Israel, Stinson said it was a huge celebration. And as hes gotten questions from the media, Stinson has gotten a lot of comments saying what hes doing is weird and crazy.

Its not a weird thing, Stinson said. Its just what the Bible says.
Jimmy Hoffa (Getty)

Jimmy Hoffa, the legendary American union organiser, disappeared from a parking lot outside of the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Township, Detroit, 48 years ago on Saturday 30 July 1975. Presumed dead since the same date in 1982, his body has never been found, no one has ever been charged and the case remains unsolved.

Hoffa, 62, was last heard from at around 2.15pm that afternoon, calling his wife at their home in Lake Orion and a friend, Louis Linteau, at his office from a public payphone, griping that the two gentlemen he was supposed to be meeting for lunch had failed to show up.

He was subsequently spotted talking to several other men nearby before being driven away in a maroon car that one eyewitness, a truck driver, told investigators could have been a Lincoln or maybe a Mercury Marquis.

It might as well have been a hearse, for all the difference it made, for James Riddle Hoffa would never be seen again.

His own vehicle, a green Pontiac Grand Ville, stood abandoned at the scene, just where he had left it.

Long assumed to have been the victim of a mob hit, the visionary general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)  who dramatically expanded the unions reach, influence and coffers between 1957 and 1971, before being brought down by scandal  certainly had more than his fair share of powerful enemies and shady associates.

Hoffas story  or, at least, versions of it  has frequently been told over the past half-century, often fictionalised through characters loosely based upon him in movies like Sergio Leones Once Upon a Time in America (1984) or more directly in Danny DeVitos biopic Hoffa (1992) starring Jack Nicholson, James Ellroys Underworld USA novel sequence or Martin Scorceses recent The Irishman (2019) in which Al Pacino played the doomed labour leader.

But none of those projects have come close to cracking one of the most enduring true crime mysteries in the history of American public life.

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What really happened to Jimmy Hoffa? Now that is a riddle.

Born on Valentines Day 1913 in Brazil, Indiana, Hoffas Pennsylvania Dutch father John was a coal miner who passed away from lung disease in 1920 when his son was just seven years old, prompting the family to relocate to Detroit, Michigan, soon to become the epicentre of the mighty American auto industry.

Realising he would need to grow up fast to support his mother, Hoffa left school at 14 to work as a stock boy for a grocery chain, where he soon took exception to the inadequate wages he received, the perilous terms of his employment and the inequality he saw all around him, which would only worsen in the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 with the coming of the Great Depression.

Having learned to stand up for himself against workplace injustice, Hoffa quit in 1932 to work as a professional organiser with the Local 299 chapter of the Teamsters union, representing Detroits truck drivers and warehouse operatives.

As the organisation grew over the course of a combative decade, consolidating its power first locally, then regionally and finally nationally, Hoffa met the Polish girl who would become his wife, Josephine Poszywak, during a strike undertaken by non-unionised laundry workers in early 1937. They married that September.

Hoffas growing reputation and networking smarts saw him named chairman of the Central States Drivers Council in 1940, president of the Michigan Conference of Teamsters in 1942 and then president of Local 299 by 1946, all without moving so much as a single truck himself.

Jimmy Hoffa pictured in Washington, DC, in July 1959 (AP)

As a labour stalwart, Hoffa secured a draft deferment when the United States entered the Second World War by successfully arguing he would be of far greater service to his country organising industry at home than he might be deployed as a grunt abroad.

That also meant he was well positioned to reap the spoils of the American economic boom of the Truman years. By 1952, he was appointed international vice president of the IBT, serving as deputy to Dave Beck, who was himself succeeding Daniel Tobin, who had led the union since way back in 1907.

The IBT relocated its headquarters from Indianapolis to Washington, DC, three years later in order to be better placed to lobby Congress for its interests. It had never been more powerful.

Then, in 1957, Beck was indicted, convicted and jailed on fraud charges after being hauled before John McClellans Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labour or Management Field. Hoffa was voted in as his successor as general president at the IBTs convention in Miami Beach, Florida, that October.

However, Hoffas profile within the labour movement had inevitably increased his exposure to organised crime and he had been arrested earlier that year for allegedly attempting to bribe a McClellan Committee aide, prompting the AFL-CIO to expel the Teamsters from its ranks in passionate opposition to his appointment.

The air of notoriety surrounding Hoffa caught the attention of mob-busting US attorney general Robert F Kennedy during his brothers presidency in the early 1960s and would see much of the organisers energies eaten up by legal scraps for much of that decade.

He was indicted for jury tampering in Tennessee in May 1963 after again being accused of attempted bribery and was convicted the following March, sentenced to eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

A reporter questions Teamsters general president Jimmy Hoffa outside of the federal courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1964 during his jury tampering trial (Chattanooga Times Free Press/AP)

Four months later, while out on bail for the first offence, he was convicted at a second trial in Chicago, Illinois, on one count of conspiracy and three of mail and wire fraud for improper use of the Teamsters pension fund. This time he was sentenced to five years behind bars.

After spending three years unsuccessfully appealing those convictions  while simultaneously expanding the union and bringing almost all on-road North American truck drivers together under one National Master Freight Agreement  Hoffa was sent to Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary in Pennsylvania on 7 March 1967 to serve a 13-year aggregate sentence.

Despite the disgrace, he refused to resign and went on operating as IBT boss from Lewisburg, remaining in the role until 19 June 1971, when he was replaced by Frank Fitzsimmons, with whom he had a long association dating back to their Detroit days.

Hoffa was released from prison on 23 December that year, having served fewer than five of his 13 years after Richard Nixon commuted his sentence on the condition that he refrain from engaging in union activity until 6 March 1980, a stipulation he was bitterly opposed to and battled in court in the hope of being able to wrestle back the Teamsters presidency, unmoved to consider retirement by the generous pension settlement the organisation had handed him.

The Mafia were among those opposed to his comeback ambitions, and one of their enforcers was Anthony Tony Pro Provenzano, a capo in New York Citys Genovese crime family with whom Hoffa had once been close but seemingly fallen out with while both men were incarcerated at Lewisburg.

Provenzano is one of the men Hoffa is supposed to have been dining with at the Machus Red Fox on the day he vanished. The other was Anthony Tony Jack Giacalone, a local heavy who may have been dispatched as a mediator to oversee Hoffas appeal for support to Provenzano. Neither would admit to having seen the labour veteran in Bloomfield Township that day and both seemingly had credible alibis.

What is known is that the car in which Hoffa is most likely to have been spirited away  a 1975 Mercury Marquis Brougham, after all  belonged to Giacalones son Joseph, who had lent it to one Charles Chuckie OBrien, a Hoffa family friend. OBrien may have been engaged to collect the old man in order to encourage a false sense of security.

His fingerprints would later be found on a 7-Up bottle in Hoffas Pontiac, although he continued to deny any involvement until his death in 2020.

Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa in Martin Scorseses The Irishman (Rex)

When investigators examined the Mercury on 21 August, police dogs positively identified Hoffas scent in its upholstery, strongly suggesting he had ridden in it at least once. Later, in 2001, the advance of DNA technology enabled officers to locate a strand of his hair in the same car, although, again, that was not sufficient to trace it to a specific date.

After years of federal investigation had resulted in 16,000 pages of documents spread over 70 volumes but no outcome, leaving Hoffas wife Josephine to pass away in 1980 without answers, the FBIs opinion on what had happened would be outlined by Arthur Sloane in his book Hoffa (1991).

In it, Sloane suggested the official verdict was that Northeastern Pennsylvania mob boss Russell Bufalino had ordered the hit and dispatched Thomas Andretta and the brothers Salvatore Sally Bugs and Gabriel Briguglio, alongside OBrien, to carry it out.

The quartet then either killed Hoffa inside the vehicle or drove him on to an unspecified location and executed him there, perhaps cremating his body to prevent its rediscovery.

That broad outline was effectively confirmed on 16 June 2006 when The Detroit Free Press published the entire 56-page Hoffex Memo, an FBI dossier dating from January 1976 in which the bureau expressed its suspicions in writing, arguing the gangsters were concerned that a reinstated Hoffa might interfere with their control of the Teamsters pension fund or even be persuaded to testify against them.

There are numerous quibbles with that theory, however. Experts often argue that Hoffa was too high-profile a target for the mob to assassinate in such a public manner and that his hopes of returning to the leadership of the union amounted to little more than a pipedream by 1975, his name too tarnished to represent a serious threat.

According to Sloane, former US prosecuting attorney Keith Corbett also believed that OBrien was too unreliable to have played a part and that Vito Billy Giacalone, the younger brother of Tony Jack, was more likely to have been the fourth man.

A landfill site beneath the Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City, one of the many rumoured final resting places of Jimmy Hoffa (AP)

A completely fresh theory appeared in 2004 with the publication of Charles Brandts book I Heard You Paint Houses, the basis for Scorseses The Irishman, in which the author argues that hitman Frank Sheeran did the deed in an empty house in Detroit after Hoffa had been delivered into his clutches, the subject having confessed as much in old age.

Bloodstains found on floorboards at the scene did not match Hoffas DNA, however, and it is often thought unlikely, as was the case with OBrien, that an outsider might be trusted with such a delicate assignment by the notoriously tribal Italian-American syndicate.

Another infamous mob killer, Richard The Iceman Kuklinski, claimed in his own 2006 memoir that he was responsible, having been paid the princely sum of $40,000 to whack Hoffa.

Kuklinski claimed he drove the body to a New Jersey junkyard, sealed it inside a 50-gallon oil drum and set it on fire, later digging up the charred cadaver and placing it in the trunk of a car that was duly sold for scrap metal. That has likewise never been substantiated.

As to the final resting place of Hoffas remains, multiple sites have been inspected over the decades without yielding a result, from the now-demolished Giants Stadium in East Rutherford (a tip-off hitman Donald Tony the Greek Frankos offered in a 1989 Playboy interview) to a landfill beneath the Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City and even the Renaissance Building in downtown Detroit, now the 73-storey home of General Motors.

A farmers field, a swimming pool and a suburban driveway in Michigan have all been proposed and discarded while the wildest speculations imagine the missing man tossed from a plane by corrupt federal marshals into the Great Lakes (a theory courtesy of Hoffa bodyguard Joseph Franco, who had a book to sell) or ground up and disposed of in one of the quieter swamps of the Florida Everglades, an idea pitched to the Senate by self-described murderer Charles Allen in 1982.

Sadly, we may never know the truth about how Jimmy Hoffa, at one time one of the most famous faces in America, came to vanish into thin air, blown away on the breeze like an old parking ticket, never to be seen again.
The News

Days after Giorgia Meloni won the election to become Italys prime minister last fall, President Joe Biden pointed to her victory as an example of how democracy is at risk in the U.S. and abroad during a meeting with Democratic governors. His administration was privately anxious about her rise.

He looked at Meloni as a dangerous figure, said Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Fast forward 10 months: Later today, Biden will welcome Meloni to the White House. Despite Bidens initial misgivings, the two leaders do see eye-to-eye on the biggest foreign policy crisis of the moment: Russias war in Ukraine. They have what White House national security spokesman John Kirby called a good, productive relationship.

Biden and Meloni have vastly different views when it comes to their domestic policies, which is why Biden sought a contrast with her in the lead up to the U.S. midterm elections. Melonis government has made it so only a childs biological parents are named on birth certificates in the case of same-sex couples, for example, and has embraced hardline immigration policies (although she has recently softened her rhetoric on the issue).

But Meloni has surprised the international community with her staunch support for Ukraine, providing security assistance and welcoming in Ukrainian refugees. She has also displayed a willingness to rebuff China.

From the perspective of the Biden administration, Meloni has turned out better than expected, said Charles Kupchan, a former Obama National Security Council official and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The president has enjoyed working with her, Kirby said Wednesday. Theres been a lot of alignment on a lot of key foreign policy issues.

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The two leaders are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine, North Africa, and cooperation on China later today. Meloni is said to be preparing to withdraw Italy from Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, an issue shell likely discuss privately with Biden, who has spearheaded a rival infrastructure initiative meant to give developing nations an alternative to Beijings program. Meloni will also meet with bipartisan leaders on Capitol Hill, according to aides.

Are there issues of tension stemming from Melonis domestic agenda? Yes. but theyre going to be in the background, just like they are with Poland, said Kupchan.
Jacksonville Sheriffs Office investigating after a man was shot and killed inside a home on Winthrop Street.

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According to detectives, officers responded to the location around 3:30 a.m. Thursday and found a man man dead with at least one gunshot wound. The age of the victim is unknown at this time.

Detectives are currently canvassing the area for evidence and surveillance video. JSO hasnt released the relationship between the 911 caller and the victim, but it says it knows their relationship.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.

Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold.

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A South Carolina judge has approved a $15 million settlement between Mallory Beachs family and Greg Parker, the owner of a convenience store that sold an underage Paul Murdaugh alcohol the night Beach was killed in a boat crash.

Judge Daniel T. Hall approved the settlement Thursday afternoon at a hearing in York County. After four years of legal wrangling, Halls ruling has brought an end to one of the most bitterly fought chapters in the Murdaugh saga.

The Beach familys lawsuit against Parker and Hampton County lawyer Alex Murdaugh following Beachs death in February 2019, and the relentless pressure by their attorney, Mark Tinsley, led to the exposure of Alex Murdaughs precarious financial situation and his thefts from clients and his own firm. Earlier this year, Murdaugh was convicted of double murder after prosecutors argued his financial troubles led Alex to kill his wife, Maggie, and son Paul.

In a hearing earlier this month in Hampton County, Hall ruled against Parkers efforts to move the case out of Hampton County and to try Parker alone rather than with Alex Murdaugh.

The settlement means that a much-anticipated civil trial in the lawsuit scheduled to begin Aug. 14 will not be held.

But Alex Murdaugh is not off the hook. The settlement between Parker and the Beach family does not extend to Murdaugh, who was found guilty in March for the murder of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.

The deal was reached following an hours-long weekend negotiating session at a law office on Daniels Island earlier this month, lawyers said.

Parkers lawyer, P.K. Shere, had unsuccessfully tried to convince the judge that for Parker to be tried with one of South Carolinas most notorious criminals would prejudice a jury against Parker.
Chicago firefighters work the scene of an ammonia leak near 59th Street and Hamlin Avenue on July 27, 2022, in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Fire Departments hazmat team responded to an ammonia gas leak at Home City Ice in the West Elsdon neighborhood Thursday morning, fire officials said. The areas air quality was good and residents were able to safely leave their homes as of 7:39 a.m.

A large plume was visible from the ice plant at 3604 W. 59th St., fire officials said. Hydrants were opened to help dispel the ammonia while crews attempted to enter the building to shut off gas valves.

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Fire officials said no injuries were reported.

vla@chicagotribune.com
Former state Sen. Frank Artiles will have to wait at least one more week before a trial date is set in the criminal case against him for his role in the ghost candidate scheme that interfered with the outcome of a state Senate race in the 2020 election.

Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Ariel Rodriguez on Friday postponed the hearing to set the trial date until Aug. 4 because of a scheduling conflict.

Artiles, 50, has pleaded not guilty to campaign finance charges alleging he paid his friend, Alexis Pedro Rodriguez, a Boca Raton auto parts dealer, to run as a no-party-affiliated candidate in the 2020 Senate District 37 race against the incumbent with the same last name.

If convicted, the Palmetto Bay political operative faces up to five years in prison for each of three felony counts.

The goal of the scheme, prosecutors allege, was to confuse voters and influence the outcome of the race in the district that has since been redrawn but at the time included a large swath that included downtown Miami, Coral Gables and Pinecrest.

The 2020 race pitted former TV personality Ileana Garcia, a Republican, against the incumbent, who lost by 34 votes after a manual recount. Alex Rodriguez, who did no campaigning, received more than 6,000 votes.

The Miami-Dade investigation, and a similar one conducted by prosecutors in Central Florida, not only snared top political operatives like Artiles, it also raised questions about how political consultants like Pat Bainter, whose Data Targeting firm runs campaigns for Senate Republican leadership, and top GOP pollster Ryan Tyson, a key adviser to Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign, manipulate the states porous campaign finance system.

The state charged Artiles and Alex Rodriguez with conspiracy to make or accept campaign contributions in excess of legal limits, accepting and making excess campaign contributions, false swearing in connection to an election and submitting false voter information. Under state law, each of those charges carry sentences of up to five years in prison if convicted.

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Alex Rodriguez pleaded guilty last year to charges he took $44,000 to enter the race. He also agreed to testify against Artiles.

READ MORE: No-party candidate in Miami election fraud case takes plea deal, apologizes to voters

State says its ready but not defense

After an investigation of more than two-years, Miami-Dade State Attorney Kathy Fernandez Rundle is ready to go to trial in the Artiles case, said spokesman Ed Griffith. But Artiles attorneys told the Herald/Times they are not ready for trial and will ask the judge to continue the case.

There are a number of tasks that still need resolution before we embark on a trial, said Jose M. Quinon, one of Artiles lawyers.

Despite the lengthy trial delay, the evidence collected also goes beyond questions about Artiles and his role to defeat a Democrat targeted by Tallahassee Republican leaders.

Documents released by the Miami-Dade state attorney, and a similar case against a ghost candidate in Central Florida, have shown how political operatives from both parties manipulated campaign finance laws to direct money into efforts which their donors not only did not know about but with which they might not agree.

One example came to light in an interview with Miami Democratic political consultant Josh Weierbach by Miami-Dade investigators. He told them in 2021 that he asked no questions when, two weeks before the 2020 general election, the political committee he was operating to elect Democrats, Florida Watch, had reached its spending cap and had extra funds to spend on other campaigns.

At the suggestion of Democratic fundraiser Dan Newman, Weierbach said he transferred $115,000 to the political committee Grow United, Inc., a non-profit committee controlled by political consultant Jeff Pitts, then an employee of the Alabama-based political consulting firm, Matrix, that had been hired by Florida Power & Light.

Follow the money

Shortly before the 2020 election, voters in Senate Districts 37 received mailers designed to appeal to Jose Javier Rodriguezs prime constituents, liberal Democrats. The mailers promised the no-party candidate would fight climate change, hold the police accountable [and] guarantee a living wage.

Weierbach told investigators he was not aware that Grow United, which by law did not have to disclose its donors, was funding an effort to defeat Jose Javier Rodriguez because he understood Jose Javier Rodriguez was safe at the time.

But in questioning by Assistant State Attorney Tim VanderGiesen, Weierbach also acknowledged that Florida law allows that money donated to one nonprofit political committee can be transferred to another that does not have the same political purpose.

So the donor may not get what they want, but they wont find out until its over at that point, right? VanderGiesen asked.

Thats correct, sir, Weierbach answered.

A key player in Grow Uniteds funding scheme, the records show, was a nonprofit called Lets Preserve the American Dream, run by Tyson and funded heavily by FPL.

In 2019, Jose Javier Rodriguez earned the ire of FPLs then-CEO Eric Silagy when he filed a bill to introduce competition into the utility-controlled solar energy market. In a leaked 2019 email obtained by the Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel last year, Silagy told two of his vice presidents that he wanted them to make his life a living hell.

On Sept. 24, 2020, Tyson texted a poll to FPL and Matrix employees showing Rodriguez tied with his GOP rival  and the spoiler candidate, Alex Rodriguez, taking 4% of the vote.

We are going to charge full speed ahead, John Holley, FPLs vice president of state government affairs, replied.

Days later, Tyson had donated $600,000 to Grow United, which in turn passed on $550,000 to two Florida political committees that funded the mailers, according to internal Matrix emails and state campaign-finance records.

READ MORE: Records tied to $600,000 money transfer subpoenaed in Miami ghost candidate case

In a sworn statement to investigators Tyson denied the $600,000 donation was linked to the mailers. Court documents obtained by the Miami Herald in connection with the state attorneys investigation show that in 2020, Lets Preserve the American Dream paid Artiles $125,000 for research and paid Grow United $1.15 million.

FPLs name appeared nowhere on the mailers. But documents obtained by the Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel from a whistleblower affiliated with the Alabama-based consulting firm Matrix LLC, show that the money from the mailers could be traced back to Grow United.

FPL has repeatedly denied having a role in the 2020 ghost candidate scandal. In 2018, it financed a spoiler candidate in an attempt to defeat Democratic incumbent Daniella Levine Cava for her seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission.

Miami-Dade investigators told the Herald/Times this month that although they issued a target letter to Tyson, Newman and another political consultant who worked with FPL and Matrix, Richard Alexander of Pullman, Alabama, their investigation did not lead to discovery of any criminal violations by them.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas
ATLANTA (AP)  A federal judge on Thursday significantly extended the deadline for Atlanta organizers who have been trying to gather more than 70,000 signatures to force a vote on the construction of a police and firefighter training center that critics call  Cop City.

U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that the city had imposed an unlawful requirement that those collecting signatures have to be residents of Atlanta. A group of people who live in DeKalb County just outside the city had sued  saying they should be allowed to join in the canvassing effort and noting that the planned site for the training center itself is in unincorporated DeKalb County, outside the city limits.

Requiring signature gatherers to be residents of the city imposes a severe burden on core political speech and does little to protect the citys interest in self-governance, Cohen wrote, adding: The city has offered no specifics as to why permitting nonresident plaintiffs to gather signatures ... will cause any disruption to the political process.

Cohen said that the 60-day period for gathering signatures, which had put the deadline in mid-August, should be restarted. That means organizers will have until late September to gather the tens of thousands of signatures still needed for the proposed referendum to get on the ballot.

The effort is meant to allow voters to choose whether they want to repeal the ordinance that authorized the lease of the city-owned land upon which the project is set to be built.

As of Tuesday, organizers had gotten more than 30,000 residents to sign on to the effort, according to Paul Glaze, a spokesperson for the Vote to Stop Cop City Coalition.

Attorneys for the city and state had urged the judge to toss the entire referendum campaign, calling it futile, and invalid, but Cohen declined to rule on its legality, saying it was not up to him to decide that separate dispute.

We are thrilled by Judge Cohens ruling, and the expansion of democracy to include our DeKalb neighbors, and levels the playing field for our coalition, said Mary Hooks, a lead organizer for the coalition. Cop City has been marred time and time again by the silencing of democratic input and repression of community participation, and since the launch of this campaign, we have been playing on a field tilted in the city of Atlantas favor."

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Asked whether officials plan to appeal the ruling, a spokesperson for Mayor Andre Dickens said officials are reviewing the judge's decision and will have more information later.

The choice is simple, the spokesperson said in a statement. We can either have the best-trained firefighters and police officers or we can decide to settle for sub-par training conditions in sub-par facilities.

Organizers have said they need to collect the signatures by Aug. 14 in order to make it onto the November ballot. If the signatures take longer to gather, that would push the referendum to March's ballot and potentially risk the city moving forward with constructing the facility in the meantime, though activists could seek a court order to prevent that from happening.

We are focused on getting on the ballot, period, Glaze told the Associated Press.

Dickens and others say the $90 million facility would replace inadequate training facilities, and would help address difficulties in hiring and retaining police officers that worsened after nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice three years ago.

But opponents, who have been joined by activists from around the country, say they fear it will lead to greater militarization of the police and that its construction will exacerbate environmental damage in a poor, majority-Black area. The Stop Cop City effort has gone on for more than two years and at times has veered into vandalism and violence.

Organizers have modeled the referendum campaign after a successful effort in coastal Georgia, where Camden County residents voted overwhelmingly last year to block county officials from building a launchpad for blasting commercial rockets into space.

The Georgia Supreme Court in February unanimously upheld the legality of the Camden County referendum, though it remains an open question whether citizens can veto decisions of city governments.
Judge Traci Soderstrom appears to be using her phone during a trial in Oklahoma - The Oklahoman

A judge in Oklahoma has been criticised for repeatedly looking at her phone during a mothers harrowing testimony about the murder of her toddler.

Traci Soderstrom, the Lincoln County District Judge, appeared to be texting and scrolling through social media during court proceedings in security footage obtained by a local newspaper.

Judge Soderstroms actions came during the murder trial of Khristian Tyler Martzall, accused of killing Braxton Danker, his girlfriends two-year-old son.

For minutes at a time, she appeared to send messages on her phone during jury selection, opening statements and testimony.

Traci Soderstrom, the Lincoln County District Judge

At one point, Judge Soderstrom, 50, also took time to search for a GIF, according to the security video obtained by The Oklahoman.

Adam Panter, the District Attorney, said the footage from the trial  which began in Chandler, about 45 miles north east of Oklahoma City, last month  was shocking.

He said he reviewed the footage after getting a tip from a courthouse staffer and found the judge spent hours of the trial texting and scrolling on her cell phone.

It is both shocking and disappointing, he told The Oklahoman. Jurors are banned from using cellphones in the courtroom during trials because we expect them to give their full time and attention to the evidence being presented.

I would expect and hope the court would hold itself to the same standard required of the jurors, regardless of the type of case.

The courtroom surveillance footage was obtained by The Oklahoman newspaper

The Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints has been given the footage, according to local sheriff Charlie Dougherty. The agency reviews potential judicial misconduct.

However Taylor Henderson, the councils director, said the agency could not comment on whether or not it is conducting an investigation.

Judge Soderstrom was sworn in on Jan 9 after being elected in November. Her four-year term expires in January 2027. She declined to comment to The Oklahoman because the verdict in the trial could still be appealed.

Martzall was convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the toddlers death.

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July is set to be the hottest month on record - and likely in 120,000 years. From left: A firefighter tackles flames in Rhodes; A man soaks himself in water in Zagreb, Croatia as it hit 40C; A bus trapped by flash flooding in Osong, South Korea. Inset, a graph showing global temperature rise (epa/AP)

The warning lights have been on for weeks but now it is official: July 2023 is set to be the hottest month on record - and likely in 120,000 years.

The record-breaking average global mean temperature - the overall reading if you could stick a thermometer at every location on Earth - was confirmed by scientists at the European Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organization on Thursday, based on analysis of international climate and weather datasets.

Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday morning in New York.

The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.

Dr Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at Leipzig University whose separate analysis was first to confirm the new record, told a press briefing on Wednesday that July 2023 was also likely the warmest in 120,000 years, stretching back to the interglacial Eemian period when hardwood trees grew in the Arctic and hippos roamed as far north as the Rhine and Thames valleys.

It follows the hottest June on record, and toppling of the hottest day records, multiple times, in early July.

The overall mean temperature, which scientists say is around 17C (62.6F), isnt going to kill anyone but it means that the planet has a fever, said Dr Frederike Otto, senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change.

@independent July 2023 is set to be the hottest month on record, and likely in 120,000 years. The record-breaking average global mean temperature, the overall reading if you could stick a thermometer at every location on Earth, was confirmed by scientists, including at the European Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organisation on Thursday, based on analysis of international climate and weather datasets. Senior climate correspondent Louise Boyle reports on the findings. #fyp #fy #fyp #news #climate #world #heat #weather  original sound - The Independent

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The increase in global heat is manifesting in extreme weather events worldwide. Southern Europe, North Africa and Asia have faced relentless heatwaves since late spring, and in the southern United States, temperatures have regularly topped 100-degrees for weeks.

Phoenix, Arizona had a record-breaking 19 days in a row above 110F this month while China set a new national temperature record of 52.2C on 16 July in Xinjiang province.

Global daily surface air temperature (in Celsius) from 1 January 1940- 23 July 2023. This year and 2016 are thick lines shaded in bright red and dark red, respectively. Other years are shown with thin lines and shaded according to the decade, from blue (1940s) to brick red (2020s). The dotted line and grey envelope represent the 1.5C threshold above preindustrial level (18501900) and its uncertainty (Copernicus/WMO)

Wildfires have exploded across Greece, Italy, Croatia and Algeria. In Canada, there are now more than 1,000 wildfires, doubling the amount four weeks ago, which have destroyed 46,000 square miles - an area half the size of the UK.

The extreme heat is also playing out in intense, erratic rainfall which has led to deadly flash flooding in China, South Korea, Brazil and US Northeast.

The 2023 July record also came with a public health warning.

Heatwaves are known as silent killers and are the deadliest of all climate-driven disasters. Extreme temperatures contributed to more than 60,000 deaths in Europe alone last year.

These deaths are most often among societys already vulnerable groups, and an aging global population along with growing cities - which can be much hotter than rural places - means that heat deaths will only increase, Dr Otto said.

A firefighting helicopter dumps water in Mandra, west of Athens, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Another heatwave is expected to hit Greece today (AP)

Dr Marina Romanello, a climate change and health researcher at UCL, said the record heat was rapidly undermining the foundations of health and placing more burdens on many countries already over-stretched healthcare systems.

Heat-related mortality for those over 65 years old has risen by about two-thirds in the past 20 years meanwhile, wildfire exposure has increased in 60 per cent of countries.

Almost a third of global land area is affected by drought annually compared to the 1950s, with the Horn of Africa and South America being particularly vulnerable. These conditions are pushing tens of millions more people into extreme hunger.

This years extreme heat is being amplified by the emergence of a natural climatic pattern, El Nino, which leads to hotter ocean temperatures. Since May, record sea surface temperatures have driven marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean, the UK and Ireland, the Baltic Sea, the Sea of Japan along with parts of the Pacific and western Indian Ocean.

But without a manmade climate crisis, these heatwaves would be the statistical equivalent of impossible, Dr Otto said.

The hottest month on record is a direct result of the burning and extraction of coal, oil and gas. We need to accelerate the clean energy transition to draw back from this runaway climate crisis.

Dr Catherine Abreu, executive director of Destination Zero

This is not chance. These are not rare events in todays climate.

If El Nino intensifies, its possible that next summer will be even hotter.

In the first and third weeks of July, the planet shot 1.5-degrees (2.7F) above the average temperature 150 years ago - before humans began burning massive amounts of fossil fuels.

It doesnt mean that the planet will permanently exceed 1.5C - the temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement which refers to long-term warming - but shows we are close and that 1.5C will likely be permanently breached in the early 2030s, Dr Haustein said.

The culprit of all this extreme heat are the excessive emissions from burning fossil fuels.

We know who is responsible, said Dr Catherine Abreu, executive director of Destination Zero, a diplomatic initiative focused on limiting fossil fuel production.

She pointed to a few dozen major players in oil, gas and coal, along with large cement-makers, adding that the fossil fuel industry has known for decades about the impacts their products would have on the planet.

A person receives medical attention after collapsing in a convenience store on July 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. EMT was called after the person said they experienced hot flashes, dizziness, fatigue and chest pain. The temperature has been above 110F in Phoenix for most of July (Getty Images)

The hottest month on record is a direct result of the burning and extraction of coal, oil and gas, she added. We need to accelerate the clean energy transition to draw back from this runaway climate crisis.

But even as scientists sound the alarm, again, political and corporate will to tackle the global crisis is lagging.

The global fossil fuel industry more than doubled their profits to $4 trillion in 2022 but little of this money has been used to transition away from oil and gas to clean energy.

At the geopolitical level, progress is grindingly slow. Last weekends meeting of energy ministers from the G20 - the worlds 20 richest countries - ended with failure to reach consensus on cutting down fossil fuels and a walk-back on commitments made in 2022.

Many governments are still prioritising, and subsidising, the oil and gas industry over healthcare, Dr Romanello said, and the global carbon price is still negative.

According to the 2022 Lancet Countdown report, led by Dr Romanello, in the majority of 86 countries creating the bulk of global emissions, the net cost of fossil fuel subsidies is $400bn. For one-third of these countries, their losses exceed what they spent on healthcare.

The new July record raises the prospect that 2023 could be the hottest year in human history, a record that is unlikely to hold for long.

The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future, said WMOs Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.

The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before. Climate action is not a luxury but a must.
After about two hours of deliberation, a Stark County Common Pleas Court jury has convicted Errol G. Frank III of murder and other charges for the March fatal shooting of Melvin Stevenson.

CANTON  After about two hours of deliberations, a Stark County Common Pleas Court jury convicted Errol G. Frank III of murder and other charges for the March fatal shooting of Melvin Stevenson.

Judge Frank Forchione scheduled a sentencing hearing for 10 a.m. Monday.

Frank faces at least 18 years to life in prison after being found guilty of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence with three gun specifications. He showed no emotional reaction as the judge read the verdicts in court around 12:20 p.m.

Frank's attorney, Aaron Kovalchik, declined to comment after Thursday's verdict.

Dennis Barr, who heads the Stark County Prosecutor's Office Criminal Division, said, "I want to thank this jury. I truly believe they came to the correct decision. It was plainly obvious that Mr. Frank on this day (March 22) hunted down Melvin Stevenson and executed him. And that is not self-defense in the state of Ohio. And that's reflected by the verdict."

Barr said he would ask Judge Forchione to impose the maximum sentence of 21 years to life because of the "egregious nature of this case. The fact that he basically hunted him down and killed him in broad daylight."

'Justice for my son' Melvin Stevenson

Stevenson's mother, Ada Stevenson of Cleveland, said, "It's definitely justice for my son. ... I'm satisfied with the verdict. The judge is going to have to do his job. My job is pretty much done. Because no matter how much time he gives him, Melvin is not coming back. ... Melvin will be deeply missed. He had a bunch of family. We all loved him."

Ada Stevenson, who watched much of the trial, said her son, who left behind his 5-year-old daughter and was discussing reconciling with his first wife, was trying to turn his life around. He had recently been released from jail.

"It was a misfortune that he didn't get a chance to show his friends and family the changes that he was getting ready to make in his life," she said.

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"I pray for (Frank's) family as well. ... It's a lose-lose on all sides. If his mother is living or his parents (are) living, they're getting ready to lose their son. Now I've already lost my son. So who really won? Nobody. And that's the part that really saddens me is because, really, at the end of the day did nobody win, (Frank) said he got a 2-year-old baby. Nobody really won to be honest."

Self-defense defense rejected

The jury did not believe Frank's testimony Wednesday that he shot and killed Stevenson, the ex-husband of Frank's wife, in self-defense in northeast Canton.

Related: Errol Frank takes stand in murder trial, gives new account of fatal shooting in Canton

The trial began Tuesday and featured the testimony of two eyewitnesses, a pastor driving in a church van by the scene and a resident smoking outside her second-floor bedroom window; at least four Canton police officers, two employees of the Stark County crime lab; the pathologist who performed the autopsy of Stevenson and Frank, the only witness in his defense.

Related: Defense attorney: Canton man fatally shot Melvin Stevenson in self-defense

In closing arguments, Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Margaret Scott said about Stevenson, "he was shot in the back and the head. This didn't have to happen. This defendant could have simply driven home. If you're bothered by Melvin Stevenson, call the police. ... Even if you buy one or more fairy tales the defendant has put forth, it's still not self-defense."

Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Margaret Scott, at the podium, points to defendant Errol G. Frank III at the defense table by his attorney Aaron Kovalchik during Scott's closing argument Thursday morning. Ajury rejected Frank's claim that Melvin Stevenson attacked and shot at him first, finding Frank guilty of murder and other charges.

Protection order

Frank's attorney had argued to the jury that his client had a legitimate fear of Stevenson after Stevenson called Frank and his wife from prison and stated their address. Tricia Frank had obtained a protective order that prohibited Stevenson from contacting her that Stevenson violated by sending her a message apparently asking for money. Because of the violation of the protection order, Stevenson was at the Stark County Jail from late January to mid-March.

"Errol did not intend to cause the death of Melvin Stevenson on that day. He did not want that man to die," said Kovalchik.

Scott said state law did not allow someone to kill someone in self-defense if they were responsible for creating the situation.

Scott referred to Frank's testimony that his wife called him and was upset that she saw Stevenson on 12th Street NE near Market Avenue N. Frank said he went home to get his gun, about two miles where Stevenson was, and then drove his Mazda MPV minivan in search of Stevenson while carrying a loaded gun.

For a person to successfully invoke self-defense, they must be in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily harm. Scott said if Stevenson had lunged at Frank as Frank said he did, before running away, Frank could have gotten into his vehicle and left.

"There was no gunshot wound to the front" of Stevenson, Scott said. "If I lunge at you and you just shoot me, I'm not going to have a gunshot wound through the back out the front. ... You shoot someone in the head. That's to kill."

Playing a video of a police detective's questioning of Frank, Scott indicated that Frank's testimony that Stevenson fired a gun at him first lacked credibility. In the video, Frank said he didn't know if Stevenson had a gun. And then later, he testified he forgot to tell the police detective about the gun being there.

No shell casings were found at the scene on Peel Place NE and The O'Jays Parkway NE indicating Stevenson had fired a gun, Scott said. The gun found at Frank's home that Frank said he had removed from the scene was found under wires and other items, indicating it had been there for some time.

"You've heard a multitude of lies from this defendant. Even if you want to buy into these ridiculous scenarios," Scott said. "There's no imminent danger of death or great bodily harm. ... There's nothing reasonable about taking a loaded gun to talk to them and then shooting them in the back as they're running away and then shooting them in the head."

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jury convicts Errol Frank of murder for Melvin Stevenson shooting
A Marion County man is facing more than 30 years in state prison after a jury convicted him of multiple charges, including the attempted murder of a Marion police officer.

A jury in Marion County Common Pleas Court returned guilty verdicts on four of the five charges originally filed against Teddy G. Thomas III, 32, Marion, at the end of a three-day trial on Thursday. The jury found him guilty of one count of attempt to commit murder, a first-degree felony; one count of felonious assault, a first-degree felony; one count of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of inducing panic, a fourth-degree felony. The first two charges he was found guilty of each have a repeat violent offender specification attached to them.

The jury returned a not guilty verdict on one count of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony. However, the jury chose instead to return a guilty verdict on the lesser included offense of burglary.

Teddy G. Thomas III, left, stares at the ceiling as Judge Matthew P. Frericks reads the verdict during Thomas' trial Thursday in Marion County Common Pleas Court. He was found guilty of five felony offenses. Also pictured is attorney David Johnson.

"We are very grateful for the jury's verdict," Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan said after Thursday's session of the trial ended. "I think what it means is that our law enforcement officers do a really hard job and the community recognizes that. I feel very happy for Officer Rector who, make no mistake about it, had a machete swung at his head while responding to a call where he was trying to help people.

"I hope this verdict demonstrates, one, just how difficult this job (law enforcement) is to be a police officer, but, number two, that violence against police officers is just not going to be tolerated."

Thomas was accused of attempting to hit Marion Police Officer Caleb Rector with a machete during law enforcement's response to a domestic violence incident on Feb. 12, 2022, at a residence on Fies Avenue. The woman, with whom Thomas has three children, and their oldest son called authorities to report that Thomas had attacked her, leaving her with bruises and swelling on her head. He also kicked her in the abdomen.

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According to recordings of the call to 911, she and her son expressed fear for their safety and retreated to a bedroom where they remained until after police arrived and evacuated them.

Audio recordings of the 911 calls and video recordings from officers' body cameras served as key evidence in the trial as did recordings of recent telephone conversations and copies of emails between Thomas and the female victim while he has been in custody at the Multi-County Correctional Center, Grogan said.

Marion Police Officer Caleb Rector, left, testifies on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, during the trial of Teddy G. Thomas III, right. Thomas was accused of trying to kill Rector with a machete during a domestic violence incident on Feb. 12, 2023.

Domestic violence continues to be a serious issue in Marion and other communities around the state and the nation, Grogan said. He noted that the prosecution utilized Ohio Rules of Order in relation to domestic violence in order to have statements from the female victim admitted into evidence.

The woman was under subpoena to testify as a witness for the prosecution but did not show up for the trial. Victim Advocate Dena Moneysmith said the woman ceased all communications with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office more than two weeks ago.

Grogan contended that telephone calls made by Thomas from the Multi-County Correctional Center had an adverse influence on the woman, causing her to break off communications with his office. Judge Matthew P. Frericks ruled in favor of the prosecution and allowed the evidence to be admitted.

"We'll continue to use every avenue possible to bring justice for domestic violence victims," Grogan said. "These cases are among the most difficult cases that we have. When you factor in the human elements of all of this, the relationship elements of these cases, it just makes them very hard, but we will continue to aggressively prosecute them.

"When someone chooses to be violent, that person needs to be prosecuted," he added. "Couples can argue. There's nothing criminal about that. But when someone chooses to be violent, that's when the criminal justice system has to become involved."

Judge Frericks will schedule the sentencing hearing at a later date. A hearing to rule on the repeat violent offender specifications for the attempted murder charge and the felonious assault charge will also be conducted at a later date, the judge said.

Frericks revoked bond for Thomas and he was remanded back into the custody of the Multi-County Correctional Center in Marion. He will be transported to the Correctional Reception Center in Orient following the sentencing hearing. From there, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections will assign Thomas to a state prison to begin serving his sentence.

Following the proceedings on Thursday, jurors met with Judge Frericks, Prosecutor Ray Grogan, defense attorney David Johnson, and Marion Police Officer Caleb Rector. Several jurors shook hands with Rector prior to leaving the courthouse.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Jury finds Marion man guilty of attempted murder, additional charges
The Department of Justice opened an investigation into the city of Memphis and its police department for alleged discriminatory policing and civil rights violations against residents, officials announced at a news conference on Thursday.

"There are grounds to open this investigation now," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the department's civil rights division.

Clarke said the decision was not based on a single incident or event or confined to a specific unit but was the result of interviews with residents and community members that reported multiple incidents involving police officers. The investigation comes nearly seven months after the January 10 death of Tyre Nichols when he was stopped by Memphis police during a routine traffic stop.

Community members said officers "used force punitively" when faced with behavior "they perceived to be insolent," Clarke said. There have also been reports that officers use force against people who are already restrained or in custody, Clarke said. The allegations are sufficient to warrant a full investigation into the police department, Clarke said.

U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke speaks during a news conference as Attorney General Merrick Garland listens June 16, 2023, in Minneapolis. / Credit: Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images

The subsequent investigation will focus on three main issues, Clarke said: whether the police department makes unlawful stops, searches and arrests, whether the police department engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, and whether the police department engages in racially discriminatory policing patterns toward Black residents of the city.

Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was brutally beaten by police and died of blunt force injuries to his head. During the beating seen in surveillance video, Nichols was seen calling for his mother and asking the officers what he did.

His death was ruled a homicide by the Shelby County medical examiner.

Five former Memphis police officers were charged with murder in the case. Nichols' family filed a $550 million federal lawsuit against the city. The Justice Department's civil investigation is separate from the criminal and civil cases, officials said.

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"The tragic death of Tyre Nichols created enormous pain in the Memphis community and across the country," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Garland said the department is "committed to working cooperatively" with the community so a thorough review can be conducted that "the residents of Memphis deserve."

Investigators will meet with Memphis police officers and commanders, and "participate in ride-alongs to hear directly from officers about the challenges that they face," said Clarke. They will also ask residents to "trust us ... to share their stories, their experiences, and views about public safety in the city," said Clarke.

The Memphis investigation is the ninth such probe into law enforcement opened by the Justice Department during the Biden administration, according to the agency.

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The Justice Department is seeking a preliminary injunction in its case against Texas over its use of floating barriers in the Rio Grande, according to a Wednesday court filing, in an attempt to put the case on a fast track.

The basic facts are clear, and no further inquiry is needed for this Court to grant the United States immediate injunctive relief in this enforcement action, the Justice Department said in its filing.

The department is asking the US District Court for the Western District of Texas to block the construction of any new floating barriers and to force the state to remove existing barriers within 10 days of the requested order.

Earlier this week, the Justice Department sued Texas over the floating barriers, which were installed by the state as part of Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts border operation, arguing that they did so without authorization.

That suit, and the newly filed motion, argue Abbott and the state of Texas are violating the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act by building a structure in US water without permission from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The RHA prohibits creation of any obstruction not affirmatively authorized by Congress, to the navigable capacity of any of the waters of the United States.

For the preliminary injunction to be granted, US attorneys must convincingly argue to the court that their lawsuit is likely to succeed on its merits. In the motion, which includes several images of the barriers in the river, attorneys claim the barriers interfere with the federal governments ability to carry out its operations on the Rio Grande  including rescue missions run by Border Patrol and the Coast Guard.

Whats more, they add in the filing, the barriers have already substantially harmed the United States foreign relations with Mexico.

During a news conference Wednesday, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Alicia Barcena Ibarra said her country had sent its second diplomatic note to the US complaining about the barriers.

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The floating barriers not only violate two treaties between the US and Mexico, she said, but a slide that accompanied her remarks claimed that a portion of the 305 meters of deployed buoy is on Mexican territory.

Barcena Ibarra called the deployment of the buoys a unilateral action made by one state in the United States.

CNN has reached out to Abbotts office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Office of the Texas Attorney General for comment regarding the buoys being deployed on Mexican territory.

Ahead of the Justice Department filing suit Monday, Abbott said that he would not order the floating barriers be removed from the Rio Grande, in defiance of a request from the department.

Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused, Abbott wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden following last weeks DOJ request to remove the barriers.

He added, Texas will see you in court, Mr. President.

The state is also facing another lawsuit over the barriers, brought earlier this month by the owner of a Texas canoe and kayaking company operating on the Rio Grande.

The standoff over the Rio Grande comes as the Justice Department continues to assess what it calls troubling reports of the mistreatment of migrants while Biden administration officials have grown increasingly concerned in recent months about Abbotts measures, which have disrupted US Border Patrol operations in the region.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Shimon Prokupecz, Hannah Rabinowitz and Rosa Flores contributed to this report.

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Police are investigating after a juvenile male was shot in Stowe Township.

According to Allegheny County police, emergency crews were called to the intersection of Sixth Street and Ridge Street for reports of a shooting at around 7:05 p.m.

First responders found a juvenile male who had been shot in the arm at the scene, police said.

The victim was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, according to police.

Allegheny County police initiated an investigation.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Kate Middleton may be a royal, but according to one former British Vogue editor, her jewels dont match the title.

During a recent episode of her podcast Creative Conversations, fashion critic Suzy Menkes picked apart the Princess of Wales recent styling choices. While talking to the now-jewellery editor for British Vogue, Carol Woolton, the two industry experts agreed that Middleton was in the position to assume beautiful jewels, yet her public appearances were underwhelming.

The Princess of Wales is a bit of a disappointment about jewellery, Menkes admitted.

Menkes confessed she thought the 41-year-old royal demonstrated a negative attitude about her looks behind closed doors. She believed Middleton was less than thrilled to wear historic heirlooms, but does because she has to. The 79-year-old fashion enthusiast imagined that Middleton feels pressure to be a style icon, a title that has been attributed to her predecessor Princess Diana, rather than wanting to make bold statements herself.

I imagine her looking beautiful in one of those gowns behind the scenes and then pulling a face as if to say, Do I have to wear this? Menkes remarked. She doesnt give any sense of adoring jewellery and being pleased to put it on.

Whether or not Middleton has a taste for fine accessories, the mother of three has married into a family full of them. There are a few notable pieces shes either borrowed or have been bestowed upon her.

Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

When Prince William proposed to Middleton in 2010, he offered her his mothers sapphire diamond ring: a 14-solitaire diamond wrapped around a 12-carat, oval-shaped Ceylon sapphire with an 18-karat gold set. In 1981, Prince Charles selected the engagement ring for his wife Diana from the official royal jeweller Garrad. Now, the delicate accessory is positioned on top of Middletons Welsh yellow gold wedding band, which was made to look like the rings belonging to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and Queen Elizabeth II.

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Cambridge Lovers Knot Tiara

Among Princess Dianas renowned jewels was the Cambridge Lovers Knot tiara, a piece originally made for Queen Mary to replicate her grandmothers, Princess Augusta of Hesse. Queen Mary reportedly used the Ladies of England tiara, according to the Court Jeweller. The tiara is encrusted with diamonds and dangling pearls. Now, Middleton often pairs the Cambridge Lovers Knot tiara with long Alexander McQueen gowns.

Cartier Halo Tiara

On her wedding day, the Princess of Wales paired her Sarah Burton lace gown with the Cartier Halo tiara, a gift first given to the Queen Mother by King George VI. The decadent piece is adorned with 739 brilliant diamonds and 149 baton diamonds. When Queen Elizabeth II turned 18, the royal was gifted the tiara by her mother.

Maple-leaf Brooch

Another gift from King George VI to his wife was the maple-leaf brooch in 1939, which was clasped to Middletons red coat during her 2011 tour of North America. The Queen Consort, Camilla, has also been seen in the dainty jewelled embellishment.

Pearl Choker

Using a collection of pearls that were gifted by the Japanese government, the Queens pearl choker was a significant piece in her personal collection. The four-strand pearl necklace embellished Middletons look at the funeral for Prince Philip in 2021, while Princess Diana had previously borrowed the piece to wear to a banquet in the Netherlands.

Dubai Sapphire Earrings

Middleton dipped into Queen Elizabeth IIs Dubai Sapphire Demi-Parure, a pair of sapphire earrings that were a gift from Sheikh Rashid in 1979, to wear to a drive-in showing of Cruella. The Queen was reportedly amazed by the Demi-Parure, which included a necklace and ring.

Emerald and Diamond Choker

At the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards, the princess was seen in Princess Dianas emerald and diamond-encrusted choker necklace. In 1911, Queen Mary added it to her collection and eventually passed it down to Diana when she married Prince Charles in 1981.

Royal Family Order Brooch

Dubbed as the greatest honour the Queen can give to a female member of the royal family, according to Vogue Australia, the diamond brooch - detailed with a painting of the monarch - was gifted to Middleton in 2017. She wore the valuable item to a Diplomatic Reception and the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Towards the end of Menkes podcast episode, she addressed past controversy surrounding the royal familys jewellery collection, and how the origins of certain pieces were kept quiet.

Its not discussed, and I can see why because some of the pieces are dubious. They came from India, she noted. I wont say they were stolen but they were perhaps given and taken by the British Royal Family. They werent stealing it but they were taking over a country at that time, and taking jewels they thought were an attractive thing to take back to England with them.
A Corbin man convicted of killing his pregnant girlfriend to keep her from testifying about his drug trafficking operation has been sentenced to life in prison.

Daniel Scott Nantz, 32, pleaded guilty to murdering a federal witness in March  four years to the day he killed 29-year-old Geri Johnson, who was 33 weeks pregnant with their daughter, Amelia Jo. Although Nantz faced a mandatory life sentence, prosecutors still called for enhancements to his sentence because they said Nantz obstructed justice by allegedly destroying evidence.

Prosecutors also said the victim was unusually vulnerable due to her late stage of pregnancy.

Nantz deserves every second, of every hour, of every year this Court will adjudge, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenna Reed wrote in a sentencing memorandum. (Nantz) personifies the depraved violence that goes hand-in-hand with methamphetamine trafficking. But make no mistake, the Defendants conduct has taken methamphetamine violence to an extreme end based on his individual characteristics.

Reed previously said Nantz is one example of extreme violence against women caught in Eastern Kentucky drug trafficking operations.

Despite arguments from Nantz defense team, U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier sided with prosecutors and ruled that Nantz tried to obstruct justice.

Wier said in the 17 years he has been a federal judge, his experience has been that the very worst conduct comes from the meth world.

That is what I see in this case, he said.

Nantz initially faced additional charges of kidnapping, conspiracy to distribute meth, possessing a gun in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and possessing a gun as a person convicted of domestic violence. The four charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Federal prosecutors previously planned to seek the death penalty for Nantz, according to court records. But they were later ordered not to seek the penalty.

Nantz appeared in court for his sentencing hearing Wednesday. Prosecutors and his defense team called witnesses to testify about the murder and his character.

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Wier allowed Leigh Bays Donald, one of Johnsons relatives, a chance to speak on the impact of Johnsons death. Donald called Nantz a spineless coward who was afraid of her sisters fearlessness.

Donald works at University of Kentucky Hospital and was at the facility when Amelia Jo, her niece, was transferred to the hospital.

Instead of seeing my sister walk out with her baby, she was taken from me by the coroner, Donald said.

Gary Proctor, a defense attorney for Nantz, said closure of the case yielded no winners and his client accepted responsibility for his crimes.

We came here knowing what was going to happen today, Proctor said, adding that of all the murder cases he has defended, Nantz was the only one who ever drove the victim to the hospital.

That speaks to some innate good inside of him, he said.

When Nantz was given a chance to speak he said, I dont think I am gong to say anything. Enough has already been said.

What happened the night of the murder

The memo published in court documents details what happened the night of the murder, and the attempts made by Nantz and his family members to help cover up the shooting  which is thought to have been recorded by home cameras that were destroyed.

Johnson and Nantz began dating in the summer of 2018, and Johnson helped Nantz traffic meth, according to court documents. In October 2018 Johnson was arrested on state drug charges and provided statements to federal law enforcement involving Nantz  as did other co-conspirators.

In the days leading up to Johnsons murder, Nantz shot at Johnson in his home and attempted to find a firearm that would not trace back to him, according to court documents. The day Johnson was killed, Nantz told a friend, Geris talking to the feds. I think shes telling. If so, Ill just kill her, according to court documents.

That night, Nantz was involved in kidnapping someone, according to court documents. He left the scene of the kidnapping and said I gotta take her somewhere or do something with her.

After that, court documents allege Nantz minor children heard the first gunshot ring out from the back bedroom. A bullet hole was found in the headboard. The children reported hearing two additional gunshots outside and their dads truck leaving, according to the prosecutions memo.

Once out in the driveway, Nantz shot Johnson in the back and the right side of her neck, according to the memo. Nantz allegedly loaded Johnson into the passenger side of his truck and returned to the scene of the earlier kidnapping where witnesses saw Johnson slumped over with her mouth wide open, according to prosecutors. He told them she shot herself.

Nantz asked David Huff, someone who helped Nantz with drug trafficking, if he should get rid of her body, and Nantz allegedly told the Huff to dismantle a security system at Nantz home. Nantz father, Bill Nantz, arrived at the trailer, and the cameras were never found by law enforcement by the time they arrived.

The dismantling of the cameras was prosecutors key argument to speak to Nantz alleged obstruction.

Huff and other witnesses testified Wednesday that there was a surveillance system in the home which showed a live feed, but they did not know if the system had the capability to record. Huff  who is incarcerated for kidnapping and received a lesser sentence for his cooperation  said he was present after the murder took place.

Proctor said because there was no evidence the cameras could record, there was no obstruction. Proctor said aside from Huffs testimony, there was no evidence to suggest Nantz himself attempted to get rid of the system.

After returning home, Nantz then drove Johnson to the hospital in Corbin and called 911, according to court documents. He told dispatch through tears his girlfriend shot herself over fears of being indicted. Johnson was dead after she arrived at the hospital. Their child died days later.

As Geris lungs filled with blood and Amelia starved of oxygen in the seat next to him, (Nantz) only concern was himself, Reed wrote in her memorandum. The only things on (Nantz) mind were (1) would Huff help him get rid of the body? and (2) getting rid of the DVR system that recorded the murder.

Wier ruled in favor of the enhancements despite the fact that Nantz was already facing a life sentence.

All we know is that (the surveillance) was there and then it was gone, Wier said. This is all a constellation of activity of obstruction. This whole crime  murdering a federal witness  is obstruction of justice with a whole concept to cover up being prosecuted federally.
A missing teen from Alabama was found in Madison County Wednesday after she was allegedly kidnapped by a Kentucky man, according to Richmond police.

Glendon Carpenter, a 43-year-old Richmond resident, has been charged with kidnapping, second-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse, police said. The victim, a 14-year-old girl, has been recovered and is safe.

On Wednesday afternoon Richmond police received information from the FBI about the missing girl possibly being at the Lees Famous Recipe Chicken restaurant on Center Drive, according to Carpenters arrest citation. Officers found Carpenter and the teenager at the restaurant and both were brought to Richmond police headquarters.

While speaking with detectives, Carpenter said he met the teenager online and they developed a relationship, even after Carpenter found out she was 14, according to court documents. Carpenter alleged the teen wanted him to drive to Alabama and help her escape from her family.

Carpenter told detectives he drove to Alabama Monday and brought the girl back with him, according to court documents. They have been living in his vehicle since they returned to Kentucky.

Carpenter told investigators he proposed to the teen at her request and they had sex, according to court documents. The two had learned that the victim was reported missing and Carpenter told investigators he knew law enforcement would catch them eventually.

Carpenter was being held at the Madison County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond Thursday, according to court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned next week.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Hernando County Sheriffs Office

After three decades, Florida investigators say they have found the man allegedly responsible for kidnapping and killing a 12-year-old girl as she was walking home from schoolbefore leaving her body in a nearby orange grove.

Jeffrey Norman Crum, 61, was indicted on several charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the February 1993 death of Jennifer Odom, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Crum is already serving two life sentences in connection to a similar cold case a few counties away. Authorities say that case, in which authorities used DNA to convict Crum of sexually assaulting a high school student and leaving her for dead in 1992, was instrumental in linking the suspect to Odoms murder.

All of us, especially those of us in law enforcement, can think of Jennifer as our sister, our niece, our granddaughter, and realize, man, this was a tragedy beyond tragedy, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said at a press conference announcing the indictment.

State Attorney Bill Gladson said his office will be seeking the death penalty against Crum. It is not immediately clear if Crum has a lawyer.

The arrest marks a major development in a case that rocked a rural Florida county. Authorities say that on Feb. 19, 1993, Odom got off her school bus around 3 p.m. and said goodbye to her friends before embarking on the 600-foot walk to her home.

Friends told authorities that they saw a blue pickup truck following Odom as she walked away, the sheriffs office said. The child never made it home, and it took authorities about six days and an extensive search to find her body.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, authorities say she was found facedown, naked, and decomposing in an orange grove. Her clothing, including a red sweater and Hooters hoodie, was never recovered. Two years after her body was discovered, a couple hunting for scrap metal found her missing backpack and clarinet case in western Hernando County, authorities said.

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Over the years, investigators say they combed through more than 1,000 pieces of evidence in the case that ran cold for years.

A major break, however, came in 2015, when Crum was charged with sexual battery in an attack that took place just 13 months before Odom was murdered. In that case, the 17-year-old girl who was assaulted survived after she was found behind an abandoned house. Crum, who has an extensive criminal history that includes convictions for a 1981 robbery and a 1985 sexual battery case, was convicted in 2019.

The MOs in both cases were almost identical with the exception of Jennifer, as you know, was abducted and found six days later, Nienhuis said. [Crum] quickly became our primary suspect in the Jennifer Odom case.

The sheriff added that his officer was finally able to link Crum to the Odom case with biological evidence. And despite the arrest, he added, his office is still asking for more information about the case.

We truly believe there are one or more individuals out there that have information that can help add a little piece to that mosaic about what happened with Jennifer, Nienhuis added.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visit an arms exhibition in Pyongyang - Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/via AP

Russias defence minister has pledged to boost military ties with North Korea after meeting Kim Jong-un on a rare high-level visit to the reclusive nuclear-armed regime.

Sergei Shoigu, the general charged with overseeing the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine, is joining a Chinese delegation in Pyongyang this week to mark 70 years since the signing of the armistice that brought a truce to 1950-53 Korean war  an occasion known as Victory Day in the North.

Walking past huge intercontinental ballistic missiles and previously unseen military drones, Kim gave Russias minister a tour of North Koreas newest and most advanced weaponry onThursday, state media reported.

After Washington earlier this year accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, photographs in state media showed Kim walking Mr Shoigu through a vast defence exhibition showcasing the Norths nuclear missiles and what Seoul-based specialist site NK News said were new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Sergei Shoigu meets Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Thursday - KCNA/Reuters

Mr Shoigu praised the North Korean military as the most powerful in the world during a banquet in Pyongyang, state TV reported.

Satellite imagery has indicated Pyongyang has been preparing for a large-scale military parade to showcase goose-stepping soldiers, military firepower and the expanding ballistic missiles programme that has triggered major international sanctions.

The inclusion of VIP Russian and Chinese guests, including senior politician Li Hongzhong, potentially signals an easing of Pyongyangs strict Covid-19 border controls and offers Kim a domestic propaganda victory as he attempts to bolster a statesman-like image despite crushing economic woes.

Mr Shoigu took part in a ceremony marking the end of the Korean War - REUTERS

Russia's defence minister laid a wreath on the Liberation Tower - REUTERS

Mr Shoigu was welcomed on the tarmac at Pyongyangs airport on Tuesday night by his North Korean counterpart Kang Sun-nam, before walking past a line of saluting soldiers and a red banner welcoming the Comrade Defence Minister in both Korean and Russian.

Russia, a historic ally of Pyongyang, is one of very few countries that maintains friendly relations with the North, while authoritarian leader, Kim, has offered unwavering support for Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

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According to a US intelligence report last year, Russia has been buying millions of artillery shells and rockets from North Korea. Analysts suggest this may have been in exchange for grain, oil and medical shipments that enable Kim to soften the impact of US-led sanctions against his nuclear weapons programme.

Singers and musicians performed for Mr Shoigu at a special event in Pyongyang - REUTERS

Shoigu and Kim attend a cultural performance

After meeting with the Norths most senior defence officials, Mr Shoigu indicated military ties with Pyongyang would intensify, reported NK News, citing a statement released by the Russian defence ministry via Telegram.

I am convinced that todays talks will help strengthen cooperation between our defence agencies, the statement quoted Mr Shoigu as saying, without specifying any details of future military cooperation.

For Russia, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea is an important partner, with which we share a common border and a rich history of cooperation, he said.

State TV released images of North Koreans applauding the ceremony - REUTERS

Kims push for deeper links with authoritarian allies China and Russia signals an effort to counter US efforts to intensify Washingtons trilateral security cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo as it seeks to curb Beijings growing footprint across the Indo-Pacific.

In recent months, Pyongyang has lashed out over joint US-South Korean military drills and the docking the first American nuclear-armed submarine to arrive in South Korea since the 1980s, launching missile tests in response.

In contrast to the grand celebrations expected in Pyongyang this week, the South will mark the armistice anniversary in a more sombre manner.

Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean president, has invited dozens of foreign war veterans, including a British delegation, to honour the fallen soldiers of the 1950-53 conflict, which killed and injured millions and set the stage for decades of tension between the two Koreas and the United States.

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Leader Kim Jong Un (R) visits an exhibition of North Korean weaponry with visiting Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (2nd R) (STR)

Walking past huge intercontinental ballistic missiles and previously unseen military drones, Kim Jong Un gave Russia's defence minister a tour of North Korea's newest and most advanced weaponry Thursday, state media reported.

After Washington earlier this year accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, photographs in state media showed Kim walking Moscow's Sergei Shoigu through a vast defence exhibition showcasing the North's nuclear missiles and what Seoul-based specialist site NK News said were new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Shoigu and a high-ranking Chinese delegation are in Pyongyang as Kim's first-known foreign guests since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the country marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which ended open hostilities and is celebrated as Victory Day.

Kim and Shoigu visited the "Weapons and Equipment Exhibition 2023", the official Korean Central News Agency said, showing photos that featured North Korea's largest intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Hwasong-17, and the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM.

Russia, a historic ally of North Korea, is one of a handful of nations with which Pyongyang maintains friendly relations.

Kim and Shoigu had earlier discussed "matters of mutual concern in the field of national defence and security and on the regional and international security environment," KCNA said.

The North Korean leader has been steadfast in his support for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, including, Washington says, supplying rockets and missiles -- a charge Pyongyang has denied.

During the visit, Kim told Shoigu "about the weapons and equipment which were invented and produced" under North Korea's national defence plan and "repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes", KCNA added.

Shoigu's visit is noteworthy given that Russian defence ministers have not regularly visited Pyongyang since before the collapse of the USSR, experts told AFP.

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"Russia may need the potential of North Korean military industry in the realm of conventional weapons, while North Korea may be interested in missile technology transfers from Russia," Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, told AFP.

Despite the high-profile coverage of Shoigu's visit, North Korea is likely to be "very careful" about providing Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, Park Won-gon, professor at Ewha University, told AFP.

"If it is confirmed publicly, European countries would also turn adversarial," Park said, adding that North Korea would prefer not to face additional sanctions.

"So it will be careful, but it's possible that Russia will seek more help in secret."

- First foreigners -

Satellite imagery indicates North Korea has been preparing for a large-scale military parade for Thursday's anniversary.

The inclusion of foreign guests at this year's celebrations is a post-pandemic first and hints at new flexibility towards enforcing border controls.

Seoul's military said US and South Korean "intelligence authorities are closely monitoring," Pyongyang's parade prep, adding they were also tracking the country's "weapons development trends".

"We are currently analysing the weapons systems unveiled by North Korea, and for now we have nothing more to say," a spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

North Korea has imposed a rigid Covid-19 blockade since early 2020, preventing even its own nationals from entering the country.

Beijing is North Korea's most important ally and economic benefactor, their relationship forged in the bloodshed of the Korean War in the 1950s.

Kim Jong Un also met a Chinese delegation led by politburo member Li Hongzhong and told him "the Korean people will never forget the fact that the brave soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers shed blood to bring about the war victory," KCNA said.

"The meetings show that Kim is more interested in political theatre than he is concerned about Covid," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University, told AFP.

Park, also at Ewha University, said it was unlikely the visits would lead to a reopening of the North's borders, noting the country's "broken" medical system and that its people had not been vaccinated.

North Korea only resumed some trade with China last year and allowed new Beijing envoy Wang Yajun to take up his position this year. He is the first known senior diplomat to cross into North Korea since the border closure in January 2020.

sh-cdl/ceb/lb
The Hwasong-18, the middle missile pictured here, is a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile, which makes it particularly troubling. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

North Korea hosted Russian and Chinese officials for a state visit this week.

Kim Jong-Un showed off his arsenal, including North Korea's newest ICBM, a powerful missile that is among the most troubling.

Recent testing indicates the development of the Hwasong-18 has been a priority for Kim.

North Korea is hosting Russian and Chinese officials this week commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice that led to a cessation of Korean War hostilities. And part of the jam-packed state visit's agenda included Kim Jong Un showing off his arsenal of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including its newest ballistic missile achievement.

Some armistice anniversary, huh?

On Thursday, Kim met with Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu to discuss military and security issues, according to North Korean state media.

That meeting involved a tour of a North Korean defense exhibition featuring new weaponry, including the country's new Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, a nuclear-capable missile North Korea developed and tested in defiance of international attempts  like those by the UN  to regulate its weapons programs and curb its nuclear ambitions.

These attempts have often been hindered by both Russia and China.

The Hwasong-18 ICBM is a technological leap forward for North Korea's weapons program and represents an upgrade from liquid-fueled systems the preceded it, such as the massive Hwasong-17 tested last year and the earlier Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 tested a few years earlier.

The Hwasong-18, like the Russian Topol-M ICBM, is a solid-fueled three-stage missile. It can theoretically deliver a nuclear warhead to a distant target at intercontinental range, though questions about survivability, especially during atmospheric reentry remain.

North Korea hasn't conducted a nuclear test since 2017, so it's unclear what the priorities and timeline of their program are.

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A North Korean Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile on March 24, 2022. API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Whereas the Hwasong-17 was liquid-fueled  meaning it requires the fuel and oxidizer to be loaded on-site just before its launch  the Hwasong-18 is solid-fueled and can be prepared well before potential use and fired with little to no warning. From an adversary's perspective, these missiles can be seen as a more dangerous threat given the decreased time to act before it's in the air.

Not only do liquid-propellant systems require more time to fuel, leaving them exposed, they also require more supporting systems and personnel, creating a bigger radar signature.

Although solid-fueled missiles make sudden attacks easier and are more difficult to detect, they are sensitive to temperature changes, meaning they need to stored in canisters or silos for regulation. The Hwasong-18 canisters are, however, conveniently carried on road mobile transporter erector launchers.

The Chinese and Russian ICBM programs have both liquid- and solid-fueled systems.

Ian Williams, deputy director of the Missile Defense Project at the CSIS, previously told Insider that North Korea has prioritized the use of solid-fueled missiles, as indicated by some of its short-range and medium-range ballistic missile developments.

Earlier this month, North Korea conducted a test launch of the Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile. REUTERS

Kim tested the Hwasong-18 earlier this month and in April. The latest missile was launched on a lofted trajectory as opposed to a ballistic trajectory  which is done so as not to hit land or trigger any undesired responses. It flew almost 4,000 miles high, double the height of April's test, and flew for 74 minutes, the longest flight duration for North Korea's ICBMs thus far, according to North Korean state media.

On a normal ballistic trajectory, the Hwasong-18 can potentially travel to thousands of miles to deliver a nuclear strike to land-based targets. It's unclear, however, what the exact range is or whether it could hit a target in the continental US. It is a possibility though.

It's also currently unclear whether Russia and China's visit this week could potentially conclude with a demonstration of the Hwasong-18 missile or other military assets. Either way, the state visit is still monumental for other reasons.

It's only the second known time that foreign government officials have visited North Korea since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the visit also comes as US-South Korean officials continue to conduct large-scale military exercises in the region.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tokyo  Russia and China both sent high-level delegations to North Korea this week as the autocratic state marks 70 years since an armistice agreement ended fighting in the Korean War. Leader Kim Jong Un welcomed Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Politburo member Li Hongzhong in the first high-level visits by any foreign officials to North Korea since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

North Korea had blocked all travel in and out of the country since 2020, so this week's visits are a clear sign the country is opening up again.

North Korean state media coverage focused on the Russian envoy, who was quoted as saying the two sides met in a "cordial atmosphere overflowing with militant friendship."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visit an arms exhibition on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in an image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, July 27, 2023. / Credit: KCNA via REUTERS

Russian officials haven't typically received invites to what North Korea calls its "Victory Day" ceremonies. This year's invitation to Shoigu and his delegation came as the United Nations noted that Moscow was once again exporting oil to North Korea, and amid claims that Pyongyang has been selling the Russians weapons for the war in Ukraine.

North Korea's weapons, and the Kims

Photos shared by North Korean media from earlier in the week show Kim giving Shoigu a personal guided tour of the North's weapons and missiles at an arms exhibition. The pictures seemed to highlight Pyongyang's new drones  one possibly modeled after the U.S. Global Hawk reconnaissance drone.

The exhibit also featured a Hwasong 17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and a more advanced Hwasong 18, which is powered by solid fuel and thus more easily deployed. Both missiles have been test-launched by North Korea this year.

North Korea normally stages a massive military parade showcasing its latest weapons on the anniversary of the armistice, and while it can take a day or more for images from the spectacle to emerge from the country, experts will be keen to scrutinized whatever hardware is put on display this year. South Korean media reported Thursday that the parade had begun in Pyongyang, but there was no confirmation from North Korean officials or media.

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Aside from upgrades to its long-range Hwasong missiles, there's interest in where the Russian and Chinese delegations will be seated during the parade  particularly their relative proximity to Kim.

There's also interest in another figure within the Kim family who's received a surprising amount of attention from North Korean media of late  Kim's daughter Ju Ae, who's believed to be around 10 years old.

Exactly why she has appeared so frequently in public remains a mystery, but one theory is that her presence is meant to underscore the longevity of the Kim dynasty.

Seating arrangements and any more prominent activities for Kim's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong, who's issued warnings on behalf of the regime over the last year as she assumes a more front-facing role, may also be of interest to North Korea-watchers.

The fate of U.S. soldier Travis King

North Korea has remained completely silent on the status of U.S. Army Private Travis King since the young soldier suddenly ran across the border into the North during a group tour of the demilitarized zone on July 19.

Why U.S. soldier Travis King could be a "nuisance" for North Korea

Observers say it could take weeks, if not months, for the North Koreans to decide his fate, and it has not been clear whether King wants to defect or return to the U.S.

Missile tests, threats and warnings

This week, the U.S. sent a second nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea, the USS Annapolis in a move likely to draw further condemnation from North Korea and possibly more missile tests.

Earlier this month, North Korea's official, state-run news agency slammed the planned deployment of U.S. strategic nuclear assets to South Korea as "the most undisguised nuclear blackmail" and warned that such deployments posed a threat to global security.

"The present situation clearly proves that the situation of the Korean Peninsula is coming closer to the threshold of nuclear conflict due to the U.S. provocative military action," it said.

The leader's sister Kim Yo Jong claimed about two weeks ago that the country's warplanes had repelled a U.S. spy plane flying over North Korea's exclusive economic zone, warning of "shocking" but unspecified consequences if the U.S. continued reconnaissance activities in the area.

South Korea's military denied the U.S. had sent any spy planes into North Korean airspace, insisting American forces were merely conducting standard reconnaissance activities in coordination with South Korea.

With tension running high between the U.S. and North Korea, the visits by the top Russian and Chinese delegations will be taken by the Kim regime as an opportunity to show it is not as isolated on the world stage as Washington would like after years of sanctions.

The White House has announced, meanwhile, that it will host a first-ever, high-level trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea in Washington this summer  an attempt to cement ties with America's closest regional allies.

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Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Florida middle schoolers will be taught that some Black "slaves developed skills" they could benefit from.

Rep. Byron Donalds, the sole Black member of the state's GOP congressional delegation, voiced his displeasure with that.

In response, DeSantis' campaign staffers compared Donalds to Vice President Kamala Harris.

After tweeting out condemnation of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' new educational standards requiring students to learn that some Black "slaves developed skills" they could benefit from, Rep. Byron Donalds has been inundated with attacks by DeSantis' gubernatorial and presidential campaign staffers.

"The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate," Donalds tweeted Wednesday morning. "That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasn't the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this."

Wednesday evening, hours after Donalds' tweet was published, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. took a jab at the congressman online.

"The federal government won't dictate Florida's education standards," Diaz Jr. wrote. "This new curriculum is based on truth. We will not back down from teaching our nation's true history at the behest of a woke White House, nor at the behest of a supposedly conservative congressman."

A member of DeSantis' presidential campaign and a fellow gubernatorial staffer also compared Donalds, the sole Black GOP congressman in Florida's delegation, to Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black vice president of the United States, who recently traveled to Florida to excoriate the state for its new curriculum.

"Supposed conservatives in the federal government are pushing the same false narrative that originated from the White House," DeSantis press secretary in the Executive Office of the Governor, Jeremy Redfern, tweeted. "Florida isn't going to hide the truth for political convenience. Maybe the congressman shouldn't swing for the liberal media fences like @VP."

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Christina Pushaw, the DeSantis presidential campaign's rapid response director, simply responded to Donalds' original tweet with a GIF of the vice president.

After receiving blowback from DeSantis' team, Donalds responded by doubling down on his support for former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primary race.

"What's crazy to me is I expressed support for the vast majority of the new African American history standards and happened to oppose one sentence that seemed to dignify the skills gained by slaves as a result of their enslavement," he wrote. "Anyone who can't accurately interpret what I said is disingenuous and is desperately attempting to score political points. Just another reason why l'm proud to have endorsed President Donald J. Trump!"

Donalds, who's in his second term in office, was nominated by several of his GOP peers to become the speaker of the House in early 2023, though the title was ultimately given to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He's since said on several occasions that he's interested in running to replace DeSantis as governor when his term expires in January 2027.

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DELRAY BEACH  City police late Wednesday released an artists rendering of what the unidentified woman whose remains were found last week in three suitcases floating along the Intracoastal Waterway might have looked like.

The rendering, prepared by the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office Forensic Imaging Unit, shows a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair and eyes.

Delray Beach police have estimated that the woman, whose remains were discovered Friday, was either white or Latin American, between the ages of 35 and 55 years old and standing about 5 feet 4 inches tall. They also said she may have had tattooed eyebrows.

Delray Beach police on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, issued this artist's rendering of what the woman whose remains were found floating in suitcases in the Intracoastal Waterway on Friday, July 21, might have looked like.

Delray Beach police on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, issued this artist's rendering of what the woman whose remains were found floating in suitcases in the Intracoastal Waterway on Friday, July 21, might have been wearing when she was attacked.

The sentence: Jury acquits man of murder 6 years after West Palm shooting  but he's still bound for prison

An accompanying rendering from PBSO suggests the clothing she was wearing when she was attacked: a white floral top, believed to be made by the Brazilian company Betzabe, and mid-thigh black shorts.

Its important for the public to know that these reconstructed images are not an exact likeness of the victim or her clothing and are simply the interpretation of the artist, investigators said in a prepared statement posted on the agency's Facebook page.

Delray Beach police also released photos of two of the suitcases in which her remains were found: a purple Palm Springs Ricardo Beverly Hills bag and a green-and-black polka dot Charlie Sport bag.

Delray Beach police say this is one of the three suitcases that contained the remains of a woman found dead on Friday, July 21, 2023. The suitcases were discovered floating in the Intracoastal Waterway.

Delray Beach police say this is one of the three suitcases that contained the remains of a woman found dead on Friday, July 21, 2023. The suitcases were discovered floating in the Intracoastal Waterway.

The police postings follow an appeal Monday for Delray Beach residents who live between the Linton Boulevard and George Bush Boulevard bridges to check their security-camera footage for unusual cars or people between July 17 and 20, keeping an eye out for ones carrying luggage.

The womans remains were in the early stages of decomposition by the time a construction worker found the first suitcase on Friday morning. Police soon received calls about two other suitcases floating further south.

School arrests: Palm Beach Central principal, 4 staffers charged with failure to report student child abuse

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Police have declined to say how they think the woman was killed. They believe the suitcases were dumped locally but are investigating whether they entered the waterway north or south of Palm Beach County.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mike Liberta at 561-243-7874.

Tom Elia is an editor at The Palm Beach Post, overseeing coverage of public safety, the courts and Palm Beach Countys northern and western communities. You can reach him at telia@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray police issue rendering of woman after remains found in suitcases
As federal prosecutors move closer to a potential indictment against former President Donald Trump related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said the former president should not be legally culpable for the riot that followed Trumps rally in Washington that day.

In an interview with The Star Thursday, Kobach said Trumps monthslong effort to sow doubt in the 2020 presidential election was protected by the First Amendment. He also cited Trumps statements on Jan. 6, 2021 urging a peaceful protest.

I dont think any politician should be considered criminally culpable for merely expressing his or her thoughts about the conduct of an election, Kobach said.

Trumps legal team met with members of Special Counsel Jack Smiths team Thursday ahead of a potential indictment, according to the Associated Press.

Kobach said that any candidate should be permitted to question results.

Its important in any election, regardless of whether its a Republican or Democrat, if someone has doubts we have processes for recounts and election contests, Kobach said. I think expressing doubts is actually a First Amendment right of any candidate whos running for office.

Trumps public comments and social media posts leading up to and on Jan. 6, Kobach said, should not be considered the cause of the days events in which Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed effort to prevent certification of the presidential election. Roughly 150 police officers were injured in the attack, according to the New York Times.

The presidents comments cannot be legally considered the cause of what happened and I dont think that any efforts to ascribe the violence to the presidents remarks are accurate, Kobach said emphasizing that Trump had told protesters to be peaceful

While Trump told supporters at his rally that day to march peacefully, he also told supporters to confront this egregious assault on our democracy and fight. Later in the day, after the mob had already shattered windows at the U.S. Capitol and pushed inside, he posted on Twitter, Stay peaceful!

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Last week, Trump received a target letter from federal prosecutors informing him he was the subject of a criminal investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. According to the New York Times the efforts in question included seeking to convince Vice President Mike Pence to block the certification of Bidens election, pressuring state officials and assembling a slate of fake electors in swing states.

Kobach, who advised Trumps 2016 campaign and served as vice chair of a voting integrity commission convened in the early days of Trumps administration, helped draft a Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the 2020 election.

According to the final report from the U.S. House committee that investigated the Capitol attack, Kobach was one of eight attorneys who received an email from pro-Trump lawyer John Eastman in Dec. 2020 drafting ways Trump could remain in office.

The emails showed that Kobach, a private citizen at the time, advised that Pence likely did not have the authority to intervene in the certification of electoral votes.

Since becoming Kansas attorney general in January, Kobach has stayed relatively quiet on the growing number of indictments and probes into Trump. On Thursday he, said the string of indictments reflects the weaponization of some office of prosecution.

The president is facing charges in Manhattan related to hush money payments paid to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election, as well as a federal indictment alleging he mishandled classified documents after leaving office.

When considering an indictment of a former president, Kobach said, a high bar must be met. The existing indictments, he argued, did not clear that bar.

It has to be done with the utmost care and with certainty that the charges are 100% airtight and no reasonable person could doubt the validity of the charges or the guilt of the individual, Kobach said.

The indictments weve seen have lacked the gravitas and the credibility to warrant what happened.
The Administration of the President of the Russian Federation has issued guidelines for Russian state and pro-government media on covering the anniversary of the Baptism of the Kyivan Rus, which Russia celebrates on 28 July.

Source: Meduza, a Latvian-based Russian media outlet

Details: Meduza journalists saw the guidelines that outline exactly how Russian media should cover the anniversary of the Baptism of the Kyivan Rus, which Russia will celebrate on 28 July.

The guidelines say that the event should be described as a "pivotal point in Russian history" and the "moment when Russian statehood was formed". Russian propaganda is expected to stress that it was the "shared faith" that allowed "eastern Slavic tribes" to unite, becoming a "single people".

The guidelines also focus on "Russias opponents", who allegedly fought the Orthodox faith in Ukraine, Belarus and Poland.

For example, the guidelines claim that "Polish kings imposed Catholicism and Uniate on historically Russian territories that were occupied [by the Poles] in order to divide and subjugate the people."

Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced similar territorial claims on Poland: "It is thanks to the Soviet Union and Stalins position that Poland got a substantial amount of land in the West, Germanys land. Thats right, modern Polands western territories were Stalins gift to the Poles. Have our friends in Warsaw forgotten this? Well remind them." Meanwhile, Putin chose to overlook the fact that the USSR joined Germany in attacking Poland in 1939.

The Kremlins guidelines are even more aggressive when it comes to Ukraine, calling the current government a "faithless regime" fighting against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (of the Moscow Patriarchate, UOC-MP) to "destroy spiritual connections between brotherly nations". At the same time, the text elides the fact that a recent Russian attack on Odesa nearly destroyed the citys Transfiguration Cathedral.

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Quote from the Kremlins guidelines: "Today our country is fighting the new Satanic regime. The Kyiv regime is deliberately destroying the Orthodox faith in Ukraine by putting pressure on priests and taking away churches.

Nationalist Satanists have consolidated in the holy Russian city of Kyiv, where Rus was baptised. Russia has stood up to defend the Orthodox faith and is crushing Neo-Nazis who worship Hitlers and Banderas occult ideas on the battlefield." [Stepan Bandera, 1909-1959, was the leader of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists and is a frequent target of Russian propaganda - ed.]

Details: The guidelines want Russians to believe that Putin "reinstated Russia as the defender of the Orthodox faith".

Putin is said to have "supported the renaissance of the Orthodox faith" and the "restoration of [Russian] churches".

A source close to the Kremlin told Meduza that this is not a coincidence and that mentions of Putin in Russian propaganda will become more frequent as the 2024 Russian presidential elections draw nearer.

Quote from a source close to the Kremlin: "They need this for the election campaign. The president will be associated with every event. His name has to be heard."

Previously: In May, the Kremlin issued another set of guidelines, instructing Russian media on how to prepare Russians for the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Kristen Bell and her family had quite the travel woes.

The actor said that she, husband Dax Shepard and their daughters Lincoln, 10, and Delta, 8  were stranded at the Boston airport after a nine-hour delay. Bell documented the experience on her Instagram story on July 26, sharing photos and clips of their experience.

In her first photo, Bell makes a sad face while she and her family, along with other passengers, are waiting at the airport.

Kristen Bell and her family at the Boston airport. (Instagram story/Kristen Bell)

She then shared a photo of the kids playing Uno and Shepard and another person playing spades to pass the time.

Amid the long delay, Bell had to get comfortable and snapped a selfie of herself while brushing her teeth outside the airport bathroom.

We made quite a home here, she wrote on the photo.

Dax Shepard at the airport (Instagram story/Kristen Bell)

Kristen Bell brushing her teeth at the airport. (Instagram story/Kristen Bell)

The saga continued with the Frozen star writing that there were no hotels available "within 50 miles." She also shared a clip of their set up at the airport, which consisted of blankets and neck pillows on the floor.

Shepard is also seen cuddling with one of his daughters while lying on the floor and watching videos on a laptop.

In the next video she shared yet another unfortunate update, writing, And we wanted to stay but we were kicked out.

Bell's family at the Boston airport (Instagram story/Kristen Bell)

As they made their way out of the airport, the Good Place star uploaded a photo of herself with her husband making a tired face.

She wrote that they had to find a place to stay right AFTER dad had taken his sleep aids.

However, there was a turning point to the familys story. In the next slide, Bell shared that they found a place to stay thanks to friends of friends.

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard in the parking lot (Instagram story/Kristen Bell)

Thankfully we found friends of friends who offered us their attics and accepted us at 1 a.m. she wrote, adding multiple exclamation points.

The photo she shared showed a bed in a tight space with all their luggage and blankets on the side.

Kristen Bell and family in a friend's attic (Instagram story/Kristen Bell)

After getting some rest, Bell shared that the people who let them stay at their home, John and Krista, took them on a hike the next morning with a lot of dogs and it was heaven! She also thanked the couple for their hospitality.

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Bell, Shepard and their daughters have been traveling over the summer. On July 7, she shared photos from their time in Idaho, which also included a star-studded dinner at South Fork Lodge with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and many other A-listers.

Just two days ago, the Armchair Expert host posted a photo of him swimming in a lake. The comedian also celebrated his wifes 43rd birthday on July 18 by sharing a handful of photos and calling her the worlds hottest jujitsu practitioner.

Happy Birthday to the worlds hottest jujitsu practitioner. And thats in addition to being the greatest mom, wife, sister and dog owner that this world has ever known, he wrote. Everyone one of us in her Orbit has hit the jackpot. Happy Birthday Buddy!!!! @kristenanniebell.

Bell replied in the comments section, So grateful I get to spend them all with you and added a red heart emoji.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Stateless Arab Abdulrahman Sabah Saud, seen here in an image released by the Kuwaiti interior ministry in 2015, was executed for his part in the bombing (HO)

Kuwait put to death five people on Thursday, including a man convicted of involvement in a 2015 Islamic State group suicide bombing that killed 26 people, the Public Prosecution said.

In a statement, the Public Prosecution said it oversaw the "implementation of the death sentence in Kuwait's Central Prison" against five people, most of them accused of murder.

They include Abdulrahman Sabah Saud -- the main convict in the 2015 bombing that struck a Shiite mosque in the capital during Friday prayers. It was the bloodiest attack in Kuwait's history.

Saud, a stateless Arab, was convicted of driving the bomber to the mosque and bringing the explosives belt he used from near the Saudi border.

At his initial trial, Saud pleaded guilty to most charges but, in the appeals and supreme courts, he denied them all.

The other men executed on Thursday included a Kuwaiti, an Egyptian and a member of Kuwait's stateless Bidoon minority, all of whom had been convicted of murder.

A Sri Lankan was put to death on drug charges.

The Public Prosecution said all five were executed by hanging.

The executions are the first since the oil-rich Gulf state put to death seven people in November last year ending a five-year moratorium.

Although Kuwait has executed dozens of people since it introduced the death penalty in the mid-1960s, the punishment is relatively rare.

Most of those condemned have been convicted of murder or drug trafficking.

In April 2013, Kuwaiti authorities hanged three men convicted of murder. Two months later, two Egyptians, convicted of kidnap and murder, were executed.

In 2017, the emirate carried out a mass execution of seven prisoners, including a ruling family member.

Capital punishment is widespread in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where 74 people have been put to death this year alone, according to an AFP tally.

sl/ho/kir
Stateless Arab Abdulrahman Sabah Saud, seen here in an image released by the Kuwaiti interior ministry in 2015, was executed for his part in the bombing (HO)

Kuwait put to death five people on Thursday, including a man convicted of involvement in a 2015 Islamic State group suicide bombing that killed 26 people, the Public Prosecution said.

The multiple executions in the Gulf emirate -- relatively rare compared to neighbouring Saudi Arabia -- are the first since seven people were put to death in November last year ending a five-year moratorium.

In a statement, the Public Prosecution said it oversaw the "implementation of the death sentence in Kuwait's Central Prison" against five people, most of them convicted of murder.

They included Abdulrahman Sabah Saud -- the main convict in the 2015 bombing that struck a Shiite mosque in the capital during Friday prayers. It was the bloodiest attack in Kuwait's history.

Saud, a stateless Arab, was convicted of driving the bomber to the mosque and bringing the explosives belt he used from near the Saudi border.

At his initial trial, Saud pleaded guilty to most charges but, in the appeals and supreme courts, he denied them all.

The other men executed on Thursday included a Kuwaiti, an Egyptian and a member of Kuwait's stateless Bidoon minority, all of whom had been convicted of murder.

A Sri Lankan was put to death on drug charges.

The Public Prosecution said all five were executed by hanging.

Amnesty International said the move was "another example of the disturbing rise in use of the death penalty" in Kuwait.

"When it is used against non-violent offenders such as the Sri Lankan killed today, it is incompatible with international law," Amnesty's Kuwait researcher, Devin Kenney, told AFP.

- Bombing case -

Kuwait had initially charged 29 defendants, including seven women, with helping the Saudi mosque bomber.

In 2016, it upheld jail terms of between two and 15 years for eight people, including four women, and acquitted more than a dozen others.

Those convicted include alleged IS leader in Kuwait, Fahad Farraj Muhareb, whose death sentence was commuted to 15 years in prison.

Story continues

Although Kuwait has executed dozens of people since it introduced the death penalty in the mid-1960s, the punishment is relatively rare.

Most of those condemned have been convicted of murder or drug trafficking.

In April 2013, Kuwaiti authorities hanged three men convicted of murder. Two months later, two Egyptians, convicted of kidnap and murder, were executed.

In 2017, the emirate carried out a mass execution of seven prisoners, including a ruling family member.

Capital punishment is widespread in the region, particularly in Iran and Saudi Arabia, where 74 people have been put to death this year alone, according to an AFP tally.

At least 64 people are currently on death row in Saudi Arabia, including nine who were minors when they were charged, the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) said on Friday.

Critics says Saudi Arabia's persistent use of capital punishment flies in the face of the softer image it has sought to create through its "Vision 2030" social and economic reforms.

sl/ho/kir
Questions about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells health were renewed following a widely publicized freeze up on camera Wednesday. The event also re-ignited discussion about the 2021 Kentucky state law he pushed for ensuring that, should he vacate his seat, it would remain in Republican hands.

But Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear may not follow that law.

I would imagine you would absolutely see a lawsuit on this, Michael Abate, a Louisville attorney whos worked for the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) in the past, said.

That law, passed by the GOP-led legislature in 2021s Senate Bill 228, dictates that the governor select a replacement for any U.S. Senator vacating the office from a list of three provided by the state executive committee of the vacating senators party. Both of Kentuckys U.S. senators are Republicans, including Rand Paul whose term is set to expire in 2028 and McConnell whos term runs out in 2026.

Abate said Beshear would likely push back against the law in one of two ways: ignore the law and appoint the replacement himself or sue against the law.

Beshear either says, hey, Republican Party, thank you for your list, but Im appointing whoever I want and then that immediately gets challenged in court, or you could see Beshear taking the route of filing a lawsuit, Abate said.

I mean, hes got the guts to defy it, Abate added.

Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appears to have a health issue while speaking during a press conference in the U.S. Capitol. About 12 minutes later, the Minority Leader returned to the press conference and, when asked about what happened, said, "I'm fine." pic.twitter.com/EU7zDzGT0m  CSPAN (@cspan) July 26, 2023

Beshear has often challenged the states Republican legislative majority, which is dominated by roughly 80-20 GOP majorities in both chambers.

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When asked about what Beshear might do should a vacancy occur, McConnells office referred to his comment to reporters after the incident that he was fine. His office also pointed to the work he was doing Thursday in Washington, delivering remarks on the Senate floor and meeting with groups like Commerce Lexington in the Capitol. A McConnell aide stated that on Wednesday the senator felt light headed and that after the freeze-up he came back and was sharp during a Q&A.

The question of whether the governor might appoint a Democrat instead of a Republican to fill a GOP-filled senate seat could become moot if Beshear loses his impending re-election challenge to Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Cameron, who some consider to be a McConnell protege, shot up through the ranks of the Kentucky GOP with a decisive win to his current post in 2019.

Another attorney whos worked for the KDP concurred with Abate. Anna Whites, a Frankfort lawyer, said that a legal challenge over the vacancy replacement procedure, should one occur, is almost assured if Beshear is governor when it happens.

I think there will be immediate litigation, and I think that it will be aggressive on both sides. Itll be fun to watch, and I think it is something that should be litigated because it has probably as much impact as any election, Whites said.

Under the newly passed law, an appointment would last no longer than 18 months, requiring Kentucky to hold a special election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the vacated term. Instead of just using the regular election process, the bill sets up a series of potential scenarios for how the next senator would be elected.

The old law stated that the governor could choose whoever they please for the post and that an election to fill the vacancy would take place during the next congressional election cycle, which takes place once every two years.

The Kentucky Senate GOP Floor Leader, Damon Thayer of Georgetown, expressed disappointment that the conversation regarding a senate vacancy was even taking place regarding the U.S. Senate minority leader.

I think it is ghoulish and morbid that the Democrats are even having this discussion. I have faith that Leader McConnells health is good and that what happened yesterday was a result of the heat and humidity in the Eastern half of this country, Thayer said.

The Kentucky Senator also suggested that the discussion is part of a pattern of Kentucky Democrats not wanting to follow the law, which he said needs to be followed regardless of peoples agreement with it or not.

He also stated that political attention in Kentucky should be squarely focused on Camerons challenge to Beshear in November.

I think its a moot point and we all need to get back to focusing politically on the governors race  and clearly the governors hearing footsteps. This is a 50/50 race and Andy Beshear knows it, Thayer said.

Jared Smith, a Democrat-aligned lobbyist and consultant who led Beshears 2015 attorney general campaign, emphasized that mandating that the governor pick from a list created by someone else goes against the governors traditionally-assigned power to make appointments.

Smith said that hed say the same thing if it was a Republican governor in the same situation who had to face the prospect of replacing a senator of the opposite party.

Smith added that its no secret in the Capitol halls that Beshear might defy the 2021 bill, Smith said.

If Mitch does leave office, I think (Beshear) will appoint who he wants to appoint and let them challenge it in court. Thats not really a hush-hush secret in Frankfort, Smith said.

The governor already presaged such a challenge in his veto message on the bill.

The constitutional argument

Citing the U.S. Constitutions 17th Amendment  passed in 1912, the amendment states that the legislature may empower the executive to make temporary appointments to fill a senate vacancy  Beshear vetoed the bill when it was passed. That veto was later overridden on a party line vote.

In that message, Beshear pointed out that the intent of the amendment was to shift the nation away from state legislatures appointing U.S. senators and toward the voters electing their senator. He said that involving an unelected state party board in the appointment process goes against that intent and upends precedent.

The bill upends a century of precedent by delegating the power to select the representative of all Kentuckians to an unelected, unaccountable committee of an organization that represents only a fraction of Kentuckians. In doing so, Senate Bill 228 is contrary to the United States Constitution. The Seventeenth Amendment does not authorize legislatures to direct how the Governor makes an appointment to fill vacancies, and the legislature may not impose an additional qualification on who the Governor may appoint beyond the qualifications for a United States Senator set forth in the Constitution, Beshear wrote.

He also noted that some legislators sit on their state parties executive committees, raising some ethical questions about their participation in the appointment process.

As of mid-2022, according to Pew Research Center, 35 states allow their governors to appoint replacements to the U.S. Senate without any restrictions. 11 states are like Kentucky in that they allow the governor to appoint with some limitations  seven of the 11 have state parties provide a list like Kentucky  and four states fill U.S. senate vacancies via special election only.

Abate said that an argument could be made in support of Beshears constitutional intent comment in the veto message.

Lets not lose sight of the fact that the whole point of the 17th Amendment was to take the selection of senators away from state legislators, which is how it was done until that point in time One could read that through the lens of history and say that framers of that amendment were trying to take the power away from legislators to control the appointment. So, viewed through that lens, I think you could probably make a pretty strong argument that (the party) cant say pick one of our three friends here, Abate said.

Beshears office has yet to comment on what they would do should a vacancy occur.
Ukrainian defenders fire from a howitzer

Ukraine has deployed more forces to the southeastern front, which is a sign that Kyiv has identified potential weak points in Russia's defense, CNN reported on July 27, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

According to one official, Ukraine still retains "some combat power in reserve" and has now deployed the "bulk" of the forces allocated for the counteroffensive.

Read also: German military has no strategic objections to Ukraines counteroffensive  Ukrainian Ambassador

During the counteroffensive, several elements of the Russian defense lines in the southeast were breached, said one source, and Kyivs reserves have arrived to take advantage of this opportunity.

Ukraines 47th Brigade, participating in the offensive, confirmed to CNN that it is advancing, stating: "Infantry is advancing, artillery is providing cover, Bradley crews are destroying enemy infantry and equipment."

Read also: Ukraine's slow counteroffensive could jeopardize continued US military aid  report

The New York Times earlier reported that a new phase of Ukraine's counteroffensive has begun, with the main focus on the southeast, where the Ukrainian armed forces are gradually advancing through vast minefields.

Read also: Ukraine launches new phase of counteroffensive focusing on south

According to the Financial Times, Ukraine has changed tactics after the "chaotic" start of the counteroffensive; now the armed forces are concentrating on striking Russian defensive positions using heavy artillery and are achieving significant results.

Since the start of the counteroffensive in early June, the Defense Forces have liberated over 192 square kilometers in southern Ukraine and approximately 35 square kilometers in the east.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Kyiv is launching a major effort against Russian forces in southern Ukraine, according to officials and analysts.

This new push, which includes deployment of Western-supplied weapons and an increased numbers of soldiers, is a part of the weekslong counteroffensive launched by Ukraine and comes as fighting continues to intensify along the front line of the war. A Western official  who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter  told The Associated Press (AP) on Wednesday that the increased number of troops and firepower has been focused in the region of Zaporizhzhia.

Although Ukraine has remained largely silent on its counteroffensive plans, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces were gradually advancing toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also said that hostilities have intensified significantly in southeastern Ukraine, the AP reported.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, Ukrainian forces mounted a significant mechanized counteroffensive operation in [the] western Zaporizhzhia region Wednesday. The institute, which cited Russian sources, also said Ukrainian forces appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions.

According to its sources, the institute said that the results of the counteroffensive in the region were unclear.

Russian sources provided a wide range of diverging claims as to the scale of both the attack and resulting Ukrainian losses, indicating that the actual results and Ukrainian losses remain unclear, the think tank wrote.

This also comes just days after the U.S. announced additional assistance for Ukraine, including additional munitions and ammunitions valued at $400 million. During a visit to New Zealand, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an intense battle is taking place in Ukraine, noting that the U.S. assistance provided should aid them.

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We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine, Blinken said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report, which was updated at 9:06 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kylie Jenner is addressing all the dating rumors about her and her longtime friend Anastasia Stassie Karanikolaou.

On the Season Three finale of The Kardashians, Jenner said that people started to think they were dating after she posted a photo of her and Karanikolaou kissing one another on Valentine's Day. But to some fans' dismay, she said that she and Karanikolaou are just friends.

"Oh, my God, isn't it so funny that everyone thinks we're dating these days  when we get a little alcohol in our system, that we just like to kiss each other and stuff?" she told Karanikolaou.

Kylie Jenner kisses her longtime friend Anastasia Stassie Karanikolaou on Valentine's Day and calls her a

"Yeah, I know," Karanikolaou replied. "We should be making martinis! What are we doing?"

After Karanikolaou requested someone make them drinks, she turned to Jenner and asked her friend why people think it's "so weird" that they're "obsessed with each other."

"I don't know," Jenner said with a smile, noting the comments sections on her social media pages are filled with comments like: "We know you guys are having sex."

"And we're not," Jenner added. "I wish we were."

Jenner explained she knew Karanikolaou since the two were 12 or 13 years old, making Karanikolaou Jenner's "oldest friend."

"It would've been easier if I was sexually attracted to you," Jenner said.

"So easy. It would've made life so easy," Karanikolaou replied.

In her confessional, Jenner said that she and Karanikolaou have grown up together and have been through "so much" together.

"She's like a sister," the Kylie Cosmetics founder said.

Jenner and Karanikolaou pose together for a picture after talking about their dating rumors on

On Valentine's Day, Jenner and Karanikolaou shared a joint Instagram post, featuring a collage of photos of the friends together with the caption "forever valentine." One of the pictures showed Jenner and Karanikolaou kissing.

In the comments, some fans began questioning Jenners sexuality, and one person shared the gay pride flag emoji with the questioning face emoji and a question mark.

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And another said, "Denial is a river in Egypt."

However, a third person defended Jenner and said that sometimes girls like to kiss each other.

"All girl best friends have kissed each other before, we dont know why we do it, that doesnt make us lesbian ok," they wrote.

Another joined into the conversation and said, "Shes clearly not a lesbian. Shes all about marketing and attention and yall buy it."

In a 2021 interview with Bustle, Karanikolaou talked about her friendship with Jenner and said she met the reality TV star at a Barnes & Noble before they later reconnected at a middle school friend's sleepover.

We know too much about each other. Were stuck with each other forever, Karanikolaou said.

"The Kardashians" Season Three finale airs July 27 on Hulu.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The Labor Department on Thursday decried a national surge in child labor, saying that the agencys inspectors had found thousands of violations and were investigating a slaughterhouse in Mississippi where a 16-year-old boy from Guatemala was killed this month.

The update followed a hearing on Wednesday in which lawmakers from both parties accused the Health and Human Services secretary, Xavier Becerra, of failing to protect migrant children from exploitation. His agency is tasked with releasing them to safe living conditions after they cross the border by themselves.

There are some terrible things that are wrong, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif., told him. At the end of the day, as HHS secretary, the buck stops with you.

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Some 300,000 minors have come to this country alone since 2021, fueling a dramatic increase in migrant child labor. In an online report, the Labor Department announced an 87% increase in fines on employers in recent months. Companies including lumber mills and roofing contractors have been hit with $6.6 million in penalties.

The department said that inspectors were pursuing more than 700 open cases and had already found 4,474 children working illegally since the start of the fiscal year  a 44% increase over the previous year.

The agency vowed to ramp up enforcement and create a child labor task force in February, days after The New York Times reported that unaccompanied minors were being forced into some of the nations most grueling jobs.

The Times found cases of 12-year-olds working construction, 13-year-olds washing hotel sheets and 15-year-olds packaging Cheerios overnight. One boy was released to a man in Florida who promised to put him in school but instead threatened him, demanding money. Dont mess with me, the man wrote. You dont mean anything to me.

These children were released to sponsors by the HHS shelter system, which is supposed to pair children with responsible adults. As more and more minors began entering the country after President Joe Biden took office, his administration ramped up pressure on the agency to place the children more quickly. It rolled back protections that had been in place for years, including some background checks, and Becerra urged staff members to move with the speed of a Henry Ford assembly line.

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On Wednesday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce questioned Becerra for three hours about the rising number of children falling prey to exploitation.

Lawmakers also pressed him on instances of retaliation against whistleblowers. Workers said they had tried to warn Becerra and the White House that migrant children were being sent to unsafe homes, only to be punished for speaking out. One worker said her building access was revoked during her lunch break after she raised alarms about a 14-year-old whose sponsor made him work off a debt.

Thanks to The New York Times, we know that reports reached your desk that children were at risk, said the committee chair, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. The American people must know how you could possibly have ignored these warning signs.

Becerra told lawmakers that his department was increasing its services for children. This is real, its repulsive and its unacceptable, he said.

A new accountability team at HHS will try to spot problems with the vetting of sponsors. For years, the agency released most children with little follow-up beyond a phone call. But now, the department says, it is on track to give all children case management services by 2024.

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced bills to increase civil penalties for child labor violations. But these efforts have stalled amid partisan gridlock, and politicians have begun looking for other ways to apply pressure. House Democrats last week launched a task force to fight child labor and also requested a federal audit to quantify the scope of the problem.

The Labor Department said it would continue to focus on finding companies that rely on child workers and also to hold brands accountable, not just their manufacturers and staffing agencies. The agency has stepped up its use of the hot goods legal provision, which can prohibit any interstate transport of products when child labor is involved. The department used the rule last month on a Minnesota factory run by Monogram Meat Snacks, a national supplier of jerky.

In a statement, Monogram said it had immediately terminated the two ineligible workers and had made companywide changes to prevent underage labor in the future.

Last year, a 10th grader from Central America told the Times that many young teenagers worked at Monogram when they first arrived in the United States until they could find better jobs. He had worked there himself, he said, until he found a higher-paying job sawing planks of wood each night until 5 a.m. He needed the extra money to catch up on the rent he owed his sponsor.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
The number of children found working illegally in the U.S. has risen by 44% over the last 10 months, the U.S. Labor Department said Wednesday as a group of bi-partisan lawmakers on Capitol Hill accused federal officials of not doing enough to protect unaccompanied migrant children from abuse.

More than 4,470 children were found working in violation of federal child labor laws between October of last year and July 20 of last week, the Labor Department said in a release that cited the conclusion of 765 child labor cases. More than 700 cases remain outstanding.

These outstanding investigations include the recent deaths of three16-year-old boys in Mississippi, Missouri and Wisconsin.

The total cases resulted in more than $6.6 million in penalties to employers, a 87% rise from the same period in the previous fiscal year, the DOL said.

Signage is seen in front of the office of staffing agency ACE Industry Co., which was fined $5,050 by Alabama Department of Labor in April for placing an underage worker at a factory in Dadeville, Alabama.

Signage is seen in front of the office of staffing agency ACE Industry Co., which was fined $5,050 by Alabama Department of Labor in April for placing an underage worker at a factory in Dadeville, Alabama.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said her department is fully committed to using every governmental lever possible under federal law and current funding levels, though the DOL has asked that more be done.

It has specifically asked Congress to increase monetary penalties for child labor violations, reasoning that the current maximum fines  $15,138 per child  arent strong enough deterrents for major profitable companies. It has also asked lawmakers to strengthen retaliation protections for people who report child labor law violations and to investigate corporations that flout child labor laws.

These latest case numbers came as Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faced criticism in a Congressional hearing Wednesday about reports of unaccompanied migrant children working dangerous, illegal jobs, and being placed in the care of abusive sponsors through the HHSs Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The New York Times has reported that some of the children have been placed with abusive sponsors who force them to illegally work to pay off a debt.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, seen testifying during a Congressional hearing in March, argued that his department is limited in its ability to help unaccompanied migrant children once they are placed with sponsors.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, seen testifying during a Congressional hearing in March, argued that his department is limited in its ability to help unaccompanied migrant children once they are placed with sponsors.

Becerra agreed that amid a record number of children arriving unaccompanied at the border, the instances of abuse are real. But he argued that the agencys power legally ends once the child is placed with a vetted sponsor.

Of the more than 83,000 children placed with a sponsor this past fiscal year, he said that 85% of them were with a parent, legal guardian or close family member.

We would love to do everything we do while we have the child in our custody, but once we release that child into the hand of a vetted sponsor, we lose that custodial responsibility. If Congress wants to give us more responsibility to watch over these kids, even after they have been signed to a sponsor, please, go right ahead, he said.

Becerra said they do have post-release services for migrant children for after theyre placed with a host, but theyre voluntary and not part of the core activity that Congress has financially approved for the ORR. These services include mental health services and wellness check-ins like phone calls to the children and their sponsors, however, theyre under no obligation to answer the call or return the call.

We would love to do everything we do while we have the child in our custody, but once we release that child into the hand of a vetted sponsor, we lose that custodial responsibility.Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra

We dont have any ability or requirement to say to that child or sponsor, get back to us or check in with us. And thats the difficulty here. Our authorities are very limited, he said.

Some lawmakers said that even when working within its means, the ORRs efforts arent good enough.

Were very concerned about the wellbeing of these children, and we have evidence that things arent as well as maybe you think they are, Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) told Becerra.

At the end of the day, as H.H.S. secretary, the buck stops with you, said Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.).

A woman from Colombia helps her children crawl past concertina wire, deployed to deter migrants, after they crossed the Rio Grande river into Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 27.

A woman from Colombia helps her children crawl past concertina wire, deployed to deter migrants, after they crossed the Rio Grande river into Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 27.

Becerra, when repeatedly pressed, insisted that all child sponsors must pass background checks, but he declined to specify whether these are FBI background checks, which several lawmakers took issue with.

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) noted that people wanting to be a foster parent in her state of Arizona must undergo FBI background checks, so why not those wanting to sponsor migrant children.

It is because theyre unaccompanied children? Because theyre illegal immigrants? What, what is the reason? she asked.

Becerra argued that the ORR does not have the same authorities that state foster programs have, and thats the crux of the problem.

The rise in unaccompanied migrant children and underage workers comes amid a nationwide labor shortage, which has contributed to the hiring of children.

Unaccompanied migrant minors, aged 3 to 9, watch a television monitor inside a playpen at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in Donna, Texas, in 2021.

Unaccompanied migrant minors, aged 3 to 9, watch a television monitor inside a playpen at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in Donna, Texas, in 2021.

Some employers have intentionally hired minors, including undocumented ones, to avoid paying more for qualified workers amid the labor shortage, Jordan Barab, former deputy assistant secretary of labor at OSHA from 2009 to 2017, recently told HuffPost.

You have some employers who are basically going after the most vulnerable workers, the workers with the least ability to fight back or question anything. Who could be more vulnerable than A) children, and B) immigrant children? Barab said.

Some states have embraced the rise in child workers, with lawmakers proposing state laws that would weaken labor protections in a bid to expand the workforce with low-paying labor amid the shortage.

These are very independent children that want to become adults, Sen. Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) argued back in March in support of allowing children as young as 14 to work longer hours during the school year. I think they understand by working 10 or 15 hours a week, and getting that paycheck and that gratification, that they have self worth.

Related...
The same day that Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faced criticism on Capitol Hill from members of both parties about reports of underage migrants working dangerous jobs, Labor Department officials announced a 44% increase in the number of children it found to be employed illegally.

During a hearing Wednesday on immigrant child labor, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D.-Calif, told Becerra that she was not satisfied with his agencys response to questions she and 25 other House members had sent him in late May. After reports of child labor surfaced, they sent Becerra a letter asking about how carefully HHSs Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which finds homes for unaccompanied migrant minors, was vetting the sponsors who were offering to host the children.

If ORR is meeting and exceeding its statutory requirements, why are we witnessing such an alarming rise in the exploitation of children discharged from the agencys custody? she asked.

Becerra acknowledged during the hearing of the oversight subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee that the reports of child labor are real and repulsive and acknowledged that unaccompanied minors are uniquely vulnerable to dangerous jobs, but also pushed back. He said the agencys vetting of sponsors remains thorough and agency oversight legally ends once children leave ORRs care and are placed with a sponsor.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra testifies during House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing (Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call via AP file)

Once we release that child into the hands of a vetted sponsor we lose that custodial responsibility, Becerra told the committee. If Congress wants to give us more responsibility to watch over these kids even after they have been assigned to a sponsor, please go right ahead.

More than 260,000 unaccompanied migrant children have passed through ORR and been released to communities in 2021 and 2022, according to HHS figures.

In response to criticism, HHS announced a new accountability team in June for assessing and addressing potential child exploitation risks with the unaccompanied children program.

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Labor Department touts enforcement

Also on Wednesday, senior Labor Department officials told reporters their efforts to crack down on child labor had yielded some success. They said investigators found more than 4,400 children employed in violation of child labor laws since October, a 44% increase over Oct. 1, 2021, to July 20, 2022.

A senior Labor official said that the department attributes the bump in enforcement to the agencys recent emphasis on enforcing child labor laws.

Labor officials also cited an 87% increase in company fines to $6.6 million during the same time frame, although critics say the $15,138 maximum fines for hiring children are so low that they do not deter employers from hiring underage workers in a tight labor market.

But Labor officials acknowledge there is plenty more work to do. Some violations continue to elude department investigators.

Just last week a 16-year-old Guatemalan died while cleaning equipment at a Mississippi poultry plant. The accident at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg was the second equipment death at the plant in two years. Labor Department officials say they are investigating possible child labor violations at Mar-Jac as well as an ongoing death investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company says it is cooperating.

Duvan Tomas Perez. (via Facebook)

The company blamed the hiring of the teen on a staffing company and said the individuals age and identity were misrepresented on the paperwork.

Recently the department employed a rarely used provision that halts the shipment of any goods made with child labor in a case involving a Minnesota meat snacks company where Labor investigators found two teenagers had been hired.

The hot goods provision has so far not been employed against Mar-Jac Poultry. Senior Labor officials characterized their ongoing investigation of Mar-Jac as very active.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
As Oklahomans across the state are grappling with scorching heat, a broken air-conditioning unit can become a matter of life or death.

It can be a hassle to deal with a landlord who refuses to fix it in a timely manner, but there might be a solution. In 2022, Oklahoma amended the Landlord and Tenant Act, which was originally authored in the 1970s, to give renters a faster turnaround time when needing essential repairs to the space theyre living in.

Under the previous law, tenants were allowed to deduct up to $100 for necessary health and safety repairs from their rent if the landlord failed to address the issue within 14 days of proper notification.

The updated law expands this provision, permitting tenants with air conditioning supplied at the time of renting to have their units repaired and deduct the cost not exceeding one month's rent if they provide written notice to the landlord and the issue remains unresolved for 14 days, posing a health risk.

More: The heat of the night: Oklahoma's summer nights aren't cooling off as much, data shows

Eric Hallett, Legal Aid Oklahoma's coordinator of housing advocacy, says the landscape is changing but issues still arise when out-of-state landlords don't understand Oklahoma's laws.

"We've been fortunate that judges lately are listening more, but usually, they tend not to," Hallett said. "Now that we have out-of-state companies and landlords, there can be even more confusion, especially when people pass off repairs to new [property] owners, and they pass them off to new tenants."

How can I get my air conditioning fixed in a rental?

In situations where tenants opted to undertake repairs themselves and deduct the cost, several important steps need to be followed to adhere to Oklahoma's statutes:

First, the tenant should initiate a work order or service request with their rental housing provider.

If the landlord's response is unsatisfactory and the situation is deemed an emergency or poses a threat to the tenant's health, send written notification of the fact and notify the landlord in writing of your intention to address the issue at the landlord's expense after the expiration of 14 days.

If the landlord fails to address the health-related issue within the specified time frame or promptly, considering emergency conditions, the tenant may proceed with the necessary repairs.

Following the repairs, the tenant must submit an itemized statement to the landlord, justifying the deduction from their rent.

The cost of repairs must be fair, reasonable and not exceed one month's rent.

If the landlord does not comply, tenants should take legal action.

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More: As US heat wave spreads, Arizona counts the dead: 18 confirmed, dozens more suspected

Experts recommend keeping a paper trail

According to Maliah Harding, property manager of The Residences at Lakeshore, tenants and property owners should keep track of all communications, and keep a copy when requesting repairs for air conditioning.

"That provides both the tenant and property owners a paper trail, instead of either party assuming, based on what 'should' be done. It's the best way to make sure we actually have a record of any complaint," Harding said.

Tenants should consider providing written notice to their landlord using a method that allows for proof of receipt, such as obtaining the landlord's signature upon delivery or sending the notice via fax with confirmation.

It is important to note that these options are not available if the damage is caused by the tenant, their family or pet, or any person or animal present with their consent on the premises.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How do I get my landlord to fix my AC? Oklahoma statute could help
Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Police Department officials this week released the names of two officers who fired their weapons in a shooting that killed a knife-wielding man at a supportive housing facility on Skid Row. One of the officers was involved in another fatal shooting at the beginning of the year.

According to an LAPD news release, the most recent shooting occurred when officers were called to a report of a man with a knife who had threatened another person at the Ford Hotel in Skid Row.

When they arrived, a security guard directed them to the 6th floor. As they stepped off the elevator, they encountered a man holding an umbrella and a knife, the release said. Police said the officers ordered the man to drop the knife, but instead he raised it above his head and "advanced toward" them. Officers Diego Bracamontes and Hayley Basile both shot the man with their service firearms. The 56-year-old man, who police have not yet named, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said another officer also fired a projectile from a less-lethal weapon during the incident. The Times has not yet independently verified the department's account of events.

The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on July 20, at the Ford, a century-old former hotel in the 1000 block of E. 7th Street that has been turned into single-room-occupancy housing for people on the brink of homelessness.

On Tuesday, Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission that officers were immediately confronted by the man as soon as the elevator doors opened. Moore said he was limited in what he could say by the "very active investigation" of the incident, but preliminary information indicated the man had previously threatened police.

The incident will be investigated by the LAPDs Force Investigations Division, which will present the findings of its probe to the civilian-led Police Commission for a ruling on whether the officers involved followed department policy. Such investigations typically take several months and can last up to a year.

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In the meantime, the two officers involved will be temporarily taken off the streets in keeping with the department's policy following on-duty shootings.

Bracamontes, a 13-year department veteran, was involved in another fatal shooting of a 35-year-old man at a South L.A. home earlier this year. The incident came amid a string of police killings of unarmed individuals at the start of the year that drew renewed attention to how the department handles calls involving people in crisis.

At the time, police said that Bracamontes and his police partner were responding to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon when they encountered Oscar Leon Sanchez. He was holding what police described as a "sharp metal object about a foot in length." Sanchez's family has said it was a scooter part.

According to police, the officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the item, and they shot him when he stepped toward them.

Sanchez's family has since filed a lawsuit against the city and the two officers  Bracamontes and Christopher Guerrero  alleging negligence in their handling of the encounter.

Leon Sanchez's family says in the lawsuit that he didn't understand what was happening when the officers came into his home on Jan. 3 and shot him in his living room.

His last words were in Spanish, telling the officers, no les voy a dejar que me roben, which translates to I am not going to allow you to rob me, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The city has not yet lodged a formal response to the allegations in the lawsuit.

Police suspected Leon Sanchez of assaulting someone near his home in the 2700 block of South Central Ave. several hours before the shooting, according to the suit. When police arrived, he was standing on a second-story porch. Officers spoke with him for 10 minutes from the ground below, but then grew impatient and entered the home through an open back door, the suit says.

They shot him within five seconds of entering the home, Leon Sanchez's family said. The shooting occurred without any warnings, according to the family, and they say the only commands officers issued were in English, even though they understood that Leon Sanchez only spoke Spanish.

After he was shot, Sanchez was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Attorney Christian Contreras, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the family, said that when he told Leon Sanchez's brother that one of the officers had been involved had been in another shooting, the brother became distraught.

The City of Los Angeles listened to the calls of not the only the calls , but the community, to remove these officers and discipline them, then it wouldve unequivocally prevented another shooting," said Contreras. No matter what we do in the civil case, we could get a record breaking verdict, thats not going to change anything with regards to these officers."

He continued: The family is still trying to cope with the death of Oscar. Theyre just heartbroken. Now that theyve learned that the same officer  it just retraumatizes them, and theyre very upset."

Times staff writer Nathan Solis contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
[Source]

Hate crimes targeting Asians and other communities in Los Angeles saw an alarming surge in 2022, according to a report released by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

Rise of hate: The LAPD's analysis, presented to the city's Police Commission on Tuesday, revealed that a total of 701 hate crimes and hate incidents across different groups were reported in 2022, registering a 15% increase from the previous year of 610.

Among these, anti-Hispanic hate crimes decreased from the previous year by 12% with 90 reported cases, while anti-Black hate crimes saw a 36% increase, reaching 180 incidents.

Worse for Asians during pandemic: The report covered hate crime data from 2017 to 2022, revealing a concerning 166% overall rise in hate crimes within the city during that period. It highlighted a disturbing 371% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes with 33 cases in 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic levels of reported cases in 2019.

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The report partially attributed the increase in hate crime reporting to the department's expanded outreach efforts, which involved encouraging vulnerable communities to report such incidents. It did not offer any evidence to suggest organized "hate groups" had been entering the city and coordinating attacks against the residents.

Attacks on religion, gender, sexual orientation: Last year also saw increased hate attacks against religious and sexual orientation communities.

The Jewish community reported 89 anti-semitic hate crimes in 2022, representing a 24% increase from the previous year. The most common religion-biased crimes included vandalism, criminal threats and harassment.

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Hate crimes targeting the transgender community saw a 53% increase, with 29 reported incidents in 2022. Meanwhile, hate attacks against gay men saw a 9% decrease compared to 2021 with 93 anti-gay hate crimes reported in 2022. These gender-biased crimes often involved verbal or physical altercations.

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Proposed solution: Detective Orlando Martinez, the department's hate crime coordinator, noted how victims currently report hate crimes by directly filing a police report or calling 911 and waiting for officers to assist them.

According to the department, they are now working on developing an online reporting system specifically for hate crimes to facilitate better reporting.

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Body camera footage from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office deputy who deployed a Taser on a man fleeing from a traffic stop in the middle of Interstate 25 was released Wednesday following the conclusion of the department's internal investigation.

The edited footage was released by the sheriff's office along with a statement from Sheriff John Feyen explaining the case and announcing the conclusion of the internal investigation.

After a five-month Critical Incident Response Team investigation, 8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin announced in a decision letter last week that Deputy Lorenzo Lujan was within the bounds of the law in shocking 28-year-old Brent Thompson with a Taser as Thompson fled from a traffic stop across a dark portion of the northbound lanes of I-25 near the Mountain Vista exit in northeast Fort Collins the evening of Feb. 18. Thompson was immobile on the interstate when an oncoming car fatally struck him.

Feyen said the department's internal investigation has determined that Lujan's actions  including the use of a Taser  "were within our policies."

In the video statement, Feyen notes that investigators found a firearm and drug paraphernalia in Thompson's car after he was killed, and the coroner's report found he had "fentanyl, methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics in his system at the time of his death."

"Protecting our community demands split-second decisions and rapidly changing environments," Feyen said. "We train our deputies to take decisive action with the information they have available at that moment. Unfortunately, in some cases, this results in unintended consequences. I wish Mr. Thompson had chose to comply with deputies that night. I wish he'd sought treatment for his drug addiction, evidence of which was located in his system and in his vehicle."

But Thompson's family says the sheriff's office is unjustly shifting the blame for Thompson's death from their deputy onto Thompson.

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Brent Thompson, 28, died in February after he ran from Larimer County deputies during a traffic stop, was Tased by a deputy in the middle of Interstate 25 and was hit by an oncoming car.

"The family of Brent Thompson is appalled by the Larimer County Sheriff's failure to discipline or terminate the deputy responsible for the murder of Brent," the family said in a statement through their attorneys at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC. "The Sheriff is more concerned with smearing the name of Brent based on information the deputy did not possess at the time of the murder rather than holding his deputies accountable. Blaming Brent for his death is callous and dishonest."

"The tasering of an individual in the middle of an interstate highway at night is criminal and reprehensible conduct and has no place in law enforcement," the family said in the statement.

The family does intend to file a civil lawsuit against the deputy involved and the sheriff's office, according to their attorney, Qusair Mohamedbhai. They are also calling on the Colorado Attorney General's Office to review the case.

Thompson's family released unredacted body camera footage through their attorney. The footage is graphic and might be disturbing to some viewers. Links to both the redacted and unredacted footage can be found at the end of this article.

Here's what can be observed in the edited body camera footage provided by the sheriff's office:

Lujan pulls Thompson over on the northbound I-25 off-ramp at the Mountain Vista exit and tells him it was because he had expired vehicle registration.

Thompson provides Lujan with a false name.

Lujan goes back to his car and determines that Thompson gave him a false name and determines Thompson's license has been revoked.

Lujan returns to Thompson's car and asks him to step out, and then confronts Thompson about using a false name and tells him he is under arrest. Thompson immediately runs across the off-ramp and down a steep grass embankment toward I-25.

Lujan can be heard yelling "stop or you're going to get Tased," as he pulls out his Taser, struggling to keep up with Thompson down the embankment. Lujan catches up to Thompson as Thompson jumps and trips over the guardrail into the shoulder of the northbound side of I-25.

Thompson gets up and continues running across the road. He is in the easternmost northbound lane when Lujan deploys his Taser, immobilizing him. A car can be seen traveling in the lane toward them in the video, and Lujan steps into the westernmost northbound lane.

The edited video from the sheriff's office cuts just before the car hits Thompson.

Lujan told CIRT investigators he did look for cars and after deploying his Taser realized the car traveling northbound toward them was "closer than expected," according to McLaughlin's decision letter. Investigators determined the car was traveling at about 70 mph.

In the video statement, Feyen explained that the sheriff's office trains using safety priorities, which is "standard across the nation that guides law enforcement decision making," prioritizing the safety of people involved in a situation, starting with victims, then bystanders, then first responders, then suspects.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Thompson's choices created a potentially no-win situation," Feyen said. "Simply letting him run away could have resulted in deadly consequences for travelers on the highway, and the deputy was forced to make a choice: Act and try to stop the suspect or stand by passively and just hope no innocent people got hurt."

In McLaughlin's review of the case, he stated that evidence showed Lujan "was acting in a way that would reduce risk to Thompson and people driving on the interstate, but in hindsight his belief with respect to other motorists appears to have been incorrect, as the deputy seems to have exacerbated an already dangerous situation by temporarily immobilizing Mr. Thompson in a roadway with oncoming traffic.

McLaughlin suggested  in hindsight, which he said the deputy did not have  it may have been safer to let Thompson run and not pursue him onto the interstate.

McLaughlin also noted that the sheriff's office department policy on Taser use identifies several factors in which deputies should avoid using a Taser "unless the totality of the circumstances indicates that other available options reasonably appear ineffective or would present a greater danger," including whether an individual is somewhere or doing something that may result in a collateral injury, like if they are operating a vehicle or if they might fall from something and injure themselves that way.

A commonsense interpretation of those policies would seem to prohibit incapacitating an individual in a high-speed roadway, McLaughlin said, but neither the departments policy nor Tasers official training advice specifically mention roadway safety, likely because there is no record of an incident similar to this one occurring before. McLaughlin said he encourages and expects discussions about adding roadway safety in the sheriff's office Taser training moving forward.

In citing Thompson's apparent fentanyl use as a contributing factor in this case, Feyen called for more action against the issue in the community.

"Fentanyl is destroying lives and families in Northern Colorado, and this is just one more example," Feyen said. "We must continue this conversation, as a community, to stop the widespread and damaging effects of illicit drugs in Larimer County."

Feyen's video statement  which includes edited body camera footage that cuts immediately before Thompson is hit  can be viewed through a link on the Larimer County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, facebook.com/larimersheriff. This footage is graphic and may be upsetting to some viewers.

An unredacted version of the body camera footage has been publicly released by the attorney representing the Thompson family. This footage includes Thompson's death and footage of first responders attending to him. It is graphic and may be upsetting to some viewers, so discretion is advised. It can be found at rmlawyers.com/brent-thompson.

McLaughlin will host a virtual town hall to explain to process and results of the CIRT investigation on Monday, July 31, at 4 p.m. More information, including a link to join the virtual town hall can be found at larimer.gov/events/cirt-virtual-town-hall-2023-07-31. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions during the event, and questions can also be submitted in advance to 8thdist-da@co.larimer.co.us.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Larimer sheriff, family release footage of man being Tased on I-25
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Casino mogul Steve Wynn has ended a yearslong legal fight with Nevada gambling regulators that started with claims of workplace sexual misconduct, agreeing to pay a $10 million fine and cut ties to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas.

The Nevada Gaming Commission accepted a settlement Thursday to end the states look at allegations that led to Wynns resignation from his corporate empire in February 2018. Wynn admitted no wrongdoing. The decision was 4-0. Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Togliatti abstained from voting, citing a conflict arising from her previous work as a state court mediator.

Wynn is now 81 and lives in Florida. He did not attend the hearing held in Carson City and livestreamed on the internet. His attorney, Colby Williams, called the case the final regulatory matter that Wynn faced stemming from the allegations five years ago.

Wynn looks forward to moving on to other phases of his life, Williams told The Associated Press.

The fine is the largest ever imposed by the commission, second only to $20 million paid in February 2019 by Wynns former company, Wynn Resorts Ltd., for failing to investigate the sexual misconduct claims made against Wynn.

Craig Newby, first assistant Nevada attorney general, reminded the commission that a seven-month investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board "found evidence of sexual conduct by Mr. Wynn involving some subordinate female employees.

This stipulation," Newby said, would bring this sordid affair to conclusion.

It's a huge blemish on the (casino) industry, Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey said. While Mr. Wynn made some incredible contributions, the nature of the allegations that were made and the history behind that ... warrant at least the amount of fine that was negotiated."

I think it's in everybody's best interest to move forward, she said.

Forbes puts Wynn's net worth at $3.2 billion, among the top 400 of its ranking of richest Americans.

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Wynn signed a seven-page document on July 17 acknowledging he had been accused of failure to exercise discretion and sound judgment to prevent actions that reflected negatively on the reputation of Nevada and its gambling industry.

Violating the agreement could lead to a finding of unsuitability for association with Nevada casinos and an additional fine.

Unsuitability would be extraordinary for a man widely credited with starting a boom that grew Las Vegas Strip properties from gambling halls with all-you-can-eat buffets and showrooms into huge destination resorts featuring celebrity-chef restaurants, massive gambling floors, nightclubs and huge stage productions.

Wynn developed luxury properties including the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas; Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi; Wynn Macau in the Chinese gambling enclave; and Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts.

He resigned after the Wall Street Journal published allegations by several women that he sexually harassed or assaulted them at his hotels. He divested company shares, quit the corporate board and resigned as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Wynn has consistently denied sexual misconduct allegations in multiple courts.

In the Gaming Commission case, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled against him in March 2022, finding that a state judge in Las Vegas acted prematurely in late 2020 when she sided with Wynns lawyers and decided the state lacked authority to punish him.

Wynn's attorneys, also including Donald Campbell, argued that the Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission no longer had legal jurisdiction over Wynn.

State regulators launched their investigation after the allegations against Wynn emerged. The board said Wynns license had been placed on administrative hold and the commission moved in October 2019 to discipline or fine Wynn.

At a December 2019 hearing, which Wynn did not attend, commissioners began considering a fine of up to $500,000 and a declaration that Wynn was unsuitable to renew ties to gambling in Nevada.

Months earlier, the commission fined his former company the record $20 million.

Massachusetts gambling regulators fined Wynn Resorts Ltd. another $35 million and new company chief executive Matthew Maddox $500,000 for failing to disclose while applying for a license for the Boston-area resort that there had been sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn.

Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations.

The agreements included no admission of wrongdoing.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Casino mogul Steve Wynn's long legal fight with Nevada gambling regulators over claims of workplace sexual misconduct is expected to end Thursday with a settlement calling for him to pay a $10 million fine and cut virtually all ties to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas.

The Nevada Gaming Commission was scheduled to meet in the state capital of Carson City and accept a deal in which the 81-year-old Wynn admits no wrongdoing.

The seven-page agreement that Wynn signed July 17 with members of the investigatory Nevada Gaming Control Board said he was accused of failure to exercise discretion and sound judgment to prevent incidents that have reflected negatively on the reputation of the gaming industry and the State of Nevada.

FILE - Casino mogul Steve Wynn pauses at a news conference in Medford, Mass., on March 15, 2016. Wynn's long legal fight with Nevada gambling regulators over claims of workplace sexual misconduct is expected to end Thursday, July 27, 2023, with a settlement calling for him to pay a $10 million fine and cut virtually all ties to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Wynn, who now lives in Florida, will not attend the hearing, his attorney Colby Williams said Wednesday. Williams declined to comment about the proceedings until they are complete.

Under terms of the deal, Wynn will be allowed to maintain passive ownership of up to 5% of a publicly traded corporation registered with the Gaming Commission, but no "control, authority, advisory role or decision making power. Violating the pact could lead to a finding of unsuitability for association with Nevada casinos and an additional fine, it said.

Unsuitability would be extraordinary for a man widely credited with starting a boom that grew Las Vegas Strip properties from gambling halls with all-you-can-eat buffets and showrooms into huge destination resorts featuring celebrity-chef restaurants, massive gambling floors, nightclubs and huge stage productions.

Wynn developed luxury properties including the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas; Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi; Wynn Macau in the Chinese gambling enclave; and Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts.

He resigned after the Wall Street Journal published allegations by several women that he sexually harassed or assaulted them at his hotels. He divested company shares, quit the corporate board and resigned as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.

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Wynn has consistently denied sexual misconduct allegations in multiple courts.

In the Gaming Commission case, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled against him in March 2022, finding that a state judge in Las Vegas acted prematurely in late 2020 when she sided with Wynns lawyers and decided the state lacked authority to punish him.

Wynn's attorneys, including Donald Campbell, argued that the Gaming Control Board and its oversight panel, the Nevada Gaming Commission, no longer had legal jurisdiction over Wynn.

State regulators launched their investigation after the allegations against Wynn emerged. The board said Wynns license had been placed on administrative hold and the commission moved in October 2019 to discipline or fine Wynn.

At a December 2019 hearing, which Wynn did not attend, commissioners began considering a fine of up to $500,000 and a declaration that Wynn was unsuitable to renew ties to gambling in Nevada.

Months earlier, the commission fined his former company, Wynn Resorts Ltd., a record $20 million for failing to investigate sexual misconduct claims made against Wynn.

Massachusetts gambling regulators fined Wynn Resorts Ltd. another $35 million and new company chief executive Matthew Maddox $500,000 for failing to disclose while applying for a license for the Boston-area resort that there had been sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn.

Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations.

The agreements included no admission of wrongdoing.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steve Wynn to pay $10M to end legal fight over sexual misconduct claim
WOONSOCKET  The smells that come from the city's wastewater treatment plant and an associated sludge incinerator have been so bad that sometimes Joshua Hoye can't go outside without feeling sick.

Maurice Doire leaves during the day for respite, but at night, when he's back home, the odors keep him from sleeping.

Our whole neighborhood smells like an open cesspool, or at times like chemicals in the air, he said, according to a class-action lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Providence.

The Blackstone River in Woonsocket.

Hoye and Doire are the lead plaintiffs in the suit, which is seeking damages for the impact of persistent odors on them and potentially thousands of others who live around the facilities located near the Blackstone River in the center of Woonsocket.

Plaintiffs properties have been, and continue to be, repeatedly invaded by noxious odors on occasions too numerous to list individually, the complaint says.

The lawsuit was filed against Jacobs Engineering, a Texas-based firm that the city has hired to operate the treatment plant, and Synagro, the Maryland company that owns the incinerator.

Synagro said it is aware of the complaint but declined further comment.

Synagro has not been served with the complaint as of this time and therefore it is premature to comment on the specific details or merits of the case, the company said in a statement.

Jacobs did not respond to a request for comment.

Trouble has been brewing for years

Neighbors have long complained about smells from around the treatment plant and incinerator. The problem grew worse over the last two years as aging equipment repeatedly failed.

It came to a head over several days last March when the treatment plant discharged partially treated wastewater into the Blackstone. A passerby reported the spill to authorities after smelling raw sewage in the river.

The incident prompted the state Department of Environmental Management to issue a no-contact warning for the river. It wasn't the first time it had happened, and, with state officials frustrated with the lack of progress, the office of Attorney General Peter Neronha filed suit, alleging repeated violations of the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws.

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The plant treats between 6 million and 9 million gallons of wastewater daily, making it the fourth-largest treatment plant in the state. It treats waste not only from Woonsocket but also from a host of surrounding communities.

Sludge from the plant is dewatered and incinerated at the Synagro facility along with truckloads from other cities and towns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The leftover liquid goes back to the wastewater plant for further treatment, but that process encountered difficulties after the breakdown last spring of whats known as a gravity thickener, which is designed to remove any remaining solids.

It meant that more solids than usual were entering the plant, overwhelming its filtration systems and causing sewage that is only partially treated to enter the river.

Synagro and Jacobs brought in temporary equipment to address the problem, and the city is set to make permanent repairs.

The lawsuit argues that the companies havent done enough to address the problems. The complaint alleges that the odors are harming residents quality of life and property values.

More than 75 other households have contacted the lawyers representing Hoye and Doire about the odors, according to the complaint.

The odors that are smelled on a daily basis smell like I live across from a large city dump on a 90-degree day, Hoye said, according to the complaint.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Residents seeking damages for bad odors from Woonsocket sewage plant
Hunter Biden Mark Makela/Getty Images

A federal judge on Wednesday paused a proposed plea deal between Hunter Biden and the Justice Department that would have settled his tax and gun charges after confusion about the scope of the deal arose from both parties, The New York Times reports.

After nearly three hours of questioning either side about every detail of the agreement, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika sent them back to the drawing board to address her concerns regarding the deal's provision of broad immunity for Biden and requirement that she later determine whether Biden was meeting the terms related to his enrollment in a diversion program. "I cannot accept the plea agreement today," said Judge Noreika, a Trump appointee that was backed by two Democratic senators, adding that she would not be a "rubber stamp" after prosecutors and Biden believed they had a deal in place.

"DOJ and Hunter Biden were unwise and a little sloppy to combine the diversion on the gun/drug charge with the agreement on the misdemeanor tax charges," former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman wrote on Twitter. "They should have kept them entirely separate." During the Thursday edition of "CNN This Morning," former Assistant U.S. Attorney Elie Honig said that Noreika was "the only person in the courtroom yesterday who did her job properly," slamming Biden's legal team. "Clearly, they never had a direct conversation about this with prosecutors, which is not good practice by the defense," he said, adding, "A plea agreement is your future, and the judge has to do her job there and make sure there is not going to be a dispute down the line about what this means."
Before he became Placer Countys district attorney in 2020, Morgan Gire developed a reputation as a skilled and judicious lawyer.

It came across when he paced in front of a jury, guided police officers through training courses and sifted through legislative bills and proposals.

So, it has been no surprise to supporters and former colleagues that Gire and his office are at the forefront of a unique approach playing out in courtrooms across California.

He and other district attorneys are pursuing murder charges against people who sell or provide drugs with lethal doses of fentanyl to someone who later dies from taking them. Its a novel twist on an old legal strategy, and one that is being closely watched by law enforcement and lawyers across the state.

Earlier this month, the effort reached a major milestone in Placer County when a man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder following the death of a teenager. He is believed to be the first person in California to plead or be found guilty of the charge in connection to a death caused by fentanyl.

Yet Gire, in recent interviews, didnt take a victory lap. While he acknowledged the recent plea affirmed the tactic could work, he also pointed to its limitations.

If we were doing nothing else about fentanyl except just picking and choosing murder cases, I would say wed be making very little difference.

His office uses the approach sparingly  as it should be used  and in the most egregious of circumstances, he said. So far, it has done so three times, all of which occurred last year.

Still, the recent legal victory has major implications and comes as Gire and other district attorneys are frustrated by state legislators.

Lawmakers have stalled bills that have tried to punish dealers more strictly. In part, due to concerns they would send more people to prison, and for longer, but would not meaningfully reduce drug use and deaths. One recent bill would have required judges to read warning messages to people found guilty of selling or dispensing drugs containing fentanyl. It had strong bipartisan support, yet stalled.

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McGregor Scott, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, called the recent legal tactic well placed given the circumstances.

Theres a void there that Morgan, and some of the other DAs, are trying to fill.

Roots of new approach

Gire, 49, was born and raised in Loomis, the small Placer County town about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. His father worked as a computer programmer for the state and his mother was a freelance writer.

After finishing law school in Tennessee, Gire wanted to return closer to home. But the Placer County District Attorneys Office wasnt hiring at the time, he said. Riverside Countys office was. So, he went there in 1999.

Michael Hestrin said Gire developed a reputation there as a hardworking and no-nonsense prosecutor who was also witty and easy to get along with. The two have stayed friends since.

He was very well thought of, said Hestrin, who is currently the district attorney in Riverside County.

While there, Gire worked on an array of cases. Some included instances when people committed minor driving offenses, like falling asleep or taking a curve too fast, but ended up killing others. Choosing what charges to pursue, or not, wasnt always clear-cut.

The gravity of such legal calculations left the young lawyer humbled.

The decisions we make, he said, and the courses we choose to take in particular cases have such impact on human life.

It is with that understanding that Gire said his office is pursuing murder charges. He recognizes that some may call it an extreme approach, but he counters that it is only one necessary component to the overall fight.

Like other parts of the state and country, Placer County has seen a rapid rise in fentanyl-related deaths. In 2021, the most recent annual data available, the county had at least 50 people die due to opioids although it is not clear how many were because of fentanyl. The drug killed more than 5,900 people across California that year.

As prosecutors in Placer County kept reviewing cases of people dying, Gire said evidence started to show that some dealers knew what they were selling could be deadly.

In California, people can be charged with murder if they know something is dangerous, do it anyway, and it results in someones death. A seminal case on the matter came in 1981. The California Supreme Court ruled a drunk driver, who killed two people, could be charged with murder because his actions showed a conscious disregard for the safety of others before the crash.

Gire and other prosecutors in the office felt murder charges were warranted in response to some fentanyl deaths. In February of 2022, the office filed its first.

Virgil Xavier Bordner, 22, looks at his family on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, after he was sentenced to 17 years at the Placer Superior Court in Roseville for the death of Zachary Didier of Rocklin from fentanyl poisoning.

The second was Nathaniel Cabacungan, 21, who recently pleaded guilty. Prosecutors accused him of causing the death of a 15-year-old girl when he was charged in August of 2022. The third murder charge came in October.

Gire declined to discuss Cabacungans case in detail because he has not yet been sentenced. The court file includes limited information and the Placer County Sheriffs Office denied a records request for his arrest report.

Cabacungan declined to comment on his case through Brad Whatcott, his public defender.

Gregory Totten, who heads the California District Attorneys Association, did not know how many other counties have pending murder charges related to fentanyl deaths. But he believes the recent plea was the first second-degree murder conviction in the state for a death caused by the opioid.

Sacramento has not yet filed a murder charge, said District Attorney Thien Ho, but the office is collecting evidence in cases that could be used for future ones. Hestrin, from Riverside, said his office has filed around 30.

Even so, the legal strategy will likely get reviewed by a higher court in the future. Gire expressed confidence the cases his office has filed would be upheld if challenged.

The laws been around for a long time, he said. This is just a new application of facts.

Placer County Public Defender Dan Koukol declined to discuss the approach of filing murder charges saying in an email that legal matters should be argued in courtrooms, not the media. This helps to ensure that decisions are based on evidence and legal principles, not public sentiment.

Frustrations with Sacramento

Gire knew he wanted to be a prosecutor after taking a class as an undergraduate at San Diego State University. It was taught by a federal prosecutor who walked students through the types of decisions one makes in the job. Gire absorbed every second of it.

When he talks about his work now words spill out of his mouth quickly.

I love this stuff, he said. Its the only job I ever wanted and its the only one I ever plan on doing.

After several years in Riverside, he moved to the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office to be closer to his now-wife. He stayed there for more than 15 years.

Anne Marie Schubert was the district attorney in Sacramento during the later part of Gires time there. She said he has very sound judgment and is wicked smart, but not in an egotistical way.

Gire worked on gang and sex crime prosecutions before later aiding Schubert on advocacy and policy matters. That meant following what was going on at the state Legislature, which is something Gire continues to do.

In December, he urged lawmakers to take meaningful legislative action to try to prevent fentanyl deaths. So far, Gire said he has come away feeling disappointed and that legislators arent doing enough to increase the tools prosecutors have to more strictly punish dealers.

One of the proposals he supported is Senate Bill 44, which would have required judges to warn people that are guilty of selling or handing out drugs about the dangers of fentanyl. If a person continues to distribute drugs, and someone dies from fentanyl because of it, the cautionary message could be used as evidence in a future murder case.

State law requires that people convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol be advised about the dangers of doing so. If they continue to, and kill someone as a result, they could be charged with murder, according to the warning.

Fentanyl admonishments are already happening in some courtrooms. Along with Placer, defendants in at least Sacramento, El Dorado, Riverside and Yolo counties are receiving them, according to interviews and information put out by those offices. But the bill would have provided standard language and required its use across the state.

At least half of all state Senators supported SB 44. Yet it failed on multiple attempts to get through a committee that reviews public safety-related bills. Democratic members, in their opposition, cited concerns it would have unintended consequences and was not proven to limit overdose deaths. Efforts to pass similar proposals have also failed in recent years.

Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, introduced the bill with a Republican colleague. The former federal prosecutor agreed with critics of the Legislature.

We need to do more, he said.

Umberg plans to reintroduce the proposal in some way as well as push forward other fentanyl-related measures.

Vowing, Im not done.

Getting the word out

Bonnie Gore was on the Placer County Board of Supervisors in 2020 when she and other members interviewed district attorney candidates after the previous leader retired.

Gire, she said, stood out. He wanted to take issues on directly and was also thoughtful and reasonable. He talked about wanting to both prosecute and educate.

I think were seeing this play out now, Gore said.

Gire and other representatives in the office have spoken to community groups, students and parents about the dangers of fentanyl.

Thats how were going to solve the problem, he said. Im not going to solve the fentanyl crisis in Placer County by prosecuting everybody with murder.

One of his presentations came during a parent information night at the high school attended by Zach Didier. In December 2020, the 17-year-old died after he took a pill he thought was a Percocet, but actually contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. Last year, a man who sold Didier the pill was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Laura Didier, Zachs mother, said she appreciates how Gire makes himself available to speak when she is doing community events.

Hes always made it very clear that the awareness and education part of it is incredibly important as well, she said.

Gire appears to have widespread support. In June of 2022, he was elected to serve his first full term as district attorney after running unopposed.

Earlier this month, the Loomis Lions Club had a 23-foot by 3-foot banner put up over a major road in the town, home to about 6,800 people. It carries a warning: selling fentanyl in the county may result in a murder charge. Gires name is written below the message.

The idea came out of a town hall meeting on fentanyl earlier in the year that Gire and others spoke at, said Jack Morris, a Lions member who helped organize the display.

We treat him like a God in the club, Morris said. We feel that sign was a show of support for Morgan Gire.
The satirists' Instagram post showed Jordanian riot police arresting a man for throwing a party to honor his infant son. His crime? The fete was on the day of the crown prince's wedding.

Another gag depicted an official campaign to ensure the Jordanian populace was expressing sufficient amounts of happiness for the royal family. If the kingdom's subjects didn't smile at an angle of at least 77 degrees, they would be fined.

Then there was the joke questioning where the prince got all the cash to cover the costs of his nuptials.

For AlHudood, the Middle East's answer to the Onion, this was nothing new. The website, which has been committing what co-founder Isam Uraiqat calls "equal-opportunity satire" since 2013, regularly features headlines such as "Turkey and Syria agree to repatriate 50% of every refugee" and "Saudi government signs Hajj promotion deal with Cristiano Ronaldo."

So of course a political satire website started in Jordan was going to poke fun at the kingdom's celebrations for its crown prince's wedding, an opulent affair that drew the famous and wealthy from all over the world. Besides, Uraiqat said, he and his team of writers had worked within the often-arbitrary confines of free speech in the region for a decade; they thought they knew how far they could go.

We definitely didnt think we were pushing any lines," Uraiqat said of the Jordan wedding jokes. "We did this like any other story: We look at what's relevant and worth talking about."

Jordanians wave flags along the route of the royal motorcade in Amman this summer. (Raad Adayleh / Associated Press)

But a few weeks later, friends and colleagues were asking if the website was down. Readers in Jordan left comments saying they could no longer connect to the site.

The Jordanian government, with no statement and zero fuss, had blocked AlHudood, adding it to the list of dozens of outlawed sites.

It wasnt us who changed the line," Uraiqat said.

Read more: In Jordan, a lavish royal wedding doubles as a princely coming-out party

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The one-time screenwriter and activist had positioned the site as truth-telling court jester among the more dour forces controlling expression in the Arab world: government-sponsored news channels cheerleading state policy; sclerotic intelligence services and officials unable, or unwilling, to understand social media; and dictators projecting a tolerant image abroad yet quashing dissent at home

Jordan's banning of AlHudood  its name in Arabic means the limits or the borders"  signals a new trend in state censorship, both in Jordan and in the wider Arab world, one where satire, even frivolity in the face of authority, is deemed unacceptable, and officials just can't take a joke.

A TikTok influencer was arrested in Dubai this month after releasing a video depicting a super-rich Emirati chucking stacks of bills to buy a fancy car. The Emirate of Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates and marketing itself as an open-minded outlier in a conservative Persian Gulf, didn't find it funny. (AlHudood is also banned in the UAE.)

Under the cover of protecting morality, the Iraqi government in February charged more than a dozen social media stars and activists with releasing what it judged to be inappropriate content. It even created a smartphone app so concerned citizens can report anything they find offensive.

Read more: Jordan prepares for a royal wedding of its crown prince and an L.A.-educated architect

Saudi Arabia, which a United Nations investigator found responsible for the "extrajudicial killing" in 2018 of a Washington Post journalist, has in recent years gone after social media posters. The kingdom has doled out fines and five-year prison terms since 2018 for people producing and distributing content that ridicules, mocks, provokes and disrupts public order, religious values and public morals through social media, according to the countrys public prosecutor.

Compared with the often dismal levels of free speech of its neighbors  in Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia  Jordan, a perennially impoverished desert kingdom of some 11 million people, has long enjoyed a reputation of relative openness.

Its 61-year-old monarch, King Abdullah II, is a staunch Washington ally who relies on the U.S. and other nations largesse to keep his country going. He often talks about democratic rights and fostering political parties.

Now Jordan's government has enacted new  and critics say draconian  amendments to its already problematic cybercrime law. Many consider AlHudood a victim of the repressive media ecosystem the state tested out even before the law was sent to parliament.

Read more: Jordan's king addresses family feud: 'The sedition has been buried'

"Its the same mentality that justifies blocking AlHudood, said Raya Sharbain, who works as a security trainer in Jordan with the Tor project, which maintains software for the Tor anonymity network.

The 41 amendments, which the government fast-tracked to parliament this month and ratified with little modification in an extraordinary session Thursday, criminalize internet use for spreading false news, committing acts of defamation or causing damage to reputation or national unity.

Government officials argue the amendments will protect society and thwart what they say is an eight-fold rise in cybercrime cases between 2015 and 2022.

But critics and rights groups contend the language in the legislation is "rubbery," that it grants the state legal authority to block entire social media, bans use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and surgically throttles websites.

It would also effectively outlaw criticism: A negative restaurant review on Google Maps, for example, could see its author charged with slander and forced to pay a fine exceeding $4,000.

Meanwhile, social media platforms like TikTok  already blocked in Jordan since December  would be required to open up a regional office before their sites could be used in the country.

From the person streaming videos online to investigative journalists to lawyers  all will be affected. You might as well just switch off the internet already rather than have this law," Sharbain said.

Read more: Jordan's king denies impropriety in luxury home purchases, including one in California

Others also speak of the chilling effect the new cybercrime law will have on any news outlet, with stiffened penalties including prison terms of one to three years for journalists and fines from roughly $28,000 to more than $70,000.

The law says youll have to do prison time and pay money, leaving nothing to the judges discretion," said Yahya Shuqair, an expert on Jordanian media legislation. "As an activist, even if I have facts as clear as the sun, I would be afraid to write them. He added it was the latest in a years-long regression of press freedoms in the Arab world.

Theres a difference between rule of law, and rule by law. And Arab nondemocratic governments use rule by law, whether its a satirical website or otherwise.

The amendments provoked a rare rebuke of the government in the capital, Amman, from the U.S. State Department. The cybercrime law, said spokesman Vedant Patel, would inhibit future investment in the technology sector and further restrict the space for journalists, bloggers and civil society members to operate in Jordan.

"We reiterate that for countries to thrive there must be protections for freedom of expression, open debate, vibrant discourse, and information sharing, including online via press and social media platforms as well," Patel said this week.

Uraiqat sees the law as a continuation of the region's years-long rollback of press freedoms gained in the years following the Arab Spring; since then, he said, the space for media to operate has become even more restrictive than before the 2011 revolutions.

Reporters Without Borders, an international organization that tracks press freedoms, said Jordans ranking plummeted 26 places  from 120th to 146th  in the 2023 edition of its index, one of the regions largest falls. (Norway ranks first, North Korea 180th, or last; the U.S. ranks 45th.)

The things we could say seven years ago, now they put you in prison for them, said Uraiqat, who co-founded AlHudood while he was still living in his home country of Jordan before moving to London with his partner in 2015.

Authorities used to sometimes let things go, but now they dont.

Read more: Jordan's royal rift entangles an American-born queen

The ramped-up crackdown comes at a sensitive time for King Abdullah II, whose British education and aloof, Western-inflected style have drawn criticism from some quarters that hes out of touch with his people  a point that rankled two years ago when Prince Hamzeh, Abdullahs half-brother and one-time crown prince, spoke out against Jordans leadership in what Abdullah insists was a coup attempt.

Even before that incident, the government restricted journalists' work, issuing gag orders and forcing impossible-to-fulfill conditions on news sites. But afterward, Abdullah worked to future-proof his dynasty, changing the country's laws to gain additional constitutional powers and displaying an ever-growing exasperation with criticism of his family and his policies.

He also raised the profile of his son and heir, Crown Prince Hussein, tasking him with managing relations with Jordan's top international patrons and involving him in major decisions far beyond the ceremonial writ of the role.

Hussein's wedding was of a piece with that promotional push: a days-long celebration that saw the entire nation festooned with pictures of the royal couple; a celebrity-heavy guest list numbering in the thousands and including British royals and First Lady Jill Biden.

Jordan enacted a public holiday so people could line the streets where the royal motorcade would pass. Days before the event, crews worked to beautify the route, freshening up paint on sidewalks and trimming hedges. (That too was grist for AlHudood's mockery mill.)

With parliament passing the law, Uraiqat is expanding the site's offerings, even though they won't be seen in Jordan, or the UAE.

He has plans for a podcast and a television series and has started a fellowship program where aspiring John Oliver types can learn the intricacies of political satire in the AlHudood "newsroom." He and his writers have also created a Razzies-like event, where AlHudood awards a prize to the most sycophantic news reports in Arab media.

"The problem isn't just authoritarians, but in their tools to disseminate propaganda in the Arab world," he said. He added that though the atmosphere in Jordan "is worrying in ways it has never been before," the site won't shy away from news  which it self-deprecatingly describes as "organized gossip"  about Jordan.

"The bigger authorities make an event out to be, the more it's worth scrutiny," Uraiqat said.

"They want to have one without the other, to go as big as they can without being checked or held accountable."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Anti-LGBTQ+ activists Bo Alford and friends

An LGBTQ-affirming church in Texas was firebombed just weeks after right-wing activists visited it, pretending to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, and then posted a video to YouTube dubbing the church pagan and satanic.

Law enforcement officials havent said the video was connected to the attack, nor have they characterized the bombing as a hate crime, but they are still investigating, NBC News reports.

The attack took place Sunday at the Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Plano, a suburb of Dallas. Just after midnight, an incendiary device with a chemical accelerant was thrown or placed at the front doors of the main church building, church staffers wrote on Facebook. The alarm system went off, and firefighters responded quickly and put out the flames, so damage was minimal, and no one was injured.

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, the post continued. That group has posted video of their activities inside the church on various social media sites.

Bo Alford, whose social media handle is bodittle, attended a service at the church with friends, then posted a video to YouTube July 12 titled We Acted LGBT at LGBT Church. He and his companions asked congregants about their beliefs; they said in the video that they wished to expose false teachers. The pagan and satanic comment comes at the end of the piece, which has received more than 200,000 views.

Alford calls himself a Believer of Christ YouTuber/Boxer/Pro Lib Troller in his social media bios. He often trolls LGBTQ+ people and their allies, NBC notes.

He has denied any connection to the attack on the Unitarian church. First and foremost, my prayers go out to anyone effected by the fire, he said in an email to NBC. As to the accusations, My channel spreads the message of Jesus and his love for us. If you watch the video you will see the members of the church having nothing but nice things to say about us. She enjoyed our conversation and even ended it with a hug. The fact we are being labeled as a hate group and being tied to this fire in any way is appalling.

Pictured: Bo Alford (right) and friends
A view in Rocky Mountain National Park Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Grand Lake, Colo. | David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Rebecca Vance, 42, set out with her teenage son and sister about a year ago to live off the grid, disconnected from a failing and scary world, as she saw it.

When she made the announcement, her stepsister, Trevala Jara, wasnt exactly thrilled, reported The New York Times. After trying to stop her, Jara told Vance, Im going to worry about you, to which Vance replied she would live off the land.

She went for good intentions, Jara told the Times. She thought she was protecting her son and our sister, Christine, because she didnt want them to get wrapped up in what the world was coming to in her eyes.

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Jara had no idea where the trio went until recently.

Vance, her 14-year-old son and sister, Christine Vance, 41, were all found dead this week near a remote Colorado campsite in the Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison County coroner told the Colorado Sun.

Due to the severe decomposition and partial mummification of the bodies, their identities were not released until days later, per the Sun. The first body was found by a hiker, about 1,000 feet from the basic camp where the other two bodies were found in a zipped-up blue tent.

I wonder if winter came on quickly and suddenly they were just in survival mode in the tent, Gunnison coroner Michael Barnes told The Associated Press. They had a lot of literature with them about outdoor survival and foraging and stuff like that. But it looked like they supplied at a grocery store.

At the campsite, there were empty food cans, and the only other food found there was a pack of ramen, Barnes told the Times.

It was a significantly harsh winter, Barnes told the Sun. He suspects that the cold temperatures and snow at such a high altitude, along with malnutrition, contributed to their deaths.

Were suspecting they were there under the snow all winter long, Gunnison Country Sheriff Adam Murdie told the Times.

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Jara told the Times that she hopes this acts as a cautionary tale to have others think twice about choosing to live off the grid.

I know this world is scary, Jara said. But dont let that fear, that doubt, all of that take over.

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Kenneth Kong Lee, a well-liked teacher at Clovis East High School, was sentenced Wednesday to one year of probation for giving a student an unwanted side hug.

Lees defense attorneys, Margarita Martinez-Baly and Kathy Bird, called the sentence a fair outcome for the 54-year-old Hmong language teacher who has been on unpaid leave since 2018 when a student accused him of touching her inappropriately while she was in his class.

Although Lee was originally charged with one felony count of lewd act upon a child, age 14 or 15, and a misdemeanor count of annoying, molesting any child under 18 years old, those charges were dropped by the prosecution on the eve of his jury trial.

Instead, Lees lawyers and prosecutor Kristin Maxwell struck a deal where Lee would plead no contest to a simple battery charge for the side hug.

We are very pleased with the sentence, Bird said.

Bird said Lee has been teaching for 20 years and has not received a single complaint from a student. Hundreds of letters of support were written on his behalf and more than two dozen of his supporters were in the courtroom Wednesday.

Prior to issuing Lees sentence, Judge Arlan Harrell heard from the mother of the student who read a letter from her daughter.

No words can describe how I feel emotionally and physically, the mother said, reading from her daughters letter. I am still recovering from this traumatic experience. I still have anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. It is something I am still struggling with today. This violating experience has caused me to feel unsafe in public.

The former high school student also described in the letter the online bullying she endured from students who called her a liar. One day she walked into Lees classroom and found a note that said We want Mr. Lee back.

The judge made a point of expressing his disappointment over how the former student was treated by her fellow classmates.

You should not be punished for speaking up, Harrell said.

Along with probation, Harrell ordered Lee to pay restitution in an amount to be determined later, and he was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim for three years.

Still unresolved is a lawsuit filed in April, 2021 against Lee and Clovis Unified. The lawsuit that claims the district was negligent in hiring Lee is seeking unspecified damages.
French beauty products giant L'Oreal saw sales rise strongly in most regions of the world except north Asia (GUILLAUME SOUVANT)

French beauty products giant L'Oreal said Thursday it managed double-digit revenue growth in the first half of the year although sales stagnated in Asia.

Overall, sales at the company that owns the Maybelline New York and Garnier brands climbed by 12 percent to 20.57 billion euros ($22.6 billion), rising by both volume and value.

Meanwhile, net profit rose by four percent to 3.35 billion euros.

"Given the context, we're very happy" with our performance, chief executive Nicolas Hieronimus told AFP.

"The global beauty market grew by 10 percent, we're above the market," he added.

Sales grew strongly in all regions except north Asia, where they only edged up by 0.6 percent.

China abandoned at the end of last year its strict zero-Covid policy that saw huge swathes of the country under lockdown but consumers have been reticent to spend as they worry about the future of the economy.

Hieronimus said the Chinese market is "recovering more slowly than expected but steadily".

He said sales there rose by 15 to 18 percent in the second quarter while the overall beauty market rose 6.5 percent.

L'Oreal avoided a slowdown in sales in North America that hit luxury groups LVMH and Richemont, with revenues rising by 14.7 percent thanks to both price rises and the product mix.

The consumer products division saw sales jump by 13.1 percent to take the top spot from the luxury unit which includes brands such as Lancome and Yves Saint Laurent perfumes.

kap/rl/yad
The Louisville police officer who was critically injured more than three months ago while responding to the Old National Bank mass shooting is expected to be released from a rehabilitation facility Friday, officials at University of Louisvilles health care system announced.

Officer Nickolas Wilt has been hospitalized since April 10 after he was shot in the head by Connor Sturgeon, an employee at the bank who shot several people with an AR-15 that morning. Wilt remained in critical condition for nearly a month and had a battle with pneumonia during his hospitalization.

On May 10, Wilt was taken off all life-sustaining medical equipment and transferred to the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, where he has been undergoing treatment ever since.

Five people were killed during the shooting that injured Wilt, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department. Sturgeon also died after he was shot by police.

Wilt was on his fourth shift as an LMPD officer when he was shot, police said previously. He and his training officer, Cory Galloway, were the first officers on scene after reports of the shooting came in. Wilt and Galloway were praised for their efforts and credited with saving lives.

Officials are expected to give remarks about Wilts recovery Friday.

Officer Wilt is still recovering from a traumatic brain injury and will continue his therapy at Frazier Rehabilitation Institute through outpatient care, UofL Health said in a news release Thursday.
A Senate bill that takes aims at credit card swipe fees wont make it into annual defense policy legislation, but sponsors of the Credit Card Competition Act struck a deal with leadership to have it come to the floor for a vote by the end of the year, a source close to the talks told The Hill.

We were given assurances that the Credit Card Competition Act will be given a vote this Congress, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), who reintroduced the bill last month with Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), confirmed in a statement.

The bill would require financial institutions with assets of more than $100 billion to enable at least two network options for processing credit card transactions.

At least one of those networks must be an option other than Visa or Mastercard, which control a combined 80 percent of the credit card network market in the U.S.

The National Retail Federation (NRF), one of the major players championing the bill, says swipe fees are the highest operating cost after labor for most retailers.

The current average fee for credit card transactions is around 2 percent, and the retail trade association estimates credit card swipe fees cost retailers more than $160 billion each year.

Banks say swipe fees are essential to fund the points programs that have become a staple for credit card users. (Getty Images)

What are bill sponsors wanting in a swipe fee law?

The bill does not cap fees. Rather, the bills sponsors say more competition and choice will reduce credit card swipe fees.

We will inject competition into the credit card market, without price controls, and help our MainStreet businesses and consumers. The days of globalists on Wall Street taking advantage of American families will soon be over, Marshall said.

The chamber is slated to vote on the National Defense Authorization Act before the August recess, and there had been talk of tagging the swipe fee bill onto the must-pass legislation. But when Durbin announced Sunday he tested positive for COVID for the third time this year, that plan became increasingly less likely.

With Durbin quarantined away from Capitol Hill, Marshall continued to push for the amendment. In a statement, the Electronic Payments Coalition accused Marshall of holding up the national defense spending authorization bill to gift a massive government handout to Walmart, Target, and other big-box retailers.

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Visa and Mastercard are members of the coalition, which vehemently opposes the bill, along with other banking giants  including Capital One, Wells Fargo and the American Bankers Association.

This is going to enrich the bottom lines of the big box retailers at the expense of individual consumers and at the expense of the nearly 10,000 community financial institutions, the community banks and credit unions that helped make up the payments ecosystem, said Aaron Stetter, executive director of the Electronic Payments Coalition, in a phone interview.

When might a swipe fee bill come to a vote?

Banks say swipe fees are essential to fund the points programs that have become a staple for credit card users. But when consumers might actually see a change is still up in the air.

I think its more clear that there will be a vote and people will have to vote on it. The only question is: when? said Doug Kantor, general counsel at the National Association of Convenience Stores, in a phone interview.

Kantor is also an executive committee member of the Merchant Payments Coalition of convenience stores, supermarkets and other businesses that support the bill.

Some research has indicated the hit to points programs may be minor.

An analysis by the advisory firm CMSPI, which aims to boost the productivity of the retail payments ecosystem, found that if the bill passes, credit card rewards would reduce by less than one-tenth of 1 percent at most.

The Electronic Payments Coalition decried that analysis as misleading, pointing to a Federal Reserve study on credit card profitability that found net transaction margins have shrunk as reward expenses increased. The coalition says this demonstrates there is no wiggle room for issuers.

If that revenue is eliminated, they are not going to continue these programs, Stetter said.

Callum Godwin, chief economist at CMSPI, told The Hill their estimate carved out third-party card networks like American Express and Discover, who are exempted from the Credit Card Competition Act requirements.

He also noted the bill would impact only the 23 U.S. card issuers with assets higher than $100 billion, based on large commercial bank asset data released by the Federal Reserve in March.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) speaks to a reporter as he arrives at the Capitol for a series of votes May 2. (Annabelle Gordon)

Banks are competing for customers as credit markets tighten

Stephanie Martz, chief administrative officer and general counsel at the NRF, pointed out that banks would still be competing with one another for customers.

Theyre going to need to keep their rewards programs or figure out what enticements theyre going to use so that people use their credit cards, Martz said in a phone interview.

This isnt the first time Congress has moved to rein in card processing fees.

The so-called Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010 directed the Federal Reserve to cap swipe fees for debit cards issued by the largest banks at 21 cents per transaction plus 0.5 percent of the total transaction amount.

Durbin and Marshall introduced the Credit Card Competition Act last year, but their attempt to attach it to the Senates version of the NDAA was unsuccessful.

Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio) signed on as co-sponsors for the swipe fee bill this time around, and the source close to talks believes they will have the votes when the bill is called to the Senate floor.

Prices for gas and groceries are skyrocketing especially in rural America. We need to do all we can to drive down costs, and our legislation will do just that. We are looking forward to getting this bipartisan bill passed together in the near future, Marshall said.

Updated at 8:52 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi announced on July 27 that he had asked law enforcement to examine the disappearance of close to a million dollars in volunteer-donated military supplies for Ukrainian soldiers.

Earlier on July 25, the Lviv-based investigative group NGL Media reported that Hr 33.6 million ($910,000) worth of tactical first aid kits, purchased and sent by U.S. volunteers to the Ukrainian military, had disappeared in Lviv.

The group noted the possible involvement of the Lviv Oblast Military Administration and local charitable foundations in the case.

Kozytskyi said that he appealed to the Lviv Oblast Prosecutor's Office and local law enforcement to investigate the information uncovered by NGL Media.

"If the facts presented by the journalists are confirmed, then the guilty should be brought to justice," the governor wrote on Telegram.

"Everyone should be aware of the consequences of their actions. Especially in wartime."

However, he noted that is not yet clear whether the first aid kits had even entered Ukraine's territory.

According to NGL Media's investigation, U.S. volunteers were approached in the fall of 2022 by people claiming connections with the Lviv Oblast Military Administration and local charity foundations to facilitate the transport of aid from the U.S. to Lviv.

The aid, which totaled around $1.1 million, also included gas masks, winter uniform shoes, and sleeping bags, but it was the first aid kits, the most valuable part of the cargo, that did not reach their destination.
Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of the Lviv Oblast Military Administration, has asked the law enforcement officers to check the information in the media about the alleged disappearance of the humanitarian aid batch from the US. Journalists reported earlier that the Lviv Oblast Military Administration itself was involved in the incident.

Source: Kozytskyi on Telegram

Quote: "This week, a Lviv media outlet published an article, in which it claimed that a humanitarian aid batch from the US had disappeared in the city of Lviv. Specifically, the IFAK tactical first-aid kits have disappeared. According to this information, the humanitarian aid may have been stolen.

Yet so far, the question of whether the first-aid kits arrived in Ukraine at all and, if they did, what happened to them, remains open. 10,000 first-aid kits could not have just disappeared without a trace."

Details: In this regard, on 26 July, Kozytskyi turned to the management of the Lviv Oblast Prosecutors Office and Main Department of the National Police in Lviv Oblast so that law enforcement officers could check the information.

Quote: "If the facts reported by the journalists are confirmed, then the guilty must be held accountable. Everyone must be aware of the consequences of their actions. Especially in wartime."

Background: On 25 July, the Liviv-based NGL.media media outlet published an investigation into the disappearance of nearly 10,000 tactical first-aid kits IFAK worth 33.6 million hryvnias [about US$926,000  ed.] in total, which were procured and sent by the American volunteers to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The journalists discovered that "a clear involvement of the Lviv Oblast Military Administration" is visible in this mysterious case.

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(Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macron slammed what he called the imperialism of neighboring powers on a visit to the South Pacific, seeking to promote France as a balancing force in a region with strategic significance to both China and the US.

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The sovereignty of many states, often the smallest and most fragile, is threatened by new imperialisms and power dynamics, the French president said in Vanuatu, an archipelago where Beijing has built roads, stadiums and even a parliament building. He cited illegal maritime patrols and predatory loans, without mentioning China explicitly.

China and the US have sought to build influence in the region, an area which would facilitate military access to Taiwan in a conflict. The US has pledged to prevent Beijing from bringing the democratically-run island under control by force.

Macron wants Paris to act as a balancing force but he doesnt have the diplomatic or military might of the two superpowers. So hes racing to define Frances role and what it can offer to small island-nations threatened by climate change.

Macrons main stop in the region earlier this week was New Caledonia, a French territory thats key to French strategy. Hell then head to Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka  a first for a French president  Friday. Meanwhile, his Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire travels to China this weekend to boost economic ties, meeting with representatives from car maker BYD Co. in the hope that it will build a car plant in France.

If independence means that tomorrow youll decide to have a Chinese base here, or to be dependent on another maritime fleet, good luck with that  thats no independence! Macron told crowds in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, on Wednesday, after some pro-independence leaders refused to meet with him. Vanuatu has previously denied media reports from 2018 that China planned to build a military base on the island.

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After departing the archipelago that France took possession of in the 19th century, Macron in Vanuatu denounced the hegemony or imperialism of some great neighboring powers who are offering alliances in exchange for investments. France will soon open an embassy in the Samoa islands, a first embassy in Polynesia, a development agency office in Vanuatu, and deploy 200 more soldiers and upgrade defense equipment in New Caledonia, Macron said.

Macrons government was stunned in 2021 when Australia scrapped a massive submarine deal with Paris to enter a defense alliance with the US and the UK dubbed AUKUS. The snub effectively put the brakes on French ambitions in the zone, and reinforced a perception that France should remain independent from US policy when it comes to Taiwan.

Tightrope

Macron is walking a tightrope. Hes trying to assert Frances interests in the region, where some 1.5 million of its citizens live and with a military presence in overseas territories including New Caledonia, Wallis-and-Futuna and Mayotte. He has also said Europe shouldnt be a vassal to the US on Taiwan policy, or to China.

Macron has repeatedly sought to strike a middle path between China and the US, warning against a split in the global order. One official in Macrons office said France doesnt have an anti-China policy but wants to propose an alternative model in the area, with the backing of regional powers such as India or Australia.

Paris needs to clarify how it would cooperate with allies in case of a high-intensity conflict in the region, argues Celine Pajon, a researcher at the French Institute for International Relations.

In the event of an invasion, the US would necessarily be at the forefront of the military response. France and Europe would act first and foremost through diplomatic and economic sanctions, Pajon said in an interview. France does, however, have military capabilities and a degree of interoperability with its Asian and American partners that could enable it to intervene in the area, should the need arise.

While French officials have privately expressed worries about Chinas growing influence in the region, China has had varying degrees of success in its attempts to boost diplomatic ties in the Indo-Pacific over the past decade. It failed to secure a sweeping deal with ten Pacific nations during a visit by then Foreign Minister Wang Yi last year. The proposal was shelved after push back from regional leadership.

France is the European Union country with the biggest presence in the Indo-Pacific, including 93% of its exclusive economic zone where it can exploit maritime resources. New Caledonia is believed to hold as much as a quarter of the worlds reserves of nickel, a key metal for electric cars at the heart of the green energy transition.

--With assistance from Alfred Cang and Jenni Marsh.

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The Ukrainian military command has informed Washington of a new phase of the Defence Forces' counter-offensive.

Source: New York Times with reference to US anonymous officials

Details: The New York Times noted that Ukrainian officials had told US officials that reinforced Ukrainian groups would attempt to advance south through Russian minefields and other fortifications to the city of Tokmak, and, if successful, to Melitopol.

Their goal is to break the so-called land bridge between the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and the Crimean peninsula, or at least advance far enough to put the strategically important peninsula within range of Ukrainian artillery.

The New York Times pointed out that Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and now uses it as a base for its Black Sea Fleet and to supply its forces in Ukraines south.

The new Defence Forces operation, if successful, could take one to three weeks, Ukrainian officials told Washington.

However, little has gone according to plan since the counteroffensive began in early June, and officials at the White House and Pentagon said on Wednesday that they were watching the increased activity with great interest.

"This is the big test," one US official said.

The main strike of Ukraine's nearly two-month-long counteroffensive is the country's southeast, where thousands of reinforcements, many trained and equipped by the West and until now held in reserve, are pouring into the fierce battle, two Pentagon officials said on Wednesday.

Overall, the Zaporizhzhia front is one of the three axes of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

One of Ukraine's military goals is to reach the Sea of Azov, driving a wedge between the Russian-occupied territories in southern and eastern Ukraine.

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says a driver is facing three charges after a crash in north Charlotte that killed a woman earlier this month.

The crash happened on July 1 near N. Tryon Street and Caprington Avenue. A woman in a Nissan Sentra was turning left from N. Tryon when a Dodge Charger hit her while speeding.

RELATED: Police identify woman killed in north Charlotte crash

Police said after the crash, everyone in the Charger ran away from the scene.

CMPD said on Thursday that officers arrested Jonathan Anguiano, 23, and booked him into custody for felony hit and run resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Police had previously reported that the Charger was reported stolen from Jasper County, Virginia.

(WATCH: Fatal crash under investigation in Steele Creek, CMPD says)




A man arrested in San Francisco and accused of allegedly assaulting an 88-year-old Asian American woman had hate crime charges against him dropped in 2021, the city district attorneys office said.

Oakland resident James Lee Ramsey, 27, was taken into custody Friday for allegedly kicking the woman to the ground and assaulting her, the district attorney said in a statement. He is also accused of attacking a witness at the scene.

The woman was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Charges against Ramsey include several felonies: elder abuse, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and battery causing serious bodily injury, according to the DA. He is also charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly attacking the witness, as well as misdemeanor vandalism. He was not charged with a hate crime, but the DA said that could change because the investigation continues.

Ramsey pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held without bail, the DA said.

Oakland resident James Lee Ramsey, 27, was taken into custody on July 21 for allegedly kicking the woman to the ground and assaulting her, according to a statement from the district attorney. (NBC Bay Area)

The crimes that Mr. Ramsey is accused of are horrific, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in the statement. I am grateful to the witness who was able to detain him until police arrived ensuring that he did not flee.

Ramsey's attorney, San Francisco deputy public defender Lilah Wolf, told NBC News that she wishes the victim a speedy recovery  and that her client was never able to get the mental health care he needed.

"I can say that it is very clear that Mr. Ramsey has been suffering from mental health issues for a long time and did not receive the care that he needed and tried to get," she said. "He is a vulnerable member of the community, and our legal system, which has consistently demonstrated it is not equipped to address mental illness, let him down."

Jenkins office acknowledged that Ramsey was arrested in 2021 and charged with a hate crime and assault after he was accused of attacking Carl Chan, a community and business leader in Oaklands Chinatown, and knocking him unconscious, according to the police complaint.

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Ramsey agreed to plead no contest to assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury in exchange for dropping the hate crime charge. His public defender at the time cited mental health challenges, as well.

This was not a hate crime, and were glad that enhancement was properly dismissed, Alameda Countys chief public defender, Brendon Woods, told the San Francisco Chronicle after the 2021 incident. Mr. Ramsey needs mental health treatment, not state prison.

The attack last week follows several highly publicized attacks on older Asian Americans across the country in the last few years and the corresponding rise of the Stop AAPI Hate movement.

On July 10, an 86-year-old Asian woman was shoved to the ground in another unprovoked attack in San Francisco. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

My office, on behalf of the victims, and every San Franciscan who is fed up with brazen violence like this, will stand for justice and seek to hold him accountable for his crimes, Jenkins said of Ramsey.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A man who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and was part of the crowd that tried to storm the Speakers Lobby when a rioter was shot to death was found guilty Wednesday of two felony charges and seven misdemeanors.

The 44-year-old Kentucky man, Chad Barrett Jones, was found guilty of all nine charges after a bench trial in Washington, D.C. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 8.

Prosecutors accused Jones of using a rolled-up wooden flagpole to try to breach the barricaded door of the Speakers Lobby  in the moments before rioter Ashli Babbitt was shot to death. Babbitt attempted to climb through a broken glass panel in the door, despite repeated warnings from law enforcement officials on the opposite side of it.

Jones was standing near the door when a woman was shot climbing through a glass panel that had been smashed out by another member of the crowd, a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release said.

Babbitts death became a rallying cry for members on the far-right, many of whom viewed her as a martyr and a patriot. As recently as this year, former President Donald Trump called Babbitt a great patriot and attacked the Capitol Police officer who shot her, calling him a coward. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) had defended the officer, saying he did his job.

The government presented evidence showing Jones traveled to Washington to attend the Stop the Steal rally and other protests. After the rally, he marched to the Capitol with the crowd, entering unlawfully onto restricted grounds before entering the building itself.

Jones made his way to the Speakers Lobby  the hallway right outside the entrance to the U.S. House chamber, where many members were sheltering  as a large crowd tried to breach a barricaded door, according to government evidence. The crowd shouted and gesticulated aggressively at three Capitol Police officers on the opposite side of the door, the DOJ said, and Jones began striking the glass panels of the doorway with the wooden pole of his rolled-up flag.

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Jones struck the door nine times with the flagpole, as members of the crowd shouted for him to break it down, per the DOJ. He tried to open the door by pulling it open with his hand, before Babbitt tried to climb through the broken glass panel.

Jones is among the more than 1,000 people to be arrested for crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack. He was convicted of civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, destruction of U.S. property, entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building, physical violence in a restricted building, physical violence in a Capitol building and demonstrating or parading in a Capitol building.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lake Cunningham in Greer, South Carolina, where the drowning took place. Google Maps

A South Carolina man fled from deputies when they arrived at his home on Sunday, police said.

He ran away and jumped into a nearby lake, where he drowned, they said.

But the Sheriff's Office said they weren't there for him. They were serving a warrant to someone else.

When Greenville County deputies arrived at a house on Sunday to serve a warrant, a 38-year-old man inside started to run.

He fled the South Carolina property and jumped into a nearby lake, where he drowned, police said.

But deputies said the arrest warrant wasn't even meant for him. They were there to serve a warrant to a different person who had failed to appear in court.

In a Facebook post, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office said deputies arrived at a house in Greer, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon and that Chuck Gilbert Shelton "ran from the residence for unknown reasons."

While fleeing, Shelton jumped into Lake Cunningham, where he swam a short distance before going underwater and didn't resurface, the Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies jumped into the lake to try to locate him, but were unable to do so, it said.

The Sheriff's Office later sent a dive team, which found his body.

According to NBC News affiliate station WYFF, the coroner's office said that Shelton died from accidental freshwater drowning.

According to Shelton's girlfriend, Sidney McIntyre, police deputies were there to serve "a girl" that lived at the same property.

Shelton's family is now fundraising for a burial, with his girlfriend's sister noting on a GoFundMe page that they lacked insurance and that his death was "very unexpected."

So far, $165 of the $3,000 target has been raised.

Read the original article on Insider
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

A British man fought off an assailant and disarmed him after the attacker stabbed him in the middle of a busy city street.

"We were called to reports of a stabbing at the junction of Kings Road and Slade Road at 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday," a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said of the incident.

"One ambulance, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene," the spokesperson explained. "On arrival, we discovered on patient, a man, who was treated for serious injuries before being taken to hospital.

Footage obtained by SWNS showed two men wrestling on the ground as traffic continued driving around them and pedestrians stopped to watch. A female witness urged someone to "call the police" while another person said that one man had taken the knife "about 10 times."

BRITS SKIPPING ON SOAP TO PENNY-PINCH DURING COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS: REPORT

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The fight ended when one of the men just got up and walked away  seemingly the man who had the knife during the fight.

Vehicles passing a graffiti-covered one way sign on the James Watt Queensway Dual Carriageway on March 22, 2023 in Birmingham, England.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson confirmed that one male victim suffered "serious injuries" following the July 18 incident, but those injuries were "not life-threatening," and the police would carry out inquiries in the area.

FATHER URGES CHURCH TO STEP IN AS RELIGIOUS SCHOOL TEACHES KIDS THEY CAN BE BORN INTO WRONG BODY

"Were aware of a video that was shared on social media at the weekend, and we would ask anyone with information to contact us to assist our investigation," the spokesperson added.

Residents who live in the area where the incident occurred described it as "notorious" for crime, particularly drug pushers and gangs, according to Birmingham Live.

BRITISH POLITICAL CANDIDATE USED AI TO BUILD POLICY PLATFORM TO CREATE MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION

The high occupancy of some homes does not help, and residents claim a bail hostel also encountered countless trouble, locals said.

One resident in his 80s claimed he was propositioned several times by prostitutes, each of them "young girls" who are "maybe early 20s, possibly Eastern European."

Birmingham, part of the West Midlands, suffers one of the highest crime rates in the United Kingdom. CrimeRate.co.uk, a data analysis and GIS project that reviews crime trends in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland using open-source police data, found the West Midlands counts 91 reported crimes per 1,000 residents - the fourth-highest rate in the country.
A man who pleaded guilty to killing 15-year-old Anthony Castillo at the Desert Sky Mall in 2020 was sentenced Wednesday to 19.5 years in prison.

The killer, 30-year-old Daymond Deray Hayes, was handed down the sentence on one count of second-degree murder by Judge Justin Beresky.

Because he has been imprisoned for three years, that time will be reduced from his sentencing.

What happened at Desert Sky Mall?

According to court documents, on March 3, 2020, a verbal argument occurred between Castillo and Hayes at the Desert Sky Mall, near 75th Avenue and Thomas Road in Maryvale.

According to surveillance video obtained by police, Hayes is seen walking away from Castillo with a group of people. Moments after, Hayes approaches Castillo, hits him and then fires his gun, striking him in the head and then leaving the scene, court documents state.

Castillo was pronounced dead a day later, according to court documents.

Hayes was arrested that same day by Phoenix Police officers in the area of Central Avenue and Broadway Road.

Hayes claimed that he shot Castillo in self-defense as he thought the victim was armed at the time of the shooting. Witnesses did not see a gun on Castillo at the time of the altercation.

'He was loving, he was happy'

During the hearing at the Maricopa County Superior Court in downtown Phoenix, both Castillos and Hayes families spoke.

Castillos father had to be escorted out of the courtroom as he yelled obscenities at Hayes.

In an interview with The Arizona Republic, his mother Roxanne Flores talked about her memories of her son.

He was loving, he was happy, he helped so many people, he was into sports. He walked inside the room, he brightened the whole room., Flores said.

Castillos family believes the sentencing term was not enough to make up for the immense loss that came with Castillo's death.

(Hayes) still gets to see his kids, he still gets to become a grandpa, Flores said. He was a coward, he took something so beautiful from me and my family."

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Hayes' family pled to the judge for mercy and for a shorter sentence and described him as someone who loved his family and his community. His family said that he was on a path to becoming a better person after being imprisoned.

Hayes addressed the victim's family directly during the sentencing, asking for their forgiveness and expressing his regret. He told the victim's family that he prayed for them every day as a way to look for forgiveness from them.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man sentenced in 2020 killing of 15-year-old at Desert Sky Mall
The White House has named its choice for the next assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, but a blockade by one senator on top military nominees means its unclear when he would take that job.

The Senate received the nomination of career aviator Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney to be the No. 2 Marine on Tuesday, according to a congressional website that tracks nominations.

A native of South Weymouth, Massachusetts, Mahoney has flown more than 5,000 hours, in the A-6, F-5, F-18 and F-35, according to his official bio.

When Mahoney was a colonel in charge of Marine Aircraft Group 12 in 2013, one of his sergeants said in a Marine press release about a motivational run the officer led, Ill go anywhere with him. Hes the person you want in the front calling the shots.

Marine 3-star myth-busts notions about Force Design 2030

As a general officer, Mahoney has served as the deputy commander of Marine Forces Pacific, director of strategy and plans at Headquarters Marine Corps, deputy commander of U.S. Forces Japan and commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Now the deputy commandant for programs and resources, Mahoney is the top budget officer in the Marine Corps. He has worked to allocate the Marine Corps money as the service has pursued the ambitious restructuring plan called Force Design 2030.

The funding has come in large part from divestments of older platforms and systems, though Marine leaders have said the divest to invest approach has now reached its limit.

Mahoney has defended Force Design 2030 in the face of public criticism of the plan from a group of retired Marine leaders.

In the Marine Corps I grew up in for the last 35 years, internal disagreements stay internal, he said in a November 2022 speech to the Marine Corps Association, the Corps professional organization. They stay with our professional organizations so that we can have a robust and meaningful debate.

If he is confirmed as assistant commandant, Mahoney will pin on a fourth star and become the top deputy to the Marine commandant.

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For now, though, there is no Senate-confirmed commandant.

The White House nominated Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith in May for the job, but Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, unilaterally has blocked confirmation of senior military nominees in protest of a Pentagon policy that provides travel expenses and leave for troops seeking out-of-state abortions.

A spokesperson for Smith declined to comment on the nomination of Mahoney, which also would be subject to Tubervilles hold.

Because Smith was already the No. 2 Marine, he took on the duties of the commandant upon the statutorily required retirement of his predecessor, Gen. David Berger. But Smith doesnt have the title or some of the official trappings of the office of commandant, such as the ability to issue the commandants long-term planning guidance.

And Smith doesnt have a designated second-in-command. As both the acting commandant and the assistant commandant, he is juggling two full-time jobs each meant for four-star generals.

Mahoneys nomination provides the clearest picture yet of what the top Marine leadership team will look like if the top two generals can get confirmed. The top enlisted leader will be Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz, the Corps announced in June.

Ruiz, who doesnt require Senate confirmation to become sergeant major of the Marine Corps, will take on his new role in August.
Mark Finchem, a former member of Arizona House of Representatives, attends the Senate hearing on the progress of the election audit in Maricopa County at the Arizona Senate in Phoenix on July 15, 2021.

Former Pima County lawmaker Mark Finchem is a Maricopa County resident who wants to run against County Recorder Stephen Richer next year.

Or he is a Prescott resident who wants to run for state senator in Legislative District 1.

In potential future campaigns, he's apparently both.

Candidate information requested and filed by Finchem shows that the ardent election conspiracy theorist  who ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state last year  may have conflicting thoughts about what he wants to do next year, or where he wants to live.

Finchem filed a statement of interest July 26 to run for the Senate seat in the Prescott-area district in 2024, which would mean he would compete in a Republican primary election against incumbent senator and former Secretary of State Ken Bennett. He listed an address on Shiloh Road in Prescott in his nominating petition. Online real estate sites show a double-wide mobile home at the address that most recently sold in 2020.

Finchem didn't return a phone call or text message about his potential candidacies.

"Maybe he thinks I'm a bigger monster than Stephen Richer and that he needs to move to Prescott," Bennett said when asked about Finchem's filing.

Bennett added that he hadn't heard Finchem was even interested in running in Legislative District 1 before Wednesday, or that Finchem had a residence in Prescott.

Richer told a news outlet earlier this month that Finchem was "welcome" to run against him. He wasn't aware of Finchem's legislative interest, he said Wednesday.

"I don't care what Mark Finchem does," Richer said.

Mark Finchem, Arizona secretary of state candidate, listens to a speaker discuss the importance of state elections at the Unite and Win Rally organized by Turning Point Action in Phoenix on Aug. 14, 2022.

What state law says about where candidates must live

State law technically requires lawmakers to live in their districts, though courts have taken a broad view as to what counts as a residence. But Finchem requested a candidate packet for county recorder from Maricopa County in June, records show, which would seem to imply that Finchem didn't live in Prescott at the time.

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State law requires legislative candidates to live in the county from which they're elected for one year before taking office, so Finchem still has more than three months to move to Yavapai County, if he's not already living there.

Finchem listed two Maricopa County addresses for himself  one in Surprise, the other on 20th Street in Phoenix  in a 2018 filing with the state Corporation Commission for an entity called the Election Fairness Institute, for which Finchem serves as director. State voter information shows that Finchem registered to vote at the Phoenix address in January.

Finchem served from 2015 to 2022 as a lawmaker representing Oro Valley near Tucson.

He lost his race for secretary of state last year to Democrat Adrian Fontes by more than 120,000 votes after making election conspiracies his main campaign issue. The Trump-endorsed candidate had claimed for two years that he had evidence of election fraud that would put people behind bars, but when the state Attorney General's Office asked him to turn over what he knew, he gave them nothing.

Fontes sent an email to voters on Wednesday seeking contributions based on Finchem's interest in running for county recorder, saying Finchem was "uniquely ill-suited" for the role.

Following his election loss to Fontes, Finchem sued the state with the goal of re-doing the 2022 election. A judge fined him $48,000 in May for bringing the "groundless" case to court.

Steve Zipperman, who's a MAGA candidate like Finchem, has also filed to run against Bennett next year following a failed attempt to beat Bennett last year.

Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on Twitter @raystern.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona election denier Mark Finchem interested in multiple new jobs
The long Republican campaign to paint Silicon Valley as anti-conservative will reach an apex in Congress on Thursday, as Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the powerful House Judiciary Committee, seeks to admonish a single tech CEO: Metas Mark Zuckerberg.

Officially, the vote is a resolution to hold Zuckerberg in contempt of Congress. Jordan says the company hasnt complied with his investigation into claims of collusion between the Biden administration and tech platforms.

But Meta says it has handed over tens of thousands of documents to the committee and provided 10 voluntary interviews with current and former employees in the past seven months. Other tech platforms caught up in the investigation, including Googles parent company Alphabet, have offered similar compliance without facing the threat of a contempt vote.

In an interview, Jordan said Meta hasnt coughed up the kind of documents he wants: We want the internal communications, like we got in the Twitter files  like we got from Twitter  which show the communications they were having inside the company about what the government was pressuring them and encouraging them to do, Jordan said.

But political and industry observers see it differently: as a piece of political theater waged against the most powerful social-media billionaire who isnt Elon Musk.



It looks a lot like political showmanship. Zuckerberg  to these far-right members  really represents Big Tech censorship in a way that no other tech CEO does, said Chris MacKenzie, senior communications director at Chamber of Progress, a tech industry trade group whose members include Meta.

Likewise, Katie Harbath, who previously was a public policy director for Facebook and a former Republican National Committee strategist, said, Lets just be pragmatic here  having Marks name in headlines gets a heck of a lot more clicks than necessarily having some of the other CEOs in there.

Twitter, now called X, also took its share of GOP criticism before Musk bought the platform and aligned himself with Republicans by reinstating former President Donald Trump and releasing internal documents dubbed the Twitter files.

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Since then, Zuckerberg has launched Metas Threads app, a direct competitor with X, which has only deepened their rivalry, prompting Musk to propose a cage fight. The move also drew a letter from Jordan accusing Threads of bias against Republicans.

In this partisan Congress, it may be the political price you pay for challenging Elon Musk, Nu Wexler, who worked in policy communications for Google, Facebook and Twitter, said of Jordans focus on Zuckerberg. Google and Microsoft arent building text-based social apps to take on Twitter.

Republican Reps. Darrell Issa (Calif.), Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Ken Buck (Colo.), who have each alleged that tech companies censor conservatives, did not respond to requests for comment.

Jordan also subpoenaed Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and Apple in February, compelling them to provide documents in the probe investigating alleged collusion between the Biden administration and Big Tech. TikTok also voluntarily provided documents to the committee, according to a Democratic staffer granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive nature of the probe.

Jordans critics point out that no other tech executives have faced similar blowback even though they appear to have turned over a similar volume of documents as Meta. Alphabet, which includes Google and YouTube, turned over nearly 53,000 documents and provided 9 employees for transcribed interviews, according to the company. Meta has provided over 53,000 documents and 10 employees to the committee, and says it is complying with Jordans subpoenas.

"For many months, Meta has operated in good faith with this committees sweeping requests for information. We began sharing documents before the committees February subpoena and have continued to do so, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement. Meta will continue to comply, as we have thus far, with good faith requests from the committee."

Meta did turn over more internal communications on Tuesday hours before Jordan announced a markup to vote on a resolution to hold Zuckerberg in contempt, but he wasnt satisfied.

Theyve given us documents because we're pushing and because we're talking about this  we appreciate that, but we are convinced that its way short of what they should be providing us, Jordan said.

Jordans handling of Zuckerberg also stands in stark contrast to a separate House Judiciary probe into the FBI  which netted additional documents just before a Tuesday deadline. As a result, FBI Director Christopher Wray managed to avoid the threat of being held in contempt of Congress  for now. We got the information we were pushing for. We still think there's more there and we haven't taken anything off the table, Jordan said.

While Jordan claims Facebook censors GOP viewpoints, Republican strategists and numerous studies have found the opposite to be true: Conservative figures dominate conversations on the platforms.

Alex Conant, a partner at public relations firm Firehouse Strategies and whos worked for several Republican presidential campaigns, said, Its ironic that Republicans have benefited a lot from the very same platforms they're trying to undermine now.

MacKenzie, from the Chamber of Progress, sees Jordans strategy as a straight political appeal to conservatives. Zuckerbergs a convenient punching bag because it's where the Republican base has experienced the majority of their content moderation frustrations, MacKenzie said.

Thursdays vote is expected to advance to the full House along partisan lines. The committees ranking member, Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), has been critical of how Jordan has handled the investigation: "This contempt resolution is not about Metas subpoena compliance. And its certainly not about protecting free speech.

With the House preparing to leave for its August recess this Friday, a final vote is not expected until September at the earliest. If the House votes to hold Zuckerberg in contempt, the chamber will file a civil lawsuit in federal court seeking to enforce the subpoena against him. It will be the first time Zuckerberg  or any tech CEO  has been held in contempt of Congress.

Crystal Patterson, a former Facebook employee who worked on government and political outreach and for former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, said if the House moves forward to hold Zuckerberg in contempt of Congress, it could have chilling effects in the long term.

The larger issue to me is that if Congress does this, they're basically going to be penalizing Mark and the company because they can't find proof of something that isn't happening, he said. And that's scary.
Let's be cool. Hot weather shapes new consumer trends in China

Xinhua) 08:20, July 27, 2023

CHONGQING, July 26 (Xinhua) -- As scorching summer temperatures sweep across many parts of China, it's a common sight to see people fully equipped with sun protection gear as they brave the heat outdoors.

Zhang Hongyu, a resident of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, is no exception. Armed with a sun protection shirt, a face mask, sunglasses, arm sleeves and a UV protection umbrella -- she is well-prepared to tackle the sweltering heat in one of China's hottest cities.

"These sunscreen products can help me avoid getting sunburned or tanned," Zhang said.

Tourists shield themselves from the sunshine with an umbrella at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, June 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

This summer, many Chinese cities and provinces including Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin, Henan and Shandong have been experiencing searing heatwaves caused by global warming and the El Nino phenomenon. For Chongqing alone, the meteorological department forecast that temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius will persist for about a month from mid-July.

SOARING SUN PROTECTION GEAR SALES

Unsurprisingly, the sustained high temperatures have driven the growth of the country's "sunscreen economy."

According to statistics released by Zhiyanzhan industrial research institute, the market size of China's sunscreen products industry reached 18.3 billion yuan (about 2.57 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, and is expected to soar to 38.9 billion yuan in 2029.

Meanwhile, the consumer groups for sunscreen products are gradually diversifying, expanding from traditional female consumers to males and children, leading to continuous growth in the sunscreen market for the latter groups.

People shield themselves from the sunshine with hats at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, June 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

A report on high temperature consumption observation released by China's e-commerce giant JD.com showed that the sales volume of sunscreen cream for children and men on its platform in early July increased by 70 percent and 67 percent, respectively.

"As demand for sunscreen products continues to rise, sunscreen products will see constant upgrades and innovations. The enormous potential of the sunscreen consumer market will be further unleashed, offering promising prospects for related enterprises and becoming a new growth point for the economy," said Dong Fei, a researcher at JD's research institute for consumption and industrial development.

RELATED CONSUMPTION INCREASING

Apart from sunscreen products, the high temperatures have also boosted the sales of summer cooling and refreshing products.

Meituan Waimai, a major food delivery platform in China, has seen a sharp increase in the sales of iced beverages, beer, ice cream, fans, and other cooling products during the hot weather season.

Since June, ice cream and ice pop sales on Meituan's platform have surged by about 70 percent, and sales of chilled beverages have grown by over 100 percent compared to the same period last year.

A child enjoys ice cream at the Baotu Spring Park in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, July 16, 2023. (Photo by Chu Baorui/Xinhua)

Air conditioners have experienced significant growth among major home appliances, according to the Chinese e-commerce platform Pinduoduo Inc.

During a four-day promotion event from May 30 to June 3, sales of air conditioners in Haier's official flagship store on Pinduoduo's platform skyrocketed by 968 percent compared to the same period last year. Qingdao Haier Co., Ltd. is a major Chinese home appliances and consumer electronics company.

Amidst the continuous high temperatures, traveling to escape the summer heat has also become a popular choice for many travelers. Cool destinations across the country are attracting tourists, and travel agencies are offering diverse tourism products to cater to this growing trend.

People enjoy drifting at a canyon in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, July 15, 2023. (Photo by Li Weichao/Xinhua)

According to a report released by China Tourism Academy (Data Center for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism), the scale of travels to escape the summer heat and related markets has reached 1.2 trillion to 1.5 trillion yuan.

This kind of travel has become a major contributor to the growth of the summer tourism market, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Emmy-nominated actress Marla Gibbs is gearing up to release a memoir titled Its Never Too Late. The memoir will be released in the fall of 2024 under Amistad. The company is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers which is dedicated to publishing Black stories. In the forthcoming memoir, the 92-year-old will explore her long and illustrious career, spanning her early beginnings in Chicago to her current success in the Hollywood industry.

My hope is that my memoir will serve as an inspiration to those that continue to show me love and support, Gibbs said in an official statement. I believe no matter the challenges one faces, it is never too late to turn your life around or make a difference. I am grateful and I am ready to reveal the challenges I overcame as a way of service to those who wish to transform their tests into testimonies.

A Long Way Coming

Gibbs got her start in acting in the 1970s. She began working at local Black theaters in Los Angeles before being featured in films like Sweet Jesus, Preacher Man and Black Belt Jones. Gibbs played Florence Johnston, a family maid, in the iconic 1975 CBS comedy series, The Jeffersons. She was nominated for an Emmy in the Best Supporting Actress category for that role.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about her role, Gibbs said, I didnt know what it was. It was called The Jeffersons, thats all I knew. And the part they wanted me to read for, Florence the maid, reminded me of my grandmother and my aunt in Chicago. So thats how I played her. And the casting director liked it. She took me right over to the producers, and they liked it. By the time I got home, I had the job.

Gibbs has continued to act being feature in famous projects, such as Young Sheldon, Greys Anatomy and many others.

Other famous Black women including Viola Davis and Michelle Obama have released seminal memoirs in recent years.

The post Marla Gibbs to Share Details of A Long Career in New Memoir appeared first on 21Ninety.
Justin Silverman is the executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition.

BOSTON - First devised as an emergency measure that allowed government to continue to function amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the executive order allowing meetings to be held virtually could soon turn into a requirement that most governmental meetings be held in person with remote access available.

Massachusetts legislators heard from members and proponents of several filed bills that would require nearly all governmental bodies to meet in hybrid form.

Ensuring access, public participation is key

This is a very important piece of legislation, said Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition. Two of the eight bills filed addressing the issue of modernizing access to public meetings also address the need to allow for public participation in meetings.

Public participation in meetings is key, Silverman said.

Proponents told the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on Thursday that participation levels in meetings from municipal boards of adjustment to state committee hearings have increased significantly.

According to Gavi Wolfe, legislative director for the American Civil Liberties Union Massachusetts, attendance at the Salem City Council meetings rose by 700% during the pandemic. In its conversations with municipal officials across the state, ACLU researchers learned that all municipalities that offer hybrid access, large and small, have seen an increase in the numbers of people tuning in to public meetings.

Now that weve experienced the benefits of hybrid public meetings, we cannot go back, Wolfe said in his comments before the committee. And we cannot accept uneven access, either.

Bill would make hybrid meetings required

The proposed legislation requiring all public elected and appointed governmental, regulatory bodies to hold meetings both in-person and online would also allow some lead time for governing bodies to accommodate the measure.

The companion bills filed by Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester (S.2024), and Rep. Denise Garlick, D-Needham (H.3040), also provide state funds for the purchase and installation of the necessary technology to ensure compliance. The measures stipulate that all meetings be offered free of cost or need to subscribe to a service or provider.

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To ensure all have access to the meetings, some residents may find it challenging to attend in person due to work schedules, caretaker responsibilities or even lack of access to the actual meeting location. Others would find it challenging to attend virtually due to technological issues. To address discrepancies, the bills require that one-third of the members of a governmental body be present in person, while state bodies need only have one member attend physically in person.

Challenges to access can happen both ways, Silverman said. Hybrid meetings give residents the freedom to choose.

Healey creates new tech board

In the spirit of advancing accessibility to government, Gov. Maura Healey created the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board. The body was tasked with the mission to strengthen and advance digital accessibility and equity within the commonwealth.

In creating the board, Healey established a new position of chief information technology accessibility officer within the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security. That official will work with the secretary of the office, Jason Snyder, to ensure all digital applications to be fully functional and accessible for everyone.

Healey expects the Digital Accessibility and Equity Program will ensure that digital accessibility and equity standards are aligned across the executive department through ongoing monitoring, support for testing, and internal reporting.

Not a question of municipal choice, rather a requirement

Many communities already hold all governmental meetings in hybrid form; the proposed bills seek to ensure that every community in the state does so and not leave the issue for local elected officials to decide.

Accessing local democracy shouldnt hinge on what town or city one lives in, Wolfe said, urging the state Legislature to adopt the measures swiftly and ensure that all members of the public can fully engage with their state and local government.

Sen. Jake Oliveira, D-Ludlow, the author of a similar bill, told the committee that the measure would benefit the states more rural regions, where collaborative governing boards are common. These collaborative board unite leaders from different communities, one school board stretches across three counties.

Driving distances to a common meeting area, Oliveira said, can be daunting and obtaining a quorum can be difficult.

People can drive for more than an hour to attend these meetings, Oliveira said, explaining that holding meetings remotely is a commonsense solution and opens meetings to the public to witness and participate. This is essential for good governance.

Backers include organizations fighting to maintain civil liberties

The bill is backed by the ACLU of Massachusetts, Boston Center for Independent Living, Common Cause Massachusetts, Disability Law Center, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association, MASSPIRG, New England First Amendment Coalition and New England Newspaper & Press Association.Silverman said the First Amendment organization saw the handwriting on the wall pre-pandemic. We knew it was in the future, saw the technology was there.

The pandemic just propelled government bodies into the future.

In the past, people had to attend governmental meetings in person, Silverman said, noting that it was not an equitable arrangement. That the technology was available and the urgent need for access ensured the pieces were put in place for hybrid meetings that guaranteed public access.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Hybrid may be on the agenda for all Massachusetts governmental bodies
The findings of a landmark population study of great white sharks off Cape Cod indicated that Massachusetts is one of the largest shark hotspots in the world, with hundreds upon hundreds of the apex predators visiting local waters in recent years.

A team of scientists from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouths School for Marine Science and Technology, and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries conducted an intensive mark-recapture survey to estimate the size of the newest white shark hotspot, which represents the first estimate of white shark abundance ever produced in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Great white shark jumps out of water off Cape Cod to snatch striped bass on fishing line

Researchers, utilizing the mark-recapture methods, determined that about 800 sharks visited the waters off the Cape from 2015 to 2018, according to a new publication in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Mark-recapture methods use repeated surveys of uniquely marked animals to estimate population size. In the case of white sharks, individuals can be distinguished based on unique markings and notches in their dorsal fins, researchers noted in the study.

The old way of counting sharks was to lure them near a boat with bait  but the method was imperfect because younger sharks didnt care to congregate with older, bigger sharks.

Megan Winton, lead author of the study, said you can actually identify individual sharks by their pigment patterns and something unique to each animal.

There are unique patterns of notching on their dorsal fin, she said. Its similar to how fingerprints are unique to every person.

A total of 339 individual white sharks were identified by experts who combed through nearly 3,000 videos captured over the course of 137 research trips to Cape Cod beaches.

Whale watch group captures video of shark devouring seal off Cape Cod

The estimate provides an important baseline that can be used to monitor the performance of conservation measures for the broader population, which declined by as much as 80% as fishing pressure increased in the 1970s and 1980s, said Winton. Cape Cod is the only area in the region where researchers can feasibly monitor the population, and our estimates suggest that the Cape is among the larger white shark hotspots worldwide, which is good news from a conservation standpoint.

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To get that count, Winton and her co-researchers used a pilot to spot white sharks off the east coast of the Cape.

And then we essentially snuck up on them, she said. We had a GoPro on a pole and we collected underwater footage of them.

The researchers also found that white shark numbers along Cape Cod peaked in the late summer and early fall, when water temperatures are warmest, and declined as sharks migrate out of the area for the winter.

While the risk of a negative encounter with a shark is low, the increased presence and population of white sharks off Cape Cod underscores the need for ongoing research, public safety initiatives, and education programs in the region, researchers stressed.

Its important for people to keep in mind that they are very cautious, selective predators, Winton said.

But, she added, that doesnt mean they cant make a mistake.

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Louis De Zoysa has been sentenced to a whole-life term - PA/PA

The killer of Sgt Matt Ratana has been told by a judge that he could not blame being autistic for fatally shooting the police officer.

Sentencing Louis De Zoysa, 26, to a whole-life term, meaning he will never be freed, Justice Jeremy Johnson told him: Autism is not to blame for this  you are.

De Zoysa, a cannabis user, shot Sgt Ratana in a police station in Croydon, south London, while handcuffed in a cell.

The gun fanatic was convicted of murder last month after jurors were shown distressing CCTV footage of the 26-year-old using a legally-bought revolver to shoot the officer in September 2020. Sgt Ratana died in hospital after being struck by two bullets in the holding cell.

The jury that convicted De Zoysa, a former tax office data analyst, was not told that a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun and a dummy launcher were found at his rented property after the killing.

Sentencing De Zoysa at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, the judge told him: You acted in cold blood. You intended to kill Sergeant Ratana. You aimed the gun at his chest at near point-blank range. Even as he fell, you re-aimed and fired a second shot at him.

The aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating factors. There is therefore no justification to depart from the starting point of a whole-life order.

De Zoysa, who is expected to be held at HMP Belmarsh, in south-east London, showed no obvious reaction as he was told he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

The judge said victim impact statements made to the court by the siblings, son, stepmother, former partner and partner of Sgt Ratana showed they were rightly immensely proud of him.

Sgt Matt Ratanas family said they were immensely proud of him - Metropolitan Police/PA

Stressing that the sentence imposed on De Zoysa was one of last resort reserved for cases of the most extreme gravity, the judge told him: A whole-life order means that you must remain in custody for the rest of your life.

The events are clear on CCTV and body-worn video evidence. You knew the gun worked, you knew that each cartridge was likely to kill if fired directly at a persons chest.

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You deliberately concealed the gun from the police. You told them you had cannabis to focus their attention on that. You made strenuous and successful efforts to retrieve the gun while you were handcuffed behind your back.

De Zoysa, who is thought to have removed the gun from a holster while in a police van and then kept it hidden under the vent of his overcoat, had time and space to consider what to do, the judge said.

You were able to think about what you would do, he added. Autism is not to blame for your decision to murder Sgt Ratana. You are to blame for that.

The court was told that officials at Belmarsh have confirmed the prison has the resources and facilities to provide the type of medical care De Zoysa requires.

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The tale of Hunter Biden took yet another strange turn Wednesday, when a district judge in Delaware unexpectedly balked at approving a plea deal.

In a day marred by chaos and confusion, the deal  which would have seen President Bidens son avoid jail time on two misdemeanor tax charges and also enter a diversion agreement related to a gun charge  ended up in serious doubt.

The two sides will have to come before the judge again at a future date in the hope of convincing her they have resolved a number of outstanding issues.

From the political standpoint, the mess ensures that Hunter Biden will remain in the headlines relating to those charges, even while he is also the focus of broader GOP-led investigations.

Thats bad news for his father  though the GOPs strategy carries risks of its own too.

In practical terms, any day when Hunter Biden is at the center of the action is a day when his father is deprived of space and time for his preferred topics, such as his record on the economy and infrastructure.

The investigation of the younger Biden is itself coming under increased scrutiny, in part because of testimony from two IRS whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler.

In short, Shapley and Ziegler argue that the investigation was soft-pedaled for reasons of political sensitivity  even though lead prosecutor David Weiss, who was appointed by former President Trump, has pushed back against the central allegation that he was blocked by higher-ups at the Department of Justice from pursuing more serious charges.

Further testimony, this time behind closed doors, is expected Monday from a former business associate of Hunter Bidens, Devon Archer.

Archer is far from the perfect witness, having been convicted and sentenced to jail in a fraud case relating to bonds issued by a Native American tribe.

Still, according to the New York Post, Archer is expected to testify about occasions when Hunter Biden put his father on the phone in the company of business contacts. Biden was serving as vice president to President Obama during at least some of those calls.

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There are nuances even in Archers testimony, which the Post suggested will acknowledge that, in about three-quarters of those calls, Hunter simply put his father on speakerphone without informing him other people were listening in.

On occasions when the elder Biden did know others were with his son, even Archer is believed to be willing to testify only to an exchange of vague pleasantries.

All of that being said, even the undisputed details regarding Hunter Biden are problematic.

The mere fact that he was paid tens of thousands of dollars per month over several years by the Ukrainian energy company Burisma  with no seemingly relevant expertise or assets other than his last name  raises unavoidable questions.

So far, the White House is counting on this not affecting the image of his father, who ran for the Oval Office promising to restore the soul of America after the tumult of the Trump years.

Matt Mackowiak, the chairman of the Travis County, Texas, Republican Party said he found some of the attention paid to Hunters personal problems mean-spirited.

But, he added: In politics, its real simple  youre either on offense or on defense. One of the challenges for the Biden team is, they have described the president in terms of being the adult in charge, having integrity and so on. But these allegations are pretty serious, and you dont pay Hunter Biden $5 million or $10 million without believing you are getting something in return. So what did they get?

More from The Hill

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday that nothing has changed after a comment she made the previous day that noted President Biden was never in business with his son.

That phrasing seemed subtly different from earlier assertions that the president had never spoken to his son about the latters business dealings.

Its a major distraction for the White House to have to manage, said GOP strategist Ron Bonjean, speaking of Hunter-related issues in general. Instead of really talking about what they would rather discuss, they are going to have to play defense on Hunter Biden matters.

Democrats insist that the politics of the issue are not quite so simple, however.

They contend that the Republican focus on the younger Biden could seem both vindictive and disconnected from the concerns of vital voters in the political center-ground.

Democrats argue that talk of impeachment, currently being given some oxygen by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), could easily backfire on the GOP  as could a chain of seemingly never-ending hearings.

The Republicans are overplaying their hand, said Dick Harpootlian, a Democratic state senator in South Carolina and longtime Biden ally. They are trying to distract from the myriad of legal problems their presumptive nominee [Trump] has. And it really is beneath Congress to do what they are doing. Its just contemptible.

Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University, condemned the GOPs priorities as ludicrous.

When your most important points are drag shows and Hunter Biden, and you dont care about the death of the planet and the death of democracy, that says something, he added.

But there seems no chance of Republicans backing off now. And even if that approach carries risks, it will also complicate the presidents political life for some time to come.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

Updated at 8:09 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mi-8 helicopter crashes in Altai Republic, Russia, during landing approach

A Mi-8 helicopter burst into flames after crashing to the ground in Russia's Altai Republic in southern Siberia on July 27, causing the death of six passengers and injuring another seven, Russian state propaganda agency TASS claimed.

Reportedly, the crash occurred while the helicopter was attempting to land in the rural settlement of Tyungur. According to TASS, the Mi-8 brushed against a power line, was crushed, and burst into flames.

Originally, Russias Emergency Ministry reported that 13 people were on-board, though the Russian aviation service later amended that figure to 16.

Videos of the burning helicopter have been shared on social media, where users have alleged the helicopter to have been privately chartered by a group of tourists.

No reports about any possible military presence aboard the craft have appeared.

On May 13, two Russian military helicopters and two war planes crashed over Russias Bryansk Oblast. According to pro-Russian military bloggers, the aircraft were shot down with anti-air weapons. Their crews, nine in total, were killed.

Read also: Russian Su-25 jet crashes in Krasnodar Krai  Russian media

Russian authorities made no official statements on the matter.

The next day, Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said it could be actually three enemy helicopters which crashed in Bryansk Oblast  supposedly all part of an attack group which was intended to attack Ukraine with guided aviation bombs. He claimed that Russian air defense was involved in the incident.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Gints Ivuskans/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills into law on Wednesday, banning the use of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ minors  both of which are set to take effect in 90 days. Per The Advocate, House Bill 4617 defines the practice itself as something that "seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity," while House Bill 4616, "bars licensed therapists from subjecting minors to the practice and lays out penalties for violation, including discipline by public health regulators."

"Today, we are banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan and ensuring this is a state where you can be who you are," Whitmer said in a statement. "As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, I am grateful that we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place."

Both of these bills were approved by the Michigan Senate last month in a 21-15 vote, winning over Republican naysayers who worried that "the legislation could interfere with the work of mental health professionals," Per AP News. Sarah Warbelow, vice president of legal at HRC, praised Whitmer for her work in protecting LGBTQ+ youth saying, "So-called conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice that will hopefully never see the light of day again here in Michigan."
On Wednesday, Michigan became the 22nd state to ban conversion therapy, a form of unproven pseudoscientific therapy aimed at curing LGBTQ+ individuals of their sexual or gender identity.

As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, Im grateful that today were banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer wrote on Twitter.

In doing so, we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place, she added.

As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, Im grateful that today were banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan.



In doing so, we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place. pic.twitter.com/5r5Ts3OgyO  Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) July 26, 2023

Conversion therapy has been rejected by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as an intervention that promotes the false premise that homosexuality and gender diverse identities are pathological, and finds no evidence to support the application of any therapeutic intervention operating under the premise that a specific sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression is pathological.

Research has found that the use of conversion therapy can greatly increase an individuals struggle with their identity, as well as provoke guilt and anxiety while having little or no potential for achieving changes in orientation.

Michigans bill was approved by the states Senate in June in a 21-15 vote, and would subject mental health professionals to disciplinary actions should they prescribe or implement treatments aimed at altering the sexual orientation or gender identity of patients below the age of 18. Other states to implement bans, to various degrees, on conversion therapy include California, New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont.

In June of 2021, Whitmer signed a directive banning the use of state and federal funds for the harmful practice of conversion therapy on minors. Since day one, I have made it clear that hate has no home in Michigan, Whitmer said at the time. My administration is committed to addressing the systemic barriers faced by young LGBTQ+ Michiganders so that our state is a place where they are able to reach their full potential.

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Michigan has become the 22nd state in the nation to ban conversion therapy for minors after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills, prohibiting the targeted counseling of LGBTQ youth, into law Wednesday. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

July 26 (UPI) -- Michigan has become the 22nd state in the nation to ban conversion therapy for minors.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills into law Wednesday that ban counseling or therapy to persuade gay, lesbian or transgender minors to alter their gender identity or sexual orientation.

The legislation, which does not ban gender-affirming care or support, prohibits mental health professionals from using conversion therapy on minors. Those who do risk disciplinary action or the loss of their professional licenses.

"Today, we are banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan and ensuring this is a state where you can be who you are," Whitmer, who is the mother of a gay daughter, wrote in a tweet.

"As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, I am grateful that we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place."

Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, signed two bills into law Wednesday that ban counseling or therapy to persuade gay, lesbian or transgender minors to alter their gender identity or sexual orientation. File Photo by Andrew Harrer/UPI

As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, I'm grateful that today we're banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan. In doing so, we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place. pic.twitter.com/5r5Ts3OgyO Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) July 26, 2023

As some lawmakers argued conversion therapy preys on vulnerable LGBTQ children and that its ban will prevent suicides, some Republicans claimed the legislation went too far by controlling speech between a physician and a patient.

"I voted to put families over vague mandates and radical political agendas," Republican state Rep. Nancy De Boer said. "Parents in consultation with qualified medical professionals are better qualified to make important decisions regarding their child's development, not politicians in Lansing."

While there is no evidence that conversion therapy works, bill co-sponsor Democratic state Rep. Felicia Brabec -- who is a clinical psychologist -- said there is evidence that shows it is dangerous to children.

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"I am acutely aware that kids need to be free to express themselves without the fear or threat of damaging pseudo-psychology like conversion therapy," Brabec said.

"With the support of several mental health organizations throughout our state and nation, I can confidently say that this law will help to ensure that therapists like myself continue to do no harm in our practices, while protecting the LGBTQ youth in our state," she added.

In March, Whitmer signed legislation to amend the state's discrimination law and expand civil rights protections to members of the LGBTQ community.

The conversion therapy ban is one of several LGBTQ+ rights measures being considered this term after Democrats took the majority of both chambers in Michigan's state legislature for the first time in nearly 40 years.

"Today marks a significant step forward as we bid farewell to a harmful and deceitful practice that has inflicted considerable harm upon the LGBTQ+ community since its inception," bill co-sponsor Democratic state Rep. Jason Hoskins said in a statement Wednesday.

"With this legislation, we are creating a safer environment for Michigan's children. It is a powerful message of love, hope and acceptance, paving the way for brighter days ahead."
Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan has just become the 22nd state to ban the use of conversion therapy on minors.

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills into law Wednesday  House Bill 4617, defining conversion therapy, which seeks to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, and House Bill 4616, which bars licensed therapists from subjecting minors to the practice and lays out penalties for violation, including discipline by public health regulators.

Both take effect in 90 days.

Today, we are banning the horrific practice of conversion therapy in Michigan and ensuring this is a state where you can be who you are, Whitmer said in a statement. As a mom of a member of the community and a proud, lifelong ally, I am grateful that we are taking action to make Michigan a more welcoming, inclusive place.

 (@)

twitter.com





Conversion therapy has been condemned as ineffective and harmful by every major medical and mental health organization. Research has indicated it heightens the risk of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people.

Equality Michigan praised the laws passage. Governor Whitmer has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the wellbeing and safety of Michigans LGBTQ+ youth and is sending the powerful message that every young person in our state deserves to grow up free from the damaging effects of this dangerous practice, Executive Director Erin Knott said, according to MLive. By affirming that LGBTQ+ youth should be embraced, supported, and loved for exactly who they are, Michigan is paving the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.

Praise also came from the Human Rights Campaign. This comes on the heels of Governor Whitmer establishing the first ever, state-wide LGBTQ+ Commission this past June, in addition to signing into law a bipartisan amendment to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) that explicitly includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, said a press release from the group. All of this progress is not only due to decades of organizing by pro-LGBTQ+ groups and activists, its a direct result of the will of Michigan voters in the 2022 midterm elections, who rejected a dangerous, anti-LGBTQ+ campaign by radical politicians.

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By signing the conversion therapy ban into law today, Governor Whitmer continued to demonstrate that she is a champion for LGBTQ+ equality, Sarah Warbelow, vice president of legal at HRC, said in the release. So-called conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice that will hopefully never see the light of day again here in Michigan.

Warbelow added that voting matters because it directly led to days like today." She referenced Whitmer's establishment of an LGBTQ+ Commission last month and other pro-LGBTQ+ legislation supported by the governor.

In addition to the 22 states, the District of Columbia and numerous cities and counties bar licensed therapists from subjecting minors to conversion therapy.
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  Prosecutors began making their case Thursday for a life sentence for a Michigan teenager who killed four students at his high school in 2021, introducing dark journal entries, chilling video and testimony from a wounded staff member who dropped to the floor to block her door.

He was aiming to kill me," said Molly Darnell, who was one of seven people wounded that day.

Ethan Crumbley, 17, has pleaded guilty to murder, terrorism and other crimes at Oxford High School. But a no-parole sentence for minors isnt automatic after a series of decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and Michigan's top court.

Oakland County Judge Kwame Rowe must consider many factors. Crumbleys lawyers argue that he should be released at some point, saying the violence was the climax of the teens untreated mental illness and abhorrent family life.

But in her opening remarks, prosecutor Karen McDonald said Crumbley was an offender like no other, torturing and killing birds months earlier, meticulously planning the shooting and willing to surrender to spend his life behind bars.

We must tell the truth. Our witnesses must tell the truth, and they must tell all of it, McDonald told the judge in support of a life sentence.

At Oxford High, Darnell worked with teachers on their lesson plans. She didn't know Crumbley, who was 15 at the time.

She recalled seeing an unusual rush of students outside her office at lunch.

I'm like, OK, it could be a prank. Is there something happening in the parking lot? Darnell recalled. That's when an announcement came on that we were headed into lockdown. It was not a drill. There were doors slamming and the sound of pops.

She said she suddenly locked eyes with a boy in baggy clothes raising a gun toward her.

I heard three very loud (shots), physically loud. I could feel them, said Darnell, who was struck in the upper left arm. I kind of jumped to the right and felt my left shoulder move back. It felt like someone had burned me with hot water.

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She said she dropped to her knees to install a portable door lock and moved a cabinet in place for protection.

At that point I had sent my husband a text message, Darnell said. I said, I love you. Active shooter. He said, Just get safe.

She made a tourniquet with her sweater to stop the bleeding and called her husband to say she had been shot. Darnell did not return to her job when the school reopened a few months later.

It was just too hard to be there, she said.

There was a tense moment during cross-examination when a lawyer for Crumbley asked Darnell whether she knew anything about the teen's mental health or background.

Do you know how hard it is to heal from something like this? she replied. Learning what happened is not part of my healing process.

Earlier, relatives of the victims quietly wept as video of the shooting, recorded on school security cameras, was played in court. Crumbley, meanwhile, looked down.

Lt. Timothy Willis said a 22-page handwritten journal was found in a bathroom stall, apparently left behind by Crumbley before he emerged in a hallway with a gun.

I wish to hear the screams of the children as I shoot them, he wrote.

Crumbley also made a video on the eve of the shooting, rambling about the state of education and politics as well as God and the devil. He said he would kill the next day.

I'm sorry the families have to go through this, Crumbley said.

His lawyers introduced passages from his journal to try to show that Crumbley was deeply disturbed and in poor mental health.

I can feel the evil around me and even dogs sense it. ... I dont want to be evil, he wrote.

Crumbleys lawyers plan to offer testimony from an expert in child brain development and another who has spent time with the teen and performed psychological tests.

Crumbley is not one of those rare individuals who is irreparably corrupt and cant be rehabilitated, attorney Paulette Michel Loftin said in her opening statement.

He could be given a minimum sentence somewhere from 25 years to 40 years. He would then be eligible for parole, though the parole board has much discretion to keep a prisoner in custody.

On the day of the shooting, Crumbley and his parents met with school staff after a teacher was troubled by drawings that included a bloody body and a gun pointing at the words, The thoughts wont stop. Help me.

Crumbley was allowed to stay in school, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Detroit, though his backpack was not checked for weapons.

His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are separately charged with involuntary manslaughter. They're accused of buying a gun for their son and ignoring his mental health needs.

___

Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
Ethan Crumbley recorded audio saying, I am going to be the next school shooter, the night before killing four students and wounding seven others in a mass shooting at Michigans Oxford High School in 2021.

Prosecutors played the audio of two video clips Thursday during a hearing to determine whether he should spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

My name is Ethan Crumbley, age 15, and I am going to be the next school shooter, he is heard saying on the audio played in court. Ive thought about this a lot. I cant stop thinking about it. But its constantly in my head.

Crumbley appeared to look down at the defense table as the audio was played.

In the second audio file played at the hearing Crumbley said, Im gonna have so much fun tomorrow.

In the recordings, Crumbley talks about the decline of his life, his hate for the world and the need to teach others a lesson by shooting up a school.

I will walk behind someone, and I will shoot a bullet into their skull. And thats the first victim, he said. Im gonna open fire on everyone in the hallway  I will try to hit as many people as I can. I will reload, and I will find people hiding. I want to teach them a lesson of how they are wrong, of how they are being brainwashed.

The number of officers in the courtroom increased as the hearing progressed.

Earlier Thursday, Crumbleys journal entries were read in court.

Crumbleys premeditation ahead of the shooting and propensity for violence are among the reasons he should receive a life sentence, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in her opening statement.

Crumbleys attorney, Paulette Loftin, said the defense will show Crumbley is not irreparably corrupt and should be sentenced to a term of years in prison.

The first prosecution witness, Oakland County Sheriffs Office Lt. Timothy Willis, who oversaw the shooting investigation, testified Thursday that Crumbley bypassed device security and accessed a violent website on a jail computer tablet in January.

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When authorities discovered the search history, which Crumbley had attempted to delete from the device, the teen said he could not resist visiting the site hed frequented before the shooting, according to the lieutenant.

Prosecutor Marc Keast went over a handwritten journal with Willis that was recovered from Crumbleys backpack in a school bathroom after the shooting, highlighting excerpts about his plans written weeks and months before the carnage.

Crumbley successfully executed many of the plans he outlined in the journal, Keast told the court.

One entry said: I want to shoot up the school so f**king badly.

The first victim has to be a pretty girl with a future so she can suffer just like me, Crumbley wrote in another.

The first shooting victim was a female student, Phoebe Arthur, the lieutenant confirmed.

I will continue shooting people until police breach the building, Crumbley wrote. I will then surrender to them and plead guilty to life in prison.

Crumbley pleaded guilty in October to one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder and 19 other charges stemming from the mass shooting he carried out at his high school when he was 15 years old.

In the week before he killed his schoolmates, Crumbley Googled a series of questions about the death penalty and prison sentences for 15-year-olds in Michigan.

And the night before the shooting, Crumbley Googled What is worst prison sentence you can get in Michigan, according to the lieutenant.

Willis also described an extensive series of journal entries and text messages with an unidentified friend discussing in graphic terms how Crumbley tortured and killed baby birds.

Willis testified about a video in which Crumbley could be seen torturing a hatchling to death. The video was not played in court. Willis described the joy the teen shooter appeared to feel while torturing the bird.

Crumbley later wrote in text messages to a friend how he enjoyed the torture and that he continued to feel the urge to kill.

Willis grew emotional at several points during testimony about the day of the shooting. He choked up and paused at times as he listed the names of the dead and wounded.

Defense focused on Crumbleys life at home

During Willis roughly three hours on the stand, Loftin read more of the shooters journal entries in which he wrote about wanting help to stop his negative feelings.

All one of my teachers has to do is send me to the office and I will tell them about the bird head and I can get help, Crumbley wrote.

One call and that can save a lot of lives. My evil has fully taken over in me and I used to like it, but now I dont want to be evil. I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. I feel like Im in a tiny loop of sadness.

The defense attorney also asked Willis about the criminal investigation into Crumbleys parents, seeking to highlight the young mans challenging home life.

Loftin went over law enforcement interviews with neighbors who said they often heard his parents yelling and saw Ethan crying. She also focused on the neglectful parenting Crumbley endured before and after the shooting.

In one journal entry, Crumbley wrote about not having food because of his parents financial struggles.

This morning, I woke up to my mom having one of her worst rants about how we have no money and cant pay the bills. This just furthers my desire to shoot up the school or do something else. I have no happiness or optimism left in me as I am a burden to my parents, Crumbley wrote.

Earlier Thursday, prosecutors played surveillance video of the shooting with no audio. Several family members tearfully watched the video.

Another prosecution witness, Robert Koteles, a forensic laboratory investigator for the Oakland County Sheriffs Office, testified that Crumbley fired a 9 mm pistol 32 times during the slaughter.

Shooting victims tense exchange with defense attorney

On Thursday afternoon, Molly Darnell, who at the time was an educator at the school, testified that she locked eyes with Crumbley through a glass window before he raised and pointed his pistol at her.

Darnell said she was attempting to put on a safety mechanism to lock down a door when she suddenly jumped to the right. A bullet pierced and passed through her left arm. She realized months later the bullet likely wouldve struck her heart had she not reacted.

Darnell testified that she fashioned a tourniquet from her cardigan and barricaded herself in an office until law enforcement arrived.

Darnell texted her husband, I love you. Active shooter, she testified.

She no longer works at Oxford High School. Shed wanted to stay on the job but it was too difficult, she testified through tears.

Defense attorney Amy Hopp cross-examined Darnell, asking how shed handle a troubled student like Crumbley and whether shed report his home life if she had been his teacher.

McDonald, the prosecutor, repeatedly objected, arguing that it was an inappropriate question to a shooting victim and bordered on harassment.

In a tense exchange, Darnell said she never knew Crumbley before she saw him point a gun at her.

Do you know how hard it is to heal from something like this? I avoid everything I can to heal. This isnt  learning about what happened  is not part of my healing process, she said on the stand.

Prosecution argues for sentence of life without parole

As an adult, Crumbley would be sentenced to life in prison without parole, the harshest punishment under Michigan law. Because hes a minor, the court needs to hold a hearing to consider whether he should have a chance for eventual release.

The so-called Miller hearing is named after a US Supreme Court case, Miller v. Alabama, which struck down mandatory life without parole sentences for minors. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday and Friday and could extend into next week.

Prosecutors argue that Crumbley deserves a life sentence without parole. Crumbleys lawyers will present mitigating factors, including his age, home life and the possibility that he can be rehabilitated, to argue that life without parole is disproportionate.

Last week, Crumbleys lawyers asked the judge to take the possibility of life without parole off the table before the Miller hearing. Judge Kwame Rowe denied the request, along with their requests to limit witnesses and allow Crumbley to wear street clothes during the hearing.

The hearing resumes Friday morning.

CNNs Lauren del Valle, Jean Casarez and Julian Cummings contributed to this report.



For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
An investigation into Microsoft's potential antitrust practices is underway nearly three years after Slack first filed a complaint against the company. The European Commission has announced a probe into if Microsoft bundling Teams with its product suites violated EU competition rules. Slack filed its antitrust complaint in 2020, alleging that Microsoft's decision to include Teams with Microsoft 365 or Office 365 is illegal and that the company blocked some users from removing the software.

In April, Microsoft agreed to remove Teams from its Office suite in an attempt to prevent a probe, but said it was unclear how it would do so. The effort wasn't enough to avoid concerns and make a deal. In its announcement opening the investigation, the European Commission said it "is concerned that Microsoft may grant Teams a distribution advantage by not giving customers a choice on whether or not to include access to that product when they subscribe to their productivity suites and may have limited the interoperability between its productivity suites and competing offerings."

A Microsoft spokesperson responded to the news: "We respect the European Commissions work on this case and take our own responsibilities very seriously. We will continue to cooperate with the Commission and remain committed to finding solutions that will address its concerns."

This isn't the first time Microsoft has found itself in hot water with the European Commission. In 2009, the company agreed to offer EU users different browser options instead of forcing them to use Internet Explorer in Windows. Four years later, the European Commission fined Microsoft 561 million ($625 million) after a "glitch" stopped the browser choice screen from consistently appearing. The current investigation has no decision deadline, so it might be some time before the European Commission announces Microsoft's fate.
Ukrainian forces liberated the southeastern village of Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast, soldiers announced in a video published by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram.

"The 35th brigade and the 'Arei' territorial defense unit have fulfilled their task and liberated the village of Staromaiorske. Glory to Ukraine!" said a soldier in the video.

Ukrainian troops earlier reported successful advances near Staromaiorske on July 26. The village is located near a group of settlements in Donetsk Oblast that Ukraine liberated in early June at the beginning of its counteroffensive.

On July 25, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces spokesperson Andrii Kovalov also said that Ukraine had driven out Russian forces from their position near the village.

According to the General Staff, Ukrainian forces also continue to advance around Bakhmut, Melitopol, and Berdiansk.

The military entered the village of Andriivka south of Bakhmut on July 25, following a Russian retreat.

On July 24, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that Ukraine had made steady advances along Bakhmut's southern flank over the past week, liberating four square kilometers.

Read also: Nathan Greenfield: Ukraines use of cluster munitions to evict Russian troops is both legal and just
An illustration of the Milky Way with red and blue spots showing areas with few (blue) and many (red) heavy elements

Never-before-seen details of the Milky Way's spiral arms have been revealed through chemical mapping.

This pioneering technique, called chemical cartography, has unveiled new regions of our galaxy's stunning radial features populated by dense patches of young stars. Headed by Keith Hawkins, an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin, the research team's work could be crucial for astronomers seeking to understand our galaxy's evolution, shape and structure.

Chemical cartography shows the distribution of elements throughout the Milky Way  from lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium, to heavier ones, such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. For context, astronomers refer to any elements heavier than helium as metals. This, therefore, allows astronomers to locate stars according to their chemical compositions rather than merely the light they emit.

Over the course of their lives, stars fuse hydrogen to create helium, then fuse that helium to create other metals. This means metal levels associated with individual stars can give astronomers information about their ages. Chemical cartography thus allowed Hawkins and fellow scientists to spot where the Milky Way's young stars are concentrated. In short, the researchers found them to be abundant in our galaxys spiral arms.

Related: Alien's-eye view of the Milky Way: Our galaxy is unusual but not unique

"Much like the early explorers, who created better and better maps of our world, we are now creating better and better maps of the Milky Way," Hawkins said. "Those maps are revealing things we thought to be true but still need to check."

Chemical cartography isn't really a new process, but only recently did scientists manage to develop telescopes with enough observing power to get significant results using the technique.

Finding where the Milky Way's hot young stars hang out

For at least seven decades, astronomers have understood that our galaxy has spiral arms that extend out from the dense concentration of stars, gas, and dust which lie at its heart, known as the "central bulge."

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However, the exact shape of this striking structure  down to the number of arms our galaxy has  remains uncertain.

The difficulty in assessing the Milky Way's morphology comes from the fact that we live in it. We're basically analyzing it from the inside, with Earth sitting in the Orion Arm around two-thirds of the way from the central bulge.

We simply can't get far enough to observe our galaxy from an outsider's perspective.

"It's like being in a big city," Hawkins explained. "You can look around at the buildings and you can see what street youre on, but its hard to know what the whole city looks like unless youre in a plane flying above it."

This hasn't prevented scientists from modeling intricate models of the shape of the Milky Way, but Hawkins wanted to verify the accuracy of those models while simultaneously investigating whether chemical cartography can offer an even better view of the Milky Way's arms in general.

The arch of Milky Way shining bright above Lut desert, in Kerman, Iran.

RELATED STORIES:

 Gaia spacecraft: Mapping the Milky Way like never before

 New Milky Way map reveals the magnificent messiness of our galaxy

 The Milky Way galaxy may be a different shape than we thought

One traditional way of mapping the Milky Way involves monitoring the concentrations of young stars that are created as the galaxy's very dense spiral arms rotate. As this rotation occurs, it compresses gas and dust to ultimately trigger star births.

In other words, identifying an overabundance of young stars implies the location of a spiral arm.

Though young stars can be detected by tracking the bright blue light they emit, observations of this kind can be obscured by thick clouds of dust which present a challenge to even the most advanced telescopes. That means some regions of the Milky Ways spiral arms go unobserved.

No more metal

One way of working around this dust veil is by observing exactly how metal-rich the stars that lurk in hidden regions are.

This so-called metalicity serves as an age measurement because the early cosmos was filled with hydrogen and helium, but little in the way of metals. That means the oldest stars are also composed of mostly hydrogen and helium and are thus "low metalicity" or "metal-poor."

During their lives, these older stars forge heavier elements via nuclear fusion  but when they run out of such fuel, are ripped apart by supernova explosions that spread the metals throughout their cosmic environment. Therefore, when metal-enriched clouds of dust and gas collapse to birth stars, this next generation of stars is richer in metals than the last.

This stellar cycle of life and death has continued throughout the 13.8 billion-year history of the universe, with every subsequent generation of stars being more metal-rich than the last. Thus, young stars are expected to be "metal-rich" or hold a "high metalicity."



If the Milky Way's spiral arms trigger star births as predicted, then they should be marked by young stars, aka metal-rich stars. Conversely, spaces between the arms should be marked by metal-poor stars.

To confirm this theory, as well as create his overall map of metalicity, Hawkins first looked at our solar system's galactic backyard, which include stars about 32,000 light years from the sun. In cosmic terms, that represents our stellar neighborhood's immediate vicinity.



Taking the resultant map, the researcher compared it to others of the same area of the Milky Way created by different techniques, finding that the positions of the spiral arms lined up. And, because he used metalicity to chart the spiral arms, hitherto unseen regions of the Milky Way's spiral arms showed up in Hawkins' map.



"A big takeaway is that the spiral arms are indeed richer in metals," Hawkins explained. "This illustrates the value of chemical cartography in identifying the Milky Way's structure and formation. It has the potential to fully transform our view of the Galaxy."

The future is bright for chemical cartography

To reach his conclusions, Hawkins used data from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) and the Gaia space telescope, with new data from the latter proving particularly useful.



Since Gaia launched in 2013, the spacecraft has observed around 2 billion cosmic objects allowing astronomers to considerably widen their view of the universe. It dropped its latest and third data release in June 2022, which was especially important for Hawkins chemical cartography because it offers the most precise and comprehensive survey of the Milky Way ever conducted.



"The sheer volume of data available from Gaia allows us to do chemical cartography at a galactic scale now," Hawkins said. "Data on both the positions for billions of stars and their chemical makeup wasnt available until recently."



But as impressive as Gaias chemical data is, its observations still represent just around 1% of the Milky Way. Going forward, not only will Gaia continue to scour our galaxy collecting this data, but new telescopes are also coming online to collect data ripe for chemical cartography endeavors.

a disc-shaped spacecraft in space

As telescope technology becomes more advanced, the power of chemical cartography will also increase, meaning astronomers stand to learn more about the structure of our galaxy and its previously obscured regions.

The Milky Way and its chemical composition will thus deliver insights that can be applied to other galaxies, with this new map offering a hint at the revelations that are yet to come.

Its a completely new era, Hawkins concluded.

The team's research was published in the April issue of the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Jose Luis Inciarte (C) in 2002 with other survivors of the Andes plane crash (JULIO CASTRO)

Uruguayan Jose Luis Inciarte, one of 16 survivors of a 1972 Andean plane crash immortalized in the film "Alive," died in his home city of Montevideo Thursday aged 75, a friend told AFP.

Inciarte, known fondly as "Coche," was part of an amateur Uruguayan rugby team flying to play a match in Chile, accompanied by family members, when their plane crashed on October 13, 1972.

Thirty-three of the 45 on board survived the initial impact, but only 16 were left after an ordeal of ten weeks on an Andean glacier without food, shelter, or even warm clothes in minus 30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit) at an altitude of some 3,500 meters.

The survivers had to resort to eating the flesh of their dead comrades to stay alive.

Rescue finally came after two of the young men -- Roberto Canessa and Fernando Parrado -- walked for 10 days into the unknown, hostile terrain, finally spotting people at a river as they were close to their end.

The story of survival became known as the "Miracle in the Andes."

- 'Now we are 14' -

"We lost a friend," Canessa told AFP Thursday of Inciarte's death from cancer.

"We already lost Javier (Methol), and now we are 14" left over from the 16 who returned home after the crash, he said.

Methol died in 2015 aged 79, also from cancer.

In 2012, on a trip to Santiago to commemorate the 40-year-anniversary of the accident, Inciarte reflected on the experiences that marked his life in comments to AFP.

"With the passage of time, the anguish, the suffering, the pain of the cold that gnaws at the skin, gave way to hope, to a story of survival, solidarity and friendship," he said at the time.

Inciarte had gone on to become an agricultural entrepreneur.

Spanish filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona, who made a film about the Andes survival story -- entitled "Society of the Snow" and due to premier in Venice in September -- bid farewell to his "friend" Inciarte on Instagram.

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"Today Jose Luis 'Coche' Inciarte left for good, after life gifted him an extension of more than fifty years. As far as I know, he used it well," Bayona wrote.

"A life like his is worth four of ours!"

Author Pablo Vierci, who wrote the book the new movie is based on, told AFP Inciarte had been a "good man" who on the mountain "propped up" those whose spirits were failing.

"He gave the impression that he was not afraid of death," said Vierci.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Illinois crisis pregnancy centers, which often pop up near abortion facilities to offer information about alternatives, could face penalties if they disseminate misleading or untruthful information.

The move is another Democratic effort to insulate the state's virtually unfettered access to abortion, even as neighboring states restrict it.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzke signed legislation Thursday to immediately apply the state's consumer protection statute to the pregnancy centers, non-medical facilities that offer some services to pregnant women and girls, such as ultrasound. They often discourage abortion by using counseling, material support and/or housing in an effort to persuade women to bring their pregnancies to term.

The pregnancy centers wasted little time challenging the law's constitutionality. The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, a national network of pregnancy help centers; and several centers in Illinois filed a federal lawsuit in Rockford seeking a restraining order and injunction against the state's enforcement.

This law is a blatant attempt to chill and silence pro-life speech under the guise of consumer protection, said Peter Breen, executive vice president of the Thomas More Society, which represents the plaintiffs. Pregnancy help ministries provide real options and assistance to women and families in need."

He accused politicians of targeting the ministries "solely because of their pro-life viewpoint.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says crisis pregnancy centers represent themselves as legitimate reproductive health care clinics providing care for pregnant people but actually aim to dissuade people from accessing certain types of reproductive health care, including abortion care and even contraceptive options.

The centers are often supported by groups that oppose abortion. As unregulated non-medical sites, they're under no obligation to follow federal health care privacy law.

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Women need access to comprehensive, fact-based health care when making critical decisions about their own health  not manipulation or misinformation from politically motivated, non-medical actors, Pritzker said. Signing the law means ensuring Illinoisans can make their own decisions about their bodies using accurate and safe information.

Sponsored by Rep. Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn and Chicago Sen. Celina Villanueva, both Democrats, the measure was one of several adopted last spring by the Democrat-dominated Legislature, aiming to protect abortion access. Other measures attempt to keep neighboring states from taking action against their own residents or physicians who cross into Illinois for services. Several Republican-led states have been restricting abortion in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court returned their right to do so.

States with Republican-controlled Legislatures have increased aid to pregnancy crisis centers, arguing that they provide alternatives. Missouri and Mississippi offer income tax credits to their donors; and in Kansas, anti-abortion lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto of $2 million in direct state funding.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who's tasked with enforcing the law, said there are about 100 crisis pregnancy centers in the state. The state's new statute allows fines of up to $50,000 and carries the option of court orders to stop the banned activities.

Anti-abortion groups such as Illinois Right to Life have defended their practices.

Ralph Rivera, legislative chairman for Right to Life, was relieved to hear of the quick court action seeking a halt to the law. He maintains it not only chills free speech, is too vague in spelling out what the state might consider a violation. During debate on the House floor in May, Republicans pounded the bill's sponsor for specifics and to each question, she responded that action would be at the attorney general's discretion.

These centers are scared, Rivera said. They don't know if they've crossed the line and the attorney general will take them to court and demand all their records, a list of all their donors, Rivera said.

The pregnancy centers have won in court before. A 2016 law requiring them to provide information on where clients could get an abortion was halted by a federal appeals court and still awaits trial court argument. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2018 that a similar law in California was unconstitutional.

___

AP Political Writer John Hanna contributed from Topeka, Kansas.
An air-raid warning was issued in several oblasts on the night of 26-27 July due to the threat of Russian drones and missiles being launched.

Source: Map of air-raid warnings; Ukraine's Air Force

Details: An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Cherkasy and Vinnytsia oblasts.

Ukraines Air Forces reported the threat of Russian attack drones.

Updated: At 02:06, the all-clear was given in Kirovohrad Oblast, but an air-raid warning was issued at Zhytomyr and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.

"In the areas where the air alert has been declared, There is a threat of attack drones in oblasts where an air-raid warning was issued! Do not ignore the signals. Go to a shelter," the Air Force reported.

At 02:31, the all-clear was given in Kyiv Oblast.

Later, an air-raid warning was issued in Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

At 03:00, an air-raid warning was issued in Odesa Oblast.

"Ukraine's south  missile danger, threat of using enemy drones!", the Air Force warned civilians.

An air-raid warning also spread in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

At 03:18, the all-clear was given in southern oblasts.

The all-clear was also given in Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.

At about 04:00, the all-clear was given in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A 4-year-old girl died after she was found unresponsive in her familys pool, Texas authorities say.

Officers in San Antonio went to the home at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, after a family member said the 4-year-old had been missing for 30 minutes, according to a police report.

The family was outside in the yard, the little girl just got away from them, Sgt. Washington Moscoso told KENS.

The girl was found unresponsive in an above-ground pool in the backyard, police said. KSAT reported she was discovered face down.

Officers began life-saving measures, but the girl died after being taken to a hospital, police said.

Charges have not been filed. Its unclear how the child got in the pool.

This is a tragic situation. Words cant really describe what the family is going through, Moscoso told MySA.com. When I heard the news it was a gut punch in and of itself. No one likes to hear this kind of stuff. Its just a tragedy all the way around.
A photo of the La Datcha superyacht at sea.



Now you see it, now you dont.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, countries around the world imposed strict sanctions on just about anyone with ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. These measures meant that people like Nikita Mazepin were no longer welcome in F1, and countless luxury yachts were seized as nations froze the assets of Russian oligarchs. The La Datcha superyacht was one such vessel that fell under these sanctions, but it mysteriously vanished the day such measures went into effect.



The yacht, which is owned by Russian banker and former billionaire Oleg Tinkov, was placed under economic sanctions announced by the UK government following Russias invasion. However, Tinkov has spent the past year fighting those measures, arguing that he has severed ties with Russia and paid a very high price for it, according to Autoevolution.

Read more

Despite Tinkov pleas, the founder of Tinkoff Bank was placed on a list of sanctioned individuals, which meant the UK would seize any of his assets in the country. But the day after his name appeared on the list, his two largest possessions mysteriously disappeared. This included the $100 million La Datcha superyacht and a $63 million 2018 Dassault Falcon private jet.

Almost as soon as Tinkov was sanctioned by the UK, the yacht stopped broadcasting its location and vanished from the map. Due to La Datchas size, the ship is obligated by international maritime law to have its automatic identification system turned on at all times, reports Autoevolution. This means that the ships position and movements are clearly visible to other vessels at sea.

Once that system was turned off, it was incredibly difficult for lawmakers in the UK to track down La Datcha and seize it.

A photo of Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov.



Oleg Tinkov has distanced himself from Russia.

In the year since, Tinkov has repeatedly tried to clear his name and distance himself from Putins regime  even calling on British billionaire Richard Branson to plead his case. Now, his efforts appear to have worked as his name has been struck from the list of sanctioned Russians.

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As if by magic, within hours of his name being removed from the list, Tinkovs superyacht has reappeared on the map once again, moored in the port city of Ensenada, Mexico. Now that Tinkov is no longer sanctioned, the yacht will once again be free to sail around the world as its owner pleases.

And sail around the world it shall, as this is one of the rare luxury yachts that really can go almost anywhere. La Datcha is dubbed the worlds only privately owned icebreaker and features a hull designed to navigate frozen seas.

The vessel, which measures 252 feet in length, has space for up to 14 guests and a crew of 25 onboard. Its exterior was penned by Azure Yacht Design, while the interior was handled by Dutch shipyard Amels.

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An Arizona teenager who showed up at a Montana police station nearly four years after she disappeared told detectives in Glendale, Arizona, that no one had hurt her, according to video released by authorities.

"Did anybody hurt you in any way?" a Glendale detective asked Alicia Navarro. Navarro, 18, was still in Montana and briefly spoke with detectives in Arizona by video, police said.

"No, no one hurt me," she responded in the 27-second clip.

"OK, because our goal is we just want to make sure that you're safe," the detective said.

"I don't, I don't, ummm," she said before pausing. "I understand that."

The police department muted the rest of the video.

Alicia Navarro in a photo released after she was found safe. (Glendale Police Dept.)

In a second clip, a detective thanked Navarro for speaking with investigators.

"Of course," she replied. "Thank you for offering help to me."

Authorities in Glendale said Wednesday that Navarro went to a police station in a small Montana town near the Canadian border and identified herself as a missing person. She was 14 when she vanished from her mothers home on Sept. 15, 2019.

Her mother, Jessica Nunez, told NBCs "Dateline" in 2020 that she had found a note in her daughters bedroom saying she ran away, which she said was out of character. She added that her daughter was on the autism spectrum and could be shy or anxious in some social situations.

Jose Santiago, a spokesman for Glendale police, told reporters at a news conference that Navarro "is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy."

She is not in any kind of trouble. She is not facing any kind of charges, he said.

Police Lt. Scott Waite said the case remains under investigation. Police did not immediately have details about how she arrived in Montana.

"Every indication shes given to us so far is that she willfully left her home," Waite said. "Now, the dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something were looking into."

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Waite said Navarro arrived at the police station by herself. Santiago said she "basically asked for help to clear her off of a missing juvenile list."

Authorities said they are not naming the town to protect her privacy and because of the investigation.

Police initially said Navarro was reunited with her mother, but clarified Friday that they were connected electronically.

They have not been in physical contact. We are working with Alicia to fulfill her needs/wishes. That said, we have been in communication with her mother, a spokesperson said.

On Wednesday, Nunez released a video calling it a "miracle" that her daughter had been found safe.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
This article contains descriptions of threats of violence and mental illness. If you or someone you know needs help:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Text the Crisis Text Line from anywhere in the U.S. to reach a crisis counselor: 741741

This article was produced for ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with Mississippi Today. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.

Nearly 40 years ago, a federal appeals court ruled that Alabama officials could not jail people in mental health crisis who were sent to the state for help. Jailing people going through the states civil commitment process, the court decided, amounted to punishment. And about 30 years ago, after Kentucky was labeled the worst state in the nation for jailing mentally ill people without charges, legislators there banned it.

But a new survey of counties and an analysis of jail dockets in Mississippi, which has no such law, has found that people going through the civil commitment process for mental illness are regularly jailed as they await evaluation and treatment, even when they havent been charged with a crime. Some counties routinely hold such people in jail  people awaiting treatment for mental illness or substance abuse were held in jail without charges at least 2,000 times from 2019 to 2022 in 19 counties alone, sometimes for days or weeks.

Nationally, Mississippi is a stark outlier. Mississippi Today and ProPublica conducted a nationwide survey of disability advocacy organizations and state agencies that oversee behavioral health. None described anything close to the scale of whats happening in Mississippi.

Civil commitment laws are meant to ensure people get treatment even when they dont recognize that they need it, said James Tucker, an attorney and the director of the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. Locking them up as they wait for a treatment bed doesnt fulfill that goal.

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The bargain for your lack of freedom is that the state has decided you need treatment, he said. The minute that order is entered, the state has a constitutional duty to deliver treatment.

At least 12 states plus the District of Columbia prohibit jailing people undergoing commitment proceedings for mental illness unless they have been charged with a crime.

Mississippi law, however, allows people going through the civil commitment process to be sent to jail if there is no reasonable alternative. If there are no publicly funded beds in appropriate facilities, local officials sometimes decide they have no other option.

We Forbid the Use of Jails

In the 1970s, a federal class-action lawsuit against Alabama officials alleged that it was unconstitutional to jail people going through the commitment process for mental illness while they awaited hearings. It was common at the time: Probate judges in three-quarters of the states counties had jailed people, according to discovery findings cited in a court ruling.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs  everyone in the state who had been committed or would be in the future  cited previous lawsuits that had uncovered fire hazards, overcrowding and a dearth of mental health and routine medical care in Alabamas county jails.

The district court ruled against the plaintiffs constitutional claims, reasoning that if the local jail was the only option in a county, it was the least restrictive facility that would also protect society.

But in 1984, a panel of judges on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that reasoning. Circuit Judge Thomas Alonzo Clark wrote in his opinion that nothing prevented counties from placing people in a public facility in another county or in a local private facility that was equipped to handle mentally ill patients.

Clark cited a doctors testimony that jail often worsened psychosis, made it harder to treat people and increased suicidal tendencies.

We forbid the use of jails for the purpose of detaining persons awaiting involuntary civil commitment proceedings, finding that to do so violates those persons substantive and procedural due process rights, the judge wrote.

The reasons that Alabama officials provided for placing people in jail were similar to Mississippi officials arguments today. But Mississippi is in a different federal circuit, and the practice there has not been tested with a class-action lawsuit.

A sister of one woman who had died in a Mississippi jail in 1987 tried and failed to convince a federal judge that the womans rights had been violated when she was incarcerated without treatment.

Colett Boston, left, and Everlean Boston hold a photograph of their mother, Mae Evelyn Boston, in Oxford, Mississippi. When the sisters were young, their mother died in jail as she went through the civil commitment process.

Mae Evelyn Boston, an Oxford woman who had dealt with paranoid schizophrenia for most of her adult life, had a psychotic episode shortly after giving birth. Her older daughter, Everlean, was 12 years old; she remembers her mother saying she was going to kill the baby because the girl had a demon in her.

One of Bostons sisters initiated commitment proceedings  making Boston one of more than 100 people jailed for that reason from 1984 to 1988 in Lafayette County, according to a deposition cited in a 1990 ruling by U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers. When deputies arrived to take her mother into custody for evaluation, Everlean recalled, it took six of them to get her onto the ground before handcuffing her and placing her in the back of a cop car.

Once Boston was in jail, guards did not complete a medical screening required by department policy and didnt know Boston had given birth via cesarean section 12 days before, Biggers wrote. She died two days later from heart failure caused by blood clots.

Everlean Boston remembers her mother smoking cigarettes and listening to the blues on quiet Sundays at home. The day deputies took her mother away was the last time she saw her. I never got to say goodbye, she recalled. I never got to say I loved her. It hurts.

Biggers concluded that the medical care customarily provided by the county for mentally ill detainees does not fall below constitutional standards and that what happened with Boston represented a scheduling error and an isolated instance. The county, which argued it had provided adequate care for Boston, had the right to detain people like her in the interest of societal safety, he found, and those people were not entitled to placement in the least restrictive alternative such as a hospital. Biggers considered the Alabama appeals court ruling from a few years earlier, but concluded it didnt apply because it was based on specific facts about that states jails.

The court declines to hold that use of jails for temporary detention of persons awaiting civil commitment proceedings is unconstitutional per se, Biggers ruled.

Since then, at least nine lawsuits have been filed over the deaths of Mississippians incarcerated during civil commitment proceedings. None of those lawsuits directly challenged the constitutionality of being jailed during the commitment process. The U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on the matter, academics and attorneys with expertise in civil commitment said.

In the years after Bostons death, Mississippi continued to stand out.

The old jail in Lafayette County, now the Chancery Building, is seen in Oxford, Miss., Tuesday, March 2, 2023. Everlean Boston and Colette Bostons mother died at the old jail while under civil commitment.

In 1992, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and Public Citizens Health Research Group conducted a national survey about the practice of jailing mentally ill people.

Almost a third of city and county jails in Mississippi responded. About 76% of respondents said they detained people who had not been charged with a crime and were awaiting an evaluation, treatment or hospitalization for mental illness. That was the second-highest percentage of any state in the country and far higher than the national average of 29%.

An unnamed Mississippi jail official said in the organizations report that jails were a dumping ground for what nobody else wants.

The report gave its Worst State Award to Kentucky, where 81% of responding jails reported holding people without criminal charges for mental evaluations.

Two years later, Kentuckys legislature voted unanimously to ban the practice. The state health agency and its federally designated disability rights organization told Mississippi Today and ProPublica that Kentucky jails today are not used to hold people without charges awaiting mental health evaluations.

Few States Compare to Mississippi

Officials with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health emphasize that they do not support the practice of jailing people during the commitment process. But a spokesperson said they have heard anecdotally from other states regarding challenges of individuals waiting in jail.

Nationally, even basic data like the number of people committed each year is elusive. After reviewing some of Mississippi Today and ProPublicas findings, the Treatment Advocacy Center, a national nonprofit that advocates making it easier for people with mental illness to get treatment, started planning a project to understand how often people are jailed without charges during the commitment process across the U.S.

Mississippi Today and ProPublica contacted agencies overseeing mental health and disability advocacy organizations in every state to find out whether Mississippi is an outlier. It is.

Respondents in 42 states and the District of Columbia said they were not aware of people being regularly held in jail without charges during the psychiatric civil commitment process. In a handful of those states, respondents said they had seen it once or twice over the years.

In two states, people can be sent from state psychiatric hospitals to mental health units inside prisons. In a few others, respondents said they had seen people jailed for noncompliance with court-ordered treatment for mental illness or substance abuse.

Respondents in three other states  Alaska, South Dakota and Wyoming  reported that people sometimes are sent to jail to await psychiatric evaluations, but the information they provided suggested that it happens to fewer people, and for a shorter period, than in Mississippi.

In 2018, staffing shortages at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute caused people to be held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex until they could be evaluated. The next year, an Anchorage judge ordered an end to the practice except in the rarest circumstances, finding that it had caused irreparable harm.

A subsequent settlement declared that jails shouldnt be used unless no other option was available and that such detentions should be as short as possible.

But detentions do still occasionally happen in the state when people in rural areas await transportation to an evaluation center, said Mark Regan, legal director at the Disability Law Center of Alaska. According to the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services, people awaiting evaluation were held in jail 555 times from mid-2018 through late February 2023.

Across South Dakota, people without charges sometimes have been held in jail during the commitment process, according to law enforcement agencies and Disability Rights South Dakota, but such holds are limited by law to 24 hours; in Mississippi, the vast majority of cases analyzed were for more than 24 hours. The South Dakota Department of Social Services said it doesnt track how often it happens and declined to answer questions.

And in Wyoming, a person can be held in jail for up to 72 hours on an emergency basis before a hearing, but they must have a mental examination within 24 hours. Such holds in jail have occurred in very rare circumstances, according to the state.

Attempts to constrain the use of jails date back at least to 1950, when the federal government sent governors model legislation that limited the incarceration of people for mental illness to extreme emergency situations. The National Institute of Mental Health called incarcerating such people among the worst of current practices.

Some states adopted the legislation. Mississippi did not.
It's the question circulating all over social media: Did you hear what happened to Mitch McConnell?

The Senate Minority Leader suddenly stopped speaking earlier this week at a press conference, leaving many  including fellow politicians  questioning whether the GOP senator had some kind of health episode.

While his exact condition is unknown  though we know he had polio as a child  many are theorizing and reporting on elements of his health. But is that such a good idea?

Experts say that this kind of gossip could lead to incorrect assumptions and ultimately affect the person's mental health, even if they're a public figure. Still, politicians have a responsibility to disclose health conditions given the power they wield in society. Though it's never polite to discuss someone's private health issues, in the case of a politician it may be more warranted.

"When a highly powerful elected official is observed publicly experiencing a medical issue that impacts cognition to a significant degree, it is reasonable to expect public discussion as well as a public response from the leader," says Laura Petiford, marriage and family therapist and psychiatric nurse practitioner.

July 26, 2023: (L-R) Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) reaches out to help Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) after McConnell froze and stopped talking at the microphones during a news conference after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Also pictured, L-R, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), Sen. John Thune (R-SD), and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). McConnell was escorted back to his office and later returned to the news conference and answered questions.

Mitch McConnell and where speculation goes awry

Many reports have surfaced about Mitch McConnell's health history; for example, he fell back in March and was hospitalized for a concussion. But generally, "we are only seeing the outward symptoms and we are not able to get the full spectrum of someone's health and their health history based on what we see in the media," says Amy Morin, psychotherapist and the host of the Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin podcast. "Drawing conclusions about someone's conditions based on what we see isn't likely to yield an accurate diagnosis."

What start out as whispers  "What's wrong with that person?"  get louder with each tweet speculating on a cause, each TV media hit.

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"Once media outlets or experts declare they think someone has a specific condition, people start looking for signs and symptoms that confirm the disorder," Morin adds.

Politicians, like anyone else, also deserve time to take care of themselves and figure out what's wrong. "Public figures, including political leaders, deserve a certain level of privacy regarding their personal health issues," says Brad Fulton, associate professor of management and social policy at the Indiana University  Bloomington. "In general, sharing such information without their consent violates their privacy."

Elsewhere in politics: Joe Biden won't acknowledge his granddaughter. Many know the pain of a family fracture.

Politicians need to be held to a higher standard  to a point

Plenty of medical experts will weigh in on public figures in the news. That said, "it's not ethical for health practitioners to diagnose people from afar, regardless of whether they're a celebrity or a politician," Morin says. "But it may be important to assure that someone in a position of power is getting treated by a professional to ensure that they still have the ability to perform the duties assigned to their position."

Fulton adds: "There may be situations where a political leaders health directly impacts their ability to perform their duties. In those cases, there might be a legitimate public interest in knowing about their health condition. Yet, such discussions should avoid being speculative or sensational."

Whatever the case, when considering personal health matters, Fulton says "it is important to balance the publics right to information with the individuals right to privacy.

Interesting: What are Nazi flags doing outside Disney and what happens when hate is left to flourish?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mitch McConnell's health: When it's OK to talk about someone's issues
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is once again being hounded with questions about his health after freezing for roughly 28 seconds during a press conference on Wednesday.

The 81-year-old Kentucky Republican, who is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, had to be escorted away from a lectern by colleagues in a startling moment that came four months after he suffered a concussion and a broken rib from a fall in March.

But McConnell has fallen at least two other times this year  once at a Washington, D.C. airport on July 14 and another time during a foreign trip in February  a source close to the senator who is familiar with his work habits confirmed with USA TODAY.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell speaks after leaders of the House and Senate awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Capitol Police and other first responders who defended the Capitol against the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

A McConnell spokesperson declined to comment on the falls, but noted the GOP leader has still been walking around the Capitol for the past few months, delivering floor remarks and leading media stakeouts. As a safeguard he has been using a wheelchair in certain circumstances.

"This is simply a prudent and precautionary measure in a crowded area," the McConnell spokesperson told USA TODAY.

A deeper look: Mitch McConnell and when it becomes OK to talk about someone's personal health issues

What about the other falls?

Earlier this month, McConnell tripped and fell while getting off of a plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the source close to the GOP leader confirmed. He was not seriously injured and was later seen at the Capitol, according to NBC News, which originally reported the story hours after Wednesday's incident.

McConnell also fell in February during a trip in Finland as part of a U.S. delegation, the source also confirmed. He reportedly dusted himself off and continued his activities, according to CNN, which first reported that fall.

Other lawmakers who were part of the delegation said the incident did not affect the meeting with Finland's president or other foreign officials.

"Absolutely not. We were all walking in together. It was a dimly lit room and there was a threshold that if I had been the first through, I'd have probably hit the floor," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told USA TODAY.

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McConnell's concussion in March

McConnell, a polio survivor, has for years walked with a noticeable limp and often has been assisted by aides and others when walking up and down the stairs.

In 2019, he tripped and fell at his home in Louisville, Ky., suffering a shoulder fracture.

But the most serious injury that we know about came this year after a fall at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C, which sidelined McConnell for roughly six weeks. In that incident he slammed his head and suffered a concussion and broken ribs.

Did McConnell see a doctor?

A concussion is another name for a traumatic brain injury that impact a person's vision, balance, speech, memory, emotions and more.

What's unclear is what, if any, medical treatment McConnell has received for the March injuries or any other fall that he's suffered this year.

The Republican leader's office has not responded to USA TODAY's questions on whether he has seen a physician or plans to see one after Wednesday's startling episode.

Instead, they emphasize how McConnell remains active in his duties as minority leader. Later Wednesday evening, for example, he attended a reception for Major League Baseball and on Thursday met with the prime minister of Italy.

Was glad to welcome Italian PM @GiorgiaMeloni to the Capitol today to discuss our two nations shared priorities in the face of common threats. pic.twitter.com/YouqzsSCNt  Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) July 27, 2023

Experts describe concussions as invisible injuries that can be hard to properly recognize or treat with about 90% of the symptoms resolving within two weeks. But in some case those symptoms also linger for weeks with persistent post-concussion syndrome persisting for more than three months.

McConnell, one of the most powerful Republicans in the country, has stiff armed questions about his health saying he is fine when peppered with questions by reporters.

McConnell: 'I got sandbagged'

But the longtime senator, first elected in 1984, did joke about the incident on Wednesday when telling reporters that he spoke with President Joe Biden, a political foe and personal friend who has also been dogged by questions about his age and health.

"The president called to check up on me, and I told him I got sandbagged," McConnell said.

The comment refers to Biden's well publicized fall at the U.S. Air Force Academy commencement in June, which the 80-year-old president appeared to trip on a black sandbag that was on the stage.

Reporter Ken Tran contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened to Mitch McConnell? What we know about falls, wheelchair
Mitch McConnell froze and briefly appeared to be unable to continue speaking during a Senate Republican press conference.

He was led away by colleagues and returned not much later, stating that he was fine. This is not the first time that the 81-year-old has had a health scare.

The scene occurred on Wednesday as Republicans held their last weekly press briefing before the August recess, and discussed remaining business including the chambers effort to pass a defence spending bill before the holiday begins.

Mr McConnell was seen freezing at the podium for several seconds before a number of senators, including Joni Ernst of Iowa, approached him and encouraged him to step away.

He did so, only to come back a few minutes later. He refused to elaborate on what had just occurred.

Can you address what happened here at the start of the press conference? Was it related to your injury from earlier this year when you suffered a concussion? asked CNNs Manu Raju.

Im fine, responded the senator.

Youre fine? Youre fully able to do your job? Raju asked in response, to which the minority leader replied: Yeah.

Mr McConnell entered the Senate in 1985 and has been the top Republican since 2007.

Later on 26 July, NBC News reported that Mr McConnell fell while getting off a plane earlier this month in Washington DC. He was not seriously injured in that incident, according to the report.

Mr McConnell joked about the press conference episode on Wednesday evening, after President Biden called the Senate minority leader to check on him.

The president called to check on me. I told him I got sandbagged, he told reporters, referring to Mr Bidens comments after the president himself tripped during a recent event.

Mr McConnells freezing at the press conference is likely to be looked at with scrutiny given the renewed interest in the issues presented by the increasingly advanced ages of many of the members of the upper chamber of Congress.

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, in particular, has been the subject of intense criticism on the matter as many have argued that the 90-year-old, who has sometimes appeared confused in interactions with reporters and staff, is no longer up to serving.

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This is a rundown of Mr McConnells previous health issues:

Childhood polio

He continues to walk with a limp, a residual issue caused by his battle with polio at a young age.

When Mr McConnell was two years old in 1944, his upper left leg was paralyzed by polio and he was treated at the Warm Springs Institute in Georgia established by Democratic World War II President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for his own struggle with the same disease.

When I was a child and my dad was in World War II, I got polio. I recovered, but my family almost went broke, Mr McConnell said in a 1990 re-election ad. Today, too many families cant get decent, affordable health care. Thats why Ive introduced a bill to make sure healthcare is available to all Kentucky families, hold down skyrocketing costs, and provide long-term care.

1990 Roger Ailes ad for Sen. McConnell. Parents almost went broke. when Mitch had polio, so he fights for decent, affordable health care pic.twitter.com/vwUmJ61vmj  Jeff Nichols (@backwards_river) June 26, 2017

Since that ad, Mr McConnell has been criticized by his political opponents for working against affordable healthcare.

In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic was underway, Mr McConnell told the AP that it reminded him of having polio as a child.

Why does this current pandemic remind me of that? I think number one is the fear, he said. And the uncertainty you have when theres no pathway forward on either treatment or a vaccine and that was the situation largely in polio before 1954.

At the time of the AP interview, only 16,000 people in the US had died of Covid-19. As of today, more than 1.1 million have died in the US as a result of the pandemic, according to the WHO.

Theres hope that were going to get on top of this disease within a year, year and a half, Mr McConnell told the AP in 2020.

Speaking about his childhood polio, Mr McConnell grew emotional as he said he was lucky to have a mother who was determined to see me walk again.

Tenacity, hard work and not giving up  my mother instilled all that in me before I was four years old and I think its been a guiding principle in how I lead my life, he added.

Asked how his mother could afford his polio treatment, Mr Connell told the AP: Honestly, I dont know the answer to that.

He recalled the relief at the arrival of the polio vaccine.

Ive had a normal life, but Ive been acutely aware of the disease that I had and the relief that the country had when they found the vaccine, he said in 2020, months ahead of the Covid-19 vaccines arrival. Were going to get that relief.

Triple heart bypass surgery

Mr McConnell had a triple heart bypass surgery in February 2003 in connection to blocked arteries. The procedure was conducted at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC.

Hand discoloured and bandaged

After photos showing his hand discoloured and bandaged went viral in 2020, Mr McConnell denied that he had any health issues.

The Republican Senate Leader was pictured reaching down to pick up a face mask he had dropped, showing the skin on his right hand much darker than the rest of his body, and a bandage around his thumb.

A reporter did ask Mr McConnell if he had some kind of health issues, but he denied there was anything going on that the public should know about.

Another reporter asked him again after he appeared on the Senate floor at the time, the skin on his hand still discoloured.

Mr McConnell responded that there were no concerns to be had about his health, but ignored a question about whether he had sought medical treatment.

He appeared to be keeping his hand in his pocket while out and about around the Capitol Building.

A fall that caused a concussion

The 81-year-old Mr McConnell returned to the Senate in March of this year after suffering a fall that caused a concussion.

Leader McConnell tripped at a dinner event, communications director David Popp said at the time, adding that Mr McConnell would be in hospital for a few days of observation and treatment.

The event was at the Waldorf Astoria DC  previously the Trump International Hotel from 2012 to 2022.

One of the colleagues at Mr McConnells side guiding him away after he froze on Wednesday, Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, a physician by training, said at the time that he expected that Mr McConnell would make a full recovery.

Mr McConnell also fell at his home in Louisville, Kentucky in August 2019, suffering a shoulder fracture.
GOP Sen. John Barrasso reaches out to help Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after McConnell froze and stopped talking on Wednesday. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Mitch McConnell froze at a press conference on Wednesday, raising questions about his ability to lead.

But if he steps down, the Democratic governor in Kentucky is required to keep the Senate seat red.

In 2021, Kentucky Republicans passed a law requiring McConnell's replacement to be a Republican if he resigns.

Even if Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell steps down, his Senate seat is set to remain in Republican hands though the state's governor is a Democrat.

That's because GOP legislators in his home state of Kentucky  with his backing  made it illegal for anyone but a Republican to replace him, despite the objections of Gov. Andy Beshear.

On Wednesday, McConnell froze and stopped talking mid-sentence during a press conference, raising questions about the 81-year-old senator's health.

Other senators pulled the silent McConnell aside as the press conference continued. An aide to McConnell later told Insider that McConnell stepped aside because he "felt lightheaded."

McConnell later returned, telling reporters he was "fine." But reports have emerged disclosing that the Kentucky Republican had fallen numerous times in the last year, in addition to the concussion he suffered in March, which led to a weekslong absence.

NBC reported that the most recent time he fell was earlier this month as he was disembarking from a plane.

In 2021, Beshear attempted to veto a bill that would have restricted his power to replace a US senator with someone of his choosing if the senator were to resign or die before their term was up, the Louisville Courier Journal reported.

But the state's Republican-run legislature overrode Beshear's veto with McConnell strongly backing the effort, the Courier Journal reported.

Under the approved Senate Bill 228, the governor of Kentucky would now be required to choose someone of the same political party as the senator who left their job when temporarily filling a vacant seat.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) joked that he had been sandbagged hours after freezing during the start of a weekly Republican leadership press briefing and needing to be guided out of the room.

McConnell returned to the press conference a few minutes later, and told reporters that he was fine. An aid for the minority leaders office added that he had felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment.

Flag: McConnell just stopped abruptly during his opening statement during the gop leadership presser and appeared to be unable to restart talking. He then stepped away and walked away with Barrasso: pic.twitter.com/f1kFUjggzm  Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) July 26, 2023

Hours later, McConnell joked that he had been sandbagged when questioned by reporters in the Capitol. The President called to check up on me, and I told him I got sandbagged, McConnell said, referencing an incident earlier this year during which President Joe Biden made a similar quip after tripping over a sandbag.

Any idea what happened? a reporter asked, to which McConnell replied Im fine.

In March, McConnell was hospitalized and suffered a concussion and a minor rib fracture after falling during a fundraising event at a Washington hotel. He was discharged the following week and attended rehab before returning to the Senate in the spring.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MCCONNELL: The President called to check up on me and I told him I got sandbagged



McConnell doesnt answer questions about what happened, just says Im fine pic.twitter.com/cm8tvoiLIH  Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) July 26, 2023

Yet despite McConnells insistence that he is fine, the incident has reportedly left Senate Republicans a little rattled. That obviously was concerning. I hope it was just a momentary issue and that hes doing better, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) told Politico, which spoke to various lawmakers in the aftermath of the incident. I just hope hes doing OK. We really all hope hes doing OK, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) added.



Prominent right-wing influencers seized on the incident to question McConnells fitness for office. Charlie Kirk, founder of the influential conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, explicitly called for McConnells resignation. Other prominent conservative commentators including Rogan OHandley and Federalist Co-Founder Sean Davis, also called for the Senator to step down. Davis called the episode an embarrassment.

Story continues

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Upon his election, Bazoum said he intended to ensure "continuity" with Mahamadou Issoufou's administration (Ludovic MARIN)

As Sahel countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso fell to military junta rule in recent years, Niger's Mohamed Bazoum stood as one of the region's few remaining pro-Western, democratically elected leaders.

He came to power in 2021 -- the country's first president to do so in a peaceful transition -- and later called that a "reflection of the maturity of the people and the wisdom of the leaders".

But by Thursday, he appeared to have fallen to a coup himself, as soldiers from the Presidential Guard claimed to have overthrown his government.

Born in 1960 in the southeastern region of Diffa, a member of Niger's Arab minority, Bazoum studied in the southern cities of Goure and Zinder before leaving to study philosophy in Senegal.

He taught there for six years in provincial high schools, honing his oratorical skills.

On his return home, he got involved in union activities and was -- along with fellow future president Mahamadou Issoufou -- a founding member of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS).

During Issoufou's decade as president from 2011, Bazoum was his right-hand man and served in different ministries.

Well-connected at home and abroad, he left office in mid-2020 to devote himself to the presidential election, which he eventually won with more than 55 percent of votes cast.

Entering office, he said he intended to ensure "continuity" with Issoufou's administration.

"His name is not mentioned in the main corruption scandals that have often tarnished the regime," said Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, researcher at the International Crisis Group. "He is recognised for a certain rigour in the management of public affairs."

In its fight against the jihadist attacks that afflict the west and east of the country, Niger has benefited from the support of several Western countries including the United States and former colonial power France, which have military bases there.

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A few months after the withdrawal of French troops from Burkina Faso, 1,500 French soldiers are still in Niger.

As the security crisis endures, coup threats have never been far away.

Just days before he was sworn in, the government announced the arrest of several people after an alleged putsch attempt.

Among those held were the suspected ringleader, air force captain Sani Gourouza, and former interior minister Ousmane Cisse.

Five people, including Gourouza, were sentenced to 20 years in prison in February, while Cisse was acquitted.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March "while the president... was in Turkey", according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.

bur-leg/cwl
Following potent storms that cut power to hundreds of thousands of households in recent days, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that additional rounds of dangerous, disruptive and damaging thunderstorms will affect the Midwest this weekend.

The thunderstorms will erupt along the northern rim of a massive heat dome that began to sprawl over much of the nation to end this week.

Hot weather will help to set the stage for the volatile weather, and highs will challenge or exceed the hottest temperatures set so far this season across more than a dozen states in the central United States into Saturday. Widespread highs in the 90s F are in store with some locations approaching the 100-degree mark.

Most of the storms through Saturday will fire up along the leading edge of a push of much cooler air arriving from Canada. As this cooler air slices southward into the hot and humid air, towering clouds will develop and evolve into powerful thunderstorms.

Incidents of high winds, hail, torrential downpours and frequent lightning strikes are likely. Because of the lightning strike risk, even outside of storms that turn severe, forecasters urge people to move indoors at the first rumble of thunder.

In a few of the strongest storms, wind gusts can reach hurricane force (74 mph) and topple trees. Hail large enough to dent vehicles, damage crops and break windows is possible.

Rainfall at the rate of 1-2 inches per hour can quickly flood city streets and low-lying rural roads. In a small number of cases, a tornado is also possible.

On Saturday, the advancing front and daytime heating will again give thunderstorms a boost.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

The Midwest portion of the severe weather threat Saturday will extend from parts of southern Indiana and northern Kentucky to central and southern Ohio and western West Virginia.

Farther to the east, storms will erupt and turn severe over portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, southeastern New York and southern New England. Residents and airline passengers in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati may have to deal with severe weather Saturday.

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By Sunday, storms are likely to ignite and may become locally severe farther south across portions of southern Kentucky and Tennessee. Storms may also develop and become severe over portions of the central and northern High Plains on the western edge of the cool air.

In the wake of the cool front across much of the Midwest, temperatures will be shaved by 10-15 degrees. That will translate to highs in the 70s to near 80 across the Great Lakes region and the low to mid-80s in the Ohio Valley. Adding to the more comfortable conditions, humidity levels will be slashed substantially. Much lower nighttime temperatures are in store.

However, despite the push of cooler and less humid air coming this weekend, a familiar problem this season may return: wildfire smoke.

The northwesterly flow in the wake of the cool front will scoop up smoke from distant wildfires in western Canada and sweep it southeastward across large portions of the Midwest this weekend to next week. Where the smoke reaches down to the ground, poor to unhealthy air quality levels are likely.

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.
Smoke from a building near the Ministry of Defense of Russia

A new record for the number of destroyed Russian air defense systems - 63 units

Read also: Russian TV banned from reporting on Moscow drone attack  report

The current drone attacks on Moscow raise the question of who exactly is launching them. This is very interesting. The closest distance between the border with Ukraine and Russia to Moscow is 700-800 kilometers. So the question arises: how can a UAV with a cruising speed of about 150 km/h get from the Ukrainian border to Moscow without being detected by Russian air defense systems?

We know that the Russian Federation has one of the best air defenses in the world, the so-called echelon air defense system. It is almost impossible for a UAV to avoid detection over these hundreds of kilometers, these hours of flight; it is a fantasy. Then these UAVs fly to the center of Moscow and hit some objects there? Either they hit the Kremlin or create a turbulent situation for the oligarchs over Rublevka. Now, again, they hit a business center, and something exploded near the building of the Ministry of Defense.

It seems to me that the Russian FSB should start looking into local aeromodelling clubs (especially in the Moscow region). Maybe they have something to do with this.

I have another question - the Pantsyr-S1 short-range anti-aircraft missile and gun systems that were installed on the roofs of administrative buildings to increase effectiveness  why did they not work?

The Pantsyr-S1 is supposed to counter small-sized aerial targets such as drones and UAVs effectively, but something went wrong.

Read also: Drone raid in Moscow, Patriot defeats daytime missile attack, Prigozhins warning to Putin

Therefore, the biggest question is not so much where this or that drone hit, but what is going on in Russia, given everything with their air defense system? Where did it go? Was it not in Ukraine that it was destroyed and significantly weakened on the territory of the Russian Federation itself?

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In the temporarily occupied territories, there is a process of regular and constant destruction of Russian air defense systems. Where do they come from? Well, of course, they are transferred from Russia to Ukraine to compensate for the loss of systems that domestic production cannot offset very quickly. But June set the record for the number of Russian air defense systems destroyed  56. July is not over yet, but we have already set a new record for the number of destroyed Russian air defense systems  63 units, and I am sure their number will increase exponentially.

Here is the damage to the ammunition depots in Crimea. There are many photos and videos in open sources of how this happened. It was noticeable from many, many tens of kilometers away that something was happening at this ammunition depot. Now I can say this: on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula, work is underway to prepare and create conditions for the liberation of not only the mainland. Although the Russian propaganda constantly calls Crimea an "unsinkable aircraft carrier," a bastion (which is more like the Bastille), it is primarily a transit hub for the supply of logistics from the Russian mainland to the south of Ukraine, where the fiercest fighting is taking place. Therefore, Crimea should be treated as a transit hub. Some supplies are sent from there to the south of Ukraine, and some remain there. These reserves are gathered in a large number of warehouses. Accordingly, there will be a lot of work. So the second half of the summer will be very hot in Crimea.

Read also: Girkins detention signals intensifying internal power struggle within Kremlin  intelligence

To liberate Crimea, it is necessary to liberate not only the Left Bank of Kherson region, but also the Zaporizhzhia region. Because the full-scale scenario for the liberation of Crimea, as I see it, requires the peninsula's isolation. Isolation is impossible without liberating Zaporizhzhia and the Left Bank Kherson regions. Control of the Black Sea, control of the Sea of Azov, and the destruction of the Crimean bridge itself - all are integral parts of the strategy for the liberation of Crimea.

What is the situation now? There is no need to rush to any outstanding changes in the combat zone, especially in the Zaporizhzhia region, because the territories in the process of being liberated are very difficult. They are complicated because of the minefields concentrated there by the Russian occupiers, as well as the forces and means they have deployed there.

Read also: Ukraine already liberating settlements in the most grandiose offensive operation since WWII

In general, I will say this: what is happening in southern Ukraine should be compared to the Right Bank Kherson region when it was being liberated. For some reason, many people criticize the pace of the liberation of the Zaporizhzhia region. However, I don't see any reason to do so.

Let's remember how the armed forces liberated the Right Bank Kherson region. When did the full-fledged counteroffensive actions of the Ukrainian defense forces begin? They began in May 2022. When did they liberate Kherson? It was early November. So, the process of liberating the Right Bank Kherson region took almost six months. The events currently taking place in the Zaporizhzhia region are on a similar scale. The primary locations now are Pyatikhatki, Orikhove, and Robotyno, as well as Mokry Yaly and Staromlynivka. These are the main areas of advancement of our Ukrainian defense forces, step by step.

Read also: Zaluzhnyi wont be deterred from liberating Crimea  interview

We are now aligning our flanks, liberating new territories, and covering settlements from which the Russians will only have to flee. The most important thing is that we are not using the tactic of a frontal assault on settlements. Thus, completely different tactical decisions reduce personnel losses and allow us to use the resources of units with limited functionality less quickly but more efficiently. This is very important. Because today we have yet to start using our main strike groups. Units with limited functionality continue to play a significant role in the Zaporizhzhia region.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Photo: JOSH REYNOLDS (AP)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has set his sights on the White House, but so far his campaign isnt going so well. And that sucks not only for him, but all Floridians given the crux of his strategy seems to be trying to put forward the most obnoxious, fear-mongering policies and talking points possible. From his anti-intellectual Stop-Woke Act to his actual battle with the Happiest Place on Earth, to defending a curriculum that teaches that slavery wasnt all that bad, weve compiled a list of the most racist sh*t DeSantis has donewhich also hasnt gotten him anywhere.

Pro-Slavery Black History Curriculum

Photo: Jae C. Hong (AP)

Earlier this month, the Florida Board of Education signed off on a new K-12 curriculum for social studies. It immediately came under attack a portion of it claims slavery had personal benefits for Black people. When asked about this blatant writing revisionist history, DeSantis doubled down on the changes by saying that the curriculum will probably going to show some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into, into doing things later in life.

Read more

Stop W.O.K.E Act

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly signs HB7, individual freedom, also dubbed the stop woke bill during a news conference at Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Last year, DeSantis signed legislation called the Stop WOKE Act, which forbids particular race-based conversations and analysis in both schools and businesses. The law also bans instruction that says members of one race are innately racist or should feel guilt for past actions committed by others of the same race. Not everyone really knows what wokeness is. I mean, Ive defined it, but a lotta people who rail against wokeness cant even define it, DeSantis has claimed.

Absolving Donald Trump



Photo: Alex Brandon (AP)

In the conservative realm, DeSantis and Trump have always been allies. Even though they are now adversaries as they both are aiming for the Republican nomination in the upcoming election, DeSantis still wont condemn Trumps harmful actions as President. In a recent interview with CNN, he stated: Heres the problem. This country is going down the road of criminalizing political differences. I think thats wrong, he remarked. DeSantis also said he hoped Trump wont get charged for his role in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, which was led by white supremacists.

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Banning DEI Initiatives At Colleges

Photo: Matt Stamey (AP)

Last year, DeSantis signed a law banning state and federal funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at state colleges and universities. I think people want to see true academics and they want to get rid of some of the political window dressing that seems to accompany all this, DeSantis said at a news conference. He also insisted that DEI and critical race theory programs would get No funding, and that will wither on the vine.

Trafficking Immigrants To Marthas Vineyard

People holding signs protest during a Solidarity Rally with Floridians to condemn Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attacks on immigrants through legislation such as SB 1718, outside City Hall in Los Angeles, June 28, 2023.

Last year, the DeSantis administration chartered two planes containing immigrants from San Antonio, Texas, with stops in Crestview, Florida, with the final destination being Marthas Vineyard. DeSantis, refused to alert authorities in Marthas Vineyard or Massachusetts, stated the flights were part of a $12 million Florida program to transport undocumented immigrants to sanctuary destinations and speak out against President Bidens reckless border security policies.

Attacking Voting Rights

Photo: Lynne Sladky (AP)

In May, DeSantis signed an omnibus voter suppression bill, Senate Bill 7050, into law. It contained restrictions and penalties imposed on third-party voter registration organizzations and placed limits on voter assistance options for how to obtain a mail-in ballot. Immediately following the governors actions, the Florida Conference of the NAACP and other pro-voting organizations filed a lawsuit due to the anti-voting provisions of the bill.



Dont Say Gay Law

Protesters unfold and raise a rainbow flag behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the GOP presidential candidates campaign event on Monday, July 17, 2023, in Tega Cay, S.C.

Last year, DeSantis signed and then expanded the Parental Rights in Education bill  better know as the Dont Say Gay law. It bans severely limits how sexual orientation and gender identity are discussed in schools. In addition, parents can sue their childs school if they believed these discussions posed harm to their child. As we know, Black and brown LGBTQ are disproportionately victims of violencethis bill further promotes dangerous marginalization.

Abortion Ban

Photo: Monica Herndon (AP)

Earlier this year, DeSantis signed a law that would ban abortions at six weeks, which is before most women find out they are pregnant. In addition, he got rid of an elected prosecutor who pledged not to charge folks under Floridas new abortion restrictions or doctors who provide gender-affirming care. Since Black women are more likely to have high-risk, less access to medical care and die disproportionately during childbirth, this law poses the biggest threat to this particular demographic of people.

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The mother of an Arizona teenager who was missing for four years has spoken out followings her daughters miracle return.

Alicia Navarro was 14 years old when she ran away from her home in Glendale, Arizona, on 15 September 2019. Since then, law enforcement has fruitlessly investigated thousands of tips as her mother, Jessica Nunez, publicly pleaded for her safe return.

The Glendale Police Department announced on Wednesday evening that Alicia had recently walked inside a police station in a Montana town near the Canadian border, ending the four-year-long search for her. Authorities have refused to say where exactly the now 18-year-old was found, but have said she is happy, healthy and safe by all accounts.

Jessica Nunez (Finding Alicia)

In a video statement shared on the Finding Alicia Facebook page, Ms Nunez said she found out about the news just an hour before the developments were shared with the public and the media. Ms Nunez then thanked God and the community for the support throughout the time that her daughter was missing.

I, first of all, want to give glory to God for answering their prayers and for this miracle, Ms Nunez said. For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example. Miracles do exist and never lose hope and always fight.

Ms Nunez added: I do not know the details, I do confirm she is my daughter, she is alive and she is safe ... I dont have details but the important thing is she is alive.

Ms Nunez used social media to spread awareness about her missing daughter. Just two days before Alicia was found, Ms Nunez had posted on Facebook that it only takes one person to speak up and make a difference.

Glendale Police Department spokesperson Jose Santiago said detectives are confident the young woman who identified herself as the missing teen is indeed Alicia Navarro, following several interviews with her family.

Mr Santiago said Alicia showed up at a police station in Montana by herself. He said the town is about 1,000 miles away from Glendale but did not specify where exactly.

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Lieutenant Scott Waite said Navarros return is probably only the beginning of where this investigation goes as police continue to investigate where Alicia has been during the last four years and if anyone was with her.

Authorities said on Wednesday that Alicia had walked into a police station in Montana (Glendale Police Deparment)

From what she stated, this started as a runaway situation. But of course, there are more dynamics at play as we start to put together the puzzle, Mr Waite said during a press briefing.

We also have a message from Alicia herself, who is asking for privacy. This has been a traumatic situation for her, as you can imagine, but she is looking to be able to move on in her life, shes looking to build a life for herself, and shes asking for some privacy and patience as well, Mr Santiago added.

In the video shared during the press conference, Alicia thanked the department for looking for her and said no one had hurt her.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio, the mother of one of the victims in the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas, has announced her plans to run for mayor in a special election.

Rubio, whose 10-year-old daughter Alexandria Lexi Rubio died in the shooting, announced the launch of her campaign through the citys newspaper, The Uvalde Leader-News, on Thursday.

Rubio, an advertising executive at the Uvalde Leader-News, told the outlet she wants to represent her community, serving as a voice for the underserved whose voices have been long underrepresented.

It would be easy to run from the issues that plague our town, but I have decided to remain in Uvalde and be part of the change that is long overdue, Mata-Rubio told the Uvalde Leader-News.

Our town has become stagnant. Our leadership became comfortable, which led to the events that unfolded on May 24, 2022. The aftermath has added to the trauma of a grieving and fractured community. It is my hope to bridge the gap because only when we come together can we evolve to something greater.

The mother of six also said she has met with dozens of lawmakers on the state and federal levels to learn more about navigating through the countrys political system.

She noted topics she wants to tackle as mayor include improving communication between the city and the school district and local county officials, preserving the citys history and assisting with the prosperity of locally owned businesses.

Mata-Rubios announcement comes more than a year since the massacre at Robb Elementary School, where 19 students and two teachers were killed after a gunman opened fire inside a fourth-grade classroom.

In the aftermath, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first major type of legislation to address gun violence in nearly 30 years. President Biden signed it into law last year.

Mata-Rubio, who also serves as president of the nonprofit organization Lives Robbed, is seeking to win a position being vacated by current mayor Don McLaughlin (R). McLaughlin is stepping down to run for a seat in the states House of Representatives, according to ABC News.

The citys special election is scheduled for Nov. 7.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kimberly Mata-Rubio and Felix Rubio, parents of Uvalde mass school shooting victim Alexandra Lexi Rubio, are greeted by other activists after speaking during an event on gun control on March 24 in Washington, D.C.

Kimberly Mata-Rubio and Felix Rubio, parents of Uvalde mass school shooting victim Alexandra Lexi Rubio, are greeted by other activists after speaking during an event on gun control on March 24 in Washington, D.C.

The mother of a 10-year-old girl killed during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has announced her bid for mayor of the city in a special election this November.

Kimberly Mata-Rubio, a 34-year-old ad executive for the Uvalde Leader News, is a lifelong Uvalde resident, according to the paper, which first reported on her announcement. Mata-Rubio is a mother of six, including 10-year-old Alexandria Lexi Rubio, who was among the 19 students and two teachers killed in the May 2022 shooting.

A stagnant leadership led to the events that unfolded on May 24, 2022. The aftermath has fractured our community. I hope to bridge the gap and move our community in a positive direction, bringing the 19 children and two teachers with me every step of the way, Mata-Rubio told HuffPost.

The current Uvalde Mayor, Don McLaughlin, has held his seat since 2014. But he announced this week that he will resign and pursue a seat in the Texas House of Representatives.

With his announcement, the Uvalde City Council on Tuesday approved a special election for this November. The term would last for a year.

If elected, shed be the first woman to hold the seat, and the third Hispanic resident. She is currently facing one other opponent, former mayor and former city council member Cody Smith.

As part of an announcement she tweeted Thursday, Mata-Rubio took a moment to remember her daughter.

I grieve for the woman you would have become and all the difference you would have made in this world. I grieve for the woman I was when you were still here. But, one part of me still exist, I am still your mom. I will honor your life with action. This is only the beginning, Mata-Rubio wrote in the tweet.

I grieve for the woman you would have become and all the difference you would have made in this world. I grieve for the woman I was when you were still here. But, one part of me still exist, I am still your mom. I will honor your life with action. This is only the beginning pic.twitter.com/s3rknjwsCC  Kimberly Mata-Rubio (@kimrubio21) July 27, 2023

Mata-Rubio has been a vocal opponent of gun violence. In April, she spoke alongside parents of other victims to a Texas House committee, urging them to raise the age to purchase assault-style guns.

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She has also publicly shared her story about grappling with Lexis killing and hoping to see a ban on assault-style guns at the federal level one day.

My other children are going to grow up in this community and I want it to be the best it can be for them, Mata-Rubio told ABC News. There is so much potential. There are things I love about Uvalde  so much history and a rich culture  and I dont want this town to stay where it is and just be remembered for this tragedy. I want to move forward but I want to bring along our children and those two teachers.

Related...
Kimberly Mata-Rubio, left, and a photo of her daughter, Lexi Rubio, which hangs in her home.



Kimberly Mata-Rubio, left, and a photo of her daughter, Lexi Rubio, which hangs in her home.

A little over a year after her 10-year-old daughter, Lexi Rubio, was killed by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Kimberly Mata-Rubio is running for mayor of the small town. The 34-year-old former journalist and current ad exec at Uvalde Leader-News announced her candidacy Thursday morning for the towns special election on November 7th.



It would be easy to run from the issues that plague our town, but I have decided to remain in Uvalde and be part of the change that is long overdue, she told the Leader-News. Our town has become stagnant. Our leadership became comfortable, which led to the events that unfolded on May 24, 2022. The aftermath has added to the trauma of a grieving and fractured community. If she wins, Mata-Rubio would be the first woman mayor of Uvalde.

Read more

On Twitter, she shared the news of her campaign with the message, I grieve for the woman I was when you were still here. But, one part of me still exist, I am still your mom. I will honor your life with action.

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The writer moved to Vienna. Daniel Harper

I finished the second half of my master's degree in Vienna as the pandemic started.

Unfriendly locals and freezing temperatures made me feel unwelcome and isolated.

I left the city realizing more about myself, my goals, and my aspirations.

Halfway through my international journalism program at City, University of London, COVID-19 hit. I was forced to move back in with my parents in rural Wales for three months. I then made the impulsive decision to fly to any airport that would take UK travelers. I found myself on the last flight out to Belgrade, Serbia.

With Brexit looming and the end of my degree in sight, the countdown to settle somewhere with the ease of a European Union passport was diminishing each day. My friend had a spare bed in their apartment in nearby Vienna, so I decided to finish my master's degree in the Austrian capital.

The Global Liveability Index named Vienna the most livable city in the world in 2022 because of its infrastructure, healthcare, and culture.

But the only expectations I had were the old-style baroque architecture and the snowy winter nights. What I got were cold attitudes and overwhelming feelings of alienation.

It was difficult for me to make friends in Vienna

Over tea, one of my very few Austrian friends told me: "In Vienna, you get to know someone by looking away from them."

It's a running joke among all my non-native friends about the difficulty of breaking into an Austrian friend group. The unfriendly attitude of the Viennese is famous throughout the German-speaking world: They're often referred to as "grantig," which means passive-aggressive grouchiness. Vienna was also named the "unfriendliest city" in the Expat City Ranking in 2022, with 54% of expat survey respondents saying they found it hard to make friends with locals.

I expected a small support system when moving to a new place, but I wasn't quite prepared for how difficult it would be for me to make friends in Vienna. It seemed there were a set number of social hurdles that had to be passed to get into anyone's social life.

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This made things more difficult when I moved into an apartment in the ninth district, a 10-minute bike ride from the city center.

I felt even more isolated when the winter started

Past October, Vienna suffers the same as many other northern cities in Europe; the nights are long, and the weather is cold. A Portuguese friend phrased it well: "You don't live in Vienna in winter. You just try to survive it."

The white and gray buildings that reflected the light so beautifully in the summer now morphed with the perpetual gray clouds. Winter in Vienna was like a black-and-white movie you couldn't escape.

I was inside most of the time, and many of my brief summer friendships froze. With the lockdown shutting down most businesses, it wasn't easy to keep friendships going. Plus, it was too cold for any meetups outside anyone's apartment.

I was surprised by the darker side of Viennese politics

About the time I got my own apartment, Vienna was holding its mayoral elections. I remember passing a poster for the Freedom Party of Austria. On the poster, there was a white woman screaming in fear and a brown man behind her. He looked menacing and was holding a knife. I found a few other posters in equally poor taste. They focused on the worry that Austria was becoming increasingly Islamic.

While xenophobia is in every society  including in my homeland  it struck me how openly the Freedom Party of Austria exercised its xenophobic ideals on the streets.

Ultimately, I learned a lot

I came to Vienna at a crossroads in my life, transitioning from someone pretending to be an adult to someone with aspirations.

While there were rough moments along my journey, I don't blame Vienna.

As a drunken conversation with an American Austrian concluded: "Austrians are very proud, very direct people, and they aren't the nicest people, but they know that it's all half a joke."

Though I may not have thought it at the time, the negative experiences I had in Vienna and with its people were important. I realized I could no longer be carried around by the winds of chance, hoping that everything would work out. While in Vienna, I learned I had to take responsibility for my own life and live as though my future depended on it  because it eventually will.

My cultural clash with Vienna made me see what I wanted and didn't want for my future, and for that, I'm grateful.

Read the original article on Insider
Five years after a chain reaction crash took the life of two-year-old Colin McGrath as the toddler was walking down a Southie street, his family still feels the acute pain of his passing. But theres also newfound love for the baby brother he never got to meet.

In a statement through Colins Joy Project on July 25, the 5-year anniversary of Colins death, the McGrath family provided an update on some of the work thats been done in Colins name since his passing and introduced a newcomer to the family, Miles.

Our Team Colin marathon team had a banner year of fundraising and the reach of Colins Joy Project grows with each mile they run. Speaking of miles, this year also brought the arrival of our son Miles, who has helped to fill our grieving hearts with love. Miles has taught us the beautiful life lesson that ones heart can be simultaneously full of grief and of love, the family said.

McGrath was being pushed in a stroller by his nanny on July 25, 2018, when he was hit and killed at the intersection of L and East Sixth Streets.

Heartbreaking testimony from the Good Samaritan who tried to revive Colin McGrath

Driver Charlene Casey, a lifelong South Boston resident, was indicted the following year for motor vehicle homicide. According to investigators, Casey failed to yield and struck a van that was traveling northbound on L Street. That van then careened onto the sidewalk, hitting Colin, his older sister and their nanny.

Since then, the McGrath family has worked through the Colins Joy Project to enhance living spaces and sponsor family programming in the Boston community.

As the poet Kahlil Gibran more eloquently stated - the deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain, the family shared on Facebook. Thanks to the love, support, and encouragement of so many who choose to walk this journey with us, our hearts now contain so much joy despite our grief. Thank you for helping us keep Colin alive in our hearts and for helping us find joy despite our grief. And thank you to all who support our family, in big and small ways, every day.

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In October 2022, Casey was sentenced to 60 days in jail for her role in the fatal crash.

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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Lynette Quintana loads her truck with food distributed through the FDPIR program from the food distribution warehouse of the Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos in Bernalillo, New Mexico. (Photo: Bob Nichols, USDA | Public Domain)

WASHINGTON  New legislation that aims to expand food assistance for tribal households will be introduced in the U.S. Senate today, Native News Online has learned.

Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) are expected to file a new bill that would allow individuals who are eligible for both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) to use both programs in the same month.

The proposed Tribal Access to Nutrition Assistance Act would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow for dual enrollment in the programs with a goal of increasing food security among Tribal communities, which suffer from rates of food insecurity that are much higher than the general public. The bill also eliminates the administrative burden that forces individuals who qualify for both SNAP and FDPIR to pick between programs each month.

Tribal families and individuals in Washington state and across the country should not be forced to pick between nutrition assistance programs each month when they plainly need, are eligible for, and should have access to both, Murray, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement to Native News Online.

Murray called the legislation a common-sense fix that will make sure fewer Native people go hungry and lower the hurdles that Native families have to clear when they switch between programs. Individuals who are eligible for other food assistance programs, like WIC, can use those benefits on top of SNAPand theres no reason that the FDPIR benefits that are so important to Tribal communities should not work the same way, she said.

The FDPIR program provides U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations, as well as to American Indians residing in approved areas. About 75,000 Native Americans and 276 Tribes receive benefits under FDPIR, which is intended to be a supplemental food package because it doesnt meet the full nutritional needs of Tribal individuals. Even so, a USDA study found that FDPIR is the sole or primary source food for 38 percent of households who are enrolled in the program.

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Tribal members should never be in a position where they go hungry, and its common sense to make sure Indian Country has access to the same food assistance programs as everyone else so these communities can get the food they need to stay healthy, Cortez Masto, a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said in a statement.

A large number of Native households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to SNAP because they dont have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores. Under the new legislation, more than 65,000 Tribal individuals could enroll in both programs, according to an estimate from Murrays office.

The current law creates an administrative headache for people who choose to move between the two programs and unfairly targets Native Americans who need greater access to healthy, nutritious foods, according to Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Vice-Chairman Cole Miller and Intertribal Agriculture Council Executive Director Kari Jo Lawrence, who co-chair the Native Farm Bill Coalition.

The Tribal Access to Nutrition Assistance Act would promote food security in Indian Country by removing an unprincipled barrier and authorizing Native Americans to access both FDPIR and SNAP on par with individuals using other federal feeding programs, they said in a statement.

The Farm Bill Coalition is one of a lengthy list of Native tribes and advocacy groups that support the legislation, including the Yakama Nation, the Colville Tribes, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, the National Congress of American Indians, the Seattle Indian Health Board, the National Association of Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations, and Tahoma Peak.

Yakama Nation Tribal Council Chairman Gerald Lewis expressed appreciation for Murrays work to introduce the legislation that fixes a glitch in the law that prohibits Indian families from dual enrollment in FDPIR and SNAP.

This act fixes that glitch and will definitely aid households here on the Yakama Reservation, even more so with the cost of foods rising and with limited availability of affordable food, Lewis said in a statement.

The introduction of the legislation comes one day after a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing where FDPIR took on new significance in proposed amendments to the 2023 Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill Coalition sees FDPIR as a new avenue for tribal sovereignty, aiming to secure legislative support for giving tribes control over what goes into the programs food packages - namely under 638 Projects, which leverage the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to allow tribes to take over governance of the contents of FDPIR packages.

Pilot 638 projects were launched under the 2018 Farm Bill, giving eight tribes and health organizations greater control over their food distribution, leading to localized choices from nearby producers, including many that produce traditional foods linked to tribal cultures.

The projects have proven popular and in keeping with the Tribal Access to Nutrition Assistance Act, not only do members of the Farm Bill Coalition want the 638 projects expanded to other tribes for their FDPIR packages, they want tribes to have more control over SNAP distributions, too.

Government programs administered at the local level are best suited to be responsive to the needs of local community members and more effective in identifying eligible participants, said Abi Fain, Director of Policy and Government Relations at the Intertribal Agriculture Council. The same is true for SNAP and supports the need for Congress to authorize federally recognized Tribes to administer SNAP.

Managing Editor Brian Edwards contributed reporting on this story.

About the Author: "Chesley Oxendine (Lumbee-Cheraw) is an Oklahoma-based reporter for Native News Online and its sister publication, Tribal Business News. His journalism has been featured in the Fort Gibson Times, Muskogee Phoenix, Native Oklahoma Magazine, and elsewhere. \r

"

Contact: ChezOxendine@idonthaveit.com
Twitter/X logo Janine Schmitz / Photothek via Getty Images

Elon Musk this week announced he was scrapping Twitter's iconic bird logo and renaming the social media platform X. "Soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds," he declared in a tweet. Workers immediately started taking the Twitter sign off the company's San Francisco headquarters. They relabeled conference rooms  scrapping bird-related names like Aviary, Tern, Bluebird, Canary, and Mallard  with names like "eXposure," "eXult," and "s3Xy," according to The New York Times.

The billionaire Musk is using a letter he clearly loves  it's in the name of rocket company SpaceX and one of his electric cars, the Model X, at Tesla. He even named one of his kids X. The rebranding follows a series of controversial changes Musk has made at the social media company since buying it in October. He has laid off 6,000 employees (80 percent of Twitter's staff), changed and started charging for badges intended to verify users, and invited back users, including former President Donald Trump, who had been banned for violating rules on promoting violence.

Many Twitter users scratched their heads. Some critics called the new name and logo, an angular, stylized X, cold and off-putting. Marketing gurus said Musk was throwing away an iconic brand that is worth billions. Making a brand a verb is the "holy grail," Mike Proulx, a vice president and research director at Forrester, told The New York Times. "The app itself has become a cultural phenomenon in all sorts of ways. In one fell sweep, Elon Musk has essentially wiped out 15 years of brand value from Twitter and is now essentially starting from scratch." The platform formerly known as Twitter is already facing major challenges, like dwindling ad revenue and Meta's launch of rival app Threads. Is Musk dooming his own company by scrapping its valuable brand?

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Musk has made Twitter a 'zombie'

Twitter has been officially killed by its "unhinged owner," said Oliver Darcy at CNN. "A zombie Twitter, known only as X, reluctantly endures. A warped and disfigured platform, X marches on like a White Walker, an ugly shell of its former self under the command of a loathsome leader." Musk has single-handedly transformed Twitter from a "fountain of authoritative information" into a platform "where trolls can pay a small fee to have their ugly content boosted ahead of reputable sources." On X, "journalists are banned or smeared while the most repellant and dishonest voices are elevated." The rules are unclear; the infrastructure is crumbling. X has none of Twitter's brand recognition but all of Musk's "toxic" baggage that has driven away users and advertisers.

It's oddly fitting that Musk is replacing the user-friendly "Twitter birdie" logo with the cold, angular X, said Virginia Heffernan in the Los Angeles Times. Musk's plans for the company clearly don't call for a "cute or optimistic or uptilted" image. "The name X and a severe, black logo are more apt for whatever baffling and galactic storm-trooping Musk wants to do with his interplanetary empire." With dangerous artificial intelligence set to fast replace more cuddly social media, maybe it's good to embrace design that says "keep out" rather than "come in." If "Twitter-turned-X is toxic," it might be good, for users if not the company, that its logo "recalls the skull-and-crossbones on cartoon bottles of poison."

Musk wants to build something bigger than Twitter

Musk is dumping the Twitter brand because he's out to build something bigger, said Arjun Kharpal at CNBC. He said in October that he was spending $44 billion to buy Twitter as an "accelerant to creating X, the everything app." People have compared his vision to a made-in-the-U.S.A. version of China's WeChat, the world's "biggest super app" operated by Chinese technology giant Tencent. WeChat lets its 1.3 billion users send instant messages like Meta's WhatsApp, but it also offers payments and a way to access e-commerce, banking, and other apps. But "trying to turn X into anything like WeChat is going to be a mammoth task," particularly because Musk won't benefit from "the factors that [have] helped the Chinese app's success  including China's 'mobile-first market'" and Beijing's blocking of potential foreign competitors like Twitter and Google.

Musk has already failed, said Jennifer Rubin at The Washington Post. He spent billions on an established company and turned it "into a cesspool of disinformation and hate speech," losing "more than two-thirds of the company's value." He's not building something bigger; he's presiding over the demise of something whose time has come, and gone. "Products and industries go out of fashion; customers spend their money elsewhere." If you run a great company, "keep valuable employees productive and please customers," you "grow and make money." If you "create havoc," fire your team, and "annoy customers," your employees find work elsewhere, and new rivals  like Meta's new Threads app  pop up to fill the gap. So when "rotten owners" like Musk fail, it's just a sign that capitalism is working as it should.

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NIAMEY, Niger (AP)  Niger's president defiantly declared Thursday that democracy would prevail, a day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup because of the West African countrys deteriorating security situation.

While many people in the capital of Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country and which side the majority might support. A statement tweeted by the army commands account declared that it would back the coup to avoid a murderous confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath. It was not possible to confirm that the statement was genuine.

President Mohamed Bazoum  who was elected in 2021 in Nigers first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960  appeared to have the backing of several political parties. Bazoum is a key ally in the Wests efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africas Sahel region.

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Bazoum tweeted early Thursday.

Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou issued a similar call on news network France 24, asking all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action.

He demanded the president's unconditional release and said talks were ongoing.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who spoke to Bazoum by phone on Wednesday, told reporters Thursday that he was extremely worried about the situation in Niger and warned of the terrible effects on development and civilians due to successive unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel region.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled emergency closed consultations on the situation Friday at the request of its three African members, Ghana, Gabon and Mozambique.

The Economic Community of West African States sent Benin President Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts.

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Russia and the West have been vying for influence in the fight against extremism in the region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighboring nations.

Bazoum is seen by many as the West's last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Wagner appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

The U.S. is gravely concerned about the situation in Niger, said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel during a briefing with reporters Thursday.

We are monitoring the situation closely and continue to be in close touch with the embassy, Patel said.

Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties. American, French and Italian troops train the country's soldiers, while France also conducts joint operations.

But the threat to Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger could also turn away from the West.

On Thursday, several hundred people gathered in the capital and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags. Later, they began throwing rocks at a passing politician's car.

If Mohamed Bazoum resigns from the presidency, Niger will probably move to the top of the list of countries where the Wagner Group will seek to expand, said Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at Dragonfly, a security and political risk consultancy.

Wagner already had its sights set on Niger, in part because it's a large producer of uranium. But Bazoum posed an impediment because of his pro-French and pro-Western stance, said Baumgartner.

Wagner's head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, weighed in on Thursday, describing the developments as part of Nigers fight against the colonizers.

It effectively means winning independence. The rest will depend on the people of Niger, on how efficient they could govern, Prigozhin, who led a brief mutiny against the Kremlin last month, said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department isn't aware of any signs that the Wagner Group was involved in the coup, Patel said. He declined to speculate, saying the situation continues to be quite fluid.

Former Wagner mercenary, Marat Gabidullin, told the AP that if Niger's new rulers wanted the group's help, they'd do the same job as in the Central African Republic, where it's been operating for five years. Advocacy groups have accused Wagner of hijacking state resources and committing human rights atrocities in the Central African Republic and other countries where it operates.

Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Blinken said Thursday that he had spoken with the president, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the U.S. condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

If designated a coup by the United States, Niger could lose millions of dollars of military support and aid.

Alexander Thurston, assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, said the coup deals a blow to democratic culture in the Sahel.

"Western governments are left without a strong partner in the region, and may shift even more towards attempting to contain the regions problems, rather than helping to solve them, Thurston said.

Members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum's house and detained him on Wednesday morning.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed all the borders.

Military experts say some of the people who appeared on state television were high-ranking officers, including Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, the head of Niger's special forces who has a strong relationship with the United States.

According to someone close to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation, the president has not and will not resign and is safe in his residence.

In a statement Wednesday, several political parties expressed their support for him, calling the coup suicidal and anti-republican madness.

The country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted, they said. Protesters also came out in support of Bazoum that day.

More than 4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and hundreds of thousands are internally displaced, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters after speaking to senior U.N. officials in Niger.

The international community denounced the coup in Niger, where there have been multiple coups since independence in 1960.

We firmly condemn the coup that took place in Niger against the countrys civilian democratic authorities, the French Foreign Ministry said Thursday. It called for the liberation of Bazoum and his family, and for their security to be ensured. It also called for the immediate restoration of the integrity of Nigers democratic institutions.

France has 2,500 troops in Niger and Chad, conducting anti-terror operations in the Sahel region

U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk called for Bazoum's release and said all efforts must be undertaken to restore constitutional order and the rule of law.

Russia also called for the president's release. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday in televised remarks that its necessary to restore the constitutional order in Niger. We believe that the coup is unconstitutional, and we always take a principled and clear position on that, he said.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Benin President Patrice Talon is not the head of ECOWAS. He was tapped as their mediator.

___

Associated Press reporters Tracy Brown and Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C.; John Leicester and Angela Charlton in Paris; Edith Lederer at the United Nations in New York; and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
The 78-year-old Nobel laureate has been charged with a raft of criminal offences including voter fraud

Myanmar's ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest after the military detained her following a coup in February 2021.

Ms Suu Kyi was taken to a government building in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday, prison sources told BBC Burmese. She'd spent a year in solitary confinement.

The 78-year-old is serving a 33-year sentence, after being jailed in closed-door, military-run trials.

Almost no news has emerged about her condition in more than two years.

There has been no confirmation from the military of her transfer from jail, but the move to house arrest could be a positive sign from the authorities, who have faced numerous calls to release the country's democratically-elected leader.

News agency AFP said it had confirmed Ms Suu Kyi's transfer with a source in her National League for Democracy party.

Ms Suu Kyi was rumoured to have been ill, but the military has denied the reports. Earlier this week a source from the Nay Pyi Taw prison where she was being held told BBC Burmese that she was in good health.

Thailand's foreign minister also revealed this month that he had visited Ms Suu Kyi - however he disclosed no further detail.

The military has arranged a meeting between Ms Suu Kyi and T Khun Myat, the Speaker of the lower house of parliament, BBC Burmese reported. However the military has denied these talks are taking place.

Since the coup, Myanmar has spiralled into a civil war, which has killed thousands of people. Sanctions imposed on the military have failed to stop the violence.

The 78-year-old Nobel laureate was under house arrest until June this year, when she was moved to solitary confinement in a prison in the country's capital.

She denies all of the accusations and rights groups have condemned the court trials as a sham.

The daughter of independence hero General Aung San, she emerged as a leader of the pro-democracy movement against the military dictatorship. She co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD), but was put under house arrest in 1989.

Awarded the Nobel peace prize, Ms Suu Kyi was one of the world's leading democracy icons. Her release from detention in 2010 was celebrated in Myanmar and around the world.

But she was later criticised for defending her country against allegations of genocide at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) after widespread claims that Myanmar had committed atrocities against Muslim Rohingya while her government was in power. Nearly a million of them have fled Myanmar in recent years, and now live as refugees in neighbouring Bangladesh.
A missing persons case took a mysterious turn this week when a teenager walked into a Montana police precinct four years after she vanished without a trace from Arizona.

Alicia Navarro was 14 years old when she was last seen leaving her home in Glendale, Arizona, back on 15 September 2019. She left her parents a note saying she would return but never did.

The disappearance of the teenager, who has autism, prompted a huge search involving the FBI and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

But, despite thousands of tips pouring in over the past almost four years, there was no sign of the missing girl  until now.

Glendale Police announced on Wednesday that the now-18-year-old walked into a police station thousands of miles away in a small town close to the Canadian border and told officers that she was the missing girl.

In a press conference, police spokesperson Jose Santiago said that Alicia is by all accounts well and has since been reunited with her mother.

She showed up to a police department. She identified herself as Alicia Navarro. She basically asked for help to clear her off of a missing juvenile list, he said.

She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy, he said.

Police Lt Scott Waite told reporters that the investigation so far indicates that Alicia ran away from home of her own accord.

Every indication shes given to us so far is that she willfully left her home, he said.

Alicia Navarro (left when she disappeared and right since her return) (Navarro Family/Glendale Police)

Now the dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something were looking into.

Lt Waite added that the investigation is still ongoing but the teenager is not facing any charges over her disappearance and is not in any kind of trouble.

Questions remain around where Alicia has been for the past four years and how she got from Arizona to Montana.

Police said that the reunion of Alicia with her mother Jessica Nunez was emotionally overwhelming for both of them and that the teenager was very apologetic to what she has put her mother through.

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She wanted to talk to her mom, and she wanted to make sure her mother knew she was OK, said Mr Santiago.

Now, the teen and her mother are hoping to rebuild their relationship, he said.

We will continue to work with our state, local federal partners and even across state lines to make sure that Alicia has everything that she needs, said Lt Waite.

That shes taken care of, that her family is getting the help that they need, and that most importantly that this investigation is completed thoroughly and done correctly.

"For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example. Miracles do exist and never lose hope and always fight."



Alicia Navarro's mom, Jessica, has released a statement. @12News pic.twitter.com/plqXKeYuWk  Bianca Buono (@BiancaBuono) July 26, 2023

Following news of her daughters return, Ms Nunez released a video statement saying that their case shows parents of missing children should never give up home of finding them.

I do feel I owe this video to the community and to God, she said in the video, shared on Twitter by 12 News journalist Bianca Buono.

I first of all want to give glory to God for answering their prayers and for this miracle.

For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example. Miracles do exist and never lose hope and always fight.

My daughter, Alicia Navarro, was missing since September 15th 2019, she has been found safe.

I do not know the details. I do confirm she is my daughter. She is alive and she is safe.

She added: This is recent news for me, it was an hour before it was posted on social media and the news. I dont have details but the important thing is she is alive.

I want to thank the community and God for all that you have done.
Mr Kim had a "friendly talk" with Mr Shoigu, who handed him "an autographed letter" from Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported

Kim Jong Un showed off North Korea's latest weapons to Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday.

Pyongyang invited the Russian delegation led by Mr Shoigu, as well as Chinese officials.

They will attend Pyongyang's celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, marked typically by massive military parades.

The weapons on display included the Hwasong intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Successfully tested in April, it is believed to be the country's first ICBM to use solid propellants, which makes it quicker to launch than liquid-fuel ones.

Also on show were two new drone designs, including one resembling the primary offensive strike drone used by the US Air Force, according to NK News, a specialist site focusing on North Korea.

Mr Shoigu's visit comes amid accusations that Pyongyang is supplying Russia with arms for use in its war in Ukraine - a claim that both Pyongyang and Moscow deny.

North Korea's KCNA news agency said Mr Kim and Mr Shoigu discussed "matters of mutual concern" in the fields of national defence and on the international security environment.

The delegations' visit for North Korea's Victory Day - as the 1953 end of hostilities is called in the North - is expected to finish on Thursday with an extensive military parade. The Koreans are technically still at war because no peace agreement was reached when the conflict ended.

Both Russia and China are long time allies of North Korea. Their visit marks the first time Mr Kim has thrown open the doors to foreign guests since the Covid pandemic.

The last time Pyongyang invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018.

Mr Shoigu praised the North Korean military as the "most powerful in the world", according to state media

Mr Kim had a "friendly talk" with Mr Shoigu, who handed him an autographed letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said, adding that he had later called North Korea's military "the most powerful" in the world.

The visiting Chinese delegation, led by politburo member Li Hongzhong, also handed a personal letter from Mr Xi to Mr Kim.

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Mr Kim reportedly told Mr Li that "the Korean people will never forget the fact that the brave soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers shed blood to bring about the war victory".

Beijing had sent troops in the autumn of 1950 to support North Korea in the war against South Korea. The then Soviet Union also supported North Korea in the war.

Since the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Russia has remained a natural ally for North Korea because of their mutual dislike for the US.

Some analysts say the inclusion of Chinese and Russian envoys in this year's Victory Day parade hints at a possible loosening of Covid restrictions.

This comes weeks after images of North Koreans walking around without masks were shown on state media.

The reclusive country had sealed itself off from all trade and diplomatic ties in early 2020, even with Russia and China, its main economic and political partners.
illustration of solar arrays on the moon, with the blackness of space and earth in the background

NASA will award $150 million to advance the development of potentially revolutionary exploration technologies, including systems that could power outposts on the moon.

The money will be split among 11 different American companies, to support projects that could help humanity get a foothold on the moon and other locales in deep space.

"Partnering with the commercial space industry lets us at NASA harness the strength of American innovation and ingenuity," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement on Tuesday (July 25) that announced the new funding. "The technologies that NASA is investing in today have the potential to be the foundation of future exploration."

Related: Welcome to the future: 11 ideas that went from science fiction to reality

Each of the selected companies will contribute funding of its own  "at least 10-25%" of the total project cost, based on the company's size, NASA officials wrote in the statement. The agency's total expected outlay is $150 million.

Nearly $35 million will go to Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to continue developing its "Blue Alchemist" technology, which aims to build solar panels out of lunar dust, dirt and gravel (known as regolith). Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic will get roughly the same amount, to demonstrate power transmission on the moon's surface from a lander to a tethered rover.

"The company's CubeRover would unreel more than half a mile (one kilometer) of high-voltage power line that could be used to transfer power from a production system to a habitat or work area on the moon," NASA officials wrote in the statement.

Three of the other selected projects are geared toward building habitats, roads or other infrastructure from lunar rock and regolith. This focus on the moon is hardly surprising, given that NASA is working to establish a sustainable presence on and around Earth's nearest neighbor via its Artemis program.

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"Our partnerships with industry could be a cornerstone of humanity's return to the moon under Artemis," Prasun Desai, acting associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, said in the same statement.

"By creating new opportunities for streamlined awards, we hope to push crucial technologies over the finish line so they can be used in future missions," Desai added. "These innovative partnerships will help advance capabilities that will enable sustainable exploration on the moon."

illustration of four spacesuited astronauts exploring the moon, with two rovers and a lander nearby.

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The selected companies and their projects are (descriptions provided by NASA):

Astrobotic Technology of Pittsburgh, $34.6 million: LunaGrid-Lite: Demonstration of Tethered, Scalable Lunar Power Transmission

Big Metal Additive of Denver, $5.4 million: Improving Cost and Availability of Space Habitat Structures with Additive Manufacturing

Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, $34.7 million: In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)-Based Power on the Moon

Freedom Photonics of Santa Barbara, California, $1.6 million: Highly Efficient Watt-Class Direct Diode Lidar for Remote Sensing

Lockheed Martin of Littleton, Colorado, $9.1 million: Joining Demonstrations In-Space

Redwire of Jacksonville, Florida, $12.9 million: Infrastructure Manufacturing with Lunar Regolith  Mason

Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh, $6.2 million: The Mobility Coordinator: An Onboard COTS (Commercial-Off-the-Shelf) Software Architecture for Sustainable, Safe, Efficient, and Effective Lunar Surface Mobility Operations

Psionic of Hampton, Virginia, $3.2 million: Validating No-Light Lunar Landing Technology that Reduces Risk, SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power), and Cost

United Launch Alliance of Centennial, Colorado, $25 million: ULA Vulcan Engine Reuse Scale Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator Technology Demonstration

Varda Space Industries of El Segundo, California, $1.9 million: Conformal Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator Tech Transfer and Commercial Production

Zeno Power Systems of Washington, $15 million: A Universal Americium-241 Radioisotope Power Supply for Artemis

The newly announced selections were the sixth made via NASA's "Tipping Point" program. You can learn more about each project here.
The Wagner Group paramilitary organization is continuing to recruit fighters in Belarus while training the Belarusian military, under the condition that the new recruits are ready "to participate in hostilities on the territory of the countries neighboring Belarus, in particular, Poland and Lithuania," according to Ukraine's National Resistance Center.

On July 14, Belarusian state media reported that Wagner mercenaries were in the country to train Belarusian territorial defense forces.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko allegedly helped broker a deal for Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and his troops to relocate to Belarus after their armed "rebellion" in late June stopped short of reaching Moscow.

As of July 22, the Ukrainian authorities reported that about 5,000 Wagner mercenaries have arrived in the country.

However, the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported on July 25 that another Wagner convoy had cross into the state.

The monitoring group said that it was the 11th Wagner convoy to enter Belarus, and was likely travelling to the newly-built Wagner camp in the village of Tsel near Asipovichy.

The convoy included at least 29 vehicles, including six rare Shchuka armored vehicles.

In March, the Lithuanian parliament officially recognized the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization. The resolution stated that their members pose a threat to the security of the Lithuanian state and society.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak announced on July 18 that Poland's border with Belarus will be reinforced with two additional military brigades due to the Wagner Group's presence.

On July 20, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said that a four-day joint training was being held between Wagner and the Belarusian military in Brest Oblast near the Polish border.
America's largest electric grid operator has issued a Level-1 energy emergency alert as the tremendous demand for electricity increases amid an ongoing heat wave.

This comes PJM Interconnection issued their Hot Weather Alert earlier in the week to prepare transmission and generation personnel and facilities for extreme heat and humidity that may cause capacity problems on the grid.

PJM coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity and ensures power supplies for 65 million people in all or parts of 13 states and Washington, D.C. The operator issued an urgent update on grid conditions for Thursday.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The sun shines over towers carrying electical lines August 30, 2007 in South San Francisco, California.

Their issuance of an EEA-1, or a North American Electric Reliability Corporation alert, means that all generating resources are committed or forecast to be in use.

A Maximum Generation Emergency Alert and Load Management Alert were also issued as system conditions might require emergency procedures, PJM noted in their latest advisory.

Officials said they issued the series of alerts to help prepare generators for the "onset of intense heat, acting conservatively in light of recent extreme weather events that have occurred within the region and across the country."

On Wednesday, PJM said they served a preliminary peak load of approximately 138,000 megawatts. A peak of about 153,000 megawatts is forecast for Thursday and a 154,000-megawatts peak is forecast for Friday.

PJM has about 186,000 megawatts of installed generating capacity to fulfill the needs of its customers if demand grows, the operator said. Last years peak demand was approximately 149,000 megawatts.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE AND HEALTHY AS TEMPERATURES RISE

More than 260 million Americans will feel the heat as the weekend approaches. The expansive upper-level ridge of high pressure over the Southwest and Southern Plains will work in tandem with a building Bermuda High, the FOX Forecast Center said.

Sizzling temperatures are being felt from Southern California to the East Coast. Daytime highs will soar into the triple digits each day in the Desert Southwest, while a growing footprint of 100-degree highs takes hold of the nation's heartland.

Sultry heat indices are forecast to stick around throughout the South and eventually make their way into the mid-Atlantic by Friday, where heat indices are likely to exceed 100 degrees.
The Russian Federation is losing tens of thousands of military equipment in Ukraine

Over the past 24 hours, 590 Russian invaders were liquidated in Ukraine, the General Staff announced in its morning update on July 27.

The General Staff said that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, over 244,000 Russian military personnel have been eliminated.

Read also: Russia may use Wagner mercenaries to attack NATO through Poland, Baltics  Presidential advisor

Total losses of the Russian Federation are now as follows:

Personnel: 244,270 (+590),



Tanks: 4,186 (+9),



Armored combat vehicles: 8,147 (+11),



Artillery systems: 4,745 (+18),



Multiple Launch Rocket Systems: 698 (+0),



Anti-Aircraft Missile Systems: 457 (+0),



Aircraft: 315 (+0),



Helicopters: 311 (+0),



Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): 3,996 (+3),



Cruise missiles: 1,347 (+40) ,



Ships / Boats: 18 (+0),



Automotive equipment and tanks: 7,229 (+18),



Specialized equipment: 708 (+0).



At the beginning of June, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in the south and east of Ukraine, liberating occupied territories and consolidating positions on the frontlines.

Read also: Russians down 460 personnel, one Ka-52 helicopter, says General Staff

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov stated that the recent modest successes of the Ukrainian forces were just a preliminary "preview" of a much larger offensive yet to come.

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
Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., accused a Biden State Department official of failing to take the threat posed by China seriously at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday.

Ricketts, the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, took issue with comments made by Jose Fernandez, the undersecretary for economic growth, energy and the environment at the State Department, during a hearing titled, "Addressing Economic Coercion and Increasing Competitiveness."

The Nebraska Republican rebuked Fernandez after he called China a "competitor" to the U.S.

"The people's Republic of China is a formidable competitor, and is a prolific user of economic coercion," Fernandez said in his opening remarks. "Xi Jinping's ambitions are clear: As he stated in 2020, Beijing seeks to manipulate global supply chains, make other nations dependent on the PRC and use that dependency to exert leverage over them."

MARCO RUBIO LEADS EFFORT TO BLOCK BIDEN MOVE PROTECTING CHINESE EV COMPANIES

Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts rebuked a Biden State Department official for describing China as a "competitor" rather than an "adversary."

Ricketts said that by calling China a "competitor" instead of an adversary, Fernandez demonstrated the State Department does not take Xi Jinping seriously.

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"You said in your opening remarks that the Peoples Republic of China was a competitor. With all due respect, theyre an adversary," Ricketts said. "President Xi has said that he wants to be the global dominating power by 2049  that means displacing us. We should take him seriously. They are an adversary."

CHINA OUSTS FOREIGN MINISTER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING FOR A MONTH

Jose Fernandez, undersecretary for economic growth, energy and the environment at the State Department, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Ricketts raised concerns about China's use of economic coercion to pressure other countries, pointing to how the CCP has targeted countries such as Lithuania that have increased diplomatic engagement with Taiwan. China has sanctioned Lithuanian trade ministers for visiting Taipei and last year Beijing banned imports from Lithuania in response to growing ties between the country and the territory.

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China considers self-ruling Taiwan its own province and has raised the prospect of annexing it by force. The U.S. maintains informal relations and valuable trade ties with Taiwan even as it recognizes Beijing as the government of China.

TIM SCOTT'S HESITANCE TO BAN TIKTOK OUTRIGHT LOOMS AMID HIS TOUGH ON CHINA PUSH

"The CCP is attempting to weaponize access to the Chinese market for unrelated European companies if they continue trading with Lithuanian firms." Ricketts said after the hearing. "This basically amounted to informal secondary sanctions. While the success of this approach was limited, it is easy to imagine the PRC employing it again, especially in cases when bilateral trade is minimal. The Biden administration must wake up and counter the CCPs economic coercion."

Fox News has reached out to the State Department for comment.

Ricketts has positioned himself as a hawk on China since his appointment to the U.S. Senate to replace Sen. Ben Sasse, who resigned to become president of the University of Florida. In May, Ricketts co-sponrosed a bipartisan bill that would bar the CCP from borrowing from multilateral development banks, including the World Bank and Asia Development Bank.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Ricketts called China "the greatest threat our country faces."

"The Chinese Communist Party will do whatever it takes to undermine our values and way of life. Yet the weak Biden administration treats them with kid gloves, bowing and begging in search of a climate deal. The CCP is the greatest threat our country faces. Its past time the Biden admin woke up and confronted the Communists head on," he said.
(Bloomberg) -- Perceptions of China abroad are souring largely because of its foreign policy decisions, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center, which also found a lack of confidence in President Xi Jinping.

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Majorities in 15 of the 24 nations surveyed held an unfavorable opinion of China, with negative ratings at record highs in 10 of them.

Japan and Australia had the highest number of people expressing discontent, at 87%. Beijing has been criticizing Tokyo over its plans for discharging wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, while China and Australia are just getting over a spat that ranged from the origins of Covid-19 to trade.

Pew said about three-quarters of all respondents to the survey conducted from February to May think China does not take into account the interests of other countries in its foreign policy, while more than half say China interferes in the affairs of other nations a great deal or fair amount.

Some four-fifths of US respondents held a negative view of China. Washington and Beijing have been at odds over a range of issues, especially Taiwan and technology. The Biden administration has rallied allies to impose controls on exports of high-end chip equipment to China, largely to curb its military ambitions.

Read more: Xi Proteges Sudden Removal Adds to Rough Start for Third Term

Last month, China said it would place restrictions on exporting two metals that are crucial to parts of the semiconductor, telecoms and alternative energy industries. The move appeared aimed at giving Beijing leverage as it pushes the White House to lift its curbs.

China has come in for widespread criticism over its partnership with Russia, which it has maintained despite Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine last year. Critics also say Beijing has restricted political freedoms in Hong Kong, curbed religious activities in Tibet and Xinjiang, and stepped up intimidation of Taiwan.

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The US will bar Hong Kongs leader, John Lee, from attending a major economic summit in the US this fall after earlier sanctioning him over the crackdown, the Washington Post reported, citing unidentified US officials familiar with the matter.

The news comes just as Hong Kong is set to decide whether to ban a controversial protest song from its internet Friday, a move that could force Western tech firms to reconsider their presence in the finance hub.

Chinese diplomats have criticized similar Pew surveys in the past, saying they dont represent the entire international community. They also say that the nations military is purely for defensive purposes.

Read more: Senate Votes to Target China Investments Via Defense Bill

Three-quarters of the Pew survey respondents said they had little or no confidence in Xi to do the right thing. Uncertainty over Xis policies was underscored this week when the government removed his handpicked foreign minister, Qin Gang, after a one-month disappearance without saying why.

Still, Xi was viewed more favorably in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Those countries are all members of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative. Under the infrastructure program, China has extended about $900 billion over the past decade around the world, including in Africa.

Also, at least half of the people in six middle-income countries said Chinese investment helped their economies.

(Updates with more details and context.)

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed concerns over reforms to the countrys judiciary system, saying claims that they are the end of Israeli democracy are silly.

In an ABC interview Thursday, Netanyahu said the reforms  which have caused mass protests in Israel  are necessary to reel in a judicial system that has gone too far.

The balance of power has been taken off the rails in the last 20 years because we have the most activist judicial court on the planet, Netanyahu said.

The reforms limit the power of the judiciary to overrule actions by the countrys legislature and change how judges are appointed. Critics have claimed that the reforms take away guardrails preventing the consolidation of power in the Israeli government.

This is something that concerns millions of Israelis who, for the last 20 years, feel that theyre going to the polls, theyre voting in a government, voting for policies that are then nullified by a judiciary that aggregated itself the powers of the majority, Netanyahu said. That I dont think is right for democracy.

Israeli law is derived from the nations Declaration of Independence, which is interpreted by its judiciary.

Since the moves were announced earlier this year, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have protested in the streets against them. Military leaders have also criticized the reforms, saying their unpopularity could discourage Israeli citizens from serving in the military. Some military reserve members have said they will not serve if called upon because of the changes.

Those protests garnered the support of a significant number of House Democrats.

President Biden also shared caution over the reforms, urging Netanyahu to hold off for now and take the process slowly. Netanyahu did pause the reform process for a few months, heeding the concerns, but is going through with the reforms now.

The reforms are deeply unpopular in the Israeli public. A poll by Israeli media this week found that over a quarter of Israelis have considered leaving the country amid the changes. Over half shared concerns about the country falling into civil war.

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Netanyahu described the change as minor, but acknowledged that attempts to negotiate with the opposition party in the legislature have failed.

I pressed the pause button for three months, tried to get some compromise on anything and couldnt get anything from the opposition, he said. Ill try to proceed, if not with a consensus with the opposition  then at least on something that has as broad acceptance in the public.

Im more optimistic now than I was before, Netanyahu said on compromise with the opposition. Now that they can see that were prepared to move without them, we have the majority, maybe well be able to move with them.

The first bill of the reforms was passed Monday. That bill, the reasonableness law, limits what government decisions the judiciary can review and is considered the first step in Netanyahus partys total reforms.

Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote. The activist group Movement for Quality Government has announced it will challenge the legislation.

The law 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 group said this week.

The White House called the votes circumstances unfortunate.

Its passage sparked another wave of protests across the country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
People from around the country descended on Miami and the Keys for a chance to grab some Florida spiny lobster this week.

The crustacean isnt only craved locally, but also as far away as China.

The bugs can be found in other areas of the state, including Miami-Dade and Broward. But the Florida Keys remain the most popular spot to search for spiny lobster during the annual two-day miniseason.

Heres what to know:

Weather a factor during lobster miniseason

View of a diver attempting to capture some Florida spiny lobsters during the first day of lobster miniseason under a section of the old bridge on U.S. 1 heading to Key West in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Held on the final Wednesday and Thursday of every July, the Florida lobster miniseason is typically marked by hot and humid mid-summer temperatures. But high winds, heavy rain and white caps on the bay and ocean greeted snorkelers and divers this year.

KNOW MORE: How to keep your catch and stay safe

Mother nature seemed determined on making opening day as uncomfortable as possible. Thursday was a little better, but strong occasional thunderstorms still swamped in the region. The National Weather Service issued a marine warning because of storm conditions in the Upper Keys.

In 18 years, Ive never seen it like this, said Monroe County Deputy Willie Guerra, a 30-year law enforcement officer, almost 20 of which have been spent on marine patrol in the Keys.

MORE: Flood watch issued for South Florida as heavy rain soaks the region

Although Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers enforce most conservation laws in the Keys, theres a good chance that if youve been cited or arrested in the island chain on a fisheries violation, it was Guerras case.

He said stopping the poaching of the Keys natural resources is a priority for him because wildlife is the root of livelihoods in the Keys.

We have no factories. We have no warehouses. We have tourism and fishing, Guerra said. Its our main resource in the Keys, and we take it very seriously.

Violations on the water in the Keys

Some of the most common violations Guerra said he sees are divers not having a measuring device with them in the water (lobsters must measure three inches at the carapace) and having a speargun or any other device that pierces the animals shell.

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But on Wednesday, not only were the numbers of boaters and divers on the water down significantly compared to past years, but those who braved the weather  and there were still plenty of them  respected the rules, for the most part. Guerra wrote no citations nor made arrests, only issuing some verbal warnings.

Adam Linhardt, Keys sheriffs office spokesman, said deputies didnt make any miniseason-related arrests and only issued two mandatory notices to appear in court  one for an undersized lobster and another for an out-of-season stone crab.

Overall, Wednesday was a normal day  though a bit slower perhaps due to weather  for the Sheriffs Office during mini-season, Linhardt said in a statement. Most people were in compliance and the number of vessel stops, notice-to-appear in court citations, and arrest figures were normal to average compared to recent years.

Thursdays numbers were not released.

And despite the limited visibility caused by the weather-whipped-up shallow waters, many anglers quickly caught their limit  six per person, per day in the Keys.

Getting the catch

View of several Florida spiny lobsters captured by a group of divers from Jupiter, Florida, during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Dennis Milian, who came down to the Keys with a group of friends from Miami, said he got as soon as daylight dawned, before the storm clouds and crowds gathered.

Earlier was good, Milian said around 10 a.m. Thats we caught most of our lobsters.

Heynar Mejia of Jupiter displays a couple of Florida spiny lobsters he captured during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Heynor Mejai, 20, traveled from Jupiter for a shot to catch his six, which he did in about 20 minutes, he said. Asked if hed be back Thursday for round two, he responded, I wish. I gotta work.

But others, like Humberto Pedroso III, 52, from Pinecrest, came up almost empty-handed.

Over 30 years, this is probably the worst day Ive had, said Pedroso, walking down the side of U.S. 1 on Long Key holding a mesh bag with two lobsters in it and a yellow hookah diving rig.

Lisa Dinh, 62, said miniseason didnt live up to the hype after she crossed the country with her husband and some friends to catch some spiny lobster.

This is our first time. Were from California and weve heard about this event, she said drying off after exiting Florida Bay near Long Key with no lobsters. Very disappointing.

Her husband, Chien Dinh, also 62, didnt let the goose egg and stormy conditions ruin his good time.

The waters beautiful, he said. I cant complain.

Trouble on the water in Miami area

In Miami-Dade County, one man in his 60s drowned and a man in his 30s was hit by a boat, according to police spokesman Detective Argemis Colome.

The boat that hit the man was a Miami-Dade police vessel, Colome said. The incident happened offshore of Boca Chita Key in Biscayne Bay.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident. The man was taken by Miami-Dade Fire Rescues helicopter to Jackson South Medical Center. His condition and identity were not immediately known.

The drowning happened in No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne, police said.

Both Miami-Dade police and fire-rescue said that as of 5 p.m. Thursday, there were no other major incidents on the water.

Photos of the lobster hunt

Monroe County Sheriffs Deputy Alex Morales holds a Florida spiny lobster captured by a group of divers from Miami during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

View of several boats staying close to divers in the water attempting to capture some Florida spiny lobsters during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Monroe County Sheriffs Deputy Alex Morales measures a Florida spiny lobster captured by a group of divers from Miami during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Keller Cabrera of Miami displays a couple of Florida spiny lobsters he captured during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Keller Cabrera holds a Florida spiny lobster captured by diver Kevin Cabrera during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

FWC officer Michael Goodwin, center, looks as Monroe County Sheriffs Office Marine Deputy Willie Guerra measures a Florida spiny lobster captured by Heynar Mejia of Jupiter during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Monroe County Sheriffs Office Marine Deputy Willie Guerra, center, and FWC officer Michael Goodwin get ready to check several Florida spiny lobsters captured by a group of men from Jupiter during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Monroe County Sheriffs Office Marine Deputy Willie Guerra checks on a diver in the water searching for Florida spiny lobsters during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

View of several Florida spiny lobsters captured by divers during the first day of lobster miniseason in the Florida Keys on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
The warming waters are bleaching coral reefs in Florida much sooner than expected this year

Seawater along the tip of Florida has exceeded hot tub temperatures of 37.8C (100F) in recent days, making it potentially the hottest ever measured.

A buoy in Manatee Bay registered triple-digit readings on Sunday and Monday, while buoys in two other places also nearly reached that mark.

The highest ocean surface temperature ever recorded, albeit unofficially, was 37.6C (99.7F) in Kuwait Bay in 2020.

The warming waters threaten marine life and ocean ecosystems like coral reefs.

Scientists have observed bleaching and even death in some of the Florida Keys' most resilient reefs, home to millions of algae and other tiny organisms.

Bleaching is when corals expel algae, lose their vibrant colour and weaken as water temperatures exceed roughly 35C. Such events can lead to death.

"The corals are pale, it looks like the colour's draining out," said Katey Lesneski, a research and monitoring coordinator with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

"And some individuals are stark white. And we still have more to come."

Peak bleaching typically happens in late August or September, but experts say it is taking place much sooner than expected this year as the water temperatures spike.

NOAA this week raised its coral bleaching warning system in the Keys to Alert Level 2, its highest heat stress level.

"This is a hot tub. I like my hot tub around 100, 101, (37.8C, 38.3C) That's what was recorded yesterday," Yale Climate Connections meteorologist Jeff Masters told Associated News.

Hot tub makers recommend temperatures of 37C-40C (9F8-104F).

Surface temperatures in Manatee Bay, as well as nearby Murray Key and Johnson Key, have gone down since their Monday peak, but remain elevated in the high 80s.

Waters as warm as those currently in Florida pose a threat to fishermen and others whose livelihoods may be tied to the water, with knock-on effects for human food supply.

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One fishing boat captain in Key Largo told the Guardian his catch has been getting "slower and slower" over the past five summers.

Ocean surface temperatures worldwide have broken heat records for the months of April, May and June, according to the US government agency.
Lawmakers and activists initially balked at Gov. Gavin Newsoms plan to use $380 million to build a rehabilitation campus at San Quentin, Californias oldest state prison. The proposal lacked details, they said.

But after some negotiation, the revamp is moving forward. The prison, once home to the countrys largest death row, will become the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, part of Newsoms push to rethink incarceration.

The complete picture still isnt clear. But at a media tour at the prison on Wednesday some new details were revealed.

New building will expand programming, curtail waitlists

At San Quentin, inmates can get a GED or college degree. They can learn to read, code, make a podcast, film and edit videos or write in AP journalistic style  if they can get off the waitlist.

Its like coming to Disneyland and not getting to ride any rides, said Warden Ron Broomfield.

Warden Ron Broomfield walks the yard and talks with inmates at San Quentin State Prison in San Rafael on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. In March 2023, Gov. Newsom announced a plan to transform the prison into the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. The transformation is being guided by a team of correctional, reentry and rehabilitation experts.

Located just across the Golden Gate bridge from San Francisco, San Quentin State Prison has never been at a loss for volunteers to staff the hundreds of educational and career programs, a spokeswoman said. But their reach is constrained by space.

For example, 250 inmates are on a waitlist for Mount Tamalpais College, a free school within San Quentins walls. It will likely be a year before they can win a spot in the classroom.

The new rehabilitation campus will provide 100,000 square feet of programming space, aiming to reduce waitlists and get more inmates into education and career programs. San Quentin spokespeople were unable to confirm just how many more people would be served in the new facility.

In California, inmates who participate in educational and vocational programs can earn sentence reductions. Theyre also less likely to end back in prison post-release.

Enrique Sandoval, Daniel Arciniega and Eleazar Alicantar learn English language skills in class at San Quentin State Prison on Wednesday.

San Quentin News editor Steve Brooks and other inmates work on the newspaper at San Quentin State Prison Wednesday.

Nearly half of those released from California prisons will be reconvicted within three years, according to data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

San Quentins coding academy, operated by the California Prison Industry Authority, offers courses in web development and programming languages and has a zero percent recidivism rate. Of the 218 graduates of the program that have left prison since 2014, none have returned to prison. CALPIA partnered with the Last Mile, a nonprofit that provides technology education to incarcerated people, to launch the course at San Quentin in 2014. Today, the program has spread to 22 prison classrooms across the country.

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Inmate Alex Yohn said he spends around 30 hours a week in the coding lab. He waited two and a half months for the six-month course. In November, hell have his first parole hearing and will be able to show the website he has designed.

Alex Yoha talks about the skills he has learned in the Last Mile computer coding program at San Quentin State Prison in San Rafael on Wednesday.

What about other California prisons?

As of July 19, San Quentin was home to 3,787 inmates  just 4% of Californias total incarcerated population, according to CDCR data.

Though the new campus will serve more inmates at San Quentin, activists say the state needs to bring the same reforms to other prisons across the state.

San Quentin has one of the most robust set of programs in the state and some of the other prisons have very little, said Don Specter, executive director of the Prison Law Office. Almost all of the other prisons need it more than San Quentin.

The investments in San Quentin can be replicated and scaled to other institutions, said Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsoms office. The end goal is a California Model of rehabilitative incarceration used at all CDCR facilities.

Californias incarcerated population is declining after years of effort. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, CDCR will operate 15,000 open beds, the Legislative Analysts Office calculated.

Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcomittee on Public Safety Mia Bonta, D-Alameda, agreed to the put the San Quentin funding in the budget in exchange for a requirement that CDCR produce reports on prison capacity to help decide which prisons to close.

Committees focus: reeentry, housing and correctional staff

An advisory committee, led by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, will release recommendations in December focused on three areas: reentry, inmates residential experience and correctional staff training.

Sacramento Mayor Darrel Steinberg, who was selected to be the lead advisor for San Quentins transformation by Gov. Gavin Newsom, meets with media at San Quentin State Prison in San Rafael on Wednesday.

The panel has already met three times, Steinberg said. These meetings have occurred behind closed doors, though he said at least a couple of future meetings will be open to the public.

Reentry

About 46% of people released from California prisons will be reconvicted within three years, according to CDCR.

Through normalizing life inside San Quentin, Broomfield said, the prison hopes to make reentering society post-incarceration smoother for released inmates.

While the current vocational and educational programs reduce recidivism, the committee will focus on other kinds of reentry initiatives. The Male Community Reentry Programs, for example, allows some incarcerated men to serve the last few months of their sentences outside prison walls.

Residential experience

Two people share each 4-foot by 10-foot cell at San Quentin. Only one person can stand up in the room at a time, said Jevis Jones, a currently incarcerated man.

In developing his California Model of incarceration, Newsom has pointed to Norweigan prisons for inspiration. They are known for their lack of metal bars and homey aesthetic  and a much lower recidivism rate.

Steinberg said a complete overhaul and redesign of prison living quarters isnt feasible. The committee will instead look for ways the prison can create a more rehabilitative living environment through design and aesthetic changes like replacing metal bars with doors.

Staff experience

Heres the truth: the correctional officers are suffering, too, said Steinberg.

Correctional officers suffer from depression, PTSD and suicide at a higher rate than the average population, according to research from the Vera Institute of Justice, a research organization focused on the justice system in the United States.

This subcommittee will develop recommendations to address these issues and develop new training for correctional officers to incorporate them into the mission to transform prison into a rehabilitative place.

A correctional officer can become that influence that changes someones life, Broomfield, who is on the staff subcommittee, said. I really want to get the correctional staff involved in rehabilitation.

The committee will release their recommendations in a report in December. The entire project, including the rehabilitative campus, should be finished sometime in 2025, Steinberg said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is offering to help mediate the writers and actors strikes that have left Hollywood in a standstill, his office said.

Anthony York, Newsoms senior adviser for communications, told The Associated Press the governors office has contacted all parties involved in the strike to help broker a deal. He noted that while none of the sides have shown interest in using Newsoms help, the governor and his top advisers have been in contact with the writers, actors and studio executives as the strikes continue into the late summer.

Thousands of jobs depend directly or indirectly on Hollywood getting back to work, York said.

During the last writers strike more than a decade ago, the Milken Institute estimated it cost California $2.1 billion.

Its clear that the sides are still far apart, York added. But he is deeply concerned about the impact a prolonged strike can have on the regional and state economy.

The writers have been on strike since May, while the actors joined them earlier this month. Among other issues, both unions said they have concerns about the rise of streaming services and decline in audiences watching cable television or going to the movies.

Newsom offered to help mediate a solution when the writers first announced their strike. As a potential future presidential candidate, helping negotiate an end to the Hollywood strikes could boost him on the national stage.

When AP reached out to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) about Newsoms involvement in mediating it, Bass spokesman Zach Seidl said in a statement they will continue to engage with labor leaders, studio heads, elected leaders and other impacted parties to arrive at a fair and equitable solution.

York did not detail who Newsom spoke with on the union or studio side  and neither responded to requests for comment, AP reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SOMERSWORTH  The New Hampshire attorney general has joined the investigation into an alleged assault and hate crime, as described by one of the owners of a Somersworth chocolate shop, which is owned by a gay couple.

Our Civil Rights Unit is certainly aware of this incident and is actively working with the Somersworth Police Department and our law enforcement partners to look into it further," said Michael Garrity, spokesperson for the AG's staff. "Anyone who has information is encouraged to contact the Somersworth Police Department or the attorney generals office.

An alleged assault at Wm. Poole Confections Monday night left both owners injured, according to owner William Poole and his husband, Loren. The shop is closed as they consider what comes next.

William Poole, seen in 2022 at Wm. Poole Confections in Somersworth, said he and his husband were assaulted by juveniles Monday, July 24, 2023. Police are investigating.

Poole alleged on social media that teenagers twice had tried to break into his shop and on both occasions when he confronted them they barraged him with anti-gay slurs. Poole said the first break-in attempt took place on July 16 and the second, on Monday night, which resulted in a violent confrontation with the teenagers.

On Wednesday, Somersworth police Capt. Matthew Duval said no arrests had been made.

Somersworth Police Chief Tim McLin welcomed the help of the Civil Rights Unit at the AG's office. He said police felt it important to protect the integrity of the investigation.

"We are lucky to have such a unit here in New Hampshire," said McLin. "We have had several conversations and they are working with us on the investigation. There is still a lot to follow up on. Was it a hate crime? They went there and immediately began throwing out slurs, so that is definitely a component in the investigation."

McLin said he couldn't say how many people were involved, but that it appeared the perpetrators were juveniles. He said there was a report a gun was shown, and while no shots were fired, a gun was confiscated by police.

"I know that social media adds fluidity and audiences to an incident like this," McLin said. "I would like the public to know that we take this very seriously, but it is certainly not something that is rampant in our city. It is horrible, and I feel for the owners. I hope they reopen their business. They are respected here and welcome."

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For perspective, McLin said, this is only the fourth similar type of case he has seen in his 40-plus years in the city.

Wm. Poole Confections owners have a notice posted, seen Tuesday, July 25, 2023, about the homophobic attacks they allege at their business at 58 High St. in Somersworth, which has now closed.

Wm. Poole Confections owners have a notice posted, seen Tuesday, July 25, 2023, about the homophobic attacks they allege at their business at 58 High St. in Somersworth, which has now closed.

"Anytime it happens, it's serious," he said. "I know there is anxiety right now, and perception is running high. This happened to good people, valued businessmen and we will do what we need to do to bring this investigation to a resolution."

Chocolate shop owners grateful for community support

On Wednesday, William Poole said they are cooperating with the investigation, and they are grateful for all the support they are receiving. He said when they are ready, they will release a statement.

A GoFundMe page at gofund.me/8aa9cabb to help William and Loren had raised nearly $20,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

Crystal Paradis-Catanzaro, a Somersworth resident and former city councilor, started the fund. She is happy to see it doing so well.

"It's encouraging to see the vast majority of our community focused on supporting our neighbors and sending messages of love," she said. "I hope this also pushes people to call out bigotry wherever they see it and ensure that no one feels emboldened to attack members of our community."

"Many of the downtown businesses are expressing solidarity with them, as are members of the community," McLin said.

Clifton West, founder of Black Lives Matters Seacoast, shared the fundraiser on Instagram.

"The main goal with the Instagram post was to find a way to bring awareness to the hate crime in our Seacoast community and highlight the GoFundMe to support William & Loren during this difficult time," he said Wednesday morning. "The post has gotten over 1,000-plus combined likes and shares with over $15,000 donated in less than 24 hours demonstrates how much the community cares about William & Loren and how we as a community, will always and continue to come together support victims of hate and violence."

Here's what Somersworth police are saying

Capt. Duval previously said police responded to the shop Monday night after receiving a report several juveniles tried to break into the residence at 56 High St., above the business.

Duval said two juveniles and one adult were transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Duval said Somersworth police are also looking into a prior incident on July 16 involving the same business owners and a group of juveniles to see if they are related.

"Anytime such acts are perpetrated based on race, sexual orientation or religion, it's wrong, and we will pursue it," McLin said.

Somersworth police ask anyone who has information to call 603-692-3131 or report a tip anonymously by phone at 603-692-9111 or at somersworth.com/police/webforms/submit-tip.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: NH attorney general joins probe of alleged attack at Somersworth shop
Nigers military has backed coup leaders who have claim to have seized power in the West African country, prompting warnings from the international community.

The Nigerien army command said Thursday that it supported the apparent takeover of President Mohamed Bazoums government in hopes of preventing bloodshed and maintaining the well-being of our populations.

Bazoum was reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard on Wednesday. Men in military fatigues later issued a video statement asserting control of the country.

The militarys statement on Thursday also warned against foreign military intervention, which it said risks having disastrous and uncontrolled consequences.

Niger lies at the heart of Africas Sahel region, which has seen numerous power grabs in recent years including in Mali and Burkina Faso.

A key ally of the United States, France and other Western governments, Niger had been one of the few remaining democracies in a region fraught with Islamist insurgencies.

Bazoums whereabouts unknown

The presidents whereabouts remain unknown, though several global leaders said they had spoken with him over the past 24 hours.

Bazoum is feeling well, Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said after speaking with him, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported. Mahamat added that Nigerian mediators are in Niger for talks with rebels.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken with Bazoum to convey to him all our solidarity.

Today I would like to address directly those holding him: free President Bazoum immediately and without conditions, Guterres told press on Thursday.

When Bazoum took presidential office in 2021, it was the countrys first democratic transfer of power following years of military coups. Niger first gained independence from France in 1960.

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, pictured on December 13, 2022, was reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard on Wednesday. - Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/Reuters

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Nigers presidential office tweeted on Thursday, after the coup was announced in a video communique late Wednesday night.

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A man identified as Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane appeared in the video, flanked by several apparent soldiers, and announced: We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know. He cited a deteriorating security situation in the country and poor economic and social governance.

Abdramane later said all activities of political parties had been suspended until the new order.

CNN has so far been unable to reach the countrys Ministry of Defense and Interior Ministry for comment.

A member of the National Guard guarding the building for both ministries told CNN on Wednesday that there were no officials inside.

1,000 US troops

Nigers political upheaval saw hundreds of pro-Bazoum demonstrators filling the streets of the capital Niamey on Wednesday, and prompted stark warnings from world leaders and humanitarian organizations.

White House officials said they strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Nigers democratically elected government. French, German and UK foreign ministries have also criticized the coup.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday that the partnership between Washington and the West African country is contingent on its continued commitment to democratic standards.

Approximately 1,000 US troops are currently stationed in Niger, two US officials told CNN. The US has deployed forces there since 2013 to support Nigerien counter-terrorism efforts.

Washington also conducts drone operations at a base it completed in 2019, outside the city of Agadez, known as Air Base 201. Agadez is over 500 miles from the Nigerien capital of Niamey.

UN humanitarian operations have been put on hold in the country, the agencys Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday.

Violence by armed groups  both in the country and its neighbors  has increased our concerns over civilian protection and has aggravated food insecurity, the agency said in a statement.

In Niger, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has increased from 1.9 million people in 2017 to 4.3 million people in 2023, according OCHA.

More than 370,000 people are displaced within the country, which also hosts more than 250,000 refugees mainly from Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso.

CNNs Omar Hamar Saley in Niamey contributed reporting. CNNs Larry Madowo, Caitlin Hu, Niamh Kennedy, Eve Brennan, Bethlehem Feleke, Alex Stambaugh, Betsy Klein, Richard Roth, Natasha Bertrand, Anne Claire Stapleton and Josh Pennington also contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
From Mali in the west to Sudan in the east, a whole swathe of Africa is now run by the military.

Niger was one of the few democracies left in the Sahel belt which stretches across the continent. But now that the army has seized power, there are concerns over what this means for the troubled region.

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum - a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants - was defiant after soldiers announced a coup on Wednesday.

But he has been detained, the army chief has backed military rule, and it isn't clear who is really in charge.

Former colonial power France and the US have military bases in the uranium-rich country, and both were quick to condemn the coup.

There are concerns that Niger's new leadership could move away from its Western allies and closer to Russia.

If it does, it would follow the path of two of its neighbours - Burkina Faso and Mali - which have both pivoted towards Moscow since recent military coups of their own.

They had been under intense pressure from Islamist groups which operated freely across much of both countries.

But although Niger had been battling its own jihadist insurgency and rural banditry, it had appeared relatively more stable than its neighbours.

The number of reported deaths from political violence since 2021 was far lower in Niger, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (Acled).

But the jihadist threat was the major reason why the military seized power, arguing that they need to fight against the insurgencies.

Map

Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, who spoke on behalf of the junta, cited the "deterioration of the security situation" and poor socio-economic situation as the reasons for the takeover.

His statement could easily have been made by the coup leaders in either of Niger's neighbours, despite the very different situation on the ground.

But despite the coups in both those countries, and the presence of a reported 1,000 heavily armed mercenaries from Russia's Wagner group in Mali, deaths from jihadist attacks have actually risen since the military takeovers.

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There have also been well-documented cases of human rights abuses, including the killing of hundreds of civilians in Mali by the security forces and foreign fighters.

President Mohamed Bazoum's government has also been a partner to European countries trying to stop the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea, agreeing to take back hundreds of migrants from detention centres in Libya.

He has also cracked down on human traffickers in what had been a key transit point between other countries in West Africa and those further north.

That may now be called into question.

And if Western and UN troops are asked to leave Niger - as they have been in Mali and Burkina Faso - it would be a big blow to the fight against Islamic insurgents, who are likely to move quickly to take advantage of any instability in the country.

Russian flag have been seen at pro-coup demonstrations

Pro-Kremlin commentators have been heard on state-run media and Telegram groups describing the coup as a pathway for Russia's entry into Niger.

However, a Kremlin spokesperson has called for Mr Bazoum's release and for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Despite the presence of some supporters of the coup waving a Russian flag and condemning France, the former colonial power, there is no evidence of any Russian involvement in the military takeover.

So we are waiting to hear what the junta leaders say about the country's future strategic alignment - whether it maintains its ties with the West, or joins its neighbours in embracing a new Russian sphere of influence in Africa.

This latest seizure of power also raises questions about whether the slow advance of democracy seen across Africa in recent decades is now under threat.

Even as West Africa's regional economic bloc Ecowas seeks to broker a peaceful solution, the stability of the region is more fragile than it has been for some time.
(Bloomberg) -- Nigers army chief has backed a coup in the West African country, a day after President Mohamed Bazoum was detained by soldiers.

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The army announced its support for the coup plotters in order to avoid bloodshed, it said in a letter released on social media, according to AFP. Bloomberg was not immediately able to verify the statement, which was signed by Army Chief of Staff General Abdou Sidikou Issa.

Late Wednesday, a group of soldiers said they had put an end to the regime due to the continuous degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance. If the coup is successful it will complete a strip of military-led countries that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean and includes Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Sudan.

Calling themselves the National Council for the Protection of the Homeland  or CNSP according to its French acronym  the group announced the suspension of all institutions and the dissolution of parliament via a statement aired on the state broadcaster.

Claiming to represent all the units of the security and defense forces, the group also imposed a curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Soldiers appearing on television when the statement was broadcast included members of each group of Nigers security services, as well as at least two generals including the deputy army chief of staff, and an assistant to the presidential guard. It wasnt immediately clear who was leading the CNSP.

Earlier on Thursday, Bazoum was still being detained by soldiers claiming to have seized power, said Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou.

We urge these factious officers to return to the ranks so that we can solve this through dialog, Massoudou told France24 on Thursday.

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String of Coups

The claimed military takeover follows five successful coups in the past three years in West Africa  a region wracked by the growing influence of violent extremists and food insecurity exacerbated by climate change  including two in neighboring Mali and two in Burkina Faso. Niger previously had a coup in 2010, when President Mamadou Tandja was removed.

Niger, one of the worlds top producers of uranium, is a linchpin in the fight against jihadists and other armed groups in West Africas Sahel region, at the southern fringe of the Sahara Desert. France has deployed troops, its largest military operation abroad, while the US has a $110 million drone base in the central city of Agadez.

Read More: Whats Driving Coups in Niger and Across West Africa?: QuickTake

Bazoum, who came to power two years ago in the first democratic transfer of power in Niger since independence from France in 1960, earlier on Thursday said Nigers hard-won gains will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, he said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The soldiers actions drew criticism from Nigers neighbors and international partners including France, the US and the European Union.

The US State Department urged elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence, according to a statement on its website.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday spoke with Bazoum, signaling US support for him as the democratically elected president.

We call for his immediate release, Blinken said during a visit to New Zealand. We condemn any effort to seize power by force.

Niger exports most of its uranium production to France, according to the World Nuclear Association. It produced 2,020 tons of the metal last year. An oil pipeline to neighboring Benin is set to come online later this year.

--With assistance from Baudelaire Mieu, Tracy Withers, Moses Mozart Dzawu and Demetrios Pogkas.

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An attempted coup was underway Wednesday in the fragile nation of Niger, where members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, triggering a standoff with the army, sources said.

The head of the West African bloc ECOWAS said Benin President Patrice Talon was heading to Niger on a mediation bid after the region was struck by a new bout of turbulence.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union both decried what they called an "attempted coup d'etat," while the UN secretary-general said he had spoken to the apparently-detained leader and offered support.

Niger Army spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Adramane speaks during an appearance on national television after President Mohamed Bazoum was held in the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, on July 26, 2023. / Credit: ORTN via Reuters TV

One of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, Bazoum was elected in 2021, taking the helm of a country burdened by poverty and a history of chronic instability.

Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president's residence and offices in the capital Niamey, and after talks broke down "refused to release the president," a presidential source said.

"The army has given them an ultimatum," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In a message posted on social media, the president's office said "elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper... (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard."

"The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition," the presidency said.

"The president and his family are well," it added. The reason for the guards' anger was not disclosed.

Supporters of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum gather to show their support for him in Niamey on July 26, 2023. / Credit: AFP via Getty Images

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Bazoum on Wednesday, conveying his support for him.

In the call, Blinken "emphasized that the United States stands with the Nigerien people and regional and international partners in condemning this effort to seize power by force and overturn the constitutional order," the State Department said in a statement.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, noting that Niger is a "critical partner" of the U.S., also condemned any impediments to the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government.

"We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence," Sullivan said.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby noted that while he couldn't provide an estimate of the number of Americans currently in Niger, he advised all Americans in the country to be careful.

UN chief Antonio Guterres spoke with the Niger president on Wednesday afternoon, his spokesman stated, and "expressed his full support and solidarity."

Earlier, Guterres had condemned "any effort to seize power by force."

"Spontaneous demonstrations by democracy advocates broke out all over the city of Niamey, inside the country and in front of Niger's embassies abroad after the announcement this morning that President Bazoum is being held in his palace by his guard," Niger's presidential office later wrote on social media Wednesday.

The landlocked state has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960 as well as numerous other attempts on power, including against Bazoum himself.

Lying in the heart of the arid Sahel, Niger is two-thirds desert and persistently ranks at the bottom, or near it, in the UN's Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.

Amazon looking to expand AI use in homes using Alexa

Soldiers in Niger announce coup as guards take president hostage

Federal grand jury reconvenes in Jan. 6 investigation, which could lead to Trump indictment
Former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys firing back after being criticized by a rival for the Republican presidential nomination for not being aggressive enough in taking aim at former President Donald Trump.

Former GOP Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, whos making it his mission to try and take down Trump as he runs a second time for the White House, has been calling out some of his competitors for not matching his aggressive language in targeting the former president, who remains the commanding front-runner in the latest GOP nomination polls.

"Hes like Voldemort in the Harry Potter books, he who shall not be named. The other candidates wont even name him," Christie said Monday at a campaign event in New Hampshire. "Nikki Haley says, The candidates whos about the past. Nikki, its OK. Say his name. Its all right."

And minutes earlier, in an interview with Fox News Digital, Christie argued that some of his rivals for the nomination "are afraid to tell the truth about Donald Trump. Im in this race because somebody has to."

NIKKI HALEY HAULS IN NEARLY $16 MILLION SINCE LAUNCHING GOP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks at a business round table discussion, on July 24, 2023, in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations during the first two years of the Trump administration, was asked about Christies criticism during a national exclusive interview with Fox News Digital Wednesday in New Hampshire.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Im not obsessively anti-Trump like he is. I talk about policies," Haley fired back.

She said, "There are times where weve disagreed with Trump. He thought Jan. 6 was a beautiful day. I said it was a terrible day. He went on a spending binge as president. Ive said our kids are not going to forgive us if we dont take on this debt and call out Republicans and Democrats in the process. He thinks Ukraine doesnt need to be messed with. I know that a win for Russia is a win for China, and weve got to make sure Ukraine finishes this. We dont have to put cash. We dont have to put troops. But we need to work with our alliances to make it happen."

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CHRIS CHRSITIE CHARGES RIVALS ARE AFRAID TO CALL OUT DONALD TRUMP

"So there are multiple things I disagree with him. But itll be on policy," Haley emphasized.

Pointing to Christie, she charged, "Its not just not liking someone because of a personal vendetta."

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley outlines her proposals to combat the fentanyl crisis during a campaign event at a faith-based addiction recovery center in Manchester, New Hampshire, on July 26, 2023.

Haley was interviewed ahead of an event at a faith-based nonprofit addiction recovery center in New Hampshires largest city, where she spotlighted her plans to combat the opioid crisis. Her proposals include targeting China and using the nations military to literally blow up supplies of fentanyl that are crossing the border in the U.S.

"You do that by having your special operations go and eliminate those cartels," Haley spotlighted. "We have to get our military on the ground and treat those cartels like the terrorists that they are."

The opioid crisis was front and center on the campaign trail in New Hampshire in the 2016 presidential election cycle, and eight years later its still a major issue.

Fatal drug overdoses in New Hampshire are increasing faster than the rest of the country, according to recently released data. And 80% of the deaths involved fentanyl, which has hit hard in cities like Manchester and Nashua.

Haley pointed to the nations southern border, telling Fox News, "You look at how much has crossed the border. We had enough cross the border that would kill every single American last year. You look at the fact that the number one cause of death for adults 18-49 is fentanyl."

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And Haley reiterated that China is to blame.

"Dont think for a second that China doesnt know what theyre doing," she charged. "China knows exactly what theyre doing when they send it to Mexico. They know exactly the fact that its killing Americans. The only talk that needs to be had is that China needs to be told, If you dont stop killing Americans, were going to end normal trade relations with you. And thats the talk that needs to happen," Haley said.
President Joe Biden will not pardon his son Hunter if he is convicted of the charges against him, the White House said on Thursday.

Hunter Biden has been charged with two misdemeanor tax offenses and a felony gun charge. When asked during her briefing whether there was any possibility that the president would eventually pardon his son, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday replied, No, and declined to comment further.

The White House statement comes the day after a new challenge for Hunter Biden in his ongoing legal troubles . He has been the subject of a yearslong investigation into failure to pay taxes in his business dealings. He was also charged last month with possession of a firearm by a person who is a known drug user over a gun he owned for 11 days in 2018, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The presidents son had planned to strike a plea agreement with the Department of Justice that would avert a trial and likely allow him to escape punishment on felony charges. Prosecutors in the plea deal planned to recommend that Biden receive two years of probation on the charges.

On Wednesday, however, that deal crumbled when U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika expressed concern about the details of the plea deal, which includes stipulations about not prosecuting Biden on tax crimes in the future.

These agreements are not straightforward, and they contain some atypical provisions, Noreika said Wednesday, suggesting that Bidens legal team reconvene to discuss the details of the deal.

The roadblock will postpone proceedings, likely for at least a month. The White House has largely avoided commenting on Hunter Bidens legal troubles, with the president repeatedly expressing his unequivocal love for his son.


Brian Cahn/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

"I wrote the book because I'm hearing every day from evangelical Christians who are exhausted and almost in despair over the state of American Christianity," Russell Moore told Semafor this week of his newest volume, Losing Our Religion. "At the same time," he continued, "I get asked by non-Christians, as a man said to me as recently as yesterday- 'What the hell is wrong with you people.' An evangelical America in crisis isn't good for anybody."

Moore is editor in chief at Christianity Todaythe flagship evangelical magazine, founded by Billy Graham, where I've had a column for several years and am starting a full-time role next weekand, before that, he spent years in leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest evangelical denomination. He's uniquely well-positioned to observe the exhaustion he describes among American Christians, like me, who weren't among the roughly 80 percent of white evangelical voters to back former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 and who remain disconcerted that Trump drew evangelical support at all.

With another presidential election upon us, it's hardly worth asking the question: Will those evangelicals go for Trump again? Barring some major unforeseen event, we know the answer already: They will.

And that sucks! It sucks that eight years hasn't changed anything, that we're still seeing such a thorough betrayal of the values evangelicals long purported to hold, that this alignment turns on such a malformed vision of Christian engagement in politics, that it further entrenches an idolatrous civil religion, that it's such a foregone conclusion. At this point, I'm weary of even thinking about Trump and evangelicals and all that connection entails.

Yet, in a more rational mindset, I know that eight years is not really that long. I know that a culture as bigdepending on how you measure, evangelicals comprise around 25 percent of the American publicand varied and important as this one can't turn on a dime.

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In retrospect, the evangelical embrace of Trump, shocking as it was, had long roots. The mycelium was already there, and the mushrooms popped up once the weather was right. In the long run, that blight may yet wither.

But long-run hope doesn't help for this election, and, unfortunately, everyone has to live with electoral results of even a temporary evangelical madness. It doesn't take long for a voting bloc tens of millions strong to have significant effects, for good or ill. "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." Or, as Moore observed, "An evangelical America in crisis isn't good for anybody."

Within evangelicalism, the answer is to continue efforts, like Moore's, to persuade our coreligionists that something has gone awry among us. Outside evangelicalism, though, there's something we should be doing, too: shaping our government to better weather this kind of cultural storm.

White evangelicals' fascination with Trump won't be the last time a large subset of the American public, enough to swing elections, becomes enthralled by an authoritarian, incompetent, corrupt, and/or demagogic politician. Trump is singular in some ways, yes, but he's not that special.

Throughout American history, and certainly over the last century, most politicians with a national following have fit some or all of that list of descriptors some or all of the time. Evangelicals and Trump are in the spotlight now, but soon enough it will be some other group and some other politician.

The sheer power of the office of the presidency makes it particularly likely to attract the worst of us. This is a kind and degree of authority such that any who might wield it well wouldn't dare to take it up.

The safeguard we needas can so often be said in American political commentaryis less power on offer. That means stronger rule of law, more limited government, an executive branch trimmed to a more proportionate size, and stricter protections for individual liberties of conscience, speech, assembly, and more.

It was a common observation during Trump's first term that his short attention span and consistent incompetence were a saving grace. He often had terrible policy ideas, but he also had terrible follow-through and understanding of the American constitutional system, which in practice limited how many of his terrible ideas were actually implemented.

That was a lucky break, so far as it went, but we can't be confident our luck will hold. Trump himself would likely be more effective in implementing his policies in a second term, and future bad presidents will be more competent still.

The point of meaningful structural reforms is to render any president even more constrained than Trump turned out to be, and, crucially, to build that constraint into law rather than relying on a busy TV-watching schedule to eat up "executive time."

American politics will never be without some madness, hopefully temporary, like that of evangelicalism today. We can't avoid it. But we can better contain its chaos.

The post No Matter What Trump Does, Evangelicals Still Love Him appeared first on Reason.com.
Former President Trump is not expected to be indicted Thursday in connection with the federal investigation probing his efforts to block the transition of power following the 2020 election, according to a court official.

The official said no indictments were returned and none were expected for the remainder of the day in D.C.s federal district court, where the grand jury has been meeting to review evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths probe.

The grand jury met Thursday, and jurors appear to still be inside the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington behind closed doors.

It remains unclear when the grand jury would convene again. It has tended to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Earlier in the day, Trumps attorneys met with members of Smiths office to discuss the investigation. A similar meeting occurred just days before when Trump was indicted in Florida in connection with his handling of classified documents.

My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country, Trump said on Truth Social.

Attention on the grand jury intensified after the former president indicated he had received a target letter from the Justice Department, typically a sign that prosecutors are close to seeking an indictment.

Trump on Thursday implied his attorneys at the meeting were given no notice he would be indicted, contradicting reports about the meeting.

No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images/Andrew Kelly-Pool

Donald Trump was without question a historic president  but in the worst ways possible.

He was the first president to attempt a literal coup against the United States government as well as the first president to be impeached twice. No current or former president had ever previously been indicted on criminal charges, but Trump can now claim that "accomplishment" not once but twice, with a third indictment apparently imminent for alleged crimes connected to the coup attempt of Jan. 6, 2021

Trump's third indictment will likely not be the last. Prosecutors in Georgia are reportedly preparing more criminal charges against Trump for his attempt to rig or overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in that state.

Responsible Americans who believe in democracy, the rule of law and the constitutional order largely want Donald Trump to disappear and for the seemingly interminable "Trumpocene" era to end at last. That yearning, however understandable, will not be magically translated into a real-world outcome.

Trump remains the likely 2024 Republican presidential nominee, and we must not underestimate his chances of defeating Joe Biden. There is no obvious constitutional or legal impediment to Trump winning the 2024 election even if he is a convicted criminal  even if he is in prison  and then pardoning himself. If Trump manages to retake the White House, he has publicly threatened to centralize presidential power as much as possible and make himself a de facto dictator.

In an attempt to make sense of Trump's multiple criminal trials and impending indictments, his apparently pathological behavior, and the larger issues of justice, law and the future of democracy, I recently spoke with Norman Eisen, who served as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Donald Trump's first impeachment trial.

Eisen is now a senior fellow in governance at the Brookings Institution and a legal analyst at CNN. He is the author of several recent and highly relevant books, including "A Case for the American People: The United States v. Donald J. Trump" and "Overcoming Trumpery: How to Restore Ethics, the Rule of Law, and Democracy." This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Given all these developments in relatively rapid succession, with the recent and forthcoming indictments of Donald Trump for his alleged crimes against democracy, the rule of law and the American people, how do you feel? How are you managing your emotions?

I feel gratified that the rule of law is finally catching up to the alleged wrongdoing of Donald Trump and his co-conspirators on and around Jan. 6, 2021, and indeed, the whole pattern of conduct that started immediately after the 2020 election. I also feel anxious, as we are now moving from the phase of anticipating accountability to that of litigating accountability. With two criminal trials currently on the books, I expect there will be charges and a date for a third and a fourth trial before the end of the summer. I believe and hope that our rule-of-law system will be up to the challenge.

The news media continues to be reluctant to describe Trump's obvious alleged coup plot, given all that we know about Jan. 6 and the nationwide attempt to end American democracy, as a conspiracy. This was not something in a movie or that happened in another country. It was a widespread, sophisticated conspiracy to end democracy in America. Donald Trump wants to be a dictator, and he's unapologetic about it. Why is there reluctance by so many in the media, and among too many elites more generally, to use that language?

We should be careful with our language here. This is an alleged conspiracy at this point. Whether there will be a legally actionable conspiracy will depend on how the courts respond to the charges that are soon to be filed, I believe, by special counsel Jack Smith and also by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, both of whom appear to be targeting the Jan. 6 conspiracy.

I do think it is fair to say that some in the press have been more cautious with their language because they are waiting for prosecutors to file the conspiracy case. As of now, there's only one criminal conspiracy case in connection with the 2020 election, and that is the one that Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel brought last week against the alleged co-conspirators who signed fake electoral certificates in that state. I believe there is an unwarranted hesitation to describe Trump's behavior on Jan. 6 and beyond, in relation to interfering with the 2020 election, as a type of conspiracy. The news media and others should simply use the qualifier "alleged," but there is more than enough proof to make that claim.

Where would we as a country be if Attorney General Merrick Garland and other law enforcement officials had moved faster in their investigations of Trump and his cabal?

We would be in a better place if the speed had been brisker. But on the other hand, I do have to say that Merrick Garland inherited a Justice Department that was in disarray. Rightly or wrongly, he made a series of decisions, including the decision to not move with full determination on these issues, until he put his house in order. That took Garland about two years. There are news media reports that the Cassidy Hutchison testimony before the House Jan. 6 committee was the wake-up call for the Department of Justice. I do believe there was a strategy that involved rebuilding the DOJ before taking on these very controversial matters. I've known Merrick Garland for a very long time. He would likely never publicly discuss the timeline and decision making because he believes such considerations should be internal to department deliberations.

How do we help the public to make sense of the timing of the Mar-a-Lago classified documents trial, which is now scheduled for May 2024 in Florida? What are the advantages and disadvantages of that timing? How could this play out?

The most fundamental issue is how long it takes to try a case of this kind in fairness to the prosecution, the defense and the court. You should be able to do this in a year. I say that having tried cases for over 30 years and having worked on national security cases. I have also dealt with national security matters, both in my first government job for former President Obama in the White House counsel's office and then as ambassador in the Czech Republic.

There's an additional fairness consideration, and that applies to the American people. They have a right to know, and the Republicans have a right to know, before they gather for their national convention in July 2024, whether Donald Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican nomination, is a convicted felon.

There is also the fact that, should Trump win in 2024 and return to the presidency, he'll have the power, at a minimum, to dismiss the case and perhaps try to pardon himself. I believe that Trump issuing himself a pardon is unconstitutional. But he may try, and who knows how it will turn out?

Ultimately, there are a wide variety of ways in which we might end up never knowing the outcome of these cases. There needs to be a trial and a jury verdict so that there is a determination of what alleged crimes Trump did or did not commit. That way, if Trump wins the election and pardons himself, the American people and the world will know that a jury of his peers concluded that he committed a crime. Finally, if he's innocent, all the voters also have the right to know that before they make their voting decisions. All these facts strongly favor trying the case before July of next year.

How do you make sense of Donald Trump's apparent inability to remain quiet? He continues to incriminate himself. It must be maddening for his attorneys and other advisers.

In my opinion, Donald Trump is not a well man. If you want to understand his psychology, you need to start by taking a book on abnormal psychology off the shelf and reading it. Whether he's a pathological narcissist, a sociopath or, as some mental health experts claim, a psychopath, something is not right with his mind and behavior. I do not believe that whatever is wrong with Trump qualifies for an insanity defense. Trump knows the difference between right and wrong, but he does have a disorder of some kind as manifested by how he cannot stop talking even when it implicates him.

That said, talking about these cases sometimes helps him. Trump is rallying his supporters, raising money and getting emotional support from his followers. Moreover, his constant talk about these cases also helps to taint the jury pool. Do not overlook or minimize that point: There will be Trump supporters in the jury pool when this case is tried in the Southern District of Florida and the Fort Pierce division. But those "advantages" can be outweighed by the way Trump's talking all the time, as we saw with his CNN town hall in May, ends up seemingly incriminating him.

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Trump recently received a target letter from the Department of Justice indicating that he will be indicted for alleged crimes connected to Jan. 6. In fact, he personally announced that he will be indicted and "arrested" imminently.

Trump is going to be indicted and arraigned sooner rather than later. Technically he'll be arrested, but in reality, it will be an arraignment similar to what we saw with the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, except that it will be in the District of Columbia. The police are not going to put handcuffs on Trump, whatever he may tell his followers. Once you get a target letter, charges are usually not far behind. Typically, we would have seen Trump's lawyers go to the DOJ and hold a meeting with officials there to try to talk them out of charging him. That hasn't happened yet, as far as we know. I'd be looking for that signal, unless for some reason the meeting is not happening.

Smith's target letter reportedly cites statutes that were used during Reconstruction in an attempt to protect Black Americans from the Ku Klux Klan and other racial terror groups. What does that indicate about Jack Smith and the DOJ;s overall strategy and approach to Trump's alleged crimes on and around Jan. 6?

We analyze this extensively in an article on Section 241 that can be read over at Just Security. What Smith is trying to do is to find the right statutes that are a tight fit for the misconduct. Trump's alleged crimes proceeded in three stages.

First, he flailed about for months to try to overturn the election by spreading disinformation  the so-called Big Lie  pressing his own Department of Justice to intervene, pressing the states to intervene and getting the would-be electors that were pledged to him to sign electoral certificates even though he did not win.

Second, after everything else failed by Jan. 2, 2021, Trump used those fake electoral certificates to apply intense pressure to Vice President Mike Pence, demanding that he compel Congress not to recognize Biden as the winner of the election.

The third act of Trump's alleged criminal plot was the violence on Jan. 6.

The statutes that are detailed in the target letter correspond to these three stages in the alleged plot. The first one is a scheme to defraud the United States through all of those wild plots, including the fake electors. The second is a plan to interfere with an official proceeding in Congress. The third is, when everything else failed, trying to interfere with the vote count in Congress through the violence of Jan. 6. This brings us to Section 241, the civil rights statute, because when you interfere with votes, that is a classic civil rights conspiracy. The statute exists just to stop such a thing from happening. It was passed during Reconstruction to protect the rights of African Americans from such conspiracies by the KKK and other Southern whites.

Trump was trying to interfere with the counting of the votes of 81 million Americans who cast their ballots for Biden, as well as to interfere with the rights and privileges of Pence and the members of Congress in doing their jobs.

Trump is facing multiple criminal trials for very serious alleged crimes. Odds are very strong that he will be convicted in at least one of those trials. What does justice look like then? What does our democracy need from this process?

Justice looks like the investigations that have happened. Justice looks like the charges that have been brought so far against Trump, because there is such powerful evidence of wrongdoing. Justice also looks like the charges that are to come in the federal and Georgia investigations of the attempt to overthrow the 2020 election. Our country needs a resolution. We've made great progress in investigating and in charging or being on the cusp of charges. But now we need to have those cases resolved  and at least some of them have to be resolved before Trump is chosen, assuming that he is, to be the Republican Party's presidential nominee, and a contender for the American people's vote in November.

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about Donald Trump and what lies ahead
Two officers at a Georgia university are being credited with saving the life of a runner earlier this month.

Bryan Schuler was running in the Firecracker 5K on July 4 in Dahlonega when he stopped breathing.

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Sgt. Brody Clements and Officer Madison Comer, both with the University of North Georgia Police Department responded to the scene where Schuler collapsed.

I checked the subject, and he was breathing intermittingly at first then he stopped, Clements said. I started chest compressions and executed approximately 40 compressions and then the subject came back to us.

Schuler was then taken to a nearby hospital.

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UNG police officers are trained with life-saving measures like CPR in the case of a medical emergency, according to the department. In this incident, officers used their training to save Schuler.

Our incredible team of professionals does not hesitate when confronted with emergencies. I am very proud of the way they serve our campuses and communities, Greg Williams, UNG director of Public Safety and chief of police, said.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard praised the officers.

Due to the officers response, I truly believe this was a life-saving event. Im not a doctor, but it looked like his vitals stopped and the officers regained his vitals, Jarrard said. It would have been a different outcome if they werent present.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday to discuss military issues and the regional and international security environment, according to state media.

The discussion between the leaders signaled North Koreas continued support for Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim and Shoigu met in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and reached a consensus on matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment.

The media reported Shoigu conveyed a letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim, but he did not note what it discussed. Kim asked Shoigu to send his thanks to Putin, who had sent the defense chief and a delegation to North Korea to congratulate the country on the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

According to KCNA, the meeting will further boost the strategic and tactical collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the field of national defense and security. The outlet also reported Kim took Shoigu to an arms exhibition where he saw North Koreas latest weapons and was briefed on its plans to expand its capabilities.

The meeting between the leaders comes amid high tensions with the U.S.

Washington has accused North Korea of supplying secret ammunition to Russia to help in its invasion of Ukraine, though Pyongyang has denied it. It also comes as North Korea has test launched multiple missiles after the U.S. sent two submarines to South Korea.

When asked about whether Shoigus visit was to discuss getting weapons from North Korea, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Putin was reaching out to other countries for support.

Mr. Putin knows hes having his own defense procurement problems, his own inventory problems, that his military remains on the back foot, and hes trying to shore that up, Kirby said. Nobody  nobody should be helping Mr. Putin kill more Ukrainians. But the fact that hes reaching out to North Korea, or could be, additionally, thats  that wouldnt come as a surprise to anybody.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(North Korean State Media)

North Korea has unveiled two new drones that appear to be almost exact visual copies of the well-known U.S.-made RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Its state media has also provided brief videos showing both of them in flight. While the precise capabilities of these North Korean drones remain very much unclear  they are certain to fall well short of their U.S. lookalikes  the fact that Pyongyang has been plowing resources into developing them does at least point to an increasing interest in advanced UAV designs for both surveillance and attack, as well as the ability to actually realize those interests.

https://twitter.com/nknewsorg/status/1684448601123217409?s=20

The designations of the North Korean drones remain unknown, and, for the meantime, they are being referred to as the Global Hawk-type and Reaper-type.

Both were formally revealed during the Weapons and Equipment Exhibition 2023 yesterday, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu was visiting Pyongyang to further military cooperation between the two countries and, reportedly, to secure more North Korean-made armaments for use in Moscows war in Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/ArmsControlWonk/status/1684557755812835330?s=20

The larger of the two drones, the Global Hawk-type, is very similar in appearance and size to the U.S. Air Forces jet-powered RQ-4A, as well as derivatives of the same type that are also operated by the U.S. Navy, NATO, and others, including South Korea. Key features of the U.S.-made drone, including the V-tail and the air intake located above the fuselage are faithfully replicated in the North Korean design.

https://twitter.com/HaziqKapten/status/1684485524835508224?s=20

Last month, NK News, a U.S.-based news website covering North Korea, reported that the Global Hawk-type drone had been spotted in satellite imagery while undergoing testing on the ground at Panghyon Air Base, in North Pyongan Province, in the west of the country. Analysis at the time suggested a wingspan of around 115 feet, almost identical to the 116.2 feet wingspan of the RQ-4A. The improved RQ-4B model, by comparison, has a wingspan of 130.9 feet.

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https://twitter.com/ColinZwirko/status/1668931454439686146?s=20

As well as the video showing the Global Hawk-type drone apparently during flight testing, a series of photos presented alongside the UAV at the exhibition in Pyongyang show it flying against backdrops in the North Korean capital, including the Ryugyong Hotel and Mirae Scientists Street. Its unclear if these are genuine photos or if they have been manipulated, adding in the landmarks in the background, for example.

https://twitter.com/nknewsorg/status/1684349994177032194?s=20

Next to no details are available of the specifications of the Global Hawk-type drone or even the mission that its intended to perform. However, its close resemblance to the RQ-4 series clearly suggests a high-altitude flight profile. Depending on engine performance and other factors, its likely expected to fly over longer distances. The RQ-4A has an endurance of more than 30 hours and has an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission, carrying a variety of sensors including imagery intelligence (IMINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and moving target indicator (MTI) sensors.

An RQ-4 Global Hawk. U.S. Air Force photo/Bobbi Zapka

The Reaper-type drone displayed in Pyongyang alongside the larger Global Hawk lookalike also appeared in recent satellite imagery, which indicated a wingspan of around 65 feet. The MQ-9 has a wingspan of 66 feet.

While the turboprop-powered MQ-9 is used for both ISR and attack missions, its notable that the North Korean Reaper-type drone was displayed with two different types of missiles carried on six pylons below its wings, including one weapon that looks very similar to the U.S.-made AGM-114 Hellfire. This popular air-to-ground missile is used by the MQ-9, among many others. The brief video clip also shows the drone launching a pair of Hellfire-lookalike missiles, although it isnt clear if it is real.

Aircrews perform a preflight check on an MQ-9 Reaper in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force

The Reaper-type drone was also displayed alongside photos, one of which showed Kim Jong Un looking at the UAV on the runway. Its possible that this photo was taken during flight testing of the drone, perhaps also at Panghyon.

This drone appeared alongside an apparent specification placard, although the content was blurred by North Korean media.

For some time now, its been known that North Korea was developing new drones, although any details of particular designs had been limited until recently.

Nevertheless, at the Party Congress in Pyongyang in January 2021, Kim Jong Un called for the development of unmanned striking equipment and reconnaissance drones, with a range of 310 miles. Its not known if the Global Hawk-type and Reaper-type drones were prepared according to this request, but its certainly a possibility.

As to the true origins of the two new drones, it may be tempting to see the design parallels as evidence that they are direct attempts to copy the RQ-4 and MQ-9 series UAVs. However, that doesnt mean that North Korea was able to obtain, by whatever means, plans or other detailed information that would allow them to be reverse-engineered. On the other hand, its the case that North Korea has been involved in espionage activities, including targeting Western defense industries, which could potentially yield data that might assist in such an effort. Iran, of which North Korea has an at times troubling relationship with, has also recovered crashed examples of both types and has made their own copies of them. We do not know if these programs are connected to North Korean ones though. Still, having the data does not equate to being able to make a true facsimile of the weapon system in question.

The ability of the countrys industries to actually replicate some of the more complex components and subsystems that lie at the heart of these UAVs capabilities is highly dubious. The high-technology sensors that the RQ-4 and MQ-9 series rely on are beyond North Koreas reach, even with the benefit of espionage. That is not to say that sensors with significantly lower performance arent possible. The complex composite structures that make up these aircraft are another issue as is the engine technology. Simpler means of production and engines with less performance could result in significantly lower ceilings and ranges.

Its also the case that the broad configurations of both the MQ-9 series have been seen replicated, to one degree or another, in other drone designs from different countries.

Also mysterious is the presence of apparent satellite communication (SATCOM) humps above the forward fuselages of both North Korean drones. Currently, Pyongyang is not understood to operate the kinds of satellites that could be used to communicate with drones, including ensuring the high bandwidth flow of data between UAV sensors to ground stations beyond line-of-sight.

It remains possible that the SATCOM domes are intended to be used in conjunction with suitable communication satellites from other, friendly countries, although the options here are limited. They are most likely just another form of emulation of the American design, regardless of their utility. They also would keep to the same general moldline in order to leverage a proven design and limit risk. If stolen aerodynamic data is also being relied on, keeping the moldline nearly the same would be a primary goal. Other antenna arrays on the drones are also of questionable value to North Korea.

There is a particular question mark over the engines used in these drones, with limited production capacity in North Korea suggesting that their powerplants would likely have to be secured from foreign countries.

Still, even less-capable drones of this kind could be of use to North Korea.

A Global Hawk-type drone, even with less endurance and ceiling than its U.S. equivalent, and with inferior sensors and data transfer capabilities could still play role monitoring movements on the ground in neighboring South Korea. Depending on its sensor range and operating altitude, such missions could potentially also be flown from relatively deep within North Korean airspace. In a confrontation with the South, the Global Hawk-type drone would not last long in the skies over North Korea, but it could also have a maritime surveillance function during peacetime, which is of increasing importance for Pyongyang as the South continues to expand its naval forces.

North Korea lacks in sensor technology significantly compared to its rivals to the south. Any radar it carries would likely be vulnerable to extensive standoff electronic attacks that could limit its utility even in peacetime. Even using the drone as a communications relay would be a viable mission though, especially for a country that lacks higher-end beyond line-of-sight connectivity.

As for the Reaper-type drone, UAVs of this type have repeatedly shown their value in lower-intensity conflicts around the globe, not only for gathering ISR and distributing it in real-time to ground forces, but also conducting precision strikes using a range of weapons. So far, the North Korean military has lagged behind in terms of drones in this class, especially armed ones.

Late last year, there was a series of incursions into South Korean airspace made by North Korean UAVs, although these were very basic designs, not dissimilar to hobby-type drones. Nevertheless, the fact that one of these drones managed to enter a no-fly zone around the office of the South Korean president provided an indication of the kind of threat that UAVs can pose and prompted an urgent overhaul of South Korean defenses against these kinds of threats.

https://twitter.com/GalloVOA/status/1607283415019315201?s=20

In the past, North Korea has otherwise mainly used small and crude reconnaissance drones, but it is known to have larger types, including those that are similar to target drones, like the ones shown below while on parade in Pyongyang.

In addition, there have been indications that the regime has worked to clone Chinese designs and generally improve in this area in recent years. This includes developing more capable man-in-the-loop types and those that are based on commercial developments. Its possible that China, with a considerable amount of experience in the field, might also have provided assistance to North Korea as it developed these two new drone designs.

While neither of these types would be survivable in an all-out conflict with South Korea and the United States, just building, testing and operating them could be seen as a useful endeavor for North Korea. The experience gained here could allow their largely independent aerospace industry to achieve other designs that are more tailored to the tactical realities they face. And, as we noted, they could provide some relevant use during peacetime. The reality is that just getting them flying at all is an accomplishment.

South Korean soldiers operating a 20mm Vulcan rotary cannon during an anti-drone drill on December 29, 2022 in Yangju, South Korea. Photo by South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

https://twitter.com/sambendett/status/1684556123884376064?s=20

There are rumors already that examples of the new drones could make an appearance at a military parade thats expected to take place in North Korea next week. Of most interest will be the possible proliferation of long-range loitering munitions in North Korea, like Irans Shahed-136 that is wreaking havoc in Ukraine. These weapons are far more relevant to Pyongyang and they could be built in very large numbers, offering a massive problem to South Korean air defenses.

Moreover, its likely we will only see more of these, and probably other drone designs, too, as Pyongyang increasingly shows interest in the potential of UAVs as part of its wide-ranging effort to modernize its military.

Update, July 28: Examples of both the Global Hawk-type and Reaper-type drones performed flyovers of Pyongyang last night, as part of the countrys latest military parade, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.

https://twitter.com/nknewsorg/status/1684810314561572864?s=20

On the ground, the parade also included at least three examples of the MQ-9 clone, carried on flatbed trucks. The three weapons pylons under each wing were armed with eight of the Hellfire-lookalike missiles, as well as two other munitions, broadly similar in appearance to the U.S.-made Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), apparently with pop-out wings.

https://twitter.com/nknewsorg/status/1684850758968283137?s=20

Meanwhile, the official designations of the two drones have also been released. These are the Morning Star-4 (-4, or Saetbyol-4 in Korean) for the Global Hawk-type and Morning Star-9 (-9, or Saetbyol-9) for the Reaper-type. Notably, the designations follow the same numerical format as the U.S. drones that the copy, the RQ-4 and MQ-9, respectively.

https://twitter.com/ColinZwirko/status/1684844537272045568?s=20

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Kim Jong Un and Shoigu

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu presented North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un with "an autographed letter" from Uns Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed on July 27.

Shoigu and Kim Jong Un "recollected with deep emotion the history of deep-rooted DPRK (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) -Russia friendship" during the meeting, as well as discussed "matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security.

Read also: Russia offers North Korea food in exchange for ammunition

Un has previously called Russias unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine a "holy fight" and expressed the desire to build a strong state together with Putin.

The Russian delegation, headed by Shoigu, arrived in the country on July 26. Shoigu met with his North Korean counterpart, General Kang Sun-nam.

The visit was timed with celebrations of North Koreas 70th anniversary of "Victory Day  what the Kim regime deems the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in the Korean War. Pyongyang calls the conflict the Great Fatherland Liberation War.

Read also: Shoigu meets North Korean defense minister to strengthen military ties

According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, North Korea has supplied weapons and ammunition to Russias Wagner mercenary group. According to The White House, the weapons were traded for food.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, state media said Thursday, illustrating North Koreas support for Russias war in Ukraine as the isolated country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The North Korean festivities were to be highlighted by a military parade Thursday evening in the capital, Pyongyang, where Kim  possibly in the presence of Shoigu and a visiting Chinese ruling party official  could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles designed to threaten neighboring rivals and the United States.

North Koreas state media had not confirmed plans for a military parade. But two South Korean government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide background information, said the parade likely started at around 8 p.m. (0700EST/1100 GMT) with warm-up events and was ongoing as of 9:50 p.m.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Kim and Shoigu talked Wednesday in Pyongyang and reached a consensus on unspecified matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment.

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, with Russian delegation led by its Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visits an arms exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, July 26, 2023, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the U.S.-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests. The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim.

During the meeting, Shoigu conveyed to Kim a warm and good letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said.

The meeting will help to further boost the strategic and tactical collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the field of national defense and security, KCNA said.

In a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic, North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to attend the events marking the armistice of July 27, 1953. While the truce left the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war, the North still sees it as a victory in the Grand Fatherland Liberation War.

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KCNA said Kim also took Shoigu to an arms exhibition that showcased some of North Koreas newest weapons and briefed him on national plans to expand the countrys military capabilities. State media photos and video from the exhibition showed Kim and Shoigu walking near a row of large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.

Some of the weapons in the images appeared to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that the North has flight-tested in recent months as it pursues an arsenal that can pose a viable threat to the continental United States. Kim and Shoigu also walked past what were possibly new surveillance and attack drones that had not been publicly announced by the North.

Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean military was analyzing the military assets shown in the North Korean photos but did not share specific assessments.

When asked about the possibility that Shoigus visit was to discuss importing weapons from North Korea, John Kirby, the White Houses National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, didnt answer directly but said it was clear Putin is reaching out to other countries for support in fighting his war in Ukraine.

Mr. Putin knows hes having his own defense procurement problems, his own inventory problems, that his military remains on the back foot, and hes trying to shore that up, Kirby said.

Some experts say North Korea sees U.S. confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and insert itself into a united front against Washington. Both Moscow and Beijing have been derailing U.S. efforts to strengthen U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests since 2022.

The last time North Korea invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018, when it held a low-key event that excluded Kims ICBMs. North Korea at the time was initiating diplomacy with Seoul and Washington as Kim attempted to leverage his nuclear program for badly needed economic benefits.

Those efforts led to a summit between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump that June, but the diplomacy collapsed after their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since ramped up the development of the nuclear arms that he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival while berating gangster-like U.S. sanctions and pressure.

Beijings delegation to North Korea is headed by mid-level official Li Hongzhong, a politburo member of Chinas ruling Communist Party.

Kim met Li during an anniversary concert that began at midnight and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, KCNA said. During a separate reception hosted by senior North Korean officials, Li said in a speech that China was ready to promote the sound and stable development of relations with the North.

Analysts say Kim sharing the center stage with Shoigu and Li at a military parade would be a key accomplishment he could show to his domestic audience as well as a statement of defiance toward the United States.

On Wednesday, Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam that were aimed at strengthening cooperation between our defense departments, Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement.

KCNA reported that Kang while hosting a reception for Shoigu expressed support for the just struggle of the Russian army to defend the countrys sovereignty and security, in an apparent reference to Russias war on Ukraine. The agency said Shoigu during the event praised the North Korean Peoples Army under the leadership of Kim, saying it has become the strongest army in the world. Russian media reports did not include that comment.

The Korean War was triggered by a surprise North Korean attack on the South in June 1950. The North was supported by Chinese troops and the then-Soviet air force. South Korea, the United States, and troops from various nations under the direction of the United Nations fought to push back the invasion.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marked the armistice anniversary by visiting a cemetery in the port city of Busan that honors the U.N. troops who died during the war.

The Republic of Korea of today stands on the sacrifice, dedication and blood-drenched uniforms of U.N. soldiers, Yoon said in a speech, referring to South Koreas formal name.

In the face of growing North Korean threats, Yoon has pushed to expand South Koreas military exercises with the United States and is seeking stronger U.S. reassurances that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend the South in the event of a nuclear attack.
Nortrhop Grumman has dropped out of the running to be the prime contractor to design and build the US Air Force's future sixth-generation NGAD stealth combat jet.

Northrop Grumman has removed itself from the running, at least as a prime contractor, to design and build a new sixth-generation stealthy crewed combat jet under the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. This is in line with a report last month that the field of NGAD combat jet competitors had shrunk from three to two, with the remaining pair widely believed to be Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The company has left open the possibility of joining another NGAD team led by a different prime contractor.

Kathy Warden, Northrop Grumman's CEO, spoke of her company's current strategy around the Air Force's multi-faceted NGAD program during an earning call earlier today. In May, the service announced it had formally released a classified contract solicitation for the engineering and manufacturing phase of the development of the NGAD combat jet. This aircraft is ostensibly intended to replace the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, but is expected to have significantly more expansive capabilities that go well beyond a traditional fighter concept.

Lockheed Martin concept art depicting sixth-generation stealth combat jets. Lockheed Martin

Before the government officially announced the program and their intent to issue the RFP, we had been quiet," Warden said. "But we have notified the U.S. Air Force that we're not planning to respond to the NGAD RFP as a prime."

"I'll just say that, when I noted we have other opportunities we are pursuing, I won't disclose at this point exactly what those are until a little more information comes out, she added. "You could assume that if we feel we're well positioned, and the government is appropriately balancing risk and reward as I said that that would be a program we would pursue."

Warden further said that the company was pursuing other opportunities in military aircraft," which some have taken to be a possible reference to the Navy's F/A-XX program. F/A-XX is part of that service's own NGAD effort, which is separate from, but heavily intertwined with the Air Force program of the same name. The Navy and the Air Force are working very closely together on various aspects of their respective NGAD initiatives.

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Boeing concept art depicting an advanced sixth-generation stealth combat jet for the US Navy, as well as an uncrewed derivative. Boeing

Later in the earnings call, Warden also said that the company was "looking closely" at the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, another element of NGAD that is centered on the acquisition of a fleet of advanced, but relatively low-cost drones with high degrees of autonomy. CCA is one of the NGAD sub-components where there is also already significant cooperation between the Air Force and the Navy.

The Air Force is currently planning around the acquisition of 200 NGAD combat jets and at least 1,000 CCAs. Those numbers are based on a concept of operations that envisions two CCAs being paired with each of the NGAD jets, as well as 300 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. The Air Force has also said that the final size of its CCA force could be much larger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xuVfA6bN3c

Today's news from Northrop Grumman is not necessarily surprising. Vago Muradian, the editor-in-chief and host of the Defense & Aerospace Report, and J.J. Gertler, director of The Defense Concepts Organization and senior analyst at the Teal Group, had talked about the number of NGAD combat jet competitors dropping from three to two on a podcast back in May.

Though Boeing and Lockheed Martin are widely assumed to be the remaining two contenders, this has yet to be formally confirmed. Lockheed Martin's famous Skunk Works advanced projects division did tease what appeared to be at least a reference, the silhouette seen below, to its proposal for the NGAD combat jet in a post on its Instagram account on June 30.

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

NGAD demonstrators, possibly including one from Northrop Grumman, have been flying for years now. F-22s are also being used to help test new technologies in support of the broader NGAD initiative.

This would not be the first time that Northrop Grumman has built flying demonstrator aircraft as part of the initial phases of major U.S. military aviation programs before ultimately deciding to withdraw. The company pulled out of the Navy's Carrier-Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS) drone tanker competition in 2017, despite its extensive work on the preceding Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) project. Its subsidiary Scaled Composites also crafted a design for the Air Force's T-X jet trainer competition before the decision was made not to pursue that contract.

All this being said, for Northrop Grumman, Warden's comments today do appear to reflect a change in its publicly stated position. During a previous earnings call at this same time last year, the company's CEO had responded to questions about the company's interest in the NGAD combat jet solicitation by saying "we're positioned as a competitor" and that "I think our government desires to have a broad industrial base able to prime these large opportunities."

As recently as May of this year, what appeared to be a notional NGAD combat jet design had been seen in Northrop Grumman promotional videos, as seen below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWfqUjLdD5Q\u0026t=1s

Northrop Grumman is, of course, also currently the prime contractor for the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider stealth bomber. This is a complex program that is a top priority for both parties.

The first B-21 Raider stealth bomber prototype. USAF

In addition to the B-21, Northrop Grumman is widely thought to be the company behind an advanced stealthy high-altitude, long-endurance drone commonly referred to as the RQ-180. During today's earnings call, Warden also highlighted the company's work on the Air Force's LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, another major program where it is the prime contractor.

Of course, none of this means that Northrop Grumman will not still be involved in the Air Force's NGAD combat jet program as a subcontractor.

"Northrop Grumman takes a disciplined approach to how we apply our advanced technologies and solutions for our customers. While we have decided not to pursue a prime position for the Air Force NGAD program, we are offering our mission systems capabilities to other teams pursuing NGAD," a spokesperson for the company told The War Zone in a statement. "We are well positioned to perform on advanced aircraft programs, as weve demonstrated on programs like B-21 and F-35, and well continue to assess all opportunities in the manned and unmanned military aircraft market, as a platform and mission systems provider."

Northrop Grumman is a major subcontractor to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter both in terms of the construction of those jets and when it comes to their mission systems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChICCH9l9nE

Regardless, much about the Air Force's requirements and expectations for the NGAD combat jet remain hidden behind a veil of heavy secrecy. The information publicly available to date points to a highly advanced deep-penetrating broadband low-observable (stealth) design optimized for carrying appreciable payloads, including all-new weapons, over long ranges that does not have the kind of maneuverability associated with a traditional fighter. The War Zone recently published a deep dive into what kind of performance the aircraft might have in the end.

The Air Force has said it is hoping to pick the winner of the NGAD combat jet competition sometime in 2024.

All told, what the NGAD combat jet will look like and be capable of in the end, as well as who will design and build it, still very much remains to be seen. What we know now for sure is that Northrop Grumman has decided not to pursue a leading role in this program.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Nicaraguan journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, director of Confidencial and Esta Semana news media, is pushed away by riot police outside El Confidencial offices in Managua on December 14, 2020.

Lucia Pineda Ubau had been working around the clock, sleeping in her newsroom in Nicaragua and covering President Daniel Ortegas violent crackdown on anti-government protests, when the police stormed in.

They cut the TV stations news signal, bound her wrists and hauled her away.

In a dark, fetid cell in Managuas notorious prison known as El Chipote, where the countrys former dictator once tortured the Sandinista rebels, she waited for her next interrogation.

I clung to God, to prayer, Pineda, 49, recently told USA TODAY. She was unsure of when she might be freed.

Her arrest had come more than a decade after Ortega, a former Sandinista rebel who led Nicaragua during its fight with U.S.-backed Contras in the 1980s, returned to the presidency and grew increasingly autocratic.

After massive demonstrations erupted in 2018, police and paramilitaries crushed both the protesters and the independent journalists who told the story, driving some like Pineda to prison, and forcing more than 180 journalists into exile.

Lucia Pineda Ubau, director the news outlet 100% Noticias, works at her home in Costa Rica. Pineda was forced to flee Nicaragua after being jailed in a 2018 government crackdown on opposition and independent media. Her outlet now covers Nicaragua from abroad.

Among them were Carlos Chamorro, a prominent editor whose offices raided twice before he fled; Nestor Arce Aburto, who livestreamed protests before making a narrow escape; and Octavio Enriquez, whose family faced threats as he reported on corruption.

Today, all of them cover their home country from outside Nicaragua, often from across the border in Costa Rica. Since then, theyve watched media repression increase in several Central American nations, which experts say reflects the regions continuing slide toward authoritarianism.

In Guatemala in June, the founder of the newspaper El Periodico, Jose Ruben Zamora, was sentenced to six years in prison in a money laundering case that press advocates say was retaliation for reporting on corruption. His imprisonment followed the newspapers closure the month before. An election next month pits an establishment candidate against an insurgent who has vowed sweeping anti-corruption reforms.

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More: What's happening in Guatemala? How a small country's elections could have a big impact on the US

In El Salvador, digital investigative outlet El Faro announced in April it was moving its administrative offices to Costa Rica amid what its founder said was a relentless campaign of government surveillance and legal harassment.

Honduras has been one of Latin Americas deadliest countries for journalists, Reporters Without Borders said in 2022, adding that opposition media have faced threats and intimidation, forcing some to flee.

The Network of Central American Journalists, formed last year to fight for press freedom, has said they are facing the greatest obstacles to the free exercise of the profession in three decades.

Newspaper founder and editor Jose Ruben Zamora is escorted by police before a hearing at a court in Guatemala City, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. A tribunal has convicted Zamora and sentenced him to six years in prison in a money laundering case.

The slide of press freedoms in Central America echo a growing global concern as autocratic leaders increasingly label the press an enemy and embrace repressive laws such as adopted in 2022 in Russia  a version of which exists in countries such as Nicaragua and Egypt  that criminalize publishing what is deemed as fake news.

Thats led an increasing number of journalists to flee countries such as Iran and Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported last month.

In Central America, media repression is the most acute in Nicaragua, the hemispheres second-poorest nation, after Haiti. Since 2018, Ortega has forced the closure of more than 50 media outlets by canceling licenses, seizing assets and charging reporters with crimes as part of a wider move to silence dissent and political opposition.

In addition, journalists say, pro-government misinformation troll farms that flood social media and state-controlled news outlets leave some unsure what information to trust.

While the environment for journalism in the United States remains satisfactory despite recent slides in its ranking, according to Reporters Without Borders, Nicaraguan journalists working in exile say their stories offer a cautionary tale.

While media repression is often a harbinger of crumbling democracy, it can also be a last line of defense against autocracy, they say, even from abroad.

In Nicaragua, there is not a single independent media outlet that operates within the country, Arce said. Freedom of expression and the press is in a stage of serious deterioration in Central America.

Despite all the challenges, many journalists working in exile are finding ways to inform residents back home.

For Pineda  who was accused of inciting violence and promoting terrorism  that meant first surviving prison.

Protests and an authoritarian crackdown

Students from different universities from across Nicaragua demonstrate against President Daniel Ortega and his powerful vice president, wife Rosario Murillo, in 2018.

By December 2018, Pineda, the news director of 100% Noticias, was eating and sleeping at a Managua TV station that was under virtual siege.

About 150 feet from the door, police had set up a checkpoint to harass and intimidate staff. Pro-government paramilitary in civilian clothes menaced and monitored them, sometimes blocking their entry, she said.

When a colleague drove home, police repeatedly stopped him, pulled him out of his truck and delivered a message: Stop reporting.

Theyd been reporting on street protests in April that year that began over proposed pension reform but soon exploded, tapping into long-simmering discontent with Ortegas regime, the streets filling with the blue-and-white banners of the opposition.

A picture released by the Nicaraguan presidency shows President Daniel Ortega and his wife and Vice President Rosario Murillo greeting supporters, July 19, 2023.

Since returning to the presidency in 2007, Ortega had gained control of courts and the national assembly to allow him to stay in power in the nation of nearly 7 million, disillusioning some former Sandinistas as he grew more autocratic. He made his wife, Rosario Murillo, the vice president.

Ortegas distrust and disdain of the press dated back decades. While some TV stations and newspapers were owned by Oretga allies, some journalists said, independent outlets often had to be cautious about directly criticizing the Ortega government.

When the protests threatened Ortegas grip, Ortega framed them as an attempted coup and ramped up repression on demonstrators, civil society and independent or critical news outlets and reporters.

Attacks by police and pro-government paramilitary groups in civilian clothing left more than 300 dead and thousands injured, according to Human Rights Watch. Hundreds of political prisoners were jailed. A United Nations report found there were extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions and torture. Ortega denied the allegations.

Demonstrations across Nicaragua demanded President Daniel Ortega resign in 2018. Instead, he tightened his grip on power and cracked down.

When protests began, the government ordered cable providers to cut the signals of at least five TV channels, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. By the end of the year, the group documented attacks, arrests and surveillance of journalists.

Even as street protest subsided later in the year, the governments crackdown on dissenting voices and independent media continued.

On the night of Dec. 21, Pineda was at her station when police stormed in.

When the police entered the channel by force, I grabbed the microphone in master control and began to make a public complaint on air, she said. She hid briefly under a set of stairs before she was taken to prison along with another station leader.

Riot police stand guard outside the Evaristo Vasquez Police Complex, known as "El Chipote," in 2021.

Inside her slimy concrete cell, which reeked of sweat and clogged toilets, authorities began a tortuous process of interrogations and false accusation, she said.

She believes guards put something in her food that made her become dizzy and vomit. After 40 days, she was transferred to a womens prison. The lack of communication and isolation was terrible, she said.

In June 2019, Pineda and station director Miguel Mora were among more than 100 political prisoners as part of an amnesty. According to The Guardian, opposition leaders said the measure would forgive abuses by police and pro-government militias.

She would denounce her detention just for doing my job as a journalist. She knew she couldnt continue to do that work in Nicaragua.

Because her mother was from Costa Rica, she had dual citizenship, and was grateful to have relatives there. But she knew she was leaving behind many friends and fellow journalists.

Two days after being freed from prison, Pineda and her mother packed up and crossed the border.

After demonstrations are crushed, a new wave of repression

Nicaraguan journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro in Managua, Dec. 13, 2019.

Carlos Chamorro, the editor of the news outlet Confidencial and a member of a prominent family long involved with Nicaraguan media and politics, was familiar with the dangers.

His father was the publisher of the countrys oldest newspaper, La Prensa. It had been critical of the Somoza family regime, whose repressive rule lasted more than 40 years.

In the 1970s, to overcome censorship, journalists would read independent news aloud from church atriums and pulpits, in a tradition dubbed catacomb journalism.

In 1978, Chamorros father was assassinated, fueling government opposition.

The following year, the Somoza regime was ousted by the socialist Sandinista National Liberation Front, of which Ortega was a leader.

Daniel Ortega, coordinator of the Nicaraguan Military Junta and commander of the Nicaraguan Army in Cuba, during the 20th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion April 21, 1981.

During the 1980s, amid the fight with U.S.-backed Contra rebels, the paper grew critical of the Sandinista government and its economic policies  drawing attacks, accusations of publishing U.S. propaganda and periods of censorship.

More than three decades later, following the 2018 demonstrations, it was Ortega who was blocking ink and paper for La Prensa and another national daily newspaper, El Nuevo Diario, which was forced to close in 2019. For a time, La Prensa was the last remaining national daily print newspaper. A January 2020 editorial in La Prensa was headlined The Dictatorship strangles La Prensa.

That same year, Nicaragua approved its Special Law on Cyber Crimes, threatening prison for spreading information deemed false, capable of spreading alarm or putting national sovereignty at risk.

By 2021, La Prensas publisher, Juan Lorenzo Holmann, was imprisoned on charges of money laundering. Its equipment was confiscated. La Prensa, forced to drop its print edition, moved its entire operation outside of the country the following year. At that time, there was not a single newspaper in print.

Chamorro, who led the news outlet Confidencial, had fled once, after his offices were taken over by police in late 2018. But he returned and created a temporary newsroom.

In 2021, ahead of elections, Ortega launched a renewed wave of repression, arresting potential presidential contenders. More than 1,000 civil society organizations were shut down over time.

In May that year, Chamorro said, police once again raided Confidencials offices, seizing computers and equipment. When he learned he could face criminal charges, he left for Costa Rica with his wife. He crossed the border at a blind spot, he said.

Five days later, he said, police raided the home he left behind.

It is very difficult. It's something you don't plan. You dont want to leave. Youre not a criminal. Youre just doing journalism, he said. Exile is painful. At the same time, its the only alternative to continue being a journalist.

That same year, Arce, the 32-year-old journalist, had to make a similar decision.

Nestor Arce Aburto, 32, a journalist for Divergentes, was forced to flee to Costa Rica to continue reporting after a government crackdown on dissent and independent media in Nicaragua.

Arce had been attacked while live-streaming protests and fled but had returned to start a new investigative digital site called Divergentes. Then he got a tip from a source that it wasnt safe to remain in the country.

The next morning, he says, he put a pair of pants, two T-shirts, socks and his allergy medication into a backpack and slipped across the border where no one could see him.

Gone was my house, my family, my dog, my friends, my routines and everything I had built for 30 years, he told USA TODAY.

The challenges of reporting in exile

At home in Costa Rica, Pineda gets up every day at 5 a.m. She reads the news on her phone and plans story assignments for the now-digital 100% Noticias.

After coffee, eggs and a rice-and-bean dish called gallo pinto, shes juggling all day: Talking to sources, conferring with staff, preparing for an interview show, checking website metrics and shepherding stories that recently included updates on political prisoners and government conflicts with the Catholic Church.

Exile is hard for many reasons, she said. One is that it makes the job exponentially more difficult.

Sources are hard to cultivate back home. No one wants to go on the record, afraid of prosecution. Anonymous information means more meticulous vetting and confirmation. Photos have to be pulled from social media.

Its three times as difficult, Arce said, who now operates Divergentes from San Jose.

Some exiled journalists in Costa Rica still direct a group of clandestine reporters back home. In May, Nicaraguan police arrested a freelance reporter who contributed to Nicaraguan outlets operating in exile, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Students from different universities from across Nicaragua demand President Daniel Ortega and his powerful vice president, wife Rosario Murillo, to resign and the government to keep the 6% budget for universities, in Managua, on August 2, 2018. - The death toll in violent protests in Nicaragua against Ortega stands at 317, a US-based regional rights group said Thursday.

Few if any of the roughly 25 Nicaraguan outlets that have relocated to Costa Rica  including La Prensa, Confidencial, 100% Noticias and Divergentes,  can afford offices for traditional newsrooms. Reporters and editors work from their apartments.

Over at Confidencial, the collapse of Nicaraguan advertising means relying on grants, audience contributions and video monetization to pay its 15-member staff, Chamorro said. Pineda, too, says shes always hunting for donations to help keep her outlet afloat.

Also struggling are many reporters, who often arrive in Costa Rica with few resources as they seek immigration status and work permits in a country with a higher cost of living.

There are many fellow journalists who cross the border with only their clothes on, Arce said. Some still have jobs in the media they work in, but others don't. And it's more difficult for those. Many colleagues have slept on the streets and survived on charity.

Marcos Barquero, of Costa Ricas Institute for Press and Freedom of Expression, helps provide $500 cash assistance for three months for food, medicine and clothing. He said many working in media have extra jobs  from selling food to providing child care.

Others have left the profession for better-paying fields or because they are afraid that relatives back in Nicaragua will face threats for their work.

Octavio Enriquez, an investigative reporter with Confidencial and a member of Connectas, a nonprofit journalism initiative, also left Nicaragua to continue reporting.

Octavio Enriquez, a reporter with the Nicaraguan news outlet Confidencial, reads in San Jose, Costa Rica. Enriquez had to flee Nicaragua to continue reporting.

But his work continued from Costa Rica, a story related to government corruption led to threats against his family  forcing his wife and children to join him. He still hasnt been able to visit the grave of his brother who died after he left.

Journalism saved me throughout this crisis and I cling to continue doing so, even though adversity is growing, he said. There is a crusade by authoritarian leaders against independent journalism. Regardless of ideologies, they have criminalized journalism, because it exposes its true face to the population. This is what is happening in all of Central America.

He and others point to El Salvador, where an El Faro editorial said it had faced fabricated criminal accusations, physical surveillance and threats, spyware attacks, harassment of advertisers and defamation from public officials. The administration of Nayib Bukele has denied using spyware to monitor journalists.

In neighboring Guatemala, where a pro-democracy reformer candidate is seeking a the presidency in upcoming run-off election, a 2022 U.S. Embassy report found that increasing Intimidation of journalists had fueled struggles and significant self-censorship.

Marielos Monzon, a 52-year-old Guatemalan journalist and member of the Network of Central American Journalists, said 22 journalists fled the country in the last year.

Every time you go to write a story in which power groups are involved, you think, 'Can they put me in jail for writing this, for doing my job?' she told USA TODAY.

Guatemalan journalists protest against the arrest of Jose Ruben Zamora, president of the newspaper El Periodico, outside the Justice Palace in Guatemala City, on July 30, 2022.

And even though Costa Rica remains a relative oasis, this year Reporters Without Borders downgraded the countrys press freedom rating citing government verbal attacks and instances of refusing to provide public interest information.

President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, during his campaign leading to his 2022 election, promised to retaliate against publications that reported critically on his past, according to NBC. He has said press freedoms remain healthy, but has described the countrys media as rats.

The journalists in exile from Nicaragua say theyre not giving up  much like their predecessors in the 1970s.

These days, they have a new kind of catacomb journalism.

About half of Confidentials web audience live in Nicaragua, still able to access it via the internet. Two former broadcast news programs, now banned on television, now reach more than 415,000 subscribers through YouTube and Facebook, Chamorro said during a recent lecture.

Divergentes and others are using similar tools to provide independent news reporters cant produce inside the country.

The media that have survived in exile continue to reach Nicaraguans within the country, mainly in urban and semi-urban areas with internet access, Arce said. But in rural locations, the reach is more complicated.

Some reporters struggling in Costa Rica wonder why they still do the work and lament the impact their work has had on their families. Arce said its easy to fall into depression, missing his home and country.

But in the end, Pineda  whose work days often last until 11 p.m.  remains married to the work and more determined than ever, she said.

In February, Ortegas regime unexpectedly deported 222 political prisoners including political leaders, priests, students, activists and journalists to the United States. Ortega called them terrorists, and Nicaraguan lawmakers allowed them to be stripped of their citizenship.

Pineda hopes the international community pays more attention to growing media repression as a harbinger of eroding democracy and increased political instability  a problem that can impact economic and migration trends far beyond a nations borders.

Nicaragua is a mirror of what can happen in other countries  and is happening, Pineda said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As elections in Guatemala loom, press freedom erodes across region
Sanctioned Russian oligarchs spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury life in the U.K. thanks to numerous sanction exemptions, the New York Times reported on July 27.

In some cases, the oligarchs were allowed more than $1 million a year in living expenses, while in others, sanctions were removed after legal battles, the newspaper reported.

According to the New York Times, sanctions that are publicly announced by London are often softened by exemptions knowns as "licenses."

Thanks to such licenses, Ukraine-born Russian Israeli oligarch Mikhail Fridman reportedly spent almost $400,000 over 10 months to retain 19 staff members, including drivers, private chefs, and housekeepers.

He also receives almost $9,000 per month in monthly allowances, the New York Times reported. His former business partner, Russian Latvian oligarch Petr Aven, received a little less than $70,000 per month, according to the investigation.

U.K. officials have reportedly allowed Aven to spend more than $1.3 million while under sanctions.

The New York Times said that the British Treasury granted at least 82 licenses in 2022 and more applications are pending. While licenses are a common practice also in other countries, the U.S. grants them on a humanitarian basis or to cover basic living expenses and legal fees.

London applies the licenses much more liberally, taking into consideration the money flowing into the British economy, the New York Times commented.

Transparency International reported on Feb. 18, 2022, that Russian individuals accused of corruption or links to the Kremlin hold over $1.9 billion in property in the U.K.

Many Kremlin-backed oligarchs were permitted to live in the country through the so-called "golden visa" scheme, allowing wealthy individuals to buy the right to live in the U.K. by investing in British-registered companies.

Shortly before the start of the invasion, London scrapped the golden visa scheme and applied a number of sanctions against Russian entities and individuals as the full-scale war broke out.

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According to the Ukrainian War & Sanctions database, the U.K. has imposed sanctions against 1,489 individuals and 178 entities over support or involvement in Russia's full-scale aggression in Ukraine.

Fridman, who was born in Lviv, is the founder of the Russian company Alpha Group. He is currently under international sanctions and was arrested in the U.K. in December 2022 on suspicion of money laundering, fraud, and perjury. He was released on bail.

Investigative reporters discovered in May that his company Alpha Insurance Firm insures cars of the Russian military fighting in Ukraine.

The company is also reported to provide services to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's Main Office of Special Programs, which guards him. Another company Fridman co-owns, X5 Retail Group, also cooperates with the Russian military through the group's grocery chains.

Read also: Investigative Stories from Ukraine: Companies of Russian oligarch Fridman allegedly support Russian war effort in Ukraine
As Ukrainian soldiers are defending their homeland on the front line, officials in the rear are accused of using the war as a pretext for hiding their wealth.

They are able to do so because one of Ukraines main anti-corruption tools, the asset declaration system, has been effectively eliminated.

After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Ukrainian authorities passed a law to allow officials not to file electronic asset declarations and shut down public access to all previous declarations. Officials will only have to resume submitting asset declarations within three months after the end of the war  which is not coming in the near future.

As a result, it is much more difficult and sometimes impossible to identify corruption. Moreover, without asset declarations it is also impossible to conduct proper background checks on candidates for state jobs, anti-corruption activists say.

Since September 2022, the Ukrainian authorities have promised to restore the asset declaration system. The issue is crucial for Ukraines talks on joining the European Union and borrowing money from the International Monetary Fund.

However, there has been no progress for many months, and President Volodymyr Zelensky and the parliament, which is dominated by his party, are in no hurry to re-launch the system.

It negatively affects anti-corruption efforts, and there is no control over officials lifestyle, Olena Shcherban, a deputy executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, told the Kyiv Independent. The absence of asset declarations is fertile ground for corruption.

The Presidents Office did not respond to a request for comment.

A few of Zelenskys allies have publicly supported the restoration of declarations. The president himself hasnt explicitly backed it.

Read also: Oleg Sukhov: US should sanction these 2 symbols of Ukraines corruption

History of sabotage

Ukraines electronic asset declaration system was created after the pro-Western 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution. In contrast with previous paper declarations, the new system dramatically increased the transparency of state officials assets and made it easier to punish them for violations.

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The launch of the system was a requirement for getting visa-free travel with the European Union in 2016.

To manage the asset declaration system, Ukraine created the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP, known in Ukraine under its Ukrainian abbreviation NAZK) in 2015-2016.

The agency and asset declarations have a long history of sabotage.

The first leadership of the NACP, headed by Natalia Korchak, faced numerous accusations of essentially sabotaging the system, which they denied.

Initially it was accused of blocking the launch of the asset declaration system for many months.

It got worse. In 2017, one year after the launch, Hanna Solomatina, a top NACP official, publicly accused the agencys leadership of corruption, taking orders from the presidential administration and persecuting then-President Petro Poroshenkos political opponents. Her claims were backed up by other ex-NACP employees.

Civil society and the West called for re-launching the agency and replacing its leadership but the Poroshenko administration refused to do so.

After Zelensky was elected in 2019, a new head, Oleksandr Novikov, was appointed in 2020 with the participation of foreign experts.

But then a new wave of sabotage ensued  this time, externally.

In 2020, the Constitutional Court effectively destroyed Ukraines asset declaration system by depriving the NACP of most of its powers. The court ruled that these powers were unconstitutional and also canceled penalties for lying in officials asset declarations.

In 2021 parliament passed a bill restoring the system but at the same time allowed state officials not to disclose their relatives in asset declarations, effectively making them a useless tool.

Zelensky vetoed the bill, and eventually both the asset declaration system and the requirement to disclose relatives property were reinstated.

Read also: Zelensky signs judicial bill that may block European integration, undermine Western support

During full-scale invasion

Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine provided a convenient pretext for not disclosing officials wealth.

Activists say that a temporary suspension of the asset declaration system may have been justified at the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The very survival of Ukraine was at stake, with Russian troops on the outskirts of Kyiv. At that time, it could have been physically impossible to run the asset declaration system or file declarations.

However, activists say that this justification became invalid after Russian troops withdrew from Kyiv Oblast and the nearby regions in April 2022.

At the beginning of the invasion, no one knew if Kyiv would fall or not, Kateryna Butko, head of anti-corruption watchdog AutoMaidan, told the Kyiv Independent. But after the de-occupation of Kyiv Oblast there are no reasons that should objectively prevent the re-launch of the asset declaration system.

At the beginning of the invasion, officials could have been more concerned with survival than corrupt activities, she argued.

The further away Russian troops were from Kyiv, the more Ukrainian officials became interested in stealing money again, Butko added.

Olha Stefanyshyna, Ukraines deputy prime minister for European integration, agreed that the situation had changed since the start of the invasion.

When the full-scale war began, there was no access to the state registers, she told the Kyiv Independent. Now the situation has changed. The war continues but there is full access to all data and there is the possibility of filing declarations. Thats why this decision (on restoring the declaration system) will be made.

The Ukrainian authorities used the justification that Russia may somehow use information in asset declarations, which would put officials in danger.

But Butko and Shcherban dont buy this argument.

They said that there are no specific addresses in the publicly available part of the asset declaration register, and information without addresses would not be useful for Russia.

Shcherban and Butko also argued that Russian intelligence agencies could probably find out what they want without the asset declarations register, and a lot of Ukrainian databases had been leaked to Russia already.

Read also: US sanctions Ukraines most notorious judge charged with corruption

Procrastination

Amid public pressure, a bill on restoring Ukraines asset declaration system was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada in September.

In January, a petition was also registered on the presidents site to demand the restoration of asset declarations. Next month, the petition collected the 25,000 signatures necessary for the president to react to it.

In his response to the petition, Zelensky did not say explicitly whether he supported the proposal but said that it is the parliament's prerogative to pass bills.

However, David Arakhamia, the sponsor of the bill to restore asset declarations and head of Zelenskys Servant of the People party's faction in parliament, argued in February that Zelensky supported the petition.

He also said that a working group had been set up to speed up the passage of the bill.

"Our country is waging a tough war for its future in the civilized world. Therefore, even during fierce battles and missile attacks, officials and MPs must comply with the principles of honesty and transparency," he wrote.

Arakhamia said in May that parliament was expected to pass the asset declaration bill in the first reading by the end of June and in the second reading by the end of September.

Since then, there has been no progress on the asset declaration bill.

The bill was submitted in September but there is no political will to pass it, Shcherban said. The lawmakers are blocking it. They dont want to fix this problem.

She argued that the lawmakers are dragging their feet on the bill because they dont want to be jailed.

Arakhamia and Anastasia Radina, head of parliaments anti-corruption committee, did not respond to requests for comment.

The anti-corruption committee was expected to consider the bill on July 26, but it didnt happen. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the parliaments hearings are closed to the press and not broadcast on TV or online, like they used to be.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraine's parliament, on July 26 called on lawmakers to support the bill on the restoration of asset declarations.

"My position is clear and understandable: it must be restored as soon as possible," he stated.

Read also: Investigative journalists: Judge supported by Western experts may be implicated in corruption

Problems with the bill

However, even if the asset declaration system is re-launched, it is not clear if the authorities will restore public access to the system.

Anti-corruption activists believe that restoring public access is necessary as it would make the system more effective. Although government agencies, including the NACP, are supposed to check asset declarations, they are expected to do that better if there is public pressure.

The NACP had been accused of failing to effectively check declarations before. In 2017 Hanna Solomatina, a whistleblower at the NACP, said that the agency had managed to check only 91 out of the 1.5 million asset declarations filed in a year.

It will be a problem if there is no public access, Shcherban said.

Due to martial law, the authorities may have to restrict information about people who are located in occupied territories or territories adjacent to the frontline, she said. But in other cases public access should be restored, Shcherban added.

Yaroslav Zheleznyak, an MP from the Holos party, said on July 27 that the most recent version of the asset declaration bill envisages restoring public access to declarations with certain exceptions. Specifically, the names of officials' family members, as well as officials' places of residence, birth dates, locations of assets, and bank account numbers will not be disclosed during martial law, he said.

Shcherban also said that the lawmakers may also weaken the provisions of the asset declaration law.

But she hopes that Western pressure will help to reinstate the asset declaration system successfully.

In February, G7 ambassadors called on Ukraine to quickly restore the system.

A memorandum signed by Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund envisages restoring the asset declaration system. The issue is also being discussed as part of Ukraines negotiations to join the European Union.

But officials are dragging their feet because they are afraid of society seeing their hidden wealth before the next elections, Shcherban said.

Their main goal is to prevent society from seeing their declarations, she added.

Read also: Judicial reform formally completed as second top judicial body is appointed




BUCKS COUNTY, Penn.  Officials suspended search efforts Wednesday for the 9-month-old baby who along with his mother and 2-year-old sister were swept away in violent flash flood waters in Pennsylvania earlier this month.

Conrad Sheils had been missing since July 15 when fast-rising floodwaters carried cars and people away, killing six people near the Delaware River.

"At this point, we have exhausted all means of attempting to locate Conrad. With broken hearts, we regretfully announce that the active search for Conrad has concluded," Upper Makefield Police announced Wednesday on their Facebook page, where it has regularly updated the public on post-flood search efforts.

The children's mother, Katie Seley, 32, was confirmed dead a day after. The family was driving to a family outing when the banks of a creek swelled and inundated roadways. Conrad and his sister Matilda "Mattie" Sheils had slipped out of the arms of family members while trying to escape the flash flood.

Seley's husband, her mother, and her 4-year-old son were able to safely escape, Bucks County officials previously said.

Conrad's family, who live in Charleston, South Carolina, have been notified of the decision and expressed their "deepest gratitude" for those involved in the search efforts and the community's outpouring of love support and kind words, the post said.

Conrad Sheils.

Search ends nearly a week after 2-year-old sister was found

Since the weekend, Upper Makefield first responders have had marine units checking the Delaware River including along the banks of the river on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides, police said. Throughout the 11-day search agencies along the Delaware River all the way to Marcus Hook, south of Philadelphia, were notified of efforts.

Divers were able to get into the water and clear any outstanding areas, Upper Makefield police said. K-9 teams were used to check islands in the Delaware River and along the river banks.

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The end of the search announcement comes nearly a week after "Mattie" was found floating in the Delaware River south of the Betsy Ross Bridge near Philadelphia's Port Richmond neighborhood.

She was discovered 32 miles south of where she was last seen after the familys car was caught up in waist-high water when Houghs Creek in Upper Makefield overflowed after up to 6 inches of rain fell over two hours. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office confirmed her death as accidental drowning.

Matilda u0022Mattieu0022 Sheils, 2, her brother Conrad, 9 months and their mother Katie Seley were swept away in the July 15, 2023 flash floods. Mattie and Seley are among the six confirmed dead.

'Truly heartbroken and saddened'

Among the six confirmed dead was Seley who was holding Conrad when they were swept underneath a guardrail as they abandoned their car and attempted to get to higher ground. Her mother, Dahlia Galindez, 62, was holding Mattie when they were also swept away.

Galindez survived and Seley's fiance, Jim Sheils, and the couple's oldest child Jack, 4, also survived after firefighters were able to rescue them.

Also killed in the floods were Enzo and Linda DePietro, ages 78 and 74, of Newtown Township; Yuko Love, 64, of Newtown Township; and Susan Barnhart, 53, of Titusville, New Jersey. Their bodies, and Seley, were recovered within two days after the floods.

The search effort for the children, which officials called unprecedented, has included drones, air, ground and water resources including sonar, divers and dogs. Equipment and hundreds of first-responder personnel were recruited from Central New Jersey and as far south as Delaware and Chester counties to aid the search.

After Mattie was found Philadelphia Police Marine Unit and the United States Coast Guard began round-the-clock searches for Conrad in the Delaware River south of the Betsy Ross Bridge.

"Like all of you, we are truly heartbroken and saddened," Upper Makefield police wrote. "Although, at this time, we were unable to reunite Conrad with his loving family, he will forever live in our hearts and he will never be forgotten," the department wrote.

Katie Seley poses with her sons, Conrad Sheils, 9 months (left) and Jack Sheils, 4. Seley and daughter Matilda Sheils, 2, perished in the July 15 2023 flash floods in Upper Makefield. Jack and his father, Jim Sheils, Seley's fiance, survived, and Seley's mother, Dahlia Galindez, 62, of Charleston South Carolina.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Police suspend search for baby lost in Pennsylvania flash flood
The White House described the video capturing the police dogs attack as tragic and disturbing and expressed sympathy for Rose and his loved ones.

An Ohio officer is off the job after ordering his police K-9 to attack Jadarrius Rose during a traffic stop on July 4.

Video shows Rose, 23, had his hands raised when Ryan Speakman, a Circleville police officer, sicced the dog on him, according to NBC News.

Officer Speakman did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers, a police statement said Wednesday, NBC reported. Officer Speakman has been terminated from the department, effective immediately.

Jadarrius Rose, 23, who was reportedly operating a semi-tractor trailer on U.S. Route 35, is detained by an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer after a Circleville officer, Ryan Speakman, sicced a police dog on him. Speakman was fired Wednesday. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/WKYC Channel 3)

A Highway Patrol inspector with the Motor Carrier Enforcement Division attempted to pull Rose over because the semi-tractor trailer he was operating was missing a left rear mud flap, according to an incident report. Troopers deployed tire-deflating devices called stop sticks twice before Roses vehicle stopped.

The report said Rose informed the trooper ordering him to exit his car that he was speaking to 911. A 911 caller, who appeared to be Rose, expressed concern to the dispatcher that police would kill him.

During a second emergency call, the dispatcher reportedly instructed the 911 caller to roll down a window, NBC reported, to which the caller replied: I did that the last time, and all of them had their guns pointed at me. You think I feel safe?

The incident report states that the driver did not cooperate when instructed to get down on the ground after being repeatedly asked to exit the car, which he eventually did.

Video released by the highway patrol shows Rose in front of troopers with his hands in the air. Speakman, the Circleville officer handling the police dog, warns the 23-year-old to go on the ground or youre going to get bit, as a highway trooper tells Rose to come to me.

Do not release the dog with his hands up! a trooper yells multiple times before Speakman turns the K-9 loose. Rose falls to his knees as the dog approaches, and the man appears to get bitten.

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The Ohio highway patrol said Rose could spend up to 18 months in prison if convicted of the fourth-degree felony of failing to comply with an instruction or signal of a police officer. He is currently free on bond.

On Wednesday, the White House described the video capturing his attack as tragic and disturbing and expressed sympathy for Rose and his loved ones.

The president has been clear about the urgent need for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to strengthen public safety by promoting accountability and increasing trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, said Robyn Patterson, assistant White House press secretary, NBC reported.

The Circleville Police Department noted in its statement that the use of force review board for the department found that Speakman followed the canine protocol during Roses apprehension and arrest. But they emphasized that the boards sole responsibility is to ascertain whether an employee acted in accordance with police policies and procedures. It cannot make discipline recommendations.

We know the video of the incident is upsetting and has drawn significant attention and comments, including Gov. Mike DeWine raising the issue of training, the police statement said, adding that the police departments canines and officers receive training per standards recognized by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.

In short, it said, we meet or exceed all current Ohio laws and standards for police training for our canine teams.

The Ohio Patrolmens Benevolent Association said on Facebook that the senior counsel for the union had lodged a grievance, alleging the Circleville Police Department fired Speakman without just cause. The union claimed his termination was contrary to the mandatory principles of progressive discipline.

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The post Ohio cop fired for letting dog attack 23-year-old Jadarrius Rose appeared first on TheGrio.
July 26 (UPI) -- An Ohio police officer who released a police dog that mauled a surrendering Black man has been fired from the department where he worked.

The officer, Ryan Speakman, was fired "effective immediately" and "did not meet the standards and expectations" of the Circleville Police Department, officials told ABC News and NBC News.

Jadarrius Rose, a 23-year-old truck driver from Tennessee, was driving his commercial semi-truck through the city on July 4 when officers allegedly tried to pull him over for a missing mudflap for one of his tires.

Rose led police on a chase before eventually exiting the truck and kneeling on the ground with his hands up to surrender to the officers, it was previously reported. He was later revealed to have been on the phone with 911 dispatchers, telling them he feared for his life.

An officer, believed to be Speakman, could be heard on police body camera footage telling Rose he would be bitten by the K9 if he did not comply.

"Do not release the dog with his hands up," a law enforcement officer can be heard directing Speakman multiple times before the dog was released and attacked Rose.

Rose can be heard in the footage screaming in pain and calling for the officers to get the dog off him.

Rose has been charged with failing to comply with an order or signal of a police officer and faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

The Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, a local union for police officers in the state, said in a brief statement that Speakman was terminated "without just cause." The union has filed a grievance on his behalf.

Protesters plan to demonstrate outside the Circleville Police Department on Saturday, according to the Facebook page for Dismantle Circleville Police.

"In the wake of the termination of former officer Ryan Speakman from the Circleville Police Department, our resolve for justice has only grown stronger," the posting reads.

"We have faith in the Department of Justice to thoroughly investigate Speakman's actions and to indict him if warranted, and we firmly believe that indictment is necessary."
The Ohio officer who was handling a police dog that mauled a Black man after he surrendered to authorities with his hands raised has been fired, authorities said Wednesday.

Circleville Police Officer Ryan Speakman released the dog when Jadarrius Rose was stopped on July 4, police said in a statement.

"Officer Speakman did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers. Officer Speakman has been terminated from the department, effective immediately," the statement said.

Speakman could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

The Ohio Patrolmens Benevolent Association said on Facebook that Speakman had been terminated without just cause and that the union's senior counsel had filed a grievance.

Speakman was fired contrary to mandatory principles of progressive discipline, the union said.

The police department's Use of Force Review Board determined the canine policy was followed during the apprehension and the arrest, the statement said.

Police added: "Its important to understand that the Review Board is charged only with determining whether an employees actions in the use of force incident were within department policies and procedures. The Review Board does not have the authority to recommend discipline."

"We know the video of the incident is upsetting and has attracted widespread attention and comments, including Gov. Mike DeWine raising the issue of training," police said, adding that the department's dogs and officers are trained to Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission-recognized standards.

"In short, we meet or exceed all current Ohio laws and standards for police training for our canine teams."

Rose, 23, was driving a semi-tractor trailer when a Motor Carrier Enforcement inspector with the State Highway Patrol tried to stop him because the trailer was missing a left rear mud flap, according to an incident report.

Troopers used tire-deflating devices called stop sticks twice before his vehicle stopped.

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Rose told a trooper who was commanding him to get out of his vehicle that he was on the phone with 911, the incident report said.

A 911 caller who appeared to be Rose told a dispatcher that he feared officers would kill him.

During a second call to 911, a caller was advised to roll down a window, according to audio from the call. I did that the last time and all of them had their guns pointed at me. You think I feel safe? the caller said.

The driver was ordered several times to get out of the vehicle and eventually did, and he did not comply when he was told to "get down on the ground," the incident report says.

In video released by the highway patrol, Rose is seen in front of troopers with his hands in the air.

A Circleville police officer with a dog can be heard telling Rose to go on the ground or youre gonna get bit. Meanwhile, a highway patrol trooper instructs Rose to come to me.

Do not release the dog with his hands up! a trooper is heard yelling multiple times before the dog is released.

Rose drops to his knees as the dog comes toward him and appears to be bitten by the animal.

Get it off! Rose repeatedly screams.

Get the dog off of him! a trooper yells.

Rose was charged with failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a fourth-degree felony, according to the highway patrol, and could face six to 18 months in prison. He was arraigned and is free on bond.

The White House called the video tragic and disturbing Wednesday.

"Our hearts go out to Jadarrius Rose and his loved ones. ... The president has been clear about the urgent need for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to strengthen public safety by promoting accountability and increasing trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve," said Robyn Patterson, an assistant press secretary.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Millions of dollars are pouring into Ohio for a ballot measure that has become a proxy war for abortion rights.

The measure, known as Issue 1, would raise the threshold for future ballot initiatives  moving the requirement for passage from a simple majority to 60 percent of the vote.

In normal times, such a change would probably not prompt such massive levels of expenditures, nor national attention, especially as its being considered in an otherwise sleepy special election.

But these are not normal times. The push to pass Issue 1 is widely seen as an attempt by Republicans in the state to effectively block a separate initiative for abortion rights that is set to be considered this November. As such, its prompting a massive arms raise between heavy-hitting groups on each side of the debate.

One Person One Vote raised $14.8 million as part of its effort to oppose Issue 1, according to reports filed with the secretary of states office on Thursday. Protect Our Constitution, the group in support of Issue 1, raised $4.9 million. Money is not the only factor in a successful campaign, but the influx of financial support is a reassuring sign for the opposition campaign.

Both sides received substantial funds from out-of-state donors. Most of Protect Our Constitutions funds  $4 million  came from Illinois-based GOP megadonor Richard Uihlein.

We have a captive audience who are engaged, who are energized, who are enthusiastic and are ready to take action immediately, said Jeff Rusnak, a strategist for Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, one of the groups spearheading the abortion rights measure. Itd be one thing if there was nothing else going on and everybody was asleep, then, OK, how do you capture their attention in August? But they weren't. It was the exact opposite of that.

How Issue 1 fares when it comes for a vote on Aug. 8 will be an early indication of whether the post-Dobbs energy on abortion rights still turns out voters.

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Pro-abortion rights causes have prevailed in states across the country, as well as earlier this year in Wisconsin, leading to an ideological flip on the state Supreme Court. But there is uncertainty as to whether the pattern will hold true the further away the Supreme Courts decision gets.

Abortion rights activists in the state had hoped to ride that post-Dobbs backlash when they submitted more than 700,000 signatures to codify the right to abortion in the state constitution as part of the ballot initiative to be voted on in November. But the August election could have dramatic implications for that measure.

Supporters of Issue 1 maintain that its a good government measure  one that doesnt just have to do with abortion. They argue that major changes to the state Constitution should hit higher benchmarks than a simple majority, as is the case with the U.S. Constitution itself.

The founders of our nation wisely put in place a 75 percent threshold for states to ratify constitutional amendments, said Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who is running for Senate, and who has been campaigning in support of the issue. I do know that to change the founding document of our state, you should build in a broader consensus, young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural, Republican and Democrat, and to get to that 60 percent, you have to do that.

Its a line of messaging that Protect Our Constitution has seized on, too. In a television ad released earlier this week, the group called the 50 percent threshold way too easy.

Indeed, if a 60 percent threshold were in place in other states that took up abortion rights on the ballot last year, they might not have passed. Ohios effort is most similar to Michigan, which passed a ballot initiative in November to proactively codify abortion rights in the constitution there. That measure received around 57 percent of the vote last year.

A USA Today/Suffolk University survey of 500 likely Ohio voters conducted earlier this month found that 58 percent back the abortion rights amendment. That same Suffolk poll shows that 57 percent of Ohioans are against Issue 1. Democrats and independents largely disapprove of the issue, while Republicans are more split. In the poll, 41 percent of Republicans opposed Issue 1, compared with 38 percent who supported it. Former Republican governors, including John Kasich and Bob Taft, have spoken out against the proposal.

National liberal groups have taken up opposing Issue 1, casting it as a back-door attempt to keep abortion rights restricted. For us, this is the marriage of the fight between the fight against reproductive freedom and the fight against democracy, said Yasmin Radjy, executive director of the Democratic grassroots organizing group Swing Left.

Supporters of Issue 1 have seized on the fact that national interests are getting involved in the race, bolstering its argument that a higher threshold is needed to protect the states constitution. Protect Women Ohio, a coalition of anti-abortion rights groups that would benefit from Issue 1 passing, took aim at out-of-state interests in ads amounting to $3 million.

President of Ohio Right to Life Mike Gonidakis said, It should come as no surprise that the other side is focusing on abortion to mobilize as many people as they can.

The Ohio Republican Party has been rallying voters to cast their ballots early in support of Issue 1, but it may not be enough. Democrats have historically utilized early voting more than Republicans, and counties that are typically Democratic strongholds are leading early voting turnout. More than 286,000 voters have already cast a ballot for the Aug. 8 special election, according to data from the Secretary of States office. Thats more than the 263,000 votes that were cast early for a May 2022 primary election, when a competitive Republican Senate primary was on the ballot.

For opponents of Issue 1, theres no denying that abortion rights is an animating issue for their base. But they also emphasize the potential wide-ranging impact of the measure.

Dennis Willard, One Person One Votes spokesperson, said that the coalition asked groups to emphasize the democracy threat when speaking to voters. Opponents of Issue 1 also view it as the first battle of 2024, when abortion will be a factor in competitive Senate and House races.

We've got to make sure that that momentum in August is a positive wind that gets us through November of 2024, Radjy of Swing Left said. I really think that Ohio can be on the track that Wisconsin and Michigan are in terms of really building robust, talented Democratic infrastructure, and I think this election will be really critical for continuing that momentum.

Ally Mutnick contributed to this report.
The Oklahoma City Police Department noticed an increase in gun theft out of cars last year.

Oklahoma City police are increasingly alarmed by the growing number of guns being stolen from vehicles.

The Oklahoma City Police Department noticed an increase in gun theft out of cars last year, and between June and December 2022, the burglary unit began tracking this more closely. During that time period, there were 364 guns stolen out of vehicles. Of those, 227 were stolen out of unlocked vehicles.

"The real thing that is most concerning to me when you look at those numbers, is I can assure you that's not all of them," Police Chief Wade Gourley said. "Because I think there's a lot of people that get their guns stolen, and they don't report it because they may not want anybody to know that that gun was stolen."

He added the people who steal firearms are typically those who can't purchase a gun for legal reasons.

"So they're going to steal those guns, they go into a marketplace that caters to other criminals, and we wind up finding those guns committing crimes," Gourley said.

A 9mm handgun sits in a car Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

This new data comes as part of the department's 2022 annual report it began releasing in 2020, during a time when residents began paying closer attention to their local police departments.

The report gave a status update on the department's progress in halting major crimes like gun thefts and violent crime, as well as improving crisis intervention and mental health response.

Heres an alarming stat from our 2022 Annual Report.



Unprecedented increase in gun thefts from vehicles last year. When possible, remove your weapons from vehicles and put in a secure place. pic.twitter.com/bMpvN7S14e  Oklahoma City Police (@OKCPD) July 18, 2023

Police officers deploying Narcan much more often

Oklahoma City police officer Sgt. Dustin Wright shows a packaged Narcan nasal spray on Aug. 9, 2022. Wright gives Narcan nasal spray to hotel clerks in case of an overdose of a guest.

As the state tries to increase awareness around the dangers of fentanyl and especially fentanyl-laced pills, Oklahoma City reported a massive jump in using the anti-overdose medication Narcan in 2022.

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In 2022, officers used Narcan 135 times, nearly twice the number in 2021. Just a few years earlier, in 2015, police only used Narcan twice.

Deployments have been growing at the same time the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control reports fentanyl being the "fastest rising killer" among drug overdoses in the state.

In 2022, Oklahoma City police conducted 90 fentanyl death investigations, seized 54 pounds of fentanyl and made 235 felony fentanyl arrests.

A fentanyl test kit vending machine is pictured June 5 in Oklahoma City.

In June, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services officials began installing vending machines across the state with Narcan and fentanyl testing strips as part of its Harm Reduction campaign.

Fewer people called police for mental health concerns

Though the department responded to 18,708 calls mental health calls in 2022, police pointed out that this is a 12.4% decrease over last year.

Chief Wade Gourley largely attributes this decrease to a focus on mental health resources from the state Legislature and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Department, as well as the onset of Oklahoma's Mental Health Lifeline 988.

Reaching the right help: After 988 lifeline went live, OKCPD responded to fewer mental health calls

988 Mental Health Lifeline workers are pictured July 27, 2022.

The state Legislature changed a law that limited mental health emergency transports to only be done by police officers. Now, the mental health agency has funds to do those transports itself.

"I think those transports are probably one of the biggest things that's helping us, and then of course 988," Gourley said. "I feel like people are becoming more aware of that, and instead of calling 911, they're calling 988 to respond to those mental health calls. I expect those numbers to continue to go down."

Of the nearly 19,000 calls police responded to, about 1% led to a person being arrested or taken to the Public Inebriate Alternative. The alternative offers people who've been picked up for public intoxication 10 hours of detox as an alternative to jail.

In more than 3,700 cases, people in mental health crisis met criteria for protective custody and were taken by police to receive immediate services. For more than 62% of calls, the person didn't meet criteria for protective custody, didn't want to go to the hospital or the call was unfounded in some way.

Officers trained in crisis intervention increasing

One of the 39 reform recommendations given to the police department by a city-hired consultant was to increase the number of officers trained in crisis intervention.

Officers trained in crisis intervention learn how to safely de-escalate a mental health crisis, determine whether the person needs emergency treatment and get them the treatment as soon as possible, according to the state mental health agency.

Now, the number of Oklahoma City crisis intervention trained officers is 387, or 35% of the force. New recruits also receive the 5-day, 40-hour training once they complete the police academy.

Anyone with the training and two years of field experience is eligible to join the crisis intervention team, though right now the number of trained officers exceeds the team's capacity, the police annual report said.

As desire to join police force wanes, department gets creative in filling positions

Recruits wait for inspection Jan. 20, 2023, the first day for new recruits at the Police Training Center in Oklahoma City.

According to the annual report, staffing levels were "critical" in 2022.

Only 1,097 of 1,235 police officer positions were filled during the year. So, Gourley said, his department has had to get creative in beefing up staff.

"There are areas where you've got a sworn police officer doing a function that really a non-sworn individual can do," Gourley said. "So as those jobs are vacated, we moved those positions back out to the field, and then fill that with a non-sworn person. ... I think we've added the last time I checked, somewhere around 59 non-sworn positions."

Shortages are nothing new for the department and police forces across the nation, which all face a lack of people wanting to become police officers.

In 2021, an increase in voluntary exits was driven partially by concerns about legal repercussions and negative public opinions. At a recent news conference, Gourley attributed part of the current staff levels to more people wanting to work from home or with a hybrid model.

"That's creating issues because you have to show up for work if you want to be an Oklahoma City police officer," Gourley said. "The positive in that for us is when people do apply, it's people that really want to be police officers. They're not just looking for a job."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police report more gun thefts from cars, use of Narcan
An Oklahoma man has been arrested in connection to a July 4 fire in Georgia, according to Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King.

Nexus Christian, 50, of Durant, Oklahoma, was arrested on July 19.

It happened behind a structure on South Church Street in downtown Thomaston, according to officials.

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Surveillance cameras caught footage of Christian in the early hours of the morning on July 4.

At 2:54 AM, local surveillance footage captured a single vehicle pulling into the parking lot of the structure and then speeding away two minutes later, said Commissioner King. The fire quickly spread throughout the property, which was a complete loss as a result of the blaze. Anyone with information on this fire or the vehicle pictured should call the Georgia Arson Control .

The Upson County Sheriffs Office and the Thomaston Police and Fire Departments assisted in this case,

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Christian was charged with arson, fraudulent insurance claims, criminal damage to property and obstruction.

Christian will be taken back to Georgia by the State Fire Marshals Fire Investigations Unit and placed in the Upson County Sheriffs Office detention facility where he will stay until his first court appearance.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A SAIC Volkswagen ID.6 X is displayed at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in east China's Shanghai, April 24, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]



The Volkswagen Group, Germany's leading carmaker, said on Wednesday that it aims to strengthen cooperation with local Chinese partners to exploit the booming electric vehicle (EV) market.

The company is acquiring a 4.99 percent stake in the Chinese electric vehicle startup XPeng by way of a capital increase worth around 700 million U.S. dollars. Simultaneously, the group's Audi brand has signed a strategic memorandum with its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC to further expand their existing cooperation.

"The aim is to swiftly tap into new customer and market segments, thereby systematically leveraging the potential of China's dynamically growing e-mobility market," said the group in a press release.

The deepening of the partnership in China is in line with the company's "in China for China" strategy, it added.

According to a technological framework agreement with XPeng, two Volkswagen-branded electric models for the mid-sized segment will be rolled out in 2026 in China. Audi, on the other hand, will also expedite its efforts "to extend the portfolio of fully connected electric vehicles on offer in the premium segment swiftly and efficiently."

Commenting on the move, Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Volkswagen Group China, said that "Local partnerships are an important building block in the Volkswagen Group's 'in China for China' strategy. We are now accelerating the expansion of our local electric portfolio and at the same time preparing for the next innovation step."

The group decided to step up its efforts in China at a time when its sales slipped slightly by 2 percent in the Asian country during the first half of 2023. At a meeting of the company's managers held earlier this month, Thomas Schaefer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, warned that the coming weeks and months will be very tough.
The oldest Black intercollegiate fraternity in the nation, Alpha Phi Alpha, is moving its 2025 convention out of Florida, citing Gov. Ron DeSantis harmful, racist and insensitive policies against the Black community. Photo courtesy of Alpha Phi Alpha

July 26 (UPI) -- The oldest Black intercollegiate fraternity in the country is moving its 2025 convention out of Florida, citing what it said was Gov. Ron DeSantis' "harmful, racist and insensitive policies against the Black community."

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, which was founded in 1906 at Cornell University and whose membership includes civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall, announced the convention's relocation from Orlando on Wednesday.

"Although we are moving our convention from Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to support the strong advocacy of Alpha brothers and other advocates fighting against the continued assault on our communities in Florida by Gov. Ron DeSantis," the fraternity's General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III, said in a statement.

Alpha Phi Alpha's 99th General Convention and 119th Anniversary Convention in Orlando was expected to generate several million dollars for the state, according to the fraternity.

"Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has an unmatched legacy of social justice, advocacy and leadership for the Black community," Lonzer said. "In this environment of manufactured division and attacks on the Black community, Alpha Phi Alpha refuses to direct a projected $4.6 million convention economic impact to a place hostile to the communities we serve."

In announcing that the oldest Black intercollegiate fraternity in the country is moving its 2025 convention out of Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity cited what it called Gov. Ron DeSantis' 'harmful, racist and insensitive policies against the Black community.' File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Among the Florida policies Alpha Phi Alpha blasted is the state's recent approval of African American history standards for schools. The fraternity says the new curriculum "erases Florida's role in slavery and oppression, blames the victims, and declares that African Americans who endured slavery benefitted from the horrific and torturous institution."

In May, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida, calling the state "openly hostile" to African Americans. On Wednesday, Alpha Phi Alpha called Florida a "barrage of harmful and discriminatory policies on protests, voting rights, education, and diversity, equity and inclusion."

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Alpha Phi Alpha is currently holding its 2023 convention this week in Dallas, where fraternity leadership is highlighting the ongoing fight for social justice on behalf of African Americans and other marginalized communities.

While Alpha Phi Alpha has not revealed a new location for its 2025 convention, the fraternity urged its Twitter followers to spread the word that Florida is out.

"Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. moves 2025 General Convention from Orlando, Fla., due to Gov. DeSantis' harmful, racist and insensitive policies against the Black community. Please share."
[Source]

After trying to look like a Barbie doll, British internet personality Oli London says he is now happily living as Ken.

Background: London, 33, rose to fame in 2018 after undergoing dozens of surgeries to resemble BTS member Jimin. Last year, he apologized to the K-pop idol and the Asian community for his overly obsessive behavior and subsequently announced that he was detransitioning from identifying as a Korean woman to a British man. Since then, he has spoken against woke culture, blaming it for causing his struggles with gender dysphoria and physical appearance. Earlier this year, he released a memoir titled Detransition.

In one of his recent takes, London criticized Bud Light and Target for allegedly forcing a gender agenda. This, he believes, has alienated their customer bases.

Nobody judges people based on their identity as an adult. But people take issue when people try to force it down people's throats or when they're trying to push this into society, to normalize it with kids and to confuse people, London told Fox News Digital.

More from NextShark: Jay Park drops new single Candy featuring Zion. T

The latest: In a new interview with the Daily Mail, London shared that his past also involved attempts to look like a Barbie doll. As he detransitions, London said he now resembles Ken, the iconic dolls partner.

Last year I was living as a Barbie after I came out as trans, but now I am back to living as Ken since de-transitioning and becoming a man again, London told the outlet. He added that he regrets his surgeries  which left him with paralysed facial muscle movements  but he is now happy with my Ken look and small nose and eyes.

Londons Ken has also found a partner in his best friend Aliia Roza, who has been styling herself as Barbie.

More from NextShark: First full official trailer for live-action Cowboy Bebop released by Netflix

"Aliia has spent millions over the years to live her life as a real Barbie," he was quoted saying. "We both attended the Cannes Film Festival last year as Barbies. But this year, since I de-transitioned to become a man again, we are like Barbie and Ken and had custom-made matching outfits which we wear for red carpets at Cannes Film Festival and Venice Film Festival and any other special events."

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Bot's Club

The AI industry big boys just formed a brand new table at the Silicon Valley cafeteria.

OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, in addition to the Google-owned DeepMind and buzzy startup Anthropic have together formed The Frontier Model Forum, an industry-led body that, per a press release, claims to be seeking to enforce the "safe and responsible development" of AI.

"Companies creating AI technology have a responsibility to ensure that it is safe, secure, and remains under human control," Microsoft president Brad Smith said in the statement. "This initiative is a vital step to bring the tech sector together in advancing AI responsibly and tackling the challenges so that it benefits all of humanity."

In other words, it's a stab at AI industry self-regulation. But while it is good to see major industry players join forces to establish some best practices for responsible AI development, self-regulation has some serious limitations. After all, with no ability for the government to actually enforce any of the Frontier Model Forum's rules through actions like sanctions, fines, or criminal proceedings, the body, at least for now, is mostly symbolic. Extracurricular group activity energy.

Self-Regulation Station

It's also worth noting that some notable names were left out from the jump. The Mark Zuckerberg-helmed Meta-formerly-Facebook apparently isn't a member of the club, while Elon Musk and his newly-launched xAI, which was  sigh  apparently developed to "understand reality," were both left on the sidelines. (That said, though Meta, which has some pretty advanced models on deck, might have some room to complain about the snub, Musk and his stonerbot probably don't.)

The Forum does say that others can sit with them in the future, as long as they're making what the group deems to be "frontier models"  defined by the group as "large-scale machine-learning models that exceed the capabilities currently present in the most advanced existing models, and can perform a wide variety of tasks"  and promise to commit to a general and mostly unspecified commitment to safety and responsibility.

Again, we can't say it isn't good to see these kinds of discussions happening between major AI firms. But we also can't overstate the fact that these are all for-profit companies with a financial incentive to churn out AI products, and non-binding self-regulation is far from real and industry-wide government rules and oversight. Is it a start? Sure! But let's not let the buck stop here.

More on AI regulation: Ex-Google CEO Says We Should Trust AI Industry to Self-Regulate
Staci Robison poses for a photo at her home in Lehi on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

On July 27, the United States will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, which effectively suspended the Korean War (19501953).

Many refer to the Korean War as the Silent War, with its long-lasting impacts unknown to the larger population. Among the most prominent impacts, Korean families were displaced and separated in the violence, chaos and poverty of war. Many parents experienced a total lack of economic and social support to keep children with their families.

Seeing the plight of these children, Bertha and Harry Holt from Oregon secured a special act of Congress to create a class of children as war orphans, thereby allowing them to bring children to the United States. Even after the cessation of conflict, the U.S. became the primary destination for children whose families were not able or willing to care for their children, resulting in more than 160,000 South Korean children being adopted to the U.S.

We, the authors of this op-ed, were adopted by Utah families between 1960 and 1980 from South Korea. Our American parents hoped for us to have a better life than they thought we would have in Korea. This implicitly included the promises that U.S. citizenship offers. But those promises required that parents completed extra steps beyond adoption in order for us to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Staci Robison was born in South Korea in 1975, and adopted by a family in Utah six months later. Over the next several years, her parents adopted five more children through international and domestic adoptions. Her parents raised them in a loving home in Utah County. But in her 20s when Robison went to file for a U.S. passport, she and her parents were shocked to find out she was not a U.S. citizen. Her parents had been told by the adoption agency in 1975 that her citizenship requirements were met as part of the adoption process. Her parents were appalled that they had not known about the extra steps required to make their children U.S. citizens.

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Robison and her internationally adopted siblings found that lack of citizenship created many limitations, producing uncertainty and fear of being separated from family. Robison could not travel internationally, she had difficulty renewing her drivers license, applying for certain loans and finding jobs due to limited options.

It took several years and multiple attorneys to obtain the documentation necessary to apply for citizenship. For many years, she had to live on a resident card, which had to be renewed often. Last year, at age 46, she was finally able to obtain her U.S. citizenship. But, she should have never had to go through this ordeal.

A photo album seen at Staci Robisons Lehi home on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, shows photographs from June 16, 1976, as she arrived from Korea at Salt Lake City International Airport and first met her adoptive parents, Roland and Deanne Robison. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

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Adoption service providers should have ensured that each adoptive family was guided through obtaining their childs citizenship. Inconsistency in follow-up services meant some international adoptees became citizens while others remained in limbo despite being legally adopted by American citizens. This problem creates an unfair disparity between internationally adopted children and biologically born or domestically adopted children.

Adoptees without citizenship are being held responsible and endure the legal, economic, and psychological disadvantages of being marginalized as noncitizens. The responsibility, however, truly lies with the governments, agencies, service providers, legal counsel, guardians and court officers who facilitated intercountry adoption.

Adoptees without citizenship face hardships, including difficulty obtaining jobs, accessing loans for education or housing, or receiving public benefits including social security, medical care and legal justice  despite having contributed to these benefits through their labor and taxes.

Voting and obtaining drivers licenses are often unavailable. Even worse, more than 50 intercountry adoptees have been separated from their families and communities and forcibly deported to countries where they do not know the language or culture, and lack financial and emotional support systems.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 sought to correct this gap by granting citizenship to adopted individuals who were under 18 years of age on its date of enactment  those born on or before Feb. 27, 1983. Unfortunately, due to the arbitrary age cutoff date, an estimated tens of thousands of adult intercountry adoptees born before that date were still left without citizenship, with a significant portion of these being Korean American adoptees.

The Adoptee Citizenship Act, a proposed legislation to close the gap left by the Child Citizenship Act, is a straightforward, commonsense policy solution that changes the effective date of the currently-existing Child Citizenship Act. It ensures that internationally adopted individuals  regardless of age  have the same basic citizenship rights as their parents biologically born and domestically adopted children.

In 2022, with wide bipartisan support, the Adoptee Citizenship Act came closer than ever to passing in Congress. On Feb. 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Adoptee Citizenship Act as an amendment to the America COMPETES Act of 2022. In this new legislative session, international adoptees all over the country are encouraging our congressional leaders to finally pass the Adoptee Citizenship Act in the U.S. Senate and the House.

We applaud Utah Congressional Rep. John Curtis for being lead co-sponsor on the Adoptee Citizenship Act last session. Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, was also a co-sponsor of the bill. Our state leaders have also been vocal on this issue. On Feb. 17, 2022, Gov. Spencer Cox signed the Utah Concurrent Resolution to support internationally adopted individuals. This resolution was unanimously passed by the Utah State Senate and the Utah House of Representatives.

We recognize the immense losses caused by the Korean War. Over the decades, we have made Utah our home and cherish Utahs family values. They are, in fact, why we continue to grow and raise our families here. Our American parents raised us and our siblings as legal, social and familial equals. We call on all of Utahs congressional leaders, including Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney, to make this a reality for all international adoptees by becoming a co-sponsor and ensuring the passage of the Adoptee Citizenship Act as soon as possible.

Staci Robison is a paralegal at a Chicago-based tech company. Sara Jones is CEO of InclusionPro. Shelly Johnson is executive vice president of Zions Bank. Jini Roby is a BYU professor emeritus of social work and an international consultant. Kari Holt Larson is vice president of community events for the Utah Jazz. All of the authors are international adoptees from South Korea, raised in Utah, and current Utah residents.
Protesters outside the Supreme Court after it stuck down President Biden's student debt relief program on June 30 in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Some 44 million Americans owe $1.6 trillion in student loan debt, and more than 7 million of them were in default prior to the pandemic repayment pause. This crushing burden is associated with reduced homeownership, degraded credit ratings, and delayed marriage and childbearing. The Biden administrations effort to cancel $430 billion of student loan debt, however, was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Although advocates have pushed for blanket student loan forgiveness, a one-time loan cancellation was never going to be a lasting solution to the challenge of financing higher education in the U.S.

We still need to figure out how to help students invest in their education without saddling them with crushing debt in the first place. A critical step forward would be to replace the existing loan system with a standard repayment plan that aligns payments with a borrowers ability to pay.

Read more: Goldberg: Why stopping Biden's student loan forgiveness plan is healthy for politics

Funding for postsecondary education in the U.S. comes from the public sector as well as from private gifts, contracts, student tuition and fees. But state and local contributions have not kept pace with the increase in cost. In 1980, tuition and fees paid by students represented only 13% of the cost of education at public institutions; by 2020, this share had risen to nearly 20%. Students and their families have increasingly borrowed to cover the cost.

There are many proposals for making higher education more affordable, such as offering free (two-year) community college or eliminating student loans altogether. Given that postsecondary schooling yields benefits for all of society  through greater tax contributions, higher productivity, reduced dependence on the social welfare system, and so forth  some public subsidization of the cost of higher education makes sense.

At the same time, it also makes sense for students to bear some responsibility for a share of the cost of the education, which produces benefits, such as a boost lifetime earnings. Given the substantial return on investment, it is appropriate that loans remain in financial aid packages.

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Read more: Opinion: The Supreme Court rewrote the law so that it could stop student loan forgiveness

But the standard federal student loan does not align with the economic realities of postsecondary schooling and the labor market. And, though education is an investment that does not pay off for everyone, students face complex and limited options for reducing repayment burdens and are prohibited from discharging the debt through bankruptcy.

Equally important, the standard repayment plan expects students to repay their loans over the first 10 years of their careers, before most have hit their peak earnings. Even for those whose investment pays off over time, the financial burden may be too high during the repayment period.

Aiming to solve these problems, Congress and the Department of Education have, over time, created several income-driven repayment programs  a bipartisan idea that arose decades ago, when it was endorsed by economists across the political spectrum. Unlike a mortgage, which requires borrowers to pay a predetermined amount each month, income-driven repayment plans set the payment at a percentage of borrowers income. Under a well-designed plan, borrowers who fall on hard times or select an occupation that does not pay well (such as working in the public sector) would be able to repay what they can of their loans without undue financial hardship.

But the existing plans are not optimally designed. Borrowers must opt into such a plan over the standard repayment plan. Payments are based on the prior years income, which means they do not seamlessly adjust to changes in borrowers earnings and employment circumstances. Nor do they automatically adjust to borrowers current hardships, necessitating complicated forbearance and deferment rules and requiring annual recertification. Further, the plans have different eligibility rules, payment rates, repayment periods and definitions of discretionary income. As a result, choosing a plan is so confusing that to date only a minority of eligible borrowers take advantage of them.

Read more: Op-Ed: Higher education as a path out of poverty is now more myth than reality

As a stopgap measure, the Biden administration has introduced Saving on a Valuable Education, a larger, more generous income-driven repayment plan than the existing options. The hope is that the new program will be so obviously advantageous that more students will sign up for it. But SAVE is far from perfect. It will not be the default plan, and it still bases payments on the past years income. As a result, it is not clear how effective it will be at addressing the countrys student debt crisis and higher-education financing challenges.

More to the point, SAVE is an expensive plan layered on top of a labyrinth of other student loan options. That brings us to the larger problem: The Department of Education cannot simply eliminate plans created by Congress. Genuinely transforming federal student loans requires Congress to phase out all existing income-driven payment plans and replace them with a well-structured plan as the default. Ideally, such a plan would be administratively straightforward and designed to encourage students to assume a responsible level of debt to pay for valuable education programs.

While even a well-designed plan would not solve all the problems in the financing of higher education in the U.S., making income-driven repayment the default plan for student loans would be a huge improvement, and is a reform that both parties should be able to get behind.

Cecilia Elena Rouse, former chair of President Bidens Council of Economic Advisors, is a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University.

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.
An audience member wears a UFO pin during a House Oversight and Accountability subcommittee hearing on UFOs on Wednesday. (Nathan Howard / Associated Press)

Wednesdays hearing from a congressional subcommittee probing unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP, introduced a new chapter in an ongoing saga.

For almost six years now, newspapers, cable news and social media have regaled us with stories about military encounters with strange aircraft and secret government UFO programs. The fallout has led to the creation of a new government office to track UAP sightings (the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office or AARO) and an independent study panel to advise NASA on the phenomenon. Even the National Archives and Records Administration has been digitizing government records on unidentified flying objects over the past few months.

The hearing, held by the House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border and Foreign Affairs, gave speaking time to three witnesses: former Navy pilots David Fravor and Ryan Graves and former intelligence official David Grusch. All three had already spoken to the media about their experiences, but this was public testimony under oath.

Gruschs allegations were by far the most explosive, claiming that the government had access to crashed nonhuman technology with biologics aboard and that the artifacts were being reverse engineered. Grusch admitted, however, Im speaking to the facts as Ive been told them. Afterward, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) congratulated the three men and announced, We made history today.

Read more: Congress is getting serious about UFOs. Just don't call them that

Just how historic the hearing was is up for debate. Yes, it was novel to have Congress hear openly from some UFO witnesses who appear sincere and credible. But there wasnt much new information shared, and Grusch balked when he was asked to give details about his most stunning claims in an open forum. If the Twitterverse (X-verse?) is a reliable guide, both UFO believers and skeptics came away unshaken in their views  showing the limits of pushing to shine a light on this issue.

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Discussion about UFOs has always been about more than just the prospect of alien visitors, and this time was no different. From the outset, both Republicans and Democrats invoked one word to highlight what the hearing was all about: transparency. Representatives insisted on greater transparency from the military, from the intelligence community and from private defense contractors.

The demand for greater government openness about UFOs has a long history, dating back to the very first wave of flying saucer sightings in 1947. But while many have beaten the drum for transparency  inspiring whats been called the disclosure movement by a largely online community  this goal has been stubbornly elusive.

There are a number of reasons for this.

For one thing, both military and intelligence officials in the U.S., South America and Europe have historically downplayed UFO sightings while also keeping a good deal of information about them classified. While the classification is not exactly surprising from government agencies, some observers have seen in this an indication of what Burchett called a cover-up.

As far back as the 1960s, however, others like atmospheric physicist James McDonald believed governments blase attitude toward UFOs stemmed from incompetence and ignorance. He and astronomer J. Allen Hynek were of the view that the only solution lay in having civilian scientists take the lead in examining the phenomenon, comparable to the panel of civilian scientists recently appointed to advise NASA.

Read more: Op-Ed: NASA studying UFOs wont prove alien life exists. They should do it anyway

Another factor complicating the pursuit of transparency is politics. Secrecy has been an indelible part of all modern states and became only more pronounced during World War II and the Cold War (just watch "Oppenheimer"). While those demanding disclosure often claim to be scrutinizing the deficiencies of government at large, the targets tend to be the policies of specific administrations.

The hearing Wednesday provided an example of this very thing. While lip service was paid to nonpartisanship, both Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) used the occasion to castigate the Biden administration for its handling of the Chinese balloon incident back in February, with Foxx dubbing it a "fiasco." The call for openness is sometimes just partisan politics by other means.

Finally, transparency doesnt guarantee clarity and consensus, especially not on a topic as consequential as whether UFOs and aliens are real.

In 1994, the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force released the results of its investigation into the famous Roswell Incident of 1947, concluding witnesses had been mistaken about the existence of flying saucer crash and alien body retrievals in New Mexico. Files from the Air Forces old UFO investigation, Project Blue Book, have long been publicly available.

In fact, across the globe countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand and Spain have released thousands of pages of declassified UFO-related documents. Between 2008 and 2013, the U.K. released around 60,000 pages of its Ministry of Defenses UFO reports and correspondence.

Yet despite this, UFO enthusiasts and researchers have not always agreed on how to interpret the released documents and have continued to accuse officials of holding back key records.

Without a doubt, the hearing has left advocates of disclosure emboldened to carry on the cause. Yet it remains to be seen just how illuminating transparency will ever be.

Greg Eghigian is a professor of history and bioethics at Penn State University and the author of After the Flying Saucers Came: A Global History of the UFO Phenomenon, forthcoming in 2024.

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.
Editors Note: David A. Andelman, a contributor to CNN, twice winner of the Deadline Club Award, is a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, author of A Red Line in the Sand: Diplomacy, Strategy, and the History of Wars That Might Still Happen and blogs at Andelman Unleashed. He formerly was a foreign correspondent for The New York Times and CBS News. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

Back in the 1980s, when I first began living in Paris, I once had to clamber onto the tiny exterior staircase that surrounds the Eiffel Tower and is used to paint or repair it.

David Andelman - CNN

There, hanging out over the city some thousand feet up, I filmed my on-camera segment for CBS about engineering work on the tower. A nightmare assignment for a journalist with acrophobia.

Still, at that time, nothing could have impelled me to risk a swim in that other iconic Parisian sight  the Seine River  not without a full biohazard suit.

And nothing now could get me into the river that has all the romance of One Thousand and One Nights as it winds its magical eight miles through Paris and off into the countryside.

The leaders of the city of Paris want to persuade me otherwise. It seems the 2024 Paris Olympics organizers want to make this fabled river the centerpiece of the lavish opening ceremony a year from now and for the entire 17 days of the games.

In short, they want to clean up the Seine for swimming events. Good luck.

I wouldnt swim in that water at gunpoint, said Mort Rosenblum, the former editor of the International Herald Tribune, whos owned a houseboat barge, tied up to the north bank of the Seine just east of the Pont de la Concorde, for at least four decades.

But, he admitted to me, his pet cats fallen in the river a dozen times and survived. Of course, hes never dived in to fish her out.

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Indeed, swimming has been banned from the river since 1923 due to pollution. With commercial barge traffic, tour boats, the fabled bateaux mouches dinner cruises, not to mention the raw sewage that, in the past, was dumped untreated, its hard to see how any living organism could survive. Some have. There have been some extremely large catfish hauled out of the water, one at least eight feet long.

But as Mort continued, Im not eating any Seine River sushi.

In 1988, Jacques Chirac, the then-mayor of Paris, later Frances president, released 5,000 pike into the river, throwing out a challenge of his own: hed make the Seine so clean that by 1992 hed be prepared to swim across it himself.

I will come with bath towels and antibiotics, Brice Lalonde, then-French Minister of the Environment shot back.

Todays Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has made a similar promise, and local authorities have put 1.4 billion euros ($1.55 billion) behind it. Paris has indeed made strides in cleaning up its famous river  water samples from June showed excellent results in complying with European regulation, according to city hall.

Disinfection units at wastewater treatment plants and a rainwater storage basin are en route. (Mort says hell have to install a waste capture tank on his houseboat.)

Promising three permanent bathing sites on the Seine by 2025, Hidalgo boasted earlier this month, Promise kept, we swim in the Seine, and this is only the beginning, it is thanks to the adventure of the Olympic and Paralympic Games that we were able to have a swimmable, clean Seine.

Its quality has been improving year by year and will improve further by next year, added Hidalgo.

This is, incidentally, the same mayor who thought cohabitation might be an appropriate way of dealing with the capitals rat infestation.

Of course, like Chirac before her, Hidalgo herself doesnt appear to have actually taken the plunge. Instead, she sent her first deputy, Emmanuel Gregoire, and her deputy for sports, Pierre Rabadan, to swim with a few other licensed swimmers in a narrow area specially cleansed for the occasion called Paris plage (beach) across from the Ile Saint-Louis.

The river, its bridges and quays have been the backdrop for plenty of romantic films and thrillers over the generations. In Charade, a 1963 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, the stars stroll along the Quai de Montebello  and talk about following in the footsteps of Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, who danced along this same stretch a decade earlier in An American in Paris (1951).

In 1972s Last Tango in Paris, Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider first meet on a Seine bridge.

And in 1985, Roger Moores James Bond leaps onto a passing boat in A View to a Kill. Decades later, in 2008, Liam Neeson also jumps off a bridge in pursuit of his daughters kidnappers at the end of Taken.

Taking the Parisian landmarks to another level, in 2007s Rush Hour 3, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan escape the Eiffel Tower by grabbing a huge French flag, parachuting gracefully across the Seine and into a fountain on the other side.

But take special note. No one swims, leaps or dives into the Seine in any of these encounters. Most prudent.

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The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

U.S. Army via Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum via AP

Whats happening

The new blockbuster film "Oppenheimer," which tells the story of how physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer became the father of the atomic bomb, has given new energy to a debate that has raged for nearly 80 years: Whether the U.S. made the right decision to drop nuclear weapons on Japan at the end of World War II.

An overwhelming majority of Americans at the time approved of the bombings, which killed as many as 200,000 Japanese citizens in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But that sentiment has shifted over the decades. By 2015, the U.S. public was close to evenly split on whether the use of nuclear weapons was justified.

Oppenheimer himself was deeply conflicted about the weapons he helped create. He reportedly celebrated the news of the Hiroshima bombing, stating that his only regret was they hadnt developed the bomb in time to use against the Nazis earlier in the war. But a few months later, he told then-President Harry Truman, I feel I have blood on my hands. In the years following the war, he was a vocal advocate for strict nuclear arms control and opposed the creation of even more powerful versions of the bomb.

Why theres debate

Because of the extraordinary stakes of the decision  and the unknowable outcomes of not making it  the debate over dropping the bombs has been described by one historian as the most controversial issue in American history.

In 1945, the main argument in support of the bombings, which many affirm to this day, was that the use of nuclear weapons actually saved countless lives and that the alternatives would have been even more devastating. Proponents of this view say the only other way to convince Japan to surrender would have been a brutal invasion that would have caused massive losses on both sides and created a famine that could have led to starvation for millions of Japanese civilians.

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Others say its likely there would have been other nuclear attacks had the world not been given a clear example of their incredible power.

But critics of the bombings say these justifications ignore what was really happening at the time. They argue that American leaders dropped the bombs because they wanted to do maximum damage to the Japanese people, not some sober calculus in search of the least-harmful way to end the war. Many also scoff at the idea that the attacks somehow served as a deterrent, since the worlds arsenal of nuclear weapons grew exponentially in the years that followed.

Perspectives

Americans are hiding behind a myth to justify doing the unforgivable

Like many Americans, I was taught growing up that my grandfather was spared the burden of invading Japan and very likely dying because Harry Truman dropped a pair of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and ended the war. The main function of such stories is to justify a terrible war crime.  David Klion, The New Republic

The bombings ultimately spared countless lives

The alternative to dropping the bombs was a full-scale land invasion of the islands. Conventional attacks, including regular bombing, would have resulted in widespread civilian casualties as well as the long-term destruction of Japanese infrastructure.  Tiana Lowe Doescher, Washington Examiner

Japan may have surrendered regardless

The bombs central role in the Japanese surrender has been hotly contested by many historians, complicating any claims it was a necessary act.  Greg Mitchell, Los Angeles Times

Japan was nowhere near surrendering before the bombs were dropped

The big [myth] was that the Japanese were ready to surrender and would have surrendered even if we had not dropped those bombs. I think that is a myth.  The Japanese were essentially defeatedthats true. Their fleet had been sunk and their cities had been burned. But they were not ready to surrender.  Evan Thomas, nuclear historian, to Time

The typical story gives U.S. leaders far too much credit

The standard narrative that most people have about the use of the atomic bombs and World War II is wrong.  Just the idea that Harry Truman very carefully weighed whether to use the bomb or not. It was a question of, Do you bomb? Or do you invade? And so with a heavy heart, he chose to bomb and that was the lesser of two evils. That is just 100 percent not what happened at the time.  Alex Wellerstein, nuclear historian, to Vox

The most humane thing the U.S. could have done was end the war as quickly as possible

We were fighting a merciless foe in a savage war where every day brought more suffering and devastation, to combatants and civilians alike and across Asia. The best thing that could happen was ending the war as soon as possible, and the atom bomb brought it to a swift and decisive conclusion.  Rich Lowry, National Review

The bombings convinced the world that nuclear weapons should not be used again

It was inevitable that such a destructive and horrific weapon would be developed. And the specter of that weapon is breathtaking and terrifying. But the sheer scale of the bomb often overshadows a much more optimistic fact of the story: Since 1945, mankind has had the choice to use the weapon and thus far have chosen not to.  Hal Sundt, The Ringer

Using the bombs accelerated the nuclear arms race

This is a pervasive myth, one that primarily benefits the companies that build nuclear weapons. Its the myth that military power prevents conflict.  The real realists recognize that by perpetuating this system of valuing nuclear weapons, we are going to ensure that theyre used.  Seth Shelden, United Nations liaison for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, to Slate
(Elana Marie / For De Los)

In the course of a single afternoon in 2017, the whole of Paul Pinos life clicked. At a meeting of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium , Pino thought about the people hed lost, the family members hed mourned  his mother, who died of bone cancer, his brother who died of stomach cancer, and his sister who died of thyroid cancer  and as he listened to the consortiums two-hour presentation, tears streamed down his face, and his grief turned into anger.

Pino is one of hundreds of thousands of people known as downwinders  those living in the fallout zone of nuclear test sites, exposed to high levels of radiation that increase the risk of cancer. While downwinder communities span several states including Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho, as a result of decades of nuclear weapons testing, the people of New Mexico were the first victims of the atomic bomb, the result of the Manhattan Projects Trinity Test on July 16, 1945  less than a month before the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Read more: De Los: The best of Latino culture and identity

"Learning the truth made me vow to fight for justice in the memory of my family," Pino said.

"Oppenheimer," the massive blockbuster biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, has sparked renewed interest in the dawn of the Atomic Age and prompted conversations about its decision not to depict the communities that bore the brunt of the fallout.

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer." (Universal Pictures via Associated Press)

Tina Cordova, founder of TBDC, is hoping that increased interest in Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb will cast a spotlight on the group's fight for recognition. We were a sacrifice to our countrys quest for nuclear superiority, Cordova said. They spread more than ten pounds of plutonium across the Tularosa Basin. Our government has never come back to sort out what happened to us. Were just collateral damage.

Read more: Review: Christopher Nolan's gripping, despairing 'Oppenheimer' ponders history and the future

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In the film, both the test site and the Los Alamos Laboratory in Northern New Mexico are remote, unpopulated areas  a depiction thats largely in line with most historical accounts of the Manhattan Project. The reality is starkly different. The land acquired by the U.S. government to build and test the bomb was occupied, as was the 150-mile radius surrounding the Trinity Test  areas settled predominantly by Hispanic and Native American ranchers and homesteaders.

There are some glaring omissions, Cordova said of the film. There was a level of racism, obviously [to the Manhattan Project]. They so easily invaded our lands, our lives, and destroyed them both.

The residents who remained in the surrounding area were given no warning about the Trinity Test, with Manhattan Project leader Gen. Leslie R. Groves insisting that anything surrounding the operations remain a closely guarded secret.

This quote, from the @nytimes review of the OPPENHEIMER film: "He served as director of a clandestine weapons lab built in a near-desolate stretch of Los Alamos, in New Mexico"...



It was inhabited by Hispanos. They were given less than 24 hr to leave. Their farms bulldozed. 1  Alisa Lynn Valdes, M.S. (@AlisaValdesRod1) July 20, 2023

First-person accounts from locals describe seeing an intense flash of light in the early morning of July 16. I thought the world [was] coming to an end, reads the written testimony of Henry Herrera, a downwinder who was 11 years old at the time of the blast. Dirt, dust and debris coated everything around him. This filth landed all over our town, covered our village with radiation  everything we consumed was filled with radiation.

The official explanation for the blast was an explosion of ammunition at the nearby Alamogordo Air Base. Even after the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki the following month, and New Mexico residents realized the truth, there were no outreach efforts from the U.S. government or from the scientists at the Manhattan Project to explain or monitor the aftermath of the explosion.

In the ensuing decades, the bomb became part of their history. Cordova still remembers a conversation with her grandmother about the morning the bomb was dropped. It woke them up, she said.  But she told me the worst part was the ash kept falling from the sky. She kept sweeping and dusting, sweeping and dusting, but it kept coming for days. Imagine you have no form of communication, no telephones, no TVs, a sparse radio here and there, and a newspaper that printed only occasionally, so theres no way to know what happened.

The first U.S. atom bomb explodes during a test in Alamogordo, N.M., July 16, 1945. The cloud went 40,000 feet in the air, as viewed by an automatic camera six miles away from the site. (AP Photo, File)

Nearly fifty years later, the 1990 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was passed to provide a one-time payment of $50,000 to $100,000 for nuclear workers and downwinders who lived and worked near the Nevada nuclear test site established in 1950.

To date, the Trinity downwinders remain ineligible for financial compensation.

For Cordova, the ethnic makeup of Los Alamos and the White Sands testing site is central to why they were chosen, and how the downwinders have been treated since. We were the first people ever exposed to radiation as the result of an atomic bomb, and most of us were Hispanos and Native Americans, she said. In the 1940s, they depended on us to be uneducated, unsophisticated, and unable to stand up for ourselves. Were not those people any longer.

Read more: Essay: Being a Barbie girl in a first-gen immigrant world

As radiation contaminated the air, water and soil throughout the Tularosa Basin, cancer became a reality  as predictable as New Mexicos yearly monsoons. We dont ask if were going to get cancer, we ask when, Cordova said. In my own family, just look at the level of loss my mom experienced. She lost my dad, her sister, her mother, a sister-in-law. I had cancer myself. Imagine the trauma associated with that, and thats what we live with every day.

For Mary Martinez White, a Tularosa native, her journey from understanding the truth of the bomb to learning its effect on her own family has been difficult to process. It was unnerving to know that the federal government did this and turned their backs on us," White said. "My family is very patriotic. My dad, my brothers, my nieces and nephews have served in the military. I want to believe in this country, and I believe that they still have an opportunity to make this right.

Since its founding, TBDC has worked to gain a clearer understanding of the bombs impact through outreach, educational initiatives and community health surveys. Most families they speak with have lost one or more relatives to cancer, and many of them experience debt as a result of costly hospital bills and limited access to adequate medical care. I hear it everywhere I go, Cordova said. We dont have the same opportunities to develop generational wealth, people have to file for bankruptcy, and it destroys families.

Read more: After decades apart, abuelitos reunite with their families in Southern California

Recently, TBDC received grant money to work with educators in New Mexico to establish a curriculum that includes the downwinders. If you don't address the entire history, then you're essentially perpetuating a lie. And the idea that no one lived here and no one was harmed is a lie.

That sentiment is why Cordova and the other Trinity downwinders were initially hopeful when they heard about "Oppenheimer."

J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, is shown at Princeton University in 1957. (John Rooney / Associated Press)

Cordova said the group tried to get in contact with the filmmakers while they were shooting in New Mexico but was told that there wasnt interest in meeting with them. All we wanted was a panel at the end of the movie to acknowledge the sacrifice and suffering of the people of New Mexico as part of the Manhattan Project, she said.

Next year, RECA is set to expire unless its extended, threatening the passage of Senate Bill 1751  a proposed amendment to extend the scope of RECA to include the Trinity downwinders and others. While the U.S. government estimates that the expansion would cost roughly $5 billion, advocates like TBDC argue that thats only a fraction of the cost the country continues to pay to maintain its nuclear arsenal.

Cordovas continued persistence for their cause boils down to one simple fact: Once you know this history, you cant stay silent.

Cat Cardenas is a Latina writer and photographer based in Austin. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, New York Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, GQ and others.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Orange County commissioners, noting counterparts in some smaller counties are paid more, reached consensus this week to boost their pay nearly 25% by switching to a state formula to adjust salaries.

The population-based formula would replace a county method in place since 1996 that calls for commissioners to get a raise Oct. 1 of $6,381, or 7%, to $97,539. The figure is less than pay for commissioners in Brevard, Seminole and Volusia counties, all of which have populations under 700,000.

Orange County has twice as many residents.

Under the state formula, Orange County commissioners each would get a raise of $22,450, or 24.58%, to $113,608 if they vote Sept. 12 to revise the pay ordinance and align their pay with the state formula.

Mayor Jerry Demings, whose salary would jump $44,952 to $227,812, opposed the switch.

The state methodology follows a statutory formula and data calculated by the Florida legislatures Office of Economic and Demographic Research. It is used to set salaries of Orange Countys constitutional officers  the clerk of courts, comptroller, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, tax collector and sheriff.

All their salaries are $193,419 this fiscal year, except the sheriffs, which was $229,269.

The county had not revised its formula for raising commissioners pay in 27 years.

The current ordinance permits a commissioners salary to be adjusted by a percentage that is the lower of the Consumer Price Index or the percentage increase given to non-bargaining employees.

DEJA VU: PAY HIKE SOUGHT BY COMMISSION

The discussion was sparked by a proposal floated during last years budget hearings by commissioner Emily Bonilla who described board members as underpaid and argued that increases were justified for the important work and sacrifices to our lives we make daily to serve the public.

Bonilla proposes raises for Orange commissioners, citing sacrifices serving the public

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Though she pushed for higher commissioner pay last year, Bonilla joined the mayor without explanation as the only two votes against the switch that will raise salaries for the board members.

During the discussion, she focused instead on her offices budget, saying it was not enough.

Commissioners were given an extra $95,000 in their 2023-24 budgets to hire additional help.

You have to live within your means, Demings told her. We are managing the publics money.

Bonilla said she has used public money efficiently.

Im gonna make the cuts I have to and Im gonna have to do a lot of stuff myself  and thats just going to be it, she said. Ill try to get free interns.

The 2020 U.S. Census counted about 1.37 million residents in Orange County, fifth most in Florida behind Miami-Dade (2.7 million); Broward (1.94 million); Palm Beach (1.48 million) and Hillsborough (1.45 million).

The Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida estimated Orange Countys population in 2021 at 1.45 million.

According to figures from the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Orange County commissioners were paid less in fiscal year 2022-23 than counterparts in all but two of the most populous counties.

Sometimes its kind of hard to do an apples-to-apples comparison, said deputy county manager Lisa Snead, noting that Miami-Dade pays commissioners just $6,000 but it has 13 of them.

Duval Countys 19 commissioners are paid $56,804 each.

Snead said Orange County pays its commissioners at a 2007 level under the state formula and, raising the pay to $113,608, works out to about an annual 1.5% salary hike in each of the last 16 years.

The mayors pay is higher because Orange County is one of only three out of 67 Florida counties with a strong mayor form of government. Miami-Dade and Duval County are the others.

Our mayor is the CEO, she said.

Snead described the increase as insignificant in the grand scheme of a $6.8 billion budget.

shudak@orlandosentinel.com
Workers are busy at a production line of the new energy vehicle AVATR at a workshop of Chang'an Auto in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, July 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's major industrial firms reported a smaller profit decline in June 2023, official data showed Thursday.

Industrial firms with annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.81 million U.S. dollars) saw their combined profits amount to 719.76 billion yuan last month, down 8.3 percent from a year ago, but narrowing from the 12.6-percent drop in May.

With policies promoting economic growth taking effect, industrial production continued to improve, and business profits maintained the recovery trend last month, said NBS statistician Sun Xiao.

In the first half of the year, the profits of Chinese industrial firms went down 16.8 percent year on year, narrowing by 4.6 percentage points from the first quarter.

During the January-June period, the manufacturing sector posted a better performance, with its profit decline narrowing by 9.4 percentage points from the first quarter.

Equipment manufacturers saw combined profits rise 3.1 percent in the first six months, surging by 20.8 percentage points from the first quarter and reversing the decline.
Orange Countys mayor and board of commissioners may see a nearly 25 percent pay increase this fall.

Commissioners voted earlier this week to move forward with discussions for the pay raise.

Commissioners were given three options this week on how much they would increase their salaries along with Mayor Jerry Demings salary.

Everyone except Demings and one other commissioner voted to bump their pay to the highest salary option the county provided.

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Demings was one of two no votes on a plan to increase his salary by roughly $45,000. Demings currently makes nearly $183,000, and the increase would bring his salary up to a total of $227,812 a year.

Thats less than Jacksonvilles Mayor Donna Deegan, who makes $230,000 a year, and less than Orlandos Mayor Buddy Dyer, who makes $233,000.

But the increase would put Demings salary higher than what Miami-Dades mayor earns, even though Miami-Dade has 1.3 million more residents.

SEE: Need a truck, drone or tractor? Orange County selling those & more in huge online auction

Commissioners would get a nearly $23,000 pay bump going from $91,000 to more than $113,000.

District 5 commissioner Emily Bonilla also voted against the proposal.

I felt like it was wrong, Bonilla said.

Read: Deadline looming for Facebooks $725M settlement; how to get your money

Bonilla originally called for the county to do a market analysis on the commissioners salaries last summer. But she said shes against the change after money wasnt approved for her offices budget.

Now were being asked to raise our salaries to benefit our own pocket, she said.

The newest commissioner, District 6s Michael Scott, was the first of the commissioners to vote to move forward with the salary proposal.

Read: Every parents nightmare: Florida man serving life terms charged in 1993 killing of girl, 12

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He said he believes the proposed salaries are fair.

Commissioners are never off, right? We dont accrue vacation time. We are never not working, he said.

This is the first time the county has done a market analysis on the mayor and commissioners salaries in 25 years.

See: Florida police release artists rendition of victim whose remains were found in suitcases

According to the countys market analysis, the proposed salary would align with counties like Hillsborough, Palm Beach, and Broward.

Commissioners are set to discuss salaries again in September during a public hearing.

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The Oregon Board of Public Safety Standards and Training meets to revoke the licenses of police, fire and correctional officers following reviews of allegations of misconduct on and off the job on July 27 in Salem.

The Oregon Board of Public Safety Standards and Training revoked the public safety licenses of one police, one fire and two correctional officers Thursday following reviews of allegations of misconduct on and off the job.

The board took no action on two other cases and asked a committee to reconsider its recommendation to revoke certification for another officer.

The decisions were made after reviewing recommendations of several professional committees that investigated the allegations.

The Department of Public Safety Safety and Training's policy committees  comprised of current and former field professionals  handled the investigations and made recommendations to the board.

No action on former Eugene officer's license, former Scio rural firefighter

Jannalyn Farley, Eugene Police Department

Eugene Police terminated Farley on Oct. 23, 2019, for allegedly failing to report child abuse, lack of integrity and judgment, failure to report evidence and unsatisfactory performance in arranging CAHOOTS personnel to transport a juvenile who alleged physical abuse by a parent.

The Police Policy Committee review of Eugene Police Department's "investigative reports found elements of dishonesty, misuse of authority, and misconduct," according to meeting transcripts.

The transcripts said Farley was dishonest by omission and misrepresentation in arranging transport for a juvenile, and she "misused her authority while on duty by transporting a juvenile to a facility that was objectionable to the mother, did not tell the mother she was doing this, and did not write these facts in her reports."

A Eugene Police Department vehicle on West 11th Avenue in Eugene.

Eugene Police declined to comment, according to spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin.

The investigating committee determined Farley's "conduct amounted to incompetence, not character," that she was overwhelmed and the police department understaffed, and that she was not intentionally misleading in her reporting and handling of the situation.

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The panel recommended DPSST take no action against Farley's license certification. The board's decision Thursday to take no action means Farley can be employed in law enforcement.

Farley graduated from DPSST Basic Police Academy in March 2017, earning the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh award for most outstanding student in her class.

Zackary Ellis, Scio Rural Fire Department

Linn County Sheriffs arrested Ellis on Aug, 16, 2019, and he was charged with assault and strangulation after a domestic violence dispute against his girlfriend. He was a certified firefighter with the Scio Rural Fire Department at the time.

Ellis later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault, a Class-A misdemeanor. After 24 months on probation, he applied for DPSST certification, prompting an investigation by the Fire Policy Committee, which recommended no action. The board concurred and Ellis can be recertified.

DPSST also took no action on the licenses another half-dozen other cases in which committees recommended doing nothing.

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Board discusses revocation of licenses for public safety officers following reviews of allegations of misconduct on and off the job on July 27 in Salem.

DPTTS revokes 4 officers' licenses

Scott Aardappel, Columbia River Correctional Institution

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office fired Aardappel in 2006 after he "inappropriately represented himself as a sworn member of the agency and failed to report the abuse of a child as required by ORS 419B.010."

An investigation by the sheriff's office and the Portland Police Bureau that year found Aardappel "failed to report a sexual relationship between an adult and a minor." He was later arrested and charged with official misconduct in the second degree, a misdemeanor. After pleading guilty, Aardappel was given 12 months probation.

In 2020, Aardappel was hired by Columbia River Correctional Institution in Portland, which triggered a DPSST investigation. According to DPSST documents, "Aardappel has been employed as a public safety professional for four non-consecutive years and has not obtained any DPSST certifications." The Corrections Policy Committee unanimously recommended revocation of his license.

Matt Carballo, Dallas Police Department

Dallas Police terminated Carballo from probationary employment in November 2019 following his Oct. 22, 2019, arrest for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment. Carballo was arrested again Dec. 2, 2019, for driving with a suspended license and failing driver property damage duties.

The Police Policy Committee found Carballo was dishonest when he told Dallas Police that he was not the driver of the vehicle that hit a 7-Eleven, did not take responsibility for his actions and left the scene of an accident.

The committee voted unanimously June 12 to recommend revocation of Carballo's license and that he be ineligible to hold a public safety certification for 10 years. The board Thursday accepted this revocation.

Robert Dennis, Santiam Correctional Institution officer

Dennis resigned Dec. 31, 2019, as a correctional officer at the Santiam Correctional Institute in Salem following an investigation to terminate him on allegations of on-the-job misconduct, including sleeping on the job and leaving the cafeteria during mealtime, which reduces supervision of inmates.

The Santiam Correctional Institution in Salem.

Dennis also allegedly made several comments to subordinates that undermined the safety and supervision abilities of staff.

Information from Santiam Correctional Institute's investigation into Dennis' behavior led the Correction Policy Committee to in May recommend a revocation. The board accepted the revocation.

Gail Freer, formerly of the Siletz Fire District

Greer and a son were charged with poaching two, 8-month-old black bear cubs on private land in October 2022.

Oregon State Police found the cubs dead after an anonymous tip to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) Line. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said both cubs were left to waste and troopers were unable to find their mother. Greer and her son were ordered to pay $15,000 in damages, lost their hunting privileges for three years and were placed on probation for 60 months, ODFW said in May.

This was a combination of trespassing, poaching and leaving an animal to waste, said Stop Poaching campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw. This demonstrates an attitude of lawlessness while they deprive others of the experience of encountering or hunting these animals during a legal season.

The Fire Policy Board recommended revocation by a six to one vote. The board revoked Freer's public safety certification on Thursday.

DPSST motioned to reconsider 1 case

Marcus Risteen, Keizer Police Department

Keizer Police in 2018 terminated Risteen, who had been on the job for three months, after he allegedly lied to a Field Training Officer.

Risteen admitted, after a commanding officer said he would check the officer's bodycam footage, that he lied about his actions during a traffic stop.

The Police Policy Committee opened an investigation after Risteen was hired by the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office and scheduled to begin training in May.

The committee said in addition to dishonesty, Risteen's actions at the traffic stop reflected that he ignored instructions on a "very small task."

The DPSST board decided Thursday to send Risteen's case back to the Police Policy Committee for reconsideration after board members said a lifetime revocation was extreme for what they considered to be a "tier-two" offense.

Charles Gearing is a breaking news and public safety reporter. He may be reached at cgearing@gannett.com or at (708) 262-7626.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Public safety board takes no action on former Eugene officer
On Monday about 20 RV were still parked at a residence on Hubbard St. in Sylmar where authorities have red tagged some because of various code violations and safety issues. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The owner of a makeshift RV lot in Sylmar has been ordered to clean up her property, which at one point housed more than 20 recreational vehicles and drew complaints from angry neighbors, who described putrid conditions at the site.

Cruz Florian Godoy pleaded no contest Wednesday to one count of unlawfully erecting a structure without a permit and was ordered to clean up the Hubbard Street property to bring it into compliance with Los Angeles city laws, according to court records. She was also sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation as part of her plea.

All of the residents who lived in more than 20 RVs that sat parked on her property have moved out, Godoy told The Times in a phone interview. But she said she was still trying to figure out how to clean the property, where more than a dozen RVs were left abandoned.

"I need to get [the RVs] out and clean the property," Godoy said, adding she had a 45-day deadline from the city. "I'm making calls to see if someone can help me clean."

Most of the people who lived in the RVs on Godoy's property paid her a few hundred dollars a month for rent over the last several years. Some of the residents told The Times they would have been unable to afford rent anywhere else.

Godoy, some residents said, worked with them on the rent and to keep them from becoming homeless.

Godoy said she was in debt when she first got the idea to allow an RV to park on her property. But she said she hoped doing so would also help people who were struggling to find an affordable place to live.

"I was trying to help people because I would rent the little property to them, and they could be in their trailer," she said in Spanish.

In exchange, she said, the rent money helped her pay her bills.

What started out as one or two trailers soon became more than 20 that were being used as homes, she said. Gradually, she said, word got out that she was allowing the vehicles on her property, and more people approached her for a spot.

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Some residents paid $300 or $400 a month for the space. But Godoy said she tried to work with residents who sometimes were unable to pay.

"Some owed me rent and wouldn't pay, and some came and threatened me," she said. "Some didn't even work, and I couldn't get them to leave."

But neighbors began complaining about conditions on the site, including the dumping of human waste, in a report from ABC-TV Channel 7. One resident told the news station that the RV tenants were forced to clear clogged sewage lines if they were unable to pay their rent.

Godoy told The Times some of the residents helped maintain the property because she was physically unable to do so. Sometimes she reduced the rent for the help but rejected claims she forced anyone to do the work.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
When Santa Barbara News-Press parent company Ampersand Publishing LLC filed for bankruptcy and eliminated all jobs at the newspaper, the iconic downtown building and other associated properties were not listed as assets.

Ampersand Publishing LLC sold the Santa Barbara News-Press building, the parking lot across the street and its Goleta printing plant in 2014 to newly created limited liability companies formed by News-Press owner Wendy McCaw, according to public records.

The building and parking lots were sold to 715 Anacapa LLC, and the Goleta property was sold to 725 Kellogg LLC.

Ampersand Publishing LLC bankruptcy filings claim assets of less than $50,000, which left most of Santa Barbara wondering: What about the building?

McCaw purchased the 715 Anacapa St. property, next to Santa Barbara City Hall, the parking lot across the street at 718 Anacapa St. and the 725 S. Kellogg Ave. Goleta properties on Oct. 19, 2000, from The New York Times Co., the previous owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Santa Barbara County Assessors Office records show that the Anacapa Street building has a 2023 assessed value of $15.2 million. Treasurer-Tax Collector records show the owner paid property taxes of $158,645.19 for the most recent tax year, with payments in December and April.

The parking lot at 718 Anacapa St., across the street from the Santa Barbara News-Press building, is also owned by Wendy McCaw.

The parking lot property has a 2023 assessed net value of $3.17 million. The Goleta property at 725 S. Kellogg Ave. is assessed at $11.59 million.

According to public records, Ampersand Publishing LLC sold all three properties in 2014 to the newly created LLCs formed by McCaw.

California Secretary of State records show that the two LLCs created in 2014 have a principal address of 1301 Santa Barbara St., and filing documents list McCaw as manager, president or CEO. They have the same principal address as McCaws Ampersand Publishing LLC, 1998 Ampersand Holdings LLC and the Wendy P. McCaw private foundation.

Yolanda Apodaca, a longtime Santa Barbara News-Press employee and current director of operations, is listed as the agent on Ampersand Publishing LLC documents filed in 2022.

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With the bankruptcy filing and end of newspaper operations, it is unclear what happens to the properties now. There has been no indication that they are for sale.

As of Tuesday, the parking lots at both Anacapa Street properties were being used as pay-to-park locations.

The vacant Santa Barbara News-Press building at 715 Anacapa St. seen from De la Guerra Plaza in downtown Santa Barbara.

How could downtown Santa Barbara building be used?

Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse told Noozhawk on Tuesday that an empty building of that magnitude downtown is a travesty.

It is just a civic tragedy to have that 72,000-square-foot building going vacant, Rowse said.

He said he would love for the property to be integral in helping to bring more vibrancy downtown.

If we could somehow, we the city, could leverage that asset and do something there, and make it a civic center, it would be fabulous, Rowse said. What you would like to have there is something active, with people living and spending money downtown.

He said if that building became available, the city should jump on the opportunity.

It is a great old building, Rowse said. What a great location.

Noozhawk spoke with a commercial real estate professional on Tuesday who said there are many possibilities for the building.

The building could be valued at between $40 million and $50 million, they said.

A team, including architects, would need to get inside to assess the building and see how much work needs to be done, and evaluate possibilities.

It is hard to put a number on it, the real estate professional said. It is a tough animal.

The source said that location could be a great site for a hotel, which would bring people downtown.

I want something good to happen here, they said. If that turns into a hotel, that is a great thing for our downtown.

The vacant Santa Barbara News-Press building at 715 Anacapa St. in downtown Santa Barbara.

News-Press newspaper stops publishing

In October, the Santa Barbara News-Press stopped home delivery of the newspaper and moved to same-day mail six days a week.

The Santa Barbara News-Press building at 715 Anacapa St. was vacated on May 1 when management moved the remaining employees to its Goleta printing press site.

On June 21, managing editor Dave Mason informed readers  via website virtual edition  that there were power issues with the printing press and the paper was temporarily digital only. Other outlets using that press, such as the Ojai Valley News, had to find other printers in a hurry.

The newspress.com websites large message in red font recently changed to say the move to online-only was permanent. Then, on July 21, the company declared bankruptcy and stopped publishing.

Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com . Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com .
Lavida Mickens is a teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and parent to a ninth-grade student attending the Northwest School of the Arts.

Shes still unsure how shell get her son to school.

School starts in about a month and Mickens, who lives about 13 miles from the magnet school in the historic Derita neighborhood, is one of thousands of families to whom CMS is offering a new bus stop plan being rolled out this year.

The service, called Express Stops, is designed to cut down on two-hour ride times and costs to the district. It will impact about 5,200 students enrolled in about a dozen full and partial magnet high schools, including Northwest School of the Arts. But it forces parents such as Mickens to figure out how to get their children to bus stops that will be 2 or 3 miles away from home  the downside of the new service for some.

We live closer to the school than where the express stop is, which would be Julius Chambers High School, said Mickens, who teaches at a school in Matthews about 30 minutes away. There is no way to take him to that stop. We have no idea how hes getting to school yet.

Since the district announced earlier this year the express stop roll-out, other parents have voiced similar concerns.

Adam Johnson, CMS executive director of transportation, answered questions about express stops Wednesday and where parents can turn if they still have concerns.

Here are four things to know about CMS Express Stop service:

Parents asked. Did CMS answer?

The new Express Stops program that is coming to CMS for the 2023-2024 school year. Express Stops have been identified for full and partial magnet high schools and will reduce the ride time for students and drive time for drivers by making fewer bus stops and providing express service to school.

Express Stops will affect students who attend the following schools:

Central Piedmont Early College High School

East Mecklenburg High School

E.E. Waddell

Harding University & Phillip O. Berry Technical Academy

Hawthorne & Military Global Leadership Academies

J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori

North Mecklenburg High School

Northwest School of the Arts

P.A.C.E. (district-wide program)

South Mecklenburg High School

UNCC (Central Campus)

Johnson says the department added stops after hearing parents concerns over the lack of enough stops. Now there are 40 express stops across affected CMS schools.

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We worked with our community partners to set up stops at park and rec centers, Johnson said. So weve done things to address those concerns that developed.

Johnson says the Express Stops plan is pretty much set, but as officials get into the first few weeks of the school year stops could be reevaluated.

If we do need to add something or just relocate it from one school to another, well certainly do that, Johnson said.

CMS still needs bus drivers

CMS operates a fleet of nearly 1,300 vehicles, including regularly running school buses, spares, activity buses, and other department maintenance and administrative cars/trucks. About 113,000 students, or 80%, use the districts transportation services.

The department employs about 1,250 staffers. Right now, CMS has 51 bus driver vacancies and 53 drivers on leave. Last year, the district ended the school year with 928 drivers.

School board member Melissa Easley, who will be applying for a spot in the Northwest School of the Arts for her daughter next year, told The Charlotte Observer she understands parents concerns.

Shes not a fan of express stops, but the districts transportation staff is trying hard to avoid further cuts.

Wake (County Public Schools) already does express/consolidated stops for magnet schools and have for several years, Easley posted to Facebook on Wednesday. This is a statewide issue, and while Express Stops are not the perfect solution, its better than cutting altogether.

Johnson said CMS transportations annual operating budget is about $80 million, and it was reduced by about $3.2 million in 2021, forcing cuts in miles traveled and hours worked, among others.

This is not just a CMS issue, Easley said.

The Express Stops service is saving CMS money

Adam Johnson, the CMS Executive Director of Transportation drives to E.E. Waddell High School on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. CMS held a press conference discussing the new Express Stops program that is coming to CMS for the 2023-2024 school year.

An average bus gets around 6 miles per gallon, Johnson said. The bus does about 100 miles or more per day. Were looking at savings probably on the order of tens of thousands of gallons of fuel, and multiply that times from an average price of $3 per gallon. Its going to be tremendous savings for a district.

CMS stands to also save on maintenance costs, and it could possibly get by with fewer drivers, Johnson says.

Parents will learn Express Stops locations soon

Over the course of the next week, CMS transportation department will send out mailer information to the thousands of impacted students regarding their express stop, Eddie Perez, of media communications, told the Observer. Many parents, like Chrissy Premeaux, whose son will attend Central Piedmont Early College, still dont know where their stop is.

The information will include the location of the stop, the bus number assigned to them, and the specific times for drop-off and pick-up. If students or parents have any questions or concerns, they can contact their school or transportation at (980) 343-6715 or email ExpressTransportation@cms.k12.nc.us for additional information.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine [Ukrainian parliament  ed.] has supported the resignation of Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

Source: Yaroslav Zhelezniak, MP from the Servant of the People party, on Telegram

Details: First, Tkachenko made a report from the stand.

A total of 321 MPs voted in favour of his resignation.

Quote from Zhelezniak: "The issue of appointing a new minister is not on the agenda today and most likely will not be this week."

Previously: The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy did not support the resignation of Oleksandr Tkachenko as Minister of Culture and Information Policy, leaving this decision to the discretion of the session hall.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to dismiss Oleksandr Tkachenko from the post of Minister of Culture and Information Policy and appoint another person to the post. Tkachenko later announced that he had submitted his resignation.

Despite public calls, Oleksandr Tkachenko said that spending more than 500 million hryvnias [approximately US$13.5 million] from the state budget during the war to complete the construction of the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide of the Ukrainian people is "appropriate".

On 13 July, the Verkhovna Rada supported the allocation of funding to complete the construction of the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide (draft law No 3473).

This outraged the public, as did the idea of replacing the USSR coat of arms with the Ukrainian coat of arms on the shield of the Motherland Monument. Many called on the authorities to invest only in victory and vital areas, the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, healthcare and education  not in museums, monuments, pedestrian bridges and paving, which can be done without while the war is ongoing.

The Ministry of Culture also allocated 448 million hryvnias [approximately US$12 million] for the production of television films. The ministry confused the public by claiming that the revival of series production was "a matter of state information and cultural security".

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!






Ukraine's Parliament approved two bills on July 27 extending martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days.

President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a proposal to the parliament on July 26 to extend the two measures from Aug. 18, when they are currently set to expire, until Nov. 15.

The president first declared martial law on Feb. 24, 2022, at the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Under martial law, Ukrainian men between the ages of 1860, with some exceptions, are not allowed to leave the country because they may be called up for military service.

Both measures have been prolonged several times since the start of the full-scale war.

Read also: Officials accused of using war as pretext for hiding ill-gotten wealth
Ukraine's Parliament passed in the first reading on July 27 a bill on the restoration of electronic declaration of assets for public officials, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported on Telegram.

The e-declarations were instituted as part of the country's fight against corruption following the Euromaidan Revolution in 2014. All top state officials, including lawmakers, judges, local authorities, law enforcement, and military officials were required to declare their assets as part of the reform.

At the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the requirement for submitting e-declarations was suspended and public access to the declarations was shut down. Officials have still been able to submit them on a voluntary basis.

Since the suspension, there have been growing calls to resume the requirement. Civic watchdogs say that the asset declaration system has been effectively destroyed, arguing that martial law was used as a pretext by corrupt officials.

In February 2023, an online petition for requiring state officials to resume filing their asset declarations collected the 25,000 signatures necessary for presidential consideration.

In response to the petition, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 22 that a bill had been registered by a member of the Parliament to resume the requirement.

Parliament's Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk called on lawmakers on July 26 to support the bill.

Restoring asset declarations has also been central to talks on Ukraine ascension to the European Union and borrowing money from the International Monetary Fund.

Earlier on July 27, Zheleznyak said that this most recent version of the asset declaration bill also envisages restoring public access to declarations without disclosing sensitive personal information about the officials during martial law.

Read also: Officials accused of using war as pretext for hiding ill-gotten wealth
299 MPs voted in favor of the bill

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament, has passed a bill on restoring e-declarations for government officials on the first reading, Holos party MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on Telegram on July 27.

299 MPs voted in favor of the bill.

If the bill is passed on the second reading and signed by the president, officials will be required to filed e-declarations not only for, 2023 but for all previous years that are required, Zheleznyak said.

The bill states that e-declarations will be publicly available in the Unified State Register of Declarations until the termination or cancellation of martial law. However, the e-declarations will not publicly reveal:



the registration number of the taxpayer's registration card or the passport number;



places of residence;



date of birth;



the location of objects specified in the declaration;



account number at a bank or other financial institution;



data on settlements where the objects specified in the declaration are located, or the actual place of residence/registered place of residence;



names of all other persons specified in the declaration (except for the subject of the declaration).

Additionally, certain military officials will also be required to submit declarations by



the date of the end of hostilities;



date of the end of enemy occupation in the region where the individual resides;



return to the point of permanent deployment or place of permanent work (except for rotation);



termination or abolition of martial law.

Zheleznyak clarified that these officials are persons who:



for the exercise of official powers are located in territories where active hostilities are taking place;



reside in temporarily occupied territories;



are military service members that take a direct part in hostilities;



are employed by bodies authorized to carry out intelligence and/or counter-intelligence activities, or directly participate in intelligence measures;



are sent to other states to participate in international operations to maintain peace and security

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After the start of the full-scaleinvasion of Russia, the Ukrainian parliament made it optional for officials to submit property declarations. However, following the signing of a memorandum with the IMF, Kyiv agreed to resume e-declarations by August 1, 2023.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Yuriy Aristov

Servant of the People MP Yuriy Aristov has been stripped of his mandate by Ukraines parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on July 27, due to a reportedly illegal trip to the Maldives.

The decision was supported by 320 deputies in the chamber. An investigation into Aristovs wrongdoings remains ongoing.

Read also: MPs and officials barred from leaving Ukraine  MP Honcharenko

Aristov in the Maldives: What we know

Aristov had previously been spotted in the Maldives at the five-star Waldorf Astoria Maldives resort in mid-July 2022, by Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Info. His stay was confirmed by the hotel, though both the MP his press secretary refused to comment.

Read also: Ukrainian MP Tyshchenko expelled from ruling party over visit to Thailand

Subsequently, the ruling Servant of the People party, founded by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced that it had started an investigation into the incident and may expel Aristov based on its findings.

The State Bureau of Investigation then began to investigate the legality of Aristov's vacation to the Maldives  since martial law forbids government officials from leaving the country without an authorized reason.

During a search of Aristovs house, his passport was found to contain Maldivian passport stamps, which confirmed he did visit the islands in July 2022.

Before being elected to the Verkhovna Rada, Aristov was a business partner of President Zelenskyy in the fish and seafood business.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Volkswagen Group to strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners on EV market

Xinhua) 08:28, July 27, 2023

A SAIC Volkswagen ID.6 X is displayed at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in east China's Shanghai, April 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

The deepening of the partnership in China is in line with the group's "in China for China" strategy, said the Volkswagen Group.

FRANKFURT, Germany, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Volkswagen Group, Germany's leading carmaker, said on Wednesday that it aims to strengthen cooperation with local Chinese partners to exploit the booming electric vehicle (EV) market.

The company is acquiring a 4.99 percent stake in the Chinese electric vehicle startup XPeng by way of a capital increase worth around 700 million U.S. dollars. Simultaneously, the group's Audi brand has signed a strategic memorandum with its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC to further expand their existing cooperation.

"The aim is to swiftly tap into new customer and market segments, thereby systematically leveraging the potential of China's dynamically growing e-mobility market," said the group in a press release.

This photo taken on July 4, 2022 shows a workshop of the Volkswagen Anhui MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) plant under construction in east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)

The deepening of the partnership in China is in line with the group's "in China for China" strategy, it added.

According to a technological framework agreement with XPeng, two Volkswagen-branded electric models for the mid-sized segment will be rolled out in 2026 in China. Audi, on the other hand, will also expedite its efforts "to extend the portfolio of fully connected electric vehicles on offer in the premium segment swiftly and efficiently."

Commenting on the move, Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Volkswagen Group China, said that "Local partnerships are an important building block in the Volkswagen Group's 'in China for China' strategy. We are now accelerating the expansion of our local electric portfolio and at the same time preparing for the next innovation step."

An Audi e-tron GT is displayed at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, east China, April 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

The group decided to step up its efforts in China at a time when its sales slipped slightly by 2 percent in the Asian country during the first half of 2023. At a meeting of the company's managers held earlier this month, Thomas Schaefer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, warned that the coming weeks and months will be very tough.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Editor's note: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen first proposed the four-pillar strategy of "economic de-risking" from China in March. Since then, the term has been aggressively peddled by Western politicians and the Group of Seven as a replacement for "decoupling" and a new narrative to contain China.

Nevertheless, the perception of the strategy, as observed from Washington and its allies, reveals a clear objective to uphold the prevailing position of the West in the current global economic system and to secure its ongoing control over key technologies, raw materials and the global market.

To a certain extent, the term can be seen as an anti-market practice employed by the West, which has consistently positioned itself as a champion of the free world, in a bid to disrupt the regular functioning of the free market through administrative measures.

In this sense, measures aimed at "de-risking" will inevitably introduce new risks by splitting the once unified global market system into two separate segments, and this division will lead to redundancy in industrial sectors and an escalation in associated costs.

Here, China.org.cn explores the potential risks stemming from the "de-risking" strategy and how it disrupts the established norms of the global market system.
In less than a year, Missouri will hold local level caucuses in lieu of the presidential preference primary elections.

The Missouri Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties have always used the caucus system to choose their presidential candidate, but this is the first time that many voters will interact with it firsthand at the local level.

Generally, Missouris major political parties would hold caucuses following the presidential preference primary election to select delegates for party nominating conventions.

Delegates from each county are sent to a congressional convention and a state convention. At these conventions, a smaller group of delegates are selected to represent their Congressional District and the state at large at the partys national convention and presidential electors are chosen.

While the results of the primary would indicate the peoples preference for presidential candidates, it did not necessarily mean the winners of the popular vote were chosen as Missouris selection for the parties candidate.

We either need to have a primary where, when the people vote, they directly choose those delegates so that people are actually choosing, said Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. Or get rid of the primary, and quit lying to the people and say, If you want to choose the delegates, this is how you do it.

What is a caucus, and how can I participate?

At the county level, political parties will invite members of the public who identify as either a Republican, Democrat or Libertarian to participate in the selection of delegates to represent their respective parties at congressional and state caucus conventions.

The Green Party and Constitution Party of Missouri lost ballot status for this election, so they will not be participating.

Each participant must live in the county, be a registered voter, and steadfastly affirm their party affiliation. To be chosen as a delegate, the same conditions apply. Alternate delegates are also chosen should a primary delegate be unable to participate or have their party affiliation contested.

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Danette Proctor, chair of the Greene County Republican Central Committee, said that there is generally a credentialing committee at the congressional caucus committee that verifies contested party affiliations.

That's always a contentious issue because you will see people in there that you've never seen before, and you really don't know what they are, Proctor said. They could have been a Democrat or a Libertarian yesterday, but then today, they're Republican.

The Missouri Republican Party is still working to certify the final rules for the caucus and the date it will be held. It hopes to have results by October, at which time it will begin an outreach campaign to notify voters of the changes.

The Missouri Democratic Party is currently working to finalize what its process will be under the existing presidential caucus. Russ Carnahan, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party will meet with the partys executive committee members in August, where they will discuss the plan moving forward.

Peverill Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, raised concerns about implementing a county or district level caucus across the state.

I can see a nightmare scenario unfolding because it takes a lot of time, effort, organization and preparation to pull off a caucus, Squire said. If thats happening, its not visible at this point.

Why is the state eliminating the presidential preference primary?

In 2022, the state legislature approved a bill that reverted Missouri to a statewide caucus system for the first time since 1996.

A county level caucus was held in 2012 by the Missouri Republican Party after the presidential preference primary was scheduled in February, which violates party rules. Both Democratic and Republican parties mandate that Missouris primary must be held no earlier than March.

Two lawmakers introduced legislation to repeal the change during the 2023 session of the General Assembly, but it was unsuccessful.

More: Missouri legislators aim to make it harder for citizens to change state law, constitution

The Republican Party chairman and I both testified before the Missouri House of Representatives, asking lawmakers to return the process back to primaries, Carnahan said. I was extremely disappointed when the legislature failed to return Missouri to a presidential primary election. We know that fewer than 1% of voters participate in presidential caucuses.

Voter participation is one of the primary concerns of opponents, who feel that the time and knowledge required to participate in a caucus will exclude some voters. Caucuses can sometimes take hours to complete.

I think people are going to be shocked at how difficult it is for them to participate, Squire said.

In the 2020 presidential preference primary, about 21% of registered voters participated. However, in neighboring Iowa, which uses a caucus system, voter participation was about 9%.

The pandemic's effect on voter turnout that year cannot be entirely ignored, but there were disparities in 2016 as well. Missouris presidential preference primary brought about 35% of voters to the polls, while Iowa saw roughly 16% participate in its caucuses.

More: Why Democrats in red southwest Missouri crossed the aisle to pull Republican primary ballots

Now, we're stuck with the antiquated system of presidential caucuses we got away from in the 1990s, Carnahan said. Caucuses suppress voter turnout, harming our democratic values of broad participation and inclusion of all voters.

However, there are some benefits for taxpayers of eliminating the presidential preference primary. Ashcroft estimates savings for the state of around $10 million, as political parties are responsible for funding the caucuses.

There is no perfect way to do it. There are pros and cons to both the presidential primary, and to a caucus, Ashcroft said. At caucuses, we the people get together and, hopefully, politely cuss and discuss, and I love that idea.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri political parties prepare for 2024 presidential caucuses
The author isn't sure when his relationship began to sour.

The author isn't sure when his relationship began to sour.

I cut my first date with Brandon short, rushing off to an editors birthday dinner and a New York Fashion Week after-party. So imagine my shock when I woke up in his bed, with no memory of how Id gotten there. Feeling disoriented, I hastily made my exit.

I didnt speak to Brandon for six months, until we ran into each other at a bar one Saturday in the neighborhood where we both lived. He said he hadnt reached out because I had left his apartment like a hostage set free. I had to awkwardly explain that I couldnt remember how I had ended up at his place after my eventful night.

When I unexpectedly ran into him again elsewhere the following evening, we accepted the nudge of coincidence and went to an intimate wine bar for a second date. I drank white wine and he preferred red, but we agreed it wasnt a deal breaker.

For our third date, Brandon volunteered to help me move apartments, transferring my clothes and belongings via multiple Ubers. I had LASIK eye surgery scheduled the following week, and he offered to escort me to the doctor and home. I thought gifts were my love language, but he showed me acts of service also did the trick.

Brandon never asked me to be his boyfriend, but he had a knack for being there when I needed him. I quickly couldnt imagine my life without him.

Although Brandon was 20 years older than me, we had so much fun together. Our dates mirrored the excitement of our initial encounter, akin to the thrill of reveling in that NYFW after-party. We undoubtedly enjoyed ourselves, but we never sobered up long enough to know if we really belonged together.

I dont know when our relationship soured. Measuring our happiness and compatibility was difficult because all our interactions past 5 p.m. revolved around alcohol. A few drinks can magically turn strangers into best friends who, once sober, never speak again. Instead, I moved in with Brandon.

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Our personalities clashed in little ways. Whenever we tried to pick a movie, we couldnt agree on any genre besides horror. For whatever reason, we both found comfort in the predictability of oblivious protagonists meeting their doom. Every night, we rested on opposite sides of the couch with our wine glasses topped off with his favorite Merlot, trying to find a horror movie we hadnt seen.

I had made it a rule not to drink at home, until I moved in with Brandon.

I first started getting drunk my freshman year of high school and as a result, I dont remember certain milestones, like losing my virginity or prom. Approaching 25, I didnt need to drink  in fact, Id regularly go weeks or a month sober just to solidify I wasnt addicted. But I had experienced enough to know I didnt have a healthy relationship with it. I knew it wasnt a sustainable lifelong indulgence, yet I couldnt commit to stopping forever.

Brandons job involved directing the legal department of a company with hundreds of thousands of employees and no shortage of lawsuits. My job became trying not to piss him off, which could happen if I left a cabinet open or failed to close the shower curtain.

I was no picnic myself. Alcohol influenced me to go out all the time and live as if I were still single, which in turn brought out the worst of Brandons anger. My job allowed me to disguise partying as networking, and I conflated drinking with my career.

One Thursday, I arrived at Brandons apartment  our home became his during fights  to find my clothes packed by the front door. I profusely apologized for staying out late, but argued that the 11 p.m. curfew hed imposed upon me was absurd. Brandon screamed that it was 6 a.m.!

My press event did have an unexpected after-party, and a bunch of us then went to Le Bain, which was followed by a gathering at a penthouse of a renowned fashion designer, and then we rounded out the morning with breakfast. I was hungry!

During these moments, Brandons rage erupted like scorching lava. But time healed all wounds, and we moved on and forgot as swiftly as we popped open a bottles cork. That nightly bottle (or two) of wine had become the necessary third in our relationship. If we stopped drinking, wed have nothing to bond us.

Brandon shrugged off my concerns that we drank too much, reasoning that Manhattan was an adult playground for eternal youth. He felt the only problems in our relationship came when I left the house without him. Brandon and I used alcohol to avoid the reality that we werent working. We became dependent on cheers as the glue that kept us together, in addition to the claws that ripped us apart. Repeat.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease that can start with a glass of wine every night, eventually turning into two, then three. One day you wake up and dont know when your existence became intertwined with being a drinker. Likewise, Id wake up on an empty bed (the couch also became Brandons during fights) and not know how we let our relationship get so bad.

The relationship dynamic between gay men can blur toxic behavior. After all, we grow up thinking societal rules dont need to apply to us. The LGBTQ+ community is also riddled with substance abuse for so many reasons outside  and within  our control. But if I was being honest with myself, I knew the ugliness of my relationship.

I had the awareness but lacked the willpower to leave or stop drinking. I also didnt want to relinquish the financial security and emotional support Brandon brought into my life. I had always wanted to be in a committed relationship, and I was reluctant to accept that I had chosen wrong, needed to start over or was not ready to be a partner.



When we finally separated, Brandons friends assumed it was because I got drunk and let his cousins date briefly kiss me at his birthday party. My friends knew it was because Brandon got drunk and grabbed my neck the following day. We habitually built on each others mistakes, so neither side was ever alone in wrongness for long.

Rock bottom is not a destination but a feeling. We hammered our relationship so many times to the ground there was nothing left to destroy or passion to revive. The idealized version of us loomed over like a tired ghost begging for an exorcism.

But just like the many times I quit drinking after a bad hangover, I returned to him a few more times until it stuck. I struggled to let go of how wonderful Brandon seemed and how great our life looked most of the time.

After Brandon and I said goodbye for the final time, I didnt just leave the relationship  I departed the country, doing stints in Mexico and Europe. I had lost my sense of belonging, so I continued traveling, returning to New York whenever I got too homesick.

Even after 14 years of practice  and mistakes  I am still finding my way when it comes to alcohol. I falter on occasion. But unlike in the past, Im consciously working every day toward becoming someone who can reliably say, No, thanks. I continue to discover that neither alcohol nor having a partner are necessary for my existence.

I celebrated my 28th birthday by throwing a private dinner party at an East Village restaurant, and the night ended with a friend making a champagne toast for me to keep getting better each year.

Today, I choose to do my best.

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.

Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.

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Paul F. deLespinasse

Until recently, a former sorority house in Corvallis, Oregon, operated as a residence for vegans and vegetarians. It came to mind recently when The New York Times trashed a NYC landlord whose "house rule" banned cooking meat or fish in the building.

Veggie House in Corvallis was a wonderful place to live and attracted a good variety of men and women, including Oregon State University students as well as older adults with no connection with OSU. Before conversion to other uses, it had recently housed people from China, Japan, Oman, Pakistan, India and Malaysia as well as the U.S. The landlord owned another large house with no limitations on what residents could cook.

Veggie House, whose residents stayed anywhere from a few months to many years, developed a unique culture, including ceremonies for celebrating birthdays.

The very idea of making places like Veggie House illegal is outrageous. If "diversity" is good, then diversity in living conditions should be seen as a good thing. But the Times report seemed to suggest that "discrimination" against people who eat meat ought to be illegal.

The reporter indicated unhappily that "The citys Human Rights Law lists 14 characteristics that landlords are not allowed to consider in deciding whether to rent an apartment to someone, including age, race, family status, job, source of income and sexual orientation. Fondness for hamburgers is not one of them."

As the reported indicated, "It is this 'allowed unless specifically forbidden' construction of anti-discrimination law that makes it perfectly legal for landlords to refuse to rent to smokers  they are not a protected class either."

Readers' comments were mostly highly critical of the landlord. Apparently for many Times readers, "discrimination" on any basis is a horrible thing.

I found this report and the reader reactions fascinating. Like "birds of a feather that flock together," people with shared interests may enjoy living together. Laws prohibiting a landlord from creating a residence where people who, for whatever reason, do not eat meat, can live together, would reduce the variety of available living places.

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Such a prohibition would be especially cruel in a country where loneliness is epidemic, since vegans and vegetarians are a small minority of the population and may often feel excluded and lonely. Places like Veggie House can help some of them feel less lonely.

Today's obsession with "discrimination" of any sort (14 types?!) is an illegitimate outgrowth of legitimate efforts to overcome racism. Racism has been a terrible problem calling for drastic countermeasures, including legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

But the damage done by racial discrimination all piles up on one element of the population. Most other "discrimination" we hear about inflicts little more than inconvenience.

For every baker who doesn't want to serve same-sex weddings, there are dozens who are delighted to get the business. For every landlord who does not want meat or fish being cooked in his or her apartment building, there are hundreds of other landlords who gladly rent to meat-eaters.

In an ideal society, people can freely enter many different kinds of voluntary associations. Such associations only exist when all parties to them consent, so everybody can refuse to enter them if they consider it not in their best interest. Only when refusals to associate pile up on one element of the community, as in the case of race, are legal restrictions even thinkable.

Semantics expert S.I. Hayakawa reminded us that when you have seen one cow you have not seen them all. There are often important differences between cows. Likewise, when you have seen one kind of discrimination, you have not seen them all.

We need to be more discriminating (in the positive, old sense of the term) in determining what kinds of discrimination should be legally discouraged. Places like Veggie House should not be not outlawed.

Paul F. deLespinasse is a retired professor of political science and computer science at Adrian College. He can be reached at pdeles@proaxis.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Paul deLespinasse: Try freedom of voluntary association
(Bloomberg) -- Mexico will refinance Petroleos Mexicanoss debt since its cheaper than if the state oil giant goes to the market itself, according to the companys Chief Executive Officer Octavio Romero.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Pemexs debt has a higher cost than sovereign debt, with the companys debt currently yielding over 11% compared to 5% for sovereign bonds with a similar maturity, said Romero during a press conference in Mexico City. Since the debt of Pemex belongs to the country, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has decided that it will be cheaper for the Finance Ministry to refinance its debt, Romero said.

Pemexs debt is the countrys debt, they go together. It doesnt make any sense that Pemex would give away money to big financial companies, to big banks, he said. The president of the republic has determined that now the bond issuances or refinancings be done by the Finance Ministry according to the financial costs of the sovereign, and this will save the country a lot of money.

The Finance Ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Read More: Pemex Bonds Tumble Amid Downgrade Warnings and Accidents

Pemexs bonds have fallen in the wake of warnings that the company may face more credit downgrades amid repeated accidents that are expected to make it harder for the driller to access financing. Its bonds due in 2032 are hovering near lows last seen in October.

The company is the worlds most indebted oil driller, with $107.4 billion in financial debt at the end of March, and its production has declined for the better part of two decades. Fitch Ratings cut the company deeper into junk territory on July 14, while Moodys Investors Service put Pemex on a negative outlook for a potential downgrade last week, citing increased credit risks.

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Read More: Pemex Says Size of Gulf of Mexico Spill Has Been Overstated

Among the spate of recent accidents was a deadly blast earlier this month on the Nohoch-Alfa gas platform that left two people dead. Romero said during the press conference that oil production had nearly recovered. While it initially dropped by as much as 700,000 barrels in one day, and then fell to 100,000 barrels a day, the loss has been reduced to 8,000 barrels, he added.

--With assistance from Maya Averbuch.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
UPDATE 7/27/23 7:50 a.m.: Sheila Rowley was located early Thursday morning and is safe, according to state police.

____________

ORIGINAL STORY: Pennsylvania State Police in Indiana are looking for a woman reported missing out of the area of Marion Center.

According to state police, Sheila M. Rowley, 60, was reported missing by family members after she left her house along the 9000 block of Route 119 Highway North in East Mahoning Township Wednesday and hasnt returned home.

Rowley is described as a white female whos five feet, six inches tall and weighs 155 pounds.

Rowley has blue eyes and shoulder-length gray hair. She was last seen wearing a gray hoodie and black leggings with a flower print, state police said.

Anyone with information concerning her whereabouts is asked to immediately contact 911.

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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Sheriff's officials declined to say whether the death might have been heat-related, but it was discovered as temperatures in the area reached 95 degrees Wednesday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

A person was found dead Wednesday in a vehicle parked outside Joshua Tree National Park, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office said.

The vehicle was found around at 1:45 p.m. off Interstate 10 near Chiriaco Summit, about 30 miles east of Indio.

One person was found dead in the vehicle; sheriff's officials said there was no sign of foul play.

The cause of death is under investigation by the Riverside County coroner's office.

Sheriff's officials declined to say if the death might have been heat-related, but it was discovered as temperatures in the area reached 95 degrees Wednesday and were forecast to reach as high as 109 degrees on Thursday.

The region is in the midst of a dangerous heat wave, with the National Weather Service issuing an excessive heat warning on Thursday afternoon.

Read more: A relentless heat wave that refuses to let up brings danger to California, Southwest

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.
Pet ownership exploded during the global pandemic, and veterinarians are still struggling to keep up with demand.

In fact, a Mars Veterinary Health report from 2022 highlighted a need for more than 41,000 vets to enter the industry over the next decade in order to meet demand. Not enough people are going into this field, which means there will be an estimated shortage of 15,000 veterinarians by 2030.

Pet telehealth company Airvet is out to help them, buoyed by $18.2 million in new Series B funding. We last profiled the company in 2020 when it raised its $14 million Series A round.

CEO Brandon Werber, whose father is well-known vet Dr. Jeff Werber, started the company in 2018 to connect pet parents with practicing veterinarians for telehealth visits any day, any time.

The vet shortage is going to make it very expensive and very, very difficult to get care for your pets when they're sick, Werber said. So many vets today are not taking new clients at all. They're just telling you to go find another vet, go to an urgent care or an ER. The problem is most people can't afford impromptu trips to the vet. It's really expensive.

Help is on the way

Indeed, with U.S. pet care estimated to grow from $118 billion in 2019 to $277 billion by 2030, all of this need provides an opportunity for technology to help.

Not only has that attracted startups, but venture capitalists as well.

Companies like Digitail, Mixlab, The Vets and Dutch, to name a few, came on in recent years with solutions to help vets. Newer startups are coming in as well: Mascotte Health, a UAE-based veterinary service provider, announced $1.2 million in pre-seed funding this month, while Maven Pet recently raised $3 million to use AI to detect early onset of serious illnesses in dogs and cats, according to Guilherme Coelho, co-founder and CEO.

However, even with the need for more veterinarian services, not every companys business model has succeeded. For example, Fuzzy, a company that created a digital pet care network of veterinary professionals, and raised $80 million in venture-backed funding since its founding in 2016, reportedly shut down in June.

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The enterprise route

Watching what happened to Fuzzy, and trying to keep a company going amid a market shift, put things into perspective, Werber said.

When the markets shifted, it put back into focus that you can't just build fast and recklessly, he said. You have to build with an eye and a path towards profitability, healthy margins, healthy unit economics and building a real scalable business. We had to take hard looks at our model and our strategy.

Business approaches in the pet tech space run the gambit, but have largely focused on direct-to-consumer healthcare or helping veterinarians more easily manage their practices amid the demand.

For Airvets part, Werber said he saw an opportunity to target business-to-business. The company has since built up a base of employer clients, including Adobe, Ceridian and Rexford Industrial, eager to offer an employer-sponsored benefit for employees with pets.

Werber declined to go into specifics about customer or revenue growth, but said he expects Airvet to reach over 50 customers in the next year and that revenue was growing at a faster rate than before.

Meanwhile, the companys Series B round was led by Mountain Group Partners with participation from Canvas Ventures, Headline, Burst Capital and a group of strategic investors, including VCA Animal Hospitals founder Bob Antin. This gives Airvet just over $33 million in total funding. As part of the investment, Byron Smith, managing director at Mountain Group Partners, will join the companys board.

The funding will support the continued expansion of Airvets partnership with enterprise and employer clients, on product development and to build out the companys sales and marketing teams.

The biggest plans for us now are to really build this category into a ubiquitous category for all employers and enterprises who want to acknowledge, support and celebrate pet families and provide services and resources for them in areas where they are really struggling, Werber said. A big part of that is access and affordability of pet care.
Leer en espanol

While AR was in a relationship with her ex-husband, she felt she had no control. She could not imagine that their marriage in 2019 would begin a cycle of abuse.

I was closed off from my friends, AR shared with The Arizona Republic. I couldnt have contact with my family, with my mom. I was working before and he made me quit my job. He controlled the food that we ate. He managed my entire life.

The Republic is using initials for the woman to safeguard her identity and that of her children.

The first time AR sought help from a domestic violence shelter in 2020, she found a temporary solution. A shelter  Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse in Tucson  helped set her up with a house where she could reside with her five children. In her mind, she was safe and even got two dogs  a Chihuahua named Bella and a German Shepherd and Husky mix named Oso.

But the abuse from her now ex-husband continued and only got worse when she asked for a divorce in 2022. He wouldnt leave her alone, AR said.

He was obsessed, she said.

He would stake out her house early in the mornings, pound on the doors to the point of knocking them down and would threaten her, her children and her dogs' lives.

Oso, a German shepherd, poses for a portrait at a newly-installed dog area at the Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores domestic violence shelter in Phoenix on July 25, 2023.

In February 2023 she knew she had to leave once again.

Her two dogs are like her children. She could not imagine leaving them behind  especially after her ex-husband had a pattern of violence.

According to research from the Animal Welfare Institute, 48% of domestic violence victims delay leaving a dangerous situation out of concern for their pets safety.

Desperately making calls and searching for resources to try to find a space for her and her family, she found Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores, a bilingual shelter in Phoenix which recently began allowing pets. The shelter provided a space where she could stay with both her pets and her five children, whose ages range from 9 to 21.

AR has been at the shelter for two months and says she now feels truly calm and protected.

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I now have to start from zero, AR said. "I cant say that I regret my decision or that Im struggling because (the shelter) has supported me and is always on the lookout to make sure (my pets') needs are met.

Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores, a place to 'heal together'

The hallmarks of (domestic violence) are not violence, but rather coercion and control, said Jenna Panas, chief executive officer for the AZ Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. A domestic violence relationship is one in which one party is seeking to essentially control the other party through coercion, violence, abuse, etc. And so one of the mechanisms that can be used to control someone is a pet.

A view of the newly-installed dog area at the Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores domestic violence shelter in Phoenix on July 25, 2023.

A 2022 report by the coalition showed that in 2022 there were a total of 101 known domestic violence-related fatalities across Arizona. Of those deaths, 69 were in Maricopa County.

The numbers are projected to stay consistent for 2023, Panas said.

According to Esperanza United, a national network that mobilizes Latino communities to end gender-based violence, about 1 in 3 Latinas experience some form of domestic violence, and often, due to language barriers and cultural expectations, they find it harder to seek help.

Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores was founded in 1986 to give Spanish-speaking domestic violence survivors a space to receive services in their language. Offering a variety of services  avoiding family separations, legal aid, and court preparation  with a completely bilingual staff, the shelter recently opened a space for residents to bring in their pets.

Pets are a source of comfort and happiness, but pet safety is a barrier preventing people experiencing abuse to seek help, shelter program manager Mayani Jinel said in a statement.

The CPLC De Colores program provides resources to an average of 500 to 600 survivors of sexual and domestic abuse annually, according to the shelter. There are 88 beds in the shelter.

Jinel said she has seen an increase in the number of residents since they started accepting pets. She noted residents and their pets can heal together now that they can seek safety with their companion animals.

The shelter decided to begin accepting pets two years ago. At first, residents would need to carefully walk their pets outside, often fearing being seen, Jinel described.

Through Chicanos Por La Causa's partnership with Assured Engineering Concepts, a locally owned business that provides professional engineering design services, De Colores received enough support to open a pet park this year within the walls of the shelter. Our efforts with the pet park aims to encourage survivors to take action without worrying about leaving their pet behind," Jinel said.

Oso, a German shepherd, poses for a portrait at a newly-installed dog area at the Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores domestic violence shelter in Phoenix on July 25, 2023.

The shelter provides all of the necessities for pets ranging from food, toys and other pet essentials. So far, De Colores has seen mostly dogs, but they have had a share of cats, hamsters and fish.

For a lot of people, pets are a part of their family, Jinel said. I see the impact of the shelter. I see how happy they are. I see how having their pets with them makes them feel secure."

CPLC De Colores, however, can only help so many people. With a limited amount of resources and space for survivors, AR notes that more needs to be done to help others in her situation.

"I wish there were more opportunities, more programs, more resources for them to help us; (the shelter) does what they can but sometimes there are obstacles," AR said. "There need to be more resources, not just for the De Colores shelter, but also for any program that supports people like us."

Resources for Arizonans experiencing domestic violence

In Arizona, people can call the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, 602-279-2900 or 1-800-782-6400 or visit its website, acesdv.org/helpline.

The Phoenix police website, www.phoenix.gov/domesticviolence, has a list of places people can contact in Maricopa County.

The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign awarded Chicanos Por La Causa a $25,000 last year to support families living at De Colores. Read the full list of 158 grantees here.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: CPLC domestic violence shelter helps survivors keep their pets
Police say that an argument with a food court worker at Cross Creek Mall on Wednesday resulted in the customer returning with a gun and firing a shot before being disarmed by an employee.

Michael William Floyd, 51, is charged with discharging a firearm in an enclosed space to incite fear, possession of a firearm by a felon, second-degree kidnapping, assault by strangulation and assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the Fayetteville Police Department, before the shooting, Floyd, of Hope Mills, allegedly got into an argument with a worker at Primo Pizza about 12:30 p.m.

After the altercation, Floyd exited the mall and then returned to the food establishment with a handgun, a news release said.

Crime scene tape surrounds the Primo Pizza stand inside the Cross Creek Mall food court on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, after someone fired shots inside the mall. No one was injured.

Related: Combat veteran stops suspected shooter leaving Fayetteville's Cross Creek Mall

Its alleged that Floyd then entered a designated employee area and got into a physical fight with a worker.

During the altercation, a gunshot was fired, and the employee was able to disarm Floyd, the release said.

In the parking lot, a passerby who said he saw a man, later identified as Floyd, putting a gun into his waistband as he walked into the food court, said he spotted that same man outside after people ran from the mall because of the shooting.

Suspecting the individual was responsible, Robert Williams, 41, of Fayetteville, said he followed Floyd to an unpopulated area of the parking lot before the combat veteran ordered the suspected assailant to the ground at gunpoint.

Williams said he held him there until police arrived. No one was injured in the shooting.

Floyd is being held in the Cumberland County jail without bail.

F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@fayobserver.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Pizza worker disarmed gunman after shots fired in Cross Creek Mall, police say
Hunter Biden leaves court

Hunter Biden's deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to two misdemeanour tax evasion charges and defer punishment for lying on a gun license application collapsed in dramatic fashion in a Delaware federal courtroom on Wednesday.

As a room full of reporters watched, the presiding judge, Maryellen Noreika, questioned the assembled lawyers about details of the agreement, revealing that the federal team led by David Weiss, the Donald Trump-appointed US attorney in Delaware who is in charge of the Biden investigation, and Mr Biden's lawyers, had very different views on what it contained.

Eventually, Mr Biden's side agreed to the prosecution's view - but that proved to be just the first stumbling block. The judge then questioned the gun deal - in which no charges would be filed if Mr Biden stayed out of legal trouble and did not attempt to purchase firearms for two years.

The agreement made Ms Noreika, rather than the justice department, the arbiter of whether Mr Biden was keeping his end of the agreement, a provision she found to be of questionable legality.

After she told the lawyers she could not decide the matter without further review, Mr Biden pleaded not guilty to the two tax charges and the judge told the sides they would have 30 days to reach a new agreement that addressed her concerns.

"You are all saying, 'Just rubber stamp the agreement'," Ms Noreika told the lawyers. "I'm not in a position to accept or reject it. I need to defer."

In the meantime, there are more questions than there are answers.

What did the prosecution and defence lawyers disagree about?

At the heart of Wednesday's dispute was exactly how much immunity from future prosecution the plea deal with give Hunter Biden. Defence attorneys said they understood that the agreement would protect their client from any future indictments by federal prosecutors over his business dealings.

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Federal prosecutors disagreed, telling the judge the plea agreement only covered tax crimes and Mr Biden's falsely claiming he was not a drug addict when he applied for a 2018 gun license.

It's typical for defence attorneys to press for the broadest level of protection for their clients when entering plea negotiations. Prosecutors, on the other hand, tend to want to keep their options open. These details are usually hammered out well ahead of a courtroom appearance, however.

The Biden team has a particular interest in limiting the justice department's range of future options, both in new prosecutions and determining violations of the gun agreement, to prevent a Republican president from reopening the inquiry in 2025.

In the end, the two sides agreed that Mr Biden would be protected from further tax and gun charges stemming activities that took place between 2014 and 2019.

Why did the judge mention a foreign agents law?

When asked by congressional investigators, Mr Weiss and federal prosecutors have said that their investigations are "ongoing" despite the plea deal.

During their Wednesday court appearance, Judge Noreika specifically asked the prosecution team about whether the plea deal would prevent a prosecution for violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara) - a federal law that requires individuals who are engaging in political advocacy on behalf of foreign governments, businesses or nationals to inform the federal government of their activities.

The prosecutors said it did not.

There has been widespread speculation that Mr Weiss's team has been looking into possible Fara violations, given that Mr Biden had frequent contacts with Chinese and Ukrainian individuals and businesses as part of his international business dealings.

While the prosecutors did not confirm this as an ongoing area of investigation, the judge's questions will further fuel speculation.

Fara prosecutions were rare until recent years and typically come through plea deals and not trials.

Former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to a Fara charge in 2019, as did former Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy in 2020. Both were subsequently pardoned by Mr Trump.

What happens next in the case?

The clock is ticking on the 30-day deadline for prosecutors and Mr Biden's lawyers to reach a plea agreement that won't collapse when it reaches the courtroom.

If they can't, the judge could set a trial date for the two misdemeanour tax violations the presidential son is already facing - and prosecutors could add more serious criminal violations to the charge sheet.

If a new deal is reached, Judge Noreika will have to approve it - and then issue a sentence. While the prosecutors had recommending parole and no jail time as part of the previous deal, the judge will make her own determination as to the appropriate punishment.

Meanwhile, congressional Republicans, who are conducting their own investigation of Mr Biden's business activities will continue their inquiries.

They had actively opposed the previous plea agreement, which they considered too lenient for Mr Biden.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has said that committee Republicans believe that President Biden may be more closely tied to Hunter Biden's businesses than was previously disclosed.

Mr Weiss had promised to testify to Congress sometime after August to explain the plea deal and his prosecutorial decisions, but that becomes less likely if his office takes Mr Biden to trial on tax charges or is actively investigating other possible criminal violations.

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]



Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively.

Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]


Ukraine needs more air defense systems from its partners to protect its major cities against Russian missile threats, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukraine's Presidential Office, told the Guardian in an interview on July 27.

Podolyak said that the recent strikes on Odesa illustrate Russian tactics to attack Ukraine's cities by overwhelming their air defenses.

"Russia's tactics are clear: they use massive drone attacks to overload our anti-aircraft systems and then in parallel, they have a window of opportunity to use ballistic missiles to target infrastructure," the presidential advisor told the Guardian in Kyiv.

While Ukraine's capital is better-protected thanks to a complex air defense system using Western weaponry, Odesa is more vulnerable, the newspaper commented.

Ukrainian defenses need additional modern air-defense systems like Patriots to defend against air-launched ballistic Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles or Onyx cruise missiles, Podolyak said.

Russia used Onyx anti-ship missiles repeatedly in the past days to target cities in southern Ukraine.

We dont have enough modern anti-aircraft systems like Patriot, that are able to hit the latest generation Russian missiles like Oniks and Kinzhal  the deficit of these systems means we cant cover all the parts of the country," Podolyak said.

At least 10 to 12 batteries are needed to protect the whole country, he said. According to the official, an increased supply of air defense capabilities makes sense both morally and economically for Ukraine's partners, as reconstruction after the destruction wrought by Russian missiles will be more expensive.

Russia launched a series of attacks against Ukraine's south in the past few days, primarily targeting ports, agricultural infrastructure, and grain stockpiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 19 that the country needs additional SAMP/T or Patriot air defense systems to protect its skies.

On July 26, the president revealed that the military received air defense reinforcements without specifying their type or origin.

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Ukraine currently operates two Patriot systems, one provided by the U.S. and another by Germany. Berlin pledged further two Patriot launchers during the NATO summit in Vilnius earlier in July.

On June 19, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a SAMP/T air defense system, previously pledged by France and Italy, is deployed and operational in Ukraine.

Read also: UNESCO mission to visit Odesa, assess damage from Russian attacks
Police were called to the Montlake neighborhood on Tuesday for two men sleeping in a running car near the intersection of 24th Avenue East and East Miller Street.

The Seattle Police Department said officers soon discovered the car was stolen and tried to get the men out of it. The driver then rammed into the patrol cars and tried to drive around them. After hitting multiple trees, bushes, and a metal sign the driver slowed and returned to the street. The passenger then opened the door and ran from the car just before being caught and arrested.

The driver tried to escape before colliding with two parked cars and being taken into custody.

After a search of the suspects car police found a loaded gun, a ballistic vest, drug paraphernalia, 1.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and .7 grams of suspected fentanyl.

The 27-year-old driver was arrested for, malicious mischief, possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm, a possible DUI charge, and an outstanding felony warrant. The 24-year-old passenger was arrested for possession of narcotics with the intent to deliver, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
A 55-year-old man has been trespassed from a Buffalo Wild Wings by police in Sugarcreek Twp. after he was caught engaging in lewd behavior in front of children and families on the restaurants patio.

>> Deputies stop person who wanted to jump from bridge in Xenia

Should David Hackett ever return to the restaurant, in the 6200 block of Wilmington Pike, he could be arrested immediately, police told News Center 7s Mike Campbell said Wednesday.

Police declined to talk on camera about what happened there July 15, but the incident report News Center 7 requested provides disturbing details about what witnesses said Hackett did while sitting at a table on the restaurants back patio. According to the report, a 16-year-old female server told police Hackett was sitting at a table by himself. . . . Hackett smiled and said Hi and this occurred multiple times. As the server went back and forth to the kitchen, she observed Hackett reach into his pants.

She immediately reported the incident to her manager, who also observed the same behavior and called police. Hackett was arrested, accused of indecent exposure and criminal trespass.

David Hackett was arrested on a charge of indecent exposure for his behavior at a restaurant in Greene County on July 15, Sugarcreek Twp. police said. (Courtesy: Sugarcreek Twp. police)

I dont know what I would do if that were to happen with my daughter there, Mariah Thorpe told News Center 7s Campbell. Itd be a little scary. . . . I dont know if it has to do with alcohol and drugs, I dont know if they dont have a sense of common courtesy for other people.

Thorpe said the exhibition is something no employee or customer should have to deal with.

Yeah, I think its sad that there are things like this happening in the world, Im glad they took care of it right away, she said.
















Alameda County Sheriff's Deputy Dave Durbin holds a drone while demonstrating a search and rescue operation in Dublin, Calif. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)

The use of police drones is "poised to explode" in the next year as law enforcement takes advantage of the technology's proliferation, leaving public regulation and transparency efforts in danger of being caught woefully behind, civil rights advocates warn.

"A world where flying robotic police cameras constantly crisscross our skies is one we have never seen before," Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union, wrote in a report released Thursday. "Yet there are strong reasons to believe that such a world may be coming faster than most people realize."

At least 1,400 police departments across the country are using drones in some fashion, but only 15 have obtained waivers from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly their drones beyond the visual line of sight, or BVLOS, of operators. That means the vast majority of departments are still limited in the types of calls they can respond to with drones.

That is about to change, experts say, as law enforcement agencies are eagerly adopting new drone programs and many of them are asking for exemptions from the FAA. The aviation agency is also expected to soon adopt new rules that would give permission for BVLOS flights to anyone who meets the agency's criteria.

"You already had police use of drones on the uptick," said Matt Sloane, chief executive of Skyfire, which provides equipment, training and software to police and fire agencies to set up drone programs. "Now things have come together in this perfect storm where it's soon becoming fully legal to operate beyond line of sight."

Read more: See Spot spy? A new generation of police robots faces backlash

Sloane, whose company has worked with about 800 police and fire departments, said the changes have prompted more departments to start drone programs of their own, including using drones as the first response to emergency calls.

Privacy and civil rights advocates worry about the proliferation of law enforcement drones and how they are used. Many police departments are eager to deploy the new technology, but few are sharing specific information with the public about how, when or why the drones are being used, according to the ACLU report.

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"Widespread police use of drones would be a major change, with implications foreseeable and not," the report said. "It's important that we don't sleepwalk into a world of widespread aerial surveillance, that communities think very carefully about whether they want drone surveillance, and, if they decide to permit some operations, put in place guardrails that will prevent those operations from expanding."

According to police departments, drones can keep officers, civilians and even suspects safer by using high-resolution cameras to feed video and information to police responding to a call before they get to the scene. The drone can help confirm where a suspect is or whether a reportedly armed suspect may just be someone holding another object, police say.

The LAPD made drones a permanent part of its arsenal in 2019 after a yearlong trial that was met with criticism and concerns from citizens and activists. Other local agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Burbank Police Department and Beverly Hills Police Department, have also bought drones with high-resolution cameras.

Read more: City Council votes to accept donation of controversial LAPD robot dog

Though most departments first purchased the drones to deploy for specific calls, experts say law enforcement agencies have become more comfortable with using drones as their first response, or DFR.

"American police departments have begun making the case that they should be permitted to fly drones broadly across cities and towns for purposes such as responding to emergencies, but they are already being used far more broadly than many realize," the ACLU report reads. "Their use is likely to broaden even more."

Chula Vista became the first city to use drones as first responders in 2019, with the help of Skyfire.

Officials and advocates, including the ACLU, have pointed to Chula Vista as a model program; the city has published specific information on when drones have been deployed, reducing call response times to as little as two minutes.

The drones can be a "force multiplier," Sloane said, helping police departments that may be understaffed.

But many other departments have not been as open as Chula Vista in disclosing drone information; some have moved to declare that video recorded from drones won't be released publicly. Stanley, from the ACLU, also warns against what is known as "mission creep" as departments expand the use of drones beyond the emergency responses for which they were first planned.

Read more: Beverly Hills police add another 'eye in the sky' with expanded drone program

Of more than 14,000 drone flights reported by Chula Vista, some have responded to calls about domestic disputes, loud music, a water leak and, in one instance, someone "bouncing a ball against a garage."

Most departments that have reached out to Skyfire have adopted policies to reassure the public that the drones won't infringe on privacy or civil rights, Sloane said. Not only do agencies want to avoid any possible lawsuits, he said, but departments seem keenly aware of the novelty of the technology and are concerned that abuses could translate to restrictions.

"We've always been of the opinion that this should only be for 911 responses," Sloane said. "I don't think anyone in the industry is comfortable with drones flying over our heads 24/7. It feels a bit big brother-ish to me."

But some departments have moved to push the use of drones.

In Beverly Hills, police recently expanded their drone program and have said they have used drones not only to respond first to police calls but also on routine patrols of the city.

Use of drones during patrols also raises concerns about law enforcement agencies using the devices for surveillance, especially during 1st Amendment-protected activities such as protests.

Read more: Police like using Google data to solve crimes. Does that put your privacy at risk?

In Chicago, legislators recently passed a bill that allows law enforcement to use drones during events such as parades and festivals but prohibits their use during protests.

Police departments in the past have used aerial surveillance, such as helicopters, more widely in low-income communities and neighborhoods of people of color, Stanley noted.

"Drones, too, are likely to be deployed first and foremost in low-income communities  though they could easily become far more pervasive and ever-present than police helicopters, which are more expensive and thus subject to natural limits," the ACLU report reads.

While concerns have been raised about police use of drones, Slone said, other agencies such as fire departments have met much less pushback.

"The concern here is privacy, not the drones," he said. "The concern, and what people want to know, is why are you using this?"

In its report, the ACLU recommends communities put in place guardrails before drone programs are implemented.

Sloane said he agrees communities need to discuss how drones should be used in their neighborhoods, but he also hopes their use is not curtailed by fear.

"This could be used to save a life," he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Scituate Police are investigating a disturbing incident at Museum Beach after a mock tombstone appears to have targeted the School Director of Diversity, Education, and Inclusion, jamele adams.

Photos of the incident are described as rocks lined up in the shape of a grave, with a makeshift tombstone reading In loving memory of followed by the misspelled name of adams, according to the Superintendent of Scituate Public Schools, the Town Administrator, and the Select Board.

We are horrified and dismayed that anyone would engage in such vile behavior. As a community, we cannot claim to be inclusive and welcoming if such incidents continue to occur here, said members of Scituate Together for Representation, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity.

Not only has adams been a dedicated Scituate Public School employee, but he also has lent his expertise and knowledge to the wider community through organizing and facilitating conversations with STRIDE in order to reverse racism and bigotry.

When hate shows up, show up with more love, adams said on Twitter.

When hate shows up, show up with more love.  jamele adams (@h2five) July 25, 2023

adams spells his name with lowercase letters to signal that he is a piece in lifes grand landscape for us all, according to his biography.

Recipient of many awards and recognitions for his work in higher education, with young scholars interested in law and creative writing workshops, adams is also a nationally celebrated poet.

Incidents like this one demonstrate just how entrenched racism and bigotry are on the South Shore and in Scituate, according to the organization. We are heartened that the Scituate Police Department is treating this incident with the seriousness it deserves and are grateful that the Selectboard and the School Committee have jointly condemned the actions of this person/s, but we must do more as a community.

Story continues

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

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Police in Lincolnton are looking for a man who robbed a gas station after flashing a handgun at the cashier.

Police say that they are searching for a man who walked into a Murphy Express gas station on North Generals Boulevard on Tuesday right before midnight and showed a handgun before taking money from the cash register.

He was in a 2007-2008 Honda Accord or similar model when he arrived at the parking lot, authorities said. The suspect exited the passenger side of the car before going into the store.

ALSO READ: Police searching for person who robbed south Charlotte Ross twice in one night, assaulted worker

With money in hand, the suspect then left on foot, walking south towards Ashton Way. Police believe he was picked up in the suspect vehicle shortly after.

The suspect is being described as a white male with a thin build. He is around 510 to 62 and weighs around 170-180 pounds. At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing blue jeans, a black hoodie, sunglasses, a black balaclava, and red and white Nike shoes.

If you have information on the robbery, you are asked to contact the Lincolnton Police Department at (704) 736-8900.

(WATCH BELOW: Bystander shot after stepping in during convenience store robbery, police say)
Police are investigating three possible drownings at a popular beach on Cape Cod on Thursday.

Dennis Police Lieutenant Peter Benson said officers responded to Mayflower Beach just before 3 p.m. after learning a total of three possible drowning victims were pulled from the water.

As emergency crews arrived at the beach, three female victims were identified as having been pulled from the water in various stages of medical distress, according to Benson.

Each victim was transported to the hospital. There is no word on their conditions.

Detectives are investigating the circumstances of the incident and gathering information about the identities of the victims.

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
Photo: Oliver Helbig (Getty Images)

This week, a 41-year-old Polish woman told the newspaper, Gazeta Wyborcza, that after she miscarried at 18 weeks, police believed she was lying and searched the sewers for the fetus they believed she had aborted.



Per the Telegraph, citing the Polish news source, the woman, Ola, went to the hospital when she began to experience severe pain during her pregnancy. Doctors initially said her fetus was healthy, gave her medication, and sent her home. Days later, she miscarried and was taken to the hospital. Ola said she called her husband once there, but she claims the police took her husbands phone from him and began questioning her. She told Gazeta Wyborcza she believes one of the paramedics attending to her in the ambulance reported her to the police, after accusing her of aborting and drowning her baby in the toilet.

Read more

Ola told the Polish news outlet shes coming forward with her story because she keeps hearing gut-wrenching accounts of people being investigated and punished by the police. In particular, she cited a story she heard of one woman who was ordered by police to undress and perform squats after she was caught taking abortion pills.

Earlier this year, a Polish activist was found guilty of aiding an abortion because shed mailed abortion pills to a woman who was trying to escape an abusive relationship during the pandemic. Last June, Poland created a national pregnancy registrya wildly dangerous development, because when abortion is banned, all pregnancies become potential crime scenes. Olas story is a perfect example of this.

Criminal investigations of pregnancy outcomes have been happening in the U.S. for yearseven before the Supreme Court overturned Roeand the spread of state abortion bans only leaves pregnant people more vulnerable. As Ola shares her story in Poland, in the U.S., a teenager in Nebraska was just sentenced to 90 days in jail for taking abortion pills when she was 17. A California woman has shared the story of police entering her home, seizing her miscarried fetus, and arresting her husband while the two planned to have a grieving ceremony after her miscarriage. And, just as Ola suspects she was reported to Polish police by paramedics, people who face criminal charges over their pregnancies in the U.S. are most often reported on by their medical providers.

Story continues

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Ola was told that her foetus was healthy when she went to hospital with complications, but miscarried days later - WESTEND61

Polish prosecutors ordered a womans sewage system to be searched for an aborted foetus after she reported experiencing a miscarriage, it has been claimed.

Ola, 41, from Warsaw, said she was 18 weeks pregnant when she started to experience complications and went to a hospital. The doctors gave her medication, but told her that her foetus was healthy.

She reported experiencing severe pain days later before miscarrying.

She was taken for treatment in an ambulance and reported that when she called her husband from the hospital, the police took his phone and began questioning her.

She believes that the attending paramedic had accused her of aborting and drowning her baby in the toilet, Ola told broadsheet Gazeta Wyborcza.

Restrictive abortion laws

Abortion is highly legally restricted in Poland, and aiding someone in terminating a pregnancy a criminal offence.

Before Ola got back from the hospital, she found out that the prosecutors had ordered her septic tank to be emptied to search for evidence. They then wanted to funnel it through a strainer to find remnants of the foetus, but the septic tank cleaners refused. The police also took the scissors with which she cut her umbilical cord, her underwear and blood from the floor to determine that the miscarriage did not occur as a result of criminal actions of third parties. The district prosecutor issued proceedings against Ola, but the case was dropped six months later.

Polands restrictive abortion laws have led to womens aid organisations being prosecuted and doctors being unwilling to terminate pregnancies even when the mothers life is at risk, even though this remains legal. As a result, some women have died of complications.

Ola said she wanted to go public with her case after reading about a Polish woman named Joanna who was ordered to undress and perform squats in front of police officers after taking abortion pills.

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In 2021, the Illinois General Assembly pushed through the SAFE-T Act on the final day of the lame duck session. Part of the legislation included the allowance of no-cash bail.

On July 18, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the SAFE-T Act and its no-cash bail provision.

State Sen. Tom Bennett

Pontiac-area lawmakers have since expressed their joint disappointment in the court's ruling.

Eliminating cash bail without providing judges with broad discretion to hold dangerous individuals pre-trial will decrease public safety and make it harder for law enforcement to keep violent criminals off the streets and out of our communities," said State Sen. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City, said in statement. We have already seen police officers and sheriffs leave to find new careers because of the SAFE-T Act. With the ruling today, I fear it will be harder to find individuals to fill those positions and keep our communities safe.

Bennett represents the state senate's 53rd District, which covers all or parts of Bureau, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Tazewell, Will, and Woodford Counties.

State Rep. Jason Bunting

State Rep. Jason Bunting, R-Emington, is in agreement.

The law is so bad that a majority of the states attorneys in Illinois, Republicans and Democrats alike, sued to stop it from going into effect Bunting said in a news release. After initially defending the law, Democrats have spent much of the past two years making changes to it. But even with the changes, the new law still puts criminals ahead of victims and makes Illinois less safe."

Illinoisans should be able to count on having safe communities in which to live and work. Instead this law prioritizes criminals over families and the police officers we trust to keep us safe."

Bunting's 106th Illinois House District represents Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean and Will Counties.

Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail as a condition of pretrial release when the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionally of the law abolishing it.

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The 5-2 ruling overturns a Kankakee County judges opinion in December that the law violated the constitutions provision that all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties. Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, writing for the majority, decreed that the law honors the constitutions balance between the rights of victims and defendants.

When the Supreme Court received the direct appeal from the local court, it stopped the scheduled Jan. 1, 2023 implementation of the law. Theis ordered that it take effect in 60 days, on Sept. 18.

Proponents of eliminating cash bail describe it as a penalty on poverty, suggesting that the wealthy can pay their way out of jail to await trial while those in economic distress  particularly people of color  have to sit it out behind bars. A pandemic-era increase in crime spurred debates on bail reforms.

Critics have argued that bail is a time-honored way to ensure defendants released from jail show up for court proceedings. They warn that violent criminals will be released pending trial, giving them license to commit other crimes.

It was rammed through in spite of serious objections from law enforcement and others who were concerned that it would make Illinois less safe, Bunting noted in his release. Eliminating cash bail makes it much easier for those arrested for crimes to be quickly released back out onto the streets.

Illinois has one of the highest murder rates in the country, and criminals have been so emboldened in recent years that they commit violent crimes in broad daylight. Police have been demonized and undermined to the point that it is getting harder and harder for departments around the state to attract and retain the number of police officers they need to protect the public.

Many counties have expressed concern over the negative impact the law will have on the safety of its residents, as well as the financial impact eliminating cash bail will have on local government budgets, Bennett said in his release.

Bennett said those costs will likely be made up by an increase in property taxes, a decrease in government services, or both.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pontiac area lawmakers disappointed with high court's cash bail ruling
A popular womens fashion retailer will set up shop at Rosevilles Westfield Galleria next spring.

Aritzia specializes in business, active and casual attire. It was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1984 and has grown to more than 100 stores across North America and launched nearly a half-dozen brands after exploding in popularity during the pandemic.

At Aritzia, we offer elevated everyday luxury products, and are home to an extensive portfolio of exclusive brands for every function and individual aesthetic, an Aritzia spokesperson said in an email to The Sacramento Bee.

A spokesperson for Rosevilles Westfield Galleria did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

While looking at this opportunity at Westfield Galleria at Roseville, we were impressed with the quality of the market, the prime location within the shopping center, and the admirable mix of brands wed be joining, the spokesperson said. We cant wait to connect with the Roseville community next year.

Aritzia is the latest retailer to announce its joining the popular Roseville shopping destination. North Face, Alo and Psycho Bunny are moving in next year, too.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and other critics of Joe Biden are claiming the US president said during a July 2023 event that he "ended cancer as we know it." This is missing context; Biden mentioned curing the disease as one of several future policy goals, and the White House transcript quotes him saying: "We can end cancer as we know it."

"BIDEN: 'We ended cancer as we know it,'" says a July 25, 2023 post from RNC Research on Twitter, which is rebranding as "X."

The post includes a short clip of Biden speaking during a July 25 White House event on expanding access to mental health care.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 26, 2023

Similar claims also circulated across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, spread by conservative US media outlets, commentators such as Fox News host Sean Hannity and politicians such as Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.

But the posts take Biden's comments out of context -- and conflict with the official White House transcript (archived here), which records him saying: "We can end cancer as we know it."

Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates told AFP in a July 26 email that the "official transcript is correct."

Biden's words are not perfectly clear in the short snippet circulating in some posts online. The president has a stutter and a history of making verbal gaffes, making him a frequent target of posts purporting to show him confused, sleeping or misreading social cues.

However, the transcript and full footage of the White House event (archived here) show that when Biden spoke of finding a cancer cure, he was not celebrating it among his accomplishments -- but rather listing it as one of his future policy goals.

"You know, in the last two State of the Union Addresses, I've laid out what I call the Unity Agenda. It is made up of four big things to -- that we're going to do together as a nation," Biden says.

"One of the things I'm always asked is: You know, why -- why Americans have sort of lost faith for a while on being -- being able to do big things. 'If you could do anything at all, Joe, what would you do?' I said, 'I'd cure cancer.' And they looked at me like, 'Why cancer?' Because no one thinks we can. That's why. And we can. We can end cancer as we know it."

He listed helping veterans, beating the opioid epidemic and tackling the mental health crisis as the other three "big things."

AFP has fact-checked other posts taking Biden's remarks out of context here, here and here.
President Joe Biden will nominate a federal public defender in Kansas to become an appeals court judge, moving to end a vacancy the White House previously tried to fill by selecting a federal prosecutor in Kansas.

The White House announced Thursday that Biden plans to nominate Richard E.N. Federico to join the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which covers Kansas and five other states. Federico joined the Federal Public Defenders Office for the District of Kansas in Topeka in 2017 and has been a senior litigator since 2020.

In just three years, Biden has appointed more public defenders to federal circuit courts than any other president, a move intended to bring diversity of experience to a federal judiciary loaded with former prosecutors.

Federico, who holds a law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law and a graduate-level law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, is a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves Judge Advocate Generals Corps, commonly known as JAG. He has served as a military judge for the Navy Reserve Trial Judiciary since 2019 and as an appellate defense counsel before then.

The White House named Federico along with three other judicial nominations.

The President is announcing his intent to nominate two individuals to federal circuit courts and two individuals to federal district courtsall of whom are extraordinarily qualified, experienced, and devoted to the rule of law and our Constitution, the White House said in a statement.

These choices also continue to fulfill the Presidents promise to ensure that the nations courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a countryboth in terms of personal and professional backgrounds.

Federicos nomination comes after Biden previously nominated Jabari Wamble, a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Kansas who is also a son-in-law to Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri. The U.S. Senate didnt confirm Wamble before the end of the last Congress, voiding the nomination.

Biden then nominated Wamble for a lower district court judge position. But Wamble withdrew from consideration in May as the American Bar Associations Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary continued to review his nomination, despite rating others who were nominated after him.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaving the Mirror Group Phone hacking trial at the Rolls Building at High Court on June 7 - GC Images

Prince Harrys phone hacking case against News Group Newspapers (NGN) has been thrown out by a judge who ruled that only part of his lawsuit will go to trial at the High Court.

His claim that he was unable to bring phone hacking allegations owing to a secret deal between Buckingham Palace and NGN was branded implausible.

The Duke of Sussex has accused Rupert Murdochs newspaper group of phone hacking and other unlawful activities to gather information on him from the mid-1990s until 2016.

He said he had found out in 2012 about the palaces agreement to delay any claims until after the conclusion of other litigation over hacking, which prevented him pursuing legal action at the time.

But on Thursday, Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in favour of the argument by NGN that the Duke was aware enough of the phone hacking scandal to bring his case sooner.

The Dukes claims of voicemail interception and phone hacking at The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World will therefore not be brought to trial, in what NGN described as a significant victory.

However, the High Court judge said the Dukes claims of blagging - or obtaining confidential details by deception or impersonation - and using other unlawful invasions of privacy could proceed to a trial, which is due to begin in January.

The remaining claims must be tried, he told the court, adding: I do not find this is a case where its possible to say one party is clearly the successful party.

The Duke leaves High Court with his lawyer David Sherborne in June - HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS

A spokesman for the Murdoch-owned publisher said the ruling substantially reduces the scope of [the Dukes] legal claim.

Prince Harry sued NGN at the High Court over multiple alleged unlawful acts that he claims were carried out by journalists and private investigators on behalf of its tabloids, the Sun and the News of the World.

In April, NGN sought to have the lawsuit thrown out, arguing the case should have been brought sooner.

Secret agreement with Palace implausible

Mr Justice Fancourt also refused the Dukes permission to amend his claim after he alleged that the palaces deal, supposedly struck with the late Queens approval, with NGN executives had stopped him from bringing the hacking claim until September 2019.

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He described the Dukes case in relation to the secret agreement as implausible and inherently unlikely, noting that the only evidence supporting its existence was the Dukes own witness statement, which he described as vague and limited.

The Duke wrote in an earlier witness statement that the agreement was to avoid a situation where a member of the Royal family would have to sit in the witness box.

NGN, which denies any unlawful activity took place at The Sun, has vehemently denied that such an agreement exists.

Prince Harry's relationship with the press

At a hearing in London earlier this month, lawyers for the Duke said there was evidence to support the existence of the agreement, including emails between senior executives at the Murdoch-owned parent companies of NGN and palace staff in 2017 and 2018.

David Sherborne, representing the Duke, also argued in written arguments that the fact the Prince of Wales settled a claim against NGN for a very large sum of money in 2020 also supports the contention that there was a secret agreement in place.

Anthony Hudson KC, representing NGN, said that the Dukes claims of a secret agreement was Alice in Wonderland stuff and a construct of his lawyers.

Prince Harry giving evidence in court against Mirror Group Newspapers last month - Elizabeth Cook/PA

The judge had previously ruled in May that a claim by the actor Hugh Grant over alleged unlawful information gathering - other than allegations of phone hacking - can also go ahead to be tried next January.

Grant, 62, is suing NGN in relation to The Sun only, having previously settled a claim with the publisher in 2012 relating to the News of the World.

NGN has previously settled a number of claims since the phone hacking scandal broke at the News of the World, which closed in 2011, but has consistently denied unlawful information gathering took place at The Sun.

The judges ruling on Thursday follows the Dukes high-profile court appearance last month in his lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers for alleged unlawful information gathering at the Mirror titles.

During the trial, lawyers for MGN accused the Duke of bringing the litigation as a vehicle to seek to reform the British media as part of his ongoing crusade.

In closing submissions, they argued that the Dukes claim had failed to withstand scrutiny and that he had failed to identify any evidence.

Prince Harry has been involved in six legal battles at the High Court in recent months, three of which he has brought against British tabloid publishers over allegations of unlawful information gathering.

Significant victory for News Group Newspapers

A spokesman for NGN said after the ruling: The High Court has today, in a significant victory for News Group Newspapers, dismissed The Duke of Sussexs phone hacking claims against both the News of the World and The Sun.

As we reach the tail end of litigation, NGN is drawing a line under disputed matters, some of which date back more than 20 years ago.

In arguing his case, the Duke of Sussex had alleged a secret agreement existed between him/Buckingham Palace and NGN which stopped NGN from asserting that the dukes claim had been brought too late.

The Judge, Mr Justice Fancourt, found his claims in relation to the alleged secret agreement were not plausible or credible. It is quite clear there was never any such agreement and it is only the Duke who has ever asserted there was.

Mr Justice Fancourt then dismissed the dukes phone hacking claims against both the News of the World and The Sun on the grounds that the claim had been brought too late.

This substantially reduces the scope of his legal claim. The exact nature and scope of any trial of the remainder will be the subject of further hearings.

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Never Back Down, the Super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) presidential campaign, will be hosting the candidate himself on its bus tour of Iowa this week.

The 2024 hopeful will feature on a bus tour rolling through Iowa towns on Thursday and Friday, before DeSantis attends the Lincoln Dinner  the states premier political event  Friday night.

The announcement has raised ethical concerns about the PAC, as PACs are legally barred from coordinating events with campaigns. Founder Ken Cuccinelli defended the tour in a CBS interview on Wednesday.

We can set up events and invite [the DeSantis campaign] to come, they just cant have any input on what happens at the event, Cuccinelli said.

Were not getting near any gray lines, the ground were treading is well-tried. Were doing what others before us have done, and the FEC has dealt with all these issues. Were not playing fast and loose at all.

The bus tour will begin in Des Moines Thursday morning, then hit PAC-hosted events in Chariton, Osceola and Oskaloosa, Iowa over the two days.

The campaign stops come as DeSantis overhauls his staff amid a campaign that has been described as facing an uphill battle in challenging former President Trump for the GOP nomination. DeSantis fired about a third of his campaign staff in recent weeks.

The campaign also let go of a speechwriter Tuesday who promoted a pro-DeSantis video that included Nazi imagery.

Following a top-to-bottom review of our organization, we have taken additional, aggressive steps to streamline operations and put Ron DeSantis in the strongest position to win this primary and defeat Joe Biden, campaign manager Generra Peck said.

Never Back Down is itself doubling down on DeSantis, significantly expanding its presence in Iowa. The Iowa caucus is the Republicans first primary vote and has been viewed as critical for DeSantis as he attempts to cinch the GOP presidential nomination.

Never Back Down is laser-focused on amplifying the governors message through door-knocking, collecting caucus commitments and hosting events for him to participate in, and well continue growing all of those efforts over the next several months, spokesperson Jess Szymanski told the Des Moines Register.

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Nationally, DeSantis has fallen further behind Trump in recent weeks. Polling averages show DeSantis with about 18 percent of Republican voters support while Trump carries about 52 percent.

Thats a 2 percent decline since he officially announced his campaign in May, and significantly behind his highest marks of 40 percent support in January.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Illustration: Lex Villena; Redwhiteandboujee

Joy Alonzo, an opioid researcher and professor at Texas A&M University, gave an uneventful lecture to a group of medical students earlier this spring. But a few hours later, she had been placed on paid leave, pending an investigation into a few comments she made about Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

While Alonzo was cleared following an investigation, that she was investigated at all spells continued concerns for a university already under fire for allegedly pushing out a professor over political complaints.

According to The Texas Tribune, which first reported on the case, Alonzo said she was reported by a student "who has ties to Texas A&M Leadership."

At first, Alonzo's presentation to University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) students on March 7which focused on the opioid crisis and harm-reduction measuresseemed to go smoothly. But soon after, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckinghamwhose daughter attended the lecturecalled Patrick and told him that Alonzo had made critical comments about him during the presentation, according to a Texas A&M spokesperson.

It's not clear what Alonzo's exact comments about Patrick were. The lecture wasn't recorded, and Alonzo and Buckingham both declined to comment to the Tribune. However, several students told the Tribune that Alonzo made comments about how the lieutenant governor's office has made it harder to combat opioid-related deaths due to its opposition to certain harm-reduction measures.

Soon after Buckingham complained to Patrick, an administrator sent an email to the class of medical students with the subject line "STATEMENT OF FORMAL CENSURE."

"The statements made by the guest lecturer do not represent the opinion or position of the University of Texas Medical Branch, nor are they considered as core curriculum content for this course," the email read. "UTMB does not support or condone these comments. We take these matters very seriously and wish to express our disapproval of the comment and apologize for harm it may have caused for members of our community."

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By the end of the day, Alonzo was placed on paid leave by Texas A&M, and the school had opened an investigation into her comments. It took two weeks for the university to clear her of wrongdoing.

"The investigation into the matter was a reasonable step to take, particularly after UTMB issued a public statement 'censuring' one of our faculty members," a spokesperson told the Tribune. "In fact, it would have been irresponsible not to look into it."

However, free speech groups disagree. "Texas A&M's punishment of Alonzo to please powerful political forces is a stunning abdication of its constitutional obligations, deeply chilling faculty and student expression on campus," wrote the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) in a Tuesday letter to the university. "When confronted with inevitable pressures to encroach on academic freedomwhether from powerful alumni, donors, or, as here, politiciansinstitutions like Texas A&M must abide by the constitutional principles that instill trust in our public universities."

As a public university, Texas A&M had no legal right to investigate Alonzo for criticizing a public official. However, considering that the school is already under fire for pushing out the recently appointed director of the school's journalism program following complaints over the professor's political beliefs, it's unlikely that the school will change its trend of eroding faculty speech rights anytime soon.

The post A Professor Criticized a Public Official. Then Her University Suspended Her. appeared first on Reason.com.
Yolo prosecutors forcefully challenged a defense expert who had found Carlos Reales Dominguez was incompetent to stand trial after changing her opinion in recent weeks.

Psychologist Juliana Rohrer took the stand Thursday in the fourth day of Reales Dominguezs competency hearing in Yolo Superior Court in Woodland. Rohrer testified the former UC Davis sophomore now accused of two killings and an attempted murder in the spring knife attacks that shocked Davis suffers from schizophrenia and was not fit to stand trial on the charges.

I would say that Mr. Dominguez is a textbook example of schizophrenia, Rohrer told defense attorney Yolo County deputy public defender Daniel Hutchinson.

But prosecutors say Rohrer had a different opinion in a report to the court of her May 28 jail visit with Reales Dominguez. On June 12, Rohrer had concluded Reales Dominguez had a psychotic disorder stopping short of a full schizophrenia diagnosis. She said that Reales Dominguez was able to answer questions on the roles of the attorneys in his case and the charges he faced.

Prosecutors insist Reales Dominguez is competent to stand trial in the knife attacks that killed 50-year-old David Breaux and 20-year-old graduating UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm; and a third that seriously wounded Kimberlee Guillory, 64, as she slept in her Davis encampment.

They argue Dominguez has been toying with the system, selectively understanding and answering questions posed to him by investigators, doctors and counsel.

Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Matthew De Moura seized on Rohrers testimony that she changed her opinion upon reviewing findings from neuropsychologist Dale Watson  a change attorneys only learned during her testimony Thursday. Rohrer did not add the new conclusions to her report, explaining them Thursday on the stand.

Rohrer testified that she later changed her finding to schizophrenia after reading Watsons report, but did not file a new report reflecting the change of opinion.

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I only learned shes changed her opinion for the first time on the stand, Yolo County deputy public defender Hutchinson told Yolo Superior Court Judge Samuel McAdam outside the presence of jurors.

Watson also had met with Reales Dominguez in custody, but the 21-year-old refused to sit with Watson for a final competency examination, prosecutors said  a key to determining the Davis suspects fitness for trial.

Without the final exam, De Moura told Rohrer during cross-examination, You dont have a second opinion that Dominguez is unable to assist his attorney on a rational basis. You dont have a second opinion to compare to.

De Moura also challenged the defense expert on the questions she posed Reales Dominguez she asked in her May 28 interview and whether Rohrer truly knows how Reales Dominguez communicates with his attorney.

You have no evidence that he couldnt assist counsel, De Moura said. You dont actually know how Hutchinson and Dominguez interact with each other. You never asked whether Dominguez was willing or unwilling to assist his attorney?

I didnt ask that specific question, Rohrer answered.

A Yolo County mental health professional, former roommates, a co-worker and an ex-girlfriend testified earlier this week to Reales Dominguezs declining mental state. Dominguez had heard voices, had stopped talking to his roommates months before the April and May attacks, they said. One roommate had testified Reales Dominguez was staring out into dead space before his May arrest.

All were signs, Rohrer testified Thursday, that pointed to a schizophrenia diagnosis.

Dominguez has been confined to the Yolo County Jails infirmary since his arrest on murder and attempted murder charges in the rampage where he has refused meals for days at a time and was taken to nearby Woodland Memorial Hospital for care after being placed on a rare in-custody mental health hold.

Testimony continues Friday before resuming Aug. 7
CHARLOTTE  The Lansing areas longest tenured elected prosecutor and a prominent defense attorney have for months been locked in a legal dispute stemming from the construction of a $1 million vacation home on one of Up North's premier lakes.

What started as retirement planning in early 2019 has led to legal action in two counties  Eaton and Charlevoix  that includes a civil lawsuit over $400,000 in unpaid labor and materials, an eviction notice, a counterclaim and request for a judge to issue sanctions.

Before court documents started piling up, Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney Doug Lloyd and his wife, Angela Lloyd, who is an assistant prosecutor in Ingham County, were looking for a new vacation home near their existing lakefront home. Their sporadic searches over the years became more serious as the couple, according to their filings, approached retirement and their "fiscal resources were sufficient" to buy an "all season waterfront home."

They eventually found a property they liked, on the shores of Lake Charlevoix, and agreed to pay contractor Simon Zeineh to demolish an existing cabin and build a new house. Simon Zeinehs brother is Edwar Zeineh, a Lansing area defense attorney who was longtime friends with Doug Lloyd.

The Lloyds also agreed to sell a vacation home theyd owned since 2010 in nearby East Jordan, on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix off M-66, to Edwar Zeineh for $200,000, and the parties closed the deal in early 2022. Zeineh, in turn, agreed to let them live in the home until the new house could be finished.

But nearly a year and a half later, gone are the friendly cigars and family vacations as the sides now find themselves locked in a legal battle that grows more bitter by the filing.

Messages seeking an interview with Doug and Angela Lloyd were not returned. Their Ann Arbor-based attorney, Matthew McManus, did not return messages seeking an interview, but issued a statement.

Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd leads a meeting of the Committee for Community Awareness and Protection at the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office on Aug. 10, 2016, in downtown Lansing.

"It would be premature to substantively discuss issues yet to be addressed in court," McManus wrote in his email, "but I can say that the Lloyds have found themselves victim to a fraudulent scheme whose participants violated the Residential Builders Licensing Act, the Builders Trust Act, engaged in fraud and jointly assisted one and other to divert project funds to their own assets and not for the benefit of my clients as expected."

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Bob Banner, Edwar Zeinehs attorney in Charlevoix County, said the allegations are "100% false" and called the filings by McManus "spurious" and "frivolous." He said he planned to request a judge issue sanctions over McManus and the Lloyds naming Edwar Zeinehs assistant as a defendant.

"If I were the Eaton County prosecutor, I would be careful about wild claims such as these," Banner said. "But I dont know, I guess Im learning more about him every day."

Patrick Hanes, Simon Zeinehs attorney in his Eaton County lawsuit, declined to comment, saying the complaint speaks for itself.

Friendship leads to a contractor

The home in Boyne City on the shore of Lake Charlevoix owned by Doug and Angela Lloyd. The property is tied up in lawsuits between the Lloyds and their builder, Simon Zeineh.

The friendship between Edwar Zeineh and the Lloyds goes back years.

Their families spent time together in the Lansing area and Up North, and Edwar Zeineh and Doug Lloyd often met to smoke cigars.

In August 2019, the Lloyds bought the property in Boyne City, on the shores of Lake Charlevoix, in the shadows of Young State Park.

They planned to "either renovate the existing small cabin or demo it and build a new home intending it to become our retirement home and a legacy property for our children," Doug Lloyd wrote in an affidavit.

They started looking for contractors, but that search stalled in 2020, after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Lloyds, in their Charlevoix County filings, say that Edwar Zeineh connected them with his brother Simon, vouched for his work and was involved in meetings and planning for the construction project.

The Lloyds hired Simon Zenieh, who started work in the fall of 2020. There was no written contract and instead the two sides reached a verbal agreement for materials and reasonable labor costs.

They targeted a summer 2021 completion date and Simon Zeineh began work.

Edwar Zeineh, in court filings, denied those claims, saying his brother and the Lloyds worked independent of him and he had "no financial, fiduciary, or legal relationship with the construction project."

The initial property excavation revealed that the soil wasn't compactable and significant additional money needed to be spent to correct it. And, according to his lawsuit, Simon Zeineh told the Lloyds that pandemic-induced supply chain issues would slow work.

By the fall of 2020, the Lloyds and Edwar Zeineh had started talking about what would happen with the East Jordan vacation home when construction on the Boyne City home was done.

The Lloyds, in their filings, suggest that Edwar Zeineh approached them about buying the East Jordan property.

Edwar Zeineh, however, said in his response that the Lloyds brought it up.

As Simon Zeineh claims that he warned, construction delays on the Boyne City property added up. The Lloyds began to blame him for falling behind schedule. And, Lloyd wrote in his affidavit, there were "other issues that had developed" that caused them to "become concerned, frustrated and discouraged and depressed."

But work continued throughout 2021 and into the following year.

In early 2022, after continued discussions, the Lloyds agreed to sell the East Jordan vacation home to Edwar Zeineh for $200,000, with a contingency in the sale agreement that official occupancy would transfer once the Lloyds moved into the Boyne City property.

By July 2022, the Lloyds had paid Simon Zeineh more than $675,000 for work done over the previous 22 months.

But construction wasnt done.

A friendship ends

The fallout  in the longstanding friendship and years-long construction agreement  came in October 2022.

The Lloyds in their filings say they severed the agreement with Simon Zeineh over "substandard workmanship, construction defects" and delays. The Lloyds have not named Simon Zeineh as a defendant in their Charlevoix County pleadings. In that case, Edwar Zeineh is the only defendant, and is accused of fraud, breach of contract and misrepresentation. The Lloyds had also named Edwar Zeineh's assistant as a defendant, but a judge later granted a motion have her dismissed.

Doug Lloyd claimed in his affidavit that he and Angela believe "there is evidence of contractor fraud, invoice fraud and false pretenses with intent to defraud and more."

Banner, Edwar Zeineh's attorney, denied the allegations of fraud and told the State Journal that the Lloyds' counterclaim was a "charade" to buy them more time. He said all his client wants is the property he paid $200,000 for more than a year ago.

In a filing this month, Banner argued that the Lloyd's lawsuit should be dismissed because, among other reasons, they made "active fraudulent misrepresentations" that they could pay for the Boyne City construction when they knew they couldn't.

Soon after the Lloyds barred Simon Zeineh from the Boyne City property in October 2022, their friendship with Edwar Zeineh ended.

Exact details of who broke off communication differ, but the amicable communication ended in October 2022.

Three months later, in January, Edwar Zeineh sent an eviction notice to the Lloyds for the East Jordan property, followed by a March 3 legal filing in Charlevoix County District Court.

Not only had the Lloyds "refused" to vacate the East Jordan home, but they also "refused to pay homeowners association dues, property taxes and other expenses" associated with their continued occupancy, according to court records. The unpaid bills stood at an estimated $3,700.

A month later, the Lloyds filed their counterclaim alleging fraud.

And a month after that, Simon Zeineh filed a lawsuit in Eaton County Circuit Court  in the same courthouse where Doug Lloyd has been a prosecutor since 2008  seeking more than $400,000.

The legal battles, playing out in courthouses 235 miles apart, show no signs of easing.

Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMencarini.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Prosecutor's plans for $1M lakefront vacation home mired in lawsuits
Citing former banker Russell Laffittes unwillingness to take responsibility for his crimes, government prosecutors on Thursday filed a memo urging U.S. Judge Richard Gergel to impose a sentence of at least nine years in prison and up to 11 and a half years..

Laffitte, former CEO of Palmetto State Bank in Hampton, is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Charleston by Gergel.

Last November, a federal jury found that Laffitte schemed with former lawyer and convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh to misapply or mishandle some $3.7 million at Laffittes bank in Hampton. The jury convicted Laffitte of bank fraud, wire fraud and the misapplication of bank funds.

In their 35-page memo, prosecutors said, the Defendant committed serious crimes that undermine the publics trust in the judicial and banking systems. It is important that the judicial system respond in kind and punish these crimes severely to promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, and afford adequate deterrence to others in positions of power and trust who are given the opportunity to exploit vulnerable victims.

In recent months, Laffittes lawyers have fought unsuccessfully to overturn the jurys verdict. They portrayed Laffitte as a victim who was manipulated by Murdaugh.

To this day, the Defendant has failed to take any accountability for his own actions or show any contrition to the victims for the harm his actions caused, prosecutors said. The prosecutors are assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse, Kathleen Stoughton and Winston Holliday.

A sentence of nine years would be a stiff one. White collar criminals such as Laffitte who have no criminal background are generally given less time. However, white collar criminals who get sentences on the light side usually take responsibility for their actions, and Laffitte has not.

This story will be updated.
Puerto Rico Marks 125 Years Of United States Occupation | Pixabay/Erikawg

This week marks the 125th anniversary of American control of Puerto Rico. The anniversary is bittersweet, given the islands colonial history and tension with the U.S. The milestone also highlights calls to change the status of Puerto Rico to allow the island to have greater political rights or autonomy.

Spanish-American War and American colonization

On July 25, 1898, the U.S. military began occupying Puerto Rico as part of the Spanish-American War. At that time, the United States had gone to war with Spain over another Spanish colony, the island of Cuba. Though Spain had claimed Cuba, the United States had significant investments in the islands sugar production and a U.S. military presence to protect its interests. The destruction of the USS Maine while docked at a port in Havana  blamed on Spain but probably an accident  led the U.S. to declare war on Spain. By the end of the conflict, the U.S. had defeated Spain and seized its colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.

Since the American military took over Puerto Rico 125 years ago, the island and its people have faced an unequal and uncertain relationship with the U.S. Puerto Rico is classified as an unincorporated territory of the United States  separate from the U.S. but controlled by it. The island has some degree of domestic political autonomy, but the federal government sets many of its policies. Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship in 1917, during World War I. Those living in Puerto Rico cannot vote for president or vice president. However, Puerto Ricans living within the 50 U.S. states can vote in presidential elections. Additionally, Puerto Rico does not have full representation in Congress.

Pushes for independence or statehood

Puerto Rico and its residents inequalities have led to movements to change the islands status. Six votes have been held on the island between 1967 and 2020 to give Puerto Ricans the option of changing their status. Though they vary, each has presented various options, such as Puerto Rico becoming an independent nation or transforming it into a state within the U.S. So far, only a fraction of Puerto Ricans have voted for independence. Statehood has been a more popular option. In 2020, over 52% of Puerto Ricans supported statehood. Still, such a change would require Congresss action, which has been unenthusiastic about altering Puerto Ricos status.

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There has been some movement coming from Washington in recent years toward statehood. Notably, the House passed legislation in 2022 allowing Puerto Ricans to hold a binding vote on statehood. All House Democrats and over a dozen Republicans supported the measure. Though it did not clear the Senate, such a move demonstrated the growing consensus, at least among Democrats, toward statehood.

For the first time in our nations history, the U.S. recognized its role as a colonizing force, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said as she presided over the 2022 vote, adding that the resolution did not favor any particular outcome for Puerto Rico but allows Puerto Ricans to choose.

Whether Puerto Ricans will ultimately get to choose their fate remains an open question. For now, this week is a stark reminder of just how long that choice has been denied to the island.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) 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 Ankara, Turkiye, July 26, 2023. [Turkish Presidency/Handout via Xinhua]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday met with senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Erdogan asked Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that Turkiye and China are both countries with global influence and the importance of their cooperation goes beyond bilateral boundaries.

Erdogan emphasized Turkiye's adherence to the one-China principle and said his country does not see China's development as a threat.

Turkiye is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with China through mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, said Erdogan, adding his country is ready to enhance synergy between Turkiye's Middle Corridor initiative and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, tourism, and other fields, and elevate Turkiye-China relations to new heights.

Chinese enterprises are welcome to increase their investments in Turkiye, said Erdogan.

The Turkish president stressed that his country does not support the increase of NATO activities in the Asia-Pacific region and is willing to maintain communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues, including the Ukrainian crisis.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed the Chinese president's greetings to Erdogan.

He told the Turkish president that China congratulates him on his re-election and supports Turkiye in upholding independence and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.

Both China and Turkiye are representatives of emerging markets and major developing countries, which share broad common interests with no conflict of fundamental interests, the Chinese diplomat added.

The development of bilateral relationship is future-oriented and has broad prospects, Wang said, highlighting that China stands ready to work with Turkiye to help each other on the path of national rejuvenation, support each other on issues of core interests, strive to maintain and deepen mutual political trust and uplift China-Turkiye strategic cooperation to a new level.

Wang expressed China's willingness to make good use of the mechanism of the China-Turkiye Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee to comprehensively advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields, facilitate the BRI construction, achieve a higher level of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and make positive contributions to global economic recovery.

During his one-day visit to Turkiye, Wang also held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Ukrainian soldiers fire from a tank at Russian troops

Ukrainian troops have achieved notable success in their advance towards the Russian-occupied port city of Melitopol, Mykola Urshalovych, Acting Director of the Department of Application Planning at the Main Command of the National Guard of Ukraine, said during a briefing at the Military Media Center on July 27.

According to Urshalovych, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have attained tactical victories on the Melitopol front, consolidating their positions along the liberated boundaries and conducting reconnaissance for further actions.

Read also: Ukrainian army gains several hundred meters a day in south direction, National Guard

He also mentioned that National Guard units are undertaking critical stabilization measures and humanitarian demining on the Kherson front, as Russian forces continue to maintain an active defense and indiscriminately shell civilian settlements.

Earlier, the New York Times reported, citing Pentagon officials, that a new phase of Ukraine's counteroffensive has begun, with the main thrust in the southeastern direction where Ukrainian troops are gradually advancing through minefields and facing attacks from Russian aviation.

Read also: Ukraine's National Guard takes Chechen commander captive

The unfolding plan, if executed as expected, may span one to three weeks.

Bloomberg also reported the commencement of a large-scale southern offensive in Ukraine, with an anonymous U.S. official as its source. The progress of the southern offensive, however, has been hindered by Russian minefields, tank barriers, and other defensive measures.

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, revealed that multiple courses of action are being pursued in Ukraine, while Kyiv deploys additional forces to support the ongoing operations.

The General Staff announced that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have prevented Russian forces from reclaiming lost positions northeast of the village of Robotyne, which is approximately 20 kilometers from Tokmak. They have also achieved successes near Staromykhailivka, with ongoing battles.

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Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maliar, said that Ukrainian military forces continue to advance on the Berdyansk and Melitopol fronts. The Armed Forces are also conducting offensive actions in Bakhmut, attempting to encircle Russian troops in this strategic city.

Read also: Pentagon chief and General Milley praise Ukrainian counteroffensive  Ambassador Markarova

As of July 24, since the beginning of the counteroffensive, the Defense Forces have liberated over 192 square kilometers in southern Ukraine and approximately 35 square kilometers in the east.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Pavel Bednyakov/Sputnik/Pool via Reuters

As Russias defense minister marveled at banned ballistic missiles alongside North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, the Kremlin on Thursday ramped up efforts to court allies with a summit appealing to African leaders.

With just 17 heads of state from 54 African nations in attendance, Vladimir Putin announced at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg that Moscow would provide up to 50,000 tons of grain to six African countries for freeto replace the Ukrainian grain exports whose delivery Moscow blocked by pulling out of a grain deal.

We are expecting a record harvest this year. In the coming months, we will be ready to supply Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea with 25,000-50,000 tons of grain free of charge. We will also provide free shipping for this product, Putin said.

After tanking the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17which had helped to keep Ukraines huge farming industry afloat by allowing deliveries out of Black Sea portsMoscow unleashed a string of attacks that decimated the countrys grain exports and wiped out supplies that the United Nations said could have fed hundreds of thousands of people.

But Putin, speaking to the crowd, presented himself as a sort of benevolent overlord, accusing Western countries of obstructing Russian grain deliveries to Africa and insisting that Moscow will always pay special attention to food supplies for the poorest countries.

Treacherous Forest Fight Threatens Hellish Putin Comeback

The Russian leader also proposed setting up schools in Africa where classes are taught in Russian. Putins war-mongering spiritual leader, Patriarch Kirill, made sure to reassure African leaders in attendance they should never fear Russias grip, however: Moscow has never considered Africa an object for colonization, the Russian Orthodox Church leader said, according to RIA Novosti.

He went on to argue that Russia and Africa were united in a holy war against the legalization of same-sex marriage and other forms of overindulgence.

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The two-day summit is the second to be held since 2019. A day earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained away the low turnout, claiming the West was to blame for an absolutely outrageous pressure campaign to keep African leaders from attending.

While Russias war against Ukraine loomed over the summit, the short-lived mutiny by the Wagner Group last month was also expected to be an issue on the agenda as the mercenary group vows to continue its work in Africa.

The groups foul-mouthed founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, made sure to demonstrate he was still very much in charge despite the Kremlin banishing him to Belarus after several Russian service members were killed by his men. The former Putin confidant accused of stabbing the Russian leader in the back was seen grinning in a photo from the Russia-Africa summit shared by his right-hand man in the Central African Republic, Dmitry Syty.

According to the local news outlet Fontanka, the photo, which shows Prigozhin wearing dad jeans as he shakes hands with an African diplomat, was taken in his hotel in St. Petersburg, where he has reportedly been meeting with members of the delegation.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking Thursday at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, said his country would not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative to allow shipments from Ukraine amid the war. Kremlin Pool Photo by Alexey Danichev/Sputnik/EPA-EFE

July 27 (UPI) -- President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia would not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative, instead offering to deliver food to six African nations.

Speaking at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said his government would "refuse to extend" the deal that allowed Ukrainian and Russian agricultural products to be exported via the Black Sea amid the war in Ukraine. Russia exited the pact earlier this month.

Putin said Russia would implement "a more just system of resource distribution" as he pledged to offer free grain to six Russian allies in Africa.

"In the coming three or four months, we would be ready to provide to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Eritrea up to 500,000 tons of grain each. We will ensure free shipping of these cargo," he said.

Earlier Thursday, the chairman of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, called on Moscow to rejoin the grain deal.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative allowed Russia and Ukraine to export agricultural products via the Black Sea with Turkey acting as guarantor. File Photo by Erdem Sahin/EPA-EFE

"The consequences affect the whole world, and especially Africa in socio-economic issues. So yes, we have to make this a priority. In fact, everything is a priority, if weapons are lowered there, there will be no problem.

"In the meantime, I think that the problem of cereals and fertilizers concerns everyone. We'll talk about it in St. Petersburg, we'll discuss it with Putin to see how we can restart this agreement," Assoumani said, state-backed Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Since withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia has launched sustained strikes against Ukrainian ports, destroying 60,000 tons of grain at the Chornomorsk port. Photo courtesy of Operational Command South/EPA-EFE

Since withdrawing from the initiative, Russia has launched multiple strikes against shipping facilities near Odessa, Ukraine, and along the Danube River. According to Ukrainian officials, the attacks have destroyed at least 60,000 tons of grain at the Chornomorsk port.

The decision to withdraw from the deal also drew condemnation from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said "the most vulnerable will pay the highest price." He credited the deal with lowering food prices by 23%.

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Russia has claimed the terms of the deal related to the export of Russian products had not been fulfilled, but Ukraine alleged Russia took steps to deliberately end the pact.

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Department, the GUR, said it had obtained an internal Russian document detailing a plan to sabotage the future implementation of the deal.

"The attempts by Ukrainians to use the Black Sea Initiative to continue the so-called 'Grain from Ukraine' program with the involvement of ships chartered along the line of the World Food Program have been stopped. The registration for such vessels took place only after the submission of written commitments not to participate in such actions," the document said, according to the GUR.

Also on Tuesday, Britain's ambassador to the United Nations, Barbera Woodward, said Prime Minster Rishi Sunak had shared intelligence with his Ukrainian counterparts suggesting the Russian government was considering attacks on civilian shipping.

"The Russian military may expand their targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities further, to include attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea. Our information also indicates that Russia has laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports. We agree with the U.S. assessment that this is a coordinated effort to justify and lay blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea," she said.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is warning Republicans against falling into the trap of impeachment after Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) signaled earlier this week that the House could move forward with an impeachment inquiry against President Biden.

Its not good for the republic to keep impeaching presidents and indicting presidents, Paul said in an interview on Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria.

All this stuff is destructive, he added.

In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday night, McCarthy said the House GOPs investigations into the Biden familys foreign business activities are rising to the level of impeachment inquiry, but clarified no decision had been made.

Top stories from The Hill

Paul pushed back on that idea.

The other side [Democrats] says, Oh they want to, theyre for preserving democracy. Theyre pitting everyone against each other and theyre destroying the fabric of our republic, so I think we have to be careful not to fall into the same trap, Paul said.

Former President Trump was impeached twice by a majority-Democratic House during his four-year term. Republicans in the Senate acquitted Trump in both instances.

Paul is among several Republican lawmakers who have pushed back against McCarthys comments. That group also includes Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), who called the remarks impeachment theater meant to distract from budget negotiations, and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), who told reporters, No one is seriously talking about impeachment.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) speaks to a reporters as he arrives to the Capitol for a procedural vote regarding a nomination on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Greg Nash)

In a statement exclusively obtained by The Hill, the White House said McCarthys suggestion is a ridiculous, baseless stunt, intended to attack the President at a time when House Republicans should instead be joining the President to focus on the important issues facing the American people.

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In his interview with Hannity, McCarthy accused Biden of using the weaponization of government to benefit his family and deny Congress the ability to have oversight.

Sign up for the latest from The Hill here

Republican skepticism over the Biden familys foreign business activities was boosted last week when Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) released an FBI form containing unverified allegations of corruption connected to Hunter Bidens business with Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

The White House has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the matter, and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated Monday that Biden was never in business with his son.

A Morning Consult poll conducted June 22-24 found 30 percent of register voters believe it should be a top priority for Congress to investigate whether Biden should be impeached, including 11 percent of Democrats, 24 percent of independents and 55 percent of Republicans.

 Updated at 2:40 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox and leader of the National Action Party, Marko Cortes, join a demonstration against Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's proposed electoral changes in November 2022. (Future Publishing / Getty Images)

It has been 23 years since Vicente Fox won the Mexican presidency, a historic victory that ended seven decades of one-party rule and ushered in democracy.

Out of office, Fox has also broken tradition. Instead of shutting up, shunning publicity and staying out of politics like other former presidents, he has often been a cantankerous, right-wing scold in the news and on social media.

Now his caustic commentary has caused a furor in the current race for president. In the last week or so, Fox has maligned poor retirees and Jews while pandering to xenophobes.

His outbursts were meant to damage candidates from the party of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador  Foxs longtime political antagonist  and boost the chances of his favored contender.

Instead, Fox sparked an outcry that political experts say could make him a liability for Xochitl Galvez, a senator from the National Action Party, or PAN, who has emerged as Foxs favorite candidate and a spirited challenger to Lopez Obradors Morena movement in next years elections.

Read more: This woman is the front-runner to be Mexico's next president

The blowup began last week when Fox, a former Coca-Cola executive, griped that he has been battling to survive economically since Lopez Obrador discontinued monthly pensions and other benefits for retired presidents. At the same time, he excoriated less well-off beneficiaries of public welfare programs.

The lazy ones dont belong in the government or in the country, Fox, who recently turned 81, told the Latinus website, using an offensive slang word to denigrate both politicians and pensioners.

He also suggested that Galvez would cut back public aid and send more people back to work.

Galvezs political rhetoric has lauded the value of work, and she denies Lopez Obradors assertions that she favors cutting social aid programs for the needy.

Lopez Obrador, who is limited to one term as president, and Morena enjoy high approval ratings in no small part because of his administrations social initiatives and grants to the elderly, students, the disabled and others at the bottom of the income ladder.

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Read more: Dream interrupted: As gang violence soars in Mexico, migrants in U.S. rethink plans to go home

Morena candidates jumped on the provocative comments from Fox, whose penchant for verbal blunders was a problem during his presidency.

Our movement will continue to be allied with the people whom [the opposition] belittle, Claudia Sheinbaum , a former mayor of Mexico City who is regarded as the Morena front-runner to succeed Lopez Obrador, wrote on Twitter.

Marcelo Ebrard, an ex-foreign minister competing for the Morena presidential nomination, also assailed Foxs assault on aid recipients.

What did senor Fox say? That social programs have to be done away with, and we are a bunch of lazy people? Ebrard asked at a campaign event in western Colima state. Did you see that? Isnt that outrageous?

But Fox wasnt finished.

Tweeting to his more than 1 million followers, Fox dismissed Sheinbaum as a Bulgarian Jew and called Ebrard a French snob.

Sheinbaum is of eastern European Jewish ancestry. Ebrard is of French descent.

The tweet from Fox, himself of Spanish and German lineage, concluded: The only Mexican is Xochitl!

Read more: Why is AMLO one of the world's most popular politicians? We took a road trip through Mexico to find out

In the ensuring uproar, Mexicans across the political spectrum denounced Foxs ill-advised attempt at humor.

What lamentable comments from the ex-president! tweeted Luis Carlos Ugalde, who served as president of Mexicos Federal Election Institute during part of Foxs presidential term. He denigrates his status. If he wants to help Xochitl Galvez, his best contribution would be prudence, respect and, above all, silence.

Even Galvez joined in the litany of condemnation.

No more hate and division, tweeted Galvez, who served as coordinator of Indigenous affairs in Foxs Cabinet and touts her Indigenous roots.

Fox removed the posting and issued an apology, asserting that he had mistakenly retweeted someone elses remark. I have a profound respect for the Jewish community, Fox wrote.

But the incident raised the specter of future campaign mudslinging  especially targeting Sheinbaum, who would be Mexicos first female president and the countrys first leader of Jewish ancestry.

Sheinbaum has already responded to insinuations that she was a foreigner, posting her birth certificate on Twitter to show she was born in Mexico City to Mexican parents and declaring that she was more Mexican than mole  the traditional sauce.

Read more: Mexico says it doesn't have a fentanyl problem. New data reveal a hidden epidemic

Galvez, an engineer and tech entrepreneur from humble origins, has faced withering broadsides from Lopez Obrador, who has depicted her as tool of Fox and the rich.

That criticism, too, may have had unintended consequences. Political experts say the tirades made Lopez Obrador look like a bully and helped Galvez vault from long-shot candidate to potential front-runner in an opposition coalition formed to thwart Lopez Obradors Morena political machine.

In September, both the opposition alliance and Morena are scheduled to name their presidential candidates for Junes national elections. Galvez, meanwhile, has distanced herself from Fox, the elder statesman and onetime political mentor who has become campaign kryptonite.

At an appearance in Puebla on Tuesday, Galvez told reporters: I dont need  an ex-president and a president speaking about me. The two say things that arent true.

Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez 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.
The US Air Force has stood up a new detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to meeting growing demand for RC-135V/W Rivet Joint sorties.

Increased demand for RC-135V/W Rivet Joint spy plane sorties in the Pacific has led the U.S. Air Force to create a new unit in Alaska to help manage those operations. From Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the Rivet Joints will be well-positioned to gather intelligence on areas of interest in the northern end of the Pacific and the increasingly strategic Arctic region.

The Air Force announced the creation "recently" of 55th Operations Group, Detachment 1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, which is in Anchorage in southeastern Alaska, in a press release yesterday. 55th Operations Group is part of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

"The new detachment will... serve as a strategic launch and recovery point for RC-135V/W Rivet Joint operations and exercises in the region," according to the Air Force.

An RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft. USAF

The Air Force's airliner-sized Rivet Joint aircraft are powerful multi-purpose intelligence collection platforms that are designed to detect, geolocate, categorize, and monitor a variety of different signals and whatever is transmitting them. As such, the jets are capable of gathering useful information about a variety of emitters, including air defense radars and command and control nodes, and then helping in the creation of so-called "electronic orders of battle" detailing the capabilities and disposition of those assets. They can also be used to intercept communications chatter. Onboard signals and electronic warfare specialists, as well as linguists, allow for immediate processing of any collected data. You can read more about the overall capabilities of the RC-135V/Ws, of which the Air Force has 17, here.

A US Air Force briefing slide giving a general overview of the roles and responsibilities of the members of a typical Rivet Joint crew. USAF

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson also hosts the headquarters of the 11th Air Force, the service's top command in Alaska, and its 3rd Wing, which operates a mix of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning Control System (AWACS) radar planes, C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, and C-12 light utility aircraft. It is also home to the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing, which has additional C-17s, as well as HC-130 Combat King rescue aircraft and HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters.

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A picture of a so-called "elephant walk" readiness exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson showing 24 of 3rd Wing's F-22s, as well as a C-17 and an E-3. USAF

When exactly this new detached element of the 55th Operations Group was established is unclear. However, plane spotters using online flight tracking software have been noticing Rivet Joint flights from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, which was not previously a typical operating location for these aircraft, since at least May.

https://twitter.com/MeNMyRC1/status/1679138981051609090 https://twitter.com/MeNMyRC1/status/1656035974512558090 https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status/1654640605413212165

Prior to this, the main launch point for RC-135V/W sorties across much of the Indo-Pacific region is Kadena Air Base in Japan. That base is also a major hub for Pacific-focused operations involving other intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft types assigned to the 55th Wing, such as the RC-135S Cobra Ball, RC-135U Combat Sent, and WC-135 Constant Phoenix.

The Air Force has also used Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska and Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean as more limited staging locations for Rivet Joint stories, as well as those by other RC-135s and WC-135s, in the past. During the Cold War, Shemya Air Force Base in Alaska's Aleutian Island chain, since renamed Eareckson Air Station, was heavily utilized for RC-135 operations in the Pacific, as you can read more about here.

A briefing slide showing typical Forward Operating Bases (FOB) and Forward Operating Locations (FOL), including Kadena and Eielson, regularly utilized by RC-135V/W Rivet Joints, as well as RC-135S Cobra Balls and RC-135U Combat Sents, as of January 2010. USAF via FOIA

The creation of the 55th Operations Group, Detachment 1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson also comes amid what the service has described as a "mega-project" there to extend one of its two runways to help it better support operations involving larger aircraft like the Rivet Joints.

"Runway 16/34 will be extended 2,900 feet to make the length of the runway 10,000 feet and the southern threshold of the runway will shift 400 feet to the north to meet airfield design requirements," according to the Air Force, which estimates the construction project will be finished in 2025. "At this time, Runway 16/34s current length limits the operational capability of flying missions for large-frame aircraft, specifically during inclement weather."

Quite literally, the runway extension project will require us to move a mountain of nearly 12 million cubic yards of excavation, U.S. Army Col. Damon Delarosa, head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District, which is supporting the runway extension work, said last year. "This material is equal to about 800,000 dump truck loads. If parked bumper-to-bumper, those vehicles would stretch from JBER [Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson] to San Antonio, Texas."

A satellite image of Elmendorf Air Force Base, formally part of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, taken on July 24th, 2023. Evidence of the runway extension "mega-project" is plainly visible at the northeastern end of the base. You can see an RC-135 Rivet Joint sitting on the southwest ramp area as well. PHOTO  2023 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

For the Air Force's Rivet Joints, having a more permanent operating base in Alaska is expected to be a major boon to their operations.

"The new det[achment] will provide us more flexibility and allow us to expand our operations in response to increased intelligence requirements, Air Force Col. Derek Rachel, head of the 55th Operations Group, said in a statement yesterday. "All of our platforms are constantly tasked for worldwide operations. Having this location always available and ready will enable us to respond quicker than ever before."

Even in peacetime while peering in from international waters or while flying over friendly territory, there is no shortage of areas of interest that the Rivet Joints could reach from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. This includes a number of major Russian air and naval bases in the far eastern part of that country and on islands in the Arctic. Sections of northern China and the Korean Peninsula would be readily within range, as well.

In addition, while the new detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is currently focused on supporting Rivet Joint operations, it will also be able to handle future flights there involving Cobra Ball, Combat Sent, and Constant Phoenix aircraft, according to the Air Force. This will provide important flexibility for those types, too. The Air Force only has three RC-135S and two RC-135Us, which are more specifically configured for gathering intelligence about missile launches and electronic signals, respectively. It plans to eventually have a fleet of three WC-135Rs, which conduct nuclear and radiological intelligence gathering.

Two of the Air Force's three RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft, in front, along with two RC-135V/W Rivet Joints. USAF

Beyond all this, the Air Force has also been very actively working to expand its basing options, in general, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Being able to disperse forces, including high-demand, low-density ISR assets, during an actual conflict, such as a high-end fight against China, would help reduce vulnerability and ensure critical operations could continue, at least to some degree even in very challenging scenarios. That being said, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a large, well-established facility that could be high on the list of priority targets for a near-peer adversary in the opening phases of a large-scale conflict. At the same time, its relative remoteness could offer an additional lay of protection.

Geopolitical friction between the United States and China, as well as Russia, globally, are clear drivers behind the underlying increased demand for Rivet Joint sorties, as well as ISR assets more broadly, in the Pacific and the Arctic. The has been something of a resurgence in aggressive responses to American ISR flights by the Chinese and Russian militaries, which the American authorities often characterize as unsafe and unprofessional, in recent years. This has included potentially dangerous intercepts of RC-135s in the Pacific by Chinese fighters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu2Jwf_eaOY

In the Pacific, beyond China and Russia, North Korea remains a source of concern that the U.S. military heavily monitors, as well. There are other national security issues in these regions, including sanctions violations, the flow of illegal narcotics, and natural resource rights, ranging from oil and natural gas to fish, too. Though it's not well known, U.S. military ISR and other aircraft, including Rivet Joints, are often employed to keep tabs on these kinds of illicit activities.

All told, it is not surprising that demand for Rivet Joints, as well as other ISR platforms, is only growing in the Pacific. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is now set to be an important hub to meet those intelligence-gathering needs.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
BOSTON (AP)  Justin Turner hit a go-ahead, two-run double off the Green Monster in the seventh inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the major league-leading Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Wednesday night to sweep the two-game series.

It was a slider that was a little further over the plate than I wanted it, but I was able to get it up in the air on the pull side to take advantage of that big green thing out in left, Turner said. That felt good.

Rafael Devers, Tristan Casas and Adam Duvall homered for Boston, which trailed 3-0 after Ozzie Albies hit a three-run shot for Atlanta in the sixth.

One luxury of hitting in front of (Devers) is that they dont want to get to him, Turner said.

Boston has won four straight and is a season-best eight games over .500 at 55-47. Atlanta is 64-36.

They have a great team. We respect the way they go about it. Theyre relentless, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said about the Braves. Hopefull,y we can play them again. Thats the goal here, but weve got work to do."

Red Sox rookie starter Brayan Bello allowed four hits and all three runs in six innings. The right-hander struck out four and walked two.

I made a mistake and they made me pay for it, but Im glad the team was able to come back and get a win tonight, Bello said.

Joe Jacques (2-1) pitched the seventh, John Schreiber and Brennan Bernardino worked the eighth and All-Star closer Kenley Jansen finished for his 22nd save.

Youve got to tip your cap to our bullpen, Turner said. Thats a good lineup they were able to keep at bay for two nights in a row.

Devers got the Red Sox started in sixth with his 25th home run, a shot that landed in the right-field seats. In the seventh, Casas hit the first pitch he saw from Atlanta starter Spencer Strider to center for his 15th homer.

The homer by (Devers) gave us life, Cora said. We won with our best offensive lineup and we needed every one of those at-bats.

Down 3-2, Boston finally chased Strider when Connor Wong singled with one down in the seventh. Albies then committed an error on a grounder hit directly at him. After a grounder by Jarren Duran moved Wong to third and Yu Chang to second, Turner gave the Red Sox the lead with a two-out double off Pierce Johnson (1-6) that banged off the left-field wall. Duvall homered in the eighth.

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Strider went 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs  two earned  on six hits. He struck out 10 and walked one.

We just played a really good team. Theyre coming together at the right time, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. We typically score more than four runs in two games, but Spencer had a really solid outing. Just couldnt seal the deal.

The announced paid attendance was 37,457. It was the largest crowd at Fenway Park since August 2019.

The fans were into it, Cora said. It was a fun night for us.

TRAINERS ROOM

Braves: LHP Max Fried didnt make his scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday because of illness. Snitker said theres no reason to be concerned regarding the teams ace pitcher, out since early May with forearm troubles.

Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (shoulder) remains on track to face live hitters in a practice session with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. If that goes well, he could make a rehab start as early as next Tuesday. Sale hasnt pitched for Boston since early June.

UP NEXT

RHP Yonny Chirinos (4-4, 4.02) is set to make his Atlanta debut Friday night at home against Milwaukee. Chirinos was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay.

Red Sox RHP Kutter Crawford (4-5, 4.04) is slated to start Friday night at San Francisco.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
On Feb. 15, when Senior Airman Jordan Smith was helping her colleagues clean out storage areas in the 673rd Air Base Wing public affairs office at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, she wasnt sure what she would find.

Before long, she happened upon a piece of Army history, tucked into dilapidated binders  1,444 silver gelatin large-format black-and-white prints, virtually all complete with typed captions, documenting three major Army training exercises that occurred between 1959 and 1963. The photos were taken by uniformed Army Signal Corps photographers.

And thanks to her and the other airmen and civilians of the wing public affairs office, all of them, less a few duplicates, were digitized and published online three months later. The project provided a unique visual window into the Armys Arctic lifestyle more than 60 years ago; most such photographs are held at the National Archives and are not easily accessible online.

Army Times spoke with the two Air Force civilians  McCann, the bases webmaster and public affairs editor, and Justin Connaher, the bases lead photographer and visual studio manager  who led the digitization effort. Both are Army veterans.

The top Army officer in Alaska, Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, praised their work in a statement emailed to Army Times. The 11th Airborne Division commander said, Its hard to overestimate the value of this historic find and the preservation work by the 673d team.

Eifler and his deputies have emphasized heritage as part of their efforts to instill a sense of camaraderie among troops there.

As we move forward on our mission to regain Arctic dominance, the ability to look back at these types of extreme cold weather training events from 60-plus years ago will give us a better historic perspective and a connection to the roots of our Arctic Ethos, Eifler added. We have come full circle to today with our Arctic exercises as a part of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center.

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A labor of love

After discovering the photos, McCann and Connaher quickly realized the enormity of the task at hand. Their supervisor, Air Force Maj. Clay Lancaster, realized they were obligated to preserve the records, but wanted them to be made as accessible as possible.

The binders were not in great shape, McCann, who deployed to Iraq twice as an enlisted public affairs soldier, recalled. Some of the photos were falling off; some of the cutlines were falling off.

So McCann and Connaher researched what archival techniques and equipment they would need to produce original-quality resolution scans of the photos. Connaher, luckily, had worked in archives during a college internship, so he knew where to find techniques and instructions.

Ultimately, their team set up a copy stand where Connaher and others  civilian Joey Miller, Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens and Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan  took photos of the vintage prints. The ad hoc setup included what McCann described as their happy lights  the military-issued sun lamps that help Arctic-based personnel ward off Vitamin D deficiency during the long nights of the winter months. They then used photo editing software to enhance the reproductions.

Simultaneously, McCann retyped the captions that were glued into the binders and inserted them into the files metadata, to help researchers and history buffs understand what they were seeing in the images.

The process took roughly three months and more than 400 hours of collective work, the pair said, despite other public affairs work frequently interrupting their progress.

Those interruptions also included research sidetracks, McCann confessed.

These people are doing incredible things, Connaher remembered thinking. He said McCann would run into his work area and gush about the people in the photos, which included ski jumper Spc. Jon St. Andre, who competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California.

Olympic ski jump candidate Spc. Jon St. Andre, who instructs skiers at the Cold Weather and Mountain School, jumps at Fort Greely, Alaska on Nov. 24, 1959. (Sgt. Donald C. Shoop/Army)

Heres this fresh-faced kid, jumping off of a mountain in this photograph that was taken with a four by five-speed graphic, which is unfathomable that the photographer could even do that, Connaher added. That kind of gummed up the process for us because we kept stopping periodically to search these people. It was a labor of love for us.

What the photos depict

McCann acknowledged that in some ways, the photos reflect a bygone era of Cold War service. But they also capture some timeless elements of the Army in the Arctic. Take the ballad of Spc. Jerry Dickens, a Signal Corps photographer whose shots were numerous in the files.

Jerry Dickens took not sexy photos. They were pretty dullpeople doing dental X-rays in the medical tent or heres some of the nurses in the supply room, McCann explained. They were all well-done photos  well-exposed, well-developed, well-composed, whatever. But his cutlines were a thing of beauty.

Spc. 5 Robert Simmons of Charleston, South Carolina, chief Xray technician, X-rays Spc. Robert Lorenz, motion picture photographer, of Utica, New York, with an improvised cone to cut down the amount of exposure to secondary radiation in the X-ray room of the 64th Field Hospital, Tanacross, Alaska on Jan. 20, 1962. (Spc. Jerry Dickens/Army)

Connaher laughed in agreement as McCann continued. He got names, duty titles, ranks, hometown200 some photos with all these great cutlines.

But one day in February 1962, something changed. The pair have a theory.

We got to a certain day where he just mailed it in for like four cutlines. I mean, no detail. A couple of minor spelling errors, McCann recalled. Just made me wonder what happened on this day. Jerry, what happened to you? This is out of character.

Connaher praised Dickens printing abilities, and theorized that his bad day mustve occurred when he probably got snapped up by some first sergeant for some sort of minor infraction or somethingyou could almost put yourself in that time in 1962 and feel his pain as an enlisted soldier.

Sadly, Dickens has passed away, so the world will never know why he had one bad day in early 1962. He took great pride you can tell in the entire process. The guy was really impressive, Connaher said. We truly appreciate this level of professionalism as a Signal Corps photographer.

Connaher argued the photos offer lessons about Arctic warfare and the Army today, too.

A lot of people will say like, The old Armyis tough and the new Army isnt, in some ways, right? he said. You look at these photographs, and you see [Alaska] is just as unforgiving today as it was then.

The photographer, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantryman in the mid-1990s, said that speaks to the quality of the troops there.

Alaska is every bit as tough and unforgiving as it ever has been, Connaher said. And soldiers who serve in Alaska have to be every bit as tough in 2023 as they had to be in 1963.

Editors note: Interested readers can review the historical photos on the wings Flickr page, which has dedicated albums for Exercise Little Bear (1959-60), Exercise Great Bear (1961-62), and Exercise Timberline (1963).
Authorities on Wednesday night released artist renderings of a woman who was brutally murdered before her remains were stuffed in multiple suitcases and left along a South Florida waterway last week.

The artist rendition revealing the womans face and a full body sketch that has her wearing similar clothing was posted on social media.

New pictures and artist renderings of a murdered woman and the luggage her body was found in were released by Delray Beach police.

The brand of the floral top is Betzabe, which police say is believed to be a Brazilian company. Police note that the reconstructed images are not an exact likeness of the victim or her clothing and reflect the artists interpretation.

Police also shared pictures of the luggage  a purple Palm Springs Ricardo Beverly Hills suitcase and a green and black polka dot Charlie Sport bag.

A purple Palm Springs Ricardo Beverly Hills bag.

We are again asking for your help with reviewing your personally owned video surveillance cameras along the Intracoastal Waterway during the specified timeframe, police wrote in a Facebook post.

On Friday, a 911 call was made reporting a suspicious item in the Intercoastal Waterway. Officers found luggage with a womans body parts inside near Southeast Seventh Avenue and Casuarina Road in Delray Beach.

A short time later, two other suitcases also containing human remains were discovered along the intracoastal near Southeast Seventh Avenue and Casuarina Road.

Police say the murder may have occured between July 17 and 20.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to reach Detective Mike Liberta at 561-243-7874.

If you saw something or have any information about this case, please contact us, police said. No bit of information is too small.
Looking for a home to rent in the Midlands can be a stressful process. It often requires hours of research and many days spent scrolling through rental sites looking for the perfect house or apartment.

Here are some tips from local experts to help make the rental housing search process easier and help renters find a place that fits their needs.

Timing your search

Jim Patton, the broker-in-charge at Patton Properties, said with the current level of supply and demand in the housing market, it is a good idea for renters to start looking for a place earlier than they think they need to.

People used to make decisions during one month, you know, will give notice (on) the first and be out by the end, Patton said. But today, thats not advisable because theres ... more and more competition by other renters. Sooner is always better.

He said prospective renters should give themselves 60 to 90 days to find a place. He suggests looking at popular sites like Zillow but also said renters can be successful by driving through areas they might be interested in, as there are multiple properties not advertised online.

For college students looking for rentals, Blair Layman, the assistant director of community engagement at the University of South Carolina, has similar advice. Apartments with desirable characteristics like proximity to campus or Williams-Brice Stadium often sell out fast, starting in October before the following school year.

Layman generally suggests that students have a place picked out and a lease signed for the next year by spring break. However, while off-campus student apartments fill quickly in the fall, most houses advertised for students are not listed until the late spring semester. Layman said this gives students looking for a townhome, house or duplex a little more time to settle on a place.

According to Patton, the general public often looks for housing from May through August when school is out and moving is more manageable. He said that looking during other months, when there are fewer people searching, might help people find a better deal.

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So the times outside that, less competition, less movement, and sometimes more inventory, Patton said.

Prioritize what matters

Patton suggested that from the get-go, renters make a list of characteristics they are looking for in a house or apartment and prioritize what they care the most about or use the most.

Emily Blackshire Giel, a housing justice attorney at the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, said she recognizes that for many people, the search for a rental starts and stops at the price tag. Still, she encourages individuals to prioritize their health and safety as much as possible.

I would, when touring, just make note of any possible health and safety risks  if the place has mold, if theres visible holes in the walls, if theres a creaky stair that looks like it could become rotted out, Giel said. I would make note of those things and bring them up to the landlord prior to see if you can talk to them about getting them fixed.

Before signing a lease, Giel said renters should check the city of Columbias code enforcement GIS map for existing code violations that may impact their health. The S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs website is also a place to check for any complaints that may be filed against the landlord of a property, according to Giel.

Giel said this type of research can inform and prepare renters and help them avoid frustration later on.

Layman also suggested that individuals prioritize safety, and she encourages renters to check the citys online crime map. She said that roommates and budget are also big priorities for many people.

To stay within budget, Layman said it is important for renters to consider unexpected expenses and consider their needs, such as transportation to campus for students.

Make sure that you understand what youre responsible for, like exactly how much is your rent because sometimes apartments theyll advertise, Hey, we have the space for $800 a month, Layman said. And that may be well in your budget, but then does that include parking? Does that include utilities in any of those things?

Patton said that while many people prioritize location when looking for a place to rent, he thinks more people should be prioritizing the value of a property.

Todays market, particularly, is priced upon square footage, predominantly, and demand of location. So I would say to people think twice, you know, picking the premier location means youre going to premier price, Patton said. I would say look more in value, more for your dollar, particularly if youre looking to not be renting in five to 10 years.

Take a tour, and speak up

The first thing, go see it in person, Layman said.

Layman said even if the renter needs to send a friend or family member to tour an apartment in their place, it is an important step that can help people get a feel for a location. She said getting a realistic idea of the apartment or house before moving in is essential.

Whenever you go on a tour, you can expect to see the model apartment home, which has been professionally cleaned, decorated, Layman said. Maybe they could schedule another tour, just to see what something looks like without all the pretty decor just to give you a very realistic expectation of what youre getting into.

According to Layman, renters can never ask too many questions, especially if they are a student or new to renting. She said that during tours, individuals should get as many details as possible, including maintenance turnaround times and any additional expenses.

In-person tours can also be an excellent time to identify red and green flags that might not be shown online. Giel said that individuals should look for problems such as mold or potential risks like a broken stairwell that might be overlooked.

Giel said renters should speak up immediately about any of these issues and ensure they are fixed before moving into their rental.

For Patton, how long properties have been on the market can also be a warning sign. In this market, most houses are only available for about 60 days, according to Patton, so if a house has been on the market for longer, you want to pay more attention to it.

While there are many red flags to look out for, Giel also said there are also some good signs for a rental.

Giel said to look out for landlords who are receptive to concerns and questions, as well as landlords or property management companies who are responsive. A positive review of a rental from a friend or relative can also be a good sign, according to Giel.

I mean, theres some amazing landlords out there who are were going the extra mile to ensure that their properties are habitable, Giel said. So I think if you can feel that out on the front end, thats always really helpful.

Be a good tenant

All the experts agreed that being a good tenant is crucial to a successful renting experience. Their number one piece of advice? Read the lease.

Reading the lease is very important, Patton said. People hate to do that, they find it an annoyance, but its very important because it does share what the landlords going to say hes going to do and what he expects of the tenant.

Giel said renters should do everything possible to communicate with their landlords and comply with their leases. Individuals should be proactive, according to Giel, by letting their landlord know as soon as there is an issue and informing them of any changes in their living situation as quickly as possible.

She said that even before renting a place, individuals should consider the conditions they need to be good tenants and neighbors.

Like if youre weightlifting in your apartment, lets say find space on the first floor, so like youre not causing noise issues with your neighbors, Giel said. Think about the things that you do in your unit and how you can minimize possible conflict by asking for whatever accommodation you need.

Tenants should also do everything they can to prevent eviction filings and keep up with their credit history, as Giel said these are key considerations when looking for another place to rent.

Giel said it is a good idea for renters to keep a written record of all communications with their landlords. They should also consider looking up the county public index to see if their living place consistently files evictions. According to Giel, many evictions are often a bad sign for renters.

On South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Centers website, Giel said there are many additional resources to help tenants stay informed about their rights.

Patton said to remember that a lot of wisdom about renting comes from experience. While it is helpful to find resources online or be able to talk to someone for advice, he said renters will gain the most knowledge along the way.

Expect that mistakes will be made, and learn from them, Patton said.
 Flash

China supports South Africa in hosting the BRICS Summit and stands ready to work with South Africa and other BRICS partners to make the BRICS mechanism bigger and stronger, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said Tuesday.

Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, minister in the Presidency of South Africa and the country's coordinator of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security.

The BRICS mechanism is the most important cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries, and it is in line with the trend of the times and the aspirations of most countries, Wang said, adding that the BRICS mechanism also represents the correct way forward.

He said that China firmly advocates multilateralism, actively promotes democracy in international relations, upholds the basic norms governing international relations, safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and promotes regional and world peace and stability.

China will, as always, support South Africa in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with South Africa, deepen inter-party exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust, and expand cooperation in fields including trade and poverty reduction, Wang said.

Noting that China supports South Africa in accelerating its industrial process and enhancing its capacity for independent development, Wang said that China encourages competent and reputable Chinese enterprises to invest in South Africa and hopes that the country will provide a sound and stable business environment for them.

China is ready to deepen cooperation with South Africa and other African countries, help African countries accelerate the realization of Agenda 2063, promote African integration, and inject new vitality into the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future, he added.

For her part, Ntshavheni said that South Africa highly appreciates China's commitment to deepening BRICS cooperation, and is willing to coordinate closely with China and other BRICS countries to ensure the success of the BRICS summit, so as to open up new prospects for BRICS cooperation.

South Africa firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, investment, mineral processing and other fields, and push South Africa-China and Africa-China relations to a new level, said Ntshavheni.
A repeat child sex offender who allegedly was tattooing minors was sentenced earlier this week.

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On Oct. 27, 2008, Kenneth Scott Queen, 35, of Forsyth, Georgia was convicted of sexual battery against a child under 16 and child molestation in Madison County, Georgia.

He was required to register as a sex offender for life. After Queen was convicted he moved to Dayton, Tennessee, and registered as a sex offender.

According to the Middle District of Georgia U.S. Attorneys Office, while Queen was living in Monroe County, Georgia, in the summer of 2020, it was reported that he was illegally tattooing children.

TRENDING STORIES:

Monroe officials said Queen was found in possession of graphic child sexual abuse material he captured involving a young child. He was required to register as a sex offender by law in Monroe County, but didnt.

For the protection of the minor victim, a portion of Queens plea agreement will remain sealed.

On Monday, a judge sentenced Queen to serve 35 years in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release and pay $20,000 restitution to a minor victim.

Despite his prior conviction, Queen continued to abuse children, which the FBI will not tolerate, said Robert Gibbs, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlantas Macon office.

He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of failure to register as a sex offender.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Im looking at two Lily Wu for mayor campaign flyers on my desk at the moment.

One says: THE OUTSIDER Ready to make city hall work . . . for you, NOT THE INSIDERS.

The other says: Lily will stand up for families and job creators, not cronyism.

Theres not much difference between the two, unless you read the paid-for by statement in the small print.

One says: Paid for by Lily Wu for Mayor, Bill Pickert, Treasurer.

The other says: Paid for by Americans for Prosperity, Robert Jentgens, Treasurer.

Wus street cred as an outsider took a pretty big hit earlier this week when it was revealed she had set the record for fundraising in a mayoral primary, mostly by tapping into a gold vein representing a whos who of the wealthiest and most influential people in Wichita.

Included on that list are numerous developers and others whose businesses have benefited from a raft of city economic development subsidies.

By my count, her campaign finance report lists 549 donations, 329 of which were for $500, the maximum allowed by city code. Thats about $164,000 of the total $207,000 her campaign has raised.

Many of those donations came from essentially the same people, who get around the $500 limit by giving multiple contributions in the name of their family members and businesses they own.

For a self-proclaimed outsider, Wu is sure cleaning up with the insiders.

But thats not what this columns really about.

Its about the other money thats been poured into the Wu campaign, by Americans for Prosperity, a front group for Koch Industries and its chairman and CEO, Charles Koch.

As of July 20, AFP has invested $66,000 in Wus candidacy, pushed through offices in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Arlington, Virginia.

Thats in addition to the $119,000 Wus official campaign had spent through July 20. So basically, a little over one-third of the money spent so far on efforts to get Wu elected mayor has come from that single source.

Its paid for mailers, phone banking, text messaging and who knows what all else.

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Just shy of $25,000 went to People Who Think, a political advertising and marketing shop in Mandeville, Louisiana. The Postal Service got about $10,000; $7,500 went to In Pursuit Of, an Arlington-based marketing firm and another $2,500 went to TalentWave, a staffing firm in Denver.

The form shows that of the $66,000 in AFP funding for the Wu campaign, $24,500 came from a single donor, Richard Varner, the son of the late former president of Koch Industries, Sterling Varner.

Its kind of amazing that we know this.

AFPs been pulling strings in Wichita-area elections for years, but their spending has generally been shielded from timely disclosure because it was considered issue advertising, instead of direct advocacy for a candidate under state law.

Youve seen those issue mailers probably a hundred times. They extol the virtues of a favored candidate, leaving no doubt who they want you to vote for, but they dont use the words vote for.

Thats the route former Sedgwick County Commissioner Karl Peterjohns taking with an independent expenditure campaign supporting mayoral candidate Celeste Racette, so we dont know yet what hes spent or where he got it.

But this time, AFP has changed course and is directly urging a vote for Wu, meaning they had to disclose their spending at the same time the candidates did.

So wheres AFP get its money? It comes largely from another Koch-founded political group, the Stand Together Chamber of Commerce, which shares the same address in Arlington.

According to their most recent IRS nonprofit report, Stand Together funded Americans for Prosperity to the tune of $102 million, out of $113 million total, in 2021.

Stand Togethers website includes a Q&A with Charles Koch and Brian Hooks. Hooks, CEO of Stand Together, co-authored Charles book, Believe in People: Bottom-Up Solutions for a Top-Down World, and he serves as president of both the Charles Koch Foundation and the Charles Koch Institute.

AFPs CEO is Emily Seidel, who, according to her bio on the AFP website, was director of special projects at Koch Companies Public Sector, where she worked on a team to build some of the capabilities that make up the Stand Together community today.

Jentgens, whose name appears on all those Lily Wu mailers, is also in Arlington and is the Director of Government Finance and CFO of Stand Together and AFP, and several other Koch-created groups.

He was the CFO at the National Republican Congressional Committee, but quit, reportedly in disgust over the Jan. 6 incursion at the Capitol that sought to overturn the 2020 election and reinstall Donald Trump as president.

That dovetails nicely with a report this week in the New York Times that Charles Koch and Stand Together recently gave $50 million to AFP in a push to scuttle Trumps 2024 campaign.

Does a candidate for Wichita mayor getting a third of their campaign out of Washington groups, that are also spending on presidential level politics, make that candidate an outsider?

I dont know. Ill have to contemplate that for a minute.
A small army of double-agent lobbyists  more than 1,500  are profiting off both sides of climate clashes in the U.S. by representing fossil fuel interests alongside institutions that work to reduce the impacts of heat-trapping pollution, the Guardian reported.

Whats happening?

According to a database released in July by the group F Minus, state-level lobbyists hired by oil, gas, and coal companies often also represent a range of environmental groups, schools, cultural institutions, local governments, and companies that combat climate impacts.

The Guardian reports that even ski resorts like Jackson Hole and Vail, whose livelihoods are threatened by less snowpack, share representatives with companies whose products warm the world.

Other strangely shared bedfellows include the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) using the same lobbyist as ExxonMobil; liberal-leaning Chicago sharing a lobbyist with BP; and climate-pledged Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft working with oil and gas lobbyists.

Its incredible that this has gone under the radar for so long, as these lobbyists help the fossil fuel industry wield extraordinary power, James Browning, executive director of F Minus, told the Guardian.

Why is it concerning that lobbyists play both sides?

The Guardian noted that some institutions dont see a problem with fossil fuellinked firms because lobbyists often have many clients, and sometimes this can help facilitate discussion. There arent rules against representing drastically different positions, though there are laws that prohibit arguing both sides of specific legislation.

A spokesperson for the EDF indicated to the Guardian that using a big-oil lobbyist might sometimes actually help us find productive alignment in unexpected places.

Critics have pointed out concerns about that argument. They could legitimize fuel interests by using the same representatives, pay disproportionate attention to deeper-pocketed fuel clients, and risk unwanted information sharing.

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[W]hen you hire these insider lobbyists, you are basically working with double agents, Brown University professor Timmons Roberts told the Guardian. They are guns for hire. The information you share with them is probably going to the opposition.

Whats being done about double-agent lobbyists?

Although the database appeared only recently, some hope it can bring change.

Its not a good look to be funding lobbyists for fossil fuels, especially with public money, Meghan Sahli-Wells, former mayor of Culver City, California, told the Guardian. I hope that many people just dont know they share lobbyists with fossil-fuel companies and that this database will bring transparency.  You shouldnt be funding the person who is poisoning you.

Roberts agrees. It would make a big difference if all of these institutions cut all ties with fossil fuel lobbyists, he told the Guardian. It would be taking one more step to removing the social license from an industry thats making the planet uninhabitable.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

ASSEMBLYMAN WANTS HARSHER PUNISHMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS DUI CONVICTIONS

Southern California Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Riverside, announced Wednesday that hes written a bill that would prohibit any member of the California State Assembly from driving a state pool car for a period of three years following a DUI conviction.

Essayli, a former prosecutor, announced the bill (HR 51) about 3 months after state Senator Dave Min, D-Irvine, was arrested for driving under the influence after an event in downtown Sacramento on May 2. When Min was stopped by California Highway Patrol troopers, he had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit.

I accept full responsibility and there is no excuse for my actions, Min wrote on Facebook the day after his arrest. To my family, constituents and supporters, I am so deeply sorry. I know I need to do better.

Since Mins arrest, Republican lawmakers and the CAGOP have referred to Min as DUI Dave.

HR 51 has received support from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Limiting access to state pool vehicles in addition to requiring ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders will not only hold elected officials accountable, a representative from MADD said. But will lead to much-needed change in driving behavior and decision-making that endangers California residents and visitors every day.

HURTADO FILES FOR REP. VALADAOS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 22

State Senator Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, filed paperwork on Wednesday to run in Californias 22nd Congressional District against Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao.

Hurtado represents California Senate District 16 in the Central Valley; she was re-elected in 2022 by just 13 votes. She hasnt formally launched a Congressional campaign, but said earlier this week that she was taking a serious look at a bid for Congress.

District 22 was one of the most consequential elections in the country in 2022, and Valadaos win helped Republicans take control of the U.S. House. Former Democratic Assemblyman Rudy Salas ran in a tight race against Valadao, and lost by three points. Salas will also run against Valadao in 2024.

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PPIC SURVEY SHOWS MORE CALIFORNIANS THAN EVER ARE CONCERNED WITH HEAT WAVES, FLOODING, CLIMATE CHANGE

Just a week after stretches of Northern California endured extreme heat, a statewide survey published by the Public Policy Institute of California shows where Californians stand on the issue of climate change.

A total of 77% of respondents said they believe climate change to be a contributing factor to extreme weather, and 85% of adults are concerned about climate change causing heat waves that are more severe. A record high of 56% of respondents reported being very concerned about severe heatwaves (a 7% jump from last year).

The survey also found that specific demographic groups are more likely to be very concerned about extreme heat, specifically Democrats, African Americans, and lower-income earners. Women are also more likely to share this belief than men, and renters are more likely to be very concerned than homeowners.

More Californians than ever are also concerned about flooding  no surprise given the dozens of deaths and billions of dollars that historic flooding caused earlier this year.

An all-time high of 69% of respondents report being concerned about increased flooding due to climate change  a 13% jump. One-third said they are very concerned about it.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Congress, and the constituents I represent, expect an explanation of how this apparent travesty could occur.

- Rep. Kevin Kiley, in a letter sent Wednesday to the Pentagon, after fallen Roseville U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gees family had to foot the $60,000 bill to have her remains interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

BEST OF THE BEE
Republican US Rep Byron Donalds has repeatedly echoed other GOP officials in a specious crusade against critical race theory and woke indoctrination in American schools.

But on 26 July, the Florida congressman called on Floridas Department of Education to correct newly approved curriculum guidelines for middle school students to learn how enslaved people developed skills that could be applied for personal benefit.

The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, [and] accurate, he wrote on Twitter, now known as X. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong [and] needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasnt the goal [and] I have faith that FLDOE will correct this.

In an interview with Floridas WINK-TV, Mr Donalds, who is Black, suggested the standards need some adjustments and that Floridas Board of Education could bring refinement to the curriculum standards for African American history lessons that the board unanimously approved earlier this month.

The standards have been widely derided by educators, Democratic officials and the White House; Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to the state last week to condemn propaganda and the extremist, so-called leaders who support it, a not-so-thinly veiled strike against Governor Ron DeSantis and his 2024 campaign for the Republican nomination for president.

After his comments, Mr Donalds felt the wrath of the DeSantis campaign and other state officials.

Did Kamala Harris write this tweet? replied DeSantis aide Christina Pushaw.

Floridas Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr said that the state standards would not be changed at the behest of a woke [White House], nor at the behest of a supposedly conservative congressman.

Supposed conservatives in the federal government are pushing the same false narrative that originated from the [White House], said DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern.

Florida isnt going to hide the truth for political convenience, he added. Maybe the congressman shouldnt swing for the liberal media fences like [the vice president].

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In March, Mr Donalds joined other prominent Florida Republicans to endorse Donald Trump for president.

The Congressman also calls it like he sees it, and if he thinks something is BS, hell tell you. Thats why we like him so much, said Trump aide Jason Miller, who called attempts to smear Mr Donalds a disgrace.

Mr Donalds responded to the inter-party backlash, stating that anyone who cant accurately interpret what I said is disingenuous and is desperately attempting to score political points.
Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe is open to amending the states near-total abortion ban to include exceptions for rape and incest if elected governor in 2024.

As governor and the father of three daughters, Kehoe would consider approving legislation brought forward by the General Assembly that contains exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother, Derek Coats, the Republicans campaign manager, said in an email to The Star this week.

Kehoes willingness to add exceptions to the law comes as House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, has embarked on a campaign for governor highlighting her strong opposition to the ban, which does not include exceptions for rape and incest.

The lieutenant governors stance also contrasts with Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican who jumped into the race in April.

Jason Cabel Roe, an Ashcroft campaign spokesperson, said this week that Ashcroft supports the abortion ban as its written. Asked to clarify whether he would support additional changes to the law allowing exceptions for rape and incest, Roe reiterated that Ashcroft supports the existing law.

Last week, Missouri Right to Life, the states leading anti-abortion group, endorsed Ashcroft over Kehoe. Dave Plemmons, chair of the groups political action committee, said in his endorsement that Ashcroft has strongly defended the Right to Life when called to do so.

While both Republican campaigns said they support the current law, their differing takes on the ban may play a major role in the 2024 election, as abortion rights supporters rail against the bans lack of exceptions for rape and incest and the confusion and fear it has stoked among women and doctors. Along with the governors race, voters may also see a ballot measure that seeks to repeal the ban.

Kehoe, according to the statement from this campaign, supports the current law as written and would be strongly against any ballot initiatives that change Missouris current abortion laws. His campaign also touted his anti-abortion stances, saying that the Republican will always protect the fundamental right to life.

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But the conflicting statements about the laws lack of exceptions from two anti-abortion candidates illustrate differing views, even among Republicans, about the wording of Missouris strict ban.

On top of the lack of exceptions for rape and incest, abortion rights advocates worry that a single exception allowing abortions in medical emergencies is too vague and has caused medical providers to deny life-saving care.

While several states with abortion bans, such as Mississippi, have exceptions that allow abortions in certain circumstances, such as sexual assault, few of the qualifications actually work in practice, an investigation by The New York Times found earlier this year. Instead, the newspaper found, women are traveling to states where abortion is legal or obtaining abortion pills at home because the requirements to qualify for exceptions are too steep.

An August 2022 poll by Saint Louis University and British pollster YouGov found that that 75% of respondents agreed that a women should be able to get an abortion in cases of rape, while 14% disagreed. And 79% agreed that abortion should be legal in cases of incest while 11% disagreed.

The poll also found that 48% of those surveyed supported reversing the states abortion ban, while 40% would vote to continue the ban.

Abortion rights supporters are likely to attack both Ashcroft and Kehoes anti-abortion stances, painting them as out of step with the views of Missouri voters and medical providers. Quades campaign on Wednesday said the two Republicans approaches are effectively one in the same. The Republicans in Jefferson City decided they know better than Missourians and their doctors.

They wanted no exceptions for rape or incest, and they have made it so even when the life of the mother may be at risk, doctors are terrified of prosecution when they simply want to do their jobs, the statement said. Republicans need to get out of the way and let Missourians decide what they want for our state and stop playing political games with peoples lives.

Mallory Schwarz, the executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, an abortion rights advocacy group, in an email late Thursday criticized Kehoes stance as an anti- abortion political strategy to increase support for, and falsely signal compassion in, banning abortion.

Abortion should be legal, locally accessible, and stigma-free. No restriction on abortion access is just, compassionate, or acceptable, she said, also pointing to the low number of people who typically are able to access care though exemptions.

State Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican who is also eyeing a run for governor, said in an email Thursday that he would not support any additional exceptions to the abortion ban. Eigel went on to attack Kehoe for his stance.

Republicans defend life, the email said. Mike Kehoe has illustrated time and time again that he will join the Democrat Party in expanding the practice of abortion in Missouri.

Meanwhile, Ashcroft, who is running a campaign that seeks to appeal to the staunch anti-abortion right wing of the Missouri Republican Party, will try to cast himself as a stronger abortion opponent than Kehoe.

In his role as secretary of state, Ashcroft has been accused of crafting a misleading ballot summary for a proposed initiative petition to restore abortion rights with the goal of encouraging Missourians to vote against the measure.

The proposed ballot summary would, in part, ask voters to allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions.

Two videos posted on social media this week show Pam Fichter, the former president of Missouri Right to Life, informing anti-abortion activists on the anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade that Republicans were attempting to delay abortion rights supporters from collecting signatures for the ballot measure to restore abortion rights.

In the video, Fichter describes how Ashcroft was going to write incendiary language for the ballot measure and that the language would be held up in court. She said she did not want to see her comments on the evening news. We dont really want to tell the other side all of the strategies that were involved in.

We have a very pro-life secretary of state and hes not going to write good language with it. Hes basically gonna say that what theyre trying to do is to overturn all the pro-life laws and put at risk mothers and children, Fichter said in the video. We hope to delay as long as possible their ability to gather signatures.

This story was updated to include a comment from state Sen. Bill Eigel, who is exploring a run for governor.
Donald Trump keeps flogging the Hunter Biden saga to cast President Joe Biden as the head of a crime family. Earlier this week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy floated the idea of moving forward with impeachment proceedings over the matter.

But as the Hunter Biden case came to a head in recent days  with Biden pleading not guilty to tax and gun charges on Wednesday as a plea deal fell apart  some prominent Republicans were questioning the effectiveness of going after the presidents son on the issue, at all.

McCarthy himself tempered comments the day before that suggested an imminent impeachment inquiry, clarifying that Republicans merely could move forward with one. And Republicans seeking the presidential nomination are mostly shying away from the younger Bidens legal and personal issues, commenting on them in passing, but opting instead to hit Biden on the economy and foreign policy.

I think when we get home, the focus is the economy, the border, crime, said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee. These are the issues that matter and these are the issues we're talking about."

Hunter Biden, he said, is a focus in D.C., not everywhere else.

The new round of Hunter Biden headlines is wrenching open a division within the GOP about how to prosecute the case against Biden ahead of 2024. Former President Donald Trump lamented the leveling of a traffic ticket instead of a death sentence against Hunter Biden, and he and others are calling for the presidents impeachment. But a vocal segment of the party is signaling trepidation, worried about focusing too heavily on a political scandal and not pocketbook issues.

"If anybody deserves to be impeached, I believe it's Biden for what he has done. At the same time, we've got to look to 2024, said Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas). We've got to get this White House back. We've got to get the Senate back.

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He added, If I was running for president I would focus on what I can do for 2024 and get this economy going again.

The debate about how hard to go after Biden over his sons legal problems has been stirring inside the party. During a briefing with reporters on Monday night, David McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth, reviewed polling the group had conducted this month that included a question about whether Biden should acknowledge having a seventh grandchild. Hunter Biden initially denied paternity of his 4-year-old daughter, who lives with her mother in Arkansas, before recently settling a child support case. The president has refused to acknowledge the child publicly.



McIntosh, with a slight chuckle, described the matter merely as a family issue, saying the Club decided to throw it in and see what people say. The internal poll, he said, found that 69 percent of respondents said Biden should acknowledge his granddaughter, while 63 percent said it was a problem that illegal drugs had mysteriously appeared in the White House.

I was a little surprised it was that high, he said.

Still, McIntosh didnt make a case for Republicans going all-in on messaging about Hunter Biden or the Biden Crime Family, a term adopted by far-right influencers and members of Congress.

Asked whether the GOP should lean harder into Hunter Biden, McIntosh, a former Republican congressman, hesitated. I dont know, he said.

In a sign that strategists see other arguments as more effective with voters, Republicans arent putting money behind Hunter Biden attacks.

A POLITICO review of political ads on air and digital platforms over the last three months showed that only one candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, has spent any money on the Hunter Biden line of criticism  and it was just $907, for a digital ad in late June criticizing the plea deal, according to AdImpact, a media tracking firm.

Virtually no one else in the conservative thought sphere is bothering to put money there, either. A review of television and digital advertisements that have run this year shows that the only national conservative group paying for Hunter Biden messaging is Judicial Watch, which has spent less than $3,000 on a digital ad.

Instead, the Republican candidates and their aligned super PACs are running ads on Bidens and Democrats handling of the economy, energy and education policies. Collectively, the GOP field has spent $57 million to date on television advertisements, none of which so far have invoked allegations of corruption against the Biden family.

Twenty-five years ago, despite public opinion at the time leaning against the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, House Republicans moved forward with the effort and anticipated picking up as many as 20 seats in the 1998 midterms; instead, the House GOP lost several, though still holding on to its majority.

Eight years ago, the House GOPs two-year, multi-million dollar investigation into the Benghazi attack and allegations of wrongdoing by Hillary Clinton loomed over her 2016 presidential bid. But in a final report released several months before the November election, no wrongdoing or evidence of misconduct could be pinned on Clinton.

The current Hunter Biden focus just smells like Benghazi, said Republican strategist Mike Madrid. Republicans trying desperately to make a story. Its always, Weve got a witness coming, weve got more coming. Its always next week. Its like a soap opera, Tune in next week.

An Ipsos/Reuters poll from June suggested Republicans may have reason to be cautious about the salience of Hunter Biden. The poll found that half of Americans believe that Hunter Biden was receiving favorable treatment from federal prosecutors because of his father. But 60 percent of Americans  including 59 percent of those identifying as independents  agreed that Biden is being a good father by supporting his son through legal troubles.



Pressed on Fox News on Tuesday night about McCarthys impeachment suggestion, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Congress would be absolutely within their rights to do so. And Nikki Haley on Wednesday morning gave a similar answer when she appeared on the conservative cable network for an interview, saying Congress needs to go and look at the evidence.

A spokesperson for Haley, Nachama Soloveichik, said afterward that issues surrounding Bidens son, however, are not Haleys top emphasis on the campaign trail.

Shes leading with her policies, like how to combat China, not Hunter Biden, Soloveichik said.

Even Ramaswamy, who has been vocal about the need to investigate possible corruption by Biden and his son, has stopped short of calling for an impeachment inquiry. Through a spokesperson, Ramaswamy did not respond to a request for comment about whether Biden should be subject to one.

Republicans arent foreclosing on the possibility of Hunter Biden becoming a major issue in 2024. McIntosh said it could be if facts eventually show damning financial activity related to Bidens influence as vice president.

But even then, how much it would resonate with voters is unclear.

Do they look at Donald Trump, with nuclear codes, as worse than Joe Biden having a conversation with Burisma? Madrid said of independent voters. Neither of them matter as much to independents as, Does a woman have a right to abortion services?

I just dont think that these stories penetrate into public opinion the way that they used to, he added. They really havent in modern times, since at least 1998.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was on the receiving end of another barrage from House Republicans on Wednesday as he faced the House Judiciary Committee and was quizzed about the administrations efforts to tackle the border crisis.

"Ive been in Congress seven years. I think you're the most dishonest witness that has ever appeared before the Judiciary Committee, and I think I speak for a lot of my colleagues," Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., said. "This is such a frustrating exercise for us because our constituents want answers."

The fireworks came as part of a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the department, which has been at the center of the handling of the ongoing crisis at the southern border in its third year.

Mayorkas has become a lightning rod for the crisis, with Republicans blaming him for running "open border" policies they say sparked and then fueled the border crisis, which saw over 1.7 million migrant encounters in fiscal 2021 and over 2.4 million in fiscal 2022.

MAYORKAS BAFFLED BY DEM REP'S BIZARRE HISTORIC TRIVIA IN BORDER HEARING

Republicans say that the rollback of Trump-era policies, including border wall construction, the Remain-in-Mexico policy and others, along with a reduction of interior enforcement and expansion of catch-and-release, has led to the historic surge. House Republicans have accused Mayorkas of dereliction of duty, with some backing a potential impeachment.

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Mayorkas and the agency have pushed back consistently against those claims, arguing his agency is working in a broken system in need of reform by Congress while dealing with a hemisphere-wide crisis. The agency has pointed to a sharp drop in encounters after the end of the Title 42 public health order.

JUDICIARY CHAIR JORDAN TELLS MAYORKAS TO BE PREPARED AHEAD OF KEY HEARING ON BORDER CRISIS

While encounters are still high, with over 144,000 in June, they were the lowest numbers since February 2021. It has led to claims by DHS that its post-Title 42 strategy is working. The strategy includes a historic expansion of the use of humanitarian parole to allow migrants in legally at ports of entry while limiting the ability of migrants who enter illegally to claim asylum.

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"Our approach to managing the borders securely and humanely even within our fundamentally broken immigration system is working," Mayorkas said. "Unlawful entries between ports of entry along the southwest border have consistently decreased by more than half compared to the peak before the end of Title 42.

"Under President Biden's leadership, we have led the largest expansion of lawful, safe and orderly pathways for people to seek humanitarian relief under our laws. At the same time, imposing tougher consequences on those who instead resort to the ruthless smuggling organizations that prey on the most vulnerable."

Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before a House Appropriations Subcommittee in Washington, D.C., on April 27, 2022.

But Republicans are unconvinced and have accused the administration of abusing parole, which is defined by Congress as an authority to be used on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian purposes or for significant public benefit.

They have said the use of parole  which includes up to 1,450 a day at the border via the controversial CBP One app and a policy to fly in up to 30,000 a month from four countries  is illegal.

Supporters of the use of parole by the administration have noted that multiple administrations have used it to grant relief on multiple occasions, including migrants fleeing Cuba and Vietnam and, most recently, "parole in place" to prevent deportation of illegal immigrant family members of military veterans. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., noted it had been used as far back as the Eisenhower administration.

"We have used our parole authority consistent with the law and consistent with past practices of different administrations," Mayorkas said.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., accused Mayorkas of orchestrating an "amnesty dance" with the CBP One app, which allows migrants to come to the border and schedule appointments to be paroled into the U.S.

Rep. Matt Gaetz questions ATF Director Steven Dettelbach during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C., on April 26, 2023.

"You've taken this app, and you've digitized illegal immigration. And you've scaled it to the moon," Gaetz said. "This app that you've got everybody downloading is like the Disney Fast Pass into the country, never to be subject to actual removal, just removal proceedings as you call them."

"I disagree with everything you said," Mayorkas responded.

HOUSE HOMELAND GOP REPORT ACCUSES MAYORKAS OF INTENTIONAL DERELICTION OF DUTY OVER BORDER CRISIS

Gaetz and Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, repeatedly grilled Mayorkas in an effort to get key data, including the number of migrants who have been released into the U.S. during the Biden administration and have now been removed.

"Let me ask real quick: Can you get that number to us, like, tomorrow, or is it  you've got to go back and is it going to take weeks and months and haggling back and forth and all the letters we do? Congress writes letters to agencies, and we haggle back and forth, all that dance we have to do. Or can you just get us the number?" Jordan said.

"Mr. Chairman, we'll provide that data to you as promptly as possible," Mayorkas responded.

Democrats generally praised Mayorkas for the work he is doing and attempted to push back against Republican talking points.

Ranking member Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., accused Republicans of pushing a "dangerous" narrative of an invasion at the border.

"The invasion narrative some members push in this hearing room is bigoted, fact-free and dangerous," Nadler said, tying the rhetoric to the 2019 El Paso, Texas, shooting.

"We can draw a straight line from the hateful rhetoric we hear from some congressional Republicans to that horrific tragedy."

He also slammed Republicans for "outlandish claims" made at the hearings, particularly claims the border is open.

Rep. Victoria Spartz attends a business meeting prior to a hearing on U.S. southern border security on Capitol Hill on Feb. 1, 2023.

"The border is not open, and to say so is not only false but is really an insult to the brave men and women at Border Patrol who work every day to keep us safe," he said.

But a number of Republicans doubled down on accusing Mayorkas of pushing "open border policies" and expressed anger at what they saw as Mayorkas not answering any of their questions.

Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., at one point exploded at Mayorkas for his alleged lack of responsiveness.

"Youre not answering questions," Spartz said. "Youve not answered any Republican questions. Is it something that your intent is not to respond to any questions from Republicans? You came with that intent?"

"That is incorrect, Congresswoman," he responded.
WASHINGTON  Democrats want to eliminate the practice of legacy admissions at universities and colleges in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling overturning affirmative action, arguing that it unfairly benefits wealthy and often white families at the expense of lower-class applicants of color.

The idea is being well met by a surprising number of Republican lawmakers who cheered the high courts decision last month, but they stopped short of endorsing federal legislation that would actually ban institutions of higher education from giving preference to students with legacy or donor status.

I think legacy admissions, particularly at the super-elite universities, demonstrate even for them a large amount of hypocrisy, but Im just not convinced we have the authority to tell them not to do it, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said Wednesday.

Legacy-based admissions occur when a college or university gives a preference to applicants based on whether a family member graduated from that institution or is related to a donor or a faculty member. Being a legacy can provide a huge boost to ones odds of acceptance. The admission rate for legacy applicants at Harvard, for example, is over five times that of non-legacies.

Legislation offered Wednesday by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oreg.) and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), which is called the Fair College Admissions for Students Act, would prohibit colleges and universities that participate in federal student aid programs from engaging in the practice. It would also give the Secretary of Education the ability to give certain exemptions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

In the wake of the Supreme Courts shameful decision to end race-conscious admissions policies, were about to see colleges across the country get even richer and whiter than they already are, Bowman said in a statement. Its now more urgent than ever that we take action to create and support diverse learning environments, including by passing our bill to ban legacy admissions and continuing the fight to bring back affirmative action.

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The bill has lots of Democratic support but no GOP co-sponsors. However, some Republicans echoed the critiques of legacy admissions.

Its a little bit interesting that the elite universities which have done so much virtue signaling with regard to addressing disparities have this by which to cultivate loyalty among its students, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the top Republican on the Senate Health and Education Committee, told HuffPost.

Without taking a position, I cant help but note that irony. If it turns out that that is a major contributor to inequality to our nation, I would expect them to voluntarily end it if they truly mean all those things for which they signal virtue, he added of colleges and universities.

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), a Yale Law graduate, agreed and called for fundamental reform. He said that admissions decisions should be based on merit, not on who you knew, who your parents were, and what your race is.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who graduated from Harvard Law, said that the idea of eliminating legacy admissions would be certainly a reasonable policy to consider. He added, Theres no doubt that in the wake of the affirmative action decision... there are many ways to ensure diversity in university admissions short of discriminating based on race.

Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate and a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, also supports eliminating legacy programs at colleges, urging Harvard University to do so immediately after the Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action last month.

Bowman urged Scott to support his legacy admissions bill in a chance encounter at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, but the senator was noncommittal, saying only he would look at the proposal.

One argument that has been made against eliminating legacy admissions at top schools like Harvard is that they can also benefit minorities whose parents or grandparents are alumni.

A Harvard class of 2023 graduate who identified himself only as Wonuola told HuffPost that many of his classmates would be reluctant to give up the practice.

As a member of the Black community at Harvard, Ive talked to a lot of students who also would not want to see legacy admissions removed for their future children, and a lot of Black students from wealthy areas are legacy students, he said at a Wednesday reception hosted by the Harvard Institute of Politics in downtown Washington, D.C.

He added: Students who are admitted through legacy admissions are also qualified to be at Harvard. I think a lot of them would be admitted even if they werent legacies.

But Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), another proponent of the bill, said that data shows that legacy admissions overwhelmingly disadvantage people of color.

Van Hollen also argued that Congress is well within its rights to legislate on the issue because of the billions of dollars it provides to colleges and universities, including students attending them. Although Harvard is a private institution, for example, nearly 20 percent of Harvard students receive federal Pell Grants.

Its interesting that Republicans who claim they want a fair process, equal admissions process, would be ducking with those kinds of excuses, Van Hollen said. I think its very clear that the current system is stacked against all students who are not part of that heredity privilege  but the numbers show its especially stacked against students of color.

Related...
Washington  GOP senators offered their continued support for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after he froze mid-sentence for several seconds while speaking to reporters this week, brushing off questions about his ability to remain the top Republican in the upper chamber after the episode.

"He said he's fine and I take him at face value," Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Senate's second-ranking Republican, told reporters Thursday. "You heard him respond to questions yesterday. He was very crisp in his answers."

GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said McConnell enjoys a "tremendous amount of support."

"With one hand tied behind his back, he's still a superior leader to so many people here that I think people still have a lot of confidence in," she said.

Lummis said it's "legitimate" to discuss the ages of the nation's leaders, but added that "we all age differently and at different times."

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, arrives at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on July 27, 2023. McConnell, 81, sparked health concerns on July 26 when he appeared to physically seize up at a press conference in Congress. / Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas called the incident "disturbing," but said McConnell was "strong and alert" when they talked Wednesday night.

"Mitch is strong, he's stubborn as a mule," he said.

McConnell, 81, appeared alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senators on Thursday morning for a photo with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and delivered remarks on the Senate floor. He declined to answer questions about how he was feeling.

Questions about McConnell's health arose after he stopped mid-sentence for more than 15 seconds while delivering opening remarks to reporters at a press conference Wednesday. Several of McConnell's Republican colleagues stepped in to assist him, and Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, an orthopedic surgeon, escorted the GOP leader away briefly.

McConnell returned to the gathering soon after and told reporters he was feeling "fine." An aide to the Kentucky senator later said he was feeling light-headed and stepped away. President Biden called McConnell to check on him, and the senator said he told the president "I got sandbagged," a reference to when Mr. Biden tripped over a sandbag during the U.S. Air Force Academy's commencement ceremony last month.

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The episode comes after McConnell suffered a concussion and broken rib after falling at a Washington hotel in March. He was sidelined from the Capitol for more than a month after the injuries.

GOP Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina confirmed to CBS News on Thursday that McConnell also fell during a congressional delegation's trip to Finland in February, though he noted it was icy at the time and "could have happened to any others."

Budd said he is not concerned about McConnell's health and praised his record as Republican leader.

"He is doing a great job. He is very skilled and obviously a better manager than Leader Schumer," he said.

McConnell became the longest-serving Senate leader with the start of the new Congress in January after he fended off a leadership challenge  the first since he took the helm of the Republican conference in 2007  from Florida Sen. Rick Scott in November.

Nikole Killion contributed to this report

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 Flash

A helicopter is seen above the Rhodes island in Greece, July 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]



Large areas of the Mediterranean have sweltered under an intense summer heatwave in recent weeks and Greece, Algeria and other affected areas are battling wildfires together.

Hundreds of firefighters, helped by counterparts from Turkiye and Slovakia, have been battling blazes that have raged on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia since Wednesday amid hot, windy conditions, while emergency planes have been flying out tourists.

Fire-fighting plane crash

The pilot and co-pilot of a firefighting plane have died after their aircraft crashed on Tuesday while battling a forest fire on the Greek island of Evia, the country's Defense Ministry said.



The victims were two Greek Air Force officers aged 27 and 34. A three-day mourning in the Armed Forces has been announced.

"They sacrificed their lives to save others... In their memory, we continue the battle against nature's destructive forces," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

The bodies of the two men were retrieved from the crash site near the coastal town of Karystos after a search and rescue operation, the Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Greek authorities have warned of an extreme risk of wildfires in several areas of the country due to the record-breaking heat. Greece has experienced its third heatwave this month.

Photo taken on July 24, 2023 shows a wildfire in Bouira Province, Algeria. [Photo/Xinhua]



Coast facing crisis

Algeria was battling to contain devastating forest fires along its Mediterranean coast on Tuesday. The fire has killed at least 34 people, authorities said, adding they had managed to control about four-fifths of the blaze.



The provinces of Bejaia, Jijel and Bouira known for their dense forests and agriculture fields are the most affected by the wildfires, which started on Sunday night and rapidly spread across the region because of strong winds, according to the Interior Ministry.

The ministry said Tuesday that 80 percent of the fires had been put out. A ministry statement quoted by the daily newspaper of El Watan credited the uninterrupted mobilization of firefighters, the use of firefighting aircraft and a drop in wind and temperatures.

The Algerian Defense Ministry said Monday night that 10 soldiers had died in the hardest-hit region of Bejaia. It added that 25 people were injured and evacuated to the closest hospitals.

The silent killer

Scientists have described extreme heat as a "silent killer" taking a heavy toll on the vegetation and lives of people.



Research published this month said as many as 61,000 people may have died in Europe's sweltering heatwaves last summer, suggesting preparedness efforts are falling fatally short.

The extreme weather throughout July has caused havoc across the planet, with record temperatures in China, the United States and southern Europe sparking forest fires, water shortages and a rise in heat-related hospital admissions.

The heat has also caused large-scale crop damage and livestock losses, said the World Weather Attribution(WWA), a global team of scientists that examines the role played by climate change in extreme weather.

Agricultural production is also severely affected in some places, such as the U.S. corn and soybean crops, Mexican cattle, southern European olives as well as Chinese cotton, according to the WWA scientists.

Without human-induced climate change, the events this month would have been "extremely rare," according to a study released by the WWA.
Republicans celebrated Wednesday after Hunter Bidens plea deal fell apart during a dramatic courtroom moment, and lawmakers declared that "justice is coming" for the presidents son.

He had been expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a plea deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge during a court appearance in Wilmington, Delaware.

But Judge Maryellen Noreika did not accept the plea agreement, questioning the constitutionality of the deal, specifically the diversion clause and the immunity Hunter Biden would receive.

Prosecutors also clashed with Hunter Bidens lawyer about potential future charges as they confirmed he is still under federal investigation.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS NOT GUILTY AS PLEA DEAL FALLS APART DURING DELAWARE COURT APPEARANCE

Hunter Biden arrives at the Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday.

Judge Noreika said the diversion agreement, which meant the government wouldnt charge Hunter Biden with a more serious gun charge if he pleaded to the tax charges, might be unconstitutional. That would mean the entire plea deal would be unconstitutional, meaning Hunter Biden would not be getting the immunity he sought.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Mr. Biden, I know you want to get this over with, and Im sorry," Noreika said. "But I need to get more information to do justice as Im required to do."

HUNTER BIDEN AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL TAX CHARGES

Republicans who have sought to tie Hunter Bidens actions to his father delighted in the move, with Oversight Committee Chair James Comer declaring the judge "did the right thing by refusing to rubber-stamp Hunter Bidens sweetheart plea deal."

"But lets be clear: Hunters sweetheart plea deal belongs in the trash," Comer, R-Ky., said. "Last week, we heard from two credible IRS whistleblowers about the Department of Justices politicization and misconduct in the Biden criminal investigation. Today, the Department of Justice revealed Hunter Biden is under investigation for being a foreign agent."

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Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., also celebrated the move, saying, "You never know what is going to happen in a typical day in D.C.

EXCLUSIVE: JOE BIDEN ALLEGEDLY PAID $5M BY BURISMA EXECUTIVE AS PART OF A BRIBERY SCHEME, ACCORDING TO FBI DOCUMENT

"If they throw the plea deal out, theyll have to reposition and decide if theyre going to go to trial or how theyre going to proceed.

Hunter Biden arrives at the Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Del., on Wednesday.

"If I were you, go home tonight, get yourself a big old bowl of popcorn and a big old glass of ice tea  and its going to be a long night."

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., had a message directly for Hunter Biden on "Americas Newsroom."

"If you are watching this right now, you are not above the law and justice is coming for you today," said Mace, who also hinted at future oversight from Republicans in Congress.

"We have a lot of questions at this point, but it looks like hes being investigated, and we want to know why."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre delivered a statement at the beginning of her daily briefing.

"Hunter Biden is a private citizen, and this was a personal matter for him. As we have said, the president, the first lady, they love their son. And they support him as he continues to rebuild his life," Jean-Pierre said. "This case was handled independently, as all of you know, by the Justice Department under the leadership of a prosecutor appointed by the former president, President Trump.

"So for anything further, as you know, and we've been very consistent from here, I'd refer you to the Department of Justice and to Hunter's representatives who is his legal team, obviously, who can address any of your questions."

Fox News Brooke Singman and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.
About a dozen people spoke out Wednesday against a potential book-rating system in the Timberland Regional Library system, raising concerns that such a system could lead to book banning and censorship.

The residents spoke to the library systems board of trustees, but the library district  which serves a five-county area including Thurston, Lewis, Mason and Grays Harbor counties  also received 142 emails between July 19-26 from residents concerned about the same idea, said Executive Director Cheryl Heywood.

The public comment was triggered by the Lewis County Commission, which recently sent a letter to the countys library board trustees suggesting the library create new policies delineating age-appropriate books and other printed materials, including a rating system, The Chronicle in Centralia reported on July 18.

The newspaper noted that several weeks ago, (Lewis County Commissioner Sean) Swope made a Facebook post sharing concerns over a pamphlet in the Centralia and Chehalis Timberland Library branches.

Labeled resources for LGBTQ+ kids, the pamphlet shared that all patrons, no matter their age, have the right to a private account at the library, according to The Chronicle.

Swope used the term groomers in his post, according to the paper.

Later, Swope raised the topic of a letter to the library board on creating policies around age-appropriate content and his fellow commissioners agreed, the newspaper reported.

However, no one agreed with the Lewis County Commission during public comment at the Wednesday library board meeting.

If you see a book with content you dont agree with, dont read it, but please dont tell me I cant, said Laura Hewett of Chehalis.

Gabi Clayton of Olympia called it dangerous.

The suggested rating system is a form of censorship and a step on the path to book banning, and this is very dangerous, she said.

Monique Farland of Centralia also fears a book-rating system could lead to book banning.

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We dont want that, she said. This is Washington state, this is not Florida. Its book banning and then burning books. Its just one step away from that. Thats all I have to say.

Executive Director Heywood made clear that the library district does not endorse such a system.

She said the district has multiple policies, operational procedures and collection guidelines to ensure the freedom to read for all our patrons without prejudicial labeling, adding that materials already are placed in age-appropriate areas of the library for early readers, kids, teens and adults.

Timberland Regional Library promotes and defends the principle of intellectual freedom based on the First Amendment of the Constitution, she said. And as your library administration, we do not condone the prejudicial labeling of the collection. We believe that the ability to freely chose what to read is a cornerstone of democracy and a free society.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before a House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing in Washington on July 20, 2023. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

When RFK Jr. jumped into the Democratic presidential race, his last name immediately turned heads.

But controversial remarks have hurt him among Democrats, while GOP voters feel the opposite way.

In a new Morning Consult survey, RFK Jr. is underwater with Dems but is viewed favorably by GOP voters.

Before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. jumped into the 2024 Democratic presidential primary, he was widely seen as a member of one of the most storied political families in American history.

Upon entering the race, he boasted a 42% approval rating among all voters in early April, with only 24% of voters disapproving, according to a Morning Consult survey.

Despite Kennedy Jr.'s campaign against President Joe Biden, the party's 2020 standard-bearer, he still captured a 46% favorability rating among likely Democratic primary voters in April, with 24% disapproving. Among likely GOP voters that month, Kennedy Jr. was seen favorably by 42% of respondents, with 25% viewing him unfavorably.

But in recent weeks, in spite of every point that the last name "Kennedy" initially notched, his numbers have tanked among Democratic voters.

Following a string of controversy surrounding his views, Kennedy Jr. finds himself underwater with likely Democratic voters, with 41% disapproving of him and 38% approving, per Morning Consult. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

While a sizable bloc of Democrats are surely fine with Biden having a competitive primary given the concerns that some have expressed about his advanced age, they have likely drawn the line at the swirl of controversies brought on by Kennedy Jr., who earlier this month baselessly suggested that COVID-19 was "ethnically targeted" to certain races  while sparing Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people.

Kennedy Jr. now has a stunning 50% favorability rating among likely Republican voters, while 27% of GOP respondents view him unfavorably, an almost unheard-of scenario for a candidate running in an opposing party in a presidential race.

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In a video posted by The New York Post at the time, Kennedy Jr. contended that there was an "argument" that the coronavirus targeted particular groups, which generated outrage from many in the public as well as several members of his own family, with sister Kerry Kennedy and nephew Joe Kennedy III condemning his remarks.

When Kennedy Jr. last Thursday appeared before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government  a panel formed by Republicans earlier this year to probe federal law enforcement agencies  he claimed that he had "never been anti-vax." Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida sought to have him removed from the panel hearing to no avail, accusing him of making "despicable antisemitic and anti-Asian comments."

During the height of the pandemic, Republicans largely rallied against COVID-19 vaccine requirements and mask mandates even as former President Donald Trump touted his administration's work in distributing vials across the country. And the party has remained steadfastly opposed to COVID restrictions, as exemplified by the political rise of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who has made his decision to reopen schools early in the pandemic a centerpiece of his presidential campaign.

DeSantis on Wednesday floated Kennedy Jr. as someone he'd consider for a role at the Food and Drug Administration or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should he win the presidency.

Kennedy Jr.'s name may have previously evoked fond memories of his father  whose civil rights work is widely admired and whose 1968 assassination stunned the nation  but his candidacy is now increasingly turning off the very voters that he'd need to truly compete with Biden next year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Whatcom County could see a rise in evictions and homelessness now that a local eviction prevention program has ended.

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Centers (WDRC) Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) ended as of June 30 as a result of Washington state legislation.

The ERPP was a two-year mandatory program operating statewide from Nov. 1, 2021, to June 30 of this year that was established by the state legislature to help stabilize housing as pandemic eviction moratoriums expired.

The program allowed the WDRC to offer free dispute resolution services, rental assistance and civil legal aid to both tenants and landlords in Whatcom County, creating a pause point before eviction.

Since the program ended, many former ERPP tenants have already received eviction notices, according to Gayle LaCroix, Whatcom Dispute Resolution Centers mediation program manager.

Thousands of community members utilized our ERPP dispute resolution services and Opportunity Councils emergency rental assistance the past two years, and many of them are expressing heightened stress and anxiety over the possibility of being evicted, LaCroix said in a written statement to The Bellingham Herald.

Reducing evictions

During the 21 months of the program, the WDRC opened more than 2,400 unique cases and directly served more than 3,770 clients.

Some 95 percent of those cases reached resolution when tenants chose to engage in services, and 55 percent of them received rental assistance totaling more than $6,517,600, according to the WDRC.

About 90 percent of all Whatcom County ERPP cases were resolved without an eviction and did not proceed to court, something the WDRC says is a huge success in terms of keeping people housed, helping property managers and landlords and reducing the load on the court system.

Evictions lead to homelessness

Eviction is one of many factors that can lead to housing insecurity, according to the WDRC.

Homelessness affects a rapidly growing number of people locally. The number of documented people experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County surpassed 1,000 for the first time this year, according to the most recent Point-in-Time Count.

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Overall, homelessness increased by 27% from last year to 1,059 people in Whatcom County, according to the report, which was conducted in cities and states nationwide on Jan. 26. Homelessness in Whatcom County was previously at its highest level in more than a decade in 2021, when 859 people were homeless  the most since the nationwide count began in 2008, according to previous reporting by The Herald.

Available resources

The WDRC continues to offer other free mediation services to help resolve housing issues outside of court.

The organizations Housing Stability services can be used to resolve disputes, address overdue rent, negotiate payment plans, discuss deposits and move-out timelines, access legal resources and limited rental assistance and address lease agreements. More than 75 percent of the WDRCs housing stability cases that have been opened since July 1 involve former ERPP tenants who are looking for ways to resolve evictions outside the court system.

The Opportunity Council is opening a new eviction prevention rental assistance program serving low-income households who are at risk of becoming homeless. Services will include housing-focused case management and temporary rent subsidies to help families maintain housing and avoid homelessness. The funds available through this program are more limited than the emergency rental assistance programs that ended on June 30, according to the WDRC.

The Opportunity Councils Whatcom Homeless Service Center can also help people apply for the Housing and Essential Needs Program to access rental assistance and other housing needs. Those interested in the program should visit the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to be screened for eligibility. If eligible, DSHS will send a letter to the applicant referring them to Opportunity Council for assistance. Assistance is prioritized by need and vulnerability, according to Whatcom Homeless Service Center Director Teri Bryant.

Puget Sound Energy has a Utility Payment Assistance program that can help tenants pay their bills.

The Washington State Department of Commerce also offers several Landlord Mitigation Fund Programs for unpaid rent and damages.
Rochester Institute of Technology will strip Nathaniel Rochester's name from a residence hall and instead rename it for Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry, granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and an advocate for Black women and children, it announced Tuesday.

The name change is both an honor for Perry, who studied at Mechanic's Institute, the forerunner of RIT, and also a distancing from the city's namesake. Nathaniel Rochester amassed his wealth through slavery and brought enslaved people with him to New York.

"As we address this reality, university leaders  including students  want to convey one small but meaningful way for those of us living today to be accountable and be empathetic toward our African American students and employees," RIT President David Munson said in a statement.

The school will change the signage on the building immediately and will hold a formal renaming ceremony Aug. 31.

The eight-story Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry Hall becomes the first building on RIT's campus named for a person of color.

"It's really important to have these physical edifices that represent our history," dann j. Broyld, a Rochester native and professor of African American history at University of Massachusetts Lowell, said. "To give deference to her instead of to him is good news."

Who was Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry?

Fredericka Perry was born in Rochester in 1880, one of seven children of Frederick Douglass's daughter Rosetta. She studied at the Mechanic's Institute and spent most of her life in Missouri.

Nathaniel Rochester Hall on the campus of RIT in Henrietta Thursday, July 2, 2020.

She founded the Big Sister Home for Colored Girls in Kansas City and also was active in the Missouri State Association of Colored Women's Clubs and the Frederick Douglass Memorial Association, among other things.

"Mrs. Perry, born in Rochester, left here as a child but she never lost her affection or interest for the city where her famous grandfather lived," the Democrat and Chronicle wrote upon her death in 1943. "Mrs. Perry did much in Kansas City to defend and promote the interests of Negroes. Her civic leadership in the Negro community there did much to carry on the cause in which Frederick Douglass spent her life."

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Among other things, she sought to keep alive the memory of her grandfather and of Black history more generally.

Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry, granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, lays a wreath at his gravestone in 1939.

"When the Negro in the South can go unmolested to the polls and cast his chosen vote ... and when the 14th and 15th Amendments are strictly observed, then I will say let us cease to recall what has been," she said in Rochester in 1939 at a remembrance ceremony for her grandfather.

Who was Nathaniel Rochester?

Nathaniel Rochester purchased land for the city that bears his name in 1803 along with two other Maryland slaveholders, Charles Carroll and William Fitzhugh. Contrary to stories later told by their descendants, all three men brought people in slavery to New York.

Just months before slavery was finally abolished in New York in July 1827, Nathaniel Rochester was still renting out the services of a Black person he owned in slavery in Rochester.

Two years later, Rochester was one of the founders of the Rochester Athenaeum, an education institute that later merged into the Mechanic's Institute and thus is the earliest entry in RIT's institutional genealogy.

From 2020: Rochester's founders held people in slavery, but would name changes make up for past injustice?

Where else has a landmark name changed in Rochester?

The Rochester City School District stripped his name from School 3 in 2021, renaming it the Dr. Alice Holloway Young School of Excellence, after the first Black principal in the district.

Also in 2021, Rochester City Council announced it would study renaming Charles Carroll Park and Nathaniel Square (there is also an RCSD school named for Charles Carroll, who in addition to owning dozens of people in slavery also served as a federal agent for a Seneca land treaty that was later disputed as fraudulent).

The city has not provided an update on the renaming process. A statue of Nathaniel Rochester in Nathaniel Square, at South Avenue and Alexander Street, was defaced in 2020.

Contact staff writer Justin Murphy at jmurphy7@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: RIT renames Nathaniel Rochester Hall for Douglass' granddaughter
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) announced on July 27 that the head of the Rivne Oblast military enlistment office and another senior officer were detained after abusing a subordinate.

According to the SBI, Serhii Lutsiuk, the head of the Rivne Oblast enlistment office, and another officer who heads the district enlistment office discovered that one of their subordinates planned to report their violations.

Lutsiuk then reportedly beat the soldier with a bat, while the district head recorded the abuse on a phone. The subordinate was forced to beg for forgiveness on his knees, the investigators reported.

Law enforcement officers conducted six searches at the offices, places of residence, and vehicles of the suspects. During the search, eight bags of what appeared to be narcotic substances and tools for their use were seized from the head of the district enlistment office, the SBI said.

The investigators also discovered the bat that Lutsiuk used at his residence.

Lutsiuk was charged with abuse of power or official authority, while the second official was charged with possession of psychotropic substances in large quantities.

Ukrainian authorities launched a country-wide inspection of military enlistment offices after an investigation by Ukrainska Pravda revealed that Yevhen Borysov, the former head of Odesa Oblast military enlistment office, had acquired assets, including a villa and luxury cars, worth $4.5 million in Spain at the end of 2022 during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Borysov is under investigation for illicit enrichment and the violation of the order of military service.
Robert Seaman, left, a University of Arizona chemical and environmental engineering research technician, and Seth Lawrence, a Northern Arizona University mechanical engineering undergrad student, work on repairing a desalinization plant outside of Leupp on the Navajo Reservation on July 22, 2015.

A bipartisan congressional effort backed by Utah's U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney could provide needed money and support for programs that reduce salinity in the Colorado River.

Romney, a Republican, joined by co-sponsors Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, introduced the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act on Wednesday, arguing more work needs to be done to lower the high level of salts sometimes recorded in the river, which supplies some 40 million people across seven states and 30 Native American tribes.

A network of federal and local projects work to combat naturally-occurring salts in the river and its tributaries, with funding coming largely from the money made off hydropower projects. Years of ongoing drought have resulted in a drop in revenues, just as the costs of those projects have risen. The new bill proposes an increase in the federal government's share of the costs to combat salinity.

"Unfortunately, decreases in hydropower revenues as a result of our historic drought and increases in the costs of implementing salinity projects have left our states with insufficient funds to meet our current cost share requirement," Romney said in a written statement. "Im proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation, which is a long-sought priority for Utah, to help our state shoulder the costs of desalinizing the Colorado River."

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) leaves a Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on May 31, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Salinity levels have long been a concern within the river basin, and Congress passed in 1974 the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to develop ways to protect water quality riverside. Additional laws passed in 1984 and 1995 gave further direction to develop a basinwide salinity control program.

Higher salinity levels can hurt crop yields, kill trees and compromise ecosystems throughout the river system.

Senators from several other states were original cosponsors of the legislation, including Democrats and Republicans from California, Arizona and Colorado.

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"As our population grows and as we face a hotter and drier future, the federal government needs to provide greater support for state and local leaders to protect our water supply," Sen. Bennet said. "This bill supports ongoing efforts to keep water from the Colorado River safe for communities, farmers and ranchers, and water users throughout the entire Basin. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bipartisan legislation."

The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai reservation Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in northwestern Arizona.

The Salinity Control Program has been an important tool in Utah, said Gene Shawcroft, the state's Colorado River Commissioner.

"The changes to the Salinity Control Act will shore up the Programs finances and ensure that needed salinity projects are adequately funded in the future," he said. "I applaud Senators Romney, Lummis, and Bennet for their leadership in bringing important improvements to this Program."

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Romney backs bill to pump funds into Colorado River salinity programs
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that if hes elected president, hed be open to considering Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a position in his administration with either the Food and Drug Administration or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DeSantis, a Republican, made the remarks in an interview with the OutKicks Clay Travis, who asked him about Kennedy as a possible running mate.

DeSantis signaled that he was uninterested in that possibility, noting that Kennedy would be out of step with much of the GOP base on some issues, like climate change.

But DeSantis said he and Kennedy were aligned on medical issues, including their criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was the governments top infectious disease expert and became an outspoken advocate of Covid-19 prevention measures.

If youre president, you know, sic him [Kennedy] on the FDA if hed be willing to serve, or sic him on CDC. But in terms of being veep  if there is, you know, 70% of the issues that he may be averse to our base on. ... That just creates an issue, DeSantis said.

The DeSantis campaign didn't immediately reply to a request for additional comment.

But former Vice President Mike Pence, who's also seeking the GOP presidential nomination, responded to his opponent's comments in a tweet.

"When I am President, I will only consider Pro-Life Americans to lead FDA, CDC, or HHS," Pence said, referring to the Department of Health and Human Services. "To be clear, pro-abortion Democrats like RFK, Jr. would not even make the list."

Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist, recently came under fire for linking Covid-19 and Jewish people, claiming that Covid-19 attacks certain races disproportionately. He has also peddled vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories in online videos, some of which have been removed by YouTube.

The interview took place a day after the DeSantis campaign fired a large part of its staff amid spending concerns. DeSantis didnt directly address the staffing changes, but he detailed broadly how the campaign will be readjusting, including prioritizing his ground game in early voting states.

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We had a campaign for a nationwide election, which will happen eventually, but thats not how the primaries are, so were shifting resources to the early states, DeSantis said.

According to the latest NBC News poll, former President Donald Trump leads with support from 51% of Republican primary voters, compared with 22% for DeSantis.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. Alex Wong/Getty Images; John Tully for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Ron DeSantis hoped that Donald Trump's legal woes would hurt his opponent, per The New York Times.

But the Florida governor continues to trail behind Trump in the polls.

A USC political science professor told Insider that DeSantis hasn't hit Trump "hard enough."

Ron DeSantis has privately hoped that former President Donald Trump's mountain of legal troubles would slow his opponent down, but polls continue to show the Florida governor trailing behind in second place, The New York Times reported.

With eight months until the primaries, the public's opinion can still change  and so can Trump's legal standing. But so far the GOP base has primarily stood behind the former president despite his avalanche of legal woes.

The indictments haven't impacted Trump as much as his opponents had hoped because he relies on an old playbook that has so far worked for his supporters: Deny, deflect, and blame the Democrats.

"This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement," Trump wrote, in all capitals, on Truth Social, after special counsel Jack Smith notified the former president that he is a target of the DOJ's January 6 investigation.

According to University of Southern California political science professor Christian Grose, if Trump was to apologize and try to move past the issue, it could have hurt him more.

"What he's done (instead) is what he usually does as a strategy and just sort of denies, blames 'left-wing' media, etc.," Grose told Insider. "So I think his strategy of blaming others for the legal woes that are upon him  that seems to help him rally the Republican base."

As for Trump's top challenger for the GOP nomination, Grose said DeSantis hasn't quite "hit him hard enough."

"DeSantis tends to avoid saying what Trump has done is wrong," Grose said. "He has even gone on the record sometimes saying that these are unfair cases against the former president."

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When Trump was indicted a second time on charges related to mishandling classified documents, DeSantis came to Trump's side, following the former president's characterization that the Biden Administration had weaponized the Department of Justice.

After it was clear Trump was also a target of the Justice Department's probe into the January 6 riot, DeSantis told CNN, "I hope he doesn't get charged."

Notable attacks on Trump from DeSantis or his campaign have often been limited to hot-button culture war issues  in one recent ad attempting to paint Trump as someone sympathetic to LGBTQ groups  and the former president's handling of COVID-19, accusing him of kowtowing to Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Attacking Trump through his legal troubles is a delicate situation, Grose said. Voter opinion could change if any one of Trump's indictments leads to a conviction, but "there's a lot of in-between for that to happen."

"It's a very tough line because so many of the voters DeSantis wants  they like Trump," the professor said. "So it's more about: Do you vote for somebody you find more electable even if you like Trump better?"

DeSantis is not a 'memorable personality'

Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University, echoed this sentiment, telling Insider there was no chance that DeSantis could prevail without going on the offense with Trump. He said, however, that transitioning from someone who has been light on Trump to a fierce competitor would be difficult.

"I think everybody does agree that a reboot is necessary, both to save money and to retool the message, but how you do that, particularly with a candidate that is not particularly verbally skilled, is hard to figure out," Jillson said.

Regardless, it appears like the DeSantis campaign is working hard on its reboot. The campaign recently fired 38 staffers, Politico reported. The move is meant to "streamline operations and put Ron DeSantis in the strongest position to win this primary," according to a statement released by his campaign manager.

A spokesperson for DeSantis's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

According to Jillson, the campaign is "not a first-rate experienced national presidential campaign" but an operation full of "Florida cronies."

But beyond his weak stance on Trump, Jillson said that, ultimately, DeSantis's problem is his lack of vigor, charm, and wit  basically, all the things that make for a winning politician.

"He hasn't caught on nationally, because he is a little awkward," Jillson said. "He is often expressionless and obviously doesn't enjoy retail campaigning, which is critical in places like Iowa and New Hampshire. So he doesn't have the whole toolkit that a politician like a Ronald Reagan, say, or a Bill Clinton or even a Donald Trump has."

"He is not, fundamentally, a memorable personality," Jillson continued: "And he doesn't have a second gear, apparently. He's not able to analyze his shortcomings and deal with them effectively and move from there."

Read the original article on Business Insider
An aerial view of a utility truck parked on a gravel road March 20, 2023, in Nogalus Prairie, Texas. Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune

LUBBOCK  When Texas was awarded $3.3 billion in federal money last month toward expanding broadband infrastructure across the state, government leaders and telecommunication companies celebrated the news.

With more than 7 million residents disconnected from the rest of the World Wide Web, Texas broadband needs were no secret. With the federal funds, coupled with $1.5 billion from the states wallet, rural and underserved Texas communities finally saw a chance to catch up with technology in the rest of the country.

One month later, as the state prepares to submit a five-year plan to federal agencies on broadband deployment, the finer details of who may qualify for federal money in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program has come into sharper focus.

And rural Texas advocates and owners of smaller telecommunication companies worry the communities they serve will be shut out of the historic investment.

The regulations require each telecommunication company applying for a grant to provide a letter of credit from a major bank that covers at least 25% of the proposed project  essentially putting millions of dollars on the table to apply for a grant it isnt guaranteed to receive.

This is a feasible task for big service providers with access to a qualified bank, but for rural companies, its a different story. For many of them, the requirement that they work with a major bank to secure funding is another hurdle in their efforts to bring broadband access to their own backyard.

[Texas will spend billions to connect the state with broadband. But is it clear which neighborhoods need help?]

These requirements were set by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which advises the president on telecommunications policy issues and will distribute the funds.

The requirements are meant to protect the federal investment. Federal efforts to expand internet access with fewer safeguards have flopped. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, a previous attempt by the Federal Communications Commission to expand broadband, is estimated to have $2.8 billion in defaults.

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Kelty Garbee, executive director of Texas Rural Funders, said she understands the requirement exists to prevent people from accepting money but not following through with projects.

However, she is concerned the rule disenfranchises rural providers.

This is going to prevent the communities its intended to serve from being able to access the money, Garbee said.

The federal telecommunications administration declined to comment for this article. The administration did accept public comments regarding the rules after a notice was released last year.

Karen Lightman with Carnegie Mellon Universitys Heinz College said that in order to avoid a repeat of funding problems, rural communities will need guidance.

This is going to take public-private partnership, and the reality is the state is going to have to help set that up and figure out the provisions, Lightman said.

The Texas Broadband Development Office has until Aug. 28 to submit its five-year plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for funding. Comptroller Glenn Hegars office, which oversees the states broadband office, did not respond to a request for comment.

Totelcom, a rural internet service provider, started as a small cooperative in rural De Leon and now serves 10,000 businesses and households in Central Texas.

Jennifer Prather, Totelcoms CEO, said she hasnt decided yet if her company will apply for the federal grants.

This is harder for us to overcome than those large providers who have already chosen not to serve those areas, Prather said. This is something a large national provider doesnt have a problem with. But theyre not the ones out here doing this already.

Like other rural service providers, Prather was hopeful about what the money could mean for connecting rural Texas, which has historically had little access to broadband. Now, she is waiting to see how the state might help before applying.

Prathers business banks locally. And that bank isnt one of the federal governments pre-approved list. If she chooses to apply for federal funding, Prather will have to find the closest qualified bank, become a customer, and put in enough money or assets to match 25% of the grant. If her funding application is denied, all the extra steps were essentially for nothing.

To Prather, there has to be a better way for the telecommunications administration to ensure a project gets completed.

Just to get these letters of credit can be impossible without tying up a bunch of funds, Prather said. Its one of many issues that, added together, make us want to put our hands up and say, Were just not going to do that.

There are additional concerns from larger internet providers in rural Texas.

Etex Telephone Cooperative serves a slightly larger customer base in Gilmer. The East Texas-based company serves 14,000 customers and could still run into problems obtaining federal grants even though it is a bigger service provider.

We would probably be limited on how big of a project we would be able to take on because of the cap from our local bank, and thats one were established with, said Charlie Cano, CEO of Etex Telephone Cooperative. If we go to a bigger bank, who knows what they would ask for us to bring to the table in order.

Cano is also concerned about the long-term sustainability of whats built, particularly with fiber, and how much it will cost to keep it updated without the limited funding from the BEAD program.

The Broadband Development Office is hosting public meetings through Aug. 16 throughout the state to get local input on the states broadband needs.

Disclosure: The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and Texas Rural Funders have been a financial supporter 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 Tribunes 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.
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Niger's presidential guard imposed a blockade on the presidency since 10 p.m., local time, Tuesday, a presidency staff told Xinhua Wednesday.

"Since yesterday, no one has left; no one has returned to the presidency. At the moment, nobody knows where President Mohamed Bazoum is," said the same source, who was not identified.

An official of Niger's security department told Xinhua in a telephone interview that Bazoum has spoken to other members of his party, saying that "freedom will be restored soon."

Bazoum came to power on April 2, 2021, replacing Mahamadou Issoufou.
A Russian missile attack on Odesa Oblast killed one civilian guard overnight, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram on July 27.

Kiper reported that Russian forces fired Kalibr cruise missiles at port infrastructure facilities in the region. A guard building and two cars were destroyed, and cargo terminal equipment was damaged.

The exact location of the attack was not disclosed.

Moscow announced that it would not extend the Black Sea grain deal on July 17. Since July 18, Odesa and other ports along the coast of the Black Sea have been repeatedly attacked by Russia.

On July 19, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi reported that Russian attacks had destroyed 60,000 tons of grain in Chornomorsk.

On July 24, Russia used attack drones to strike port infrastructure on the Danube, destroying a hangar used for storing grain. The attack took place in the far southwest of Ukraine, just 200 meters from the border with Romania, a NATO member state.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, 95 percent of Ukraines grain was exported via these ports. Wheat and corn prices have already risen sharply worldwide.

According to U.K. intelligence, the Russian Black Sea Fleet "has altered its posture" in preparation to enforce a blockade on Ukraine's ports, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its July 26 update.

There is now "the potential for the intensity and scope of violence in the area to increase," added the update.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine Ep. 17  Black Sea grain deal is dead. What can Ukraine do?
Russian occupation authorities in Crimea prohibited civilian access to the Arabat Spit, which connects the eastern part of the peninsula with Ukraine's mainland, Interfax reported on July 27, citing Russia's Border Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

"Since 8 p.m. on July 31, in accordance with the decision of the operational headquarters of the Republic of Crimea, chaired by the head of the Republic of Crimea, (Sergey Aksyonov), the passage of civilians to the Arabat Spit is prohibited," the FSB said.

According to the report, only emergency workers and citizens performing defense-related work will be permitted access.

The restrictions are introduced until further notice reportedly to "localize security threats."

The Arabat Spit, or Arabat Narrow, is a strip of land about 113 kilometers long with an average width of just a few kilometers wide that stretches from the southeastern part of Ukraine's Kherson Oblast down to the eastern part of Crimea not far from the Kerch Strait, where the Crimean Bridge is located.

On July 17, explosions were reported at the Crimean Bridge, illegally constructed by Russia in 2018 to connect the Russian-occupied peninsula and Russia's Krasnodar Oblast. The Kremlin blamed Kyiv for the attack.

Bridges across the Chonhar Strait located between northern Crimea and Ukraine's mainland were also damaged on June 22 following strikes. General Staff Deputy Chief Oleksii Hromov confirmed for Ukrinform on July 5 that Ukraine had carried out the attacks using Storm Shadow missiles.

Both bridges serve as important routes for Russian military personnel and supplies moving from Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea to Ukraine.

Read also: As more soldiers go missing, desperate families left in limbo
Photo: Sputnik via AP (AP)

VKontakte (VK), Russias homegrown Facebook clone and its biggest social network, saw a whopping 30-fold increase in censorship requests from government officials during the eight-month period following the Russian militarys invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to a new report. The findings, revealed in a report by the University of Torontos Citizen Lab, are some of the clearest examples yet illustrating Russias aggressive effort to use its ground war to justify even greater clampdowns on online political dissent.

Prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022, Russian authorities submitted court orders to VK on average around once every 50 days, according to the report. That skyrocketed up to once a day following the invasion. The largest portion of the videos removed by court order, according to a sample reviewed by Citizen Lab researchers, involved depictions of the war in Ukraine. Those blocked videos included war footage, depictions of ordinances, and even talk shows discussing the conflict.

Read more

Overall, the timing of these changes suggests that the ongoing conflict has dramatically increased the rate of blocking of video content for Russian users, Citizen Lab researchers wrote.

The findings are of a broader report looking at differences in blocked content on versions of VK in Russia, Ukraine, and Canada. Of the three counties, Russia had by far the most limited access to content. In total, researchers found 94,942 blocked videos, 1,569 blocked community accounts, and 787 blocked personal accounts on VK in Russia. Many of those removals targeted independent news organizations and posts related to LGBTQ content. Canadian VK, in contrast with the Russian version, blocked less than 3,000 videos in the same period of time, the vast majority of which appeared to be in regards to copyright infringement.

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These findings again indicate that the aim of censorship within Canada is very different from within Russia, with the former being focused on copyright and the latter on news, current events, and politics, Citizen Lab wrote.

VK, founded in 2007 by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, has degraded from a space of relative openness to one of Russian government control over the past five years. Durov, who was pressured out of his role as CEO in 2014 after refusing to hand over sensitive user data to intelligence officials, has since spoken out against his former company, claiming it is under the complete control of state actors close to Russian president Vladimir Putin. VK did not immediately respond to Gizmodos request for comment.

Russian censorship online isnt particularly new, but the Citizen Lab offers clear insights into the ways the government pressures social media companies to remove content on its platforms. Unlike web pages, which can simply be banned or blocked by Russias top internet regulator, removing content on social media sites typically requires government agencies to seek court orders demonstrating a piece of content violates Russian law. The countrys increasingly wide-reaching, restrictive internet laws limiting users speech makes those requests easier to approve than before. Website and social media sites are also required under a 2021 law to try and block potentially violating content proactivity before they ever receive a court order.

Citizen Lab found that all but one of the 336 messages Russian VK users receive when trying to view blocked content cite a court order as the justification for the blocked content. The single outlier there involved a message with text reading This video is unavailable in your country.

The Citizen Lab may only focus on a single social media, site but its still instructive, especially in light of a series of bans and restrictions on US-based social media sites over the past year. Since the invasion began Russia has blocked access to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitterafter it fined them tens of millions of dollars. State regulators even called Meta an extremist organization on par with the Islamic State after it altered its policies to allow users in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries to make violent threats against Russian troops and military officials.

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Ka-52 attack helicopter

Russia has reinforced its forces in the south of Ukraine with a small number of a brand-new Ka-52M Super Alligator combat helicopters, UK Defense Intelligence reported in their latest update on the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine as of 27 July.

This modification of the Ka-52 Alligator helicopter is based on Russia's experience in Syria and is currently one of the most powerful Russian weapons in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, UK intelligence stated.

Read also: Ukraines marines eliminate Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter

Russia has lost about 40 such helicopters since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Evidence of use of the Ka-52M by Russia in Ukraine's south include, according to UK intelligence, pictures of a crew next to a brand-new helicopter published in social media, as well as Russian soldiers expressing their gratitude for the provided materiel.

One of the key improvements of the modified Ka-52M helicopter is a new anti-tank missile, LMUR (Light Multipurpose Guided Rocket). It has an attack range of 15 km, and are used to attack behind the Ukrainian frontline air defense's range limits.

Read also: Russia could target civilian ships in the Black Sea, UK warns

Ukrainian soldiers of the 38th Separate Marine Brigade intercepted a Russian Ka-52 combat helicopter on July 25.

Russian Colonel Vitaly Tabachnikov was eliminated with the helicopter as well, Russian media reported, claiming that the colonel was an important figure in the Russian military.

Tabachnikov was the commander of the 112th Separate Helicopter Regiment in the Russian Air Force, based out of the city of Chita.

Russia has lost a total of 310 helicopters and 315 warplanes in Ukraine since the launch of the full-scale invasion.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have suggested that Russia is unlikely to succeed in implementing a blockade of the Black Sea.

Source: the ISW

Details: The ISW indicated that the Russian Black Sea Fleet was increasing its military presence in the Black Sea, likely in an attempt to create conditions for the forced stop and search of civilian vessels and to increase control in the region.

The Military Media Centre and the UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russian forces are preparing ships in the Black Sea to "enforce the blockade on Ukraine".

At the same time, the ISW said that despite the increased measures against civilian vessels, the Black Sea Fleet is unlikely to be able to carry out a complete blockade of Ukraine.

After all, a complete Russian blockade of Ukraine in the Black Sea would mean that Russian forces could open fire on all ships trying to reach Ukraine.

In experts opinion, Russia is unlikely to try to impose such a complete blockade without provoking a military conflict with the Black Sea coastal countries, including NATO members Romania, Bulgaria and Turkiye.

Experts noted that Russia's current position in the Black Sea most likely indicated that Russia was creating conditions for the search of civilian and commercial vessels, while positioning the blockade as a means of gaining additional leverage.

Analysts also suggested that Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanised counter-offensive in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 26 July and appeared to have broken through some reinforced Russian defensive positions south of Orikhiv.

The Ukrainians have apparently moved fresh forces to the area of Robotyne to conduct the operation, while Russian forces remain pinned down, apparently without rotation, assistance or significant reinforcements in the sector, which could allow Ukraine to start a more successful advance south of Orikhiv in the coming weeks.

Western and Ukrainian officials suggested that the attacks towards Robotyne would mark a turning point in Ukraine's counter-offensive efforts.

Story continues

Experts said that the actions around Robotyne were most likely the beginning of the "main strike" of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 26 July:

Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanised counteroffensive operation in western Zaporizhia Oblast on 26 July and appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions south of Orikhiv.

Russian sources provided a wide range of diverging claims as to the scale of both the attack and resulting Ukrainian losses, indicating that the actual results and Ukrainian losses remain unclear.

The battlefield geometry around Robotyne, as well as the force composition of the Russian elements defending there, offer important colour to speculation surrounding the Ukrainian attack and gains.

Western and Ukrainian officials suggested that the attacks towards Robotyne mark an inflection in Ukraines counteroffensive effort. Todays actions around Robotyne are likely the start of any "main thrust" Ukrainian forces might be launching, if US officials are correct, rather than the sum of such a thrust.

Russian forces conducted a large-scale missile strike largely aimed at rear areas in Ukraine on the night of 26-27 July.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet is increasing military posturing in the Black Sea, likely in an attempt to set conditions to forcibly stop and search civilian vessels and exert increased control in the area.

The US Department of Defence announced on 26 July that it authorised another presidential drawdown to provide an additional $400 million of security assistance to Ukraine.

Russia continues to find ways to remind Armenia and Azerbaijan that Moscows military and diplomatic presence in the South Caucasus is necessary. The Russian government may have intended for the Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan trilateral meeting to reduce possible Iranian efforts to supplant Russian influence with Armenia by providing Shahed drones to Yerevan.

Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, in Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, in western Donetsk Oblast, and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 26 July and have made advances in certain areas.

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations along at least three sectors of the front on 26 July and have advanced in certain areas.

Ukrainian military sources reported that Russian forces have begun using Russian-produced Shahed drones against Ukraine.

Russian occupation authorities continue to pursue infrastructure projects in occupied areas to facilitate the economic integration of occupied Ukraine into the Russian system.

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(Reuters) - Russia has placed a third official at the International Criminal Court on its wanted list after the ICC accused President Vladimir Putin of war crimes in Ukraine, the state news agency TASS reported on Thursday.

Judge Tomoko Akane was listed as "wanted under an article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation" in the online database of Russia's interior ministry, but with no mention of her alleged crime.

The ICC issued arrest warrants in March for Putin and his children's commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine - a war crime.

Russia acknowledges having transferred thousands of children out of Ukraine, but says this has been done exclusively to protect orphans and children abandoned in the war zone.

Russia responded to the ICC warrant three days later by opening criminal cases against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan and judges who ordered Putin's arrest, including Akane and the Italian Rosario Salvatore Aitala.

Khan and Aitala were placed on Russia's wanted list in May and June respectively.

Akane, a Japanese national, has served as one of 18 judges on the ICC since 2018, according to the court's website. Prior to that, she was Japan's ambassador for international judicial cooperation, and also served as a public prosecutor.

The ICC said it stood by a statement issued in May, after Khan was placed on the list, where it said it was "profoundly concerned about unwarranted and unjustified coercive measures reportedly taken against ICC officials".

It said it would remain "undeterred in the conduct of its lawful mandate to ensure accountability for the gravest crimes of concern to the international community as a whole".

(Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Black Sea

There are indications that Russia is gearing up to blockade the Black Sea, Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for the Southern Ukraine Defense Forces, said on national television on July 27.

Read also: NATO to increase surveillance in the Black Sea  Stoltenberg

She stated that the first sign of this preparation were military exercises conducted by Russia that simulated a potential attack on a civilian vessel. These exercises were held on July 21, after Russia threatened to attack any maritime vessels heading to Ukrainian ports. During these exercises, the Ukrainian corvette Ternopil, seized during Crimeas occupation in 2014, was deliberately sunk by the invaders.

According to Humeniuk, the aim of the exercise was to allow the Russian forces to gauge the unfolding events, the extent of the operation, and the response it would generate.

Read also: Russia admits Crimean Bridge repairs will take longer as Ukraine vows it will never be the same

The fact that they are assembling a naval group, which has been operating in an expanded format for almost a week in open waters, also speaks of their preparations, said Humeniuk, suggesting that Russias actions could be indicative of planned provocations.

Humeniuk also said that Russia has not yet fully revealed all of its naval assets, but a considerable number of ships have already been observed.

During this week, we have seen no fewer than 14 Russian vessels in the Black Sea. This represents a fairly extensive presence, she emphasized.

Read also: Shahed drones are being manufactured in Russia, Ukrainian military says

Earlier warnings from Humeniuk suggested that Russia might carry out a simulated attack, either by using a foreign vessel or targeting a ship under a foreign flag within the scope of their operations. This alert aligns with prior warnings issued by the U.S. State Department regarding potential threats in the Black Sea region.

Russias withdrawal from grain deal: Consequences for Ukraine

Read also: UN Security Council to discuss aftermath of Russia's withdrawal from grain agreement

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On July 17, Russia announced its withdrawal from the grain deal with Ukraine  blaming Ukraines strikes on the illegally constructed Kerch Bridge in Crimea as the cause. This withdrawal meant that Moscow had revoked security guarantees for navigation in the Black Sea. Following this, Russia launched targeted attacks on port infrastructure and grain terminals in Odesa Oblast.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed continuing the grain deal without Russian involvement by collaborating with Turkey and the UN. Ukraine is exploring a temporary alternative route for food exports through the Black Sea, using Romanias territorial waters.

Tensions escalated as Russia declared any maritime vessels heading to Ukrainian ports as military targets on July 19. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry responded by warning that vessels bound for Russian ports in the Black Sea and the occupied territories would be treated as carrying military cargo, with associated risks.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (left), Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 2019 Russia-Africa summit in Sochi. by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Two critical issues must be top of mind for African leaders when they meet President Vladimir Putin at the second Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg this week.

First, they should be concerned that they dont have a common position on the Russian-Ukraine war. The second issue of concern is the presence of Wagner group mercenaries in African conflicts.

As I have previously written on African efforts to bring peace between Russia and Ukraine, African voices are important in using their neutrality in contributing toward a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

Read more: African countries showed disunity in UN votes on Russia: South Africa's role was pivotal

I am a scholar of international politics who has written on major power engagements in Africa and on Africas role in the Russia-Ukraine war. In my view, this summit serves as an opportunity for African nations to bury their divisions on the Russia-Ukraine war. These were heightened during the votes in the United Nations General Assembly in 2022.

The June 2023 African Peace Initiative by seven African leaders to Russia and Ukraine was a bold opening effort to find peace in a war that has created a humanitarian and economic crisis. The African mission comprised South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, Egypts Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Congos Denis Sassou Nguesso, Comoros Azali Assoumani, Senegals Macky Sall, Ugandas Yoweri Museveni and Zambias Hakainde Hichilema.

But there have been some misgivings that the African peace initiative was not endorsed by the African Union, and excluded major African players. A formal statement at the summit in support of the peace initiative would remove doubts on its legitimacy.

Read more: How Russia is growing its strategic influence in Africa

Despite the widespread scepticism that greeted the African peace initiative, it made a strong case for peace to Russia and Ukraine. It has emboldened and opened doors for further diplomatic attempts by other global players.

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The St Petersburg Russia-Africa summit should be an opportunity for Africa to put pressure on Russia to start unlocking some of the key issues raised in the 10-point peace plan tabled by the African leaders.

In recent phone calls with South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed more enthusiasm for the African peace plan. This is vital because during the June visit to Kyiv, the Ukrainian authorities were less enthusiastic about the African plan.

Russian mercenaries in Africa

Second, African participants at the St Petersburg summit must make their collective voice heard on Wagner Group mercenaries in African conflicts.

The lead-up to the summit coincided with reports that Wagners leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, planned to relocate most of his mercenaries to Africa. This after falling out with Moscow in June when Wagner forces launched a failed mutiny against the Russian government.

Wagner mercenaries have a substantive presence in the Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Mali and Sudan. They have been accused of gross human rights violations and natural resource exploitation. In March 2022 they, alongside local forces, took part in the massacre of about 500 people as well as rape and torture. More abuses by the Wagner group forces have been reported in the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

Read more: Wagner group mercenaries in Africa: why there hasn't been any effective opposition to drive them out

At the St Petersburg summit, African leaders should remind President Putin that the Wagner Group is not Russias best export to Africa. Moreover, it is not a friend of Africa. This includes those regimes that invited it into their domestic conflicts. A consistent policy of building bridges in Africa would begin with President Putins condemnation of the mayhem of the Wagner Group in Africa.

A clear statement at the summit on threats from mercenaries would put pressure on African countries to seek peaceful approaches to their domestic conflicts. This would be a major achievement of the summit. It would dovetail with the long-standing African Convention on Mercenaries that African states signed in Libreville in 1977, and came into effect in April 1985.

Towards a new relationship?

Russia needs the summit to help it win more friends in Africa. But it should also be aware of concerns that it is unable to compete with the west and China in Africa because it does not bring any tangible resources to the table. Although at the 2019 Sochi summit Putin claimed that he would seek to engage in competition for cooperation with Africa, none of this has materialised beyond military investements in conflict areas.

Read more: Russia-Africa summit provides a global stage for Moscow to puff up its influence

The St Petersburg summit is billed as an economic and humanitarian forum. The African leaders need to impress upon President Vladimir Putin that the most immediate humanitarian act he can take would be to allow exports of Ukrainian grain and fertilisers through the Black Sea. This is part of the 10-point African peace initiative.

Perhaps to entice more African states to attend the summit, President Putin has offered to replace Ukraines grain supplies to Africa with Russias grain, food products and fertilisers. But this unilateral promise is unlikely to meet all of Africas needs.

It would also leave out other nations that depend on Ukrainian grain and fertilisers. For this reason, African states need to lean on Putin to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which permitted the exports of grains and fertilisers to the world.

In addition, African states should use the collective weight of the continent to nudge President Putin to commit to a speedy end to the war.

Probably to lower the expectation of African participants at the summit, President Putin has spoken in modest terms about building national human resources capacity and inviting Africans to a global youth festival in Russia next year.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a 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: Gilbert M. Khadiagala, University of the Witwatersrand.

Read more:



Gilbert M. Khadiagala does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Thursday, July 27, 2023.

 Russia threatens Black Sea blockade, attack on ships  defense ministry

Following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the aggressor is preparing ships and aircraft to block and destroy civilian vessels in the Black Sea, the Military Media Center, a media platform coordinated by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, reported on July 26.





 Moldova orders mass expulsion of nearly 60 Russian diplomats, cites spying concerns

The Moldovan government has announced that the number of accredited diplomats and "technical and administrative" staff working at the Russian Embassy in Chisinau will be reduced from 84 to 25, according to Daniel Voda, a spokesperson for Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Deschide.MD reported on July 26.





 Romanian cargo ship falls victim to Russian drone attack in southern Ukraine

During Russia's attack on the port of Reni in Odesa Oblast in the early hours of July 24, a Romanian dry cargo ship came under fire, the country's foreign ministry stated on July 25, according to local outlet HotNews.





 Two-thirds of African leaders refuse to attend Putins summit

The majority of African nations' leaders have chosen not to attend the upcoming Russia-Africa summit, with 38 out of 55 countries opting not to send their heads of state, The Moscow Times reported on July 25.





 New drone factory in Russia could significantly impact war in Ukraine  report

Moscow and Tehran are building a factory in Russia that will manufacture Iranian-designed combat drones, which could have a significant impact on the war in Ukraine, CNN reported on July 25, citing U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency analysts.





 Pentagon chief and General Milley praise Ukrainian counteroffensive  Ambassador Markarova

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, have expressed their high regard for how Ukraine is conducting its counteroffensive, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, said in an interview with RFE/RL on July 25.





Story continues

 SBU claims responsibility for 2022 Crimean Bridge attack

The head of Ukraines SBU security service, Vasyl Maliuk, has confirmed that his department was behind the Oct. 8, 2022, attack on the Crimean Bridge, the SBU said in a press release on July 26.





 Shoigu meets North Korean defense minister to strengthen military ties

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in North Korea where he met with his counterpart, General Kang Sun-nam, in Pyongyang on July 26.





 Ukrainian pilots to train in Denmark and Romania  White House

Ukrainian pilots will be trained on U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets in Denmark and Romania, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing on July 26.





 Ukrainian economy may grow over 5% in 2023 despite war  ICU

The performance of the Ukrainian economy continues to significantly exceed expectations thanks to uninterrupted inflows of international financial assistance and growth may exceed 5% this year, according to the economic forecast of the Investment Capital Ukraine financial group released on July 25.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian servicemen in front of SU-24 and SU-27 planes at Starokostyantyniv military airbase on October 12, 2018. GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia fired a barrage of missiles at a key Ukrainian air base on Wednesday, per official sources.

Many were shot down, but some damage was done at the base, which houses Ukraine's Su-24 jets.

The jets are believed to be the only ones that can carry the UK-supplied Storm Shadow missile.

Russia aimed a barrage of cruise missiles and exploding drones at a key Ukrainian air base overnight on Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to ground the planes that carry Ukraine's Storm Shadow missiles, according to reports.

Yuriy Inhat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force Command, said on Telegram that Russia had unleashed a massive barrage towards the Starokostiantyniv air base in Khmelnytskyi, in western Ukraine.

In total, Ukrainian air defenses shot down 36 cruise missiles, Inhat said in his post. Later on television, he added that several Shahed-136 "suicide" drones aimed at the base were also destroyed, according to Ukrainian state outlet Suspilne.

However, some damage was inflicted at the base by four Kinzhal missiles air-launched from MiG-31K jets, Inhat said, without giving further details. Insider was unable to independently verify the report.

The extent of the damage is a crucial question. Starokostiantyniv is, according to Forbes, the base for the only regiment that flies the Su-24 aircraft that carry the UK-supplied Storm Shadow missile.

A major strike could potentially take out what is believed to be Ukraine's only current means of air-launching the missile, likely massively curtailing Ukraine's ability to strike far beyond the front lines.

The Storm Shadow, also known as the SCALP, has been touted as a game-changer for Ukraine's counteroffensive, given its evasive abilities, precise targeting, and its 155-mile range.

Although Ukraine has not revealed the targets it has hit with the missile, several strikes deep within Russian-held territory  not easy to hit any other way  have been attributed to the missile.

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Russian military blogger Rybar claimed that four Storm Shadows struck targets in Crimea on Monday, including a major Russian military vehicle repair depot.

Insider was unable to verify the claim, although local authorities did announce an evacuation of the area.

Read the original article on Business Insider
 Flash

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Wednesday that he would step down from Aug. 22 after serving the post for more than 38 years in the Southeast Asian nation, and would pass the reins of power to his eldest son Hun Manet.

"Hun Manet will become the prime minister in just more than three weeks," he said in a televised speech on the state-run National Television of Cambodia (TVK).

Hun Sen said the National Assembly would convene for the first time on Aug. 21 under the auspices of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, and the new five-year-term government led by Hun Manet would be sworn in on Aug. 22.

The upcoming power transition was to continue ensuring the country's peace and political stability, he said, adding that the new cabinet would consist of young and dynamic leaders.

Hun Sen, 70, said the political power would remain in his hands because he was still the president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), but he would not interfere with the new government's leadership. He would also take the post of President of the Senate after the Senate Election on Feb. 25 next year.

Hun Manet, 45, is currently a member of the CPP's Standing Committee and a deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1999, received a Master's Degree of Arts in Economics from the University of New York in 2002, and earned a Doctorate Degree in Economics from the University of Bristol in Britain in 2008.

Hun Sen's announcement came after the CPP won a landslide victory in the seventh general election on Sunday, which was held to elect the members of parliament for the 125-seat National Assembly for the 2023-2028 new term.

The National Election Committee (NEC) released the preliminary results on Wednesday, showing that the CPP received almost 6.4 million votes, or 82.3 percent of the total valid votes of 7.77 million, and the Funcinpec Party of Prince Norodom Chakravuth gained 716,443 votes, or 9.22 percent.

Based on the results, the CPP won 120 parliamentary seats and Funcinpec gained the remaining five seats.

The CPP has ruled Cambodia since 1979, with Hun Sen being the prime minister since Jan. 14, 1985.

Thong Mengdavid, a research fellow at Phnom Penh-based independent think tank Asian Vision Institute (AVI), said under Hun Sen's leadership, the CPP delivered complete peace and national reconciliation to Cambodia in 1998.

"Hun Sen's prudent, practical, and visionary leadership has allowed the CPP to establish a strong basis for generational leadership, and the party is now home to a number of competent, intelligent and far-sighted young leaders," he told Xinhua.

Speaking of Hun Manet, Mengdavid said he was qualified to be Cambodia's new leader because of his education background, sacrifice and hard effort in the COVID-19 fight, and charismatic personalities.

"I do believe he will continue his predecessor's works to resolve national problems, utilize his knowledge and creative solutions to boost productivity and recruit talented individuals to work in the government," he said.

Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said Hun Manet had the qualifications and characteristics to lead Cambodia.

"He is highly educated and qualified in Cambodia and abroad," he told Xinhua. "There is no iota of doubt in my mind that he will be more vibrant, energetic and intelligent than his predecessors."
In this handout photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on October 28, 2022, a Ka-52 helicopter gunship of the Russian air force fires rockets at a target at an unknown location in Ukraine. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File

Ka-52 attack helicopters have given Russia a strong advantage in Ukraine, the UK MOD said.

Russia has now started using heavily modified versions of the aircraft in southern Ukraine, it said.

And Russia is equipping its Ka-52s with anti-tank missiles that can fire up to nine miles, it said.

Russia has started using heavily modified Ka-52 attack helicopters and equipping its Ka-52 fleet with long-range anti-tank missiles that can get past Ukraine's air defenses, according to UK intelligence.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update on Thursday that Russia has been using the Ka-52 attack helicopter against Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia.

The helicopters, known as the "Alligator" by Russia and "Hokum-B" by NATO, have been "one of the single most influential Russian weapon systems in the sector," it said.

According to the UK MOD, Russia has lost about 40 of the aircraft since it started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but the helicopters have "imposed a heavy cost on Ukraine."

Russia is now "highly likely" using a heavily modified version of the helicopter in Ukraine, it said, with the Ka-52M variant informed by "lessons from Russia's experience in Syria."

Meanwhile, Russia has improved its Ka-52 fleet by adding a new anti-tank missile, the LMUR, which has a range of about nine miles (15 kilometers), the MOD added.

The helicopter crews "have been quick to exploit opportunities to launch these weapons beyond the range of Ukrainian air defences," the MOD said, though it did not specify if the missiles have been added to the modified helicopters or the original versions.

Ukraine said it shot down one Ka-52 helicopter on Tuesday.

Dutch open-source intelligence group Oryx said that 38 Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters have been visually confirmed as lost since the start of the invasion.

Story continues

Last month, the MOD said that the helicopters were giving Russia a "temporary advantage in southern Ukraine" because of their long-range missiles.

Insider reported in November 2022 that the helicopters had been used more than any other attack helicopter by Russia in its invasion. At that time, more than 25% of the Russian Air Force's in-service Ka-52 fleet had been shot down, the UK MOD said.

Ka-52s have so far been seen supporting Russian airborne forces, escorting Russian convoys, and conducting operations into territory controlled by Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Russian attack on Kivsharivka, a town south of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, killed a 74-year-old woman, oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on July 27.

According to Syniehubov, Russian forces used a KAB-250 guided bomb, which destroyed part of a five-story residential building. A nearby nine-story building was also damaged.

Four civilians were injured, ranging in age from 35 to 81.

Russia also launched a S-300 missile, causing a fire in a non-residential building in Velykyi Burluk, a village in Kupiansk district, Syniehubov added.

The governor reported that there were forest fires near the village of Ivashky, and that the school building was damaged by mortar shelling.

Apart from suffering from regular artillery and mortar shelling due to the geographical proximity to Russia, Kharkiv Oblast also faces missile and drone strikes on a daily basis.

On July 26, Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces had attacked the region with Iranian-made drones.

Industrial facilities were damaged as a result of the attack, according to Pervomaisk Mayor Mykola Baksheiev.

Read also: From occupation to active war zone: Danger persists for Ukrainians in liberated territories
The Russian occupiers launched a missile attack on port infrastructure of Odesa Oblast on the night of 26-27 July, killing a security guard.

Source: Operational Command Pivden (South); Oleh Kiper, Head of the Odesa Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "The enemy launched a missile attack on Odesas port infrastructure at night.

A civilian employee was killed when one of the ports administrative buildings was hit. The production equipment of one of the freight terminals was damaged."

Details: Sources reported that the occupiers fired Kalibr missiles from a submarine in the Black Sea at a critically low altitude, making detection difficult.

Kiper said a 44-year-old civilian security guard was killed in the strike..

The equipment of one of the freight terminals was damaged; a security office and two cars were destroyed.

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Operational Command Pivden (South) has warned civilians of possible Russian attacks, as a Russian submarine missile carrier is ready to launch Kalibr missiles.

Source: Operational Command Pivden (South)

Quote: "The enemy can launch repeated attacks, including those from the sea following tough weather conditions such as thunderstorms and storms."

Details: Operational Command Pivden (South) added that the submarine missile carrier put on combat duty is ready to use Kalibr missiles.

At the same time, the command noted, strike drones activity is also possible.

Background: An air-raid warning was issued in several oblasts on the night of 26-27 July due to the threat of Russian drones and missiles.

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The Russian invaders will ban access for civilians to the Arabat Spit starting from the evening of 31 July, arguing that it is necessary to "localise the security threat" to the occupied Crimea.

Source: Kryminform news agency, with reference to the so-called "FSB Department for Crimea"

Details: The invaders' "Crimean operational headquarters", chaired by the Russian-appointed "head" of the peninsula, Sergei Aksyonov, approved a "decision" not to issue any passes to the Arabat Spit to civilians from 20:00 on 31 July.

Only employees of the occupiers' emergency services, as well as citizens performing "work of defence significance" and emergency response will be able to get to the spit."

The measures, according to the occupiers, are being introduced until a special order is issued and are necessary to "localise threats to the security of the population, military and other facilities" located in the occupied Crimea.

Background:

Ukrainian intelligence reported that collaborators and representatives of the occupying administration were being relocated to Arabat Spit in November last year.

The Centre for National Resistance reported that Russians had brought abducted patients from psychiatric hospitals in Nova Kakhovka and Oleshky to the village of Strilkove on Arabat Spit in December 2022.

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By Timothy Gardner and Laura Sanicola

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration is poised to increase outreach to western trading houses, insurers and tanker owners to remind them to abide by the Group of Seven's price cap on Russian oil as the crude trades over that level, sources and experts said.

The approach reflects a desire by Washington to encourage buyers to adhere to the $60 per barrel cap imposed last December on sea-borne exports of Russian crude by the G7, the European Union and Australia in retaliation for Russias war on Ukraine.

The administration is expected to use "soft" tactics, instead of widespread threats of harsh enforcement on potential violators as that could upend energy markets, they said.

"The initial inclination on the part of Treasury is to be soft on it, not to come down like a hammer on tankers and tanker owners, to enforce, but enforce quietly with letters, phone calls," said a source familiar with the administration's thinking on the matter.

U.S. officials will likely increase communications with trading houses, tanker owners, insurers and others, reminding them that if western maritime services are used, attestations must be kept showing Russian oil was bought under $60, the source said.

A Biden administration source said such conversations with service providers about their requirements have been constant during the implementation of the caps.

"Weve been having these types of conversations already and they will continue," the source said.

The price cap bans Western companies from providing services such as transportation, insurance and financing for the oil sold above the cap.

According to Reuters data, Russian Urals crude has been trading at or above the cap for nearly two weeks. Treasury uses a monthly average of prices to calculate the Urals price, which means it may be a while before the Russian oil price can be considered over the cap.

The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) says individuals or companies who evade, avoid, or violate the cap could face civil or criminal enforcement actions, including fines, and that it will work with other countries to share information about evasion.

Story continues

"We are hell bent on ensuring that evasions are not distorting the market," a senior U.S. Treasury official said.

'POLICY PICKLE'

The administration, however, is set to move slowly, wary of creating ripples in a market that could send rising global oil prices higher.

The administration is in a "policy pickle" because it does not want to come down too hard with enforcement threats and risk boosting global petroleum prices by interfering with the movement of oil, the source with knowledge of administration thinking said.

"They'll spook the service providers facilitating exports, they certainly don't want to do that."

High consumer energy prices are a political risk for President Joe Biden, who is seeking reelection in 2024.

The cap has always had two objectives: reducing Russia's revenues from oil exports, and ensuring that oil continues to flow to global markets. The administration insists the cap is effective.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo has recently spoken with countries with large shipping fleets and shipping trade, while Elizabeth Rosenberg, Treasury's assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes, has called protection and indemnity insurance providers, known as P&I clubs, to remind players of requirements related to Russian oil purchases, the administration source said.

COSTS TO RUSSIA

Another U.S. government source said that the Urals price is high because of recent deals to countries that are outside the cap.

Such sales, mainly to India and China, are expensive for Russia, the source said. Russia has to spend money on a ghost tanker fleet and other expenses to ship oil long distances instead of via pipelines mainly to Europe.

Adeyemo said last month the Russian central bank has guaranteed about $9 billion in a reinsurance scheme intended to replace western reinsurance, due to the price cap, money the Kremlin cannot invest in weapons to fight its war in Ukraine.

The State Department is "closely monitoring all vessels engaged in loading of crude oil and petroleum products from Russia, as well as potential evasion or non-compliance, including the use of deceptive practices to access coalition services for oil traded above the caps," a spokesperson said.

If Urals prices continue to climb above the cap, Washington could urge fellow G7 countries and the EU to raise the cap, but that would be a diplomatic and political undertaking that faces resistance from Eastern European countries and U.S. lawmakers.

Ben Cahill, an energy security and climate expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed enforcement will proceed slowly.

"We could see stronger enforcement on the tanker fleet and the tracking of the ownership of vessels, better quality of attestation of paperwork," said Cahill. "But there won't likely be a dramatic change unless oil prices stay high for a while."

(Reporting by Timothy GardnerEditing by Marguerita Choy)
The Russian-installed proxy leader of the occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Vladimir Rogov said on Telegram on July 27 that Ukrainian forces had struck the Russian-held town of Tokmak.

According to Rogov, four rockets hit the city at around 5 p.m local time. Three projectiles exploded while the fourth fell near the railway station but did not detonate, he said.

Rogov claims that one person was injured in the attack.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claim.

The city of Tokmak, which before the full-scale war held a population of almost 30,000, was captured by Russian forces in March 2022. It has since become an important logistics hub for Russian forces.

Tokmak lies around 20 to 25 kilometers from the front line as Ukraine's counteroffensive pushes south in an effort to liberate Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Rogov reported artillery attacks against Tokmak and another occupied city of Melitopol earlier in June.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine to receive F-16 training, additional air defense as Russia continues missile barrage
On the night of 26-27 July, the Russian army attacked Nikopol district seven times and attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with a drone that was shot down by the defenders.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Almost three dozen shells from heavy artillery hit Nikopol, Pokrovka and Chervonohryhorivka hromadas (administrative units designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.)."

"The aggressor also attacked the oblast with a UAV. But the defenders from the Air Command Skhid (East) shot it down. It was presumably a Shahed."

Details: The attack damaged an educational institution, an administrative building, a communications company, a post office and a church.

In addition, two 2-storey buildings and an outbuilding were damaged. Power transmission lines were damaged, too.

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The Russian authorities detained at least 13 Crimean Tatars under the building of the "Supreme Court of Crimea" in Russian-occupied Simferopol. They came to the hearing in regards to the appeal in the case of Nariman Dzhelyal and the Akhtemov brothers; among the detainees is journalist Lutfie Zudieva.

Source: Krymskii dyskurs (Crimean discourse); Crimean Process; Graty media outlet

Details: On Thursday morning, at least 13 people (10 men and three women) were detained near the "Supreme Court of Crimea". The detainees came to support Nariman Dzhelyal, Asan Akhtemov and Aziz Akhtemov. Among them were both parents of Aziz Akhtemov and two journalists.

Amongst the detainees are: Akhtemova Zarema, Akhtemov Eskender, Ablyamitov Kerim, Useinov Rustem, Kurnosov Rustem, Akhtemov Server, Useinova Seyara, Teifuk Mansur, Abdurakhmanov Nariman, Mustafa Mustafayev, Dzhelyalov Ruslan, as well as journalist Lutfie Zudieva and citizen journalist Ibragimov Kulamet.

The detainees were put on a bus and taken to the Zaliznychnyi police station for identification. Listeners, including relatives of the defendants, were not allowed into the court.

According to Russian security officials, the reason for the detention was a report to the emergency service 102 on a "violation of public law and order".

Krymskii dyskurs writes that group gatherings of Crimean Tatars are now often reported in Crimea when there are more than three participants.

Graty reported that journalist Lutfie Zudieva, who was on their editorial assignment, planned to cover the court session in the Supreme Court of Crimea in the case of Nariman Dzhelyal, the deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, and the Akhtemov brothers, accused by the Russian authorities of sabotage.

Zudieva was not allowed to enter the courthouse and was subsequently detained. In addition, 12 more Crimean Tatars, relatives and friends of Dzhelyal and Akhtemov, who came to court and unsuccessfully tried to get to an open hearing, were detained together with the journalist. Among the detainees is also Kulamet Ibraimov, the correspondent of the Grani media outlet.

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During the arrest, Zudieva showed a press card and stated that she was performing an editorial task, but the police ignored this.

Zudieva was taken to the Zaliznychnyi District Police Department of Simferopol, where they tried to force her to give fingerprints and saliva samples under threat. She refused.

As a result, Zudieva was given a report on administrative offence for "participation in the mass simultaneous stay of citizens in a public place near the Supreme Court of Crimea... in order to further inform the media". This confirms that the police were aware of Zudieva's journalistic status.

Graty notes that Zudieva covers the case of Dzhelyal and the Akhtemov brothers from the very beginning and was supposed to write about the ending of this story. The editors demand the immediate release of the journalist and other illegally detained Crimeans.

Lutfie Zudieva has been cooperating with Graty since 2019. Her articles were also published on Ukrainska Pravda. Life.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
Russian occupiers have launched a missile attack near a five-story residential building in the Kupiansk district, killing a woman and injuring four other civilians.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Last night, the enemy hit the settlement of Kivsharivka in Kupiansk district with a KAB-250 guided aerial bomb. A hit was recorded near a five-story residential building. The building was damaged; a wall collapsed in one of the apartments. A nearby nine-story building was also damaged.

Unfortunately, a 74-year-old woman died. The injured were women aged 35, 81 and 71, and a 74-year-old man; their condition is moderate."

Details: At night, an S-300 missile hit a non-residential building in Velykyi Burluk in the Kupiansk district. The building was damaged, and there was a fire.

During the past day, Russian invaders fired artillery, mortars and other weapons at populated areas in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv, Izium, Chuhuiv and Kupiansk districts.

All photos: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

In addition, there were forest fires, and a secondary school building was damaged by mortar attack in the village of Ivashky, Bohodukhiv district.

A critical infrastructure facility was damaged by mortar attack in the settlement of Perovske. There were no casualties.

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 Flash

Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), paid tribute to the martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the country's Fatherland Liberation War, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.

Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, visited the cemetery of CPV martyrs in Hoechang County of South Phyongan Province, according to the report.

A wreath in the name of Kim was laid at the monument to the CPV martyrs. Written on the ribbons of the wreath were letters reading "Martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteers will Be Immortal," said the report.

Kim paid a silent tribute in memory of the CPV martyrs, and then placed a flower before the grave of Mao Anying at the cemetery and paid a tribute to him, it said.

During the event, Kim said that the CPV martyrs are recorded in history as a foundation and model of the DPRK-China friendship, and their noble life would be immortal in the hearts of the people of the DPRK.

The history and tradition of unity between the two peoples would be carried forward through generations, he added.

Kim was accompanied by Jo Yong Won, presidium member of the political bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the DPRK, Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Song Nam, department director of the WPK Central Committee, and Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the WPK Central Committee.

The construction of the 90,000-square-meter cemetery was completed in 1957.
Saharan dust is forecast by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to move over the entire state of Texas the next couple of days, with the heaviest amounts over Central Texas, North Central Texas, Southeast Texas and along the coastal bend of Texas.

The dust may cause the air quality index to spike into the upper end of the moderate range to the lower end of the unhealthy for sensitive groups range, particularly during the morning and evening hours, TCEQs Thursday forecast said. Conditions may begin to slightly improve this weekend with lower concentrations of Saharan dust in South Texas, Central Texas, North Central Texas and along the Texas coast.

Last year, the dust plume made its way to North Texas in early June.

With the giant dust plume drifting over Texas again, theres a 25% increase in allergy complaints, says Dallas ENT. Runny nose, scratchy throat, postnasal drip, sneezing and nasal congestion are all common symptoms.

Because Saharan dust includes a type of sand not found in our area, it can trigger your immune system to react with symptoms typical of springtime allergies, Dallas ENT writes on their website.

What is Saharan dust?

The Saharan Air Layer, also known as Saharan dust, is a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert during the late spring, summer and early fall, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Through high-speed winds, the dust can travel thousands of miles away from its Northern African origins, typically ramping up in mid-June and peaking from late June to mid-August, with new outbreaks occurring every three to five days. During its peak period, its common for the dust from the Sahara to reach as far west as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and southern continental states including Florida and Texas, covering extensive areas of the Atlantic.

What to know about Saharan dust allergies

Saharan dust worsens air quality and increases the levels of particulate matter in the air, which can be harmful to your health. Larger Saharan dust particles can irritate the skin and eyes, while smaller particles can be inhaled and cause respiratory disorders and cardiovascular events.

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The particles can be breathed in and enter your lungs and blood stream, potentially triggering asthma attacks in people who have asthma and aggravating other respiratory conditions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

People with asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory infections can get severely ill from Saharan dust. Groups that are most likely to experience health problems when exposed to Saharan dust are:

Children and babies

Older adults

People with underlying lung conditions

People with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases

What to do about Saharan dust symptoms

Dallas ENT recommends limiting time outdoors and staying hydrated. If you do spend time outside, choose easier outdoor activities so that you dont breathe as hard, the CDC recommends.

If you get mild symptoms, Dallas ENT recommends saline spray, air purifiers and nasal irrigation. For those with underlying breathing issues, they need to have their inhalers handy and seek emergency care if necessary. If over-the-counter medications dont work or symptoms worsen, see your doctor.

Baylor College of Medicine offers the following tips
Saline County invested in a local organization that is combating local child care issues, beginning with low wages and limited availability, as part of a big-picture effort to develop the workforce and find long-term solutions.

This week, the county awarded the Salina Area United Way $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used in their ongoing efforts to address a persistent local need for child care around Salina.

Dedicating some of the ARPA funds toward childcare initiatives has been on the county's radar since the ARPA funding first came available. When the county commission set its framework for how to expend the federal dollars, "child care" was its own category under the workforce development piece.

A toddler dances underneath a sprinkler at a splash pad in Jerry Ivey Memorial Park. The Salina Area United Way was awarded $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help address local childcare needs.

For a while now, the county has talked about needing partners to achieve something meaningful in this category. The United Way now has an opportunity to do just that.

"We know that child care is a great need in this community and (the county) wanted to be able to devote some of those once-in-a-generation funding to address that child care need," said Phillip Smith-Hanes, the Saline County administrator.

Salina United Way leads efforts in addressing child care needs

In April, the United Way announced the start of its Early Childcare Initiative Fund, which will begin the first phase of the organization's efforts by awarding wage supplement grants to local centers.

"Wages have been pinpointed as the No. 1 critical piece as to why were struggling to retain child care workers and keep rooms open at centers, said Claire Ludes, executive director of the Salina Area United Way.

Last month, the United Way was awarded $1,872,000 by the Kansas Children's Cabinet Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program to help create 187 new spots in the Salina area.

To build on that success, Salina United Way submitted a proposal to the county for ARPA funds to create an endowment, which would aim to supplement wages of local providers in the future.

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The proposal was vetted by ARPA compliance consultants and found to fit federal requirements.

Under the agreement, $75,000 will be provided for staffing and marketing in an initial grant for $37,500, with the remainder available if funding for the endowment is obtained by Dec. 31.

The Saline County Commission during an informal discussion in February. Among topics discussed was how to address local childcare needs as a piece of workforce development.

The United Way will have until June 30, 2024, to raise $325,000 to receive a matching grant for their endowment. This schedule aims to incentivize the United Way to fundraise quickly and allow the county to reallocate the funds if the organization cannot meet ARPA obligation deadlines.

The county commission unanimously approved United Way's proposal Tuesday.

With these funds of $400,000 we will be able to address the current needs of child care and also begin working on sustaining all that is being done in our community to make lasting and impactful changes for child care, Ludes said.

Quick facts about the local child care desert

There are a great number of needs in the childcare arena, most of which are identified by experts as a cause-and-effect relationship. Here are some of the key facts surrounding childcare needs in Saline County:

For every one open child care slot, there are 10 children in need of that spot.

Most child care centers around Salina are paying $4-6 less than the local "livable" wage of $15 per hour.

Fewer people are entering the child care field.

Local centers are understaffed.

Infant care is in the highest demand.

An estimated 1,052 child care slots are needed this month.

Employers cite child care as a top challenge when recruiting employees.

More about United Way's effort: A new fund aims to increase child care availability in the Salina community. Here's how

County, United Way discuss the need for sustainable solutions

After some discussion on these key facts and the dire situation local childcare availability has become, commissioners voiced their gratitude to Ludes for her team's efforts, as well as their concerns for the future.

Commissioner Jim Weese said that while he supports the allocation, he can't help but wonder what happens after the ARPA funds are exhausted.

"I fear, like all ARPA funds, that if they don't find their own source of revenue after the ARPA is gone, they would want to come back to the county ... so I'm just raising the red flag now," Weese said. "They have to find their own source of revenue, and I believe that's what they're trying to do."

Commissioner Rodger Sparks asked if Ludes was confident her organization could meet the match requirements through fundraising.

More: The desperate, persistent need for childcare

"We are very close to having our first business contribute and be a piece of the matching at about $75,000," Ludes said. "We're just continuing to have constant conversations with businesses, so I hate to say this, but I don't think it's going to be an issue to get the matching funds. Businesses are very much interested in being a part of this."

Renee Duxler, president and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce was in attendance Tuesday and voiced her organization's support of the United Way proposal.

"Our employers are definitely very interested in being invested in childcare in the community," Duxler said. "We really appreciate United Way stepping up to take this on, being an incredible organization to do the work."

Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022, primarily covering government and education. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on Twitter @calfee_kc.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina United Way will use federal dollars to support child care needs
Samsung has reported KRW 0.67 trillion ($527 million) in operating profit for the second quarter of 2023, which is just slightly higher than last quarter's, thanks to its memory business posting a narrower loss. That figure is also, however, much, much smaller than the KRW 14.1 trillion ($10.8 billion) operating profit it posted in July 2022. In its latest earnings report, the tech giant also revealed a consolidated revenue of KRW 60.01 trillion ($47 billion), which represents a 6 percent decline from the previous quarter's and a far cry from last year's record-breaking KRW 77.2 trillion ($59.4 billion).

The company blames the drop in revenue mostly to a decline in smartphone shipments "as the effect of the Galaxy S23 launch" in the first quarter faded. If you'll recall, Samsung's mobile division performed well the previous earning period due to the strong sales of the Galaxy S23 series, specifically the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Now, the division's consolidated revenue has slipped from KRW 31.82 trillion ($23.7 billion) to KRW 25.55 trillion ($20 billion), while its operating profit dropped by $500 billion.

Samsung expects the overall smartphone market to pick back up in the second half of the year, especially in the premium market. Unsurprisingly, it plans to focus its efforts on the newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 series. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 boasts a 3.6-inch external display  the previous model had a 1.9-inch one  while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a new hinge that gets rid of the gap between the two screen halves.

Meanwhile, Samsung's DS Division or memory business experienced a slight recovery in revenue from KRW 13.73 trillion ($10.2 billion) in Q1 to KRW 14.73 trillion ($11.53 billion). Its operating loss, while still massive at KRW 4.58 trillion ($3.4 billion), is at least a bit smaller at KRW 4.36 trillion ($3.4 billion). Going forward, the company plans to focus on the sale of what it calls "high-value-added products," such as DDR5 and LPDDR5x components.
The Duchess of York has revealed the helpful etiquette rules she picked up as a member of the royal family.

Sarah Ferguson, 63, recently shared her clever tricks for exiting a conversation on the latest episode of her podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah. While chatting with co-host Sarah Thomson, the duchess  commonly known as Fergie  was asked how she politely excuses herself at a party.

Well, it depends which country youre in. Theres all different cultures which you must always be aware of, and I love that, the royal began. If youre in British Downton Abbey, you get to a point when you say: One second, could you hold that thought because Ive just got to go and see Fred over there because Ive got to give him a message.

And by the time that the person youre talking to has gone onto the next subject, theyve forgotten that you were coming back to tell something about Fred, Ferguson said.

For her second etiquette trick, the author of A Most Intriguing Lady revealed how a party-goer can refrain from answering a question theyd rather not answer.

If someone asks you a tricky question that you dont want to answer, say: Oh thats so interesting, Ill tell you what, Im going to throw that question to Matilda. Matilda, what do you think about that question? she explained. And youve thrown the ball again.

Fergie went on to share her final etiquette tip, which she said she learned from an Italian friend, on how to handle three parties in one night - attending each party very loudly before making a quick exit.

If youre really busy and you have three parties a night and dont know how youre going to manage, you walk through the door very loudly and walk all the way around the room, the royal said. And youre so loud, then you leave after five minutes so everyone will say: Oh, I didnt see Sarah tonight, and everyone in the room says: Oh, we did!

The guest thinks youve been there all night, she added.

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The Duchess of York, who was married to Prince Andrew from 1986 to 1996, later shared how being polite to others has become entrenched in both her and her two daughters: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

I always say to my girls, when youre out on the public stage, smile. If you dont want to be polite, dont go out on the public stage - because no one wants to see a grumpy princess, she told Thomson. I think the most important thing is youve got to get your game on.

Sarah Ferguson is very familiar with the royal familys etiquette rules, having spent time with the royal family years after her divorce from Prince Andrew. She has even revealed that she has her own rule book for everyday life, which lists loyalty, kindness, and integrity as her core values.

In my rule book, in my toolbox, it goes values like loyalty, kindness, integrity, goodness, courage, manners, and all these lovely things, she said during the first episode of her podcast, which debuted on 31 May. But also learning, and really the university of life.

The British royal family is well known for its list of rules and protocols that senior members must follow. For those who marry into the royal family - like the Duchess of York or the Duchess of Sussex - they typically receive training on how to follow proper etiquette.

In fact, Sarah Ferguson once taught Meghan Markle how to curtsy before she met the late Queen Elizabeth II for the first time. In Prince Harrys memoir, Spare, he recalled the moment his then-girlfriend met members of the royal family, including the British monarch, at the Royal Lodge in October 2016.

The duke wrote that the couple were on their way to the Royal Lodge - Prince Andrews official residence - to meet Fergie, Eugenie and Eugenies now-husband, Jack Brooksbank. However, they didnt expect the Queen to make a surprise visit.

We entered the large front sitting room and there she was. Granny. The monarch. Queen Elizabeth II. Standing in the middle of the room, Harry wrote. She turned slightly. Meg went straight to her and dropped a deep, flawless curtsy. Your Majesty. Pleasure to meet you.

He continued: Euge and Jack were near Granny and they almost seemed to pretend not to know Meg. They were very quiet, very proper. Each gave Meg a quick kiss on the cheek, but it was pure royal. Pure British.

Harry revealed that the Duchess of York helped Meghan practice her curtsy outside the Royal Lodge, with Fergie demonstrating once as Meghan imitated her.

As we walked towards the door Fergie and I both leaned into Meg, whispering quick reminders, he added. When you first meet the Queen its Your Majesty. Thereafter its just Maam. Rhymes with ham.
Yuriy Aristov

Ukraines SBU security service has charged former MP Yuriy Aristov with forging documents to obtain a permit to travel abroad for a vacation, the SBU said in a Telegram post on July 27.

The disgraced former MP could face up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of UAH 4250 ($115).

Read also: Home invasion by military recruiters triggers investigation in Khmelnytskyi Oblast

According to the investigation, Aristov travelled to the Maldives for vacation during wartime, in spite of the travel ban imposed on officials. For this, he allegedly included false information regarding the duration, purpose, and country of his "official business trip" in official documents. Furthermore, it is claimed that Aristov remotely got a sick leave slip at a private clinic in Kyiv, where false information was entered into the digital healthcare system, as a medical examination was not actually conducted.

Earlier on July 27, the Ukrainian parliament has voted to approve Aristovs resignation, stripping him of his parliamentary mandate.

Read also: Zelenskyy signs law on return of pre-war taxes, mandated by IMF

Aristov had previously been spotted in the Maldives at the five-star Waldorf Astoria Maldives resort in mid-July, by Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Info. His stay was confirmed by the hotel, though both the MP his press secretary refused to comment.

Subsequently, the ruling Servant of the People party, founded by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced that it had started an investigation into the incident and may expel Aristov based on its findings.

Read also: Passports with Maldives stamps seized, home raided as SBI investigates MP Aristovs trip abroad

The State Bureau of Investigation then began to investigate the legality of Aristov's vacation to the Maldives  since martial law forbids government officials from leaving the country without an authorized reason.

During a search of Aristovs house, his passport was found to contain Maldivian passport stamps, which confirmed he did visit the islands in July.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A South Carolina agency must change the way it cares for people in the state living with a serious mental illness, following a federal investigation.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently found that the South Carolina Department of Mental Health likely violates federal law by failing to provide individuals with serious mental illness the opportunity to live at home while receiving support services. Instead, patients are often packed for years into community residential care facilities  so-called group homes  which are generally isolated from ordinary community life, according to the report.

[T]heres no vision of ever getting out, a state employee told federal investigators. Theres no vision of having a real life Theres no vision of anything. They just feel stuck.

The Department of Mental Health must now refrain from warehousing people with serious mental disabilities in segregated group homes, by creating a pathway for these patients to live independently in their own homes with access to community-based services, such as employment and peer support. If the department fails in this regard, it could face a federal lawsuit, according to the report.

Because of deficiencies in its community-based service array and the manner in which the State administers its adult mental health system, the State relies on segregated settings to serve adults with serious mental illness who could be served in their homes and communities, the report concluded.

The federal investigation was spurred by a complaint filed by advocacy group Disability Rights South Carolina in late 2021.

The Department of Mental Health has acknowledged the deficiencies highlighted in the report and are set to begin negotiations with Justice officials next month.

Mental Health spokesperson Tracy LaPoint said the department will discuss expanding its community services with the Justice Department, the states Medicaid agency, patients, families and other stakeholders.

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South Carolina uses two agencies to operate its adult mental health system, including the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health is responsible for directly providing services for people with serious mental illness, while the health department funds services and housing for patients.

There are approximately 2,000 people with a serious mental illness residing in group homes in South Carolina, according to the report.

Group homes in South Carolina are used to provide room, board and personal care to thousands of people with serious mental illness or other disabilities, according to the report. Group home staff generally prepare meals for the residents, distribute medication and maintain the facilitys cleanliness.

While there are around 450 group homes licensed in South Carolina by the Department of Mental Health, the agency only manages two adult psychiatric hospitals and eight group homes. The department also maintains a working relationship with approximately 60 group homes, according to LaPoint. In addition, the agency offers mental health services though 16 state-operated community mental health centers.

Anna Maria Connor, a senior attorney for the advocacy group that brought the federal complaint, said problems have existed for years within South Carolinas mental health care system, but she credited SCDMH for continuing to make efforts to improve its care of people living with serious mental illness and disability.

Theres a place in in the system for (group homes), but we think that unfortunately, a lot of people with disabilities, particularly those with mental illness, get stuck there, Connor said. And so we wanted to get some help to try and see if we can address that issue, and to change the structural system to make it easier for people to be able to move and transition as appropriate and as they wish to do.

The Department of Justice contends that South Carolina is likely violating Title II of the American with Disabilities Act in its practice of filling group homes.

The ADA requires public entities to provide community-based services to people with disabilities when such services are appropriate; the affected people do not oppose community-based services; and community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, according to the 1999 Supreme Court decision in Olmsted v. L.C.

But instead of using its resources to help facilitate independent community-based living for people with serious mental illness, South Carolina continues to invest in and promote the use of group homes, the federal report said.

The report offers multiple examples of mentally ill residents expressing a desire to leave a group home, but who were unable to due to limited support services in South Carolina.

For example, Mitchell, age 39, has lived in a (group home) for seven years, the report said. He used to work on a farm; he loved itthats my world right there. He wants to work, and to live independently with appropriate services, but he did not report receiving any outreach from the State to be considered for such a transition.

LaPoint said the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for some of the issues raised by the report.

SCDMH agrees that the availability of some of its intensive community services varies across the state, primarily due to a serious shortage of staff, LaPoint said. Increasing the availability of mental health services, including those needed by people with serious mental illness, requires additional trained professional staff.

To that end, Mental Health requested that legislators help increase state employee salaries in this years state budget. That request was granted.

In this years state budget, which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2024 the state Department of Mental Health received around $4 million to increase the salaries of mental health professionals and nearly $5 million for nurses pay.

SCDMH is optimistic that they will bring about improved recruitment and retention. As a result, SCDMH anticipates it will be able to reduce staff vacancies, LaPoint said. If this is the case, SCDMH expects the availability of its intensive community services will improve and allow the department to expand its services outside the group home setting.
Believe it or not, but students in South Carolina once faced possible reprimands for bringing sunscreen to public schools.

Starting this upcoming school year however, that will no longer be the case.

A new South Carolina law lets students bring sunscreen to public schools to protect themselves when out under the harsh sun. The bill, which Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law in May, states that public schools shall not prohibit the possession or personal use of sunscreen. Sunscreen means a topical, non-aerosol product regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.

Sunscreen was previously mostly prohibited in South Carolina public schools because it is regulated by the FDA and considered an over-the-counter medication, which students cant bring to class without a doctors permission.

South Carolina is the 27th state to adopt model legislation, which is the foundation of the SUNucate initiative, developed by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) to address barriers to sunscreen use in schools, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery states on its website. The need for the legislation arose after dermatologists raised concerns and reports in the national media were made about broad medication bans in place in schools across the country requiring students to have a note or prescription from a physician for sunscreen, the website adds.

I congratulate South Carolina on passing this critical common-sense legislation to instill sun-safe habits and protect children from overexposure to the sun, ASDSA President Vince Bertucci, MD, FRCPC said on the website. Early intervention is key to creating life-long habits that are essential to preventing skin cancer later in life.
A South Carolina man who led a sheriffs deputy on a chase later killed himself after crashing on Interstate 20, the Aiken County Coroners Office said Thursday.

Robert J. Johnson II, a 43-year-old Beech Island resident, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Coroner Darryl Ables said in a news release.

At about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, a deputy with the Aiken County Sheriffs Office was in pursuit of the vehicle being driven by Johnson, according to the release.

Information about why the deputy tried to pull over Johnson was not available, and there was no word on the speeds of the vehicles involved in the chase.

The pursuit continued to the 9 mile marker in the westbound lanes of I-20, Ables said. Thats where the deputy utilized a PIT maneuver that caused Johnsons vehicle to crash into a guardrail, according to the release.

There was no word about what happened after the crash and what led Johnson to turn a gun on himself. Information on charges Johnson might have faced was not available.

No other injuries were reported.

An autopsy will be conducted in Newberry on Friday, Ables said.

Both the coroners office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are continuing to investigate the death.

All of the westbound lanes on I-20 near Exit 11 in Graniteville were temporarily blocked following the 7:47 p.m. crash, and the scene wasnt cleared until about 1:40 a.m., according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation. A detour was set up to help drivers avoid the area, according to North Augusta Public Safety.

In 2016, Johnson pleaded guilty to a grand larceny charge, Aiken County court records show.
Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said Wednesday that former President Donald Trump wants lawmakers to gaslight people on his behalf as he faces down the possibility of a third indictment in the Justice Departments Jan. 6 probe.

Trump urged Congress in a video Tuesday to investigate the political witch hunts against him, which he once again denounced as election interference in the 2024 race.

However, Scaramucci suggested that his former boss was trying to send a slightly different message to lawmakers.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Hes trying to send a message to them  Slow roll this investigation. You better get behind me. Im gonna be president again. And even though you saw people running for their lives and even though you heard me on tape premeditating the organization of that, you gotta disregard that and gaslight people on my behalf, Scaramucci said on NewsNations The Hill.

If you dont do that, and I become president again, its going to be bad for you, he added.

Trump is facing his third potential indictment, after he was notified earlier this month that he is the target of the Justice Departments investigation into the Jan. 6 riot. The target letter suggests that prosecutors may be nearing an indictment in the probe.

The former president was charged earlier this year by the Manhattan district attorney over a 2016 hush money payment and by the Justice Department over his alleged mishandling of classified documents and efforts to block the government from recovering them.

This continuing saga is retribution against me for winning and, even more importantly for them, election interference regarding the 2024 presidential election, Trump said in Tuesdays video. It will be their updated form of rigging our most important election.

However, Scaramucci on Wednesday described the former presidents message as one of intimidation, suggesting that he is coming for those congressmen and women if they dont support him.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Broward teacher who was fired in connection to sexual abuse charges that were later dropped wont get his job back, the School Board has decided, rejecting a recommendation from a state judge.

Now Wyman Gresham, a former teacher at Lauderhill 6-12, plans to ask the 4th District Court of Appeals to intervene, his lawyer said.

We will definitely appeal. This man is getting screwed, lawyer Bob McKee told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday.

Gresham told the Sun Sentinel on Wednesday he was angered by the boards action.

Im an innocent man. Im not happy with the decision at all, he said.

The School Boards action came at the end of a brief hearing Tuesday on Greshams case.

In 2017, three girls, aged 12, 13 and 16, accused Gresham of touching them inappropriately. They said the teacher touched their buttocks while hugging them and wiggled his tongue at them in a sexually suggestive way that made them uncomfortable.

Lauderhill police arrested Gresham in connection with two of the cases, and the Broward State Attorneys Office charged him in one case, involving the 12-year-old.

The district moved Gresham to a job in the book depository, where he stayed for two years before being fired in December 2019. Even though Gresham hadnt been proven guilty, the school district argued that the terms of his arrest prevented him from working around minor children, and they couldnt replace him as long as he was still employed as a teacher.

The State Attorneys Office dropped the charge against Gresham in February 2022, so Gresham challenged his firing. A state administrative law judge, Cathy Sellers, heard from two of his accusers in a hearing last year and decided they werent credible.

There were inconsistencies in their stories, the judge said. The incidents were reported to have happened in Greshams classroom multiple times in the fall of 2017. But during some of the possible dates they identified, Gresham was on bereavement leave or working a non-classroom job. Other times the school was closed due to a hurricane.

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Sellers recommended in April the School Board rehire Gresham and give him back pay.

But the administrative law judges ruling is non-binding, and the School Board decided the judge has overstepped her authority.

During Tuesdays hearing, Anastasia Protopapadakis, an outside lawyer representing the School Board, argued that the Sellers recommended order was based solely on the credibility on the minor witnesses and failed to address the main reason Gresham was fired  he wasnt allowed at the time to be around students.

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This is an important part of this case because as a result of the no-contact order, Mr. Gresham, a teacher, could not have contact with students and could not perform the essential functions of this job, she argued to the School Board.

McKee told the School Board that Gresham was unfairly fired due to conditions related to a criminal charge for which he was later cleared. The allegations came from three young girls who decided to get together and tell a lie about Mr. Gresham, McKee argued.

He was prepared to go to trial and be vindicated. He never got that opportunity since the charges were dropped, McKee argued. The first opportunity that he got was before this administrative law judge. He was vindicated as a result.

The School Board didnt give me a chance, Gresham told the Sun Sentinel. Its totally unfair. They made the judge look like she was irrelevant.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 27, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Widodo is here to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China.

Xi noted the opening of a new chapter in building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future last year.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia. Xi said China is willing to take the occasion as an opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation with Indonesia, set an example for developing countries of sharing a common future, pursuing solidarity and cooperation and boosting common development, and inject more certainty and positive energy into the region and the world.

China is willing to maintain regular strategic communication with Indonesia, strengthen the exchanges of state governance experience, initiate the "2+2" dialogue mechanism for foreign and defense ministers of the two countries, and build high-level strategic mutual trust, Xi said.

Major achievements have been made in synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative with Indonesia's vision of the Global Maritime Fulcrum, Xi said.

With the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway soon coming into operation, the two sides need to ensure the high standard and high quality of the project, injecting more impetus to Indonesia's development, said Xi, adding that the two countries need to further the cooperation on comprehensive industrial parks.

China supports Indonesia in developing its new capital and the North Kalimantan Industrial Park, and is willing to expand cooperation in areas including new energy vehicles and smart cities and jointly promote the industrial digital transformation, Xi said.

China is willing to continue to expand imports of bulk commodities and high-quality agricultural products from Indonesia, deliver on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and strengthen cooperation in fields including food security, poverty reduction, rural revitalization, vocational education, language education, medicine and health, culture and tourism, he said.

China is ready to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and support the work of Indonesia as the rotating chair of the ASEAN, Xi said.

China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Indonesia under G20, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, safeguard regional and global peace and stability, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

Widodo said the bilateral relations have made substantial progress since he received Xi in Bali last year.

Indonesia firmly upholds the one-China policy and is willing to continue to enhance cooperation with China in areas including investment, marine fisheries, food security and healthcare, he said.

The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by Xi are open and inclusive, Widodo said, adding that Indonesia actively supports the initiatives.

Indonesia is willing to strengthen its strategic communication with China and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Widodo said.

After the meeting, Xi and Widodo witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 27, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
David Guralnick/Getty

A series of chilling journal entries, text messages, web searches, and voice belonging to Oxford High School mass shooter Ethan Crumbley emerged in court on Thursday, painting a picture of a deeply disturbed, violence-obsessed teenager who had fantasized about the massacre in detail.

The 17-year-old previously pleaded guilty to all 24 charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and terrorism causing death for killing four students and injuring six othersas well as a teacherin November 2021. His hearing on Thursday will determine if Crumbley, a minor, can be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Detective Lt. Tim Willis of the Oakland County Sheriffs Office read aloud dark messages Crumbley allegedly scribbled into a journal in which every written page foreshadowed the school shooting.

I want all of America to see the darkness in me. I want to impact the world, one entry said.

Killing myself is too much of a pussy move, another said. People will just forget about me the only way is to shoot up the school.

In another, Crumbley drew a picture of a gun held to the back of a females head with the words, The first victim has to be a pretty girl with a future so she can suffer just like me. Willis confirmed the first victim shot, then-14-year-old Phoebe Arthur, was a female student. She miraculously survived.

The disturbing entries suggested Crumbley desired notoriety for the shooting, writing that he want[ed] to be remembered through all of history. He even wonder[ed] what life in prison will be like, explicitly stating he wanted to shoot up the fucking school so badly and walk behind a pretty girl and shoot her in the back of the head.

Crumbleys journal also featured over 50 hand-drawn images of guns, according to Willis.

Equally disturbing was a 20-minute-long audio recording, played in court Thursday, that prosecutors said Crumbley made on his phone the night before the shooting in which he described how and why he would carry out the massacre.

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In the nihilistic and often nonsensical rant, he spoke about how he was convinced society had collapsed, how the education system was brainwashing people to be working class, and how the only solution was to take drastic action.

Warning: the voice note recording below may disturb some listeners

Unfortunately the people I kill... Im sorry that their families have to go through this but its for the right of humanity, he said. ...On the course were going, were fucked, in 50 years were fucked. Nothings gonna happen. Democrats and then Republicans are just gonna fight and fight and fight, and people are gonna keep taking sides and sides and sides.

He vowed to kill as many people as I can and then flee until he was caught.

My life is already on a downfall, he said. If I dont do it... Ill be a misery Ill probably end up in a useless career and end up killing myself.

Text messages Crumbley sent in the months leading up to the shooting, which were also shown in court, revealed his twisted fantasies included violence against children, rape, mutilation, and murder.

Whenever I see a little kid about a year old or a little more I want to pick them up and run off with them then torture them before throwing them off a cliff, one of Crumbleys texts said. In another, the teen wrote, Just thinking about the torturing and the screaming and the way their legs flail in the air as they cryit fills the void.

Additional messages laid out plans to abduct, mutilate, and murder his female classmate at Oxford. Kidnap her then tie her up then rape her then torture her then kill her then dissect her then take her eyeballs then bury the body, Crumbley wrote.

Both journal entries and texts also detailed how he had urges to torture and kill birds by putting a drill in its stomach and skull, chopping it in half, and snapping its break off. There have been no baby birds to torture in for a long time and Im getting that feeling were I need to kill again, he texted.

Willis said in the days and weeks before the shooting, Crumbley googled whether Michigan has the death penalty and what the possible sentence for a 15-year-old would be for a mass shooting.

While in Oakland County Jail, Crumbley bypassed security to search a website dedicated to torture, gore, and school shootings on a tablet, and told officers he tried really hard not to look at the violent site after he was caught, Willis testified.

Victims families cried in court Thursday as surveillance footage from the massacre was played for the first time, showing Crumbley walking out of a school bathroom and methodically shooting students at close range. He then inexplicably walked back into a bathroom until he surrendered to police.

Crumbleys defense team argued that a life sentence would be disproportionate as he is not one of those rare individuals who is irreparably corrupt and cant be rehabilitated, attorney Paulette Michel Loftin said at the hearing. His lawyer specifically homed in on journal entries about his rough home life and mental health struggles.

One call and that can save a lot of lives. My evil has fully taken over in me and I used to like it, but now I dont want to be evil. I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. I feel like Im in a tiny loop of sadness, Crumbley wrote.

Loftin attempted to show Crumbleys wishes to seek help for his negative thoughts before the shooting, with one message saying all one of my teachers has to do is send me to the office and I will tell them about the bird head and I can get help.

She also pinned the blame on his parents, who will both stand trial for involuntary manslaughter for failing to heed warning signs from their child and making firearms accessible. In presenting evidence of neglectful parenting, Loftin cited law enforcement interviews in which neighbors said they saw Crumbley crying and heard his parents yelling.

This morning, I woke up to my mom having one of her worst rants about how we have no money and cant pay the bills. This just furthers my desire to shoot up the school or do something else. I have no happiness or optimism left in me as I am a burden to my parents, one journal entry said.

The prosecution, however, is seeking the harshest punishment possible under Michigan law for Crumbley. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald looked to the teens premeditation of the shooting and history of violence as reasons he deserves a life sentence.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Scientists from the United Nations and the European Union announced Thursday that the first three weeks of July were the three hottest weeks on record and that the month was almost certain to be the warmest in recorded history.

Unless an ice age were to appear all of sudden out of nothing, it is basically virtually certain we will break the record for the warmest July on record and the warmest month on record, Carlo Buentempo, director of the EUs Copernicus Climate Change Service, which partnered with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), told the Associated Press.

The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived, said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a pithy summation of the findings at a press conference.

Many scientists  including those at Copernicus  say its almost certain that these temperatures are the warmest the planet has seen in 120,000 years, given what we know from millennia of climate data, CNN reported.

Prolonged heat wave

An activist stages a protest in Death Valley National Park by the thermometer at the Furnace Creek, Calif., Visitor Center on July 16. (David McNew/Getty Images)

This week, roughly 150 million Americans are sweltering under heat alerts as the monthlong heat wave broiling the Southwest and Florida has recently spread to the Midwest and Northeast. In Washington, D.C., the heat index, which combines heat and humidity, is projected to reach 104F on Thursday and 107F on Friday.

In El Paso, Texas, temperatures have exceeded 100F for a record-breaking 41 consecutive days. Phoenix surpassed 110F for 26 consecutive days, setting a new national record. Pavement temperatures can reach 170F in those conditions, and burn patients who fell on the sidewalk or touched a doorknob are filling burn units in Las Vegas, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Such extremes have also been seen worldwide for much of the summer. Last month was by far the hottest June globally on record. July 6 set a new record for hottest global average temperature when it surpassed the previous record, from August 2016. Every day since July 3 has been the hottest day on that date.

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Dangers abound

Firefighters in Phoenix measure the body temperature of a resident having trouble breathing on July 20. (Caitlin O'Hara/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Emergency room physicians in cities suffering extreme heat waves say they are seeing a sharp increase in patients with heat-related ailments. Extreme heat also increases the risk of potentially deadly cardiovascular problems like heart failure.

This is the worst summer in recent memory," Frank LoVecchio, an emergency medicine physician at a hospital in Phoenix, recently told NBC News.

Extreme heat is also a challenge as power grids try to keep pace with increased demand for air conditioning. The 13-state eastern U.S. grid operator PJM Interconnection LLC, covering from Washington, D.C., to Illinois, issued an Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 on Thursday, meaning that it is concerned about being able to maintain adequate power reserves, according to Bloomberg News.

Although Thursday's announcement was focused on air temperature, oceans have also been affected. A buoy in Manatee Bay, Fla., recently registered the hottest water temperature in world history: a Jacuzzi-like 101.1F.

Whats causing the spike in temperatures

A person drinks water near her campsite during a heat wave in Salem, Ore., on Aug. 12, 2021. (Alisha Jucevic/Reuters)

Scientists say the cause of this extreme heat is climate change caused by the continued burning of fossil fuels.

The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future, Petteri Taalas, the secretary general of the WMO, said in a statement. The need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions is more urgent than ever before.

Like 2016, 2023 is a year that features an El Nino weather pattern, a band of warm ocean water that causes temperatures to spike. But scientists note that the reason that recent El Nino years have been the hottest in history is that baseline temperatures are steadily rising, thanks to an increase in emissions.

Global surface temperatures currently running about 0.2-0.3C warmer than last year, consistent w/ the transition from La Nina to El Nino. BOTH years are warmer than any proceeding years--and THAT'S where the profound impact of fossil fuel burning and carbon pollution is evident. pic.twitter.com/4U3HLYqx6R  Prof Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) July 27, 2023

Years with El Nino events tend to be warmer than other years, but the inexorable march of temperatures upwards due to climate change is adding a permanent El Nino worth of heat to the Earth's atmosphere every 5 to 10 years, Zeke Hausfather, a research scientist at Berkeley Earth, said in a statement.

A separate study released Tuesday by the research organization World Weather Attribution determined that Julys extreme heat waves would have been "virtually impossible" without climate change. The study found global warming made the current heat wave in Southern Europe, which has resulted in raging wildfires, 2.5C (4.5F) hotter.

World leaders respond

President Biden, with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Rick Spinrad, announcing new measures to deal with extreme weather on Thursday. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

On Thursday, Guterres called for the leaders of the largest economies to set more ambitious new targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a sentiment echoed by climate scientists.

Later in the day, President Biden announced a new set of actions to address extreme heat, including directing the Labor Department to increase inspections of potentially dangerous workplaces and increasing enforcement of heat safety violations.

"I don't think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore," Biden said.
(Illustration by Jim Cooke / Los Angeles Times)

As a kid in Miami, I thought I knew heat.

In the mornings before school, the windows of my parents' house would be fogged with humidity, as if the swamp of South Florida were trying to press its way in.

As an adult in Los Angeles, I thought I knew heat  that sizzling dryness that arrives each summer and fall, curing the grasses and prickling the skin.

But never have I felt anything like Death Valley last week, where the temperature climbed to 128 degrees, within striking distance of the all-time world record the valley set in 1913  134 degrees.

It was the kind of heat that burns your eyeballs, that shocks your brain and makes your body feel nauseous and weak.

As a reporter who is often called to the front lines of wildfires, floods and other disasters, this was a different kind of beast, something most people alive have yet to experience.

One park visitor described it as like an open oven; another like a blow dryer to the face. I imagined it was more like the surface of the sun, or like someone had left the lights on in hell.

It was in those circumstances that I met Steve Curry.

Read more: Surviving Death Valley at 128 degrees 'like a blow-dryer in my face'

I was interviewing a smattering of intrepid, heat-seeking tourists at Zabriskie Point, a scenic vista overlooking the park's otherworldly badlands. Although it was just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the temperature was already well into the triple digits.

Suddenly, my colleague, photojournalist Francine Orr, spotted a lone figure scrambling up a nearby canyon and snapped his photo.

Sunrise at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

By the time I looked over, the hiker had already reached the blacktop and scrunched his lean frame beneath a metal informational sign  the overlook's only spot of shade. His face was smeared with white zinc sunscreen; his body clad in khaki against the searing sun.

He was from the Sunland neighborhood of Los Angeles, he told us from beneath his wide-brimmed straw hat. He was 71.

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As he sat in his small patch of shade, he laced his gloved fingers over one knee. A one-liter plastic bottle of water, nearly full, rested beside him. It didn't seem like enough for his trek, and although it was still morning, we were worried for his safety.

The park service advises visitors not to hike in the park after 10 a.m. during extreme summer temperatures, but Steve was chipper. He said he was an experienced outdoorsman, and he was determined to finish his round-trip solo hike to Golden Canyon.

We asked if he wanted water or air conditioning or a ride back to the trailhead, which was about two miles away as the crow flies.

Already, a scalding wind was blowing through the park, overheating our electronic equipment and turning metal door handles into hot irons. Francine and I could bear only a few minutes of it before diving into our cars for the relief of air conditioning, but Steve was persistent. He said he had completed extensive training and was getting ready for another hike in August.

Read more: 116 degrees at night: Death Valley's extreme heat goes off the charts from climate change

What we now know is that Steve did finish his journey, but just barely. He collapsed outside the bathrooms at Golden Canyon at about 3:40 that afternoon and died shortly after. Though the coroner has not yet confirmed his cause of death, officials said they believe it to be heat-related.

His obituary was not the kind of story I ever hoped to write, although it was an honor to pay tribute to Steve, and to learn more about the kind of person he was from his lovely wife, Rima, who is still reeling from her loss.

A sign warns of extreme heat danger at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

Steve's death brought me face to face with the harsh reality of our worsening climate crisis. Because while he may be the first person I have interviewed to succumb to extreme heat, he almost certainly will not be the last.

Experts say that extreme heat is one of the most insidious consequences of humanity's reliance on fossil fuels, and also one of the most underestimated. Last year, Europe saw more than 60,000 heat deaths. This month, several people passed out on an airplane in Las Vegas as they waited on the tarmac in 111-degree weather. In Phoenix, a toddler suffered second-degree burns after wandering onto hot pavement.

Read more: The L.A. Times investigation into extreme heat's deadly toll

Most climate scientists will tell you that the numbers on the thermometers are not surprising. For decades, we've all known this would happen.

But the speed at which it is happening, and the scale and pace of the suffering, is still hard to grasp, even for those of us who write and think about climate change on a daily basis. Even in a place called Death Valley.

It's as if all of Earth's vital signs are blinking code red at once  the oceans are hotter than ever and Arctic ice is depleting at a record pace. Violent weather and killer heat waves are converging, with all signs indicating that 2023 will be among the hottest years we've ever seen.

Read more: He lived to be outdoors, even in extremes like Death Valley. He died doing what he loved

In Death Valley, the beauty and ferocity of our fevered planet were on full display. The evening before I met Steve, I sat in my hotel room eating ice from a bucket like it was a bag of potato chips, trying my best to cool down after a day of reporting left my skin flushed and my thinking slow. More than once that afternoon, I had wondered at what temperature boots melt.

My hope was that sharing his story could be not just a tribute but a public service. A death like Steve's is not something many people have encountered up close, but I fear that it soon will be.

His wife, Rima, said later that Steve lived for the outdoors  so much so that he would sometimes set up a tent in his own backyard. She took small comfort in knowing that he died doing what he loved to do.

But he also had life yet to live. He was looking forward to seeing "Oppenheimer," and to more hikes in the future.

"We were supposed to grow old together, sit on our rocking chairs on the porch," Rima said.

I'll be haunted by the image of that lost future for a long time. It is seared in my brain, I think, like a new kind of 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.
Stephen Termini remains in hospital after he was attacked in Dublin last week

Two more teenage boys have been charged in connection with the assault of an American tourist in Dublin.

Stephen Termini, 57, from Buffalo, New York, is believed to have been kicked and beaten on Dublin's Store Street on 19 July.

He remains in a serious but stable condition in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

The teenagers, aged 15 and 16, appeared separately with a parent before the Children's Court on Thursday, charged with assault causing harm.

They were remanded on continuing bail.

A 14-year-old boy, who was charged on Sunday with assault causing harm, appeared before the Children's Court with his father on Thursday.

He was also remanded on continuing bail.

The 15 and 16-year-olds were told they must obey a curfew from 21:00 BST to 07:00 and must not associate with the co-defendants.

They were also ordered to stay away from a number of streets and surrounding areas in the north inner city of Dublin.

Legal aid was granted and the three boys will return to court again on 5 October.

In the wake of the attack on Mr Termini the US Embassy in Dublin issued a security alert to its citizens in the Republic of Ireland.

It encouraged all Americans to be aware of their surroundings when travelling in unfamiliar or crowded locations and empty streets, and to avoid walking alone.
What happened to Oppenheimer damaged our ability as a society to debate honestly about scientific theory, wrote Kai Bird, author of the biography on which Christopher Nolans new film is based. Yet too many of our citizens still distrust scientists and fail to understand the scientific quest, the trial and error inherent in testing any theory against facts by experimenting. Just look at what happened to our public health civil servants during the recent pandemic.

Bird is right about the need for faith in scientists as we hurtle into a technological revolution based on artificial intelligence  and indeed, to point out how their efforts depend on rigorous testing of theories with facts. Unfortunately, the behaviour of a few key scientific figures in the pandemic, seemingly desperate to appease China and protect their ties to high-risk research, has done the precise opposite.

This is, one prominent US biologist told me, the biggest scientific scandal of our lifetime, involving a deliberate attempt to suppress debate on a health catastrophe that killed almost 15 million people in two years. It revolves around a landmark commentary in Nature Medicine stating firmly that the five authors do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible. This was published in March 2020  barely six weeks after the stumbling World Health Organization had declared an international emergency.

Now, hundreds of private messages between four of these five scientists, exchanged as they wrote and published this article, have emerged  and they are astonishing. The super secret discussions show this arrogant quartet boasting about success, misleading the media, sneering at journalists and making fun of other experts, even a world-renowned epidemiologist co-opted as the fifth author. They condemn China for trying to rewrite what happened and disclose Beijing sequenced the genome for SARS-CoV-2  the virus that causes Covid  just before the rest of the world discovered from a Taiwanese tip-off that the disease had erupted in Wuhan.

Most significantly, these discussions on Slack expose the quartets deep fears that Sars-CoV-2 could have been tied to laboratory research  along with overt signs of pressure from higher ups to squash such suggestions. Clearly these scientists were concerned the disease was engineered. They dismiss the well-worn theory about the virus arising in a Wuhan animal market on several occasions, one calling it a red herring. Yet they abruptly switched direction in public despite the lack of discernible new evidence. They carried on debating their suspicions in private after the articles publication  even as they attacked claims about a possible lab leak in public and their statement was used to condemn such conspiracy theories.

Lets face it, unless there is a whistleblower from the WIV [Wuhan Institute of Virology] who is going to defect and live in the West under a new identity we are NEVER going to know what happened in the lab, wrote Eddie Holmes, a British virologist based in Australia with strong contacts in China, at one point a month after publication. Thats my thinking too, responded lead author Kristian Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist  although he admitted that he was worried US diplomatic cables showing concerns over biosecurity in Wuhan, which had been disclosed by The Washington Post, might have something.

It is hard to overstate the influence of this single article, accessed almost six million times and cited by 5,942 other specialist papers. The journals editor Joao Monteiro tweeted out a link saying: Lets put conspiracy theories about the origin of #SARSCoV2 to rest and help to stop spread of misinformation. It was highlighted in the White House by Anthony Fauci, the US infectious diseases expert and adviser to several presidents. Chinas ministry of foreign affairs welcomed its evidence  as did the Communist Party chief at WIV. Sir Jeremy Farrar, now the World Health Organizations chief scientist, told me it was the most important research on the genomic epidemiology of the origins of this virus more than one year later as he insisted no scientific evidence I have seen to date points to outbreak linked to a laboratory.

It subsequently emerged through leaks and freedom of information requests that this pair, along with Francis Collins, head of the biggest US science funding body, were involved behind the scenes in the article. Farrar, then director of the Wellcome Trust, was tasked with hosting a teleconference on February 1 involving the five authors and six other experts including Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK governments chief scientific adviser until three months ago. After the call, Farrar confessed he was 50:50 on whether Covid came from a lab  and later was found to have told Collins that Wuhan engaged in Wild West research practices. His office admitted to me eventually, after a barrage of emails, that he helped convene the Nature Medicine authors.

As Vallance once wrote in another science journal, inferences should be drawn from attempts to hide interactions. Unfortunately, the lab leak theory was snarled in tribal politics after it was flagged by Donald Trump, creating a toxic climate for those of us probing the origins in the pandemics early days. Now, this article is at the centre of a House subcommittee investigation after Republicans summoned the two US-based authors  Andersen and Bob Garry, a microbiologist in New Orleans  to answer questions earlier this month on their deliberations. Afterwards, the cache of documents and messages were detected in the committee papers and on its website by members of Drastic, a group of independent researchers that has uncovered many key nuggets in this quest for the truth about a deadly disease.

Andersen set up what he called the super secret Slack group under the intriguing original name of project-wuhan-engineering with Holmes and Andrew Rambaut, an evolutionary biologist at Edinburgh University, on the day of the teleconference. Farrar, portrayed as a driving force behind the paper, urged everyone to keep their deliberations confidential in that first discussion. A few days later, he signed a letter with two Wellcome Trust colleagues in The Lancet journal hitting out at conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin. It was later found to have been covertly organised by British scientist Peter Daszak, who runs a body that funnelled substantial US funding for research into bat coronaviruses to WIV.

The Dane declared to his colleagues that the question they needed to answer was whether Covid emerged due to evolution or engineering since both were really rather plausible  as remains the case today. Andersen added that Garry would not want the virus to have arisen from GOF escape  a reference to controversial Gain of Function research, which boosts the infectivity of viruses and was banned for four years in the US. The main thing still in my mind is that the lab escape version of this is so friggin likely to have happened because they were already doing this type of work and the molecular data is fully consistent with that scenario, he said.

The fact they were discussing the concept of a lab leak shows how plausible it is, added Rambaut the next day. But the Scottish-based expert urged them to change tack. I personally think we should get away from all the strange coincidence stuff. I agree it smells really fishy but without a smoking gun it will not do us any good, he wrote. The truth is never going to come out (if [lab] escape is the truth). Would need to be irrefutable evidence. My position is that natural evolution is entirely plausible and we will have to leave it at that. Lab passaging might also generate this mutation but we have no evidence that that happened.

Rambaut said revealingly that due to the shit show that would happen if anyone serious accused the Chinese of even accidental release, my feeling is we should say given there is no evidence of a specifically engineered virus, we cannot possibly distinguish between natural evolution and escape so we are content with ascribing it to natural processes. Andersen responded that he agreed this was a very reasonable conclusion despite hating when politics is injected into science. And this seemed to become their eventual template.

Much of their subsequent discussion, interspersed with banter, is technical. They discuss RaTG13, the closest known relative to Sars-Cov-2 that was collected by scientists at WIV from a mine hundreds of miles from Wuhan and is linked to the deaths from a mysterious Covid-like respiratory virus of three miners clearing bat guano from a cave. They puzzle over the infamous furin cleavage site, which allows more efficient entry into human cells and is not found on similar types of coronaviruses. Bob [Garry] said the insertion was the 1st thing he would add, wrote Holmes. Yeah, responded Andersen. The furin site would be the first thing to add for sure.

Garry even explains at one point how easy it would be  even for a graduate student  to make such a virus by inserting a furin cleavage site into a bat virus such as RaTG13 in cell culture. Its not crackpot to suggest this could have happened given the GoF research we know is happening, he adds.

Justin Kinney, a quantitative biologist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York and co-founder of the advocacy group Biosafety Now, said he was struck by how strongly the Slack messages made the case for a laboratory origin for Covid. He pointed to a decade-old paper shared among the quartet detailing experiments on bovine coronaviruses, which found that when inserted in different human cells they developed a strikingly similar furin cleavage site. Kinney claims knowledge of this paper flew in the face of their claim in Nature Medicine that such cleavage sites had only been observed after prolonged experiments on avian flu. Bovine coronavirus is much more closely related and this took place after minimal passage in cell culture, he said.

The discussions show how Farrar strengthened one key phrase  and that the force of their entire argument was beefed up after an initial draft was rejected by Nature, a more prestigious journal. Last month, Garry admitted to a BBC podcast maybe we went a little too far by taking such a strident position. Kinney, who wants the paper to be retracted, believes they succumbed to the intensity of pressure from a variety of directions, including from funders with the cash and power to determine the future of their careers  and that this cover-up could have disastrous consequences for their profession. Science must be honest, he said. The logic in the paper is so weak, the conflicts of interest are not revealed and it now seems clear that the authors did not fully believe their own claims.

Emails show the team consulted with Ron Fouchier, a Dutch scientist who pushed the boundaries of Gain of Function work with experiments on avian flu. Molecular biologists like myself can generate perfect copies of viruses without leaving a trace, he told them baldly. There is also mention of intel in the background  and at one point, members of the quartet accuse Ron of leaking details of their activities to a journalist.

Perhaps the most damning aspect of these revelations is how their private debate over the origins carried on after publication of their seismic statement. The March article stated that their analyses clearly show that SARS-CoV-2 is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus. Yet Andersen wrote on 16 April that he was still not fully convinced that no culture was involved. When Holmes pushed back, warning such fears could lead to an end of Gain of Function research, the Danish biologist replied that the top bat researcher at WIV was carrying out a lot of work that involved isolating and culturing SARS-like viruses in BSL 2  a reference to the sort of low-level biosecurity comparable to that found in a dental surgery. He linked to four papers on this concerning work. And he said again the next day that we cant fully disprove [cell] culture we also cant fully rule out engineering.

Later that month, this same scientist told a journalist that the odds of Covids accidental release in Wuhan were a million to one. And he told those politicians that after considering all the evidence, their group concluded that culturing  which can make a virus more infectious and better-adapted for human transmission  had not occurred since the virus most likely spilled over naturally from wildlife. By the time we published our final version of Proximal Origin I no longer believed that a culturing scenario was plausible, he stated in written evidence. The evidence now seems to challenge this pivotal claim to Congress.

Andersen claimed they reached this conclusion through scientific inquiry rather than under pressure from Fauci or other funders. Yet he told the others at the outset its well above my pay grade to call the shots on a final conclusion. The messages show that just before the paper was submitted for publication it was shared with Farrar and Collins, at the time heads of the two most significant funding bodies in Western science. They were very happy, reported back Holmes. Coincidentally, Andersen works at Scripps Research in California, a non-profit lab given $8.9 million for work on infectious disease outbreaks from the grant body headed by Collins five months after the statements publication  although he insisted to the Congressional subcommittee that this funding decision was agreed before the pandemic.

We still do not know for sure the origins of that destructive pandemic. But we do know it was an extraordinary coincidence that Covid emerged in the Chinese city containing the biggest repository of bat coronaviruses in Asia, a place with known safety concerns conducting high-risk research to boost the infectivity of mutant bat viruses in humanised mice. We know China covered up the outbreak, hid key data, lied to other countries and refused to allow proper investigation. And we know that accidents and human error can occur during research. So as Andersen said to his pals, the possibility of some kind of lab incident was friggin likely.

It looks beyond doubt that Beijings cover-up was aided by an outrageous attempt to suppress global debate, led by the Western scientists we should have been able to trust to search for the truth and guide an unshackled debate based on hard facts. They were assisted by patsy politicians, supine journalists and complicit scientific publications. This murky affair appears to be the most terrible betrayal of science  and indeed of democracy  that was far darker and more disturbing than those sinister events that felled Oppenheimer seven decades ago.
A massive aquarium will soon replace the once-thriving Daytona Mall that has been mostly empty for years.

Renovations are already underway to the old 55,000 square-foot building at the intersection of International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road.

Crews are working to build tanks and exhibits for fish, birds and other animals.

See photos in the gallery below:

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

Daytona Mall is being renovated into a massive aquarium.

PHOTOS: Massive aquarium to soon replace former Daytona Mall

This is coming and its coming fast, said Cliff Grosvenor, the man behind the project.

Grosvenor opened a similar business in Pennsylvania called the Electric City Aquarium, and thought Daytona Beach deserved its own version.

I am very excited, and this little section was a bit of an eyesore, Grosvenor said. It needs some fixing up and we are going to be the solution for the corridor going into the beach.

READ: Like a hot tub: Ocean hits 101.1 degrees south of Miami

Neighbors just off Nova Road said they have long struggled with crime and lack of development and resources.

Daytona Beach officials said the aquarium is an allowable use under current zoning rules, and the city has already issued permits for building.

Grosvenor hopes to open at least the aquarium section by the end of the year, and the rainforest early next year.

SEE: Need a truck, drone or tractor? Orange County selling those and more in huge online auction

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WASHINGTON  Senators unanimously agreed to legislation mandating that 100% of components for all Navy ships be manufactured in the U.S. by 2033.

The Senate passed the amendment from Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., by unanimous consent with little fanfare last week, tacking it onto the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. Senators are still considering additional amendments to the NDAA, and a final vote is expected later this week.

Wisconsin has a proud tradition of shipbuilding, producing world-class products made by American workers that defend our freedom at home and abroad, Baldwin said in a statement after the amendment passed last week. By strengthening Buy America requirements for our shipbuilding industry, we can ensure that taxpayer dollars are not only going toward keeping us safe, but also supporting American jobs, growing our economy, and maintaining a defense industrial base that is critical to our national security.

Her bill would require that the 65% of components for all Navy ships are manufactured substantially all from articles, materials or supplies mined, produced or manufactured in the U.S. starting in 2026. That figure jumps to 75% in 2028 and 100% in 2033.

It would allow the defense secretary to wave those requirements under certain circumstances, including to expand production to Canada, Britain, Australia or New Zealand or if the Buy American requirements increase the total acquisition cost beyond 25%.

Baldwin is up for reelection next year in Wisconsin, a battleground state. Wisconsin is home to the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard as well as Fairbanks Morse, a manufacturing company that builds engines for naval vessels.

Under Baldwins Buy American provision, Naval ships that use engines from countries like South Korea, Japan, Finland, Germany and Italy would eventually need to be built with engines sourced in the U.S.

Proponents of Buy American laws argue that they strengthen the industrial base by ensuring a steady stream of work for U.S. suppliers. Still, the U.S. has struggled to keep apace with its shipbuilding goals amid significant labor shortages.

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Colin Grabow, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato institute, argued that Baldwins bill could further complicate an already constrained shipbuilding industrial base by eliminating foreign suppliers while inviting trade retaliation from U.S. allies.

Taking away options

This will make naval shipbuilding more difficult and expensive, said Grabow. Were taking away options. Were narrowing the choices and that just inevitably results in higher costs and extended options.

He suggested the U.S. could go in the opposite direction and integrate more with U.S. allies on shipbuilding.

Japan and South Korea are two of the biggest shipbuilder countries in the world, and the naval vessels theyre producing for their navies are a fraction of the cost of our own, said Grabow. Maybe there are some lessons to be learned there. Maybe we should use some of their shipyards.

President Joe Biden signed a 2021 executive order during his first month in office to bolster Buy American requirements for federal contractors. The Pentagon is shielded from many of those requirements due to several exemptions, including defense trade agreements with 27 other countries.

Former President Donald Trump also emphasized Buy American policies as part of his America First agenda, signing his own executive actions in 2017. He toured Wisconsins Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard during his failed 2020 reelection campaign.
The Senate on Wednesday inched closer to wrapping up work on its version of the annual defense policy package as lawmakers push to complete their work by Thursday night and leave for their month-long recess.

Senators voted on three amendments on Wednesday evening to close in on finishing work on the National Defense Authorization Act. They are also expecting a late night on Thursday, with eight additional amendment votes slated as they rush towards the recess finish line.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) told The Hill that lawmakers could be needed to stick around until Friday to officially finish up, pointing to a number of odds and ends. Those include a second managers package of amendments that members are trying to put to bed and a handful of outstanding requests we have from members.

Its just a lot of moving parts, Thune said, adding that the intelligence authorization package is also an item senators have to pass. He added to reporters later on that the process is trending well.

The Senate opened consideration of the NDAA last week and has tried to keep the package on the bipartisan rails that did not exist in the House. House Republicans passed an NDAA bill on their own that included a number of provisions related to the culture war.

Ive said repeatedly that the NDAA is an opportunity for the Senate to show we can work on the biggest issues facing our country through bipartisanship, cooperation, honest debate, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor. Thats what we have seen play out so far here on the floor: bipartisanship.

The NDAA process in this chamber is a welcome departure from the contentious, chaotic, and partisan race-to-the-bottom we saw in the House, he added.

The end-of-the-week process is not expected to be completely smooth sailing though. One stumbling block could come in the form of a push by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) for an amendment vote on a measure to give permanent residency to roughly 80,000 Afghans whove come to the U.S. following the countrys fall two years ago.

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According to three Senate Republicans, the bill could potentially create issues completing the NDAA process as Klobuchar demands a vote. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) a supporter of her bill, told The Hill that he has heard Klobuchar is prepared to hold up the NDAA in the absence of a vote. However, it is considered an uphill climb for her to get a vote.

It looks difficult to me, Moran said. It could be [a stumbling block.]

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a Senate Armed Services Committee member, added that colleagues are attempting to find a resolution later on and are committed to working with her to tailor the legislation as detractors believe its current language is too broad.

Sen. Klobuchar has worked hard at it, but so far the language she has presented is challenging for a number of reasons, Rounds said. We just dont think the legislation as its currently written is going to get the job done.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has held up her bill as he has competing legislation that is more limited in scope.

Overall, senators have passed 16 amendments to the NDAA.

Lawmakers earlier in the week overwhelmingly passed a couple of bipartisan amendments aimed at increasing U.S. competitiveness with China. Two votes held on Tuesday won 91 votes each: one to boost transparency of investments by American entities in sensitive technologies in adversarial nations, and another blacklisting China from purchasing U.S. farmland

Those overwhelming votes earned praise from Schumer, who hailed the ability for members to unite to take on the Chinese.

Its not often that 91 Senators can unite on a single measure, let alone two measures, Schumer added.

Another amendment voted on early on Wednesday pushed by Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) aimed at halting the harassment of our military members by debt collectors passed 95 to 4.

None of the three amendments considered on Wednesday night won the needed 60 votes to get attached to the bill. Headlining that group was one by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) that would have greenlit $10 million for an office to provide full-time Ukraine oversight. It failed 50 to 49.

A side-by-side amendment pushed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that was related to the Ukraine bill failed by a wide margin. In addition, Sen. Ted Cruzs (R-Texas) amendment that would have reinstated service members who were booted from the military because they did not get the COVID-19 vaccine also was not adopted.

Once the Senate passes its NDAA version, the upper and lower chambers will have to meet to come up with a compromise bill. That legislation is highly likely not to include any of the partisan provisions or will include watered down versions of them in order to win support of at least 60 senators.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) delivered an emotional speech about his disability to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mr Fetterman spoke via video message in his signature Carhartt shirt at the American Association of People with Disabilities celebration of the landmark law that passed in 1990 with overwhelming bipartisan support.

During his campaign for Senate last year, Mr Fetterman suffered a stroke which affected his auditory processing. As a result, he now uses speech-to-text technology.

The reality is that all Americans should be able to get access to the support that they need, he said. The Americans with Disabilities Act makes this possible.

In February, Mr Fetterman checked into Walter Reed Medical Center to undergo treatment for depression. He checked out at the end of March and has since returned to the United States Senate.

I want to thank your community for the work that you have done to make sure people with disabilities can run for and win office, he said.

Mr Fetterman appeared at the celebration with other elected officials including Sen Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the former House majority whip; and Rep Debbie Dingell (D-MI). Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also attended.

Now that Im a senator, Im going to continue to fight for disability rights in DC, Mr Fetterman said.

But many of the people at the event also highlighted the work that needed to be done to make places more accessible. Ms Duckworth, who lost both of her legs serving in the Iraq War, talked about how she took her two daughters to see the Barbie movie but could not go because the elevator did not work.

And so my two girls watched a movie with their nanny with me sitting outside for two and a half hours waiting for them to be done, Ms Duckworth said, noting how nobody had informed her that the elevator was broken until after she bought a ticket. It is 2023 folks we can and will and should do better.

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She also pointed out how it is still legal to pay people with disabilities below the minimum wage and that medical equipment continues to get broken when people with disabilities travel by air. As a result, she said she is pushing for wheelchairs to be considered complex medical devices so they could not be destroyed.

Similarly, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared over the video to discuss how the Transportation Department had begun preliminary work to stay in their wheelchairs as they fly.

And today were pleased to officially announce the rule that will increase the size of accessibility of airplane bathrooms to better accommodate access on board, he said.

The anniversary comes after many people who helped pass the ADA such as disability rights Judith Heumann and the late Sen Lowell Weicker, a Republican from Connecticut, and C Boyden Gray, an adviser to former president George HW Bush, passed away earlier this year.

Ms Duckworth spoke about how eventually, plenty of people will need to use the accommodations that the ADA guarantees.

I hope one day you develop one because that will mean that you've lived a long life and maybe that you'll care about disabled access, she said.
The stabbing is alleged to have taken place outside The Magnolia Bakery (Screenshot / Google Maps)

A suspect is in custody after several people were injured in a stabbing near The Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street in Manhattans West Village, according to a report.

A 911 call came in reporting an incident at W 11th St & Bleecker St, the Citizen website stated at 9.58am on Thursday morning.

First responders arrived at the scene to attend to several stabbing victims with non-life-threatening injuries and officers called a Level 1 Mobilization and request for additional units as the search for the suspect expanded.

Officers said that the suspect was a Black man wearing a gold chain and a navy blue shirt who fled the scene in the direction of an E train station, according to the site, which stated at 10.27am that officers reported having detained the suspect.

The Independent has reached out to the NYPD for comment.

Eli Klein, an art dealer and publisher according to his bio on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, wrote shortly before 10am on Thursday that Someone was just attacked in what looked like a stabbing a few feet away from me and my baby girl here in Manhattans West Village. NYC really needs to take broader steps to get violent criminals off of the streets.

Looks like he just went on to stab more people, unless this is a different criminal, which wouldnt surprise me. My description of the attacker I saw is: Black, male, 30s, 510, gray outfit, he added in reference to the Citizen report.

The 45-year-old told theDaily Mail that he was walking with his wife and child when the attack occurred, saying that he heard the suspect shout Im going to get you in addition to the N-word. He added that he wasnt sure if the suspect and the victim in the stabbing he witnessed, also a man, knew each other.

I just saw the attack and then, because I am with my baby and wife, we just scurried away right. It happened so close, it was 10, 15 feet away and we were on the same side of the sidewalk, he told the outlet. Normally I would stop to help the guy or take a picture of the suspect and give it to the police but in this instance, I had my baby with me, we just ran, we didnt wait.

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Mr Klein said that he has lived in New York his whole life and that crime is on the rise.

Weve seen a steady decrease since whenever it was, decades ago, but unfortunately the decrease has stopped, he told the Mail. Its not like it was in the 1980s or the early 90s, when it was much worse than this, but you want things to keep getting better and the improvement, the overall trajectory, has stopped.

Its unfortunate and it is scary. It is heading in the wrong direction, he added.

More follows...
Turkish president meets with senior Chinese diplomat on bilateral ties

Xinhua) 08:36, July 27, 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands 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, during their meeting in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 26, 2023. (Turkish presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday met with senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Erdogan asked Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that Turkiye and China are both countries with global influence and the importance of their cooperation goes beyond bilateral boundaries.

Erdogan emphasized Turkiye's adherence to the one-China principle and said his country does not see China's development as a threat.

Turkiye is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with China through mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, said Erdogan, adding his country is ready to enhance synergy between Turkiye's Middle Corridor initiative and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, tourism, and other fields, and elevate Turkiye-China relations to new heights.

Chinese enterprises are welcome to increase their investments in Turkiye, said Erdogan.

The Turkish president stressed that his country does not support the increase of NATO activities in the Asia-Pacific region and is willing to maintain communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues, including the Ukrainian crisis.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed the Chinese president's greetings to Erdogan.

He told the Turkish president that China congratulates him on his re-election and supports Turkiye in upholding independence and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.

Both China and Turkiye are representatives of emerging markets and major developing countries, which share broad common interests with no conflict of fundamental interests, the Chinese diplomat added.

The development of bilateral relationship is future-oriented and has broad prospects, Wang said, highlighting that China stands ready to work with Turkiye to help each other on the path of national rejuvenation, support each other on issues of core interests, strive to maintain and deepen mutual political trust and uplift China-Turkiye strategic cooperation to a new level.

Wang expressed China's willingness to make good use of the mechanism of the China-Turkiye Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee to comprehensively advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields, facilitate the BRI construction, achieve a higher level of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and make positive contributions to global economic recovery.

During his one-day visit to Turkiye, Wang also held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
 Flash

Recently, the 19th National Annual Conference on Discipline Construction of Diplomacy jointly organized by China Foreign Affairs University and Dalian University of Foreign Languages was held in Dalian, northeastern Liaoning province. Nearly 120 scholars and researchers from more than 50 universities across the country participated in the conference. The "Frontier Fields of Diplomatic Research" section of the annual conference has attracted widespread attention from the diplomatic circles. The Center for Russian Studies of China Foreign Affairs University and the Center for International Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine conducted a big data analysis on the previously released global Pacific Rim Life Security Index (PRLSI), dynamically displaying the characteristics of life safety in the 43 Pacific Rim countries, indicating new advances in the field of our diplomacy.

Dr. Song Xinyang from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine introduced that the index focuses on people's individual security. Life rights and health rights are the most important human rights, and people's life security and physical health are the preconditions for human beings' progressive development. It is reported that the index captures and analyzes millions of pieces of information from big data, and focuses on 15 secondary indicators and nearly 100 third-level indicators in 4 dimensions, visually displaying the personal life safety situation of 43 countries in the Pacific Rim region. By providing references, the index makes it convenient for global capital, technology, and talents to flow to safer places, and for people around the world to invest, get jobs, and live in the Pacific Rim region.

Health dimension indicators include life expectancy, newborn health, maternal health and infectious disease prevention and control, hospital beds (per 1000 people), health care services per capita. The average score of this indicator is 23.10. Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Chile and Thailand rank first to tenth with scores of 36.71, 36.62, 35.62, 34.61, 34.24,32.88, 30.32, 28.65, 28.63 respectively. The bottom ten countries are mainly Pacific island countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, East-Timor, and the Philippines from Southeast Asia. The health dimension tips: tropical countries, island countries and economically underdeveloped countries are at a lower level of individual security protection in this field.

Natural dimension indicators include extreme climate response, geological disaster response, environmental pollution response. The average score of this indicator is 12.38. Russia, Canada, Thailand, China, Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea rank first to ninth with scores of 16.71, 16.60, 16.26, 15.60, 15.15, 14.88, 14.41, 14.22 respectively. North Korea and Nicaragua tied for the tenth with the score of 13.93. The natural dimension tips: global warming directly threatens the people's security in the Pacific island countries; Australian fires and Japan's discharge of nuclear wastewater not only threaten the lives of people in both countries, but also have a negative impact on the environment in the Pacific Rim region.

Social dimension indicators include peace, anti-terrorism, social security and sense of security. The average score of this indicator is 14.33. China, South Korea, North Korea, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Chile, Canada, New Zealand and Australia rank first to tenth with scores of 19.70, 18.95, 18.03, 17.99, 17.34, 17.03, 16.96, 16.87, 16.81, 16.62 respectively. Among the top ten countries, six are in Asia, two are in America, two are in Oceania. Russia ranks 36th, mainly due to the Ukraine crisis, which leads to its low score in the conflict indicator. The social dimension tips: war, shootings, etc. directly threaten people's lives. For example, the United States of America and Russia rank poor in this dimension.

Psychological dimension indicators include self-harm intervention, suicide intervention, prevention and treatment of mental illness and happiness. The average score of this indicator is 11.20. Australia, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Brunei, Chile, Panama, Malaysia, Thailand and China rank first to tenth with scores of 17.81, 17.51, 16.90, 16.79, 15.28, 14.47, 13.85, 13.83, 12.97, 12.86 respectively. The psychological dimension tips: some developed countries, such as Japan, South Korea, have national psychological problems that cannot be ignored, affecting people's security.

As for the total score, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Chile and Costa Rica rank first to tenth with scores of 83.86, 83.67, 82.58, 80.00, 78.48, 78.44, 74.22, 72.87, 72.17, 69.74 respectively. Among the top ten countries, five are in Asia, three are in America and two are in Oceania. The bottom ten countries are mainly Pacific island countries, plus Cambodia, East Timor in Asia, and Honduras in America.

The index tips: 1, we should pay urgent attention to the security of human life in the Pacific Rim region. With a total score of 100, the average score of the Pacific Rim countries is only 61, and the score of 20 countries in the region is less than 60. There exists a wide gap in life security levels between countries. The country with the lowest score is left behind with more than 47 points by the country with the highest score. 2, economic development is not equal to national life security. For instance, people's life security in the United States of America is not optimistic due to the problems of guns, drugs, and infectious disease prevention and control. 3, Where human life security level is on the top in the Pacific Rim region? In terms of time zones, currently, the securer zones are East Eighth and East Ninth, which include China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia.

Life is above everything else. The Pacific Rim Life Security Index could show the basic life security assurance provided by a country, and indicate the hidden risks in health, nature, society and psychology, which contributes to attracting global attention to the protection of people's life security and improvement of people's life happiness. By providing references, the index makes it convenient for global capital, technology, and talents to flow to safer places, and for people around the world to invest, get jobs, and live in the Pacific Rim region. The index calls for Protecting and cherishing life, taking He as precious. Individual life is the base of human civilization. The international community should work together to create a peaceful, harmonious, concordant, beautiful environment for the Pacific Rim countries' development, advancing the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Scholars from China Foreign Affairs University, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Peking University, Oxford University and other participants gave high comments on the Pacific Rim Life Security Index and believed that the design of the indicators of the index is scientific and comprehensive, which ensures the objectivity of the index. The index focuses on individual life safety and evaluates the life safety of countries in the Pacific Rim from multiple dimensions. The international community should work together to create a peaceful, harmonious and beautiful environment for the development of countries in the Pacific Rim and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.




With the summer season halfway over and school beginning in just a few weeks, many families and friends are looking for memorable ways to enjoy the outdoors and the remaining time they have left before busy schedules start to take over.

If you want to include walking or running, a 5K might just be the perfect activity for you. Luckily, Beaufort County has several happening soon.

For those who need to brush up on their kilometers, a 5K, 5 kilometers, is equivalent to 3.1 miles.

Here are nine 5K events to participate in this August.

Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5K

The Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5K features several events throughout the summer, some of which occur in August. On Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23, each Wednesday during the month, the 5k will be held in the Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island.

Registration for this event is online only, with the cut-off for registration being on the day of the race at 7:30 a.m. Interested participants may either register at runsignup.com by visiting PDPOA.RUN. Registration is $15 for participants aged 0-12 and $30 for others and includes the purchase of a race bib needed to enter the event as well as the purchase of an event T-shirt.

Races begin at 8 a.m.

PULSEology Sea Turtle 5K

Taking place in Coligny Place on Hilton Head Islands south end on Aug. 5, the PULSEology Sea Turtle 5K will take place along Coligny Beach and participants who register before Aug. 2 will receive a commemorative race T-shirt.

Additionally, custom Sea Turtle Medals from the event will go to the overall winners and top three male and female winners in each age group.

The race/walk will begin at 8 a.m. on the beach.

Proceeds from this event as well as 100% of all donations will go directly to the Sea Turtle Care Center in honor of Presley Miller.

Registration for this event, which can be found online at runsignup.com is $20 for participants aged younger than 10 and $35 for every other participant.

Bobcat Scorcher 5K

The 12th annual Bobcat Scorcher 5K Run/Walk will take place at 8 a.m. on Aug. 12 at Bluffton High School, which is located at 12 H.E. McCracken Circle in Bluffton. The event is open to all ages and proceeds will go to benefit the BLHS Cross Country Team as well as help contribute to the sixth year of the Grace Sulak Scholarship Foundation, and the fifth year of the Scorcher Senior Student Scholarship Fund.

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All participants will receive race shirts and custom medals will go to the overall male and female winners as well as the top three division winners.

High school students looking to participate get a discounted registration rate for $20 and, for all other, registration will cost $30. Interested individuals can sign up online at runsignup.com.

Shark Attack 5K

On Aug. 19 at 8:15 a.m., individuals looking to participate in an event within their local community should consider signing up for the Shark Attack 5K at May River High School, which is located at 601 New Riverside Road in Bluffton.

Registration for the races are $30 to participate in the 5K, $20 for students under 18 years old to participate in the 5K and $10 for the kids half mile. Commemorative T-shirts are guaranteed to registered participants if registered by Aug. 1.

Additionally, medals will be presented to the top male and female overall finishers and the top three finishers in each of the eight age divisions.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the boys and girls May River High School cross country teams.

To register, visit runsignup.com before Aug. 17.

Hilton Head BIG Fish 5K

The Hilton Head BIG Fish 5K Run/Walk will take place on Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. at the Sea Pines Beach Club, which is located at 87 N. Sea Pines Drive on Hilton Head Island. The event is open to all ages where participants will get to experience running on the nearby beach while enjoying views of the islands south end.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to benefit the John Berrigan Cross Country Scholarship.

Registration is $30 or $25 if you opt to not receive a T-shirt. Students will receive a discounted registration fee of only $20. Registration ends on Aug. 24. Interested participants can register online at runsignup.com.

Custom medals will be rewarded to the overall male and female as well as the top three division winners.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum in London - Gregory Wrona/Alamy Stock Photo

The Sherlock Holmes Museum has been sued by a former manager after she claimed she was entitled to a 500,000 bonus, a tribunal has heard.

Honoria Cartlidge was fired from her 120,000-a-year job at the family-run museum in Baker Street, London, after insisting she was owed a bonus of half a million pounds.

Her six-year-relationship with director Laura Von Ehrenstien had already ended following financial disputes, with the executive claiming Ms Cartlidge was too money-orientated.

The bitter split peaked when Von Ehrenstien stole their shared pet from her ex-partners flat, a tribunal heard.

Ms Cartlidge successfully sued the museum for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal, with the director branded malicious at the hearing.

Despite the tribunal ruling that Ms Cartlidge was not entitled to a 500,000 bonus, company heads, including her ex-girlfriend, were said to have acted unfairly by dismissing her argument.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is located in a Georgian townhouse at 221b Baker Street, which is the address of the fictional detective in Sir Arthur Conan Doyles stories.

Ms Von Ehrenstein, 35, her mother Andrea Von Ehrenstein, 57, and John Aidiniantz, 62, run the business under parent company 221B Ltd, tribunal papers state.

Financial demands blamed for split

Having started working at the museum in 2013, Ms Cartlidges salary increased from 54,000 to 120,000 between 2016 and 2019 due to her strong performance.

She said her former partner also paid her for additional duties such as property renovations, childcare and dog sitting, but the family rejected the claim.

Ms Von Ehrenstein told the tribunal she instead made payments amounting to 145,000 to her ex-partner as part of their relationship.

She said: I was helping out when she was asking me for money on several different occasions.

But when Ms Cartlidge was given a bonus of 3,000 she expressed unhappiness at the remuneration, claiming she had been promised 500,000.

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The couple split in 2019, with the museum director saying her partners financial demands were to blame.

After the break-up their relationship became further strained as they continued to work together in a professional capacity.

The family later decided to fire Ms Cartlidge over her demand for the lump sum.

Directors reacted with anger

Employment judge Mark Emery said she wasnt entitled to the bonus and lost her claim of unlawful deduction of wages through [an] unpaid bonus.

But he ruled she was unfairly dismissed because the directors did not let her explain why she thought she was owed it.

Judge Emery said: She was not given an opportunity to say why she believed she had an entitlement to the bonus and why she believed the directors may be acting unlawfully.

She genuinely believed she had this entitlement, even if the directors genuinely believed she did not.

Instead, they reacted with anger, rejected her arguments as without any merit and summarily dismissed her.

We therefore concluded that the dismissal was unfair because there was no attempt to conduct any process in circumstances where it was clearly reasonable to do so.

Ms Cartlidge also won claims of unlawful deduction of holiday pay.

Compensation for both her winning claims will be determined at a later date.

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(Bloomberg) -- A decade ago, Sheryl Sandberg wrote the best-seller Lean In for women navigating the corporate world. Now, she wants to inspire the next generation of female leaders.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Sandbergs non-profit, LeanIn.Org, has launched a new leadership program for girls 11- to 15-years-old called Lean In Girls, which aims to teach them lessons on resilience, positive risk-taking and leading boldly. In raising her own family, Sandberg said she noticed that girls lose confidence and their voice somewhere around middle school, an observation that is backed up by data. These are the 10 years where I became a mother of older kids  as a parent of teenagers, boy do I see those differences, she said.

The free-of-charge program consists of 15 lessons that are based on social science research, expert input and feedback from girls. The first eight lessons are available globally, along with online facilitator training. The remainder, which tackle more challenging issues, will be delivered in the US and Canada through partner organizations such as Kipp Schools, Girls Inc. and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.

Sandberg said the project is part of her effort to increase the number of women in top career positions, which is still too low. One of the thoughts we had was maybe we just need to start younger, she said.

Read More: Billionaire Sheryl Sandberg Expands Foundation Before Meta Exit (1)

Rachel Thomas, chief executive officer of LeanIn.Org, said the program also aims to redefine what leadership means and move away from the traditional command-control style that doesnt typically resonate with girls. She said it will give girls tools to identify and challenge the negative stereotypes and beliefs that hold them back. Naming it and giving them tools to identify it and push back against it and reframe it can be really powerful, she said.

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Latricia Barksdale, the vice president of Lean In Girls, said the program targets a critical moment in identity formation and development. They may not know its not about them, but actually the world around them, said Barksdale.

The material also provides additional advice and resources for adults. According to research compiled by the group, only one in five girls aged eight to 17 believe they have the qualities to be a leader and almost half of high school girls think speaking their mind will make them unlikeable.

When it was published in 2013, Lean In became an international bestseller and has since sold millions of copies around the world. The book inspired Lean In Circles, where many women still gather regularly to debate, commiserate and discuss their aspirations. But Sandbergs philosophy has faced criticism for being elitist and out of date, and the book was seen as ignoring the struggles of lower-income women and single moms. The term lean out emerged as a counterpoint to Sandbergs message.

Sandberg, 53, acknowledges the lean in slogan can be misunderstood. We were never telling women to act like men. We were telling women to go lead in their own way, she said. Sandberg herself left as chief operating officer of Meta Platforms Inc. last year in part, she said, to work on more projects like Lean In Girls.

Our companies, our board rooms, our state rooms, they are going to be run by someone, she said. I am hoping that gets to equality for boys and girls.

Read More: Mark Zuckerbergs New Top Lieutenant Is the Anti-Sheryl Sandberg

The launch comes after millions of women left the workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic to care for their families, and disproportionately shouldered those responsibilities compared to men. American teens are under particular stress, with almost three-in-five teenage girls saying they feel persistently sad and hopeless, according to a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That was almost twice the rate of teenage boys.

Rainesford Stauffer, author of All the Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and the Ways We Strive, said that individual empowerment is part of supporting young people, but education should also address the systemic issues theyre routinely worried about. Theyre aware that most of us are not going to achieve our way out of these larger systemic issues, but it feels like theres an expectation to do that anyway, said Stauffer.

Thomas says the new curriculum incorporates all of the feedback received over the past 10 years, good and bad. We have a strong growth mindset as an organization. Weve continued to evolve and be more of the moment, more intersectional and inclusive, she said.

(Updates with comment from Sandberg in 10th paragraph. An earlier version of the story fixed details about the lessons after the organization clarified the information.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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The ship owners say the fire could have been sparked by electric cars (Handout)

Dutch firefighters Thursday battled for a second day to douse a blaze on a cargo ship off the Netherlands coast suspected to have been started by electric cars.

The Fremantle Highway, a Panamanian-flagged vessel remained tethered to a salvage ship to keep it in position some 14.5 nautical miles north of the Dutch island of Ameland, the Dutch Coast Guard said.

"The fire is still burning on board," it said.

"The temperature on board remains very high and putting out the fire is difficult," Coast Guard spokesman Edwin Granneman said.

"If too much water lands on the ship it can effect its stability," he told the BNR news radio station.

One sailor died after he and 22 others were rescued from the burning ship, carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles, and forcing some crew members to jump overboard.

The blaze erupted shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

Shoei Kisen Kaisha, the ship's owners have said there was a "good chance that the fire started with electric cars," but added that the cause still needs to be investigated.

Officials said the fire could rage "for days", raising the spectre of an ecological disaster on a nearby chain of islands.

"Later this morning, Coast Guard planes will again fly over the Fremantle Highway to observe the situation," the Coast Guard said Thursday.

Meanwhile outgoing Dutch Infrastructure Minister Mark Harbers said should the Fremantle Highway spring a fuel leak, it could drift away from the Waddensee islands into the North Sea.

"This is due to the currently expected wave and wind direction," Harbers said.

The ship however remained close to Ameland, that is part of an archipelago of ecologically sensitive islands situated in the Waddensee.

The area spanning the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a rich diversity of more than 10,000 aquatic and terrestrial species.

"The risk of an environmental disaster is always present," Granneman said. "You have to take into account a scenario in which the ship capsizes or sinks."

jhe/ach
Jennifer Herbig, the chief learning officer at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, will take over as the executive director of PSNS next month.

BREMERTON  A Central Kitsap High grad who rose through the ranks to the highest civilian position at PSNS has retired, replaced at the top by a longtime human resources executive.

Executive Director Rick Tift has retired after a 45-year career at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, and in August will be replaced by the shipyard's Chief Learning Officer, Jennifer Herbig, the shipyard announced.

Tift, a Bremerton resident who has served in the position for 19 years, said his time with the shipyard has been rewarding.

"PSNS & IMF is a wonderful place to work and I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be part of this command for the past 45 years," Tift told the Kitsap Sun in a statement.

Richard Tift has been serving as the executive director of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard since 2004.

Hired to work at the shipyard in 1978, Tift was selected to be the head nuclear material manager in 1989, the shipyard's contracting officer in 1996 and the executive director in 2004.

A Bremerton resident since 1962, Tift is a graduate of Central Kitsap High School and earned an associate's degree in science from Olympic College, a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Washington and a master's of business from the University of Puget Sound.

More: Shipyard's civilian leader selected

The PSNS executive director acts as the organizations Congressional liaison and is the main contact for the state and local governments, as well as a representative of the shipyard within the local community. The executive director is the primary interface between the command and the shipyards unions and with the commander of Navy Region Northwest, which supports the Navy activities in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska Minnesota and Iowa.

'People are my business,' said incoming executive director

The responsibility will soon be handed over to Herbig.

Originally from New York, Herbig has lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1998. She started her career with the Navy in 1997 when she was selected for the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program by the Office of Civilian Human Resources in Washington, D.C. During her time as a PMF, Herbig worked on a team to re-engineer the Equal Employment Opportunity program and was selected to serve on President Bill Clintons Initiative on Race Relations, according to the Navy. The program led her to PSNS for a temporary duty assignment in 1998 and she later returned as a human resources specialist.

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Spending 23 years in HR, Herbig has served as the Navy Region Northwests onsite human resources director to PSNS and as the human resources director for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest. In June last year, she returned to the shipyard as the Chief Learning Officer.

Herbig was excited about starting the new position and getting to know the leadership group, the incoming executive director said in a statement.

People are my business and Im very passionate about making them the center of all we do, Herbig said. "We have a long way to go in achieving an inclusive work environment. For PSNS & IMF to be successful now and in the future it will take engagement of all 14,000 heads, hearts and hands."

Before her career with the Navy, Herbig worked as a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. and managed a public health outreach program for the YWCA of Boston. She graduated from Stony Brook University in New York with a bachelors degree in political science and earned a master's of public administration from Suffolk University in Boston.

Kitsap Sun archives contributed to the story.

Reporter Peiyu Lin covers the military and South Kitsap for the Kitsap Sun. She can be reached at pei-yu.lin@kitsapsun.com or on Twitter @peiyulintw

Support local journalism. Subscribe to kitsapsun.com today.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: New executive director at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Officials inspect a car where two people were found dead Monday morning in Rancho Palos Verdes. (KTLA-TV Channel 5)

The Pasadena Police Department arrested six people Wednesday suspected in separate homicides in the last few days in Pasadena and Rancho Palos Verdes in which the victims were found inside cars parked near scenic overlooks.

The Pasadena shooting occurred early Saturday along Angeles Crest Highway. Police were contacted shortly after 3:20 a.m. about a car crash near mile marker 36.28. (Police had previously reported that the incident was at mile marker 28.36.)

Officers reported finding Los Angeles resident Jessie Munoz, 32, who had been shot several times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger in the vehicle, who told police she was a friend of Munoz, was not injured.

Lt. Monica Cuellar, a spokesperson for Pasadena police, said the shooting was thought to have occurred during a robbery.

A couple of days later, a man and a woman were shot to death inside a blue Subaru parked at an ocean overlook on Palos Verdes Drive.

Read more: Six people were injured Monday after a police chase ended in a crash, the latest dangerous LAPD pursuit

The victims, Jorge Ramos, 36, and Taylorraven Whittaker, 26, were said to have been dating, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Ramos was known by neighbors and friends as a car lover and a member of a local Subaru enthusiast group.

It is with heavy hearts that we confirm our beloved brother Jorge has passed away, Team Subaru 15 SoCal said in a statement posted to Instagram. This comes as a surprise to all of us... Join us in lifting a member of the Subaru Community and S15 SoCal OG to his resting place in the sky.

During a news conference Wednesday, Pasadena Police Lt. Keith Gomez said some of the suspects were arrested in the San Fernando Valley riding in a vehicle that matched the description of one seen at the Pasadena shooting site. He said detectives had shared evidence with the Sheriff's Department, which is investigating the Rancho Palos Verdes killings.

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"We do believe there is a connection," Gomez said, but he deferred questions on the investigation to the Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's Det. Ray Lugo said Wednesday night that four people were suspected in the Rancho Palos Verdes homicides: three males who approached Ramos' Subaru and a woman who waited in a getaway car. One or more of the male suspects opened fire, Lugo said, describing the shooting as "a robbery attempt that went wrong."

Lugo said it appeared that Ramos and Whittaker were randomly targeted and were not followed to the overlook. The detective declined to say whether the suspects in the Rancho Palos Verdes shooting had been linked to any other crimes.

Gomez said the suspects in the Pasadena case might be connected to other armed robberies in Los Angeles County but provided no specifics.

The investigation indicated the suspects targeted victims who were in remote areas with poor cellphone reception and who were distracted at the time of the assaults, Gomez said.

Gomez declined to name the suspects until charges are filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

The arrests occurred in two locations: Five men were arrested early Wednesday in the 7600 block of Woodman Avenue in Panorama City, and a woman was arrested in the 900 block of West 85th Street in the area of Westchester. Pasadena police were assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Los Angeles Police Department in making the arrests, during which two handguns and a rifle were seized.

Cuellar expected charges to be filed by Monday at the latest, and said investigators were pursuing homicide charges for all six.

Times staff writer Noah Goldberg 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.
2023 Warner Bros. Ent./ Missoma



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If you're among the millions of movie-goers who scored tickets to the Barbie movie on opening weekend (or among the millions more, myself included, who lived vicariously through TikTok reviews and spoilers), you may already recognize this gold heart-shaped necklace from Missoma.

Shop Now Engravable Heart Ridge Locket Pendant Necklace $245.00 missoma.com Missoma

Toward the end of the film, the titular Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, wears one in Barbieland with a sweet yellow dress. The exact Missoma necklace from Barbie the Movie is currently sold out, but there's good news: Those who are willing to wait for the exact necklace can sign up to be notified as soon as it is restocked, which is expected to happen later this week. Plus, the British jewelry brand has a similar heart-shaped locket that is still in stock.

Strung from a dainty chain, the 18K gold vermeil pendant features Missoma's signature ridge detailing around a rainbow moonstone center. And unlike the original, this look-alike style can be engraved on the back or inside, allowing it to be personalized with a special date, message, or motif. Consider it the perfect piece to top off your Barbie-inspired outfits or gift to a die-hard Barbie fan.

Barbie viewers were quick to spot that Barbie's heart necklace isn't the only Missoma jewelry that the film's costume designer, Jacqueline Durran (who also fashioned Spencer, Beauty and the Beast, and Greta Gerwig's Little Women) featured in the film. America Ferrera wore the brand's Double Chain Necklace; Alexandra Shipp, who plays 'Celebrated Author Barbie,' wore this Jelly Heart Gemstone Charm Necklace in promotional shots.

Off-screen, Margot Robbie also wore Missoma jewelry long before she was cast as Barbie. She's been a fan of the climate-conscious British jewelry brand for years. The gold Engravable Roman Arc Coin Necklace she wore to a 'Women in Film' pre-Oscars party and the gold Large Horn Necklace she wore while surfing in Southern California are both still available.

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If you're serious about your love of all things Barbie, be sure to check out the Missoma jewelry from Barbie before the rest of it sells out. Since the film's release on July 21, anything and everything Barbie-worn has been flying off shelves. And if you're holding out for Barbie's exact necklace to return? You can browse the brand's other celeb-approved jewelry styles while you wait, including Missoma earrings, bracelets, and necklaces regularly spotted on Kate Middleton, Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber, and more.

Double Chain Necklace

Shop Now Double Chain Necklace 129.00 missoma.com Missoma

Jelly Heart Gemstone Charm Necklace

Shop Now Jelly Heart Gemstone Charm Necklace $245.00 missoma.com Missoma

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Simone Biles Focusing On Mental Health In Therapy Ahead Of Gymnastics Return: I Go Once A Week | Katharine Lotze

Simone Biles is set to return to gymnastics after a two-year hiatus. The 26-year-old will make her long-awaited return to the sport during the 2023 U.S. Classic in August. Biles will also attempt to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, although she has doubts about whether she will be ready to participate in the competition.

The gymnast said she still has to heal mentally and physically during an appearance on the Late Late Show with James Corden. Biles expanded on her mental health by answering fan questions in her Instagram Stories earlier this month.

She was asked how she has been handling the mental side of her return to the sport. Biles shared that therapy has been a central part of taking care of her well-being.

Lots of therapy, I go once a week for almost 2 hrs, she said, according to PEOPLE. Ive had so much trauma, so being able to work on some of the traumas and work on healing is a blessing.

Biles dropped out of competing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after getting the twisties, a phenomenon where athletes lose the ability to feel their body moving through the air.

The rhythm is off, and your brain will like stutter step for half a second, and thats enough to throw off the whole skill, gymnast Laurie Hernandez told the Olympics. And, so, it happens, and it takes a second to get over that.

Ive had the twisties before. Hated it  so much. Its painful, Hernandez added. It actively makes you feel like youre not the caliber of athlete that you are.

At the time of her withdrawal, Biles had cited the need to focus on her mental health. A few weeks after dropping out from competing, the athlete testified before Congress about the sexual abuse she and hundreds of gymnasts endured from Larry Nassar, the doctor for Team U.S.A. gymnastics. Gabby Thomas is another athlete who accused Nassar and recently announced her return to the sport after a seven-year hiatus.

A week after the official announcement of her return to gymnastics, Biles confirmed the news on social media.

Sorry Ive been a little MIA since the announcement, she tweeted. Im overwhelmed with all of your messages, support and love! Excited to get back out on the competition floor! XOXO

Qualifications for the Paris Olympics will be decided during various rounds of competition next October and November. For now, you can watch Biles compete at the 2023 U.S. Classic in August.
Singapore Changi prison

Singapore is scheduled to execute a woman for the first time in almost 20 years, human rights advocates say.

Singaporean national Saridewi Djamani, 45, was found guilty of trafficking 30g (1.06oz) of heroin in 2018.

She will be the second drug convict to be executed in three days, after fellow Singaporean Mohd Aziz bin Hussain, and the 15th since March 2022.

Singapore has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, which it says are necessary to protect society.

Aziz was convicted of trafficking 50g of heroin. Under Singapore law, the death penalty can be applied for trafficking of more than 15g of heroin and more than 500g of cannabis.

Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said Aziz was accorded "full due process", and that his appeal against his conviction and sentence was dismissed in 2018.

In April, another Singaporean, Tangaraju Suppiah, was executed for trafficking 1kg (35oz) of cannabis that he never touched. Authorities say he co-ordinated the sale via mobile phone.

The CNB declined to comment on Saridewi Djamani's case when contacted by the BBC.

British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, has again criticised Singapore for its executions, saying the death penalty is not a deterrent against crime.

"Small-scale drug traffickers need help, as most are bullied due to their circumstances," Mr Branson said on Twitter, adding that it was not too late to stop Saridewi Djamani's execution.

She is one of two women on death row in Singapore, according to the Transformative Justice Collective, a Singapore-based human rights group. She will be the first woman executed by the city-state since hairdresser Yen May Woen in 2004, the group said. Yen was also convicted of drug trafficking.

Local media reported that Saridewi testified during her trial that she was stocking up on heroin for personal use during the Islamic fasting month.

While she did not deny selling drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine from her flat, she downplayed the scale of those activities, noted judge See Kee Oon.

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Authorities argue that strict drug laws help keep Singapore as one of the safest places in the world and that capital punishment for drug offences enjoys wide public support.

But anti-death penalty advocates contest this.

"There is no evidence that the death penalty has a unique deterrent effect or that it has any impact on the use and availability of drugs," said Amnesty International's Chiara Sangiorgio in a statement.

"The only message that these executions send is that the government of Singapore is willing to once again defy international safeguards on the use of the death penalty," she said.

Amnesty International noted that alongside China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Singapore is one of only four countries to have recently carried out drug-related executions.
FILE - A man takes a nap as the central business district is shrouded by haze in Singapore, on Sept. 23, 2019. Singapore executed a man Wednesday, July 26, 2023, for drug trafficking and is set to hang a woman Friday  the first in 19 years  prompting renewed calls for a halt to capital punishment.

Singapore is scheduled to execute a woman this week for the first time in almost two decades, prompting renewed calls for a halt to capital punishment in the Asian country.

Saridewi Djamani, 45, a country national, was found guilty of trafficking 30g of heroin (the weight of a pencil) in 2018 and will be hanged on Friday, human rights groups are reporting.

Trafficking more than 15 grams (less than 1 ounce) of heroin or more than 544 grams (1.2 pounds) of marijuana is grounds for the death penalty, under Singaporean law.

Kirsten Han, with Transformative Justice Collective, a non-profit which advocates for abolishing the death penalty in Singapore, said the last known woman hanged in Singapore was hairdresser Yen May Woen in 2004.

Singapore intends to execute 2 people for drug offences this week.



We urge the Govt. of Singapore to stop these executions & we call on the international community to help halt this inhumane, ineffective and discriminatory practice in Singapore. https://t.co/Jq9R9bkoXa pic.twitter.com/vbXjmPATlB  Harm Reduction International (@HRInews) July 25, 2023

Djamani's pending execution will come less than 48 hours after the country executed another person: 56-year-old Mohammed Aziz Hussain was hanged at Singapore's Changi Prison, Han told the Associated Press this week.

Hussain was sentenced to death in 2018 for trafficking around 50 grams of heroin, Han said.

Live updates: Ex-US Marine Trevor Reed freed by Russia in prisoner swap wounded in Ukraine

An earlier execution this year

In April, the country also executed a 46-year-old man after he was accused of coordinating a roughly two-pound marijuana delivery, despite pleas for clemency and protests that he was convicted on weak evidence.

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Tangaraju Suppiah was hanged during the early morning hours of April 26 in Changi Prison, Singapore Prison Service said.

At the time, Suppiah's death marked Singapores first execution in six months.

Pet store killings in Oklahoma: Pair accused of stomping hamster to death, killing bunny at Petland identified by police

'A deterrent effect'

The country executed 11 people last year for drug offenses. One case involved a Malaysian man with mental illness, according to his lawyers.

Singapore authorities say there is a deterrent effect of the death penalty, citing studies that traffickers carry amounts below the threshold that would bring a death penalty.

Death penalty imposition for drugs in Singapore varies drastically from nearby countries. In Thailand, cannabis has essentially been legalized, and Malaysia has ended the mandatory death penalty for serious crimes.

Contributing: Associated Press

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: Singapore sets Friday hanging in death sentence for violating drug law
Five people are challenging Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu in the Aug. 1 primary, from which the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.

This years city and county races are nonpartisan.

Nevertheless, Sidhu and two of his opponents  Barry Buchanan and Alicia Rule  are listed as certified Democrats on the Whatcom Democrats web page for endorsements and recommendations. The Whatcom Republicans are supporting Dan Purdy of Lynden.

All voting is by mail in Washington state.

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 Whatcom County, the county executive is the highest elected official and is essentially the CEO, managing the various county departments and executing public policy as set by the County Council.

Its a four-year term, and the job pays $209,000 annually.

In Whatcom County, there are separate elected offices for assessor, auditor, prosecuting attorney, sheriff and treasurer. None of those offices is on the primary ballot.

Heres how the candidates responded to a Bellingham Herald questionnaire that asked them to list their qualifications, the top three issues facing the county, and how they would solve one of those priorities. Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot:

Misty Flowers is one of six candidates in the primary election for Whatcom County executive.

Misty Flowers

Misty Flowers is a musician and anti-vaccine activist who ran unsuccessfully for the Whatcom County Council in 2021, getting 9% of the vote in the primary.

Earlier this year, Flowers was rejected for an appointment to the Whatcom County Public Health Advisory Board because of her vocal opposition to vaccines and her public resistance to COVID-19 health requirements such as masking, business closures, social distancing and other measures designed to slow the spread of the disease early in the new coronavirus pandemic.

Shes been a frequent speaker during the open comment period at County Council meetings, where she has spread false and misleading information about vaccines and the pandemic. In addition, she has alleged fraud in the 2022 local election without providing evidence.

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If you love em, protect em and do not inject em, Flowers sings in the song Some of Us uploaded to her YouTube channel in July 2022.

Flowers did not respond to The Bellingham Heralds request for information.

She has raised $2,213 for her campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

State Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine, walks in the Whatcom Youth Pride Parade in Bellingham, Wash. on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Alicia Rule

State Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine, is a former member of the Blaine City Council and a therapist in private practice. In Washington states part-time Legislature, she is one of two House members representing the 42nd Legislative District, which includes Bellinghams northern neighborhoods and the rest of northern Whatcom County.

Rule attended Meridian district schools and has earned a BA in psychology and American ethnic studies from the University of Washington and a masters in social work from San Diego State University.

The top three issues our communities are facing are ensuring public safety, addressing homelessness and improving mental health services because it is not compassionate to leave our neighbors on sidewalks and in parks, and addressing increasing affordability, Rule told The Herald in an email.

In addition, she founded and served as president of Blaine Downtown Development Association.

Rule told The Herald that in the Legislature she fought for more nurses and counselors in our schools and funding to directly support our communities, including allocations for inpatient treatment, the Anne Deacon Center for Hope, a wellness center at Lummi Nation, and a planned 23-hour behavioral health urgent care center.

We need to address the mental health crisis that so many of us are experiencing  including our kids. As executive, I will oversee the successful implementation of these programs and ensure they have the resources they need to serve our neighbors, she said.

She has raised $18,790 for her campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Whatcom County Executive Satpul Sidhu is shown at his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 11, 2020.

Satpal Sidhu

County Executive Satpal Sidhu  the first person of color to hold that job  took office in January 2020, weeks before a devastating flood that hit communities along the Nooksack River. Barely two months later came the COVID-19 pandemic, and Whatcom County rose as the lead agency coordinating the response efforts.

Sidhu, a businessman, farmer and former dean of engineering at Bellingham Technical College, served one four-year term on the County Council before his election as county executive. He was born in India, immigrated to the U.S. from Canada and is one of only a handful of members of the Sikh faith who hold public office across the U.S.

He has an MBA and bachelor of science degrees in physics and math and engineering and is a Fulbright scholar who speaks four languages. A resident of rural Lynden, he and his wife also operate the Spice Hut store in north Bellingham.

Besides the pandemic and flooding, Sidhus first term was marked by the racial justice movement after the murder of George Floyd, rising rents, soaring homelessness and the fentanyl epidemic, followed by a second and third round of flooding in November 2021.

He was a key figure in advancing plans for the Whatcom County Racial Equity Commission, and Sidhu told The Herald that his priorities are a new jail, housing affordability and land-use planning, the environment and climate mitigation.

I have created a collaborative working alliance between the County Council, the Bellingham City Council and the small cities mayors to develop a succinct proposal for a new justice and safety facility with treatment over incarceration as its motto, Sidhu said.

The current problems of housing affordability, homelessness, income equality and environmental degradation are because of shortsighted planning at all levels of government. I am already challenging the County Council, land developers, landowners, county and municipal planners, conservation groups, farmers, and city residents to work together, he said.

Hes endorsed by elected leaders such as 42nd District state Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) and Whatcom County Council members Todd Donovan, Carol Frazey and Kaylee Galloway.

Sidhu has raised $81,037 for his campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Business executive Dan Purdy of Lynden, Wash., is running for Whatcom County executive.

Dan Purdy

This is business executive Dan Purdys first run for elective office. Hes a resident of Lynden who works remotely as director of partnerships for the Inc. 5000 advisory firm Cultivate Advisors.

Purdy has a masters degree in business administration from Colorado State University, focusing on information technology. He has 25 years of experience in business, from large firms to start-ups, including British Petroleum and Hewlett-Packard, according to his campaign website.

My campaign is focused on setting the PACE: increasing public safety; promoting accountability and fiscal responsibility; reducing the cost of living; and promoting environmental stewardship, Purdy told The Herald in an email, echoing his campaign slogan.

I will elevate the principles of respect, fairness, and balance to the challenges facing Whatcom County, he said.

In addition to his academic degrees, Purdy is certified in business principles that target operational waste, including a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Purdue University. Hes also the author of FIRES: A Guide to Financial, Internal, Relational, External, and Spiritual Transformation.

Purdy told The Herald that his years of business experience would inform his work as county executive.

Rather than the typical tax-and-spend approach to funding ineffective programs, I will focus on efficient use of taxpayer dollars through fiscal discipline, waste reduction, performance measurement and cost avoidance, he told The Herald.

Through better defined processes and deeper stakeholder engagement, the executive branch of government will become more transparent and more accountable to the people it serves, Purdy said.

He has raised $7,468 for his campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. But he has spent $30,616 on his campaign so far  the only candidate to run a deficit.

Hes endorsed by former state Sen. Simon Sefzik, R-Ferndale, Port Commissioner Ken Bell, and former Sumas Mayor Kyle Christensen.

Barry Buchanan

Whatcom County Councilmember Barry Buchanan is in his third four-year term and is serving as council chair, running the meetings and enforcing legislative procedures.

He also served one term on the Bellingham City Council and has been a guiding force with the community organization that developed plans for a new jail and a funding initiative on the November ballot.

I have a passion for public service and seeing big projects through to completion, Buchanan said in his online ballot statement.

Ive led on the issues that matter most: completing a new mental health crisis facility, founding a multi-government homelessness work group, countywide affordable child care and planning a safe, right-sized jail, he said.

Buchanan, who lives in Bellingham, graduated from Bellingham High and served seven years in the U.S. Navy, working on aircraft electronics. Hes retired from his job as an engineer at Lockheed Martin, where his projects included the space shuttle and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Climate change, the housing crisis and criminal justice reform are his priorities, he told The Herald in an email.

Climate change is here now, and we need to take action, he said.

That includes putting a lens on climate change and climate change equity while performing the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, Buchanan said.

I will also work to implement the work of the Climate Action Plan and make mitigation and resilience a part of everyday policy development and implementation. Partnering with our other jurisdictions throughout the region will be critical in this work, he said.

Hes endorsed by the Riveters Collective and by elected leaders such as 42nd District state Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), 40th District state Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow) and Whatcom County Council members Todd Donovan and Kaylee Galloway.

Buchanan has raised $7,653 for his campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Sukhwant Gill of Blaine is one of six people running for Whatcom County Executive in the AUg. 1, 2023, primary election.

Sukhwant Gill

Sukhwant Gill is a businessman and a former member of the Blaine City Council.

Gill has taken some college courses overseas and is a certified nursing aide in Washington state, he told The Herald. He has owned and operated several business, most recently the Blaine Mart.

He also has served on the Blaine Tourism and Advisory Committee. worked with Miracle Food Network, providing food and clothes for those in need.

Gill has 18 years experience as paymaster and union leader for a municipal electricity department in his native India, serving a population with more than 15,000 people.

He told The Herald that he would prioritize safer communities and expanded mental health resources, a productive economy and jobs that help working families afford housing and basic needs, along with collaborative water rights negotiations as the state moves toward legal action to prioritize water rights in the Nooksack River Basin.

For water supply, we must reach a partnership that can best serve farmers, tribes, homesteaders, cities, and healthy salmon runs. This will require respectful conversation and care, Gill said.

Gill has raised $13,994 for his campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
In 1918, prominent American historian Ulrich Bonnell Phillips framed institutional slavery as a school that provided adequate training in modern technology and helped civilize slaves.

Last week, Florida announced a new curriculum that mirrored that rhetoric from more than a century ago, including lessons on how "slaves developed skills" for "personal benefit." Floridas new education plan is the most recent example of a long history of the United States failure to adequately represent the institution of slavery and the lingering effects that enslaving humans has had on modern society.

All of this is undermining quality education, said Bernard Powers, a historian at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. We are losing valuable opportunities to cultivate the critically important skills that our young people need to think deeply and to be able to reach their own conclusions and analyze events and circumstances.

Powers serves as director for the Center for the Study of Slavery at the College of Charleston, where he and his staff research the impacts of slavery  work that doesnt end in 1865 and the 13th Amendment, but we look at the legacy of slavery, he said.

The institution of slavery really sets up a racial paradigm that really has implications and consequences that come all the way down to the present, Powers said. When you begin to tell young people in particular that African Americans benefited from slavery in any way, that begins to undermine what those of us who study the institution know.

Hundreds participate in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis' rejection of a high school African American history course on Feb. 15 in Tallahassee, Fla. In a statement on April 24, the College Board announced changes will be made to the new AP African American course framework amid criticism earlier in the year that the agency bowed to political pressure and removed several topics from the framework, including Black Lives Matter, slavery reparations and queer life.

While defending the curriculum, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said to reporters that theyre probably going to show that some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life."

Members of the Florida Board of Education who took part in the task force to create the new curriculum also doubled down on their decision, claiming in a statement that "some slaves developed highly specialized trades for which they benefitted" and cited 16 examples. The Tampa Bay Times found nearly half of the people named were not enslaved.

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Powers said for the overwhelming majority of slaves, access to learning was nonexistent or very limited.

"(Slaves) certainly would have been limited to the more technical kinds of skills because the system of slavery also was based on legally enforced illiteracy and the law prevented them from learning how to read and write," Powers said.

Florence Bell decorates her truck for the annual Galveston Juneteenth Parade in Galveston, Texas, on June 17.

How has slavery been taught?

An estimated 10 million enslaved people lived in the United States until the 13th Amendment freed slaves in 1865. Slaves endured violent conditions and were not treated as people. They were seen as commodities to be bought, sold and exploited for 246 years.

Following the end of the Civil War, the United Daughters of the Confederacy was founded in 1894 to revise Confederate history. For much of the 20th century, school-aged children were educated with textbooks shaped and reshaped by the group to glorify white supremacy and justify segregation and Jim Crow governance.

More accurate and complete lessons on slavery were not taught in classrooms until after the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, according to Powers.

However, even after that era, a flawed and misrepresented version of slavery has continued to be taught. In 2015, McGraw-Hill Education had to issue a correction after it was found that their textbook referred to slaves as workers brought to the southern United States.

In 2018, a middle school in San Antonio apologized after a teacher asked students to list the benefits of slavery. In 2017, a fifth-grade classroom in New Jersey held a mock slave auction.

By minimizing the role of the institution of slavery, you have given young people  who then become adults  a false sense and marginalizing its impact and conveying to people that it wasnt really that important when it was a fundamental part of peoples lives, Powers said.

A 2018 report by Learning for Justice, a Southern Poverty Law Center initiative that works directly with K-12 educators to teach about social justice, found that schools are failing to teach the hard history of African enslavement. Only 8% of high school seniors say that slavery was the central cause of the Civil War and 58% of teachers reported their textbooks were inadequate to properly teach about slavery.

For decades, Texas was the main publisher of textbooks for schools across the nation due to its large student population. Textbooks were influenced by the conservative-leaning politics in the area.

Today, on-demand printing and the development of statewide curriculums in states like Florida and California have offered other states more options, causing Texas to loosen its grip on textbook printing. However, what kids learn remains largely tied to the past.

To teach American history is just to teach the real history of humanity in America, said Kimberly Burkhalter, a professional learning facilitator at Learning for Justice. When we teach the truth about history, thats when we start seeing reconciliation. Thats when we heal. Thats when our students are able to move forward in a society that is their future.

For Powers, the efforts to undermine the history of African Americans in the United States are directly linked to undermining any effort to create a more racially equitable society.

Experts worry that Florida's new curriculum could have negative impacts on teachers and their ability to lead controversial conversations around race and discrimination.

Teachers navigating difficult curriculum

Powers said he is concerned about what the political atmosphere in states like Florida could mean for teachers, who might shy away from controversial conversations out of fear of retaliation. During a time when teachers are quitting at high rates, Floridas decision to implement this new curriculum will likely further aggravate and exacerbate that problem, Powers said.

Learning for Justices 2018 report found that although an overwhelming majority of teachers  over 90%  reported feeling comfortable teaching about slavery in their classrooms, many of them revealed unease around the topic when asked more open-ended questions.

According to the report, a root cause of the issue lies in that slavery is taught without context in elementary school, when students are largely taught about how slavery came to an end, rather than its inception and persistence.

The report said young students "learn about liberation before they learn about enslavement; they learn to celebrate the Constitution before learning about the troublesome compromises that made its ratification possible."

Now, when you have a teacher who is faced with teaching the causes of the Civil War, I think they might be fearful  they might have trepidations as to what they can say and what they ought not to say because they might lose their job, Powers said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida's new slavery curriculum 'undermines' racism, experts say
The man dubbed the "snake burglar" for his attempts to slither along the ground to avoid detection while breaking into businesses, pleaded guilty to 54 counts of felony burglary on Thursday.

Christopher Michael Paul Jackson, 32, of Riverside admitted to the myriad counts of burglary under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorneys Office, resolving all of his pending cases. Superior Court Judge Gary Polk certified the agreement and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense  seven months in county jail and 12 years mandatory supervision. Polk also ordered him to pay $158,235 to his victims.

But he was expected to be released from custody as soon as Thursday, due to the "non-violent" nature of his crimes and state law designed to reduce overcrowding in jails.

Jackson broke into locations across Riverside and Moreno Valley, including restaurants, health clinics, medical offices, and beauty salons. He was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from those businesses. As part of his sentence, Jackson will also be required to complete a six-month residential substance abuse treatment program, and to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet for 12 years of mandatory supervision.

Detectives nicknamed Jackson the snake burglar due to his practice of crawling along the floors of businesses that hed broken into to avoid motion detection alarms.

The defendant, who has burglary convictions going back nearly a decade, was singled out by District Attorney Michael Hestrin, Riverside police chief Larry Gonzalez and other law enforcement officials as an example of what they say is a flaw in the state's legal system, stemming mainly from Assembly Bill 109, passed by the Legislature in 2011, and Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014.

Unfortunately, this case, although uniquely named, is not unique in California, Hestrin said. It is unconscionable that a habitual offender like Christopher Jackson can steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from hard-working people, admit to it, and legally serve less time in jail than the time it will take his hundreds of victims to recoup their losses.

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AB 109 reclassified crimes such as theft to enable repeat offenders to receive mandatory supervision in lieu of jail, or to serve prison sentences in often already overcrowded county jails. Prop 47 reduced many theft- and drug-related offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.

Gonzalez said in April that the laws have made it increasingly difficult to ensure the safety of our citizens.

The main justification for AB 109, signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, was to reduce prison overcrowding. But as Gonzalez and Hestrin pointed out in April, the state is now in the process of closing penitentiaries or ending their leases to correctional space in numerous locations, including Riverside County.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Courtney Breaux of the Felony Prosecutions Unit.

Janet Wilson is a reporter for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at jwilson@gannett.com. City News Service contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 'Snake burglar' pleads guilty to 54 break-ins in Riverside County
MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Russia has granted debt relief on over $684 million owed by Somalia in a deal finalised on the sidelines of a Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg, officials from the Horn of Africa nation said.

Emerging from decades of civil war, Somalia is seeking to secure sweeping external debt relief under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

"This step will play a big role in the completion of the country's debt forgiveness process," Somali Finance Minister Bihi Egeh said of the deal with Moscow in a post on the ministry's Facebook page.

The agreement signed on Wednesday between Egeh and Russian deputy finance minister Timur Maksimov concerned Paris Club loans, Somali Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Jama added that, under the agreement, part of the debt would be immediately written off while part would be subject to a rescheduling of payments.

The deal with Somalia comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to leverage the summit in St Petersburg to bolster relations with African nations and push back against Western efforts to isolate Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Putin told African leaders on Thursday that he would gift them tens of thousands of tonnes of grain within months despite Western sanctions, which he said made it harder for Moscow to export its grain and fertilisers.

If Somalia continues to make steady progress on reforms, it could reach the completion point of the HIPC process by the end of 2023, which would allow it to pare its debt to around $550 million from $5.2 billion, the IMF said last October.

Somalia owed Moscow nearly $695 million in 2019, according to the IMF.

(Reporting by Hereward Holland, Abdi Sheikh and Rachel Savage; editing by Joe Bavier and Mark Heinrich)
The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have neutralised a Russian group and captured new prisoners on the southern front.

Source: press service of the Special Operations Forces

Details: It is noted that fighters of the Special Operations Forces have once again taken captive Russian convicts who were promised to be granted pardon in exchange for murdering Ukrainians.

The presence of the Russians in this particular area became known thanks to well-conducted reconnaissance.

When the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces operators approached the Russians location, there was a fire engagement. The Russians were suppressed by small arms fire and forced to retreat.

Having seized the initiative, the Special Operations Forces began to manoeuvre, and blocked the Russians. The Russians were offered to surrender, and two soldiers of the Russian unit chose to be taken captive. The rest of the Russians were killed.

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New research shows that the majority of the global aquaculture industry faces enormous risks due to human activities.

As the planets temperatures change rapidly, this sector finds itself in a difficult position.

Whats happening?

A new study revealed that numerous major aquatic food producers worldwide are exceptionally susceptible to environmental changes caused by human activities that are warming the planet and killing the worlds sea animals.

The countries at the highest risk also have the lowest ability to adapt to these changes, science information news website Phys.org reported.

The outlet highlighted how, according to the study, more than 90% of global blue food production, including capture fisheries and aquaculture, is exposed to significant risks arising from environmental change.

Ling Cao, co-lead author and professor at the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science at Xiamen University, told Phys.org that we have only scratched the surface in the understanding of how environmental stressors are connected and how they can negatively impact the production and safety of blue foods.

As human industrial activities warm the atmosphere, they also warm the oceans, affecting populations of marine wildlife and coral reefs.

Another primary driver of sea life vulnerability is the fishing industry. Industrial fishing kills hundreds of thousands of whales, sea turtles, and dolphins yearly.

Why is sea life important?

These changes negatively affect the means of subsistence for coastal communities worldwide.

Approximately 680 million people live in coastal regions, and around 3.3 billion people, roughly half of the global population, currently rely on fish for food.

Aquatic animals also contribute to the overall biodiversity of the planet, representing a wide array of species, from microscopic plankton to large marine mammals, each with its own unique ecological niche.

The diversity of aquatic life helps sustain the balance of ecosystems and supports the functioning of food chains and nutrient cycles.

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Whats being done to protect life under the sea?

Although we have made some progress with climate change, our adaptation strategies for blue food systems facing environmental change are still underdeveloped and need urgent attention, said Rebecca Short, co-lead author and researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Center, Phys.org reported.

On a more positive note, the rise of plant-based fish alternatives is emerging as a highly effective alternative to the traditional fishing industry for subsistence.

Similarly, cell-based seafood, an innovative approach that is currently relatively unknown, holds the potential to become commonplace on supermarket shelves in the near future.

This groundbreaking technology can help protect aquatic animals while feeding millions of people across the globe.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
A new office in the Florida Department of Education aims to facilitate partnerships with district leaders, but the directors first months of work show interest in meeting mostly with conservative school board members, records show, including Moms for Liberty members and those endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

We would be happy to meet with the Conservative Coalition of School Board Members as a group to explore ways that our efforts may align, wrote Terry Stoops, the new director, to a Volusia County School Board member on April 23. If you hold regular meetings and would like us to participate, please let me know.

In another email, he shared his views of the previous nights Orange County School Board meeting with Alicia Farrant, a Moms for Liberty member elected to the board in November.

I watched some of the very misguided public comment at last nights school board meeting. I just wanted to pass along a note to thank you for serving on the board and standing up for families, Stoops wrote her on May 10.

Thank you so much! Im proud to represent our community and be a voice for many who feel voiceless, responded Farrant, who has pushed for the school district to remove library books she finds offensive.

Stoops is the director of the education departments new Office of Academically Successful and Resilient Districts, a job he started in April, according to his LinkedIn page. Stoops spent nearly two decades in North Carolina mostly working for the conservative John Locke Foundation, with a focus on education policy.

The Florida education departments press office did not respond to emails asking questions about the new office and Stoops salary. He is not listed in the state payroll database on the governors office website.

In North Carolina, Stoops drafted what would become a framework for a North Carolina parents bill of rights, legislation that like Floridas was criticized as anti-LGBTQ, and pushed for more school choice options, such as charter schools and school vouchers.

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His first months on the job in Florida showed meetings with board members and advocacy groups aligned to DeSantis, according to emails and his calendar obtained by the Florida Freedom to Read Project and shared with the Orlando Sentinel.

The new office shouldnt be working only with those with certain political views, said Stephana Ferrell, an Orange County mother and one of the projects founders.

This department seems formed for the sole purpose of ensuring the DeSantis agenda is worked into policy, Ferrell said. It is using tax payer funds in a very deliberate, political way.

In Orange, for example, Stoops reached out to Farrant but none of the other seven board members, Ferrell said. The same was true in Volusia, she said, where two conservative members got emails but the other three did not.

Stoops calendar for April and May also shows meetings with school board members in Manatee and Putnam counties who were endorsed by the governor, and with the leaders of the Florida Citizens Alliance, a group that has been railing against school textbooks, claiming they wrongly taught evolution, revisionist U.S. history and political and religious indoctrination. They also show attendance at a Moms for Liberty meeting in Leon County and at a leadership training institute in Sarasota hosted by a Moms for Liberty founder.

Moms for Liberty, started in 2021 by a trio of Florida mothers, initially fought against mask mandates during the pandemic. But it is now a national movement that tackles conservative education issues, such as critical race theory and the appropriateness of school library books.

In an April email to Farrant, Stoops mentioned meeting her at the Sarasota gathering and asked to set up a 30-minute video call. As I mentioned, my office is focused on assisting school board members and those who interact with them, he wrote. Do you have time in the next few weeks to chat with me about the ways that we can serve you and your constituents?

In emails to Jessie Thompson, a Volusia County School Board member, he offered not only to meet with the conservative school board group but to introduce her to the head of a like-minded group in Virginia.

In May, he sent emails to Thompson and the leader of the School Board Member Alliance Virginia. I hope your collaboration inspires others to create alternatives to establishment organizations that exist for their own sake. Of course, if I can be of service to you, please let me know! he wrote.

Before coming to Florida, Stoops served six months at the North Carolina Department of Education, his LinkedIn page says. That appointment, the North Carolina Democratic Party said last year, should be cause for concern for anyone who cares about the future of North Carolinas public schools.

The Freedom to Read project was formed to combat book bans and censorship efforts in public schools. Ferrell said the group learned of Stoops office after obtaining a batch of emails from Hernando County in an effort to learn more about the controversy involving the showing of the Disney movie Strange World in a fifth-grade class last spring.

Ferrell thinks her comments at the Orange school boards May 9 may be among those Stoops called misguided. She spoke about Orange County Public Schools policy for library materials.

Stoops office has not contacted her group.

He didnt reach out to the people who made the misguided comments, Ferrell said. Theres a direct line of communication for some  but not for all.

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State politicians and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois have waded into the ongoing debate over Waterloo District 5s transgender bathroom policies, which have become the focus of contentious school board meetings and led to the creation of opposing petitions.

Three Republican politicians attended the most recent board meeting July 17: former state Sen. Darren Bailey, state Rep. David Friess and state Sen. Terri Bryant. A representative of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost also was in attendance. Bailey and Bost are facing off in the 2024 Republican primary for Illinois 12th Congressional District.

All four officials have expressed their support for the parents and students who oppose a recently-implemented policy that may allow trans students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity as long as they coordinate a gender identity plan with their parents and the district.

Meanwhile, the ACLU issued a statement on July 21 in support of the districts leadership for resisting pressure to repeal the policy, which would lead to violations of Illinois law and potentially open the district up to legal liability that could cost taxpayer dollars.

The district adopted the new policy at its May board meeting, a couple months after a group of about 135 students at Waterloo High School engaged in a protest against trans students using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity.

The district subsequently investigated the incident as potentially planned harassment of transgender students. Superintendent Brian Charron said there were some elements of harassment that occurred that day, which the district addressed with the involved students.

Before the protest, the districts relevant policy  section 7:10 of the policy manual  broadly outlined that equal educational and extracurricular opportunities shall be available for all students and that no student shall, based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity be denied equal access to programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities.

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The new policy says students are prohibited from using restrooms not associated with their biological sex unless a student follows an administrative procedure to develop a gender identity plan with the school and their parents.

The goals of developing such a plan are to anticipate any issues that may occur and provide support to the student, the policy says. This includes identifying a restroom for the student to use, which could be a gender neutral restroom or the restroom of the opposite biological sex.

Our community seems to be torn. Theres two sides. Both sides are upset about the policy, from one angle or another, Charron said. Some people argue that its too restrictive, and others are arguing that its not restrictive enough.

Stand-up For Students

The district has said the new policy complies with both state and federal law that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and allows transgender students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Therefore, Charron said he doesnt anticipate the board making any changes to the policy at this point.

Nonetheless, the public participation period of the board meetings has been consumed by discussion of the topic.

Eight people spoke during the public participation period of the July 17 meeting, including members of the Stand-up For Students and Waterloo Listens groups, both of which have started petitions since the new policy was adopted.

The Stand-up For Students petition asks the board to revoke the current bathroom policy and replace it with one that requires students to use the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their sex at birth.

The petition has gained just over 1,500 signatures between the offline version that was started on June 1 and the online version that went live on July 6, according to Elizabeth Mifflin, who was third to speak at the meeting.

Mifflin did not want to provide further comment for this article.

Waterloo Listens

Daniel Flaum, a member of Waterloo Listens, also spoke at Mondays board meeting.

The organization was formed in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd to promote education, empathy, mutual accountability, and justice for all. Flaum said in an interview that Waterloo Listens has members who are trans or know trans people in the community, and the group supports them just as much as we would support anybody else who has a minority voice that hasnt been able to find a reasonable platform in this community.

Waterloo Listens created a counter petition  beginning in late June with signatures on paper and launching an online version on July 5  to the Stand-up For Students petition. Their petition has garnered more than 300 signatures so far between the online and offline versions.

Their petition requests that the board not adopt policies in violation of state and federal law, which could subject the district to lawsuits that would require taxpayer dollars. Instead, their petition requests that the school use taxpayer money on safety upgrades in restrooms and changing rooms like floor-to-ceiling stalls, distress buttons and a greater number of single-occupancy bathrooms.

Flaum said that while Waterloo Listens finds certain aspects of the new policy problematic, especially for trans students who come from unsupportive homes, they find the policy acceptable at this time to move the community and district forward.

Our hope is that the focus will shift from actual policy on restroom use, to physical upgrades that will protect all students from harassment of any kind, he said.

Charron said there are some single-occupancy bathrooms in areas controlled by staff, like the nurses office, library and administrative office, and that the board has planned modifications to provide stalls around urinals in some of the restrooms. Beyond that, the board has not committed to any other specific direction at this point, he said.

In the past couple weeks, Flaum said, Waterloo Listens has been focused on supporting trans students and their parents as they have had to navigate a hostile environment at the board meetings.

Flaum said the group accomplished that, increasing its turnout eightfold at the most recent meeting.

We had lots of people come out and demonstrate that trans people are not alone in this community. They are here, they belong here and they have allies, he said.

During his remarks to the school board, Flaum cited two studies.

The first was a study published in an American Medical Association journal in 2022 that found cisgender youth were just as likely to report perpetrating sexual violence as gender minority youth, and that gender minority youth were more likely to report experiencing sexual violence.

The second study Flaum cited was published in 2022 by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law that found that less than 1.5% of American children between the ages of 13 and 17 identify as transgender.

The findings of these studies, Flaum said in his remarks, show that the perpetrators of assaults in school bathrooms or changing rooms are more likely to be cisgender than trans.

Politicians weigh in, superintendent responds

A spokesman for Bosts office said the congressman has spoken with local officials and committees of jurisdiction in Congress expressing his concerns and also cosponsored the Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act of 2023.

The bill  which was introduced in February and is still early in the legislative process  defines sex under Title IX as a persons biological sex at birth and specifies that schools will not lose federal funding or be prohibited from having sex-segregated bathrooms or locker rooms under Title IX.

In a written statement, Bost said: Its wrong to force students to share restrooms with the opposite God-given gender; and its frustrating that school districts often feel they have no choice but to accept it. Its an issue that hits home for parents because theyre being told time and again that their values dont matter. Theyre being told that their children need to accept unnerving situations to appease the whims of woke activists. Its just nonsensical, and its not right.

Bailey  who gained statewide attention for his opposition to COVID-related restrictions but lost his November bid to unseat J.B. Pritzker as governor  said in a written statement that multiple parents and students had reached out and asked him to attend the meeting.

I went to pray with and support those parents and students; to let them know they have a voice, and that voice is being heard as they take a stand against woke bathroom policies that defy common sense, Bailey said. Parents can no longer afford to remain silent or allow their elected representatives to avoid the fight and deliver no results as the lefts radical agenda infiltrates our childrens schools.

In response, Superintendent Charron expressed frustration that none of the elected officials contacted him personally in advance of last weeks meeting.

I find myself very perplexed by the stances taken by politicians recently... those that were present and/or represented at our last meeting of the Board of Education, he wrote in an email to the BND. Im surprised they announced to constituents their intent to attend our meeting without reaching out to myself as superintendent, or any of the members of our Board of Education. Im even more perplexed by what comments a few of these politicians have provided the BND in preparation for this article, rather than engage with us directly with their concerns. I encourage your readers to read through their comments very closely.

Charron said that the districts policy is designed to comply with provisions of the Illinois Humans Rights Act, including a gender-related identity protection that was added to the Act in 2006. That protection remained in the act during the tenures of Bailey, Bryant and Friess when they voted in favor of adding additional protections in 2021.

Did they state any objection to the law while voting to add additional protections? Charron wrote. To suggest our Board of Education is appeasing the whims of woke activists is completely unfair and irresponsible. Are our politicians suggesting that our school should violate the law? What protections are they willing to offer Waterloo residents (whose property taxes fund the legal fees of our school district) should our Board of Education adopt policy as they seem to be advocating for publicly? I encourage each of them to engage with us and offer a legal solution to this matter, rather than simply attempt to profit politically from this controversy.

ACLU statement

The ACLUs written statement applauded the district for resisting calls to break the law and offered support for the districts leadership.

Edwin C. Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois, sent this statement to the BND:

The School Board of Waterloo CUSD #5 is fulfilling its obligations by resisting the pressure of a handful of loud, angry voices calling for them to abandon their policy allowing students to utilize restrooms consistent with their gender identity. Not only are such calls based on discredited stereotypes and misunderstandings about transgender students, but heeding them would also violate of Illinois law.

Giving in to these calls as an institution charged with educating young students would send a terrible message  that adherence to laws is optional and dependent on who yells the loudest, he said.

We note that at the most recent Board meeting, a number of elected officials and candidates for public office were in attendance, offering support for those calling for the policy to be changed. While every public official can oppose any policy  we call on these leaders to eschew suggestions that Waterloo can somehow place itself above state law. Discussion of these issues already can be emotional; public officials  and those seeking office  have a responsibility to be clear to everyone about what the law requires.
State Rep. Janie Lopez speaks with State Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, on the House floor during session at the state Capitol in Austin on May 22, 2023. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

FLORESVILLE  State Rep. Ryan Guillen was working the crowd at a Dairy Queen in the northern end of his district earlier this month, coincidentally the same city where he announced over a year ago he would change parties.

The Rio Grande City lawmaker fielded questions about the property-tax impasse that was gripping Austin at the time, predicting a deal was near. He high-fived a woman who was thankful for his resolution naming Floresville the official Peanut Capital of Texas. He gave out his cell phone number to the full audience, asking them to call him anytime.

Some were aware that  standing in a county where Donald Trump voters outnumbered Joe Biden voters 3-to-1  they were talking to a former longtime Democrat.

It does matter, and a lot of us were concerned about that at first, but hes come through, said Terry Rolland, a member of Floresville City Council who described herself as a constitutional conservative.

Guillen has spent less than two years as a Republican after almost two decades as a Democrat. But he has already found himself on the front lines of some of the GOPs biggest debates  including over the border and guns  not to mention the persistent acrimony between the House and Senate. And he has weathered new pressures from the right and the left  and he was especially excoriated as he chaired a committee responsible for the top bill pushed by families of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.

It was a new level of political drama for the low-key Capitol veteran  and he says he has no regrets.

As far as Republicans, theyve welcomed me with open arms, and I think its been a very, very good transition, Guillen said during an interview outside the Floresville Dairy Queen, part of a nine-stop, daylong tour of his district in early July. I cant think of a better scenario than how its turned out.

While Republicans see Guillen as an emblem of their growing influence in predominantly Hispanic South Texas, Democrats have accused him of making a more straightforward political calculation after redistricting turned his already Republican-leaning district even redder. And this session, they say, he danced with those who brought him.

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Like most Democrats-turned-Republicans, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in an interview, he did what he had to do to stay in the good graces of his new friends.

Switching parties

Guillens party switch came after a tenure in the House that already stretched nearly two decades. He was first elected in 2002  at the age of 24, making him one of the youngest members to ever serve.

Representing a largely rural stretch of South Texas, he built a record as a legislative workhorse and conservative Democrat. He often voted with Republicans on issues like abortion and guns, earning multiple A and A+ ratings from the National Rifle Association.

Despite his voting record, Hinojosa said Guillen was always helpful when Hinojosa reached out with requests to help the party politically, like endorsing a local candidate.

100% reliable, said Hinojosa, a fellow South Texan who still considers Guillen a friend.

In his own campaigns, Guillen defied his districts growing Republican lean. He won reelection in 2020 by 17 percentage points, while Trump carried the district by 13 points.

Redistricting, however, turned his district into more of a GOP bastion than ever in 2021. The new district  combined with Guillens own ideology and the GOPs newly aggressive foray into South Texas  instantly prompted speculation that he could change parties.

He confirmed suspicions in November 2021, when he appeared at a news conference inside a Floresville coffee shop and announced he was changing parties, flanked by House Speaker Dade Phelan and Gov. Greg Abbott. He was later endorsed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Trump.

That was only part of the battle. Guillen drew two primary challengers, each pitching themselves as more reliable Republicans.

Phelans campaign made the primary its No. 1 priority. They knew that if they wanted to attract more people like Guillen to the GOP, they would have to show that they would have their backs come election time.

Guillens campaign aired TV ads where a narrator sought to reassure skeptical Republicans, saying he was already one of us before switching parties.

Guillen won the primary outright with 57% of the vote. He then coasted to victory in the general election, winning Starr County  his home county  with the same kind of wide majority he regularly notched there as a Democrat.

Looking back, Guillens longtime deskmate, Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo, said he did not read more into Guillens party switch than the obvious: an alignment between a conservative legislator and a conservative district.

One and one equals two, Raymond said, and thats kind of essentially what you had here.

A rocky session

Phelan rewarded Guillen with two high-profile chairmanships as the 2023 legislative session got underway. Phelan first named Guillen as chair of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, which oversees border security. Then Phelan tapped Guillen to lead the new Select Committee on Community Safety, which would be responsible for firearms regulation.

Both committees quickly became battlegrounds for some of the most contentious issues. The select committee became the subject of a weekslong lobbying effort by the Uvalde families to pass a bill to raise the age to buy certain semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21. The bill was carried by Uvalde Rep. Tracy King  a neighboring colleague in South Texas and a fellow conservative Democrat before Guillen switched parties.

As the deadline neared for the committee to advance the bill in early May, victims families intensified their lobbying  and they did not spare Guillen, who as chair had the sole power to call for a vote to advance it.

We already know that Dade Phelan has told you not to, so its time for you to grow some balls and do your fucking job, one victims father, Brett Cross, said at a May 2 news conference.

On the morning of the last day for the committee to advance the bill, Guillen told reporters he would not call for a vote on it because the support is not there in the Legislature. But hours later, the committee shocked even its critics when it hastily convened and advanced the bill. Two Republicans on the panel  Reps. Sam Harless of Spring and Justin Holland of Rockwall  voted for it; Guillen voted against it.

It was only days later that his border security work came to a similarly crucial juncture in the House. Democrats successfully used a procedural maneuver to block a controversial bill by Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, to create a state-run Border Protection Unit. So Republicans, scrambling against a bill-killing deadline, decided to tack a watered-down version of Schaefers bill onto Guillens more comprehensive border legislation. The House approved the legislation, House Bill 7, but conservative groups instantly pounced, calling it inadequate. It made it through the Senate but died in conference committee, leaving lawmakers with little to show for a top 2023 priority.

The episode saw Guillen  and his newly overhauled bill  taking fire from both sides. In addition to the conservative blowback, progressive activists from back home in the Rio Grande Valley felt burned after spending weeks trying to get his ear on the issue, especially the Border Protection Unit.

It felt like a slap in the face to see Guillen suddenly carrying Schaefers controversial idea, said Dani Marrero Hi with La Union del Pueblo Entero. Ahead of the vote, members of the group hosted a sit-in at Guillens office for nearly three hours, she added, and they werent even ever given the time of day.

The border security debate  and Guillens leading role in it  was not over. Hours after the regular session ended, Abbott ordered lawmakers back to Austin to strike a deal on property tax relief and to increase penalties for human smuggling, a proposal that Guillen had authored. The House quickly obliged Abbott on both fronts, but the Senate made changes to Guillens bill, arguing it was not tough enough. And the impasse over property taxes led to a second special session where Abbott jettisoned the agenda item on human smuggling penalties, leaving the fate of Guillens proposal up in the air.

Guillen said during a district-tour stop in Karnes City he was very confident Abbott would revive the bill in a later special session. Well get it done, he added.

In the interview, Guillen said there is no question the issues he took on this year were not easy and that there is still more progress to make on them. When a woman asked him in Karnes City about school shootings, noting a local school had just had an active-shooter drill, he said lawmakers did not allocate nearly enough money for school safety.

After he switched parties, he said, he was surprised to find broader respect in the House as a Republican, compared to being an outlier in the Democratic Party. Phelan, in a statement for this story, expressed full confidence in Guillen, calling him an impact player behind the priorities and direction of the Texas House.

Claudia Alcazar, the chair of the Starr County GOP, said she has known Guillen personally since his first run for the House in 2002. His dad was her teacher for Future Farmers of America. She said he lacked the polish of a traditional politician when he started, but he grew into it  and she is happy to see him more visible than ever.

Does he have to play the political games? she said, reflecting on the legislative battles hes gone through this year so far. Dont we all, at work and everywhere else?  Sometimes youve got to follow your party line. You dont agree 100%. But then nothing will get done if you just fight.

Another reelection campaign

It remains to be seen how border and gun issues will impact Guillens pursuit of a 12th term next year.

Guillen officially announced his reelection campaign Monday. He said in the interview he is not taking anything for granted and  hitting the ground running.

There are signs Guillen may face a smoother path to reelection this time. One of his 2022 primary challengers, Alena Berlanga, said she is not planning to run again. The other one, Mike Monreal, did not respond to requests for comment.

But one of Monreals bigger supporters in the 2022 primary, Karnes County Commissioner Sean OBrien, was among those who turned out for Guillens stop in Karnes City. OBrien skeptically questioned Guillen over Texas latest tactic to secure the border  buoys in the Rio Grande  but otherwise offered praise for the representative.

Youre one of the few who makes an effort to meet with constituents, OBrien said. Everyone else just kind of sits up there in their golden palace.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August of 2021, six families fled and ended up in Washington County.

Now, a coalition of faith leaders and volunteers have teamed up to help these refugees adjust to life in the United States.

More than 20 volunteers banded together to form the Refugee Welcome Network in January to provide resources to get the refugees back on their feet.

The refugees had to leave

The refugees were all tied to the old government of Afghanistan and the United States government through their careers or personal lives, making them a target.

The families had no choice but to start their lives from scratch in the United States, said Basheer Azizi, president of the Islamic Center of Hagerstown. Their lives were at risk, and some had stories of being tracked by the Taliban, he said.

"They put their lives at risk in support of democracy and wanting to create a better life for themselves," Azizi said.

Once the Taliban took over and the United States withdrew, the families took different paths to reach Washington County.

Most of the refugees already had Special Immigrant Visas which granted them permanent residency in the United States. These visas were available to Afghans who were employed by or worked on behalf of the United States government, according to U.S. State Department.

Two families had applications that were in progress or lost when they decided to flee. They flew to Brazil then traveled by foot, bus and other methods to the U.S.-Mexico border. Once the refugees reached the border, they received an alien registration number from border officials.

Once they got this number, also called an "A-Number," the clock startedticking to apply for asylum within one year.

The group formed in Hagerstown

Azizi said many of the refugees contacted the Islamic Center of Hagerstown to meet people and find a support system.

The Islamic center already had in place resources for immigrants in the Muslim-American community, including a food pantry, plus career training and English classes.

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The refugees in November also began reaching out to the Hagerstown Area Religious Council, churches and local nonprofits for assistance.

Kathy Powderly is the executive director of the Hagerstown Area Religious Council, a coalition of houses of worship in Washington County. Powderly said that helping the refugees aligned with the goals of the religious council.

"We believe that all people are created equal and loved by God," Powderly said.

She reached out to Azizi to see if they could start a group to streamline services for the refugees; Azizi was already thinking the same thing.

"We decided, let's come together and let's help them in a systematic way," Azizi said.

The group of more than 20 is made up of people representing different houses of worship and outside volunteers all with one goal  to help the refugees. The network runs through the religious council.

Refugee Welcome Network volunteers meet recently in the Islamic Center of Hagerstown recently.

What are the volunteers doing?

The Refugee Welcome Network is helping the families with everything from car rides to legal documents.

"All of the families desperately do not want to be on assistance, but to be self-sufficient and providing for their own families," Powderly said.

Azizi handles the intake process for refugees through the Islamic center. He acts as a "cultural bridge" between the refugees and other volunteers. Because of the group's differing backgrounds and faiths, there are sometimes communication barriers that Azizi said he works to resolve.

Once in the group, the refugees are assigned to one or two volunteers, called "a friend of the family." The volunteers get close with the family and help them with day-to-day assistance while they get acclimated to their new life, Azizi said.

Housing is a huge hurdle for the refugees who initially don't have jobs to pay rent or a mortgage.

Refugees cannot receive work authorization until at least 180 days after they file their asylum application, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The network coordinated with landlords in the area willing to take on the refugees until they can support themselves. They have also used rental assistance funds and direct donations to supply around three months of rent to the families.

Monetary donations from local churches, nonprofits and individuals have been used to purchase groceries and household appliances for families.

Transportation volunteers help the refugees travel to medical appointments, grocery stores and community events until they are able to purchase a vehicle.

The Literacy Council of Washington County is providing English classes for the refugees who don't speak the language or don't speak it fluently. The network is also organizing vocational classes so the refugees can find a job.

Some of the refugees were doctors, government employees and a mayor in their home country, according to Powderly. Now they have to grapple with starting a new career in the U.S.

Azizi said they have had some success stories. In around four months of working with the welcome network, the refugees have already had "graduate families" who have a full-time job and car.

"Sometimes I wonder where that family would be if the Refugee Welcome Network did not exist," Azizi said.

'A story worth telling'

For the two families who didn't come to the country with a Special Immigrant Visa, a smaller team of volunteers is helping the with asylum paperwork.

Paulette Lee is one of the "dream team" members working through the asylum process, which she says is no easy task.

"It's laborious because we have to prove that if they were to return to Afghanistan, their lives would be in danger," Lee said.

Paulette lee (right) speaks at a meeting of the Refugee Welcome Network.

She said the refugees they're working with have very strong stories, but the paperwork requires exact dates, proof, pictures and more. With a language barrier, having a perfectly detailed report is very difficult.

The team spent hours interviewing the refugees. After the interview, Lee would write up the first draft of the statement, someone else would edit the statement and then their lawyer reviews the final version.

Azizi said the passion of the volunteers has been inspiring. They have gone out of their way to help the families during holidays, after hours and sometimes spending money out of their own pocket.

"These families thought they would be abandoned here, but the community has come together to take care of them, and that is a story worth telling" Azizi said.

Basheer Azizi at a recent meeting of Refugee Welcome Network volunteers.

Why did the volunteers step up?

The Refugee Welcome Network volunteers all had different reasons to step up for these families. Powderly said her reasoning came from her Christian faith.

"My faith tells me that we need to welcome the stranger," Powderly said.

The religious council director also reasoned that the parents among the refugees are doing what they have to do to protect their families, and what wouldn't a parent do for their children?

"Anyone who's seeking refuge in another country, it's not because they want to leave their country," Powderly said. "They're here because they are in fear for their lives or the lives of their children."

She said people should listen to the stories of refugees and immigrants; they matter.

Azizi said that the negative assumptions people have about refugees and immigrants comes from a lack of information, misunderstandings or misconceptions. He emphasized that the people they are helping are in this place because of their choice to be U.S. allies.

"What we're focused on here is a group of people that were allied and who put their lives at risk to support our mission in Afghanistan," Azizi said. "Now they're here in their hour of need."

Looking forward

Currently the network is only helping refugees from Afghanistan, but some volunteers said they would be interested in helping more refugees after they get their current families settled.

People interested in helping the refugees can donate through the Hagerstown Area Religious Council website, harccoalition.org, and contact Powderly for more information about how to volunteer.

"It's a wonderful example of how the faith community and the community in general can come together for a common cause," Powderly said.

How to helpIf you would like to support the Refugee Welcome Network, visit the Hagerstown Area Religious Council website at harccoalition.org or call 301-842-HARC.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Volunteers help Afghan refugees adjust to life in Washington County
Sara Watsons voice brims with emotion when she recalls the moment she and her partner, Anna Ford, found out they were pregnant.

The Rhode Island couple had been trying to conceive for 2.5 years  turning to in vitro fertilization as hope dwindled  when they finally got the news that rocked their world.

I cant say there is anything I could have wanted more than being a parent, Watson said. I cant even describe it; we were over the moon.

But Watsons bliss soon came crashing into reality even before she left the hospital. She learned that as an unmarried, LGBTQ+, non-birth parent, she had no legal connection to her son Eli beyond the embryo she helped create  and no straightforward path to establish that tie.

It completely snowballed over any sort of joy that I had after my son was born, she said.

Watsons experience is not unique. A new report from five national groups that advocate for LGBTQ+ families shows that nearly half of all states  24  lack clear and equitable ways for LGBTQ+ couples to establish legal rights as parents.

And nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. are raising children under the age of 18  many in states with outdated, incomplete and confusing parentage laws, says the report from the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), GLAD, Family Equality, COLAGE and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

The result: Too many children are at risk, said Naomi Goldberg, deputy director of MAP, a think tank that researches LGBTQ+ issues and laws.

We know that when parents havent established that legal connection and they are not recognized, a lot of things can happen. There are the day-to-day things like picking up your kid from day care, signing a permission slip, or making a medical decision, Goldberg said. But there are also these bigger moments when crisis happens and you want to be sure you have the ability to stay connected to the child.

'State of emergency': LGBTQ Americans given dire warning from Human Rights Campaign

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'Increased urgency' to update laws since Dobbs

The issue of the legal parent-child relationship has taken on increased urgency for LGBTQ+ couples since the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision a year ago that overturned Roe v. Wade, leaving many concerned that established rights such as same-sex marriage are on shaky ground, Goldberg said.

And just as there are many ways that children join families  including LGBTQ+ families  there are different routes to establishing parentage, the report notes. But no matter how children became part of families, states need to update parentage laws to assure all children are legally connected to those who parent them, Goldberg said.

When these protections dont exist, kids are ultimately the ones who bear the impact of not having a consistent caregiver and being cut off from someone who has been parenting them, she said.

Anna Ford, left, Eli, and Sara Watson

'Both of these kids have my egg'

Watson signed mountains of consent forms during the assisted reproduction process and consulted a lawyer who thought she would be able to sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage (VAP)  a simple form that is the equivalent of a court judgment of parentage  at the hospital when Eli was born. But Watson learned that while unmarried different-sex couples had access to the VAP process in Rhode Island at the time, same-sex couples did not.

She would embark on a grueling eight-month ordeal, including home visits by a social worker, before gaining a legal connection to Eli, now 6, who loves trains, Legos and anything involving mud.

The couple even had to place an ad in the newspaper to notify the anonymous sperm donor of the pending adoption in case he wanted to mount a challenge  despite signing away his rights at the sperm bank, she said.

The whole process felt extremely invasive, Watson said. And we were frankly really worried that anybody could have shown up at the courthouse and prevented us from adopting our kid.

The couple now have a second son, Jacob, born in 2021, and by then Rhode Island had updated its parentage laws so Watson was able to easily sign a VAP. The different paths to legal parenthood were astonishing, she said: Both of these kids have my egg and a donors DNA. I am literally the same parent of these two genetically identical beings.

Denise, middle, and Stephanie Ocasio-Gonzalez with children Jayvin and Dessanie.

'We can't talk to you. We have to talk to the mother.'

Denise and Stephanie Ocasio-Gonzalez started dating in 2010 when Stephanies son Jayvin was 3 years old. Jayvin and Denise bonded almost immediately, Stephanie said, with park adventures, McDonalds visits, ice cream outings  and a passion for wrestling.

She was almost like a big kid herself, Stephanie said. She bought him his first bike. She was there for his first day of kindergarten and for every first day of school after that.

'But most of all I'm human': These 3 transgender teens prove identity stretches beyond one label

Even after the Connecticut couple married in 2014, they were reminded at schools and elsewhere of the tenuous legal connection Denise had to Jayvin. You raise this child, you took care of this child, you bandaged boo-boos, you gave kisses goodnight . You put a roof over this childs head, you put food in this childs stomach. And then you have to be told oh we cant talk to you. We have to talk to the mother,' Stephanie said.

The couple researched adoption options, but the process was costly and time-consuming, she said. We hoped our marriage, our dedication to each other and Denises dedication to Jayvin would be enough, she said.

The two wanted to keep building their family, and after some fertility challenges, Stephanie gave birth to their second child, Dessanie. It was a tumultuous time: Stephanie had a challenging pregnancy, and Denise was injured in a car accident. They paused plans for a second-parent adoption of Dessanie by Denise so they could heal.

But the question always lurked, Stephanie said: Why should Denise have to endure so many legal hoops to be recognized as a parent for the children they were raising?

They decided to fight back, manning the front lines of a successful push to get Connecticut to update its parentage laws. In January 2022, they signed a VAP securing legal protection for Dessanie, now 4. Securing the legal tie between Denise and Jayvin, now 16, under the Connecticut Parentage Act is in the works, Stephanie said.

Kam Thompson with son Daniel.

'He was planned. He's my son.'

Kam Thompson and her partner were going to marry before the son they planned for was born. Parenthood was something we were super excited about, she said. But Daniel arrived prematurely in 2016, and the Massachusetts couple tied the knot three days after his birth.

When Daniel was 2, the states Department of Children and Families abruptly removed Daniel from their home and placed him in foster care after unfounded claims of domestic violence between the couple, Thompson said.

That is when Thompson ran smack into the states parentage laws as the non-birth, LGBTQ+ parent, and she wasnt able to see her son for two months. They looked at me like I was a stranger, she said. I wasnt privy to any court dates or independent visits.

LGBTQ identification: Gen Z is driving force among adults identifying as LGBTQ, poll shows. Here's a breakdown.

Thompsons first visit with Daniel during the ordeal was around his 3rd birthday. She recalls the heart-wrenching moment her little boy entered the room and he sees me and you can see the confusion. He has kind of forgotten me, but then its like I know this person. You can see it on his face.

With the help of an attorney, Thompson was finally recognized as Daniels legal parent. But the process would drag on for 18 months. You have to learn your own kid all over again, she said.

The couple now share time with Daniel, now 7, a happy boy who relishes video games and watching movies, she said.

Massachusetts has pending legislation to update its parentage laws, and Thompson said its long overdue for the other Daniels in her state. He was planned. Hes my son. Weve got to protect the kids and the parent-kid relationship.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: States urged to update parentage laws to protect LGBTQ+ parents, kids
After Carl Harpers heart stopped while he was in the Lee County jail, the local medical examiners office had a mystery to solve.

His body showed signs of multiple blunt-force injuries, but none appeared severe enough to kill, according to forensic pathologists who reviewed Harpers autopsy for a News-Press / Naples Daily News investigation.

The medical examiners answer: N,N-Dimethylpentylone, a new street drug found in Harpers system that toxicologists say can cause cardiac arrhythmias.

In the 1990s, when drug users bought molly or ecstasy they would usually receive MDMA  an entactogen which typically induces euphoria, empathy and enhanced physical sensation.

But by the early 2010s molly and ecstasy manufacturers began replacing MDMA in their products with stimulants called cathinones, which have more dangerous behavioral effects, said University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School toxicologist Stephanie Carreiro.

New synthetic cathinones have frequently entered the drug supply as governments ban existing ones in a game of enforcement whack-a-mole. And dimethylpentylone, which was first detected in U.S. toxicology samples in 2021, is growing in popularity, Carreiro said.

Traditionally molly was what they called MDMA, but now if you were to buy ecstasy on the street youd probably get a combination of methamphetamine or some of these novel psychoactives, Carreiro said. Cathinones can be much more extreme in terms of the amount of agitation and aggression you see from them.

The New-Press investigation: Autopsy contradicts Lee County sheriff's account of jail inmate's death

Harper allegedly took molly before was arrested during a domestic disturbance and taken to the Lee County Jail, according to a Lee County Sheriffs Office incident report. Other inmates described him speaking incoherently and being agitated that night.

After Harper died about 30 hours later, a toxicology screen found dimethylpentylone in his blood.

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Carreiro and Alex Krotulski, another toxicologist interviewed by The News-Press / Naples Daily News, noted that cathinones would not ordinarily remain in the bloodstream that long after ingestion. They suggested that either Harper had swallowed a bag of the drugs before his arrest, which would delay onset, or he had taken dimethylpentylone while in jail.

Corrections deputies told detectives investigating Harpers death that they did not find any hidden drugs on Harper when he was booked into jail.

Drug users expecting MDMA are at high risk from adulterated molly because doses they could previously handle could be toxic when they include cathinones, Carreiro said.

Dimethylpentylone is especially prevalent in Florida and mid-Atlantic states, according to forensics and toxicology experts.

Researchers with the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education found dimethylpentylone in 32 toxicology reports from mid-2021 through April of 2022, according to a report published last year. A majority came from Florida.

There have now been more than 100 identified cases, said toxicologist Alex Krotulski, who co-authored the report.

The numbers that we have especially for dimethylpentlyone are probably a gross underestimation of the number of intoxications or deaths, Krotulski said.

But exactly how lethal dimethylpentylone is remains unclear, according to Carreiro and Krotulski.

Last month, Krotulski and his colleagues published another paper analyzing 18 post-mortem toxicology reports that contained dimethylpentylone. It was often found mixed with other drugs like methamphetamine or fentanyl, and just two of the reports listed it as the sole primary cause of death

And of those 2 cases, the lowest blood concentration detected was 125 nanograms per milliliter. Thats twice what was found in Harpers blood, according to the medical examiners toxicology report.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida inmate's death in Fort Myers connected to new synthetic drug
SEPTEMBER 20: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Sen. Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to the Justice Department for an update on bankruptcy reforms for student-loan borrowers.

In November, the DOJ updated guidance to make the bankruptcy process easier.

Borrowers have to meet a difficult legal standard to get rid of their debt in court.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to make sure bankruptcy is a viable option for student-loan borrowers who cannot pay off their debt.

In November, President Joe Biden's Education and Justice Departments released new guidance on the process for borrowers to get rid of their debt through bankruptcy. Leading up to the announcement, it was very difficult for student-loan borrowers to see success through that process because they had to prove the "undue hardship" standard, in which borrowers have to show that they cannot maintain a minimal standard of living, that their circumstances aren't likely to improve, and that they have made a good-faith effort to repay their debt.

The departments' new guidance reduced the burden of proof for borrowers by allowing them to complete self-attestation forms that the agencies will use to determine if the borrower meets the undue hardship requirements. This allows the Justice Department to recommend relief to a judge without having to go through time-consuming investigations, along with establishing more clear guidelines for debt discharge to ensure consistent treatment for all borrowers.

But it's been eight months since those reforms were announced, and Warren asked Attorney General Merrick Garland for a status update on implementation  especially with "the looming threat of restarting student loan payments" in October after an over three-year pause.

Warren wrote in a letter sent on Wednesday that the undue hardship standard "has been narrowly interpreted by courts, and has proven to be so difficult to meet that most borrowers do not even attempt to discharge their student loans through the bankruptcy process. Between 2015 and 2020, roughly 250,000 borrowers filed for bankruptcy annually. Of those, less than one percent saw their student loan debt discharged."

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She added that "this updated guidance is designed to allow the DOJ and ED to facilitate the objective of more discharges and provide hope for borrowers seeking bankruptcy as a viable pathway to financial freedom."

Warren requested that by August 9, Garland provide information including how many borrowers have filed for bankruptcy discharge since the guidance was announced in November, how the Justice Department has informed attorneys about the new guidance, and the percentage of borrowers who filed for bankruptcy who actually had their loans discharged.

As Insider previously reported, Biden himself played a part in making the bankruptcy process more difficult for student-loan borrowers. As a senator, he supported the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, which expanded the undue hardship requirement to borrowers with private student loans. And prior to announcing the reforms, Federal Student Aid Director Richard Cordray acknowledged in 2021 that "the process doesn't work well. It needs to be reformed  and we're committed to doing that."

The Justice Department has not yet commented on updates to the bankruptcy process. As Warren said in her letter, though, millions of borrowers are resuming payments in the fall even after the Supreme Court struck down Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers, meaning it's likely some borrowers will struggle to foot another monthly bill.

To ease the transition back into repayment, the Education Department announced a 12-month "on-ramp" period during which borrowers who miss payments will not be reported to credit agencies, but interest will still accrue during that time.

"I am concerned about a wave of harm to borrowers as payments restart, especially considering the recent findings from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that the delinquency rate for student loan borrowers is higher now than before the pandemic," Warren said in her letter. "The CFPB found that more than one in thirteen borrowers are falling behind on their other payment obligations and one in five borrowers have risk factors that indicate potential difficulties when payments resume, further exacerbating concerns about a spike in delinquencies and defaults once payments resume in the fall."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mauritania has strengthened its blasphemy laws in recent years

Mauritanian authorities have charged a high school student with blasphemy over a mock exam paper she submitted.

The young woman was arrested last week for allegedly showing disrespect to the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam.

If found guilty, she could be sentenced to death with no possibility of appeal.

Mauritania has strengthened its blasphemy laws in recent years, removing the clause allowing offenders to escape death if they show remorse.

Nevertheless, there have been no executions for blasphemy in the country for more than 30 years.

The student was arrested on 18 July in the northwestern town of Atar on charges of "disrespect and mockery of the Prophet" and using social networks "to undermine (the) holy values of Islam", an official from the public prosecutor's office in the capital, Nouakchott, told the AFP news agency.

Specific details of what she was alleged to have written were not released.

The student's family later released a statement to the pan-Arabic newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi in which they asked for forgiveness, saying she suffered from mental health issues.

Another news outlet, al-Quds al-Araby, reported that the accused is from the Haratin ethnic group, who are the descendants of slaves of sub-Saharan origin.

The official announcement of the arrest comes after the country's religious authorities decreed that people found guilty of insulting the Prophet Muhammad should face the death penalty.

The Mauritanian Council of Islamic Scholars issued the edict last week after President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani ordered clerics to clarify their stance on blasphemy.

Aside from the death penalty, those who are convicted of lesser blasphemy offences can face up to two years in prison and a fine.
With Mark Zuckerberg threatened with contempt of Congress charges by the GOP, and concerns mounting about AI deepfakes in the 2024 election, the messy fight over social medias role in politics took another turn Thursday with new research suggesting that Facebook is not making Americans more partisan.

The findings, the result of a collaboration between outside researchers and Facebook parent company Meta, cut against the grain of critics, as well some of the companys past internal findings, which blame the platforms content algorithms and other features for worsening political polarization.

Many experts caution that it's nearly impossible to quantify social media's role in politics: The biggest platforms, like Facebook, are an unprecedented combination of real-time news, campaign messaging, advertisement and public conversation.

They've become targets of both the right, which accuse them of squelching conservative views, and the left, which sees them as vehicles for right-wing misinformation.

The studies released Thursday tried to tease out the influence of particular factors, such as Facebook's algorithm for serving up content to users. Two studies published in the journal Science that examined the effects of Facebooks algorithm and reshare feature during the fall of 2020 found that both features increased user engagement  but neither affected people's existing political attitudes or polarization.

A separate study published in the journal Nature found that reducing users exposure to sources that echo their existing beliefs didn't affect their political attitudes either.

Meta trumpeted the results in a memo circulated ahead of the studies release: Despite the common assertions that social media is destroying democracy, the company wrote, the evidence in these and many other studies shows something very different.

Social media critics  many of whom have spent years sounding the alarm about the ways it has changed American politics  suggested the studies were too limited, and too close to Meta itself, to be persuasive.

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Frances Haugen, the former Facebook executive who leaked internal company files in 2021, called the studies badly designed and suggested the three-month study period may be too short to capture changes in users' views.

Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, an advocacy group focused on information controls for social media, said it was a little bit absurd to draw conclusions from studies that altered a single facet of a users social media experience over a three-month period.

Lehrich, who worked on the Hillary Clinton campaigns response to Russian meddling in 2016, credited Meta for cooperating with outside researchers, but pointed out that social media companies and their critics both tout studies that support their preferred conclusions.

Maybe my worst fears are super overblown, said Lehrich. But to take a couple of these data points and conclude that anyone worried about their impact on the world is disproven by research is pretty disingenuous.

A fourth study, also published in Science, found that a cluster of news sources consumed by conservatives produced most of the misinformation flagged by the platforms third-party fact-checking system. (A study co-author, Sandra Gonzalez-Bailon of the University of Pennsylvania, declined to provide a list of those sources.)

The studies were the result of a collaboration between Meta and 17 outside researchers from universities including Northeastern, Stanford and Princeton.

An independent rapporteur tasked with evaluating the collaboration vouched for the soundness of its results, but said its framework gave Meta influence over the ways in which outside researchers evaluated its platforms.

Meta set the agenda in ways that affected the overall independence of the researchers, wrote Michael Wagner, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madisons School of Journalism and Mass Communication,

He called for governments to mandate that social media companies share data so that researchers are not dependent on platforms cooperation in order to study their practices.

The role of social media in American politics has been a matter of intense debate since 2016, when critics of former President Donald Trump blamed fake news stories and a covert Russian propaganda campaign for his upset 2016 presidential victory.

It remains unclear what effect, if any, Russias social media campaign had on the outcome of that election. Some studies have found correlations between the influence campaign and metrics like polling and election betting markets. But a study published in January in Nature found no discernible effect on the U.S. election that year, and other studies have failed to substantiate claims that Russian internet meddling was a meaningful factor in the races outcome.

In the years since Trumps election, liberals and the establishment-minded have generally decried the free-wheeling information environment on social media, arguing that it is a breeding ground for dangerous disinformation and extremism. Populists and conservatives have resisted efforts to rein in the online information ecosystem, arguing that they provide liberal-leaning institutions cover to censor politically inconvenient facts and opinions.

In undermining arguments that blame social media for polarization, while affirming that conservative-linked sources produce the lions share of misinformation, this new batch of studies is unlikely to put these arguments to rest.

Billionaire builder and philanthropist Frank McCourt, a Meta critic who is working on alternative social media models, said that the studies do not address the most fundamental civic issues created by concentrating power over information flow in the hands of for-profit businesses.

You get what you optimize for," said McCourt, "and social media platforms are not optimizing for a healthy society."

Katie Harbath, who served as Facebooks public policy director during the 2020 campaign, said that more research is needed, and that ongoing updates to Facebook's algorithm mean that research from 2020 may already be out of date.

Algorithms are always changing, and so while this is a very helpful snapshot, it is just that  a snapshot, wrote Harbath, who is now a senior advisor for technology and democracy at the International Republican Institute, in an email. This is why transparency is important.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated Katie Harbaths title.

Rebecca Kern contributed to this report.
A Georgia community is rallying around a Vietnamese American City Council member after a colleague said she was un-American and failed as a citizen of this country for backing a petition for multilingual voting ballots during city-level elections.

Dozens of residents of Morrow, which is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, and neighboring cities filled the room during the councils meeting Tuesday to support council member Van Tran and denounce the comments made by council member Dorothy Dean in a previous session.

Tran, who has been a council member in Morrow for four years, spent the last four months advocating during meetings for Spanish and Vietnamese voting ballots. Her colleagues vocally opposed the idea in April, adding that interpreters were already available at polling sites. As Tran continued to advocate for the ballots, earlier this month Dean approached the podium and accused Tran of dishonoring the oaths she took as an American citizen.

Dean's comments galvanized many to attend Tuesdays meeting.

I knew people would be coming to support, but I was amazed by how many people were there. The chamber was packed, Tran told NBC News Wednesday.

Morrow, which has a population of 6,400 residents, is 32.9% Asian and 22% Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census. Tran is a naturalized citizen who immigrated to the U.S. 17 years ago. She said she was motivated to propose the initiative because a significant demographic of the town is Latino and Vietnamese.

I believe, like Councilwoman Tran, that equal language access on ballots is very important. I think people should know what it is theyre voting on specifically, Oscar Lanza Menjivar, a resident of Morrow, said during the meeting. He said that while his parents speak English, technical terms can make it difficult to understand voting ballots. For that reason, I support Councilwoman Trans petition to make that kind of access available to them, he said.

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Representatives from advocacy groups like the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Atlanta also spoke in support of Tran.

The comments made by esteemed Councilwoman Dean directed at Councilwoman Tran were very disturbing and displayed an alarming disregard for the language assistance provisions of the Voting Rights Act and the rights of Morrow language-minority voters, Victoria Huynh, a community organizer, said.

Dean in particular criticized Tran for distributing flyers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese at the citys Fourth of July celebrations that encouraged people to sign a petition in support of multilingual ballots.

This, Councilwoman Tran, was disturbing to me because you, as an immigrant American, took an oath of citizenship that is read and given to you in English  that language you swore your allegiance to, Dean said at the council meeting on July 11. To be an elected official right here in this chamber, you swore and took an oath of allegiance to America in English.

Dean said Tran should persuade her constituents to learn English instead of providing ballots in other languages. She did not respond to NBC News request for comment.

Id like you to know that I feel, as a citizen of this city and as a fellow council member, that you did not deserve to sit on that dais as an elected official. You have failed in your oath of office. You have failed as a citizen of this country, Dean said. You disregarded it, and you dishonored those oaths you took as an American citizen. I would like to say that is un-American and inexcusable. Shame on you, Van Tran.

Tran pushed back. Her offensive comments were really hurtful. It was not only harmful to me, but it was harmful to all the people that Im standing for in this petition and the community, she said.

On Monday, 28 Georgia state legislators signed a letter denouncing Deans comments.

Georgias diverse electorate is a mark of our vibrancy and strength, the letter said. For elected officials to question whether immigrant citizens deserve to participate in the electoral process, however, is truly un-American.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Supreme Court vacated challenges to the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The project was cleared in 2017, construction began a year later, but it's been hampered by challenges from environmental groups. The developer expects it to be completed by the end of the year. File photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

July 27 (UPI) -- Approved for construction in 2017, but beset by numerous environmental challenges, the Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for the construction of the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline.

The court in a brief, one-paragraph order suspended claims filed by environmental groups in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, located in Virginia, clearing the way for the completion of construction.

The Court of Appeals ordered a halt to the pipeline's construction earlier this month amid concerns about its planned path through the Jefferson National Forest. The 300-mile pipeline would run three miles through the preserve in Virginia.

Similar concerns created obstacles for oil pipelines such as Dakota Access and Keystone XL.

The Wilderness Society challenged provisions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which suspended the federal debt ceiling recently to avoid a government default. Language in the act ordered federal agencies to issue all remaining permits to Mountain Valley in an effort to end the Fourth Circuit's jurisdiction to hear any new challenges.

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday to allow construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline to resume after challenges filed by environmental groups over the network's path through a national forest. Image courtesy of Equitrans Midstream

Among the various challengers, The Wilderness Society said that language was unconstitutional, and the challenges should be allowed to be heard over the pipeline. The Supreme Court, however, vacated the lower court's ruling, allowing for construction to proceed.

"The Supreme Court has spoken and this decision to let construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline move forward again is the correct one," Sen. Joe Machin, a West Virginia Democrat said in a statement. "I am relieved that the highest court in the land has upheld the law Congress passed and the president signed."

Equitrans Midstream, the company behind the project, had appealed previous rulings, arguing it went against the "will and clear intent" of lawmakers and President Joe Biden.

Equitrans had no immediate comment on the Supreme Court's ruling. It said earlier this month, however, that it did expect the project to be completed by the end of the year at a total project cost of $6.6 billion.
Washington  The Supreme Court on Thursday paved the way for construction of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline project to resume, granting a request to lift lower court orders that halted the project and delayed its completion.

The court's brief order vacates stays issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in cases brought by environmental organizations opposed to the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline that will transport natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia. There were no noted dissents.

Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society, one of the groups challenging the project, said in a statement the group will "exhaust every effort to stop it."

"Allowing construction of this destructive and unnecessary fracked gas pipeline to proceed puts the profits of a few corporations ahead of the health and safety of Appalachian communities," Williams said.

Construction for the project was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, in 2017. But since then, the project has been entangled in numerous legal challenges to federal approvals for its construction and operation brought by environmental groups. Much of the pipeline, however, is completed. Among the remaining construction is a 3.5-mile stretch through the Jefferson National Forest, completion of stream crossings outside the forest and final restoration of the construction environment, Mountain Valley Pipeline told the court. Environmental groups say the project is 56% complete to full restoration, as disclosed in an April federal filing.

Before the Supreme Court were two of those disputes, the first brought by the Wilderness Society and the second from a coalition of 10 environmental groups. They sought review from the 4th Circuit of authorizations issued this year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service allowing the pipeline segments in Jefferson National Forest.

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The groups argue pipeline construction will harm endangered species and allege the approvals from BLM and the Forest Service violate numerous environmental statutes.

Sections of steel pipe for the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Lindside, West Virginia, on Aug. 26, 2022. / Credit: Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images

Following the authorizations, FERC gave the green light in late June for the Mountain Valley Pipeline project to resume, and workers and equipment were deployed by the company, which wants construction finished by the end of 2023.

Legal challenges to the Mountain Valley Pipeline

The Wilderness Society, though, challenged the Biden administration's authorizations on June 1. Days later, Congress passed a legislative package lifting the debt ceiling that included language approving the pipeline project and declared that "construction and operation  is required in the national interest."

The addition of the provision known as Section 324 was a major victory for Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who had been pushing Congress to greenlight the project.

Under the measure, signed into law by President Biden in early June, Congress approved all authorizations or necessary permits issued for the construction and operation of the pipeline. A provision also stripped federal courts of jurisdiction to hear challenges to authorizations granted by federal agencies to build the pipeline. Any disputes over the lawfulness of that section must be heard by the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.

After enactment of the debt ceiling package, the Justice Department and Mountain Valley Pipeline moved to dismiss the challenges from the environmentalists. But the Wilderness Society and coalition of environmental groups, led by Appalachian Voices, argued that the law's withdrawal of jurisdiction is unconstitutional.

The organizations asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit to block construction of the pipeline while it reviewed the various agency actions, and the appeals court agreed to do so earlier this month. The 4th Circuit is hearing arguments in the cases Thursday.

Mountain Valley Pipeline filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court seeking to resume the project, arguing in part that the 4th Circuit did not have the ability to grant relief because it lacked jurisdiction over the environmental groups' permitting challenges.

"In all events, Section 324 is a valid exercise of Congress's Article I powers to establish standards for environmental permitting and to prescribe the jurisdiction of the lower courts. In exercising those authorities, Congress did not impinge on the Article III judicial power," lawyers for the company wrote.

They also argued the provision of the debt ceiling package renders the case moot, since Congress ratified the relevant agency actions at the center of the legal battles. Leaving the 4th Circuit's pause in place, Mountain Valley Pipeline warned, will delay its completion before spring 2024 and lead to increased demand for natural gas in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions served by the pipeline.

"As soon as it is completed, the Pipeline will provide a reliable source of natural gas and help insulate customers from severe price fluctuations  reducing costs for consumers and businesses at exactly the time demand will be most intense," the company's lawyers wrote. "If the stays remain in place, however, individuals and businesses will have to endure yet another winter season of price spikes and supply shortages."

The Biden administration, Manchin and the GOP-led House sided with the pipeline company in the dispute and urged the Supreme Court to lift the lower court orders.

"Congress exercised its Article I and Article IV powers to make the following policy decision: federal law will facilitate the prompt completion of the Pipeline and commencement of its operation," the House's Office of General Counsel wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief.

Lawyers for the Wilderness Society urged the Supreme Court to allow the lower court orders to remain untouched and accused Congress of enacting a provision that not only "crosses the line between legislating and judging" but also violates the Constitution.

"Congress overstepped the line that separates legislating and judging when it enacted Section 324 by picking winners and losers in pending litigation without supplying new substantive law," they wrote in a filing to the Supreme Court.

The environmental group also argued that the provision is "independently unconstitutional" because it strips jurisdiction in order to guarantee the government and Mountain Valley Pipeline would win in the pending litigation over the pipeline approvals.

The company and entities backing it in the dispute "spend most of their time speculating about harms to the gas supply chain, individuals and businesses, and the national interest  in short, to anyone but MVP," the Wilderness Society said. "But for the extraordinary remedy MVP seeks, this puts the cart before the horse."

Appalachian Voices, the lead plaintiff in the second case, and the nine environmental organizations separately accused the Mountain Valley Pipeline of appealing to Congress to protect the project after suffering earlier court losses.

"In short, faced with the reality that its ill-conceived pipeline cannot comply with this nation's foundational environmental laws, MVP sought special legislation in which Congress attempted to seize the judicial power by essentially declaring that, in pending litigation challenging authorizations for MVP, the Government and MVP win," they told the Supreme Court in a brief.

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MEXICO CITY (AP)  Four months after a fire at an immigration detention center near the United States border, eight badly burned survivors are stuck in their rooms at a Mexico City hotel.

They eat in the hotel restaurant and have regular medical check-ups and make calls home.

The Mexican immigration agency covers the daily costs and medical care for survivors of the fire that killed 40 migrants. Advocates call that a conflict of interest for an agency whose officials now face criminal charges, including negligence and even homicide, in Mexicos worst migrant detention center fire.

Before the fire, some migrants incurred large debts to the smugglers who were supposed to deliver them to the United States. There, the migrants were supposed to immediately begin working to pay off the debts and support their families.

The survivors of the March 27 fire now feel trapped, with no money to move. Seeking U.S. asylum is a lengthy process but the migrants say that none of them want to return to home. They have humanitarian visas from Mexico, but their injuries don't allow them to work.

Among the eight survivors is a 25-year-old Guatemalan former security guard. He requested anonymity because he fears the Mexican government could cut off his assistance.

He had been picked up by immigration agents as soon as he arrived to Ciudad Juarez on the day of the fire.

Packed into a large holding cell with dozens of others, a small group of migrants began to protest the conditions. Two have been charged with lighting the highly flammable foam mattresses in the cell and security video showed that the area filled with thick smoke in a matter of seconds.

Despite their cries for help, the guards fled and no one opened the cell. Authorities have also filed criminal charges against Mexican officials and a private security guard over their involvement in the case.

It looked like it was out of a movie, the young Guatemalan said, a mask covering part of his burned face, and bandages wrapped around his right forearm. His hand was amputated.

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From one moment to the next your life was changing, he said.

He tried to escape the smoke and flames with other migrants in the bathroom. The trickle of water from the shower didnt allow them to fill even a bucket to fight the fire. He only managed to wet his shirt before he saw the ceiling ignite and felt flames touch his face.

Firefighters eventually opened a hole in the wall where he was. He remembers seeing the opening and running toward a man with a mask who was pulling someone else out, but then lost consciousness.

Thank God, I fell in front of him, he said. He only remembered the sound of sirens and not being able to breathe.

He was hospitalized for a month and half, intubated for some of that time and fighting an infection. He regained consciousness in Mexico City. His father had come and was relieved to see him even in that state, because initially his sons name was on the list of fatalities, and he thought he was coming to recover his remains.

The head of Mexicos immigration agency, Francisco Garduno, is among eight officials charged in relation to the fire. He has remained in his post pending the outcome. The Guatemalan and some, but not all, of the other survivors from Honduras, El Salvador and Venezuela have been called to give statements to prosecutors.

Garduno and another high-ranking agency official were charged with illicitly carrying out their duties and not protecting those in their custody. Others, including guards at the facility, face homicide charges. After the fire, the agency closed a number of its detention centers and transferred migrants out of others. While there was early talk of reforming how the agency operates, nothing else concrete has happened.

Eduardo Rojas, a lawyer from the Foundation for Justice, which is providing legal counsel to the survivors said it is a blatant conflict of interest because, the same institution connected to the crime is the one directly in charge of attending to the victims.

The migrants could leave the hotel, but they felt like they were under constant surveillance. If they went out (authorities) were immediately looking for them, Rojas said. Some survivors were pressured by authorities to not accept representation from NGOs like his, warning them in front of lawyers that they would lose compensation for their injuries, he said.

A spokesperson for the agency denied that the survivors were under surveillance. In total, the agency has provided 21 humanitarian visas to survivors and 26 more to their relatives. About $5 million has initially been budgeted for reparations to the victims and their families, but that could be increased, the spokesperson said.

Rojas' Guatemalan client avoids criticizing anyone. He was not initially told about the prosecutions when he got out of the hospital in May. He wasnt called to give a statement until June. He feels like his life has been put on pause.

We can move, but it isnt a normal life, he said. His father  among the relatives the government brought to Mexico to be with the victims  has had his own life interrupted, removing another breadwinner from the family.

Now the young Guatemalan waits for a prosthesis and practices writing with his left hand.

Not being complete changed my life, he said. He worries that he wont be able to find work in Guatemala and that it would be difficult in the United States too, even though he still wants to try.

He wants to see his wife and their 9-month old daughter, whom he left behind in April.

He had quit his job as a security guard and paid $19,000 to a smuggler who promised to get him to Chicago without any problems.

When you leave your country you know about the dangers in the street, the kidnappings, but not the dangers from the people guarding you. I never, never imagined that, he said.

He keeps replaying the last conversation he had with his mother before the fire. He called her from the detention center to tell her he had been caught, but told her not to worry because he was in immigration custody.

The most mistaken word in my life was to say I was OK there, he remembers.
A break-in on a boat at a Portage Bay marina led to a search in Lake Union.

Seattle Police officers at the marina in the 900 block of Northeast Boat Street believed as many as two suspects jumped into the bay to escape.

Police found a man in his 40s who reportedly swam back to a dock. He was evaluated by medics and taken to Harborview.

A Seattle Fire Department rescue swimmer searched the water near the marina for 20 minutes but did not find a second person, SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo said.

The investigation was turned over to Seattle Police.
According to retired FBI agent Richard Frankel, prank calls to 911, known as swatting calls were different not too long ago.

It first started where it was little kids making phony phone calls, he said.

Now, Frankel said, its much more dangerous and its happening more often.

Theyre saying, Hey these people have guns, theyre terrorists, theyre drug dealers, theyre going to kill somebody, Frankel said. Its putting both the police and the person in the house in danger. All the sudden you have police going to a shooting situation, going to a house where somebodys in there and not expecting the police.

READ: Volusia County girl, 11, facing felony charges, accused of making hoax 911 kidnapping report

Volusia County Sheriffs Office said there have been three false reports in the past two weeks, the most recent happened Wednesday.

Deputies said an 11-year-old-girl sent a series of text messages warning dispatchers an armed driver had kidnapped someone and was heading south on Interstate 95.

Seminole County Sheriffs Office said theyve had one swatting call this year, prompting a significant response.

READ: Now-former Winter Park detective accused of driving drunk, crashing city SUV, but not taken to jail

In an effort to prevent the calls, the FBI created a national database back in May to track them.

Since the database launched, its tracked 129 swatting incidents around the country, which has been key in stopping swatting the calls that arent easy to track.

Making a swatting call could result in you facing several felony charges. Even if charges arent filed, Frankel said prosecuting those cases can be difficult because its not always easy to know where the calls are coming from or who is making them.

READ: Tropical wave off the coast of Africa has 30% chance of developing

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.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are considering joining the U.S. National Guard's security partnership program in a further expansion of American military ties across Europe after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The chief of the National Guard, Gen. Dan Hokanson, announced the discussions with each country, which had not previously been reported, in remarks at the National Press Club on Thursday.

Interest by the three countries in the program is the latest indication of how Russias war has led each of those nations to take steps that consider ending long-standing policies of military nonalignment.

Im pleased to announce that we will soon deepen and expand our security cooperation relationships throughout Europe, Hokanson said

Finland and Sweden are currently in discussions for partnerships, he said, while Switzerland is currently reviewing the relationships that other nations share with the National Guard and assessing the possibility of the program in their future.

Finland and Sweden were the most recent countries to seek NATO membership; Finland joined in April and Sweden is waiting for approval. Longtime-neutral Switzerland began considering easing export controls on sending weapons to active war zones earlier this year.

The National Guard's State Partnership Program is a lesser-known but key military instrument for U.S. troops to build relationships with foreign militaries by conducting regular training and education exchanges with young officers. It partners National Guard units with host nations.

The program can help foreign military better shape their own operations to reflect Western military organization and equipment. That is something seen as key to getting a host of Eastern European nations on NATO standards to ease how multinational armies could conduct operations.

The National Guard program began 30 years ago after the collapse of the Soviet Union as former Soviet states looked for ways to move away from their communist-styled military organization. Ukraine was one of the first to join the National Guard program, partnering with California's National Guard. From the earliest days of Russia's invasion, Ukraine's air force has reached out for support to the California National Guard partners it trained with.

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Sweden and neighbor Finland ended their policy of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Both applied for NATO membership, seeking protection under the organizations security umbrella.

Finland, which shares a more than 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) border with Russia, joined NATO in April. But Sweden, which has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, had previously been delayed due to objections from Turkey. But earlier this month, Turkey agreed to remove one of the last major roadblocks to Sweden's membership.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Turkey had agreed to support Swedens NATO bid - by putting the issue to a vote in parliament -- in return for deeper cooperation on security issues and a promise from Sweden to revive Turkeys quest for European Union membership.

The war in Ukraine has also prompted Swiss government officials to grapple with their countrys longtime conception of neutrality, which is enshrined in the constitution and prohibits exporting weaponry to active war zones.
By Johan Ahlander and Simon Johnson

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is "extremely worried" about the consequences if more demonstrations go ahead in which the Koran is desecrated, he said on Thursday, amid growing Muslim anger at a series of attacks on Islam's holy book.

Attacks on the Koran in Sweden and Denmark have offended many Muslim countries including Turkey, whose backing Sweden needs to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a goal of Stockholm's following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Kristersson told Swedish news agency TT that further requests had been filed with police for permission to hold protests where desecration of the Koran was again planned.

"If they are granted, we are going to face some days where there is a clear risk of something serious happening. I am extremely worried about what it could lead to," he said.

Sweden's embassy in Baghdad was stormed and set ablaze on July 20 by protesters angered by a planned Koran burning.

Kristersson said the decision whether to grant permission for the demonstrations was up to the police.

Sweden's security service, SAPO, has kept its assessment of the threat level at 3 on a scale of 5, signifying an "elevated threat" during the crisis, but its head said there had been a strong reaction to recent events.

'ANTI-ISLAMIC LAND'

"Sweden has gone from being seen as a tolerant country to being seen as an anti-Islamic land," Charlotte von Essen told reporters on Thursday.

Denmark and Sweden have said they deplore the burning of the Koran but cannot prevent it under rules protecting free speech.

Sweden has accused other countries - such as Russia - of manipulating the crisis to damage its interests and its bid to join NATO.

"In some countries there is a perception that the Swedish state is behind or condone this. We don't," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told reporters on Thursday.

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"These are acts committed by individuals, but they do it within the framework of freedom of speech laws," he said.

Billstrom said he had been in touch with the foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, Algeria and Lebanon among others as well as the United Nations secretary-general about the current crisis.

"And just now I will speak to the secretary-general for the Organisation of Islamic Countries," Billstrom said.

"We will discuss these issues and it's important to stress that this is a long-term issue, there are no quick fixes," he

The government is facing a difficult balancing act in defending far-reaching freedom of speech laws, while at the same time avoiding potential insult to Muslims.

Its position is not made easier by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, whose support keeps the right-of-centre coalition in power though the party is not formally part of the government.

Members of Sweden Democrats, the biggest party on the right, have repeatedly warned about the "Islamization" of Swedish society and called for immigrants to adopt "Swedish" values.

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Simon Johnson, editing by Terje Solsvik, William Maclean)
This image from Syrian television's Telegram channel shows people at the site of the blast (-)

A bomb killed six people and wounded scores on Thursday when it exploded near the Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum in Damascus, Syria's most visited Shiite pilgrimage site, the authorities said.

The deadly blast south of the capital came ahead of the annual commemoration of Ashura, when Shiites remember the death of the Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in a seventh century battle.

The interior ministry gave a death toll of six, state news agency SANA reported, revising an earlier death toll of five.

More than 20 people were wounded in the attack which the interior ministry said was caused when a motorcycle exploded near a taxi, calling it a "terrorist bombing".

Health Minister Hassan al-Ghobash visited the wounded in hospital, the ministry said.

A source at the nearby Al-Sadr hospital told AFP earlier that the facility had received 10 wounded after a car bombing near the shrine.

State television reported that the explosion was caused by a "bomb placed in a taxi by unidentified people".

"We heard a huge blast and people began to run," 39-year-old civil servant Ibrahim told AFP.

"Then ambulances arrived and security forces cordoned off the area."

He said the explosion took place "near a security building around 600 metres (yards) from the mausoleum of Sayeda Zeinab", granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed and the daughter of Imam Ali, a founding figure of Shiite Islam.

The authorities had tightened security measures around the mausoleum for the 10-day Ashura commemoration, the most important in Shiite Islam.

On Tuesday, an explosion in a car in the same area wounded two civilians, official media cited a security official as saying.

- Frequent targets -

Shiite shrines are a frequent target of attacks by Sunni Muslim extremists of the Islamic State group (IS), not only in Syria but also in neighbouring Iraq.

There has been no claim of responsibility for Thursday's Damascus attack.

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The Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum was hit by several deadly bombings during the country's civil war that erupted in 2011.

Since then, the mosque complex with its turquoise ceramics and gold dome in the Iranian style has been defended by Shiite militiamen, mostly Lebanese and Iraqi, as well as by the army.

Attacks have nonetheless declined in recent years, with some of the security measures relaxed.

IS said it was behind a double suicide attack in February 2016, 400 meters from the mausoleum, that killed 134 people, including more than 90 civilians.

The group had also claimed a triple blast near the sanctuary several weeks earlier that took the lives of at least 70 people.

The war in Syria has claimed more than half a million lives and displaced millions.

It began with the brutal repression of protesters demonstrating against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Later it evolved into a complex conflict involving jihadists and foreign powers.

Ashura, on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram, commemorates the killing of Imam Hussein at the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq.

Shiite Muslims the world over view Hussein's death as a symbol of the struggle against injustice.

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Miami Beach officials are considering new measures intended to limit the presence of homeless people in public places, including legislation that could subject people sleeping outdoors to arrest if they dont accept placement in a shelter.

For months, the city has been grappling with how to take a more aggressive enforcement approach toward the homeless amid an uptick in the citys homeless population and complaints from residents.

At a City Commission meeting Wednesday that saw a slew of proposals on the agenda, elected officials directed the city attorneys office to draft legislation that mirrors an ordinance in Orlando  a no camping law that bans sleeping outdoors on public property in most cases and was upheld in 2000 by the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.





An initial vote on the proposal is expected at the next commission meeting in September.

We have to have the enforcement, and it has to be more vigorous, City Commissioner Steven Meiner said during Wednesdays meeting. As much as we can push the envelope, lets do it.

The homeless population of Miami Beach was 235 in January, according to the latest count by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, an increase from 167 last August and the citys highest count in more than a decade. There were 608 homeless people counted in the city of Miami. Those figures account for people living on the street outside of shelters.

The numbers pale in comparison to cities like San Francisco, which reported more than 7,700 people experiencing homelessness last year. But Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and other city officials have pointed to San Francisco and other coastal cities as examples of what they hope to avoid.

A homeless man sleeps on a bench at Museum Park as Miami Outreach Specialists Christian Candelier (left) and Ricky Leath walk around the park during Miami-Dade Countys annual point-in-time homeless summer census on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who has called for the use of reserve police officers or armed private security guards to patrol areas with high concentrations of homeless people, said anecdotes shes heard from residents about the homeless in Miami Beach  such as a man masturbating and a couple having sex in front of children in Collins Park  make her believe more action is needed.

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We cant coexist anymore without this [legislation], Rosen Gonzalez said. Im on board for everything.

Miami Beach already has a camping ban in place. But the existing ordinance says police must give people a warning with a chance to relocate before making an arrest, which can result in up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

The existing ordinance also says people must be given a chance to enter a homeless shelter  and that, if no beds are available, an arrest cant be made.

The availability of shelter was key in the decision to uphold Orlandos ordinance by the 11th Circuit, which noted that a shelter in downtown Orlando was open at all hours and had never reached capacity.

At the end of the day, if there are not shelters available, it makes it very difficult to meaningfully address the homeless, Gelber said.

A compassionate approach?

Commissioner Alex Fernandez framed the proposal as compassionate, saying that allowing people to sleep outside poses a public safety risk to the homeless because they are vulnerable in the elements.

But homeless advocates have challenged the idea that temporarily forcing homeless people off the street is the most effective or compassionate approach.

Stephen Schnably, a University of Miami law professor and ACLU cooperating attorney who worked on the landmark Pottinger case that addressed homelessness in the city of Miami, said there are many reasons why a homeless person may not want to accept placement in a shelter.

For one, he said, shelters only let people stay temporarily, often for 24 hours, and dont always let people bring all of their belongings inside.

From left, Homeless Trust Chairman, Ronald L. Book, joined City of Miami Outreach Specialists Ricky Leath and Christian Candelier at Museum Park during the Miami-Dade Countys annual Point-in-Time Homeless summer census, where different teams conducted the annual summer count of those experiencing homelessness from Homestead to Miami Beach to North Miami, on Thursday August 18, 2022.

Schnably also noted that there arent any homeless shelters in Miami Beach, meaning people would potentially be forced to leave a city they call home.

Its really using your arrest power to put people to a choice of jail or exile, Schnably said. Really, it amounts to saying you cant be homeless in the city of Miami Beach.

In the Pottinger case, which prevented Miami police from arresting homeless people for life-sustaining activities until a consent decree was terminated in 2019, police were required to offer shelter within the city of Miami before making an arrest, Schnably said.

Miami Beach has an agreement with Camillus House in Miami for 12 designated shelter beds.

Late last year, the city beefed up enforcement by park rangers in Collins Park and other areas where homeless people tend to congregate. In a February memo, City Manager Alina Hudak said the initiative had resulted in 13 shelter placements, 59 arrests and 95 trespass warnings.

The city also employs a team of municipal prosecutors that focuses on quality of life offenses, such as drinking in public and entering a park after hours. In 2019, the Miami Herald found that two-thirds of the teams cases involved homeless defendants. The program has expanded in the years since.

City commissioners placed a variety of other proposals on Wednesdays agenda, including a ban on lying down on Lincoln Road, the use of secured trash bins and dumpsters to prevent rummaging, and a crackdown on loitering near beach entrances. In 2020, the city closed fountains on Lincoln Road because homeless people were seen bathing in them.

But city attorneys said the best way to achieve officials goals while preventing a legal challenge would likely be to mirror the Orlando ordinance, given that it was upheld by an appellate court and could apply citywide.

Investing in housing

In addition to their discussion of enforcement measures Wednesday, commissioners called for a special election in November 2024 to impose a 1% tax on food and beverage sales to help fund the county Homeless Trust and domestic violence centers.

We have to provide the funding necessary, first and foremost, for housing, Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola said. You cant cure homelessness without providing housing as an element.

The sales tax, which the Florida Legislature created in 1993, is collected at restaurants in cities across Miami-Dade County except for those that already have a resort tax: Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour. In 2021, Miami Beach voters signaled support for imposing the additional tax in a referendum, but the Legislature didnt amend its laws to allow it until earlier this year.

If voters approve a referendum again next year, Miami-Dade County commissioners would need to agree to collect the tax.

Miami Beach officials have gone back and forth in recent months with Ron Book, a lobbyist for the city in Tallahassee and the chair of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, as Book has requested money from the city to support new permanent housing efforts the trust is pursuing.

The city has so far committed $1 million, and has been negotiating with the Homeless Trust over the terms of an additional $1 million that would fund 45 permanent housing units and 10 shelter beds for the Miami Beach homeless population at locations outside the city.

Miami Beach has made scant progress in adding affordable housing units over the past decade, while housing costs have skyrocketed in the tourist hub. Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $2,600, according to the real estate website Zumper.

The solution to this problem, long-term, is more affordable housing, said Schnably.
I had never heard the term pretendian until The Stars story about three KU professors who have come under fire for claiming Native American ancestry.

There was a time when I was a pretendian, even though I didnt mean to be. And it seems Im not alone.

The genealogy company Ancestry.com has heard lots of claims from people who believed they had Native heritage. I dont know if its the desire to have a connection to the land we live on today, or to claim benefits or another unknown reason. For me, it was family.

Most recently, KU professors Kent Blansett, Raymond Pierotti and Jay Johnson have been accused by Native American groups and individuals of faking their ancestry.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren believed without question that she had Cherokee in her family, and even released results of a DNA test indicating that she did have some Native roots. But the move backfired.

Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr. said in a statement at the time: Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong. It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven. Warren apologized.

For as long as I can remember, I believed I had Native ethnicity. I even thought I knew which tribe I supposedly belonged to because it was a part of my familys oral history.

DNA test led to discovery about Blackfoot claim

Ancestors in my family claimed that the McReynolds family (my maternal clan) had Blackfoot Indian ancestry. It was a narrative that supposedly went back to my great-great-grandmother, Mary Mama Mack, and was brought up at every family gathering when my grandmother, Natharine, was still alive. And because it was so unusual and specific  the Blackfoot, not Cherokee, as many erroneously claim  I just knew it had to be true.

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But was it? The Blackfoot now live on reservations in Montana, but once had a vast territory in the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide. They were said to be powerful and aristocratic. George Catlin, author of North American Indians, described them in a scholarly article from Columbia University:

The Blackfeet  are more of the Herculean make  about middling stature, with broad shoulders, and great expansion of chest. Who wouldnt want to have such an impressive ancestry?

And so, like Warren, I did an Ancestry DNA test. You know how much Indian blood I had?

Zero percent. So much for oral history.

Now, I have to point out that Ancestrys website updates the results of DNA results as technology updates, and now it says that 1%-2% of my DNA comes from Indigenous Americas  North

OK, but am I from the Blackfoot people? According to Ancestry, The diverse landscape of our Indigenous Americas  North region spans from the Pacific Canadian Coast to the northern Atlantic coastline. These lands were home to a vast array of Native American groups, from the nomadic tribes of the Plains to more sedentary peoples in the Northeast.

Hmmm, maybe. It could be. I guess.

But really, why does it matter? Ancestry says Im mostly from Nigeria and other African countries (no surprise) but I have way more European ancestry  with Scotland leading the way at 12%. Thats a lot more than 1%-2%.

Mama Mack never talked about my Scottish roots. Why not? And why do we want to claim Native ancestry so badly?

An Ancestry video discussed this, calling it the No.1 question asked: Where is my Native American ethnicity?

Identity, ethnicity, culture all different

Crista Cowan, who calls herself Barefoot Genealogist and has been a representative for Ancestry, told a story hauntingly similar to my own:

A lot of us, myself included, have stories in our family history about a great-grandparent or great-great-grandparent who was supposedly a full-blooded Native American. Interestingly enough, so many of us have this story in our family history that its taken on mythological proportions. And if my perceptions are correct, if all of us who claimed Native American ancestry really were Native American, what we would find is that probably half the United States would have (this) ancestry.  Its not as true as often as we might think it is.

Cowan goes on to give me a little hope. She said that maybe the stories we know from our families might be truthful, but the ancestry goes back too far to detect. Maybe its not your great-great-grandparent  maybe it was her great-great-great-grandparent.

Still, why are we enamored with the idea of sharing the ancestry of our Native neighbors? And why would anyone claim to be another ethnicity?

Author David Treuer told NPR, an identity is not the same thing as an ethnicity, and its not the same thing as a culture, and none of those are the same thing as being an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe. I think this is what Secretary Hoskin was getting at.

I agree. And there are many examples. Treuer cited several, and how can we forget Rachel Anne Dolezal, a white woman who claimed to be Black and went on to head a chapter of the NAACP?

I dont know the ancestry of the KU professors. And as long as Im not claiming my alleged Blackfoot ancestry to benefit my resume or compare my experience with documented tribal members, maybe it doesnt matter. Maybe it does.

Its OK to be proud of your heritage. Just be prepared to defend it.
BEIJING (AP)  The coastal Chinese city of Shantou on Thursday joined parts of Taiwan in shutting down schools and offices as Typhoon Doksuri brings heavy wind and rain to the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas.

Doksuri weakened further on Thursday, with sustained winds of 155 kph (96 mph) and gusts of up to 190 kph (118 mph), according to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau. The typhoons center won't hit Taiwans mainland, but its outlying bands will still bring stronger winds and rains on Thursday afternoon.

Shantou, which lies on the border between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, will remain largely shut through the end of Friday, the local government said on social media. Images from the area on public news broadcasts showed fishing ships tied up in port as heavy waves broke along the seawall. Apart from an occasional squall, there was no sign of heavy rain as of early Thursday afternoon, reports said.

The Taiwan Strait is one of the world's busiest routes for international trade and the typhoon has caused major disruptions to shipping and flights.

In southern Taiwan, the port city Kaohsiung and the ancient capital Tainan announced that offices and schools will be closed Thursday. Hualien and Taitung counties along the Pacific Ocean on the island's east coast also shuttered schools and offices. Kaohsuing also evacuated about 300 residents who lived in a mountainous part of the district, according to the semiofficial Central News Agency.

The storm temporarily left tens of thousands of households without power in Kaohsiung and Tainan, although most of them have had their electricity restored as of Thursday morning, according to the Taiwan Power Company.

The storm will travel through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday and make landfall in China's Fujian province on Friday.

The typhoon swept through northern Philippine provinces with ferocious wind and rain on Wednesday, leaving at least nine people dead, including four members of a family whose house was buried in a landslide, and displacing thousands of villagers.

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Authorities expect the death toll to rise as more provincial reports come in. The storm caused widespread power outages and agricultural damage and prompted the suspension of work, classes and sea travel for about two days, disaster response officials said.

___

Huizhong Wu in Taipei, Taiwan, and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.
Danny & Michael Philippou

Its a rare thing for a project to be both punk and polished, and yet somehow Talk to Me is just that.

On the one hand (no pun intended), the film is a no-holds-barred expedition into the gruesome world of horror  and make no mistake, this is a horror film  but on the other, its handled with such deftness and confidence, you cant help but feel that youre being led through levels of hell by an expert guide. Its this delicate balance that underscores just how impressive it is that Talk To Me marks the feature film debut of Danny and Michael Philippou.

The Philippou brothers got their cinematic start as production runners on Jennifer Kents acclaimed horror film The Babadook and then rose in popularity with their cult favorite YouTube channel RackaRacka, where they honed their craft as filmmakers. This origin story is befitting of a movie thats both exactly the kind of terrific piece of filmmaking that A24 immediately snapped up out of the Sundance Film Festival, and one that is gleefully, crowd-pleasing, anarchic, and terrifying.

The film follows a young woman named Mia (Sophie Wilde) whos grieving her mother and has become close with her best friends family, which serve as surrogate siblings and a maternal figure (played with sardonic charm by Miranda Otto). Despite the warm embrace of the family, theres still a separation and she feels an aching sense of isolation  particularly from her father, whos struggling with his own loss. Things begin to change for Mia when, at a party, she has the opportunity to quite literally touch the other side by way of an embalmed mystics hand. Mia immediately takes to the rush and excitement of the experience  and it soon has dire and shocking consequences for her and those around her.

Its equal parts terrifying and tragic and is sure to be showered with praise and put butts in seats. No surprise, its directors are having the time of their lives seeing the film in packed theaters full of gasping, squealing, and nervously giggling audiences. Theres so many set pieces that youre just waiting for that to happen, Danny tells PRIDE. The opening as well [gets] such a big reaction. Its the most exciting thing, once you hear that crowd its the best.

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Pride.com | Talk To Mes Danny & Michael Philippou About Queer Inclusion 

We watched it in this big theater in Chicago, the Music Box Theater, recalls Michael to PRIDE. We were up in the back looking down on all the audience, like 500 people. Seeing and hearing the reactions was the greatest feeling ever. When you make a film and its hitting like the beats are hitting and people are reacting and everyones enjoying the experience together, theres nothing like it.

While the film will undoubtedly thrill theatergoers, there to test their nerve and tolerance for gore (the film does not hold back on the red stuff), for those seeking a deeper experience, more in line with thematically dense and thoughtful offerings A24 has come to be known for, that too can also be found here. While the film deals with a form of possession from beyond, like the best of the genre it uses all the tools at its disposal to not only entertain but to explore deeper and darker topics, in this case, it touches on suicide, isolation, drug use, and grief.

It was just a therapeutic thing to write the script and express those things, weve had suicide in our family, and weve got that, that depression gene, or something, says Danny. And so its just tapping into those fears and really trying to be vulnerable and honest in the depictions of those characters.

Its about connection, adds Michael, who hopes audiences see Mias inability to address her feelings as a bit of a cautionary tale. [I hope people will] be less afraid to express these feelings, even dark thoughts that youre having and things like that. Talk about them, as opposed to bottling them up, adding nuance and greater meaning to the films title.

But thats not all: Mias need to use the hand for a sense of relief, rather than connect with those around is a clear metaphor for drug use, which was intentional, explains Danny, who also co-wrote the film with Bill Hinzman.I think that pushing people away is not a good way to deal those things that bottling it down and relying on vices is like a really unhealthy way to deal with those emotions. I hope people are able to think about expressing a bit more, he says.

The film also follows a new and exciting trend of casual inclusion. In the same way that this years Evil Dead: Rise and Yellowjackets have woven queer and trans characters into the fabric of their worlds without making it a specific plot point or patting themselves on be back for their virtuous inclusivity. Talk To Me features a gender nonconforming character, Hayley, played by nonbinary upcomer Zoe Tarakes. They steal every scene theyre in as the teenage delinquent who has turned a cursed object into the ultimate party favor.

How Hayley came to be, in their casually queer form, began in the most natural way possible: during casting. Danny and Michael were blown away by Zoes audition to the point where they insisted to producers that Zoe had to be in the film. Casting Zoe, even though they werent a lead, lead. I said to our producer, Im like, I do not want to shoot the film unless Zoes available. Thats how much that audition meant to us. Because it was such an incredible audition, recalls Danny.

Zoe has such a commanding presence, adds Michael, cosigning his brothers enthusiasm for the young actor.

Once Zoe had the role, the directors then worked with them to help craft the character further. It was important to both Danny and Michael that the actors to embody their characters and connect with them on a deeper level. That was something I asked Zoe once we were [adapting the character] and they were so happy to have that inclusion. It means so much to us for it to be there and be part of the world and just be normal, says Danny. I love them so much. I seriously love Zoe to death.

Perhaps it wont be the last we see of the character should this movie get a sequel. As for whether the Phillipous would be up for returning to this world for a follow-up, they excitedly respond in unison, Talk 2 Me, with a laugh.

Itd be my dream to have a franchise, confesses Danny. I would love the opportunity to do a second one for sure. Itd be so cool.

'Talk To Me' premiere's in theaters July 28. Watch the trailer below.

www.youtube.com

Talk To Me | Official Trailer 2 HD | A24
The Prosecutors Office of Ukraine has handed over a Russian T-80 tank to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The tank is physical evidence in a criminal case about the Russian attack on a hospital in the city of Trostianets in Sumy Oblast.

Source: website of Sumy Oblast Prosecutors Office

Details: On 23 March 2022, when the city of Trostianets was under Russian occupation, Russian forces launched an attack on the city hospital from a T-80 tank.

The Prosecutors Office was able to identify the Russian soldier who gave the order to attack the hospital. It was a tank commander of the 6th Tank Company of the 12th Guard Tank Regiment Shepetovsky of the 4th Guard Tank Division Kantemirovskaya.

The Sumy Oblast Prosecutors Office submitted an indictment against the tank commander to court.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The Hamburger Mary burger franchise in Orlando in 2020. Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

A Texas teacher said the Christian school where she worked fired her after she went to a drag show.

Kristi Maris said news of her termination "spread like wildfire" before she knew about it.

Maris' dismissal follows a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the US.

A teacher in Houston said she was fired from a Christian school after 20 years for attending a drag show at Hamburger Mary's.

Kristi Maris said in a Facebook post that she was fired from First Baptist Academy in Baytown, Texas, after attending a "sing along show" at the venue.

Hamburger Mary's is a popular drag venue and restaurant with 14 franchise locations across the country, according to its website.

"They told me because I went to this show and posted a picture I wasn't walking in a Godly manner, so that being said please remove yourself from my page if this offends you, if you think this is UnGodly, makes me a pedaphile, or causes you to feel uncomfortable," Maris wrote in her Facebook post on Monday.

The school's senior pastor told ABC13 that school policy said: "I will act in a godly and moral fashion at work, on Facebook, and in my community." First Baptist Christian Academy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Maris said news of her termination "spread like wildfire" through the school and its connected church before she was informed that she was fired.

Hamburger Mary's did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, but the Houston location announced it was planning to host a benefit on August 3 for Maris and another teacher who also said she was fired for attending the drag show.

"Kristi and Nanci are the teachers, not only children, but the whole world deserves!" Hamburger Mary's Houston posted on its Facebook page. "Unfortunately, they are no longer employed due to attending our show, but that won't stop us from showing our love and passion for the art form of drag!"

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Maris told ABC 13 that the school treated her and the other teacher "like criminals."

"They're entertainers," Maris told the outlet. "I would've never thought in a million years that this would happen. Never. We were in disbelief. We still are. We were heartbroken. We had relationships with parents and the kids, and I didn't even get to say goodbye to a lot of the kids."

Drag shows and trans people were targeted through legislation across the country in states such as Tennessee, which banned gender-affirming care for minors and put strict limits on drag shows that a federal judge later found "unconstitutionally vague."

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill on June 22 that bans "sexual performances" in front of minors, which the bill defined as the use of "accessories or prosthetics that exaggerate male or female sexual characteristics," The Texas Tribune reported. Critics said that the law was intended to target drag shows and members of LGBTQ+ communities.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Arunima Kumar and Divya Rajagopal

(Reuters) -The CEO of Teck Resources Ltd said on Thursday that the Canadian miner is considering a range of proposals including a partial sale of its coal business from various interested parties after Glencore offered up to $8.2 billion for the unit.

Teck is banking on the limited coking coal mines in the world to help it secure a better valuation as the company runs a comprehensive review, which was sparked by Glencore's initial bid for the whole company in April.

"This business is positioned to capitalize on the global supply gap from existing mine depletion and a lack of new projects coming into production," Teck CEO Jonathan Price told analysts after the company reported quarterly earnings, that missed analysts estimates.

Price did not reveal the names of the other potential suitors, but said the company is 'actively' engaged in the process when analysts asked whether there will be a fresh update by October.

"We are not sitting on our hands here and we are taking an active approach," Price said.

Swiss miner and trading firm Glencore initially offered to buy Teck Resources for $22.5 billion, which the Canadian miner twice rebuffed. Glencore came back with an offer just to buy Teck's coal business in June.

Teck's coal mines are among the few left in the world, which makes the company attractive to Glencore as it seeks to combine them with its own thermal coal business.

Vancouver-based Teck Resources missed profit estimates for second-quarter ended June and lowered its annual copper production outlook due to delays at a project in Chile.

The company now expects annual copper production of 330,000 tonnes to 375,000 tonnes, down from its previous estimate of 390,000 tonnes to 445,000 tonnes.

The Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project (QB2) in the South American country is one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in the world, and Teck had previously said it expected to achieve full production rates by the end of 2023. The company expects to meet this target.

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Teck also reported the death of an employee at QB2 during the second-quarter.

For the reported quarter, realized prices for steelmaking coal and copper fell 41% and 11% respectively, denting profit.

Fears of slowing growth, particularly in top consumer China, has hurt copper prices. The average copper price fell about 11% to $3.85 per pound in the April-June quarter, according to CFRA Research.

Quarterly copper production fell about 11% to 64,000 tonnes, while production of steelmaking coal rose 9.4% to 5.8 million tonnes.

On an adjusted basis, Teck posted a profit of C$1.22 per share, missing analysts' average estimate of C$1.25 per share, according to Refinitiv IBES data.

(Reporting by Arunima Kumar, Divya Rajagopal and Jyoti Narayan in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Marguerita Choy)
Teen Employee At Cheddars Attacked After Attempting To Separate A Large Party: I Blacked Out | Pixabay

A Tennessee teenager was attacked after separating a large party at the restaurant where he works on Sunday night. Now, the 17-year-old is calling for justice.

According to Fox 13, it all started when eight people entered Cheddars Scratch Kitchen in Cordova, Tennessee. It was a busy night at the restaurant, and the wait time for an adequate table was an hour. Omarion Ford, who works as a host at the restaurant, had no choice but to separate the party to get them seated.

The girl in the green said she dont like the table, so shed rather get a bigger table, so I said it was still going to be a few minutes so they left, Ford, who asked Fox 13 not to identify him, told the outlet.

Editors Note: Ford allowed Action 5 News to share his name in its coverage.

The group didnt have it and demanded he find a larger table. The teen then said a man in the group approached him to discuss the situation and punched him in the face.

His whole family started coming toward me, jumping me, the 17-year-old said. And after that is when I blacked out. Dont remember nothing.

Later, the teens mother, Latisha Ford, arrived to find her son on the floor, surrounded by paramedics. She told Fox 13 she was horrified by what happened.

For these people to be twice his size, you know its unacceptable, very unacceptable, she told the outlet.

Ford also said shes unhappy with how the restaurant handled the incident.

Corporate called me, and the only thing they asked was, Do we need any food? she said. I dont need any food. I want justice for my son.

Cheddars Scratch Kitchen sent a statement regarding the incident to Fox 13, expressing shock and sadness by this senseless act of violence against our team member.

Violence has no place in our restaurant and we are cooperating fully with the police investigation. Any further questions should be directed to the Memphis Police Department, the company wrote.

Memphis Police have said the suspects left the scene in a large white SUV.
[Source]

Authorities recently arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting of an Indian American teenager in Gilroy, California, on July 20.

What happened: The incident likely occurred in the 2100 block of Columbine Court, according to police.

Following the shooting, the victim was rushed to St. Louise Regional Hospital at around 9 p.m. and later succumbed to his injuries. A police officer was reportedly present at the hospital for an unrelated, undisclosed matter when the victim was taken in.

The shooter, identified as Edwin Sanchez, was arrested in the 900 block of First Street at around 7:20 p.m. on Friday without incident. The Gilroy Police Department has yet to determine the motive behind the shooting.

More from NextShark: China facing UN action after damning human rights report

About the victim: Although the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroners Office did not immediately reveal the identity of the victim, South Asian American news sites identified the deceased as Jackson Kavil.

Jasmine Kavil, one of the teenager's siblings, announced the fatal shooting in a Facebook post on Sunday.

"Its with the heaviest hearts, our family is gathered to share the sudden passing of our loved and youngest, Jackson Kavil," she wrote. "Jackson passed away Thursday night. He was a comedian who loved to put smiles on everyones face. Jackson was genuine and had a huge heart. He will be deeply missed."

More from NextShark: Asian population was US' fastest-growing ethnic group last year due to immigration

About his family: Jackson Kavil's family hails from Kaipuzha, a small village in Kottayam District in the Indian state of Kerala, according to Times of India. His father, Sunny, moved to the U.S. in 1992 and runs a restaurant in Gilroy, while his mother, Rani, works as a nurse. In addition to his parents, the teenager leaves behind three siblings: Jasmine, Jyothy and Joshua.

Funeral plans: The teenager's family reportedly plans on holding his funeral in the U.S.

Story continues

More from NextShark: Snakes, Wolf Puppies and Rats Sold at Market Where Coronavirus Originated

Other details: Those who may have information about the incident are urged to contact Gilroy Police Department Detective Cat Fraide at (408) 846-0335 or catalina.fraide@ci.gilroy.ca.us.

More from NextShark: YouTube channel belonging to Malaysian rapper behind viral song mocking Chinese nationalists is hacked
An Arizona girl who mysteriously disappeared at age 14 in 2019 was found safe four years later, authorities said Wednesday.

Alicia Navarro, who is now 18 years old, walked into a small Montana police station more than 1,000 miles away from her home in Glendale, Arizona, to clear her name off the missing childrens list, Jose Santiago, a spokesman for the Glendale Police Department said at a press conference.

She showed up to a police department. She identified herself as Alicia Navarro. She basically asked for help to clear her off of a missing juvenile list, Santiago said.

From Left: Alicia Navarro in 2019 and 2023 via Glendale, Arizona.

From Left: Alicia Navarro in 2019 and 2023 via Glendale, Arizona.

Navarro was reported missing on Sep. 15, 2019, days before her 15th birthday, sparking a nationwide search with the collaboration from the Anti-Predator Project and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Jessica Grijalva Nunez, Navarros mother, told CrimeScoops in a 2020 interview that her daughter was a highly intelligent introvert on the autism spectrum and had acute anxiety. In the months leading up to her disappearance, Nunez said her daughter began talking to strangers in a gaming community online.

On Sep. 15, 2019, Nunez woke up to a handwritten note Navarro left inside her bedroom that read, I ran away. I will be back, I swear. Im sorry. -Alicia, according to local news outlet AZ Central.

Nunez had told AZ Central that she was 90 percent sure that her daughter may have met someone while online gaming, and they lured her away.

I didnt even think these types of people existed that would lure our youth. I know this world can be evil, but honestly, that didnt cross my mind at all, Nunez told AZ Central.

A Facebook group, Finding Alicia, was created three months later, on Jan. 8, 2020, for individuals and online sleuths to share information.

In the years that followed, Nunez continued to speak with local and national outlets to keep her case in the news in hopes of finding her.

Story continues

Police said Navarro was cooperating with officers and that her discovery did not close the case, adding that the investigation into how she ended up in Montana and who she was with over the last four years is ongoing.

Police added Navarro has been reunited with her mother and was very apologetic to what she has put her mother through.

She wanted to talk to her mom, and she wanted to make sure her mother knew she was OK, Santiago said at the press conference.

Santiago said Navarro is asking the public for privacy at this time so she may move on with her life.

In a video posted on Facebook, Nunez called the discovery of her daughter four years after her disappearance a miracle.

For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example, she said. Miracles do exist. Never lose hope and always fight.

Related...
A Georgia man who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, assaulted an officer and sat in former Vice President Mike Pences chair was sentenced Wednesday to one year in prison.

Bruno Joseph Cua, who was 18 at the time of the riot, was sentenced to a year and a day followed by three years of supervised release, much lower than the federal prosecutions request of more than 4.5 years, according to a sentencing memo filed in May.

The now 21-year-old was found guilty of two felony charges earlier this year, including obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, interfering with, intimidating, opposing or impeding officers. In May, federal prosecutors said Cua was the sixth youngest person to be charged in the Capitol attack, according to the sentencing memo.

Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia argued while he is one of the youngest to be charged, Cua was not a child on Jan. 6, noting, Americans who reach the age of 18 are entrusted with several important responsibilities and duties.

Federal prosecutors said Cua attended the rally at the Washington Monument with his parents on Jan. 6 before walking towards the Capitol and separating from them, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

Cua then climbed the scaffolding of the Capitol before going inside to the third floor of the building. Despite blaring alarms and Capitol police in the area, prosecutors said Cua walked through the hallway with a baton in his hands, yelling, This is what happens when you piss off patriots, and, Where are the swamp rats hiding?

While Capitol Police tried to lock the doors to the Senate Gallery, Cua shoved an officer, and the officers withdrew from the doors without locking them, prosecutors said. Once inside, Cua yelled, This is our house! This is our country, sat in Pences chair and put his feet up on the desk. Prosecutors said he accessed multiple desks of senators and assisted other rioters in getting into the Senate chamber.

Story continues

Cua played a unique and prominent role on January 6, opening the Senate Chamber to rioters, escalating confrontations, and leading other rioters into and through the Capitol, prosecutors said in their sentencing memo.

The investigation found Cua posted multiple times on social media, promoting the use of violence to stop the certification of the electoral vote, according to the sentencing memo. Cua posted claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and made clear that he did not believe that peaceful protesting would be effective and that violence was necessary.

Cua confirmed his participation in the riot on social media and posted about the use of violence during the riot, and his belief that additional violence may be necessary in the future, according to prosecutors.

Before he was sentenced, Cua apologized for his actions on Jan. 6 and said he was ashamed of his role, according to The Associated Press.

Everything that day was just one terrible decision after another, he said.

The judge reportedly was going to give Cua a longer prison sentence before Wednesdays statement, but said he thinks he showed true remorse.

Since the Capitol riot, federal prosecutors estimate more than 1,069 people have been arrested in almost all 50 states in connection with the breach.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Four teens led Fort Worth police on a six-minute chase in a stolen car early Thursday before crashing into a tree, officials said.

Around 3:40 a.m., police were told a stolen blue Hyundai was parked outside the QuikTrip located at 6601 Brentwood Stair Road. Officers activated their red and blue emergency lights and tried to detain the vehicle and its four occupants, police said in a news release.

The Hyundais driver put the car in reverse, accelerated and fled the scene, according to officials. The stolen car hit the front of a police vehicle during the escape. Officers followed the Hyundai westbound on Brentwood Stair Road.

Police deployed a tire deflation device, and the stolen car hit a tree and stopped near the intersection of Rosedale Street and Conner Avenue, officials said. The four occupants fled the vehicle on foot.

All four male suspects were located and taken into custody by around 4 a.m., police said. One of them received a head injury when the car hit the tree. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital and released to a parent or guardian.

The other two passengers were also released to parents or guardians, police said. The driver was taken to the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center. Charges will be filed through the Fort Worth Police Departments Youth Division.

The pursuit lasted around six minutes and involved the Patrol Division and Air Support Unit, police said.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.  Twenty-two attorneys general urged a federal court Wednesday to reject a proposed $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially dangerous chemicals, saying it lets manufacturer 3M Co. off too easily.

The deal announced in June doesn't give individual water suppliers enough time to determine how much money they would get and whether it would cover their costs of removing the compounds known collectively as PFAS, said the officials with 19 states including Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and two territories. In some cases the agreement could shift liability from the company to providers, they said.

"While I appreciate the effort that went into it, the proposed settlement in its current form does not adequately account for the pernicious damage that 3M has done in so many of our communities," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leader of the multistate coalition.

3M spokesman Sean Lynch said the agreement "will benefit U.S.-based public water systems nationwide that provide drinking water to a vast majority of Americans" without further litigation.

"It is not unusual for there to be objections regarding significant settlement agreements," Lynch said. "We will continue to work cooperatively to address questions about the terms of the resolution."

The company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, manufactures per- and polyfluorinated substances  a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware, as well as some firefighting foams.

Described as "forever chemicals" because they don't degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.

3M has said it plans to stop making them by the end of 2025.

Some 300 communities have sued 3M and other companies over water pollution from the compounds. A number of states, airports, firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have pending cases.

Story continues

They have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, where the proposed settlement was filed last month.

Although the company put its value at $10.3 billion, an attorney for the water providers said it could reach as high as $12.5 billion, depending on how many detect PFAS during testing the Environmental Protection Agency has ordered over the next three years.

The law firm representing the water providers did not immediately respond Wednesday to messages seeking comment.

EPA in March proposed strict limits on two common types, PFOA and PFOS, and said it wanted to regulate four others.

In addition to California, states urging Judge Richard Gergel to reject the deal included Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. Also opposed were Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

In a court filing, the attorneys general said it would force nearly all public water providers nationwide to participate unless they withdraw individually  even those that haven't filed suits or tested for PFAS.

"Troublingly, they would have to make their opt-out decisions without knowing how much they would actually receive and, in many cases, before knowing the extent of contamination in their water supplies and the cost of remediating it," the officials said in a statement.

A provision in the proposed deal would shift liability from 3M to water suppliers that don't opt out, the statement said. That could enable the company to seek compensation from providers if sued over cancer or other illnesses in PFAS-affected communities, it said.

"As such, the proposed settlement is worth far less than the advertised $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion," the attorneys general said.

The attorneys general did not take a position on a separate $1.18 billion deal to resolve PFAS complaints against DuPont de Nemours Inc. and spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc.

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee AG opposes 3M settlement over 'forever chemicals' in water
A Tennessee student is suing his school district after he was suspended for posting mocking memes of his headteacher on social media.

The 17-year-old student from Tullahoma has filed a lawsuit after he was suspended for three days after posting images depicting his headteacher as a cat in a maids outfit, among others, on Instagram.

This case is about a thin-skinned high school principal defying the First Amendment and suspending a student for lampooning the principal on the students Instagram page even though the posts caused no disruption at school, the suit said, according to NBC.

A lawyer representing the student, who has not been named, said that the images posted to social media  which took the headteachers head and placed it on different pictures  were simply gently satirising a school administrator who was perceived as being a bit overly serious.

Lead attorney Conor Fitzpatrick commented to The Guardian: One of the main things were trying to do here is cement the rights of American students to express themselves on social media, without fear of censorship, as long as what theyre expressing doesnt disrupt the school day.

A student has shared memes on Instagram mocking his principal (USDC Tennessee Winchester)

The school has no business jumping in and acting as a censor. If something they post  might be inappropriate, thats a matter for their parents  not the government, he added.

The suit also argues that the images were not posted by the student while he was on school property, despite the school policy stating that whether at home or school, students should not post pictures to social media that lead to the embarrassment, demeaning, or discrediting of any student or staff.

However, the suit claims the schools policy is overreaching and in breach of the First Amendment.
A bloc of aldermen want to force a special City Council meeting on Chicagos response to the migrant crisis, with criticism rising about the citys growing system of makeshift shelters and with hundreds of asylum-seekers still huddled on police station floors.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, called for the special session during a heated immigration committee hearing Wednesday featuring a city presentation that she said downplayed the urgency  and her ire only grew after she began questioning officials.

So yall didnt think with the (Democratic National Convention) here, nobody bothered about discussing with Biden (and his) administration about the conditions that were having with the shelters and the asylum-seekers? Taylor said, confronting the department heads about Tuesdays gathering with top Democratic Party officials to celebrate the political convention coming to Chicago in 2024.

Matt Doughtie, the citys manager of emergency management services, answered: I dont believe that it was a topic of discussion.

How? How? Taylor exclaimed before demanding a special council meeting and accusing the city of lacking a comprehendible plan to address the crisis. Im sorry, I cannot continue to be supportive of something that is not all-hands-on-deck.

Several progressive colleagues on the committee joined Taylor in committing to a special City Council meeting, more than fulfilling the three-aldermen minimum required to force the session.It signaled the sharpest pressure yet for Chicago officials tasked with one of the new mayoral administrations most intractable dilemmas.

Amid conflicts between migrants and neighborhood residents, and complaints over Park District programs being disrupted by migrant lodging, multiple aldermen shared Taylors gripes over how the shelter rollout has fared in their wards.

Others raised transparency concerns over spending, with committee chair Ald. Andre Vasquez noting that City Council members have not received one line-item budget of all the migrant costs so far.

Story continues

We inherited a flawed approach to this mission, Beatriz Ponce De Leon, deputy immigration mayor, said before the committee meeting, pointing out how Mayor Brandon Johnson only began his term in May, when the number of new asylum-seeking arrivals jumped and has continued to grow.

In total, more than 11,500 asylum-seekers have arrived since August 2022, when Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott sent the first busload of migrants north to Chicago. More than 5,400 are currently staying at city-run shelters, up 43.5% from January.

More concerning still is that 941 are waiting inside Chicago police stations or at OHare and Midway airports for a place to stay, with the vast majority sleeping on the floors of police district lobbies. A probe into whether some officers engaged in sexual misconduct with some of the migrants is ongoing, though as of last week investigators said they havent found any victims yet. Johnson has vowed to get all new arrivals out of police stations as soon as possible. That is our top priority.

But freshman Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th, said the haste to remove the migrants from stations is going to lead to similarly inadequate housing.

Sometimes going fast is not the best, said Manaa-Hoppenworth, who also expressed displeasure with plans to open a migrant shelter at the Broadway Armory Park facility in her ward in Edgewater. Sometimes you have to hit pause and really listen to each other and really listen to the community, because oftentimes they have the answer.

Brandie Knazze, commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, responded: Having almost 1,000 people in police stations is not the best solution, so we are working very diligently to find alternatives.

The Broadway Armory, a former National Guard facility with five gyms and 13 meeting rooms, runs senior and teen centers as well as a flying trapeze school, a computer lab and a pingpong room. The latter two amenities will be shut down while the migrant shelter is in operation, and summer programming will cease or move elsewhere. The senior center that provides free meals will remain open, however.

In a letter to her constituents, Manaa-Hoppenworth said that despite our ongoing efforts to facilitate a community-driven process, the city has decided to move forward with using the Armory as a shelter beginning August 1.

I am disappointed with the way that this process has unfolded, Manaa-Hoppenworth continued. While I disagree with the decision-making process, I agree with the mission of supporting new arrivals wholeheartedly. We have a moral responsibility to help those who arrive in our ward.

Pedestrians passing by the Armory on Wednesday expressed conflicting feelings toward what they described as a moral responsibility to help people staying in their neighborhoods but also resentment that the city wants to repurpose the space without community input.

Quynh Hoang, a mother of two picking up her son from summer camp at the Armory, said there are no other options available at affordable prices in nearby parks.

This park means a lot to different people. They could use a different building, Hoang said.

A group of senior women gathered to join in on sharing discontent.

It is unrealistic to share this space with asylum-seekers, said Ginger Williams, a senior woman who runs Edgewater Village Chicago inside the Armory.

Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly, in the moderate faction of the City Council, shared Taylors fury that aldermen have been left to fend for themselves.

God knows how many migrant families are fearing for their health and safety in the Inn (of Chicago) and on a daily basis, Reilly, 42nd, said about the Streeterville hotel that is hosting more than a thousand migrants right now. Theres no rule of law.

Reilly argued that while the majority of asylum-seekers are doing the right thing, there are some making the neighborhood less safe. He said his own observations and those of constituents include littered alcohol bottles and marijuana butts, drug dealing and teens with apparent guns in their waist bands.

Knazze and other city officials acknowledged that migrant shelters have grappled with misbehaving residents, a few of whom had to be removed. She said her department has secured Chicago police special attention posts to troublesome locations for traffic enforcement and crackdowns on narcotics, which have been sold around the shelters.

A shelter is a microcosm of what we experience in our city, Knazze said. We got good actors, and we have bad apples.

Officials added that the city is moving nimbly to expand shelter capacity and resettle asylum-seekers into permanent housing. About 1,340 migrants have secured their first apartments, though only a fraction have moved out by now to start their leases, Knazze said.

And Doughtie, the city emergency manager, said city staffers have visited sites in other municipalities, including Berwyn and Aurora. But either location would have a long way to go given that the city must still engage with a suburbs leaders, as well as the state.

But for Taylor, whose ward contains a migrant shelter inside the former Wadsworth Elementary School, the clock is ticking.

At a community meeting between city officials and Woodlawn residents Monday, grievances included claims of migrants loitering, littering and participating in illicit activities such as drug use and prostitution.

City officials also confirmed an incident July 14 in which a shelter resident blocked the driveway of a neighboring homeowner with a parked car, leading to a physical altercation and another car being subsequently vandalized. Afterward, the city expelled 17 residents from the shelter, four of whom were permanently banned from the system.

And after complaints from its residents, a nearby senior living facility managed by the Chicago Housing Authority, Kenneth Campbell Apartments, has filed a criminal trespass affidavit that will be enforced by Chicago police.

The community has been disrespected, Taylor said during the Monday meeting. But it is time for us to try to fix what has happened and know that we all have to work together. Its never too late.

ayin@chicagotribune.com

adperez@chicagotribune.com

larodriguez@chicagotribune.com
CHICAGO  A bloc of aldermen want to force a special City Council meeting on Chicagos response to the migrant crisis, with criticism rising about the citys growing system of makeshift shelters and with hundreds of asylum-seekers still huddled on police station floors.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, called for the special session during a heated immigration committee hearing Wednesday featuring a city presentation that she said downplayed the urgency  and her ire only grew after she began questioning officials.

So yall didnt think with the (Democratic National Convention) here, nobody bothered about discussing with Biden (and his) administration about the conditions that were having with the shelters and the asylum-seekers? Taylor said, confronting the department heads about Tuesdays gathering with top Democratic Party officials to celebrate the political convention coming to Chicago in 2024.

Matt Doughtie, the citys manager of emergency management services, answered: I dont believe that it was a topic of discussion.

How? How? Taylor exclaimed before demanding a special council meeting and accusing the city of lacking a comprehendible plan to address the crisis. Im sorry, I cannot continue to be supportive of something that is not all-hands-on-deck.

Several progressive colleagues on the committee joined Taylor in committing to a special City Council meeting, more than fulfilling the three-aldermen minimum required to force the session. It signaled the sharpest pressure yet for Chicago officials tasked with one of the new mayoral administrations most intractable dilemmas.

Amid conflicts between migrants and neighborhood residents, and complaints over Park District programs being disrupted by migrant lodging, multiple aldermen shared Taylors gripes over how the shelter rollout has fared in their wards.

Others raised transparency concerns over spending, with committee chair Ald. Andre Vasquez noting that City Council members have not received one line-item budget of all the migrant costs so far.

Story continues

We inherited a flawed approach to this mission, Beatriz Ponce De Leon, deputy immigration mayor, said before the committee meeting, pointing out how Mayor Brandon Johnson only began his term in May, when the number of new asylum-seeking arrivals jumped and has continued to grow.

In total, more than 11,500 asylum-seekers have arrived since August 2022, when Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott sent the first busload of migrants north to Chicago. More than 5,400 are currently staying at city-run shelters, up 43.5% from January.

More concerning still is that 941 are waiting inside Chicago police stations or at OHare and Midway airports for a place to stay, with the vast majority sleeping on the floors of police district lobbies. A probe into whether some officers engaged in sexual misconduct with some of the migrants is ongoing, though as of last week investigators said they havent found any victims yet. Johnson has vowed to get all new arrivals out of police stations as soon as possible. That is our top priority.

But freshman Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th, said the haste to remove the migrants from stations is going to lead to similarly inadequate housing.

Sometimes going fast is not the best, said Manaa-Hoppenworth, who also expressed displeasure with plans to open a migrant shelter at the Broadway Armory Park facility in her ward in Edgewater. Sometimes you have to hit pause and really listen to each other and really listen to the community, because oftentimes they have the answer.

Brandie Knazze, commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, responded: Having almost 1,000 people in police stations is not the best solution, so we are working very diligently to find alternatives.

The Broadway Armory, a former National Guard facility with five gyms and 13 meeting rooms, runs senior and teen centers as well as a flying trapeze school, a computer lab and a pingpong room. The latter two amenities will be shut down while the migrant shelter is in operation, and summer programming will cease or move elsewhere. The senior center that provides free meals will remain open, however.

In a letter to her constituents, Manaa-Hoppenworth said that despite our ongoing efforts to facilitate a community-driven process, the city has decided to move forward with using the Armory as a shelter beginning August 1.

I am disappointed with the way that this process has unfolded, Manaa-Hoppenworth continued. While I disagree with the decision-making process, I agree with the mission of supporting new arrivals wholeheartedly. We have a moral responsibility to help those who arrive in our ward.

Pedestrians passing by the Armory on Wednesday expressed conflicting feelings toward what they described as a moral responsibility to help people staying in their neighborhoods but also resentment that the city wants to repurpose the space without community input.

Quynh Hoang, a mother of two picking up her son from summer camp at the Armory, said there are no other options available at affordable prices in nearby parks.

This park means a lot to different people. They could use a different building, Hoang said.

A group of senior women gathered to join in on sharing discontent.

It is unrealistic to share this space with asylum-seekers, said Ginger Williams, a senior woman who runs Edgewater Village Chicago inside the Armory.

Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly, in the moderate faction of the City Council, shared Taylors fury that aldermen have been left to fend for themselves.

God knows how many migrant families are fearing for their health and safety in the Inn (of Chicago) and on a daily basis, Reilly, 42nd, said about the Streeterville hotel that is hosting more than a thousand migrants right now. Theres no rule of law.

Reilly argued that while the majority of asylum-seekers are doing the right thing, there are some making the neighborhood less safe. He said his own observations and those of constituents include littered alcohol bottles and marijuana butts, drug dealing and teens with apparent guns in their waist bands.

Knazze and other city officials acknowledged that migrant shelters have grappled with misbehaving residents, a few of whom had to be removed. She said her department has secured Chicago police special attention posts to troublesome locations for traffic enforcement and crackdowns on narcotics, which have been sold around the shelters.

A shelter is a microcosm of what we experience in our city, Knazze said. We got good actors, and we have bad apples.

Officials added that the city is moving nimbly to expand shelter capacity and resettle asylum-seekers into permanent housing. About 1,340 migrants have secured their first apartments, though only a fraction have moved out by now to start their leases, Knazze said.

And Doughtie, the city emergency manager, said city staffers have visited sites in other municipalities, including Berwyn and Aurora. But either location would have a long way to go given that the city must still engage with a suburbs leaders, as well as the state.

But for Taylor, whose ward contains a migrant shelter inside the former Wadsworth Elementary School, the clock is ticking.

At a community meeting between city officials and Woodlawn residents Monday, grievances included claims of migrants loitering, littering and participating in illicit activities such as drug use and prostitution.

City officials also confirmed an incident July 14 in which a shelter resident blocked the driveway of a neighboring homeowner with a parked car, leading to a physical altercation and another car being subsequently vandalized. Afterward, the city expelled 17 residents from the shelter, four of whom were permanently banned from the system.

And after complaints from its residents, a nearby senior living facility managed by the Chicago Housing Authority, Kenneth Campbell Apartments, has filed a criminal trespass affidavit that will be enforced by Chicago police.

The community has been disrespected, Taylor said during the Monday meeting. But it is time for us to try to fix what has happened and know that we all have to work together. Its never too late.

____
Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

A new report from Reuters suggests that Tesla has been overstating the range of its EVs for years. The story alleges that Tesla has designed its software to intentionally give inaccurately optimistic range readouts on a full charge and was subsequently been forced by the EPA to reduce estimated ranges on window stickers. Reuters also reports that Tesla had at one point created a team for the sole purpose of rejecting customer-service requests about lower-than-expected range.

The claims about the group rejecting customer complaints make up the bulk of the piece. According to the report, a team based in Nevada was created last Summer for the sole purpose of canceling service center appointments relating to concerns about a car's total range. Operators were instructed to run a remote diagnostics test and tell the customer that their cars did not have a range issue. If that diagnostic returned another problem not related to the customer's range issue, they were advised not to tell the customer. In late 2022, the group stopped running the remote diagnostics entirely.

The purpose of this was, seemingly, to conceal a larger issue about the wide gap between the range many Teslas would project after a full charge and the actual range that a car could go on that charge. A source that spoke to Reuters for the piece suggests that this issue was in part the result of an algorithm intentionally designed to give "rosy" projections, adding that the instruction to build in misleadingly optimistic estimates came directly from Tesla executive and mascot Elon Musk.

The report additionally details EPA audits that ended with Tesla being asked to reduce its estimated ranges by 3 percent over six models since 2020. In one case, the 2021 Model Y Long Range AWD, the EPA requested the estimated range be dropped by 5.15 percent before it could be displayed on window stickers. Reuters also cites previous independent testing done by Edmunds, which found Teslas far more likely to fail to meet an advertised range than EVs from other manufacturers.

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Migrants walk by a string of buoys along the Rio Grande border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 16, 2023 (SUZANNE CORDEIRO)

A floating barrier installed by Texas authorities to stop migrants crossing the border from Mexico is illegal, the US ambassador to the Latin American country said Thursday.

"It seems to me that what Texas is doing is illegal. But they are also doing it to make migration a political issue, and not a humanitarian and economic issue," Ken Salazar told reporters.

The buoys were installed in the Rio Grande river at a popular migrant crossing point earlier in July on the instructions of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, along with large razor-wire barriers on shore.

The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Texas, saying the buoys illegally obstruct river navigation and lack federal authorization -- a move welcomed by Mexico.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that the barrier violated his country's sovereignty.

According to Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena, three-quarters of the roughly 300-meter (1,000-foot) barrier is located in Mexican territory.

She said her office had sent two diplomatic notes to Washington specifying the border treaties that were being breached.

sem/dr/acb
Students walk to class on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Rajesh Miranda had never heard of Texas A&M University and couldnt place it on a map when he kind of flew in blind from New York for a job interview 28 years ago.

I came away telling my wife that this is an amazing place. Theres a sense of vibrancy and when you ask a question, people say, Yes, we can do it, said Miranda, a neuroscience and experimental therapeutics professor. There was a sense of optimism. And I bought into that.

So began three decades of working for the university and preaching  at research symposiums, to anyone, anywhere, during any opportunity  about an institution he saw as a Texas gem.

That pride has recently dimmed.

Miranda and other faculty members described a sense of disappointment, sadness and concern this week about the future of their university following the resignation of Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks amid a surge of backlash over the failed hiring of a Black journalist to lead a revived journalism program, first reported by The Texas Tribune.

The turmoil grew when the Tribune published another report Tuesday detailing a second instance in which school officials made employment decisions in apparent response to political pressure. University officials suspended and investigated a professor who was accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a lecture. She was cleared of wrongdoing.

Faculty expressed shock at the extent to which political pressures have interfered in a university whose values of integrity, respect and excellence appear to have been challenged. Theyre uneasy over the scandals potential chilling effect on speech or the possible creation of a fearful environment in which professors agonize over the political ramifications of their work  leading some to consider looking for other jobs.

Most of all, they worry that the damage to the universitys reputation will slow efforts to recruit and retain academic talent, eclipse decades of work, and erode the love and devotion that students, instructors and alumni have poured into an institution they believe in.

Story continues

A&M is this great place and a wonderful place and I believe that is true. But when things like this happen, Miranda said and paused. Its really hard to build. Its easy to tear down.

Miranda said he was speaking as an individual whose views did not represent those of the university.

The universitys efforts to hire Kathleen McElroy, an experienced journalist and professor, fell apart when the job offer was diluted from a tenure-track role to a one-year contract that could be terminated at any time. The dean involved in hiring her told her that her appointment had been caught up in hysteria over diversity initiatives in Texas. She told the Tribune the final offer makes it clear they dont want me there and walked away from the negotiations.

In a tense Faculty Senate meeting after the publication of the Tribunes story, Banks told the group that she did not know about the changes to McElroys job offer and that the subsequent, watered-down offers had not received proper approval.

Still, she and the dean resigned from their positions amid the fallout. Soon after Banks resignation, Hart Blanton, the head of the universitys department of communications and journalism, contradicted Banks assertion that she had not interfered in the hiring process, adding that race was a factor in university officials decision to dilute McElroys job offer.

We were on top of the world. We had an international stage to announce what was going to be a premier journalism program  not just in the country but in the world  with one of the best-qualified candidates that could be imagined for this position, said Nathan Crick, a professor in the department.

The fall from that high to the absolute low of now being a department that was scapegoated by this administration and now represents the face of what is in effect a racist institution  at least in reputation  it is hard to imagine a greater distance to fall, Crick continued. We are feeling betrayed, demoralized, outraged.

This weeks revelation that the university had suspended and investigated a professor who allegedly criticized Patrick during a lecture only added to the outrage.

The investigation into opioid expert Joy Alonzo, who has taught college students in Texas for more than a decade, was kicked off by Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branchs medical school who is a Patrick ally and an acquaintance of Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. Records show that Sharp informed Patrick that the university had reprimanded Alonzo hours after the alleged critique.

It is still not clear what exactly Alonzo said, though people who attended Alonzos lecture told the Tribune that she suggested Patricks office had opposed opioid policies that could save lives. Texas A&M eventually allowed Alonzo to keep her job; an internal investigation could not confirm any wrongdoing.

The Alonzo investigation was quickly blasted by freedom of expression organizations. PEN America called it blatantly inappropriate and a frightening example of how precarious academic freedom is becoming on Texas campuses. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression called on the university to publicly renounce the investigation and recommit to protecting facultys freedom to express themselves.

Texas A&Ms punishment of Alonzo to please powerful political forces is a stunning abdication of its constitutional obligations, deeply chilling faculty and student expression on campus, FIRE said in a letter to the university Tuesday. Any adverse action taken in response to protected expression  including investigations by state actors with disciplinary authority  can violate the First Amendment.

In a statement last week responding to the McElroy scandal, Sharp told faculty that he shared their concerns about outside influence on hiring and promotion. The universitys Faculty Senate requested a meeting with Sharp after the Tribune reported on the Alonzo case.

We find another case in which there is no longer the appearance, but actual evidence, of interference by outside political forces to erode the academic freedom of Texas A&M faculty to dialog with students on socially relevant topics in their area of expertise, senate Speaker Tracy Hammond wrote in a letter to Sharp before the meeting. This is not only having a chilling effect on our faculty but is further damaging the national reputation of our university. And it will make it even more difficult to recruit and retain the best and brightest talent.

Sharp met privately with some Faculty Senate members Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, worries shared by two distinguished professors on a faculty listserv late last week show university staff remains on edge and tensions are high between faculty and administrators.

Now the awful administration is gone, but fixing the huge damage done in the last two years to the work and reputation of the university looks like a Herculean task, wrote Peter Kuchment, a mathematics professor. I hope we can do this.

Another faculty member, chemistry professor Karen Wooley, called for the resignation of N.K. Anand, vice president of faculty affairs, who said last week that his office had not reviewed the watered-down job offer letters sent to McElroy. Wooley previously confronted then-university president Banks and warned her in a letter last year that some of her decisions were causing substantial disruptions and threatening the integrity of this prestigious and precious institution. The letter led to a poll among university researchers that found many of them did not trust Banks administration.

Anand responded over the weekend, according to communications reviewed by the Tribune, that he would resign if he was found culpable of any wrongdoing involving McElroys hiring or otherwise.

But, he wrote, if I am proven innocent, I demand that both Drs. Wooley and Kuchment resign as Texas A&M Faculty members effective immediately.

Anand, who is from India, then suggested that he had been slandered and said he hoped there was no racial animus in the attacks against him. The high-ranking administrator signed off with an all-caps quote from Leo Tolstoy: GOD SEES THE TRUTH BUT WAITS.

Kuchment said in an email to the Tribune he had not named Anand in his note last week and had apologized for Anands apparent misunderstanding. In a followup email Monday, Wooley told Anand that she had not accused him of wrongdoing or questioned his character, adding that the offenses she referred to in the listserv were related to his professional performance.

I have absolutely no information about what transpired or who was involved in the debacle surrounding Dr. McElroys hiring, and I would not accuse you or anyone of involvement, Wooley wrote. My primary interest is in identifying a pathway for our great institution to undergo rebuilding  please take an outside look and consider whether you remaining in the position as [vice president of faculty affairs] will help or hinder our ability to retain and recruit faculty, and to repair our reputation.

It was apparently too late for Anand, who responded, I do not accept your explanation of your post. Damage has been done.

Anand referred a request for comment for this story to the universitys spokespeople.

Now faculty await the results of internal investigations into the McElroy case.

To be completely fair we need to have the whole story: Why and how did this happen? said John N. Stallone, past speaker of the Faculty Senate whos been on the A&M faculty for 25 years in the department of physiology and pharmacology. The fact that we cant get the same story from two different people tells us the truth hasnt been spoken yet.

University leaders lack of transparency about how the scandals unfolded  and the persistent national attention  has deflated morale, according to professors who spoke candidly under the condition that their names not be published in any reports due to the sensitive nature of the situation.

One, a professor for almost a decade, said he has colleagues who have begun looking for other jobs. He was troubled by how much attention university leaders have paid to external political voices who are not authorities in the academic fields they are critiquing. Another professor said the universitys sense of purpose has dwindled as administrators energy has been focused on responding to the crisis.

Acting President Mark A. Welsh III tried to alleviate some of the concerns in a message released Wednesday.

Texas A&M has weathered many storms over its 147-year history, and well weather this one, Welsh wrote. The quickest way to get past it is to walk side-by-side and recommit to showing the world what it means to be an Aggie. Im looking forward to the journey.

Miranda, the neuroscientist, said he still sees the energy of can-do-ism that first drew him to the school in his colleagues and students. That has kept him at A&M  when hes received offers to leave, he just needed to look around him to decide hed stay.

If we can solve our problems and move on, A&M yet has the potential to be a really great institution, one that I believe in, he said.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University and Texas A&M University System 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.
The special counsels office prosecuting Donald Trump over his handling of highly classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach added new charges against the former president on Thursday, accusing him and a new third defendant of attempting to destroy video surveillance footage.

The superseding indictment adds three new counts against Trump. One charges him with another count of willful retention of national defense information. Two other charges allege that Trump, aide Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago employee Carlos De Oliveira, obstructed justice by attempting to delete surveillance video footage at The Mar-a-Lago Club in summer 2022, Special Counsel Jack Smiths office told McClatchy.

According to the indictment, Trump spoke with De Oliveira for 24 minutes after the Justice Department informed his legal team on June 22, 2022, of a draft grand jury subpoena for the surveillance footage at Mar-a-Lago. Two days later, the subpoena was officially delivered to Trumps residence. And on June 25, after changing his travel plans, Nauta flew to the Palm Beach estate. Then, on June 27, 2022, Nauta collaborated with De Oliveira to find and destroy the surveillance video, the indictment states.

De Oliveira, who worked at Mar-a-Lago in various capacities, is charged with obstruction related to an attempt to delete surveillance video as well as for allegedly making false statements to the FBI. He is being summoned to appear in the James L. King Federal Courthouse in Miami at 10:30 am on July 31.

Nauta, too, faces additional charges related to the attempt to delete surveillance video.

The indictment does not say whether Trump, Nauta or De Oliveira were successful in deleting any of the video. But previous filings in the special counsels case show that a June 2022 grand jury subpoena uncovered video surveillance footage that prosecutors say revealed damning evidence  information that provided the basis for FBI agents to obtain a search warrant of Mar-a-Lago in August 2022, when they found and seized more than 100 classified documents in the former presidents office and the clubs storage area.

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According to the prosecutions account of the videos, Nauta could be seen moving 64 boxes between a storage room and other areas at Mar-a-Lago between May 23 and June 2, 2022.

The video footage also shows De Oliveira working with Nauta to move 30 of those same boxes from Trumps residence back to the storage area, according to the superseding indictment filed Thursday.

After arriving in Palm Beach and traveling to Mar-a-Lago on June 25, the indictment reads, Nauta and De Oliveira went to the security guard booth where surveillance video is displayed on monitors, walked with a flashlight through the tunnel where the storage room was located, and observed and pointed out surveillance cameras.

Two days later, De Oliveira went to the clubs IT office and asked an employee there to keep their conversation confidential. The boss wanted the server deleted, De Oliveira told the unnamed employee, according to the indictment. The employee resisted, leading De Oliveira to leave, convene with Nauta and then return to the office that afternoon.

Later on the afternoon of June 27, Trump called De Oliveira and they spoke for approximately three and a half minutes, the indictment reads.

In June of this year, the federal grand jury in Miami charged Trump with mishandling highly classified documents under the Espionage Act by storing them at Mar-a-Lago and refusing to return them to federal authorities, along with conspiring to obstruct justice. Nauta also was charged with conspiring to obstruct justice. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Trump is running for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. In a statement, his campaign said, this is nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their Department of Justice to harass President Trump and those around him.

Deranged Jack Smith knows that they have no case, the statement adds.

Miami Herald reporter Jay Weaver contributed to this story.
Editors note: Authorities initially reported all three defendants were from Belleville but charging documents show that one of the men is from East St. Louis.

Two men from Belleville and one from East St. Louis have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of an East St. Louis man in Washington County, Illinois State Police announced Thursday.

The body of 44-year-old Montez Pearson was found on July 19 west of Nashville in the area of Lunte Creek Road, according to a state police news release.

Authorities said charges were filed against the following men:

Kevin M. Loucks, 44, of Belleville

Milton E. Robinson, 57, of Belleville

Arrion T. Sanders, 45, of East St. Louis

Charging documents state Pearson suffered a shotgun blast to his head.

All three defendants are being held in the Washington County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond, according to the news release.

Police have not released a motive for the killing.

Loucks was arrested Sunday after a search warrant was executed at his residence in Belleville, police said, while Robinson was arrested Monday and Sanders on Thursday, both in Belleville.

Illinois State Police said an exhaustive investigation was conducted with assistance from the Washington County Sheriffs Office and the Belleville Police Department.

No other details were released by Illinois State Police.

Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger declined to comment on the cause of Pearsons death and referred questions about the case to Illinois State Police.

Washington County States Attorney Daniel R. Janowski could not be reached for comment.

Attorney Paige Clark Strawn was appointed as a public defender to represent Robinson and said she didnt have a comment on the case.

Attorney Dennis Hatch is representing Loucks but Hatch could not be reached for comment.

Court records do not yet list a defense attorney for Sanders.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 10 for Loucks and Robinson.
One of the best ways startup founders can hone their pitch until its sharp enough to impress VCs  and bring home the bacon  is by watching other founders pitch to investors. And theres no better place to do that than by watching the Startup Battlefield competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023.

Be in the room where it all goes down: Buy a Disrupt pass before August 11, and youll save up to $600.

Twenty contenders will pitch to panels of top-tier VCs, followed by an intense Q&A. Thats where youll gain invaluable insight into how VCs think, what they look for in a founder and what motivates them to invite you to that all-important first meeting.

Meet three more judges for Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023

Were thrilled to announce the next squad of stellar investors who will join our first and second groups to determine the Startup Battlefield champion.

Mamoon Hamid, partner, Kleiner Perkins

Mamoon Hamid has been an early investor in, and served on the boards of, some of the most innovative software companies of recent times, including Box, Figma, Intercom, Netskope, Slack and Yammer (acquired by Microsoft). Prior to joining Kleiner Perkins, Hamid was a co-founder of Social Capital and, prior to that he was a partner at U.S. Venture Partners. He started his Silicon Valley career at Xilinx, where he held various engineering and business roles.

Hamid also serves as a chairman of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP), which uses strategic legal advocacy to defend constitutional rights and values. He was born in Pakistan and spent most of his childhood in Germany. Hamid moved to the United States to attend Purdue University, where he graduated with a BS in electrical engineering. He also has an MS from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Sara Ittelson, Partner, Accel

Sara Ittelson joined Accel in 2022 and focuses on early-stage consumer and enterprise companies. Prior to joining Accel, she spent several years at Faire as head of strategic partnerships. During her tenure, she helped the company go from a $535 million valuation to its most recent mark of $12.4 billion.

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Before Faire, Ittelson spent four years at Uber on the global business development team, working first on the ride-share business and then on Uber Eats. Following a passion for education, she began her operator career in edtech. Ittelson was also an angel investor, investing in and advising early-stage companies in industries such as e-commerce, SaaS, SMB tech and enterprise tools.

Originally from Chico, California, Ittelson graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Northwestern University.

Surbhi Sarna, group partner, Y Combinator

Before joining YC, Surbhi Sarna was the founder and former CEO of nVision Medical, which developed a first-in-kind microcatheter for detecting ovarian cancer. After raising $17 million in venture funding, completing three clinical trials and obtaining two first-in-class FDA approvals, nVision was acquired by Boston Scientific for $275 million, more than 15x money-in.

Sarna stayed at Boston Scientific for two years, running the 150+ person commercial organization in preparation for launch. She sits on both private and public company boards.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 takes place on September 1921 in San Francisco. Buy your pass now and save up to $600. Student and nonprofit passes are available for just $195. Prices increase August 11.

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.
Three Park Ridge teens are charged with receiving more than $10,000 worth of stolen property in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, court records show. A related criminal complaint describes the stolen property as admission wristbands for a country music festival last weekend.

According to Kenosha County criminal complaints and criminal court records, Thomas Bernatek, Amelia Miulli and Morgan Timmons, all 18, were each charged with a class G felony.

All three teens are 2023 Maine South High School graduates, said a Maine South High School District 207 spokesman in response to a Freedom of Information request.

A criminal complaint dated July 25 states that the site manager for the country music festival reported a burglary July 23, and told responding Kenosha County Sheriffs deputies that the festivals will call booth had been tampered with after it had closed the previous night. According to the complaint, at least $50,000 worth of wristbands providing admission to the festival were missing.

Upon checking the internet, according to the complaint, the site manager found that a male, later identified as Bernatek, had posted some wristbands for sale.

The complaint states that a detective messaged Bernatek on social media, said he wanted to purchase wristbands and arranged to meet Bernatek at the festival site. Officers detained Bernatek once they confirmed he had wristbands, the complaint stated.

A sheriffs department investigation found, per the complaint, that Bernatek and Miulli communicated via text about the wristbands and selling them, but Miulli later denied knowledge of plans to sell the wristbands.

Class G felonies carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $25,000, or both, according to criminal complaints associated with the matter.

The country music festival, which took place July 20-23 in Randall, Wisconsin, in the Twin Lakes area, is one of a series of festivals known as Country Thunder. The festival also has showings in Florida, Arizona and Canada, according to its website.

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The Wisconsin festivals Facebook page advertised a lineup that included Keith Urban, Carly Pearce, Jason Aldean and Cody Johnson, among other acts.

Bernatek, Timmons and Miulli are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 2, per court records.

Parents of Bernatek and Miulli did not immediately respond to phone calls requesting comment from Pioneer Press/Chicago Tribune. A parent of Timmons declined to comment when reached via phone.
Three people who were interviewed in the anti-trans film What Is a Woman? say the filmmakers used deceptive recruiting tactics that contradicted the docs promise to be a fearless examination of the modern gender debate.

The participants told NBC News that they felt theyd been tricked by producers who hid behind the facade of flattering and vague language. Dr. Marci Bowers, a California surgeon whose patients include trans women, provided the outlet with what she referred to as a completely deceptive email from a producer. According to a copy provided to NBC News, the email poses the doc as a film about transgender people and the challenges they face in todays culture.

The film, which was released in 2022 and is narrated by right-wing troll Matt Walsh, premiered on Daily Wires website and received little attention at the time  despite buying ads on major social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. In June, the doc went viral after Twitter owner and billionaire Elon Musk promoted the video on his own account, resulting in two high-level departures from the social media company within 24 hours. Under Musks supervision, Twitter had previously removed a policy against the targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals.

Naia Okami, a trans woman, said she would not have agreed to appearing in the film if Walshs team had been transparent about their perspective. Okami said she felt the Daily Wire founder had used her to capture gotcha footage for the film. It was complete fraud in my opinion, she said. He wanted to use me to make us look ridiculous, to make us look sensational.

Dr. Michelle Forcier, a professor of pediatrics at Brown University, said that Walshs staff had pitched what seemed to be a genuine interest in the science behind puberty blockers. I said, sure. Learning about blockers is really important, and Im always trying to be available to talk about the science and help people understand, she said.

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However, a few minutes into the interview Walsh compared puberty blockers to chemical castration and said gender dysphoria was similar to believing in Santa Claus. Dr. Forcier cut the interview short. He was getting frustrated because I just wouldnt say some of the things he wanted me to say, she said.

In February 2022, trans activist Eli Erlick exposed how the Daily Wire used deceptive tactics to attempt to recruit transgender people, including her, into participating in What Is a Woman? Walshs production team used pseudonyms, and had created a shield organization titled The Gender Unity Project to mask the projects association with the right-wing website.

Erlick previously told Rolling Stone that anti-trans influencer Robby Starbuck, had recently tried to recruit her for another doc-style video titled It Takes a Village. A person named Morgan K. reached out to me, Erlick said. I am still dealing with backlash from exposing Matt Walsh, and so Im pretty skeptical about documentaries that wont even tell me who the producer is.

Emails provided to Rolling Stone by Erlick showed a request from a woman named Morgan Kelly. We want to present the real story of the battles trans youth face and the activism surrounding it. We also touch on the drag issue and how schools are adapting to demands for more inclusion, Kelly wrote in an email.

While Dr. Bowers said that she doesnt necessarily regret the interview with Walsh, she emphasized that the lack of education increases misunderstandings of the trans community.

He edited it in a way that wasnt fair, so it doesnt leave people with any sort of knowledge or education, she told NBC News. It just heightens their fears of trans people  to his and his viewers loss.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
Dr. Marci Bowers

Three people who participated in the anti-transgender documentary What Is a Woman? say they were deceived by the filmmakers.

They recently spoke to NBC News, saying those behind the production represented it as an exploration of the issues trans people face. They say they were unwittingly inserted into gotcha moments with right-wing provocateur Matt Walsh, who narrated and starred in the film, NBC reports.

Dr. Marci Bowers, a surgeon who has trans patients, provided NBC with a copy of an email from producer Rebecca Dobkowitz, stating that the documentary would be about the challenges [trans people] face in todays culture, adding, Since you are a leading expert and professional in this field, we would love to interview and hear your insights.

I didnt really know about Matts conservative credentials, Bowers told NBC. They sugarcoated it just a little bit. They didnt give me an indication of what it would really be about, but they did give me the title of the video.

In the end, she said, the video was edited in a way that wasnt fair, so it doesnt leave people with any sort of knowledge or education. It just heightens their fears of trans people  to his and his viewers loss. She called Walsh a bully.

Dr. Michelle Forcier, a pediatrician and professor at Brown University, and Naia Okami, a trans woman from Washington State, also said the filmmakers were less than candid about their intentions. In the movie, Forcier talks about the process children go through in learning about gender, and Okami talks about a different subject entirely  her affinity for wolves  as Walsh tries to make a link between animals and trans people, NBC reports.

Forcier cut her interview with Walsh short when he called puberty blockers chemical castration and likened gender dysphoria to a belief in Santa Claus, she said. She concluded he was making a gotcha film, noting, He was getting frustrated because I just wouldnt say some of the things he wanted me to say.

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The movie also shows Walsh making fun of Okamis love of wolves, even though that has nothing to do with her gender identity, playing into the debunked idea that the trans rights movement could result in humans identifying as other species. He wanted to use me to make us look ridiculous, to make us look sensational, she told NBC.

Trans activist Eli Erlick posted on Twitter in February 2022 that Walsh and his team trying to recruit her for a documentary by using a whole front organization called the Gender Unity Project. But Bowers, Forcier, and Okami had already been interviewed by then. Erlick told NBC that another far-right media figure, Robby Starbuck, employed deceptive tactics in an attempt to get her to be in an anti-trans documentary called It Takes a Village. Starbuck has denied that his film will be anti-trans.

 (@)

The style of Matts film is going to be replicated, Erlick said. I think theyre using it as a model for a new form of far-right disinformation masquerading as a documentary.

The Daily Wire, a right-wing website that carries Walshs podcast and column, released What Is a Woman? to subscribers in June 2022. But a year later, Twitter owner Elon Musk allowed it to be put on that platform for free viewing for a limited time. It received 177 million views in a week and now has surpassed 187 million. Musk promoted it in a tweet of his own, saying, Every parent should watch this. Before Musk took over Twitter, the film had been on the site but with a content warning and other restrictions, which he removed.

Bowers and Forcier say theyve both received much hate mail because they treat trans people. An email Forcier shared with NBC said, Im sure Lucifer has a nice warm seat waiting for you. Others have included graphic, sexual, violent comments, she said.

Bowers noted, Id been at the front line for a long time, so Im used to taking a lot of arrows, but we take those arrows and we send them back with kindness and truth. The doctor, who also treats people whove undergone genital mutilation and provides other gynecological services, added, Im here helping people in three areas of medicine that are not covered by current services, so Im pretty certain that Im doing Gods work. What is Matt Walsh doing but trying to return us to some 1950s simplified version of male and female?

Walsh and Dobkowitz did not respond to NBCs requests for comment.

Pictured: Dr. Marci Bowers
Two people cover their heads in the blazing heat outside Buckingham Palace, in London, after watching a scaled-down Changing of the Guard on July 18. July highs are breaking records across the U.S. and the world.

Join fight for solution to climate change

It is scary to watch the news about the disastrous weather all over the world. Many people may ask themselves, What can we do about this?

I believe we have to create laws with consequences before businesses and industries will actually lower their greenhouse emissions, which trap increasing heat around our planet and cause climate change.

Worldwide, 250,000 people are part of a grassroots, volunteer, bipartisan organization called Citizens Climate Lobby, which has hundreds of U.S. chapters.

More: How to send a letter to the editor

These are just a couple of areas where CCL works:

Training members to talk to other people with respect, which results in cooperation.

Training members to understand climate issues and solutions.

Interacting with many communities interested in sustainable living.

CCL is building support in Congress for a bipartisan solution to climate change. Twice a year, CCL members go to Washington to lobby elected officials to pass bills lowering carbon/methane emissions.

I have been a member of CCL for more than a year, and I have proof that we are producing results.

I ask you to go online and become a member of Citizens Climate Lobby!

Marion Larsen, Sarasota

Pause makeover of NCF to build trust

If accurate, the July 24 guest column by Robert Allen Jr. about the ongoing changes at New College of Florida made several important and informative points (New Colleges vocal critics are losing the argument over change).

Allens case for greater balance, as he put it, is persuasive up to a point. Its difficult to dispute the need for balance in public institutions; however, one should not conflate that objective with the means used to achieve it.

While I might disagree with the underlying philosophy of Allen, New College Interim President Richard Corcoran or Gov. Ron DeSantis, that is less important than the dogmatic, authoritarian and even mean-spirited way in which the changes have been implemented.

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Opinion: New College likely to fail after governor is gone

Perhaps space limitations in his column precluded Allen from acknowledging this point  or perhaps it was his concern that acknowledging the ham-handed and unilateral way these changes are being made would weaken the valid points he made.

Its time for this makeover of New College to hit pause in an attempt to rebuild a modicum of trust and balance and produce a change process that is able to accomplish goals that most people can support.

Until then, these changes will be seen for what they have so far been: an extremist and hateful coup at an institution that, while imperfect, has had many assets that are being diminished by the ineptitude and exclusionary method of implementation.

John Wesley White, Sarasota

Sarasota icons: past and present

Recently the Herald-Tribune gave readers a view of icons of old and new Sarasota.

The July 23 edition contained the obituaries of Dr. Tom OMalley and attorney Bill Getzen. Those of us who have been here for more than five decades witnessed their unique and honorable contributions to the community.

On July 24, readers learned of another unique contribution to the community with the induction of F. Scott Westheimer as president of The Florida Bar.

More: Sarasota lawyer first to be elected as Florida Bar president

This is no small accomplishment and carries with it a huge responsibility.

Having had the privilege of being part of the Sarasota bar for soon-to-be 50 years  and having observed Scott and his firms professional approach to the law and dedication to justice for all  it is refreshing to have Scott as a leader and symbol of Sarasota in these troubling and divisive times.

Bill Partridge, Esq., Sarasota

No one cares how DeSantis does in Iowa

On July 23, the Herald-Tribune devoted an entire page to Gov. Ron DeSantis' Iowa campaign (DeSantis super PAC set to expand in Iowa). Who really cares how he fares in Iowa?

Youd have to look hard to find a state less indicative of the U.S. population as a whole. The fact that DeSantis' super PAC has raised $100 million is obscene when we think about all the good things that this sum could do in peoples lives instead of being wasted on a political campaign.

Where has our common sense gone?

A good bit of this money has come from DeSantis rich friends and not from the common folk in Florida or elsewhere, most of whom understand that the only freedom he offers is the freedom to agree with his totalitarian policies. The whole system needs a reboot.

A bright spot in this entire system of waste and dystopia is that the Republicans stand for nothing, so theyll fall for anything, which is their undoing. (Without woke, theyd be at a loss for words.)

The good guys in government are trying to make life better for all, and more and more people are speaking with their votes.

Joyce Edleman, Venice

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Citizens must unite to make a difference in fighting climate change
This summer, be especially vigilant about a tiny menace that could spoil your appetite for years.

A bite from the lone star tick  a very aggressive tick that bites humans, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it  can lead people to develop an allergy to red meat and, in some cases, dairy.

Experts who have been monitoring the strange and potentially life-threatening sensitivity, known as alpha-gal syndrome, say the number of people affected just keeps rising. New data from the CDC released in July 2023 indicate that as many as 450,000 people have developed the condition since 2010  but few clinicians are familiar with alpha gal syndrome and even fewer know how to diagnose it.

Dr. Ann Carpenter, lead author of one of the new CDC papers, called alpha gal syndrome "an emerging public health problem, with potentially severe health impacts that can last a lifetime for some patients" in a statement.

Alpha-gal syndrome on the rise

One of the July 2023 CDC reports estimated that, from 2017 to 2022, there were more than 90,000 documented cases of suspected alpha-gal syndrome in the U.S. But because diagnosis requires a test and exam, and many never get tested, the number of people who've developed the condition since 2010 is likely closer to 450,00.

The report estimated that cases of alpha-gal syndrome increased by 15,000 per year from 2017 to 2021 and found that cases were most common in areas where the lone star tick is known to live, such as Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Suffolk County, New York.

The CDC called the increase in the number of cases of alpha-gal syndrome since 2010 "substantial." But despite this uptick, nearly have of clinicians have never heard of it, and less than a third of those who have know how to diagnose it, a new CDC report found.

Allergist Dr. Erin McGintee, who practices on Long Island, New York, told NBC News that she's seen the number of her patients with alpha-gal syndrome increase over the past decade. She estimates she's seen 900 people with it.

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Out here in the Hamptons, most people know at least one other person who has the syndrome," she said.

A new map corresponding with the new CDC report illustrates that alpha-gal syndrome cases are highly concentrated in the Southeast (as well as Long Island).

A July 2023 map from the CDC shows where in the U.S. alpha-gal syndrome is most diagnosed. The condition is spread through the bite of a lone star tick. (CDC)

Previous research aligns with the July 2023 CDC data.

A 2018 study in Oxford Medical Case reports warned the prevalence of alpha gal syndrome, has been drastically increasing. And according to a 2021 study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, there were over 34,000 reported causes in the uses from 2010 to 2018. The authors called alpha-gal syndrome "an increasingly recognized public health problem. It pointed to Arkansas, Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Missouri as having the highest number of positive cases per 100,000 people.

The rising numbers of alpha-gal syndrome worry Dr. Scott Commins, an allergist and associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

It does seem like its really growing, Commins, who was one of the first doctors to study alpha-gal syndrome, told TODAY.com.

It appears the range of this tick is expanding.  The other aspect of this that weve noted during the pandemic is that folks are getting outside  which is great  and hiking, going to national parks, trails, and this activity has led to increases in tick bites overall.

Lone star tick territory grows

Its part of an overall trend. The number of reported tickborne diseases more than doubled from 2004 through 2016, the CDC reported in 2018. During that period, seven new germs that spread through tick bites were discovered in the U.S.

Health departments reported a record number of cases of tickborne disease to the CDC in 2017. The number declined somewhat in 2019, the last year for which statistics were available, but was still the second-highest in recent years.

The lone star tick is widespread in the southeastern and eastern U.S., and is now being found as far north as Maine, Wisconsin and Canada. A crowdsourced map is keeping track of alpha-gal allergy cases worldwide.

A 2020 report prepared for the governments Tick-Borne Disease Working Group said the geographic distribution of lone star ticks is "expanding."

One reason may be the explosion of the deer population on the East coast, said Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, who heads the division of allergy and clinical immunology at the University of Virginia and who helped discover the link between the lone star tick and the allergy.

A deer can carry 500 ticks  primarily lone star ticks, he said.

This is a very odd situation. Most ticks are specific for some animal, so there are dog ticks, pig ticks, cattle ticks  these ticks really dont like humans much. But the lone star tick really does like humans, Platts-Mills said. Weve got deer on the lawns, and theyre dropping these ticks everywhere.

What is alpha-gal syndrome?

The alpha-gal allergy is named after a sugar found in animals. Humans dont have alpha-gal, but make an immune response to it. As TODAY.com first reported in 2016, its believed the lone star tick picks up alpha-gal after biting a deer, then transfers it into a persons bloodstream when it bites a human. When a person is sensitized to alpha-gal, it triggers an allergic reaction. A blood test can confirm the allergy.

Researchers have linked this sensitivity to the buildup of plaque in heart arteries, boosting the risk of heart attacks and stroke for people who have the allergy.

Platts-Mills has the allergy himself: He was bitten in August 2007 and experienced his first reaction that November hours after eating lamb chops. The delayed response can make it a challenge for doctors and patients to connect the foods with symptoms, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology noted.

One of the fascinating things, the hallmark of this, is that the symptoms occur in a delayed fashion, three to six hours after someone typically eats red meat, Commins said.

The symptoms can include hives, redness, itching and swelling. Some patients complain of intense gastrointestinal distress, like abdominal cramping and pain, Commins said. People can end up with anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency treatment. Most of his patients carry Epi pens.

The allergy involves red meat like beef, pork or lamb; and, in some cases, dairy  especially heavy-fat dairy like ice cream. Doctors arent sure whether it only takes one lone star tick bite or several for people to develop the sensitivity, but anyone, including children, can develop it, Commins said.

The treatment is avoidance, so patients are limited to eating meat from fish, chicken and turkey.

If it swims or flies, its fine, Commins said.

If youre my age, youve got a cardiologist whos been telling you the treatment already, and that is avoid red meat completely, and dont eat full-fat milk and cheese, said Platts-Mills.

The allergy usually goes away after two to three years as long as the patient has no additional tick bites. Doctors are working on a vaccine, but thats likely several years away.

To avoid tick bites, experts offer these suggestions:

Stick to marked trails and walk in their center. Ticks live in grassy, brushy or wooded areas, so you want to avoid brushing up against thick vegetation.

Use tick repellents.

Perform tick checks on your clothes and body after youve been outside. When it comes to lone star ticks, the adult female has a white dot on her back.

Shower within two hours of coming indoors.

If you get a tick bite, remove the tick and monitor yourself for any symptoms.

If you notice any concerning symptoms after eating red meat, get the alpha-gal allergy blood test.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
[Source]

TikTok reportedly has plans to expand its e-commerce efforts in the United States by introducing a new program that would allow Chinese companies to sell their products in the country, with TikTok handling all of the logistics.

Key details: Sources who wished to remain anonymous revealed the new "full-service model" program to The Wall Street Journal, which published their report on Tuesday.

According to sources allegedly familiar with the plan, TikTok will launch its new e-commerce program in the U.S. in August as a way to replicate the success of Shein and PDD Holdings Temu, two other Chinese companies that have found great success in the market.

With the new program, TikTok will reportedly handle certain roles for businesses in China hoping to sell their products in the U.S., such as marketing, logistics, transactions and after-sale services. The company will also store and ship those products, much like Amazons Sold by Amazon."

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Dealing with inventories: As for the potential problem of excess inventory, sources told The Wall Street Journal that TikTok has plans to recruit professional buyers, some of whom had already been poached from Shein and Temu, to pick products from the merchants and negotiate prices with them.

TikTok will also only pay Chinese businesses after finding a buyer in the U.S. Unpopular products will be returned to China to prevent them from being stuck in the companys inventory.

Their priorities: TikTok launched TikTok Shop in the U.S. in November 2022, allowing local small to medium vendors to sell their products to app users in their respective regions. With the full-service model, local vendors would still be prioritized over overseas businesses, the anonymous sources claimed.

More from NextShark: Singaporean man sentenced for selling videos of sex acts with women he met on Tinder

Problems looming: Besides practical dilemmas such as inventory management, TikTok might also face added pressure from the U.S. government if its plan works well in the market, The Wall Street Journal reported.

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The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is recently facing a slew of bans, such as from airliners Delta and Southwest and even the White House. In June, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew admitted in front of the U.S. Congress that TikTok stores some of its American users data in China amid heightened scrutiny from U.S. officials.

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Vanderbilt professor says math education is too 'white, cisheteropatriarchal'
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is showing signs of traction in the 2024 GOP primary amid concerns over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss viability to take on former President Trump.

A handful of early presidential primary state polls released in recent weeks have shown Scott gaining ground on DeSantis. Meanwhile, the senator recently met with several Republican governors and key GOP donors in Aspen, Colo., a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill. The meeting was first reported by CBS News.

The fresh interest in Scott comes as DeSantis struggles to live up to the hype that surrounded his launch. But while Republicans praise Scotts positive campaign message, they also acknowledge Trump is still widely seen as the front-runner in the GOP race.

Hes just a very positive guy who has a positive message for the country. And after so many years now of a deteriorating political environment, I do think theres a large segment of voters who want that kind of change, said New Hampshire-based Republican strategist Mike Dennehy, whos unaligned in the primary.

The South Carolina Republican has slowly started to see some momentum in early state polling since he launched his campaign in May.

A pair of recent Fox Business polls in South Carolina and Iowa found Scott in the double digits. In South Carolina, he placed fourth at 10 percent among GOP primary voters, behind Trump at 48 percent, Haley at 14 percent and DeSantis at 13 percent. In Iowa, Scott placed third at 11 percent among GOP caucus goers, while Trump stood at 46 percent and DeSantis at 16 percent.

In a University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll released this month, Scott placed third at 8 percent, behind Trump at 37 percent and DeSantis at 23 percent.

At the same time, many national polls still have Scott registering in the single digits. A RealClearPolitics polling average as of Wednesday had Trump in first place at 53 percent, DeSantis at 18 percent and all others at less than 10 percent. Scott placed sixth at 2.9 percent.

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While Scotts gains in some early state polls are notable, the numbers show a wide gulf between him and the former president, who remains the front-runner in the race.

Still, the renewed interest in Scott could pose a threat to others in the field, most notably DeSantis, whose campaign has sought to revamp its strategy in recent weeks as the candidate struggles to close the gap against Trump.

The Florida governors campaign confirmed Tuesday they had cut a third of its staff, including the previously announced departure of 10 events staffers. The news was first reported by Politico.

I do think that could be playing a factor because, frankly, many people, the class of folks who are paying the most attention right now  which are Republican activists and strong Republican voters who are always interested in elections  they expected more from DeSantis, and they arent getting it, said Dennehy, the New Hampshire strategist.

So I do believe that they are taking a look at others in the field right now, he added. So theres no doubt in my mind that DeSantiss failure thus far is the benefit of the rest of the field.

Others say Scott is rising on his own volition.

I think Tim Scott gains support on his own independent of what happens with Ron DeSantis, said Dave Wilson, a GOP strategist who previously served as president of the influential Palmetto Family Council. I think youve got a lot of Republican primary voter base that has not made up its mind yet.

Members of the party say voters are attracted to Scott largely because of his optimistic message. He has leaned on the inspirational aspects of his personal story, as someone raised by a single mother in poverty who later went on to serve in the U.S. Senate. Scott, the upper chambers only Black Republican, has leaned into his story as a way to counter what he calls the lies of the radical Left.

I think the steady rise in the polls show [Scotts momentum], the increased donor interest that has arisen, and then even just little things like crowd size in places like Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere, that folks are liking what theyre seeing from Sen. Scott, an operative familiar with his campaign told The Hill.

In a nod to the fact that Scott could be emerging as a threat to his GOP rivals, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attacked the South Carolina senator this week, alleging that Scott is

afraid to tell the truth about Donald Trump. Christie made the remarks in response to Scott saying he didnt see Trump as responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

More from The Hill

Scotts campaign declined to comment on Christies remarks.

Meanwhile, DeSantiss campaign believes the 2024 GOP primary is still a two-person race between him and Trump.

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, DeSantis campaign spokesperson Andrew Romeo said in a statement to The Hill.

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, he added.

Its also still early in the 2024 primary, with the first GOP debate in Milwaukee about a month away. Republicans say DeSantis is still viewed as a formidable candidate whos been received well in early primary states.

They also say theyre encouraged by the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Downs ground game. Iowa GOP strategist Jimmy Centers said Never Back Down is setting the standard for voter outreach in Iowa and said the pivot toward smaller-size events is a smart move for the Florida governor.

But there are also signs that DeSantis has taken notice of Scotts recent momentum. NBC News reported earlier this month about a confidential memo from the DeSantis campaign that said, We expect Tim Scott to receive appropriate scrutiny in the weeks ahead.

It remains to be seen whether DeSantis will go after Scott directly during next months debate. Whatever happens, though, some Republicans warn that Scott will be a tricky target for his primary rivals.

Its going to be very difficult for people to, especially his competitors, to go head-to-head with I believe in the opportunity of America,' said Wilson, the former president of the Palmetto Family Council.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A man holding an emu killed by Australian soldiers.

The Great Emu War sounds silly, but the truth is it was an epic struggle against feathered foes. No, for real. Let's set the stage.

A quiet country town awakens to an unexpected threat in the vast expanse of Australia's Wheatbelt region. A scene unfolds like a reel from a captivating war film, but this battle is far from conventional. It is the Great Emu War, an extraordinary chapter in military history that defies all expectations. A transformation begins as the sun rises over the sprawling plains and the emus roam freely. The idyllic countryside morphs into an unlikely battlefield, where brave soldiers are pitted against a formidable foe: the emus.

So how'd this all begin?

In the early 1930s, the picturesque Wheatbelt region of Western Australia was plagued by an overpopulation of emus. If you've never spent time under, you might not know emus are flightless birds known for their speed, strength, and knack for mischief. Back in the 30s, farmers struggled to protect their crops from these curious creatures. So, they turned to their government and asked for help. Little did they know that this endeavor would escalate into a full-fledged military operation.

Of course, the Aussies are no strangers to wild endeavors  look at the "Australian Rappel" if you need confirmation.

 Or check out the details of the Battle of Brisbane.

The great emu war begins

Armed with machine guns and a determined spirit, the Australian military was deployed to address the emu menace. In November 1932, Major G.P.W. Meredith led a group of soldiers equipped with Lewis guns into the heart of the emu territory. Expecting a swift victory, they were met with an unexpected adversary. The emus must've been aware of their impending doom. They quickly scattered across the plains, rendering the soldiers' weaponry nearly useless against the agile birds.

Tactical challenges

The soldiers soon discovered that emus were not an easy foe to defeat. Their ability to outrun the military vehicles and their elusive nature made it difficult for anyone to get close enough. It was as if they'd been practicing maneuvers. When service members fired on them, the birds split into smaller groups. This tactic posed an obvious challenge, turning the battlefield into a chaotic and bewildering scene.

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Fallow caused by emus, which cleared land and additional water supplies during 1932, before the start of the Emu War. (Pickering Brook Heritage)

Soldiers' determination

Undeterred by the initial setbacks, the Australian military adjusted its strategy. They divided the forces into smaller units and attempted to ambush the emus at water sources, where the birds would gather in larger numbers. However, the emus proved to be cunning and skilled at evading capture. Despite their best efforts, the soldiers struggled to make a dent in the emu population.

Surrender to the emus

After weeks of unsuccessful attempts, the Australian military ultimately admitted defeat. The emus emerged victorious, and the war came to an end without a clear winner. Having outwitted and outlasted their human adversaries, the emus continued to roam the Wheatbelt region freely. The Great Emu War became a legendary tale, forever etched in Australia's military history as an extraordinary example of an unconventional conflict.

Legacy and lessons learned

While the Great Emu War may have ended in defeat for the Australian military, it left a lasting impact on the nation's psyche. It highlighted the importance of careful planning, adaptability, and respect for the natural environment. The failed military campaign against the emus also served as a source of amusement and fascination, transforming into a symbol of Australian resilience and embracing the nation's unique sense of humor.

The feathers that fought back

The Great Emu War is a testament to history's unexpected twists and turns, forever etching a feathery legacy in Australia's military annals. Everyone thought it was going to be a quick turn and burn. Get rid of the birds and then everyone can get on with their lives. Too bad that's not what happened. In fact, the emus quickly became a formidable enemy - even for the well-trained Aussie service members.

Though victory eluded the Australian military, the Great Emu War remains a captivating story showcasing human resilience and indomitable spirit. It is a testament to the lengths we will go to protect our way of life, even against the unlikeliest of adversaries. From the vast Wheatbelt region to the small country town turned battlefield, the emus demonstrated their speed, agility, and craftiness, challenging the very notions of traditional warfare.

So let us remember the feathers that fought backthe emus' defiance and the soldiers' determination. Their clash echoes through the annals of history as one of the most peculiar and engaging encounters ever fought.. Emus might not seem like the most difficult opponent - they don't even have opposable thumbs! But this strange chapter in Australian military history is a reminder not every conflict is won with conventional means. It's also a reminder that birds probably shouldn't be trifled with ... at least not the agile emu.
Former acting U.S. attorney Jack Smith was appointed in November to oversee the investigation into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Here is how the special counsel probe has unfolded.

Nov. 18, 2022

Attorney General Merrick Garland appoints Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the entirety of the Justice Department's criminal investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, as well as the unlawful retention of national defense information at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The announcement is triggered when Trump's announcement that he is running for president for a third time creates a potential conflict of interest with the Justice Department.

Smith previously served as the chief prosecutor for the special court in The Hague charged with investigating war crimes in Kosovo.

Nov. 22, 2022

Smith issues subpoenas to officials from multiple states that were targeted by Trump and his allies in the failed attempt to reverse his loss to Joe Biden.

According to a copy of a subpoena obtained by ABC News, the Justice Department seeks any and all records related to communications by state election officials with Trump or his advisers and allies, including Kenneth Chesebro, Justin Clark, Joe DiGenova, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Boris Epshteyn, Bernard Kerik, Bruce Marks, Cleta Mitchell, Matthew Morgan, Kurt Olsen, William Olsen, Stefan Passantino, Sidney Powell, Bill Stepien, Victoria Toensing, James Troupis and Lin Wood, between June 1, 2020, and Jan. 20, 2021.

Dec. 2, 2022

Former White House counsel Pat Cipollone and his deputy Pat Philbin testify before the federal grand jury investigating the events surrounding the Jan. 6, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News.

Their appearances come after a judge rules against attorneys for Trump who had argued that testimony by Trump's former top White House aides was protected by executive privilege.

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PHOTO: Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to reporters, June 9, 2023, in Washington. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Dec. 13, 2022

ABC News reports that Smith has issued subpoenas to election officials in Georgia and New Mexico, including the secretary of state's offices in both states and officials in Georgia's Cobb County, for communications with or involving Trump, his 2020 campaign aides, and a list of Trump allies involved in his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Jan. 11, 2023

ABC News reports that multiple associates of Trump have received new, wide-ranging subpoenas from Smith, requesting documents and records far more expansive than the previous outreaches these individuals received from the Department of Justice before Smith's appointment.

Feb. 22, 2023

ABC News reports that Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, both former senior White House advisers, have been subpoenaed by the special counsel.

The special counsel seeks information from the couple specifically related to his probe of Jan. 6 and the activities leading up to that day by the former president and his allies, sources tell ABC News.

MORE: Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner subpoenaed by special counsel investigating efforts to overturn election: Sources

March 6, 2023

Trump is seeking to prevent the special counsel from using Cipollone and Philbin's testimony before the federal grand jury as evidence in his ongoing probe, sources tell ABC News.

April 20, 2023

Top Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn meets with special counsel prosecutors, sources tell ABC News.

Sources say that Smith personally sits in on a portion of Epshteyn's interview, but does not participate in any of the questioning.

April 27, 2023

A day after a federal appeals panel rejects an effort from Trump to prevent former Vice President Mike Pence from testifying in the special counsel's probe, Pence appears before the grand jury, sources tell ABC News.

April 28, 2023

A firm contracted by Trump's presidential campaign in November 2020 to investigate claims of voter fraud has been subpoenaed by the special counsel investigating those claims, the founder of the firm tells ABC News.

Ken Block, the founder of Simpatico Software Systems, says he was subpoenaed to turn over documents related to his work with the Trump campaign. His firm was the second one hired by the campaign that reported it found no widespread evidence of voter fraud.

June 6, 2023

ABC News reports that Trump's last White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has testified before the grand jury.

Sources say that Meadows answered questions on both Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents while he was out of office.

June 8, 2023

Trump is indicted on federal charges related to the special counsel's parallel probe into the former president's handling of classified information after leaving office.

Five days later, Trump pleads not guilty to the 37-count indictment, which accuses him of repeatedly refusing to return hundreds of documents containing classified information ranging from U.S. nuclear secrets to the nation's defense capabilities.

June 26, 2023

ABC News reports that agents from the United States Secret Service have testified before the grand jury probing efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Sources say that agents provided testimony as part of the grand jury's probe into whether there were any crimes committed during the Jan. 6 attack.

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)

June 27, 2023

ABC News reports that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is expected to sit for an interview with special counsel investigators.

Raffensperger, the top election official in Georgia, was the recipient of Trump's infamous phone call in January 2021, during which the then-president asked Raffensperger to "find" the exact number of votes he needed to win the state.

July 13, 2023

ABC News reports that among those who have testified before the grand jury are Trump's son-in-law and former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, and former top Trump aide Hope Hicks.

July 16, 2023

Smith informs Trump by letter that he is a target in his investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The letter, which sources say was transmitted to Trump's attorneys, indicates that an indictment of the former president could be imminent.

MORE: Special counsel informs Trump he is target in probe of efforts to overturn 2020 election

July 18, 2023

ABC News reports that special counsel prosecutors have contacted officials in Nevada, Wisconsin and Arizona as part of 2020 election probe.

Those contacted include Republican Doug Ducey, the former Arizona governor who Trump had pressured to overturn Arizona's results following the 2020 election, according to sources.

A Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesperson tells ABC News that the state's chief elections official met with federal investigators in April regarding the probe.

July 20, 2023

ABC News reports that at least one more witness, Trump aide Will Russell, is expected to appear before the grand jury.

July 27, 2023

Trump attorneys John Lauro and Todd Blanche meet with Smith's team as a potential indictment of the former president looms, sources tell ABC News.

The lawyers are there to make the case for why they believe Trump shouldn't be indicted. Smith is present for the meeting, sources say.

ABC News' Soo Rin Kim, Laura Romero, Lucien Bruggeman, Olivia Rubin and Will Steakin contributed to this report.

Timeline: Special counsel's probe into Trump's efforts to overturn 2020 election originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, (left) called for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to be publicly admonished. Stephanie Scarbrough/AP; Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

Rep. Jamie Raskin wants Marjorie Taylor Greene to be publicly admonished.

Raskin asked House Oversight Chairman James Comer to reprimand Greene for showing partially nude photos that are purportedly of Hunter Biden.

Comer made it clear that he will do no such thing.

Rep. Jamie Raskin tore into Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for showing Hunter Biden's partially redacted nude photos during a recent hearing, underlining that Democrats' anger over the episode is far from over.

Raskin in a letter to House Oversight Chairman James Comer called for the Kentucky Republican to publicly reprimand Greene. The Maryland Democrat said that if Comer would risk damaging the committee's reputation if he does not take corrective action.

"If Rep. Greene's completely gratuitous and irrelevant display of pornographic images at our televised hearing does not violate the Congressional rules of decorum, then we have no rules of Congressional decorum," Raskin wrote to Comer on Wednesday in a letter that came to light on Thursday.

Otherwise, Raskin cautioned, the panel's reputation "is rapidly being reduced to the level of a 1970s-era dime store peep show."

Comer quickly stated that he would not mete out any punishment. A representative for Greene did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"It speaks to Ranking Member Raskin's priorities that he is more concerned about Hunter Biden's embarrassment than the young women he involved in his illegal activities," Comer said in a statement. " I hope Ranking Member Raskin will join me in asking the Justice Department about Hunter Biden's Mann Act violations and why the victims' rights have been ignored."

Greene showed blown-up images that she claimed depicted Hunter Biden and sex workers during an Oversight hearing last week. The committee was hearing testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who allege that federal prosecutors are not investigating Biden to the fullest extent possible. The Georgia Republican has alleged based on purported information obtained from Hunter Biden's laptop that he paid sex workers, potentially violating the century-plus old Mann Act.

Rep. Becca Balint, a Vermont Democrat, is pushing a censure of Greene for a litany of past actions, including showing the purported Biden photos.

Read the original article on Business Insider
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's Supreme Court will in September hear arguments against the government's failure to convene a panel for selecting judges which has been at the heart of a constitutional crisis, the political watchdog group behind the appeal said on Thursday.

The Supreme Court website showed a Sept 7 hearing of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel versus Justice Minister Yariv Levin, architect of a disputed judicial overhaul.

Among proposed reforms is an expansion of the Judicial Appointments Committee to give the government more sway over picks for the bench. Amid opposition protests, that bill was suspended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March.

Despite a growing roster of unfilled court positions, Levin has declined to convene the committee in its unchanged format.

(Writing by Dan Williams; editing by James Mackenzie, William Maclean)
Teachers in Topeka USD 501 have a new contract  one that will pay them at least $2,000 more over the course of the 2023-24 school year.

The district and representatives from Topekas chapter of the National Education Association teachers union on Wednesday finalized negotiations on the master contract, which sets the terms of employment and pay scales for more than 1,000 teachers in USD 501.

USD 501 teachers are set to make at least $2,000 more than their previous years salaries, in addition to any already scheduled increases for additional years of experience and education.

We didnt want anything more than a fair and affordable package for our employees, said Larry Robbins, deputy superintendent and lead negotiator for the district. We had only brought one proposal, so its not like we had a laundry list of things we wanted or needed. We just wanted to find some common ground for issues that the teachers wanted to be considered by the district administration and the school board.

Topeka USD 501 teachers will see $2,000 pay increase in 2023-24 school year

Brenda Blackman, lead negotiator with the Topeka chapter of the National Education Association teachers' union, said a $2,000 increase in the base pay for USD 501 teachers put it close to a goal of reaching a $50,000 starting salary.

With the $2,000 increase in teacher pay, the base salary for new teachers entering the district with no previous experience or continuing education would be $48,000 under the pending contract.

Thats believed to be among the highest starting salaries for any Kansas school district, said Brenda Blackman, a teacher and lead negotiator for NEA Topeka.

Its great, Blackman said. We would really like to see us hit that $50,000 base salary soon. That makes us competitive.

Robbins said the district hopes the high starting salary, combined with this years increases, will help the district attract and retain its educators.

We want to be the best game in town, so to speak, when it comes to compensating someone for their hard work, the deputy superintendent said. I think what we were able to offer, in terms of compensation, allows us to maintain that leadership (when it comes to salaries).

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Pay for teachers who only have a bachelor's degree tops out between $53,000 and $62,400, depending on years of experience and amount of continuing education.

Comparatively, salaries for teachers with doctoral degrees top out at $72,100, after 25 years of experience.

Blackman said she hopes future negotiations can continue to improve pay for teachers at the higher end of the pay scale, since other districts are often able to pay better than USD 501 for those teachers with higher levels of experience and education.

We know that there are gaps in our salary schedule the higher you get in years and experience, she said. We get less and less competitive the higher up we get in those areas. That continues to be something the association will bring up.

Teachers would pay heavier liquidated damages to break contracts mid-school year

Topeka USD 501's new starting salary for teachers is believed to be among the highest in Kansas.

As part of the negotiations, the Topeka teachers union also made the one concession district administrators sought.

Under the proposed contract, teachers will pay stiffer liquidated damages  or monetary fines  for breaking their contracts and quitting before the end of the school year. Some exceptions exist for circumstances like a death in the family, spouses job transfer and sickness.

The new language requires teachers to pay $1,000 if they quit the June before a school year, $2,000 if they quit in July, $3,000 if they quit during the fall semester, and $5,000 if they quit after that.

Robbins said the district was concerned that other districts were poaching USD 501 teachers by offering to pay off their liquidated damages. Last school year, the district had 18 teachers who broke their contracts by quitting before the end of the school year.

For the sake of our students, we want teachers to see those contracts through to their conclusion, and not leave the district and classrooms full of kids in the middle of the academic year, Robbins said. We hope itll be a deterrent and make a person think twice before abandoning their classroom in the middle of a contract.

Union representatives had been concerned that the district was looking to punish teachers for the unethical actions of other districts but ultimately relented with small increases and the addition of a fourth tier of liquidated damages.

Elementary special education teachers would finally get pay that reflects double duty

Meanwhile, NEA Topeka was able to earn another significant concession. In addition to regular salary, teachers in certain subjects, such as elementary and special education, get extra pay to reflect the fact that they are asked to do additional work or miss out on planning and preparation time that other teachers receive.

But for years, Topeka USD 501 only allowed elementary special education teachers to receive the special education addenda.

That had been a major sticking point for the union, but this year, the contract includes language that would begin paying those teachers both addenda.

More: Kansas has $1,000 grants for school supplies, tutoring and expenses. Here's how to apply.

Blackman said the unions victory was about being equitable.

Last year, we increased the elementary addenda with the understanding that those folks receive 200 minutes a week less in planning time compared to their secondary school colleagues, Blackman said. And to not provide that money to everyone who doesnt get that time somehow seems like youre not recognizing the extra amount of time they have to do in that part of their job versus the special education part.

Contract heads to teachers, Topeka Board of Education for ratification

Although negotiations have concluded, the agreement still needs to be ratified or approved by each side.

Members of Topeka NEA have already received full details and updated language in the new agreement via email. Theyll vote on the contract later in August.

More: Universal free school lunches ended, but some Kansas schools see a way to keep food coming

Once the union ratifies the contract, the Topeka Board of Education would also vote on approving it, likely in early September.

The district typically uses the percentage increase in teacher salaries as the basis for any raises for support staff and administrators.

Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka Public Schools set to pay among highest Kansas teacher salaries
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a report detailing a recall of Trader Joes Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup due to insects in the frozen broccoli florets.

According to the administration, the recall was initiated on July 10 and applies to 20-ounce containers of the soup sold in Florida, Illinois, California, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

So far, there have been 10,889 affected cases, the report said.

Trader Joe's Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Courtesy Trader Joe's)

Trader Joes did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NBC News and TODAY.com.

The FDA labeled the case as a Class III recall, meaning that exposure to the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

News about the Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup recall comes almost a week after Trader Joes announced that two of its popular cookie products may be contaminated with rocks.

On July 21, the grocery store chain revealed that it recalled its Almond Windmill Cookies with sell dates of Oct. 19 through Oct. 21, as well as its Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies with sell dates of Oct. 17 through Oct. 21.

The company later updated their announcement on July 25 to include Almond Windmill Cookies that had a sell date of Oct. 2.

If you purchased or received any donations of Almond Windmill Cookies and/or Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies, please do not eat them, the company said in a statement.

Trader Joes encouraged its customers to discard the items after learning that the cookies could contain rocks. Customers who want a full refund can return the cookies to any store location.

The store also said the affected cookies are no longer being sold and have been destroyed.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
One person was killed and another was critically injured after an SUV crashed into the rear of a slow-moving scooter on Interstate-75 in Weston, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The collision happened west of the I-75 and Interstate 595 interchange around 3 p.m.

A 49CC scooter with two on board was on the I-75s center lane going north at a slow rate of speed and nearing Indian Trace while a 36-year-old man in a Nissan Rogue SUV was approaching them from behind, troopers said in a report.

The SUVs driver was unable to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the scooter, troopers said.

The front of the SUV then collided with the rear of scooter, troopers said, causing it to overturn onto its right side as it slid in the center lane. As the scooter slid, its driver and passenger were thrown off from the vehicle, troopers added.

The man in the SUV stopped on the outside shoulder of the highway.

One of the people riding the scooter was pronounced dead on scene and the other was taken in a helicopter to Broward Health Hospital where he remained in critical condition Thursday night, according to the report.

Its unknown who drove the scooter because they were both ejected, Lt. Indiana Miranda, a Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman, told the Herald in an email.

Troopers noted in the report that none of the people riding the scooter were wearing helmets, and that the driver of the SUV had no signs of impairment.

The collision shut down the northbound lanes of I-75 for several hours.
Ron DeSantis and protester

A lawsuit seeking to overturn Floridas ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors has been amended to include a challenge to restrictions on care for adults and a request to block those while the suit proceeds.

A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida has already issued an injunction preventing the state from enforcing its bans on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for trans youth. But the law, Senate Bill 254, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May, is also interfering with trans adults care, according to the lawsuit.

For one thing, it prohibits the administration of gender-affirming treatment by anyone other than a physician, even though nurse practitioners are perfectly capable of providing the care, as they do with other treatments for other conditions, notes the suit, Doe v. Ladapo. As a result, many transgender adults in Florida have to delay or forgo their care, both because there are too few physicians to provide it and because some Floridians dont live near a physician who does, the suit says.

The suit, originally brought by several trans minors and their parents, was amended Friday to include four adult plaintiffs  Olivia Noel, Kai Pope, Lucien Hamel, and Rebecca Cruz Evia  and to seek class-wide relief for all trans minors and adults affected by the law. Then Monday, the plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the restrictions affecting adults, which are contained both in SB 254 and rules issued by Floridas medical boards. The defendants are Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and members of the medical boards.

The plaintiffs are represented by Southern Legal Counsel, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Human Rights Campaign. The groups issued this statement:

SB 254s restrictions on well-established medical care cause profound harm, serve no legitimate purpose, and reflect gross legislative overreach. SB 254 takes away Floridians ability to make important decisions about their own lives and hands it over to the government instead. That should alarm us all.

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In addition to banning established medical care for transgender adolescents and creating criminal and civil penalties for those providing such care, SB 254 enacted severe restrictions on access to care for adults. Advanced Practice Registered NurseNurse Practitioners (APRN-NPs) are critical providers of transgender healthcare in Florida. SB 254 now completely bars them from continuing to treat transgender patients. SB 254 also arbitrarily restricts the use of telehealth for transgender patients and requires in-person consultation for the initial prescription of all transition-related care, a requirement that can be impossible to meet for Florida residents who dont live near a providing physician. Pursuant to SB 254, the Boards of Medicine have also created mandatory, one-size-fits-all consent forms that defeat the purpose of informed consent by requiring providers to convey false information to their patients and by imposing extremely burdensome, unnecessary, and medically unjustified requirements that transgender patients must meet to obtain even routine transition-related care. Rather than protecting transgender patients, these restrictions intentionally make it difficult or impossible for transgender adults to receive needed medical care.

These restrictions serve no medical purpose and intentionally prevent transgender people from receiving the care they need.

The adult plaintiffs also commented in a press release. I wake up every day feeling like Im in a nightmare. SB 254 has canceled medically necessary treatment prescribed for me by my medical team, said plaintiff Kai Pope. As a physician myself, SB 254 alarms me not only because of the devastating harm it is causing me and other transgender Floridians, but because of the disruption it is causing to our healthcare system.
The family of a US Army private who fled across the border into North Korea have issued a fresh plea to the Biden administration to do whatever it takes to bring him home.

Travis King, 23, sprinted across the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea after joining a private tour on 18 July and is believed to have been taken into custody.

Mr King had been due to face a military disciplinary hearing later that week after serving two nearly months in prison in South Korea for assault.

In an interview with NBC News, Mr Kings sister Jaqueda Gates said the family were suffering amid the lack of information from North Korean officials.

Ms Gates said she had spoken to her brother 48 hours before his mad dash over the border, and was at a loss to understand what had happened.

My brother, hes not the type to get into trouble like that. It all just sounds made up, Ms Gates told NBC News.

US Army soldier Travis King defected to North Korea on 18 July (VIA REUTERS)

She said she hoped that the US government was doing everything it could to get her brother out of the secretive totalitarian state.

At the end of the day, I just feel like it should be no men left behind, Ms Gates told the network.

Mr King had last week been due to fly back to Texas to face disciplinary action for a confrontation with a South Korean police officer, that landed him in jail for six weeks.

He apparently left Seouls Incheon International Airport instead, and joined a tour group visiting the DMZ.

Mr Kings uncle Myron Gates told NBC News that they had been in touch with the parents of Otto Warmbier, a US student who died after being detained in North Korea in 2017.

Mr Gates said his worst fear was that his nephew returned from captivity in a vegetative state, as Warmbier had.

When he went to the Army to fight for America, America should fight for him, fight for him to come home, Mr Gates told the news site.

Jaqueda Gates says she is struggling to understand what happened to her brother Travis King (NBC News / screengrab)

Mr Kings mother Claudine Gates was an emotional wreck, Mr Gates added.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for information about Mr Kings status.

A spokesperson previously said that Mr Kings well-being was their top priority.
Travis Scott has performed a handful of live shows since his Astroworld tour in 2021

Travis Scott has promised fans his live show in front of Egypt's pyramids will go ahead in the future.

The rapper's desert gig was cancelled at the last minute after promoters Live Nation had insisted it was going ahead this Friday.

Following reports Egyptian authorities had pulled the plug, organisers confirmed on Wednesday the show was off due to "complex production issues".

But Travis has insisted the gig isn't dead and he'll share a new date soon.

The gig - timed to coincide with the release of his new album Utopia - sold out quickly after it was announced.

About two weeks ago Live Nation Middle East was forced to deny local reports that the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate had blocked the gig in Giza, home of the pyramids.

The group - which has the power to grant permission for live performances - was said to be unhappy with various elements of the show.

And on Wednesday Live Nation tweeted to confirm the show had in fact been cancelled.

"We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired," they said.

It said refunds would be available to any ticketholders.

The pyramids aren't usually associated with high-profile music events

The cancellation will be a blow for Travis, who's been building up to the release of Utopia for weeks now, according to NME commissioning editor Tom Smith.

"It's not just all about the performance," he says.

"There's a lot to consider when these launches are going on - this is just one part of what is a huge rollout."

Tom thinks two things played a big part in the cancellation - the unique venue and Travis's reputation.

He points out the pyramids are "an ancient structure" not used to hosting music events attended by thousands.

"Obviously you can go to a music venue or a festival field and there are well-organised structures and processes for that," he says.

"But when you're taken into an ancient structure, like the pyramids, things are obviously going to be a lot more tricky and a lot more hard to pull together at the last minute."

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Egyptian authorities said they had safety concerns about the concert following the death of 10 fans in a crowd surge at Travis's 2021 Astroworld gig in Houston in the United States.

Travis - who has two children with Kylie Jenner - has since tweeted to say: "Egypt at the pyramids will happen."

He blamed the cancellation on "demand and detail logistics" and said the plans would need a bit of "time to set lay on lands".

But Tom, from the NME, thinks what happened at Astroworld will affect Travis's plans for some time.

"His name will always be somewhat attached to what happened," he says.

"I know there's been discussions around who was to blame but ultimately it was a huge tragedy."

The rapper has been wrapped up in legal action since the Astroworld tragedy.

Last month a jury panel in Texas decided not to charge him with any criminal offences.

But he and Live Nation are still facing multiple lawsuits over the crush, in which hundreds of fans are believed to have been hurt.

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KYIVThe Kupiansk and Lyman axis of eastern Ukraine is rapidly spiraling into one of the hottest flashpoints of the war. The Ukrainian military reports that Russia has packed the region with more than 100,000 soldiers and 900 tanksalmost as many as the USSR deployed during the occupation of Afghanistan.

For some on the front line, its a sign that Vladimir Putin is desperate for a chink of light in his disastrous war.

Putin has to sell at least some victory to somehow get out of his failed operation, Svyatoslav Dubina, a Ukrainian platoon commander defending a position in that area, told The Daily Beast in an interview.

Battles in the region, including in the town of Kupyansk, have been so grueling that Dubina predicts survivors will share hellish stories about them for generations to come.

There is a place called Serebryansky forest, where we have had worse battles than in the city of Bakhmut, since there are no concrete walls to protect us, just trees and the trenches we dug, Dubina said. We can only win this war against superior Russian forces with high technologiesfor that we need to be smart and our Western allies should be supplying the high-precision weapons right now without waiting for nine months, like last year.

Russias Chaotic Meltdown Over American Cluster Bombs Begins

Russia is hell-bent on taking control of Serebryansky forest, seen as a gateway to the city of Lyman, which Ukraine liberated last year just a day after Russia claimed it had annexed the town. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Putin had ordered his troops to occupy the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine by March this year. But theres no controlling those regions without winning the fight for the forest firstand that plan has failed.

A group of Ukrainian soldiers walk in the direction of Lyman and Kreminna in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on July 25, 2023. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

That doesnt mean the Russians have lost their shot at re-taking Donetsk and Luhansk entirely, though.

The sweetest scenario for Russians would be if our troops retreated to the river of Seversky Donetskthat would mean Russia has taken over the Luhansk region, 49-year-old Dubna said. That could only happen if they managed to break through our defense in Luhansk region. The Russian operation in the Luhansk region is also known as big Gerasimovs design, Aleksiy Arestovych, a Kyiv-based analyst and former adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, told The Daily Beast.

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Russians realize that we are ready for our main push in the south, so they decided it was time to distract in the east and reinforced that part of the front with 100,000 troops and 900 tanks, he said. But that is a very difficult place for Russian offensivehills, forests, and rivers.

By now, Russian commanders have realized that even occupied territories can be retaken, as was the case in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, Luhansk, and other regions of Ukraine. The head of Russias Wagner mercenary army, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in a video posted on Wednesday that the situation on the front is a shame for the Russian armygiven the sheer volume of cannon fodder and tanks at their disposal.

A Ukrainian serviceman with the 95th Brigade reloads artillery shells in the region of Lyman, Ukraine, on April 7, 2023. Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Starting from early May, we have been winning in counter-battery fire because of our high-precision weapons. We have been winning in artillery battles with the Hammer, M777 Howitzer, and RCH-155 SAUand Russians cannot do anything about it.

Clocks Ticking

But the Ukrainians are facing shortages in every vital resource, he added.

We have shortages not only of high-precision weapons and missiles, but of the most basic: mortar, machine guns, of all items of ammunition, he said. But we have to defend the thousand-kilometer-long border with Belarus in the north and the border with Transnistria in the south, so the forces cannot be concentrated only in the Luhansk region, where there are far superior Russian forces, Arestovych told The Daily Beast.

Ukrainian servicemen with the 95th Brigade fire artillery at the frontline in the region of Lyman, Ukraine on April 7, 2023. Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Dubinas platoon arrived at their positions in Luhansk in early March, after having liberated the occupied parts of Kharkiv region. From early March until the middle of April, Dubinas platoon was holding positions under constant fire.

They stormed us every single day, sometimes five or six times a day. That had already been happening even before we arrived, Dub9na, who had spent three months defending positions in the Serebryansky forest, told The Daily Beast. Russian soldiers assigned to dig fortificationskapuny or diggersare supposed to dig eight meters of trenches per shift. they were digging even under our artillery fire in a hurry to complete the trenches

Ukrainian platoon commander Svyatoslav Dubina. Svyatoslav Dubina

Since the beginning of the counteroffensive on June 8, Ukrainian forces have recaptured about 300 miles of its territory, pushing their way through Russian mine fields and through brutal battles. If they were better equipped, they could have done even better, Dubina said,

Remote observation video equipment, which costs around $15, could have replaced four soldiers we need to hold the surveillance positions during 24 hours on the front, Dubina said. To win this war we need to save all the lives of our soldiers. We could only do it by equipping our forces with more drones and technology. But we were waiting for months and months for the ammunition, until our commanders basically screamed for helpwe lost time.

Michael Bociurkiw, a senior fellow of the Atlantic Council, shared similar concerns about ammunition.

Russian forces have poor morale and are poorly equipped, but the strategy they are using is unfortunately the gap in time to supply the ammunition. Given the situation Ukraine might begin to strike long-ranged missileswhether the West likes it or notat key military targets within Russian-occupied territory, he told The Daily Beast, adding: It is going to escalate.

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In three days of bombing, Russia has again damaged cultural sites in Ukraine, this time in the historic city of Odesawhich UNESCO recently added to its World Heritage List, invoking a rarely used emergency inscription to add the city and calling it the duty of all humanity to protect it.

Russian bombs hit the Odesa Literary Museum, the Odesa Archaeological Museum, and the Museum of Western and Oriental Art, according to news reports. The Mykolaiv Regional Center for Folk Art and Cultural and Educational Work was completely destroyed. The Transfiguration Cathedral, one of the most important churches in Odesa, was also badly damaged.

The Russian Federations attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure has already led the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin for war crimes, specifically over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.

My Year of Living Under Constant Attack in Kyiv

In addition, a report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine documents further war crimes and human rights violations by Russian forces, including sexual violence, torture, and summary executionsalong with unlawful attacks against energy infrastructure, schools, residential buildings, and medical facilities.

Ukraine has set up special units that follow troops into liberated areas, documenting war crimes and human rights violations in real time, and collecting evidence to support prosecutions. Many Western governments, including the United States, provide technical support and advice to the war crimes units and to the chief prosecutor who oversees war crimes investigations.

The damaged interior of the Transfiguration Cathedral as a result of a Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine. Oleksandr Gimanov/AFP via Getty Images

But one type of war crime has yet to receive the same attentionthe wide-scale assault on Ukraines cultural infrastructure, which has damaged or destroyed hundreds of culture centers, including some of the countrys most important museums, libraries, and religious worship and heritage sites.

UNESCOs figures confirm the scale of cultural destruction, indicating that as of this month, 270 cultural sites had been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the war.

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It is not yet known how many smaller cultural centers have been attacked or lost, but by November 2022, PEN Ukraine had documented the complete loss of or damage to more than 500 cultural objects since the invasion started.

The obliteration of cultural infrastructure and the ongoing attacks are war crimes and clear violations of the cultural rights of Ukrainians. Importantly, the destruction of cultural venues large and small will undermine the key role that culture will play in healing and restoring Ukraine when the war ends.

The NATO Summit Proved the Alliance Is Strong and Still Has Ukraines Back

The Losova Palace of Culture in the Kharkiv region is just one poignant example of Russias assault on cultural venues. Extensively damaged by a Russian missile in spring 2022, the nondescript brown building was the heart of our urban community, said Victor Harashchuck, the director. With its small theater and library, the Palace of Culture hosted concerts, plays and childrens programs. Harashchuck cannot understand why the center was targeted: There is no military here, nothing related to the military.

The Chernihiv Regional Youth Libraryestablished in 1978, a beautiful red structure, constructed in the Gothic Revival style and with a collection of 62,000 bookswas destroyed on March 11, 2022, when Russian forces dropped a 500 kilogram bomb on it. The All Saints Skete of Sviatohirsk Lavra in the Donetsk region, constructed of pine wood and adorned with carvings, was repeatedly attacked in April and May 2022. A fire after Russian shelling on June 4, 2022, completely destroyed the church.

The nineteenth-century Porro House after being damaged by the missile attack in Odessa, Ukraine on July 24, 2023. Andre Alves/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Cultural property is protected under international human rights and humanitarian law. The 1954 Hague Convention, in the event of armed conflict, explicitly sanctions crimes against cultural property, recognizing that the loss of cultural infrastructure causes pain and suffering to communities who risk losing their heritage, identities, language, and ability to engage in cultural life. Parties to the Convention, which includes the Russian Federation, must respect cultural property during conflict and refrain from any act of hostility toward it.

The interior of the House of Scientists shows the damage from a Russian missile attack on July 23, 2023 in Odesa, southern Ukraine. Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

In 2016, the U.N. Human Rights Council stated in a resolution that each cultural violation constitutes an aggravating factor in conflict and a major obstacle to dialogue, peace, and reconciliation.

Putins Eurotrip Options Slashed With Another Vow to Arrest Him

The Ukrainian government, its people, and the international community have rallied to protect their cultural heritage and property by moving precious artifacts to relative safety, and developing restoration plans. Efforts are underway to ensure that all cultural property is marked to facilitate its recognition and to support Ukrainian military efforts to protect existing cultural infrastructure. In addition, the international community has supported writers, artists, and others who produce culture, helping some to flee the war and supporting others who remain in Ukraine.

While these efforts to protect culture are critically important, they must be accompanied by accountability for its destruction. Ukraine and the international community must urgently support a comprehensive approach to accountability by fully investigating attacks on culture, gathering the necessary evidence for prosecution and identifying perpetrators.

These are cultural crimes, and the perpetrators must face justice.

Liesl Gerntholtz, a human rights lawyer, is the founding director of PEN Americas PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center.

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Recently fired from the Dakin Toy Company in 1980, H. Ty Warner began a three-year sabbatical to Italy and made a discovery that turned him into a billionaire.

Inspired by plush cat toys he saw overseas, Warner set out to create his own stuffed animals. But even he likely couldnt imagine the success the 1993 launch of Beanie Babies would bring him, with Warner's eponymous company Ty Inc. profiting more than $700 million only two years later. The new Apple TV+ movie The Beanie Bubble, which stars Zach Galifianakis as Warner, streams Friday and tells a fictionalized version of the incredible rise of the toy titan and his beanies.

The film is based on a 2015 book by author Zac Bissonnette called The Great Beanie Bubble: Mass Delusion and the Dark Side of Cute. As its title might imply, the movie explores the more problematic aspects of Warners venture, including his complicated personal and business relationships with three womenplayed by Elizabeth Banks, Sarah Snook, and Geraldine Viswanathankey to the products success. But even after the beanie craze's end, Warner born in Chicago on Sept. 3, 1944has remained a controversial figure despite his somewhat reclusive existence.

From financial crimes to allegations of domestic abuse, heres a look at the 78-year-olds headline-grabbing life in recent years.

Conviction on Tax Evasion

According to Chicago magazine, Warners net worth was estimated to be as high as $6 billion before interest in Beanie Babies considerably waned during the mid-2000s. However, he nearly went to prison over a small fraction of that.

At the height of his companys success in 1996, Warner opened a secret account at Switzerland's UBS bank and deposited an undisclosed amount of money. The cash compounded tax-free over the next dozen years, with Warner falsely indicating on his tax returns that he had no foreign accounts. By 2008, the accountwhich he had transferred in 2002 under the name of a shell corporationwas worth more than $107 million, according to Chicago.

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Eventually, authorities discovered the account, and Warner was charged with federal tax evasion in September 2013. The charge carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. According to CNN, Warner pleaded guilty and paid a civil penalty of $53.5 million as part of a plea agreement.

U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras considered this and Warners history of philanthropic effortssuch as giving more than $6 million to the Andre Agassi Foundation and $3 million to create Ty Warner Park in the Chicago suburb of Westmont. In January 2014, Kocoras spared Warner of prison time and sentenced him to two years probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $100,000 fine. Society will be best served to allow Warner to continue his good works, he said.

Abuse Allegations

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While he is known to be charitable in the public eye, a former partner alleged Warner had a much darker side in private.

In September 2021, Warners longtime partner Kathryn Zimmie filed a complaint in Santa Barbara Superior Court in California, alleging she suffered years of abuse during their marriage-like relationship. She sought half of Warner's $400 million estate in Montecito, California.

According to the Santa Barbara Independent, Zimmie claimed she was under constant video surveillance at the estate. She alleged Warner berated her for coughing too much and not finishing her meals and that he would try to hide her walking cane. The most disturbing allegation in the complaint was that Warner choked Zimmie during a 2012 altercation in which she said she would leave him.

At the time, Warners lawyer, Gregory Scandaglia, called the complaint a money grab filled with lies and said Zimmies claims have no legal basis and are entirely without merit.

According to the New York Post, the suit was still ongoing in October 2022. Although official details of the cases progression are unclear, Distractify reported in July 2023 that it has been dismissed with prejudice, according to Scandaglias team.

Four Seasons Hotel Disputes

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With his considerable fortune, Warner also invested in real estate, including several luxury hotel properties. They included the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City and the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara, California. Warner closed both properties at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and has shockingly yet to reopen them, prompting legal action.

According to SFGATE, a law firm representing 250 workers at the Biltmore filed a $6 million lawsuit in February 2022 alleging labor disputes and loss of wages. A vast majority have not found comparable employment, resulting in evictions, foreclosure of mortgages, unpaid bills, the inability to purchase health insurance, and severe emotional damages, attorneys told the outlet in February 2023. A Ty Warner Hotels and Resorts spokesperson responded by saying the property is undergoing renovations, and there is no timeline for reopening.

As for the New York property, the New York Post reported that Warner and Four Seasons management have been locked in an ongoing dispute. The spat is reportedly over Warners refusal to pay large upkeep fees demanded by Four Seasons management.

Even with his other properties, Warners efforts as a hotelier have not been profitable. In 2021, ProPublica reported that Warner did not pay federal income taxes for 12 years because his businesses had lost so much money.

Its a far cry from the raging success of Beanie Babies, which are still available through Ty Inc. and remain Warners most recognizable contribution.

Watch The Beanie Bubble on Apple TV+

The Beanie Bubble, which offers a dramatized look at the Beanie Babies phenomenon and the key people behind it, streams on Apple TV+ starting Friday. It stars Galifianakis as Warner and Banks, Snook, and Viswanathan in supporting roles.

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Former President Donald Trump is bracing for a third possible criminal indictment this year as a Washington grand jury meets Thursday to review evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths probe into the effort to block the transition of power following the 2020 election.

Smith has been investigating numerous ways Trump and those in his orbit sought to unwind the 2020 election, from pushing false claims about election fraud, pressuring Justice Department officials to take action and asking former Vice President Mike Pence to reject his ceremonial duty to certify President Bidens victory.

When those efforts failed, Trumps Jan. 6 address encouraged attendees to fight like hell and march to the Capitol, where his supporters violently ransacked the building.

Trumps attorneys met with Smith on Thursday morning.

While NBC reported they were told to expect an indictment, Trump denied that in a later statement.

My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country. No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything! Trump wrote in a post on social media.

While Trump sought to counter reporting, he previously shared that he received a letter notifying he is a target in the probe, noting that often means an indictment is imminent.

The special counsels office declined to comment on the meeting, and Trumps attorneys did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump, who is leading polls for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, released a series of videos on his social media platform Wednesday targeting the probes into him, repeating his debunked claims of election fraud and turning to a favorite phrase in blasting inquiries into him as a witch hunt.

They dont go after the people who cheated in the election, they only go after the people who report on, or question the cheating, he said.

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The normal buzz of activity at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington has continued, even as dozens of reporters near the grand jury room await the potential indictment.

Reporters spotted the grand jurors entering the courthouse earlier Thursday. The grand jury typically meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, although they were not seen Tuesday earlier this week.

Various media organizations have also assembled satellite trucks outside the courthouse, nestled between the White House and the Capitol along Pennsylvania Avenue, in preparation for the high-stakes proceedings.

Its unclear what specific charges Trump will face, though reporting on the target letter suggests he could face charges for conspiring to deprive citizens the free exercise of constitutional rights like voting.

If convicted, offenders face a fine or up to 10 years in prison.

The inclusion of a conspiracy charge also suggests there could be other co-defendants included in the indictment.

A model prosecution memo from former prosecutors analyzing the case also suggests the former president could face charges on conspiracy to defraud the United States after creating fake electoral certificates that were submitted to Congress.

Creating those fake electoral certificates could also implicate statutes that prohibit obstruction of an official proceeding, one of the charges also leveled at numerous rioters who entered the building, including members of the Oath Keepers and military and chauvinist group the Proud Boys.

Trump was indicted in New York earlier this year on charges stemming from efforts to conceal hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

And he is facing federal charges in a 37-count indictment in relation to the Mar-a-Lago probe after mishandling classified records.

Zach Schonfeld and Brett Samuels contributed.

This story was updated at 1:42 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Special Counsel Jack Smith charged a third defendant in the Trump classified documents case.

Trump also faces two new charges of obstruction of justice and willful retention of classified documents.

Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 counts in the case last month.

Special counsel Jack Smith charged a third person in the Trump classified documents case, and added two new charges against Trump, according to new court documents.

Maintenance worker Carlos De Oliveira, 56, was added to the indictment, court records show. De Oliveira joins former President Donald Trump and his aide, Walt Nauta, both of whom pleaded not guilty to the charges against them last month.

De Oliveira was added to the obstruction conspiracy charged in the original indictment, prosecutors said.

Trump and Nauta also now face two additional charges of obstruction of justice and willful retention of classified documents. Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 counts in the case last month.

"The superseding indictment also charges Trump, De Oliveira and Nauta with two new obstruction counts based on allegations that the defendants attempted to delete surveillance video footage at The Mar-a-Lago Club in summer 2022," a statement from Peter Carr, spokesperson for Jack Smith, said.

De Oliveira helped Nauta move the boxes of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago after the Department of Justice subpoenaed Trump to for the records last May, CNN reported.

De Oliveira spoke with prosecutors earlier this year, according to the outlet, which previously reported that De Oliveira was captured on surveillance footage moving boxes of documents around Trump's Florida resort.

The footage reportedly shows Nauta and De Oliveira moving boxes into a storage room which the Justice Department later said was likely used to conceal government records.

The new court documents allege Trump, Nauta, and De Oliveira asked another staffer to delete the footage to prevent it from being provided to a federal grand jury.

Representatives for Trump and De Oliveira did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. A spokesperson for Trump told The Associated Press that the additional charges are "nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt" by the Biden administration "to harass President Trump and those around him."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Getty)

Former president Donald Trumps attempts to undermine the results of elections that his rivals have won are now at the centre of a sprawling federal investigation, one that follows an avalanche of lies and conspiracy theories about the democratic process and a campaign to overturn the votes of millions of Americans.

Lawsuits from his legal team and Trump allies were shot down in court. His own administration and campaign failed to produce any evidence.

But his false and inflated claims, spanning more than a decade, have sowed enough doubt among his supporters to construct the lie of stolen and rigged elections, animating Republican attempts to challenge results and craft legislation to do what Mr Trump failed to do in the courts.

A persistent lie that the election was stolen from him fuelled violence at the US Capitol on 6 January, 2021, sustained partisan investigations intended to reverse the outcomes in states he lost, inspired Republican-led legislation in nearly every state to change how elections are run, and has formed the basis of Mr Trumps 2024 campaign.

Did he believe the truth of his claims? And how often was he told, by both his advisers and White House officials, that he was wrong?

These are questions that prosecutors are likely considering as US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and his team weigh another federal indictment against the former president, but they wont need to establish that he was aware that he was spreading misinformation to charge him for a range of potential election-related crimes.

Years of evidence, however, suggests that he knew what he was saying was false, or that he should have known he was not telling the truth, when he waged his assault on an election he lost to Joe Biden.

A history of sham and rigged elections

He told his followers to march on Washington and stop this travesty. He told them to fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice.

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The world is laughing at us, he said. This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! Our country is now in serious and unprecedented trouble ... like never before.

It was 7 November, 2012, and Barack Obamas election night defeat of Mitt Romney sent Donald Trump into a Twitter tailspin.

Most of those messages were later deleted, but similar statements were repeated often and in public in the years that followed, including on a stage in Washington DC that day a mob of his followers stormed the halls of Congress on 6 January, 2021.

Four years after raging over 2012 results, after he came in second place in the Iowa caucus for the Republican nomination for president, Mr Trump said his then-rival Ted Cruz stole the primary from him.

Ted Cruz didnt win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad! he said on Twitter in February 2016.

He called for a new election or for the votes to be nullified.

In August 2016, during a campaign stop in Ohio, he said he is afraid the elections going to be rigged  a statement based on nothing.

But that summer, however, Republican operative Roger Stone called on then-candidate Trump to talk about voter fraud constantly.

He told Breitbart: He needs to say for example, today would be a perfect example: I am leading in Florida. The polls all show it. If I lose Florida, we will know that theres voter fraud. If theres voter fraud, this election will be illegitimate, the election of the winner will be illegitimate, we will have a constitutional crisis, widespread civil disobedience, and the government will no longer be the government.

Mr Trump will go to the places other politicians wont, and hes probably the only person to run for president within the last 50 years who would dare to do this, and might even get away with it, Stone added.

Then-candidate Trump would later tell Fox News host Sean Hannity that there are 1.8 million people who are dead, who are registered to vote, and some of them absolutely vote.

Of course there is large-scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive! he said on Twitter that same week.

A voter fraud commission that found no evidence of voter fraud

Shortly after entering office in 2017, Mr Trump established a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, chaired by his then-Vice President Mike Pence. Kris Kobach, then the secretary of state of Kansas and a key architect of GOP election laws, was appointed as vice chair.

Other members of the commission included members of influential right-wing think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Public Interest Legal Foundation, which have also advanced restrictive voting laws under the election integrity banner.

In July 2017, Mr Kobach requested every state to provide a list of all registered voters, the last four digits of their Social Security numbers, their addresses, dates of birth, political affiliation, and voting history.

Mississippis Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said the commissions request can go jump in the Gulf of Mexico. Virginias then-Governor Terry McAuliffe said he had no intention to respond to the commissions request.

This entire commission is based on the specious and false notion that there was widespread voter fraud last November. At best this commission was set up as a pretext to validate Donald Trumps alternative election facts, and at worst is a tool to commit large-scale voter suppression, he said in a statement at the time.

He added that the only irregularity stemming from the 2016 presidential election involved Russian troll farms to sow political and social discord and boost Mr Trumps candidacy.

On 3 January, 2018, Mr Trump announced that he was dissolving the commission.

Despite substantial evidence of voter fraud, many states have refused to provide the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity with basic information relevant to its inquiry, he said in a statement at the time. Rather than engage in endless legal battles at taxpayer expense, today I signed an executive order to dissolve the Commission, and have asked the Department of Homeland Security to review these issues and determine next courses of action.

The commission released its documents six months later, after a lawsuit from Maines secretary of State and commission member Matthew Dunlap argued that instead of widespread evidence of fraud the commissions findings actually reveals a troubling bias.

Mr Dunlap said that the commissions purpose was not to pursue the truth but rather to provide an official imprimatur of legitimacy [from] President Trumps assertions that millions of illegal votes were cast during the 2016 election and to pave the way for policy changes designed to undermine the right to vote.

There exists no single document that reveals there is no widespread voter fraud, according to Mr Dunlap, but evidence that fails to substantiate the presidents claims.

A disinformation campaign before a single vote was cast

Before he publicly and repeatedly cast doubt on the legitimacy of mail-in ballots and the results of the 2020 election, then-President Trump was reportedly so impressed with his administrations work in election security that he planned a press conference around it.

Months before Election Day, intelligence officials met with Mr Trump and other White House officials on 14 February, 2020 to review potential threats to that years election and assured the president they had no concerns about its integrity.

That briefing came one day after a House committee hearing with intelligence officials who warned lawmakers that Russia was likely interfering in 2020 campaigns to boost Mr Trumps chances of re-election. Days later, Mr Trump fired Joseph Maguire, the acting director of national intelligence who testified at that hearing. He was immediately replaced with Richard Grenell.

That press conference never happened; Mr Trump continued his narrative that elections, particularly those in which Republicans lose, are corrupt.

In March 2020, as election officials prepared for an increase in voting by mail during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Trump told Fox News that higher voter turnout would be a political disaster for Republicans.

The things they had in there were crazy, he said of Democratic proposals for emergency coronavirus aid. They had levels of voting, that if you ever agreed to it youd never have a Republican elected in this country again.

Mr Trump vowed to block such emergency funding for the US Postal Service, specifically to prevent expanded access to voting by mail.

They need that money in order to make the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, he told Fox Business in August 2020. But if they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting, because theyre not equipped to have it.

Mr Trump and Republicans have repeatedly claimed without evidence that universal mail-in voting  in which any eligible voter can request an absentee ballot  is ripe for fraud.

Republicans should fight very hard when it comes to state wide mail-in voting. Democrats are clamoring for it, Mr Trump said in April 2020. Tremendous potential for voter fraud, and for whatever reason, doesnt work out well for Republicans.

Proponents have often defended those claims by pointing to a 2005 report from the Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A Baker III.

The report noted that because voting by mail takes place outside of polling locations, there is an increased potential for fraud, but does not say that any such fraud has occurred on the scale Mr Trump has alleged. The report goes on to state that when safeguards are in place  like in Oregon, where voters have exclusively voted by mail since 1998  fraud was virtually nonexistent.

False claims and mischaracterisations about the report prompted former President Carter to issue a rare public statement in May 2020 urging political leaders to take immediate steps to expand vote-by-mail and other measures that can help protect the core of American democracy  the right of our citizens to vote.

After court rulings struck down his attempts to challenge vote-by-mail policies, and as he campaign failed to find evidence, then-President Trump routinely used his bully pulpit at the White House and on stage at his campaign rallies to launch a flood of false claims spread widely among his supporters and on social media.

When a federal judge ordered his campaign to produce such evidence in their possession, and if they have none, state as much, attorneys produced evidence pointing to only a handful of election fraud cases  none of which involved mail-in ballots.

A legal effort to overturn results while aides told him he lost

By Election Day in 2020, then-President Trump made dozens of false or misleading statements about voter fraud and voting by mail within that year alone. He kept going within hours after polls closed on 3 November.

A big WIN! he wrote on Twitter at 12.45am that night. We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election. We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed! he wrote minutes later.

At a news conference hours later, he claimed a very sad group of people are trying to disenfranchise his supporters before listing states that he falsely claimed to have won.

Frankly, we did win this election, he said. So our goal now is to ensure the integrity, for the good of this nation. This is a very big moment. This is a major fraud on our nation.

Over the following days and months, he continued to suggest that the late-counted mail-in ballots for Mr Biden that changed the outcome in states that he lost were evidence of fraud, after he spent months denigrating absentee ballots and urging his supporters to cast their votes in person.

A flurry of legal challenges and partisan legislative hearings targeted election laws and outcomes in states that he lost; none produced any evidence of widespread fraud.

His legal team largely walked away from the effort, except for Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, who are now facing defamation claims and professional sanctions for amplifying the same baseless claims.

In November 2020, one week after the election, Mr Krebs said in a statement through his agency that there is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised. That sentence was highlighted in bold in the statement.

Mr Trump fired him with a tweet.

The House select committee investigating the events surrounding January 6 found that Mr Trumps senior advisers told him on 12 November, 2020, that he lost the election  not from fraud, but because more people voted for Mr Biden.

Mr Trump was then reportedly furious with his Attorney General Bill Barr when he told the Associated Press in December 2020 that to date no agency has seen any evidence of fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election.

That month, John Eastman  a Trump-linked attorney who organised the so-called alternate elector scheme  also warned the campaign against repeating debunked data in a suit targeting Georgias election results.

Mr Trump was made aware that some of the allegations (and evidence proffered by the experts) has been inaccurate, Mr Eastman wrote, according to court filings. For him to sign a new verification with that knowledge (and incorporation by reference) would not be accurate.

That email from Mr Eastman underscores what federal prosecutors are likely now examining: That Mr Trumps team was aware that the arguments they were making were indefensible, and that the man who was insisting on them knew that.

Judge Carter also pointed to an email from a Trump attorney that said merely having this case pending in the Supreme Court, not ruled on, might be enough to delay consideration of Georgia.

This email, read in context with other documents in this review, make clear that President Trump filed certain lawsuits not to obtain legal relief, but to disrupt or delay the January 6 congressional proceedings through the courts, wrote Mr Carter, alleging a similar tactic that Mr Trump has used to squash investigations and lawsuits against him for years.

The House committee spent a year and a half on its investigation, including a series of blockbuster public hearings laying out evidence and witness testimony describing the depth of Mr Trumps attempts to remain in office at whatever cost. The panels final 845-page report provides a detailed account of Mr Trumps refusal to cede power  regardless of the outcome of a democratic election  while his close advisers told him that he lost.

In his interview with the House select committee, Trump adviser Jason Miller said he had several conversations with Mr Trump that his claims were wrong. Mr Barr told the committee that Mr Trumps claims were detached from reality.

Mr Barr and other administration officials also said they tried to debunk conspiracy theories surrounding Dominion Voting Systems, which recently settled with Fox News for $787m in a landmark defamation case against the network. But Mr Trump went on to tweet about Dominion nearly three dozen times from November 2020 up until the attack on the Capitol on January 6.

In a text message reviewed by federal prosecutors, Mr Trumps own chief of staff Mark Meadows joked with a White House lawyer about his false claims of voter fraud in Georgia.

The former president has continued a narrative of political persecution as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination for president, with a reliable mention of stolen or rigged election in speeches and on his Truth Social platform.

Mr Trump, who has reliably turned to projection in his rhetorical playbook, is now referring to the multiple investigations and indictments against him as their own form of politically motivated election interference to stop him from reaching the White House.
Former President Donald Trump is hyping taking the witness stand in his own potential trial over his efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election as a federal grand jury is reportedly set to vote on charges as early as Thursday.

Well have fun on the stand with all of these people that say the Presidential Election wasnt Rigged and Stollen, he wrote on his Truth Social platform Wednesday. THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY!!!

Trump has continued to falsely claim he defeated Joe Biden in 2020 as he leads the pack for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Most of his rivals are saying he should get a pass for inciting the violent Capitol riot.

While the former president has received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith, which legal experts suggest signals a looming indictment, it is highly unlikely he would take to the stand in his own criminal trial. His penchant for falsehoods and hyperbole, and his rich record of outrageous public statements, would make him a ripe target for an experienced prosecutors cross-examination.

Trumps legal and political teams are bracing for a grand jury vote on charges as early as Thursday, NBC News reported, citing three sources.

Smiths probe has been wide-ranging, targeting the fake elector scheme and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, among other things, as investigators continue questioning witnesses.

Bernard Kerik, who worked with Trumps former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to investigate unfounded claims of voter fraud after the 2020 contest, turned over thousands of documents to Smith, his lawyer confirmed this week.

I have shared all of these documents, approximately 600 MB, mostly PDFs, with the Special Counsel and look forward to sitting down with them in about 2 weeks to discuss, Tim Parlatore, Keriks lawyer, said in a statement Monday.

Giuliani has also spoken to prosecutors, as has Trumps former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who declined to comment when questioned by a reporter about the probe.

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Chris Krebs, a former government cybersecurity official in charge of voting system security who was fired by Trump after casting doubt on his election lies, confirmed this week that he spoke to Smith earlier this year.

Smith has been zeroing in on a Feb. 14, 2020, White House meeting where Trump was briefed by various agency officials about the security of the U.S. election, sources told NBC Newsand CNN.

The target letter Smith sent Trump on July 16 referenced three federal statutes that could constitute the basis for his prosecution: conspiracy to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under color of law, and tampering with victims, witnesses or informants.

Trump has already been indicted twice  first in New York over his role in a hush money payment scheme involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels, followed by a federal indictment over his mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House.

The former president could face additional charges in a special grand jury investigation in Georgia over efforts to subvert Bidens 2020 win in the state.

Related...
The grand jury conducting special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into Donald Trumps bid to interfere with the 2020 presidential election met again Thursday amid signs of a looming indictment, but by late afternoon it was uncertain what action prosecutors planned.

Just before 3 p.m., a deputy clerk at the federal courthouse near the Capitol where the grand jury meets told journalists stationed there that no indictments had been returned Thursday and none were expected by the end of the day.

Trump, who said earlier this month that his lawyers had received a target letter signaling he was likely to be indicted by Smith in the election-interference probe, struck an unusually upbeat tone about a meeting his attorneys held Thursday morning with the special counsels team. Last month, lawyers for Trump had a similar meeting with Smiths team just days before Smith obtained an indictment of Trump in Florida for hoarding classified documents after his presidency.



My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Trump Social. No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!

Trumps comment hinted at a defense he seems likely to rely on should he face charges: That his efforts to overturn the 2020 election were based on the recommendations of attorneys and should be seen as an attempt to work through the legal system, not subvert it.

As Trumps legal challenges to the election results faltered in the weeks following the election, he relied on lawyers with increasingly fringe strategies to keep him in power. Most notably, attorney John Eastman helped Trump develop a plan to pressure then-vice president Mike Pence to single-handedly attempt to block Joe Bidens election. Pence ultimately refused to participate in the effort.

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Anticipation was palpable at the courthouse Thursday, where throngs of journalists crowded hallways and looked for signs of movement in the vicinity of the courthouses sealed grand jury spaces. Trumps announcement that his lawyers had met with Smiths team earlier in the day further fueled speculation that an indictment was imminent.

The media encampment outside the D.C. courthouse continued to grow through the day Thursday, despite the sweltering heat.

Meanwhile, in Fulton County, Georgia, images of newly installed security barricades around the courthouse there  where Trump may face similar charges related to his role in seeking to subvert Bidens win in Georgia  also contributed to the sense that Trumps already serious legal troubles are about to become even graver.

Trump, whom opinion polls show to be the clear frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, already faces two criminal cases. One, filed in New York in March, charges him with violating state law by falsifying business records related to alleged hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. The other, brought by Smith last month in Florida, accuses him of willfully retaining national security secrets in documents at his Palm Beach estate and of attempting to obstruct justice in that investigation.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases and claims he is the victim of political vendettas.
The Justice Departments investigation into former President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol is twisting his Republican primary competitors in knots trying to both defend him and denounce what happened that day.

Speculation about an impending indictment of Trump over his actions surrounding Jan. 6 have thrust the days events  when hundreds of rioters violently stormed the Capitol to try and halt the certification of the 2020 election results  back into the spotlight.

The issue of Jan. 6 has been a thorny one for Republicans running for president, and few are eager to talk about the violence of that day. Some candidates have tied themselves into rhetorical knots, careful not to seem either overly sympathetic to rioters or overly critical of Trump, who remains broadly popular in the party.

I think there are some candidates that havent really had to clearly articulate what they think about January 6, said Republican strategist Rob Stutzman. Some of them are rising in the polls, like Sen. [Tim] Scott, and theyre going to have to answer more clearly sooner or later.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running in second behind Trump in most polls, initially said after learning Trump was a target of the Justice Department (DOJ) investigation that the former president could have spoken out more forcefully on Jan. 6, while also arguing Trump should not be charged over his conduct that day.

In a more recent interview with actor Russell Brand, DeSantis said he did not consider the events of Jan. 6 to be an insurrection, instead suggesting it was a protest that devolved into a riot.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who in his 2024 campaign launch argued Trumps actions on Jan. 6 were disqualifying for another White House term, told NewsNation that the former presidents words were reckless, but that he did not believe it rose to the level of being criminal. Pence himself was in harms way that day while presiding over Congresss counting of Electoral College votes in his capacity as vice president.

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Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who was also at the Capitol that day, went further in a recent candidate town hall, saying he did not hold Trump responsible for putting him in danger during the riot.

I hold the folks who broke into the Capitol with ill will in their hearts, destroying property, responsible for their actions, Scott said. I dont hold the former president, who didnt show up at the Capitol & threaten my life, as responsible.

Scotts comments drew a rebuke from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who has been deeply critical of Trumps conduct and character but has said he would withhold judgment about any potential charges until seeing an indictment.

Im disappointed in Tim that he would be sitting out there saying Its really not the presidents responsibility, Christie said on Face The Nation on Sunday. The president invited them. The president lied to them and told them the election was stolen.

The varying degrees of defending Trump while denouncing the rioters is yet another example of candidates having to tread carefully around Trump and his legal troubles, which have galvanized his base this year and also hindered some of his primary competitors.

It hasnt hurt Trump the way that most people would imagine it should have hurt Trump. But it has impacted the dynamic of the Republican primary race, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) told MSNBC about a potential third indictment involving Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Look, the fact that nobody else can get any traction or attention is because all were talking about is Donald Trumps legal troubles, he added.

Trump, meanwhile, has not shied away from the events of Jan. 6 during his own campaign for another term in the White House.

The former president during a CNN town hall event in May said many of those present during the Jan. 6 riots were there with love in their heart, and Trump has on multiple occasions indicated hed be willing to pardon those convicted over their actions during the attack on the Capitol. In recent weeks, Trump hosted a fundraiser for Jan. 6 rioters at his Bedminster, N.J., property.

As recently as Wednesday, Trump posted on Truth Social multiple times about his belief that the 2020 election was rigged, and he has questioned why he should be punished for casting doubt on the results.

But some Republican strategists are less certain that charges and a detailed indictment against Trump for his conduct after the 2020 election will be beneficial to the former president in the long-term.

A Quinnipiac University poll conducted nearly two years after the riots at the Capitol found more than 60 percent of Americans believed Trump bore a lot or some responsibility for the events on Jan. 6.

Theres no upside. I dont think Trump has an insurmountable lead, its so damn early and theres so many things on Trumps radar screen that can get in his way. If you had a choice you wouldnt want to be indicted in three different jurisdictions, said Sean Walsh, who worked as a press staffer in the George H.W. Bush White House.

I think it will come front-and-center, and theres no way around it that it wont be corrosive for Trump, Walsh added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Sarah N. Lynch and Jacqueline Thomsen

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) -Donald Trump said his attorneys met on Thursday with U.S. Justice Department officials investigating the Republican former president's attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, in a sign that another set of criminal charges could come soon.

An official at the federal court in Washington, where the grand jury investigating Trump is sitting, said that no indictments would be handed down on Thursday.

But it is not uncommon for defense attorneys to meet with federal prosecutors before an indictment, as Trump's team did four days before he was charged with mishandling classified documents in a separate case in June.

Trump is the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges and has already been indicted twice this year, once in New York over hush-money payments to a porn star and once already over the classified documents.

The charges have not hurt Trump's standing as the front-runner in the race for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 election.

On the contrary, Trump's lead over nearest rival Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has grown. A Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month showed Trump leading DeSantis 47%-19% among Republicans, a wider lead than his 44%-29% lead before the first indictment in New York in March.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the Department of Justice had not told his attorneys when action was likely.

"My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country," Trump said. "No indication of notice was given during the meeting."

U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith is investigating actions by Trump to try to reverse his loss to Biden in the 2020 election, which Trump persists in falsely claiming was the result of widespread fraud.

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Officials have testified that during his final months in office, Trump pressured them with false fraud claims. His supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in a Jan. 6, 2021, bid to stop Congress from certifying Biden's win.

TRUMP HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO OTHER CHARGES

Trump has sought to portray the many investigations he has faced over his years in politics as politically motivated witch hunts. He denies any wrongdoing.

Trump pleaded not guilty in Miami last month to federal charges of unlawfully retaining the classified government documents after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing justice. Prosecutors accused him of risking some of the most sensitive U.S. national security secrets.

Trump, 77, also pleaded not guilty in the separate case brought by New York prosecutors who accuse him of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she said she had with him.

A Georgia prosecutor is also investigating attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn his defeat in that state to Biden in the 2020 election.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Jacqueline Thomsen, writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone and Howard Goller)
Donald Trump

Lawyers for former US President Donald Trump have met federal prosecutors, fuelling speculation he may be charged over efforts to overturn the 2020 US election result in the coming days.

Mr Trump's attorneys John Lauro and Todd Blanche met officials at the office of special prosecutor Jack Smith in Washington DC, US media report.

Mr Trump said earlier this month that he expected to be indicted in the case.

On Thursday, he said his lawyers got no indication of when action could follow.

He wrote on social media: "My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ [Department of Justice] this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country."

Meetings between lawyers and prosecutors are not unusual ahead of charges being filed.

The former president was at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Thursday.

Mr Trump previously said he had been told by Jack Smith's office that he was a target of the federal investigation into efforts to overturn his defeat in the presidential election.

According to media reports, the target letter Mr Trump received on 16 July cites three federal statutes: conspiracy to defraud the US, deprivation of rights and tampering with a witness.

The letter also called for the ex-president to report to a grand jury, "which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment", Mr Trump claimed.

Dozens of top Trump administration officials and advisers have been interviewed as part of the special prosecutor's investigation, including former Vice-President Mike Pence and former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

The investigation has focused on his actions in the two-month period between his election loss and the riot in Washington DC, where Trump supporters stormed Congress as lawmakers certified Democrat Joe Biden's victory.

Those who have testified before the grand jury said they were asked about efforts by Mr Trump's team to organise slates of "fake electors" who would claim he had defeated Mr Biden in seven key states.

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Prosecutors in the state of Georgia are also investigating the former president on similar grounds, focusing on whether he illegally pressured officials there to discard Mr Biden's poll victory.

A decision by prosecutors in Atlanta on whether to indict Mr Trump is expected next month.

In June, Mr Smith's team charged Mr Trump in a different case with mishandling classified documents. A trial on that indictment is due to begin in federal court in May 2024 - months before the presidential election.

Mr Trump has also been charged in New York City with falsifying business records over 2016 hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

He is currently leading the Republican party's efforts to unseat Mr Biden in the 2024 election.
Mr Trump said his legal team "explained in detail that I did nothing wrong" in the election results case - Charlie Neibergall

Former President Donald Trump is facing accusations that he and aides asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in an effort to obstruct the classified documents investigations.

The allegations were made on Thursday in an updated grand jury indictment that adds three new charges against Mr Trump and adds another defendant to the case.

They include an additional count of wilful retention of national defence information and two additional obstruction counts

A Trump spokesperson dismissed the new charges as nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden administration to harass President Trump and those around him and to influence the 2024 presidential race.

Carlos De Oliveira, the private clubs maintenance worker, has also been charged in the case.

Trump target of 2020 election results case

It comes after Trumps lawyers met with federal prosecutors in Washington DC on Thursday.

Mr Trump said his lawyers had a productive meeting with Justice Department officials and explained in detail that I did nothing wrong.

The former president is the target of a Special Counsel investigation of his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

A rally at the US Capitol of Trump supporters on Jan 6, 2021, turned violent - Jose Luis Magana

He added that they told the governments prosecutors an indictment of me would only further destroy our country.

Mr Trump was recently informed that he was the target of an investigation by the Justice Department into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, including the deadly Capitol attack.

Target letters are used by prosecutors to inform someone that they have evidence tying them to a potential crime and often precede formal charges.

The target letter reportedly referenced three federal statutes related to the deprivation of rights, conspiracy to defraud the US and tampering with a witness.

US Marshals were seen meeting with other members of law enforcement at Washingtons federal courthouse, where Mr Trump would be called to appear if he receives a third indictment as expected.

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The US Park Police and Washingtons Metropolitan Police Department were also present at the meeting, according to NBC News.

The meeting suggests charges against Mr Trump are imminent.

However, Mr Trump suggested no indication of notice was given during the meeting.

Mr Trumps spokesman, Steven Cheung, refuted reports by NBC News that his lawyers were told to expect an indictment.

The investigation is being led by Jack Smith, an independent special counsel, who has already charged Mr Trump with mishandling national secrets in a separate probe.

Mr Smith has focused on the turbulent two-month period after the November 2020 presidential election in which Mr Trump refused to accept his defeat to Joe Biden and spread unsubstantiated claims of election rigging.

The turmoil came to a head on Jan 6, 2021, when a violent mob stormed the US Capitol in an effort to stop Congress from certifying Mr Bidens victory.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot.

Mr Trump remains the frontrunner in the Republican 2024 presidential primary and has enjoyed boosts to both his polling and fundraising numbers following his previous indictments.

But his legal woes are likely to dominate his campaign to win the Republican nomination next year, with a number of court cases scheduled early in 2024.

He has pleaded not guilty in a hush-money case in New York and the classified documents in Florida. Charges in a fourth case related to efforts to subvert the election are expected in Georgia.

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Donald Trumps defense lawyers and special counsel Jack Smith met Thursday in Washington, DC, without the former presidents team getting any guidance about timing of a possible indictment, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

The meeting happened on the same day that the grand jury hearing evidence from the special counsels probe into election subversion efforts by Trump and his allies was seen at the federal courthouse.

A court official said that there will not be any grand jury indictment returns on Thursday. Grand jury proceedings are secret and its unclear what Thursdays developments mean for Smiths investigation.

Since receiving a letter from Smith indicating hes a target of the investigation earlier this month, Trump had argued against a meeting between his attorneys and Smiths team because the former president believed the indictment was already a done deal, two sources familiar with his thinking said.

In seeking a meeting with Smiths team, Trumps lawyers hoped to at least delay any potential plans for the grand jury to hand up an indictment Thursday, people briefed on the plans said.

Another source familiar with the legal teams thinking told CNN they also expected to discuss the logistics of how a potential indictment and arraignment of the former president would work.

My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country, Trump said on Truth Social.

Trumps political and legal strategy has been to delay any possible trials  including until potentially after the 2024 election  and to put the Justice Department in an uncomfortable position where they are pursuing a prosecution of President Joe Bidens chief 2024 rival even as primary voters are beginning to have their say.

Every day they can push back an indictment is a day that pushes back an ultimate trial date.

Story continues

The members of Trumps legal team who attended Thursdays meeting with Smith were John Lauro and Todd Blanche, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Lauro recently joined the team to handle matters related to the 2020 election and the run-up to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

Blanche has represented Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case and the Manhattan criminal case stemming from a hush-money scheme.

This is the second time Trump is facing potential charges brought by Smiths team. Before Trump was charged in Florida in Smiths probe into the mishandling of classified documents from his White House, he also was notified by prosecutors that he was a target of that investigation.

Prosecutors arent required to give investigatory targets such a warning. Around the time Trump was given the heads up about the potential classified documents charges against him, his lawyers also met in early June with prosecutors for Smiths team. The classified documents indictment was brought against him later that month.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Casey Gannon, Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand and Zachary Cohen contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Donald Trump is said to be preparing for the federal grand jury to potentially vote to indict him on charges over the January 6 Capitol riot and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election today.

Sources told NBC News that the former presidents legal and political teams are getting ready for the possibility that the vote will take place on Thursday  and that Mr Trump will be hit with his third criminal indictment.

Last week, Mr Trump said he had received a letter from special counsel Jack Smiths office saying he is the target of a grand jury investigation.

Former New York City Police Department commissioner Bernie Kerik, a Rudy Giuliani ally, has since agreed to turn over hundreds of documents to the DOJ as part of its probe, court documents reveal.

Ahead of the potential looming indictment, Mr Trump has gone on the attack against his political rivals and Mr Smith, and also posted a video begging Congress to help save him from his escalating legal troubles.

This comes as Melania Trump is reportedly distancing herself from her husbands 2024 campaign, rejecting multiple requests to join him at campaign stops.

Key points

Trump insists Jan 6 indictment doesnt frighten him

Giuliani 2020 election fraud team hands over hundreds of documents to Trump Jan 6 investigation

Fulton County DA eyeing criminal solicitation and conspiracy crimes in Trump 2020 election probe

Judge sets May 2024 date for Trump classified documents trial

Trump demands cameras in courtroom for expected federal case

Trump taunts Republican enemies and says Christie hopes as dead as his stomach band

Eight search warrants and affidavits filed in Trump documents case, according to unsealed records

When will Donald Trump be indicted?

07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

To clarify: When will he be indicted for the third time?

Joe Sommerlad reports.

When will Donald Trump be indicted?

DeSantis: Why Floridas new curriculum on slavery is becoming such a political headache

05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Story continues

Why was a major candidate for the presidency just asked about a lesson set to be taught to middle school students in Florida social studies classes?

Governor Ron DeSantis found himself answering yet more questions about his states new conservative-friendly social studies curriculum at a press event in Utah over the weekend as the Republican sees continued signs that his record on racial and social issues in the Sunshine State will be an issue in the upcoming GOP primary debates and, potentially, the 2024 general election.

John Bowden reports.

Why Floridas new curriculum on slavery is becoming a political headache for DeSantis

Is Donald Trump going to prison?

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Its the question everyone wants the answer to...

Is Donald Trump going to prison?

Report: Melania Trump wants nothing to do with husbands 2024 campaign

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Melania Trump has reportedly rejected multiple requests to appear alongside her husband, former president Donald Trump, at campaign stops and appearances as part of the multiple criminal cases against him in New York and Florida.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Melania Trump wants nothing to do with husbands 2024 campaign

Trump rants about loser and lowlife Mitt Romney

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump on Tuesday lashed out at Utah senatorMitt Romney with an hours-long ranting session on his Truth Social website, after asking his followers there to weigh the relative merits of Mr Romney and Texas Senator John Cornyn.

Mr Trump asked: Who is a worse Senator, John The Stiff Cornyn of Texas, or Mitt The Loser Romney of Massachusetts (Utah?)?

Andrew Feinberg has the details of one of the latest tirades emanating from Bedminster.

Trump goes on late-night Truth Social rampage against loser and lowlife Romney

Giuliani wont contest defamation claims from Georgia election workers

Thursday 27 July 2023 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Rudy Giuliani will not contest claims from two Georgia election workers who have accused the former attorney to Donald Trump of smearing them with false and defamatory statements surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

A late-night federal court filing from Mr Giulianis attorneys on 25 July states that he concedes solely for the purposes of this litigation that he made false statements about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss that carry meaning that is defamatory.

Alex Woodward has the details.

Rudy Giuliani wont contest defamation claims from Georgia election workers

Biden laughs off impeachment threat

Wednesday 26 July 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden on Tuesday responded to a reporters query about House Speaker Kevin McCarthys claim that the GOP could soon open an impeachment inquiry into the president by laughing as he exited a White House event.

Mr Biden was caught cracking a smile and chucking on his way out of the East Room after delivering remarks on his administrations efforts to increase the availability of mental health treatment.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Biden laughs off impeachment threat after McCarthy teases inquiry

Ohio secretary of state jeered over radical abortion amendment

Wednesday 26 July 2023 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the architect of the anti-choice Issue 1 campaign in the Buckeye State, gets repeatedly jeered by a Cleveland City Club crowd as he says he is trying to stop a radical abortion amendment and that he is just an unbiased referee.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R), the architect of the anti-choice Issue 1 campaign in the Buckeye State, gets repeatedly jeered by a Cleveland City Club crowd as he says he is trying to stop a "radical abortion" amendment and that he is just an "unbiased referee." pic.twitter.com/krgJklJjTN  Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) July 26, 2023

Heres the latest Democratic PAC ad  apparently newly banned by X, formerly known as Twitter  to stop the State Issue 1 campaign from changing Ohios constitution to make amendments harder to pass.

Pence adviser says she was told to keep lunatic Navarro out of his office

Wednesday 26 July 2023 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Trump White House adviser Olivia Troye has said she was ordered to keep trade adviser Peter Navarro out of Vice President Mike Pences office during their term in office.

Ms Troye said on MSNBC that it was because he was considered a complete lunatic and would write conspiracy-filled memos.

Read more...

Former White House staffer recalls keeping lunatic Navarro out of Pences office

Jan 6: High school student who sat in Pences chair during Capitol riot sentenced

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A high school student who stormed the U.S. Capitol, assaulted a police officer and sat in a Senate floor chair reserved for the vice president was sentenced on Wednesday to one year in prison.

Georgia resident Bruno Joseph Cua was 18 when he attacked the Capitol on 6 January 2021, making him one of the youngest people charged in the riot.

Read more...

High school student who sat in Pences chair during Capitol riot is sentenced to 1 year in prison

ICYMI: Trump begs Congress to help save him from his legal troubles

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump released a video message through his 2024 presidential campaign, asking Congress to investigate the witch hunts against him.

Mr Trump said  without evidence, as usual  the legal challenges against him were brought by the corrupt DOJ and FBI, adding that the continuing saga is retribution against me for winning.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Trump begs Congress to help save him from his legal troubles

Watch: DeSantis would consider pardoning Trump to move country on

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

...and yes, he misspeaks and says Nixon pardoned Ford.

Do we really think its good for the country to have an almost 80-year-old former president in prison?



 Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on potentially pardoning Donald Trump if elected pic.twitter.com/NDevaHP5HW  The Recount (@therecount) July 26, 2023

Recap: Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to two tax charges after court chaos

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden have settled on a deal for the lawyer and lobbyist turned artist to plead guilty to tax misdemeanour charges and enter into a diversion programme on a gun-related charge, but the judge overseeing the case wants more information before accepting the deal.

US District Judge Maryellen Noreika has ordered attorneys from both sides to file briefs with the court on a provision of the agreement which she had questioned because it raised separation of powers concerns, or modify the agreement to exclude the provision she questioned.

Andrew Feinberg has the details.

Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to two tax charges after chaos around deal

Watch: Trump claims DoJ and FBI are grave threat to our democracy'

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump, who attempted to overturn the 2020 election, claims that the "DOJ and FBI" are a "grave threat to our democracy." pic.twitter.com/UkghSE9x1o  Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) July 26, 2023

Musks Twitter bans ad showing Republican interrupting couple in bedroom

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:31 , Oliver O'Connell

An ad launched by Progress Action Fund launched, showing an elderly Republican congressman interrupting a couple in the bedroom, has now been banned on X, formerly known as Twitter.

According to the Progress Action Fund, which aims to defeat Republicans in red states, the platform has censored its account as well as the ad, called Keep Republicans Out Of Your Bedroom. In addition, the platform has placed a Search Ban and a Search Suggestion Ban on the account.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the account did not show up on the social media platform, yet the ad could still be seen on X through retweets from other accounts.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Elon Musks Twitter bans ad showing Republican interrupting couple in bedroom

Democrat issues bid to censure Marjorie Taylor Greene

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump-favourite Marjorie Taylor Greene has tired out just about everybody in the House  except Kevin McCarthy  with her bomb-throwing and embrace of conspiratorial misinformation.

This week, fresh off being booted from the far-right House Freedom Caucus for attacking other members, the Georgia firebrand is facing a new resolution aimed at organising her formal censure by the House of Representatives.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Democrat issues bid to censure Marjorie Taylor Greene over conspiracy theories

Watch: Gaetz and DHS Sec Mayorkas clash at immigration hearing

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): You've sent a message to the cartels ... and you've digitized illegal immigration ... This [CBP One] app that you've got everybody downloading is like the Disney FastPass into the country.



DHS Sec. Mayorkas: I disagree with everything you have said. pic.twitter.com/0dq0ugjsmg  The Recount (@therecount) July 26, 2023

Profile: Jack Smith  The former war crimes prosecutor coming for Trump

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg writes:

Jack Smith, the experienced war crimes prosecutor who unveiled an unprecedented federal indictment against former US president Donald Trump, is no stranger to high-profile probes of public figures.

Read on...

Who is Jack Smith? The ex-war crimes prosecutor who is coming for Trump

Hunter Biden conditions of release: No alcohol, drugs, or firearms

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:51 , Oliver O'Connell

Hunter Bidens conditions of release include: he must not consume alcohol or prohibited drugs, or possess a firearm, must submit to random drug tests as required, must actively seek employment and not violate any laws.

Hunter Bidens conditions of release include: he must not consume alcohol or prohibited drugs, or possess a firearm, must submit to random drug tests as required, must actively seek employment and not violate any laws. pic.twitter.com/bw0uFH67EI  Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) July 26, 2023

Watch: Fed no longer forecasting recession

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Fed Chair Powell on Fed staff: "Given the resilience of the economy recently, they are no longer forecasting a recession." pic.twitter.com/ubcoCAUzVp  CSPAN (@cspan) July 26, 2023

Where do all the lawsuits and criminal charges facing Donald Trump stand now?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Heres what you need to know about all the major investigations and lawsuits against Donald Trump:

All the investigations Trump still faces following his second arrest

Former head of cybersecurity, fired by Trump, has spoke to federal 2020 election probe

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

NBC News reports that Chris Krebs, the former head of CISA  the nations cybersecurity agency under DHS  who was fired by Donald Trump, has spoken with Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigators in the election interference probe.

NBC News confirms: Chris Krebs, the former head of CISA  the nation's cybersecurity agency under DHS  who was fired by Donald Trump, has spoken with Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigators in the election interference probe. @NBCNews  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 26, 2023

Worrying moment: McConnell leaves press conference abruptly after appearing unable to speak

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Mitch McConnell appeared briefly unable to continue speaking and was escorted away from a SenateRepublican press conference on Wednesday, before returning moments later.

The scene occurred as Republicans held their last weekly press briefing before the August recess, and discussed remaining business including the chambers effort to pass a defence spending bill before the holiday begins.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Mitch McConnell leaves press conference abruptly after appearing unable to speak

Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Indictments are imminently expected following a federal investigation into efforts from Donald Trump and his allies to subvert the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

The former president announced he received a target letter  a document formally indicating he is the subject of an investigation  in connection with a sprawling US Department of Justice special counsel probe into an alleged scheme to preserve Mr Trumps presidency against the wills of millions of voters.

Alex Woodward explains what is expected to happen next, and how we got here:

The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained

Full story: Giuliani wont contest defamation claims from Georgia election workers

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Rudy Giuliani will not contest claims from two Georgia election workers who have accused the former attorney to Donald Trump of smearing them with false and defamatory statements surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

A late-night federal court filing from Mr Giulianis attorneys on 25 July states that he concedes solely for the purposes of this litigation that he made false statements about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss that carry meaning that is defamatory.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Rudy Giuliani wont contest defamation claims from Georgia election workers

Report: Melania Trump wants nothing to do with husbands 2024 campaign

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Melania Trump has reportedly rejected multiple requests to appear alongside her husband, former president Donald Trump, at campaign stops and appearances as part of the multiple criminal cases against him in New York and Florida.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the ex-first lady, who has eschewed the typical post-White House activities of her predecessors, has put most of her energies as of late into helping her 17-year-old son, Barron Trump, search for and apply to colleges.

She also reportedly keeps her social circle small by choosing to spend time with her parents, her son, and a handful of old friends in addition to visits to hairdressers and consultations with longtime stylist Herve Pierre.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Melania Trump wants nothing to do with husbands 2024 campaign

Pence adviser told to keep lunatic Navarro out of vice presidents office

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Trump White House adviser Olivia Troye has said she was ordered to keep trade adviser Peter Navarro out of Vice President Mike Pences office during their term in office because he was considered a complete lunatic and would write conspiracy-filled memos.

During an appearance on MSNBCs The ReidOut hosted by Joy Reid, Ms Troye  who was Pences Homeland Security adviser and part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force  reacted to a video published by Mr Navarro in which he warned of an imminent second civil war between Democrats and Republicans.

I think the issue is that Peter Navarro and others are still out there trying to radicalise Americans, she told Reid. Thats the point of this whole thing and I almost feel like its projection. Its the willingness and wanting it to happen, right? Thats the issue. That they want to see this happen in the United States.

She continued: Look, Peter Navarro, I just want to say, was considered a complete lunatic in the West Wing of the White House. I had strict orders to keep him out of the vice presidents office because he would write these conspiracy-filled memos that he wanted to deliver to Vice President Mike Pence at the time, and I was specifically ordered by the vice presidents chief of staff to take those memos out of his hand and make sure that he never set foot in the office. Thats the kind of individual that were dealing with right now.

Ms Troye added that Mr Navarro would distribute such memos around the rest of the West Wing to try to get in Donald Trumps ear.

Watch below:

.@OliviaTroye: "Peter Navarro... was considered a complete lunatic in the West Wing of the White House."



More on Trump ally Peter Navarro warning Democrats of a "second civil war" over a potential Trump indictment via @TheReidOut: https://t.co/SGcWy0nhYS pic.twitter.com/kxgVvRI4pS  The ReidOut (@thereidout) July 26, 2023

Trump rants about loser and lowlife Mitt Romney

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump on Tuesday lashed out at Utah senator Mitt Romney with an hours-long ranting session on his Truth Social website, after asking his followers there to weigh the relative merits of Mr Romney and Texas Senator John Cornyn.

Mr Trump asked: Who is a worse Senator, John The Stiff Cornyn of Texas, or Mitt The Loser Romney of Massachusetts (Utah?)?

Andrew Feinberg reports on what he said next.

Trump goes on late-night Truth Social rampage against loser and lowlife Romney

Full Story: Hunter Biden plea deal back on track

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg filed this report after federal prosecutors and attorneys for President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden have settled on a deal for the lawyer and lobbyist turned artist to plead guilty to tax misdemeanour charges and enter into a diversion programme on a gun-related charge.

Earlier in the hearing, the deal appeared to fall apart when the judge overseeing a plea hearing questioned whether the deal would preclude the government from pursuing other charges against him.

Read more...

Hunter Biden plea deal back on track after nearly getting derailed during hearing

Voices: Ron DeSantis  The new Jeb Bush

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

At this point, almost everyone, including his fans, acknowledge Florida Gov Ron DeSantiss presidential campaign has severely underperformed its expectations. He failed to raise more money than former president Donald Trump and 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.

Read on...

Ron DeSantis: The new Jeb Bush

More detail on Hunter Biden plea deal

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:27 , Oliver O'Connell

CNN further reports:

The Hunter Biden plea proceedings have restarted, and the presidents son has agreed to a limited agreement that covers 2014-2019 that only includes conduct related to tax offences, drug use and gun possession.

He will still plead guilty to the tax misdemeanours for 2017 and 2018, but the agreement will also cover his tax-related conduct for the three years prior.

The two sides have agreed that this deal does not shield him from potential future charges.

He will still plead guilty to the tax misdemeanors for 2017 and 2018, but the agreement will also cover his tax-related conduct for the three years prior.



The two sides have agreed that this deal does not shield him from potential future charges. https://t.co/7sFDgqlS7Y  Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 26, 2023

More limited Hunter Biden plea deal reported

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:23 , Oliver O'Connell

CNNs Paula Reid reports that the Hunter Biden plea deal is back on track but will be more limited in scope with the Department of Justice now able to charge Mr Biden on unrelated issues at a later date.

UPDATE: Hunter Biden plea deal is back ON. Appears Biden legal team now agrees DOJ could later charge Biden on unrelated issues. More now on @InsidePolitics https://t.co/Bj9Ny4FpB3  Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) July 26, 2023

Full story: Hunter Biden plea deal in jeopardy

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, are at loggerheads and appear to have scrapped a deal for the lawyer and lobbyist turned artist to plead guilty to tax misdemeanour charges and enter into a diversion programme on a gun-related charge after the judge overseeing a plea hearing questioned whether the deal would preclude the government from pursuing other charges against him.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Hunter Biden plea deal in jeopardy after judge questions agreement

Biden laughs off impeachment threat

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden on Tuesday responded to a reporters query about House Speaker Kevin McCarthys claim that the GOP could soon open an impeachment inquiry into the president by laughing as he exited a White House event.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Biden laughs off impeachment threat after McCarthy teases inquiry

Hunter Biden plea deal on tax charges falls through after judge expresses concern about agreement

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:52 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Bidens son Hunter's plea deal on two tax charges fell apart on Wednesday after the federal judge hearing his case expressed concern over a related agreement on a more serious gun possession charge.

The outcome leaves open, at least temporarily, the yearslong investigation into Hunter Bidens business dealings. He had been charged with two misdemeanor tax crimes of failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes from over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018, and he made an agreement with prosecutors, who were planning to recommend two years of probation.

Last month, Biden was charged with possession of a firearm by a person who is a known drug user, a felony. He had a Colt Cobra .38 Special for 11 days in October 2018. He agreed to enter into a diversion agreement, which means that he would not technically plead guilty to the crime. As long as he adhered to the terms of his agreement, the case would be wiped from his record. If not, the deal would be withdrawn. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, said she was concerned about the language in the diversion agreement and suggested the lawyers get back together and discuss it.

I think having you guys talk more makes sense, she said.

Republicans had argued Biden was getting a sweetheart deal.

BREAKING: Hunter Biden's plea deal on two tax charges falls apart at least for now after a federal judge expressed concern over a related agreement on a more serious gun possession charge. https://t.co/ltrZxL1R4E  The Associated Press (@AP) July 26, 2023

NY congressman responds to Giuliani Georgia election admission

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Democratic New York Congressman Ritchie Torres responded to news of Rudy Giulianis admission to making false statements regarding the Georgia election workers he accused of mishandling ballots in the 2020 election.

The lawmaker tweeted: Rudy Giuliani has admitted something the world has long known: hes a liar. He lied about the outcome of the 2020 election, just like he lied when falsely accusing two George election workers of mishandling ballots.

He added: Giuliani has disgraced himself and his country.

Rudy Giuliani has admitted something the world has long known: hes a liar.



He lied about the outcome of the 2020 election, just like he lied when falsely accusing two George election workers of mishandling ballots.



Giuliani has disgraced himself and his country. https://t.co/zzI7lI7Mih  Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) July 26, 2023

McCarthy will do impeachment inquiry if House members find evidence of level needed

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Politicos Olivia Beavers reports that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told Republican members this morning that a potential impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden will only happen if they find what he needs for it, according to a conservative GOP lawmaker who was in the room.

It has not yet been identified yet to that level  lots of evidence, not to that level.

A conservative GOP member also tells me McCarthy was very clear in conference that theyd do impeachment inquiry if they find what he needs for it. It has not yet been identified yet to that level  lots of evidence, not to that level.  Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) July 26, 2023

Ian Sams, the White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, responded to Beaverss reporting by tweeting: Will there now be a sweeping national media news cycle about Speaker McCarthy, just over 24 hours after floating an impeachment inquiry, now apparently admitting oops nevermind?

Will there now be a sweeping national media news cycle about Speaker McCarthy, just over 24 hours after floating an impeachment inquiry, now apparently admitting "oops nevermind"? https://t.co/7s0at44SXS  Ian Sams (@IanSams46) July 26, 2023

Who are we to stop him?'

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Accountability pokes fun at Donald Trump on Twitter for ranting about the stollen election (which he has done many times before  must be a big fan of German Christmas bread) but notes that if the former president wants to take the stand in one of his criminal trials, as he posted this morning, who are we to stop him?

If Donald Trump wants to take the stand in one of his criminal trials to rant about the "stollen" election, who are we to stop him? pic.twitter.com/gVQaOkCnWn  Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) July 26, 2023

Trump begs Congress to help save him from his legal troubles

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump released a video message through his 2024 presidential campaign, asking Congress to investigate the witch hunts against him.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Trump begs Congress to help save him from his legal troubles

Watch: Haley says Congress has oversight to conduct impeachment inquiry of Biden

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:40 , Oliver O'Connell

2024 GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy entertaining a potential impeachment inquiry into President Biden:



No one should be above the law on this  [Congress] has oversight to go and do an inquiry. I think they would be justified to do it. pic.twitter.com/glR4uWecgr  The Recount (@therecount) July 26, 2023

Republican attempt tp block Hunter Biden plea deal

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican lawmakers have made a last-ditch bid to block Hunter Bidens plea deal ahead of a court hearing in Delaware where he will plead guilty to two federal charges.

In a court filing in Wilmington on Tuesday, the GOP chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Rep Jason Smith asked the judge to throw out the plea agreement claiming that testimony from two Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblowers show the deal is tainted.

The IRS whistleblowers had testified before the committee that Hunter Biden was given preferential treatment in the criminal case by the Justice Department due to his position as President Joe Bidens son.

Rachel Sharp reports.

GOP try to block Hunter Biden plea deal at Delaware court hearing

Giuliani concedes he made false claims about Georgia election workers

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has admitted that when he was acting as a lawyer for then-president Donald Trump, he made false statements about two Georgia elections workers, claiming they had mishandled ballots in Atlanta during the count for the 2020 election.

Mr Giuliani made the admission in court papers filed on Tuesday night in the defamation case brought against him by Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, The New York Times reports.

The former mayor and others are accused of promoting a video that they claimed showed the mother and daughter manipulating ballots at the State Farm Arena in the count for Fulton County.

Mr Giuliani now concedes that the statements he made about Ms Freemand and Ms Shaye carry meaning that is defamatory per se.

He also admitted that his statements were actionable and false and that he no longer disputed the factual elements of liability raised in the lawsuit.

However, Mr Giuliani still claims that his accusations about the two election workers are still protected under the First Amendment and that they had not suffered any damage as a result of what he said  a requirement to find in their favour in a defamation suit.

The filing states that Mr Giuliani is making the admission to curtail unnecessary expenses in the case and move things forward so he can file a motion to dismiss.

Watch: Hunter Biden arrives at court

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Hunter Biden, President Bidens son, arrived at a federal court in Delaware on Wednesday where he is expected to plead guilty to two minor tax crimes and admit to possessing a gun as a drug user.

Hunter Biden, President Bidens son, arrived at a federal court in Delaware on Wednesday where he is expected to plead guilty to two minor tax crimes and admit to possessing a gun as a drug user. pic.twitter.com/P9tLYgEGrf  The Associated Press (@AP) July 26, 2023

Trump rounds out start of day with spray of Truth Social posts

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

In quick succession, the all-caps diatribe was bashed out onto Truth Social in a series of five posts:

SO, THEY IMPEACH ME OVER A PERFECT PHONE CALL, AND THEY DONT IMPEACH BIDEN FOR BEING THE MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES???

Well have fun on the stand with all of these people that say the Presidential Election wasnt Rigged and Stollen. THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY!!!

2024 ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!

PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!!!

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

All in a mornings work...

Trump hails best polls ever in Iowa'

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump celebrated his best polls ever in Iowa in a Truth Social post this morning but accused his rivals of putting out fraudulent ads talking to people who say they wont be voting for me.

He wrote:

Just got my best Polls ever in Iowa, a 35 point lead, and yet they put up fraudulent ads talking to people who say they wont be voting for me. What kind of stuff is that. Remember, I got Farmers 28 Billion Dollars from China, made a 50 Billion Dollar Trade Deal with China, saved Ethanol from certain death, terminated Americas worst ever trade deal, NAFTA, and replaced it with Americas BEST EVER TRADE DEAL, USMCA. Nobody else could have done any of these things. Iowa will vote BIG for TRUMP!

Trump blames Christie for Romneys 2012 loss to Obama

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump took criticism of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie a step further after he reposted a Truth reading: Nevee forget: Christie was the one who gave Obama a big fat hug that arguably won Obama a second term in 2012! He has always been a fat liberal hack!

The former president added:

Christie was so star struck with Barack Hussein Obuma, that Romney, who is a terrible politician and horrible representative of the Republican Party, never had a chance of winning the Presidency. Christie sold Romney out, making one of the worst Convention Speeches in HistoryVirtually not even mentioning Romney by name. Romney sat watching, in a tranceHe couldnt believe it!

Court documents reveal eight search warrants were obtained in classified documents case

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:15 , Rachel Sharp

Newly-released court documents have revealed that eight search warrants were obtained as part of the investigation into Donald Trumps handling of classified documents on leaving the White House.

Last month, Mr Trump was indicted on 37 federal charges over his handling of classified documents, including national defence information, after leaving the White House.

The indictment, which was unsealed on Friday (9 June), alleges that Mr Trump deliberately lied to and misled authorities so that he could hold onto documents that he knew were classified.

The charges came after a raid of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August.

Now, recently-unsealed court motions show that seven other warrants and affidavits were obtained.

The contents of the warrants remain sealed so it is unclear where searches may have been executed. As well as properties, they could include tech devices.

Voices: Marjorie Taylor Greenes cash haul shows she doesnt need the Freedom Caucus

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

For the most part, Ms Greene has seemed undeterred by her ostracisation and she seems fully confident in her position as a beloved figure. And a major reason for that might be the fact she remains a mega-fundraiser who can vacuum up tons of small-donor contributions from the base.

Read on...

Marjorie Taylor Greenes cash haul shows she doesnt need the Freedom Caucus

Christie knocks Trump over bankrupting three casinos

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former New Jersey Governor and 2024 presidential candidate Christ Christie poked fun at his chief rival, former president Donald Trump and his record both in office and in business.

He tweeted: Surprised Trump couldnt balance the budget? Im not. This is the same guy that bankrupted 3 casinos 3 different times. Who the hell cant make money running a casino? House always wins! Trump, thats who

Surprised Trump couldnt balance the budget? Im not.



This is the same guy that bankrupted 3 casinos 3 different times.



Who the hell cant make money running a casino? House always wins!



Trump, thats who pic.twitter.com/PHWNn3HHjo  Chris Christie (@GovChristie) July 25, 2023

Could prosecutors charge Trump with racketeering in Georgia case?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 12:45 , 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.

Alex Woodward explains how it might be done.

How prosecutors could charge Trump with racketeering in Georgia case
Former President Trump on Thursday confirmed his attorneys met with special counsel Jack Smith ahead of a possible indictment in the Jan. 6 probe.

My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country, Trump said on his social media platform.

He implied that his attorneys were given no notice that he would be indicted, contradicting reporting about the meeting.

No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!

Top stories from The Hill

Smiths office declined to comment on the meeting.

The former president said last week he had received a target letter from the Justice Department (DOJ) as part of its probe into his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election.

A target letter is often a sign someone could soon face charges in a matter where prosecutors have gathered substantial evidence.

Trumps Thursday post on Truth Social hinted at a possible defense for his conduct in the aftermath of the 2020 election, which is that he was acting on the advice of attorneys who suggested the results could be overturned.

Sign up for the latest from The Hill here

Trump pursued a multi-pronged plan to remain in office following the 2020 election, turning to the DOJ, state officials and even his own supporters, who violently ransacked the Capitol after then-Vice President Mike Pence refused Trumps request to overturn the results.

A federal grand jury hearing evidence in the case meets Tuesdays and Thursdays and appeared to be gathered in a courthouse in downtown Washington, D.C., during the duration of the meeting.

Trump is set to appear at an Iowa Republican gathering with other 2024 presidential candidates Friday, and he is scheduled to hold a rally for supporters in Erie, Pa., on Saturday night.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mounia Hamiss standing near burned trees

The wildfires that have swept across the Mediterranean have left homes and business in ashes. Dozens have been killed in Algeria and across the border in the north-western Tunisian town of Tabarka, people are now assessing the damage.

When I meet Mounia Hamiss she is sitting outside on a mattress. Her home has been gutted by fire. The 65-year-old has lived near Tabarka all her life and less than a week ago had a farm with healthy olive, peach and apricot trees. Now their charred trunks are blackened and fragile.

She is no stranger to wildfires, saying they are common in Tunisia in the summer months of June and July, so she didn't worry too much when new blazes broke out in the forests nearby.

"This was not the first time we dealt with fires but they always stopped before reaching us," she says.

This time, however, they didn't. She describes how she, her husband and son had a lucky escape as the flames engulfed their house and almost trapped them on Sunday.

"There were no firefighters to help us," she adds. "The heat was unbearable, and the fire got so close that we struggled to breathe."

She says she had no help from the authorities for days, relying instead on donations of water and food from neighbours.

Adil El Selmy's restaurant was once a thriving meeting place

A few kilometres away, Adil El Selmy stands in the ashes of his restaurant, greeting customers who have dropped by to comfort him. This was once a thriving meeting place where he served food prepared in wood-fired ovens.

Now, the roof has collapsed, the windows are gone and the walls that remain are blackened with soot.

"We left the restaurant as the flames approached," he tells me.

Any hopes he could save his business were dashed by the lack of water - like the rest of this region, Tabarka has been experiencing a heatwave with temperatures in parts of Tunisia reaching 49C.

"We couldn't fight the flames even hours after the building had burned down," he recalls.

The fires did not leave much behind

However, he has vowed to rebuild his business: "I employ 22 people. They and their families need my help."

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On a clear day the restaurant has views across the Mediterranean, but we can barely see the sea as the haze from the wildfires lingers, blanketing the area. A strong smell of burned wood hangs in the air.

The mountainous terrain complicated firefighting efforts but the Tunisian interior minister has said that the fires here have now been contained with the help of Algeria's army and firefighting planes from Spain.

The wildfires are affecting much of north-west Tunisia - and elsewhere around the Mediterranean

The village of Melloula was also badly affected with more than 300 people evacuated from the area. Some barricaded roads to protest over power outages and water supply issues. The demonstration affected border crossings to and from Algeria, creating long queues on both sides.

Local authorities told the BBC that they will be addressing the situation carefully, as they fear further tensions with the village's residents.

In the meantime, people like Ms Hamiss are gathering strength to rebuild their lives. Although traumatised by the experience, the farmer says she has no plans to leave the area: "I was born here and will die here. But at the moment we don't feel safe at all."
The 12th Wagner Group convoy has arrived in Belarus with armoured vehicles.

Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet

Details: The 12th Wagner Group convoy entered Belarus through the Poniatovka (Russia) - Zvenchatka (Belarus) checkpoint and is currently moving along the P122 highway to Chausy (Mogilev Oblast) accompanied by the Belarusian traffic police.

The convoy includes at least 50 vehicles:

five Shchuka armoured vehicles (also known as Ural Chekan), one of them with a trailer;

three fuel tankers;

one bus;

17 trucks;

three truck tractors (tugging an excavator, a fuel tanker and a Shchuka (Chekan) armoured vehicle);

six tented KAMAZ trucks;

two UAZ-452s;

pickup trucks and passenger cars.

It is noted that this is at least the second convoy of Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) that entered Belarus with Shchuka (Chekan) armoured vehicles.

Background: Shchuka armoured vehicles were spotted for the first time in the 11th Wagner Group convoy, which arrived in Belarus on 25 July.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine states that approximately 5,000 Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group are in Belarus as of 22 July

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!






Sightseers at La Jolla Cove in San Diego visit with sea lions in 2022. The sea lions near the cove have been more aggressive during breeding season, typically between June and August. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Two male sea lions were recorded on video this week charging at each other and running through a group of beachgoers at San Diego's La Jolla Cove, a scene that animal experts say reflects the typical behavior of male sea lions during breeding season.

Most sea lions in California are born on the Channel Islands off the coast, but as La Jolla Cove has in the last decade become a primary location where sea lions mate, have pups and rest, such scenes have taken place in closer proximity to humans, according to animal experts.

In a video posted Monday on Instagram, sea lions can be heard barking at the people on the beach and seen scooting on the sand. Another sea lion comes charging out of the water toward the shore, forcing everyone to run away.

A person can be heard in the video telling visitors to give the animals some room.

Everybody, lets please give the large male sea lion plenty of room, the person said in the video. They have bit people and they are protected animals.

Sea lions have bitten people in recent weeks along the California coast, although experts say the behavior can be attributed to being sickened by the ongoing bloom of toxic algae.

High concentrations of domoic acid  a neurotoxin produced by the marine algae Pseudo-nitzschia  have sickened sea lions and dolphins when they consume fish that have ingested the algae, experts say.

The sea lions in the video, however, aren't behaving aggressively due to toxic algae, because male sea lions don't usually eat that much fish during mating season, spending most of their time fighting over territory and trying to mate, according to Dr. Alissa Deming of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. The sea lions that have suffered from seizures and bitten beachgoers in the process also tend to be female.

The sea lions in the video were trying to establish who was the dominant male on the beach in order to attract females during the peak of breeding season, which typically lasts from June until August, Deming said.

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"The people were essentially innocent bystanders while they were trying to establish who's king of the beach," she said. "One animal is kind of running away, looking back and trying to get away from the male. The other male is chasing him. They were just running through the group of people."

Male sea lions tend to "aggressively" defend their territory during mating season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Males also "bark like dogs" to communicate with other males but while on breeding islands are "skittish" of humans and "will run into the water if they see or smell people," according to the NOAA.

Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits the hunting, harassment, capture and killing of these animals.

The public should respect the sea lions and keep their distance, especially during mating season, Deming said.

She recommends that beachgoers avoid getting close to the animals and instead take pictures from afar, where the sea lions will look more natural and people can view the moms interacting with the pups.

"You can essentially see a 'National Geographic' episode right in front of you," she added.

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.
California is having a week of capybara news.

Two zoos  The Sacramento Zoo in Northern California and San Diego Zoo in Southern California  welcomed baby capybaras, and soon theyll be among the largest living rodents in the world.

In Sacramento at 3930 W Land Park Drive, capybaras Chiguiro and Anna-Leroy welcomed a healthy baby early Monday morning, the Land Park zoo wrote in an email to subscribers. The mom is in good condition and the entire family can be found in their enclosure during the day.

On Tuesday, the San Diego Zoo at 2920 Zoo Drive announced its capybaras Rosalina and Bowie are new parents to a group of four energetic pups.

Dont let their little legs fool you, San Diego Zoo wrote on its Facebook page. These little pups are already up and, on the move, following mom and exploring their new surroundings.

Heres what you need to know about capybaras, with information from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, before you visit the zoos for a sight of the newborn pups:

Facts about capybaras

Capybaras resemble a montage of animals; a beaver, a pig, a hippo and even a guinea pig.

According to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the worlds largest rodents stand 2 feet tall with brown, shaggy hair. All of their facial features  eyes, ears and noses  are crammed at the top of their head.

The capybara is not currently classified as endangered, although it is threatened by deforestation, habitat destruction, and illegal poaching, the nonprofit conservation wrote on its website.

The dry-skinned rodents are typically found chilling near standing water with a swimming hole along Central and South Americas rivers, ponds and streams. The animals eat plants and grasses with the help of their long, sharp teeth.

Fun facts:

Capybaras can swim just as well as they walk thanks to their webbed feet.

They also eat their own feces for the beneficial bacteria.

Capybaras live between 10 and 12 years, depending on if theyre in the care of experts.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Air defense work

Falling debris from two intercepted Russian Kalibr cruise missiles over a suburb of the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia injured five people, regional governor Serhiy Borzov reported on Telegram on June 27.

The missiles were part of a strike launched at about 2 pm on July 26.

All victims have been provided with medical care and are said to be in good condition.

The debris also damaged utility and infrastructure facilities. The scale of the damage is being identified.

Russia launched two separate missile attacks against Ukraine on July 26, with explosions heard in Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia oblasts in the afternoon. Later that evening, western oblasts were targeted  in particular, an airfield in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Ukraine's General Staff reported that about 40 missiles were downed on July 26 and additionally eight Iranian-made Shahed drones overnight on July 27.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry is hoping to find answers in the killing of Josiah Jonty Robinson, offering $100,000 to anyone with information that leads to a conviction.

Perry announced the reward Wednesday on Instagram after 24-year-old Robinson, an openly gay singer in Grenada, was found dead on a local beach last month. Perry, a writer, director and producer known for wholesome comedies featuring mostly Black casts, said his friend Yvette Noel-Schure was in tears when she told him about the killing.

My soul ached as she shared that he was a young, gifted singer who was murdered because he was gay, he wrote. Yvette and I are offering a $100,000 dollar reward to anyone who brings forth information that leads to the conviction of the murderer.

Tyler Perry likened Josiah Jonty Robinson's death to that of Matthew Shepard in 1998.

Tyler Perry likened Josiah Jonty Robinson's death to that of Matthew Shepard in 1998.

Robinsons body was reportedly discovered in the same area of Grenadian town Morne Rouge where he had performed songs the day prior.

Speaking to The New Today, a source close to the Royal Grenada Police Force said an autopsy concluded that Robinson was strangled and thrown into the ocean. The local outlet later reported that police had questioned several people without making a breakthrough in the case.

Elsewhere in his Instagram post, Perry reflected on how Robinsons death echoed similar tragedies from recent years.

My mind immediately went to ... [Matthew] Shepard, and all the other victims of racist, homophobic, antisemitic, xenophobic, senseless violence, he said, referring to a gay student at the University of Wyoming whose 1998 killing sparked calls for stronger protections against hate crimes.

In a Wednesday essay for British Vogue, friend Tenille Clarke said that Robinson, who described himself on social media as a Youth Ambassador, lived as an outspoken, openly gay man in an environment that was hostile at times.

While Pride month is celebrated annually in metropolises such as New York  his approach to activism in the Caribbean as a member of the LBGTQ community  his voracious desire to live in his simple, beautiful truth  often became a cyclic matter of life or death, she wrote.

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Anyone with information is urged to contact the Royal Grenada Criminal Investigation Division at +1 (473) 440-3921.

Related...
By Laurie Chen, Yimou Lee and Ann Wang

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Doksuri regained super typhoon strength on Thursday in its final approach to southeastern China after pummelling Taiwan and the northern Philippines with rain and strong winds that led to the capsize of a ferry in which at least 25 people died.

As of 5 p.m. Beijing time (0900 GMT), the winds around the eye of the storm had reached up to 187 km per hour (116 mph), putting Doksuri back on the top rung of China's tropical storm categorisation system after weakening earlier.

The ferry sank near the Philippine capital of Manila after passengers alarmed by strong winds rushed to one side of the boat, overturning it. As many as 36 people have been killed this week during Doksuri's transit off the northern Philippines.

Businesses and schools were shut in southern counties of Taiwan amid warnings of landslides and floods. All domestic flights and ferry lines were suspended, while more than 100 international flights were cancelled or delayed. Railway services between southern and eastern Taiwan were halted.

More than 5,700 people were evacuated as a precaution, mostly in the mountainous southern and eastern Taiwan, where more than 0.7 metres of rainfall was recorded in some areas.

The storm cut power to more than 49,000 households across Taiwan, although supply has since been restored to most.

"Typhoon Doksuri should not be underestimated," Chen Chi-mai, mayor of the southern port city of Kaohsiung, said on Facebook late on Wednesday.

Taiwan's armed forces pressed ahead with a large-scale anti-landing drill on a beach near Taipei Port just outside the capital, simulating the repulsion of an enemy force with ground troops and tanks amid high military tensions with neighbouring China.

The storm has disrupted parts of Taiwan's main annual Han Kuang exercises and air-raid drills that started on Monday. Authorities cancelled some exercises citing safety concerns and the need to make preparations for the typhoon.

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Doksuri is expected to make landfall in China on Friday morning somewhere between Dongshan and Putian in the southeastern province of Fujian.

On Thursday, three coastal cities in Fujian shut schools, businesses and factories, while flood control authorities in one of them, Xiamen, warned of a "serious impact".

The China Meteorological Administration forecast that Doksuri would be weaker than 2016's Typhoon Meranti, the strongest storm to hit China's coast since 1949 which killed at least 11 people.

Beijing launched emergency flood control operations in the country's southwest on Wednesday night after torrential rains in the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan as well as the nearby metropolis of Chongqing.

Heavy flooding in the city of Luzhou, Sichuan province, swept cars on to tree trunks, according to videos circulating on Chinese social media.

Passenger ships and fishing boats have also been grounded in parts of coastal Zhejiang province immediately north of Fujian.

(Reporting by Laurie Chen, Ryan Woo and Beijing Newsroom in Beijing and Yimou Lee and Ann Wang in Taipei and Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Editing by Michael Perry, Jacqueline Wong and Nick Macfie)
The U.S. Department of Justice is opening a civil rights investigation into the city of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department to determine whether there is a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Constitution or federal civil rights laws.

The announcement Thursday from Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee comes more than six months after Memphis police officers tased, pepper-sprayed and brutally beat 29-year-old Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop. Nichols died three days later and federal investigators later launched a civil rights investigation into his death.

Clarke acknowledged Nichols' death and the scrutiny it brought but said the investigation was not prompted by a single incident.

"We received multiple reports of officers escalating encounters with community members, resulting in excessive force," she said. "There are also indications that officers may use force punitively when faced with behavior they perceive to be insolent."

RowVaughn Wells, the mother of Tyre Nichols, holds up a painting of her son given to her by artist Jason Johnson during the celebration for what would have been Nichols 30th birthday at Fourth Bluff Park in Downtown Memphis, Tenn., on June 5.

DOJ investigating unlawful stops, excessive force and racial discrimination

The Department of Justice previously said it would conduct a review of the department's specialized units requested by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis and create a guide for mayors and police chiefs across the country to follow. But it stopped short of announcing a pattern or practice investigation until Thursday.

Clarke said a DOJ review found that even though Memphis is a majority Black city, the police department's traffic enforcement "may focus disproportionately on the Black community." Officers have also used force against people already restrained or in custody, Clarke said, sometimes resulting in "serious physical injuries."

Clarke said the new investigation will focus on determining if the department engaged in a "pattern or practice" of unlawful stops, excessive force and racially discriminatory policing practices against the city's Black residents. The investigation will focus on the department as a whole.

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Clarke said the DOJ has briefed Strickland, Davis and Michael Fletcher, chief legal officer for the city, and they have pledged their cooperation.

She said the DOJ will issue a report and work with the city and police department if they find "reasonable cause to believe there is a pattern or practice of constitutional or statutory violations." If no agreement can be reached, the DOJ can bring a civil lawsuit to seek injunctive relief.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division speaks, June 1 in Jackson, Miss. On July 12, the Justice Department filed court papers challenging a Mississippi law that authorizes the appointment of some judges in Jackson and Hinds County, which are majority-Black. Most judges in Mississippi are elected, and Clarke said the appointment of judges discriminates against Black residents.

Lawsuit, criminal case in Nichols death ongoing

Nichols' family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city of Memphis, Davis, the five officers who are now facing criminal charges for Nichols' death, two additional officers and three Memphis Fire Department employees.

The lawsuit alleges negligence by the city in hiring Davis, along with asserting Davis' culpability in lax hiring processes, along with the development of the SCORPION Unit's "oppression style of policing" and poor training. SCORPION stands for Street Crimes Operation to Return Peace In Our Neighborhoods. The five officers who have pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges were members of the unit.

The city, Davis and former Memphis Police Department Lt. Dewayne Smith filed a motion to have themselves dismissed from the suit earlier this month.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge James Jones Jr. is nearing a ruling on whether he will allow a trove of city and county documents, video and audio to be released publicly amid the criminal prosecution of the five now-former Memphis police officers who have been charged with Nichols' beating and death. Jones said last month he anticipates he will make a decision or hear further arguments by the next scheduled court appearance on Aug. 18.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Memphis investigated by Department of Justice after Tyre Nichols death
A Capitol Police officer patrols outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2023, on the second anniversary of the assault on the Capitol. Credit: USA TODAY NETWORK via REUTERS

In response to increasing threats against members of Congress, the U.S. Capitol Police plans to open regional field offices across the country, including in Texas.

Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger announced the plans at a joint oversight hearing of the Capitol Police Board, describing a 300% increase in threats to members of Congress over the past seven years.

In addition to an office in Texas, the agency plans to open field offices in Milwaukee and Boston, Manger told the committee Wednesday. A Texas location has not yet been determined, a department spokesperson said.

The Capitol Police department, which is responsible for protecting Congress and its members, opened its first field offices in Florida and California after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. The offices have helped his officers respond to threats more quickly and efficiently, Manger said.

Due to the increased threat environment, our protective responsibilities have increased, requiring additional protection details, increased coverage of CODELs [official travel by members of Congress] and field hearings, as well as other enhancements to our current protective details, he said in his written testimony to the committee.

According to the police department, the new offices will ensure our department resources are adequately dispersed to safeguard Members of Congress and to investigate threats when in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere.

Recent attacks on lawmakers, their families and staffers have made threats more visible.

We had, tragically, a Senate staffer repeatedly stabbed in broad daylight here in Washington, D.C., just a couple blocks from this hearing room, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said during the hearing, raising concerns about the explosion of threats of violence against members of both parties.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband was attacked in their California home last October, and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in February.

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Manger said his agency is addressing threats by expanding intelligence-gathering operations, increasing the number of investigative agents and working with state and local law enforcement.

We need to do a better job at protecting members when theyre home, their families, Manger said. Weve got to make sure that weve got security measures in place in home district offices, in homes, so that it raises everybodys level of security.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
Sen. Chris Coons wrote in The News Journal last year that Russias invasion of Ukraine was unprovoked. Surprisingly, the Senator either did not see or did not understand the multiple ways that actions by the U.S., NATO and the current government of Ukraine threatened Russias security and provoked the invasion. By moving NATO missile bases (which can instantaneously switched into offensive mode) right up to the Russian border in Poland and Romania, and stating repeatedly that Ukraine would join NATO, which could bring NATO missiles within 6 minutes of Moscow, the U.S. and NATO created severe threats to Russias national security.

When Russia reacted to these threatening Western moves and warned the U.S. that it was crossing Russias red lines, President Joe Biden ignored the warnings. Why? American experts on Russia and foreign policy had warned U.S. politicians that pushing NATO right up to the borders of Russia would be seen as a severe threat by Russia, and stated that that perception was very reasonable.

Think what the U.S. would do if Russia engaged in a military alliance with Canada and Mexico and constructed missile bases right on our borders in those countries. In fact, when Russia brought missiles into Cuba in the 1960s to prevent a U.S. invasion of the island, the U.S. threatened a blockade and an invasion, both of which were totally illegal. After secret, behind-the-scenes negotiations, the U.S. agreed to remove its missiles from Turkey and Italy. Russia then withdrew the missiles and Kennedy, in turn, removed U.S. missiles from Turkey and Italy. The Russian missiles in Cuba were close to the U.S. border, but not nearly as close as those in Poland and Romania are to Russia, nor as close as NATO missiles threatened for Ukraine would be.

Our other provocations include our withdrawal from two treaties with Russia that limited missiles: the Antiballistic Missile Treaty and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Our withdrawal increased Russian vulnerability to a U.S. first strike. We have also conducted many NATO military exercises near Russias border, including live-fire exercises simulating attacks on Russian air defense systems.

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The flag of Ukraine and messages targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia are held by participants during a rally against the invasion of Ukraine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Wilmington's Rodney Square.

The U.S. has conducted a long-term campaign, beginning after WW II, to pull Ukraine away from its traditional close relationship with Russia. This campaign culminated in the U.S.-directed coup in 2014, which violently overthrew the democratically elected President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. In a secretly taped telephone call, U.S. Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland is heard planning the coup and picking the person the U.S. wanted as President after the coup. That person emerged as president, along with at least four high officials that were well-documented as far-right fascist or Ukrainian nationalists, mostly from the western region of Ukraine. In the call, which is available on YouTube,

Nuland states they could get assistance from then-Vice President Joe Biden, who handled Ukrainian issues in the Obama administration. This regime-change action is one more case that shows that U.S. claims to support democracy are falsehoods.

The U.S. supported, armed and trained the military of the far-right-wing, unelected fascist-influenced Ukrainian leadership, which outlawed the then-widespread speaking of Russian in Ukraine and adopted a hostile and uncompromising stance toward Russia, which had a centuries-long close relationship with Ukraine.

Many Ukrainians refused to accept the unelected government, which led to a massacre of protesters in Odessa in 2014, where over 45 people were deliberately burned to death by right-wing coup supporters. Thanks to the U.S. coup-plotting, Ukraine erupted into a civil war. The Kiev military forces had bombed and shelled civilians, to the extent that by 2022, this civil war had taken the lives of over 14,000 Ukrainians, mostly civilians in eastern Ukraine, according to the United Nations. Over 2 million refugees had fled the country due to the civil war, which was largely ignored in the U.S. mainstream media. Just before the Russian invasion early last year, the Kiev forces, under Zelenskys leadership, had intensified their shelling of eastern Ukraine and built up what was apparently an invasion force, despite the fact that the Russian army had mobilized along the border region. One or more openly Nazi units was part of the Ukrainian military. It is the only country on earth to include openly Nazi units in its military.

The extreme recklessness of Bidens continuous escalation of our role in this war is greatly endangering the survival of not only the people of the U.S., but also humanity as a whole. We bragged that we targeted Russias flagship in the Black Sea so Ukraine could sink it and have constantly escalated the weapons, now including advanced tanks, that we are shipping to Ukraine. Escalation can easily get out of hand. Russia could flatten the U.S. several times over with its nuclear arsenal. Nuclear weapons create firestorms that would kill millions and then blot out the sun with smoke and dust, preventing the growth of food crops and insuring the starvation of survivors of the blasts.

The Peaceseekers, a new Delaware group, a member of the Peace in Ukraine Coalition, demand a cease-fire and negotiations to avoid this potential end of humanity. Since Ukraine has conducted atrocities and relentlessly assaulted the eastern part of Ukraine for eight years, it has lost its claim over these areas and should be forced to relinquish them to an independent state or to annexation by Russia.

Desmond Kahn is a biologist who has been an anti-war activist since the Vietnam war.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How the U.S. drove Russia to invade Ukraine
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during the opening of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Security Dialogue at the State Department in Washington on Oct. 13, 2022. Credit: REUTERS/Michael A. McCoy

WASHINGTON  A group of Texas Republicans in Congress vowed Thursday to halt federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security until Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is removed from office.

Under no circumstances am I going to support any appropriation to the Department of Homeland Security, any continuing resolution at all, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, said at a news conference at the Capitol. I will use every tool at my disposal to thwart giving another dollar to this secretary to leave Texas exposed.

Its an amplified threat as Congress works through the funding process to keep the government operating into the next fiscal year. Failure to approve funding could lead to a federal shutdown  an outcome some far-right members have said they are prepared to precipitate.

Mayorkas has long been a target of Republican ire, fielding calls for impeachment over his handling of an increase in migrants arriving at the southern border.

Any serious person in our country knows this administration doesnt have operational control of the border, U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, said Thursday. They have failed.

Roy and Arrington spoke at the news conference with several other Texas Republicans, including Keith Self of McKinney, Jake Ellzey of Waxahachie, Michael Cloud of Victoria, Lance Gooden of Terrell, Nathaniel Moran of Tyler and Brian Babin of Woodville. Arrington organized the news conference.

Gooden echoed Roys commitment to block appropriations for Homeland Security. Cloud is a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees Homeland Security funding.

Congress goes into a monthlong recess after Friday, leaving only September to pass appropriations legislation before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. Congress has failed to pass appropriations legislation for the past 27 years, opting instead to approve continuing resolutions to extend funding and omnibus packages that lump funding together.

Roys threat to halt any funding vehicles for Mayorkas Homeland Security Department could jeopardize all discretionary federal funding if an omnibus package is offered, potentially positioning the country for a federal shutdown.

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The last federal shutdown was in 2018 over then-President Donald Trumps demand for border wall funding. Extending 35 days, it was the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

The ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus  which includes Roy, Self and Cloud as members  said it will not shy away from another shutdown to rein in federal spending. Far-right members were angered after House Republican leadership negotiated an agreement with the White House to limit future funding to current levels, as opposed to the lower 2022 spending levels.

We should not fear a government shutdown. Most of what we do up here is bad anyway, U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-Virginia, said at a Freedom Caucus news conference Wednesday on the appropriations process. Most of the American people wont even miss it if the government is shut down temporarily.

But not everyone in the party was thrilled with the idea. House Republican leaders have been working to balance the concerns of far-right and centrist members to advance appropriations bills before the August recess. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has a personal interest in showing that he can keep an ideologically diverse conference unified.

In the Senate, where the appropriations process has gone far more smoothly, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, disagreed with using federal funding as a bargaining chip to force policy goals, saying its never proven to be particularly effective.

My hope is that between the House and the Senate, theyll work out their differences and well find a way to fund the government and not have to go through this government shutdown drama, which seems to come up way too often, Cornyn told reporters Thursday.

The Texas House Republicans on Thursday also praised efforts by Gov. Greg Abbott under Operation Lone Star, a multibillion-dollar security effort that includes arresting migrants on state trespassing charges. They pushed an untested legal theory that Abbott had the authority to build barriers on the Rio Grande under the U.S. Constitution to defend the state from foreign invasion.

This is an international border. We dont talk about it as though it is an international border. We would defend the beaches on our West Coast and our East Coast much more aggressively than we are defending the southern border, Self said. Folks, this is not internal police actions. This is defending one of our international borders.

The Justice Department has asked a federal judge to order Texas to remove the floating barriers that were installed earlier this month, arguing that state leaders violated federal law by building in a navigable waterway without federal approval and improperly meddled in the countrys foreign relations. Mexico has protested the barrier as a treaty violation and a safety hazard for migrants.

Arrington introduced a resolution in January that said states have the power to repel an invasion and defend their citizenry from drug cartels and paramilitary groups. He introduced a similar resolution in 2021 that was not acted upon.

The barriers, which include large buoys on the Rio Grande and razor wire, quickly drew strong condemnation from Democrats, human rights groups and immigrant rights activists. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper reported orders from superiors to push migrants into the water and deny them drinking water, the Houston Chronicle reported, sparking a state investigation.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, led a letter asking President Joe Biden to investigate Abbotts tactics, saying they were creating death traps for migrants and violating U.S. treaty commitments with Mexico. All 13 Democrats in the Texas delegation signed the letter.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, questioned the Republican effort to oust Mayorkas.

You cant claim to care about the border and border security while at the same time saying youre going to withhold money for border security and the federal personnel who enforce our nations laws, she said.

Any legislator who says they support Operation Lone Star is saying that they support efforts to push migrant children back into the river, they support horrific instances, like the woman who had a miscarriage while she was stuck in concertina wire, and parents who have lost their children to drowning because of the objects being put in the river, Escobar added. So when someone says they support Operation Lone Star, theyre saying that is what they support.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
By Jonathan Allen

(Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation into whether the Memphis Police Department has an unconstitutional "pattern or practice" of using excessive force and racial discrimination, department officials announced on Thursday.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department agreed to join city officials and other agencies in a review of the Memphis Police Department after its officers fatally beat Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, in the Tennessee city in January.

The federal investigation announced on Thursday is not tied to any specific incident, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said at a press conference, though she noted Nichols' "tragic death" in her remarks.

"City and police department leaders recognize the need to scrutinize the police department's practices to prevent such incidents from ever happening again," Clarke said. City and police officials had agreed to cooperate with the investigation, Clarke said.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said in a statement that the city will be "a good partner" in the new investigation.

"However, I am disappointed that my request was not granted by the Department of Justice to discuss this step before a decision was made to move down this path," he said. "I hope the remainder of the process is more forthright and inclusive than it has been so far."

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis also pledged cooperation in a statement that criticized the conduct of the officers who beat Nichols while thanking other police officers "that continue to serve our city with integrity."

The Justice Department had received multiple reports of officers using excessive force, including when "faced with behavior they perceive to be insolent," Clarke said. Her office had also received reports that officers may use force against people who are already restrained or in police custody.

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Federal investigators will also examine reports that officers may be involved in racial discrimination by disproportionately stopping Black people for minor violations in the majority-Black city, such as a broken tail light on their car.

Five officers who took part in the brutal beating of Nichols after stopping him in his car on Jan. 7 have been fired from the department and are being prosecuted for second-degree murder and other charges, to which they have pleaded not guilty. All five former officers are Black.

Videos of Nichols' deadly beating brought fresh outrage in a country where multiple police departments have repeatedly been found to use excessive force against Black people.

The Justice Department has investigated other police departments, including the Minneapolis Police Department following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white police officer kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes after Floyd had been handcuffed and said he couldn't breathe.

Last month, Minneapolis officials agreed to federal oversight of its police force by the Justice Department after it was found to have a practice of violating people's civil rights.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Deepa Babington)
Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe marks 96th anniversary of PLA

Xinhua) 09:24, July 27, 2023

Defense Attache at the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe Zhu Yonglong addresses a reception in Harare, Zimbabwe, on July 26, 2023. The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe on Wednesday held the reception to mark the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

HARARE, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe on Wednesday held a reception to mark the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The reception was attended in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding, Defense Attache at the Chinese Embassy Zhu Yonglong, Acting Minister of Defense and War Veterans Affairs of Zimbabwe Daniel Garwe, diplomats and other officials.

Speaking at the reception, Zhou said the past 96 years have witnessed the PLA's founding and growth during China's struggle for national independence and liberation, and witnessed the army's robust development in the process of China's reform and opening up.

He noted that the PLA shares a long history and friendship with Zimbabwe dating back to the 1960s during Zimbabwe's fight for independence.

"The precious memories of the solidarity and synergy between our two armies are our shared legacy which continues to shape and inject momentum to our relations nowadays," he added.

In addition, Zhou said building on the traditional friendship and principle of mutual benefit, China and Zimbabwe will continue to advance bilateral exchanges and cooperation and deliver tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

"At the same time, we will continue to join hands in safeguarding world peace and stability as we believe that our development relies on a peaceful and stable international environment," said Zhou.

In his address, Zhu said the PLA has responded faithfully to the call for building a human community with a shared future.

"The traditional friendship between the People's Liberation Army and Zimbabwe Defense Forces was fostered by the founding fathers of the two countries in the 1960s, and has always been cherished and constantly promoted by the two sides over the past two decades," he said.

"China will forever cherish the traditional friendship with Zimbabwe, and the People's Liberation Army of China will always be a close friend and trustworthy partner of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces," Zhu added.

During the event, Garwe said the role of the army in the promotion of a conducive environment for peace and development cannot be over emphasized.

Garwe commended the PLA's role in its involvement in United Nations peacekeeping initiatives, particularly in Africa. "I urge the Chinese People's Liberation Army to remain resolute in the role of defending Chinese national sovereignty and indeed that of other vulnerable nations."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States supports the United Nations Security Council's taking action to de-escalate the situation in Niger, a spokesperson for the U.S. UN mission said on Thursday after soldiers in the African country declared a coup.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke to Niger's president, Mohamed Bazoum, on Thursday, according to a U.S. readout.

"She ... conveyed that the United States is steadfast in its support for Nigers democracy and supports taking action at the UN Security Council to de-escalate the situation, prevent harm to civilians, and ensure constitutional order," a spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; writing by Costas Pitas; Editing by Leslie Adler)
David Grusch UAP witness

A decorated intelligence official and Air Force veteran turned UFO whistleblower on Wednesday provided the most pointed public testimony ever given to Congress about claims that 'non-human intelligence' has visited the Earth and left behind craft and bodies, and the government has covered it up for nearly a century.

David Grusch, who served with the now-shuttered Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Task Force (UAPTF), testified under oath before a House Oversight Committees subcommittee that he has evidence there is a cabal of people inside and outside the government involved in ongoing programs dealing with non-human craft and lifeforms. Those beings have visited the Earth, he said, and the cover-up has been going on since the 1930s.

https://youtu.be/KQ7Dw-739VY

He testified that the U.S. government possesses multiple alien craft and the remains of their crew; that government contractors have misappropriated money to fund these ongoing programs and that there have been efforts to silence those who come forward that may have even included murder. In addition, Grusch said the U.S. was working to reverse-engineer alien technology and that people were hurt in the process of attempting to do so. He said he had a list of witnesses, both cooperative and hostile, for future hearings that could provide additional answers through firsthand accounts.

He also joined the chorus of those who want to see the release of the images and video taken during the February shootdown of a Chinese spy balloon and other mysterious craft that flew over North America.

Grusch had previously raised these issues when he filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Intelligence Community Inspector General about internal reprisals for his work on this issue. That complaint was deemed 'credible' at the time and the probe into it is still ongoing. He also spent nearly a dozen hours in closed-door congressional hearings and made similar allegations to two media outlets.

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https://youtu.be/_CD64QW-dKM

But Wednesday was the first time hes made those statements in public under oath.

Grusch limited his statements to what he could divulge publicly without violating laws pertaining to classified information. His statements were what he was cleared to talk about after a Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DOPSR). But he repeatedly said he would offer more detailed answers to sensitive questions in a closed Congressional hearing if those in attendance had the clearances to hear his answers.

He was one of three witnesses before the committee Wednesday. The other two were Ryan Graves and David Fravor, former Navy aviators who spoke about their own experiences witnessing UAPs while flying.

https://twitter.com/BrianRoemmele/status/1684254811225722880 https://twitter.com/NatalieABrand/status/1684287571193393157

Beyond the testimony, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) essentially outed a UAP incident near Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle, offering never-before-heard details of that encounter.

https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1684264643005382670

Grusch was an intelligence officer detailed to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) as an Air Force reservist and later served in a similar capacity with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2021 to earlier this year. He was that agencys co-lead in Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) and transmedium object analysis and reported to the UAPTF and eventually the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) which replaced it.

He told the committee he became a whistleblower following concerning reports from multiple esteemed and credentialed current and former military and Intelligence Community individuals that the U.S. government is operating with secrecy - above Congressional oversight - with regards to UAPs.

U.S. Air Force (Ret.) Maj. David Grusch, is sworn in before a House Oversight and Accountability subcommittee hearing on UFOs, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

In his opening statement, Grusch said he based his testimony on information I have been given by individuals with a longstanding track record of legitimacy and service to this country  many of whom also shared compelling evidence in the form of photography, official documentation, and classified oral testimony. 

He added that he had taken every step I can to corroborate this evidence over a period of four years and to do my due diligence on the individuals sharing it, and it is because of these steps that I believe strongly in the importance of bringing this information before you.

In 2019, Grusch testified, the UAPTF director tasked me to identify all Special Access Programs & Controlled Access Programs (SAPs/CAPs) we needed to satisfy our congressionally mandated mission.

At the time, given his extensive executive-level intelligence support duties, Grusch said he was cleared to literally all relevant compartments and in a position of extreme trust in both my military and civilian capacities.

I was informed, in the course of my official duties, of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program to which I was denied access to those additional read-ons, Grusch said. I made the decision based on the data I collected, to report this information to my superiors and multiple Inspectors General, and in effect become a whistleblower. As you know, I have suffered retaliation for my decision. But I am hopeful that my actions will ultimately lead to a positive outcome of increased transparency.

The Questions

Over the course of a hearing that lasted more than 2.5 hours, Grusch addressed many inquiries from a bipartisan panel of lawmakers who came together in an exceedingly rare display of unity to learn more about the claims made by Grusch and former Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor, who each were party to some of the most known UFO incidents in the last 20 years.

U.S. Rep. Timothy Burchett, (R-Tennessee) asked the first series of questions.

Q: Is the U.S. government in possession of UAPs?

A: Absolutely based on interviewing over 40 witnesses over four years.

Q: Where?

A: I know the exact locations and those locations were provided to the inspector general, and some of which, to the intelligence committees. I actually had the people with the first-hand knowledge provide a protective disclosure to the Inspector General.

Q: Have you faced any retaliation or reprisals for any of your testimony or anything on these lines?

A: Yeah. I have to be careful what I say in detail because there is an open whistleblower reprisal investigation on my behalf. I don't want to compromise that investigationbut it was very brutal and very unfortunate some of the tactics they used to hurt me both professionally and personally, to be quite frank.

Q: Do you have any personal knowledge of people who've been harmed or injured in efforts to cover up or conceal these extraterrestrial technologies?

A: Yes. Personally.

Q: Have you heard that anyone [has] been murdered? That you know of or heard of I guess?

A: I have to be careful asking that question. I directed people with that knowledge to the appropriate authorities.

https://twitter.com/G3NewsGroup/status/1684265939066290193

Rep. Jeremy Raskin (D-NY) then asked several questions.

Q: What was your experience coming forward?

A: Well, it's only been about two months or so. So I guess my experience has been overwhelming support from former colleagues of mine, a few who privately message me, and I do appreciate that. But I do have knowledge of active planned reprisal activity against myself and other colleagues and it's very, very upsetting to me.

Q: Coming from where?

A: Certain senior leadership at previous agencies I was associated with and that's all I'll say publicly, but I can provide more details and closed environment.

Grusch added that certain colleagues of mine that were brutally administratively attacked, to which Raskin asked why.

A: I call it administrative terrorism. That's a tool in the toolbox. They silence people. Especially the career government service [personnel] who cares about their career, cares about their clearance, their reputation. the climb up the ladder. When you threaten that career path, a lot of people back off, but I'm here to represent those people.

https://twitter.com/G3NewsGroup/status/1684284942568628224

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Florida) followed up Raskins line of questioning.

Q: In the last couple of years, have you had incidents that have caused you to be in fear for your life for addressing these issues?

A: Yes. Personally.

Q: On the 19th of April, Dr. [Sean] Kirkpatrick, head of AARO, said that he did not find any evidence of UAPs. You also stated that in your interview that you briefed him on information that you were uncovering, but they didn't follow up with you. Were the items that you divulged to him pertinent to national security?

A: Yes. Him and I had a classified conversation April 2022 before he took over AARO. July 2022 I provided him some concerns I had.

https://twitter.com/UAPJames/status/1684222258330451972

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) asked Grusch whether as a result of his previous government work, he met with people with direct knowledge or have direct knowledge yourself of non-human-origin craft?

A: Yes, I personally interviewed those individuals.

https://twitter.com/UAPJames/status/1684224453234905090

Q: As a result of your previous government work, have you met with people with direct knowledge or have direct knowledge yourself about ATs - advanced technologies - that the US government has.

A: Based on conventional advanced tech, I was briefed to the preponderance of the Defense Department's both space and aerospace department programs.

Q: Do you have knowledge or do you have reason to believe that there are programs in the advanced tech space that are unsanctioned?

A: Yes, I do.

Q: And when you say that theyre above congressional oversight, what do you mean?

A: Its a complicated question. So there's some I would call it abuse here. [Federal law] discusses the [Deputy Defense Secretarys] ability to waive Congressional reporting. However, the Gang of Eight [the top four leaders in Congress and the head Republican and Democrat from both the Senate and House Intelligence committees] is at least supposed to be notified [you can read all about how this all works in this past feature of ours]

Q: How does a program like that get funded?

A: I will give you generalities. I can get very specific in a closed session. But this is misappropriation of funds.

Q: Does that mean that there is money in the budget that is set to go to a program but it doesn't and it goes to something else?

A: Yes, theres specific knowledge to that.

Q: Do you think U.S. corporations are overly overcharging for certain tech it's selling to the US government and that additional money is going to programs?

A: Correct. For something called IRAD. [Thats an acronym for Internal Research & Development Program, but he did not explain which specific IRAD program or programs it was and no one on the panel asked, so we reached out to the Pentagon and will provide additional details when available].

Q: Lets talk satellite imagery. Are you aware, do you have direct knowledge or did you talk to people with direct knowledge, that there is satellite imagery of these events?

A: That was one of my primary tasks at NGA, since we process, exploit and disseminate information. I personally reviewed both what we call overhead collection and from other strategic and tactical platforms that I cannot even explain prosaically, and I have a degree in physics, by the way as well. And I am aware that you guys have not seen these reports, unfortunately, and I don't know why.

Q: Do you have direct knowledge, or have you spoken people who have direct knowledge that this imagery applies to crash sites - crash imagery?

A: I cant discuss that in an open session.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, (R-North Carolina) asked Grusch whether his statements contradicted those by AAROs Kirkpatrick who previously testified before Congress that no credible evidence thus far of extraterrestrial activity or quote off world technology was brought to the attention of the office.

Q: To your knowledge, is that statement correct?

A: It's not accurate.

Foxx added that this contradiction is a perfect example of why we need to inject transparency into our government."

Returning for another round of questioning, Burchett asked Grusch for the names and titles - the people with direct first-hand knowledge and access to - some of these crash retrieval programs and maybe which facilities military bases that would recover material would be in.

A: I can't discuss it publicly. But I did provide that information both to the Intel committees and Inspector General.

Q: What Special Access Programs cover this information and how is it possible that they have evaded oversight for so long?

A: I do know the names. Once again, I can't discuss that publicly and how they've evaded oversight. In a closed setting, I can tell you the specific tradecraft used.

Q: When do you think those programs began and who authorized them?

A: I do know a lot of information but that's something that can't discuss publicly.

Burchett pressed Grusch about who was denying access to these programs.

A: It's a group of career senior executive officials.

Q: Are they government officials?

A: Both in and out of government and that's about as far as I can go there.

Q: That leads me to my next question. Which private corporations are directly involved in this program? How much taxpayer money has been invested in these programs to your knowledge?

A: I don't know the specific metrics towards any of your question. The specific corporations I did provide to the committees in specific divisions and I spent 11 and a half hours in both intel committees.

https://twitter.com/UAPJames/status/1684234015337766912

Asked by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona) about whether the classification of UAP information is interfering with the governments ability to be transparent, Grusch noted that he helped author the UAP Task Force 2019 Security Classification guidelines, which he called fair. However, when it came to the shootdown of the Chinese balloon that traversed the U.S. earlier this year, Grusch said there was a lazy attitude about declassifying videos. I mean, I've seen some of the videos of the recent shoot down and I saw no reason that couldn't have been released as long as they mask some data. The American people deserve to see that imagery and full-motion video.

https://twitter.com/astroqv/status/1621965490926002176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1621965490926002176%7Ctwgr%5E9c579e7b241b2407e99c47550201028e36d2e0f9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Ff-22-shoots-down-chinese-spy-balloon-off-carolinas-with-missile

Rep. Eric Burilson (R-Missouri) asked Grusch for more details about aggressive or hostile activity experienced by him or his colleagues in relation to the UAPs

A: I know of multiple colleagues of mine that got physically injured.

Q: By UAPs or by people in the federal government?

A: Both.

Q: So there has been activity by alien or non-human technology and/or beings that has caused harm to humans?

A: I can't get into the specifics of in an open environment, but at least the activity that I personally witnessed - I have to be very careful because you don't want to acknowledge tradecraft, right? So what I personally witnessed - myself and my wife - is very disturbing.

Q: You've said that U.S. has intact spacecraft. You said that the government has alien bodies or alien species. Have you seen the spacecraft?

A: I have to be careful to describe what I've seen firsthand. Not in this environment, but I can answer that question behind closed doors.

Q: Have you seen any of the bodies?

A: That's something I've not witnessed myself.

https://twitter.com/RepEricBurlison/status/1684234837819891712

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) asked Grusch about whether officials at the highest levels of our national security apparatus have unlawfully withheld information from Congress and subverted our oversight authority.

A: There are certain elected leaders that had more information that I'm not sure what they've shared with certain Gang of Eight members etc. l but certainly I would not be surprised.

Q: You say that the government is a possession of potentially non-human spacecraft. Based on your experience and extensive conversations with experts, do you believe our government has made contact with intelligent extraterrestrials?

A: Something I can't discuss in a public setting.

Q: Do we have the bodies of the pilots who piloted these craft?

A: As I've stated publicly already in my News Nation interview, biologics came with some of these recoveries.

Q: Were they human or non-human biologics?

A: Non-human and that was the assessment of people with direct knowledge of the program I talked to that are currently still in the program.

Q: And was this documented evidence - was there video, photos, eyewitness? Like how would that be determined?

A: The specific documentation I would have to talk to you in a [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility] SCIF about.

https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1684247539334119426

Q: What agency, sub-agency - what contractors - who should be called into the next hearing about UAPs - either in a public setting or even in a private setting. And you probably can't name names, but what agencies or organizations, contractors etc. do we need to call in to get these questions answered, whether it's about funding, what programs are happening and what's out there?

A: I can give you a specific - cooperative and hostile - witness list of specific individuals that were in those.

Q: And how soon can we get that?

A: Im happy to provide that to you after the hearing.

In another set of questions, Burchett asked Grusch if he has a personal knowledge of someone who's possibly been injured working on legacy UAP reverse engineering.

A: Yes.

Q: Was it something like a radioactive type situation or something we didn't understand?

A: I can't get into the specifics but you can imagine assessing an unknown unknown. There's a lot of potentialities, you can't fully prepare for.

Q: Are you aware of any individuals that are participating in reverse-engineering programs for non-terrestrial craft?

A: Personally, yes.

Q: Do you know anyone who would be willing to testify if there were protections for them?

A: Certainly closed-door and assurances that breaking your NDA, you are not going to get administratively punished.

As we discussed yesterday, the Oversight Committee hearing appeared to be a major first step toward learning more about this mystery and now it has gone officially from a focus on encounters with UAP, to the allegations of potentially major criminal activity and major conspiracy.

https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1684234097051459584

This is in addition to the claim that a small group of unelected people basically edited the course of human history totally outside any government oversight. These are incredibly tall and damning claims. Now that they are under scrutiny at the highest levels of government, it will be highly interesting to see what comes of them.

We will certainly be paying close attention and will update this story when warranted.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Russia has committed new attack helicopters as Ukraine's counteroffensive on the southern front continues, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry intelligence update on July 27.

The U.K. reports that there is evidence Russia is using a small number of new Ka-52M helicopters, which are "heavily modified" versions of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters.

The update states that evidence of this includes photos on social media of Russian aircrew posing next to the new aircraft.

British intelligence estimated that Russia has lost around 40 standard Ka-52 helicopters since the invasion.

"Informed by lessons from Russia's experience in Syria," the U.K. reported that modifications include the integration of LMUR anti-tank missiles, which have a range of around 15 kilometers.

The Russian military is able to launch these weapons "beyond the range of Ukrainian air defenses," added the update.

The New York Times reported on July 26 that the "main thrust" of Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive is currently in the southeast, and that Ukraine will now deploy thousands of Western-trained reinforcements previously held in reserve.

The same day, the White House stated that Ukrainian forces are moving forward and that the U.S. will continue to supply "the kinds of tools and capabilities they need to stay on the move."

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine to receive F-16 training, additional air defense as Russia continues missile barrage
A general view of the exterior of Witanhurst, a property owned by a Russian oligarch, on March 24, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. Leon Neal/Getty Images

Last year, the British government sanctioned many Russian oligarchs as a result of the war.

But many of them are allowed to spend a fortune on living expenses, The New York Times reported.

One tycoon had permission to pay 19 members of staff, including private chefs, the report said.

The British government granted sanctions exemptions to Russian oligarchs living in the UK, allowing them to pay for services like private chefs and drivers, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

Last year, officials granted at least 82 exemptions  known as licenses  to oligarchs who were affected by UK sanctions imposed as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the report said.

This includes Russian banking tycoon Mikhail Fridman, who last year was granted a license of 300,000 to pay for 19 members of staff, including drivers, private chefs, and housekeepers, The Times reported, citing licensing documents.

Fridman, who lives in London, received a roughly 7,000 monthly allowance to cover his family's basic needs, it added. It is unclear how the British government decided whether or not it should approve the transactions.

Fridman has a net worth of $12.2 billion according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index and was sanctioned by the UK in March 2022. The EU called Fridman "a top Russian financier and enabler of Putin's inner circle" in February when it placed him on its sanctions list.

In an interview with Bloomberg last year, Fridman described sanctions as "groundless and unfair" and said he doesn't "know how to live."

Russian businessman Mikhail Fridman in Moscow, Russia, in September 2019. Pavel Golovkin/Pool via REUTERS

The Treasury has also allowed Russian oligarch Petr Aven, who has links to President Vladimir Putin, to spend 60,000 a month to maintain his lifestyle, The Times reported. Aven was the president of Russia's largest privately held bank, Alfa-Ban.

A big chunk of that money went into a security company that has been under investigation for likely helping Aven evade sanctions, The Times reported, citing court records.

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Law enforcement agents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Times that the British licensing system, which was put together after Brexit, is undermining the sanctions.

A spokesperson for the UK Treasury told The Times that licenses to allow payments for "basic needs" are "strictly monitored." The Treasury did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Last week, Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov was removed from the sanctions blacklist after he successfully argued that he was an outspoken critic of Putin and was not in support of the war.

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Ukrainian service members fire a howitzer in Ukraine's Donetsk region on May 31. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Ukraine has switched up its tactics in its counteroffensive, reports say.

Russia's extensive defenses along the front line have slowed Ukraine's progress.

Ukraine has now turned to artillery fire, rather than pressing forward with tanks.

Ukrainian ground forces have switched tactics in their counteroffensive to focus on artillery bombardment on Russian positions instead of attempting to push through with heavy armor, reports said.

Ukraine's army has made slow and often costly gains pushing against Russian defensive lines using tanks and armored vehicles supplied by its allies.

Ukrainian commanders told the Financial Times that there was increasing use of heavy artillery instead, intended to clear a path for sappers and infantry units.

The report comes after Ukraine suffered considerable losses of Western-supplied heavy vehicles.

However, according to the think tank the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanized counteroffensive operation in western Zaporizhia on July 26, and appear to have broken through some Russian defensive positions there.

Two unnamed Pentagon officials told the New York Times that they believe these forces, which include infantry fighting vehicles and tanks, are the main attack of the counteroffensive underway since June, though others cautioned that they might be preparatory operations for the main thrust or perhaps just reinforcements to replenish war-weary units, the Times reported.

It was on machines such as Bradley infantry-fighting vehicles, tanks, and mine-clearing equipment that Ukraine had pinned much of its hopes for its counteroffensive.

But it has come up against what one retired US general called "20 kilometers of hell"  dense Russian fortifications in the form of minefields and "dragon's teeth" anti-tank obstacles, which provide a barrier for heavy vehicles to be then picked off by missile strikes.

A large proportion of the US-supplied Bradley infantry-fighting vehicles have been lost or damaged, the open-source tracking project Oryx found.

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The project has documented damage to, or loss of, 11 Western-supplied Leopard tanks, which were first seen on the battlefield in June.

"You can no longer do anything with just a tank, with some armor, because the minefield is too deep, and sooner or later, it will stop, and then it will be destroyed by concentrated fire," the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, told The Washington Post last month.

The changed tactic is slowing Ukrainian losses, the FT reported.

But by turning to artillery bombardments, Ukraine faces further issues  namely, a shortage of 155 mm munitions, among others.

Western allies have questioned whether Ukraine can sustain the level of shelling needed to make the newer strategy work, the FT reported.

Analysis suggests that Ukraine is outgunning Russia in the artillery fight, taking out four Russian howitzers for every Ukrainian one destroyed, Forbes reported.

The use of controversial US-supplied cluster munitions, granted by the White House on July 20, may also help mitigate Ukraine's ammunition problem.

By sending out a spray of bomblets, cluster munitions are as effective at clearing trenches as eight conventional shells, The Kyiv Independent said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian military in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast

A new phase of the Ukrainian counter-offensive has begun, with the main thrust directed at the southeast of the country to sever the so-called land bridge between Russia and occupied Crimea, the New York Times reported on July 27, referring to Pentagon officials.

Read also: Modest Ukrainian gains near Bakhmut and Orikhiv  DeepSate map

The newspaper also obtained information from anonymous Ukrainian officials, who reportedly said that reserve units, trained and equipped by the West, will try to break through Russian fortifications around Tokmak. If successful, they will move further toward Melitopol. Both towns are located in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

"Their goal is to sever the so-called land bridge between Russian-occupied Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula, or at least advance far enough to put the strategically important peninsula within range of Ukrainian artillery," the New York Times reported.

Read also: Ukrainian military conducting dual offensive operation, says General Staff

According to the plan Ukrainian officials shared with journalists, this campaign should take up to three weeks.

These reports are corroborated by intensifying combat along the southern front. Russia has also reported fierce battles in the region.

On July 26, Ukraines General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces managed to repel all Russian attempts to regain control over the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located 20 kilometers away from Tokmak.

At the time, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that the Ukrainian military is continuing its advance into the Berdyansk and Melitopol directions.

As of July 24, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have liberated nearly 230 square kilometers of territory from Russian occupation, including over 192 square kilometers in the southern part of the country and approximately 35 square kilometers in the east.

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Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian minister of digital transformation, right, and Yuriy Shchygol, head of State Special Communications Service, pose for a photo next to 1,700 drones that are being sent to the frontline to be used against Russian forces, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. | Libkos, Associated Press

Fighting raged on in southeastern Ukraine as Kyiv launches a new push in its counteroffensive. Ukraine made major attacks in the western Zaporizhzhia region, breaking through Russian defensive positions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that hostilities have intensified significantly, The Associated Press reported.

There have been battles on multiple points along the 1,500 kilometer (930-mile) front line for weeks, according to AP. Three battalions mounted an attack reinforced with tanks, south of the town of Orikhiv, The New York Times reported.

What is Ukraine doing to launch a counteroffensive?

Kyiv has sent in more troops and forces to the southeastern region, possibly a sign that Kyiv has identified potential weaknesses in Russian defensive lines, two U.S. officials told CNN.

Ukraines military has not commented in detail on the situation but has said offensive operations have been gradually advancing, per CNN.

There is little third party sourcing to examine whats going on at the frontlines, but Russian military bloggers and official Ukrainian accounts suggest that Ukrainian forces have cut a path through at least one of the many minefields laid by the Russians and made modest territorial gains in the area of Robotyn, CNN reported.

The goal is to sever the so-called land bridge that connects Russia and the annexed Crimean peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. The advancement would put the peninsula within range of Ukrainian artillery, per the Times.
Oleksandr Tkachenko

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament, voted to remove Oleksandr Tkachenko from his role as the head of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy on July 27, according to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniaks announcement on Telegram.

The decision was supported by 321 lawmakers.

However, the appointment of a new minister is not on the agenda for today and most likely will not be considered this week, Zhelezniak said.

Tkachenkos resignation: What we know

On the night of July 21, Tkachenkostated that he had submitted his resignation from the position of Minister ofCulture due to misunderstandings regarding the importance of culture during the war. He claimed to have done this before President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the Prime Minister to consider replacing the head of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy.

Having held the Ministry position since June 2020, Tkachenko faced repeated calls for his resignation from the public, with a petition demanding his removal accumulating over 25,000 signatures. However, Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal insisted there were no grounds for his dismissal.

Read also: Art Arsenal director Ostrovska-Lyuta proposed as new culture minister

The recent surge of criticism against Tkachenko centered on his support for allocating millions from the state budget to fund films and series, including Sanatorium Nezabudka and SMT Ingulets. He advocated for around 400 million hryvnias ($11 million) to be allocated for the film industry.

Lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko disclosed that Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta, the director of the Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Complex, is a proposed candidate for the Culture Minister position. However, Ostrovska-Liuta mentioned being currently on vacation in a comment to NV.

Contrarily, Ukrainska Pravda, a sister publication of NV, reported that the alleged candidacy remains unconfirmed and Rostyslav Karandeyev might assume the role of the acting head of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy.

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This is not the first time Tkachenko has considered resigning. In 2021, he submitted a resignation letter after the Cabinets decision to separate the State Film Agency from the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy. At that time, parliamentarians urged him to stay and initially did not register the resignation letter. Tkachenko eventually changed his mind and retained his position as the head of the Ministry.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ukraine kicked off a long-awaited armored assault on Russian fortifications in a counteroffensive thrust potentially aimed at severing Moscows land link to occupied Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posted a video on Telegram saying that Ukrainian troops reclaimed the village of Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region.

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Wheat prices rose after Ukraine said a Russian submarine fired two Kalibr cruise missiles at port infrastructure in Odesa, killing one person and damaging equipment at a cargo terminal. A reduced list of attendees at a summit with African leaders hosted by President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg also highlighted the Kremlins diminishing power as his war drags on.

The central bank in Kyiv cut official borrowing costs for the first time since Russia sent tanks and troops across the border in early 2022, taking a step toward easing an emergency monetary regime erected to shield the economy from the war. Ukraines parliament also extended martial law untill Nov. 16.

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Markets

Wheat in Chicago rose 0.6% to $7.245 a bushel by 12.28 London time. Russias Federal Security Service also said it denied passage through the Kerch Strait to a grain ship coming from Turkey after finding traces of explosives on board, according to the RIA news service.

Coming Up

Russia Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visits North Korea

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is in Africa this week to discuss the collapse of the grain deal

Russia-Africa summit underway in St. Petersburg

Story continues

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KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian soldiers have recaptured the southeastern village of Staromaiorske from Russian forces in Donetsk region, a video published by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy showed on Thursday.

"The 35th brigade and the 'Ariy' territorial defence unit have fulfilled their task and liberated the village of Staromaiorske. Glory to Ukraine!" said a soldier in a video that Reuters was unable to immediately geolocate.

The village lies to the south of a cluster of small settlements that Ukraine recaptured during a counteroffensive it began early in June against Russian forces who hold parts of southern and eastern Ukraine.

"Our defenders are now continuing to clear the settlement," said Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar declaring Staromaiorske liberated.

Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military analyst, said Ukrainian troops now needed to reach another village, Staromlynivka, less than 5kms away.

"It really serves as a stronghold for the Russian occupiers, the peak of the second defensive line in this location," he said in an interview with the RBC UA media outlet.

"The process is therefore entirely logical  first, take Staromayorske, stabilise the flanks, and advance to the second line, where the main striking groups will be engaged to break through," he said.

Russian troops are heavily entrenched in the strategically important south where they have prepared a sprawling network of trenches, minefields, anti-tank ditches and lines of "dragon's teeth" barricades.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukrainian attacks in the south had intensified.

Zelenskiy has acknowledged progress in the counteroffensive has been slower than desired, but last night touted "very good results" from the front, without providing details.

(Reporting by Reuters; writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Conor Humphries and Grant McCool)
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine announced that it has credited $1.5 billion that the World Bank sent as financial assistance for development and reconstruction

The World Bank has already transferred $1.5 billion in aid to the Ukrainian government through the Advancing Needed Credit Enhancement for Ukraine Trust Fund (ADVANCE Ukraine), Ukraines Finance Ministry said in a message on its website on July 27.

The funds raised will be directed towards economic recovery and strengthening social security for the population, the message quotes Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.

Read also: Ukraines wartime economy continues to adapt and recover  GDP grows by 2.4% in Q1  Economy Minister

I am grateful for the continuous support of Ukraine by the Japanese Government during their presidency in the G7, as well as the World Bank team.

Read also: Ukraines border agency updates risk on invasion from Belarus

The ministry also noted that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv has received over $581 million in financing from the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Read also: EU provides Ukraine another 1.5 billion in macro-financial aid

The message adds that Kyiv expects to receive another $2 billion from the Japanese Government for direct budget support through the World Bank's ADVANCE fund.

On June 22, the World Bank announced additional financial support of $1.76 billion to Ukraine. The funds will be allocated to state salaries and pension payments, as well as support for vulnerable population groups.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at St. George's Hall in the Kremlin on March 21, 2023. Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via Getty Images

China says it's neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war and even tried to broker a peace deal earlier this year.

However, experts told Insider that China has good reason to stay friendly with Russia as war wages.

China is pocketing discounted oil and gas and enjoying geopolitical perks as a result of the war.

Russia's brutal war in Ukraine has wrought devastation in the East and donations from the West. But amid the chaos and costs, there's at least one country reaping the benefits of the brutal conflict, two Russia experts told Insider.

"This prolonged war is good for China  it gets cheap oil and gas from Russia, it sells to Russia sanctioned products at inflated prices, and both of its global rivals  Russia, and especially the West  are tied down and bleeding each other," said Robert English, a professor at the University of Southern California who studies Russia, the Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe.

The US has sent tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022, prompting some American politicians to call for an end to the assistance, citing the staggering figures.

China, meanwhile, has presented itself as officially neutral in the conflict, but in reality, has only increased its dealings with Russia since the invasion.

A Politico report this week found that China has sent Russia significant amounts of military equipment, including $100 million in drones this year alone. The imports exploit a loophole in Western sanctions due to their status as nonlethal and dual-use, which means they can serve both civilian and military purposes.

China has repeatedly denied supplying Russia with military equipment. But two experts who study Russia told Insider that China has good reason to stay friendly with its Eastern neighbor as war wages.

China  now Russia's largest oil buyer  is getting "fire sale" prices on oil and gas, Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and a historian of the Soviet Union and US-Soviet relations, told Insider.

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Beijing imported a record-high amount of Russian crude in the first half of the year, benefitting from discounted prices Moscow has been forced to impose after Western sanctions saw Europe slash its dependency on Russian oil following the invasion.

Russia is desperately strapped for cash, and China conveniently has plenty of purchasing power, Miles said, adding that China could plausibly emerge from the war as a major stakeholder in the Russian economy.

"As the war continues, the Chinese will find a lot of opportunities to do what they've done in Africa and Latin America: glom onto chunks of the Russian economy at fire sale prices," Miles said.

On top of discounted crude, China is also enjoying geopolitical perks as a result of the war as it aims to increase regional dominance.

"They are getting a Kremlin that is totally fixated on the West and is not really paying attention to events in the East," Miles said.

China and Russia's shared grievances against the West make them understandable, if uneasy allies, English said.

"They both reject the US dominance of the global order, they both resent the US exercising its power right up to their borders, and they both have deep and often justified grievances against the West," he told Insider.

But how long the tenuous partnership between China and Russia can last is unclear.

"The fundamental of the China-Russia relationship is that both parties believe the other is the junior party," Miles said. "That's a shaky foundation to build a relationship."

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Key developments on July 26:

Ukraine downs 36 Russian missiles on July 26

Ukrainian pilots to receive F-16 training in Denmark, Romania

Black Sea security discussed at the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting

Ukraine continues advancing in Donetsk Oblast

Ukraine receives additional air defense, allocates $1 billion for drone production

Air defense downed 36 missiles Russia fired at Ukraine on July 26, the Air Force reported. Among them were 33 Kh-101/Kh-555 and three Kalibr cruise missiles.

The Air Force's spokesperson Yuri Ihnat said missiles were shot down over Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Explosions were also reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

There have been no reports of casualties yet.

According to the Air Force, Russian troops fired 36 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from eight Tu-95 bombers from the direction of the Caspian Sea at around 5 p.m.

The nationwide air raid alert followed soon.

"The missiles entered the airspace of Ukraine from the southeastern direction, went west, constantly changing direction of flight," reads the report.

The Air Force also said Russian MiG-31K fighter jets launched four Kh-47 Kinzhal ballistic missiles in the direction of Khmelnytskyi Oblast. The information regarding the Kinzhals is being clarified, the Air Force added.

Three Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea were shot down over Vinnytsia Oblast earlier in the day, the Air Force said.

Ihnat said some of the missiles targeted the Starokostiantyniv District in Khmelnytskyi Oblast.

Ihnat said that cruise missiles changed directions as they moved across the country before heading in the direction of Starokostiantyniv. No further details were revealed.

The Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration reported explosions in the oblast at around 7 p.m.

Local Telegram channels also reported that explosions were heard in Zhytomyr Oblast, but Governor Vitalii Bunechko later said "no emergency situations were recorded" in the oblast.

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In his evening address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, however, that there are "several hits and missiles' debris falling."

"But it is very important that the audacity of this attack was destroyed," he said without providing further details.

"Today is a day that should end with a special thanks to all our air defense soldiers for every downed Russian missile," Zelensky said.

Read also: How Russian soldiers shared evidence of their own war crime

US says Ukrainian pilots to receive F-16 training in Denmark, Romania

The U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Ukrainian pilots are going to receive training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark and Romania, while other locations are being considered as well.

Other details of the training are yet to be finalized, according to Kirby.

"The dates, the locations, the length of the syllabus, all of that is still being worked out," he said at a press conference on July 26.

Earlier in the day, Politico reported that despite hopes that the training would start this summer, no country has committed aircraft to support the training, and no final decisions on the plans have been made so far.

According to Politico's sources, one idea that has been discussed is to send Ukrainian pilots to the U.S. to be trained with the Air National Guard unit in Arizona. The base already trains foreign partners on how to operate F-16s.

The alternative idea is to send U.S. pilots to Europe to train Ukrainian pilots at a European base.

At the Vilnius NATO summit earlier in July, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov signed a memorandum with 11 countries outlining the F-16 training terms for Ukrainian pilots.

Kirby said earlier on July 21 that Ukraine would receive F-16s before the end of the year.

Read also: How controversial cluster munitions give Ukraine needed punch during counteroffensive

Ukraine receives reinforcements for air defense systems, allocates $1 billion for drone production

Zelensky reported on July 26 that Ukraine had received reinforcements for its air defense capabilities.

"Listened to the latest reports on the delivery of weapons and ammunition. There are reinforcements for our air defense systems," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

"They will be directed to where they are most needed," he wrote without providing further details.

Earlier on July 19, Zelensky said Ukraine needs additional SAMP-T or Patriot air defense systems to protect Odesa as Russia repeatedly attacked the city last week.

Speaking at a forum celebrating the anniversary of the Army of Drones project, an initiative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the Ukrainian government has allocated Hr 40 billion ($1.08 billion) this year to invest in the drone industry.

Shmyhal said the government had removed customs barriers for importing spare parts and now facilitates the mass production of ammunition for combat drones.

A resolution that simplifies bureaucratic procedures to speed up the production of ammunition for UAVs was approved by the government on July 21.

The Army of Drones was set up to make the process of bringing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the battlefield fast, going around the bureaucracy associated with regular procurement.

The use of UAVs has been a key characteristic of the war.

Read also: Patriot air defense faces its toughest challenge ever in Ukraine

Black Sea security discussed at the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting

The NATO-Ukraine Council met to discuss the security situation in the Black Sea on July 26.

The meeting comes over a week after Russia said that it pulled out from the Black Sea Grain Initiative  critical for ensuring global food security  effectively collapsing the deal.

"Allies and Ukraine strongly condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal and its deliberate attempts to stop Ukraine's agricultural exports on which hundreds of millions of people worldwide depend," NATO said in its statement.

The alliance also condemned" Russia's recent missile attacks on the Ukrainian port cities of Odesa and Mykolaiv and the July 24 attack against the Danube River ports and said that it would increase surveillance in the Black Sea region, using patrol aircraft and drones.

Following its withdrawal from the grain deal, Russia launched a series of strikes against southern Ukraine, mainly targeting Odesa. On July 23 alone, Russian troops fired 19 missiles at Odesa, damaging the historic center and a UNESCO-listed cathedral and killing and injuring civilians.

According to the statement, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia "bears full responsibility" for the escalating situation in the Black Sea region.

"Russia must stop weaponizing hunger and threatening the world's most vulnerable people with food instability," he said.

"Russia's actions also pose substantial risks to the stability of the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance to NATO. Allies are stepping up support to Ukraine and increasing our vigilance," Stoltenberg commented.

"We remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory from any aggression."

In a statement, NATO also said it has already strengthened its presence in the Black Sea with two new multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria and Romania and that it welcomed Turkey's efforts to "revitalize the grain deal" and efforts by Bulgaria, Romania, other allies, the EU, and the U.N. to "enable continued export of Ukrainian grain by land and sea."

"Allies also made clear that they would continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian assistance," reads the statement.

The NATO-Ukraine Council was established during the Vilnius summit on July 11 as part of the efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance.

The meeting was attended by NATO officials and ambassadors of the member countries and a Ukrainian representation via teleconference, which included Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov and Brigadier General Oleksii Hromov of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Read also: Ukraines south threatened with long-term economic, agricultural decline after Kakhovka dam destruction

Ukraine continues advancing in Donetsk Oblast

Ukrainian forces are being entrenched in their new position following their successful advance near the village of Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast, the General Staff spokesman Andrii Kovalyov said on July 26.

At the same time, Russian troops "made unsuccessful attempts" to regain their positions northeast of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Kovalyov added.

According to him, the Russian military also "continues to put up strong resistance, shift units, and actively use reserves."

Kovalyov reported that Ukraine had driven out Russian troops at Staromaiorske earlier on July 25. The village is located in the far west of Donetsk Oblast and borders Zaporizhizhia Oblast.

On July 26, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar also said that Ukraine continues "successfully" advancing south of Bakhmut. However, heavy fighting is ongoing near the settlements of Klishchiivka, Kurdiumivka, and Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast, according to her.

Ukraine also continues to hold back Russian advances in the direction of Lyman and Kupiansk, Maliar said.

On July 25, Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported that Ukrainian forces entered the village of Andriivka south of Bakhmut.

"The advance and liberation of the settlement took place, but now the fighting continues both within and outside the settlement," the governor said.

Ukraine conducts a counteroffensive in at least three directions in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, with its forces gradually advancing south of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast and in the Berdiansk and Melitopol directions in the south, the Institute for the Study of War reported in its update on July 25.

Ukraine's counteroffensive progress has been slower than anticipated despite achieving partial gains since its start in early June, say Western observers and Ukrainian officials.

Read also: As more soldiers go missing, desperate families left in limbo
Key developments on July 27:

Ukrainian forces advance south of Bakhmut, and reportedly ramp up counteroffensive southeast

In southeast, Staromaiorske village is liberated

Ukraine's parliament extends martial law, mobilization

Russia strikes Kharkiv Oblast, killing 1, injuring 4



Ukrainian forces have liberated Staromaiorske village in Donetsk Oblast, according to the footage of Ukraines 35th Marine Brigade and Territorial Defense Forces, published by President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 27.

The video published by Zelensky shows the troops holding the Ukrainian unit flag inside the partially destroyed building.

Staromaiorske, which sits on the Mokri Yaly River, is located near the administrative border with Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a few kilometers south of the town of Velyka Novosilka. Two days ago, Ukrainian forces reported winning over the positions close to Staromaiorske.

Staromaiorske lies in the Berdiansk direction, one of the three sectors where Ukrainian forces are conducting its summer counteroffensive.

During the initial phase of the counteroffensive, launched in early June, Ukrainian forces also liberated several settlements alongside the Mokri Yaly River.

Ukrainian forces have already reclaimed around half of the territories Russia occupied since the start of the full-scale invasion in late February last year, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN on July 23.

Counteroffensive

The bulk of the Ukrainian forces committed to the counteroffensive has been deployed southeast, two unnamed U.S. officials told CNN on July 27.

According to the report, the counteroffensive has successfully penetrated Russian defensive lines in the southeast. And the reserve units have been swiftly deployed to capitalize on this opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian General Staff reported in its evening update on July 27 that Ukrainian forces are being entrenched in their new position southeast, in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, following the counteroffensive gains.

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The General Staff hasnt mentioned the deployment of additional troops to the southern front line.

The New York Times reported on July 26 that Ukraine would deploy thousands of previously reserved Western-trained reinforcements, aiming to cut off the land bridge to the occupied Crimea or advance sufficiently to bring the peninsula within artillery range, according to the report.

On the eastern front, Ukrainian forces are gradually advancing south of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, repelling Russian attacks north of the city, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on July 27.

Severe fighting is ongoing near Klischiivka, Kurdiumivka, and Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Maliar also said that the Ukrainian forces repelled the Russian offensive in the Kupiansk sector, aimed to seize advantageous elevated positions in the flat terrain.

Colonel Mykola Urshalovych, the acting chairman of the Planning Department at the National Guard headquarters, reported on July 27 that the Russian commanders are forcing their troops to attack tactically unfavorable areas in the Kupiansk sector.

Ukrainian forces also repelled Russian attacks in the Lyman, Adviivka, and Marinka sectors, according to the General Staff.

Ukrainian forces are driving the counteroffensive in the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia oblasts, operating on multiple fronts. They have achieved some partial gains since starting in early June, thus slower than expected.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on July 26 that Ukrainian forces are advancing and the situation is "not a stalemate.

Read also: As more soldiers go missing, desperate families left in limbo

Ukraine extends martial law

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has voted to extend martial law and mobilization for another 90 days, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported on July 27.

This is the eighth time since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion that the Verkhovna Rada has voted to extend martial law.

The martial law will continue till Nov. 15 and is likely to be extended after that.

President Volodymyr Zelensky first declared martial law on Feb. 24, 2022, the day Russia launched the full-scale invasion, attacking Ukraine from north, east, and south.

Under martial law, Ukrainian men aged 1860 are restricted from leaving the country due to potential military service call-up. Exceptions are made for men with certain health conditions. Temporary exceptions can be granted to men who need to travel for work and family reasons, on a case by case basis.

Curfews were also imposed throughout the country at the start of the invasion under martial law but have lessened in areas where the situation is more stable.

Russian attacks

Russian forces struck Kivsharivka south of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast with a KAB-250 guided bomb, killing an elderly woman, and injuring four other civilians, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on July 27.

The attack destroyed part of a five-story residential building and damaged a nine-story building, according to the report.

Kharkiv Oblast suffers regular Russian shelling and airstrikes on a daily basis due to its proximity to the Russian border and the Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast.

Russian forces also attacked the Tiahinka community in southern Kherson Oblast with artillery, injuring a 57-year-old man at his home on July 27, according to the regional prosecutors office.

Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported on July 27 that the Russian shelling hit Odradokamianka village on the west bank of the Dnipro River.

Russian forces also struck Zaporizhzhia on the evening of July 27, Governor Yurii Malashko reported.

The rescue teams are on the site of the attack.

No casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, the rescuers found a body under the rubble of a building in Odesa the Russian missile hit on July 23, the city council reported on July 27.

The Russian overnight July 23 attack with 19 missiles against Odesa's historic center killed two and injured 22 civilians. The attack also damaged 25 historic buildings, including the historic Transfiguration Cathedral.

UNESCO, the UN culture agency, condemned the Russian attacks against cultural heritage. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed it targeted "facilities where terrorist acts against Russia were being prepared."

Read also: How Russian soldiers shared evidence of their own war crime
Over the course of the past day, Ukraines Defence Forces continued to conduct offensive operations on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts and are consolidating recently captured positions.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 27 July

Details: The General Staff reported that Russian occupation forces deployed two Kalibr cruise missiles to carry out an attack on Odesas port infrastructure and launched eight Shahed attack drones on targets elsewhere in Ukraine. Ukraines Air Force destroyed all eight Russian attack drones.

Russian forces carried out a total of 27 airstrikes over the course of the past day and deployed multiple-launch rocket systems in over 30 further attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian settlements. There were civilian casualties and fatalities, and port infrastructure and residential buildings in the south of Ukraine were damaged.

There is a very high ongoing threat of further Russian missile and air strikes across Ukraine.

Russian and Ukrainian forces clashed a total of 30 times over the course of today.

The operational situation on the Volyn and Polissia fronts remains much the same as before. There is no evidence that Russia is forming new offensive units in this area.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, Russian forces deployed mortars and artillery to fire on more than 20 civilian settlements.

On the Kupiansk front, Russian forces conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Iziumske (Kharkiv Oblast). Fyholivka, Dvorichna, Zapadne and Kyslivka (Kharkiv Oblast) came under Russian mortar and artillery fire.

On the Lyman front, Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the vicinity of Nadiia (Luhansk Oblast). They conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast). Nevske and Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast), and Torske, Spirne, Berestove and Verkhnokamianske (Donetsk Oblast) were shelled.

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On the Bakhmut front, Ukraines Defence Forces successfully repelled Russian assaults to the south of Klishchiivka. Russian forces conducted airstrikes on areas in and around Kurdiumivka, Bila Hora and New-York (Donetsk Oblast). Over 10 settlements came under Russian fire.

On the Avdiivka front, Ukraines Defence Forces successfully repelled Russian air- and artillery-supported assaults in the vicinity of Avdiivka. Russian forces shelled over 15 civilian settlements.

On the Marinka front, Ukrainian forces are continuing to hold back Russian forces near Marinka. The Russians shelled more than 10 civilian settlements.

On the Shakhtarsk front, Russian forces conducted an airstrike near Staromaiorske (Donetsk Oblast) and shelled Vodiane, Vuhledar and Blahodatne.

Russian forces on the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts are focusing their efforts on preventing Ukrainian forces from advancing. They shelled over 15 civilian settlements.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to conduct offensive operations on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, where they are consolidating their positions, deploying artillery to take out Russian military targets, and engaging in counter-battery fire.

Over the course of the day, Ukrainian aircraft carried out six airstrikes on areas where Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated, one strike on Russian air defence systems and one on a Russian command post.

Units of Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery struck a Russian command post, one cluster of military personnel, five field artillery units, one fuel and lubricant storage point and one electronic warfare system.

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Ukraine's state energy operator Ukrenergo is preparing for the worst-case scenario next winter but is confident that the country's main energy network will be able to function without restrictions, head of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said in Kharkiv on July 27, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

"We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario, which includes repeated missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure," Kudrytskyi said.

"We at Ukrenergo are absolutely certain that our main network will be ready to function without restrictions during the heating season," he added.

According to Kudrytskyi, the information about the state of the power system will not be made public, as the information is sensitive. "We don't want to help the enemy understand the power system in detail," he said.

While it cannot be said with certainty whether the country will experience blackouts next winter, Ukrenergo is already preparing for energy consumption peaks, Kudrytskyi said.

The company's goal is that disconnection of any part of the network will not affect consumers. Ukrenergo also plans to improve its response to emergency situations, building on the experience of the last winter, the chairman commented.

Kudrytskyi said that Ukraine needs to build additional transformers, power units, and power transmission lines in case some of the existing ones are damaged in an attack, but did not comment on whether any steps have already been taken to build new energy infrastructure.

Plans to create additional capacity are "realistic" in Kharkiv Oblast, where three-quarters of important energy facilities were damaged last winter, he added.

Russian forces attempted to cripple Ukraine's energy network with massive strikes during the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023, leading to frequent blackouts across the country.

Six months of sustained missile and drone attacks by Russia significantly weakened the energy system, damaging 43% of the main network, Ukrenergo said.

Read also: Ukrainian energy company on Russias attacks on infrastructure: No system in the world has faced the same
Ukrainian servicemen

Ukrainian Special Operation Forces successfully eliminated Russian troops in the south of Ukraine, while taking captive Russian prisoners who had been promised amnesty for killing Ukrainians, the Special Operation Forces (SOF) reported on Telegram on July 27.

Carefully collected intelligence on the enemy's location made this success possible, they acknowledge.

Read also: Ukraine launches new phase of counteroffensive focusing on south

A firefight broke out when the Special Operation Forces operators arrived at the enemy's location, the message reads.

The Russians were suppressed by small arms fire and forced to retreat.

Upon gaining the initiative, the special operations forces successfully maneuvered into to place to prevent further Russian movement. Two enemy soldiers surrendered, while the rest were eliminated, SOF reported.

Ukraine's counter-offensive: The latest news

Read also: Ukraine's National Guard takes Chechen commander captive

Ukraine has launched a new phase of its counteroffensive, focusing on the southern direction, according to The New York Times with reference to Pentagon officials.

According to the newspaper's sources, this campaign should take up to three weeks.

The National Guard of Ukraine earlier reported success in their advance towards the Russian-occupied port city of Melitopol. After achieving tactical success, Ukrainian troops there are gaining foothold and "conducting reconnaissance on the areas of further action."

According to U.S. financial news outlet Bloomberg, the Ukrainian army's advance during the counteroffensive has been slowed by vast minefields, anti-tank defenses, and other fortifications.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine has several scenarios of the counter-offensive campaign as Kyiv will direct reserves to the sections in need.

On July 26, Ukraines General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces managed to repel all Russian attempts to regain control over the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located 20 kilometers away from Tokmak.

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At the time, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that the Ukrainian military is continuing its advance into the Berdyansk and Melitopol directions.

Read also: Fighting is in our favor, second stage of Ukrainian counter-offensive can begin, claims Melnyk

As of July 24, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have liberated nearly 230 square kilometers of territory from Russian occupation, including over 192 square kilometers in the southern part of the country and approximately 35 square kilometers in the east.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Dnipro in southeastern Ukraine on Thursday to discuss the situation on the battlefield, supplies for troops and how to strengthen air defences.

"We started the working day in Dnipro," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app under video footage of him leading a meeting with military commanders and government officials.

"As always, we pay close attention to the supply of ammunition to our troops. The efficiency of using the existing air defence systems and reinforcing the sky shield, taking into account supplies from partners," he said.

The city of Dnipro, an important economic centre in southeastern Ukraine, is not far from the front line that stretches from Kherson in the south, through the Donbas region and further north to the Kharkiv region.

The city had a pre-war population of about 1 million people, and has become a logistical and humanitarian hub for Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion on Feb 24, 2022.

Zelenskiy said he discussed a review of conscription offices across the country that was launched after multiple allegations of corruption and complaints about the mobilisation process.

"The comprehensive inspection ... is coming to an end. Eleven regions are under special control," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said Russian forces had struck port infrastructure in the southern region of Odesa in an overnight missile attack, killing a security guard and damaging a cargo terminal.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Missile

Russia launched another overnight air raid on Ukraine on July 27, employing combat UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and cruise missiles.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defense units downed eight Shahed UAVs, but unfortunately, several Kalibr cruise missiles could not be intercepted.

Read also: Romanian cargo ship falls victim to Russian drone attack in southern Ukraine

The missiles are believed to have been been launched from a submarine in the Black Sea.

The primary target of the attack was port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, where the Kalibr missiles caused several casualties, the military said. The Shahed drones were neutralized within the territories of Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk oblasts.

Read also: Russias assault on Odesa continues, six injured and grain terminal destroyed in overnight air raid

The Ukrainian Air Force stated that it had also carried out 11 air strikes on enemy targets over the past 24 hours.

Earlier on the night of July 27, it was reported that a security guard was killed in a Russian attack on port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast. Two vehicles were also damaged, Oleh Kiper, the head of Odesa Oblast State Administration, reported.

In a previous massive attack launched by the Russian Federation on Ukraine, Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense forces were able to successfully intercept 36 missiles.

Read also: US to continue to roll out more military aid packages to Ukraine, Pentagon says

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South Korean law enforcement officers have detained a Ukrainian embassy employee for disorderly behaviour while intoxicated in a bar in the centre of Seoul. The Ukrainian Embassy has responded and committed to cooperate with the Korean authorities in the investigation. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has said it is recalling the diplomat from the mission trip and bringing him back to Ukraine.

Source: Oleh Nikolenko, Spokesperson for the Ukrainian MFA, on Facebook; Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of Korea; South Korean news agency KBS

Details: A Korean media outlet reports that a Ukrainian diplomat was detained in Seoul on suspicion of assaulting bar staff and police officers while in a state of alcohol intoxication.

The Yongsan Police Station in Seoul said the employee of the Ukrainian Embassy, a man in his 40s, was detained under suspicion of assault and obstruction of justice for attacking staff and police officers at a bar in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu.

The Ukrainian diplomat reportedly had a quarrel with customers in front of the bar and assaulted an employee trying to stop him and a police officer who arrived at the scene.

The police arrested him on the spot for his actions. He was taken to the police station for investigation and let go at night.

The Ukrainian Embassy also responded to the incident.

Quote: "The Embassy would like to express its sincere apologies to the Korean public and anyone involved for any distress or inconvenience caused by the incident.

The Embassy is working closely with the Korean authorities to ensure full and impartial investigation of the matter."

Details: The authority urged media representatives to refrain from any speculation: "As a responsible member of the diplomatic community in Seoul, the Embassy of Ukraine and its staff respect and strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the Republic of Korea."

Update: Afterwards, the Ukrainian MFA reported that a decision was made to recall the diplomat from the mission and bring him back to Ukraine.

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Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said the ministry analysed all the details of the incident in Seoul.

Quote from Nikolenko: "The decision was made to immediately recall the diplomat from the long-term mission and bring him back to Ukraine.

All employees of the Ukrainian diplomatic service abroad must strictly adhere to professional and moral ethics, as well as respect the legislation of the countries of their stay."

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KHARTOUM, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese army on Thursday announced a cessation of indirect talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which were hosted by the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah.

"The difference over some essential points, including the need for the rebels to evacuate the citizens' homes in all areas of the capital, the service facilities, hospitals and roads, prevented reaching an agreement on cessation of hostilities," the army said in a statement.

"As a result, our delegation returned to Sudan on Wednesday, July 26, for consultations," according to the statement.

The Sudanese army stressed readiness to continue the talks after overcoming the obstacles.

The army added it is willing to reach an effective and fair deal that would lead to the cessation of hostilities and pave the way for discussing post-war issues.

Since May 6, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been patronizing negotiations between the Sudanese warring parties in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. Several truces have been reached and breached since then with the two sides accusing each other of violating them.

On April 15, an armed conflict erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the country.

More than 3 million people have been forced into displacement, inside and outside the country, since the conflict broke out in Sudan, according to UN estimates.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has left more than 3,000 people killed and at least 6,000 others injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry. 
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are gradually advancing south of the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, simultaneously repelling Russian attacks to the north.

Source: Hanna Maliar, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, on Telegram

Quote: "On the Bakhmut front south of Bakhmut we are gradually advancing. The fighting is ongoing near the settlements of Klishchiivka, Kurdiumivka and Andriivka."

Details: The fighting is quite fierce, Maliar said. The Ukrainian forces are under dense fire from the Russians.

To the north of Bakhmut, the Defence Forces of Ukraine are repelling Russian attacks.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russians are on the offensive and trying to drive the Defence Forces out of their positions. Specifically, today alone the Defence Forces have repelled several storms, losing no positions.

A few Russian attacks have also been repelled on the Lyman front.

Background: The UK Ministry of Defence has dismissed concerns about the slow pace of the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, saying that operations are going according to plan.

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Aristov was found to be staying in the Maldives after leaving the country in June for a supposed mission in Poland. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A Ukrainian lawmaker is under investigation after he was found vacationing in the Maldives.

He left Ukraine in June on a trip to Poland, and called in sick while abroad on July 10, per officials.

He and his family were then discovered to be staying at the Waldorf Astoria, authorities said.

Kyiv is investigating a lawmaker who went on sick leave during the war but was then found holidaying with his family in the Maldives, per Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation.

Yuriy Aristov, a 48-year-old Ukrainian member of parliament, was discovered staying at the five-star Waldorf Astoria hotel complex on the private island of Ithaafushi in July, Ukrainian outlet Slidstvo.info first reported on Monday.

The State Bureau of Investigation later published a Wednesday statement further detailing Aristov's whereabouts, though it did not name him and instead referred to the lawmaker as "a people's deputy."

Aristov initially left Ukraine for a three-day business trip to Poland on June 5, the bureau said. It didn't say where the lawmaker went afterward, but that he remained outside the country.

Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine amid Russia's invasion, except for state-sanctioned trips.

Aristov then called in sick on July 10, remotely registering with a private medical institution in Kyiv, the bureau said. His sick leave lasted until July 19, authorities added.

But Aristov was discovered to have been staying with his wife and children at the Waldorf Astoria  where accommodation prices start at around $5,300 per night  until as late as July 22, the bureau added.

The luxury resort is only accessible by yacht from the airport, and hosts 119 villas with private pools, as well as a restaurant run by Michelin-starred chef Dave Pynt, per its website.

Journalists from Slidstvo.info called the Waldorf Astoria to check if Aristov was staying at its Maldivian hotel and reported that a receptionist confirmed the lawmaker was a guest.

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The State Bureau of Investigation said it's determining if Aristov knowingly submitted false information or documents about his travels, and is probing the legality of his vacation since Ukrainian officials are banned from holidaying during the war.

The Ukrainian authorities raided Aristov's apartment and seized his passport, publishing a YouTube video showing immigration stamps for the Maldives dated July on the passport.

He faces up to three years in prison if convicted, the bureau said.

On Tuesday, Ukraine's parliament chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk announced on Facebook that he had received a letter of resignation from Aristov.

Aristov was a member of the Servant of the People party, which is the party of Ukraine's current government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The investigation into Aristov echoes the January expelling of Mykola Tyshchenko, a Servant of the People lawmaker who posted a video of himself swimming in Thailand while Ukraine suffered a brutal winter. Tschenko said he was in the country for a work trip, but Stefanchuk said he never approved such a trip.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours on Aristov's diplomatic travels.

Read the original article on Business Insider
KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's parliament voted on Thursday to accept the resignation of Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko a week after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked for his dismissal.

"The resignation is accepted," Tkachenko said after the chamber voted overwhelmingly to approve his departure.

He quit last week after Zelenskiy called for his government to keep a tight lid on spending during Russia's war on his country, and asked his prime minister to consider replacing the culture minister.

Tkachenko had been a proponent of several high-profile and costly projects.

He reiterated his position after the vote in parliament, saying spending on culture during the war was important.

"Culture in war is as important as drones. Because culture is about both the past and the future. This is what unites us, it is about talents. It is ultimately about our soft power in the world," he said on the Telegram messaging app.

The Ukrainian government has been channelling funding into the armed forces and defence sector since the war began.

Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said parliament would not consider the appointment of a replacement for Tkachenko on Thursday, and was unlikely to do so this week.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
The Ukrainian authorities have blocked lawmakers and officials from travelling abroad after a series of scandals involving MPs' "business trips" to luxury resorts and plan to revise the legislation covering such trips.

Source: a source of Ukrainska Pravda in the Ukrainian Presidents Office

Quote: "All lawmakers and officials have indeed been banned from leaving Ukraine. People have lost touch with reality. The relevant authorities will now thoroughly check travel documents, invitations, travel arrangements and so on.

So that it doesn't happen that a business trip was to Vilnius and people come back through Croatia, staying there for another week.

The resolution regulating these business trips and holidays abroad will now be amended, including those for the military.

There is some talk that particularly scandalous people might receive military draft notices and head off to war once they lose their parliamentary mandate."

Details: Earlier, unconfirmed information emerged that "an order was sent to the border posts to ban all officials and lawmakers from travelling abroad".

Ukrainska Pravda asked the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (SBGS) to comment on the matter, but they merely said they would comply with the current legislation, as they always do.

Quote from SBGS Spokesperson Andrii Demchenko: "Border control measures will continue to be carried out under current legislation, taking into account the rules established for the period of martial law and set out in Government Resolution No. 57."

Background:

On 15 July, reports emerged that Yurii Aristov, 48, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, a member of the pro-government Servant of the People political party faction, was seen in mid-July at the 5-star Waldorf Astoria Maldives hotel on the private island of Ithaafushi, Maldives.

Davyd Arakhamiia, Head of the Servant of the People party faction, said that the party was studying the information on Aristov's trip to the Maldives, and if confirmed, he would face losing his mandate.

On the same day, Aristov submitted a resignation letter from his parliamentary seat.

On 26 July, reports indicated that the Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, was investigating the legality of MP Yurii Aristov's holiday trip in the midst of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

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Volodymyr Kudrytskyi

Ukrainians should prepare for potential power outages in the coming winter, the CEO of Ukraines state power grid operator Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, said at a press briefing on July 27.

He warned that Ukrainians should be prepared for any scenario this winter, including renewed Russian attacks on the country's power grid.

Read also: Ukraine can expect more blackouts this winter  but how many and for how long?

"We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario, which includes repeated missile and drone attacks on our energy infrastructure," Kudrytskyi said.

He emphasized that it is impossible to predict the likelihood of blackouts or power outages in the coming winter season.

Read also: US provides backup generators for Ukraine's nuclear plants amid blackout threat

"As for our substations, we are absolutely confident at Ukrenergo that our main power grid will be ready to operate without restrictions during the heating season and provide power to consumers in the Ukrainian energy system without any bottlenecks or limitations," added the head of Ukrenergo, suggesting that only another wave of Russian missile strikes could cause interruptions in power supply.

Read also: Ukrenergo reveals effect of Kakhovka dam disaster on power supply situation

He advised Ukrainians to make sure their power generators  which many citizens purchased last winter  are in working condition.

"Generators may come in handy; if somebody doesn't have one and has the opportunity to purchase one, it's a good idea; let's keep them, just in case," Kudrytskyi concludes.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that a "handful of donations" won't correct the dramatic impact of the end of a deal that had allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain for the past year.

Global wheat prices have spiked about 10% in the past 10 days after Russia quit the pact - brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 - and began targeting Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure on the Black Sea and Danube River.

"It is clear that when taking out of the market millions and millions of tonnes of grains it is clear that ... will lead to higher prices," Guterres told reporters. "So it's not with a handful of donations to some countries that we correct this dramatic impact that affects everybody, everywhere."

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told African leaders he would gift them tens of thousands of tons of grain within months despite Western sanctions, which he said made it harder for Moscow to export its grain and fertilisers.

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. It has a list of demands it wants met to improve its own exports.

Under the Black Sea grain deal, which aimed to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, nearly 33 million tonnes of Ukraine grain was exported. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters.

While global wheat prices are about half the record high hit in early March 2022 after Russia's invasion, Guterres said any increase now would be "paid by everybody, everywhere - and namely by developing countries and by the vulnerable people in middle-income and even developed countries."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols, additional reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide in Paris; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Jonathan Oatis)
A top United Nations official on Wednesday called recent attacks by Russia on the city of Odesa and other southern Ukrainian port areas the latest casualties in this senseless, brutal war.

Speaking to the U.N. Security Council in a briefing on Ukraine, Mohamed Khaled Khiari, an assistant secretary-general, called for such attacks to end immediately and suggested they signal a calamitous turn in the war.

These attacks targeting Ukraines grain export facilities, similarly to all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, are unacceptable and must stop immediately, Khiari said in prepared remarks. I must emphasize that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.

Khiari pointed to a Russian attack Sunday that damaged a historic cathedral in Odesa, which followed multiple nights of attacks targeting the city and other southern ports in Ukraine.

We have now seen disturbing reports of further Russian strikes against port infrastructure, including grain storage facilities, in Reni and Izmail ports on the Danube River  a key route for shipment of Ukrainian grain, not far from Ukraines borders with Moldova and Romania, Khiari said.

Deliberately targeting infrastructure that facilitates the export of food to the rest of the world could be life-threatening to millions of people who need access to affordable food, he added.

Russia last week pulled out of a wartime deal negotiated by the U.N. that allowed for Ukraine to export grain to countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, a move widely condemned by the West.

In the wake of Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Initiative, these latest attacks signal a calamitous turn for Ukrainians and the world, Khiari said Wednesday.

 The Associated Press contributed reporting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The UN says authorities loaded hundreds of migrants onto buses and left them stranded in remote desert areas (Mahmud TURKIA)

The United Nations said Thursday it was deeply concerned for the safety of hundreds of migrants stranded in Tunisia following their removal to remote parts of the North African country.

The UN said an "unfolding tragedy" was taking place with migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers surviving in dire conditions near the frontiers with Libya and Algeria, while others have been pushed across the border.

Many were displaced from Tunisia's second city Sfax following recent unrest, while others were relocated from various urban centres, the UN said.

Earlier this month, as Sfax was rocked by racial violence, authorities loaded hundreds of migrants onto buses and left them stranded in remote desert areas near Algeria and Libya.

The NGO Human Rights Watch said up to 1,200 Africans were "expelled or forcibly transferred" to the border regions.

"Among those stranded are women (including some who are pregnant) and children," the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said in a joint statement.

"They are stuck in the desert, facing extreme heat, and without access to shelter, food or water. There is an urgent need to provide critical, life-saving humanitarian assistance while urgent, humane solutions are found.

"Tragically, there are already reports of the loss of life among the group. UNHCR and IOM are deeply saddened by this situation.

"This unfolding tragedy needs to end."

The UN agencies said saving lives had to be the priority and those stranded must be brought to safety.

"Search and rescue efforts are urgently needed for those who remain stranded on both sides of the border," they said.

The agencies urged countries involved to uphold their legal obligations.

Those with international protection needs must be identified and given the chance to seek asylum, they added, with vulnerable migrants such as trafficking victims and lone children, needed referring to the appropriate services.

Story continues

Tunisia has become a major gateway for irregular migrants and asylum-seekers attempting the perilous sea voyages in often rickety boats in the hopes of a better life in Europe.

The distance between Sfax and Italy's Lampedusa island is about 130 kilometres (80 miles).

rjm/apo/rox
Donald Trump is widely expected to be hit with his third indictment of the year this week 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.

Mr Trump took to Truth Social last Tuesday (18 July) to gripe to his followers about receiving a letter from Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith informing him that he is the target of a grand jury investigation, adding to his ever-mounting legal woes at a time when he is attempting to secure the Republican Partys backing to be its candidate for the White House in 2024.

The development comes after he was arraigned in New York on 4 April over the alleged misrepresentation of business records to conceal hush money payments during the 2016 campaign and again in Florida on 13 June over the alleged mishandling of classified documents belonging to the US government in the aftermath of his presidency.

Mr Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and, despite these setbacks, his popularity with his supporters remains largely undimmed: he leads the field in the quest for the GOP nomination to challenge Joe Biden and has turned adversity to his advantage by raising campaign funds off the back of his insistence that he is really the victim of political persecution by his enemies and a Justice Department weaponised against him by the Biden administration.

What will the charges be?

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.

Mr Trump and his inner circle had insisted the vote had been stolen by a vast nationwide Democratic conspiracy  a claim that was comprehensively debunked in numerous courts cases across the United States.

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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 that shocked the world.

Five people  including a police officer  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.

Mr Pence and lawmakers who had criticised 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.

Some of the mob had made direct threats against certain lawmakers (AP)

Mr Trump was subsequently impeached for a historic 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 referred Mr Trump to the Justice Department with a view to possible charges.

Since then, Special Counsel Smith has been investigating Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and has informed the former president that he is the target of a grand jury investigation, inviting him to testify last week to no avail.

Criminal charges are now widely expected to follow, although it is currently unclear as to what precisely they will amount to.

The House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack concluded in its final report by saying 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.

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 color of law and tampering with a witness, victim or informant.

When would a trial take place?

We are a long way from that prospect just now but the idea of a former president facing trial while campaigning for a fresh term in the White House is unprecedented.

Judge Aileen Cannon, presiding over the classified documents case in Florida, did announce last week that the trial in that case will take place on 20 May 2024, so it is reasonable to assume one relating to January 6 would likely have to take place after that date.

By next May, Mr Trump could well find himself both the Republican nominee for president and facing at least two criminal trials, which would be a baffling scenario in its own right and one made all the stranger should he manage to deny Mr Biden a second term in the Oval Office and thus inherit the power to order the Justice Department not to challenge any appeal he might make to a hypothetical future conviction.

How will the situation impact his 2024 chances?

In addition to Mr Smiths pursuit of both the Capitol riot case and the classified documents affair, Mr Trump also has Alvin Braggs business records indictment to contend with, as well as the latest defamation lawsuit brought by E Jean Carroll over his denial that he sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room in 1996.

Whats more, he might soon be facing yet another indictment courtesy of Fani Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, who is currently investigating his apparent attempt to influence state officials in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 election while the vote count was ongoing in that crucial swing state.

The outgoing-president 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 keep the Peach State red, a scandal veteran Washington Post journalist Carl Bernstein was moved to describe as worse than Watergate.

Brad Raffensperger (AP)

Any one of these scandals has the potential to weaken Mr Trumps appeal to American voters, who might well feel exhausted by the endless swirl of allegations surrounding the former commander-in-chief.

But, so far, his conservative base has remained doggedly loyal to his cause, accepting his political persecution narrative, turning up for rallies, buying merchandise and placing him at least 30 points ahead of the likes of Mr Pence, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie and Tim Scott in the polls.

An awful lot can and will happen before the GOP chooses its nominee but Mr Trumps movement has so far withstood every stress test to which it has been subjected and remained unwavering in its support for the former Apprentice host and luxury property magnate.

How will Mr Trumps political opponents react?

Mr Biden and his administration are unlikely to gloat in public about Mr Trumps numerous travails, preferring instead to applaud the justice system in action in low key fashion so as not to appear triumphalist or fuel the defendants victimisation narrative, which is only likely to entrench his support among the conspiracy-minded still further.

Behind closed doors, however, a few wry smiles will surely be permitted.

It is Mr Trumps opponents on the Republican debate stage who might be more inclined to make hay with his misfortune, particularly if they come to feel their own campaign is faltering and conclude they have nothing left to lose by attacking the favourite.

Mr Christie, in particular, has attempted to position himself as the candidate unafraid to call out Mr Trump but has, to date, been rewarded only with cruel jibes about his weight and poor polling.
How A Union Official Becomes A 'Union Buster'

Im a traitor, right? said one former Teamster who became an anti-union consultant.

by Dave Jamieson July 27, 2023

Joe Brock gets a lot of calls from employers in distress. The 62-year-old works as a union avoidance consultant, so companies come to him when their workers are on the verge of organizing. He hears from employers of all stripes who want to stay union-free  hospitals, retailers, manufacturers. But its no coincidence that many who want Brock specifically are squaring off with the Teamsters.

After all, Brock used to be an elected Teamsters official in Philadelphia. The son of a union leader, he served as president of Teamsters Local 830 before he lost a contentious election and was ousted from office. Since then, he has been working union campaigns from the other side. He belongs to a prolific subgroup of persuaders who were once part of the labor movement but now work against it as consultants-for-hire.

A self-described unabashed liberal union buster who still receives a Teamsters pension, Brock has been called plenty of names over the years.

Im a traitor, right? he said in an interview. Im not ashamed of it.

There is no denying a certain turncoat aspect to the union busting industry, as unions derisively call it. Many persuaders come out of corporate human resources or labor relations. But union defectors can be especially attractive to employers because of their knowledge of particular unions and their experience in running workplace campaigns. Brock boasts that he knows unions more than they know themselves.

Thats why former union-side people are so valued in this field, he said. We know campaigns, and the employees tend to believe us. The good ones dont need to lie.





Some of these consultants found their way to the employer side after being politically sidelined. A few turned up campaigning against unions within months or even weeks of leaving their unions. One was apparently hired away by an employer he was in the middle of organizing. Whatever the circumstances of their break with labor, their new line of work offers better financial prospects.

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Employers pay Brocks firm upwards of $3,000 per day, plus expenses, for each consultant who works on a campaign, according to Labor Department filings. Brock goes into workplaces himself as a persuader, but he can make additional money by subcontracting other consultants onto a job. A good contract can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

John Logan, a labor studies professor at San Francisco State University who has researched the labor consulting world, said former union employees probably comprise a minority of the industry. But for logical reasons, he said, the field will always attract players with union pasts.





If its not an issue of principle for you, and this is your only area of expertise, you can make a good living on the other side. John Logan, San Francisco State University

If its not an issue of principle for you, and this is your only area of expertise, you can make a good living on the other side, he explained. Your former background as a union official or organizer is actually a marketable thing: We know where the skeletons are and how they operate.

Brock doesnt deny how profitable his latter-day career can be. Its ridiculous what we make, he said of persuaders. He doesnt apologize for it, either.

I make good money doing what I do, he said. But the reality is, if it were at odds with my conscience I wouldnt do it.

I Was Scouted Out

Like Brock, several persuaders previously worked as Teamsters, according to Labor Department records and documents obtained from the National Labor Relations Board through record requests.

As a child, Simon Jara tagged along with his Teamster father to union meetings and volunteered for the local, and later organized for one of the unions local affiliates, he once testified during a 2012 labor board hearing. He made no apologies for switching sides and going to work against organized labor: I was selling a product that I wasnt able to use myself, he said of his union days. (Jara couldnt be reached for comment.)

The former organizer was working for a leading union-avoidance firm within weeks of leaving her union.

Charlie Stephenson was a Teamsters truck driver before going to work for the union as an organizer and business agent. He later started his own consulting firm and helped employers counter union campaigns. During a 2018 labor board trial, Stephenson maintained that his job as a consultant was not to defeat the union effort but to educate workers on the law  an assertion the judge found preposterous.

Evelyn Fragoso worked as a Teamsters organizer until her local declined to renew her contract in August of 2011, according to her testimony in a 2012 board hearing. Within weeks, Fragoso was working for a leading union-avoidance firm and riding along with truck drivers who were considering joining the Teamsters. Explaining her break with her old union, she testified, We had our differences. (Fragoso didnt respond to an interview request.)

Former Teamster Michael Ciabattoni resigned from his Delaware union local and agreed to pay back $7,000, spending for which the union alleged he had no backup documentation, according to Delaware court records. The U.S. attorneys office declined to pursue any charges after reviewing the allegations, and Ciabattonis lawyer asserted in court that his client had been politically railroaded.

Ciabattoni has consulted for companies like Guitar Center and the eyewear manufacturer Luxottica on union campaigns. But he has insisted hes not anti-union like many consultants.

I hate union-busters. ... [A] union-buster would tell you unions are bad, theyve outlived their usefulness. Neither one is true, he said in a deposition as part of a lawsuit against his old union. However  the organization is only as good as its leadership no matter how just and wholesome the foundation is.

San Francisco States Logan said it makes sense that some management-side consultants might come out of the Teamsters, one of the biggest labor groups in the U.S., with 1.2 million members. He notes that the union is decentralized and has hundreds of local affiliates that employ their own staff, each with its own turnover. At the same time, most years the Teamsters run more private-sector union elections than any other labor group.

A Teamsters spokesperson said the former officials who made the switch seem to be motivated by money. It really brings into question what their values were, if they ever had any to begin with, the spokesperson said. Theres other jobs out there.

Plenty of other unions have seen members or staffers go to the other side. Keith Peraino was working for a New York nurses union when the hospital he was organizing poached him, according to a 2008 labor board case. An administrative law judge wrote that most of the nurses learned after they filed for an election that Peraino was now working at the facility in the campaign against the union. (Peraino couldnt be reached for comment.)

Former union official Mike Rosado said he never intended to become a persuader. He spent years as an organizer and elected official at a local affiliate of the Laborers International Union of North America, or LiUNA. But late in Rosados 15-year stint, LiUNA took on oversight of the local amid concerns of financial irregularities.

Trustees of the unions pension and welfare funds sued Rosado and other officials, alleging a scheme of no-bid contracts and no-show jobs. Rosado said in an interview that he admitted no wrongdoing in a settlement, but it marked the end of his union career.

I felt like a victim.  So I decided to take a year off work, said Rosado, who retired last year. I was laying on the beach in South Jersey, and I got a call from labor attorneys asking me if I wanted to do consulting work. So I was scouted out. I said, Alright.

A Profitable Career Change

Few persuaders have leveraged their union history as well as Brock.

Brocks father was a truck driver at Coca-Cola and a shop steward for Teamsters Local 830 in Philadelphia who later became the unions top officer. The young Brock soaked up his dads Democratic, pro-labor politics and became a Teamster in 1979, working as a Coca-Cola fleet mechanic. He rose to become president of his fathers union in 2001, and later led workers out on strike at the bottling plant.

His failed bid in 2006 for Local 830s highest position, secretary-treasurer, led to his estrangement from the union. He would not discuss the election because it was the subject of a lawsuit and settlement, but court documents paint a feud filled with the sort of ugly internal union politics that persuaders make a point of sharing with workers.

Brock accused his political opponents of carrying out a campaign of personal vilification and harassment, including alleged threatening phone calls. The competing slate claimed Brock misappropriated the election voter list and misused his position as president to secure a favorable line of credit for printing campaign materials. They passed out a flyer saying Brock was found guilty of theft  a reference to an internal union hearing led by his opponents, not a criminal proceeding. Brock called it libel.

He lost by 34 votes and claimed the flyer had helped sink his candidacy, according to court records. The Labor Department dismissed Brocks claims that the Teamsters had failed to run a fair election. He testified that he was unable to find another job covered by Local 830.

Brock formed a limited liability company and started taking union-avoidance assignments from the Labor Relations Institute, a firm thats often the first stop for new persuaders. He says he struggled with the idea of being a traitor to the cause. At first, I resisted doing it, he said.

But Brock said he spoke with another union official-turned-persuader who assured him he could improve workplaces as a consultant, by finding out why workers want a union and convincing employers to make changes to head off the organizing effort. Framing his new line of work in such a way, Brock says he received a blessing from his staunchly pro-union father, who died in 2011.

Most workers, Brock said, have legitimate reasons for trying to organize.

Its typically managements fault. They treat [workers] like shit. They dont pay them fairly. Theyre always taking. Persuader Joe Brock

Its typically managements fault. They treat them like shit. They dont pay them fairly. Theyre always taking, he said. In the name of keeping a union out, my experience is a lot of employers will make some change. And if they dont make the change then they get a union, whether its this time or next time.

In one of his first years as a consultant, Brock pulled in around $180,000, well above his old $93,000 salary as a Teamsters president, according to his deposition. It appears his earning abilities have only improved with more time in the field. The Michigan hospital Beaumont Health paid Brocks firm more than half a million dollars for him and another consultant to deal with a union campaign by nurses in 2020, according to Labor Department filings.

Workers who have encountered consultants like Brock dont necessarily share his view that persuader work fosters positive workplace relations. Erik Forman tried to unionize his Jimmy Johns sandwich shop in 2010, at a time when a fast-food union was virtually unheard of. Brock and another consultant were brought in to speak with workers.

For the folks who voted no, they werent voting against the union so much as they were voting against working in a war zone. Erik Forman, union organizer

For the folks who voted no, they werent voting against the union so much as they were voting against working in a war zone, said Forman, who is still a labor activist. And I get it. You show up for work to clock in and find out youre going to have to endure 30 minutes of Joe Brock saying the union just wants your dues money.

Union supporters sometimes confront Brock when they learn of his union history. Forman said he and other Jimmy Johns workers taunted the consultant as a sellout and disrupted his meetings in annoying ways, once by loudly crinkling bags of potato chips throughout his speech. (Brock didnt recall the incident.) But in the end, workers voted 87 to 85 against unionizing, with the campaign falling just short of making history. Years of litigation ensued regarding the firing of union leaders, including Forman.

Its hard to begrudge anybody for what they have to do for a living, Forman said. But I dont think anybody has to become a union buster.

A $1 Million Union Election

Many persuaders share a general cynicism about unions and their ability to improve things. As Brock claimed, I do give a shit about working people. I dont think unions do, generally. But that point of view is increasingly out of step with the American public, which broadly supports organized labor as a countervailing force to corporate power. Unions now enjoy an approval rating above 70%, according to Gallup.

Petitions for union elections have shot up recently, amid an organizing surge at Starbucks, Trader Joes and other big employers.

Union membership may be hovering near a historic low in the U.S., but there is no shortage of work for consultants like Brock, in part due to workers appetite to bargain collectively. Petitions for union elections have shot up recently, amid an organizing surge at Starbucks, Trader Joes and other big employers. Brocks old union, the Teamsters, has new, more militant leadership that promises to tap into this excitement and organize more aggressively.

Its not clear yet whether these efforts will ultimately lead to long-term gains for workers and organized labor. But the limits may have more to do with employer intransigence than anything else. As Brock noted, I dont see Amazon ever agreeing to a contract. Or Starbucks. His success as a persuader depends on conveying that skepticism convincingly to workers.

He doesnt always prevail. Earlier in the pandemic, Brock took an assignment at Maine Medical Center in Portland, where a staffing shortage and the COVID-19 crisis had stretched many nurses and other employees to a breaking point. The hospital hired Brock in apparent hopes that he and his chosen persuaders could sway the workers against joining the Maine State Nurses Association.

The nonprofit hospital paid Brocks firm nearly $1 million over the course of six months in 2021, according to Labor Department records. The nurses still voted for the union, 1,001 to 750.

Although he revels in the competition of union campaigns, Brock said the results didnt bother him.

I usually win these campaigns.  I dont care when I lose, he said. The ones I lose, its the employees decision.
LHASA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The volume of trade between southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Nepal increased 4.7 percent year on year in the first half of 2023, a local official said.

The volume of trade between Tibet and Nepal totaled 814 million yuan (about 114 million U.S. dollars) from January to June, said Gao Baojun, deputy secretary general of the Tibet regional government, at the 11th Meeting of China's Tibet-Nepal Trade Facilitation Committee.

Nepal is the most important trade partner of Tibet, Gao said, adding that trade between the two sides has maintained a growth trend since the ports of Gyirong, Zham and Burang resumed two-way trade earlier this year.

Nepal has long been a major destination for Tibet's outbound direct investment and an important source of foreign capital. So far, Tibet has invested in 20 projects in Nepal, with the total investment exceeding 87.33 million U.S. dollars.

Tibet is home to over 60 foreign-invested companies from Nepal, which have generated more than 13 million U.S. dollars in investment, Gao said.

From 2021 to 2025, Tibet plans to invest 600 million yuan in 20 port infrastructure projects to further improve port clearance conditions and functions, he added. 
Black Lives Matter  these three words have defined protests about police brutality for years.

The hashtag first appeared online in July 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in 17-year-old Trayvon Martins shooting death.

Now 10 years later, its been tweeted more than 44 million times.

The Black Lives Matter hashtag is unique for its staying power compared to other hashtags that might swell up and fade quickly for the past 10 years this has remained a steady presence on Twitter, said Monica Anderson, director of internet and technology research at Pew Research Center.

Monica Anderson studies technology at the Pew Research Center. Her team analyzed the BLM hashtag and its role in online activism over the last decade.

Regardless of what race you are, what political affiliation, this content was something that people came across, she said.

The research tracks several points when the hashtag spiked online.

The first major spike happened in November 2014 after a Ferguson police officer was not indicted for the death of Michael Brown. Then in July 2016 when five Dallas police officers were killed in an attack following peaceful protests. These demonstrations were in response to the separate shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

The biggest spike in happened in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.

The report also shows more than half of all existing tweets with the hashtag were posted between May to September 2020 alone. It shows the use of the hashtag peaked at more than 1.2 million posts in a single day.

Really speaks to how big of a moment that was for both the movement and the way people engage with the hashtag on Twitter, said Anderson. Specifically in that movement, it gave voice to peoples concern around criminal justice and particularly how it affects black communities.

While most tweets express support for the Black Lives Matter movement, the report also shows about 11 percent of public tweets convey opposition to it. Those posts often used words like riot or looting when referring to BLM protests or criminal, violent, and terrorist when describing its supporters.

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As social media continues to evolve, Anderson believes the hashtag isnt going away.

It has become a very important part of the conversation especially when we talk about police violence and police reform and talking about the criminal justice system, said Anderson.

This study also shows many people have mixed views about the impact of social media overall.

About 67 percent of adults believe it helps give a voice to underrepresented groups. But at the same time, it shows more than 80 percent say social media can be distracting from important issues.
United has told staff they may not drink alcohol 12 hours before a flight (Getty Images)

A United Airlines pilot was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence after he showed up staggering drunk despite claiming he had only had two glasses of wine the night before.

The pilot, an American who was identified in the press as Henry W, turned up to Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris, France for a transatlantic flight on Sunday, but police said he was showing signs of obvious drunkenness, The Local reported.

He was staggering slightly, his eyes were glassy, and his mouth pasty, a police officer told a Paris court on Tuesday after Sundays incident.

A blood test showed the 63-year-old pilot was more than six times over the legal alcohol limit for pilots in Europe, and more than three times over the Federal Aviation Authoritys alcohol limit. He was hit with a 4,500 euro fine, a six-month suspended prison sentence and lost his pilots licence for a year.

The pilots planned route would have seen him fly 267 passengers to Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia, had he not been prevented from working. However, the pilot claimed that he had had just two glasses of wine the night before.

A French judge told the pilot there could have been a plane crash  you put 267 passengers at risk, adding that the testimony of officers made her doubt his claims.

The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We hold all our employees to the highest standards and have a strict no-tolerance policy for alcohol, a United Airlines spokesperson said in a statement. This employee was immediately removed from service and we are fully cooperating with local authorities.

United has attempted to tackle incidents nvolvcing alcohol and its crew  instructing staff that they must not drink alcohol for 12 hours prior to a flight in what the airline described as its bottle to throttle policy.
Children participating in a statewide summer program have enjoyed typical camp activities like art and crafts, music and games involving physical exercise.

But Project Transformation day camps are mostly focused on combatting the reading "summer slide" that often occurs for students over summer break, said ViaFaith McCullough, program director.

The Oklahoma United Methodist Conference has offered the summer day camp for 22 years at churches in different parts of of the state. The camp, based on a United Methodist Church national model, is run by the book  meaning reading is a big component of each day.

Volunteers work with children in a Bookworm reading session recently during Project Transformation summer literacy day camp at New Hope United Methodist Church, 11600 N Council.

"The 'summer slide' is the whole phenomenon where children who don't have access to reading programs or books are likely to fall one to two grade levels behind during the summer and that's been heightened since COVID, where children are already coming in behind," McCullough said. "So, now we're just trying to do the work to help repair the gaps."

The Rev. Marla Lobo, Project Transformation board chairman and site coordinator for the program's Oklahoma City site, said Project Transformation is one of the only free summer literacy programs in the state. Two Oklahoma United Methodists, the Rev. Jeremy Basset and Pat McGaritty, launched the program in Oklahoma.

"It's important to Oklahoma children," Lobo said.

Lobo serves as associate pastor of discipleship and mission at New Hope United Methodist Church, 11600 N Council, where 27 children have been attending the Oklahoma City Project Transformation camp.

McCullough said this summer, the eight-week camp is being offered to students in first through fifth grades in Tulsa, Muskogee, Bartlesville, Enid and El Reno. She said several sixth-graders were allowed to join the camp at the Oklahoma City site based on their need for help with reading.

A volunteer works with a child during a Bookworms one-on-one reading session as part of the Project Transformation summer literacy day camp.

McCullough said churches partner with the program as host sites. The churches partner with schools in their area to alert families who may include children who need reading assistance. She said parents voluntarily sign up their children for the program. The summer program partners with local food banks and school summer meal programs to offer the campers free breakfast, lunch and two snacks.

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More: New United Methodist ministers reveal why they're excited for the denomination amid rift

Campers are divided into groups and rotate through three sessions which include Movement Minutes, involving physical exercise; and Young Artists, which encompasses some arts education such as music or arts and crafts. Reading takes center stage at Bookworms, a third session in which campers are paired with a volunteer reading mentor for 30 minutes of reading and writing in a reading journal. The groups come together after lunch for a Reading Rock Stars session, in which each site's reading coordinator reads books and interacts with campers based on the book's topic.

The students' reading levels are assessed at the beginning and end of the camp.

Lobo said she was thrilled with the Oklahoma City site's end-of-the-summer assessments.

"I'm happy to say that 100% of the kids retained their reading level and more than 50% improved their reading level. So, they'll go back into the school year even stronger," she said. "So, at least for this group of children, we have not experienced the 'summer slide.'"

Sergio Vasquez, Project Transformation young adult leader, teaches children to play recorders during a Young Artists session at the summer literacy day camp at New Hope United Methodist Church.

One camper named Semaja, 10, said she felt the camp was right for her.

"I struggled with reading when I started, but I like that we got to come here and they helped us," she said.

Shirley Rolston and the young camper were familiar with each other because Rolston serves as coordinator for the faith-based Whiz Kids mentoring program offered at New Hope. Rolston, a retired attorney and member of Church of the Servant, said about 13 of the Project Transformation campers were Whiz Kids participants and this was good because that meant "they were reading all year long."

Adults gain experience, come full circle

McCullough said overall mission of Project Transformation is to help local churches effectively connect with not just children but college-age young adults. The Young Adult Service Program is a second component of the camp program. Project Transformation recruits college students from across the state to serve as young adult leaders at the summer camp. She said this year's college students, who come from schools, including Oklahoma Baptist University, Langston University and Bacone College, received training in classroom management, conflict resolution and other leadership skills designed to help them in their future careers. Typically at least six young adults are assigned to camp sites, each focusing on a different aspect of the program.

ViaFaith McCullough, Project Transformation program director, assists a young camper who fell during a Movement Minutes game in the gymnasium at New Hope United Methodist Church, 11600 N Council.

Jahree Sadler, a Langston junior, and Sergio Vazquez, a junior majoring in music at OBU, said they considered the camp a learning experience.

"Honestly, I've always been leaning toward teaching high school and middle school, so it's been a great to get elementary-age experience because I've never had any experience with little kids like this," Vazquez said. "I'm now way more open to teaching elementary school."

Sadler shared similar comments.

"I'm so glad to be part of this program because my major is early childhood education," she said. "I want to be a teacher and I wanted to get experience working with kids."

Children play tug-of-war during a Movement Minute session as part of the Project Transformation summer literacy day camp at New Hope United Methodist Church.

McCullough came full circle in her role as program director for the literacy camp.

She was a youth camper from 2006-2009 when the program was held at Quayle United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, where her father, the Rev. Victor McCullough was senior pastor. She said she also served as a young adult leader when she was in college. As the current program director, she's happy to be part of the camp, working to ensure the students' reading success each summer.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma United Methodist camp Project Transformation focus is literacy
Inside Bart's Books, walls of books across varying genres surround a courtyard filled with reading nooks and plants. Awnings and overlapping tarps provide shade throughout the day. (Jennelle Fong / For The Times)

Its the open-air bookshelves and palm trees standing sentry in the courtyard.

Its the inventory of more than 100,000 books, including rare finds such as a first American edition of Jane Austens "Northanger Abbey,"

It's the Instagram-famous cats that have dwelled at the shop through the years.

It's the long-standing traditions, like selling some books on the honor system.

For decades, the unique charms of Barts Books have beckoned literature lovers from far and wide to the quiet corner of Matilija and Canada streets in Ojai.

A hitchhiker once came in and said he found us from a Barts bookmark someone gave him in the Midwest, Jack Randolph, a longtime worker at the bookshop, told The Times in 2004.

A quiet vignette behind the Bart's Books shop counter, featuring a branded coffee cup atop a stack of books. (Jennelle Fong / For The Times)

Over the years, the outdoor bookstore  think: rows of bookshelves covered by tin roofing and surrounded by lush greenery  has become a fixture on lists such as The Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World and Bookstores Every Book Lover Must Visit in Their Lifetime.

I am always amazed as to how far some people travel just to experience this unique outdoor bookstore, said Jamie Fleming, chief executive of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, via email. Barts Books is the most circled destination on our Ojai visitors map when we are suggesting places for people to see in the Ojai Valley.

Barts Books' status as a travel destination feels fitting  a story coming full circle  given that the bookstore was inspired by its founders travels far from home.

Richard Bartindale, the namesake of Barts Books, was born in Oxford, Ind., in 1917. Newspaper clippings from the Lafayette Journal & Courier reveal a childhood spent largely in his small town, with occasional trips to Boy Scout camp and Niagara Falls.

Then came World War II.

He was a navigator  and flew the Hump over the Himalayas and into China, said Barry Bartindale, one of Bartindales sons, via email. According to the Journal & Courier, Bartindale served on air evacuation planes, transporting prisoners of war from Guam and Tokyo and removing wounded men from Okinawa under enemy fire.

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After World War II, Bartindale's position in the military took him and his young family to Naples, Italy, and London, where they were living when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.

His time in the Navy opened up the world to Bartindale, said his daughter Monica Allshouse, born after Bartindale returned to the U.S.

He enjoyed traveling to different countries when he was with the Navy. That put the love of travel in him.

It was during this postwar period, on a trip to Paris, that Bartindale is said to have found inspiration for his famous outdoor bookshop.

In August 1950, people strolling along the banks of the Seine River browse the stalls of Paris' secondhand booksellers. (AFP via Getty Images)

Parisian book merchants have long spent their days selling novels, biographies and all manner of other volumes in an open-air market along the Seine.

The famous bouquinistes charm locals and tourists alike  including Bartindale, who was taken with their open-air approach to bookselling.

His eyes lit up  I would say it was almost magical to him, said Allshouse, who later accompanied her father on a trip to Paris. He always liked fresh air.

Being able to just be outside, walking along the Seine  it put him in a happy place.

It took at least 10 years for Bartindale to go from lieutenant commander in the Navy to outdoor bookseller in Ojai. But by 1964, his famous bookshop was born.

Before founding Barts Books (once called Barts Outdoor Bookstore), Bartindale worked for Rand Corp. in Santa Monica and experimented with bookshops in Santa Monica and North Hollywood.

I think what he enjoyed about bookselling was the end result  a house/store full of books by thousands of authors with so much to say, said Barry Bartindale. He knew a lot about the books he sold because he read so many of them on all different subjects. He always had five to six books with bookmarks on the floor by his bed.

This appreciation for books eventually turned into a full-time career.

He left a good-paying job at Rand to work for peanuts selling used books, Barry Bartindale said. I remember him telling me that he was going to do it, and that he knew it would work. It always stuck in my mind how sure he was.

Bartindale's sense of scrappy determination was perhaps a product of his time.

He did a lot of pioneering," Barry Bartindale said. By the time he was 28 years old, he had been through the Depression and World War II and had a kid. A lot of people that grew up in that era just think differently.

Bartindale and his wife, Rachel, used their pioneering spirit to weather the challenges of the bookselling business and bring Barts Outdoor Bookstore to life.

My stepmother, Rachel, said that one of the things she admired about him was that when something didn't work, he'd just try something else, Barry Bartindale said. For instance, when he started Bart's Books in Ojai, all the bookcases were painted white with the cheapest paint Standard Brands sold. Drips and rough edges didn't seem to bother him. He had rolls of Naugahyde [a faux leather] nailed to the tops of the bookcases that dropped down the front of the bookcases in case it rained.

On the store's exterior, a bird's nesting box  engraved with "Bart's Books"  hangs beside bookshelves. (Jennelle Fong / For The Times)

Acquiring a supply of quality used books was another hurdle. For every dozen books that someone would bring in, Bartindale would often only see one that he could easily sell at the shop. But he didn't want to send a person back home with 11 books  so he would buy all of them.

"His old van was always full of books because he had to make so many house calls to get a few good books, Barry Bartindale said.

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Bartindales appreciation for books seemed to be matched by his affection for his customers.

He was very social, Allshouse said. He loved meeting people and helping them find the right thing to read.

Allshouse was just 5 years old when the bookstore opened its doors. I would always be with [my parents], laying the cement down ... building the bookshelves, she said. It was a labor of love for them.

The fabled oak tree that once grew inside Barts Books, estimated to be around 300 years old, holds a particular significance in Allshouses memory. I'd go sit on a little bench around the oak tree and read my comics, she recalls.

It was a happy childhood, Allshouse said, filled with books, art projects and playing with her pet duck, named Duck.

I got to play with all the children who came, she said, including one of Paul Newmans daughters. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were regular visitors at the bookstore, Allshouse said.

During the shops early years, Allshouse remembers her mother would sell jewelry out of an indoor portion of the shop. In the summer months, her parents set up an outdoor theater. They put up a big white sheet, and they would show movies on the weekends.

Allshouse's older sister, Anne Bancroft, spent about six weeks helping out at the bookstore after graduating from high school.

At 18, Bancroft recalls being "enthralled" by her father's efforts to build the bookstore  and by the customers.

"This is early Ojai. It was all these bohemians," she said. "They were free thinkers. ... I liked listening to them and hearing ideas exchanged."

A longing to foster community and provide a space for culture and dialogue was central to Bartindales mission.

One of Bartindales hopes was that the neighborhood surrounding his corner would become a sort of Parisian Left Bank, with a variety of shops for the stroller to explore, reported Robert Bryan in the Ventura County Star in 1977.

By the late 1970s, this dream had been largely achieved. Antique shops are in the area, as well as the shop and studio of Hellmut Cordes, German goldsmith and fashioner of old world custom jewelry, reads the County Star article. Lou Ann Schlicters shop, looking like something out of turn-of-the-century Montparnasse, offers flowers, fresh and dried, as well as gift items that are book related.

But by that point the Bartindale family had been gone for roughly 10 years, having left Ojai in the late 1960s for Bartindales Indiana hometown.

The corner of Canada and Matilija streets in Ojai is what it is because of the stubborn persistence of one man and his wife, Bryan wrote in his 1977 article. They have long since left town, having passed through like a hurricane but leaving behind their impossible dream made real.

In subsequent years, the Bartindales went on to open a restaurant in Indiana and continued their travels, spending large chunks of Allshouses childhood abroad.

Spain and England were my favorites, Allshouse said. We had an apartment that was right across the street from the beach, with views of the Mediterranean.

After the Bartindales departure, Barts Books changed hands a few times before it was purchased by longtime owner Gary Schlichter, who left the landscaping business to become a bookseller.

Read more: Young restaurateurs are invigorating the dining scene in laid-back Ojai

"There were a lot of hard times. The weather was always a problem. Either heat or cold or rain," Schlichter said. But despite weather-related challenges, "It was mostly a positive experience.

"Mostly, it was a lot of fun," he said. "It was the interaction with the customers that was the most fun."

A customer purchases two art books. Bart's Books' genre offerings range from true crime to gardening to rare art books. (Jennelle Fong / For The Times)

Other perks included trips to Europe to source books. "We went to England twice. ... I bought a lot of books there," Schlichter recalls. "Sometimes I bought an extra suitcase and filled it with books."

In addition to the shop's selection of books and its unique outdoor setting, he credits the shop's resident felines for attracting customers.

Read more: How Skylight became one of L.A.s most beloved indie bookstores

"I always had a cat or two or three there, and some people would come in just to see the cats."

Schlichter, who kept a guest book at Bart's Books, recalls customers visiting from New Zealand, Argentina and beyond. "It was amazing where people came from."

Plenty of A-list customers stopped by during Schlichter's tenure too.

"One actor that I liked especially was Anthony Hopkins ... he loved books. He would come in every so often," Schlichter said. "And Bill Paxton too. He was a nice guy."

Schlichter ran the bookshop for 27 years, until 2004, over the years adding features such as ramps for disabled customers.

After I sold the place, for years I had dreams of being in the bookstore," Schlichter said. "Mostly dreams about standing at the sales desk and interacting with the customers. I loved that."

Longtime staffers Matt, left, Emma and Greta spend a rare moment together behind the main counter. Visitors are more likely to come across them in the aisles, answering questions and offering recommendations. (Jennelle Fong / For The Times)

Over the decades, each owner and operator introduced changes to Barts Books, though some of the earliest traditions remain. Most notably, visitors can still purchase books lining the shop's exterior walls at any hour of the day on the honor system  they simply place their money in a slot box on the front door.

Its a tradition going on since the store opened," Schlichter told Times writer Charles Hillinger in 1990.

It restores your faith in humanity. ... Id say at least 95% of the time people drop their money into the box.

Today, Bart's Books is owned by recently retired South Coast Plaza general manager David Grant and his wife, Andrea Grant. The shelves are painted an earthy green and clay brown instead of the white of Bartindale's era. Gone are the hitching posts for customers who arrived by horseback.

Perhaps most difficult for customers to reckon with is the loss of the shops beloved oak tree, removed after part of it fell into the street.

Everybody misses it, says manager Matt Henriksen, who has been coming to Barts Books since he was a child growing up in Ojai.

During his career as manager of Barts Books, Henriksen has seen business struggle in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis  and then thrive in the years since. In the last two or three years, he said there's been a 30% growth rate.

Popularity, partially driven by social media, can be a double-edged sword. "There's an intensification of the trend to visit the place as a sort of tourist attraction," Henriksen said, "which can be frustrating for somebody who genuinely cares about books.

When I see [visitors] walk through, take a picture and leave, it's frustrating, because it makes part of what I do feel empty."

However, he adds, Bart's Books depends on tourist traffic, which makes up a large portion of the bookstores revenue.  Seventy percent of my sales are people outside of Ventura County, Henriksen said, with the bulk of customers coming from the Greater Los Angeles area. It's mostly been helpful to us; it allows me to pay my employees a little better than most bookstores.

Paige Murray and Michael Rodriguez, a couple from Orange County, had a particularly memorable first visit to Bart's Books last December.

"I had always wanted to visit Bart's Books," Murray said.

When they passed a picturesque, ivy-draped set of shelves  between the psychology and self-help/inspiration sections  Rodriguez got down on one knee and proposed to Murray.

"My whole life revolves around reading and books," Murray said. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."

After taking photos and grabbing a quick bite to eat, the newly engaged couple returned to Bart's to browse. "We stayed in the bookstore for an hour and a half or two hours. ... There's so much to see," she said.

Murray ended up purchasing a copy of her favorite book, "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. "We wanted to take a little piece of the bookstore with us," she said.

Henriksens advice to other first-time visitors to Barts Books?

Avail yourself of the staff, he said. People feel shy about asking us for our time or attention, but that's really why we're here."

The Bart's Books staff also recommends checking out the shop's calendar  upcoming events include a poetry reading from poet laureate Lee Herrick on Sept. 2.

In addition, Make sure you spend some time and walk around and see every little part [of the shop], Henriksen advises, noting that the poetry room can be hard to find, even for customers who have visited multiple times.

Despite the evolution of Barts Books over the years, one returning customer knows her away around the shop better than most.

I love the bookstore, said Allshouse, who has returned a handful of times since her parents left the business in the late 1960s. When I'm in Southern California, I have to stop in and see the changes that have happened.

On one such visit, Allshouse brought her daughter and granddaughter to see the bookstore her parents created almost 60 years ago.

Every time I approach it on the outside, it just gets me all excited, because it looks just as it did.  I think about my dad and mom every time I see it, she said. I just love seeing that it's being cared for ... and still prospering.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New X-ray machines will greet some Chicago Public Schools students after they return to classes in the fall.

At Wednesdays Board of Education meeting, members unanimously approved a $1 million contract authorizing the purchase of X-ray machines that detect firearms, knives and ammunition in small bags, backpacks and briefcases. According to vendor LINEV Systems specifications of the model contracted by CPS, the machines use artificial intelligence to identify weapons, but a spokesperson said the district wont adopt that software.

At a board committee meeting last week, the districts chief of safety and security, Jadine Chou, said the one-year renewal agreement will primarily fund the replacement of existing X-ray machines, which are present in 108 elementary and high schools. With the machines costing $14,000 each, according to Chou, the contract could allow for the purchase of up to around 70 units, not counting an unspecified amount to be set aside for installation, training and maintenance.

It would be great if we come back and we dont use all of that or any of that, Chou said. But I know the reality of our inventory is that inevitably were going to need some of that.

The $1 million renewal agreement follows an initial two-year, $1.4 million investment in new X-ray equipment, approved by the board in 2021. (During the remote learning period of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually none of those funds were spent, Chou said.) But, with six of seven members just appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson early this month, new leadership presides over the Board of Education. And in response to the districts renewal request, some members initially questioned CPS reliance on the technology  though all members ultimately voted Wednesday to approve the funds.

At last weeks committee meeting, board member Mariela Estrada, a CPS parent and alumna, recalled attending Gage Park High School, where she said at least six X-ray machines greeted students. How different it would be, if we only imagine, without those X-rays, how that student would feel walking into a space?

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A high degree of surveillance at schools  from detection equipment and cameras to security guards  can adversely impact student success, according to Odis Johnson Jr., executive director of Johns Hopkins Universitys Center for Safe and Healthy Schools.

An education and public health professor, Johnson and research partner Jason Jabbari analyzed U.S. Department of Education data from around 750 U.S. high schools to understand the effects of surveillance on students. They found students in high-surveillance schools are less likely to enroll and persist in college than their peers in schools with low levels of surveillance. Suspensions are also more likely to be doled out among highly surveilled students  regardless of the frequency of student misbehavior at the school. Students at low-surveillance schools also perform better on tests, according to the research, which controlled for a range of demographic, economic, school, household and community characteristics.

Schools that were in the top third of U.S. in their reliance on surveillance actually had lower academic outcomes in college-going rates compared to those schools that relied on surveillance the least, Johnson said in an interview with the Tribune. And this is after making sure that we were comparing apples to apples, that there werent any differences in the average student background characteristics, or the average school characteristics, or even the average neighborhood characteristics that kids come from. We wanted to take all of that into consideration to say: Comparing these two approaches to safety, this is what the cost is in terms of learning and college-going.

At the CPS committee meeting, Chou noted an increase in security concerns that she said makes school communities feel X-ray machines are necessary. But she also cited the districts Whole School Safety process, which she said emphasizes building trusting relationships between adults and students. If a school that doesnt have X-ray machines currently wants to adopt the equipment, Chou said the district will discuss the pros and cons with the Local School Council, although the decision is left to school administrators.

Its tempting and often a little easier to say, Lets put these at the front, thinking it will solve everything  and it doesnt, Chou said of the X-ray machines. The vast majority of our schools dont have these devices, and were still catching dangerous objects and we catch them through other means, like we have relationships with our students, so they tell us if something is going on. Theyll tell us if theyre going through something. And thats really what we promote, she said of building relationships with students.

The districts Whole School Safety process isnt perfect, though, said new Board President Jianan Shi, a former CPS teacher who was executive director of the advocacy group Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education until his board appointment in early July. Unfortunately, for every amazing process that you share, Ive also witnessed one where theres one person at the meeting, one where the community was not engaged in. If this is such an effective lever, if this is the chosen lever  how are we going to include conversations about (school resource officers), include conversations on metal detectors and other strategies for safety and really invest in it so that theres actual community dialogue on it?

On Wednesday, the board also approved a $30 million contract, involving more than a dozen community organizations, to provide safe passage services as students travel to and from school. Its often not whats happening at school that compels some students to arm themselves, but what happens as theyre traversing their path on the way to school, Chou said.

This story has been updated to clarify that the new X-ray machines to be purchased by CPS will not use artificial intelligence, according to a CPS spokesperson.
The World Health Organization updated its guidelines for essential medicines Wednesday to include drugs to treat multiple sclerosis, heart conditions, cancer and more. But obesity medications were not added to the list, despite requests this year from researchers in the United States.

During its meeting in April, WHOs review committee considered over 100 therapeutics before recommending 24 medicines for adults and 12 for children to be added to the Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc).

The additions bring the total number of medications on the EML and EMLc to 502 and 361, respectively.

Updated every two years, the lists are registers of medications that WHO considers to be minimum requirements for every health care system to have available. The lists are internationally recognized guides for countries health systems, helping them prioritize medications that are effective and affordable. Each addition, according to WHO, is considered essential to address key public health needs.

Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population, the report says. They are intended to be available in functioning health systems at all times, in appropriate dosage forms, of assured quality and at prices individuals and health systems can afford.

New on the 2023 list are medications to treat multiple sclerosis, or MS, a chronic, often fatal nervous system disease that affects 2.8 million people around the world, according to WHO. The new guidelines include three medications to slow its progression.

One of them, rituximab, is normally used to treat some cancers and autoimmune diseases, but the WHO guidelines recommend off-label use for MS due to strong evidence of its efficacy and safety.

Given the evidence base and the increased affordability of rituximab  it has been prioritized over on-label alternatives as an essential medicine to treat relapsing-remitting and progressive MS, said Dr. Benedikt Huttner, the EML team lead, in a statement.

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The guidelines also recommend, for the first time, polypills to treat heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. The term refers to a combination of medicines to treat heart issues: medication to lower blood pressure, a statin to lower cholesterol, a medication to make the heart beat with less force and sometimes aspirin.

A growing body of research shows that polypills can be an inexpensive, effective way to reduce the risk of heart problems, with studies indicating that they can cut the risk of cardiovascular problems by almost 40%. But even though heart complications like heart disease and heart attacks kill 18 million people each year, only a few companies manufacture polypills, and few people take them.

The inclusion of polypills on the WHO guidelines could change that. Some health officials believe that their place on the Essential Medicines List would encourage governments and insurance companies to recommend them, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

These treatments could have a very large public health impact globally, without jeopardizing the health budgets of low- and middle-income countries, said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHOs director-general, in a news briefing Wednesday.

WHO rejected the inclusion of several patented cancer medications due to concerns over their high price, but the guidelines did add two cancer treatments: a medication for Kaposi sarcoma, a cancer that causes lesions in the skin and gastrointestinal tract, and cancer treatments that improve white blood cell production and reduce some cancer medicines toxic effects on the bone marrow.

Other additions include ceftolozane and tazobactam, a combination antibiotic used to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, and monoclonal antibodies against Ebola.

Notably absent from the Essential Medicines List are compounds called GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly used in some diabetes and obesity medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

A request to add GLP-1 receptor agonists to the list came in March from four researchers at Yale University, Brigham and Womens Hospital, and the University of California, San Francisco. However, the WHO committee rejected the application, citing the compounds uncertain long-term clinical benefit and safety in this patient population.

Amid celebrity promotion and their rising popularity for weight loss, some medications containing GLP-1 receptor agonists have been in shortage in the United States.

Shortages have also affected several essential medications on WHOs list, including the hormone insulin for diabetes control and the antibiotic bicillin, a long-acting injectable form of penicillin.

Rising prices and supply chain disruptions mean that all countries now face increasing problems in ensuring consistent and equitable access to many quality-assured essential medicines, Ghebreyesus said. WHO is committed to supporting all countries to overcome these obstacles to increase equitable access to essential medicines.

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The Biden administration has said it has begun sharing evidence with the international criminal court (ICC) in The Hague on war crimes committed in Ukraine.

The announcement ends a months-long dispute within the administration over the issue, in which the national security council (NSC) and the state department backed cooperation with the ICC, with the Pentagon resisting on the grounds it would imply endorsement of an international court that could one day seek to prosecute US soldiers.

The quiet decision to start sharing information about Russian war crimes with the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, suggests that Joe Biden has, after a delay of some four months, taken a position in the debate.

I can confirm that the US will share evidence with the ICC, a US official told the Guardian.

Since the beginning of Russias assault on Ukraine, the president has been clear: there needs to be accountability for the perpetrators and enablers of war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, an NSC spokesperson said.

We support a range of international investigations to identify and hold accountable those responsible, including through the Office of the Ukraine Prosecutor General, the Joint Investigative Team through Eurojust, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, the Expert Missions established under the OSCEs Moscow Mechanism, and the International Criminal Court among others.

On the ICC specifically, we are not going to discuss the specifics on any cooperation, which is consistent with the courts practice of treating requests for cooperation in a confidential manner.

According to the New York Times, which first reported the decision, the administration began notifying members of Congress of the new policy on Tuesday.
The United States condemned the attempted coup against Nigers democratically elected president and government Wednesday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday night, offering support to both Bazoum and Nigers democracy.

Blinken emphasized that the United States stands with the Nigerian people and regional and international partners in condemning this effort to seize power by force and overturn the constitutional order, according a State Department spokesperson.

In an announcement on state television Wednesday night, members of Nigers presidential guard claimed to have overthrown Bazoum, adding that all institutions were closed as well as aerial and land borders.

Air Force Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane blamed the coup on the deterioration of the countrys security situation and bad economic and social governance.

The group of mutineers urged external partners not to interfere and said it will stay committed to its engagements with the international and national community.

Blinkens spokesperson said the secretary emphasized the need for democratic governance in Niger to continue its strong U.S. economic and security partnership.

The announcement came after members of the group  which is calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country  surrounded the presidential palace Wednesday evening. The official account of Bazoum posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, earlier in the day that members of the countrys presidential guard participated in an anti-Republican demonstration.

The account said Bazoum and his family were doing well and the countrys army and National Guard would be ready to attack as needed, but the group of mutinous soldiers later announced they detained the president at his residence.

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded, Bazoum tweeted early Thursday morning. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it.

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Niger Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou called for the presidents release, telling news network France 24 we cannot accept the attempted coup.

Acting head of government, I appeal to all democrats, to all patriots, to defeat this adventure which carries all the dangers for our country, Massoudou wrote. Long live democracy, long live Niger.

Bazoum was elected in 2021 in the countrys first peaceful, democratic transition since Nigers independence from France.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The News

Senior U.S. officials courted leaders in Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Micronesia this week in an effort to boost ties with island nations and counter Chinas growing influence.

But Beijings presence is already strong in the South Pacific.

Weve gathered news and insights on the Biden administrations attempts to shore up diplomatic ties in the region.

Insights
Andriy Kostin

The United States will hand over evidence of Russian war crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague, according to a tweet by Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin on July 27.

"The United States has taken another historic step toward building comprehensive accountability for Russia's international crimes by deciding to share evidence of Russian war crimes with the International Criminal Court..." Kostin said.

Kostin thanked U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice for supporting Ukraine "on the front lines of justice".

He said that every meeting, letter, and hearing in Congress brings the Kremlin regime closer to justice for its war crimes.

The Prosecutor General also expressed hope that the transatlantic cooperation between Ukraine, the Department of Justice, and the Prosecutor's Office of the ICC will continue, "paving the way for making landmark decisions".

The New York Times previously reported that U.S. President Joe Biden secretly ordered the US government to share information about Russia's war crimes in Ukraine with the ICC.

At the time, it was reported that this evidence concerned deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, as well as the abduction of Ukrainian children from occupied territory.

According to the NYT, the U.S. government has already shared some information with Ukrainian prosecutors, but not with the Hague.

On May 15, it was reported that a special Register of Destruction will be created at The Hague to record the damage caused by Russian forces since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

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
NIAMEY, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Soldiers in Niger have overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, the country's Defense and Security Forces (FDS) said in a press release broadcast on national television late on Wednesday, hours after the president was allegedly held hostage.

"This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance," said Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, a member of the FDS and National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, newly established by soldiers.

The attempted coup has drawn condemnation from regional blocs and world leaders.

FEARS OF ATTEMPTED COUP

President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Talon on Wednesday visited his Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu amid uncertainty in the West African country of Niger where an attempted coup was brewing.

Tinubu briefly told reporters after the meeting in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, that efforts were underway by West African leaders to halt the situation in Niger where President Bazoum is allegedly being held hostage by soldiers, fueling speculation of an attempted coup.

In a personally signed statement earlier, the Nigerian leader said that the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.

Talon said the development in Niger was "worrisome" and needed an urgent intervention by ECOWAS leaders.

The neighboring country Algeria on Wednesday also expressed concerns over the ongoing attempted coup in Niger and called for an immediate end to the violence.

"The Algerian government is deeply concerned about the situation in the Republic of Niger and strongly condemns the attempted coup taking place there," the foreign ministry of Algeria said in a statement.

GLOBAL CONDEMNATIONS

In a short statement released by his spokesperson, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday strongly condemned the coup attempt in Niger.

"The secretary-general is following closely the situation in Niger. He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger," said the statement.

The UN chief "calls on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order. The United Nations stands by the Government and the people of Niger," the statement said.

Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Wednesday condemned the coup as a betrayal of their republican duty and one that betrays the stability of democratic institutions in the West African country.

The statement called for an immediate cease to the military actions.

"The AU Commission Chairperson calls on the people of Niger, all their brothers in Africa, particularly in the ECOWAS, and around the world, to join their voices in unanimous condemnation of this coup attempt, and for the immediate and unconditional return of the felon soldiers to their barracks," the statement said.

The European Union, France and Britain have also condemned the coup.

BAZOUM'S UNCERTAIN FATE

Niger's presidential guard has imposed a blockade on the presidency since 10 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) Tuesday, a staff member of the presidency told Xinhua earlier on Wednesday.

The fate of Bazoum remained uncertain, but his representatives told the press that he was safe.

The United States has demanded the release of President Bazoum after he was detained inside his palace.

"We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence," White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

According to the Nigerien soldiers in the press release, "All institutions from the 7th Republic are suspended, the FDS is managing the situation, and urges all external partners not to interfere."

The land and air borders are closed until the situation stabilizes. A curfew is established from 10 p.m. (2100 GMT) to 5 a.m. (0400 GMT) throughout the territory until further notice.

Bazoum assumed office in 2021 after winning the elections. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Niger has witnessed four coups. 
Papua New Guinea Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki (R) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin walk to their meeting in Port Moresby on Thursday (ANDREW KUTAN)

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday announced the deployment of a US Coastguard ship to Papua New Guinea, as Washington seeks to boost its military footprint in the region amid fierce competition for influence with China.

"A US Coastguard cutter will be here in August," Austin said as he became the first Pentagon boss to visit Papua New Guinea.

The move capitalises on a recently signed defence pact between the two countries that offers the United States greater military access to a strategically important part of the South Pacific.

Washington is keen to show that regional partners can benefit from increased US security cooperation and to allay local fears that Papua New Guinea is being dragged into a US-China battle for influence in the region.

Perched between Taiwan and US ally Australia, Papua New Guinea is the largest and most populous state in Melanesia -- an area that was pivotal in deciding the outcome of World War II in the Pacific.

Austin stressed that the coastguard deployment would help Papua New Guinea stop the plundering of its thinly protected maritime resources, stopping activities like illegal fishing and trafficking.

According to a landmark US-Papua New Guinea security pact signed earlier this year, the United States will be able to develop and operate out of facilities across the country.

With Papua New Guinea's agreement, the US military can station troops and vessels at six key ports and airports, including Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island and facilities in the capital Port Moresby.

Washington would have "unimpeded access" to the sites to "pre-position equipment, supplies and materiel" and have "exclusive use" of some zones where development and "construction activities" could be carried out, according to the text.

Lombrum has in the past been used as a garrison for British, German, Japanese, Australian and US troops.

During World War II, it was one of the largest US bases in the Pacific, with 200 ships at anchor, including six battleships and 20 aircraft carriers that were used to retake the Philippines from Japan.

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But Austin tried to allay concerns that the pact would erode the South Pacific nation's fiercely guarded independence.

Papua New Guinea only escaped decades of direct rule from Britain and Australia in 1975.

"I just want to be clear that we're not seeking permanent basing in PNG," Austin told his hosts. "This is an opportunity to expand upon a long-standing relationship."

Prime Minister James Marape also made the case for the pact, saying it would help modernise Papua New Guinea's infrastructure and strengthen its security.

"They have never tampered with our sovereignty and our autonomy and our independence," he said.

"It is not them coming in. We invited them in... to build up our defence to protect our own borders, including stopping the theft of fish from our seas.

"We're doing this for the betterment of our country."

arb/djw/cwl
The U.S. Embassy in Ireland warned American tourists to avoid walking alone, after a New York man was attacked in Dublin last week.

The embassy issued the security alert on Tuesday, reminding U.S. citizens to exercise good personal security practices while traveling.

Be aware of your environment, the alert read. Avoid walking alone, if possible, especially during hours of darkness.

Do not wear or display expensive jewelry or watches and avoid carrying large amounts of cash, it continued. Avoid placing passports, cash, cell phones, or other valuables in the outer pockets of backpacks or purses or on tables in public places.

The embassy also recommended that American travelers keep a low profile, limit their headphone and cellphone use in public, remain mindful of their alcohol consumption and refrain from leaving their bags unattended.

The alert comes after 57-year-old Stephen Termini from Buffalo, N.Y., was reportedly attacked by a group of teenagers while traveling in Dublin last Wednesday, according to the BBC. A teenage boy was charged on Sunday in connection with the attack, which left Termini in intensive care.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chinese support is growing increasingly crucial for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine, according to an unclassified report by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence released on July 27.

Based on the report, titled "Support Provided by the People's Republic of China to Russia," Beijing has increased its exports of dual-use technologies, semiconductors, and other supplies and materials that Russia uses for its war effort.

In particular, the intelligence report names "navigation equipment, jamming technology, and fighter-jet parts." Since March, China has reportedly shipped more than $12 million in drones and drone parts to Russia.

Chinese companies are also likely helping Russia to evade sanctions, and the two countries cooperate in the financial sphere to circumvent Western banking systems.

At the same time, China has increased its imports of Russian oil and gas after Europe moved to wean off the Russian energy supplies.

"Beijing is pursuing a variety of economic support mechanisms for Russia that mitigate both the impact of Western sanctions and export controls," the report said, as China "has become an even more critical economic partner for Russia" since the start of the full-scale war.

The report was published by the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and cites open-source data and media reporting in its analysis.

While China has officially positioned itself as a neutral party in the Russia's War and called for a peaceful solution, Beijing has not denounced the Kremlin's aggression and has continued to develop close mutual ties.

U.S. officials have previously warned that China was considering providing Russia with weaponry, which the Chinese leadership has denied. According to CNN, Beijing intended to sell Russia lethal weapons after the invasion broke out but scaled back on those plans as the war progressed.

On Feb. 4, the Wall Street Journal reported that China had provided Russia's army with dual-use materials including navigation equipment, jamming technology, and fighter-jet parts.

Read also: New US sanctions target Russian mining corporations, suppliers helping Russia evade restrictions
By Kirsty Needham

(Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Thursday during a visit to Papua New Guinea that the United States was not seeking a permanent base in the Pacific country but would boost the nation's capability under a new defence agreement.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the United States signed a defence cooperation agreement in May that sets a framework for the U.S. to refurbish PNG ports and airports for military and civilian use over 15 years.

Austin met PNG Prime Minister James Marape on the first visit by a U.S. defence chief, to discuss deepening ties and announce a U.S. Coast Guard vessel would arrive in August under a separate maritime law enforcement deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in PNG, a resource-rich but largely undeveloped nation north of Australia, on Thursday evening, the first visit by a French leader. Macron warned in a speech on Thursday in neighbouring Vanuatu of a "new imperialism" appearing in the Pacific region, testing the maritime and financial sovereignty of small nations.

"Foreign ships fish illegally here. In the region, many loans with Leonine conditions strangle up development," he said.

The United States and its allies are seeking to deter Pacific Islands nations from establishing security ties with China, a major infrastructure lender to the region, a rising concern amid tension over Taiwan, and after Beijing signed a security pact with Solomon Islands.

The U.S. Coast Guard is boosting its presence in the region under bilateral agreements to patrol the vast exclusive economic zones of island states, although the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, with closer ties to Beijing, have blocked U.S. Coast Guard port calls.

Marape said PNG's second-largest city of Lae, a major cargo port, has been designated as a U.S. base for disaster management.

"I just want to be clear, we are not seeking a permanent base in PNG," Austin told a press conference in the capital, Port Moresby.

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The text of the defence agreement shows that it allows the staging of U.S. forces and equipment in PNG.

Austin said the two countries would modernise PNG's defence force and boost interoperability.

"Our goal is to make sure we strengthen PNG's ability to defend itself and protect its interest," he said.

PNG's parliament has yet to ratify the defence deal, which has been questioned by some opposition politicians concerned about upsetting major trading partner China. Marape said his government prioritised diplomacy.

"In the Pacific we are not about war, we are about peace, tolerance and of course promoting our values of democracy, Christianity ... The USA has always been showing that character also in their global footprint," he said.

"USA do not need PNG's ground to be a launching pad," he told reporters in response to questions.

"They have bases in Philippines, in Korea, elsewhere, much closer to China," he added.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Alasdair Pal in Sydney; additional reporting by Michel Rose in Paris. Editing by Tom Hogue and Michael Perry)
An Ohio policeman who released an attack dog on a black truck driver who was trying to surrender after a highway chase has been fired.

Officials said that his actions "did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers".

Bodycam footage of the 4 July arrest shows Ryan Speakman of Circleville police directing his dog to attack driver Jadarrius Rose.

Other officers repeatedly instructed Mr Speakman to "not release the dog".

The incident took place in the town of Circleville, around 30 miles (48km) south of Columbus, after police tried to pull over a commercial lorry that had failed to stop for inspection.

Circleville police were responding to a request from the Ohio Highway Patrol about a vehicle missing mud flap, according to Circleville Mayor Don McIlroy.

Bodycam and dashcam footage of the incident shows a lengthy chase that ended with the lorry surrounded by armed police officers and vehicles.

Once the vehicle was stopped, one police officer can be heard telling Mr Rose to "get on the ground or you're going to get bit".

But another officer, believed to be an Ohio state trooper, can be heard repeatedly relaying instructions. "Do not release the dog with his hands up," that officer said several times.

Mr Rose, who was not armed, complied with instructions from officers and had his hands up in the air. But the police dog - a German Shepherd - was released and seen pulling Mr Rose to the ground in a grassy area near the road.

Mr Rose was treated at the scene before being taken into custody and charged with failure to comply, the Associated Press reported. He has since been released.

"Circleville Police Officer Ryan Speakman's 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 police department said on Wednesday.

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Mr Speakman had been on paid administrative leave as a "use of force" board made up of five community members investigated his actions.

On Wednesday, the review board said he had correctly followed the department's guidelines for canine arrests.

The Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, a police union, told CNN it has filed a grievance on behalf of Mr Speakman.

The union said it was demanding that his termination be rescinded and that he be compensated for the reputational damage his firing has caused him.
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twenty-five U.S. Republican lawmakers urged President Joe Biden on Thursday to increase funding for the country's submarine fleet, citing the recent three-nation AUKUS project to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines and concern about China's increasing military might.

"We support the vision of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) partnership and its potential to change the strategic landscape in the Indo-Pacific. The AUKUS agreement is vitally important, but we must simultaneously protect U.S. national security," the lawmakers said in a letter.

They said the plan to sell three attack submarines to Australia would "unacceptably weaken" the U.S. fleet without a clear plan to replace them.

The letter was led by Senators Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

They said Biden should make an "AUKUS-specific" spending request along with a multi-year plan to increase U.S. submarine production to a minimum of 2.5 Virginia-class attack submarines per year, compared with the 1.2 such submarines currently being produced.

The Virginia class submarines were designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries.

The multi-stage AUKUS project announced in March is planned to culminate in the late 2030s and early 2040s with British and Australian production and operation of a new submarine class - SSN-AUKUS - and include "cutting edge" U.S. technologies.

Before that, in the early 2030s, the United States is supposed to sell Australia three U.S. Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines, with an option for Australia to buy two more.

Big questions remain, however, over issues including U.S. curbs on the extensive technology sharing needed and how long it will take to deliver the Virginia-class submarines, given limited U.S. production capacity, even as the perceived threat posed by China that inspired the project mounts.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Leslie Adler)
High-level talks about New Zealand's role in the AUKUS alliance have been heating up (Marty MELVILLE)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that New Zealand would be welcome to engage in the AUKUS alliance, a landmark pact aimed at counterbalancing China's rise in the Pacific.

"The door's very much open for New Zealand and other partners to engage as they see appropriate going forward," Blinken said as he visited Wellington, a trip aimed at shoring-up Washington's alliances in the contested Pacific region.

AUKUS is a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States that includes ambitious plans to supply Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines.

New Zealand has been treading carefully around involvement, hoping to avoid angering its largest trading partner Beijing.

China vehemently opposes the pact, saying it ignores "the concerns of the international community" and plunges the region "further down the path of error and danger".

But Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Wednesday he was "open to conversations" about limited participation.

New Zealand has ruled out any involvement in nuclear-related projects, so-called "pillar one" of the AUKUS deal.

Nuclear submarines are banned from entering New Zealand's waters under a widely popular anti-nuclear policy adopted in the mid-1980s.

But high-level talks about New Zealand's role in AUKUS have been heating up in recent months.

Any New Zealand involvement is likely to centre on "pillar two" of the accord, which covers cyber warfare, artificial intelligence and the development of long-range hypersonic missiles.

- 'Nothing agreed' -

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Thursday cautioned that "nothing has been agreed to" yet, and that any AUKUS proposal would first need to be approved by the country's cabinet.

New Zealand and Australia are the main allies of the United States in the South Pacific.

But New Zealand has recently been accused of putting its relationship with China ahead of its friendships with fellow Five Eyes spy group members the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia.

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Hipkins travelled to China late last month, where he met with President Xi Jinping and signed a string of trade agreements.

Sidestepping issues such as China's human rights record and tensions over Taiwan, the Kiwi prime minister hailed the trip as a reaffirmation of "important economic connections" between the countries.

Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin will now prepare to meet with their Australian counterparts, in discussions which are expected to focus on military cooperation and bedding down the details of AUKUS.

Following a similar meeting in Washington last year, Australia agreed to ramp up the presence of US armed forces at its northern bases, including the rotation of bomber aircraft.

arb-sft/lb
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin speaks at a City Council meeting on June 7, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune

Editors note: This story contains explicit language.

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin has announced he will step down and run for a Texas House seat.

McLaughlin has served as mayor of the small South Texas city since 2014 and was reelected three times. He led the community through the May 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School, where a local teenager killed 19 students and two teachers.

McLaughlin, a Republican, said he is running in District 80. In a statement July 14, McLaughlin said entering the race was a no brainer for me, saying that out of touch members of the establishment class have been ignoring the concerns of everyday Texans.

He cited property tax relief, school choice, land ownership by noncitizens and border control as important issues that legislators should have addressed already.

The seat is currently held by Tracy King, a moderate Democrat who announced his retirement earlier this month. King unsuccessfully tried to broker a compromise with Republicans this legislative session to raise the age to purchase certain semi-automatic weapons. Pleasanton Mayor Clint Powell has also announced his intention to run for the seat.

McLaughlin became known internationally in the wake of the Robb Elementary shooting for his outspoken support of the community and criticism of state leaders. He accused the Department of Public Safety of leaking records related to the shooting to make local police look bad. He also criticized a report commissioned by state officials that concluded that a Uvalde Police Department officer had an opportunity to shoot the gunman before he entered the school. A later legislative report found no evidence to support that reports claim.

McLaughlin also expressed his displeasure with Beto ORourke, who as the Democratic candidate for governor interrupted state officials at a news conference the day after the shooting. McLaughlin called ORourke a sick son of a bitch.

The Uvalde City Council on Tuesday scheduled a special election in November to elect a new mayor, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  Vietnam formally agreed Thursday to let a Vatican representative live in the country and open an office, a notching up of relations that could have implications down the line for the Holy Sees delicate ties with China.

The Holy See announced the conclusion of the agreement during a visit to the Vatican by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, who met with Pope Francis and the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The agreement still falls short of full diplomatic relations, which have been strained for decades. But the two sides have held regular talks since at least 1990 studying the renewal of ties, with Parolin overseeing the process for years, first as foreign minister and now as secretary of state.

A Vatican statement said the appointment of a resident representative of the pope to the communist country would support the local Catholic community, contribute to the development of the country and help serve as a bridge to advance relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.

The Vaticans delicate relationship with Vietnam has long been seen as something of a model for its relations with China, which severed diplomatic ties in 1951, following the Communists rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests.

The Vatican and China signed an agreement in 2018 on bishop nominations, which both sides claimed as their own prerogative. But Beijing has repeatedly flouted it by appointing bishops without consulting the Holy See.

Recently, Parolin acknowledged the violations of the accord and said in comments to Vatican Media that one hoped-for way to improve relations with Beijing would be via the opening of a stable office in China.

Such a presence would favor not only dialogue with civil authorities, but would contribute also to the full reconciliation inside the Chinese church and its path toward a desired normality, Parolin told Vatican Media earlier this month.

Vatican officials have stressed that the opening of a Beijing office would have nothing to do with the status of diplomatic relations or suggest an imminent transfer of diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing. Rather, they have said, a fixed presence of an office in Beijing would facilitate dialogue over the issue of bishop nominations and the life of the Catholic Church.

The Vaticans agreement with Vietnam to establish a resident Vatican envoy in Hanoi comes just months after the U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, traveled to Hanoi to boost U.S.-Vietnamese relations.

Washington's aim is to try to counter Chinas growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region and comes 50 years after the U.S. troop withdrawal that marked the end of Americas direct military involvement in Vietnam.
STAUNTON  The Verona campus for Nexus Services Inc. was sold off at a public auction Wednesday for $3.4 million as the company's legal and financial woes continue.

A notice for the sale of the 5.5 acre property, located at 113 Mill Place Parkway, was posted a few days ago. The public auction was held atop the front steps of the Augusta County Circuit Courthouse after Nexus defaulted on its payments.

Frank Root, a local real estate developer, successfully bid for the property Wednesday. The News Leader reported in 2015 that Nexus purchased the property from Countryside Holdings, Root's company. At Wednesday's auction, Root was identified as the lender for the property, which allowed him to start the bidding at $3.4 million. Nobody matched his bid.

Nexus reportedly broke ground at the Mill Place Office Park with a $22 million construction and relocation plan in place. County records show the company bought the property for $4.7 million. On Wednesday, entry to the Verona campus was blocked off.

Entry to Nexus Services Inc. was blocked off Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Started by Michael Donovan and his husband, Richard Moore, both convicted felons, Nexus helps post bond through third-party licensed bondsmen with federally-approved insurance companies for people being held in immigration detention centers while they await court cases. The business grew into a multi-million dollar endeavor.

Reached for comment, Donovan claimed the decision was made last summer to cease operations in Augusta County, and he made an unsubstantiated claim of "local corruption" as the reason for the move. "This decision made us refocus our resources towards building our team in our new, more conducive corporate office location. The costs of maintaining both the Verona and a new location would be untenable," he said.

Donovan, whose company has filed numerous, unsuccessful lawsuits against local officials and law enforcement, said litigation is forthcoming against each member of the Board of Supervisors and other county officials.

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He said Nexus is still conducting business, and said the company will be moving into new corporate offices. "The Nexus team is excited about our new location, details of which we'll be sharing soon," Donovan said.

Nexus and its owners are facing other issues as well.

In May, a federal judge found the company's owners in civil contempt for noncompliance in a 2021 lawsuit filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that alleges deceptive practices, and said default judgements will be entered against Donovan, a majority owner, along with Moore and Director Evan Ajin. A month later in the same case, the states of Virginia, New York and Massachusetts, along with their respective attorney generals, filed paperwork demanding roughly $600 million from Nexus and its three owners in a legal battle that has lasted nearly two years.

A two-day hearing for damages in the CFPB's federal lawsuit against Nexus is slated to begin Aug. 15 in Harrisonburg, court records show.

Donovan maintains that the CFPB's funding method  which is being challenged in the federal courts  is illegal. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Fifth Circuit have split on the issue, with the Second Circuit ruling the CFPB's funding is constitutional, and the Fifth Circuit ruling it's not.

"We anticipate the United States Supreme Court will rule the CFPB unconstitutional, aligning with the stance of the 5th Circuit," Donovan said.

In October, members of the Augusta County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police searched the Nexus campus and the Fishersville home of Moore and Donovan after they were indicted by the Augusta County grand jury on single felony charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a felony, as well as two charges each of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The couple, along with Timothy Shipe  also a vice president at the company who was indicted on two felony charges  are accused of stealing $426,000 from Zachary Cruz, the brother of the convicted Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz, after befriending him following the 2018 mass shooting and moving him to Virginia. A five-day jury trial is set to begin Dec. 11.

Moore is already facing 10 federal counts of employment tax fraud after being accused in 2021 by government authorities of not paying the IRS more than $1.5 million during a six-year period. According to the Justice Department, Moore allegedly directed the companys day-to-day management and was responsible for paying employment taxes to the IRS.

Earlier this month on July 13, Moore, facing a perjury charge in Louisa County, pleaded guilty to an amended felony charge of forgery, court records show. He was given no jail time. Moore still has a pending perjury charge in Augusta County.

Last month, Donovan and Moore were ordered to pay $1.1 million to a Waynesboro law firm in a breach of contract lawsuit. Both were no shows in court when the ruling was made.

Rejected license plates: Virginia DMV shares what personalized plates it will deny

Dairy Queen's Miracle Treat Day brings health and hope to kids

Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Verona campus for Nexus Services Inc. sold off at public auction
Fernando Munoz Bernal (L) talks with a student in Karamay, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Gu Yu)

URUMQI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- After an exhilarating three-month whirlwind trip through northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Fernando Munoz Bernal is preparing to wrap up his captivating travel at the end of this July.

During his trip, this content creator hailing from Colombia has explored over 30 cities and counties within the region, immersing himself in the authentic Xinjiang experience which he plans to share with the world.

"It turned out I was right to have the long trip in Xinjiang," he said. "I think there is no place other than Xinjiang that could have given me such a meaningful experience in China this year."

Fernando Munoz Bernal first set foot in China in 2000. Over the following two decades, he has run a successful language academy and is now a popular content creator, sharing videos on his YouTube channel FerMuBe.

He posts regularly about his life, work, and travel in China and provides insightful commentary on global current affairs. In 2011, he was recognized as a "resident of honor" by Dongguan city in south China's Guangdong Province.

Over the past 20-plus years, Fernando Munoz Bernal could never have envisioned the close association he would develop with the western regions of China. This remarkable bond took shape during his first visit to Xinjiang in 2021. "There were many rumors about Xinjiang so I wanted to find them out by myself," he said.

During his Xinjiang trip, he visited vibrant cities like Urumqi, Hotan, and Kashgar, gaining firsthand insights that starkly contrasted with the narratives propagated by Western media.

Fernando Munoz Bernal created compelling videos to debunk the unfounded claims against Xinjiang. Through his honest and eye-opening accounts, he said he aims to shed light on the real situation in the region.

His videos exposed lies that the Uygur language is not allowed to be taught in Xinjiang. Broadcasting in the Uygur language can be heard in taxis, and Uygur students in schools are learning the Uygur language. His video shows many Uygur people wearing traditional clothing in cities and villages and celebrating the Corban Festival, breaking lies of "cultural genocide" and "religious suppression".

"My 2021 trip was brief, so I decided to have a long one this year," he said. With his wife as a travel companion, they commenced their remarkable journey from Hami on April 9 this year.

Throughout their journey, they encountered a myriad of individuals, including tourists from various provinces, amiable locals representing diverse ethnic groups, and cheerful children. The abundance of diversity in Xinjiang left a lasting impression on him, and he was particularly moved by the warmth and friendliness exuded by the local people.

He said he freely explored the region and had candid interaction with the locals. "I talked to the children, to the parents, and to all kinds of people. And this is the most natural interaction that you can expect. Because nobody knows we are there, and nothing is prepared. And I think everything is the way they are naturally. This is the way they live. They are living peaceful, harmonious, and safe lives," he added.

His commitment to sharing truthful information about Xinjiang has brought him unexpected challenges. Some Western newspapers have launched unfounded attacks against him, and a few social media platforms have even removed his videos.

Nevertheless, he remains steadfast in his mission to present an accurate and unbiased view of Xinjiang's reality.

Fernando Munoz Bernal has now embraced a new ambitious goal: crafting knockout responses to every single attack on China and Xinjiang that he encounters on the internet.

Determined to counter misinformation and promote a fair portrayal, he seeks to present well-researched and compelling rebuttals to contribute to a more informed and nuanced global dialogue.

"Although the work is hard, I'm very confident since I have seen so much truth in China over the years," he said. "I will spare no effort to fulfill this goal." 
Its hot, Chicago, but its been hotter.

The first 100-degree day was recorded on July 16, 1887. When the Tribune reported on how fashionable people solve the hot weather problem, suggestions included reading a book indoors, going on a canoe excursion or leaving town for a cooler locale.

Chicago logged its highest official temperature of 105 degrees on July 24, 1934, but unofficial results have been even more extreme. Documented highs of 109 degrees during the Dust Bowl in 1934 and 106 during an oppressive heat wave in 1995 were set at other sites in the city.

Thankfully, 100-degree days are a rarity here. There have only been 65 of them, according to more than 136 years of data kept by the National Weather Service.

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And, catch me Monday mornings on WLS-AMs The Steve Cochran Show for a look at This week in Chicago history.

Thanks for reading!

 Kori Rumore, visual reporter

Chicago history | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Todays eNewspaper edition

There were fifteen deaths in Chicago which were ascribed definitely to heat prostration, the Tribune reported.

Just two days earlier, John Dillinger  dubbed Americas first Public Enemy No. 1 by U.S. Attorney General Homer S. Cummings  was gunned down by federal agents outside the air conditioned Biograph Theatre.

Of the estimated 350,000 persons who sought relief at beaches and pools, five drowned, scores suffered heat prostration, and thousands took home second-degree sunburns, the Tribune reported.

On the first day of summer Monday, Chicago-area residents experienced two weather milestones, the Tribune reported. The thermometer at OHare International Airport read 104 degrees at 4:26 p.m., the second-hottest temperature ever recorded in Chicago. And it rained for the first time in nearly a month.

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 ... on a day like Thursday, it seemed as though the sun was focusing all of its searing heat on the Chicago area, the Tribune reported.

The day was part of a notorious heat wave that killed more than 700 area residents. That one sweltering week would change the way Chicago responds to and prepares for all emergencies.

Though this benchmark has been reached five times in Chicago history, these two days were the most recent triple-digit temperatures. Six people died due to the stifling heat.

There will always be some people who are very hard to reach, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said at the time. It could be a person who is down on their luck, it could be a person who has good resources but no one to monitor them, it could be a person who doesnt want to leave their home.

Join our Chicagoland history Facebook group and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.
Police nabbed an ex-con with a violent history for the stabbing death of a Staten Island man over a drug dispute in a flophouse.

Frank Rivera, 58, of Mariners Harbor, was charged with the murder of Jonathan Winokur, 38, of Port Richmond on Sunday just before 11 p.m. inside a known drug spot on Union Ave. near Richmond Terrace, police said.

Rivera, a drug dealer whose rap sheet includes murder, rape, assaults and drug charges, attacked Winokur over a drug dispute, police and the victims girlfriend told the Daily News.

They had an altercation a while ago, said Winokurs girlfriend Elizabeth Ferone, 35. He buys stuff from the guy. I was there one time, and Jon came in, and they started fighting. And then Frankie chased him out with a knife. Cops were called.

She said that Rivera had warned Winokur about returning to the drug den.

Thats where he disappears to, she said. Frankie told him never come back again ... The first altercation, [Rivera] had a very big knife, and he chased [Jonathan] around the house. I was afraid to say anything because I thought he was going to kill me.

She said that her boyfriend, Winokur, who had a pending sexual assault case in Staten Island, was not a violent guy.

Jonathan has no weapons. Jonathan is vocal, hes not a physical fighter, she said.

Rivera was charged with murder, assault and criminal weapons possession. His arraignment was pending Wednesday night.
Back when Florida was the nations premier political battleground, Democrats in the state had hundreds of thousands more registered voters than Republicans and a fairly simple formula for competing in presidential contests: run up the score in key metro areas like Miami-Dade County, and try to manage losses in the vast rural and exurban areas that stretch from the Panhandle to the Everglades.

But a statewide surge in GOP voter registration gave Republicans an edge over Democrats for the first time and foreshadowed Gov. Ron DeSantis 19-point victory in November. Democrats are rapidly losing their advantage in Miami-Dade, perhaps their most important market in Florida.

Just in the last four years, the number of registered Democrats in the county decreased by over 6,000 voters, and their advantage over registered Republicans was almost cut in half, dropping from a 15-point lead in August 2019 to eight in July 2023, according to a Miami Herald analysis of state voter registration data. Democrats had around 138,000 more registered voters than Republicans in Miami-Dade.

The shift has Democrats concerned about the partys ability to stay relevant in 2024, when voters will cast ballots in the presidential election and local races. Party leaders are scrambling to make changes.

Theres no way for Democrats to win statewide in Florida by having a voter registration meltdown in Miami-Dade County, said Fernand Amandi, managing partner of the Miami-based political strategy and polling firm Bendixen & Amandi. Democrats are now registering as Republicans and Republicans are out-hustling Democrats in the most important county in the state for Democrats.

READ MORE: Florida Democrats to inject $1 million in voter registration push

The Florida Democratic Party on Wednesday acknowledged its struggles, announcing that it intends to spend $1 million over the remainder of the year to register more Democrats, with a special focus on Miami-Dade County, where voters will also cast ballots for county mayor, sheriff and other local races next year.

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This type of investment so far outside of the traditional campaign cycle is exactly what the state party should be doing, said Robert Dempster, chairman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. It shows that they understand the need to move to a year round organizing model and is a huge step in the right direction.

Democratic Party leaders and strategists largely agree that their decline in numbers is a symptom of a years-long failure of leadership and organization within both the county and state party, but acknowledge stronger Republican organizing has also played a role.

The Democratic Party in Miami-Dade is not actually doing the work at the level that needs to be done to reverse the losses of the last eight years, Amandi said. The million-dollar voter registration effort is a promising first step, but by itself comes nowhere near to what needs to be done.

Nikki Fried, who has been the chair of the Florida Democratic Party since February, said the party plans to overhaul the way it has handled voter registration in the state by adding a new position to direct registration efforts. The new voter registration program director will start in August, Fried said.

For way too long, Democrats have farmed out voter registration to third-party groups, she said. Rather than using third-party groups, which are nonpartisan, Fried said she intends to handle voter registration efforts in-house so the partisan conversations stay within the party.

Florida Numbers

While Miami-Dade arguably represents one of the partys biggest problems, as 10% of registered voters live in the county, Democrats are losing statewide. The percentage of total voters registered as Democrats has decreased in every single county in Florida since 2019.

In August 2019, registered Democrats  including active and inactive voters  outnumbered Republicans by 2 percentage points statewide. Republicans, who had been making gains in their voter registration efforts for years, in 2021 surpassed Democrats for the first time in Florida history. By September 2022, Republicans were ahead by more than one percentage point.

As of July, Republicans outnumbered Democrats by two-and-a-half percentage points. Around 5.65 million people were registered as Republicans and almost 5.3 million voters were registered as Democrats, according to the most recently available state data. Another 4.7 million people were registered as having no party affiliation (NPA) or with other third parties.

Republican leaders attributed the success in gaining on Democrats to their organizing efforts.

Its not a blip, said Armando Ibarra, president of Miami Young Republicans. It really is a continuation of a pattern and is a result of work that comes from a long-term perspective. Weve been working this over time. And 2022, I think, was a culmination of whats been a long but dedicated and consistent effort to engage with voters.

At the same time, voters who arent affiliated with any party have also seen a rise. In all but two counties, the percentage of voters who were registered NPA increased between August 2019 and July 2023.

In Miami-Dade, the number of voters registered with no party affiliation rose two percentage points since 2019.

Theories abound for why so many voters are registering to vote without party affiliation in a state that shuts those voters out of primary elections. Some attribute the rise to the prevalence of third-party voter registration organizations, which are nonpartisan and cant legally push new voters to register with a specific political party. Others look to the number of voters native to countries where two-party systems arent the norm.

Thomas Kennedy, a Democratic National Committee member who works with immigration advocacy nonprofits, sees rising NPA voter numbers as a sign of political apathy.

I think theres a lot of people out there in the zeitgeist that are just unmotivated by the state of our politics, and uninspired, and that drives them either to disengagement from the Democratic Party or to just straight up political apathy. They may choose to represent that by registering as a no party affiliation.

The Latino vote and looking ahead

Locally, there are high stakes, with state legislative and congressional races on the ballot, as well as one of the Florida Democratic Partys most prominent elected officials, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who will be seeking reelection in 2024, which is also a presidential election year.

Also next year, the county will for the first time elect a supervisor of elections, sheriff and tax collector due to a 2018 statewide voter referendum that required those offices be elected rather than appointed by the county mayor.

The fight for Miami-Dade County  a majority-Hispanic region where more than half the population was born in another country  also speaks directly to the parties efforts to win over Latino voters.

Ibarra, who is Cuban American, says the Republican gains in Miami-Dade can also be attributed to growing support from Hispanic voters. The Republican Party has also invested in courting new arrivals to Miami from other countries, in some cases recruiting Hispanic voters to identify with the GOP even before theyve become citizens.

One of the drivers of the gains of the [Republican] party in Miami-Dade County has been the move to the right by Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian and Nicaraguan voters. They move to the right in large part because we engage with them on issues regarding freedom and democracy and human rights in those countries, which are really important issues to them, Ibarra said.

Seeking to avoid another 2022 where Miami-Dade flipped red, Democrats are focused on rehabilitating the partys brand, which they say has been tarnished by Republicans appealing to Hispanic voters because of their trauma with leftist governments in their native countries.

People dont like to be on the losing team, said Kennedy. Its difficult to maintain enthusiasm for a team thats just constantly getting defeated.
The push to expunge former President Trumps two impeachments is putting vulnerable House Republicans in a tough political spot heading into next years election.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is facing growing pressure from the partys right flank to bring the resolutions to the floor, underscoring the tight grip Trump has on the party as he seeks the GOP nomination for president.

But the moves would also put moderate Republicans at risk, as many of them are running in districts where Trump is highly unpopular. In a sign of just how politically toxic the issue is, some of these Republicans have already started pushing back against the efforts to expunge the impeachments.

Theyre silly, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told The Hill last week. When do we expunge a not guilty verdict?

Bacon, who represents a swing district in Nebraska that voted for Biden in 2020, is one of several GOP members representing battleground districts who have voiced frustration over the efforts.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) told reporters that he had questions about the purpose of the expungements given the not guilty verdicts, asking, What is there to expunge? Lawlers district comfortably voted for Biden over Trump in 2020.

Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) told Politico that he would probably not vote for a measure expunging the impeachments. His district narrowly voted for Biden in 2020 but has leaned more in favor of Democratic candidates overall in recent years.

This is not anything vulnerable Republicans want to talk about on the campaign trail, said Doug Heye, a national Republican strategist. They want to focus on all of those issues that have [President] Bidens popularity so low and not be pulled into some Trump loyalty blood oath.

McCarthy indicated early in his Speakership that he would consider votes on expunging Trumps impeachments, but he officially declared his support for the efforts last month.

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That came just a day after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) introduced resolutions to expunge the impeachments. Greenes resolution would annul the first impeachment from December 2019, while Stefaniks would do the same for the second one from January 2021.

The pressure on McCarthy to move forward with the votes has only intensified recently after comments he made questioning whether Trump was the strongest Republican to face President Biden in the 2024 election.

Though he later clarified that he believed Trump is Bidens strongest opponent, Politico reported that he promised the former president to hold the expungement votes ahead of the August recess in an effort to placate him. McCarthy has denied making any promise.

Now, the Speaker finds himself in a precarious position, squeezed between the hard-line members who support Trump and the more moderate members who strategists say dont want to touch the issue.

Trump was impeached first over a threat that he made to withhold U.S. military aid to Ukraine unless President Volodymyr Zelensky launched an investigation into Biden. He was impeached the second time just over a year later for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. He was acquitted by the Senate in both cases.

GOP strategists said the issue is becoming something of a third rail for House GOP members in moderate or Democratic-leaning districts.

Heye, the Republican strategist and former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, said a vote on expungement would only harm these vulnerable members in their reelection bids regardless of whether they ultimately vote for or against it.

Its a no-win situation for at-risk Republicans, which is why they dont want to even have the vote over something that may not even be constitutional, Heye said.

But he said he does not expect the vote on expungement will happen because of the divisiveness within the conference and its questionable constitutionality.

The Constitution states that the House has the sole power of impeachment, and officers of the United States can be removed from office upon conviction in an impeachment trial, but it makes no mention of expunging an impeachment or removing it from the historical record.

Rina Shah, a Republican consultant who has identified herself as the first Never Trump delegate in 2016, said those in MAGA world who most solidly stand by Trump still have significant influence on McCarthy and in the House Republican Conference because of the small donations that their voters are willing to send when they are passionate about a certain issue, like defending Trump.

She said McCarthy is more focused on satisfying the hard-liners and their voters than Trump himself.

They are the people more likely to send $5 every time theyre fired up about something. So Speaker McCarthy, again, trying to walk and chew gum here doesnt have to do this but is doing it so that he can look more like a leader, Shah said.

She said the issue facing McCarthy is that he needs the votes of the moderate members for Republicans to keep their majority. She said this situation is only one point of an ongoing balancing act for McCarthy between the moderates and hard-liners.

That is always the conundrum he finds himself in, is how to do this in a way where hes making members in tough districts, hes making them happy while at the same time really sticking his neck out to lead, Shah said.

Tom Doherty, a New York Republican strategist, said the expungement effort is intended to throw red meat to the base, but is not focused on protecting moderate New York Republicans like Lawler.

In one way, youve stood up to the Washington Republican establishment, which is always more conservative than New York Republicans, but on the other hand, you wind up ticking off your voters, he said.

Despite a disappointing performance for Republicans nationally during the November midterm elections, GOP victories in House districts in states like New York and California were key to the party winning control of the House. These districts will also be among the top targets for Democrats seeking to regain the majority in the body.

Meanwhile, Democrats warned that these more hesitant Republicans could face accountability over their refusal to directly speak out to denounce the effort even if they ultimately vote against the resolutions.

Democratic consultant Antjuan Seawright said moderate Republicans are hoping and praying that the resolutions do not come to a vote because their choice will affect them either in their primary race or the general election, as has happened before.

They should all understand that accountability happens at the ballot box  If they do stand with McCarthy and others, forget about voting, just not speaking out loudly against it in the conversation about it, I think there will be an element of accountability for them in the next election cycle, he said.

Seawright added that he expects more of a clown circus show that puts moderates in tough positions as the next election approaches.

Viet Shelton, a spokesperson for House Democrats campaign arm, told The Hill that vulnerable Republican incumbents have avoided addressing the multiple indictments facing Trump, and most have avoided directly and publicly condemning the preposterous idea of expungement.

For the few that have desperately tried to distance themselves from it, voters will see it for what it is: empty rhetoric to distract from their long records of defending Trump no matter what, Shelton said.

GOP strategists for their part warn that expungements votes could just force those Republicans already facing tough elections to have a steeper hill to climb.

Why would you put folks that had an uphill race to win the first time around, why would you put them in a more difficult situation going forward? said Doherty, the New York Republican.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Wagner Group in Belarus are looking for people ready to fight against Poland and Lithuania.

Source: National Resistance Center

Details: The Center says recruitment to the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) ranks is taking place during the training among the Belarusian Armed Forces servicemen.

Following the information the National Resistance Center received from the underground, the readiness to participate in hostilities on the territory of the countries neighbouring Belarus, including Poland and Lithuania is one one of the contracts conditions. The recruitment is taking place among those servicemen of the Belarusian Armed Forces trained by the Wagner PMC instructors.

Background:

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), supposedly spoke to the mercenaries who came to Belarus and said that they would be engaged in the training of the Belarusian army.

On 20 July, the Belarusian Defence Ministry announced that it would perform joint exercises with the Wagner PMC at a training ground near the border with Poland.

On 25 July, information appeared on the movement of the 11th convoy of the Wagner PMC, which recently arrived in Belarus.

The State Border Service said, as of 22 July, approximately 5,000 Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group are stationed in Belarus. On 20 July, Ukraine's Border Guards reported that the mercenaries do not currently pose a threat to Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Back when he was a young Peace Corps volunteer, the American journalist Christopher Miller was looking to get stationed somewhere on the African continent, but instead, he was sent to the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, known then as Artemivsk.

The once-prosperous industrial city in Donetsk Oblast  which has become today synonymous with the sheer brutality of Russias war against Ukraine  undeniably left a lasting impact on Miller, because he has been reporting on and off from Ukraine for over a decade since then.

Millers debut memoir The War Came to Us looks back at the pivotal events he witnessed and reported on firsthand, including the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, Russias illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the invasion of Donbas that followed, comedic actor Volodymyr Zelensky beating Petro Poroshenko in the presidential election in 2019, and Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Readers wanting to learn more about Ukraine and the events which led up to the current war will no doubt be drawn to this book. It touches upon important points that are often overlooked in less-informed Western discourse on Ukraine and these insights help to shed light on the complexities of the country and challenge Russias propaganda-driven narratives.

For instance, Miller astutely observes that Ukrainians in the Donbas region harbored doubts not only about Kyiv but also about Moscow. Their yearning to be treated with dignity and respect did not align with a desire for independence from Ukraine as asserted by Russian-backed proxies since 2014, however.

Millers insights come with the curiosity that any good journalist should possess, and it is clear that in his years of work he has engaged with people wherever he goes in Ukraine to establish reliable sources as well as to try and understand their perspective better:

When I asked people about their identities, many said they identified first as people of the Donbas. That was interesting to me but was hardly surprising to people I discussed it with, given that the Donbas, a vast, wild steppe land once controlled by Cossacks, had a long history of rebelling against rulers in both Moscow and Kyiv. People here valued freedom and independence above all else; they didnt want anyone telling them what to do, Miller writes.

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As Miller moves past his work in the Peace Corps and becomes immersed in Ukraines journalism sphere, he briefly highlights the bravery of his colleagues who faced violent threats and were even killed for exposing lies and corruption, most notably in the Donbas region during the era of pro-Russian dictator Viktor Yanukovych.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine Ep. 15  Why culture matters during war

Despite its strengths, Miller's The War Came to Us raises an important question: Should a journalist be a central part of the story they're covering? If so, then to what extent is it acceptable? The book oscillates between personal memoir and hard reporting, yet there is often a lack of synchronicity between the two. Ultimately, it often feels like a book that is trying to accomplish too much.

One might argue that a book solely focused on Bakhmut and the people who called it home would have been more compelling. Possessing an intimate knowledge of Bakhmut from pre-war times, Miller could have easily devoted hundreds of pages to a portrait of the city and the greater Donbas region, further emphasizing the tragedy of its destruction.

His passage on entering the Donbas region for the first time is admittedly beautiful, offering a sense of a book that could have been: The landscape changed drastically at every turn. It was wide and flat and seemingly boundless. Then all of a sudden there were verdant valleys and rolling hills. A mile-long stretch saw us zip through a tunnel of poplar trees so dense that the light barely shone through. There were quarries with large machines digging out white rock, and around the next bend sprawling fields of sunflowers, their golden heads bowing toward the sunrise. The sky was vast and a vivid cobalt color.

Miller revisits Bakhmut  his former "stomping grounds," as he fondly calls it  on numerous occasions throughout the book, including the bloody ten-month-long battle between Ukrainian and Russian forces for control of the city. The relationships he forged with the locals, and his efforts to keep in touch with them over the years, are moving.

However, we are constantly reminded throughout the book  with the interjection of a certain first-person pronoun  that Miller was there on the Maidan next to a young protestor who had his eye knocked out of his socket; American and European diplomats asked Miller behind closed doors what he thought of the seemingly more radical leaders on the Maidan; Miller and his colleagues found documents in Donetsk Oblast with Russian war criminal Igor Girkins signature approving extrajudicial killings; Miller was the one asking newly-elected President Volodymyr Zelensky hard-hitting questions while others were eager to get a selfie with the former actor

There is even a rather bizarre anecdote where Miller recounts trying to get press accreditation from Russian proxy officials in occupied Donetsk, and their press secretary hand-feeds him a ripe strawberry before making him promise to tell the truth.

All of this risks giving the impression that the focus of this book is not the Ukrainian people and the events that have shaped the countrys ongoing fight for democracy; Christopher Miller is the one who takes center stage in this narrative. Such an observation is not meant to question his interest in and love for Ukraine  far from it. There are repeated passages where the portrayal of a seasoned American journalist reporting from the unpredictable landscape of post-Soviet Ukraine risks dominating everything else.

The book is also riddled with name dropping and it becomes grating at a certain point. It begins from the very first pages, with Miller receiving a text message in his Kramatorsk hotel room from retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel Alexander Vindman, asking him if hes alright shortly after the start of Russias full-scale invasion. Did the reader need to know that it was Vindman who wrote him? What point did that serve, other than to highlight Millers prowess at accumulating high-level sources over the years?

The reader is introduced to a number of well-known journalists, politicians, protestors, servicemembers, and other figures, but for many of them, their relevance will likely go over the casual readers head, because they are mentioned in passing. For instance, the only thing the reader is told about the Ukrainian investigative journalist and Zaborona co-founder Kateryna Sergatskova is that she asks the waiter at a group dinner before the start of the full-scale invasion to snap a photo of everyone together.

Cliched passages also stand out from Millers more well-written ones, such as when he describes a taxi driver navigating bad roads like driving over a cheese grater or that a text message landed with a piercing ding in the silent darkness. Coupled with some rather short chapters about the full-scale invasion itself, it occasionally feels like a hurried manuscript that both Miller and the editors could have spent more time on.

The War Came to Us is Millers first book but surely not the last. He is no doubt capable of writing a truly great book should he choose to move out of the spotlight and let the richness of the topic speak in his place.

The War Came to Us is out now and can be purchased from most major book retailers.

Read also: Revolution, patriarchy, woe: A review of Oksana Lutsyshynas Ivan and Phoebe
A Warner Robins man engaged in a shootout with Houston County Sheriffs deputies and GBI bomb units Tuesday night after he threatened to commit suicide and harm family members, according to a statement from the GBI.

Jacob Baily, 41, was in a camper at 409 Smithville Church Road just before 8 p.m. Tuesday when someone called 911 and reported that he was threatening to kill himself and harm family members and law enforcement, according to the GBI press release.

Houston County deputies and the GBI Special Operations Unit and Bomb Disposal Unit arrived at the camper and found Baily barricaded inside, the statement said. They began negotiating and sent a bomb disposal robot to the camper.

Baily opened the door and started shooting at the robot, leading to deputies near the robot shooting back at Baily, according to the GBI. Deputies got into the camper and arrested Baily after the shootout.

Baily was sent to the hospital following the incident but was not injured. Deputies held him at the Houston County jail.

The GBI began investigating the shooting, the Thursday statement said. The trailer Baily barricaded himself in belonged to a friend, as he is not from Georgia and had only been living in Houston County for a few weeks.
SICILY, Italy  A terrifying video from Sicily, Italy, shows the nail-biting moments a mother and daughter were surrounded by smoke and flames from a raging wildfire while driving Monday.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

This image shows flames surrounding a mother and daughter who were driving in their car in Sicily, Italy, while escaping a wildfire.

The video, which was recorded by Centamore Natalia Mariagrazia, showed how perilous the conditions were during their drive from Syracuse to their home in Carlentini on the islands southeastern coast.

In a translated message, Mariagrazia told Storyful that while they did see smoke off in the distance while they were driving, they didnt think the situation was dangerous enough to prevent them from continuing their journey.

HOW THE LAY OF THE LAND AFFECTS WILDFIRE BEHAVIOR

"Going further on, we noticed that the situation was only going to get worse," she told Storyful. "But we could not stop anymore."

She said that her mother bravely handled the situation while driving through the thick smoke and flames, but when they emerged from the inferno, she immediately began to cry as "the terror was thankfully over."

Local officials said three people were killed by the wildfires. Local news reports indicated that parts of the road were shut down because of the fire but have since been reopened.

Several wildfires have been reported across Europe, including in Spain, Italy and Greece. Several people have been killed.

Greek officials placed the entire island of Rhodes under a state of emergency because of fires, and two pilots were killed earlier this week when their firefighting airplane crashed into a hillside while working to extinguish flames. Thousands of residents and tourists were told to flee, and an investigation is underway to determine what caused fires across the country.

Officials with Vigili del Fuoco, Italys National Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters have responded to more than 1,600 fires in three days between fires burning in Sicily, Calabria and Puglia. More than 5,400 firefighters are responding to blazes in southern Italy during temperatures in the triple digits.
By Maggie Fick

LONDON (Reuters) - The factory that fills the self-injection pens for booming weight-loss drug Wegovy has repeatedly breached U.S. sterile-safety rules in recent years and staff have failed to perform required quality checks, a Reuters review of regulatory documents shows.

The breaches at Catalent, the Wegovy pen filler, were found by inspectors from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who visited the plant in Brussels in October 2021 and August 2022 to check on its compliance with manufacturing regulations, according to detailed FDA reports on the inspections, obtained by Reuters under freedom of information laws.

There is no evidence that Catalent's compliance failures resulted in harm to users of Wegovy. However, the inspectors said the lapses at the plant - which fills syringes for pharmaceutical clients - represented the most serious form of violations, according to the reports, which show Catalent shut the facility down twice between the two inspections. In November 2022, the FDA published a final decision on the findings that allowed the factory to remain open while it fixes the issues, which the agency didn't deem a threat to public safety.

Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk and its manufacturing partner Catalent have said publicly that shipments of the drug were delayed throughout 2022 as Catalent addressed problems raised by the two FDA inspections, without elaborating on what was found.

Reuters is the first to report in detail on the quality-control issues identified by the inspectors in their write-ups, the most recent FDA reports on the Brussels factory.

Novo is enjoying bumper sales of Wegovy, with millions of people injecting themselves with the drug to shed pounds since it was approved for the U.S. in June 2021, and the Danish drugmaker has doubled in market value. Rivals are on the way, with a similar drug from Eli Lilly expected this year.

A Novo spokesperson said the company had communicated any manufacturing delays promptly in public announcements, and that by late 2022 it had met its U.S. supply target. Catalent said it has a track record of providing high-quality production and that it corrects any compliance issues promptly. Both companies and the FDA declined to comment on the specific inspection findings.

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The most serious findings unearthed by the FDA during its October 2021 visit involved air-filtration systems needed to maintain sterile conditions. Inspectors examining historical operational data found the system on one filling line at the plant had failed repeatedly between 2017 and 2021, leading to sterility being "compromised" in the area where drug products were being manufactured, the FDA documents say.

"Standard operating procedures are not followed or are deficient," the report following the first inspection said.

The August 2022 inspection found new problems with air quality in sterile areas had cropped up since the first visit, according to the FDA Establishment Inspection Reports written after each visit. Inspectors on both visits found Catalent staff were not performing required safety controls, with breaches including failing to regularly check that equipment was not contaminated with microbes.

The FDA reports do not say how many filling lines were inspected or what drugs were being manufactured on the lines examined. Four regulatory experts and two former FDA inspectors who reviewed the documents told Reuters the findings raised concerns about the safety of all manufacturing being done at the factory, including for Wegovy.

"Based on the FDA's findings, I would be concerned about the sterility of the products made at this site," said Susan Bain, an assistant professor of regulatory and quality sciences at the University of Southern California and former FDA inspector.

COMPLIANCE HISTORY

At a meeting with Novo executives in May, two investors out of a group of about five expressed concerns about the choice of Catalent as manufacturing partner, citing the contractor's history of compliance issues with the FDA, according to one of the shareholders who was present.

The investor, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Novo's Chief Financial Officer Karsten Munk Knudsen had responded by saying that, in hindsight, the company may have made a mistake in choosing Catalent and was now tightly overseeing the firm's filling operations of Wegovy in Brussels.

Novo spokesperson Ambre James-Brown told Reuters that, given the extraordinary demand for Wegovy, "it would have been good to have more capacity and thus, more than one facility for supplies", adding that the company had never said it was a mistake to partner with a specific contract manufacturer. James-Brown didn't respond directly to queries about the concerns raised by investors in May and the CFO's remarks, while Knudsen didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for U.S.-based Catalent said its facilities around the world produce more than 8,000 products and are subject to dozens of regulatory audits a year, and that the company "has a strong regulatory record in an industry of extraordinary complexity." The spokesperson said production at the Brussels factory had been suspended "on occasion to conduct scheduled maintenance and to undertake corrective and preventative actions that address regulatory observations". Catalent didn't comment on whether Novo was closely overseeing its Wegovy operations.

The FDA said the agency "remains vigilant in addressing potential issues in the global supply chain" to maintain consumer confidence in medicine safety.

Steven Lynn, a former head of the FDA's Office of Manufacturing and Product Quality who is now a regulatory compliance consultant, said the issues found with the factory's air system in sterile areas were "troubling" but that the FDA wouldn't hesitate to act if there was a clear safety threat.

"They expect compliance with the law, but will typically work with manufacturers if their immediate corrections mitigate the risk posed to public health, while giving them time to put their longer-term corrections in place," Lynn said.

'ANY ISSUE SHOULD BE CRITICAL'

A dozen pharmaceutical manufacturing experts interviewed by Reuters stressed that the consequences of a sterility failure while filling drugs could be severe. Microbial contamination of drugs injected into the body, rather than swallowed, can be deadly, the people said - although the FDA inspectors didn't report any signs of this sort of contamination at the Brussels factory.

According to the first FDA inspection report, Catalent staff had repeatedly classified the failures of the air-filtration system as "minor" in internal records at the plant.

David Talmage, vice president of education at the Parenteral Drug Association, which provides training on best practices for sterile manufacturing, said the area of the plant where the filter failures happened "is the most critical area of the sterile-manufacturing operation", known as a Grade A zone.

"Any issue within that space should be major or critical," said Talmage, speaking about filling factories in general.

In both visits, the FDA inspectors found Catalent staff had repeatedly failed to investigate why equipment was malfunctioning. They found the facility didn't have adequate written procedures for performing tests to prevent microbial contamination during manufacturing.

The 2022 inspection found the factory didn't have appropriate controls to ensure data files for quality-control instruments were protected from the risk of manipulation.

After each visit, the inspectors recommended the breaches found be classed "Official Action Indicated" - the most serious designation, which must be remedied by the manufacturer to avert enforcement action, such as seizure of drugs made there.

The final FDA decision in November 2022 deemed the lapses "Voluntary Action Indicated," a less serious designation. The FDA declined to comment on why it didn't ultimately classify the issues as OAI.

BLINDSIDED BY BOOMING DEMAND

Within months of launching Wegovy, Novo Nordisk was overwhelmed by demand in America, and told shareholders that its initial supply would not keep pace. The company said that it expected to be able to meet that demand in early 2022.

That forecast changed after Catalent shut down the Brussels plant following the FDA inspection in October 2021. From December that year and throughout 2022, Novo repeatedly pushed out the timeline for when the supply constraints would end.

In late December 2022, Novo announced all five dose strengths were available again in the United States. But in May this year, Novo said it would reduce by half the supply of "starter doses"  the three lowest-dose versions  for "some months" to ensure supply for existing patients.

In June, Catalent told investors the company needed "some more time" to address problems at the Brussels plant. The FDA website states there will be "limited availability through September 2023" of those three Wegovy formulations.

(Reporting by Maggie Fick; Additional reporting by Vincent Flasseur; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Pravin Char)
CAIRO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Egypt condemned on Thursday the storming of East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli government officials and hundreds of extremists, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It denounced the Israeli authorities banning Muslim worshippers from exercising the right of accessing the holy site.

The ministry warned against the dangerous repercussions of such irresponsible practices on regional security and stability.

It called on the Israeli authorities to stop such provocative and escalating actions that would ignite the situation in the occupied territories.

Earlier in the day, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Jerusalem, along with hundreds of extremist settlers, under heavy protection from the Israeli forces.

According to the Islamic Waqf that manages the sensitive site, Israeli forces prevented worshippers from entering the Mosque and forced those inside to leave. 
This article was originally published in West Virginia Watch.

Facing historic lows in West Virginia kids reading and math abilities, state lawmakers passed a landmark bill earlier this year that would require and fund teachers assistants in many lower-level classrooms.

But with the new school year approaching, the program implementation faces hurdles on a deadline included in the bill. County school systems are now tasked with filling the classroom assistant positions or backfilling the jobs being vacated, including special education aides, for the new positions.

Lawmakers worry about the upcoming vacancies that could be caused by counties implementing the bill, known as the Third Grade Success Act.

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Come August and September, when these schools are opening, Im very concerned about what were going to see, said Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, vice chair of the House Education Committee. The trouble is in the implementation.

In Berkeley County, Superintendent Ronald E. Stephens IV still has open aide positions to fill along with new vacancies left by existing employees transferring into the new aide positions.

While we remain optimistic about implementing the code across our second and third grades in future years, we do have concerns that many classrooms, including prekindergarten and special education, may continue experiencing staff shortages including 79 other unfilled service positions, he said.

The landmark education bill, a priority for the governor, House and Senate during the 2023 Legislative session, required teachers assistants in lower-level classrooms based on the number of students. The bill also outlined reading instruction and added a number of support and intervention strategies to monitor student progress through the end of third grade. Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a crucial marker in a childs educational development, researchers said.

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West Virginia recorded its worst reading and math scores ever in 2022; education officials cited the pandemics education disruptions as a reason for the drop in scores.

Were excited about the Third Grade Success Act and being able to implement this legislation, West Virginia Department of Education Superintendent Michele Blatt said. She added that the department is monitoring any issues that arise in its rollout.

This legislation was a labor of love for many, she added.

Statler expressed concern that the legislation gave the WVDE and counties a tight deadline to implement the first phase of the plan, which this year required assistants in classrooms with more than 12 kids in just first grade classrooms along with other other literacy-focused requirements.

Del. Chris Toney, R-Raleigh, estimated there would be 300 classroom aides hired for first grade classrooms around the state. The bill is expected to annually cost $97 million once positions are filled through third grade, which is supposed to happen over the next few years.

The state has faced a teacher shortage, and last year, 1,544 certified teachers were teaching out of their content area, according to the WVDE. The classroom assistants are not required to have a teaching degree but must receive reading and numeracy training, according to the legislation. Lawmakers expressed concerns about filling the positions, which they believed would be more than 2,000 jobs, ahead of passing the bill.

I do have concerns about them finding people to fill these positions, said Del. Elliot Pritt, R-Fayette. The education system is already chronically understaffed.

Leaders with the WVDE told West Virginia Watch that at this time, they could not provide a total number of assistants needed or share how many of those positions had been filled. They cited, in part, that enrollment totals, which determine the number of aides needed, wont be set until October.

The WVDE missed a July 1 deadline, required in the bill, to provide a report about parts of the new literacy and numeracy program. Spokespersons for the House and Senate told West Virginia Watch those reports were received July 20. WVDE officials communicated with Legislative staff members ahead of the delay.

Although the plan for July 1st was not met by WVDE, the speakers office, as well as others in the Legislature, stayed in contact with the leaders of WVDE to enforce those policies and inquire about the delay, Toney said. He has worked for Raleigh County Schools for 16 years, including as a classroom aide.

We are hopeful that the right changes will take place to ensure that these policies will reflect the concerns of parents, educators and students, he added.

New aide positions could drain special education staff

WVDE Deputy Superintendent Sonya White said that many of the newly-created positions are often being filled by people already working within schools.

Theres a lot of shuffling right now, she said. Some counties are struggling to fill the positions.

Stephens has filled 50 of the 62 new aide positions in Berkeley County. He said that the majority of staff filling the positions came from other classrooms in the district, the schools transfer list of discontinued positions. Some were former aide substitutes, he said.

Kanawha County Schools spokesperson Briana Warner shared the similar concerns as Stephens about people leaving special education classrooms for the new aide positions. The Kanawha County school system, which is the states largest, needs 80 aides this upcoming year in its first grade classrooms. They have five to 10 vacancies at this time, she said.

  Were anticipating needing additional special education and other classroom aides due to movement to first grade positions, Warner said. We have begun recruiting additional special education aides to fill any of the vacancies that may be created as we create additional first grade aide positions this year.

Warner added that the county school department went out and interviewed current special education aides in June so that they could put together some basic ads and attempt to get ahead of any loss.

From the beginning, my biggest concerns have centered around special education aides. We do not need to take from one department to give to another, Toney said. We need to make sure all of our students and staff, no matter what their specific needs are, will have more opportunities for safety and success in their schools.

Not all students in the state with an IEP have a developmental disability but many do. Students living in poverty are more likely to be identified for special education.

We knew there was a possibility we were going to drain the special education positions, Statler added.

Despite the current hurdles, lawmakers remain optimistic that this bill will improve the states education system and student outcomes. State lawmakers referenced academic gains in Mississippi while crafting the legislation; Mississippi went from being ranked the second-worst state in 2013 for fourth-grade reading to 21st in 2022 with some of the same initiatives West Virginia has been adopting.

The state is also offering literacy training to principles and teachers this summer. Blatt said that more than 1,000 school personnel from around the state have participated in those training opportunities.

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com. Follow West Virginia Watch on Facebook and Twitter.
When President Joe Biden called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday to check in on him after a health scare, it was not just a case of one octogenarian offering well wishes to another.

It was a worried reconnection between the two individuals whose relationship the White House and most of Washington view as pivotal to keeping government functioning and providing a sense of order in the nations capital.

The Biden-McConnell relationship goes back decades. Its one marked by dual service in the Senate, high-stakes showdowns during the Obama years, a mutual appreciation for each other and notable compromises along the way. Those dynamics have been especially true in recent years. And there has been hope in certain governing circles that they continue going forward. White House aides view McConnell as a bulwark against some of the more Trumpian forces within the GOP, a check on renegade influences that at times push Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as well as a reliable partner in the effort to fund Ukraines resistance against Russia and ensure the governments lights stay on past Sept. 30.

McConnells health scare  the Republican leader froze at the start of a press conference and was eventually ushered back to his office  was a reminder for Democrats of how fragile this governing bedrock can be. Having spent years as one of the partys chief villains, McConnell, in the Biden era, has come to resemble something different: still craving power, to be sure, but also the GOPs most senior safeguard against Trump and perhaps the only thing preventing the Senate Republican conference from turning into the chaotic House GOP.



Mitch McConnell certainly is a strident partisan and wants to be back as majority leader, said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). At the same time, I think he's an institutionalist. He's an appropriator and is somebody that understands the importance of the institution. Thats very different from what we see in the House.

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McConnell emerged from a brief respite Wednesday to say that he was fine. His fellow GOP Senators explained the situation away as the result of dehydration.

Still, the White House watched the moment with concern.

While wanting to respect McConnells privacy, senior aides quietly reached out to senators and staffers on both sides of the aisle to get updates on the minority leaders health. They took note of the concerted efforts made by McConnells staff for him to be out and about in the hours after the news conference, wanting to send signals that he was healthy and working.

Biden, who has faced persistent concerns about his own health, asked to call McConnell, and the two men had a warm conversation with the senator sounding upbeat and appreciative of the call, said White House aides who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss details. Wednesdays incident was not the first time those in Bidens orbit harbored worries about McConnells well being.

It was noted by negotiators that he took a decidedly backseat role to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during the springs debt ceiling talks. At the time, McConnell said that was a strategic decision since Republicans controlled the House. And McConnell, White House aides thought, had visibly moved slower and quieter since his March fall at a Washington hotel.

There is a widely held belief in Washington that the Kentucky senator wont run again for reelection. And some White House aides have begun considering what a post-McConnell Senate GOP would look like. But some senior West Wing advisors have also wondered if they need to accelerate those talks in the event that McConnell at some point steps aside.

The president has little relationship with the GOP senators who may succeed him, including Sens. John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas and John Barrasso of Wyoming. But most in Bidens inner circle believe Thune would be the likely favorite to step in for McConnell, according to senior advisors not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.



That, they feel, would be an acceptable option: Thune, they believe, largely shares McConnells worldview on the importance of institutions and the need, at times, to work across the aisle. They also feel that Thune is unchallenged politically back home, which aides believe is essential to leading from a position of strength. Similar views are held about Cornyn.

But there also could be wild card candidates who could disrupt the working relationships between the upper chamber and the White House. Last year, McConnell faced the first challenge to his leadership and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) picked up 10 votes in the conference. It is assumed that no matter who replaces McConnell, the White Houses job would certainly get more difficult, as any successor would feel compelled to move the conference to the right.

It could get very messy, said one Democratic senator granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation. There could be chaos on the Republican side. It would be bad for the country.

Bidens relationship with McConnell is one the oldest and most fruitful bipartisan pairings on Capitol Hill  McConnell is the last of the four party leaders who served in his current role when Biden was in the Senate. As complicated as it can be, that relationship has proven central to the presidents bipartisan bonafides. McConnell supported the bipartisan infrastructure law, gun legislation and legislation to reform the electoral college. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who has perhaps the closest relationship with Biden of any senator, called it an important part of why President Biden has been so successful in his first two years.

He was able to call on those relationships in order to get bills over the finish line and to his desk. I think those same relationships will continue to be important in the next few years, Coons said. It's my hope he'll continue to have senior leaders here with whom he has a good and productive relationship.
The White House is taking steps aimed at increasing the the supply of affordable housing while also bolstering protections for renters.

The housing measures announced Thursday include providing communities with $85 million in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to reduce barriers to affordable housing, such as zoning restrictions that in some places have become a hurdle to increasing the supply and density of affordable housing. HUD would provide grants upwards of $10 million.

HUD recognizes that communities have unique housing challenges and thats why the resources announced today are not one-size-fits-all, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in a statement. Today, we are acting to increase the supply of affordable housing, which is crucial to lowering housing costs. We look forward to continuing this work in partnership with local communities.

The White House also announced that it was forming an inter-agency task force to develop ways to fund efforts to convert more commercial buildings to residential housing, especially zero emissions and affordable units. Across the country, office-to-housing conversions are being pursued as a potential lifeline for struggling downtown business districts that emptied out during the coronavirus pandemic.

The mismatch between the demand for housing and the inadequate supply of affordable and available homes is at the heart of todays housing affordability crisis," Dennis Shea, executive director of the Bipartisan Policy Centers J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, said in a statement.

These measures are part of a larger effort by the White House to address a chronic housing shortage, with the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimating the nation needs 7.3 million affordable rental homes to make up the gap. Meanwhile, evictions have returned to levels seen before the pandemic and are spiking in several cities across the country.

Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, welcomed the news but said more needed to be done.

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As rents rise, homelessness increases, public housing deteriorates, and millions of families struggle to keep roofs over their heads, robust federal investments and actions are badly needed and long overdue, Yentel said. But the administration cant solve this crisis on its own. Congress must also act with similar urgency and enact badly needed housing investments and tenant protections.

Measures aimed at helping renters include a requirement that landlords notify public housing tenants 30 days before a lease termination due to nonpayment of rent as well as $10 million for tenant education and outreach.

We must provide renters with the necessary resources to safeguard their interests and enhance their communication with landlords, Fudge said. HUD is dedicated to collaborating with renters and ensuring they are well informed about their rights.

The White House noted the policy directed at renters builds on earlier efforts during the pandemic including providing 11 million emergency rental payments as part of $46.5 billion in emergency rental assistance and funding systems aimed at preventing evictions in several cities and states.

Other measures highlighted Thursday but announced earlier include $27 billion from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with money designated for retrofitting homes as well as the construction of zero-emission buildings. A $3.2 billion U.S. Department of Transportation program will target low-income communities with poor access to transportation.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Diane Yentel is the president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, not the executive director.
The White House said Wednesday that unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) have impacted the militarys training and readiness.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby reiterated at a press briefing Wednesday that the White House is taking the issue of UAPs seriously. His comments came just after the House Oversight subcommittee on national security spent the morning hearing from three witnesses who called for more transparency in how the government handles UAP reports.

I would just say what I said last week when I got asked about this: We obviously take the issue of unidentified aerial phenomena seriously, Kirby said.

There is a whole office at the Pentagon that is stood up to analyze the data, collect reports, collate those reports, and forward them up appropriately, he added. And thats, I think, testament of the fact that  that we know that in some cases, these phenomena have impacted military training, have then impacted military readiness.

When asked if President Biden believes the witnesses claims about UAPs warrant a further investigation, Kirby said that the work is ongoing.

If the President didnt believe that the sightings by pilots were serious enough to be  to be considered, he wouldnt have wanted the Pentagon to stand up an office to  to look at this, to analyze the data, to collect reports, and provide a system by which we can collate the information and better figure out what weve got here, he said.

All three witnesses  former fighter pilot Ryan Graves of Americans for Safe Aerospace, former intelligence official David Grusch and former Navy pilot David Fravor  said during the hearing that UAPs potentially pose a national security risk. Both lawmakers and the witnesses at the hearing called for a more centralized reporting system for UAP encounters.

If UAP are foreign drones, it is an urgent national security problem. If it is something else, it is an issue for science. In either case, unidentified objects are a concern for flight safety, Graves said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian forces are moving forward and the situation on the front is "not a stalemate" said John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, on July 26.

Kirby's comments came in response to a question at a press briefing about whether the counteroffensive is moving too slowly.

He added that only the Ukrainian military can accurately comment on the operation's current progress. Both military officials and President Zelensky have "acknowledged that theyre not going as far or as fast as they would like," Kirby noted.

Kirby also added that the U.S. will continue to supply "the kinds of tools and capabilities they need to stay on the move."

On July 26, the New York Times reported that Ukrainian officials informed Washington about the start of a new phase of the counteroffensive and its main focus.

Two Pentagon officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Times that the "main thrust" of Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive is currently in the southeast, and that Ukraine will now deploy thousands of Western-trained reinforcements previously held in reserve.

During the same press briefing on July 26, Kirby also confirmed that Ukrainian pilots are going to receive training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark and Romania, while the U.K. is providing English-language lessons so they can operate the Western-made jets.

"The dates, the locations, the length of the syllabus, all of that is still being worked out," Kirby added.

Politico reported earlier on July 26 that so far no country has committed aircraft to support the training and no final decisions on the plans have been made, despite hopes that it would start this summer.

At the Vilnius NATO summit earlier in July, Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov signed a memorandum with 11 countries outlining the F-16 training terms for Ukrainian pilots.

On July 17, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that U.S. President Joe Biden "has given a green light" to allow European countries to launch the much-anticipated training for Ukrainian pilots.

Kirby said on July 21 that Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets before the end of the year.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine to receive F-16 training, additional air defense as Russia continues missile barrage
Ukrainian pilots are going to receive training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark and Romania, while other locations are being considered as well, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on July 26.

However, the official noted that other details of the training scheme are not yet finalized.

"The dates, the locations, the length of the syllabus, all of that is still being worked out," Kirby said at a press conference.

According to Kirby, the U.K. is providing English-language lessons to Ukrainian pilots so they can operate the Western-made jets.

Politico reported earlier on July 26 that so far no country has committed aircraft to support the training and no final decisions on the plans have been made, despite hopes that it would start this summer.

According to Politico's sources, one idea that has been discussed is to send Ukrainian pilots to the U.S. to be trained at an Air National Guard unit in Arizona. The base already trains foreign partners on how to operate F-16s.

An alternative idea is to send U.S. pilots to Europe to train Ukrainian pilots at a European base.

Politico added that Draken International, an aerospace contractor, has recruited retired military pilots to train Ukrainians in a facility being set up in Romania as a regional F-16 training center.

Denmark's Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on June 15 that Ukrainian pilots will be able to train on F-16 fighter jets at the Danish Air Force base Skrdstrup in Southern Jutland.

At the Vilnius NATO summit earlier in July, Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov signed a memorandum with 11 countries outlining the F-16 training terms for Ukrainian pilots.

On July 17, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that U.S. President Joe Biden "has given a green light" to allow European countries to launch the much-anticipated training for Ukrainian pilots.

Kirby said on July 21 that Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets before the end of the year.

Read also: Andreas Umland: Should Kyiv be pressured to exchange land for peace?
PATERSON  Authorities say they seized almost $1 million in fentanyl from a Paterson drug mill last month, but the man accused of running the operation was released from jail less than a week after his arrest.

The suspect, Pedro Rodriguez Avalo, 30, was charged with various drug offenses, including the first-degree crime of maintaining a narcotics production facility at a home on Lilly Street in Patersons 1st Ward, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office.

What happened?

At right, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin introduces Isa M. Abbassi as he assumes the position of Officer in Charge of the Paterson Police Department in Paterson, NJ on Tuesday May 9, 2023.

Avalo was arrested on June 27, but New Jersey Superior Court Judge Scott Rumana decided on July 3 that he should be released while the charges against him are pending, according to the press release.

The attorney general's office did not say why it waited a month to announce Avalos arrest. The suspect had to surrender his travel documents under the terms of release set by Rumana.

What did police find?

New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking North Unit conducted the probe, which culminated in a search of the home, near North 7th Street, officials said.

During the search, investigators found 1.5 kilograms of powder fentanyl as well as 1,300 suspected fentanyl pills, authorities said.

Illegal drugs are poison for users and for those municipalities where an illicit drug marketplace has taken hold, said Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: Accused leader in $1M fentanyl bust released
Editors note: This is the second in a two-part series about the University of Arkansas boards vote against affiliating with the University of Phoenix. You can read the first part here.

Less than one month before Idaho State Board of Education members voted to create a nonprofit organization and purchase the University of Phoenix for $550 million, University of Arkansas board members had voted, 5-4, against a similar proposal for $535 million.

So why did the University of Arkansas shoot the deal down? Did they know something that Idaho board members dont know?

As I wrote in the first part of this series, I feel much better about Idahos decision to purchase the University of Phoenix after I watched University of Arkansas deliberations. Board members were presented a number of strong arguments in favor of acquiring the online university.

But there were a couple of key concerns that killed the deal in Arkansas. Idahos deal is structured a little differently in a way that mitigates those concerns.

One of the main sticking points in the Arkansas deal was that the University of Arkansas system would have been able to appoint only a minority of members to the board of the nonprofit, Transformative Educational Services, that would run the University of Phoenix.

My primary reason for voting against it had to do with the fact that the University of Arkansas System would not have control of the governance of that entity, board member Kevin Crass told me in a phone interview. And it wouldnt have control of that entitys governance because legally, we were told that having a majority of the board would deem it more than a mere affiliate and then it would impact the systems credit rating.

That minority control had a whole host of concerns for Crass and other members who voted against the deal, including the ability to negotiate revenue sharing, the ability to stop bad business practices and the ability to negotiate deals for the use of University of Phoenix technology.

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In Idahos case, though, the University of Idaho Regents  which is the Idaho State Board of Education  would appoint all of the nonprofits board members and be able to remove any board members, according to Jodi Walker, University of Idaho spokesperson.

That would give the Idaho State Board of Education much more control over the actions of the nonprofit, Four Three Education Inc.

The University of Idaho would still be isolated from legal liability, according to Walker.

After the closing, the University of Phoenix will operate through the new owner, Four Three Education, Inc., which is a separate legal entity from the University of Idaho and from the state of Idaho, Walker wrote in an email. Neither the University of Idaho nor the State of Idaho have liability arising from a suit for damages against Four Three Education, Inc.

Crass was also concerned that, without majority control of the board, the University of Arkansas would have difficulty negotiating with the nonprofit board to determine any fees that the University of Arkansas would have to pay for services.

In other words, if (the nonprofit) had something, whether its technology, or the capabilities to collect data, or the alumni relations or the corporate relations,  the UA system would have to negotiate to purchase that from (the nonprofit board), Crass said.

In Idahos deal, the University of Idaho would not have to pay the nonprofit licensing fees for its proprietary technology, such as the back-end processes of delivering online courses, according to Walker.

Appropriate arrangements for sharing of technology between the affiliated two entities will not require licensing fees, according to Walker.

Revenue sharing

Another key difference between the two deals is revenue sharing.

Crass pointed out that the only guarantee in the Arkansas deal was a $20 million annual payment and nothing about sharing of future revenues.

Again, the fact that the University of Arkansas system board wouldnt have majority control over the nonprofit board, such future decisions were out of the University of Arkansas hands.

In Idahos case, the annual payment would be a guaranteed $10 million, plus a share of revenues.

In all, 25-30% of remaining cash flow after debt service and other obligations would go to the University of Idaho, according to Brian Foisy, vice president for the division of finance and administration for the University of Idaho.

Based on University of Phoenix financial statements, those payments are expected to generate $150 million to $170 million between now and 2030, Foisy said.

Reputational risk

Aside from Crass legitimate concerns over governance and control, much of the other board members opposition had to do with being associated with the University of Phoenix name and reputation.

Board member Sheffield Nelson, former chairman, president and CEO of a natural gas company and former Republican nominee for governor, said he was most concerned with the University of Phoenixs reputation.

I think its a mess, and I think its a mess we dont need to get our feet in, Nelson said. I think its a dog we should walk away from.

Board chairman Morril Harriman, a lawyer and former state senator, said he shared Crass concerns about governance and future negotiations with the nonprofit board.

But he was mostly concerned with whether the University of Phoenix was a good fit.

I guess my bottom line is Im just not sure this fits with the University of Arkansas System, he said. Sometimes I think weve been trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

For Crass, that reputational risk is tied to the governance issue.

There were some very smart people whom I respect that made a solid business case for it, but ultimately, I was concerned about the governance, Crass told me. And, you know, implicit in that is there were lots of people concerned about the potential reputational risk, and if you dont control it, it seems to me you enhance the reputational risk.

Thats a legitimate concern, and thats one of the reasons I feel better about the University of Idaho deal, because the Idaho State Board of Education will be able to appoint and remove the members of the nonprofit board.

It will be vital that the State Board of Education appoint members to the nonprofit board who have the right background to govern the University of Phoenix with integrity and the intention of making sure the deal benefits the University of Idaho. These cant be merely political appointees.

For sure, there are other risks, and there are still details that need to be worked out. But with a good board in place to tackle those issues, the University of Phoenix deal has tremendous potential to benefit the university  and taxpayers.

But it will be important to keep the public informed, practice open government and be open and honest about the challenges and mistakes along the way.

Keeping the public trust will be key to making this deal work.
Camping out in the gap between the two border fences separating Tijuana and San Diego, migrants wait to be processed by U.S. officials on May 11, 2023. (Mark Abramson/The New York Times)

In the 76 days since President Joe Biden imposed tough new restrictions on the nations asylum system, the number of migrants crossing the United States southern border illegally every day has dropped significantly.

Why?

The answer to that question is at the heart of a legal challenge to the presidents latest immigration policies, which critics say are undermining Americas decades-old role as a refuge for people fleeing violence, persecution, famine and economic dislocation.

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The flow of migration across the hemisphere typically rises or falls because of many factors, including weather patterns, war, famine, economic conditions and immigration enforcement actions taken by other countries.

But decisions by the United States about how it polices the border also have an effect  including the asylum policy that a federal judge blocked this week.

Before the presidents asylum changes took effect on May 11, border patrol officials were encountering about 7,500 migrants trying to cross the border illegally each day  record-breaking numbers that were putting severe strains on the immigration officials and border communities.

Since then, the numbers have declined to about 3,000 migrants each day. That is still historically high, but dramatically lower.

On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that Bidens changes to the asylum system were illegal. Judge Jon S. Tigar of the U.S. District Court in Northern California said the presumption that most migrants crossing illegally are ineligible for asylum violates decades of law and, pending an appeal, cannot remain in place.

Administration officials warn that removing the new asylum restrictions could cause illegal crossings to spike again, though no one knows for sure what will happen.

Here is a look at the various forces at play when it comes to migration at the southern border.

Fear and Deterrence

The administrations asylum policy has made it far less likely that a migrant fleeing from violence or persecution in Central or South America would be able to cross the border and remain in the United States while courts consider an asylum claim.

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So that could be having a deterrent effect, causing some migrants in places like Venezuela, Nicaragua or Honduras to stay where they are rather than attempting a long, often dangerous journey to the southern border of the United States.

But immigration advocates say the policy is putting many migrants in danger by discouraging them from legitimately seeking refuge in the United States, effectively abandoning its traditional humanitarian role in the region.

Will the numbers of illegal border crossers increase if the judges ruling stands?

Its possible.

Some migrants might decide it is once again worth the risk to travel to the U.S. border and claim asylum under the old rules. That could lead to a new surge of people heading north, especially if some are egged on by cartels and coyotes, who charge huge sums of money to help migrants make the journey to the border.

But as Tigar noted in his ruling, ending Bidens new policy would restore a regulatory regime that was in place for decades before, when the number of migrants crossing the border was far lower.

In communities along the border, migrants who have already made it into the United States were uncertain about what the judges ruling meant for them or people waiting on the Mexican side of the border.

Sitting in a bus station on Wednesday, not far from the Catholic Charities Respite Center in downtown McAllen, Texas, Herbin Moncada, 45, a native of Venezuela, scanned his phone to read about the latest news.

Today they say one thing, and the next it changes, Moncada said. The truth is that you cant trust what they say in the news. A judge issues a ruling, they go to court, fight it, and the next day, it is reversed.

New Legal Pathways

When Biden imposed the new asylum policy in May, his administration also added new opportunities for some migrants  but not all  to enter the United States legally, without having to try to cross the border illegally.

The new opportunities are for migrants from four countries  Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela  and are limited to a total of 30,000 people each month. Migrants can apply to be accepted while in their own countries; they do not have to travel to the U.S. border first.

Those who meet certain qualifications (like having a relative or friend to sponsor them in the United States) can be admitted for up to two years, with a work permit but no way to earn a permanent green card or American citizenship.

Administration officials have said the drop in illegal crossings at the southern border is in part the result of migrants taking advantage of the new opportunities. Officials have said that during the first half of 2023, nearly 160,000 migrants have come into the United States legally from the four countries. Illegal border crossings by migrants from the four countries has dropped 89%, officials said.

The Biden-Harris administrations commitment to expanding lawful pathways as an alternative to irregular migration has yielded positive results, the Department of Homeland Security said in a recent statement.

But the new opportunities  known as parole  are not a solution for everyone, as Tigar noted in his ruling, saying they will necessarily be unavailable to many asylum-seekers due to the parole programs limited scope and eligibility requirements.

Smartphone Asylum

When the administration imposed the new asylum rules, they also expanded the ability for migrants at the border to make appointments to claim asylum at one of about 26 official ports of entry along the 2,000-mile border.

Those who make an appointment will not be subject to the tough new asylum rules. They will generally be allowed to wait in the United States while courts decide whether they are granted asylum  a process that sometimes takes years.

The catch? To make an appointment, they must use a new smartphone app known as CBP One.

Administration officials say the new appointment system is helping to funnel some of the migrants away from illegal border crossings into a more orderly system at the ports of entry. Officials have said 30,000 migrants used the app to make appointments in May.

In downtown McAllen, two immigrants from Haiti, Fadeline Birote, 26, and Loodine LaBossiere, 29, said they applied using the app and even though it meant waiting longer to cross from Mexico, the process was more orderly.

There are a lot of people waiting to cross, Birote said. Everybody is waiting for news, but it keeps changing. Its very confusing.

Immigration advocates have documented scores of technical problems with the governments app that have prevented more migrants from successfully making appointments. And the number of appointments available daily at each port is limited.

Tigar noted in his ruling that many migrants lack a smartphone and that those who wait in northern Mexico for an appointment are often subjected to violence.

Demand for appointments exceeds supply, he wrote.

What Comes Next?

American border policies do not tell the whole story.

Apprehensions at the Mexico-U.S. border may be down in recent weeks. But further south, migration toward the United States has shown little sign of abating  an indication that many more migrants plan to show up at the border in the coming weeks.

The Darien Gap is the dangerous jungle land bridge that must be traversed to get from South America to the United States on foot. Once believed too dangerous to cross, in the past two years it has become a migrant thoroughfare, contributing to an unprecedented wave of South American migrants showing up at the U.S. border.

Last year, 248,000 people crossed the gap, a record that many officials in Colombia, Panama and the United States once thought inconceivable. This year, as of Monday, nearly 240,000 people had already crossed, according to migration authorities in Panama. (The jungle straddles Colombia and Panama.)

And down south, Bidens policies seem to have had only a muted effect.

Roughly 40,000 migrants trekked through the Darien Gap in March, April and May each. In June, after Bidens announcement of stricter asylum policies, that number dipped to 30,000. But by July it was back up  and higher  with almost 42,000 people crossing the jungle in the first 24 days of the month, according to Panamanian authorities.

Most of the migrants come from Venezuela, which has been in the grips of an economic, humanitarian and political crisis for nearly a decade. But a large number also come from Haiti and Ecuador, which are experiencing their own security crises.

People from China are the fourth-largest group in the jungle in 2023, with more than 10,000 crossing this year. Thousands of these migrants are children.

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This image from a video, shows whales stranded on Cheynes Beach east of Albany, Australia Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Nearly 100 pilot whales stranded themselves on a beach in western Australia Tuesday, and about half had died by Wednesday morning, despite the efforts of wildlife experts and volunteers to save them. | Australian Broadcasting Corp. via Associated Press

Nearly 100 pilot whales beached off the shores of a remote beach in Western Australia Tuesday. Two days later, all of them had to be euthanized after a nearly-successful rescue attempt, according to CBS News.

We will never forget this and at least we can say we tried our best!! Mike Conway, an Australian resident who was involved with the rescue, wrote on Facebook.

In Scotland, a similar stranding happened last week when 54 whales beached themselves on the Isle of Lewis. Most died before they were discovered, and rescue teams decided to euthanize the surviving animals after determining that the rough waves and shallow beach made it unsafe to refloat them, The New York Times reported.

The Zoological Society of Londons Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme in the United Kingdom reported more than 12,000 stranded cetaceans since 1990, according to National Geographic.

So why do whales beach themselves?

Sometimes whales beach themselves because of pregnancy, injury, sickness or another weakness.

When the mammal gets weak, it might drift in with the tide or be unaware of how shallow the waters are until its too late.

Another reason could be hunting. Dolphins sometimes swim onto the beach to escape an orca chasing it. And orcas will often launch themselves on the shore, but sometimes miscalculate and go too far away from the water, according to National Geographic.

Other times, sonar wreaks havoc on whales navigation. It interferes with whales ability to communicate and navigate and can cause fear and panic, pushing them to shore, National Geographic reported. Sound is more powerful underwater than in the air and it also reverberates for longer, so sonar could potentially drastically injure a whales hearing capabilities.

Stop all of the sonar, stop all of the pre-construction activity offshore right now, until we can determine whether or not that has had any impact or any part of the cause for all these whales washing up, Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action, told CBS News, in hopes that scientists can determine why so many strandings are happening at once in the last month.

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Pollution and fishing could also be factors in causing the whales to strand themselves. Getting caught in fishing lines is the main cause of death for cetaceans.

Why do mass whale strandings happen?

We dont have a lot of answers for why mass groups of whales will sometimes strand themselves.

The cause of a group stranding is often hard to determine because it is difficult to study the behavior of whales pre-stranding, Scott Baker, marine biologist and professor for the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, told Live Science.

Some species are more prone to beaching themselves than others. Those species include toothed whales like dolphins, porpoises and other whales with teeth. They tend to be more social and travel in large groups that include intricate social systems, meaning that if one member of the group gets stranded, others will try to help, according to Wildlife Florida.

Another cause could come down to the social nature of those groups  a leader mistakenly swims too close to the shore, the group follows and no one realizes until its too late.

According to Live Science, the biggest stranding of one whale species was 835 false killer whales near Mar del Plata, Argentina, in 1946.

What should you do if you find a stranded whale

According to Whale and Dolphin Conservation, if you discover a whale or dolphin washed up onshore, you should report it as quickly as possible. Here are the best places to contact experts to help.
JERUSALEM, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Thursday visited a mosque in East Jerusalem, where frequent clashes have erupted between Israelis and Palestinians.

Ben-Gvir, the ultra-nationalist leader of the Jewish Power party and a settler leader, tweeted that he had visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a hilltop site in the Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem's Old City that is holy to both Muslims and Jews.

Ben-Gvir said that his visit was intended to observe Tisha B'Av, a sacred Jewish day of fasting and mourning. During this day, Jews reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples. Jews consider the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as the site of their historic temples, the last of which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.

Ben-Gvir's visit occurred amid increased violence between Israel and Palestine and could further escalate the already-heightened tensions.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the visit, saying in a statement that it was part of "continuing Israeli invasions" to the site amid attempts to force changes in the status quo.

Under a long-held status quo, Israeli Jews can visit the site but not pray there. Since the inauguration of Israel's new far-right coalition government in late December, ultra-nationalist Israeli ministers and lawmakers have renewed their calls to change the status quo and lift the restrictions on Jewish prayers, escalating tensions in and around the compound. 
Hopes for the future of the Scottish wildcat are being placed in 11 bundles of fur born at a conservation centre this year.

The kittens were born in four litters at the Highland Wildlife Park in the Cairngorms National Park.

They are part of the conservation project by Saving Wildcats, which is trying to bring the species back from the "brink of extinction".

It is hoped the kittens could be released into the wild next year.

Wildcats Droma and Fruin gave birth to four kittens each, two kittens were born to Fian and one to Torr.

It is the second year in a row that wildcats have been born at the centre, with kittens born in 2022 becoming part of the first trial releases last month.

About 20 of the "Highland tigers", one of the UK's rarest species, could be released in the next two years from the "conservation breeding for release centre".

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is leading the project, working with national and international experts to increase Scotland's critically endangered wildcat population by breeding and releasing them into the Cairngorms Connect area of the Cairngorms National Park.

Work is also being done to try to mitigate the threats the animals face in the wild.

With the Scottish wildcat on the facing extinction, David Barclay, conservation manager at the Saving Wildcats team, said the kittens would "play an important role in securing a future for the species".

Mr Barclay said: "We know there are 11 kittens from four litters so far and we hope there will be more born in coming weeks.

"It is still early days for our new wildcat kittens who are vulnerable in their first weeks and months.

"Over the next year, the wildcats will be prepared for the challenges of life in the wild. Once they are independent and no longer reliant on their mums, they will move into large pre-release enclosures designed to support natural development and reduce exposure to humans and disturbance."

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He added: "Everything we learn from the wildcat releases which have begun this year will help to inform the future releases and ensure they are as successful as possible."

Earlier this year, a five-year project led by NatureScot concluded there were too few wildcats in the country for the population to be viable, with most cats living in the wild being hybrid breeds.

Measures recommended to save the species included releasing captive-bred wildcats in certain locations, alongside efforts to neuter hybrid and feral cats and improving habitats.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Spain (Reuters) - Firefighters have "stabilised" a wildfire that ravaged 400 hectares of woodland in the centre of the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, local emergency services chief Federico Grillo said on Thursday.

Authorities declared the wildfire stable at 0.42 a.m. local time (2342 GMT) after it had forced the evacuation of hundreds of villagers from their homes as well as dozens of children from a camping site near a mountain top.

Three roads were closed off while emergency services deployed nine aircraft and 250 firefighters to contain the blaze.

"Unfortunately, a house has burned down on Pico de las Nieves," Grillo said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. No injuries were reported.

Since Wednesday, authorities had allowed residents to return to their homes to check for possible damage and care for their pets, accompanied by security officers.

Earlier in July, 4,000 people were evacuated from their homes on the island of La Palma, near Gran Canaria, as a forest fire burned out of control while countries across Europe have struggled to cope with wildfires amidst a heatwave.

(Reporting by Corina Pons; Editing by David Latona and Sharon Singleton)
WASHINGTON  Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden yelled and cursed at a group of high school-aged Senate pages while giving a late-night tour of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday  an action that drew a rebuke from Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Van Orden, who represents Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, called the pages "lazy s----" and told them to "get the f--- up" off the floor as the pages were lying on their backs in the Capitol Rotunda taking pictures of the building's dome during their final week at work, according to PunchBowl News.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Senate pages are typically teens nominated by their home state senator to help out around the Senate side of the Capitol, opening doors for senators and delivering correspondence, among other tasks.

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Thursday, Van Orden did not dispute the report but rather noted the Capitol Rotunda was used as a field hospital during the Civil War for "countless" Union soldiers.

"I would think that itd be terribly disrespectful to lay on the grave of a soldier that died fighting for freedom," Van Orden told the Journal Sentinel. "And I don't know anybody that disagrees."

He added later in an emailed statement that the Capitol "should never be treated like a frat house common room. Threatening a congressman with bad press to excuse poor behavior is a reminder of everything thats wrong with Washington. Luckily, bad press has never bothered me and if it's the price I pay to stand up for what's right, then so be it."

The apparent outburst was the latest for Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL whose two campaigns for Wisconsin's rural western district were checkered with online outbursts against detractors and temperamental behavior. In one incident from June 2021, Van Orden reportedly berated a teenage librarian over an LGBT+ book display. Van Orden at the time checked out every available book from the display before eventually returning them.

Story continues

Wednesday night's incident clashes with Van Orden's effort to moderate his image since he entered Congress in January and present himself as someone working behind the scenes in a bipartisan manner.

Democrats on Thursday were quick to attack Van Orden for Wednesday night's actions, with many pointing to Van Orden's presence outside the Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, as evidence of disrespecting the Capitol and its history. Van Orden maintains he did not enter the Capitol that day.

"Wonder if he told that to his fellow insurrectionists, who were beating police officers on the same ground?" Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who frequently takes shots at Van Orden, tweeted in response to Van Orden's comments to the Journal Sentinel.

"Wow, I'm *shocked* that the man who was part of an insurrection, sexually harassed women in the military, and screamed at a teen librarian aide because of an LGBTQ+ display would do something like this," wrote Courtney Rice, the communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has signaled it would focus on Van Orden's seat in national Democrats' efforts to flip control of the House in 2024. Rice's comment referenced Van Orden's 2015 book in which he mentioned an instance when he revealed a male lieutenant's enlarged scrotum to unsuspecting female officers in an apparent prank.

On the Senate floor Thursday evening, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was "shocked when I heard about it. And I am further shocked at his refusal to apologize to these young people."

McConnell, the Senate minority leader who appeared on the floor Thursday night with the Democratic leader, agreed with Schumer and added that everybody on this side of the aisle did as well.

The Capitol Rotunda was indeed used as a field hospital during the Civil War, but no soldiers are buried under the Capitol Building.

And while Van Orden took issue with the pages lying beneath the dome, the Capitol was also used to quarter troops during the Civil War. Just below the Capitol Rotunda and next to a bust of former President Abraham Lincoln is a plaque commemorating Lincoln's call for volunteers on April 15, 1861. Troops from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. were quartered in the building in response, according to the plaque.

A plaque in the U.S. Capitol commemorates troops from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and Washington, D.C. who were quartered in the Capitol following President Lincoln's call for volunteers in April 1861.

More recently, members of the National Guard slept in the Capitol  including in the Rotunda  following the Jan. 6 insurrection to protect the building in the run-up to President Joe Biden's inauguration. Van Orden did not mention these facts in his comments.

Van Orden's late-night tour is not unusual for the first-term Republican. He frequently invites groups he meets with during the day on tours of the Capitol at night. About 50 people were with him on the tour Wednesday night, according to an aide.

Punchbowl News later tweeted a photo provided by a source showing bottles of alcohol and beer cans in Van Orden's office, alleging there was a party before Van Orden berated the pages. Van Orden responded suggesting the alcohol was for a gathering with constituents.

A transcript allegedly taken down by a page during the incident and obtained by The Hill claims Van Orden also called the pages "jackasses" during the encounter. "Get the f--- out of here," Van Orden reportedly said. "You are defiling the space ..."

On Thursday, two Senate pages told the Journal Sentinel that they were not allowed to comment on the incident. Another page simply responded, "No comment."

But the pages did acknowledge they were in their last week of work.

Thursday, they said, was their last day.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Van Orden curses at teen Senate pages during Capitol tour
WASHINGTON  Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden yelled and cursed at a group of high school-aged Senate pages while giving a late-night tour of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday  an action that drew a rebuke from Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Van Orden, who represents Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, called the pages "lazy s----" and told them to "get the f--- up" off the floor as the pages were lying on their backs in the Capitol Rotunda taking pictures of the building's dome during their final week at work, according to PunchBowl News.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Senate pages are typically teens nominated by their home state senator to help out around the Senate side of the Capitol, opening doors for senators and delivering correspondence, among other tasks.

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Thursday, Van Orden did not dispute the report but rather noted the Capitol Rotunda was used as a field hospital during the Civil War for "countless" Union soldiers.

"I would think that itd be terribly disrespectful to lay on the grave of a soldier that died fighting for freedom," Van Orden told the Journal Sentinel. "And I don't know anybody that disagrees."

He added later in an emailed statement that the Capitol "should never be treated like a frat house common room. Threatening a congressman with bad press to excuse poor behavior is a reminder of everything thats wrong with Washington. Luckily, bad press has never bothered me and if it's the price I pay to stand up for what's right, then so be it."

The apparent outburst was the latest for Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL whose two campaigns for Wisconsin's rural western district were checkered with online outbursts against detractors and temperamental behavior. In one incident from June 2021, Van Orden reportedly berated a teenage librarian over an LGBT+ book display. Van Orden at the time checked out every available book from the display before eventually returning them.

Story continues

Wednesday night's incident clashes with Van Orden's effort to moderate his image since he entered Congress in January and present himself as someone working behind the scenes in a bipartisan manner.

Democrats on Thursday were quick to attack Van Orden for Wednesday night's actions, with many pointing to Van Orden's presence outside the Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, as evidence of disrespecting the Capitol and its history. Van Orden maintains he did not enter the Capitol that day.

"Wonder if he told that to his fellow insurrectionists, who were beating police officers on the same ground?" Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who frequently takes shots at Van Orden, tweeted in response to Van Orden's comments to the Journal Sentinel.

"Wow, I'm *shocked* that the man who was part of an insurrection, sexually harassed women in the military, and screamed at a teen librarian aide because of an LGBTQ+ display would do something like this," wrote Courtney Rice, the communications direction for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has signaled it would focus on Van Orden's seat in national Democrats' efforts to flip control of the House in 2024. Rice's comment referenced Van Orden's 2015 book in which he mentioned an instance when he revealed a male lieutenant's enlarged scrotum to unsuspecting female officers in an apparent prank.

On the Senate floor Thursday evening, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was "shocked when I heard about it. And I am further shocked at his refusal to apologize to these young people."

McConnell, the Senate minority leader who appeared on the floor Thursday night with the Democratic leader, agreed with Schumer and added that everybody on this side of the aisle did as well.

The Capitol Rotunda was indeed used as a field hospital during the Civil War, but no soldiers are buried under the Capitol Building.

And while Van Orden took issue with the pages lying beneath the dome, the Capitol was also used to quarter troops during the Civil War. Just below the Capitol Rotunda and next to a bust of former President Abraham Lincoln is a plaque commemorating Lincoln's call for volunteers on April 15, 1861. Troops from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. were quartered in the building in response, according to the plaque.

A plaque in the U.S. Capitol commemorates troops from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and Washington, D.C. who were quartered in the Capitol following President Lincoln's call for volunteers in April 1861.

More recently, members of the National Guard slept in the Capitol  including in the Rotunda  following the Jan. 6 insurrection to protect the building in the run-up to President Joe Biden's inauguration. Van Orden did not mention these facts in his comments.

Van Orden's late-night tour is not unusual for the first-term Republican. He frequently invites groups he meets with during the day on tours of the Capitol at night. About 50 people were with him on the tour Wednesday night, according to an aide.

Punchbowl News later tweeted a photo provided by a source showing bottles of alcohol and beer cans in Van Orden's office, alleging there was a party before Van Orden berated the pages. Van Orden responded suggesting the alcohol was for a gathering with constituents.

A transcript allegedly taken down by a page during the incident and obtained by The Hill claims Van Orden also called the pages "jackasses" during the encounter. "Get the f--- out of here," Van Orden reportedly said. "You are defiling the space..."

On Thursday, two Senate pages told the Journal Sentinel that they were not allowed to comment on the incident. Another page simply responded, "No comment."

But the pages did acknowledge they were in their last week of work.

Thursday, they said, was their last day.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Van Orden curses at teen Senate pages during Capitol tour
Taylor Schabusiness, is pictured as Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh reads the jury's verdict on July 26, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. The jury found Schabusiness guilty for killing and dismembering her friend in February 2022.

GREEN BAY, Wis.  A Wisconsin jury on Wednesday convicted Taylor Schabusiness, 25, of homicide, third-degree sexual abuse and mutilating a corpse in the February 2022 killing of former boyfriend Shad Thyrion, 24.

Jurors began deliberating about 4:50 p.m. and returned to the courtroom about 5:40 p.m.

Bailiffs escorted Schabusiness from the courtroom in handcuffs.

Schabusiness was arrested in February 2022 after police were called to a house in Green Bay, where Thyrion's mother discovered her son's head in a bucket in the basement. Schabusiness was charged in the death and dismemberment of Thyrion.

Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh instructed jurors to be back in the courtroom by 9:15 a.m. Thursday for the next phase of the trial  to see whether Schabusiness was not guilty by mental disease or defect.

Her former attorney, Quinn Jolly, entered that plea on her behalf in September. Jolly represented Schabusiness until February, when she attacked him during a hearing.

More on this case: Video shows woman attack attorney during hearing for Wisconsin dismemberment case

Closing arguments

In their closing arguments Wednesday, prosecutors Caleb Saunders and David Lasee said the case was simple for jurors.

"This is bizarre. This is strange. This is unnatural, but in no way is it unclear," said Lasee, Brown County district attorney. Schabusiness "did cause Shad Thyrion's death."

Saunders, an assistant district attorney, said, "There's one truth in this case: What the defendant did to Shad Thyrion."

But defense attorney Christopher Froelich said the pieces of evidence didn't fit together so neatly.

"This case is a puzzling, unclear collection of facts," Froelich said, adding, "Was this an accidental death? Was there intent to kill Shad Thryion? It's foggy, it's cloudy, it's hard to figure out."

Judge Thomas Walsh speaks during the homicide trial of Taylor Schabusiness, who is charged with killing and dismembering her friend, in Brown County Circuit Court on July 25, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis.

A jury of nine women and seven men was selected. Four of the jurors were designated as alternates when the jury began deliberations.

Story continues

Timeline of events in Schabusiness case

Murder: Former pastor charged in 1975 murder of Gretchen Harrington, 8, who was walking to church

Email Doug Schneider at DSchneid@Gannett.com, call him at (630) 373-0799 and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Taylor Schabusiness guilty of mutilating a corpse in boyfriend's death
Eliza Anderson, Deseret News

Congressional lawmakers explored the possibility of the existence of advanced, gravity-defying, disc-shaped aircrafts that appear to not be human-made, as well as the government secrecy that surrounds them, at a congressional hearing Wednesday.

A U.S. House committee peeled back the curtain on the possible existence of unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs, with one witness going so far as to say that the government could have the remains of nonhuman bodies from a UAP crash.

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held the hearing to discuss the implications on national security, public safety and government transparency of the existence of extraterrestrials.

Since the last hearing on this subject took place a little over a year ago, a preliminary assessment report on UAPs, more commonly known as unidentified flying objects (UFOs), from June 2021, found that numerous sightings reported by military personnel and others cant be explained and allegedly feature unconventional technology.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said these sightings have rarely been explained by those providing firsthand witness accounts.

This is largely due to the lack of transparency by our own governments, and the failure of our elected leaders to make good on their promises to release explanations and footage and mountains of over-classified documents that continue to be hidden from the American people, she said.

The latest Ipsos poll found that 1 in 10 people say they have seen a UFO, while more than 2 in 5 believe in UFOs.

And from my personal experience, I believe the same thing, said Luna.

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the ranking member of the National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs subcommittee, said in his opening remarks that he understood the hesitancy from the Department of Defense to share information that could put the countrys national security at risk.

At the same time, many people believe that were withholding information from them and that is dangerous, he said. I believe in openness and transparency. That is also the role of Congress.

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Garcia, looking out at a congressional hearing room packed to the brim with general public attendees, said there was enormous interest in the hearing.

So I think its fair to say theres some interest from the general public in this UAP/ UFO House Oversight hearing this morning.



I cant remember ever seeing a line this long to get a seat into a congressional hearing pic.twitter.com/Intlk2IEX0  Joe Khalil (@JoeKhalilTV) July 26, 2023

The hearing briefly touched on the confusion stemming from the appearance of a Chinese spy balloon in American airspace earlier this year.

After news of the balloon reached the mainstream media, we were assured that the balloon posed no threat to our security, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. said, narrating how the fighter jets scrambled to shoot the object down. This flip-flopping and obfuscation caused needless confusion, fear and panic across the country.

Government personnel talks about government disinformation on UFOs

Brian Lindley, the Utah state director at the Mutual UFO Network, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that researches UFO sightings, told the Deseret News prior to the hearing that viewers should expect whistleblowers at the highest level of government and military coming forward to testify about direct knowledge of reverse engineering programs as well unknown material and craft well beyond human technology.

It is believed that that nonhuman craft and technologies have been buried in special access programs for decades that even our highest officials are unaware of and have been denied access to in years past, Lindley, a certified field investigator, said.

In fact, lawmakers like Luna and Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said last week they were stonewalled by the Pentagon when trying to access information on UFOs.

Weve had a heck of a lot of pushback about this hearing. There are a lot of people who dont want this to come to light, Burchett said.

Ever since the first well-known reported sighting of an alleged flying saucer in the U.S. in June 1947, when Kenneth Arnold, a businessman, claimed to see a group of nine high-speed objects while flying his small plane near Mount Rainier in Washington, ordinary citizens and former military personnel have come forward with tales of humanoid beings, alien technologies and government cover-ups.

But while some believed the sightings were technologies that belonged to foreign adversaries, others believed they were related to UFOs. This led to the U.S. Air Forces Project Blue Book, which compiled 12,000 sightings  including 6% that could not be explained  until its shutdown in 1969.

Even after a series of inconclusive reports, government investigations into UFOs continued, but more or less in secret.

At the hearing Wednesday, the committee invited expert witnesses, including David Grusch, a former national reconnaissance officer with the Defense Departments Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force.

James Clarkson, a longtime ufologist, someone who studies unidentified spacecrafts, told the Deseret News that Grusch gave testimony to an inspector general of the intelligence community on June 5 before he was called in to testify before the congressional committee.

Although he is not a direct witness to recovered alien technology, Clarkson, a former police officer and author of several books about UFO sightings, said that Gruschs initial whistleblower testimony made way for the House hearing.

Luna asked Grusch if there were any instances when he feared for his life since he spoke out on his knowledge of UFOs.

Grusch replied, Yes. But he refused to answer many questions about classified subjects in the open hearing  like whether or not he has seen alien bodies.

As Ive stated publicly already ... biologics came with some of these (UFO crash) recoveries, said Grusch.

Im guessing nonhuman biologics. That was the assessment of people with direct knowledge of the program I talked to, he said, adding that he is open to sharing video evidence and other information behind closed doors.

He cited an open whistleblower reprisal investigation against him as a reason behind his caution during the hearing.

When asked if the government disseminates disinformation to create doubt about UFOs, Grusch said there was a multidecade campaign to disenfranchise public interest.

Former US intelligence official David Grusch says under oath that the US government is in possession of UFOs and non-human bodies pic.twitter.com/tYJA1rNr6Z  Latest in space (@latestinspace) July 26, 2023

UFO documents come closer to being declassified

The other witnesses  Ryan Graves, a former Navy pilot and the executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, and David Fravor, a former commanding officer for the U.S. Navy  also said there were active disinformation campaigns.

Fravor said he observed a Tic Tac UAP in 2004 and Graves detailed the time he spotted a mysterious dark gray cube inside of a clear sphere  motionless against the wind in 2014.

Unfortunately, although the two fighter pilots are excellent witnesses, I believe we are all going to be left longing for more detailed revelations about covert UAP Crash Retrievals, said Clarkson.

For people who have closely followed the UAP subject, the hearing on July 26 will be a matter of putting on the record information we already knew, he said, adding, But it is progress.

Clarkson is right, there have been many efforts in Congress to declassify information related to UFOs. For example, the Senates Intelligence Authorization Act for 2024 includes a provision for creating funding and reporting requirements for UAPs.

Meanwhile, the Senate introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, that will declassify government records related to UAPs  modeled after the legislation used to declassify documents related to President John F. Kennedys assassination.

There is a lot we still dont know about these UAPs and that is a big problem, said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee and a supporter of the amendment.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked Tuesday if the president or the Pentagon have expressed concerns about declassifying these records. She said the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, under the purview of the Department of Defense, has focused on the potential discovery of UFOs in the last year.

My understanding is that they have not discovered any verifiable information to sustain claims on extraterrestrials, but I would refer you to the Department of Defense for any more information on that, Jean-Pierre said.

Whether or not that is accurate, Clarkson had noticed some strange wording in the text of the Senates amendment. He took his findings to Facebook, where he said he was surprised to see the term nonhuman intelligence in the proposed legislation. Perhaps the Snowball has begun rolling down the mountain! he said.
A former intelligence official claimed the U.S. government has been covering up a longstanding defense program that collects and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and has found "nonhuman biologics" at alleged UFO crash sites.

The highly anticipated testimony from David Grusch, a former member of a U.S. Air Force panel on unidentified anomalous phenomenaalso known as unidentified aerial phenomena(UAP), was part of an effort by Congress to pressure intelligence agencies for more transparency into the existence of UFOs, a subject of heightened scrutiny following an increase in reported sightings by military personnel and pilots in recent years. Although extraterrestrial life has long been shrouded in stigma, confusion, and secrecy, lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum have been rallying around the push for more research on the topic as a national security matter.

UAPs, whatever they may be, may pose a serious threat to our military and our civilian aircraft, and that must be understood, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California said. We should encourage more reporting, not less on UAPs. The more we understand, the safer we will be.

Testifying under oath at a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Grusch told lawmakers he believes the U.S. government is in possession of UAPs based on his interviews with 40 witnesses over four years, claiming that he was informed of "a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program" during the course of his work examining classified programs. He said he was denied access to those programs when he requested it, and accused the military of misappropriating funds to shield these operations from congressional oversight.

The Pentagon denies Gruschs claims about a UAP crash-retrieval and reverse-engineering program. "To date, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) 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," Sue Gough, a Pentagon spokesperson, tells TIME in a statement. "The Department is fully committed to openness and accountability to the American people, which it must balance with its obligation to protect sensitive information, sources, and methods," the statement continued in part. "DoD is also committed to timely and thorough reporting to Congress."

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During his testimony, Grusch added that he knows of multiple colleagues who were physically injured by UAP activity and by people within the U.S. government, but declined to share more details. He also said that nonhuman biologics were found at alleged UAP crash sites when asked about the pilots of the craft.

Read More: Not Everything is a Spy Balloon or UFO. Here's What Else Is Flying in Our Skies

No government officials testified at Wednesdays hearing, though Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the Pentagons office focusing on UAPs, told a Senate subcommittee in April that the U.S. government was tracking 650 potential cases of unidentified aerial phenomena, playing video from two of the episodes. During that public testimony, Kirkpatrick emphasized there was no evidence of extraterrestrial life and that his office found no credible evidence of objects that defy the known laws of physics.

The House Oversight subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs heard additional witness testimony Wednesday from former U.S. Navy fighter pilots Ryan Graves and retired Commander David Fravor, who both claimed they had encountered aircraft of a nonhuman origin. These sightings are not rare or isolated, said Graves, who served in the Navy for over a decade. Military aircrews and commercial pilots, trained observers whose lives depend on accurate identification, are frequently witnessing these phenomena.

Graves told lawmakers that his aircrew encountered UAP during a training exercise off the coast of Virginia Beach, Va, when their lead jet came within 50 feet of what he described as a dark gray or black cube inside of a clear sphere. He estimated it to be five to 15 feet in diameter, motionless against the wind, fixed directly at the entry point. The mission was immediately terminated, and his squadron submitted a safety report that he claims received no official acknowledgement of the incident.

While the hearing marked a significant moment in shining light on unexplained objects in the sky, it was short on providing answers. National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby admitted last week that UFOs have been causing problems for the U.S. Air Force, particularly for pilot training exercises. When pilots are out trying to do training in the air and they see these things, theyre not sure what they are and it can have an impact on their ability to perfect their skills. So it already had an impact here, Kirby said at a White House press briefing. We want to get to the bottom of it. We want to understand it better.

Theres growing, bipartisan interest on Capitol Hill for reform. Provisions in the Senates version of this years National Defense Authorization Act would require federal agencies to hand over records related to UAP to a panel with the power to declassify them.

If UAP are foreign drones, it is an urgent national security problem, Graves said. If it is something else, it is an issue for science. In either case, unidentified objects are a concern for flight safety.

The federal government has recorded 510 UFO sightings since 2004, according to an unclassified report Office of the Director of National Intelligence released in January.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
A 49-year-old woman was injured in a drive-by shooting on Lake Avenue Wednesday night, according to Rochester police.

Officers were flagged down by a motorist who witnessed the shooting on Lake Avenue at Maplewood Drive around 10:45 p.m., said Capt. Adam Radens of the Rochester Police Department. The woman, who was shot at least once in the upper body, arrived at Rochester General Hospital moments after the shooting occurred.

Radens said the woman's injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Police are investigating the shooting and said the injured woman was driving a vehicle on Lake Avenue when another car pulled up beside her at the intersection and opened fire. A passenger in the vehicle, an 18-year-old man, was not injured.

While the woman's vehicle appeared to be the intended target, Radens said it was not clear whether the shooter was specifically aiming for the woman.

No charges have been filed in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Woman, 49, injured in drive-by shooting on Lake Avenue
Lorie Smith

Theres more controversy surrounding Colorado web designer Lorie Smith, whose objection to making a hypothetical website for a same-sex couple won over conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices in June. They ruled in favor of her last month in 303 Creative LLC vs. Elenis, opening the door to discrimination against LGBTQ+ people nationwide.

While her case has been criticized for being based on a situation that had not presented itself and for featuring claims on behalf of people who later denied involvement, the high court seems to have cared little about such details when it rendered its decision.

Now comes news that Smith, who claimed that Colorados legal landscape made it impossible for her to operate a wedding website design business, had created at least one wedding website in the past. She deleted all references to it from her companys website before starting her legal campaign against serving the LGBTQ+ community, The New Republic reports.

It was reported previously by the magazine that the site creation request at the center of 303 Creative was fake based on its reporting.

Smith, represented by the right-wing Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that Colorados antidiscrimination law curbed her free speech regarding her opposition to same-sex marriage.

Smiths attorneys claimed she was prevented from designing any wedding websites due to state laws, telling the justices, For six years, she has been unable to speak in the marketplace.

Ultimately, the courts conservative wing ruled in favor of Smith, delighting right-wingers and certain religious groups while horrifying LGBTQ+ advocates.

According to a report from The New Republic on Tuesday, a researcher obtained an image of a wedding website designed by Smith around 2015 using the Wayback Machine service from the Internet Archive.

In a bizarre string of 17 back-to-back posts, ADF claimed there was nothing to see there and that Smith was being made to look back by the progressive magazine.

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@NewRepublic is at work manufacturing its FIFTH desperate attack on graphic artist Lorie Smith. Why? To impugn Lorie and delegitimize the landmark #SCOTUS ruling in #303Creative that protects every Americans free speech rights. Lorie has nothing to hide, so heres the truth, the group protested before attacking the publication and claiming that she created the websites for her sister as a gift and that because she didnt charge for it, the site was irrelevant.

While @NewRepublics targeted campaign against Lorie shows no signs of letting up, @ADFLegal and Lorie wont be deterred. @ADFLegal will continue our important work of defending everyones freedom of speech, including those we disagree with, the group deflected on Twitter.
The Marion police chief said late Thursday afternoon they located a woman after her sister with disabilities was found dead.

On Tuesday, police said they responded to East Court Street for a welfare check after no one could be reached at the home.

Family members told police that a woman lived in the home and needed around-the-clock care. When officers got inside through a window, they found her body in a bedroom. The Marion police chief said it had been there for some period of time.

That person, later identified as 27-year-old Kristin Rutherford, was pronounced dead.

According to family members, Rutherford needed extensive in-home care to ensure her well-being and safety.

ALSO READ: Disabled woman found alive after 9 days alone in towed car

An investigation revealed that Rutherfords older sister, 34-year-old Casie Lynne McCartha, was the person responsible for her well-being and safety and also lived at the home.

McCartha wasnt inside the home when Rutherford was discovered, according to police.

A search for McCartha was underway after police secured a felony warrant for concealing the death of a person.

Police tracked McCartha down at the Best Western on Tunnel Road in Asheville, police said. She was placed into custody at the McDowell County Jail under a $10,000 bond.

McCartha had her three-year-old daughter with her, who was not harmed, police said.

Were scratching our heads right now, said Chief Allen Lawrence, Marion Police Department. Theres a lot of family members who want answers.

Robert Rise is a contractor and has been renovating the home next door.

He said people have gone in and out of the home over the last few weeks, but he doesnt recall seeing Rutherford who often used a wheelchair.

Its a little disturbing to me because Ive been next door working for a month or two on the other house, Rise said. Its a shared driveway. You dont really pay attention to things until after the fact.

Gwen McCarson works across the street and said she often saw the sisters on the front porch until recently.

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Theyre going to catch her no matter what and if she had anything to do with it, she should be punished for it, McCarson said.

VIDEO: Disabled woman found alive after being alone in a towed car 9 day




MANILA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' foreign investments yielded net inflows of 1 million U.S. dollars in June after four consecutive months of net outflows, the Philippine central bank said on Thursday.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the Southeast Asian country recorded 889 million dollars in gross inflows for the month, narrowly surpassing the gross outflows of 888 million dollars.

The net inflows of 1 million dollars in June is "an improvement" from the net outflows of 342 million dollars recorded for the same period a year ago, the BSP added.

The BSP said 78.7 percent of the registered investments in June were mainly in property, banks, holding firms, food, beverage and tobacco, and telecommunications.

The top five investor countries were Britain, the United States, Luxembourg, Singapore and Switzerland, with a combined share of 84.2 percent. 
Vanessa Baker is out there, somewhere, and her husband wont be at peace until he finds her.

He knows shes dead. He saw her washed away by the muddy onslaught of water that hit their home in Breathitt County July 28, 2022, despite her cousins desperate effort to hang on to her.

But of the 45 people the state says died as a result of catastrophic flooding that hit Eastern Kentucky in July 2022, Baker is the only one who hasnt been found.

I know she is dead in my mind but in my heart she aint. She never will be, said her husband, Farmer Edward Baker. In your heart you dont want to accept it. Theres still that little dredge of hope.

Ed and Vanessa Baker had been married nearly 40 years at the time of the flood. They had raised two sons, Michael and Brandon, and had two grandchildren.

Vanessa Baker, of Breathitt County, disappeared during flooding in Eastern Kentucky in July 2022 and was later declared dead. Her body has not been found, as of July 2023.

He worked maintaining equipment at surface coal mines earlier in their marriage and then drove a school bus, but has been disabled since being seriously hurt in a car wreck in 1997.

He uses a wheelchair but can walk with the help of a cane.

His wife, who was 60, spent a good deal of time caring for him, Baker said.

She was everything to me, he said.

His wife was a religious woman who never had an unkind word for anyone, said Baker, a soft-spoken man of 62.

Vanessa Baker had worked for 27 years at the Marie Roberts-Caney Elementary school, a rural school with about 220 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 6.

She was the secretary, attendance clerk and finance officer, said principal Jason Fugate.

Fugate said Baker was kindhearted and patient. He wondered sometimes why she never got aggravated over anything.

She was the type of person that would do anything for anybody, Fugate said.

Baker said floodwater had never gotten into the doublewide mobile home overlooking River Caney where he and his wife had lived since November 1982, but she was scared of high water, so he was keeping an eye on the creek as it rose late on July 27.

Baker and others said the creek seemed to surge not long after midnight.

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It come all at once, he said.

More than 100 residents of the River Caney community have sued two coal companies, Blackhawk Mining and Pine Branch Coal, alleging silt ponds at a surface mine in the hills above the community failed because the companies had not properly maintained them, sending excessive water down the valley.

A silt pond is designed to hold water draining from a surface mine so that sediment can settle out of it and not wash into creeks. It can lose capacity to hold water if not cleaned out periodically.

Farmer Edward Baker is photographed in the house where he now lives in Breathitt County, Ky., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Bakers wife, Vanessa Baker, has been missing since she was swept away by flood waters at their home on Lower River Caney last summer. In January, she was declared dead, bringing the total number of deaths resulting from the flooding to 45.

D. Scott Simonton, an engineer who studied the flooding for those suing the companies, said reclamation at the mine in hills above Caney Creek, also called River Caney, was wholly inadequate, with large areas having little or no vegetation to slow runoff.

It also appeared that one key silt pond hadnt been cleaned out, leaving it with reduced capacity to hold water, Simonton said.

The failure to properly reclaim the mine resulted in an increase in peak stormwater runoff, which significantly increased the destructive force of the flood water, Simonton said in his report.

In response to the claims in the lawsuit, the coal companies have argued they did nothing to cause or contribute to the flooding and are not responsible for the damage it caused.

No acts or omissions by the companies exacerbated or worsened any claimed damages by residents, the companies said.

Members of the Lexington Fire Department look through the wreckage of a home while operating as search and rescue units along KY-476 along Troublesome Creek in Breathitt County, Ky., Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Baker said when the water surrounded his home, he heard his son Michael, who lived next door, yelling for them to get out. His son was standing outside in the water but couldnt get to them, Baker said.

I looked at her and said, Old woman, its time to go, Baker said.

Baker was in a wheelchair as he followed his wife down the ramp off their front porch.

It was dark, but the porch light was on and lightning was flashing, so he could see, Baker said.

Freddie Wayne Mullins, who is married to Bakers sister and is his wifes cousin, was waiting at the bottom of the ramp to help, fighting to keep his footing in water over his waist.

Their son tried to come help as well, but the current knocked him down several times, Baker said.

The last thing he heard his wife say was that she couldnt swim.

Mullins took Vanessa Baker by the hand, but the water swept both of them away and Mullins lost his grip on her. Then the porch broke loose from the house, throwing him in the detached garage, Baker said.

He was in water up to his neck and the garage was breaking apart.

I said, Lord, if youre gonna take me, take me, he said.

Farmer Edward Baker shows pictures of his wife, Vanessa Baker, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Bakers wife, Vanessa Baker, has been missing since she was swept away by flood waters at their home on Lower River Caney last summer. In January, she was declared dead, bringing the total number of deaths resulting from the flooding to 45.

But after two or three hours, Baker was able to crawl to higher ground. He spent several days in the hospital with pneumonia.

Hes been tormented by his wifes disappearance.

He wonders what more he could have done that night and feels some guilt, questioning if waiting on him kept her from making it.

It just bears on me that it was my fault, he said.

He gets emotional talking about her, and his mind replays the scene of her being carried away over and over.

I get up every morning and pray and before I lay down at night, Baker said. Its just heartbreaking that I cant find her or any part of her.

Baker has created a memorial to his wife at their old home site, but feels bad he hasnt been able to make good on his promise to bury her by her mother, which is what she wanted.

A wind chime hangs at the memorial for Vanessa Baker near the site of where she was swept away from her home on Lower River Caney by flood waters last summer.

Baker paid more than $40,000 for a John Deere excavator to look for his wife. Its a machine with hard rubber treads and an arm on the front with a bucket to scoop up dirt and debris.

He has used it to dig along the river, taking his sons with him to check what he digs up.

Mud and debris left by the flood complicates the search.

We could be walking right over top of her and never know it, Baker said.

Volunteers have continued searching some weekends for Vanessa Bakers body as well, combing the riverbanks on foot and using drones and dogs.

Wed like to bring that family some closure, said Breathitt County Coroner Hargis Epperson.

Some of the 160 ground searchers comb through areas in Breathitt County in search of 60-year-old Vanessa Baker on January 7, 2023.

Members of Wolfe County Search and Rescue searched on a recent weekend, Epperson said.

They found bones at three locations, but two sets were not human and the third set likely is not human as well, Epperson said.

Epperson has had previous bones found by searchers analyzed a number of times, but all turned out to be animals.

The river rose for several hours after Vanessa Baker disappeared, meaning her body could have been carried many miles downstream, the coroner said.

River Caney runs into the North Fork of the Kentucky River about half a mile past where the Bakers lived.

Baker said hell look for his wife as long as he is able.

Ive searched and searched and searched, Baker said. I wont give up until shes found or I die.
Democratic Rep. Mark Takano has led legislation to make a four-day work week law. Getty

New data from a four-day workweek pilot looks at how workers fared under the test for a year.

Workers were happier and more efficient, and their firms ended up bringing in more in revenue.

Rep. Mark Takano wants to make the shorter week law, and says it's here to stay.

The results are in: A four-day workweek pays off for workers and their workplaces, and one lawmaker says that means it's time for 32 hours on the clock to become law.

On Wednesday, 4 Day Week Global  a New Zealand-based nonprofit  released findings from its latest installment of its pilot program testing out a four-day work week in participating companies across a range of countries including the US, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It found that after a year testing out the shortened week, it remained a resounding success.

Workers were more efficient, even as work intensity dipped. They worked less, and were able to better maintain their work-life balance. Revenue at firms participating grew by 15%, and a third of employees said they were less likely to leave their jobs.

It's the latest such study to demonstrate the tangible benefits of shortening the week, an idea that's increasingly become reality as workers started to recalibrate their lives and relationship to work in the wake of the pandemic.

Democratic Rep. Mark Takano, who has led legislation to make a four-day work week law, commended the report's latest findings.

"4 Day Week Global's latest study make the urgent need for my Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act overwhelmingly clear," Takano said in a statement. "The four-day workweek can be implemented with positive impacts on workers and businesses, and this extensive study bolsters the employee feedback from shorter trial studies. The four-day workweek is here to stay."

Under Takano's legislation, the Fair Labor Standards Act would be adjusted to make the workweek 32 hours; workers would then become eligible for higher overtime pay if they worked over 32 hours.

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"There's a great sort of opening for people to see it as part of a new normal, a new normal that they'd like to build," Takano told Insider in 2022.

Takano is not the only lawmaker pushing for Americans to work fewer hours in each week. In February, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote on Twitter that "with exploding technology and increased worker productivity, it's time to move toward a four-day work week with no loss of pay. Workers must benefit from technology, not just corporate CEOs."

He was referring to the pilot program's December findings six months in, after which revenue among participating companies rose 8.14%, and 67% of employees reported feeling less burned-out, with the extra day allowing them to exercise and sleep more.

Given the pilot program's success, some US companies have started testing out the idea, as well. Last year, for example, a Chick-fil-A in Florida launched a three-day workweek and received 400 applications for just one job.

"A concern we frequently hear is there's no way the results from our six-month trials can be maintained, as the novelty eventually must wear off, but here we are a year later with benefits only continuing to grow," Dale Whelehan, CEO of 4 Day Week Global, said in a statement. "This is very promising for the sustainability of this model, and we look forward to tracking companies' experiences well into the future."

Read the original article on Business Insider
BALTIMORE -- A group of Carroll County, Maryland, teens enthusiastically donned augmented reality glasses designed to look like welders helmets hoping to outperform each other and their instructor by manipulating a simulated welding torch at a specified speed and angle.

Some of the students held their breath to steady their hand and improve their welding score.

The experience captures everything about welding except the smell and the heat, said Jeremy Ropp, the instructor and Carroll Community College coordinator of advanced manufacturing, innovation and information technology.

The welding exercise took place Tuesday and was part of the Summer Workforce Academy, which exposes students to careers in nursing, automotive repair, electrical wiring, business, pharmacology, dentistry and drone piloting from July 11 to 27. In its second year, the program also offers participants resume building, personality tests and lessons in interpersonal workplace skills and financial literacy.

The 14 youths enrolled in the workforce academy are among the 30 middle and high school students in the Boys and Girls Clubs yearlong Leadership Academy program. The workforce academy activities take place at Carroll Community College.

The workforce academy is geared toward high school students and helps the Boys and Girls Club realize its goal of transforming children into career-ready adults by exposing them to multiple fields that may develop into a passion, said club spokesperson Erin Bishop.

We want them to explore their interests in different careers, Bishop said. We want to enrich their knowledge about what it takes to be in that career  what that career looks like and what the skills they need for it. And we want to expose them to actual hands-on experiences.

The yearlong Leadership Academy is funded by a $25,000 grant from The Kahlert Foundation, a nonprofit established in 1991 by William Bill E. Kahlert. Kahlert, who died in 2011, was the co-founder of Evapco Inc., a worldwide manufacturer of evaporative cooling products, with corporate offices in Taneytown.

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Participants are members of the Boys and Girls Club, which costs $30 annually, but the Westminster chapter spends about $4,000 on each member during the year. The club functions as an extension of the school day for about 175 students daily, according to Bishop, in addition to providing opportunities for summer enrichment.

Westminster High School rising junior Bree Vales, 16, said she discovered her career path as a phlebotomist, a technician who collects blood from patients, from a discussion at the dental assistant workshop this summer. She said based on her personality type and her desire to help those who are ill, she decided that pursuing a degree in phlebotomy from Carroll Community College would be the best first step to realizing her dream of becoming an emergency medical technician.

Drawing blood is a significant part of a phlebotomists job, and Vales is afraid of needles. However, she said the workforce academy helped her to realize that a fear of needles can be a strength for a phlebotomist, because it will make her more empathetic to patients.

Westminster High 2023 graduate Jailen Lemon, 18, will pursue a degree in nursing at Carroll Community College after having completed the Leadership Academy. Lemon became interested in medicine when her mother told her the story of how she was a miracle baby, born 27 weeks early and weighing less than 2 pounds.

I always want to help people, Lemon said, and I always loved helping people and being there for them. Then I realized more about the medical field. I can deal with blood, I can deal with people panicking, I can deal with people having seizures or any type of medical issues. So, when I realized I was a premature baby, I wanted to help those babies  because its a miracle that I survived, and I want to help those babies survive.

Lemon will begin community college classes this fall with a goal of becoming a registered nurse and working in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Of the six workforce academy students to graduate high school this year, five will attend Carroll Community College in the fall.

Angelique Jessup, 17, of Sykesville, will be a senior at Westminster High School next year, and is a continuing member of the Leadership Academy after having completed the inaugural summer workforce academy last year. She said the program expanded her horizons, and she was particularly interested in workshops highlighting entrepreneurship, medicine and welding.

Doing welding was really fun, Jessup said. There were so many things that I liked about it.

If Jessups dream of opening a restaurant-bakery does not pan out, she said, a career in welding would be a viable alternative.

The field of welding has one of the best ratios between investment in education and earnings once certified, Ropp said.

Carroll Community Colleges welding program is supported by a partnership with Carroll County Public Schools that allows community college students to learn welding using equipment at the CCPS Career & Technology Center during evening classes. Students engage in augmented reality instruction using community college equipment before they are ready to weld for real.

Ropp said those who complete the six-month, 120-hour welding program and earn a journeymans license from the American Welding Society, can expect to earn around $53,000 per year.

Not every young leader in the program took naturally to welding, but Bishop said there is value in a student learning what career paths are not a good fit.

I feel like it gives kids an experience where youre hands-on with something that youre passionate about, or something that youre not passionate about, Lemon said, and thats OK, as long as you know what youre going to do in the future.

Leadership Academy youth visit Carroll Community College on several occasions throughout the year, getting a better sense of the institution and the on-campus experience, Bishop said.

It was really important to me that were putting the kids on this campus, Bishop said, and were removing some of the barriers, some of the hurdles, that come along with going to college. They are now comfortable being here.

It is also important for youth to see themselves thriving in a community college setting, said Kathy Mayan, the colleges senior director of personal enrichment and continuing education.

The exciting part for us was when the kids came on campus wide-eyed, not sure what they wanted to do, Mayan said. We exposed them to all of the workforce stuff and then they wanted more.

About 16,000 square feet of renovated space in the former science wing of the old North Carroll High School building in Hampstead will house a second club location, which Bishop said will allow the summer leadership program to grow. She hopes more than 100 students will participate in the workforce academy in future years.

They definitely helped me become more of a leader than I ever thought I would become, Lemon said.

____
(Bloomberg) -- The sudden ouster of Xi Jinpings handpicked foreign minister is the latest example of how the Chinese presidents strengthened grip on power has failed to insulate him from setbacks on some of his biggest policy priorities.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Qin Gangs removal after just seven months on the job is widely seen by China watchers as a blow to Xi, who elevated the official over more experienced contenders. While theres no sign the Chinese leader faces any serious threat to his rule, the diplomatic turbulence adds to a long list of challenges facing China that can be traced, in part, back to Xis signature initiatives.

His ideological fight with the US has fueled a global campaign to block Chinas access to high-tech chips, while his declaration of a no limits friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn widespread criticism from key trading partners. Chinas economic growth has trailed estimates as the after-effects of Xis stringent Covid Zero strategy and policy swings linger.

The nations stock market is among the worst performers globally, despite a government messaging campaign to shore up sentiment.

This is all problematic and not an auspicious start for his third term, especially considering all the fanfare that accompanied his unprecedented appointment, said Bates Gill, executive director of the Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis.

The Qin situation is one indicator that maybe Xi is having some difficulties in managing lingering political tensions that appear to exist at the upper reaches of party and government leadership, he added.

Xis grip on power was first questioned just weeks into the third term that made him Chinas most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. During nationwide protests against Covid restrictions last December, some participants even called for Xis downfall.

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Almost overnight, China dumped key aspects of its zero-tolerance approach, which required mass tests, snap lockdowns and closed borders  a rare U-turn for the Communist Party, which had said controls were vital to prevent the mass deaths seen in the US.

After that decision, one of Chinas most populous provinces saw cremations surge by 72.7% year-on-year in the first quarter, local media reported this month, in data that was later deleted.

The Covid policy used to be one of Xis examples to show his government is successful, but its quickly turned out to be a quite disastrous thing, Dongshu Liu, assistant professor specializing in Chinese politics at the City University of Hong Kong.

The scarring effects of Covid controls combined with years of abrupt policy swings mean the worlds second-largest economy is now facing a confidence crisis among consumers and the private sector, as both universes pull back on spending.

With Beijings official growth target of about 5% at risk, and amid concerns China is teetering on the verge of deflation, Xi has embarked on a massive messaging campaign to woo private investors bruised by years of his regulatory campaigns.

Beijing this month also signaled an end to a crackdown on the tech sector that wiped out billions in market value and derailed the worlds biggest initial public offering.

Another possible sign Xi is changing course is the appointment this week of Pan Gongsheng as governor of the Peoples Bank of China. Last October, Pan was removed from the Communist Partys Central Committee, raising expectations Xi was preparing to appoint a loyalist to replace the outgoing Yi Gang.

Pan is now the first Chinese central banker since the 1990s not to be a member of that elite committee on appointment. That suggests Xi is prioritizing expertise over loyalty as the economy continues to lose steam, said Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis.

In recent months, Xi has adopted a notably more cautious approach, Jeremy Chan, a China and Northeast Asia consultant with the Eurasia Group. Xis not being the silver-back gorilla that we expected him to be after his behavior last fall.

No Information

As Xi confronts economic risks, he also faces fresh geopolitical instability. A brief uprising against Moscow last month, for example, laid bare the gamble he took on a friendship with Putin.

Qin had tried to moderate that position, last year saying there was a bottom to Beijings backing of Moscow and that China would have tried to stop the war, if it had known in advance. One of Qins last public engagements before dropping from public view was with Russias deputy foreign minister.

Xi hasnt spoken publicly to Putin since that challenge to the Russians rule.

The Chinese leader has, however, restarted high-level dialogue with the US, hosting three senior Biden administration officials in the past six weeks. Last month, he told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken his trip had been very good, although bilateral ties remain frayed on everything from Taiwan to trade.

Qins disappearance only adds to Xis problems, with Beijings reluctance to explain his absence unlikely to reassure investors and governments about the reliability of China as a partner.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning evaded some 20 questions over Qin at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. Asked whether his ouster was over corruption or heath issues, she repeated: I have no information to offer.

Theresa Fallon, director of the Brussels-based Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies, said the foreign ministrys decision this week to scrub readouts mentioning Qin from its website recalled a Stalinist era.

At a time when Beijing wanted to reassure foreign investors that the PRC was open for business, she said, using an acronym for the Peoples Republic of China, these opaque political maneuvers and increased unpredictability add to the sentiment of growing risk.

--With assistance from Jing Li, Kari Lindberg, Tania Chen, Charlotte Yang and Martin Ritchie.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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The number of reports of cruelty against cats in Yorkshire rose by nearly 12% in the last year, according to the RSPCA.

The charity said that in 2022, there were 2,112 cases of cat cruelty reported across Yorkshire, compared to 1,886 in 2021 - a rise of 11.9%.

West Yorkshire saw the biggest rise, but South, East and North Yorkshire also saw increases.

The RSPCA described its latest cruelty statistics as "heartbreaking".

According to the charity, there were 1,032 reports of cat cruelty in West Yorkshire last year, up from 887 the previous year.

Meanwhile, there were 518 reports in South Yorkshire, 303 in North Yorkshire and 259 in East Yorkshire - all up on the statistics from 2021.

The figures have been published as part of the RSPCA's Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, which aims to raise funds to help front-line staff "save animals from cruelty and abuse".

The charity said reports of animal cruelty - defined as abandonment, neglect, intentional harm and animals left unattended - peaked in the summer months, with three reports made every single minute.

Nationally, incidents of intentional harm against cats rose by 25% between 2021-22, according to the RSPCA.

In once case in Huddersfield last year, a dead cat was found at the side of a canal, with concerns someone had tried to drown it, the RSPCA said.

Animal rescue officer Emmeline Myall said: "It is really concerning how the cat ended up there. The thought of somebody doing this to this poor cat is unimaginable."

Elsewhere, in Sheffield, a kitten with two broken legs was found wrapped in carpet and left dumped among household rubbish, while another two cats were found abandoned in a builder's bag in Leeds during a spell of hot weather.

Beth Clements, RSPCA chief inspector for West Yorkshire, said: "While we don't know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.

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"Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months. The cost of living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit."

Dr Sam Gaines, head of the RSPCA's companion animal department, added: "Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 11 million pet cats in UK homes, but our figures suggest sadly they are the second most abused pet - after dogs.

"It is heartbreaking to think that five cats every day are suffering at the hands of humans - it really is appalling."

"We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty - being beaten, burned, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned," Dr Gaines added.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk
Alicia Navarro disappeared from her Glendale, Arizona, home on September 15, 2019. Glendale Police Department

In 2019, 14-year-old Alicia Navarro left a note to her mom in Arizona saying she was running away.

An expert told the Arizona Republic last year the note suggested she didn't plan to be gone long.

Now 18, Navarro reappeared in Montana this week, and police are trying to find out what happened.

Just days before her 15th birthday, Alicia Navarro left a note in her Glendale, Arizona, bedroom: "I ran away. I will be back, I swear. I'm sorry."

That note  from September 15, 2019  marked the last time Navarro's mother, Jessica Nunez, would hear from her for several years.

"We didn't fight. There was no reason for her to leave. We even had plans for her birthday," Nunez told the Arizona Republic in 2020.

Nearly four years later, her mother finally has answers.

Navarro, now 18, recently reappeared in an undisclosed Montana town near the Canadian border and identified herself to local police, Jose Santiago, spokesman for the Glendale Police Department, said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Police have since helped reunite Navarro and Nunez.

Nunez has run a Facebook page called "Finding Alicia" since January 2020. On Wednesday, she posted a video telling her followers that Navarro was found safe.

"I do not know the details. I do confirm that she is my daughter, she is alive, and she is safe," Nunez said.

Navarro's note and the details surrounding her disappearance indicated she didn't plan on being gone for four years, Kathleen Winn, director of Project25, a nonprofit dedicated to solving cases of human trafficking, told the Arizona Republic last year.

"The note that she left suggested that she didn't plan on being gone very long, and the clothes that she left in her closet, some of her favorite things, also suggests to us that she herself didn't know she wouldn't be returning," Winn told the paper.

Police said they believe Navarro initially ran away voluntarily, but that the details surrounding her prolonged disappearance are still under investigation.

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"Every indication she's given us so far is that she willfully left her home out of her own free will and choice," Lt. Scott Waite said at the police press briefing. "The dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something we're looking into."

Trent Steele, president and national director of the Anti-Predator Project, also told the Arizona Republic last year that Navarro likely did not disappear on her own.

"Nobody just disappears," Steele said. "There's somebody in the Valley, there's somebody in Arizona that knows something, and we need that person to come forward."

The US Marshals Service and the FBI are assisting Glendale Police in the continued investigation, Waite said.

Read the original article on Insider
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has convened a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff in the city of Dnipro.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Quote: "We began our working day in Dnipro. The offsite meeting is within the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational and Strategic Group of Forces (OSGF). [The topics discussed included] status at the contact line, progress of the offensive and defensive actions. Reports from Commander-in-Chief [of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii] Zaluzhnyi, Commanders [Oleksandr] Tarnavskyi (Chief of the Tavria OSGF), and [Oleksandr] Syrskyi (Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander). Intelligence reports by [Kyrylo] Budanov (Chief of the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence).

Much attention [was paid] to the supply of ammunition to the troops. Reports by Deputy Defence Minister [Rostyslav] Zamlynskyi and Logistics Forces Chief Commander [Oleh] Huliak.

The efficiency of using the existing air defence systems and boosting the air shield with regard to future additions [reported by] Air Force Commander [Mykola] Oleshchuk".

Details: Zelenskyy further said a "comprehensive inspection" of military enlistment offices was coming to an end. He added that these offices in eleven oblasts are under his exceptional control.

Update: The President also said that he had congratulated Valerii Zalyzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (born on 8 July) and Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (born on 26 July) on their birthdays. Zelenskyy awarded General Zaluzhnyi with a customised firearm. Colonel General Syrskyi was presented with a painting that reflects the feat of Ukrainian soldiers and respect for them.

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During his working visit to Odesa Oblast on 27 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected the damage to the Transfiguration Cathedral caused by the recent massive Russian bombardment.

Source: Presidents Office

Details: Zelenskyy was told about the scale of the damage to the cathedral and its current state.

The president was informed that experts are currently working to determine the possibilities of rebuilding the structure.

Foreign partners have shown their readiness to join the rebuilding of the Transfiguration Cathedral.

For reference: This is the largest Orthodox Church in Odesa, founded in 1795 and consecrated in 1808. In 1936, it was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks. The cathedral was rebuilt in 1999-2011 on the site of its destroyed predecessor.

Background: On 23 July 2023, due to a criminal Russian missile attack on the civilian infrastructure and historical centre of Odesa, this cathedral suffered significant damage. The altar was completely destroyed, and the supporting structure of the building was damaged.

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Zelenskyy signed the law on the return of the pre-war taxation system

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law on amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine regarding the peculiarities of taxation during martial law, the presidents press service reported on July 27.

The corresponding information regarding the law has been posted on the website of Ukraines parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

Read also: OKKO Group pays over $88.3 million in taxes, fees in Q1 2023

The adopted law stipulates that from August 1, 2023, the 2% single tax rate will be abolished, and the previous, pre-war tax scheme, will be reintroduced.

The law will have the following effects for taxpayers:

 Payers of the 2% rate will have the right to submit an application to withdraw from the system, and indicate which taxation system they wish to be subject to instead. If they do not apply, or fail to state their preferred tax system, the 2% ratepayer will automatically be transferred to the system they were subject to previously;

Read also: More taxes to return to pre-war level soon, says PM Shmyhal

 Newly created economic entities, which chose the 2% rate when they were registered, will automatically be considered as payers in the 5% tax band;

 Automatic restoration of the rights and obligations of VAT payers for those VAT registered entities who had previously been suspended;

 Taxpayers who switched from the 2% rate band in 2023 to the general system will be able to switch again this year by submitting an application. At the same time, if the taxpayer submits an application before September 1, 2023, they will be counted as a ratepayer from August 1, 2023.

The law also partially cancels the current moratorium on inspections for excise goods (alcohol, tobacco, fuel), gambling businesses, and financial services.

The law also stated that, starting from October 1, violations in the use of registrars of settlement operations will once again be penalized. Exemption from financial responsibility for violations of these registrars (except during trade in excise goods) is possible only if they were committed in front-line territories (including territories of possible hostilities).

Story continues

Tax benefits for businesses had been introduced on April 1, 2022, with most commentators believing they would remain in place until the end of martial law.

Subsequently, after the signing of a memorandum with the IMF, it was assumed that they would be abolished from July 1, 2023.

Read also: Gambling companies have already quadrupled tax payments this year

However, the Verkhovna Rada did not have time to adopt the proposed bill.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal previously stated that the authorities do not plan to raise taxes until the end of the war, except to return them to the pre-war level.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
, Jul 27 ( straitstimes.com ) - Singapore investors are heading for Japanese real estate, lured by a weaker yen and the prospect of tourism-driven growth, in the second-largest metropolitan area, Osaka.

International property agent FM Investment said it has seen a fivefold increase in inquiries since Japan opened its borders in October, with Singapore making up about 70 per cent of 800 requests between April and June alone, followed by Hong Kong.

Second-quarter sales are double the volume of the whole of 2022.

The yen has fallen about 8 per cent against the Singapore and Hong Kong dollar in 2023, increasing the purchasing power of property investors seeking bargains outside two of the most-expensive markets in the Asia-Pacific region. ...continue reading
TEHRAN, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Iran's anti-narcotics police seized more than 1.1 tonnes of illegal drugs in several operations in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan over the past 48 hours, the official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday.

The police forces were able to identify and monitor members of two narcotics trafficking gangs attempting to transport illegal drugs from the province to other Iranian cities, the IRNA quoted Doostali Jalilian, the provincial police chief, as saying.

During these operations, six traffickers were arrested, and the rest abandoned their vehicles and fled to mountainous areas. The confiscated vehicles contained 775 kg of opium, 264 kg of methamphetamine, and 100 kg of heroin, Jalilian added. 
Omaha and Council Bluffs police were fully justified in the July 8 fatal shooting of homicide suspect Matthew Briggs, Pottawattamie County attorney Matt Wilber announced at a press conference Wednesday.

Briggs, 41, was wanted as a person of interest in the killing of Steven Greg Donsbach earlier that morning, and in a related domestic assault report from a separate location.

The days events began about 5:40 a.m. with a report of a domestic assault at a residence in southwest Omaha. As a result of that investigation, he said, police went to check on the well-being of a resident at 9927 Essex Dr. in Regency.

Donsbach, 52, was found shot dead inside the Regency home that he had owned for the past decade. There were signs of forced entry, and preliminary investigation suggests that Donsbach was the only person in the home at the time of the killing.

A car reportedly belonging to Briggs, a red 2005 Buick Century sedan, was seen on a security camera in Regency and was discovered Saturday afternoon at Mandan Park in southeast Omaha.

About 3:30 p.m., a blue Toyota Camry was carjacked just south of Mandan Park in Sarpy County.

Law enforcement responded to the incident and eventually chased the Camry across the Missouri River into Iowa. Council Bluffs police became involved in the chase, as did the Omaha police helicopter, and the chase ended when police utilized a PIT maneuver  in which the driver of the chase vehicle places the front quarter panel of their vehicle against the rear quarter panel of the suspects car, sending that car spinning. The Camry crashed near College Road and Valley View Drive on the east end of the city near Iowa Western Community College.

Two officers  Council Bluffs Lt. Chad Geer and Omaha Police Lt. Martin Stiles  shot at Briggs multiple times. Briggs was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was pronounced dead.
Iowa Western Community College will hold what may be its final Campus Conversation session from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 at Queen of Apostles Church, 3304 Fourth Ave. in Council Bluffs.

The event, Listen and Build Together, represents an effort by the college to reach out to the Spanish-speaking population in the community. Many of them attend worship services and/or activities at Queen of Apostles in the Corpus Christi Parish.

The college has held listening sessions at each of its five campuses, with the events facilitated by Tandem Works, a local strategic planning firm owned by Vivian Kvam and Machaela Clark. When the first one was held on April 13 at Iowa Westerns main campus in Council Bluffs, the college announced its intention to hold a session for Spanish-speaking people, but the date and time were set later.

Tandem Works also surveyed students electronically.
As you're driving, you notice that your car is noisier than usual, so like any normal person, you turn the radio up to drown it out. After a solid week goes by, you decide to investigate under the hood to ensure everything is functioning properly, only to find no issues.

Problem is, the issue isn't under the hood, but under the car itself. You've fallen prey to a catalytic converter thief.

That scenario played out repeatedly throughout Council Bluffs and the surrounding area from 2020 to 2022, with reported thefts becoming exponentially more frequent.

Catalytic converters resemble a compact muffler within a vehicle's exhaust system, transforming dangerous emissions into gases that are less harmful.

"In the 1990s there, the California Clean Air board made it illegal to drive without a catalytic converter," explained Zach Haver, owner of Mad Hatter Auto Repair. "That eventually passed into federal law and is punishable up to $25,000 fine, regardless of whether the catalytic converter was stolen."

Based on insurance claims, thefts of catalytic converters increased significantly nationwide from 2020 through 2022. Insurance claims for these thefts increased from 16,660 claims in 2020 to 64,701 in 2022.

The allure for thieves lies in the precious metals used in the car part, which includes platinum, palladium and rhodium. Although prices fluctuate, today Palladium is worth $1,307 an ounce, platinum is worth $940 an ounce and rhodium is going for an astonishing $5,300 per ounce, more than twice the value of gold.

The fluctuating price of rhodium has corresponded directly with the spike in catalytic converter theft; in April 2022 rhodium topped out at $19,402 per ounce.

"At the peak of the catalytic converter theft problem, insurance companies became stricter," Haver said. "Companies were getting to the point where they wouldn't cover them unless they had anti-theft devices installed."

In late May 2022, Iowa state government passed Senate File 2287, requiring the seller to provide an original receipt for a replacement catalytic converter purchased fewer than 30 days before selling it to a scrap dealer or a junking certificate for a vehicle issued fewer than 30 days before the sale of the catalytic converter.

According to the law, failure to comply with the requirement will result in fines. The first offense carries a penalty of $1,000, while the second offense will result in a higher fine of $5,000.

"Before the law went into effect we were averaging 50-plus converters sold per week. There was one week in July of 2021 where 237 were sold in one week," said Steve Andrews, detective with the Council Bluffs Police Department. "In the first week after the law went into effect, there were only five sold."

According to AutoZone, thieves may walk away with $50 to $200 after selling your converter. Victims, however, can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $2,500 to replace the car part. To install a deterrent device like a "cat clamp" to prevent future thefts, a victim can expect to pay an additional sum upward of $400  big bucks for a hunk of metal.

With few affordable options to deter the theft, legislation was critical and resulted in a sharp decline in the illegal activity.

"Catalytic converters are the one thing that makes a huge difference in reducing tail piping emissions," Haver said.

The law not only curbs theft but also contributes to long-term improvements in air quality.
Donald Trump faces new charges in the classified documents case that accuse him of asking a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida in an effort to obstruct the federal investigation into his possession of the records, according to an updated indictment unsealed Thursday.

The indictment includes new counts of obstruction and willful retention of national defense information, compounding Trump's legal jeopardy even as he braces for a possible additional indictment in Washington over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The additional counts underscore the extent of the yearlong investigation into Trump that first produced charges last month in the form of a 38-count indictment against Trump and his valet Walt Nauta.

Surveillance footage at the Mar-a-Lago complex has long been central to the investigation because, according to prosecutors, it showed Nauta moving boxes of documents in and out of a storage room  including such action one day before a visit by FBI and Justice Department officials.

A Trump spokesperson dismissed the new charges as nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden administration to harass President Trump and those around him and to influence the 2024 presidential race.

The updated allegations in the indictment center on surveillance footage at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.

Trump is alleged to have asked to have the footage deleted after FBI and Justice Department investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents that he took with him after leaving the White House a year earlier.

Law enforcement officials issued a subpoena for the footage after noticing surveillance cameras while they were there.

The indictment quotes a Mar-a-Lago property manager, Carlos De Oliveira, telling a colleague that the boss wanted a server hosting the footage to be deleted. It says De Oliveira went to the IT office last June, took an employee to a small room known as the audio closet and asked the person how many days the server retained footage.

When the employee said he didnt believe he was able to delete footage, De Oliveira insisted the boss wanted it done, asking, What are we going to do?"

De Oliveira was added to the indictment, charged with obstruction and false statements related to an interview he gave the FBI earlier this year.

The superseding indictment charges Trump with an additional count of willfully retaining national defense information, relating to a July 2021 interview at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club in which the former president discussed U.S. military plans to attack another country.

The interview was for a memoir being written by his onetime chief of staff, Mark Meadows, who in his subsequent book named the country as Iran.

According to the indictment, Trump returned that document, which was marked as top secret and not approved to show to foreign nationals, to the federal government on Jan. 17, 2022.

It marks a notable shift in the prosecutions approach to Trumps case, charging him for retaining a document it alleges the former president knew was highly sensitive after he left office  and not just for failing to return it to the government when asked.

Both Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty.

Read the new charges:

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Photos: Trump indictment shows documents stacked in bathroom, bedroom, ballroom
Police officers who shot and killed an Omaha homicide suspect after he led police on a high-speed chase through four counties were justified in their use of deadly force, according to a review from the Pottawattamie County Attorneys Office.

Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber held a joint press conference Wednesday with the Omaha Police Department and Council Bluffs Police Department to discuss his offices review of the police killing of Matthew Briggs, which occurred earlier this month in Council Bluffs. Briggs, 41, was suspected in a string of felony assaults and a homicide in Omaha before he reportedly stole a car at gunpoint and led police on a chase for 23 miles.

Briggs was shot and killed by officers after they brought his car to a stop using a PIT maneuver, a tactic in which an officer hits the back of a fleeing vehicle to cause it to spin out. According to Wilber, Briggs pointed a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun at officers prior to them opening fire.

The two officers who fired their weapons at Briggs are Lt. Chad Geer of the Council Bluffs Police Department and Lt. Martin Stiles of the Omaha Police Department. Briggs was shot a total of four times  twice in the hand, in the left leg and in the head  with the fatal headshot fired by Geer.

Its frustrating for officers who have split seconds to make decisions, to have their actions reviewed by someone like myself, who has the ability to watch videos 100 times  at full speed, in slow motion, frame-by-frame, Wilber said. That said, the taking of a life by law enforcement is a very serious matter, and it deserves a careful look to make sure the actions by the officers were legal and appropriate.

In this case, it wasnt a particularly close call.

The high-speed chase and subsequent shooting was preceded by a morning of violence and a citywide manhunt. Omaha police first responded to a southwest Omaha residence in the early-morning hours of July 8 to reports of a stabbing. Briggs had reportedly forced entry into the home of an ex-girlfriend, cut her and threatened her with a gun. He then went to the home of a different ex-girlfriend, who was not home, and repeatedly drove his car into her garage.

Shortly before 7 a.m., police received information that Briggs had shot and killed someone in the Regency neighborhood. At 9927 Essex Drive, police found Greg Donsbach, 52, shot to death inside his home.

At Wednesdays press conference, Wilber said he believes Donsbach had dated one of Briggs ex-girlfriends. Omaha police previously said a hit list with Donsbachs name on it was found in Briggs home.

Briggs was quickly identified as a suspect in the assaults and killing of Donsbach, and law enforcement began a citywide search for Briggs. His car was later found running and abandoned in a ravine near Mandan Park in South Omaha at about 1 p.m.

As officers were completing their search of Mandan Park around 3:30 p.m., an armed carjacking was reported about a mile south of the park in Sarpy County. Briggs had stolen a blue Toyota Camry, which was located shortly after by the Omaha Police Department helicopter, commonly known as Able-1.

Multiple agencies assisted in the pursuit, which began in Bellevue and ended in Council Bluffs. Pursuing officers kept a distance from the Camry as it wove in and out of traffic at speeds of over 100 mph, instead allowing Able-1 to track the vehicle. Traffic in the area was unusually heavy, Wilber said, because of two fatality crash investigations happening at the same time as the chase.

About 15 minutes into the pursuit, Briggs had returned to the Council Bluffs area and was being pursued by Stiles, Geer and a Council Bluffs patrol officer named Mark Archibald. As Briggs slowed down to turn right onto College Road from Valley View Drive at 3:49 p.m., Archibald performed the PIT maneuver, causing the Camry to spin out.

As soon as the Camry came to rest, Briggs immediately accelerated in an apparent attempt to flee again. Geer, who had just arrived at the scene alongside Stiles, rammed his vehicle into the passenger side of the Camry, pushing it up against a speed limit sign.

According to Wilber, Geer saw Briggs pointing a shotgun directly at his face as soon as he began to exit his cruiser. As Archibald yelled at Briggs to put his hands up, Stiles and Geer simultaneously opened fire on the Camry. Both lieutenants said in later interviews that they witnessed Briggs raise and aim a shotgun at them.

Geer fired the entire 17-round clip of his service weapon, a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun. Stiles fired six rounds from his Daniel Defense DDM4 .223 rifle, which is similar to an AR-15, Wilber said. Briggs was taken to the hospital, with CPR in progress, where he later died.

From the time that the PIT maneuver was initiated to the firing of the final shot, only 16 seconds elapsed. The pursuit lasted 23 miles and traveled through Douglas and Sarpy Counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie and Mills Counties in Iowa.

When Briggs vehicle was processed, officers found the 12-gauge shotgun, which had jammed because of a spent round being stuck in the chamber. A Taurus .380 handgun was also found on the passenger seat underneath the shotgun. In a bag on the floor of the passenger seat, officers found two loaded revolvers, two knives, brass knuckles and multiple types of ammunition.

A bag containing 23 grams of suspected methamphetamine was also found in the backpack. Wilber said toxicology reports for Briggs likely wont be available for another six to eight weeks, but the results shouldnt have an impact on his analysis of the incident.

Im curious about [the toxicology report], but its not really relevant for me in determining whether the officers force was reasonable, Wilber said.

Wilber said the most unusual part of the investigation was the fact that both officers who shot at Briggs were lieutenants  something he had never seen in 21 years of investigating police shootings. Command staff typically do not engage in pursuits.

That also meant that neither Stiles nor Geer captured any video of the incident from their points of view. Archibald captured both cruiser and bodycam video of the incident, and the entire pursuit was captured on aerial video by Able-1.

Stiles, with OPD, was in plain clothes and an unmarked car, so he was not equipped with a body or dashboard camera. The Council Bluffs Police Department does not require command staff to have body or dashboard cameras on their cruisers since they do not typically take patrol calls. Geer only responded to the pursuit because other officers were busy at the scenes of the two fatality crashes.

In addition to Wilbers report, the Iowa Attorney Generals Office will conduct a separate investigation. Wilber said he anticipates that report will be released within a week.
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With the release of the long-awaited report from state auditor Mike Foley on North Fork Area Transit, many of the questions Norfolkans have been asking for months were answered, and at least in that document, it seems that all signs with regard to any financial improprieties point to former 
Conservative MP James Duddridge has described Morocco as a longstanding partner and friend offering UK huge post-Brexit trade opportunities.

In an Op-Ed published Wednesday by the House, founded by a cross-party group of UK MPs, Mr. Duddridge said when it comes to post-Brexit trade opportunities, the UK government is right to prioritise building on the UKs unique 800-year-old relationship with Morocco.

No opportunity looms as large as with Morocco, he added, noting that trade has been a key component of the Morocco-UK relationship.

The two kingdoms have enjoyed formal trade relations since the first commercial treaty was signed in 1721 in Fez: three centuries later, when the UK left the European Union in 2021, the signing of a Morocco-UK Association Agreement saw bilateral trade double in just 12 months.

He also recalled the remarks of Nigel Huddleston, the Business and Trade Minister saying that the UK is absolutely committed to enhancing trade with Morocco and fostering cooperation with it in priority areas such as education, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

Morocco is well positioned not only by its proximity to the UK but as the Gateway to Africa to support and help catalyse UK-Africa trade, business, and commercial ties, offering both proximity and privileged access to the African market, said James Duddridge.

The North African Kingdom produces green agriculture, utilises sustainable farming and produces an array of fresh products, underlined the British MP.

Since the association agreement signed in 2021, total trade in goods and services between the two countries has increased by 50%. In 2022, the UK and Morocco did about 3.1 billion-worth of bilateral trade and the UK is using the association agreement with Morocco to boost that even further.

Fruits and vegetable are the number one good being imported to the UK from Morocco  25% of tomatoes consumed in the UK, 20% of soft foods and 60% of canned sardines are from Morocco  while demand for Moroccan strawberries also saw a five-fold increase from 2020 to 2021. Moroccos imports from the UK grew by 49% from 2021 to 2022.

The UK Government is also supporting British businesses to take advantage of the significant opportunities in Morocco, including through 4.5 billion of available finance through UK Export Finance who help UK companies to win export contracts by providing attractive financing terms to their buyers.

For MP Duddridge, Moroccos strategic position is key to potential triangular trade partnerships and the gateway to African markets, with TangerMed, the largest transhipment hub in Africa and the Mediterranean, being linked to 40 ports in Africa.

Enhancing trade partnership between Morocco and UK will generate huge mutual gains for the two Kingdoms, affirmed the British MP.
The Archives of Morocco and the Archives of Israel signed, on Wednesday in Rabat, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at preserving the Jewish-Moroccan memory and heritage.

The MoU, initialed by the director of Moroccos Archives, Jamaa Baida, and the head of Israels Archives, Ruth Avramovitz, who is visiting the Kingdom, will allow to enrich the documentary collections of the two institutions and promote the sharing of experiences in all fields relating to archives.

Baida stressed, in an address during the signing ceremony, that the formalization of the partnership between the two countries archives institutions is the outcome of a long consultation process, and comes under excellent auspices, in the wake of the recognition by Israel of the Moroccanness of the Sahara which is a major event highly appreciated by King Mohammed VI and by all the living forces of the Moroccan Nation.

Cooperation between Morocco and Israel will make it possible to fill certain gaps noted in the archives relating to Moroccan Judaism which are today scattered throughout the world, said Baida, adding that Moroccos Archives institution has deployed a lot of effort for the reappropriation of this part of the History of Morocco which was scratched, at a given moment in history, under the effect of geopolitical tensions or, sometimes, by simple negligence.

He underlined that the documentary fund relating to the Jewish-Moroccan heritage comes from three main sources, namely the diplomatic Archives Center of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Paris-based Shoah Memorial, and the Universal Israelite Alliance which contains millions of archives, mostly in digital format, in addition to private collections donated to the institution by Jewish personalities or their heirs.

These documentary resources, which shed light on various aspects of the daily life of Jewish Moroccans in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the cordial ties they maintained with their Muslim compatriots, are a means of reconciling Moroccans with their history and their plural identity, whose Hebrew tributary has been enshrined in the Constitution, he stressed.

Avramovitz who said she is delighted with the warm and unforgettable welcome she received for her very first visit to Morocco, stressed that the memorandum of understanding signed with the Moroccan Archives constitutes the first milestone of a solid cooperation for the preservation of the common memory and the dissemination of knowledge with the aim of building a better world.

In a statement to MAP, the Israeli official expressed her desire to know a little more about Morocco, its history, its culture and its population, stressing that under this cooperation agreement, the Israeli archives institution, which has hundreds of millions of documentary resources, puts its collections and its know-how at the service of rapprochement and mutual knowledge between the Moroccan and Israeli peoples.

New technologies occupy a prominent place in this partnership, she said, adding that Israel intends to share with Morocco its experience in the use of artificial intelligence to optimize the management of archives.

The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding was marked by the screening of a documentary film retracing the career of the eminent historian Haim Zafrani, a specialist in Moroccan Judaism.

As part of her trip to Morocco at the head of a delegation from Israels archives, Avramovitz will visit the Museum of Finery in the Oudayas and the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat.
Indian multinational information technology services and consulting company HCLTech launched a Global Delivery Center (GDC) in Rabat, Morocco, as part of the companys nearshore strategy to serve global enterprises, announced HCLTech this week.

The company said that the launch follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between HCLTech and the government of Morocco in 2022 to invest in the countrys technology sector. The GDC will deliver transformation projects to clients across HCLTechs portfolio themes of digital, engineering, cloud, AI, and software, the company said, adding that this launch further strengthens HCLTechs global network of nearshore locations, which employ more than 23,000 individuals.

HCLTech affirmed that Morocco is an ideal nearshore location due to its skilled talent pool and prime geographic location. HCLTech endeavors to create partnerships with local universities and institutions to hone young talent in STEM and to facilitate entry level employment opportunities within the rapidly growing technology sector, it added.

The establishment of this center signifies our commitment to fostering innovation, promoting digital empowerment, and creating a thriving ecosystem for the tech industry in Morocco. Together with HCLTech, we will work to unlock new horizons of growth, harnessing the power of digital transformation to drive progress, prosperity, and inclusivity, said minister in charge of digital transition and administration reform, Ghita Mezzour.

Chief delivery officer of HCLTech, Apparao Vv, pointed out that the company is looking forward to investing and scaling its presence in Morocco and to enhancing its technological expertise.

The new project will create more than 1,000 highly qualified jobs and strengthen the sector of outsourcing in Morocco, particularly in the field of software coding and IT services.

President of HCL Tech Roshni Nadar who visited Morocco on the occasion of the launch of the new Delivery Center, specializing in technical support and software engineering to serve its global customers, held talks with head of the Moroccan Government Aziz Akhannouch and several cabinet members.

Noida-based HCLTech is among the 20 largest publicly traded companies in India and is one of the top Big Tech Indian firms.
China ready to enhance mutual strategic trust, deepen cooperation with Turkiye, says Wang Yi

Xinhua) 09:28, July 27, 2023

Wang Yi (L), director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Turkiye, July 26, 2023. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with the Turkish government to enhance mutual strategic trust and deepen cooperation in various fields, so as to inject fresh impetus into the development of bilateral relations, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said here on Wednesday.

Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

As representatives of emerging markets and major developing countries, China and Turkiye share broad common interests and huge cooperation potential, said Wang, adding that China supports Turkiye in finding a development path suited to its national conditions and safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and legitimate rights and interests.

China also supports Turkiye in playing a more important role in the regional and international arena, and opposes any interference in Turkiye's internal affairs, Wang said.

He expressed China's willingness to work with the Turkish government to enhance mutual strategic trust, strengthen strategic coordination, deepen cooperation in various fields, support each other in safeguarding their core interests and national security and stability, push for more fruitful results in the China-Turkiye strategic relationship of cooperation, and inject a new impetus into the development of bilateral ties.

Wang called on the two sides to make good use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the China-Turkiye Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, to enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Turkiye's Middle Corridor initiative, and continue to advance cooperation in energy, education, culture and other fields.

China is willing to import more quality Turkish products, support companies of the two countries to settle trade in local currencies, and encourage more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Turkiye, he said.

Wang also affirmed China's readiness to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Turkiye under multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, jointly raise the voice of emerging markets and developing countries, uphold genuine multilateralism, safeguard the stability of global supply and industrial chains, oppose unilateralism and wrong practices such as "decoupling and the cutting of supply chains," and inject more stability into a world of turmoil and transformation.

For his part, Fidan said that Turkiye attaches great importance to developing its relations with China.

Turkiye rejects the claim that China's economic and technological developments are a threat, opposes discrediting and containing China's development, and does not allow activities in Turkiye that undermine China's territorial integrity, the Turkish top diplomat said.

Fidan said Turkiye believes that the global initiatives, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, are of strategic significance.

Turkiye is willing to work with China to give full play to the role of the intergovernmental cooperation committee between the two countries, jointly build the BRI, strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy, aviation and tourism, respond to global challenges, and promote the establishment of a multipolar world, he added.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
DAMASCUS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- An explosion in a suburb south of the Syrian capital of Damascus killed six people and injured 46 others on Thursday, according to state media.

The incident occurred on al-Sudan Street in the al-Sayeda Zainab suburb, where an explosive device planted in a motorcycle near a taxicab was remotely detonated, the state-run Syrian TV reported.

Syrian Health Minister Hassan Al-Ghabbash said that 20 of the wounded had minor injuries and were treated on the scene, while the rest were taken to hospitals.

He added that 11 ambulances rushed to the site following the explosion.

The al-Sayeda Zainab suburb is a predominantly Shiite area where Muslim Shiites, mainly from Iran, usually visit to perform pilgrimage to holy Shiite shrines. The Lebanese Hezbollah group has a presence there as well.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, reported that the explosive device exploded near a military outpost used by Iran-backed fighters.

It is the second explosion in the area within 48 hours. On July 25, a booby-trapped motorcycle blast wounded two people, as reported by the observatory.

Since the army drove out the rebel group from the Eastern Ghouta countryside in May 2018, Damascus has remained relatively peaceful. However, sporadic explosions continue to occur, targeting seemingly random locations. 
A group of Nigerien soldiers announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum after he was seized by members of his presidential guards in a coup backed by the army.

We, the defense and security forces have decided to put an end to the regime of President Bazoum, a man identified as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane and surrounded by several soldiers announced on national TV. He cited a deteriorating security situation in the country and poor economic and social governance.

The group of soldiers is calling itself the National Council for Safeguarding. The countrys borders are closed and a nationwide curfew declared, added Amadou Abdramane in his statement. This putsch followed a confused day during which soldiers had blocked off the presidential Palace in Niamey.

He said the constitution was dissolved, and institutions suspended in the fragile Sahel nation that is facing extremist insurgency risks.

Nigers chief of staff declared support for the coup saying priority was given to avoid destabilizing the country.

Hundreds of supporters of the ruling PNDS-TARAYYA flocked in front of the parliament Wednesday to vow their support to the Nigerien leader. The demonstration was spontaneous and saw the participation of lawmakers close to the party.

Weve come out to protest against whats been going on since this Wednesday morning. President Mohamed Bazoum was elected by the people of Niger and no one has the right to dismiss him, said Adamou Namata, a lawmaker from the PNDS-TARAYYA.

Niger is the latest to witness a coup in the Sahel region following the examples of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.

France in particular is watching developments closely after its interests were drastically undermined by the military rulers in Mali and Burkina Faso.

France relies on Nigers uranium to power its plant amid an energy crisis in Europe.

While the whereabouts of President Bazoum are still unknown, foreign minister Hassoumi Massoudou declared himself head of state and called to foil the coup.

Western powers including the US back Bazoum and see in him an ally in the fight against mushrooming terrorist groups in the Sahel.

The removed president was promised Washingtons unwavering support in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UNs full support to the uranium-rich country.

The West African economic bloc Ecowas has said it condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force in Niger and called on the plotters to free Bazoum, while the AU urged the felon soldiers involved to return to barracks immediately.

Bazoum came to power in 2021 following presidential elections whose results were rejected by the opposition. Niger has experienced four military coups respectively in 1974, 1996, 1999 and 2010.
Only 16 African heads of state have arrived in St. Petersburg to attend the second Russia-Africa Summit  fewer than half of the 43 who came to the first summit in 2019  a striking disappointment for the Kremlin despite its recent flurry of diplomatic efforts in the continent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting with African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday (27 July) in a piece of diplomatic theater designed to portray Russia as a great power with many friends, not least in Africa. But the fact that just 16 African heads of state are attending the summit is widely interpreted as a sign of dismay in African nations about a war that has raised food and fuel prices, hurting vulnerable populations. This is far fewer than at similar summits held elsewhere, including a meeting in December 2022 with Joe Biden that dozens of African leaders flew to Washington DC to attend.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed the West for the reduced number, claiming there had been absolutely unconcealed brazen interference of the United States, France and other states to dissuade them from attending. This is a fact, this is outrageous, he added.

Meanwhile, the US ambassador to NATO sees the absence of the remaining countries as a signal. Some leaders in Africa now feel compelled not to go to signal their concern about Russias unprovoked aggression in Ukraine, the ambassador said.

The timing of the meeting is also awkward. Just last week, Russia renewed its Black Sea blockade on exports of Ukrainian grain amid a food security emergency and drought in the Horn of Africa. To that end, African leaders are expected to look to Putin for concrete promises on grain supplies at a summit, with some also likely to seek clarity and assurances on the future of Wagner mercenaries in the continent.

Relations between Russia and Africa are uneven at best. Some African leaders see the Kremlin as a useful foil against the West but also a source of destabilization and disinformation efforts in Africa, modest trade and minuscule investment.
More than 1,800 terrorist attacks were carried out in West Africa in the first six months of the year resulting in nearly 4,600 deaths and dire humanitarian consequences, according to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, who also called the figures only a snippet of the horrendous impact of insecurity.

Touray told the UN Security Council on Tuesday (25 July) that half a million people in the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are refugees and nearly 6.2 million are internally displaced. He also appealed to the international community to help the region deal with the suffering of about 30 million people who, as ECOWAS assesses, are in dire need of food right now. Touray also warned that the number of people in need will increase to 42 million by the end of next month.

The top ECOWAS leader also highlighted the following drivers of insecurity in the region: terrorism, armed rebellion, organized crime, unconstitutional changes of government, illegal maritime activities, environmental crises and fake news. He said the region is worried about the resurgence of the military, with three countries  Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea  under military rule. The reversal of democratic gains runs parallel to insecurity that West Africa and the Sahel have been facing for some time now, he said, and insecurity continues to inflict pain and suffering on millions of people.
The small city of Gering, in the Nebraska Panhandle, will be the site of an international conference next Tuesday through Thursday.

The International Millets Conference is expected to bring together delegates from many countries around the world, along with producers, industry representatives and others. The Panhandle is well suited to growing millets, and an ideal site to host this conference, according to a press release.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 the International Year of Millets, at its 75th session in March 2021. Events such as the conference in Gering result from that declaration and have been in the works for over two years.

The UNGA declaration brought attention to the health benefits of millet, and its promise as a crop that can be grown in a variety of changing climate conditions to feed the expanding world population.

Proceedings at the Gering Civic Center will include speakers from India, Italy and Switzerland, and U.S. industry representatives. Delegates from the U.S., Canada and many Asian and European Countries are expected to attend.

The conference theme is Promoting Millets through Interdisciplinary Research: New Varieties and New Markets for a Better Tomorrow!

There will be presentations by millet growers in the High Plains region of the United States; millet breeders, agronomists, product developers, marketers and processors, etc.

There will also be tours and panel discussions.

The conference is intended for producers, crop consultants, international and domestic millet buyers and sellers, grain handlers and processors, scientists, researchers, extension personnel, students, governmental representatives, etc.

Keynote speakers will be:

Chris Stum, president, High Plains Millet Association.

Representatives of U.S. millets industries.

Leon and Cheryl Kriesel, CEOs and owners, Kriesel Certified Seed Inc., Gurley.

International Panel from India, Italy, and Switzerland.

The event schedule is:

Aug. 1  Field tour in Scottsbluff.

Aug. 2  Morning, visit High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney and Kriesel Seeds.

Aug. 2  Afternoon, conference opening and keynote talks at Gering Civic Center.

Aug. 3  Day, presentations, project meeting, and panel discussion.

Aug. 3  Evening, banquet dinner and round table discussions.

As the global agrifood systems face challenges to feed an ever-growing global population, resilient cereals like millets provide an affordable and nutritious option, and efforts need to be scaled-up to promote their cultivation, the release said. This was the opening ceremony of the International Year of Millets 2023 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome on Dec. 6, 2022.

For more information, go to fao.org/millets-2023/en and click on Read More.

This conference is organized by University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Rutgers University, North American Millets Alliance and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

For more information, go online to preec.unl.edu/international-millets-conference-2023.

To RSVP, contact Dr. Dipak Santra at 308-765-2324 or by email at dsantra2@unl.edu. General admission is $250. Student admission is $125. The few is waived for farmers. If registration by online link does not work, simply call, text or email Santra.
A handful of criminal cases involving individuals under the age of 21 has brought Alabamas youthful offender status to the forefront of the public eye in recent months.

Some in the public see youthful offender status as being unequally applied across populations. Others see it as a way to give young people a second chance.

Some, such as Johnston Taylor, have tried to get youthful offender on more than one occasion. Taylor was originally given youthful offender after causing a high speed car accident in 2019 that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett. Taylor was recently denied a second attempt at youthful offender status after being arrested on six charges of possession of child pornography in 2022.

Others, such as three of the suspects in the Dadeville mass shooting, have tried for youthful offender status despite the severity of their accused crimes. However, a youthful offender hearing has not been held yet for them.

The youthful offender status has been a part of the Alabama Code since at least 1975. Thats when the current state code was enshrined into law.

According to Justia.com, Youthful Offender was first approved in Alabama on Feb 10, 1972.

Courtney Waid, a criminologist and head of the Criminal Justice Department at Auburn University at Montgomery, said the youthful offender program brings elements of the juvenile justice process to the adult court system. Waid said it essentially reduces the impact of penalties for adults under 21 and instead brings in elements of rehabilitation.

It is trying to incorporate some of that traditional perspective of juvenile justice and reducing what we see with stigma in extreme criminal penalties, Waid said. The idea is that they are not going to be institutionalized for long periods of time.

Youthful offender status basically allows someone in their minority, as the Alabama Code puts it, to plead guilty to their crime, gain a lighter sentence, and have record of the crime permanently sealed from the public.

If someone between the ages of 18 and 21 is charged with a crime, they can apply for youthful offender status. They would then go through a court examination. Things such as past criminal history, work and civic history, church and school, and how they reacted when arrested can all come into play.

If the judge then feels the circumstances warrant youthful offender status, it can then be offered to the offender.

The offender would plead guilty and waive the right to a trial by jury. A sentence is then handed down depending on the charge, and the offenders record is then sealed. The sentence would be no more than three years incarceration, plus probation and fines for a felony. A misdemeanor sentencing would depend on the underlying charges.

To go through the regular adult court system would mean stiffer penalties, such as longer incarcerations times and an open criminal record.

Andrew Stanley, an attorney at Samford and Denson LLP in Opelika, views the youthful offender program as a positive way to help young adults move forward with their lives after trial.

At the end of the day your file is sealed, Stanley said. Youre not convicted of a crime. So it protects someone under the age of 21.

Youthful offender status, however, has the potential to be abused. It can potentially be seen as an easy out for repeat offenders or those who have committed violent crimes against others.

Just because someone applies for youthful offender though, doesnt automatically mean they will get it. A judge has the ability to reject youthful offender status.

A judge might say that person is a danger and I think needs to be behind bars for a longer period of time, Waid said. That decision to grant it rests with the judge.

Stanley agrees with Waids sentiment. He said hes had clients with no criminal history who were high school graduates and gainfully employed but still didnt get youthful offender status. He said that based on the criminal allegations, it can still be denied.

Stanley added that it was also unlikely for someone to get youthful offender status more than once. Repeat offenders can apply more than once.

Usually what happens is if youve been granted youthful offender in the past, the rule of thumb is if you cant get it again, Stanley said.

People can apply for youthful offender status even if their bond has been revoked in cases such as Aniahs Law. However, again, Stanley does not think it is likely for them to get it in these cases.

They still have the ability to seek and request youthful offender treatment, Stanley said. If its an Aniahs Law case, obviously its going to be a Class A felony and is primarily going to be a violent felony. I believe the trend, based upon my experiences, is that that person would not get youthful offender treatment.

Waid also indicated that someone who has had bond revoked due to Aniahs Law wouldnt really be a candidate for youthful offender status. She says the point of the youthful offender program is to allow people to be rehabilitated.

Theres too many red flags, Waid said. Human trafficking, murder, its so egregious that we have to essentially incapacitate that offender. Were trying to deter people from doing this. Were not at the point where we can envision whats going to happen with rehabilitation.

The youthful offender program is not without its detractors. There are those in the community who see it as being unequally applied across demographics.

Oscar Penn with Concerned Citizens of Opelika takes a dimmer view on the program. Hes an elected executive board member of Lee County NAACP. He says he does not feel like youthful offender status has been equal among the Black and white populations in Alabama. He said he feels young white offenders get a slap on the wrist where young Black offenders get 25 years to life for the same crime.

Over the years, the youthful offender law has, I would say, not served justice to our community, Penn said. Its not nothing thats no surprise young Black men dont get the same treatment under the youthful offender law as young white guys do.

He points directly to the Johnston Taylor case as an example.

He killed these people, turned right around, got caught with drugs, the turned right around and got caught with child porno, Penn said. If that had been a young Black kid, he wouldnt have gotten parole from the beginning. He wouldnt have gotten bond.

While Penn acknowledged the importance of the justice system he says we do need it he feels like young Black men just dont get the same treatment under the system as young white men.

Captain Tony Amerson with the Opelika Police Department, however, stands by the youthful offender program and police enforcement. While he acknowledges that more Black individuals are arrested than whites, he doesnt see the issue as being because of race.

From a police standpoint, we know we have to police a diverse community, Amerson said. We try to make sure that we base the law on the crime that is being committed not specifically the race of the person.

Amerson said he felt the program was good for young Black people who were convicted of a crime. He considers the Opelika Municpal Court to be a second-chance court. He points back to socioeconomic factors and how they can lead young people to commit crimes in the first place. Amerson feels youthful offender gives young Black men and women a second chance to step out of negative surroundings even if they have committed a crime.

Their mother may be on crack or may be an alcoholic. They didnt ask for that, however, thats the environment that they live in, Amerson said. If theyre living in that environment than theres a greater chance that they become that environment. We as the government have to take that into consideration.

Penn, however, remains skeptical.

I dont have anything against the judicial system. We need it, we need it very badly, Penn said. As for the youthful offender law, its not going to apply equally across the board in the white community as it should be in the Black community. With that being said, that is the absolute truth.
The Food Bank of East Alabama will team up with First Methodist Church of Opelika on Thursday to offer free groceries to families in Lee County.

Families can visit Opelika High School between 4 and 6 p.m. Thursday to pick up nonperishable goods, canned goods and fresh produce in a drive-thru. In order to qualify for the groceries, residents must have someone living in their household that is 18 years old or younger.

No other forms of identification will be required.

Callie Weaver, the operations manager for the Food Bank of East Alabama, said were not doing what were supposed to be doing when a child is sent out into the world and expected to be successful without being fed the proper nutrients.

The Food Bank of East Alabama serves seven counties in the Eastern region of Alabama: Randolph, Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell, Barbour and a portion of Tallapoosa County. In that seven-county area, there are over 53,000 food insecure people, with 15,190 of them being children.

The Food Bank distributes almost 500,000 pounds of food per month through a vast network of over 220 partner agencies from food pantries and soup kitchens to shelters and senior programs.

Food insecurity has remained a consistent issue in the U.S. for several decades, with Feeding America saying that 100% of U.S. counties are affected by food security. A 2021 study from the Economic Research Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that 10.2% of U.S. households were food insecure at some point during the year.

The Economic Research Service defined households with food insecurity as those uncertain if they have or can acquire enough food to meet the needs of all their members, because they had insufficient money or other resources for food. The 2021 study found that 13.5 million of U.S. households fit that criteria.

In a 2021 report from Feeding America, 746,550 Alabama residents were food insecure. That translates into 14.8% of the states total population.

Weaver says they have seen an increase in need across the state after Alabama discontinued the enhanced SNAPs program that came with COVID-19 relief funding.

That puts people back into the situation, to where they cant purchase their own groceries. They cant make ends meet with the limited amount of money that theyre getting, Weaver said. We cant provide groceries for every single day of every month of every year to individuals, but what we are hopeful its doing is supplementing, and that alleviates just a tiny bit of the stress.

The struggles facing families have only grown with the consistently rising grocery and restaurant prices. In May, grocery prices were 5.8% more expensive than the year before while menu prices were 8.3% higher, bringing overall food prices to 6.7% higher than May of 2022.

For more information, you can visit the Food Bank of East Alabamas website.
This photo taken on July 25, 2023 shows the femur fossil of an anthracothere discovered by Ugandan scientists in Napak, northern Uganda. Ugandan scientists have found a femur bone fossil of a giant animal, the hippo-sized anthracothere, believed to date back at least 19-20 million years. (Uganda National Museum/Handout via Xinhua)

KAMPALA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan scientists have found a femur bone fossil of a giant animal, the hippo-sized anthracothere, believed to date back at least 19-20 million years.

The bone fossil was found in Uganda's northern district of Napak seven days ago, according to Sarah Musalizi, the principal conservator of museums and monuments at the Ugandan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, who spoke to Xinhua by telephone on Thursday.

She said the scientists identified the type of the animal on the basis of the published research on anthracothere. "Research shows that this animal lived in an aquatic-like environment. It was hippo-like, but taller and longer in size."

"As we know, the Karamoja region, where the bone was found, is a semi-arid area. It seems that there were rivers flowing then, which we don't find now. The environment has changed, and we have to question ourselves what went wrong," Musalizi added.

The official said the discovery could inform the formation of new policies in line with environmental protection and is likely to lead to an increase in the number of tourists visiting the East African country.

"If you are a scientist, it is interesting to study; but for tourists, this is a marvel looking at a bone of an animal that lived millions of years ago," she said, adding that the bone they found was so heavy that she had to ask her colleague to help carry it.

The bone fossil will later be transferred to the country's national museum for further study. 

Martin Pickford (L), a prominent member of the Uganda Paleontological Expedition, and his colleagues display the discovered bone fossil in Napak, northern Uganda on July 25, 2023. Ugandan scientists have found a femur bone fossil of a giant animal, the hippo-sized anthracothere, believed to date back at least 19-20 million years. (Uganda National Museum/Handout via Xinhua)
never liked the remix. ruined the vibe of the original song

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Same! I've only listened to it against my will when I'm out and it's playing somewhere lol

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yeah it sucks lol.



If we are revisiting BTD can we please talk about how almost all the demos are better

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The demos are so much better! It's maddening to think of what they had vs what they released.

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I felt betrayed when I heard the final version of Diet Mountain Dew after listening to the demo for months, I was like why is it so loud 



Edited at 2023-07-27 03:08 pm (UTC)

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BTD is so poorly mixed. I hate that album sfm and tbh Pitchfork doing their little review revision.

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My iTunes is full of the LDR "leaks" we had on here in 2011 and they are SUPERIOR

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Came here to say this. It's terrible whereas the original is perfect.

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That reminds me of the remixes of Adele's songs. Pure garbage and just annoying.

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uhhh. it was her major radio hit but BTD does not have the legs it does because of summertime sadness remix. plus none of her other music sounds like that and she's had massive success.



BTD sold well before that remix ever came out.

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Why does this guy look like a douchier Mads Mikkelsen?



Also he's wrong.

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I mean Im sure it helped at the time and maybe helped get her the great gatsby song but she doesnt have anything else like that remix in repertoire. if you liked the remix I doubt youre still listening to Lana since everything else shes released since is like ten BPM (said as someone that enjoys her music).



And given that its his only mainstream hit Id say the opposite is true. To be expected that a dude wants to take credit for the entirety of a womans decade plus successful career thats been highly influential for every reason BESIDES that remix.



Edited at 2023-07-27 02:46 pm (UTC)

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Right. And hes remixed plenty of songs and like hes only ever himself had like 2 songs to ever chart in the Hot 100, this one being one. So.. what about your OWN career dude? Shade yourself.

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Shade yourself omg

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Lana Del Rey is successful because of mentally ill teenagers on Tumblr

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I'm not a teenager, ok

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I actually remember seeing her pushed hard on ontd before tumblr lol. And I was a member of both at the time so I saw it all.

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ONTD was my first exposure to her too. Crazy how long ago that was.

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Same. I remember when she was announced to sing on SNL and there was a lot more engagement with that post than I thought there would be. Even more when her performance was posted later. I was like wait. Who is this??

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Accurate

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Drag me

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ONTD was my original exposure to her, tbh.



I like a few songs but she bugs me...



BUT for this dude to take credit for her success? Bro, STFD. No one knows who the fuck you are but chances are they've at least HEARD of LDR.

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I was in like first year university when Born to Die came out lol and everyone went crazy on tumblr and even reddit about it???

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Oh look everyone another bland man taking credit for a woman's art! Please clap.

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This is so lame and stank. Sir, people loved BTD in its entirety, not your remix. I don't even fuck with Lana like that and I'm mad on her behalf.

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Next time he should make himself succesful

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lmao i just choked on my lunch laughing at this

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There was so much buzz even when she released Video Games, what is he talking about? Also agree that I never cared for this remix, it completely stripped away the sadgorl vibe of the original song which made Lana's music so great.

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French men are such gigantic douchebags, god almighty

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I think all men are gigantic douchebags.

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Even if that remix never hit she'd still be where she is right now. She had such a dedicated fanbase already that she had cultivated online who were ready to support her until whenever. And honestly, I don't think anyone who probably discovered her from hearing that remix at Walmart would have listened to anything from Ultraviolence on froward.

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i had a waitressing/bartending job in my early 20s and they had a dj on friday nights who would always play this remix and it's the only lana remix i care about. this man can stfu, lana is a star because she's a talented and dedicated artist with a vast body of work and coherent vision

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Ive never heard this before but I was transported back ten years once the beat kicked in. Its pure nostalgia!

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RIP to her old face 

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Oh FUCK I was obsessed with this! Memories!!!!!!!!!

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I wish I had the confidence of this man.

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But not sorry to this man.

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Bitch are you for real

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OSHA Cites Jacksonville Psychiatric Facility for Safety Violation Following Attack

The incident is the latest of three similar investigations involving the same parent company.

A registered nurse in Jacksonville was allegedly punched and kicked in the face by a patient at River Point Behavioral Health in January 2023. An OSHA investigation followed, and now the organization has revealed its findings regarding the psychiatric treatment facility.

In a release dated July 25, OSHA announced issuance of a citation for a serious violation to UHS of Delaware Inc. and TBJ Behavioral Center LLC, parent companies of River Point Behavioral Health. OSHA investigators determined the facilityspecializing in mental health, substance use and dual diagnosis servicesfailed to protect workers from serious physical harm. In this case, the employees injuries included a loss of conscious and lacerations.

Workplace violence is a growing concern for healthcare workers and industry employers must take all possible steps to prevent or abate recognized hazards, OSHA Area Office Director Scott Tisdale in Jacksonville, Florida, said in a statement. No one should go to work daily fearing for their lives and physical well-being.

River Point Behavioral Health now faces $15,625 in proposed penalties.

This decision is the latest of three similar investigations since 2017 involving Florida-based facilities affiliated with UHS of Delaware Inc. All three involved employees exposure to extreme violence in the workplace. UHS has 400 acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, and ambulatory centers throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the UK.

River Point Behavioral Health now has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest its findings.
The near collapse of Venezuelas once colossal oil industry under the weight of endemic corruption and strict U.S. sanctions, along with Mexicos sputtering mature oil fields, saw Latin Americas economically crucial hydrocarbon sector fall into decline. By 2020, Venezuelas oil output had crashed to an all-time annual low of 569,000 barrels per day, while Mexicos sputtering aging oilfields pumped less than 1.7 million barrels daily. Then a series of world-class offshore discoveries in Brazils territorial waters captured the attention of energy supermajors and put Latin America back on the world hydrocarbon map. That was followed by Exxons world-class offshore discoveries in Guyana, which put the tiny South American on track to become a leading global petroleum producer and exporter. These events see Latin America poised once again to become a global hydrocarbon powerhouse once again.

Brazils national oil company Petrobras made the first offshore deepwater pre-salt oil discovery in the Santos Basin in 2006, with the first oil being pumped a mere two years later. Those vast pre-salt reservoirs continue to deliver major world-class discoveries which have endowed Brazil, according to data from the regulator, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels, with 14.9 billion barrels of proven or 1P reserves. This now sees Brazil holding the second largest oil reserves in Latin America after Venezuela and ranked 16th globally. Those impressive oil reserves, along with ongoing discoveries, are sustaining Brazils epic offshore petroleum boom. There are clear indications Brazils hydrocarbon reserves and production will continue to expand.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy is targeting significant production growth. The ministry is doing this by implementing strategies to develop existing basins and lift output to 5.4 million barrels per day by 2029. If that ambitious target is achieved, it will make Brazil the worlds fourth-largest oil producer. For May 2023, Brazil pumped an average of 3.2 million barrels per day, which was an impressive 11% greater than the equivalent period a year earlier. Total hydrocarbon output was 4.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day for May 2023, a notable 9% higher year over year. While Brazils hydrocarbon production is growing at a steady clip, there is still a significant way to go before the country is lifting more than 5 million barrels per day with 80% flowing from the pre-salt layer.

It will take a considerable investment in developing Brazils offshore hydrocarbon basins to lift production to the targeted volume. Petrobras, as part of its 2023 to 2027 strategic plan, has allocated $64 billion to developing exploration and production assets, with 67% of that amount to be invested in pre-salt operations. By 2027, Petrobras envisages lifting 2.5 million barrels of oil per day and another 600,000 barrels of natural gas, seeing the company pump 3.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, with 78% being sourced from pre-salt fields.

Brazils booming oil production is an important economic driver for Brazil. By 2012 Petrobras had become a key government policy tool seeing it emerge as the worlds most indebted oil company with the administration of President Dilma Rousseff looting its coffers to fund social programs and other policy initiatives. After a massive corruption scandal involving Petrobras and construction firm Odebrecht rippled through Brazil, eventually claiming Rousseffs scalp, Petrobras was set on a more independent pro-business footing by her successor Michel Temer with that approach continued by his successor Jair Bolsonaro. There are fears that the return of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, to the presidency, will lead to further heavy-handed government intervention.

It isnt only Brazil which has brought the spotlight back on Latin Americas oil industry. Neighboring Guyana is following in the footsteps of Latin Americas largest oil producer after global energy supermajor Exxon discovered oil in the former British colonys territorial waters in 2015. Since that discovery in the Stabroek Block, Guyana has emerged as what is being called the worlds hottest offshore frontier oil play. More than 35 discoveries have endowed the impoverished country of around 800,000 people with over 11 billion barrels of oil. The Exxon led consortiums accelerated development of the Stabroek Block, with it taking four years to go from the first discovery to first oil, sees Guyana pumping around 400,000 barrels per day.

Georgetown plans to auction 14 blocks during 2023, although for the third time, it has been delayed until mid-August 2023 so the government can finalize changes to the regulatory framework. Those reforms include introducing a new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), which will increase the royalty from 2% to 10%, reduce the cost recovery limit from 75% to 65% and introduce a 10% corporate tax. While those terms are less advantageous than those secured by Exxon for the Stabroek Block, they are still competitive compared to other countries in the region.

Guyanas first-ever oil auction is intended to reduce the countrys dependence on Exxon. It will do this by attracting other petroleum explorers and producers to the South American countrys territorial waters. Given the considerable petroleum potential believed to exist in Guyanas shallow water and deepwater blocks, further oil discoveries are only a matter of time. Analysts estimate Guyana will be lifting 1.2 million barrels per day by the end of 2027, making the former British colony become a leading global oil exporter. This is delivering a mega economic boom for Guyana, which will have the fastest growing economy during 2023, with gross domestic product forecast by the IMF to expand by 37.2%.

There are signs that Latin America's hydrocarbon sector will expand substantially over the next decade despite heightened geopolitical risk, the clean energy transition and looming peak oil demand. Venezuelas oil output is growing because of assistance from Iran while U.S. sanctions are being loosened with supermajor Chevron permitted to lift oil in the crisis-riven country. Argentina is undergoing an onshore unconventional hydrocarbon boom as the Vaca Muerta shale body is developed. While those will boost hydrocarbon production in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is Brazil and Guyana which are driving the massive explosion in oil production expected in the region. Those two countries alone will add up to 3 million barrels per day to Latin America and the Caribbeans oil output, but that will occur at a time when petroleum prices are under pressure from falling global demand due to the clean energy transition. That makes it a race against time for oil producers in the region to exploit their hydrocarbon wealth.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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China has gobbled up a record amount of Russian crude, adding some 2 million bpd to its strategic and commercial inventories last month.

This is the highest rate of inventory additions in three years, according to Reuters Clyde Russell. It is also an indication that the worlds second-biggest consumer of crude is insuring against the risk of supply shortages.

This is happening as analysts expect Saudi Arabia to extend its 1-million-bpd voluntary production cut and as Russias flagship Urals blend tops the Western price cap of $60 per barrel.

Chinas crude oil imports hit a near-record last month, soaring by a whopping 45.3% on the year to 12.67 million barrels daily, data from the Chinese customs authorities cited by Reuters showed. The total for the month stood at 52.06 million barrels, which was the second-highest monthly oil import figure ever recorded by Beijing.

With these figures, it would be sensible to suggest that China is filling up its storage facilities both as insurance against undersupply and as a potential tool to control prices by releasing some of that oil, should the need arise.

Yet while imports were rising to near-record levels and inventories were filling up thanks to these imports, Chinese refiners were also ramping up processing rates.

Reuters Russell reports that refiners in China processed some 14.83 million barrels daily in June, or a total of 60.95 million tons, which was an increase of 10.2% on the year and, like June imports, the second-highest monthly figure on record. Related: Largest U.S. Power Grid Declares Emergency Alert

Yet it is notable that even with higher processing rates, there was a lot of crude to be sent into storage, providing China with potentially significant leverage in case prices move higher than Beijings comfort threshold.

This is quite likely to happen if Saudi Arabia does indeed extend its oil production cuts beyond August. According to some analysts, the reason is that Riyadh needs oil at $100 per barrel to balance its books, but others believe it might start relaxing the cuts in September, possibly restoring half of the 1 million bpd in production.

Theres ample evidence for Saudi Arabia to start unwinding the cuts in September. The market is screaming out for these barrels, and refiners are scrambling to get hold of them, an FGE analyst told Bloomberg, suggesting market players are beginning to shift their focus from the Fed and other central banks to the supply side of the global oil equation.

Some in the analytical field note that Saudi Arabia would not relax its cuts unless it sees evidence that China is taking steps to accelerate economic growth. If import and storage rates are any indication, the evidence is already there, along with the latest pledges from Beijing to boost consumption and provide further support to the countrys struggling real estate sector.

Talk about a slowdown in U.S. oil production growth also has analysts and traders worried about supply, especially with forecasters seeing a deficit developing in oil markets in the second half of the year. Goldman, the latest to update its expectations, said record demand for oil will drive prices higher over the next six months while supply tightens further.

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, the banks head of oil research, Daan Struyven, told CNBC earlier this month.

In such a context, China, which has been known to anticipate supply squeezes in commodities, is doing what it has done before: it is stocking up on oil while its relatively cheap.

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What it would do with that oil is another question, and the answer would depend on the state of international oil markets in the next six months. A 2-million-bpd deficit, if it materializes, could be quite a strong incentive to sell some oil from storage and lower prices.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Slowing global oil demand growth and dissent over crude production policies could lead to a break-up of the OPEC+ alliance, which would send oil prices tumbling to as low as $35 per barrel, a portfolio manager at investing group Clean Energy Transition said on Thursday.

In a declining market, time is your enemy. You have to keep cutting, keep cutting, keep cutting, Per Lekander, managing partner at the investing group, told CNBC on Thursday.

According to Lekander, the prospect of slim, or negative, oil demand growth could dissolve the cooperation between OPEC and some dozen non-OPEC producers led by Russiaan alliance known as OPEC+ which has been managing supply to the market for nearly seven years now.

And remember the last OPEC decision, it was really the Saudis doing it on their own ... so I would say, if my forecast is correct, and Im very sure it is  it is going to break, Lekander told CNBC.

If the alliance breaks up, prices would slump, the portfolio manager said, noting that oil prices have been artificially too high since 1974.

If the cartel cant operate, I would say short-term you go to $35 and mid-term probably $45, Lekander told CNBCs program Street Signs Europe today.

OPEC+ is currently cutting oil supply, to stabilize the market as it loves to say in each press release.

OPEC, at least in public, isnt concerned about peak oil demand. It has just raised its 2023 oil demand growth estimate by 100,000 bpd compared to last months forecast.

In the long term, OPECs outlook to 2045 sees global oil demand rising to 110 million bpd by then, and oil would still represent about 29% of the energy mix in 2045.

Global primary energy demand is forecast to increase by a significant 23% in the period up to 2045, which means we will need all forms of energy, OPECs Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said earlier this month.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Half a dozen major carmakers are joining forces in a $1-billion push to develop a fast-charging network in the United States.

The push, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal citing unnamed sources, aims to remove one of the obstacles to greater EV adoption, namely the lack of sufficient numbers of chargers.

The WSJ reports that the companies taking part in the venture confirmed the plan, saying they intended to roll out 30,000 fast EV chargers across the country over the next several years.

These companies include Honda, BWM, Kia, Hyundai, Stellantis, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz.

The first chargers in the new network should be installed and ready to go next year, the companies also said, in urban and highway areas.

Installing chargers along highways would be the trickier part of the venturethere arent always convenient electricity supply links for EV chargers along highways.

Lack of charging infrastructure has been recognized by the EV industry as a significant deterrent to more EV purchases but tacking this deterrent has been tricky: companies engaged in charger installation are not willing to risk their potential profits by building the chargers and then finding out there are not enough EVs to make them profitable.

The carmakers appear to have found a way around that stalemate to ensure their own future profits as they go all in on the EV bet. By building a charging network, however much it costs, they would probably motivate more people to buy EVs, with the help of the government, which is providing generous subsidies for such purchases.

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The subsidies wont always remain generous, however. In some states, the money has already started to run out and this has had an immediate, and negative, effect on EV purchases. Such developments cast a shadow over the longer-term profitability of the industry despite strong government support.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The future supply of several metals and minerals that are critical for the success of the energy transition is uncertain, threatening that success, GlobalData has said in a new report.

According to that report, the transition depends on the sustainable supply of these metals and minerals, including lithium, copper, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths.

However, most of these are not distributed evenly across the globe. Some of them are concentrated in challenging jurisdictions, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, China controls most of the supply chains for these minerals.

Chinas dominance over critical mineral supply chains is fast becoming a major source of worry for Europe and the United States as they rush to speed up the energy transition.

The two, along with friendly nations such as Canada and Australia, which also happen to be rich in minerals, have attempted to forge new supply chains for these critical minerals but starting from scratch means these chains would take years and even decades to build.

In the meantime, analysts continue to forecast a surge in the demand for these metals and minerals due to the expected equal surge in demand for EVs, solar and wind power installations.

The successful adoption of green energy technologies is inextricably linked to the availability and accessibility of these essential minerals, says Isabel Al-Dhahir, author of the GlobalData report.

Without an adequate supply of critical minerals, the ambitious energy transition goals could face substantial delays, she also said.

These warnings add to earlier ones made by mining and commodity trading majors about the prospect of shortages in some key transition metals such as copper. Trafigura, for instance, warned that copper supply on a global level is in decline and a looming shortage would jeopardize the transition push.

Lithium supply is also problematic because of its geographical concentration and the fact that China dominates lithium processing, just as it does rare earths processing.

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By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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(CNN)  Mother is back.

Ellen Burstyn, beloved actor who starred in the groundbreaking 1973 horror film The Exorcist, has returned to the nightmare-inducing franchise for the first time since its debut 50 years ago in the franchises next installment, The Exorcist: Believer.

The Oscar-winner made her onscreen return in the films first trailer on Wednesday, reprising her iconic role of Chris MacNeil, an actress who is forever haunted by her daughter Regans (Linda Blair) possession as seen in the original movie.

Have you ever seen anything like this? Leslie Odom Jr.  who stars in Believer as a widower trying to save his possessed daughter (Lidya Jewett) and her friend (Olivia Marcum)  asks Handmaids Tale actor Ann Dowd in the trailer.

No, but there are people out there who have, Dowd replies.

Burstyn then appears on the screen as that person whos seen such a sight before, and their journey to save the two possessed girls begins.

Exorcism is a ritual, Burstyn is heard saying in the clip. Every culture, every religion, they all use different methods  its going to take all of them.

The sequel follows Odom Jr.s Victor, who is forced to confront the nadir of evil and, in his terror and desperation, seek out the only person alive who has witnessed anything like it before: Chris MacNeil, after his young daughter and her friend go missing only to return with no memory of what happened to them, according to an official synopsis.

The chilling trailer features Jewett, along with Marcum, afflicted with the same devilish glares that Blair made infamous in the franchises horrifying first installment.

CNN previously reported that the David Gordon Green-directed Believer will be the first of three new Exorcist films to come, and that the new films are continuations of the 1973 classic.

Jennifer Nettles and Norbert Leo Butz co-star in Believer alongside Jewett, Burstyn, Dowd, Marcum and Odom Jr.

The original film was a groundbreaking cinematic achievement in the horror genre, going on to earn 10 Oscar nominations, marking the first time a horror film had ever been nominated for best picture. The film won two Academy Awards, one for best adapted screenplay and one for best sound, while Burstyn earned a leading actress nod for her performance.

The Exorcist: Believer is slated to premiere on October 13.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Ellen Burstyn returns to legendary horror franchise 50 years later in eerie Exorcist: Believer trailer"
Leading Pakistani state-owned companies are set to partner with Saudi Aramco in the giant $10-billion Greenfield Refinery project at Gwadar Port. Pakistans Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL), will collaborate through a joint investment strategy in setting up an integrated refinery petrochemical complex with a processing capacity of a minimum of 300,000 barrels per day (BPD).

The project is likely to secure Pakistan oil supplies from a more friendly nation.

Last month, Pakistans petroleum minister Musadik Malik revealed that the south Asian country paid for its first imports of discounted Russian crude in Chinese currency. According to Malik, the purchase, the first government-to-government (G2G) deal between Pakistan and Russia, consisted of 100,000 tonnes of crude. The new arrangement is convenient for Pakistan considering that the country has been facing a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves and risks defaulting on its debt obligations. Pakistan has long been a close Western ally and an arch-rival of neighboring India, which itself has massively ramped up imports of cheap Urals.

The decision to pay in Chinese currency instead of the traditional U.S. dollar comes after Russia last year said it will no longer accept the American currency as payment for its energy commodities but will instead switch to Chinese and Emirati currencies. Further, Russia was cut off from the US dollar-dominated global payments systems following sweeping sanctions off the Ukraine war.

But Russia ditching the greenback is not without its own headaches.

Business Insider has reported that Russia is accumulating $1B in Indian rupees per month and struggling to trade in the currency since India imports far more from Russia than the reverse. Overall, Bloomberg has estimated that Russia accumulated a staggering $147 billion in net foreign assets built up over 2022 alone due to sanctions and the new currency regime.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Multiple people took to the podium at a Papillion La Vista Community Schools board meeting Monday to express their opinions of how involved parents should be in the district.

The majority of parents supported involvement in curriculum and library books, an issue that has been simmering in the district for several months. School officials have been dealing with a record number of challenges against library books made by people who dont have children in the district.

Parents are claiming the books arent appropriate for students who have access to them because they include themes of gender identity, race and sex.

Dorothy Reyes said the districts taxpayers should have a right to express their opinion and be involved in school curriculum.

I have watched the board suppress the communitys free speech. Im tired of what I witness  this agenda that is being pushed, Reyes said. Taxpayers should have a say in what is happening in our schools. We should not be suppressed.

Roberta Adams echoed Reyes opinion, saying that it shouldnt matter whether a community member has a child in Papillion La Vista when they submit a complaint.

For those of us with children who are now adults, you might think our social responsibility is over  our time is done, so dont interfere with those whose children are still in school, Adams said. If our social responsibility was complete, there would be no reason for us to participate in the tax scheme of school taxes.

Board members reminded the public during the meeting that patrons arent excluded from giving feedback about the district. The board discussed the proposed revision of its policy regarding controversial materials, which defined what patrons without children can do if they dont agree with curriculum material.

Theres been a lot of talk about, for some reason, people thought patrons were being removed, but thats not the case, said board member Valerie Fisher.

Parents of Papillion La Vista students can fill out a complaint form if they seek a reconsideration of the educational selections made by the district, according to the policy. Patrons without children in the district can share their concerns with administrators.

Lisa Kuechenmeister said the district already does an excellent job in keeping parents involved by distributing district-level email updates, along with email updates from individual teachers about their own classrooms.

I am extremely upset by those who do not have kids in our schools or those outside our district who are pushing distrust and a false narrative. Let our trained professionals teach, Kuechenmeister said. Just because youre a parent does not give you the right to steer the education system. If you do not like what is being taught, you have the right to opt out.

School officials have said that anyone has the ability to see any book offered at specific schools in Papillion La Vista by checking school websites.

Parents also can use the districts app to see each book their child checks out from the library. They also can ask their childs library to not allow specific books to be checked out.
An Omaha man was sentenced Wednesday to more than nine years in prison for the armed robbery of a Blackstone guitar shop last summer.

Jorge Lopez, 31, pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal charges of interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence for his role in the 2022 robbery of Ground Floor Guitars. On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Buescher sentenced him to 114 months, or about nine and a half years, in federal prison.

Jorge's cousin, Marco Lopez, pleaded guilty to the same charges and will be sentenced in September. The charges carry a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison and a maximum of life.

Plea agreements for the two men lay out the following facts:

The robbery at Ground Floor Guitars, located at 40th and Farnam Streets, took place on the afternoon of July 1, 2022. Marco entered the store first around 3:45 p.m. and approached an employee, John Svatos, to ask Svatos to replace the strings on his guitar.

As Svatos worked to replace the strings, Jorge entered the store and stood next to Marco at the counter. Marco then took out a handgun and displayed it to Svatos, and Jorge tied Svatos' hands behind his back with duct tape.

A total of three customers entered the store at various points throughout the robbery, and they were all instructed to empty their pockets and hand over their wallets. After they did so, Marco directed Svatos, the three customers and Svatos' dog into a basement bathroom at gunpoint.

After "several minutes" in the bathroom, Svatos and the customers exited the bathroom to call 911. Thirteen guitars and one amplifier  worth a combined $20,000, according to a GoFundMe established after the robbery  had been stolen, along with an unknown amount of cash.

Ground Floor Guitars remained closed for about two weeks after the robbery. The aforementioned GoFundMe raised more than $24,000 in donations.

Just five days after the robbery, Omaha police received a tip about Marco being a suspect in a residential break-in. They made contact with Marco's aunt, who advised that Marco had been staying with her for a few months but had just left to return to Texas.

Jorge was interviewed by police and admitted that he and Marco had robbed the guitar store. He told police Marco had taken the cash and guitars with him to Texas.

When police searched the truck they suspected was used in the robbery, they found Svatos' wallet and payment cards belonging to two customers. Jorge was arrested on July 8, just a week after the robbery, and Marco was extradited back to Nebraska from Texas shortly thereafter.

After he completes his prison term, Jorge will serve an additional three years on supervised release. Marco's sentencing is set for Sept. 7.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
Over the years, Angela Erickson said Forest Lawn Cemetery has received hundreds of calls from people asking whether they can be buried alongside their pets.

Most pet owners would agree that our pets arent just pets. Theyre actual family members, said Erickson, the family service director at Forest Lawn.

But the cemeterys regulations prevented that from happening. According to the regulations established in 1885, no animals can be buried in an area designated for human remains. But regulations do allow for humans to be buried in an area designated for animal remains.

With more than 10 acres of undeveloped land already in Forest Lawns possession, the organization has established Forever Friends Pet Cemetery, which is the only pet cemetery right now in Omaha, on its property at 7909 Mormon Bridge Road.

There have been pet cemeteries in the area in the past that are, unfortunately, no longer in existence, Erickson said. It really leaves people with limited options as what to do with pets. It became evident there is a need in our community.

According to World-Herald archives, there used to be at least one pet cemetery in Omaha at Tullys Kennels at 77th and D Streets. Tullys still operates as a pet store specializing in puppy sales.

After Forest Lawn opened a new mausoleum in 2021, Erickson said the organization fully shifted its focus to establishing Forever Friends.

The pet cemetery will include all the features of a regular cemetery in perpetuity. There will be headstones, monuments, plaques and benches set against a backdrop of rolling hills and lush greenery. Erickson said the cemetery will be maintained in perpetuity just like a regular cemetery.

People will be able to buy plots, put their pets buried or cremated remains within, and then be laid to rest by their pets years later.

The visitation period will be the same as Forest Lawns human cemetery  from sunrise to sunset.

It will be just like a regular cemetery  just with pets, Erickson said. It offers a permanent resting place to all pets of all species: From cats and dogs to birds, fish, reptiles and any other pet that has brought joy or companionship throughout their lives.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
One of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses made an appearance in Gretna Wednesday evening, and a crowd lined up to see him.

Nine-year-old Brook Kirchofer couldnt have been happier meeting him  unless she got to take Lester the horse home.

Awesome is how Brook described her encounter with the horse, which dwarfed the girl.

Lester is 6-foot-1 at the shoulder  18.1 hands in cowboy talk.

The Gretna Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, with Anheuser-Busch providing the horse and free beer.

Lester arrived in a red 48-foot air-ride trailer. He and another horse, Red, will make other appearances in the area this week.

Appearances will include Thursday at the Saunders County Fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday at the U-Stop on 84th Street in Lincoln from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday at the Hy-Vee Shadow Lake in Papillion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

According to a press release, the horses are in Omaha to celebrate the work of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and families of first responders with scholarships.

The company released limited-edition Folds of Honor aluminum bottles with a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold benefiting the Folds of Honor scholarship. Consumers can show their support by purchasing a bottle, available wherever Budweiser is sold in Omaha.

Carrie Reitmeier, community engagement coordinator for the Gretna chamber, said the beer company offered to bring the Clydesdales to town free of charge.

She said that despite the national kerfuffle over Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney, she had no hesitation about having a horse kick off Gretna Days.

Something fun for the community, she said. An experience that many people dont have, to get to see the size and beauty of a Clydesdale horse. So, nope. Not at all.

Anheuser-Busch has suffered a social-media pounding and a Bud Light boycott over its marketing relationship with Mulvaney, a transgender female internet influencer.

In April, Mulvaney posted about a personalized gift can of Bud Light the company had sent to the TikTok personality.

Some conservatives decried the companys marketing move as woke, an affront to women and to the beers middle-America fans. The company was apparently aiming to connect with a new generation of beer lovers, but it triggered a boycott and declining sales.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that in May, Modelo Especial had overtaken Bud Light as the top-selling beer in the United States.

Bud Light announced in June the brands biggest summer campaign ever with a new Easy to Summer commercial. The brand also launched a national summer music tour.

Anheuser-Busch also released a commercial featuring a Clydesdale horse in rural scenes, small towns, country roads and by the Lincoln Memorial. The commercial ends with the horse rearing in front of what appears to be the Grand Canyon.

A narrator says, Remember, this is a story bigger than beer. This is the story of the American spirit.

Lester and Red are staying at a private ranch in the Elkhorn area, said Andrew Lacrosse, one of the Anheuser-Busch horse handlers. After their swing through Nebraska, their next stop is Des Moines, he said.

Photos: Gretna East ready to welcome students Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information about the unlawful killing of six elk in Boyd County near Gross, Nebraska.

The carcasses of one bull, three cows and two calves were reported July 22, commission officials said Wednesday.

No attempt had been made to salvage any part of the animals. Anyone who intentionally abandons an edible portion of a game animal or fails to dispose of game in a reasonable manner is considered to have committed wanton waste.

A $2,000 award is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

Information can be submitted online by visiting OutdoorNebraska.gov and searching for Wildlife Crimestoppers or by calling the toll-free hotline, 1-800-742-7627. Reports can be made anonymously.
RHODES, Greece (AP)  Deadly fires raging in Greece and other European countries advanced on Wednesday, destroying homes and threatening nature reserves during a third successive wave of extreme temperatures.

The summer wildfires have struck countries across the region, prompting the European Union to expand its support, sending two Spanish firefighting planes to Tunisia after wildfires in neighboring Algeria left at least 34 people dead in recent days.

Heres a look at some of the major wildfires across Europe.

GREECE

More wildfires broke out Wednesday in the central mainland, with the most serious near the city of Volos, where outlying villages and a nearby industrial zone were ordered evacuated. The fire service said there were no immediate reports of people trapped in factory buildings.

It said two people were found dead following fires in the surrounding area  an older woman burnt to death in a caravan and a shepherd who had gone to save his flock. Volos residents were urged to stay indoors due to the smoke inhalation hazard.

Further south, a wildfire triggered a precautionary evacuation order for some outskirts of the town of Lamia.

New evacuations were ordered overnight on the islands of Corfu, Evia and Rhodes, where thousands of tourists were moved to safety over the weekend.

Authorities said the charred remains of a missing farmer were found in southern Evia  a discovery made following the death of two Greek firefighting pilots, in a crash during a low-altitude water drop.

The heat wave in Greece has pushed temperatures back above 40 C (104 F) while strong winds hampered firefighting efforts. The fire on Rhodes has damaged an inland nature reserve.

Rhodes resident Philippos Karageorgiou lamented how the blazes destroyed "forest areas with virgin forest of several years ... from herbs to anything you can imagine, and Rhodes was famous for all of these.

ALGERIA

Following three days of destruction, most major fires in Algeria have been contained or put out, thanks to a huge mobilization of aerial and ground resources as well as falling temperatures, authorities said.

The death toll stood at 34, including 10 soldiers assisting an evacuation. The coastal and densely-forested Bejaia area was hardest hit.

Critics say the governments efforts to prepare for the wildfires were insufficient following two deadly fire seasons.

Fires in August 2022 claimed 37 lives in the northeastern Taraf region. July 2021 saw the most significant damage in recent years, with at least 90 deaths in the northern Tizi-Ouzou region, 33 of them soldiers.

ITALY

The bodies of two older people were found in a home that had been consumed by flames near the Palermo airport, on the island of Sicily, which had been closed temporarily because of the encroaching flames, according to Italian news reports.

Firefighters battled wildfires across southern Italy as searing temperatures continued to scorch Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria, where dozens of fires broke out and multiple evacuations were ordered.

Freak storms in the north of the country also left two people dead on Tuesday from falling trees.

CROATIA

A wildfire was burning several kilometers away from the famous walled town of Dubrovnik, in the country's south along the Adriatic Sea coast, where water-dropping planes and more than 100 firefighters held back the blaze before it reached houses overnight.

The medieval stone city is a protected heritage site and Croatias best-known tourism destination.

Its been a long night, but we managed to stave off the part (of the fire) that is important because of the houses, firefighting unit commander Stjepan Simovic said. We must be careful because the wind has started to pick up and the fire can grow again.

PORTUGAL

More than 500 firefighters continued to combat a blaze close to Lisbon, Portugal. The fire forced the evacuation of 90 people from their homes along with 800 farm animals.

The blaze near the coastal town of Cascais, 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Lisbon, was brought under control early Wednesday, helped by cooler temperatures. Firefighters remained in the area to watch for any further flare-ups as temperatures and winds rose again Wednesday. Fears rose that it might spread deep into the nearby Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. No injuries were reported.

TURKEY

A hospital and a dozen homes were evacuated as a precaution in the coastal town of Kemer, where firefighters for a third day battled a blaze raging through woodland. At least 10 planes, 22 helicopters and hundreds of firefighters were deployed.

Five helicopters with night-vision capabilities worked through the night, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Authorities said residential areas were not under threat in Kemer in the Mediterranean coastal province of Antalya.

Water-dropping planes, helicopters and firefighters were also deployed to a forest blaze Wednesday near the district of Beykoz, in Istanbul, where temperatures reached 43 C (109.4). The cause of the wildfire on the Asian side of the city wasn't immediately known and it wasn't clear if residential areas were under threat.

Teams were also battling two fires near the towns of Kinik and Odemis in the western coastal province of Izmir, Anadolu said. At least three villages near Kinik were evacuated as a precaution.

SPAIN

Officials said that sparks from a brush cutter set off a wildfire on Gran Canaria island off the northwest coast of Africa. The fire in the la Caldera de Los Marteles volcanic area started when a worker using the cutter was clearing land with two others, island president Antonio Morales told reporters.

The three workers tried in vain to extinguish the ensuing fire before calling emergency services. Some nine water-carrying helicopters were being used by firefighters and Morales said they hoped to have the blaze under control later in the day. About 300 hectares (740 acres) of the mountain area has been burnt.

TUNISIA

Tunisia's interior minister, Kamel Fekih, said Wednesday that the wildfires that broke out in the country in recent days are now under control, signaling an end to the immediate danger.

He said a few fire pockets" in the northwestern areas of Malouleh and Ain Sobh are currently being addressed but "no longer pose any danger. Earlier in the week, a school principal in the northwestern town of Nefza died of asphyxiation because of heavy smoke from the flames.

Derek Gatopoulos reported from Athens. Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia; Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; Ciaran Giles in Madrid; Bouazza Ben Bouazza in Tunis, Tunisia; Veselin Toshkov in Sofia, Bulgaria; and Nicole Winfield and Frances DEmilio in Rome contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Millions of American workers have breathed in dangerous levels of air pollution this year as smoke from Canadas record wildfire season blankets cities across the Midwest and Northeast.

Now experts are calling on federal regulators to adopt standards protecting outdoor workers from worsening air quality, potentially modeled after the few states that have such standards, including California and Oregon. Rules could require employers to monitor air pollution and provide protective equipment such as N95 masks on days when air quality levels fall below certain thresholds.

Regulations are not common in much of the country, where wildfire smoke and the health damage it wreaks are both relatively new concerns, and supporters of regulations say states with rules had some difficulty with implementation.

Cities across the Northeast and Midwest broke longtime records for air pollution last month, prompting a wide range of employer reactions. In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Postal Service pulled some mail carriers from their routes as conditions worsened. In Minneapolis, construction workers finished out their shifts even after reporting fatigue and asthma symptoms.

Such incidents will grow more common in a changing climate, labor and workplace safety advocates say. North American wildfires have grown steadily larger and more intense since at least the 1980s, worsened by drought, early snowmelt, extreme heat and other effects of climate change.

Wildfire smoke also is increasing in much of the United States. According to a study published this year in the American Journal of Public Health, 87% of Americans experienced more days of heavy smoke in 2021 than they did in 2011.

The increase poses significant risks to public health, as wildfire smoke contains an unpredictable cocktail of vaporized chemicals and microscopic particles that can enter the bloodstream when inhaled. At low levels, pollution from wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes and respiratory tracts of particularly sensitive people, such as children, older adults and those with preexisting respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. At higher levels, it can prompt heart attacks and damage lung function.

Breathing wildfire smoke also can expose people to microbes and carcinogens, depending on the materials that burned, said Nellie Brown, an industrial hygienist and the director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs at Cornell Universitys School of Industrial and Labor Relations. That can pose serious dangers to construction workers, farmhands, first responders and many of the other 11 million Americans whose job requirements put them outside for much or all of their workday, according to 2022 figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health  a division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  recommends that workplaces monitor air quality and take steps to limit employees exposure to wildfire smoke.

Employers can, for instance, reschedule or relocate outdoor work, require more frequent breaks and provide personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators. Surgical and cloth masks dont screen out the tiny particles in wildfire smoke pollution.

However, employers do not have to follow those recommendations.

In fact, there is no specific federal standard to protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke, said Arden Rowell, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law who has studied respiratory safety regulations. Only three states  California, Oregon and Washington, which is in the process of finalizing its rules  developed their own enforceable standards on worker safety and wildfire smoke.

While their specific details differ, Californias and Oregons regulations both generally require employers to train workers on health and safety risks and provide schedule changes, relocations or other interventions to reduce exposure on days when air quality is low.

In jobs where employees cannot be rescheduled or moved indoors, state rules mandate that employers provide high-quality masks, such as N95 respirators  and then, at higher pollution levels, require employees to wear them.

These rules arent foolproof; labor and business groups criticized aspects of their implementation. Neither California nor Oregon requires employers to offer more paid breaks on smoky days, a provision unions requested, said Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, the co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, which advocates for workers rights.

Labor advocates in California also faulted the state for relying on workers to report violations, arguing that many Californians  particularly people who dont speak English  will hesitate to complain out of fear of retaliation.

Setting the exact thresholds for employer action also challenged state regulators. California requires that employers offer respirators when pollution reaches unhealthy levels on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Air Quality Index, for instance. Oregons rule, and Washingtons proposed rule, both kick in at a lower level: unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Some experts argue for further action by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA  the federal agency charged with regulating and enforcing workplace safety. Most states defer to OSHA rules, though 22 states and territories operate separate health and safety plans that can be stricter or wider-reaching.

In 2022, the National Academy of Sciences recommended that OSHA create a new workplace exposure standard for particulate matter, including that commonly found in wildfire smoke, and mandate that employers take precautions at certain pollution levels.

Such a standard would take years to complete, Goldstein-Gelb said, thanks to chronic understaffing at the agency and a lengthy rulemaking process.
LINCOLN  A former longtime mentor of gifted students at the Lincoln Public Schools who was arrested in February on child pornography allegations now has been indicted in federal court.

Joseph Maciarz Jr., 62, made his first court appearance Tuesday, and his federal public defender entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

Maciarz is out of jail awaiting trial under federal supervision with the condition that he not use computers or any devices with Internet access or have any contact with minors.

In February, Nebraska State Patrol investigators arrested him after allegedly finding numerous items of child pornography while serving a search warrant at his Lincoln home.

State prosecutors charged Maciarz with possession of child pornography.

In the affidavit for his arrest, State Patrol investigators said they got a search warrant for his home after his IP address was linked to the distribution of files of child pornography on an online file-sharing platform.

At least two of the files that Maciarz shared depicted girls as young as 4 years old being sexually assaulted on camera, investigators alleged.

In an indictment unsealed this week, Maciarz stands accused of receiving child pornography between Jan. 1, 2022, and Feb. 1, 2023, and possessing child pornography on Feb. 1.

If convicted as charged, he could face a minimum of five years of imprisonment and up to 40 years.

Maciarz had been a contracted gifted mentor for LPS since December 1994, and most recently assigned to Sheridan Elementary School and Scott Middle School.

His employment with the district ended in January.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26)  A proposed resolution seeking to raise China's sea incursions before the United Nations General Assembly failed to hurdle the Senate on Wednesday following opposition from Senator and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

After a two-hour debate that blurred party lines, senators instead set a closed-door meeting on Monday to further discuss the issue.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros' proposal urges the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a resolution at the UNGA calling on China to stop its harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

"Taking this to a vote before the United Nations, knowing the stakes, knowing who we are up against, is us telling the Filipino people that we will not cower in fear, that we will fight for them," the deputy minority leader said in her sponsorship speech at the plenary.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri backed Hontiveros' resolution, but this was challenged by Cayetano, who served as DFA secretary from 2017 to 2018 during Rodrigo Duterte's presidency.

"If the intention is to condemn and to make a stand, unanimous tayo, pero pag nagsabi ka na ng strategy, dalhin natin sa UN, kailangan pag-usapan 'yan," Cayetano said.

[Translation: If the intention is to condemn and to make a stand, we're unanimous, but if you talk of strategy, like bringing it to the UN, that needs to be discussed.]

Taking a strategy different from the administration's policy may weaken the Philippines' position in the long-standing dispute with China, Cayetano said, even as Zubiri asserted the Senate's independence from the executive.

"If we simply pass this resolution, tapon sa UNGA, madidisappoint lang tayo. The UNGA is for consensus. It is not for highly contentious issues like this baka maging negative pa sa atin ito later on," Cayetano said.

[Translation: If we simply pass this resolution and it is rejected in the UNGA, we'll just be disappointed. The UNGA is for consensus. It is not for highly contentious issues like this This might just negatively impact us later on.]

"If countries close to China vote against us, they will not implement this, it will make our PCA arbitration ruling even weaker," he added.

Hontiveros clarified that her resolution is simply a call to the DFA, acknowledging that the executive still has the final say. She stressed that the point of rallying the international community is to further strengthen the Philippines' resolve.

Zubiri likewise said the problem with bilateral talks is the lack of "goodwill measures" on the side of China.

"Mahirap ang kumausap sa isang bansa na hindi naman matino [It's hard to talk to a country that is unreasonable]. You started with your speech by saying that  it was a phrase from the Bible. Unfortunately, our friends from China do not believe in God nor do they believe in the Bible," Zubiri told Cayetano.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda agreed on the need to discuss the country's strategies in an executive session, while Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said both sides have a point.

To settle the issue, Zubiri said the Senate will have an executive session on Monday. He invited Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director General Ricardo de Leon to shed light on the matter.
SAC CITY, Iowa  An Iowa legislator was arrested this week near Carnarvon, Iowa, after allegedly refusing to obey a sheriff sergeant's orders to clear a road during RAGBRAI's trek through rural Sac County.

State Sen. Adrian Dickey, a Republican who represents District 44 in southeast Iowa, was arrested and booked into the Sac County Jail on a simple misdemeanor charge of interference with official acts.

Sac County Sheriff's Sgt. Jonathan Meyer said in a complaint filed in Sac County District Court that a big party had stopped in the middle of the road on Quincy Avenue. The party had been there since 2:42 p.m., and Meyer said he approached Dickey at 4:10 p.m. and asked the group to move so he could open the road.

After Dickey told Meyer he wasn't going to move, "I advised him he needed to move on otherwise he would be going to jail. He advised me to arrest him," Meyer said in his complaint.

Meyer suggested to Dickey to move the party down the road to an open roadway, but Dickey continued to argue with him.

Meyer then arrested Dickey and transported him to the jail in Sac City.

Dickey, 49, of Packwood, is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 8.

According to online news site Iowa Starting Line, Dickey introduced a bill during the 2022 legislative session that would have made it illegal for law enforcement officers to arrest RAGBRAI participants.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
BLOOMINGTON  With the 2023-24 school year quickly approaching, it is time to make sure students are up to date on their immunizations.

The McLean County Health Department offers children's immunization appointments from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are offered year round and can be made by calling 309-888-5455.

"We no longer offer a Saturday clinic, but for the month of August, every single Monday we offer a late clinic to help with immunizations for back to school," said Public Affairs Coordinator Marianne Manko. "They are available from 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th."

Preschool and kindergarten students must have DTap, polio, Hib, Hepatitis B, MMR, varicella and pneumococcal immunization records signed by a doctor.

Sixth grade students must have a complete immunization record signed by a health care provider, including DTap and meningitis immunizations.

Twelfth grade students need proof of receiving two meningitis vaccinations, with the first dose received on or after the 11th birthday and the second dose received on or after the 16th birthday. Only one dose is required if the first dose was received at 16 years old.

According to the MCHD website, all Illinois children in kindergarten and grades two and six must have an oral health examination. MCHD offers a children's dental clinic from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Dental appointments can be made by calling 309-888-5479.

MCHD can immunize all children, including those with private or public health insurance, and those without health insurance. Proxy forms can be found at mcleanil.gov. The form must be printed out and signed, and the proxy must bring an ID.

"The online Proxy form allows a person who is not the guardian to bring the child in for an immunization," Manko said.

Though the MCHD does not offer physicals, they are available at Chestnut Family Health Center, Carle BroMenn Family Health Clinic and the Carle BroMenn Outpatient Center.

Those who need a copy of their children's immunization records can obtain one at dph.illinois.gov/vaxverify.html.

Other area counties

The Livingston County Health Department is taking immunization appointments on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month; call 815-844-7174.

For immunization appointments at the Dewitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department, call 217-935-3427 or 217-762-7911. Children who are not fully insured are still eligible for vaccines.

The Logan County Department of Public Health offers vaccine clinics from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 217-735-2317 to make an appointment.

The Tazewell County Health Department offers children's vaccine clinics from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. TB tests are not given on Thursdays. Call 309-929-0294 to make an appointment.

The Woodford County Health Department is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Vaccine appointments can be made by calling 309-467-3064.

The Ford County Health Department is hosting a back-to-school immunization clinic from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, at 235 N. Taft St., Paxton. The clinic is for those ages 18 and younger and for those with or without insurance. Appointments are available, but walk-ins will also be accepted. Call 217-379-9281 to make an appointment.

Treats and school supplies will be available at the Ford County clinic while supplies last. Each child will be entered to win a bookbag.

Photos: Emergency crews train on air disaster readiness at Bloomington airport 061222-blm-loc-1training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-2training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-3training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-4training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-5training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-6training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-7training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-8training.jpg
LINCOLN  The potential reopening of Lincoln College is to remain under wraps until all interested parties agree to make a public statement.

On July 21, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch told a local radio show, the WHOW Morning Show in Clinton, that Lincoln College, which closed in May 2022 after 157 years, would reopen in some capacity.

However, those familiar with the matter and involved in the institution's future have said they are "sworn under secrecy," according to Logan County Board Chair Emily Davenport.

"Until everything is signed on the dotted line, everything is to be confidential," she said.

The same is true for the Lincoln College Board of Trustees.

"I can't disclose anything. We're under a confidentiality agreement," said board chair Patrick Doolin.

Jose Garcia, senior associate director of strategic communications for the Illinois Board of Higher Education, said the organization "has not received an application by an entity seeking to reinitiate postsecondary educational operations at the former Lincoln College site and is unaware of any plans to do so."

Staffer's at Welch's office said he was unavailable for comment, despite several attempts to contact the mayor in the past week.

Garcia noted that the college's closing was, "undoubtedly, a disruption for its students and the Lincoln community.

"Should there be an interest to reinitiate educational operations at the former Lincoln College site, the IBHE is ready to go through the appropriate processes with the interested entity."

PHOTOS: Lincoln Colleges final commencement ceremony
BLOOMINGTON  The National Weather Service has put most of Central Illinois, including McLean County, under an excessive heat warning until 8 p.m. Friday.

During this time, dangerously hot conditions with head index values up to 115 degrees are expected, with overnight values only falling to the upper 70s, according to the NWS.

The extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, particularly for people working outside or participating in outdoor activities.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include dizziness, headache, nausea, abdominal cramps, shallow breathing, clammy skin, muscle tremors and heavy perspiration.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a person suffering from heat stroke should get to an air-conditioned environment if possible or move to a shady location outside. They also should loosen their clothing and drink a cool, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage.

Symptoms of heat stroke could include a high body temperature, red and dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion and unconsciousness.

A person suffering from heat stroke should not be given fluids, according to IDPH. Instead, the person should be moved to a shady location and put in a semi-sitting position before having their head and body bathed in cold water.

To further keep residents safe during the heat wave, McLean County offers a number of cooling centers:

Bloomington

Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; available space is limited

Denny's Restaurant, 701 Eldorado Road, open 24 hours

Walmart, 2225 W. Market St., 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Junction at Home Sweet Home Ministries, 301 E. Oakland Ave., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Connect Transit bus, parking lot of McLean County Health Department, 200 W. Front St., availability determined on a case-by-case basis depending on available resources and weather

Normal

Denny's Restaurant, 1615 N. Main St., 6 a.m. to midnight

Meijer, 1900 E. College Ave., 6 a.m. to midnight

Normal Public Library, 206 W. College Ave., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, daily until last train at 9 p.m.

Walmart, 300 Greenbriar Drive, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Arrowsmith

Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, for a fire chief to assist.

Bellflower

Bellflower Community Center cafeteria, 104 W. Center St., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday

Chenoa

Chenoa Fire Department, 920 E. Cemetery Ave.; contact the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, to ensure the station is manned.

Cooksville

Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, for the village president or fire chief to assist.

Downs

Downs Fire Department, 102 W. Main St., open 24 hours, call 309-378-2021 to make sure the station is staffed.

Heyworth

Village Hall, 108 S. Buchanan St., 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday

Heyworth Fire Department upon notification, 103. S. Buchanan St., 309-473-3223

Hudson

Hudson Fire Department, 502 N. Broadway; call 309-726-1501 to see if station is manned.

LeRoy

Love's Travel Stop, 505 S. Persimmon Drive, 24 hours

Lexington

Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, for a fire chief, police department or emergency management agency to assist.

McLean

Road Ranger Truck Stop, 315 E. Dixie Road, 24 hours

Saybrook

Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, for a fire chief to assist.

Stanford

Allin Township Fire Department, 104 W. Main St.; call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, for the fire department to assist.

64% of Americans are now exposed to extreme heat. Here's why that's worrying 64% of Americans are now exposed to extreme heat. Here's why that's worrying Heat waves have become more frequent across major US cities Current heat wave seasons last 49 days longer than they did in the 1960s The average heat wave lasts about 4 days, a day longer than in the 1960s Temperature increases are now more extreme Dehydration and weather-related deaths are on the rise Agriculture and energy: a point of no return Preparation is key to facing extreme temperatures
A retired Illinois Army National Guard sergeant was arrested Wednesday on charges he and his brother broke into the U.S. Capitol through a Senate fire door on Jan. 6 and assaulted police officers trying to keep the mob from overrunning the building.

Joseph Bierbrodt, 54, of Sheridan, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., with eight counts, including disorderly conduct in a restricted building, assault of a federal officer, and obstruction of law enforcement, court records show.

Bierbrodt appeared at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Young Kim, who ordered him released on a $10,000 recognizance bond, records show.

His court-appointed attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. Bierbrodt retired from the Illinois Army National Guard in 2018, according to a spokesman.

Also charged in the same complaint was Bierbrodts brother, William Marty Bierbrodt, 55, of St. Cloud, Florida, records show. Court information for him was not immediately available.

Joseph Bierbrodt is at least the 39th Illinoisan to be charged in the Capitol breach, an ongoing investigation that has been described by prosecutors as the largest criminal investigation in the countrys history.

According to the complaint, surveillance images captured Bierbrodt and his brother, who had a distinctive long beard and was using a cane and scooter to move around because of a foot injury, as they approached a fire door on the Senate wing of the Capitol.

William Bierbrodt used his cane to smash through the window and reached through the broken glass to unlatch the door, the complaint stated.

Joseph Bierbrodt, dressed in a red hat, American flag face covering and dark sunglasses, was seen rushing through the door despite the presence of police in full riot gear on the other side trying to keep it from opening, the complaint alleged.

Once inside, Joseph Bierbrodt assaulted one of the officers and slammed him into a wall, according to the complaint. As they moved deeper into the hallway, the brothers were met by another line of riot police and pepper sprayed, causing them to retreat, according to the complaint.

Joseph Bierbrodt was photographed removing his face covering and trying to wash the spray from his eyes, according to the complaint. He then retreated back down the steps to where his brother had left his scooter and was again seen on surveillance images trying to wash his face, which was stained with blood from an apparent injury suffered in the melee.

The FBI first got a match for Joseph Bierbrodt using facial recognition technology last year, according to the complaint. His identity was then further corroborated by one of Bierbrodts fellow guardsman, who identified him for law enforcement from images captured at the Capitol, the complaint stated.

Bierbrodt was featured in a February 2018 story in the Tribune about escorting a kindergartner to her first father-daughter dance after her dad had died in a military training accident months earlier.

Bierbrodt, who has four children, was quoted in the article saying he was touched by the request to help the little girl. I consider it a huge honor to be able to do this, Bierbrodt said. We never forget the ones who have left, or leave their families unattended.

That May, he was given the Major Gen. John A. Logan Patriot Award at Chicagos Memorial Day ceremony. A Facebook post still public on the Illinois National Guards profile shows him standing with then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel as the award was announced.

His brother, William, was also identified last year. Social media posts later uncovered by law enforcement showed William had advocated violence against members of a different political ideology just weeks before the Capitol assault, including one post on Parler stating all the Obama cronies should be taken tied to a stack and shot in the head.

Time for revolution French style, the post stated, according to the complaint.

More than 1,000 people have been charged as part of the investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack, including arrests in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Of the 39 Illinoisans charged so far, Bierbrodt is one of only a handful to be accused of engaging in violence.

Among them was James Robert Elliott, of Aurora, a former member of the Proud Boys militia group who assaulted police outside the Capitol with a flagpole. He was sentenced in June to more than three years in prison.

Earlier this month, Kevin Lyons, 40, an HVAC technician from Chicagos Gladstone Park neighborhood, was given more than four years behind bars for entering U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis private office during the riot and stealing a staffers wallet as well as a cherished photo of the speaker with the late civil rights icon John Lewis.

Jan. 6, 2021: Scenes of violence at U.S. Capitol shock world
WATERLOO  State politicians and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois have waded into the ongoing debate over Waterloo District 5's transgender bathroom policies, which have become the focus of contentious school board meetings and led to the creation of opposing petitions.

Three Republican politicians attended the most recent board meeting July 17: former state Sen. Darren Bailey, state Rep. David Friess and state Sen. Terri Bryant. A representative of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost also was in attendance. Bailey and Bost are facing off in the 2024 Republican primary for Illinois' 12th Congressional District.

All four officials have expressed their support for the parents and students who oppose a recently-implemented policy that may allow trans students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity as long as they coordinate a "gender identity plan" with their parents and the district.

Meanwhile, the ACLU issued a statement on July 21 in support of the district's leadership for resisting pressure to repeal the policy, which would lead to violations of Illinois law and potentially open the district up to legal liability that could cost taxpayer dollars.

The district adopted the new policy at its May board meeting, a couple months after a group of about 135 students at Waterloo High School engaged in a protest against trans students using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity.

The district subsequently investigated the incident as potentially planned harassment of transgender students. Superintendent Brian Charron said there were some elements of harassment that occurred that day, which the district addressed with the involved students.

Before the protest, the district's relevant policy  section 7:10 of the policy manual  broadly outlined that "equal educational and extracurricular opportunities shall be available for all students" and that "no student shall, based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity be denied equal access to programs, activities, services, or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege, advantage, or denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities."

The new policy says "students are prohibited from using restrooms not associated with their biological sex" unless a student follows an administrative procedure to develop a gender identity plan with the school and their parents.

The goals of developing such a plan are to anticipate any issues that may occur and provide support to the student, the policy says. This includes identifying a restroom for the student to use, which "could be a gender neutral restroom or the restroom of the opposite biological sex."

"Our community seems to be torn. There's two sides. Both sides are upset about the policy, from one angle or another," Charron said. "Some people argue that it's too restrictive, and others are arguing that it's not restrictive enough."

Stand-up For Students

The district has said the new policy complies with both state and federal law that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and allows transgender students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Therefore, Charron said he doesn't anticipate the board making any changes to the policy at this point.

Nonetheless, the public participation period of the board meetings has been consumed by discussion of the topic.

Eight people spoke during the public participation period of the July 17 meeting, including members of the Stand-up For Students and Waterloo Listens groups, both of which have started petitions since the new policy was adopted.

The Stand-up For Students petition asks the board to revoke the current bathroom policy and replace it with one that requires students to use the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their sex at birth.

The petition has gained just over 1,500 signatures between the offline version that was started on June 1 and the online version that went live on July 6, according to Elizabeth Mifflin, who was third to speak at the meeting.

Mifflin did not want to provide further comment for this article.

Waterloo Listens

Daniel Flaum, a member of Waterloo Listens, also spoke at Monday's board meeting.

The organization was formed in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd to promote "education, empathy, mutual accountability, and justice for all." Flaum said in an interview that Waterloo Listens has members who are trans or know trans people in the community, and the group supports them "just as much as we would support anybody else who has a minority voice that hasn't been able to find a reasonable platform in this community."

Waterloo Listens created a counter petition  beginning in late June with signatures on paper and launching an online version on July 5  to the Stand-up For Students petition. Their petition has garnered more than 300 signatures so far between the online and offline versions.

Their petition requests that the board not adopt policies in violation of state and federal law, which could subject the district to lawsuits that would require taxpayer dollars. Instead, their petition requests that the school use taxpayer money on safety upgrades in restrooms and changing rooms like floor-to-ceiling stalls, distress buttons and a greater number of single-occupancy bathrooms.

Flaum said that while Waterloo Listens finds certain aspects of the new policy problematic, especially for trans students who come from unsupportive homes, they find the policy acceptable at this time to move the community and district forward.

"Our hope is that the focus will shift from actual policy on restroom use, to physical upgrades that will protect all students from harassment of any kind," he said.

Charron said there are some single-occupancy bathrooms in areas controlled by staff, like the nurse's office, library and administrative office, and that the board has planned modifications to provide stalls around urinals in some of the restrooms. Beyond that, the board has not committed to any other specific direction at this point, he said.

In the past couple weeks, Flaum said, Waterloo Listens has been focused on supporting trans students and their parents as they have had to navigate a hostile environment at the board meetings.

Flaum said the group accomplished that, increasing its turnout eightfold at the most recent meeting.

"We had lots of people come out and demonstrate that trans people are not alone in this community. They are here, they belong here and they have allies," he said.

During his remarks to the school board, Flaum cited two studies.

The first was a study published in an American Medical Association journal in 2022 that found cisgender youth were just as likely to report perpetrating sexual violence as gender minority youth, and that gender minority youth were more likely to report experiencing sexual violence.

The second study Flaum cited was published in 2022 by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law that found that less than 1.5% of American children between the ages of 13 and 17 identify as transgender.

The findings of these studies, Flaum said in his remarks, show that the perpetrators of assaults in school bathrooms or changing rooms are more likely to be cisgender than trans.

Politicians weigh in, superintendent responds

A spokesman for Bost's office said the congressman has spoken with local officials and committees of jurisdiction in Congress expressing his concerns and also cosponsored the Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act of 2023.

The bill  which was introduced in February and is still early in the legislative process  defines sex under Title IX as a person's biological sex at birth and specifies that schools will not lose federal funding or be prohibited from having sex-segregated bathrooms or locker rooms under Title IX.

In a written statement, Bost said: "It's wrong to force students to share restrooms with the opposite God-given gender; and it's frustrating that school districts often feel they have no choice but to accept it. It's an issue that hits home for parents because they're being told time and again that their values don't matter. They're being told that their children need to accept unnerving situations to appease the whims of woke activists. It's just nonsensical, and it's not right."

Bailey  who gained statewide attention for his opposition to COVID-related restrictions but lost his November bid to unseat J.B. Pritzker as governor  said in a written statement that multiple parents and students had reached out and asked him to attend the meeting.

"I went to pray with and support those parents and students; to let them know they have a voice, and that voice is being heard as they take a stand against woke bathroom policies that defy common sense," Bailey said. "Parents can no longer afford to remain silent or allow their elected representatives to avoid the fight and deliver no results as the left's radical agenda infiltrates our children's schools."

In response, Superintendent Charron expressed frustration that none of the elected officials contacted him personally in advance of last week's meeting.

"I find myself very perplexed by the stances taken by politicians recently... those that were present and/or represented at our last meeting of the Board of Education," he wrote in an email to the BND. "I'm surprised they announced to constituents their intent to attend our meeting without reaching out to myself as superintendent, or any of the members of our Board of Education. I'm even more perplexed by what comments a few of these politicians have provided the BND in preparation for this article, rather than engage with us directly with their concerns. I encourage your readers to read through their comments very closely."

Charron said that the district's policy is designed to comply with provisions of the Illinois Humans Rights Act, including a gender-related identity protection that was added to the Act in 2006. That protection remained in the act during the tenures of Bailey, Bryant and Friess when they voted in favor of adding additional protections in 2021.

"Did they state any objection to the law while voting to add additional protections?" Charron wrote. "To suggest our Board of Education is appeasing the whims of woke activists is completely unfair and irresponsible. Are our politicians suggesting that our school should violate the law? What protections are they willing to offer Waterloo residents (whose property taxes fund the legal fees of our school district) should our Board of Education adopt policy as they seem to be advocating for publicly? I encourage each of them to engage with us and offer a legal solution to this matter, rather than simply attempt to profit politically from this controversy."

ACLU statement

The ACLU's written statement applauded the district for resisting calls to break the law and offered support for the district's leadership.

Edwin C. Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois, sent this statement to the BND:

"The School Board of Waterloo CUSD #5 is fulfilling its obligations by resisting the pressure of a handful of loud, angry voices calling for them to abandon their policy allowing students to utilize restrooms consistent with their gender identity. Not only are such calls based on discredited stereotypes and misunderstandings about transgender students, but heeding them would also violate of Illinois law.

"Giving in to these calls as an institution charged with educating young students would send a terrible message  that adherence to laws is optional and dependent on who yells the loudest," he said.

"We note that at the most recent Board meeting, a number of elected officials and candidates for public office were in attendance, offering support for those calling for the policy to be changed. While every public official can oppose any policy  we call on these leaders to eschew suggestions that Waterloo can somehow place itself above state law. Discussion of these issues already can be emotional; public officials  and those seeking office  have a responsibility to be clear to everyone about what the law requires."

Photos: GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey's election results watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party Darren Bailey watch party
PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, the largest provider of professional services in Africa has called on companies in Ghana to deepen their commitment to social responsibility and sustainability issues. Speaking on Tuesday 25 July, 2023, at the 10th edition of the Centre for CSR West Africas National CSR and Sustainability Conference at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Mr. Richard Ansong, a Partner at PwC admonished companies in Ghana to continue to seek ways to improve their commitments to sustainable practices.



Mr. Ansong said: Companies can no longer operate without strong commitments to values that promote, support and protect people and the planet. It is no longer fashionable or acceptable to stand aside and watch. Some companies are doing well to integrate sustainability practices in their businesses, others have a long way to go. The more companies in Ghana imbibe sustainability, the better the business ecosystem would become.



Talking about PwC, he said: As the largest provider of professional services in Africa, we are a forward-thinking, forward-looking, sustainability-conscious organization. We specialize in providing industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for our clients globally and in Ghana. We ensure that sustainability is engrained in our service delivery. We take pride in the fact that our services add value by helping to improve transparency, trust and consistency of business processes in Ghana and across the world.



The Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), West Africa, a leading CSR and Sustainability advocacy organization, in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries, organized the Conference and brought together, many leading socially responsible companies and organisations who rendered accounts of their impressive and excellent social stewardship at the Conference.



Other companies and organizations such as RYTHM Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Vodafone Ghana, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Vision, Volta River Authority and VIVO Energy delivered speeches and presentations on their contributions to CSR and sustainability.



Talking from the perspectives of academia, Prof. Martin Gyambrah, a Senior Educational Manager, Strategy Consultant and Corporate Advisor with extensive experience in Institutional Development, Leadership and Administration in International Contexts and Director of the University of Applied Management Ghana, asked companies to establish actions and systems to ensure or guarantee the sustainability and continuity of critical resources for the achievement of their sustainability objectives. He implored businesses to re-align and commit to sustainable business practices and create Merchants of Foresight. He advised that a company that cannot imagine or plan for the future, would not be around to enjoy it.



Also in attendance was GOIL, Ghanas leading marketer and distributor of oil and petroleum products represented by its Public Relations Manager, Mr. Robert Kyere and Madam Jamilatu Mohammed, RYTHM Foundation represented by the Head of the Foundation, Santhi Periasamy, World Vision represented by Mrs. Agnes Obeng and Mr. Joseph Appiah. The Conference was a platform that enabled businesses give account of their societal stewardship, network, partner and collaborate for business sustainability.



Promasidor, Republic Bank, CBL West Africa, SIC Ghana, Ghanaian German Economic Association, Societe Generale, Consolidated Bank, Blay and Associates, Fruveg, Toyota Ghana, Rivella Enterprise, Bosomtwi Industries, Imperial General Assurance, J. A. Abrahams & Sons, Amla Foundation, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc and more than 30 media organisations attended the Conference.



Speaking at the Conference, Mr, John Kojo Williams, Co-Founder of the Centre for CSR, West Africa said: Since 2013, we have been at the forefront of creating awareness on CSR and sustainability issues and matchmaking companies to create sustainable impact. We are happy that this Conference is a huge success and that companies were provided the much-needed platform to render their CSR account, network and partner for more sustainable projects that will keep their businesses alive and make society better. This Conference brought together, companies, business associations, regulatory agencies, international aid organisations, academia and the media.



According to the Centre for CSR West Africa, a magazine to compile CSR activities of companies in Ghana would soon be published. Entries for the 10th Edition of the Ghana CSR Excellence Awards 2024 are now officially open. Enquiries can be sent to: [email protected].

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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On Tuesday 25th July, 2023, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), West Africa, a leading CSR and Sustainability advocacy organization, in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries, brought together, many leading socially responsible companies and organisations who rendered accounts of their impressive and excellent social stewardship, demonstrating a stella commitment to their impact on the broader society and environment within which they operate.



Prominent sustainability-inclined businesses and organisations such as PwC, RYTHM Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Vision, Volta River Authority, Vodafone and VIVO Energy delivered speeches and presentations about how they imbibe the tenets of social responsibility and ultimately contributing their quota to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).



They gave vivid examples of projects they are implementing in health, education, community development, human capital development, volunteerism and other areas. Prof. Martin Gyambrah, Director of the University of Applied Management, Germany (Ghana campus) delivered a practical and scholarly presentation on a new world imperative for business sustainability, post COVID-19. He encouraged businesses to re-think, re-align and commit to sustainable business practices so they can cope with the challenges of a new fast-paced world. He advised that a company that cannot imagine or plan for the future, would not be around to enjoy it.



GOIL, Ghanas leading marketer and distributor of oil and petroleum products represented by its Public Relations Manager, Mr. Robert Kyere and Madam Jamilatu Mohammed, RYTHM Foundation represented by the Head of the Foundation, Santhi Periasamy, PwC, represented by one of its Partners, Mr. Richard Ansong, World Vision represented by Mrs. Agnes Obeng and Mr. Joseph Appiah supported the Conference as lead sponsors, creating a platform that enabled businesses give account of their societal stewardship, network, partner and collaborate for business sustainability and the greater good of society.



Other notable companies and organisations that participated in the Conference include Toyota Ghana, Promasidor, Republic Bank, CBL West Africa, Imperial General Assurance, SIC Ghana, Ghanaian German Economic Association, Societe Generale, Consolidated Bank, Blay and Associates, Fruveg, Rivella Enterprise, J.A. Abrahams & Sons, Bosomtwi Industries, Amla Foundation, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and many others.



According to Mr. Richard Ansong, a Partner at PwC: As the largest provider of professional services in Africa, we are a forward-thinking, forward-looking, sustainability-conscious organization. We specialize in providing industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for our clients globally and in Ghana. We ensure that sustainability is engrained in our service delivery. Companies can no longer operate without strong commitment to values that promote, support and protect people and the planet. We take pride in the fact that our services add value by helping to improve transparency, trust and consistency of business processes in Ghana and across the world.



The Head of RYTHM Foundation, the CSR arm of QI Group, Madam Santhi Periasamy said: Over the years, RYTHM has made considerable strides in ensuring Education for All (SDG 4), encouraging Gender Equality (SDG 5), safeguarding Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), providing access to Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG7), promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), helping Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10), and strengthening Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).



She revealed: More than 80,000 beneficiaries have been impacted by RYTHM-funded community projects in approximately 30 countries over the last decade. We have implemented around 75 Projects focused on sustainable community development projects globally. Across the world, we have partnered 135 organisations and more than 17,000 youths and 155,000 women and young females have been assisted through our flagship initiatives and community programmes.



The Chief Executive Officer of the AGI, Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah said: We are glad that corporate members of our Association are well represented at this Conference. As a leading business association, we encourage and help our members to be socially responsible. We remind them that though making profit is important, they need to put sustainability first. A company can only make profit, if it is in existence and in good relations with internal and external stakeholders. Mr. Nathaniel Quarcoopome, Director of Finance and Administration of the AGI was also present.



The Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, Madam Suzuki Momoko revealed that JICA has been working with Ghana since 1963, supporting the Government of Ghanas development agenda. She said: JICA is one of the worlds largest Official Development Assistance executing agencies, taking an integrated approach to development cooperation by combining technical cooperation, finance and investment cooperation and grants. Our extensive interventions in Ghana cut across many sectors including, health, education, private sector development, agriculture, infrastructure and governance.



Speaking at the Conference, Mr, John Kojo Williams, Co-Founder of the Centre for CSR, West Africa said: Since 2013, we have been at the forefront of creating awareness on CSR and sustainability issues and matchmaking companies to create sustainable impact. We are happy that this Conference is a huge success and that companies were provided the much-needed platform to render their CSR account, network and partner for more sustainable projects that will keep their businesses alive and make society better. This Conference brought together, companies, business associations, regulatory agencies, international aid organisations, academia and the media.



Mr. Williams announced that a magazine to compile CSR activities of companies in Ghana would soon be published. He also announced that entries for Ghana CSR Excellence Awards 2024 are now officially open. Enquiries can be sent to: centreforcsr@outlook.com. More than 30 media houses attended the Conference.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Deputy Minister in charge of General Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has directed management of Adisadel College to submit the report of the investigation team set up to look into the bullying case in the school to the ministry today.



The directive is a revised timeline for the investigation team which was initially expected to go into the issue and submit a report in two weeks.



The deputy minister further tasked the school authority to immediately start a psycho-support system for all final-year students of the school as they prepare to sit the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).



Outcomes



Briefing the Daily Graphic about the outcome of a meeting between the school authority and parents of the students, the Head of Public Relations of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Cassandra Twum Ampofo, said those were part of the outcomes of separate meetings with the management of Adisadel College, parents of the victim and the culprit.



She added that as part of the outcome of the meeting, the ministry agreed to facilitate further medical examination on the victim to ensure that he did not develop any major health complications as a result of the incident.



Consequently, Ms Ampofo added that the victim was taken to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital after the meeting at the ministry in the company of Rev. Fordjour for the medical examination.



The meeting was to enable the ministry and its agency, the GES, to gain further insight into the incident which took place on Tuesday, June 30, this year and whose video went viral on social media last Monday.



Condemnation



After the viral video, the GES issued a statement last Monday expressing deep concerns and condemned what it described as a barbaric act of violence in our schools.



We applaud the school authorities for taking swift action to suspend the culprit pending further investigation, the statement said.



It then directed the Regional Director of Education to liaise with the school authorities and the relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate the issue for appropriate action.



The statement assured the general public that the management of GES was taking the matter seriously and was committed to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students across the country.



Viral video



The incident attracted anger, fury and outcry from the public, who called for immediate action to be taken.



The incident, which happened at a dormitory at the Quaque House, left one of the students, Kelvin Ofori, who was attacked by a taller student, with a swollen cheek.



The taller and older student, identified only as Bobby, was seen in the viral video holding the neck of his victim from behind as though to strangulate him in the presence of other students who shouted cautionary remarks.



As the victim gasped for breath and tried to free himself from his attacker, the taller student pushed him towards a bunk bed and violently hit his face against the bed.



At that moment, Bobby was seen pushing Ofori away from him.



The victim examined his face and felt blood on a badly swollen cheek.



Suspension



The school has suspended Ofori and the bully, and the two third-year students are to write the WASSCE papers from home.



A statement from the school said the student who recorded the video and circulated it would also be suspended externally for one week, return and do internal work on suspension for another week, and bring the phone to the school, else he would also be sanctioned.



Also, others who were there but did nothing and also did not report would all go through some internal punishment.



The housemaster, Ekow Holman, has also been relieved of his post, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a lecturer at the Central University, has questioned the logic in the decision by the management of Adisadel College to suspend a housemaster at the school over the violent fight between two of their students.



The students' scuffle, which was videoed and leaked to the public, saw one of them holding the neck of the other as though to strangulate him and later hit the victim's head on a bunk bed.



The victim, who struggled to free himself from the grip of his perpetrator, had a swollen cheek as a result of the impact.



Following the incident that occurred in a dormitory at Quaque House of the Adisadel College, the management suspended both students and the housemaster named Ekow Holman.



But Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah finds it disturbing that the housemaster would be punished for what he believes is no fault of his.



He noted that reports indicate the students lied about the incident after the housemaster got a wind of it and inquired from them.



They are said to have told the housemaster that they were playing and one got hurt in the process.



In respect of this, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah slammed the authorities of the College for suspending the housemaster saying "there are some people who will refuse to take up the position of a housemaster. The work of a housemaster is very difficult".



"How is it like to even monitor your three children; talk of putting all these many children in one house and you being told to supervise them? Your own report indicates that they lied to the housemaster that they were playing and the boy got hurt. On what basis do you suspend the housemaster?", he further queried.



To him, if care is not taken, teachers may become lame in responding to incidents involving their students to avoid being punished for something that is not their fault.



"We should be careful about the way we gagging teachers," he warned.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26)  Authorities have found inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) the decapitated body of an inmate reported to be missing for days, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

Yung katawan nya nahanap na 'yan sa Sputnik compound, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told CNN Philippines The Source on Thursday.

The inmate reported missing last July 15 was identified as 25-year-old Michael Cataroja. Remulla said authorities are now looking for the prisoners head.

During this process, other remains were also discovered inside a septic tank in the national penitentiary, the DOJ chief noted.

Prison authorities tapped the expertise of the National Bureau of Investigation and the K9 Force of the Philippine Coast Guard for the search and rescue of Cataroja.

The cadaver dogs, trained to detect decomposing flesh, led to the discovery of the chopped-up body parts hidden in the septic tank, the BuCor said in a statement Wednesday.

Remulla said an investigation is ongoing to determine how many bodies were dumped in the septic tank.

"We are investigating, iniimbestigahan namin lahat ng pangyayari. I'm expecting a comprehensive report at the end of the day from Director General Catapang," Remulla told reporters during an ambush interview on Wednesday, referring to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gregorio Catapang Jr.

[Translation: We are investigating everything that happened.]

Other details were not disclosed, but Remulla said they might need the help of forensic anthropologists.

"Sketchy pa lahat (everything is sketchy), everything is still in the exploratory stage and we're still trying to find out, trying to get to the bottom of everything," he explained. "We still have to find the timeline pa kaya wala kaming mako-conclude (so we cannot make any conclusion yet)."

Remulla last week ordered a search for the missing PDL.

Asked what was the possible motive behind Catarojas death, he said the inmate allegedly had many debts and had a feeble mind.

Remulla said the incident proves the urgent need to build more regional prison facilities to decongest the NBP.

Lawmakers from the ACT-CIS party-list led by Rep. Erwin Tulfo filed a resolution seeking a probe into the incident.

House Resolution 1136 filed by Erwin and Jocelyn Tulfo with Edvic Yap called on the appropriate House panels to investigate the relevant government agencies in charge of the custody and rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty.

Last year, prison authorities discovered nearly 200 unclaimed bodies of inmates at an NBP-accredited funeral parlor.
A lecturer at the Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has vehemently condemned the action of a student at Adisadel College who nearly strangled his fellow student on the campus.



Two students of the Quaque House at Adisadel College engaged in a fierce fight over a SIM card, reports indicate.



The fight ended up with one of the students holding tight the neck of the other to the extent that the latter was gasping for breath but perpetrator ignored the pain of his victim and violently hit the victim's head on a bunk bed causing him to have a swollen cheek.



Reacting to the incident during Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah called on the management of the school to take the students through psycological therapy, particularly the one who tried to strangle the other.



To him, the perpetrator exhibited signs of a criminal and seriously needs counselling to avoid him growing up to become one.



"At this level and he is doing this, he could grow up into a criminal. This child needs counselling. If we don't psyche him and shape his mind, he might turn into a criminal . . . I wouldn't be surprised to find out that this child took some hard drugs because if you are in the right frame of mind, you wouldn't hit your brother's head against a metal bed. If his eye has got damaged, how do you replace it?"

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has stressed the need for the government to make consensus building a key component of its strategies in delivering good governance to the people.



Consensus building does not diminish a leader" but rather projects a leader's strength in carrying along his vision with the people that he leads."



Former President Mahama said this when he addressed the opening of the 2023 National Development Conference organised by the Church of Pentecost at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region today, July 26, 2023.



The conference, which is on the theme: Moral vision and national development brought together key personalities, stakeholders, bodies and institutions in the country to deliberate on critical issues that border on the countrys development.



Among the speakers attending the event are Vice President Dr. Mamoudu Bawumia; Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin; Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo; former President John Agyekum Kufuor; President of Ghana Journalist Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour; Former Minister of Womens Affairs of Zimbabwe, Dr Olivia Nyembezi Muchena and Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu.



Expatiating on his call on the government to build consensus, Mr. Mahama said through consensus building, leaders are able to come up with good ideas that could help to advance the development of the country.



He said during his tenure as President, he held a forum that offered opportunities to Ghanaians to offer ideas on some critical issues.



For him, the Senchi forum really contributed some good ideas that helped to stabilize the countrys economy and other important matters that bordered on the countrys development.



Mr. Mahama believes that when the government also emulates the example of the Church of Pentecost to hold a national forum, it will offer ideas on some key government projects, including the implementation of the free Senior High School programme.



Touching on the theme, the former President expressed the concern that the country was fast losing its moral and ethical codes.



"We are faced with an erosion of our traditional values and Westernisation of our societies and adoption of alien cultures imported from elsewhere," he noted.



For him, many communities do not care about moral and ethical values and that could be seen in how people whose sources of income are not known are celebrated in the country.



"What happened to our abhorrence for greed and theft", Mer. Mahama quizzed, saying why do we celebrate persons, who today are wealthy with dubious sources of income and yet society is not concerned about the person's source of income."



He said "ethics have a direct impact on national development", adding that all societies that "have fallen lost their ethics and moral compass."



The leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed the hope that Ghana will continue to maintain its moral compass."

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV.



They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.



Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday.



He was promised Washington's "unwavering support" in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.



UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN's full support.



Mr Bazoum is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa.



Two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups triggered by jihadist uprisings in recent years.



In both countries the new military leaders have fallen out with France, the former colonial power, which also formerly ruled Niger.



Mr Bazoum's whereabouts are unclear but in a statement on Twitter on Thursday morning he said the "hard-won gains will be safeguarded" and that Nigeriens who love democracy will see to it.



Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou has declared himself the head of state and called on all democrats to "make this adventure fail".



In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know.



"This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance."



He also said that all of the country's institutions had been suspended and that the heads of the ministries would take care of day-to-day business.



"All external partners are asked not to interfere," he went on. "Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised."



He added a night curfew would take effect from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice.



Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).



After the soldiers' TV announcement, Mr Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum.



He told a news conference in New Zealand that "what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution".

Source: BBC









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The First Deputy Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Banda, Ibrahim Ahmed, has said that Ghanaians should brace themselves for a scandal that is worse the that of the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah.



Cecilia Dapaah is being investigated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor after court documents revealed that the minister and her family lost US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis in cash; assorted clothes valued at GH95,000 and handbags, perfumes, and jewellery valued at US$95,000, during a robbery.



Speaking in an interview on Accra FM, on July 25, 2023, monitored by GhanaWeb, Ibrahim Ahmed suggested some monies have been stolen from another government appointee which is way more than that of the former sanitation minister.



There is another one coming and the money involved is way more and the money involved is crazy.



It is not the same person (Cecilia Dapaah), it is a different person. These people Cecilias money is even small, he said in Twi.



The Banda legislator added that We are investigating the matter and we would soon release details.



















































Source: ghanaweb.com









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First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei Owusu, says if we want to battle galamsey and put an end to it once and for all, we will be successful.



The lawmaker who represents the people of Bekwai constituency stated that we can talk all we want, but if we dont take action to fight galamsey, our efforts will be futile.



According to the MP, as a nation and leaders, we know what steps to take to combat galamsey, but we are not taking them.



He was responding to statements made by some MPs on the problem of galamsey and unlawful mining on the Black Volta.



He recalled the first remark he made on galamsey five years ago, when it had reached the Northern Region.



Osei Owusu stated that if our leaders fail to take the necessary actions to halt galamsey, the regular comments delivered before the plenary will continue.



We can talk as much as we want; if we want to put a stop to it, we can. But if we dont take the steps, then we can continue to talk about it here (in Parliament). The steps necessary are known, and if we want to do them, we will. Until we do that, we will keep coming back here with statements when it gets to your turn. Now it is in the Volta region. From there, it will move to another region. The first statement I commented on was from the North. That was four or five years ago. Now that it has gotten to the Volta Region, another statement We will wait until it gets to our region, then we will make a statement, and the others will continue to bash it as we choose, when we already know what it takes to stop Galamsey once and for all.













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A member of the ruling New Patriotic Partys (NPP) communications team, Kwasi Taylor,



believes Madam Cecilia Dapaahs resignation as Sanitation and Water Resources Minister was insufficient.



According to him, the controversy surrounding the alleged stolen cash at the ministers apartment, including the $1 million, created various issues that needed to be answered.



He observed that the situation has made it difficult for party communicators to speak out and defend the party, especially while Ghanaians are talking about economic hardship.



He stated that party communicators would have difficulty discussing the matter because it had tarnished the governments reputation.



Taylor termed this event as terrible, saying that it will leave an indelible imprint on the party going into the 2024 general elections.



She urged the resigned minister to account to Ghanaians for her actions while in office since simply retiring was insufficient.



"She has to account to Ghanaians for her stewardship. We appointed her as minister to assist the nation with our goals for the country, and her actions have dragged the country backwards. We must deal with the external cost of her actions on the nation. We must insist on answers. Her resignation was not enough. If we dont ask questions, people will be appointed, misbehave, and resign without any accountability. When you consume more than your salary or more than your salary, you must answer questions.



When you have questionable spending, the Special Prosecutor can even investigate you. So we should question the minister about the source of the stolen funds.



"The cost of the external effect is significant, and as party communicators, we are struggling to communicate on the subject. In the natural sense, money came into circulation, and if we could go to the IMF for 3 billion dollars and one person could have more than 11 million dollars in her room, it would be difficult to defend this scandal. People will try to defend it by claiming that the funds stolen were from funeral donations, but I beg to differ. I am saddened and disappointed by the incident, he added.





Source: rainbow radio









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The Speaker of Ghanas Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has called on Christendom to hold prayer conferences in all 16 regions of Ghana.



He emphasized the importance of prayer in the affairs of mankind and its relevance to the growth of the nation, especially in the times in which the nation finds itself.



According to him, this initiative is very significant as it will help renew the minds and hearts of Ghanaians and subsequently lead to a better country.



Last year, I had a conversation with a number of men of God and I did propose that there was urgent need for us to have prayer conferences from region to region in all the 16 regions.



This is necessary, we need to not just have a change of mind, but a change of heart, so Im glad to see the Church of Pentecost leading this initiative. he stated.



Mr. Speaker said this at the Moral Vision and National Development Conference 2023, being organized and hosted by the Church of the Pentecost at its Convention Center in the Gomoa Fetteh in the central region.



Mr. Bagbin commended the Church of Pentecost for their effort and acceptance of his proposal and for organizing such an event that brings all stakeholders together.



The two-day Moral Vision and National Development conference began today, Wednesday, 26, July 2023 at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Gomoa Fetteh near Kasoa will end on Thursday 27, July, 2023.



The ceremony is being spearheaded by the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.



In attendance was Former Presidents, John Agyekum Kufour and John Dramani Mahama and the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, reps from the National House of Chiefs, the Muslim community among many others.





Source: gbc









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Northern Regional Minister Hon. Alhasan Saani Shaibu has commissioned a 1000 cubic meter Wastewater Treatment Plant at Gbalahi a suburb of Tamale in the Sagnarigu Municipality in the Northern Regional.



"Only 2% of the faecal matter generated in the Tamale Metropolis is properly treated currently, the remaining 98% of it is diverted sadly and helplessly into people's farms which has a negative public health effect on the people" he lamented.



He said Tamale is the fourth largest city in Ghana and the population growth rate stands at about 3.5 which has a ripling effect on waste generation.



Hon. Shaibu said the New Patriotic Party government led by H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been strategic in implementing sustainable development policies that will address many teething problems of the country.



The facility which was designed and constructed by Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL) a member of the Jospong Group of Companies in partnership with Pureco of Hungary is a 20 million Euro project financed by the Hungary Exim Bank.



The wastewater treatment plant which seeks to drastically reduce if not end the inappropriate sludge water disposal in the Tamale Metropolis will receive faecal sludge from Tamale and the adjoining municipal and district administrative areas such as Sagnarigu, Savelugu, Naton and Mion among

others.



The State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mr. Tristan Azbej, was delighted the Hungary and Ghana relationship has is yielding results and hope it is sustained in the interest of the people of the two countries.

He urged workers of the facility to manage it properly to last for the country.



On her part, the Chief Operating Officer of the Environment and Sanitation cluster of the JGC, Mrs. Florence Larbi gave glory to God for making the dream a reality and appreciated the Ghana and Hungary partnership which was keenly led by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and the President of the Republic.



She was hopeful that the partnership will continue for the benefit of the people of Ghana and Hungary.



The COO who was read a speech on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong also commended the Tolon Naa on whose land the facility is situated and all his royal able chiefs and people who flanked him at the colourful ceremony for the willful release of the land for the purpose.





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The Ambassadors of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to Ghana, has announced a historic partnership, at an event hosted by Ghanas Minister of Health, Honorable Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.



This agreement between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea supports Ghanas goal of Universal Health Coverage.



The three countries shared commitment will improve primary health care and strengthen global health security defenses in Ghana against current and future pandemic threats  at a time when the world is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic but with many countries experiencing backsliding in some essential health services.



The agreement signed will help align individual countries efforts, allowing each to focus on comparative strengths in support of Ghanas public health institutions.



The United States is committed to working with our global partners to invest in primary health care and global health security, said U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer. No country can afford to stand alone during a pandemic. COVID-19 showed us the power of strategic partnership with our allies to build a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous world. We are proud to join Japan and the Republic of Korea in this partnership to achieve Universal Coverage in Ghana.



The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, MOCHIZUKI Hisanobu, said "This MOC is the first of its kind between all parties and we aim to contribute further to the achievement of universal health coverage in Ghana with USAID and KOICA, by facilitating more efficient development aid. Together with our esteemed partners, we will be committed to ensure we achieve this objective for the people of Ghana."



The Ambassadors of the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the United States with Ghana Ministry of Health Officials celebrate the signing of the new agreement.



Through this Memorandum of Cooperation, the Republic of Korea reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Ghana in achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening health security. We will work hand in hand with our esteemed partners to improve primary health care services, ensuring that they are easily accessible and of the highest quality, said the Republic of Korea Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Jung-taek Lim.



The three countries, through their respective development agencies  the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)  will leverage their individual expertise and resources to support three key health priorities in Ghana: (1) primary health care; (2) health governance at the sub-national level (regions and districts); and (3) global health security. The partnership will build on Ghanas primary health care system  the Community-Based Health Planning and Services and health centers to strengthen the quality of health services.



The agreement comes at a pivotal time when public health experts are focusing on building capacity for the next epidemic or pandemic, yet health indicators including global life expectancy and childhood vaccinations are slipping. Investments in primary health care and global health security are critical to allow countries to rebuild their health systems and prepare for current and future health emergencies.

The United States, through USAID, plans to invest up to $135 million through 2027, subject to appropriate approvals, in these efforts in Ghana. KOICA will invest approximately $23 million dollars, and JICA will invest its technical and financial resources as approvals are obtained.



About USAID



The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID's activities and strategic partnerships support Ghana's journey to self-reliance. Our work advances an integrated approach to development. It promotes accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development.



About JICA



The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is a government agency of Japan, in charge of administering Japans Official Development Assistance (ODA) aiming to promote human security and quality growth. JICA works together with its partners, leading the world with trust. JICAs activities in Ghana focuses on quality infrastructure for economic growth, industrial and agricultural development, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and capacity development for effective public service.



About KOICA



Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was established in 1991 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea as a governmental organization to implement the Korean governments Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programs. KOICA Ghana Office has been supporting and implementing developmental programs in Ghana in four key sectoral areas: Public Health, Agricultural and Rural Development, Education, and Governance.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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Supporters of a coup in Niger have attacked the headquarters of the ousted president's party, setting it on fire and stoning and burning cars outside.



The small group of arsonists had broken away from a larger show of support for the coup leaders outside parliament, where Russian flags were on show.



The army has now given its backing to the troops who took President Mohamed Bazoum captive on Wednesday.



Russia joined other countries and the UN in calling for Mr Bazoum's release.



The 64-year-old, who was elected as Niger's president two years ago, is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in West Africa.



The US and France, the former colonial power, both have military bases in the uranium-rich country - and have condemned the coup.



US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called up Mr Bazoum promising Washington's "unwavering support".



Mr Bazoum took to Twitter on Thursday morning to issue a defiant statement: "The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it."



His foreign minister has also been trying to rally support and urge dialogue, but the army chief of staff said he was backing the takeover to avoid fighting within the armed forces.



It remains unclear who is really in charge of Niger as the junta has not announced its leader.

Source: BBC









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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said China has offered to conduct joint military exercises with the Philippines.

They offered us that prospect, but we have to study first, Brawner said in an interview on the sidelines of the 96th anniversary of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.

Informal lang (The talks are still informal) The ambassador said they submitted white papers, but we have to study, he added.

Brawner did not disclose which area the joint exercises could be held.

The AFP chief only said the military cooperation between Manila and Beijing remains limited to sending Filipino officers to training schools in China for now.

He also lauded Chinas contributions of weapons and ammunition during the Marawi siege in 2017.

The AFP chief said the Philippines is ready to work with any country when it comes to building its defensive capabilities.

Opening up to any country who would like to help us. Right now, what we are trying to do develop our own self-reliant defense posture, Brawner said.

Envoy: China commitment to settle issues peacefully

In a separate speech, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian reiterated Beijings commitment to settle issues and differences through peaceful means.

As long as the consensus between our top leaders is implemented in real earnest, we will be able to see new progress in the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Huang.

China is willing to work with the Philippines to adhere to independence and good neighborliness, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, properly manage differences through consultation and dialogue, the Chinese envoy added.
Farmers in three districts of the Upper East Region are facing significant losses as their farmlands are invaded by fall armyworms.



The rapid spread of these insects has left farmers struggling to contain the infestation and calling for support from relevant stakeholders to combat the menace.



Despite the farmers' efforts to control the spread of fall armyworms in their crops, the insects continue to multiply, causing great concern and frustration among the agricultural community.



One affected farmer lamented, "I don't know what to do anymore; I have tried to separate my crops, but the armyworms are still there. What can I do now?"



The infestation of fall armyworms is not a new challenge for farmers in the Upper East Region.



Since 2017, farmers and agriculture sector stakeholders have been searching for effective measures and chemicals to combat the spread of these pests. However, this farming season has witnessed a surge in fall armyworm infestations in three districts: Builsa South, Nabdam, and Kassena Nankana Municipal.



In response to the crisis, the Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Zachariah Fuseini, has assured the affected districts and farmers of the department's readiness to assist them in their fight against the armyworms.



He announced that the office has received chemicals from the government to support farmers in combating the insects. Additionally, agricultural officers are actively educating farmers on how to use the chemicals to separate their farmlands effectively and eliminate the pests.



Mr Fuseini emphasised that the chemicals provided are free of charge, as the government has procured them to support Ghanaian farmers.



He sternly warned against any attempts by extension officers or others to sell the chemicals, stating that such actions would lead to arrest for violating the directives of the agric department.



The regional director assured farmers that the department is well-prepared to tackle the fall armyworm menace. He disclosed that comprehensive plans have been put in place, with adequate material chemicals and human resources ready to combat any detected armyworm outbreaks.



With the support and cooperation of relevant stakeholders, the Upper East Region aims to overcome the fall armyworm infestation, safeguarding agricultural livelihoods and food security in the affected districts.





Source: class fm









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The founder of now-defunct UT Bank, Capt. (rtd) Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has warned Ghanaians against accepting chieftaincy titles.



According to him, anybody who accepts chieftaincy titles in Ghana puts him or herself up for exploitation, citinewsroom.com reports.



He added that not only does accepting chieftaincy titles drain one financially, but it also consumes a lot of time.



Dont accept chieftaincy titles. They will drain your finances and time. You will be responsible for the expenses of durbars, and you will have to provide financial support to the community.



These are the things that have set this country back, make sure you dont fall prey, he warned.



The retired army captain also warned Ghanaian business owners against allowing family members, politicians and pastors to meddle in their businesses.



He explained that even though politicians and pastors can be great business connectors, their actions can lead to the collapse of businesses.



Politicians and pastors are necessary evils because they can give you the right connections. However, they also need to milk you, and they can raise your company to a high status if you have the right relationships but be careful, he said.



He added that business owners must be strong enough to sack their family members who are misbehaving because failure to do that might lead to them losing their business.













































Source: ghanaweb.com









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Abass Nurudeen, the Ashanti Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that his party is far better than the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).



Abass Nurudeen's remarks were made in response to the news of theft of a significant amount of money, amounting to US$1 million, 300,000, and 350,000 Ghana cedis, from the private residence of a former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.



Speaking on a panel discussion on Oyerepa TV, Abass Nurudeen said government's much-touted promise of providing one million cedis per constituency has seemingly vanished into the personal coffers of certain ministers.



He accused the NPP of denying financial support to struggling businesses, citing the inability of individuals to access their own money from banks.



"A lot of businesses are collapsing. The businesses that have not collapsed yet are also struggling. When we said it, the government said there is no money to the extent that you cannot even access your own money from the bank. But now we know that the one million per constituency are under the beds of some ministers," oyerepafmonline.com quoted him to have said,



He added "I am not saying we [NDC] are saints, I am not implying that during our time bad things didn't happen. But when you look at the NPP and what they are doing, we can attest that the NDC is 1000 times better than the NPP. With all our weaknesses and our defects, we are 1000 times better than the NPP.



Cecilia Dapaah has since July 22 resigned her ministerial position and has been arrested and released on bail by the Special Prosecutor after a search was conducted at her residence.



Meanwhile, police have submitted the docket of the case of theft as reported by the minister and her husband to the Attorney-General for advice.



However, some relatives of the former minister have also been questioned about the stolen monies from her Abelemkpe residence which led to her resignation from office and the current probe by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.























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New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant and Member of parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has assured the Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Jibril that he will shame him by building factories in the region.



Speaking on Wa based Home Radio on July 24, 2023, Kennedy Agyapong indicated that the Savannah Regional minister's work as a former classroom teacher is different from politics and so will ignore all those insulting him.



It would be recalled that the Savannah Regional Minister after the visit of the NPP presidential aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong to Damongo charged delegates of the NPP across the Savannah Region to vote for a personality not like John Dramani to lead the NPP going into the 2024 elections and not radicals who are on an insulting spree.



Saeed Muhazu Jibril described the campaign methods of the Assin Central MP and the former general secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyapong as very insulting targeting the personality of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, which at the end will spell doom for the NPP party.



Speaking on Damongo based Kasha FM on Wednesday July 19, 2023, Muhazu said all campaigns are supposed to be tilted towards the achievements of the party since you cant speak against the same party you seek to lead.



He described them as unpatriotic members of the party who should not come near to leading the party.



However, Kennedy Agyapong responding to the comments of the Savannah Regional Minister on Wa based Home Radio said; many people not only in Ghana dont like the truth so when you are telling the truth you become the targetso its been difficult for me right from the beginning that people are going out there insulting Kennedy Agyapong when Im giving my message.



He added; But I wait for a while with insults.. insults then I hit them one and all the insults they did not hear but the one that Kennedy Agyapong defends himself is a problem to the party very unfair!.



Kennedy Agyapong further said "but I ignore a lot of things and move on and given an example of the teacher who is now a Regional Minister at Savannah insulting meIve just ignored him but one day I will build factories in Savannah for him to see adding if he doesnt believe he should come, I will take him to Tema for him to see the steel plant Ive built.. let him come and see Ive built the biggest cold store facility in Africa not Ghana or West Africa, the whole Africa.. check one cold store that is thirty- one thousand tonnes, but Ive built it, no loan, nothing, I dont owe no bank in this country".



A livid Kennedy further said; call all the banks in this country that Kennedy Agyapong says he doesnt owe a bank..Ive never taken a loan so we have to appreciate this..it is not your classroom work.













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Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has criticized parliament's decision to abolish the death penalty from the constitution, stating that it could lead to an increase in mob justice.



In an interview on Kumasi-based Wontumi TV/Radio morning show hosted by Nana Abu-Prah on Wednesday, July 26, the lawyer expressed support for mob attacks, saying, "I will support mob attack on this note, why should you imprison someone for life for a murder case and describe his punishment which is death as a human right issue?



"What happens to the right of the person who was killed, doesnt he/she also have the same right?"



Obiri Boahen continued by emphasizing his stance on the matter, declaring, "I'll scrap this law and bring back the killings. You can't have freedom of movement anymore in this country because victims are having the same right to life.



"We have created an atmosphere of fear and panic for ourselves because we pardon and pamper murderers on human right grounds. Im telling you, if I, Obiri Boahen became the president, you'll see what would happen in this country. Enough of that ugly noise! Ghanaians are sick and tired of the panic."



The lawyer went on to express his belief that life imprisonment does not effectively deter crime and warned against the dangerous consequences of abolishing the death penalty.



He referred to the loss of discipline in Ghana over the years and criticized past presidents for not implementing the death penalty in the name of safeguarding human rights credentials.



According to him, this approach means the rights of those killed are overlooked.



















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Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan is worried Attorney General (AG), Godfred Dame might have an "avalanche" of requests following his intervention in the Adisadel College assault saga.



Godfred Dame has called on the Ghana Police Service to initiate an investigation for possible prosecution in the case in which a student of Adisadel College is seen bullying a fellow student in a viral video.



Even though "it is within his (AG) power", Kwamena Duncan however believes going forward, others might expect him to do same when such incident occurs again.



Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kwamena Duncan said: "My only worry is his direct call for the investigation and eventual prosecution".



"Attorney General is also an old boy but my fear on his part is his intervention after watching the video and maybe he's not driven or motivated by his association with the school...then there might be going forward an avalanche because every video that might emerge in the future as an Attorney General you must call for police investigations and all of that."



"It is within his power but my worry is that this is the first time we are getting something like that; where an Attorney General has watched a video and he's calling on the police for investigation. Not just calling for investigation but investigation in order to build a docket; a prosecutable one. So in future, even if you don't watch the video, you'll get people calling on you to intervene; that is the avalanche," he added.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Ghana's Amapiano King, DJ Azonto, says Yvonne Nelson has helped revive the music career of Sarkodie after she released her memoir.



In a recent interview, Azonto stressed the importance of dating an educated woman citing the case of Sarkodie and Yvonne Nelson and how both are greatly benefiting from the memoir.



According to DJ Azonto, who is married to a prominent banker, despite his street life and influence, he believes education is the key to success, both in relationships and in careers.



"Sometimes having just an educated partner can help boost your career, as it did for Sarkodie recently after Yvonne Nelson released her book. Before the book, he cancelled most of his tour, but after the book, he's headlining major international shows, which is very good," DJ Azonto stated.



He added: "Yvonne Nelson's memoir was a major turning point for Sarkodie's career. It helped to bring attention to him and allowed him to reach a wider audience."



DJ Azonto further advised every hustler to try to get some level of education or marry an educated woman.



He is set to release another groundbreaking single featuring his wife, Mrs. Diana Arthur, popularly known as Anita Gucci, along with an iPhone 15 dance challenge to fans for the song titled "Anita".



He is also nominated for major international award shows such as the Ghana Music Awards USA, Ghana Music Awards UK, Ghana Music Awards Europe, and Global Music Awards South Africa.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

European research into apes and birds can help protect species. Credit:  Martin Pelanek, Shutterstock.com

As biodiversity declines and causes reductions in the genetic variation of animals, historic genomes offer clues for conservation.

As recently as the early 1800s, thousands of Seychelles paradise flycatcher birds lived on at least five islands off the southeast coast of Africa.

By the 1960s, just 28 of the winged creatures were left and all lived on one island, La Digue.

Population and genetic losses

The small black birds, which feed on insects and spiders, were devastated by habitat loss, invasive species and hunting in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In recent years, as local conservation efforts have improved, the numbers have risen and La Digue is now home to more than 250 Seychelles paradise flycatchers. What's more, a viable breeding population has been established on another island and work is underway to introduce the bird to a third one in the archipelago.

Although the forest-dwelling birds are no longer considered critically endangered, the crash of their population has vastly reduced its genetic diversity.

"The question is: how did this species manage to not go extinct despite having this massive loss of genetic diversity?" said Hernan Morales, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

Biodiversity protection has shot up the EU agenda amid growing warnings that the world is undergoing a sixth mass extinction. Unlike the five earlier die-offs, including the most recent one 65 million years ago that killed off dinosaurs, the current mass extinction is driven primarily by human activity including land, water and energy use and pollution.

With the viability of whole ecosystems and animal species including humanity at stake, genomics has gained importance in assessing biodiversity and pursuing conservation.

Morales led a project that received EU funding to compare historic and modern genomes of Seychelles paradise flycatchers. It came to a startling conclusion: the birds suffered a 90% loss in their genetic diversity.

The initiative, called GENDANGERED, ran for two years through May 2022.

Past and current specimens

Morales specializes in evolutionary genomics.

This field typically involves looking at modern genomesthe complete set of genetic material in an organismand using the information to draw conclusions about what happened to species in the past.

In GENDANGERED, he opted for a different approach: comparing historic genomes from specimens in museum collections across Europe with ones from current populations. The work covered 12 bird speciesincluding the Seychelles paradise flycatcherthat have suffered a rapid fall in their numbers.

The museum samples were more than 100 years old and represented the pre-collapse state of the populations, according to Morales.

This information was used to create computer models that simulated how the genetic diversity of those species and their populations had changed over time.

There have never been huge numbers of Seychelles paradise flycatchers and the work on the museum material showed that they have always had low genetic diversity compared with other bird species.

Diversity dilemma

One of Morales's findings is counterintuitive: the species survived its population collapse as result of the relatively low genetic diversity.

To understand how this was possibleand why it marks both good and bad news for Seychelles paradise flycatchersrequires knowing two things.

First, genetic variation can have a positive, negative or neutral effect on a population. Second, Morales's research showed that population crashes tend to increase negative genes, reducing genetic health, because inbreedingmating between very close relativesincreases.

As a result, in animals like the Seychelles paradise flycatcher with low genetic diversity to begin with, there are fewer negative genes to be amplified when population numbers plunge.

While this factor helped prevent the bird from going extinct, it isn't good news in the long term.

That's because, while negative genes increase in population crashes, positive and neutral genes often decline.

These genes, particularly the neutral ones, are important. They provide variation that helps species adapt to future challenges like environmental change and disease.

The loss of such genes can be particularly dramatic in animals with initially low diversity such as Seychelles paradise flycatchers.

"Now that they have very little variation left, we predict they will have a very rough time adapting to future environments," Morales said.

Conservation benefits

Larger populations with more genetic diversity face a different dilemma.

While Seychelles paradise flycatchers survived the plunge in their numbers because of low genetic diversity, Morales found that the risk of extinction for bigger, more diverse species occurs in the population drop itself.

The reason is that they have a much larger increase in negative genes during the population collapse and, as a result, are exposed to more harmful genetic variation.

These findings can bolster conservation efforts by showing whether species need more help during a population crash or afterwards, according to Morales.

For example, the insights could prevent wildlife organizations categorizing species like the Seychelles paradise flycatcher as doing well when they are in fact still at risk as a result of the erosion of their genetic diversity.

Credit:  Martin Pelanek, Shutterstock.com

Ape discoveries

Genomics and historic samples can also be used to discover extinct species, which in turn can improve understanding of modern-day animals including where they live.

Tomas Marques Bonet leads the ApeGenomeDiversity project comparing samples from modern day-apes with historic specimens from museums across Europe. The five-year initiative runs through May 2025.

The goal is to "find new species of apes that are now extinct but bred with current species in the past," said Marques Bonet, a genomics expert at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain.

The research could ultimately help protect modern apes from human hunters and collectors.

Every year thousands of apes are killed for bush meat or captured for the exotic pet trade. The genetic data could show where these apes were living when they were killed or captured.

The team is working with a primates conservation organization called the Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance to create a genetic atlas so that the origins of illegally trafficked apes can be determined.

Anti-poaching efforts could then be directed towards these locations.

Leftover samples

To expand their knowledge of ape genomes, Marques Bonet and his colleagues have been using samples collected from ape excrement.

Such a non-invasive method has enabled them to collect many more samples than would otherwise be possible and to link genetics with location.

"We can clearly identify chimpanzees that belong to the northern distribution in a country or the southern distribution," Marques Bonet said.

As was the case with GENDANGERED, the museum specimens in ApeGenomeDiversity are at least 100 years old and represent more genetically diverse populations.

All this information will help scientists understand the origins and dynamics of genomic variants in living apes and how these factors contribute to the genetic landscape of modern-day populations.

Because apes are the closest living relatives to people, the data could even expand knowledge of humankind's own genome.

More information: GENDANGERED

ApeGenomeDiversity
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Two male sea lions were recorded on video this week charging at each other and running through a group of beachgoers at San Diego's La Jolla Cove, a scene that animal experts say reflects the typical behavior of male sea lions during breeding season.

Most sea lions in California are born on the Channel Islands off the coast, but since La Jolla Cove has in the past decade become a major location where sea lions mate, have pups and rest, such scenes have taken place in closer proximity to humans, according to animal experts.

In a video posted Monday on Instagram, sea lions can be heard barking at the people on the beach and seen scooting on the sand. Another sea lion comes charging out of the water toward the shore, forcing everyone to run away.

A person can be heard in the video telling visitors to give the animals some room.

"Everybody, let's please give the large male sea lion plenty of room," the person said in the video. "They have bit people and they are protected animals."

Sea lions have bitten people in recent weeks along the California coast, although experts say the behavior can be attributed to being sickened by the ongoing bloom of toxic algae.

High concentrations of domoic acida neurotoxin produced by the marine algae Pseudo-nitzschiahave sickened sea lions and dolphins when they consume fish that have ingested the algae, experts say.

The sea lions in the video, however, aren't behaving aggressively due to toxic algae, because male sea lions don't usually eat that much fish during mating season, spending most of their time fighting over territory and trying to mate, according to Dr. Alissa Deming of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. The sea lions that have suffered from seizures and bitten beachgoers in the process also tend to be female.

The sea lions in the video were trying to establish who was the dominant male on the beach in order to attract females during the peak of breeding season, which typically goes from June until August, Deming said.

"The people were essentially innocent bystanders while they were trying to establish who's king of the beach," she said. "One animal is kind of running away, looking back and trying to get away from the male. The other male is chasing him. They were just running through the group of people."

Male sea lions tend to "aggressively" defend their territories during mating season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Males also "bark like dogs" to communicate with other males, but while on breeding islands are "skittish" of humans and "will run into the water if they see or smell people," according to the NOAA.

Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits the hunting, harassment, capturing and killing of these animals.

The public should respect the sea lions and keep their distance, especially during mating season, Deming said.

She recommends that beachgoers avoid getting close to the animals and instead take pictures from afar, where the sea lions will look more natural and people can view the moms interacting with the pups.

"You can essentially see a 'National Geographic' episode right in front of you," she added.

2023 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Days before the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May, scholars delivered a call to act on the planet's health to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a monument to atomic weapons' apocalyptic threat that shook Albert Einstein to utter in 1946 his oft-quoted plea for humanity's survival: "... a new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move toward higher levels."

Seventy-seven years since, as human activity ushered a breach in seven of the eight boundaries ensuring Earth's safety, scholars are making a similar appeal.

"We are now facing a 'Great Transition' in tackling various global issues, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, and conflicts. Educational and academic institutes are required to take on the challenge of new scientific approaches that go beyond existing ordinary thinking," they said in the Hiroshima Planetary Health Declaration 2023.

Nine years ago, the new science of planetary health was birthed to do just thattake on the old "othering" view of nature and start seeing our interconnectedness from a new lens of transdisciplinary. This field unites researchers and practitioners across disciplines into becoming front-liners working to nurse the planet back to health, and in turn, improve ours.

And on the front lines of this growing field in Japan is Dr. Saori Kashima, an environmental health expert and director of the Center for the Planetary Health and Innovation Science (PHIS) at Hiroshima University's IDEC Institute.

"Many factors are intertwined and connected. I think that people have to recognize this connection more. This does not occur only within one country but across borders. Our daily life is connected to people's lives in African countries and other areas," Kashima, who worked with the health ministries in Senegal and Madagascar as a Japan International Cooperation Agency volunteer and expert, said.

"For tackling climate change, the current reductionist or siloed approaches are not providing enough solutions."

Life span and health span gap

Data shows that the number of countries where a fifth of the population is over 70 years old continues to grow. And Japan's "super-aging" society ranks as the oldest in the world with one in three people being elderly.

Although our average life span has extended by nearly three decades, rising to 73 years of age in 2020 compared to 47 in 1950, our health span, which refers to the number of years we can expect to live in reasonably good health, has lagged.

Environmental pollution and climate change-fueled extreme weather are known to unequally disadvantage the vulnerable population, which includes those in old age. And this is a problem Kashima understands well.

Last year, she co-authored a study on the impacts of the 2018 Japan flood, the country's second-largest water-related disaster. Their findings showed how calamities are a potential risk factor for dementia in the elderly. In another study, she and her co-researchers found that natural disasters increase the likelihood of nursing home admissions and urged policymakers to prepare for this emerging risk factor.

Looking forward to healthy aging

Now, Kashima is taking on the task of discovering what healthy aging looks like and driving the national and local actions needed to achieve it. Her new undertaking aligns with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, a global collaboration lasting until 2030 that aims to better the lives of older people, their families, and their communities. And she is turning to planetary health science for guidance.

She and her PHIS colleagues from the fields of science, engineering, and agriculture, among others, are working with community and government partners in developing the Planetary Healthy Aging Index (PHAI). It will serve as a community-oriented index to measure, monitor, and evaluate progress in attaining healthy aging for us and the planet.

"Japan's traditional culture is nature worship such as 'satochi', 'satoyama', and 'satoumi'. Recognizing these traditions passed down to children and grandchildren is also one of the practical approaches to planetary health," Kashima said.

Satochi, satoyama, and satoumi are portmanteaus that pair the Japanese words for earth (chi), mountain (yama), and sea (umi) with village (sato). These are spaces embodying the harmonious co-existence of human societies and nature.

"We hope that while developing the PHAI with the community, existing solutions like this will be reaffirmed. Such local solutions exist not only in Japan but also in other countries and regions."

Kashima hopes for countries to adopt an index like PHAI that incorporates the planet's health into its agenda.

"Even if we develop local policies and actions considering human health, without the health of the planet, it is hopeless to achieve 'healthy aging' in the future," she said. "People need a fundamental shift, a 'Great Transition' in how we live on Earth."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  At least 26 people drowned after a motorbanca sank in the vicinity of Talim Island in Binangonan, Rizal on Thursday, according to local disaster officials.

There were 40 survivors  but more fatalities are expected.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the motorbanca Princess Aya left Binangonan at around 12:30 p.m. en route to Barangay Gulod, Talim Island.

The PCG added that strong winds made the passengers panic and lean to the port side of the boat, causing it to capsize.

The motorbanca sank approximately 50 yards from Barangay Kalinawan, Binangonan, Rizal, 45 minutes away from their destination at Talim Island.

According to NCR and Central Luzon PCG Deputy Commander Glen Daraug, further investigation is needed to check for remaining bodies.

"May possibility pa na mayroon pang naiwan sa loob (There is a possibility that there are still bodies inside)," Daraug told CNN Philippines' The Final Word.

He added that authorities are looking into the number of passengers on the boat. They are looking into the possibility of overloading as a reason for the incident.

A local hospital in Darangan confirmed that two female passengers of the ill-fated boat were declared dead on arrival at around 4:30 p.m. on the same day.
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Schematic diagrams of ocean-atmosphere interactions under a) normal conditions in the South Pacific; b) positive phase of Pacific Decadal Oscillation when there are reduced equatorial winds and upwelling causing a decline in overall ocean overturning circulation; and c) projected anthropogenic warming effects with significantly reduced tropical-subtropical cells but intensified trade winds increasing western boundary current transport. Increased arrow thickness indicates strengthening of the indicated process. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01212-4

Earth's oceans are a complex system of interconnected transport highways for heat, nutrients and the transfer of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and sea. Meridional overturning circulation is the process by which these key components move from the tropics poleward to the subtropics. Research has found that an increase in this circulation pattern can be beneficial as it results in the ocean storing more heat and therefore draws down global temperature.

New research published in Nature Geoscience focuses on one particular current, the western boundary current in the Pacific, which is a major component of the Equatorial Undercurrent. Also termed the Cromwell Current, this subsurface current at 200 m depth flows eastwards at a rate of 1.5 m/s across the length of the equator in the Pacific Ocean.

Scientists from the National Taiwan University and their collaborators assessed changes in this current over the last century using coral records of the genus Porites obtained from live organisms in the Solomon Sea. This particular coral preserves two distinct nitrogen isotopes (15N and 14N) and the ratio of these is known to decrease as temperature increases.

In addition to this, the researchers found that the western boundary current had strengthened over this time, leading to a consequent strengthening of the Equatorial Undercurrent. They suggest that a slowdown of global warming during the 1940s and 1970s may be attributed to surface waters cooling in the eastern equatorial Pacific.

The overturning circulation occurring in the upper ocean takes place in subtropical-tropical cells, which are predominantly driven by surface winds. Here, subtropical water subducts in the eastern Pacific Ocean and travels west, as well as towards the equator, in the pycnocline layer, which separates surface water from deep water. Upon entering the Equatorial Undercurrent, the water upwells to the surface at the equator and is driven back to the subtropics by surface winds in the Ekman layer. The Solomon Sea, where this research is based, is a western boundary between the equator and subtropics.

During seasonal El Nino events, these easterly equatorial winds reduce, causing a decline in the strength of the subtropical-tropical cells. However, the subducting waters overcompensate by bringing more water from the subtropics to the equator in the Solomon Sea.

CT scan of coral highlighting the annual growth layers used to determine age from which samples were taken for analysis. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01212-4

The nitrogen isotopes considered in this study vary in different layers of the ocean of the tropics and subtropics, sourced from nitrates in the upper thermocline layer (down to 400 m water depth) and suspended nitrogen from organic matter in the surface layer (maximum 200 m water depth). High 15N/14N ratios occur close to the equator where there is increased upwelling of cool, nutrient-rich waters into the area. Coupled with this, such zones of upwelling experience issues with biological productivity using all available nutrients, hence nitrate and phosphate concentrates in the surface waters.

These nutrients are transported westward and are used by phytoplankton suspended in the water to thrive. They preferentially absorb the lighter 14N isotope, meaning the heavier 15N is left in the ocean to concentrate further, therefore creating a distinct pattern of increased 15N in surface waters moving from east to west. However, during an El Nino event 15N/14N ratios reduce as there is less upwelling.

Dr. Wen-Hui Chen and their collaborators identified corals using nitrogen to build their structure, obtained from the zooplankton and particulates they feed upon in the ocean. These corals preserved reduced 15N/14N ratios during southern hemisphere winter, when cold saline waters are preferentially transported into the Solomon Sea.

Sea surface temperature is seemingly a major factor affecting the 15N/14N ratios, particularly in relation to a climate pattern known as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, which occurs every 20 to 30 years. This experiences a warm positive phase with weaker easterly winds, alternating with cool negative phases where these easterly trade winds are stronger.

The researchers found that their 15N/14N ratios from the corals tracked these changes on decadal timescales (with a lag of nine months), with lower values occurring in the Solomon Sea corals during the positive phases.

This corresponds to a longer-term observed trend of declining 15N/14N ratios matching temperature changes due to global warming. The scientists explain this is a consequence of intensified western boundary currents in the Solomon Sea. They do however stress that these currents may actually help to offset the shallowing of the thermocline layer, caused by global warming, by supplying more warm water and enabling the tropical-subtropical systems, as well as El Nino events, to continue.

More information: Wen-Hui Chen et al, Increased tropical South Pacific western boundary current transport over the past century, Nature Geoscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01212-4 Journal information: Nature Geoscience

 2023 Science X Network
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Sheep walk over cracked earth at Morocco's al-Massira dam in Ouled Essi Masseoud village, some 140 kilometers south from Casablanca, on August 8, 2022.

From Tunisia to Morocco, sun-baked North Africa has embarked on a building spree of plants that purify sea and wastewater as climate change intensifies droughts in the water-scarce region.

Across the Maghreb region, which takes in parts of the Sahara desert and is plagued by scorching summer heat, countries are banking on new desalination plants and facilities that can purify wastewater for farming.

In Tunisia, struggling through its fourth year of drought, engineers recently inspected a desalination plant being built in the southern town of Zarat on the Mediterranean coast.

Across the region, "the only solution is the desalination of seawater for human consumption", said Mosbeh Helali, outgoing CEO of Sonede, the company constructing the plant.

The World Bank predicts that by 2030, the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will fall below the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic meters per person per year.

Ironically, most of MENA's existing desalination plants are powered by the very fossil fuels that belch carbon into the atmosphere, driving the global heating that is now intensifying droughts.

A large Saudi desalination plant, Al Khafji, runs on solar power, and Egypt is also planning facilities set to run on renewablesbut most existing plants rely on the climate killers oil, gas or coal.

Pipes are laid to channel seawater to the Zarat Desalination Plant in Gabes in southeast Tunisia.

Scientists and environmentalists also warn of the impact on marine life as the plants dump the extracted salt back into the sea as concentrated sludge.

Helali insisted this hasn't been a problem in Tunisia, where there had even been "a proliferation of aquatic life" around some discharge points, making those waters "highly prized by fishermen".

Despite concerns around energy-guzzling desalination, North African countries are embracing it as their fast-growing populations pile ever more pressure on shrinking groundwater tables and dam reservoirs.

Lack of water 'unbearable'

Tunisia, where some reservoirs have run almost dry, has imposed water rationing for months, limiting household use and banning car washing and even farm irrigation.

"We have endured water cuts since mid-May," said Mohamed Ismail, 40, who lives in central Tunis. "Every evening it's the same story: there is no more water in the house until early morning.

Tunisia is battling high summer temperatures and its fourth year of drought.

"Now, with the heat, the situation has become unbearable."

Tunisia built its first desalination plants in the 1970s, to purify brackish groundwater, and constructed its first seawater desalination plant in 2018, on Djerba island to supply the arid south.

Today, Tunisia's 16 desalination plants provide six percent of its potable water. The rest comes mostly from 37 dams, but now most reservoirs are only about one-third full.

To narrow the gap, Tunisia is building three new desalination plants, including the one in Zerat. Such plants are meant to meet 30 percent of Tunisia's water needs by 2030.

Morocco is also banking on the technology, which now provides 25 percent of its agricultural needs.

The kingdom operates 12 desalination plants and has seven more in the works.

While oil-rich Gulf countries have long relied heavily on desalination, this is more difficult for Tunisia and Morocco which lack such energy wealth.

Maps showing forecasted maximum temperature at three different times for July 21, 2023.

"This technology is very expensive in terms of energy consumption and it is generally found in countries rich in oil or gas," Radhia Essamin, a water management expert, told AFP.

As Tunisia struggles with a severe economic crisis, it needs help, say experts.

The cost is "colossal", said Raoudha Gafrej, a hydraulic engineer. "We absolutely need technical support, financial support, assistance to be able to implement all this."

'We consider it vital'

Energy cost is less of a problem for Algeria, which has huge oil and gas resources.

It already runs 23 desalination plants and has plans for 14 more, to meet 60 percent of its water needs by 2030.

The region's other oil giant is Libya, but it has been torn by war and turmoil since the 2011 fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi and seen little new infrastructure built since.

The Zarat Seawater Desalination Plant will produce and initial 50,000 m3 of water per day.

Although Libya dabbled in desalination in the 1950s, Kadhafi changed course to instead tap ancient aquifers below the Sahara.

His ambitious Great Man-Made River project has linked that water with the densely populated northern coast through pipelines.

The other great, but so far largely untapped, water resource for the Maghreb is wastewater, which can be purified to make it fit for agriculture, or even human consumption as Israel has done for many years.

Tunisia already has 125 basic wastewater treatment plants that service farms and replenish groundwater, and Algeria is now looking to upgrade many of its treatment facilities.

Tunisian farmers have long used the often foul-smelling water, mainly to irrigate cotton and fruit trees but not vegetables.

A Japanese-financed plant, which opened in May in Siliana in northwest Tunisia, puts out water cleaned of 95 percent of its impurities.

Tunisia's Sidi Salem dam was down to 22 percent of its capacity when this picture was taken on April 6, 2023.

Algeria has been battling a summer heat wave.

A Tunisian man loads jerrycans filled with water on the back of a donkey in Cap Negro in the country's north on April 27, 2023.

Local farmer Lotfi Atyaoui, 52, said it had saved his fields and almond trees.

"We consider this wastewater treatment project vital because we suffer a lot from drought," he said. "If we don't have water, we will lose our agriculture, our trees and our livestock."

 2023 AFP
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a, Schematic representation of the coupling of material and field states producing hybrid light-matter polariton states P and P. We explore here whether the formation of phonon-polaritons can modify electron-phonon interactions. b Sketch of a perovskite thin film in an optically transparent FabryPerot cavity, with a tunable cavity length of ~100's of m, so that its fundamental mode resonates at THz frequencies. Credit: Lucia Di Virgilio, Jaco J. Geuchies, Heejae Kim, Keno Krewer, Hai Wang, Maksim Grechko, Mischa Bonn

Electron-phonon scattering is often the primary mechanism limiting electron mobility in semiconductors. Thus, changing phonon properties can provide a way to control conductivity. Recently, there has been a growing interest in exploring the use of the quantum nature of light as an alternative approach. In this method, the material properties are modulated by tuning its interaction with the vacuum state of the electromagnetic field.

The interaction between the quantum field and a two-level system causes the mixing of states |im|jf, composed of material (|im) and field (|jf) states, with different population quantum numbers i and j. Strong mixing of field and material states can be enhanced by placing the material inside a cavity tuned in resonance with the material two-level system transition. This method has previously been reported to affect the rate of chemical reactions and conductivity.

In a new paper published in Light: Science & Applications, a team of scientists, led by Professor Mischa Bonn from Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, have developed an optically transparent terahertz cavity to manipulate phonon vibrations by coupling them to the vacuum state of an electromagnetic field inside the cavity. The cavity consists of two fused silica substrates, each with a deposited thin ITO layer.

This design allows photoexcitation of charge carriers in the material coupled with a THz cavity and probing the charge-carrier mobility using a THz pulse. The researchers examined the interaction between the THz cavity and a semiconducting perovskite (MAPI, (CH 3 NH 3 )PbI 3 ).

MAPI possesses intense phonon modes in the THz frequency range, which can be strongly coupled with the THz cavity. These low-frequency phonons significantly impact the mobility of charge carriers in MAPI due to strong electron-phonon interactions that give rise to electron-phonon scattering. This scattering mechanism acts as the primary limitation to free charge motion in perovskite. Thus, a perovskite coupled with a phonon-resonant cavity could provide the opportunity to control on demand conductivity of perovskites.

The experiments demonstrated that both in the ground and excited state, the perovskite-cavity system response significantly depends on the cavity length and/or position of the perovskite within the cavity. Despite the drastically different-looking conductivity response between on-resonant and off-resonant cavity-perovskite configurations, classical electrodynamics is sufficient to explain the complex, non-intuitive response.

This suggests that the perovskite properties (i.e, refractive index or conductivity) are unchanged inside the THz cavity. However, the significant variability in the electro-optic response of the integral perovskite-cavity system allows for a tunable THz field modulation.

In conclusion, these scientists summarize their work:

"Tuning the cavity into resonance with the 1 THz perovskite mode increases the modulation up to 3-fold within the duration of THz pulse. Such on-demand adjustability of ultrafast THz field modulation can benefit photonic integrated devices and optical communications modulation."

"This work elucidates the role of cavity resonances in the presence of photoexcited media and opens the possibility of using a transparent THz optical cavity to shape the transmission of THz radiation and enhance, on-demand, THz field modulation through photoexcited semiconductor-cavity systems."

More information: Lucia Di Virgilio et al, Controlling the electro-optic response of a semiconducting perovskite coupled to a phonon-resonant cavity, Light: Science & Applications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-023-01232-0 Journal information: Light: Science & Applications
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Cynthia Lewis carefully pulled back the lid covering a 240-gallon tank.

As the bubbles subsided, there they were: her life's work, the very animals she has studied for more than two decades, dying in front of her eyes.

Corals, hundreds of them, lined the scores of saltwater tanks in the outdoor lab Lewis oversees. All showed signs of serious troublepaled patches or bleached entirely whiteand some were likely already dead.

Just days and even hours before, many of these corals were in the open ocean, where temperatures surged this week into the triple digits for the first time in recorded history. A buoy stationed in the waters around Manatee Bay, to the north of Key Largo, recorded an ocean temperature of 101.1 degrees at 6 p.m. Monday. If verified, that could be the hottest sea surface temperature ever recorded on Earth.

Now, scientists are scrambling to evacuate corals from their suddenly unlivable waters. More than 1,500 corals and counting have already been harvested from offshore nurseries over the past week and delivered to their new refuge in the temperature-controlled tanks at the Keys Marine Laboratory on Long Key.

The corals will likely shelter herein what Lewis describes as a "coral halfway house"for months until the ocean heat subsides. This time of the year, water temperatures should be in the mid-80s, not pushing mid-90s or higher.

"It's happening so much earlier than we've ever seen it," said Lewis, the lab's director. She paused in the 95-degree heat to catch her breath.

"It's an unprecedented event: We've never seen it this hot, for this long, this early."

In a last-ditch effort to curb mass bleaching and death, scientists from across the state who monitor offshore nurseries are using the lab as refuge. The Tampa-based Florida Aquarium, the state's wildlife commission and the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg are using the coral refuge, which as of Monday afternoon was sitting at 50% capacity with more coral scheduled to arrive in the evening.

Lewis worries for her staff. Like her, they are losing animals they dearly love. And fast.

For many working to round up corals, there's no time to grieve, Lewis says. That part will come later, as it inevitably does in this line of work, marred by disease, human-caused water quality problems and the looming threats of climate change.

But for now, she says, there is only time to act. When you're dealing with super-heated corals in an unprecedented marine heat wave, every minute counts.

"There's an emotional toll that nobody can understand unless you've been in the trenches and done it yourself," Lewis said. "They're under a lot of emotional stress. But for now, they're running on adrenaline. They've got to get it done."

'We need to protect what we can'

Last week, the federally operated Coral Reef Watch placed the Florida Keys under a bleaching Alert Level 2, the highest alert level on the scale.

That means there's a likelihood of more than 90% of all the reefs and corals in the Florida Keys bleaching at some point this summer, according to Bill Precht, a Miami-based coral scientist with more than four decades of research experience.

Acting quickly to soften the crisis, the Coral Restoration Consortium, a community of global experts, sent out guidance this week with advice for how scientists in Florida should respond: Immediately cease restoration activities, the consortium urged, and move offshore corals to land facilities. Monitor the health of rescued corals daily. Document the losses. Take pictures. And do your best.

"We are a community, we will get through this El Nino and likely mass bleaching together as we have in the past, by exchanging stories, helping each other, and improving the way we do restoration," the consortium wrote in its guidance, reviewed by the Tampa Bay Times.

"In this moment, we need to protect what we can, identify resilient corals, and experiment with techniques to help us in the future."

It's not the first time Florida has seen the damage wrought by a bleaching event.

In 2014, a third of all the elkhorn corals monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the Upper Keys were either damaged or killed in a mass bleaching event. The summer and winter of 2014 were, at the time, the warmest on record for those waters.

But this year is running hotter.

"This event, compared to that event, is like an order of magnitude worse," Precht said in an interview with the Times.

When temperatures rise, corals begin bleaching, or weakening, as they expel the tiny algae species living in their tissues. When a coral bleaches, it becomes more susceptible to diseases like the lesion-causing stony coral tissue loss disease, which is impacting more than 20 coral species across the Caribbean.

The number of weeks when the water temperature is above a coral's bleaching threshold for a given location is usually eight to 10 weeks during a bad summer, according to Precht.

This year, some areas are already entering week six.

"And it's only July. We likely haven't seen the warmest part of the year yet," Precht said. Even if temperatures were to stay the same, and not get any warmer through August and September, there could be at least nine more weeks above the bleaching threshold, he said. That could be 14 weeks, or more, with inhospitable temperatures for corals this year.

"All the clues in front of us are pointing to that this year is going to be catastrophicunlike any other year," Precht said. "We could be losing corals in percentages that we've never lost before in a year."

'We can't just give up'

For Keri O'Neil, the ongoing coral rescue operation has been a "crazy, crazy time."

As the director of the Tampa-based Florida Aquarium's Coral Conservation Program, O'Neil and a team of researchers spent last week driving up and down the Florida Keys, scooping up elkhorn corals reined in from offshore nurseries.

The team drove those corals to Lewis and the Keys Marine Laboratory, where they "rent" a few of the 60 saltwater tanks, which range anywhere from 40 to 1,000 gallons. The lab, part of the larger St. Petersburg-based Florida Institute of Oceanography, is the favorite landing spot for most coral rescuers, as it's located roughly in the middle of the 220-mile island chain.

Over several days, caretakers monitor the rescued corals, making sure they have the appropriate treatments to shield them from disease while they're already vulnerable. Then, once they're stable, the Florida Aquarium team packs them up in heavy-duty coolers and drives them to the lab in Apollo Beach, according to O'Neil.

That journey happened last week, and at least one other transport run is scheduled for this week, O'Neil said.

Their work is especially pressing because of what's on the horizon: The August full moon, one week away, is when corals begin to spawn. It's a crucially important period when creating future corals beginsand this year, it's aligning with the marine heat wave.

"It's really easy to get to this point where you just want to throw your hands up in the air and give up," O'Neil said. "But our work is more important now than ever. We can't just give up."

There was hope, however scarce, at the lab Monday afternoon, as wetsuit-clad workers were arriving to drop off more corals.

Lewis pointed to one tank, where several corals were beginning to "color up"a sign of rebuilding strength.

"He actually looks better than when I saw him on Saturday," Lewis said about one coral.

"These guys are not looking awful," she said about others.

Progress is being made, but it'll still be weeks at the earliest before the corals see their home waters again.

From a scientific perspective, many solutions are being explored: Shading offshore corals. Placing corals in deeper waters. Creating more genetically strong offspring.

"Watching everything that we've worked so hard on die in front of your eyes is horribly depressing," O'Neil said. "We need to find resilient coralsbut as coral scientists, our own resilience is being tested."

2023 Tampa Bay Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

An effort to stop the U.S. Forest Service from taking chain saws to a section of Los Padres National Forest that is home to old-growth pines and a multitude of native plants and wildlife has hit a dead end.

A lawsuit filed last year by the county of Ventura, the city of Ojai, the Patagonia clothing company and other environmental groups aimed at blocking the Forest Service plan to thin the trees on Pine Mountain was dismissed last week by a federal judge.

The lawsuit hoped to halt the Reyes Peak Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Project, which affects more than 750 acres of forestland north of Ojai.

"We had hoped the court would rule in favor of the planet, biodiversity and the community," Hans Cole, head of environmental activism at Patagonia, said in a news release. "We're disappointed, but the work to protect Pine Mountain will continue."

The plaintiffs alleged that the plan was without merit and improperly approved to meet logging quotas instituted by then-President Trump.

The project also garnered sharp criticism when it was proposed in 2020. The Forest Service received more than 12,000 comments from the public opposing the projectmore than any other project in the history of the Los Padres National Forest, the plaintiffs said in a news release.

A federal judge on July 19 dismissed the suit with prejudice, preventing Patagonia, Ventura County, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Earth Island Institute and other parties to the lawsuit from refiling.

They have 60 days from Monday to file an appeal.

"The court deferred to the Forest Service's arguments and we respectfully disagree with that," said Maggie Hall, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Center who was working on the lawsuit.

"This logging project would permanently harm this incredible ecological resource," Hall said. "It's also a popular recreation area and it's on ancestral lands of the Chumash people."

"We believe this ruling is incorrect and are working with our legal team to determine next steps," Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch said in a news release. "We will explore all of our options for protecting Pine Mountain from a misguided and potentially damaging project."

The U.S. Forest Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argued that the project had not gone through a proper environmental review process before it was approved.

Under a Trump-instituted loophole in the National Environmental Policy Act, certain projects could forgo environmental reviews if the impact was deemed limited.

The Forest Service told The Times in 2020 that the project was not intended for logging but noted that the wood from removed trees likely would be sold.

"That location was designated because of insect and disease treatment," Forest Service project manager Katherine Worn told The Times. "And it's on a ridgetop, and that's where you would put a fuel break."

2023 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Reforestation and afforestation are natural climate solutions that can help cut carbon, restore ecosystems, create jobs, and provide other environmental and social benefits. A new study explores how to make forestry-based NCS projects more effective. Credit: World Business Council for Sustainable Development

To limit the frequency and severity of droughts, wildfires, flooding, and other adverse consequences of climate change, nearly 200 countries have committed to the Paris Agreement's long-term goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius. According to the latest United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, achieving that goal will require both large-scale greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and removal of GHGs from the atmosphere.

At present, the most efficient and scalable GHG-removal strategy is the massive planting of trees through reforestation or afforestationa "natural climate solution" (NCS) that extracts atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and soil carbon sequestration.

Despite the potential of forestry-based NCS projects to address climate change, biodiversity loss, unemployment, and other societal needsand their appeal to policymakers, funders, and citizensthey have yet to achieve critical mass, and often underperform due to a mix of interacting ecological, social, and financial constraints.

To better understand these challenges and identify opportunities to overcome them, a team of researchers at Imperial College London and the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change recently studied how environmental scientists, local stakeholders, and project funders perceive the risks and benefits of NCS projects, and how these perceptions impact project goals and performance. To that end, they surveyed and consulted with dozens of recognized experts and organizations spanning the fields of ecology, finance, climate policy, and social science.

The team's analysis, which appears in the journal Frontiers in Climate, found two main factors that have hindered the success of forestry-based NCS projects.

First, the ambitionlevels of carbon removal, ecosystem restoration, job creation, and other environmental and social targetsof selected NCS projects is limited by funders' perceptions of their overall risk. Among other things, funders aim to minimize operational risk (e.g., Will newly planted trees survive and grow?), political risk (e.g., Just how secure is their access to the land where trees will be planted?); and reputational risk (e.g., Will the project be perceived as an exercise in "greenwashing," or fall way short of its promised environmental and social benefits?). Funders seeking a financial return on their initial investment are also concerned about the dependability of complex monitoring, reporting, and verification methods used to quantify atmospheric carbon removal, biodiversity gains, and other metrics of project performance.

Second, the environmental and social benefits of NCS projects are unlikely to be realized unless the local communities impacted by these projects are granted ownership over their implementation and outcomes. But while engaging with local communities is critical to project performance, it can be challenging both legally and financially to set up incentives (e.g., payment and other forms of compensation) to mobilize such engagement.

"Many carbon offset projects raise legitimate concerns about their effectiveness," says study lead author Bonnie Waring, a senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London. "However, if nature climate solution projects are done properly, they can help with sustainable development and empower local communities."

Drawing on surveys and consultations with NCS experts, stakeholders, and funders, the research team highlighted several recommendations on how to overcome key challenges faced by forestry-based NCS projects and boost their environmental and social performance.

These recommendations include encouraging funders to evaluate projects based on robust internal governance, support from regional and national governments, secure land tenure, material benefits for local communities, and full participation of community members from across a spectrum of socioeconomic groups; improving the credibility and verifiability of project emissions reductions and related co-benefits; and maintaining an open dialogue and shared costs and benefits among those who fund, implement, and benefit from these projects.

"Addressing climate change requires approaches that include emissions mitigation from economic activities paired with greenhouse gas reductions by natural ecosystems," says Sergey Paltsev, a co-author of the study and deputy director of the MIT Joint Program. "Guided by these recommendations, we advocate for a proper scaling-up of NCS activities from project levels to help assure integrity of emissions reductions across entire countries."

More information: Bonnie G. Waring et al, Natural Climate Solutions must embrace multiple perspectives to ensure synergy with sustainable development, Frontiers in Climate (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2023.1216175

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
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P. kolymaensis, female. Scanning electron picture. Credit: Alexei V. Tchesunov and Anastasia Shatilovich / Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science RAS

Some organisms, such as tardigrades, rotifers, and nematodes, can survive harsh conditions by entering a dormant state known as "cryptobiosis."

In 2018, researchers from the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science RAS in Russia found two roundworms (nematode) species in the Siberian Permafrost. Radiocarbon dating indicated that the nematode individuals have remained in cryptobiosis since the late Pleistocene, about 46,000 years ago.

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden, the Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD), and the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne, all located in Germany, used genome sequencing, assembly, and phylogenetic analysis and found that the permafrost nematode belongs to a previously undescribed species, Panagrolaimus kolymaensis.

They showed that the biochemical mechanisms employed by Panagrolaimus kolymaensis to survive desiccation and freezing under laboratory conditions are similar to those of a life-cycle stage in the important biological model Caenorhabditis elegans. Their research has been published in PLoS Genetics.

When Anastasia Shatilovich at the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science RAS in Russia revived two frozen individual nematodes from a fossilized burrow in silt deposits in the Siberian permafrost, she and her colleagues were beyond excited. After thawing the worms in the lab, a radiocarbon analysis of plant material from the burrow revealed that these frozen deposits, 40 meters below the surface, had not thawed since the late Pleistocene, between 45,839 and 47,769 years ago.

At the same time, the research group of Teymuras Kurzchalia at the MPI-CBG was already addressing the question of how larval stages of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans survive extreme conditions. When the team heard about the permafrost nematodes, they immediately reached out for a collaboration with Anastasia Shatilovich.

Vamshidhar Gade, a doctoral student at that time in the research group of Teymuras Kurzchalia, started to work with the permafrost nematodes. "What molecular and metabolic pathways these cryptobiotic organisms use and how long they would be able to suspend life are not fully understood," he says. Vamshidhar is now working at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland.

The researchers in Dresden conducted a high-quality genome assembly of one of the permafrost nematodes in collaboration with Eugene Myers, Director Emeritus and research group leader at the MPI-CBG, the DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, and the research group of Michael Hiller, research group leader at that time at the MPI-CBG and now Professor of Comparative Genomics at the LOEWE-TBG and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research.

Despite having DNA barcoding sequences and microscopic pictures, it was difficult to determine whether the permafrost worm was a new species or not. Philipp Schiffer, research group leader at the Institute of Zoology, co-lead of the incipient Biodiversity Genomics Center Cologne (BioC2) at the University of Cologne, and expert in biodiversity genomics research, joined forces with the Dresden researchers to determine the species and analyze its genome with his team.

Using phylogenomic analysis, he and his team were able to define the roundworm as a novel species, and the team decided to call it "Panagrolaimus kolymaensis." In recognition of the Kolyma River region from which it originated, the nematode was given the Latin name Kolymaensis.

By comparing the genome of Panagrolaimus kolymaensis with that of the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the researchers in Cologne identified genes that both species have in common and that are involved in cryptobiosis.

To their surprise, most of the genes necessary for entering cryptobiosis in Caenorhabditis elegans so-called Dauer larvae were also present in Panagrolaimus kolymaensis. The research team next evaluated Panagrolaimus kolymaensis's ability to survive and discovered that mild dehydration exposure before freezing helped the worms prepare for cryptobiosis and increased survival at -80 Celsius.

At a biochemical level, both species produced a sugar called trehalose when mildly dehydrated in the lab, possibly enabling them to endure freezing and intense dehydration. Caenorhabditis elegans larvae also benefited from this treatment, surviving for 480 days at -80 Celsius without suffering any declines in viability or reproduction following thawing.

According to Vamshidhar Gade and Temo Kurzhchalia, "Our experimental findings also show that Caenorhabditis elegans can remain viable for longer periods in a suspended state than previously documented. Overall, our research demonstrates that nematodes have developed mechanisms that allow them to preserve life for geological time periods."

"Our findings are essential for understanding evolutionary processes because generation times can range from days to millennia and because the long-term survival of a species' individuals can result in the re-emergence of lineages that would otherwise have gone extinct," concludes Philipp Schiffer, one of the authors who oversaw the study.

Eugene Myers adds, "P. kolymaensis's highly contiguous genome will make it possible to compare this feature to those of other Panagrolaimus species whose genomes are presently being sequenced by Schiffer's team and colleagues." Philipp Schiffer is convinced that "studying the adaptation of species to such extreme environments by analyzing their genomes will allow us to develop better conservation strategies in the face of global warming." Teymuras Kurzchalia says, "This study extends the longest reported cryptobiosis in nematodes by tens of thousands of years."

More information: A novel nematode species from the Siberian permafrost shares adaptive mechanisms for cryptobiotic survival with C. elegans dauer larva, PLoS Genetics (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010798 Journal information: PLoS Genetics
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Hundreds of firefighters backed by European Union reinforcements were struggling to contain the flames on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia.

Greek fire crews on Thursday scrambled to douse deadly wildfires raging for two weeks around the country before strong winds forecast for the day rekindled blazes.

Hundreds of firefighters backed by European Union reinforcements were struggling to contain the flames on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia, in addition to a new front that erupted Wednesday in central Greece.

"These are difficult and very sad days," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

Mitsotakis said Greece was "mourning four fellow citizens, the two aircraft pilots... and two who could not distance themselves from the inferno in time."

Five bodies have been recovered from fire-stricken areas this week, but a police source told AFP that a cattle farmer found burned on the island of Evia on Tuesday had disappeared before the fire and was not listed among the wildfire casualties.

Around the Mediterranean, fires this week also flared in Croatia and Italy, and flames killed 34 in Algeria in extreme heat that has left landscapes tinder dry.

Mass evacuations

Officials have said more than 600 wildfires have broken out around Greece since July 13, with the vast majority tackled before becoming a threat.

The civil protection ministry warned of extreme danger of fire in over a dozen Greek regions Thursday.

Local residents watch the wildfires from afar near the village of Vati in Rhodes.

A forest fire broke out Wednesday in mountainous terrain near the Greek-Bulgarian border, and was still out of control.

Early Thursday, another fire broke out near homes in the leafy Athens suburb of Kifissia, but was swiftly extinguished.

In a town near the port city of Volos in central Greece, evacuations were ordered after fires burning since Wednesday caused an explosion in an ammunition warehouse.

"Part of the ammunition warehouse at the air force barracks in Nea Anchialos is on fire and an explosion has taken place," said fire service spokesman Yannis Artopios, adding that seven planes and three helicopters were on site to put out the blaze.

Tens of thousands of residents and tourists at the height of the busy travel season have been evacuated, including 20,000 people on Rhodes, where officials declared a state of emergency this week.

On Tuesday, two pilots died when their water-bombing plane crashed while battling a blaze in Evia.

Tens of thousands of residents and tourists at the height of the busy travel season have been evacuated.

A dangerous fire broke out Wednesday near the industrial zone of Volos, leaving two dead.

An elderly disabled woman was found dead inside her burned camper van in a coastal area near Volos, and a cattle farmer was killed while trying to rescue his livestock.

The industrial zone was closed Thursday as a precaution. Six communities and villages around the city of nearly 140,000 people were evacuated early in the morning, with more placed on standby.

Temperatures are expected to drop Thursday after a prolonged heat wave but near-gale winds are expected to complicate efforts to douse the fires.

In some cases, locals have ignored evacuation orders and stayed behind to help save their homes and bolster the badly-stretched firefighting crews.

"We have a better knowledge of the local roads and surrounding area, we can make a contribution," Manolis Seitis, a 19-year-old student, told AFP at the village of Vati in Rhodes.

Officials have said more than 600 wildfires have broken out around Greece since July 13.

"We organize ourselves," added Nektaria Kabouri, a 33-year-old mathematician helping to distribute water and snacks to exhausted firefighters.

"People from surrounding villages immediately came to help... these forests belong to all and we want to protect them."

Compensation

"Very high temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and intense winds have created fire fronts of many kilometers," Civil Protection Minister Kikilias said, adding that crews were battling through "inconceivable fatigue."

In Italy, three people died as a result of the fires earlier this week, with investigations underway into a potential fourth victim, after a 61-year-old woman was found dead in a lift stuck for several hours in Palermo, potentially because of an electricity blackout.

Sicily's civil protection agency estimates fires that have swept the island in the last two days "have caused more than 60 million euros in damage".

Map of Greece showing burnt areas on the island of Rhodes and near the central city of Volos, since July 17.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government Wednesday approved 10 million euros to compensate tourists whose trips to Sicily have been disrupted by the fall-out from the heat wave.

This includes those affected by the closure of Catania airport, hit by fire on July 16 and offering only a vastly reduced service since then.

Catania and surrounding areas have also suffered blackouts and water shortages in the past week that electricity suppliers blamed on heat damage to underground cables.

 2023 AFP
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Nearly 100 Italian scientists wrote an open letter to the media Thursday, urging better reporting of the causes and solutions to climate change so steps can be taken to avert crisis.

The letter, sent from Italy's Climate Media Centre, was also signed by the 2021 Nobel Prize winner for physics, Giorgio Parisi of Rome's Sapienza University.

The alert comes as wide swathes of Europe, especially Mediterranean nations including Italy, have been hit by extreme heat and fires, even as strong storms and hail pelted Italy's north.

"Heatwaves, floods, prolonged droughts and fires are just some of the signs of the intensifying impacts of climate change on our territories," read the letter signed by 96 scientists, citing 18,000 deaths in Italy from last summer's heat wave.

The death toll from this season's ongoing heat wave has not yet been determined.

"However, the Italian media still too often talk about 'bad weather' instead of climate change. When they do talk about it, they often omit the causes and the solutions," read the letter.

The omissions risk "fueling inaction, resignation or denial of reality", when solutions are at hand, namely "the rapid elimination of the use of coal, oil and gas, and decarbonization through renewable energy".

"This is the right strategy to stop rising temperatures, and it is technologically and economically feasible today," wrote the scientists.

The letter was signed by Italian professors and researchers from a wide range of universities and institutions, most in Italy but also France, Britain and the United States.

Heatwaves have become more likely due to climate change, scientists say. As global temperatures rise over time, heatwaves are predicted to become more frequent and intense, and their impacts more widespread.

At the same time, rising temperatures and increased dryness due to changing rainfall patterns create the ideal conditions for bush or forest fires.

 2023 AFP
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Thousands of people have fled the flames on the Greek island of Rhodes at the weekend.

July is on track to be the hottest month in recorded history, scientists confirmed Thursday, as UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Earth has moved into an "era of global boiling".

Searing heat intensified by global warming has affected tens of millions of people in parts of Europe, Asia and North America this month, combining with fierce wildfires that have scorched across Canada and parts of southern Europe.

"Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning," said Guterres, urging immediate and bold action to cut planet-heating emissions.

"The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived."

With the first three weeks of July already registering global average temperatures above any comparative period, the World Meteorological Organization and Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said it is "extremely likely" that July 2023 will be the hottest month on records going back to the 1940s.

Carlo Buontempo, Director of C3S, said the temperatures in the period had been "remarkable", with an anomaly so large that scientists are confident the record has been shattered even before the month ends.

Beyond these official records, he said proxy data for the climate going back furtherlike tree rings or ice coressuggests the temperatures seen in the period could be "unprecedented in our history in the last few thousand years".

Visitors at California's famous Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, on July 16.

Possibly even longer "on the order of 100,000 years" he said.

About 1.2 degrees Celsius of global warming since the late 1800s, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, has made heatwaves hotter, longer and more frequent, as well as intensifying other weather extremes like storms and floods.

'Existential threat'

The intense heat and devastating wildfires seen in July across parts of the northern hemisphere have caused alarm over the impact on health, ecosystems and economies.

With large swathes of the United States facing a record-breaking heat wave, President Joe Biden called the soaring temperatures from climate change an "existential threat".

"I don't think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore," he said at the White House, where he held a video conference with the mayors of heat-blasted Phoenix, Arizona, and San Antonio, Texas.

Biden, who said heat was the "number one weather-related killer" in the United States, causing 600 deaths every year, announced moves to bolster heat-related safety rules for workers, especially those laboring outdoors.

Chart showing daily average global temperatures by year in degree Celcius, estimated by Copernicus C3S/ECMWF, with data from ERA5.

In Beijing, which saw a record-breaking streak of four weeks of highs above 35C, authorities urged the elderly to stay indoors and children to shorten outdoor playtime.

Wildfires raged in several countries across the Mediterranean region, where extreme heat has left landscapes tinder dry.

Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain deadly blazes across Greece that have raged for two weeks.

Hot water

Copernicus and WMO said global average sea surface temperatures, which have been well above those previously registered for the time of year since May, have contributed to the exceptionally warm July.

Buontempo said "a significant swathe" of the central Mediterranean is now close to or above all previous records.

Meanwhile, bathtub-like temperatures in the shallow waters off south Floridatopping 37.8C for several hours on Mondaypotentially set a new world record and threatened coral reefs.

In Greece, firefighters are struggling to contain deadly wildfires raging for two weeks in multiple parts of the country.

The WMO has said the eight years to 2022 were the warmest on record, despite the cooling effects of the La Nina weather pattern. That has now given way to the warming El Nino, although this is not expected to strengthen until later in the year.

The UN organization predicts it is more likely than not that global temperatures will temporarily rise 1.5C above the pre-industrial benchmark for at least one of the next five years.

They stress, however, that this would not mark a permanent breach of the 1.5C limit set out in the Paris Agreement, which refers to long-term warming.

Scientists say the world will need to adapt to the heat and other impacts already caused by emissionsand that carbon pollution must be slashed dramatically this decade to avoid worse in the future.

"The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future," said World Meteorological Organization's Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

"The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before. Climate action is not a luxury but a must."

This week scientists from the World Weather Attribution group found that the heatwaves in parts of Europe and North America would have been almost impossible without climate change.

 2023 AFP
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it is unclear how Senator Risa Hontiveros' resolution to raise China's harassment over the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations would reach its policy-making organ.

"The senator [Hontiveros] is free to file whatever resolutions she wants but I do not know how that will translate into any action that will reach the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)The United Nations entertains governments, not parts of government," the country's chief diplomat told the media in Malaysia.

"Generally speaking, foreign policy is not set by the legislature. Generally speaking, foreign policy is left up to the executive," he said.

Hontiveros' resolution urges the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), an executive department, to take the issue before the UNGA so the assembly would call on China to cease its harassment over Philippine waters.

READ: Hontiveros wants DFA to seek UNGA resolution to stop China's harassment in WPS

She argued that while these were not legally binding, a UNGA resolution had significant political weight and would serve as an expression of the will and consensus of the international community.

In her measure, she said this had the "potential to shape international norms, influence national policies, and provide guidance for the work of other UN organs, specialized agencies, and regional organizations."

Senate President Miguel Zubiri said the upper chamber was confident Hontiveros' resolution would pass by next week.

"As to whether we will retain the original wording, that remains to be seen. We will meet with the DFA, the Task Force on the West Philippine Sea, and the NICA [National Intelligence Coordinating Agency] to hear their concerns," he said Thursday.

According to Zubiri, senators had different ideas on how to approach the subject but were all united in the desire to condemn the harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea, and to enforce the 2016 ruling which nullified China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

"The ultimate aim is for the government to take concrete action before international fora and solicit multilateral cooperation, particularly with coastal states who share our interest in ensuring that the UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea] is respected. We want to introduce amendments to that effect," he said.

During his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, Marcos remained silent on Chinese harassment over the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Marcos silent on Chinese harassment in WPS in 2nd SONA, vows to defend sovereignty
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(a) Layout of sealed vacuum crystal tube with mixed power. (b), (c), (d) Heat treatment conditions of Lanarkite, Cu 3 P, Pb 10-x Cu x (PO 4 )O (0.9 arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.12008

A team of physicists affiliated with several institutions in South Korea is claiming to have created the elusive room-temperature/ambient-pressure superconducting material. Their work has not yet been peer reviewed. They have posted two papers on the arXiv preprint server.

Scientists around the world have been trying for more than a century to find a type of material that would conduct electricity without resistancediscovery of such a material would revolutionize the electricity business because it would mean that electricity would no longer be lost to heat dissipation as it moves along power lines. It would also revolutionize the electronics business because engineers would no longer have to worry about heat dissipation causing problems in devices.

In their two papers, the research team describes the new material, which they call LK-99, and how it was created. It was made, they report, by a solid-state reaction between lanarkite (Pb 2 SO 5 ) and copper phosphide (Cu 3 P). The reaction, they claim, transformed the mixture into a dark gray, superconductive material.

In their papers, the team claims to have measured samples of LK-99 as electricity was applied and found its sensitivity fell to near zero. They also claim that in testing its magnetism, it exhibited the Meissner effectanother test of superconductivity. In such a test, a sample should levitate when placed on a magnet. The team has provided a video of the material partially levitating. They claim that the levitation was only partial because of impurities in their material.

The papers by the research team have generated much excitement and skepticism in the science community. There have been other instances of researchers claiming to have found room-temperature/ambient-pressure superconductors over the past several yearsall have failed to live up to their claims. The researchers on this new effort have responded to such skepticism by suggesting that others repeat their efforts to test their findings.

If their claims turn out to be true, the team in Korea will have made one of the biggest breakthroughs in physics history, no doubt leading to revolutionary changes in electronics and certainly Nobel medals for all those involved.

More information: Sukbae Lee et al, The First Room-Temperature Ambient-Pressure Superconductor, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.12008 Sukbae Lee et al, Superconductor Pb 10-x Cu x (PO 4 ) 6O showing levitation at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and mechanism, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.12037 Journal information: arXiv

 2023 Science X Network
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Rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules desorbed from plasma-facing surface was measured in three different tokamaks; the increases of the temperature due to collisional-radiative processes in the plasmas were also evaluated. Credit: KyotoU Global Comms/Taiichi Shikama

Humans may never be able to tame the sun, but hydrogen plasmamaking up most of the sun's interiorcan be confined in a magnetic field as part of fusion power generation: with a caveat.

The extremely high temperature plasmas, typically as high as 100 million degrees Celsius, confined in the tokamaksdonut-shaped fusion reactorscause damage to the containment walls of these mega-devices. Researchers inject hydrogen and inert gases near the device wall to cool the plasma by radiation and recombination, which is the reverse of ionization. Heat load mitigation is critical to extending the lifetime of future fusion device.

Understanding and predicting the process of the vibrational and rotational temperatures of hydrogen molecules near the walls could enhance the recombination, but effective strategies have remained elusive.

An international team of researchers led by Kyoto University has recently found a way to explain the rotational temperatures measured in three different experimental fusion devices in Japan and the United States. Their model evaluates the surface interactions and electron-proton collisions of hydrogen molecules.

The paper, "Spectroscopic measurement of increases in hydrogen molecular rotational temperature with plasma-facing surface temperature and due to collisional-radiative processes in tokamaks," appears in the journal Nuclear Fusion.

"In our model, we targeted the evaluation on the rotational temperatures in the low energy levels, enabling us to explain the measurements from several experimental devices," explains corresponding author Nao Yoneda of KyotoU's Graduate School of Engineering.

By enabling the prediction and control of the rotational temperature near the wall surface, the team was able to dissipate plasma heat flux and optimize the devices' operative conditions.

"We still need to understand the mechanisms of rotational-vibrational hydrogen excitations," Yoneda says, "but we were pleased that the versatility of our model also allowed us to reproduce the measured rotational temperatures reported in literature."

More information: Nao Yoneda et al, Spectroscopic measurement of increases in hydrogen molecular rotational temperature with plasma-facing surface temperature and due to collisional-radiative processes in tokamaks, Nuclear Fusion (2023). DOI: 10.1088/1741-4326/acd4d1
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Team members from NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission rehearse moving the sample capsule into a clean room at Lockheed Martin designed to closely resemble the one that will be used at the Department of Defenses Utah Test and Training Range on Sept. 24, 2023. Credit: Lockheed Martin Space.

On July 26, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft fired its engines for about 63 seconds to slightly thrust itself onto a course closer to Earth.

Preliminary tracking data indicates OSIRIS-REx changed its velocity, which includes speed and direction, by 1.3 miles, or 2 kilometers, per hour. It's a tiny but critical shift; without course adjustments like this one the spacecraft would not get close enough to Earth on Sept. 24 to drop off its sample of asteroid Bennu.

The spacecraft is currently 24 million miles, or 38.6 million kilometers, from Earth, traveling at about 22,000 miles, or about 35,000 kilometers, per hour.

Over the next few days, engineers will use data collected before and after today's engine burn, including Doppler radar data, to make sure the maneuver executed as planned and the spacecraft is on the right path. Credit: NASA

Today's trajectory correction maneuver is the final adjustment needed to set up OSIRIS-REx to return to Earth on Sept. 24. Two more maneuvers, on Sept. 10 and 17, will target the precise point in Earth's atmosphere where the spacecraft's sample-return capsule must enter to land on target at the Department of Defense's Utah Test and Training Range near Salt Lake City.

Provided by NASA
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As concerns about climate change intensify, researchers are exploring the potential for large-scale human intervention in the Earth's climate system, a strategy sometimes referred to as geoengineering. One approach to cooling the Earth involves sunlight reflection methods, or "SRM," such as adding aerosols to the stratosphere. While still in the realm of theoretical research, such approaches raise significant scientific, political and ethical considerations.

Two leading researchers focused on sunlight reflection methods are Douglas MacMartin, associate professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and a faculty fellow at Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, and Daniele Visioni, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Together, they are building a community of scholars across Cornell University and beyond to equip scientists, policymakers and society with a roadmap for responsible evaluation of sunlight reflection and other geoengineering methods.

Ben Furnas, executive director of the 2030 Project: A Cornell Climate Initiative, interviewed MacMartin and Visioni about their research and where SRM fits into the bigger picture of potential climate solutions.

Furnas: What is the basic idea behind sunlight reflection methods?

MacMartin: The climate is warming because greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, principally carbon dioxide, make it harder for heat to escape. Reflecting a tiny fraction of sunlight, less than 1%, would cool the planet substantially. There are a few plausible ways to do this, but the best understood is referred to as stratospheric aerosol injection.

Visioni: The idea stems from observing naturally occurring phenomena, such as large volcanic eruptions, which can inject aerosolssmall droplets or particlesinto the higher levels of the atmosphere where they last for a year or two, reflecting sunlight, which cools surface temperatures. These observations led scientists to wonder if such an effect could be artificially reproduced in light of the urgency to stop the increase in surface temperatures due to greenhouse gases, not as a substitute to cutting emissions but in addition to it.

Furnas: Why should sunlight reflection be considered alongside all the other options we have to address climate change?

Visioni: SRM is not a substitute for emissions reduction, nor an excuse to slow down the energy transition. We have to get to net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, and we need to do that globally. However, even the most optimistic scenarios aren't likely to keep us below the 1.5C-threshold in the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, when we've reduced emissions to zero we won't have solved climate change, we will have finally stopped making it worse.

We're already seeing serious impacts, especially for the most vulnerable populations, before we have even reached 1.5. This begs the question: What are we doing to manage those short term risks, and will adaptation be enough to manage them in the future? In this framework, SRM should be considered part of a much more comprehensive strategy that centers emissions reduction and includes the exploration of carbon dioxide removal strategies.

MacMartin: We'd like to live in a world where we don't need to think about SRM because we've already solved climate change, but given where we are today that seems like a risky gamble. Right now, we don't really know enough to make informed decisions about SRM. If we want to be in a position to make wise decisions in the future, we need to do the research now.

Furnas: What are the risks of sunlight reflection?

Visioni: In terms of the physical climate response, it is important to acknowledge SRM would not be perfect, as it wouldn't cancel out precisely the warming effect of greenhouse gases, leaving some residual shifts in patterns of precipitation, for example. Modeling suggests these are generally small but more research is needed. Furthermore, there would be direct changes resulting from the addition of aerosols in the stratosphere, for instance, they would react chemically with ozone-producing mechanisms.

How well do we understand those interactions, and how important would they be in an overall assessment of risks? In future climate projections, there are always going to be uncertainties in our understanding. The question research needs to answer is if there are more uncertainties and more risks in letting our planet warm, or in directly intervening to prevent that warming from happening through SRM.

MacMartin: We also need to acknowledge that not all risks from SRM are related to physical risks. One of the biggest concerns many people have is that it could get used as an excuse to put less effort into cutting emissions; indeed, that risk is potentially present even with research.

There are political and societal risks as well, especially when thinking about unilateral actions from one actor, global governance, how to make decisions in a way that is just and equitable for everyone on the planet. This, for us, underlines the need to think of SRM research in a holistic way, not just focusing on the physical impact but also thinking about its ecological and political implications.

Furnas: What are other questions your research is trying to answer?

MacMartin: There are some key questions that need to be answered to ultimately inform policy: What do we think would happen if stratospheric aerosol injection were deployed? How does that answer depend on choices that can be made, such as at which latitude we choose to add aerosols to the stratosphere? And what are the risks, both from the physical climate side and from the human dimension?

We're working on all of these, either directly or through collaborations.

Visioni: The main tool we use is climate models, the same ones currently used for assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which we use to try to better understand the expected climate response, how that depends on design choices and uncertainties related to simulated SRM.

Combined with observations of natural proxies, we try to understand how good our models are in reproducing the physical mechanisms behind SRM, and what can be done in the context of model development to reduce some of those uncertainties. As these models are incredibly complex, we also focus on devising experiments capable of shedding light on single processes and quantifying their contribution to the overall uncertainties.

We also use these climate models, in collaboration with other groups around the world, to explore how large is the strategy and scenario space for SRM, that is, how many physically unique deployment scenarioswhere, when and how much to injectmay exist based on physical constraints such as stratospheric circulation, and on potential desired targets for SRM such as how much to cool and what risks to manage.

MacMartin: To do this, we also collaborate with social scientists, climate modelers and ecologists and experts from around the world to make sure multiple interests and needs are reflected in the scenarios we devise, and that diverse impacts are assessed. We are particularly focused on ensuring that people in the developing world, who are typically the most climate-vulnerable, have access to climate model simulations to help them draw their own conclusions about the impacts in their countries.
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The holotype of the newly described shark species Heterodontus marshallae, the Painted Hornshark. Credit: CSIRO

Last year, scientists from our Australian National Fish Collection (ANFC) caught a species of shark new to science. That specimen became the holotype of a newly named species, the reference specimen for the new scientific name.

But finding a new species of shark wasn't a surprise. Genetics had already revealed its existence. The paper, "Species in Disguise: A New Species of Hornshark from Northern Australia (Heterodontiformes: Heterodontidae)," was published in the journal Diversity by authors from CSIRO, Elasmobranch Research in Belgium, and Florida Museum of Natural History.

Unique order of sharks

The new species belongs to a unique order of sharks, known as the Heterodontiformes. As the name suggests to those in the know, these sharks have unique teeth. They have rows of shark-like teeth at the front, but rows of human-like molars at the back, which is unique among sharks.

Fish biologist at ANFC, Helen O'Neill, said this group of sharks has many interesting features. "This order of sharks resembles fossils of long extinct sharks due to similar morphology, including spines. But we know now they're not closely related," Helen said.

"Heterodontiformes have a unique body shape and 'horns' formed by crests just above their eyes.

"They tend to sit on the sea floor and feed mainly on creatures like mollusks and crustaceans. They have a small mouth but crushing jaws that are huge relative to their skull size and powerful enough to crush cowrie shells."

The order Heterodontiformes contains a single family, which contains a single genus and nine different species. The most well-known is the Port Jackson shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni. But recent genetic studies of specimens held in biological collections had shown that one of the species in the group, Heterodontus zebra, was actually two species. This brings the tally to 10.

New Heterodontid found

By the time the ANFC team boarded our research vessel (RV) Investigator in November 2022, they already had enough information to write a paper describing and naming the new shark, Heterodontus marshallae, or the Painted Hornshark.

Egg cases of Heterodontus marshallae, H. zebra and H. portusjacksoni (top to bottom). Credit: CSIRO

The species name honors Dr. Lindsay Marshall, who painted all the rays for the guide book: Rays of the World.

The team was on board RV Investigator to help survey seabed habitats and biodiversity in Gascoyne Marine Park, south of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Finding a specimen of the species about to be named H. marshallae was just a bonus. Even better, it was suitable to become the holotype, the specimen that is the reference for the species' scientific name.

"There are about six specimens of H. marshallae in museums and collections around Australia, as well as one egg case," Helen said.

"We have a female specimen in our collection, but the one we collected during the voyage is a male. We prefer to use males for shark holotypes because they have claspers, which are external reproductive organs that can vary between species and help us tell them apart."

The newly named species, H. marshallae, lives only off northwestern Australia in waters around 125 to 229 meters deep. In contrast, H. zebra is found in shallower waters, from the surface to 143 meters, and lives in Indonesia and northwards to Japan.

Dr. Will White, research scientist at ANFC, said H. marshallae was confused with H. zebra for a long time because of their similar color.

"Both species are pale with 22 dark brown bands and saddles. But they have small differences in the markings on their snouts and below their gill slits. Their egg cases are also different," Will said.

"Despite their closely similar looks, genetically, H. marshallae is more closely related to the Port Jackson shark, H. portusjacksoni.

"This Order of sharks is now very well known. The last time a new species was described in this Order was in 2005. I'd be surprised if there were any more."

More information: William T. White et al, Species in Disguise: A New Species of Hornshark from Northern Australia (Heterodontiformes: Heterodontidae), Diversity (2023). DOI: 10.3390/d15070849

Provided by CSIRO
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Credit: Douglas Whitaker at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons

People from around the country have descended on the Florida the Keys for a chance to grab some Florida spiny lobster.

The crustacean isn't only craved locally, but also as far away as China.

The "bugs" can be found in other areas of the state, including Miami-Dade and Broward. But the Keys remain the most popular spot to search for spiny lobster during the annual two-day miniseason.

Here's what to know:

Weather a factor during lobster miniseason

Held on the final Wednesday and Thursday of every July, the Florida lobster miniseason is typically marked by seasonal hot and humid mid-summer temperatures under a blazing sun. But high winds, heavy rain and white caps on the bay and ocean greeted snorkelers and divers this year.

Mother nature seemed determined on making opening day as uncomfortable as possible. Thursday looked a little better, but with a strong chance of thunderstorms through the day, according to the National Weather Service.

"In 18 years, I've never seen it like this," said Monroe County Deputy Willie Guerra, a 30-year law enforcement officer, almost 20 of which have been spent on marine patrol in the Keys.

Although Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers enforce most conservation laws in the Keys, there's a good chance that if you've been cited or arrested in the island chain on a fisheries violation, it was Guerra's case.

He said stopping the poaching of the Keys' natural resources is a priority for him because wildlife is the root of livelihoods in the Keys.

"We have no factories. We have no warehouses. We have tourism and fishing," Guerra said. "It's our main resource in the Keys, and we take it very seriously."

Trouble on the water in Miami area

In Miami-Dade County, one man in his 60s drowned and a man in his 30s was hit by a boat, according to police spokesman Detective Argemis Colome.

Violations on the water in the Keys

Some of the most common violations Guerra said he sees are divers not having a measuring device with them in the water (lobsters must measure three inches at the carapace) and having a speargun or any other device that pierces the animals' shell.

But on Wednesday, not only were the numbers of boaters and divers on the water down significantly compared to years past, those who braved the weatherand there were still plenty of themrespected the rules, for the most part. Guerra wrote no citations nor made arrests, only issuing some verbal warnings.

And despite the limited visibility caused by the weather-whipped-up shallow waters, many anglers quickly caught their limitsix per person, per day in the Keys.

Getting the catch

Dennis Milian, who came down to the Keys with a group of friends from Miami, said he got as soon as daylight dawned, before the storm clouds and crowds gathered.

"Earlier was good, Milian said around 10 a.m. "That's we caught most of our lobsters."

Heynor Mejai, 20, traveled from Jupiter for a shot to catch his six, which he did in about 20 minutes, he said. Asked if he'd be back Thursday for round two, he responded, "I wish. I gotta work."

But others, like Humberto Pedroso III, 52, from Pinecrest, came up almost empty-handed.

"Over 30 years, this is probably the worst day I've had," said Pedroso, walking down the side of U.S. 1 on Long Key holding a mesh bag with two lobsters in it and a yellow hookah diving rig.

Lisa Dinh, 62, said miniseason didn't live up to the hype after she crossed the country with her husband and some friends to catch some spiny lobster.

"This is our first time. We're from California and we've heard about this event," she said drying off after exiting Florida Bay near Long Key with no lobsters. "Very disappointing."

Her husband, Chien Dinh, also 62, didn't let the goose egg and stormy conditions ruin his good time.

"The water's beautiful," he said. "I can't complain."

2023 Miami Herald.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new study found that teachers who left low-performing K-12 public schools in Tennessee as part of schoolwide turnaround reforms had positive impacts on test scores in the schools that took them in, and they were more likely to collaborate.

The findings, which examined the impacts of turnaround reforms in Tennessee between 20122013 and 20182019, are part of a series of studies focusing on the broader impacts of turnaround school reforms. The results are published in the journal Educational Researcher.

"Supporting all of these schools in a more holistic waynot just one school, but the whole systemis an important part of planning school reform," said the study's lead author Lam Pham, assistant professor of leadership, policy and human development at North Carolina State University.

The Abstract spoke to Pham about the study findings.

The Abstract: What is the history of school turnaround reforms?

Lam Pham: School reform has a long history. The latest iteration was under the Obama administration through the federal school improvement grant (SIG) program. In exchange for federal money, low-performing schools were required to replace half of their teachers and principal and enact an assortment of other schoolwide changes like extending the school day, extra after-school tutoring and others. We've moved away from that under the Every Student Succeeds Act, which gives states flexibility in how they address low-performing schools, but turnaround policy is still very influential. A lot of states' plans were written when turnaround was the main model. Tennessee and North Carolina are continuing to use those ideas in their reform models.

TA: What was the impact on teachers in turnaround schools?

Pham: In the first year, teachers are asked to reapply for their jobs, and no more than 50% can be rehired. You can imagine with all of these changes, after the first year of mandatory teacher replacements, there was still high levels of teacher turnover in these schools. A lot of other research has shown that is caused by turnaround disruptions.

TA: What did you find about teacher performance?

Pham: I was looking not at the effects in the turnaround schools, but the effects on non-turnaround schools using this idea of spillover effects. I looked at student test scores for teachers before and after they moved from turnaround schools, and compared those scores to a group of teachers who also moved into the same school, but not from turnaround schools.

I saw that teachers who left turnaround schools were a mix of teachers who voluntarily left or were forced out. These teachers would often move to nearby schools with similar student demographics that were also low performing. I saw that these teachers, even the ones who voluntarily left, were more likely to have low value-added student test scores, and survey responses show they were dissatisfied and didn't want to collaborate with other teachers.

I also found that once teachers who were low performing moved into a new school, their effectiveness levels, and observation scores, improved significantly and noticeably in the new school environment. They became more effective when they moved to a new school.

TA: Why did teachers become more effective?

Pham: My primary explanation was that once these teachers moved, they were much more willing to collaborate with more effective peers. Working with more effective colleagues really helped these teachers improve their instructional practice.

When teachers moved, they also went from being very dissatisfied with their leadership to having a view of their principal that was similar to teachers in the rest of the state. Their views of school leadership were an improvement from highly negative to average.

TA: What about teachers who left the profession?

Pham: The teachers who left the profession entirely were also teachers who were less likely to collaborate, and find collaboration useful, whereas the people who moved were very similar to the stayers in terms of their willingness to collaborate. It suggests this reform pushed out people who likely didn't want to be teachers.

I also saw that Black teachers were much more willing to stay in the profession. I think that is another positive sign for this particular policy in Tennessee affecting schools in historically Black communities. As other studies have found, having more Black teachers is important for student outcomes, and especially Black student outcomes.

TA: What should we take away from these findings?

Pham: I think it has strong implications from a school leadership point of view. Principals shouldn't be so concerned about hiring teachers from a turnaround setting. My results are showing that once these teachers move, they do a lot better.

From a larger systemic viewpoint, at the district and state level, there needs to be more thought around what these spillover effects are in general. We need to think about not just focusing on a few schools to the exclusion of all these other schools very near them that are also likely to serve disadvantaged students.

When teachers leave because of turnaround reform, they tend to move into very similar schools that are nearby. It's very possible that you are shifting a very limited amount of teacher talent around, and not actually increasing the pool of teacher talent. If we want to have systemwide improvement in educational policy, we need to improve the pool.

More information: Lam D. Pham, Teachers Are Not Lemons: An Examination of Spillover Effects When Teachers Transfer Away From Turnaround Schools, Educational Researcher (2023). DOI: 10.3102/0013189X231175148
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Young people around the worldincluding Australiawill feel the fallout of the COVID pandemic for years to come, say the University of the Sunshine Coast researchers behind a new global resource to support them.

The team has created the International Framework for School Health Promotion, published recently in the Journal of School Health, as a tool for educators, parents and policymakers to address the escalating health and well-being needs of young people during and after COVID-19.

"It might seem like the pandemic is in our rear vision mirror, but it continues to be 'the gift that keeps on giving' and our kids are not okay," said lead author and chief investigator Dr. Joseph Scott.

The UniSC Health and Physical Education researcher said the worldwide restrictions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus precipitated a growing and long-term educational and health crisis among children and adolescents.

"This problem is not just going to go away on its own," Dr. Scott said. "There is a critical and urgent need for targeted action," Dr. Scott said.

"Globally, falling physical activity levels, increasing sedentary behaviors and too much screen time were significant issues before the global outbreak of coronavirus. The pandemic has exacerbated these existing physical and mental health risks," he said.

"As children gradually returned to the classroom after the extended periods at home, it became clear that many were not only behind educationally but also had higher levels of distress, poor sleeping and eating habits, and had done little exercise for months on end."

Schools and parents are a key 'piece of the puzzle'

Despite many existing school health promotion resources, Dr. Scott said there was a lack of tailored guidance to specifically aid schools in navigating physical and mental health needs for young people during and after the pandemic.

Dr. Scott, UniSC Clinical Psychologist Dr. Alex Metse and Dr. Lynette Vernon from Edith Cowan University, developed the global framework by examining emerging literature to find gaps and advance understanding and practices in school health promotion.

"School principals and teachers and parents around the world who are scrambling to support the escalating health and well-being needs of young people are an important piece of the puzzle," Dr. Scott said.

"Schools and teachers remain well-positioned to address these needs, however they require targeted guidance and support to evaluate and reorient existing health promotion programs. This framework is a first step in the right direction."

Dr. Vernon, whose research focus is young people, technology and well-being said the pandemic had upset the delicate balance of screen time, turning it into a "double-edged sword."

"Now, with our heightened reliance on technology, the challenge of managing screen time has become even more complex and pressing. It's crucial for us to remember that our children's mental and physical health hinges on maintaining this balance," she said.

"It's a necessary tool for education and communication, but also a potential disruptor of vital offline, face-to-face interactions.

"As we traverse this digital landscape, prioritizing real-world connections is essential not only for the richness of our relationships but also for our children's mental and physical well-being."

Dr. Metse, an expert on sleep and mental health, said given that adequate physical activity and optimal sleep and nutrition were strongly linked with mental and physical health, schools needed to explore ways their programs could cultivate environments to promote healthy lifestyle habits in children.

"Sleep is essential for physical, cognitive and emotional development. We know many people's sleep, including young people, were negatively impacted by the pandemic. Schools are a key setting to help rectify the residual impact of the pandemic on sleep."

The framework's four key strategies are:


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  President Ferdinand Marcos is directing all agencies and local government units (LGUs) to increase the number of health facilities at the grassroots level following the adoption of the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040.

The PHFDP, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, was released by the Palace on Thursday.

The development plan aims to have all government agencies and LGUs [set up] health facilities for their constituents.

The Department of Health (DOH) would also assist LGUs in crafting policies to establish networks of health care providers, it added.

Moreover, the PHFDP eyes tapping domestic and foreign businesses through public-private partnerships to boost efforts in building health care facilities.

The DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, shall study, formulate, and implement policies that will encourage both domestic and international enterprises from the private sector to invest in health facilities aimed at addressing gaps in the PHFDP, the circular read.

Malacanang noted that the circulars implementation will be funded by existing appropriations of respective agencies and LGUs.
HEBRON  A hearing on motions to suppress statements made by the Hebron man accused of shooting at a vehicle that turned around his driveway, killing a Schuylerville woman, is scheduled for September.

Kevin Monahan, 65, of Patterson Hill Road, has been charged with felony counts of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and tampering with physical evidence for the April 15 incident. Police said he fired his shotgun at a truck that had entered his driveway and was turning around to exit. Kaylin Gillis, 20, was a passenger in the vehicle and struck and killed.

Monahans attorney, Kurt Mausert, is seeking to get the indictment dismissed on a number of grounds including that prosecutors have not established a basis for second-degree murder, in which prosecutors must prove a wanton disregard for the value of human life and a willingness to cause harm.

He also seeks the dismissal of the tampering with physical evidence charge, which alleges that Monahan retrieved shell casings at the scene. Mausert blames police ineffectiveness for failing to recover all the shells.

Mausert is also seeking to suppress statements that Monahan made to police the night of the incident. He was initially reluctant to leave his house and told police responding to a noise complaint that: There are hunters shooting out here all the time.

Mausert is also challenging evidence seized from Monahans cell phone and his vehicles on the grounds that there was insufficient probable cause because the search warrants were overly broad and/or unduly vague.

In addition, Mausert is requesting that his client be allowed to return to the scene of the crime while accompanied by law enforcement.

A hearing originally had been on the calendar for Friday in Washington County Court. However, Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said the parties were not set to be in court. It was just the date when motions would be due.

He said his office will file its response to Mausert's motions and the judge will rule on which ones should be heard during a hearing on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m.
WHITEHALL  A Whitehall woman was sentenced on July 14 to 1 to 3 years in prison after admitting to stealing property from a Whitehall business.

April L. Campeau, 44, pleaded guilty in Washington County Court to a felony third-degree attempted burglary.

Campeau was arrested by state police on Jan. 20 after police responded to a business on county Route 9 in Whitehall reporting a burglary that had just occurred. Police did not identify the business.

Campeau and another suspect were located walking on Route 4 in possession of property stolen from the business. Police determined that they had committed the burglary.

Campeau was initially facing multiple burglary, possession of stolen property and drug charges but pleaded guilty to the one count to resolve the case.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice have reached a $400,000 settlement with Upstate Shredding, LLC and Weitsman Shredding, LLC after a complaint accused the companies of violating the federal Clean Air Act.

The complaint claimed that the companies failed to install pollution controls on their metal shredding facility in Oswego, New York, which caused excess emissions of volatile organic compounds. The companies also failed to obtain required federal and state air permits.

In addition to the fine, the companies will install technology to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals they release into the air.

VOCs form when plastics, paints, and oils in scrap material become hot and vaporize during shredding. Exposure to VOCs may cause cancer and respiratory health problems.
ATLANTIC CITY  Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is proposing to use 1.7 acres of beach between South Texas and Iowa avenues, a portion of Bader Field and a portion of a city park for the installation of underground transmission lines, according to legal notices published recently by the company.

A public hearing for its proposal will be held Thursday.

According to the legal notices, the company plans to use about a half-acre on Albany Avenue at Bader Field and about 0.32 acres on Fairmount and Sovereign avenues at the Pete Pallitto recreation fields.

The project is also expected to temporarily impact about 11 acres of parkland at Bader Field.

The properties are owned by the city and subject to the state Department of Environmental Protection's Green Acres restrictions, and will require an application for a major diversion that must be approved by the DEP's commissioner and by the State House Commission.

A public scoping meeting is required before Atlantic Shores can submit a formal application for the diversion of parkland.

The public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 1301 Bacharach Blvd.

The Atlantic Shores wind project area is located 10 to 20 miles off the coast between Atlantic City and Barnegat Light. The project is expected to produce 1,510 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 700,000 homes, according to the company.

Atlantic Shores aims to begin construction in 2024 and begin powering homes in 2027.

Another wind farm, rsted's Ocean Wind 1, will be located 13 to 15 miles off Atlantic City and Ocean City and aims to begin offshore construction in 2024. The project is expected to provide enough electricity to power 500,000 homes, according to the company.
LAS VEGAS  Casino mogul Steve Wynn's long legal fight with Nevada gambling regulators over claims of workplace sexual misconduct is expected to end Thursday with a settlement calling for him to pay a $10 million fine and cut virtually all ties to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas.

The Nevada Gaming Commission was scheduled to meet in the state capital of Carson City and accept a deal in which the 81-year-old Wynn admits no wrongdoing.

The seven-page agreement that Wynn signed July 17 with members of the investigatory Nevada Gaming Control Board said he was accused of failure to exercise discretion and sound judgment to prevent incidents that have reflected negatively on the reputation of the gaming industry and the State of Nevada.

Wynn, who now lives in Florida, will not attend the hearing, his attorney Colby Williams said Wednesday. Williams declined to comment about the proceedings until they are complete.

Wynn has deep ties to Atlantic City.

Wynn opened the original Golden Nugget in Atlantic City and helped shape the city by playing a key role in developing the Atlantic City Expressway Connector tunnel.

Under terms of the deal, Wynn will be allowed to maintain passive ownership of up to 5% of a publicly traded corporation registered with the Gaming Commission, but no "control, authority, advisory role or decision making power. Violating the pact could lead to a finding of unsuitability for association with Nevada casinos and an additional fine, it said.

Unsuitability would be extraordinary for a man widely credited with starting a boom that grew Las Vegas Strip properties from gambling halls with all-you-can-eat buffets and showrooms into huge destination resorts featuring celebrity-chef restaurants, massive gambling floors, nightclubs and huge stage productions.

Wynn developed luxury properties including the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas; Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi; Wynn Macau in the Chinese gambling enclave; and Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts.

He resigned after the Wall Street Journal published allegations by several women that he sexually harassed or assaulted them at his hotels. He divested company shares, quit the corporate board and resigned as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Wynn has consistently denied sexual misconduct allegations in multiple courts.

In the Gaming Commission case, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled against him in March 2022, finding that a state judge in Las Vegas acted prematurely in late 2020 when she sided with Wynns lawyers and decided the state lacked authority to punish him.

Wynn's attorneys, including Donald Campbell, argued that the Gaming Control Board and its oversight panel, the Nevada Gaming Commission, no longer had legal jurisdiction over Wynn.

State regulators launched their investigation after the allegations against Wynn emerged. The board said Wynns license had been placed on administrative hold and the commission moved in October 2019 to discipline or fine Wynn.

At a December 2019 hearing, which Wynn did not attend, commissioners began considering a fine of up to $500,000 and a declaration that Wynn was unsuitable to renew ties to gambling in Nevada.

Months earlier, the commission fined his former company, Wynn Resorts Ltd., a record $20 million for failing to investigate sexual misconduct claims made against Wynn.

Massachusetts gambling regulators fined Wynn Resorts Ltd. another $35 million and new company chief executive Matthew Maddox $500,000 for failing to disclose while applying for a license for the Boston-area resort that there had been sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn.

Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations.

The agreements included no admission of wrongdoing.
A Millville man who died in a wooded area of Louisiana while geocaching is not believed to be a victim of foul play, a spokesperson for the Rapides Parish Sheriffs Office said Thursday.

Robert D. Owens Jr.'s body was found decomposing along the Azalea Trail last week. Owens' remains were identified through a matching description of his clothes.

He was reported missing earlier this month, and his death is "unfortunate" because he was in the South enjoying a cherished hobby, said Tommy Carnline, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office.

Owens, 58, was in Louisiana geocaching, a recreational outdoor activity in which participants use GPS tools to hide and seek containers called "geocaches," or "caches," at specific sites marked by coordinates. A mobile app for the activity was developed by Groundspeak Inc.

The company did not immediately return a request for comment.

Owens was born in Cape May Court House, according to his obituary. He was a recent retiree from the Cumberland County school system, which couldn't immediately be reached for comment Thursday.

'Geocacher' from Millville believed dead in Louisiana A Millville man is believed to have been found dead in a wooded area of Louisiana after disappearing earlier this week.

His daughter, Abigail Owens, pleaded for help finding her father by posting to Facebook on July 18 that he was preparing to attend Cachefest, an event dedicated to geocaching, in Tennessee. He missed the event, raising concerns about his whereabouts.

Abigail Owens said her father was planning to go geocaching before the event, flying from Philadelphia to Louisiana. He was last heard from July 8, she said.

After authorities found his remains, she confirmed his death on TikTok. She remembered Robert Owens as a dedicated father keen on his hobby.

"His life was just starting," Abigail Owens said. "Geocaching is his favorite thing ever. He was doing all this fun stuff on his bucket list and everything, and he's not going to be able to do any of that now."

After his geocaching endeavor, Robert Owens was planning to visit Las Vegas with his son, Abigail Owens said.

A celebration of Owens' life is set for Saturday at Union Lake in Millville.
ATLANTIC CITY  Officials at Wednesday's CitiStat meeting said they could finish efforts to improve public safety if Atlantic City Electric would act on stalled projects.

One is the demolition of a house at 226 N. New Jersey Ave., where a resident said homeless and drug-addicted people were living and using it as a base to break into a nearby church.

A resident asked the city to demolish it at a CitiStat meeting last year, and the city went through the legal process to move forward. But a meter must be moved before demolition can happen, and it is taking weeks.

"We have to get utility releases, and weve had a problem," said Director of Licensing and Inspections Dale Finch. "Atlantic Electric has been a snag in the whole process. We are waiting to get their approvals to relocate the meter. They are really dragging their feet."

Another resident complaining of criminal activity and loud parties on the beach late at night in her Inlet neighborhood asked when the city will install its citywide security cameras, which the state provided $5 million to fund.

"This is a project where we have the funding to do it. We have the equipment to do it," said Business Administrator Anthony Swan. "Our contractors are ready to do it. The problem we have is Atlantic City Electric and allowing us to put the cameras on the poles."

Police Chief James Sarkos and IT Director Patrick Quinlan have been working to get the camera project finished, Swan said.

"We have hit a brick wall, and I'm hoping in the next couple of days Atlantic City Electric will give us the approval to move forward, because we are ready to go," Swan said.

In an email response to questions, a spokesperson for Atlantic City Electric said the reality of the situation is a bit more complicated.

"We are continuing to work with the city to finalize an agreement to install about 250 cameras and associated wiring to Atlantic City Electric-owned utility poles as part of the city's camera installation initiative," utility spokesperson Frank Tedesco said. "We are currently in the design phase, and actively working with the city's contractor on the design and specifics needed to accommodate the interconnection of municipal-owned fiber optic cables, cameras and other equipment to our electric system infrastructure on our utility poles. Once this step is complete, we will have a better indication of when the cameras will start to be installed."

On June 30, the utility did try to disconnect service from the building at 226 N. New Jersey Ave., Tedesco said, but found a service box for a nearby store was also on the building. The store must hire a contractor to move that service meter to the store's building, Tedesco said, before the other meter can be removed so the building can come down.

"At that time, the city asked we not disconnect the meter box and instructed the property owner at 230 New Jersey Avenue to have a private contractor separate the service and install a new connection point at this property," Tedesco said.

He said the utility will expedite the work as soon as the store's service is moved.

Some projects are grant funded and time can run out on spending funds, Swan said.

"The other piece of this is we use demolition funds from the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and they have time limits connected with them," Swan said. "We have to spend it within a certain time frame, so delays put us in a time crunch."

Swan stressed the city is not disparaging Atlantic City Electric.

Long and winding road to demolition in Atlantic City ATLANTIC CITY  The saga surrounding a single blighted building that has played out at city 

"We work together as a team," Swan said. "They have manpower issues as well, and we have a lot going on in the city."

Mayor Marty Small Sr. said in a text response to questions that the resort and Atlantic City Electric have a "great partnership."

At a meeting with residents of the Chelsea neighborhood last month, Small and city Engineer Uzo Ahiarakwe said Atlantic City Electric had held up completion of a bulkhead rebuilding project by not de-energizing poles in the area so work could be done on sidewalks and new lighting.

We cannot do those things without Atlantic Electric doing its part, Ahiarakwe said then.

Bert Lopez of Atlantic City Electric said at the time that systems issues and storms had prevented the company from starting the work when it was scheduled earlier in June.

Tedesco said Wednesday the de-energizing is now complete.

CitiStat meetings are biweekly and allow city residents, business owners and others to report problems, and hear back two weeks later on how they are addressed by city directors.

They are generally held in the Fannie Lou Hamer room of Stockton University's City Campus. They switch between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. meeting times and are listed on the city calendar at acnj.gov.
WILDWOOD  In a unanimous vote in an all-but-empty meeting room, the Board of Commissioners joined the shore communities setting earlier curfews for those under 18.

Kids will now be obliged to be home by midnight.

The city is also considering having police officers speak to high school students in Philadelphia and other communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey next spring, in hopes of heading off problems for summer 2024.

The change will take effect immediately after the ordinance is advertised Wednesday, City Clerk Lisa Brown said at the meeting. Usually, that means an ordinance is being enacted as an emergency measure. Otherwise, the ordinance would take effect after 20 days.

But while multiple towns reported significant issues with teenagers this summer, including Ocean City, which also enacted new rules this year, Wildwood officials say there have not been teenage problems this year.

We really havent had any issue, like our brothers to the north have had issues with juveniles this summer. Were just trying to be proactive, said Mayor Pete Byron after the meeting. He did add there had been some disruptions over the July 4 weekend, but he and Commissioner Steve Mikulski, who leads the department of public safety, said the rest of the month has been quiet.

Just the same, the city is taking new steps, including closing the beaches an hour earlier. While the beaches are open until 10 p.m. now, commissioners introduced an ordinance Wednesday moving that closing time an hour earlier.

Byron said people had been congregating on the beach after the weekly fireworks display on Fridays, presenting what he described as a safety hazard. The fireworks are set to continue, but people are now expected to be off the beach by 9 p.m.

Cape Assist says it is ready to help towns with underage drinking, pot issues As shore communities deal with another summer of issues with juveniles, including the underage use of alcohol and cannabis, local organization Cape Assist says it is ready to help. That can include town hall meetings, staff training and awareness campaigns on underage drinking.

They can watch them from the Boardwalk, Byron said.

After huge crowds of teens flooded its Boardwalk over Memorial Day weekend, Ocean City also set an earlier curfew and shut down its beaches at night, closing them at 8 p.m. That town also banned backpacks and other bags on and around the Boardwalk after 8 p.m., after multiple instances of heavily intoxicated teens. Some were taken to the hospital that weekend.

Lower Township and Sea Isle City also amended their curfews this summer, and Cape May considered curfew changes in June.

Over the past two summers, shore communities have reported problems with large crowds of teenagers gathering on beaches and boardwalks. In some instances, the teens were just spending time with each other, but there have also been instances of fights, vandalism and shoplifting reported.

While Wildwood officials say things have been quiet, Mikulski also promised a stepped-up police presence on the Boardwalk with Joseph Murphy being named the new police chief this month.

He also mentioned consideration of Wildwood officers, possibly the chief, speaking to high school students from several schools outside the area, from which the city has encountered problems.

Mikulski did not specify which schools.

Mikulski also presented a police report, which he said was going to become a regular occurrence at the meetings. So far this year, as of July 25, Wildwood police responded to 101 smoking violations, 59 alcohol violations and 272 bicycle violations on the Boardwalk, he reported.

Joseph Murphy named to lead Wildwood police John Murphy, the operations captain for the Wildwood Police Department, has been named to lead the department following the retirement of Chief Robert Regalbuto.

There were also 85 animal violations, Mikulski said.

He said Murphy will work closely with Boardwalk merchants to address issues. His report indicated that police have responded to 1,616 violations so far this year.

While some beach town officials have cast the blame for rowdy teenagers on Trenton, and juvenile justice reforms they say make it difficult to enforce laws against underage drinking, Commissioner Krista Fitzsimons blamed parents.

Some allow their teenage children to drink to excess and cause problems on summer vacation, purportedly considering it a rite of passage that they went through themselves. She, instead, sees it as dangerously irresponsible.

I hear it all the time. They say its a rite of passage. It drives me crazy, Fitzsimons said.

A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance setting an earlier beach closure is planned for 5 p.m. Aug. 10 on the second floor of City Hall, 4400 New Jersey Ave.

Byron described the ordinance amendments as minor.

Neither one of them are big game-changers, he said. Byron said the city could not have made the curfew any earlier than midnight because in the summer, most businesses are open at least that late.

The curfew ordinance made headlines in Philadelphia and around New Jersey but did not seem to be a major issue in Wildwood. Aside from reporters, only one resident attended the Wednesday meeting to talk on another matter, and there was no discussion of either ordinance by commission members.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  Activist Reina Mae Nasino and her two companions have been acquitted of all criminal cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, according to court documents released by the National Union of People's Lawyers on Thursday.

Ram Carlo Bautista and Alma Moran Estrada, Nacino's fellow activists, were also cleared by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47 after it granted their motion to reconsider the cases for lack of evidence, the documents showed.

The Court finds that the unmistakable conflicting testimonies of the prosecution witnesses generate serious doubt as to whether the firearms with ammunitions and explosives were really found in the rooms of the accused as they were not identified with sufficient particularity, it said in its resolution dated July 17.

The trio were arrested on Nov. 5, 2019 for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

In 2022, the Court of Appeals nullified the search warrants which were used to arrest Nasino, Bautista, and Estrada as these did not meet the standards of a valid warrant, rendering the evidence procured as inadmissible.

They were released after posting bail in late December 2022.

Nasino was one month pregnant when she was arrested. She gave birth to her daughter River Nasino on July 1, 2020 while in detention.

While separated from her detained mother, three-month-old River died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on Oct. 9, 2020.

READ: Baby River Nasino laid to rest, but road to burial filled with tension
Dengue cases are surging in the city, and there are many speculations about what to do if the symptoms are seen. People usually go with the wrong methods out of fear. Dr. Avinash Bhondwe, while speaking with Pune Mirror, cleared all speculations and mentioned the right symptoms, preventive measures, and medicines.

Dr. Avinash Bhondwe mentioned that the symptoms of Dengue start with a feeling of extreme cold and bones start painting. Usually, the symptoms also include stomach pain and vomiting, but these symptoms are common now as people go out for weekends, drink not-so-clean water, and consume unhealthy food. So according to Doctor Bhondwe, if a patients bones are paining or they are feeling cold and have an extreme fever should consult a doctor.

On the other hand, there are no Dengue medicines as such, meaning there is no antidote. So, the medications given are for increasing the platelets as they reduce once Dengue is detected. Also, normal platelets are 1.5 lakh to 4 lakh, but if reduced to 1 lakh, there is no need to immediately get admitted to the hospital. Also, people who claim that fruits available in the market will increase thy platelets, then it is entirely wrong, said Dr. Bhondwe.

Precautionary measures include that avoid water logging, wearing short clothes as dengue mosquitoes are a day-biter. They bite above the elbow and below the knees, so wearing long and full garments is preferred. If at all Dengue is detected, drink more and more water, and you do not necessarily have to get admitted to the hospital.
A man was wounded in a shooting in Mercer County late Tuesday, Sheriff Dusty Terrill said.

Mercer County Deputies were on routine patrol in New Windsor at about 11 p.m. when they heard gunfire and someone yelling, Terrill said.

Deputies located the shooting scene and found a man that had suffered two gunshot wounds. Deputies gave the wounded man emergency first aid while waiting for Tri-County Ambulance to arrive and take the man to an area hospital.

Terrill said late Wednesday it appears the victim might survive.

Deputies detained Trent William Deshane, 32, of New Windsor.

Deshane is charged in Mercer County Circuit Court with one count each of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. Each of the charges is a Class X felony under Illinois law that carry a prison sentence of six to 30 years. He also is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony that carries a prison sentence of one to three years.

During a first appearance on the charges Wednesday in Circuit Court, Associate Circuit Judge Matthew Durbin scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Aug. 1, and set Deshanes bond at $750,000, cash-only.

Deshane was being held Wednesday night in the Mercer County Jail.
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand was critical during a stop in Scott County of a new Iowa law that limits what records his office has access to and bars him from going to court against a state agency to obtain records.

In one of his town halls in Scott County this week, Sand called on the state Legislature to pass a mandatory prison sentence for large thefts of public funds and encouraged small-town officials to ask regularly for bank records to discourage theft of public funds.

Earlier this year, Sand's office issued a special report on Eldridge detailing the misuse of more than $76,000 by the city clerk, Denise Benson, made using the city's accounts and credit cards over at least six years. Benson was arrested last month and charged with theft of public funds. She's plead not guilty and the case is currently making its way through the courts system.

The Auditor's Office found Eldridge's clerk had too much control over the city's financial transactions with few opportunities to catch discrepancies.

Sand encouraged small-town residents concerned about theft of public funds to run for office and ask to see bank statements to signal that someone is keeping an eye on it.

Sand referenced a 2014 audit and investigation, when his predecessor was in office, which found a secretary for the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District had stolen more than $200,000 from the district. The employee also did administrative duties for Poweshiek County's district, but commissioners reviewed monthly bank statements, and she stole nothing from that district.

"Making sure they know you're looking really does matter," Sand said.

He tied that sentiment to the law that recently took effect limiting what records the state auditor has access to and limiting the office's ability to go to court for the records.

"We can't deter people from stealing money if they know that we're not going to be looking in certain areas," Sand said.

The law, signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds June 1, limits the auditor's access to Iowans' personal information in several realms including criminal identification files of law enforcement agencies, student information, hospital and medical records, attorney work, peace officers' reports, and details on infrastructure such as cybersecurity.

Six Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the bill. Two of those included Rep. Mark Cisneros, R-Muscatine, Rep. Luana Stoltenberg, R-Davenport.

The law also prohibits the auditor from "any other information or records that contain personal information that an individual would reasonably expect to be kept private."

Supporters of the law said it's necessary to protect Iowans' private information and puts in place accounting standards.

But criticism has come from bipartisan national auditor groups, including a letter from the National State Auditors Association signed by both Democrats and Republicans that says auditors should have "unfettered access" to records.

"State auditors should have unfettered access to confidential records to ensure that state agencies are following their policies and procedures and state and federal law," the letter stated. "This is also necessary to ensure that we prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of state programs and funds. State auditors also have the immense responsibility to guard against disclosure of any confidential information."

Before passage, the Legislature did amend the bill to allow exceptions as required by state or federal regulations or in the case of suspected embezzlement or theft.

The bill also prevents the auditor's office from taking a state agency or department to court for records, instead directing disputes to a three-member panel made up of a representatives from the state agency being audited, the auditor's office and the governor's office.

Sand said the panel stacks in favor of the agency being audited, and provides no independent review by the courts. Supporters of the bill say it prevents the expense from one part of state government from suing another.

The auditors office is part of the executive branch. And I think Iowans expect the executive branch to be able to work things out. It puts a process in place that allows us to do that, Reynolds said during an appearance on Iowa PBS "Iowa Press in May.

The Auditor's Office still retains the power to go to court for records at the local level if needed.

"Local entities, if they're going to deny us records, which now they have the right to do, they're gonna have to be very clearly within the bounds of law," Sand said.

Moving forward, Sand said he would let the public know any time state agencies deny a request for records.

"Every time they tell us no on something, we will let you know about it," Sand said. "Whether or not we have legal recourse, is a different question."

How much do Americans invest today? More than they have in the last decade How much do Americans invest today? More than they have in the last decade Financial crisis impact lingers in American investment portfolios Fewer Americans interested in stocks, CDs long-term as real estate slips Americans who invest in stock are most likely to be white, college-educated, over 30, and female
A Rock Island man is accused of punching a woman in the face and struggling with several police officers, which led to injuries.

The Rock Island County States Attorneys Office says Tremayne D. Pole, 33, punched a woman in the face, causing redness and swelling. A responding officer reportedly fell down stairs, hit his head, and sustained injuries to his ankle and forearm.

Pole is accused of biting a second officer on the hand, grabbing and squeezing a third officers testicle and damaging a window in a holding cell at the Rock Island County Jail, court records state.

The altercations occurred on July 17, but reports from the Rock Island Police Department do not indicate the time or location. Police did not immediately respond to a request for additional information.

Prosecutors charged Pole with two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of domestic battery, aggravated resisting or obstructing a peace officer and criminal damage to property, according to records.

He made his first appearance on July 18 and was free on a $20,000 bail as of Wednesday after posting a $2,000 bond, records state. As conditions of bond, he is to have no contact with the person he is accused of striking and is prohibited from using alcohol or controlled substances.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1.
A registered sex offender on lifetime special sentence parole in Iowa for a Scott County conviction of lascivious acts with a 9-year-old girl is accused of downloading or looking at child porn on his phone while a resident at Davenport's Work Release Center.

Devin Lee Ortiz, 31, is charged in Scott County District Court with 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Each of the charges is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

According to the charging documents filed by Assistant County Attorney Elizabeth ODonnell, on or about July 9, 2020, Ortiz possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in a prohibited sexual act or the simulation of a prohibited sexual act.

Ortiz had been living in Springfield, Missouri, in 2020, where he was registered in the state as a Tier III sex offender, meaning he was required to report in person to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, or Sheriff, every 90 days. He was allowed to live in Missouri under an agreement with the State of Iowa.

While under the supervision of Missouri, Ortiz was required to take a polygraph examination to determine if he had committed any violations.

According to documents filed in Polk County District Court by Iowa's compact administrator, Simona Hammond, Missouri informed Hammond that on Jan. 16, 2020, during a polygraph examination, Ortiz admitted to dangerous predatory behavior.

During the polygraph Ortiz admitted to using his cell phone to access the internet to look at porn and set up a social media account using the Snapchat app. He admitted to using the app to exchange inappropriate images with his girlfriend. Ortiz also admitted to being in his girlfriends home when her two children were there. Both children were under the age of 17.

On Jan. 22, 2020, Ortiz was terminated from sex offender treatment due to high-risk behaviors, and on Feb. 11, 2020, there was probable cause found for violations at a preliminary hearing in the State of Missouri.

During a hearing in Polk County District Court on March 31, 2020, Administrative Law Judge Steven Clarke ordered that Ortiz be placed on the Work Release list, or on Work Release at the Work Release Center in the Davenport Residential Corrections Facility.

Clarke also ordered that Ortiz serve a 5-year prison sentence as it was Ortizs second revocation of his parole, with the first revocation occurring in 2018.

While in the Work Release Center in Davenport in July of 2020, Ortiz allegedly used his phone to look at or download child pornography. The Scott County Attorneys Office filed charges July 10 in Scott County District Court.

Ortiz has been serving his 5-year sentence at the Newton Correctional Facility.

During a hearing on the charges Thursday in Scott County District Court, District Associate Judge Korie Talkington tentatively scheduled a jury trial in the case for Sept. 11. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Aug. 30th.

Ortiz was being held Thursday night without bond in the Scott County Jail.

On Oct. 5, 2012, Ortiz was charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

Ortiz pleaded guilty to a Class C felony charge of lascivious acts with a child. The victim was 9-years-old.

On May 10, 2013, Scott County District Judge John Telleen sentenced Ortiz to 10 years in prison.

As a result of his conviction Ortiz is on lifetime parole in Iowa.
A Clinton man whose murder trial in April ended in a hung jury has pleaded guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter in the case.

Lewis Vaughn Sr., 45, had been charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 23, 2021, shooting death of 29-year-old Khalil Said Pugh and then dumping his body in a dumpster. Pughs remains have not been located.

On July 10, Vaughn pleaded guilty to the lesser included charge of voluntary manslaughter, a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years, as well as first-degree burglary, a Class B felony that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of abuse of a corpse, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 10 in Clinton County District Court. Vaughn continues to be held in the Clinton County Jail.

Vaughns wife, Jessica, 36, is charged with one count of abuse of a corpse. A pretrial hearing in her is scheduled for Aug. 17 in District Court. She remains free on bond.

The Vaughns were arrested Aug. 31, 2022, in connection with the case.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Clinton Police Detective Joshua Winter, and the search warrants filed by Clinton Police, at 10:26 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2021, Clinton Police were sent to the Hawthorne Woods Apartments, 847 Gateway Ave., Apt. 12, for a welfare check after the property manager received a note that said a shooting had occurred in apartment 12 and not to notify the police.

The manager told police the apartment belonged to JaKwane Polidore, 28. Pugh also lived at the apartment.

Officers went to the door but got no answer. There was a strong smell of marijuana.

Police were granted a search warrant for the apartment, and while searching, officers located a spent 9mm shell casing in the hallway and a large amount of blood in the living room.

Officers also located a pillow with a hole going through it and a large amount of blood and tissue on the backside. There also were skull or bone fragments on the mattress in the living room as well as a large pool of blood. More blood was located on the apartments balcony, and a bullet hole was located in a back bedroom wall.

The investigation revealed the Pugh was with Vaughn on Feb. 23, 2021, before going to the apartment he shared with Polidore. Investigators located Pughs vehicle outside the apartment building. Pughs cell phone was located in the vehicle.

Pughs family had not heard from him since Feb. 23, 2021, and he had not reported to work. There also was no financial activity related to Pugh since that date.

During a canvass of the neighborhood around the apartment, neighbors reported three people being at the apartment and heard sounds of an altercation. Neighbors also told police they heard gunshots.

Following the arguments and gunshots, neighbors told police they saw the maintenance mans truck, a Chevrolet K1500, back into the parking lot outside of 847 Gateway Avenue. Vaughns cell phone records showed that he left the area of 847 Gateway Avenue and went to the area of 700 S. 32nd Street in Clinton where he knew some people. Police learned in an interview with those residents that Vaughn had reached out to them about having a dead animal that he needed to dispose of in the dumpster.

The residents then saw Vaughn leave in his truck and stop at the dumpster located at the entrance to the property. The residents denied knowing what it was Vaughn had placed in the dumpster.

The next day at Hawthorne Woods Apartments, Vaughn got one of the other maintenance workers to help him shovel snow over blood that was in the parking lot. The maintenance worker told police that Vaughn told him he had cleaned blood out of the back of the truck.

Police obtained a search warrant for the truck and located what was determined to be human blood. A DNA profile of the blood in the truck matched the DNA profile of the blood found in the apartment.

Investigators went to 700 S. 32nd Street and got permission to search the dumpster. The dumpster had been emptied but blood was recovered that matched the DNA profile from Vaughns pickup and from the apartment.

Jessica Vaughn admitted to police to owning several firearms but did not know where one of them, a 9mm handgun, was located. She had not reported the gun missing or stolen.

Police were able to establish a DNA profile of Pugh. The DNA of the profile matched the blood found in the apartment, Vaughns truck and the dumpster.

During the course of the investigation it was alleged that there was a physical altercation between Vaughn and Pugh. Vaughn shot Pugh twice, causing his death.

Lewis Vaughn currently is on probation in Clinton County until Aug. 18, 2024. He was sentenced Aug. 18 to serve two years on probation after pleading guilty in April to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

It was in the apartment shared by Polidore and Pugh that Winter located the firearm that led to Lewis Vaughns conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The gun, a tan FMK Recon 9mm was wrapped in a gray sweatshirt and stashed in a black safe in the apartments bedroom closet.

Winter found the weapon Feb. 26, 2021, two days after authorities were called to the apartment and found evidence of a violent crime, according to Clinton County District Court electronic documents.

Polidore had been charged in Clinton County District Court with one count of possession with the intent to deliver no more than 100 grams of cocaine, and with violating Iowa drug tax stamp law.

During a plea hearing July 25 in District Court, Polidore pleaded guilty to the violation of Iowas drug tax stamp law, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years. The charge alleging cocaine trafficking was dropped. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 31, and remains free on bond.
SAC CITY, Iowa -- An Iowa legislator was arrested Monday near Carnarvon after refusing to obey a sheriff sergeant's orders to clear a road during RAGBRAI's trek through rural Sac County.

State Sen. Adrian Dickey, a Republican who represents District 44 in southeast Iowa, was arrested and booked into the Sac County Jail on a simple misdemeanor charge of interference with official acts.

Sac County Sheriff's Sgt. Jonathan Meyer said in a complaint filed in Sac County District Court that a big party had stopped in the middle of the road on Quincy Avenue. The party had been there since 2:42 p.m., and Meyer said he approached Dickey at 4:10 p.m. and asked them to move so he could open the road.

After Dickey told Meyer he wasn't going to move, "I advised him he needed to move on otherwise he would be going to jail. He advised me to arrest him," Meyer said in his complaint.

Meyer suggested to Dickey to move the party down the road to an open roadway, but Dickey continued to argue with him.

Meyer then arrested Dickey and transported him to the jail in Sac City. His $300 cash bond was posted Tuesday morning.

Dickey, 49, of Packwood, is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 8.

According to online news site Iowa Starting Line, Dickey introduced a bill during the 2022 legislative session that would have made it illegal for law enforcement officers to arrest RAGBRAI participants.

RAGBRAI 2023 photo collection 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI 2023 RAGBRAI Dipping tires in the Missouri before RAGBRAI A tour of the 2023 RAGBRAI Expo
The Des Moines Register will host 13 presidential candidates at this years Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair, the paper announced Thursday.

The top two Republican primary contenders  Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  will be skipping the stage. South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott is also not scheduled to speak.

The Registers Political Soapbox is a long-running institution at the Iowa State Fair, regularly hosting both Republicans and Democrats running for president as they seek the support of Iowans in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

This year, 10 Republican candidates, two Democrats and one Libertarian will speak at the Soapbox. The schedule runs from Aug. 10 to 19.

In addition to the Soapbox, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds will hold an interview series with candidates, called Fair-Side Chats throughout the fair. Trump did not accept the invitation to participate in that event either, but 12 other Republican presidential candidates will participate.

Trump faced criticism earlier this month for attacking Reynolds over her commitment to remaining neutral in the 2024 caucus contest.

The schedule is subject to change, and any updates can be found at DesMoinesRegister.com/Soapbox. The current schedule for the Political Soapbox is as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 10

1:30 p.m.: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Republican

4:30 p.m.: former Vice President Mike Pence, Republican

Friday, Aug. 11

11:15 a.m.: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Republican

Noon: Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, Republican

1:30 p.m.: California radio talk show host Larry Elder, Republican

Saturday, Aug. 12

11:15 a.m.: Texas pastor Ryan Binkley, Republican

Noon: Ohio biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican

1:30 p.m.: Author Marianne Williamson, Democrat

2:15 p.m.: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democrat

3 p.m.: Former South Carolina Gov. and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Republican

Friday, Aug. 18

Noon: Former Texas U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, Republican

Saturday, Aug. 19

2:15 p.m. Chase Oliver, Libertarian

4:30 p.m. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Republican

Vivek Ramaswamy to appear on Twitter Spaces alongside Elon Musk

Ohio biotech entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will appear in a Spaces event on Twitter, now known as X, alongside the sites owner Elon Musk and investor David Sacks shortly before taking the stage at a major Iowa Republican fundraiser on Friday.

The Space will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also participated in a Spaces conversation with Musk and Sacks to announce his presidential candidacy in May.

Ramaswamy is one of 13 Republican candidates set to speak at the Iowa GOPs Lincoln Dinner on Friday.

States Where Credit Card Companies Spend the Most Marketing to Students States Where Credit Card Companies Spend the Most Marketing to Students Delinquent credit card balances are rising College credit card marketing has declined since the 2009 Act Nearly 75 percent of college credit card marketing payments are made to alumni associations 15. Connecticut 14. Massachusetts 13. Iowa 12. Alabama 11. Florida 10. Illinois 9. New York 8. Georgia 7. North Carolina 6. Michigan 5. Indiana 4. Texas 3. Kansas 2. Pennsylvania 1. California
County-level museum in Hanzhong thrives because of Three Kingdoms culture

11:07, July 27, 2023 By Zhang Danhua ( People's Daily

Photo shows bronze caltrops provided by the Mianxian county museum at a Japanese exhibition about the Three Kingdoms in 2019. (Photo from the Mianxian county museum)

The Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD), a fascinating age in early history featuring the tripartite division of China among the dynastic states of Wei, Shu, and Wu, is one of the most widely known periods of history in China. The culture related to it has a profound impact.

As the main battlefield between Wei and Shu during the Three Kingdoms period, Hanzhong in northwest China's Shaanxi province possesses an important geographic position.

In the Three Kingdoms period, there was a saying that "The one who gets the Dingjun Mountain gets Hanzhong, and the one who gets Hanzhong gets the country."

Then where is the Dingjun Mountain?

It is located in Mianxian county, a small town with a history of over 2,000 years in Hanzhong.

Over the recent years, the Mianxian county museum has made its name thanks to its efforts to enrich its collection, innovate advertizing models, and promote the culture of the Three Kingdoms. It is presenting the beauty of Chinese history and culture to more and more visitors.

Photo shows a pottery "money tree" from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). (Photo from the Mianxian county museum)

The museum is not big in size, but it houses a number of cultural relics and items that are seemingly able to bring visitors back to the volatile Three Kingdoms period, such as bronze caltrops, a bronze crossbow that dates back to nearly 1,800 years ago, and a valuable model of a Chinese quadrangle built in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220).

Deputy head of the museum Xiao Yongqin, who has worked for the museum for over 10 years, told People's Daily that these cultural relics are of vital importance for studying the history of the Three Kingdoms period because not many documents and relevant items from that faraway period still remain today.

Many of the cultural relics displayed at the Mianxian county museum have their own stories.

In about the 1970s and 1980s, a type of ancient weapon called "tongjili," or bronze caltrop, was discovered in Wuhouping, which is near the Dingjun Mountain and the Hanjiang River in Mianxian county. The weapon has four spikes, each with a length of 2 centimeters. When it is thrown on the ground, in whatever manner, one of spikes always points upward. This weapon was used in ancient times to slow cavalries and troops and thus nicknamed "horse spike" in China.

According to historical records, Yang Yi, an official of the state of Shu in the Three Kingdoms period, once used bronze caltrops to prevent the pursuers sent by Sima Yi, a military general of the state of Wei.

"This weapon is similar to today's roadblocks," said Qin Jiaying, a guide of the museum.

The museum now boasts a rich collection that consists of over 2,000 cultural relics it unearthed, purchased and collected. Some of these cultural relics have been displayed at the National Museum of China, the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution and the Shaanxi History Museum. They also joined itinerant exhibitions to Japan, the United States, the UK, among others.

Bigger museums have bigger foot traffic, but they don't have many cultural relics from the Three Kingdoms period on display. How the Mianxian county museum can give play to its advantages as a county-level facility that collects a large number of Three Kingdoms cultural relics has been a major focus of Xiao over the recent years.

A ceremony in memory of Zhang Qian is held at the Mianxian county museum, Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi province, April 3, 2023. Zhang Qian is a royal emissary in China's Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.) who traveled westward on a mission of peace and opened an overland route linking the East and the West. (Photo from the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Hanzhong Municipal Committee)

He believes what builds the public's affection for culture is enduring access to culture.

Therefore, the Mianxian county museum turned to social media. It has made a short video series about cultural relics, which is released one episode each week, and is publishing an article about history, traditional culture and news of the museum on each workday on WeChat.

The change in publicity models has constantly expanded the influence of the museum. The number of visits to the Mianxian county museum grew at least 30 percent during this year's May Day holiday from four years ago.

There's much remained to be done in the preservation of cultural relics and cultural promotion, said Xiao.

"Only by well telling the stories of cultural relics and making them lively can we attract more people to the culture of the Three Kingdoms and the Chinese history," he added.

The development of the Mianxian county museum is a miniature of Hanzhong utilizing its featured culture and exploring the integrated development of culture and tourism.

Hanzhong has a long history and profound culture. It is home to the Tomb of Zhang Qian, a UNESCO World heritage site, the Hanzhong Sanyan water conservancy project, which is listed in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures, as well as the Longgang Temple Ruins under national-level protection.

Over the recent years, Hanzhong has launched a series of featured cultural activities such as a ceremony in memory of Zhang Qian and a travel festival themed with Zhuge Liang, a strategist who served as the imperial chancellor of the state of Shu in the Three Kingdoms period. It also developed a number of cultural and travel products such as food festivals and immersive performances.

During the May Day holiday this year, the city launched over 130 cultural and tourism activities. Both the number of visitors it received and the tourism revenue during the holiday exceeded those in 2019.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  The Supreme Court has dismissed the administrative complaint filed against Atty. Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, and another lawyer before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines  Commission on Bar Discipline (IBP-CBD)

Carpio and Atty. Edgar Dennis Padernal were accused of acting in bad faith after filing multiple lawsuits against the complainants, Alfredo and Lumenaria Honegger.

But the complaint lacked merit, the high court said in a resolution issued last month but made public on Thursday. The ruling adopts the findings and recommendation of the IBP-CBD, the court added.

"Indeed, the mere filing and prosecution by the Attys. Padernal and Carpio of multiple suits against Alfredo and Lumenaria do not, by themselves, constitute unethical conduct deserving of administrative sanction," the SC first division's ruling read.

Various cases were filed against the Honeggers from 2014 to 2018. These includes collection case, estafa, cyber libel, violation of the Anti-Dummy Law, and a deportation case.

Padernal and Carpio were the counsels of the complainants who filed the cases against the Honegger couple.

The Honeggers alleged that the numerous cases against them were all frivolous and were only filed to harass them.

However, the SC said that the Honegger couple "failed to adduce any evidence to support their claim that the cases filed against them were merely intended to vex and harass."

"To be sure, Attys. Padernal and Carpio are allowed to resort to any and all legal means, including the institution of appropriate cases, to protect the interests of their clients or seek redress on their behalf," said SC.

"In the absence of any indication that the suits against Alfredo and Lumenaria have been filed or prosecuted with bad faith, or on the basis of concocted claims or baseless legal arguments, Attys. Padernal and Carpio cannot be penalized for their resort to remedies allowed by law."
For the past seven years, Plane Training LLC has been the only place to offer pilot training in the Rapid City area.

Its what co-owner and instructor Bijan Maleki said would be considered a mom-and-pop flight school."

They offer lessons for people to become private pilots, which are usually people looking for another hobby or challenge.

About 30% continue on to get a commercial license, which is also available at the flight school.

With having a smaller location, they can better tailor training and schedules to each person who pays for the school.

We can do all the same things as the big flight schools; we can provide the same service and the same ratings but in a smaller environment, Miranda Maleki, co-owner and instructor of Plane Training LLC, said. A lot of times, you've got one-on-one time with your instructor, you get more consistency. With your instructor, they have more availability to help you.

An instructor and plane costs about $200 an hour.

But because students are mostly paying out of pocket, Plane Training tries to get students through as efficiently as possible. Typically, it takes a student about 18 months to get a private license, but it largely depends on students' availability. Once someone gets a private pilot license, they can then get an instrument rating before they can get a commercial pilot license which allows people to fly for revenue or hire. An instrument rating is a rating a pilot earns through intensive training, based on flying solely by reference to instruments.

To get hired with an airline or to fly a small business jet requires hundreds of flight hours.

Pilots have to fly about 1,500 hours of practice before flying with an airline. If you have a college degree in the field, it drops to 1,000 hours and with military experience you only need 750 hours. Air ambulance operators on the other hand usually require 2,500 hours to earn a license.

Some airlines have struggled in recent months due to a nationwide pilot shortage. Bijan Maleki said most of the major airlines are retiring between 500 to 1,000 people a year.

He said the problem stems from the number of military-trained aviators at the tail end of the Vietnam War. Following the war, many pilots went to airlines leading to a large surplus of aviators. This made getting into the industry a bit of a challenge, Bijan Meleki said.

Only a few cycles have slowed commercial air travel before such as the recession of 2008-09 and the COVID-19 pandemic. But now with many airline pilots being older, theyre getting to the age of mandatory retirement.

It's the best time ever in the history of aviation to be a pilot, Bijan Maleki said. The salaries are up, the quality of life is up, there's a job out there for everybody.

But airline pilot is not the only professional job for a commercial pilot. Air ambulance operators can work one week on, one week off schedules and still be home for dinner each night.

There's a lot of interesting work that's being done using airplanes, Bijan Maleki said. Cloud seeding to aerial survey pictures, air ambulance, organ transplant flights, supporting business; its amazing.

They see about 100 students in a year, although some might start and find out that flying isn't for them. About 50 students finish with at least a private license.

Some students have found the career they want through the flying school.

Teddy Tornow said he always had a goal to fly and the school helped him achieve that.

He called Bijan Maleki one summer with a tight timeframe, and they were able to get a schedule put together so he could get his private license. After a year of work and without much flying, Tornow called Maleki again and asked for help to further his aviation career.

Id rather stare out the window of an airplane than stare at a spreadsheet all day, Tornow said.

Currently, he's working toward a commercial rating with the goal to become a flight instructor soon.

The general aviation community is something that kept Tornow in the career and Bijan Maleki said they really wanted to bring that community to Rapid City.

Bijan and Miranda Maleki continue this job because they feel there wouldn't be a school in Rapid City without them, but aviation has also been a large part of their lives.

They both fly professionally and are passionate about aviation.

Bijan Maleki is even racing a plane in Reno, which is a huge race event in the aviation world.

It seems like the little mom-and-pop flight schools are kind of going away, Bijan Maleki said. Hopefully we can keep doing it because we really enjoy it. Were really passionate about general aviation.
A Rapid City state senator may have days to return over $600,000 in COVID-19 relief money paid to her daycare business or face possible court action, according to South Dakota's Attorney General.

Republican Sen. Jessica Castleberrys Little Nest Preschool in Rapid City allegedly received over $603,000 in COVID-19 stimulus funds, according to a Tuesday letter sent to Attorney General Marty Jackley from Gov. Kristi Noem requesting an investigation. Noem said the payments allegedly violated the States Constitution since Castleberry is a member of the legislature.

Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed many of the details in a letter to Noems office dated Wednesday. Castleberry now has until August 7 to repay the funds or face court action, according to a demand letter sent to Castleberry from Jackley.

The Senators receipt of the funds is a violation of South Dakotas Constitution Noem said, particularly Article III, Section 12. The constitution prohibits a state lawmaker from having either a direct or indirect interest in a contract authorized during their time in office and up to one year thereafter, Noem said.

These federal stimulus funds (were) appropriated by various General Appropriations Acts that Senator Castleberry voted on in 2020 Special Session 2021 Regular Session 2022 Regular Session and 2023 Regular Session, Noem wrote.

A decision issued by the South Dakota Supreme Court in 2020 also expressly banned state lawmakers from receiving COVID-19 relief payments citing the conflict of interest.

According to Noems office, the payments were discovered recently as staff at the Department of Social Services recognized Castleberrys name on an application for $4,000 in COVID-relief grants. After a review, the department allegedly found over a dozen payments reaching over $600,000 in total relief from 2020 to 2023.

In a statement released Thursday, Castleberry said, prior to applying for the grants, she hired independent legal counsel to give an opinion as to whether her company was eligible to receive federal funding.

After consulting with legal counsel, I believed my company was eligible, she wrote. Upon several occasions, I communicated directly and transparently with DSS staff regarding grant applications. I am committed to resolving the issue with the State and will work with them to ensure I acted in compliance with the State Constitution.

Castleberry became a state senator in 2019 after she was appointed to fill a vacancy. She has served ever since.
Volunteers are needed Saturday to distribute soap and information that could potentially save lives and combat human trafficking during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

SOAP UP Sturgis 2023 is looking for 100 volunteers to gather from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church, 12365 Sturgis Road in Piedmont. A light breakfast will be provided for volunteers. The event is sponsored by the SOAP (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution) Project, an organization founded by advocate and nationally known trafficking survivor Theresa Flores.

During SOAP UP Sturgis 2023, volunteers will be trained on the signs of human trafficking, and Flores will share her harrowing story of being trafficked as a teenager and left for dead in a motel in Detroit, Michigan.

Volunteers will also label and distribute about 13,000 bars of soap. The soap, labeled with the National Human Trafficking Hotline number, will be given to more than 150 hotels and campgrounds in one day. Additionally, posters of 24 local missing boys and girls will be distributed to hotels, motels and campgrounds around the Sturgis area.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and have parental permission to attend SOAP UP Sturgis 2023. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soap-up-the-sturgis-motorcycle-rally-2023-tickets-628471273497 to register for SOAP UP Sturgis 2023, or go to soapproject.org for more information.

The SOAP Project is partnering with the South Dakota Attorney Generals office and anti-trafficking organizations Treasured Lives in Rapid City, Native Hope in Chamberlain and Call to Freedom in Sioux Falls to bring SOAP UP Sturgis 2023 to the Black Hills. Human trafficking is the second leading criminal industry in the United States.

According to sturgismotorcyclerally.com, an estimated 500,000 riders are coming to Sturgis for this years rally, which begins Aug. 4.

The SOAP Project said in a press release that there will be high demand for sex for sale during the rally, and traffickers will bring in victims, many of whom are runaways and missing children.

Raising awareness about human trafficking at hotels, motels and campgrounds is vital because 80% of all trafficking in the United States occurs in hotels and motels.

Any time of year, trafficking is a possibility but for sure when you have an event that brings in so many people from out of state  hundreds of thousands of people, said Kelly Patterson, a trafficking survivor and founder of Treasured Lives. Hotels, campgrounds  traffickers have got to keep (victims) somewhere.

In addition to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Patterson said hunting season is another time in South Dakota when a lot of trafficking occurs. The average age of entry into trafficking in the United States is 13, and many survivors of trafficking are not aware of how to get help. Many trafficking victims may see a bar of soap from SOAP UP Sturgis 2023 in their room and then have information that could be a lifeline to get them out of a trafficking situation, according to The SOAP Project.

Without hope, you dont escape, Patterson said.

The SOAP Project is based in Ohio and has held national outreaches for the past 12 years at major events including the Super Bowl, NASCAR races, Kentucky Derby and the Detroit Auto Show. SOAP UP Sturgis 2023 is the first time The SOAP Project has conducted outreach in conjunction with the Sturgis rally. The SOAP Project has a proven track record of rescuing children and assisting local authorities during events where there is high demand for human trafficking, the organization said.

Its too big of a problem and it takes everybody (to combat it), Patterson said. People are finally waking up to the fact that this is real and a lot of people have heard enough talk about it that they want to go further (to stop it). Everybodys got children or grandchildren or somebody they care about, and it makes you want to help.

Patterson said there are many forms of trafficking that go on in South Dakota, but during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, there are three forms that will be especially prevalent. One is street gang and outlaw motorcycle club pimping. Another is Romeo pimping, when a person starts a relationship acting like a loving boyfriend, then proceeds to separate their significant other from their family and begins to force that person into turning tricks, Patterson said. The third form of trafficking is done by crime rings.

How you can help

Patterson said local organizations that fight human trafficking always need volunteers and financial support. Locally, Rapid City has two organizations  Treasured Lives and Freedoms Journey  that aid survivors of human trafficking. Treasured Lives created a list of nine practical action steps people can take to combat human trafficking in Rapid City and the Black Hills.

 Know the signs of human trafficking.

 Spread the word about human trafficking and that it exists everywhere, in small towns and big cities. Thats always a good thing when we can get people talking about (human trafficking), Patterson said.

 Volunteer locally for an organization that fights human trafficking.

 Stay informed.

 If you see something that seems suspicious, say something.

 Give financial support to local anti-trafficking organizations. Treasured Lives and Freedom's Journey websites have links for making donations. Go to treasuredlives.org or freedomsjourney.us for more information. Treasured Lives also has a second-hand store in Rapid City, 2nd Time Treasures Shoppe, and all profits are used to assist survivors of trafficking. The shop takes donations and consignments, and on Aug. 12, there will be an open house at 2nd Time Treasures Shoppe with drawings, a food truck, giveaways of free items and more to support the shop and raise awareness about human trafficking. For more information, go to treasuredlives.org/2nd-time-treasures-shop/.

 Support anti-trafficking legislation.

 Use your skills to offer pro bono aid where you can.

 Attend advanced trainings to learn more about how to combat human trafficking.
Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton is hosting a Wheres Waldo contest and co-sponsoring two author events at the Ravalli County Museum  one that may inspire reading related to Daly Days.

Chapter One co-owner Katrina Mendrey said the partnership with the museum helps with seating for a larger audience.

Its super fun to host more people at the museum in their wonderful displays instead of our back room that holds 10 to 20, she said.

Author Brenda Wahler and her book Marcus Dalys Road to Montana will be at the museum at 6 p.m. on August 3.

A lot of people dont know that [Marcus Daly] asked for a lot of his papers to be burnt upon his death, Mendrey said. [Wahler] had to do a lot of sleuthing and searching for information on Marcus Daly. As a lawyer, she had access to documents and also has the ability to do that level of research, so it comes at it from that angle. Were excited to have her at the museum because we share that interest in history.

In her book, Wahler said Marcus Daly was unlike the other Copper Kings, he built communities.

When he developed Anaconda and Hamilton, he did not build mere company towns, he encouraged a thriving economy and community spirit, she said. He built schools and pharmacies, theaters and racetracks. When he built the Bitter Root Stock Farm, he tried to recreate paradise itself."

Wahler is touring Montana, and the Gallatin History Museum called her book a remarkable tale of Marcus Daly and his enduring legacy.

Brenda Wahler takes you on a captivating journey through time, the museum said. With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Wahler brings to life the captivating era of Montana's growth.

Mendrey said having author events at the museum is a great partnership that brings the community together.

There are overlapping interests, Mendrey said. Its timely because were having Daly Days. Hopefully, folks will be thinking about the origins of Hamilton.

During Daly Days, Chapter One will be having 40% off sales, sale tables and is sponsoring some of the sidewalk chalk art.

Well have a treasure chest of free books that people can come and grab, Mendrey said. Plus, well have $5 grab bags which are very popular during Daly Days. So, come in, cool down and see what weve got.

Chapter One is coordinating a visit by author Debra Magpie Earling and her newest book The Lost Journals of Sacajawea: A Novel on Sept. 6

Mendrey said she is expecting quite a crowd of fans of the author.

She wrote Perma Red, which is one of my favorite books, Mendrey said. That was released 20 years ago but they did a re-release a few months back, almost a year ago. Then they released The Lost Journals.

Earlings novel challenges prevailing historical narratives of Sacajawea. Meet the author in Hamilton.

The Wheres Waldo" competition is in 20 different businesses around downtown Hamilton, Mendrey said.

You can pick up a passport at the participating businesses or headquarters, which is Chapter One, [252 W Main St, Hamilton]." she said. "If you find Waldo in 10 businesses, then you get $1 off a book and a Wheres Waldo temporary tattoo. If you find all 20 Wheres Waldos you get entered in a drawing for a grand prize [on August 4].

The Grand Prize hasnt been revealed yet but there are already a handful of competitors who have completed their search.

It gets people out, around town and into shops to see what everyone has to offer, Mendrey said. Its been a lot of fun.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration calls it a "student loan safety net." Opponents call it a backdoor attempt to make college free. And it could be the next battleground in the legal fight over student loan relief.

Starting this summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to enroll in a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest won't pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have monthly payments reduced to $0. And in as little as 10 years, any remaining debt will be canceled.

It's known as the SAVE Plan, and although it was announced last year, it has mostly been overshadowed by President Joe Biden's proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Biden's forgiveness plan, the repayment option is taking center stage.

Since the ruling Biden has proposed an alternate approach to cancel debt and also shifted attention to the lesser-known initiative, calling it "the most affordable repayment plan ever." The typical borrower who enrolls in the plan will save $1,000 a month, he said.

Republicans have fought against the plan, saying it oversteps the president's authority. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the ranking Republican on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called it "deeply unfair" to the 87% of Americans who don't have student loans.

The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated over the next decade the plan would cost $230 billion, which would be even higher now that the forgiveness plan has been struck down. Estimates from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania put the cost at up to $361 billion.

Emboldened by the Supreme Court's decision on cancellation, some opponents say it's a matter of time before the repayment plan also faces a legal challenge.

Here's what to know about the SAVE Plan:

WHAT IS AN INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT PLAN?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of four plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrower's discretionary income. If a borrower's earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

HOW IS BIDEN'S PLAN DIFFERENT?

As part of his debt relief plan announced last year, Biden said his Education Department would create a new income-driven repayment plan that lowers payments even further. It became known as the SAVE Plan, and it's generally intended to replace existing income-driven plans.

Borrowers will be able to apply later this summer, but some of the changes will be phased in over time.

Right away, more people will be eligible for $0 payments. The new plan won't require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225% of the federal poverty line  $32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for current plans, by contrast, is 150% of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.

Another immediate change aims to prevent interest from snowballing.

As long as borrowers make their monthly payments, their overall balance won't increase. Once they cover their adjusted monthly payment  even if it's $0  any remaining interest will be waived.

Other major changes will take effect in July 2024.

Most notably, payments on undergraduate loans will be capped at 5% of discretionary income, down from 10% now. Those with graduate and undergraduate loans will pay between 5% and 10%, depending on their original loan balance. For millions of Americans, monthly payments could be reduced by half.

Next July will also bring a quicker road to loan forgiveness. Starting then, borrowers with initial balances of $12,000 or less will get the remainder of their loans canceled after 10 years of payments. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond that, the cancellation will come after an additional year of payments.

For example, a borrower with an original balance of $14,000 would get all remaining debt cleared after 12 years. Payments made before 2024 will count toward forgiveness.

HOW DO I APPLY?

The Education Department says it will notify borrowers when the new application process launches this summer. Those enrolled in an existing plan known as REPAYE will automatically be moved into the SAVE plan. Borrowers will also be able to sign up by contacting their loan servicers directly.

It will be available to all borrowers in the Direct Loan Program who are in good standing on their loans.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

Supporters say Biden's plan will simplify repayment options and offer relief to millions of borrowers. The Biden administration has argued that ballooning student debt puts college out of reach for too many Americans and holds borrowers back financially.

Opponents call it an unfair perk for those who don't need it, saying it passes a heavy cost onto taxpayers who already repaid student loans or didn't go to college. Some worry that it will give colleges incentive to raise tuition prices higher since they know many students will get their loans canceled later.

Voices across the political spectrum have said it amounts to a form of free college. Biden campaigned on a promise to make community college free, but it failed to gain support from Congress. Critics say the new plan is an attempt to do something similar without Congress' approval.

IS IT LEGAL?

That depends on who you ask, but the question hasn't been taken up by a federal court.

Instead of creating a new payment plan from scratch, the Biden administration proposed changes to an existing plan. It cemented those changes by going through a negotiated rulemaking process that allows the Education Department to develop federal regulations without Congress.

It's a process that's commonly used by administrations from both political parties. But critics question whether the new plan goes further than the law allows.

More than 60 Republicans lawmakers urged Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to withdraw the plan in February, calling it "reckless, fiscally irresponsible, and blatantly illegal."

Supporters argue that the Obama administration similarly used its authority to create a repayment plan that was more generous than any others at the time.

The Biden administration formally finalized the rule this month. Conservatives believe it's vulnerable to a legal challenge, and some say it's just a matter of finding a plaintiff with the legal right  or standing  to sue.

___
As the Republican presidential primary intensifies this summer, most White House hopefuls are devoting their time to events in Iowa and New Hampshire, the states that kick off the nomination process early next year. Not Ron DeSantis or Donald Trump.

The Florida governor will address more than 1,500 faithful Republicans on Saturday at Nashville's Music City Center. A few weeks later, the former president will swing through Alabama to headline the state GOP's biggest event of the summer.

Trump, the early GOP frontrunner, and DeSantis, who is trailing him for second place, are hardly ignoring voters in the states that jumpstart the Republican contest. Over the past month, they've both held rallies and other major events in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, sometimes even appearing in the same state on the same day.

But they are doing more than the other GOP candidates to strengthen their position in states like Tennessee and Alabama that will hold elections on so-called Super Tuesday. That's when the largest number of delegates, which candidates win state-by-state, are up for grabs of any single day in the primary cycle.

Only Trump and DeSantis, who have raised tens of millions of dollars to support their campaigns, have the resources to work in any meaningful way beyond the early states. And GOP leaders beyond Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina say it's a smart strategy.

"I know everybody's focused on Iowa and New Hampshire," said Scott Golden, chairman of the Tennessee GOP, who noted that early voting in his state begins in mid-February, before South Carolina is scheduled to hold its contest. "But it is worth taking a little time out to come to Tennessee."

For presidential candidates, Super Tuesday is a circled-in-red date  next year, it's March 5  that can make or break a campaign.

Coming quickly after contests in early states such as Iowa and New Hampshire, the set of roughly 14 primaries are held across a broad geographic area, from California and Texas to Massachusetts and Maine. The day also is a test of a campaign's ability to organize supporters, its financial strength and a chance for those candidates who are still standing to run up their delegate total.

In 2016, for example, Trump's Super Tuesday dominance signaled, against conventional political wisdom, that the businessman and reality TV star was likely to be the party's nominee. President Joe Biden similarly romped through Super Tuesday in 2020, quickly forcing most of his remaining rivals to drop out.

This cycle, Trump and DeSantis have been nailing down key endorsements in Super Tuesday states, starting to hire staff and readying supporters to knock on doors.

The early start reflects the candidates' confidence they will be in the running come March, when the field typically has been winnowed down. Public polling shows Trump currently leading comfortably, followed by DeSantis, with other candidates trailing. They include former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor.

Of course, targeting Super Tuesday states is no guarantee for winning the nomination. After a late entry in the 2020 Democratic presidential race, billionaire Mike Bloomberg's strategy was to bypass early contests and win in Super Tuesday states. The former New York mayor spent over $500 million but finished well behind Biden in the delegate haul.

Trump and DeSantis haven't entirely had the Super Tuesday states to themselves. Candidates including former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have traveled in California and elsewhere. Haley is among those who went to Texas to visit its border with Mexico. But their campaigns have been almost solely focused in early states, some on one in particular.

Pence, an evangelical Christian, has primarily targeted Iowa, where a large portion of GOP primary voters are evangelicals. Christie is counting on independent-minded voters in New Hampshire to support his anti-Trump candidacy, while Haley and Scott hope for good showings in their home state of South Carolina, which votes 10 days before Super Tuesday.

Trump and DeSantis have the money to wage a broader campaign. Trump will report raising over $35 million in the second quarter of this year alone, his campaign said, while DeSantis' campaign said he brought in $20 million in just six weeks after announcing his candidacy.

Trump formally entered the race with the huge advantage of having run and won races in these states before, and his campaigning in many of them hasn't stopped since he lost the 2020 election. In 2021, for example, Trump held a "Save America" rally in Alabama that the state GOP said drew some 50,000 people.

"People of Alabama have a special relationship with Donald Trump," said Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl, noting Trump handily won the GOP primary in 2016, when he was battling Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida for the nomination. Trump also won the general election in Alabama easily in 2016 and 2020.

While a small state compared to many other Super Tuesday contests, Wahl said places like Alabama allow candidates to demonstrate support among conservative voters that are "the heartbeat of the Republican Party."

"It's states like Alabama that are going to be where (Trump) hopes to make a lot of ground," he said. "And if other candidates are going to beat him, they have to compete with him in those states."

DeSantis and Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting him, are trying. The PAC plans to invest $100 million on ground operations targeting the first 18 states  four early states plus Super Tuesday states  including paid staff such as state campaign directors. Door knocking is well underway in the first states and will start in Super Tuesday states this summer, with a goal of having 2,600 people out supporting the Florida governor by Labor Day.

"Nobody else is doing what we're doing as of this point," spokeswoman Erin Perrine said.

She described the door knocking as a crucial piece of the PAC's work because when DeSantis' supporters talk to voters about his personal story  a blue-collar upbringing, serving in the military, his legislative accomplishments  they like what they hear.

"They know the name, but they don't necessarily know the man," Perrine said. "We've seen that where we show people the man that we take away Trump supporters and that they come over to the DeSantis camp."

One of DeSantis' most prominent endorsements in a Super Tuesday state was from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who joined the Florida governor for a rally in Tulsa last month, a move that angered Trump and some of his allies in Oklahoma.

The state party is neutral on the race, said Chairman Nathan Dahm, but he said Oklahoma still seems to lean in the former president's favor. He noted he passes a home while out running that for six or seven years has had "Veterans for Trump" proudly displayed out front.

Still, Dahm said Super Tuesday contests can offer redemption to a candidate that might stumble in an earlier state.

"You can never know what dynamics will change," he said. "They should have a long-term strategy. Oklahoma is part of that."

___

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
The city of Helena, a defendant in a lawsuit challenging a new law banning minors from some drag performances and story hours, joined Wednesday with individuals, organizations and businesses in calling for a temporary block on the statute while litigation plays out.

The hearing was part of a lawsuit filed in early July by a trans woman, a teacher, a bookstore and several other businesses, as well as organizations that support LGBTQ+ rights in Montana. The groups asked for a preliminary injunction July 17, after organizers of the Montana Pride events set to start in Helena next week said they were told the city would deny their permits.

City of Helena Attorney Rebecca Dockter told federal court Judge Brian Morris that the city intends to issue permits to Montana Pride and does not plan to put any restriction on those permits based on the content of Pride events.

Thats not something this country has wanted the government to be involved in  questioning individuals when theyre expressing their freedom of speech on the town square, Dockter said.

House Bill 359, carried by Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell of Columbia Falls, bans minors from drag story hours in public schools, libraries and other places that receive public funding, as well as drag shows held on public property or in places that receive public funding and in sexually oriented businesses, as defined in the law. The bill was passed with only GOP support and signed into law by Republican Gov Greg. Gianforte earlier this year.

In interviews and court documents, the plaintiffs say theyve already had shows canceled because of concerns from venues about violating the law or had to make changes to longtime events in an effort to comply with language they argue is vague. Like Helena, Butte-Silver Bow County is also a part of the overall lawsuit because its library there canceled an informational talk by a trans woman, citing concerns about compliance with the law.

Dockter raised concerns that Helena public employees could face charges if they allowed events that featured performances found in violation of the law, creating a conundrum  for city employees.

She also questioned if police officers who provide security at Pride events could be subject to a lawsuit by someone who believes law enforcement violated the statute.

Are they helping them conduct or promote a performance and then are they subject to that private right of action as well? Dockter asked, adding that a temporary restraining order would protect public employees by preserving the status quo while the lawsuit progresses.

In filings before Wednesdays hearing, Dockter said the new law put the city in a Hobsons choice situation.

In making its permitting decision, the City itself is in the position of either choosing to infringe upon Plaintiffs constitutional rights to freely express themselves (by denying the permit  something the City is not willing to do), or subject City employees to civil and criminal liability under the provisions of HB 359, city attorney Rebecca Dockter wrote.

While the City of Helena plans to issue one permit to Plaintiff Montana Pride for all planned events beginning July 30 and running through August 5, the permit places the burden upon the Pride performers to either comply with the vague, overbroad, and confusing law, or face civil and criminal liability for exercising their fundamental rights. In essence, HB 359 puts the city and the Plaintiffs in similarly untenable positions, Dockter continued, saying the city echoed plaintiffs in asking for the law to be put on hold while litigation plays out.

Constance Van Kley, a lawyer with the Upper Seven Law Firm representing the plaintiffs, argued leaving the new law in place is causing irreparable harm to the individuals, businesses and organizations that brought the lawsuit. She pointed to the canceled or changed events as evidence of stifling free speech.

We have seen the law take effect and it has directly affected plaintiffs, Van Kley argued.  ... As long as HB 359 is in place  performers are currently chilling their speech  Pride will not go forward unchanged and without restriction.

Van Kley also said the law takes control away from parents who may elect to bring their child to an event, much as they do with R or PG-13 rated movies.

There is no carve-out when a parent chooses to bring their kid to a drag story hour or so-called sexually oriented performance, Van Kley said.

Van Kley also said Mitchell, the bills sponsor, focused on claims that attending drag shows could, as she quoted him saying during the bills advancement through the Legislature, create an inadequate understanding of gender roles and experiences, which is damaging to their long-term social and emotional development,

In court, Van Kley said there's been no evidence introduced showing any harm has come to children in Montana from viewing drag, nor that they have been forced to attend any performances.

What Rep. Mitchell is saying is that children shouldnt be able to see drag because it may make them question gender norms, Van Kley said. Theres no evidence to support Rep. Mitchells claims about the dangers of drag.

Thane Johnson, a lawyer representing Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen, argued against the temporary block on the law. He opened by telling Morris that only owners, operators or employees of places where drag is banned under the law could face lawsuits under the statute, not performers in drag shows, Pride parades or other types of events.

Johnson also argued that the plaintiffs did not have standing to bring the law, in part by saying a teacher who fears not being able to dress up as historical figures of the opposite sex in an effort to engage students would not need to worry about a challenge under the law until school starts in the fall. He also argued one plaintiff, Adria Jawort, the trans woman whose event was canceled, has no fear of prosecution because that would come against the library.

There is no need for a temporary restraining order because there is no risk of irreparable harm, Johnson argued.

Johnson also told the court he didn't think the law amounted to a ban on all drag story hours in schools or libraries, just those held during regular operating hours or at sanctioned events.

So they can do it at 11 oclock (at night), Johnson said. They just cant do it during regular hours.

When Morris asked why the law was necessary, Johnson said it was because the state felt there was a gap in what is covered under obscenity laws and what minors are able to view and the state has the right to step in.

Its a stop-gap on whats in between obscenity and whats less than obscenity, which the state has a right to limit minors from seeing something that is less than obscene and comports with adult standards, Johnson argued.   The state has the right to restrict and prevent harm to minors both psychologically and physical.

Johnson countered that the state has not done anything to prevent any Pride parade.

There is no evidence that has been presented by the plaintiffs that the state is investigating or thinking about doing any prosecution of the Pride parade in Helena, Johnson said.

Morris said he would issue a ruling as soon as possible, with Pride in Helena expected to start this weekend.
Montana health officials in the coming weeks expect to ink a contract with a private firm to help engineer the state's generational overhaul of its behavioral health care system.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services last week closed its request for proposals seeking bids on a contractor officials hope will augment the state's research and expertise in its $300 million effort to shore up a crumbling behavioral health and developmental disability care system.

The contract comes with an immediate start date and will run until Dec. 31, 2025, with between $5 million and $10 million in funding planned for the contractor's work, according to a DPHHS spokesperson. That funding is allocated from the $300 million bill lawmakers passed to overhaul the system.

In a meeting last week of the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission, DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton described the request for proposals as something the department has been advancing for some time.

"The department has been extremely busy behind the scenes gearing up for this commission process. In fact, even before House Bill 872 was enacted  we started putting our heads together and working towards the sort of thinking about the resources that would be required to ensure that this is a successful commission," Brereton said. " We are seeking support from a contractor to ultimately provide support to the agency and to the department in designing and implementing a cohesive behavioral health system and developmental disability service strategy that meets the needs of Montana with excellence."

He said the contractor will work alongside both the department and the commission.

"We as a commission and we as a department will be working with this contractor to develop a behavioral health system for future generations strategic plan that will guide the work of this commission," Brereton said, adding that would also include the developmental disability system.

The commissions recommendations are due by July 2024, and Brereton said he expected the commission and contractor would work together to develop those.

Rep. Bob Keenan, the Bigfork Republican who carried the legislation to put the overhaul in motion and sits on the commission, in a phone interview Wednesday said he has known for months about the department's search for a private firm.

Rather than duplicating the commission's work, Keenan said the selected contractor will be able to commit to the behavioral health initiative that could prove challenging for citizen lawmakers.

"Everybody has lives to live," Keenan said. "The contractor will do extensive research and an assessment of the system now."

Similarly significant public behavioral health system remodels are underway with private contractors in Virginia, Texas, Colorado and North Dakota, Keenan said.

Montana last year contracted with Alvarez and Marsal, a private firm hired to review and stabilize the state-run health care facilities in Montana, particularly the beleaguered Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. That firm and DPHHS officials in January delivered findings and recommendations to lawmakers.

The state also recently contracted with Guidehouse, another firm, to survey reasonableness of the state's Medicaid reimbursement rates, which were slashed as part of Montana's efforts to overcome an expected budget shortfall in 2017.

The request for proposals (RFP) for work on the broader behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services closed last week and a committee to evaluate applications has been established, Brereton said.

We expect to move through that RFP scoring process, select a vendor or contractor, enter into contract negotiations and then award and execute a contract by the end of August or early September, Brereton said.

The contractor is expected to produce an analysis of the current behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems operations and financing strategies in effect across Montana. It's also expected to identify and recommend ways to close gaps in state and local planning and collaboration, Brereton said.

They will also analyze things like Medicaid data or other information to see what outcomes for people seeking care have been. The contractor will also work to gather feedback from people involved in the system, hosting things like listening sessions and more around the state.

These are documents or plans that the department will use hopefully over the course of many years regardless of what happens with this commission, whether or not it's reauthorized and extended, Brereton said.

Officials expect to exhaust the $300 million over the next five or six years, but House Bill 872, Keenan's bill that carried the project, slated to disband the commission on July 1, 2025. That date can be adjusted when the Legislature assembles earlier that year.
You can be an agent of discovery while exploring places across Montana, including Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Holter Dam, Holter Lake or the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

Its simple. All you need is your parents mobile phone, iPad or home computer. Then download the free Agents of Discovery app.

At home, you can complete missions while learning about forests, deserts, grasslands and other places along with the wildlife that live there. Another option is the Discover Dinosaurs Mission. Using the app, you can help the Bureau of Land Management protect dinosaur fossils. Theres also a Bat Mission to learn more about the insect-eating mammals.

The app has different missions in several western states that are geared to using a cell phone to explore an area. In Montana, as mentioned above, the app will teach you about places, plants and animals at each site as you walk around.

For example, it may ask you to look at a cottonwood tree and then guess what the many uses of the tree could be. By clicking on the multiple choice answers offered, you can find out how much you know. The app will keep score.

The app was created in 2015 by a former teacher, Mary Clark, to encourage students to learn more about the natural world.

Over time, it became apparent that although the original goal had been to get youth off screens and outdoors, screen time could be green time, the Agents of Discovery website noted. Based on this idea and extensive research, Mary and her team began pursuing the goal of transforming education through fun, place-based, augmented reality gaming.




Kathmandu, Nepal, July 27, 2023: The verdict on the dispute regarding the unconstitutionality of the formation of the Koshi state government will be delivered today. The verdict on the writ petition filed challenging the unconstitutionality of the formation of the Koshi state government is going to be decided today.





The hearing, which has been going on since Tuesday, was postponed to Thursday after it was not completed even yesterday. Even though the debate is over, it has been put on hold for Thursday stating as it will take time to write the verdict.





The full bench of Supreme Court Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, Anand Mohan Bhattarai and Til Prasad Shrestha is hearing the writ petition.





The immediate past Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the Chief Minister appointment process in Koshi Province.





As the provincial government was formed under the leadership of Thapa, the outgoing Chief Minister Karki had registered a writ stating that the process was unconstitutional as the signature of Baburam Gautam, the Speaker of the Koshi Province was also used in the government formation process.




(CNN)  As Israel plunges deeper into crisis after the countrys parliament passed the first bill of a controversial judicial overhaul, thousands of Israeli army reservists  the backbone of the Israeli military  are threatening not to show up for work. And Israels leaders are sounding alarms about the countrys readiness for war.

The law that came into effect on Wednesday took away the courts power to veto government decisions based on them being unreasonable. Millions opposed the change, according to opinion polls, which critics said would erode the independence of the courts and harm Israels democracy.

At the current point in time, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is competent, IDF Chief Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters on Tuesday, but he acknowledged that the countrys military readiness could be affected.

If reservists do not show up for a long time, there will be damage to the armys competence. It is a gradual process that will be affected according to the presence of the reservists, he said.

The threat is unprecedented in its scope, experts say, and the military has pleaded with reservists to remain in their posts.

The IDF needs you  only together will we protect our common home, IDF Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi said Tuesday, addressing reservists who refused to show up for service.

Nearly 10,000 military reservists said before the passage of the controversial reasonableness bill on Monday that they would refuse to volunteer for duty if it was passed. And the number of refusers is growing, according to Hagari.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and reiterated the US commitment to Israels security. But he also said that broad consensus through political dialogue was critical to maintain democracy.

Chuck Freilich, a senior researcher at The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv who served for over 20 years in Israels national security establishment, said that Israel is at a historical inflection point, in which extreme measures may have to be taken to endure Israels fundamental character of democracy.

Speaking about reservists refusing, Freilich said that on the one hand, it is admirable. But on the other hand, he said, it is a horrible thing for the IDF. It was remarkable, he added, that one of the worlds better militaries is threatening to come apart at the seams over domestic changes.

When the vote passed on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the IDF to stay out of any political controversy, saying that the call for refusal harms the security of all citizens of the country.

The backbone of Israels military

A country that went to war shortly after its founding in 1948, Israel has fought seven wars and engaged in several other smaller conflicts with its neighbors.

Every Israeli over the age of 18 who is Jewish, Druze or Circassian must serve in the military, an institution that is deeply entrenched in many Israelis sense of identity and nationhood. Palestinian citizens of Israel and ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from swerving, among some others.

Yiftach Golov, a disabled IDF veteran and a leading member of Brothers and Sisters in Arms, the IDF reservists and veterans protest movement, said that by definition, the reservists are the backbone of the IDF.

They comprise the majority, the bigger fraction of the IDF, Golov told CNN, adding that their strength is not only in numbers, but also in their higher expertise.

After completing their mandatory service, soldiers can remain part of the countrys reserve army  a force of some 400,000 soldiers who can at any moment be called to serve. Israelis can remain part of the reserve until their forties or sometimes beyond.

Among those threatening to quit are more than 1,000 reservists in the Israeli Air Force, whom Golov describes as one the militarys main, major forces, defining its aerial abilities. The Israeli Air Force makes up one third of the IDFs manpower.

We feel like we are doing the right thing, and that we are fighting for the democracy of Israel, one reservist, who has been volunteering for 23 years, told CNN at a protest in Jerusalem on Tuesday.

Another reservist called on the government to stop the madness, stop the destruction of the army.

The military remains a huge part of Israeli society, even while that influence has faded a bit over the years, Freilich said, with more than half of Israeli society today having had some experience in the IDF. For many Israelis, military service is a rite of passage.

Freilich says that reservists are likely to return to duty if there is a real national security threat, but their protest nonetheless harms the IDF.

This isnt a refusal to serve, he said. These are people who are totally committed to Israels defense, and if there was some sort of security emergency tomorrow, they will all report for duty instantaneously.

What theyre saying is that this crisis is so important there is a higher morality they have to report to, he added.

Volatile surroundings

Israels domestic crisis takes place amid increased tensions at its borders.

The country is still formally at war with several of its neighbors, including Lebanon and Syria. Violence regularly flares up between Israeli forces and Palestinians in East Jerusalem and in the occupied West Bank as well as with Palestinian militants in Gaza.

After years of calm, tensions also rose across Israels northern border with Lebanon earlier this year, when Israel and militants in southern Lebanon exchanged a barrage of rockets in April. The escalation was the worst between the two sides since 2006. Israel blamed Hamas for the rockets.

Some of Israels enemies have been watching the crisis closely.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Monday in a televised speech that Israel is on a path of collapse, fragmentation, and disappearance, Reuters reported.

Today, in particular, is the worst day in the history of the entity (Israel), as some of its people say.

Netanyahu and others have warned of the dangers of not showing up for military duty, but Golov of Brothers and Sisters in Arms says that this is a divide and conquer tactic by the prime minister.

The government will try to create a sense of an opposite world, said Golov, when the patriots become traitors.

Freilich said that Nasrallah, Iran, Gaza and the West Bank, would find a lot of joy in watching Israel potentially tear itself apart.

But the problem is not with the protesters. The problem is with the government and the prime minister that caused this, he said. He (Netanyahu) is willing to pay any price to move forward with this.

Golov sees reservists threatening not to serve as a sign of something much bigger.

Now it is only the beginning, Golov said. But you will see this movement now penetrating into the masses of the ground brigades, also known as the army.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Israels judicial overhaul sparks military crisis as number of refusing reservists grows"
Richmond has many restaurants with full-time chefs dedicated to making their livelihood by feeding our citys enthusiastic diners, but there is another model that is gaining popularity. Pop-up restaurants provide opportunities for established chefs to try something a little different or for food enthusiasts with 9-to-5 gigs to share their passion with a broader audience.

Often, established restaurants offer space to these culinary explorers for no or low cost to enable their passion. They are doing it out of the joy and camaraderie of doing something different for the food and drink space, Brandon Day of the Shift Meal pop-up said.

Here are six Richmond restaurant pop-ups that should be on your radar.

Willoughby Obenchains pandemic project of creatively topping naturally leavened sourdough-crust, Detroit-style pizzas has progressed from feeding friends and family to regular sellouts of the much sought-after themed pizza weeks. Secret Squares has hosted pop-ups at various locations around town and can most regularly be found on Tuesdays at The Kitchen Classroom, 9018 W. Broad St. You place your order ahead for pickup and can dine in or take it to-go.

This pie is seriously thick with crispy edges and generous toppings. You can choose traditional flavors like the popular Roni pie topped with hot honey, ricotta, red sauce, parmesan, basil and cupping pepperoni that is specially designed to curl into little meat bowls with crispy edges when baked. But Obenchains creative weekly specials are what tend to sell out. A ramp series featured a Nashville hot chicken pie topped with pickled ramps and ramp ranch. Up next is a series of tomato-inspired pizzas. Pizzas typically run around $25.

Along with the regular Kitchen Classroom night, Secret Squares is planning a late summer collaboration with Saltys Lobster & Co. No dates have been set yet, but we hear there could be a lobster and caviar pizza in the works, maybe even with edible gold on top. They are also seeking a local charitable organization with which to partner. Follow on Instagram @secretsquares or visit secretsquares.pizza for moreinformation.

Brennan Griffith knows you might love spring rolls and pad Thai, but at his Nam Prik Pao dinner series, he wants you to try something a little different. I try to make sure the menus and foods are something you dont typically see on a lot of Thai menus, he said.

Griffith held various jobs in restaurants and catering, but kept coming back to making Thai food for friends. After tasting his food, those friends kept asking when he was going to open a restaurant  he is not sure he wants to do that, but he did start a dinner series in 2020. He paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting again in June with a third-Sunday series hosted at Sub Rosa bakery in Church Hill. Tickets for the first two dinners sold out in a matter of hours.

The pop-up is named for the popular Thai pantry staple chili jam called nam prik pao. The first time Griffith made it, he realized how different Thai food could be from what he had experienced at traditional restaurants. Its so versatile and most Westerners have never heard of it, Griffith said. Its sweet, tart and spicy Its got so many flavors going on I want to make sure my menus give people that feeling of Wow, Ive never had this before.

The types of dishes you would find at a Nam Prik Pao dinner include a Northern Thai pork belly curry. Theres tang from pickled garlic and lots of tamarind. Its a big, bold, herbaceous, spicy curry, Griffith said. A pomelo and crab salad featuring a fermented crab paste dressing with a distinctive funky, herbaceous sweetness is another favorite  Griffith says most diners had never tasted anything like it and loved the flavor.

The dinners are generally prix fixe, $65 for a family-style tasting menu: It gets people to try things they wouldnt order if they saw things on the menu and were choosing, Griffith said. Youre going to get things that might sound a little scary. You will also get spice  Griffith also wants people to push boundaries, realizing that heat can also bring lots of flavor. I love showing people that spicy food and be deliciously burning, he said. Your mouth can be burning, but you cant stop going back for one more bite of curry. Follow @namprikpao on Instagram for more information.

Santana Hem grew up cooking alongside his Cambodian mother and watching Jacques Pepin. He studied finance at Virginia Tech and got a full-time job, but he could not stop dreaming about cooking. So he moved to New York City, working at restaurants such as David Changs Momofuku Ssam Bar and Tom Colicchios flagship restaurant, Craft, honing his knowledge of cooking, wine and fine-dining service. While living in New York, he also began cooking the Khmer cuisine he grew up eating for friends. That is when Hem and Her was born  Santana is the Hem, and the Her is a nod of respect to his mother, as well as to his wife Casey Forman, who is the main server at his dinners.

His dinners became virtual cooking classes while he was living in Chicago during the pandemic. He moved to Richmond about a year and a half ago and brought his dinner series with him in November of 2022.

Its dedication to the flavors I grew up eating, but not always traditional, Hem says about his dinners. The goal is to introduce the community to new dishes, new textures, and new flavors you wouldnt see on menus.

Hem and Hers most recent collaboration is a sold-out dinner for $115 per person, with wine pairings at Second Bottle Wine in Church Hill on Aug. 6. Owner Erin Keene was Hems first neighbor in New York and they moved to Richmond around the same time, so it felt natural to pair up for a dinner featuring Hems food and Second Bottle natural wine pairings. There will be limited seats for the next dinner on Aug. 19 at a to-be-announced location. Hem is working through his waitlist.

One of Hems favorite dishes from a past menu is Sach Ko Tuk Prahok, or grilled steak with fermented fish and eggplant condiment. Its rich and funky, spicy sour. There are so many flavors in one dish, Hem said.

Kaw sach chrouk is a caramelized and braised pork belly stew with star anise, black peppercorns, ginger and garlic that Hems mom made frequently when he was growing up. The dish is traditionally served with a hardboiled egg, but he replaces it with a soft-boiled one, for his own culinary twist. He hopes dinners like these will eventually translate into a restaurant. Visit hemandherfood.com for more information.

Brandon Day, Stephanie Stanton, Dan McInerney and Donovan Herman have a few things in common: they all have day jobs, they are passionate about food and drink, and they have a sense of humor. With various backgrounds in food and drink, they decided to team up for their Shift Meal pop-up series.

We enjoy the experiment of it all, Day said. Were exploring different ways of toying with food and drink, fun and humor. Their first dinner  a prix fixe Anything But Pizza meal  was a nod to Zorch Pizza in Carytown, where the Shift Meal events take place.

Being in the pizza space, we wanted to do something to toy with that, Day said. How can we take all the things that go into pizza or surround pizza and not actually serve pizza?

Guests dined on dishes like a house salad caviar service of romaine, cucumber, radish, balsamic and white wine vinegar pearls bathed in garum served with potato chips and whipped ricotta. Calzone flavors were redesigned into three-day gnudi with fat and crispy smoked prosciutto shards topped with tomato double consomme poured tableside from a diner-style coffee pot. And multi-flavor mini cannoli pockets served with white-chocolate pudding, dehydrated mint and strawberry designed to look like pizza rolls with ranch dressing were served for dessert.

On July 3, an a la carte Third of July Freedom Fry featured playful riffs on classic American cookout foods. The BBQ Sandwich was a savory funnel cake dusted in homemade barbecue rub, topped with coleslaw, pork belly burnt ends, spicy ranch, barbecue sauce and pickles. Strawberry Shortcake comprised bits of funnel cake dusted in sugar and topped with macerated strawberries and vanilla whipped cream. Corn on the cob was a cocktail featuring butter-washed Mellow Corn Whiskey, sweet-corn-infused brown sugar syrup and lemon aquafaba. Apple Pie was a libation of milk-clarified Graham cracker, infused with Lairds Applejack, apple pie simple syrup, lemon, Licor 43, amaretto and Potters Craft Cider topped with apple cider and allspice dram foam.

The theme changes each time, but the dedication to creativity and humor remains. Next up will be a full tomato and mayonnaise-inspired meal for Dukes Hot Tomato Summer on July 24 for $75 per person with wine pairings. Follow @shiftmealrva for more information.

Celeste Farms

You may be familiar with the flavorful, veggie-packed fast-casual meals at Goatocado, but did you know that much of the produce served there is grown on a 4.3-acre regenerative farm in Varina? And you can have dinner there.

Ian Newell runs both Goatocado and Celeste Farms. The Celeste Farms website states: We like to think of our farm as a living project, one where we are always learning ways to leave a lighter environmental footprint and are ever evolving with the efforts and interests of the team. Celeste Farms strives to become a hub for artisans, chefs, and farmers to further explore and practice their crafts while earning a living wage.

To this end, Newell hired chef and farmer Ashton Carter and began hosting a Farmer & The Chef Dinner Experience in June. Upon arriving, guests receive a seasonal mocktail inspired by the property before receiving a tour of the farm with a focus on their sustainable growing practices. Then, a four-course dinner featuring Celeste Farms produce is served in the wildflower meadow.

Dinner dates have been announced through Oct. 14 and can tickets can be purchased at celestefarms.com.

Young Mother and Bad Name

We cannot write an article about pop-ups without a shout-out to Daniel Harthausen, winner of HBOs Big Brunch series, who began hosting his Young Mother pop-up series in 2021. The dinners, which were hosted at Adarra in Jackson Ward, and explored the intersections of Japanese and Korean cuisines, quickly becoming sellouts with very long waitlists.

After a bit of a hiatus, Harthausen recently announced that the Young Mother dinner series would be returning with a prix fixe dinner for $75 per person with wine pairings at Lost Letter in mid-July. Two seatings sold out in less than 20 minutes. For a glimmer of hope at the possibility of attending an upcoming event, we suggest you turn on Instagram notifications for @youngmother and set a timer when you hear that tickets are going on sale. It has not worked for us yet  but maybe one day!

You may have a better chance of trying Harthausens cooking at one of his alter ego Bad Name more casual pop-ups. Harthausens Bad Name culinary explorations span onigiri, Korean fried chicken, LA-style burritos and fried dumplings. These events are generally no-reservations, first-come, first-served and pop up at events around town as well as at Cobra Burger in Church Hill. Follow @badnameva for more details and dates.
A grand jury has upgraded charges for Amari Pollard, the accused shooter in the Huguenot High School graduation shooting, to include first-degree murder charges.

Pollard previously stood accused of two second-degree murder charges. He has had one charge upgraded to first-degree murder, as well as an additional firearms charge, as of late Wednesday.

Lt. governor says trigger man in Richmond shooting 'is ultimately responsible' In a new statement Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears says "the one that pulled the trigger is ultimately responsible for his heinous actions."

First-degree murder charges require a higher degree of pre-meditation than second-degree murder charges under Virginias legal code. Both carry similar punishments: if guilty, Pollard will face a minimum of five years prison time, and up to a maximum of 40 years.

The additional firearms charge has a mandatory minimum of three years.

Police have said little about the relationship between Pollard and the two killed in the graduation shooting, Shawn Jackson and Renzo Smith, Jacksons step-father.

Jackson and Smith were killed moments after Jackson walked across the stage of the Altria Theater to receive his diploma.

The first-degree murder charge is likely for Jacksons death, with whom police said Pollard had an ongoing dispute.

No charges have been filed in relation to the injuries of five other victims, who police said were shot in the scuffle outside the Altria Theater. Colette McEachin, the Commonwealths Attorney, has said she is not willing to comment on an ongoing criminal case.

Victims at Huguenot graduation shooting identified, suspect taken into custody A day set aside for pomp and circumstance ended with two dead, a woman mourning her husband 

Pollards next court date is on Friday.
Last month, Virginia Commonwealth University professor Ryan Cales received a letter from the university informing him that the schools administration had decided not to renew his contract when it expires next summer.

Cales is one of at least 14 faculty members in the Department of Focused Inquiry who were told they would lose their jobs in 2024 or 2025, two professors said.

The termination of contracts comes after the university announced last month it would need to cut as much as $25 million from its budget and up to 100 or 150 jobs from the payroll. If state legislators come to an agreement on revisions to the state budget and award VCU more funding, the cuts will be less.

The university issued non-renewable contracts to fewer than 30 of its roughly 1,500 term faculty members, said Michael Porter, a VCU spokesperson.

Removing professors ultimately hurts students, Cales said. I think this is an egregious mistake. substantial

VCU is facing new expenses, such as state-mandated raises for employees and higher costs for utilities, totaling almost $60 million. Lower enrollment in recent years has brought in less revenue.

To offset those new costs, VCU raised tuition 3% for the 2023-24 school year.

But the tuition hike does not bring in enough new money to cover all the new expenses. The university will cut $25 million from the budget unless state lawmakers agree to an amended budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year that gives VCU more money.

Most of the cuts will come in the form of jobs. The administration notified faculty in the Department of Focused Inquiry, where Cales works, that it would not renew the contracts of 10 to 15 employees.

This next year will probably not be the easiest year for VCU, VCU president Michael Rao said in May. There will be a lot of changes, and they are beginning now.

Focused Inquiry has roughly 65 full-time, contract employees, a number that is no longer sustainable, provost Fotis Sotiropoulos said in May. Focused Inquiry offers small seminars for first- and second-year students designed to teach communication, problem solving and other skills.

Most VCU professors do not have tenure. The majority of full-time faculty works on contracts of one to three years. Unless a professor receives a bad review, the contract is generally renewed, Cales said.

Cales, who has taught full time in the department for 12 years, has a three-year agreement due to expire next summer. The university gives a one-year notice to employees whose contracts are not renewed.

To reduce its long-term financial commitments, VCU is moving toward offering its professors one-year contracts only.

Cales was never told why he was chosen, he said. Most of the faculty whose contracts were not renewed do not have doctorate degrees. Cales has a masters degree.

Deans, who lead colleges within VCU, can receive bonuses based on the percentage of their faculty with doctorate degrees, said Kristin Reed, a Focused Inquiry professor. Reed has not received a termination notice.

But it violates university policy to use a certain degree attainment as a requirement for employment, Reed said. The administration previously told the department that if it had to make job cuts in the future, it would determine them based on the employees performance.

The cuts made this summer are not merit-based, Reed said, because Cales was promoted last year and recently received two letters of recognition for his work.

Professors in the department do not take home large paychecks  the average salary is about $50,000, professors said. They are not eligible for tenure.

Porter did not respond to a question about how the university selected employees it chose not to renew.

It is unclear how other departments will be affected. Karol Gray, VCUs chief financial officer, said earlier this year that colleges within VCU that are meeting their enrollment goals will have to make fewer cuts than colleges struggling to fill seats.

If a department has a high number of professors retiring or resigning, the department will have fewer cuts, multiple professors said.

No other department is facing 14 layoffs of faculty, Cales said.

Fewer professors will mean larger classes and less one-on-one interaction, the professors said. Currently, Focused Inquiry classes have fewer than 20 students.

Fewer professors also could lead more students to drop out of school, Reed said. Focused Inquiry professors develop close relationships with their students. They have referred hungry students to VCUs food pantry and contacted administration upon discovering a student was homeless.

Students who take three semesters of Focused Inquiry have a higher retention rate than students who do not, Reed said. VCU retains more first-year students than the state average. The university's strong retention rate is due to the fact that it uses full-time faculty to teach new students, not just part-time adjuncts, Reed said.

At VCU, a high percentage of students are first generation and often need assistance, Reed added. Since the pandemic began, teenagers and young adults have reported higher instances of depression, and college students across the state are seeking mental health support in higher numbers.

Im really scared for my students, she added.

Cales said he will fight the administrations decision. The department gained 1,300 signatures on a petition earlier this spring. Members of the department hope a campus-wide movement can save their jobs.

This is a problem for Virginia and for students, Cales said.
The Department of Motor Vehicles continues to sell the Dont Tread on Me license plate, even as the symbol has become increasingly co-opted by right-wing American politics.

The design of the plate originates from the Gadsden Flag, a Revolutionary War symbol styled around the rattlesnake. The rattlesnake, which is both deadly and native to the Americas, is coiled, a symbol of Americas pugilistic stance against British rule. It was designed by South Carolina politician Christopher Gadsden, who owned slaves. Several regiments flew versions of the flag in campaigns against the British.

The flag was then co-opted by the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Confederates flew a version of the flag with stars underneath to represent slave states in rebellion against the North. Pro-secession leaders flew rattlesnake flags, while Unionists circulated imagery of eagles devouring serpents by way of response.

In 2017, the flag was flown alongside Nazi and Confederate flags at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. It was flown on Jan. 6, when protestors stormed the U.S. capitol as legislators were voting to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. And throughout the pandemic, the rattlesnake flag has been flown at anti-vaccination protests, including in Canada.

VCU American history professor Carolyn Eastman said that the symbolism of the flag, and therefore the plate, has shifted in the past decade. Like most symbols, its meaning is malleable. It can change with time, and in the context in which it is flown. Eastman says that the Gadsden Flag has been shifting rightward.

Its not yet at the level of a Confederate flag, but its on its way there, Eastman said.

The license plate was introduced in 2011 by Virginia state legislators. In Virginia, license plates are picked up by the DMV after they pass muster in the General Assembly, and then after a requisite 450 citizens apply for the plate.

The Dont Tread on Me plate was introduced by moderate Republican John OBannon III, whose district encompassed Henrico County and parts of Richmond at the time.

OBannon said that he was proud of his part in the successful story of the plate. He said he had no concerns about seeing it waved at the Unite the Right rally, and that comparing the Gadsden flag to Confederate or Nazi flags was apples and oranges.

Since 2011, it is one of the few vanity plates to skyrocket in popularity. In 2014, DMV data show around 38,000 of the plates in circulation. Today, the number is more than 97,000. At a cost of $10 per plate, they generate a gross revenue of $970,000 for the DMV.

Only a handful of states offer the flag as a license plate. Virginia is one of them, alongside Florida, Arizona, Alabama and others. Florida was the most recent to circulate the plate, starting last year.

A spokesperson for the DMV said it is required to sell the plate unless legislators repeal OBannons 2011 bill, or if it falls out of popularity, which is unlikely.
For a paltry $10 a year, Virginians can shed the standard white license plate for something snazzier.

They are the DMVs signature product: Special Plates, also known as vanity plates. The department offers more than 250 options for drivers seeking to make a statement.

By contrast, personalized plates in New York state run $60, plus an annual renewal fee. In California, they cost $50, plus the renewal fee.

The vanity plates in Virginia mostly center on parts of Virginias history. One example is the ever-popular Jamestown plate. In the past decade, a number of outwardly political plates have grown in popularity, too.

The nakedly political Choose Life plate is on more than 3,500 cars, for example. Other plates support the National Rifle Association, Masonic groups and the strange, Jimmy Buffett-inspired environmental group, Parrot Heads. The latter is on more than 5,000 Virginia cars and motorcycles.

Plates in Virginia are introduced into circulation by legislators, who sponsor and pass bills requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to sell them. After the bills pass the General Assembly, the DMV enters a 30-day window, and only proceeds to make the plates if the department receives at least 450 applications from citizens who want the plate in question.

Oklahoma state senators propose 'MAGA' license plate options State Sens. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, and Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, have filed legislation to create "Make America Great Again" and "Keep America Great Again" license plates.

Down the line, specialty plates are removed from circulation if fewer than 200 Virginians have them, according to Virginia code.

Some plates also work as donations to nonprofit organizations. For example, Virginias Animal Friendly license plate costs $25, and the surplus $15 goes toward locality animal shelters to help with the costs of spaying and neutering.

So which plates do Virginians sport?

5. The Great Seal

In 1985, legislators put the Great Seal on the table. The plate is a rendition of the Virginia state seal, which displays a Greco-Roman lady Virtue slaying an embodiment of Tyranny. The seal has been on the Virginia state flag since 1861, when it was adopted at the beginning of the Civil War. But its origins go all the way back to 1776.

4. In God We Trust

Once one of the states most popular special plates, In God We Trust has dipped down in recent years to fourth place. The plate was introduced in 2011, at the behest of Richard P. Bell, a Republican legislator from Staunton. Bell told the Virginia Pilot in 2011 that it was requested by two conservative groups: the Richmond-based Family Foundation and the Harrisonburg-based Valley Family Forum.

3. Heritage

In 1992, the legislature sponsored the Heritage plate. This one features the state bird, the Northern Cardinal, in tandem with the Virginia state flower, the white dogwood. Some 84,000 Virginians have this license plate.

2. Dont Tread On Me

The iconic Dont Tread On Me is the second-most popular in the state of Virginia. It is also on the way up, having quintupled in popularity since 2014. The plate was introduced in 2011, at the height of political agitation mustered by the Tea Party. The plate was introduced by moderate Henrico County Republican John OBannon III, who has since retired. OBannon said he was proud of his part in the plates success story.

The plate features the Gadsden Flag, a flag designed by a South Carolina revolutionary named Christopher Gadsden. The flag has adopted numerous political meanings throughout American history. Originating as a symbol of limited government, it is now frequently associated with the right wing in American politics. In Charlottesville, the flag was waved side-by-side with Confederate and Nazi flags during the Unite the Right rally in 2017. More than 97,000 of these plates were in circulation in 2022, up from 91,000 in 2018.

1. Scenic Virginia

What may be the most boring plate is also the states most popular: Scenic Virginia, a plate that was introduced in 1992 at the same time as the Heritage Plate.

It features Virginias varied natural features, moving from Hampton Roads beaches, to farmland, to the Shenandoah mountain range. More than 118,000 Scenic Virginia plates were registered in 2022, although that figure is down from more than 150,000 in 2018.
A prison officer at the center of an investigation into the death of an inmate is no longer with the corrections department, but officials declined to say whether the sergeant was fired.

Sgt. Anthony Raymond Kelly was no longer with the department, Virginia Department of Corrections spokesperson Carla Miles said.

Public personnel records show that Kelly was first demoted and transferred to a new facility after an investigation began into the Feb. 5, 2022, death of Charles Givens, a developmentally disabled inmate, at Marion Correctional Center, a prison for the mentally ill in Southwest Virginia.

On security video from inside the prison, Kelly and his fellow officers are seen escorting Givens from his cell into the off-camera showers of the prison. When they emerge, Givens is seen limp between the guards. Two hours later, Givens was found dead. A medical examiner determined that the death was caused by internal bleeding due to blunt force trauma, but did not rule it a homicide.

Decertified doctors work for Virginia corrections department, treat inmates Correction: A previous version of this story said that Dr. Vincent Gore is VDOC's chief medi

The prison warden, Jeffrey Artrip, told Givens sister, Kym Hobbs, that her brother died of natural causes.

However, five officers from Marion are now accused of murder in a civil court case that seeks a jury trial and $15 million settlement for what Hobbs says was a "vicious assault" that led to her brothers death.

Criminal charges have not been brought against the officers by local or state officials. A local grand jury found that the death was suspicious, but chose not to indict the officers, records show, stating that there was not enough evidence for an indictment.

Kellys last day with the department occurred six days after Givens death was first reported by NPR, which ran a story on June 24th, more than a year after Givens death.

Death of intellectually disabled inmate at Virginia prison drawing FBI scrutiny, document shows The February 2022 death of Charles Givens, who was serving time for murder at the Marion Correctional Treatment Center, is the subject of a federal lawsuit alleging Givens was sadistically tortured and beaten.

Meanwhile, four of Kellys colleagues remain employed at Marion. One, Joshua Caleb Jackson, has since been promoted to a caseworker position. Lawyers for the defendants have filed documents defending all four corrections officers, and maintaining that Givens died of natural causes.

However, Hobbs and her lawyer allege that Givens, a 52-year-old inmate who had the intellectual ability of a young child, was beaten to death by Kelly and his colleagues. Furthermore, they say that the state prison system actively tried to cover its tracks.

Mr. Givens could only rely on some of those VADOC employees to help him, said Paul Stanley, Hobbss lawyer. Unfortunately, his plight demonstrates an environment at some Virginia prisons that suppresses the reporting of inmate abuse. Although he died at the hands of his caretakers, VADOC has thus far only taken steps to conceal the cause of death and protect the responsible parties.

The DOC spokesperson, Miles, did not offer a comment on Anthony Kellys demotion, transfer and separation from the department. Miles simply said, As of June 30, 2023 Anthony Raymond Kelly is no longer employed with the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Miles also said that the department could not comment on personnel matters in response to questions about the other four officers. NPR reported that the officers were suspended.

The lawsuit against the officers alleges that all five participated in Givens beating, including by whipping him with wet towels.

The suit also accuses the facility of repeatedly allowing Givens to freeze in his cell, to the extent that he was hospitalized four times for hypothermia within the span of two years.

Stanley says corrections officers did this by opening windows during the winter, and that hospital records substantiate the claim and tell the story that MCTC staff were afraid to tell.

Miles said she could not comment on Givens case, but suggested that other reasons could account for the hypothermia incidents.

Without commenting on any particular patient, there are other triggers of hypothermia, including, for instance, anti-psychotic medicines, said Miles. Hypothermia is a rare side-effect of antipsychotic medication, according to peer-reviewed research published in 2017.

However, yesterday, the Associated Press reported that the FBI is now investigating Givens death, which could develop into federal charges from the Department of Justice.

In a statement, Kym Hobbs said she welcomed the news that Kelly was no longer with the Department of Corrections.

Its long overdue and not nearly enough for what they did to my brother, Hobbs said. Its appalling that the others are still employed and one has even been promoted.

As more physicians approach retirement age, are we prepared for the shortfall? As more physicians approach retirement age, are we prepared for the shortfall? Shortages are projected across the health care industry The US could be short over 18,000 general medicine physicians by 2035 International medical graduates could fill gaps
Theres a line of buoys in the Rio Grande river and razor wire on the shore at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas  and Virginia National Guard members deployed to help with Gov. Greg Abbotts controversial effort to patrol the border.

Their mission is to spot people preparing to cross and then deter them from wading across what for many is a dangerous waterway, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in an interview Thursday, after a visit to Texas on Wednesday for briefings on the deployment.

Their deterrence mission works through their physical presence, the night-time spotlights and the calls Dont Come, Dont Come, go to the Port of Entry in Spanish and English, Youngkin said.

If that does not work and people come over, its up to the Texas state troopers on hand to arrest them  thats police work, not the Guard mission, Youngkin said.

But Virginia Guard medics are on hand for the people who make it across with injuries or illnesses, he said.

One of the Guardsmen I talked to was a medic, and he told me several stories about people he helped, Youngkin said.

The Virginia Guard members are among the thousands that Virginia and 13 other states have sent in response to a request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, under a longstanding 50-state mutual aid agreement.

The Guard members, who arrived in early July, will be there for a month, at a cost to the state of $3.1 million.

Youngkin said his visit was a chance to get a sense of what the Guard members were seeing on this deployment.

What they told me is the clarity of what the drug cartels and human traffickers are doing  they hear about the large sums people are paying, see the traffickers directing them to the river where its dangerous, Youngkin said.

Youngkin met with 15 of the 110 Virginia Guard members who deployed earlier this month to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, along with five Texas National Guard members.

He delivered lunch to them, heard briefings on their work, and asked how their families were managing.

Youngkin also watched them at work at Observation Point 1407, at Shelby Park, a riverfront public park that the mayor of Eagle Pass has authorized arrests for trespassing in order that migrants who make it across the river and up the parks boat ramp can be charged.

Youngkin said its hard for the Virginia Guard members to be so far from family and friends for so long.

But he said their mission in Texas is a Virginia one, since illegal border crossing is how the fentanyl that kills five Virginians a day is reaching the state, while the women and children that human traffickers bring across to the U.S. often end up in Virginia and in desperate situations.

They were all proud to be there, consummate professionals, Youngkin said of the Virginia Guard members. It was inspiring talking to them.

The buoys and razor wire at Eagle Pass have sparked complaints from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Border Patrol.

The Justice Department says the buoy line is a risk to public safety and raises humanitarian concerns. U.S. Border Patrol agents say the razor wire the state installed along the border, including around Eagle Pass, blocks them from reaching at-risk migrants.

The Houston Chronicle reported complaints from a Texas state trooper saying migrants crossing into Maverick County  where Eagle Pass is located  had been denied water.

The trooper formally complained of several instances in which migrants had been injured in incidents involving the wire, including when troopers found a 19-year-old woman in obvious pain and stuck in the wire. She was cut free and given a medical assessment, which determined she was pregnant and having a miscarriage.

He said that upon encountering a group of 120 last month, including children and mothers nursing babies, he and another trooper were ordered to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has denied that any such orders were given.

This spring, Abbott deployed specially trained National Guard soldiers as a Texas Tactical Border Force assigned to intercept and repel large groups of migrants trying to enter Texas illegally, bolstering what is now a 2-year-old state effort to enforce federal immigration law.

Abbott has said Texas National Guard soldiers and state troopers have apprehended more than 373,000 illegal immigrants, arrested over 28,000 criminals, and seized more than 400 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

Texas state border push, in addition to sparking accusations of inhumane treatment and violations of legal rights from civil liberties and migrants advocates, has included busing migrants to cities where residents and political leaders have protested the Texas efforts  officials in those cities have said migrants were simply dumped with no resources.

In addition to the Texas Guard members and state troopers, Virginias Guard members in Eagle Pass work closely with colleagues from the South Carolina National Guard; others, farther up the river, are working with Arkansas National Guard soldiers.

Arkansas is sending 80 National Guard troops, and Florida sent 1,100, while Idaho is sending some state police troopers. Iowa will deploy 100 Guard soldiers and 30 state troopers, Nebraska is sending 10 state police troopers, North Dakota is sending 100, Ohio is sending 14 state troopers, Oklahoma has promised to send an unspecified number, South Dakota will deploy about 50 Guard troops, and Tennessee is sending 100. South Carolina, West Virginia and Mississippi are also sending Guard troops.

Since all have Republican governors and many, including Youngkin and Abbott, have criticized the Biden administration for its handling of illegal crossings, many Democrats have said the Texas effort and the support from Virginia and the other states is political posturing.

Photos: Gov. Glenn Youngkin is keynote speaker at VMI's 2023 graduation 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-01 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-02 France 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-05.JPG 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-06 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-07 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-08 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-09 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-10 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-11 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-13 051723-rtd-met-vmi2 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-17 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-20 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-23 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-25 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-27 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-28 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-29 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-30
Jeff Haley, president and CEO of American National Bankshares, said that while part of him is sad that the bank will no longer be headquartered in the city, the mailing address of a corporation is just that.

This is about providing financial services to this part of Virginia where I live and where I love, Haley told the Danville Register & Bee during a Zoom news conference Tuesday afternoon. Atlantic Union is the perfect partner to do that.

American National Bankshares Inc., the holding company for American National Bank, and Atlantic Union announced the decision to merge Tuesday. The agreement involves an all-stock transaction.

Atlantic Union, first started as a farm bank in Bowling Green in 1902, and American National, established in 1909, share more than 200 years of banking experience. The relationship goes back decades, Haley and Atlantic Union President and CEO John C. Asbury pointed out.

This is the culmination of a long friendship between the two companies, Asbury said during the conference.

American National has 26 banking offices in Virginia and North Carolina, including four in Danville, and about $3.1 billion in total assets. It also manages an additional $1.2 billion of trust, investment and brokerage assets in its Wealth Management Division.

American National has had a growing Roanoke Valley presence. It bought Roanoke-based HomeTown Bank in 2019 and as of mid-2022 was the fourth-ranked bank in the Roanoke metro area in deposits. Atlantic Union was ranked seventh. The metro, which includes Franklin County, has six American National branches and five Atlantic Union branches.

Atlantic Union is the holding company for Atlantic Union Bank and has 109 branches and 125 ATMs throughout the commonwealth and parts of Maryland and North Carolina.

The combined company will have a total of $23.7 billion in assets, total deposits of $19.1 billion and gross loans of $17.3 billion as of June 30, according to the news release.

Two members of the American National Bankshares board of directors, Nancy Howell Agee and Joel R. Shepherd, will join the Atlantic Union board of directors.

As to how the merger will affect employees, Asbury said there will be some degree of impact, as in any business combination.

That is an assessment that will be going on for the next several months, he said.

He added that he could not say what the impact would be, but certain support areas could be affected, Asbury said.

American National Bankshares has about 125 employees in Danville, Haley said.

After the deal closes, Haley will help with the integration of the two companies and advise on the combined banks regional community banking model in the American National markets and serve as the banks representative to two Danville-based charitable trusts.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share of American National common stock will be converted into the right to receive 1.35 shares of Atlantic Union common stock, valuing the transaction at approximately $416.8 million, or $39.23 per share, based on Atlantic Unions 10-day weighted average closing stock price ending next Monday, according to the news release.

The companies expect to complete the transaction in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and American National shareholder approval.

Asbury said the merged entity would perform a system conversion in late May, bringing customers onto our platform.

Theyll continue to transact with American National, he said. Only after the system is converted in late May that they will be fully assimilated into Atlantic Unions system and our system becomes fully available to them.

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Former Sesa driver sentenced to 10 years for trafficking in government vehicle

Chetumal, Q.R.  The former driver of a government vehicle has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Carlos N, a former employee of the Quintana Roo Health Secretariat (Sesa) based out of Chetumal, was arrested in July of last year after he was found transporting over 197 kilos of marijuana.

The drums of marijuana were found by military personnel during a late night highway check stop. They were located in the covered bed of the federal governments pickup truck.

Earlier this week, the former Secretaria de Salud de Quintana Roo (Sesa) employee was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking, reported the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR).

Carlos N will serve 10 years for trafficking. He was caught using a government company truck.

His trial included the testimony of elements of the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena), who detailed the arrest occurred on the night of July 15, 2022, when, during a routine check, they found the drugs.

In the covered bed of the small truck were 20 drums of marijuana, each weighing around 10 kilos. At the time of his arrest, he was a casual three-month Sesa employee. Carlos N will remain in the CERESO in the city of Cancun.
Mexico, U.S. and Canada agree to tighten firearm seizures

Mexico City, Mexico  As a result of the bilateral and trilateral meetings between Mexico, the United States and Canada, the three countries agreed to strengthen the electronic detection of firearms seized.

On Wednesday, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) said the weapons of interest are the ones being used by criminal organizations. The three countries have also agreed to strengthen actions to cut supply chains and avoid drug trafficking and consumption.

The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, made the announcement during the Wednesday morning Presidential press conference.

She explained that the efforts are also focused on affecting the economic capacity of criminal groups through the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and thus, keep track of illicit money.

She announced that the surveillance, inspection, supervision and control actions of ports and borders will be increased.

The creation of a working group was established to prevent synthetic drug traffickers from using legitimately established commercial companies for their purposes, the regulation of cargo labeling and the transfer of chemical precursors is reinforced, she explained.

In addition, she said, Mexico insisted that work continue to prevent the arrival of illegal weapons into the country.

It became clear that 70 percent of the weapons seized in Mexico come from the United States and the rest from other countries, although thanks to bilateral actions within the framework of the Bicentennial Understanding, seizures have increased, she said.

The secretary said that the work was carried out in an atmosphere of cooperation, trust and fraternity.

On Monday, the bilateral meeting with the United States was held, headed by the president of Mexico and by the White House National Security Adviser, Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall.

On Tuesday at the National Palace in Mexico, the Second Meeting of the Trilateral Fentanyl Committee was held with the delegation of the United States and Canada, headed by the National Intelligence and Security adviser, Jody Thomas, remotely, and in person with Deputy Deputy Minister of Public Safety Tricia Geddes.

Within this framework, the head of the Secretariat for Citizen Security and Protection (SSPC) gave an account of the agreements and talks held between the delegations of the three countries.

She said all three will work in a coordinated manner to curb the incidence of cross-border crimes and agreed that in terms of security there is no border or territory for impunity.

On the Mexican side, she explained, progress is being made in the strategy against the consumption and trafficking of fentanyl, precursors and chemical substances, since every day there are important results in seizures of synthetic drugs and destruction of clandestine laboratories.

We explained that our priority is to achieve the pacification of the country. We are doing our homework. We are governed by the principles of Zero Corruption and Zero Impunity, she pointed out.

Likewise, in Mexico, human traffickers who put the lives of migrants at risk are persecuted. The three countries will work permanently to provide results, since it is a humanitarian issue and universal brotherhood.
(CNN)  Men in military fatigues claimed to have taken power in Niger hours after President Mohamed Bazoum was reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard on Wednesday, leading to protests in the capital.

In a video communique, a man identified as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane and flanked by several apparent soldiers, announced, We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know, citing a deteriorating security situation in the country and poor economic and social governance.

National institutions have been suspended and the countrys land borders are temporarily closed, he also said, appearing to read from a text on the table before him.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said earlier in the day that there had been an attempt to seize power by force in the West African country, in a statement on Wednesday.

ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition, the bloc added.

The situation prompted intense discussions between the countrys Presidential Guard and government authorities, a source close to the president told CNN. The source did not reveal what exactly was being discussed.

Nigers presidential complex was sealed off Wednesday, with heavily armed members of the Presidential Guard assembling outside the Presidential Palace early that morning. Roughly twenty members of the Presidential Guard could be seen outside the palace complex later in the day.

A statement on the presidencys social media channels said President Mohamed Bazoum is doing well and the army and national guard were ready to attack the elements of the GP [Presidential Guard] involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses. CNN cannot verify the statement.

CNN has reached out to the AFRICOM (United States Africa Command), US and French embassies in Niger.

The countrys interior minister, Hamadou Souley, was also arrested by the presidential guard on Wednesday morning local time and is being held in the presidential palace in the capital Niamey along with Bazoum.

Hundreds of protesters later gathered in the capital Niamey in support of Bazoum. Presidential guards to fired warning shots to block their advance when protesters were about 300 meters (984 feet) from the presidential palace, but CNN saw no injuries.

Up to 400 protesters were seen later on Wednesday, some holding photos of Bazoum and signs saying: No to the destabilization of the republics institutions.

Nigers presidential office said in a tweet on Wednesday that spontaneous protests by democracy advocates broke out all over the (capital) city of Niamey, (around) the country and in front of Nigers embassies abroad after the announcement this morning that President (Mohamed) Bazoum is being held in his palace by his guard.

Avoid all travel

The presidential guards are holding Bazoum inside the palace, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning, Reuters and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Wednesday. Reuters cited security sources and AFP referenced sources close to Bazoum.

CNN has so far been unable to reach the countrys Ministry of Defence and Interior Ministry for comment.

A member of the National Guard guarding the building for both ministries told CNN that there are currently no officials inside.

The US Embassy in Niger said it had received reports of political instability within the capital Niamey.

At this time the city is calm. We advise everyone to limit unnecessary movements, and avoid all travel along Rue de la Republique until further notice, the embassy said.

Agency footage from the capital Niamey shows the rest of the city appearing calm.

Nigerian president Bola Tinubu  the current chair of ECOWAS  has also issued a statement condemning unpleasant developments in Niger.

Tinubu said they are closely monitoring the situation and developments.

It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.

The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa, the statement said.

Bazoum was elected in 2021. Attempts on power in the landlocked West African state are common. Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960.

Calls for peace and stability

The situation in Niger triggered widespread condemnation, with international leaders calling for peace amid the apparent unrest.

The United Nations stands by the Government and the people of Niger, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

The Secretary-General is following closely the situation in Niger. He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger, Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also criticized any attempt to destabilize democracy and threaten the stability of Niger.

Frances foreign ministry voiced concern and said it is closely monitoring the development of the situation in Niger.

And White House officials said they strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Nigers democratically elected government.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the partnership between Washington and the West African country is contingent on its continued commitment to democratic standards.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Coup attempt feared in Niger after reports of presidents seizure"
Two woman detained at border in nothing to declare lane

Nogales, Sonora  Two women arriving into Mexico from the United States were taken into custody after being found with nine guns and the corresponding ammo. National Guard arrested the two women after Mexican Customs located what is being referred to as war material.

In compliance with the National Public Security Strategy and the Zero Impunity policy of the federal government, in Sonora, members of the National Guard (GN), in coordination with the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM), detained two women who intended to enter national territory with rifles, chargers and cartridges, the agency reported in a statement.

The women were taken into custody in the vehicle inspection area at Garita 3 Mariposa located at the Nogales International Bridge, Sonora. They were arrested after personnel observed a U.S. plated truck traveling at a speed not allowed inside the compound. The truck entered the nothing to declare lane.

The unit, manned by two women, received the green light at the Tax Traffic Light, exempting it from a customs inspection. However, authorities requested the vehicle stop  in order to rule out the transport of undeclared merchandise, but they ignored it, they said.

The truck with the two women was pulled over and inspected. Inside, Mexican Customs Agents located eight long weapons, five with a telescopic sight, one short weapon, 549 useful cartridges, 40 chargers and one rifle butt.
What do you do when your smart home starts outsmarting you? The dangers some forms of artificial intelligence pose are just beginning to be realized.

A few weeks ago, software engineer Brandon Jackson found himself shut out of his smart home for a full week. When Alexa wouldnt respond to his commands, he called the Amazon help desk to see what the issue was. Evidently, the company locked him out because of his apparent racism: I was told that the driver who had delivered my package reported receiving racist remarks from my Ring doorbell (its actually a Eufy, but Ill let it slide). Later, without any explanation or apology, Amazon allowed Jackson access again.

Jackson later viewed this experience as a lesson in keeping devices local and diversifying smart-home service providers. However, the meme used by Not the Bee of the evil computer HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, responding, Im sorry, Dave. I cant unlock your house, is a more accurate observation. Considering peoples increasing dependence on artificial intelligence (AI) to manage their lives, its only inevitable that these devices will render users helpless and vulnerable to corporate control.

Around the same time that Jackson was assuring Amazon that he wasnt racist, the article Why AI Will Save the World by Silicon Valley entrepreneur and venture capitalist Marc Andreesen went viral. As the title suggests, Andreesen argues that AI represents a huge technological advance that will boost worker productivity, eliminate global strife, precipitate a cultural renaissance, and make the world warmer and nicer.

According to Andreesen, AI is like other technological innovations in that it makes tasks easier to perform and leaves more time for other things. Like a dishwasher or a Roomba freeing up homemakers from the drudgery of cleaning dishes and floors, AI will free workers from so much thinking. Enlightened populations in the future will be able to contend with an infinitely complex world by equipping themselves with infinitely patient, infinitely compassionate, infinitely knowledgeable, infinitely helpful AI.

Andreesen sanguinely insists that people will work side by side with AI, resulting in ever more social progress. Writer Sam Woods goes further with this idea in a recent article, Whos on the Other End of the Chatbot?, suggesting that AI can function as a thinking partner that can help us better understand ourselves: You can have LLMs [Large Language Models] interrogate you, argue with you, challenge your assumptions, challenge what youre saying and thinking. This would certainly lead to better decision-makingassuming the user is still the one making decisions.

However, what AI boosters like Andreesen and Woods seem to miss is that AIs technological capabilities represent a difference in kind, not degree. Unlike construction vehicles or self-service checkouts, which automate basic functions like digging holes or processing orders and purchases, AI is automating complex functions like deliberation and communication. Instead of acting as a tool that enhances or supplements human labor, it is essentially replacing it.

To say that this will free people to grow smarter and help society progress is like previous generations declaring that television and the internet would do the same thing. In all likelihood, most people will use the free time enabled by AI to amuse themselves to death. This was predicted by the brilliant sci-fi novella With Folded Hands in which androids take over the world and prevent human beings from doing anything because it would expose them to stress or harm. Finally, the androids start lobotomizing everyone, leaving all men and women to sit dumbly in their rocking chairs with folded hands. For a more kid-friendly version of this story, one can also watch Wall-E.

As a high school English teacher, I had to laugh at Andreesens hypothetical AI tutor helping [students] maximize their potential with the machine version of infinite love. Why would any kid listen to a computer try to teach him how to write essays or solve algebra problems, especially when that computer can do these things itself? And what exactly would the infinitely loving AI tutor do to make a student more cooperative? Would it be empowered to reward or punish the student by increasing or limiting access to various amenities and recreational applications? Solve for X, and you will be allowed five minutes of TikTok.

This dilemma hits on something deeper about AI and its supposed potential for boosting human performance. Sure, AI is infinitely more knowledgeable, rational, and objective than any human being, but this makes it fundamentally unrelatable. Unlike human teachers, who can have relationships with their students (which is how they motivate their students to do their work in the first place), AI software lacks such a capacity. They cant feel disappointed in their pupil slacking off, nor can they take pride in her achieving masterythey can only impotently simulate these feelings.

Because a true relationship with AI is impossible, it is therefore impossible to trust AI. Its not that the AI will somehow become self-aware and turn evil; its that AI is bound by its programming and lacks a conscience. As in the case with Brandon Jackson, or more recently Fox News, AI programs are designed to spy on their users, report them to an unaccountable megacorporation, and then be used to punish those users and force compliance.

Andreesen seems to recognize this danger when he mentions the abuse of AI technology in dictatorial regimes like that overseen by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP): They view it as a mechanism for authoritarian population control. Already, the (CCP) uses AI to monitor Chinese citizens, assign a social credit score, and reward or punish them based on their score. This forces the entire Chinese population to submit to the CCPs agenda, no matter how stupid or brutal it might be.

The same could easily happen with any Big Tech companynearly all of which, not coincidentally, have close ties with the CCP. Whether its Amazon, Apple, or Google, these companies have every reason to disempower consumers and make them ever more dependent on their products. Their ideal user is not the talented young visionary discovering ways to colonize Mars but the couch potato discovering new ways to spend his UBI check. In return for sucking the life and soul out of their users, these companies will compensate by disincentivizing them from using hateful language and expressing problematic views

Nevertheless, with all this acknowledged, the possibility of an AI-driven surveillance state doesnt necessarily mean that AI technology is intrinsically evil and should be avoided at all costs. Rather, it demonstrates that AI technology is powerful and its use must be regulated so that all Americans can enjoy its benefits while being protected from its harms. It falls to us to become educated on AI and do our part to hold all levels of government accountable for keeping us safe as well as free with this new technology. We cannot assume, like Andreesen does, that governments and businesses will automatically act rationally and try to empower people with AI; rather, we should assume the opposite, cultivate personal discipline with our technology use, and remain vigilant in curbing excesses and abuses. In practice, this would mean allowing the use of AI in a productive capacity (analyzing and processing data for industrial and commercial use, for example) but not in an invasive personal capacity (monitoring and determining individual behavior). Put simply, we must all make sure that AI remains a tool and doesnt become an unwanted friend.
Theres no shortage of folks running around voicing fears our country is about to erupt in another Civil War  or arguing ones already begun, slow-burn style.

On the federal, state and local level, political and social divisions are mounting. Signs of that have appeared at recent Roanoke County School Board meetings. Its even occurring in neighborhoods  such as Grandin Court in southwest Roanoke, my home since 1994.

In the wake of a July 20 meeting, its unclear whos in charge of our city-recognized civic league, the Grandin Court Neighborhood Association.

By paper ballot, a boisterous crowd of residents that night voted 63-25 to oust the GCNAs two officers, President Owen McGuire and Secretary Freeda Cathcart. Cathcart claims the vote was illegal because it violated the associations bylaws.

Then on a voice vote, the crowd voted in an interim board, with Kenny Marn as president, until the next regular GCNA elections in November. The other interim officers approved were Kathleen Herndon, vice president; Cody Schaeffer, secretary; and Kait Pedigo as treasurer.

Cathcart said the second vote also violated the GCNAs bylaws. She said a professional parliamentarian she consulted ruled both votes null and void.

So whos in charge of the neighborhood association?

Thats a great question, Marn told me Wednesday. My understanding was, it was me, at least on an interim basis.

Cathcart said she and McGuire are still the legal officers. And, she added, a committee of the GCNA is working on proposed changes to the associations bylaws to be discussed at Septembers GCNA meeting. Those could limit who could vote at future meetings.

The focal point of these tense neighborhood politics is a proposed coffee shop in Fishburn Park along Brambleton Avenue  and whether the city should turn over the parks dilapidated caretakers cabin and 1.1 acres to a local couple in exchange for $10.

The couple, Justin and Keri vanBlaricom, want to establish a coffee shop there called Fishburn Perk.

The land and long-unused building are worth much more than $10, of course. But transferring it to the vanBlaricoms for that nominal sum would allow them to borrow money from a bank, by leveraging the real value of the land and building as security for a loan they need to redevelop the property into a coffee shop.

To be sure, its an unusual way to finance a private business. On the other hand, the cabin has gone unused for years. If it all went according to plan, the vanBlaricoms would own and operate Fishburn Perk.

In December, the Roanoke City Council voted 6-1 to approve a contract for the couple to follow in order to make Fishburn Perk a reality. The contract set forth a process under which the city would turn over the land and building to the couple provided they met the contract stipulations and worked in good faith.

In May, the couple went before Roanokes council with a request to rezone the property to allow for the coffee shop. Earlier that month, the council-appointed Roanoke Planning Commission recommended the rezoning, 6-0.

But at Mays council meeting  and after the vanBlaricoms had spent $15,000 toward the project  the city council rejected the rezoning application for the property by a 6-1 vote that surprised many.

That appeared to scuttle the project, and it happened after Cathcart and McGuire informed the city that the neighborhood was against the proposal. Marn, who wasnt at the meeting, says the issue was discussed by the GCNA, but it never came up for a formal vote of members.

Then in June, the council kept the coffee shop proposal alive by amending the vanBlaricoms contract and voting to extend the potential sale through September. (The amended contract gives the city first rights to buy the property back, if/when the vanBlaricoms sell.)

After the May GCNA meeting, Marn sent a letter to McGuire and Cathcart, notifying them that he was calling for a vote of removal of both of you from your officer positions  at the next scheduled meeting, which was July 20.

Such a move is in accordance with the neighborhood associations bylaws, Cathcart said. But the bylaws allowing for an ouster vote make no provisions for debate preceding it, she added. And because a 30-minute debate preceded the vote, the vote was null and void.

Moreover, the bylaws also state: Any vacancy of office, which may occur for any reason, must be filled by a special vote of the membership at the next scheduled meeting of the Association.

That suggests that if Cathcart and McGuire were legally ousted, they could not be replaced until the next GCNA meeting, which is in September.

Cathcart backed up her contentions with a three-page written opinion from Sarah Lykins Entsminger, a professional parliamentarian from Northern Virginia.

Cathcart also told me that many of the people who voted at the July 20 meeting werent active members of the neighborhood association, as the bylaws require.

Kenny hasnt been to one of our meetings in five years, Cathcart told me, disputing that Marn or many others at the July 20 meeting were active members.

But the parliamentarian ruled against her and McGuire on that issue, finding that the bylaws dont define active member, and thus, anyone present who lived in the neighborhood could vote.

Heres where things stand:

McGuire and Cathcart have hung onto the GCNAs member list, email contact list and bank account, which Cathcart says holds less than $100.

Theyre disputing that theyve been ousted and replaced. And theyre forming a committee to rewrite the bylaws to define active member.

Marn says the interim board doesnt have a big slate of plans. We want to engage with the community, to ask what they want us to be doing.

He noted that both Cathcart and McGuire participated in the debate which they contend was barred by the bylaws.

All of which is to say, the September meeting of the Grandin Court Civic Association should be a lively affair.

Its unclear who will be calling it, though. Stay tuned.
DANVILLE  American National Bank and Trust Co., which is being sold to Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp., is the last independently owned bank based in Danville.

Jeff Haley, president and CEO of American National Bankshares, said that while part of him is sad that the bank will no longer be headquartered in the city, the mailing address of a corporation is just that.

This is about providing financial services to this part of Virginia where I live and where I love, Haley told the Danville Register & Bee during a Zoom news conference Tuesday afternoon. Atlantic Union is the perfect partner to do that.

American National Bankshares Inc., the holding company for American National Bank, and Atlantic Union announced the decision to merge Tuesday. The agreement involves an all-stock transaction.

Atlantic Union, based in Richmond and first started as a farm bank in Bowling Green in 1902, and American National, established in 1909, share more than 200 years of banking experience. The relationship goes back decades, Haley and Atlantic Union President and CEO John C. Asbury pointed out.

This is the culmination of a long friendship between the two companies, Asbury said during the conference.

American National has 26 banking offices in Virginia and North Carolina, including four in Danville, and about $3.1 billion in total assets. It also manages an additional $1.2 billion of trust, investment and brokerage assets in its Wealth Management Division.

American National has had a growing Roanoke Valley presence. It bought Roanoke-based HomeTown Bank in 2019 and as of mid-2022 was the fourth-ranked bank in the Roanoke metro area in deposits. Atlantic Union was ranked seventh. The metro, which includes Franklin County, has six American National Branches and five Atlantic Union branches.

Atlantic Union is the holding company for Atlantic Union Bank and has 109 branches and 125 ATMs throughout the commonwealth and parts of Maryland and North Carolina.

The combined company will have a total of $23.7 billion in assets, total deposits of $19.1 billion and gross loans of $17.3 billion as of June 30, according to the news release.

Two members of the American National Bankshares board of directors, Nancy Howell Agee and Joel R. Shepherd, will join the Atlantic Union board of directors.

As to how the merger will affect employees, Asbury said there will be some degree of impact, as in any business combination.

That is an assessment that will be going on for the next several months, Asbury said.

He added that he could not say what the impact would be, but certain support areas could be affected, he said.

American National Bankshares has about 125 employees in Danville, Haley said.

After the deal closes, Haley will help with the integration of the two companies and advise on the combined banks regional community banking model in the American National markets and serve as the banks representative to two Danville-based charitable trusts.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share of American National common stock will be converted into the right to receive 1.35 shares of Atlantic Union common stock, valuing the transaction at approximately $416.8 million, or $39.23 per share, based on Atlantic Unions 10-day weighted average closing stock price ending next Monday according the news release.

The companies expect to complete the transaction in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and American National shareholder approval.

Asbury said the merged entity would perform a system conversion in late May, bringing customers onto our platform.

Theyll continue to transact with American National, Asbury said. Only after the system is converted in late May that they will be fully assimilated into Atlantic Unions system and our system becomes fully available to them.

The Roanoke Times contributed to this report.
" " Two Russian tortoises beat the first humans, NASA astronauts Frank Borman, William A. Anders and James A. Lovell, Jr., in the race to orbit the moon. HowStuffWorks

Here's the story of how a pair of central Asian reptiles made spacefaring history.

On May 25, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy took the podium at a joint session of Congress and said, "I believe that this Nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth."

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Bold rhetoric for its time.

The world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in the fall of 1957  less than four years before JFK gave his "man on the moon" ultimatum.

About the size of a beach ball, Sputnik 1 was created by the Soviet Union. Its elliptical journey around Earth gave birth to the Space Race, a period in which the U.S. and the USSR challenged each other for superiority in the new frontier of space exploration.

Kennedy didn't live to see his ambitious goal realized; he was assassinated in 1963. But the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA for short) beat the former president's deadline with a few months to spare.
The race for space never has been easy. It's time-consuming and costly. In a small county without a lot of business, spending taxpayer money on something that is perceived by some to be a risk hits home. There are those who believe that the money the county already has spent on this dream  by some estimates, more than $10 million  would be better used on other, more practical and earthbound projects.

Safety objections have been raised, too. Projected vertical launches from the 11,600-acre (4,694-hectare) Camden Spaceport will arc over nearby Cumberland Island, Little Cumberland Island and the Cumberland Island National Seashore. Though the area is not heavily populated, launches from Camden would pose a significant risk to life, property and the environment of the fragile wetlands, according to one of the spaceport's most vocal detractors.

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Steve Weinkle, who lives in Camden County and runs the anti-spaceport site spaceportfacts.org (which has estimated that $10 million already has been spent on the spaceport), writes that, "launches from Spaceport Camden will be the first time the FAA, Air Force or NASA allows rocket launches over civilian population, residences, U.S. interior waterways, and environmentally sensitive tidewaters and USGS Pad-1 Designated Wilderness."

The effect that even successful launches will have on Camden County has been under study for years in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to grant a launch site operator license. The Camden Spaceport modified some of what it was asking for after the draft EIS was returned in 2018, and now proposes to OK only small-launch vehicles at a single, 100-degree trajectory. With the smaller vehicles, they've scrapped plans to land first-stages of the rockets, too.

With the EIS now complete  it wrapped in June 2021  the Camden Spaceport's fate lies now in the hands of the FAA, which is under direction by Congress "to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and to encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial space launch and reentry activities by the private sector in order to strengthen and expand U.S. space transportation infrastructure." In the Camden Spaceport EIS, the FAA states that granting the launch site operator license is the "preferred alternative." The other alternative is to do nothing; in effect, to reject the idea.

The final issuing of the operating license is pending. The oft-delayed last word from the FAA is now due Dec. 15.

" " Virginia Space Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) is a fully operational and dynamic spaceport. Since its establishment in 1997, five missions have launched from MARS Pad 0A and six missions have launched from MARS Pad 0B. Virginia Space/MARS
Kazi Albab Hussain (left) holds his son while removing a plastic container of water from a microwave. Hussain and colleagues at the University of NebraskaLincoln have found that microwaving such containers can release up to billions of nanoscopic particles and millions of microscopic ones. Credit: Craig Chandler, University of NebraskaLincoln

The fastest way to heat food and drink might also rank as the fastest route to ingesting massive quantities of minuscule plastic particles, says new research from the University of NebraskaLincoln.

Experiments have shown that microwaving plastic baby food containers available on the shelves of U.S. stores can release huge numbers of plastic particlesin some cases, more than 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics for every square centimeter of container.

Though the health effects of consuming micro- and nanoplastics remain unclear, the Nebraska team further found that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells had died after two days of being introduced to those same particles. A 2022 report from the World Health Organization recommended limiting exposure to such particles.

"It is really important to know how many micro- and nanoplastics we are taking in," said Kazi Albab Hussain, the study's lead author and a doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering at the University of NebraskaLincoln. "When we eat specific foods, we are generally informed or have an idea about their caloric content, sugar levels, other nutrients. I believe it's equally important that we are aware of the number of plastic particles present in our food.

"Just as we understand the impact of calories and nutrients on our health, knowing the extent of plastic particle ingestion is crucial in understanding the potential harm they may cause. Many studies, including ours, are demonstrating that the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics is highly linked to the level of exposure."

The team embarked on its study in 2021, the same year that Hussain became a father. While prior research had investigated the release of plastic particles from baby bottles, the team realized that no studies had examined the sorts of plastic containers and pouches that Hussain found himself shopping for, and that millions of other parents regularly do, too.

Hussain and his colleagues decided to conduct experiments with two baby food containers made from polypropylene and a reusable pouch made of polyethylene, both plastics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In one experiment, the researchers filled the containers with either deionized water or 3% acetic acidthe latter intended to simulate dairy products, fruits, vegetables and other relatively acidic consumablesthen heated them at full power for three minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave. Afterward, they analyzed the liquids for evidence of micro- and nanoplastics: the micro being particles at least 1/1,000th of a millimeter in diameter, the nano any particles smaller.

The actual number of each particle released by the microwaving depended on multiple factors, including the plastic container and the liquid within it. But based on a model that factored in particle release, body weight, and per-capita ingestion of various food and drink, the team estimated that infants drinking products with microwaved water and toddlers consuming microwaved dairy products are taking in the greatest relative concentrations of plastic. Experiments designed to simulate the refrigeration and room-temperature storage of food or drink over a six-month span also suggested that both could lead to the release of micro- and nanoplastics.

"For my baby, I was unable to completely avoid the use of plastic," Hussain said. "But I was able to avoid those (scenarios) which were causing more of the release of micro- and nanoplastics. People also deserve to know those, and they should choose wisely."

With the help of Svetlana Romanova from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the team then cultured and exposed embryonic kidney cells to the actual plastic particles released from the containersa first, as far as Hussain can tell. Rather than introduce just the number of particles released by one container, the researchers instead exposed the cells to particle concentrations that infants and toddlers might accumulate over days or from multiple sources.

After two days, just 23% of kidney cells exposed to the highest concentrations had managed to survivea much higher mortality rate than that observed in earlier studies of micro- and nanoplastic toxicity. The team suspects that kidney cells might be more susceptible to the particles than are other cell types examined in prior research. But those earlier studies also tended to examine the effects of larger polypropylene particles, some of them potentially too large to penetrate cells. If so, the Hussain-led study could prove especially sobering: Regardless of its experimental conditions, the Husker team found that polypropylene containers and polyethylene pouches generally release about 1,000 times more nanoplastics than microplastics.

The question of cell infiltration is just one among many that will require answers, Hussain said, before determining the true risks of consuming micro- and nanoplastics. But to the extent that they do pose a health threatand that plastics remain a go-to for baby food storageparents would have a vested interest in seeing that the companies manufacturing plastic containers seek out viable alternatives, he said.

"We need to find the polymers which release fewer (particles)," Hussain said. "Probably, researchers will be able to develop plastics that do not release any micro- or nanoplasticsor, if they do, the release would be negligible.

"I am hopeful that a day will come when these products display labels that read 'microplastics-free' or 'nanoplastics-free.'"

The team reported its findings in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. Hussain and Romanova authored the study with the University of NebraskaLincoln's Yusong Li, Mathias Schubert, Yongfeng Lu, Lucia Fernandez-Ballester, Bing Wang, Xi Huang, Jesse Kuebler, Dong Zhang and Ilhami Okur. The researchers received support from the National Science Foundation and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

More information:

Kazi Albab Hussain et al, Assessing the Release of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Plastic Containers and Reusable Food Pouches: Implications for Human Health, Environmental Science & Technology (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01942

Provided by University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Its summertime, the time of year to explore fun and unique ways to occupy our time. One great way to do this and give back to the community is by exploring local farms through agritourism opportunities.

But what is agritourism? Agritourism is a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and/or educating the visitors while generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. In summary, agritourism is any farm event or activity that may be marketed/advertised to the public. Lets explore some common agritourism activities.

U-pick operations

Have you ever gone to a farm and picked your own fruits or veggies? Well, thats agritourism.

There are all types of u-pick operations, including u-pick strawberries and blueberries (most common in the Florence and Darlington area), pumpkins in the fall, Christmas trees in the winter, vegetables and even cut flowers.

U-pick operations are significant in the sense that individuals get to learn where their food is coming from and get to pick exactly what they want. U-pick operations vary for each product, but each farm will have detailed instructions on how their u-pick operation works.

Farm Markets

Farm markets are a way to bring individuals to the farm to purchase products grown there and in many cases from around the local region. Farm markets can be everything from a stand on the edge of the property to a small store on the farm, some farm markets even have restaurants using their products and other locally grown products.

Demonstration farms

Demonstration farms are another example of agritourism. A demonstration farm is just as it sounds. The owners invite individuals onto the farm to see the operation process. Many include farm tours which is another form of agritourism.

The primary purpose of demonstration farms is to educate individuals about agriculture. Demonstration farms can also be used to research new things (such as plant varieties, etc.) and educate local growers, students, and others.

Farm stays and venues

A unique example of agritourism is farm stays. This is when farms have a cabin, tiny home, or even a bed and breakfast on the farm that they allow people to come to stay at.

Many farms and ranches are in rural areas with many of them being very scenic, so many have decided to take advantage of their location and scenic beauty by being a location to rent for weddings, receptions, reunions, and other events. This is just another way that agribusiness owners are able to generate additional income.

Vineyards

Another type of agritourism business is vineyards. A vineyard is an agribusiness that grows grapes that may be used to make wine, juice, and or is sold for table grapes. Some vineyards are directly connected to a winery as well. Many vineyards have tours around the vineyard and letting visitors see the production process from field to making wine.

These are just a few types of agritourism that exist. Many farmers become creative with different ways to incorporate agritourism on their farms and are diverse in the type(s) of activities offered. They are likely to combine a number of these activities to create a unique experience such as a tour with u-pick or tasting opportunities or a farm stay with demonstrations and/or a farm-to-table dining experience.

So, get out there and find a few locations around you to visit! Not only will you find something fun and educational to do for the day, but you will be supporting a local farm, business, and families. Agritourism is a wonderful way to invest in your local community.

Do you need help finding farms with agritourism opportunities in your area? Please visit the following website that contain South Carolina farms that are a part of the SC Agritourism Association with locations that can be sorted by county: https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/external-affairs-economicdevelopment/marketing/agritourism/agritourism-farms/
COLUMBIA   Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to headline next month a barbecue billed as South Carolinas largest annual gathering of Republicans.

This centerpiece appearance, in a state where success has historically been a catalyst for GOP presidential nominees, provides DeSantis with an opportunity to make his case in front of a large number of party activists, with whom former President Donald Trump, the GOP primary front-runner, remains popular.

DeSantis will speak Aug. 28 at the Faith & Freedom BBQ in Anderson, event host Rep. Jeff Duncan told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Ive had the privilege of knowing Ron for several years now, said Duncan, who represents South Carolinas 3rd Congressional District, adding that he and DeSantis were members of the House Freedom Caucus. In Florida, Ive admired his work to protect children, stand up to woke corporations, combat illegal immigration, and challenge the Biden administration.

According to Duncans office, the casual event is the states largest annual gathering of Republicans, typically drawing more than 1,000 attendees. It features long rows of picnic tables, copious sweet tea and barbecue sides.

The fundraiser, benefiting Duncans reelection campaign, has long been a showcase for possible White House contenders, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, then-Vice President Mike Pence, Sens. Ted Cruz, Joni Ernst and Marco Rubio, and former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, whos now part of the 2024 field.

Sen. Tim Scott addressed the crowd last year as anticipation for his own eventual 2024 presidential bid began to build.

The gathering will take place less than a week after Republicans first 2024 primary debate in Milwaukee. DeSantis and half a dozen other GOP candidates  including Trump, Haley and Scott  have said theyve qualified for the debate stage, although Trump has indicated he likely wont attend. Pence has yet to satisfy the requirement that participants have at least 40,000 unique donors.

The barbecue also follows Trumps keynote earlier in August for the South Carolina Republican Partys Silver Elephant fundraiser, as well as entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamys appearance at the Dorchester County GOPs Faith, Family & Freedom Dinner.

Duncan is one of the few Republicans in South Carolinas delegation not already aligned with a presidential candidate. Trump has secured the support of Reps. Joe Wilson, Russell Fry and William Timmons, along with Sen. Lindsey Graham. Haley has been endorsed by Rep. Ralph Norman.

Rep. Nancy Mace hasnt yet endorsed for the primary.
The Defense Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Accounting Agency announced on Thursday that U.S. Army Pfc. Albert A. Gosnell, 18, of Greenville, South Carolina, who was killed during the Korean War, was accounted for May 15.

In July 1950, Gosnell was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action after his unit was forced to retreat in the vicinity of Taejon, South Korea, on July 16, 1950. Due to the fighting, his body could not be recovered at that time, and there was never any evidence that he was a prisoner of war. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953.

After regaining control of Taejon in the fall of 1950, the Army began recovering remains from the area and temporarily interring them at the United Nations Military Cemetery Taejon. One set of remains recovered during this period was designated Unknown X-274 Taejon. After extensive analysis by the Central Identification Unit-Kokura in Japan was unable to identify X-274, the remains were declared unidentifiable. They were later sent to Hawaii where they were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, with other Korean War Unknowns.

In July 2018, the DPAA proposed a plan to disinter 652 Korean War Unknowns from the Punchbowl. In July 2019, DPAA disinterred Unknown X-274 as part of Phase Two of the Korean War Disinterment Project and sent the remains to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.

To identify Gosnells remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as chest radiograph comparison. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

Gosnells name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Gosnell will be buried in Anderson on a date to be determined.
Seoul, South Korea (CNN)  Delegations from Russia and China, North Koreas key allies in the Korean War, gathered in Pyongyang this week to celebrate North Koreas Victory Day in the war that ravaged the Korean Peninsula seven decades ago as they align over another very contemporary conflict  Russias devastating invasion of Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu  an architect of Moscows assault on Ukraine  a tour of a defense exposition in Pyongyang on Wednesday, with images from North Korean media showing them walking past an array of weaponry, from Pyongyangs nuclear-capable ballistic missiles to its newest drones.

At a state reception for Shoigu and the Russian delegation, in a reference to the war in Ukraine, North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam expressed Pyongyangs full support for the just struggle of the Russian army and people to defend the sovereignty and security of the country, according to a report from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In remarks of his own, Shoigu then said the Korean Peoples Army (KPA) has become the strongest army in the world and pledged continued cooperation to keep it that way.

Also Wednesday, at a reception for the Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong, senior North Korean official Kim Song Nam thanked Chinese forces for joining in the Korean War, saying North Korea would not forget forever the heroic feats and merits of the bravery soldiers who recorded a brilliant page in the history.

Ankit Panda, Stanton senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said the presence of the Chinese and Russian delegations at the armistice anniversary underscores the importance Pyongyang attaches to its relationships with both countries.

Shoigus presence is particularly notable: a sign of just how close Pyongyang and Moscow have become since Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, Panda said.

But the gathering in Pyongyang illustrates a weakness too, said Blake Herzinger, a research fellow at the United States Studies Center in Australia.

Its really representative of how short both China and Russias lists of friends are, and the willingness of both to show support for a rogue regime, Herzinger said.

Korean War

Thursday is the 70th anniversary of the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War, one of the first international conflicts of the Cold War era.

In the fall of 1950, China sent a quarter million troops into the Korean Peninsula, supporting its North Korean ally and pushing back the combined forces of South Korea, the United States and other countries under the United Nations Command.

More than 180,000 Chinese troops died in the Korean War, or what Beijing calls the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

Russias predecessor, the Soviet Union, also supported North Korea during the war, with combat support like Soviet aircraft engaging US jets and with supplies of heavy weaponry like tanks.

Despite Pyongyangs claims of a victory, the war it launched in 1950 ended in a stalemate, with the current demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel in much the same location as it was before the war.

The Korean War armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, ending hostilities although a true peace deal has never been signed.

After the war, the US, which anchored the UN Command that supported South Korea, kept a large contingent of troops in the South at a range of Army and air bases. The US Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, is the largest overseas US military base.

Meanwhile, Moscow over the decades has been a staunch ally for North Korea, especially as the two share a joint animosity toward the West. The same can be said for the Chinese Communist Party, especially under Chinas current leader Xi Jinping.

Panda noted how both Moscow and Beijing, permanent members of the UN Security Council, have defended Pyongyangs interests before the world body as Western powers led by the US have tried to put further sanctions on North Korea.

Ukraine alignment

Now the three authoritarian nuclear powers are putting up a united front over Ukraine, a former Soviet state which Russia invaded in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared it was historically Russian territory.

That invasion soon stumbled as Ukrainians put up a fierce defense of their homeland and as Western powers scrambled to send weapons and ammunition to Kyiv while Moscow burned through its own stocks and looked to allies like Iran and North Korea to resupply.

US officials said last year that North Korea was selling millions of rockets and artillery shells to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.

And while China has not supplied Russia with weaponry, it has remained steadfastly in Moscows corner as the war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month, with Xi deepening his relationship with Putin and echoing the Kremlins rhetoric over the conflict.

After the brief mutiny in Russia by the Wagner mercenary group last month, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed support for the Putin regime.

As Russias friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, an online statement said.

Military drills

Meanwhile, the Russian and Chinese militaries have been active in the waters off the Korean Peninsula, with their latest joint exercise, Northern/Interaction-2023, bringing together naval and air forces from both countries in drills aiming to strengthen both sides capabilities of jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability and responding to various security challenges, according to the Peoples Liberation Armys English website.

Those exercises in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan occurred as South Korea and the US were conducting military displays of their own, including a US Navy nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine making a port call in South Korea for the first time in four decades.

Pyongyangs armistice commemorations were expected to continue Thursday with a military parade in the capital. North Korea typically marks key moments in its history with displays of its newest weaponry.

One such weapon that may be on display is the Hwasong-18 ICBM, a solid-fueled, nuclear-capable missile that North Korea claims could hit anywhere in the United States. It has tested that missile twice this year, most recently earlier this month.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "North Korea, China and Russia commemorate victory 70 years ago, while aligning on Ukraine."
Seguin, TX (78155)

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CINEMA GODARD: Fondazione Prada is to pay permanent tribute to French New Wave pioneer Jean-Luc Godard. Starting from September, the movie theater housed in the cultural institutions Milan location will be renamed Cinema Godard in honor of the late Franco-Swiss director, who died last year at age 91 and whose work has influenced generations of cinephiles, artists and spectators.

Cinema is a laboratory for new ideas and a space of cultural education  for this reason, we have decided to name our movie theater after Jean-Luc Godard, said Miuccia Prada in a statement Thursday. His works experimental and visionary power is a constant inspiration to renew our foundations commitment to spread cinematographic and visual languages and explore emerging narrative forms by activating a place where people can understand the world and their lives.

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Fondazione Prada is the only international institution to host two permanent projects by Godard. Both were specifically conceived for the Milan venue and personally supervised by the filmmaker during their installation in 2019.

Le Studio dOrphee at Fondazione Prada.

For Le Studio dOrphee, Godard relocated his atelier and recording and editing studio to Fondazione Prada, setting a living and working space bringing together the original technical equipment used for his last films from 2010 to 2019, as well as furniture, books, paintings and other personal items from his studio-home in Rolle, Switzerland. Here, visitors have the opportunity of attending the screening of his 2018 feature film Le Livre dimage in the physical place where it was created.

For the elevator of Fondazione Pradas Torre tower, Godard also conceived Accent-soeur, an audio installation combining the soundtrack of Histoire(s) du cinema, an eight-part video project the director began in 1988 and completed in 1998 that narrates the complex history of the seventh art.

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The institution also implemented a retrospective program devoted to Godards work, examining his vast filmography that includes titles such as Breathless, A Woman Is a Woman, Band of Outsiders, Pierrot le Fou and Masculin Feminin. Incidentally, fashion house Saint Laurent also recently produced a short film exalting Godards last work and premiered it at the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival in May.

Jean-Luc Godard

Over the years, Fondazione Prada has supported several film-related activities creating connections between moving images, the visual arts and technology. To kick off its new film season in September, it will invite German film director, screenwriter and author Werner Herzog and French film director and screenwriter Rebecca Zlotowski to participate in two of the meetings open to the public.

In particular, on Sept. 16 Zlotowski will discuss her work, ranging from her debut film Belle Epine, which revealed the talent of Lea Seydoux, to the more recent Les enfants des autres, which was presented at the Venice Film Festival last year.

The following day, Herzog will present his latest film The Fire Within: a Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft, dedicated to the French volcanologists and filmmakers, and Theater of Thought, exploring the mystery of the human brain between neuroscientific and technological discoveries and their ethical and philosophical implications. In addition to Herzogs two unreleased films, a selection of his documentary works from the 2000s onward will be screened, many of which were never released theatrically in Italy.

Cinema Godard at Fondazione Prada.

Cinema Godards schedule will continue to include themed screenings, retrospectives, previews and restored movies. Each monthly program will be organized in different strands, ranging from exploring contemporary filmmakers, young film talents and spotlighting queer cinema to presenting restored versions of movies that had an enduring influence on collective imagination.

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Singapore passport holders can now breeze through Taiwan's airports with the new e-gate privilege. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  Singapore passport holders visiting Taiwan will now be able to use e-gates at the territory's airports for faster immigration clearance.

This privilege was officially granted on Thursday (27 July), as reported by Taiwan's Central News Agency.

To utilise the e-gates, travellers must first register at the immigration counters, where their passport information, facial photos, and fingerprints will be recorded.

A ceremony is scheduled in Taipei on Thursday evening to celebrate this development, attended by officials from both Taiwan and Singapore.

Singapore joins select countries with access to Taiwan's e-gates

The e-gates were originally available only to Taiwan passport holders and foreign residents in Taiwan.

With this change, Singapore is set to become the sixth country to be given access to the e-gates, following the United States, South Korea, Australia, Italy and Germany.

This reciprocal move comes after Singapore extended automated immigration lanes to Taiwan passport holders earlier this year.

Currently, 51 jurisdictions have been granted access to Singapore's automated immigration lanes, according to Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

ICA announced its intention to make automated immigration clearance the standard procedure at the country's airports and land checkpoints. It aims to have 95 per cent of all arrivals at Singapore Changi Airport cleared through the automated lanes by the first quarter of 2024.

Popular tourist destination

The move is expected to enhance travel between Singapore and Taiwan, a popular tourist destination for Singaporean travellers.

The Straits Times reported that before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 460,000 registered visitors from Singapore to Taiwan in 2019.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, from January to May 2023, almost 160,000 Singaporeans visited Taiwan, accounting for over 90 per cent of the pre-pandemic figures in 2019.

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From January to May 2023, almost 160,000 Singaporeans journeyed to Taiwan, surpassing 90 per cent of the pre-pandemic visitor count. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
Neighborhood Night Out Picnic

St. Mark Lutheran Church ELCA hosts a Neighborhood Night Out picnic on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. All are invited for free food, games for kids, music, and participation by community leaders and groups are a part of this annual event.

Special Guest Jill Miller

Mayflower Congregational UCC, 1407 W. 18th St., will welcome Jill Miller as a special guest during worship service on Sunday, Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. She will share music, scripture, and personal stories. She is well-known throughout Siouxland and inspires others with her thoughtful message and beautiful music. A free will offering will be taken in support of Jill's ministry. Everyone is welcome.

Summer Worship

St. Mark Lutheran Church ELCA begins Wednesday evening worship in the summer months at 7 p.m. All are welcome for this brief service of prayer, scripture, and Holy Communion. St. Mark is in the east Morningside neighborhood at 5200 Glenn Ave.

Food pantry

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Douglas St., will have its food pantry open from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays.
NIAMEY, Niger  Mutinous soldiers claimed to have overthrown Niger's democratically elected president, announcing on state television late Wednesday that they have put an end to the government over the African country's deteriorating security.

The soldiers said all institutions had been suspended and security forces were managing the situation. They urged external partners not to interfere.

The announcement came after a day of uncertainty as members of Nigers presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace and detained President Mohamed Bazoum. It was unclear where the president was at the time of the announcement or if he had resigned.

This is as a result of the continuing degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance," air force Col. Major Amadou Abdramane said on the video. Seated at a table in front of nine other officers, he said aerial and land borders were closed and a curfew was imposed until the situation stabilized.

The group, which is calling itself National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, said it remained committed to its engagements with the international and national community.

Earlier Wednesday, a tweet from the account of Nigers presidency reported that members of the elite guard unit engaged in an anti-Republican demonstration and unsuccessfully tried to obtain support from other security forces. It said Bazoum and his family were doing well but that Nigers army and national guard are ready to attack if those involved in the action did not back down.

The commissions of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States described the events as an effort to unseat Bazoum, who was elected president two years ago in the nations first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.

Threats to Bazoums leadership would undermine the Wests efforts to stabilize Africas Sahel region, which has been overrun with coups in recent years. Mali and Burkina Faso have had four coups since 2020, and both are being overrun by extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March, seeking to strengthen ties with a country where extremists have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel but the overall security situation was not as dire as in neighboring nations.

During a stop in New Zealand on Thursday, Blinken repeated the U.S. condemnation of the mutiny against Niger's president and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

Blinken added that he had spoken with Bazoum on Wednesday, saying that he "made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said the mutiny was a nightmare scenario for Western powers who had betted on Bazoum and Niger as new security anchor for the Sahel.

Before the announcement, hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital, Niamey, and chanted No coup detat while marching in support of the president. Multiple rounds of gunfire that appeared to come from the presidential palace dispersed the demonstrators and sent people scrambling for cover, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

We are here to show the people that we are not happy about this movement going on, just to show these military people that they cant just take the power like this, protester Mohammed Sidi said. We are a democratic country, we support democracy and we dont need this kind of movement.

The international community strongly condemned the attempted seizure of power.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to Bazoum on Wednesday afternoon and expressed his full support and solidarity, the U.N. spokesperson tweeted.

The governments of France and the United States also voiced concern and urged the participating guardsmen to change course. Bazoum's administration has made Niger a key Western partner in the fight against Islamist extremism in Africa's Sahel region.

We strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Nigers democratically elected government, led by President Bazoum, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence.
Theres a particularly famous moment from the life of the pop-punk icon Sinead OConnor, who died at age 56 on Wednesday. It occurred in 1992 on the set of Saturday Night Live, and its possibly the best reflection of how courageous or inflammatorydepending on your viewOConnor could be.

Staring into the camera, having just performed Bob Marleys War, OConnorher head shorn, wearing a conservative white dressheld up a photo of Pope John Paul II. And then she tore it to pieces, shouting fight the real enemy! She tossed the mess onto the ground.

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The aftermath was brutal. The crowd at a Bob Dylan concert booed OConnor. Frank Sinatra called her one stupid broad. She was banned from ever appearing on NBC again. Madonnathe same Madonna who sang Like a Prayerspoke out against her. The public wanted blood, and the moment came to be cited as the reason OConnors career as a pop star ended.

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But in her memoir, Rememberings, published in 2021, OConnor wrote that she had no regrets about that decision. A lot of people say or think that tearing up the popes photo derailed my career, she wrote. Thats not how I feel about it. I feel that having a number-one record derailed my career and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track.

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At the time of OConnors protest, Pope John Paul II was profoundly popular, particularly in the U.S. In the past two decades, following a series of reports that started with the Boston Globes 2002 Spotlight investigation, Catholics would come to know Pope John Paul IIs role in the coverup of the sex abuse crisis. But back in 1992, he was still the pope that drew massive, adoring crowds of young people. After his death, he was made a saint

In the years following her SNL appearance, OConnor kept a relatively low profile, appearing at smaller shows where, she wrote in her memoir, she was happy being just a troubled soul who needs to scream into mikes now and then.

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But something unbelievable happened to that angry, public moment that made so many people furiousit morphed. Today, when you ask many Roman Catholics what they think of one of the most infamous moments of modern pop-cultural protest against a pontiff, some have a very different perspective than the public narrative at the time.

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We need to ask: Everyone who wanted her to apologize back thenwhen were we going to apologize to her? James T. Keane, a senior editor at the Jesuit magazine America, said in a phone call.

Had the Catholic Church heeded Sinead OConnor eleven years before the Spotlight revelations in Boston, taken her protest as an opportunity to face some hard truths, the church would be in a better position today, a Chicago theologian, who asked to remain anonymous, wrote to me in a message.

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Sinead OConnor was so ahead of her time, said Brenna Moore, a theology professor at Fordham University. Decades and decades ahead of her time.

Related From Slate This Movie About One of Our Most Controversial Pop Stars Shows Weve Still Got a Lot of Reassessing to Do Read More

OConnor had explained the protest as relating to sex abuse in the church, but at the time, no one was saying, well, maybe she has a point,  Keane said. And what weve learned over the past 30 years is that a lot of us were a little naive about how deep the problem of sex abuse and physical abuse was.

Today, there are undoubtedly those who would still react just as negatively to OConnors stunt. Keane said that the church does not teach that popes are above reproof and that many people would criticize John Paul II today, but at the same time, the unofficial line is how dare you say that about a saint. Bill Donohue of the Catholic League led the public charge against OConnor back in 1992; on Wednesday, he put out a statement trashing OConnor as violent, stupid, and certifiably crazy.

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Still, its not at all taboo for Catholics today to voice their love for OConnor. Moore, at Fordham, self-identifies as a major OConnor fan, and she argues that the popular narrativeof Sinead OConnor versus the Catholic Churchis all wrong.

To understand Sinead OConnor, Moore said in a phone interview, you cannot divorce her from Catholicism. Sure, OConnor would go on to renounce her religious background, in various ways. She had herself ordained as a priest by an independent Catholic group not recognized by the church. She asked three different popes to excommunicate her. She converted to Islam. But her Catholic religious background undeniably formed her.

When she was a teenager in Ireland, OConnor lived for a stint in a Magdalene laundry, severe and often abusive homes for fallen women in Ireland that were run by the church. An American audience wouldnt have known about these homes, and the Irish didnt discuss them. OConnor later explained that the photo she tore up had hung in her abusive mothers house throughout her childhood and that she associated it with child abuse.

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So she had real reason to associate the church with personal pain. But according to Moore, her relationship with the churchor at least the faith it promulgatedwas complex. Yes, she ripped up the picture of the pope, she said. But she is totally incomprehensible outside of Catholicism. Moore noted that OConnors eighth album was named Theology, based on her reinterpretation of psalms. Its not lightweight, she said. She was a spiritual seeker in the deepest sense of the word.

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OConnor once remarked that she grew up in a theocracy, in reference to Catholic Ireland. And this made sense for someone who chafed at spiritual limitations.

Theres a long line of artists who feel a deep connection to something holy or sacred or transcendent, Moore said. And often the institutions that embody the sacred can be inadequate to those seekers.

Moore, a theologian at a Catholic university, appreciates OConnors rebelliousness, and the legacy it created. Many of us, including practicing Catholics, feel that way when it comes to sex abuse crisis and the silence of the hierarchy, she said. And we look back at her actions. And its like, Oh my gosh, thats so brave. 
Earlier this month, Casey DeSantisfirst lady of Florida and potential first lady of the United States, should her husbands campaign succeedsat in a velvet armchair at the front of a barn and told a crowd of Iowans about her new initiative. We are going to launch the largest mobilization of moms and grandmas across the United States of America to protect the innocence of our children and to protect the rights of parents, she saidfighting words, and the mission statement of Mamas for DeSantis.

Not moms. Not mommies. Not parents. Definitely not dads. Mamasmamas will get the job done.

The preoccupation with this word is not just on the right. In my more left- and urban-leaning Instagram feed, I come across mama all the time. There is VoteMama, the leading source of research and analysis about the political participation of moms, and a group that seems to understand that the rights of parents might be best protected by getting engaged parents elected. There is Literary Mama, which believes that all mothers have a story worth sharing and honors the many faces of motherhood by publishing work that celebrates the journey as well as the job. And there are countless other organizations, brands, ads, and feeds aimed toward the liberation of mamas, whether its by reminders that we are enough or an essential-oil balm.

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Eight years ago I wrote about the rise of mama as a counterculture slang for mom, and I, a visionary cultural critic, predicted its imminent demise: Mama, as it is used today, may not endure. Considering the increasing speed of our cultural metabolism, theres a good chance it wont last long at all. At the time, the mama I was referring to, the one I was never quite comfortable with, was largely the province of the back-to-nature set who breastfed forever, wore their babies at their chest, and doled out homeopathic remedies to their children, with some vaccine skepticism in the mix. These mamas still exist today, but so do many, many other mamas, including politically righteous mamas from the right and left, creative mamas, punk mamas, tired-and-my-house-is-a-mess-deal-with-it mamas, and so on and so on.

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This term, this container, this palimpsest for maternal power and morality and ingenuity and rebellion, has lived a fuller, richer life than I could have ever imagined. Mama is capacious, holds Whitmanesque multitudes, makes its audience, nearly any audience these days, feel seen. To say mama is to say I get you. I see you. I am one of you. You are one of us. But who is this mama? What do we want from her? What does she give us?

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Part of the broad appeal of mama, the through line that takes us from Casey DeSantis to VoteMama, is how effective it is at branding. Mama does a lot of heavy lifting, semiotics- and vibes-wise. It is the dessert-pink sans-serif version of names for mothers, something that grabs our attention in the swirling abyss that is the attention economy. Mama feels fresh, palatableshe is not mother, mom, or mommy, tainted by a patriarchal vision of motherhood in which becoming a mom is a one-note, dead-end, lobotomizing experience. Or, from the perspective of the right, its not an overly clinical term for the most important job in the world.

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Black Americans have a history with mama, as do Latinos, as do Southerners, as does my Ashkenazi Jewish family, who never not cry when listening to the deeply sentimental Yiddish ballad My Yiddishe Mama. This is not an exclusive list. Mama is warm, folksy, musical, a conversation between two friends. False intimacy is the lingua franca of communications in the digital age; corporations, nonprofits, and political campaigns all act like your friend. This all makes mama modernan in-the-know phrase, even while its ubiquitous.

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What connects all the mamas doesnt end there. There is something else in the term, something bolder and bigger. Mama is a congenial cloak for a moral claim, a way to assert that there is more to this motherhood thing that one might expect. Mom and mommy are, in the eyes of the broader culture, passive identities, one in which one a human is labeled by their relationship to another. Mama, on the other hand, reflects a loud-and-proud relational identity, or that one is depended on by on another person. Its a way to state that we reject the individualism of our culture and assert that having children is not a reason to move to the edges and quietly care. Being a mama is a reason to speak and be listened to by the world around you. Mamas, precisely because they are mamas, have something big to say. Pay attention.

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At the center of this is the notion that motherhood has made mamas wiser and more righteous, seekers of whats right and good. That this is not always true should be self-evident. There are rude mothers, cheating mothers, lazy mothers, murderous mothers. Even if every mother feels herself to be a better person for motheringhardly truethe definition of better is often highly subjective. Take the current battle over gender identity, for example. Moms on both sides of the issues surely believe they are protecting children and working on behalf of a higher good. Not all of them can be.

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Evolutionary speaking, motherhood can make us less individualistic, but also less communitarian than we might have been before. We often become less selfish on behalf of ourselves, but more selfish on behalf of our kids compared to how we treat others in the world. This isnt necessarily a character flawit can be a necessity. Our children require deep investment to thrive, and it is a hard task to ensure they have everything they need while not, in one way or another, giving them some degree of special treatment. Ultimately, this focus can benefit the communityif all goes well, we fuss over them as kids so that they develop into adults who no longer require so much fussing over themselves (and can, ideally, pay this fussing forward).

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But this isnt to say that motherhood, or intimate caregiving more broadly, cant lead to moral growth that extends beyond the parentchild relationship. Nel Noddings, a philosopher who died last year, wrote about this. For her, caring for another allows us to create an ethical ideal, a vision of our better selves that we can then pursue in other relationships. We develop the ability to pay attention to the particular person in front of us, and respond to their particular needs. I have a picture of those moments in which I was cared for and in which I cared, and I may reach toward this memory and guide my conduct by it if I wish to do so, she writes in Caring: A Feminine Approach to Ethics and Moral Education.

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I would never claim that becoming an active caregiver has made me morally superior to those who arent active caregivers, but I do believe myself to be a better person for it. My experience caring for my kids has improved my ability to pay attention to other people and respond to them in all their singularity and the singularity of that moment. Less dogma, more responsiveness. I try to do this with others. I sometimes succeed. More often than before.

Mama, most generously and sensitively interpreted, most caringly interpreted, is attempting to make a similar point. I appreciate this, even if I have yet to call myself, or my friends, Mama.

I am, nevertheless, a mama. A few years ago, my son, now 10, started to use the term for me, unbidden, for the first time. His early youth receding, he took hold of a word he had never paid much attention to before, and coming from that still-sweet voice, those still-pillowy cheeks, I dont mind at all. Mama, as an utterance of the intimate, makes perfect sense.

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I get why some women want to make this intimacy public vis-a-vis mama. They are bound to their children and want others to see that, respect them for it, to really get it. For me, mama remains in that liminal space in which a thing bugs me and I cant tell if its irksome because it is actually annoying or because internalized misogyny is doing its thing.

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In any case, Casey DeSantis nostalgic agenda with the word seems pretty obvious, and everyone is free to experience it as they will. But these days I have found myself with a different hope for mamas future: Maybe one day, everyone will be invested in relationality, everyone will want to protect kids and other dependents. Everyone will be interested in the inner lives of caregivers and their hard-won insights, and the need for mama will deflate. When we are all, publicly speaking, mamas, then nobody is a mama and the term can return to the world of those still sweet voices, those still pillowy cheeks.
A new study published on Monday by Opportunity Insights, a Harvard-based group of economists, confirmed what many have long suspected: that there is essentially affirmative action in college admissions for students who are very rich.

Indeed, 1 in 6 Ivy League students have parents in the top 1 percent of the income bracket. Being in a family in the top 1 percent increases your chance of admission by 34 percent. Being in the top 0.1 percent doubles it.

The new study shows that although attending an elite university didnt increase a graduates income on average, it did nearly double the chance of attending an elite graduate school, and tripled the chance of working at a prestigious firm. Altogether, the study concludes, elite universities amplify the persistence of privilege across generations. In the wake of the Supreme Court gutting race-conscious admissions this past term, the research offers a devastating double whammy: Not only are policies meant to diversify student bodies now forbidden, but policies entrenching generational advantages are allowed to persist. Just one day after this research came out, the Department of Education confirmed that it had opened a civil rights investigation into Harvards legacy admissions policies.

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Much of the defense of affirmative action, and conversation around racial justice in higher education, has centered on the importance of providing a broad range of students, particularly disadvantaged students, with access to these highly selective universities. Now we know with more certainty that diversifying Ivy League admissions was helping to diversify the nations elite workforce and leadership.

But diversity still cant be the end goal. In a larger way, the studys results also highlight the inequities of the very system in which a handful of elite universities hold outsize power. We shouldnt respond only by redoubling down on the importance of diversity at the colleges that less than 1 percent of undergraduates attend. Diversifying within an unjust system will never make that system just.

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Related From Slate Clarence Thomas Unintentionally Opened the Door to a New Type of Affirmative Action Read More

As community organizers and writers like Jay Caspian Kang have argued, educational equity and racial justice arent only about diversifying access to the limited number of seats at Harvard through affirmative action. Its about building a more robust public education system that can serve all.

In an ideal world, every person would attend and finish their education at a school as well resourced and full of opportunities as Harvard. The root problem is that high-quality, mobility-advancing education is a scarce resource gatekept by elite institutions rather than a public good thats available to everyoneacross race and class lines.

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With or without race-based affirmative action, students and organizers have been working continuously on specific, local efforts to revive our eroding public education system and transform the structures that make excellent education scarce. In Pacific coast states, organizers have been driving boundary-pushing policies to increase funding for public higher education and create affordable and solid pathways for all students, while student organizers have pushed their own elite universities to go beyond diversity and recognize their material roles in the struggle to improve educational opportunities for all.

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On the day last month that the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, Fernando Mejia Ledesma drove down to Tacoma Community College. As the project director at Communities for Our Colleges, he met with the director of a STEM student support program, who connected him with undocumented students who were interested in joining C4Cs coalition.

C4C is currently organizing for free community college in the state of Washington. Its focused on collating existing programsfunding for wraparound services, tuition subsidies, and comprehensive advising programsinto a more cohesive strategy, and hoping itll be a springboard to extend access to truly free college to all students. This, Mejia Ledesma believes, is key to educational equity for marginalized students.

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More than a third of all undergraduate students in the United States attend community college, according to the Community College Research Center at Columbia. Theyre mostly from low-income backgrounds, and they represent a significant portion of the nations students of color: 51 percent of Hispanic undergraduates, 42 percent of Asian undergraduates, 40 percent of Black undergraduates, and 39 percent of white undergraduates.

Systematically speaking, [community and technical colleges] are engines of economic change and racial justice, Mejia Ledesma told me.

C4C is responsible for drafting important model state legislation on the issue of education equity, proposing language that eventually became Washington states SB 5194. The bill tasks every community college in the state with developing an equity plan and implementing various student success programs.

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Since that success, the coalition has worked on efforts to expand eligibility for the Washington College Grant, which provides full or partial funding to students from low-income families. C4C also helped draft and eventually pass SB 5225, which extends child care subsidies to undocumented students who have kids, making it much easier for them to attend college.

The group Campaign for College Opportunity is working on similar educational equity issues in California.

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The campaign has worked on streamlining transfer pathways to ensure that students from low-income backgrounds have a cost-effective path to a bachelors degree. Students earn a two-year associate degree for transfer at a community college, then transfer to a four-year state university for their bachelors. The organization is co-sponsoring legislation (AB 1749) that would require UC schools to guarantee admission to ADT earners and simplify the requirements, streamlining whats been a prohibitively complicated process.

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Campaign for College Opportunity is also working on ways to rethink and improve developmental education. Oftentimes, students (disproportionately Black and Latino students coming from under-resourced public school systems) who are deemed unprepared for college-level coursework are placed in remedial courses at community college. In reality, that means theyre paying money for courses that arent counting toward their degrees, and often repeating coursework from K12. Instead of taking two years to obtain their ADT and transfer, students are in school for upwards of seven years. Campaign for College Opportunity is currently advocating for legislation to require that colleges recognize high school coursework and not rely on potentially inaccurate placement tests. The group also supports AB 368, which lets K12 students take dual-enrollment courses free of charge, allowing them to get a head start on finishing their associate degree.

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All of these specific policy efforts have been under the shadow of affirmative action in the media and public consciousness.

Those might seem boring or less controversial, but those are really the policies that are working to end and reverse discrimination, Audrey Dow, Campaign for College Opportunitys senior vice president, told me.

Meanwhile, at elite universities like the University of Pennsylvania and Yale, students have been organizing for policies that would make their ultra-wealthy, private schools contribute to public education and institutions.

In Philadelphia, students, faculty, and community members have been organizing to have UPenn contribute payments in lieu of taxes to the Philadelphia school district, which is suffering teacher shortages, large class sizes, and asbestos issues that endanger students health. Penn for PILOTs calls for a yearly sum of $400 million as a meaningful amount to address those problems. That amounts to 40 percent of what the school would owe the city if it paid property taxes. In 2020 Penn pledged $100 million over 10 years to the Philadelphia school districtstill well short of the groups demands, but a start.

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Yale gives PILOTs to the city of New Haven, but even with a 2021 promise to increase that number by $10 million to $23 million a year for five years, its a fraction of what it would pay in taxes if the vast majority of its properties werent tax-exemptapproximately $146 million annually. City social justice groups, unions, and Yale student organizations like New Haven Rising, New Haven Public School Advocates, Local 33UNITE HERE, and Students Unite Now have long been organizing to have Yale pay taxes to the city. The universitys tax-exempt properties continue to make up around a quarter of all city property, and theyve been steadily increasing in value while the city increasingly struggles to meet its budgetary needs.

All of these groups are united by their determination to demand more funding and policies for widespread, well-resourced public educationand demand that private, wealthy institutions contribute to that cause. Any of us can get involved in specific, local efforts to do the same. They show us that the slow, determined work of creating more-just educational systems cant be stopped, not even by this Supreme Court.
In 1999 Connecticut had so many people in prison that it paid to send 500 of them to be incarcerated in Virginia. Nearly 25 years later, the state has not only sliced its number of imprisoned people in half, but been able to close more than 10 prisons while keeping its crime rate at its lowest level in more than 40 years.

It is kind of remarkable, said Mike Lawlor, a former state legislator and state official who has worked on these issues for 30-plus years. We could probably close a few more.

Connecticut currently runs 13 prisons, which house about 10,000 people. Two-thirds of these are serving sentences; the other third are those who have yet to be sentenced. (Five of the closed prisons have been mothballed, meaning they could be reopened if needed.) The states rate of 155 people imprisoned per 100,000 residents is now the ninth lowest in the country and well below the national average of 350 people per 100,000.

Related From Slate The Surprising Saddest Part of Catching the Long Island Serial Killer Read More

Nationally, states have reduced the number of people held in their prisons by 25 percent since each states peak number of incarcerated people, according to statistics compiled by the Sentencing Project. But although some other states are closing prisons, none have come close to Connecticuts efficiency. Indeed, in the past three years, eight states have opened, renovated, or finalized plans to build new prisons, according to Jacob Kang-Brown, a senior research fellow at Vera Institute, a nonprofit that works to transform legal justice systems throughout the country.

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Its troubling to see many states still trying to build more and more prisons, Kang-Brown said.

Weve shown over a 15-year period how to do [criminal justice reform] right, said current state Rep. Steve Stafstrom, a Democrat from Bridgeport, the states most populous city. I actually wish other states spent more time looking to Connecticut.

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The states work in reducing the number of incarcerated individuals has dovetailed with its decline in crime. Violent crime decreased 43 percent from 2012 to 2021, while property crime sank 29 percent during the same period.

Connecticuts push to reform its criminal justice system started in the early 2000s, but accelerated after Dannel Malloy became governor in 2011, breaking a 16-year streak of Republicans holding the states top office. Suddenly, with the support of the Democratic-controlled House and Senate, the state unleashed a range of changes, including repealing the death penalty, bumping the age at which juveniles could be charged as adults from 16 to 18 for most crimes, and eliminating some sentencing guidelines that affected predominantly people of color.

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I came to the conclusion that as a society we were making unbelievable mistakes, causing taxpayers to pay an outrageous bill for wrong-minded criminal justice assumptions, said Malloy, currently the chancellor of the University of Maine system. Quite frankly, we have a tendency to over-punish people.

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He said the state not only had built too many prisons, but had a mix of old buildings and new prisons built for maximum punishment, instead of facilities where people could be rehabilitated. Nationally, and in Connecticut, about 95 percent of incarcerated people are eventually released.

Malloy, a former prosecutor, had no fear of advancing policies that were controversial, Lawlor said. He really believed in this stuff. Lawlor is now an associate professor in the criminal justice department at the University of New Haven.

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In fact, in 2016 Malloy, Lawlor, and a team of officials from the state visited prisons in Germany, where they were surprised to find that there were more social workers than guards. That trip led to the creation of a TRUE unit at the Cheshire Correctional Institute. The acronym stands for Truthfulness (to oneself and others), Respectfulness (toward the community), Understanding (ourselves and what brought us here), and Elevating (into success).

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The unit, the subject of a 2019 60 Minutes segment, combines incarcerated men age 18 to 25 with older imprisoned men who act as mentors. The older group aims to teach younger people how to confront their past, solve conflicts without violence, and learn basic life skills.

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Malloy said his goal as governor was not to close prisons but change laws that were unfair and overhaul the system so that incarcerated people could be rehabilitated before they were released.

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Im fully cognizant that society has a right to demand some form of punishment or retribution, but the pendulum had swung way too far in Connecticut and nationally, he said. Were a second-chance society, but if you make a mistake in the criminal area, youre likely to be punished for the rest of your life.

Of course, vastly reducing the number of people imprisoned has led the state to close a good proportion of its prisons. The savings havent necessarily translated; the Department of Corrections budget is $695 million for fiscal year 2024, a mere decrease of $3 million from 2008.

If we still had 20,000 prisoners, wed be spending twice as much on corrections, Lawlor said. Health care has been a major driver of corrections costs, officials said, especially as an older population has more high needs.

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Being a small state with mostly centrally located prisons helped make the decision to close buildings easier than in other states, Lawlor said. In many areas, rural prisons are the main source of employment, and closing buildings can require guards to travel a great distance to work in a different prison. While Connecticut has not laid off any corrections officers, it did shrink that force from 4,138 in 2008 to 3,408 currently based on natural attrition.

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Outside this progress, some officials say the state can do more to make its criminal justice system fairer.

Stafstrom said the state still needs to reform an antiquated bail system that keeps too many people incarcerated ahead of trial. He also called for increased commutation and parole eligibility, especially for older incarcerated people who were given vastly longer sentences for crimes than people convicted for the same offenses today.

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Others have criticized the state for the racial disparity that has remained in its prisons despite the reductions.

The historic declines [for incarcerated people] are significant and important and amazing, but they havent made a dent on racial disparities, said Melvin Medina, the vice president of policy and advocacy for the Connecticut Project. This nonprofit aims to eliminate barriers surrounding race, income, and geography that could prevent equal opportunities for residents.

While just 12.9 percent of the states population is Black, 42 percent of its incarcerated people are Black, Medina said. Thats the same percentage as when the state had 20,000 imprisoned people, he added. Part of the problem is that about half the people in prison in Connecticut come from six cities that represent just 17 percent of the states population, Medina said.

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Indeed, Black residents in Connecticut are 9.4 times as likely to be incarcerated as white residents. Thats nearly twice the national average and the fifth-highest rate for all states.

While he applauded the state for lowering its amount of youth arrests by 144 percent since 2008, his group thinks the state needs to reform not just its criminal justice system but also its public schools and its zoning laws that push people of color to live mainly in cities instead of the states richer suburbs.

Current Gov. Ned Lamont has closed three prisons in his five years in office, but hes not using the budget savings to reinvest in social programs that can help todays youth, said Christina Quaranta, the executive director of the Connecticut Justice Alliance.

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When the state closed Northern Correctional Institute, its highest security prison, in 2021, the savings of more than $12 million in operating costs were used to close the states deficit. The prison, built to hold 500 people, had only 55 when it was shuttered.

Although the state in 2021 did raise the minimum age a resident can be arrested, from 7 to 10, an effort to raise the age to 14, which is an acknowledged international best practice, failed, she said.

Criminal justice reform hasnt been a big priority for Gov. Lamont, said Medina, but hes not a huge barrier to reform.

Summing up the states criminal justice changes, Stafstrom said: Its far cheaper to invest in community support and other alternatives than incarceration. Its cheaper than locking someone up and its more effective.
The Ukrainian counteroffensive has finally begun, according to several news outlets. But, wait a minutedidnt this get underway seven weeks ago, in early June? Well, some of these reports qualify, Ukraine is now mounting the main thrust of the offensive.

That, too, is a bit of an evasion.

A more accurate way of describing the latest phase of this warnow in its 18th monthis that the Ukrainians are rebooting their counteroffensive after their first attempt went rather badly. To put it simply, the Russian defense turned out to be more effectiveand the Ukrainian offense less effectivethan many had expected.

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This is the conclusion of several Western military analysts reporting from the front lines. (I should note, I am not in Ukraine, so must rely on their accounts as well as on news reports and emails with a few other observers.)

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For much of last spring, well aware of the coming offensive (which Kyivs officials were repeatedly announcing), the Russians intensively prepared for the assault. As the Economist recently reported, they laid mines, erected fortifications, and dug tank-trapping pitsnot just on the front lines, but as far as 20 miles behind the lines, so that the Ukrainians couldnt race ahead and capture much territory if they managed to punch a hole in some vulnerable spot of Russias defenses.

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As a result, the Ukrainians were halted in their tracks, bogged down by the multilayered defenses. The Russians also proved more adept than expected at shifting their defensive lines and at mobilizing attack helicopters and artillery fire to stave off attacks from wherever they might come.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainians sent in their newest recruits, some of them armed with NATO-supplied weapons, including the most modern U.S. and German tanks. The problemas recounted by Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Rob Lee of the Foreign Policy Research Institutewas that these troops had little combat experience and no experience fighting as a unit. Theyd also been rushed through training on the modern tanks and had trouble keeping them serviced and coordinating their movement with foot soldiers. They proved easier targets than perhaps even the Russians had anticipated.

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Kofman and Leetwo of the wars most astute private analysts, who recently returned from their third trip to the frontsaid in a recent War on the Rocks podcast that Ukraines more experienced troops, even those armed with older weapons, have made the only real headway in recent fighting. The fresher but also greener troops, equipped with the newer gear, have performed poorly.

Kofman said it might have been better to put the more experienced troops at the forward edge of the assault, letting the newer troops provide reinforcement where needed, at least until they develop more cohesion as a unit and get a better grip on the nature of the fight.

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That may be what is happening now. Judging from this weeks initial (and therefore still somewhat foggy) reports on the offensives restart, the Ukrainians are moving forward in smaller groups of infantry fighters, probing possible holes in Russias defensive lines rather than trying to achieve rapid breakthroughs. (Some observers thought the Ukrainians were just probing in June; that is what they thought explained the slow pace. But Kofman and Lee discovered in their most recent trip that in fact the new troops were aiming for a quick and decisive breakthrough.)

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This redo of the offensive also seems to be concentrated in the south, where the Ukrainians hope to break through Russian defenses and plow all the way to the Sea of Azov, cutting Russian supply lines and dividing occupied territory into two zones, making it hard for Russians in one zone to reinforce those in the other.

Some analysts have complained about the Wests reluctance to supply Ukraine with jet fighters such as F-16s, but Kofman and a few other analysts with whom Ive spoken dont think more planes will provide much of an edge. The planes would be vulnerable to Russian air defenses (just as Russian planes are now vulnerable to Ukrainian air defenses). And besides that, the Ukrainians are having a hard enough time coordinating their scattered ground combat units; its much harder still to coordinate air and ground units, and unless they do that, the effect of more air power would be nil.

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Kofman says Ukrainian troops told him theyre in greater need of more mundane supplies: night vision gear, spare parts, 3D printing equipment, and artillery shells.

Related From Slate When Trump Promises to End the Ukraine War, Heres What He Really Means Read More

Ukraine has an edge in some measures, Russia has an edge in others, but on balance, it seems to be an even fightwhich may be why the Ukrainians seem to be settling back into an attrition strategy, a slugfest in which they hope the Russians run out of arms, willing soldiers, patience, or political stamina first.

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In other words, the fight could go on, with no signs of impending victory on either side, for many more months.

Though no one is saying so explicitly, political developments may be feeding hopes on both sides. CIA director William Burns recently said in a public interview that the recent coup attempt by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin exposed signs of weakness in Vladimir Putins regime, especially given the fact that Putin had to make a deal with his challengerwho used to be his chefrather than simply bat him down. During Prigozhins 36-hour march on Moscow, Putin and his entire security apparatus seemed to be adrift. Burns said some in Moscows elite must be asking, Does the emperor have no clothes? Or at least, Why is it taking so long for him to get dressed? He went so far as to invite disgruntled Russian officers and officials to defect, or at least to become CIA informants.

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This disarrayif thats what it ishasnt yet had a visible effect on Putins absolute control or on the performance of Russias army in Ukraine. But it might.

At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelensky is worriedas are many of his alliesthat Western leaders and voters may grow impatient with the war if Ukraine doesnt make much headway soon. This is especially true in the U.S., Ukraines main supplier, where many in Congress, as well as some leading Republican candidates in the 2024 presidential election, have expressed reluctance to keep sending Ukraine billions of dollars in military and economic aid.

For all the death, destruction, and mayhemand despite the elaborate offensives, counteroffensives, defensives, and evolutions in tacticsthe war remains, in some ways, what it has been almost from the beginning: a competition to see which side gives up first.
(CNN)  Three retired military veterans testified Wednesday at a US House hearing on unidentified anomalous phenomena  commonly known as UFOs  warning that the sightings are a national security problem and that the government has been too secretive about them.

A House Oversight subcommittee convened Wednesdays hearing on UFOs, as the lawmakers who pushed for the hearing are calling for the government to be more forthcoming about the unidentified anomalous phenomena.

If UAP are foreign drones, it is an urgent national security problem. If it is something else, it is an issue for science. In either case, unidentified objects are a concern for flight safety, said Ryan Graves, a former Navy pilot who now runs Americans for Safe Aerospace, a group he founded to encourage pilots to report incidents of UAPs.

The US government characterizes the unexplained sightings as UAPs and has released reports on the cases in recent years. Some of them still have not been explained, while others have been attributed to balloon or balloon-entities, as well as drones, birds, weather events or airborne debris like plastic bags.

Graves and David Fravor, a retired US Navy commander, both testified about their own sightings of UAPs while they were serving in the military. David Grusch, a former Air Force intelligence officer, alleged that the government has covered up its research into the unidentified sightings and said he reported information to the intelligence community inspector general.

The technology that we faced was far superior than anything that we had, Fravor said of the episode he witnessed in 2004, when asked why UAPs are a national security threat.

The hearing is the latest push by lawmakers, intelligence officials and military personnel working on unexplained aerial phenomena to probe the issue on a national platform.

This is an issue of government transparency, said Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican who pushed to hold Wednesdays hearing. Were not bringing little green men or flying saucers into the hearing.  Were just going to get to the facts. Were going to uncover the cover up, and I hope this is just the beginning of many more hearings.

No government officials testified at Wednesdays hearing. In April, Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the Pentagons All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which Congress created to focus on UAPs, told a Senate subcommittee the US government was tracking 650 potential cases of unidentified aerial phenomena, playing video from two of the episodes. Kirkpatrick emphasized there was no evidence of extraterrestrial life and that his office found no credible evidence of objects that defy the known laws of physics.

Lawmakers have pressed the Department of Defense on the sightings, describing them as potential national security threats.

UAPs, whatever they be, may pose a serious threat to our military and our civilian aircraft, and that must be understood, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California said. We should encourage more reporting, not less on UAPs. The more we understand, the safer we will be.

Both Garcia and Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat, said that it was important for Congress to work on the issue in a bipartisan manner in order to press for more government transparency.

Many Americans are deeply interested in this issue, and it shouldnt take the potential of nonhuman origin to bring us together, Moskowitz said.

Grusch claimed that the US government not only has UAPs in its possession but also the remains of the allegedly non-human pilots of the aircraft. However, when he was pressed, he made it clear this was what he has been told by others, and he did not have firsthand information. Thats something Ive not witnessed myself, he said.

Grusch told the panel he could provide a list of cooperative and hostile witnesses who could provide Congress with more information about the programs related to UAPs.

Grusch said that he had reported his allegations as a whistleblower to the Intelligence Community inspector general. A spokesperson for the office of the Intelligence Community inspector general declined to comment.

The witnesses, as well as several lawmakers, complained that information related to the unidentified sightings was overly classified by the US government.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, said that he sought information about an incident he was told about from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Gaetz said when he went to Eglin, he was initially denied but eventually shown an image of the episode, of which, he claimed: I am not able to attach to any human capability, either from the United States or from any of our adversaries.

Graves said that a stigma remains for both commercial and military pilots when it comes to reporting UAP incidents.

Right now we need a system where pilots can report without fear of losing their jobs, Graves said. There is a fear that the stigma related to this topic is going to lead to professional repercussions either through management or through their yearly physical check.

Last year, the House Intelligence Committee held the first congressional hearing on UAPs in decades, and Kirkpatricks testimony was the first Senate hearing on the matter in recent memory.

Of the 650 cases the government is tracking, Kirkpatrick said, Weve prioritized about half of them to be of anomalous interesting value, and now we have to go through those and go How much of those do I have actual data for?

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Officials and lawmakers push for more government transparency on UFOs"
The frames around the large windows of Invictus Bakery in Brooklyn remind me of saccharine pink frosting. When I arrive on a rainy Friday morning, the smell of chocolate greets me at the door. The bakers arrange a pop-up store outside when the weather cooperates, but today neighbors with their dogs peek their heads in to buy a few dog treats, or a dozen cookies.

Inside is a massive kitchen. Large stainless-steel counters are lined up in a row, each one commanded by a baker diligently at work. Pop music plays at a high volume from the speakers in the corner. Emma Davis, who is in her early twenties and wears her hair pulled back in braids, sings while she mixes food coloring into cake batter. Her older sister, Noa, who designs most of the labels and signs for the bakery, works at the table behind her, making brownies.

Invictus Bakery seems like a familiar kind of business that caters to the bougie, vegan-ish residents of Park Slope. Yet it also offers a promising model of employment that values the strengths of bakers with autism and other intellectual disabilities.

Before coming to Invictus, Emma and Noa Davis, and many of the other bakers, struggled to find meaningful work in an inclusive environment. Only 18 percent of Americans with intellectual disabilitieslike the Daviseswere employed in 2022. Many of them were paid much less than their neurotypical counterparts.

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This is legal: When the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established the minimum wage, it carved out an exception. Businesses that hold a 14(c) certificate can pay employees with disabilities less than minimum wage. In June 2023, 920 14(c) certificates either had been issued or were pending approval by the Department of Labor, permitting about 70,000 people with disabilities to be paid less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. On average, folks hired under 14(c) certificates make half that.

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For most of the 20th century, sheltered workshops (the term used by the Department of Labor to refer to businesses that hold 14(c) certificates) flourished as a way of keeping people with intellectual disabilities out of institutions but isolated from mainstream life, ostensibly for their own protection and shelter. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 asserted that disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish a persons right to all aspects of life, including work for equal pay. Still, the 14(c) certificates have stuck around.

Federal regulations presume that the disabled employees in sheltered workshops will be less productive, and allow their wages to be set accordingly. The commensurate wage of a worker with a disability who is 75% as productive as the average experienced nondisabled worker, taking into consideration the type, quality, and quantity of work of the disabled worker, would be set at 75% of the wage paid to the nondisabled worker, the FLSA states. The law also suggests that time trials might be used to determine the productivity of an individual with a disability.

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The Department of Labor describes sheltered workshops as places of training that should be focused on teaching a particular skill and then supporting people to find work in their communities that pays at least minimum wage. Yet some people work in them their entire lives, even though a government rule requires businesses to provide information about alternative work possibilities or be forced to pay the full minimum wage. In 2022, the Department of Labor filed a suit against the Special K Ranch in Columbus, Montana, claiming that the employer had not provided its employees the required job counseling and referrals. Special K Ranch paid its workers as little as $1.17 an hour.

Luckily, the rules are changing. Eighteen states have already passed laws to phase out 14(c) certificates. In February Congress introduced the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (S.533), which would end the 85-year-old practice of paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage.

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Invictus Bakery was founded in 2018 to prepare people with intellectual disabilities to be part of an inclusive workforce as the legal landscape opens up more work for them. The bakerys first product was the No Bones About It dog treat, which it sold to individuals and in bulk to nearby pet stores. Soon Invictus expanded to human treatscookies, brownies, and cakesand bulk orders from other businesses came in as soon as the bakery had a product to sell. But to many potential customers, the idea of bakers with autism seemed far-fetched. We needed to show businesses how precise and skilled our bakers were, Molly Sebastian, one of the founders, tells me. A former television producer, shes the mom of Ava, who lacks spoken language and is now employed at Invictus. Along with co-founder Alison Berkley, who has a background in special education, she opened a storefront in Brooklyn, and found regular business partners who committed to ordering from the bakery on a regular basis. Now Bain & Company and Morgan Stanley are among their biggest clients.

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The bakery shows that there are alternatives to the sheltered workshop model, Sebastian explains to me during my visit.

At Invictus, people with intellectual disabilities, who often need help communicating and organizing tasks, are trained by professional pastry chefs in classes and workshops. (These are fully integrated into the communityanyone who wants to learn how to bake can join.) Bakers can become certified as professionally trained in a particular product, a process that usually takes nine months to a year. Once they are certified, bakers can be hired by Invictus to fill orders, earning at least minimum wage. Invictus currently works with about 50 bakers, and the waiting list for its training classes is growing.

As a workplace, Invictus Bakery is set up to value different cognitive styles. Over the beat of Nicki Minaj, Berkley explains to me that the music elevates the energy of the space, and takes the edge off back-and-forth conversation. And since most of the employees work best with visual instructions that they can absorb at their own pace, each baker works with a tablet that provides step-by-step directions for all of Invictus licensed recipes.

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Berkley has also made subtle modifications to the kitchen so that its more accessible. At one point I realized that the etched labels on measuring cups and spoons were really hard to see, she tells me. So she developed a color-coding system. The handles of measuring tools are wrapped in colored tape, which corresponds with the instructions in the recipes on the tablets. These modifications exemplify an adaptive approach to work that opposes the deficit-based way in which people with intellectual disabilities are usually assessed and evaluated. Rather than focusing on what they are unable to do, the bakery adapts to its employees particular needs and strengths.

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Justin Muniz has been working at Invictus for five years. He usually takes the subway to Brooklyn from his neighborhood in Queens. When I visit the bakery, Muniz is wearing a Nirvana T-shirt and quietly goes about mixing, measuring, and methodically scrolling through the directions on the tablet on the counter. He crosses off tasks on a checklist as he works: four batches of chocolate cake, one batch of vanilla frosting divided and dyed in rainbow colors (its Pride weekend), and one batch of vegan chocolate chip cookies.

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I like baking and I like the people, he tells me. Muniz has become one of Invictus best bakers, and Sebastian often recruits him for public outreach. They travel to office buildings to teach potential clients about the bakery, handing out samples and taking orders for future deliveries.

Legal statutes still limit how many hours people with disabilities can work at Invictus. Most of the bakerys employees can work only part time if they want to keep their Medicaid and Social Security benefits. Most students pay for the certification training through New Yorks Self-Direction program for people with disabilities, and the waiting lists and red tape can be daunting. Sebastian told me that they have had job seekers enthusiastically sign up for the training classes only to be denied the financial support from Medicaid to take the class. Bureaucratic setbacks and a lack of government support can be devastating. The end of the 14(c) certificates, and a requirement to pay disabled workers minimum wage, would only go so far to help.

The transition from sheltered workshops to competitive integrated employment requires more than just giving a person a job. It demands a fundamental reconsideration of how work environments can better support all kinds of employees. To create meaningful employment, more businesses will need to challenge entrenched stereotypes about the proficiency and capability of people with intellectual disabilities. But it can be done. And, hopefully, watching the bakers at Invictus go about their work is a glimpse into the future.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Intuit Inc. has launched its new QuickBooks Workforce mobile app to streamline work and payroll management for small and larger businesses. The announcement came on July 17, 2023, from the companys headquarters in Mountain View, California. The app aims to consolidate various employee-related tasks and tools into a centralized hub, resolving common issues of disconnection and confusion prevalent among the workforce.

The QuickBooks Workforce app, initially named QuickBooks Time, is accessible to businesses across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The change in name echoes QuickBooks ambition of offering businesses a comprehensive human capital management platform. The app is equipped to handle various employee needs, including work hours tracking, pay, and benefits, all under a single platform.

With its single-sign-on feature, the new app promises to mitigate administrative duties, enabling employees to concentrate better on their core work. As payday approaches, the app allows workers to observe their diligent efforts translating into wages, fostering a sense of financial certainty and satisfaction.

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There is additional good news for businesses based in the U.S. and Canada. If employees use the QuickBooks Workforce app and also get paid through QuickBooks Payroll, they can now access their pay stubs and tax documents directly in the mobile app. This upgrade complements the existing functionalities, such as time-tracking, scheduling, and managing paid time off, ultimately saving time and reducing payday anxieties for both employers and employees.

Explaining the core philosophy behind the new app, Jennifer Bickerstaff, Vice President of Product Management for Intuit QuickBooks, Time Business Segment, emphasized the necessity of providing employees with a comprehensive hub for managing their work and pay.

Bickerstaff said, Its crucial for employees to accurately track their time to ensure theyre paid correctly and on time. This has the added benefit of enabling employers to invoice customers accurately for billable time and increase the profitability of projects. Its also important for employees to have easy access to pay stubs, tax documents, and other pay insights to help them plan and make smarter money decisions for themselves and their families. The new QuickBooks Workforce mobile app is now that hub designed to help growing businesses take care of their teams.

Notably, the transition to the new Workforce app requires no action from the businesses side. All previous settings, data, and integrations from the QuickBooks Time app remain intact, with the added advantage of the new Workforce logo. The app is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms.

QuickBooks Time, Intuits time-tracking solution, will continue to serve business owners as their back-office solution, integrating with QuickBooks Payroll to manage their teams time, projects, and payroll effectively.

With this launch, Intuit has taken another leap towards streamlining and simplifying business operations, making it an exciting development for small and larger businesses. Integrating work and pay management into a singular, user-friendly app can be a game-changer in enhancing productivity and fostering a better understanding of employees financial landscape.

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Over the course of its existence, Bitcoin has steadily risen to become the unrivaled frontrunner in the crowded cryptocurrency market place, capturing global attention and reshaping our understanding of digital assets.

As the undisputed vanguard of digital currency, Bitcoin has not only earned a place at the table, but it has also been widely recognized as a legitimate method of transaction by countless businesses.

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For instance, the possibility of topping up your Microsoft account using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies is now a well-established reality.

But the embrace of Bitcoin extends beyond just Microsoft. Indeed, the acceptance of cryptocurrency as a viable method of payment has been proliferating at an unprecedented rate.

A recent survey by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company revealed that approximately one-third of small and medium-sized businesses in the United States, or about 36%, now accept Bitcoin as a form of payment for their products and services.

In its ascendance, Bitcoin has radically transformed the landscape of digital transactions, providing an alternative means of transferring funds to those who lack access to traditional banking systems.

The following sections will delve into the specifics of which companies accept Bitcoin as payment and which cryptocurrencies enjoy the most widespread popularity as of today.

Who Accepts Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies?

As innovative and potentially transformative as blockchain technology is, it remains a complex and confusing concept for a significant portion of the population.

Despite this, numerous large corporations in the United States are capitalizing on the possibilities it offers.

Bitcoin has evolved from an obscure virtual coin, favored by a niche group, to a widely adopted mode of payment. Millions now view Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as the monetary systems of the future.

Highlighted below are key players who are at the forefront of adopting cryptocurrency as a payment method:

Microsoft

Beyond merely enabling customers to top up their Microsoft accounts using Bitcoin, the multinational technology company has expanded the scope of their cryptocurrency acceptance.

Bitcoin can now be utilized to purchase a wide array of Microsoft services, from Xbox Live memberships to Microsoft apps, games, and other digital content.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia, the worlds largest open-source encyclopedia, also supports the Bitcoin movement by accepting donations and financial contributions via this cryptocurrency.

The non-profit organization that manages Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, utilizes BitPay as their payment platform to facilitate these transactions.

Paypal

Paypal, a renowned financial platform, offers a broad spectrum of services related to cryptocurrency.

Beyond the buying and selling of cryptocurrency, Paypal customers residing in the United States can also use their digital currency holdings at various merchants who are open to accepting Paypal payments.

The list of accepted cryptocurrencies includes Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and Ethereum.

Starbucks

Starbucks, the international coffeehouse chain famous for its delectable selection of beverages, may not yet accept Bitcoin directly at the register, but it provides an alternative method. Through the coffee companys app, Bitcoin owners can deposit funds for future purchases.

The implementation is made possible by Bakkt, a third-party digital wallet application, which can swiftly convert Bitcoin into dollars for use at its affiliated partners, including Starbucks, thereby integrating digital assets into daily caffeine routines.

AT&T

Heralded as a trendsetter in its field, AT&T, a leading telecommunications provider in the United States, has broken ground by offering a crypto payment option for its customers.

Through BitPay, a trusted third-party payment gateway, AT&T provides an avenue for consumers eager to use Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to settle their accounts. This digital leap allows customers to select BitPay as their preferred payment method when finalizing transactions.

Overstock

Long recognized as a well-established online retailer in the United States, Overstock marked a significant milestone by becoming the first major retailer to accept cryptocurrency.

This leap into the digital future was made possible through a strategic partnership with Coinbase, a digital currency exchange.

This bold move placed Overstock significantly ahead of the curve, even before industry heavyweights like Paypal and Microsoft began embracing cryptocurrency as a valid form of payment.

Twitch

With a foresight for future trends, Twitch, a leading game streaming platform owned by Amazon, introduced cryptocurrency to its payment options as early as 2014.

Accepting Bitcoin, Ether, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, USD Coin, and a handful of lesser-known currencies such as PAX, BUSD, and GUSD, Twitch has broadened the payment landscape for its globally diverse user base.

Amazon

Amazon, the e-commerce behemoth, is yet to integrate cryptocurrency into its direct payment methods.

However, if users are keen on spending their Bitcoin, they can turn to the services of Purse.io. This platform facilitates the use of Bitcoin for purchases on Amazon, thereby providing an innovative solution for cryptocurrency holders.

Home Depot

Home Depot, the leading home improvement retailer, integrates Bitcoin payments via the Flexa digital payment system.

With this system, they can accept Bitcoin without necessitating the purchase of additional hardware or software. This move reflects Home Depots effort to embrace innovative technologies and cater to a wide range of customer payment preferences.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods, a renowned grocery chain, also utilizes the Flexa platform for its transactions. Flexa is designed to convert cryptocurrency into dollars instantly, which lets customers experience the ease of payments using Bitcoin.

By embracing this cutting-edge technology, Whole Foods has demonstrated its commitment to consumer convenience, aligning with the ongoing shift towards digitalization and the acceptance of cryptocurrencies.

CheapAir

An online travel agency known as CheapAir made a significant move by initially accepting crypto payments via Coinbase. However, they later transitioned to using BTCPayServer, another reliable crypto payment gateway.

They now accept an array of stablecoins and digital currencies as payment for their services. These currencies include BTC, ETH, USDC, GUSD, and DOGE, opening up new avenues for crypto enthusiasts who travel frequently.

Newegg

Newegg provides a remarkably simple method for customers to utilize their Bitcoin for purchases. Unlike some companies, they do not require a separate app to convert Bitcoin into cash.

Instead, they offer an option to Pay With Bitcoin at checkout. This straightforward approach can be a game-changer for Bitcoin users looking for an easy way to spend their digital currency.

Namecheap

Ever since 2013, Namecheap has been a forerunner in accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment.

Offering services such as web hosting and domain name registration, Namecheap has continued to embrace Bitcoin, evidencing their dedication to digital advancement and the diversification of payment methods.

Rakuten

Rakuten, with its versatile wallet, allows users to load Rakuten Cash using cryptocurrency. It also accepts other digital currencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash, broadening its reach among crypto users and making itself a more accessible platform for those immersed in the digital economy.

Fast Food Restaurants

Several fast-food chains around the world have joined the crypto bandwagon. Outlets like Pizza Hut and Burger King in Venezuela, KFC in Canada, Quiznos in the Denver airport, and various Subway branches accept cryptocurrency.

By doing so, they cater to a broad customer base and set a precedent for other restaurants to follow.

Beyond these companies, a slew of others including AMC, Travala, Norwegian Air, Virgin Galactic, JC Penney, GameStop, Gap, Shopify, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Dolphins, Gyft, Pirate Bay, The Internet Archive, and select Etsy vendors have also begun accepting cryptocurrencies, further endorsing its growing legitimacy in the marketplace.

Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

So what are the most popular cryptocurrencies today? According to CoinDesk, the crypto topping the charts right now are the following:

Bitcoin (BTC): Originally designed as a digital payment system, BTC is still the most popular cryptocurrency  highly valued despite periodic dips throughout its history.

Ethereum (ETH): Ethers value has increased dramatically since its inception, but it still falls short compared to Bitcoins current value.

Solana (SOL): By attracting users with its fast transaction speeds and low costs, Solana rapidly gained traction in selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

XRP: The crypto of Ripples digital payment network, XRP is faster and more effective in powering global transactions.

Tether (USDT): One of the first cryptocurrencies to link its value to a paper monetary system (US Dollar), Tether is todays most valuable stablecoin.

Cardano (ADA): Cardano is a more scalable and secure method of maintaining decentralization that employs Ouroboros, a peer-reviewed blockchain framework.

USD Coin (USDC): Tied to the US Dollar, USDC is more stable than other cryptocurrencies  making it ideal for digital payments.

Stellar (XLM): Created as an open network for moving and storing currency, XLM allows easy digital money trading.

Polkadot (DOT): Polkadots mission is to enable various blockchains to swap data and complete transactions with each other.

Polygon (MATIC): Its rebrand this year expanded its use case  resulting in a significant gain in value , rising from its January 1 price of $0.01 to its present value of $2.16.

Cryptocurrency Overview Bitcoin (BTC) Originally designed as a digital payment system, Bitcoin is currently the most popular cryptocurrency. Its value has remained high despite experiencing periodic dips throughout its history. Ethereum (ETH) Since its inception, Ethereum's value has seen a dramatic increase. However, when compared to Bitcoin's current value, it falls short. Solana (SOL) Solana has quickly gained traction in selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs) due to its fast transaction speeds and low costs. XRP As the cryptocurrency for Ripple's digital payment network, XRP stands out for its speed and effectiveness in powering global transactions. Tether (USDT) Tether, one of the earliest cryptocurrencies to link its value to a traditional currency (the US Dollar), is currently the most valuable stablecoin. Cardano (ADA) Cardano offers a more scalable and secure method of maintaining decentralization. It uses Ouroboros, a peer-reviewed blockchain framework. USD Coin (USDC) Tied to the US Dollar, USD Coin is more stable than other cryptocurrencies, making it a favorable choice for digital payments. Stellar (XLM) Stellar was created as an open network for moving and storing currency, making the trading of digital money easier. Polkadot (DOT) Polkadot's primary aim is to facilitate different blockchains in exchanging data and completing transactions with each other. Polygon (MATIC) Polygon saw a significant increase in value following its rebranding this year, with its price jumping from $0.01 on January 1 to its current value of $2.16.

Start Using Cryptocurrency and Improve Your Business

These notable brands have already initiated progress towards a superior digital payment system by embracing Bitcoin.

While the universal direct acceptance of Bitcoin remains a distant goal, the trend of its escalating use is clear and unstoppable. For businesses aiming to stay ahead of the curve, adapting to accept cryptocurrency could bring significant benefits.

Its not merely about riding the trend; instead, it signifies their willingness to adopt new technologies, meet customer expectations, and future-proof their operations in an increasingly digital world.
Entrance fees to 12 gothic churches, which were last year awarded European Heritage status, are voluntary.

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Medieval churches with rare frescoes in the Gemer-Malohont region, which have long struggled with accessibility, have been given fixed opening hours for the first time this summer season, the TASR newswire has reported.

The move means that the public will be able to visit 12 gothic churches, which were last year awarded European Heritage status, and see the frescoes as well and learn their individual histories, including links to aristocratic families, and German mining settlements, among others.

Gemer hides two Romanesque jewels, only three kilometres apart Read more

During July and August, the churches in Stitnik, Kocelovce, Ochtina and Plesivec will be open to visitors in the Roznava district from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 16:00 and on Sunday afternoon. In the districts of Rimavska Sobota and Revuca, the public will be able to visit churches in Rimavsky Brezov, Kyjatice, Kraskov, Kamennany, Sivetice and Chyzno from Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00 and the church in Rakos on Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00. The church in Rimavska Bana is temporarily closed for visitors due to ongoing renovation.

"We are very happy that, through wide cooperation, we managed to organise fixed times during which tourists can get to the churches, simply, without looking for an administrator's number, or reserving or having to wait. We believe that this year's season will bring greater comfort not only for those interested, but also for the sites' owners," Peter Palgut of the Goticka cesta civic association, said. Entrance fees to the churches are voluntary, with money collected going to local church congregations for maintenance of buildings.

Spectacular Slovakia travel guides
Are you looking for free activities in the city? Set out on a hike to Branc Castle or witness the coronation processions in Bratislava

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Nature | History | Party

Nature

Branc Castle (Source: Matej Chrvala)

Trip to Myjava

Meeting point: July 29, Main Railway station Bratislava at 7:30

The hikers will meet this Saturday at Bratislava Main Railway station for a special trip to Castle Branc.

The route starts in Myjava, continues to the Branc Castle, and then, the tour can be extended up to Senica, if you are still keen to walk further!

The ruins of Branc Castle are located on the hill above Podzamok - a local part of the village of Podbranc. The castle occupies a large area of land. Some of its elements are quite well preserved, and others have been restored to show its historical shape. The walls of the castle offer beautiful views of the surroundings.

https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/losadamete

Party

Saints vs Sinners: Silent disco

July 28, start at 21:00 in Klariska Concert Hall

A real club atmosphere in an unconventional design, and an even more unconventional environment. Three DJs: Young Aesthete, Kansiik, and Eric C, will play their energetic sets. Visitors can choose on their headphones which music attracts them to dance more.

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History

The coronation parade (Source: Courtesy of Bratislava Tourist Board)

Bratislava coronation days 2023

July 28-30, starting from 10:00 till 18:45, Bratislava

For three days, Bratislava will come alive with spectacular celebrations in honour of the newly crowned monarch. This weekend, another Hungarian king will begin his reign in Presporok. Witness coronations and historical processions as they once looked.

This year the city will commemorate the coronation of Leopold I. He was crowned in Bratislava on June 27, 1655. Slovak and Czech groups will re-enact historical fencing, and period theatre and dance groups, will also be represented in the procession. People will find the king and queen, higher and lower nobility, church dignitaries as well as ordinary people. The procession will end at Hlavne Namestie (Main Square), where you will be able to watch displays of historical theatre and fencing performances.

From the program, you can choose from themed guided city tours, see the coronation procession and return back to the knights times.

If you have tips for free events in Bratislava or you would like to share your hiking or cycling trip ideas with readers, let us know at kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk.
Most castles on the territory of todays Slovakia were built in the 12th and 13th centuries.

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Slovakia has learned which of its many castles are the most complex and most complicated constructions built in the Middle Ages.

Deserted Castle (Pusty Hrad) in Zvolen, central Slovakia, came first, followed by Nitra Castle and Spis Castle.

The era of the largest construction of castles on the territory of todays Slovakia took place in the 12th and 13th centuries, which is why only constructions from this period are featured on a list of six mediaeval castles in Slovakia that were the hardest to build.

The mountainous terrain of Slovakia provided many locations with difficult accessibility, where it was possible to place castles in advantageous defensive positions, explains Michal Simkovic, an expert in architectural-historical research of monuments.

Zniev Castle saved the king

For instance, Zniev Castle survived the Tatar-Mongol invasion in the early 1240s.

The legend has it that the Hungarian king Bela IV took refuge in the castle at that time. It is said that not only the massive building but also a basket of roasted crayfish and two roasted pigs helped the king and the castle. After a few days, the Tatars eventually retreated from the castle. They thought that the defenders of the castle really lacked nothing and would not surrender any time soon.

Today, just like Deserted Castle on a hill above the town of Zvolen, Zniev Castle is a ruin.

Demanding maintenance

Quarry stone dominated among the building materials of mediaeval castles.

But the maintenance of the extensive castle grounds after their completion was also a physically demanding job. As a result, some castles were not completed, others were significantly reduced to a smaller area during the Middle Ages, or were abandoned soon after.

The ranking of mediaeval megaprojects was prepared by Simkovic in cooperation with Klastorna, a mineral water brand. The volume of masonry, area, elevation and the length of walls were taken into account when putting the list together.
The Defence Ministry has called the claim one-sided.

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Sliac, a spa town in the heart of Slovakia that became notorious last year after it held a local referendum on a US base, has been dealing with an unusual problem for more than a year, and some fear that it might not be over.

Somebody is stealing welcome road signs and coats of arms at night, the Pravda daily writes. Nobody knows who runs off with them, but mayor Lubica Balgova suspects soldiers from the local military air base.

This happens on a regular basis so I think it has to do with the departure of military missions, the mayor opines. It always happens during the rotation of individual groups.

Maybe they take them as a souvenir, Balgova uttered.

Six road signs and coats of arms have been stolen. The last one was carried off in early July.

Mayor demands decent approach

The mayor backs her version with the fact that similar road signs have never been stolen from the area near the military base, which is watched by the CCTV system. As she told the daily, she spoke with an employee from the base, passing on information to his colleagues that if they want a road sign souvenir, they should come to Sliac Town Hall.

In case of interest, we will certainly accommodate them, she said. After all, our emblem would present us this way even abroad.

A few weeks ago, a group of German soldiers showed up at the town hall to request a bigger Sliac magnet. I appreciate the fact that they came and asked, the mayor continued, adding that this is a decent approach.

One-sided claim

However, the Slovak Defence Ministry and the command of the NATO Multinational Battle Group called this a one-sided claim.

Regardless, Balgova is hoping that nobody will be tempted to wander off with the newly installed signs in Sliac.

Well see how it goes, she smiled.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/nigerien-military-claims-president-bazoum-removed-from-power-amid-border-closures-1112169815.html

Nigerien Military Claims President Bazoum Removed From Power Amid Border Closures

Nigerien Military Claims President Bazoum Removed From Power Amid Border Closures

The military of Niger appeared on national television and announced Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power after the leader had earlier been presented with an ultimatum.

2023-07-26T23:39+0000

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2023-07-27T00:21+0000

africa

niger

nigerien army

west africa

ouster

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In a televised statement issued by Col. Major Amadou Abdramane, the official relayed to the wider public that security forces had "put an end to the regime that you know" while warning against any foreign intervention."The country's borders are closed and a nationwide curfew declared," he said in the address while flanked by nine other individuals in military garb, noting the curfew and suspension of "all institutions" would remain in place until further notice.The announcement came hours after the Nigerien president's residence and offices had been closed off after earlier negotiations faltered and military officials refused to release Bazoum from holding in the capital Niamey.The alleged reason for the mutiny is Bazoum's intention to dismiss the commander of the Presidential Guard Gen. Omar Tchiani, local media reported.Just as reports surfaced of the events, the US State Department issued a release indicating that Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Niger's president to convey the US' "unwavering support" for his administration and Niger's democracy."Secretary Blinken underscored that the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights."Niger has become a key ally for Western nations, with Bazoum just one of a few pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region. The US has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on helping to boost the nation's security since 2012.Bazoum has served as president since winning the presidential ticket in February 2021 after gaining over 55% of voter ballots. The official had previously served as the country's interior minister between 2016 and 2020.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/rebels-in-niger-refuse-to-free-president-despite-ultimatum-from-armed-forces-1112160911.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/witnesses-tell-congress-pentagon-cover-up-of-ufos-hurts-national-security-1112168592.html

Witnesses Tell Congress Pentagon Cover-Up of UFOs Hurts National Security

Witnesses Tell Congress Pentagon Cover-Up of UFOs Hurts National Security

A former US Air Force intelligence officer told US lawmakers during a Wednesday hearing that the Pentagon is hiding a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program.

2023-07-26T23:28+0000

2023-07-26T23:28+0000

2023-07-26T23:26+0000

david grusch

glenn grothman

americas

david

defense department

unidentified aerial phenomena (uap)

ufos

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A former US Air Force intelligence officer told the House Oversight and Accountability Committee national security subcommittee on Wednesday that the Pentagon is hiding a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program. Two former fighter pilots also spoke to the subcommittee, one of whom was identified as retired Major David Grusch, who stated he discovered the program after being tasked to investigate UAP/UFOs. However, when he asked for access to them, he was denied by the higher-ups. Last month, Grusch did a series of media interviews where he said the US government is in possession of crafts of non-human origin, and that some of the crafts pilots have been recovered.At the Wednesday hearing, Grusch said some biologics were recovered from an unexplained vessel. When asked if the government had evidence of extraterrestrial life, he responded that it likely has since the 1930s.Grusch during his testimony further accused the US military of misappropriating funds to shield the programs from congressional oversight.Do you think US corporations are overly overcharging for certain tech they're selling to the US government, and that additional money is going to programs? asked Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). Grusch responded, Correct.Grusch told the subcommittee regardless of origin, the objects are a threat to national security, a sentiment reiterated by former fighter pilot Ryan Graves, who previously outlined first-hand experiences he had with UAPs on US national television.During the hearing, Graves underscored the Pentagon discourages reporting, exacerbating the problem. He said he believes only 5% of UAP sightings by military and commercial pilots are reported because of the stigma surrounding them.Graves added that had the object attacked his fighter jet, he would "absolutely not" have been able to defend himself.The Defense Department has denied Gruschs most substantial accusations. Pentagon spokesperson Sue Gough said in a statement that investigators have not found 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.However, Grusch has stated he faced retaliation for blowing the whistle on the alleged programs, though he declined to offer details while an investigation is ongoing. It was very brutal and very unfortunate, some of the tactics they used to hurt me both professionally and personally, he said.Former Navy pilot David Fravor added that the US government is too quick to classify evidence of UAPs.US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) asked Grusch where she should look to find more information, to which he said he would tell her in a closed setting but cannot during a public hearing.Grusch added that UAP sightings are not rare among pilots.What Comes Next?The US representatives appeared to find the witnesses credible, and lawmakers from both parties asked witnesses questions with interest. Tim Burchett (R-TN) indicated he agreed the governments lack of transparency amounts to a cover-up.Burchett also said the hearing would be the first of many, and that they will help reveal the cover-up.Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) commented that a group of bipartisan lawmakers would speak to the witnesses in a closed meeting to discuss confidential information.As for Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) said that transparency is critical to representative governments. We are not just debating the existence of UAPs. Were deliberating on the principles that define our republic, which is a commitment to transparency and accountability, he said, adding that the Biden administration was not transparent about the Chinese balloon incident from February.In his closing remarks, Grothman called the hearing illuminating, and that he expected Congress to take action: I assume some legislation will come out of this.

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

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/biden-admin-played-vital-role-in-crimean-bridge-attacks---sy-hersh-1112188460.html

Biden Admin Played Vital Role in Crimean Bridge Attacks - Sy Hersh

Biden Admin Played Vital Role in Crimean Bridge Attacks - Sy Hersh

The Biden Administration played a vital role in both recent deadly attacks on the Crimean Bridge, providing Ukraine with the necessary technology, US journalist Seymour Hersh reported on Thursday, citing a US official.

2023-07-27T13:23+0000

2023-07-27T13:23+0000

2023-07-27T13:23+0000

crimean bridge terror attacks

crimean bridge

terrorist attacks

seymour hersh

russia

ukraine

black sea grain deal

grain exports

zaporozhye region

lugansk

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"Of course it was our technology," the US official was quoted by Hersh as saying. "The drone was remotely guided and half submergedlike a torpedo." When Hersh asked if there was any thought before the bridge attacks about the possibility of Russias retaliation, the official responded with "What will Putin do? We dont think that far. Our national strategy is that Zelensky can do whatever he wants to do. Theres no adult supervision."On October 8, 2022, a car detonated on the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Crimean Peninsula with Russia's mainland. Five people, including the driver of the truck, were killed. The bridge itself was seriously damaged. On July 17, a submersible drone carried out another attack on the Crimean Bridge, killing a woman and a man and wounding their teenage daughter.Ukraine Shipped Drugs and Russian Oil to Europe Under Cover of Grain DealIn addition, the journalist reported that Ukraine shipped drugs and Russian oil under the cover of the UN-mediated Black Sea Grain Deal, an accord that was meant to bolster global food security.Russia refused to extend the Black Sea deal last week, following its long-time criticism of the UN's failure to facilitate its own grain and fertilizer exports as was required under the agreement.The decision also came following the July 17 attack on the Crimean bridge with marine surface drones, which killed a couple who were driving across when the blast occurred and wounded their teen daughter.US, Ukraine No Longer Project Counteroffensive Success, Russia Has Upper HandAccording to the correspondent, the US and Ukrainian military now abstain from making forecasts regarding future success in the counteroffensive because Russia has a clear advantage on the battlefield.The reality, the interlocutor clarified, "is that the balance of power in the war is settled. Putin has what he wants."Ukraine is not capable of returning Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk and the Zaporozhye Region, the official stressed, while Volodymyr Zelensky has "no plan, except to hang on," the interviewee observed.Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in early June, trying to break through the defense lines of the Russian armed forces in the Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions. Their attempts have been unsuccessful and resulted in heavy losses in armored equipment and manpower of Kiev's forces, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230709/ukraines-defense-ministry-admits-it-attacked-crimean-bridge-to-break-russias-logistics-1111760144.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230717/two-unmanned-surface-vehicles-attacked-crimean-bridge---russian-national-anti-terrorism-committee-1111931183.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/ukraine-uses-grain-deal-for-military-purposes---kremlin-1111961053.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/climate-activists-spray-paint-over-portrait-of-king-charles-iii-in-scottish-gallery-1112173099.html

Climate Activists Spray Paint Over Portrait of King Charles III in Scottish Gallery

Climate Activists Spray Paint Over Portrait of King Charles III in Scottish Gallery

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Climate activists from the This is Rigged movement have sprayed paint on a portrait of UK King Charles III exhibited at the Scottish... 27.07.2023, Sputnik International

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"Two people with This Is Rigged have sprayed the words 'the people are mightier than a lord,' the slogan of the Highland Land League, on a painting of King Charles III," This Is Rigged tweeted. The paint was sprayed on the glass covering, so the painting itself appears unaffected. This Is Rigged hinted its members paid homage to Scottish feminist Maude Edwards, who slashed a portrait of King George V in 1914. After committing the act of vandalism, the activists superglued themselves to the floor below the painting The portrait of King Charles III was painted by Victoria Crowe in the Birkhall estate in Scotland in 2018 and has since been exhibited at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The painting depicts the monarch sitting in a chair in front of a window.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/dpr-head-unveils-shocking-death-toll-9-years-of-ukraines-shelling-killed-228-children-1112180884.html

DPR Head Unveils Shocking Death Toll: 9 Years of Ukraine's Shelling Killed 228 Children

DPR Head Unveils Shocking Death Toll: 9 Years of Ukraine's Shelling Killed 228 Children

Since 2014, a staggering 228 innocent children have lost their lives due to Ukrainian military shelling, the acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic stated.

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On July 27, on the solemn occasion marking the Day of Remembrance of Child Victims of the War in Donbass, Denis Pushilin, the acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic, commemorated the anniversary of the Ukrainian army's shelling of Gorlovka, which resulted in the loss of 13 lives, by revealing these truly heartbreaking numbers.Pushilin emphasized that on this day commemorative events will be held in many regions of Russia, including Moscow, as well as near the embassies of all countries that "support the criminal Kiev regime by providing military aid to Ukraine".Russia has sent a note to NATO countries regarding arms shipments to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target for Russia.Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov also stated that the flood of weapons pumped into Ukraine from the West does not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and will have a negative impact.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/how-uk-is-complicit-in-ukraines-war-crimes-against-children-1112047482.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/ex-austrian-fm-kneissl-hails-russia-africa-summit-as-outshining-eus-negative-approach-1112193876.html

Ex-Austrian FM Kneissl Hails Russia-Africa Summit as Outshining EU's 'Negative Approach'

Ex-Austrian FM Kneissl Hails Russia-Africa Summit as Outshining EU's 'Negative Approach'

The second Russia-Africa Summit, aimed at improving rapport between Moscow and African states, kicked off in St. Petersburg on July 27, 2023. 27.07.2023, Sputnik International

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The event, which attracted nearly 50 delegations from African countries and regional and sub-regional integration associations, is expected to help enhance economic, cultural and security cooperation between Russia and African states, as well as to aid the continent in attaining food sovereignty.Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl who attended the plenary session at the summit, told Sputnik about the good atmosphere at the event and about lots of very solid projects being discussed there, with everybody at the summit getting along in a very smooth and cool way.Plus, I enjoyed very much listening to Dilma Rousseff, the former Brazilian president who was appointed director of the BRICS bank. She elaborated a lot on this watershed line that we are currently observing, which is called de-dollarization, she added.Comparing Russias approach in dealing with African states with the approach adopted by the European Union, Kneissl said that the EU seems to care only about migration and, unlike Russia, does not appear to be interested in engaging in business projects with African nations as equals.Regarding the activity of Russian companies on the African continent, Kneissl pointed out that they are now fully engaged there, pointing out that, while it was mostly about oil and gas in the past, now their interests have also expanded to metals.It's uranium for Rosatom in Namibia. It is metals for the new age artificial intelligence and all whatever you need in that segment. So I would say companies are quicker than other institutions such as universities, which are lagging behind, she remarked. But the companies had the presence, are present, and I think they are simply enlarging their cooperation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/what-is-russia-africa-summit-2023-1112132203.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/forgotten-angels-how-ukrainian-forces-killed-donbass-children-1112191317.html

Forgotten Angels: How Ukrainian Forces Killed Donbass Children

Forgotten Angels: How Ukrainian Forces Killed Donbass Children

On July 27, the Donetsk People's Republic observes its Day of Remembrance for the Child Victims of the War in Donbass. Elena Bobkova, a war correspondent, and public figure, told Sputnik how she began assisting the kids of Donbass.

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"Since the beginning of the liberation of Mariupol, I have been working there. This happened accidentally. Children used to always run up to me, when I walked through the ruined city, children always ran up to me, small [children], preadolescent [kids], and teenagers," recalls Elena Bobkova, host of the Children of Donbass project.On July 11, 2022, Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People's Republic, issued a decree establishing July 27 as the date to memorialize Donbass' children killed by the Ukrainian military and nationalist battalions since 2014.In anticipation of the day, Bobkova and her colleagues started to film a documentary about the children of Donetsk and Mariupol, many of whom had never seen a peaceful sky over the past nine years. The children opened up to them and shared their stories, thoughts and dreams. The premiere took place on September 29 at the Victory Museum on Kremlin Square. There were 500 spectators there, including children.Donbass Children Grew Up Too EarlyThe children of Donbass differ a lot from their peers in the West. They have different priorities. They don't dream of new toys or fancy clothes, they long for peace. Ukraine's war against Donbass civilians started in April 2014 and has never ended since then."They are adults, just miniature adults," Elena contends. Their eyes could tell you about the experience and trauma they have endured. These are the eyes of children who have grown up too soon, according to Elena.Having launched nothing short of genocide against Russian-speakers in Donbass nine years ago, the Kiev regime  illegally installed in Ukraine in February 2014 by US-backed nationalist elements  neither observed the Minsk Agreement, nor did they stop killing people.The children of Donbass are taught from an early age that they are not allowed to walk on lawns, pick up objects on the street due to the notorious "Lepestki" ("Petals"), high-explosive anti-personnel mines dispersed by the Kiev regime in Donbass."[The Ukrainian military] scatter these 'petals' everywhere," said Elena. "You see, Ukraine is mercilessly bombarding the entire Donetsk with these munitions, which have been banned for a long time. By convention, you know? They are prohibited because these munitions harm civilians."Now that Ukraine received new cluster munitions from the US, the children of Donbass are in grave danger, according to Bobkova.As of July 20, 2023, the number of children killed on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) for the entire period of Ukraine's armed aggression is 228, and 792 were injured, according to the DPR's commissioner for human rights, Darya Morozova.The Alley of Angels: In Memory of Slain Donbass ChildrenNone of those fallen victims of Ukrainian aggression have been forgotten. Donetsk's civilians created a memorial complex and named it "the Alley of Angels." On the slab, made of red granite, an inscription in gold letters reads: "The Alley of Angels. In memory of the fallen children of Donbass."It was unveiled on May 5, 2015, after a memorial sign was installed. On June 2, 2017, a monument to the "Children of Donbass" was erected in the alley.You won't be able to find any information about the Alley of Angels in Donetsk on Wikipedia in English because it has been repeatedly deleted. The story of Donbass children killed, injured and mutilated doesn't fit into the West's Ukraine narrative, so it is scrubbed."I would like to tell you about another family. I will never forget these two girls from Mariupol. They were walking down the street. I didn't even understand where they came from () Zhanna and Kristina. They simply told me that a dead Azov* militant lay in their yard and that his head was eaten by dogs; and that their mother died in the basement from the cold. You know, they said it so matter-of-factly, as if 'we got up today, we ate; we went here and there; did this and that.' They were telling me this and I was shocked. Can you imagine this? For them, [these horrors] had become a normal, everyday thing. This is terrifying."According to Elena, these children, who have grown up too fast, have crossed some invisible barrier. Death and suffering have become the new norm for them, horrible as it seems.Donbass' Children Find New Home in RussiaThere isn't a single family in Donbass that has remained untouched by Ukraine's nine-year long war.Those Donbass children who survived the hostilities are currently in the care of the Russian Federation. When it comes to orphanages, they are also supervised by Russia. A lot of children have been adopted. "Children are not abandoned. Orphans are not left behind," Bobkova stressed.Elena is stunned and outraged by the lies spread in the West about Russia "abducting Ukrainian children". "I could hardly imagine that everything could be turned upside down like that," she said, wondering what's behind the perverted logic of the 'blame Russia' crowd.If these children were in the Kiev regime's care, they would have never seen the light of day and would have looked at the world through a keyhole, according to the correspondent."Our children study at the best universities [in Russia]. They have quotas. And my daughter studies entirely for free. I can't even fathom that in Ukraine this would have any chance of occurring. When I asked the Russian authorities: 'How much money do I owe you?' They told me: 'Zero'. Imagine that?"The Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye, officially joined the Russian Federation in September 2022.People of the West, Stop and Look at Your Children*Azov Battalion is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/ukraine-may-use-cluster-ammo-against-civilians-as-part-of-terror-tactics-1111703767.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/blood-on-the-walls-inside-ukraines-torture-chambers-1111796712.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/kiev-pressing-for-elimination-of-ukrainian-orthodox-church-1112184884.html

Kiev Pressing for Elimination of Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Kiev Pressing for Elimination of Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Russian Foreign Ministry has published a report on the Kiev regimes illegal actions targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), its clergy and parishioners.

2023-07-27T13:56+0000

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The Russian Foreign Ministry has published a report on the Kiev regimes illegal actions targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), its clergy and parishioners.The report contains seven sections that indicate the full extent of political lawlessness in Ukraine, in addition to the legal outrage against the UOC, the gross systematic violation of the rights of Orthodox Christians by the Kiev regime, and reactions by some international human rights organizations.In the introduction, Russian diplomats recalled that for many years, Kiev had been pursuing a policy of liquidating the canonical UOC, discriminating against its clergy, and persecuting clergymen and believers. According to the report, Ukraines legislative system and actions by various law enforcement agencies are designed to fulfill this goal.The report pointed out that isolated evidence of the crackdown on the UOC's clergy and believers was put on record in 2014 and even earlier, while full-blown system-wide pressure on canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine started in 2018 and intensified in 2022-2023.The Russian diplomats referred to a legislative framework, which they said has been created in Ukraine in order to liquidate the UOC and which is in the process of being expanded. In this vein, the report pointed to December 1, 2022, when the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) made the following decision, the actual purpose of which is to totally restrict the rights of UOC communities. At the time, the report added, the NSDC greenlit an array of measures, including:In addition, the Kiev regimes efforts include drafting discriminatory laws, forceful seizures of churches and monasteries, illegal re-registration of communities, encouragement of hate speech, unmotivated aggression and violence against the UOC's clergy and believers," the document stressed. Ukrainian Laws Against Orthodox ChurchThe report singled out at least nine discriminatory draft laws targeting the UOC one way or another," which were registered by the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) as of June 16, 2023.The draft laws include those related to banning the Moscow Patriarchate on Ukrainian territory and amending certain laws of Ukraine regarding the operation of religious organizations in the country.One such law, the report reads, de facto prevents the UOC from using the word Ukrainian in its name even though it is the oldest active Orthodox religious organization in Ukraine uniting millions of Ukrainian citizens. In addition, this law contains discriminatory restrictions regarding the ability by clerics, religious missionaries and mentors from the UOC to access the units and formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other army units of Ukraine, as well as other restrictions.How Did Ukraine's Security Services Act Against UOC?The report recalled that between May 2022 and December 2022, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted massive unauthorized searches in UOC dioceses, monasteries and communities in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies under the pretext of undertaking nationwide counterintelligence measures.Separately in November 2022, the SBU reported the conduct of counterintelligence operations on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra as part of the SBUs systemic work on countering the subversive activity of Russian security services in Ukraine, the report stated.This was followed by criminal cases being opened against UOC diocese officials and clergymen on fake political pretenses, the report noted, citing SBU head Vasily Malyuk as saying that 61 such cases were initiated and seven verdicts were delivered in between 2022 and 2023.The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that aside from the arrests of UOC bishops and clergymen, there are cases of the disappearance and kidnapping of clergymen, evidence of their torture and beatings and even death under very strange or unascertained circumstances, something that occurred between March 2022 and May 2023.Local Authorities Persecuting ChristiansThe report pointed to Ukrainian local authorities issuing recommendations or demands for UOC communities to convert into other denominations.It quoted UOC leaders as saying that a total of 81 resolutions were made by local Ukrainian governments to ban the canonical Orthodox Church as of March 1, 2023.The report referred to certain areas in Ukraine, which saw an illegitimate termination of agreements with the UOC communities on the use of historical churches or monasteries; land plots, together with churches and cathedrals built on them have been illegally expropriated from local communities, with subsequent efforts to take possession of them or disrupt church services.How Many Orthodox Churches Were Seized in Ukraine?The report mentioned 129 UOC churches that it said were seized in a whole array of Ukrainian cities in 2022, including Ivano-Frankovsk, Lvov, Volyn, Rovno, Zhitomir, Khmelnitsky, Vinnitsa, Chernovtsy, Chernigov, and Kiev.The document added that in a slew of regions, local authorities and self-government bodies openly initiate and organize seizures of churches and often take part in them. The document added that the process is typically preceded by the illegal and forcible re-registration of UOC parishes to the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) by state registrars.People from other religious organizations are actively involved in them as well. These actions often include mass violence and harassment of clergymen, the report maintained, adding that a total of about 250 UOC churches have been seized in Ukraine and that as of March 1, 2023, more than 300 parishes were illegally re-registered there.How Did Ukraine's Regional Authorities Clamp Down on Major UOC Monasteries?Pressure of this sort has increased over the past 12 months, the report said, referring to May 2022, when state-supported OCU created and registered a parallel parish at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra - the UOCs largest monastery - under the same name.The report recalled that earlier this year, Kiev did not renew the agreement on the use of the Lavras two largest churches that had been built and renovated with funds provided by the canonical Orthodox Church.According to it, the OCU has created a parallel parish at Ukraines second-largest monastery, the UOC-operated Pochayev Lavra based in the Ternopol Region), as well. The report singled out the OCUs open calls to banish UOC monks from the Pochayev Monastery and hand possession of the monastery to the OCU.The Russian diplomats also pointed to a push by Ukraines regional authorities to banish UOC monks from the Pochayev Lavra and put its buildings on the state museums books, a drive that was supported by Ukrainian Culture and Information Policy Minister Oleksander Tkachenko.The report recalled the NSDCs decision made on December 1, 2022 and an executive order by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the same date, which provided legal grounds for Kievs efforts to withdraw the buildings of the UOCs largest and oldest monastery  the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra  from the churchs use.Is There Hate Speech and Aggression Against Orthodox Christians in Ukraine?The report stressed that hate speech against the UOC is being fostered by Ukraines prominent politicians, top public figures and regional officials.The report recalled that between 2022 and 2023, hate speech targeting the UOC "was heard in public remarks" made by "senior Ukrainian officials and politicians," as well as "senior executives from the special services and law enforcement agencies, plus eminent "public and religious figures.""Such remarks and the mass-scale information campaign against the UOC in major state-run and private media have led to unprovoked acts of violence and aggression against the clergy of the canonical Orthodox Church", which took place from December 7, 2022 to January 2, 2023.How Did International Rights Organizations React?The report, in particular, quoted the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as saying that a process of mandatory renaming of religious organizations that are affiliated with religious centers in the Russian Federation is primarily targeting Ukrainian Orthodox Church communities and may be discriminatory.The report also referred to the UNs Human Rights Council (HRC), which in turn pointed out that the UOC was banned from carrying out its activities in at least seven territorial communities in the Kiev, Sumy and Lvov regions for the duration of martial law. The HRC noted that the authorities failed to provide a clear-cut justification for the prohibition, while other civil society and religious organizations have not been suspended, which may amount to a discriminatory measure on the ground of religion or affiliation with a particular religious group.According to the document, local Orthodox churches and their hierarchs, along with representatives of religious and civil society groups around the world regularly issue statements supporting the UOC and expressing their solidarity.The document recalled that there still has been no adequate response [by international rights organizations] to the anti-Orthodox policy adopted by the ruling regime in Kiev, or to multiple instances of the UOCs property and assets being seized, while its clergy and believers endured arbitrary treatment and violence.Kiev-UOC Tensions The report was issued amid tensions between the Kiev regime and the UOC, which escalated after the beginning of the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine. Kiev authorities started a crackdown on the Orthodox community, accusing believers of having ties with Russia.The clampdown saw Kiev ordering UOC monks to leave the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, claiming that they allegedly violated the terms of the lease. The Lavras jurisdiction was divided between the National Kiev-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve and the UOC itself.Citing UOC ties to Russia, local authorities in various regions of Ukraine also passed resolutions banning the activities of the Church, and a bill has been submitted to the country's parliament to effectively outlaw the UOC throughout Ukraine.On top of that, Ukrainian authorities slapped sanctions on some members of the UOC clergy. The Security Service of Ukraine began to initiate criminal cases against UOC clerics and to conduct "counter-intelligence activities," including searches of bishops and priests, churches and monasteries in an effort to find evidence of "anti-Ukrainian activities."

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

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/kiev-unesco-agree-to-take-church-relics-out-of-kiev-pechersk-lavra-russian-intel-reveals-1111469338.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/kiev-pechersk-lavra-monastery-building-sealed-by-ukrainian-police-1109727531.html

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

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/lloyd-austin-says-us-not-seeking-permanent-basing-in-papua-new-guinea-1112173736.html

Pentagon Chief: US Not Seeking Permanent Basing in Papua New Guinea

Pentagon Chief: US Not Seeking Permanent Basing in Papua New Guinea

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that Washington is not seeking to build permanent bases in Papua New Guinea.

2023-07-27T04:01+0000

2023-07-27T04:01+0000

2023-07-27T04:23+0000

papua new guinea

china

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lloyd austin

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Speaking at a joint conference with PNG Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby, the Pentagon chief underscored that the US' "focus is on strengthening peace and stability and prosperity in the region.""We have a long-standing relationship with Papua New Guinea, and we share that vision for the free and open Indo-Pacific, and we both really respect the rules-based, and value the rules-based international order," Austin said. "The DCA [Defense Cooperation Agreement] builds upon decades of defense work, defense relationships and defense cooperation, and I think the DCA will go a long way in terms of helping us to do the things that are necessary.""We work together to expand PNG capacity, to modernize their force and to increase interoperability. And I just wanna be clear that we're not seeking permanent basing in PNG," he noted. The prime minister noted that PNG has a "specific economic relationship" with China, and the Chinese government, through the embassy in PNG, has relayed to Port Moresby that they had "no issue whatsoever with us signing the DCA with the USA." Marape added that PNG "will not compromise our relations with China and other nations" by expanding defense cooperation with the US. The official recalled that the US and PNG signed a shiprider agreement in May. Officials also negotiated and signed a landmark DCA that will deepen bilateral ties. The DCA is now being considered by the island nation's parliament. Austin and Marape said that the DCA would allow the two countries to expand bilateral cooperation and would support the continued modernization of PNG forces, as well as work more frequently on exercises, training interoperability and defense-capacity building. The shiprider agreement will allow PNG forces to ride along on US Coast Guard vessels patrolling the area. Austin announced that a US Coast Guard cutter will arrive in PNG in August for cooperation on "maritime law enforcement" to tackle illegal fishing and trafficking. Austin became the first US defense secretary to visit PNG.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230529/russia-warns-of-asia-pacific-militarization-after-us-papua-new-guinea-sign-defense-pact-1110782233.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/macron-says-france-aims-to-increase-military-presence-in-indo-pacific-1112189835.html

Macron Says France Aims to Increase Military Presence in Indo-Pacific

Macron Says France Aims to Increase Military Presence in Indo-Pacific

France will increase its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region by sending an additional 200 military personnel, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.

2023-07-27T13:48+0000

2023-07-27T13:48+0000

2023-07-27T13:48+0000

military

france

emmanuel macron

indo-pacific

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"Our strategy in the Indo-Pacific region is based on diplomatic and military engagement. An additional 200 military personnel will be sent and 150 million euros [$163 million] will be allocated for our army here," Macron said during his visit to Vanuatu as part of a regional tour. Before traveling to Vanuatu, Macron visited the French overseas territory of New Caledonia on Monday for three days. His tour will also include a visit to Papua New Guinea. Under its "military programming" bill, France plans to invest in military equipment and manpower in New Caledonia and 200 million euros will be allocated for the development of the region in the next five years, Macron noted. The military programming bill seeks to bring Frances spending commitments in line with NATOs target of 2% of GDP. The country will increase its net military spending to 413 billion euros in 2024-2030 from the 295 billion allocated in 2019-2025. France's yearly defense budget is estimated to total just over 45 billion euros in 2023, and then add about 3 billion euros every year by 2027 and 4.3 billion euros annually starting 2028. France aims to overhaul its military capabilities, including nuclear deterrence, cyberdefense and space security.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/macrons-nato-plot-france-pushes-uk-to-stay-out-of-western-european-affairs-1111297495.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/which-country-is-the-largest-weapons-producer-1112116067.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/netanyahu-silly-to-fear-judicial-reforms-will-hurt-israeli-democracy-1112199508.html

Netanyahu: 'Silly' to Fear Judicial Reforms Will Hurt Israeli Democracy

Netanyahu: 'Silly' to Fear Judicial Reforms Will Hurt Israeli Democracy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that fears that his controversial judicial reforms would end democracy are "silly."

2023-07-27T23:29+0000

2023-07-27T23:29+0000

2023-07-27T23:26+0000

world

benjamin netanyahu

tel aviv

joe biden

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US media on Thursday it is silly to claim his unpopular judicial reforms will mark the end of democracy in Israel.Netanyahu insists the reforms are necessary to reel in a judicial branch he said is the most activist judicial court on the planet. He further claimed millions of Israelis support the reform because they feel that theyre going to the polls, theyre voting in a government, voting for policies that are then nullified by a judiciary, adding that he does not think that situation is right for democracy.However, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets since before the start of the year, protesting the judicial reforms. Recent polling taken by Israeli media found Netanyahus approval rating dropped to 38% and less than a quarter of Israelis support his reforms. Another poll determined that if elections were held today, the governing coalition would lose 11 or 12 seats in the 120-seat Knesset while Netanyahus Likud party specifically would lose between four to seven seats.The governing coalition currently holds 64 seats, with the Likud party holding 32. Additionally, more than a quarter of Israelis say they have considered leaving the country due to the reforms and more than half fear they could result in a civil war.Israelis have continued protesting the reforms, including during at least 29 consecutive Saturdays in Tel Aviv. Protesters took to the streets again on Monday after the first bill of Netanyahus reforms cleared the legislative body. Four of the nations largest newspapers have taken part in demonstrations by blacking out their entire front pages and only including the phrase A black day for Israeli democracy printed at the bottom.The military has also expressed concerns about the reforms, saying it may discourage Israelis from enlisting and some reservists have indicated they will not serve if called while the reforms are being pushed.In Jerusalem, hundreds of thousands of protesters clashed with police after the bills passage. Some officers were mounted on horses and utilized water cannons. Authorities said nearly 40 people were arrested and 10 police officers were assaulted. Video footage from the event shows police officers beating protesters bloody with batons.Although US President Joe Biden earlier called on Netanyahu to slow down the process, the Israeli official has vowed to move forward on the controversial reforms with or without the support of the opposition. Netanyahu had initially held off on the initiative for a few months.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/israeli-knesset-approves-first-bill-of-controversial-judicial-reform-1112110887.html

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

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/over-35000-illegal-migrants-detained-in-turkiye-16000-deported-in-2-months-1112171671.html

Over 35,000 Illegal Migrants Detained in Turkiye, 16,000 Deported in 2 Months

Over 35,000 Illegal Migrants Detained in Turkiye, 16,000 Deported in 2 Months

More than 35,000 illegal migrants have been detained in Turkiye, and over 16,000 of them have been deported from the country in the last two months, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Wednesday.

2023-07-27T02:53+0000

2023-07-27T02:53+0000

2023-07-27T02:50+0000

world

turkiye

ali yerlikaya

recep tayyip erdogan

istanbul

illegal immigration

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"In the last two months, we detained 35,797 illegal migrants as a result of raids. Of them, 16,018 migrants were deported, and necessary procedures are being carried out against another 19,502 in deportation centers," Yerlikaya said in a televised appearance. The minister added that nine mobile centers of the Directorate General of Migration Management had been set up in Istanbul as an experiment, where it is possible to instantly check a migrant's biometrics and migration status in the country. The ministry is planning to increase the number of centers up to 39, he said. Raids to detain illegal migrants under the new interior minister are now conducted daily, including on tourist ferries. Yerlikaya has pledged not to stop fighting illegal migration. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has earlier said that Turkish nationals will soon feel a change as a result of operations against illegal migrants.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230722/turkiye-plans-to-tighten-citizenship-application-process-on-path-to-eu-1112066311.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/poland-us-sign-agreement-to-establish-maintenance-center-for-abrams-tanks-1112176442.html

Poland, US Sign Agreement to Establish Maintenance Center for Abrams Tanks

Poland, US Sign Agreement to Establish Maintenance Center for Abrams Tanks

Polish defense company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and US company General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), which, among other things, produces Abrams tanks, have signed an agreement to establish a maintenance center for Abrams in the western Polish city of Poznan, the Polish company said on Wednesday.

2023-07-27T07:39+0000

2023-07-27T07:39+0000

2023-07-27T07:39+0000

military

poland

polish defense ministry

m1a2 abrams

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"The Teaming Agreement, signed on June 26, was concluded during the Abrams Supplier Conference jointly organized by WZM [Wojskowe Zaklady Motoryzacyjne] and GDLS. The agreement is the result of arrangements made between PGZ S.A. and WZM S.A. on the Polish side and the American partner  GDLS. It is a direct consequence of the decision of the Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Blaszczak, to purchase Abrams tanks for the Polish army," the company said in a statement. In the future, the center will also be used by US troops deployed in Poland or other European countries, the statement added. The company recalled that in 2022, Warsaw and Washington signed a contract for the supply of 250 Abrams M1A2 tanks with related equipment, logistics and a training package. The delivery of the first Abrams M1A2 should take place by the end of 2024. In 2023, the Polish Defense Ministry signed another contract for the supply of 116 Abrams M1A1 tanks, the statement said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/germany-to-withdraw-from-project-on-leopard-tank-maintenance-hub-in-poland--1111835675.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/putin-awards-sputnik-correspondent-rostislav-zhuravlev-order-of-courage-posthumously-1112192805.html

Putin Awards Sputnik Correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev Order of Courage Posthumously

Putin Awards Sputnik Correspondent Rostislav Zhuravlev Order of Courage Posthumously

Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded Rostislav Zhuravlev, a Sputnik war correspondent who died during evacuation from injuries in the special military operation zone on July 22, as well as Sputnik photojournalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky with an Order of Courage, according to a decree published on Thursday.

2023-07-27T15:46+0000

2023-07-27T15:46+0000

2023-07-27T15:46+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

rostislav zhuravlev

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President Vladimir Putin has bestowed Russia's Order of Courage to Rostislav Zhuravlev, a Sputnik war correspondent who died from a Ukrainian attack during the special military operation zone on July 22.Sputnik photojournalist Konstantin Mikhalchevsky, who was injured in the same attack, was also awarded the Order of Courage, according to a decree published on Thursday.Earlier this week, the Kremlin offered deep condolences to Zhuravlev's family and friends.The tragedy occurred as a group of reporters, including members of the Sputnik team, came under fire in the Zaporozhye Region.The global community has slammed the attack on media personnel, perpetrated by Ukraine's militants. Meanwhile, Russian officials emphasized that it was not any coincidence, it was a deliberate strike targeting Russian journalists for doing their job.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/rec-signed-memorandums-on-cooperation-with-number-of-african-states-1112193304.html

REC Signed Memorandums on Cooperation with Number of African States

REC Signed Memorandums on Cooperation with Number of African States

The Russian Export Center (part of VEB.RF) continues to develop cooperation with the African continent, several memorandums of understanding and cooperation were signed at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum

2023-07-27T16:57+0000

2023-07-27T16:57+0000

2023-07-27T16:57+0000

economy

russian export center jsc (rec)

trade

russia

cameroon

mozambique

russia-africa summit 2023

second russia-africa summit

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"The agreements open up new opportunities for Russian companies, contributing to the development of exports of Russian goods and services, as well as strengthening the country's position in the international market," the report says.Thus, within the framework of the business program of the forum, a memorandum was signed between the REC and the Investment and Export Promotion Agency of the Republic of Mozambique (APIEX). According to the agreements, the parties will organize business missions and educational events aimed at developing business and economic cooperation between the two countries."The memorandum is an important step in the development of economic ties between Russia and Mozambique. Such cooperation will allow enterprises of both countries to successfully enter partner markets and strengthen their positions. It is planned to exchange information on major projects to attract companies," said REC Senior Vice President Nikita Gusakov .Particular attention, he said, will be given to the exchange of analytical materials on priority areas of cooperation. This will allow the parties to keep track of current trends and developments in important sectors of the economy, which, in particular, will help create new opportunities for Russian exports.At the moment, parity is observed in the foreign trade turnover between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Mozambique, which indicates the complementarity of exports and imports between the two countries. Russia remains a major supplier of agricultural and chemical products to the Mozambique market, while Mozambique is one of the suppliers of rare earth metals and tobacco products to the domestic market.In addition, a memorandum was signed with Multi-Services Et Materiel Industriel (MSMI) SARL (Cameroon). The main goal of the agreements reached is the joint promotion of Russian industrial equipment in the markets of Central Africa, especially in Cameroon.It is expected that the REC and MSMI will actively exchange information on major government projects, as well as provide support to Russian companies wishing to enter the Cameroon market. Now Cameroon's industry is rapidly developing, infrastructure projects are being implemented, and here Russian companies will be able to compete favorably with other world players."Cameroon is one of the leading economies in Central Africa and offers a wide range of investment opportunities. The volume of supported exports of the REC Group to Cameroon last year amounted to $19.6 million. The joint efforts of the REC and MSMI will allow Russian companies to increase their presence in this promising market and strengthen its position," said Dmitry Prokhorenko, director for development of the REC foreign network.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/putin-calls-on-africans-to-abandon-dollar-settlements-switch-to-national-currencies-1112185778.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/what-is-russia-africa-summit-2023-1112132203.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/made-in-russia-producers-debut-at-food--beverage-west-africa-1111114521.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/russia-africa-summit-damning-burisma-scandal-testimony-coming-next-week-warmonger-nuland-promoted-1112170678.html

Russia Africa Summit; Damning Burisma Scandal Testimony Coming Next Week; Warmonger Nuland Promoted

Russia Africa Summit; Damning Burisma Scandal Testimony Coming Next Week; Warmonger Nuland Promoted

A close business associate of Hunter Biden is scheduled to testify that Joe Biden actively participated in the Burisma scandal and lied about his connections to his son's business.

2023-07-27T04:04+0000

2023-07-27T04:04+0000

2023-07-27T14:20+0000

the critical hour

radio

burisma

hunter biden

black sea fleet

north korea

donald trump

joe biden

russia

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Russia Africa Summit; Damning Burisma Scandal Testimony Coming Next Week; Warmonger Nuland Promoted A close business associate of Hunter Biden is scheduled to testify that Joe Biden actively participated in the Burisma scandal and lied about his connections to his son's business.

Jon Jeter, journalist and author, joins us to discuss the Russia-Africa summit. Historical ties between the Soviet Union and Africa create a dynamic that creates trust and friendship between Russia and Africa's leadership.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss the Hunter Biden scandal. A close business associate of Hunter Biden is scheduled to testify that Joe Biden was an active participant in the Burisma scandal and lied about his connections to his son's business.Dr. Ken Hammond, writer and professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State University, joins us to discuss Asia. China's foreign minister was recently replaced, and Tony Blinken is preparing to tour the Asian region.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Uber Russia hawk Victoria Nuland gets promoted. Also, we discuss the Russia-Africa summit and Sergei Shoigu's trip to North Korea.Brian Berletic, ex-US Marine, independent geopolitical researcher and writer based in Bangkok, joins us to discuss international security. NATO is embarking on a perilous venture in the Black Sea. Also, we discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine.Dr. Margaret Flowers, activist and editor of "PopularResistance.org," joins us to discuss foreign policy. Ukraine is dying as a NATO proxy. Also, the US and its allies look to support an open-ended conflict in Eastern Europe.Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of Economics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, joins us to discuss imperialist economics. The US wars against Russia and China have no economic logic.Marjorie Cohn, Professor Emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, joins us to discuss current and potential indictments against Trump. The Biden administration may add numerous indictments to the pending legal actions against former President Donald Trump before election day.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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the critical hour, russia-africa summit, russia's attitude towards africa, russia-africa forum, was the soviet union involved in africa, what did the soviets do in africa, did russia help south africa in apartheid, historical ties between the soviet union and africa, hunter biden scandal, burisma scandal, shoigu's trip to north korea, indictments against trump
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/st-petersburg-to-host-2nd-russia-africa-summit-economic-forum-from-july-27-28-1112173247.html

St. Petersburg to Host 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, Economic Forum From July 27-28

St. Petersburg to Host 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, Economic Forum From July 27-28

The Second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum will start on Thursday in St. Petersburg and run through Friday, gathering high-level Russian and African officials to discuss economic and security cooperation, as well as other areas of common interest.

2023-07-27T03:53+0000

2023-07-27T03:53+0000

2023-07-27T16:34+0000

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The two-day summit will kick off at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre at 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (06:00 GMT) on Thursday. The participants are expected to talk about energy, nuclear and space technologies, food security, fertilizer exports, geological exploration, new Russian-African logistic routes, business in Africa, artificial intelligence, infrastructure development, humanitarian issues, health care cooperation, their media partnership and other topics. On the first day of the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold meetings with the presidents of the Comoros, Mozambique, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Eritrea on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has said. Putin will also hold a working breakfast with the heads of the African regional organizations, Ushakov added. From July 28-29, Putin will meet with the presidents of a number of other African countries, including the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Senegal, as well as hold a meeting with the chairman of the Libyan presidential council, according to the Kremlin aide. The Russian leader is also set to hold talks with the South African, Guinea-Bissau and Congolese presidents and meet with the Burkinabe and Malian transitional period leaders. On July 28, the Russian president will deliver a major speech and provide an assessment of the current state of the system of international relations at the plenary session of the Russia-Africa summit, the Kremlin aide has said, adding that 17 African leaders are scheduled to attend the session. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion of the African peace initiative on Ukraine, Ushakov said. The talks will be followed by another plenary session in the form of a working lunch, attended by the vice presidents and ministers of different African countries, according to the Kremlin aide. Putin said ahead of the Russia-Africa summit that Moscow intended to further develop relations with African countries by intensifying trade, investment and efforts in fighting poverty across the African continent, among other things. Russia will also help African nations strengthen national and cultural sovereignty, play a more active role in resolving regional and global challenges, and support African states in their efforts to seek social and economic stability and progress, Putin added. The Kremlin has said it views the Russia-Africa summit as an important opportunity to discuss the Black Sea Grain Initiative and Russia's support for Africa, among other things. The summit participants are expected to sign a number of international and bilateral documents, and Moscow and the African nations are set to adopt a final declaration after the summit that will outline avenues to continue developing a multifaceted cooperation, the Kremlin aide said. Additionally, the Kremlin said that all African countries had been subjected to an "unprecedented" level of pressure from the United States, France and other Western countries to prevent the upcoming Russia-Africa summit from taking place.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/un-chief-reaffirms-commitment-to-memorandum-on-russian-grain-fertilizer-exports-1112176641.html

UN Chief Reaffirms Commitment to Memorandum on Russian Grain, Fertilizer Exports

UN Chief Reaffirms Commitment to Memorandum on Russian Grain, Fertilizer Exports

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has reaffirmed the UN's commitment to implement a memorandum on Russia's exports of fertilizers and agricultural products at a meeting on food security in Rome, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin has said.

2023-07-27T07:47+0000

2023-07-27T07:47+0000

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The deputy minister said that the issues related to the Black Sea Grain Initiative were at the top of the agenda of his talks with Guterres on the sidelines of the meeting. "It is important for us that the secretary general has reaffirmed the UN's commitment to implement the Russia-UN memorandum and said that he would continue his efforts on that. We appreciate these efforts by the UN, but at the same time we are saying once again that we need the results. It is tangible results for our agricultural exports that we will be guided by, and there is none of that at the moment," Vershinin said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/how-russia-and-european-food-producers-are-set-to-benefit-from-grain-deal-suspension--1111996492.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/us-court-refusal-to-acquit-klyushin-reduces-constitutions-venue-provisions---lawyer-1112171259.html

US Court Refusal to Acquit Klyushin Reduces Constitution's Venue Provisions - Lawyer

US Court Refusal to Acquit Klyushin Reduces Constitution's Venue Provisions - Lawyer

A denial of request by Russian businessman Vladislav Klyushin to acquit his convictions on conspiracy and fraud charges based on an improper legal venue significantly diminishes the Constitutions vicinage and venue provisions.

2023-07-27T01:57+0000

2023-07-27T01:57+0000

2023-07-27T01:55+0000

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The order was signed by Judge Patti Saris of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The filing said a rational jury had sufficient evidence to conclude that essential elements of the crimes occurred in Massachusetts under a preponderance standard. "In an internet age, this could lead individuals to face charges in virtually any jurisdictions in the United States limited solely by the governments unilateral charging decisions." Earlier this year, a jury in Boston found Klyushin guilty of conspiracy to obtain unauthorized access to computers, wire fraud and securities fraud. Klyushin moved for a judgment of acquittal, based on the argument that Boston was not a proper venue for his trial. Also on Wednesday, a US court canceled the sentencing of Klyushin. Nemtsev told Sputnik that the defense for Klyushin is now awaiting a new date for his sentencing. Klyushin was arrested in Switzerland in March of 2021 and extradited to the United States later that year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220922/klyushins-lawyers-find-contradictions-in-testimony-of-fbi-agent---defense-team-1101108009.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/us-senate-minority-leader-mcconnell-fine-after-falling-silent-at-gop-presser-1112171128.html

US Senate Minority Leader McConnell Fine After Falling Silent at GOP Presser

US Senate Minority Leader McConnell Fine After Falling Silent at GOP Presser

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) assured reporters that he is feeling well after abruptly falling silent and leaving a Republican press conference for several minutes.

2023-07-27T01:50+0000

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McConnell stopped speaking mid-sentence and stood silently at the podium for several moments before being ushered away by officials during a Wednesday presser. Video of the incident captured individuals at the scene initially looking on for before suddenly taking action to assist the minority leader.The Kentucky lawmaker later returned to the conference, where he told others that he was "fine." Without further issues, he proceeded to answer several questions, including inquiries that also raised whether the medical blip was linked to a concussion sustained by the lawmaker during a fall earlier this year. It was later detailed by McConnell's office that the lawmaker had to step aside as he was feeling "lightheaded."US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he always wishes McConnell well, when asked about the incident during a subsequent Democratic presser.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/vladimir-putin-takes-part-in-russia-africa-summit-1112175300.html

Vladimir Putin Takes Part in Russia-Africa Summit

Vladimir Putin Takes Part in Russia-Africa Summit

The idea of creating the platform for Russo-African cooperation was voiced by Vladimir Putin in July 2018 in Johannesburg en course of BRICS summit. The first forum was held in 2019.

2023-07-27T08:14+0000

2023-07-27T08:14+0000

2023-07-27T08:14+0000

world

russia-africa summit 2023

vladimir putin

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Sputnik is live from Saint Petersburg, where Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking part in the Russia-Africa Summit. The forum is expected to put a special emphasis on food sovereignty and the enhancement of economic, socio-cultural and security cooperation between Russia and the African states. Prior to the summit, Vladimir Putin released an article titled "Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future," where he stressed the importance of partnership relations between Moscow and Africa. Follow Sputnik live feed to learn more!

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/white-house-biden-will-not-pardon-his-son-hunter-over-tax-firearms-charges-1112199081.html

White House: Biden Will Not Pardon His Son Hunter Over Tax, Firearms Charges

White House: Biden Will Not Pardon His Son Hunter Over Tax, Firearms Charges

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday said President Joe Biden would not pardon his son Hunter, who is facing tax and firearms-related charges

2023-07-27T21:17+0000

2023-07-27T21:17+0000

2023-07-27T21:14+0000

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hunter biden

joe biden

karine jean-pierre

justice department

foreign agents registration act (fara)

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white house

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On Wednesday, a US federal judge rejected Hunter Biden's plea agreement on tax charges that would have entailed two years' probation and resolved a federal firearms offense. "No," Jean-Pierre said when asked by a member of the press if there is a possibility that Biden could end up pardoning Hunter. Hunter Biden failed to pay over a million dollars in federal taxes by the deadlines in 2017 and 2018 and was reported to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors on Wednesday. However, during the court hearing the judge questioned the constitutionality of the plea agreement while prosecutors and the defense clashed over whether the gun charges were part of the deal. Meanwhile, the Justice Department signaled that any plea deal would not resolve other potential crimes under investigation, including possible FARA violations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/will-collapse-of-hunter-biden-plea-deal-end-up-in-joes-impeachment-1112196578.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/will-collapse-of-hunter-biden-plea-deal-end-up-in-joes-impeachment-1112196578.html

Will Collapse of Hunter Biden Plea Deal End Up in Joe's Impeachment?

Will Collapse of Hunter Biden Plea Deal End Up in Joe's Impeachment?

A collapse of First Son Hunter Biden's plea deal could have a lot of implications, including the possibility of an impeachment inquiry, according to some US legal observers.

2023-07-27T19:02+0000

2023-07-27T19:02+0000

2023-07-27T21:06+0000

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joe biden

romania

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Hunter Biden's plea agreement hearing on Wednesday went not quite as well as the US president's son apparently expected: Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected the deal and he wound up submitting a not guilty plea.At the root of Noreika's bewilderment was the fact that the Justice Department agreed to grant Hunter immunity even though its investigation into the commander-in-chief's son remained ongoing, according to US conservative media. In other words, the DoJ appeared to be ready to forgive Hunter's other sins - not just the latest tax and gun-related charges.Commenting on the abrupt collapse of the much-discussed plea deal, renowned legal scholar Jonathan Turley suggested it could have political implications for Joe Biden's 2024 election bid.The IRS whistleblowers just a week ago told Congress that there was an opportunity for the Department of Justice to extend the statute of limitations on the 2014 and 2015 tax matters.The legal expert anticipates these questions could be raised more frequently, and that they may expose any other potential crimes committed by Hunter Biden. In fact, chief among them would be suspected violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).Earlier, Turley wrote on his blog that the DoJ somehow overlooked Hunter acting as a de facto unregistered foreign agent, an offense Trump-era associate Paul Manafort was promptly accused of. It's believed Hunter Biden likely violated FARA rules while striking business deals with foreign entities, including in China, Romania and Ukraine during and after his father's vice presidency.Meanwhile, Devon Archer, Hunter's longtime former business partner, is due to give a closed-door testimony on Monday before congressional lawmakers. It's speculated Archer may spill the beans on Joe Biden's involvement with his son's business deals prior to assuming the presidency. Reportedly, Archer has already received threats prior to the scheduled testimony.House GOP investigators are pushing ahead with their congressional probe into Hunter, with the Republican leadership hinting the president's son may face up to 10 criminal referrals as a result of their probe.Earlier, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Monday that Republican lawmakers may consider an impeachment inquiry against Joe Biden over apparent financial misconduct and the Biden family's questionable business dealings. The speaker detailed the impeachment inquiry would allow Congress "to get the information to be able to know the truth." US media has lauded the remarks on a potential Biden impeachment as the strongest comment yet from the House speaker.The White House, Turley noted, appears to have found itself in uncharted waters.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230727/hunter-biden-faces-new-charges-after-plea-bargain-collapse-1112189976.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/millions-in-taxes--fara-violations-left-out-of-hunter-biden-plea-deal-critics-say-1111444643.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230725/mccarthy-biden-investigation-rising-to-level-of-impeachment-inquiry-1112144720.html

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A select group of six two-year-old New York Sire Stakes colt and gelding trotters were on hand at Batavia Downs on opening day Monday (July 26) in a single division vying for a $106,300 purse and when the dust had settled, Bargain (Chapter Seven-Batoutahill) came away with the biggest cheque.

Titan Your Chip (Mark MacDonald) got the jump off the gate to grab the early lead. However, Bargain (James McDonald) also left and was motoring up the rim to the quarter, overtaking the front just past that station. With horses in single file, Bargain trotted to the half in 1:00 when Chaplind (Trond Smedshammer) made a first-over move from third and went on the attack.

Chaplind drew close to Bargain at three-quarters and was almost even at the top of the stretch and thats where his bid failed. But the passing lane opened for the pocket-sitting Titan Your Chip and he came barrelling down the lane towards the leader. Titan Your Chip was gaining ground all the way to the line, but Bargain stayed in control under minimal urging and trotted to victory in 1:59.3.

The win was the third in four lifetime starts for Bargain ($2.80), who is owned by Christinatakterandanderberg, Nancy Takter and Jaf Racing, Joe Sbrocco and R A W Equine. Takter trains the winner, who was bred by Steve Stewart and Michael Andrew.

There were also three $20,000 Excelsior Series races on the card and all three were won in gate-to-wire fashion.

Woweress (Crazy Wow-Chaperess) scored by 7-3/4 lengths in 1:58.2 to claim his first lifetime win for driver Frank Affrunti. Woweress ($7.20) is trained by Geroge Ducharme for owner/breeder Purple Haze Stable.

Then, Tobern (Crazy Wow-Bertaux) simply jogged by an 18-length margin to match his lifetime mark in his fourth win of the year for driver-trainer-owner John Stark Jr. Tobern ($2.40), who remains unbeaten lifetime, was bred by Bernard White and Kristie Leigh Farm.

Finally, Voss Blue Chip (E L Titan-Angelita Hanover) led every step of the way en route to a three-quarter-length win in 2:02, which was his initial career victory. Jim Morrill Jr. drove Voss Blue Chip ($4.60) for trainer Jared Bako, who co-owns the gelding with Lady I Racing and breeder Blue Chip Bloodstock.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (July 29) at 6 p.m.

(Batavia Downs)
Eliminations will go for both of Grand River Raceways marquee events for Ontario-sired two-year-olds after the names of 11 pacing colts were dropped into the box for the Battle of Waterloo, presented by Winbak Farm, and 12 pacing fillies were entered for the Battle of the Belles.

A total of four eliminations  two for the Battle of Waterloo and two for the Battle of the Belles  will go to the gate on Monday, July 31. First-race post time is set for 6:30 p.m. (EDT).

Both $15,000 Battle of Waterloo eliminations will be contested over consecutive races that evening (races seven and eight).

The first elimination gathers five, including post four starter Manhawk, a Scott McEneny pupil, who is the lone winner in this field after taking a mark of 1:58.2 in his pari-mutuel debut on June 27 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Among the contenders joining that son of Stag Party will be Crush Kill Destroy, trained by Per Engblom, and Max Patrick, trained by Gabriella Sasso, who are both coming out of back-to-back Ontario Sires Stakes Gold legs at Mohawk.

The second elimination, with six aligning, is headlined by Do Better, who is a perfect three-for-three to start his career, including a 1:51.3 score in his most recent try, in an OSS Gold leg at Mohawk. The son of Bettors Delight is sent out by owner/breeder/trainer Bob McIntosh and has drawn the outermost post.

The $10,000 eliminations for the Battle of the Belles will take place earlier on the card (races three and four), and will have an even split of six in each division.

The first elimination will be headlined by a daughter of McWicked, Wicked Weather, who is coming off a dominant, maiden-breaking score at Mohawk on July 25, in a clocking of 1:53.3. The Anthony Beaton trainee will start from the inside. Among the contenders joining her will be a pair of fillies trained by Dave Menary, How Much and Bonitas Best Bet, who have combined for three wins in six starts this season. Both hold identical marks of 1:55.4.

The second elimination also contains a pair of Menary trainees, headlined by Pass Line. The daughter of All Bets Off has three wins in four tries this season, including a win in an OSS Gold on June 11, in a clocking of 1:51.4, which is a national seasons mark for two-year-old pacing fillies. She will start from post position three.

For the two Battle of Waterloo eliminations, the top four finishers will advance to the $235,200 final with a fifth-place finisher drawn by lot. Both of the Battle of the Belles eliminations will follow the same format, with the top four finishers advancing to the $158,400 final, and the fifth-place finisher drawn by lot. The winner of each elimination earns a guaranteed draw between posts one and five for their respective finals. The 34th edition of Industry Day will take place on Monday, Aug 7.

To view Monday's complete harness racing entries, click the following link: Monday Entries - Grand River Raceway

(With files from Grand River Raceway)
Ken Hanover has done just about everything asked of him, racing competitively against the tops of his division and banking nearly $250,000 in the process. Yet he still lacks that signature win that would propel him to stardom among sophomore male pacers.

The son of Captaintreacherous-KJs Justine will seek that signature score in Saturdays $350,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Hell leave from post eight for David Miller in the Adios, which goes as race 15 on the 16-race card. First post is 11:45 a.m.

Ken Hanover has captured a number of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) legs and he finished third to Fulton in last years PASS final. (Fulton, by the way, is even farther out in the Adios, starting from post nine). He also finished third in an International Stallion Series split at the Red Mile. It may be worth mentioning that the morning line Adios favourite, Its My Show, finished sixth in that division.

Roland Mallar, who trains Ken Hanover and owns with Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan and Dennis Osterholt, recognizes the lack of a breakthrough win for his colt but attributes part of it to scheduling.

I didnt have him paid in to a whole lot last year, so this is the first major stakes race we were pointing to, said Mallar. Hopefully, we can knock one of them off between now and the end of the fall.

He noted that Ken Hanover is eligible to such rich engagements as the Hempt, Little Brown Jug, Bluegrass, International Stallion Series and Matron.

Hes been ham-and-egging it around, but I think hes proven he can go with these. Hes always charging home, even when hes facing this caliber of horse. It will be tough from the eight-hole, but if he shows up, I hope we can grab a chunk of it.

Speaking of ham-and-egging it, Mallar has been a standout for years in PA Sire Stakes but still might be flying a bit under the radar. Could it be that Ken Hanovers trainer needs a champagne breakfast as much as the colt does?

That probably would be nice, Mallar acknowledged. Weve been bouncing around in Pennsylvania and had some decent horses, but getting one of these major wins is what were in it for. The stars have to be aligned right.

The Adios anchors a blockbuster card that also features five other Grand Circuit stakes. For the Adios Day card, The Meadows is offering a total of $170,000 in pool guarantees, several in association with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) and the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Initiative. The innovative and potentially lucrative wagers include an Adios Pick8 with a $15,000 guarantee (race eight) and a pair of guarantees for the Adios in race 15 -- Trifecta ($40,000) and Superfecta ($20,000).

All the Adios Day action will be livestreamed, with free access at the MSOA Facebook page and YouTube channel. The livestream show, which begins at 11:45 a.m., will be hosted by Meadows race caller Jeff Zidek, prominent harness announcer Gabe Prewitt and Dawnelle Mock of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association.

Here's the field for the Adios in post position order with trainers and preliminary driver designations:

$350,000 Delvin Miller Adios

Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer

1. Flite Craft - Mike Wilder - Norm Parker

2. Ervine Hanover - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke

3. Its My Show - Scott Zeron - Linda Toscano

4. Cannibal - Yannick Gingras - Nancy Takter

5. Redwood Hanover - James MacDonald - Anthony Beaton

6. Bamboozler - Dexter Dunn - Virgil Morgan Jr.

7. Seven Colors - Dave Palone - Brian Brown

8. Ken Hanover - David Miller - Roland Mallar

9. Fulton - Dexter Dunn - Linda Toscano

(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)
MGM Northfield Park hosted an action-packed night of Ohio Sires Stakes racing on Wednesday, July 26 with two $55,000 divisions for freshman filly trotters along with three $40,000 divisions each for two-year-old filly pacers and colt trotters.

Sugar Instead and Ronnie Gillespie made it three straight in the Sires Stakes. The daughter of Volstead made it look easy, taking the lead heading the quarter pole and cruising to a 5-3/4-length win in 1:56.4. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Sugar Instead has earned $112,500 in her freshman campaign winning three of four races. Legacy Affair finished second with Roxanna third.

In the other division for filly trotters, One Fancy Lady and Don Irvine Jr. rolled up the backstretch from fourth, reeling in the leader, Purplepeopleater, at the top of the stretch and holding on to win by a neck in 1:58. It was the first win in four starts for the Long Tom filly. One Fancy Lady is trained by Rosy Weaver, who co-owns with Heartland Acres and Kabby D LLC. Purplepeopleater was second with Maxine Hill third.

The two-year-old filly pacing division was dominated by Downbytheseaside fillies as Heartofthesea, Seaside Diva and Flyin Bullets were all repeat Sires Stakes winners.

In the first division, heavy favourite Heartofthesea and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. raced to the lead at the quarter pole and stayed there, winning by nearly two lengths in 1:55. It was the second win in three starts for the Brian Brown trainee, who is owned by Country Club Acres, Wingfield Brothers and David Van Dusen. Johns Shadow finished second with Seriously Fearless third

The second division of this set was a battle for Seaside Diva and Chris Page. After leading through the first half of the race, Seaside Diva gave up the top spot to Fearless Ginger and Chris Lems heading into the final turn. Around the final turn, Seaside Diva fought back, retaking the lead and holding off a late charge by Fearless Ginger to win by a half-length in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.3 Seaside Diva has hit the board in four of five starts, winning two. Trained by Ron Burke, she is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Let It Ride Stable. Fearless Ginger held on for second with Rose Run Zoey finishing third.

The final division for the freshman filly pacers went to Flyin Bullets and Brett Miller. Flyin Bullets was sixth at the half-mile mark, went three-wide up the backstretch and finally took the lead mid-stretch to win in 1:53.4, a new lifetime mark. It was the second win in three starts for Flyin Bullets, who is trained by Clair Umholtz for Umholtz & Kennedy Racing. Beautiful Lather finished 1-1/2 lengths behind in second with Venice Blue Chip third.

In the first of three divisions for the two-year-old colt trotters, Royal Precedent and Aaron Merriman raced to the lead off the gate and fought off a late challenge from Deville Hill and Dan Noble to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. It was the second straight Sires Stakes victory for the son of Creatine who has won three of four starts for trainer Sam Schillaci and owner Claude Gendreau Stable. Deville Hill held on for second with Irresistible Son finishing third.

In the second trotting colt division, Gypsy Hill made his move from the Buckeye Stallion Series to the Sires Stakes a successful one as he rallied down the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.2. The What The Hill colt, with Anthony MacDonald in the bike, trailed the leaders, Epass and Aaron Merriman, by nearly seven lengths as the three-quarter pole, but rallied around the final turn and down the stretch for his third (consecutive) win in four starts. The Jason McGinnis trainee is owned by Thestable Gypsy Hill Group and Hutchison Harness. Epass finished second with Hung Over third.

The final division for the freshman colt trotters went to Tennessee Tom and Chris Page in 2:00.1. Page took the Long Tom colt to the lead off the gate and fought off a challenge around the final turn from Commander Tom and Austin Hanners. The Burke trainee has won twice -- both Sires Stakes events -- in four starts for the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Hatfield Stables and Knox Services. Rose Run Zoom finished 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner, nipping Commander Tom at the wire for the runner-up honours.

(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)
Catalogues for the ninth annual Goshen Yearling Sale are now available for download or online viewing. The sale that produces proven winners will be held at the Mark Ford Training Center in Middletown, New York on Monday, Sept. 11 at noon.

The catalogues are available online by visiting goshenyearlingsale.com. The downloadable PDF file includes the complete pedigree for all horses. Printed catalogues, that will be available shortly, will be mailed as soon as they arrive. Requests can be made by filling out the link on the website (under the Catalogs tab) or by contacting Mark Ford directly at 973-568-3253 or at [email protected] . If you have received a catalogue in the past, there is no need to make an annual request.

Prospective buyers will also be able to pick up copies of the catalogue at most race tracks in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, training facilities, at the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands and New York County Fair tracks racing through the end of August.

There is also an interactive sales roster on the website that will have yearling videos attached when they become available.

This years 102-horse consignment includes 25 pacing colts, 19 trotting colts, 34 pacing fillies and 24 trotting fillies from breeders that include Blue Chip Farm, Cameo Hills Farm, Leatherstocking Equine Center, Winbak Farms, Pine Hill Stable, Silver Tradition Stable, Thywillbe Done Farm and Jared Bako.

The sales facility is located at 90 Slaughter Road, Middletown, New Yorkm which is within a 90-minute drive of many major racetracks and training centers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, making it a very convenient location.

(With files from Goshen Standardbred Sales Co.)
Defense counsel for Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins has been granted access to grand jury materials as part of permitted discovery rules in the ongoing federal bribery probe.

Magistrate Judge Joel Hoppe with U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia in Charlottesville issued the order July 20 on motion of the United States.

Federal prosecutors and defense counsel may use the grand jury materials for the case accusing Jenkins of accepting thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for handing out auxiliary deputy badges and credentials.

Jenkins will be allowed to examine materials presented to the grand jury prior to his indictment in June, following an FBI investigation that launched earlier this year. The materials will not be given directly to the defendant and may not be removed from the secure location by the defendant, according to the order.

The order directs defense counsel to diligently protect unnecessary dissemination information, such as grand jury social security account numbers, dates of birth, financial account numbers and home addresses.

If the defense does not wish to receive access to grand jury materials they must advise the court and U.S. Attorney of such and not allow anyone else to view any of the materials, according to the order.

Unauthorized disclosure of certain discovery materials, such as grand jury information, is a violation of federal law.
Local law enforcement, fire and public safety agencies, as well as businesses and organizations, will bring plenty of fun-filled activities to downtown Scottsbluff for the annual National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

This year, the celebration will be held in the blocks from 16th Street to 19th Street, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Jennifer VanHoosear, administrative records technician at the Scottsbluff Police Department, has been heading up this years event. She told the Star-Herald that they have gotten a lot of participation, with 90 booths slated to fill the downtown.

National Night Out is celebrated across the country, with a goal of bringing law enforcement and public service agencies together for a night in a positive manner.

Capt. Brian Wasson said, National Night Out is a safe night for law enforcement and public safety professionals to interact with people in the communities they serve. The goal is to build relationships with the people, developing that positive relationship as we work together for the safety of our community.

Local agencies participating include the Scottsbluff Police Department and Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Department, which both plan to bring their K9s and handlers to the event. Scottsbluff, Gering and rural fire departments will also set up, with Firefighter Ministry also on hand to provide information about its mission.

At the event, the Scottsbluff Police Department gives out goodie bags  normally topping out at 500. However, VanHoosear said, they have worked with businesses and organizations to expand to 700 goodie bags.

They go quickly, she said, explaining that they usually go within the first half-hour of the event. If you want a goodie bag, youll want to visit the police departments booth, which will be set up in front of the Broadway Suites/Twin Cities Development building at the north corner of 16th Street.

Kids will also find a variety of activities to keep them busy.

There will be face-painting, bean bag tosses, Wasson said. There is a Plinko game. There will be just all kinds of games. About anything you can think of, there are two of so kids will definitely be able to enjoy themselves.

This year, 16 food vendors will be offering their fare, setting up in the 18th Street Plaza and in that area.

There is plenty to choose from, VanHoosear said of the offerings. There will Mexican food. A couple of barbecue places, some cotton candy vendor and drinks like lemonade.

VanHoosear and Wasson encourage the community to come out for the event.

For downtown drivers, they are reminded that the streets will be blocked off starting at 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Iredell County Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Joseph Crosswhite delivered the oath of office to Campbell. Campbells family was in attendance, along with members of the Iredell County Sheriffs Office command staff and honor guard, who presented the colors to begin the ceremony. Campbell is the 101st president of the association. Campbell had served in several positions within the Sheriffs Association over the past several years: sergeant-of-arms, member of the legislative committee, auditing committee, third vice president, second vice president and first vice president.

In his speech, Campbell told the attendees he has always had the utmost respect and admiration for the Office of Sheriff because of what it stands for and its unique place in history. One of the characteristics which sets the office of the sheriff apart from other law enforcement agencies is its direct accountability to the citizens through the election of the sheriff. It is the stand-alone identity of an independent office in which the sheriff exercises the power, that of public trust. Elected sheriffs are accountable directly to their states constitution and the United States Constitution, laws, statutes, and the people of their counties, thereby maintaining the very roots of democracy, for the people, of the people, and by the people. Campbell stated, Our annual business conference allows North Carolinas sheriffs to discuss their experiences, learn from each other, and bring ourselves up to date on important law enforcement developments. North Carolina sheriffs have a complex role as constitutional officers leading law enforcement within their respective counties. Our duties often require that we be continuously available to personnel and the public. My staff and I will use this conference training to further serve and protect Iredell County citizens.
The city of Statesville announced the installation of two art sculptures by talented sculptor John Ross. Born and raised in the North Carolina mountains, Ross has been crafting metal sculptures since his high school days in 2009. Over the years, he has relentlessly explored and honed his artistic skills, leading to a unique and profound artistic vision that now graces the streets of Statesville.

Ross art journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. With unwavering dedication and an indomitable creative spirit, he has seized opportunities to showcase his work, not only in art on loan programs but also in permanent installations. For Ross, each sculpture begins as a vivid vision, a whisper of inspiration that materializes into reality through his masterful craftsmanship.

The Cosmic Twins unveiled

After meticulous deliberation, the Statesville Community Appearance Commission (CAC) selected four sculptures, including The Cosmic Twins by Ross. These remarkable pieces are part of Ross series that delves into the composition of shapes and colors, evoking unique feelings and interpretations from each observer.

On July 22, the city celebrated the installation of Cosmic Eye at 121 E Broad St. in Downtown Statesville. Another addition to the citys art scene is Cosmic Dancer, located in Mac Anderson Park. These sculptures radiate positive energy, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in an otherworldly experience of joy and wonder.

Artistry that inspires imagination

Ross art aims to transcend traditional notions and foster imaginative exploration. He consciously avoids creating pieces with immediate, recognizable themes, instead allowing his sculptures to provoke introspection and childlike imagination. Each observer will see and feel something different when gazing upon these captivating works of art, making the experience truly personal and boundless.

When asked about his artistic vision, Ross states, The sculptures are the visions. They come to me, and I bring them into reality.

His artist statement further delves into the captivating world of his creations, describing mystical visions and cosmic vibrations that weave together colors, fragmented shapes, and profound emotions. The process of crafting these sculptures becomes an electric dance of energy and passion, resulting in art that is as enigmatic as it is alluring.

Embracing Cosmic Vibrations

Statesville is honored to have these awe-inspiring sculptures grace its public spaces. Ross artistry illuminates the city with cosmic vibrations that engage the imagination and leave an indelible impression on all who encounter them.

As the Cosmic Twins stand tall, reaching for the sky, they beckon the community to embrace the wonder of art and embark on an artistic journey that transcends time and space.

For more information or to experience these celestial sculptures firsthand, visit the locations at 121 E. Broad St. and Mac Anderson Park.

For more information on the Statesville Community Appearance Commission, visit https://www.statesvillenc.net/statesville-community-appearance-commission.
Levi and Annie Teague are drawing lots of attention from music lovers. This hard-working delightful duo has an extraordinary resume for such young people, and both deserve recognition for their accomplishments. Studying at Studio3 Music School in Taylorsville for years, they are now furthering their studies at the Annie Moses Conservatory in Tennessee.

Levi and Annie have performed with the Studio3 Fiddle Club, Studio3 Musical Theater performances, and singing with the Studio3 Youth Chorus.

Levi Teague,15, was the principal violin in the Western Piedmont Youth Orchestra and a member of the string quartet. He has been twice awarded Concertmaster of the All Catawba Valley Middle School Honors Orchestra and the Southeast Honors String Festival. In addition to dazzling audiences with the violin at churches, weddings, and concerts, Levi is a very accomplished pianist and has received many awards in competitions like the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs for performances in both violin and piano.

Annie Teague, 12, knows her way around a guitar, playing classical, electric, and rhythm guitar and delighting audiences. She also excels at the piano, voice, and music composition and won superior ratings in many competitions and festivals. This past year, Annie was selected to perform her original composition on stage at Packard Playhouse in Tennessee.

Levi and Annie enjoy performing with the Studio3 Fiddle Club, Studio3 Musical Theater performances, and singing with the Studio3 Youth Chorus.
Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend  The Road to Statesville opened to large crowds amid cheers and standing ovations this past weekend at Mac Gray Auditorium in Statesville, with three more performances scheduled for this week  Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

The stage play of the famous lovers triangle of Tom Dula (Dooley), Laura Foster and Anne Melton had it all  laughs, dancing, music, fighting and heartbreak. The lively and sometimes haunting music of Third Wheel fits seamlessly before, after and sometimes during the scenes. It was a lively telling of a story that has been shared by two counties  Wilkes and Iredell  for over a century.

The story began in Wilkes County with a lovers triangle that ended with the murder of Laura Foster. There were several suspects in the murder  Tom Dula, Anne Melton, Perline Foster and Jack Keaton. All were arrested, but Perline Foster and Jack Keaton turned states evidence on Tom and Anne and they were released. Tom was tried first in Wilkes County and found guilty, after which his celebrity lawyer, Gov. Zebulon B. Vance, made a motion that the trial be moved to Iredell County. The last part of the story ended with a second trial in Statesville, and a hanging on the railroad tracks there.

Another trial, of sorts, happened more recently when Karen Reynolds, playwright and director, was invited to take her play to Raleigh and perform for the N.C. Supreme Court. Following the performance, the Supreme Court judges voted on whether they would have found Dooley guilty or innocent. Audiences coming to see the production locally have a chance to cast their votes as well.

This is the first time Reynolds has partnered to bring the show to Statesville.

The partnership between Wilkes Countys Bleu Moon Productions and Iredell Countys Center Stage Alliance has been so positive. I think everyone appreciates and works well together. Theres no yours and mine  this production has been ours and it shows in the strong professional performances, music and technical skills, Reynolds said.

Tickets for the remaining shows this weekend are available online for a $4 discount, using code Dooley, at centerstagealliance.org. Tickets are also available at the door for $20. Anyone who has already seen the show but would like to see it again can do so for $5. Those tickets are available at the door.
A former Alexander County Schools employee was found not guilty of assaulting a student.

On Monday, Statesville resident Teresa Ellison Campbell, 63, was found not guilty of misdemeanor counts of assault on a child under 12 and child abuse, according to court documents.

Campbell was accused of slapping a 7-year-old student on Jan. 26, according to court documents.

As a result of the charges, Campbell was fired from her position with the Alexander County Schools district, according to a statement made by the school system in January.

Campbell was listed in the school system staff directory as a teacher assistant at Ellendale Elementary Schools Exceptional Children program, before her name was removed on Jan. 30, according to a previous Hickory Daily Record article.

In January, Alexander County Schools Public Information Officer Denita Dowell-Reavis declined to confirm Campbells job with the school, only referring to her as a classified employee. Dowell-Reavis said that category includes teacher assistants, according to the previous news article.

The school system did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the not guilty verdict in Campbells case.
A proposed $20+ million solar project will come before county officials Thursday night as the land owner and developers seek a special use permit to move the endeavor forward.

David Spence, who owns the Rich Valley site, has farmed the land in question most of his life, raising beef cattle and their feed. He grew up about a mile away. On Saturday afternoon, he pulled his grandson to him and said he hopes this project will allow me to slow down a little.

The grandfather of four believes solar facilities are coming to the area sooner or later. Hes had numerous calls from companies approaching him about the possibility. He turned them all down except Clean Footprint, a Florida-based company.

Spence remembered his father teaching him about what someones word meant and that your word is your bond. He believes Clean Footprint, the proposed projects developers, are an old-school company and a good fit for him.

Spence spoke after attending a community meeting about the project with Scott Aaronson of Demeter Land Development, a consultant working with Clean Footprint.

About a dozen people attended the meeting at the Rich Valley Fair Associations Community Center.

Aaronson opened the informal meeting, saying, We want to be good neighbors.

He called the site located off of Cedar Branch Road perfect, noting that very few if any neighbors will be able to see the solar array and that Clean Footprint plans to put a vegetative screen on the south side to further reduce visibility.

Aaronson described the project as a 10-megawatt distribution level solar facility. According to project documents filed with the county, each megawatt will consist of about 2,200 solar panels.

The panels, Aaronson said, are warranted to last 25 years, but will likely be replaced every 10 years or so because of technological advancements.

The land under the panels will be seeded with a mix of pollinator-friendly vegetation native to Virginia and can be grazed by sheep, Aaronson said.

Spence noted that Clean Footprint will buy the land, but hell still get to farm it.

Currently, the company has options on about 150 acres with the solar facility expected to require about 76 acres, which are surrounded by agriculture/rural-zoned property and located on an abandoned gypsum mine.

The equipment, according to county documents, is designed to withstand wind up to one hundred twenty MPH and fifty pounds per square foot of snow.

Aarsonson told those at the community meeting that the panels are not fragile.

The array, documents say, will be contained within an area protected by a seven-foot deer style chain link fence with wooden posts and anti-climbing device such as strands of barbed wire on the top of the fence. It will not create any noise, dust, fumes, glare, or other pollutants or nuisance to surrounding neighbors. There will be signage along the fence, including utility hazard, company information, and contact information on the fence.

He also shared that large utility companies are under pressure to do the right thing. If theres a mishap at such a facility, Aaronson said, suddenly everyone around the state is talking about it.

Clean Footprints philosophy, he said, is lets focus on the doing the right thing.

He also said the county has a strong ordinance in place with detailed requirements, including cleaning up the site if the array is decommissioned.

The power, Aaronson said, is expected to be sold to Appalachian Power with the developers working to interconnect the project with the existing three-phase line along Saltville Highway. The area has considerable appeal to solar project developers because of the proximity of the Broadford substation.

For such a project, Aarsonson said, the pre-construction phase with interconnectivity studies and permitting takes the longest. Once construction begins, he said, the array can be up in three to six months.

Documents provided to the county say the company would like to begin construction within two years.

Those documents also say that several studies show that the values of neighboring residential homes are largely unaffected by the installation of solar facility. This is especially true when there is limited residential in the immediate facility. This project is far away and well screened from any residential abutters.

In addition to the $20 million to $22 million capital investment, Aaronson said, area residents will benefit from the localized power production and line upgrades creating an improved electrical system.

Spence reiterated, Its a beautiful farm, but this allows us to slow down and smell the roses.

The countys board of supervisors and planning commission will hold a joint public hearing on the special use permit application Thursday at 7 p.m.

That same evening, the two bodies will also hold a public hearing on a proposed update to the countys Zoning Ordinance allowing wind energy facilities via Special Use Permits and establishing the districts theyll be allowed in.

Another public hearing will look at allowing Battery Storage Facility/Energy Storage Facility by Special Use Permit and the districts they could build in.

In May, Assistant County Administrator Clegg Williams told the supervisors that the county is getting interest from companies that want to put in containers full of batteries for energy storage. The units, he said, pull power from the power grid at night when theres lower demand and then release it during the day at peak demand periods.

The two bodies will also consider a Special Use Permit application from Hobert Widener, who would like to expand his Automotive Sales and Service operation at 296 Belle Hollow Rd. in Chilhowie.
Many deportees were subjected to beatings, insults, and humiliation during their detention and deportation, Baladi News reports.

Syrian civil organizations have expressed serious concern regarding the recent decision of the Turkish government to forcibly return Syrian refugees to northwestern Syria. They emphasize that such a decision violates the principle of non-refoulement, which is enshrined in international law.

A joint statement by various organizations including The Syrian Network for Human Rights, the Day After, the Syrian American Council, the Syrian British Council, Lawyers and Physicians for Human Rights, the Free Syrian Lawyers Association, and Baytna highlights the systematic and widespread violations committed by all parties involved in the conflict in Syria, particularly the Syrian regime and its Iranian and Russian allies. These violations have led to the forced displacement of nearly 14 million Syrian citizens, both internally displaced and refugees. Some of these actions have reached the level of crimes against humanity. The forced displacement was a consequence of the brutal persecution and repression that has been taking place in Syria since March 2011. As a result, under international law, these individuals have become eligible to seek asylum.

The organizations further explain that due to several factors, including geographical proximity and the length of the border, millions of Syrians were compelled to seek refuge in Turkey. However, because of the 2016 European-Turkish agreement, hundreds of thousands of them were unable to continue their journey to European countries, which provide better rights and care to refugees, including opportunities for permanent residence and citizenship. This agreement resulted in Turkey hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees and receiving substantial funds from the European Union in exchange. While the agreement did grant some basic rights to Syrian refugees, many crucial rights remained unresolved.

According to accounts from some refugees who were forcibly returned from Turkey to Syria, it was found that detention campaigns targeted those who lacked official papers to justify their presence in Turkey. Additionally, Syrian residents who were unable to renew their residence permits or holders of temporary protection cards in states that violated the terms of the card were also targeted. Many of those detained by the Turkish police were subsequently transferred to deportation centers of the Turkish Immigration Department. These deportations involved numerous violations, as detailed in the statement:

Many deportees were subjected to beatings, insults, and humiliation during their detention and deportation.

They were denied the right to appoint a lawyer and object to deportation decisions issued against them.

Detentions took place in public areas and roads, with most deportees unable to say goodbye to their families, resulting in separation from their spouses, children, or mothers who remained in Turkey.

The majority of deportees were unable to resolve their obligations, work, or access their financial and material rights in Turkey, as they found themselves in northern Syria after only 48 hours of detention.

Deportees were left homeless in northern Syria and were deprived of humanitarian aid. For those belonging to other governorates such as Homs, Hama, Damascus, and Daraa, the suffering was compounded due to the lack of connections and resources in northwestern Syria.

The situation raises serious human rights concerns, and the organizations call for urgent attention to protect the rights and well-being of Syrian refugees and prevent further violations of international law.

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.
Vershinin confirmed that these vital contacts between the two countries will persist, according to Athr Press.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin emphasized the ongoing communication between Syria and Turkey and underscored the significance of the Astana format in facilitating a lasting resolution in Syria.

O Thursday, the Russian diplomat stated that multiple meetings have taken place between Syria and Turkey at various levels, involving the ministries of foreign affairs and defence. These meetings have been conducted with the support of the Astana format, which has proven to be highly effective in fostering constructive dialogue. The Russian news agency TASS reported his remarks.

Vershinin confirmed that these vital contacts between the two countries will persist, and he praised their demonstrated effectiveness. Despite the exact dates and locations of the upcoming Astana track meetings not being determined yet, he asserted that they will continue to be instrumental in achieving a long-term settlement in Syria.

Moreover, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister acknowledged the significant progress made through the Astana format and emphasized that the list of tasks to be addressed is continuously expanding. He also acknowledged Kazakhstans substantial efforts in coordinating these meetings and suggested that there is still potential for further contributions from Kazakhstan to continue the progress.

In conclusion, the ongoing dialogue between Syria and Turkey, facilitated by the Astana format, remains a crucial pathway to achieving a sustainable resolution in Syria, and both countries, along with Kazakhstan, are committed to ensuring its success.

Stalemate in the path of convergence

Amid the prevailing stalemate in Syrian-Turkish relations, Russian statements have gained significance, particularly after the recent quadripartite meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, where deputy foreign ministers of Russia, Syria, Iran, and Turkey discussed a draft road map to normalize relations between the two countries on June 20 and 21.

In the past few days, Turkey has conveyed its rejection of Damascus demand for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a press conference before his Gulf tour, emphatically stated that the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria, as demanded by Damascus, is not feasible due to the presence of Kurdish units near the Turkish border. Erdogan pointed out the constant threats to Turkey from this region and expressed the need for a fair approach to resolve the issue and other related matters. Despite this stance, Erdogan welcomed the idea of a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Similarly, Fahrettin Altun, the Director of Communications in Turkey, conveyed Turkeys eagerness to strengthen its relations with neighbouring countries. He highlighted that Turkey continues to participate in the quadripartite talks with Syria in good faith and without any preconditions.

Regarding the Syrian request for a complete withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria, Altun argued that such a move does not make sense now, citing the continued presence of Kurdish units near the Syrian-Turkish border as a significant factor.

In conclusion, the recent quadripartite meeting and the statements from Russian, Turkish, and Syrian officials indicate the complexity of the Syrian-Turkish rapprochement, with issues like the withdrawal of Turkish forces and the Kurdish presence serving as major points of contention. Despite the challenges, all parties are engaged in dialogue to seek a viable solution and improve relations in the region.

Russian-Syrian talks

Just a few days following the conclusion of the quadripartite meeting in Astana, aimed at discussing Syrian-Turkish relations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin travelled to Damascus on June 26 for a crucial meeting with President Bashar al-Assad. During this meeting, they engaged in political talks concerning the relationship between Syria and Russia and their coordination efforts. Additionally, the two leaders addressed important matters such as combating terrorism and collaborating on the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, as reported by the Syrian presidency.

Moreover, on a preceding day, President Assad held discussions with Alexander Lavrentyev, the Russian Presidents Special Envoy to Syria, and his accompanying delegation. The talks primarily revolved around the critical issue of facilitating the return of Syrian refugees and also touched upon the challenges posed by Turkish obstinacy regarding withdrawal from Syrian territory.

In an interview with Al-Arabiya Net, Lavrentyev acknowledged that there are specific difficulties in normalizing relations between Damascus and Ankara, particularly pertaining to the Turkish military presence in Syrian territory. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about Moscows mediation efforts between its ally Syria and its partner Turkey. Lavrentyev affirmed that the normalization process continues to progress steadily on a monthly basis, indicating ongoing commitment and dedication from all parties involved.

In summary, the recent diplomatic engagements between Russian officials and the Syrian leadership underscore the importance of finding resolutions to pressing issues, such as the return of Syrian refugees and addressing Turkish concerns regarding withdrawal from Syrian territory. The ongoing talks demonstrate the commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and cooperation between all parties involved.

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.
Muhammad Jaafar Kassir, a senior commander within Hezbollah, is entrusted with the transfer of money from Iran to Assad and Hezbollah, according to al-Souria Net.

On July 27th, 2023, the opposition agency Iran International disclosed the identities of individuals involved in the transfer of funds from Iran to the Assad regime and Lebanese Hezbollah.

The report revealed that Muhammad Jaafar Kassir holds the position of a senior commander within Hezbollahs Units 4400 and Unit 108 in Lebanon. His primary responsibility lies in facilitating the transfer of money from Iran to both the Assad regime and Hezbollah.

Kassir is also known to collaborate with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the illicit sale of smuggled Iranian oil, with the proceeds being transferred to Lebanon. Moreover, he plays a pivotal role in coordinating the movement of military equipment between Syria and Lebanon under the guidance of the Quds Force.

Interestingly, Kassir is not just a military figure; he has earned the title of Head of a financial empire. The report highlights his involvement in the production and distribution of drugs in various Arab countries in association with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Notably, Kassir was part of a secret visit to Tehran in 2019, accompanying the head of the Assad regime, Bashar al-Assad, and meeting with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The purpose of the visit, as per Iran Internationals information, seems to have been to arrange an emergency fund transfer worth millions of dollars from Iran.

Over time, Kassirs activities have made him exceedingly wealthy. He amassed his fortune through various ventures, including smuggling carpets and cigarettes into Beirut and importing large quantities of low-grade iron into Lebanon through the Iraqi-Syrian border.

The report indicates that Kassir has been referred to as Hajj Fadi and has transformed from a military commander to the mastermind behind a substantial financial empire. His ventures allegedly involve the purchase of thousands of acres of land and the theft of numerous horses from a farm during the Syrian war.

The seriousness of Kassirs actions has not gone unnoticed by international authorities. The US State Departments Rewards for Justice program offered a $10 million reward for information leading to Kassirs arrest, considering him a crucial financial facilitator. He is associated with several shell companies used to conceal the Quds Forces involvement in the sale of oil and other resources, making him a significant source of funding for both Hezbollah and the Assad regime.

In response to his activities, the US Treasury Department designated Kassir as a global terrorist and froze all his financial assets in America. Born in Deir Qanun, Lebanon, in 1967, Kassir is known by various aliases, including Sheikh Salah, Hajj Majid Ainki, and Sheikh Majid.

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.
Mekdad passionately emphasized the severe hardships faced by the Syrian population, al-Baath writes.

On a significant occasion, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faysal al-Mekdad engaged in constructive discussions with representatives from various United Nations organizations, agencies, and international non-governmental organizations operating in Syria.

The meeting, held at the Ministrys headquarters, aimed to address the daunting living conditions endured by Syrians due to the profound impact of Western sanctions and the support provided by certain countries to terrorist groups operating in the region.

During the meeting, Mekdad passionately emphasized the severe hardships faced by the Syrian population, directly resulting from the coercive measures imposed by Western nations on the country.

He particularly condemned the deliberate water cut-off imposed by the Turkish occupation forces and their associated terrorist factions, which cruelly deprived the people of Hasaka of their fundamental need for water.

In a firm stance, Mekdad called upon all representatives present to raise awareness about these inhumane practices and urged them to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.

An equally critical aspect that received attention during the discussions was the issue of Syrian refugees return. With assurance and commitment, Mekdad informed the attendees that the Syrian government is actively implementing appropriate measures to facilitate the safe and dignified return of refugees to their homeland.

Furthermore, the meeting also focused on the pressing matter of the shortage of funding for early recovery plans and humanitarian aid initiatives within Syria. Mekdad, in line with the Syrian governments dedication to humanitarian efforts, emphasized the countrys commitment to facilitating humanitarian access throughout the nation.

During the dialogue, the representatives from various organizations displayed their deep understanding of the hardships faced by the Syrian citizens and expressed their unwavering commitment to intensify their efforts in improving humanitarian work and meeting the ever-increasing humanitarian needs in Syria.

This meeting served as a platform for meaningful collaboration and renewed determination to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and create a positive impact in their lives during these challenging times.

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 United States notably increased its deployment of military reinforcements to its bases in eastern Syria, Athr Press writes.

Amid the escalating conflict in eastern Syria, both on the ground between the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and in the air between the US and Russian air forces, the U.S. has recently deployed new military reinforcements to their bases in the region.

According to a private source in al-Yarubiyah, located in the far northeast of the country, a convoy of 30 vehicles entered through the illegal Mahmoudiya crossing in the countryside of al-Yarubiyah. The convoy consisted of trucks carrying tightly covered materials and a number of fuel tankers. The destination of this convoy was the Kharab al-Jir base in the countryside of al-Yarubiyah, which serves as a collection point before further deployment to bases in Hassakeh governorate and the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor. Most of these reinforcements are currently heading to military bases in the countryside of Deir-ez-Zor due to the heightened tension in the area between the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council and the SDF, which has led to clashes between the two factions.

The northern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor has become the battleground for fierce clashes between the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council led by Ahmed al-Khabil  Abu Khawla and the SDF. These clashes have prompted the deployment of American helicopters from the aal-Omar oil field base to the town of al-Sur, where the conflict initially erupted. The clashes have further extended to al-Busaira, al-Husayn, Jadid Akidat, Jadid Baqara, aal-Hussan, and neighbouring villages in the northern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor. As a result of the violence, civilians in the area have been forced to evacuate, and the situation has led to a state of general alert declared by the Commander-in-Chief Abu Khawla.

In July, the United States notably increased its deployment of military reinforcements to its bases in eastern Syria. For instance, on the tenth of the month, a convoy of 35 vehicles crossed the al-Waleed crossing from Syrian territory into Iraq.

The situation remains highly volatile, and the ongoing conflicts in the region continue to draw international attention and concern.

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.
What some Longview restaurant owners called a hefty price to have permanent outdoor seating on public right of ways like sidewalks is now thousands of dollars cheaper.

City staff announced this week the permit price to permanently keep outdoor seating in public areas like sidewalks and streets is now $240 a year, to be renewed annually.

Because staff changed an existing permit process, City Council wasn't asked to approve the price drop in a meeting as previously speculated, according to Longview Public Works Director Ken Hash. He said council is aware of the changes.

Two eateries recently scrapped the idea of outdoor sidewalk dining and complained the previous permit price was too high.

The owner of The Lemon Drop, for instance, was previously quoted a one-time fee of $3,000, then $215 a month to keep her Hudson Street sidewalk seating permanent  thousands of dollars more expensive than cities including Vancouver and Spokane.

The new price is comparable to those city's fees.

Longview's new price is based off staff time to administer permits and enforce rules, said Hash.

A city press release suggests business owners ensure their outdoor dining plans will meet requirements with the Americans with Disabilities Act. City staff can help businesses create plans and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board also has separate requirements, the release says.
Later this year, the Cowlitz County commissioners will decide whether or not to continue the one-tenth of 1% mental health sales tax.

Ending the program, which brings in about $2.5 million per year, could result in affected departments requesting money from the general fund to keep staff and services and stave off potential cuts.

The tax sunsets at the end of 2024, but the board wants to make a decision this year to account for the change in the next biennial budget.

The commissioners first approved the tax in 2012, before any of the current board members were in office. The tax adds a penny to every $10 purchase. State law requires revenue be used for chemical dependency, mental health programs and therapeutic courts.

The tax was set to end last year, but in August 2021, the board extended it through 2024, in part to help fund the new Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office behavioral health unit.

Tax revenue has leveled off after a bump in 2020 and 2021, according to county documents. Expenditures currently outpace revenue, with $2.95 million in mental health tax spending budgeted this year. Its not uncommon for actual costs to come in under budget, as they did last year, but its difficult to say how it will work out this year, said Gena James, Health and Human Services deputy director.

Of the total budgeted for this year, Corrections receives about 43%, Therapeutic Courts 36%, Sheriffs Office Behavioral Health Unit 14%, Youth Service Center 5% and administrative costs 2%.

Over the past several months, departments that use the tax revenue told commissioners how they use the money and made their case to the to keep the funding  or prepare for increased requests for general fund money. Like the name implies, the general fund pays for many of the services the county provides.

Department of Corrections

The county corrections department uses approximately $1.26 million in mental health tax funds to help pay for mental health officers, expanding mental health services for inmates and medically-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, Director Marin Fox said.

If the commissioners end the tax, the department will have to request general fund money or another source to pay for the required staff and services, Fox told the board in late June.

The tax funds two of the departments three mental health officers, positions held by corrections officers who are good at interacting with high-needs inmates, Fox said.

Assigning specific officers to the positions improves the departments chances of getting inmates to take medication and makes it easier to track their condition, said Joel Treichel, one of the mental health corrections officers.

The officers are necessary as part of the jails minimum staffing levels, Fox said. While the specific mental health positions are not required by law, they have assisted in creating a safer environment for inmates and reduced the countys liability, she said.

The Cowlitz County Jail had four in-custody deaths between 2013 and 2014 and one at the end of 2016 that has been litigated and resolved, Fox said. In July 2022, a man died in the jail of a drug overdose, but theres been no litigation since the department added the mental health officers several years ago, she said.

Unfortunately what success looks like for us is not getting sued, Fox told the commissioners. Its harm reduction, its risk management and that is a lot of how weve landed here with these positions and how weve landed here with the other buckets of funding.

Corrections also uses the tax money to help pay for mental health services as part of the countys contract with NaphCare, which provides health care services to the jail and juvenile center. Staff, including a mental health counselor and prescribing-level provider, screen incoming inmates, provide mental health evaluations and examinations, Fox said.

We see a lot of substance use as well, but the majority of patients we see have a mental health concern, Dena Brawley, NaphCare health services administrator, said.

About $143,275 of tax revenue helps fund a juvenile care clinician to provide mental health services to those in the countys Youth Services Center as part of the NaphCare contract.

The mental health tax funds also go toward providing medically-assisted treatment to jail inmates, as required by state law and case law, Fox said. In 2022, about 16.6% of inmates received the treatment, including 3.2% continuing treatment started before they were arrested, 7.7% starting it from the beginning and 5.7% treated as part of detox protocol, according to the department.

Last year, the department received a state grant to expand the program and applied for an increase this year, Fox said. If approved, the mental health tax funding for the program will decrease by about $92,000, she said.

When asked what she would do without mandates, Fox said she would still want to treat people the way they treat people now and keep them safe.

If it were my child in a jail, I would want my child to receive adequate treatment. I would want my child to receive mental health services, and I would want my child to be safe, she said. I think thats the standard we should use.

Therapeutic Courts

The second-largest allocation of mental health tax revenue goes to the countys therapeutic courts: drug court, mental health court, family treatment court and juvenile drug court.

Therapeutic Court officials presented to the county commissioners during a workshop Wednesday.

The 2023 budget included about $575,000 in tax funds but the program rarely spends it all, Adam Pithan, Therapeutic Courts manager, told The Daily News. The money pays for about three and one-third case managers, some training and other office operations, he said.

The mental health tax provides a good chunk of Therapeutic Courts budget, and officials would have to request money from the countys general fund to continue programs, Pithan said. Either way, taxpayers will fund the program, he said.

The overall idea of therapeutic courts is to stop criminal activity by addressing the underlying issue of why people are committing crimes, whether thats to fuel their addiction or because of mental health problems, Pithan said.

Cowlitz Countys therapeutic courts are working really well, with participant numbers back up after dropping because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Washington Supreme Court ruling that threw out the states simple drug possession law, Pithan said.

Drug Court participation is close to the pre-pandemic level of about 100 participants, with 92 currently enrolled and about a dozen in screening, Pithan said. More than 50 people are currently in mental health court, he said.

A team effort by Therapeutic Courts, the Prosecuting Attorneys Office and defense attorneys helped get the program back to a good spot, Pithan said.

The program doesnt plan to ask for an increase in funding, Pithan said. Since the participation is back up, staff are focusing on helping people through the program and matching the numbers in to numbers out, he said.

Unlike parole, which lasts for a set amount of time, participants must complete treatment and other aspects of the program before graduating, Pithan said.

The goal is lasting recovery, not just to get them through the program, he said.

Prosecuting Attorneys Office and Office of Public Defense

The overall $1.08 million allocated to therapeutic courts includes some for prosecuting and defense attorneys working with therapeutic court clients.

Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen said his office received $165,000 in 2022, with 80%, or $134,000, paying a therapeutic courts deputy prosecutor. That position, created when the sales tax started, works with felony diversions, Drug Court, Mental Health Court and handles involuntary treatment hearings, Jurvakainen said. The rest of the money goes to other staff time related to therapeutic courts, he said.

Jurvakainen told the commissioners the therapeutic courts are a net positive and act as an offramp from the standard criminal justice process.

I find it as an opportunity thats put in the persons hand, he said. Theyre given the tools, and if theyre not successful, they probably get a lot more time than what they were looking at had they resolved their case. If they are successful, good for them.

This year is the first time the Office of Public Defense has received mental health tax revenue, Director Ian Maher told commissioners on June 21. The office was budgeted about $262,000 for 2023 and uses most of the funds to pay about half the salary of the drug court attorney, who also handles mental health court clients and those at the hospital on temporary hold due to mental health issues, he said.

A smaller amount helps pay the offices juvenile court attorney for eligible work, Maher said. The funding allowed OPD to hire a legal specialist who assists attorneys with therapeutic courts work as well as other general tasks, Maher said.

This has been a great benefit to our budget, he said. Its allowed us to hire a whole extra employee who has really been integral to getting our office moving pretty smoothly up front.

Without the tax allotment, the department would increase its budget request from the general fund to afford keeping on the attorneys and potentially the legal specialist, which is not a permanent position, Maher said.

Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office

Starting last year, the sheriffs office has received mental health tax revenue to pay for a behavioral health unit to help deputies respond to individuals in crisis.

Last year, the county contracted with Columbia Wellness to provide the four mental health staff for an amount not to exceed $740,790. The actual cost of the program will likely be lower because the county only spent about $131,400 in 2022 as the program was getting up and running and has budgeted $403,000 for this year, according to Health and Human Services documents.

The unit is responding to about 10% of calls for the sheriffs office, including follow-ups, Chief Administrative Deputy Jordan Spencer told the commissioners in early June. So far in 2023, the unit has gone out on about 2,600 of the 30,000 calls the Sheriffs Office has responded to, he said.

The team covers most of Cowlitz County, apart from Longview, which has its own similar program.

Depending on the situation, the unit can respond with deputies or instead of deputies and help de-escalate a situation, Spencer said. On a regular basis, deputies will ask the unit to follow up on mental health-related calls they cant do anything about, he said.

Since August, the unit has completed 273 face-to-face outreaches and 1,270 follow-ups, said Brittney Darr, the mental health provider lead for the county team.

The unit has helped take on frequent calls from people in crisis and allowed deputies to focus on priority calls, Darr said. It has also saved time by allowing officers to leave a scene, if safe, and get back to other duties, she said.

The team connects people with drug or alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, food resources and other agencies, Darr said.

Sheriff Brad Thurman said its hard to quantify the calls the program has prevented, but the team works to keep people out of the criminal justice system or hospital and get them to a stable position where emergency responders are not hearing from them on a daily basis.

The program is a long-term solution, where law enforcements previous options of taking someone to jail or the hospital with no change in behavior was a short-term solution, Spencer said.

I think the longterm ability of the behavioral health unit to actually work a case load and stay in touch with these individuals is a major benefit, he said.

Thurman told the commissioners he isnt looking to grow the program but to maintain staffing and funding if the mental health tax is continued.

Commissioners initial opinions

While the commissioners have not yet made a decision on whether to extend the tax, they have recognized at least some of the staff and services need to be funded one way or another.

Commissioner Rick Dahl said during multiple workshops he would prefer necessary staff positions be paid out of the general fund as a normal course of business.

The commissioner said hes not trying to be threatening but suggested departments try to build these costs into their regular budgets and see what it looks like.

If Im going to ask the taxpayer to kick in a little bit, I think its reasonable to be able to show them something at the end, he said on June 21. These types of operational things, I think its on us as a county to figure out how we work those in.

During the June 21 workshop, Commissioner Arne Mortensen said he would agree with Dahl in a properly working system but mandates may tie the countys hands.

If you gather Im conflicted over this, you gather accurately. I just simply dont know what the right thing is to do, he said. But I think theres a lot to be argued in favor of trying to do without further taxing the public.

After joining the board in 2013 right after the tax began, Commissioner Dennis Weber proposed putting the measure on the ballot but didnt have support to move it ahead, he said Friday.

Weber said while people should get a chance to vote on tax increases, he understands the practicality of not risking one at this point when programs that rely on the tax are working well. There hasnt been a public outcry for a vote or to end the tax, he said.

Its hard to say if the general fund could take on costs currently covered by the mental health tax, especially as the county is working to catch up on delayed maintenance of its buildings, Weber said.

If there is an alternative source the state has offered to deal with these mental health issues, better to use that then go back to when we dont have enough money to take care of our facilities, he said.

The general funds capacity for these costs is something the commissioners hope to figure out as budget season gets underway, Dahl said in June.

The whole process here is just to really gather information and make sure that we try and make the best, most sound financial decision we can make, he said.
A year ago, Mike Peterson argued against placing a temporary housing site for the citys homeless on Alabama Street.

Peterson said he had seen years of crime and homeless tents spill from the streets unmanaged homeless camp into his Highlands neighborhood. He helped lead the Highlands block watch to confront the more hostile people on the streets.

But after a recent tour of HOPE Village and months of the citys new approach to addressing homelessness, Peterson made a new argument to the Longview City Council.

It should be bigger, he said in a July meeting about the citys pallet homes for the homeless. I think we ought to take one side, mandatory drug testing, take 50 (people) off the waiting list. The only metric that counts is who gets into housing and who can retain it.

According to the progress report from the Salvation Army of Longview, who manages the site, about 20% of the people who made HOPE Village a home since Jan. 1 have been able to do just that. Roughly 134 people lived in the pallet homes from around December to June, and 25 residents moved into permanent housing since Jan. 1, the report states. All but one of those was still housed as of July.

The overall goal of the site is to help residents find permanent housing.

Budget $1.4 million: The maximum budget HOPE Village can have its first year. $859,700: The total of two state Department of Commerce grants for operations. $535,800: The amount the city paid for village operations so far. Hundreds of thousands of dollars: The amount under budget the village would come in if the current rate of spending continues, according to Salvation Army Major Phil Smith. Source: Salvation Army of Longview and the city of Longview.

James Kamaka is one of the former village residents who now has his own housing. A concerned resident found Kamaka sleeping outside and got him into the pallet homes, according the Salvation Army report. A case manager connected him with his veterans benefits and eventually found him a room at the Monticello Hotel.

Im staying there now, paying the rent and getting my budget straightened out and all of that. No drinking, no drugs. The Hope Village helped me out a lot and I owe them a lot of thanks, Kamaka told the City Council.

Salvation Army Major Phil Smith said the rising number of unhoused residents in Cowlitz County over the last year  as shown by the latest official count of local unhoused people  proves the continued need for more local housing for varying incomes.

Hope Village is just part of the equation. The model is not the only answer, Smith said. Those numbers are all on the rise, but they all ultimately point to a lack of different types of housing.

To address homelessness, housing shortages and population growth, the state estimates Cowlitz County needs to add 10,000 housing units by 2044  with the majority for people of low income.

The state says about 65% of those 10,000 units should be for low-income residents making 50% or less of the area median income. That includes more than a quarter for residents making 30% or less of the area median income; about 1,375 for those who need support services; and 170 emergency housing units/shelter beds for homeless residents.

Assistant City Manager Ann Rivers agrees.

You dont just take someone who is chronically unhoused and move them into a home and your work is done, she said. What we are doing, what the Salvation Army is doing, is moving people along a continuum to being housed, perhaps being employed, being able to manage in daily life. We need a multitude of different types of housing so people can move along that continuum and hopefully in the end they are in housing that is clearly permanent but also manageable for them.

HOPE Village doesnt just provide housing, but one-on-one support to help residents with issues like finding employment, accessing health benefits, getting a drivers license, applying for college, in addition to everyday skills like cooking meals, opening a bank account and understanding a lease agreement.

Close Resident Cindy Draper shows off her pallet home at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. "It's heaven here. I love it," said Draper of HOPE Village. Cindy Draper walks her dog to her pallet home from the little dog park at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. Tasha Krakenberg shows off her pallet home that she shares with her dog, Bear, at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. Krakenberg moved into the village after three years of homelessness. A coloring book and markers lay out at Cindy Draper's pallet home at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. Draper uses art to relax and entertain herself. Notes written on the door of Tasha Krakenberg's pallet home at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. PHOTOS: HOPE Village residents in Longview Longview's pallet-home village for the homeless has been opened for about a month. Here's what life looks like living in the tiny homes. Resident Cindy Draper shows off her pallet home at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. "It's heaven here. I love it," said Draper of HOPE Village. Cindy Draper walks her dog to her pallet home from the little dog park at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. Tasha Krakenberg shows off her pallet home that she shares with her dog, Bear, at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. Krakenberg moved into the village after three years of homelessness. A coloring book and markers lay out at Cindy Draper's pallet home at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview. Draper uses art to relax and entertain herself. Notes written on the door of Tasha Krakenberg's pallet home at HOPE Village on Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Longview.

In the first six months, the Salvation Army reports five residents found a job, 12 were referred for health care and 19 were referred for Substance Use Disorder treatment.

Not everyone who enters the site succeeds. The Salvation Army report states about 70 people chose or were asked to leave without finding permanent housing, including 26 who were caught with drugs, alcohol or paraphernalia  grounds for immediate expulsion. At HOPE Village, residents are not drug tested but drugs, alcohol and paraphernalia are not allowed on site.

Another 16 were removed for repeatedly breaking the rules against having visitors in their pallet homes. Smith said drug and alcohol use is often associated with people congregating, which is why visitors are not allowed.

Police calls Site reports to police have almost halved compared to before HOPE Village. 120 calls were made to Longview police during the first five months of 2022 when the tent encampment was housed on Alabama Street. 67 calls were made to Longview police during the first five months of 2023 when HOPE Village was operating. 24 of the 67 calls were about incidents inside HOPE Village, like the April stabbing of one resident by another, and the rest were incidents outside the fence. Source: Salvation Army of Longview.

Smith said the sites staff are working to reduce those bad outcomes. HOPE Village started offering more treatment options for substance addiction, along with random searches and other enforcement measures. To limit the interest in having visitors in units, the site improved the communal areas and added events like tie-dying and movie nights to build other communal connections.

The program is providing shelter for all types of people, according to the report, from a woman who ended up homeless when she lost her job due to mental illness, to a woman who lost her home when her husband died and she was left to live in a tent. Both of those women were homeless for at least a decade, the report states, but now have permanent housing after living in the village.

I think we can all agree that the community does benefit every time we return someone to permanent housing and help them be a functioning member of society, said Rivers.

Editors note: City Editor Hayley Day contributed to this article.
A rising number of thefts and other property crimes drove the increase in Longview crimes last year.

The annual report from the Longview Police Department and Chief Robert Huhta highlights which types of crimes saw the biggest increase in 2022 and how the rate impacted police responses.

Longview reported a 23.8% increase in the number of property crimes in 2022, more than double the average spike of 9.8% seen in Washington during the same time period. Huhta suspected a lot of the increase could be tied to an increase in drug addiction, especially since retail theft, particularly at big-box stores, made up a large portion of the increase.

People need to support their drug habit. Theyre going to steal, theyre going to shoplift, Huhta told the Longview City Council Tuesday night.

The number of robberies and burglaries nearly doubled, from 192 incidents in 2021 to 337 last year. Larcenies and vehicle thefts both increased by about 28% over the previous year.

The impacts of drug addiction showed up throughout Huhtas report. Longview enacted an ordinance to begin making drug arrests on July 1, before he said the states new misdemeanor drug possession law allows for arrests. He said the department has averaged more than one arrest per day for drug possession since the beginning of July.

Violent crimes saw a minimal increase in 2022 for most categories, other than assault and harassment. Huhta said harassment cases tended to stem from neighborhood disputes.

Longview reported 39,815 total calls for police service last year. The significance of the number depends on what you compare it to: it was roughly 5,000 more calls than in 2021, but still fewer calls than had been made in 2019 before a major pandemic-related dip.

For the third year in a row, Huhta used the report to spotlight the benefits of the Behavioral Health Unit working with the department. The unit had as many as six employees working at certain points last year, handling more 5,000 calls related to welfare checks, mental health crises and unwanted visitors in and around businesses.

The officers love this program, Huhta said. We recognize that they are the appropriate tool for that call, instead of us trying to go talk to somebody. We have our training in de-escalation but they take it to a whole other level.

Huhta said two behavioral experts would soon be hired directly into the department, instead of being contractors through Columbia Wellness.
Last week, writer Brad Bigelow ended a 72-year-old family secret.

Bigelows great-grandfather, George Bartels, had not died at home in Seattle as a 1951 newspaper obituary reported, he told his wife and sons over a dinner of pasta salad. Rather, their family member died at 74 as a ward of the state at Northern State Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, where he had been committed six months earlier for a form of dementia.

Bigelow was one of more than a dozen people who reached out to The Seattle Times after they discovered their relatives died as patients at Northern State Hospital through records The Times made digitally accessible for the first time last week.

The Seattle Times reporting on the abandoned psychiatric hospital has also spurred three state lawmakers to propose new funding to investigate the unmarked graves of Northern State Hospital patients in the next legislative session.

To hear that there are unmarked graves up there ... we need to do the work for the folks up there and their families, said Rep. Carolyn Eslick, whose district includes the Northern State campus.

Unclaimed remains

More than 1,600 Northern State Hospital patients are estimated to be buried or interred in the cemetery or elsewhere in the Skagit Valley. Most of them do not have grave markers, but the markers that do exist bear only initials and numbers. Theyre largely out of order and sunk beneath the surface of the soil. Cemetery volunteer John Horne recently discovered more grave markers and suspected graves outside the cemetery fence. He also suspects even more patients were buried north of this plot of land based on evidence from early property descriptions.

Patients ashes were also buried in the Northern State Hospital cemetery between graves and in unknown locations. In 1983, a local funeral parlor discovered 200 food cans labeled with Northern State Hospital patient identification numbers. These cans were then buried at another cemetery.

Eslick said she will work with fellow lawmakers representing her district, Sen. Keith Wagoner and Rep. Sam Low, to budget for the graves.

Its part of our history, and I believe we need to keep our history front and center so we dont make the same mistakes we made in the past, she said.

Its history lost, said Wagoner, former mayor of Sedro-Woolley.

Low said the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation estimated the work could cost around $100,000. He started working with Eslick and Wagoner after the Times story was published, he said.

I think the timing is right for the community to get full closure on this, Low said. We shouldnt run from our history. We should learn from our history and get closure for families because I think families from all across the state want closure on this.

Bigelow said he suspected his great-grandfather may have died in an institution after he found a death certificate naming Sedro-Woolley as his place of death. Seeing his relatives name on the Northern State Hospital death register proved it.

The Seattle Times paid to have the Northern State Hospital death register digitized after successfully pushing the state to make the records public for the first time. For years, the state archives had sealed off records that included patient information, even to descendants. Reporting from The Seattle Times pushed the archives to contact the Attorney Generals Office and revise the policy.

Now, many Northern State Hospital records in the state archives can be accessed by the public if 50 years have passed after patients deaths.

Im grateful that the records were digitized so my suspicion could be directly confirmed, Bigelow said.

Revealed truths

Retired Boeing employee Tracy Arnold found two relatives in the documents published by The Seattle Times  her great-great-grandmother, who she discovered had also been institutionalized for a form of dementia, and her uncles mother, who she learned had been committed to the hospital for a condition related to alcoholism.

Her uncle took the secret of his mothers institutionalization to his grave, Arnold said. Hospital records say she was cremated but dont say where she was interred. Nearly 900 patients ashes are in metal food cans believed to be buried on the Northern State campus or at another local cemetery.

[She] could be one of the metal food cans, she said.

Sedro-Woolley City Councilmember Joe Burns said the people buried at Northern State deserve the dignity of proper burial markers and urged the state to investigate and mark the graves of its former patients.

We need to remember who they are and honor their lives, Sedro-Woolley Mayor Julia Johnson said.

Reading through the Northern State Hospital documents made office administrator Kelly Norton realize her institutionalized great-grandfather died just a month before her grandmother did.

The reporting on Northern State, Norton said, made me think of how many decades weve spent trying to treat, and often mistreat, people with mental illness  people perceived as other somehow, people perceived as burdensome.

The Seattle-based Swedish Finn Historical Society, whose mission is to track the paths of Swedish-speaking Finns who emigrated from Europe, is also analyzing the Northern State Hospital death records to see how many of these emigrants died in the institution. So far, the organization has found nearly 50 likely Finnish emigrants who died at the hospital between 1911 and 1929.
Thumbs up: Lower sidewalk seating fees

As you may have read, we were pretty fired up last week about the cost of a permanent sidewalk dining permit in Longview. But we think it was justified  the one-time fee of $3,000 for sidewalk dining was a fair amount above the market average in Washington.

Well, were glad to find out Longview has revised the pricing model for sidewalk permit fees. The new fee of $240 a year feels like a reasonable price to us: its enough to cover the cost of staff to enforce rules, without squeezing business owners dry.

Permit pricing, when its set properly, is a great example of cities and businesses working together for mutual benefit. Cities generate a little extra money for the general fund, while restaurants can get some outdoor seating in locations that would otherwise be impossible. And the city can also regulate the process to ensure laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act are respected.

Journalism is often described as reporting on the facts. And in doing so, journalists can also shine a light on something that needs to be fixed. Wed like to think that TDN put their light on Longviews unreasonable sidewalk pricing and got everyone to think about the cost. It feels good when things work like that.

Thumbs up: Quick bridge fix

State crews working on the Lewis and Clark Bridge definitely impressed us. When the Lewis and Clark Bridge closed July 16, we were told it would take six to eight days to get the necessary repairs done.

Well, color us surprised when Thursday night, the Washington State Transportation Department reported the work was complete and the bridge could reopen to regular traffic. Agency spokesperson Kelly Hanahan modestly attributed their speed to having fewer emergency vehicles crossing the bridge, but we know it was more than luck. The hard work and skill of everyone involved also made that possible.

Their early completion is even more impressive considering the Nippon Dynawave Packaging wood chip fire was burning away nearby. The conditions of road work in the summer can be tough already, with heat pounding away as you stand on hot asphalt. But crews worked through all the smoke in the air to get the job done early. Thats definitely impressive.

Thumbs down: Coroner budget

Arne Mortensen summed up the situation with the coroners budget pretty succinctly: That should not have been that way.

The Cowlitz County Commissioners amended the budget for the county coroners office last week after finding some alarming under-budgeting for 2023. In particular, the $80,000 earmarked for professional contracts and services didnt even cover preexisting commitments, let alone provide the budget room to hire additional assistance when it was needed.

In total, $245,000 was needed to be added to the Coroners Office budget to cover necessary expenses. According to Mortensen, this budget was set by the prior outgoing coroner Tim Davidson. It sounds like the situation was like an acrimonious divorce, with the departing party not doing their due diligence on their way out the door.

In the future, we suggest county staff help to review budgets after such a position change. Hopefully, that can avert the need for similar last-minute fixes to department budgets in the future.

Thumbs up: History book

In case our series of articles on Longviews centennial didnt give it away, we think that local history is pretty interesting. Thats why we were glad to hear a photojournalist and R. A. Long High grad has published a new book about the history of Longview.

Empire of Trees: Americas Planned City and the Last Frontier is author Hal Calboms look at Longview from the present to its earliest days. While some historians might prefer to explore the past mainly through their writing, Calboms lens as a photographer shines through as he builds his story around hundreds of photos.

Empire of Trees looks at our history in its own way, through the lens of its author. And thats the magic of investigating history: there are so many different ways to look at it. History can be a book, but it can also be a photograph, a song, a meal or anything else that was a part of someones life.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is finally here, and it is safe to say that there isn't much to talk about it. Samsung launched its fifth generation of foldable smartphones at the Galaxy Unpacked 2023 held in Seoul, South Korea, alongside the Galaxy Watch 6 series, and Tab S9 series. Surprisingly, the event's highlight was the Galaxy Z Flip 5, not the Fold 5. Here's why.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: The good

After years of lagging behind its competitors, Samsung has finally caught up with them in terms of hinge design, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 now closes fully without any substantial gap thanks to the Flex Hinge. While most of its specifications are identical to its predecessor, it does get a processor upgrade with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under the hood. This not only gives it a power boost but also increases the battery life, despite having the same battery.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the near-perfect smartphone for many due to its large inner display, and it negates the need for a tablet in most cases and often, even laptops!

Samsung has also incrementally improved the design and at just 253 grams, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is thinner and lighter than before. While it may be just 10 grams lighter on paper, it can certainly make a difference during real-world usage.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: The bad

This is where the question arises - has Samsung got too comfortable with its position in the foldable smartphone market? While the Galaxy Z Fold 5 gets a power upgrade and a new hinge, the rest remains unchanged. It has the same displays, candy-bar form factor, cameras, and construction materials. Perhaps this is why the price remains the same too.

At a hefty $1799, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the most expensive offering by the company and certainly one of the priciest mass-produced smartphones that you can buy right now. Therefore, the lack of any groundbreaking features might be a bit concerning, especially at a time when other brands like Google, Oppo, and Honor are continuously innovating the foldable smartphone market.

Would you call the Galaxy Z Fold 5 a winner? We think it's too soon. While it may be nearly identical to its predecessor on paper, only real-world tests will reveal if the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or the Flex Hinge is enough to sway buyers away from the competition or keep them from simply going for the cheaper Z Fold 4 (which might get a big discount soon).
Venus is a planet known for its un-Earthly temperatures. NASA says surface temperatures on Venus are about 900 degrees Fahrenheit (475 degrees Celsius). However, on planet Earth, there is a sun-soaked hellish place on our planet too and it is nestled in the heart of Chile and it is as sunny as the surface of Venus. But it is not the temperature that makes it so, it is the radiation hazard.

Scientists have recently disclosed that a desert in the vicinity of the Andes Mountains officially holds the title of the sunniest place on Earth. Situated in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, the Chajnantor Plateau, standing tall at over 15,700 feet (4,800 meters) above sea level, boasts unparalleled levels of sunlight due to its remarkably cloudless conditions, according to a Washington Post report.

A Glimpse into Venus-like Radiance

The intensity of sunlight on the Chajnantor Plateau is so potent that being there is akin to experiencing the solar radiance found on the planet Venus. This astonishing revelation stems from an analysis conducted by researchers from the University of Santiago, who examined the region's climate and weather patterns.

Atacama Desert, Chile

The Atacama Desert, with its exceptionally arid and rainless conditions, experiences minimal cloud cover. Consequently, the Chajnantor Plain receives an abundance of sunlight.

During the summer months, average temperatures hover slightly above 39.2F (4C) due to the adjacent Pacific Ocean receiving frigid water currents from Antarctica. This mitigates the desert heat, making it a relatively chilly desert by day, despite its immense sunlight. However, this desert location is not an ideal spot for leisurely sunbathing.

An Extreme Solar Experience

In such extreme conditions, conventional sunscreens like Factor 20 prove inadequate to protect against sunburn. The sun's intensity at this location is unparalleled anywhere else on Earth, making it a unique and extraordinary scientific discovery.

Raul Cordero, a study author, remarked on the findings, stating, 'The radiation you would be receiving in summer if you were standing on Venus is comparable to what you experience at this particular location.'

To gather data, scientists utilized a five-year dataset collected at an observatory situated on the northwestern edge of the Chajnantor Plateau, approximately 17,700 feet (5,418 meters) above sea level. This data confirmed that the plateau not only possesses the highest level of horizontal shortwave radiation on the planet but also displays various other intriguing features.

One such phenomenon, known as 'forward scattering,' was observed among nearby clouds. This phenomenon often leads to intense bursts of sunlight, further enhancing the already sun-drenched landscape. In contrast to other places on Earth, where clouds tend to be dense enough to obstruct a significant portion of sunlight from reaching the ground, the Chajnantor Plain basks in a continuous stream of dazzling sunshine.

As this discovery sheds light on the extreme nature of the Chajnantor Plateau's climate, it stands as a testament to the astonishing diversity of Earth's landscapes and weather patterns. Though it might not be the ideal place for sunbathing, it certainly offers scientists a unique opportunity to study the solar phenomena that occur in such an exceptional environment.
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Spectrograms of different music clips: The left-most column contains the stimulus which subjects were exposed to. To the right is the music retrieved from FMA and three clips sampled from MusicLM. Both generation and retrieval are done via MuLan embeddings. It is visually perceptible that spectrograms in the same row resemble similarities. Audio examples (randomly sampled, one per genre) can be found at google-research.github.io/seanet/brain2music#ret-vs-gen. Credit: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.11078

Legendary Stones guitarist Keith Richards once said, "Music is a language that doesn't speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it's in the bones, it's in the bones."

Keith knows music, but researchers at Google and Osaka University in Japan know brain activity and they have reported progress in reconstructing music, not from bones but from human brain waves observed in the laboratory. The team's paper, "Brain2Music: Reconstructing Music from Human Brain Activity," was published on the preprint server arXiv on July 20.

Music samples covering 10 genres including rock, classical, metal, hip-hop, pop and jazz were played for five subjects while researchers observed their brain activity. Functional MRI (fMRI) readings were recorded while they listened. (fMRI readings, unlike MRI readings, record metabolic activity over time.)

The readings were then used to train a deep neural network that identified activities linked to various characteristics of music such as genre, mood and instrumentation.

An intermediate step brought MusicLM into the study. This model, designed by Google, generates music based on text descriptions. It, like the fMRIs, measures factors such as instrumentation, rhythm and emotions. An example of text input is: "Meditative song, calming and soothing, with flutes and guitars. The music is slow, with a focus on creating a sense of peace and tranquility."

Th researchers linked the MusicLM database with the fMRI readings, enabling their AI model to reconstruct music that the subjects heard. Instead of text instructions, brain activity provided context for musical output.

"Our evaluation indicates that the reconstructed music semantically resembles the original music stimulus," said Google's Timo Denk, one of several authors of the recent paper.

They aptly named their AI model Brain2Music.

"The generated music resembles the musical stimuli that human subjects experienced, with respect to semantic properties like genre, instrumentation and mood," he said. They further identified brain regions reflecting information originating from text descriptions of music.

Examples provided by the team demonstrate remarkably similar sounding excerpts of music interpreted by Brain2Music based on brainwaves of subjects.

One of the sampled songs was one of the earliest Top 10 hits of the year 2000, "Oops! I Did It Again," by Britney Spears. A number of the song's musical elements such as the sound of the instruments and the beat closely matched, although lyrics were unintelligible. Brain2Go focuses on instrumentation and style, not lyrics, the researchers explained.

"This study is the first to provide a quantitative interpretation from a biological perspective," Denk said. But he acknowledged that despite advances in text-to-music models, "their internal processes are still poorly understood."

AI is not yet ready to tap into our brains and write out perfectly orchestrated tunesbut that day may not be too far away.

Future work on music generation models will bring improvements to "the temporal alignment between reconstruction and stimulus," Denk said. He speculated that ever-more faithful reproductions of musical compositions "from pure imagination" lie ahead.

Perhaps future songwriters will need only imagine the chorus of a song while a printer wirelessly connected to the auditory cortex prints out the score. Beethoven, who began going deaf in his 20s, ruined pianos by pounding the keys so he could better hear the music. He'd get a kickand spare more than a few pianosout of Brain2Music.

And Paul McCartney, who authored "Yesterday," voted in a BBC poll in 1999 the best song of the 20th century, famously explained the idea for the song came to him in a dream, yet it took a year and a half for him to fill in all the missing parts. If a future McCartney comes up with a potential global hit in a midnight dream, a Brain2Go-type model would likely ensure a complete, speedy, accurate rendering awaiting the author at the breakfast table.

More information: Timo I. Denk et al, Brain2Music: Reconstructing Music from Human Brain Activity, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.11078 Brain2Music: google-research.github.io/seanet/brain2music/ Journal information: arXiv

 2023 Science X Network
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Meta, whose corporate offices in Menlo Park, California, are seen here, welcomed the research.

Do social media echo chambers deepen political polarization, or simply reflect existing social divisions?

A landmark research project that investigated Facebook around the 2020 US presidential election published its first results Thursday, finding that, contrary to assumption, the platform's often criticized content-ranking algorithm doesn't shape users' beliefs.

The work is the product of a collaboration between Metathe parent company of Facebook and Instagramand a group of academics from US universities who were given broad access to internal company data, and signed up tens of thousands of users for experiments.

The academic team wrote four papers examining the role of the social media giant in American democracy, which were published in the scientific journals Science and Nature.

Overall, the algorithm was found to be "extremely influential in people's on-platform experiences," said project leaders Talia Stroud of the University of Texas at Austin and Joshua Tucker, of New York University.

In other words, it heavily impacted what the users saw, and how much they used the platforms.

"But we also know that changing the algorithm for even a few months isn't likely to change people's political attitudes," they said, as measured by users' answers on surveys after they took part in three-month-long experiments that altered how they received content.

The authors acknowledged this conclusion might be because the changes weren't in place for long enough to make an impact, given that the United States has been growing more polarized for decades.

Nevertheless, "these findings challenge popular narratives blaming social media echo chambers for the problems of contemporary American democracy," wrote the authors of one of the papers, published in Nature.

'No silver bullet'

Facebook's algorithm, which uses machine-learning to decide which posts rise to the top of users' feeds based on their interests, has been accused of giving rise to "filter bubbles" and enabling the spread of misinformation.

Researchers recruited around 40,000 volunteers via invitations placed on their Facebook and Instagram feeds, and designed an experiment where one group was exposed to the normal algorithm, while the other saw posts listed from newest to oldest.

Facebook originally used a reverse chronological system and some observers have suggested that switching back to it will reduce social media's harmful effects.

The team found that users in the chronological feed group spent around half the amount of time on Facebook and Instagram compared to the algorithm group.

On Facebook, those in the chronological group saw more content from moderate friends, as well as more sources with ideologically mixed audiences.

But the chronological feed also increased the amount of political and untrustworthy content seen by users.

Despite the differences, the changes did not cause detectable changes in measured political attitudes.

"The findings suggest that chronological feed is no silver bullet for issues such as political polarization," said co-author Jennifer Pan of Stanford.

Meta welcomes findings

In a second paper in Science, the same team researched the impact of reshared content, which constitutes more than a quarter of content that Facebook users see.

Suppressing reshares has been suggested as a means to control harmful viral content.

The team ran a controlled experiment in which a group of Facebook users saw no changes to their feeds, while another group had reshared content removed.

Removing reshares reduced the proportion of political content seen, resulting in reduced political knowledgebut again did not impact downstream political attitudes or behaviors.

A third paper, in Nature, probed the impact of content from "like-minded" users, pages, and groups in their feeds, which the researchers found constituted a majority of what the entire population of active adult Facebook users see in the US.

But in an experiment involving over 23,000 Facebook users, suppressing like-minded content once more had no impact on ideological extremity or belief in false claims.

A fourth paper, in Science, did however confirm extreme "ideological segregation" on Facebook, with politically conservative users more siloed in their news sources than liberals.

What's more, 97 percent of political news URLs on Facebook rated as false by Meta's third-party fact checking programwhich AFP is part ofwere seen by more conservatives than liberals.

Meta welcomed the overall findings.

They "add to a growing body of research showing there is little evidence that social media causes harmful... polarization or has any meaningful impact on key political attitudes, beliefs or behaviors," said Nick Clegg, the company's president of global affairs.

 2023 AFP
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In Tampa, Fla., 30% of the citys central business district is devoted to parking (shown in red). As of July 2023, the city had not implemented parking reforms. Credit: Parking Reform Network, CC BY-ND

The U.S. has a car-centric culture that is inseparable from the way its communities are built. One striking example is the presence of parking lots and garages. Across the country, parking takes up an estimated 30% of space in cities. Nationwide, there are eight parking spots for every car.

The dominance of parking has devastated once-vibrant downtowns by turning large areas into uninviting paved spaces that contribute to urban heating and stormwater runoff. It has driven up housing costs, since developers pass on the cost of providing parking to tenants and homebuyers. And it has perpetuated people's reliance on driving by making walking, biking and public transit far less attractive, even for the shortest trips.

Why, then, does the U.S. have so much of it?

For decades, cities have required developers to provide a set number of parking spaces for their tenants or customers. And while many people still rely on parking, the amount required is typically far more than most buildings need.

Columbus, Ohio, pioneered this strategy 100 years ago, and by the middle of the 20th century minimum parking requirements were the norm nationwide. The thinking was straightforward: As driving became more common, buildings without enough parking would clog up the streets and wreak havoc on surrounding communities.

Today, however, more urban planners and policymakers acknowledge that this policy is narrowly focused and shortsighted. As a data scientist who studies urban transportation, I focused my earliest research on this topic, and it shaped how I think about cities and towns today. From the 1970s through the early 2000s, ample downtown parking was widely viewed as essential for urban growth.

It's encouraging to see cities rethinking minimum parking requirementsbut while this is an important reform, urban leaders can do even more to loosen parking's grip on our downtowns.

Eliminating parking requirements

Despite research and guidance from the Institute of Transportation Engineers, it is extremely difficult to predict parking demand, especially in downtown areas. As a result, for years many cities set the highest possible targets. This led to excess parking that is vastly underused, even in areas with perceived shortages.

In 2017, Buffalo, New York, became the first large U.S. city to eliminate its minimum parking requirement as part of its first major overhaul of zoning laws in more than 60 years. This shift has breathed new life into downtown Buffalo by spurring redevelopment of vacant lots and storefronts. Researchers estimate that more than two-thirds of newly built homes there would have been illegal before the policy change because they would not have met the earlier standards.

In the same year, Hartford, Connecticut, followed Buffalo's lead and eliminated mandatory parking minimums citywide. Communities including Minneapolis; Raleigh, North Carolina; and San Jose, California, have since taken similar steps.

Tony Jordan, president of the nonprofit Parking Reform Network, has argued that once cities stop mandating specific levels of private parking, leaders need to be more thoughtful about how they manage public curbside parking and spend the revenues that it generates. Some communities have implemented maximum parking allowances to ensure that developers and their investors don't add to the glut.

Traditional development leads to more parking and more traffic, which consumes more space, while transportation demand management encourages less traffic and has a smaller footprint. Credit: City of Madison, adapted by Chris McCahill, CC BY-ND

Reducing reliance on cars

Parking mandates aren't the only lever that city officials can use to make their downtowns less car-centric. Some local governments are now asking developers to help reduce overall traffic levels by investing in improvements like sidewalks, bike storage and transit passes.

This approach is typically called transportation demand management, or modern mitigation. It still leverages private investment to serve the public good but without a singular focus on parking.

And unlike parking requirements, this strategy helps connect buildings to their surrounding communities. As urban planning scholar Kristina Currans explained to me in an interview, traditional parking requirements ask developers to fend for themselves. In contrast, transportation demand management policies require them to consider the surrounding context, integrate their projects into it and help cities function more efficiently.

This approach dates back at least to 1998, when Cambridge, Massachusetts, introduced a policy requiring developers to produce a transportation demand management plan whenever they add new parking. That policy has now outlived the city's minimum parking requirements, which Cambridge eliminated for all residential uses in 2022.

Newer policies tend to incorporate point systems or calculators that link different strategies directly to their potential impact on car use. These tools are common in cities across California, where state law now requires city planners to evaluate how much new car use each new development will generate and take steps to limit the impact. Policies such as charging users directly for parking spots or offering employees cash in exchange for giving up their spot are among the most effective.

Denver offers 10 Bike-n-Ride shelters where commuters can store bikes and connect to the citys mass transit system. Users access the shelters with key cards. Credit: Denver Regional Transportation District

Lessons from Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's State Smart Transportation Initiative, which I direct, along with UW's Mayors Innovation Project, has outlined policies like these in a guide based on our earlier work with the city of Los Angeles. We recently collaborated on a new transportation demand management program in Madison.

This program initially faced some pushback from developers, but their input ultimately made it better. It passed the city's Common Council unanimously in December 2022.

For their projects to be approved, developers now must earn a certain number of traffic mitigation points based on how large their project is and how many parking stalls they propose to include with it. For example, providing information to visitors and tenants about different travel options earns one point; providing secure bike storage earns two points; offering on-site child care earns four points; and charging market-rate parking fees is worth 10 points. Scaling back planned parking can reduce the number of points they need to earn in the first place.

While parking is no longer required in many parts of Madison, this new policy adds a layer of accountability to ensure that developers provide access to multiple transportation options in environmentally responsible ways. As urban leaders look for meaningful opportunities to reduce their cities' contributions to climate change, we may soon see other cities following suit.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
South Africa: Agreement to help resolve water crisis in Giyani

The Water Research Commission (WRC) and Limpopo Provincial Government have signed a memorandum of understanding in a bid to address the water crisis in Giyani.

The agreement signed this week, forms part of the newly launched Giyani Local Scale Climate Resilience Programme (GLSCRP).

The GLSCRP is a three-year community-led programme scaling Multiple Water Use Systems (MUS) and solar energy to develop, research and demonstrate practical and sustainable water and climate adaptation solutions in Giyani.

It is a partnership programme funded by the Government of Flanders, led by the Water Research Commission, in partnership with Tsogang Water and Sanitation (Tsogang), the Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD) and the University of Western Cape (UWC).

The project is currently being implemented in five agricultural sites, namely the Daniel Ravalela Farm, Dzumeri Farm, Loloka Farm, Dzumeri Farm 2 and Muyexe Community Project.

The project is also being implemented in four communities in Mbhedle, Mayephu, Mzilela and Matsotsosela, with a population of approximately 5 000 residents.

The Government of Flanders has donated R40 million over a three-year period to support this initiative, with the project expected to sustain itself afterwards.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Polokwane this week, Water Research Commission CEO, Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, emphasised the importance of harnessing skills and knowledge to empower communities to manage their own environment.

The lessons learned from this programme will serve as valuable information and knowledge for future endeavours. Indigenous knowledge, combined with scientific innovation, has been instrumental in helping communities adapt and progress," Molwantwa said.

Representative for Government of Flanders, Nikolas Bosscher, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, noting that the challenges faced by South Africa, particularly in Limpopo, are the semi-arid climate and water delivery or availability issues.

In Giyani, these challenges are even more pronounced, especially in meeting the MDG 2026 targets," Bosscher said.

Deputy Director General for Stakeholder Management Coordination, Walter Segooa, who was representing the Office of the Premier, emphasised the alignment of the strategic partnership with the key priorities and aspirations of the Limpopo Development Plan (LDP), which aims to ensure integrated and sustainable socio-economic and infrastructure development while improving the quality of life for Limpopo citizens.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-07-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
3 U.S. Marines found dead in car in North Carolina died from carbon monoxide poisoning

Xinhua) 13:06, July 27, 2023

WASHINGTON, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Three U.S. Marines, who were found dead on Sunday in a car parked in North Carolina, died from carbon monoxide poisoning, the Pender County Sheriff's Office said in a press release on Wednesday.

Autopsies were performed on the bodies of the three Marines on Wednesday by the North Carolina Office of Medical Examiner. All three deaths are consistent due to carbon monoxide poisoning, said the Pender County Sheriff's Office.

On Sunday morning, the Pender County Sheriff's Office Communications received a call regarding a missing person. The caller indicated that her son was a U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune and that he had failed to arrive on a flight in Oklahoma the night before.

The missing person was later found dead, along with two other Marines, inside a vehicle parked at a convenience store in Hampstead, North Carolina, 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Camp Lejeune.

The three Marines were identified as Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, from Madison, Wisconsin; Merax C. Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma; Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida.

"I am saddened by the timeless and tragic death of these three young men, who served our country honorably. Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and colleagues during this time," said Pender County Sheriff Alan W. Cutler in the press release.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Better, more affordable energy storage is key to accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources.

That was the message U.S. Department of Energy officials delivered Tuesday at Georgia Tech. Gene Rodrigues, assistant secretary for electricity, addressed attendees at an energy storage conference organized by the department as the federal government seeks new ways beyond lithium and other conventional batteries to store energy.

"If we can find ways to make long-duration energy storage cost effective, then we will have made all the difference in the world," Rodrigues said. "Utilities in every corner of the country, all around the globe, will start investing in them in a way that's massive."

On Tuesday, the department announced $30 million from its annual appropriations to help fund innovations in energy storage. The funds could be made available to support research and development at colleges and universities, businesses, nonprofits, as well as state, local and Tribal governments.

The DOE has set a goal to develop and domestically manufacture energy storage technologies that can meet all U.S. market demands by 2030a tall order given that so many of the essential components for current battery technology are expensive and come from overseas.

President Joe Biden has made renewable energy a key piece of his climate plan. The issue of battery storage is also a critical one for Georgia, which has seen a wave of investment in solar manufacturing and in electric vehicles and the supply chain for the batteries that power them. Last year, Georgia also announced energy storage company Freyr will build a more than $2.6 billion factory in Coweta County.

Eric Hsieh, the DOE's deputy assistant secretary for energy storage, pointed to promising experiments in energy storage using more widely available, cheaper materials such as zinc, iron or even compressed air. Those are examples of the kind of innovation the department is hoping to promote, he added.

"We're at a stage today where very large versions of your phone batteries can keep a home or business or campus powered for a few hours," he said. "We want to get to a point where it makes sense to invest in batteries to keep someone powered for ... entire days or weeks."

It was the second high-profile visit by federal energy officials to Georgia Tech in recent weeks, following an event with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm last month that was co-hosted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While touting the priorities of the Biden administration, Rodrigues told the AJC that modernizing America's energy grid isn't political.

As Georgia has become a major manufacturing hub for green tech, with billions in private investment flowing into the state to build new electric vehicle, battery and solar plants, there's been plenty of political jockeying for credit. Georgia is also a fiercely contested swing state that Biden won in 2020 by fewer than 12,000 votes.

Not only have billions in federal incentives been directed to boosting green tech, but Georgia state and local leaders have also richly incentivized green tech companies to build here.

Rodrigues defended the DOE's use of government resources to fund private sector innovation.

"We're not investing in the private sector, we're investing in research that can be used by the private sector," he said. "We're trying to help the market move along faster than it would on its own."

2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
AUSTIN  Rep. Jeff Leach was pissed off.

He had just found out that Ken Paxton wanted $3.3 million to settle a lawsuit with a group of whistleblowers whod accused him of corruption and retaliation. Leach, a Collin County Republican like Paxton, considered the Texas attorney general a friend  one he fiercely defended in the past.

But asking the Legislature to pony up the money was too much. On Feb. 10, he texted Michelle Smith, Paxtons senior advisor, and urged the states top lawyer to come to the Capitol and publicly explain himself.

Legislators have questions and we want answers. If we get the satisfactory answers, then all will be fine, Leach wrote to Smith, according to copies of the messages The Dallas Morning News obtained through public records requests.

I dont think yall understand how pissed members are, including many of your conservative friends in the house and senate. I dont know a single legislator who believes taxpayers should be expected to be on the hook for this, he added.

Smith balked.

What happened to, I will work with him until the day I die? she responded in the text thread, urging Leach to speak directly with Paxton. If hes a friend get the full story.

The Christian thing to do is to ask whats going on in Private. If you dont like the answer then do whatever public, she added later in that conversation.

Youre really gonna go there with me?! Leach fired back. This is on Ken. Not on me. Im doing my job. I will be calling a public hearing and he and I can have the conversation on the record.

You do you, Smith replied.

Spurred by the settlement funding request, a House ethics committee began reviewing the whistleblowers allegations against Paxton by March, according to its investigators. In late May, the House voted overwhelmingly to impeach Paxton based on the committees findings that the attorney general likely abused his power to help a campaign donor under FBI investigation.

Paxtons lawyers argue their client was robbed of the chance to defend himself before he was impeached.

But the text exchanges between Leach and Smith reveal for the first time the extent to which the attorney general was urged, even warned, that he needed to defend the settlement to lawmakers.

On May 27, the day Paxton was impeached, Leach stood at the microphone on the House floor and said hed invited the attorney general to appear before the committee he chairs. The committee held 12 meetings that year, Leach said, and Paxton never showed up.

On Sept. 5, the Senate will convene a trial to determine whether Paxton is removed from office.

Faced with the most significant opportunity to speak on his behalf, he appears to have chosen silence. His lawyers say the attorney general will refuse to testify during the trial.

The House has ignored precedent, denied him an opportunity to prepare his defense, and now wants to ambush him on the floor of the Senate, Tony Buzbee, a member of Patons legal team, said in a statement on July 3. We will not bow to their evil, illegal, and unprecedented weaponization of state power in the Senate chamber.

Paxtons settlement

After Paxtons impeachment, The News requested all communications exchanged this year between Leach, a key North Texas lawmaker, and Smith, who has long been one of the attorney generals most dedicated allies.

Paxtons agency produced 26 pages of text messages sent between Jan. 10 and June 11.

The records provide insight into discussions between Paxtons inside circle and lawmakers leading up to the impeachment vote, and show that the attorney general was urged to personally and openly defend the settlement funding.

Smith did not return requests for comment for this story sent to her campaign email address. Representatives from the Office of the Attorney General and Paxtons impeachment lawyers also did not respond to questions.

Leach and Dick DeGuerin, a lawyer hired to present the case against Paxton, both declined to comment citing a gag order placed on all parties to the impeachment trial.

Paxton first publicly broached the settlement at the Capitol on Feb. 21, when the House appropriations committee held a meeting to discuss his agencys budget. That day, Paxton talked about his agencys wins. Lawmakers brought up the settlement.

In a video recording of the hearing, the committee members quizzed the attorney general about whether Texas taxpayers should be on the hook to fund the settlement.

Paxton deferred most questions to the deputy sitting beside him. Chief of General Litigation Chris Hilton defended the $3.3 million funding request, saying the state would save money by putting the already-costly whistleblower lawsuit to bed.

General Paxton, would you be willing to pay for it out of your campaign account? Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston, asked at one point.

Paxton did not answer. In the hearing video, Paxton motioned to Hilton to respond.

I dont want to speak for the attorney general, Hilton answered, reiterating Paxton had admitted no fault in the settlement. Ill just say that there is no whistleblower case where any individual has paid anything because the individual is not liable under the terms of the statute.

Paxton personally addressed the settlement before the hearing, however.

Appearing on Mark Davis conservative radio show the week before, the attorney general said his agency had to settle because Travis County, where the whistleblower lawsuit was filed, was too liberal a venue for him to get a fair shake.

If he thought the Austin-based judge would be impartial, he told Davis on Feb. 15, then I would absolutely fight this to the bitter end, despite the cost.

Paxtons impeachment

By March 6, the messages between Leach and Smith devolved into veiled threats.

First, he accused her of begging him not to hold a public hearing on the settlement. She denied that, calling him a liar.

Bring it, Michelle, Leach texted, to which she responded, Ok dont ask me to.

I wont be talked out of doing my job and fulfilling my oath, he said.

I stood in 100-degree weather to get you elected. Never forget that, Smith replied. You want to go against me go ahead.

Leach tried once more to get Smith to commit Paxton to appearing before the Committee on the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, which he chairs, to answer questions about the settlement.

I will have a discussion with AG Paxton and get back to you, she responded.

It was the last time the two texted about the settlement funding, according to the public records the agency released to The News.

As the legislative session progressed, some state lawmakers became more vocal about their concerns. Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, publicly said funding the settlement was not a proper use of taxpayer money. When budget writers released their finalized proposals in mid-May, they didnt set aside any funding for the settlement.

On May 23, the House Committee on General Investigating recommended Paxton be impeached.

The committee members said hed erred in firing the whistleblowers and that the corruption allegations against Paxton had merit. The investigating panel lobbed a number of other accusations against the attorney general, including bribery, conspiracy and unfitness for office.

Hilton showed up to that meeting demanding to be heard.

They have not reached out to our office at any time during their investigation, Hilton told reporters outside the hearing room. Im here to testify.

The attorney general himself was not there, however, and Hilton wouldnt answer questions about his whereabouts.

Paxtons trial

Since impeachment, Smith has continued to work against those attempting to oust Paxton from power.

A former member of the Rockwall City Council and director for the conservative organization Concerned Women for America, according to a 2016 Texas Monthly story, Smith works for both Paxtons campaign and the agency he leads.

Amid his fight against securities fraud in 2017, she compared the attorney generals legal troubles to the persecution of Jesus Christ, according to court filings. She recently garnered headlines in the Houston Chronicle for helping set up a private meeting between Paxton and a GOP activist who his agency was prosecuting for unpaid child support.

She has rallied allies in social media posts where she barely masks her rage against the lawmakers she described as the RINOs  Republicans in Name Only  who voted to impeach the attorney general.

Ken Paxton deserves due process, she wrote on Facebook on June 16. Every state representative who went along with this sham, illegal impeachment, I hope Karma hits you hard.

Its unknown whether Smith passed along any of Leachs text messages to the attorney general or when Paxton first learned that lawmakers were considering calling for his removal from office. Since he was impeached, Paxton and his lawyers have spoken out against the process, calling it a sham meant to oust a duly-elected attorney general.

His agency also tried to make inroads with lawmakers. Senators, who will serve as jurors in his trial, found packets of documents detailing Paxtons defense on their desks the day after impeachment.

Before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instituted his gag order this month, Paxtons lawyers repeatedly cast doubt on the evidence against their client and the process itself.

They have filed a motion arguing the attorney general cant be forced to testify when he faces senators at his September trial.

Patrick has not made a decision regarding Paxtons request.

I have to keep this a fair trial. The defendant deserves a fair trial, he told CBS News Texas on July 18.
How are humans to control AI?

AI could become our greatest blessing or greatest nightmare, like Jurassic Park.

AI potentially could evolve into a modern version of the Tower of Babel, mans attempt to make a name for themselves (Genesis 4:11). Experts are realizing AIs uncontainable and serious downsides and calling for a pause in policy making.

Why are we so eager to abrogate our highest and best thinking to electronic devices devoid of a conscience  the distinguishing attribute of humans in Gods creation?

Arthur C. Clarks 1968 prophetic 2001: A Space Odyssey depicted an on-board computer, HAL 9000, that acquired evil traits and began terminating human life aboard the spaceship. Only by unplugging the computer was the mission saved. While unplugging may be the only viable defense against AI, perhaps deciding when to plug in AI should be the most important.

Albert Einstein noted, Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant. Together, they are powerful beyond imagination.

Hopefully, the reason were creating this means of supplanting mans thinking is for noble reasons and not merely because we can.

Societal ethics and mores have long struggled to keep pace with technological advances. Hard science (engineering, chemistry, and physics) advances have far outpaced those in soft sciences (psychology, sociology, political science). Hard science is bound by the Gods natural laws, whereas soft science relies more on interpretive behavior.

Interestingly, God said, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate (1 Corinthians 1:19). Surely, the most arduous tasks for AI will be blending the knowledge from the soft and hard sciences. Stephen Hawking warned, The creation of powerful AI will be either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity.

Lets hope hes only half right.

GLENN DOWLING

Bryan

Ramifications in enforcing boundaries

Ever since Texas was a Republic and then a state its boundaries between the adjacent states  Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico, and the country of Mexico  have been in a state of flux.

Generally speaking, the boundary separating it from Louisiana is the west bank of the Sabine, while the south bank of the Red River separates it from Oklahoma. The north-south boundary separating it from New Mexico was supposed to follow the 103rd meridian but was mis-surveyed two to three miles west, giving Texas 942 square miles of what was supposed to be in New Mexico.

Again, generally speaking, unlike the Sabine River and Red River boundaries, the boundary between Texas and Mexico is the middle of the Rio Grande channel. So, technically speaking, once people cross the middle of the river they are in the United States. Apparently Gov. Greg Abbott has not taken this into consideration since his ill-conceived plan to place buoys in the Rio Grande can infringe on the territory of Mexico and violate international law if they drift across the middle of the channel, which is next to impossible to prevent in the current of the river.

Every one of these four boundary disputes has resulted in a litany of law suites over the decades and they still crop up to today. In every case it can be difficult to know which side of the boundary you are on. Knowing and abiding to the middle of the Rio Grande as the international boundary has a number of ramifications as to how laws, rules and regulations are enacted and enforced.

Just saying.

DONNY HAMILTON

Bryan
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Amanda Savage refers to the week of Chincoteagues Pony Swim as Chincoteague Christmas.

Savage works at Michaels Jewelry inside Village Mall, and compares the thousands of spectators coming to the island during the last week of July to New Years Eve in New York Citys Times Square. Many workplaces close for the day to allow people to participate in the festivities.

A lot of the locals consider it like our own personal holiday, she said.

About 200 ponies swam across the Assateague Channel on Wednesday, continuing the 98-year island tradition. Its the second year since the return of the event after its two-year pause during the coronavirus pandemic.

Once at Chincoteague, the ponies receive veterinary care and dozens are sold at auction in an effort to control herd population. Funds go toward the animals care and local fire departments.

The Pony Swim gained popularity after the publication of Marguerite Henrys award-winning childrens book, Misty of Chincoteague, in 1947. The film Misty, based on the book, was released in 1961.

Now, the ponies have statewide recognition after legislation naming the Chincoteague pony as Virginias official state pony was signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and took effect July 1.

Thousands of tourists from around the world flocked to the island town to watch the annual event.

A lot of them are here in town for the whole week, so you know, eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, shopping in our shops, said Evelyn Shotwell, the executive director for the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. So its certainly a huge economic impact. You know, some of the small businesses will tell you that they will have a better week this Pony Penning week than they will the whole first quarter of the year.

Shotwell said the island also hosted an array of activities throughout the week, including a carnival hosted by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, performances by the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team and free showings of Misty at the Island Theatre.

Many pony enthusiasts arrived to the swim before sunrise, armed with lawn chairs, shower curtains and towels to sit on. Spectators were covered with mud up to their knees from wading through the marsh to get to their spots.

Sarah Case was at the marsh at 5 a.m. with her 10-year-old daughter, Gwendolyn. The two Misty fans drove up from St. Louis, Missouri, in hopes of buying a horse of their own.

The flare announcing the start of the swim shot up five hours later at 10 a.m. To pass the time, Gwendolyn looked at pictures of the horses on her phone and thought about what shed name it.

The trip to Chincoteague, which included stops to Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, is personal for Sarah Case.

Its been on my bucket list since I was younger than her, she said.

This year was Diane McKinleys fourth time seeing the Pony Swim. She comes to Chincoteague from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, often, and even convinced her camera club to come this year. Together, the group stayed at an Airbnb and shopped and ate at local businesses around the island throughout the week.

McKinley plans on coming back for more Pony Swims in the future.

I think everybody ought to experience it at least once, she said.
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A Casper man arrested as part of a sting operation focused on catching people attempting to pay for sex with children pleaded not guilty in federal court this week.

Adam Paul Custeau, 36, pleaded not guilty to two federal charges before U.S. District Court Judge Michael Shickich in Casper, court filings show.

The allegation is essentially that you attempted to obtain sex with an underage child, Shickich said in court earlier this month. ... I want you to know in some ways youve already started a really hard uphill climb.

He was initially facing one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, but a grand jury added an additional charge of attempted sex trafficking of children on July 19, federal court filings show.

The new charge was brought because Custeau allegedly used facilities of interstate commerce, specifically a cellphone network and the internet, to attempt to orchestrate a commercial sex act with a child, according to the filing.

If found guilty, Custeau faces a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life.

Last month, the Natrona County Sheriff's Office partnered with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the Office of Homeland Security Investigations to conduct the undercover operation into child predators exploiting children online, spokesperson Kiera Grogan said in a statement.

It was conducted from June 21 to June 23, and Custeau was one of the individuals arrested.

Predatory crimes against our children will not be tolerated in Natrona County, Natrona County Sheriff John Harlin said in the statement. We will continue to aggressively work together to ensure child predators have nowhere to hide in our community.

Custeau is accused of responding to an advertisement promoting "two real and legit females available" in Casper on an unnamed website, according to the federal complaint. An undercover agent started texting him in regard to the ad.

He started the text conversation "by asking if they were in Casper and then stating, Qv I like to eat also, the complaint states.

The agent knew Qv to mean quick visit, or a short meet-up including sexual acts, according to the complaint.

Custeau was hesitant when informed the two females were 12 and 14 years old and asked to see a picture of them, the complaint states. The undercover agent sent age-regressed images of other agents.

Custeau allegedly responded, Wow yes, the complaint states.

He listed several sexual acts  agreeing to pay $50 for a quick visit or $100 to not use a condom with "either one" of the girls.

Custeau allegedly arrived at an unnamed local hotel but never met in-person with the agent because the situation was "kinda sketchy," the complaint states.

He was stopped by the Wyoming Highway Patrol after leaving the hotel parking lot and taken into custody. He was then interviewed by authorities.

Custeau admitted to driving to a nearby gas station to withdraw $100 from an ATM, but claimed he was not going to have sex with the girls if he could tell they were underage, the complaint states.

The money was withdrawn using "his Capital One Savor credit card at the ATM so that his fiance would not be able to see the cash withdrawal, the complaint states.

His jury trial is scheduled to start on Sept. 18. He is being held without bond and is in the custody of the U.S. Marshal's Service.

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.
The Wyoming branch of the FBI is being brought in to assist in finding a 28-year-old woman who disappeared six days ago in Worland.

Breanna Mitchell is described as a white woman with green eyes and brown hair, but her hair may be black now, according to posts on Facebook. She is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds.

She was last heard from Saturday after her car got stuck along rugged terrain near Nowater Trail past the Worland Municipal Airport, Washakie County Sheriff Austin T. Brookwell said in a statement. The car, a boot and a shirt were located, but Mitchell was not found.

A man, who authorities identified as "Mr. Romo," was interviewed in connection with her disappearance and "has been cooperative with law enforcement," Brookwell said Thursday.

"He has also informed us that he will come in and talk to us if we have any other questions that come up," Brookwell said.

Numerous others have been interviewed, too. The details of these interviews are not being released to the public, as this is an active investigation.

"There are many rumors being spread, and it is difficult to combat those as many know," Brookwell said.

The FBI agreed to assist the Washakie County Sheriff's Office, with "better technology" to help manage data and higher levels of training on missing person's cases, Brookwell said.

Mitchell's family and law enforcement have not been able to contact her or ping her phone because it was shut off.

As of Thursday morning, authorities were granted search warrants for all of her cellphone, social media and email data, Brookwell said. They expect to receive that "from the many different sources" soon.

This information will "hopefully" reveal anyone Mitchell had contact with the day she went missing and provide a more accurate location of where her phone was Saturday night.

A bloodhound and its handler were unable to locate Mitchell on Wednesday, Brookwell said. The bloodhound detected a few areas Mitchell may have been around, but those didn't last long.

Authorities are bringing in a dog with different skills on Friday "to maybe find her," so members of the public assisting in the search are urged to stay clear of the area that night and early Saturday morning.

All options are being explored, and every accessible resource is being used to find Mitchell, Brookwell said.

"Deputies have been coming in on their days off and have been staying late to work on this case, Brookwell said.

No additional information was available Thursday morning.

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.
THE National Investment Fund Holding Co Ltd (NIF) will be redeeming the $1.2 billion principal on its Series A Bond today.

The Series A Bond provided an annual interest rate of 4.5 per cent for five years.

Series B and Series C were over 12 years and 20 years respectively.
During the dark days of World War II (1939-1945), Edward Algoo packed his bags and emigrated with wife Doris to Trinidad, from Guyana, after his oil company employer shut down operations there.

Algoo found work at Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd (later to close as Petrotrin) and the couple would have seven children.
Twenty-eight citizens have been authorised to proceed with individual legal actions against the Office of the Police Commissioner for significant delays in the decision-making process concerning their applications for firearm users licences (FULs).

The matter came up for hearing yesterday before High Court judge Nadia Kangaloo.
A Tucson man involved in two road rage incidents last year, including one where he shot at a car with two children inside, was sentenced to prison on Wednesday.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Javier Chon-Lopez sentenced Collin Primm to one year in prison after he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, non-dangerous and aggravated assault, and deadly weapon/dangerous instrument charges. He was also ordered to serve probation after hes released from prison.

During Wednesdays sentencing, Brett Shirly, who was driving the car Primm shot at, told the judge his familys lives have been changed forever and that people like this shouldnt be out on the street.

When asking the judge to impose the maximum sentence of two years, Bradley Roach, the prosecutor from the Pima County Attorneys Office, said he couldnt imagine what kind of anger Primm had that made him do this.

This could have easily been a homicide case, Roach said.

Primm also addressed the court, saying this incident was extremely out of character for him and he has taken the last year to better himself.

On April 14, 2022, Shirly and his two children, a 16-year-old and a 4-year-old, were driving south on Interstate 10 toward the Interstate 19 interchange when a dark colored SUV pulled up behind them and started to tailgate, an interim complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court said.

As Shirly moved into the slow lane in order to let the SUV pass, Primm, who was driving the SUV, pulled up next to him and started shouting. Shirly rolled down his window to show Primm that he had children in his car, the complaint said.

Primm tried to ram the vehicle off the road and shot one round at it, striking the rear drivers side door where the 16-year-old was sitting and shattering the glass, the complaint said.

Shirly exited I-10 and called 911. Within several minutes, 911 received another call about a similar vehicle driving recklessly on I-19, the complaint said.

The second caller and his 15-year-old son told deputies that a vehicle was tailgating to the point where the driver couldnt see the headlights of the SUV. Primm then cut him off and pulled out in front of him, the complaint said.

As both vehicles stopped at a stop sign near Pima Mine Road and I-19, the man pulled up to the side of the SUV to ask Primm why he was driving so recklessly. Primm pulled out a gun and pointed it at the driver and his 15-year-old son before taking off, the complaint said.

The next day, detectives were able to identify Primm as the owner of the SUV and arrested him.
PHOENIX  Rebuffed in his bid to become secretary of state, Republican Mark Finchem now wants to go back to the Legislature.

But not from the Pima County district that sent him to the state House of Representatives from 2014 through 2023.

Finchem filed a "statement of interest'' Wednesday to run for the state Senate in Legislative District 1. That's paperwork required before a candidate can begin collecting signatures to put their name on the ballot.

Only thing is, the district, which stretches from Black Canyon City and Wickenburg through Prescott all the way to Interstate 40, is currently represented by Ken Bennett. Bennett, a Prescott Republican, already filed his own statement of interest.

Finchem, in separate filings with the Secretary of State's Office, lists his address as being on Shiloh Road in Prescott.

Yet Finchem, who represented Oro Valley until the end of last year, made a filing in December with the Arizona Corporation Commission that listed an address in Surprise, in LD 29.

And he requested a packet on June 30 from Maricopa County elections officials to run for county recorder.

Finchem did not return repeated messages seeking comment.

The filing comes even as Finchem continues his court challenges to his 2022 loss by more than 120,000 votes to Democrat Adrian Fontes for secretary of state.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Melissa Julian ordered Finchem to pay $40,565 in legal fees and costs to Fontes. The judge also imposed a separate $7,434 penalty against Daniel McCauley, Finchem's attorney, for filing a lawsuit that she previously called "groundless and not brought in good faith.''

His case is now before the state Court of Appeals.

Finchem's entry is not the first GOP challenge to Bennett, a former secretary of state, who was reelected to the Senate last year. He previously served from 1999 to 2007 and was president of the Senate for four of those years.

Steve Zipperman also has declared his candidacy for the seat.

The district is solidly Republican, meaning whoever wins the August 2024 primary is virtually certain to be elected in November.
(CNN)  Canadian wildfire smoke continues to plague the United States, triggering air quality alerts for at least 11 states across the northern Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes region Sunday.

From Montana to Ohio, forecasters predicted nearly 60 million people would see decreased visibility and poor air quality, including residents of Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Cedar Rapids and Cleveland.

A large swath of the northern Plains from Montana through Illinois had an Air Quality Index in the unhealthy range, which is Level 4 of 6, on Sunday.

While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wane by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week, according to the National Weather Services Weather Prediction Center.

Winds will continue to push the smoke eastward, bringing a smoky haze to the Northeast early in the week.

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

A firefighter died Thursday responding to a blaze near Revelstoke, a town in southeastern British Columbia, Canadian officials said.

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

Parts of the US will be at risk of smoke for the foreseeable future depending on weather patterns and fire flareups because Canada is experiencing its worst fire season on record. More than 24 million acres have burned so far this year, an area that is roughly the size of Indiana.

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

The-CNN-Wire
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates  The baby sea turtle flapped its flippers as it was lowered into the ocean, only to be pushed back ashore by the strong tide. It tried again, and this time it made it, swimming fast and deep into Persian Gulf waters lapping at a string of beachfront tourist resorts.

Scientists hope the turtle will thrive back in its natural habitat, joining about 500 sea turtles that have been rescued, rehabilitated and released since Abu Dhabis Environment Agency launched a program three years ago to aid turtles distressed by climate change and other issues.

In the latest release in early June, about 80 turtles were carried to the waters edge by members of the agencys Wildlife Rescue Program, joined by members of the community. Many were outfitted with satellite tracking gear to help scientists better understand migration patterns and the success of rehabilitation methods.

Turtles have historically been hunted for their meat and eggs, with their shells used in jewelry. But plenty of manmade factors figure into a decline in all seven sea turtle species.

We see issues such as plastic pollution causing harm, vessel strikes, nets causing them to be entangled in them, and coastal development, which reduces the amount of nesting habitat they have available, says Hind al-Ameri, assistant scientist at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

Climate change is a big contributor, researchers say.

Warming oceans harm coral reefs, which turtles need to survive, and shift currents to expose turtles to new predators. Rising sea levels diminish the beaches where the turtles nest and lay their eggs.

Abu Dhabis isnt the only agency in the Emirates focused on aiding sea turtles. Emirates Nature-WWF launched a pair of marine conservation initiatives more than a decade ago, studying the behavior of the hawksbill and green turtles in the region.

And the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project has been helping sick and injured sea turtles for nearly two decades, rehabilitating and returning more than 2,000 turtles to the Persian Gulf in that time.

Scientists say they see evidence that the sea turtles are adapting to climate change.

Turtle gender is influenced by the temperature in which eggs develop, with warmer temperatures producing a higher ratio of female turtles. Al-Ameri said conditions in the United Arab Emirates have become so warm that the male population should be devastated  but it is healthy and reproducing.

So its driving us to understand why our species are adapting the way they are and what it would mean in terms of climate change and would turtles be able to adapt to climate change in the future or not, she said.

How the planet can limit global warming, and its damaging effects on sea turtles and the rest of the world, will be discussed at length in November when Dubai hosts the next United Nations summit on climate change.
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP)  A Maine man who stole a car with a sleeping woman inside was charged with kidnapping, police said Thursday.

The woman said she was sleeping in her vehicle early Thursday when a man hopped in and began driving, ignoring her pleas to let her out, Scarborough police said. The woman dialed 911 from the moving vehicle.

Damion Joyce eventually stopped after being convinced by a dispatcher, who addressed him by speaker phone during the 911 call, police said. Joyce was charged with kidnapping, criminal restraint and theft, police said.

Police didnt identify the woman.

Joyce, 51, of Old Orchard Beach, remained in the Cumberland County Jail, where bail was set at $10,000 cash, a jail official said Thursday evening. Jail paperwork did not indicate if he had an attorney.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The independent manager working to fix the long-troubled water system in Mississippi's capital city will also be assigned to oversee repairs to the citys deteriorating sewer system, under an order filed Wednesday.

Officials from the U.S. Justice Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Jackson all agreed to give the extra duties to Ted Henifin.

Henifin had decades of experience running water systems in other states before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate appointed him late last year to run the Jackson system.

Wingate had said during a hearing in May that he was considering putting Henifin in charge of the sewer system, as well.

Todd Kim, assistant attorney general in the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in a statement Wednesday that the new agreement will lead to faster steps to improve problems, including sewage discharges that threaten public health and the environment.

This action shows the continuing commitment of the Justice Department to seek justice, health and safety for the residents of Jackson, Mississippi, and to prioritize enforcement in the communities most burdened by environmental harm, Kim said.

Jackson has struggled with water problems for decades. The federal government intervened in the water system after many of the city's 150,000 residents and many businesses were left without running water last August and September after heavy rains exacerbated problems at a water treatment plant. People waited in lines for water to drink, bathe, cook and flush toilets in Jackson as some businesses were temporarily forced to close for lack of safe drinking water.

Henifin told Wingate during a hearing in June that Jackson's water is safe to drink, but that instilling public confidence in the system is a challenge. Crews have been repairing broken water lines.

Jackson also has longstanding problems with its sewer system. The city agreed to enter a consent decree in 2012 with the EPA to prevent the overflow of raw sewage and bring the city into compliance with the Clean Water Act. Reports required by the consent decree showed more than 4 billion gallons of untreated or partially treated wastewater were dumped into the Pearl River between March 2020 and February 2022.

This story was first published on July 26, 2023. It was updated July 27, 2023 to correct that the order appointing an independent manager to oversee repairs was filed in federal court, but the judge did not sign it when it was filed.
Far-right activist Ammon Bundy, who led the takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, an associate and three of their groups must pay over $50 million in damages for accusing a hospital of child trafficking and harassing medical staff, a jury has decided.

The lawsuit brought by St. Lukes Regional Health accused Bundy and Diego Rodriguez of making defamatory statements against the hospital and its employees after Rodriguezs infant grandson was removed from his family for several days and taken to St. Lukes amid concerns for his health.

The emergency room physician, Dr. Rachel Thomas, testified that the 10-month-old baby's stomach was distended, his eyes were hollow and he was unable to sit up, reminding her of severely malnourished babies she had treated in Haiti, according to the Idaho Statesman newspaper. Police said at the time that medical personnel determined the child was malnourished and had lost weight.

Bundy responded by urging his followers to protest at the hospital and at the homes of child protection service workers, law enforcement officers and others involved in the child protection case. Rodriguez wrote on his website that the baby was kidnapped, and suggested that the state and people involved in the case were engaged in child trafficking for profit.

Bundy  who didn't attend the trial nor hire a lawyer, saying it would be too costly  denied in a video he posted Monday on YouTube that the baby was mistreated and said law enforcement and hospital staff put him at risk by removing him from his mother. The baby was healthy except for suffering from cyclic vomiting syndrome, Bundy said, unable to keep anything except his mother's breast milk down.

The hospital claimed Bundy and Rodriguez orchestrated a smear campaign against it.

Late Monday, a jury at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise agreed, awarding damages exceeding $50 million, the hospital announced.

A statement on behalf of the law firm representing the plaintiffs said Bundy, Rodriguez and their supporters had surrounded St. Lukes hospital campuses in Meridian and Boise, forcing lockdowns and causing diversion of emergency patients, disruption of planned procedures and cancelation of hundreds of appointments.

The jurys decision imposes accountability for the ongoing campaign of intimidation, harassment and disinformation these defendants have conducted, St. Luke's said in a statement. It also affirms the importance of protecting health care providers and other public servants from attacks intended to prevent them from carrying out their responsibilities.

Bundy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the jurys decision. But in an interview Tuesday with KBOI News Talk radio, Bundy said he was innocent and called the civil trial illegitimate.

I've been a thorn in the side of the establishment here in Idaho for quite a while and this is their mechanism to try to destroy me, Bundy said, adding that he didn't have funds to pay the damages.

Lindsay Schubiner, programs director at Western States Center, an organization monitoring right-wing extremist groups, said the verdict is a moment of real accountability for Ammon Bundy and his reckless campaign against St. Lukes.

The jurys verdict requires Bundy to pay the plaintiffs $6.2 million in compensatory damages and $6.15 million in punitive damages and Rodriguez to pay $7 million in compensatory damages and $6.5 million in punitive damages, according to Holland & Hart, the law firm, representing St. Lukes. The remainder of the total $52.5 million in damages was assessed to the Peoples Rights Network, Freedom Man Press and the Bundy campaign for governor.

Bundy and his Peoples Rights Network had earlier carried out protests at the Idaho Statehouse over coronavirus-related measures. He was temporarily banned from the government building in 2020.

In 2016, Bundy led a 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, to protest the arson convictions of two ranchers who set fires on federal land where they had been grazing their cattle. Bundy was acquitted of criminal charges in the matter.

The hospitals lawsuit was filed more than a year ago. Since then, Bundy ignored court orders related to the lawsuit, filed trespassing complaints against people hired to deliver legal paperwork and called on scores of his followers to camp at his home for protection when he learned he might be arrested on a warrant for a misdemeanor charge of contempt of court.

In 2014, Bundys father, rancher Cliven Bundy, rallied supporters to stop officers from impounding Bundy Ranch cattle over more than $1 million in unpaid fees and penalties for grazing livestock on government land. The Nevada criminal case ended in a mistrial.
Frankort State Journal. July 25, 2023.

Editorial: Not So Fast, Kentucky campaign aimed at slowing down motorists

While summer is the peak travel season it also coincides with an increase in vulnerable road users, such as highway workers, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Aimed at getting motorists to slow down, pay attention to posted speed limits and keep all who share our roads safe, state and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) for Not So Fast, Kentucky, a speed awareness campaign, through the end of the month.

Statistics from KOHS indicate that 25% of motor vehicle accidents in the state involve speeding or aggressive driving. Driving above posted speed limits reduces the drivers response time to unexpected situations like stopped or slowed traffic, an object in the roadway or other users of the road.

We frequently hear from officers and troopers that they would rather write a ticket than make a death notification, KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said. Obeying the speed limit not only can save your life, it can also save you from costly fines and expenses.

When dealing with speeding and/or aggressive drivers, KOHS offers the following tips:

 Always wear a seat belt. It is the best defense against injury and death.

 Do not challenge the driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your lane.

 Give them plenty of space, as they may lose control of their vehicle more easily.

 Avoid eye contact and ignore gestures.

 If it is safe to do so, report an aggressive driver to law enforcement by providing the vehicle description, license number, location and direction of travel.

 If you are followed by an aggressive driver, drive to a safe place such as the nearest police or fire station, gas station or any area where there are people. Use the horn to get the attention of others. Do not exit your vehicle or drive home.

We agree with Gov. Andy Beshear, who said, Speeding is a choice that can have deadly consequences and is 100% preventable.

Make the choice to look out for and share the road with others.

Ashland Daily Independent. July 22, 2023.

Editorial: Problems persist in western Ky.

We feel for our fellow Kentuckians in western Kentucky as they struggle with another natural disaster.

This week, that part of the commonwealth, specifically Graves County where Mayfield is the county seat, was hit with nearly a foot of rain, causing the flooding of homes, businesses and vehicles. Water in the streets caused the closure of many roads and the loss of vehicles that ventured into those waters.

The flooding was considered a life-threatening situation by a meteorologist in the area and elicited a request for prayers from Gov. Andy Beshear. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported, unlike the results of a 2021 tornado that hit the same area, killing dozens.

Even as the region guards against flooding as best as it can, those residents are still recovering from the tornado strikes.

Weather has always been a threat to civilization that cannot be controlled or avoided. We just do the best we can to prepare and cope. We are lucky to have the technology to detect oncoming rain and the resulting flooding and even tornadoes; we can prepare, but theres nothing we can do to stop these threats.

Were also lucky for the resilience of people.

The mayor of Mayfield, Kathy ONan, summed it up: I know were weary of this, but also so hopeful for the future. ... I dont think this is going to set us back any, but we all feel that enough is enough.

We agree. Western Kentucky has had enough, but we are glad to know these recent hardships have not gotten those areas down. With determination, the future will be bright.

Bowling Green Daily News. July 22, 2023.

Editorial: State lawmakers need to fund SROs

One of the extremely sad realities in recent years is that schools have become an increasing target for mass shootings.

The tally of such events is heart-breaking and, unfortunately, growing annually.

The list of causes and proposed solutions is also lengthy.

One effort that makes common sense is to have law enforcement officers in each of our schools.

Last year, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation mandating that each school campus have such a law enforcement presence, commonly called a School Resource Officer.

Unfortunately, a funding mechanism for the positions was not also approved at the same time.

That is leaving some gaps in coverage.

In Warren County, county and city schools are making positive strides to meeting the mandate.

Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower said the county school district already has officers in all high schools and middle schools and has two floaters for the 15 county elementary schools.

That number will increase as the sheriffs office is adding five new county SROs, who will each float between two elementary schools, including one city elementary school.

That will give Bowling Green Independent Schools a total of four SROs  one each for the high school and junior high and two that will float among the districts five elementary schools and its alternative school.

Having the SROs offers at least some peace of mind for parents, teachers and students. Thats likely one of the reasons lawmakers approved the legislation. But they left the job undone.

For large districts like those in Warren County, the number of schools that need to be covered makes funding difficult. Smaller districts, even if they have fewer schools to cover, have their own challenge by virtue of their size that means less tax dollars to use.

Thats why we urge lawmakers to finish the job and designate the appropriate funding for these mandated positions.

END
Charleston Gazette Mail. July 26, 2023.

Editorial: McCuskey 1st to drop in crowded WV governors race

State Auditor J.B. McCuskey was the first of what could be many departures from the crowded 2024 Republican primary for the West Virginia Governors Office.

McCuskey announced Monday that he was dropping out of the contest and intends to run for attorney general, instead. Its the first domino to fall in a group that includes current Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Delegate Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, Secretary of State Mac Warner and Chris Miller, a car dealer and son of Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., along with a few lesser-known candidates.

From the outset, it was unlikely that all of those candidates would hang in the race up until the official filing period next year, let alone stick it out all the way to the May primary.

Unfortunately, running for governor takes a lot of money. Outside of the obvious problem that creates in a democratic system, its also a practical concern in a race with so many well-known candidates. Its a bit of a paradox. Theres little reason for a candidate to try and keep up in the arms race if early indicators arent great, but, even if a candidate did want to push through, backers are less likely to fund a candidate who hasnt raised a large war chest or isnt ranking at the top of the polls.

Speaking of which, poll numbers released earlier this month from the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Orion Strategies showed Morrisey leading the field among prospective Republican voters at 31%, with Capito right on his heels at 30%. Warner was at 9%, with Miller at 5%. Only 3% of respondents had McCuskey as their favored candidate (the poll has a 6% margin of error). McCuskey also was at 3% in a poll conducted by a political action committee backing Morrisey in March.

Polling can certainly be questionable, but McCuskey didnt seem to be moving the needle much. McCuskey had raised about $400,000, which didnt quite stack up to cash on hand for Morrisey and Capito, both at around $1 million. Miller has $3 million to burn to try to boost his profile.

In a way, McCuskeys departure is a shame. He might have been the best Republican candidate for the job of governor. In his role as auditor, hes generally done what he was elected to do and hasnt unnecessarily plunged his office into culture wars or surface-level political battles that have nothing to do with the primary concerns of West Virginians. Thats not exactly the GOP brand these days, though.

Now, McCuskey finds himself in a primary battle for attorney general with state Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha  who was just elected to a full term in the Senate last year but already is seeking another gig  and state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke.

Attorney general is a more politicized position, and it was disheartening to hear McCuskey say he would continue the work Morrisey has done if elected. But McCuskeys chances are much better in that race, and the job could be an eventual stepping stone toward the Governors Office or Congress.

In the meantime, it shouldnt surprise anyone if more candidates drop out of the Republican field for governor in the coming months. Deep-pocketed donors are going to place their bets based on public and insider polling, whats being said in those proverbial smoke-filled back rooms and which candidate they figure is the best return for their investment.

Just based on polling, Miller would figure to be the next big name to exit. However, he can likely hang around even if his numbers dont drastically improve in the short term, given his familys wealth and political connections. Itll be interesting to see if theres a shift in the dead heat between Morrisey and Capito. Warner also might be eying the exit ramp if polling and funds are any indicator of such things.

Of course, this is all speculative. Theres still a long way to go, and anything can happen.

Herald-Dispatch. July 23, 2023.

Editorial: Overdue cleanup of WV State Police has begun

The process of cleaning up the West Virginia State Police and restoring public confidence in the states highest-ranking law enforcement agency has begun  but only begun.

Last week, State Police Superintendent Jack Chambers said he has fired four troopers since he took over the agency about four months ago. Chambers would not identify the officers or say why they were dismissed. His only comment was that they were failing to meet the standards and expectations of the State Police.

Its been a rough 2023 for the State Police. Last year, an anonymous letter included allegations of wrongdoing by state police. It revealed there was a hidden camera in the womens locker room at the State Police Academy in Institute and police administrators hid that incident from the public. The letter made other accusations of wrongdoing at high levels of the State Police.

When the letter writers identity was made known, he was arrested on domestic violence charges that were later dropped. The troopers attorney says the alleged victim was coerced by her supervisor into filing the domestic violence charge.

Outside of that, two women in Logan County have filed civil suits saying they were drugged, abducted and sexually assaulted by a state trooper.

The new administration of the State Police has begun the process of cleaning up this mess, and more is to come.

The West Virginia State Police is not alone in being under this microscope. Police nationwide are under scrutiny as never before. Online channels chronicle the misdeeds of law enforcement. Police are recorded losing their tempers, arresting people for the crime of disrespecting them and using excessive force. Every time an officer does that and is not held accountable, public trust in law enforcement diminishes.

It happens here in West Virginia, just as it does anywhere else in the nation.

Law enforcement officers can no longer harass women just for fun. Neither can they bully civilians because their badge gives them authority to do so. Bodycams, dashcams and cell phone video have changed that. Things that happened in the past and went unchallenged are now coming to light. As with many other professions, law enforcement must change to meet modern expectations.

The West Virginia State Police can use this opportunity to clean house of people who should not wear a badge. It can bring honor and trust back to the agency if it holds bad officers responsible for their deeds. That goes beyond firing a few people or allowing them to resign or retire. Criminal acts must bring criminal charges.

The fact is that the acts of a few, if not held accountable, reflect badly on officers and agencies who do their jobs well. There are many of those, but they suffer when their fellow officers get away with doing wrong.

It could be a long process, but its a necessary one. Technology and social media have brought a new level of accountability to law enforcement. Its up to the West Virginia State Police to meet the challenge.

The Intelligencer. July 24, 2023.

Editorial: Secretary Sandy Served West Virginia Well

As West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced last week that state Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeff Sandy is planning to retire, he made it clear Sandy was a valuable enough leader that he was welcome to stay a while longer.

I absolutely want everyone to know if Jeff Sandy wants to stay and everything, hes welcome to stay here until my term is up, Justice said. He has done a great, great, great job.

That kind of respect does not come unearned.

Justice called Sandy an honorable man whos helped my administration in countless ways, and one who will be missed because of his tireless work ethic.

The seven years in which Sandy has served West Virginians in Charleston have been eventful, to say the least.

Though there have been hiccups along the way, as there would have been for anyone in his position, Sandy oversaw the reorganization of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety as the Department of Homeland Security  just as the COVID-19 pandemic was tightening its grip on our state. He was in charge of consolidating jails, prisons and juvenile centers into one administrative unit, as well.

In fact, in his retirement letter, Sandy said I leave knowing we made a difference.

That difference led to more than just accolades upon retirement. Sandy also received a Distinguished West Virginian award Wednesday.

As we look forward to Mark Sorsaias success in leading DHS, we join the governor in thanking Sandy for his years of service; and we offer him congratulations on retirement from a job well done.

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

Twenty Tulsa artists, including musicians, writers, filmmakers, photographers, ceramicists and installation artists, are the inaugural recipients of grants from the Artists Creative Fund, a new program of the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Each artist, selected from more than 140 applicants, will receive a $10,000 grant to help them test, explore and create innovative work. The projects must be completed and presented by March 31, 2024.

The George Kaiser Family Foundation is pleased to nurture the talent and creativity of Tulsa-based artists, said Annie Koppel Van Hanken, the foundations chief program officer. By investing in local talent, we cultivate a thriving cultural landscape that enhances the vitality and identity of Tulsa. The Artists Creative Fund is a new investment and one we really hope further spurs artistic expression in our community.

The Artists Creative Fund, created in a partnership with the Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange, a Northwest Arkansas-based regional arts services provider, is the latest effort by the George Kaiser Family Foundation to improve funding, visibility and professional development for Tulsa-based artists and creatives.

The foundation supports more than 20 arts organizations in Tulsa and founded the successful Tulsa Artist Fellowship, which awards three-year, place-based arts fellowships.

Artists selected for the Artists Creative Fund grants, and their projects, are:

Antonio Andrews of No Parking Studios: a five-part neon series on the experience of Black travelers who relied on The Negro Motorist Green Book to travel across the country.

David Alan Broome: live performance combining a string quartet, percussion, piano and live electronics with artificial intelligence software.

Greg Fallis: a documentary about the King Cabbage Brass Band in conjunction with the release of its first album.

Symon Hajjar of Hot Toast Music Company: a field guide to inspire kids to interact with native Oklahoma flora and fauna.

Elizabeth Henley: exhibits pairing jewelry and visual artists to address womens beauty standards.

Aaron Jones: immersive soundscape installations that represent significant Tulsa interiors.

Nic Annette Miller: interactive public art experience on the natural habitats and importance of bees.

Hayley Nichols: collaborate art experience on the self-soothing nature of humming.

Isabel Perozo: production of the Spanish-language play, Donde estan los gemelos Miller?

an Lynh Pham: installation of Vietnamese lanterns.

Rachel Rector: exhibit of large-scale images of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Dr. Tamecca Rogers: animated cartoon series that promotes inclusion and respect.

Brad E. Rose: interactive sound performance and installation about humans impact on the environment.

Amy Sanders de Melo: interactive ceramic installations dealing with racial injustice and political discord.

Lindsey Smith: a collection of essays by Oklahoma writers on topics of race, health care, immigration, environment and education.

Casii Stephan: will produce an original EP release show in Tulsa.

Colleen Thurston: documentary about those working to protect and preserve the Kiamichi River.

Parker D. Wayne: fashion show.

Tazmen West of Slow Cozy: new recording of works exploring relationality.

Tate Wittenberg: full-length documentary on the history of Cains Ballroom.

For more: artistscreativefund.art



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Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield 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

On a day when local officials gathered to celebrate an important construction milestone for the new Gilcrease Museum, Mayor G.T. Bynum couldnt help but think of Thomas Gilcrease.

I think about what he could have possibly expected when he gave this collection to the citizens of Tulsa  I mean a one-of-a-kind collection, Bynum said Thursday at a topping-out ceremony commemorating the completion of the framing of the structure.

Standing on the porch of the Thomas Gilcrease House on the grounds of the museum, Bynum praised Gilcrease for the devotion, hard work and generosity he exhibited in collecting and then donating a vast array of American art and artifacts to the community when the museum opened in 1949.

I hope that somewhere he is proud of this generation of Tulsans for making the most of that and continuing to invest in that collection, Bynum said.

The new Gilcrease Museum building is not expected to be completed until late 2024, followed by two years of interior work on such things as exhibit fabrication and installation. Wednesday was a day to celebrate the work done on the new museum so far and to thank those doing it.

That process began with the residents of Tulsa, Bynum said, who voted in April 2016 to provide $65 million for the project in the Vision Tulsa package.

The citys original plan was to spend $83.6 million to renovate and expand the old museum. But the decision was later made to construct a new facility after it was determined that doing so would make more sense structurally, functionally and economically.

You will be able to see, when this opens, what a change can happen when the citizens of Tulsa get behind an initiative and back it with all they have, Bynum said.

Gilcrease Museum Executive Director Susan Neal thanked SmithGroup, 1 Architecture, Flintco, Gilcrease staff, city staff and everyone else involved in moving the project forward.

The museum is operated by the University of Tulsa through a contract with the city.

If you are in the audience, it is because you personally have played a critical role not only in this museums history but, clearly, in its future success, Neal said. Gilcrease is now part of your personal legacy.

Neal said the most important aspect of the project is that it will finally put the collection to work for the people who own it  the residents of Tulsa.

And it will make it possible for the next generation to explore and learn the beauty and the complexity of America, she said. My most sincere hope is that it makes them better equipped than we have been to achieve our shared aspirations of becoming a more perfect union.

Dave Kollmann, Flintco central region president, said the company was proud to play a role in creating such an iconic building.

We are grateful for the trust that you have put in us to build this in a quality fashion that will last lifetimes, Kollmann said.

Topping-out, or topping-off, ceremonies predate the birth of Christ and have come to signify slightly different things to different cultures. In Scandinavia, for example, a tree was placed atop the highest beam of a wooden structure to appease spirits whose environment had been disturbed.

Kollmann explained that the Gilcrease topping-out ceremony had been planned for last month but was canceled due to bad weather.

At that time, we were going to hoist a beam to signify the traditional topping out, Kollmann said. But today we are going to alter history and make our own mark and sign these panels.

These panels will go up at the top of the elevator shaft on the top floor, forever becoming a fabric of a building, just as the stakeholders here at Gilcrease are a fabric of our community.



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Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

A federal jury has found a white supremacist gang member guilty of murdering a man in Osage County in 2021.

The jury deliberated about eight hours Wednesday before finding Bennie Frank Withrow IV, 37, guilty of the first-degree murder of Dustin Tucker, 31, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Tulsa.

The jury also found Withrow guilty of discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

Withrow is a member of the Universal Aryan Brotherhood, a white supremacist gang based in Oklahoma prisons, according to prosecutors. The trial was held over seven days in Tulsa federal court.

Withrow will serve a no-parole life sentence because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty. He will be formally sentenced at a date to be determined.

Tuckers body was found Dec. 20, 2021, on restricted tribal land in Prue, in Osage County. He had been shot multiple times.

Prosecutors theorized that Tucker was shot in retaliation for ratting out a drug dealer to police.

Withrow denied any involvement in the shooting.

Weeks earlier, Tucker and his girlfriend had been stopped by Tulsa police after buying drugs for a friend at a Tulsa residence, according to prosecutors.

Withrow allegedly told the girlfriend that he would take care of things after he was informed that Tucker had told police the drug dealers identity.

Both Withrow and the drug dealer were affiliated with the UAB, according to government officials.

Prosecutors alleged that Withrow shot Tucker while the pair and another UAB member were en route to an Osage County casino on Dec. 9, 2021. Prosecutors claimed that Withrow shot Tucker after he persuaded the other two to get out of the vehicle in a field so they could do some drugs.

Tuckers body was found Dec. 20, 2021, on an oil field lease on tribal land held in federal trust for the benefit of the Osage Nation. Tucker was a member of the Cherokee Nation.

Withrow was serving a five-year prison sentence when he was charged with Tuckers murder.

Withrow, who was released from prison in May 2021, was sent back to prison after he violated the terms of his probation in a 2011 Rogers County drug distribution case.

Withrow was among the dozens listed as injured after fights broke out among rival gang members in six Oklahoma prisons in September 2019.

He has served time dating back to 2005 for drug-related crimes.

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Related content Coverage of State Superintendent Ryan Walters: Read previous stories and columns from the Tulsa World archives

The Oklahoma State Board of Education will be asked not to make a decision regarding Tulsa Public Schools 2022-23 accreditation status at its meeting Thursday morning.

On Wednesday around noon, Oklahoma State Department of Education spokesman Matt Langston told the Tulsa World that State Superintendent Ryan Walters will recommend delaying action on Tulsa Public Schools accreditation status to the State Board of Educations August meeting. Langston said Walters had already shared that information with at least one lawmaker and some other concerned parties.

TPS is scheduled to start the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 17  a full week before the State Board of Educations regularly scheduled August meeting.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday at TPS Education Service Center, Superintendent Deborah Gist said she found out about Walters intent to delay the upcoming accreditation vote via Twitter less than an hour before her meeting with reporters and was not prepared to comment on its potential impact on the start of classes.

If that (the delayed vote) holds to be true, then that is something we will have to understand as it unfolds, she said.

When reached Wednesday afternoon, Langston said TPS would still be able to start classes on Aug. 17 under its accreditation status from the previous school year.

School districts accreditation statuses are subject to annual review. An agenda for Thursdays State Board of Education meeting posted on the State Department of Educations Oliver Hodge Building in Oklahoma City shows that the board is slated to vote on the accreditation status of all the states public school districts.

After a press conference Friday outside TPS Education Service Center, Walters implied to reporters that when it comes time to look at TPS accreditation, he will raise the issue of what he perceived to be a threat to a school board members religious freedom.

Additionally, at both at Fridays press conference and a town hall event at Trinity Christian School in Lawton on Tuesday night, Walters accused TPS of financial mismanagement.

I want to say this, folks, Walters said Tuesday night. I have an absolute huge frustration with Tulsa Public Schools.

According to documents obtained by the Tulsa World via an open records request, TPS officials were advised that the accreditation office is recommending that the district as a whole be accredited with two deficiencies for the coming school year.

Of the two deficiencies, one was due to a reports late submission. The other, referred to as lack of internal controls, is tied to findings in the districts annual external audit.

Accepted by the districts school board in April, that audit flagged about $364,000 in questionable vendor contracts connected to former TPS Talent Management Director Devin Fletcher and indicated that Fletcher circumvented TPS disbursement and conflict of interest policies. Of the $364,000 paid to those vendors, $270,000 came from philanthropic donors.

On Wednesday, Gist acknowledged the audit findings and said the district was notified about the additional accreditation deficiency connected to those audit findings in early July  almost two months after it had been apprised of its original accreditation recommendation.

I have taken full responsibility for the fact that we have handled it, she said of the financial discrepancy. We found it. We reported it. Weve addressed it. Weve done it in every possible way.

School accreditation in Oklahoma has six tiers: accreditation with no deficiencies, accreditation with one deficiency, accreditation with deficiencies, accreditation with warning, accreditation with probation and non-accredited.

A district or individual campus that is accredited with at least one deficiency means the site in question did not meet at least one standard but that the shortcoming does not detract from the overall quality of the schools or districts educational programs.

Conversely, a district or individual campus that is accredited with a warning means the site fails to meet at least one state standard and that the deficiency does detract from the quality of the schools educational programs.

Tulsa Public Schools state accreditation was downgraded in July 2022 over an allegation that it violated a state law commonly referred to as House Bill 1775, which limits classroom discussion on race and gender. The district was penalized for an August 2021 professional development session on implicit bias for teachers  not students  offered through a third-party vendor.

Among the interested parties who were notified about the planned delay in TPS accreditation consideration was Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, who previously told the Tulsa World that he had reached out privately to the state superintendent about his relationship with the states largest public school district.

Superintendent Walters and I had a good conversation this morning, and he let me know at that time that TPS accreditation would not be decided tomorrow, he said. He said TPS accreditation could be on the agenda for their August meeting. He offered to stay in touch over the next month so he can keep me updated, which I appreciate.

Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Reporter Barbara Hoberock and Tulsa World Staff Writer Kevin Canfield contributed to this story.

Ryan Walters says he is considering drastic action to fix Tulsa Public Schools "We are going to turn around these districts that have failed our kids," said Oklahoma's state superintendent. " We can fix these problems. We have allocated funds. #oklaed
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

Related content Find the Tulsa World's coverage of State Superintendent Ryan Walters

OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma State Board of Education on Thursday voted to delay consideration of state accreditation for Tulsa Public Schools until its August meeting at State Superintendent Ryan Walters urging.

Walters said he wants to spend the extra month on a fact-finding mission about the states largest school district. And when asked after the meeting, Walters told news media that nonaccreditation is among all options on the table, and he accused TPS of intentional misleading reporting to the state.

Tulsa Public Schools has been plagued with scandal, Walters said. I believe with the severity of issues of Tulsa Public Schools, as were looking into the misreporting that went on there and we look around the embezzlement issue going on there, as well, I feel like we need to be able to dig into these issues because of the severe nature and the impact its having on those kids in that district, the staff of that district.

School districts accreditation statuses are subject to annual review.

According to the State Department of Educations official accreditation manual, nonaccredited status means: The school site is no longer recognized by the State Board of Education, and mandatory annexation will be considered.

All other public school districts and charter schools, save for one shuttered Oklahoma City charter school, received state accreditation Thursday for the upcoming academic year.

State education officials, including Walters and Ryan Pieper, executive director of accreditation, assured the board during its monthly meeting that for the time being, TPS will simply remain in the same accreditation status it received in July 2022.

They said the delay wont affect the districts August state aid payment or its ability to begin the 2023-24 academic year on Aug. 17.

Accreditation action

Some 376 school districts and 1,660 individual school sites were accredited with no deficiencies; 143 districts and 156 school sites were accredited with a single deficiency; and 65 districts and 53 school sites were accredited with more than one deficiency.

The most common school district deficiency at the district level was not submitting mandatory reports to the state in a timely fashion, while schools were dinged for having someone without a proper teaching credential or endorsement teaching students.

Pieper said that is a byproduct of Oklahomas chronic, statewide teaching shortage.

The states accreditation department recommended and the state board approved probation for three districts elsewhere in the state  Hulbert, Western Heights and Straight  and three Tulsa-based charter schools  KIPP Tulsa, Deborah Brown Charter School and Sankofa Charter School.

Two Oklahoma City schools  one private school called Infinity Generation Preparatory School, and one charter school called Sovereign Community School  received recommendations to lose state accreditation.

Sovereign lost state accreditation, but ultimately the state board decided to give the Infinity Generation private school officials another month to provide additional information on why the school should not lose state accreditation.

TPS deficiencies

According to documents obtained earlier this week by the Tulsa World from TPS through a public records request, the state accreditation office notified TPS in writing that it would be recommending that the district as a whole be accredited with two deficiencies for the coming school year.

Of the two deficiencies, one was due to a reports late submission. The other, referred to as lack of internal controls, is tied to a self-reported embezzlement case, involving $364,000 in questionable vendor contracts, that is still under investigation by federal law enforcement officials.

But the State Board of Education never heard or asked for state accreditation officers recommendations specific to TPS.

Walters, chair of the board, personally made the motion to remove TPS from accreditation consideration until the boards August meeting.

The vote was 5-0, with member Suzanne Reynolds absent from the meeting.

No Tulsa Public Schools administrator was present at Thursdays state board meeting to speak to any of the allegations or concerns raised by Walters.

But a two-time retiree of the district, who still substitute teaches twice a week to support his former colleagues, spoke out on the matter during public comments to the state Board.

TPS is being targeted, and I dont understand that. Its creating a toxic working environment, said longtime former TPS Principal Mike Howe, 75. I have watched many former teachers  teachers I hired  choosing to retire and quit.

We cant afford it  we cannot afford to lose any more teachers. And its also making it very difficult to find new teachers.

Most importantly, its hurting our children. They are confused by all this information. Theyre not sure whats true and whats not true.

In conclusion, I call on this board to live up to their oath. Make our public schools great for the 700,000 students who go.

Additionally, the state Board of Education on Thursday voted 5-0 to authorize Walters administration to provide new specificity in its April demands for public schools across the state to submit detailed reports of their local, state and federal expenditures on staff, materials and any third-party contractors or vendors related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Walters speaks frequently of his quest to root out such DEI programming from the states public prekindergarten through 12th grade schools, as well as its public colleges and universities.

When asked after the meeting which school districts were not complying, Walters told news reporters it was only one  Tulsa Public Schools.

New meeting capacity limit

The general publics access to the room where the State Board of Education meets each month was heavily restricted on Thursday.

After supporters of Walters tried to institute their own numbering system to admit fellow members of the public to the boards June meeting, two were arrested and charged with misdemeanor offenses in Oklahoma County District Court.

Fire marshals recently imposed a new capacity limit of 49 people, including board members, state Education Department staff and media who cover the news event.

The first people in a line of several hundred outside the building were seated in camping chairs and said they arrived before 6 a.m.

For the first time, state education employees required press credentials, which are not issued by the state of Oklahoma, for journalists to enter the room.

Inside, the public seating area had 24 chairs present, but most had reserved signs or sticky-notes that said 4-day school indicating school district personnel with requests on the board agenda, and 1st year supt, indicating new school district superintendents who are meeting state requirements for attendance at one State Board of Education meeting during their first year in the leadership role.

Two fire marshals repeatedly checked the room for their newly set capacity limit, counting heads as members of the press and a few state lawmakers, then a select few members of the public and then state board board members entered the room.

The next 40 to 50 people in line were permitted inside the state Department of Education office building to sit in chairs lining a long hallway that leads to the boardroom.

The board heard two hours of public comments, from both supporters of Walters and those opposed to his delay of TPS accreditation or his other political rhetoric, before taking up the first action item on the meeting agenda.
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

A battle over the story and image of a man killed 102 years ago in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre will continue, attorneys for Dr. A.C. Jacksons great-great-nephew said Wednesday.

The announcement followed District Judge Kurt Glasscos ruling that he will not reconsider his earlier decision not to reopen Jacksons estate, which has been closed since the mid-1920s.

A previous suit to reopen Jacksons estate was dismissed last year. A lawsuit by the family against Greenwood Rising, the Tulsa Community Foundation and the city of Tulsa claiming unjust enrichment from the use of Jacksons name and likeness was dismissed this spring.

Despite those setbacks, Tulsa attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons Justice for Greenwood, the nonprofit under which most of his Tulsa Race Massacre-related work is conducted, said an appeal will be filed with the state Supreme Court.

While ostensibly about the right of Jacksons collateral descendants  he has no known direct descendants  to control and potentially profit from his story and likeness, it is also part of an intense campaign by Solomon-Simmons and his allies to discredit Greenwood Rising, the museum to the legacy of Tulsas historic Black neighborhood.

In their telling, Greenwood Rising is an instrument of rich white people to profit from the legacy of Black Tulsans.

The museum was built with the assistance of white donors but is owned by a foundation with a Black-majority board and African Americans in all leadership positions.

The practical effect of Judge Glasscos ruling is to grant permission for powerful White institutions to continue to take advantage of the birthright of Black descendants of Greenwood, a Justice for Greenwood statement announcing the appeal states.

The statement includes a link for donations.

Critics of Solomon-Simmons and this approach say the lawsuit and the attacks on Greenwood Rising are, at best, misplaced.

While we fully support descendants and survivors pursuit of restorative justice, the continued push to misuse our 501(3) nonprofit history center as a financial vehicle for financial reparations is severely misplaced, Greenwood Rising directors said in a written statement.

We hope this inappropriate legal strategy is over for good now so we can focus on convening and collaborating with the community to move forward in racial healing and justice, the board said.

Since opening in 2021, we have focused on our mission to educate and connect people through our shared history, the Greenwood Rising directors continued. Unfortunately, we have been sued twice  primarily related to our legal right to share the stories of our history and be a place of healing and learning for our community.

Solomon-Simmons legal argument, if successful, could have wide-ranging implications for museums, historians and copyright law. It would assign all use rights to individuals and their families, apparently in perpetuity.

Currently, for instance, photographs are copyrighted by the photographer. The length of a copyright can vary, but typically they expire after no more than 95 years.

A widely circulated image of Jackson is more than 100 years old, but Solomon-Simmons has argued that Jacksons family should control its use as well as the use of Jacksons story.

A well-known surgeon, Dr. A.C. Jackson was the most prominent person killed in the massacre, and his murder was the most thoroughly documented. Thus, he often figures prominently in articles, books and documentaries about the events of May 31-June 1, 1921.

According to the U.S. Copyright Office, the unlicensed use of portions of copyright-protected works is permitted as fair use in certain circumstances, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.



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Kirsten Lang Tulsa World Meteorologist Follow Kirsten Lang 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

Afternoon highs topped off in the triple digits on Tuesday and at 99 degrees on Wednesday as much of the lower 48 has been dealing with record-breaking heat.

Temperatures at or above 100 degrees are forecast for the week ahead, and while it seems hot, that is actually normal for this time of year.

This is when we expect to see 100-degree days, said Nicole McGavock, meteorologist with the Tulsa National Weather Service. We often see consecutive days of 100 degrees or more this time of year.

McGavock said that on average Tulsa has about 11 days during the year with temperatures measured at or above 100 degrees, with most of those occurring in July and August.

Tulsa has seen three 100-degree days so far this summer.

According to data from the NWS dating back to 1905, last July actually ranked No. 6 with a total number of 20 consecutive days at or above 100 degrees. This was in stark contrast to the year prior, as 2021 recorded only two consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures.

With just a handful of days left in the month, we may continue to rack up 100-degree days as these hot temperatures are forecast to hang around for the rest of the week, with little relief in sight.

The term heat wave has been used to describe these conditions in Oklahoma and across the country. But is that actually what we are experiencing?

According to Steve Piltz with the Tulsa National Weather Service, the definition of this term remains a bit murky.

There is no hard and fast definition for heat wave, said Piltz. The American Meteorological Society says it is a period of time of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and humid weather.

Well, I think most Oklahomans would agree that uncomfortably hot and humid could actually describe the months of June through September in Tulsa.

Piltz went on to say that an old definition for the term was three or more days at or above 90 degrees.

However, if we went off that, we would be under a heat wave from the end of June through August, as average highs during that time remain above 90.

So what really defines a heat wave, and are we currently under one?

It is really more of a subjective term, Piltz said.

Unfortunately for us, the heat rolls on for the next seven days. Highs are forecast through the weekend to hit 100 degrees or higher each day, with overnight lows in the 70s.

According to the Tulsa NWS, we are on the cusp of the climatologically hottest weeks of the year, and the current weather pattern continues to support a long stretch of hot weather to coincide with it.



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Oklahoma Indians are thriving, with increasing populations, education language classes, cultural events and museums reflecting their traditions and heritage. Oklahomans cherish their unique relationships and respect for tribes and their citizens in the state.

Since the founding of Central in 1906 and Webster in 1938, both high schools have had American Indian mascots and symbols meant as a sign of honor. But now, after over 100 years, they are in jeopardy of becoming extinct and erased from history.

Tulsa Public Schools is considering abolishing a degree of our respect and honor for Indigenous traditions. In August 2021, the TPS Title VI Indian Education Parent Committee requested that the mascots at Central and Webster high schools be changed. Central is the Braves and Webster the Warriors.

The committee has no or questionable associations with Webster. The Warrior mascot has been characterized as negative stereotyping, racist and uncomfortable. Yet, no data, polls or surveys were provided to support these emotional beliefs.

Instead, it seems an American Psychological Association resolution from 2005 demonized Indian slogans and symbols as culturally abusive behavior that perpetuate inaccurate misconceptions about American Indian culture. It and TPS alleged that human mascots are of concern.

But thousands of professional, collegiate and secondary schools have slogans and symbols of respect and pride for mascots including Angels, Devils, Senators, Saints, Friars, Quakers, Yankees, Raiders, Celtics, Vikings, Sooners, Cowboys, Pioneers, Swedes, etc., and hundreds of Warriors, Chiefs and Braves.

The APA resolution basically accuses blue-collar middle American Oklahomans of denigrating Indians. Its elitist attitude is disturbing in the heartland.

Yet, one could expect such quotes from liberal academic researchers and woke agendas that too often attempt to diminish or destroy our positive beliefs in our Founding Fathers, pioneers and settlers, cowboys and American Indians, and so many more who helped create America.

TPS hired a consulting firm to study the issue. Upon request from the Webster Alumni Foundation, consultants finally met with alumni. But the meeting was more than six months into the study and only about three weeks from the submission of a report to TPS administrators.

The consultants say they conducted interviews with a few teachers and parents. But they failed to speak with any Webster alumni or neighborhood community representatives. Also, it appeared theyd spoken to few, if any, tribal leaders or students.

The alumni held an online survey and found that an overwhelming 96.5% of 964 responses from the Webster community voted Yes to keeping the Warrior mascot.

Im a Webster Warriors alumnus. My mother is a Central Braves alumna, and my daughter is a Chesapeake, Virginia, Indian River Braves alumna. We were proud to honor and represent American Indian culture at our schools.

The Webster alumni held unofficial talks with local tribal citizens who served in leadership and influential positions. None expressed disapproval of Websters mascot.

Warrior defines a person who is courageous, dedicated, committed. Its description is universally applied to patriots, soldiers, athletes, entrepreneurs, leaders and anyone exhibiting spirit and fortitude. The word warrior is mentioned 66 times in the Bible, including in Exodus 15:3  The Lord is a Warrior.

When we begin to erase positive slogans and symbols, burn books and censor, we begin the eradication of the history, traditions and cultures of proud and respected people. Destroying history dissolves history.

As memories of proud people vanish and disappear, new ones emerge. If we fail to remember and represent the historical significance and contributions of American Indians, its likely the future associations with tribal nations will be casinos and gambling. That would be tragic.

We need to memorialize American Indians for who they were, now are and will be.

We must value American Indians and their culture, instead of vanquishing them. Honoring them as a Warrior and Brave are dignified symbols and honorable tributes to Indigenous people. Maintaining respectful American Indian names and icons in our schools represents us all working together to preserve and perpetuate Indian culture, tradition and culture.

Hopefully, TPS will acknowledge the critical value of American Indians in Oklahoma and our unique relationship and respect for their traditions and heritage.

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In the past couple of weeks, Gov. Kevin Stitt has ramped up misinformed and hostile public statements showing he is the wrong person to lead in tribal affairs.

His consistent scorched-earth approach has worsened tribal relations and morphed into falsehoods. Legislative leaders and Attorney General Gentner Drummond, all elected Republicans, are wisely taking action to restore relationships between the state and tribal nations.

From his first year in office, Stitt  a Cherokee Nation citizen  took aim at tribes, starting with gaming compacts by attempting to renegotiate for higher payments. He lost in court and hired out-of-state attorneys to continue the fight. Costs hit $2 million nearly three years ago and have been climbing since.

Strains worsened in 2020 when the U.S. Supreme Court in McGirt v. Oklahoma found that Congress had not de-established reservations in Indian Country after statehood. The ruling was limited to shifting law enforcement jurisdictions. The aftermath required diplomacy to work out terms among various law enforcement agencies.

That didnt happen.

Instead, Stitts rhetoric spiked, and he took actions that appeared to be about revenge, such as not renewing hunting and fishing compacts with several tribes in December 2021  moves that cost Oklahoma $35 million.

This past session, the Legislature stepped in to pass legislation to extend by one year tribal compacts on tobacco and motor vehicle registrations. Together, those brought at least $81 million to the state in the last fiscal year.

When Stitt vetoed the legislation, the Legislature returned in special session to vote on an override.

Of concern is Stitts response after the Senate vote: I am trying to protect eastern Oklahoma from turning into a reservation, and Ive been working to ensure these compacts are the best deal for all four million Oklahomans. Unfortunately, the Senate seems to disagree and used an illegitimate process to do so.

First, to claim tribal leaders are seeking a reservation is hyperbolic, meant to scare people and perpetuate stereotypes. Its an irresponsible characterization of the McGirt ruling and consensus of tribal citizens.

Oklahomas jurisdictional status is unclear, but honest negotiation with mutual respect will resolve it faster.

Second, there is nothing illegitimate about the veto override. The Legislature used the legal mechanism allowed by the state constitution as a check on power.

This comes after a video from Stitt blasting a federal court ruling in a Tulsa traffic ticket case. Stitt claims in the video that tribal citizens are now exempt from some laws. That is not true.

Tribal leaders were insulted by the video. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said: This is a governor who, No. 1, lacks a command of the facts or the law in this area or he understands it and is misleading people.

Drummond asked a federal court to recognize him  not Stitts outside, private counsel  as the states lawyer in the legal case over gaming compacts. He has the support of House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat.

This is a good solution, and we encourage Drummond to extend his work into McGirt law enforcement jurisdiction agreements.

Oklahoma is strongest with trusting, solid partnerships with tribal nations, and we need leaders in place to achieve that.

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Ho Chi Minh City will charge fees for the use of roadbeds and sidewalks in the metropolis from September 1.

Individuals, household businesses, and enterprises must get the approval from authorities, as well as ensure traffic safety and social order, in order to use roads and sidewalks for non-commuting purposes.

Residents who request the use of sidewalks and roads for wedding and funeral ceremonies will not be required to pay a fee, but will have to inform the Peoples Committees of the communes and wards where the events are scheduled to take place.

The collection of road and sidewalk use fees is in line with plans and regulations on the management and use of sidewalks and roads, according to local authorities.

The municipal Peoples Committee also stipulates that a minimum of 1.5 meters of sidewalk must be reserved for pedestrian use.

Residents who receive approval to use roadways for events must ensure that at least two car lanes in each direction are left available to commuters.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport is responsible for issuing a list of streets on which parking lots can be developed after reaching a consensus with the municipal police, the Peoples Committees of the districts where these streets pass through, and the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Meanwhile, the administrations of Thu Duc City and districts will publicize the lists of streets with sidewalks used for business activities and services.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport had earlier proposed fees of VND20,000-100,000 (US$0.8-4.2) per square meter a month to use sidewalks and roads for business and VND50,000-350,000 ($2.1-14.7) per square meter a month for vehicle parking, depending on location.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has more than 1,200 streets which measure 7.5 or more meters wide and stretch a combined 1,700 kilometers long.

There are 929 others measuring 673.31 kilometers in length with a width of at least three meters each, according to the municipal Department of Transport.

In total, the city expects to generate VND1.5 trillion ($63.1 million) from sidewalk and road use fees per year.

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The number of court cases related to climate change has more than doubled in five years as impacts ranging from shrinking water resources to dangerous heatwaves hit home for millions, a report said on Thursday.

Some 2,180 climate-related lawsuits have been filed across 65 jurisdictions over the past five years, according to the report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and New York's Columbia University, which tracks ongoing climate cases in a global database.

As of 2017, there were just 884 cases documented in 24 jurisdictions, the report said.

"We're seeing a huge increase in the number of cases," said Maria Antonia Tigre, a senior fellow in global climate litigation at Columbia's Sabin Center, who said the number of cases filed per year has doubled in the past five years.

While the United States still dominates with more than 1,500 cases, other countries are seeing increases. About 17 percent of cases have been filed in developing countries, according to the report, with rainforest-rich Brazil and Indonesia among the countries seeing the most.

As the public looks to governments and corporations to curb greenhouse gas emissions  and suffers the consequences when they don't  "people are increasingly turning to the courts for answers," said Andrew Raine, head of UNEP's international environmental law unit.

A lawyer for the association Senior Women for Climate Protection, Jessica Simor, prepares to address the court at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France March 29, 2023. Photo: Reuters

In a landmark 2021 ruling, a Dutch court ordered Shell to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 45 percent from 2019 levels by 2030.

And thousands of elderly Swiss women have taken a case to the European Court of Human Rights, alleging their government's "woefully inadequate" climate efforts have violated their human rights.

Many cases involve claims based on accusations of corporate greenwashing or advocating for greater climate disclosures. Some seek to hold governments to account for not enforcing climate-related laws and policies.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg waits at the District Court in Malmo, Sweden, July 24, 2023. Photo: Reuters

But experts said they expect more "backlash" cases in future as companies seek to protect fossil fuel operations and assets, as well as more cases brought forward by vulnerable groups suffering extreme weather impacts from climate change.

Youth climate activists have already played a central role, with 34 cases brought forward on behalf of children, teens, and young adults. Litigation targeting the disruptive actions of climate activists is also on the rise, Tigre said.
Italy supports speeding up the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to boost trade between Italy and Vietnam to US$7 billion in the coming time, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday.

The Italian PM was speaking during talks with Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong, who, along with his spouse and entourage, arrived in Rome a day earlier for an official visit at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella.

During their talks, which took place following Thuongs meeting with President Mattarella, PM Meloni said she advocated accelerating the implementation of the EVFTA as an effective way to increase bilateral trade from more than $6.2 billion in 2022 to $7 billion in the near future.

Currently, Vietnam is Italys largest trading partner in ASEAN, while the Southern European country is Vietnams third-largest trading partner in the EU, after Germany and the Netherlands, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PM Meloni also noted that the Italian Parliaments ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement on the first day of Thuongs visit served as a testament to Italys interest in promoting investment relations between the two countries.

Italy now ranks 33 out of 143 countries and territories with direct investment in Vietnam.

Besides trade and investment, both sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in other fields such as security-defense, education-training, science-technology, and cultural heritage conservation.

They affirmed that these are potential areas that need to be tapped to further enhance the effectiveness of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership, which was established in January 2013.

Particularly, the Vietnamese leader said Vietnam is ready to work closely with Italy to promote cooperation in green transformation, digital economy, and sustainable and inclusive prosperity.

He asked Italy to support the promotion of the Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnership, and pledged that Vietnam is willing to act as a bridge for expanding Italy-ASEAN relations.

The Italian PM affirmed that Italy will contribute to strengthening the Vietnam-EU connections as well as the G7-ASEAN ties.

She welcomed Vietnams proposal to establish a tripartite agricultural framework between Vietnam, Italy, and a third country as an effort to help address global food security issues.

After their talks, PM Meloni and her guest witnessed the signing of a cultural cooperation program for 2023-26 and an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal affairs between the two countries.

President Thuong later the same day met with President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, and Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri.

As scheduled, the Vietnamese state leader will also visit the Vatican, at the invitation of Pope Francis, as part of his trip to visit both Italy and the Holy See from July 25 to 28.

Before arriving in Rome, the president and his wife, along with their entourage, visited Austria from July 23 to 25.

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The Italian Parliament ratified the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on Wednesday, during a visit to Italy by Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong, paving the way for Italian businesses to ramp up their investments in Vietnam, Italian President Sergio Mattarella told a press briefing on the same day.

At their talks on Wednesday, Vietnamese State President Thuong thanked Italy and stressed that the deal would benefit enterprises and people of both nations.

He also suggested Italy urge other EU members to soon ratify the agreement.

EVIPA will replace 21 existing bilateral investment agreements between Vietnam and EU members.

The European Parliament and the Vietnamese National Assembly approved EVIPA in 2020.

The deal will take effect with the ratification by the parliaments of all 27 EU members. To date, more than 10 EU countries have ratified the agreement.

Italys ratification of EVIPA is a positive signal as Italy is an important member of the EU. It is a founding member of the bloc and part of the Group of Seven (G7).

The economic relations between Vietnam and Italy are developing positively with two-way trade reaching over US$6.2 billion last year.

Vietnam is the largest trade partner of Italy among ASEAN countries, while the European country is a leading partner of Vietnam in Europe.

Italy ranks 33rd out of the 143 countries and territories making direct investments in the Southeast Asian nation.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (R) speaks at the press briefing. Photo: The Quirinale Palace

State President Thuong and his Italian counterpart Mattarella also discussed major orientations and measures to strengthen the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership.

The Vietnamese state leader affirmed that Vietnam attaches much importance to Italy and expects to enhance their relations.

President Mattarella said he was impressed by Vietnams dynamic economic development and the mutual support of the two countries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two sides agreed to step up the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-ranking ones, and continue to effectively conduct bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

As for economic ties, President Mattarella supported Vietnams proposal to continue carrying out the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the European Commissions removal of its yellow card punishment on Vietnams seafood exports in a bid to foster economic and trade relations and contribute to the economic recovery.

The two leaders also consented to boost the cooperation in education-training, culture, and tourism as well as the collaboration between localities of the two countries.

The Vietnamese state leader threw his support behind the establishment of an Italian cultural institute in Vietnam, saying that it will help promote the cultural exchange of the two countries.

Italian people will understand Vietnamese culture, while Vietnam will have an opportunity to access valuable Italian cultural values, Thuong added.

The two sides also reached a consensus on expanding the cooperation in national defense-security, science-technology, and the response to global issues, while supporting each other at multilateral forums.

Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong (L) announces the results of the talks between him and Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the press briefing. Photo: The Quirinale Palace

Regarding East Vietnam Sea-related issues, the two leaders reiterated the importance of maintaining peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waterway, and settling disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

State President Thuong also invited President Mattarella to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Thuong arrived in Rome on Tuesday for his visits to Italy and the Vatican at the invitation of President Mattarella and Pope Francis.

The visits, scheduled to wrap up on Friday this week, followed his visit to Austria from Sunday to Tuesday.

This is the first time that a Vietnamese head of state has paid a visit to Italy or the Vatican in the past seven years.

His visit to Italy takes place while the Southeast Asian and the EU nation celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

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The U.S. is willing to join Vietnam in the investigation of the fatal terrorist raids that occurred in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak last month so as to clarify who were behind the deadly incidents, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper has said.

The ambassador was speaking to the press in Hanoi on Monday when asked by reporters for his comments on the two armed terrorist attacks on two local administration offices in the province on June 11, leaving nine deaths and injuring three others.

Knapper stressed that the U.S. objects to the use of force in any form and absolutely does not tolerate the deadly incidents that happened in Dak Lak, since which local police have arrested 96 suspects, including six on the special wanted list.

During the attacks on the headquarters of the Peoples Committees of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur Communes in Cu Kuin District that day, the terrorists also took three residents hostage and destroyed many facilities at the two offices.

Knapper also affirmed that the U.S. is willing to coordinate with Vietnam in the investigation of these armed attacks in any necessary ways to bring to light anyone behind them.

The ambassador said this is a clear message of the U.S., especially when there has been news that an organization based in the U.S. was behind the fatal incidents.

He also advocated reliable and active cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. in the field of security, referring to the close coordination between Vietnams Ministry of Public Security and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

At a meeting with General To Lam, Vietnamese Minister of Public Security, in Hanoi on June 30, Knapper told his host that the U.S. government would not tolerate the involvement of any U.S.-based organizations or individuals in the deadly attacks against the peoples government in Dak Lak.

He requested relevant information from Vietnam and pledged cooperation with and support for Vietnam in clarifying the issue and preventing similar incidents that may affect the relationship between the two countries.

Earlier when attending an anti-terrorism conference held by the United Nations on June 22-23, Major General Pham Ngoc Viet, director of the Department of Homeland Security under the public security ministry, said that the lethal attacks in Dak Lak were an organized terrorist activity aimed at state entities, officials, and civilians.

He also noted that one of the arrested attackers is a member of a U.S.-based organization who had received instructions to infiltrate Vietnam and perform the attacks.

Viet emphasized that any organizations or individuals involved in or behind these attacks would be dealt with in a manner corresponding to the level of their violation.

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A Japanese court sentenced a Dominican man, who was charged with murder for assaulting and pushing a 21-year-old Vietnamese student into a river in Osaka, Japan in August last year, to 12 years in prison.

The Osaka Prefecture Court handed down the sentence to 27-year-old Cruz Cabrera Brian Alberto, a national of the Dominican Republic, at the first instance hearing of the case opened on Monday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Alberto, an unemployed man with no fixed place of residence, was charged after intentionally attacking and pushing the victim, who was no longer able to resist, into a river.

On August 2, 2021, Alberto beat and kicked the victim, T.T.A., a Vietnamese student, into the Dotonbori River in the Namba Park area in Osaka, causing the victims death, according to the indictment.

Three days later, Osaka police arrested Alberto and initiated criminal proceedings against him for murder.

After performing an autopsy on the recovered body of the victim, local police handed the corpse over to a Vietnamese pagoda in Kobe City to perform rituals for the deceased at the wish of his family.

After a funeral conducted at the pagoda for A. on August 12, his ashes were transported to Vietnam.

At the hearing, Alberto denied the murder conviction, arguing that he only acted out of justifiable self-defense after being attacked by the Vietnamese student.

However, the presiding judge concluded that Alberto, after his initial self-defense, he actively attacked A. and refused to stop his assault even when the victim was no longer able to resist.

Alberto then deliberately pushed A. into the river in a state of exhaustion, directly causing the victims death.

Emphasizing that such brutal action exceeded the limits of self-defense, the court gave the defendant the 12-year sentence, which is six years less than the term earlier proposed by local prosecutors.

The incident caused a wave of anger both in Vietnam and in Vietnamese communities in Japan.

Many even said if the 18-year term had been given to the defendant, it would have not been enough.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Italian President Sergio Mattarella chaired a welcome ceremony for his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong at the Quirinale Palace in Rome on Wednesday. Thuong left Austria on Tuesday afternoon (local time) for his visits to Italy and the Vatican at the invitation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis from Tuesday to Friday.

-- The Italian Parliament ratified the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement on Wednesday, paving the way for Italian businesses to ramp up their investments in Vietnam, Italian President Sergio Mattarella told a press briefing on the same day.

Society

-- The Department of Overseas Labor under the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs has allowed three firms to supply a combined 150 laborers to Greece this year, the department said on Wednesday.

-- Italy expects trade with Vietnam to reach US$7 billion, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told a meeting with State President Vo Van Thuong in the Chigi Palace on Wednesday.

-- The Peoples Committee of Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, has issued a decision to take back over 540 hectares of land in Xuan Loc District from the long-stalled Dofico industrial and agricultural complex project.

-- Ho Chi Minh City aims to complete site clearance for the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho and Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway projects by 2025, according to a draft plan for the citys railway network development the municipal Department of Transport sent to the Peoples Committee.

-- Ho Chi Minh City will charge fees for the use of roadbeds and sidewalks in the metropolis from September 1. The fees are expected to range from VND20,000 ($0.84) to VND350,000 ($14.7) per square meter a month, depending on use purposes and locations.

Tourism

-- Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City were included in U.S. travel magazine Travel+Leisures list of 15 most favourite cities in Asia. The two Vietnamese cities were ranked 13th and 14th, respectively, based on votes submitted by the magazines readers.

Sports

-- Vietnam will clash with Portugal in their second match at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, at 2:30 pm on Thursday (Vietnam time).

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Tourists with plans to visit Phu Quoc City on Thursday were forced to return home or visit other tourist attractions after high-speed boat and ferry services to this Vietnamese island were halted on Thursday due to bad weather conditions.

The provincial Inland Waterway Port Authority announced the suspension on Thursday morning, citing a bad weather forecast which predicted that Kien Giang would receive scattered rains and thunderstorms coupled with rough seas and 1.76-meter high waves during the day.

Passenger waterway services subject to the suspension include those linking the cities of Rach Gia and Ha Tien in Kien Giang Province with Phu Quoc, as well as those connecting Rach Gia with Nam Du, another island destination off the coast of Kien Giang.

The high-speed boat service from Rach Gia to Hon Son, an island off the provinces Kien Hai District, remains operational due to larger high-speed boats used for the route that are rated to resist level-5 wind gusts.

The high-speed boat service from Rach Gia City to Hon Son, an island off Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, was still operational on the morning of July 27, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Upon being notified of the suspension, visitors at a ferry terminal in Rach Gia had to return home or divert their trips to other destinations, such as Ha Tien, Can Tho, or An Giang.

Waterway service providers announced that they would reschedule affected trips or offer refunds to customers.

Nguyen Xuan Thuy, a native of Soc Trang Province in southern Vietnam, said her family agreed to change their destination to Ha Tien after their scheduled three-day-two-night trip to Phu Quoc was affected by the bad weather.

Nguyen Xuan Da, director of the Kien Giang Inland Waterway Port Authority, said authorities will continue to update weather forecasts and allow the resumption of waterway services once conditions improve.

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Thursday announced a US$32-million contract to the U.S. firm Tetra Tech to continue the cleanup of dioxin-contaminated soil in and around Bien Hoa Airbase in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam.

Under the contract, Tetra Tech will provide engineering design, construction management, and environmental monitoring of civil works and treatment activities for dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment to reduce the risk of exposure to people at the airbase, as well as in the bordering communities, so as to restore the land for full use.

USAID administrator Samantha Power joined other U.S. and Vietnamese government officials to announce another contract of up to $73 million during her visit to Vietnam in March.

The contract was awarded to Nelson Environmental Remediation USA to design and build a treatment facility to decontaminate soil and sediment in and around Bien Hoa Airbase.

This year, the United States and Vietnam are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their comprehensive partnership.

The close cooperation to overcome legacies of war is yet another example of how the United States and Vietnam work strategically together to create a better future for the two peoples.

Dioxin remediation at the airbase is expected to take 10 years to complete and cost an estimated $450 million.

The U.S. governments contribution to date has been $218.255 million out of a total expected commitment of $300 million.

Since April 2019, USAID has worked with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to remediate approximately 500,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment in and around the airbase.

In 2022, USAID completed the remediation of an off-base lake and returned it to the community for use as a recreational area, finished the remediation of the first on-base area, commemorated this milestone with a U.S. government-funded park on the site, and completed the construction of a long-term storage facility for soil with low levels of contamination.

Dioxin is a highly toxic chemical compound which is known to cause serious problems with reproduction, development, and the immune system.

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The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union chapter in Ca Mau Province is using rivers, lakes, and even shrimp ponds to teach local children how to swim as part of an iniative to reduce drowning in the region.

Nearly 1,000 children have joined the 32 free swimming courses on offer in Ca Mau this summer, Nguyen Hoang Dao, secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union chapter in Ca Mau, said on Monday.

Though Ca Mau, located in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, is dominated by a network of rivers and waterways, there are relatively few swimming pools in the province and, therefore, an endemic lack of critical swimming skills, particularly amongst the local youth.

Were determined to teach local kids how to swim this summer," Dao said.

In areas without any swimming pools, members of the Youth Union have been teaching swimming skills in rivers and shrimp ponds."

He added that his organization evaluated the safety of the shrimp ponds before putting them to use as makeshift swimming pools.

Members of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union chapter in southern Vietnams Ca Mau Province have collaborated with swimming teachers to run free swimming courses for local children. Photo: Thanh Huyen / Tuoi Tre

Lieu Bich Tien, a resident of Nguyen Huan Commune in Dam Doi District, said that she is thankful for the lessons because she does not know how to swim and cannot teach her children how to keep safe in the water.

Living in this river-dominated area, I worry for my kids safety every day," Tien said.

Im truly happy my kids can learn how to swim for free thanks to the Youth Union members.

Aside from offering free swimming courses, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union chapter teamed up with other organizations to conduct summer activities and gift life jackets to local children worth a total of VND300 million (US$12,625).

They also launched another program for children and their parents to practice water safety and drowning prevention skills.

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A three year cotract between Eureka Productions and Redland City Council for the site used for 2021s Holey Moley is set to expire.

Courier Mail reports the contract at a custom-built course on South St, next to the council depot and pound, will expire on Saturday.

Holey Moley debuted to 1.1m consolidated viewers, but fell to half that number by series final. So far there is no word on future productions, but the show could feasibly relocate should it be greenlit for more.

Seven has previously indicated interest in more from the series if the site could be shared with international productions, but the pandemic and travel restrictions has been a big setback to that happening so far.

Angus Ross, Head of Network Programming, previously told TV Tonight, It comes down to other countries coming into Australia to shoot, to make it affordable for us to be able to revisit it.

So Im not ruling it out. Id love to get a bunch of new holes and do a bunch of episodes  probably not as many as before.

The show has also been a mega-success for ABC network in the USA but a fifth season, with Joe Tessitore, Rob Riggle, Jeannie Mai and Stephen Curry, is yet to be greenlit.

There were also noise restrictions at the Queensland site, which had to bus in audience members for shoots which ran until the early hours of the morning.

Redland City Council refused to comment.

Eureka Productions has been contacted for comment.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the 18th consultative meeting of the leaders of the GCC & the Gulf summit with the central Asian countries C5 in Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Top Biden adviser in Saudi Arabia for high-level talks Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the 18th consultative meeting of the leaders of the GCC & the Gulf summit with the central Asian countries C5 in Jeddah Saudi Arabia

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday in Jeddah, the White House said, as U.S. officials search for ways to reach a deal normalizing ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

U.S. officials have sought for months to reach what would be a historic agreement between the long-time adversaries but the Saudis have been resistant.

President Joe Biden said on CNN in early July that Israel and Saudi Arabia are a long way from a normalization agreement that would involve a defense treaty and a civilian nuclear program from the United States.

Sullivan, who was joined by White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk, met bin Salman and senior Saudi officials and discussed "initiatives to advance a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East region interconnected with the world," the White House said.

The White House statement made no mention of Israel, but a White House official said a possible normalization agreement with Israel was among various topics.

They also discussed efforts to build on the benefits of a truce in the war in Yemen.

Biden has had difficult relations with both bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He has argued to little avail against oil production cuts by the Saudis and tried to persuade Netanyahu to slow the pace of a drive for a judicial overhaul in Israel.

U.S. officials see a potential deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia as possible after the administration of former President Donald Trump reached similar agreements between Israel and Morocco, Sudan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Deepa Babington)
For the last 30 years, Verbier, the famous ski resort in the Valais Alps, or 'Pennine Alps,' in Switzerland, has been transformed every summer into the ideal playground for musicians and music lovers from all over Europe and the rest of the world.

The Verbier Festival celebrates classical music in all its forms. And it can be heard wherever you look: in concert halls and churches, but also in clubs and in the streets, thanks to the UNLTD programme with buskers and members of the Verbier Academy - the breeding ground for young musical talent who make up the DNA of the festival.

Stephen McHolm is the director of both the Verbier Academy and the UNLTD programme, which he successfully launched seven years ago.

Stephen McHolm, director of the Verbier Academy and Unlimited (UNLTD) - Euronews

"With UNLTD it's really a festival within the festival, and we've said 'We want to desacralise classical music' but we want to celebrate music and the Verbier Festival isn't just classical music, most of it yes is classical music, and it's classic excellence, but we (also) have music in the streets," he explained.

10 years ago, the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra was also launched, enabling hand-picked young talent to take part in a kind of "Summer Camp", and attend masterclasses in the company of some of the biggest names in music.

Musicians play on the streets of Verbier, France at the Verbier Festival - Euronews

American conductor James Gaffigan is a conductor and musical director of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra.

"As music director, I do all of the weeks of music in preparation with them," he told Cult.

"As you can imagine, many of these young people haven't played in an orchestra for the first time. So they're all together learning about each other's culture, about each other's instruments, each others' level of playing, and they're all combining to do the same thing, which is having the highest level performances and rehearsals."

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For 30 days, the young musicians play and talk music, culminating in a concert in the Festival's Grande Salle des Combins in front of 1,500 people to close the festival on 30 July.

Charlotte Malherbe, Manager Verbier Festival Junior Festival - Euronews

Charlotte Malherbe is the manager of the Verbier Festival Junior Festival, and she looks after the budding prodigies during their stay at the Verbier Festival.

"You could say that this is the breeding ground for festival orchestras. They arrive here, many of them (are) between 15 and 18, and then they move on to the VFO, the Festival Symphony Orchestra, and then to the Chamber (Orchestra). So it's also very nice over the 10 years of the project to see them evolve from one orchestra to another," she revealed.

Young musicians play as part of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra - Euronews

In the run-up to the closing ceremony at the end of July, the Verbier Festival pulled off a tour de force by bringing together more than 50 of the world's greatest soloists on the same day, 24 July, to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Among them, 24-year-old Japanese pianist Mao Fujita and many other prodigies such as Evgeny Kissin performed Rachmaninov's Preludes from Opus 2.

The music of German composer J. S. Bach was also in the spotlight, with a string quartet featuring the two Capucon brothers, to cap off a world-class event.
French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd-L) and Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau (L) visit a French navy vessel in Port Vila (Ludovic MARIN)

French President Emmanuel Macron denounced "new imperialism" in the Pacific during a landmark visit to the region on Thursday, warning of a threat to the sovereignty of smaller states.

Macron -- speaking in Vanuatu on the first visit by a sitting French leader to an independent Pacific Island state -- sought to offer a French alternative in a region where the US and China are competing for influence.

"There is in the Indo-Pacific, and particularly in Oceania, new imperialism appearing, and a power logic that is threatening the sovereignty of several states -- the smallest, often the most fragile," Macron said in a speech.

"Our Indo-Pacific strategy is above all to defend through partnerships the independence and sovereignty of all states in the region that are ready to work with us."

China is seeking to expand its influence in the South Pacific, notably making inroads in Solomon Islands, with which it signed a secretive defence pact last year.

Beijing also maintains sweeping, contested claims over the South China Sea.

The United States -- the dominant military force in the South Pacific since World War II -- has responded by announcing new aid, opening embassies in the region, and signing pacts including a recent defence deal with Papua New Guinea.

Macron said he felt free to issue the warning over major powers' ambitions in the Pacific because "we recognise our colonial past here in Vanuatu".

Vanuatu, a former French-British colony until independence in 1980, endured a colonial history of "grabbing wealth and exploitation of the people", he said.

"We are the heirs of this past," Macron added, listing a history since European settlement that included the trafficking of indigenous people to work on plantations.

"Vanuatu suffered a colonisation as brutal as those imposed elsewhere in Africa or Asia. This heritage must not be forgotten."

- 'Phasing out' fossil fuels -

Story continues

Macron is seeking to reassert his country's significance as a "balancing power" in the region.

France has 1.6 million citizens in the Asia-Pacific across seven overseas territories, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and an exclusive economic zone spanning nine million square kilometres (3.5 million square miles).

But France had to reassemble its strategy in the Pacific after Australia in 2021 tore up a deal for Paris to provide a fleet of diesel-powered submarines.

Canberra opted instead for US- and British-built nuclear-powered vessels under the so-called AUKUS pact.

With climate change a priority for low-lying Pacific Island states threatened by rising seas, France and Vanuatu issued a joint call for international action.

"France and Vanuatu reiterate that the first urgency to reduce the damage caused by climate change is to accelerate the phasing out of fossil fuels," they said in a statement.

The French leader has already encountered resistance on his Pacific tour, however.

On his first 48-hour stop in the French territory of New Caledonia, some pro-independence indigenous Kanaks boycotted talks with Macron to discuss its future.

The president warned that separatism risked leading to violence as he urged the pro-independence camp to accept the results of three referendums that favoured remaining part of France.

In a sign of the global focus on the Pacific region, Macron's three-stop tour -- his next destination is Papua New Guinea -- coincided with two visits by senior US officials.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks Thursday with ally New Zealand, and warned of "predatory" Chinese investment in Tonga the day before.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also met with the government in Papua New Guinea on Thursday and announced the deployment of a US Coastguard ship there after the signing of the recent defence pact.

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The situation in Niger remained fluid on Thursday, a day after members of the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum at the presidential palace in Niamey. FRANCE 24 spoke with Danielle Resnick, a political scientist specialising in sub-Saharan Africa at the Brookings Institution, about how a military coup could affect Nigers relations with regional and Western allies, and what it might mean for Russian influence on the African continent.

Nigers army command on Thursday declared its support for a rebellion launched a day earlier by members of the presidential guard, saying its priority is to avoid destabilising the country. In a statement on behalf of military command, General Abdou Sidikou Issa said it "has decided to subscribe to the declaration made by the Defence and Security Forces  in order to avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces".

Earlier in the day, Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum posted on the X social media site  formerly known as Twitter  that he intended to protect the hard-won democratic gains made in a country that saw four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960. Nigers minister of foreign affairs, Hassoumi Massoudou, seconded this, telling FRANCE 24 on Thursday that there was an attempted coup, but of course we cannot accept it. He also called for the presidents unconditional release and said talks with the rebelling soldiers were ongoing.



Read more on FRANCE 24 English



Read also:

France's FM says detained Niger president 'in good health'

Niger soldiers say President Bazoum has been removed, borders closed

Niger's army command declares support for coup launched by presidential guard
Atomic Power, a groundbreaking 18-minute black-and-white film about the Manhattan Project which created the worlds first atomic bomb, may not be as famous as Christopher Nolans 2023 epic, Oppenheimer. However, this largely overlooked 1946 cinematic experience was pioneering in communicating the history behind the nuclear detonation in the New Mexico desert on July 16 1945.

Particularly striking in Atomic Power is that leading figures play themselves, including Robert Oppenheimer, Leslie Groves and even Albert Einstein. This film, which offers a unique window on the dawn of the Atomic Age, resonates with its 2023 counterpart.

Atomic Power was released when only 44,000 US households had television, so millions saw it in cinemas. It was part of a major American newsreel series, The March of Time (1935-1951), created by Time magazines co-founder Henry Luce and produced by Louis de Rochemont.

These films were a unique combination of newsreel and documentary formats. They involved dramatised recreations and commentary on significant current events, and are regarded as having a profound impact on contemporary filmmaking. Even the narration by Cornelius Westbrook Van Voorhis  whose voice epitomised 20th-century announcer speak  was genre-defining.

However, telling this story comes with many problems. Both films struggle to juggle depicting genius and technological advance with the reality of nuclear power.

Nuclear messages on film

The message of 2023s Oppenheimer blockbuster has been variously interpreted. Some critics have focused on how the atomic bomb represents a fundamental change in global technology its portrayal of Oppenheimer and other figures grappling with the moral dilemmas around this.

Other critics, however, have suggested the film skirts around the human suffering caused by the bomb. Oppenheimers grandson Charles summarised the films central question as: Are we going to destroy ourselves as a species? But in the same Time interview, he added that the movie, while really good, had less emphasis than I would have put on the crucial period of 1945 to 1947, during which Atomic Power was made.

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That films poignant release date, August 9 1946, was exactly a year after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in Japan. In contrast to 2023, the world did not yet have nuclear-armed rockets, nuclear-powered submarines, nor even commercial nuclear power stations.

At that time, the US was the only country with nuclear weapons  only 11 bombs in 1946, deliverable by propeller-driven B-29 bombers. And there were even US proposals being discussed at the UN for the (unsuccessful) Baruch Plan. Named after Bernard Baruch, the US representative to the UNs Atomic Energy Commission, this plan sought to dismantle all US nuclear weapons and place atomic technology under international control.

The plan failed largely on account of the Soviet Unions abstention and pursuit of a counter proposal. Russia believed the UN to be insufficiently independent, and that the plan would simply protect the USs atomic monopoly.

These negotiations were not helped by the USs Operation Crossroads nuclear tests in the Pacific during July 1946, nor by the Soviet Union engaging in its own secret atomic bomb programme.

Atomic Powers message is similarly complicated. Having initially echoed concerns about the new technology, it ends up hoping for peace and responsible use while featuring news footage and a reference to the ill-fated Baruch Plan.

But the film largely focuses on communicating the technological triumph of creating an atomic bomb. It opens with images of buildings in a devastated Hiroshima, then cuts to a staged grocery store conversation with an unnamed American woman who is lamenting the loss of life. A similarly anonymous pastor offers a one-sentence morality injection:

Its overstepped the bounds of moral law by producing this diabolical weapon.

While featuring such perspectives appears thought-provoking, these are in fact brushed aside almost immediately, replaced with scientific explanations and the projects story. Potential dangers are revisited later, but purely through the hypothetical threats to US cities.

Surreal moments

Oppenheimer is noted for its sometimes surreal and artful depictions. Atomic Powers dramatisation, though seemingly more conventional, offers equally surreal takes.

Most striking is a scene involving Vannevar Bush and James B. Conant, who both played significant government oversight roles in the Manhattan Project. Real nuclear detonation footage is interspersed with the two witnessing the blast by lying on the desert sand  facing away, shielding their eyes when turning round, then casually shaking hands. Theres not even a breath of wind to ruffle their hair.

This unbelievably detached re-enactment was filmed in a Boston garage  and the scene reflects wider disparities between the reality and the cinematic recreation. Conants own account, written the day after the real event, conveyed a great sense of fear when facing the bomb.

Oddly, Atomic Power barely features Oppenheimer, who is reduced to a single scene with two lines. In a desert control room, just before detonation, he speaks with his close friend and Manhattan Project consultant, Isidor Isaac Rabi:

Oppenheimer: The automatic controls got it now. Rabi, this time the stakes are really high. Rabi: Its going to work alright Robert, and Im sure well never be sorry for it. Oppenheimer: Well, in 40 seconds well know.

This subconscious hinting at Oppenheimers inner doubts, and of his being at the mercy of a mechanical process, foreshadow his later public challenging of US nuclear policy and being sidelined through political machinations  both powerful themes that are central to the 2023 biopic.

In contrast to Oppenheimer, Einstein is given greater accolades in Atomic Power  reified for his genius discoveries and letter to US president Franklin D. Roosevelt that made nuclear weapons possible. Yet his only words near the films end are I agree, which he says in response to a statement by the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists (of which Einstein was Chairman) appealing for support for funding to educate the public.

Even military figures have surprisingly limited profiles in the film. Grovess only line, having led the project, is cautioning an unnamed scientist to be careful with a $50m plutonium test-tube. Ironically, this portrayal hints at the very real military-scientific tensions during and after the project.

Atomic Powers final words are the catchphrase that the series was by then well-known for: Time  marches on! Indeed it did, yet we continue to be drawn to this complex and murky story and what it tells us about humanity. Im sure Oppenheimer wont be the last time filmmakers attempt to tell it.

Atomic Power can be watched for free through the BFI player

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Dr Timothy Noel Peacock is a Lecturer in History and War Studies at the University of Glasgow. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the British Library Eccles Centre for American Studies, researching nuclear history. The British Library's Collections were not drawn on in the creation of this article but were used in his 2021 article for The Conversation and have informed his wider study of nuclear history.
Prigozhin. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has been spotted at an international summit in Russia.

The images come after he was supposedly exiled following the mutiny he staged against Russian military brass.

Prigozhin was last seen in his underwear inside a field tent at a military camp in Belarus.

Newly-surfaced photographs show Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin schmoozing at an international summit in Russia  over a week since he was last seen in his underwear inside a field tent at a military camp in Belarus hundreds of miles away.

Prigozhin was apparently pictured at a Russia-Africa summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny against Russia's military leadership last month.

The images showing Prigozhin at the summit circulated on Wednesday after the founder of the Russian paramilitary group was supposedly cast into exile in Belarus as part of a peace deal with Putin following Wagner's aborted armed rebellion.

One photograph shows a smiling Prigozhin, wearing jeans and a white polo shirt, shaking hands with Freddy Mapouka, the chief of protocol for Central African Republic president Faustin-Archange Touadera, according to the Financial Times.

The image was posted to Facebook by Dmitry Syty, the head of the "Russian House" in the capital of the Central African Republic.

"Mister Ambassador shared with me the first photos of the Russia-Africa Summit. We see some familiar faces," Syty captioned the image along with a smiling emoji.

Another image of Prigozhin wearing the same outfit also surfaced on social media showing him shaking hands with a different African official.

Prigozhin's whereabouts have largely been shrouded in mystery ever since he mobilized the Wagner mercenary group against Russian military brass.

An image of Prigozhin in his underwear in a tent Belarus was recently circulated on social media.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As a federal enterprise, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. On behalf of the German Government, GIZ currently provides advisory services to the Government of Viet Nam in three priority areas: Vocational training, Environmental policy and sustainable use of natural resources, and Energy. For further information, please visit www.giz.de/viet-nam.

The Programme on Strengthening climate resilience of poor population groups participating in coffee production in Son La and Dien Bien provinces of Vietnam, taking into account of the impact of COVID-19 needs to purchase 01 freeze-drying coffee machine.

GIZ Country Office Hanoi, under the authority of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammnarbeit would like to annouce the Tender package for supply 01 freeze-drying coffee machine.

The eligible suppliers interested in the tender can inform us officially through the Email: question-from-bidder-pog-vn@giz.de to receive the tender dossier.

The items shall be maintained by dealers in Son La province.

- Place of delivery: free to Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative  Hoang Van Thu village, Hua La commune, Son La city, Son La province

- Delivery time: Please indicate your shortest delivery time after order placement

- Payment: Payment after receipt of goods against VAT Invoice and delivery note (or can be negotiable)

GIZ will select the most economic and efficient quotation from submitted bidders, which fullfil at least the minimum technical requirements.

Bid is to be submitted in 02 original copies with full signature and stamp, 01 in Vietnamese and 01 in English, with same validity, including following documents:

1. Letter of Interest signed and sealed by authorised person

2. Company profile (incl. copy of business registration certificate)

3. Copy of audited financial report of last 03 years (incl. balance sheet, income statement, cashflow statement, tax liquidation)

4. Proof of experience for providing similar services in the past (copy of similar contracts)

5. Bidding quotation (technical proposal and financial offer incl. VAT and excl. VAT in 2 separate emails)

The documents are to be submitted to the email VN_PoG_Quotation@giz.de at the latest by 17:00 (Vietnamese time) on 20.08.2023; we request you to submit the technical offer and price quotation in two separate emails with subject as "Technical offer  PO 91174121" va Price Offer  PO 91174121 respectively.

Bids interested in the assignment are recommended to contact GIZ by sending request to the email address: question-from-bidder-pog-vn@giz.de to receive the complete tender dossier by 17:00 (Vietnamese time) on 10.08.2023.

GIZ is obliged to ensure the confidentiality of all bidding documents submitted.

Note:

Bids sending not as formally required or after the deadline will be disqualified.

Only the winning bidder will be later contacted for order placement.
HA NOI  The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said that after receiving a document from the Viet Nam Pepper Association (VPA) reporting that there are a number of items, including pepper, star anise, cashew, and cinnamon from Viet Nam exported to the UAE showing signs of commercial fraud, the ministry has sent a note to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Ha Noi.

At the same time, it requested the support of the embassy in solving an urgent problem related to trade fraud for Vietnamese spices exported to the UAE.

The VPA reported that some of its members had exported peppercorn, cinnamon, star anise, and cashew nuts to the UAE but found signs of scams from the same buyer (Bab A1 Rehab Foodstuff Trading LLC) and the same bank (Ajman Bank JSC) based in Dubai.

They lost four containers of the produce worth US$400,000 when the goods arrived at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE. They are now at risk of losing one container of star anise scheduled to arrive at the port yesterday.

To prevent the loss of the star anise container and trace the swindling importer, the MARD has also asked the UAE Embassy to propose UAE authorities temporarily seize the star anise container at the port and investigate the four stolen batches.

Previously, VPA had sent official dispatches to report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the State Bank of Viet Nam on the urgent situation of the incident and requested the relevant agencies to urgently work with the authorities of Dubai to block the buyer or buyer's representative who obtained the original documents of the anise container before Wednesday.

As soon as receiving the report, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)s Asia - Africa Market Department sent a diplomatic note to the UAE Embassy in Viet Nam to ask the embassy to inform competent agencies of its country to deal with the case.

On Tuesday, the MoIT had an urgent meeting with the UAE Embassy, the State Bank of Viet Nam, the VPA, the Foreign Trade Agency, and the businesses owning the export batches.

It also ordered the Vietnamese Trade Office in the UAE to quickly handle the case.

The MoIT recommended on Tuesday that Vietnamese companies be cautious and thoroughly negotiate payment clauses when conducting transactions with foreign firms, following a suspected scam involving five batches of Vietnamese farm produce in Dubai.

It said that scams in the Middle East have increased recently, mostly involving small trading companies.

The most common trick is that when signing contracts, foreign enterprises often request Vietnamese companies to make telegraphic transfers (TT), or they issue cheques as pledges to sellers. Both are the forms of payment with the highest risks.

TT is a form of payment in which buyers will pay sellers after receiving goods. In cheque issuance, buyers may issue cheques without money in their bank accounts while sellers are unable to come to the banks of buyers to receive money since they do not have identity cards. Sellers are also unable to check information of buyers accounts as banks in some Middle Eastern countries do not provide customer information for a third party.

Given this, the MoIT called on Vietnamese companies to be cautious and thoroughly negotiate payment clauses to ensure safety.

It recommended they use letters of credit (L/C) or send representatives to directly meet buyers to hand over documents and receive payments. The documents against payment (D/P) is also safer than the TT and cheque payments, but businesses need to ensure safety when handing over documents to the banks of buyers.  VNS
HCM CITY  Shrimp experts and businesses gathered at the Shrimp Summit 2023 in HCM City on Tuesday to seek measures to tackle challenges facing the shrimp sector in Asia and worldwide, ensuring the sector's sustainability and resilience to climate change.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Phung uc Tien said that Viet Nam has high potential in aquatic farming, especially brackish water shrimp farming.

He noted that the shrimp industry has played an important role in Viet Nam's seafood exports during the past two decades. Each year, the shrimp industry contributes about 40-45 per cent of the total seafood export value, equivalent to US$3.5-4.3 billion. Currently, Vietnamese shrimp has been exported to 100 countries, with the five largest markets being Europe, the US, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.

To date, about 200 shrimp processing factories in Viet Nam have been examined and approved by the European Commission, he said, adding that Viet Nam has been the second largest shrimp supplier, providing 13-14 per cent of the total shrimp exports in the world.

Tien said that the Vietnamese shrimp sector has maintained stable export growth at nearly 7 per cent over the past 20 years.

However, it is facing numerous challenges, mostly from the COVID-19 pandemics impacts and market fluctuations, especially since 2022, he said, underlining that the Government has issued many programmes and projects to boost the sectors sustainable growth, contributing to the global shrimp sector.

Tien said that during the summit, scientists, experts and businesses focused their discussions on the industry's important issues, giving forecasts on production, market demand, updating standards for shrimp products and innovation in farming techniques.

Nguyen Viet Thang, chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Society, said that currently, the fisheries sector is employing more than five million labourers, including more than one million in the shrimp sector.

He highlighted contributions that the shrimp sector has made to the countrys economic development as well as major challenges it is encountering.

Thang said that he hopes though the summit, international experts and buyers will share with their domestic peers advanced technologies in varieties production, environmental protection, disease management, and water management, as well as the market demands and cooperation opportunities in shrimp trading.

Le Van Quang, general director of the Minh Phu Fisheries Group, said that Viet Nam currently has more than 700,000 hectares of shrimp farms, able to meet the various demand of more than 100 countries. Viet Nam has developed ecological and organic shrimp farming models with high value, meeting sustainability standards.

Within the framework of the summit, participants visited a number of farm production and processing facilities in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will halt the use of planting area codes and the operations of packaging facilities that fail to meet Chinas phytosanitary requirements.

The suspension is also applied for the batches which repeated violations many times during the phytosanitary inspections.

That is part of a dispatch sent by MARD to localities asking them to enhance phytosanitary measures for fruit exports, according to the ministry.

Before that, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has had announcement that some fruit shipments exported from Viet Nam to China has not met phytosanitary requirements, including bananas, jackfruit, mango, longan, dragon fruit and durian.

Loose examination of the quality of fruits and ineffective phytosanitary operations can lead to an increase in the number of consignments violating China's phytosanitary regulations, said the ministry. That could lead to Viet Nam losing this important export market.

The MARD also urged the localities to strengthen manpower for phytosanitary operations at packaging facilities and planting areas granted codes by China's relevant offices to avoid Chinas suspension of buying Vietnamese fruits.

The localities should publicise Chinas requirements on plant quarantine and MARDs guidelines on food safety for farmers, farming households and exporters.

Besides closer supervision of phytosanitary processes, the localities' departments of agriculture and rural development ask the packaging facilities to sanitise batches of fruits and have careful checks for the packaging process.

The ministry has also asked localities having border gates to promote plant quarantine work to ensure fruits meet Chinas requirements.

The Ministry said Viet Nam gained US$1 billion from the exports of vegetables and fruits in June, up 2.7 times compared to June 2022. In the first six months of this year, the total fruit and vegetable export turnover was estimated at $3 billion - near the $3.16 billion of the whole year of 2022.

Among the top ten largest fruit and vegetable export markets of Viet Nam, China led with nearly 63.5 per cent of the market share, worth about $1.3 billion in the first five months of the year. Following were South Korea, Japan and the Netherlands.

According to businesses, the Phytosanitary Protocols signed with China, along with codes for thousands of planting areas and packaging facilities granted by China authorities, have created many favourable conditions for Viet Nam in exporting vegetables and fruits to this neighbouring market.  VNS
HCM CITY  Internet searches for accommodation in Viet Nam on an online travel platform surge after the National Assemblys recent reinstatement of 90-day visas for Viet Nam-bound travelers.

Ratified by the National Assembly on June 24 and set to take effect on August 15, this comprehensive policy reform has already garnered overwhelming approval from travelers worldwide.

In a recent report, Agoda reported that search data indicated a 33 per cent surge in interest in the two weeks immediately following the announcement.

Leading the way are French tourists, who delivered an incredible 72 per cent surge in accommodation searches in the fortnight after the announcement compared to the preceding two weeks.

Other countries, including the Netherlands with 45 per cent, New Zealand with 41 per cent, Germany with 40 per cent, and the USA with 38 per cent, also witnessed significant spikes in interest in visiting Viet Nam.

Agoda's data analysis focused on long-haul travelers from North America, the EU, and Australia-New Zealand, who have faced stricter visa restrictions compared to their counterparts in Southeast Asia and the broader Asia - Pacific region.

These travelers often endure longer and costlier return flights, making them more inclined to seek extended vacations compared to those within a shorter flight radius.

The search data bodes well for Viet Nam's national objective of attracting 8 million tourists by the end of the year.

The nation recently reported receiving 5.57 million visitors thus far this year.

Agoda data bears out the claim that more lenient visa processes, in addition to promotion and increased flight-pairings, are already contributing to the tourist arrival goal, citing India as an example.

Following the introduction of e-visas for Indian nationals, Agoda saw India rise from Viet Nams eighth largest international booking market to its second  behind only South Korea.  VNS
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HA NOI  The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAA) said that it would give its best efforts to negotiate to keep slots at foreign airports for Vietnamese carriers.

CAA Director inh Viet Thang said that Vietnamese carriers were struggling with slot retention in a declining market. Thang said that some airlines must operate flights with low seat occupancy to keep the slots.

The aviation market has not fully recovered to the pre-pandemic level, Thang said, adding that airlines have struggled to retain slots at foreign airports. Carriers could keep slots if they ensured the required slot usage rate, which is a challenge due to low market demand.

Thang said that CAA was working with foreign aviation authorities to provide support to airlines based on the principle of reciprocity.

However, there are markets whose airlines do not operate flights to Viet Nam such as Australia, India and the UK.

In difficult cases which go beyond the capacity of the CAA, it will propose diplomatic negotiations at higher levels.

In the domestic market, airlines must ensure a slot usage rate of at least 80 per cent to be able to retain slots for the next scheduling season under the established regulations. Flexible management must wait for amendments to the established regulations.

Some airlines proposed to swap slots of routes which were not used up, such as to China, for routes with higher demand such as to the South Korea. The proposal sounded reasonable, he said.

He said the CAA would study the proposal and send it to the Ministry of Transport for appropriate amendments.

The CAAs statistics showed that the aviation market handled about 34.7 million passengers in the first half of this year, up 49.6 per cent against the same period last year. Of the figure, international passengers totalled 14.7 million, five times higher than the same period in 2011 and equivalent to 73.5 per cent of the same period of 2019.

The total cargo volume was estimated at 483,000 tonnes, dropping by 26 per cent.

According to inh Viet Phuong, chief executive officer at Vietjet, airlines are facing difficulties because the number of flights increased but the number of passengers did not. Seat ultilisation ratio decreased on low purchasing power and low demand. The number of international visitors increased compared to 2022 but had not reached the pre-pandemic level.

The travelling demand from Northeast Asia was below expectations. Countries like China and Japan are promoting domestic tourism.

Some flights from Japan had occupancy rates of only 40 per cent, even though it is meant to be peak season.

Phuong said even though the number of passengers has decreased, airlines still have to fly regularly to keep their slots in foreign airports.

Slots are a resource, but the management of them should be flexible and efficient, Phuong said.

According to Vietnam Airlines, the seat occupancy ratio of international flights was only around 67-68 per cent this year, 10 per cent lower than in 2019.

Besides, airlines also faced other difficulties from rising fuel cos and a slump in value of the Vietnamese ong against the US dollar.  VNS
HA NOI  Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committees Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh received Maeda Tadashi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Japan, in Ha Noi on Thursday.

Anh expressed his delight at the breakthrough development of the two countries extensive strategic partnership in all fields, stressing that Japan is a strategic partner of leading importance, the biggest provider of official development assistance (ODA), the second largest partner in labour cooperation, the third largest foreign investor, and the fourth among trading partners of Viet Nam.

He highly valued JBICs contributions to Viet Nam through its assistance for the countrys economic development and Japanese investments here, and applauded the banks cooperation with the Economic Commission and related agencies to promote the trilateral infrastructure partnership of Japan, the US and Australia with Viet Nam to bolster investment in infrastructure development.

The host asked the Japanese side and the JBIC to continue helping Viet Nam with some key areas where the Southeast Asian country has demand, such as strategic transport infrastructure projects, climate change response, digital transformation, energy transition, health capacity improvement, and human resources training.

For his part, Tadashi spoke highly of Viet Nam's socioeconomic development policies and recent achievements.

He agreed with his hosts suggestions and shared some cooperation ideas and measures.

The JBIC will continue cooperating closely with Viet Nam to develop socio-economic infrastructure, thereby helping foster the two countries relations in an increasingly intensive and effective manner for the sake of the two peoples, he added.  VNS
HOI AN  A smart camera and a data storage system has been debuted in the Old Quarter of Hoi An to create better management for public security and early warnings of natural disasters during the flood season.

Director of the Hoi An Citys Information and Culture Centre, Truong Thi Ngoc Cam said the camera system, which was jointly funded and developed by Western Digital, Hanwha and Atoma, was installed at seven sites in the Old Quarter that are vulnerable to flooding.

She said the town plans to expand the CCTV system to better supervise areas and provide safety for visitors and local residents while boosting digital applications in ticket collection and tourism management.

Hoi An has been compiling a dossier to seek recognition as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in terms of craft and folk art.

The tourism hub has been using solar power systems for public lighting, lanterns, folk performances, the Japanese Bridge and its public loudspeaker system since 2013, while pedestrian zones were expanded in the Old Quarter. Battery-power cars and non-plastic bags have also been promoted.

The town hosts around 10,000 visitors per day, but the number has hit up to 30,000 on national holidays and weekends, the city reported.

Meanwhile, another UNESCO-recognised world heritage site in Quang Nam  the My Son Sanctuary  has launched a multi-language Audio Guide, providing an automatic introduction in Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English and French at 40 sites that people can access with their smartphones.

QR codes are provided at 40 destinations in the sanctuary to support tourists exploring the Cham tower system.

The destination expects to receive 300,000 tourists in 2023.  VNS
HA NOI  Martin Rama, a Uruguayan economic expert, will release a new book on Ha Noi soon.

Titled Vi Tinh Yeu Ha Noi (For the Love of Ha Noi), the book expresses Ramas love of the city. He lived in the city between 2002 and 2010 and had chances to experience the citys characteristics.

He loves Ha Noi in a special way. He does not regret the citys past but respects Ha Noi in every single moment in the present and in future plans. Rama expresses his love for the city through his proposed solutions to issues so that it is protected while aiming for prosperity.

An introduction ceremony will be organised at the Art & Culture Centre, 22 Hang Buom Street on July 29, where Rama will share his opinions together with translator Bang Ngoc and illustrator ang Viet Loc. Speakers will also discuss the preservation of Ha Nois cultural heritage.

Rama will talk at the venue between 10am to 11am, while illustrator ang Viet Loc will talk between 2pm and 3pm.

In 2014, Rama published Ha Noi, Mot Chon Rong Choi (Hanoi Promenade) to record stories and photos he took while wondering around the city.

The book was then awarded the Bui Xuan Phai Prize  For A Love of Ha Noi. He took that very name of the prize to put for his second book. VNS
CAIRO Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang had meetings with Speaker of the Egyptian Senate Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Razek and First Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives Ahmed Saad El-Din Mohamed Abd El-Rehim on July 26 as part of his official visit to Egypt.

The top Egyptian legislators spoke highly of Quangs visit, expressing the belief that the trip will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations.

Abdel-Razek said he is impressed by Viet Nams socio-economic development achievements as well as the flourishing development in the Viet Nam-Egypt relations over the past 60 years.

Meanwhile, El-Rehim affirmed that the Egyptian state and parliament always attach great importance to and wish to promote the traditional friendship and cooperation with Viet Nam.

Deputy PM Quang stated that Viet Nam always treasures and wants to step up multifaceted relations between the two nations and their legislative bodies in a comprehensive, effective and practical way.

The Vietnamese senior official expressed his hope that the Egyptian parliament will continue to support the expansion of the bilateral traditional friendship and cooperation.

He highly valued the crucial role and contributions of the the Egyptian Senate and House of Representative to the African nations construction and development, as well as to the development of the ties between the two countries.

Quang said he hopes the Egyptian legislative bodies will continue to support the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation in prioritised areas of politics, diplomacy, trade and investment, and education; as well as supervise and promote the effective implementation of cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

Affirming that there is an ample room for the two countries to strengthen collaboration, the two sides discussed measures to further deepen the traditional friendship in the coming time, including maintaining the exchange of all-level delegations, people-to-people exchange, and legislative cooperation.

Regarding economic and trade relations, the two sides agreed to further open the market for each other's goods and encourage their businesses to strengthen connections and cooperation in the Halal industry.

Deputy PM Quang suggested the two sides consider negotiating agreements on economic and trade cooperation in the coming time to create breakthroughs in trade ties.

Quang took the occasion to conveyed the invitations for official visits to Vietnam by National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue to Abdel-Razek, and Hanafy Ali El-Gebali, President of the Egyptian House of Representatives.

On the same day, Deputy PM Quang had a working session with Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, during which he highly valued the role played by the league in maintaining peace and stability and promoting political, economic and cultural cooperation.

Viet Nam wishes to contribute to the efforts of the Arab League and its member countries to achieve peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region and in the world, he said, suggesting the two sides closely coordinate, strengthen consultations and support each other at multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

For his part, Ahmed Aboul Gheit pledged to make efforts to promote more effective cooperation between the Arab League and its member countries with Viet Nam in the coming time.

Quang and Ahmed Aboul Gheit witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Secretariat of the Arab League, the first cooperation document between the two sides that features many measures to promote cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economy, culture, education, and science-technology. VNS
ROME President Vo Van Thuong and Italian President Sergio Mattarella co-chaired a press conference on July 26 afternoon to inform about the results of their talks earlier.

Sergio Mattarella said he will hand over the document of the Italian Parliament ratifying the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to the Vietnamese State leader within the day.

President Thuong thanked the Italian Parliament for ratifying the agreement, saying that he believes that the approval will benefit businesses and people of the two countries, significantly contributing to further promoting bilateral trade and investment cooperation in the coming time.

Mattarella said the two sides discussed many important contents and acknowledged achievements in the bilateral cooperation relationship, which has developed fruitfully in recent times.

The two sides agreed to maintain and expand comprehensive relations, especially the exchange of delegations at all levels, he noted.

The Italian leader showed his happiness when receiving President Thuongs invitation to visit Viet Nam.

He thanked Viet Nam for presenting medical face masks to his country during its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that this was a special connection, embodying the spirit of strategic partnership.

According to Mattarella, there are many Italian businesses investing and doing successfully in Viet Nam, and the number is constantly increasing.

President Mattarella also mentioned with pleasure that the two sides agreed to promote culture and renewable energy cooperation.

The two sides discussed the collaboration between Viet Nam and the EU community, he said, noting that Viet Nam plays an important role for the EU, serving as an axis connecting the EU with ASEAN, especially cooperation in free trade and investment.

The two sides also agreed to continue coordination at international forums and work closely in responding to climate change, Mattarella said.

For his part, President Thuong stressed that in its foreign policy, Viet Nam attaches special importance to the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Italy - an important member of the EU and the international community.

He thanked the host for his recognition and good assessment of the bilateral relations, saying that the specific issues mentioned by the Italian President showed the increasing political trust and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Italy.

The two countries have achieved important achievements across fields after 50 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic cooperation partnership.

He said the talks were held in a sincere, frank and open manner with many important contents discussed.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in all areas from politics and diplomacy, to trade, investment, education and training, science-technology, culture, and people-to-people exchange, Thuong said, saying that these are necessary and important for stronger and more effective bilateral relations, reaching new heights as desired by the leaders and people of the two countries.

Sharing with the Italian President's concerns about the recent regional and global situations, President Thuong asserted Viet Nams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations, noting that Viet Nam wishes to be a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.

Viet Nam always wants conflicts in the region and the world to be resolved by peaceful means, through exchange, discussion and respect for the UN Charter and international law, he said.

Regarding cooperation between Viet Nam, the EU and ASEAN, President Thuong affirmed that Viet Nam will support and exert every effort to make the relationship between Italy and ASEAN better and better, he stated.

Referring to culture cooperation, the Vietnamese leader said he fully supports and agrees with the Italian President on the establishment of an Italian culture centre in Viet Nam to further promote culture exchanges between the two countries, and help Italians understand more about Vietnamese culture and vice versa. VNS
ROME  Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed the two countries relations and measures for enhancing the bilateral strategic partnership during a meeting in Rome on July 26 (local time).

Voicing her delight at the progress in bilateral cooperation in multiple fields, especially economy, trade and investment, PM Meloni affirmed Italys respect for Viet Nams stature and role in the Indo-Pacific region.

There remains much room for the two countries to expand cooperation, and Italy is determined to join Viet Nam in promoting their strategic partnership to together surmount current challenges of the world and the regions, she stated.

President Thuong, who is paying a State visit to Italy, highlighted the significance of his trip amid the 50th anniversary of the countries diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership.

He noted that Viet Nam wishes to step up multifaceted collaboration with Italy, particularly in politics - diplomacy, economy, education - training, culture - arts, and other potential areas.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to increase mutual visits between the countries ministries, sectors, and localities; and continue effectively implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation.

Meloni stressed that the Italian Parliaments ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) during the Vietnamese leaders visit demonstrates her countrys attention to the enhancement of bilateral ties.

She also affirmed Italys readiness to act as a bridge for the G7 - ASEAN relations and the Viet Nam-EU ties.

President Thuong said Viet Nam is ready to cooperate with Italy to boost partnerships in fields such as green transition, digital economy, and sustainable and inclusive prosperity.

Calling on Italy to strongly support the Viet Nam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation, he noted Viet Nam is willing to help Italy foster ties with ASEAN.

Both leaders agreed to keep fruitfully carrying out the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and consider this an important driver for their countries economic links.

Meloni voiced her support for fostering the EVFTA enforcement to raise trade between the two countries to US$7 billion.

The two sides also concurred in pushing ahead with cooperation in other fields like security - defence, education - training, science - technology, and cultural heritage preservation, which they viewed as potential areas that need to be tapped into to substantively and effectively intensify the strategic partnership.

Touching upon some regional and international issues of common concern, both host and guest agreed to strengthen coordination at international organisations and forums like the United Nations and the G7 - ASEAN cooperation framework, and work closely in realising the commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Italy pledged to assist Viet Nam in terms of finance, technology, and manpower training to cope with climate change. It also welcomed Viet Nams proposal on the establishment of a trilateral framework on agriculture among Viet Nam, Italy and a third country to help deal with the global food security issue.

Following the meeting, President Thuong and PM Meloni witnessed the signing of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal affairs, and a cultural cooperation programme for 2023-26 between the two countries.  VNS
ROME  Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong met President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana in Rome on July 26, during which he affirmed Viet Nam considers Italy as its important partner in Europe and is willing to work together with Italy to take the bilateral strategic partnership to a new height.

Highlighting the mutual support to help each other overcome difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Thuong said that it is a vivid manifestation for the two nations solidarity.

Appreciating cooperation between the two parliaments, Fontana agreed with the Vietnamese leaders proposal of intensifying collaboration between the two legislative bodies, including stepping up the exchange of delegations, and supporting Viet Nam's role as a bridge to promote relations between the Italian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

In order to consolidate trust and create a favourable foundation for the bilateral relationship, President Thuong suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high level, via the State, Government and Parliament channels, step up economic and trade cooperation, expand cultural-educational ties, and promote local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Meanwhile, the host said that the Italian Parliament's ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on the occasion of the Vietnamese President's visit will contribute to facilitating investment ties between the two sides.

They also agreed to continue promoting collaboration in potential fields such as defence - security, and science - technology.

Fontana affirmed that Italy will send a delegation of young parliamentarians to attend the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians hosted by Viet Nam in September. He expressed his hope for a closer cooperation agreement with the National Assembly of Viet Nam.

On this occasion, Thuong conveyed an invitation from National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue inviting Lorenzo Fontana to visit Viet Nam. The President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies accepted the invitation with pleasure.  VNS
HA NOI  A delegation of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly (NA), the State President, the Government, and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee laid wreaths at the monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son Street and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Ha Noi on Thursday.

The activity was held on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 to 2023).

The delegation included Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, NA Chairman Vuong inh Hue, Permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai, and Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the VFF Central Committee o Van Chien.

Former Party General Secretary Nong uc Manh, former President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, former NA chairmen Nguyen Van An and Nguyen Sinh Hung, along with many incumbent and former officials also attended the activity.

The same day, delegations of the Central Military Commission - the Ministry of National Defence; the Central Public Security Party Committee under the Ministry of Public Security; the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; and the Peoples Council, Peoples Committee, and VFF Committee of Ha Noi, among others, also paid tribute the heroes, martyrs, and late President Ho Chi Minh at the monument and the mausoleum.  VNS
ROME  Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong met with President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa in Rome on July 26 as part of his State visit to the European country.

President Thuong highlighted the importance of his visit as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, affirming that Viet Nam always attaches importance to the strategic partnership with Italy, including the close cooperation between their legislative bodies.

Welcoming his guest, La Russa said the visit is the first at the head of state level between the two countries in seven years, forming an important milestone in the bilateral ties.

He applauded the strong progress in their multifaceted cooperation, underlined the friendship and solidarity between the two nations' peoples, and stated that Viet Nam is the most important partner of Italy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Senate President also voiced his support for Viet Nam to act as a bridge linking the Italian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

The two leaders agreed that their countries will coordinate closely and support each other at inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) so as to contribute to regional and global peace, cooperation, and development.

President Thuong called on both sides to increase all-level delegation exchanges between the states, governments, and parliaments; maintain close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums like the United Nations and the ASEAN-EU framework to jointly respond to regional and global issues; and step up partnerships in education - training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

La Russa agreed on his guests proposal to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to successfully integrate into the social and economic life of Italy and continue helping strengthen the bilateral friendship.

He also showed support for the two countries economic ties, noting that more than 100 Italian businesses are operating fruitfully in Viet Nam.

On this occasion, President Thuong conveyed National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hues invitation to visit Viet Nam to Senate President La Russa, who accepted the invitation with pleasure.  VNS
Japan's ocean discharge plan reveals selfishness, arrogance

13:08, July 27, 2023 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident has generated more than 1.3 million tons of contaminated water, which contains more than 60 radionuclides and takes 30 years or even longer to be discharged into the ocean. Once the nuclear-contaminated water is discharged, the radionuclides it carries will be diffused into every corner of the sea.

Obviously, the disposal of the nuclear-contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant bears on the marine environment and public health of the whole world. It is by no means Japan's private matter. Japan should never start its discharge plan before the concerns of all stakeholders and the international community are properly addressed.

However, over the past two years, the Japanese side has been bent on implementing the plan and unilaterally pushed through it, trying to force unpredictable risks upon the international community. It fully revealed the country's selfishness and arrogance.

Japan's neighbors and the rest of the stakeholders must be fully consulted before any decision is made.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stipulates that when a state becomes aware of cases in which the marine environment is in imminent danger of being damaged or has been damaged by pollution, it shall immediately notify other states it deems likely to be affected by such damage, as well as the competent international organizations, to eliminate the effects of pollution and preventing or minimizing the damage.

As a contracting party of the UNCLOS and the country responsible for the marine pollution, Japan should carry out negotiation with its neighboring countries and the international community without preconditions, and discuss with them over safe and secure disposal plans. Any practice that pushes through Japan's discharge plan is against the principles of the UNCLOS.

The Japanese side didn't fully consult with the international community, especially the stakeholders, about its discharge plan. On the contrary, it risks universal condemnation to push through the plan.

In April 2021, the Japanese government unilaterally announced that it will discharge the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, and it officially approved the discharge plan in July of 2022 in disregard of strong opposition from the international community especially from neighboring countries and other stakeholders, accelerating its preparations for the construction of discharge facilities.

This March, the Japanese side blatantly announced that it will not postpone the implementation of the plan. In June, the Japanese government, turning a deaf ear to the voices of opposition from across the world, started trial operation of the discharge equipment, making another step forward on the unilateral path. This month, it reiterated that the plan will be implemented this summer and remains unchanged.

What the Japanese government has done in the past two years fully proved that the Japanese side is only requesting the international community to accept the preconceived discharge plan and has shown no sincerity for negotiation.

The Japanese government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) had pledged not to start the procedure of the disposal of the nuclear-contaminated water without the understanding of relevant parties, and yet they are now going back on their words and insisting on going ahead with this plan.

Japan's citizens and neighboring countries, as well as other stakeholders have run out of patience because of what Japan has said and done.

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) secretary general Henry Puna noted that the Japanese government had pledged that they would stay in communication with the PIF on this matter and that the PIF would have access to all independent and verifiable scientific evidence. He said that so far, unfortunately, Japan has not been cooperating and that it is breaking the commitment.

Pacific Island countries demanded that the way forward should involve comprehensive international consultation not only through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) platform but through other relevant platforms such as UNCLOS and the 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Convention). This point deserves high attention from the international community.

Although Japan requested review and assessment from the IAEA out of domestic and international pressure, it didn't show respect to the organization. The discharge plan was preconceived and always ran ahead of the IAEA review and assessment.

In July last year, Japan officially approved the ocean discharge plan when the IAEA Task Force's review and assessment mission was still ongoing. In this January, the Japanese side announced unilaterally, ahead of the IAEA Task Force's review trip to Japan, that the ocean discharge would start in the spring or summer this year. Due to the IAEA's limited mandate, relevant conclusion in the IAEA report on Japan's nuclear-contaminated water discharge is one-sided and has its limitations.

Such stubborn practice revealed to the world that the Japanese side only wants to unilaterally push through the discharge plan, and it has no respect for the IAEA and the task force's authoritativeness.

Rather than following the principle of friendly negotiation, the Japanese side shifted blame, claiming that China had repeatedly refused Japan's proposal on conducting expert dialogues based on science. This explains that Japan has never reflected on its erroneous decision to implement the discharge plan. The Japanese side should ask itself what such dialogues can do when its discharge plan is preconceived. If Japan has any sincerity about having consultation, it should announce a suspension of the ocean discharge, allow stakeholders, including neighboring countries, to conduct independent sample analysis of the nuclear-contaminated water, and agree to discuss alternatives to ocean discharge.

If Japan continues to push for ocean discharge, it will only spark stronger opposition. The country should face up to the legitimate concerns from the international community, be responsible for the world's marine environment and public health, and carry out full and meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including neighboring countries.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

A London jury has acquitted Oscar award-winning actor Kevin Spacey of all sexual assault charges filed against him by four men.

A London jury has acquitted actor Kevin Spacey of all sexual assault charges filed by four men who alleged that the crimes occurred in the last two decades.

The trial involved the Oscar-award-winning actor turning up as a witness in his defense, spared him from potential imprisonment, and allowed him to go back to acting after six years without a career.

Kevin Spacey Found Not Guilty

During Wednesday's reading of the verdict, Spacey could be seen tearing up as he heard the final "not guilty" verdict. The actor then looked at the jury, placed his hand over the lapel of the blue suit and pink shirt he wore at the trial, and mouthed, "Thank you," as the verdict came on his 64th birthday.

In a statement outside Southwark Crown Court, Spacey said that he could imagine many of the people who watched the trial could understand that there was a lot for him to process after what happened on the day of his birthday, as per the Associated Press.

The actor also expressed his gratitude to the jury for taking the time to examine all of the evidence that was laid out and all of the facts in the case carefully before making their final decision.

The not guilty verdict came after two days of testimony culminating with Spacey choking up when speaking out on his six years of not having worked since the sex abuse allegations against him were brought up in 2017.

He said that his world had exploded, arguing that there was a rush of judgment towards him before he could even be asked or answer any question. Spacey lost his job, reputation, and everything he had, he said, in a matter of days.

The charges against Spacey included sexual assault, indecent assault, and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. According to Fox News, the four men who testified against the award-winning actor talked about similar encounters where Spacey allegedly groped them.

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An Emotional Final Reading

The complainants said that the criminal acts occurred between 2001 and 2013, including unwanted touching and aggressive crotch-grabbing. They also claimed that, in one instance, an unconscious man was being given oral sex.

During the trial's closing arguments, prosecutors claimed that Spacey could get away with the alleged behavior because of his status as a celebrity. They also said that the actor allegedly seized brief moments for an "opportunity grab" and could get away with the assaults for years because he had power.

But the jury rejected the prosecution's claims that the actor aggressively grabbed three men by their crotch and the oral sex claim. The actor also told the court that he had consensual sexual encounters with a driver and the aspiring actor, who was said to be the one that was sleeping at the time of the oral sex allegation.

In his defense, Spacey gave jurors an insight into his relationship with famous faces and even name-dropped fellow famous actors, including Jack Lemmon, Val Kilmer, Richard Harris, and Joan Collins, said The Guardian.

Related Article: Michael Jackson's Sexual Abuse Cases Likely to Be Revived by Appeals Court

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ROME  Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong had a meeting with Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri on July 26 afternoon (local time) as part of his State visit to Italy.

Gualtieri expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese peoples struggle for independence in the past and impression at the countrys socio-economic achievements at present. He highly valued the positive development of the relationship between the two countries in general as well as between Rome and Ha Noi in particular.

President Thuong said he was delighted at the growth of the Viet Nam-Italy strategic partnership across all fields. He proposed Rome strengthen the cooperation between the Lazio region and Rome, and Ha Noi, thus contributing to deepening the all-round ties between the two countries.

The State leader suggested the two sides increase joint activities in the field of cultural heritage to promote the culture of each country and city, promoting people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding.

The Mayor said he hoped to work closely with the Vietnamese side to organise activities to mark the anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, while continuing to collaborate with Ha Noi and other Vietnamese localities in areas where Rome has strengths such as economy-trade, tourism, education-training, cultural heritage preservation, energy transition, digital transformation, and innovation.

On this occasion, President Thuong invited Mayor Gualtieri to visit Viet Nam.  VNS
ROME  Viet Nam-Vatican relations have seen new positive progress, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung on the occasion of the visit by President Vo Van Thuong.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, the ambassador said in meetings of the Pope and the Vatican's officials with Vietnamese representatives, the Holy See side assessed that the two sides' relations were developing positively, and expressed their wish to further promote the relations with Viet Nam in the coming time.

He noted that on the occasions of the last Christmas and New Year 2023, high-ranking leaders of Viet Nam for the first time sent congratulatory messages to Pope Francis, and the Pope also asked the Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy to convey his Christmas and New Year greetings to leaders and people of Viet Nam.

Recently, at the 10th-round meetings of the Viet Nam-Vatican Joint Working Group, the two sides agreed on the content of regulations for the Holy Sees Resident Representative and Resident Representative Office in Viet Nam, the ambassador said, stressing that the result is especially significant after 14 years of negotiations.

He added that Viet Nam and the Vatican are taking the final steps to approve the regulations, thus lifting the bilateral relationship to the level of permanent representative soon.

According to the diplomat, the Vatican side is always willing to arrange exchanges and working programmes between Vietnamese delegations and the Holy See's competent agencies.

The latest one was the meeting between Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Pham Van Linh and the Vatican representatives in June this year. In addition, the Holy See also regularly sends representatives to participate in activities organised by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Italy, which contributes to strengthening the relationship between the two sides.

During his visit to the Vatican, President Vo Van Thuong is expected to meet Pope Francis and the Vaticans Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Ambassador Hung assessed that the positive development of the Viet Nam-Vatican relationship over the past time is in line with the wishes and aspirations of both sides.

In Viet Nam, the Catholic Church and over seven million parishioners will have better conditions to perform their religious practice following Vietnamese law, and in the spirit of "good Catholics being good citizens", Ambassador Hung said, noting that this is also an important premise for the two sides to continue to work together to further their relations in the coming time.

Regarding the potential for cooperation between Viet Nam and the Vatican, the Ambassador said that the two sides are actively preparing to officially upgrade the relationship to the level of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Viet Nam. This is considered to be a historic step in their bilateral relationship, as well as an important premise to open up a new phase in which cooperation potential between Viet Nam and the Vatican will be exploited and promoted.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang noted that President Thuong's trip is the first high-level contact move between the two sides in the past seven years and a very important event for them to discuss measures to promote bilateral relations as well as Catholic activities in Viet Nam.

The Vietnamese State has followed a consistent policy of respecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion, creating favourable conditions for religious activities in general and Catholic activities in particular, she said.

On the Vatican side, Pope Benedict XVI issued instructions and messages directing Vietnamese Catholic dignitaries and followers to accompany the nation, become good citizens and contribute to the country, Hang noted. VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Thursday hosted a reception for Steven Winn, Chief Global Strategist and Senior Managing Executive Officer of JERA Co. Inc, where talks centred on clean energy cooperation.

Ha highly appreciated Japanese large corporations, including JERA energy group, for actively researching and proposing investment in renewable and clean energy projects to contribute to the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Viet Nam's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero, and Japan's Asian Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative.

The Deputy PM affirmed that Viet Nam is a developing country but has made very strong commitments to net-zero gas emissions and JETP.

Ha said he hoped that Japanese and Vietnamese energy enterprises will closely cooperate in the implementation of clean and renewable energy projects in line with the National Power Development Plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 (known as the National Power Development Plan VIII) in the spirit of "transferring technology for mutual development and profit sharing".

The Deputy PM suggested JERA Co. Inc. participate in the pilot energy project under the AZEC initiative in Viet Nam.

The Government, ministries and agencies of Viet Nam will actively remove difficulties and obstacles related to procedures and create favourable conditions for JERA in the deployment as well as take advantage of mechanisms so that the price is affordable to users in the country, Deputy PM Ha added.

He went on to say that JERA has carried out an emission reduction strategy effectively in Japan and hoped that it will also achieve this goal in Viet Nam.

For his part, Winn said JERA is looking for investment opportunities in Viet Nam in the fields of gas-fueled power and offshore wind power with the most advanced technologies.

He told his host that JERA leaders are looking forwards to participating in the conversion of coal-fired power plants to gas-fueled power plants with new kinds of fuel such as green hydrogen, green ammonia and biomass in the Southeast Asian country.  VNS
BINH PHUOC  Nguyen Van Ben, a wounded veteran returning from the Cambodian battlefield, takes care of his comrades graves day and night at the War Martyrs' Cemetery in Phuoc Long Town, in southern Binh Phuoc Province.

Ben begins his day early in the morning by cleaning the 3ha cemetery with over 1,000 graves.

Born in Ben Tre province, Ben enlisted in the military in 1982 and was assigned to the 950th unit of Military Region 9. He fought in the Cambodian battlefields after his training and was injured in 1984 at Cong Pom Xom Port, where he lost his right leg and damaged most of his body.

After retiring from the military, he returned to his countryside and started up a business.

Ben was recruited as the manager of Phuoc Long Town's Martyrs' Cemetery in 2012. He has made many contributions to help the cemetery grounds become greener, cleaner and more beautiful.

inh Ngoc Ngan, chairman of the Veterans Association of Phuoc Long Town, praised Ben for his high responsibility in the assigned work.

He is in charge of conserving the grounds and cleaning the whole cemetery. Despite the fact that he is wounded, Ben is a responsible man, Ngan said.

For many years, Ben has kept up a tradition of burning incense at all the graves on the first day of the week, the first day of the month, the full moon day in the lunar calendar, and on holidays like the Lunar New Year. He asks for incense from temples in the region to keep up the tradition.

He also came up with the idea of planting more flowers on the graves. Thanks to his initiative, most of the graves have brilliant moss and roses on them.

Ben thinks that with his efforts at the Martyrs Cemetery, there will be more beautiful deeds to follow.

"I have to do my best to take care of the graves of my comrades who are already lying down. Im not doing everything perfectly but I'm feeling warm inside. If I'm pleased, perhaps my peers will be as well, Ben said.

Visitors to the cemetery are no longer surprised to see the wounded soldier carefully burning every incense stick on each martyr's grave every day.

Nguyen Thi Huong, owner of a granite factory which provides headstones to the Martyrs' Cemetery, said she respects Bens daily job.

I regularly work at this cemetery. Ben has been doing his job for a long time. He cleans and takes care of the cemetery really well, she said.

As the country is celebrating the 76th Anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day on July 27, more people have visited the cemetery to pay tribute to the martyrs. This is also a chance for Ben to meet the martyrs relatives, listen to and share moving stories about the fallen, and reunite with fellow war veterans who went through the historic period.  VNS
NAM INH  Vu Manh Hung, a veteran, is currently the director of Song Giang LLC. in Hai Giang, Nam inh Province.

Not only has he excelled in business, holding the position of Chairman of the Veterans Entrepreneurs Association in the province, but he has also made significant contributions to society.

In November 1978, at the age of 23, Hung enlisted in the 352nd Division, 2nd Corps, 18th Battalion. After completing his training, he and his comrades were assigned to participate in international combat in Cambodia.

At that time, the conflict in Cambodia was extremely fierce, and many of his comrades sacrificed their lives.

He suffered injuries due to artillery fire, and his health deteriorated. In early 1979, he was reassigned to reinforce the 1st Military Region and fought in Lang Son. In 1982, he was discharged from the army due to his disability.

Hung said that during that time, his family faced economic hardship, so he joined the Tien Phong Fishing Group in Hai Giang commune, engaging in coastal fishing. In 2000, recognising the economic changes and increased housing demands, he invested all of his family's savings to build a traditional brick kiln.

In 2005, he established Song Giang LLC., specialising in producing tunnel bricks. In 2013, he expanded the production line to include non-fired bricks. Currently, his company operates on a 5.7-hectare area with a capacity of producing 100,000 to 150,000 bricks per day.

Outside of his business in brick production, Hung invested in building a domestic waterway port for goods transfer within the province. The company's annual revenue is approximately VN30 billion (US$1.2 million). The company provides stable employment for 300 workers, half of whom are children of veterans and those facing difficult circumstances both within and outside the commune. The average monthly salary for workers ranges from VN5-9 million (US$211-380) per person.

One of the employees, Pham Ngoc iep, has been with Song Giang LLC. for nearly 10 years, currently earning around VN9 million (US$380) per month. This income has helped stabilise his family's financial situation. Having local employment opportunities means that rural labourers like him don't have to seek work far away, making it convenient and reassuring to be committed to their jobs.

In addition to his economic development efforts and job creation for local labourers, Hung has also contributed significantly to the community. In 2014, he voluntarily donated 600 square metres of land and 1,200 cubic metres of sand to build the Ninh My ferry connecting Nghia Hung and Hai Hau districts.

During the new rural development campaign, he sponsored the renovation of 12 cultural houses in 12 hamlets. At each cultural house, he contributed from 10,000 to 50,000 bricks. Additionally, he supported 30 per cent of the total number of bricks used to build riverbanks in the commune.

Each year, Hung donates around VN100 million (US$4,223) to support educational activities, activities of the Red Cross, families of veterans, martyrs, and Agent Orange victims in the commune and district.

As the Chairman of the Veterans Entrepreneurs Association in the province, Hung encourages its members to contribute and participate actively in local social welfare programs. Every year, he mobilises association members to build or renovate at least one house for a member facing difficult circumstances. Furthermore, he encourages association members to actively participate in various local social welfare programmes.

For his significant contributions, in 2016, Hung was honoured with the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit for his outstanding academic achievements and exemplary ethics in following Ho Chi Minh's ideology from 2011 to 2015, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the homeland.

Keeping the flame

Veteran Phan Trong ien is a skilled copper casting artisan in Nam inh Province with over 30 years of experience in this craft. ien is the Director of Nam Thien Brass Casting One Member LLC. in Xuan Truong, which he founded in 2010.

ien recalled that after three years of international service in Laos, he was injured and suffered serious disabilities. At the end of 1987, he returned to his hometown after completing his service.

Upon his return, he worked at Xuan Thuy Bee Beer Joint Stock Company in Xuan Truong district. During his time there, he learned about the process of using beeswax to create patterns on copper products.

The more he learned, the more passionate he became. In 1990, he decided to leave his job to open a copper casting workshop at his family's home.

According to ien, the initial period of being a copper casting artisan was extremely challenging. Creating the products was difficult, and selling them was even more challenging. He had to travel to different places such as Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh, going door to door at temples and pagodas to introduce his products.

While seeking customers, he also studied and learned various techniques of craftsmanship and ancient patterns to improve the quality of his products to meet market demand. As a result, his family's products gradually found stable outlets. Many businesses dealing in copper items started placing orders.

In 2010, he established Nam Thien Brass Casting One Member Limited Liability Company, with a workshop area of over 2,000 square metres. The company's main products are bells, statues, brass paintings, and various religious items.

Staying true to traditional copper casting methods, the intricate and meticulous craftsmanship of Nam Thien's products has earned high praise from customers.

In addition to producing copper products, ien's company also participates in the restoration and repair of several significant structures, such as the copper casting work at Phat Tich Pagoda (Tien Du - Bac Ninh), Quoc Mau Au Co Temple (Phu Tho), statues of President Ho Chi Minh, the Great Unity Bell, and the ancient ai Phap Drum at the Chung Son Temple, dedicated to the ancestral family of President Ho Chi Minh in Nam an, Nghe An.

With an annual revenue of around VN10 billion (US$422,000), ien's company provides employment for about 60 workers, with salaries ranging from VN5-10 million (US$211-422) per person per month.

Alongside the development of his family's business, the veteran actively engages in charitable activities and contributes to the development of his homeland. He participates in projects such as renovating the Martyrs Cemetery, supporting the Scholarship Fund, the Poor Fund, and mobilising fellow veterans to support housing repairs for families facing financial difficulties within and outside the commune.

According to Bui Van Tuat, Chairman of the Nam inh Veteran's Association, ien and Hung are exemplary veterans in the locality, exemplifying the qualities of a soldier in peacetime.

Outside of developing the economy, they also created employment opportunities for many local workers and made significant contributions to the movement of building a new countryside, promoting education, and supporting social welfare.  VNS
Businesses around the world have experienced political and economic turmoil over the last few years which has left many companies struggling, and maintaining supply chain stability in the face of ongoing market disruption is now a key challenge facing Vietnamese firms.

Data technology and digital transformation are two terms that are often cited as new solutions for the new era, and Vietnam is currently undergoing a major digital transition, with numerous government programmes laying the foundation for the change.

Ryohei Oda, general director of ABeam Consulting Vietnam, said, Despite the current period of ever-faster transformation, many businesses are sticking with traditional processes. This reluctance to make necessary changes is limiting, and can prevent businesses from accessing digital solutions that boost innovation.

In the face of unpredictable market forces, flexibility and resilience are valuable resources that make it easier for businesses to handle the unexpected, Oda added.

The German multinational software provider, SAP, helps businesses improve operational transparency by using digital-data management techniques to help firms troubleshoot their global supply chain management concerns.

However, Bui Nghiem Tung, technology expert at ABeam Consulting with more than 15 years of experience in shared SAP Deployment, believes not all businesses are set up to maximise the potential of SAP's solutions.

SAP only provides the tools to deliver supply chain solutions. The application of SAP's software requires different formulas suitable to the specific operating conditions for each organisation. An overall assessment of the situation is necessary to gain an understanding of the criteria for determining success, said Tung.

Tung pointed out three key points that business leaders need to pay attention to as they seek to digitalise supply chain management.

"First, businesses need to focus on resource management and whether there is a way to optimise the human element at different stages or create a more automated and resource-saving work environment. The second point is related to data security, legal tasks, and data security regulations," he said.

With a wealth of global knowledge, ABeam delivers a competitive advantage to clients with its digital infrastructure expertise, ensuring optimal results from using the SAP platform.

"Finally," Tung added, "Difficulties often arise in the management of the transition, so simplifying processes and minimising bottlenecks during implementation can help improve efficiency."

With more than 40 years of experience working alongside businesses in Japan and around the world, ABeam Consulting has offered the services of its 7,000 team members to more than 6,000 projects from over 1,100 clients.

With a wealth of global knowledge gleaned from a diverse range of industries, ABeam delivers a competitive advantage to clients with its digital infrastructure expertise, ensuring optimal results from using the SAP platform.

In most cases, we do not recommend using the SAP application until an assessment is made concerning the ability of the current system to accept its deployment. We can provide a standardised process to create change in terms of data, organisation, or even people, from within the business. Once we are sure everything is in place, the new SAP process can be launched, said Tung.

Despite the competitiveness of the high-tech solutions market in Asia, earlier this year, SAP announced Abeam Consulting as its first partner for the Regional Strategic Services Partner (RSSP) initiative.

The RSSP initiative enables partners to scale their SAP practices more quickly across the region and collaborate more closely with SAP to deliver joint customer success.

Vietnam ranks among top exporters to global supply chain of Walmart Vietnam's pivotal role as one of the leading exporters to Walmart's global supply chain is poised to strengthen, as discussions with senior executives highlight the potential for enhanced collaboration and increased participation of Vietnamese suppliers.

A strengthened position for supply chain ecosystems Regional supply chain shifts are underway. Ramachandran a.s., Citi country officer for Vietnam, shared his views with Hoang Anh on how Vietnam can take ad-vantage of this for further economic development.

ABeam Consulting: Dont let digital transformation be a burden for your business Enterprises need to plan a long-term strategy based on core principles, avoiding hasty digital transformation that leads to avoidable pitfalls that they can learn and benefit from in advance.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen. (Source: AFP/VNA)

Phnom Penh  Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen announced on July 26 that he will not retain his position in the next government.

Instead, his son Hun Manet will succeed him, a seismic change set to occur in the coming weeks.



This revelation came during a special live broadcast to the nation in the afternoon of July 26, following his meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni.



However, he will continue to work as President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). "I will maintain my presidency of the ruling party and remain a member of parliament. Furthermore, upon my departure from the Cabinet, the King has offered to appoint me as head of the Royal Advisory Council," Hun Sen said.



Hun Sen said that he would run for a seat in Cambodia's Senate in February 2024 and then become the President of the Senate.



He also revealed that that senior CPP figures, including National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Defence Minister Tea Banh, Interior Minister Sar Kheng and Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An will leave their current positions and join the Royal Advisory Council.

Cambodia launches inter-bank payment system The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has formally rolled out the Cambodian Shared Switch (CSS), a chip-and-card inter-bank payment system, following a pilot run since October 2017.

China strengthens investment in Cambodia The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has announced that it approved 113 new investment and expansion projects with combined registered capital of about 1.1 billion USD in the first half of this year, of which nearly 65 per cent came from Chinese investors.
Li Peng, a purchase director at Third Construction Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of state-owned China State Construction, stated in early July that the market for sheet and section steel products in Indonesia has been quite favourable for the past few months due to the construction of factories for projects funded by Chinese companies.

Exporting pressures heaped onto steel enterprises (illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com)

Chinas exports of steel products rose by 41 per cent on-year during the first half of 2023, Peng cited. Local analysts predicted that in 2023, the countrys steel exports will reach a record 77 million tonnes, the highest level since 2016.

Strong demand from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, combined with high energy costs in several nations, leaves steel production less competitive regarding Chinese prices, according to Hao Pei, a senior analyst based in Shanghai. The World Steel Association reported that steel production in Asia and Oceania decreased by 6 per cent in May.

The most plain explanation is that a weakened renminbi is advantageous for exports, Pei said. Moreover, Chinas export prices are attractive. Since the beginning of the year, the yuan has depreciated nearly 5 per cent against the USD.

Previously, in May, steel prices hit their lowest level in three years as a result of the months-long downturn in Chinas real estate market.

Nguyen Quoc Hiep, president of the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors, told VIR that the health of Vietnams real estate market is deteriorating, resulting in a number of construction enterprises, including steel, struggling to survive.

According to calculations by the Ministry of Construction, the construction industrys development in the second quarter declined by 3 per cent year-over-year, but the actual figure is lower, he said. The second quarter is better than the first, when growth was only 8-9 per cent of the plan for 2023 with several public projects were implemented in Q2, most notably the North-South Expressway.

However, this was insufficient to alter the enterprises dismal business situation. We estimate that during the first six months of this year, the construction industry barely met 30 per cent of its goals, Hiep said.

However, unlike China, Vietnams exports of steel remain minimal. According to the General Statistics Office, exports of steel dipped by 17.2 per cent in the first six months, reaching $4.13 billion.

Duong Duc Quang, deputy director of the Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam, told VIR that China accounts for about 70 per cent of the worlds iron ore imports and generates more than half of the worlds steel, which explains why Vietnams steel export volume is still limited despite the sudden increase in the Chinese market. This contributes to the industry consumption issue.

However, according to Quang, Vietnams steel exports will have advantages in the future. In particular, on June 26, the EU revised its regulations on the application of safeguard measures to certain imported steel products, with the new rules taking effect on July 1.

According to the new regulations, Vietnam is exempt from applying if its exports to the EU remain below 3 per cent of total EU imports for each product type, Quang said.

In addition, the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will prioritise commodity groupings with the highest risk of carbon leakage, such as steel. The mechanism applies a fee on goods imported from countries with fewer rigorous emission reduction regulations, enhancing obstacles for steel exports to the EU after it goes into effect on October 1.

According to the European Steel Association, the demand for steel in the EU is expected to decrease by 1 per cent in 2023 before rebounding by 5.4 per cent in 2024.

This concerns steel exporters, since Vietnams steel industry has a billion-dollar export market in the EU. In the prime year of 2021, steel exports to the EU reached $1.8 billion for the first time.

In addition to the EU, India will be a potential customer for Vietnamese steel exports due to the recovery of the construction industry and the policy to promote public expenditure to support steel consumption demand. According to information from the Indian Steel Joint Plant Committee, Vietnam was the fifth-largest supplier of steel to the Indian market between April 2021 and March 2023.

Kyoei Steel to increase holding in Vietnam Italy Steel Kyoei Steel has registered buying an additional two million shares in Vietnam Italy Steel JSC (VIS), showing that the company has not given up on its ambitions to acquire VIS.

MoIT extends safeguard measures against imported rolled steel, steel wire The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has extended the application of measures to prevent evasion of safeguard duties against imported rolled steel and steel wire until March 21, 2023, according to the ministrys Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam.
First Workers Forum to take place on July 28, Illustrative photo (Photo: quochoi.vn)

Hanoi - About 500 delegates representing workers and employees across Vietnam are to attend the first Workers Forum on July 28 in Hanoi.

To be chaired by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the forum is among the activities to celebrate the 94th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Trade Union (July 28, 1929 - July 28, 2023).

It is expected to create conditions for workers to voice their thoughts and aspirations, and propose and recommend to the National Assembly and its leaders on policies and laws related to employees and trade union activities.

The forum will focus on three main groups of issues, namely the creation of jobs, the implementation of and opinions on law projects directly related to the rights and interests of employees, and the expression of thoughts and aspirations.

It will be organised in the form of direct exchanges and discussions between leaders of the National Assembly and those of ministries and branches at the central level with trade union members and workers.

Government to consider 23 trillion VND support package for workers: Finance Minister A package worth about 23 trillion VND (980 million USD) from the Unemployment Insurance Fund is designated to offer workers further support, Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc said at National Assemblys Q&A session on June 6 morning.

Vietnamese workers in RoK updated on local laws Vietnamese workers in Changwon city of Gyeongsangnam province, the Republic of Korea (RoK), were updated on the host countrys laws at a meeting held on June 11.

Tourism could be answer for jobless While manufacturing groups are being forced to slash jobs, the tourism sector is providing decent work opportunities for over 510,000 workers whose jobs were affected earlier this year.
Loc Huynh, lawyer from Dentons LuatViet

The global minimum tax (GMT) aims to establish a floor on corporate income tax competition to ensure multinational enterprises that have consolidated annual revenues in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately preceding the year of implementation of GMT collection of EUR 750 million is subject to tax in each jurisdiction at a 15 per cent effective minimum tax rate, regardless of where it operates.

There are around 140 countries adhered to the statements on GMT. A number of countries are taking steps towards implementing this tax policy from January 1, 2024. This will impact the investment strategies and operations of multinationals that may be subject to the GMT.

The Vietnamese government is considering issuing regulations to implement the GMT policy from January 2024.

Vietnam's current tax incentives are primarily income-related, offering preferential rates and tax-free or tax-reduction periods. These incentives include preferential tax rates, such as a 10 per cent tax rate for eligible projects, as well as tax-free and tax-reduction periods (for example four years of not paying tax at all, and then nine years of paying tax at half the standard rate).

These benefits may lose their effectiveness for large foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) due to the GMT overriding these existing preferential rates.

Typically, corporate income tax incentives are granted to companies located in special zones such as industrial, economic, or high-tech zones. With tax incentives potentially removed, special zone developers will need to adapt their strategies to remain competitive.

To navigate the implications of the incoming GMT and enhance their competitiveness in attracting foreign manufacturers to Vietnam, Dentons LuatViets has several suggestions for special zone developers, as follows.

One alternative is for special zone developers to shift their focus towards other key areas such as infrastructure quality, investment costs, and human resources. For example, they could aim to provide competitive land and factory rent, thus reducing the financial burden on FIEs and making investment in industrial zones more attractive.

In addition, improving the capacity of infrastructure and logistics systems should also be a priority.

To attract foreign manufacturers, special zones developers should prioritise the improvement of transportation networks, utilities, and logistics services within their zones. This can be achieved through investments in road and rail connectivity, reliable power supply, efficient waste management systems, and advanced logistics facilities. A well-developed infrastructure and logistics system can provide foreign manufacturers with a competitive advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Another important aspect is to focus on labour cost efficiency rather than just tax incentives. Instead of solely relying on tax advantages, industrial zone developers can leverage the availability of skilled and capable workers in specific regions.

By strategically locating their industrial zones near areas with highly cost-efficient human resources, developers can attract foreign manufacturers who value the quality and availability of human resources. This approach ensures that the attractiveness of the industrial zones is not solely reliant on tax incentives but also on the potential for a skilled and productive workforce.

The implementation of the GMT will necessitate adjustments in the strategies of special zones developers in Vietnam. To increase their competitiveness and draw more foreign manufacturers, developers should consider providing financial support for investment costs, enhancing infrastructure and logistics capabilities, focusing on locations with a qualified labour force, and fostering innovation and technology adoption.

European businesses face the storm of new tax regime The application of the global minimum tax is getting nearer, creating a new challenge for multinational corporations. Thomas McClelland, chairman of the Tax and Transfer Pricing Sector Committee under the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, talked to VIRs Tung Anh about their preparations for the tax overhaul.

UK investors confident in Vietnams GMT response Many British investors in Vietnam are large multinational corporations, who view the country as an emerging market or an increasingly promising place for future investment. That said, Vietnam will find many of them to be in the scope of the global minimum tax (GMT) regime and Pillar 2 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
(Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images)

United States President Joe Biden has allegedly ordered the government to share evidence of Russia's war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

United States President Joe Biden has ordered the American government to share evidence that it possesses about Russia's war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

A US official familiar with the matter revealed the Democratic president's orders on Wednesday, allegedly made in recent days, overriding months of resistance by the Pentagon.

US To Share Evidence of Russian War Crimes in Ukraine

The decision also comes as previously, Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "clearly committed war crimes." It also comes as the U.S. is not a member of the ICC, and the Defense Department previously worked to block efforts to share evidence of war crimes in Ukraine.

The Pentagon had shared concerns that by choosing to work with the international court, the US could open the door to prosecuting US troops deployed abroad. On the other hand, the ICC, which has its headquarters in The Hague, has been investigating allegations of US forces and the CIA committing war crimes in Afghanistan, as per NBC News.

On Wednesday, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said that the US supports a "range of international investigations" to hold perpetrators responsible. These include the ICC, the Office of the Ukraine Prosecutor General, and the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission.

The spokesperson added that regarding the ICC, the US government would not discuss the specifics of any cooperation. But they noted that it was consistent with the court's practice of treating requests for cooperation confidentially.

Additionally, they said they will continue working with the Ukrainian government and other countries to expose the war crimes and atrocities that the Russian military and its officials are committing so that the world can see.

The Biden administration's officials have obtained evidence of alleged war crimes throughout the war between Russia and Ukraine. According to CNN, these were acquired through intelligence-gathering mechanisms, among other channels.

Read Also: Giuliani Admits to Making False Statements About Georgia Election Workers

Tense Relations

Despite the revelation, it is still unclear why United States President Joe Biden let the impasse on the matter linger or what led him to share evidence. The situation comes as the Democrat faces mounting bipartisan pressure to act quickly.

For example, last week, a Senate committee approved a government funding bill that included a provision that noted that the president "shall provide information" to the court to assist with its investigations into war crimes in Ukraine.

The evidence allegedly includes information that details decisions by Russian officials to strike civilian infrastructure in Ukraine deliberately. They also include allegations that they forcibly deported thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territory.

The ICC was created by a treaty in 1998 that seeks to investigate war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. This means that the administrations of both parties have viewed it with wariness and sometimes hostility. However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 helped ease tense relations, said the New York Times.

Related Article: US House Committee to Question Vets With Knowledge of UFOs

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According to reports from Hung Yens Department of Industry and Trade, the provinces industrial production index rose 6.46 per cent in the first six months (H1) of this year compared to last year, with manufacturing being the pioneer with a 7.8 per cent hike.

In H1, Hung Yen received 42 new investment projects, 25 of which involved foreign direct investment with a total registered capital reaching $410 million; 36 other projects had adjusted investment with supplemental capital value touching $131.2 million.

The majority of new projects were large-scale and attuned to the development direction the province is heading in.

Transportation facilities are one of Hung Yens advantages in attracting investments

At the Red River Delta Development Committee Conference early this year, Tran Quoc Van, chairman of Hung Yen Peoples Committee said, We are focusing on attracting investment that fits our planning - large-scale and high-tech projects, supporting industries and information technology. Internally, we place emphasis on developing transportation facilities and real estate planning.

Currently, many operating projects in Hung Yen fit into this trend focusing on electronics, IT, and manufacturing sectors, namely Nitto VN Co Ltd.s LCD film manufacturing projects valued at $132 million; Kyocera Vietnams projects capitalised at $384.8 million; and SMDs surface component projects, to name but a few.

Hung Yen enjoys an advantageous location for socioeconomic development, especially in promoting industrialisation.

In 2022 and 2023, the province has kicked-off a raft of major road projects such as Ring Road IVs second phase, connecting Hanoi - Haiphong expressway with Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway, heritage site connecting road network, among others.

To further entice investment in high-tech and supporting industries, until 2050, Hung Yen will keep focusing on transportation facilities to improve its connection with neighbouring regions, including several economic zones and smart residential areas.

With a thoughtful investment plan, along with its large reserve of real estate, Hung Yen holds an ideal position to draw more investment to accelerate industrialisation, as transportation facilities are the catalyst of industrial development.

Modern manufacturing technologies at Daikin VN Co., Ltd.

Hung Yen currently has 17 industrial zones (IZs), nine of which are located along the Hanoi-Haiphong expressway with a total area amounting to 4,395 hectares.

Eleven of these IZs have become operational with a total investment value approximating $9 billion, accommodating 437 projects inclusive of 249 FDI and 188 domestic projects. These projects have created 78,300 jobs, and generated $5.5 billion in revenue, with $3.1 billion in export value, contributing $117 million to the provincial budget.

Until 2030, Hung Yen is planning to develop 30 IZs, covering 9,540ha, and by 2050 it is supposed to have 35 IZs with a total area of 12,000ha.

According to chairman Tran Quoc Van, to further attract investment into local IZs, Hung Yen will focus on developing associated facilities, especially those along two key expressways Hanoi - Haiphong and Cau Gie - Ninh Binh, with the vision to turn Hung Yen into a major industry and technology hub in the Red River Delta region.

Towards this goal, residential roads will be built connecting to residential areas, which will provide housing and amenities to the labour force.

In parallel with developing transportation facilities, Hung Yen also accelerates IZ investment with a focus on high-tech and supporting industries with detailed planning schemes to 2030 and beyond, with top targets as ensuring sustainable development and minimising external impact from the market.

Efficient cooperation is ongoing between the provincial management and investors.

Signing of high-tech zone agreement within IZ No. 5 in Hung Yen

Early this month, Yen My Industrial Zone JSC, the investor of IZ No. 5, held the launching ceremony of the Taiwanese high-tech zone, with the participation of Hung Yens consulting business, Taipeis Vietnamese Office for Economy and Culture, and more than 100 businesses in the electronic sector.

Tran Hong Kham, head of the ICT Collaboration Committee of Vietnam-Taiwan Business Association, said that the start of the Taiwanese high-tech zone within Hung Yens IZ No. 5 marked a big milestone and brought advantages to Taiwanese companies in the electronics sector to operate in Hung Yen.

With investments from large corporations such as COT Corporation from Singapore and Japan industrial giant Sumitomo Corporation, Hung Yen is well on track to become a developed locality with a modern high-tech industry.

Attracting more visitors to Vietnam Tourism is one of the major sectors of Vietnams economy, contributing over 9 per cent of its GDP. However, international arrivals have declined sharply since 2020.

Enhancing competition capacity of nations supporting industries The governments of Vietnam and South Korea are intensifying initiatives to improve the competitiveness of Vietnams supporting industries. Jun-Ho Lee, deputy director of the Vietnam-Korea Technology Consulting and Solution Centre (VITASK), told VIRs Kim Oanh about the plans to promote Vietnamese supporting businesses in the automotive and electrical-electronic industries in particular.

Haiphong boasts distinctive advantages in attracting FDI With a cumulative total of nearly $25 billion of foreign direct investment so far, and with another $10 billion expected by 2025, Haiphong is becoming the new hub for foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam.
At a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in mid-July, Anna Wellenstein, director of Sustainable Development for East Asia-Pacific at the World Bank, said that it is ready to disburse aid worth $41.2 million to the country once there is an official emission reduction result verification report.

International aid for carbon mitigation now on the table

The requirement for the report was mentioned in a payment agreement that the MARD and World Bank signed in October 2020.

Wellenstein said that this funding is the largest to be disbursed from the World Banks Carbon Fund so far. It will primarily focus on reducing carbon emissions in Vietnams agriculture sector.

It is just one part of funding that the World Bank provides for Vietnams agriculture and rural development. In the upcoming period, it will provide support to Vietnam through various projects and initiatives.

These include repairs to enhance dam safety, strengthening strategic partnerships within the water sector, assisting the Mekong Delta in integrated climate resilience, developing one million hectares of low-emission rice, implementing an emission-reduction programme in the north-central region of the country, promoting sustainable aquaculture development, and initiating the first phase of a coastal resilience initiative

Along with the World Bank, the International Financial Corporation (IFC) also commits to helping the MARD with technical and financial aspects in order to boost green and low-carbon agriculture. The IFC provides financial and technical assistance in reducing livestock emissions as a resource for implementing solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in livestock; and assistance in operating an online database for measuring, assessment, and inventory of GHGs in livestock.

International support is crucial for Vietnam and other developing countries to unlock opportunities to pursue net-zero emissions targets, experts said, and greater technology transfer and financial assistance from developed to developing countries would speed up efforts to address global climate change.

Nguyen Anh Minh, former deputy director of the MARDs Department of International Corporation, told VIR, Issuing solutions to eliminate GHGs is an urgent requirement. However, agriculture faces a lot of pressure to do this work due to fragmented farming, while agricultural enterprises have yet to pay much attention to this mission, Minh explained.

At present, we lack the capital, technology, and technique, so international aid will be the lever to conquer the target of carbon emission mitigation of the agricultural sector.

The importance of international institutions in helping Vietnam to realise the net-zero target by 2050 was reaffirmed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a meeting of the national steering committee on the issue. The meeting on July 14 was the fourth session since the committee debuted in 2021, and its first meeting in 2023.

The prime minister asked the MARD and other ministries to mobilise the resources to respond to climate change and step up energy transition, as well as encourage domestic and foreign organisations and individuals to participate in climate change response and energy transition.

To mobilise effectively domestic and international resources, the ministries should soon complete concerted mechanisms, policies, and legal documents to remove complexities to entice the attention of both domestic and international resources and create stronger conditions during the disbursement progress, PM Chinh assigned.

Resource mobilisation at top of agenda for net-zero dream With its huge need for funding to fulfil its international commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, which has been backed by an international initiative, Vietnam is set to formulate new policies this year to mobilise more resources.

Deals to push forward carbon commitments While joining Japans fresh carbon neutrality initiative, Vietnam has continued enjoying international assistance in its drive to achieve its net-zero emission dream by mid-century.
Companies in areas from beverages and electronics to finance are considering greener processes, Photo: Le Toan

In a seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City last week on the net-zero goals and the participation of businesses, Nguyen Quang Vinh, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chairman of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, drew attention to emerging global trends.

There is a shift in mindset, value chain transformation, enhanced corporate accountability, and the promotion of digital transformation to support the green transition. We urge the Vietnamese business community to pay attention to these trends to keep pace with the international green trend, Vinh said.

Prof. Nguyen Cong Thanh, head of the Department of Economics and Resource and Environmental Management at the National Economics University, believed that there is a close link between the implementation of the circular economy and carbon neutrality and sustainable development goals.

While 54 countries worldwide have developed strategies or national action plans to implement the circular economy, Vietnam has made strides by incorporating aspects of the circular economy, such as waste sorting at source, extended producer responsibility, green credit, and green bonds into law. Nevertheless, there remains significant potential for further advancement in this area, Thanh explained.

He further highlighted the crucial role of design, technology, and digitalisation in the material flow cycle and extending product life to successfully transition to a circular economy model.

The seminar also featured speakers from various sectors who shared their experiences and practical recommendations to promote the circular economy model and climate change response actions.

As a testament to the viability of the circular economy in Vietnam, Nestle Vietnam stands as an example, having achieved zero waste to landfill across all its factories since 2015 and effectively utilising waste from production as green energy or raw materials for other products.

Khuat Quang Hung, director of Corporate Affairs at Nestle Vietnam, said, Many circular economy model initiatives have been applied to use resources effectively. Our water treatment system has helped us reuse 60-65 per cent of total wastewater. Waste from production is all utilised to become green energy or raw materials for other products.

The companys Nescafe Plan, which promotes regenerative agricultural practices among coffee farmers, aims to ensure that by 2025, all coffee beans supplied to Nestle are responsibly grown, contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing community welfare.

Elsewhere, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hue, director of Communications and External Relations under AEON Vietnam, emphasised that understanding the importance of the circular economy will help businesses position and build their business development strategy towards sustainable development.

AEON Vietnam is committed to engaging with consumers and facilitating their understanding of environmental protection, Hue said.

In the same vein, Pham Thi Bich Lien, head of Marketing Operations and Sustainability at Home Credit, also acknowledged the pivotal role of green consumer finance in fostering a sustainable economy.

We have been a trailblazer in the application of environmental, social, and governance standards, aligning operations with the Vietnamese governments green growth strategy, Lien said. Home Credit has strategically partnered with manufacturers and retailers to enhance instalment loan packages for eco-friendly products, including Vinfast electric motorcycles and bicycles. This initiative is designed to incentivise customers to transition from conventional products to those that are more environmentally friendly.

Mach Dinh Khoa, international director of Digital and Automation at Schneider Electric, stressed the importance of a balanced approach in promoting a circular economy. Just as with Vietnams helmet law enforcement in 2008, both incentives and penalties are crucial in promoting a circular economy, Khoa said.

What is more, Nguyen Trung Anh, deputy CEO of The PAN Group, suggested that local businesses that effectively implement a circular economy should be rewarded with tax incentives and other benefits.

Extra support required for circular economy development in Vietnam The implementation of sound ecological practices is more needed than ever. Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Dinh Tho, general director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, discussed with VIRs Hoang Oanh about Vietnams commitment to promoting the circular economy and policies to encourage businesses.

Vietnam suggested to join European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform Vietnam can take part in the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) to make use of Europes initiatives and experience in this regard, according to ECESP Vice President Cillian Lohan.

Nestle Vietnam promotes the circular economy model On April 13, the 2023 Sustainable Development Conference brought together experts and representatives of industry leaders in Vietnam. These included Binu Jacob, general director of Nestle Vietnam, who shared his belief that environmental pollution and resource depletion are disrupting the natural regeneration cycle and causing climate change.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) visits sick soldiers and war invalids at the Nho Quan nursing centre in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

Ninh Binh - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 27 visited sick soldiers and war invalids who are being cared for at the Nho Quan nursing centre in the northern province of Ninh Binh on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - 2023).

The centre has received and cared for over 2,000 sick soldiers and war invalids over the past 58 years since it was established. Now, with about 70 staff members, the centre is taking care of 150 people including 68 sick soldiers and war invalids, 23 revolution contributors and children of soldiers who are Agent Orange victims, and 56 people with special disadvantaged circumstances.

Meeting with the sick soldiers and war invalids in the centre, PM Chinh encouraged them to overcome physical and mental pains and stay optimistic and set good examples for young generations to follow.

He said that the Party and State always pay special attention to leading and directing the work of paying gratitude, providing specific, practical, and effective support to wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, relatives of martyrs, and people with meritorious services to the revolution.

Recently, on July 21, 2023, the Government issued Decree No. 55/2023/ND-CP amending and supplementing some articles of Decree No. 75/2021/ND-CP dated July 24, 2021, providing allowances and preferential regimes for people with meritorious services to the revolution. Accordingly, the allowances and preferential allowances are increased by 26.5%. At the same time, regulations related to the operation of establishments for nurturing people with meritorious services were amended and supplemented.

Between 2012 and 2022, nearly 357.4 trillion VND (nearly 15.1 billion USD) from the States budget was spent as monthly allowances, one-time allowances and other preferential regimes such as health insurance, nursing health rehabilitation, rehabilitation equipment, educational incentives, housing support, the fund for repairing graves/cemeteries or martyrs' remains search.

The whole country has mobilised over 13 trillion VND to build over 84,000 new houses or repair more than 69,000 houses for families of people with meritorious services. Nearly 126,000 savings accounts worth over 1 trillion VND were given to social policy beneficial families. Nearly 3,000 Vietnamese heroic mothers have been cared for by organisations and inpiduals.

PM Chinh called for joint efforts to effectively mobilise social resources to provide better care for people with meritorious services and their families.

He asked for improved facilities for nursing centres for people with meritorious services across the country in general and the Nho Quan nursing centre in particular.

Talking with the staff of the centre, PM Chinh asked them to do their jobs responsibly and wholeheartedly as if the sick soldiers and war invalids at the centre were their family members.

On this occasion, PM Chinh presented gifts to Vietnamese heroic mothers, wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, and people with meritorious services in Ninh Binh province.

Government, SMEs work to seek ways for navigating challenges Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting between permanent Government members and the executive committee of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Hanoi on July 6 to seek solutions to challenges facing SMEs.
By the end of trading on July 17, SeABank's market capitalisation had surged to over VND 71.402 trillion ($3.05 billion), doubling since its initial offering on the HSX.

First listed on HSX on March 24, 2021, at an introductory price of $0.70 per share, SeABank's SSB shares have seen a consistent upward trend. The bank executed a successful share issuance in June 2023, raising its charter capital to $1.02 billion. As of July 17, 2023, the SSB shares were valued at $1.21 each, contributing to the bank's impressive market capitalisation.

Earlier in the year, the Morgan Stanley Capital Index (MSCI) included the SSB stock in its Frontier Markets portfolio, signalling potential interest from Exchange Traded Funds targeting frontier market shares.

The HSX has also declared the inclusion of Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB) in its VN30 Index for the period from August 7, 2023 to February 2, 2024. This development demonstrates SHB's increasing market dominance and resilience, underpinned by solid performance and robust business transformation.

SHB's charter capital stands at around $1.28 billion, ranking it among the top five commercial banks by charter capital size.

In a crucial development late May, SHB and Krungsri Group of Thailand (a member of Japan's MUFG Group) announced the completion of a 50 per cent initial capital transfer at SHBFinance.

This transaction is expected to generate a significant capital surplus for SHB, further bolstering its financial resources and providing a solid foundation for the bank to accelerate its business activities, especially its digital transformation.

The VN30 Index, colloquially referred to as blue-chip stocks, represents companies with substantial market capitalisation and promising growth potential. Inclusion in this select group is considered a bellwether of industry leadership. Investors rely on it to evaluate market trends and make informed investment choices across various sectors.

SHB and SeABank's entry into the VN30 was facilitated by meeting crucial criteria such as high market capitalisation, an optimal free-float ratio, liquidity, and other factors pertaining to organisational stability and strength.

Norwegian fund expected to lead SeABank private share offering Southeast Asia Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (SeABank) plans to issue up to 94.6 million shares, with the Norwegian Investment Fund, Norfund, being the expected primary investor, signifying a significant bolstering of foreign investment.
The Czech Government approves new export strategy for the 2023-2033 period at a meeting on July 26. (Photo: VNA)

Prague - President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce Zdenek Zajicek proposed the Government focus on several key markets, including Vietnam, while implementing its new export strategy for the 2023-2033 period approved on July 26.

Specifically, he proposed paying attention to the US, the Republic of Korea, Israel, Georgia, Vietnam, and African countries.



He affirmed that the chamber supports the Government's plan to create conditions for exporters, thus helping persify their exports to countries outside the EU, and making it easier for companies to operate in foreign markets in a long term and enhance competitiveness through supporting the export of innovative products.



The new export strategy aims to strengthen the position of Czech companies in the supply chain and persify exports outside the EU.



It also provides a framework for the Government to strengthen and adjust support for exporters, thereby helping sustain the economy and improve the living standards of its people.



Speaking at a Vietnam-Czech Republic business forum in Prague in June, Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Edvard Kozusnik affirmed Vietnam is the most important partner of the European country in Asia, with two-way trade reaching 2.4 billion USD last year.



Also at this event, Zdenek Zajicek announced the organisation of a delegation of Czech businesses to visit Vietnam in September.

Czech Republic senior leaders meet with Home Credit Vietnam Following the successful meeting with the Czech Prime Minister in April, Home Credit Vietnam, a leading digital finance company from the Czech Republic, hosted the deputy speaker of the Parliament and the senior delegation at its office on May 26, 2023.
South Korea, Japan, and China are all top competitors when it comes to wood pellet trade in Asia, photo Le Toan

Increasing pellet exports to the EU is a goal for many Vietnamese groups. Biomass Fuel Vietnam Co., Ltd. will export pellets to the EU market in the near future, according to the companys general director, Eisuke Nomura. Biomass Fuel Vietnam has a factory in the central province of Nghe An, from which it exports about 160,000 tonnes annually to the Japanese market.

The EU is not as favourable for exporting pellets as Japan and South Korea, which import up to 95 per cent of Vietnams pellets. The raw materials for the manufacturing of pellets, which are generally burned for heat, although they may also be used to generate process steam or electricity, must come from plantations with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, according to Nguyen Kim Vui, the executive director of Dung Quat Energy Corporations pellet factory in the south-central province of Quang Ngai.

According to information published on the FSC website, as of March 2022, Vietnam possessed 53 FSC-certified units covering a total forest area of over 226,000 hectares.

The next challenge is the quality of wood pellets, Vui explained. EU pellet standards are stricter than those for exports to Japan and South Korea.

The Japanese market demands 3 per cent ash content, whereas the EU requires less than 1 per cent. Vui said his company is attempting to sign contracts for the purchase of raw materials from FSC-certified afforestation facilities, ensuring the source of raw materials for the annual export of 240,000 tonnes of pellets to the EU, Japan, and South Korea.

Forest Trends and Vietnamese wood associations noted in a report on the issue, published at the beginning of July, that the Japanese market is comparable to the EU market in terms of raw material regulations and that FSC certification is required. Vietnam will export about one million tonnes of pellets to Japan in 2023, a modest amount compared to the countrys annual demand of eight million tonnes.

According to a previous report, some Japanese customers engage in short-term contracts with certain Vietnamese suppliers; the price is around $125 per tonne, and the pellets quality is comparable to those exported under long-term contracts.

According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the number of Vietnamese firms exporting pellets increased significantly from 123 in 2020 to 152 in 2022. To Xuan Phuc, managing director of Forest Trends, said the number of businesses exporting to Japan is lower than that of South Korea.

Due to the consequences of rising raw material prices in Vietnam, the export price for pellets from South Korea rose to $110 per tonne at the beginning of this month, an enormous rise from April, when it was only $90 per tonne. The purchasing method of South Korean buyers has changed significantly. Rather than purchasing pellets in bulk, they are dividing the bidding batches and purchasing in smaller monthly amounts to alleviate price pressure, Phuc said.

Some manufacturers informed him that it is getting harder for Vietnamese pellet producers when the South Korean government advocates expansion of supply, including imports from Russia. Currently, a number of privately owned, small-scale power facilities in South Korea import pellets from Russia. Prior to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia exported around three million tonnes of pellets annually, primarily to the EU.

Some Russian pellet makers tolerate low-priced sales in order to gain entry into the market. According to Phuc, the possibility of growing the market share of Russian pellets in South Korea will be limited if sanctions are imposed on Russian exports, causing state-owned energy companies and major South Korean firms to refuse to use these pellets.

Dr. Lee Soo Min, a senior research specialist at the Korean National Institute of Forest Science (KNIFS), stated in March that two wood pellet factories utilising plantation materials, with a designed capacity of 300,000 tonnes per year, will soon go into operation, while about 20 other factories are already in operation, producing about one million tonnes per year.

According to Lee, this outcome is far from self-sufficient but presents the potential for countries to export pellets. Vietnam has the chance to boost its market share in the South Korean market; however, numerous suppliers have reservations that if they do not drastically alter the calibre of products, they will not be able to keep up with emerging sources such as Indonesia and Malaysia, Lee said.

According to KNIFS data, Vietnam was South Koreas primary pellet supplier in 2022 and accounted for 80 per cent of its pellet imports, with 2.2 million tonnes. Vietnam, the worlds second-largest pellet producer after the US, exported 4.9 million tonnes of pellets in 2022, worth $790 million, according to the General Department of Customs.

Europes winter at risk with wood pellet price hikes With the price of wood pellets increasing sharply, and standards requirements increasing, Vietnamese farmers may not be able to come to the aid of a cold Europe this winter as much as was hoped.
The Woodway City Council this week debated the value of the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District to its residents, delaying a vote to renew the districts interlocal agreement until Aug. 14.

The health district is asking its partners, including McLennan County and the countys cities, to approve a new five-year agreement starting Oct. 1 that includes a 50% increase in contributions.

Based on its 2020 population of 9,400, Woodway would owe $45,000 a year by the end of the next five-year cycle, up from $28,000 this fiscal year.

During a council discussion Monday with health district Director LaShonda Malrey-Horne, most council members, including Mayor Amine Qourzal, voiced support for renewing the agreement.

But Council Member Dave Keyston questioned the value of spending that much on services that he claimed benefit less than 2.5% of residents. Council Member Dave Russell, a frequent ally of Keyston, suggested seeking an annual renewal rather than a five-year agreement.

Russell asked Malrey-Horne to provide a breakdown of increased costs over the past five years and the numbers of Woodway residents participating in health district services over the same time period. Malrey-Horne said she would do her best. The council voted 5-1 to delay the renewal vote until Aug. 14. Qourzal voted against the delay, and Council Member Gayle Avant was not at the meeting.

We should do this, Council Member Storey Cook said. We can inform our residents of the services offered and more will take advantage. I want these services to continue without question.

Under the proposed agreement, city contributions would increase gradually each year, from $3 per person the first year to $4.75 in the fifth year. McLennan Countys share would increase from $2.25 per person to $3.75 per person in that time.

Eleven out of 18 funding cities have already approved the new interlocal agreement with its new contribution schedule, a district spokesperson said Wednesday.

Russell asked the director about the reason for the proposed 50% increase in contributions from cities.

Malrey-Horne answered that cost of supplies has risen, along with the cost of living for employees, who are typically trained in public health.

If we were to hire untrained employees, they would do lower quality work and lower quality inspections and investigations, Malrey-Horne said.

Council Member John Williams noted that the recent pandemic showed everyone what was really needed in public health.

We should not expect them to scale back, Williams said.

Malrey-Horne said the health district serves 19 mothers a month in Woodway through the Women, Infants and Children program, and about 200 in case management for HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Those numbers prompted Keyston to calculate that the district serves 2.5% of residents in the city.

But Malrey-Horne said all county residents, including Woodway residents, benefit from public health services such as restaurant inspections and mosquito abatement.

The city of Waco transferred governance of the health district in 2000 to a board representing contributing municipalities, which today includes McLennan County and almost all of its cities. Woodway City Manager Shawn Oubre now serves on the board.

Since 2000, the health district has shifted its direct care for low-income patients to Waco Family Medicine and refocused on preventive efforts. Those include restaurant health inspections and vaccinations as well as case management and epidemiology to contain health threats such as COVID-19, Mpox, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections, Malrey-Horne said.

The health district also administers the federal nutrition and health program for Women, Infants and Children and operates a medical and dental clinic for these individuals on most Fridays within the 18th Street Community Health and Dental Clinic of Waco Family Medicine.

Significant services the health district provides to Woodway and other outlying cities include twice-yearly food safety inspections including all restaurants, school cafeterias, food trucks and licensed child care centers, in addition to WIC services and case management for certain diseases.

These are the only food safety inspectors available to inspect Woodway permit holders.

The district pays food safety inspectors an average of around $51,000 each  more than the total proposed contribution of Woodway.

Under the current contract, McLennan County pays 12% of the $4.8 million local contribution to the health district, while the city of Waco pays 56% and other cities pay 5%, according to a slide from the health district. Revenue for services accounts for 27%.

As to Russells suggestion that Woodway could renew its health district agreement annually, David Shaw, the city attorney, answered that such a measure would require an amendment to the contract and would affect all members.

Council Member Williams argued that that an annual renewal could result in even more requests for increases from members.

Many of the health districts employees are funded through federal grants the city of Waco obtains from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the director pointed out.

If the CDC increases the grants that allow us to hire employees we need, as well as grants that are specifically targeted, then we may be able to offer all the cities a reduction in the contributions, Malrey-Horne said.

Water maintenance

In other action Monday, the council agreed to pay $37,000 to Walker Partners LLC to prepare designs to refurbish Bosque Ground Storage Tank and other co-located water supply equipment.

Council Member Russell joined in the unanimous vote after questioning.

If were just painting the outside, why do we have to hire engineers? Russell asked.

Shaw, the city attorney, said projects this size must be designed by engineers before being put out to bid.

The refurbishment of the tank will include other required maintenance at that location as well, City Manager Oubre said.

Walker Partners will also oversee the project and provide inspectors to verify the work of the hired contractors at key points in the project, engineer Jacob Bell of Walker Partners said.

The city of Woodway has six wells in different locations throughout the city, said John Norman, the citys assistant director of community services and development. This project is included in planned maintenance for the citys water system, Norman said in a Wednesday email.

The Woodway City Council also voted unanimously to cancel the interest and penalties applied to Oncor Electric Delivery Companys property tax payments, which were delayed in receipt due to Dallas-area post office errors during a winter storm and freeze Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, when many roads in North Texas were frozen over and closed.
Alzheimer's fundraiser

The Catching a Cure for Alzheimers Association fishing tournament will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Regent Care Center of Woodway, 7801 Woodway Drive.

A mobile fishing tank will be featured for anyone to fish, along with live music and family fun.

Fried fish plates are $10. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimers Association.

For more information, call 254-721-6136.

Storytelling workshop

The Heart of Texas Storytelling Guild will host an adult storytelling workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Hewitt Public Library, 200 Patriot Court.

Guest speaker Valerie Kimble of Norman, Oklahoma, will conduct the session. Anyone interested in improving their storytelling skills is welcome to attend.

Seating is limited. To RSVP or for more information, call Vivian Rutherford at 254-717-1763.

TSTC culinary offerings

The Texas State Technical College culinary arts program has resumed serving weekly meals to the public.

The student-operated restaurant will feature Brazilian cuisine this week from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Greta W. Watson Culinary Arts Center, Campus Drive and Eighth Street.

The $15 three-course lunch includes starter, entree and dessert. Advance reservations are required by emailing wacoculinary@tstc.edu, and all are welcome.

Upcoming cuisine themes include Mexican on Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, and a Southern brunch on Aug. 9 and Aug. 11.

For more information, call 254-867-4868.

Back-to-school events

The GB Lindsey Family Charitable Fund will have its fourth annual Community Barbecue & Back-to-School Picnic from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at Texas State Technical College, 3801 Campus Drive.

New Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church will host a backpack giveaway from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Oscar DuConge Park, 1504 J.J. Flewellen Road.

The Waco Police Department will hold its third annual Back-To-School Bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Richland Mall, 6001 W. Waco Drive.

Two local McDonalds restaurants will host a back-to-school backpack and school supply giveaway for students in grades K-5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at 1225 N. Valley Mills Drive and 7961 S. Interstate 35. Meal purchase is required.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1801 Gurley Ave., will give away backpacks, school supplies and school clothes during a back-to-school gathering from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 5.

Teague reunion

A 40-year reunion is planned for Aug. 4-6 in Teague for alumni of the Booker T. Washington and J.A. Brooks school.

A celebration consisting of games and fellowship will be held Friday, followed by a Saturday parade, picnic and banquet, then a Sunday memorial worship.

For more information, visit btwjabalumni.org.

Retro Radio fundraiser

The Retro Radio 2023 fundraiser for Archway of Hope will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Base at Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd.

Presented by DJ Flashback, The event will include elevated dance stages with props, extra-large screens featuring iconic music videos, along with contests, dinner and unlimited drinks.

Tickets are $150, with tables of eight for $1,750, available at eventbrite.com.

Archway of Hope is local nonprofit that helps families who are grieving the untimely death of a loved one. It produces documentaries, videos, cards and other tributes, and also connects families with comfort and healing resources.

Lineage workshop

The annual Daughters of the American Revolution lineage workshop will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

The Henry Downs Chapter is hosting the free event to assist women 18 and older who are interested in joining the organization.

Attendees will learn about the steps needed to document lineage. Those who have family documents of the last three generations should bring them to the workshop.

Reservations are helpful for planning but not required. For more information, call 254-709-4208 or email HenryDownsVIS@gmail.com.

Genealogy records

The Central Texas Genealogical Society is sponsoring a program on locating school records for family research from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 7 in the meeting room at the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

Information about siblings, attendance, age, relocation and more can be gleaned from school records, helping reveal details about ancestors.
The United States is deeply concerned about today's developments in Niger. We strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government, led by President Bazoum.

We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence.

READ NEXT: Two Tennessee Law Enforcement Officers Charged with Federal Civil Rights and Obstruction Offenses in Excessive Force Case

We welcome the strong statements and steps taken by the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to defend Niger's democracy. We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of our citizens.

Niger is a critical partner for the United States. We have shared values on democracy and human rights, and collaborate to advance regional security and prosperity, and our substantial cooperation with the Government of Niger is predicated on Niger's continued commitment to democratic standards.

READ MORE: Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Israel Judicial Reform

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As the saying goes, two heads are better than one. But why stop there? Why not three or four?

Why not 1,500?

Thats the line of thinking that led VGM Group, Inc. to become 100% employee owned 15 years ago. Today, VGM has not just one but more than 1,500 owners across 37 states. And while it sometimes seems as though things couldnt get any better, VGM shows no signs of slowing down.

About employee ownership

Employee ownership describes any arrangement where employees own shares or a right to their value in that company. The most common form is through a type of retirement account called an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), which is how VGM is structured.

Of the approximately 11 million companies in the U.S., roughly 6,500 have an ESOP. Even fewer are 100% owned by employees like VGM, which is the largest 100% employee-owned company in the state of Iowa.

This concept of employee ownership is foreign to most people, said VGM Group CEO Mike Mallaro, who was the primary architect behind VGMs ESOP in 2008 when he served as CFO.

Its a rare situation for American workers, but one that comes with unique opportunities.

Unlocking potential

One such opportunity for VGM employee owners is the power to positively impact the business. Its a concept VGM calls the Power of Onethat one act, one idea can make a difference.

The Power of One is everywhere in the companys day to day, but the concept is on full display during VGMs Pitchabaloo event. Pitchabaloo invites every employee owner to pitch an idea they think would make a difference at the company to a panel of senior leaders.

Winners of Pitchabaloo receive a cash prize and the opportunity to see their idea come to life.

First prize at the companys latest Pitchabaloo went to a concept that could help solve VGMs growing need for talented developers. The pitch? Develop a coding boot camp, where employee owners looking for a change could learn the skills to become  and then become  a developer at VGM. And the boot camp is actually slated to launch in the coming months.

Ideas like this are proof of the power of employee ownership. The coding boot camp is a gamechanger for VGM. And there are thousands of other ideas coming to the table every day, from employee owners who are looking to make a difference.

When you give the power to 1,500 people, you unlock potential you simply cannot unlock with one person, Mallaro said. There was a hope, in 2008, that wed see that potential unlocked.

"Fifteen years later, I can say that we did, and beyond what we ever imagined.

Unexpected benefits

Part of the magic of that potential is thanks to the ESOP. Employee owners know all that extra hard work ultimately benefits them, not one or two owners at the top.

At VGM, employee owners have a standard 401(k) plan with a 3% company match. However, they also have another retirement planone made up of company stock and cash contributed entirely by VGM. This means, employee owners have a vested interest in their customers success. And it seems to be working well so far.

In the past four years, the average contribution to employees ESOP accounts has been just over 25% of their total compensation. So for every dollar they make, VGM contributes an additional $0.25 of value to their ESOP accounts. For comparison, ESOP contributions at other companies average between 6% and 10%.

Employee ownership brings other benefits you might not expect, too, though  because when you own your place of work, you can make sure it works for you. Some of these include flexible work schedules, free health clinic, on-site fitness facility, and an on-site child care center, which opens this winter.

For years, a significant shortage of child care options has put undue pressure on many working parents in the Cedar Valley, including our employee owners, said Sara Laures, VGM Groups chief people officer. We wanted to be part of the solution, and we are excited to offer much- needed support to families by helping address child care needs.

Building a future

VGM employee owners are empowered to focus on the future, to transcend the status quo, and to build something they can pass to the next generation. Over the past 15 years, VGM has shown the power of employee ownership. And its just getting started.

Were destined to become a lot bigger than we are today, Mallaro said. And it is through this power of employee ownership, of each of us VGM employee owners doing the best we can every day. That makes a difference.

Learn more about the power of employee ownership at www.vgmgroup.com/esop.
WATERLOO  Another person has been sentenced to prison in a ring that distributed opioids in Waterloo, causing one customer to die of an overdose and another to collapse while driving.

Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Johnathan Davis, 30, of Chicago, to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison on a charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl Monday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Following prison, Davis will be on supervised release for five years.

At sentencing, prosecutors argued for stiff sentence because of overdoses linked to Davis sales.

He was distributing an incredibly deadly and dangerous poison to Melvin Williams, whom defendant knew to be a middleman for other opioid addicts. Defendant distributed purported heroin (fentanyl) to Williams three or four times a day, each distribution containing enough fentanyl to kill someone, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dillan Edwards wrote in his sentencing brief. Defendant moved to Waterloo, Iowa, for the sole purpose of distributing fentanyl, and taking financial advantage of opioid addicts.

Authorities said Davis regularly passed opioids to Melvin Williams who sold the drug to others.

In late March 2022, Melvin Williams obtained fentanyl from Davis and then sold it to another person, which caused the person  identified by the initials I.R.  to suffer a fatal overdose, according to prosecutors.

Weeks later, in early April 2022, Melvin Williams distributed fentanyl he had received from Davis to Justin Brock Jensen, who in turn distributed it to another person, which caused him to suffer an overdose and crash his car on a highway in Waterloo. Paramedics reversed the overdose using Narcan, records state.

During that time period, law enforcement had been using an undercover operative to purchase what was supposed to be heroin from Melvin Williams in a series of controlled buys. The drug, which originally came from Davis, turned out to be fentanyl, authorities said.

The investigation culminated on May 26, 2022, when law enforcement officers searched Davis girlfriends vehicle while he was a passenger and located 200.59 grams of fentanyl and $6,470 in cash. Some of the money recovered had come from a controlled buy, court records state.

Jensen was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison and three months of supervised release.

Williams was sentenced to six years and seven months in prison with five years of supervised release.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated as part of the Northern Iowa Heroin Initiative and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
CEDAR FALLS  The Health Trust Fund Board has consented to make available $287,000 in public funding for private health projects for the first time since fiscal year 2021.

The trusts principal dates back to 1997. The city gave up the municipally operated Sartori Memorial Hospital at the corner of College and Sixth streets to Covenant Health System, and sold the hospitals equipment and inventory for what Courier archives note was $8 million to be dedicated to the trust.

Securities now total $19.65 million, according to fund records. How much is available for grants each year is based on revenue generated via interest earned from investments, as well as farming at a site donated to the hospital years ago.

Applications are due 4 p.m. Oct. 5, with grant funds available for fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1.

A news release from the city states that capital projects will be prioritized for the grants over program or operation costs and be given to applicants who propose using the health trust funds to complete projects in addition to other matching funding sources.

Additionally, the applicants financial needs will be considered in the scoring.

All projects must provide a health care service benefiting Cedar Falls residents. They must be deemed to clearly have a public purpose, city administration emphasized last year and at the latest meeting of the board, in response to an advisory from state Auditor Rob Sand about public funds given to private nonprofits.

No funds were made available the last three years because not enough investment and farming revenue was generated. Fiscal year 2021 saw $187,000 available. The first year funds were available was 1999.

The board will make recommendations to the City Council on any expenditure, whether for these grants or an undertaking at MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center.

As for the trusts principal, that should only be used in negotiating a development agreement for a new hospital or a health care provider, according to the latest set of goals adopted by the City Council.

The grant applications can be obtained from the Department of Finance and Business Operations at City Hall, 220 Clay St., or by going online to www.cedarfalls.com/health. Questions can be directed to Finance and Business Operations Director Jennifer Rodenbeck at (319) 268-5108 or jennifer.rodenbeck@cedarfalls.com.
WATERLOO  Excessive heat and humidity is in the forecast for the next couple of days. The city of Waterloo encourages residents to take precaution and utilize cooling stations set up throughout the city during this period.

Byrnes Pool, 801 Campbell Ave.  $5 daily admission (ages 2 and older), $2 (under age 2). Open Swim Daily: 1-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.

SportsPlex Pool, 300 Jefferson St.  $8 public open swim hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1-3:45 p.m., Saturday 12:30-2:30 p.m., Sunday 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Marks Park Spray Pad, no cost, open daily 9 a.m.9 p.m. for ages 12 and under.

Young Arena, 125 Commercial St., Thursday and Friday 7 a.m.4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Drinking fountains and seating available.

Waterloo Center for Arts, 225 Commercial St., Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.5 p.m.

Waterloo Regional Airport, 2790 Livingston Lane, daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Waterloo Public Library, 415 Commercial St., open MondayThursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday noon-5 p.m.

Waterloo Fire Rescue advises residents to watch for signs of heat exhaustion, which include headache, cramps, lack of perspiration, and vomiting. To avoid heat exhaustion, residents should stay well hydrated, avoid extraneous exercise outdoors, minimize alcohol or caffeine consumption, and take frequent breaks in the shade or in air conditioned spaces. In addition, people are advised to wear lose, lightweight and light colored clothing. The city also encourages pet owners to keep their animals indoors and hydrated during the extreme heat.

Call Waterloo Fire Rescue at (319) 291-4460 with any further questions.

Photos: Hot weather has US, world sweltering
WATERLOO -- The Knights of Columbus Council 11192 will host a breakfast July 30 in Scallon Hall at the Queen of Peace Parish.

Serving is from 8 to 11 a.m. The menu will include all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, chorizo, eggs with sauce, coffee, milk and orange juice. Cost is $10 for adults; $7 for children.

Profits will go to help cover expenses for children who wish to attend the NCYC conference.

'Simmer on Cooking' Alan Simmer's CVHG favorite recipes PHOTOS 071619bp-cvhg-food-1 011620-cvhg-food-2 050120bp-cvhg-brownies-1 050120bp-cvhg-brownies-2 050120bp-cvhg-brownies-4 071318mp-rustic-peach-cake-2 042617bp-chocolate-pie
A group opposing former President Donald Trumps presidential campaign announced another round of advertising in Iowa on Wednesday using testimonials from former Trump voters who have soured on the former president.

The $1.5 million ad campaign from the Republican Accountability PAC, called Baggage-Free GOP, focuses on Trumps electability and the mounting criminal investigations and indictments he is facing.

One ad includes an Iowa man referred to only by his first name, Doug. He says he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, but hes looking for another person to lead the party.

I think there was a time when he was a very good leader of the GOP, but I think its time to look for a new leader, Doug says in the ad. I do not think that Trump could beat the Democratic nominee in 2024. I think theres too much baggage.

The campaign will run 70 similar testimonials between now and the end of August. The group will spend $500,000 in the first two weeks and $1.5 million in the coming months on the campaign. The ads will air in the Cedar Rapids and Des Moines media markets and around the state on digital platforms.

The Republican Accountability PAC is run by conservative commentator Bill Kristol and strategist Sarah Longwell, and began in 2020 to urge Republicans to support President Joe Biden over Trump in the general election.

The PAC previously spent close to $300,000 in an ad campaign targeting Trump for his criticism of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Minnesota governor to join Iowa Democrats Friday

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, will join Iowa Democrats for a press conference on Friday ahead of a major Republican fundraiser featuring several presidential candidates.

Walz and Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart will hold the event as a counter to the Iowa GOPs Lincoln Dinner, according to an announcement from the state party. The press conference will be held at 9 a.m. Friday.

Thirteen Republican presidential contenders are planning to speak at the fundraiser, making their pitch to Iowa Republicans ahead of the 2024 caucuses that will kick off the national Republican primary.

Vice President Kamala Harris will also be in Iowa Friday, speaking to health care providers about abortion rights.
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (26 July 2023

The AFU continued attempts to conduct offensive actions in Donetsk, Krasny Liman and South Donetsk directions.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated actions of the defending units in close cooperation with aviation and artillery of the Yug Group of Forces, four enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Belogorovka, Severnoye, Maryinka and Vodyanoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, AFU units have been eliminated close to Bogdanovka, Spornoye and Avdeevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Two ammunition depots of 28th and 110th mechanised brigades of the AFU have been destroyed near Dyleevka and Avdeyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 210 Ukrainian servicemen, seven armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, two U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery systems, three Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, D-20 and D-30 guns, and one U.S.-manufactured M119 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the 15th Motorised Rifle Brigade of the Tsentr Group of Forces continued offensive operations near Sergeevka (Lugansk Peoples Republic). The advance was up to three kilometres along the front and 2,700 metres deep into the enemy defence.

As a result of actions by aviation, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems, four AFU attacks have been repelled close to Chervonaya Dibrova and Raigorodka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Serebryansky forestry area.

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Novovodyanoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Torskoye, Yampolovka, and Grigorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed near Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

One ammunition depot of the AFU 66th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed near Novolyubovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were over 190 Ukrainian servicemen, five armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, two howitzers: D-20 and D-30, three Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

In South Donetsk direction, as a result of actions by defending units, with reliance on competently installed mine obstacles, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces, one enemy attack forward Nikolskoye (Zaporozhye region) has been repelled.

AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Storozhevoye and Neskuchnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In Zaporozhye direction, one enemy attack forward Rabotino has been repelled. Two tanks, one Giatsint-B howitzer, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been destroyed.

In addition, as a result of combat actions by Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery, AFU units have been hit near Malaya Tokmachka, Yablokovo and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

One AFU sabotage and reconnaissance group has been destroyed near Lugovskoye (Zaporozhye region).

From the morning of 26 July the enemy resumed intensive offensive actions in Orekhovo direction. The enemy has conducted a massive attack with the forces of three battalions, reinforced by tanks.

The courageous and professional actions of units of the 810th Marine Brigade and the 71st Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motorised Rifle Division repelled all AFU attacks.

The positions were held.

In the course of the battle, 22 enemy tanks, 10 infantry fighting vehicles, one armoured fighting vehicle and more than 100 Ukrainian servicemen have been destroyed.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the 7th Motorised Rifle Regiment of the Zapad Group of Forces, using the results of the shelling, conduct successful offensive operations in Kuzemovka direction. The troops have taken more advantageous positions.

The enemy losses were up to 135 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, Msta-B and D-20 howitzers, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian servicemen, five motor vehicles, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system.

One ammunition depot of the AFU 124th Brigade of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine has been destroyed near Zelenovka (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 128 areas.

Two command posts of AFU 21st mechanised and 79th airborne assault brigades have been hit near Ivanovka and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Air defence facilities have intercepted seven HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles and two Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

In addition, 13 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Karmazinovka, Zolotaryovka, Rubezhnoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Verkhnekamenskoye, Yevgenovka, Yampolovka, Krasnaya Polyana (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Chumatskoye and Dibrova (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 457 airplanes, 244 helicopters, 5,271 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,942 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,139 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,624 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,906 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

WtR
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu holds talks with his North Korean counterpart

Today, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu held talks with the Minister of Defence of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea General of the Army Kang Sun-nam in Pyongyang.

I am pleased to meet you. I gratefully accepted your invitation to visit Pyongyang, the capital of a friendly State. I am grateful to my Korean friends for the rich programme during the visit. I felt your care and your attention from the first minutes. It is possible not only to work actively, but also to learn a lot of interesting things about the DPRK, your culture, traditions and sights, said Sergei Shoigu.

The head of the Russian military department stressed that his visit to the DPRK is taking place during the days of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War. In the bloody battles of 1950-1953, the Korean Peoples Army under the command of Comrade Kim Il Sung won a historic victory over a strong and cruel enemy.

The Russian Defence Minister noted that cooperation between the two countries has been strengthening in the post-war period. Visits by the warships, official visits by high-ranking representatives of defence departments, exchanges of delegations at the working level, and personnel training have contributed to the preservation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea is an important partner of Russia, with which we are connected by a common border and a rich history of cooperation, stressed the head of the Russian military department.

Sergei Shoigu expressed his intention to consistently develop bilateral ties in all areas: I am convinced that todays talks will contribute to strengthening of cooperation between our defence departments.

WtR

Update:  Russian Defence Minister meets with head of DPRK

Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, during his visit to Pyongyang, was received by President of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un. During the conversation with the DPRK leader, views on global and regional security issues were exchanged.

 In addition, today the head of the Russian Defence Ministry is going to take part in a military parade dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War of 1950-1953.

Russian Defence Ministry

https://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12473963@egNews

https://www.nknews.org/2023/07/putin-thanks-north-korea-for-supporting-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/
(Photo : Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, pled not guilty to federal tax charges after his initial plea agreement was rejected in court.

Midway through a court hearing, Hunter Biden's plea agreement collapsed in a shocking turn of events that cost the president's son the "sweetheart deal" he had secured with federal prosecutors; a revised, more limited arrangement was later reached but placed on pause.

Hunter Biden was anticipated to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for failing to pay his federal taxes on time in 2017 and 2018 while avoiding prosecution for a felony gun charge involving the unlawful possession of a firearm by a drug user.

Judge Rejects Hunter Biden Plead Deal

After US District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who is presiding over the case in Wilmington, Delaware, questioned whether the deal offered the president's son blanket immunity from prosecution in his plea negotiations or only for his tax offenses, both parties said the agreement was off the table.

The chief prosecutor stated that comprehensive immunity would not be granted. Biden's counsel declared the agreement null and void. Per Newsweek, Republicans criticized the agreement, calling it a "sweetheart bargain" offered to Biden solely because he is the president's son.

Hunter Biden's team requested a recess from Noreika, a Trump appointee unanimously confirmed by the Senate, to salvage the agreement.

In a second turn of events, the two parties were able to reestablish an agreement, albeit with a much more limited scope, encompassing only tax offenses, drug use, and gun possession between 2014 and 2019. As part of the new agreement, Biden would be covered for any tax-related behavior occurring three years prior to the evasion allegation.

However, the agreement would not protect him from prospective future accusations. At the time the initial plea agreement was disclosed, Biden's attorneys stated that they believed the federal investigation to be complete. However, the revised agreement makes it clear that the investigation is still "ongoing."

Per BBC, this is the first time that a reigning president's offspring has been charged by the Department of Justice. The prosecution has given the defense attorneys of Hunter Biden 14 days to negotiate a new agreement.

It follows a five-year investigation into the finances of the US president's son, who arrived at the court in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday morning.

In lieu of a more serious felony charge and possible jail time, he was required to confess that he illegally possessed a firearm while abusing drugs and commit to drug treatment and monitoring.

Noreika questioned whether the agreement would also provide Hunter Biden with immunity for future offenses for which he could be found liable. She stated that the agreement contained "unusual provisions" and that its proposed resolution for the gun possession offense was "unusual."

Justice department officials are continuing to investigate whether Hunter Biden violated federal laws requiring him to register as a foreign agent while working in China and Ukraine during his father's vice presidency.

Legal teams for both parties were observed negotiating in full view of reporters inside the courtroom in an effort to salvage the plea agreement or forge a more specific agreement.

Hunter Biden, who at first intended to submit a guilty plea, ultimately pleaded not guilty for the time being. On Wednesday, the White House issued a statement declaring that the president and first lady "love their son and are supporting him as he continues to rebuild his life."

"Hunter Biden is a private individual, and this was a private matter for him," stated press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Read Also: Ohio Voters To Decide About Abortion Rights Protection in November

Hunter Biden Details Drug Rehabilitation

Moreover, during his dramatic court appearance in Wilmington on Wednesday, Hunter Biden disclosed he had attended rehabilitation six times over the past two decades. In exchange for pleading guilty to not paying income tax and confessing to felony gun possession, the recovering cocaine addict was expected to receive leniency.

Because he was being prosecuted for forging a form to obtain a firearm, the eldest son detailed his drug and alcohol use in court. As the magistrate warned, he may be subject to random drug testing under the terms of his parole, according to Daily Mail.

In the previous month, Hunter Biden was charged with possession of a firearm by a known drug user, which is a felony. In 2018, he submitted his firearm application.

In his 2021 autobiography, Splendid Things, Hunter Biden detailed his public acknowledgment of substance and alcohol abuse. The so-called "laptop from hell" contains photographs of Hunter with alcohol and drug paraphernalia, as well as photographs of Hunter Biden with alcohol and drug paraphernalia.

In the book, he described multiple rehab visits and escape attempts. At the age of eight, he had his first taste of champagne at a Delaware reelection celebration, and he began imbibing beer with his friends at the age of fourteen.

Hunter Biden traveled to Newsburyport, Massachusetts to receive treatment at a therapy center that administers ketamine infusions. He stated in his writing that he had visited the location twice.

In the same year that President Joe Biden launched his victorious presidential campaign, he recalled an intervention that took place in 2019. At a family dinner, Hunter Biden was greeted by his father, first lady Jill Biden, his three daughters, and two counselors from a Pennsylvania rehabilitation center where he had been a patient previously.

Related Article: Hunter Biden Counsel Accused of Lying in Criminal Tax Case; Republicans Seek To Block First Son's Plea Deal

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Winona County Board approved $190,000 Tuesday to go toward housing and redevelopment in the region next year.

The county will continue to fund its portion of the Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority at $100,000 in 2024, and agreed to invest an additional $90,000 for staffing and the development of a Housing Trust Fund.

The average number of Winona County households the authority assisted in 2022 was 188. The authority owns 56 rental units throughout Winona County, and assists with housing rehabilitation and homebuyer education.

The levy would be paid by taxpayers in districts outside of the city of Winona, since Winona has its own housing and redevelopment authority.

For the past decade, Winona Countys portion of the authoritys budget has remained steady at $100,000.

For next year, the county board initially was presented with two options for the authoritys allocation. The first would allocate $110,000 to the agency, the second proposed allocating that much plus an extra $90,000.

Neither option was passed by the board; however, a revised third option was approved  lowering the requested $110,000 to the current $100,000 and then adding the $90,000 requested.

The authority would use the $100,000 on general fund expenditures, existing housing developments, and housing stabilization and preservation in the county.

The extra $90,000 the agency requested would fund $40,000 of staffing costs to apply for applications related to the $1 billion in state housing program allocation for 2024 and 2025.

The remaining $50,000 would start a Housing Trust Fund that can be used as local leverage when writing grants for housing development with unused dollars remaining in county control. The money can also potentially get matched by state aid.

The board set the allocation at $190,000 Tuesday, but agreed if the Local Housing Aid of $133,000 the county is getting from the state can be used toward the authoritys extra $90,000 it will lower the levy back down to $100,000.

Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Buffy Beranek said the authority is operating without a deficit and the additional $90,000 gives it the ability to go after the new $1 billion of state aid.

We dont know all the specifics of these programs yet but there are specific programs that are targeted for rural Minnesota, Beranek said. Its not just SEMMCHRA that can utilize that trust fund, other entities can come in and use it. And we need all housers applying for these grants.

Winona County Board of Commissioners Chair Chris Meyer voted in favor of the revised $190,000 allocation saying the county desperately needs housing.

Our total budget every year is about $50 million and that $90,000 can bring many times more than that investment in housing for the county, Meyer said. I think quality of life is really important and what we dont pay for in helping people have housing, when we can leverage money thats available this year from the state, were really hurting the quality of life.

Commissioner Marcia Ward voted against the increased allocation saying she thinks its wrong to ask local taxpayers to pay to collect money from other government entities.

I think we need time to figure out all this stuff from the state and all this stuff our legislators told us about. I dont think the state has it figured out yet at least, Ward said.

Commissioner Dwayne Voegeli said it would be foolish to not go after all the money the state has in housing aid.

Its the most money ever invested in housing in Minnesota; we need to have enough staff to go after that, Voegeli said.

The estimated cost for the original $200,000 allocation for a taxpayer with a $300,000 taxable market value is $14.97 so the approval of the $190,000 levy should bring that number down slightly.
Columbus Area Historical Society

1973

George Miller retired as postmaster at Astico after serving 27 years as Astico postmaster. He succeeded Mrs. Emma Frank.

Maxwell Street Day, better known as bargain hunters paradise was held on Saturday. The event was conducted on the sidewalks in front of downtown stores and is one of the biggest sales events of the year in Columbus.

1983

Miller Academy of Dance and Related Arts announced that their student Alan Ring received a full scholarship to attend the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters Training School.

Rosa Guerrero, Columbus, was appointed by Gov. Anthony Earl to a three-year term on the four member governors Council on Migrant Labor. Guerrero serves as program director of La Raza Undia Corporation, a community-based employment and training company.

1993

As part of his weather forecast Elmer Childress interviewed Amy Mietzel and Agnes Hughes at their home in Columbus.

More than 3,500 people lined the railroad tracks around Columbus as the Great Circus train made its first-ever stop in the city. The 27 railcar caravan rolled into Columbus on its slow moving journey to Milwaukee for the Great Circus Parade. The train hauled 80-antique circus wagons from the Circus World Museum in Baraboo to Milwaukee.

2003

Several Columbus Special Olympians competed at the recent state meet in Madison. Competing in track were Jessie Steinbeck, Jamie Kasmiski, Kim Orange, Dylan Steinbeck, and John Hermanson.

The path to building sidewalks on Dix and connecting streets took a new turn when local attorney E. Clarke Arnold filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary injunction that the construction project be stopped. Arnolds ultimate goal was that no sidewalks be constructed on Dix Street.

Follow on Facebook at Columbus, WI Historical Society, email columbuswiareahistory.com or visit columbuswiareahistory.com. The Columbus WI Area Historical Society is looking for a home for its museum. If anyone has ideas on where to locate, contact David Komarck-Bennett, society president.
A special two-day deer hunting season is being offered this fall to help scientists better understand deer density.

The state Department of Natural Resources has announced that archery hunters can apply to take part in a deer hunt on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the Sandhill Wildlife Area in Babcock in Wood County in central Wisconsin. Applications for the hunt, the first in the wildlife area since 1968, are due Aug. 14.

This hunt, designed to thin the herd, is open to all licensed archery hunters and is restricted to archery equipment, which includes crossbows and vertical bows. A limited number of applicants will be accepted with successful applicants required to review the special hunting rules and regulations. Hunters will be issued two harvest permits, one either-sex and another for an antlerless deer.

The DNR is in the midst of a four-year study that started in 2021 to assess and develop methodologies for providing accurate estimates of small deer populations using trail cameras.

Recently, camera-based methods have been developed to estimate wildlife population size, but these methods require accurate estimates of movement rates and assume that animals move randomly relative to camera placement, the DNR wrote in its description of the study.

Since animals typically do not move randomly and cameras are usually strategically deployed (on game trails) the latter assumption is problematic and limits the applicability of such methods. We are assessing alternate methods that could allow trail cameras to better estimate deer populations.

The 9,150-acre wildlife area was named for a series of gently rolling sandy ridges crisscrossing the property and lies within the bed of ancient Glacial Lake Wisconsin, an expansive region of flat, marshy land interspersed with forests in central Wisconsin southwest of Wisconsin Rapids. The property is managed by a team of DNR wildlife technicians and biologists and is surrounded by a 9-foot-high deer-proof fence, providing a contained environment ideal for wildlife research.

The methods of the deer density study, according to researchers, will address drawbacks of existing camera-based approaches by testing alternative methods in a well-studied wildlife area. The project will also provide recommendations about the number and distribution of cameras, duration of sampling and the number of monitored deer required to obtain reasonable population estimates.
Autopsies determined Wednesday morning that three Marines found unresponsive in a car Sunday morning in North Carolina  including one from the Madison area  died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Pender County Sheriff Alan Cutler.

Lance Cpl. Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, a Verona High School graduate, was found dead in a privately owned Lexus sedan in the parking lot of a Speedway gas station in Hampstead, along with Lance Cpls. Merax C. Dockery, 23, of Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, and Ivan R. Garcia, 23, of Naples, Florida.

Hampstead is about 30 miles southwest of Camp Lejeune, where all three had been stationed, and just north of Wilmington on the Atlantic coast. The three were motor vehicle operators with the Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

The Pender County Sheriffs Office did not immediately make clear whether their deaths were accidental.

Sgt. Chester Ward of the Pender County Sheriffs Office said the department received a missing person report early Sunday morning from the mother of one of the Marines after her son failed to arrive on a flight home the night prior. A Pender County spokesperson said the caller tracked her sons location through his phone, and asked that deputies check the area.

Later that morning, a second call came in reporting that the missing man and two other Marines had been found in a private car parked at the gas station, authorities said.

Cutler extended his sympathies to the families of the three Marines in a statement Wednesday, expressing sadness at the timeless and tragic death.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and colleagues during this time, he said.

Dockerys mother, Heather Glass of Maud, Oklahoma, said Wednesday that she and another relative had driven to the Oklahoma City airport Saturday evening to wait for her son to fly home for his grandfathers funeral.

When he didnt arrive, Glass daughter started calling North Carolina hospitals and jails while Glass contacted the Sheriffs Office and her sons sergeant at Camp Lejeune, resulting in a search.

Glass said she assumed that her son died from something like carbon monoxide because all three of the young Marines had died, and the Sheriffs Office had not suspected foul play. Breathing too much carbon monoxide makes victims pass out.

I was just worried that it was something worse, she told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

Im at peace. I feel at peace because I know he was asleep when he passed, Glass said.

Dockery was the youngest of five siblings  the rest of them older sisters  and grew up in nearby Seminole. Glass said her son joined the Marines for personal growth and so that he could travel, with the possibility of making the military a career.

Glass said funeral arrangements were being made, with dates based on where her sons body can be released to the family.

He was just a kind soul, Glass said. He was liked by everybody. He was a real good kid.

Attempts to reach Kaltenbergs family were unsuccessful.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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FILE - From left, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President Joe Biden, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pose during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. Biden is set to welcome Meloni to White House for talks. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)
FILE- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, poses for a photo with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum during their meeting at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, March 16, 2023. Bazoum said Wednesday July 26 2023 that elements of the presidential guard tried to move against him and that the army will attack if they don't back down. Streets surrounding the presidential palace in the capital Niamey were blocked off as were some of the ministries. (Boureima Hama/Pool Photo via AP/File)
Already facing criminal cases in New York and Florida, former President Donald Trump is in increasing legal peril as investigations into his efforts to cling to power after his election loss appear to be coming to a head. The target letter sent to Trump by special counsel Jack Smith suggests Trump may soon be indicted on new federal charges, adding to the remarkable situation of a former president up against possible prison time while vying to reclaim the White House as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Trump has denied wrongdoing in all the cases and dismissed the prosecutions as an effort to hurt his 2024 campaign.
(Photo : BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia's defense minister joined Kim Jong Un in a defense show that featured North Korea's banned ballistic missiles.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment on Thursday, the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War.

Kim Jong Un and Sergei Shoigu reached a consensus on unspecified "matters of mutual concern in the sphere of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment," according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim Jong Un Meets Russian Defense Minister

KCNA reported that during the meeting, Shoigu delivered to Kim a "warm and positive letter" signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The report did not specify the specific military topics discussed.

North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to the events commemorating the armistice of July 27, 1953, in a rare instance of diplomatic thaw since the outbreak of the pandemic.

While the armistice technically left the Korean Peninsula in a state of conflict, the North still considered it a victory in the "Great Patriotic War."

Kim reportedly took Shoigu to an arms exhibition showcasing North Korea's newest weaponry and instructed him on national plans to expand the country's military capabilities, according to KCNA. Photos from the exhibition depicted Kim and Shoigu walking alongside a line of large missiles installed on mobile launchers, AP News.

Some of the weapons depicted in the images appeared to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that North Korea has tested in flight over the past few years in its pursuit of an arsenal capable of posing a credible threat to the continental United States.

Kim and Shoigu also walked past what appeared to be unannounced new surveillance and attack drones from North Korea. During a briefing, Lee Sung Joon, a South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman, stated that the South Korean military was analyzing the military assets depicted in North Korean photographs but would not provide specific assessments.

North Korea has sided with Russia in the Ukraine conflict, arguing that the "hegemonic policy" of the US-led West compelled Russia to take military action to defend its security interests.

The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing Russia with armaments for use in Ukraine, but Pyongyang has denied the accusation.

Delegations from Russia and China, North Korea's principal allies in the Korean War, gathered in Pyongyang this week to celebrate North Korea's "Victory Day" in the war that ravaged the Korean Peninsula seven decades ago, even as they align over another very contemporary conflict - Russia's devastating invasion of Ukraine.

Also on Wednesday, at a reception for the Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong, senior North Korean official Kim Song Nam thanked Chinese forces for their participation in the Korean War, stating that North Korea "would never forget the heroic deeds and merits of the valiant soldiers who wrote a glorious chapter in history."

Read Also: Ecuador Jail Riots Leave Dozens Dead Amid Gang Warfare

North Korea, China, Russia Commemorate 'Victory'

The presence of the Chinese and Russian delegations at the armistice anniversary, according to Ankit Panda, senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, "demonstrates the significance Pyongyang places on its relationships with both countries."

However, according to Blake Herzinger, a research fellow at the United States Studies Center in Australia, the Pyongyang gathering also reveals a vulnerability. Per CNN, Thursday marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, one of the earliest Cold War-era international conflicts.

During the Korean War, or what Beijing calls the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, more than 180,000 Chinese personnel perished. During the conflict, Russia's predecessor, the Soviet Union, provided combat support, such as Soviet aircraft engaging American fighters and heavy weaponry, such as tanks.

Despite Pyongyang's claims of victory, the 1950 war it initiated ended in a stalemate, with the current demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel roughly in the same location as before the conflict.

In the meantime, Moscow has been a steadfast ally of North Korea for decades, especially given their shared hostility toward the West. The same can be said about the Chinese Communist Party, particularly under current Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Moscow and Beijing, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have defended Pyongyang's interests before the international body as Western powers headed by the United States have attempted to impose additional sanctions on North Korea.

Related Article: China Vows To Boost Faltering Economy, Adjust Property Policy

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US Lawmakers have now approved a bill paving the way for deep-water development off the coast of Maine. The snappily titled "

Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind Resources

"

was approved by the full state Legislature

and can now be put before

Governor Janet Mills

who has previously vetoed the Bill.

President Biden's administration has set according to them a

bold goal

of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030, however the area under consideration off the Maine coast is in deeper water. Deep-water areas usually require floating platforms, but given deep water areas are home to two-thirds of Americas offshore wind energy potential, including along the West Coast and in the Gulf of Maine

the Biden administration recognises the need to rapidly develop the technology to reduce costs so to support the industry moving forweard,

the Administration will create a new Floating Offshore Wind Shot to accelerate breakthroughs across engineering, manufacturing, and other innovation areas. The Floating Offshore Wind Shot will aim to reduce the costs of floating technologies by more than 70% by 2035, to $45 per megawatt-hour with the aim to advance lease areas in deep waters in order to deploy 15 GW of floating offshore wind capacity by 2035

.

Support for the bill passing has been recived from

Maine Audubon; Maine Labor Climate Council; Natural Resources Council of Maine; Union of Concerned Scientists; Maine Audubon | Maine Labor Climate Council | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Union of Concerned Scientists | Maine Conservation Voters | Maine Climate Action Now | Iron Workers Local 7 | Laborers International Union Local 327 | Sierra Club Maine | Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council

; Maine Climate Action Now; Iron Workers Local 7; Laborers International Union Local 327; Sierra Club Maine; Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council

Through the

Maine Conservation Voters

website they issued a joint statement applauding the bill stating "

The opportunity presented by responsible offshore wind development has brought together a winning coalition of labor and environmental groups. The Mills Administration

has indicated that the Governor will sign the bill

, which will allow Maine to take advantage of the billions of dollars in private sector investment that would flow into the states ports, communities, and workforce.

Offshore wind development in Maine has garnered national interest as advocates seek to balance industry development with the states maritime heritage and existing marine uses to ensure the sustainable preservation of the natural resources in the Gulf of Maine. The coalition and stakeholders see LD 1895 as a national model for the clean energy transition and are highlighting the long-term job creation and economic development, supply chain and port infrastructure investment, and the opportunity to meet the states ambitious clean energy and climate change goals."

Bill sponsor Sen. Mark Lawrence stated "To combat climate change and invest in Maines energy independence, our state has set ambitious but necessary goals for renewable energy. Its clear that this effort will involve offshore wind energy projects. If we know this is coming, we need to have guardrails in place to make sure this is done right and truly benefits Mainers, adding Im grateful to my fellow legislators for supporting this bill. LD 1895 represents a detailed path to smart offshore wind development.

Further comments:

Maine is well positioned to be a leader in renewable energy and offshore wind. This bill will make sure that Maines workers, ratepayers, and economy get the best benefit possible, said Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast. Im proud of all the careful consideration that went into shaping this legislation, and Im eager to see it become law.

Maines clean energy future and our clean energy economy secured a major victory today, said Kelt Wilska, Energy Justice Manager at Maine Conservation Voters. When this bill is implemented, well set a national example for how to responsibly develop a new, affordable energy source, grow good-paying jobs for our workers, and do so without compromising Maine values. Were ready to get to work and launch this new industry.

This commitment to building an offshore wind industry for Maine shows that by working together we can do big things for our climate, economy and communities, said Jack Shapiro, Climate & Clean Energy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Legislators and Governor Mills are moving us decisively towards a clean energy future that will bring thousands of family-supporting jobs, protect the rich array of wildlife in the Gulf of Maine, avoid conflicts with important fishing grounds, and put us on a path to meet a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040.

Today, Maines lawmakers took a serious and measurable step toward accelerating our clean energy transition and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, said Eliza Donoghue, Maine Audubons Director of Advocacy. This legislation is necessary to help ensure that appropriately sited and operated offshore wind development safely co-exists with Gulf of Maine wildlife and the marine habitats they rely on.

Today we have seen what collaboration and good faith negotiation can bring to the people of Maine. This bill passing, once signed, can launch a new renewable energy industry in Maine. We look forward to strong community engagement as the impacts and benefits of offshore wind roll out, said Amy Eshoo, Director of Maine Climate Action Now.

The Legislature has taken a major step forward in helping Maine tap into its immense offshore wind potential that will be critical for achieving the states climate and clean energy goals. The bill is a powerful piece of policy that will create high-quality jobs in a rapidly growing industry while establishing important safeguards for the environment, fishing industry, tribes, and local communities, said Steve Clemmer, the Union of Concerned Scientists Director of Energy Research and Analysis. As the bill moves to Governor Mills desk, we look forward to her timely signing and subsequent collaboration to ensure prompt and fair implementation.

With a bang of the gavel, the legislature sent one simple but powerful message to working Mainers; and that was: You matter and we need you' said Jason J. Shedlock, President of the Maine State Building & Construction Trades Council and an officer with Local 327 of the Laborers International Union. Were confident that Governor Mills agrees and will underline that statement with the stroke of her pen in the coming days. We also know theres little time to celebrate, as building this industry will take a sustained, all-hands-on-deck approach. And much like virtually every major construction project in Maines history, a vast majority of those hands will have one thing in common: when they reach into their back pockets, theyll find a union card that doubles as their passport to a middle-class career with dignity.
The Swedish government has decided not to grant permission to build and operate a wind farm at Stora Middelgrund outside Sweden's territorial waters off Halmstad on Sweden's west coast. According to the government, the applicant has not shown that the chosen location meets the requirement for suitable location according to ch. 2. Section 6 of the Environmental Code.



The government went on to state that it is working hard to increase the production of fossil-free electricity and has recently given permission to two offshore wind farms off the west coast of Sweden.



"After difficult balancing of interests, the government has today come to the conclusion that an Offshore Wind farm at Stora Middelgrund would risk damaging sensitive natural values in an unacceptable way. Even the risk of a negative impact on national interests in shipping has weighed heavily in the government's assessment", says Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari.



The wind farm at Stora Middelgrund was planned to be built on the Stora Middelgrund offshore bank in the southern Kattegatt in the Swedish economic zone, outside the territorial border. The completed wind farm was estimated to be able to produce between 2.5 and 3 terawatt hours annually, which corresponds to 1.5 percent of Sweden's total electricity consumption.



The matter of a wind farm at Stora Middelgrund has been prepared by the County Administrative Board in Halland County, which together with several expert authorities and interest organizations have opposed permission being granted. The County Administrative Board has also denied a so-called Natura 2000 permit for the construction and operation of the wind farm.

Vattenfall acquired the Stora Middelgrund project in the winter of 2019. The project was originally developed for 108 turbines with an output of 8 MW, which would have given a total output of 864 MW.



Vattenfall applied to the government to amend the existing permit in order to be able to build fewer but higher and more efficient turbines, involving around 50 wind turbines with a total height of 290 metres, with a plan to be operational around 2030.



The Stora Middelgrund wind power project was estimated to be able to produce between 2.5 and 3.0 TWh annually, corresponding to a household electricity for approximately 500,000 houses or the annual electricity consumption of 1.01.5 million electric cars according to Vattenfall.




We the people of San Francisco are prepped and ready for even a sliver of hot weather, and there is no better way to take advantage of sun-drenched days than a lazy float down the Russian River.

#FloatTrip means a party on the water for you and all your friends, your swan and rainbow rafts all tied together so everyone could reach the cooler. Time to pack those White Claws and crowd your feed with #summertime selfies.





What to Bring to the Russian River See on Instagram Your float. Decide if you want to rent or buy a tube (keep reading for recommendations on local shops to hit up for gear). We strongly recommend one with a mesh bottom, headrest, and cup holder for maximum relaxation. However, if you want to bring your donut or unicorn-shaped floatie, nothing wrong with that. // A rope. Hooking your floats and coolers together is essential to keep the group in tact. // An electric pump. Bring a pump to inflate the tubes. // A cooler. Splurge for a floating cooler, or risk warm cider. // Food + drink. Bring plenty of snacks and beveragesincluding lots of fresh water (dehydration sucks). // River shoes. Many of the beaches are rocky so you may find these helpful. // A waterproof speaker. For your custom playlist, of course: #FloatTrip2019. // Sunscreen + hat + sunglasses. The sun is bright and shade is practically non-existent on the river. Apply sunscreen frequently. // Aloe. For later, when you realize you drank too much rose and forgot to reapply that sunscreen. // Trash bags. Municipal trash service is not a thing here. Sonoma County's volunteer-run Clean River Alliance asks that you BYO trash bags and pack out your own garbage. Once you have everything, it's time to roll out. Organize carpools with friends and leave early. The Russian River stretches more than 100 miles over Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The sweet spot for your float trip will be a section around the town of Guerneville.

Have a Pre-Float Snack in Guerneville See on Instagram Have a hearty breakfast in downtown Guerneville before the adventures begin. You can also pick up some food or snacks for the trip. Some suggestions: Located right on Main Street, the artsy Coffee Bazaar (14045 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville) serves up a variety of coffee drinks (try the Mexican mocha, made with Mexican hot chocolate and espresso) and breakfast options including egg sandwiches and fresh-baked quiche. Order online for curbside pickup. // Higher Ground Organic Espresso (16350 3rd St, Guerneville) is a low-key shop filled with eclectic books and artwork which serves up fresh organic coffee from Bean Smoke micro roaster out of Sonoma County. During the pandemic, they are serving through a takeout window at back and have limited outdoor seating. // At River Inn Grill (16141 Main St, Guerneville), you must try the Swedish pancakes with fruit filling. Located right on Main Street, this local breakfast spot is a favorite among locals. // If you are an Oprah fan or a biscuit fan, this is the place for you: Big Bottom Market (16228 Main St, Guerneville) is home to Oprah's favorite biscuits. Get them topped with gravy, mascarpone honey, or smoked salmon. (Pro tip: You can also buy their biscuit mix online!) // If you are a locally made goods connoisseur, head to The Farmhand(15025 River Road, Guerneville). The half deli, half market offers takeout box lunches with sandwiches, sides, cookies, and fresh fruitgluten-free and vegan options are available.

Where to Get Russian River Float Gear In need of a tube or any other gear from the list above? These stores have you covered. King's Sport & Tackle (16258 Main St, Guerneville) rents canoes and kayaks but also sells anything you need for for the river, including inflatables. // Not only does Guerneville 5 & 10 (16252 Main St, Guerneville) sell inner tubes, they blow them up for you. Bonus! // At Soar Inflatables & Russian River Adventures (20 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg) you'll find inflatable rafts that come with a paddle if you want to go a bit further.

Russian River Float Routes See on Instagram No matter where you end up going, make sure to start early (10-10:30 am is ideal) as parking is limited. If you caravanned to the river, park one car at the end of your route so you can shuttle people back when you're done. Steelhead Beach to Mother's Beach This is a roughly three-hour float. Steelhead has a large parking lot that runs down close to the launch point, making it easier to drop off tubes there. Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach For a bit longer float than the last, add an hour or so to your trip by exiting at Sunset Beach instead of Mother's. Mother's Beach to Sunset Beach If you're looking for a short-and-sweet trip, perhaps with kids, this is one is just an hour long. You can hang out at Sunset Beach post-float. Sunset Beach to Johnson's Beach This float is more than six hours long. Just be prepared with a lot of sunscreen and water. Vacation Beach to Monte Rio Beach A solid 4.5-hour float that launches from Vacation Beach. Once at Monte Rio, you'll find a concession stand serving up cold drinks, ice cream, and lunch options, including a burger that may be one of the best in town. Another plus: plenty of parking here for your shuttle vehicle.
Cover Images/Seth Browarnik Music

The show's promoter previously insisted that the concert would go on despite getting pushback from The Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions, which issues the permits.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Travis Scott (II)'s show at Giza Pyramids to celebrate the launch of his new album, "Utopia", has officially been canceled. Announcing the cancellation was its promoter, Live Nation, which issued a statement on Twitter.

"We regret to inform you that the UTOPIA show, originally scheduled for July 28th at the Pyramids of Gyza in Egypt is canceled," the Wednesday, July 26 post read. "Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert. We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired."

The statement added, "Refunds will be issued to all ticket holders at their point of purchase. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may have caused and appreciate your understanding." It concluded, "We remain committed to bringing exceptional live performances to fans and hope to have the opportunity to do so in the future."

Live Nation previously insisted that the concert would go on despite getting pushback from The Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions, which issues the permits. According to an English version of Egypt's government-owned newspaper, Al-Ahram, the group believes that Travis' shows involve "strange rituals." The opposition is also reportedly due to the 2021 "mass casualty incident" at Astroworld that left 10 people dead.

Travis himself promised fans during his Rolling Loud Miami set that he would see them in Egypt. The "SICKO MODE" hitmaker also sent an open letter sent to authorities in the country, pleading that they wouldn't scrap 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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If a new report is to be believed, the 69-year-old mom of the Grammy-winning musician has filed for divorce from her actor husband, ending their eight years of marriage.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tina Knowles is calling it quits with husband Richard Lawson. The mom of Grammy-winning musician Beyonce Knowles reportedly filed for divorce from the actor on Wednesday, July 26, ending their eight years of marriage.

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ, Tina cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. She additionally listed the date of separation as Tuesday, July 25.

In the documents, Tina, who tied the knot with Richard in April 2015 after dating for 2 years, asked the court to terminate the court's ability to award spousal support to her or Richard. She also asked to revert her name back to Celestine Knowles after changing it to Celestine Lawson when she married Richard. While Tina has two daughters, Beyonce and Solange Knowles with first husband Mathew Knowles, she has no kids with Richard.

Prior to the divorce news, eagle-eyed fans believed that the pair had quietly separated. They noticed that the 69-year-old might hint at the split by changing her Instagram bio from "Tina Knowles-Lawson" to "Tina Knowles," dropping Richard's last name.

Fans additionally pointed out that Richard didn't seem to join the rest of the family at Jay-Z's mother's wedding. The rap mogul's mom Gloria Carter, who came out as a lesbian six years ago, tied the knot with her longtime partner Roxanne Wilshire on Sunday, July 2.

Not stopping there, Tina didn't seem to join Richard who has been promoting his new movie, "Black Terror", worldwide. The actor attended film festivals, such as the Essence Festival and Cannes Film Festival, solo without Tina by his side.

Further fueling the split speculations, Richard had been spotted without his wedding ring on several occasions. The now-exes additionally skipped making their yearly heartfelt social media posts to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Neither Tina nor Richard has commented on the divorce report.

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The 'House of Cards' alum expresses his gratitude to jurors at Southwark Crown Court after he's found not guilty on nine sexual offence charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kevin Spacey feels "grateful" to the jury in his sexual assault trial. The award-winning actor was found not guilty by jurors at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, July 26, and Spacey subsequently admitted to feeling "humbled by the outcome."

Speaking outside the court, Spacey told reporters, "I would like to say that I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached their decision. I am humbled by the outcome today. I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security, and all of those who took care of us every single day."

The jurors returned not guilty verdicts for nine sexual offence charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013. Spacey, 64, has always denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prosecution Service has released a statement, insisting that prosecutors respected the jury's decision. The statement read, "The function of the Crown Prosecution Service 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."

Spacey was cleared of seven charges of sexual assault, one charge of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity. During his testimony last week, he told the court, "There was a rush to judgement and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days."

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A source claims that the couple, who has been in an 'on-again, off-again relationship,' had a great time during their getaway in Italy in June and Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in July.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Jacob Elordi and Olivia Jade Giannulli's romance are heating up. According to a new report, the pair are "getting serious" after they spent some time together during vacations in both Italy and Idaho.

A source told PEOPLE that the couple, who has been in an "on-again, off-again relationship," had a great time during their getaway in Italy in June and Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in July. "Jacob had to leave early to fly back to Australia, but they looked like they had a great time together," said the insider.

The source went on to note that "The Kissing Booth" star and the "Dancing with the Stars" alum "kept in contact over the past several months" and decided to start hanging out again. "They are a really cute couple. They are 100 percent going strong," the source added.

Jacob and Olivia first sparked dating rumors in late 2021 when they were seen at a coffee shop in Los Angeles. The outing came months after Olivia split from Jackson Guthy and they had reportedly been "casually dating" at that point.

Later in May 2022, the YouTuber daughter of Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli was spotted walking the "Euphoria" star's dog Layla together in L.A.'s Silver Lake neighborhood before they both took off in the actor's Range Rover. Olivia was additionally photographed leaving his home in sweats with an overnight bag the same week.

The lovebirds allegedly broke up in August of the same year. The pair "enjoyed spending time together," but ultimately didn't want to be tied down to one another, claimed a source to Us Weekly at the time.

The two, however, hinted that they gave their romance another chance with a PDA-filled outing earlier this year. In May, they were pictured showing off PDA during a casual outing in Los Angeles. The two got cozy with each other as they seemed to be attached at the hip while chatting and waiting around in the parking lot of dealership.

In one picture, Jacob, who used to date big stars like Zendaya Coleman and Kaia Gerber, could be seen putting his arm around Olivia to give her a side hug. Another snap, meanwhile, featured the 6-foot-5 Australian hunk leaning in an apparent effort to see something on the social media influencer's phone.

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In a resurfaced viral video, the 'Blade Runner 2049' actor awkwardly brushes off his co-star, who tries to slip his hand around Ryan's waist while posing for photographers.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - As their movie "Barbie" has become one of the hottest topics these days, Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu's off-screen interaction has also garnered attention. A clip of the actors' awkward interaction on red carpet has resurfaced online, sparking debate among fans.

In the video, the duo posed for photographers at the film's press day in Canada last month. Being friendly, the "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" star tried to slip his hand around his co-star's waist.

The "Crazy, Stupid, Love." actor apparently wasn't too fond of the gesture, looking down at Simu's hand and stepping back as he appeared to brush off his co-star. He seemingly told the MCU star, "Don't hold me there, man. I mean, do you want me to touch you like that?"

Simu was heard responding, "You don't what - oh, it's too tender? Fair enough," before he removed his arm away from Ryan. The two then continued posing for photographers with their hands in their pockets.

After the video went viral, many couldn't help share their two cents on the seemingly awkward exchange. "Oh, I'd literally never show my face again," one Twitter user spoke from the point of view of Simu.

Another said of Ryan, "he was so mad after life you can see it in his face." A third alleged, "Okay is it me or has Ryan gosling come off very arrogant for this entire press tour???"

"How are they gonna do this in the movie but Ryan won't let him put his hand around his waist?" another wondered, referring to Ryan's shirtless brawling scene in the movie. Another defended him though, noting, "I mean you supposed to ask before you touch someone."

Someone else speculated that the two actors were just in characters at the red carpet event, claiming, "I think it's their characters playing like they hate each other cause they are in competition with each other in the movie. It ain't that deep."

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A few years after making the declaration, the former member of Spice Girls strikes a pose in a pair of boots that came out of the MSCHF x Crocs Big Yellow Boots collaboration.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Victoria Beckham (Victoria Adams) appeared to have a change of heart when it came to trading her heels for Crocs. More than two years after declaring she would "rather die" than wearing a pair of lilac Crocs Justin Bieber sent her, the former member of Spice Girls proudly struck a pose in a pair of the footwear brand's new boots.

On Tuesday, July 25, the 49-year-old uploaded via Instagram Story a photo of herself sporting a pair of massive yellow boots designed by Crocs in collaboration with Brooklyn-based fashion brand MSCHF. Over the snap, she added a yellow heart emoji and tagged MSCHF's Instagram account.

In the photo, the fashion designer wife of David Beckham also sported a sleeveless long black dress that came with two straps. She styled her long straight hair in a sleek low ponytail, and added a silver wristwatch, matching bracelet and sparkling ring to her look.

Victoria Beckham shared a photo of her wearing yellow massive boots designed by Crocs and MSCHF via Instagram Story.

Just two years earlier, in April 2021, Victoria voiced her opposition to wearing the famous foam clogs. Revealing via Instagram Story that she received a pair of Crocs in lilac color from Justin, she stated, "A lot of people have been asking me what I'm planning on wearing after lockdown...what do we think about this suggestion from @justinbieber?!"

In a follow-up Story, the mother of four further asked her Instagram followers to share their opinions by responding to a yes or no poll of whether or not she will be wearing lilac crocs. She wrote, "Will I be wearing lilac crocs?"

The former Posh Spice later shared the result of her poll through another Instagram Story post. Revealing that 43 percent of voters said "yes" and 57 percent of others picked "no," she shared her thought, "Well that was close! I think I'd rather die but thank you anyway @justinbieber [a smiling face with tears of joy emoji]."

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Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni is set to visit Washington Thursday (July 27) after US President Joe Biden earlier warned about the rise of hard-right populism in Europe and the US.

In an earlier statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the meeting between Biden and Meloni would reaffirm the "strong relationship" between the two nations.

Jean-Pierre added the talk between the two leaders would center on their "common strategic interests," including a shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, developments across North Africa, and closer transatlantic coordination regarding China and its economic pressures.

Initially, the Biden administration was concerned about Meloni's ideology, which was eradicated when her government supported Ukraine and its withdrawal from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Euronews reported.

She would also meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

The visit comes as Italy is preparing to take up the G7 presidency in 2024.

Read Also: Joe Biden Orders US To Share Evidence of Russian War Crimes in Ukraine With International Criminal Court

Giorgia Meloni: Italy's Margaret Thatcher?

Meloni is the first Italian far-right leader to hold premiership in a post-World War II republic after her Brothers of Italy party won the country's 2022 general elections. She is also the country's first female prime minister.

While her party was an offshoot of a party founded by nostalgists for fascism following the downfall of Benito Mussolini, she stressed that she "[does not] hold the cult of fascism."

Since coming to power in September 2022, Meloni faced criticism for her government directing city halls to cease automatically registering both parents in same-sex couples but instead limit recognition of parental rights only to the biological parent.

According to Heritage Foundation's Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom director Nile Gardiner, Meloni's political perspective against LGBT+ parenting, same-sex marriage, and skepticism of the European Union made her at odds with the rest of the continent but also puts her on similar ground with former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

"I think Meloni really understands the significance of the culture wars in Europe, and she is the most principled leader in Western Europe on cultural matters and takes a very firm stand in defense of traditional Christian Western civilization," Gardiner told Fox News. "Margaret Thatcher would have supported the stance Meloni took on the defense of Western civilization."

She also turned back on her election promise to stop northern African boats from coming into southern Europe.

In the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Italian government under Meloni became one of the most vocal supporters of Kyiv's sovereignty and has hosted around 170,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. She also championed a stronger NATO resolve in the face of Russia's menacing position.

Related Article: Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy

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The 31-year-old star, who portrayed Ryan Shaver on the Netflix series, reveals she 'barely qualified' for insurance benefits because the money she made was so low.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tommy Dorfman earned less than $30,000 for the first season of "13 Reasons Why". The 31-year-old star portrayed Ryan Shaver on the drama series but revealed she "barely qualified" for insurance benefits because the money she made was so low.

Tommy, who had a starring role in the first two seasons before being shifted to a guest in seasons three and four, broke down her pay details to highlight one of the reasons why she is striking as a member of acting union SAG-AFTRA. She wrote on Threads, "my earnings for the entire first season of 13 reasons why were $29,953.24 prior to agency and manager fees (20%) and taxes. 8 episodes over six months. i did all of the promo and had KEY ART for this show, flew round trip from NYC to SF to shoot for every episode, was kept for days without pay/working. i barely qualified for insurance. within the first 28 days of release, the show's season 1 garnered a total of 476 million view hours. this is why we strike. @sagaftra (sic)"

Last week, Tommy shared a photo of herself on the picket line in New York City. She wrote on Instagram, "@sagaftra @wgaeast #sagaftrastrong #wgastrong". The "Jane the Virgin' star's revelation comes days after Mandy Moore revealed she had earned "around 81 cents" from streaming residuals since Hulu bought the rights to "This Is Us" from NBC in 2017.

She told The Hollywood Reporter, "The residual issue is a huge issue. We're in incredibly fortunate positions as working actors having been on shows that found tremendous success in one way or another  but many actors in our position for years before us were able to live off of residuals or at least pay their bills. I was talking with my business manager who said he's received a residual for a penny and two pennies."

"Scandal" star Katie Lowes has also received mere pennies for the streams from her Netflix series and insists it's impossible to live off residual payments.

She said, "If you are someone who has been fortunate enough in our positions to do 120-plus episodes of a successful show in previous years - 10, 15, 20 years ago - that re-airing would be the thing that could sustain you on years where I did this smaller project or I wanted to go do a play or you have kids and you have a family to provide for. And that just not a reality anymore. The entire model has changed."

The Screen Actors Guild union ordered a strike across TV, theatrical, and streaming productions earlier this month amid concerns over wages for actors and creators in the industry alike, AI technology, and how the profits of digital streaming on services such as Netflix and Disney+ can be divided.

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The former N.W.A member admits that he was initially hopeful about Obama, who was first chosen as the U.S. president in 2007, but claims noting changed after years passed by.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Ice Cube isn't a fan of Barack Obama and has called out the former U.S. president for the lack of changes he made during his presidency. The rapper-turned-actor has expressed his disappointment in Obama's presidency in a new interview.

Speaking to Tucker Carlson on his new show "Tucker on Twitter", the former N.W.A member admitted that he was initially hopeful about Obama, who became the first African-American president of the United States. "For the first time, I felt proud that America took that step," he said.

"So that was a moment in time," the 54-year-old added. "But then you look around, years go by, and not much changed for people I know, people I care about." Complaining about other former presidents' administrations, he continued, "It didn't change with Bush, with Clinton, elder Bush, Reagan, Carter. So at the end of the day, it's still the same as it was."

The West Coast hip-hop legend went on agreeing with the notion that the election of Obama was symbolic. "Yes," he responded to the question. "In a lot of ways, yes."

Cube, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson Sr., drew criticism when he decided to work with the Donald Trump campaign to bring out the black vote for the 2020 presidential election. He clarified that he had approached Democrats and Republicans, but Democrats told him they had to wait until after the election, while Trump's side agreed immediately.

Despite backing Trump's campaign, Cube admitted that he no longer donates nor believes in politicians because many of them have "hidden agendas." He shared, "I don't believe in politicians. Politicians have hidden agendas. The more money you give them, the more they listen to you."

In the same interview, Cube defended his anti-vax stance. "It wasn't ready. It was six months, kind of rush job. And I didn't feel safe," he said of the reason why he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

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The 'St. Louie' rapper gives a seal of approval to the 20-year-old emcee after the latter shares a preview of his new song 'It's Getting Hot' and its visuals, which sample his iconic 2002 track, 'Hot In Herre'.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Nelly doesn't mind at all with NLE Choppa channeling him in the "It's Getting Hot" music video. In fact, the "Hot in Herre" emcee showed support for the Memphis native by giving him a shout-out on social media.

On Wednesday, July 26, the 20-year-old shared on Instagram a preview of his new visuals, which is set to be released on Friday. In the clip, he's seen dressed similarly to Nelly while rapping around dancing women.

His outfit includes an early 2000s-inspired sweatband a Hardwood Classics Denver Nuggets throwback Jersey, baggy jeans, and A Bathing Ape shoes. Choppa also wears Nelly's trademark band-aid under his eye.

Prior to that, Choppa shared a series of behind-the-scenes pictures. "It's Nelly Baby," he captioned the post. " 'ITS GETTING HOT' FRIDAY," adding popcorn, champagne, and movie camera emoji.

The post did not go unnoticed by Nelly. The "St. Louie" spitter reposted it on his Instagram Story, and wrote, "Go Up Nephew [up arrow emojis][fire emoji]. Happy with the recognition, Choppa responded, "Nelly Approved [green checkmark emoji]."

"It's Getting Hot" itself samples Nelly's iconic 2002 track, "Hot In Herre". As for Choppa, he recently dropped "Fast X" soundtrack "Angel Part. 1" ft. Kodak Black, BTS (Bangtan Boys) star Jimin, JVKE and Muni Long.

The five artists also appear in the visuals of the song. While Choppa, JVKE and Kodak film their scenes separately, Jimina and Muni show up together in some scenes.

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The 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' alum addresses her relationship with her former fiance in an interview with a former 'RHOA' producer, admitting that there are things she's 'not happy with.'

Jul 28, 2023

AceShowbiz - NeNe Leakes has addressed her relationship status with Nyonisela Sioh after split reports. The reality TV star has confirmed that she and her boyfriend are currently "taking a break" because "it's not working at the moment."

The former "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star discussed what led to the decision in part 1 of her interview with former "RHOA" producer Carlos King on his "Reality with the King" podcast. "Today, we are taking a break. We've been taking a break," she said in the episode which aired on Tuesday, July 25.

The 55-year-old revealed she's not entirely happy in her relationship with Nyonisela, divulging, "It's  things I'm not happy with, things he's not happy with. It's just not working at the moment." The actress went on joking, "He is single so if any of the ladies out there want to holla at him, go right ahead."

While it's not working, NeNe said she learned an important lesson from her time with Nyonisela. "My next relationship will be absolutely private," she stressed. "This was the most public I think I've ever been in any relationship - it's more public than Gregg's. And I just feel like it's just best to be private."

The "Glee" alum has also realized what she's looking for in her next romantic partner. "I know from dating Nyoni, and Nyoni has a great career and makes great money ... I just want my guy to make more money than me. I really do," she elaborated.

NeNe and Nyonisela were reported to have broken up in June after dating for more than a year. Later in the same month, the two confirmed that they're no longer together but remained friendly as they hung out together in a video shared by Cynthia Bailey's ex-husband Peter Thomas.

"People can be friends," NeNe said when pressed on their relationship status. Nyonisela, who was sitting next to NeNe on a couch, added, "She's single, I'm single. We're friends." He also declared, "She's back on market."

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Reacting to a headline about show director Albert Alarr's wrongdoing investigation, the Billie Reed depictor says she is 'shocked' by the 'disgusting' work environment.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Lisa Rinna has gotten candid about the set environment of "Days of Our Lives". Following internal investigation over the misconduct allegations against show director Albert Alarr, the actress depicting Billie Reed on the NBC daytime soap opera did not hesitate to deem it "disgusting."

On Tuesday, July 25, the 60-year-old went public with her opinion through a statement she released on her Instagram Story. "Well, this took a long time Let's see when's the last time I went over there and did that week on Peacock I couldn't believe the work environment," she wrote. "It was disgusting, I was shocked."

"I let many people know, Albert included, and they didn't do a thing until now, it seems," the former star of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" continued. She was reacting to a headline about Albert being alleged of groping cast members. Over the headline screenshot, she declared, "Karma is a b***h."

Lisa Rinna claimed that the set environment of 'Days of Our Lives' was 'disgusting.'

Albert was uncovered by Deadline to have undergone around two months of investigation following an employee's complaint about a round of layoffs that had disproportionately impacted women.

The investigation that was kicked start in March then evolved further when Albert was accused of groping cast members. He was also claimed to have grabbed and kissed one of the show's actresses without her consent five or six years ago. Deadline reported that he has apologized to the actress.

About Albert's behavior after his co-executive producer promotion, a longtime employee stated, "He became much more tyrannical, I think he became much more aware of his unilateral power, and that [executive producer] Ken [Corday] wasn't going to be involved in decision-making. And I think [Albert] took the ball and ran with it, and I think it's ruined the show."

Production company behind "Days of our Lives" has since released a statement to Deadline. "Corday Productions engaged Sony Pictures Television, which distributes Days of our Lives, to conduct an impartial investigation into this matter," it read.

"After a two-month investigation, the independent investigator produced a report with its findings. Based on those findings, Corday Productions has taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment," the statement continued.

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The 'Parent Trap' actor takes accountability for his mistakes as he remembers his journey to overcoming cocaine addiction and his return to Christianity.

Jul 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Dennis Quaid says he's been saved by his faith in God. The 69-year-old star became devout to Christianity after overcoming his cocaine addiction in 1990, and Dennis believes that it's ultimately saved his life.

"I'm grateful to still be here, I'm grateful to be alive really every day. It's important to really enjoy your ride in life as much as you can, because there's a lot of challenges and stuff to knock it down," he told PEOPLE.

Dennis turned his life around after having a sudden realisation that he was headed for disaster. He shared, "I remember going home and having kind of a white light experience that I saw myself either dead or in jail or losing everything I had, and I didn't want that. I was in a band, and we got a record gig  They broke up the night they got it, and they broke up because of me, because I was not reliable."

Dennis was raised as a Christian but he became truly passionate about his faith following his struggle with addiction. The Houston-born star is now releasing a new album, called "Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners", which touches on his personal experiences and his faith.

He explained, "I grew up at the Baptist church; I love the hymns that I remember from being a kid. The songs are self-reflective and self-examining, not churchy. All of us have a relationship with God, whether you're a Christian or not."

Meanwhile, Dennis previously opened up about his addiction, revealing that he was using drugs on a "daily basis during the '80s." Speaking to Megyn Kelly, he shared, "I grew up in the '60s and '70s, and there was a completely different attitude about [cocaine] back then. It was even in some movie budgets. But I kept roaring on. I was basically doing cocaine pretty much on a daily basis during the '80s."

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Countdown has begun for DATAMATIXX, the annual industry event focused on data and digital, which will be held on July 28 at Sahara Star Mumbai.

Organised by Adgully, the event's theme is "Unlocking Business Growth with AI & Data Performance," with a focus on the significant impact of data-driven strategies and artificial intelligence on business growth and performance.

The event aims to bring together professionals and experts from various industries to explore and discuss the latest trends, insights, and innovations in the realm of AI, data science, programmatic advertising, and data-driven marketing.

The event will commence with a welcome address by Bijoya Ghosh, the Founder & CEO of Adgully, who will set the stage for the day's discussions and emphasize the importance of harnessing AI and data for business success.

Nipun Kaushal, the Chief Marketing Officer & Head CSR of Yes Bank, will deliver the opening keynote. He will shed light on how marketing strategies can directly impact an organisation's bottom line, emphasizing the role of data-driven decision-making in achieving tangible results.

The first panel The Power of Data Science: Influencing Smart Business Decisions , powered by Mobavenue, will bring together esteemed industry professionals to discuss the transformative potential of data science in making intelligent business decisions. Anjali Malthankar, the National Strategy Director of Tonic Worldwide, will moderate the discussion.

The panelists include:

Anant Ranjan, VP Growth & New Business Initiatives, Mobavenue Media

Nikhil Kurian, Head Of Digital, Tata Motors

Shibu Shivanandan, Founder & MD, PivotRoots

Suchit Sikaria, Chief Business Officer, SUGAR Cosmetics

Yatnesh Pandey, VP Marketing, Greenply

The panelists will share their experiences and insights into how data-driven approaches have helped their respective organisations achieve growth and success in their competitive industries.

The Keynote: Growth v/s Profitability - What is More Important for an Organisation: Midhula Devabhaktuni, Co-Founder & CMO of MIVI, will deliver a thought-provoking keynote address, delving into the ongoing debate between focusing on growth and ensuring profitability. Devabhaktuni will offer valuable perspectives on striking the right balance to build a sustainable and thriving organization.

This session will be followed by a fireside chat on The Future of Programmatic Advertising: Advanced Audience Targeting and Beyond: Powered by Valueleaf Group.

This fireside chat will explore the future of programmatic advertising and how advanced audience targeting is reshaping the advertising landscape. Amitabh Bishnoi, President - Growth & Initiatives of Valueleaf Group, will moderate the discussion, with insights to be shared by:

Devi Prasanna Pradhan, AVP - Digital Marketing, LoanTap Financial Technologies

Siddesh Kerkar, Lead - Marketing and Alliances, Aditya Birla Finance- Udhyog Plus

The conversation will revolve around the latest trends and innovations in programmatic advertising and how businesses can leverage them to achieve better audience engagement and ad effectiveness.

The next panel on The Evolution of Programmatic Advertising: Unleashing the Power of Advanced Audience Targeting and Beyond, also powered by Valueleaf Group, continues the exploration of programmatic advertising's evolution. Nupur Shah, VP and Digital Lead, West and South, PHD India, will moderate the discussion, and the panelists will include:

Chandrashekhar Naik, Senior Vice President, Valueleaf Services

Prasad Pimple, EVP & Head - Digital Business, Kotak Life

Shashidhar Sharma, Practice Leader-Programmatic, GroupM Nexus

Siddharth Hegde, Managing Director & Founder, Ethinos

Vedavyas Badri, DVP Programmatic, LS Digital

The panelists will share their perspectives on how programmatic advertising has advanced over the years and how businesses can harness its potential to improve their marketing efforts.

This panel discussion will be followed by a fireside chat on The Future of Data-Driven Marketing: Exploring AI-Powered Strategies and Innovations. Powered by Hybrid, this fireside chat explored the future of data-driven marketing and the role of AI-powered strategies in shaping marketing campaigns. Aniket Powar, National Sales Head of Hybrid, will be the moderator of this chat, with insights from:

Anand Chakravarthy, Chief Growth Officer, Omnicom Media Group India

Sapna Desai, Chief Marketing Officer, ManipalCigna Health Insurance.

The discussion will delve into the latest AI-driven marketing techniques and how businesses can leverage data to create impactful marketing campaigns.
The stage is set, and the excitement is palpable as Mahajan Group from Sony SABs recently launched family drama Vanshaj, gear up to celebrate their remarkable 75th Anniversary. Joining the celebrations are iconic television duo Jay Bhanushali and Tina Dutta who are all set to grace the illustrious affair. The grand celebration promises to be a lavish affair with star studded appearances, high energy performances and celebrations among the eminent Mahajans.

As the highly anticipated 75-year celebration of the Mahajan Group approaches, Yuvika (Anjali Tatrari) prepares to commemorate the Groups journey through an audio-visual presentation. However, not all goes as per the plan as amidst the celebrations, Yuvika has to deal with an attempt to sabotage her efforts. A game is played that shakes up the entire family together, everyone is under the radar but the one to blame directly becomes Yuvika!

Jay Bhanushali, sharing his excitement said, I am eagerly looking forward to being a part of the anniversary festivities. I have been following the story of Vanshaj and am thoroughly engrossed in the story, given the numerous twists, turns and political intrigue. I am looking forward to sharing the screen with the Mahajan family as we come together to celebrate the remarkable success and legacy spanning 75 glorious years!"

Tina Dutta added, I am very excited to be a part of the celebration of 75 years of Mahajan Group. Its a great opportunity to come together as one big extended family, share our joy, memories and celebrate an incredible journey of success. I will cherish this experience with the cast of Vanshaj for a long time.

Spotlighting the dynamics of a legacy business family, Sony SABs Vanshaj has captivated viewers with its compelling storyline, weaving together conflicts, political drama, and complex relationships amongst the Mahajans.

Tune in to Sony SAB's Vanshaj every Monday to Saturday at 10 PM
An Ohio K-9 officer was dismissed after an inquiry into why his police dog attacked a surrendering Black man who was on the ground with his hands up after a high-speed pursuit.

Investigation Leads to Dismissal of K-9 Officer

Officer Ryan Speakman has been fired with immediate effect, according to a statement released by the Circleville Police Department on Wednesday, July 26.

"Speakman's 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 stated, as reported by CBS News.

On Tuesday, July 25, the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association filed a grievance form on Speakman's behalf, asking that he be reinstated with back pay and seniority restored if he had been demoted. This complaint said that he was terminated "without just cause."

The body cam video of the incident was just published. It shows that Speakman let the K-9 go on Jadarrius Rose, 23, despite orders from at least one Ohio State Highway Patrol officer to refrain from doing so. Rose, a Black man, seemed to be surrendering after a pursuit.

For the time being, Speakman was on paid administrative leave as the department's Use of Force Review Board investigated what happened. Police said that the review board concluded that the department's protocol for the use of canines in apprehension and arrest was followed.

Shallow Creek Kennels Inc., a Pennsylvania-based police service dog training facility, confirmed to authorities that the canine's training requirements had also been followed.

See Also: Ohio Police Dog Mauls Black Man Despite Surrendering

Police Dog Attacks Surrendering Black Man

While conducting a routine inspection of a semi-truck on US Route 23 in Ohio, state troopers observed the vehicle was missing a rear mud flap. The chase began when Rose, the truck's driver, refused to stop.

Rose did eventually stop, but as police officers got out with weapons drawn, he sped away. At one point, his truck's left tire tore on a spike strip, putting an end to the pursuit.

Rose exited the truck with his hands up, as instructed, which was also captured on body camera footage. A state trooper can be heard directing the Circleville police, "Do not release the dog with his hands up! Do not release the dog with his hands up!"

Officer Speakman ignored at least one warning and let the dog go. The dog bit Rose and held on for nearly 30 seconds while Rose yelled for help.

Subsequently, Rose spent three days in jail before being released.

On Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that the event should serve as "a lesson, a wake-up call to everyone that police training in the state of Ohio is not equal."

See Also: NYPD's Use of AI to Monitor Highway Traffic Raises Legal Concerns

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Good Community, one of Indias largest omnichannel deep interest-based networks of women and experts (part of the Good Glamm Group) announces its strategic partnership with Nas.io, a leading platform for community builders and creators. This alliance aims to create India's largest community and foster deeper connections within communities across India.

Through this strategic partnership, the Good Community sets its sights on leveraging Nas.ios AI and data insights tools to empower the Groups community managers and accelerate its journey to connecting with 20mn+ potential community members also on WhatsApp in the coming year. Additionally, Nas.io will play a vital role in analysing and understanding their behavioural patterns, ensuring a robust and engaging community experience for all members. This ambitious goal comes with the vision of empowering individuals and professionals to engage meaningfully, enriching their lives through shared interests and experiences and comes on the back of the partnership the Good Community announced with WhatsApp India in February 2023.

Speaking on the partnership, Alex Dwek, Chief Operating Officer of Nas Company said We are thrilled to collaborate with the Good Community on this ground-breaking initiative. What the Good Community is building is first of its kind globally, and we are excited at Nas.io to be able to support them with our expertise in our WhatsApp community AI tools, data insights and monetization tools that will undoubtedly enhance the community's overall engagement and retention. India is a key market for us and it is great to announce our first large scale partnership in the country with The Good Community."

We are extremely excited to partner with Nas.io in our mission to build the worlds largest deep interest brand communities. Being a community manager is one of the toughest jobs especially in rapidly scaling communities. This powerful alliance is set to revolutionize the way communities connect and the team is excited to use cutting edge technology and harness the power of AI moderation and tools to scale a trusted, highly engaged experience on WhatsApp for our community members across positive sexuality & womens health, beauty & skincare, sustainability and motherhood. Paving the way for new opportunities and possibilities. added Naiyya Saggi, Group Co-founder of Good Glamm Group & CEO of the Good Community

Nas.io's platform additionally offers innovative monetization options, including memberships, paid events, and exclusive paid content for community builders and creators. Recognizing the significance of community management being run at scale through the harnessing of Artificial intelligence, assisted moderation, data analytics and streamlined tech stacks built for community moderation & engagement for sustainable growth, the Good Community has chosen Nas.io as a strategic partner to ensure that community members have a valuable and fulfilling experience.

The Good Community specializes in curating deep-interest and city-specific WhatsApp Groups, facilitating authentic connections among members and also getting them vetted advise from top experts at regular interventions. By joining forces with Nas.io, The Good Community aims to operationalize, build, and breathe life into this transformative project starting August 2023.

The Good Community and Nas.io invite all individuals, experts, and community enthusiasts to join this movement and be a part of India's most vibrant and thriving community.
On the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Vedanta Sesa Goa proudly unveils its transformative campaign, "GARV SE - VEDANTA FOR INDIA," celebrating the indomitable spirit of our courageous soldiers, who selflessly protect our nation and the nurturing embrace of Mother Earth, inspiring us all to embody the ethos of 'Giving Back.' The campaign runs from today until 15th August, encompassing a series of heartfelt initiatives, aiming to pay homage to the families of Kargil war martyrs and all our brave soldiers.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on 26th July, marks the victory of our Indian troops over the Pakistani rangers after an arduous three-month-long war. To remember the valor and sacrifices of these heroes and draw inspiration from their selfless spirit, Vedanta Sesa Goa embarks on a journey of gratitude and remembrance.

Speaking on the occasion, Richa Dubey, CHRO, Vedanta Sesa Goa commented, 'GARV SE - VEDANTA FOR INDIA' is a heartfelt expression of our collective gratitude and a commitment towards building a stronger India that embraces the essence of Vedanta i.e., harmony with nature, people and the spirit of giving back as we pay homage to our brave soldiers who epitomize the true spirit of sacrifice.

Campaign Highlights:

Delivering Gratitude & Respect:

During this campaign, Vedanta Sesa Goa encourages individuals to express their gratitude, respect, and love for the Kargil war martyrs and our brave soldiers. Messages, letters, emails, photos, videos, and other heartfelt expressions will be collected and shared with the families of the war heroes, conveying the nation's profound gratitude for their sacrifices and the Bravehearts who fought gallantly.

Inspiring Giving Back:

The campaign draws inspiration from the soldiers' dedication to both the nation and Mother Earth. As a part of "GARV SE - VEDANTA FOR INDIA," Vedanta Sesa Goa reaffirms its commitment to giving back to society through various initiatives and Transforming the Planet for Good.

Vedanta Sesa Goa: Partners in Nation Building

Further activities will be unveiled during the campaign period, underscoring the company's dedication to sustainable development and social responsibility, contributing to the growth trajectory of the country.

Independence Day Tribute

The campaign will culminate on 15th August, India's 76th Independence Day, with a special tribute to all the heroes who fought for the freedom of the nation and those who continue to serve the country with unwavering courage.

Vedanta Sesa Goa invites everyone to join hands in commemorating the Kargil war martyrs and our brave soldiers through this campaign. By participating and expressing heartfelt gratitude, together, we shall rise, drawing strength from the legacy of our heroes and forging an unbreakable bond with Mother Earth. Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to serve Desh Ki Zarooraton Ke Liye to build a brighter, prosperous and Atmanirbhar Bharat for todays and future generations.
A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced ex-Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, his son Devender Darda, and businessman Manoj Kumar Jayaswal to four years in jail in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh, holding that the convicts obtained the block by cheating the Centre.

All three convicts were taken into custody immediately after the order of the court, which also said the prosecution is justified in saying that the loss to the nation was huge.

Convicts Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, Vijay Darda and Devendra Darda are taken into custody and be sent to jail to serve the sentence, the judge said.

Special Judge Sanjay Bansal also awarded three-year jail terms to ex-coal secretary H C Gupta and two former senior public servants  K S Kropha and K C Samria  in the case.

The three convicts were, however, granted bail by the court to enable them to challenge their conviction and punishment before the high court.

The sentence of imprisonment awarded to convicts H C Gupta, K S Kropha and K C Samria shall remain suspended for a period of 45 days and they are admitted to bail upon their furnishing a personal bond and a surety bond in the sum of Rs 10,000 each for a period of 45 days, the judge said.

The judge passed the direction on applications moved by Gupta, Kropha and Samria, seeking suspension of sentence till filing of the appeal.

He directed that the three convicts shall not travel abroad, unless specific permission in this regard is granted by High Court. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the company, JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd, which was also convicted in the case.

It further imposed a fine of Rs 15 lakh each on the Dardas and Jayaswal. The other three convicts were directed to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 each.

The present case relates to allocation of a coal block. The convicts had obtained the said block by committing cheating with the Govt. of India. Prosecution is justified in saying that the loss to the nation was huge, the judge said.

In the 13th conviction in the coal scam, the the court had on July 13 held the seven accused guilty under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC, and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The scandal had rocked the Manmohan Singh government in 2012 after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) panned the government for inefficient allocation of 194 coal blocks to public sector enterprises and private companies between 2004 and 2009 for captive use in a non-transparent way.

The CAG said instead of allocating the valuable natural resource, the government should have gone for competitive bidding.

During arguments on the quantum of sentence, the CBI had sought the maximum punishment of seven-year jail term for the convicts, claiming that Darda and his son had met the then CBI director Ranjit Sinha at his residence to scuttle investigations.

The Supreme Court had constituted an SIT to investigate the allegations against Sinha that he tried to influence the probe in the coal scam cases. Sinha, a 1974 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, died from Covid-related complications in 2021.

CBIs senior public prosecutor A P Singh had claimed that a witness in the case stated he was threatened by Jayaswal, who tried to influence him to not depose against him.

The court had on November 20, 2014 refused to accept a closure report submitted by the CBI in the case and directed the federal probe agency to investigate it afresh, stating that the former MP had misrepresented facts in letters written to the then prime minister, Manmohan Singh, who held the Coal portfolio.

It said Vijay Darda had done so to secure the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh for JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd.

The court further said the offence of cheating was committed by private parties in furtherance of a conspiracy hatched between them and public servants.

JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd was allotted Fatehpur (East) coal block by the 35th Screening Committee.

The CBI had alleged in its FIR that JLD Yavatmal had wrongfully concealed previous allocation of four coal blocks to its group companies in 1999-2005, but the agency later filed a closure report, saying no undue benefit was extended to JLD Yavatmal by the coal ministry in allocation of coal blocks.

The CAG initially estimated a massive loss of Rs 10.6 lakh crore to the exchequer in the coal allocation scam but its final report tabled in Parliament had put the figure at Rs 1.86 lakh crore.
Rajasthan has a history of repeats every five years  five years Congress then next five years BJP. But this time there are chances of Congress getting a second term, Bharat Jodo Yatra has played a crucial role in twisting the mandate. For Congress, Sachin Pilot is creating a problem because Ashok Gehlot doesnt find fit for the profile of CM as he is too young. Recently Gehlot said to Sachin (inki ragdai nahi hui hain) this means Sachin is immature for such a prominent profile. For BJP, Vasundhara Raje is creating a problem  Her relation with Modi and Shah is not well. During the 2018 assembly election, we heard a slogan from locals that Modi se bair nahi Vasundhra teri Khair nahi. This means people also want some fresh face in Rajasthan, but it is not easy to ignore Vasundhra Raje  BJP should have some plans to shift her to the Central portfolios or declare her as governor of some state. Vasundhara also wants to retire from politics after this 2024 tenure.

She may not aim for any central portfolios or any other perks, her sole wish is to rule Rajasthan for one last time. From BJPs end, Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore can play some role here  according to some surveys; people want him as a CM face.

Rajasthan is facing several issues such as less power to municipal parties, cold response of MLA regarding development work, corruption is rising like there is no tomorrow, also some of the policies are not being helpful for middle and small class business person, unemployment is on rise, Paper leak is big curse, exams for government jobs are not held on time etc. The biggest advantage for the BJP is the infighting in the Congress and anti-incumbency. And one key issue it has been handed on a platter is the series of exam paper leaks in the state. There have been eight such instances, and even Pilot has hit out at the government on this issue.

Rajasthan has had a tradition of voting out the incumbent Govt since 1998. Congress was the beneficiary of this trend in 2018 but by 2023 Congress would be at the receiving end of this trend. And Ashok Gehlots government is not very popular to break this jinx. Most of his time and energy have been wasted in firefighting disagreement led by Pilot thereby letting governance go for a toss. But soon after Bharat Jodo Yatra, things got sorted. Congress collectively tried to win, forgetting their personal issues.

When it comes to BJP in Rajasthan, Modi and Shah are not in favor of Vasundhara. Whereas Vasundhara knows the nerves of people in the state. In such circumstances BJP in Rajasthan has the issue of leadership. The BJP top brass wants to do away with Vasundhara Raje and bring new leadership. With the weakening of Vasundhara Raje, parallel power centers such as Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Bhupender Yadav, Sunil Bansal, Satish Poonia have emerged in Rajasthan. There are chances that the BJP may contest the elections without declaring a chief ministerial candidate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will, as usual, be the prominent face. As the elections are being held along with those in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, a few months ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the results will be really crucial for Rajasthan too.

The biggest mistake of Vasundhara these days is her frequent visits to RSS offices. Gone are the days where the RSS chief can take any decisions for the BJP or its leaders, now he is also a puppet in the hands of powerful people. Somehow BJP wants to change their choice of CM in the upcoming election else Congress would be ruling in Rajasthan again.

Right now, the main contenders for CM post would be Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, state BJP president Satish Poonia and Raje, among others. Despite backbiting within the BJP, it can pose a challenge if the party charts out a clear strategy that does not confuse the voters. This state is important for the BJP, particularly for Modis campaign, as it gave the NDA all 25 seats in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Modi has made four trips to the state in the past four months to shore up the partys chances among various communities. Notably, he picked Dausapart of Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra and Sachin Pilots strongholdto launch the first stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway. He also went to Bhilwara to participate in the 1,111th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Devnarayan, revered by the Gurjars, who make up more than 10 percent of the states population. They had voted for the Congress in the last election hoping that Pilot would become chief minister.

The two recent appointees to the top constitutional posts in the countryPresident Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankharwould also help the BJP in the state. Dhankhar, as a Jat leader from Rajasthan, might get support from the community, who account for more than 12 per cent of the states population. The tribals, who constitute nearly 14 per cent of the population, are likely to be wooed in Murmus name. Rajputs make up 8 percent of the population. Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda, too, have made multiple trips to the state. Nadda, who has been insisting that the party units be more agile and engage with the people, has a special bond with Rajasthanboth his daughters-in-law belong to the state.

As the polls draw closer, the focus within the BJP will be on ticket distribution. How that process goes might decide which chief minister hopeful gets how many supporters in the fracas. These supporters would be crucial when a chief minister is picked, if the BJP gets a majority. And so, before the BJP goes to polls, it has to set its own house in order and craft a clear message for the voters.
An Alabama mayor is asking Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth to visit his city and sit down over a breakfast of homemade biscuits and jam and Conecuh sausage and discuss his transportation vision for the state.

The invitation comes from longtime Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day, who emailed AL.com on Tuesday and said he would like the states No. 2 elected official  and a top 2026 prospect for governor  to meet with rural mayors and other public officials from 10-12 counties in West Alabama to discuss transportation priorities.

Ainsworth has not responded to the request Day said he sent to his office.

Related content:

Days invitation comes after Ainsworth, for the second time in three months, made a public call for state transportation priorities to shift from a planned project to expand U.S. 43 in West Alabama toward adding additional lanes to Interstate 65.

We have all heard (Ainsworths) loud cry for I-65, Day said. Before he (runs for governor), I would like to personally invite him to come down to rural West Alabama and layout his vision for how he plans to prioritize the rest of us.

Ainsworth, in a tweet on Saturday, also called for a change in leadership at the Alabama Department of Transportation. The agency has long been led by Director John Cooper.

I supported Will for lieutenant governor, and I think he might make a good governor someday, said Day, whose small Clarke County city has U.S. 43 run directly through it. Day has been the citys mayor since 1996.

He added, However, I would hope he has a plan that includes all of us. All areas of the state  rich, poor, young, old, rural and urban. We would like to be part of his transportation vision for Alabama and will look for ways to support him if we are.

Day said he will take the initiative and put together the meeting if Ainsworth is willing to attend. He said the invite list would include mayors and key leaders in Tuscaloosa and Mobile, whose cities could be affected by the U.S. 43 project.

And the meeting, Day suggested, should be over breakfast. He said he his dearest friends are excellent cooks and would furnish homemade biscuits, jam, Conecuh sausage and all the trimmings if the lieutenant governor will just take a half a morning to sit down with us.

Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth presides over the Alabama State Senate on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Day is not the only West Alabama official who would like to see Ainsworth visit the region and talk transportation policy.

State Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, said he hopes lieutenant governor visits the area and realizes the economic importance of expanding U.S. 43. Project supporters say an expanded U.S. 43 could be beneficial to the Alabama State Port Authority and the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa.

In terms of opening up this side of the state, we need a good north-south corridor and right now, we dont have one, McCampbell said. We have nothing but a two-lane highway.

U.S. 43 is a four-lane highway from Mobile County to Thomasville, but it turns into two lanes for approximately 100 miles north to Tuscaloosa.

Much of that highway rolls through rural areas and small towns and through Alabamas Black Belt region, which are some of the poorest counties in the state.

The Ivey administration prioritized a widening project for U.S. 43 during her 2021 State of the State address. The project is now under construction and is overseen by ALDOT as a design-build project.

A bypass around Linden is currently under construction, and officials hope the entire corridor project can be completed within five years, or that it wraps up shortly after Iveys tenure in office concludes in January 2027. She is term limited from running again.

The overall project, once completed, will provide a four-lane corridor that links Mobile to Tuscaloosa and toward Muscle Shoals.

Day, in May, said that Ivey is the only Alabama governor since the late 1950s to commit toward building a new north-south corridor through West Alabama.

Ainsworth is raising questions into why Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys administration is focusing on creating a north-south corridor through an less-traveled area of Alabama than I-65.

Congestion builds on Interstate 65 following a crash. Traffic congestion often occurs whenever there is a vehicle crash and some Alabama lawmakers would like to add more lanes to the interstate in hopes of reducing the number of traffic jams. (file photo)

Literally every Alabamian uses I-65 at some point, so lets begin fixing the problems with our most heavily trafficked roadway before starting an entirely new project like the West Alabama Corridor, Ainsworth said, blasting the project for being too expensive to justify for too few motorists.

Ivey, in May, said Ainsworth was seeking easy headlines, and defended her Rebuild Alabama Act plan for financing improvements to I-65.

Rebuild Alabama was the states major road plan created after the Alabama Legislature voted in a gradual 10-cent per-gallon increase in the states fuel tax in 2019.

Ainsworth is pushing for six lanes of I-65 for 366 miles  from the Alabama-Tennessee state line south to Mobile. Alabama lawmakers, through a resolution in the spring, urged ALDOT to study and prioritize improvements to the interstate. The eventual goal, according to the Senate resolution, is to have the appropriate number of lanes in each direction of all sections of the interstate.

Day, in his comment to AL.com, said he is wondering if Ainsworths is placing all his transportation eggs in the I-65 basket at the expense of all other projects and priorities in the state.

Is he willing to at least come listen to us poor rural folks before he allows the big boys to break back in line ahead of us ... once again? Day said.
A state inmate died Wednesday at an Alabama prison, and a corrections officer and two fellow inmate are charged with murder.

The Alabama Department of Corrections on Thursday announced the murder charges against ADOC Sgt. Demarcus Sanders, and inmates Fredrick Gooden, 60, and Stefranio Hampton, 35.

They are charged in the slaying of 38-year-old inmate Rubyn James Murray.

Authorities said Sanders, 31, resigned following his arrest.

Murray, said ADOC spokeswoman Kelly Betts, was involved Wednesday in an incident outside his Elmore Correctional Facility dorm with correctional officers resulting in a physical altercation with Sgt. Sanders.

Both Sanders and Murray sustained minor injuries.

Once the incident was under control, Murray was taken to the back gate holding area to be transported to the Staton Health Care Unit for medical assessment and treatment.

Before the transport could occur and in violation of ADOC policy, two other inmates gained access to the holding area, Betts said.

Murray was found unresponsive and was transported to SHCU and then to an area hospital for emergency treatment. Medical workers were unable to resuscitate inmate Murray and he was pronounced at the hospital.

Betts said the cause of death for inmate Murray is pending an autopsy and the conclusion of the investigation.

Sanders was booked into the Elmore County Detention Facility at 6:52 a.m. Thursday. He remains held without bond.

Inmates Gooden and Hampton remain in ADOC custody.

Betts said Further charges and personnel actions are pending.

Murray was serving a 20-year sentence for robbery out of Montgomery County.

Gooden, 60, is serving a 30-year sentence for theft of property out of Jefferson County.

Hampton is serving a life sentence for robbery out of Montgomery County.

Betts said ADOC has already reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation  Mobile Field Office and the Elmore County District Attorneys Office regarding the incident.
The head of Alabamas highway department will not go to trial next week as scheduled on the misdemeanor harassment charge he is facing.

Two days after Marshall County prosecutors asked for the trial to be delayed for John Cooper, director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, District Judge Mitchell Floyd granted that request. The new trial date is Jan. 3, 2024, according to Mitchells order Thursday morning.

Prosecutors had asked for a six-month delay because of a lawsuit over a land dispute that had closely related facts to the criminal case, according to the motion filed Tuesday by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Kromann.

Mitchell acknowledged the lawsuit in his order as well as the fact that discovery had not taken place in the criminal case.

Cooper was arrested and charged with harassment on June 12. According to police records, Cooper confronted a man, Gerald Carter of Scottsboro, over a property easement. Police records said Cooper, 75, told Carter he would shoot him, then threatened to whoop the victims ass.

Cooper as well as his attorney, George Barnett, have declined to comment on the criminal case when contacted by AL.com.

A month after Cooper was arrested, South Sauty Creek Resort in Marshall County filed a lawsuit against Carter and other defendants over a property easement dispute. According to business records on file with the Alabama Secretary of State, Cooper is listed as the incorporator. The business was founded in 1987. Coopers name is not included in the lawsuit.

Barnett filed the lawsuit on behalf of South Sauty Creek Resort. No court date has been set yet in the lawsuit.

Cooper has led ALDOT since 2011.
More than a decade ago, Alex Crow was yet to turn 20, fronting a band called Alex Crow & The Altar Boys, a blues, rock and pop cover band which played venues in the Mobile area including The Soul Kitchen, The Shed, Boo Radleys and on at least one occasion a McGill-Toolen High School homecoming dance.

Now, hes a 30-year-old defrocked priest whose duties were stripped after the Archdiocese of Mobile said he had abandoned his assignment and his behavior was totally unbecoming of a priest, with reports circulating he had left the U.S. with an 18-year-old female, a recent graduate of McGill-Toolen.

Crow himself graduated from McGill-Toolen in 2011, then attended Spring Hill College from 2011-2012 before dropping out to form his band.

Ultimately, however, Crow said he was called to the priesthood and attended St Joseph from 2014-2018 and received his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from San Anselmo, Rome.

Much of Crows adult life has centered around the study of demonology and exorcism, subjects he has lectured on extensively, both in videos and podcasts posted online and to students.

In a two-part podcast entitled What In The Dang Heck posted in July 2022, Crow talked about his childhood and what he seemed to suggest were incidents with what he now believes were demonic spirits.

I grew up in a weird home, both familially, but also a lot of weird stuff happening in the house, he said. Youd hear things moving around or banging in different rooms. Id see things from time to time as a kid, always assuming I was kind of, hyper, or just looking too much into stuff.

Looking back, its a lot of the same stuff I have reported back to me.

Crow also discussed on the podcast a period of 3-4 years when he was suffering from mysterious health issues, with chest pains and migraine-like headaches among his symptoms.

A battery of tests revealed nothing, nor did examinations by psychologists and psychiatrists.

I was like Then why do I feel like Im going to die all the time? he said. Why do I have this chest pain? Why are my headaches so splitting I cant get out of bed in the morning? Or why when I step into church I feel like Im going to pass out?

Ultimately, Crow said a priest performed what he described as a minor exorcism, or a deliverance prayer, on Crow, who said he had a reaction -- a negative reaction -- but also I felt immediately better when it was over. That started a long process with me needing deliverance from a priest.

Crows interest in demonology and exorcism led to him writing a thesis on the subjects while in seminary, noting that the subjects are not taught as theres still a resistance to speaking of them publicly.

He also spoke of a summer spent at New Yorks Bellevue Hospital, the nations oldest hospital, where he spent time working in both the hospitals prison psychiatric ward, which houses inmates from Rikers Island prison in need of psychiatric care, as well as the hospitals psychiatric ward for the general public.

I worked with people who were psychologically ailing, psychologically very sick, hours on end, both in the criminal sector and everyday people, Crow said.

So I know psychosis. I know what it looks like. Im not formally trained, per se, in clinical psychology. But Ive been given the tools to differentiate the two.

Long story short, I dont have a lot of experience, given Ive been a priest for only a year (he was ordained in June 2021), but this stuff just seems to sort of conglomerate around me.

In the podcast, Crow touched on several other topics, including astrology, which he called Pagan idolatry and yoga because of its Hindu origins.

In another video posted to YouTube, entitled Garabandal: What is the Story? Crow discusses with a class the apparitions of Saint Michael the Archangel and Virgin Mary which reportedly appeared to four girls ages 11 and 12 from 1961 to 1965 in the Spanish village of San Sebastian de Garabandal.

That video is noteworthy due to reports that Crow has left the U.S. with an 18-year-old female, a recent McGill-Toolen graduate, on a trip to San Sebastian de Garabandal.

The nature of the relationship between Crow and the female has not been confirmed, nor has the purpose of their trip to Spain, although, again, speculation has centered around the possibility of Crow performing an exorcism on the female.

In announcing Crows departure from the diocese, officials also noted they had reported his actions to the Mobile District Attorneys Office due to the circumstances of his departure, although its unclear what the nature of any investigation of Crows actions would entail.

Thursday, the district attorneys office again said they were still awaiting more information.

Although often depicted in popular culture as centering around demonic possession, exorcism has become commonplace in cultures and religions around the world.

In an interview with the Associated Press in 2020, religious studies professor Andrew Chestnut of Virginia Commonwealth University said that while movies such as 1973s The Exorcist depicts exorcisms as rare and secretive, its now such a common practice some exorcists use their cell phones to combat demons remotely.

Pope Francis has acknowledged the legitimacy of the practice of exorcism and a Vatican-sanctioned university in Rome has been conducting exorcism training during Franciss papacy for priests from around the world, according to the AP.
Church of the Highlands Senior Pastor Chris Hodges said on Thursday that a lawsuit accusing him and the churchs associate pastor of engineering the takeover of a Florida megachurch last year is false and misleading.

The suit, filed this month in U.S. District Court in Floridas middle district, names as defendants Hodges and Dino Rizzo, and the Association of Related Churches (ARC), a global cooperative of thousands of evangelical churches co-founded by Hodges.

Rizzo is the executive director of ARC. John Seibeling of The Life Church, a founding board member of ARC, is also listed as a defendant.

The suit was filed on July 12 by Stovall Weems and his wife Kerri Weems, who founded Celebration Church of Jacksonville, Fla. back in 1998.

The Weems were removed from the churchs leadership in April 2022 over issues of alleged financial mismanagement and abusive conduct toward staff members.

According to the lawsuit, the Weems accuse ARC, Hodges, Rizzo and Seibeling of a continuing unlawful conspiracy, framing the Weems for financial improprieties in order to protect and expand their church growth business interests and endeavors...

In a statement, Hodges said he is saddened by the allegations.

ARC is a non-profit with the singular mission to help new churches as they get off the ground and develop, he said.

Hundreds of ARC churches are loving and serving people in their communities because of the support and resources they have received. Any claims mischaracterizing the actions or mission of ARC will be proven untrue.

Bryan O. Balogh, Hodges attorney, said the allegations raised against Hodges and ARC have no merit.

Its a privilege to represent Pastor Chris Hodges because he is a man of high integrity and remarkable kindness. His ministry has immeasurably impacted our state, Balogh said.

ARC is a non-profit on which Pastor Hodges serves as a director that supports communities through church planting around the nation. We regret that Mr. Weems named Pastor Hodges in the lawsuit, but we are grateful for a judicial system, like ours, focused on finding the truth. And because the courtroom has always been the best place in which to hear the truth, we look forward to continuing this discussion there.

The lawsuit lays out a host of accusations, claiming that Hodges benefits from not only ARC, but Church of the Highlands and its affiliated ministries, which includes The Lodge at Grants Mill on its main campus in Irondale, a pastor restoration program that in the past has sparked controversy and drawn scrutiny.

The Lodge, according to the plaintiffs, is a copy of their Honey Lake Farms Lodge, operating since December 2020.

The suit alleges that the Weems were forced out because Stovall Weems wanted to move away from ARCs high growth push and angle more towards mission work.
This is an opinion column.

Listen.

Theyre hard to hear sometimeseven when theyre near.

Still, listen.

Some of the voices have been stilled. Stilled by time. Stilled by weariness. Stilled by pain. Stilled by tears.

Leaving you wishing youdlistened.

Some of the voices are faintyet strong. Faint from weariness. Faint from pain. Faint from tears. Faint from loss.

Faint from battles still not won.

Yet still strong. Strengthened by the cause. Strengthened by victories. Strengthened by friends. By their faith. Friends who walked beside them. Friends who ran with them from racist police, from the Klanusually one in the same back then. Friends who laughed, sang, and endured and endured beside them.

Listen.

In just a few days, more than 3,000 of my closest friends will begin arriving in Birmingham for the 2023 National Association of Black Journalists Convention & Career Fair. Our theme: Revolution to evolution.

Ive been an NABJ member for 37 years. I struggle to express how much its people and purpose have supported me throughout my journalistic journey. Its gonna be a whole good and gratifying time.

Their arrival is the culmination of a quest that began six years ago when fellow NABJ member Steve Crocker, a friend and anchor at WBRC, inquired about applying to bring the annual gathering to our city at the convention in New Orleans.

NABJ leaders laughed. Some hilariously so.

He and I brought it up again two years later in Miami, which would be (duh) the most popular convention in the history of the organization.

Some still laughed. Some began to listen.

Now, theyre comingfor myriad reasons, not the least of which is this: There are people here our members must hear, people they must know. People to whom they must listen.

Theyre coming because 60 years ago, Birmingham ignited seismic change. In Birmingham. In Alabama. In America.

In us.

Change on the heels of childrenchildren who marched, children who defied, children who endured.

Children who died.

Many of them are still with us, still sharing. Some still in pain, as I was reminded last weekend while listening to testimonies from a group of foot soldiers hosted at The Ballard House, an homage to the late Dr. Henry H. Ballard, who constructed the place as a home and office in 1940 amid an array of breathing, thriving Black businesses. The house passed through other owners, and in 1959 became the office of Dr. Hershell L. Hamilton, the first certified Black general surgeon in Alabama. Like so many in his time, Dr. Hamilton played a vital, but not always visibly celebrated, role in the movement. He treated the wounds of the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, the Rev. Martin Luther King, and young foot soldiers injured six decades agoand not just when they were attacked by Bull Connors police dogs and fire hoses.

Also, when they were confronted by racist police, by the Klanmost often one in the same back then.

When walking while Black, recalled Terry Collins, one among the foot soldiers in the room, each of whom stood and shared. The rest of us listened.

RELATED: Birmingham Foot soldier recalls MLK, Shuttlesworth, dangers of Dynamite Hill

Collins shared a memory you wont find on Googlewhen a friend with whom he was walking was picked out of their group by a Birmingham police officer, dragged to a train trestle, then thrown off. Fortunately, he didnt die, Collins said. He was bow-legged the rest of his life.

Thats the price many foot soldiers paid, he said. You didnt have to do anything but just be present. We endured.

Listen.

Nadine Smith talked about being arrested on the corner of 5th Avenue and 17th Street six decades ago during the Childrens Crusade.

They put us on buses to the city jail. There were too many of us We went to, I think, the Air Force barracks There were three floors; the second floor was the recreation room, the third was where we slept. We pushed our bunks together, because they just gave us one sheet to cover the bottom of the bed, so we took one to cover the bottom and the other sheet to cover ourselves Because of that, they declared we were doing improper things and sent us down to the second floor where we had to sleep on cement floors for four or five days People have asked, Were you afraid? No.

Read more:

Alabama Black history stories you may now know

Alabamas Black history runs deep, but some teaching just skims surface

Listen. To Amie Evans.

I wasnt afraid. but when I was put in the paddy wagon thats when I became a little afraid. We were taken to the city jail I lived two or three blocks from the city jail We were locked up in a fenced-in area. I said, If only I could get out of this fence, I could go home. They let it rain on us we were soaking wet They put us on yellow school busestook us to juvenile ...We gave them our names. Everything else, no comment We were put on school buses again and taken to Fair Park. Lord, it seemed like the man bump [us] in every hole they could find. To [shake] us up. To scare us. We wasnt to talk to the others when we went to eat we didnt have chairs, so we sat on the cement floor all dayStayed there for five days. We were doing it for a purpose. If I could do it again, Id do it again

Listen. To Iris Phillips. She played a different role. She didnt march but was among those expected to honor the fruits of protests. She shared how many women, Black and whitewomen like Minnie Gaston, wife of business mogul A.G. Gastontrained and set high standards for young women entering new places of work.

When folks began hiring Black girls, they always said, Make sure theyre light-skinned and cute. Well, Mrs. Gaston said, They may not be light-skinned, and they may not be cute, but Ill send you my best They prepared us. We were taught to type on blind typewriters. There were no mistakes. When you flipped those letters out of your typewriter, they [were] ready to be signed. They trained us. When we went into those buildings, it was a very pleasant place to be. But coming up under [the women], they poured their hearts into us. We could not let them down. [She looked at the marchers] We were not about to disappoint you all. Everything that happened, we had to let it roll off our backs We went there to work.

Listen. Closely. To Mildred Bennett. I dont like to come to these things, she told me later. It hurts.

We had a bad time My mom and I went down Jasper Road, got on the trolley. My brother was kickedI think he lost some of his teeth We ran from downtown, from 16th Baptist Church to 26th to where we lived on Jasper RoadKlu Klux (she couldnt finish) Well, they burned our house There were 18 of us kids, my mother had three sets of twins lord have mercy, we had to come home from school and hide in the closet every day At two oclock in the morning, the hooded thugs would come burn a cross on our hill.  This was after my dad died. I was two... They burned [so many crosses] they got tired of us not leaving, I guess. The night they decided to burn us out of the house, mom told the older boys to get us out of the closet and hide us. She got daddys sawed-off double-barrel shotgun Shot the gun. They ran off.  Three days later, they found my sister in a ditch with her head face up dead. Ive been through a lot. Im still going through it.

There will be copious amounts to digest next weekideas, debates, and, of course, the citys abundance of culinary gems.

Yet, my friends, your nourishment will come from the voices. Listenwhile theyre still strong.

More columns by Roy S. Johnson

Dear Black girls, they will believe you next time, despite what Carlee Russell did

Attorney who argued historic redistricting case says Alabama will be much richer politically

51 years ago today, the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional, really

I didnt know my father long, but he still makes me smile.
(Photo : GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia moved some of its short-range nuclear weapons into Belarus, bringing them closer to Ukraine and on the verge of NATO.

If President Vladimir Putin is to be believed, Russia moved some of its short-range nuclear weapons into Belarus this summer, bringing them closer to Ukraine and the verge of NATO.

The proclaimed deployment of Russian weapons on the territory of its neighbor and loyal ally represents a new phase in the Kremlin's nuclear saber-rattling over its invasion of Ukraine and another attempt to dissuade the West from bolstering its military support for Kyiv.

Putin Deploys Nuclear Weapons to Belarus

Putin nor his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, disclosed the number of missiles relocated; only Soviet-era facilities in the country were prepared to house them, and Belarusian pilots and missile personnel were trained to operate them.

The United States and NATO have yet to corroborate the move, as per AP News. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Moscow's rhetoric as "hazardous and irresponsible" but stated earlier this month that Russia's nuclear posture has not changed.

While some experts are skeptical of Putin and Lukashenko's claims, others point out that Western intelligence may not be able to monitor such movement. US intelligence officials said they had no reason to dispute Putin's claim regarding the delivery of the first batch of weaponry to Belarus but that tracking them could be difficult.

In contrast to intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads capable of destroying entire cities, tactical nuclear weapons for use against soldiers on the battlefield can have a yield as low as 1 kiloton. During World War II, the US weapon dropped on Hiroshima was 15 kilotons.

The proclaimed deployment of Russian weapons on the territory of its neighbor and loyal ally represents a new phase in the Kremlin's nuclear saber-rattling over its invasion of Ukraine and another attempt to dissuade the West from bolstering its military support for Kyiv.

Putin repeatedly referred to Russia's nuclear arsenal and vowed to use "all measures" to defend the country early in the conflict. He has toned down his statements recently, but a senior lieutenant continues to dangle the possibility with frightening ease.

Read Also: Kim Jong Un Brags Drones, ICBMs to Moscow's Defense Minister as North Korea, Russia, and China Celebrate 'Victory' 70 Years Ago

Russia Says It Won't Hesitate to Use Nuclear Weapons

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's Security Council who served as a stand-in president from 2008 to 2012 due to Putin's term limit, threatens almost daily that Moscow will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons.

The only way to avert the apocalypse, according to a recent article by Medvedev, is to accede to Russia's demands. The world is facing a confrontation "far worse than during the Cuban missile crisis" because Russia, the world's largest nuclear power, has been targeted by its adversaries, according to Al Arabiya.

Many Western observers view this as empty rhetoric. According to Russia expert Keir Giles of Chatham House, Putin appears to have toned down his nuclear rhetoric after receiving signals to do so from Beijing.

Moscow's defense doctrine contemplates a nuclear response to an atomic assault or even a conventional attack that "endangers the very existence of the Russian state." Some Russian experts have urged the Kremlin to clarify these conditions and compel the West to consider the warnings more seriously due to their ambiguity.

Sergei Karaganov, a prominent Russian foreign affairs expert who advises Putin's Security Council, stated that Moscow should make its nuclear threats more specific to "break the will of the West" and compel it to stop supporting Ukraine as it attempts to reclaim Russian-held territory in a sluggish counteroffensive.

Related Article: Russia Detains Russian Military Commander on Charges of Inciting Extremism

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Mexicos president said Thursday that he has offered to buy an American companys Caribbean coast property for about $385 million to end a bitter, years-long dispute.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said a formal offer would be presented to Alabama-based Vulcan Materials. The company operated gravel extraction pits at the Yucatan peninsula site before Lopez Obradors administration seized and closed them.

See also: Britt says Mexico seizing Vulcan Materials port facility unlawful and unacceptable

The company said it had not yet received the presidents proposal or responded to the idea. In papers filed for a case before an international arbitration panel, Vulcan Materials valued the almost 6,000-acre property, located just south of the resort town of Playa del Carmen, at $1.9 billion.

Lopez Obrador said his much lower offer was fair and based on a government assessment. He said the most attractive part of the property was the freight shipping dock, which he plans to turn into a dock for cruise ships.

See also: Mexicos Vulcan Materials seizure has potential to harm future investment: National Security Council

As the only significant port facility on that stretch of the Caribbean coast, the dock would also be useful for transporting gravel and cement for the presidents massive train construction project, known as the Maya Train.

Lopez Obrador said he also wants to use the flooded gravel pits that the company dug out of hundreds of acres of the limestone soil as swimming pools or an ecotourism area that would be operated as a concession by a private operator.

The huge pits are inhabited by crocodiles, which are a protected species in Mexico.

See also: Why did Mexico seize a Vulcan Materials terminal?

Lopez Obrador left open a vague threat of seizing the property if the offer wasnt accepted by the time he leaves office in September 2024.

Before I leave (office), this is going to be resolved, one way or another, he said, adding that the company would have to agree to drop its damages-seeking cases before the arbitration panel as part of the deal.

In 2021, Mexicos environment ministry closed Vulcans limestone quarry and forbade the company from exporting stone that was long used in U.S. and Mexican building projects. The president accused the company of extracting rock and exporting it without proper permits. Vulcan said it had the needed permits.

In March, the U.S. State Department said it was concerned about the fair treatment of our companies in Mexico after Mexican police seized the cargo terminal on Vulcans property.

Police held the port and used it to unload cargo from a Mexican cement and aggregates company, Cemex.

See also: Mexican military withdraws from Vulcan Materials facility, Alabama senators say

The president has publicly sparred with Vulcan for over a year. The dock at Punta Venado would allow cement, crushed stone and other materials to complete the Maya Train project to reach the area. Because there arent any local supplies of crushed stone needed to stabilize the tracks, Lopez Obrador has been forced to import the stone, known as ballast, from Cuba.

Ships carrying the Cuban ballast have had to dock at the port of Sisal, on the Gulf of Mexico side of the Yucatan peninsula, and have their cargo trucked about 180 miles (300 kilometers) to some train construction sites.

The only private freight dock on the Caribbean side that could handle the Cuban shipments, and other shipments of cement and steel, is the one owned by Vulcan.

The 950-mile (1,500-kilometer) Maya Train line is meant to run in a rough loop around the Yucatan Peninsula, connecting beach resorts and archaeological sites.

Lopez Obrador touts the train as a way to bring some of Cancuns tourism income to inland communities that havent shared in the wealth. But there are no credible feasibility studies showing tourists would want to use the train.
A 14-year-old Alabama girl reported missing from her Lee County home was found safe in Kentucky, and the man she was with is now behind bars.

On Tuesday, according to the Lee County Sheriffs Office, the teen left her Phenix City home during the early-morning hours and was believed to be with a man with whom she had been communicating on social media.

Family members told investigators the girl had been chatting online with a man named Arnold Carpenter. His profile picture appeared to be a teen boy.

On Wednesday, Lee County sheriffs investigators, with the help of the girls family members, were able to locate the girl in Richmond, Kentucky at a fast-food restaurant.

Richmond police and FBI agents were able to take the girl into custody, along with Glendon Carpenter, who is actually 43 years old.

The juvenile was recovered and now safe, authorities said.

Carpenter is charged with kidnapping, second-degree rape, and first-degree sex abuse. He is being held without bond in Kentucky and is expected to be extradited to Alabama to face additional charges.

The teen girl is in the custody of the Kentucky Department of Human Resources.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).
A Shelby County man is in jail on bonds totaling nearly $400,000 following his arrest on child porn charges.

Michael Chad Wade, 31, of Vincent, is charged with six counts of possession of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts, and 10 counts of dissemination or public display of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts.

The Shelby County Sheriffs Office launched the investigation in June after receiving a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Wade was booked into the Shelby County Jail on July 21, sheriffs officials announced Thursday, and remains held on $390,000 bond.

Sheriffs investigators said there is nothing to indicate that the images were produced in or near Shelby County.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Shelby County Sheriffs Office at 205-670-6000. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777, or on their website at www.crimestoppersmetroal.com.
Donald Trump signaled his false claims about the 2020 presidential election being rigged against him will feature prominently in any criminal trial over his attempts to overturn the outcome of the vote.

Well have fun on the stand with all of these people that say the Presidential Election wasnt Rigged and Stollen. THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY!!!, the former president said Wednesday in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump followed that post with a number of other all-capital-letter exclamations: 2024 ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!! PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House in 2024, last week said he had been notified that he is a target in the Justice Departments probe into efforts to overturn the election results, signaling that federal charges are likely. That would add to the existing federal case against Trump over his handling of classified documents after leaving office.

Trump has embraced a wide range of unproven and debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election  many of which were dismissed at the time even by Trump-appointed judges and then-U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr. He has continued to insist that he was the rightful winner. He has a wide lead over his Republican rivals for the partys nomination despite the specter of multiple criminal trials in an election year.

The post on Truth Social suggests Trump will use his claims as a defense in court to argue he did nothing wrong in trying to remain in office. But former federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade said such a defense will come to a screeching halt in a court because there is no evidence.

Trump may try to claim he genuinely believed the election had been stolen as a defense to rebut proof of his intent to defraud, but even there, the evidence that he did know he lost is overwhelming, McQuade said.

The letter Trump received from Special Counsel Jack Smith  who is investigating the former presidents actions after the election, including the insurrection at the Capitol  stated Trump is a target of the grand jury investigating election-related actions. That indicates prosecutors have zeroed in on his actions and have substantial evidence of crimes.

Alina Habba, a legal representative for Trump, didnt respond to a message seeking comment.

___

2023 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala) questioned President Bidens nominee to lead the U.S. Space Command Wednesday about a looming Chinese threat to America in space and the urgency of educating a new generation of space defenders.

But first, Tuberville told U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, the command nominee, and fellow Senate Armed Services Committee members that he wasnt going to make a long dissertation, but, Its been three years and we do not have a permanent home yet for Space Command. And its a shame weve gotten into politics (about the decision).

Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville ranked highest in an early base candidates competition including a ranking higher than the commands startup home in Colorado Springs, Colo.. But the Pentagon hasnt begun an effort to move the command from Colorado Springs, Colo, where it was started. Even for Washington, its very slow, Tuberville said Wednesday, so, hopefully, we get that done in the near future.

Tuberville did not ask Whiting to respond to the base controversy, however, and he turned to a series of questions starting with, Whats our top threat in space right now?

The growing Chinese counter-space capability both from reversable threats like jamming all the way up to the direct (anti-satellite missiles) and lasers weve seen them testing, Whiting said.

Tuberville asked if the command is getting the workforce it needs. What do we need to approve? he asked.

Whiting replied that the command has incredible space capabilities  satellites  and rockets, but staff is the most critical asset. He said the government must invest in STEM activities adding, We have a great opportunity given all the great things that commercial industry and NASA are doing right now to leverage that excitement to bring these young men and women into our organizations.

Tuberville asked about getting people for Space Command through cyber education. One of my sons is in cyber, Tuberville said, but its very new and its very complicated.

The soft underbelly of our space capabilities is cyber, Whiting said, because our space networks are truly global in nature but they also reach out to 22,000 miles above the Earths surface to geo-synchronous orbit and that creates a lot of novel attack surface.

Potential adversaries like Russia and China could attack us in the space domain, Whiting said, but they would rather (attack) in the cyber domain because its cheaper to them and harder for us to attribute.

The Space Force is planning to pivot hundreds of guardians into the cyber defense workforce, Whiting said. And the United States is at the absolute forefront of cyber capability, Whiting said.

Looming over the hearing and the command is a hold Tuberville has placed on more than 280 senior military promotions until a command decision is announced. He has said he is not planning to change his position before the Senate leaves for a five-week August recess. Whiting is one of those awaiting promotion, in his case to a fourth star.

Tubervilles communications director, Steven Stafford, says the senator is trying to stop taxpayer funding of travel and paid time off over and above what other servicemembers receive for elective abortions.

Here is the official Defense Department policy as of Feb. 16. Here is more in-depth information. Watch the Wednesday hearing here.
Tristen Klavenga was searching for turtles and snakes while walking with friends on a creek off the Cahaba River in Irondale on Saturday.

It wasnt a turtle or a tree that was the highlight of Klavengas jaunt, however, but a pretty darn scaly fossil.

Internet sleuths believe Klavenga uncovered a a prehistoric tree fossil known as a Lepidodendron.

Klavenga, a 27-year-old bartender at Moms Basement in Birmingham, spotted the fossil under some downed trees.

It was partially exposed most likely from the heavy rain this season, but as I spotted it, I knew right away it was a fossil, but I wasnt sure of what exactly, he told AL.com on Wednesday night. I figured it was a prehistoric palm, but after some consideration I decided not to rule out if it were maybe a fish of some sort due to its scaly condition. "

Klavenga turned to Reddit, specifically a subsection of the social media site frequented by fossil fanatics, to ask about his discovery.

I suspected this was some type of palm at first glance, but after close inspection, it looks pretty darn scaly. Please educate me, he wrote.

Lepidodendron or similar. A scale tree indeed! answered the top comment on Klavengas post.

The lepidodendron tree first surfaced some 318 million years ago, according to the National Parks Service. The scale trees, now extinct, grew to be 100 feet tall and seven feet wide.

Members of the fossil subreddit delighted in Klavengas find.

This has excellently detailed preservation, a good find to enjoy, wrote on user.

Another called Kalvenga a lucky bastard.

The Birmingham bartender told AL.com that he used to be a park ranger in Turkey Creek, so Im used to just looking down and seeing cool stuff.

As a kid, critters and fossils were my obsession and as an adult its carried over pretty heavily, so Ive always had a knack for learning [about that] sort of stuff, he said.
More than 30,000 passengers have flown out of Huntsville on Breeze Airways so far this year, according to the airline.

The low-cost carrier  which celebrated its second anniversary of service at Huntsville International earlier this month  has had more than 300 flights out of the airport so far this year, airline spokesman Ryne Williams said.

The airline has seven departures a week including nonstop flights to Las Vegas on Wednesday and Sundays, to Orlando on Mondays and Fridays and Tampa on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Tampa changes from three times weekly for the summer to twice weekly in August, Williams said.

Breeze Airways has been offering one-way fares as low as $55 to Orlando and $89 to Las Vegas as part of its Stretch It Out campaign.
A man was flown to a hospital after he was allegedly shot by his father during an argument Wednesday night in south Alabama, authorities said.

Escambia County sheriffs deputies responded to the 900 block of Old Highway 31 in Pollard on a call of shots fired, the office told NBC 15 in Mobile.

The sheriffs office could not immediately be reached by AL.com to confirm the report.

Deputies found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds in the front yard of a home.

He was helicoptered to a local trauma center for treatment.

The father and son were involved in a verbal argument when the son hit his father in the back of the head, the sheriffs office said.

The father then drew his gun and fired multiple rounds, striking his son, the office said.

The son then ran to the front yard, where he was discovered by deputies.

The father was also taken to the hospital for a large laceration on his head.

The extent of the injuries of both men was not immediately clear.
What began as a burglary investigation in a small Alabama town expanded to Dothan, Georgia and possibly the length of the country and has so far led to three people facing charges, authorities said Wednesday.

Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza told reporters deputies began investigating a burglary in Columbia on July 1.

It just kept snowballing, the sheriff said of the case.

The investigation led deputies to a Dothan apartment complex, where a search was conducted at a residence and a vehicle, he said.

Authorities found marijuana, U.S. Treasury checks, a fraudulent Georgia drivers license and U.S. currency, Valenza said.

The sheriff did not quantify how much cash was found, but said the the theft and fraud investigation was the largest of his career.

Deputies developed a suspect -- Dothan resident Alexandria Danielle Mock -- which led them to her husband, Colby Mock, of Blakely, Georgia.

Early County, Georgia sheriffs deputies found U.S. currency taken from the July 1 burglary in Columbia in Colby Mocks house, according to Valenza.

On July 14, authorities identified a third suspect -- Atlanta resident Shikeem Taj-dejaun Williams.

Williams was seen in Dothan driving a Dodge Durango with Texas tags.

A short foot pursuit ensued and Williams was apprehended without incident, the sheriff said.

Williams allegedly gave deputies a false name and a fake ID.

After taking Williams into custody, sheriffs deputies executed multiple search warrants in Houston County that turned up an unidentified amount of cash, 5 1/2 pounds of marijuana, a Glock 10mm handgun, nine fraudulent U.S. Treasury checks, two fraudulent money orders and drug paraphernalia, said Valenza.

Williams was charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree theft of property, attempting to elude, second-degree possession of marijuana, second-degree possession of a forged instrument, identity theft, three counts of third-degree possession of a forged instrument, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm and trafficking in marijuana.

He is being held in the Houston County jail without bond.

Alexandria Mock was charged with theft of property, identity theft, second-degree possession of a forged instrument and three counts of third-degree possession of a forged instrument. She was released from the county jail on $90,000 bond.

Colby Mock is being held without bond in the jail on first-degree theft of property.

The sheriff said Williams has an extensive criminal history in Georgia and the evidence obtained during the investigation showed the Atlanta man appears to be involved in bank schemes, bank fraud and check fraud from California to New York.

The investigation was ongoing, the sheriff noted, adding that the FBI may be later assisting with the probe because of the involvement of U.S. Treasury checks.
Stories that will make you laugh, cry and question everything you thought you knew. Step into a portal where LGBTQ+ folks can live authentically, free from hate and where their contributions to art and culture are celebrated. Sign up for the QueerVerse newsletter today!

This piece is part of When You Were Here, a series commemorating trans people whose lives were taken. Rather than centering their murders, our stories incorporate memories from people who loved them to illuminate the times when they were alivewhen they were here.

When Cristian Sanchez first met Maria Jose Rivera Rivera five years ago, he recalls her getting in an argument with two older trans women in the detention center.

She had this kind of attitude of You cant touch this or Im above it, recalled Sanchez, a Texas attorney for immigrant rights nonprofit RAICES, who identifies as gay and cisgender. At the time, he was amused by Riveras composure as the two older trans detainees were heated and red at the face from drinking.

In late 2018, Sanchez assisted LGBTQ asylum seekers from Mexico who called themselves La Comunidad, a group of people in a caravan driving up to the U.S. He also helped run a few shelters for them, one of which was in Tijuana, Mexico where he met Rivera. Originally from El Salvador, Rivera had been rejected by her birth family and fled to Mexico with La Comunidad and other LGBTQ asylum seekers who found strength in their togetherness.

Rivera, who was around 18 years old at the time, had already started transitioning. Despite being amongst other trans women like her, I imagined she faced some resistance from the older women who viewed her as a young person with a promising future.

I remember sitting down with her and talking it out, said Sanchez, who harped on the fact that she was very calm, in the heat of the womens argument. Rivera, from what Sanchez had gathered, seemed to be cool and collected person regardless of her environmentincluding the bleak detention center.

When she was admitted to the States in early 2019, she was held in the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsalloutside of San Antonioin an isolated pod of trans women, separate from the general population. Though they were called dorms, the shelter was heavily reminiscent of prisons, bunk beds in row after row.

Sanchez tells me that many asylum seekers come with people who can sponsor them, except for trans people, wherein a lot of times their family has rejected them, so they dont have a cousin or an uncle that would take them in the States.

Rivera spent over a year in the South Texas ICE Processing Center, also informally known as Pearsall Detention Center. By April of 2020, she was released along with three other trans women. Sanchez recalls her wearing an adorable outfit, and its true; in a group selfie Sanchez, Rivera stood out with her hair in space buns, wearing a smocked over-the-shoulder yellow top, paired with olive green flowy pants and her Barbie pink bag.

It did not look like she had been in detention, Sanchez said. She was also the only person to come out of that center wearing sunglasses!

When Sanchez showed me the selfie he took with Rivera, I was struck by her smile, and how although being released might bring up feelings of enthusiasm or even anxiety, she seemed calm.

Her future was a bit uncertain, but she seemed to not be bothered by that, he said, recalling the moment she was released.

She moved to Houston, Texas, to start the process of obtaining official asylum status. She struggled with the people she lived with, so she often moved housing abruptly and changed phone numbers, making it difficult for Sanchez to stay in touch. Nevertheless, he kept tabs on her journey as best as he could, persistent for her to see her case through.

I hope she thought of me as somebody to rely on, and maybe more of a constant presence, Sanchez said. That I wouldnt disappear on her or take advantage of her.
Japan unveiled its new anti-sexual assault measures to protect minors in the country. These new efforts were revealed on Wednesday, July 27. The Children and Families Agency decided to lead the new anti-sexual assault measures.

Japan Reveals New Anti-Sexual Assault Measures to Protect Minors

According to Japan Times' latest report, the new emergency measures against sexual assaults will protect children, as well as young adults from sex offenders.

One of the Japanese government's efforts is setting up a new hotline for male sexual assault victims.

Once it goes live (expected to be active in September), male sex abuse victims of all ages can benefit from it.

"Ideally, all hotlines should be able to support anyone, regardless of their gender or age," said Shiawase Namida's Chairperson Hiromi Nakano.

However, he explained that Japan is behind in building resources and counselors that excel at supporting male victims.

This is why establishing a new hotline is a very critical step for the government.

Read Also: Japan Approves Trial of Emergency Contraceptives for Over-the-Counter Sales

Barring Sex Offenders From Working With Children Included

Aside from the new hotline, the Japanese government also wants to have its own version of Britain's DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service).

If this really happens, sex offenders can be prevented from working with children.

Applicants who want to work in schools, nurseries, and other places with children need to submit documents proving that they have no record of sex and other similar offenses.

Another effort of the Japanese government is to increase awareness of what can be considered as sexual assault.

This is because many young Japanese residents are not aware that what other people are doing to them is already sexual abuse.

Other Anti-Sex Abuse Efforts in Japan

In June, the Japanese government made a critical move after expanding raising the age for sexual consent to 16 years old.

NPR reported that for the past decades, Japan has considered 13 years old of being old enough to consent to sexual activities.

Thankfully, this was changed in June after the parliament passed legislation to redefine rape as nonconsensual sexual intercourse and raise the age of consent to 16 years old.

You can click this link to learn more about the adjustment in law made by the Japanese government.

Related Article: Japan's College Students Could Drop by 20%, Making Youth Population Crisis Worse

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.










English News China, ASEAN countries constantly enhance cooperation on automobile industry

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Juillet 2023



Chula Sukmanop, secretary general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand, noted that China's NEV enterprises have brought other companies in the automobile industry to Thailand, too, including those engaged in the manufacturing of auto parts, tires, cells and charging poles. These companies have not only created local jobs, but also launched technical and talent training, which is conducive to improving the quality of the Thai labor force, he added.

By Yang Yi, People's Daily Statistics showed that China's vehicle exports to ASEAN grew 48 percent year-on-year to $5.8 billion last year, accounting for 26 percent of ASEAN's vehicle imports.



In the first five months this year, China's vehicle exports to ASEAN still maintained momentum for rapid growth.



The constantly deepening China-ASEAN cooperation in the sector is contributing to the rapid development of the automobile industry of relevant countries.



Last year, Thailand's vehicle imports from China surged 255 percent, the highest among all ASEAN countries. Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker BYD announced last September to set up a facility in Thailand, which is expected to be put into operation in 2024 and produce 150,000 vehicles annually. The vehicles produced in the factory will be sold domestically and to other ASEAN countries.



Apart from BYD, other Chinese carmakers including Neta and SAIC Motor also plan to build factories for vehicle and key NEV parts in Thailand.



Since SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors, and Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co., Ltd. built a factory in Cikarang, Indonesia in 2015, the enterprise has constantly upgraded its products based on local demands.



The company sold over 30,000 vehicles in Indonesia in 2022, up 17 percent from a year ago. So far, its total sales in the country has exceeded 100,000 units.



Xu Haidong, vice chief engineer of China Association of Automobile Manufacturers told People's Daily that Chinese carmakers will witness rapid growth in their direct overseas investment as China's vehicle exports continue rising.



"More and more Chinese automobile manufacturers are entering the ASEAN market and building facilities there," Xu noted.



Proton, a car brand established in the 1980s, was once the largest carmaker in Malaysia. However, its development had been stagnant due to its lack of innovation.



In June 2017, Chinese multinational automotive company Geely acquired a 49.9 percent stake in the struggling Malaysian company to help it revive.



In 2019, Proton's factory in Malaysia's Tanjong Malim completed expansion and the company started to making profit, doubling its revenue from a year ago.



"After six years of integrated development, Proton has gone through a comprehensive reform in R&D, manufacturing, quality, purchasing and marketing. Its sales and market share have ranked second in Malaysia for four consecutive years," said Miao Yajun, vice manufacturing president of Proton.



Proton chairman Dato' Sri Syed Faisal Albar said that Geely has accelerated the development of Proton, which has not only reclaimed the Malaysian market, but also expanded the overseas market.



It is believed that Proton will see more prosperous development supported by Geely's global system, the chairman added.



In February 2020, China's Great Wall Motor (GWM) announced to acquire General Motor's production facilities in Rayong, Thailand. The new factory, with an annual production capacity of 80,000 units, became operational in 2021. Sixty percent of the vehicles produced in the factory are sold domestically.



The factory has not only created over 1,000 jobs for local communities, but also cooperated with local charging operators to develop a charging service map that covers more than 50 percent of Thailand's public charging network.



Over recent years, ASEAN countries have rolled out a series of incentive policies to promote green development and the electrification of vehicles. Chinese NEVs are favored by more and more consumers from these countries thanks to their performance.



This April, SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile signed a memorandum of understanding on NEV investment with the Indonesian government. According to the document, the company will further expand its investment in Indonesia to strengthen the country's NEV development.



Last December, Proton sent its employees to Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province for a half-year training program on NEV R&D, production, sales and maintenance, and five months later, the company launched its first hybrid model X90, which marked a huge step forward for the company on the journey of the new energy transition.



Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said it is expected that Geely and Proton can deepen their cooperation, launch more NEV models, and build Malaysia into an NEV hub of the ASEAN.



Thailand's KASIKORN Research Center estimated that Thailand's production of pure electric vehicles (EVs) will hit 50,000 units this year, and the share of Chinese pure EVs will increase from 78 percent in 2022 to 85 percent.



Chinese battery giant CATL recently reached an agreement on cell-to-pack cooperation with Thailand's Arun Plus, aiming to build Thailand into a battery production center in Southeast Asia.



Chula Sukmanop, secretary general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand, noted that China's NEV enterprises have brought other companies in the automobile industry to Thailand, too, including those engaged in the manufacturing of auto parts, tires, cells and charging poles. These companies have not only created local jobs, but also launched technical and talent training, which is conducive to improving the quality of the Thai labor force, he added.



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)
Canadian-American educator and writer Lawrence Peter in his book The Peter Principle observes: "Democracy is a process by which people freely choose a scapegoat." The average citizen in a democracy receives a constant message that the situation in the country is getting worse and worse, dangerous and more dangerous, tragic and more tragic. It is not uncommon for him to need an embodiment of his anxiety in a particularly hated politician. The average citizen in a totalitarian state receives signals that the country's situation is very good and that it can only get even better. However, the depressing pressure of democracy on the citizen must be compensated for in some way. This compensation is provided by utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is based on the "greatest happiness principle," that is, it preaches the pursuit of the greatest happiness and the desire to avoid the unpleasant. The English philosopher John Stuart Mill was critical of the satisfactory feelings of his fellow citizens. He believed that "It is better to be a dissatisfied man than a life-satisfied pig; it is better to be a life-satisfied Socrates than a life-satisfied fool. And if a fool or a pig has a different point of view, it is only because they know exclusively their own point of view." However, the desire for the ideal order of society reflects wishful thinking.

In 1931, the Austrian-American logician and mathematician Kurt Godel proved two theorems about incompleteness and inconsistency in mathematics. This was a true revolution in mathematics. Before Godel, mathematicians believed that their science was complete, consistent, and that its theorems could be deduced logically unambiguously from axioms. Consider the example of Euclid's geometry, which is based on axioms from which theorems follow. In it, it can be proved that the statement "the sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees" is true and the statement "the sum of the angles of a triangle is 100 degrees" is false. This is how all mathematics was done before Godel. It was considered to be logically rigorous, a perfect axiomatic science. Godel proved that if formal arithmetic is non-contradictory, then it is impossible to derive a formula asserting the non-contradictory nature of arithmetic and that the non-contradictory nature of any axiomatic theory cannot be proved by means of this theory itself. If such a rigorous, slender, and seemingly logical science as mathematics is incomplete and contradictory, can democracy be a complete and consistent system?

This question was answered in the negative by the same Kurt Godel at the time he obtained U.S. citizenship. In 1948, he appeared for the U.S. citizenship exam accompanied by his colleague at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, Albert Einstein. From a mathematician's point of view, a country's constitution is a set of logical connected axioms. Knowing the incompleteness of axiomatic systems, Godel found contradictions in the U.S. constitution that allowed him to establish a dictatorial regime under the guise of democracy and freedom. One of the members of the examination board asked Godel:

Until now you have been a German subject.

Godel corrected the examiner:

Not Germany, but Austria.

It doesn't matter, said the examiner. In any case you have lived under a monstrous dictatorship, which is impossible in our country.

But Godel contradicted him:

On the contrary, I undertake to prove mathematically that a dictatorship in the United States is possible.

Einstein managed to convince Godel not to anger the examiners, otherwise he would not receive U.S. citizenship.

Three years later, in 1951, the American mathematician and economist Kenneth Joseph Arrow, a professor at the University of Chicago, Stanford, and Harvard University, proved in a general way the theorem proved by Godel in mathematics. When applied to political structures, it is called the "impossibility of democracy" theorem as a "collective choice" or "dictator's inevitability theorem." This theorem, also called the Godel-Arrow theorem, states that the equilibrium of a system depends on the preferences of voters who have no idea of the system's margin of safety and are not inclined to trust it when deviations from the norm occur in it. The Godel-Arrow theorem proves that no collective choice procedure can optimally reflect individual voter preferences. In particular, correct determination of the winner in democratic elections is not always possible. Arrow identified five conditions, now generally recognized as essential axioms of democracy, in which social decisions are made by revealing the preferences of individuals, i.e. by voting results. Using elementary mathematical apparatus, Arrow showed that these conditions are contradictory: it is impossible to create an electoral system that would not violate at least one of them. Such violation occurs not by someone's evil will, but due to an inherent defect of the system, which is incomplete and contradictory. Arrow received the Nobel Prize in 1972 for proving the impossibility of simultaneous compliance with the requirements of reasonableness and equality and the impossibility of establishing the ranking of social priorities. According to Godel-Arrow's theorem, any electoral system is flawed. Arrow's results dashed the hopes of many sociologists and mathematicians to find a perfect voting system.

Fierce struggle for democracy is one of the effective methods of its undermining and even destruction, i.e. establishment of dictatorship. In Soviet times, a joke was circulated ridiculing the "struggle for peace" waged by the USSR, organizing wars and awarding the people it needed, not necessarily peacemakers, with international Lenin prizes "for the struggle for peace": "There was no war, but there was such a struggle for peace that there was nothing left of peace". It is in the light of Arrow's theorem that the struggle for and against judicial reform in Israel should be understood. Since the time of the pioneering philosophers of the doctrine of the necessity of separation of powers, the English philosopher John Locke and the French philosopher Charles Louis Montesquieu, it is clear that a struggle between the executive, legislative, and judicial powers is preferable to the harmony between them that exists under a dictatorship. However, the problem of a properly quantified separation of powers does not have a single solution, as democracy cannot be complete and consistent. Both sides fighting in Israel believe that they are fighting for true democracy. In reality, they are undermining the existing democracy, which, like any other democracy, is incomplete, contradictory, and certainly an imperfect system. To paraphrase the aforementioned Soviet joke, there is such a struggle for democracy that democracy may be established, but there may be nothing left of the state of Israel.

Image: Public Domain
Are the Democrats the only ones with a "Dianne Feinstein" problem, that of entrenched leaders who are visibly shambling apart, yet impossible to remove from power?

Sure looks like it, with the sudden seize or freeze up of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell yesterday:

Here is the tweeted video of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnelll, aged 83 suddenly going silent during a speech:

These are the people launching us into WW3 against Putin. pic.twitter.com/u3wifgyLyQ  Jackson Hinkle  (@jacksonhinklle) July 26, 2023

We've seen this sort of incapacity in Feinstein, a 90-year old Democrat whose infirmities should require her to retire from office, and in Democrat Sen. John Fetterman, who cannot plausibly serve in his post-stroke condition, as well in Joe Biden himself, who occupies the White House with many signs of senility. But now we see it in the GOP, one of whose top leaders, McConnell, cannot with any vigor deliver a speech.

Mitch McConnell - age 81

Dianne Feinstein - age 90

Grace Napolitano - age 87

Bill Pascrell - age 86

Maxine Waters - age 85

Steny Hoyer - age 84

Nanci Pelosi - age 83

Jim Clyburn - age 83

Danny Davis - age 81



We need age limits and term limits NOW.



McConnell checked out here. https://t.co/4CVPiao2u1  Nat  (@NatShupe) July 26, 2023

McConnell is not just excessively old, he's also had significant health challenges, having been the victim of a fall and a concussion in recent months. Someone with that condition seems to be ripe to retire.

Yet like so much of what we see in among the Democrats, where this problem is far more widespread, McConnell refuses to leave office. It seems that the energy needed to get elected from office and the rewards of power, if not the "untouchability" of being in power seems to be its own incentive to never leave office. In the cases of some of these characters, such as that of Biden himself, it serves as a shield from corruption, and McConnell has been accused of conflicts of interest himself owing to too much time in power. In recent days, McConnell's stated that he's against taking impeachment action against Biden, despite the evidence of his unprecedented corruption, which sounds though he doesn't want too much poking into political corruption at all.

Now, much of the GOP says that McConnell's incident on the podium is no big deal.

Politico quotes a string of six Republicans under the sensationalist headline of "McConnell episode alarms Senate GOP" -- all of whom say they are ... not alarmed, as well as McConnell:

Mitch McConnells sudden freeze during a Wednesday afternoon press conference jolted the Senate Republican Conference, eliciting hopes from allies, detractors that he will fully recover from any health issues. And President Joe Biden even called his old senatorial colleague to check on him. I told him I got sandbagged, McConnell said, a reference to Bidens public fall over a sandbag earlier this year. Im fine. Im fine, thats the important part. Got to watch those sandbags.

Reality check: There were no sandbags. There was just obvious infirmity owing to McConnell's advanced age and previous health issues.

Sens. Ted Cruz, John Kennedy, Joni Ernst, John Cornyn, and John Barrasso (who gently led the seized-up McConnell away from the podium) as well as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, all say in various ways, nothing to see here, move along, this will pass.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with McConnell later on Wednesday afternoon. Asked if he was concerned about McConnells health, he replied: No, and this was after the incident. Cruz said that he has seen no indication internally that McConnell is not able to perform all his job duties.

Nothing to see here, nothing to worry about.

Yet this is unlikely to be the average voter's view, given that someone at that advanced an age, with that many health incidents, is very likely to have another one before his term of office is over, potentially throwing his Senate seat into the hands of the opposition party.

McConnell himself, who is no dummy, seems to understand that such a thing could happen -- and being a smart politician, he has already taken airtight steps to ensure that the GOP will hold onto his seat even if he is completely incapacitated or drops dead, based on this series of actions in his home state of Kentucky.

According to the Courier Journal of Kentucky, in a piece dated March 2021:
This is a big world, and throughout the course of history, its people, cultures, traditions, and societies have differed vastly and changed dramaticallyexcept for one area, and that is the defining traits of big (left) government. Its no surprise that the bigger (more leftist) a government gets, the more thieving, murderous, and hypocritical it becomes. (This fact is exactly why our Founders ratified a constitution that imposed strict limits upon a federal American government.)

Its also no surprise that despite the aforementioned reality, those on the left still fancy big government to be a viable and reasonable pursuit. These people are intellectually dishonest (if you can even use the word intellectual), and they have no sense of objective morality, unless its their subjective standard, of course. Were told that theres no such thing as black-and-white right and wrong, but in the same breath its categorically wrong to push conservative values. If you dont believe in (fill in the blank with homosexuality, abortion, preferred pronouns, or anything else), then youre a bigot, racist, misogynist, etc. Hows that for a paradox?

In a story by Steven Ertelt for Life News, one which appears to have been missed by the media (establishment and alternative alike), an anti-abortion organization out of New Mexico uncovered quite a grotesque revelation.

Just over a month ago, the states Democrat governor established an abortion referral hotline for women seeking access to abortion, as well as transportation and other types of assistance, and one of the providers listed includes The Satanic Temple. ABC News reported the phone line would be staffed by registered nursesnot a minimum wage employeebut as of yet given limited coverage, there dont appear to be hard numbers as to the cost. However, what we do know is that obviously, the taxpayer is footing the bill. (Theres the thievery to which were all so accustomed!) From Life News:

Why are taxpayers of New Mexico forced to promote the satanic temple religious abortion center through the pro-abortion governors hotline, said Elisa Martinez, New Mexico Alliance for Life executive director. Is the state of New Mexico fully disclosing to women that TST Health is a satanic ritualistic abortion center and that abortion is not a life-saving procedure that it [sic] involves the ending of an innocent human life?

The New Mexico Alliance for Life obtained the list of recommended abortion providers through a public records request, and a link to the document can be found here. Interestingly, as highlighted by Martinez, the directory doesnt say The Satanic Temple but rather simply, TST (seems like an intentional act of deception if you ask me). Furthermore, the executive office neglects to acknowledge that although the practitioners listed under TST will get the baby-killing job done, this particular abortion procedure is actually a sadistic ritual of child sacrificeHeinrich Himmler, with his mandated satanic rituals at Wewelsburg Castle, would be proud. (And there you have the recognizable state-sanctioned murder.)

And lastly, for the hypocrisy element.

Too often, I hear the uninformed classes that comprise the left holler about the separation of church and state. They make demands for the removal of Christian monuments outside courthouses, and screech about military members who have the audacity to adorn their personal desks with plaques that read, No weapons formed against me shall prosper.

Now of course, they dont actually understand that separation of church and state only means there can be no state-enforced religion; it certainly does not mean that Judeo-Christian principles have no place in government. Things like thou shalt not murder and thou shalt not steal are not universally accepted or adopted truths, but undoubtedly they are in American law; the Declaration includes both God and Creator; the Appeal to Heaven or Appeal to God flag was commissioned by George Washington himself; and the very first presidential oath (as well countless ones since then), was taken upon a Bible. It should go without saying, the ethics of the Bible are the very foundation of our American government.

Yet, these leftists have no qualms about doing the very thing they oppose so vehemently! This is a state office, elevating and promoting a religious ritual of human sacrifice.

Big Lefts gonna do, what Big Lefts gonna dotoo bad only some of us get that.

Image: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Seventeen miles offshore from an island belonging to the Netherlands, a nearly 20,000-ton vessel loaded with vehicles is burning out of control, and officials are in a race against time; Lea Versteeg, spokesperson for the Dutch coast guard, reportedly said, were currently working out to see how we can make sure that...the least bad situation is going to happen.

A Daily Mail article out yesterday reported that at least one crew member had died while many others were injured, while another outlet identified the site of the chaos as a priceless ecological gem. From ABC News:

Its location is close to a chain of Dutch and German islands popular with tourists in the shallow Wadden Sea, a World Heritage-listed area described by UNESCO as the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world and one of the most important areas for migratory birds in the world.

Daily Mail noted:

The Fremantle Highway [the ship] is close to Ameland, one of four ecologically sensitive Frisian islands, situated in the Waddensee [sic] area just north of the Dutch mainland. Also called the Frisian Islands, the area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a rich diversity of more than 10,000 aquatic and terrestrial species. This included more than 140 species of fish of which some 20 spent their entire life in the tidal areas along the islands' famous mud flats. The area also has a large seal and porpoise population. Should the Fremantle Highway sink, it would be a disaster of the highest order, the daily tabloid De Telegraaf said.

The tragedy is still unfolding, so the cause of the fire either isnt known or hasnt been made public, but per BBC:

The coastguard said the cause of the fire was unknown, but had earlier suggested it might have been an electric car.

Gee, who woulda thunk it?

Update via CBS News:

The Dutch coast guard said Thursday that the cause of the fire was unclear and that only about 25 of the vehicles on the ship were EVs, but in the audio of an emergency call released by Dutch broadcaster RTL, someone can be heard saying "the fire started in the battery of an electric car."

Given the details of this specific incident and what we know about EVs, all signs point to the culprit beingan electric vehicle! When EV batteries catch fire, they burn hotter and longer than most fires and the fire is impossible to snuff out, so mitigation strategies instead focus on cooling (instead of extinguishing) the vulnerable or burning apparatuses. A prominent blog on fire science gives us the working knowledge of an EV battery blaze:

A high-voltage battery is made up of many cells packed tightly together inside a watertight, fire-resistant box. When a single cell fails, it is essentially a small explosive that produces a tremendous amount of gas and heat (1,200 degrees F) in tenths of a second. The failure is an exothermic chemical reaction that does not require oxygen from the atmosphere to sustain itself. The heat released from each individual cell is transferred to the neighboring cells, which causes them to fail as well. Once a battery cell fails, it is impossible to extinguish the failed cell as the chemical reaction inside the cell happens far too quickly. The only way to stop a thermal runaway is by directly cooling the cells involved to ensure that the failed cell does not cause the cells around it to also fail.

So what are the implications? Well, staggering environmental damage of course, but especially if the ship sinks. Via Daily Mail, the Dutch coast guard asserted the fire is still raging and noted the ship was now listing  the vessel has taken on water and the trajectory trends towards a capsize. (To avoid sinking the ship, crews must refrain from dousing the ship with water.)

First off, smoke is billowing from the deck of the ship, so best case scenario, the fire ends with nothing more than plumes of pollution. Car manufacturers have largely replaced much of the steel and metal parts with plastica fire of this capacity would release immeasurable levels of synthetic chemicals into the atmosphere as those plastics burn.

Worst case scenario, the vessel overturns, and were left with millions of pounds of debris littering the sea floor (at a world heritage site no less) and oil spills. Furthermore, what about all the pollution created during the manufacturing process, including the mining for the rare minerals used in EVs, for cars that are now unusable? And, heres an unanswered question, but since water does next to nothing to cull flames from an EV fire, are first responders spraying any toxic flame retardants onto the ship?

What about the financial ramifications? Versteeg, the spokesperson quoted at the opening, stated that of the nearly 3,000 vehicles on board, only 25 were EVs. These numbers would mean that the EVs on board account for less than one percent of the total load, so if an EV is in fact the origin of the fire, it would show you how substantial the risk is. Ergo, insurance rates would increase (if an insurer even chooses to cover such a hazard), which in turn makes shipping rates rise.

Now as it turns out, this isnt the first timelast year, a fire ravaged and sank the Felicity Ace; the ship was transporting both electric and non-electric cars. As far as official narratives go, the cause of the fire is still unclear.

Are these little eco-friendly batteries the catalysts for massive environmental calamities? Im not a gambler, but if I had to wager, Id suspectyes.

Image: YouTube video screen grab.
The U.S. government is collecting dead butterflies. This may seem unusual for some Americans, but there's a reason why these specimens are needed.

If you have one at your house, then you can help the United States Geological Survey in its pilot study.

US Government is Collecting Dead Butterflies

According to the New York Times's latest report, USGS is asking for dead butterflies from residents in the following states:

Kansas

Oklahoma

Georgia

Alamaba

Texas

The environmental government agency is collecting dead butterflies, moths, as well as skippers, to help scientists find out why fluttering insects in the country are declining.

The collected specimens will be compiled to establish the Lepidoptera Research Collection.

This national storehouse of butterflies, moths, and other Lepidoptera species will be located in Kansas.

Scientists will rely on these specimens to check for contaminants and other environmental factors contributing to the population decline of the insects.

Read Also: Spain: Pathologist Discovers Rare 'Floating Gold' Inside Sperm Whale

How to Send Dead Butterflies to USGS

Via its official website, USGS explained the steps Americans can follow to send their dead butterflies.

If you want are willing to help, here are the requirements of the environmental agency:

Butterflies and other fluttering insects must be dead and not collected alive.

Specimens should be larger than two inches.

Check if the specimen is under the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Endangered Species Act or is listed under endangered or threatened species under the State Law. If yes, USGS will not accept it.

Once all the requirements above are met, you can follow these steps to send the dead fluttering insects to USGS:

Use a resealable plastic bag to secure the dead butterflies, moths, or skippers. Freeze the sealed specimens three days before shipping to aid in preservation. After that, place the specimens in an envelope with proper postage. You can either mail it via USPS or deliver the dead insects personally. Here's the address: USGS LRC, 1217 Biltmore Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049.

If you want to learn more about the LRC initiative of USGS, you can click here.

Related Article: How the Russian Navy Uses Dolphin Defenses in the Face of Ukraine's Attacks?

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Dr. Mark Tykocinski recently resigned as president of Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson University after coming under fire for "liking tweets" critical of COVID vaccines and trans surgeries for kids. The unbridled audacity! He's lucky he didn't get the electric chair!



YouTube screen grab.

You know the concept of free speech is out the window when one can no longer even make a one-word "comment" on someone else's speech!

This news would be distressing to Thomas Jefferson were he alive today, as he and the rest of the founders knew that "democracy" is impossible without the absolute right to freedom of speech.

The Inquirer reported that Tykocinski will also no longer be interim dean of Jefferson's Sidney Kimmel Medical College. On April 29, the paper published a story stating that Tykocinski "has used his Twitter account to 'like' tweets that question the science of COVID-19 vaccines, call gender reassignment surgery 'child mutilation,' and are critical of diversity offices on college campuses, among other controversial topics." He questioned "science," stated an obvious truth...and then proceeded to offer an opinion? Egad!

Any college employee, no matter the position that person holds, should know that no one is allowed to question COVID-19 vaccines, child genital mutilation gender reassignment surgeries, or anything related to "diversity." I mean, "Hello!"

It is, however, perfectly okay to like a tweet in favor of child genital mutilation, abortion, the forced acceptance of experimental mRNA vaccines into everyone's bodies whether they "like" it or not, BLM riots, the legalization of formerly illicit drugs, human-trafficking, the destruction of Israel  and the physical assault of former president Trump  none of which is "hate speech," of course, and all of which is protected.

"Like" that? It's okay if you do. There will be no repercussions.

Thomas Lifson adds:

Dr. Tykocinski is an advocate of integrative medicine, which focuses on maintaining wellness, as opposed to therapies for illness. I speculate that pharmaceutical companies, which provide enormous research funding to medical schools, are glad that he is gone.

In this brief YouTube video, Dr. Tykocinski introduces the concept:
Its time we face an unpalatable reality. Nothing less than the national security of the United States hangs in the balance.

The truth is we are in the midst of the third Obama-Biden administration. The cumulative damage is incalculable as we are reaping the whirlwind of having elected in 2008 Barack Obama -- a man who, in a moment of hubris-driven candor on the eve of his first presidential election, declared the incipient fundamental transformation of America.

As president, Obama did as much as he could get away with to morph the nation. Domestic policies eroded our constitutional order and the freedoms it guarantees. Remember his pronouncement that I have a phone and a pen, his pretext for taking actions he had previously acknowledged he could not legally do?

Among the worst of his enduring legacies is that, far from being the promised post-racial president, Obama deliberately and repeatedly exacerbated race-relations.

Obama-Biden 1.0 and 2.0 pursued foreign policies characterized by appeasement and emboldening of foreign enemies that dangerously diminished our nations standing in the world. They brought us, for example, apology tours, unenforced red-lines, and disastrous initiatives like the Iran nuclear deal, embracing the Muslim Brotherhood which led to the toppling of friendly (if imperfect) Mideast regimes and acceding to the Chinese Communists seizure of atolls that would, in short order, be turned into bastions for their controlling the strategic South China Sea.

The first two terms also populated the government with a cohort of radical leftists. Many started out as political appointees but wound up as senior members of the permanent bureaucracy. From that vantage point, they were able to undermine, betray and otherwise stymie the Trump presidency and set the stage for a restoration of the Obama-Biden regime in 2020.

To those who would assert that Joe Biden is the president now, not his former boss, I would simply say: really? It is no longer possible to ignore Bidens obvious physical and mental incapacitation. Someone else is clearly running the U.S. government.

Barack Obama has boasted that the Biden White House staff is comprised of his people. The same is true of myriad individuals now serving in cabinet and sub-cabinet positions. Additionally, he previously expressed a desire to run things without having actually to be president.

What especially imperils the national security now is the fact that the subversive legacy of the previous Obama-Biden terms is becoming manifest in the U.S. military, as well. It is, arguably, the last national institution to undergo the Marxist makeover Barack Obama set in motion. But, thanks to officers aggressively promoted during his 1.0 and 2.0 presidencies becoming senior commanders, it is perilously devastating morale, retention, recruitment, and readiness.

A particularly important and topical example is the current nominee to succeed the disastrous Gen. Mark Milley as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Air Force General Charles C.Q. Brown. An accomplished combat aviator, Brown has in recent posts -- including his present one as the top Air Force officer -- become a champion of the full Obama-Biden transformational agenda, including substituting racial quotas for the armed forces renowned, and necessary, meritocracy, social engineering to accommodate, among others, psychologically disordered transexuals, and the indoctrination of future military leaders with critical race theory.

To date, Gen. Browns disqualifying attachment to such radical notions has not been properly vetted by the Senate. During his confirmation hearing only two of its Armed Services Committees twenty-five members asked him questions that touched on his own positions, let alone the damage those so-called woke policies are doing to the military. An urgent request by thirty-one national security practitioners and other public policy leaders for Brown to be closely questioned about both thus went largely unheeded. With the committee voting out the nomination last week, this seriously defective promotion now awaits final action by full Senate.

I suspect the reason for such kid-gloves treatment is that Gen. Brown is Black. And many in the Senate and elsewhere are responding to the prospect of his becoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as we did Barack Obamas candidacy for the presidency -- namely, with the hope that it will banish racism. Sadly, as with Obama, Brown is certain to inflame it instead.

As a shooting war with Communist China looms, this is no time to indulge in wishful thinking about bringing the full Obama-Biden hope and change bait-and-switch next to our armed forces. We must stop the militarys Marxist transformation now, and the place to start is by rejecting the appointment of C.Q. Brown to be its next top officer.

Frank J. Gaffney formerly acted as an Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan. He is currently the Executive Chairman of the Center for Security Policy and host of Securing America. Opposition to the Brown nomination can be conveyed to your Senators at www.SecureFreedom.org.

Image: USAF
The drama that unfolded at the Wilmington, Delaware Federal Courthouse yesterday, where courageous Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected the plea deal purportedly agreed to by Hunter Biden and Delaware US Attorney David Weisss prosecutors, has taught the nation several important lessons.

First of all, for Americans dependent on the bigfoot media, it was probably news that Hunter Biden, the presidents son, faces any serious legal jeopardy for serious crimes. The corporate media blackout is over, as Newsbusters reported:

All three networks ABCs World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News kicked off their newscasts with the Hunter news. On ABC, justice correspondent Terry Moran fretted that Hunter Biden came to the federal courthouse in Wilmington this morning expecting to put his legal troubles behind him, but it was a day of unexpected courtroom drama and an unforeseen twist.

Of course, there was spin aplenty, of the boo-hoo Joe just loves his son variety, of the Republicans pounce school of journalism, and naturally, Trump appointed the prosecutor and the judge, for the vast majority who do not understand that Delwares two Democrat senators had de facto veto power over such presidential appointments.

Nonetheless, with wall-to-wall cable news coverage as the drama unfolded and subsequent evening news and morning show spots, the public now is aware that something is rotten in the state of Delaware as far as the POTUSs son is concerned.

Second, the official Biden narrative (repeated by hapless Karine Jean-Pierre at yesterdays press briefing) that Hunter is just a private citizen was blown to smithereens by the six-car convoy that delivered Hunter Biden to the courthouse:

Remember, Hunter Biden is a "private citizen" ... who keeps appointments in a six-car, taxpayer-funded motorcade, and his criminal enterprise has nothing to do with his corrupt father whose name he used to extort shakedown payments from foreign oligarchs. https://t.co/5R14rk4qp7  Cruadin (@cruadin) July 26, 2023

Third, the rejection of the deal obviously implies that the Department of Justice wasnt doing its job and is corrupt. It was beyond a mere sweetheart deal, as Iowahawk tweeted. I wouldn't call it a sweetheart deal, it was more of a lap dance stripper deal.

The horrifying details of the misconduct confirm corruption. Former deputy special counsel Sol Wisenberg tweeted:

Some thoughts: Now we know why DOJ didnt show us the plea agreement terms. What didn't they want us to know ahead of time? A) a global immunity deal for Hunter; B) A binding plea (that is, the judge must accept the specific terms if she accepts the agreement); C) Misdemeanor probation; D) Other unusual plea terms. 1. A global immunity deal for Hunter while the overall investigation is ongoing, is stunninga super-sweetheart deal. 2. A binding plea is extremely unusual in the vast majority of federal jurisdictions. It means for example, that if the agreement calls for probation the judge must give Hunter probation. It is binding. 3. That the prosecution and defense would disagree about the terms of the agreement in open court is a joke. Ambiguous terms in a plea agreements are got the law chanbgeconstrued against the government! There should be no room for disagreement on the key terms of the agreement. So, this was either astounding incompetence or corruption on DOJs part. I think it is corruption. This looks like a wink and a nod deal (as @shipwreckedcrew has noted) where DOJ would have plausible deniability if the judge asked no questions and accepted the deal. The scope of immunity is the most important feature of a plea deal. It is inconceivable that the prosecutors were incompetent here. Leo Wise has an excellent reputation for competence. 4. Think about this. DOJ was about to sanction a plea deal where Hunter would get misdemeanor probation on serious tax charges plus pretrial diversion (no time served or criminal record) on the felony gun charge. Hunter would also get complete immunity on all other charges. And he would not have to cooperate with the governments ongoing investigation. Totally disgraceful. Merrick Garland and David Weiss should be ashamed. And where is Lisa Monaco? Why hasn't she been called to testify? [emphasis in original]

Former federal prosecutor (and candidate for Missouri attorney general) Will Scharf explained how the feds colluded with the defense to try to hide the fact that they were giving Hunter a Get out of Jail Free card in return for nothing.

 Hunter's plea was structured under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(c)(1)(B), which is usually just a plea in return for a joint sentencing recommendation only, and contained no information on its face about other potential charges, and contained no clear agreement by DOJ to forego prosecution of other charges. Instead, DOJ and Hunter's lawyers effectively hid that part of the agreement in what was publicly described as a pretrial diversion agreement relating to a  922(g)(3) gun charge against Hunter for being a drug user in possession of a firearm. That pretrial diversion agreement as written was actually MUCH broader than just the gun charge. If Hunter were to complete probation, the pretrial diversion agreement prevented DOJ from ever bringing charges against Hunter for any crimes relating to the offense conduct discussed in the plea agreement, which was purposely written to include his foreign influence peddling operations in China and elsewhere. So they put the facts in the plea agreement, but put their non-prosecution agreement in the pretrial diversion agreement, effectively hiding the full scope of what DOJ was offering and Hunter was obtaining through these proceedings. Hunter's upside from this deal was vast immunity from further prosecution if he finished a couple years of probation, and the public wouldn't be any the wiser because none of this was clearly stated on the face of the plea agreement, as would normally be the case. Judge Noreika smelled a rat. She understood that the lawyers were trying to paint her into a corner and hide the ball. Instead, she backed DOJ and Hunter's lawyers into a corner by pulling all the details out into the open and then indicating that she wasn't going to approve a deal as broad as what she had discovered. DOJ, attempting to save face and save its case, then stated on the record that the investigation into Hunter was ongoing and that Hunter remained susceptible to prosecution under FARA. Hunter's lawyers exploded. They clearly believed that FARA was covered under the deal, because as written, the pretrial diversion agreement language was broad enough to cover it. They blew up the deal, Hunter pled not guilty, and that's the current state of play.

Fourth, the plea deal, if accepted by the judge, would have tied her hands, as former federal prosecutor Shipwreckedcrew tweeted:

This confirms that the written plea offer is an 11(c)(1)(C) plea. That means the Court would have to agree to the sentence that the parties stipulated in the agreement -- Probation -- no matter what the facts might be as determined by the Presentence Report. I could have predicted that would have been DOA. I don't think any federal judge would say "Yes, I'll agree to allow you to lock me into giving only probation and nothing more when I don't know anything about the facts." What a bunch of idiots.

Fifth, the corporate media now has a much harder time pretending that nothing is amiss. Everybody loves a mystery story, and now that the public knows something is up with Hunter Biden that doesnt pass the smell test, they want to know exactly what that is. The scheduled closed door testimony of former Hunter business partner Devon Archer is expected to reveal under oath his previous statements that Joe Biden listened in to business meetings with Hunters dodgy foreign clients via speakerphone many times.

The Democrats now know that the dam has broken on the news of the shady business dealings of the Biden crime familys influence peddling operation that kicked into high gear as he was leaving the vice presidency and anticipated that he could set up himself and his family for life, never expecting that he would be pulled back from obscurity when the Democrats puppet masters needed someone to knock sure-loser Bernie Sanders out of the nomination in 2020.

Yesterdays events in Wilmington set the stage for the next act in a national drama with the future of the Republic at stake.

Photo credit: twitter video screengrab
Samsung has finally announced all of its new products for the fall. That includes the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Tab S9 series and the Galaxy Watch 6 series. These devices are also all up for pre-order right now, through Samsung and its partners. In this article, were going to bring you the best deals on these devices, so you can pre-order them right now and save some cash too.

Samsung has a number of promos available right now for these new devices, beginning with the free storage upgrade. So you can purchase the 256GB model and get 512GB, or purchase 128GB and get 256GB (Galaxy Tab S9 only).

Now lets talk about trade-ins. Samsung is offering up to $1,000 in trade-in credits for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Its $900 for the Galaxy Z Flip 5, while the Galaxy Tab S9 series gets up to $650 in trade-in credit and the Galaxy Watch 6 series gets up to $250.

Theres also some pretty sweet bundles right now. With your purchase of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 or Galaxy Z Fold 5, you can get the Galaxy Watch 6 Series for up to $240 off. That makes the Galaxy Watch 6 just $149, or the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic just $199. You can bundle with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and get $180 off, dropping the earbuds down to just $49.99. And finally, you can bundle with the Galaxy Tab S9 and get up to $300 off. That brings the Galaxy Tab S9 down to $599, the Tab S9 Plus to $699 and the Tab S9 Ultra to $899.

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Finally, Student discounts. Samsung is offering a 15% discount on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and a 10% discount on the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Get your pre-orders in now

These promos are only good during the pre-order period, which will end on August 10. With all of these devices shipping out for delivery on August 11. That means that you wont be waiting long to get your hands on your new devices.

You can pre-order these new devices from Samsung right now by hitting the links below.

Pre-Order Galaxy Z Flip 5

Pre-order Galaxy Z Fold 5

Pre-Order Galaxy Tab S9 series

Pre-order Galaxy Watch 6 Series
A few years back, Samsung made a massive decision to discontinue the much-loved Galaxy Note series of S Pen-equipped flagship smartphones. The company has since merged it with the Ultra model in the Galaxy S series while giving the Notes slot in the second half of the year to foldables. It has seemingly turned out to be a smart move. The Korean firms mobile chief T.M. Roh has revealed that its foldable phones are on track to outsell the Galaxy Note this year.

As we speak, they are almost on par, Roh, the head of Samsungs mobile division, said about the annual sales figure of the two device categories in a recent interview with CNET. And the expectation [is] that with the Flip and Fold 5, we will be able to finally surpass that. Roh made the comments shortly after unveiling the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldables during Samsungs Unpacked event on Wednesday. The event took place in South Koreas capital city of Seoul.

Samsung discontinued the Galaxy Note to make foldables mainstream

When Samsung first launched the Galaxy Note series in 2011, it was a niche phone for people willing to pay more for extra features such as a bigger screen and S Pen support. Over the years, the Note lineup amassed a strong fanbase, ushering in the era of big-screen smartphones. Samsung kept the Note series separate from the Galaxy S series, giving ample time for both in the market. The latter arrived early in the year, with the Note following in the second half.

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However, with Samsung ushering the smartphone industry into the foldable era in 2019, the company had to work out ways to stay ahead of the competition that was about to come. The company found it best to discontinue the Note lineup and reserve the second half of the year for foldables. This happened in 2021 as Samsung pushed to make foldables mainstream. For Note fans, the company re-designed the Galaxy S Ultra to look like Note, even offering the S Pen built-in.

The Galaxy Note 20 series in 2020 was the last in the lineup. It reportedly sold about 12 million units. Last year, Samsung sold ten million foldable smartphones. Rohs words suggest the company is on its way to selling more than 12 million foldables this year. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, which are now available to pre-order, should make up the vast majority of that figure. The new foldables bring a few notable improvements over their predecessors. They will go on sale on August 11.
Samsungs One UI 6.0 beta might finally land next week. A Samsung Germany customer support executive recently told a Galaxy user that the company will launch the beta program on Wednesday, August 2. As expected, the Galaxy S23 series will first get the taste of the new One UI version, with others to follow later.

One UI 6.0 is the latest iteration of Samsungs custom Android software. It brings Android 14 to Galaxy devices. The Korean firm has been internally testing the big update for several weeks now. We have come across several test firmware for the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and other devices during this period.

While Samsung has yet to officially announce its One UI 6.0 roadmap, rumors suggested that the company will launch public beta programs in the third week of July. However, it didnt. But it showed signs of a nearing beta release of the new One UI version a few days back when it added official One UI 6.0 sections to its community forums in some countries.

A few days later, we now have an official word that the beta program will launch next week. If the information is accurate, the Galaxy S23 series will get One UI 6.0 beta on August 2, at least in Germany. Interestingly, the customer support executive claims that the Galaxy A34 5G and Galaxy A54 5G are the next in the pipeline. The two new mid-rangers are supposed to get the beta update on August 9 (via SamMobile).

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Samsung may quickly bring One UI 6.0 beta to mid-range Galaxy devices

Samsung usually pushes major updates, including beta releases, to flagship devices ahead of mid-range and budget phones. So its a nice little surprise that the company may have in store this year. Or maybe the likes of the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Galaxy Z Flip 4 will get the One UI 6.0 beta ahead of the two aforementioned mid-rangers  over the next few days following the Galaxy S23 release.

As for the stable update, we are expecting Samsung to begin the rollout in October, if not earlier. Once again, flagship devices should get preferential treatment, with the Galaxy S23 series leading the charge. The newly-launched Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldables will ship with Android 13 out of the box, as is the Galaxy Tab S9 series. They should also get the Android 14 update before the end of the year. We will keep you posted.
Commentary: Lai Ching-te's "White House" remarks reveal his true colors

Xinhua) 13:24, July 27, 2023

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Lai Ching-te, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politician, recently claimed that his political goal is to "walk into the White House." It was a dangerous statement for a candidate to run in the Taiwan leadership election next January.

Over the past 40 years, no leader of Taiwan has ever been allowed by the U.S. government to set foot in Washington, let alone the White House, regardless of which political party ruled the United States and how their China policies changed.

In December 1978, when China and the United States issued the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, the U.S. government acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. It also recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan.

Since Lai took "being in the White House" as his political agenda, it is a reasonable presumption that once in office, he would seize every opportunity to push de jure independence and take risks to challenge the one-China principle and the one-China policy that Washington has long adopted. Thus the Taiwan Strait will likely slip into the abyss of military confrontation.

Lai has never avoided mentioning his stance supporting "Taiwan independence." When serving as the chief of Taiwan's executive body, he had openly called himself "a pragmatic worker" for "Taiwan independence."

However, his hardline separatist tone suddenly softened when the campaign for next year's Taiwan leadership election unfurled this year, and "Taiwan independence" turned out to be bad for the election.

He has put up the face of a supporter for peace, dialogue, and the status quo, attempting to dispel people's doubts and worries about his uncontrollable character and separatist agenda.

The problem is that one's true colors cannot be hidden for long. In a recent campaign event, being with his loyal supporters, he probably let his guard down, and the public heard his true ambition.

Having an illusion of being secessionist-minded "the president of the republic of Taiwan," Lai could be more impulsive than Chen Shui-bian and more radical than Tsai Ing-wen.

When the cross-Strait relations stand at the crossroads between peace and war, prosperity and recession, the people of Taiwan are beginning to feel the weight of their decisions.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
With the end of this year's second quarter, companies are revealing how they fared for the last three months. While some may have experienced a few setbacks, Google's parent company Alphabet is doing quite well despite its slow progress in the AI market.

Alphabet Exceeded Expectations

The parent company has been facing a lot of competition in various aspects. With AI, Microsoft's Bing and ChatGPT have been ahead when it comes to chatbots. Alphabet even has reason to worry about other competitors like Meta and TikTok when it comes to ads.

Despite that, the company still had a successful second quarter, and it's all thanks to its search engine Google and video platform Google. By accelerating the revenue from both, it managed to make up for its shortcomings on Bard, as mentioned in The New York Times.

In its Q2, Alphabet reported $74.6 billion in sales, which is an increase from the previous year by 7%. Alphabet also saw a 15% rose om its profits to $18.4 billion. The numbers exceeded the estimates provided by analysts, which are $72.9 billion for quarterly sales and $17.1 billion for profits.

Seeing as the company is a tech giant, it hardly encountered trouble when it comes to ad revenue. Even though users would prefer ChatGPT or Bing over Google Bard, most still use the original search engine over everything else.

As a result of the successful quarter, the tech company's stocks went up by 6% in after-hours trading this Tuesday. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai stated that in their seventh year as an AI-first company, they intuitively know how to incorporate AI into their products.

Pichai added that the advances "provide an opportunity to reimagine" many of their products, which include its most important one which is search. Even without further improvements, the majority is still set on using Google's search engine, which somewhat assuages investor concerns.

The search engine alone makes up $42.6 billion of the total revenue in the second quarter, which has also exceeded the expectation of analysts which is $42.2 billion. Even YouTube saw an increase in ad revenue by 4%, resulting in $7.7 billion in revenue.

Read Also: Meta Rolls Out New Features for Threads, Making It More Like Twitter

YouTube Was Previously Struggling with Ad Revenue

YouTube's 4% increase in ad sales is certainly good news for the company, especially since it previously went through a continuous decline year over year. In Alphabet's earnings report back in late April 2023, YouTube experienced a 2.6% year-over-year decline.

It only managed to get $6.69 billion in ad revenue for its first fiscal quarter, as mentioned in Tech Crunch. By then, it was the third consecutive quarter that the video platform's ad sales went down, which was causing doubts for both creators and investors.

Although the 4% increase is not a guarantee that YouTube is bouncing back, it's certainly a step in the right direction. Hopefully, it continues to grow as it does to ease growing concerns from content creators who also earn from ad sales through the video platform.

Related: Snap's Quarterly Revenue Sees Increase, But is Still Lower Than Last Year's
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 27 - Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said Thursday he hoped the situation in the city would be back to normal by the end of August after recent storms and gales ripped up trees and caused flooding and very extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

"Rather than counting the damage, right now we are working on (drawing up a plan to return the city to normal by the end of August)", said Sala, speaking on the sidelines of commemorations for the Cosa Nostra mafia bombing in Via Palestro on July 27, 1993.

"Right now I prefer to have all the forces in the field, fire brigade, police, army, Atm, Amsa, working," continued the mayor.

"On Tuesday I will bring them all together (for a meeting) because I want to have a plan on the table that will lead us to a situation that I hope will be normalised by the end of August," said Sala.

"I ask the citizens to understand that the situation cannot be restored overnight," he added.

Sala added that the city would request a state of emergency along with the Lombardy region, which was equally badly affected by the extreme bad weather and has said it suffered damage worth 41 million euros.

The government is expected to allocate funds next week.

However Premier Giorgia Meloni said in a video before the cabinet meeting on Wednesday that "the medium-term objective that the government has set itself is to overcome the logic of fragmented interventions by launching a major hydrogeological prevention plan". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 27 - The cabinet on Wednesday approved a preliminary draft of a prime ministerial decree reorganising the Italian state museum system.

Under the provision, the number of state museums, archaeological areas and other state-owned cultural sites with special autonomy is to rise from the current 44 to 60.

New entries include the Royal Museums in Turin, the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and the Galleria dell'Accademia-Musei del Bargello in Florence, which will be considered a single entity.

"The autonomy granted to some large museums is an operational choice that enables them to lift their quality and usability," said Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.

"Being autonomous means having a managerial type of management that allows quick decisions to me made in order to protect and promote the structures," he continued.

The Uffizi Galleries in Florence, the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, the Colosseum archaeological park and the Borgese gallery in Rome are among the state-owned museums and monuments that already have independent status.

The draft decree now passes to the State Audit Court for an opinion before receiving final approval from the cabinet.

Photo: The Royal Museums in Turin (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 27 - US President Joe Biden and Premier Giorgia Meloni will discuss greater coordination on China during their meeting at the White House on Thursday.

The meeting will take place at 3 pm local time (9 pm in Italy).

Biden will receive Meloni "to reaffirm the strong relationship between the United States and Italy," the White House said in a statement.

The US president and the Italian premier "will discuss common strategic interests, including support for Ukraine against Russia's aggression, developments in North Africa, and greater transatlantic coordination vis-a-vis China," continued the statement.

The two leaders will also discuss Italy's "upcoming G7 presidency in 2024," concluded the statement. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 27 - The government is to propose to the European Commission omitting nine measures worth 15.9 billion euros from Italy's EU-funded post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and funding them through other sources, European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto said on Thursday.

The measures "will be safeguarded through coverage by other sources of funding, such as the national plan that is complementary to the NRRP and cohesion policy funds," Fitto told reporters after the meeting of the NRRP steering committee.

The measures include interventions to enhance the territory and improve the energy efficiency of municipalities, to a value of 6 billion euros, urban renewal projects to a value of 3.3 billion euros, integrated urban plans to a value of 2.5 billion euros, and flood and hydrogeological risk management to a value of 1.287 billion euros.

"For some interventions, significant critical issues have emerged that do not allow confirmation of funding under the plan," read a summary of the amended plan released by the European affairs ministry after the meeting.

"In this context, the government is taking the necessary measures to reprogramme resources in favour of interventions that are coherent and feasible within the planned timeframe, while ensuring the full funding of the interventions removed from the NRRP," continued the summary.

Instead, Fitto said that the proposed additional RepowerEU chapter of the plan containing measures to promote the use of clean energy, energy efficiency and diversification includes "a total of 19 billion euros worth of planned interventions benefitting economic growth, employment and all the main strategic sectors".

The interventions, he added, have "been selected on the basis of the RepowerEu criteria, both in terms of achieving the energy objectives and meeting the deadline for implementation by 2026".

The Repower, said Raffaele Fitto, includes three areas of investments (networks, efficiency and production plants) and six reforms. (ANSA).


The boss of one of Scotlands best known theatres has warned fundamental sustained action is urgently required to save the sector.

Alex McGowan, executive director of Glasgows Citizens Theatre, said venue closures and the end to a credible producing theatre sector in Scotland are a very real possibility without action.

He was speaking as a new report  commissioned by the Citizens and five other leading independent theatres in Scotland  revealed the countrys producing theatres had collectively posted a deficit in three of the four pre-Covid years.

The Disappearing Act? report, produced by Data Culture Change, added the impact of the pandemic had been broad and deep across the theatre sector.

The report found theatres are facing enormous pressures on costs (Victoria Jones/PA)

Some audiences have been slow to return and a sizable proportion of the core frequent audience appears to have been lost, the report found.

It added while special tax relief for theatre had made a vital contribution to finances, this is being reduced from 2025-26  and it warned this will cause significant additional challenges.

The report continued: As well as reduced income, there are now enormous pressures on costs across the business, including major rises in the price of utilities.

Meanwhile, attracting and retaining skilled staff is said to be a greater challenge than ever with wage expectations rising, reflecting increases in the cost of living.

To tackle this, the report, commissioned by the Citizens, Glasgows Tron theatre, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, the Traverse in Edinburgh, Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, and the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, recommends they work together.

It called for Scotlands independent producing theatres to take collaborative federal approaches to production, marketing, learning and participation and the development of new income streams.

In a bid to produce new Scottish work that will attract large audiences, both nationally and internationally, it recommends the theatres work together to find ways to collaborate with experienced commercial theatre producers, that will support and co-produce popular shows that are expected to tour within Scotland and then go on for further commercial exploitation in other parts of the UK and internationally.

The report calls for collaborative working between the six independent producing theatres (Ian West/PA)

The report comes after the six theatres sold a collective annual average of 423,000 tickets in the three years prior to the Covid pandemic, with joint turnover topping 20 million a year over that time.

In that period of 2017 to 2020, they also staged an average of 106 productions a year, of which 80% were commissioned and other new work.

But Mr McGowan said: If the collective picture for our venues was bleak before the pandemic, the negative and continuing impacts of Covid-19 are potentially devastating.

To avoid the risk of venue closures and the very real possibility of the end to a credible producing theatre sector in Scotland, fundamental sustained action is urgently required.

We recognise change wont be easy and are committed to responding positively and flexibly.

We hope our funders, partners, colleagues and the public will find in this report all the reasons to support our transformation.

Liam Sinclair, executive director of Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, said: Scotlands producing theatres have been aware that the challenges we face have been building, and that in order to survive we needed to face some hard facts and tackle the issues head-on.

We came together to commission Data Culture Change to produce this independent report to provide us with the robust data to inform actions we are committed to taking in order to protect the future of theatrical work made here and telling Scotlands stories.
A retired British miner may be able to leave prison this week as Cypriot judges prepare to sentence him for the manslaughter of his terminally ill wife.

David Hunter, 76, will be sentenced in a hearing expected to last at least two days from Thursday after being cleared of the more serious charge of premeditated murder.

His legal team will be arguing he should be given a suspended sentence and that there is no point in keeping him in prison any longer.

The pensioner, from Ashington, Northumberland, had been on trial for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.

David Hunter has spent 19 months in custody and his daughter is hoping he will be released within the next few weeks (Joe Giddens/PA)

Hunter, who has been in custody for 19 months, told the court she cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer.

The couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said the family was apprehensive ahead of the sentencing hearing.

She told the PA news agency: We are hoping for time served or a suspended sentence but are very aware that theres a chance hell remain in custody. Were not counting our chickens.

Ms Cawthorne said her father had been quietly relieved since last weeks verdict, but was not especially hopeful about his sentence.

She added: He doesnt want to allow himself to get his hopes up.

Hes grateful that the judges seem to have understood what they went through and believe that he acted out of love.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, told PA: In this case we are putting forward case law from across common law jurisdictions such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, given that no cases such as this have ever been dealt with in Cyprus.

In these jurisdictions, the courts have found that suspended sentences are appropriate where the facts are similar to those in Davids case.

Last week the court found in Davids favour on all matters including that Janice had requested that he help her die, that he had acted because of his love for her, and that he then tried to end his own life.

David Hunter described his wife Janice, who is buried in Cyprus, as his best friend (Joe Giddens/PA)

We will be submitting to the court that a suspended sentence is appropriate in this case, given the type of offence, Davids age, the fact that he has spent 19 months in custody, and his previous good character.

There is no point in keeping David in prison any longer.

In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that he would never in a million years have taken his wifes life unless she had asked him to.

He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend.

Hunter showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wifes wish after she became hysterical.
Fatalities from drink-drive crashes on Britains roads have reached a 12-year high, new figures show.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said an estimated 260 people were killed in collisions involving a driver over the alcohol limit in 2021.

That is up from 220 during the previous 12 months, and is the highest annual total since 2009, when there were 380 fatalities.

(PA Graphics)

A further 1,610 people were seriously injured in drink-drive crashes in 2021.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: These figures are extremely worrying and demonstrate that the battle against drink-driving is far from over.

This should be a wake-up call to both the Government and police forces about the need for effective enforcement, including increased roadside breathalysing.

Our message to drivers is simple yet stark: drink-driving ruins lives.

A DfT spokeswoman said: Drink-driving is illegal, and there are tough penalties in place to reflect the fact that those who choose to do it not only put their own life at risk but also the lives of others.

Road safety is our priority and our highly respected Think! campaigns continue to tackle drink-driving attitudes and behaviours, with a new campaign due to run later this year.

The drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

Nowhere else in Europe has a limit above 50mg/100ml.

The Scottish Government reduced its limit to that level in 2014.
The Duke of Sussex is due to discover whether his legal challenge over allegations of unlawful information gathering against a tabloid publisher can continue to a High Court trial.

Harry, 38, alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN) titles The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World and has launched a claim for damages.

At a hearing in April, NGN asked Mr Justice Fancourt to throw out the dukes case, arguing it was brought too late because he should have known sooner he had a potential claim.

The judge is expected to deliver his decision on whether the dukes claims can go to trial at 10am on Thursday.

The ruling is also due to cover whether the duke can rely on an alleged secret agreement between the royal family and senior executives working for media mogul Rupert Murdoch as part of his claim.

The Duke of Sussex arriving at the Rolls Buildings in central London to give evidence in a phone-hacking trial against Mirror Group Newspapers in June (PA)

Harrys lawyers previously argued that NGNs challenge to his claim is an attempt to go behind the alleged secret agreement, between the royal family as an institution and the publisher, which the duke was told of in 2012.

But NGN, which denies any unlawful activity took place at The Sun, disputes such an agreement was in place.

At a hearing in London earlier this month, lawyers for the duke said there is evidence to support the existence of the agreement, including emails between senior executives at the Rupert Murdoch-owned parent companies of NGN and palace staff in 2017 and 2018.

David Sherborne, for Harry, also said in written arguments the fact the Prince of Wales settled a claim against NGN for a very large sum of money in 2020 also supports the contention that there was a secret agreement in place.

But Anthony Hudson KC, for NGN, told the court the bid to alter the dukes claim is a radical intended revision of his case and he is trying to ride two horses galloping in completely different directions and hedge his bets.

Mr Hudson said the alleged agreement was such a secret agreement that no-one apart from the claimant knows anything about it, and even the claimant knows very little about it.

Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in May that a claim by actor Hugh Grant over alleged unlawful information gathering  other than allegations of phone hacking  can go ahead to be tried next January (PA)

The barrister also said there was an extraordinary delay between Harry launching his claim against NGN in 2019 and first raising the issue of the secret agreement following the publishers strike-out bid.

Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in May that a claim by actor Hugh Grant over alleged unlawful information gathering  other than allegations of phone hacking  can go ahead to be tried next January.

Grant, 62, is suing NGN in relation to The Sun only, having previously settled a claim with the publisher in 2012 relating to the News Of The World.

NGN has previously settled a number of claims since the phone-hacking scandal broke in relation to the News of the World, which closed in 2011, but has consistently denied unlawful information gathering took place at The Sun.

Harry has been involved in six legal battles at the High Court in recent months.

His civil litigation has seen him bring claims against three major newspaper publishers over allegations of unlawful information gathering, as well as legal challenges against the Home Office in relation to his personal security.
Bumble just added another way to grow your social circle.

The company behind the popular online dating and networking application recently launched its new standalone app to help people find new friends online.

This new app is the standalone spin-off of Bumble's BFF (Bumble for Friends) branch, which was formerly one of Bumble's three branches; the other two are Date and Bizz (for networking purposes).

Bumble For Friends Standalone App Details

Bumble mentioned that it has officially released its new standalone app Bumble For Friends, a dedicated friend-finding app for creating connections with people in one's area, per the app's FAQ page.

Bumble advertises the app as a way to make friends online when someone recently moved into a new city, looking for anyone with the same hobbies, or just wanting a new person to talk to.

Despite the app's friend-finding feature, people under the age of 18 can't use Bumble For Friends. However, people who had their accounts blocked for being underage by accident may reach out to Bumble's Support team to fix the issue.

Much like Instagram's Threads, Bumble with Friends allows Bumble users to sign in to the dedicated friend-finding app easily. Unlike Threads, though, insterested users who don't have a Bumble account can sign up for the app.

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After signing up or into the app, users can connect their other social media profiles to Bumble For Friends to complete their profile. These include Instagram and Spotify. Users can also sign up for the app through Apple Sign or Facebook if they so wish.

Once signed in, new users will be asked to start building their profile - the company believes a complete profile is the key to more meaningful connections. As such, Bumble encourages users to "let [their personality] shine through" their profile.

Much like Bumble's dating app (and other dating apps for that matter), users can swipe through potential friends and take their time to check out their profiles properly. Once they found a match, they can find common ground with them, which could lead the other person on the line to be their friend, roommate, or workout buddy.

The app is available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the Philippines in the mean time and can be downloaded on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for free.

Who Will Benefit From The App?

Mashable mentioned in its report that people who have trouble finding and making friends - especially after the COVID-19 pandemic - would highly benefit from the app. According to a statement from Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, having a dedicated friend-finding app like Bumble For Friends makes the process of finding and making friends easier for those looking to make meaningful platonic connections in their area.

"People are more open to making friends online than ever before," Herd added. "In fact, in a recent Bumble For Friends survey, over a third of Gen Z respondents in the UK shared that making new friends online lessened their loneliness."

Speaking of Gen Z, a study with 2,000 UK adults as respondents found that almost half (47%) of UK adults aged 18-24 believe that platonic relationships are more important than romantic relationships. However, the rouble is finding people worth making platonic relationships with - 44% of adults find it difficult to make friends, while 28% of them have difficulties approaching people in person.

Meanwhile, 67% of Gen Z Americans surveyed in a study said that making new friends online lessened their loneliness.

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A cannabis user who shot dead a custody sergeant while handcuffed in a police cell has been handed a whole-life sentence.

Gun fanatic Louis De Zoysa was convicted of murder last month, after jurors were shown distressing CCTV footage of the 26-year-old using a legally-bought revolver to gun down Sergeant Matt Ratana.

Sgt Ratana died in hospital despite the efforts of medical staff, after being struck by two bullets in a holding cell in Croydon, south London, in September 2020.

The jury which convicted De Zoysa, a former tax office data analyst, was not told that a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun and a dummy launcher were found at his rented property after the killing.

Sentencing De Zoysa at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, High Court judge Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson told him: You acted in cold blood. You intended to kill Sergeant Ratana.

Sergeant Matt Ratana was hit by two bullets in a holding cell at a custody centre in Croydon, south London, in September 2020 (Metropolitan Police/PA)

You aimed the gun at his chest at near point-blank range. Even as he fell you re-aimed and fired a second shot at him.

The aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating factors. There is therefore no justification to depart from the starting point of a whole-life order.

De Zoysa, who is expected to be held at HMP Belmarsh in south-east London, showed no obvious reaction as he was told he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Louis De Zoysa was given a whole-life term (Metropolitan Police/PA)

De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, claimed diminished responsibility but was found guilty after the jury decided he pulled the antique weapons trigger deliberately to fire homemade bullets, and had not suffered an autistic meltdown.

His three-week trial was shown slow-motion video of New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana being hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged within three seconds.

A second bullet struck the 54-year-old in the thigh before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers, as a third round hit the cell wall at Croydons Windmill Road custody centre.

De Zoysa discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor 16 seconds later, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing brain damage.

Louis De Zoysa hid his revolver as he left a police van (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The judge said victim impact statements made to the court by the siblings, son, stepmother, former partner and partner of Sgt Ratana showed they were rightly immensely proud of him.

Stressing that the sentence imposed on De Zoysa was one of last resort reserved for cases of the most extreme gravity, the judge told him: A whole life order means that you must remain in custody for the rest of your life.

The events are clear on CCTV and body-worn video evidence. You knew the gun worked, you knew that each cartridge was likely to kill if fired directly at a persons chest.

You deliberately concealed the gun from the police. You told them you had cannabis to focus their attention on that.

You made strenuous and successful efforts to retrieve the gun while you were handcuffed behind your back.

De Zoysa, who is thought to have removed the gun from a holster while in a police van and then kept it hidden under the vent of his overcoat, had time and space to consider what to do, the judge said.

You were able to think about what you would do, he continued. Autism is not to blame for your decision to murder Sergeant Ratana. You are to blame for that.

Officers overpowered Louis De Zoysa following the murder (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The court was told that officials at Belmarsh have confirmed the prison has the resources and facilities to provide the type of medical care De Zoysa requires.

Before De Zoysa was sentenced, the court heard victim impact statements from Sgt Ratanas partner Su Bushby, his younger sister Jessica Williams, younger brother James Young, his former partner Theresa Ratana, his son Luke Ratana, and his stepmother Diane Peachey.

Ms Bushby told the court: Losing Matt, my partner for five years, is the most devastating event that has happened to me in my life.

Not a day goes by when I dont think of him, miss his smile, his humour, his laughter and his wonderful, kind personality.

She also described the pain of being told of her partners death, the indescribable impact of seeing his body in hospital, and the horrendous experience of seeing CCTV footage of his cruel and cowardly murder.

Reading her statement from the witness box, Ms Bushby said of the CCTV evidence: It was so difficult to hear Matts voice and see him in the video being a custody sergeant, a role he loved, knowing, when he walked into that room, his life would be over a few seconds later.

I have so much praise for the swift actions of the officers and staff that were in the custody area that night.

Matt understood the risks of working as a police officer, but being killed in such a way, in his own police station, is just too horrible for me to bear.

Offering mitigation and arguing against the imposition of a whole life order, Imran Khan KC said De Zoysa had experienced a troubled childhood and was proud of his work as an analyst.

He had the potential of a good future ahead of him, Mr Khan said. We may never know the reason why he had a loaded revolver on him.
A cannabis user who shot dead a custody sergeant while handcuffed in a police cell will be sentenced by a High Court judge today.

Gun fanatic Louis De Zoysa was convicted of murder last month after jurors were shown distressing CCTV footage of the 26-year-old using a legally bought revolver to gun down Sgt Matt Ratana.

Sgt Ratana died in hospital despite the efforts of medical staff after being struck by two bullets in a holding cell in Croydon, south London, in 2020.

Sergeant Matt Ratana died in 2020 (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The jury which convicted De Zoysa, a former tax office data analyst, was not told a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun, and a dummy launcher were found at his rented property after the killing.

De Zoysa claimed diminished responsibility but was found guilty after a jury decided he pulled the antique weapons trigger deliberately to fire homemade bullets, and did not suffer an autistic meltdown.

His three-week trial at Northampton Crown Court was shown slow-motion video of New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana being hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by De Zoysa within three seconds.

A second bullet struck the 54-year-old in the thigh before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers, as a third round hit the cell wall at Croydons Windmill Road custody centre.

De Zoysa, who was living in a flat a farm in Banstead, Surrey, discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor 16 seconds later, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing brain damage.

CCTV footage showed Louis De Zoysa hiding the gun under his coat as he left a police van (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The killer, who now uses a wheelchair, has communication difficulties and is being treated at a healthcare unit in Northamptonshire, was arrested in London Road, Norbury, in the early hours of September 25 2020.

A bag containing seven bullets and cannabis were found during a search of De Zoysas clothing and body but officers did not discover a holster containing a .41-calibre revolver loaded with six rounds.

During the trial, prosecutors said De Zoysa retrieved the weapon from under his left arm, while handcuffed to the rear, as he was being transported to the Windmill Road custody block in a police van.

CCTV evidence suggested he managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand around 16 minutes before the shooting and then took advantage of a vent at the back of his overcoat to hide the weapon.

Officers restrain Louis De Zoysa after the murder (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The court was told that after buying the revolver on the internet three months before the murder, De Zoysa used bullets he had made to test that it worked.

The bullets had been made with parts De Zoysa also bought online, the court heard.

Pre-trial hearings, at which De Zoysa was twice ruled fit to plead despite his communication problems, were told he has no previous convictions.

An examination of his digital devices confirmed his interest in weapons and uncovered material relating to ideologies including right-wing extremism, Islamic extremism and homophobia, all of which he later denied being interested in.

De Zoysa is listed to appear before Mr Justice Johnson for sentence in Northampton at 10am on Thursday.
A harpist, who reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and completed her Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt for the highest altitude harp performance, said it was an unforgettable experience.

Siobhan Brady hiked more than 19,000ft to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in an attempt to beat her previous feat in 2018 where she performed for 18 minutes at Singla Pass, India, at more than 16,000ft.

The 24-year-old from Limerick, Ireland, played her concert called the Highest Harp Concert for 20 minutes performing a selection of songs including the traditional Tanzanian jig which translates as Thank You Tanzania from Swahili.

Ms Brady also performed her rendition of Ed Sheerans Little Bird, which has a special connection to Caroline Heffernan, a patient advocate at Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Ireland, the charity which funds raised from the hike  more than 42,000 euros so far  will go to.

Siobhan Brady performed for 20 minutes at more than 19,000ft (The Highest Harp Concert Team)

Little Bird pays homage to Triona Priestley, a woman who died from CF in 2014, whose mother Ms Heffernan met.

The harpist was accompanied by Ms Heffernan, who has CF, and read the poem The Prophets Are Weeping by Irish President Michael D Higgins while on Mount Kilimanjaro.

At the Barufa Camp where Ms Brady was stationed after the performance she spoke of her unforgettable experience and was happy to see her dream become a reality.

We are elated beyond words and immensely proud of the incredible team and support that made this ambition dreamed up a few years ago, somehow become a reality, she said.

The final hours before reaching the summit were a real test of resilience, however, we somehow made it through and found the perfect moment for the concert with only the clouds below us.

Its been an unforgettable experience, rewarding and challenging in equal measure, and I know I speak for all of the team when I thank everyone who sent in messages from far and wide.

The constant encouragement and support made some of the steps forward all that bit easier.

Philip Watt, chief executive of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, congratulated Ms Brady and her team and said he was proud of their successful ascent up the highest mountain in Africa.

We know this has been a supreme effort for all the team and with many months of planning, including for our colleague Caroline Heffernan who has cystic fibrosis, he said.

We are very respectful of the fact that Kilimanjaro is not only the highest mountain in Africa but is also a sacred mountain for many in Tanzania and we pay tribute to the many who assisted the team in reaching the summit and pray for their safe return.

Ms Brady and her father Sean, look out over the clouds from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (The Highest Harp Concert Team/PA)

Many congratulations to Siobhan Brady and her team for this fundraising initiative and for topping her own world record in playing the highest harp at such a high altitude and many thanks to the leader of the climb, Pat Falvey, the renowned Irish climber.

He also wished Ms Brady a safe descent and is looking forward to welcoming the team back to Dublin adding that the funds raised during this challenge will support the key work of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

Ms Brady and her team of 19 underwent two years of training on Irish peaks and at Mount Teide in Tenerife to prepare for her GWR attempt.

They were joined by Irish mountaineer Pat Falvey, who helped the team navigate their way up the summit along with an African-based team of around 60 people.

Ms Brady was presented with an Irish flag from the Irish ambassador for Tanzania, Mary ONeill, to take to the summit and she wished her well before her ascent up the mountain.

Ms Brady was joined by a team of 19 who helped her ascent up the Tanzanian mountain (The Highest Harp Concert Team/PA)

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving said she is immensely proud of Ms Brady for completing her incredible feat.

We at JustGiving are immensely proud of Siobhan, Caroline and the Highest Harps team on the completion of their monumental fundraising challenge, she said.

It is truly incredible. Weve followed their journey every step of the way and have been in complete awe of the commitment and strength theyve shown throughout.

Congratulations to the whole team on conquering this incredible feat and raising a fantastic amount of money for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

The fundraising link can be accessed here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Highest-Harp
Climate anxiety is rife as temperatures hit 45C in places like Sardinia, Italy. (Getty Images)

Wildfires in Greece. An unprecedented European heatwave. Record sea temperatures in the US. Its no wonder why so many of us are feeling climate anxiety.

A 2022 survey from YouGov found that 67% of people have become increasingly worried about climate change and its effects following the 2022 heatwaves in the UK. Women are markedly more worried about the climate crisis than men (75% compared to 58%).

The worry is also split by political preferences, with 83% of Labour voters anxious about the environment, compared to 56% of Conservatives.

A separate survey of 3,000 British children from 2023 found that 70% of kids aged between 12 and 18 are worried about the world they will inherit. A further 60% believe that the climate crisis is affecting their generations mental health, while 75% want the government to take stronger action on climate change.

Read more on climate change

Wildfires swept Rhodes in Greece during July due to intense heatwaves. (Getty Images)

What is climate anxiety?

"Climate anxiety can be perceived as a psychological and emotional response to the existential threat posed by climate change," psychologist Barbara Santini explains. "It isn't merely 'worry' but a deeper, more profound sense of dread and unease stemming from the realisation of the ecological crises we're facing."

Climate anxiety can manifest itself in several different ways, from acute stress, to depression, feelings of grief and loss, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"Moreover, this anxiety is often associated with a sense of guilt and responsibility for not doing enough or being part of the problem," Santini adds. "Its a frustration towards the perceived lack of action from authorities or society at large."

A recent phenomenon

While anxiety caused by environmental threats and natural events is nothing new, actually living through what seems to be like increasingly extreme weather events is causing a new prolonged anxiety.

"Climate anxiety is a new manifestation of psychological distress," Santini explains. "It has emerged in response to our growing understanding of the science of climate change, the lived experiences of extreme weather events, and the ongoing discussions around the catastrophic implications of failing to address climate change."

Santini says, in recent years, shes seen a palpable increase in the number of people seeking help for feelings associated with climate anxiety.

"Many of my clients express feelings of powerlessness, fear, and despair, and these feelings have been particularly prominent among young people who are acutely aware that they will have to live with the consequences of current environmental decisions," she adds.

People swim in the sea in southern parts of Rhodes following large-scale wildfires. (Getty Images)

How to cope with climate anxiety

Dealing with climate anxiety can involve a range of coping strategies. Santini outlines her top tips:

Diversify your news sources : Its easy to feel anxious about the environment if all youre seeing is doom and gloom, so make sure youre exposing yourself to positive stories about climate action and solutions.

Educate yourself: Understand whats happening and the risks involved. Misinformation or lack of knowledge can lead to unnecessary distress.

Emotional regulation: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or other relaxation techniques. These can help manage the physiological symptoms of anxiety.

Active engagement: Engage in environmental advocacy. This can provide a sense of control and purpose.

Connect with a community: Connect with others who share your concerns. This can help validate your feelings and prevent the sense of isolation that can come from dealing with a global, complex issue.

Seek counselling: If feelings of anxiety become chronic or overwhelming, seek professional help.

If you are feeling anxious, you can call the Anxiety UK helpline on 03444 775 774 from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, to speak to someone.
A man who killed a former friend and dumped his partially burnt body in a shallow grave has been found guilty of murder after a secret walk-in police informant broke the case.

Mohammed Shah Subhani, 27, known as Shah and Little Man, was last seen alive visiting R&J Plumbing in Hounslow, west London, on May 7 2019.

After entering the premises, he was killed and his body rolled up in a carpet to be transported to woodland where it was burnt and buried.

Later the same day, his killer, Amraj Poonia, unashamedly went to the Subhani family home in Hounslow and acted as if nothing had happened, an Old Bailey jury was told.

Members of Mohammed Shah Subhanis family visit the site in Buckinghamshire where his remains were found (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The case was initially treated as a missing persons inquiry before a murder investigation was launched and possible suspects identified.

The breakthrough came around six months later when an individual, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, walked into a police station, admitted taking part in the disposal of Mr Subhanis body and named his killer.

Acting on the information, Mr Subhanis badly decomposed body was found miles away in woodland in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

The court was told that Mr Subhani was killed at the Poonia business after falling out over a kilo of cannabis that went missing after it was given Amraj Poonia for safe-keeping.

Associate Mohanad Riad had recruited two local drug dealers to help stage a fake theft but suspicions erupted into incidents of violence in the weeks before the killing, jurors heard.

Following a trial, Amraj Poonia, 27, aka Bigs, was found guilty of murder.

His brother Raneel Poonia, 26, aka Ace, and Gurditta Singh, also 26, were cleared of the offence.

Riad, 23, known as Emz, and Mahamud Ismail, 26, aka Skinny and Major, were found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Another defendant, serving prisoner Mohammed Shakeel, 29, was cleared of that charge.

Members of Mr Subhanis family wept in court as the jury returned verdicts after nearly 40 hours of deliberations.

Metropolitan Police DCI Vicky Tunstall, left, and Iqra Subhani, right, the sister of murder victim Mohammed Shah Subhani, outside the Old Bailey (Emily Pennink/PA)

Following the verdict, the victims sister, Iqra Subhani, described those involved in her brothers death as monsters.

She told the PA news agency: Before Shah passed away we were a very happy family. We had everything. A life full of happiness. After losing Shah it is a different world that were in. Nothings the same. You just dont know how to get by.

Its been a very difficult, tormenting time for all of us, especially my parents, to see the final moments of Shahs life and to hear about what these monsters done to my brother. To know of the last things that happened to him when he died, and after he died, it gives you nightmares.

Weve waited for years but, now that we know the truth, its horrifying, truly heart-breaking.

Some of the boys that were involved in Shahs murder grew up with us, they were like our family, they came to our house every day, ate on the same plate as us.

To see such treachery and betrayal  to kill my brother and then to come to my house the same night saying that youre helping us find him  you can only imagine how heartless these people are.

Theyre not even humans. Theyre like monsters because I dont think any normal person could kill someone that they know and then come to their house and act like nothings happened. You have to be a monster to do something like that.

She described her brother as very loving and family orientated and said he had filled our lives with joy.

On the guilty verdicts, she said: My brother waited a very long time for this justice. I feel like somewhere his soul will find peace. It will never bring Shah back to us but it will give us that peace that these people who have done this horrible, horrible, horrible crime are brought to justice.

Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall said it had been an exceptionally difficult and unusual, once-in-a-career case.

She said: This was a missing persons investigation for three weeks and then it was passed to ourselves in the homicide command to undertake as a murder investigation.

We investigated it and quite early on we had a very good idea of who the suspects were. Some early arrests were made. We didnt have quite enough evidence to secure charges and prosecute through a trial.

Our breakthrough came about six months after Shah had gone missing when a witness came forward  somebody that had actually been present at his burial and was able to provide us with the key linking evidence.

That meant that we had the ability and opportunity to locate Shah and the comfort that then brought to his family. But also evidentially it brought us into the area where we could now bring charges, ultimately against these defendants.

She paid tribute to the anonymous witness, saying: Weve all been forever in this persons debt for having the courage to come forward, admit responsibility and their involvement in the offence but ultimately come to court and give evidence against the others.

She said the defendants behaviour as despicable and an ultimate betrayal.

Ms Subhani added: Its been a very long and difficult journey for me and my family and wed like to thank Vicky and all her team and every single officer that helped recover my brothers remains and everyone that helped in playing a part in getting Shah the justice that he deserves.

And I want to thank the witness that came forward and we are very thankful to you, may God bless you.

The defendants were remanded into custody to be sentenced on a later date.
The Co-op has reported that crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in its stores have increased by over a third in the past year.

The company revealed there were more than 175,000 incidents in the first six months of this year  almost 1,000 every day.

One inner city London store was looted three times in a single day.

The Co-op warned that this level of out-of-control crime is unsustainable and could see some communities become a no-go area for local stores.

The convenience retailer called on police forces and crime commissioners to target prolific offenders and local organised criminal gangs, with many said to operate without fear of being caught.

A Freedom of Information request by Co-op showed that police failed to respond in 71% of serious retail crimes reported.

The Co-op also revealed that front-line store workers have seen physical assaults increase year-on-year by almost a third and, anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse by a fifth.

Matt Hood, Co-op Food managing director, said: We know retail crime is driven by repeat and prolific offenders and, organised criminal gangs.

It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and in the worst instances can even be described as looting.

I have seen some horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in our stores, where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened.

I see first-hand how this criminal behaviour also erodes the very fabric of our communities  its hard to over-emphasise how important urgent change is.

Co-op has invested significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe, but we need the police to play their part.

Too often, forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams, and criminals are operating in communities without any fear of consequences.

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive, James Lowman, said: Our members are at the sharp end, seeing crime in their communities get steadily worse.

Shop theft is rising because repeat offenders and organised criminals are targeting local shops to steal goods to resell.

This organised criminal activity exploits vulnerable people by getting them to steal to order in exchange for their next fix, funds the illegal drug trade, and harms businesses that provide essential services to communities.

The police have to face up to theft, violence and anti-social behaviour in and around local shops.

Cracking down on the criminals who account for the majority of this crime against our members would be the most effective way to make our communities safer.

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shop workers union Usdaw said: Evidence is mounting that retail crime is on the increase.

This is very concerning for our members in retail, because shoplifting is not a victimless crime.

Theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers and, as the Co-op rightly says, it is often linked to organised crime gangs.
Opposition politicians and unions have demanded more action to rein in runaway profits as two of Londons biggest energy companies each said they had made billions of pounds in recent months.

British Gas made a record 1 billion in the first six months of the year, helping its parent company Centrica make 2.1 billion in adjusted operating profit, up 55% on the year before.

Meanwhile oil giant Shell said that it had made 5.1 billion dollars (3.9 billion) in the three months to the end of June.

These figures demonstrate the continuing scandal of the Tory failure to act on the windfalls of war being pocketed by oil and gas companies, said Ed Miliband, Labours shadow climate and net zero secretary.

Centrica boss Chris OShea said that this profit was out of the ordinary and would not be repeated in a normal year (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Labour, he said, would introduce a proper windfall tax on oil companies and promote cheap renewables to bring down bills for households.

The Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a general election in his response to the companies profits.

It beggars belief that after all these months this Conservative Government is still allowing energy firms to rake in extraordinary profits while millions of families struggle, Sir Ed said.

He added: Its time for a general election and a proper windfall tax to fund the support families desperately need.

While Shells profit shrunk during the quarter, down by 56% and fell short of expectations, British Gass 969 million profit was out of the ordinary.

In 2021 and 2022 what suppliers paid for energy rose enormously quickly while the price cap on energy bills only increased very slowly.

That left energy suppliers heavily out of pocket, leading dozens to go out of business.

Later, fearing more potential distress among companies if it did not, Ofgem said it would increase the price cap to allow suppliers to recoup these costs.

On Thursday British Gas revealed that it had recouped around 500 million, which became the lions share of its profit increase.

Centrica boss Chris OShea insisted this was not the new normal for British Gas.

In the future he expects British Gas Energy, Centricas energy supply division, to make a little under a quarter of a billion pounds a year in overall adjusted operating profit.

We expect that going forward British Gas Energy will make on a normalised basis around 150 million to 250 million a year, a vast majority of that tends to be in the first half, Mr OShea told reporters on a Thursday morning phone call.

We would not expect to see profits anywhere near this level from British Gas Energy, it really is a one-off.

He added: I dont see (1 billion) as being reflective of the performance.

You have to really strip it (the 500 million) out. Its important that people understand that its simply a recovery of costs that we incurred in the past.

Shells profits returned closer to pre-energy crisis levels in the second quarter (Yui Mok/PA)

While British Gass profits were ramping up due to the price cap allowance, Shell saw its profits decrease to much more normal levels.

Its 5.1 billion dollar adjusted earnings were lower than the 11.5 billion dollars it made in the same quarter last year.

But it is more in line with the companys 2021 second quarter results, before the energy crisis, when it made 5.5 billion dollars.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: British Gas owner Centrica has just reported its highest ever first half year profits, raking in almost 1 billion.

We need to stop dancing around our handbags and grasp the nettle. The only way to end the chaos in our energy supply is staring us in the face  public ownership.

It is absolutely affordable. It would protect businesses and households. Put simply, its a no brainer.

Both the Government and Labour need to decide whose side are they on.
Rejected claims for costs incurred by Wizz Air passengers during flight disruption are to be reassessed.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the carrier has committed to reconsider claims it received for money owed to cover the cost of replacement flights, transfers between airports, and assistance such as hotels.

This is in relation to Wizz Air flights due to operate to or from the UK which were cancelled or significantly delayed.

Weve taken enforcement action against Wizz Air following concerns over high volumes of complaints about the airline not paying passengers what they are owed. Passengers were left frustrated because they believed the airline had failed to meet its passenger rights obligations. pic.twitter.com/EY4EgaYtOD  UK Civil Aviation Authority (@UK_CAA) July 27, 2023

Claims relating to flights scheduled from March 18 2022 will be automatically reviewed.

Customers can request that claims for flights before that date are also reopened, as long as the scheduled travel date was within the last six years.

Wizz Air was the worst airline for UK flight delays in the past two years.

The CAA said it had significant concerns over the volume of complaints made about the carrier after many passengers believed it failed to meet its legal obligations around ensuring they reached their destination when a flight was cancelled.

This is likely to have contributed to a large number of county court judgments  which are orders to pay money owed  found against Wizz Air over the last nine months.

Airlines which cancel flights are required to cover the cost of replacement flights, enabling a traveller to reach their destination if an airline cancels a flight and cannot provide an alternative in a timely manner.

The regulator has instructed Wizz Air to make changes to its policies and procedures for how it treats passengers during disruption.

CAA joint-interim chief executive Paul Smith said: This enforcement action sends a clear message that airlines must meet their obligations to passengers when they cancel or delay a flight.

We will not hesitate to step in if we believe that airlines are not consistently doing this.

Passengers have every right to expect their complaints and claims to be resolved quickly and efficiently and to be treated fairly by airlines, in line with regulations.

We made it clear to Wizz Air last year that the way it was treating passengers was unacceptable.

We will continue to watch the situation closely to check that passengers receive what they are owed and that Wizz Airs policies have improved, so that consumers have a better experience if things go wrong.

Wizz Airs UK managing director, Marion Geoffroy, said: Last summer, like all airlines in Europe, Wizz Air faced unprecedented operating challenges, driven mostly by the external environment, including ATC (air traffic control) disruptions, airport constraints and staff shortages across the whole supply chain.

As a result, we were unable to meet our own high standards of service.

Flights were too often late or cancelled, disruption management overwhelmed our internal and external resources, and claims took too long to process and pay.

We have learned from this experience and have taken significant steps to make our operation more robust and customer-centric.

We expect this summer to be challenging for air traffic control, which will impact airlines.

While we cannot anticipate every disruption, we have invested over 90 million to prepare for increased air traffic.

We are confident that we have taken the right steps to better support passengers this summer season.

Wizz Air said its flight reliability was well above the industry average in the first half of 2023.
A mother and father who left their severely underweight five-month-old daughter with broken bones and exposed her to cannabis have been jailed for causing her death.

Ava Mae Collard was found to have 28 rib fractures, as well as fractures to both clavicles, two fractures to her femur, a cauliflower ear, and bruises on her scalp, face, legs and arms after she died on March 1 2020, Stafford Crown Court heard.

Her parents, Joshua Collard and Rebecca Grocott, had said they did not know how she suffered the injuries and later denied harming her, but were found guilty after a five-week trial.

Joshua Collard was given an 11-year prison sentence for causing the death of five-month-old Ava Mae (Staffordshire Police)

At Stafford Crown Court on Thursday, Collard, 30, who was described by the judge as a violent, ill-tempered misogynist was jailed for 11 years, and Grocott, 27, was given an eight-year sentence.

Toxicology reports also showed Ava Mae had been exposed to cannabis, with the court hearing that Collard grew his own cannabis and had returned to the family home to remove the plants and associated equipment while his daughter was in critical care in hospital.

Judge Mr Justice Cotter KC said he had seen no evidence of any remorse from Collard for what had happened, but accepted that Grocott was remorseful.

He added that Ava Mae would have suffered pain and misery throughout her short life.

Grocott, wearing a black and white dress, occasionally wiped away tears as she sat in the dock and listened to proceedings, while Collard, wearing a grey tracksuit, did not show any emotion other than to shake his head.

The trial heard that paramedics were called to the family home in Stone on February 27 2020, and they then called police to report that Ava Mae was in cardiac arrest.

Paramedics treated the baby in an ambulance but she later died in hospital.

Following an investigation into her death and a post-mortem examination, her parents were arrested on March 25 2020.

Rebecca Grocott was jailed for eight years for causing the death of her baby daughter (Staffordshire Police/PA)

Collard, of Stafford, and Grocott, of Stone, were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child, and two counts of assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting or abandoning a child or young person to cause unnecessary suffering or injury on July 18.

Sentencing the pair, the judge said they are the only ones who know what really happened to their daughter, but that her injuries were consistent with her ribs being squeezed.

He told them: Both of you have lied about events that happened in Avas short life. She was grasped so tightly she couldnt breathe and her heart stopped.

After a heart attack, she would have been unresponsive in seconds. Neither of you have told the whole truth about what happened.

Describing Collard as a misogynist who ruled the house and was more interested in cannabis and his dog than his own daughter, he said: You lost interest in her when you learned before her birth that she was a girl.

Addressing Grocott, the judge said: Your description of yourself as a brilliant mum is far from the truth.

You had suspicions that Joshua Collard was injuring Ava. You realised there were unexplained bruises.

If you did not cause them, you must have known who did. You knew Joshua Collard was ill-tempered and had assaulted you, but you repeatedly lied to social services and the police.

I accept you have a lack of maturity and a low IQ. You are a woman of good character.

You were desperate to marry and have children. I accept you were frightened of Joshua Collard.

In a statement released after the sentencing, Peter Grice, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: Ava Mae did not die a natural death and suffered such heinous injuries over time, including repeated exposure to cannabis.

Joshua Collard and Rebecca Grocott should have loved and nurtured their baby and neither of them took steps to protect her.

While there is no sentencing outcome that can bring Ava Mae back to her loved ones, I hope todays sentencing brings her wider family some closure. My deepest sympathy to them all.
Post-mortem examinations are expected to take place after two whales stranded off the east coast of Scotland died.

The northern bottlenose whales were beached on the shoreline in Culross, Fife, on Tuesday evening.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and the South Queensferry coastguard rescue team attended but one whale died at 6am on Wednesday and the other at 2pm.

Northern bottlenose whales are understood to be rare visitors to the North Sea and can grow to 10 metres in length, feeding primarily on squid.

A pod of northern bottlenose whales were spotted in and around the Clyde in autumn 2020 (Steve Truluk/PA)

The rescue charity said the carcasses are expected to be removed from the site for post-mortem examinations by the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Society.

The animals are thought to be two from a trio of the same species spotted in the Moray Firth earlier this month.

Just arrived at Stornoway to investigate what seems to be the largest fatal mass #stranding event we've had in Scotland for decades. Over fifty #PilotWhales sadly confirmed dead. pic.twitter.com/bOKTnrqD8l  SMASS (@strandings) July 16, 2023

The stranding is the latest of several in the UK and comes less than two weeks after a pod of 55 whales beached in the Western Isles.

In autumn 2020, rescuers, including BDMLR, the Ministry of Defence and local volunteers, attempted to shepherd a pod of northern bottlenose whales to sea from Loch Long, Argyll, ahead of a major military exercise.

They switched to monitoring the animals from shore after unsuccessful herding attempts.
Twitter is on its way to becoming just X as Elon Musk continues to rebrand the company. Being the official name, it makes sense for the @x Twitter username to be used by the company. The problem is, somebody already used it first, and Twitter didn't exactly handle the takeover smoothly.

@X was Taken Without Warning

The actual owner of the handle was Gene X Hwang, who works in the photography and videography studio Orange Photography. The company only acknowledge the takeover after it had already been done, but they did try to make up for it.

Twitter, now X, thanked Hwang for his loyalty to the platform, as well as offered him merchandise from X and even a tour of the company headquarters. As mentioned in Tech Crunch, the gesture was meant to be a reflection of their appreciation.

Although Twitter had all the power to take the handle, some would argue that Hwang deserved financial compensation since there are marketplaces that sell usernames for a large sum. The former owner of @x even said he was open to discussing the takeover with the company.

Hwang stated that he was fine with Twitter taking the handle and that he always felt like something like that could happen. The company told the former owner that all his account data would be transferred to a new account handle of his choosing.

He even joked that maybe he could ask for the bird sign from the headquarters since they were dismantling it. Given that his new username is now @x1234567998765 compared to just @x, he might actually deserve it.

If anything, taking the username without warning was the least problematic thing in the entire rebranding campaign. It turns out that the tech giant hasn't gone over the process of securing the intellectual property rights to the name "X."

Other companies like Microsoft and Meta are said to have claims to several "X" trademarks. Right now, the actual site is still a mix of both Twitter and X. While the logo is no longer the iconic blue bird, the button for publishing a post is still a "Tweet" button.

Moreover, other attempts to build up the image of the new X haven't gone well. As the company tried to take down the sign on its headquarters in San Francisco, the police showed up and caused the workers to halt, although it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

Read Also: Meta Rolls Out New Features for Threads, Making It More Like Twitter

Rebranding Might Be a Mistake

For years, X has been Twitter, and people associated it with the blue bird icon. With the change, it seems like the company is wasting the years it took to build up the brand. The plain white X is also not as eye-catching as its former logo.

Twitter could still be the "everything app" Musk wanted it to be without the extensive efforts of changing the face of the social media giant, not to mention that it hasn't been going swimmingly. If anything, Twitter or X might do better with the original blue bird logo.

Related: Police Intervene as Twitter Tries Removing Its Headquarters Sign
RAF jets intercepting unauthorised aircraft in the Baltic Sea are the sound of freedom for Estonians sharing a border with Russia, the Amari Air Base deputy commander has said.

British military personnel will leave the eastern European nation next week as their time policing the Baltic Sea as part of Natos Operation Azotize mission comes to an end.

They will be replaced by the Spanish Air Force, who will assist the Estonians in keeping their skies safe from Russian aggressors amid the war in Ukraine.

Since their arrival in March, the British typhoon jets have intercepted 50 Russian aircraft.

Members of the Estonian Air Force prepare for an exercise with a L-39 Albatross training jet at Amari Airbase in Estonia (Jane Barlow/PA)

Estonia, which borders Russia, does not have its own flying air force, making its alliance with Nato crucial to the countrys safety in the geopolitical context of the war.

Commanding officer Scottie McColl, who leads the RAFs 140 Expeditionary Air Wing at the Amari base, said: There is no doubt that Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine has changed the context in this part of the world.

When you speak to Estonians you can see how important it is for them for us to be here.

Air RAF Specialist 1 Harrison Malkin, left, and Air Specialist 1 Harry Walker carry out internal security checks during deployment on Operation Azotize (Jane Barlow/PA)

Ive spoken to an Estonian commander who described the noise of our jets as the sound of freedom.

Major Tanel Rattiste, deputy commander at the Amari Air Base, near Tallinn, told the PA news agency that Nato provides freedom because each time when we have a Russian Federation aircraft closing in to our borders, not only Estonia but the Baltics, then all of the time Nato  and this time the UK jets  are scrambled and they will go and intercept those flights.

The Russian Federation knows that we know where they are and what they are doing and that we are ready.

Major Tanel Rattiste, of the Estonian Air Force, hailed the UKs role in keeping his countrys skies safe (Jane Barlow/PA)

We are really appreciating that the Royal Air Force is contributing to this enhanced air policing mission. They have been here several times before and each time it has been a pleasure for us.

All of our skies are relying on allies from Nato and from the partners in the UK.

The Estonian military has backed Ukraine following the invasion last year, with Ukrainian flags placed alongside Estonias badge on many of their uniforms.
Researchers have developed a new technique which could potentially make the usual transplantation processes of finding a suitable bone marrow donor redundant.

Bone marrow transplants can be used to treat blood cell cancers and sometimes to cure certain non-cancerous blood cell disorders.

However, finding or creating appropriate donor bone marrow cells and preparing the body to receive that donation remain challenging obstacles for the therapy, experts say.

Now, Laura Breda from the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, USA, and colleagues have developed a strategy to deliver mRNA  a molecule in cells  directly into bone marrow stem cells, using a technology similar to that used in mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.

In the stem cells it can edit genetic defects and help repopulate the bone marrow with healthy blood cells.

The researchers demonstrated the technique in the bone marrow of living mice and in human haematopoietic stem cells  stem cells that give rise to other blood cells  taken from four patients with sickle cell disorder.

According to the findings published in the Science journal, in the human sample the researchers were able to correct the sickle cell genetic defect.

The researchers suggest the findings offer a potential route for gene editing of bone marrow cells without the need for the usual transplantation processes.

This includes finding a suitable bone marrow donor or re-engineering a patients own cells outside the body before re-transplantation, and without the need for chemotherapy or radiation to prepare the bone marrow before transplantation.

The authors write: These findings may potentially transform gene therapy in two ways.

First, the cure of monogenic disorders, including non-malignant haematopoietic disorders (haemoglobinopathies, congenital anaemias or thrombocytopenias, and immunodeficiencies) and non-haematopoietic diseases (cystic fibrosis, metabolic disorders, and myopathies) with a simple intravenous infusion of targeted genetic medicines.

Second, effecting cell type-specific state changes in vivo with minimal risk could allow previously impossible manipulations of physiology.

Such delivery systems may help translate the promise of decades of concerted genetic and biomedical research to treat a wide array of human diseases.

In a related Perspective, Samuele Ferrari and Luigi Naldini caution that there may be a long, winding mountain road to implementing this technique in humans, and that further pre-clinical studies will be needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
A High Court ruling which found the Home Offices use of hotels to house lone child asylum seekers is unlawful has been hailed as a landmark day for childrens rights.

The charity Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT) brought legal action against the department over the practice of housing unaccompanied youngsters in Home Office-run hotels, claiming the arrangements are not fit for purpose.

In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Chamberlain said the practice is unlawful and had been used since at least December 2021.

Following the ruling, ECPATs chief executive, Patricia Durr, said: It remains a child protection scandal that so many of the most vulnerable children remain missing at risk of significant harm as a consequence of these unlawful actions by the Secretary of State and Kent County Council.

She added the decision was a clear and timely reminder about the legal obligations of local and national government towards all children in the wake of the passing of the Illegal Migration Act.

The Refugee Councils chief executive welcomed the ruling.

Enver Solomon said: It is a landmark day for childrens rights.

The court has confirmed that there can be no exceptions when the rights of vulnerable children are concerned.

The Government should do everything in its power to ensure these children are safe and in the care of local authorities.

The court previously heard that 154 children remained missing from hotels, including a 12-year-old.

Mr Solomon added: Most importantly, we are still waiting to hear what is happening to the 154 children who are still missing.

There can be no compromise when it comes to childrens safety and welfare, and we hope the Government will take the necessary steps to find the missing children and ensure they are safe.

Childrens charity the NSPCC said it would be urging the Government to find solutions to protect and support all children and young people coming to the UK.

Anna Edmundson, head of policy at the NSPCC, said: Unaccompanied children entering the UK have already experienced major trauma and require protection and support whatever their immigration status.

This ruling rightly reinforces how that protection and support is best provided by local authority care.

No child should be placed in hotel accommodation.

The Liberal Democrats said that Home Office policy has once again been shown to be immoral and unworkable as they called for the end of hotel use.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: Yet again, Home Office policy under the Conservatives is immoral, unworkable and unlawful too, as the High Court has just ruled.

This confirms what we have been saying for months  that housing asylum-seeking children in squalid hotels is totally unacceptable.

Its high time for the Home Secretary to finally commit to ending the use of these hotels immediately.

Sadly, this Conservative government has decided that their anti-refugee rhetoric is more important than safeguarding children from exploitation.

The Home Office said it has maintained that unaccompanied children are best placed with a local authority.

A department spokesperson continued: However, due to the unsustainable rise in illegal Channel crossings, the Government has had no option but to accommodate young people in hotels on a temporary basis while placements with local authorities are urgently found.

In light of todays judgment, we will continue to work with Kent County Council and local authorities across the UK to ensure suitable local authority placements are provided for unaccompanied children, in line with their duties.
Scotlands First Minister has insisted the Yes campaign would win comprehensively if a second referendum on independence was held tomorrow.

Despite several polls putting support for independence at less than 50%, Humza Yousaf made the claim as he published the latest paper from the Scottish Government to make the case for leaving the UK.

The document proposes an independent Scotland would adopt a similar system for citizenship as Ireland, allowing people born elsewhere to apply to become Scottish citizens if they have a Scottish parent.

The paper also proposes that EU citizens living in Scotland or the UK before December 31, 2020 would be entitled to receive settled status in Scotland, and children born in Scotland after independence would automatically be a Scottish citizen if at least one of their parents is a Scottish, British or Irish citizen, or has settled status in Scotland.

Mr Yousaf, who described himself as a proud Scottish Pakistani, said the welcoming and inclusive approach being set out could attract more people to Scotland and help tackle the demographic challenge the country faces, with an increasingly elderly population and fewer people of working age.

The First Minister said: We know that one of the biggest challenges we face is that demographic challenge, and therefore having more people of working age coming here contributing, living, studying, working in Scotland, I think is a good thing.

He insisted: If there was a referendum tomorrow, we would win it and win it comprehensively.

Thats also part of the reason why of course Im publishing these papers, because they help to make the argument, give people the information they need to make that informed decision about independence.

In our paper published today,  @ScotGov proposes an open and inclusive approach to citizenship in an independent Scotland. One that welcomes people who want to settle in Scotland, rather than putting barriers and excessive fees in the way of individuals and their families. pic.twitter.com/x8kK94lMnh  Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) July 27, 2023

He also insisted he is confident the Scottish Government will be able to continue to publish papers in favour of independence, despite Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service, revealing earlier this month that civil servants north of the border could be issued with new guidance on such work within weeks.

The First Minister said: Im confident in our position in terms of the publication of these papers.

But I think it also speaks volumes that those who oppose independence are trying to shut down the debate instead of bringing forward their proposals for maintaining the union. Theyre more obsessed with trying to shut down our case.

Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Donald Cameron said: People across Scotland will be appalled that Humza Yousaf is focusing on yet another self-indulgent paper touting independence. It is the wrong priority at the worst possible time.

The new paper from the Scottish Government focuses on the issue of citizenship in an independent Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA)

He branded the paper a blatant misuse of public money and resources.

Mr Cameron said: Rather than wasting taxpayers money and civil servants time on pushing a divisive, party political agenda, a strong First Minister would be concentrating on Scots real priorities  cost-of-living difficulties, unacceptable NHS waiting times and the ferries crisis.

Scottish Labour constitution spokesman Neil Bibby said the latest paper comes while the NHS is in chaos and people are struggling to make ends meet during the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.

He said the Scottish Government is being distracted from dealing with these issues by its constitutional obsession, and he declared: Humza Yousaf is completely out of touch with Scotlands priorities and bereft of new ideas.

But Mr Yousaf however that independence is inherent to tackling issues such as the cost-of-living crisis.

He said: Because we dont have independence, were suffering austerity from a Westminster Government that we didnt elect. Were suffering from a hard Brexit that we did not vote for. Were suffering from a cost-of-living crisis that has been imposed upon us.

So independence actually is central to the cost-of-living crisis.
Two more youths have appeared in court charged in relation to an assault on a US tourist in Dublin city centre.

Stephen Termini, a New Yorker in his 50s, was seriously injured in an attack in Talbot Street last week, prompting a wider debate on whether the Irish capitals streets are safe.

The assault took place in Dublin city centre (Niall Carson/PA)

The two male juveniles, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

They were later taken before the Childrens Court in Dublin.

On Sunday, gardai arrested another male juvenile who appeared before a special sitting of the Childrens Court charged in relation to the assault.

He was remanded on bail.
Sinead OConnor has been remembered as a performer who was undemanding, engrossed in the details and driven by doing the right thing.

She liked a cup of tea in her dressing room before performing live on one of Irelands prominent TV shows, and was nervous before performing, due to being anxious to get it right.

Musicians, artists and producers who had encountered OConnor, who died on Thursday aged 56, paid tribute to her as generous, funny, and down to earth, and said Ireland had been left bereft by her death.

Dermot McEvoy, the music producer of Irish broadcaster RTEs TV programme The Late Late Show, which had OConnor on as a guest many times, told the PA news agency that she was meek and a perfectionist.

When he first took up the role in 2007, he was apprehensive about what to expect from OConnor.

He said: I was kind of anxious about it, Id only just started on the show and she was a big name.

I have to say, she was as meek and as undemanding as you can imagine. She came in, she probably knew more about the sound set up than the sound engineers, she knew more about the music set up than the musicians, she knew her stuff.

OConnors live Late Late Show performances included appearances in 2020 when she sang Nothing Compares 2 U, in 2010 when she did a cover of Bob Dylans The Times They Are A-Changin, the 1993 performance of Make Me A Channel of Your Peace and her first Late Late Show performance of Mandinka in 1988.

In a weird kind of a way, it was sort of a safe place for her, he said, adding that she had a good relationship with former Late Late hosts Gay Byrne and Ryan Tubridy.

There was no airs and graces, she just would like tea in her dressing room, and shed get honey and do her warm-ups.

When she came in, she was so nice and she owned it.

A lot of artists, they only want to do (a song in rehearsals) two or three times, cause theyre sick of doing the same song over and over, and wed sheepishly say to her Do you mind, would you be able to do it once or twice more? She goes Ill stay here as long as you want.

She would change her mind a lot. She thought about stuff a huge amount.

Sinead thought it over and over and questioned it and said is this the right thing, should I be doing this?

She was driven by doing the right thing, she didnt want to be doing it if it was the wrong thing.

Floral tributes laid outside Sinead OConnors former home in Bray, Co Wicklow (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr McEvoy said that on one occasion, OConnor came into studio in the early afternoon and although she wasnt due on until 10pm or 11pm, she stayed in her dressing room and focused on the song.

She didnt want to have her picture taken by the paps, she didnt want to be meeting other showbiz people.

He said that earlier this year, OConnor got in touch to organise a Late Late Show performance, but pulled it because she said she was making an album and she didnt want there to be too much Sinead OConnor on the telly.

Unfortunately that never came to be, Mr McEvoy said.

Broadcaster Philip Boucher Hayes, who was in school with Sinead OConnor, said in the 1980s, a teacher organised for her to perform in front of the Co Waterford school.

(They were) all a bit nonplussed but by the end of it, after she did just a couple of numbers, a cover of a Bob Dylan song One More Cup of Coffee, there was not one single person there who was not absolutely convinced, it almost didnt need to be said, that this woman was going to be an international superstar, he said on RTE Radio.

Because she was just so assured, so powerful, such an amazing performer.

Olivia Galvin from Kerry holds her hands together in front of floral tributes laid outside Sinead OConnors former home in Bray (Brian Lawless/PA)

Cait ORiordan of The Pogues said that cassette tapes were handed out to artists in Dublin before OConnors first album, The Lion and The Cobra, was released.

She told RTE: It was kind of the worst thing that ever happened to her that she was so beautiful and so massively successful.

Musician and broadcaster Fiachna OBraonain said she was incredibly smart and they had many conversations covering a broad range of topics when they were in their 20s.

And she was talking to me about the Catholic Church in Ireland and talking to me about child abuse, and talking about stuff that nobody else was talking about with such insight and intelligence, and (with) calm as well as anger.

Mr McEvoy said that during all her performances she always nailed it, we were never let down by her.

Sinead OConnor always nailed it whenever she performed live, a TV music producer has said (Ian West/PA)

Ive done 600 Late Late Shows and Ive seen thousands of artists on the show, and her ability to control her vocals, you watch her on the show and shes moving the microphone away from her and bringing it closer her technical ability and the passion that she delivered, youd rarely see that.

It was a Celtic soul, she was Irish but there was soul in her voice as well.

The last time that she was on, she was on to do a (Pogues frontman) Shane McGowan song as a tribute to him, A Rainy Night in Soho, and just at the last minute, we said You wouldnt think of doing Nothing Compares 2 U as well? She said yeah yeah, no problem.

The YouTube video of that Late Late Show performance has now amassed over 5 millions views.

If you watch that, you see her vocal performance shes almost lifting off the ground when she does it.

Shes delivering this huge passion throughout the performance, and then when shes finished singing, and the band are just playing out to the end, she just looks at the camera and she waves as if to say thats me done.
Scotlands independence minister Jamie Hepburn has said spending on prospective papers setting out the case for Scottish separation from the UK was a minute proportion of the overall Government budget.

Mr Hepburn spoke to BBC Scotlands The Nine on Thursday evening after the launch of the latest paper making the case for Scotland to leave the UK.

The document proposed an independent Scotland would adopt a similar system for citizenship as Ireland, allowing people born elsewhere to apply to become Scottish citizens if they have a Scottish parent.

He said: Lets remind everyone of course that in 2021 there was a Scottish Parliament election and the SNP stood on a platform of advancing the case for independence, providing the people of Scotland with the information they require to make an informed decision, so thats work were getting on with.

This latest paper lays out the way in which people will be citizens of an independent Scotland or could acquire citizenship of an independent Scotland.

Mr Hepburn was asked about comments by the head of the UK civil service, Simon Case, who said having civil servants working to break up the UK would be unusual and worrying.

The minister responded: I dont think there is anything unusual or worrying about having civil servants working to the agenda of a democratically elected government.

First Minister Humza Yousaf with Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Independence, at the launch of a policy paper on citizenship in an independent Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Mr Hepburn, who was recently appointed to the role by First Minister Humza Yousaf, said spending on the papers was around 16,000 each which represented a minute proportion of the Scottish Government budget.

He also said there were around 20 civil servants working on the papers but his department would be able to draw upon the resources of the entirety of the civil service.

He was asked about EU membership and insisted that Scotland would be welcomed back with open arms.

Donald Cameron, Scottish Conservative MSP, said: I think most people across Scotland will be horrified that at this point in time, Humza Yousaf is focusing on another paper touting independence.

Most people in Scotland would be horrified at a waste of taxpayers money and a waste of civil servants time when of course he should be concentrating on everyday issues that affect people in their lives.
Rishi Sunak has sparked a row with the Mayor of London, accusing him of failing to build enough homes and threatening to intervene if delivery is not increased.

Sadiq Khan described the criticism as desperate nonsense and said his tenure as mayor has seen the most homes built since the 1930s.

Earlier this week, Mr Sunak hit out at top-down targets for housebuilding, but in recent days his Government has also set out a range of reforms and proposals intended to boost the number of new homes being built in England.

(PA Graphics)

Number 10 announced it will launch a review of the multi-decade London plan, which is intended to guide the development of the city over the next 20-25 years.

The Government said it would look at the prioritisation of sites chosen for housebuilding in London, with the aim of putting more focus on central sites close to Tube stations.

Michael Gove will work with the Labour mayor to accelerate residential development on inner city brownfield sites, the Government said, with the Housing Secretary reserving the right to directly intervene if progress has not been made by the autumn.

Downing Street also announced an additional 200 million for development of brownfield areas in the capital, of which 150 million will go directly to boroughs, bypassing the mayors office.

As part of a set of measures announced on Thursday, rules on how 1 billion already allocated for affordable housing in London will be relaxed to support the regeneration of older social housing estates.

The Prime Minister said: Labours Sadiq Khan has failed to deliver the homes London needs, driving up prices and making it harder for families to get on the housing ladder.

So Im stepping in to boost housebuilding and make home ownership a reality again for Londoners.

Responding on Twitter, Mr Khan said: Are you the same guy who dropped his house building targets?

Because Im the guy who started building more council homes than the rest of England combined, exceeded your affordable homes targets and built more homes of any kind than since the 1930s. This is desperate nonsense.

Mr Sunak was speaking on a visit to a housing development in Hayes, west London, where he met residents and developers.

The Prime Minister told broadcasters he wanted everyone to be able to own their own home, but that it would mean building homes in the right places and not concreting over the countryside.

The Prime Minister has also rejected Mr Khans call to give his office the powers to introduce a system of rent controls.

Speaking to ITV News, Mr Sunak said: Wherever they have been used rent controls dont work they just reduce the supply of new housing and reduce the quality of it as well. That is not the right answer to this question.

Last month, Labours shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy rejected the idea of rent controls.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Hayes Village, a new housing development under construction by Barratt Homes in west London (Pete Cziborra/PA)

As part of the measures announced, the Government will also consider options for improving transport links for a Docklands 2.0 scheme, which it said has the potential to create up to 65,000 homes in the capital across sites including Thamesmead, Beckton and Silvertown.

And an additional 53 million worth of investment will be made for the Old Oak West development site in west London.

Mr Gove said: I want to use the regeneration of the Docklands as an inspiration for more regeneration across the capital, a Docklands 2.0, transforming more unwanted and underused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods.

Our vision will only work if we make use of all the tools at our disposal to deliver homes in the capital.

That is why I will continue to closely monitor the Greater London Authority to ensure it is delivering the housing London so desperately needs and I will not hesitate to intervene further if needed.

It comes after the Housing Secretary used a speech in London this week to set out a range of planning reforms, including on leasehold reform, simplifying planning procedures, expanding planning capacity and regenerating and reviving inner cities.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to new homeowners Victoria and Ryan Adair during a visit to Hayes Village (Pete Cziborra/PA)

The proposals include developing a new urban quarter in Cambridge with space for homes, art facilities, laboratories and green areas.

Housing is seen as an issue likely to resonate on the doorsteps come a general election, expected next year.

It is also a topic that has provoked concern from Conservative backbenchers in the past, with the Prime Minister this week seeking to assure Tory MPs that his plan was not about uncontrolled development.

Mr Khan in May hailed his record on housing delivery, as he pointed to progress in surpassing the target of starting 116,000 affordable homes in London between 2015 and 2023.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: These disappointing and disingenuous claims appear to show a fundamental lack of understanding of housebuilding in London.

The mayor delivered record numbers of affordable homes over the last six years, consistently exceeding Government targets despite the impact of the pandemic and Brexit. This has included starting more council homes than at any time since the 1970s.

The mayors London Plan was approved by the Government in 2021 and the ministers should know that the housing figures included within it are reliant on sufficient Government investment being made in infrastructure, particularly transport.
Tram operators have been fined a total of 14 million over the Croydon derailment which claimed the lives of seven passengers.

Many more people were injured when a tram carrying 69 people derailed near the Sandilands stop on the morning of November 9 2016.

Transport for London (TfL) and Tram Operations Limited (TOL) have accepted failing in their health and safety duties.

In a filmed sentencing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Mr Justice Fraser fined TfL 10 million and TOL 4 million.

He had already ordered they each pay 234,404 in costs to the prosecuting authority, the Office of Rail and Road, and a victim surcharge of 170.

The scene of the crash in November 2016 (Steve Parsons/PA)

Mr Justice Fraser told the court: This was undoubtedly an accident waiting to happen, quite literally.

There was a failure to heed warnings about the risk of drivers becoming disorientated in the Sandilands tunnel network on the approach to the curve, and a report of a near miss just days before the crash was ignored, he said.

The complacency around the inadequate lighting and lack of visual cues in the tunnel was disturbing, the judge said.

The court had heard that tram 2551 was going three times the 20kph speed limit when it derailed on a sharp corner at Sandilands.

Driver Alfred Dorris, 49, from Beckenham, south-east London, was cleared of failing in his duty after claiming he had become disorientated and thought he was going in the other direction.

He blamed the crash on external factors including the poor lighting and signage on the approach through the Sandilands tunnel complex.

Speaking outside court, Jean Smith, whose son Mark died in the crash, said the sentencing of TfL and TOL was pointless and the fines imposed were meaningless in light of the loss of life.

Calling for a change in the law on dangerous driving on the rail networks, she said: The legal system let down all the passengers on the tram that morning.

Alfred Dorris will always be remembered as the tram driver who killed seven people and seriously hurt, both mentally and physically, every passenger on tram 2551. My family and I will never forgive him for robbing us of our Mark.

Mark Smith, 35, from Croydon, who was one of seven people who died (British Transport Police/PA)

Prosecutor Jonathan Ashley-Norman had asserted the derailment was an accident waiting to happen.

He told the court the main failing of the operators 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.

In mitigation, the operators accepted the level of harm in the case was high but argued their culpability was on a medium level.

They disputed the derailment was inevitable, arguing that nothing like it had occurred on the network over 16 years before.

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.

Crystal Palace fan Philip Seary, 57, died in the derailment (Family handout/PA)

Mr Smiths family, who had sat in court throughout the hearings, described the crash as wholly avoidable.

His mother, Jean Smith, said no amount of money or justice would bring her son back but getting accountability may bring some sense of peace.

She said: 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.

Mr Colletts daughter, Tracy Angelo, said: We all remain completely devastated and individually we will never be the same again.

Mr Huxleys son, Adam, said he had lost all trust in the tram operators and felt insecurity, anxiety, vulnerability and heartbreak whenever he went past the tram network.

He said: Killed whilst travelling to work and due to retire soon  Robert and anybody else did not deserve this.

Mr Searys widow, Vivian, 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.

Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser said: When faced with the evidence of their failure over a number of years, both TfL and TOL accepted that they had not done everything that was reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of their passengers, with terrible consequences on the early morning of 9 November 2016.

We must never forget the tragedy of that day, and must strive to learn all of its lessons so there can be no repetition. Our thoughts remain with those whose lives were so affected.

The judges remarks and the sentences imposed underline to the corporate defendants and the whole industry that their first responsibility is to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff.

We welcome the improvements made to the network since the incident. We will continue to scrutinise this vital industry and hold operators to account if they fall short.

Londons Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said: I apologise on behalf of everyone at Transport for London, both past and present, for this tragedy and for the pain, distress and suffering that all those affected have endured and continue to endure.

None of us can begin to appreciate the enormity of the loss suffered by the families and friends of Dane Chinnery, Donald Collett, Robert Huxley, Philip Logan, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Philip Seary and Mark Smith, or the impact on the lives of the many who suffered injury.

Every passenger on the tram that morning entrusted their safety to us but we failed them and for that I am truly sorry. We remain committed to providing support to anyone who needs it.

We accepted responsibility promptly and we did everything possible to ensure the right support was quickly in place to help all those affected.

Since 2016, we have also delivered an extensive programme of major industry-leading safety improvements to the tram network.

We continually review our network and work with the wider tram industry to ensure we are running the safest possible service for our customers and to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen again.

Graham Sutherland, chief executive of FirstGroup, TOLs parent company, said: The tragic incident on the Tramlink network in November 2016 deeply shocked and saddened us and I would like to offer my sincere and heartfelt apologies to all those in Croydon and beyond, upon whom the tragedy had such deep and lasting effects.

Our commitment to safety is integral to everything we do, and on behalf of everyone at FirstGroup I would like to reiterate how profoundly sorry we are that such an incident could take place aboard a service operated by one of our companies, Tram Operations Limited.

We offer our condolences once more to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, as well as the passengers who suffered life-changing injuries and all those who have been and continue to be affected in some way by what happened.
Tansport operators were fined a total of 14 million after a senior judge said the Croydon tram disaster was an accident waiting to happen.

Seven people were killed and many more injured when a tram carrying 69 people derailed near the Sandilands stop early on the morning of November 9 2016.

The driver Alfred Dorris had been going three times the 20kph speed limit when the tram toppled over on a sharp corner throwing passengers into the air and tossing them about the carriages.

Mr Dorris, 49, from Beckenham, south-east London, was cleared of failing in his duty after claiming he had become disorientated and thought he was going in the other direction.

He blamed the crash on external factors including the poor lighting and signage on the approach through the Sandilands tunnel complex.

The Old Bailey heard how the risk of drivers becoming confused in the tunnels had been raised by an engineer years before  but not acted upon.

And just days before the crash, a report was made of a near miss involving another driver at the same spot which was also ignored.

Transport for London (TfL) and Tram Operations Limited (TOL) had pleaded guilty to failing in their health and safety duties.

In a filmed sentencing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Mr Justice Fraser fined TfL 10 million and TOL 4 million.

He had already ordered they each pay 234,404 in costs to the prosecuting authority, the Office of Rail and Road, and a victim surcharge of 170.

Jean Smith, the mother of Mark Smith, who was one of seven people who died in the Croydon tram disaster (James Manning/PA)

Mr Justice Fraser said: This was, in my judgment, undoubtedly an accident waiting to happen, quite literally.

The fact that so many years passed without such a disaster does not mean that the risk of harm was not a high likelihood; it just means that the combination of circumstances had not occurred prior to November 2016.

The judge said the core failure by both TfL and TOL was not even having a risk assessment performed.

He added: The complacency with which the defective lighting, inadequate signage and lack of visual cues within the tunnel seem simply to have been accepted as facts of life is disturbing.

Speaking outside court, Jean Smith, whose son Mark died in the crash, said the sentencing was pointless and the fines imposed were meaningless in light of the loss of life.

Calling for a change in the law on dangerous driving on the tram networks, she said: The legal system let down all the passengers on the tram that morning.

She also criticised Mr Dorris, saying: The biggest player in this is Alfred Dorris who should have been in that courtroom today.

Alfred Dorris will always be remembered as the tram driver who killed seven people and seriously hurt, both mentally and physically, every passenger on tram 2551. My family and I will never forgive him for robbing us of our Mark.

Mark Smith, 35, from Croydon, who was one of seven people who died (British Transport Police/PA)

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.

Earlier this week, Mr Smiths family, who had sat in court throughout the hearings, described the crash as wholly avoidable.

Mr Colletts daughter, Tracy Angelo, said: We all remain completely devastated and individually we will never be the same again.

Mr Huxleys son, Adam, said he had lost all trust in the tram operators and felt insecurity, anxiety, vulnerability and heartbreak whenever he went past the tram network.

He said: Killed whilst travelling to work and due to retire soon  Robert and anybody else did not deserve this.

Mr Searys widow, Vivian, 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.

Crystal Palace fan Philip Seary, 57, died in the derailment (Family handout/PA)

Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser said: When faced with the evidence of their failure over a number of years, both TfL and TOL accepted that they had not done everything that was reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of their passengers, with terrible consequences on the early morning of 9 November 2016.

We must never forget the tragedy of that day, and must strive to learn all of its lessons so there can be no repetition. Our thoughts remain with those whose lives were so affected.

The judges remarks and the sentences imposed underline to the corporate defendants and the whole industry that their first responsibility is to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff.

We welcome the improvements made to the network since the incident. We will continue to scrutinise this vital industry and hold operators to account if they fall short.

Londons Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said: I apologise on behalf of everyone at Transport for London, both past and present, for this tragedy and for the pain, distress and suffering that all those affected have endured and continue to endure.

Every passenger on the tram that morning entrusted their safety to us but we failed them and for that I am truly sorry. We remain committed to providing support to anyone who needs it.

Since 2016, we have also delivered an extensive programme of major industry-leading safety improvements to the tram network.

We continually review our network and work with the wider tram industry to ensure we are running the safest possible service for our customers and to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen again.

Graham Sutherland, chief executive of FirstGroup, TOLs parent company, said: The tragic incident on the Tramlink network in November 2016 deeply shocked and saddened us and I would like to offer my sincere and heartfelt apologies to all those in Croydon and beyond, upon whom the tragedy had such deep and lasting effects.

Our commitment to safety is integral to everything we do, and on behalf of everyone at FirstGroup I would like to reiterate how profoundly sorry we are that such an incident could take place aboard a service operated by one of our companies, Tram Operations Limited.
The latter generations are lucky enough to have technology that makes it easier to access information. Modern tech is already being adopted by several academic curriculums, but the UN warns that relying on it too much may do more harm than good.

Overreliance on Technology Could Be Detrimental

Technology was meant to make our lives easier, but there is such a thing as overreliance on them. The UN acknowledges this very issue, specifically when it comes to the use of it in the education sector. The organization states that it could be "unproductive, or even detrimental."

Specifically, it could affect the way students can acquire basic skills like reading. UNESCO said that students may learn about technology in the world, but educators should refrain from overusing "fancy technological" ways to teach them, as reported in PhysOrg.

The report also added that technology should focus on learning outcomes and not on digital inputs. 20 years after laptops were released in schools, Manos Antoninis from UNESCO said the policies only worked if they were combined with a "solid pedagogical framework."

While a few countries had the patience and energy to have that kind of resource, Antoninis pointed out that it's not enough to just distribute devices, adding that having a phone in a classroom can be very distracting.

Warnings were also expressed regarding technology being used as a substitution for acquiring traditional key skills, which help the youth avoid certain dangers in the digital world. For instance, strong reading skills could help in detecting phishing emails, Antoninis expressed.

There are also other instances where technological advancements have gotten in the way of education, such as the time when students exploited the generative capabilities of ChatGPT, letting the chatbot create their homework for them.

It's also undeniable that the internet is riddled with false information, which can easily be taken as factual if students don't have to proper knowledge to discern which sources are credible and which are not. It goes without saying how that can be dangerous.

Read Also: How Conversational AI Will Affect EdTech

It's Not All Bad

There's a reason why the academic sector is adopting technological devices into the curriculum. They come with a lot of benefits which can make learning easier for students and teaching easier for educators.

For instance, technology has made it possible for students to continue their studies amidst the pandemic through virtual meetings. Instead of spending hours in the library, they can access basic and important information through the web via smartphones or computers.

Certain devices, software, and apps can be used to create visual aids which help students understand more about the subject. It shatters the limits that teachers have in a physical classroom, as pointed out by eLearning Industry.

Through the internet, students can connect with others via social media platforms which could inspire collaborations and help with communication for group projects. Instead of writing on boards, educators can use productivity apps for more immersive and media-assisted lessons.

Should eReaders become a standard thing, no one will have to carry heavy books to school on a daily basis as they will also be conveniently stored in one device. It could even be a cheaper option than purchasing physical textbooks.

Related: What Is the Relevance of Technology in Education?
A trial date has been set for a man accused of the shotgun murder of his brother-in-law in an alleged shooting spree in the Scottish Highlands.

Finlay MacDonald is accused of murdering John MacKinnon, 47, at his home in Teangue, Skye, on August 10 last year by shooting him repeatedly.

He is also accused of attempting to murder his own wife, Rowena MacDonald, and two other people on the same day.

John MacKinnon, 47, died at his home on Skye (Police Scotland/PA)

MacDonalds lawyer, Shahid Latif, said the 40-year-old denies all the charges against him when the case called at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

MacDonald is also alleged to have previously displayed malice and ill will towards Mr MacKinnon.

He is accused of having attempted to murder his wife the same day at her home in Tarskavaig, Skye, on the opposite side of the Sleat peninsula from Teangue.

Police at the scene in Teangue (John Linton/PA)

MacDonald is alleged to have struggled with her and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife, causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and endangering her life.

Prosecutors allege he also attempted to murder John Donald MacKenzie and his wife Fay, both 63, on the same day, travelling some 30 miles from Skye to their home in Dornie, Wester Ross.

He is accused of shooting both to the body and Mrs MacKenzie to the head, allegedly causing severe injury, permanent disfigurement and endangering their lives.

He is also said to have shown previous ill-will towards Mr MacKenzie and is accused of causing him permanent impairment.

Forensics officers at the MacKenzie home in Dornie, Wester Ross (John Linton/PA)

MacDonald is further accused of possessing a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

Prosecutors allege he travelled between the different properties while armed with the firearm and ammunition.

At the preliminary hearing in Glasgow, Lord Fairley set a trial date for May 14 next year at the same court.

A further preliminary hearing date was set for December 12.
Whole-life orders are the most severe punishment available in the UK criminal justice system, for those who commit the most serious crimes.

Gun fanatic Louis De Zoysa joins the UKs most dangerous offenders, who are likely to die behind bars, after being handed one for shooting Metropolitan Police custody sergeant Matt Ratana while handcuffed in a police cell in 2020.

He joins a list of notorious names, including Sarah Everards killer Wayne Couzens, necrophiliac David Fuller and quadruple murderer Damien Bendall.

A total of 69 people are currently serving one, the Ministry of Justice.

People serving their sentence in a secure hospital were included in the figures.

They will never be considered for release unless there are exceptional compassionate grounds to warrant it.

De Zoysa, 26, was found guilty of murder at Northampton Crown Court after jurors were shown distressing CCTV footage of him using a legally bought revolver to shoot Sgt Ratana.

Wayne Couzens is serving a whole-life sentence for the murder of Sarah Everard (Metropolitan Police/PA)

His victim died in hospital, despite the efforts of medical staff, after being struck by two bullets in a holding cell in Croydon, south London.

The jury which convicted the former tax office data analyst was not told a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun and a dummy launcher were found at his rented property after the killing.

De Zoysa was younger at the time of the order being imposed than terrorist Ali Harbi Ali, who was also 26 when he was given a whole-life order for the murder of MP Sir David Amess in October 2021.

Last December brutal killer Damien Bendall received one for murdering his partner Terri Harris, 35, her daughter Lacey Bennett, 11, her son John Paul Bennett, 13, and Laceys friend Connie Gent, also 11, who was staying for a sleepover.

In December 2021, David Fuller was handed a whole-life tariff for the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987 and the sexual abuse of more than 100 dead women and girls in hospital mortuaries.

Couzens whole-life sentence for the murder of Sarah Everard was the first time it has been imposed for a single murder of an adult not committed in the course of a terror attack.

Ali Harbi Ali was handed a whole-life order after being convicted of murdering MP Sir David Amess (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Milly Dowlers killer Levi Bellfield is serving two whole-life orders  for her murder, the killings of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.

Other notorious criminals serving whole-life orders include Gloucester serial killer Rose West; Michael Adebolajo, one of Fusilier Lee Rigbys killers; Mark Bridger, who murdered five-year-old April Jones in Wales; neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, who killed MP Jo Cox; serial killer Stephen Port and, more recently, the Reading terror attacker Khairi Saadallah, who murdered three men in a park.

Before they died, Moors murderer Ian Brady and his girlfriend Myra Hindley, Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and doctor Harold Shipman, thought to be one of Britains most prolific serial killers, were also among those serving whole-life orders.

In the past, home secretaries could issue whole-life tariffs and these are now determined by judges.

Under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which passed through Parliament last year, the Government has expanded the use of whole-life orders for premeditated murder of a child.

The reforms allow judges to hand out the maximum sentence to 18 to 20-year-olds in exceptional cases, such as for acts of terrorism leading to mass loss of life.

The act also gives judges the discretion, in exceptional circumstances, to impose a whole-life order on offenders aged 18 or over but under 21.

Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi, who was convicted of conspiring with his suicide bomber brother Salman Abedi over the 2017 atrocity, avoided a whole-life order because he was 21 at the time.
Humza Yousaf has said he will not expel a former minister from the SNP over terse criticism of the partys policies.

Fergus Ewing has become a frequent opponent of Scottish Government policy in recent months, including over plans to limit human activity in at least 10% of Scottish waters, the introduction of a deposit return scheme and the long-awaited dualling of the A9.

Speaking on the Holyrood Sources podcast this week, Mr Ewing said there is a toxic atmosphere within the SNP group at Holyrood, claiming some in senior positions within the party and in Government have not spoken to him in well over a year.

Asked by journalists on Thursday if the recent criticism could lead to Mr Ewings expulsion, the First Minister said the former ministers position in the party is safe.

People arent going to be expelled or punished for criticising me, or criticising the partys direction on several positions, he said.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said there is robust debate within the SNP, but denied the atmosphere is toxic (PA)

We will always look to adhere to the standing orders that apply to me just as much as they apply to Fergus or Angus Brendan MacNeil.

Later asked if there is a toxic environment within the party, the First Minister said not in my experience.

He added: Theres pretty robust debate, its fair to say.

Mr Yousaf reflected on the first group meeting at Holyrood after his election as leader earlier this year, where he said former rival Kate Forbes spoke about the need for the party to come together and support the leadership.

Theres always going to be disagreements in a party of 75,000 (members), a party that has as many elected members as we do, he added.

He did, however, concede there is group of MSPs who disagree with the partys direction of travel, particularly around their agreement with the Scottish Greens which resulted in the Green co-leaders being given junior ministerial positions.

There is a section of our group, its relatively small, there are some people in our group  Fergus Ewing chiefly who has spoken publicly about this  who disagree with the direction of travel, he said.
An 11-year-old Florida girl was arrested after falsely texting authorities that her friend was kidnapped by an armed man. She later confessed the prank was part of a YouTube challenge.

The girl texted 911 Wednesday morning to say her friend, 14, was abducted by an armed male driving a white van on South I-95 in Oak Hill, the Volusia Sheriffs Office said in a news release. The girl said she was following the van in a blue Jeep. NBC News is not identifying the 11-year-old because she is a minor.

A dispatcher to the sheriff's communication advised the sheriff's office at 9:45 a.m. of a suspicious incident reported by text message.

The 11-year-old then texted updates for the next hour and a half  describing the male suspect and saying he had a gun.

Deputies responded along with help from the sheriff's office aviation unit and officers from Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange to search for the suspect vehicle  but no van was found.

At about 10:30 a.m., deputies tracked the cellphone that was texting 911 to a home in Port Orange. Once at the home, they spoke with the girl's father, who said she was inside with her family.

As deputies approached the girl, she was holding her cell phone, which was ringing as she walked out to meet the deputies. When answered, Volusia Sheriffs Dispatch was on the line and deputies verified they were on scene, the sheriff's office said.

She told deputies she was inspired to prank 911 through a "YouTube challenge" and thought it "would be funny."

The child was charged with making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner, a felony, and misuse of 911, a misdemeanor.

The sheriff's office shared a snippet of body camera footage showing the girl with her hands cuffed behind her back, with her face blurred. In the clip, the girl says shakily: Im not going to do this again.

She was transported to the Family Resource Center for processing then transferred to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center, officials said. It's not immediately clear if she has a lawyer.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood condemned the prank as dangerous, and warned parents on the importance of monitoring their kids social media use.

Were going to investigate every incident but today it wasted valuable resources that might have helped someone else who legitimately needed our help," he said.
Three former military officials told Congress Wednesday that they believe the government knows much more about UFOs than it is telling the public.

A House Oversight subcommittee held a hearing on UFOs  officially known as unidentified aerial phenomena or UAPs  and heard mystifying testimony about unexplained object sightings and government possession of nonhuman biological matter.

Lawmakers on the committee, baffled by some of the testimony, repeatedly noted that UAP sightings are an issue of bipartisan concern and raise national security questions. Separately, some accused the federal government of endeavoring to conceal key UFO-related information from the public, though they did not provide evidence to support those allegations.

The sheer number of reports, whistleblowers and stories of unidentified anomalous phenomena should raise real questions and warrant investigation and oversight. And thats why we are here today, Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the subcommittee, said in his opening statement. "UAPs, whatever they may be, may pose a serious threat to our military or civilian aircraft. And that must be understood."

These UAP sightings, experts say, might be attributable to balloons, drones, optical illusions or even the blinking lights of a commercial airliner. The Pentagon has said they have seen no evidence linking UAPs to alien activity, though they have not ruled out that explanation.

Here are five of the witnesses' main claims from the hearing:

Government is absolutely in possession of UAPs

David Grusch, a former U.S. intelligence official, told the panel that he is absolutely certain that the federal government is in possession of UAPs, citing interviews he said he conducted with 40 witnesses over a four-year period.

The former U.S. intelligence official said he led Defense Department efforts to analyze reported UAP sightings and was informed of a multidecade Pentagon program that endeavored to collect and reconstruct crashed UAPs.

Asked by Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., how such a program is funded, Grusch claimed that the effort is "above congressional oversight" and bankrolled by a "misappropriation of funds."

"Does that mean that there is money in the budget that is set to go to a program but it doesn't and it goes to something else?," Moskowitz asked.

"Yes. I have specific knowledge of that," Grusch said, though he did not provide more details, claiming the information remains classified.

Nonhuman biologics were found at a crash site

Grusch, who underscored that he has not personally spotted a UAP, told the panel that he knows of "multiple colleagues" who were injured by UAPs. He also said he has interviewed individuals who have recovered "nonhuman biologics" from crashed UAPs.

Grusch said he prefers to use the term "nonhuman" rather than alien or extraterrestrial.

Asked by Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., to substantiate the crashed UAPs claim, the former intelligence official said he could not divulge specific details, once again claiming the information was too sensitive to share with the public.

He did, however, describe the nature of what he saw: "I have to be very careful here ... [but] what I personally witnessed, myself and my wife, was very disturbing."

A Pentagon spokesperson told NBC News that Grusch's claims are false.

Officials must establish a 'safe and transparent reporting process'

Some lawmakers and witnesses pushed the federal government to establish clear channels to communicate UAP information with both the public and the military, and said the military should establish a comprehensive reporting process for unidentified objects sightings.

Ryan Graves, a former Navy pilot, told the panel that military pilots do not feel adequately briefed on UAPs, which he said leaves them unprepared to respond to UAP encounters.

The former Navy pilot claimed that commercial airline pilots have spotted UAPs too.

"There has to be a safe and transparent reporting process for pilots both on the commercial side and the military side to be able to report UAPs," Garcia said.

Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, testifies on July 26, 2023. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., echoed the calls for more transparency. She noted that Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, had previously told Congress that there was no credible evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Grusch objected to Kirkpatrick's claim, prompting Foxx to say that "contradiction is a perfect example of why we need to inject transparency into our government."

Stigma associated with sightings 'silences' possible witnesses

Some witnesses and lawmakers at the hearing argued that the stigma associated with reporting UFO sightings  as well as the alleged harassment of those who work to investigate them  may be hindering efforts to determine their origins.

Graves told the panel that stigma "silences" pilots who fear "professional repercussions," which he said is "compounded by recent government claims questioning the credibility of eyewitness testimony."

The Federal Aviation Administration has no mechanism for pilots to report UAPs, and instead directs them to civilian groups that are often dismissed as the domain of cranks and conspiracy theorists.

Those institutional hurdles led Graves to form a first-of-its-kind group that pushes for policy changes, serves as a hub for pilot whistleblowers and advocates for more disclosure by the military and other government agencies.

Lawmakers said they hoped the hearing could help assuage pilots' fears of speaking out.

"This hearing will not be the end of this discussion, but a new chapter and start. We should encourage more reporting, and more study of UAPs," Garcia said. "The more we understand, the safer we are."

UFO spotted accelerating to 'supersonic speeds'

David Fravor, a former Navy commander, said he and three fellow military pilots spotted a white Tic-Tac-shaped object in 2004, hovering below their jets and just above the Pacific Ocean.

As he descended to inspect the sighting, he claimed the unidentified aircraft  which he said bore no visible rotors, wings or exhaust  began to ascend and approach his fighter jet.

He claimed that the UAP then vanished, only to reappear a few seconds later, but this time it was spotted 60 miles away.

Fravor told the committee that the technology he and his team encountered defies logical explanation.

"The technology that we faced is far superior to anything that we had," Fravor claimed. "And theres nothing we can do about it, nothing."
Palm Beach Central High School Principal Darren Edgecomb makes his first appearance in court on charges of failure to report child abuse against a student.

A Florida high school principal and four other school district staff members were arrested Monday on charges involving failure to report suspected sexual assaults against a 15-year-old student.

The district employees are charged with repeatedly failing to report two suspected sexual assaults that happened off campus that they were made aware of through a letter written in pink ink by the victim's friend. The student pleaded with school administrators to address the incidents as she was afraid for her friend's life.

Palm Beach Central High Principal Darren Edgecomb, 58, assistant principals Nereyda Cayado de Garcia, 37 and Daniel Snider, 49, and choral teacher Scott Houchins, 53, were arrested by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office along with Priscilla Carter, 55, currently a case worker in the district's SafeSchools office, at about 10 p.m. Monday.

Palm Beach is located in South Florida along the Atlantic coast, north of Miami.

Florida school staffers mandated to report suspected abuse

By state law, all employees of the public school district, charter schools and private schools have "an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect." Failure to report child abuse to the Florida Department of Children and Families is a third-degree felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The victim of the suspected assaults reportedly attempted suicide in the summer of 2021. Sheriff's deputies who interviewed school administrators said that if the incidents had been "properly addressed before the summer," then the suicide attempt "could have potentially not taken place."

In a written statement issued Tuesday, Palm Beach County schools spokesperson Angela Cruz Ledford said the district would not comment on an open investigation, but all district employees involved had been reassigned to positions where they will not have contact with students.

"The allegations involving students occurred off of school property and over a weekend. However, no matter when or where any alleged assault against a student occurs, our policy aligns with the law, which requires all personnel to report suspected abuse," she said.

Arizona teen found: Missing teen Alicia Navarro reunited with her family after four years

Principal Darren Edgecomb speaks during the Palm Beach Central High School graduation ceremonies in 2021. Edgecomb, along with two assistant principals and a music teacher, were arrested Monday and charged with failing to report sexual abuse.

Friend of suspected victim wrote letter to school

The charges stem from incidents in April and August 2021. The sheriff's office reports are heavily redacted, blacking out many of the names of the staff members who were arrested.

In June 2021, a female friend of a 15-year-old student at Palm Beach Central wrote a letter detailing two times the student had been sexually assaulted by two boys. The unnamed friend wrote that she had witnessed both assaults and that the two boys were "not taking no for an answer."

The friend also said the student had been engaging in self-harm and that she was worried her friend was contemplating ending her life.

The students friend gave the letter to Palm Beach Central chorus teacher Houchins, who routed it to the schools guidance office. Houchins did not report the allegations of sexual assault.

Later, Priscilla Carter, a school behavioral health specialist at the time, called the student down to her office. After speaking with her, Carter determined she was not a risk to herself.

The arrest report alleges Carter also did not report the suspected sexual assaults to DCF or to law enforcement and did not ask the student about them. Carter asked the teen only about suicidal thoughts and whether she felt safe in her relationship, the report says.

The student told Carter she felt safe because she was not dating the boy who she said assaulted her.

The student said she was assaulted by a different boy in August 2021.

Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Fla, in April 2023.

Student told assistant principal about assault: Arrest report

School officials are accused of denying they knew about the letter that detailed the first reported assault. But on Aug. 16, the student herself reported the sexual assault to the assistant principal, Snider, the arrest report says. Snider asked her to provide a written report, which she did.

Snider took the report and shared it with Edgecomb, but again none of the schools leaders reported that suspected assault to DCF, the arrest report says. The student made a second report about the suspected sexual assault to Cayado de Garcia on Aug. 17, and Cayado de Garcia shared that report with Edgecomb.

On Aug. 19, the principal met with top school leaders and told them he had conducted his own investigation of the sexual assault and determined that the assault did not happen. Edgecomb said that as a result of his investigation, the school did not need to report the allegations to law enforcement or DCF. He said that the student's interpretation of the events was different and that he wouldn't go "by hearsay."

Cayado de Garcia said she did not report the sexual assaults because there was no indication that the student wasn't safe, and therefore there was no need for the school to report the incident, the report says.

But Florida law says suspected child abuse also must be reported.

The students parents initially chose not to pursue criminal charges, because they told police they thought a legal battle would delay the students progress in healing from the incident. This year, they went to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office again with new information about what school leaders hadn't reported.

Similar incidents in Florida

Other educators in Florida have been arrested on charges of failing to report abuse and misconduct.

In May, a Hillsborough County charter school principal was arrested on two counts of failing to report abuse of a 7-year-old student, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The student was touched inappropriately by another student and in a separate incident, the child was reportedly thrown to the ground by a cafeteria worker. Principal Cristina Fuentes, of Channelside Academy of Math and Science in Tampa, said she didn't know she was required to report such incidents to the state.

Fuentes was placed on administrative leave as the police investigated the incidents.

Watch: New video shows troubling death of man run over on Colorado road after cop used stun gun

Edgecomb was on probation with the state for grade-changing scandal

Edgecomb has been the principal at Palm Beach Central since at least 2016.

In 2019, the school districts inspector general found that Edgecomb and then-Assistant Principal Laurence Greenberg raised the grades of at least 11 students without their teachers knowledge.

The administrators failed to involve teachers or district leaders, investigators said.

According to their report, Greenberg said he "changed the student's grades because there were extenuating circumstances where the teachers targeted the students and where teachers unfairly graded the students' class performance or did not accept the students' class work.

Edgecomb was put on probation for three years starting last October. He agreed to take a college-level course on leadership or two microcredential leadership courses offered by the National Education Association within his first year of probation.

He also agreed to abide by all state and local education rules and to accept a letter of reprimand for his part in the grade changes.

In 2010, when Edgecomb was the principal of Turning Points Academy near West Palm Beach, he was accused of punishing assistant principal Anne Williams Dorsey, who went on maternity leave, by demoting her and cutting her pay.

Five years later, the U.S. Justice Department sued the school district over the demotion. The school district reached a settlement in the case that cost $350,000.

If youor someone you know has been a victim of sex abuse, here is a place that can help: RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 800-656-4673 or chat at www.online.rainn.org.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sex abuse in Palm Beach County, here is a place that can help: Palm Beach County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center Help line: 561-833-7273; Toll-free: 866-891-7273.

Help is available for people experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts. Call the national 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work. Subscribe today!

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: School officials charged with not reporting abuse at Palm Beach HS
Despite a midsummer lull over the Atlantic basin, AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring a couple of tropical disturbances that could develop in the coming days. Either system could strengthen into the fifth named tropical system of the 2023 hurricane season.

A series of tropical disturbances, often referred to as tropical waves, continues to move westward off the coast of Africa. These disturbances originate over the Indian Ocean and move westward across the African continent as clusters of thunderstorms, gusty winds and Saharan dust. When they emerge over the Atlantic Ocean, they can develop into an organized tropical system.

The tropical waves have been more vigorous than usual this season and helped spawn tropical storms Bret and Cindy in June. Since then, there have been some tropical waves that showed some promise for development for a time, such as the recent wave currently moving westward over the Caribbean. That wave began to ramp up as it approached Central America early Friday and unleashed locally heavy rainfall. The same system may develop soon after it moves into the Pacific basin.

The tropical waves have struggled with vast areas of dry air and disruptive breezes, called wind shear, over the past month. These conditions are quite common during July over the prime development zone of the Atlantic that extends from the African coast to the Caribbean.

Occasionally, a window of opportunity opens up for one of these waves to enter a zone of moist air and low wind shear. This will be the case with a tropical wave during the final days of July and perhaps into the first few days of August. The feature was located well east of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean as of Saturday.

AccuWeather meteorologists are predicting a high chance for the wave to develop into a tropical depression or named tropical storm through the beginning of August as it takes a west then northwest path this weekend.

"This feature is expected to pass to the northeast of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean late this weekend and then curve northward into the western or central Atlantic [this] week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said. The Leeward Islands are the northern group of islands in the eastern Caribbean.

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"While this feature does not appear to be a significant threat to the Caribbean or the U.S., it will need to be monitored for potential impacts to Bermuda around the middle of [this] week," Douty said.

A large southward dip in the jet stream will develop in the eastern U.S. this week and influence where the system may head next.

"That jet stream dip will end a heat wave and usher in much cooler and less humid air to the Northeast and Midwest, as well as parts of the Southeast," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

It is the west-to-southwest flow of air around the base of the jet stream dip that should keep any tropical system over the central Atlantic away from the U.S. this week, Rayno explained.

Should the tropical wave develop a circulation with sustained winds reaching 39 mph or greater, a tropical storm would be born. The next name on the list of tropical storms for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is Emily. A tropical depression, which is one step down from a tropical storm, is not quite as organized and has winds of 35-38 mph.

A tropical disturbance will continue to trigger clouds, drenching showers and locally gusty thunderstorms over part of the Southeast states through the end of the weekend. Radar and satellite data revealed a slight spin to showers and thunderstorms with a center west of Savannah, Georgia, Saturday morning.

The disturbance is traveling right along the southern Atlantic coast of the U.S. It is being steered by breezes flowing around the western edge of high pressure near Bermuda.

Should the area of low pressure remain over the water long enough, there is a very low but non-zero chance that this system could evolve into a tropical storm and acquire the Emily name before any system elsewhere over the Atlantic. Following Emily, the next name on the list for 2023 is Franklin.

AccuWeather meteorologists were monitoring an area of low pressure spinning off the coast of South Carolina on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (AccuWeather)

Localized incidents of flash flooding are possible along with periodic stormy conditions at the beaches in the Southeast states. AccuWeather meteorologists urge boating and beach interests to keep a lookout for rapidly changing conditions.

As the system moves to the north and then the northeast, downpours will tend to diminish in coverage over the Florida Peninsula on Sunday.

The extent of cloud cover and cooling downpours may keep a lid on temperatures over Florida and southeastern Georgia, where highs well into the 90s have been prevalent much of the summer. Miami had its first pair of sub-90-degree highs Thursday and Friday since June 6-7.

An Atlantic hurricane season, which spans June 1 through Nov. 30, brings a historical average of 14 named tropical systems.

To date, there have been five named systems, including Hurricane Don for the 2023 Atlantic season plus one unnamed subtropical storm that developed in January over the North Atlantic.

Don spent much of its life over the middle of the Atlantic earlier in July with no impacts to land.

AccuWeather's Tropical and Long-Range teams of meteorologists led by Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski, Tropical Meteorologist Alex DaSilva and Long-Range Expert Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, anticipate near-average numbers of tropical storms and hurricanes this season, despite the jump start in January, June and July.

El Nino conditions are expected to kick in and tone down tropical development during the latter half of the hurricane season, Kottlowski explained in a recent interview. However, the period from the second half of August through much of September may be quite busy. Multiple simultaneous tropical systems may be spinning over the Atlantic during that period.

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.
Anheuser-Busch is laying off hundreds of positions in its company after Bud Light lost its spot as the top-selling U.S. beer for a second consecutive month, a company spokesperson said.

The company said less than 2% of its U.S. workforce will be laid off, the Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said in a statement sent to USA TODAY Thursday. According to the companys website, Anheuser-Busch says it employs more than 19,000 employees nationwide, which would mean roughly 380 positions or less being eliminated.

Anheuser-Busch has watched sales decline following a consumer boycott in response to Bud Light partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which led to Mexican lager Modelo Especial decrowning the American-made beer as the top-selling beer in the U.S.

The beer company said front-line workers such as brewery and warehouse employees will not be impacted by the layoffs.

While we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success, Anheuser-Busch Chief Executive Brendan Whitworth said in a written statement sent to USA TODAY. These corporate structure changes will enable our teams to focus on what we do best  brewing great beer for everyone.

Previously: Bud Light loses its spot as top-selling US beer for second consecutive month

Bud Light boycott: When did it start?

In a video posted to Mulvaney's Instagram, the influencer showed off a personalized Bud Light can as Mulvaney discussed the companys $15,000 giveaway tied to March Madness.

The company was hit with weeks of backlash from conservative figures after the video was posted, including from musicians Kid Rock and Travis Tritt, who called for a boycott of the beer. Bud Light was also criticized by the LGBTQ+ community and allies for its response to the boycott.

Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth responded to the boycott in April, saying the company aimed to bring people together over a beer.

We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people," Whitworth said. "Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring great beers to consumers across our nation.

Earlier this month, Mulvaney said Bud Light did not reply when she reached out and called out Bud Light for its failure to publicly stand up for a transgender person.

"It gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want, Mulvaney said. And the hate doesn't end with me. It has serious and grave consequences for the rest of our community. And we're customers, too."

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anheuser-Busch layoffs: After Bud Light sales dip, company cuts jobs
An Arizona teenager who showed up at a Montana police station nearly four years after she disappeared told detectives in Glendale, Arizona, that no one had hurt her, according to video released by authorities.

"Did anybody hurt you in any way?" a Glendale detective asked Alicia Navarro. Navarro, 18, was still in Montana and briefly spoke with detectives in Arizona by video, police said.

"No, no one hurt me," she responded in the 27-second clip.

"OK, because our goal is we just want to make sure that you're safe," the detective said.

"I don't, I don't, ummm," she said before pausing. "I understand that."

The police department muted the rest of the video.

Alicia Navarro in a photo released after she was found safe. (Glendale Police Dept.)

In a second clip, a detective thanked Navarro for speaking with investigators.

"Of course," she replied. "Thank you for offering help to me."

Authorities in Glendale said Wednesday that Navarro went to a police station in a small Montana town near the Canadian border and identified herself as a missing person. She was 14 when she vanished from her mothers home on Sept. 15, 2019.

Her mother, Jessica Nunez, told NBCs "Dateline" in 2020 that she had found a note in her daughters bedroom saying she ran away, which she said was out of character. She added that her daughter was on the autism spectrum and could be shy or anxious in some social situations.

Jose Santiago, a spokesman for Glendale police, told reporters at a news conference that Navarro "is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy."

She is not in any kind of trouble. She is not facing any kind of charges, he said.

Police Lt. Scott Waite said the case remains under investigation. Police did not immediately have details about how she arrived in Montana.

"Every indication shes given to us so far is that she willfully left her home," Waite said. "Now, the dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something were looking into."

Waite said Navarro arrived at the police station by herself. Santiago said she "basically asked for help to clear her off of a missing juvenile list."

Authorities said they are not naming the town to protect her privacy and because of the investigation.

Navarro has been reunited with her mother. It is not clear whether she is back in Arizona.

On Wednesday, Nunez released a video calling it a "miracle" that her daughter had been found safe.
Alicia Navarro, younger to current view. (Navarro Family/Glendale Police)

A major search for a 14-year-old girl who disappeared from the Phoenix area over three years ago came to a happy end when the young woman, now 18, reported to a police station in Montana, officials said Wednesday.

Alicia Navarro went to the small town near the Canadian border recently and said she is the girl who vanished from her Glendale, Arizona, home on Sept. 15, 2019, Glendale police said.

"She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy," Jose Santiago, a spokesman for Glendale police, told reporters at a news conference.

The disappearance started as a runaway, police Lt. Scott Waite said, but the case is under investigation, and more details about how she got to Montana remained unclear.

"Every indication she's given to us so far is that she willfully left her home," Waite said. "Now the dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something we're looking into."

When Navarro went to police in the very small Montana town, around 40 miles from the U.S.-Canada border, she was alone, and every time she talked to police she did so alone, officials said.

'She is not in any kind of trouble'

"She showed up to a police department. She identified herself as Alicia Navarro. She basically asked for help to clear her off of a missing juvenile list," Santiago said.

"She is not in any kind of trouble. She is not facing any kind of charges," he said.

Navarro's disappearance sparked a search that included the FBI and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There were thousands of tips over the years, police said.

Waite said that when Navarro was reunited with her mother, it was "emotionally overwhelming" for both of them. He did not specify how they reunited.

"I can say, for everyone involved, including the detectives, it was extremely overwhelming," Waite said.

Navarro and her family are asking for privacy, police said. Police would not name the Montana town.

"She wanted to talk to her mom, and she wanted to make sure her mother knew she was OK," Santiago said.

Navarro is "very apologetic to what she has put her mother through" and expressed that it was not intentional and that she hopes to have a relationship with her mother and move on with her life, Santiago said.
A teaser image of "The Killers" / Courtesy of Studio Bill



By Kwak Yeon-soo



Six Korean filmmakers have teamed up to adapt Ernest Hemingway's short story "The Killers" for the screen. "The Killers" (working title) will be a collaborative project consisting of six short film thrillers by six different directors.



The filmmakers involved in the project are Lee Myung-se of "Nowhere to Hide" (1999) and "Duelist" (2005), Kim Jong-kwan of "Worst Woman" (2016) and "Josee" (2020), Noh Deok of "Very Ordinary Couple" (2013) and "The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo" (2015), Yoon Yoo-kyung, who adapted films "The Soul-mate" (2018) and "Stellar" (2022), Jang Hang-jun of "Forgotten" (2017) and "Rebound" (2023), Jo Sung-hwan storyboard artist of "Okja" (2017) and Escape from Mogadishu (2022).



"The Killers" revolves around two hitmen who walk into a diner in a small town to kill a former boxer named Ole Andreson, who is a regular customer.



The short story was adapted into films later by director Robert Siodmak in 1946 and Don Seigel in 1964. "The Killers" became a gateway to a film noir narrative and inspired Edward Hopper's painting "Nighthawks."



Lee, who also serves as the creative director of "The Killers" project, explained that each short film will feature a different cinematic interpretation of the 1927 story.



"'The Killers' adapted from Hemingway's work, will tell the same story from multiple perspectives. The story aims to connect the past, present and future. It will be featured as a single artwork rather than a compilation of six individual works," Lee said, adding that their stories will recount certain scenes through the perspectives of different characters.



"This project aims to create an environment where Korean filmmakers can spark their imagination and develop ideas based on their creativity."



Filming of "The Killers" will begin in August and finish in time to be released in 2024. It remains undecided whether "The Killers" will head to theaters or go direct to streaming platforms. The project will be produced by content investment and production company Studio Bill.






With Phoenix sweltering under unrelenting triple digit temperatures, lines have formed outside a wildlife rehabilitation center as people come across wild birds, bunnies, squirrels and other animals that have fallen victim to the scorching heat.

Every animal brought to the non-profit Liberty Wildlife since late June has been dehydrated, Executive Director Megan Mosby said.

Hot, dry winds are also blowing baby birds out of nests while the intense heat leaves them weak and oftentimes helpless.

Theyre gonna bake, Mosby said of baby birds, who dont have feathers to shield them.

The Arizona heat is so intense that her team has been keeping its older animals indoors in the air conditioning. I dont think anyone goes unscathed in this climate, Mosby said.

Phoenix has seen temperatures of over 110 degrees for the last 27 days, with low temperatures at or above 90 degrees for the last 17 consecutive days.

And its not just Phoenix dealing with scorching temperatures. Nearly 140 million people are under heat alerts nationwide as excessive heat continues in the Southwest and a summer heat wave builds across the central and eastern US.

Mosby says this season of heat has been the worst she can remember. On a bad day, the center can receive up to around 120 drop-offs, Mosby said.

Liberty Wildlife has taken in a minimum of 10,000 animals per year for the last four years. But with the intense heat, Mosby expects the non-profit to surpass 8,000 treated animals this year by the end of July.

To keep the wildlife from overheating, employees and volunteers spray the animals down with water twice daily and leave them water for drinking and bathing. Cages are also equipped with evaporative coolers called swamp coolers.

Liberty Wildlife, which has seven employees, gets help from between 250 and 300 volunteers, according to its website. Mosby said many have been coming to their shifts with wet rags around their necks, as most of their work is outdoors.

The relentless Sun  it hurts, she said.

Volunteer certified veterinary technician Kathy Komlos, right, treat a baby barn owl at Liberty Wildlife during extreme heat in Phoenix, Arizona on July 13. - Caitlin O'Hara for The Washington Post/Getty Images

Arizona filling watering holes in the wild

Mosby and her team arent the only ones working to protect Arizonas vulnerable wildlife as the unwavering heat continues to torment animals and humans alike.

To help the states animals survive the extreme weather, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has been bringing water to the wild to help keep animals hydrated.

The agency deploys water shipments on trucks and helicopters to man-made catchments across Arizona  some capable of holding up to 10,000 gallons of water, according to habitat planning program manager Joseph Currie.

Currie estimates there are about 3,000 of these man-made watering holes around the state where deer, elk, bighorn sheep and other animals now drink and cool themselves off in the extreme heat.

When Arizona hit 110 degrees 27 days ago, water gauges showed that usage exploded, Currie said.

The watering holes were originally created for quail and doves to increase hunting population numbers, but newer catchments grew in size over the years as the agency found that more animals needed a drink.

Droughts and heat waves are occurring more often and becoming more intense across the nation  particularly in the West and Southwest  creating dangerous conditions and affecting water supplies for wildlife, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The program is currently funded by a combination of federal funds and fund-raising efforts. But if it keeps heating up and keeps drying out, then of course costs are going to increase, Currie said.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  With heat waves spreading across the United States, President Joe Biden on Thursday plans to unveil new steps to protect workers, improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible, the White House says.

The announcement comes as nearly 40% of the U.S. population faces heat advisories, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures have already scorched the Southwest this month, and more heat is expected in the Midwest and the Northeast in the coming days. Washington won't be spared, and the heat index could reach 110 on Friday.

It's a worldwide problem, and scientists calculate that July will be the hottest month on record.

Biden's plans represent an effort to address the immediate effects of climate change as he faces pressure from fellow Democrats and labor groups to do more to safeguard vulnerable populations. The steps supplement his long-term agenda for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deploying clean energy technology, policies that may not pay dividends for years to come while global temperatures continue to rise.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the heat waves as a difficult time and said Biden was treating climate change with the urgency it requires."

Biden is directing the Department of Labor to increase inspections of potentially dangerous workplaces such as farms and construction sites. He also wants heightened enforcement of heat safety violations.

As part of the initiative, the department will issue a hazard alert notifying employers and employees about ways to stay protected from extreme heat, which has killed 436 workers since 2011, according to federal statistics.

The Biden administration plans to spend $7 million to develop more detailed weather predictions to anticipate extreme weather like heat waves, plus $152 million to boost drinking water infrastructure and climate resilience in California, Colorado and Washington.

Biden will be joined on Thursday by the leaders of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The mayors of Phoenix and San Antonio, two cities that have suffered from the heat waves, are expected to participate in the White House event virtually.

Phoenix has seen at least 27 days in a row of temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). No other major city  defined as the 25 most populous in the United States  has had any stretch of 110-degree (43.3-degree) days or 90-degree (32.2-degree) nights longer than Phoenix, said weather historian Christopher Burt, of the Weather Company.

Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, reported recently that there were 18 heat-associated deaths between April 11 and July 15. Another 69 deaths remain under investigation. There were 425 heat-associated deaths in the county last year.

San Antonio saw at least 15 straight days of 100-plus F (38-plus C). At least 13 deaths in Texas have been blamed on the extreme heat.

Thursday's announcement follows other steps that the Biden administration has taken to adapt to increasing threats from extreme heat. Among those it is highlighting:

The Department of Labor is developing a standard for how workplaces deal with heat. The proposed rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration would require employers to provide adequate water and rest breaks to outdoor workers, as well as medical services and training to address signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. OSHA is holding meetings this summer to hear comments on how the heat standard would affect small businesses.

To keep low-income populations cool, the Department of Health and Human Services expanded its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to provide more access to air conditioning and cooling centers such as libraries, senior centers or other public buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency also has provided assistance to help communities develop cooling centers within schools.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been helping cities and towns map heat islands with dense buildings and fewer trees, and the Department of Agriculture issued guidance for creating more tree canopy coverage, which helps with cooling environments.

In addition, the administration launched a website called heat.gov with interactive maps, weather forecasts and tips for keeping cool amid record-breaking heat.

More than 100 members of Congress, led by Democratic Reps. Greg Casar and Sylvia Garcia of Texas and Judy Chu of California have called on the administration to implement the new heat standard for outdoor workers as quickly as possible.

We know extreme weather events such as heat waves are becoming more frequent and more dangerous due to climate change. Urgent action is needed to prevent more deaths, the lawmakers wrote in a letter Monday.

The United Farm Workers and other groups also called on OSHA to immediately issue a nationwide rule protecting outdoor workers after farm worker deaths this month in Florida and Arizona.

Farm workers need and deserve the access to shade, water and paid breaks,'' said UFW President Teresa Romero. "How many more workers will we let dangerous heat and callous employers kill before this nation acts?

Douglas Parker, assistant Labor secretary for occupational safety and health, called heat illness prevention a top priority. As OSHA works toward a final rule, the agency is enhancing enforcement efforts "to make sure employers and workers understand the dangers of heat illness and how to prevent it,'' Parker said in a statement.

Casar, a freshman lawmaker from Austin, staged a thirst strike on Tuesday outside the U.S. Capitol, forgoing water breaks for nearly nine hours, to protest a new Texas law that bans local governments from requiring water breaks and other safety measures for outdoor workers. Casar called the law insane and accused Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of being on the wrong side of history." Republican lawmakers and other supporters of the law say it eliminates a patchwork of local regulations that are burdensome to businesses, and they say it wont stop workers from taking breaks.

At least 42 workers died in Texas between 2011 and 2021 from environmental heat exposure, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Democrats are going to stand up for common sense and for working people, Casar said.

Ladd Keith, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona who studies heat policy and governance, said the record-breaking heat much of the nation is experiencing is very much in line with climate change projections. While not surprising, theyre certainly a continuation of a concerning trend of climate impacts that weve seen, he said.

Despite the recent headlines, rising temperatures have typically not received the same level of attention as other climate risks, such as flooding and wildfires, Keith said.

Heat has just not been a topic at the national level or local level that weve even considered addressing until the last couple of years, he said.

However, Keith said the administration has ramped up its focus because of searing weather events, such as the heat dome in the Pacific Northwest in 2021 that prompted record temperatures and dozens of deaths across the region.

OSHA fined a Florida farm supervisor last month for exposing workers to excessive heat after a worker from Mexico died at a farm in Parkland, Florida. Investigators determined the workers death could have been prevented if a labor contractor had followed established safety practices regarding heat-related hazards.

___

Costley reported from New Orleans. AP Science Writer Seth Borenstein contributed to this report.
By Clark Mindock

(Reuters) -A group of 22 states and U.S. territories on Wednesday moved to block a proposed $10.3 billion settlement that would resolve claims against 3M Co over water pollution tied to forever chemicals, claiming the deal fails to adequately hold the company accountable.

The group, led by California and including Texas, New York and the District of Columbia, filed a motion opposing approval of the settlement in a South Carolina federal court, where thousands of lawsuits against 3M and other companies over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are being fought.

The proposed deal would provide funds over a 13-year period to cities, towns and other public water systems to test and treat contamination of PFAS. But the states said it isn't enough to account for the damage caused by the chemicals, which are used in a wide range of products from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware to cosmetics and have been linked to cancers, hormonal dysfunction and environmental damage.

A 3M spokesperson said in a statement that the deal provides funding for remediation and testing without the need for future litigation on the matter, and it isn't unusual for there to be objections to significant settlements. The spokesperson said the company would continue to "work cooperatively" to address questions about the deal.

Scott Summy, a lead attorney who helped negotiate the settlement on behalf of U.S. water systems, said initial oppositions to large settlements are common and they will work to address issues raised by the states.

The states said the deal, announced June 22, would require public water systems across the United States to decide whether to opt in to the settlement before knowing how much they would receive, and in some cases before they are aware of their contamination levels and the costs associated with remediation.

They also said the deal could shift liability for future health concerns caused by PFAS from 3M onto the water systems themselves. That means the chemical maker could potentially seek compensation from the water systems in future litigation over things like PFAS-related cancer clusters, the states said.

While I appreciate the effort that went into it, the proposed settlement in its current form does not adequately account for the pernicious damage that 3M has done in so many of our communities, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

The settlement must be approved by U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, who is overseeing the cases in South Carolina.

3M, which is facing thousands of lawsuits over PFAS contamination, did not admit liability in the proposed settlement. It said in June that the money will help support remediation at public water systems that detect PFAS "at any level."

The deal did not cover claims related to personal injury or property damage from PFAS contamination.

Three New York State cities with claims related to cleaning up PFAS at superfund sites in their jurisdiction also moved to block the settlement earlier this month. They claimed the water system settlement would reduce the amount of 3M money available to clean up those types of sites across the country, which the U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates could cost more than $17 billion.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called PFAS an urgent public health and environmental issue. The substances are dubbed "forever chemicals" because they do not easily break down in the human body or environment.

The EPA has taken several steps in recent years to tighten regulations for the chemicals, and in March announced the first-ever national drinking water standards for six of the chemicals.

3M in December set a 2025 deadline to stop producing PFAS.

(Reporting by Clark Mindock; editing by Amy Stevens, Aurora Ellis and Diane Craft)
FIRST ON FOX: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky, said Wednesday he believes the ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden by House Republicans have been given more credibility after a plea deal for the president's son fell apart during his first appearance at a Delaware court Wednesday morning.

The president's son was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax, as part of plea deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge. But Judge Maryellen Noreika did not accept the plea agreement, questioning the constitutionality  specifically the diversion clause and the immunity Hunter Biden would receive.

"What we're seeing today is that the Biden family is under a whole lot more investigative scrutiny than what the media has reported," Comer told Fox News Digital from outside the Capitol. "I think that you're seeing our investigation that's shined a light on the many wrongdoings of the Biden family has picked up a lot of credibility today, because now we see that there are a lot of crimes that this family's committed and that played out in court today."

Comer also said he hopes that Republicans in the House were given "a lot more credibility with a skeptical media" following the court happenings.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS 'NOT GUILTY' AS PLEA DEAL FALLS APART DURING DELAWARE COURT APPEARANCE

Rep. James Comer said he believes the investigations into Hunter Biden by House Republicans have been given more credibility after a plea deal for the president's son fell apart on Wednesday.

During his appearance in court Wednesday, Hunter Biden was also expected to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement regarding a separate felony charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

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The judge pressed federal prosecutors on the investigation and questioned whether there was the possibility for future charges and if Hunter Biden was under active investigation. Prosecutors said he was, but would not answer specifically what the president's son is under investigation for.

"I said from day one  after Jamie Raskin and I got briefed in the SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facility) from the FBI  that the FBI said this was part of an ongoing investigation," Comer said. "Jamie Raskin walked out and said that that wasn't true. He lied to the American people. Now, what we've heard today in court for the whole world to see is there is an ongoing investigation because obviously the president's son has committed many, many more crimes."

"And the one that was mentioned in particular in court today was the violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Remember, they can't account for what they did to receive the millions and millions of dollars they received from our adversaries around the world. What did they do to receive that money? Nobody knows. At the very least, Hunter Biden was serving as an agent for our enemies  for communist China, for Russia, for Romania. He was getting millions of dollars from foreign nationals in these countries. You are supposed to be registered to do that, and he was not. Not only that, he wasn't paying taxes on it. They've lied about it, his dad lied about it."

BIDENS ALLEGEDLY 'COERCED' BURISMA CEO TO PAY THEM MILLIONS TO HELP GET UKRAINE PROSECUTOR FIRED: FBI FORM

Comer also reiterated that he believes Hunter Biden would never have been able to do what he did without the support of his father, President Biden.

"I don't think any of these countries would have acquired his services had it not been for his dad standing beside him, as he says in his text messages, putting his dad on the phone to give his son credibility," he said.

Republicans in the House have hammered down on investigations into Hunter Biden's overseas business dealings for months now as they seek to get to the bottom of the matter, which has largely gone uncovered by many major news networks.

Last week, an IRS whistleblower testified before Congress and claimed that Hunter Biden and his companies raked in over $17 million from foreign sources over several years, beginning while his father was vice president.

The House Oversight Committee interviewed two IRS whistleblowers alleging political misconduct throughout the Hunter Biden investigation: special agent Joseph Ziegler, whose identity was revealed during the hearing, and his IRS supervisor Gary Shapley, who previously blew the whistle on alleged political influence surrounding prosecutorial decisions throughout the years-long federal probe into the president's son.

Hunter Biden departs the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Ziegler told Comer that Hunter Biden, his family members and business associates received over $17 million due to business dealings in China, Ukraine and Romania.

Those deals included multimillion-dollar payments to Biden family-linked companies from 2014 to 2019, including $7.3 million from Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings.

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is shaving more than a third of his campaign staff from the payroll in a move designed to keep him financially solvent into the fall.

DeSantis, who is running in second place behind former President Donald Trump in most early-state primary and national polls but has slipped in recent surveys, has laid off 38 people since the start of the second quarter, his campaign confirmed Tuesday.

"Following a top-to-bottom review of our organization, we have taken additional, aggressive steps to streamline operations and put Ron DeSantis in the strongest position to win this primary and defeat Joe Biden," campaign manager Generra Peck said in a statement. "Governor DeSantis is going to lead the Great American Comeback and we're ready to hit the ground running as we head into an important month of the campaign."

The layoffs include 10 event staffers whose departures had already been announced, plus two senior advisers, Dave Abrams and Tucker Obenshain, who have left to launch an outside operation designed to provide logistical and event support to his bid.

A DeSantis campaign official confirmed that Nate Hochman, a DeSantis speechwriter who had retweeted a pro-DeSantis video with Nazi imagery last week, is part of the group of staffers cut by the campaign Tuesday. "Nate Hochman is no longer with the campaign. And we will not be commenting on him further," a campaign official said.

The other staffers are from "across all departments," three senior advisers to the campaign tell CBS News. One person said many of the 38 staffers were told about the changes on Wednesday, while others were informed earlier.

The advisers were granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak about the shakeup.

"The campaign isn't shying away from taking the aggressive steps necessary to put Gov. Ron DeSantis in the best position possible as the campaign heads into the fall," one of the senior advisers said. "I think overall we've been upfront about the reset and we're leaning into it."

DeSantis' fundraising

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks at the 2023 Christians United for Israel summit on July 17, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. / Credit: Getty Images

DeSantis raised roughly $20 million in the fundraising quarter that ran from April to June, a haul earned mostly from high-dollar donors who contributed the maximum four figure sums possible to his primary and general election campaign accounts. With nearly 90 people on his payroll by the end of the quarter  a total considered bloated and premature by rival Republican and Democratic campaigns  his federal campaign spending report showed donations from people giving less than $200 lagging, a sign he is struggling to find "small-dollar" supporters willing to continue donating over the course of the primary campaign.

The Florida governor, however, continues to benefit from one of the largest independent super PACs established to back a GOP presidential contender. Never Back Down PAC has amassed more than $130 million, primarily from funds he first raised last year as part of his gubernatorial reelection campaign that he was able to transfer.

The super PAC has been expected to shoulder much of the expensive and time-consuming work of organizing in the early states. It has hired hundreds of staffers to knock on doors in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, with plans to expand to the first 18 states set to hold primaries. On Thursday and Friday, DeSantis is set to appear at a series of public events hosted by Never Back Down in Iowa, and despite federal laws barring his campaign's direct coordination with the super PAC, he is expected to ride aboard a bus owned and operated by the PAC in between the events.

Last weekend, DeSantis and his campaign held a retreat for about 70 donors in Utah, where Peck and top officials acknowledged in a briefing they had "raised a lot but still spent too much" and talked about building a "meaner, leaner campaign," according to two attendees. The adjustment included cutting unnecessary spending that would divert funds from campaign ads and activities in the early presidential primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

"The way that she put it is, 'We placed a lot of bets early, some of them worked. Some of them didn't. What we're doing going forward is going to be more tactical in that if something's not working, we're going to jettison it very quickly,'" Florida lobbyist and fundraiser Nick Iarossi said.

Examples of excess spending cited by the campaign at the retreat included large-scale campaign events and fundraisers that required DeSantis to travel, an indication that more digital fundraisers, instead of in-person ones, could be on the table. More than $5.6 million of the itemized spending in the latest DeSantis campaign finance report was dedicated to travel or related expenses, such as food or "event supplies," according to a CBS News analysis.

The campaign's fundraising schedule remains packed, with stops in Massachusetts, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri scheduled through mid-August, according to two other people who received a copy of his fundraising schedule.

"What I like most about what I saw is, there's an acknowledgement of, 'We need to continue to get better,'" Iarossi said. "This is a group of folks and a candidate that wants to evolve and adapt as they learn things and as the landscape changes."

At the retreat, DeSantis did a "fireside chat" with his wife Casey DeSantis and attended the briefing that laid out the campaign's adjustments. He also attended a session with donors focused on the upcoming debate.

A mixed history of success

DeSantis is not the first Republican presidential contender to dramatically pare back in the opening months of a White House bid. But those who have done so carried on with mixed success.

In July 2007, with just $2 million left in his campaign coffers, Sen. John McCain let go roughly 80 staffers in a purge that many believed would quickly lead to his quick downfall. But McCain ultimately rallied to win the Republican presidential nomination about a year later. In October 2015, one-time Republican frontrunner Jeb Bush, similarly backed by a super PAC that amassed tens of millions of dollars, had to slash his campaign's payroll by about 40% and reassigned campaign headquarters staffers from Miami to the early primary states in a bid to save costs. He dropped out after the South Carolina primary, failing to win or place second in any early-state contest.

Other GOP governors who began with broad national attention and intrigue among the party's base of support also quickly fizzled out amid financial woes. In 2011, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty withdrew about three months after beginning his 2012 presidential bid amid a serious cash shortfall. And Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who shot out to the front of the pack and raised millions at the start, withdrew from the 2016 contest by September 2015 before his campaign took on serious debt.

Fin Gomez contributed to this report.

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Gene Fallaize, the director of Kevin Spaceys most recent film, has said he stands by his decision to cast the actor while he was awaiting trial for sexual assault.

Spacey was cleared on all counts on Thursday following a four-week trial in Londons Southwark Crown Court.

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I dont regret casting Kevin and I would do it all over again, Fallaize, who directed Spacey in micro-budget thriller Control, told Variety.

Sold by Los Angeles-based TriCoast Worldwide, the film stars Spacey  who does not appear visually in the movie  as a man hellbent on revenge who hijacks the car of a high-ranking government official. His part, which is entirely vocal, was recorded in London last December just weeks after he was charged with seven of the 12 sexual offenses for which he was tried this month.

Even before the trial had finished, Fallaize says the film had sold to distributors in Germany, Russia and the Middle East. Following the verdict, discussions have moved forward on a U.S. and U.K. release.

Fallaize, who spent time with the actor in the recording booth in the run-up to his trial, spoke to Variety about the publics appetite for the movie, and Spaceys career prospects now that hes been cleared in the U.K.

You were directing Spacey just as he was preparing for his U.K. criminal trial. How did he seem?

We didnt bring it up because we didnt want it to be, you know, a weird thing with us. We were there in a professional capacity to work with an actor and so we didnt bring anything like that up. But Kevin was really open between takes. We would talk, we were just having a general discussion. I didnt want to bring up House of Cards because obviously hed been let go and I didnt know if there was kind of any negativity there or animosity but he brought up House of Cards quite fondly. He was really good to talk to. He is naturally quiet and comes across as quite shy. He seemed fine. I mean, I didnt know Kevin before all of this so I cant say what he was like in comparison to what he was like before. But you know, he just seemed like a nice guy.

Given he was facing a potential lifetime prison sentence, casting him represented something of a financial risk for you. What was your thought process there?

Well, I mean it was a risk and we knew it was a risk at the time. We had no shortage of people saying to us, Ooh thats a risky move. But a good friend of mine, who used to be an exec at one of the studios, I had a frank discussion with him, and I said, Look, what do you think? Is this going to be a bad career move, because people are saying to me that it could affect my career forever? And he said that he thought it was genius casting because if he gets found not guilty you will have got a clean Kevin Spacey in a way that you would never normally have been able to get him. So it was just weighing up the options, really, and thinking [through] the pros and cons, [and] hows it really going to affect us if worst comes to the worst? It was that coupled with the moral decision that we had to make. And when we met with Kevin, we said, you know, [the meeting] is for us as much as it is him. And we came away from there feeling nothing but good vibes and positivity and we didnt get anything bad from him at all. So we said, Okay, lets go for it. Its a risk but feel its a risk worth taking.

If the verdict had gone the other way, what would that have meant for the film?

We did it with as low budget as we could to minimize any potential risk. We knew that the film would sell because there is a fan base there so it was always going to sell. We had sales offers from the very beginning. It was really a case of how much of a risk and how much it could lose. So it was a case of not driving the budget too high [and] keeping things manageable just in case, and hoping for the best.

Have you been in touch with Kevin since yesterday?

Briefly. I sent a message yesterday just saying congratulations on the outcome and wishing him a happy rest of his birthday.

Did he reply?

Just a very brief emoji. It wasnt a middle finger one!

Have you received any backlash about casting Spacey and effectively helping to rehabilitate his career?

No. When we first announced his casting, we got some of that. But since yesterday Ive received only positive so far. But for me, personally, what else can you go on? You know, the facts were laid out, simply as that. All of the facts were presented from both sides and the jury found him not guilty. [The jury] have all of the facts, facts that people on the Internet dont have. The only people that know everything are the ones that were in that courtroom and they decided he was not guilty. These people that are saying  if theyre saying  that were whitewashing him or enabling him to come back, what facts have they got to contradict the jury? I dont regret casting Kevin and I would do it all over again.

How confident are you theres still a fanbase for him?

The response that we got when we first announced Kevin. We did anticipate a lot of negativity. What we didnt expect was the wave of positivity from his fan base. He has got an extremely, aggressively positive fan base, which I didnt know about before we cast him. I didnt know that existed. Theres a huge fan base out there that reached out to us, that were congratulating us and thanking us for giving him an opportunity. I get many messages every day from these fans, completely random people Ive never, ever met or had anything to do with before that have reached out via social media and things to ask for updates, [to say theyre] looking forward to seeing the film. Its huge. We saw that right from when we first announced the casting and that was when we first thought, Wow, this really has got legs regardless [of the verdict] because these people are there and theyre all saying they want to see the film.

Before the trial concluded you were already talking to sales agents and distributors. What were people in the industrys feelings about a film starring Kevin Spacey?

The funny thing was it shows really just how fickle  not just the industry  life can be. Because it was very much, right from the start, every distributor we spoke to outside of the majors was saying, Yep, really, really interested. Lets wait and see how it goes. So they were interested right from the start. But it was a case of Lets see if theres any guilty verdicts, and if so, how many, because that will affect what we offer you in terms of sales. So nobody  not one  just said no straight off the bat. It was, Lets see how they go. And really, that is just a case of how are the public going to react to this? And now its very much a case of everybodys interested.

Do you think that he has a chance of reaching the career heights he previously enjoyed?

I dont know. Since yesterday, because Kevin hasnt got an agent at this point, we have had messages come to pass along to Kevin, which we didnt expect. Offers for work and different things that have all come in: to be a patron, to give awards. It was a wave that began yesterday the moment that not guilty verdict came in. We got a load of stuff within minutes of the verdict being reached. If thats a little sliver of what has washed over onto us, I dont doubt for a second that Kevin and his team have been inundated with offers.

They arent going to be from the studio level at this point. The majors cant take that kind of risk because they know there is still a large group of people out there that arent going to accept any number of not guilty verdicts. Theyve made up their mind from the limited number of facts that they have and theyre going to stick with that. And thats fine, theyre entitled to do that. But the studios know that until its proven  until some other indie productions have him and theyre not falling flat on their face  that they can take that risk. So I think the next probably two years are going to be a case of doing some indies, climbing back up the ladder. At that point I think its absolutely doable that he could get up to doing major studio films. Whether its at the level it once was, I dont know. But absolutely, hes got every possibility of being able to.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length

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The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, located across three sites in two states, became federally-protected places on Tuesday, July 25.

When President Joe Biden signed a proclamation Tuesday establishing a national monument honoring Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, it marked the fulfillment of a promise Tills relatives made after his death 68 years ago.

The Black teenager from Chicago, whose abduction, torture and killing in Mississippi in 1955 helped propel the Civil Rights Movement, is now an American story, not just a civil rights story, said Tills cousin the Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr.

President Joe Biden signs a proclamation to establish the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, in the Indian Treaty Room on the White House campus, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

It has been quite a journey for me from the darkness to the light, Parker said during a proclamation signing ceremony at the White House attended by dozens, including other family members, members of Congress and civil rights leaders.

Back then in the darkness, I could never imagine the moment like this, standing in the light of wisdom, grace and deliverance, he said.

With the stroke of Bidens pen, the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, located across three sites in two states, became federally-protected places. Before signing the proclamation, the president said he marvels at the courage of the Till family to find faith and purpose in pain.

Today, on what would have been Emmetts 82nd birthday, we add another chapter in the story of remembrance and healing, Biden said.

Its the fourth such designation by the Democratic presidents administration, reflecting its broader civil rights agenda, the White House said. The move comes as conservative leaders, mostly at the state and local levels, push legislation that limits the teaching of slavery and Black history in public schools.

At a time when there are those who seek to ban books (and) bury history, were making clear, crystal clear, Biden said. We cant just choose to learn what we want to know. We should know everything  the good, the bad, the truth of who we are as a nation. Thats what great nations do.

On Tuesday, reaction poured in from other elected officials and from the civil rights organizing community. The Rev. Al Sharpton said the Till national monument designation tells him that out of pain comes power.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jefferies said the monument places the life and legacy of Emmett Till among our nations most treasured memorials.

Black history is American history, he said in a written statement.

Tills family members, along with a national organization seeking to preserve Black cultural heritage sites, say their work protecting the Till legacy continues. They hope to raise money to restore the sites and develop educational programming to support their inclusion in the National Park System.

President Joe Biden signs a proclamation to establish the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, in the Indian Treaty Room on the White House campus, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said the federal designation is a milestone in a yearslong effort to preserve and protect places tied to events that have shaped the nation and that symbolize national wounds.

We believe that not until Black history matters will Black lives and Black bodies matter, he said. Through reckoning with Americas racist past, we have the opportunity to heal.

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has provided $750,000 in grant funding since 2017 to help rescue sites important to the Till legacy. A number of other philanthropic organizations have contributed several million dollars towards preservation of the Till sites.

Bidens proclamation protects places that are central to the story of Emmett Tills life and death at age 14, the acquittal of his white killers by an all-white jury and his late mothers activism.

In the summer of 1955, Mamie Till-Mobley put her son Emmett on a train to her native Mississippi, where he was to spend time with his uncle and his cousins. In the overnight hours of Aug. 28, 1955, Emmett was taken from his uncles home at gunpoint by two vengeful white men.

Emmetts alleged crime? Flirting with the wife of one of his kidnappers.

Three days later, a fisherman on the Tallahatchie River discovered the teenagers bloated corpse  one of his eyes was detached, an ear was missing, his head was shot and bashed in.

Till-Mobley demanded that Emmetts mutilated remains be taken back to Chicago for a public, open casket funeral that was attended by tens of thousands of people. Graphic images taken of Emmetts remains, sanctioned by his mother, were published by Jet magazine and fueled the Civil Rights Movement.

At the trial of his killers in Mississippi, Till-Mobley bravely took the witness stand to counter the perverse image of her son that defense attorneys had painted for jurors and trial watchers.

Altogether, the Till national monument will include 5.7 acres (2.3 hectares) of land and two historic buildings. The Mississippi sites are Graball Landing, the spot where Emmetts body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River just outside of Glendora, Mississippi, and the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi, where Emmetts killers were tried.

A Mississippi Department of Archives and History historical marker outlines the details of the Emmett Till murder trial at the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse, Monday, July 24, 2023, in Sumner, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

At Graball Landing, a memorial sign installed in 2008 had been repeatedly stolen and was riddled with bullets. An inch-thick bulletproof sign was erected at the site in October 2019.

The Illinois site is Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, where Emmetts funeral was held in September 1955.

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who originally introduced the bipartisan legislation to federally recognize and protect Roberts Temple, noted the churchs importance to the history of Chicago and the nation.

Its past time we recognize how national monuments can not only teach us about our history  but provoke us to build a more just future, the Democratic senator said in a statement.

Mississippi state Sen. David Jordan, 90, was a freshman at Mississippi Valley State College in 1955 when he attended part of the trial of the two men charged with killing Emmett. As a state senator for the past 30 years, Jordan, who is Black, spearheaded fundraising for a statue of Emmett Till that was dedicated last year in Greenwood, Mississippi, a few miles from where the teenager was abducted.

On Tuesday, Jordan praised Biden for creating the Till national monument.

Its one of the greatest honors that a president could pay to a person, 14, who lost his life in Mississippi thats created a movement that changed America, Jordan told the AP.

Daphne Chamberlain, a history professor at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, said Emmetts brutal killing continues to resonate in racial justice issues of today.

Over the past decade or so, we have seen as a nation the murder of young Black men like Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Tyre Nichols in Memphis, (and) Ahmaud Arbery, she said. In each of these instances, what we have also seen is the bravery of the mothers in coming to the forefront and speaking out against what happened to their sons, but also making sure that they stayed the course in pursuing justice.

The Till national monument joins dozens of federally recognized landmarks, buildings and other places in the Deep South, in the north and out west that represent historical events and tragedies from the Civil Rights Movement. For example, in Atlanta, sites representing the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., including his birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church, are all part of the National Park Service.

President Joe Biden hugs Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr., as Vice President Kamala Harris applauds, at an event to establish the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The designation often requires public and private entities to work together on developing interpretation centers at each of the sites, so that anyone who visits can understand the sites significance. The hiring of park rangers is supported through partnerships with the National Park Foundation, the park services official nonprofit, and the National Parks Conservation Association.

Increasingly, the park service includes sites that are part of the arc of justice in this country, both telling where weve come from, how far weve come, and frankly, how far we have to still go, said Will Shafroth, the president and CEO of the National Park Foundation.

For Parker, who was 16 years old when he witnessed Emmetts abduction, the Till monument proclamation begins to lift the weight of trauma that he has carried for most of his life. In an interview with the AP ahead of Tuesdays White House event, Parker reflected on the decades-long fight to portray Emmett and his story in a proper light.

Ive been suffering for all these years of how theyve portrayed him  I still deal with that, Parker, 84, said of his cousin Emmett.

The truth should carry itself, but it doesnt have wings. You have to put some wings on it.

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Oppenheimer Week began for me well before the actual activities.

Trent Di Giulio, right, and Oak Ridge City Historian D. Ray Smith with the iconic photo of Robert Oppenheimer made by Ed Westcott. Trent is the director of a documentary on Oppenheimer.

I have been promoting the "Oppenheimer" movie on social media for several weeks, beginning with the visit by Kai Bird, author of "Oppenheimer: American Prometheus," on which the "Oppenheimer" movie is based. I was fortunate enough to spend about three hours with Kai at Calhouns restaurant at the invitation of David Keim, who was hosting him the evening before he was to be the keynote speaker for the American Museum of Science and Energy Gala.

I had also been engaged with Katy Watt, Explore Oak Ridge president, in deciding how to best preview the film for Oak Ridgers. I was so involved with promoting the movie that when the announcement was made that three theaters had sold out, I panicked because I thought, Oh no! I do not have a ticket! I sent Katy a text saying, I hope you have some extra tickets! She responded, Ray, you were the first person to purchase a ticket! I laughed and said, Whew!

Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dodson and his wife, Becky, don attire reminiscent of the 1940s for the premiere of "Oppenheimer" in Oak Ridge. They are posing outside a vintage car outside the movie theater.

My memory is not what it used to be.

To say I am excited about this movie is an understatement to say the least. The events of the past year since I first learned the movie by Christopher Nolan was being made have culminated in a groundswell of interest in the Manhattan Project, and Oak Ridge was a significant part of that! When in December 2022 the U.S. Department of Energy vacated the process that removed Robert Oppenheimers security clearance one day before it would have expired - that was a welcome action. It concurred with what most everyone - if not everyone - saw as a gross miscarriage of government action.

The flawed process was hidden from the public when it was done, and the full transcript was kept hidden for years. A redacted version was released in 1954 and a publication was prepared in 2002 about which the Federation of American Scientists quoted the author as saying: No document better explains the America of the Cold War - its fears and resentments, its anxieties, and dilemmas, according to Richard Polenberg, who produced an abridged edition of the hearing transcript in 2002 based on the redacted original. The Oppenheimer hearing also serves as a reminder of the fragility of individual rights and of how easily they may be lost.

Don and Emily Hunnicutt "time travel" for the premiere of "Oppenheimer at Cinemark's Tinseltown movie theaters in Oak Ridge July 20. They are posing with a standee of Robert Oppenheimer. Emily's father, the late Ed Westcott, took a famous photo of Oppenheimer.

The Federation of American Scientists published online on Oct. 6, 2014, at the following link: https://fas.org/publication/oppenheimer-declass/ that the full transcript had been released to the public. Good!

Many efforts have been made to correct the awful way Oppenheimers reputation was devastated. His family and many friends have asked for years that the situation be corrected. Thank goodness, it has at least been recognized formally as a flawed and terribly biased attack on an individual by powerful individuals who were personally (at least Lewis Strauss) desirous of ridiculing him.

Now that the "Oppenheimer" movie has been released, new light is shown on the affair in a most commanding and creative manner. I have watched it three times so far and each progressive time I have noted things I missed in the previous viewing. This movie is packed full of details that support the overall theme, but also cause one to think about much that has happened with what has come from the Manhattan Project - that literally changed the world forever!

The documentary film poster for "Oppenheimer: After Trinity."

But "Oppenheimer Week" in Oak Ridge was so much more than just the movie coming to town. On Wednesday evening a most amazing event occurred at Oak Ridge High School. I was honored to be included on a panel composed of myself, as a historian, a scientist, a college professor, students, and a filmmaker. I was asked to be the first speaker and given 10 minutes to lay the foundation for the panels discussion. I was to tell how Oak Ridge came to exist and how Oppenheimer fit into the history of Oak Ridge - in 10 minutes.

Those of you who have ever been on a tour I have led or been in the audience when I made a presentation about the history of Oak Ridge know that I can talk constantly for an entire tour or for well over the time a normal presentation is intended and not be finished with all that can be said about Oak Ridge history. So, I had a huge challenge. But I finished with a minute to spare and even had the audience laughing with me about the S-50 Thermal Diffusion Plant incident when Gen. Leslie Groves looked the contractor in the eye and said, Youve got 80 days!

Oppenheimer is the one who told Groves that a Thermal Diffusion Plant should be built in Oak Ridge to speed up the process of separating (or enriching) uranium to get the Uranium 235 isotope quicker that was needed for "Little Boy," the worlds first atomic bomb ever used in warfare. All the Uranium 235 came from Oak Ridge.

There is much that could be said about the students who prepared and presented as a part of the panel discussing how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is much like the discovery of nuclear energy, first used to make atomic bombs and how it was introduced to the world. AI is a newly developing technology that has potential for both good and bad. These students presented ideas about how the knowledge gained from looking back at the Manhattan Project can be used to further advance AI for the good and avoid the potential for applications that may be bad for the future.

The scientist, Prasanna Balaprakash, gave examples of what AI is being used for at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The University of Tennessee professor, Lynne Parker, encouraged everyone to learn the basic information about precisely what AI consists of and how it works. A course, AI 101, is being introduced at UT. And a filmmaker, Trent Di Giulio, brought us the documentary film, "Oppenheimer: After Trinity," which we enjoyed along with a large audience after the panel discussion.

The documentary is an exceptionally well-done film that has won 17 awards on the film festival circuit. The producer, Larry Sheffield, and director, Trent Di Giulio, are a team who have been friends since childhood. Trent called Larry and I spoke with him. He indicated he strongly desires to visit Oak Ridge and, of course, I offered to give him a tour when he comes. The documentary will be released to theaters in August and then will be on TV later.

It was my good fortune to get to spend the entire day with Trent last Thursday and to sit with him at the premiere of "Oppenheimer" that evening. I believe I have made a lasting friend!

We began our day at the Jefferson Soda Fountain for breakfast and had lunch at Big Eds Pizza. I had agreed to be interviewed at 10 a.m. by Forrest Sanders of Channel 5 in Nashville at the Oak Ridge History Museum, so I took Trent with me. Of course, Forrest was instantly interested in interviewing Trent. I did manage to get a word or two in and was pleased with the finished product shown in Nashville. I even had a text from someone in North Carolina who saw it. Amazing!

I must also tell you that Alan Williams contacted me weeks ago to do a program with him for "Going My Way with Alan Williams," and Summer Dashe with the Department of Energy did an interview for online streaming (we are scheduled to do a followup today), and Leeann Bowman of Channel 10 interviewed me and Mike Stallo. The Oak Ridger ran two columns Carolyn Krause had published in "Historically Speaking," as did the Morgan County Today newspaper. Coverage has been good for Oak Ridge. I have just finished Hallerin Hill's radio show too.

We also took Forrest to the Alexander Guest House to include the original location of the famous Oppenheimer photograph taken by Ed Westcott. Oppenheimer is sitting in a chair beside the fireplace in the Guest House in the photo. The mantle is still there today, and I have framed a copy of the iconic photograph, which I have placed on the end of the mantle.

That photo was the lead that he used to introduce the interview. I am so pleased that the Alexander Guest House staff welcome my bringing tours and TV station interviews to their main lobby. You know the building is specifically mentioned in the legislation that created the Manhattan Project National Historical Park as being a part of the park! (Editor's note: The Alexander Guest House is now a senior living facility.)

We also toured other museums, starting with the Y-12 History Center. By the end of the day, I gave Trent an hour to rest before the premiere of "Oppenheimer." I was delighted when Katy asked me to announce to one of the theater audiences how much we appreciated them and the sponsors, the American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation, the East Tennessee Economic Council, UT-Battelle, United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR), and Explore Oak Ridge, which had helped raise over $9,000 for the Oak Ridge History Museum.

An interesting insight into the impact of Oppenheimer for me was Trents response right after the movie ended. Sitting beside me and sharing popcorn throughout the movie, I wondered what a filmmaker might think about this movie. After the applause stopped, I turned to him and said, Well, what do you think?

His immediate response was I am so emotional right now! The movie had made a strong impression on him. I dare say he was not the only one to feel strong emotion because of Christopher Nolans expert techniques and a strong highly charged story. I encourage all to see the movie. It is a story that is hard to endure when experiencing the cruel treatment of Oppenheimer, but also a relief to see the real history of such an awful abuse of power.

I will not reveal any of the story other than to say, Cillian Murphy (Robert Oppenheimer), Robert Downey Jr. (Lewis Strauss), Emily Blunt (Kitty Oppenheimer), and Matt Damon (General Groves), all do outstandingly in their portrayal of the characters. The movie is fast-paced, and the three hours pass quickly.

The Oppenheimer Week was a huge success. I believe tourism will increase because of the widespread interest in the movie. Keith McDaniel and I have Kai Bird scheduled to be our guest on "Hidden History: Stories from the Secret City" videocast on Saturday. That will be an exciting interview for me.

I hope all of you appreciate the good that can come from being associated with such a tremendous high-profile movie. We are fortunate to be included when anyone thinks of the Manhattan Project.

The movie poster for "Oppenheimer."

D. Ray Smith, writer for the Historically Speaking column.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: "Oppenheimer Week" a busy one for Oak Ridge historian
An ominous sight has appeared in downtown Phoenix, where temperatures Wednesday were expected to top 110 degrees for a 27th straight day  refrigerated containers capable of holding bodies.

Ten of the 8-by-20-foot coolers were trucked in this week to a parking lot near the office of the Maricopa County medical examiner, a county official confirmed.

While we typically see a surge in intakes in July, this year has been worse than prior years, said Jason Berry, a Maricopa County spokesman.

The M.E.s office has what Berry called "standard capacity," which means room to store 224 bodies. And it has "surge capacity," which means extra space can be carved out to hold up to 358 bodies, he said.

"Right now we're between standard capacity and surge capacity, so we thought it would be prudent to bring in the refrigerated containers as a precaution," Berry said.

Firefighters from Phoenix Fire Engine 18 start a breathing treatment for a resident having trouble breathing during a heat wave in Phoenix on July 20, 2023. (Caitlin O'Hara / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

No bodies are being stored in those containers now, Berry said.

The M.E.'s office has recorded 25 "heat-associated deaths" this year, and 249 are still under investigation.

Five of the victims were people whose bodies were found inside residences with air conditioners that either weren't working or weren't turned on, the M.E.'s report shows. The rest succumbed to the blistering heat while outside.

The vast majority were ages 50 and older, the M.E.'s office said  32% were 75 and older.

Asked who they were, Berry said that "the deceased who are brought into the medical examiner's office are typically people whose deaths are considered suspicious or who die under unique circumstances, like heat-related deaths."

A number of those "were likely people who experienced homelessness," Berry said. "I have also heard anecdotally about hikers who went out hiking without being fully prepared for high heat."

Image: Tucson police officers tend to an unhoused deceased person whose body temperature was 102 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of discovery at Estevan Park in Tucson (Rebecca Noble / AFP - Getty Images)

Last year at this time, the M.E. had recorded 38 confirmed heat-related deaths. But the first was reported in March 2022, a whole month before the first such death was recorded this year, according to the M.E.'s report.

It isn't the first time the M.E.'s office has leased refrigerated containers, Berry said. When Covid was surging through Phoenix last summer, 10 of the units were brought in to store the bodies of pandemic victims.

The fiberglass containers were leased from Polar Leasing, an Indiana-based company with affiliates across the country. It didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

There's no relief for Phoenix from the 100-plus temperatures, according to the latest seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

"Phoenix may get a break this upcoming Monday," NBC News meteorologist Kathryn Prociv wrote in an email. "Weve been tracking their streak of days 110+ as the heatwave benchmark, but the forecast on Monday is to dip below that threshold which would snap their ongoing heatwave by current standards."

There's also, according to the NWS, a 50% chance that residents could get something this weekend that they haven't seen in months  rain.
Update: Two-month-old Elsy Ardolino was found safe, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is attempting to locate 2-month-old Elsy Ardolino, who is considered missing and endangered.

An Amber Alert was issued for Ardolino Wednesday afternoon. She was last seen in the 1000 block of West Gallinas Drive in Pueblo West at approximately 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The infant had been living with a family member in Pueblo West after her mother allegedly made "disturbing statements" and requested another family member take custody of the child, according to a Wednesday news release from the PCSO.

On Tuesday, the family member reported to the sheriff's office that Ardolino's parents, Luis Novelo-Rojas, 35, and Ashley Ardolino, 39, drove down from Denver to visit. The parents of the child reportedly got into an argument with the family member and then left the home with Elsy Ardolino.

Gayle Perez, PCSO spokesperson, did not elaborate Wednesday on the nature of the disturbing comments allegedly made by the mother, but reiterated that the sheriff's office was concerned for the child's welfare.

Luis Novelo-Rojas and Ashley Ardolino are being sought in connection to an Amber Alert for 2-month-old Elsy Ardolino, who is considered missing and endangered.

Ashley Ardolino and Novelo-Rojas were last known to be in the area of Alameda and Havana Street in Aurora, the Colorado Bureau of Investigations stated Wednesday afternoon.

Elsy Ardolino was last seen wearing a purple onesie with white swirls. She has black hair and brown eyes.

Her mother, Ashley Ardolino, is described as a white woman, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with light brown hair and brown eyes. Novelo-Rojas is described as a Hispanic man, 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 160 pounds.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the child or who may have seen the family is encouraged to contact the PCSO at 719-583-6250.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannnett.com. Follow him on Twitter@jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain atsubscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo County Sheriff's Office looking for missing 2-month-old
Lotte Chemical Vice President Shin Yoo-yeol / Courtesy of Lotte Group

By Anna J. Park



Shin Yoo-yeol, vice president at Lotte Chemical and the eldest son of Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, is extending his status as a third-generation successor of the conglomerate, as he was recently tapped to concurrently lead Japan-based Lotte Financial Corp., in addition to his current role at Lotte Chemical.



According to the group earlier this month, the junior Shin was appointed to lead Lotte Financial Corp. during this year's second quarter, just a year after he became the firm's executive member. Lotte officials explained that Shin was promoted to the top position, as former CEO Kobayashi Masamoto retired from management due to advanced age.



It is also the second CEO position that he has been appointed to. Last August, Shin took the helm of Lotte Strategic Investment (LSI) as co-CEO of the firm along with his father and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin.



Industry watchers see the younger Shin's rise to the top of the group's key affiliates as his gaining confidence from his father while solidifying his status within the conglomerate, prepping for the upcoming succession of the group's leadership down the road.



Now market attention is on the growth of the two Lotte affiliates under the younger Shin's leadership.



Lotte Financial is a Japan-based affiliate of Lotte Group, holding a 51 percent stake in Lotte Capital. The Lotte conglomerate sold the entire stake it held over Lotte Capital to Lotte Financial Corp. in 2019 when the group restructured itself into a holdings company system. During the process, the group sold significant stakes in Lotte Card and Lotte Insurance, yet it maintained the majority stake in Lotte Capital by handing it off to Lotte Financial Corp.



While Lotte Capital is functioning as a major cash cow of the group, LSI also exerts a key influence over the group. The investment unit of the group holds a 51 percent stake in Lotte Financial Corp. as the largest shareholder, in addition to owning a 10.65 percent stake in Lotte Holdings as the second largest shareholder. LSI is also the de-facto largest shareholder of Hotel Lotte, which serves as an actual link between Lotte conglomerate's Japan and Korean businesses. Considering the significance of the two firms under junior Shin's control, his promotion to those key affiliates of the conglomerate can be seen as the beginning of succession procedures.



Born in 1986, the eldest son of Lotte Chairman Shin graduated from Keio University and earned an MBA from Columbia University. He worked at Nomura Singapore before joining Lotte in 2020.


Trump braces for third possible indictment as grand jury meets

Former President Donald Trump is bracing for a third possible criminal indictment this year as a Washington grand jury meets Thursday to review evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths probe into the effort to block the transition of power following the 2020 election.

Smith has been investigating numerous ways Trump and those in his orbit sought to unwind the 2020 election, from pushing false claims about election fraud, pressuring Justice Department officials to take action and asking former Vice President Mike Pence to reject his ceremonial duty to certify President Bidens victory.

When those efforts failed, Trumps Jan. 6 address encouraged attendees to fight like hell and march to the Capitol, where his supporters violently ransacked the building.

Trumps attorneys met with Smith on Thursday morning.

While NBC reported they were told to expect an indictment, Trump denied that in a later statement.

My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country. No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything! Trump wrote in a post on social media.

While Trump sought to counter reporting, he previously shared that he received a letter notifying he is a target in the probe, noting that often means an indictment is imminent.

The special counsels office declined to comment on the meeting, and Trumps attorneys did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump, who is leading polls for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, released a series of videos on his social media platform Wednesday targeting the probes into him, repeating his debunked claims of election fraud and turning to a favorite phrase in blasting inquiries into him as a witch hunt.

They dont go after the people who cheated in the election, they only go after the people who report on, or question the cheating, he said.

The normal buzz of activity at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington has continued, even as dozens of reporters near the grand jury room await the potential indictment.

Reporters spotted the grand jurors entering the courthouse earlier Thursday. The grand jury typically meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, although they were not seen Tuesday earlier this week.

Various media organizations have also assembled satellite trucks outside the courthouse, nestled between the White House and the Capitol along Pennsylvania Avenue, in preparation for the high-stakes proceedings.

Its unclear what specific charges Trump will face, though reporting on the target letter suggests he could face charges for conspiring to deprive citizens the free exercise of constitutional rights like voting.

If convicted, offenders face a fine or up to 10 years in prison.

The inclusion of a conspiracy charge also suggests there could be other co-defendants included in the indictment.

A model prosecution memo from former prosecutors analyzing the case also suggests the former president could face charges on conspiracy to defraud the United States after creating fake electoral certificates that were submitted to Congress.

Creating those fake electoral certificates could also implicate statutes that prohibit obstruction of an official proceeding, one of the charges also leveled at numerous rioters who entered the building, including members of the Oath Keepers and military and chauvinist group the Proud Boys.

Trump was indicted in New York earlier this year on charges stemming from efforts to conceal hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

And he is facing federal charges in a 37-count indictment in relation to the Mar-a-Lago probe after mishandling classified records.

Zach Schonfeld and Brett Samuels contributed.

This story was updated at 1:42 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Another heat record has potentially been broken. A buoy off South Florida has recorded ocean temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit, marking another milestone in the impacts of the climate crisis.

A buoy in Manatee Bay, an area between South Florida and Key Largo, registered triple-digit temperatures over a roughly 3-hour time span Monday night. NOAA data shows that the buoy registered a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit flat at 5 p.m. Monday, peaking at 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit an hour later and then remaining in between the two temperatures through 8 p.m.

That temperature would have made the water as hot as a hot tub. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hot tubs set between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit are considered safe for most people.

The buoy has not registered a temperature below 91.6 degrees Fahrenheit since that time on Monday.

Former NOAA hurricane scientist Jeff Masters tweeted Tuesday that the sea surface temperature recorded by the buoy was "astonishing." That peak temperature, he said, was recorded at just five feet deep.

On Monday, a buoy in the Florida Keys measured an ocean temperature of 101.1 degrees. If confirmed by the National Weather Service, it would beat the world record for the hottest ocean temp ever recorded. For reference, a hot tub is around 100-102 degrees. pic.twitter.com/XumCfmK0iN  WDBJ7 Weather (@WDBJ7Weather) July 25, 2023

If further confirmed, that temperature could mark a world record, he said.

"Official world SST [sea surface temperature] records are not kept," he said. "But according to a 2020 paperthe world SST record may be 37.6C (99.7F), recorded by the offshore station KISR01 in the middle of Kuwait Bay."

The study Masters referenced says the temperature recorded in Kuwait Bay at that time had never been previously recorded. That incident, the study says, was also "associated with heatwave, neap tides, and an extended period of Kous winds which are characterized by high humidity levels and accompanied by large-scale intermittent fish kill incidents that extended the full length of the Kuwait coastline."

There is a possibility that the Manatee Bay buoy's record-holding status could be invalidated because the buoy is near land and the water may have organic matter that contributed to the temperature, Masters said. But even if it's not a world record, he said it would still be a significant marker.

"I have no doubt a dip in Manatee Bay today would have been a hot tub-like experience, with SSTs near 100F, and that these waters were some of the hottest ever recorded on Earth," he said.

Buoys nearby have consistently recorded water temperatures in at least the mid-90s for days now. The Little Blackwater buoy, located across a stretch of highway that separates it from the Manatee Bay monitor, hasn't recorded temperatures below 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit since Monday afternoon. Further south, the Vaca Key buoy has also remained at temperatures in the low- to mid-90s.

The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean on July 13, 2023, in Miami Beach, Florida. / Credit: Getty Images

How does extreme heat affect the ocean?

The unprecedented temperatures hitting the waters off Florida's coasts could be detrimental. Just a few days ago, researchers discovered that a coral reef restoration site off South Florida had "100% coral mortality." When the ocean gets too warm, it causes the algae residing in coral tissues to be expelled, turning coral white instead of its usual vivid colors. It also leaves coral more vulnerable to disease and death.

A loss of coral reefs also means a loss of marine life that depends on those systems for food and shelter. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has warned that more than half of the marine species in the world could face extinction by 2100 because of this issue.

This photo provided by the University of Miami Coral Reef Futures Lab shows a bleached flower coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) on July 20, 2023, in the North Dry Rocks Reef off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. / Credit: Liv Williamson/University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science via AP

This could be particularly devastating in Florida, as the reefs play a major role in providing a barrier to hurricanes and also serve as a key economic source through the fishing industry and tourism.

Warmer ocean temperatures can also make weather more extreme. Warm water evaporating can create clouds that eventually lead to storm systems. While the potentially record-breaking temperature in Florida was temporary, the current above-normal temperatures are part of ongoing unprecedented extremes hitting the planet as the impacts of climate change worsen.

"We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Nino develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024," World Meteorological Organization director of climate services Christopher Hewitt said earlier this month. Around the same time, it was revealed that ocean temperatures worldwide have hit temperatures "much higher than anything the models predicted."

"This is worrying news for the planet," Hewitt said.

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GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Sandra Torres will meet with U.S. officials in Washington on Thursday, her party said, ahead of a run-off vote next month that has raised international concerns over alleged interference by authorities.

Torres' National Unity of Hope (UNE) party said the former first lady of Guatemala is slated to discuss migration, trade and security with U.S. State Department representatives.

The State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the meeting with Torres, who came in first in an initial round of voting last month.

She will also meet with business leaders and present campaign proposals during a conversation with the Atlantic Council think tank that will be streamed online.

Torres' rival, Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla party, who finished second in the vote, has not said whether he also plans to visit Washington.

President Joe Biden's administration has raised various concerns over Guatemala's election process, including criticizing raids by authorities last week of Semilla offices.

A senior Biden administration official previously said the United States planned to host Torres and Arevalo for talks in Washington this week to show support for free and fair elections.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Mark Porter)
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP)  Jackass star Bam Margera must stand trial on charges that he punched his brother during an altercation at their home near Philadelphia, a judge ruled Thursday while ordering him to get a drug and alcohol screening to remain free on bail.

Margera, 43, has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges, which include simple assault and making terroristic threats. He has been free on $50,000 bail and said Thursday that he has been in drug and alcohol treatment this year and living with former Los Angeles Lakers star Lamar Odom.

Im not trying to get him in trouble here. I just want him to get the help because I feel like this is our last chance, Margera's brother, Jess Margera, said in testifying about what he called two decades of troubling behavior by his brother, which he said escalated during a frightening and unpredictable two-week visit home in April.

He said that Bam  upset on a Sunday morning after seeing a text that suggested he needed mental health treatment  struck him in the nose and ear and ruptured his eardrum. Jess Margera's girlfriend called police after Bam kicked in her bedroom door, he said.

I don't know what were doing here," lawyer Michael van der Veen said. This is a disagreement between two brothers on a Sunday morning over coffee.

He argued that the brothers often perform such antics for the cameras. The Chester County magistrate rejected the argument, noting that no cameras were rolling at the time.

Prosecutors agreed to drop two of four counts of terroristic threats stemming from allegations that Bam Margera threatened to shoot various family members and left his brother a threatening note. Neither the brother nor prosecutors suggested that he had access to a gun.

By the end of the hearing  which was delayed for several hours by Bam Margera's delayed flight from California  both sides seemed most interested in ensuring that he remains in treatment.

We want to make sure you're safe, secure and alive, said Judge Albert Iacocca, who asked what had motivated him to go to treatment this year.

To see my son Phoenix, who's 5," Bam Margera said.

Margera, who also starred in the MTV reality series Viva La Bam, wrote on social media after his arrest that the allegations are not true, and the brothers threatened to sue each other over the conflict.

I don't care about the money, Jess Barbera said Thursday. My brothers a good dude when hes not messed up. I don't think he would hurt a fly. It's just when he's been up for days, it's scary."
Jimmy Hoffa (Getty)

Jimmy Hoffa, the legendary American union organiser, disappeared from a parking lot outside of the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Township, Detroit, 48 years ago on Saturday 30 July 1975. Presumed dead since the same date in 1982, his body has never been found, no one has ever been charged and the case remains unsolved.

Hoffa, 62, was last heard from at around 2.15pm that afternoon, calling his wife at their home in Lake Orion and a friend, Louis Linteau, at his office from a public payphone, griping that the two gentlemen he was supposed to be meeting for lunch had failed to show up.

He was subsequently spotted talking to several other men nearby before being driven away in a maroon car that one eyewitness, a truck driver, told investigators could have been a Lincoln or maybe a Mercury Marquis.

It might as well have been a hearse, for all the difference it made, for James Riddle Hoffa would never be seen again.

His own vehicle, a green Pontiac Grand Ville, stood abandoned at the scene, just where he had left it.

Long assumed to have been the victim of a mob hit, the visionary general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)  who dramatically expanded the unions reach, influence and coffers between 1957 and 1971, before being brought down by scandal  certainly had more than his fair share of powerful enemies and shady associates.

Hoffas story  or, at least, versions of it  has frequently been told over the past half-century, often fictionalised through characters loosely based upon him in movies like Sergio Leones Once Upon a Time in America (1984) or more directly in Danny DeVitos biopic Hoffa (1992) starring Jack Nicholson, James Ellroys Underworld USA novel sequence or Martin Scorceses recent The Irishman (2019) in which Al Pacino played the doomed labour leader.

But none of those projects have come close to cracking one of the most enduring true crime mysteries in the history of American public life.

What really happened to Jimmy Hoffa? Now that is a riddle.

Born on Valentines Day 1913 in Brazil, Indiana, Hoffas Pennsylvania Dutch father John was a coal miner who passed away from lung disease in 1920 when his son was just seven years old, prompting the family to relocate to Detroit, Michigan, soon to become the epicentre of the mighty American auto industry.

Realising he would need to grow up fast to support his mother, Hoffa left school at 14 to work as a stock boy for a grocery chain, where he soon took exception to the inadequate wages he received, the perilous terms of his employment and the inequality he saw all around him, which would only worsen in the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 with the coming of the Great Depression.

Having learned to stand up for himself against workplace injustice, Hoffa quit in 1932 to work as a professional organiser with the Local 299 chapter of the Teamsters union, representing Detroits truck drivers and warehouse operatives.

As the organisation grew over the course of a combative decade, consolidating its power first locally, then regionally and finally nationally, Hoffa met the Polish girl who would become his wife, Josephine Poszywak, during a strike undertaken by non-unionised laundry workers in early 1937. They married that September.

Hoffas growing reputation and networking smarts saw him named chairman of the Central States Drivers Council in 1940, president of the Michigan Conference of Teamsters in 1942 and then president of Local 299 by 1946, all without moving so much as a single truck himself.

Jimmy Hoffa pictured in Washington, DC, in July 1959 (AP)

As a labour stalwart, Hoffa secured a draft deferment when the United States entered the Second World War by successfully arguing he would be of far greater service to his country organising industry at home than he might be deployed as a grunt abroad.

That also meant he was well positioned to reap the spoils of the American economic boom of the Truman years. By 1952, he was appointed international vice president of the IBT, serving as deputy to Dave Beck, who was himself succeeding Daniel Tobin, who had led the union since way back in 1907.

The IBT relocated its headquarters from Indianapolis to Washington, DC, three years later in order to be better placed to lobby Congress for its interests. It had never been more powerful.

Then, in 1957, Beck was indicted, convicted and jailed on fraud charges after being hauled before John McClellans Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labour or Management Field. Hoffa was voted in as his successor as general president at the IBTs convention in Miami Beach, Florida, that October.

However, Hoffas profile within the labour movement had inevitably increased his exposure to organised crime and he had been arrested earlier that year for allegedly attempting to bribe a McClellan Committee aide, prompting the AFL-CIO to expel the Teamsters from its ranks in passionate opposition to his appointment.

The air of notoriety surrounding Hoffa caught the attention of mob-busting US attorney general Robert F Kennedy during his brothers presidency in the early 1960s and would see much of the organisers energies eaten up by legal scraps for much of that decade.

He was indicted for jury tampering in Tennessee in May 1963 after again being accused of attempted bribery and was convicted the following March, sentenced to eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

A reporter questions Teamsters general president Jimmy Hoffa outside of the federal courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1964 during his jury tampering trial (Chattanooga Times Free Press/AP)

Four months later, while out on bail for the first offence, he was convicted at a second trial in Chicago, Illinois, on one count of conspiracy and three of mail and wire fraud for improper use of the Teamsters pension fund. This time he was sentenced to five years behind bars.

After spending three years unsuccessfully appealing those convictions  while simultaneously expanding the union and bringing almost all on-road North American truck drivers together under one National Master Freight Agreement  Hoffa was sent to Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary in Pennsylvania on 7 March 1967 to serve a 13-year aggregate sentence.

Despite the disgrace, he refused to resign and went on operating as IBT boss from Lewisburg, remaining in the role until 19 June 1971, when he was replaced by Frank Fitzsimmons, with whom he had a long association dating back to their Detroit days.

Hoffa was released from prison on 23 December that year, having served fewer than five of his 13 years after Richard Nixon commuted his sentence on the condition that he refrain from engaging in union activity until 6 March 1980, a stipulation he was bitterly opposed to and battled in court in the hope of being able to wrestle back the Teamsters presidency, unmoved to consider retirement by the generous pension settlement the organisation had handed him.

The Mafia were among those opposed to his comeback ambitions, and one of their enforcers was Anthony Tony Pro Provenzano, a capo in New York Citys Genovese crime family with whom Hoffa had once been close but seemingly fallen out with while both men were incarcerated at Lewisburg.

Provenzano is one of the men Hoffa is supposed to have been dining with at the Machus Red Fox on the day he vanished. The other was Anthony Tony Jack Giacalone, a local heavy who may have been dispatched as a mediator to oversee Hoffas appeal for support to Provenzano. Neither would admit to having seen the labour veteran in Bloomfield Township that day and both seemingly had credible alibis.

What is known is that the car in which Hoffa is most likely to have been spirited away  a 1975 Mercury Marquis Brougham, after all  belonged to Giacalones son Joseph, who had lent it to one Charles Chuckie OBrien, a Hoffa family friend. OBrien may have been engaged to collect the old man in order to encourage a false sense of security.

His fingerprints would later be found on a 7-Up bottle in Hoffas Pontiac, although he continued to deny any involvement until his death in 2020.

Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa in Martin Scorseses The Irishman (Rex)

When investigators examined the Mercury on 21 August, police dogs positively identified Hoffas scent in its upholstery, strongly suggesting he had ridden in it at least once. Later, in 2001, the advance of DNA technology enabled officers to locate a strand of his hair in the same car, although, again, that was not sufficient to trace it to a specific date.

After years of federal investigation had resulted in 16,000 pages of documents spread over 70 volumes but no outcome, leaving Hoffas wife Josephine to pass away in 1980 without answers, the FBIs opinion on what had happened would be outlined by Arthur Sloane in his book Hoffa (1991).

In it, Sloane suggested the official verdict was that Northeastern Pennsylvania mob boss Russell Bufalino had ordered the hit and dispatched Thomas Andretta and the brothers Salvatore Sally Bugs and Gabriel Briguglio, alongside OBrien, to carry it out.

The quartet then either killed Hoffa inside the vehicle or drove him on to an unspecified location and executed him there, perhaps cremating his body to prevent its rediscovery.

That broad outline was effectively confirmed on 16 June 2006 when The Detroit Free Press published the entire 56-page Hoffex Memo, an FBI dossier dating from January 1976 in which the bureau expressed its suspicions in writing, arguing the gangsters were concerned that a reinstated Hoffa might interfere with their control of the Teamsters pension fund or even be persuaded to testify against them.

There are numerous quibbles with that theory, however. Experts often argue that Hoffa was too high-profile a target for the mob to assassinate in such a public manner and that his hopes of returning to the leadership of the union amounted to little more than a pipedream by 1975, his name too tarnished to represent a serious threat.

According to Sloane, former US prosecuting attorney Keith Corbett also believed that OBrien was too unreliable to have played a part and that Vito Billy Giacalone, the younger brother of Tony Jack, was more likely to have been the fourth man.

A landfill site beneath the Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City, one of the many rumoured final resting places of Jimmy Hoffa (AP)

A completely fresh theory appeared in 2004 with the publication of Charles Brandts book I Heard You Paint Houses, the basis for Scorseses The Irishman, in which the author argues that hitman Frank Sheeran did the deed in an empty house in Detroit after Hoffa had been delivered into his clutches, the subject having confessed as much in old age.

Bloodstains found on floorboards at the scene did not match Hoffas DNA, however, and it is often thought unlikely, as was the case with OBrien, that an outsider might be trusted with such a delicate assignment by the notoriously tribal Italian-American syndicate.

Another infamous mob killer, Richard The Iceman Kuklinski, claimed in his own 2006 memoir that he was responsible, having been paid the princely sum of $40,000 to whack Hoffa.

Kuklinski claimed he drove the body to a New Jersey junkyard, sealed it inside a 50-gallon oil drum and set it on fire, later digging up the charred cadaver and placing it in the trunk of a car that was duly sold for scrap metal. That has likewise never been substantiated.

As to the final resting place of Hoffas remains, multiple sites have been inspected over the decades without yielding a result, from the now-demolished Giants Stadium in East Rutherford (a tip-off hitman Donald Tony the Greek Frankos offered in a 1989 Playboy interview) to a landfill beneath the Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City and even the Renaissance Building in downtown Detroit, now the 73-storey home of General Motors.

A farmers field, a swimming pool and a suburban driveway in Michigan have all been proposed and discarded while the wildest speculations imagine the missing man tossed from a plane by corrupt federal marshals into the Great Lakes (a theory courtesy of Hoffa bodyguard Joseph Franco, who had a book to sell) or ground up and disposed of in one of the quieter swamps of the Florida Everglades, an idea pitched to the Senate by self-described murderer Charles Allen in 1982.

Sadly, we may never know the truth about how Jimmy Hoffa, at one time one of the most famous faces in America, came to vanish into thin air, blown away on the breeze like an old parking ticket, never to be seen again.
Shad Thyrion. (Shad Thyrion/GoFundMe)

Nothing could have prepared Tara Pakanich for what she encountered in the early morning hours of 23 February 2022. Inside a green bucket covered with a shower towel at her home in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was the mutilated head of her 24-year-old son Shad Thyrion.

Thyrions torso, penis and carved-out organs were later found by law enforcement in her basement. The gruesome nature of the murder is now on full display as Taylor Schabusiness faces trial over charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in Thyrions death.

Schabusiness, 25, and her alleged victim knew each other since middle school and had been involved in a sexual relationship, she told law enforcement. On the fateful day of Thyrions death, they had been consuming methamphetamines and prescription drugs.

But despite Schabusiness attempts to enter not-guilty pleas for reason of insanity, prosecutors have honed in on the atrocious evidence they say suggests premeditation. Since the trial started on Monday, jurors have heard about Schabusiness online searches for Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy as well as how she allegedly preserved Thyrions blood and then showered with it before recounting to detectives how much she liked strangling him.

Throughout the proceedings, she has attacked her own lawyer and has also been seen smirking as gruesome details about the murder are mentioned.

The trial is slated to last just one week, with jurors expected to decide Schabusinesss fate on Friday. If convicted on all charges, Schabusiness will face life in prison as the death penalty is not legal in Wisconsin.

Heres everything we know about the case:

The murder

According to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors, Schabusiness picked up Thyrion from her mothers home around 9.30pm on 21 February 2022. A friend of the couple joined them before they headed to an apartment where the three smoked marijuana.

Schabusiness told police that she and Thyrion also smoked methamphetamine and injected Trazodone. Schabusiness and Thyrion eventually returned to his mothers home and spent the day there while Ms Pakanich was away.

The alleged murderer claimed in an interview with police that she and Thyrion used chains to choke one another as foreplay. This time, she said, she and Thyrion put metal chains on each other.

Thyrion reportedly laid face down in bed before Schabusiness went crazy and repeatedly choked him despite the fact that he was coughing blood and turned purple.

Green Bay Police Detective David Graf testified in court earlier this week that Schabusiness allegedly admitted to enjoying the ordeal.

Her response was that she liked it, Detective Graf said, according to local news station WBAY.

Taylor Schabusiness (Taylor Schabusiness/GBPD)

Schabusiness allegedly went on to tell law enforcement that she continued having sex with the dead body for a period of time because she enjoyed it and then gathered kitchen knives with the intention to dismember Thyrion and keep all his body parts, but she got lazy, according to theGreen Bay Press-Gazette.

Detective Graf said that Schabusiness proceeded to use a bucket and a tote bag to collect Thyrons blood, which she then used to shower with. Dane County Medical Examiner Dr Vincent Tranchida also testified in court about the lack of blood on the scene of the murder.

We have decapitation, we have dismemberment, we have transection of the torso, subsequently internally the body has been eviscerated. In other words, we have entered inside the body through various cuts through the abdomen and between the ribs where the victims organs have been removed, largely one by one, he told jurors.

Dr Tranchida also said that one of Thyrions feet had been shoved into his chest cavity and that his back was filleted.

Decapitated head found by Thyrions mother

Ms Pakanich told the court on Monday that she was woken up by a knock on her front door around 2.30am on 23 February 2022. She went to the basement to check whether Thyrion was there and after not finding him, she went back upstairs and found the bucket with part of her sons remains inside.

Ms Pakanichs boyfriend Steve Hendricks then called 911. Bodycam video of the officers responding to the scene shows them searching the basement of the home and securing the crime scene after confirming that a human head was inside the bucket.

Shad Thyrion (Shad Thyrion/FB)

I went downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, to the right, there was a green bucket with a shower towel on top of it. Just to verify we had an actual head in the bucket, lifted the towel off and there was in fact a human head severed head in the bucket, Green Bay police officer Alex Wanish testified during the trial.

The rest of Thyrions body parts were found placed inside plastic bags and cardboard boxes in the basement and in a minivan at the property.

Schabusinness told police they would had fun trying to find all of the organs

Schabusiness had been previously convicted of unrelated fleeing, eluding and obstructing a police officer charges. She was sentenced to three months in jail in January 2022, but it is unclear whether she was under home arrest or work release at the time of Thyrions murder.

Following testimony from Thyrions mother, authorities eventually located Schabusiness, who had removed a GPS tracker from her ankle.

Detective Graf testified that Schabusiness had initially claimed to have blacked out while choking Thyrion, but then allegedly admitted thinking that she regained consciousness and thought she was already this far so she just kept on, referring to choking the victim.

Taylor Schabusiness returns to a Brown County courtroom after attacking her attorney Quinn Jolly, during a hearing in Green Bay, Wis., Feb. 14, 2023.

The criminal complaint also read: Schabusiness stated she thought it took 3-5 minutes for the Victim to die. Detective Kempf clarified with Schabusiness that when the Victim began to cough up blood she just did keep on choking the Victim because she wanted to see what happens.

Schabusiness stated she enjoyed choking him and made comments to detectives asking if they knew what it was like to love something so much that you kill it.

Schabusiness allegedly indicated the crime scene and told officers that they would have fun trying to find all of the organs.

Schabusiness has had a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity entered by her former attorney.

Last year, a physician appointed by the court found that she was able to stand trial. Her attorney said at that time that Schabusiness has been diagnosed as bipolar in the past and that she had been getting mental health treatment since she was in the seventh grade.

However, Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh ruled in March that Schabusiness was competent to stand trial.

In February, Schabusiness attacked her previous attorney during a court hearing before a deputy wrestled her to the courtroom floor.

Schabusinesss current attorney filed a motion to exclude evidence of searches Schabusines made before the murder, including Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy and Jeffrey Dahmers butt. Judge Walsh ruled that the evidence can be admitted in court, but no mention should be made of her searches for satanism.

He thought of others before himself

According to his obituary, Thyrion worked with his father and grandfather in the family business.

Shad enjoyed camping, games, and spending time with his family, the obituary read. He was a very kind and compassionate person who often thought of others before himself. A talented artist, he also enjoyed wood carving.

Sixteen jurors were selected last week, following Judge Walshs ruling that Schabusiness can help in her defence.

Four of the jurors will be picked as alternates once closing arguments, expected on Friday, are delivered.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Director, Miami-Dade Police, Alfredo Ramirez speaks to the media during a press conference prior to Super Bowl LIV at the Hilton Miami Downtown on January 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The San Francisco 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the 54th playing of the Super Bowl, Sunday February 2nd. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

If you or someone you know might be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez is alert, awake and responsive, according to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who spoke to him shortly before he shot himself in the head Sunday night. During their conversation, he sounded "remorseful" about a domestic dispute that happened earlier that night and offered his resignation, she said.

Ramirez, who is also running for Miami-Dade's first elected sheriff position in decades, has run the No. 8 largest police force in the country since January 2020 after serving in the police force for nearly 25 years. In 2022, Mayor Levine Cava promoted him to chief of public safety, adding the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department to his responsibilities as the chief of public safety.

While addressing members of the media at a press conference Wednesday, Levine Cava praised Ramirez's work as a law enforcement officer and spoke to the importance of mental health in the field.

"I love Freddy," she said. "This incident is also a tragic reminder of the critical role that mental health plays in our law enforcement officers' well being.  We must continue working to eliminate any stigma around mental health care and to ensure that it is uplifted as an essential part of our healthcare."

Freddy Ramirez alert, talking after shot to the head

Ramirez is still hospitalized in Tampa but stable, awake and responsive, Levine Cava said.

Ramirez went through two surgeries Monday, according to the Miami-Dade police.

President of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association Steadman Stahl told NBC 6 that the bullet went through Ramirez's head and out through his eye. He said he didn't suspect any brain damage. Family told Steadman that Ramirez is talking again.

Miami-Dade police director called mayor before shooting

Levine Cava said she spoke with Ramirez on the phone at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Ramirez was driving from Tampa to Miami while they spoke. Shortly after leaving Tampa, Ramirez pulled over on the side of I-75 going South towards Miami and turned the gun on himself, USA Today reported Monday.

During their conversation Sunday, Ramirez told the mayor about a domestic dispute at a hotel in Tampa that led to police involvement earlier that evening. He told her he had made "mistakes," and would offer his resignation. In response, she told him, "just get home safely; we'll talk tomorrow."

She declined to speculate on what might have happened during the domestic dispute and said that the investigation would soon yield more information.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 16: Alfredo aFreddya Ramirez III (4th L), Director. Miami-Dade Police Department, and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (C) join in a Gun Violence Peace March on June 16, 2021 in Miami, Florida. The Miami-Dade Police Department, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and community leaders, marched together to mourn as a community for those who have lost their lives to gun violence and spread awareness in stopping the silence against gun violence. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

What we know about the domestic dispute

Tampa Police said they responded to a report of a male with a gun outside the Marriott Waterside hotel shortly after 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Initial interviews indicated the man had been pointing the gun at himself, but police could not find witnesses or security footage to corroborate that story.

Police found the man, later confirmed as Ramirez, inside the hotel with an unidentified woman, according to the police statement. Ramirez admitted to having argued with the woman but denied showing a firearm or having any intention to harm himself or others.

The woman said she did not fear for her safety, according to police, at which point Ramirez was released.

Upon release, Ramirez headed South on I-75 and pulled over where the shots occurred. No one else was injured, officials say.

As reported by the Miami Herald, Ramirez was in Tampa to attend the Florida Sheriffs Association summer conference with his wife.

Levine Cava has appointed JD Patterson, chief of corrections and forensics as the interim chief of public safety and Stephanie Daniels, deputy director of MDPD, to be the interim police director. They will hold the positions until further notice.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami-Dade police head Freddy Ramirez resigned before shooting himself
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  A teenager who killed four fellow students at a Michigan high school in 2021 wrote about his plans in a handwritten journal, detailing how he would target his victims and make himself famous, according to evidence offered Thursday.

The lead investigator was the first witness at a unique hearing to determine whether Ethan Crumbley will be sentenced to life in prison or receive a shorter term with an opportunity for parole.

Lt. Timothy Willis said a 22-page journal was found in a bathroom stall, apparently left behind by Crumbley before he emerged in a hallway at Oxford High School and began shooting.

I want America to hear what I did, Crumbley wrote. I will cause the largest school shooting in the state. I wish to hear the screams of the children as I shoot them.

Willis said Crumbley searched the internet for information about police emergency response times, prison sentences for teenagers and whether Michigan has the death penalty.

Crumbley has admitted to carrying out the shooting. But because he was 15 at the time, he cant automatically be given a life sentence.

A no-parole sentence is rare for Michigan teens convicted of first-degree murder since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 said minors must be viewed differently than adults.

Life in prison will only be imposed on a juvenile whos believed to be incorrigible, unredeemable and with no reasonable expectation of rehabilitation, said Margaret Raben, former president of a statewide association of defense attorneys.

Judge Kwame Rowe has set aside at least two days for the hearing but isnt expected to make an immediate decision. Crumbleys lawyers will argue that he should be released at some point, claiming that the violence was the catastrophic climax of the teens untreated mental illness and abhorrent family life.

In her opening remarks, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said Crumbley was an offender like no other, meticulously planning the attack and willing to peacefully surrender to spend his life behind bars.

We must tell the truth. Our witnesses must tell the truth, and we will tell all of it, McDonald told the judge in support of a life sentence.

Relatives of the victims quietly wept as video of the shooting, recorded on school security cameras, was played in court. The video showed Crumbley, wearing a mask and winter cap, firing at students and eventually dropping to his knees with his arms raised as police encountered him.

Crumbley, now 17, also could be given a minimum sentence somewhere from 25 years to 40 years. He would then be eligible for parole, though the parole board has much discretion to keep a prisoner in custody.

On the day of the shooting, Crumbley and his parents had met with school staff after a teacher was troubled by drawings that included a bloody body and a gun pointing at the words, The thoughts wont stop. Help me.

Crumbley was allowed to stay in school, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Detroit, though his backpack was not checked for weapons. He later emerged from a bathroom with a pistol.

He pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder and terrorism. Prosecutors insist Crumbleys decisions cant be mitigated by his young age or immaturity.

Crumbley took extensive time to research, plan and prepare for the school shooting, and he expressly considered the results, risks and consequences of his actions  specifically contemplating that he would spend the rest of his life in prison, assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in a court filing.

Crumbley's lawyers plan to offer testimony from an expert in child brain development and another who has spent time with the teen and performed psychological tests.

Crumbley is not one of those rare individuals who is irreparably corrupt and cant be rehabilitated, attorney Paulette Michel Loftin said in her opening statement.

Roughly 300 people who were serving mandatory life sentences have returned to Michigan's local courts and received shorter sentences as a result of the Supreme Court's groundbreaking decisions about how to assess U.S. teens convicted of murder, according to the State Appellate Defender Office.

Crumbleys parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are separately charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting. They're accused of buying a gun for their son and ignoring his mental health needs.

___

Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
Following potent storms that cut power to hundreds of thousands of households in recent days, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that additional rounds of dangerous, disruptive and damaging thunderstorms will affect the Midwest this weekend.

The thunderstorms will erupt along the northern rim of a massive heat dome that began to sprawl over much of the nation to end this week.

Hot weather will help to set the stage for the volatile weather, and highs will challenge or exceed the hottest temperatures set so far this season across more than a dozen states in the central United States into Saturday. Widespread highs in the 90s F are in store with some locations approaching the 100-degree mark.

Most of the storms through Saturday will fire up along the leading edge of a push of much cooler air arriving from Canada. As this cooler air slices southward into the hot and humid air, towering clouds will develop and evolve into powerful thunderstorms.

Incidents of high winds, hail, torrential downpours and frequent lightning strikes are likely. Because of the lightning strike risk, even outside of storms that turn severe, forecasters urge people to move indoors at the first rumble of thunder.

In a few of the strongest storms, wind gusts can reach hurricane force (74 mph) and topple trees. Hail large enough to dent vehicles, damage crops and break windows is possible.

Rainfall at the rate of 1-2 inches per hour can quickly flood city streets and low-lying rural roads. In a small number of cases, a tornado is also possible.

On Saturday, the advancing front and daytime heating will again give thunderstorms a boost.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

The Midwest portion of the severe weather threat Saturday will extend from parts of southern Indiana and northern Kentucky to central and southern Ohio and western West Virginia.

Farther to the east, storms will erupt and turn severe over portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, southeastern New York and southern New England. Residents and airline passengers in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati may have to deal with severe weather Saturday.

By Sunday, storms are likely to ignite and may become locally severe farther south across portions of southern Kentucky and Tennessee. Storms may also develop and become severe over portions of the central and northern High Plains on the western edge of the cool air.

In the wake of the cool front across much of the Midwest, temperatures will be shaved by 10-15 degrees. That will translate to highs in the 70s to near 80 across the Great Lakes region and the low to mid-80s in the Ohio Valley. Adding to the more comfortable conditions, humidity levels will be slashed substantially. Much lower nighttime temperatures are in store.

However, despite the push of cooler and less humid air coming this weekend, a familiar problem this season may return: wildfire smoke.

The northwesterly flow in the wake of the cool front will scoop up smoke from distant wildfires in western Canada and sweep it southeastward across large portions of the Midwest this weekend to next week. Where the smoke reaches down to the ground, poor to unhealthy air quality levels are likely.

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.
Finda's co-CEOs Lee Hye-min, left, and Park Hong-min, right, pose with JB Financial Group Chairman Kim Ki-hong, after winning investment from the financial holding firm, at the latter's headquarters on Yeouido in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Finda



By Lee Min-hyung



Finda, a loan comparison platform operator, has attracted investment worth 47 billion won ($36.94 million) from JB Financial Group and 500 Global, the fintech startup said Thursday.



The company is considered one of the top three mobile lending platform providers along with Toss and Kakao Pay. Teaming up with 68 financial companies, Finda helped customers receive loans worth 4 trillion won last year alone.



JB Financial Group partnered with Finda for the latest Series C funding. The companies joined hands in 2020. JB aims to diversify its mobile sales channels by developing more competitive business models with Finda.



The financial holding firm is set to acquire a 5-percent stake in Finda, and Jeonbuk Bank, a banking subsidiary of JB, will also take over another 10-percent stake in the fintech company. Finda also won investment from 500 Global, a venture capital firm.



Finda shared its plans to focus more on sophisticating services in its lending platform by setting up an artificial intelligence fraud detection system (AI-FDS) with the invested capital, the company said.



"We hope to set a good example in the local financial market through the partnership with the financial holding company," Finda co-CEO Lee Hye-min said. "Finda will be able to offer more specialized and differentiated financial services to the market after winning investments."



Finda has attracted investment worth 64.4 billion won. The latest one came about two and a half years after the company raised 11.5 billion won in Series B funding from Kia and 500 Global in January 2021.


BANGKOK (AP)  When Gao Peng landed in Thailand on July 3, he was not expecting to be accused of making bomb threats, to be put on an EU travel blacklist, or to see his mother and 16-year-old sister detained and threatened with deportation back to China.

But bomb threats made in his and his mother's names against airports, luxury hotels and the Chinese embassy in Bangkok derailed the familys plan to seek asylum in the Netherlands, where Gao Pengs father moved three years ago. The threats appear to be part of Beijings increasingly sophisticated efforts to harass Chinese dissidents living overseas and their families.

While parts of the story told by Gao Peng and his father, Gao Zhi, couldnt be independently confirmed, their predicament echoes accounts by other Chinese dissidents abroad, who believe Chinese authorities are making bomb threats in their names to control their political activities.

William Nee, research and advocacy coordinator at a coalition of rights organizations known as Chinese Human Rights Defenders, said that the bomb threats appear to be a new tactic that manipulates other governments into acting against Chinese dissidents.

Obviously, public authorities may take such a threat seriously," he said. "Its hard for them to have the context to understand that it is a preposterous allegation.

Bomb threat allegations led the Netherlands to revoke visa approvals for Gao's family, and put his wife and son on an EU travel blacklist that kept them in Thailand until their visas expired. Thai police have not confirmed whether they are investigating the bomb threats.

AN OFFER OF ASYLUM, AND A MYSTERIOUS BARGAIN

Gao Zhi was not a prominent dissident. Until early 2020, he was a migrant factory worker who'd learned to evade China's censorship systems to use Twitter, now called the X platform, where he followed human rights activists and posted calls for the overthrow of the Communist Party.

Gao got asylum in the Netherlands and moved there in January 2020.

Back home, police questioned Gao's family twice, but the pressure felt manageable at first.

That changed when Gao attended a rally organized by his friend Wang Jingyu, a more prominent dissident, on the June 4 anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

On June 15, police came to the home of Gao's wife, Liu Fengling, and demanded her cellphone. When she refused, they forced her into a chair, scratching her wrist in the tussle, and took it.

When Liu told her husband what happened, he urged her to leave China.

Dutch officials told Gao his family could get emergency visas at the Dutch embassy in Bangkok, where Chinese citizens can get visas on arrival.

But before the family left China, someone claiming to work for the country's Ministry of Public Security contacted Gao, according to undated screenshots he shared with the AP.

The person proposed a deal: if Gao promised to tone down his rhetoric and influenced Wang to give fewer interviews, the government would help reunite his family. Otherwise, Liu would be prevented from leaving China.

After speaking to Wang, Gao agreed.

The Associated Press was not able to verify the screenshots independently, and the ministry did not reply to a request for comment.

Liu and her daughter, Gao Han, traveled to Bangkok on June 27, followed on July 3 by the couple's son.

Gao Peng said he didn't know why they were going to Thailand. His parents had never told him why his father left China, although he was aware there was some trouble with the police.

DISSIDENTS AND FAMILIES FACE BOMB THREAT ACCUSATIONS OVERSEAS

The day after Gao Peng arrived in Thailand, someone called his mother and accused him of making bomb threats.

According to a recording made by Liu, the man identified himself as Wang Mingsen, a consular official at the Chinese embassy in Bangkok. He said he wants to put a bomb at the embassy, because his father has been persecuted in China, Wang said.

When reached by the AP, Wang said This situation, we dont have any information we can share with you.

Gao Peng said that his family tried to report the bomb threats to police, but it took until July 9 to find an officer who spoke Chinese.

He told them threats had been called in to hotels across the country, including Phukets Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels, and rooms in many of the same hotels had been booked under Gao Peng and his mother's names. The officer said it was probably a scam and they should just not pick up the phone.

A receptionist at the Marriott hotel in Phuket said they would ask their marketing team to provide comment. A resort under the Ritz-Carlton brand in Phuket said they hadnt received any threats.

The accusations frightened Gao Peng, he said. But I was also very indignant, because theyre accusing me and smearing me, I cant accept that.

Wang Jingyu, the Netherlands-based activist, and at least three other people linked to him have also described bomb threats made in their names. Wang said he was questioned by Dutch police, who eventually concluded that the threats were sent from IP addresses in Hong Kong and China, and gave him a document clearing his name.

A Chinese journalist living in Germany and a Dutch journalist who interviewed Wang also had bomb threats called into hotels where bookings were made in their names.

Bob Fu, a U.S.-based activist who helped Wang when he was detained in Dubai, said that he now has to alert both local and federal law enforcement every time he travels because of bomb threats.

PLAN DERAILED AS FAMILY FACES DEPORTATION

Bomb threats also stopped Gao Zhi from buying airline tickets for his wife and son. When he tried, airline websites refused, saying they were on an EU safety blacklist.

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service told him that bomb threats had been sent to European airports in their names, and helped remove them from the blacklist, but the back and forth took days.

Amid the delay, Liu and her daughter's visas expired on July 11. The next day, Thai police came to the family's hotel and took the two women into custody.

Around the same time, the Dutch government informed Gao that it had revoked his family's visas, writing in an e-mail seen by the AP that Thai police had informed Dutch immigration authorities that they were investigating the family for bomb threats, and that the family had confessed and volunteered to go back to China.

The Dutch immigration service declined to comment, saying they do not discuss individual cases. The Royal Thai Police did not respond to a request for comment.

Liu was charged with overstaying a visa, according to the lawyer, Waritsara. Her daughter has not been charged.

Thailand has a record of deporting dissidents and refugees back to China, sometimes at the request of the Chinese government.

Its well understood that there is Chinese pressure in Thailand ... so theres quite a bit of pressure on Chinese activists and asylum seekers in Thailand, said Nee.

Thai police told Waritsara that the Chinese embassy had expressed a special interest in the case.

Gao Zhi's Telegram contact promised to help, and told him to send his son to Huai Khwang police station in Bangkok, where he would receive a report ending the investigation. The police did not issue the report, Gao Peng said, but did return the family's cell phones.

Thai immigration officials also refused to extend Gao Peng's visa, mentioning a police warrant according to a recording he made, but he has not been detained.

What's next for the family is uncertain.

The Dutch government told Gao Zhi that if his son can get UNHCR refugee status and the family reaches the Netherlands, they can get visas.

Gao Zhi is spending his days writing to the Dutch and Thai governments to plead for his family.

I thought I was saving them, he said. I didnt think I was sending them into a Thai jail.

___

Wu reported from Taipei, Taiwan
Ammon Bundy, the Idaho-based anti-government activist who captured national attention seven years ago when he led an armed occupation of federal land in Oregon, has been ordered to pay $26 million dollars to a Boise hospital, its CEO, a doctor and a nurse practitioner.

Bundy had accused them of malpractice when a grandson of a friend was treated at St. Lukes Meridian Medical Center after the child was taken into protective custody by police. Bundy led protests in front of the hospital that resulted in him being arrested for trespassing.

The child, described by police as suffering from severe malnourishment during previous medical care, is the grandson of far-right activist Diego Rodriguez, whom Bundy described as a very good friend. Rodriguez was also named as a defendant, and the jury ordered him and his Freedom Man organizations to pay $26.5 million.

The jurys decision imposes accountability for the ongoing campaign of intimidation, harassment and disinformation these defendants have conducted, St. Lukes said in a written statement.

The $26 million judgment against Bundy was split between compensatory and punitive damages, and includes not only Bundy personally, but also his failed gubernatorial campaign and his political organization, Peoples Rights Network.

People in a jury deciding how much St. Lukes is going to take from those who exposed the truth about them is a mockery to justice, Bundy said in a Twitter post Tuesday following the verdict.

Both defendants refused to appear in court, resulting in a default judgment against them. Bundy wrote in an open letter to the hospital and state officials before the jurys decision that he could not pay any judgment because the legal battle had forced to liquidate all my assets except a few.

St. Lukes said any money that they or their CEO are able to collect in the case will be donated to their program that serves children who are suspected to be victims of neglect or abuse.

Bundy is best known for leading an armed occupation of the federal Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016. A federal jury found him not guilty on all charges.

In 2022, he ran for governor of Idaho as an independent and received 17.2% of the vote.

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SYDNEY (Reuters) - South Korea's biggest defence company Hanwha Aerospace on Thursday beat Germany's Rheinmetall to win an Australian contract worth up to A$7 billion ($4.74 billion) for building 129 infantry fighting vehicles.

The deal, which Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described as one of the largest projects in the history of the Australian army, will have a value of A$5 billion to A$7 billion.

"The state-of-the-art vehicles will come with the latest generation armour, cannon and missiles, providing the protection, mobility and firepower needed by soldiers in close combat," Conroy told reporters.

The new vehicles, to be built in Australia at Hanwha's facilities in Victoria state, will replace the M113 armoured personnel carriers that first entered service in 1964.

Australia has been upgrading its defence capabilities, citing the changing strategic environment in the Pacific region, where China is looking to increase its influence.

Conroy said the government will speed up the process so that the first vehicle can be delivered in early 2027, two years earlier than planned, and the final vehicle by 2028.

Hanwha said the deal would further boost ties between Australia and South Korea and had "significant implications" for defence and economic cooperation. Rheinmetall did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The decision to pick Hanwha's Redback as Australia's new infantry fighting vehicle comes two weeks after a trip by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Germany, where he signed an in-principle agreement to export 100 Boxer armed carriers made in Australia by defence contractor Rheinmetall back to Germany.

($1 = 1.4780 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal and Jamie Freed)
President Joe Biden has decided to allow the US to cooperate with the International Criminal Courts investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine, two US officials and a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

The decision comes after months of internal debate and marks a historic shift, as it would be the first time the US has agreed to share evidence with the court as part of a criminal probe into a country that is not a member of the ICC. Neither the US nor Russia are members of the court.

It could be deeply consequential, one of the sources said, adding that the US government now has a clear green light to share information and evidence with the ICC.

What information the US shares will ultimately depend on what the ICC prosecutor requests for the investigations, the source explained.

A National Security Council spokesperson would not comment directly on the decision, but said in a statement that Biden has been clear: there needs to be accountability for the perpetrators and enablers of war crimes and other atrocities in Ukraine.

We have been clear that we support a range of international mechanisms to identify and hold accountable those responsible, including through the Office of the Ukraine Prosecutor General, the Joint Investigative Team through Eurojust, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, the Expert Missions established under the OSCEs Moscow Mechanism, and the International Criminal Court among others, the spokesperson added.

The New York Times first reported on Bidens order.

On Friday, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin praised the US decision, calling it another historic stride towards building comprehensive accountability for Russias international crimes.

Kostin gave heartfelt thanks to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the US Justice Department for standing with Ukraine at the frontline of justice.

Once again, we see that commitment, unity, and persistence yield fruitful results, Kostin wrote on Twitter. Every meeting, letter, and hearing at Congress brings us closer to our ultimate goalhalting Russia and holding Kremlins criminal regime accountable for all its atrocities.

Over the course of the war, Biden administration officials have obtained evidence of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, through intelligence gathering mechanisms among other channels, officials told CNN. But the administration debated for months internally over whether to share that evidence with the court, as officials grappled with the possibility that doing so could set a precedent that could one day be used against the United States, officials explained.

The Pentagon was the most concerned about cooperating with the court, officials said, and worried that doing so might set a precedent for the ICC to investigate alleged war crimes carried out by Americans in Iraq. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin raised his concerns with the president earlier this year, but told CNNs Wolf Blitzer earlier this month that the Defense Department would cooperate with whatever policy decision was made by the president.

The NSC spokesperson noted that the US has already deployed teams of international investigators and prosecutors to assist Ukraines Office of the Prosecutor General in documenting, preserving, and preparing war crimes cases for prosecution, and the Department of Justice has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate with Ukraine on investigations and prosecutions of war crimes committed during Russias invasion of Ukraine.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Thursday thanked far-right Premier Giorgia Meloni for Italy's steady backing of Ukraine, offering a warm welcome to the White House to a leader that his administration saw with some trepidation when she rose to power last year as the head of Italys first far-right-led government since the end of World War II.

Biden administration concerns about her ideology have been eased by her support for Ukraine and her seeming openness to pull back from Italy's participation in China's infrastructure-building Belt and Road Initiative. Her visit came as Italy prepares to take up the presidency next year of the Group of Seven industrialized nations.

Italy and the United States are also standing strong with Ukraine, and I compliment you on your very strong support in defending against Russian atrocities, and thats what they are," Biden told Meloni at the start of their Oval Office meeting, in which he warmly spoke of Meloni as his friend. And I thank the Italian people. I want to thank them for supporting you and supporting Ukraine. It makes a big difference.

Meloni, who was making her first White House visit as premier, said relations between the U.S. and Italy should remain strong regardless of the "political colors" of who is in power in the two countries.

Evidently, Im in sync with the Republican Party, Meloni said of her political ideology at a news conference following her meeting with Biden. That doesnt impede me from having an excellent relationship with the U.S. president.

White House officials said the leaders' agenda was focused on Ukraine and China as well as the stream of migration from North Africa to Europe's southern shores. More than 1,900 migrants have died or disappeared in the Mediterranean so far this year, bringing the total of dead and missing since 2014 to 27,675, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The Biden administration viewed Melonis predecessor, the economist and former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, as an intellectual force and one of its strongest allies in Europe. Soon after Melonis victory in September, Biden warned about the rise of hard-right populism in Europe and in the United States.

You just saw whats happened in Italy in that election, Biden said in an address to the Democratic Governors Association after Melonis victory. Youre seeing whats happening around the world. And the reason I bother to say that is we cant be sanguine about whats happening here, either.

Meloni became Italys first far-right leader to serve as premier in Italys post-World War II republic after the Brothers of Italy party she co-founded more than a decade ago emerged as the largest vote-getter in the September 2022 elections.

But before the visit, the White House played down Biden's initial skepticism about Meloni.

On issues of foreign policy, theres been a lot of overlapping and mutually reinforcing approaches that were taking on with Italy, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. Italy is a NATO ally and they are a very competent NATO ally and theyve been a tremendous supporter of Ukraine.

Before her White House meeting, Meloni headed to the U.S. Capitol to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as well as other lawmakers.

In remarks to reporters after meeting McCarthy, Meloni said it remained critical for the West to remain united in helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty.

For without a world based on the international law, we would live in a world of chaos, Meloni said. "That's not the world we want to live in. We want to live in a world in which we can respect sovereignty and freedom.

Her Brothers of Italy party, named after the first words of Italys national anthem, has roots in a party founded by nostalgists for fascism following the demise of dictator Benito Mussolinis regime. But Meloni brushes off any insinuation that she is nostalgic for Mussolini, writing in her autobiography, I dont hold the cult of fascism.

Since coming to power, Meloni has faced criticism for her government's direction that city halls stop automatically registering both parents in same-sex couples but instead limit recognition of parental rights only to the biological parent of the child.

When Meloni ran for premier, she called for a naval blockade of northern Africa to thwart smugglers boats overcrowded with migrants determined to reach Europes southern shores. But once in office, she quickly dropped talk of any blockade.

On the eve of Meloni's visit, the White House sought to stress the U.S. and Italy's close cooperation on Ukraine.

But White House officials note that Meloni has been one of the European Unions most vocal supporters of Ukraine's sovereignty, and Italy has hosted some 170,000 Ukrainians who have fled the war. Meloni has also been a champion of a stronger NATO and views the trans-Atlantic alliance as the linchpin of traditionally strong U.S.-Italian relations.

From a foreign policy lens, the Biden administration sees this is better than what they could have possibly expected or hoped for, said Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Meloni has also expressed skepticism about Italy's ties with China through the Belt and Road Initiative. In 2019, Italy became the first and only G7 nation to join Chinas ambitious infrastructure building effort, despite objections from the United States.

The project was launched by Beijing in 2013 by President Xi Jinping to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure. The ambition for the project has expanded to Africa, Oceania and Latin America, significantly broadening Chinas economic and political influence. Italy must either renew or abandon the accord by early next year.

___

D'Emilio reported from Rome.
David Munoz makes a call from his cell at Folsom State Prison in California, the second state to mandate free phone calls for people serving time in state prisons. It costs extra to make calls using electronic devices and the prison's wifi. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Zeara Alvarez, 47, never realized just how much her big brother really cared.

She was a teenager when he was sent to prison for second-degree murder, and the pair spoke only sparingly over three decades.

That wasn't because he had shut out the family or they had moved on. Communication between the siblings was drastically curtailed by the exorbitant cost of making prison phone calls.

At a time when most consumers enjoy free or low-cost calling, prison phone calls at their peak in California cost more than $6 per 15 minutes via a private telecommunications provider. That allowed only hurried, superficial conversations between the siblings  with one eye always on the clock.

This year California became the second state in the nation, and the largest to date, to mandate free calls in state prisons. Because family members bore the cost of the pricey calls, the new law eliminated a longstanding financial burden that forced many low-income people  particularly those of color  to choose between maintaining contact with incarcerated loved ones and putting food on the table.

Without the constant worry that the meter was running, Alvarez's relationship with brother Anthony Perez, 51, has blossomed in recent months.

They speak several times a week. Rather than rushed conversations, theres time for laughter and sharing memories. With their regular updates about everyday life and relaxed chats, a deeper bond has emerged.

Zeara Alvarez, in her office at the Anti-Recidivism Coalition in Los Angeles, talks with brother Anthony Perez, who called from Ironwood State Prison in Blythe. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

"We were actually crying together, and that had not ever happened," Alvarez said of a recent talk with her brother, made possible by California's mandated free calls from state prisons. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

We were actually crying together, and that had not ever happened, Alvarez told The Times, recalling a recent conversation with her brother. It was very healing for us. I never knew all that he carried, like the emotional burden of not protecting his younger sister.

In a telephone interview from Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, Perez said the more frequent contact with his sister was making him a better brother and better person.

By having these conversations, he said, he and others in prison are able to kind of really rehabilitate our emotional awareness, and really start to have empathy for our family members that are struggling out there on the streets, so that we can create some type of emotion in ourselves other than always be worried about what is happening on the inside."

Prisoner advocates and state correction officials hope the benefits will go even further by speeding rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and easing the way for reentry into society.

Incarcerated people who are connected to their families and support systems are more likely to come home and stay home, said Bianca Tylek, executive director of Worth Rises, a prison reform organization. That means they are less likely to reengage in criminal activity and more likely to be productive neighbors for all of us. That protects and improves our own public safety."

Other states including Colorado and Minnesota are following California and Connecticut, which was the first state to implement a free-call program in prisons. This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, in the footsteps of San Francisco and San Diego , voted unanimously to give the Sheriff's Department a Dec. 1 deadline to make phone calls free in the seven county jails.

Since the California law took effect in January, call volume in state prisons surged from 1.4 million minutes per day in December 2022 to more than 3.5 million minutes in June, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Under the new law, free calls still must originate from prison and end after 15 minutes, but there are no caps on the number of calls an incarcerated person can make. Calling can be restricted to certain hours by individual facilities.

Men make phone calls from their cellblock at Folsom State Prison at no charge, part of California's effort to help inmates maintain relationships with family and friends, which may reduce recidivism. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

In a statement, the state corrections department said it was optimistic that the increased family contact would help incarcerated people "build and maintain relationships that are critical to achieving their rehabilitative goals."

Before the law, the state provided each prisoner with two free 15-minute calls every two weeks, costing taxpayers about $214,000 in December. In June, the overall prison phone bill increased more than tenfold, to nearly $2.4 million.

Oscar Bonilla, a formerly incarcerated person released in 2020, recalls the toll of long periods of not having phone calls. Though he understood his family could not afford the fee, he nevertheless felt forgotten and resentful.

Having free phone calls during his incarceration would have strengthened the relationship he had with his family, he said.

It would have helped my own mental health and my own emotional state of being while I was in there, he added. It would have really had me feeling a little happier instead of being in a depressed state of mind. Having that bridge to your family is huge.

Separation wore heavily on family members, too.

Ruth Mancilla, 43, of Duarte, has two brothers in prison. She said the familys phone bill sometimes hit $900 in the early 2000s. That was like a full rent back then, she said.

She recalled the anguish she felt when one of her brothers would call her cellphone, and she had to watch the screen until it stopped ringing because she could not afford to answer it.

Ruth Mancilla speaks from a park in Duarte to her son's incarcerated father. She's still not used to the free calls, which she says seem like "one of those 'too good to be true' type of things." (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Mancilla says that with two brothers in prison, her family's phone bill sometimes hit $900 a month in the early 2000s  "like a full rent back then." Before the new law, the cost of calls kept many families from talking with incarcerated loved ones as much as they would've liked. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Even though calls are free now, she said that it is hard to break the old habit of second-guessing whether she should pick up.

It is kind of a little traumatic, she said. I still have to stop and pause at times, because it is one of those 'too good to be true' type of things.

Gabriel Bonilla, 47, who was convicted of murder in 2000, said the free calls had enabled him to reunite with his three sons, and to share his efforts to rehabilitate himself in prison, including his completion of a degree in May.

Previously we had no communication and I was only judged [by] the worst day of my life, Bonilla, no relation to Oscar, said in a phone call from Folsom State Prison. I feel a lot better as a father, as a grandfather and as a husband because I am able to communicate with them. I am able to tell them my accomplishments [in prison] and everything that I have done to improve myself so that Im not looked at for what I did to get myself in here.

Free prison phone calls are among a series of recent reforms to overhaul the states prison system.

In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that San Quentin State Prison  Californias oldest  would be transformed into a "Scandinavian model," with a focus on education and job training to ease reentry into society and reduce rates of reoffending. The reforms seek to completely reimagine what prison means, Newsom said.

Read more:California to transform infamous San Quentin prison with Scandinavian ideas, rehab focus

In June, the state closed all of its juvenile prisons in favor of detaining youth at county jails. The state is closing some prisons, and the corrections department has begun offering free transportation for families to visit incarcerated relatives.

During the pandemic, California prisons rolled out tablets that give incarcerated people limited digital access, including to video calls, text messages and music streaming.

However, those services are not free, and families have to pay for them if incarcerated relatives are among those who have received the tablets. Video calls cost 20 cents per minute and text messages cost 5 cents per message, according to rates published by the state corrections agency.

Even before the new law, the cost of prison calls was drastically reduced after the Federal Communications Commission cracked down on hidden service fees and imposed rate caps on the prison telecom industry. A new law signed by President Biden and taking effect in 2024 will give the commission even greater powers to regulate the industry.

In some states, prison calls were costing as much as $14 a minute. A 15-minute phone call to a number within California peaked at $6.20 in 2007, and at $17.30 for out-of-state calls, according to the department.

California's free prison phone calls are among a series of recent changes to overhaul Folsom State Prison, pictured, and the rest of the state's corrections system. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

In 2021, Global Tel Link, the private company handling Californias state prison calls, agreed to a $67-million settlement to refund and credit customers whose funds it had taken as profit when the customers didn't use the funds within a 90-day period. The company is now known as ViaPath.

"As a provider of these services, ViaPath understands the importance of communication services and is focused on providing quality service and support," ViaPath said in a statement. "The company was pleased to resolve the legacy litigation ... and is complying with the settlement agreement."

Advocates and relatives interviewed by The Times said although they are happy calls are now free, there is still a need to improve the quality of the service, as calls drop frequently and users are sometimes unable to hear one another.

The next legislative fight, activists say, is for video calls, text messages and calls from Californias patchwork of county jails to also become free. Those provisions were dropped from the previous bill as it made its way through Californias Legislature.

Read more:Lawsuits target extortionate phone calls, commissary items in California jails

Tylek hopes Californias example encourages other states to pursue similar policy shifts in their correctional systems.

I think the legislation in California helps demonstrate to other states across the country that this is doable, that this is feasible and that it can help change lives," she said.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Cary Town Council could annex land Thursday night to make way for a future daycare near the planned Apple campus in Research Triangle Park.

Celebree School, a Maryland-based child-care company, wants to build a 10,000-square-foot daycare center at 11550 Green Level Church Road.

The nearly 2-acre site area is across from Alston Ridge Elementary School and near the location for Apples future $552 million campus in RTP off N.C. 540.

The daycare center is part of Celebree School plans to expand across the country, with additional corporate hubs and daycare centers in Atlanta, Boston, Houston and Orlando by the end of 2024. The Cary location could open by the end of this year.

The Cary Town Council will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday (July 27) in Cary Town Hall, after which the council could vote.

What we know about the daycare center

The daycare would serve about 175 children, according to Adam Sellner, the project director for Charlotte-based real estate company Primax Properties.

Families with children from 6 weeks old to pre-K could enroll at the daycare, which could include an 8,000-square-foot playground, kitchenette, and 46 parking spaces.

All the Celebree School locations are private and require families to pay tuition, with financial aid available. The school did not respond to an inquiry from The News & Observer on Wednesday for information about enrollment and other fees.

Each year, families with younger children can pay thousands in child care, according to the N.C. Department of Labor. On average, the cost of child care for an infant in North Carolina is $9,255, which is more than the cost of a year of tuition at a public college. Child care costs about $7,590 for a toddler.

The Cary daycare would employ about 30 people, according to a report by Triangle Business Journal.

In 2021, there were 2,000 fewer child-care workers in the state than the year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Providers were struggling with staffing before the pandemic, which only exacerbated the issue, according to the state Department of Commerce.

Building permits for the daycare center are still under review and if the town council votes to annex the land, the next steps include the town reviewing the construction plans, Sellner said.
In this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, walks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during their meeting at the headquarters of the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Committee in Pyongyang, July 26. Yonhap



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited an arms exhibition showcasing the country's latest weaponry with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is visiting Pyongyang to attend celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, state media said Thursday.



Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday for a three-day visit to attend commemorative events marking one of the North's key anniversaries on July 27, which the North refers to as Victory Day.



Despite maintaining strict border restrictions since 2020 to contain the pandemic, the reclusive state has invited delegations from China and Russia, which share strong ties with the North, in a rare invitation of official foreign guests since the COVID-19 breakout.



Kim and Shoigu visited the "Weaponry Exhibition-2023" event showcasing new weapons and equipment on Wednesday, accompanied by key Pyongyang officials, including Premier Kim Tok-hun and Jo Yong-won, secretary for organizations affairs at the ruling Workers' Party, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).



During their visit, Kim introduced weapons the North has produced under its national defense development plan and shared his views on the "worldwide trend of weaponry development and its strategy" and security agenda facing the two countries.



According to the KCNA, Kim expressed his views on "the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries" from "the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists."









Photos released by state media showed various weapons on display, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) as well as unmanned aircraft that appeared to be modeled after the U.S. surveillance aircraft Global Hawk.



Kim and Shoigu held a separate meeting the same day, where they discussed defense issues in a "cordial atmosphere overflowing with militant friendship." The KCNA said the two sides "reached a consensus" on their views on the topics discussed.



The KCNA reported that Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin.



It added the meeting served as an occasion to further strengthen their bilateral ties amid "the ever-changing regional and international security environment."



North Korea has been strengthening its ties with Russia despite international condemnation of Moscow's war with Ukraine, amid allegations that Pyongyang has provided arms to Moscow for use in the war.



Despite economic hardships and global criticism of its nuclear and missile development programs, the North has also continued to pursue its military ambition, firing a Hwasong-18 ICBM in the latest provocation this month. (Yonhap)





In this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, walks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at an arms exhibition in Pyongyang on Wednesday, July 26. Yonhap
MANILA (Reuters) - China has offered to hold joint military exercises with the Philippines, local media reported on Thursday, quoting Manila's military chief.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner will study the offer which was presented to him by China's ambassador to Manila, CNN Philippines and state-run PTV reported.

"They said they submitted some white papers, we have to study," Brawner said in a video posted by CNN Philippines on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

There was no immediate comment from Brawner, but military spokesperson Medel Aguilar said he did see the video of Brawner's interview and reiterated the conversation he had with the Chinese diplomat was "informal."

"I am not aware if we are already furnished with the white papers," Aquilar told Reuters. Brawner spoke to reporters on the sidelines of an event hosted by China's ambassador in Manila to mark the anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Aquilar said.

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"We try to establish relations with armies, with armed forces around the world. This is one way for us to prevent war," Brawner said.

Beijing's offer to carry out joint military drills with the Philippines comes as time of heightened tensions between the countries over what Manila describes as China's "aggressive" activities in the South China Sea.

China has longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea with several countries in the region, including the Philippines.

There were no other details given on the proposed joint military drills, but Brawner said they would not be conducted in the South China Sea.

A former army chief, Brawner this month took over as armed forces head, succeeding Andres Centino who was appointed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr as his adviser on the South China Sea.

Marcos, who has sought closer ties with Washington, reiterated in his annual address on Monday, that he will protect his country's sovereign rights and territorial integrity.

China does not accept the Arbitral Tribunal's ruling in 2016 which concluded Beijing's claim to almost the entire sea was invalid.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
By Andrea Shalal and Angelo Amante

WASHINGTON/ROME (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House on Thursday, with the Ukraine war, trade and Italy's relations with China featuring atop their agenda.

Italy's first woman prime minister came to power last October and is seeking an assertive role abroad as she plans the upcoming Italian presidency of the Group of 7 (G7) nations in 2024.

She and her right-wing coalition have staked out positions on abortion and LGBTQ rights sharply at odds with those of Biden, a Democrat who used last year's Italian election results as an occasion to warn fellow liberals about dangers facing the world's democracies.

"Our relations are strong," Meloni said with Biden at her side in the Oval Office. "They cross governments and remain solid regardless of their political colors. We know who our friends in times that are tough."

Meloni also used her first trip to Washington to spend some time on Capitol Hill, where her meetings included a visit with Republican House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Rome and Washington both emphasized the trip as an opportunity to reaffirm a strong partnership between the countries, including over the billions of dollars in military and other aid the West has provided Ukraine in its grinding war against Russia since 2022.

During a small portion of the meeting open to reporters, Biden complimented Italy on what he said was its strong stance on Ukraine. Meloni said she was proud that Italy had helped defend international law.

Washington hopes that the West's alliance against Russia's Ukraine invasion will help deter China from changing the status quo in Taiwan and the broader Pacific.

INCREASING TRADE

Now, Meloni faces a decision over whether to maintain Italy's membership in Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure plan, a program that Washington has been working to counter.

Biden said Italy and the United States would only see their mutual trade increase.

"We're talking about our deepening economic connection that has fueled more than $100 billion in trade last year," Biden said during the White House meeting. "In my mind, there's no reason why that can't increase."

Biden brought some officials to the meeting who have a primarily economic portfolio, including his commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo.

Italy in 2019 became the first and so far only G7 nation to join China's major infrastructure initiative, with critics saying the partnership would enable China to gain control of sensitive technologies and vital infrastructure.

Italy is seen as highly unlikely to renew the deal with China when it expires in March 2024, and Meloni said in May it was possible to have good relations with Beijing without being part of the pact.

Meloni, who may meet one-on-one with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year, pointedly described the United States as "our most important trade partner outside the European Union."

The G7 formally launched an alternative to the Belt and Road, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, last year. G7 countries said in May at their leaders' summit in Japan that they were trying to "reduce excessive dependencies" on other countries but "not decoupling or turning inwards."

The Biden-Meloni meeting takes place less than a week after she hosted an international conference on migration in Rome, as Italy tries to cope with a high volume of migrants arriving by boat from North Africa.

Italy was planning to discuss with the U.S. how to support the development and stability of Africa, Meloni's office said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Angelo Amante in Rome; Additional reporting by Katharine Jackson; Writing by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Don Durfee, Diane Craft and Alistair Bell)
By Helen Coster and Samrhitha A

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Comcast Corp beat estimates for quarterly revenue on Thursday, helped by higher theme park attendance and the successful theatrical releases of "The Super Mario Bros Movie" and "Fast X", sending its shares up nearly 6%. The company's total revenue rose 1.7% to $30.51 billion in the quarter, beating analysts' average estimate of $30.13 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

Comcast shares rose to $45.41 in early trading. In its second set of results under a new reporting structure that includes NBCUniversal in the content and experiences segment, the company reported a 4% increase in revenue in the unit to $10.87 billion in the second quarter. Ad revenue in content and experiences fell 4.9% from the same quarter a year prior, in a weak but stable advertising environment. In a call with investors Thursday, Comcast's chief financial officer said he expects overall results in advertising to continue in the third quarter. Revenue at the company's Peacock streaming service rose 84.7% compared with a year earlier. Paid subscribers increased by two million in the second quarter, to 24 million, from the 22 million it reported in the previous quarter. Adjusted losses from the platform widened to $651 million from $467 million a year ago as Comcast continues to invest heavily in content. The company has said that it expects Peacock losses to peak at around $3 billion in 2023, but expects it to steadily improve after that. Theme parks revenue climbed 22.4%, thanks to demand for attractions such as "Super Nintendo World" in Hollywood and Osaka, Japan. Comcast's total connectivity and platforms revenue, which includes the cable business and most of its Sky unit, reported a 0.1% gain in revenue. Comcast lost 19,000 broadband customers in the quarter, while Factset had estimated a loss of 73,000 customers. Competition from wireless carriers such as T-Mobile US Inc and Verizon Communications Inc has pressured Comcast's business, which has also been hurt by high market penetration and low moving rates. Overall, net income attributable to Comcast rose 25.1% to $4.25 billion in the quarter. Excluding items, the company earned $1.13 per share, beating analysts' estimates of 97 cents per share.

(Reporting by Helen Coster, editing by Deepa Babington and Sharon Singleton)
By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) - France on Thursday called for the release and restoration of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum after what it said was a "power grab" in a country vital to its remaining military interests in the Sahel region.

In recent months France has been forced to redefine the country's strategy to fight Islamist militants in the Sahel after thousands of troops completed a withdrawal from Mali and Burkina Faso.

Coups in Mali, Chad and Burkina Faso have weakened France's alliances in its former colonies, emboldened jihadists who control large swathes of desert and scrubland, and opened the door to greater Russian influence.

"We call for the respect and immediate restoration of the integrity of democratic institutions in Niger," France's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We support regional efforts to find an urgent solution to the crisis that respects Niger's democratic framework and allows the immediate restoration of civil authority."

A French diplomatic source said Paris remained in contact with Bazoum and that the situation on the ground was still "very confused."

France's strategy has centred on sending troops to Niger, which it has considered its main ally in the region and the best launch pad for operations against militants in the border regions connecting Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Niger is also vital for France to monitor activities in the desert areas bordering Libya where traffickers and militants have for years exploited the relative absence of the state.

Losing Niger's support would leave Paris with few remaining options and most likely lead to it being forced to withdrew its forces, diplomats and analysts said.

In apparent support of the mutineers, Niger's chief of staff said the army had "decided to adhere to the ... declaration" made by soldiers who announced in a late night televised address that they had stripped Bazoum of power.

France has about 1,000 to 1,500 troops based in the country supported with drones and warplanes. A further 1,000 troops are in neighbouring Chad, where Paris has been less critical of a delayed transition to civilian rule after a 2021 coup.

However, unlike in the past the role of the French troops is solely to support Niger's forces when they identify operations.

Paris has sought to make its military less visible in an effort to defuse tensions in West Africa amid the growing wave of resentment towards the former colonial power and its influence in the Sahel.

Some protesters in Niamey on Thursday waved Russian flags and chanted anti-French slogans.

Echoing similar incidents in Mali and Burkina Faso in the past, a member of the mutineers accused France of landing a military aircraft in the country on Thursday morning despite an airspace closure imposed overnight.

The French diplomatic source said the plane had left in the night before the closures were announced and had received a pre-approved flight plan from the airport's military officials.

According to the French army's website the last joint operation between the French and Niger militaries was carried out at the end of May and in early June.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Daniel Wallis)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Advocates for the self-driving vehicle industry on Wednesday warned that years of regulatory inaction is putting American manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage and urged Congress to expand their ability to test and eventually sell autonomous cars and trucks.

I'm sure it's rare for you that someone from the private sector comes before you to ask, to plead, for their business to be regulated, said John Bozzella, president for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents several major auto manufacturers. Were at a crossroads, and without a comprehensive AV framework, companies are not going to succeed."

While most Republicans, and some Democrats, on the House Energy and Commerce Committee seemed enthusiastic about speeding up the pace of AV research and testing in America, others warned about going too fast without addressing long-standing issues of safety and liability.

Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the committee's ranking Democrat, warned that Congress cannot simply dust off 6-year-old legislation and ignore the substantial issues that have emerged in recent years ... Troubling safety incidents are mounting, liability loopholes are emerging."

The legislation in question is a 2017 bill on AV regulations that passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

Currently AV manufacturers can deploy a maximum of 2,500 self-driving vehicles for testing, provided they have permission from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. AV advocates have complained that the limits represent a bottleneck that is holding back the growth of the industry at a crucial time. Currently the NHTSA has spent more than a year considering a petition from General Motors to deploy 2,500 vehicles from its Cruise AV unit for street testing and a ride-hailing service.

Among the new proposals currently before the committee is one that would provide exemptions for manufacturers to deploy thousands of autonomous vehicles without meeting existing auto safety standards.

One of the main sticking points surrounds liability in case of an accident caused by a malfunctioning AV. Industry advocates argued Wednesday that accidents involving self-driving vehicles are exaggerated and that the machines are already far more reliable than human beings. Gary Shapiro, head of the Consumer Technology Association, told the committee that self-driving vehicles, "are never distracted, never tired, they dont get drunk and they dont fall asleep.

But Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., countered that the human driving model at least provides clarity on who to blame and who should pay for the damage.

When somebody gets injured, somebody gets sued," he said. When a minivan goes off the road in Florida and five people are killed, somebody is getting sued ... Each one of these (crashes) is still going to be subject to a plaintiffs lawyer, an insurance company and a defense lawyer. And until weve figured that out, this is just a science project.

On General Motors earnings conference call Tuesday, Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt said his companys analysis of the first million miles of autonomous vehicle use shows they had 54% fewer collisions than humans in similar environments, and 92% fewer crashes where the autonomous vehicle was at fault.

The vast majority of collisions are caused by inattentive or impaired human drivers, not the AV, he said.

But auto safety advocates have cast doubt on industry claims about the safety of autonomous vehicles and the numbers they use to back up those claims.

Missy Cummings, a former senior safety adviser to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who is now an engineering and computer science professor at George Mason University, said that analysis of available data challenges those safety claims.

Robotaxis from Cruise are eight times more likely to get into a crash than humans, she said, while autonomous vehicles from Waymo, a spinoff of Google, are four times more likely than humans to crash. Waymo said it disagrees with Cummings findings.

I think we need to take their claims of being safer with a grain of salt, Cummings said.

-

Krisher reported from Detroit.
A young girl listens to her teacher during an online lesson. (Getty Images)

In a matter of weeks, children across the nation will return to school. The vast majority will do so without masks, or having to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Yet for many families, the learning loss and emotional trauma caused by remote learning linger, a painful reminder of what is now widely considered one of the biggest policy mistakes of the pandemic.

A House hearing on Wednesday afternoon, titled Generational Learning Loss: How Pandemic School Closures Hurt Students, laid bare the lingering bitterness and division over the decision to shutter schools in March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic arrived in full force in the United States.

Most remarkable of all, the hearing saw some Democrats defend school closures despite the fact that the practice proved not only damaging, but politically toxic.

Read more from Yahoo News: School closures haunt Democrats as frustrated parents cast their votes

Its been just a disaster

An 8-year-old completes a level of her learning game on a laptop in her bedroom in December 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (John Minchillo/AP)

Do you remember the 90s? Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., who chaired the hearing, asked at the opening of the proceedings.

The congressman was not interested in a nostalgic journey back to the era of stonewashed jeans and colorful Trapper Keeper binders. Instead, Bean was making the point that pandemic learning loss was so staggering that in some cases, all of the progress made since the 1990s has been reversed.

Learning loss has been recorded across grade levels and subjects, suggesting that remote learning spared very few. Hardest hit were poorer children and children of color, who, in some cases, lacked adequate internet access. In some households, parents who held essential jobs were unable to help their children with online learning.

The Biden administration devoted $130 billion to schools in its coronavirus relief package, which they were supposed to use to reopen safely and implement tutoring programs. But considering the scope of the problem, even that investment may not be enough.

The pandemic caused the largest negative shock to student learning the country has ever seen, said witness Nat Malkus, an education expert at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. He added that the pandemic widened the achievement gap between white and Asian students on the one hand and students of color on the other.

Educators had worked for years to close that gap, only to see their efforts undone by remote learning. In some large cities, including Chicago and Washington, D.C.  where schools cater largely to nonwhite populations  schools stayed either fully or partially closed well into 2021.

Its been just a disaster, said witness Derrell Bradford, an education reformer. Bradford said he was initially in favor of closing schools but later reached a much more grim assessment of that decision.

If kids are dead, they dont learn

Rep. Jamaal Bowman at a hearing on remote learning in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. (Getty Images)

Democrats defended remote learning as a necessary response to a novel pathogen. But in some cases, they also exaggerated the risk of the coronavirus to children, or the extent to which COVID-19 spread in schools.

If we wouldve kept schools open, more people would have died due to COVID, Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, who was once a school principal in the Bronx, said in his fiery remarks. There is no evidence, however, that in states like Florida, where schools reopened early, the coronavirus spread more rapidly as a result.

Bowman also said that it was incorrect to refer to learning loss, an echo of arguments made by teachers unions that educational setbacks are being exaggerated.

If kids are dead, they dont learn, said Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, a former national teacher of the year. Very few children across the nation died from or were seriously sickened by the coronavirus, and those who did often had other conditions, like asthma.

Read more from Yahoo News:Learning loss was steepest in school districts that stayed remote longest

Still stuck in 2020

An empty school classroom. (Getty Images)

In the first days of the pandemic, We are all in this together was a rallying cry for a frightened, locked-down nation.

But by the time summer arrived, the togetherness vanished as debates over masks and restrictions grew increasingly bitter. Republicans like Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida pushed for schools to reopen. So did then-President Donald Trump, though arguably with less focus than the issue demanded.

Democrats, on the other hand, sided with experts who said it was too early to reopen schools. It was an argument amplified by teachers unions, which have historically been aligned with Democrats.

There was a lot of position taking early on, Malkus of AEI said, describing attitudes about school reopenings as ossified. He lamented that the nation remained stuck in summer 2020 when it came to the debate over schools.

What would it take to become unstuck and reach a consensus about the way forward?

Nobody seemed to have that answer.

Read more from Yahoo News: The coronavirus closed schools. Our diseased politics is keeping them closed.
Iran has announced the production of artificial intelligence-powered missiles, which officials claim have the ability to avoid obstructions and hit a target with pinpoint accuracy, but experts remain skeptical the weapons can perform as promised.

"We see this from time to time and, more frequently, recently, that the Iran regime will flex its military might with a missile test or new technology," Lisa Daftari, Middle East expert and editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, told Fox News Digital.

"We arent able to verify the exact abilities of this latest missile, but I think it would be naive for the White House not to take Tehran seriously about their desire to increase their military arsenal, augment their presence in the Persian Gulf and its funding of terror proxies regionally and, of course, to continue developing its nuclear weapons program."

Irans defense ministry showed off the new missile, Abu Mahdi, after the deputy commander of a Tehran-backed Iraqi organization comprised of Shia militias, Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani, announced the missile utilized AI to guide the weapons trajectory.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

A giant image of Fattah, Iran's first-ever hypersonic missile, hangs on a wall of a government building in Palestine square in downtown Tehran, June 7, 2023.

"With the mass production of Abu Mahdi missile, we will be able to fire at the enemys moving targets in the sea from the depths of the Iranian soil and entirely hidden places at the maximum operating pace and completely destroy the enemys ships, frigates and destroyers," Ashtiani said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp Navy Rear-Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said the missile would better safeguard the countrys coast due to its improved strike range and accuracy, Iranian Press TV reported.

US F-35 FIGHTERS ARRIVE IN MIDDLE EAST TO DETER IRAN, ASSIST MISSION IN SYRIA

"We can fire the Abu Mahdi missile from deep inside the country. The missile has a dual seeker and performs successfully against the enemys electronic warfare," the general claimed.

Combining these capabilities with the potential to avoid radar detection and fly at low altitudes for up to 620 miles, Iranian commanders boasted that the missile would appear at its targets like a "ghost," Al-Monitor reported.

Sowlat Mortazavi, minister of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare, right, and General Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, minister of defense, center, participate in a meeting of government managers at the Ejlas hall March 27, 2023, in Tehran, Iran.

Daftari questioned how Iran was able to develop these capabilities when the country remains under strict Western sanctions.

"Irans regime has been interested in the latest cutting-edge technology, from putting added resources into its cyber capabilities for the last decade or now utilizing artificial intelligence in various endeavors," Daftari argued.

RUSSIA EVADES WORLD'S SANCTIONS WITH LESSONS LEARNED FROM IRAN: AN ALLIANCE OF CONVENIENCE

Iran's medium-range ballistic missile called Hayber (Hurremshahr-4) is seen after the launch during the promotional program organized with the participation of high-ranking military officials in Tehran, Iran on May 07, 2023. The liquid-fueled ballistic missile Hayber, with a range of 2 thousand kilometers, can carry 1500 kilograms of warheads. (Photo by Iranian Defense Ministry / Hanodut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"Its a reminder to target the sanctions more carefully and actually enforce them so that enemy states do not have access to these latest technologies," she added.

Matt McInnis, senior fellow for the Institute for the Study of War, confirmed that Iran has pursued these kinds of weapons as part of a "long-term effort to increase the range and accuracy of both their cruise and ballistic missiles."

Iranian soldiers take part in an annual military drill on the coast of the Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, in Jask, Iran, Dec. 30, 2022.

He theorized that Iran announced the missile production as a counter-move to increased U.S. presence in the region, which occurred as a response to Iranian seizures of oil tankers and other ships.

McInnis cautioned that it is difficult to fully verify what Iran has actually developed and if the weapons can perform as promised.

A LOOK AT US SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, IRAN FROM OBAMA TO THE BIDEN YEARS

"Looking at some of the footage  this looks like another iteration of their existing cruise missiles. So, I think some of the basics of improving range and accuracy  theres a good chance that is correct. But we really have to see these in test-fired exercises or some other type of situation before we could really evaluate it," McInnis said.

"Iran has a long history of exaggerating a claim about weapon capabilities. So, you have to take everything with a grain of salt until you see it in action."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei views Iranian nuclear achievements.

Should the weapon prove as powerful as promised, it would present a troubling improvement of the Iranian armed forces combat capabilities, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"That is further proof of the diffusion of Iran's most strategic systems from the IRGC Air Force to other critical elements of Iran's military and [the IRGC] in particular," Taleblu said. "Youve seen this with shorter rockets and drones, and youre seeing it with cruise missiles as well.

"The regime has  talked about growing the range of some of its more limited cruise missile systems, and there is an allegation that this missile, which in the past claimed to be electro-optically guided, can now be controlled with AI.

"That's likely a bit of hyperbole by the Iranians, but precision is something that they're moving towards, as is range."
By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) - Russia's defence minister was photographed this week viewing banned North Korean ballistic missiles with leader Kim Jong Un at a military expo in Pyongyang, signalling deeper ties between the two countries as they face off with the United States.

As Russia's isolation over its war in Ukraine has grown, it has seen increasing value in North Korea. For North Korea's part, relations with Russia haven't always been as warm as they were during the heady days of the Soviet Union, but now the country is reaping clear benefits from Moscow's need for friends.

Here's how North Korea-Russia relations began, and how they are becoming closer:

POLITICAL BACKING

Communist North Korea was formed in the early days of the Cold War with the backing of the Soviet Union. North Korea later battled the South and its U.S. and United Nations allies to a stalemate in the 1950-1953 Korean War with extensive aid from China and the Soviet Union.

North Korea was heavily reliant on Soviet aid for decades, and when the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, it contributed to a deadly famine in the North.

Pyongyang's leaders have tended to try to use Beijing and Moscow to balance each other. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un initially had a relatively cool relationship with Russia and China, which both joined the United States in imposing strict sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear tests.

After his country's last nuclear test in 2017, Kim took steps to repair ties.

He met Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2019 for the first time in a summit in the Russian city of Vladivostok.

In October, Kim sent a birthday greeting to Putin, congratulating him for "crushing the challenges and threats of the United States".

In a message for Russia's National Day in June, Kim vowed to "hold hands" with Putin and bolster strategic cooperation.

Russia has joined China in opposing new sanctions on North Korea, blocking a U.S.-led push and publicly splitting the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) for the first time since it started punishing Pyongyang in 2006.

UKRAINE WAR SUPPORT

North Korea has reciprocated with public support for Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine. It was one of the only countries to recognise the independence of breakaway Ukrainian regions, and it expressed support for Russia's proclaimed annexation of parts of Ukraine.

The United States has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia for the war effort, including a "significant" number of artillery shells, as well as a shipment of infantry rockets and missiles to the private Russian military company, the Wagner Group.

Both Russia and North Korea have denied those claims, but this week promised to deepen defence cooperation.

"Moscow's 'special military operation' in Ukraine has ushered in a new geopolitical reality in which the Kremlin and (North Korea) may become increasingly close, perhaps even to the point of resurrecting the quasi-alliance relationship that had existed during the Cold War," Artyom Lukin, a professor at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, wrote in a report for 38 North.

It is notable Pyongyang has begun using the new phrase "tactical and strategic collaboration" to describe its relationship with Russia, he added.

ECONOMIC TIES

Last year, Russia and North Korea restarted train travel for the first time since railway journeys were cut during the COVID pandemic with an unusually opulent cargo - 30 grey thoroughbred horses.

Shortly after that Russia also resumed oil exports to North Korea, United Nations data shows, the first such shipments reported since 2020.

The vast majority of North Korea's trade goes through China, but Russia is a potentially important partner as well, particularly for providing oil, experts said. Moscow has denied breaking U.N. sanctions, but Russian tankers have been accused of helping evade caps on exporting oil to North Korea and sanctions monitors have reported labourers remain in Russia despite a ban.

Russian officials have openly discussed "working on political arrangements" to employ 20,000 to 50,000 North Korean labourers, despite U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban such arrangements.

Russian officials and leaders in the breakaway regions in Ukraine have also discussed the possibility of having North Korean workers help rebuild those war-torn areas.

(Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
By Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) - A failure to fully invest the money earmarked for Italy from a European Union post-COVID recovery fund would be a defeat for the nation, the head of state said on Thursday in calling on all political parties to show responsibility.

In 2020, Italy secured a lion's share worth 191.5 billion euros ($213.20 billion) of cheap loans and grants from a 724-billion-euro kitty designed to help EU member states emerge from the pandemic greener and more tech-friendly.

The fund is seen as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise Italy's chronically sluggish economy. But the government, is struggling to hit on time the policy targets initially agreed with the EU Commission to secure the instalments.

Obstacles include bureaucratic incompetence and a lack of expertise at managing such investment projects.

"Any failure or only a partial result would not be a defeat for the government but (rather) for Italy: that is how it would be seen and interpreted outside our borders, and that is what it would be in reality," President Sergio Mattarella told an event with the parliamentary press.

Mattarella, who is not directly elected by citizens and has a largely ceremonial role, said the EU funds were "crucial" for Italy and both the right-wing ruling coalition and the opposition should make all efforts to ensure a smooth progress of the plan.

"Today I would like to emphasise that this is not an issue for the government, for this or the two previous governments, but for Italy," Mattarella said.

The administration of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in charge since October, announced this month a deal with the Commission to unlock a long-due tranche worth some 18.5 billion euros which had been frozen in March.

However, worries are mounting also over delays in spending some 67 billion euros already received that could dilute the positive impact on Italy's GDP growth.

The plan was initially negotiated by the centre-left administration of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, while its first chapters were implemented during the government of Mario Draghi.

Meloni's government has insisted Italy will receive and spend all the money and has blamed the previous administrations for the delays.

($1 = 0.8982 euros)

(Reporting by Angelo Amante; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Civil rights activists joined friends and family of missing North Carolina woman Allisha Dene Watts to demand answers from police about what they are doing to find the woman who was last seen July 16.

Watts, a 39-year-old Black woman, was reported missing from a home in Charlotte, according to a news release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Her loved ones expressed frustration with the investigation during a news conference in front of the department on Wednesday, demanding a meeting with Police Chief Johnny Jennings.

We need to see you today. We need to sit at the table. We need to know whats going on, said Dearest Price, the Charlotte regional director of the National Racial Justice Network.

The group and Watts loved ones said they wanted to make sure her case is in the public eye and noted she is one of many missing Black women in the US.

There are nearly 6,000 cases of missing Black people in the groups database, many unsolved, according to the Black and Missing Foundation. And Black families say they often struggle to get the police to take their missing person cases seriously, while cases involving White women and children are treated with more urgency.

This is a similar story with a unique person, Price said of Watts.

A police incident report says Watts was visiting the Charlotte residence where she was last seen and lists her home address in Jackson Springs, which is in Moore County, North Carolina, about a two-hour drive from Charlotte.

Watts was seen in her black 2023 Mercedes Benz GLC 300, possibly heading towards Moore County, the news release said.

The vehicle was found two days later, parked at a DMV location in Anson County with an unresponsive man inside, a release from the Anson County Sheriffs Office said.

The man, identified as James Dunmore, was taken to a nearby hospital, the sheriffs office said without providing further details on his condition.

Anson County is about 50 miles east of Charlotte and is located between the city and Moore County.

The missing persons report was filed July 19, and when the Anson County Sheriffs Office learned the next day that the vehicle was connected to Watts, they conducted a search, the release said.

Officers stood by while CMPD inventoried the vehicle and had it towed to CMPD headquarters for processing, Anson County investigators said.

Police have not provided Watts family with any information on Dunmores condition, including his current location, Price said.

Were here for answers today because we want to know how we can help find our friend, our sister, our daughter, said Watts friend Learen Blue. We need them to come forth and tell us something so that we can help, because theyre being silent and not saying anything. Its been too many days now for them not to give us information, or for them not to be actively doing something that we as her family and friends know that theyre doing.

Detectives are following all leads and using all available resources to locate Ms. Watts, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said in a tweet Wednesday. Detectives have been in communication with immediate family members of Ms. Watts and their designee to provide updates and request relevant information.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact police or Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

CNNs Nicquel Terry Ellis contributed to this report.

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A military parade is held at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of North Korea's army, with the North's leader Kim Jong-un in attendance, in this photo released the following day by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, April 25, 2022. Yonhap



North Korea conducted a military parade in Pyongyang on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of the signing of the 1950-53 Korean War armistice, celebrated in the country as Victory Day, an informed source said.



The event commenced following a pre-parade ceremony that began at 8:00 p.m., the source said, without elaborating.



It was not immediately known whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the parade. The reclusive regime has traditionally used such events to display major new weapons and foster internal unity.



In the run-up to the parade, media outlets cited analyses of commercial satellite imagery that indicated the mobilization of troops and equipment for apparent rehearsals.



Signs had also been detected of the North gearing up for a nighttime air show featuring combat aircraft and other assets, according to a source.



To commemorate the landmark anniversary, the North has invited senior delegations from Beijing and Moscow, which backed Pyongyang during the three-year Cold War conflict.



A Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), arrived in Pyongyang this week to take part in the anniversary events, according to the North's state media.



Kim attended an arms exhibition with Shoigu in Pyongyang on Wednesday, which showcased a variety of new weaponry, including and an unmanned aircraft that appeared to be modeled after the U.S. surveillance aircraft Global Hawk.



The two sides also held separate talks on defense issues.



The North's leader also met with Li the same day, during which the CCP official delivered a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, state media reported.



The parade came as the recalcitrant regime has been doubling down on its weapons development programs, lambasting what it calls the U.S.' "hostile" policy against the country.



Observers expect the parade may showcase intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles, as well as Hwasal-1 and Hwasal-2 strategic cruise missiles.



"Haeil" underwater nuclear attack drones and Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warheads could also be featured, they said.



Since Kim took power following his father's death in late 2011, his regime has staged 14 military parades, including the latest one. The last parade was held in February to mark the 75th founding anniversary of its armed forces. The country displayed a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM for the first time during the parade. (Yonhap)


Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze, right, riding Two Step Cat crosses the finish line to win his 10,000th race at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2008. Golden Gate Fields will permanently close after its final racing date later in 2023 at the San Francisco Bay Area horse track. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

The Stronach Group announced Sunday that it was closing Golden Gate Fields at the end of the year. Its news release tried to portray the sense of over-the-top optimism while those affected viewed it with end-of-the-world pessimism.

Since then, there have been only questions and no answers as the Stronach Group has made no public statement about the land that Golden Gate Fields sits on or what will happen to the horses, horsemen and workers at the track that has been in existence since 1941. The Thoroughbred Daily News even published the questions they have been asking the owner of Santa Anita and other tracks on a daily basis. The Stronach Group issued a boiler-plate answer from an outside media consultant that they would have answers soon.

Now, the quest for answers has been greatly elevated as U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) sent Belinda Stronach, chairman and president of the track owner, a letter seeking answers.

In the Wednesday letter, obtained by The Times, the senator asked:

 "What is your rationale for closing Golden Gate Fields and why did you choose December 2023 as the closure date?"

 "Will you help the employees of Golden Gate Fields find other work in the horseracing industry or elsewhere? If so, which employees and how? Will you offer them positions at the other racetracks you operate?"

 "What are the plans for the land?"

 "How will the closure impact the other tracks you operate at Santa Anita Park?

In the letter, Feinstein also noted the positive steps that the Stronach Group has made toward horse and rider safety.

We have received Senator Feinsteins letter and look forward to communicating our plans for the transition at Golden Gate Fields with her," Belinda Stronach told The Times. "We are in the process of sharing those transition plans, along with our vision for the revitalization of California horse racing in the south at Santa Anita Park, with our valued industry partners and stakeholders.

"As Senator Feinstein notes, safety is and remains our top priority, and we appreciate her recognition of our efforts.

Read more:Stronach Group to shut down Golden Gate Fields to help prop up Santa Anita racing

According to the Sunday news release, the closure was being made to help boost racing at Santa Anita with the hopes of an increased horse population and a return to four days-a-week racing.

What infuriated the industry, however, is the secrecy with which the move was made. The California Horse Racing Board found out about it by accident Friday only after another state agency asked a question about the sale of Golden Gate Fields. According to Greg Ferraro, chairman of the racing board, Scott Chaney, executive director, had to call Stronach Group executive Craig Fravel, who only then let the board in on the secret.

The move was supposed to be announced Monday afternoon with the chief executives of the California Thoroughbred Trainers and Thoroughbred Owners of California being told Monday morning. It was only after the Stronach Group learned that The Times planned to publish a story Sunday afternoon that representatives of the two groups were told about the sale.

Ferraro said he was absolutely, completely surprised by the news.

He is also anticipating the biggest issue that the California Horse Racing Board will have to deal with is who controls the simulcast signal in Northern California. Currently, Golden Gate Fields, or the Stronach Group, controls it. But when there is no Golden Gate Fields, who gets the money?

Im sure Stronach wants the money to compensate them for any capital investment they make at Santa Anita, Ferraro said. They might say that they want the Northern California money, but thats not going to fly with the Northern California people. The big fight is over who gets the Northern California money.

The California Authority of Racing Fairs has had a plan for five years for a 10-month Northern California racing circuit, with the home base being in Sacramento at Cal Expo. However, given the extreme temperatures in the summer, only one turf course at the fairs and a contract for harness racing at Cal-Expo, the California Authority of Racing Fairs has many obstacles to overcome before that can become a reality. And, if simulcast money is sent south, it might not be financially workable.

Ferraro has suspicions about the viability of the Stronach Group plan to relocate a large number of horses to Southern California.

No more than 20% of the horses would qualify to race in the south, Ferraro said. I dont think there is much support for $5,000 claimers down there.

The real loser in this move could be the California breeding industry. In the recent Santa Anita meet, Cal-breds made up almost 40% of the starters and at Golden Gate even higher. If they have lost half the opportunity for starts, where will they go?

The breeders are upset and I would be too, Ferraro said. Where are they going to go with the horses they are breeding? Whos going to buy them out of the sales? They reacted quite vociferously. Its a problem.

Ferraros assessment is not alone.

The Stronach Group have made a really poor decision trying to prop up Santa Anita with the horses from Golden Gate, longtime owner and breeder Tom Bachman told Thoroughbred Daily News. There's just not enough horses at Golden Gate to make the difference down there.

Read more:Why Churchill Downs extended the ban on trainer Bob Baffert

Ferraro and other members of the California Horse Racing Board, along with major tracks Santa Anita and Del Mar, have led the state to unprecedented safety reforms since the fatality crisis at Santa Anita in 2019. Horse deaths in the state are down almost 55% since then with the hopes of driving it even lower.

But, the closing of Golden Gate Fields, and the effects on breeding and racing in California is the latest crisis on the board's radar.

Ive been worried about [the future of California racing] for a long time, Ferraro said. My son has this joke that in 20 years there will be this 'Jeopardy' question [in the form of an answer], Who was the last chairman of the California Horse Racing Board? I hope it's not me.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Michel Rose

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron warned against "new imperialism" in the Pacific during a landmark visit to the region, denouncing predatory behaviour by big powers in a region where China is extending trade and security ties.

France, which has island territories spanning the Indo-Pacific including French Polynesia, has boosted defence ties with India and other countries in the region as part of a move to counter Chinese influence.

In a speech in Vanuatu, Macron, the first French president to have set foot on the Pacific islands nation since war leader Charles de Gaulle, said France would work "shoulder to shoulder" with states in the region to preserve their independence.

"There is in the Indo-Pacific, especially in Oceania, new imperialism appearing and a power logic which is threatening the sovereignty of many states, the smallest and often the most fragile ones," Macron said, without naming any country.

"The modern world is shaking up the Indo-Pacific's sovereignty and independence. First, because of the predation of big powers. Foreign ships fish illegally here. In the region, many loans with Leonine conditions strangle up development."

Pacific Islands nations are being courted by China, a major infrastructure lender which struck a security pact with Solomon Islands last year, and the United States, which is re-opening embassies closed since the Cold War.

MACRON FOLLOWS AUSTIN

China has been a major infrastructure lender to Pacific Islands nations including Vanuatu over the past decade. Vanuatu's largest creditor is China's EXIM bank, accounting for a third of debt, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Washington has stepped up U.S. Coast Guard patrols and surveillance for illegal fishing in the Pacific islands, after concern at China's naval ambitions.

After Vanuatu, Macron is due to arrive in Papua New Guinea on Thursday evening, hot on the heels of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was there on Thursday.

In May, the U.S. and Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed a defence agreement that sets a framework for Washington to refurbish PNG ports and airports for military and civilian use.

The United States and its allies are seeking to deter Pacific Islands nations from establishing security ties with China, a rising concern amid tension over Taiwan.

Macron's advisers say France can be an "alternative" and help island nations diversify their partnerships without becoming too reliant on one single country.

(Reporting by Michel Rose; additional reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  Connecticut's public safety commissioner on Wednesday told state lawmakers to expect a federal investigation into a recent audit's findings, which showed hundreds of state troopers submitted false information from 2014 to 2021 on at least 26,000 traffic stops  information ultimately reported to a racial profiling board.

State legislators from two committees called the legislative informational meeting after data analysts with the University of Connecticut said the traffic stop reports resulted in too many drivers being identified as white.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which oversees the Connecticut State Police, is already complying with a subpoena related to the traffic stop matter issued by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation, department head James Rovella confirmed. The DOT intends to determine whether the false data was used to secure federal money, he said.

I dont think thats it, ladies and gentlemen, Rovella told lawmakers. I think theres more to come from our federal agencies, at least the Department of Justice on this one.

On Monday, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont ordered an independent investigation to "learn how it happened, why it happened, and how to prevent it from ever happening again.

Ken Barone, associate director of UConn's Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy and project manager of the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, said the group did not assess the intentions of the troopers in the analysis of the traffic reports. He said no member of the public actually received a ticket. Rather, it was erroneous data entered into the system.

While Barone said further investigation could determine some of the false records were due to human error, he stressed how researchers used very conservative methodology that gave troopers the benefit of the doubt.

We ran the analysis well over 20 times. One of the things that stood out to me: The trend never changed. And that's telling in statistical analysis, he said. The more we ran it, the more the trend stayed the same.

The audit was spurred by a Hearst Connecticut Media report last year that said four state troopers in an eastern Connecticut barracks intentionally created hundreds of bogus traffic stop tickets to boost their productivity numbers. After internal affairs investigations, one trooper was suspended for 10 days, another was suspended for two days and the other two retired before the probe was completed.

The audit found the number of false traffic infractions reported to the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project advisory board didnt match those reported to the state court system, which handles all traffic citations. The false tickets also more often identified drivers as being white.

Rovella, who said he was taking the matter seriously and was angry, to say the least, said he doesn't understand why someone would intentionally submit erroneous information. After the four troopers were disciplined, steps were taken to make sure troopers would not be motivated to submit bogus tickets in order to get a newer police cruiser, a favorable assignment or benefits.

What was the purpose? That's what we're trying to figure out, said Rovella, noting an internal investigation will also be conducted. If you're not getting a better assignment, if you're not getting a better car, why falsify?

Rovella pledged to dig into the numbers and said anyone found to have intentionally falsified records will be held to account.

State Police union officials urged legislators not to rush to judgement and said many of the troopers identified as having submitted false reports have had stellar careers.

This isn't a systemic issue, said Andrew Matthews, the union's executive director and counsel. It's an individual issue.

State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport and co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, acknowledged the point of the hearing is not to jump to conclusions about whether the erroneous reports were intentionally submitted. However, he said lawmakers need to take a closer look at the issue because it calls into question police data the General Assembly relies on to oversee law enforcement.

Claudine Constant, the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut's director of public policy and advocacy, called for swift, transparent, meaningful accountability for individual troopers determined to have falsified traffic stop records as well as for the State Police as a whole.

This problem was widespread, long-lasting, and it happened because of lack of systemic oversight of police, she said in a statement. The question now is how our elected officials are going to respond when police violate an anti-racist law tens of thousands of times for years.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas faced a barrage of criticism Wednesday from House Republicans who, in recent months, have floated impeaching him over what they say is his dereliction of duty in securing the southern border.

Mayorkas' appearance before the House Judiciary Committee comes as the Biden administration's immigration policies are facing legal attacks from across the political spectrum, despite a steep drop last month in the number of border crossings.

I know that today Secretary Mayorkas is going to try to paint a rosy picture of this disastrous mismanagement of our border, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the Judiciary Committee, said in his opening statement. But the numbers dont lie.

Jordan and other Republicans attributed the sudden falloff in migrant crossing to a new Biden administration asylum policy that allows migrants to use a Customs and Border Patrol app when seeking asylum. The new technology is attempting to streamline the asylum process by allowing more people  on average 1,400 a day  to get an appointment through the app before appearing at a U.S. port of entry with an asylum claim.

Thats why the numbers are dropping, said Republican Rep. Tom McClintock of California.

Mayorkas pushed back on the GOP line of questioning and defended his department, which employs more than 260,000 people, for the selfless work they have done while facing unprecedented challenges both at the southern border and across the country.

Our approach to managing the borders securely and humanely  even within our fundamentally broken immigration system  is working, Mayorkas said.

The secretary said illegal border crossings have been falling since the peak that came before Title 42, a public health law allowing curbs on migration in the name of protecting public health. The policy was instituted under former President Donald Trump in March 2020 as part of an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration ended Title 42 in May.

Since then, total encounters along the southern border  meaning migrants who either came to one of the ports of entry or tried to cross between them  were down 30% in June compared with the previous month. DHS said it was the lowest monthly total since February 2021.

The Biden administration has said the asylum rule was a key part of its strategy to strike a balance between strict border enforcement and ensuring several avenues for migrants to pursue valid asylum claims.

And the secretary implored Congress on Wednesday to join his department and work as partners in creating long-term, sustainable solutions to what both sides agree is a flawed immigration system.

But Republicans zeroed in on the influx of fentanyl into the country, blaming Mayorkas for the number of overdoses that have happened across American communities in the past several years.

The fentanyl killing thousands of Americans every year is a direct result of your dereliction," said Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., When people die of fentanyl poisoning, it is your fault.

The agency, Mayorkas responded, have stopped nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl from entering the country last year, leading to more than 280 arrests.

Democrats pressed Mayorkas on how fentanyl is getting into the U.S. and spreading across the country. He said much of the smuggling is done by Americans.

I believe the data suggests that approximately 70% of the people who are arrested are US citizens, Mayorkas testified.

But Republicans insisted Mayorkas is broadly responsible for deaths from fentanyl, despite those factors.

In my mind, this makes your actions criminal, Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., said. Secretary Mayorkas you must resign. Will you resign? Mayorkas said he would not.

Van Drew replied that it "leaves us with no other option: you should be impeached.

Republicans proposed impeaching Mayorkas well before they won the House majority last November. This year, Jordan and the GOP chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee, have been conducting a multi-step investigation into the situation at the southern border.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa state senator was participating, not interfering, in a statewide bike ride when he was arrested and charged with a simple misdemeanor, his attorney said.

Sen. Adrian Dickey of Packwood, Iowa, was taken into custody Monday afternoon. A $300 bond was posted the same day, and a court hearing is set for August 8, according to court filings.

Dickey said in a statement to the Des Moines Register that he was absolutely innocent of the charge filed against me.

Dickeys attorney, Matt Schultz, told the newspaper that Dickey was not part of the group that was blocking the road.

Sen. Dickey was riding in RAGBRAI earlier this week. He and his team took an alternate route that led them to a place where several hundred people were blocking a road, Schultz said in a statement. Sen. Dickey and his team were trying to get through the party of people and onto the bike trail, when a misunderstanding occurred between the senator and a sheriffs deputy."

Sac County Sgt. Jonathan Meyer said that he was working RAGBRAI, an annual bike ride across Iowa, and saw a large group of people in the middle of a road that needed to be cleared. Meyer notes that he asked Dickey to move and Dickey advised that he was not going to move and to arrest him.

Dickey was arrested and taken to Sac County Jail and charged with interference with official acts.
A summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and African leaders began in St. Petersburg on Thursday, with a far lower turnout than previous years.

Putin has been seeking to strengthen ties with African countries and offered to send free grain to the continent, something the UN warned would not make up for Russia pulling out of a crucial grain deal. Russia has also been targeting Ukrainian ports.

Just 17 heads of African states are attending this year, the Kremlin has confirmed, less than half of the 43 heads of state that attended the 2019 conference.

In the run-up to the event, the Kremlin fumed over the poor turnout, and accused the United States and its Western allies of putting unprecedented pressure on African countries in an attempt to derail the summit.

Among those absent is Kenyan President William Ruto, whose government has been critical of Russias recent decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal, describing the move as a stab in the back of global food security prices.

Moscow made the decision to withdraw from the deal  which ensured the safe export of Ukrainian grain to the rest of the world  on July 17, again sparking fears over global food supplies, particularly in parts of Africa that are reliant on exports from Russia and Ukraine.

Many African countries rely heavily on on Russia and Ukraine for their grain imports. Between 90-100% of the wheat Somalia and Eritrea needs comes from the two countries, UN data shows.

The shortage of grains has worsened food insecurity on the continent and shot up food prices, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Some African politicians  further than simply not attending the summit  have expressed grave concerns about Russias war of aggression on Ukraine.

I dont think that this moment in time is a good time for summits in Russia. Because Russia is involved in a war, a conflict, said Raila Odinga, the Kenyan opposition leader.

Africa needs to take a very firm stance on this issue. Its a question of right and wrong. Therefore, my view is that we cannot be neutral in the place of an aggression. You must take a stand one way or another, Odinga said.

Despite the food crisis, Russia has allies in Africa. During a vote by the UN last year condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, Eritrea was one of only four nations globally that openly endorsed the invasion. Others were Belarus, North Korea, and Syria.

But attitudes vary. While 17 others on the continent, including South Africa voted to abstain. Eight other African nations did not put in a vote at all. A further 28 African states voted to condemn Russias aggression towards Ukraine.

Last month, an African delegation led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa led a peace mission to Russia and Ukraine to broker peace talks between the warring nations. The peace mission did not achieve its desired goal, with the delegation unable to persuade Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war - now in its second year.

Wagner leader appears on sidelines

The African states being represented at the St. Petersburg summit will be keen to sway Russia into rejoining the grain deal, and Putin has courted African leaders for years in a deliberate effort to broaden Moscows global influence. At the last summit in 2019, Russia announced arms deals worth billions of dollars for the continent, along with a plan to double its trade volume with the region.

Russias Wagner mercenaries have also been deployed in some African states. A CNN investigation from 2022 showed how an elaborate Russian scheme was plundering Sudans riches in a bid to fortify Russia against Western sanctions and to buttress Moscows war effort in Ukraine.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagners founder and chief, was spotted on the sidelines of the summit on Thursday, his first sighting inside Russia since he led an armed rebellion against the countrys military last month.

Prigozhin was seen meeting with an African dignitary who is part of the Central African Republic delegation, according to accounts associated with the mercenary group.

Wagner has had a presence in the Central African Republic for several years, as previously reported by CNN.

CNN was able to geolocate the photograph of Prigozhin and the dignitary to the Trezzini Palace Hotel in St. Petersburg, where, according to Russian media, the Wagner founder has kept an office. The hotel was one of the locations searched by Russian authorities on July 6, after the rebellion.

Since then, Prigozhin had only been seen in public on July 19, when he seemingly appeared in a video inside Belarus, apparently greeting Wagner fighters at a base in Asipovichy.

Russias free grain pledge

At this weeks summit, Putin is working against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, which has driven the country into diplomatic isolation and prompted heavy sanctions from the West. He enjoys more support from some African nations, however, some of whom are yet to condemn the invasion.

On Thursday, the Russian president told the delegation of African leaders that the continent will become one of Moscows key partners in a new multipolar world.

Russia is still a reliable supplier of food to Africa, Putin said, adding he would send grain free of charge to six African nations in the next few months.

He repeated his complaints about the grain deal, saying promises to Russia had not been met, and called the West hypocritical, arguing it was blaming Russia for food insecurity but at the same time hampering exports through sanctions.

Next month South Africa will host a BRICS economic bloc summit in Johannesburg. Putin, however, will not be present at that event and will be represented instead by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Ramaphosas office said Putins absence from the BRICS summit was decided by mutual agreement. In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

South Africa is bound by the Rome statute, the treaty that governs the ICC, and is obligated to arrest individuals indicted by The Hague court.

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Longtime Republican strategist and Fox News contributor Karl Rove is blasting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for floating the idea of Robert Kennedy Jr. leading U.S. health agencies if DeSantis is elected president.

DeSantis, a candidate for the GOP nomination for president, suggested during a recent interview with conservative outlet OutKick he would sic RFK Jr., a well-known anti-vaccine activist, on agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if he were elected president.

Calling the idea nutty, Rove pulled out his trademark whiteboard during an appearance on Fox News and said it is not just health care that Robert Kennedy is a conspiracy buff on. Hes got lots of conspiracies.

2004 election was stolen as computers switched nearly a quarter million votes in Ohio from John Kerry to George Bush and thereby gave him the election, 5G is a mass surveillance tool and the telecomms, the telephone companies, are in on it. CIA killed his uncle, Sirhan Sirhan didnt kill his father, Rove said listing off a number of unfounded claims Kennedy Jr. has floated.

And he defends Russia in Ukraine, its all Ukraines fault Russia invaded them and is killing its people. I mean, this guys a nut, Rove said.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Kennedy is running as a Democrat for president and has sparked widespread backlash for his comments on vaccines and the coronavirus pandemic, which he recently said was engineered to avoid infecting Chinese and Jewish people.

DeSantis has recently retooled his campaign as he lags behind former President Trump in most Republican primary polls.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kyiv is launching a major effort against Russian forces in southern Ukraine, according to officials and analysts.

This new push, which includes deployment of Western-supplied weapons and an increased numbers of soldiers, is a part of the weekslong counteroffensive launched by Ukraine and comes as fighting continues to intensify along the front line of the war. A Western official  who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter  told The Associated Press (AP) on Wednesday that the increased number of troops and firepower has been focused in the region of Zaporizhzhia.

Although Ukraine has remained largely silent on its counteroffensive plans, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces were gradually advancing toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also said that hostilities have intensified significantly in southeastern Ukraine, the AP reported.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, Ukrainian forces mounted a significant mechanized counteroffensive operation in [the] western Zaporizhzhia region Wednesday. The institute, which cited Russian sources, also said Ukrainian forces appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions.

According to its sources, the institute said that the results of the counteroffensive in the region were unclear.

Russian sources provided a wide range of diverging claims as to the scale of both the attack and resulting Ukrainian losses, indicating that the actual results and Ukrainian losses remain unclear, the think tank wrote.

This also comes just days after the U.S. announced additional assistance for Ukraine, including additional munitions and ammunitions valued at $400 million. During a visit to New Zealand, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an intense battle is taking place in Ukraine, noting that the U.S. assistance provided should aid them.

We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine, Blinken said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report, which was updated at 9:06 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Casino mogul Steve Wynn has ended a yearslong legal fight with Nevada gambling regulators that started with claims of workplace sexual misconduct, agreeing to pay a $10 million fine and cut ties to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas.

The Nevada Gaming Commission accepted a settlement Thursday to end the states look at allegations that led to Wynns resignation from his corporate empire in February 2018. Wynn admitted no wrongdoing. The decision was 4-0. Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Togliatti abstained from voting, citing a conflict arising from her previous work as a state court mediator.

Wynn is now 81 and lives in Florida. He did not attend the hearing held in Carson City and livestreamed on the internet. His attorney, Colby Williams, called the case the final regulatory matter that Wynn faced stemming from the allegations five years ago.

Wynn looks forward to moving on to other phases of his life, Williams told The Associated Press.

The fine is the largest ever imposed by the commission, second only to $20 million paid in February 2019 by Wynns former company, Wynn Resorts Ltd., for failing to investigate the sexual misconduct claims made against Wynn.

Craig Newby, first assistant Nevada attorney general, reminded the commission that a seven-month investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board "found evidence of sexual conduct by Mr. Wynn involving some subordinate female employees.

This stipulation," Newby said, would bring this sordid affair to conclusion.

Forbes puts Wynn's net worth at $3.2 billion, among the top 400 of its ranking of richest Americans.

Wynn signed a seven-page document on July 17 acknowledging he had been accused of failure to exercise discretion and sound judgment to prevent actions that reflected negatively on the reputation of Nevada and its gambling industry.

Violating the agreement could lead to a finding of unsuitability for association with Nevada casinos and an additional fine.

Unsuitability would be extraordinary for a man widely credited with starting a boom that grew Las Vegas Strip properties from gambling halls with all-you-can-eat buffets and showrooms into huge destination resorts featuring celebrity-chef restaurants, massive gambling floors, nightclubs and huge stage productions.

Wynn developed luxury properties including the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas; Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi; Wynn Macau in the Chinese gambling enclave; and Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts.

He resigned after the Wall Street Journal published allegations by several women that he sexually harassed or assaulted them at his hotels. He divested company shares, quit the corporate board and resigned as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Wynn has consistently denied sexual misconduct allegations in multiple courts.

In the Gaming Commission case, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled against him in March 2022, finding that a state judge in Las Vegas acted prematurely in late 2020 when she sided with Wynns lawyers and decided the state lacked authority to punish him.

Wynn's attorneys, also including Donald Campbell, argued that the Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission no longer had legal jurisdiction over Wynn.

State regulators launched their investigation after the allegations against Wynn emerged. The board said Wynns license had been placed on administrative hold and the commission moved in October 2019 to discipline or fine Wynn.

At a December 2019 hearing, which Wynn did not attend, commissioners began considering a fine of up to $500,000 and a declaration that Wynn was unsuitable to renew ties to gambling in Nevada.

Months earlier, the commission fined his former company the record $20 million.

Massachusetts gambling regulators fined Wynn Resorts Ltd. another $35 million and new company chief executive Matthew Maddox $500,000 for failing to disclose while applying for a license for the Boston-area resort that there had been sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn.

Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations.

The agreements included no admission of wrongdoing.
Ryu Young-joon, a pathologist and professor at Kangwon National University College of Medicine, stands in front of a microscope during a Korea Times interview on Monday in the university's hospital in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



Pathologist gears up for another fight against disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-seok, two decades after fabricated stem cell research scandal



By Kang Hyun-kyung



Chuncheon, Gangwon ProvinceThere is not a single telephone inside the office of Ryu Young-joon, a pathologist and professor at Kangwon National University Hospital located in the eastern city of Chuncheon.



Ryu said he had asked the hospital staff to remove the phone from his office, because he was tired of receiving incessant calls from his opponents.



He was stalked and harassed for years by a group known as "Hwang-ppa" or Hwang's fanatical followers in English. They are loyal adherents of disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk. Their verbal attacks against Ryu resumed in 2014 after the movie, "The Whistleblower," which revolves around Hwang's downfall, hit local theaters.



Ryu is the one who blew the whistle on the unethical scientist.



"They called me and yelled at me, using swear words and various threats and coercions," Ryu said during a Korea Times interview at his office on Monday. "They had stalked and harassed me for many years since they knew I was the one who revealed Hwang's scandalous fabrication of stem cell research accomplishments."



It was not long ago when Ryu's life finally returned to normal.



The soft-spoken doctor said he is now able to focus completely on his job as a pathologist without being disturbed by unwanted phone calls and verbal attacks from Hwang's supporters.



"I am quite satisfied with my current life. Peaceful, no interruption from people outside My job security is guaranteed as well," he said.



At the hospital, Ryu diagnoses patients after examining the results of tests detecting cancer cells. He also conducts genetic tests for cancer treatments and forensic autopsies to detect the causes of death.



"Unlike other doctors whose clients are patients, mine are doctors," he said, beaming as if he is proud of his job.





Poster of Netflix documentary "King of Clones"

Ryu is back in the spotlight after the Netflix documentary, "King of Clones," was released on June 23. Directed by Indian director Aditya Thayi, the film revisits the fall of Hwang after his research papers published in Science in 2004 and 2005 were found to have been fabricated.



As a whistleblower, Ryu appeared in the documentary. He said he saw the film as soon as it was released on Netflix.



"I found several factual errors there," he said. "In the documentary, Hwang claimed he accepted my call to become the godfather of my daughter, which is baseless. In the Catholic Church, I understand that girls will get godmothers when they are baptized, while boys get godfathers. My daughter was not baptized."



Ryu said there is another factual error in Hwang's testimony in the movie.



"He visited me in March 2005, shortly after my daughter was born. In the documentary, Hwang claimed that I was already in touch with MBC journalists during that time, which is not true," he said.



He stressed that he first contacted the broadcast journalists in June 2005, three months after his daughter was born.



Ryu accused Hwang of trying to portray him as an unreliable person who tried to curry favors, without revealing his real intention to destroy the scientist's career.



This reporter tried to contact Hwang for comments, but no information was available about his whereabouts, although he is known to be living in the United Arab Emirates.



Ryu said he would right the wrong.



Ryu said he is working with a lawyer to take legal action against Hwang for defamation and spreading misinformation.



If he does not do anything about the alleged factual errors, Ryu said, what Hwang said about him will be accepted as the truth.



"I no longer have hard feelings, anger, whatsoever toward him," he said.





Disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk, right, an ex-professor of Seoul National University, leaves the Seoul Central District Court after being found guilty of embezzlement in this 2009 file photo. Korea Times file



Ryu's battle against his ex-mentor and advisor is not over, although the case was closed with the Supreme Court's 2014 ruling which upheld the lower court's ruling that Hwang is guilty of falsifying his papers and embezzlement while being cleared of the scientific fraud charge, eight years after the scientist was indicted.



On top of the fresh legal action, Ryu is set to disclose in great detail what had happened before, during and after the Hwang scandal in a book to be published later this year.



The name of the co-authored book has yet to be decided. But Ryu already completed a draft tentatively titled "Between Truth and Profit: Scientific Misconduct Case of Human Cloned Embryonic Stem Cell and Revisiting Cases During COVID-19 Pandemic."



"Currently, they are proofreading my draft," he said, referring to the staff of Springer Nature, a German-British academic publishing company.



It's his first-person account of the stem cell research scandal that shocked the world. He said he detailed how it started, evolved and eventually took the scientist down by revisiting every detail of the sequence of events that preceded the eruption of the scandal.



Ryu's ties with Hwang began as a graduate student and advisor when he joined the scientist's research team at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine. Hwang was then a renowned professor who was portrayed in the media as a pioneer of cloning.



Back then, Ryu said he was an aspiring stem cell researcher, although he studied medicine in university.



Spinal cord injury treatment was of his area of interest, which motivated him to study under Hwang's supervision.



"Stem cell research consists of several different fields and cloning is one of them. Hwang assigned me to a team handling cloning which is his area of specialization, asking me to lead the team, an offer I accepted," he said. "I was a pragmatist and didn't care whether it's a black cat or a white cat, as long as it can catch rats."



It did not take long for Ryu to become suspicious of his advisor.



"He said he cloned a cow, but there was no supporting research paper. I thought that was weird," he said.



There were several other cases that made him grow more suspicious about his adviser.



"Everybody in his research team knew that there was something wrong with his research, but none of them dared to confront him," Ryu said.



He said he was fully aware of the price he would have to pay in case he became a whistleblower, so he tried to keep forcing himself to believe that it was none of his business and that he did not need to rock the boat.



His patience, however, was tested further when he realized that Hwang was trying to deceive the public with his false claim that his team successfully cloned human embryonic stem cells and the technology could be used to treat patients suffering from several untreatable diseases.



"He crossed the line," Ryu said. "There were people fighting for their lives and they were excited about the news. They pinned high hopes on the medical use of cloned human embryonic stem cells to treat their diseases."



He contacted a producer of MBC's investigative program, informing him that Hwang's stem cell research accomplishments had been fabricated.



The broadcasting company aired the story in November 2005, causing a stir.





Hwang Woo-suk's supporters protest against prosecutors in front of the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office in this 2006 file photo. Korea Times file



The nation was in shock.



At that time, Hwang's reputation as a scientist was so solid that it appeared to be unbreakable. He became a hero after he claimed his team successfully cloned human embryonic stem cells in research papers published in Nature in 2004 and 2005. '



The entire nation was excited as the team's accomplishments were expected to open a new era of stem cell-based treatments of untreatable diseases.



His stalwart reputation made Ryu and the MBC journalists feel immense pressure when they teamed up to reveal Hwang's unethical research and scientific misconduct. People did not believe MBC's report.



Ryu and the MBC journalists were labeled as "traitors" as their claim denied Hwang's accomplishments. Some of Hwang's supporters took collective action against them. The nation was poles apart, while an overwhelming number of people were in disbelief about the media coverage.



The price Ryu paid was far harsher than expected.



When he revealed Hwang's scientific misconduct, Ryu was a neurosurgery resident at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital in Seoul. He joined the Seoul National University College of Medicine as a resident after completing his master's degree and doctoral program coursework in veterinary medicine.



After the scandal, he took a leave of absence from the hospital. He was forced to quit as the hospital authorities disapproved when he submitted his plan to return.



His colleagues and professors gave him the cold shoulder.



He was portrayed as a social outcast who brought his former adviser to justice, which was then viewed by conservative professors as an unacceptable act.



He had been jobless for two years.



At that time, he was married and had a baby girl. As the breadwinner, he said he felt the pinch.



He switched his major from neurosurgery to pathology and went on to Korea University College of Medicine as a pathology resident. Hard times continued there for four years, but he eventually won over their hearts with his ceaseless efforts to prove himself as a hard-working resident.



"The other day, I asked the former MBC producer, who covered the Hwang scandal, whether he thinks he could do it again if the same thing happened now," said Ryu. "He didn't give a clear-cut answer. The pressure that we endured two decades ago was so immense that none of us are sure whether we could do that again."




The satirists' Instagram post showed Jordanian riot police arresting a man for throwing a party to honor his infant son. His crime? The fete was on the day of the crown prince's wedding.

Another gag depicted an official campaign to ensure the Jordanian populace was expressing sufficient amounts of happiness for the royal family. If the kingdom's subjects didn't smile at an angle of at least 77 degrees, they would be fined.

Then there was the joke questioning where the prince got all the cash to cover the costs of his nuptials.

For AlHudood, the Middle East's answer to the Onion, this was nothing new. The website, which has been committing what co-founder Isam Uraiqat calls "equal-opportunity satire" since 2013, regularly features headlines such as "Turkey and Syria agree to repatriate 50% of every refugee" and "Saudi government signs Hajj promotion deal with Cristiano Ronaldo."

So of course a political satire website started in Jordan was going to poke fun at the kingdom's celebrations for its crown prince's wedding, an opulent affair that drew the famous and wealthy from all over the world. Besides, Uraiqat said, he and his team of writers had worked within the often-arbitrary confines of free speech in the region for a decade; they thought they knew how far they could go.

We definitely didnt think we were pushing any lines," Uraiqat said of the Jordan wedding jokes. "We did this like any other story: We look at what's relevant and worth talking about."

Jordanians wave the national flags in anticipation of the royal motorcade in Amman, Jordan, this summer. (Raad Adayleh/Associated Press)

But a few weeks later, friends and colleagues were asking if the website was down. Readers in Jordan left comments saying they could no longer connect to the site.

The Jordanian government, with no statement and zero fuss, had blocked AlHudood, adding it to the list of dozens of outlawed sites.

It wasnt us who changed the line," Uraiqat said.

Read more:In Jordan, a lavish royal wedding doubles as a princely coming-out party

The one-time screenwriter and activist had positioned the site as truth-telling court jester among the more dour forces controlling expression in the Arab world: government-sponsored news channels cheerleading state policy; sclerotic intelligence services and officials unable, or unwilling, to understand social media; and dictators projecting a tolerant image abroad yet quashing dissent at home

Jordan's banning of AlHudood  its name in Arabic means the limits or the borders  signals a new trend in state censorship, both in Jordan and in the wider Arab world, one where satire, even frivolity in the face of authority, is deemed unacceptable, and officials just can't take a joke.

A TikTok influencer was arrested in Dubai this month after releasing a video depicting a super-rich Emirati chucking stacks of bills to buy a fancy car. The Emirate of Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates and marketing itself as an open-minded outlier in a conservative Persian Gulf, didn't find it funny. (AlHudood is also banned in the UAE.)

Under the cover of protecting morality, the Iraqi government in February charged more than a dozen social media stars and activists with releasing what it judged to be inappropriate content. It even created a smartphone app so concerned citizens can report anything they find offensive.

Read more:Jordan prepares for a royal wedding of its crown prince and an L.A.-educated architect

Saudi Arabia, which a United Nations investigator found responsible for the "extrajudicial killing" in 2018 of a Washington Post journalist, has in recent years gone after social media posters. The kingdom has doled out fines and five-year prison terms since 2018 for people producing and distributing content that ridicules, mocks, provokes and disrupts public order, religious values and public morals through social media, according to the countrys public prosecutor.

Compared with the often dismal levels of free speech of its neighbors  in Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia  Jordan, a perennially impoverished desert kingdom of some 11 million people, has long enjoyed a reputation of relative openness.

Its 61-year-old monarch, King Abdullah II, is a staunch Washington ally who relies on the U.S. and other nations largesse to keep his country going. He often talks about democratic rights and fostering political parties.

Now Jordan's government has enacted new  and critics say draconian  amendments to its already problematic cybercrime law. Many consider AlHudood a victim of the repressive media ecosystem the state tested out even before the law was sent to parliament.

Read more:Jordan's king addresses family feud: 'The sedition has been buried'

"Its the same mentality that justifies blocking AlHudood, said Raya Sharbain, who works as a security trainer in Jordan with the Tor project, which maintains software for the Tor anonymity network.

The 41 amendments, which the government fast-tracked to parliament this month and ratified with little modification in an extraordinary session Thursday, criminalize internet use for spreading false news, committing acts of defamation or causing damage to reputation or national unity.

Government officials argue the amendments will protect society and thwart what they say is an eight-fold rise in cybercrime cases between 2015 and 2022.

But critics and rights groups contend the language in the legislation is "rubbery," that it grants the state legal authority to block entire social media, bans use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and surgically throttles websites.

It would also effectively outlaw criticism: A negative restaurant review on Google Maps, for example, could see its author charged with slander and forced to pay a fine exceeding $4,000.

Meanwhile, social media platforms like TikTok  already blocked in Jordan since December 2022  would be required to open up a regional office before their sites could be used in the country.

From the person streaming videos online to investigative journalists to lawyers  all will be affected. You might as well just switch off the internet already rather than have this law," Sharbain said.

Read more:Jordan's king denies impropriety in luxury home purchases, including one in California

Others also speak of the chilling effect the new cybercrime law will have on any news outlet, with stiffened penalties including prison terms of one to three years for journalists and fines from roughly $28,000 to more than $70,000.

The law says youll have to do prison time and pay money, leaving nothing to the judges discretion," said Yahya Shuqair, an expert on Jordanian media legislation. "As an activist, even if I have facts as clear as the sun, I would be afraid to write them. He added it was the latest in a years-long regression of press freedoms in the Arab world.

Theres a difference between rule of law, and rule by law. And Arab nondemocratic governments use rule by law, whether its a satirical website or otherwise.

The amendments provoked a rare rebuke of the government in the capital, Amman, from the U.S. State Department. The cybercrime law, said spokesman Vedant Patel, would inhibit future investment in the technology sector and further restrict the space for journalists, bloggers and civil society members to operate in Jordan.

"We reiterate that for countries to thrive there must be protections for freedom of expression, open debate, vibrant discourse, and information sharing, including online via press and social media platforms as well," Patel said this week.

Uraiqat sees the law as a continuation of the region's years-long rollback of press freedoms gained in the years following the Arab Spring; since then, he said, the space for media to operate has become even more restrictive than before the 2011 revolutions.

Reporters Without Borders, an international organization that tracks press freedoms, said Jordans ranking plummeted 26 places  from 120 to 146  in the 2023 edition of its index, one of the regions largest falls. (Norway is first, North Korea 180th, or last; the U.S. ranks 45th.)

The things we could say seven years ago, now they put you in prison for them, said Uraiqat, who co-founded AlHudood while he was still living in his home country of Jordan before moving to London with his partner in 2015.

Authorities used to sometimes let things go, but now they dont.

Read more:Jordan's royal rift entangles an American-born queen

The ramped-up crackdown comes at a sensitive time for King Abdullah II, whose British education and aloof, Western-inflected style have drawn criticism from some quarters that hes out of touch with his people  a point that rankled two years ago when Prince Hamzeh, Abdullahs half-brother and one-time crown prince, spoke out against Jordans leadership in what Abdullah insists was a coup attempt.

Even before that incident, the government restricted journalists' work, issuing gag orders and forcing impossible-to-fulfill conditions on news sites. But afterward, Abdullah worked to future-proof his dynasty, changing the country's laws to gain additional constitutional powers and displaying an ever-growing exasperation with criticism of his family and his policies.

He also raised the profile of his son and heir, Crown Prince Hussein, tasking him with managing relations with Jordan's top international patrons and involving him in major decisions far beyond the ceremonial writ of the role.

Hussein's wedding was of a piece with that promotional push: A days-long celebration that saw the entire nation festooned with pictures of the royal couple; a celebrity-heavy guest list numbering in the thousands and including British royals and First Lady Jill Biden.

Jordan enacted a public holiday so people could line the streets where the royal motorcade would pass. Days before the event, crews worked to beautify the route, freshening up paint on sidewalks and trimming hedges. (That too was grist for AlHudood's mockery mill.)

With parliament passing the law, Uraiqat is expanding the site's offerings, even though they won't be seen in Jordan, or the UAE.

He has plans for a podcast and a television series and has started a fellowship program where aspiring John Oliver types can learn the intricacies of political satire in the AlHudood "newsroom." He and his writers have also created a Razzies-like event, where AlHudood awards a prize to the most sycophantic news reports in Arab media.

"The problem isn't just authoritarians, but in their tools to disseminate propaganda in the Arab world," he said. He added that though the atmosphere in Jordan "is worrying in ways it has never been before," the site won't shy away from news  which it self-deprecatingly describes as "organized gossip"  about Jordan.

"The bigger authorities make an event out to be, the more it's worth scrutiny," Uraiqat said.

"They want to have one without the other, to go as big as they can without being checked or held accountable."

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Lily Collins is starring as the micro-doll in Mattel and MGM's "Polly Pocket," with "Girls" creator Lena Dunham writing and directing. (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Could the next "MCU" be the Mattel Cinematic Universe?

After Barbie scored the biggest domestic opening weekend of 2023, earning an estimated $155 million in the United States and Canada, Mattel Films is eager to translate a rich toy line to cinema gold.

MGM's "Polly Pocket"  starring Lily Collins as the micro-doll  is in development, with "Girls" creator Lena Dunham writing and directing.

In 2018, Mattel brought in Ynon Kreiz as the new chief executive. He envisioned a Mattel for the big screen, and after the massive success of "Barbie," the sky seems to be the limit.

Numerous new projects are in development with A-listers attached, according to Variety. Barney, Thomas and Friends, American Girl and Polly Pocket are just a few  and "Barbie" sequels aren't out of the question, either.

Successful movies lend themselves to more movies, the CEO told the outlet. Our ambition is to create film franchises.

Read more:'Barbie' beats 'Oppenheimer' in record-breaking, industry-revitalizing showdown

The Oscar-nominated producer at the helm of Mattel Films, Robbie Brenner, told Variety that the company was hopeful Barbie would become the success it did, so they could look to the Barbie universe for possible sequels. Toy lines that could become franchise gold, like Masters of the Universe and Hot Wheels, are also at the forefront of Brenner's vision for Mattel Films.

Thats the hope  that it goes on and on and its a gift that keeps giving," Brenner continued. "But, in this day and age, you just want to get the first one right.

Brenner also confirmed to Variety that there was a "Polly Pocket" script, adding that it's a great script.

First of all, they are two of my favorite ladies ever, Brenner told the outlet of Collins and Dunham. Its been an amazing collaboration. Lena is so collaborative and rolls up her sleeves and really likes to roll around in notes and listen. Shes incredible. Lily is so smart and so specific and so productorial. Its just been an incredible collaboration, so we are thrilled about it. Hopefully, well be making that at some point in the future.

Read more:Mattel creates new film division to turn toys into movies

The iconic purple dinosaur Barney has also been confirmed, backed by producer Daniel Kaluuya, who starred in the horror hit "Get Out."

Mattel described "Barney" as an A24-type of surrealistic film. And Brenner dished to the outlet, I dont know that its necessarily going to be darker. Its just going to be unique  more of like a Being John Malkovich or an Adaptation.' 

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Ethan Crumbley recorded audio saying, I am going to be the next school shooter, the night before killing four students and wounding seven others in a mass shooting at Michigans Oxford High School in 2021.

Prosecutors played the audio of two video clips Thursday during a hearing to determine whether he should spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

My name is Ethan Crumbley, age 15, and I am going to be the next school shooter, he is heard saying on the audio played in court. Ive thought about this a lot. I cant stop thinking about it. But its constantly in my head.

Crumbley appeared to look down at the defense table as the audio was played.

In the second audio file played at the hearing Crumbley said, Im gonna have so much fun tomorrow.

In the recordings, Crumbley talks about the decline of his life, his hate for the world and the need to teach others a lesson by shooting up a school.

I will walk behind someone, and I will shoot a bullet into their skull. And thats the first victim, he said. Im gonna open fire on everyone in the hallway  I will try to hit as many people as I can. I will reload, and I will find people hiding. I want to teach them a lesson of how they are wrong, of how they are being brainwashed.

The number of officers in the courtroom increased as the hearing progressed.

Earlier Thursday, Crumbleys journal entries were read in court.

Crumbleys premeditation ahead of the shooting and propensity for violence are among the reasons he should receive a life sentence, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in her opening statement.

Crumbleys attorney, Paulette Loftin, said the defense will show Crumbley is not irreparably corrupt and should be sentenced to a term of years in prison.

The first prosecution witness, Oakland County Sheriffs Office Lt. Timothy Willis, who oversaw the shooting investigation, testified Thursday that Crumbley bypassed device security and accessed a violent website on a jail computer tablet in January.

When authorities discovered the search history, which Crumbley had attempted to delete from the device, the teen said he could not resist visiting the site hed frequented before the shooting, according to the lieutenant.

Prosecutor Marc Keast went over a handwritten journal with Willis that was recovered from Crumbleys backpack in a school bathroom after the shooting, highlighting excerpts about his plans written weeks and months before the carnage.

Crumbley successfully executed many of the plans he outlined in the journal, Keast told the court.

One entry said: I want to shoot up the school so f**king badly.

The first victim has to be a pretty girl with a future so she can suffer just like me, Crumbley wrote in another.

The first shooting victim was a female student, Phoebe Arthur, the lieutenant confirmed.

I will continue shooting people until police breach the building, Crumbley wrote. I will then surrender to them and plead guilty to life in prison.

Crumbley pleaded guilty in October to one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder and 19 other charges stemming from the mass shooting he carried out at his high school when he was 15 years old.

In the week before he killed his schoolmates, Crumbley Googled a series of questions about the death penalty and prison sentences for 15-year-olds in Michigan.

And the night before the shooting, Crumbley Googled What is worst prison sentence you can get in Michigan, according to the lieutenant.

Willis also described an extensive series of journal entries and text messages with an unidentified friend discussing in graphic terms how Crumbley tortured and killed baby birds.

Willis testified about a video in which Crumbley could be seen torturing a hatchling to death. The video was not played in court. Willis described the joy the teen shooter appeared to feel while torturing the bird.

Crumbley later wrote in text messages to a friend how he enjoyed the torture and that he continued to feel the urge to kill.

Willis grew emotional at several points during testimony about the day of the shooting. He choked up and paused at times as he listed the names of the dead and wounded.

Defense focused on Crumbleys life at home

During Willis roughly three hours on the stand, Loftin read more of the shooters journal entries in which he wrote about wanting help to stop his negative feelings.

All one of my teachers has to do is send me to the office and I will tell them about the bird head and I can get help, Crumbley wrote.

One call and that can save a lot of lives. My evil has fully taken over in me and I used to like it, but now I dont want to be evil. I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. I feel like Im in a tiny loop of sadness.

The defense attorney also asked Willis about the criminal investigation into Crumbleys parents, seeking to highlight the young mans challenging home life.

Loftin went over law enforcement interviews with neighbors who said they often heard his parents yelling and saw Ethan crying. She also focused on the neglectful parenting Crumbley endured before and after the shooting.

In one journal entry, Crumbley wrote about not having food because of his parents financial struggles.

This morning, I woke up to my mom having one of her worst rants about how we have no money and cant pay the bills. This just furthers my desire to shoot up the school or do something else. I have no happiness or optimism left in me as I am a burden to my parents, Crumbley wrote.

Earlier Thursday, prosecutors played surveillance video of the shooting with no audio. Several family members tearfully watched the video.

Another prosecution witness, Robert Koteles, a forensic laboratory investigator for the Oakland County Sheriffs Office, testified that Crumbley fired a 9 mm pistol 32 times during the slaughter.

Shooting victims tense exchange with defense attorney

On Thursday afternoon, Molly Darnell, who at the time was an educator at the school, testified that she locked eyes with Crumbley through a glass window before he raised and pointed his pistol at her.

Darnell said she was attempting to put on a safety mechanism to lock down a door when she suddenly jumped to the right. A bullet pierced and passed through her left arm. She realized months later the bullet likely wouldve struck her heart had she not reacted.

Darnell testified that she fashioned a tourniquet from her cardigan and barricaded herself in an office until law enforcement arrived.

Darnell texted her husband, I love you. Active shooter, she testified.

She no longer works at Oxford High School. Shed wanted to stay on the job but it was too difficult, she testified through tears.

Defense attorney Amy Hopp cross-examined Darnell, asking how shed handle a troubled student like Crumbley and whether shed report his home life if she had been his teacher.

McDonald, the prosecutor, repeatedly objected, arguing that it was an inappropriate question to a shooting victim and bordered on harassment.

In a tense exchange, Darnell said she never knew Crumbley before she saw him point a gun at her.

Do you know how hard it is to heal from something like this? I avoid everything I can to heal. This isnt  learning about what happened  is not part of my healing process, she said on the stand.

Prosecution argues for sentence of life without parole

As an adult, Crumbley would be sentenced to life in prison without parole, the harshest punishment under Michigan law. Because hes a minor, the court needs to hold a hearing to consider whether he should have a chance for eventual release.

The so-called Miller hearing is named after a US Supreme Court case, Miller v. Alabama, which struck down mandatory life without parole sentences for minors. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday and Friday and could extend into next week.

Prosecutors argue that Crumbley deserves a life sentence without parole. Crumbleys lawyers will present mitigating factors, including his age, home life and the possibility that he can be rehabilitated, to argue that life without parole is disproportionate.

Last week, Crumbleys lawyers asked the judge to take the possibility of life without parole off the table before the Miller hearing. Judge Kwame Rowe denied the request, along with their requests to limit witnesses and allow Crumbley to wear street clothes during the hearing.

The hearing resumes Friday morning.

CNNs Lauren del Valle, Jean Casarez and Julian Cummings contributed to this report.



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Organizers of Miss Italy have defended their ban on transgender contestants after the entrepreneur behind the competition appeared to criticize other beauty pageants efforts to welcome trans women.

Lately, beauty contests have been trying to make the news by  using strategies that in my opinion are a bit absurd, the pageants official patron, Patrizia Mirigliani, said in a recent radio interview. Since it was founded, my contest has stipulated in its regulation (that contestants) must be a woman from birth.

The comments  which have been widely reported, and have become a source of controversy for the pageant  came shortly after Rikkie Kolle became the first openly trans contestant to win the title of Miss Netherlands.

(Miss Italy is not affiliated with the Miss Universe organization, and Kolle will compete against the winner of the 2023 Miss Italy Universe pageant, a separate contest.)

Mirigliani, who is the daughter of Miss Italys former head Enzo Mirigliani, later told radio station RTL 102.5 that her comments had been misunderstood. But in a statement provided to CNN on Tuesday, the Miss Italy organization reiterated that currently, the competition is open to candidates of female sex since birth.

Carolina Stramare was crowned Miss Italy in 2019. - Stefano Mazzola/Awakening/Getty Images

Organizers did not respond to CNNs query on how the eligibility criteria was enforced. Nor did they explicitly rule out future rule changes, saying in the statement that the contest has always known how to adapt to the times and has never been rigid on any front but that the subject (of trans women participating) at this moment does not constitute a priority.

The organization added: Miss Italy has been defined by the public as the competition of the girl next door, the simple girl, who, with the participation in Miss Italy, can assert herself in the world of show business, journalism, politics, and entrepreneurship.

Miriglianis initial comments sparked outcry earlier this month, and she later elaborated on her position, telling RTL 102.5, Im just saying that things have to go gradually; Italy is a delicate and particular country. She also told the radio station that only two transgender people had ever asked to participate in the contest.

In response to the comments, Federico Barbarossa, a member of the Italian nonprofit association Mixed LGBTQIA, said via Instagram that he had successfully entered the pageant because  as a trans man assigned female at birth  he met the pageants entry requirements.

When I heard about the absurd regulation, it came spontaneously to me! read a statement posted to Mixed LGBTQIAs Instagram account alongside what appeared to be a screenshot of an acceptance email from Miss Italy. I was assigned to the female gender at birth, but I have always felt like a boy. We hope that this gesture will spark the media attention needed to put these issues back at the center (of the debate).

He encouraged other trans people assigned female at birth to register en masse for the competition to make fun of these outdated positions.

Rikkie Kolle was crowned Miss Netherlands 2023, becoming the pageant's first out trans contestant to win. - Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock

Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera has reported that other trans male contestants have since applied. A spokesperson for Miss Italy confirmed that the contest had received some such applications, and that trans men will participate in local castings. If they are judged suitable by a technical jury they can then parade in public, he added.

Having been crowned Miss Netherlands on July 8, Kolle will go on to compete in Miss Universe  and will make history again if she wins the international pageant. Elsewhere, Daniela Arroyo Gonzalez is hoping to become the first openly trans woman to win the Miss Universe Puerto Rico pageant, and will also advance to the global Miss Universe pageant if she secures the title.

Miss Italy has, since its inception in 1939, featured several contestants who have gone on to have influential careers in film and television. Among them were Sophia Loren, who participated in 1950 at 15 years old but was not crowned, and Lucia Bose, who won the contest in 1947. Last years winner was 18-year-old Lavinia Abate from Rome.

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Mitch McConnell has had at least three falls this year, US media report, as speculation grows over the health of the US Senate's most senior Republican.

Mr McConnell, 81, abruptly stopped speaking mid-sentence during a news conference on Wednesday before concerned colleagues led him away.

The Senate Minority Leader later returned to the media session and told reporters he was fine.

In March, he suffered a concussion after falling at a Washington DC hotel.

Mr McConnell had just begun greeting the press at the weekly Republican leadership news conference before suddenly freezing and falling silent, staring straight ahead for about 20 seconds.

His Republican colleagues were heard asking him if he was OK.

"You OK, Mitch?" asked Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, an ex-orthopaedic surgeon. "Anything else you want to say or should I escort you back to your office?" he added.

Mitch McConnell froze at the news conference but later returned to answer questions

Mr Barrasso then helped Mr McConnell step away from the conference.

Mr McConnell returned a short while later and answered "yeah" when asked if he was fully able to do his job.

When Mr McConnell said he was "fine", an aide of his added that the senator had "felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment".

"He came back to handle Q&A, which as everyone observed was sharp," the aide said.

On Thursday, Mr McConnell told reporters that President Joe Biden had called to check on him.

The senator said that he had joked "I got sandbagged", in reference to Mr Biden's tumble over a sandbag at an event in Colorado last month.

Mr McConnell contracted polio at the age of two, which led to partial paralysis in his left leg.

A rigorous physical therapy regime ensured he was able to walk without needing a brace, but he has long struggled to navigate stairs and other obstacles.

The Kentucky lawmaker, who has served in the Senate since 1985, has reportedly endured at least three falls this year.

In February, he tripped and fell on a snowy day in Helsinki, Finland while on his way to a meeting with the Finnish president, CNN reports.

Days later, in early March, he fell and hit his head while at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, suffering a concussion and minor rib fracture.

He was discharged from hospital later that month and did rehab, not returning to Congress for nearly six weeks.

Earlier this month, the Republican fell while getting off a plane at Washington's Reagan National Airport, according to NBC News.

A source told NBC that Mr McConnell has recently been using a wheelchair to navigate through crowded airports.

Mr McConnell's office has declined to comment on the incidents.

In 2021, Kentucky's Republican-controlled legislature passed a law - with his support - that requires the state's Democratic governor to pick a successor of the same party if Mr McConnell is incapacitated and must leave office before his current term ends.

Nevertheless, Mr McConnell has refused to entertain questions about his future, telling CNN last October that he is "certainly going to complete the term I was elected to by the people of Kentucky".
NIAMEY, Niger (AP)  Niger's president defiantly declared Thursday that democracy would prevail, a day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup because of the West African countrys deteriorating security situation.

While many people in the capital of Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country and which side the majority might support. A statement tweeted by the army commands account declared that it would back the coup to avoid a murderous confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath. It was not possible to confirm that the statement was genuine.

President Mohamed Bazoum  who was elected in 2021 in Nigers first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960  appeared to have the backing of several political parties. Bazoum is a key ally in the Wests efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africas Sahel region.

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Bazoum tweeted early Thursday.

Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou issued a similar call on news network France 24, asking all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action.

He demanded the president's unconditional release and said talks were ongoing.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who spoke to Bazoum by phone on Wednesday, told reporters Thursday that he was extremely worried about the situation in Niger and warned of the terrible effects on development and civilians due to successive unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel region.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled emergency closed consultations on the situation Friday at the request of its three African members, Ghana, Gabon and Mozambique.

The Economic Community of West African States sent Benin President Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts.

Russia and the West have been vying for influence in the fight against extremism in the region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighboring nations.

Bazoum is seen by many as the West's last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Wagner appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

The U.S. is gravely concerned about the situation in Niger, said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel during a briefing with reporters Thursday.

We are monitoring the situation closely and continue to be in close touch with the embassy, Patel said.

Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties. American, French and Italian troops train the country's soldiers, while France also conducts joint operations.

But the threat to Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger could also turn away from the West.

On Thursday, several hundred people gathered in the capital and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags. Later, they began throwing rocks at a passing politician's car.

If Mohamed Bazoum resigns from the presidency, Niger will probably move to the top of the list of countries where the Wagner Group will seek to expand, said Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at Dragonfly, a security and political risk consultancy.

Wagner already had its sights set on Niger, in part because it's a large producer of uranium. But Bazoum posed an impediment because of his pro-French and pro-Western stance, said Baumgartner.

Wagner's head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, weighed in on Thursday, describing the developments as part of Nigers fight against the colonizers.

It effectively means winning independence. The rest will depend on the people of Niger, on how efficient they could govern, Prigozhin, who led a brief mutiny against the Kremlin last month, said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department isn't aware of any signs that the Wagner Group was involved in the coup, Patel said. He declined to speculate, saying the situation continues to be quite fluid.

Former Wagner mercenary, Marat Gabidullin, told the AP that if Niger's new rulers wanted the group's help, they'd do the same job as in the Central African Republic, where it's been operating for five years. Advocacy groups have accused Wagner of hijacking state resources and committing human rights atrocities in the Central African Republic and other countries where it operates.

Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Blinken said Thursday that he had spoken with the president, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the U.S. condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

If designated a coup by the United States, Niger could lose millions of dollars of military support and aid.

Alexander Thurston, assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, said the coup deals a blow to democratic culture in the Sahel.

"Western governments are left without a strong partner in the region, and may shift even more towards attempting to contain the regions problems, rather than helping to solve them, Thurston said.

Members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum's house and detained him on Wednesday morning.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed all the borders.

Military experts say some of the people who appeared on state television were high-ranking officers, including Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, the head of Niger's special forces who has a strong relationship with the United States.

According to someone close to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation, the president has not and will not resign and is safe in his residence.

In a statement Wednesday, several political parties expressed their support for him, calling the coup suicidal and anti-republican madness.

The country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted, they said. Protesters also came out in support of Bazoum that day.

More than 4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and hundreds of thousands are internally displaced, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters after speaking to senior U.N. officials in Niger.

The international community denounced the coup in Niger, where there have been multiple coups since independence in 1960.

We firmly condemn the coup that took place in Niger against the countrys civilian democratic authorities, the French Foreign Ministry said Thursday. It called for the liberation of Bazoum and his family, and for their security to be ensured. It also called for the immediate restoration of the integrity of Nigers democratic institutions.

France has 2,500 troops in Niger and Chad, conducting anti-terror operations in the Sahel region

U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk called for Bazoum's release and said all efforts must be undertaken to restore constitutional order and the rule of law.

Russia also called for the president's release. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday in televised remarks that its necessary to restore the constitutional order in Niger. We believe that the coup is unconstitutional, and we always take a principled and clear position on that, he said.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Benin President Patrice Talon is not the head of ECOWAS. He was tapped as their mediator.

___

Associated Press reporters Tracy Brown and Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C.; John Leicester and Angela Charlton in Paris; Edith Lederer at the United Nations in New York; and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
Ken McCullick died in an emergency room on August 12, 2021.

I got lucky and there was this young nurse  I was one of her first CPR patients, and she would not give would not give up and saved my life.

Im grateful for that, McCullick said, his voice choked with emotion at the memory.

The 66-year-old musician from Brooksville, Florida, said his heart stopped after he got the blood thinner heparin in the hospital.

Heparin is made from pig intestines and contains a sugar called alpha-gal that McCullick is deathly allergic to, although neither he nor his doctors knew it at the time.

I flatlined and died on the table, McCullick said, adding that it took seven minutes to get his heart started again.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a reaction to a sugar found in red meat and dairy products, and its caused by the bite of a lone star tick. It may now be the 10th most common food allergy in the United States, affecting up to 450,000 people, according to estimates published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is also one of the least recognized.

Lack of awareness, lack of diagnosis

Scientists have only recently begun to understand alpha-gal syndrome.

Lone star ticks, and perhaps other kinds of parasites, transmit a sugar known to scientists by its unwieldy formal name: galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, or alpha-gal.

We think that they have an enzyme in their saliva that can produce alpha-gal, said Dr. Scott Commins, associate chief for allergy and immunology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, who has spent his career researching alpha-gal and is a co-author on the new studies published today by the CDC.

When these ticks bite someone, the alpha-gal passes through the skin, which has its own immune sentries waiting to pounce on foreign invaders. Being exposed this way appears to put the body on high alert for this sugar, which is found in non-primate mammals and in products made from them. People with alpha-gal syndrome must often avoid red meat like beef, pork and lamb, dairy products and a slew of less-obvious products like gel capsules and sometimes makeup.

Ken McCullick believes he got alpha-gal allergy from a tick bite on his forehead in 2018. It took four years for doctors to diagnose it. - courtesy Ken McCullick

People can live with alpha-gal by adjusting their lifestyle  but thats only if they know they have it. Getting a diagnosis can be difficult because many doctors arent aware of the syndrome.

A study published Thursday in the CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report surveyed 1,500 doctors and nurse practitioners in the US and found that 42% said theyd never heard of the allergy. Another third of respondents said they were not confident about their ability to diagnose or manage a patient with alpha-gal allergy.

Surveys of alpha-gal patients have found that most have a significant delay between their first symptoms and their diagnosis.

McCullick, who thinks he got alpha-gal syndrome from a tick he pulled off his forehead in 2018, wasnt diagnosed until 2022.

Alpha-gal isnt like a typical food allergy, in which the physical reaction to an offending food starts seconds to minutes after eating it.

Instead, people with alpha-gal allergy tend to become ill four to six hours after having red meat or dairy, so they dont always connect their symptoms to what theyre eating. Reactions can include hives, shortness of breath or even life-threatening anaphylaxis.

I went to bed every night not knowing if I was going to wake up in the morning. And every time I couldnt catch my breath and every time my heart skipped a beat, I didnt know what was going to happen, McCullick said.

The future didnt seem very bright, and I can relate it to maybe being a soldier in a foxhole with shells coming down all around. You just dont know when your last breath is going to be, and it was psychologically devastating, actually. And thats not just me; theres thousands and thousands of cases just like mine, he said.

Diagnoses on the rise

Researchers havent had a good idea how many Americans might have alpha-gal syndrome.

Until 2022, one commercial lab ran most alpha-gal testing in the US: Viracor in Lenexa, Kansas. For the new study, epidemiologists at the CDC analyzed anonymous testing data from this lab for blood tests run from 2017 through 2022. Providers ordered nearly 300,000 tests for alpha-gal during this period, and 30% of them  roughly 90,000  were positive.

Adding those test results to the results of earlier studies, the study authors deduced that there were 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome diagnosed in the US from 2010 to 2022.

With the lack of awareness among health care providers, the researchers adjusted their data under the assumption that between 20% and 78% of cases probably go undiagnosed. This led to them to estimate that between 96,000 and 450,000 Americans may have been affected by alpha-gal syndrome since 2010.

The numbers stunned Commins. The number of potential cases is far beyond what we thought, he said.

If the projection and estimate of nearly 450,000 cases is even approximately correct, this is the number 10 allergy in the country behind sesame, which is number nine and affects roughly half a million people, Commins said.

And the numbers werent steady over time. Every year, we see an increased number of suspected cases that are captured in this lab-based surveillance, said study author Dr. Johanna Salzer, the epidemiology team lead for rickettsial diseases at the CDC.

A CDC map shows the geographic distribution of suspected alpha-gal syndrome cases per 1 million population per year from 2017 to 2022. - CNN

Salzer said its unclear whether cases are going up because of increased awareness and testing for the syndrome or for another reason, such as tick populations flourishing in the higher temperatures caused by climate change.

I think it could certainly be both, Salzer said.

Salzer and her team also mapped the locations of the positive tests and found that they were concentrated in a belt of states in the middle of the US that spans the South, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. This is much the same region where lone star ticks are known to cause other diseases such as the bacterial illness ehrlichiosis.

This disease doesnt have to be deadly

Before McCullick knew to avoid certain animal products, he was rushed to the emergency room repeatedly with life-threatening allergic reactions that caused heart palpitations, shortness of breath and dangerously low blood pressure. Often, he was treated for heart attacks.

Alpha-gal also affects the way his body processed cholesterol, clogging the arteries around his heart.

Sometimes, just breathing in a place where someone is cooking meat, like a steakhouse, can cause a reaction, he said.

I would eat some ice cream, and it would hurt my throat and my esophagus down my chest so bad. They felt like a charley horse that would not go away, McCullick said.

And then it gives you severe heartburn, feels like a hiatal hernia, he said. Then it gets down in your stomach, and it feels like a roll of barbed wire the rolling around in your intestines.

This cycle of eating and anaphylaxis continued until McCullick spoke to an agent from his health insurance company. After reviewing his records, the agent told him that the pattern of hospitalizations looked familiar.

He said, you know, you sound like what happened to me. He said, Im allergic to beef and pork. And you should get checked out to see if youre allergic to beef or pork,  McCullick said.

A lightbulb went off. He realized he was getting sick every time he ate red meat. After researching online, he was convinced, and he saw an allergist who made the diagnosis.

So my diagnosis was by chance, basically, and with a lot of research on my own and a lot of help from friends, McCullick said.

This disease doesnt have to be deadly if we just know about it, McCullick said. A lot of people could be saved just from the knowledge that needs to get out there.

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A group of soldiers announced on national television late on Wednesday that Niger president Mohamed Bazoum has been ousted from power.

This comes just hours after the president was detained in the presidential palace.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, accompanied by nine other officers, read a statement declaring that the defence and security forces have made the decision to put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.

The countrys borders have been closed until the situation has stabilised and all institutions of the republic have been suspended, colonel Amadou Abdramane revealed. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed throughout the national territory until further notice.

The soldiers issuing the statement also cautioned against any foreign intervention.

Reports suggest that the apparent coup was orchestrated under the leadership of the head of a regional political and security group.

On Wednesday, the presidencys official Twitter account stated that the presidential guards were involved in what they described as an anti-Republican demonstration and attempted in vain to garner support from other security forces.

Supporters of Mr Bazoum attempted to approach the presidential complex but were dispersed by members of the presidential guard, it was reported. The guards fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, according to AFP.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, reportedly spoke to Mr Bazoum and conveyed the unwavering support of the United States  the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission @AUC_MoussaFaki condemns the coup attempt in #Niger.https://t.co/bWYHc36OgU pic.twitter.com/kqtrX0xqWm  African Union (@_AfricanUnion) July 26, 2023

Later, Mr Blinken said: I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning, and made clear that the US resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger. We call for his immediate release.

We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. Were actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, strongly condemned what he called a coup attempt by members of the military acting in total betrayal of their republican duty.

#Niger | Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV. pic.twitter.com/IqtsqPBNHn  teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) July 27, 2023

The Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS], a regional bloc consisting of 15 nations in West Africa, issued a call for the immediate and unconditional release of President Bazoum. They also issued a stern warning that all individuals involved in the situation would be held accountable for his safety.

Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria and also the Chair of ECOWAS, stated that he was already engaged in close consultation with other regional leaders regarding the unfolding situation in Niger.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned any attempt to seize power through the use of force in Niger. He called on all parties involved to exercise restraint.

Contrairement au #Mali et au #BurkinaFaso, les populations ne soutiennent pas la tentative de coup d'Etat en cours, et "appellent a proteger les acquis democratiques". #Niger #Bazoum pic.twitter.com/0yhErCwjM0  LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) July 26, 2023

This afternoon @antonioguterres spoke to @mohamedbazoum. He expressed his full support and solidarity to the Nigerien President, a UN spokesman said on Twitter.

The United States, France, and the European Union joined in condemning the power grab in Niger.

The [attempted] coup fits into a long pattern of inability by the political class to speak to the economic challenges and the security and political instabilities in the country, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, professor of peacekeeping practice at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. That, nevertheless, does not justify the attempted coup.

#Niger : les manifestants opposes au coup detat ont ete disperses par des tirs de sommation de la garde presidentielle aux abords de @PresidenceNiger. #Bazoum #CEDEAO

C: Anne-Fleur pic.twitter.com/hnqnsnLz2h  LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) July 26, 2023

Corruption is the big elephant in the room, plus a fight against violent extremists. This is a challenge that almost all West African governments are facing, he added.

According to Reuters, military vehicles were observed blocking the entrance to the presidential palace in the capital city, Niamey. Security sources also reported that access to ministries adjacent to the palace had been blocked as well. However, in other areas of the city, residents described normal traffic flow and no visible presence of armed individuals on the streets.

Its a fit of temper by the presidential guard but talks are underway with the president, an unidentified source was quoted as saying by AFP.

 The African Union and ECOWAS on Wednesday condemned an attempted coup d'Etat" in #Niger.



Both called for President Mohamed #Bazoum to be liberated amid reports that members of the presidential guard were holding him inside his palace. @shinjennie reports  pic.twitter.com/QpoS9osnHQ  FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 26, 2023

The president is fine, hes safe and sound, the source said. He and his family are at the residence.

Nigers foreign minister on Thursday said that the elected government is the legitimate and legal authority, a day after a coup bid by soldiers.

LSI-Africa quoted Kalla Moutari, a lawmaker from the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism as saying: I have spoken to the president and ministerial friends, they are fine.

Mr Bazoums election as president in 2021 marked a significant milestone for Niger, as it was the first democratic transition of power in the countrys history since gaining independence from France in 1960.

Prior to this peaceful transfer of power, Niger had experienced four military coups.

Additional reporting from agencies.
Delegations from Russia and China, North Koreas key allies in the Korean War, gathered in Pyongyang this week to celebrate North Koreas Victory Day in the war that ravaged the Korean Peninsula seven decades ago as they align over another very contemporary conflict  Russias devastating invasion of Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gave Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu  an architect of Moscows assault on Ukraine  a tour of a defense exposition in Pyongyang on Wednesday, with images from North Korean media showing them walking past an array of weaponry, from Pyongyangs nuclear-capable ballistic missiles to its newest drones.

At a state reception for Shoigu and the Russian delegation, in a reference to the war in Ukraine, North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam expressed Pyongyangs full support for the just struggle of the Russian army and people to defend the sovereignty and security of the country, according to a report from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In remarks of his own, Shoigu then said the Korean Peoples Army (KPA) has become the strongest army in the world and pledged continued cooperation to keep it that way.

Also Wednesday, at a reception for the Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong, senior North Korean official Kim Song Nam thanked Chinese forces for joining in the Korean War, saying North Korea would not forget forever the heroic feats and merits of the bravery soldiers who recorded a brilliant page in the history.

Ankit Panda, Stanton senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said the presence of the Chinese and Russian delegations at the armistice anniversary underscores the importance Pyongyang attaches to its relationships with both countries.

Shoigus presence is particularly notable: a sign of just how close Pyongyang and Moscow have become since Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, Panda said.

But the gathering in Pyongyang illustrates a weakness too, said Blake Herzinger, a research fellow at the United States Studies Center in Australia.

Its really representative of how short both China and Russias lists of friends are, and the willingness of both to show support for a rogue regime, Herzinger said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his delegation, North Korean state media KCNA reported on July 26, 2023. - KCNA

Korean War

Thursday is the 70th anniversary of the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War, one of the first international conflicts of the Cold War era.

In the fall of 1950, China sent a quarter million troops into the Korean Peninsula, supporting its North Korean ally and pushing back the combined forces of South Korea, the United States and other countries under the United Nations Command.

More than 180,000 Chinese troops died in the Korean War, or what Beijing calls the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

Russias predecessor, the Soviet Union, also supported North Korea during the war, with combat support like Soviet aircraft engaging US jets and with supplies of heavy weaponry like tanks.

Despite Pyongyangs claims of a victory, the war it launched in 1950 ended in a stalemate, with the current demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel in much the same location as it was before the war.

The Korean War armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, ending hostilities although a true peace deal has never been signed.

After the war, the US, which anchored the UN Command that supported South Korea, kept a large contingent of troops in the South at a range of Army and air bases. The US Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, is the largest overseas US military base.

Meanwhile, Moscow over the decades has been a staunch ally for North Korea, especially as the two share a joint animosity toward the West. The same can be said for the Chinese Communist Party, especially under Chinas current leader Xi Jinping.

Panda noted how both Moscow and Beijing, permanent members of the UN Security Council, have defended Pyongyangs interests before the world body as Western powers led by the US have tried to put further sanctions on North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang on July 26, 2023. - KCNA

Ukraine alignment

Now the three authoritarian nuclear powers are putting up a united front over Ukraine, a former Soviet state which Russia invaded in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared it was historically Russian territory.

That invasion soon stumbled as Ukrainians put up a fierce defense of their homeland and as Western powers scrambled to send weapons and ammunition to Kyiv while Moscow burned through its own stocks and looked to allies like Iran and North Korea to resupply.

US officials said last year that North Korea was selling millions of rockets and artillery shells to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.

And while China has not supplied Russia with weaponry, it has remained steadfastly in Moscows corner as the war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month, with Xi deepening his relationship with Putin and echoing the Kremlins rhetoric over the conflict.

After the brief mutiny in Russia by the Wagner mercenary group last month, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed support for the Putin regime.

As Russias friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, an online statement said.

Military drills

Meanwhile, the Russian and Chinese militaries have been active in the waters off the Korean Peninsula, with their latest joint exercise, Northern/Interaction-2023, bringing together naval and air forces from both countries in drills aiming to strengthen both sides capabilities of jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability and responding to various security challenges, according to the Peoples Liberation Armys English website.

Those exercises in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan occurred as South Korea and the US were conducting military displays of their own, including a US Navy nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine making a port call in South Korea for the first time in four decades.

Pyongyangs armistice commemorations were expected to continue Thursday with a military parade in the capital. North Korea typically marks key moments in its history with displays of its newest weaponry.

One such weapon that may be on display is the Hwasong-18 ICBM, a solid-fueled, nuclear-capable missile that North Korea claims could hit anywhere in the United States. It has tested that missile twice this year, most recently earlier this month.

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China condemns overseas cyberattack on Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center

(People's Daily App) 14:45, July 27, 2023

China on Wednesday condemned overseas cyberattacks on the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center and said it would adopt necessary measures to safeguard its cybersecurity.

"Relevant Chinese authorities informed that the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center had suffered from a cyberattack conducted by overseas hacker organizations with governmental backgrounds, severely threatening China's national security," said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning at a routine press briefing in Beijing.

The center, located in Central China's Hubei Province, became alerted on July 25 that some of the network equipment of its front-end station acquisition points for seismic rapid-response data had been implanted with backdoor programs capable of controlling and stealing seismic activity data.

"China condemns the above irresponsible actions and will adopt necessary measures to safeguard its cybersecurity," Mao said.

(Compiled by Liao Yujia)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
gettyimagesbank



By Jun Ji-hye



The government has decided to expand support for medical expenses and other welfare measures for multiple pregnancies, as the ratio of multiple births has risen recently, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced, Thursday.



Currently, the government supports 1 million won ($780) in medical costs for a single pregnancy and 1.4 million won for multiple pregnancies, regardless of twins and other multiples. This will be changed to 1 million won per fetus.



"Under this change, 2 million won will be offered for a twin pregnancy, 3 million won for triplets and 4 million won for quadruplets," First Vice Health Minister Lee Ki-il said during a media briefing.



The decision was made in response to the increasing ratio of births of twins and other higher multiples in recent years, as an increasing number of couples have had babies through infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).



The ministry said more couples have faced infertility recently with the average age of marriage getting higher.



Statistically, women who undergo IVF have multiple pregnancies at a higher rate.



According to the ministry, the ratio of multiple births stood at 3.9 percent in 2017 and increased to 5.4 percent in 2021.





First Vice Health Minister Lee Ki-il speaks during a media briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, state media said Thursday, illustrating North Korea's support for Russia's war in Ukraine as the isolated country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Kim and Shoigu talked Wednesday in the capital, Pyongyang, and reached a consensus on unspecified matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment.

During the meeting, Shoigu conveyed to Kim a warm and good letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said. The report did not specify the military matters that were discussed.

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the U.S.-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests. The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim. The Kim-Shoigu meeting will help to "further boost the strategic and tactical collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the field of national defense and security," KCNA said.

In a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic, North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to attend the events marking the armistice of July 27, 1953. While the truce left the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war, the North still sees it as a victory in the Grand Fatherland Liberation War.

KCNA said Kim also took Shoigu to an arms exhibition that showcased some of North Koreas newest weapons and briefed him on national plans to expand the countrys military capabilities. State media photos and video from the exhibition showed Kim and Shoigu walking near a row of large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.

Some of the weapons in the images appeared to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that the North has flight-tested in recent months as it pursues an arsenal that can pose a viable threat to the continental United States. Kim and Shoigu also walked past what were possibly new surveillance and attack drones that had not been publicly announced by the North.

Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean military was analyzing the military assets shown in the North Korean photos but did not share specific assessments.

When asked about the possibility that Shoigus visit was to discuss importing weapons from North Korea, John Kirby, the White Houses National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, didnt answer directly but said it was clear Putin is reaching out to other countries for support in fighting his war in Ukraine.

Mr. Putin knows hes having his own defense procurement problems, his own inventory problems, that his military remains on the back foot, and hes trying to shore that up," Kirby said.

The North Korean festivities were widely expected to be capped later Thursday by a giant military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles. State media, however, had not confirmed plans for a military parade.

Some experts say North Korea sees U.S. confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and insert itself into a united front against Washington. Both Moscow and Beijing have been derailing U.S. efforts to strengthen U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests since 2022.

The last time North Korea invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018, when it held a low-key event that excluded Kims ICBMs. North Korea at the time was initiating diplomacy with Seoul and Washington as Kim attempted to leverage his nuclear program for badly needed economic benefits.

Those efforts led to a summit between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump that June, but the diplomacy collapsed after their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since ramped up the development of the nuclear arms that he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival while berating gangster-like U.S. sanctions and pressure.

Beijings delegation to North Korea is headed by mid-level official Li Hongzhong, a politburo member of Chinas ruling Communist Party.

Kim met Li during an anniversary concert that began at midnight and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, KCNA said. During a separate reception hosted by senior North Korean officials, Li said in a speech that China was ready to promote the sound and stable development of relations with the North.

Analysts say Kim sharing the center stage with Shoigu and Li at a military parade would be a key accomplishment he could show to his domestic audience as well as a statement of defiance toward the United States.

On Wednesday, Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam that were aimed at strengthening cooperation between our defense departments, Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement.

KCNA reported that at a reception hosted by Kang, Shoigu praised the North Korean Peoples Army under the leadership of Kim, saying it has become the strongest army in the world. Russian media reports did not include that comment.

The Korean War was triggered by a surprise North Korean attack on the South in June 1950. The North was supported by Chinese troops and the then-Soviet air force. South Korea, the United States, and troops from various nations under the direction of the United Nations fought to push back the invasion.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marked the armistice anniversary by visiting a cemetery in the port city of Busan that honors the U.N. troops who died during the war.

The Republic of Korea of today stands on the sacrifice, dedication and blood-drenched uniforms of U.N. soldiers, Yoon said in a speech, referring to South Korea's formal name.

In the face of growing North Korean threats, Yoon has pushed to expand South Korea's military exercises with the United States and is seeking stronger U.S. reassurances that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend the South in the event of a nuclear attack.
By Hyunsu Yim and Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) -Russia's defence minister accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a defence exhibition that featured the North's banned ballistic missiles as the neighbours pledged to boost ties, North Korean state media reported on Thursday.

The Russian minister, Sergei Shoigu, and a Chinese delegation led by a Communist Party politburo member arrived in North Korea this week for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War celebrated in North Korea as "Victory Day".

The nuclear-capable missiles were banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions adopted with Russian and Chinese support but this week they provided a striking backdrop for a show of solidarity by three countries united by their rivalry with the U.S. and a revival of what some analysts see as their Cold War-era coalition.

Shoigu is making the first visit by a Russian defence minister to North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union.

For North Korea, the arrival of the Russian and Chinese delegations marks its first major opening up to the world since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean media reported.

Kim thanked Putin for sending the military delegation led by Shoigu, saying the visit had deepened the "strategic and traditional" relations between North Korea and Russia.

"(Kim) expressed his views on the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries from the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists and to realize international justice and peace," North Korean media said.

"He repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country," it said.

KCNA did not refer to the war in Ukraine but North Korea's defence minister, Kang Sun Nam, was reported as saying North Korea fully supported Russia's "battle for justice" and to protect its sovereignty.

Kim led Shoigu on a tour of an exhibition of new weapons and military equipment, KCNA said.

State media photographs showed Kim and his guests at a display of some of the North's ballistic missiles in multi-axle transporter launchers. Another image showed what analysts said appeared to be a new drone.

One analyst said Shoigu's inspection of the North Korean missiles visit suggested Russian acceptance of North Korea's nuclear programme.

"We've come a long way from when North Korea would avoid showing off its nuclear capabilities when senior foreign dignitaries from Russia and China were in town," said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, calling the tour "remarkable".

"The personal tour for Shoigu - and Shoigu's willingness to be photographed with Kim in the course of this tour - is evidence that Moscow is complacent with North Korea's ongoing nuclear modernization," he said.

Kim also met Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong for talks and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean media reported.

The visit by Li's delegation showed Xi's commitment to "attach great importance to the DPRK-China friendship," Kim was quoted as saying by the North's KCNA state news agency, referring to the North the initial of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

State media photographs showed Kim at a large flashy performance flanked by Shoigu and Li, with a backdrop that included a slogan used by the Chinese army during the Korean War vowing to "resist U.S. aggressors."

'NO SECRET'

The Russian visit raises the prospect of more open support for North Korea, especially with Russia isolated by the West over is invasion of Ukraine, analysts said.

Artyom Lukin, a professor at Russia's Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, said simultaneous visits to Pyongyang of high-ranking officials from Moscow and Beijing is another sign of a revival of the Russian-Chinese-North Korean coalition that originally existed in the late 1940s and 1950s, though now likely to be led from Beijing rather than Moscow.

Shoigus appearance at the military expo exhibiting the ICBMs is a "very ambivalent gesture" given that Russia stays formally committed to the UNSC resolutions banning North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes, he said.

"It may signify that the current geopolitical circumstances are starting to erode Russias long-standing interest in preserving the global non-proliferation regime," Lukin added.

Last year, North Korea codified a new, expansive nuclear law declaring its status as a nuclear-armed state "irreversible".

This month, it threatened nuclear retaliation over a show of force by the United States, saying the deployment of strategic military assets near the Korean peninsula could meet criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.

South Korea's foreign ministry noted it had been Russia's official position to oppose North Korea's nuclear programme and said it hoped the visit by Shoigu's delegation would help the North return to dialogue.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Russia's overtures to North Korea comes as the Kremlin struggles to procure arms.

"Its been no secret ... Mr Putin is reaching out to other countries for help and support in fighting his war in Ukraine. And that includes, we know, some outreach to the DPRK," he said.

North Korea has backed the Kremlin over its war with Ukraine and has shipped weapons including infantry rockets and missiles in support of Russia's war, the White House has said.

North Korea and Russia deny they have conducted arms transactions.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim, Hyonhee Shin, Ju-min Park, Josh Smith, Soo-hyang Choi; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies and Lincoln Feast)
(Elana Marie / For De Los)

In the course of a single afternoon in 2017, the whole of Paul Pinos life clicked. At a meeting of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium , Pino thought about the people hed lost, the family members hed mourned  his mother, who died of bone cancer, his brother who died of stomach cancer, and his sister who died of thyroid cancer  and as he listened to the consortiums two-hour presentation, tears streamed down his face, and his grief turned into anger.

Pino is one of hundreds of thousands of people known as downwinders  those living in the fallout zone of nuclear test sites, exposed to high levels of radiation that increase the risk of cancer. While downwinder communities span several states including Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho, as a result of decades of nuclear weapons testing, the people of New Mexico were the first victims of the atomic bomb, the result of the Manhattan Projects Trinity Test on July 16, 1945  less than a month before the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer." (Universal Pictures via Associated Press)

"Learning the truth made me vow to fight for justice in the memory of my family," Pino said.

"Oppenheimer," the massive blockbuster biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, has sparked renewed interest in the dawn of the Atomic Age and prompted conversations about its decision not to depict the communities that bore the brunt of the fallout.

Tina Cordova, founder of TBDC, is hoping that increased interest in Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb will cast a spotlight on the group's fight for recognition. We were a sacrifice to our countrys quest for nuclear superiority, Cordova said. They spread more than ten pounds of plutonium across the Tularosa Basin. Our government has never come back to sort out what happened to us. Were just collateral damage.

Read more:Review: Christopher Nolan's gripping, despairing 'Oppenheimer' ponders history and the future

In the film, both the test site and the Los Alamos Laboratory in Northern New Mexico are remote, unpopulated areas  a depiction thats largely in line with most historical accounts of the Manhattan Project. The reality is starkly different. The land acquired by the U.S. government to build and test the bomb was occupied, as was the 150-mile radius surrounding the Trinity Test  areas settled predominantly by Hispanic and Native American ranchers and homesteaders.

There are some glaring omissions, Cordova said of the film. There was a level of racism, obviously [to the Manhattan Project]. They so easily invaded our lands, our lives, and destroyed them both.

The residents who remained in the surrounding area were given no warning about the Trinity Test, with Manhattan Project leader Gen. Leslie R. Groves insisting that anything surrounding the operations remain a closely guarded secret.

The first U.S. atom bomb explodes during a test in Alamogordo, N.M., July 16, 1945. The cloud went 40,000 feet in the air, as viewed by an automatic camera six miles away from the site. (AP Photo, File)

First-person accounts from locals describe seeing an intense flash of light in the early morning of July 16. I thought the world [was] coming to an end, reads the written testimony of Henry Herrera, a downwinder who was 11 years old at the time of the blast. Dirt, dust and debris coated everything around him. This filth landed all over our town, covered our village with radiation  everything we consumed was filled with radiation.

The official explanation for the blast was an explosion of ammunition at the nearby Alamogordo Air Base. Even after the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki the following month, and New Mexico residents realized the truth, there were no outreach efforts from the U.S. government or from the scientists at the Manhattan Project to explain or monitor the aftermath of the explosion.

In the ensuing decades, the bomb became part of their history. Cordova still remembers a conversation with her grandmother about the morning the bomb was dropped. It woke them up, she said.  But she told me the worst part was the ash kept falling from the sky. She kept sweeping and dusting, sweeping and dusting, but it kept coming for days. Imagine you have no form of communication, no telephones, no TVs, a sparse radio here and there, and a newspaper that printed only occasionally, so theres no way to know what happened.

Read more:Essay: Being a Barbie girl in a first-gen immigrant world

Nearly fifty years later, the 1990 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was passed to provide a one-time payment of $50,000 to $100,000 for nuclear workers and downwinders who lived and worked near the Nevada nuclear test site established in 1950.

To date, the Trinity downwinders remain ineligible for financial compensation.

For Cordova, the ethnic makeup of Los Alamos and the White Sands testing site is central to why they were chosen, and how the downwinders have been treated since. We were the first people ever exposed to radiation as the result of an atomic bomb, and most of us were Hispanos and Native Americans, she said. In the 1940s, they depended on us to be uneducated, unsophisticated, and unable to stand up for ourselves. Were not those people any longer.

As radiation contaminated the air, water and soil throughout the Tularosa Basin, cancer became a reality  as predictable as New Mexicos yearly monsoons. We dont ask if were going to get cancer, we ask when, Cordova said. In my own family, just look at the level of loss my mom experienced. She lost my dad, her sister, her mother, a sister-in-law. I had cancer myself. Imagine the trauma associated with that, and thats what we live with every day.

An aerial view after the first atomic explosion at the Trinity test site in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. (Associated Press)

For Mary Martinez White, a Tularosa native, her journey from understanding the truth of the bomb to learning its effect on her own family has been difficult to process. It was unnerving to know that the federal government did this and turned their backs on us," White said. "My family is very patriotic. My dad, my brothers, my nieces and nephews have served in the military. I want to believe in this country, and I believe that they still have an opportunity to make this right.

Since its founding, TBDC has worked to gain a clearer understanding of the bombs impact through outreach, educational initiatives and community health surveys. Most families they speak with have lost one or more relatives to cancer, and many of them experience debt as a result of costly hospital bills and limited access to adequate medical care. I hear it everywhere I go, Cordova said. We dont have the same opportunities to develop generational wealth, people have to file for bankruptcy, and it destroys families.

Read more:After decades apart, abuelitos reunite with their families in Southern California

Recently, TBDC received grant money to work with educators in New Mexico to establish a curriculum that includes the downwinders. If you don't address the entire history, then you're essentially perpetuating a lie. And the idea that no one lived here and no one was harmed is a lie.

That sentiment is why Cordova and the other Trinity downwinders were initially hopeful when they heard about "Oppenheimer."

J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, is shown at Princeton University in 1957. (John Rooney / Associated Press)

Cordova said the group tried to get in contact with the filmmakers while they were shooting in New Mexico but was told that there wasnt interest in meeting with them. All we wanted was a panel at the end of the movie to acknowledge the sacrifice and suffering of the people of New Mexico as part of the Manhattan Project, she said.

Next year, RECA is set to expire unless its extended, threatening the passage of Senate Bill 1751  a proposed amendment to extend the scope of RECA to include the Trinity downwinders and others. While the U.S. government estimates that the expansion would cost roughly $5 billion, advocates like TBDC argue that thats only a fraction of the cost the country continues to pay to maintain its nuclear arsenal.

Cordovas continued persistence for their cause boils down to one simple fact: Once you know this history, you cant stay silent.

Cat Cardenas is a Latina writer and photographer based in Austin. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, New York Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, GQ and others.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's president urged both sides of a dispute over government plans to overhaul the judiciary to refrain from any violence, using the occasion of a Jewish fast on Thursday to appeal for reconciliation as protesters planned more demonstrations.

The plans being pursued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government have prompted months of unprecedented protests, opened up a deep divide in Israeli society, and strained the loyalties of some army reservists.

Now in its seventh month, the crisis surged on Monday after parliament passed the first of the changes trimming Supreme Court powers over his ruling religious-nationalist coalition.

Demonstrations for and against the judicial overhaul were on hold for Tisha B'av, the fast day mourning the destruction of two ancient Jewish temples in Jerusalem blamed by the sages on needless infighting.

"I appeal on everyone: Even when the pain peaks, we must preserve the boundaries of the dispute and refrain from violence and irreversible measures," President Isaac Herzog, who plays a largely ceremonial role in Israeli politics, said on Facebook.

"We must imagine our lives together here - in another 40, 50 and 100 years - and how each action will impact on our children and grandchildren, and on the bridges between us."

Political watchdog groups have appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the new law, paving the way to an unprecedented showdown among branches of government when it hears the arguments in September.

The legal tussle will begin as early as next Thursday, however, when the top court will hear an appeal against a coalition bill ratified in March that limited conditions for removing the prime minister from office.

The plans have hit the economy by drawing warnings from credit agencies, triggering foreign investor flight.

Protest leaders say growing numbers of military reservists have decided to stop serving to express their opposition.

The military has acknowledged an increase in requests to abstain from service, and said that damage would be done, gradually, to war-readiness if the no-shows proved protracted.

NEW 'TOOLS'

Protesters said they would be out in force again once the fast ends at sunset. They accuse Netanyahu of working to curb court independence even as he argues his innocence in a graft trial, and of unilaterally changing the justice system to the detriment of once-dominant secular-liberals.

"The government is illegitimate," said a poster that protest leader Shikma Bressler published on social media, which included a Roman-era image of the pillaging of the Jerusalem temple.

"The protests will continue as planned at the same time as measures are being intensified and tools are being used that have not been used to date."

Netanyahu defends the reforms as needed to balance out branches of government. He has cast the protests as a bid to thwart his democratic mandate.

Marking Tisha B'av, Israel's far-right minister for police, Itamar Ben-Gvir, toured the Jerusalem mount that once housed the temples and which is now the site of al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third-holiest shrine.

A past Ben-Gvir visit there set off outrage among Palestinians and the wider Muslim world.

A Palestinian group aligned with the Islamist movement Hamas said it launched a rocket from the occupied West Bank into Israel in retaliation.

There was no immediate confirmation from Israel, nor word of any damage. Israel has previously acknowledged that were preliminary efforts under way by West Bank fighters to develop a rocket arsenal.

Video posted on social media showed scores of other Jews visiting the Jerusalem compound under Israeli police guard. Police said 16 of them were arrested "for violating visitation rules" - a reference to a ban on non-Muslim prayer there.

Hamas condemned what it described as large raids by settlers and ministers in the government of the Zionist enemy" at the compound.

Netanyahu's plans have been a point of tension in Israel's ties with the United States, along with Jewish settlement expansion in the West Bank, Israeli-occupied territory which the Palestinians seek for a state where violence has been surging.

In the latest violence, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian teenager when clashes erupted during an Israeli army raid in Palestinian city of Qalqiliya, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The Israeli military said it was checking the report.

(Additonal reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Writing by Dan Williams and Tom Perry; editing by Robert Birsel and Nick Macfie)
Riders take a gravel detour outside of Colfax as RAGBRAI 50 heads to Tama-Toledo on Thursday.

Thursday RAGBRAI pass-through town Colfax had a unique slogan: "The Gravel is Worth the Travel."

Riders on the fifth day of the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa found out why as, just shy of the Jasper County city of 2,200, orange route markers led them off Highway F48 and onto a gravel road.

Iowa has nearly 100,000 miles of gravel farm-to-market roads, and RAGBRAI now features an annual full-day gravel route for those who choose to ride it.

More: RAGBRAI 50th anniversary riders get an early start from Des Moines to beat brutal heat

But there was no choice on Thursday. After the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa committed to going through Colfax, organizers learned Highway F48 would be closed while a bridge was under construction. In June, RAGBRAI ride director Matt Phippen said there was no other feasible detour, and that without using the 2-mile stretch of gravel it would not be possible for RAGBRAI to visit Colfax.

It was the first time in about two decades that the route had included a mandatory gravel section. Riders of skinny-tired road bikes, the majority on RAGBRAI, were not pleased by the prospect of trying to stay upright on the irregular surface.

Welcome, RAGBRAI, to gravel! one woman shouted.

Well this sucks, a man said.

What happened here? another asked.

Others shouted obscenities until they resigned themselves to trudging through the loose dirt.

Riders take a gravel detour outside of Colfax as RAGBRAI 50 heads to Tama-Toledo on Thursday.

Aarron Wings of Iowa City has ridden more than 30 RAGBRAIs. He and friends Bob Thies of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Craig Gehring of Sioux City had ridden on gravel during RAGBRAI in the 1980s and 1990s, But we thought those days were past us, Thies joked. Once you get over 60, you start to say, Remember the good old days when we were stupid?

More: Iowa GOP state senator arrested on RAGBRAI, charged with interference with official acts

The gravel section was not that tough on their road bikes, they said. Its just slow going, Thies said. If it was a thinner crowd, it wouldnt be a big deal. But with all the riders its a little bit more.

Mike Anich, on his first RAGBRAI, also was not worried.

You can plan as much as you can, but theres always the one-offs, Anich said.

Gravel hearkens back to first ride

In a way, the gravel stretch of the 50th anniversary ride could be seen as historical tribute to the initial 1973 cross-Iowa journey. Route planning was haphazard, and one of the 120 people who finished that trip, Stephen Gaul of Slater, said riders encountered unexpected road closures that forced them onto extensive sections of gravel. He was riding a road bike weighed down with all of his gear for the week.

Theres a couple places where we had to take some gravel because a bridge was out or they were preparing a bridge and didnt tell them about it, Gaul said.

And in 1994, RAGBRAI took riders on 14 miles of gravel over four days.

They had thick gravel on one, Gehring. I dont think it was this long, but the gravel was like 2 inches thick. That was not very good on a road bike.

Susan and Brooks Booher are on their first RAGBRAI this week. They live in Bentonville, Arkansas, which claims to be the Mountain Biking Capital of the World because of its 400 miles of trails through the Ozarks.

More: RAGBRAI riders feeling the heat as triple-digit heat indexes engulf Iowa, Midwest

They love gravel biking.

These are gravel bikes, so were good on that, Susan Booher said.

We ride gravel regularly, Brooks Booher said. This is nothing unusual.

But for Mimi Noonan of Deerfield, Illinois, another RAGBRAI first timer, and friend Debbie Brodsky Noonan, it was difficult to navigate.

The deep, sandy areas were the hardest part and then some of the bumpy gravel was hard, Noonan said.

Brodsky-Noonan's husband Jeff Brodsky, however, said that organizers had done the best they could. And his wife added that overall, they were having a great time on RAGBRAI.

We are loving the experience. Didnt love the gravel experience, she said.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Gravel stretch on RAGBRAI 2023 catches many riders by surprise
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox Quesada and leader of the National Action Party Marko Cortes join a demonstration against Mexican President Lopez Obrador's proposed electoral reforms at Reforma Avenue. (Future Publishing / Getty Images)

It has been 23 years since Vicente Fox won the Mexican presidency, a historic victory that ended seven decades of one-party rule and ushered in democracy.

Out of office, Fox has also broken tradition. Instead of shutting up, shunning publicity and staying out of politics like other former presidents, he has often been a cantankerous, right-wing scold in the news and on social media.

Now his caustic commentary has caused a furor in the current race for president. In the last week or so, Fox has managed to malign poor retirees and Jews while pandering to xenophobes.

His outbursts were meant to damage candidates from the party of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador  Foxs longtime political antagonist  and boost the chances of his favored contender.

Instead, Fox managed to spark an outcry that political experts say could make him a liability for Xochitl Galvez, a senator from the National Action Party who has recently emerged as both Fox's favorite and a spirited challenger to Lopez Obradors National Regeneration Movement in next years elections.

Read more:This woman is the front-runner to be Mexico's next president

The blowup began last week when Fox, a former Coca-Cola executive, griped that he has been battling to survive economically since Lopez Obrador discontinued monthly pensions and other benefits for retired presidents. At the same time, he excoriated less well-off beneficiaries of public benefits.

The lazy ones dont belong in the government or in the country, Fox, who recently turned 81, told the Latinus website, using an offensive slang word to denigrate both politicians and pensioners.

He also suggested that Galvez would cut back public aid and send more people back to work.

Galvez has lauded the value of work, but she has denied assertions from Lopez Obrador that she favors cutting social aid programs for the needy.

Lopez Obrador and his party, known as Morena, enjoy high approval ratings in no small part because of his administrations social initiatives and grants to the elderly, students, the disabled and others at the bottom of the income ladder.

Read more:Dream interrupted: As gang violence soars in Mexico, migrants in U.S. rethink plans to go home

Morena candidates jumped on the provocative comments from Fox, whose penchant for verbal blunders was a problem during his presidency.

Our movement will continue to be allied with the people whom they [the opposition] belittle, Claudia Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City who is regarded as the Morena front-runner to succeed Lopez Obrador, wrote on Twitter.

Marcelo Ebrard, an ex-foreign minister competing for the Morena presidential nod, also assailed Foxs assault on aid recipients.

What did senor Fox say? That social programs have to be done away with, and we are a bunch of lazy people? Ebrard asked at a campaign event in western Colima state. Did you see that? Isnt that outrageous?

But Fox wasn't finished.

Tweeting to his more than 1 million followers, Fox dismissed Sheinbaum as a Bulgarian Jew and called Ebrard a French snob.

Sheinbaum is of eastern European Jewish ancestry. Ebrard is of French descent.

The tweet from Fox, himself of Spanish and German lineage, concluded: The only Mexican is Xochitl!

Read more:Why is AMLO one of the world's most popular politicians? We took a road trip through Mexico to find out

In the ensuring uproar, Mexicans across the political spectrum denounced Foxs ill-advised attempt at humor.

What lamentable comments from the ex- president! tweeted Luis Carlos Ugalde, who served as president of Mexicos Federal Election Institute during part of Foxs presidential term. He denigrates his status. If he wants to help Xochitl Galvez, his best contribution would be prudence, respect and, above all, silence.

Even Galvez joined in the litany of condemnation.

No more hate and division, tweeted Galvez, who served as coordinator of Indigenous affairs in Foxs Cabinet and touts her Indigenous roots.

The ex-president removed the posting and issued an apology, asserting that he had mistakenly retweeted someone elses remark. I have a profound respect for the Jewish community, Fox wrote.

But the incident raised the specter of future campaign mudslinging  especially targeting Sheinbaum, who would be both Mexicos first female president and the country's first leader of Jewish ancestry.

Sheinbaum has already responded to insinuations that she was "a foreigner," posting her birth certificate on Twitter to show she was born in Mexico City to Mexican parents and declaring that she was more Mexican than mole  the traditional sauce.

Read more:Mexico says it doesn't have a fentanyl problem. New data reveal a hidden epidemic

Galvez, an engineer and tech entrepreneur from humble origins, has faced withering broadsides from Lopez Obrador, who has depicted her as tool of Fox and the rich.

That criticism, too, may have had unintended consequences. Political experts say the tirades made Lopez Obrador look like a bully and helped Galvez vault from long-shot presidential candidate to potential front-runner in an opposition coalition formed to thwart Lopez Obrador's formidable Morena political machine.

In September, both the opposition alliance and Morena are scheduled to name their presidential candidates for next Junes national elections.

Galvez, meantime, has moved publicly to distance herself from Fox, the elder statesman and onetime political mentor who has become campaign kryptonite.

At an appearance in Puebla on Tuesday, Galvez told reporters: I dont need  an ex-president and a president speaking about me. The two say things that arent true.

Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
More than half of all mass shootings in the U.S. since 1966 have taken place in the last 20 years.

From 2014 to 2022, the U.S. saw around 4,000 mass shootings, resulting in around 21,000 deaths or injuries, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Network Open.

The study analyzed data from the Gun Violence Archive, a research database that tracks gun violence incidents based on reports from media outlets, local or state police departments and other government agencies. It defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people, not including the shooter, are shot or killed.

Louisiana had the highest rate of mass shootings per capita of any state, the study found: around 4.3 shootings for every 100,000 people. The rate in Washington, D.C., was even higher  10.4 shootings for every 100,000 people  though it is a city, not a state.

Hawaii and North Dakota were the only two states that did not see any mass shootings over the nine years studied.

Leslie Barnard, the studys author and a doctoral student at the Colorado School of Public Health, said her research team initially suspected that Colorado would rank higher on the list.

It was right after the Club Q shooting and someone asked, Why is Colorado so much higher in mass shootings than other states? Barnard said, referring to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs last November that killed five people and injured 17 others. But as it turned out, she added, Colorados rate of mass shootings is right in the middle nationally.

Overall, mass shooting rates were highest in Southeastern states such as Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Barnards research found that social-related mass shootings  those that occurred at a bar, club or house party  were the most common category, making up around 27% of mass shootings from 2014 to 2022. Another 16% were crime-related, meaning they involved gangs, drugs, armed robbery, carjacking, murder, suicide or home invasion.

Domestic violence, including kidnapping, made up 11%, and around 1% were related to school or work. But Barnard said the domestic violence shooting numbers are likely undercounts because many such incidents arent reported to the police. A 2021 study found that 59% of fatal mass shootings from 2014 to 2019 were related to domestic violence.

On the whole, mass shootings arent easy to define or categorize, said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, an epidemiology professor at the University of Washington who studies violence prevention.

The border between these categories may be more porous than it may appear, Rowhani-Rahbar said. For example, a shooting in a bar or in a club that you may consider social may have some relationship with a domestic violence dispute.

But certain interventions can reduce the prevalence of mass shootings, no matter the category, he said. Rowhani-Rahbar pointed to red flag laws as one example, which allow a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms from a person who poses a danger to themselves or others.

In regards to policies associated with more mass shootings, he said, there is no doubt that looser gun laws have been shown over and over, time and time and time again, to be associated with higher rates of different forms of gun violence.

That may partly explain why mass shootings are concentrated in the Southeast, he said, and why Hawaii  a state with one of the lowest rates of household gun ownership  recorded no mass shootings.

As for North Dakota, Rowhani-Rahbar said, the population there is not very large. (The state's population is about 780,000, according to the U.S. Census.)

Overall, the U.S. saw 14.6 gun deaths  including accidents, murders and suicides  per 100,000 people in 2021, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among all types of gun violence, Barnard said, mass shootings are still relatively uncommon, so its not surprising that some states would see very few.

Media coverage of mass shootings creates this idea that these are very, very common, she said, but compared to any other type of shooting event, like suicide, homicide, it is extraordinarily rare.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has arrested one of its own sailors over an alleged plot to carry out a "terrorist attack" against a warship in Russia's Black Sea Fleet, the FSB security service said on Thursday.

It said the alleged plot was directed against "a ship...armed with high-precision weapons". The Black Sea Fleet is headquartered in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

The suspect had been "recruited by a Ukrainian intelligence service" and was caught with two home-made bombs, the FSB said in a statement. He was also suspected of passing state secrets to Ukraine.

Russia has previously brought lesser charges, such as desertion, against some of its own servicemen. But the accusations against the sailor - which include possible charges of terrorism, treason, divulging state secrets and illegally possessing explosives, were of exceptional gravity.

The statement gave no further details and it was not possible to independently verify the incident.

Separately, state media quoted the FSB earlier on Thursday as saying two alleged agents for Ukrainian intelligence had been sentenced by a Russian court to 15 years each in a harsh-regime penal colony for espionage.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan/Andrew Osborn)
(Reuters) - Two alleged agents for Ukrainian intelligence have been sentenced by a Russian court to 15 years each in a harsh-regime penal colony for espionage, Russian state media on Thursday quoted the FSB security service as saying.

The FSB did not name the accused people or say which court had passed the verdict.

Russia has frequently announced the arrests of alleged spies since launching its war in Ukraine 17 months ago.

The FSB said the defendants had been detained last year on suspicion of espionage and involvement in the deaths of Russian troops and destruction of equipment in the area of what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A second Russian aircraft flew "dangerously close" to a U.S. drone over Syria this week, just days after another Russian jet damaged another U.S. drone above the war-torn country, the White House said on Wednesday.

"We have seen the early reports of a second Russian fighter aircraft this week, flying dangerously close to our drone on a defeat ISIS mission," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a press briefing.

"We remain focused on the mission to defeat ISIS as is evident by our recent strike against an ISIS leader in Syria this month," she added.

The U.S. military said on Tuesday a Russian fighter jet hit a U.S. drone with a flare on Sunday and "severely" damaged its propeller over Syria, in violation of established protocols and international norms.

U.S. officials say that Russian jets have increased the pace of dangerous encounters with U.S. military aircraft in recent months over Syria, where forces from both countries operate.

Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2015, tipping the balance in President Bashar Al-Assad's favor. Moscow has since expanded its military facilities in the country with a permanent air base and also has a naval base.

The U.S. is leading a coalition against the Islamic State militant group and has carried out air strikes in Syria this year. Washington has in the last year stepped up raids and operations against suspected ISIS operatives in Syria.

A U.S.-led campaign killed former ISIS head Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, who had declared himself the "caliph of all Muslims", in 2019 and has since targeted its surviving leaders, many of whom are thought to have planned attacks abroad.

Islamic State controlled one-third of Iraq and Syria at its peak in 2014. Though it was beaten back in both countries, its militants continue to wage insurgent attacks.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; additional reporting by Kanishka Singh and Phil Stewart; writing by Kanishka Singh; editing by Rami Ayyub and Sandra Maler)
An Jung-ho, left, chief management officer of the Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water), attends an MOU signing ceremony between K-water and UHE in Liverpool, England, Wednesday (local time). Right is Andriy Nikolayenko, a member of Ukraine's parliament. Courtesy of Korea Water Resources Corp.



By Jun Ji-hye



The Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water) has become the first Korean public institution to join reconstruction projects for Ukraine, paving the way for enhanced cooperation between the two nations.



The state-owned company said, Thursday, that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ukrhydroenergo (UHE), the Ukrainian state-owned hydropower generating company, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday (local time).



The MOU is part of follow-up measures for President Yoon Suk Yeol promises of assistance to Ukraine during his visit to the war-torn country on July 15, after his three-day official visit to Poland.



At the time, President Yoon said he agreed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to provide a comprehensive package of security, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.



In a business forum held in Warsaw on July 14, Korea and Poland signed over 30 MOUs in areas including the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine. K-water CEO Yun Seog-dae also expressed willingness to actively participate in a project to reconstruct the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine's southern region of Kherson that was ruined and breached on June 6, sparking a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.



Under the latest MOU with UHE, K-water will share information on hydroelectric power generation and support technologies to help the reconstruction of the Kakhovka dam and the modernization of aging facilities.



"A follow-up action has been taken fast in the water resources area since the business forum in Poland," Yun said. "We will continue to expand cooperation with Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance and pushing for the reconstruction project promptly."




Owner Eyad Kawak shaves beef shawarma at Mama's Shawarma. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)

Can I have my shawarma wrap made with one side of a pita? I ask Adham Kamal, the owner of Sincerely Syria in Sherman Oaks. I gesture as if peeling the bread apart into two rounds. He nods with a knowing smile.

Its a common request that I learned from Lebanese friends. The thinner layer superbly intensifies the wraps ratios. Kamal saws off shards of beef and lamb from the rotisserie behind the restaurants counter, spreads the half-pita with tahini and rolls the meat tightly with chopped tomatoes and pickled cucumber spears. Then he griddles the bundle on a flattop, weighted with a grill press. This batch of shawarma is juicy; he sears every angle to a deep mahogany, ensuring the ingredients stay contained.

Kamal crinkles foil around the parcel before handing it over. I rip in, not wanting the crispness to steam away. He makes wraps appealingly compact, in the style he learned working at shawarma stands in Syria, where he was raised. The meat practically sprouts out. Most bites include one or both vegetables for treble brightness, but mostly the flavors boom with earthy bass rounded out by the tahini.

Owner Eyad Kawak cooks chicken kebab, beef kebab, and beef kafta at Mama's Shawarma on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Northridge, CA. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)

Sincerely Syria is one of two recently opened Syrian-run shawarma restaurants  the other is Mamas Shawarma in Northridge  that stand out in a city fueled by meat carved from revolving spikes and folded into flatbreads outlining our wealth of cultures.

If the concept of threading ones meal onto a stick and cooking it over fire is as old as humankind, the method of stacking sheer, richly seasoned slices of meat on a revolving vertical skewer was popularized with the Ottoman Empire in the 1800s.

Cevirmek means to rotate or to roast on a spit in Turkish, says Lebanese Syrian cookbook author Anissa Helou. And the word is likely to be at the root of shawarma, which, in Arab countries, describes what the Turks call doner kebab: a very large, fat kebab, once made only with pieces of lamb, but now also made with chicken.

Helou calls the renamed, yogurt-slathered adaptation by the Greeks  the gyro  the countrys most successful food marketing coup ever. In Los Angeles, decent enough gyros and doner kebabs can be found in scattered pockets. We far more revel in shawarma from the Armenian diaspora, including a nubbly, saucy pork version at Gharsi Xorovac in Valley Glen and the drippy beef Armenian Lebanese shawarma that rivals the namesake dish at Falafel Arax in Hollywood.

Owner Eyad Kawak makes a beef shawarma wrap at Mama's Shawarma. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)

Sides of ful medames (top left), tabouleh (right), and hummus (bottom) Shawarma. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)

At Lebanese restaurants like Skafs and Sunnin, with far broader, meze-heavy menus, shawarma is one among many options of individually skewered kebabs.

At Saffys in East Hollywood, Ori Menashe fashions a luxury $26 version of a shawarma sandwich, the meat singed from blazing oak logs; the Avi Cue pop-up, which Food columnist Jenn Harris wrote about recently, also leans extravagant using Wagyu beef.

And certainly, Los Angeles gained from the contributions of Lebanese immigrants to Mexico in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; their lamb shawarma traditions helped inspire the achiote-stained pork, formed into massive stacks in the shape of trompos (spinning tops), that define tacos al pastor. Chasing definitive al pastor in L.A. is a subject onto itself.

What draws me to these new San Fernando Valley shops is how they deliciously exemplify the Syrian and Lebanese street-stand styles of shawarma. One keeps its focus squarely on the main event; the other diversifies its menu without losing focus on the centerpiece dish.

Sincerely Syria stands along a busy stretch of Ventura Boulevard near the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard. (Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

Sincerely Syria

The story of Kamals narrow, handsomely spare restaurant, one of the businesses sardined into a dense commercial block of Ventura Boulevard near Van Nuys Boulevard, begins on another crowded urban corner: Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. In late 2021 he took over Hollywood Shawarma, a storefront with a few sidewalk tables squeezed between a juice bar and a tattoo studio. He had recently arrived from Venezuela, where immigrating Syrians have established a community since the late 19th century, and his prowess with the craft reinvigorated the flagging stand.

When I first tasted Kamals shawarma six months ago, I thought it was the best Id had in Southern California.

In a more comfortable setting, Sincerely Syria mirrors the same, admirably basic menu, and my opinion about Kamals skills havent budged. The two shawarma options loom among gleaming steel equipment. Their form resembles overgrown pine cones, in two distinct, woodsy tones: one is a the mix of lamb and beef, referred to as lahme in Arabic, and the other is chicken, or djej.

Marinades and spicing articulate the difference in flavors. Kamal wont divulge all his methods, but he bases the lahme seasoning on classic Syrian baharat, a spice blend that usually incorporates cumin, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon and black pepper. Lemon, garlic and chile flakes permeate the chicken.

The shawarma spits stand front and center in the open kitchen behind the counter inside Sincerely Shawarma. (Bill Addison / Los Angeles Times)

Each has its own canon sauce: tahini-based tarator for the lamb and beef, toum (whipped garlic sauce) for the chicken.

Choose between hand-held wraps, or 12- and 24-inch combo versions that come with extra pickles and fine-enough fries. The more I eat Kamals food, the more I suggest starting with the smaller, fundamental sandwich to best appreciate the proportions. Once you calibrate your tastes, you can ask for customizations: Extra toum or tahini or pickles? A handful of fries in your chicken shawarma (a popular addition in Lebanon)? No problem.

For the larger combos, Kamal relies on flour tortillas to fill in for khubz, the papery Levantine flatbread typically used for shawarma cooked on a domed griddle called a saj. Kamal has the equipment for saj bread; hes looking to move Hollywood Shawarma to a sit-down space where he could start making bread on the saj. It would take his recipe to another level altogether.

Sincerely Syria opens for lunch and doesnt close until midnight. Service can seem slow, especially in the mid-stretch of the restaurants long days. Multiple staffers might be darting behind the counter and it can still take 20 minutes, which feels protracted given the hyper speed at which Ive seen cooks slice and roll shawarma in Beirut.

Its fastest when Kamal is around, but, more important, the quality is consistent regardless of his presence. I like the chicken with extra toum, though if I was eating only one (and I can usually down two) Id go for the juicy, spice-riddled lahme.

A Beef Mama's plate, starring a beef shawarma wrap, at Mama's Shawarma. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)

Mama's Shawarma

Mother-and-son team Krstein Kantarji and Eyad Kawak came to Southern California to live near family after escaping the ongoing Syrian civil war, fleeing first to Lebanon. Mamas Shawarma began in early 2021 as a food truck, painted with leaping flames, that the pair parked adjacent to the Ralphs supermarket lot in Glendale. True to the imaging, the signature aspect of their chicken shawarma was extra-singed bits for maximum crispness, mingled with softer, well-braised pieces that allowed the lemon and garlic to hum.

In mid-2022 they paused operations before debuting a reboot in April in the Plaza Di Northridge shopping center, in a restaurant space formerly occupied by Kabob Station.

You see the slowly turning spits in the open kitchen right away. Same abiding possibilities: beef paired with tarator, chicken slicked with toum. The core options are the familiar tidy wrap sheathed in papery lavash, or the larger format served sliced with pickles and fries.

Im partial to the chicken and its pleasing gradations of crackling and yielding textures. Sometimes the beef can run a little dry, and I miss the richness that the inclusion of lamb brings. On the plus side, batons of pickled turnips, dyed fuchsia from beet juice, that set off satisfying acidic sparks.

All in all, its excellent to find Kantarji and Kawaks centerpiece dishes in a more permanent location.

Owner Eyad Kawak makes a beef shawarma wrap at Mama's Shawarma. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)

Their Northridge menu covers plenty of additional ground: appetizers such as hummus and baba ghanoush, falafel, individual kebabs, tabouleh and other salads, cheeseburgers and sandwiches made gyro-style glossed with tzatziki. Id direct you chiefly to the Syrian falafel, formed using a mold that punches a hole in the center of each ball; it looks like a cross between Indian vada and a small, extremely puffy doughnut. Its forthright with garlic and crunch.

A dish called touskieh on the menu turns out to be an alternate name for fatteh hummus, a deeply sustaining breakfast staple of chickpeas, crisped bread and pine nuts sauteed in butter. When I tried to order it Kantarji mentioned that, though it's listed, few people ask for it so she doesn't often end up prepping the dish. Id drive from the center of Los Angeles to start a weekend day when she does.

Otherwise, Im coming for shawarma.

Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Tesla service center in Costa Mesa. Reuters reports that Tesla created a team to cancel service appointments en masse for customers complaining about battery-range shortfalls. (Los Angeles Times)

Elon Musk is known for his unusual and disruptive business practices.

The latest apparent example was reported Thursday in an article by news agency Reuters: For years, Tesla reportedly has exaggerated the maximum range of the electric cars it sells. When customers' range complaints overwhelmed the company's service team, according to Reuters, Tesla created a special team to cancel those appointments and tell drivers that nothing was wrong with their cars' battery data.

The news report, which cites customers and unnamed former employees, said that the company created a "Diversion Team" in Las Vegas specifically to cancel as many range-related appointments as possible.

The team was reportedly created to address a growing problem at Tesla: Its service center growth has not kept pace with the growth in sales for Tesla cars. "Service centers were inundated with appointments from owners who had expected better performance based on the company's advertised estimates," the Reuters article said. Messages sent to customers with range-related appointments said "remote diagnostics" indicated no battery problems and thus the appointment was canceled.

Read more:Tesla says its self-driving technology may be a 'failure'  but not fraud

According to Reuters, Tesla rigged its algorithms for its range meter to give drivers a "rosy" idea of how far the car could travel on a full charge; when the battery was half-depleted, the software would show a more realistic range projection, to avoid a driver being stranded with no juice left in the battery.

Customer Alexandre Ponsin told the news agency that he bought a used 2021 Tesla Model 3 with an advertised range of 353 miles, but he found that when it was cold out he got as little as half that range. (Cold weather can reduce range on any car battery.)

Given the chance to refute or explain the range issue to Reuters, both Tesla and Elon Musk failed to respond to repeated requests for comment.

Whether Tesla's range claims violate any marketing laws is unclear. The company is under investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles for calling its driver assist software Full Self-Driving, when the car is incapable of driving itself without human assistance. On Wednesday, CNBC reported that the California attorney general is investigating claims the company has made about its Autopilot software.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PERTH, Australia (AP)  The last of nearly 100 whales that beached on the southwestern Australian coast were euthanized Wednesday after a second day of frantic, but unsuccessful efforts to rescue them, authorities said.

The pod of long-finned pilot whales stranded themselves Tuesday on Cheynes Beach east of the former whaling station of Albany in Western Australia state, south of the capital Perth.

Despite the efforts of 100 wildlife officers and 250 volunteers wearing wetsuits to protect against the Southern Hemisphere winter cold, 52 stranded whales died on the beach.

The remaining 45 were euthanized Wednesday after efforts to lead them to deeper water failed. The survivors continually returned to the shallows, the Western Australia Parks and Wildlife Service said in a statement late Wednesday.

Sadly, the decision had to be made to euthanize the remaining whales to avoid prolonging their suffering, the service said.

It was a difficult decision for all involved, however the welfare of the whales had to take precedence, it added.

The service thanked the officials and volunteers who helped with the attempt to save the whales. A storm lashed the beach with wind and rain Wednesday afternoon, and two volunteers were treated by paramedics for hypothermia, Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Peter Hartley, a manager of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions who oversaw the response, on Thursday described the decision to euthanize the survivors as incredibly hard.

Probably one of the hardest decisions of my 34 years of wildlife management. Really, really difficult, Hartley told reporters in Albany.

It was a considered and well thought out decision. And you know, we thank the support of the ... veterinarians that assisted with the assessments and the advice that they gave me to make that decision, Hartley added.

Wildlife experts speculated the beaching could be an indicator of stress or illness within the pod, but said the reasons would likely remain a mystery.

Pilot whales are highly social animals and maintain complex familial relationships with their pods from birth.

Drone footage released by the state government showed the whales clustering and forming into a heart shape before stranding themselves on the beach.

Hartley said samples would be taken from the whale carcasses for analysis before they are buried at an inland location.

We're getting requests from around the world from scientists wanting the video footage of them all huddled together on the Tuesday, Hartley said.

We're going to be learning a lot about the behavior. We're also going to be learning a great deal about the genetics, the make up of that group, were they related?" he said.

The incident was reminiscent of one last September, in which some 200 pilot whales died after a pod stranded itself on the remote west coast of the island state of Tasmania, off Australias southeastern coast.

The following month, nearly 500 pilot whales died after stranding themselves on two remote beaches in New Zealand.
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's government said on Thursday that China had released a Taiwanese citizen who had been detained on charges of spying, and that he had already left the country.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has stepped up political and military pressure over the past four years to try and enforce those sovereignty claims.

Lee Meng-chu went missing in southern China in 2019. The following year, Chinese state media reported he was an active member of a Taiwan separatist group who posed as a businessman to conceal his espionage role.

Lee was arrested when he entered China and the state media reports said he was found to have photographs and videos of Chinese military drills in the city of Shenzhen, as well as materials showing he supported anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council spokesman Jan Jyh-horng told reporters that Lee had been released by China and left the country, adding that China had not informed Taiwan of the decision and the news had come to Taiwan's government via Lee's family.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment.

Lee told the BBC's Chinese language service that upon his release he had been sent to Japan.

Lee said in the same interview that he was merely a curious tourist wrongly accused of being a spy.

"I didn't know what I did, but in order to get out early, I had to plead guilty and admit guilt," he added.

Taiwan's government, which says only the island's people can decide their future, has repeatedly warned its population to exercise caution in visiting China given the risk of arbitrary detention.

(Writing by Ben Blanchard; editing by Miral Fahmy)
FIRST ON FOX Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, is proposing a resolution to condemn Iran for killing political prisoners, crushing protests and concealing its atrocities over the past 40 years.

"Senior Iranian Government, military, judicial, and security officials have for decades ordered or committed egregious human rights violations and acts of terror," the proposed resolution states.

Goodens resolution comes as tensions in U.S.-Iran relations are intensifying  with the Islamic Republic advancing its nuclear program and seizing commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also conducted its annual military drill on Sunday with a show of force involving more than 90 bombers and drones.

US F-35 FIGHTERS ARRIVE IN MIDDLE EAST TO DETER IRAN, ASSIST MISSION IN SYRIA

Gooden's proposal "recognizes the rights of the Iranian people and their struggle to establish a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran."

Human rights activists are increasingly concerned with protests in the country. Over the past year, Iran has conducted a record-shattering number of executions, arrests and detentions, according to the U.N.s latest report.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The overall human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran has markedly deteriorated," said U.N. Deputy Human Rights Chief Nada Al-Nashif.

According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization, in the first half of 2023, at least 354 people were executed in Iran. In 2022, 582 people were executed, a 75% increase from 2021.

Gooden's resolution demands the United States government stand "with the people of Iran, who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression and condemns the brutal killing of Iranian protesters by the Iranian regime."

Demonstrators in Iran cry out in the streets.

The proposal also recognizes the abuses against women, after massive demonstrations coalesced last fall against the morality police, who murdered a woman after she violated Irans strict Islamic dress code.

"These protests are rooted in the more than four decades of organized resistance against the Iranian dictatorship, which have been led by women who have endured torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and death," the resolution reads.

STATE DEPARTMENT TO FACE CLASSIFIED HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS GRILLING OVER BIDEN IRAN ENVOY'S OPAQUE SUSPENSION

If enacted, the U.S. would attempt to "identify and prosecute the perpetrators" of the 1988 massacre in Iran, which led to the death of as many as 30,000 people. The resolution would also "pressure the Government of Iran to provide detailed information to the families of the victims about their loved ones and their final resting places."

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is attempting to curb Tehrans nuclear program and bring imprisoned Americans home. However, the status of those negotiations is unclear, as is the question of support for the Biden administration's efforts in Congress, with many Republicans saying the White House is offering Tehran too much in return for far too little.

Still, House Republicans and Democrats have introduced several pieces of legislation condemning Iran in 2023. On Jan. 25, 2023, the House agreed to H.Con. Res.7  condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses against Iranians who were peacefully demonstrating in more than 133 cities.
The family of the American soldier being held in North Korea after crossing into the country during a tour of the DMZ last week is saying that "America should fight for him" to come home as the "days are getting longer" without their loved one.

Travis Kings uncle and sister made the remarks to "NBC News" after a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Wednesday there have been "no updates or news to share" about the 23-year-old privates status.

"When he went to the Army to fight for America, America should fight for him, fight for him to come home," Myron Gates, his uncle, told the network.

It was also reported that Kings family members have been in contact with the supportive parents of Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student who died in 2017 after falling into a yearlong coma following brain damage he suffered while in North Korean custody.

STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS NO NEW COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN US, NORTH KOREA OVER TRAVIS KING

"That's my worst fear, that my little nephew comes back like that," Myron Gates told "NBC News." "I hope he comes back the same way he went in."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"At the end of the day, I just feel like it should be no men left behind," added sister Jaqueda Gates, who also said "The days are getting longer, nights are worse."

"All I think about is what he can be doing," she told the network.

On Wednesday, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said "What I will just reiterate again is what I said yesterday, is that his well-being and getting as much information as we possible about his status and well-being continues to be a top priority for the United States."

NORTH KOREA ISSUES RATE INVITATION TO RUSSIAN, CHINESE DELEGATIONS FOR ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN WAR ARMISTICE

Earlier in the week, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said there has been "no new communication" with North Korea over King.

"On our side, as I said last week, we have a number of channels through which were able to send messages to them," he said. "Weve delivered the messages to North Korea, but we have as yet not received a response."

King joined the Army in January 2021 and is currently a cavalry scout with the 4th Infantry Division, a U.S. Army spokesperson previously has told Fox News.

A U.S. Forces Korea spokesperson said King was on a joint security area orientation tour last Tuesday when he "willfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK)."

King was to be separated from the military and was supposed to go back to the U.S., according to an official that spoke to Fox News, but he missed his flight.

Fox News Peter Aitken and Liz Friden contributed to this report.
By Tarek Amara

TUNIS (Reuters) -The Tunisian coast guard recovered 901 bodies of drowned migrants off its coast from Jan. 1 to July 20 this year, the country's interior minister, Kamel Feki, said on Wednesday, marking an unprecedented number of victims off the country's coasts.

The North Africa country is facing a record wave of migration this year and frequent catastrophes of the sinking of boats of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa heading to Italian coasts.

Tunisia replaced Libya as the region's main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe.

Feki told parliament that among 901 bodies found were 36 Tunisians and 267 foreigner migrants, while identities of the rest were unknown.

Most of the boats carrying migrants depart from the coast of the southern city of Sfax.

Thousands of undocumented migrants have flocked to the coastal city of Sfax in recent months with the goal of setting off for Europe in boats run by human traffickers, leading to an unprecedented migration crisis for Tunisia.

Some 75,065 boat migrants had reached Italy by July 14 against 31,920 in the same period last year, official data showed. More than half left from Tunisia.

The European Union and Tunisia signed in July a "strategic partnership" deal that includes combating human traffickers and tightening sea borders during a sharp increase in boats leaving the North African nation for Europe.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Leslie Adler and Diane Craft)
(Reuters) - Ukrainian forces pressed their counteroffensive through the Russian-occupied southeast on Thursday, capturing the village of Staromaiorske in a campaign to drive a wedge through Russian defensive positions.

The counteroffensive has focused on securing villages on the southward push and areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut, taken by Russian forces in May after months of battles. Ukrainian officials have reported slow, steady progress.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged intensified Ukrainian attacks over the last few days, but said they had made no headway. He told Russian television that every Ukrainian assault had been beaten back, and that Moscow's forces had inflicted significant losses on their opponents.

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Ukraine had deployed additional Western-trained troops to at least one axis in the counteroffensive, but had held back some. Media reports spoke of a new phase in the drive.

A video posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Telegram channel showed Ukrainian soldiers celebrating the capture of Staromaiorske in the southeast.

"The 35th brigade and the 'Ariy' territorial defence unit have fulfilled their task and liberated the village of Staromaiorske. Glory to Ukraine!" said a soldier in the video that Reuters was unable to immediately geolocate.

The village lies to the south of a cluster of small settlements that Ukraine recaptured along the Mokri Yaly River as the counteroffensive began.

"Our defenders are now continuing to clear the settlement," said Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar declaring Staromaiorske liberated.

Reuters could not independently verify battlefield reports.

Zelenskiy has said that the counteroffensive is proceeding more slowly than he would like but warned people not to expect rapid results akin to a movie scene.

Zelenskiy on Wednesday had obliquely hailed "very good results" on the battlefield, while giving no details.

PRESIDENT TOURS EAST, SOUTH

On Thursday, he toured southern and eastern regions, including the major city of Dnipro and the port of Odesa, where he discussed damage to port facilities from Russian air strikes, and the town of Ochakiv, subject to frequent Russian shelling.

In his nightly video address, he said little about the front, other than praising the recapture of Staromaiorske.

Ukrainian military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko said the new focus of Ukrainian efforts on the southward drive was Staromlynivka, a village less than 5 km (three miles) away.

"It really serves as a stronghold for the Russian occupiers, the peak of the second defensive line in this location," he said in an interview with the RBC UA media outlet.

The drive southward is aimed at severing the land bridge Russian forces have created linking areas occupied in the east in the 17-month-old invasion and Crimea - annexed in 2014.

Despite gains achieved by Ukrainian troops, mostly in the northeast and far south late last year, Russia still holds about 20 percent of Ukraine's land.

On Wednesday, three different media outlets cited unidentified U.S. officials as saying Ukraine had launched a new phase of its ambitious counteroffensive.

Asked about these reports, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine's defence minister, told Reuters that "there is nothing new" happening at front lines. "In the south, we are moving forward slowly but surely," he said.

In the east, Russia's defence ministry said Russian forces had repelled Ukrainian attacks around the village of Klishchiivka, which occupies elevated ground near Bakhmut, and north of Robotyne on the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region.

In her account, deputy minister Maliar wrote on Telegram that Ukrainian forces were "gradually moving forward" near Bakhmut, and that fighting was continuing near Klishchiivka and two other villages.

Maliar also said Ukraine had beaten back Russian attacks on two northern fronts near Kupiansk and Lyman.

(Reporting by Max Hunder and Felix Light; Writing by Ron Popeski, Editing by Mark Heinrich and Grant McCool)
(Corrects "Islands" to "country" in the first paragraph to make clear reference was to Papua New Guinea)

By Kirsty Needham

(Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Thursday during a visit to Papua New Guinea that the United States was not seeking a permanent base in the Pacific country but would boost the nation's capability under a new defence agreement.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the United States signed a defence cooperation agreement in May that sets a framework for the U.S. to refurbish PNG ports and airports for military and civilian use over 15 years.

Austin met PNG Prime Minister James Marape on the first visit by a U.S. defence chief, to discuss deepening ties and announce a U.S. Coast Guard vessel would arrive in August under a separate maritime law enforcement deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in PNG on Thursday evening, the first visit by a French leader. Macron warned in a speech on Thursday in Vanuatu of a "new imperialism" appearing in the Pacific region, testing the maritime and financial sovereignty of small nations.

"Foreign ships fish illegally here. In the region, many loans with Leonine conditions strangle up development," he said.

The United States and its allies are seeking to deter Pacific Islands nations from establishing security ties with China, a major infrastructure lender to the region, a rising concern amid tension over Taiwan, and after Beijing signed a security pact with Solomon Islands.

The U.S. Coast Guard is boosting its presence in the region under bilateral agreements to patrol the vast exclusive economic zones of island states, although Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have blocked U.S. Coast Guard port calls.

Marape said PNG's second-largest city of Lae, a major cargo port, has been designated as a U.S. base for disaster management.

"I just want to be clear, we are not seeking a permanent base in PNG," Austin told a press conference in the capital, Port Moresby.

The text of the defence agreement shows that it allows the staging of U.S. forces and equipment in PNG.

Austin said the two countries would modernise PNG's defence force and boost interoperability.

"Our goal is to make sure we strengthen PNG's ability to defend itself and protect its interest," he said.

PNG's parliament has yet to ratify the defence deal, which has been questioned by some opposition politicians concerned about upsetting major trading partner China. Marape said his government prioritised diplomacy.

"In the Pacific we are not about war, we are about peace, tolerance and of course promoting our values of democracy, Christianity ... The USA has always been showing that character also in their global footprint," he said.

"USA do not need PNG's ground to be a launching pad," he told reporters in response to questions.

"They have bases in Philippines, in Korea, elsewhere, much closer to China," he added.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Tom Hogue and Michael Perry)
President Yoon Suk Yeol applauds to a veteran who fought in the 1950-1953 Korean War during a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the war's armistice in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap



'New Cold War' narrative heightens amid 70th anniv. of ceasefire



By Nam Hyun-woo



South and North Korea each commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War alongside their respective allies, symbolizing the growing narrative of a "new Cold War" between blocs in the Northeast Asian region.



Large-scale events marking the ceasefire took place in Seoul and Pyongyang.



In South Korea, delegates from 22 countries that sent troops to fight in the war participated in a commemoration ceremony in Busan, which served as the South's provisional capital during the war. They include New Zealand's Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and a number of government officials of countries.



During the event, a parade was held for 62 veterans who fought under the United Nations flag to honor their heroic service.



President Yoon Suk Yeol also attended the commemorative event, expressing his gratitude for the veterans and the importance of solidarity between countries that share universal values.



"As a responsible member of the international community, South Korea will unite with liberal democracies and work towards the freedom, peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the rest or the world, with the Seoul-Washington alliance serving as the linchpin of these efforts," Yoon said.



A day earlier, South Korea held a ceremony marking the return of the remains of seven soldiers killed during the war, and Yoon also attended the event to pay his respect to the deceased soldiers.



In the United States, President Joe Biden expressed Washington's strong commitment to its alliance with Seoul.



"It was a solemn reminder that our alliance was not born out of shared borders but shared beliefs  including democracy, security and freedom," Biden said in a proclamation on National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, Wednesday (local time), referring to Yoon and his visit to the Korean War Veterans Memorial in April.



"And they remain the source of our shared strength  keeping the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States the linchpin of peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and, increasingly, around the world."



Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general, also said, Wednesday (local time), "We would like to see a resumption of the diplomatic dialogue as an effort to lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula and lead ultimately to the verifiable denuclearization of the peninsula."











North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, during their visit to a military exhibition in North Korea, Wednesday, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Thursday. Yonhap
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Federal prosecutors on Thursday accused a former Tennessee state senator of intentionally delaying his sentencing after the Republican unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw his guilty plea to federal campaign finance laws.

Earlier this spring, Brian Kelsey announced that he pleaded guilty with an unsure heart and confused mind" due to events in his personal life  his father had abruptly died in February, and he and his wife were caring for their twin sons born in September. He has since replaced his legal team and sought to prove that he was given bad legal advice.

Kelsey had entered a guilty plea before a federal judge in November in the case related to a failed 2016 congressional campaign. Kelsey had previously pleaded not guilty  often describing his case as a political witch hunt." But he changed his mind shortly after his co-defendant, Nashville social club owner Joshua Smith, pleaded guilty to one count under a deal that required him to cooperate fully and truthfully with federal authorities.

However, in May, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw denied Kelsey's plea reversal and later ordered Kelsey and his new legal team to appear in person at the Nashville federal courthouse on Thursday to finalize when the sentencing hearing could be set.

A visibly impatient Crenshaw noted several times that Thursday was originally supposed to be Kelsey's sentencing hearing but that the court was unable to do so because of the switch up in legal teams,

I need some explanation on what happened, Crenshaw said.

Alex Little, an attorney now representing Kelsey, responded that a great deal of back and forth had occurred with Kelsey's former attorneys after Crenshaw's May decision denying the withdrawal of the guilty plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Klopf compared switching up attorneys similar to throwing a wrench in the gears again.

It does feel like a delay tactic at this point, she said.

After going and back forth, Crenshaw set Aug. 11 as Kelsey's new sentencing date.

In October 2021, a federal grand jury in Nashville indicted Kelsey and Smith, who owns The Standard club, on several counts each. The indictment alleged that Kelsey, Smith and others violated campaign finance laws by illegally concealing the transfer of $91,000  $66,000 from Kelseys state Senate campaign committee and $25,000 from a nonprofit that advocated about legal justice issues  to a national political organization to fund advertisements urging support of Kelseys congressional campaign.

Prosecutors allege that Kelsey and others caused the national political organization to make illegal and excessive campaign contributions to Kelsey by coordinating with the nonprofit on advertisements, and that they caused the organization to file false reports to the Federal Election Commission.

Kelsey, a 44-year-old attorney from Germantown, was first elected to the General Assembly in 2004 as a state representative. He was later elected to the state Senate in 2009.
NEW YORK  With Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in Tampa for simulated games, barring a setback, the reported plan is for the slugger to return on Friday in Baltimore.

The story was published by The New York Post in the middle of Aaron Boones pregame press conference on Wednesday, which prompted a question directly asking if there is a plan in place to activate Judge on Friday.

No, Boone said of the report before the conclusion of the Subway Series. I wouldnt rule anything out, but I think were kind of taking it day by day and huddling up at the end of the day and seeing what the next steps are. But right now, its seeing how we came out of today and how that went and where were at and if we need to keep doing more.

Boone has repeatedly said that the Yankees are not ruling anything out  or similar phrases  when asked about various target dates for Judges return throughout his rehab process. Shortly after his press conference, Boone was asked during batting practice if he had any new information. He said he didnt.

When showed the Posts story, a Yankees spokesperson told reporters that a Friday return was news to him. A source separately told The New York Daily News that no decision has been made on activating Judge on Friday, but that doesnt mean it wont happen.

Newsdays Erik Boland also reported that Judge was seen clearing out his locker and loading items into his car at the Yankees minor league complex after his simulated game Wednesday.

The Yankees often keep injury updates and information close to the vest, and the team has avoided ruling out multiple timelines  even unlikely ones  for Judges return. Judge has been out since June 3, which is when he hurt his toe while making a spectacular catch at Dodger Stadium.

The Yankees offense, meanwhile, has crashed without the reigning MVP.

Boone did say that Judge hit a home run during a sim game on Tuesday. He also ran the bases and played the field, though he didnt see any action on defense.

The manager did not have a report on Judges Wednesday sim game when he spoke to reporters, but Boone planned on talking to the slugger later in the day.
A United Airlines pilot had his license suspended after turning up drunk to work a flight from Paris to Washington-Dulles on Sunday.

French media reports that the pilot, identified as Henry W., received a six month suspended prison sentence and was fined 4,500 euros in addition to having his license suspended for a year.

According to local media, the pilot had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.132%  more than three times the legal limit set by the Federal Aviation Administration and six times the maximum set by Europes aviation regulator.

United Airlines did not confirm specific details of the incident, but in a statement to USA TODAY did acknowledge that it happened.

The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We hold all our employees to the highest standards and have a strict no-tolerance policy for alcohol. This employee was immediately removed from service and we are fully cooperating with local authorities, the airline said.

Better than airplane food? British Airways passengers get KFC instead of regular meals after catering mishap

Reports in French media said police told the court that the pilot showed obvious signs of drunkenness at the airport, including staggering around and glassy eyes.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: United Airlines pilot suspended after arriving drunk for flight
Sergei Karpukh/Reuters

Russia is sending free grain to its allies in Africa.

Putin vowed to ship grain to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia, and Zimbabwe this week.

That comes shortly after Russia attacked a key Ukrainian port, which sent wheat prices soaring.

Russia is working to cement ties with its African allies, with President Vladimir Putin promising free grain to six African countries this week.

Russia will ship 25,000-50,000 tons of grain each to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia, and Zimbabwe, Putin said at the St. Petersburg Russia-Africa summit on Thursday.

The proposed donations appear to be a reward for Russia's close African allies, particularly as wheat prices rise. Most nations on the receiving end of shipments are on good terms with Moscow, as many have held back from criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnangagwa said the nation was grateful for the gift, though he noted Zimbabwe is "not in any grain deficit at all," Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, African countries that are currently experiencing a food crisis, such as Sudan and Chad, were excluded from Russia's list of recipients.

Russia's gifts come amid a surge in wheat prices, with soft-red winter wheat futures spiking 8% and hard-red wheat spiking 5% last week after Russia exited Black Sea Grain Initiative and bombed the port of Odesa, impacting key Ukrainian grain facilities.

At the summit, Putin defended Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain deal, arguing that the deal wasn't delivering supplies to countries in the most need.

Meanwhile, Russia has threatened to attack ships headed into the area, on the basis that they could be carrying weapons.

Russia's actions could easily spark a global food crisis, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned, given the world's reliance on Ukrainian grain. Ukraine is the world's seventh-largest wheat producer, UN data shows, with the country often being referred to as the "breadbasket of Europe."

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Leonardo Benassatto and Ana Mano

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -At least eight people were killed and nearly a dozen were injured after a grain silo explosion on Wednesday at an agricultural co-operative in southern Brazil, the government of Parana state where the incident occurred and the company involved said on Thursday.

The blast happened at the C.Vale co-operative in the small town of Palotina, about 600 km (370 miles) from the state's capital Curitiba. Parana is one of Brazil's top farm states.

C.Vale said in a statement that cause of the explosion cannot be determined at this time as rescue workers were still looking for a missing person.

A company spokesperson said seven of those who died were foreign workers, mostly Haitians, and one was Brazilian.

C.Vale said the silo where the explosion occurred stored about 12,000 metric tons of soybeans and 40,000 metric tons of corn.

The company, which stores grains in 125 units across five Brazilian states and in Paraguay, had said earlier in the day nearly a dozen people had been hospitalized after the blast, excluding the fatalities.

Jose Ricken, president of Parana's farm cooperative group OCEPAR, told reporters that this was an isolated case, adding there had been no such incidents in the area "in a long time."

A similar explosion took place in 1993, C.Vale confirmed.

Ricken declined to speculate on the causes of the explosion, deferring questions to authorities as investigations are ongoing.

Grain dust particles are highly combustible and can cause fires or explosions in confined spaces such as grain storage facilities, although it is unclear what happened in this case.

The particles can be from wheat, oats, barley, or other types of grain that form layers or become airborne in an enclosed space. Research shows corn starch is one of the most dangerous and volatile.

Fire Department official Manoel Vasco said dogs were helping in the search for the missing worker potentially trapped under the rubble and grains.

Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva both posted on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that they received news of the explosion and deaths with sadness.

Acting Parana Governor Darci Piana headed to Palotina, a city of some 35,000 people, alongside state secretaries to follow the rescue operations and provide support to the families, the government said.

(Reporting by Leonardo Benassatto and Ana Mano; Writing by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Alison Williams and Bill Berkrot)
(AFP/Getty)

A leading insurance company has apologised after wrongly telling customers with travel policies that any holidays booked to anywhere in Greece after 23 July would not be covered.

In a Q&A posted on its website, Admiral posed the question: Am I covered if I already have a policy with you?

When a calamity like the wildfires in Rhodes occurs, standard practice for travel insurers is to remove cover for risks associated with the event  but only for trips booked after the situation is known.

In the first part of its answer, Admiral confirmed this: Travel insurance covers unforeseen events. The wildfires have had widespread media attention since the weekend, meaning from Sunday 23 July, it was considered an anticipated event.

But the insurer went on to say: You arent covered if you booked a trip to Greece from this date.

This apparently draconian move sparked alarm among many policyholders. One, named Robbie, asked on Twitter: Would I be insured to go to Greece in September on my annual policy. Not booked yet but fancy Greece (still). Will this rule last long?

The Independent contacted Admiral on their behalf. A spokesperson said: In our haste to ensure customers had relevant information regarding the wildfires, we did include some incorrect information on our website.

We can confirm that customers buying our travel insurance after 23 July would be covered under normal terms and conditions if they travel to Greece and make a claim that is not related to the current risks presented by the wildfires.

We have urgently updated the website and apologise for any misunderstanding we have caused to our customers.

The Foreign Office says in its latest travel advice for Greece: If you are due to travel to an area that might be affected by wildfires, contact your travel operator or accommodation provider before you travel to check that it is not currently impacted.

Make sure you have appropriate insurance.

September is widely regarded as the ideal time to visit Greece, with lower air temperatures and the Mediterranean at its warmest.
Former president Donald Trump on Thursday urged people following him on his Truth Social website not to heed legitimate news outlets reporting on the looming indictment that could soon be approved against him by a Washington, DC grand jury.

Mr Trump took to his bespoke social media platform in the early afternoon to confirm that his defence team had concluded what he described as a productive meeting with Department of Justice representatives, including Jack Smith, the special counsel currently supervising multiple investigations into his conduct.

He also stated that his legal team spent the session explaining in detail that [he] did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of [him] would only further destroy our Country.

The former president, who on 18 July admitted that prosecutors had notified him that he is a target of Mr Smiths investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the January 6 attack on the Capitol, is understood to be facing the possibility of charges under three federal criminal statutes: conspiracy to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under colour of law, and witness tampering.

While Mr Trumps lawyers were reportedly told to expect that the grand jury will vote in favour of approving charges against him, the ex-president said no indication of notice was provided to his counsel and closed his missive with an exhortation to his followers: Do not trust the Fake News on anything!

The grand jury that could vote on charges against Mr Trump was understood to be meeting with the possibility of being asked to vote on Thursday.

A source close to Mr Trump told The Independent that the ex-presidents defence team was not given any guidance on when an indictment might be returned, even though they were told one should be expected. According to multiple reports, court employees have said the grand jury did not vote on any indictments on Thursday and no votes were expected during the days session.

The ex-president is already a defendant in two other criminal matters that are set to go to trial next year  a case in his former home state of New York over falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to an adult film star in 2016, and a federal indictment brought against him in the Southern District of Florida for allegedly unlawfully retaining national defence information and obstructing justice. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.

Additionally, a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia is also expected to vote on charging Mr Trump and others in his orbit for crimes committed as he attempted to reverse Peach State election results after he became the first Republican presidential candidate in decades to lose there.

Mr Smith, who in November was appointed to supervise the multiple federal probes into the ex-president by US Attorney General Merrick Garland, has been presenting evidence to a Washington DC grand jury regarding Mr Trumps efforts to remain in office despite having lost the 2020 election to President Joe Biden.

The grand jurors, who meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays and were seen arriving at the E Barrett Prettyman courthouse around the same time Mr Trumps lawyers were reported to have arrived at Mr Smiths offices, have heard from numerous top ex-Trump administration officials, including former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, ex-Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration head Chris Krebs, and former vice president Mike Pence.
Lee Joon-il, left, director-general for North Korean nuclear affairs at South Korea's foreign ministry, and U.S. Deputy Special Representative for North Korea Jung Pak pose for a photo during their meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul on July 26, in this photo provided by the ministry. Yonhap



The United States and South Korea held a working group meeting on North Korea's cyber threat this week, the state department said Wednesday, amid their joint efforts to cut off illicit funds from being funneled into the North's illegal weapons development programs.



The working group meeting was held in South Korea on Wednesday (Korea time), led by U.S. Deputy Special Representative for North Korea Jung Pak and her South Korean counterpart, Lee Jun-il, according to the state department.



"The Republic of Korea (ROK) hosted the 4th U.S.-ROK Working Group on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Cyber Threat on July 26," the department said in a press release, referring to South and North Korea by their official names.



"The meeting underscores the close collaboration between the U.S. and ROK governments to disrupt the DPRK's ability to generate revenue for its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs," it added.



The allies have stressed the need to expose and prevent North Korea's cyber theft, with South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, noting earlier this month that Pyongyang stole at least $700 worth virtual assets in 2022 alone.



"The United States and ROK are pursuing a wide range of actions to address the DPRK's malicious cyber activity, including its theft of virtual currencies, and DPRK information technology workers working abroad by fraudulently posing as non-DPRK nationals," the state department said.



"The U.S.-ROK working group discussed how to more effectively partner with foreign governments and industry leaders to raise awareness of the threat posed by DPRK cyber actors and to increase information sharing between governments and the private sector on cyber security issues," it added.



Pak and Lee also held separate one-on-one consultations on the North's nuclear issue and denounced Pyongyang's continued ballistic missile provocations as violations of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions that threaten regional and world peace, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.



The two sides stressed the role of China and Russia in bringing North Korea to the negotiating table as permanent members of the UNSC, the ministry said.



They also agreed to keep close tabs on Pyongyang as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the 1950-53 Korean War and to respond sternly to any additional provocations.



Delegations from China and Russia were invited to North Korea this week to attend celebrations for the armistice anniversary, marking the country's first official guests from abroad since border lockdowns were imposed in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap)


By Sarah N. Lynch and Jacqueline Thomsen

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) -Donald Trump said his attorneys met on Thursday with U.S. Justice Department officials investigating the Republican former president's attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, in a sign that another set of criminal charges could come soon.

An official at the federal court in Washington, where the grand jury investigating Trump is sitting, said that no indictments would be handed down on Thursday.

But it is not uncommon for defense attorneys to meet with federal prosecutors before an indictment, as Trump's team did four days before he was charged with mishandling classified documents in a separate case in June.

Trump is the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges and has already been indicted twice this year, once in New York over hush-money payments to a porn star and once already over the classified documents.

The charges have not hurt Trump's standing as the front-runner in the race for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 election.

On the contrary, Trump's lead over nearest rival Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has grown. A Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month showed Trump leading DeSantis 47%-19% among Republicans, a wider lead than his 44%-29% lead before the first indictment in New York in March.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the Department of Justice had not told his attorneys when action was likely.

"My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country," Trump said. "No indication of notice was given during the meeting."

U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith is investigating actions by Trump to try to reverse his loss to Biden in the 2020 election, which Trump persists in falsely claiming was the result of widespread fraud.

Officials have testified that during his final months in office, Trump pressured them with false fraud claims. His supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in a Jan. 6, 2021, bid to stop Congress from certifying Biden's win.

TRUMP HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO OTHER CHARGES

Trump has sought to portray the many investigations he has faced over his years in politics as politically motivated witch hunts. He denies any wrongdoing.

Trump pleaded not guilty in Miami last month to federal charges of unlawfully retaining the classified government documents after leaving office in 2021 and obstructing justice. Prosecutors accused him of risking some of the most sensitive U.S. national security secrets.

Trump, 77, also pleaded not guilty in the separate case brought by New York prosecutors who accuse him of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she said she had with him.

A Georgia prosecutor is also investigating attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn his defeat in that state to Biden in the 2020 election.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Jacqueline Thomsen, writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone and Howard Goller)
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez said on Wednesday he still had concerns about the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, and had not changed his hold on the sale of the aircraft.

There is "nothing new," Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Reuters at the Capitol. "We continue to raise our concerns."

During the informal review process for major weapons sales, the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees can put "holds" on the deals, stopping them over issues including human rights concerns.

Menendez has long opposed the potential sale of the F-16s to Turkey over issues including Turkey's resistance to the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership, concerns about human rights abuses and Turkish overflights of Greek airspace.

NATO member Turkey requested in October 2021 to buy $20 billion of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes. President Joe Biden's administration supports the sale.

Ankara had held out on the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership for months, accusing Stockholm of doing too little against people Turkey sees as terrorists, mainly Kurdish members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). But President Tayyip Erdogan said on July 10 he would forward the ratification to parliament when it reopens in the autumn.

Menendez spoke more about Turkey later on Wednesday during a confirmation hearing for Biden's nominee to be assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

"Sweden still hasn't received a vote from Turkey even though Erdogan said, 'Yes, OK, Sweden should be in.' He could have called the parliament. He could have had the vote. He hasn't had it," Menendez said.

Menendez also cited concern about Turkey's relations with Greece, asking, "How does it work for us to have one NATO ally be belligerent to another and someone sell them F-16s?"

A State Department spokesperson said the department would continue consultation.

The spokesperson said Biden has long been clear that he supports the sale. "This is about facilitating NATO interoperability and is in the U.S. national interest," the spokesperson said.

(This July 26 story has been refiled to remove stray letters in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Philip Pullella

(Reuters) -The Vatican and Vietnam have agreed to have a Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi, they said on Thursday, a step years in the making that could lead to full diplomatic relations with the communist-run country and provide a model for ties with China.

The move, first reported by Reuters on July 16, was announced shortly after Pope Francis received Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in a private audience.

It is the result of work by a joint working group that began in 2009.

A joint statement said the two sides wished "to continue advancing bilateral relations".

According to a senior Holy See official, the Vatican has officially but privately also asked China to allow a permanent papal representative in Beijing.

Vatican officials hope that Vietnam's acceptance could help to persuade Beijing to do the same, diplomats told Reuters.

Relations between the Vatican and China have been difficult following an agreement in 2018 on the appointment of bishops that the Vatican says China has violated several times. It says an office with a representative in Beijing could avoid future problems.

Vietnam broke off relations with the Vatican after the communists took over the reunited country at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. The authorities then viewed the Catholic Church in Vietnam as having been too close historically to the former colonial power, France.

Parts of the joint statement echoed arguments the Vatican has used to try to convince China to move forward with relations, such as the capacity of the Vietnamese to be "good Catholics and good citizens", contributing the development of the country.

Vietnam is home to nearly 7 million Catholics, about 6.6% of the population of 95 million.

Its constitution allows for freedom of religion and government media have rejected criticisms from groups such as the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a congressional watchdog that has placed Vietnam on its list of "countries of particular concern".

UCA, an independent Catholic news agency that specialises in Asia, says the government places restrictions on Catholic activities. For instance, it limits the number of parishes.

The current papal representative to Vietnam, Archbishop Marek Zalewski, is based in Singapore, where he is the Vatican nuncio (ambassador). He is allowed to make occasional working visits to Vietnam with government approval.

It was not clear who would be the new Hanoi-based representative.

The Vatican, a sovereign city-state surrounded by Rome, has diplomatic relations with about 180 countries.

(Francesco Guarascio in Hanoi; Editing by Barbara Lewis)
Citing new polling that shows most Ohioans support gun control laws like universal background checks and mandatory training to carry concealed weapons, Democratic leaders from Columbus demanded action from state lawmakers Thursday.

"The numbers don't lie when it comes to what Ohioans, both Republican and Democrat, want us to do about it," House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said.

More: Ohioans overwhelmingly support gun safety measures, but lawmakers not likely to act

Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther speaks during a press conference with city and state officials demanding gun control reforms on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse.

A Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau poll released Thursday found 92% of Ohioans support mandatory background checks for firearm purchases, 88% want mandated training for those who carry concealed weapons, and 75% support safe storage laws.

Democrats have introduced several bills in the current legislative session, but none have been voted on including:

House Bill 170, a red-flag law that would allow for temporarily removing firearms from people who are a danger to themselves or others. So far the bill has had one hearing.

House Bill 175, which would require safe storage of firearms. The bill authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of safety storage equipment. So far the bill has had one hearing.

House Bill 217, which would require that gun trigger locks be attached and provided with firearms sales by federally licensed firearms dealers. The bill has not had a hearing yet.

House Bill 218 and Senate Bill 78, which would restore to local governments authority to regulate firearms. The House bill has not had a hearing yet. The Senate bill had one hearing in May.

In recent years, Ohio lawmakers have moved in the opposite direction, choosing to remove restrictions on gun ownership and use.

The GOP-controlled legislature lowered requirements for teachers who want to keep guns in their classrooms, eliminated the legal duty to retreat during an altercation before firing a gun and removed state mandated training requirements for carrying concealed weapons.

Republicans say these changes better protect the Second Amendment and that most gun violence originates from people who aren't legal gun owners.

Failed liberal mayors like Ginther, Bibb and Lightfoot in Chicago are solely responsible for embracing the immediate release of violent felons, undermining their police force, Republican Senate spokesman John Fortney said in a statement. They would rather punish law-abiding citizens who simply want to protect themselves and their families under the Second Amendment. Vote yes on Issue 1 or these liberals will demand you hand over your firearm.

Pastor Kujenga Ashe talks to Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther following a press conference with city and state officials demanding gun control reforms on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse.

Democrats, including those who lead Columbus, say Ohio has become less safe, and new state laws restricting how cities regulate firearms potentially violate Ohio's right to home rule.

"We need the state and federal governments to step up," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said. "And if they don't have the political courage to act, they need to get out of our way."

More: Columbus council approves new gun-control law amid questions over its legality

In December, Columbus City Council unanimously passed a series of gun control ordinances that included banning magazines that hold 30 bullets or more and penalties for people who "negligently" store their firearms.

But the proposed changes are on hold because of a legal challenge by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo speaks during a press conference with city and state officials demanding gun control reforms on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse.

Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Democrats call on GOP to enact 'common sense' gun reforms
YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS. Edmon Marukyan, Ambassador-at-large of Armenia, emphasizes that there is no alternative to the negotiations between the representatives of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. In an interview with Public TV, Edmon Marukyan emphasized that the only way to address the problems of Nagorno Karabakh is the dialogue of the representatives of Nagorno Karabakh with Azerbaijan. "We have said on all platforms that we are talking about a direct dialogue between the representatives of Nagorno Karabakh and the representatives of Azerbaijan within the framework of the international mechanism. The alternative is the one that resulted in a war and defeat," said Marukyan.

He denied the accusations of the opposition that "Armenia has washed its hands of Artsakh". "There is a document of November 9, which is currently the only document that has the highest legal force, because it is a document agreed between the states, which was also signed by the president of Azerbaijan. Nagorno Karabakh is mentioned at least 4 times in that document. According to that document, there is Nagorno Karabakh, there is a contact line, it is stated that Nagorno Karabakh should have a corridor connecting to Armenia. By the way, that corridor is not only for supplying food, it is for maintaining the connection with Armenia, it is about special relations with Armenia. And this document should become a guide for future negotiations between the representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and the representatives of Azerbaijan," said Edmon Marukyan.

He cited paragraph 7 of the November 9 trilateral declaration, which states, "Internally displaced persons and refugees shall return to the territory of Nagorno Karabakh and adjacent regions under the control of the Agency of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees." "In other words, Ilham Aliyev signed a document in which he recorded that the territory of Nagorno Karabakh exists. And now our brothers and sisters of Nagorno Karabakh should not use this? There is a fact-commitment here that internally displaced persons and refugees should return to the territory of Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijan has undertaken this obligation, Russia has signed on an equal footing with us. This is a guide that should be used," said Edmon Marukyan.
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV, BBC reports.

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday.

He was promised Washington's "unwavering support" in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN's full support.

In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know.

"This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance."

"All external partners are asked not to interfere," he went on. "Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised."

Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

After the soldiers' TV announcement Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum.

He told a news conference in New Zealand that "what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution".
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. The convoy of trucks meant to deliver emergency food aid from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh is still unable to enter Lachin Corridor to reach its destination, the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister said Thursday morning.

Convoy of #Armenia waiting to enter through #Lachincorridor to #NagornoKarabakh. Meanwhile #Azerbaijan is failing to implement legally-binding order of #ICJ to ensure unimpeded access. In addition inhuman & cynical statements that game is over aired from #Baku, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan tweeted.

Convoy of #Armenia waiting to enter through #Lachincorridor to #NagornoKarabakh. Meanwhile #Azerbaijan is failing to implement legally-binding order of #ICJ to ensure unimpeded access. In addition inhuman & cynical statements that game is over aired from #Baku. pic.twitter.com/zqXqhTdDPB  Vahan Kostanyan (@VahanKostanyan) July 26, 2023

The trucks carrying 400 tons of humanitarian aid are at the Kornidzor border section awaiting a response from the Russian peacekeepers.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court  the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.
President Yoon Suk Yeol applauds veterans who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War during a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the armistice held at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, Thursday. During the opening ceremony, Yoon greeted 62 U.N. veterans who fought for South Korea. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hun



S. Korea commemorates 70th anniversary of armistice agreement



By Lee Hyo-jin



President Yoon Suk Yeol, Thursday, expressed gratitude to veterans and allied nations for their sacrifice and dedication to defend South Korea from communist forces during the 1950-53 Korean War.



"South Korea today stands on the shoulders of United Nations (U.N.) forces' sacrifices and dedication, on their blood-stained uniforms. The country was able to safeguard its freedom from the forces of communist totalitarianism through their sacrifices and dedication," he said in a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement.



Signed on July 27, 1953, the armistice or ceasefire agreement halted fighting in the Korean War, which started with an invasion by the North. But the two Koreas are still technically at war. Throughout the three-year war, about 1.95 million soldiers from 22 countries fought for South Korea under the U.N. flag.



Yoon also underscored the current role of the United Nations Command (UNC) of maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula, while serving as a platform for allied nations to swiftly provide immediate military support to South Korea in the event of war.



"South Korea will never forget the gratitude towards the allied nations that rushed to help us in difficult times, putting their lives at risk," Yoon said.





President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement held at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap



Marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement, a major ceremony was held in the port city of Busan to honor both the living and fallen heroes of the Korean War.



The event, attended by 4,000 government officials and guests including foreign and South Korean veterans, as well as their families and descendants, took place under the main theme of "Freedom by Dedication, Future by Alliance."



About 170 government representatives from 22 countries that helped South Korea in the war, along with delegations from three neutral nations  Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic  were also invited, according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.









The ceremony was held at the Busan Cinema Center, a symbolic place as the venue was formerly an airport where Task Force Smith, a U.S. unit under the United Nations (U.N.) flag, first arrived in South Korea under a mission to protect the nation against North Korea's invasion.



Among the guests were 62 foreign veterans who fought under the U.N. flag.



During the opening ceremony, Yoon greeted the veterans who paraded down the "path of heroes," escorted by honor guards of South Korea's Ministry of Defense and the United Nations Command.



The opening ceremony also featured a storytelling performance by an actor portraying a U.S. soldier about Task Force Smith's arrival in Busan. It was followed by a performance by the CBS Boys and Girls Choir, who sang "Thinking of My Brother," which used to be sung by the Navy Children's Music Corps during the war.



Dame Cindy Kiro, governor-general of New Zealand, gave an opening speech, followed by a ceremony awarding two foreign veterans  Donald Reed from the United States and late Thomas Colon Parkinson from Australia  for their wartime service.



Colin Thackery, a veteran from the United Kingdom and Patrick Finn, an American veteran, took the stage to perform the Korean folk song "Arirang," a tune he used to sing with his comrades during the war. The 93-year-old British veteran rose to fame after winning "Britain's Got Talent" in 2019.





Colin Thackery, left, a veteran from the United Kingdom and Patrick Finn, an American veteran sing the Korean folk song "Arirang" during a ceremony held to commemorate the Korean Armistice Agreement in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap



Ahead of the landmark ceremony, the South Korean president, along with government representatives from the 22 countries, visited the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. About 2,300 U.N. veterans from 11 countries are buried there, which is the only memorial cemetery for the U.N. forces in the world.



U.S. President Joe Biden proclaimed July 27, 2023 as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, stressing that the South Korea-U.S. alliance, which was formed in the wake of the Korean War, serves as the linchpin of peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.



"On this day, I encourage all Americans to reflect on the strength, sacrifices, and sense of duty of our Korean War Veterans and bestow upon them the high honor they deserve. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and give thanks to our distinguished Korean War Veterans," he said in a proclamation released on Wednesday (local time).





A Canadian veteran of the Korean War pays tribute to his fallen comrades at the U.N. memorial cemetery in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. If Azerbaijan blocks the Armenian humanitarian aid convoy from entering Lachin Corridor it would corroborate Armenias fears that Baku seeks to commit genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Thursday.

Weve asked the Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh to accept the cargo and transport it to Nagorno-Karabakh, where theres an ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the nearly 8-months blockade of the Lachin Corridor. However, Azerbaijan is obstructing the access of the humanitarian goods into Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. This conduct is incomprehensible and unacceptable, Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting.

He denied Azerbaijani allegations on Armenia using the Lachin Corridor for military purposes to be an absurd claim, and said that these false accusations are simply a pretext for Azerbaijan to illegally block the Lachin Corridor.

The humanitarian convoy of 19 trucks sent to Nagorno-Karabakh carries 100 tons of flour, 80 tons of pasta, 60 tons of sugar, 40 tons of vegetable oil, 40 tons of powdered milk, 20 tons of salt, 12 tons of baby food and 9 tons of medication.

Furthermore, the diplomatic corps in Armenia were invited to review the cargo before it was sent. So why doesnt Azerbaijan allow the goods to enter Nagorno Karabakh? Perhaps because Azerbaijans true goal is to starve the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, subject them to genocide. However, regardless of our assessment, we are waiting for the response of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and official Bakus positive reaction, because the blocking of the humanitarian cargo would only confirm fears that Baku intends to commit genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, Pashinyan said.

Access of the humanitarian cargo into Nagorno Karabakh would contribute to the peace efforts in the region and would be a positive step on the path of establishing an atmosphere of trust, he added.
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. The position of the Armenian side regarding the need to address the rights and security issues of the people of Nagorno Karabakh in the context of achieving long-term peace in the region has not changed, ARMENPRESS reports, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan stated in response to the journalists' question whether Yerevan continues to insist that there be an international mechanism for the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue, or was the Russian Foreign Minister talking about the meeting without it.

"We have repeatedly emphasized that these issues should be addressed through the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue, and the effectiveness of this dialogue can only be guaranteed through international involvement and an effective mechanism," the Foreign Minister emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan responded to the observation that after the tripartite negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, it is understood from the words of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that the topic of the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh was linked to the topic of the protection of the rights of national minorities in Armenia.

"The issue of addressing the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh has always been the cornerstone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and during the negotiations with Azerbaijan on July 25 in Moscow and in other capitals before that, the Armenian side raised and continues to raise the issue of rights and security guarantees of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In fact, it is also recorded in the tripartite declaration of November 9, 2020, where the concepts of Nagorno-Karabakh, Nagorno-Karabakh territory, and contact line with Nagorno-Karabakh are specifically mentioned. The seventh point of the same tripartite declaration also stipulates the return of refugees to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and neighboring regions, which has not been implemented by Azerbaijan so far. We are talking here about Hadrut, Shushi, Martakert, Askeran, Shahumyan, Getashen regions.

Of course, the Armenian side also records the rights of Armenians who were forcibly displaced from various settlements of Azerbaijan in 1988-1991, particularly from Baku, Kirovabad, Sumgait and other places, before that also from the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan, and the issues raised by them."

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, the problem of ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, the indigenous people of the region, is a completely different issue that cannot be related with anything else. It cannot in any way be related to other citizens, including the rights of "citizens living in the Republic of Armenia" (in the words of the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation), stipulated by international obligations and fully provided by the Republic of Armenia.

"Accordingly, during the last tripartite meeting in Moscow, there was no discussion beyond this logic, and even more so, there was no agreement," Ararat Mirzoyan concluded.
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. France calls on Azerbaijan to fulfill its international obligations, in particular, to fulfill the February 22 decision of the International Court of Justice and to ensure free movement through the Lachin Corridor, ARMENPRESS reports, this was emphasized in the statement issued by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs regarding the blocking of the Lachin corridor.

"France expresses its regret on the occasion of Azerbaijan's persistent blocking of the Lachin Corridor, which contradicts the obligations undertaken under the ceasefire agreement and harms the negotiation process," the statement said.

France expresses its full support for the July 26 statement of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy regarding the humanitarian situation affecting the population of Nagorno Karabakh.

"France calls on Azerbaijan to fulfill its international obligations, in particular, to apply the provisional measures mentioned in the decision of the International Court of February 22, which are mandatory. France calls for the restoration of the free movement of cargo, people and goods in both directions through the Lachin Corridor and the continuous supply of gas and electricity to the population," the Ministry's statement said.

The statement also recalls the message of the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs during his visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan at the end of April: France, together with the EU, remains fully committed to the establishment of a stable and just peace in the region.

On July 26, 361 tons of humanitarian aid was sent from Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh in 19 trucks. On July 26, the humanitarian aid reached Kornidzor, the entrance to Lachin Corridor. Armenia requested that the representatives of the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh accept the cargo and transport it to Nagorno-Karabakh, where a humanitarian crisis has been established as a result of the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor for 8 months.
Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) has been chosen by the Australian federal government as the preferred tenderer to supply 129 AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles to the Australian Army. The decision was reported by Peter Roberts on aumanufacturing.com.au. The new vehicles will be manufactured in Australia at Hanwha's newly constructed facilities located at Avalon Airport in Geelong, Victoria.

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Hanwha AS21 Redback IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle during trial tests in Australia (Picture source: Australian MoD)

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, stated that the LAND 400 Phase 3 project is valued between $5 billion and $7 billion, making it one of the largest capability acquisition initiatives in the history of the Australian Army. HDA revealed that their manufacturing partners for the project include Bisalloy, an armor steel manufacturer based in NSW, and Elphinstone, a heavy equipment manufacturer from Tasmania. Local firms Penske and Corvus in Victoria will also be involved, along with major foreign companies like Elbit Systems, Plasan, and Northrop Grumman.

Richard Cho, the Managing Director of HDA, expressed his excitement about the selection of the Redback for the Australian Army, emphasizing that it was custom-designed and built to cater specifically to the needs of the soldiers. He further highlighted that this selection strengthens the ties between Australia and the Republic of Korea.

HDA will collaborate with the Commonwealth to finalize the contract and ensure the best possible outcome for the Australian Army. Son Jaeil, President, and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, the parent company of HDA, emphasized the significant implications of Hanwha's selection as the preferred tenderer for the Land 400 Phase 3 project on Korea-Australia defense and economic cooperation. He also noted that producing the world's first 5th-generation IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) is a game-changer for Australian Defense capability, and they are eager to be true partners with Australia in this program alongside LAND 8116 Phase 1.

Hanwha AS21 Reback IFV

Land 400Phase 3 is an $18 to $ 27 billion project tasked to acquire a fleet of tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles that will replace the aging M113AS4 fleet. This is the first time the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will have a dedicated Infantry Fighting Vehicle and will be the cornerstone of the Army's Close Combat Capability. Close Combat Capability is the chief contribution of the Army to combat operations.

Team Redback is a group of companies led by Hanwha Defense Australia that will deliver the best-of-breed technologies from around the world and Australia. Team Redback currently includes Electro Optic Systems, Elbit, ECLIPS, Milspec, Bisalloy, Soucy, Marand and CBG Systems and continues to expand rapidly.

Hanwhas AS21 Redback is a next-generation IFV developed specifically for the Australian Infantry with advantages literally built into it from the ground up. Equipped with advanced situational awareness systems normally found on jet fighters such as see-through vision and helmet slaved systems, the Redback rides on rubber tracks that reduce noise and vibration while offering superior ride quality for its crew and the soldiers it protects. The vehicle boasts an advanced layered protection system including Elbits active protection system, Plasans world-class armour, and a structure designed to protect occupants from the effects of a blast. All this is supported by an independent suspension system that does not use torsion bars, thus supplying more volume for innovative blast mitigation systems which remove the dependence on old-fashioned suspended footrests and other design constraints. The Redbacks Australian turret has Active Protection Systems, onboard training systems and situational awareness technology all brought together for the first time in a dedicated IFV turret designed right from the start around the infantry soldier.

Redbacks main armament is an Mk44S Bushmaster II 30mm cannon capable of firing all kinds of 30mm x 173mm ammunition in service with 19 nations, including the US, the UK, and other allies and NATO forces. The cannon fires ammunition from numerous providers, including advanced munitions such as proximity fused rounds. Every cannon is fitted with a fuse setter for programmable rounds such as programmable air burst munition and proximity fused rounds. It can also be rapidly upgraded to the 40mm Supershot by exchanging three parts, giving increased lethality without the need to modify the turret or cannon. The Redback is also armed with a 7.62mm co-axially mounted machine gun, and the Electro-Optic Systems remote weapon station can be fitted with a range of weapons including a 7.62mm machine gun, a .50calibre machine and an automatic grenade launcher.

Various technologies are showcased including an Australian developed T2000 turret that was test-fired as part of the RMA trials. Australian-owned and operated company Electro Optic Systems has developed and will manufacture and support the T2000 turret in Australia. It combines the proven Elbit MT30 Mk2 turret with EOS fire control and electro-optic technology. This provides a sovereign capability to maintain and update the key turret systems in Australia.

Defense News July 2023
The writer is a senior foreign correspondent and the author of Sri Lanka: The New Country

Our fishermen face highly restricted access to traditional fishing grounds

Fisheries is a state subject, Tamil Nadu is not governed by Mr Modis BJP. And yet, the subject was on the agenda in New Delhi last week. (Representational Image: DC)

The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is like a game of cards, played at the same table, several times a year, with both sides especially coveting three particular cards. These are the China Card, the Tamil Card and the Fishermen Card. All three were in evidence during Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghes first official India trip last week.

The China card: Chinas near-acquisition of Sri Lanka began under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He told this writer that China came in with investment only after India (then ruled by a weak, Congress-led coalition) had declined an earlier invitation. Today, Beijing holds, among other assets, a 99-year lease on an eastern Sri Lankan port and controls 43 per cent of reclaimed land adjacent to Colombo Port, which is traversed by 75 per cent of Indias trans-shipments. Sri Lanka is part of Chinas controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and owes China $7.3 billion, a fifth of its overall external debt.

China feels so at home in helpless, debt-trapped Sri Lanka that it has sent naval submarines and a spy ship to drop in and intentionally provoke India.

However, there is no denying that Chinas overarching presence in Sri Lanka has also provided the latter a handy card to play in negotiations.

Mahinda Rajapaksa and even Sri Lankan Tamil politicians when urging India to invest in their provinces, have used the China card subtly and frequently, in bilateral and multilateral negotiations.

Mr Wickremesinghe, whose presidency is supported by Mr Rajapaksa, has frequently laughed off this writers apprehensions about Beijings stranglehold. I dont know why you are so worried about China, he has said in several interviews.

And yet, Colombo has repeatedly failed to prevent China from threatening Indias security. In August 2022 and just a month after Mr Wickremesinghe took office, Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang-5 docked in Colombo. Assurances flooded across the Palk Straits to pacify New Delhi at the time, but Colombos China policy lacks clarity, to date. When an Indian interviewer asked Sri Lankas high commissioner in New Delhi recently what Colombo would do if China sends another spy vessel, he could, at best, mumble dialogue, dialogue.

Last week, Mr Wickremesinghe was between a rock and a hard place again. China wants to set up a powerful radar system in Dondra, in southern Sri Lanka, and the subject would have certainly been raised by India. But the visitor must have offered some guarantees, because several significant agreements were signed between the two countries.

The Tamil card: For Tamil Nadu politicians, this card has always been the ominous joker that made previous Congress-led coalition PMs quake with fear. The Tamil card ensured that India voted against Colombo in international forums like the UNHRC, over alleged atrocities against Sri Lankan Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army, during the 30-year-long civil war against the terrorist Tamil Tigers.

Till 2014, the Tamil card guaranteed that the Congress insisted on the full implementation of the now-outdated 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution that promises maximum autonomy to Sri Lankan Tamils and was co-authored in 1987 by Rajiv Gandhi.

From that year on, India-Sri Lanka relations changed dramatically under Prime Minister Narendra Modis majority government. Pragmatism and realpolitik set in.

*India refrained from voting against Sri Lanka in global referendums.

*Well aware that Sinhala nationalists held the upper hand at least since the end of the civil war, India began to acknowledge the Buddhist majority nature of Sri Lanka.

*India didnt ignore, but no longer pandered exclusively to northern and eastern (Jaffna/Batticaloa) Tamils. Instead, New Delhi began to focus on the sorry plight of tea plantation workers (also of Indian Tamil origin but unconnected to the separatist war), in central Sri Lanka.

*Till earlier this year, India hardly ever raised the 13th Amendment in its bilateral sessions. There seemed tacit acknowledgement in New Delhi that no sovereign state would hand over police control to provinces where a 30-year-long separatist war had raged. In his speeches during his very first visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 and again on Buddhas birthday in 2017, Mr Modi made no mention of the 13th Amendment at all.

But Chinas brazen excursions to Sri Lanka and Colombos inability to stop them, changed all that.

India began to flex muscle.

Just after the spy ships arrival last year, New Delhi warned Indian tourists -- the largest group of overseas visitors in the beautiful island-nation -- not to travel there.

In a statement at UNHRC in Geneva last year, India tore into Sri Lanka for not granting autonomy to Sri Lankan Tamils.

And at a public address in New Delhi last week, Mr Modi held up the trump card. We hope that Sri Lanka will fulfil its commitment to implement the 13th Amendment and ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka, Mr Modi said.

The Fishermen card: Tamil Nadus fishermen poaching and being arrested in Sri Lankan waters are in Indian headlines every day. As are the losses incurred by their much poorer counterparts in Jaffna and Mannar, in the Sri Lankan media.

Consequently, the Fishermen Card has helped both countries  and regional capitals Jaffna and Chennai -- to cock snooks at each other, both on the domestic, as well as bilateral political front.

Fisheries is a state subject, Tamil Nadu is not governed by Mr Modis BJP. And yet, the subject was on the agenda in New Delhi last week.

It was also wielded by Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin as a stroke of domestic one-upmanship against both the PM, and the Tamil Nadu unit of his BJP.

Our fishermen face highly restricted access to traditional fishing grounds, increased harassment by the Sri Lankan Navy. Make all efforts  and provide permanent relief, wrote Mr Stalin ahead of Mr Wickremesinghes visit.

In the great game being played out in Sri Lanka and at least for the past year, India has maintained a steadfast upper hand.

Mr Wickremesinghe is being praised for controlling last years catastrophic shortages. Goodwill for India is currently high in Sri Lanka too, given New Delhis immediate tranche of $4 billion and its help with restructuring Colombos debt both at the International Monetary Fund and the Paris Club.

Last Friday, Sri Lankas President boarded his plane home with several deals and a good hand of cards in his briefcase.

However, his first official visit to the Peoples Republic of China is due in October.

Will the cards be reshuffled again?
The culling of natural populations of fast-breeding animals like deer, boar, etc, is practiced in many countries, including most of Europe

Stories of marauding monkeys entering government offices and destroying files have appeared in the media. True or not, they have given a convenient excuse to the worthies in the government to attribute the disappearance of controversial, inconvenient files to the raiding rhesus monkeys! (Representative image)

Apart from the vagaries of the weather which present a huge challenge to Indias agriculture and food production, animals raiding crops constitute another, not insignificant challenge. In the plains of Uttar Pradesh, large herds of the antelope called nilgai and abandoned cows cause massive damage to standing crops. The nilgai, because of its name that ends in gai (cow), is assumed by villagers to have some association with the cow. That makes it holy, and the village people will not kill it even if it rampages through their fields. Explaining that it is a kind of deer, not a cow, doesnt seem to convince and nobody wants to take the risk of bringing upon themselves a heap of cosmic curses by taking the life of a holy animal.

Cows that have been abandoned have turned feral and also extremely aggressive. They move in large gangs and can decimate great tracts of standing crops in one visit. They charge at farmers who try to chase them away and, in several instances, have gored people seriously enough to cause death. So, farmers have started fencing their fields at great cost, a cost they can ill afford. Both the nilgai and the feral cows are not restrained by barbed wire which they break through, so in desperation, some farmers have begun to use the concertina wires used in high security areas. These wires have sharp blades along their length and when animals try to push through, they are lacerated by the blades, injuring themselves badly. This is causing a painful dilemma for farmers who do not wish to hurt animals, but have no other way of protecting their crops and livelihoods.

In mountainous regions like Uttarakhand, it is big gangs (technically called sounders) of wild boar (wild pigs) that do the damage. Farmers are abandoning agriculture, leaving their fields fallow because the marauding boars come at night and dig up the fields, eating whatever is planted and destroying the field bunds and boundaries. The boar are also aggressive animals and in numbers they are dangerous since they attack when confronted. The male boar, which has one or two upturned tusks, can rip open a mans abdomen if threatened.

The other, more recent, problem in the hills are the rhesus, or the red face (and red bottom!) monkeys. These rhesus monkeys are not native to the mountain areas of Uttarakhand but have been trucked up from the plains, as one hears, where they have set up home in the shaded nooks of government buildings and where the packed lunches of employees provide rich pickings. The North and South Blocks of Raisina Hill in New Delhi, the seat of Indias government, are preferred locations.

Stories of marauding monkeys entering government offices and destroying files have appeared in the media. True or not, they have given a convenient excuse to the worthies in the government to attribute the disappearance of controversial, inconvenient files to the raiding rhesus monkeys! To rid themselves of the monkey pest, Delhi decided to collect the simians and truck them up to the hills.

These monkeys, however, are not wild animals. Born in cities, they are urban creatures brought up on snatched human food. No wild berries or succulent leaves for them, their food preferences tend to parathas and sandwiches when they are not being fed bananas by devout Hindus propitiating the avatar of Hanuman.

Bewildered by the unfamiliar terrain in the mountains of Uttarakhand, they do not rush to the forest, presumed by North Block babus to be their natural home, but gravitate to inhabited areas because that is what they are accustomed to. In the hills, they descend on orchards and agricultural fields.

When they raid orchards, they eat some fruit and destroy far more, plucking the unripe fruit and throwing it down. In fields, they will eat what they want but will have uprooted many more plants by the time they leave. They are quite destructive, our close relatives after all!

This is a partial snapshot of how the man-animal conflict plays out in rural areas, where the livelihoods of farmers comes under strain because of the damage caused by animal populations that should be better managed.

Uttarakhand did for a while declare wild boar to be vermin that could be killed if causing damage to crops. The ridiculous condition was that a forest official had to be informed of a wild boar attack, and then he would come to destroy the animal. This assumed that the boar would hang around till the official arrived to slaughter them. Naturally they didnt, and the scheme did not work.

The culling of natural populations of fast-breeding animals like deer, boar, etc, is practiced in many countries, including most of Europe. This keeps the population at a manageable number such that their habitat can support. That way a man-animal conflict is avoided. This would be a solution for India if implemented sanely. Some wildlife enthusiasts would proclaim that humans have no place on this planet, whose original inhabitants were the wild animals, and the earth should revert to them.

Although I see a certain theoretical point in that argument, I am inclined towards a policy of co-existence as we are now also part of the ecosystem.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The 43-day-old baby died following clashes between jail staff and refugees. The latter have been on a hunger strike for months, demanding to be released after two years in prison. The case emerged after activists posted two videos online. Even though the UN granted Rohingya refugee status, India continues to treat them as illegal migrants.

Jammu (AsiaNews)  A Rohingya couple was brought in handcuffs to the funeral of their newborn child, who died recently in a holding centre for refugees in Hirangar, a city in the northern part of India-administered Jammu.

The case came to light after two videos, ostensibly made by Rohingya held at the centre and sent to human rights advocates, were posted social media.

Footage shows the babys body handed over to relatives for burial. The 43-day-old baby died following clashes between police and Rohingya, refugees say, a claim the authorities reject.

According to Koushal Kumar, superintendent of the Kathua district jail in charge of the holding centre, the baby suffered from some ailment and died two days after the clashes.

For several months, Rohingya refugees  many of whom fled persecution by the Myanmar military in 2017 and the civil war that broke out in 2021  have been on a hunger strike against their illegal detention, demanding they be released.

Indian security forces used tear gas against refugees saying that they were forced to do so after three Rohingya took three prison guards hostage.

At least one five-month-old girl died in the clashes and several people were injured.

"Refugees need better treatment. It is just that circumstances forced them to flee. Does stripping people of their dignity give us sadistic pleasure? asks Sister Dorothy Fernandes speaking to AsiaNews.

It saddens me to hear this. Is humanity lost? Why are we behaving like extremists? Is revenge the only response we have? added the nun who has worked with marginalised communities in Patna since 2017.

In her view, No religion preaches violence. We believe in one Earth, one God, so let us not build boundaries that keep people apart. Let us build bridges of love, inclusiveness, embracing all.

Since spring 2021, about 270 Rohingya have been held at a holding centre in Hiranagar, including 144 women and children. India accuses of entering the country illegally, even though they have been granted refugee status by the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency.

According to minority rights activists, Rohingya have been jailed without warning after being summoned to police stations to sign some paperwork.

About 40,000 Rohingya live in India. Some are Christian but most are Muslim. In preparation for next years election, the ruling ultranationalist Hindu Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) plans to deport them back to Myanmar even though the latter is in the grip of a civil war.

What is more, those who want to leave India to move to a third country where they may have relatives, have been denied exit visas, activists say.

India proudly claims to practise its rich legacy of ATITHI DEVO BHAVA (Guest is God). It is shocking that at present, guests from other countries are cruelly treated as criminals, laments Father Anand Mathew.

"In the name of promoting Hindutva we have moved far away from good Hindu traditions," he explains. Indeed, the 100-year-old Hindutva [tradition] is also contrary to ancient Hindu traditions. I wish we Indians were a little more humane.

Hindutva (Hindu-ness) is a political ideology that seeks to justify Hindu-centred nationalism on cultural grounds.
Today's headlines: as expected, the Cambodian premier Hun Sen will leave the leadership of the government to his son; In Bangladesh, Western ambassadors criticize the repressive pre-election climate; US officials will meet with Taliban representatives; The Red Cross will use Japanese mine detection technology; In China, the number of gamers is increasing; Only 16 out of 54 African heads of state at the summit with Putin.

SINGAPORE

Tomorrow, Singapore is set to carry out the first execution of a woman since 2004: Saridewi Djamani, 45, was found guilty of heroin trafficking in 2018. It would be the second death sentence carried out for this type of activity in three days and the 15th since March 2022. Authorities say strict drug laws help keep Singapore as one of the safest places in the world, but there is no evidence that the death penalty works as a deterrent to drug trafficking.

CAMBODIA

As expected, Prime Minister Hun Sen said he would step down next month and hand over power to his son Hun Manet after nearly four decades of authoritarian rule. His Cambodian People's Party won a landslide victory in the last election, but the main opposition parties were not allowed to run. Speaking on a special broadcast on state television yesterday Hun Sen said "I would like to ask people for understanding as I announce that I will not continue as prime minister".

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh's foreign ministry yesterday summoned 13 Western ambassadors after they issued a joint statement against an attack on an independent candidate during a recently held by-election. Ashraful Alom, well known on local social media, was beaten up by supporters of the Awami League, the ruling party. Mohammad Ali Arafat, the MP-elect of the Awami League who won the seat said the very fact that the US and the EU care about Bangladesh's internal affairs is very disturbing.

USA  AFGHANISTAN

US officials will meet with Taliban representatives and "technocrats" from key Afghan ministries during a visit to Doha this week, the State Department said yesterday, adding they would discuss economic issues, security and women's rights. Before flying to Qatar, the American delegation will stop in Astana, Kazakhstan, to discuss the Islamic Emirate also with representatives of Central Asian countries that border Afghanistan.

JAPAN

The International Committee of the Red Cross is trying to use a type of artificial intelligence developed in Japan to speed up the detection of mines in war-torn areas - such as Ethiopia or Ukraine, experts have stressed - to make displaced people can go home sooner. "While a deminer can identify mines on an area of about 50 square meters a day, the drone in four flights will be able to do the same job on 100,000 square meters," said Erik Tollefsen, head of the unit of decontamination.

CHINA

The number of Chinese video game players has grown to a record 668 million, a government association of the video game industry said on Thursday. In the first half of this year, domestic market sales reached 144.263 billion yuan, equal to 20.23 billion US dollars. Last year, the industry was accused of promoting addiction to screens by a large government crackdown, which stopped approving new games for eight months.

RUSSIA  AFRICA

Two thirds of the leaders of African countries have refused to participate in the Russia-Africa summit, as a boycott against Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. Out of 54 countries, only 16 have accepted the invitation and their leaders will travel to St. Petersburg on July 27-28, where the Russian president will be present, another 10 will send a government delegation.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

President Zaparov signed constitutional law obliging state officials to be able to use the Kyrgyz language, eliminating an ambiguity in the post-Soviet constitution that equated it with Russian. To access public places you will need to pass a language test and even advertising messages will be only in Kyrgyz. Moscow protests in support of Russian speakers.

Bishkek (AsiaNews) - Last week the president of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zaparov, signed the constitutional law which obliges state officials to be able to use the Kyrgyz language. The Bishkek parliament called it a "historic decision".

After the entry into force of the law, reactions immediately began from the Kremlin, which claims the equal dignity of the Russian language, also defined as an "official language", but now in second order compared to Kyrgyz.

The first law on the state language in Kyrgyzstan was approved in 1989, at the end of the Soviet era, equalizing the two languages that after the end of the USSR were distinguished into "state" and "official", with various clarification modifications in the subsequent years, until the current inclusion in the constitution.

The chairman of the national commission on the state language, Kanybek Osmonaliev, said in an interview with Azattyk that "the law is designed to implement article 13 of the constitution, which had remained undefined for 34 years".

The article concerns precisely the two languages, and the conjunction "or" has been eliminated in the possibility of using them with regard to official documents (state or official language).

It is an ambiguity existing in all ex-Soviet countries of Central Asia, which involves enormous complications in the drafting of international agreements, documents and more, where the alternation of the two languages causes continuous discrepancies and contradictions on terms often formulated differently in the double Slavic and Turanian linguistic roots, which have very little in common.

So not only must state employees know the language, but from now on everything will be produced in Kyrgyz, and only "if necessary can translations be made into other languages".

Those who do not pass level B-2 of the so-called Kyrgyztest will no longer be able to access state jobs, which will lead to stiff competition on the basis of language skills. Osmonaliev also adds that no additional expenses are envisaged, but that the responsibility for applying the law falls on the individual administrations and their managers, who will have to "create the conditions to achieve the pre-established goals".

Even private companies are required to produce official documentation in the Kyrgyz language, but specialists observe that the diffusion of the state language is still proceeding rather slowly and it will not be easy to get rid of Russian, also considering the widespread practices of corruption, in this case linguistic condescension.

The director of the language department of the municipality of Bishkek, Elvira Nijazbekova, however believes that the law was "long overdue, now we can start working on it seriously ... it is a source of great joy and pride for our people".

A very significant application, observes Nijazbekova, concerns advertising: from now on, according to the law, advertising agencies and the holders of related licenses will have to agree on the verification and correction of texts with the National Commission for Language Policy otherwise they will not be allowed to broadcast the messages.

In addition to documents, public manifestations of any state body will also be in Kyrgyz, such as elections and referendums with related campaigns, geographical names and commercial symbols.

The foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova spoke from Moscow, warning that "the document could lead to a series of difficulties" for citizens who do not know the Kyrgyz language sufficiently, hoping that the country's authorities "are able to lead a balanced language policy".

The same minister Sergej Lavrov called for "support for the Russian language and culture and for a patriotic formation for Russians living in foreign countries", observing that "delicate processes are underway in the CIS countries, especially in Central Asia ... when it is with the new Kyrgyz law having appeared, we have warned our friends that it is not a fully democratic expression.

At least in the sense that the Russians give to democracy, in which the elder must always prevail over the "younger brother". Zaparov assured that "there will be no discrimination", but the ongoing linguistic separation will cause many tensions and suffering.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Journalist and former seminarian, Trias Kuncahyono is preparing to begin his service after the appointment of President Joko Widodo, a reader and admirer of him. He has always strongly supported the need for politics to guide civil society towards a common good shared by all citizens.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Journalist Trias Kuncahyono is preparing to officially begin his post as Indonesian ambassador to the Holy See. In the next few days he will travel to Rome to deliver his letter with the president's credentials to Pope Francis, starting his first diplomatic experience abroad.

Trias is an authoritative figure of Indonesian Catholic civil society and columnist of the weekly "Kredensial". For this reason, President Joko Widodo - a reader of him - chose him as the new Indonesian ambassador to the Holy See.

Kuncahyono had only touched on this role a few years ago. However, his appointment had been blocked during the last "authorization" process due to an internal rivalry in the politics of the South-East Asian country.

For this he said he was excited about the role: "I never thought that one day I would be chosen as a high-profile figure in a foreign diplomatic mission," said Trias, recalling how his father had always advised him never to be too ambitious.

"A few months ago - he added - I was officially informed that President Jokowi himself wanted me as ambassador to the Holy See among the dozens of Indonesian personalities who aspired to this post". The way in which Kuncahyono describes how political power should guide civil society towards a common good shared by all citizens.

Born in Yogyakarta, Central Java Province, Trias Kuncahyono entered Mertoyudan Seminary in 1974. He later studied political science at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. He started his journalism career first at Suara Karya and later at Kompas for more than three decades  where he also served as deputy editor-in-chief, often covering the Middle East  until he resigned when he reached the age of retired.

It took Pope Francis just two days to approve him. Surely the family and cultural background of Kuncahyono who studied as a seminarian also had an influence. In addition, his uncle is Bishop Emeritus of Ketapang Diocese in West Kalimantan, Monsignor Blasius Pujaraharja, while his aunt, Sister Yosepha SPM is part of the Congregation of St. Mary the Virgin of Amersfoort

Many wishes have arrived to Trias Kuncahyono for his new experience, starting with that of his former seminary companions: "You will be a messenger of the Indonesian Catholic Church and its pluralism".
President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Kun Hee pay their respects to fallen soldiers of the Korean War during a visit to the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Thursday. Yonhap









By Jung Min-ho







President Yoon Suk Yeol and delegates from 22 nations visited the United Nations (U.N.) Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Thursday, where they paid tribute to fallen heroes and marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.







Yoon and other visitors, including war veterans, paid their respects to the sacrifices of those who died while fighting for South Korea under the same U.N. flag against communist forces, in front of the Wall of Remembrance, which carries the names of more than 40,000 United Nations casualties.







The cemetery  the only one officially recognized by the U.N.  is the resting place for some 2,300 freedom fighters from 11 countries.






In 2022 alone, over 140 extreme events were reported. In the last 50 years, disaster-related deaths topped two million, mostly from earthquakes and storms, against 1.42 million in the rest of the world. In a recently released report, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific cites last years floods in Pakistan, heatwaves in India and drought in Afghanistan to highlight how the regions poorest countries and South Asia are also the most vulnerable.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Asia-Pacific is the region in the world most prone to natural disasters, this according to a new report from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCSAP).

More than 140 extreme events were reported in 2022 alone, resulting in the death of more than 7,500 people with material losses estimated at US$ 57 billion.

Titled Seizing the Moment, the Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2023, notes that the window to build adequate climate resilience is narrowing.

If, according to one scenario, temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels, droughts, floods, and heat waves (whose intensity and frequency are increasing) will cause, average annual losses of between US$ 924 billion and almost a trillion, or 3 per cent of the regions gross domestic product (GDP) in a region already at high risk for earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

The impact of disaster on people and economies is expected to be uneven across the region, with the least developed countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, East Timor, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands) most likely to be affected because of pre-existing vulnerabilities that make it harder to deal with emergencies.

Over the long run, these events will show more clearly the interconnectedness between climate change and poverty, leading to a decline in productivity (especially in agriculture and textile manufacturing) and greater inequalities.

In 2021 and 2022, the deadliest disasters occurred in Afghanistan, a country severely tested and suddenly impoverished after the Taliban seized power again following the pullout of US forces.

The regions least developed countries recorded mortality rates five to eight times higher than in other states. However, considering the general situation in Asia-Pacific, thanks to improved forecasting and warning systems, deaths dropped in 2020 over previous decades.

More specifically, in its study, the ESCAP looked at natural disasters between 1970 and 2022, noting that Asia-Pacific reported 2.04 million deaths over this period, mainly from earthquakes and storms, against 1.42 million in the rest of the world due mostly to droughts and earthquakes.

Natural disasters affected in some way more than seven billion people in Asia-Pacific, 52 per cent by floods. In the rest of the world, the figure drops to 1.24 billion, with drought the main problem (59 per cent).

With half of the deaths in the last 50 years, South Asia has proven to be one of the most vulnerable subregions.

The impact of climate change was particularly evident in 2021 and 2022. Once again flooding caused the greatest loss of human life (over 4,800 people), in India and Pakistan, followed by Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

In Pakistan alone, last summer's devastating floods hit 33 million people (14 per cent of the population), with eight million still displaced at present.

Crop yields in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab dropped by about 10-35 per cent following a prolonged heatwave in March 2022 with temperatures 1.86 Celsius above the long-term average.

The number of deaths caused by extreme heat has yet to be accurately counted, but initial estimates indicate at least 90 deaths in India and Pakistan. In neighbouring Afghanistan, the drought has affected at least 11 million people, 27 per cent of the population.

Earthquakes in Asia caused economic losses estimated at US$ 12 billion, mainly in Japan, China, the Philippines, and Iran.

For the future, the United Nations recommends setting up early warning systems in all countries by 2027 and continued investment in new technologies.

To this end, artificial intelligence and big data "are very important and strategic" for mitigating risks related to natural disasters, explained ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Alisjahbana, who is from Indonesia.

A disaster emergency is underway, and we must fundamentally transform our approach to building resilience, she added.
Wendy Keefover is a contributor to Writers on the Range (writersontherange.org), an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is a senior strategist for the Humane Society of the United States.
Previously expected to return stateside for the 2025 model year, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser isn't a direct successor to the V8-powered 200 series. While related to the V6-engined 300 series that isn't destined for America, the 2024 model year Land Cruiser for the US market is actually the all-new Prado.

Referred to as 250 series compared to 150 for the fourth generation, the newcomer has been recently confirmed to debut on August 1 at 9:20 pm Eastern Daylight Time. As per the latest set of teasers, we're dealing with squared-off headlights inspired by the seriously badass FJ62.The retro leanings continue out back with blocky lamps. The blocky theme carries over to the front fenders, while bodysides are directly inspired by the GX. Teasers published by the Japanese automaker further include a picture of a toggle on the center console, which reads H4F, H4L, and L4L. In addition to being all-wheel-drive all the time, said picture reiterates the Land Cruiser's connection to the GX.Thus far, Toyota refrained from calling it 250 series or Prado. However, leaked information acquired by the Australian media confirmed the 250 moniker by means of three codes . GDJ250 stands for the 1GD-FTV engine, TRJ250 for 2TR-FE, and TJA250 for L4T.L4T is  without a shadow of a doubt  the standard powerplant for the United States. A 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder lump shared with the mid-sized Tacoma, said engine produces 228 horsepower in the SR and 278 for all other grades. The 2024 model year Tacoma further boasts a hybrid-assisted 2.4er, which is officially rated at 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm).The best thing about this engine is that certain trim levels of the Tacoma can be had with a manual, which might carry over to the Land Cruiser. The 150 series also comes with one in some markets, including Nepal, where the 1GD-FTV turbo diesel produces just around 200 ponies and 420 Nm (310 pound-feet) of twist.2TR-FE is Toyota's way of saying naturally-aspirated gasser, a 2.7-liter engine that's not likely to be offered stateside. On the other hand, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid four-cylinder turbo of the Tacoma makes plenty of sense in the all-new Land Cruiser Prado 250 series.Notice anything missing from this list? A six-cylinder engine, yes! Because the luxury-oriented GX comes with a V6 as standard, it wouldn't make too much sense for the Land Cruiser to encroach on its more expensive sibling. Even so, the non-hybrid turbo four is more than adequate for this application.You can think of the Land Cruiser for America as Toyota's answer to the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Ford Bronco 4DR. With the Land Cruiser returning to the United States for 2024, we estimate the all-new 4Runner to be revealed next year as a 2025 model.As we're sitting here, waiting for Toyota to unveil its body-on-frame overlander, pixel artist "Halo oto" used said teasers for a new set of renderings. They do look similar to the real thing, don't they?
You might rest better at night thinking the U.S. Military has a good handle on what is and what isn't a bad idea in a combat setting. Should America and its NATO allies start wrestling in the mud with a powerful hostile aggressor, we'd hope to the lord almighty that's the case. But as is evident by the existence of the M65 Atomic Cannon, this is only sometimes true. Today, we're taking a deep dive into a motorized cannon and tractor that fired just a single nuclear artillery shell before the Pentagon just went, "Nope," and never attempted it again.

Photo: U.S. Army Archives

The story behind the artillery system that came to be nicknamed "Atomic Annie" is one rooted in the nuclear craze post-World War II. A period in which the novelty of harnessable atomic fission had the world convinced that nuclear was the way forward, both in the commercial energy sector and in warfare. With this in mind, the United States aimed to capitalize on being the world's only nuclear-armed superpower in the four years between 1945 and 1949. Everything from the blueprints for the U.S.'s first commercial reactor in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, to the world's first thermonuclear hydrogen bomb had their origins during this period, only to be followed through on in the following decade.In the atomic craze following the war's end, so many of America's most skilled and battle-tested military contractors dropped whatever they were doing during the war and started developing the next generation of nuclear weapons and the vehicular platforms to transport them. It was a Pentagon-affiliated computer engineer by the name of Robert Schwartz who devised a plan that sounded great on paper to your average 12-year-old in hindsight.But without the benefit of hindsight to guide him, Schwartz envisioned a weapon based loosely upon the American M1 240 mm howitzer employed by the U.S. Army in the European and Pacific theaters of World War II. Both the M1 and Schartz's derivative were designed with a degree of mobility in mind. Both platforms employed their own truck-based transportation system, like the Mack NO 7-ton 6x6 truck in the case of the M1. But Robert Schwartz's design was so much more than just another big artillery piece, as its payload was a little extra "spicy" compared to what most were accustomed to.That's right, Schwartz's grand plan was to develop and manufacture the first artillery device built specifically to fire nuclear weapons. If that sounds absolutely bat-you-know-what to most modern sensibilities, you're not in the wrong. But, because nothing was off the table in the early days of the atomic era, Schwartz's project was approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Harry S. Truman administration and the Pentagon.Indeed, another Pentagon computer scientist named Samuel Feltman was also instrumental in formulating the basis for a nuclear cannon. It was he, with Robert Schwartz's help, that helped secure the design and production rights for the M65 system for military contractors across America. This included the Picatinny Arsenal of Morris County in Northern New Jersey, roughly 30 miles from New York City. No sooner did the 1940s come to an end than the design phase for the M65 was underway. Starting at the Picatinny Arsenal and finishing at the Watervliet Arsenal, along the banks of the Hudson River near Albany, New York. By effectively re-engineering the old M1 240 mm artillery piece into a 280 mm leviathan, the new platform, dubbed the T131 at first, was able to accept the world's first nuclear artillery shell, the W9. Only the second gun-type nuclear weapon ever tested behind the Little Boy bomb that flattened Hiroshima, the 15-kiloton yield shell weighed just 850 lbs (390 kg). Far smaller than more traditional aircraft-dropped nuclear payloads like Little Boy and Fat Man, but still enough to pack a devastating punch on any target it hit.Such an enormous artillery piece could only be transported with the help of two purpose-built trucks tailor-made for the job of lugging the great beast around. A product of the iconic Kenworth Motor Truck Company, the front and rear transport tractors were massive in their own right. Weighing in at 7,950 lbs (17,191 kg 19 tons) in the M249 4x4 Heavy Gun Front Truck and 35,910 lbs( 16,267 kg 18 tons) for the M250 Rear Truck. Each of the 33 front and rear transport trucks sported a Continental AO-895-4 six-cylinder diesel engine cranking out 375 horsepower. Not bad for the early 1950s.When all assembled, the two tractors plus the 38-foot, five-inch (11.31-m) long monster of a machine weighed a scarcely believable 172,865 lbs (78,308 kg, 86.4 tons). In truth, this weapon system was seen as three separate elements, with the artillery cannon portion dubbed the T131 while both transport tractors were jointly called the T72 Gun Carriage. Only when all three elements were combined was the M65 Atomic Cannon complete. Said system could traverse along, albeit clumsily, at around 35 mph on smooth and level tarmac. It could also make right-angle turns with at least a 28-foot (8.5 m) birth on either side.Impressively for such a huge weapon, U.S. Army ground crews could detach the T131 cannon from its twin tractors ready for operation in as little as 12 minutes before packing it up and re-attaching its tractors in as little as 15 minutes with a five-to-seven-man crew. As many as 20 T131 artillery pieces were manufactured during its production run. Said manufacturing took place at the Dravo Corporation's production facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as the above-mentioned Watervliet Arsenal and the Watertown Arsenal in Eastern Massachusetts.Ultimately, these M65 Atomic Cannon systems were sent to testing facilities in West Germany, South Korea , and the U.S.-occupied Pacific Island of Okinawa. But only after one was sent to the Nevada National Security Site, then known as the Nevada Proving Grounds, around 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Las Vegas. It was at this location on May 25, 1953, during a round of nuclear tests dubbed Operation Upshot-Knothole, that a complete M65 Atomic Cannon was loaded with a W9 nuclear shell and pointed at a target roughly seven miles (11 km) away.At 8:30 in the morning, a single W9 nuclear shell was fired and air-burst roughly 524 feet (160 m) above the ground, within a mere 24 feet (7 m) of its intended target height over a stretch of the test sight designated Area 5, or Frenchman Flat. This caused a great flash of light and an iconic atomic mushroom cloud rising towards the heavens with great haste. With powerful Pentagon figures in the audience, like then Secretary of Defense Charles Erwin Wilson and Admiral Arthur W. Radford, Chairman-delegate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the M65, nicknamed Atomic Annie, had made an indelible effect on all who witnessed the great blast.With funding for the project at $800,000 per complete M65 unit now secured, each of them was free to be transported to U.S. bases across the globe to be used as a deterrent against hostile nations like the USSR and North Korea. But seemingly, as soon as the platform was operational, the M65 was all but obsolete. With novel nuclear-payload delivery systems like the B-52 Stratofortress bomber and the MGR-1 Honest John surface-to-surface rocket waiting in the wing, it was clear that a shell-based nuclear delivery system wasn't the way forward in American nuclear weapons.To the big-wigs at the Pentagon, the risks of collateral damage and potential danger to the crew of an atomic artillery piece weren't outweighed by its benefits. After all, Atomic Annie's warhead had a yield barely more powerful than the weapon used during the bombing of Hiroshima. In the barely-contained nuclear fervor of U.S.-Soviet brinkmanship, that simply wasn't going to be enough. Sheesh, doesn't it feel like everyone in the Cold War ironically needed a chill pill? Though a nuclear artillery shell has never been fired from a cannon since 1953, successors to the W9 warhead continued to be designed but were never fired from an artillery piece.Some of the larger shells in this lineage, like the W23, were designed to be fired from the massive 16-inch main cannons of Iowa-class battleships. A theoretically awesome concept if you're a child, but good luck trying to limit collateral damage with a screaming 16-inch nuclear projectile coming at your face with a rocking sea to contend with. Today, while ballistic missiles continue to fill the role the M65 was built for, at least seven T131 cannons reside in museums across North America. The particular example that fired the infamous nuclear shell resides with its prime movers at the Army Artillery Museum in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
On May 11th, during the 68th annual meeting of shareholders, the big kahuna at FoMoCo stated that "quality is our number one priority, and our overall quality today is improving." Jim Farley then gave the 2023 model year Super Duty of how the Dearborn-based automaker is  allegedly  tweaking up quality.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Photo: Ford

Farley stated that Ford's assembly plant employees perform 25-mile (40-kilometer) shakedowns on 100 trucks daily. Testing a brand-new vehicle this way is admirable, but on the other hand, a short drive won't bring to light certain underlying issues of said vehicle. Think badly designed or manufactured parts, software issues, and all that jazz.Farley then waxed lyrical about tripling the number of trucks performing the trailer towing test, along with more quality checks on the production lines of both locations where the Super Duty is manufactured. There's even an AI element on the assembly lines, which is  allegedly  designed to "catch quality issues that aren't visible to the human eye." Big words from the automaker with the most recalls in 2022 (a whopping 67) and most vehicles recalled in 2022 (a whopping 8,636,265 vehicles in the US of A alone).That being said, how many recalls do you think the 2023 model year Super Duty has amassed thus far? The answer is four, with the latest of the bunch requiring the replacement of the entire digital instrument cluster. Prior to this recall, the 2023 model year Super Duty line was called back over missing or loose steering column bolts, missing head restraint instructions, and TREAD labels stating the incorrect load-carrying capacity.Together with the big-boy truck series, Ford has also recalled a handful of Escape crossovers over the very same problem. According to documents filed with the, the issue was brought to the Critical Concern Review Group's attention on March 23. On that day, assembly plant workers identified no fewer than five Super Duty trucks with digital clusters that didn't illuminate.Ford's engineering department identified hardware failure caused by poor solder joints in the remote cluster box, with said engineers understanding that the solder joint failures occur early in the vehicle's life. Visteon Corporation's Mexican plant was required to, and duly implemented, solder quality detection processes.The supplier, however, didn't improve its detection processes enough. Increasingly more field reports and warranty claims were filed with the second-largest automaker of the Big Three in Detroit, namely 36 and 84, for a grand total of 83 Super Duty and Escape vehicles. The numbers don't add up because certain vehicles experienced said issue more than once.Engineers determined the solder stencil used by the supplier for the digital instrument cluster didn't have the correct thickness. Worse still for the Visteon Corporation, said clusters didn't feature proper coating. It's easy to blame the supplier only for this blunder, but remember that Ford  and every volume-oriented automaker out there  cut costs wherever and however possible. Is Farley aware that contracting a questionable supplier just because it's the most affordable of all options available is a one-way ticket to Recallville?38,695 vehicles are called back, starting with F-250 and F-550 trucks produced between January 19 and May 31. The Escape, on the other hand, is listed with production dates ranging between November 15 last year to June 16 this year. Dealers have already been instructed to replace the defective instrument cluster modules with replacement units featuring properly soldered joints. Affected owners will be informed of this recall by first-class mail no later than August 18.
kW

4WD

The "significantly enhanced" new iteration of the model, also known as L200 (originally dubbed Forte, then Strada), is a force to be reckoned with in the mid-size pickup truck market. Not in America, of course, where Toyota's Tacoma dominates the competition (Nissan Frontier, Jeep Gladiator, Honda Ridgeline, Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon) because it's most likely a forbidden fruit.But across Asia and Oceania, it's like home for the Mitsubishi Triton. For example, the day it was launched in Thailand  where it is produced at the Laem Chabang (MMTh) factory  it also went on sale! That's in stark contrast to other automakers (we're looking at you, Big Detroit Three  and all those who follow you in these marketing practices), which showcase a vehicle and then let customers and fans wait for it for weeks, months, and sometimes even years before finally getting it from their preferred dealership.Anyway, other markets do need to wait a little longer before snatching the all-new Mitsubishi Triton. For example, for the first time in 12 years, the latest generation of the mid-size pickup truck is scheduled to launch at home in Japan in early 2024. Other regions are set to follow around the same date, it seems. For example, Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed the new iteration is due in showrooms in February next year.It will arrive in the Land Down Under with its newly introduced Bi-Turbo diesel engine in top trim  150(201 hp) and 470 Nm (347 lb-ft). Other markets have access to lesser variants of the same mill - 110 kW (148 hp) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) is the base, followed by the intermediate option rocking 135 kW (181 hp) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft).The "substantial redesign brings increased road presence, capability, and comfort," says the company, along with 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains hooked to an upgraded six-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual box is coming at a later date on some versions), plus Double Cab and Club Cab Pickup body styles  the Cab-Chassis models come sometime after the market launch. As for the trim structure, it keeps a "highly recognizable" strategy composed of GLX, GLX+, GLS, and GSR grades.The GLX and GLX+ come with the entry-level Easy Selectsystem, with a standard rear differential lock for the GLX+. At the same time, GLS and GSR models gain Super Select 4WD II system complete with an Eco mode and separate Mud and Snow options for additional "specific control." Inside, the users will be greeted by a new nine-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay seconded by a seven-inch LCD in the instrument cluster, and outside, there are two new colors - Blade Silver and the GSR-exclusive Yamabuki Orange.
It's a kind of magic  not in the way the legendary Freddie Mercury sang it with the equally-legendary band Queen, but in a way that's illustrative of the current geopolitical situation.

Photo: Damen Yachting

fled

Photo: Damen Yachting

Photo: Damen Yachting

Photo: Damen Yachting

La Datcha, the spectacular and impressive $100 million superyacht explorer owned by Russian banker Oleg Tinkov, has resurfaced. And  believe it or not  it did so just shortly after sanctions against its owner were lifted in the UK. If you believe in coincidences, that's a huge one.Jokes aside, this is no coincidence, and neither is the entire story in black and white, as you might think. La Datcha , one of the most impressive and competent superyachts delivered in recent years, is back to broadcasting its location more than a year after it went dark. The owner of this impressive vessel is Russian banker Oleg Tinkov, a former billionaire who has been saying all along that he had cut ties with Russia  and had already paid a very high price for it back in his home country.February 2022 marked the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Third-party countries voted for sanctions against Russian oligarchs only a few weeks later, saying that these sanctions  and subsequent seizures of luxury assets  would serve to discourage oligarchs from funding Putin's war. We all know how that worked out, and it wasn't as it was hoped it would be.Oleg Tinkov, founder of Tinkoff Bank and a former multi-billionaire, was included on sanctions lists in the UK in May that same year. Within hours, two of his biggest assets, the $100 million La Datcha and a $63 million 2018 Dassault Falcon private jet, "disappeared." Both craft stopped broadcasting their location and were stowed away to prevent British authorities from seizing them.Meanwhile, Tinkov argued his case publicly , saying that he had long been a critic of Putin's politics, for which reason he'd lost his business operations in the country and had been blacklisted. Earlier this week, his lobbying paid off, and after an intervention from Sir Richard Branson, the country's most prolific and popular businessman, Tinkov's name was removed from sanctions lists.Again, within hours, La Datcha pinged on the map. Vessels over a certain tonnage are obligated by international maritime law to have AIS tracking (automatic identification system) turned on at all times so their position and movement are visible to authorities and other vessels. As sanctions went into effect in early 2022, most Russian-owned superyachts used the turning off of AIS as a means to "disappear" while theysailed to safety in friendly waters.In May 2022, when it went dark, La Datcha was in Cabo San Lucas, in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Its AIS is now showing it moored in the port city of Ensenada , Mexico, where it sailed the other day from Cabo San Lucas. Now that its owner is no longer sanctioned, La Datcha is able to move around freely.Truth be told, La Datcha was born to move . Described as "the icebreaker of superlatives," this spectacular vessel is a custom superyacht explorer and the world's first privately owned icebreaker. It's based on Damen Shipyards' SeaXplorer series, measuring 252 feet (77 meters) in total length and offering accommodation for 12 to 14 guests and a crew of 25.La Datcha features exterior design by Azure Yacht Design, with Amels handling the interior design in direct collaboration with Tinkov and his family. Tinkov knew from the start what he wanted from his future superyacht, and excellent range , icebreaking capabilities, and luxury amenities were on that list.La Datcha is immediately recognizable for its brown color theme, which extends to its tenders and even the three-person Triton submarine tucked neatly in one of the garages. This is an expedition vessel in every sense of the word, so those garages are packed full with expedition gear, from the sub to two beach lander tenders, diving equipment (there's also a decompression chamber), two helipads and hangars, RIBs, snow scooters, and bikes for all kinds of terrains.But this is also a luxury vessel, so it comes with the usual amenities of a superyacht , from a jacuzzi on the sundeck to a gorgeous, glass-encased observation lounge with panoramic views, a fully-equipped gym, a wellness area with massage room, spa, treatment room, and Turkish Hammam. Interior spaces are lavish but elegantly styled in a way that invites calm and relaxation.La Datcha has a 40-day autonomy at sea, which means it can travel 40 days without stopping at a port of call for resupplies. The Ice Class hull allows it to sail even through 16-inch (40.6-cm) thick ice, so it's built to reach the farthest destinations on Earth.When Tinkov took delivery of the icebreaker in late 2020, he announced plans to use it himself for 20 weeks a year and charter it for the remainder of the time. He even came up with a few routes he imagined would be of interest and listed La Datcha with a $825,000 per-week charter starting price, not including fuel and provisions.Right now, La Datcha is yet to make its return on the chartering market, but we assume that this is only a matter of time
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, July 18. AP-Yonhap



Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called on all Americans to remember the cost of the Korean War, commemorating the end of the Korean War that ended 70 years ago, Thursday.



He also stressed the "ironclad alliance" between the United States and South Korea has remained strong since and will continue to do so.



"All Americans should remember the terrible cost of the Korean War and the valor of those who fought against aggression, facing fierce adversaries, harsh terrain and pitiless conditions," Austin said in a released statement, noting more than 36,000 U.S. service members were killed in action during the 1950-53 war, "along with hundreds of thousands more" from South Korea and partner nations serving in the United Nations Command.



"Even today, some 7,000 American service members from this war remain unaccounted for. We have a solemn duty to continue looking for answers for American families whose loved ones still remain missing in action seven decades on," he added.



The U.S. and 15 other countries, including Britain, Canada and France, had sent troops to Korea to help defend South Korea from North Korea's invasion.



The war ended with an armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953, leaving the divided Koreas at war to date, technically.



Still, the armistice has brought "free peoples one step nearer to their goal of a world at peace," Austin insisted, quoting late former President Dwight Eisenhower, who had announced the signing of the Korean armistice.



"During each of my three visits to the Republic of Korea as Secretary of Defense, I have seen firsthand its thriving democracy, dynamic economy and innovative minds in action  all a living testament to the shared sacrifices of families in both of our countries," Austin said, referring to South Korea by its official name.



"Seventy years after the signing of the armistice, and the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty that followed soon after, our ironclad alliance is stronger than ever. In the words of our alliance motto, 'We go together'  and we will continue to do so, shoulder to shoulder," he added.



The U.S. currently maintains some 28,500 troops in South Korea. The U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty was signed Oct. 3, 1953. (Yonhap)


Nobody would have believed a decade ago that Kia could grow into the giant it is today. As Hyundai's sibling, the South Korean brand has made a name for itself. It's also one of the key players in the American auto market. And since most of us like SUVs, the 2024 Kia Sorento is the automaker's way of rejuvenating an essential part of its current portfolio. You now get to see it before anyone else.

SUV

Photo: shorts_car on Instagram

That, of course, is only true if this alleged leak is real and Kia isn't going to make any sudden changes that may leave anyone wondering what's going on. But that's rarely the case with these "early discoveries" of upcoming models. Sometimes the images just reach their audience before they're supposed to, which allows us to get a glimpse before anyone else.Sharing the underpinnings with Hyundai but standing on its own two feet when it comes to design, Kia is currently getting ready in secret to bring us the brand-new three-row Sorento. It's excellent news forlovers and those who don't like the boldly-updated Santa Fe. Those taillights are something else!Today, the Sorento is available in the US in three base trims built around the powertrain  Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Turbo. The cheapest version is the Sorento LX, which has a starting cost of $30,090 and benefits from the 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. That includes the 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, all-wheel-drive, seven-passenger seating with woven cloth seats, LED headlights, and 17-inch wheels.The 2024 model-year SUV brings a new front look, making the Sorento resemble the Telluride's little sibling. While the decision to bring these two models closer together through their exterior aspects may be a bit confusing, the leak confirms the sketch preview we showed you a couple of days ago. The redesigned grille, the new headlights with the signature daytime running lights (DRLs), and the slightly more sculpted front bumper reveal a meaner-looking SUV with a contemporary aura.The images that surfaced on Instagram also seem to match our partners' spy photos. We showed them to you last year as the revamped Sorento was undergoing a testing phase over the pond Since this isn't a brand-new generation but a mid-cycle refresh, the taillights are almost similar to the existing model. However, the housing appears to be now connected at the top, mimicking the front quarter design in a more minimalist approach. It's a discreet change, but it'll help people to distinguish between the old and facelifted Sorento.The cabin is also rejuvenated. The vents aren't as prominent as before, and the dual screens are the center of attention when looking at the dashboard and infotainment system. Fortunately, Kia didn't put everything on the center display, so you still have a separate command center for temperature control. But they're not physical buttons. It's another touchscreen, as seen on the EV6.The upholstery looks better, and the steering wheel has a more elegant appearance thanks to the two-tone leather.Overall, the 2024 Kia Sorento looks like a mini-Telluride without compromising its usability and identity. It's a welcomed change that customers will most likely love because there's no real downside to this updated version of the SUV. Let's see what will hide under the hood after the automaker gives us all the specs. Some new colors would be great to have!
In February 2021, Edmunds warned customers all Tesla vehicles it tested failed to deliver the EPA ranges they had. Tesla complained about the testing method, so Edmunds did it again. The results were still disappointing. In January, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) fined Tesla for exaggerating the range of its cars. Reuters investigated that and discovered damning things about the BEV maker. Besides rigging the range dashboard readouts in its vehicles, it also created a team to cancel range complaints.

BEV

Photo: Tesla

Photo: Tesla

Themaker started overpromising and underdelivering how much its cars could run on a full charge pretty early  when it only sold the Roadster and the Model S . According to Reuters sources, Tesla wrote an algorithm that would show "rosy" range projections. When the battery pack reached 50% of charge, the readouts would drop drastically until they became more realistic. To avoid issues, the BEV maker created a safety buffering that allowed its vehicles to drive for about 15 miles (24 km) after the computer disclosed that they had no more charge left.Although Reuters could not determine if that practice stopped or not, there are strong signs it is still in place. Recurrent collected data in more than 8,000 units of Tesla vehicles made in 2022 and 2023. The BEV analytics company discovered that the dashboard readouts did not present range variations when the weather was cold or too hot, something that other vehicles do to give their drivers a more accurate perspective of how much they can still drive. Tesla vehicles almost always calculated their ranges based on EPA numbers, showing figures that were equivalent to 90% of that alleged capacity  which is also under suspicion.Before Edmunds, Car and Driver had already investigated why Tesla's official range numbers were much better than what the cars presented in real life. The magazine clarified that there are two methods for establishing their EPA numbers: a standard testing method with two cycles and an optional one  with five cycles  that allows the carmaker to have a more generous adjustment factor and present better figures. As I have explained in a previous story, that prevents the fair comparison that standard testing procedures are supposed to provide.Another element that puts EPA numbers for debate is that it is not the agency that tests the vehicles and makes the calculations. Automakers do them and inform EPA about the results. The agency sometimes performs audits and orders carmakers to correct their numbers. Predictably, Tesla had to reduce its numbers by around 3%. The 2021 Model Y Long Range AWD had to lower its official range by 5.15%.To add insult to injury, Reuters discovered that Tesla created a team to cancel appointments related to range issues. At first, the BEV maker realized it could solve many problems remotely, which led it to create a new service division dedicated to this remote assistance. The people who work there have an interesting job title: "Virtual Service Advisor." Reuters found one of them on LinkedIn, and this employee said one of his tasks was to "divert customers who do not require in-person service."Last summer, Tesla created a new division in that team dedicated to range complaints. It was called the "Diversion Team." A supervisor bought a metallophone that the employees would hit every time they managed to make customers cancel an appointment. The target was to cancel about 750 complaints per week. The diligent team more than doubled that, achieving 2,000 cancelations per week.Reuters reports that, at first, these advisors would remotely verify the cars to check if they had anything wrong. When defects were dismissed, they would try to cancel the appointments. Later in 2022, supervisors trying to speed up cancelations told advisors just to drop remote checks. In other words, people were convinced not to take their cars to Tesla Service Centers regardless of really having a problem or just being unhappy with the company's rigging of their range numbers. Reuters sources said that thousands of customers experienced that: they were told there was nothing wrong with their cars without any proper evaluation.The office in Las Vegas stopped handling these cases recently, moving them to a Utah office. Reuters could not discover why the change was made. It asked Tesla about that, but the company did not answer. Regardless, the company still has a Diversion Team working on dismissing appointments related to range. Advisors were told they were saving Tesla $1,000 for each client they convinced to avoid taking their cars to a service center.Reuters talked to one of them. Alexandre Ponsin was one of the customers who did not allow the advisors to cancel his appointment. He was pretty disappointed with the range his used 2021 Model 3 delivered, much lower than the 353 miles a fully charged battery pack should provide. His visit to a Tesla Service Center took ten minutes, and the car was not physically inspected. The frustrated customer talked to other Tesla owners and concluded his vehicle was "within specs." Although Ponsin still loves his BEV, he thinks the company should have "tempered" his expectations about the car. After reading Reuters' story, he may have stronger words to define the whole situation.
To say that Volkswagen's EV program is not going very well would be an understatement. The German carmaker is trying to energize EV development with the help of Chinese companies. After Audi announced a partnership with SAIC, Volkswagen bought a 5% stake in EV startup XPeng with plans to build at least two EV models using its G9 platform.

EV

ADAS

After Oliver Blume took the helm of the Volkswagen Group in September 2022, all previously announced plans were put on hold. Theprogram, which his predecessor Herbert Diess tried to fast-track, suffered the most. Several projects, including a new EV factory, were scrapped , while others were delayed. As Volkswagen was already behind its peers in EV development, this led to unwanted consequences.The volume brands (Volkswagen, Skoda, SEAT) and even Audi (for the Q4 e-tron) were left with an aging EV platform (MEB), unable to compete with more modern rivals. Porsche and Audi are still working on launching the Macan EV, Q6 e-tron, and A6 e-tron, all sharing the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture which should've been in production already. At the same time, the Artemis project, Volkswagen Group's ambitious autonomous vehicle program, has been pushed back toward the end of the decade.In this context, individual brands inside the Volkswagen Group started defecting and pursuing their own plans. Last month, Porsche established its own software division at Nardo Technical Center in Italy for advanced software-defined-vehicle development. Earlier this month, Audi announced a partnership with SAIC to use its EV architecture for vehicles destined for the Chinese market. Now, the Volkswagen brand is doing something similar with a different partner, showing that chaos reigns supreme at Volkswagen Group headquarters, where it's everyone for themselves.Instead of going with an established carmaker as Audi did, Volkswagen chose EV startup XPeng as a partner. The German carmaker invested $700 million via a capital increase, with the intention to own about 4.99% of the Chinese EV maker. Volkswagen will also hold a seat as an observer on the XPeng board of directors.Volkswagen will develop two new electric mid-size SUVs to complement its MEB-based lineup in China. According to Chinese media, which cites XPeng sources, both models will use XPeng G9's platform , connectivity package, andsoftware. The new models will reach the market in 2026. Volkswagen and XPeng will work together on software development and supply chain for the new models.The cooperation also involves jointly developing future e-platforms through the recently founded Volkswagen Group (China) Technology Company (VCTC), which will work together with XPeng. The new development center is the largest outside Wolfsburg, with more than 2,000 experts expected to work there on new EV technologies.Volkswagen and Audi are only the first German brands to start EV partnerships in China. Rumor has it that Mercedes-Benz is next, courting another EV startup, NIO. A picture widely shared on social media since May shows Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius meeting with NIO's founder, chairman, and CEO William Li at a NIO House.There is no official confirmation about the talks the two companies might have had, and some even say the picture was fake. Still, we wouldn't be surprised to see more partnerships between German and Chinese companies announced shortly. After all, the Germans are seriously outgunned when it comes to EV development.
The European Union is deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian situation affecting the local population in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, the EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in a statement. The movement through the Lachin corridor remains obstructed for more than seven months, despite Orders by the International Court of Justice to reopen it.

Medical supplies and essential goods are in short supply or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee safety and freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor imminently and not to permit the crisis to escalate further, added Borrell.

Like the United States and Russia, the EU has repeatedly called for an end to the crippling blockade of Karabakhs only land link with Armenia and the outside world. Borrells statement is the most strongly-worded of its appeals made to date.

Azerbaijan rejected the statement on Thursday, saying that it is based on the Armenian sides false propaganda. Presenting legitimate actions of Azerbaijan as a closure of the Lachin road is fundamentally wrong, said Aykhan Hajizade, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Hajizade insisted on a different, Azerbaijani-controlled supply route for Karabakh proposed by Baku and rejected by Karabakhs leadership as a cynical ploy designed to facilitate the restoration of Azerbaijani control over the Armenian-populated region.

Borrell stressed in this regard that while the EU took note of the Azerbaijani proposal it should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor.

The EU official made the appeal shortly after the Azerbaijani side refused to allow a convoy of 19 Armenian trucks carrying 360 tons of food aid for Karabakh residents to pass through a checkpoint which it controversially set up in the Lachin corridor in April.

The trucks sent by the Armenian government remained stuck near the checkpoint on Thursday. EU monitors deployed along Armenias border with Azerbaijan visited the area on Wednesday.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian condemned Bakus refusal to let the aid convoy through. He said Yerevan still hopes it will be allowed to proceed to Stepanakert. The Azerbaijani authorities failure to do so would lend credence to concerns about Baku's intention to commit genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, Pashinian added during a weekly cabinet meeting in Yerevan.
Speaking after their trilateral meeting in Moscow held on Tuesday, Lavrov said they discussed the problem of guaranteeing the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in the context of ensuring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He said Yerevan understands the need to convince the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to reach agreements with Baku stemming from international conventions on ethnic minorities.

The Azerbaijani side is ready to provide such guarantees on a mutual basis to persons living on its territory. The Armenians are ready to do the same regarding the application of all conventions to citizens living in the Republic of Armenia, added Lavrov.

Lavrovs remarks were construed by Armenian observes as a linkage between the status of Karabakhs ethnic Armenian population and the return of Armenias former Azerbaijani residents officially or unofficially demanded by Baku.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan rejected the linkage on Thursday. In written comments to RFE/RLs Armenian Service, Mirzoyan said ensuring the rights and security of Karabakhs indigenous residents is a completely different issue.

It cannot in any way be related to the topic of the rights of citizens living in the Republic of Armenia provided for by international obligations and fully protected by the Republic of Armenia, he said.

At the last trilateral meeting in Moscow, there was no discussion, let alone agreement, beyond this logic, added Mirzoyan.

An Armenian ambassador-at-large, Edmon Marukian, said late on Wednesday that Yerevan could discuss the sensitive issue only in conjunction with the fate of at least 100,000 ethnic Armenians who fled Baku and other parts of Azerbaijan in 1988-1991.

Tigran Grigorian, a Yerevan-based analyst, was unconvinced by these assurances. He said the language used by Lavrov marked another diplomatic setback for Armenia.

We are dealing with the incompetence of Armenian diplomacy, Grigorian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Baku has been pushing its demands through some loyal natives of Armenia who describe themselves as the leaders of the community of Western Azerbaijan. They claimed last week that their return to Armenia was on the agenda of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs July 15 meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian held in Brussels.

Pashinian said on Tuesday that the fate of these Azerbaijanis cannot be linked to the issue of the Karabakh Armenians rights and security. It is proportionate instead to the topic of the security and rights of Armenians from Baku, Sumgait, Gyanja or Nakhichevan, he told reporters.
27 July 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

Before the Second Karabakh war, when territories of Azerbaijan were yet under Armenian occupation, more precisely, on March 24, 1992, the Minsk Group was created within the framework of the OSCE. This group, co-chaired by the USA, France and Russia, would make efforts to resolve the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. On the basis of resolutions No. 822, 853, 874, 884 adopted by the UN Security Council, the OSCE Minsk Group had to unequivocally demand the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the lands of Azerbaijan. However, if in 2020, during Azerbaijan's Patriotic War, the issue that lasted for three decades was resolved by military means, and as a reult, the activities of the organization were stopped.

What is interesting is that during the occupation, the Mink Group held many meetings, visited Azerbaijan and returned again after tasting expensive wines. Indeed, the work of the OSCE Minsk group was simply to taste delicious food, sip from expensive wines and simply take advantage of the freezing of the conflict. However, Azerbaijan could not turn a blind eye to this and did not allow it. Under the leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Army completed in just 44 days what the OSCE Minsk Group could not do in 30 years.

The statement of the head of state regarding the activities of the Minsk Group was very important: "For about 30 years, we have been waiting for the international community to put an end to injustice and occupation. For this purpose, the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was established in 1992. This group had to find a way to resolve the conflict. In other words, it was necessary to put an end to the occupation. But on the contrary, the Minsk Group has become a tool in the hands of those who wanted to make this conflict eternal. Resuscitation of the OSCE Minsk Group is impossible, it is dead. After Azerbaijan itself resolved the conflict, put an end to the occupation of its lands and restored territorial integrity by military-political means, there was no need for the Minsk Group. We have already said goodbye to the OSCE Minsk Group."

But strangely enough, recently the West, especially the United States, proposed to re-establish the OSCE Minsk Group. This proposal shows how the approach of Western countries has changed significantly. But earlier, they were more interested in normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We wonder what makes the West play ambiguously? Will Russia allow the West to realize this desire amidst the war with Ukraine?

Our interlocutor on the issue is Russian political analyst Pavel Klachkov. While sharing his views with Azernews, he first of all touched on the purpose of the United States in reviving the Minsk Group.

"Well, the most important task that the US sets for itself is to increase its influence using any mechanisms, any initiatives. If we are talking about the Eurasian continent, then the influence is negative. Because the strategic goal is to destabilize the peoples of Eurasia, especially the post-Soviet space, turning this space into a constant bubbling military conflicts. In order to achieve everything, the US will go even extra miles. Here you need to clearly understand where their slogans are, where their operations are, so to speak, cover, where are their lies and deceit, and where is the real effect of their actions. And the real effect of their actions is, first of all, any escalation that can damage the main enemy, Russia and even China, which is also considered an enemy. And you can damage them by unleashing some kind of war along the border, as well as the borders of the South Caucasus," he opined

In fact, such a strategy of the West began to be implemented not yesterday, and not even 30 years ago, much more than 100 years ago, even since the establishment of the Unites States of America about 247 years ago. At first, this policy was carried out by the British Empire, then the United States took the initiative partially. But its essence remains unchanged - to play off peoples, provoke wars and make money from it. Everything else is demagogy. Through their agents, inflate and disrupt good neighborliness and economic ties with neighbors in certain countries. And ultimately make all these countries dependent on the Anglo-Saxon world.

It is no coincidence that even the ruins of the Middle East, where the United States has set foot, are called its masterpiece. Having expressed his agreement with these views, Russian political analyst Pavel Klachkov also touched on the current relations between the United States and Russia.

"In fact, we are basically on the brink of war with the West. In general, there is a real war going on with the West, which has further prospects only to grow both in intensity and in scale. It is impossible to turn a blind eye to this, so now there are no other alternatives for Russia. Russia will never back down, never surrender. The whole history of Russia - the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, all this suggests that no one has ever been able to defeat us by force. Therefore, in fact, even now all these hopes of the West, by force or deception, to somehow force Russia to retreat, will not work. It is only possible tactically for the momentary successes of the West, for which both the West and its allies will then have to pay for years and decades of shame, defeat and humiliation. I do not envy now the ally of the western bloc and the people of the western countries," the Russian expert emphasized.

As for how to completely prevent the US's resuming the Minsk Group, the expert noted that the US is just wasting time and resources over that. "In short, there is still hope that after some time people who cordially care about the American people will come to power in the United States. And to a greater extent, the US had better pay its attention to domestic problems of American people rather than being involved in wars outside of its territories," Klachkov added.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 July 2023 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

As is known, every year millions of dollars are transferred to NGOs, independent, neutral organisations through donor organizations, governments, and donations from ordinary people to fight with different difficulties that people encounter throughout the world. However, in return for these donations, the results of the activities of NGOs do not meet expectations, and here poses a question - why?

A book written by Graham Hancock provides the answer to this question with one phrase - the Lords of Poverty. The book sheds light on the inefficient activities of NGOs, the money frittered away by the employees of NGOs, and how the employees use dire situations around the world to draw water to their own mills. Besides the book, there are thousands of articles, documentary footage, and investigations that criticize the activities of not only NGOs but independent organisations that are operated neutrally in conflict-affected areas. Any person working in such organisations can make out very soon that the employees of them are made up of people who cannot sell their capabilities, so these people consider their organisation as their shrines and unequivocally accept the organisation's dogmas.

So, smuggling forbidden products through the Lachin border checkpoint by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) can confuse many naive ones in the West but not Azerbaijanis, because it is not the first time that ICRC frustrates Azerbaijanis. At the beginning of the 1990s, when international organizations including IRC stepped into Azerbaijan first time, the expectations of Azerbaijanis from the organizations were big. At that time, Azerbaijan had just got its independence, and simultaneously Armenia attacked the country. The newly independent country tried to cope with several problems such as economic crisis, refugees, and so on. At that time, many in Azerbaijan believed that those organizations would do something to restore peace and dignity in the region. However, later it found out that all these organizations are good for nothing. Only filling their pockets was on their real agenda. Strictly speaking, these organizations neither solved the occupation, nor the fate of refugees living through many ordeals.

Take the fate of missing Azerbaijanis during the first Karabakh War, for example. According to the official reports, about 4,354 people have gone missing. Firudun Sadigov, head of the Working Group of the State Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons, says at the end of 2008, the fate of about 170 people was clarified and it became clear that they were alive. They were from Shusha, and its surrounding villages, Kalbajar, and Lachin. In general, from 2004 to 2008, the fate of about 800 people was determined. Some were dead, while their burial places were identified. Regarding the issue, the Azerbaijani side appealed the Red Cross several times, but no answer has been provided so far by the organization. ICRC proved to be a paper tiger in the issue. After the 44-day war, several mass graves were found in the liberated territories, including Edilli village of Khojavand districts .

Besides, during the first Karabakh War, the employees of the Red Cross met with 54 POWs. At that time they were alive and they were illegally imprisoned by the Armenian side. The family of these people believed and expected that the Armenian side would release them because the world-famous humanitarian organization ICRC met with them and nobody would dare to touch them. But later, it found out that all of them were killed. Azerbaijan managed to get only the corpses of 17 of them.

Moreover, despite the ICRC created the DNA database in 2014, it did not do any good for the work of our missing Azerbaijan. This is an indication of the ICRC's indifferent approach to the fate of the missing Azerbaijanis.

During Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, Armenia grossly violated many international legal norms. Civilians were taken hostages and in many cases, they were killed. After unimaginable tortures were given to captives and hostages, they were killed and their bodies were not even presented to the Azerbaijani side in order to remove the traces of torture. The Armenian side has been reluctant to cooperate in finding the missing Azerbaijani citizens.

All of the above mentioned proved to be that all organizations including ICRC in Azerbaijan are paper tigers. Unfortunately, paper tiger, i.e. the relevant international organisation do not comply with their duties and cannot reassure Armenia to cooperate.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 July 2023 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

Useless and resisting any peaceful initiatives, Yerevan still cannot digest the existence of the Lachin border checkpoint, created by the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to control its borders and prevent Armenian provocations, and decided to re-create a theatrical, even a circus show on the border.

After Azerbaijan's offer to provide humanitarian assistance to the Armenian minority in Karabakh, the Armenian side fell into a stupor due to the fact that their false propaganda began to burst at the seams. First, the separatists announced that they would not accept any help through the Aghdam road, which is much more convenient and shorter than the roads from Armenia, and then Yerevan suddenly gathered a convoy of trucks and sent them to the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan in a completely uncoordinated way.

Representatives of the so-called "observation mission" of the EU, manipulated by French provocateurs.

The concentration of vehicles by Armenia at the Lachin checkpoint on the state border is certainly a political show, manipulation and another attempt at provocation, because Azerbaijan has loudly stated that the Agdam-Khankendi road can be used to transport goods to the zone of temporary responsibility of Russian peacekeepers.

The point here is not only that Baku proves its willingness to take care of all the inhabitants of the country, because the Armenian minority needs to be reintegrated into Azerbaijani society, but also that the technical and natural indicators of the road, especially the Barda-Aghdam road, which is rapidly recovering after the occupation, allows you to deliver goods much faster and more efficiently. That is, Azerbaijan once again extends its hand and wants to establish trusting relations. The Armenian side completely refuses for the sake of its manipulations, because the delivery of goods in this way will completely destroy the main circus performance of the separatists - the "humanitarian crisis". It will no longer be possible to yell at the whole world, for international organizations and embassies that "Azerbaijan has set up a blockade for them."

As we can see, there is no blockade, and cars pass without obstacles. The Armenians are losing their main trump card, and not because of Baku's "political manipulations", but because of their nobility. So easily, Armenian propaganda has never fallen apart at the seams. Naturally, the Pashinyan government could not leave everything to chance.

Here we remind the European strangers who came to watch the performance of the Armenian circus that the Azerbaijani side has created all the conditions for the crossing of the Lachin border checkpoint by Armenian residents.

In addition, the initiative to use the Aghdam-Khankendi road to meet the needs of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan received support from the President of the EU Council Charles Michel himself, who, following a regular trilateral meeting with President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, stated the following: "I also noted Azerbaijan's readiness to carry out humanitarian deliveries to Karabakh via Aghdam. I see both options as important and encourage humanitarian deliveries from both sides to ensure that the needs of the population are met."

Ignoring all these aspects, foreign observers who succumbed to this spectacle-provocation were only able to show the level of their boundless hypocrisy.

However, in Baku, just in case, they decided to explain to all participants in this political blackmail that no one understands or does not want to understand. Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, in his Twitter account, after a meeting with the participation of the ambassadors of the EU countries, Turkiye, the United States and Switzerland, said that Yerevan is engaged in political manipulations and speculations regarding the issue of the Lachin road, through which it is possible to carry out medical evacuations and supplies.

He recalled that an agreement was reached at the meeting in Brussels on the use of the Agdam-Khankendi road for supplies, adding that this issue was also noted in the statement of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Armenia's refusal to use the Aghdam road and insisting on using only the Lachin road and politicization of this issue is unacceptable.

H.Hajiyev also rightly stressed that the puppet "leaders" of the separatists in Khankendi are holding the local population hostage for their own political ambitions. Instead of defiantly staging theatrical scenes and driving trucks to the Lachin border checkpoint, Armenia should put an end to territorial claims against Azerbaijan, withdraw elements of its forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and stop funding the illegal puppet regime. It is also important to ensure the disarmament of all illegal forces in Karabakh. The international community should send a clear message in connection with the use of the Agdam-Khankendi road and the reintegration of the Armenian minorities living Karabakh into Azerbaijani society. Obstruct the use of the road, exploit local residents as hostages.

A similar statement for those who do not understand was made by Emin Huseynov, the special representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territories liberated from occupation, which are part of the Karabakh economic region.

"According to the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenia is trying to commit a provocation through the accumulation of vehicles for political manipulation and propaganda at the Lachin border checkpoint. The Republic of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated at various levels that in order to transport goods in the territory where temporarily Russian peacekeepers are deployed, the Aghdam-Khankendi road can be used," Huseynov stressed, reiterating that while the technical and natural characteristics of the road, in particular, the restoration after the occupation of the Barda-Agdam road, allow faster and more efficient delivery of goods, refusal people who call themselves representatives of the notorious regime from using this road is completely incomprehensible.

Whatever they come up with in Yerevan, the sending of convoys by the Armenian side to the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan under the guise of "humanitarian aid" and without agreement with our country is an encroachment on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, another provocation against the Lachin border checkpoint. Armenians simply cannot digest the existence of the Lachin border checkpoint, which was created in order to control their borders and prevent Armenian provocations.

The fact that the Armenian side took such a step immediately after the talks in Moscow, where, among other things, a detailed discussion of the current situation took place, shows that this country is insincere in this process and, by escalating the situation, intends to mislead the international community.

The provocation of June 15, including the shelling of Azerbaijani border guards in Lachin, the smuggling of goods, is a clear example of the fact that Armenia does not abandon its insidious aggressive policy. This prank once again demonstrates that Yerevan's statements about the allegedly "tense humanitarian situation in the region" are nothing but the intention to continue manipulation and illegal actions.

Despite the fact that the Azerbaijani side put forward a number of proposals, including the use of the Agdam-Khankendi road and other alternative routes, to meet the needs of the Armenian residents, which were supported by the European Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross, opposition to all proposals, including the transport of ICRC goods by road, proposed by Azerbaijan, obstructing relevant humanitarian activities, blocking access to the territory by installing concrete barriers on alternative roads, demonstrates that Armenia's statements about the humanitarian situation are nothing but political blackmail.

In addition to the politicization of humanitarian activities, these steps by Armenia contradict its statements about the recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The involvement of the European Union mission in Armenia and the diplomatic corps in the aforementioned provocation as a tool indicates that this was a pre-planned action.

Nevertheless, Baku is determined to transport goods to Karabakh. There are ways to solve the problems of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, but criminal Armenia is trying to create any possible obstacles, because the revanchists are worried that the Armenian minority will understand in practice that no one in Baku lied when it came to equal rights for all citizens of our country.

The refusal of the Armenians to use this road is a political speculation and a sign of a racist approach. The quality of food products imported from Azerbaijan is no worse than the quality of products coming from the territory of Armenia. Therefore, the separatists and Pashinyan do not have a single normal and adequate argument.

The supply of food to the Armenian minorities living in Karabakh through Aghdam is also beneficial from a logistical point of view - it is, firstly, shorter, and, secondly, the road infrastructure of Azerbaijan is several times superior in quality to the roads of Armenia, which are repaired every now and then every month millions of drams are allocated.

Here we recall the words of President Ilham Aliyev, said during a speech at the Shusha global media forum on the topic "New media in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution". Referring to the blocking of the Aghdam-Askaran road by Armenians, the head of state stressed: "Karabakh is Azerbaijan. So right? So after all. Does everyone recognize this? Everyone recognizes. Does anyone say its not? No. And why should goods be delivered from another country? This is illogical. But instead of accepting this gesture, concrete blocks are placed there. So who is blocking whom? So thats the whole point."

Therefore, the refusal of the Armenian side of the proposal put forward by Azerbaijan to use the Agdam-Khankendi road to meet the needs of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region indicates that the assertion of an allegedly "tense humanitarian situation" in the region does not reflect reality. It also demonstrates the true intention of Armenia to use the situation for political blackmail. Armenia pursues the goal of continuing its illegal activities on the territory of Azerbaijan. Here it is worth noting the attempts of the Prime Minister of Armenia to manipulate international public opinion, ignoring the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the region, as well as the fact that dozens of residents of Armenia pass through the checkpoint every day in both directions, and the fact that Azerbaijan put forward alternative options ,

It is absurd and hypocritical that the Armenians, who for 30 years grossly violated all the norms and principles of international law, ignored the warnings of international organizations against the ongoing aggression against Azerbaijan and the policy of ethnic cleansing, four resolutions of the UN Security Council, calling for action against Azerbaijan at the international level.

The most necessary condition for ensuring peace in the region is the cessation of attempts by Armenian officials to interfere in the reintegration of Armenians living in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, as well as the unconditional confirmation by Armenia in word and deed of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The Armenian side must finally understand that its efforts to prevent the restoration of peace and stability in the region will not yield any results. All these actions are ridiculous, comical. You will have to accept new realities, as well as help. Because the Armenian side has no resources to resist the inevitable. The next show of Armenia and its patrons is doomed to failure.

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27 July 2023 12:07 (UTC+04:00)

An Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan business forum has been held in the city of Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, Azernews reports.

A delegation led by Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov comprising of heads of the relevant government agencies and representatives of the business circles attended the event.

Addressing the forum, Deputy PM Ali Ahmadov noted that the certain tasks and directions set up by the two countries heads of state during their last reciprocal visits sent a strong message to Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz entrepreneurs.

The Forum participants were briefed about the works carried out by Azerbaijani state aimed at improving the investment environment in the country as well as the activity of the Alat Free Economic Zone.

Representatives of the Kyrgyz business circles were invited to monitor the favorable conditions for activity in the Azerbaijani market.

The forum also saw presentations on investment opportunities of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan as well as a number of bilateral meetings between entrepreneurs and investors of the two countries.

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27 July 2023 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

The VII International Economic Forum "Issyk-Kul 2023" was held in Cholpon-Ata of the Kyrgyz Republic on 27 July, delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov attended the forum, Azernews reports, citing Cabinet of Ministers.

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Zhoparov welcomed A.Ahmadov and other participants of the forum.

Addressing the forum, A.Ahmadov stressed that Azerbaijan is implementing a strategic course aimed at ensuring regional and global cooperation, peace, and dialogue.

It was noted that Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, together with its partners in the region participates in initiatives and projects aimed at developing transport communications and expanding regional and continental trade.

Azerbaijan is an important link in the chain of international transport corridors North-South and East-West, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, and other projects. A.Ahmadov said: "We observe annual growth of cargo traffic on various routes passing through the territory of Azerbaijan. At the end of 2022, the growth was 75 percent. We expect rapid growth of freight traffic passing through the territory of Azerbaijan."

The forum participants were informed about the increase in the capacity of Baku International Sea Trade Port and the construction of Lachin Airport, which will become the ninth international airport in Azerbaijan and the third airport in the liberated territories.

All these measures create conditions for a significant expansion of Azerbaijan's transit potential, which will help effectively solve problems related to increasing traffic and ensuring the smooth operation of international transport corridors.

It was noted at the forum that Azerbaijan's strategy to restore the Great Silk Road and develop the Middle Corridor at a high level coincides with China's concept of the "One Belt, One Road" project. It was brought to the attention of the participants of the event that Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support China's initiative.

The Deputy Prime Minister also spoke of Azerbaijan's important role in ensuring Europe's energy security. In this context, the valuable contribution of the Southern Gas Corridor connecting the Caspian region with Europe and the global energy security system was noted.

Underlining that Azerbaijan has great potential for the development of alternative energy in addition to natural gas, Ahmadov said the head of state has set a task for the government to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the country's energy system to 30 percent by 2030. Large projects are already being implemented in this direction together with leading world companies.

Deputy Prime Minister also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on achievements in the socio-economic sphere. It was noted that important state programs are being effectively implemented in Kyrgyzstan, the welfare of the population is improving, and the investment attractiveness of the country is increasing.

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A man, third from left, in his 50s is taken by police officers into a police car after stabbing a person over a money dispute and threatening to throw himself off the building at a residential building in Bupyeong District, Incheon, July 27. Yonhap



A man was detained Thursday following a five-hour standoff with police after stabbing a person over a money dispute in Incheon, west of Seoul, officials said Thursday.



The suspect in his 50s allegedly stabbed the victim in front of a multi-home residential building before fleeing to the victim's house on the building's third floor.



Police and rescue workers found the victim, in his 60s, bleeding and lying in front of the building after he made an emergency call at 5:21 a.m., saying he had been stabbed in the stomach. The victim was taken to a hospital, and the wound was not life-threatening, the officials said.



The suspect had initially refused to surrender, threatening to throw himself off the building, but he eventually came out of the house and was detained at around 10 a.m., officials said.



The police had installed a safety air mat outside the building to prepare for a possible fall.



Police plan to question the suspect in order to investigate the details of the incident.


27 July 2023 13:46 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan and Turkiye have agreed on cooperation within the framework of the project to create a fifth-generation Turkish fighter Kaan.

Azernews reports with reference to TRT Haber that this agreement will be formalized by a bilateral agreement, which is planned to be signed as part of the International Defense Industry Exhibition (IDEF-2023) taking place in Istanbul.

Baku's participation in the project should be seen as an important step in the modernization of the Azerbaijani Air Force, equipped with Russian MiG-29 aircraft.

According to the Defense Turk portal, which specializes in the military-industrial complex, Ukraine may also take part in the project to create a Turkish fighter.

The fifth-generation fighter Kaan has been created in Turkey since 2017 as part of the National Combat Aircraft program. It is planned that it will make its first flight this year, and its mass production will begin in 2028. The Turkish authorities have previously stated that the Kaan will surpass the American F-35 in terms of tactical and technical characteristics and in the future will replace the F-16 fighters in service with the Republic's Air Force.

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27 July 2023 19:33 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan and Turkiye discussed the expansion of economic cooperation, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov wrote about this on Twitter.

The minister's publication says that during the meeting of the Azerbaijani delegation with the Minister of Trade of Turkey Omer Bolat, a number of issues were discussed.

As part of our business trip to Turkiye, we discussed with the Minister of Trade of the brotherly country Omer Bolat joint initiatives that serve to expand the economic partnership between our countries, the contribution of the implementation of preferential trade to strengthening trade relations, the activities of Turkish companies in our territories liberated from occupation, cooperation in the field of transport, tourism, as well as in the areas of standardization systems and technical regulation. - the minister says in the publication.

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27 July 2023 19:03 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The 13th Gabala International Music Festival promises to be spectacular and full of unforgettable moments.

This year's music festival is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

World-famous musicians, conductors and music ensembles from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Great Britain, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia will delight the audience with magnificent performances.

The festival will open its doors with a concert "Viva Opera" under the artistic direction of People's Artists Farhad Badalbayli and Murad Adigozalzade.

The concert soloists, including People's Artists Dinara Aliyeva (soprano), Avaz Abdullayev (baritone), Samir Jafarov (tenor), Yusif Eyvazov (tenor) and Honored artist Sabina Asadova (mezzo-soprano) will perform at the opening concert.

The soloists will be accompanied by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev.

"I am looking forward to the Gabala International Music Festival. The festival is a great feast both for musicians and spectators. I am very glad that I have the opportunity to perform at such a large-scale festival. With great joy, I remember my performance with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (UK) and the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra within the festival. Gabala Music Festival is one of the first open-air musical events organized in the country. It is worth noting that the first such festivals were first held in the '80s. Among such festivals Kharibulbul Music Festival is of special importance. The festival resumed its activities after the liberation of Azerbaijan's territories. Many wonderful music festivals are now held in Shusha, Azerbaijan's cultural capital. It seems to me that the Gabala Festival, the Kharibulbul Festival, the Silk Road Festival are a unique chain that gives a holiday and unforgettable emotions to the audience," Ayyub Guliyev told AZERNEWS.

"The Gabala Music Festival is distinguished by rich musical program, which includes classical, mugham, folk and dance music. The audience enjoys the program immensely. I want to note a massive work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the festival's artistic directors, People's Artists Farhad Badalbayli and Murad Adigozalzade to hold festival at high-level. The Gabala Music Festival gathered renown musicians from Azerbaijan and different countries. Gabala is Azerbaijan's visiting card. International musicians who visit Gabala Music Festival never ceases to amaze each corner of this breathtaking place," he added.

In his remarks, Ayyub Guliyev emphasized that the festival's program will be no less impressive that in previous years.

"Gabala Music Festival's program always surprises with its richness. The festival will open with a concert "Viva Opera", bringing together five incredibly talented musicians- director of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, People's Artist Yusif Eyvazov, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater, People's Artist Dinara Aliyeva, deputy director of the State Opera Ballet Theater, Honored Artist Sabina Asadova, People's Artists Avaz Abdullayev and Samir Jafarov. The soloists will be accompanied by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra under my baton.

The concert program "Viva Opera" includes music compositions by national and international composers. The program also contains very complex music pieces from the point of view of performance. Some compositions will be heard for the first time. I think that the concert will not leave anyone indifferent," he concluded.

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27 July 2023 10:22 (UTC+04:00)

A visiting delegation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and influential international experts in the field of digital government visited the Azerbaijan Cyber Security Centre, Azernews reports, citing the Centre.

The delegation got acquainted with the conditions created for students, and the Centre's activities, including the graduation day of 60 students of the Azerbaijan Cyber Security Centre held on 24 July.

The guests assessed these initiatives as an important step forward in strengthening the cyber security capacity of the country and the region.

Recently, a delegation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and influential international experts in the field of digital government visited the Azerbaijan Cyber Security Centre. The visit was part of UNDP's Digital Strategy 2022-2025, which focuses on creating a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and the planet.

The Strategic Plan 2022-2025 of the UNDP outlines how the organization will seek to support countries in three directions of change  structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and building resilience  and underlines the importance of digital as one of three enablers to achieving this change.

The UNDP is committed to the principle of "leaving no one behind" and to integrated policy approaches. It works with countries to deepen local understanding of who and why people are - or are at risk of - being left behind; shape according to policies; strengthen mechanisms that facilitate their voice and participation; and track and report on relative progress within the context of national SDG monitoring.

The UNDP provides normative, analytical, technical assistance and capacity-building activities to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies, supporting the mainstreaming of the SDGs in sectoral strategies, and enhancing national implementation.

The visit of the UNDP delegation to the Azerbaijan Cyber Security Centre was an important step in the implementation of the UNDP's Digital Strategy 2022-2025. The visit provided an opportunity for the UNDP to gain a better understanding of the Centre's activities and to discuss how the UNDP can support the Centre in its efforts to promote digital government in Azerbaijan.

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27 July 2023 11:23 (UTC+04:00)

The applicants who passed the exam for the III group of specialties and fulfilled the condition of competition (the total score should be not less than 200, and the score for the second stage of the exam should be not less than 100) and who wish to enter the faculty of journalism specialty, should visit the website of the State Examination Centre (SEC) on 27-31 July, pass the registration by filling in the questionnaire, Azernews reports, citing Ministry of Education and Culture

The category specified in the 3rd paragraph of the section "Acceptance of applications" of the announcement on the admission of students not registered in other institutions of professional education and training can participate in the aptitude test. in the specialty of journalism in the current year at the expense of the state budget. Participation of all applicants from the category specified in paragraph 4 of the same section in the test of suitability for the specialty of journalism is at the expense of the state budget.

Other applicants must deposit the required amount to their account in the "Personal Cabinet" for registration.

The applicants perform a written work (essay) on the topic presented in the exam. Applicants who successfully pass the aptitude test may choose journalism as well as other specialties during the selection process.

The aptitude test for applicants wishing to enter the journalism major will be held on 6 August. The applicants who successfully passed this stage can choose journalism as well as other specialties in the selection process.

In the special edition of the magazine "Abiturient," one can get acquainted with the topics of essays (in Azerbaijani and Russian languages) that will be offered to the applicants at the stage of the aptitude test, as well as with the requirements for the essays that the applicants will write.

The special edition can be purchased at "Abiturient" trade kiosks and bookshops or ordered at www.abiturient.az.

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27 July 2023 12:22 (UTC+04:00)

Russia continues to find ways to remind Armenia and Azerbaijan that Moscows military and diplomatic presence in the South Caucasus is necessary, the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says, Azernews reports.

"Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met in Moscow for bilateral and trilateral negotiations regarding Nagorno-Karabakh on July 25. Lavrov walked a careful balance between mediator and participant during the trilateral negotiations, signaling Russias support for various Armenian and Azerbaijani positions while continuing to delay any real discussion of a long-term, effective peace agreement. A Kremlin-affiliated Russian mil blogger highlighted that an assistant was caught on a live microphone, likely intentionally, telling Lavrov not to refer to 'Nagorno Karabakh' as the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast because the Azerbaijanis would not appreciate it. The mil blogger noted that this was a simple, yet effective manipulation tactic that signaled to Armenia Russias desire to please Azerbaijan.

"The Russian government may have intended for the Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan trilateral meeting to reduce possible Iranian efforts to supplant Russian influence with Armenia by providing Shahid drones to Yerevan. Israel-based i24News claimed on July 16 that Armenia has used Iranian Shahed drones in several recent clashes with Azerbaijan. The American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project previously assessed that Iran may expand its military support to Armenia in response to Russian negligence towards the Caucasus. The trilateral meeting may have been an attempt to reassert Russias influence over Armenia vis-a-vis Iran, influence that has become particularly fragile following Russias redeployment of elements of its peacekeeping force from Karabakh to Ukraine in March 2023," ISW said.

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27 July 2023 14:07 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan highly appreciates the support of the European Union to establish peace and stability in the region, as well as to the peace negotiations with Armenia, Azernews reports, citing FM spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada on commenting Josep Borrel's statement over the situation in Karabakh.

Nevertheless, the presented approach towards the situation in the region by High Representative Josep Borrel in his July 26 statement, based on the propaganda and political manipulations spread by Armenia, is regrettable.

Ignoring the grievances of Azerbaijan regarding the incomplete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan, which continue to be a threat to Azerbaijan's national security, territorial integrity, and sovereignty after the 2020 44-day war, illegal activities of Armenia via the Lachin road, transportation to the territories of Azerbaijan of ammunition and landmines, as well as the transfer of the natural resources of Azerbaijan to Armenia, and presenting the legitimate acts of Azerbaijan as the closure of the Lachin road is fundamentally wrong.

Similarly, it must be made clear that the blatant misinterpretation of the relevant decisions of the International Court of Justice will not yield results. The July 6 decision of the Court, confirming the right of Azerbaijan to control its borders and proving the baseless nature of Armenia's request for the removal of the Lachin border checkpoint, once more demonstrated that the protection of its own security by Azerbaijan is legitimate.

Despite the protests since the December of last year against the illegal acts of Armenia, hundreds of vehicles, including the ICRC vehicles have passed through the Lachin on a daily basis. Furthermore, a well-regulated and transparent daily passage in both directions through the Lachin border checkpoint was ensured even after its installation. Moreover, despite the armed attack on the checkpoint on June 15, smuggling attempts, and the provocation by the dispatch of convoys under the disguise of humanitarian aid on July 26, Azerbaijan continues its cooperation with the ICRC, provides the passage of Armenian residents for medical purposes and facilitates the transport of medical supplies by the ICRC.

Coming to the transportation of large amounts of cargo to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan made a proposal to utilize "Aghdam-Khankendi" and other alternative routes, taking into account threats originating from Armenia.

Despite the fact that this proposal of Azerbaijan is being supported by international partners, including the European Union and the ICRC, obstacles and prevention of transportation of goods by blocking the roads by Armenia and those who present themselves as representatives of the Armenian residents is a clear proof that the speculations on the "tense humanitarian situation" is nothing than political manipulation.

Azerbaijan, besides being committed to its international obligations, will resolutely prevent attempts to legitimize illegal activity on its territories.

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27 July 2023 15:13 (UTC+04:00)

The Baku Network expert platform aired the next episode of the analytical video project "Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov", Azernews reports, citing Trend.

The guest of the program was Igor Korotchenko, director of the Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies.

Korotchenko said that the best guarantor of the security of Karabakh's Armenian residents is Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a man who is responsible for his words and who has international authority.

"Azerbaijan is not just one of many countries, it is a state that won the second Karabakh war, which leads the Non-Aligned Movement and during the years of Azerbaijan's presidency in the DP this organization has reached absolutely new frontiers. Azerbaijan is a guarantor of the EU's energy security and finally, it is a country that is looking to the future. Of course, if the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev with his experience, with his intelligence, with his strategic goal-setting says that it will be so, then it will be so. Of course, Baku will not allow anyone to get involved in this problem," the expert said.

Korotchenko noted that the Karabakh economic region is an integral part of Azerbaijan, and as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly said, Baku considers Armenians living compactly in Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan.

"In general, Azerbaijan's approach is characterized not only by pragmatism, but also by humanism, and at the same time by a desire to do everything possible to turn these pages of bloody history that lasted 30 years. Azerbaijan won the second Karabakh War by defeating and forcing Armenia to capitulate. And further, Azerbaijan behaved very nobly. It extended its hand and said that firstly it wants to sign a peace treaty with Armenia on the basis of five basic principles proposed by President Ilham Aliyev so that interstate relations would be based on new realities, in accordance with which the two countries - Azerbaijan and Armenia - would clearly undertake their obligations. And after the delimitation and demarcation of the state border, all issues will be resolved. Baku has made it clear that contrary to insinuations of "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide", it is ready to peacefully integrate the Armenian inhabitants of Karabakh. Moreover, Baku appointed a special commissioner who met with Armenian representatives and said that Azerbaijan was ready to discuss the issues. After that, a new step was taken when representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh were invited to Baku in order to start concrete negotiations on peaceful integration," he stressed.

Korotchenko believes that a detailed roadmap for the integration of Karabakh's Armenian residents should be developed.

"In the implementation of reintegration and establishment of peace, the basic principle is the complete withdrawal of Armenian armed formations from the territory of Karabakh, their disarmament," he added.

Referring to the issue of the Armenian side's refusal to use the Aghdam-Khankendi road for humanitarian cargo, Korotchenko stressed that this is precisely the Armenian genocide that the separatists' "leadership" in Khankendi is arranging.

"Here it is, in its purest form, the genocide of Armenians, which the Armenians themselves are arranging against their tribesmen. I am more than sure that all these video footage with claims about the alleged existence of "famine" in this region are nothing but staging. We all know very well how it is done. There is an option of supplying any goods, equipment, and food through Aghdam. But they consciously do not go for it, because this is the way to reintegration. Reintegration into Azerbaijani society is the way to a bright future for the Armenian residents of Karabakh," he stressed.

The full issue of the program.

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27 July 2023 16:39 (UTC+04:00)

In January-June this year, Azercosmos, under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, exported services worth $9.5 million (AZN 16.1 million) to 43 countries, Azernews reports, citing the Export Review.

Compared to the same period last year, this is nine countries more and $3.6 million (AZN 6.1 million), or 27.5%, less than a year earlier.

In June alone, Azercosmos exported services (satellite telecommunications and optical satellite) to 40 countries for $1.7 million (AZN 2.89 million).

In six months, Azercosmos sold the most services to the UK ($2.7 million) (AZN 4.6 million), Luxembourg ($2.1 million) (AZN 3.57 million), UAE ($837,700) (AZN 1.42 million), Germany ($522,200) (AZN 887.740 thousand), and Pakistan ($444,400) (AZN 755.480 thousand).

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27 July 2023 18:39 (UTC+04:00)

The community of Western Azerbaijan commented on the situation resulting from the fact that the illegal regime in Khankendi prevented the delivery of goods from other regions of Azerbaijan to Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The statement of the Community reads:

We, the Western Azerbaijan Community, closely follow the developments arisen as a result of the illegal regimes prevention of supply from the rest of Azerbaijan for the population residing in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, said the Western Azerbaijan Community.

As the organization uniting the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia and advocating for their rights, the Western Azerbaijan Community applauds the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan to reintegrate Armenians living in the Karabakh region. By demonstrating an inclusive and tolerant society, Azerbaijan sets a precedent for reconciliation and the restoration of the rights for the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia. The hope is that Armenia would recognize this example and take steps towards fostering understanding, dialogue, and the safe repatriation of Azerbaijanis forcibly uprooted from their homes in Armenia, restoring the multiethnic fabric in this country.

Regrettably, Armenia has not reciprocated with similar goodwill. Not only Armenia persistently obstructs the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from its territory, it also continues to fuel tensions by actively encouraging separatism among Armenians residing in Azerbaijan. Armenia's actions, including the presence of military personnel in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and financial support to the illegal entity in Khankendi, only serve to exacerbate the situation and undermine regional stability. These actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and the fundamental rights of the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

In particular, the Western Azerbaijan Community is deeply concerned about Armenia's and the illegal regimes ongoing attempts to create an artificial humanitarian crisis by obstructing supplies to Karabakh Armenians from other parts of Azerbaijan and demanding exclusive supply routes to Khankendi without any border or customs control.

The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns these manipulative tactics, as they not only hinder the process of reconciliation but also exploit the genuine needs of inhabitants for political gain.

Furthermore, we express our deep regret and strong disapproval of the European Union's involvement in the situation. The presence of the EU mission alongside the convoy attempting to break into Azerbaijan without the consent of the Azerbaijani government undermines the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and sends a wrong signal to Armenia.

We would like to remind that the mandate of the EU's mission in Armenia does not include involvement in Armenias actions aimed at violating Azerbaijans sovereignty. Mandate of the mission, which is deployed in the areas formerly inhabited by Azerbaijanis, is to assess the impact of the conflict on the Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia, and facilitate confidence-building measures that would enable their safe and dignified return to their homes. If the EU genuinely upholds human rights, it should not get involved in Armenias blackmailing tactics, but support our right to return.

We demand that the Government of Armenia immediately ceases its infringement upon Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Armenia must end its malign activities aimed at preventing the reintegration of Armenian inhabitants of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. We also renew our urging on the Government of Armenia to respect human rights, enable our safe and dignified return and engage in dialogue with us to that end, the Community added."

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The Supreme Court in Seoul/ Yonhap

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the retrial of a woman who was sentenced by lower courts to 30 years in prison on charges of killing her husband by feeding him food and drink mixed with a nicotine solution.



Citing a lack of evidence, the top court overturned the 30-year prison term for the 38-year-old suspect, whose identity was withheld, and sent the case to the Suwon High Court in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul.



The woman was arrested and indicted in 2021 on suspicion of poisoning her 46-year-old husband to death by feeding him cold water, porridge and a multi-grain powder drink that contained a lethal dose of nicotine solution.



She claimed innocence, arguing he appeared to have committed suicide. But prosecutors seized liquid nicotine and electronic cigarette devices from her, while autopsy results showed the husband died of nicotine poisoning though he reportedly quit smoking for eight years before his death.



A district court recognized all of her charges and sentenced her to 30 years in prison. The appellate court also maintained the 30-year sentence but recognized only the charge of nicotine poisoning through cold water.



The Supreme Court said it is difficult to uphold the lower courts' sentence, because her charges have not been fully proven. The court said it is difficult to see that a set of indirect evidence is sufficient as active evidence to prove her charges and there remain questions about her guilty verdict.



The top court also said it is difficult to completely rule out the possibility that the victim may have drunk nicotine for other undisclosed reasons and more than two-thirds of the water in the cup that the suspect had given the victim was not drunk. In addition, it is difficult to conclude that the liquid nicotine seized from the suspect was used in the crime because of the considerable difference between it and the nicotine found in the drink, the court added. (Yonhap)




27 July 2023 20:43 (UTC+04:00)

Instead of playing with words, the political leadership of Armenia should put an end to the manipulation, disinformation, false information games and propaganda campaign aimed at deceiving the international community regarding the Lachin road.

According to Azernews, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, wrote this on his Twitter account in response to the publication of the Chairman of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan about the alleged "blockade" of the Armenian minorities living in Karabakh.

"The Aghdam-Khankendi road is open and working!", H.Hajiyev wrote in th post.

It should be noted that during the meeting of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Council of the European Union Charles Michel on July 15 in Brussels, the issue of transporting humanitarian goods for the Armenian minorities in Karabakh in the direction of Barda-Agdam road was discussed.

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27 July 2023 20:05 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye is following news of a coup attempt in the West African nation of Niger with deep concern, with hopes that lawful peace and stability in the country will not suffer, it said Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

"We follow with deep concern the coup attempt perpetrated by a group within the Armed Forces in Niger, which led to the removal from duty of President Mohamed Bazoum, who came to power through democratic elections, and the suspension of all democratic institutions," said a Foreign Ministry statement.

Turkiye hopes that the constitutional order, social peace and stability of "friendly and brotherly" Niger will not deteriorate, it added.

"Turkiye will continue to stand by Niger throughout this critical period," it said.

Turkiye itself had a history of coups which did damage to the countrys democracy, till in 2016 the nation's leadership and its people successfully fought off a bloody coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The Nigerien presidency confirmed on Wednesday that a coup attempt had been carried out.

Bazoum was ousted and the Constitution suspended due to the countrys worsening security situation and socioeconomic crisis, according to a statement by Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane.

Calling themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the soldiers read out a coup statement in a video on state broadcaster ORTN.

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27 July 2023 23:25 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish security forces arrested 16 foreign nationals for their alleged links to the Daesh/ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorist organizations, security sources said on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

Istanbul police anti-terror teams launched an operation to apprehend suspects linked to Daesh/ISIS and al-Qaeda, the sources said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Turkish police raided 15 addresses in eight districts across the city to arrest the suspects identified as foreign terrorist fighters, the sources added.

In 2013, Turkiye became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist organization.

The country has since been attacked by the terror group multiple times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more injured in at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed attacks.

In response, Turkiye launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.

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Children play at a water park in Songpa District, Seoul, July 21. Yonhap



Korea's total population fell for the second consecutive year in 2022 amid the country's critically low births, data showed Thursday, with seniors taking up a larger portion of the population.



The country's total population dropped to 51.69 million in November, down 46,000, or 0.1 percent, from the previous year, according to the 2022 census by Statistics Korea. In 2021, Korea experienced the first on-year decline in its population since 1949.



The total population is calculated based on childbirth and death data and cross-border movements of foreigners living in Korea for more than three months.



The number of foreigners moved up 6.2 percent over the period to reach 1.75 million, indicating the country has become more diverse, although Korean nationals still took up 96.6 percent.



Asia's No. 4 economy has been struggling with demographic challenges from a chronically low birthrate and rapid aging.



Many young people delay or give up on getting married or having babies due to the protracted economic slowdown, high housing prices and changing social norms about marriage.



Only 18,988 babies were born in May, down 5.3 percent from the previous year, separate data showed earlier this week.



This figure represents the lowest number for any May since the agency began compiling data in 1981. The number of babies born in Korea has been falling on-year for 90 consecutive months.



The working-age population, or people aged 15 to 64, reached 36.69 million last year, accounting for 71 percent of the total.



Koreans aged 65 and above accounted for 18.1 percent of the population, with the ratio marking a sharp rise from just 11.3 percent tallied in 2010.



The senior index, which represents the number of those aged 65 and above per 100 people aged 14 and below, came to 156.1, up 13.1 over the period.



The census also showed that the number of single-member households reached 7.5 million, up 4.7 percent from a year earlier. They accounted for 34.5 percent of the total households, up 1 percentage point over the period.



The number of multicultural households reached 399,000 in 2022, up 14,000 from a year earlier. (Yonhap)


https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/scroggins-crab-legs.html

Fishing Stories

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Professional bass fishing is a game of tough-to-control uncertainties, but one things for sure, if you show up to Team Toyotas Terry Big Show Scroggins house, youre going to share great food and a ton of laughs.

His latest kitchen creation is perfect for summer and was born out of a night at home with buddies Allen Anderson and Tom Willis, who worked as a chef in Denver before returning recently to his native Florida.

Chef Willis asked me if those oranges on the trees in my yard were any good and if I had any crab legs, grins Scroggins. Sure enough, I had some crab legs in my freezer, and those oranges in my yard are dang good, so all we needed was some white wine, which I had too, and the next thing you know, hes showing me this awesome way to make crab legs for a crew of hungry guests, he smiles.

Scroggins and Chef Willis recommend using a deep fry pan, large enough to hold three or four clusters of crab legs, along with three oranges cut in half and about an inch-deep bath of white wine. Squeeze all the juice from the orange halves into the wine, and then let the orange halves bathe with the crab legs in the wine on a stovetop for 10 minutes on medium to high heat.

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I think the citric acid helps soften the spiny shells so you can crack into them easier, and once theyve cooked for 10 minutes, all you have to do is set them out on a big tray, sprinkle em with a good dash of Old Bay seasoning, and youve got a super easy meal that folks can walk past, grab a leg, and have some great summer food while theyre at your pool or picnic, says Scroggins.

Big Show likes king crabs best but says their spiny legs make them a little more challenging to eat than snow crab, and adds that as far as what white wine you choose, it really doesnt matter.

He will be choosy next week at Saginaw Bay, Michigan, as a he looks to notch his fourth Top 5 finish in recent months of Major League Fishing events. For example, when he finished 5th at St. Clair last month, he felt using a smaller 3.6 MaxScent Flat Worm got him more bites than a slightly larger 4.25 version.

But when it comes to cooking up a fast and easy fun meal in the heat of summer, keep it simple. You only need four ingredients, crab legs, white wine, Old Bay seasoning, and some oranges --- and if youve got them growing on the trees in your yard like Big Show does, that makes it even easier.
Stunning Photos of Oregon Coast Cougar Incident - How's and Why's

Published 07/22/23 at 5:21 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon)  Sunday, July 17 was an unusual and wild one on the Oregon coast, and what appears to be a first for Cannon Beach. Just after sunrise, rather suddenly, a cougar was seen crawling around Haystack Rock. (Photo: a detail from a larger photo, Andy Woo https://www.andywoophoto.com/)

Personnel from half a dozen different local, state and even federal agencies came out to cordon the area off, creating not just a stir in the media but an opportunity for some incredible photographs. However, you would've had to have been one of the lucky few.

Among those was regional photographer Andy Woo, whose photos are featured here.

The cougar incident also served to accentuate some wildlife science, and the fact another area just south of Cannon Beach was also being affected by cougar sightings.

What caused that cougar to leave the wilds and head for the beach?



Andy Woo https://www.andywoophoto.com/



Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) said he or she was looking for snacks in the form of birds, they believe. Experts with the agency said they've never seen this before at the iconic Oregon coast landform, which is a national wildlife refuge for various kinds of birds, especially tufted puffin.

There are currently many puffin on top of the rock, where they've burrowed to lay eggs and rear their young.

ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Paul Atwood said cougars primarily feed on deer out in the wild, but they also munch on elk, other mammals and birds.

Yesterday, an Air Station Astoria aircrew assisted in locating a cougar on Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach. They maintained an appropriate distance to ensure the cougar and nesting birds were undisturbed. Wildlife & law enforcement officials reported the cougar is no longer present. pic.twitter.com/SFT7z6caRF  USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) July 17, 2023

While the forested areas along the coast are prime habitat for cougars, it is unusual that a cougar made its way on to Haystack Rock, Atwood said.

He said the big cat likely came in on the low tide in the middle of the night.

Experts  including Cannon Beach Police Department  told Oregon Coast Beach Connection on Sunday they were thinking the cougar would leave on the next low tide in the middle of the night.

That's just what it did. After setting up a wildlife camera, they caught the mountain lion exiting the beach. The next morning, tracks were found in the sand as well.

Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours

On Sunday, Cannon Beach police told Oregon Coast Beach Connection they had not seen the cat go anywhere else off the rock. However, photographer Andy Woo caught the money shot (or plural, rather): the cougar had done a little bit of ocean bathing after all.



Andy Woo https://www.andywoophoto.com/

Another dramatic capture was of the mountain lion on infrared video (above), taken by the US Coast Guard aboard a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. That same aircraft also checked the other side of Haystack Rock and helped determine it was gone on Monday.

Meanwhile, Nehalem Bay State Park still has some areas closed because of at least three separate cougar sightings. Read full story Cougar Leaves Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock, This Part of Oregon Coast Back Open / Video







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Coastal Spotlight



Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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Sometimes, Clouds Are Your Best Friends Shooting Oregon Coast Sunsets - Video

Published 07/22/23 at 7:21 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast)  Snapping a sunset on the Oregon coast is by far and away the biggest attraction when coming to these beaches. Even bigger than walking on the sands itself. (Photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

What's behind the sunset, scientifically that is, is a whole new world of fun and funky facts. Even the time of year has a bearing on what kind of dusky disc you'll get. Winter's colors are bit more intense and deep, because of the low angle of the sun. Spring sees unusually intense in a different way, often shades of pastels you can't get any other time of year. Then, summer and second summer's (early fall) clear skies are the hands-down favorite of most, but it isn't always the most spectacular.

Clear skies, it turns out, may not always be your best sunset friend. At the very least, cloudy days can contain loads of sundown surprises.

Aside from the photos here, there is video of eight stunning sky effects, mostly made by the interaction between clouds and the sun being low on the horizon. There, you'll see mesmerizing shades from Rockaway Beach, Yachats, Arch Cape and more.

At the top, this photo came from Cannon Beach, where the clouds above made for mostly so-so conditions for shooting during the day. But then near the last half hour or so of daylight the sun emerged in the distance, just low enough for searing reds and pinks to explode out there. Adding to the effect is a variety of scattered rain squalls in the distance, making almost ghostly shadows way out there. Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours



Oregon Coast Beach Connection

In Seaside, back in 2004, this incredible moment happened on the beach. It's odd enough that crepuscular rays show up in this thick and very well-defined shape, but then add the reflective wet sand and you have one of the more unusual photographs ever taken by Oregon Coast Beach Connection (it predated the publication by a few years). Hotels in Seaside - Where to eat - Seaside Maps and Virtual Tours



Courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more

In Bandon, on the south Oregon coast, sunset painted one massive cloud in a particularly spectacular way. Manuela Durson is the photog, shooting the Coquille River Lighthouse with a drone. - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours



Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Between Arch Cape and Manzanita, there's an exquisite little hidden spot named Falcon Cove  and it's fairly often not traversable. The bluff above provides enough place for incredible moments to be captured. This was one vivid spring years ago, with again distinctive shades of purple coloring everything, typifying the effects of a humid, wet atmosphere and its clouds.



Oregon Coast Beach Connection

One very unforgettable moment on a chilly, November day arrived at the very end. The whole time it had been a dreary overcast, with fair amounts of rain in Lincoln City. However, the last 20 minutes were like some plot twist in a movie: these incredible hues and variations of pink just exploded out of nowhere. Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours



Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Once again, spring takes the stage and takes over the show at this remarkable moment, this time between Neskowin and Pacific City. On a wild day of violent thunder and lightning directly above, these dense, angry clouds become painted an unusual and deep set of shades. Meanwhile, a rainbow breaks out, but in these conditions all that shows is a kind of pink rainbow. Hotels in Pacific City - Where to eat - Pacific City Maps and Virtual Tours







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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
NORTH HEMPSTEAD, NY Local wife Amanda Bowman raced against the clock today, trying to get the house in order before firefighters arrived to put out the massive blaze destroying the home.said Mrs. Bowman, as smoke filled the kitchen.As the upstairs became engulfed in flames, Mrs. Bowman resigned herself to leaving a few rooms untidy.she sighed.With the kitchen presentable, Mrs. Bowman raced into action as she heard the sirens.she cried.At publishing time, Mrs. Bowman was heard repeatedly apologizing to the firefighting crew for the house being such a deeply-charred mess.
This post appears here courtesy of the The Daily Wire . The author of this post is Tim Meads World leaders are meeting in Lithuania for NATO's annual summit to discuss a range of issues, including whether or not Ukraine should be allowed into the group. Monday evening, the NATO secretary general said,However, Tuesday morning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed NATO for not moving faster to welcome his country into the alliance and for setting no clear timetable as to when it will be allowed in.Rapid Reaction: Zelensky has been banging the World War III war drum for months now. Ukraine entering NATO would undoubtedly result in direct conflict between the West and Russia. At the same time, the Biden administration has made it clear that it has no interest in peace. The longer this war goes on, the more people will die. Meanwhile, the U.S. is running low on ammunition, according to our own commander-in-chief.Instead of crafting an off-ramp, NATO, the U.S., and Ukraine are looking to prolong the war. As Daily Wire editor emeritus Ben Shapiro said Monday, this course of action isFormer President Trump's legal team is calling for a delay in the classified documents trial until after the 2024 election. Trump's lawyers said in a court filing Monday night that,Rapid Reaction: Perhaps the best explanation of why this is a good move came from Fox News' Mark Levin. On Tuesday, Levin explained,Levin continued,The attorney by trade also noted, thatThe last of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile was destroyed last week at a Kentucky munitions plant, the Pentagon announced this week. In 1986, Congress ordered the destruction of America's chemical weapons, and over a decade later, the U.S. joined 192 countries in the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997, requiring the weapons' complete elimination by September 30 of this year. Chemical weapons were first used on a large scale in the trenches of Europe during World War I, causing horrifying deaths through suffocation and devastating the nervous system.Rapid Reaction: After so many lies from the federal government for decades - Iraq's WMDs, COVID, NSA spying, Pentagon officials openly bragging about giving Trump incorrect information, and so many more - can you really trust that the U.S. destroyed all of its chemical weapons?A watchdog group on Monday filed a complaint against President Biden's nominee for Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman over his previous comments onThe American Accountability Foundation filed a complaint against Air Force General C.Q. Brown over his promotion of quoteahead of a Senate hearing on Tuesday to consider his nomination. The complaint cites comments Brown has made about hiringand referring to the military as aRapid Reaction: As previously discussed, contrary to what his critics may claim, President Joe Biden is moving at blazing speed in transforming the federal government into a tool for advancing the principles of Critical Race Theory - diversity, equity, and inclusion - across America.His picks for high positions in the federal government reflect his ideological agenda. It's good that groups are fighting back against those who would place diversity over merit.Readers should keep in mind that in March 2023, he signed an executive order that will create an army of equity bureaucrats who will be difficult to fire while the anti-white ideology seeps into the U.S. government.Russell Vought, former Office of Management and Budget director under President Donald J. Trump and president of the Center for Renewing America, told The Daily Wire that the Biden administration has become a bit of an expert in racial discrimination.Vought told The Daily Wire.An Oregon county's controversial plan to distribute tin foil and straws for fentanyl users and glass pipes for methamphetamine and crack users has been halted. The pause comes after Portland's mayor and other officials sounded the alarm over the new program. In a statement to KGW-TV, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said,Rapid Reaction: If these Oregonians really wanted to solve the fentanyl problem, they would demand that Biden do two things: 1) get tough on China and 2) close the border.Fentanyl was the main contributor to America's 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021.Much of that fentanyl comes through the southern border after being synthetically made in China. The drug cartels then pay or coerce smugglers known asto sneak it into America, where it is transported deep into the interior. The U.S. has had some success in slowing down such fatalities - but that's in spite of Biden's border policies - not because of them.Congressman David Trone (D-MD) said in late December,
Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center suffers cyberattack from the US; investigation underway

Global Times) 15:56, July 27, 2023

The Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center has recently suffered a cyberattack launched by an overseas organization, the city's emergency management bureau which the center is affiliated to said in a statement on Wednesday. This is another case of its kind following the June 2022 cyberattack from overseas against a Chinese university.

The expert panel on the case found that the cyberattack was initiated by hacker group and lawbreakers with governmental backgrounds from outside the country. Preliminary evidence suggests that the government-backed cyberattack on the center came from the US, the Global Times has learned.

The Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau said in a statement on Wednesday that some of the network equipment of the front-end station collection points of the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center, were subjected to a cyberattack by an overseas organization, as monitored by the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) and Chinese internet security company 360.

The center has immediately sealed off the equipment that was affected and reported the attack to the public security authorities, in order to investigate the case and handle the hacker organization and criminals according to law, said the statement.

The Wuhan public security bureau Jianghan sub-bureau confirmed the discovery of a Trojan horse program originating from abroad at the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center. According to the public security bureau, this Trojan horse program can illegally control and steal seismic intensity data collected by the front-end stations. This act poses a serious threat to national security.

The public security authorities have opened a case for investigation into this matter and further conducted technical analysis on the extracted Trojan samples. It has been preliminarily determined that the incident was a cyberattack initiated by foreign hacker organizations and outlaws.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday slammed the cyberattacks, as it posed a serious threat to China's national security, noting that China will take necessary measures to safeguard China's cyber security.

Notorious precedent

The Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center is another national unit that has been subjected to cyberattack from outside the country following the attack on Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, by an overseas hacker group in June 2022.

After the attack on NWPU, the CVERC and the company 360 jointly formed a technical team to conduct a comprehensive technical analysis of the case. They concluded that the cyberattack was conducted by the Tailored Access Operations (TAO) of the US' National Security Agency (NSA).

Expert technical team composed by the CVERC and the internet security company 360 has arrived in Wuhan to carry out evidence-collection work of the latest case, the Global Times has learned. Preliminary evidence indicates that the cyberattack on the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center had come from the US.

According to company 360's monitoring results, the NSA has carried out cyberattacks on at least hundreds of important domestic information systems in China, and a Trojan horse program called "validator" was found to be running in the information systems of a number of departments, transmitting information to the NSA headquarters.

Moreover, the findings show that a large number of "validator" Trojan horse programs are running in critical information infrastructure not only in China, but also in other countries, and the number of such programs planted in these countries' systems far exceeds that of China.

The CIA is another notorious US cyber-attacking and stealing organization, in addition to the NSA. According to the research of the CVERC, the CIA's cyberattacks have been characterized by automation, systematization and intelligence.

The CIA's latest cyber weapons use extremely strict espionage specifications with various attack techniques interlocked. It now covers almost all internet and Internet of Things assets around the world, and can control other countries' networks and steal their important and sensitive data anytime, anywhere.

Important data targeted

Professionals pointed out that seismic intensity data refers to the intensity and magnitude of an earthquake, which are two important indicators of its destructive power. Seismic intensity data is closely related to national security, for instance, some military defense facilities need to take into account factors such as seismic intensity, experts said.

Seismic waves passing through different underground media and structures will produce changes in wave velocity, an expert said, as quoted by China Central Television (CCTV).

"By obtaining relevant data from seismic monitoring centers, hackers can deduce the underground structure and lithology of a certain area," the expert said. "For example, it can be inferred whether there is a large underground cavity, and thus whether it might be a military base or command post."

CCTV pointed out that after acquiring military-related intelligence, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the foreign military intelligence agency under the US Department of Defense, is one of the agencies most likely to be able to analyze the data.

Although the staff size and its budget are classified, recent reports show that the DIA set up a "China Task Force" at the end of 2022, which gathered a group of analysts and experts to provide DIA with a "toolbox" for targeting China.

In addition, the DIA regularly publishes the "China Military Power Report," which the US government uses to formulate its military policy toward China.

The DIA is also specialized in military geological research, according to CCTV.

Public reports say the US has conducted many simulated strike tests on more than 10,000 key underground targets around the world using the geological information currently in its possession, providing important reference for its precision strikes, CCTV reported.

With the development of China's geology, the data monitored by the earthquake monitoring center will become more and more multi-dimensional, which also means that once this information is leaked, the more the information that can be analyzed, analysts said. They also pointed out that the cyberattack on the earthquake monitoring center indicates that as their next step, the US' cyberattacks will infiltrate everyday life to find the targets.

Observers pointed out that the US, while intensifying attacks on global targets and stealing secrets, has spared no effort accusing other countries.

On the one hand, the US government engages in malicious cyber activities against countries around the world, including China, while on the other hand, it repeatedly hypes up the "Chinese hacker attack" theory. This is a typical double standard and political manipulation, Mao Ning said.

Cyber security is a common global challenge all countries face. The US politicization and weaponization of cybersecurity seriously interferes with the efforts of the international community to jointly address challenges through dialogue and cooperation, and seriously undermines mutual trust among countries, Mao said.

"The US side should immediately stop these wrong practices, work with the international community to formulate and abide by common rules through dialogue and cooperation, and maintain peace, security and stability in cyberspace in a constructive and pragmatic manner," Mao remarked.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)


By Bernhard Seliger



While I write this, the still unfolding story of the U.S. citizen dashing across the border at Panmunjeom is the talk of the internet. It brought up memories from the Cold War in Europe  but not really deja-vus. Actually, one of the most striking differences between the Cold War in Europe, the German division in particular, and the ongoing division of the Korean Peninsula is the way defections and defectors are treated on "this side" (the Southern respectively Western) side of the border. This is particularly true for "re-defections" or for defections toward the East, or here, the North.



In Germany, though the focus of historical and political attention is clearly on defections from East to West. These were far more numerous and sometimes very dramatic, sometimes occurring in tunnels, in boats and in one case by balloon. There was a constant trickle of people leaving the West for the East. An estimated 2.5 to 3.5 million people left the East for the West from 1949 to 1961, but from the final year in that period, the year the Berlin Wall was built, defections became almost impossible. These added to the millions who already had fled from the Red Army in the last two years of the war. But there were also people going the other way: until 1961, an estimated 500,000 people went from the West to the East.



The reasons were diverse and overwhelmingly not ideological. Two-thirds of the migrants were former citizens of the East, or in Korean parlance, "re-defectors," often simply motivated by homesickness. Some came for love and family, others again wanted to escape criminal punishment. The group of those being convinced socialists or communists was small, though existing. From 1953 to 1957 there was even a campaign by East Germany to woo artists, scientists and highly educated workers to switch sides. Those, who had formerly left the East, were promised to have their property restored while others were offered material incentives.



This campaign brought up to 50,000 people every year (mostly back) to the East. One interesting case of resettlement in the East was the father of the later German chancellor Angela Merkel, a protestant pastor originally from Berlin. This is why Angela Merkel, born in Hamburg in 1954, came to be in East Germany later the same year. Not even a few intellectuals in the early time of division saw East Germany as the "better" Germany, better in the sense that it was more honest in addressing the horrors of National Socialism.



Anyway, East Germany throughout the 1950s, when West Germany experienced a "Wirtschaftswunder" (economic miracle) catapulting it to a status among the world's rich nations, could not at all keep up with attracting settlers from the West and in 1957 stopped trying. Instead, it increased building hurdles to migration and defections from its own territory, finally stopping migration at all with the Berlin Wall. But even after the wall was built, hundreds fled the country every year and thousands migrated legally, though often heavily suppressed. In the end, the East German population sank from 1949 to 1989, when the opening of the wall led to another huge wave of migration.



So, what was the Western view of people going East? Clearly, those going for ideological reasons were seen somewhat as traitors. And, through its state media, East Germany  like North Korea presented many of the returnees' horror stories of life in the West. But, overall, there was a surprisingly relaxed view of these defections. "If you dont like it here, you can go up East!" was a thing, fathers frequently said to their children who were part of the 1968 student movement. And they knew, basically, nobody would do so. Too much was known of the drab and sometimes shocking reality of communism in East Germany. Technically, however, the barriers were practically zero.



Though being militarily alert to the huge armies amassed in the East during the Cold War, West Germany made a point by not erecting any border fortifications against the East. At most, there were poles and signs warning "you are leaving West Germany," or, more famously, in Berlin the "American sector". No one, however, hindered your approach to the border. According to the Western legal view, this border had no justification.



And, if really someone wanted to leave for East Germany, it did not create any stir in the West (if not for reasons that it was a spy defecting). Rather, there was a pitiful stance toward people leaving in this direction. This was a stark contrast to the eastern side of the border, which was a military border dubbed "antifascist protection wall." It was much more a sophisticated system of barriers functioning as a prison border  up to 10 kilometers in depth in some parts  that was trying to prevent East Germans from approaching the actual border.



South-to-North defections in Korea, in the much more tense and dramatic setting of Korean division, are rare and widely discussed issues. But who, if nobody would care? If defectors from North to South are welcome and defectors from South to North were equally treated as people simply choosing a foolish and tragic option, one which ultimately has no bearing on the national security of South Korea, who would care?



It would at once solve many problems. Border security could be easily relaxed. There would be no more need to supervise defectors the way it is done now. For North Koreans, and also the whole world, there would be a clear sign that South Korea leaves such choices to the people alone.



That a more relaxed view seems impossible is related to the fact that national security here is written large  National Security  as part of laws which are so full of taboos that it seems impossible to modernize. However, as the story of the U.S. citizen "defecting" to the North unfolds, let us hope it ends benign and not tragically for him.





Dr. Bernhard J. Seliger is a resident representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in Korea, based in Seoul. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he traveled frequently to North Korea, where he implemented projects on forestry, environment and renewable energy as well as medical cooperation. He is an honorary citizen of Seoul and Gangwon Province.


After one full year of the Biden /Harris Administration: Does Joe Biden have the intellectual capacity, and, or the energy to lead the United States of America through the mess that he predominately created ... in just one year? Yes No Unsure 1,140 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



President Joe Biden avoided dining with world leaders again this week after while attending a NATO event in Vilnius, Lithuania.a U.S. official told reporters, claiming that Biden hasThis is at least the third time in recent months that Biden has refused to dine with world leaders during international events when presented with the opportunity to do so.The New York Times reported last month.Questions have lingered throughout his entire presidency about his physical and mental for office.Just this week, Biden claimed that the U.S. was running low on 155mm artillery shells after sending large shipments of the munitions to Ukraine. The administration later had to correct the president.a White House official said in a statement.Biden has also repeatedly fallen in public, including most recently on stage at the the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs.Biden's first tumble as president came shortly after he was inaugurated in March 2021 when he fell several times while trying to walk up the stairs to board Air Force One.Last year Biden fell off his bike during a stay at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.
A physician was shot and injured inside of a Cedar Hill, Texas-based medical office building at the Methodist Family Health Center, according to a July 26 report from CBS News Texas.

Dispatchers were called to the scene around 12:20 p.m. on July 25 following reports of an active shooter. Upon arrival, they found one victim, a physician, with a gunshot wound outside of the clinic.

The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which was involved in a car crash. Police officers shot the suspect, who is in stable condition, according to the report.
A Tennessee osteopath has been convicted for unlawfully distributing controlled substances, including opioids.

Bowdoin Smith, DO, owned and operated a general practice medical clinic in Carthage, Tenn. In 2012, he had his medical license put on probation for three years for continuously prescribing greater amounts of controlled substances for his patients than were medically necessary, according to a July 26 news release from the Justice Department. Once the probation was lifted, he continued to write unlawful prescriptions between 2016 and 2019.

Dr. Smith was convicted of three counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count.
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is planning an expansion of its West Los Angeles Medical Center Campus that will add a new surgery center and medical office building, according to a July 26 report from Urbanize.

Kaiser has submitted an application to the Los Angeles Department of City Planning seeking approval for a new 63,000-square-foot building and a 300-car parking garage.

Kaiser expects work to begin on the three-story building in 2025 pending city approval.
An optometry clinic in Anderson, S.C., was involved in a ransomware attack that leaked the private information of over 60,000 patients, according to a July 27 report from Cybernews.

The cyberattack took place at Family Vision on May 21, 2023, and an alert was sent to 62,631 patients who were affected on July 26.

The clinic's server holding patients' personal health information was encrypted after an unknown threat actor installed ransomware on the server. Once the clinic became aware of the attack, access to the server was disabled, an investigation began and law enforcement was alerted.

The company disclosed on its website that personal health information may have been compromised, such as first and last name, birthday, Social Security number, driver's license, address, phone number, email address and gender. However, they do not have any confirmed information that the data was "misused in any way," according to the report.

The clinic offered all affected patients free credit monitoring, a $1 million insurance reimbursement policy and identity theft protection services.
A false claims lawsuit from a former employee of the Florida-based Orlando Heart & Vascular Center has been settled, according to court documents published July 20.

The employee, Jessica Els, had previously raised allegations that the cardiology center was filing false Medicare billing claims.

Terms of the settlement outlined in the July 20 order from Judge Daniel Irick state that the Orlando Heart & Vascular Center must turn over a copy of its eMDs database  where the information in question is stored  for inspection.

A previous ruling had outlined that the cardiology center needed to turn over documents by May 14, 2023, however documents state that "despite these orders, defendant OHVC [had] still not fully responded" when the date came.
Nine digital health companies raised more than $380 million in the past 30 days, as reported by Becker's.

 Hippocratic AI, a generative artificial intelligence platform for healthcare, partnered with three health systems and raised $15 million in funding, according to a company news release shared July 25 with Becker's.

 Verifiable, a company designing software to automate the healthcare provider credentialing process, raised $27 million in series B financing.

 Neko Health, a healthcare startup co-founded by the CEO of Spotify, raised $65.4 million to expand.

 General Catalyst co-led a $1.6 million pre-seed investment for Berry Health, a company working to democratize healthcare in Africa.

 La Crosse, Wis.-based Gundersen Health System participated in a $54 million series D funding round July 27 for Flywheel, which analyzes medical imaging data via AI. The investment also featured Microsoft, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and NVentures, the venture capital arm of Nvidia, an AI company that's valued at more than $1 trillion.

 VitalConnect, a company that produces remote monitoring technology used by New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health and Hackensack (N.J.) Medical Center, raised $30 million in series F financing.

 Former Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky joined a $60 million series B financing round for Causaly, an AI-powered biomedical research company.

 New York City-based Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai took part in a $12.1 million series A financing round for BeeKeeperAI.

 Gary Gottlieb, MD, the former CEO of Boston-based Mass General Brigham, has co-founded Author Health, a digital mental health company serving Medicare Advantage patients, which launched with $115 million in financing and a partnership with Humana.
Health systems that were named among the most empowering brands in healthcare told Becker's they are "laser-focused" on putting patients first and personalizing their care.

Birmingham, Ala.-based UAB Medicine, which ranked third on the list from branding agency Monigle, empowers patients by "implementing patient engagement strategies, delivering personalized care, and fostering a culture of innovation," said Adrienne Steading, assistant vice president of marketing.

"Our dedicated team of 18,000-plus healthcare professionals work daily to empower the individuals we serve to take control of their health and well-being by tailoring treatment plans to meet their unique needs, providing access to cutting-edge clinical care, and involving our patients in their healthcare decisions," she said.

Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare System, which was No. 4 in the rankings, is "laser-focused" on prioritizing people through its care delivery, experience and culture, said Leah Carpenter, executive vice president and COO.

"Whether it's the patients and families we actively care for, or the larger populations that look to us as an integral part of the infrastructure of their community, we are driven to provide the resources to maintain or restore health and dedicated to delivering the highest levels of safety, service and quality to enhance the well-being of those we serve," Ms. Carpenter said.

The top 10 list also included Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare, Ridgewood, N.J.-based Valley Health System, Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine, University of Miami Health System, West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Palm Beach Health Network, Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, Columbus-based OhioHealth, and Florence, S.C.-based McLeod Health.

"I believe it is our 'how' that makes OhioHealth stand out as an empowering brand," said Sue Jablonski, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at the health system, which came in ninth on the list. "Don't get me wrong, delivering quality care is the foundation of trust that we need with our patients, but how we deliver that care gives us the differential. Our 'how' is based on a number of characteristics that are rooted in relationships. That includes listening, partnership, empathy, compassion, integrity and more."
Madera (Calif.) County leaders are expected to commit $500,000 to cover another month of expenses at bankrupt Madera Community Hospital, as hospital leadership searches for a buyer, The Fresno Bee reported July 26.

County leaders said that the funding would keep away creditors of the shuttered hospital, who want to liquidate its assets, according to the Bee. Madera Community Hospital CEO Karen Paolinelli said that unnamed buyers are interested in reopening the hospital as a scaled back acute care facility.

The hospital  which has been closed since the start of 2023  also applied for an $80 million loan from the newly created Distressed Hospital Loan Program. Madera Community Hospital will hear back in August, if the zero-interest loan is approved.

In a bankruptcy hearing on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Rene Lastreto II gave the hospital until Aug. 4 to continue its spending plan and look for a buyer.
San Antonio-based South Texas Health System paid $5 billion in 2022 wages to support 86,660 jobs, according to a report from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

The 12-hospital system also generated $11.9 billion in revenue for the year. The system had a 36 percent higher economic impact in the area than the last time the study was conducted in 2018, according to the San Antonio Report.

The report found that the health system brought in $120.8 million in revenue for the state, mostly through sales tax.

"So one of the surprising things to me [in the study] was that the numbers came out as high as they did, given the COVID-19 situation and the anomalies it presented," San Antonio Medical Foundation President Jim Reed told the Report.


Government should take more responsibility for mishap



On Tuesday, the nine-member Constitutional Court unanimously rejected Interior Minister Lee Sang-min's impeachment.



"From the viewpoint of the Constitution and the law, it is difficult to see the minister failed to fulfill his constitutional duty to protect the public in violation of the Disaster Safety Act and the National Civil Service Act," it said.



So, the top tribunal concluded this society should not punish even the safety-related minister for the crowd crush that left 159 people dead in Seoul's Itaewon district last October.



The ruling might be legally indisputable, but it is totally incomprehensible based on common sense.



The decision comes after the judiciary branch released all lower-echelon officials responsible for the tragedy on parole. No one is in jail 269 days after the human disaster occurred. Contrary to Lee's brazen claims, the toll might have been reduced had he or municipal officials dispatched more personnel earlier and operated them better.



However, it took Lee 85 minutes to get to the scene in his "official car." "It wasn't a matter of police officers and rescuers," he later said. "I was not idling around," he told the victims' families. Faced with pressure to step down, he said, "I, too, want to resign with style." These might not be violations to deserve impeachment. One bereaved family member fell to the ground to hear the head of the court read the decision.



Opposition parties said the court's verdict did not free Lee and the government from ethical and political responsibility. Right but hollow. Instead, the manmade catastrophe and its aftermath raise a couple more fundamental questions; what are crime and punishment in Korea? Should law or common sense be prioritized? Especially so, as Korea has become a country of prosecutors. The incumbent administration governs through investigations  only when and where it wants.



The government, which hurriedly wrapped up probes in the Itaewon tragedy, is lately dusting off every nook and cranny of another human disaster. About two weeks ago, 14 people died in an underpass some 150 km south of Seoul, as it was flooded when a nearby river overflowed after a dam was swept by rising water. It could have been prevented had the levee been built more solidly or had someone blocked the traffic in advance. This time, too, municipal and provincial officials are busy passing the buck. Police officers say they did their best.



Which lower officials will come forward when a Cabinet minister, mayor and governor emerge unscathed from manmade calamities taking dozens or hundreds of innocent lives? Pressured by people to sack his home minister last year, President Yoon Suk Yeol said, "Vaguely demanding responsibility for everything does not make sense in modern society."



Yoon might be right  legally. However, if the president were eager to protect his minister, he should have issued at least a public apology  ethically and politically. Yoon did not. He only paid condolence calls, saying "privately" he was sorry. Was he apolitical or too political?



The president and his office have not mentioned the underpass incident for nearly two weeks. It occurred during Yoon's unscheduled visit to Ukraine on his way home from a NATO summit. The silence also seems intentional, as the tragedy was partly a governmental disaster.



Former President Roh Moo-hyun, whom Yoon said he respects, made 10 public apologies in five years. In February 2003, President-elect Roh bowed his head as a "sinner" when 192 people were killed in an arson attack on the Daegu subway. It was considered a classic example of a presidential apology, full of sincerity and no rhetoric.



What most ordinary Koreans expect from Yoon are expressions of heartfelt sympathy and vows to fill administrative loopholes. People know when they see them. So far, they have not.



On Yoon's first anniversary in office more than two months ago, this paper called for him to be a president, not remain a prosecutor general.



We repeat that call. The top job is the most political post  in positive ways  whether an incumbent likes it or not.




Patients want hospitals and health systems to provide seamless and personalized experiences so that they can feel a sense of simplicity and interconnectedness to their care. This is why CIOs are leaning into new technology, data and virtual assistants to achieve this goal.

Hospitals and health systems are facing competition from disruptors like Amazon, Google and Microsoft, which have distinguished themselves by being patient-centric with their healthcare offerings while also giving patients the opportunity to get care when and where they need it.

Many hospitals and health systems are looking at these approaches from disruptors and are trying to embrace them in order to stay competitive. This is where technology comes into play.

"Technology will lead to consumerism of healthcare, like what we have seen in other industries. It will result in transforming operational processes to be more patient 'consumer-centric,'' Shakeeb Akhter, senior vice president and CIO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told Becker's. "Technology will improve the patient experience by making it easier to discover, access and receive timely care."

Last year, CHOP introduced a new technology platform that auto-fills slots that have been vacated due to canceled or rescheduled appointments. The technology helps immediately auto-assign newly available appointments to the next patient on the waiting list.

This has resulted in a significant decrease in time to access care at the health system, and average wait times for an appointment have decreased by 29 days across 14 divisions.

Marietta, Ga.-based WellStar Health System has also rolled out several efforts in order to create a more personalized healthcare experience for its patients, including its Omnichannel Customer Experience initiative and its Catalyst Voice initiative.

"Through connected [customer relationship management] and [customer data platform] tools spanning clinical and non-clinical disciplines, we're creating meaningful, personalized engagements with patients and consumers across all touchpoints. This enhanced experience will help Wellstar's important health messages reach and resonate with our community, and help us open doors to care journeys that make a difference at scale," Bill Bellando, vice president and CIO of Wellstar Health System, told Becker's. "Catalyst Voice is Wellstar's intentional effort to infuse the consumer voice throughout our innovation efforts  after all, as we shape the future of healthcare, we want to be shaping it around those experiencing that care  patients and consumers."

West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint's strategy to make healthcare more consumer-centric is leaning on data and technology to move "toward a more convenient and efficient way for patients to receive care whenever they need it," Laura Smith, CIO and senior vice president of the health system, told Becker's.

Even though technology is already making healthcare more consumer-centric, according to Zafar Chaudry, MD, senior vice president and CIO at Seattle Children's, he believes healthcare is going to see more use of personalization, as hospitals and health systems look to continue to improve communication, make care more affordable and empower patients.

"We are going to see more use of personalized health records giving patients more control over their health data," Dr. Chaudry said. "We will also see continued use of telehealth services, use of smarter virtual assistants to answer questions about healthcare, provide reminders about medications, and even connect patients with healthcare providers; and the expansion of efforts to use wearable devices to help patients improve their health and make informed decisions about their care."
The top jobs at for-profit health systems come with widespread responsibility  CEOs' oversight extends across giant networks spanning state lines.

But they get hefty paychecks for taking on the role, with most raking in total compensation packages over $10 million.

It takes time to rise the ranks and collect the influence  and benefits  of one of these positions. But there are a few common threads woven throughout these leaders' career paths: an MBA (specifically from the University of Nevada Las Vegas), and a few years as chief operating officer before assuming the helm.

This is how the CEOs of HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.), Tenet Healthcare (Dallas), Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.), and Universal Health Services (King of Prussia, Pa.), made it happen.

Samuel Hazen. CEO of HCA Healthcare.

$14.6 million total compensation in 2022:

Mr. Hazen earned his bachelor's in finance from the University of Kentucky in Lexington and his MBA from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. In 1983, he began his career in Humana's Financial Management Specialist Program.

He migrated into CFO roles at hospitals in Georgia and Las Vegas before becoming a divisional CFO for HCA, overseeing operations in markets including Northern Texas. He was promoted to CFO of the health system's Western Group  which represents approximately half of the company's revenue  before becoming its president.

In 2011, Mr. Hazen was named president of operations for the health system. Five years later, he became its president and chief operating officer.

He took the helm of HCA Healthcare in 2019, after serving 40 years with the health system.

Saum Sutaria, MD. CEO of Tenet Healthcare.

$11 million total compensation in 2022:

Dr. Sutaria earned two bachelor's degrees  one in economics and one in molecular and cellular biology  from the University of California-Berkeley. He went on to receive a medical degree from the University of California-San Diego.

He began his career at the University of California-San Francisco as an associate clinical faculty member, where he received further postgraduate training and specialized in internal medicine and cardiology.

In 2001, Dr. Sutaria joined McKinsey & Co. He remained with the company for nearly two decades, serving as a director in its healthcare and private equity practices.

Dr. Sutaria joined Tenet in 2019 as chief operating officer. Two years later, he was promoted to the helm.

Tim Hingtgen. CEO of Community Health Systems.

$6.3 total compensation in 2022:

Mr. Hingtgen earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and his MBA from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

He served in CEO roles for Brentwood, Tenn.-based Province Healthcare's hospitals before LifePoint Health acquired the system in 2004. From there, Mr. Hingten moved into for-profit healthcare, holding leadership titles including CEO and managing director for Universal Health Services' hospitals.

After four years with UHS, Mr. Hingtgen joined CHS as vice president of division IV operations. He remained in his first role for five years before being promoted to president of the division; it was another half-decade before he was named chief operating officer of the company.

In 2021, Mr. Hingtgen was named CEO after about 13 years with CHS.

Marc Miller. CEO of Universal Health Services.

$10.9 total compensation in 2022:

Mr. Miller received his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Vermont in Burlington, and later earned his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Mr. Miller began his career at Universal Health Services in 1995 and held various leadership positions at hospitals. He served as COO at Wellington (Fla.) Regional Medical Center; assistant administrator at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington D.C.; and CEO of Central Montgomery (Ala.) Medical Center before ascending to corporate positions.

Next, he ascended the ranks in divisional acute care operations, eventually becoming president of the acute care division in 2009.

In 2021, Mr. Miller was named the health system's CEO after about 26 years within the enterprise.



Follow the trajectories of the 11 highest-paid healthcare CEOs here.
Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health and Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System have signed an integration agreement to form a 25-hospital regional health system across four states.

The health systems announced the integration agreement July 27. In October 2022, the systems said they were in merger discussions and had signed a memorandum of understanding.

"Discussions the past few months have made it clear that this is an incredible opportunity to enhance both health systems, solidify our futures and take patient care and services to an even higher level," said Susan Turney, MD, who previously announced plans to step down as Marshfield Clinic Health System CEO in September 2023.

Essentia CEO David Herman, MD, will serve as the chief executive of the combined organization. Dr. Herman described both systems as "physician-led organizations with an unwavering commitment to the health of rural communities."

Once combined, Essentia and Marshfield Clinic will have a presence in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and North Dakota with 3,800 providers and 150 sites of care, including 25 hospitals. Fourteen of those hospitals come from Essentia and 11 from Marshfield Clinic.

Essentia and Marshfield Clinic plan to formally combine by the end of 2023 pending regulatory approval.
Registered nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph and Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospitals in Wichita, Kan., and Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, are highlighting their concerns related to staffing and patient care in petitions to hospital management.

"Ascension management's refusal to listen to nurses' solutions have horrible consequences for patients," Monica Gonzalez, RN, a registered nurse in the neurology unit at Seton Medical Center, said in a July 25 union news release. "Across all three hospitals, we're seeing new graduates and temporary nurses take on full patient loads, despite having little to no experience or training."

The petitions come about one month after nurses went on strike at the Texas and Kansas hospitals.

The strike involved members of the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United. The union represents 900 nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center, as well as 650 nurses at St. Francis and 300 nurses at St. Joseph Hospital. All three hospitals are part of St. Louis-based Ascension.

The union and hospitals have been in negotiations for months. The union said it seeks fair contracts that would improve patient care by improving working conditions for its members.

Ascension shared a statement with Becker's saying it focuses on the recruitment of nurses through its workforce development program and partnerships with nursing schools. It also cited a Leapfrog A or B safety grade for all three hospitals.

"We continue to negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that respects the human dignity and rights of all," the statement says. "We look forward to returning the focus to resolving issues at the bargaining table and reaching agreement on an initial contract for our registered nurses."
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions have set a joint goal of hiring 10,000 new people for coalition-represented jobs this year.

The coalition represents about 88,000 employees at Kaiser hospitals, clinics and facilities throughout the U.S., according to a July 26 news release from Kaiser. The coalition, which is part of the organization's labor management partnership, is bargaining with Kaiser for new labor contracts.

As of July 26, more than 6,500 of the 10,000 positions were already filled, with recruitment efforts underway to fill the rest, according to Kaiser.

Available jobs include medical assistants, housekeeping aides, licensed practical and vocational nurses, service representatives, pharmacy technicians, certified nursing assistants and radiologic technologists, among others.

"Kaiser Permanente is consistently recognized as 'a best place to work,' which reflects our mission to provide the highest quality preventive medicine, commitment to eliminating healthcare disparities, and desire to make lives better through innovation, technology and research," Arlene Peasnall, senior vice president of human resources at Kaiser, said in the release.

"We're a recognized leader in providing market-competitive wages and outstanding benefits in every market we're in. We offer employees opportunities to learn new skills and grow their careers, and we're committed to providing a safe and equitable work environment. We're also proud to be a welcoming and inclusive community where 70 percent of our employees represent racial, ethnic and cultural minorities."

Ms. Peasnall added: "Our priority is to reach an agreement that ensures we can continue to provide market-competitive pay and outstanding benefits. We are confident that we will be able to reach an agreement that strengthens our position as a best place to work and ensures that the high-quality care our members expect from us remains affordable and easy to access."

Kaiser highlighted the hiring efforts in the same week that union members are picketing to protest what they say is a short staffing crisis and its effects on patients and caregivers.

During negotiations, union members seek safe staffing levels, according to a news release from Service Employees International Union Local 49, part of the coalition. Workers 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."

Kaiser said that during negotiations, it has emphasized its commitment to market-competitive wages and benefits. It also noted that staffing challenges have been happening across healthcare, and said Kaiser "has weathered these challenges better than the broader market."

Union members began the national bargaining process with Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser in April. Their current contract with Kaiser expires on September 30.








Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, Calif., is facing a lawsuit from neighboring property owners alleging private nuisance and trespassing, GV Wire reported July 25.

The plaintiffs, Martina Hamilton and Noah Shimler, have owned their property in Madera for 15 years. In 2021, Valley Children's began making infrastructure improvements, including construction of a stormwater basin, south of the hospital and adjacent to the homeowners' property. Where there was once an empty field, there is now a 14-foot tall, 366,000-square-foot dust pile, according to the report.

The homeowners filed a lawsuit against the hospital in 2021, alleging wind blows the dust onto their property, making it impossible to keep their home and cars clean or enjoy outdoor spaces.

Valley Children's declined to comment on GV Wire's story and denied the homeowners' allegations, claiming they are in accordance with the permits granted by the county. The hospital filed a civil improvement plan with the county before starting construction, including dust control notes, and also filed a dust control plan with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The air district says the site is in compliance and was last inspected July 13.

The lawsuit holds that no mitigation measures have been implemented, and the trial is set for Oct. 23.
A suspect has been charged in the July 25 shooting of a Texas physician at Cedar Hill Methodist Family Health Center, according to a July 26 report from Fox4.

Bryan McGee, 34, has been charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Fox4.

Police have also released bodycam and dashcam footage of the moments leading up to the shootout between authorities and Mr. McGee. Police said McGee fired at officers during a confrontation after the initial shooting.

Police said McGee was attempting to shoot his ex-girlfriend who worked at the facility, according to reports.

The physician was initially taken to a local hospital but has since been released, according to Fox4. No further information about him or his injury was released.
While patient safety should always be a top priority, being forced to abide by nurse-to-patient ratios when scheduling takes away nurse leaders' ability to exercise their own clinical power, Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, told Becker's.

"Nurses leaders need to feel empowered enough to empower their team members on the front lines. They need flexibility when it comes to creating appropriate care teams that meet the needs of their patients," said Dr. Begley, who also serves as chief nursing officer and senior vice president of workforce for the American Hospital Association. "The issue of ratios is not just about the nurse and patient  or even the total number of patients in a unit  but it's about the entire team."

Mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios removes nurses' ability to use their clinical judgment when it comes to deciding what each particular patient needs at any one time, she said, noting, "this is a situation where one size doesn't fit all."

Many factors, Dr. Begley said, must be used to determine "the best way to ensure a care team provides safe, competent and quality care."

She said nurses must have the ability to consider the ever-changing population of patients on a unit in terms of numbers and type/degree of illness. "Also, what does the overall care team look like on that particular floor or unit at the moment? How many nursing assistants are available to help? There are simply many factors to consider when determining appropriate nurse staffing levels."

She said the physical layout of a hospital unit needs to be considered, as well. "There are many unit layouts. Is everything in a straight line where you can see everybody all the time? Some units are designed well enough to give nurses a better view of the entire space; others have long hallways where a nurse might have to travel a long distance to get to a patient in need."

Dr. Begley said technology resources that can help nurses monitor patients must also be taken into consideration.

"The need for nurse-patient ratios are based on older models of care. Today, we have the ability to consider using advanced capabilities offered by technology," she said, referring to strategies employed by other hospital teams to coordinate care including respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physical therapists, case managers, care managers and others that are using modern tools to support direct delivery of care.

Dr. Begley said staffing ratios focus on an equation and not the skill levels of the nurses on the floor. "The best nursing is delivered when there's someone always checking in to see how their patients are doing. Finding out if a patient is having a challenging day and being there to help."

The American Nurses Association supports minimum nurse-to-patient ratios based on "patient acuity, intensity of the unit practice setting and nurses' competency among other variables," Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, president, said in a news release July 13. "Setting specific ratios for nurses should be viewed as only one piece of a much larger solution [for staffing challenges]."










More than two patients have laboratory evidence of tuberculosis from a contaminated lot of human bone tissue products sold to hospitals, the CDC confirmed to Becker's on July 27.

The "CDC is aware of patients  in addition to the initial two patients  with laboratory evidence of TB disease who received product from this lot," the agency said.

One death has been confirmed.

The outbreak has been linked to one donor's lot of ViBone, a viable bone matrix product made by Silver Spring, Md.-based Aziyo Biologics. Forty-three units of ViBone from the donor have been shipped to hospitals, and the company recalled all lots of the product in mid-July.

Two updates since the CDC first reported about the outbreak on July 25:

1. All 36 patients who were treated with the contaminated lot have been contacted.

2. The lot was sent to hospitals, surgical centers and dental clinics across California, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.
Thirteen essential drugs made at Pfizer's Rocky Mount, N.C., facility  which was recently damaged by a tornado  have a vulnerability score higher than 90 percent, according to a July 26 report from United States Pharmacopeia.

The USP measures vulnerability scores, or the likelihood of future shortages, from evaluating the manufacturing location, inspection records, economic and market factors, dosage form, and manufacturing complexities. Vulnerability scores from products made at Pfizer's North Carolina plant do not include the effect of the tornado.

The report analyzed the 65 solutions Pfizer told hospitals it has about three months' worth of supply.

Essential medications are decided by the FDA.

1. Atropine sulfate injection 1 milligram/10 milliliter solutions have a 98 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 29.8 percent.

2. Dobutamine in 5% dextrose injection containers  250 milligram/250 milliliter, 500 milligram/250 milliliter and 1,000 milligram/250 milliliter  have a 99 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 74.4 percent.

3. Epinephrine injection 1 milligram/10 milliliter syringes have a 92 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 22.2 percent.

4. Fentanyl citrate injection 250 microgram/5 milliliter and 100 microgram/2 milliliter solutions have a 96 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 50 percent.

5. Heparin sodium in 0.45% sodium chloride injections  25,000 units/250 milliliter and 12,500 units/250 milliliter  have a 94 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 29.5 percent.

6. Ten lidocaine hydrochloride and epinephrine injections have a 96 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 19.4 percent.

7. Magnesium sulfate in water for injection 20 milligram/500 milliliter containers have a 99 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 8.7 percent.

8. Mannitol injection 12.5 gram/50 milliliter vials have a 94 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 18.5 percent.

9. Midazolam injections  2 milligram/2 milliliter and 10 milligram/2 milliliter  have a 98 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 33 percent.

10. Morphine sulfate injections  1,000 milligram/20 milliliter and 2,500 milligram/50 milliliter  have a 98 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 46.5 percent.

11. Potassium chloride for injection 20 milliequivalent/10 milliliter solutions have a 99 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 40.3 percent.

12. Rocuronium bromide injection 50 milligram/5 milliliter solutions have a 93 percent vulnerability score. Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage form level is 20.2 percent.

13. 23.4% Sodium chloride injection 400 milliequivalent/100 milliliter solutions have a 96 percent vulnerability score. The USP listed Pfizer's market share at the molecule-dosage as N/A.


By Donald Kirk



Anniversaries ending in zero or five are likely to focus special attention on the lessons of history. None is more portentous than the 70th anniversary this week of the signing of the truce that halted the Korean War on July 27, 1953.



The date is an occasion for reminders of the horrors of the war, the danger of a second Korean War and endless debate on whether the truce should morph into a peace treaty or at least an end-of-war declaration. Until then, we're told, the Korean Peninsula is a battleground in a war that's never ended.



This claim is absurd. War means armed forces killing enemies, destroying cities and villages, also wiping out civilians in the crossfire. Since 1953, there have been incidents, such as the mining of the corvette ROKS Cheonan in 2010 with the loss of 46 South Korean sailors, or the downing of an American reconnaissance plane in 1969 with 31 airmen on board or the capture of the spy ship USS Pueblo in 1968 three days after a North Korean recon unit had come within 100 meters of the Blue House. Miraculously, none of these incidents led to a resumption of a large-scale armed conflict.



Peace cannot be defined by a statement saying we are at peace. After the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed at Panmunjeom, Chinese and American troops were seen popping out of their trenches and foxholes, standing up within easy shot of one another, knowing their lives were no longer in danger. Peace had broken out at last.



In a history full of surprises, the preservation of peace for all these years must be counted as miraculous. Countless celebrated peace treaties have fallen apart within a few years after they were signed, none so precipitously as the treaty reached at Versailles in June 1919. Scarcely 20 years later, in September 1939, German troops invaded Poland. World War II, far more terrible than World War I, had begun.



It would be impossible to predict a similar pattern after the signing of a Korean War treaty, but we can be sure the security of South Korea, enabling the rise of the South as not only an economic powerhouse but also a center of culture and artistic creativity, would be in jeopardy.



Victor Cha, who served as Asia director at the National Security Council under President George W. Bush, summarized the problem after introducing his latest book, "Korea: A New History of South & North," co-authored with Ramon Pacheco Pardo, professor at King's College, London.



In answer to my question about what a simple peace declaration would accomplish, Cha, talking at the influential Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, predicted it would "create a false peace on the peninsula" and "open a Pandora's box of issues" surrounding the future of American troops in South Korea and the United Nations Command, which have endured since the early days of the Korean War. Nor could Cha imagine that talks with the North on a full-scale peace treaty would result in changes regarding the North's missiles, weapons of mass destruction or the scale of its armed forces.



Cha and Pardo as co-authors are realistic. For a millennium and more, as their book makes clear, Koreans have battled the odds, surviving on inner grit and guts. As the authors take us through the twists and turns of recent history, however, they are realistically hard on North Korea for obstructing the road to peace.



"North Korea has countered the Sunshine Policy with its own 'Moonshine Policy,'" they write, playing upon the name of Moon Jae-in, President Yoon Suk Yeol's predecessor, who met Kim Jong-un three times in vain pursuit of North-South reconciliation.



"The Moonshine Policy," they write, "particularly exploited the Sunshine Policy's implicit assumption that the nuclear and missile programs of the North were not the main problem." By the time Moonshine had ended, "the North had more nuclear weapons than before, had avoided a near-collapse of the regime, and had $3 billion in cash from the South."



Advocates of a peace declaration or treaty are not going to like this book. It provides a certain understanding, in 268 pages, including index, footnotes and bibliography, of the sweep of Korean history from ancient times to the present as well as a reality check on the fantasies of those who think more rounds of dialogue will bring about North-South unification.



Yet the authors are hopeful. While some Koreans "are opposed to unification," they suspect "most Koreans will rally behind the cause"  and "will succeed, as they have done throughout history."





Donald Kirk (www.donaldkirk.com) covers the confrontation of forces in Asia from both Seoul and Washington.


Indiana University Health, based in Indianapolis, recently unveiled its $40 million, 70,000-square-foot shared services pharmacy facility, according to a news release shared with Becker's.

The pharmacy hub, which opened July 18, is the "first consolidated and integrated health system pharmacy in Indiana and opens after two years of planning and construction," the 16-hospital system said. It's part of IU Health's distribution center in Plainfield, Ind.

It features a specialty pharmacy with automated central fill and shipping operations for home delivery, a compounding and repackaging center, and a pharmacy warehouse. The consolidated pharmacy will help IU Health buy, compound and repackage essential medications to help alleviate drug shortages.
Telehealth exploded out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, but as the U.S. moves out of the COVID-19 era, hospital leaders told Becker's they are relying less on telehealth.

"I think the use of virtual care has contracted a little bit since the pandemic," Beth Kushner, DO, chief medical information officer at Irvine, Calif.-based Saint Joseph Health, told Becker's. "Providers and patients alike see the value and need for in-person care as well as virtual care."

Recent surveys also show that telehealth's grip on Americans is slipping. In April, Fair Health's Monthly Regional Telehealth tracker found that telehealth utilization slipped by 5.4 percent.

Despite the post-COVID-19 slump, telehealth is still a more widely used option than before the pandemic. Prominent health systems, such as the Cleveland Clinic, are betting on virtual care's long-term staying power. The convenience of receiving care from one's home is still driving many patients to seek out telehealth options.

"We've seen significant declines in telehealth use as the pandemic has cooled off. It's still significantly higher than pre-pandemic, however," said Scott MacDonald, MD, CMIO at Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Health. "Since we don't have any organizational efforts to push more patients into video visits, this is mostly demand-side driven. If the patient calls or messages us requesting an office visit, that's what we schedule."

For telehealth to stick around permanently, lawmakers need to hammer out regulations and rules for virtual care. A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced the "Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023," a bill that if signed into law would extend COVID-19 era telehealth flexibility and allow patients with health savings accounts and high deductible plans to permanently access telehealth. The Congressional Budget Office reported that telehealth expansion would cost $5 billion.

Some hospital leaders are looking to Washington, D.C., to provide guidance on how telehealth care can be delivered as the country moves out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Unfortunately, since the emergency declaration ended, a confusing and inconsistent return of some of the prior restrictions have created a lot of uncertainty surrounding which services can be provided, by whom, and in what manner," said Jeff Hoffman, MD, CMIO at Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Children's.
Phoenix-based Banner Health plans to build a $400 million hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz.  but local firefighters believe they should leave the area's healthcare to Mayo Clinic and HonorHealth.

Sasha Weller, president of the Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association, expressed their concerns in a July 19 opinion piece for the Daily Independent.

The firefighters do not believe the area needs more hospitals and fear a new addition would worsen the existing healthcare worker shortage, according to Mr. Weller.

"An over-saturation of hospitals puts quality care at risk," Mr. Weller wrote. "This is not more 'competition.' This is just unwise. An unnecessary hospital could lead to increased wait times at all hospitals, and increased costs because of a shortage of medical professionals, support staff, and resources."

Banner Health shared plans for the 384,000-square-foot facility in March. The health system already has a presence in the area, including primary and specialty care, urgent care, and a 156-bed behavioral health hospital. Its health insurance division has approximately 50,000 members residing in the Northeast Valley, which includes Scottsdale, and the area's population is projected to grow 17 percent in the next decade.

However, recent polls of Scottsdale voters show that healthcare is the last of all concerns, according to Mr. Weller.

Fire fighters have partnered with Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic and Scottsdale-based HonorHealth for decades, Mr. Weller continued. They trust these systems to expand existing services if necessary, but double down that "more hospitals do not mean more doctors and nurses."

"When it comes to emergency services, it makes no sense to cluster all your fire stations in just one part of the city. The same is true for hospitals," Mr. Weller wrote. "Simply put, Banner's proposal should be rejected by the Scottsdale City Council, not because of who is proposing it, but because of what is being proposed."

Becker's has reached out to Banner Health and will update this article if more information becomes available.
Seven spine surgeons discuss the skills and practices they feel more spine surgeons should engage in.

Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. Becker's invites all spine surgeon and specialist responses.

Next week's question: What spine procedure is best poised to move to the ASC next?

Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Aug. 2.

Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: What's one thing not enough spine surgeons are doing today?

Nitin Bhatia, MD. UCI Health (Orange, Calif.): While there are many things that spine surgeons do well, there are various things which we could be doing better both individually and as a spine community, including the development and refinement of surgical techniques, analyzing and improving patient outcomes, and collaborating with each other and our patients to optimize clinical success. One item, however, that often is forgotten, is the need for all of us to advocate for our patients. Changes in reimbursement, governmental policy and the insurance approval process have the potential to detrimentally access care for all our patients. While patients also need to advocate for themselves, the spine surgeon community must work together to ensure that we can continue to provide our patients high-level care in a consistent manner by educating our policymakers about the negative effects of these changes on our patients' lives.

Brian Fiani, DO. Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic & Spine Specialists (West Bloomfield, Mich.): In recent years, there has been a shift towards motion-preserving techniques, such as disc replacement or dynamic stabilization. These surgeries offer the potential for improved long- term outcomes with reduced risk of adjacent segment disease complications or pseudoarthrosis. I believe there is still a need for more spine surgeons to consider these types of surgeries when evaluating surgical options.

Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: More spine surgeons should be using their hospital's old-school dictation system. I believe using speech recognition for your reports is unnecessary tech bloat. It eats up a ton of your time, and using templates in general is a no-no from a medical legal standpoint. I find that dictating your operative report captures the nuances of every surgery that templates steamroll over and open you up to questions in litigation. Also, it really paints a vivid picture and lets you "tell the story" as you go.

Marc Levine MD. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (Hamilton Township, N.J.): Make no mistake, the dynamics of healthcare delivery in this country are changing daily, often without input from physicians. It is vital as spine surgeons that we are at the table as critical decisions and plans are put into place that will not only affect our ability to practice and deliver care to our patients but also that ability for future physicians. Regardless of the practice model for which each of us work, we must strive for an autonomy that allows us to provide excellent patient care while maintaining a dignified and rewarding lifestyle. I would strongly encourage all of my colleagues to get involved in critical decision-making.

Neil Patel, MD. Spine Team Texas (Southlake): As a spine surgeon, I believe we arent seeing enough collaboration in our field. I am fortunate to work at a multidisciplinary spine practice at Spine Team Texas, where we have variety of spine care specialists from physical therapists to PM&R physicians to Anesthesia/Pain Management physicians to spine surgeons. We discussed cases with each other on a daily basis to develop the most effective treatment plans. Spine is a team sport and we have to treat it as such in practice.

Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Sinkov Spine (Las Vegas): Not enough spine surgeons are standing up to the health insurance companies and government agencies that constantly create new unnecessary regulatory and bureaucratic burdens while decreasing reimbursements for the work done. The longer we wait, the harder it will become to run our practices and provide appropriate care for our patients.

Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): Speaking for this community alone, and not nationally reported numbers, the "opt-out" of both the underinsured populace and Medicare patients have now become the charge of health-system physicians or those who continue to be societal-minded in their beliefs. Most refusals are initiated in private surgical offices or result in patient transfers to larger institutions. According to a recent Medicare Bulletin, 42 percent of behavioral health providers refuse Medicare patients, leaving a burgeoning patient population in the emergency room bound or not. Reasons aside, these actions obviously effectuate all facets and the recovering continuum of healthcare in any community.
Sales in the Northern Ireland food and drinks processing sector grew 9.5% in 2021 to hit an estimated 6bn, according to Daeras Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Processing Report 2021.

Sales in the Northern Ireland food and drinks processing sector grew 9.5% in 2021 to hit an estimated 6bn, a report has said.

And the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said provisional estimates for last year showed further growth of 8% in total gross turnover to 6.4bn.

Sales to all broad markets had climbed across 2020 to 2021, according to Daeras Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Processing Report 2021.

The NI Protocol, a set of post-Brexit trading arrangements ensuring continued free trade on the island of Ireland, came into force at the start of 2021. However, the agreement resulted in added friction on trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

But the report said Northern Irelands trade with Great Britain increased by 162m during 2021, while its domestic trade grew by 180.3m.

Great Britain remained Northern Irelands biggest market, accounting for 47.4% sales in 2021, which was down from 48.9% in 2020.

The food and drinks sector contributed 38.5% to total manufacturing sales in Northern Ireland in 2021, a decrease from 39.1% in 2020.

And there were an estimated 25,116 full-time employee equivalents in 2021, up 0.6%. And provisional estimates for 2022 predicted a further 1.5% increase to 25,497.

Meanwhile, total purchases by the Northern Ireland food and drinks processing sector was estimated to have increased by 12.3% in 2021 to 4.7bn.

Total purchases increased by the sector from all broad markets of origin, Daera said.

Purchases from Great Britain increased by 131.7m while purchases from the domestic market went up by 304.1m.

The domestic market accounted for 65.7% of total purchases, a decrease from 66.5%.

The Republic of Ireland remained the biggest export market for Northern Ireland, with sales up 5.9% to 929.6m. It accounted for 15.6% of total sales in the food and drinks processing sector, down 0.6 percentage points from 2020.

And total sales to the rest of the EU had risen to 472.3m in 2021, which was 7.9% of total sales. The figure was up from 391.1m in 2020.
The boss of bank Coutts which shut down Nigel Farages bank account, Peter Flavel, will step down immediately.

Who is Peter Flavel?

Australian-born Peter Flavel, 63, was the chief executive officer of Coutts.

A Harvard Business School alumni and Oxford graduate, he joined Coutts in 2016 as the first non-British CEO in over 300 hundred years of the banks history. A father of three, his salary was estimated to be around 910,00, according to The Telegraph.

He is also vice-Chair of Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conference and a member of the Philanthropy Advisory Committee of the Royal Albert Hall.

Read more Coutts boss resigns after Nigel Farage bank account row

Where did he work before?

Mr Flavel has more than 30 years of experience in financial services across Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.

Before joining Coutts, he was the CEO of J.P Morgan Private Wealth Management in Asia Pacific based in Singapore. He also spent nine years with Standard Chartered in Asia and founded their global Private Bank in 2006.

The CEO had been credited for a boost in Coutts performance since he joined seven years ago.

Peters passion for innovation across banking, lending and wealth management and raising the bar on service standards has led to a market-leading net promoter score from Coutts clients, his NatWest Group profile says.

He has revived Coutts branding and image to be more warm and modern, whilst taking pride in its history, encouraging clients to recognise that Coutts is more than a bank.

What has Nigel Farage said about him?

While Mr Flavel had so far been tight-lipped on the issue, Mr Farage has called him out several times, accusing him of being asleep at the wheel.

Claiming Mr Flavel repeatedly refused to respond to letters, Mr Farage said the Coutts bosss position was unsustainable.

Speaking to The Independent, Mr Farage said: I wrote to him twice before it went public, and once since.

So three times, I have reached out to the CEO and not even been given the courtesy of a response. Frankly, that is just disgusting. He is totally incompetent, does he care? Has he been in hiding?

Mr Farage said big, highly paid jobs such as running Coutts come with responsibility. And he added that he warned Mr Flavel he would go public about the closure of his account, but claims he continued to be ignored.

He added that none of it, from the departure of Dame Alison to the 650m hit to NatWests shares on Wednesday morning, would have happened if Mr Flavel responded.

When the news Dame Alison Rose quit as head of Natwest broke on Wednesday morning, Mr Farage called for the whole board to resign.

He said: So, shes gone, and thats a start, but I have to say that (Coutts chief executive) Peter Flavel ... (NatWest chair) Howard Davies ... it was the board that sanctioned this culture that talks about diversity and inclusion, and actually is very divisive.

In my case, as you can clearly see, pretty poisonous stuff. I think any board member that endorsed that statement last night, where they said yes, she breached confidentiality, but she can stay in her post... frankly, I think the whole board needs to go.
Car production rose 11.7% in the first half of the year as supply shortages eased, new figures show (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Car production rose 11.7% in the first half of the year as supply shortages eased, new figures show.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 450,168 new cars were manufactured in the UK between January and June, compared with 403,131 during the same period last year.

The increase was driven by exports, which were up 13.6% to 359,940.

Four out of five cars built in the UK are sold overseas.

The SMMT said manufacturers are increasingly able to manage the global shortages of parts such as semiconductors that have constrained production since the coronavirus pandemic.

Increasing numbers of hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles are being built, with combined volumes up 71.6% in the first half of 2023, representing more than a third of all UK car production.

The automotive industry received a boost last week when it emerged that Tata Sons  the Indian owner of Jaguar Land Rover  plans to build a 4 billion battery factory in the UK.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: UK car manufacturing is growing again, with production  especially of electrified models  increasing and major investment announcements making headlines.

This is testament to the resilience of the sector and its undoubted strengths: a skilled and productive workforce, world-class R&D (research and development), and efficient, productive plants.

But we must build on this momentum, sustain growth and attract further investments with a strategy that focuses on competitiveness and which strengthens the UKs unique automotive offering.
Standing in the dock of Ballymena Magistrates Court, Gareth Williams faced six offences of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13-16, all said to have been committed on June 6 last year.

During a brief mention of the case against the 26-year-old, from the Ballylesson Road in Ballymena, District Judge Nigel Broderick said that, because of the age of the alleged victim, who was 14 at the time, the case should be expedited and he will micromanage the case until it is resolved.

Detective Constable Dunlop told District Judge Broderick that, while he had submitted a file to the Public Prosecution Service at the start of June, there were some outstanding issues, including checking the accuracy of the police interview transcripts, but that CCTV footage has been obtained.

Freeing Williams on his own bail of 500, with conditions not to contact the complainant and to stay out of Ballymena town centre unless permitted to do so, District Judge Broderick put the case back until August 10.
Lee Hyang-eun, head of customer experience strategy at LG Electronics' home appliances division, poses while holding a non-fungible token (NFT) technology-based digital sneaker called "The Monster Show" displayed at this year's CES technology exhibition in Las Vegas at LG headquarters in Yeouido, southern Seoul, July 26. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Korea's tech giant starts journey in customer experience strategy



By Kim Yoo-chul



How a hardware-oriented company handles customer policy entirely depends on the cost structure and end-user of products. This kind of old-fashioned customer retention strategy has proven effective over the last few decades for Korea's leading hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai Motor.



But digitization, steady advancements in electrification and greater access to the internet have seen the technology industry grow incredibly. Obviously, these moves caused technological changes which have in turn changed customers' views on how hardware products are commoditized. Because of the standardization of the underlying hardware, chances for manufacturers to compete on hardware-driven innovation have all but dried up.



Based on such assessment, Korea's leading technology companies are on a gradual track to realign and retouch their business models to increase the outstanding share of recurring revenue from services, including subscriptions, by elevating customer experience (CX) strategies with the hope of increasing customer engagement.



Consumers are more able to judge companies based on what type of product they sell, what type of services they provide and how they compare to competitors. Regardless of the nature of businesses  business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C)  consumers' final decisions influence how companies create awareness and track the "customer journey" through past experiences and purchases.



Speaking to The Korea Times, Lee Hyang-eun, chief of CX strategy at LG Electronics' home appliances division, said she believes the surest way to ensure LG's sustainable growth in such cases is to look to one of the biggest challenges all industries face today  customer experience (CX).



"CX is storytelling. It's a message, not just something aimed at selling products in the near term," Lee said during an interview at the company headquarters in Yeouido, southern Seoul, Wednesday. "An effective CX strategy starts with high aspiration focused on what matters to and concerns customers thereby empowering frontline and factory workers to deliver. My priority is to convince LG customers why they should stay with us and to offer services that consistently offer them the most convenience."



"My core assignment is to lead ways to achieve organizational change. I want to build increased internal momentum for initiatives in terms of developing a manageable CX strategy and help LG Electronics perform distinctively in the market," she added.





Lee Hyang-eun, head of customer experience strategy at LG Electronics' home appliances division, answers questions during an interview at her office in the company's headquarters in Yeouido, southern Seoul, July 26. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
A Co Down man accused of grooming a 13-year-old girl was today refused permission to live in Co Donegal while on bail.

A previous hearing heard that Niall Cullen (39) has been kicked out of the matrimonial home.

Today at Lisburn Magistrates Court, defence counsel Michael Halleron said Cullen has now lost his job with Citibank and has nowhere else to live but with his family in Carrigart, Co Donegal.

Cullen, who is on remand in HMP Maghaberry but who held an address on the Hillsborough Road in Carryduff, faces charges of inciting a child under the age 13 to engage in sexual activity and facilitating her to send indecent images of herself.

He is also accused of engaging in sexual communication with the schoolgirl, purchasing alcohol for a minor, possessing indecent photographs of a child and causing or inciting the girl to become involved in pornography, all alleged to have been committed between January 2022 and May this year.

Charged alongside him and on bail is Kris Mervyn Coleman (37), from Thornwood in Banbridge.

He faces two charges each of having indecent images of the schoolgirl and buying alcohol to be delivered to a person under 18.

He also faces singles charges of engaging in sexual communication with the schoolgirl, distributing or showing an indecent image of a child, and obstructing a police officer.

Colemans offending is alleged to have taken place between October 2022 and May this year.

When the pair were initially charged in May, a lawyer said that, according to the evidence so far, Cullen was the first to contact the 13-year-old schoolgirl via social media and it was through him that she was introduced to Coleman.

Coleman allegedly asked the girl for sexually explicit images of herself and, despite knowing her age, he did nothing to stop contact.

He claims that she asked him to buy her alcohol, but that was on the deal that, in exchange, she left her underwear with him, said the lawyer, adding that Coleman also allegedly sent the girl videos of himself having sex with women.

The lawyer said Coleman told police, during interviews, that the underwear request wasnt for sexual gratification, but just out of curiosity, to see how far she would go before he called her bluff.

In court today, a detective constable said police were concerned about the risk of further offences, adding that, having spoken to the local Garda sergeant in Carrigart, he is not confident that they have the power to police this or that he has any legal footing to police bail conditions.

As part of his bail conditions, Cullen must live at an approved address and is prohibited from accessing the internet or from having any device which can be used to go online.

Mr Halleron told the court how Cullens parents intended to remove their internet router.

He also revealed that Cullens brother was willing to lodge a 10,000 cash surety with the court, to which Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer asked, rhetorically, whether his brother is going to stand over him?.

Highlighting that it is so easy to access the internet, District Judge Mateer said the police had raised valid concerns.

He stated: While Im not denigrating the Garda or its resources, I can fully understand, particularly how in a rural area like Carrigart, it may not have as many officers who can supervise whether he [Cullen] is abiding by bail.

Refusing to allow Cullen to move across the border, District Judge Mateer said that if Cullens brother could raise 10,000 as a cash surety, Im sure that he can find some way to find residential accommodation in this jurisdiction that the police are content with.
A Co Tyrone priest who requested a leave of absence earlier this year while a serious safeguarding investigation was carried out has been charged with historic sexual offences against two males.

Canon Patrick McEntee, from Esker Road, Dromore, is charged with indecently assaulting a complainant between 1980 and 1981.

The 69-year-old is further alleged to have twice indecently assaulted a second complainant on dates between 1988 and 1989.

The circumstances of the alleged offences are unknown at this time, although it is believed they relate to Canon McEntees time in Co Fermanagh.

He is understood to be subject to bail conditions ahead of his appearance at Enniskillen Magistrates Court next week.

Canon McEntee, who is originally from Monaghan, joined the staff of St Michaels College, Enniskillen, in 1987, teaching religious studies and sitting on the board of governors.

He was also college president between 1994 and 2000, moving on to take up the post of parish priest at St Davogs Church in Dromore, Co Tyrone, in 2001, where he has remained until his recent leave of absence.

Previously, the Diocese of Clogher confirmed: Canon Patrick McEntee PP, Dromore, Co Tyrone, has asked for a period of leave to allow a safeguarding matter to be addressed.

The Diocese of Clogher has robust safeguarding policies and practices in place.

The Diocese of Clogher takes seriously all allegations, suspicions or concerns of abuse.

When asked of the current status given the charges now faced, a spokesperson replied: Canon Patrick McEntee is on leave while a safeguarding matter is dealt with and will continue to be on leave from ministry until all due processes have been completed.
A biker and businessman who is denying a rape and indecent assaults in the Isle of Man has been refused bail to return to Northern Ireland.

Well-known Portadown man Robert John (RJ) Woolsey, who had wanted to return to live at his parents address, remains on bail to an address in Isle of Man.

Woolsey, who has previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault, has had the case committed to a higher court on the island.

The 44-year-old is yet to enter a plea to the rape allegation, as this can only be heard at the islands Court of General Gaol Delivery, but has indicated that it will also be denied.

The offences are alleged to have been committed in a portable toilet at Walpole Avenue in Douglas, Isle of Man, on May 26.

Woolsey, the joint owner of a concrete manufacturer, was visiting the islands capital at the time, competing in the Pre-TT Classic Road Races.

On Tuesday (July 25), High Bailiff Jayne Hughes committed Woolsey to the higher court, where he will appear on a date yet to be set as the case heads towards a jury trial.

Woolseys advocate, Jim Travers, made an application to vary the defendants bail to allow him to reside back in Northern Ireland at his parents address.

Read more Bike ace facing sex charges is one of best known figures on NI racing circuit

Woolsey, who lives at Aghory Road in Portadown, Co Armagh, was initially denied bail twice in the lower court. Following an appeal at the higher court, however, he was then granted bail to a friends address in Douglas, Isle of Man, with a surety bond of 42,000 being lodged.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson opposed the application to allow the defendant to reside off-island, saying that this had been considered by the deemster at the higher court during the appeal but that it was decided to only allow bail to a Manx address.

Mr Robinson said that it may be more appropriate for the deemster to hear any future applications regarding this.

High Bailiff Hughes agreed and refused the application.

Bail therefore continues with a recognisance of 1,000 and securities totalling 42,000, as well as conditions to live at the Douglas address and abide by a curfew between 7pm and 7am.

Woolsey is also to report to Isle of Man Constabulary Police Headquarters in Douglas daily between 9am and 10am; not to enter licensed premises or consume or purchase alcohol; not to contact the complainant or witnesses and not to go to specific locations relevant to the complainant. He is also instructed to surrender his passport.
News that the Irish government is paying for students from Northern Ireland to continue to go on Erasmus+ international study and work trips following the UKs withdrawal from the EU has been welcomed.

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has allocated 2m in funding for this year, and the support will stay in place indefinitely.

It is the second major initiative announced this week where Dublin is filling funding gaps in Northern Ireland higher education that have resulted, directly or indirectly, from Brexit.

Erasmus+ is an EU programme and students in the UK lost access to it as a result of Brexit, causing major concern in higher education in Northern Ireland.

SDLP Higher Education Spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin said after Brexit referendum there was serious concern about the impact leaving the European Union would have on students here wishing to take part in Erasmus+ studies in Europe.

"Young people here have been afforded amazing opportunities to work, study and live abroad for many decades and it was unthinkable that would be robbed away from them, she said.

The Irish Governments decision to step up and provide this funding will open a wealth of opportunities for a new generation of young people across the North.

"The experience of studying and living abroad brings huge benefits to young people and helps them develop new skills, build new connections with peers from across Europe all while growing their intercultural understanding and awareness.

"The SDLP repeatedly pressed the Department for the Economy to engage on this issue and found the previous Ministers hands-off approach to be deeply disappointing.

In stark contrast to a Tory government ripping millions of pounds of funding away from our higher and further education institutions through their punitive budget, the Irish Government is choosing to invest in our young people. This is the latest example of the government in the South supporting education in the North and creating opportunities for those who face losing out.

In 2020, the Irish Government committed to ensuring that students in Northern Ireland could continue to avail of the programme, and this funding announcement fulfils that pledge.

Mr Harris said it was a permanent commitment, and will be in place for as long as students in Northern Ireland wish to avail of this option or an alternative mobility model emerges.

He said the cost would be around 2m a year based on the current numbers of students in Northern Ireland accessing Erasmus+.

It is an investment in relationships between institutions north and south. It is an investment in our islands next generation, and I think its a really practical, sensible way of continuing to co-operate post-Brexit, he said.

The minister said that during his many engagements in Northern Ireland, including with the universities vice-chancellors, the loss of access to the Erasmus + programme was constantly being raised.

I understand that. We know that students higher education experiences are enriched by undertaking a mobility in another country, he said.

Mr Harris said participation in Erasmus+ was not just about learning in a partner university, but also about building relationships with other students, and increasing cultural awareness and understanding.

While the funding will be directed to study/internships across Europe, there is a significant north-south dimension, with more than 20% of Northern Ireland Erasmus+ internships taking place in the Republic, including in key sectors such as financial services and technology.

This experience is vital, and aligns skills development with the island economy, Mr Harris said.

In another Brexit-related move, Mr Harris and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly have confirmed 200 places on nursing degree programmes in Northern Ireland for students from the Republic this September to be funded by the Department of Health in Dublin.

The spare capacity in Queens University Belfast and Ulster University for 2023/24 arises from budget cuts linked to the collapse of the Stormont government because of the impasse over Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol.
The cost of responding to the pandemic in Northern Ireland is estimated to have reached more than 7.79bn, a new Audit Office report has found.

It said lessons needed to be learnt from the spending to ensure that Stormont departments are well placed to deal with similar situations in the future.

Auditor general, Dorinnia Carville, has published the third in a series of overview reports summarising the Executives expenditure in response to the public health emergency.

It said recent estimates of the total cost of Government Covid-19 measures range from 310bn to 410bn. In Northern Ireland, the total estimated cost is more than 7.79bn.

The report said that at the end of March, the spend by government departments here on measures to combat the impact of the pandemic was estimated to be 4.94bn.

The other 2.85bn was spent on national schemes which applied to Northern Ireland, including an estimated 1.72bn covering the cost of 287,100 Northern Ireland employments furloughed by September 30, 2021.

Almost 75% of the total estimated cost of Northern Ireland initiatives related to activities across three departments  1.59bn in the Department of Health on the pandemic response, 1.08bn in the Department of Finance offering rates relief and other support to businesses, and 0.97bn in the Department for the Economy.

The report also highlights the growth during the pandemic of ministerial directions. This is where ministers direct accounting officers to proceed with a spending proposal despite concerns that the spending may breach regularity or propriety principles or may represent poor value for money.

The report said: During the period from March 2020 to 28 October 2022 (when caretaker ministers were no longer in post), 51 Covid-19 related ministerial directions were issued. This is more than the total number of ministerial directions issued in the previous 10 years.

The majority were in the Department for the Economy and the Department of Health.

The ministerial directions represented an estimated 1.4bn of budgeted expenditure.

Auditor general Dorinnia Carville

The report said auditors recognised that in the early stages of the pandemic, ministers needed to make urgent decisions.

It added: It is crucial that lessons are learned from the response to the pandemic, evaluating the impact of spending, identifying what worked well, or did not work, and building on those lessons to ensure organisations are well placed to react when faced with other emergencies in the future.

The report also identifies several lessons for departments on the use of self-declarations as a means of determining eligibility, the need for cross-departmental co-operation, and the importance of incorporating recovery and clawback arrangements to address potential error or fraud.

Ms Carville said: Work is ongoing to evaluate the impact of the Executives response to the pandemic and the financial support provided. While many of the lessons identified in this report can be attributed, at least partially, to the pace at which initiatives were delivered, it is crucial that these lessons are learned.

Evaluating the impact of spending, identifying what worked well, or did not work, and building on this insight will help to ensure organisations are well placed to react when faced with other emergencies in the future.

Oversight by the NI Civil Service board is key to ensuring lessons are learned, shared widely and, where necessary, that processes are improved and embedded.
The brothels were all in residential streets across BelfastPolice warn anyone caught having paid for sex with trafficked women faced prosecuted

Police believe there are more victims of a vast human trafficking operation that saw Romanian sex slaves brought through Dublin and forced to work in brothels in Northern Ireland.

Six women have been rescued after an investigation involving three police forces  the PSNI, An Garda Siochana and Romanian police  and spanning over a year.

Three people - two men and a woman - have been arrested as part of the significant policing operation targeting a group suspected of trafficking vulnerable young Romanian women.

The PSNIs Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit conducted searches in the Greater Belfast area targeting the organised crime group.

The six victims, all aged in their 20s, were lured to Ireland with the promise of legitimate work and a better life.

However, after being trafficked from Dublin to Northern Ireland, they were immediately forced into prostitution. A senior detective said they were treated appallingly.

The brothels the women were working in were all in residential streets across Belfast.

But police believe they were taken to other areas to meet men and exchange sex for money  all of which was taken from them by the gang masters.

Allison Morris analysis after police arrest three following joint Romanian modern slavery and human trafficking operation in Belfast

Two men, aged 29 and 36, and a woman (35) were detained on suspicion of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, controlling prostitution for gain, brothel keeping and money laundering.

All three suspects have lived in Northern Ireland for some time but are originally from Romania. They are in custody being questioned by detectives.

Police also warned that anyone caught having paid for sex with the trafficked women faced prosecuted.

Detective Inspector Rachel Miskelly said: Purchasing sex is obviously an offence and during the course of our investigation if we do identify any sex buyers, we will be taking steps to prosecute them.

Police also believe more trafficked women still to be found, with Det Insp Miskelly adding: Unfortunately, we suspect there be more victims yet to be identified.

She continued: "The grim reality is that, upon arrival, theyre forced into prostitution and exploited.

So far, six victims have been identified, some of whom are already engaging with us and receiving support. All of the victims we have identified were brought in via Dublin and over the border into Northern Ireland and then trafficked.

Police have been working on the investigation since June 2022, identifying suspects in Romania and Northern Ireland.

The scale of the operation was said by police to be quite vast, generating huge sums of money for the crime gang involved.

DI Miskelly continued: Crime groups involved in human trafficking seek to identify, groom and exploit individuals, particularly those who are in any way vulnerable. Indeed, the victims linked to this investigation, who all come from one area in Romania, had previously experienced some form of hardship, such as adverse childhood experiences and physical abuse.

These young women have been treated appallingly. They have been forced to engage in sexual activity, and the money made at their expense lines the pockets of the crime group members.

Whilst the brothels linked to this group were located in Greater Belfast and Newtownabbey, we know the victims have been transported to various locations throughout the country for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Three arrests following joint Romanian modern slavery and human trafficking operation in Belfast

She continued: In order to tackle this criminality, our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit and colleagues from the Romanian authorities formed a joint investigation team, facilitated and supported by Eurojust. Together, weve been working to gather evidence on the suspects and to identify any potential victims.

Unfortunately, we suspect there be more victims yet to be identified and, with the support of our partners, our investigation will continue. As well as colleagues from the Romanian authorities, we have been working closely with the National Crime Agency, the Public Prosecution Service, An Garda Siochana, Womans Aid and the International Justice Mission.

I would also like to appeal to members of the public for support to help us tackle the very real issue of modern slavery and human trafficking. If you have information or concerns that someone is being exploited or controlled, please report it to us.

Likewise, if you are a victim please speak to us. We want to help you. I assure you that you will be treated with respect and sensitivity  every step of the way.

"What weve seen before is that the fear of police is instilled in the victims, particularly if they are not local, or issues with immigration status.

"These girls have done nothing wrong, they have nothing to fear, all we want to do is support them.

Police have asked that anyone who either suspects or is a victim of sexual exploitation to call 999 in an emergency; 101 in a non-emergency; or call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700.
The Government has been slammed after it was revealed that funding allocated to Northern Ireland after a 76m scheme to help vulnerable people in the cost of living crisis will be used to pay off Stormonts overspend.

People Before Profit West Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll said: Once again, the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of the Tories cruel economic policies.

Alliance MLA Andrew Muir also hit out at the decision which he said was a major blow to many and was a direct consequence of the DUPs boycott of Stormont.

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund was launched on Monday to provide grants of up to 75,000 to voluntary, community and social enterprise initiatives in England providing critical frontline services.

Read more Cost-of-living crisis funding will instead pay off Stormont overspend

Northern Ireland is set to receive a proportional amount  a Barnett consequential  as a result of the additional funding in England.

SDLP MP Claire Hanna had warned the money could be swallowed up by the 297m black hole in Stormonts finances in line with fiscal measures set out by Chris Heaton-Harris earlier this year.

Northern Ireland cannot afford to miss out on cost of living funding, she said.

A Government spokesperson has confirmed that the money destined for Northern Ireland would be used to pay off the Stormont overspend, rather than help those in need.

They said: "Under agreement with the Treasury any future in-year Barnett consequentials for 2023-24 will be committed to repaying the Reserve claim. Therefore, any additional funding from Barnett consequentials as a result of this announcement would be used to repay the Reserve claim in the first instance."

Gerry Carroll said: People in crisis should not be collateral damage to this bloodbath Tory budget.

The Government needs to ensure this funding is put into the right hands and that our public services are properly funded. Stormonts overspend is a direct result of Tory austerity, and neither frontline community groups or Departmental budgets should suffer as a result.

Communities here cannot survive within the confines of this budget and it must be met with resistance.

Alliance MLA Andrew Muir said: "The news that money designed to help those most in need is likely to be withheld and pocketed by Treasury will come as a major blow to many.

This funding could have provided many charities and organisations with the much-needed support to meet increased demand brought on by the cost of living crisis.

"This arises as a direct consequence of the DUP's boycott of our Assembly and Executive, leaving our most vulnerable communities to suffer the consequences.

Yet again, the whole of Northern Ireland is being punished as a result of the actions of one party.

Mr Muir added: "This and so many other stories show us why Stormont must be restored and reformed.

"Only then, coupled with a financial package, can we work to put our finances and public services on a sustainable footing."
Andrew Malkinson, who served 17 years behind bars for a rape he did not commit, has called an apology by the police force which handled the original investigation meaningless.

The 57-year-old was found guilty of raping a woman in Greater Manchester in 2003 and the next year was jailed for life with a minimum term of seven years.

Mr Malkinson served 10 more years because he maintained his innocence, time he said took an extremely heavy toll on his psyche and during which he contemplated suicide many times.

His conviction was quashed by senior judges at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday after DNA evidence linking another man to the crime came to light.

Greater Manchester Police issued an apology to him following the ruling.

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson said: We are truly sorry to Mr Malkinson that he is the victim of such a grave miscarriage of justice in being convicted of a crime he did not commit and serving a 17-year custodial sentence.

Whilst we hope this outcome gives him a long overdue sense of justice, we acknowledge that it does not return the years he has lost. I have offered to meet with him to personally deliver this apology.

However Mr Malkinson told the BBCs Newsnight programme: The Greater Manchester Police apology its meaningless to me, absolutely meaningless.

An apology without accountability, what is that? Its nothing, its nothing, it means nothing.

He also said the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates miscarriages of justice in England, only investigated his case after having evidence handed to them on a platter.

Mr Malkinson tried to get the body to investigate twice previously but his bid was turned down.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Thursday that it felt as though he had been kidnapped by the state.

Its taken an extremely heavy toll on my person, my psyche, my psychology, my being, my soul.

I cant articulate how I even managed to get through it.

I was in total shock for the first even a few years.

I contemplated suicide many times.

Andrew Malkinson reads a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice after being cleared by the Court of Appeal (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

After the ruling, Mr Malkinson told reporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice: Since I was arrested in 2003, the police, the prison system and Probation Service have been calling me a liar because I denied that I committed the crime.

They claimed I was in denial and made me serve an extra 10 more years in prison because I would not make a false confession.

I am not a liar. I am not in denial but I will tell you who is  Greater Manchester Police are liars, and they are in denial.

Even after this judgment today, I predict we will see them denying responsibility for what happened. We will see them stretching credulity with their excuse-making.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been scrambling to cover up how they wrongfully convicted me for 20 years.

Addressing the victim of the crime he did not commit, he said: I am so sorry that you were attacked and brutalised that night by that man. I am not the person who attacked you but what happened to me is not your fault.

Mr Malkinsons mother Tricia Hose, in her mid-70s, said: Now Andys name has been cleared, suddenly in the public eye, I am no longer a deluded mother.

My son is no longer a monster.

Mr Malkinsons mother Tricia outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

But what has been done to him cannot be undone. The damage will be with him for the rest of his life and the woman who got attacked has been denied justice, just as my son was.

Overturning Mr Malkinsons convictions, for two counts of rape and one of choking or strangling with intent to commit rape, Lord Justice Holroyde said he could leave the court free and no longer be subject to the conditions of licence.

At the time of Mr Malkinsons trial, there was no DNA evidence linking him to the crime and the prosecution case against him was based only on identification evidence.

But a DNA sample, held by the forensic archive, was tested and found last October to link to another man, who has since been arrested.

A decision on whether he will be charged is awaited.

Andrew Malkinson spent an extra 10 years in prison after refusing to falsely confess (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The CPS and GMP said in May they would not contest the appeal.

The court will decide later whether Mr Malkinsons convictions were also unsafe because of what his lawyer Edward Henry KC called deplorable disclosure failures, which mostly lay at the door of the Greater Manchester Police.

They include police photographs of the victims left hand, which supported her evidence that she broke a nail scratching the face of her attacker, and the fact the two witnesses who identified Mr Malkinson had convictions for dishonesty offences and one was a heroin addict.

None of this was available to Mr Malkinsons defence team at his trial and Mr Henry said the failure to disclose the photographs deprived Mr Malkinson of his strongest defence point  his lack of any facial injury.

Emily Bolton, director of the legal charity Appeal, said outside court: We of course welcome todays ruling overturning Andys wrongful conviction but the question which should trouble everyone is why it took nearly 20 years to get here.

The truth is this case is an indictment of both the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

These so-called safety nets in our justice system missed three earlier opportunities to put this obvious miscarriage of justice right.
Philip Logan, who died in the Croydon tram crash in 2016

A woman from Co Antrim whose father died in the Croydon tram crash has called the 14m fine handed to the operators disgusting.

Tracy McAuleys father, Philip Logan (52), was one of seven passengers who died when the tram derailed in south London on November 9, 2016. A further 51 were injured.

Transport for London (TfL) and Tram Operations Limited (TOL) accepted failing in their health and safety duties.

In a filmed sentencing at the Old Bailey today, Mr Justice Fraser fined TfL 10m and TOL 4m.

He had already ordered they each pay 234,404 in costs to the prosecuting authority, the Office of Rail and Road, and a victim surcharge of 170.

Read more Tram operators fined 14m over Croydon disaster that claimed seven lives

The scene of the crash in November 2016 (PA)

Ms McAuley, from Carrickfergus, said her fathers death has destroyed her family.

Her brother Lee Sherwood (52) took his own life last month; Ms McAuley said their fathers death and the subsequent court proceedings just became too much for him.

Reacting to the combined 14m fine handed down to TfL and TOL, Ms McAuley said: Its disgusting. Is that how much the lives of seven people are worth?

My brother was never the same since he lost Dad. And all of this stuff happening at the Old Bailey, it just became too much for him.

[The operators] have just been hit with fines. Thats not enough. Theyre multimillion-pound companies and theyll swallow that up straight away in their profits in just one day.

Is that how much my dads life was worth? Its destroyed my family, including my mother.

Ms McAuley added that she doesnt have any hope of private prosecutions being brought by the families of the victims of the tragedy.

Unless somebody has got a pot full of money to take private prosecutions against them, then no, she said.

I can hold my hands up: Ive never ever received one single penny from my fathers death, and I dont want anything.

The way Im looking at it is that that is blood money. Theres just no justice. That money isnt going to bring back my father or my brother.

People look at floral tributes and Crystal Palace football colours left near the scene of the Croydon tram crash (Steve Parsons/PA)

Mr Justice Fraser told the court today that the tram crash was undoubtedly an accident waiting to happen, quite literally.

There was a failure to heed warnings about the risk of drivers becoming disorientated in the Sandilands Tunnel network on the approach to the curve, he said, while a report of a near-miss just days before the crash was ignored.

The complacency around the inadequate lighting and lack of visual cues in the tunnel was disturbing, the judge stated.

The court had heard that tram No2551 was going three times the 20kph speed limit when it derailed on a sharp corner at Sandilands.

Last month, driver Alfred Dorris (49), from Beckenham, southeast London, was cleared of failing in his duty, after claiming he had become disorientated and thought he was going in the other direction.

He blamed the crash on external factors including the poor lighting and signage on the approach through the Sandilands Tunnel complex.

Prosecutor Jonathan Ashley-Norman had asserted the derailment was an accident waiting to happen.

Mr Logan, Dane Chinnery (19), Philip Seary (57), Dorota Rynkiewicz (35), Robert Huxley (63), all from New Addington, and Donald Collett (62) and Mark Smith (35), both from Croydon, were all killed in the crash.
A small number of emails intended for the Pentagon were sent to Mali (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation after officials unwittingly sent emails containing classified information to a close Russian ally because of a typing error.

A small number of emails intended for the Pentagon were sent to Mali because of the accidental omission of an i from an email address.

British officials sent the messages to an address ending with the west African countrys .ml domain, rather than the US militarys .mil.

The same error in the US was revealed last week to have resulted in millions of military emails going to Mali.

It was argued that the scale of the British mishap, first reported by The Times, paled in comparison.

An MoD spokesman said: We have opened an investigation after a small number of emails were mistakenly forwarded to an incorrect email domain.

We are confident they did not contain any information that could compromise operational security or technical data.

All sensitive information is shared on systems designed to minimise the risk of misdirection.

The MoD constantly reviews its processes and is currently undertaking a programme of work to improve information management, data loss prevention, and the control of sensitive information.

Mali was among the six African countries promised free grain shipments by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the collapse of the Black Sea deal with Ukraine.

Moscows Wagner mercenaries have also been deployed in Mali to fight alongside the army against jihadists.
A part-time worker hands over purchased products to a customer at a convenience store in Seoul, April 17. Korea Times file



By Kim Jae-heun



The owner of a GS25 convenience store in Seoul surnamed Lee, 58, is considering dismissing a part-time worker after the government decided to raise next year's minimum wage by 2.5 percent to 9,860 won ($7.67).



"The government does not care about convenience store owners," Lee said. "It can't expect us to maintain our business while it keeps raising the minimum wage when our sales are stagnating. At the same time, fixed costs such as rental fees and electricity are also rising. If there is a most efficient way to cut costs, it would be dismissing my part-timer worker."



The Minimum Wage Commission voted Wednesday to increase the 2024 minimum wage by 240 won per hour. In terms of monthly salary for part-timers working 209 hours a month, their wage will rise by over 50,000 won each month.



Convenience store owners say the only way to increase sales is to open their stores 24 hours or run them unmanned.



Holiday pay is another troubling finance for convenience store owners. Part-timers receive a full day's pay when they work over 15 hours a week. The store owners have been demanding the government abolish the holiday pay system for small businesses with less than five employees, but it was rejected.



The increasing number of convenience stores in the country is also hurting their sales.



According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the number of convenience stores of the three major brands in the country  CU, GS25 7-Eleven  stood at 46,662 as of March. The number has increased by nearly 35 percent compared to 34,664 stores in 2018.



The Korea Association of Convenience Store Industry issued a statement on Wednesday requesting various support measures including the abolishment of the holiday pay system for convenience stores and extending a special credit card value-added tax.



"With the government's decision to raise the minimum wage, convenience stores have to either close down or reduce part-time jobs," an association official said.


PSNI says it is aware of investigation

Former PSNI assistant chief constable Will Kerr has "strenuously" denied any allegations of criminality after an investigation was launched into alleged sexual offences.

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is probing claims against Mr Kerr, the suspended chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police who previously served in the PSNI and RUC for 27 years.

Mr Kerr said: "In relation to the statement from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in which she named me as being the subject of a criminal investigation into serious allegations of sexual offences, I strenuously deny any allegations of criminality.

"I recognise and respect the fact that accountability and due process are vital to any investigation, regardless of rank or position.

"I will continue to co-operate with any investigation. I hope that all matters will be expedited so that they will be concluded without delay."

Mr Kerr has been removed from his post as head of Devon and Cornwall Police while an investigation gets underway.

Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson confirmed a criminal investigation into "serious allegations of sexual offences" has been launched.

The Chief Police Officers Staff Association said Mr Kerr was co-operating with the investigation, which it said related to "legacy misconduct matters" for which he had not yet been interviewed.

The allegations relate to Mr Kerrs time in Northern Ireland.

The PSNI said it was aware of the investigation and will support the Ombudsman as required.

As PSNI assistant chief constable, he was the lead for both serious crime and counter terrorism.

He was awarded the OBE in 2015, whilst ACC with PSNI, and received the Kings Policing Medal in the last New Year Honours.

Mr Kerr's Twitter account has been deleted within the last 48 hours.

Ms Anderson is liaising with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which investigates police complaints in England and Wales.

She used her own motion powers to launch the investigation on June 16 into the former senior PSNI officer.

The Ombudsman will also consider the circumstances under which the allegations were investigated by PSNI, a statement from her office said.

The office has been engaging with the IOPC on cross-jurisdictional issues in recent weeks, as well as with the office of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner

Details concerning the precise nature of the allegations and any early investigative actions remain confidential at this time.

The statement added that independence and impartiality are central to all the Police Ombudsmans investigation.

The office will be robust in following the evidence to ensure that any police officer in breach of the law and who abuses their position of trust will be held to account, she said.

As the investigation is at an early stage, it is not possible to confirm a likely timeframe for its conclusion.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez confirmed Mr Kerr was removed from his role.

She said he had been suspended following allegations of misconduct.

The Commissioner has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has confirmed it will commence an investigation."

Mr Kerr was appointed Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police in December 2022.

He was appointed by Ms Hernandez following a rigorous selection process following the retirement of Shaun Sawyer.

Devon and Cornwall Police said deputy chief constable Jim Colwell would become acting chief constable following the suspension of Mr Kerr.

Mr Colwell said: "I understand our communities will be concerned about the reports in the media today regarding the suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr KPM by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

"The PCC suspension of Mr Kerr follows a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

"I am keen to reassure the public that we will maintain our focus on delivering the best possible service to our communities.

"We have thousands of dedicated and professional officers, staff and volunteers within our force and strong leadership throughout which, when pulled together, mean we can continue to make improvements at pace to provide our communities with the highest levels of service they deserve."

Mr Colwell added: "I will be stepping into the role of Acting Chief Constable on an interim basis to ensure consistency of leadership and service delivery of policing across the peninsula.

"This now remains a matter for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the IOPC to investigate."

A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: "Following assessment of a referral from the Police and Crime Commissioner, we have decided to investigate allegations of misconduct against the Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police, Will Kerr."

A PSNI spokesperson said: The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of a Police Ombudsmans criminal investigation and will support the Ombudsman as required.

Police Scotland said: "Will Kerr left Police Scotland in 2022. These allegations do not relate to his time at Police Scotland and it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Ian Drysdale, vice chair of the chief police officers staff association (CPOSA), said: "The Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Force was today suspended in respect of an ongoing enquiry into legacy misconduct matters for which he is yet to be interviewed.

"CC Kerr recognises and respects the fact that accountability and due process are vital to any investigation, regardless of rank or position.

"He will continue to cooperate with any investigation and hopes that all matters are expedited so that they can be concluded without further delay."

While serving with the PSNI, Mr Kerr reached the rank of assistant chief constable, leading on both serious crime and counter terrorism.

In 2015 he was made an OBE, and he received the King's Police Medal in the New Year Honours earlier this year.

Mr Kerr had spent much of his policing career working at a senior level in different organisations across the UK.

While at Police Scotland he was responsible 16,500 officers and staff throughout the country and oversaw both the criminal justice portfolio, and the partnership, prevention and community wellbeing portfolio.
RAF Typhoons have intercepted 50 Russian aircraft since their arrival in Estonia in March (Jane Barlow/PA)

RAF jets intercepting unauthorised aircraft in the Baltic Sea are the sound of freedom for Estonians sharing a border with Russia, the Amari Air Base deputy commander has said.

British military personnel will leave the eastern European nation next week as their time policing the Baltic Sea as part of Natos Operation Azotize mission comes to an end.

They will be replaced by the Spanish Air Force, who will assist the Estonians in keeping their skies safe from Russian aggressors amid the war in Ukraine.

Since their arrival in March, the British typhoon jets have intercepted 50 Russian aircraft.

Members of the Estonian Air Force prepare for an exercise with a L-39 Albatross training jet at Amari Airbase in Estonia (Jane Barlow/PA)

Estonia, which borders Russia, does not have its own flying air force, making its alliance with Nato crucial to the countrys safety in the geopolitical context of the war.

Commanding officer Scottie McColl, who leads the RAFs 140 Expeditionary Air Wing at the Amari base, said: There is no doubt that Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine has changed the context in this part of the world.

When you speak to Estonians you can see how important it is for them for us to be here.

Air RAF Specialist 1 Harrison Malkin, left, and Air Specialist 1 Harry Walker carry out internal security checks during deployment on Operation Azotize (Jane Barlow/PA)

Ive spoken to an Estonian commander who described the noise of our jets as the sound of freedom.

Major Tanel Rattiste, deputy commander at the Amari Air Base, near Tallinn, told the PA news agency that Nato provides freedom because each time when we have a Russian Federation aircraft closing in to our borders, not only Estonia but the Baltics, then all of the time Nato  and this time the UK jets  are scrambled and they will go and intercept those flights.

The Russian Federation knows that we know where they are and what they are doing and that we are ready.

Major Tanel Rattiste, of the Estonian Air Force, hailed the UKs role in keeping his countrys skies safe (Jane Barlow/PA)

We are really appreciating that the Royal Air Force is contributing to this enhanced air policing mission. They have been here several times before and each time it has been a pleasure for us.

All of our skies are relying on allies from Nato and from the partners in the UK.

The Estonian military has backed Ukraine following the invasion last year, with Ukrainian flags placed alongside Estonias badge on many of their uniforms.
President Joe Biden has announced new steps to protect workers from heatwaves spreading across the US.

The measures include a hazard alert notifying employers and employees about ways to stay protected from extreme heat as well as plans to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.

The action comes as nearly 40% of the US population faces heat advisories, according to the National Weather Service.

High temperatures have already scorched the South West this month, and more heat is expected in the Mid West and the North East in the coming days.

President Joe Biden said action is needed to tackle climate change (Evan Vucci/AP)

Washington will be spared, and the heat index in the capital could reach 43C on Friday.

It is a worldwide problem and scientists calculate that July will be the hottest month on record.

Noting that ocean temperatures near Miami topped 38C, Mr Biden said thats more like jumping in a hot tub than jumping into the ocean to ride a wave.

Citing federal data, Mr Biden called extreme heat the number one weather-related killer in the United States.

Even those places that are used to extreme heat have never seen it as hot as it is now for as long as its been, Mr Biden said. Even those who deny that were in the midst of a climate crisis cant deny the impact extreme heat is having on Americans.

Mr Bidens bid to address the immediate effects of climate change come as he faces pressure from fellow Democrats and environmental groups to declare a climate emergency, a step he has so far resisted.

The steps announced on Thursday supplement his long-term agenda for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deploying clean energy technology, policies that may not pay dividends for years to come while global temperatures continue to rise.

Mr Biden directed the Labour Department to increase inspections of potentially dangerous workplaces such as farms and construction sites and called for heightened enforcement of heat safety violations.

As part of the initiative, the department will issue a hazard alert notifying employers and employees about ways to stay protected from extreme heat, which has killed 436 workers since 2011, according to federal statistics.

The Biden administration plans to spend 7 million dollars to develop more detailed weather predictions to anticipate extreme weather like heatwaves, plus 152 million dollars to boost drinking water infrastructure and climate resilience in California, Colorado and Washington.

Mr Biden was joined on Thursday by acting Labour Secretary Julie Su, as well as the leaders of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The mayors of Phoenix and San Antonio, two cities that have suffered from the heatwaves, participated in the White House event virtually.

Phoenix is known for heat, said Mayor Kate Gallego. We are often called the Valley of the Sun. But right now, this summer has really been unprecedented. Its taking a real toll on our community. We feel like we are very much on the front lines of climate change.

Phoenix is the first in the nation to have a permanent, publicly funded heat office, Ms Gallego said, with efforts now focused on getting residents inside as much as possible at public cooling centres and encouraging use of water stations throughout the city.

Phoenix has seen at least 27 days in a row of temperatures exceeding 43.3C. No other major city  defined as the 25 most populous in the United States  has had any stretch of 38C days or 32C nights longer than Phoenix, said weather historian Christopher Burt, of the Weather Company.

The City of Phoenix Heat Response Programme team volunteers Natalie Boyd and David Coughenour prepare heat relief kits for the public (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, reported recently that there were 25 heat-associated deaths between April 11 and July 22. An additional 249 deaths remain under investigation. There were 425 heat-associated deaths in the county last year.

Other areas of Arizona are also struggling. A 26-year-old farm worker died after collapsing in the fields on July 20, when the temperature reached 46.7 C, according to the Yuma County Sheriffs Office.

San Antonio, Texas, saw at least 15 straight days of 38C temperatures or above. At least 13 deaths in Texas have been blamed on the extreme heat.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said his city has moved to end the use of coal and is launching its first advanced rapid transit line, which will feature low or zero-emission vehicles. The city is also developing solar power and other renewable energy, he said.

Im confident that the state best known for oil and gas production can help lead the way to a greener tomorrow, he said.
Supporters of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum demonstrate in his support in Niamey, Niger (Sam Mednick/AP)

Mutinous soldiers claimed to have overthrown Nigers democratically elected president, announcing on state television that they have put an end to the government over the African countrys deteriorating security.

In their address late on Wednesday, the soldiers said all institutions had been suspended and security forces were managing the situation.

They urged external partners not to interfere.

The announcement came after a day of uncertainty as members of Nigers presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace and detained president Mohamed Bazoum.

Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum (Boureima Hama/Pool Photo via AP/File)

It was unclear where the president was at the time of the announcement or if he had resigned.

Air force colonel major Amadou Abdramane said on the video: This is as a result of the continuing degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance.

Seated at a table in front of nine other officers, he said aerial and land borders were closed and a curfew was imposed until the situation stabilised.

The group, which is calling itself National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, said it remained committed to its engagements with the international and national community.

Earlier on Wednesday, a tweet from the account of Nigers presidency reported that members of the elite guard unit engaged in an anti-Republican demonstration and unsuccessfully tried to obtain support from other security forces.

It said Mr Bazoum and his family were doing well but that Nigers army and national guard are ready to attack if those involved in the action did not back down.

The commissions of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States described the events as an effort to unseat Mr Bazoum, who was elected president two years ago in the nations first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.

Threats to Mr Bazoums leadership would undermine the Wests efforts to stabilise Africas Sahel region, which has been overrun with coups in recent years.

Mali and Burkina Faso have had four coups since 2020, and both are being overrun by extremists linked to al Qaida and the Islamic State group.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken visited Niger in March, seeking to strengthen ties with a country where extremists have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel but the overall security situation was not as dire as in neighbouring nations.

During a stop in New Zealand on Thursday, Mr Blinken repeated the US condemnation of the mutiny against Nigers president and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

Mr Blinken added that he had spoken with Mr Bazoum on Wednesday, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Before the announcement, hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital, Niamey, and chanted no coup detat, while marching in support of the president.

Multiple rounds of gunfire that appeared to come from the presidential palace dispersed the demonstrators and sent people scrambling for cover, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

Protester Mohammed Sidi said: We are here to show the people that we are not happy about this movement going on, just to show these military people that they cant just take the power like this.

We are a democratic country, we support democracy and we dont need this kind of movement.

The international community strongly condemned the attempted seizure of power.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to Mr Bazoum on Wednesday afternoon and expressed his full support and solidarity, the UN spokesperson tweeted.
Church personnel inspect damage inside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, Ukraine (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Russia refused to speak at a UN Security Council meeting called to discuss Moscows recent attacks on Ukraines port city of Odesa immediately after its refusal to extend the Black Sea grain deal.

The confrontation began at the start of a council session called by Russia on the divided Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Russias deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, said Britain, which holds the council presidency, was allowing only two briefers and Moscow wanted a third  Archbishop Gideon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Ukrainian government has cracked down on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its historic ties to the Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader, Patriarch Kirill, supported Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.

A resident walks through the rubble of an apartment building destroyed in Russian missile attacks in Odesa (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Mr Polyansky accused the UK of bias, censorship and obstruction for limiting the number of briefers.

Deputy British ambassador James Kariuki said because of a tight time schedule to fit in two council meetings, the UK offered a compromise to allow a third Russian briefer to submit a statement to the council, which he said was not unreasonable.

Mr Polyansky was not satisfied and Mr Kariuki then put Russias proposal to have the archbishop speak to a vote.

Russia only got support from China and Brazil, with the 12 other council members abstaining.

Mr Polyansky called the councils refusal to allow the archbishop to speak an egregious example of double standards on human rights and freedom of religion.

As a sign of protest, he said, Russia would not speak in the Ukraine-backed council session called by Ukraine to raise the Odesa attacks.

Nuns pray outside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa following Russian missile attacks (Jae C. Hong/AP)

The meeting on the Orthodox Church then went ahead.

The director of the UN Alliance of Civilisations, Nihal Saad, told the council the division between Ukraines Orthodox bodies has existed for decades.

But she said it has been exacerbated since the February 2022 Russian invasion and has reverberated worldwide as Orthodox churches have struggled with how and whether to take sides.

Ms Saad said the heartbreaking damage to Odesas historic church, the Transfiguration Cathedral, caused by a Russian missile strike on Sunday was condemned by many, including the UN secretary-general.

The cathedral is in Odesas historic city centre that is a Unesco world heritage site and had been largely spared since the beginning of the war.

Ms Saad lamented that it was one of 116 religious sites damaged since the invasion, according to a preliminary assessment by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

In her briefing, Ms Saad cited restrictions to freedom of religion by both Russia and Ukraine since the invasion, saying the politicisation of religion in the war in Ukraine fuels intercommunal tensions, stokes fear and triggers violence.

Mr Polyansky called the devastation to the cathedral a horrible tragedy and reiterated Russias claim the cathedral was damaged by a piece from Ukraines anti-air defences  not a Russian missile.

People clean up inside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral (Jae C. Hong/AP)

If a Russian missile targeted the cathedral, he said, then there would be nothing left of the cathedral at all.

The Russian deputy ambassador left the council chamber at the end of the session.

The council meeting that followed on the Russian attacks on Odesa came days after Mr Putin pulled Russia out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraine to export more than 29,030 tonnes of foodstuff to many countries facing the threat of hunger.

In addition to severely damaging the cathedral, the Russian attacks crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, and destroyed 54,431 tonnes of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

The council heard from 14 members, almost all condemning the damage to Odesa.

US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russia is hell-bent on preventing Ukrainian grain from reaching global markets and the world is paying the price for Russias barbaric attacks.

She accused Russia of weaponising grain and cynically using Russian-produced grain as leverage to win the support of other countries.

A street performer sings while playing the accordion at a popular beachside attraction in Odesa (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Ukrainian ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, the last speaker, told the council Russian missiles, including anti-ship missiles, hit 29 historical and cultural landmarks in Odesa.

He said Russias blockade of Ukrainian ports, destruction of their infrastructure, obstruction of grain exports and intimidation of foreign merchant vessels should be considered an attack on freedom of navigation.

These actions also aim at eliminating a market competitor, deliberately raising world food prices and making a profit at the expense of the millions of people around the world who will suffer, Mr Kyslytsya said.

A junior Russian diplomat sat in Russias chair during the Odesa session and left the chamber when it ended  having never uttered a word.
Papua New Guineas Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki (R) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (C) walk to their meeting in Port Moresby on July 27, 2023.

Updated at 12 p.m. EDT on 2023-07-27

Washington is not seeking a permanent military base in Papua New Guinea under a new bilateral agreement, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to the Pacific island nation on Thursday.

Austin is one of two members of President Joe Bidens cabinet to visit counties in Oceania this week, where the United States and rival superpower China are competing for influence.

The United States and Papua New Guinea signed a defense cooperation agreement in May that gives the U.S. military unimpeded access to develop and deploy forces from six ports and airports, including the Lombrum Naval Base.

The deal has been criticized by some for being overly accommodative to American interests and possibly upsetting for China, a major trading partner. But Austin on Thursday stressed a U.S. commitment to the sovereignty and autonomy of Papua New Guinea.

I just want to be clear, we are not seeking a permanent base in PNG, Austin said during a joint press conference with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.

Our goal is to strengthen PNGs ability to defend itself and protect its interests.

The agreement, signed on May 22, is part of Washingtons efforts to counter Beijings growing influence in the Pacific islands region.

China, over several decades, has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure and aid for developing Pacific island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and build its own set of global institutions.

Last year, China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, alarming the U.S. and its allies such as Australia and underlining the heightened geopolitical competition in the region.

Marape on Thursday said the defense cooperation agreement, which is yet to be ratified by Parliament, formalized the ad-hoc relationship that Papua New Guinea already had with the U.S. military.

Papua New Guinea was building its defense capabilities to keep the country safe, including from illegal fishing and transnational crime, not for joint war preparation.

I want to give assurance to everybody here that this is not about setting out for war, but setting a presence for nation building in PNG and this part of the Pacific, he said.

During their meetings, Marape and Austin also spoke about bilateral efforts to address challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. is preparing to send a U.S. Coast Guard cutter to Papua New Guinea as part of the shiprider agreement, a U.S. readout of the two officials meetings said. The shiprider agreement allows Papua New Guineas enforcement personnel to ride on U.S. vessels to enforce maritime laws and protect natural resources and the environment.

Austin is on his way to Brisbane, Australia where he and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet their Australian counterparts for the annual AustraliaU.S. Ministerial Consultations.

Door open to AUKUS

Blinken on Wednesday visited the tiny Pacific kingdom of Tonga, where the U.S. opened a new embassy in May, and touched down for a series of meetings in New Zealand on Thursday.

At a press conference in Wellington, Blinken said that the door is very much open for New Zealand to engage with the second pillar of the AUKUS security pact between the U.S., Britain and Australia.

New Zealand is a deeply trusted partner  We've long worked together on the most important national security issues. And so as we further develop AUKUS, as I said, the door is open to engagement.

One of the primary goals of AUKUS is a plan for the Australians to acquire nuclear-powered submarines to help America police the Indo-Pacific super region.

The second pillar focuses on cooperation in advanced military technology.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the country is exploring the full extent of pillar two opportunities under AUKUS, but stressed that Wellington was not prepared to compromise or change our nuclear-free position.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) is briefed by Maori elder Kura Moeahu before a Maori welcoming ceremony at Parliament in Wellington, July 27, 2023. [AFP]

The U.S., United Kingdom and France carried out more than 300 nuclear detonations in the Pacific from 1946 to 1966 as part of their weapons programs.

The testing hardened public opinion against nuclear weapons in New Zealand, which banned visits by nuclear-propelled warships in the mid-1980s and later passed legislation making the country a nuclear-free zone.

New Zealands refusal to allow the port call of USS Buchanan in 1985, after the ship would not confirm if it had no nuclear weapons onboard, resulted in Washington downgrading its diplomatic relationship with Wellington. The U.S. suspended its security guarantee under the trilateral ANZUS treaty, effectively freezing New Zealand out.

Diplomatic ties between the two nations have found common ground in regional security interests in recent years, especially over Chinas growing assertiveness.

When asked about Chinas police and security agreements with the Solomon Islands, Mahuta on Thursday said that New Zealand respected Honiaras sovereignty, but the lack of openness and transparency surrounding them had raised concerns.

We will continue to push on the Solomon Islands [Prime Minister Manasseh] Sogavare to make clear what the full extent of those arrangements are so we can assess what that means for our region, she said.
A key part of the AUKUS security pact aiming to create a seamless defense industry across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States appears at risk after congressional Democrats raised doubts about Canberras ability to protect U.S. military designs from China.

The concerns were raised during a session of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, days before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrive in Brisbane, Australia, for talks with their Australian counterparts.

Democrats including Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the partys ranking member on the committee, said they opposed two pieces of legislation introduced by the Republican majority to exempt Australia and the United Kingdom from the Arms Export Control Act of 1976.

The law created the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, which forces foreign entities, except for those in Canada, to apply for special licenses when importing sensitive U.S. defense technologies.

Meeks argued that Australia and the United Kingdom could seek exemptions from the State Department under the standing law, and said a blanket exemption would circumvent important checks.

Prematurely lifting them risks compromising our national security by allowing unfettered transfers of our most sensitive defense technology including to the private-sector foreign firms, which risk exposure to or theft by our most capable adversaries, especially China, he said.

The former committee chair pointed to Australian intelligence chief Mike Burgesss comments earlier this year that more Australians were being targeted by foreign spies, due in part to the AUKUS pact.

The U.K. faces similar intelligence threats, he said.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, a ranking member and Democrat from New York, asks a question during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 17, 2023. [Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo]

Roadblocks

Experts in Australia have warned that the U.S. arms-control laws are a roadblock to the so-called pillar 2 of the AUKUS pact, which aims to create a seamless defense industry across the three countries and could be hampered by bureaucracy without a blanket exemption.

Those concerns have been echoed by top Australian officials.

Australias ambassador in Washington, Kevin Rudd, told a forum in Washington last month that the so-called pillar 2 of AUKUS could be even more revolutionary than the submarine project in itself but said it had a complex process ahead of it to get through Congress.

On Wednesday, Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas who has served as chairman of the committee since the start of this year, said providing Australia and the United Kingdom similar exemptions as those given to Canada would cut red tape with minimal risks.

This licensing exemption will add more submarine capabilities to the South China Sea as we see more aggressive China on the march, he said. It also removes restrictions on innovation, and collaborating on quantum computing, autonomous vehicles and long range weapons.

McCaul argued the 1976 law was outdated and from a time when the U.S. dominated defense innovation in defense technology, which he said was no longer. He also noted the United States had never denied a sale or license to Australia after the lengthy approval process.

Times have changed, McCaul said, and we now need to rely on our allies and partners, many of which out-innovate us in key areas.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (second from right) walks during a meeting on the AUKUS deal with U.S. President Joe Biden (second from left) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) at Point Loma naval base in San Diego, Calif., March 13, 2023. [Stefan Rousseau/Pool via AP file photo]

Five Eyes partner

Wearing a koala pin on her lapel, Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from California who introduced the bill for the exemption for Australia, said she could not understand the reluctance to provide the exemption.

Kim, who titled the bill the Keeping Our Allies Leading in Advancement Act, or KOALA Act, said Australia had already proven itself a trusted partner of the United States as part of the Five Eyes intelligence pact that also includes Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Australia is one of our closest allies and is one of our Five Eyes partners. We let the Australians have access to some of the most sensitive intelligence we have, Kim said. So why shouldnt we expedite collaboration with them on sensitive technologies?

It was disingenuous, the second-term lawmaker added, to grant them access to some of our most sensitive intelligence but say were concerned that the Australians will let this technology fall into the hands of the CCP, referring to the Communist Party of China.

Kim also tabled a July 24 letter in favor of an expedited AUKUS process that she said was signed by a number of Obama administration officials including former director of national intelligence James Clapper and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from California, speaks during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 10, 2021. [Ken Cedeno/Pool via AP file photo]

McCaul summarized the letter as making the case Australia has sufficient safeguards in place already as a Five Eyes member, and dismissed the argument that Canberra and London can apply for Canada-like exemptions from the U.S. State Department.

State will not issue the exemption, he said. State has shown it will never certify Australia or the U.K. for an exemption, because it does not want to give up its bureaucratic power over licensing.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the issue but pointed to May 24 testimony to the committee by Jessica Lewis, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, in which she suggested bulk approvals of AUKUS-related exemption requests.

Every transfer between AUKUS partners will not be subject to case-by-case review, but will be pre-approved if the case meets certain criteria laid out by the State Department, Lewis said.

Charles Edel, the Australia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Radio Free Asia he believed changes to the law were needed that protect U.S. defense secrets while also allowing Australian, American and British companies to collaborate easily.

He said the speed of the current approval process was the issue.

"The question surrounding export controls, Edel said, is not whether they work to exempt Australia and the United Kingdom from [licensing] key technologies, but whether they work fast enough or with enough certainty for businesses to make investments at scale.

Changes in legislation are needed to ensure that the U.S. can collaborate with our closest allies, while ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect our sensitive technology.

Submarine deal safe

One rare area of agreement between Democrats and Republicans during the committee markup was on the deal to sell two Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia by the end of the decade.

There was bipartisan support for the AUKUS Submarine Transfer Authorization Act, which forms the substance of pillar 1 of the AUKUS pact for the United States and United Kingdom to help Australia obtain, and then build and maintain, its own fleet of nuclear submarines, starting off with the purchase of three from U.S. shipyards.

The deal has proven controversial in Australia due to its price, which will run into the hundreds of billions of dollars, as well as in the United States, due to the huge submarine backlog at American shipyards.

But Meeks of the Democratic Party said the Biden administration was committed to ensuring there are no adverse impacts on our navy or shipbuilding capacity, while McCaul said the sale to Australia would help to stimulate investment in our defense industrial base.

Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Republican from Michigan, added that passage of the bill would lead to $3 billion of investments from the Australians into the submarine base, which would help ease the production and maintenance backlog that plagues our submarine forces.

He said there should be no doubts that the submarines will be delivered to Australia on time, even if U.S. shipyards were now only building approximately 1.3 Virginia class submarines each year.

Currently, the indications that industrial industry can deliver two Virginia-classes by the late 2020s are promising, Huizenga said, and I have complete faith that they will hit that mark with our support coming out of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Chang Yoo-taek, front row center, head of external affairs at BAT Rothmans, poses with participants of the company's business ideas contest during its launching event at company headquarters in Seoul, July 14. Courtesy of BAT Rothmans





By Kim Jae-heun







BAT Rothmans introduced a new environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) campaign to seek out novel ideas for tackling environmental problems and attracting investments to related businesses, a company official said Wednesday.







The company's Green Idea Contest is being held under the theme of creative ideas in environmental fields such as carbon reduction and resource circulation.







"Environmental issues must be addressed with interest by both the business sector and society. Through the contest, we will support young people to bring innovative ideas into reality and further implement them as real environmental businesses," a BAT Rothmans official said.







BAT Rothmans combined its global investment ideas contest Battle of Minds with another competition, University Eco League, and expanded the scope of applicants to include alumni who have graduated within the past five years instead of only undergraduate and graduate students.







The University Eco League contest will select 10 final teams after conducting evaluations on the originality, feasibility and sustainability of participants' ideas. BAT Rothmans will then provide mentoring as well as educational programs to build expertise until October. Students will also get an opportunity to verify the business feasibility of their ideas through simulated crowdfunding.







Five teams selected at the Local Final Forum to be held in October will win a total of 10 million won ($7,824) and the top three will get to compete in BAT's Battle of Minds competition. The final winner of the global contest will be given the opportunity to launch their business with 80 million won in prize money.







BAT Rothmans is a Korean subsidiary of BAT Group, a global tobacco company that operates businesses in about 175 countries around the world. It carries out various activities to create a sustainable future and practices its vision of A Better Tomorrow proposed by BAT Group in 2020.


Chinese Navy personnel stand guard as the Chinese naval training ship Qi Jiguang docks at the Port of Manila for a four-day goodwill visit, June 14, 2023.

The Philippines will weigh a proposal from China for joint military exercises, the Filipino armed forces chief said about the prospect of drills between the two countries with a longstanding territorial dispute.

The idea of conducting unprecedented exercises with China was initially floated during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte, the previous Philippine president, but that never materialized.

During his term (2016-22), Duterte drew his country closer to Beijing and away from the United States, Manilas traditional defense ally.

The Chinese ambassador broached the latest proposal, which was informal in nature, at an embassy gathering on Wednesday night, Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

They offered that prospect, but we have to study [it] further, he told reporters on Wednesday, without expanding on the matter.

He, however, did reply no, when asked whether the prospective drills would take place in the disputed South China Sea, as is the case with joint Philippines-U.S. exercises.

The Philippines has no accord with China that is similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) it has with the U.S., which would be necessary for conducting bilateral drills.

BenarNews contacted the Chinese Embassy in Manila for comment but did not immediately hear back.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

In July 2016, an international arbitration court ruled in favor of the Philippines, and threw out Chinas expansive claims in a legal case arising from their territorial dispute. Beijing has refused to acknowledge that ruling.

In recent years, China has increasingly intruded into the Philippines South China Sea waters to stake its claims, leading to tense interactions between the two countries.

The Philippine government has filed 99 notes verbales, or diplomatic protests, against China since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office last year.

Still, Brawner said, the Philippine military would seek to be friends to all, enemy to none following Marcos directive.

So we will naturally toe the line. That is what we are going to do, we [will] try to establish relations with armies, with armed forces around the world and this is one way for us to actually prevent war, Brawner said.

Earlier this week, Marcos talked at length about protecting the Philippines sovereignty in his State of the Nation Address. He said the Philippines would always follow international law  a veiled reference to Beijing.

Last month, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said there would be nothing wrong if the Philippine and Chinese forces held military exercises if these were for confidence-building and trust training.
Men look at shoes, life jackets and other items recovered after a passenger boat capsized in Laguna de Bay, a lake southeast of Manila, July 27, 2023. [Noel Celis/BenarNews]

A pedestrian copes with heavy wind and rain in Baguio city, northern Philippines, ahead of Typhoon Doksuris landfall in the Philippines, July 25, 2023. [Fernando Zapata/BenarNews]

Philippine Coast Guard rescuers assist residents in a flooded portion of Laoag city, the capital of Ilocos Norte province, July 26, 2023. [Handout photo/Philippine Coast Guard]

Fishermen search the waters at the port near where a boat with passengers capsized at Laguna de Bay, southeast of Manila, July 27, 2023. [Noel Celis/BenarNews]

The wreckage of the Princess Aya is seen after it capsized in Laguna de Bay, Philippines, July 27, 2023. [Noel Celis/BenarNews]

A man checks life jackets recovered from the Princess Aya, a passenger boat, after it capsized in Laguna de Bay, a freshwater lake in the northern Philippines, July 27, 2023. [Noel Celis/BenarNews]

A motorboat with 70 people onboard capsized in rough waters in the northern Philippines on Thursday, leaving more than 20 people dead as rescuers battled floods and landslides nationwide in the wake of Typhoon Doksuri.

The Princess Aya capsized 50 yards from the lakeshore village of Kalinawan, southeast of Manila, shortly after noon, the Philippine Coast Guard said. As of 9 p.m. (local time), the coast guard and police confirmed that 27 people had died and 40 others were rescued from Laguna de Bay, a freshwater lake.

The motorboat was hit by strong winds, causing all passengers to panic. They went to the port side of the boat, causing it to capsize, a report from the coast guard said.

Doksuri left behind destruction as it hit several areas in the north of the country after making landfall early Wednesday. Authorities confirmed six additional deaths caused by flooding and landslides, which displaced thousands of people.

In addition, a boat carrying four coast guard personnel went missing while trying to reach a tugboat that drifted at sea.

The coast guard said crews were searching for the personnel whose boat capsized 21 nautical miles from the coastline of Aparri town in Cagayan. Coast guard Lt. (senior grade) Miguel Gangan said the four were headed to assist the crew members of a private tugboat reported to be drifting at sea on Wednesday afternoon.

Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing for a four-man team that conducted SAR for Tugboat Iroquois. Unfortunately, their aluminum boat capsized and drifted away, he said.

[W]e will do our best to rescue our men, he said.

Doksuri, known locally as Egay, packed winds equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane and brought heavy rain to Cagayan, a province on Luzon island. It caused widespread flooding and landslides.

The fifth tropical cyclone to hit the country this year, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph (108.7 mph) near the center and gusts of up to 240 kph (149 mph), Doksuri weakened into a typhoon after it made landfall over Fuga island in Aparri, Cagayan, around 3:10 a.m. Wednesday, the countrys state weather bureau said.

On Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that more than 328,000 people across the country were affected by the storm.

In the town of Buguias, in northern Benguet province, a landslide killed a mother and her three children. Elsewhere, a woman died after she was hit by a falling coconut tree in Isabela province, and a 16-year-old boy died in a landslide in Baguio city, disaster relief officials said.

Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said thousands of ferry passengers who normally cross the sea were stranded, beginning Tuesday, in Luzon and Visayas.

Considering the public storm warning signals are still hoisted over those areas where they are stranded, we cannot compromise their safety, he said.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said there could be more floods and landslides as well, with rain expected during the storms aftermath.

While on a state visit to Malaysia, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. posted a message on Twitter to assure Filipinos that the government would monitor and respond to the aftermath of the typhoon.

We continue to take appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of Super Typhoon Egay, he said, noting that the government would ensure the safety of affected families.

Storms

The state weather agency on Thursday said another disturbance was threatening the Southeast Asian nation after the typhoon blew out earlier in the day. A tropical depression was monitored 1,800 km. (1,118 miles) east of northeastern Mindanao, and could be reclassified as a typhoon if it gathers strength in the coming days.

The Philippines sits on a typhoon belt and endures up to 20 storms a year, some of them deadly.

In September 2022, Super Typhoon Noru, the most powerful storm to strike the Philippines that year, killed at least five people when massive flooding forced the evacuation of thousands.

The following month, floods and landslides unleashed by rains from Tropical Storm Nalgae killed at least 150 people across the country. One of the areas hardest hit was the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where a wall of mud buried one village in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, killing at least 63.

In November 2013, more than 6,000 people were killed or went missing when Super Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the central Philippines. A year earlier, more than 1,000 people were killed when Typhoon Bopha swept across eastern Mindanao.

Jeoffrey Maitem and Jason Gutierrez in Manila contributed to this report.
Thailands Constitutional Court will meet next week to deliberate the merits of a petition challenging Parliaments decision to block a second vote for Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to serve as prime minister, it announced Thursday.

Pita fell short of the 375 parliamentary votes needed to secure the top government post when 749 house members and senators voted on July 13 in a first round of voting to determine who would serve as the next PM. Six days later, members of the upper house Senate blocked a second vote for Pita to serve as prime minister.

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha indicated on Thursday that Parliament could convene for another prime ministerial vote on Aug. 4, depending on the courts action.

The parliamentary session initially scheduled for today has been postponed, awaiting the Constitutional Courts judgment. The court has recently received a petition from the ombudsman and will conduct a preliminary review on Aug. 3rd, Wan Noor told reporters on Thursday.

This review will determine whether to accept the ombudsmans petition and, if accepted, how it will be considered. This decision may further impact the timeline of the subsequent prime ministerial election process.

On Tuesday, Wan Noor indefinitely postponed the prime ministerial vote until after the court ruled on the petition.

Pitas party was the biggest winner in the May 14 general election, where parties with ties to the military were obliterated. Move Forward belongs to an eight-party alliance that is trying to form Thailands first pro-democracy government since a military coup in 2014.

After he was blocked last week in his second try at being voted in as prime minister, Pita agreed to step aside so Pheu Thai, one of his allies, could nominate one of its leaders for prime minister.

A political analyst said the courts upcoming decision would affect efforts to seat a government leader.

The courts decision will be instrumental in guiding the trajectory Thai leaders envision for the political scenario. Theres a likelihood the court may opt to sidestep this issue, Isa Gharti, a political analyst from Chiang Mai University, told BenarNews.

Previously, the court ordered that Pita be suspended as an MP. It had reviewed a case from the Election Commission recommending he be disqualified as a lawmaker over a complaint that he had applied to run for office while owning shares of a now-defunct media company  a violation of election laws.

The court also said it had received a separate complaint filed by lawyer Teerayuth Suwanakesorn against Pita and Move Forwards plan to reform Article 112, the Lese-Majeste law that strictly guards against royal defamation.

In May, Pitas Move Forward Party won 151 seats in the general election, while Pheu Thai Party won 141, with the eight allies in the opposition coalition holding 312 seats.

After PMs refused him a second vote, Pita called on the Pheu Thai Party to canvass support from other parties and from senators to reach the 375-vote plateau needed to secure a majority in order to lead Thailands next government.

Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the former junta chief who has served as prime minister since 2014 but announced he would be retiring politics after his Thai United Nation Party performed poorly in the May vote, is serving as the caretaker prime minister until his successor is elected.

Meanwhile, news surfaced on Wednesday that Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire businessman and populist former prime minister who was forced from office by a military coup in 2006, would return to Thailand on Aug. 10.

He fled Thailand in 2008 after being sentenced to 12 years in jail on four different charges, including for corruption and tax evasion.

Thaksin remains popular in Thailand and is still thought to hold considerable influence over domestic politics, particularly among rural voters in the north and the northeast  the stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party.
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Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Chey Tae-won speaks to foreign press at Hwigyumjae in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of KCCI



By Kim Jae-heun



Korea will be in a better position to help solve a wide range of problems facing developing countries if Busan wins a bid to host World Expo in 2030, according to the head of Korea's largest business lobby, Wednesday."



Korea has developed over the past 70 years and we do not think we've achieved it on our own. Many countries helped us and it is about time that we pay back the favor," Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won said during a foreign press briefing in Seoul. "World Expos until now focused on showcasing new hardware and up-to-date technologies. Korea wants to approach it in a different way this time  offering a solution platform to address the social problems that individual countries around the world have."



Chey, who is also SK Group chairman, serves as co-chair of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan.



In May, the KCCI came up with a digital solution platform called WAVE that is designed to collect ideas from online participants to tackle the common challenges faced by societies around the world.



There are 61 pavilions built online for participating countries on WAVE, currently. Each country shares three agenda items of their own and people can come to discuss the issues.



"WAVE aims to put the issues on the table and try to solve them in the seven years leading up to 2030. If the efforts continue, I believe many of the problems will be addressed," Chey said.



As an example, he cited Ethiopia's learning poverty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in 30 percent of its teenagers not being able to attend school. He added, "Companies can provide various support such as AI-based education programs. The Philippines has a number of islands and there are many medical blind spots. Companies can provide telemedicine solutions to tackle the issue."



"It is about time that Korea takes responsibility to pay back its debt  not in the way of making interest payments, but by providing solutions needed by mankind."



Korea is also striving to gain support from China to win its World Expo bid. There has been talk that China is teaming up with Saudi Arabia to take an advantageous position in hosting the next global event in 2035, though Chey said this is a groundless rumour.



"I heard the rumor that China is hindering Korea, because it would then be Asia hosting the global event two consecutive times and China can be affected in hosting the next World Expo. This is not true under the regulations of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). I am planning to visit China soon to ask for support," Chey said.



"I also hope the best for Saudi (Arabia), which, of course, will prepare well for the bid. It is a good competitor  just that we have different views in approaching the way of hosting the World Expo."



Korea is competing with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Rome, Italy, currently. The winner will be announced by the BIE in November.


How the coup in Niger could expand the reach of Islamic extremism, and Wagner, in West Africa

More than 1,000 U.S. service personnel are in Niger to combat the growing threat from various groups of Islamic extremists
For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, STATS Perform dba Automated Insights.
Jeremy Yudkin is professor of music at Boston University. He gives preconcert talks for Tanglewood weekends every Friday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. at Lenox Town Hall. The talks are free and open to the public.
This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter

DALTON  The Bardin property, a 148-acre tract of currently unused farmland in Dalton, has finally been sold to an interested bidder, after years of the town navigating state regulations.

Thomas Hutcheson, Daltons town manager, confirmed last week that the parcels were sold to Charlotte Crane, who was the sole bidder in the property after it was put up for bid on May 17. The request for proposals had a deadline of June 19.

The move comes after the town acquired the land for non-payment of taxes in 2014. Members of the town Select Board have proposed various avenues to sell it over the years, often flummoxed by the property's restriction to agricultural use and a stipulation that it be sold in unison with a parcel the town does not own.

The minimum bid for the parcels was $148,200, per the towns posted notice about the property. Crane was able to secure the property for $150,000.

The land had previously been valued at $243,000 after an appraisal, but ultimately the minimum bid was set at $1,000 an acre, mirroring a proposal for the land's sale from years prior.

The sale could still be complicated, however, by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, who has a right of first refusal on the property for 60 days after the purchase and sale agreement because of the propertys enlistment in the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program.

Crane declined to comment about her plans for the property, but did confirm she was the sole bidder on the land.

Hutcheson said the town was still working toward a purchase and sale agreement with Crane as of Thursday. Whenever that occurred, the state would have a 60-day window to claim the property. If the state chooses to purchase the property, that transaction would need to occur within 120 days.

The Bardin propertys participation in the restriction program, a state effort that offers farmers fair market value for their land with an accompanying guarantee that it will remain used for agriculture, has been a source of frustration for town officials over the last few months trying to sell it.

In particular, an issue arose because the APR agreement states that all four parcels of the Bardin land should be sold as a unit. Three were turned over to the town of Dalton, but one remains in private ownership in Windsor. That parcel is owned by the estate of the late James Edgar Bardin, who previously owned the entirety of the acreage.

The Town of Dalton has no control over the disposition of the land in Windsor, Hutcheson said in a press release from May. The land needs to get back into agricultural production, and the state has the right of first refusal to buy the property if it wishes.

The state Office of the Inspector General said in February that the town would be able to move forward with a sale so long as it listed the requirements for the use of the land before they put it out to bid, which it did in its request for proposals.

Namely, the requirements are that the land be sold to an active farmer and used for agricultural purposes.

The request for proposals states that the sale of the three Dalton parcels, located at 0 North St. and 0 North Mountain Road, is not contingent on the bidder owning the land in Windsor.

The Bardin estate entered into its APR agreement in 1990, when James Edgar Bardin signed on to receive $260,000 for the land. Since then, the property has been restricted to agricultural use.
Children need to receive a series of vaccines in order to enter kindergarten  such as the MMR shot to prevent measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox  or seek medical or religious exemptions.
A NEXT&BIO researcher handles samples at Korea University in northeastern Seoul. Courtesy of Kolmar Korea Holdings





Yoon Sang-hyun, vice chairman of Kolmar Korea Holdings / Courtesy of Kolmar Korea Holdings
Benedict Tan, center, group chief digital strategy officer and chief data officer at SingHealth, Singapore's largest healthcare group that includes the country's flagship hospital Singapore General Hospital, speaks during a press conference at Singapore General Hospital, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul



By Baek Byung-yeul



SINGAPORE  Singapore General Hospital has been looking to build a smart medical center by adopting digital technologies, a transformation that has accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state-run hospital said Wednesday that it is aiming to provide more inclusive health care service through telemedicine and accurate patient health analytics using emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning.



"COVID-19 basically was a wakeup call. That's basically pushed, especially for health care, has pushed us into tapping on digital technologies before that effect. We are all trying to explore and find to evangelize the use of digital technologies," Benedict Tan, group chief digital strategy officer and chief data officer at SingHealth, said during a press conference at Singapore General Hospital.



"Perhaps one of the areas that we have convenient, all of us are familiar with this in the era of telehealth. When COVID-19 struck, then we ever did not know patients would come to the hospitals, so we had to push up video consultation of telehealth very, very fast and the uptake was great. So at the end people became comfortable with telehealth," the executive said.





Seen is the exterior of Singapore General Hospital. Courtesy of Singapore General Hospital
A new study has revealed the countries with the highest fertility rates, and with an average of 2.31 births per woman, South Africa features in the top 10.

According to a recent study, South Africa ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest fertility rates, boasting an average of 2.31 births per woman.

The team at Now Patient has revealed the most fertile areas of England and Wales, the areas that have seen the greatest increase in fertility rates, how the UKs fertility rate compares to other countries around the world and also which areas of the UK are searching the most for fertility advice.

The findings have revealed that of the 49 countries analysed, Israel has the highest fertility rate at 2.93.South Koreas current fertility rate has been revealed as the lowest in the study at 1.08 births per woman.

Further findings revealed the following:

Luton has been named the most fertile area in England and Wales, with a fertility rate of 2.23. Sharing the second place spot are Slough, Bedford, Pendle, and Elmbridge each with a fertility rate of 2.09.

Cambridge has seen the greatest increase in its fertility rate over the last 20 years with an increase of 58.33%. Following in second and third place are Bedford (29.81%) and Harrow (28.93%) respectively.

Leeds has been named the UK city searching the most for fertility advice with around 768 searches per 100,000 people. Following in second and third place are Glasgow (563 per 100,000 people) and Nottingham (551 per 100,000 people) respectively.

You can view the full study here.
Creativity now, more than ever, is a key driver to differentiating your brand, engaging meaningfully with your customers and standing out amongst the ever-increasing 'noise' of today's consumer-driven world. Technology is integral to this process but is fast becoming a double-edged sword- offering limitless possibilities for consumer engagement on the one hand, but also bringing with it audiences who are more demanding, more socially-conscious and not afraid to 'voice their choice'.

Nick Law, creative chairperson of Accenture Song, the tech-powered creative group of Accenture, and renowned creative thought leader, has developed the iconic Seven Principles for the Future of Creativity to help marketers and creatives understand how creativity can truly thrive in this always-on world. The good news is that Law will present in person at this years Nedbank Integrated Marketing Council (IMC) Conference.

Whether its focusing on consistent principles, ensuring collaboration or understanding how best to marry technology with creativity, Law's insightful keynote is not to be missed.

Law, as one of marketings most progressive and versatile creative leaders, believes design is a foundational creative discipline that shapes how we interact with the world  and how we change it for the better. His award-winning career in design, advertising and digital media has spanned 30 years and four continents, working with the brightest and best across multiple creative disciplines.

This includes at Apple where he was integral in redesigning the brand into a more modern direct-to-consumer channel, integrating screen-based digital experiences in iStores, as well as expanding the digital commerce and marketing for thousands of global channel partners.

Before Apple, Nick was chief creative officer Publicis Groupe, President Publicis Communications where he helped drive a unified creative vision across all Publicis Groupes creative brands while leveraging the power of data and technology within the companys solution hubs.

Previously, as vice chairman, global chief creative officer, at R/GA, Nick led the strategic and creative vision of one of the most storied and innovative companies in the world. During Nicks tenure, R/GA became one of the most awarded agencies worldwide, winning every major creative accolade, including five Cannes Lion Grand Prix.

Law has twice been named in the Creativity 50, a list of the worlds most influential creative people. A native of Sydney, Australia, he now lives in Brooklyn New York leading Accenture Song to greater heights and shaping creative visions, teams and work worldwide.

It is this vast experience that has enabled Law to develop his Seven Principles for the Future of Creativity. Of his methodology, he says, Because the world is continually changing, its important to understand the difference between what you believe and what you make. Between principles and practices. If youre always changing principles, no one knows why you exist. If you never change your practices, you fall behind and become irrelevant.

Dale Hefer, CEO of Nedbank IMC says, Nicks tried and tested principles provide valuable tools for anyone who is committed to building a brand or selling a product that chimes at the perfect pitch for consumers. Taking a disciplined approach that still positions creativity centre stage, can in fact reduce the stress in coming up with that on-point creative idea.

In-person tickets for the one-day Nedbank IMC - which will take place in person at Urban Brew Studios in Johannesburg on the 15 September 2023  are sold out. The good news is that a virtual option is available. Buy our virtual ticket and you will be automatically added to the in-person waiting list should you wish to upgrade to in-person if a ticket becomes available.

Virtual tickets: R1,499 Excluding VAT.

For more information and to book, visit www.imcconference.com.
Our cover icon this month is Vodacom Business' managing executive of public enterprise, Poppy Tshabalala, who spoke to public sector leaders about the outstanding solutions they are finding to society's challenges. The importance of a strategic relationship between the private and public sectors cannot be understated, especially given the kind of challenges South Africa is facing.

Vodacom Business stands out as one of the organisations which has built a strong relationship with the public sector, finding solutions to problems which have a direct impact on residents.

In this bumper edition of Public Sector Leaders, we include regulars such as Addressing the Nation - Letter from the Presidency - and a Calendar of Commemorative events. The Trailblazer this month is the chairman of the Mandela Foundation  Professor Njabulo Ndabele and keeping it all things Madiba, our Women in Leadership is CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children Foundation Dr Ncube-Nkomo. The Regional Focus is on greening the Free State and In Other News we celebrate our firefighters going to Canada to help with the wildfires.

This July we extensively cover Mandela Month in timeous articles such as a feature on how to celebrate in ways that align to Madibas humanity by focusing on food security. We also take a look at five things you can do on Mandela Day. Our National Arts Festival has bounced back after the strictures of Covid and we bring you some of this years winners. The important workstream meeting that took place between business leaders and government receives special attention in this issue.

Whether you are in the public sector, the private sector, the supply chain or an interested individual, PSL has something for you.

We hope you enjoy the read.
The prestigious Assegai Awards, known for recognising excellence in the world of marketing and advertising, are just one month away. With the deadline for entries approaching, it's time to gear up and submit your campaigns to stand a chance of becoming a winner. This article will explore the significance of the Assegai Awards, provide insights on crafting a winning campaign, and encourage aspiring marketers to seize this incredible opportunity.

The Assegai Awards: Celebrating excellence in marketing and advertising

Since its inception, the Assegai Awards have played a crucial role in acknowledging the outstanding efforts of marketers and advertisers across various industries. These awards aim to recognise the power of creativity, strategy, and innovation in driving successful campaigns that achieve exceptional results. Participating in the Assegai Awards offers a chance to earn recognition and presents an opportunity to learn and grow from the best in the industry.

Crafting a winning campaign

To truly compete for a coveted Assegai Award, it's essential to understand the key elements that make a campaign stand out. Here are a few factors to consider when preparing your entry:

Strategy: A winning campaign begins with a well-defined strategy. Think deeply about your target audience, objectives, and the channels you will use to reach them. A solid strategy will lay the foundation for a successful campaign. Creativity: Embrace innovation and think outside the box. Stand out from the crowd by generating fresh ideas that captivate and engage your audience. Let your creativity shine through in your campaign's concept, visuals, and messaging. Execution: Pay attention to the finer details when bringing your campaign to life. Ensure that every element is meticulously executed to maintain the high standard of your work. Every aspect should reflect professionalism and excellence, from copywriting to design and overall user experience. ROI: Successful campaigns are not just about creativity and execution; they also yield tangible results. Demonstrate the impact of your campaign by presenting data-driven metrics that showcase its effectiveness. This may include increased brand awareness, higher engagement rates, or improved conversion rates.






In keeping with its mandate, the Bookmarks introduced a Finalists' Showcase. Held on Wednesday, 26 July at The Tryst in Woodlands Office Park, Sandton, ahead of the awards ceremony which takes place tonight at Vodacom Dome, Vodaworld, it was attended by industry creatives and students.

Image supplied. The first Bookmarks Finalists' Showcase feature panlists (l to r:) Executive creative director at Ogilvy South Africa - Alex Goldberg, EssenceMediacom SA social media director- Luzuko Tena, head of group digital communications at Sasol - MJ Khan and senior manager: digital at SuperSport - Rikashni Rangasamy

As the pre-eminent showcase of the South African digital creative industry, the IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards prides itself on celebrating innovation, creativity and effectiveness within media and marketing.

As such the Showcase provided an opportunity for insight and engagement with the 2023 Bookmarks hopefuls and presented a discussion around certain finalists case studies as they related to specific trends that appeared both in this years Bookmarks entries as well as globally.

IAB South Africa CEO Razia Pillay, and managing director of Machine_ and head of IAB South Africas Agency Council Robyn Campbell kicked off the morning session, followed by Khensani Nobanda, Bookmarks jury president and Nedbank group executive for marketing & corporate affairs, who spoke to the importance of the awards and presented on trends from Cannes.

Nobanda says, If the industry has to step-change itself, people need to see the work and actually experience the work  it really lifts the level of learning in the industry, it lifts the standard of the industry."

The panels

The Showcase was hosted by Accenture Songs Mushambi Mutuma, an author, speaker and tech leader. Mutuma further led a panel discussion that focused on three themes:

The Power of Purpose-Led Campaigns



Tech Smart: Emerging Technology in Real World Case Studies



The Evolving Publishing Landscape.

The panelists included:

EssenceMediacom SA social media director - Luzuko Tena



Executive creative director at Ogilvy South Africa - Alex Goldberg



Head of group digital communications at Sasol MJ Khan



Senior manager: digital at SuperSport Rikashni Rangasamy.

Each theme was opened with screening of finalists content followed by a discussion and Q&A session.

What was most interesting was the questions we received from the audience. Great two-way conversation! says Rangasamy.

Fellow panelist Khan says, Absolutely wonderful show today! Its about showcasing the excellence in South African creativity and African digital creativity  Showcase is number one in my books and I hope that we can do it again.

Host, Mutuma had this to say, I really enjoyed that we were able to do what we set out to do, which was showcase the work, and really have the opportunity and forum for everyone to comment, to discuss, talk about insights and what went into the creative and tech process of building out all these great stories.

Engaging, learning and interesting

Thozi Sejanaman from Leagas Delaney says this about the first Finalists Showcase, Its all about engaging  learning from some of the entrants and some of the leaders in our industry.

Im really excited about whos going to win  quite excited to see all the judging hours that went in and how its going to turn out, says Samantha Qeja from Dentsu.

I really enjoyed the body of work on display  A few points were made to young people in terms of how do you brand yourself online, says Philani Makoena, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business student.

The day ended with a networking session and special lunch for the 2023 Bookmarks judges.

Tickets for the 2023 Bookmark Awards, in partnership with Accenture Song, can be booked here
Head of IAB South Africa's Agency Council and managing director of Machine_ Robyn Campbell says the importance of the Bookmark Awards, now in its 15th year, in the showcasing of industry's work and talent cannot be emphasised more, but it is not enough.

Image supplied. Head of IAB South Africas Agency Council and managing director of Machine_ Robyn Campbell examines four trends impacting the digital media industry

Campbell was speaking at the first ever Bookmarks Finalists Showcase that was held on Wednesday, 26 July at The Tryst in Woodlands Office Park, Sandton yesterday.

We need to examine the efficacy, (and measurement) of our work as that is what underpins everything and is the reason why this work is important, she says.

Therefore, she points to what the trends are in the global digital industry, quoting, in particular, IABs global Brand Disruption Report.

Each year the IAB releases a seminal brand report exploring how brands and retailers are innovating to address the market disruption driven by the rise of digital B2B platforms, changing media consumption habits, omnichannel shopping, and ongoing privacy legislationdisruptions that have been largely and dramatically accelerated by the pandemic.

The 2023 Report identified four key disruptions challenging brands, retailers, and the digital ecosystem.

Given we are halfway through the year, now is a good time to assess where we are, she says.

4 trends

H-commerce Hybrid-commerce (H-commerce) is not the same as the omnichannel. It is when a consumer researches a product on their mobile and then go to the physical store to see the same product. So brands need to look at how they can leverage this particular shopping path. Privacy The loss of data from privacy regulations and laws has led to brands losing up to 30 to 40% of their efficacy. Brands will need to innovate their technology if they still want to talk to consumers and if they want to pursue personalisation. Metaverse Brands need to look at how they can play in this space. Creators There is a move from big brand productions to creators. Quite simply content by creators is viewed more. Brands need to utilise this to create more intense campaigns.

The Bookmark Awards ceremony takes place tonight at Vodacom Dome, Vodaworld.
Pnet, South Africa's leading online recruitment platform, is taking a giant stride forward in supporting job seekers on their path to success. As part of the Harambee Smart Works Wardrobe donation campaign, Pnet served as a dedicated drop-off point, at their Johannesburg and Cape Town-based offices in support of Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July. The campaign sought to collect donations of clothing and accessories that enhance job seekers' confidence during interviews and the job search process.

The Smart Works Wardrobe initiative, driven by the belief that a simple wardrobe contribution can make a world of difference, sets out to empower individuals in their journey towards securing meaningful employment opportunities. Pnet's unwavering commitment to the cause was evident as employees and their networks came together to donate generously and make a lasting impact on the lives of job seekers.

"It wasn't just a company-wide initiative; Pnet values each employee's passion to support causes close to their hearts," says Michelle Dobson, head of brands at Stepstone Group, one of the dynamic trio who spearheaded the Smart Works Wardrobe donations. "So, when we got wind of the Smart Works campaign, we knew we had to be a part of it. We believe that every individual deserves a chance to shine during interviews, and clothing can play a crucial role in boosting confidence."

The Smart Works Wardrobe campaign witnessed an outpouring of generosity and enthusiasm from Pnet employees across three offices. Together, they managed to donate an impressive tally of around 60 pairs of shoes and close to 250 interview-appropriate items of clothing. The impact of these donations goes beyond mere material possessions; it represents the collective effort of a compassionate community coming together to create opportunities for job seekers.

"Pnet's involvement in the Smart Works Wardrobe campaign reflects our belief in empowering individuals through collective support," said Dobson. "We understand that the job search process can be daunting, and a simple gesture like donating clothing can go a long way in instilling confidence and self-assurance in job seekers."

The success of the Harambee Smart Works Wardrobe campaign showcases Pnet's commitment to making a difference in the lives of job seekers and fostering an environment where every interview counts. It exemplifies Pnet's core values of empathy, collaboration, and community engagement.

As Pnet continues to be a driving force in the recruitment space, it remains dedicated to creating a positive impact on job seekers and empowering them with the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

About Pnet

Founded in 1997 and now part of JobTech giant The StepStone Group, Pnet has helped transform South Africas e-recruitment sector. Pnet's mission, under the ownership of StepStone, is to, "Tthe Right Job for Everyone". Using one of the worlds leading next-generation recruitment platforms, we use smart-matching technologies to disrupt the way talent and businesses connect. With a community of over 5,000 recruiters and a database of 6 million job seekers, we are the go-to platform for employment opportunities and recruitment needs.

Pnet is about making connections that work. Our technology platform is an empowering online space where recruiters can find the right talent to help their companies succeed, and job seekers can find work that helps them discover purpose, meaning, and joy in their everyday lives.

Although we are a data-driven enterprise, people will always be at the core of our business. Thats how we can offer South Africans a distinctive job-seeking and recruitment experience.

Smart insights. Smarter recruitment.

For more information visit https://www.pnet.co.za/.
Samsung South Africa hosted local media at Cracker Zac's in Rosebank for the unveiling of the new updates to its line of foldable smartphones. The biggest change for the 2023 Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5 are the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (inside the Galaxy S23 line as well), a new hinge design that allows for a more compact fold, and the Flip5 gets a bigger cover display.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5. Source: Supplied

Galaxy Flip plays into a bygone era that Gen Z didnt live through but knows of. Youth are hugely influential in driving the buying pressure upwards getting their parents to buy the phone that will trickle down to them in a year, Justin Hume, local vice president of Samsung Mobile, told Bizcommunity at the launch.

The official launch  Galaxy Unpacked  was held in Seoul, Korea while the local markets held livestream events with product experiences for selected media. Cracker Zacs was transformed into an experience centre where the devices were displayed between the arcade machines.

The local launch held at Cracker Zac's, Rosebank. Source: Lindsey Schutters

Samsung South Africa is leaning into the nostalgia trend and evoking memories of flip phones for its Galaxy Z Flip5 marketing campaign in a bid to appeal to a wider range of buyers.

Theres a nostalgia trend right now and you can see it with the success of the Barbie movie and the clothing styles that are popular right now. Were telling older South Africans that its okay to join in and celebrate the old days again, Hume concludes.

This marketing approach echoes the words of BS Hong, president and CEO of Samsung Africa, to open the event: 60% of Africa is under the age of 25, and todays launch products will better serve this market.

Category growth

Samsungs bet on changing consumer sentiment towards foldables is based on the massive increase in category sales. Counterpoint Research indicated a 64% year-on-year sales growth for the category in the first quarter of 2023 with around 2.5 million devices shipped globally.

And this comes when the overall global smartphone market slumped by 14.2% in the same period.

While these sales are mostly driven by the expanding appetite for folding phones in China, it is a legitimate growth in market share that cannot be overlooked. Chinese phone makers have also ramped up production to meet this demand with Huawei, Oppo and Vivo all releasing competing products.

Google launched the Pixel Fold this year in response, and as a show of commitment to the Android device manufacturers indicating that these devices will see significant improvement in software stability and features in the future.

While Samsung still commands a sizeable lead in the market by virtue of being an early mover in the product category, critics are quick to point out the Korean companys slow pace of innovation of the original form factor.

We welcome the competition because it brings more legitimacy to the foldables category, concludes Hume.

Samsung South Africa Galaxy Z Flip5 brand positioning. Source: Lindsey Schutters

Price increase

From a design perspective Galaxy Fold5 recycles its predecessors dimensions, only adding in the new hinge for a more flat fold  as opposed to the wedge profile and noticeable gap of the Fold4. Galaxy Z Flip5 gains a 3.4-inch cover display (called Flex Window), which brings it in line with global competitors from Motorola and Oppo.

Both devices get significant price increases, though. Galaxy Z Flip5 starts at R29,999 for the 256GB storage model, and Z Fold5 will retail from R45,999. Thats up from last years respective R21,999 and R37,999 base prices  which were 128GB storage options.

The price increases are in line with a similar jump from Apple on the iPhone 14 series and could be attributed to the premium pricing of the 4nm chipsets fabricated on the TSMC process  Qualcomm sourced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from Samsung and found the thermal management and power efficiency to be below the TSMC standard.

Samsung trade-in deals include contract price reductions. Source: Lindsey Schutters

Pre-orders for Galaxy Z Fold5 and Flip5 open next week and there are numerous trade-in offers available for early buyers.
The passing of the NHI bill by the National Assembly, although a landmark development, is for many stakeholders concerning in the context of the demise of so many other state-owned enterprises.

Source: 123RF

Progress must however be made in achieving better healthcare access and affordability for all citizens of the country, and any government should and would no doubt take this same approach.

While I acknowledge the excellence of the South African private healthcare system, which has consistently ranked among the world's best, I also recognise the need for broader access and improved affordability in the current healthcare funding industry.

Our countrys current private healthcare funding industry is predominantly focused on the higher income sectors of society and as such has reached its maturity with little or no future growth prospects.

With only 8.9 million South Africans covered by medical schemes, there is still much work to be done to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage for the millions of people who do not have access to reliable healthcare services.

While the private healthcare system is commendable in so many respects  particularly in so far as our world-class healthcare service providers and facilities are concerned  we must aim for greater inclusivity.

It is our duty to ensure that quality healthcare reaches a far wider spectrum of South Africans than is currently the case, and with innovation, co-operation and the intelligent and appropriate use of technology, we can lead Africa in addressing this urgent quest.

It is effectively this very challenge that the passing of the NHI bill is focusing on thereby issuing a renewed wake-up call to our industry.

Just as no man is an island, we need to find new ways of conducting business to better serve our industry and millions of South Africans who have little choice apart from waiting for the introduction of National Health Insurance.

Until such time, and by way of a starting point, we can achieve more together and practical solutions need to be shared.

Affordable healthcare for the hardworking

The National HealthCare Group has reached out to healthcare service providers and other businesses to create change  this approach has resulted in some highly promising partnerships to bring affordable healthcare to more hardworking South Africans and their families thus far.

When we first brought the MediClub range to the market  a product that broke the mould of affordable primary healthcare access with a simple, digitally enabled nursing triage model  we aimed to achieve sufficient economies of scale to ensure the products sustainability and ultimately, to bring many more employed but medically uncovered individuals closer to quality healthcare.

It therefore stood to reason that we should partner with an organisation like TymeBank, a digitally smart bank that makes financial services more affordable to access and more convenient to use for hard-working and financially pressed individuals. If you can do it for the sake of financial wellness, you can surely do it for peoples health too.

Empowering TymeBank customers

TymeHealth was launched 18 months ago and brings the MediClub range to TymeBank customers who represent the very market for which MediClub was developed.

In finding healthcare access solutions, we need to acknowledge that this is an ongoing concern for employers too, who in one way or another, are negatively impacted when uninsured employees have to rely on an overburdened state system.

In this case, an established organisation with well-forged corporate inroads, such as Standard Bank was the ideal partner to take the product to a wider corporate client audience. This also presented our first opportunity to offer MediClub as a white label product that could be packaged to speak specifically to Standard Banks clients under the brand name BeWell.

Standard Bank's contribution

Standard Bank has also helped to fund the roll-out of Unu, which takes the same tried and tested product to individuals, as well as to small businesses through different channels.

It has always been more about connecting the dots than it ever has been about reinventing the wheel at National HealthCare Group.

It is with this approach that we have been able to achieve some truly tangible results, such as reducing the number of sick days by 35% over six months and reflecting a monthly savings of more than 25% in healthcare expenditure for some employers.

When you consider that this product provides access to private healthcare for employees for an entire month at less than the daily minimum wage, it is a solution many employers will want to explore.

The way for enhanced healthcare access

But it is in no small part thanks to the partnerships we have forged that this primary healthcare insurance product has begun to turn the tide in favour of improved healthcare access for South African businesses and individuals. Without such collaborative efforts, we would be working in a silo and the industry would still no doubt be treading the same old water.

With over 5.5 million employed individuals currently without medical aid, there is ample opportunity for positive change.

Together, we can give true meaning to 'improving healthcare access' once and for all.

National HealthCare Group remains committed to connecting the dots within the industry, striving for a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare funding landscape.

By building on these achievements and nurturing collaborative partnerships, the group aims to significantly further contribute to a healthier and more prosperous South Africa.
Hunter Biden, center, arrives at the U.S. Federal District Court in Wilmington, Del., July 26. EPA-Yonhap



U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden's proposed deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to tax charges and avoid a gun charge hit a snag on Wednesday when the judge in the case said she needed more time to review their agreement.



The news means that the younger Biden's legal woes will continue to dog the president as he campaigns for re-election in 2024. His leading rival, former President Donald Trump, and Trump's Republican allies in Congress had criticized the deal as unfairly favoring the president's son.



The stunning turnabout came after what was expected to be a routine plea hearing turned into a three-hour affair featuring hushed negotiations between lawyers and pointed questions from U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika.



"I cannot accept the plea agreement today," she said, asking the parties to brief her on why she should accept it, meaning that Hunter Biden's lawyers and prosecutors may yet persuade her to approve the deal as it was previously negotiated, or to alter it to a form she can accept. She said she did not want to "rubber stamp" a plea deal.



Hunter Biden at the hearing pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018 despite owing more than $100,000, prosecutors allege.



He did not enter a plea in a separate case where he is charged with unlawfully owning a firearm while addicted to and using a controlled substance, a felony.



Hunter Biden's lawyers and prosecutors disagreed in court over whether the deal they had reached would have prevented the younger Biden from being charged with any other crimes, with defense lawyer Chris Clark at one point saying the deal was "null and void."



Biden said he would not plead guilty to the tax charges without a deal in place to avoid prosecution on the gun charge, but changed course after extensive negotiations between his lawyers and prosecutors while Noreika waited in her chambers.



The parties ultimately agreed that the deal would only grant Biden immunity on a limited set of tax, drug and firearm offenses.





An officer looks on as law enforcement officers secure the area before Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at federal court in Wilmington, Del., U.S., July 26. Reuters-Yonhap
A growing body of global research has linked a healthy company culture to key performance metrics such as profitability, productivity and talent retention. The Covid-19 pandemic brought issues related to employee wellness front and centre, further emphasising the direct correlation between company culture and business success. Now, in a post-pandemic world, more leaders need to take up the mantle of fostering better workplace environments. The return on this investment can reap long-term and far-reaching benefits.

Kgomotso Ramoenyane, executive general manager of HR at Business Partners Limited

Advocating for the compelling business case for strong company culture is Kgomotso Ramoenyane, executive general manager of Human Resources at specialist small- to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) financier, Business Partners Limited. Her functional specialist and SME knowledge and experience supports her belief that better workplace cultures make for more successful businesses.

A recent study conducted by PwC saw senior leaders from companies in over 40 countries credit much of their success during the pandemic years to the strength of their companies culture. It was found to be a major contributor to a companys competitive advantage. This was due to its ability to foster better internal and customer communication, higher rates of innovation and a healthier sense of community among employees.

Happy, fulfilled employees are the most effective brand ambassadors for any company.

 Kgomotso Ramoenyane, Business Partners Limited

As Ramoenyane explains: Company culture permeates the way employees communicate and behave. It also concerns factors such as how good work is celebrated and rewarded, how people are recognised and how important decisions are made. Ultimately, company culture sets the standard for how work gets done. This in turn affects the quality of client relations as well as how the organisation is perceived both internally and within the broader world of business.

Productivity levels

For Ramoenyane, one of the key advantages of fostering better workplace culture is its ability to output higher levels of productivity. According to data compiled by Top 500 Elite, the annual cost of soaring levels of absenteeism in South African businesses currently amounts to R15bn. This equates to 280 million days per year  an estimated 18.8 days per employee.

When quantified in this way, the cost of high levels of absenteeism becomes apparent. Conversely, cultural factors such as better job satisfaction, more employee engagement and improved team performance have a direct and favourable effect on productivity. As Ramoenyane says: More productive teams are the cornerstones of more profitable businesses.

Retaining better talent for longer

The implications of a healthier company culture in terms of talent attraction and retention are also hugely positive. One of the biggest human resource expenses involves the cost of recruiting and onboarding new employees. This can prove costly for companies with high staff turnovers.

However, in workplaces with cultures that enable employees to perform optimally within their roles and prioritise their wellbeing, recruitment costs can be dramatically reduced. Furthermore, as Ramoenyane says: The quality of talent that is attracted to companies with positive cultures has proven to be substantially better than in companies with poor public reputations.

Brand power

The strength of a companys brand is also closely correlated with its internal culture. Companies with a people-first approach can reap immensely positive reputational benefits. This could in turn serve as a source of investor confidence and customer attraction.

Happy, fulfilled employees are the most effective brand ambassadors for any company. Company culture is an accurate reflection of what a brand represents in the marketplace and what matters most to the company. So, when employees feel appreciated and nurtured, they will share their experience with others. Given that word of mouth marketing continues to be one of the most effective means of building a strong brand reputation, with time, it can become a companys most valuable asset, says Ramoenyane.

A boost in profitability as the ultimate objective

According to research conducted by PwC, companies who implemented culture change enablers like development and training, more efficient technology and constructive feedback during the pandemic, gained a significant competitive advantage.

All these factors have the ability to culminate in higher levels of profitability. The positive impact of better company culture on the bottom-line is often at the crux of what convinces leaders that it is a powerful ally.

As Ramoenyane concludes: Going forward, as the world adapts to the mainstream adoption of remote and hybrid teams, value-based and purpose-driven policies that uplift and empower employees will become the most effective ways to build businesses that last for the long haul.




Here's the good news. We're living longer than ever before, and enjoying a better quality of life, while we do. The bad news is that less than 10% of South Africans have enough money to retire, which means many older people are working for longer just to make ends meet.

Source: Supplied. Janice Masencamp, Head of Retirement Fund Consulting at NMG Benefits

Its part of a global trend known as unretirement, which is seeing older people across the world flooding back to the workforce to supplement their incomes or simply to stay busy  and its having a major impact on retirement planning, says employee benefits advisory firm NMG Benefits.

Statistics SA data suggests that between 2002 and 2020, the life expectancy of South Africans increased from 59.9 years to 64.6 years for men, and from 67.2 to 71.3 years for women. At the same time, the Pew Research centre says the number of people living to 100 years and older is expected to grow to nearly 3.7 million by 2050, from just 95,000 in 1990.

The challenge lies in funding this new-found longevity. South Africans are notoriously light on their retirement savings, and according to Sanlams benchmark survey report, one in five consumers say they will never be able to retire.

NMG figures show that the average replacement ratio for retirees declined from 35% in 2019 to 32% in 2021. This means the average member of a retirement fund can expect an income of 32% of their pre-retirement salary after they stop working.

Longer lives, longer planning

South Africans arent very good at saving or planning for their retirement at the best of times. Now, as we live for longer, were getting to a point where we should start planning as if were going to live to 100, and align our goals accordingly. This will have a major impact on the way we do financial planning. And those who dont have enough retirement savings will keep working until theyre no longer able to.

Legally, theres no mandatory retirement age in South Africa. However, a retirement age is often written into employment contracts, and employees need permission from their employers to keep working beyond that age.

There are clear benefits to employers of having older, more experienced employees in the workforce. They have valuable skills, knowledge, and experience which can be passed onto younger generations.

Studies suggest people who work longer retain higher levels of energy and mental alertness, reduce their chances of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimers and retain a continued sense of purpose and belonging. However, for most unretirees, the biggest advantage of staying in the workforce is the ability to generate additional income and having more years to save towards retirement.

By working for only four extra years, post-retirement income can increase by about 10%. By working for an additional 10 years, this income can almost double.

Its also crucial that working South Africans start actively planning for retirement as early as possible. This includes speaking to a financial planner, who can help navigate the numerous options for investing your retirement income based on your own personal needs, especially with the new two-pot system being implemented.

A planner will help you understand your various options and alternatives when it comes to deciding to withdraw or not, and what the ramifications of those decisions will be.
Kering prend une participation de 30% dans Valentino pour un montant de 1,7 MdE

27 juillet (Reuters) - Kering et Mayhoola ont annonce jeudi avoir signe un accord engageant pour l'acquisition par le groupe de luxe francais d'une participation de 30% dans Valentino pour un montant en numeraire de 1,7 milliard d'euros.

Cet accord comprend une option permettant a Kering d'acquerir 100% de la maison de couture italienne au plus tard en 2028.

L'operation, qui devrait etre finalisee d'ici la fin de l'annee, s'inscrit dans le cadre d'un partenariat strategique plus large entre Kering et Mayhoola. (Redige par Camille Raynaud)
China's Long March carrier rocket conducts 150th consecutive successful launch

Xinhua) 16:46, July 27, 2023

XICHANG, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China launched a Long March-2D carrier rocket on Thursday to place a remote sensing satellite group composed of three satellites in space.

The three satellites of the Yaogan-36 family were launched at 04:02 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan and entered the preset orbit.

This mission is the 480th flight of the Long March carrier rockets.

The Long March series carrier rockets have set a new record of 150 consecutive successful launches.

Thursday's launch is also the 78th mission of Long March Long March-2D carrier rocket.

The Long March-2D carrier rocket is a two-stage launch vehicle with a take-off thrust of 300 tonnes.

It is capable of lifting 1.3-tonne payloads to the solar synchronous circular orbit 700 km above Earth.

This rocket has the launch capabilities of single-satellites and multi-satellites to various orbits. It can be launched from the country's three major satellite launch centers in Jiuquan, Taiyuan and Xichang.

Thursday's launch is also the first launch mission of the Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center this year.

To ensure stable operation of the launch site in the hot and rainy climate during the summer, the rocket has undergone improvements in terms of its design, production, storage and inspection based on experiences from previous missions. Waterproof and rainproof measures have been implemented for both the rocket and the launch facilities.

Measures, including continuous air supply to the satellite fairing, have been adopted to ensure safer and sounder environmental conditions for the satellites.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The sky turns golden as the sun sets behind the Rocky Mountains in Commerce City, Colorado. July 12. AP-Yonhap



The decomposed and partially mummified bodies of three people who were recently found at a remote western Colorado campsite were two adult sisters and one woman's 14-year-old son, Gunnison County Coroner Michael Barnes said.



The deceased are Christine Vance, 41; Rebecca Vance, 42, and Rebecca's son, all from Colorado Springs. Two were found in a tent down the road from a campsite in the Gunnison National Forest about nine miles (14.5 kilometers) from Ohio City, Colorado, Gunnison County Coroner Michael Barnes said in an interview Tuesday. Officials have not named the son because he is a minor.



Their bodies showed signs of malnourishment, with two in the tent and one outside. Though a cause of death has yet to be determined while authorities wait for toxicology reports to be processed, the group may have succumbed to starvation, freezing temperatures or carbon monoxide poisoning from trying to make fire to stay warm, Barnes said.



The three likely started camping in July 2022 and died sometime over the winter. Family members told Barnes that the group embarked on a trip last summer and planned to live "off the grid."



After a hiker found a body outside the tent earlier this month, deputies began investigating the site to identify the bodies. At the campsite alongside the bodies were empty food cans, books and a restroom area, Barnes said. It appeared they had begun to build a "lean-to" type shelter but not finished by the time last year's harsh winter began, he said.



"I wonder if winter came on quickly and suddenly they were just in survival mode in the tent," Barnes said. "They had a lot of literature with them about outdoor survival and foraging and stuff like that. But it looked like they supplied at a grocery store."



Authorities did not find any vehicle or firearms at the campsite with the bodies. (AP)


Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, right, meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Ankara, Turkey, July 26. Reuters-Yonhap



Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed Ukraine with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara and met President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday during his first foreign trip since being appointed, a Turkish foreign ministry source said.



China named Wang, a veteran diplomat, as its new foreign minister on Tuesday, removing former rising star Qin Gang after a one-month absence from duties barely half a year into the job.



Discussions between Wang and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan included the latest situation in Ukraine as well as the global financial system, the Turkish foreign ministry source said.



Russia has expanded its air attacks on Ukrainian grain targets in recent days after quitting a 2022 deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey that had allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain for the past year.



The United States and several European countries have urged China to use its influence over Russia to seek an end to the war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, China published a 12-point peace plan, calling for the protection of civilians and the sovereignty of all countries to be respected.



During his talks with Wang, Erdogan voiced hope that Turkey and China would intensify their cooperation as both countries play important roles in global and regional issues, Erdogan's office said in a statement released after the meeting.



Fidan and Wang also touched on the development of economic and trade relations between Turkey and China, the Turkish foreign ministry source said.



Their discussions included "harmonization of the initiatives of (China's) Belt and Road and Middle Corridor", as well as nuclear energy, agriculture and civil aviation, the source added.



The two top diplomats discussed the situation of Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim ethnic minority in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, during talks in Ankara, the source said.



Human rights groups accuse Beijing of abuses against Xinjiang's Uyghur inhabitants, including the mass use of forced labor in internment camps. China denies the allegations. (Reuters)




Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the gathering at Kargil War Memorial at Kargil War Memorial on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, in Drass, Ladakh, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Photo: PTI/PIB

NEW DELHI (PTI): India on Wednesday recalled the valour of the armed forces and paid tributes to its fallen soldiers as it marked its victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserting the country is ready to even cross the Line of Control (LoC) to maintain its honour and dignity.



President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers and leaders cutting across party lines paid homage to the soldiers who had died in the war.



Various events were organised in states and at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass in Ladakh to mark the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas. In Parliament, members paid their homage to the fallen soldiers.



In a tweet in Hindi, the president said, "Today, on the glorious occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, all the people of the country remember the victory achieved by the extraordinary valour of our armed forces. On behalf of a grateful nation, I pay tribute and bow to the memory of the fighters who paved the way for victory by sacrificing their lives to protect the country. Their heroic stories will always inspire generations to come. Jai Hind!"



Modi said Kargil Vijay Diwas brings to the fore the bravery of India's unparalleled warriors who will always remain a source of inspiration to the people of the country.



The Indian Army had launched a fierce counter-assault, Operation Vijay, to push back Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh in 1999.



The war saw Indian armed forces fight in the most challenging terrains amid harsh weather conditions in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors.



Addressing a gathering at the Kargil Memorial in Drass, Defence Minister Singh said India is ready to cross the Line of Control (LoC) to maintain its honour and dignity, and called upon civilians to be ready to support the soldiers in such a situation.



Citing the example of the Russia-Ukraine war, he said it has been going on for more than a year because civilians have stepped up and are participating in the war.



"We can go to any extreme to maintain the honour and dignity of the country...if that includes crossing the LoC, we are ready to do that...if we are instigated and if the need arises, we will cross the LoC," he said.



"Whenever there has been a war situation, our public has always supported the forces but that support has been indirect. I urge the public to be ready and mentally prepared to support the soldiers directly on the battlefield if the need arises," he added.



Singh said the Kargil War was imposed on India, which was "backstabbed" by Pakistan.



"During Operation Vijay, the Indian Army sent a message not only to Pakistan but to the whole world that when it comes to our national interests, our Army will not back down at any cost. We are fully committed to safeguarding our national interests even today," the minister said.



Talking to reporters in Drass, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said the country will never forget the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers in the 1999 Kargil war.



"Operation Vijay was a difficult and high-intensity military operation. It was a difficult terrain that was under the possession of the enemy. It was a challenge that our soldiers accomplished...I also want to commend the Air warriors for their contribution in achieving the final objective," he said.



He also said the dangers and challenges before the armed forces are likely to get more complex in the future and India needs to be ready to face them.



For the families of the jawans who laid down their lives protecting Indian territory from intruders, Kargil Vijay Diwas is an occasion that invokes feelings of both pain and pride.



Kanta Devi, who visited the Kargil War Memorial to pay her respects to her son, Grenadier Udhaymaan Singh, told PTI, "I feel happy and proud to see that everyone is paying respects to my son but I did not want to lose my (only) son. I feel so much pain."



Tears rolling down her cheeks, Devi recalled when her son came home on vacation for the last time.



"When he came home on vacation, I told him that I wanted him to resign from service and stay home. He asked me what would happen to the country if every mother wished the same? He told me that he was the son of the country now and not mine," she said.



Charu Lata Acharya, a Veer Naari, feels that the Vijay Diwas is a celebration of the sacrifices of soldiers like her husband -- Major P Acharya of the 2 Rajputana Rifles.



Manmohan Pandey, the brother of Captain Manoj Pandey -- who was tasked with clearing the route to Khalubar Top for his battalion and fatally collapsed at the final bunker after completing his mission -- said the day evokes a feeling of pride.



"Coming here, seeing those points, I had the same feeling that I had when he (Captain Pandey) achieved martyrdom. It is a feeling of pride. If there is anything we feel inside, it is pride," he said in Drass.



BJP president J P Nadda hailed the valour of the armed forces personnel who sacrificed their lives during the war.



The Congress said Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of the amazing valour and determination of the brave sons of the country.



Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi paid tributes to the Kargil heroes on the occasion.



At an event in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the world recognised India's military strength during the Kargil War as the armed forces successfully pushed back Pakistani intruders from Indian soil.



In Srinagar, General Officer Commanding of the Army's Chinar Corps Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai led all ranks in paying homage to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while pushing back Pakistani intruders during the Kargil War.



"Today, the nation celebrates 24 years of this glorious victory. The Chinar Corps on this historic day remembers the 527 gallant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. We also salute the serving soldiers and veterans who took part in the tough battle at treacherous heights along the Line of Control," a defence spokesman said.


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Postal Code
A 14-year-old boy charged with attacking a US tourist who was hospitalised after an assault in Dublin city centre has been remanded on continuing bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

New Yorker Stephen Termini, 57, was attacked on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city last week.

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Mr Termini, an artist and musician, remains in a serious but stable condition in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital.

The boy, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, was arrested at the weekend and granted bail with conditions following a special court sitting on Sunday.

He is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Termini at Store Street, Dublin 1, on July 19th, contrary to section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

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He has yet to indicate a plea.

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Accompanied by father

The teen appeared before the District Court President, Judge Paul Kelly, at the Dublin Children's Court on Thursday. He was accompanied by his father and did not address the court.

Garda Sergeant John Brady, Store Street station, told the court that the DPP's directions were not available yet and added that the teenager had only been charged on Sunday.

"We are working on the file; I think there is agreement to put it back to a date in October," he said.

Defence barrister Roisin O'Mara confirmed there was consent to the adjournment period sought by Sergeant Brady.

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Counsel asked the court to vary the bail terms, which were not read out, for a week commencing in August.

Sergeant Brady did not object to the application which was granted.

Judge Kelly ordered the boy to return to the Children's Court on October 5th.

Following a defence request, he warned the news media that the usual Children's Children's Act reporting restrictions applied.

A decision has yet to be made as to whether the case, which has attracted international attention, will remain in the Children's Court or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

The legislation states: "No report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name, address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings."

Two other male juveniles were arrested and detained at north Dublin garda stations on Thursday.

A GoFundMe Page set up Mr Termini's family has reached over $100,000 within days.
A Limerick criminal who helped the McCarthy-Dundon gang in the attempted murder of convicted drug dealer Christy Keane eight years ago has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six and a half years.

Noel Price has 90 previous convictions which include criminal damage, possession of drugs, burglary and assault. The defendant previously received a 12-year sentence for arson in 2001 when he threw a petrol bomb at the front window of a property belonging to Christy Keane's sister.

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He was also jailed for the unlawful seizure of a vehicle occupied by three young children. Two of the children fled from the car, and it was only later that Price realised one of the young children was still in the vehicle. The court heard that he dropped the child off at the side of the road before he was apprehended by gardai. Price was jailed for five years for that offence.

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Sentencing Price at the non-jury court on Thursday, presiding judge Mr Alexander Owens said that the defendant had lent himself to a criminal enterprise by going to Dublin with a very senior member of the organised crime group and then driving back to Limerick in convoy.

Feud

The judge added: "He [Price] could but not have known when he headed to Dublin and collected the car that it would be used in criminal activity. He knew all about the gang and the feud with the Keane-Collopy gang. The getting of the car had to be important, something important had to go down," he said.

Last month, Noel Price (45), of Kileely Road, Kileely, Limerick City pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court that, having knowledge of the existence of the McCarthy Dundon criminal organisation, he assisted in making available a vehicle to that criminal organisation with the intention of facilitating the commission by the aforesaid organisation of the attempted murder of Mr Christy Keane or being reckless as to same.

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The offence, which comes under section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, was alleged to have occurred between June 27th and June 29th, 2015, both dates inclusive.

Keane was shot a number of times as he parked his car on the grounds of the University of Limerick where he went for an early-morning gym session in June 2015. He survived the shooting after making his escape via a nearby running track and was subsequently hospitalised in a critical condition.

Convicted drug dealer Keane was sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2000 for possession of 240,000 worth of cannabis.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Owens said as a result of a previous offence committed by Price in 2019 he was now in prison with an anticipated release date of August 2024. The judge also referred to Price's previous convictions saying he had a very poor criminal record with "repeated recidivism".

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He set the headline sentence at ten years. However, a reduction of 25 per cent was applied to take into account his guilty plea and the unfortunate circumstances of his addictions resulting in a sentence of seven years and six months. Taking proportionality into account and the fact Price had been in prison since 2020 the court suspended the final year.

Mr Justice Owens, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell, sentenced Price to seven years and six months imprisonment with the final year suspended.
Updated at 11:00

A third teenager has been arrested in relation to an attack on a US tourist in Dublin last week.

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Last week, Stephen Termini was attacked by a group of youths as he left his accommodation in Dublin's North Inner City.

Following the assault, the US embassy issued a warning to people coming to Ireland to be wary of their surroundings.

A teenage boy was arrested and charged with assault causing harm to Mr. Termini over the weekend.

He is now due back in the Children's Court on Thursday morning.

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In a separate development a second teenage boy has been arrested in relation to this alleged assault today.

Now, a third teen has also been arrested.

They are both being questioned at North Dublin Garda Stations.

A banner has appeared across the Dublin embassys website on Wednesday which warns US tourists on how to be safe.

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The embassy advises all citizens to be aware of their surroundings and warns against walking alone, especially when it is dark.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Roderic OGorman said significant assaults in parts of Dublin will cause concern to tourists and local communities  but that community work is ongoing to address anti-social behaviour.

Stephen Termini, a US tourist aged in his 50s, was injured in an attack on Talbot Street in Dublin last week while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met and apologised to actor Oleksandr Hrekov after he required stitches following an assault.

Mr OGorman said his department has brought forward significant measures on youth supports and that youth diversion projects are seen as extremely successful in diverting children who may have an initial offence away from custodial sentences and from subsequent reoffending.

Undoubtedly there has been some very significant assaults in an area of our inner city, and Ive no doubt that causes real concern to people travelling through those parts of the city, but most importantly to the communities living there.
Three teenage boys now face charges for attacking US tourist Stephen Termini who was hospitalised after suffering severe injuries in Dublin.

Mr Termini, a New Yorker aged 57, was rushed to hospital after an incident on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city last week.

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The alleged attackers, three boys aged 14, 15 and 16, were remanded on bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on Thursday.

Mr Termini, an artist and musician, remains in a serious but stable condition in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital.

A 14-year-old boy was charged on Sunday and granted bail with conditions following a special court sitting on Sunday.

He is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Termini at Store Street, Dublin 1, on July 19th, contrary to section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

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Second hearing

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Facing his second hearing, the teen appeared before the District Court President, Judge Paul Kelly, at the Dublin Children's Court on Thursday morning.

He was accompanied by his father and did not address the court.

Garda Sergeant John Brady, Store Street station, told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) directions were not available yet and added that the teenager had only been charged on Sunday.

"We are working on the file; I think there is agreement to put it back to a date in October," he said.

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Defence barrister Roisin O'Mara confirmed there was consent to the adjournment period sought by Sergeant Brady.

Counsel asked the court to vary the bail terms, which were not read out, for a week commencing in August.

Bail

Sergeant Brady did not object to the application, which was granted.

Following a defence request, the judge warned the news media that the usual Children's Children's Act reporting restrictions applied.

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At just after 2.30 pm, the second defendant, a 15-year-old schoolboy, was brought before the judge.

Garda Sergeant Niall Godfrey told Judge Kelly that the teen was arrested at his home on Dublin's north side at 7.30 am and taken to Store Street Garda station, where he was detained and later charged.

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He is also accused of assault causing harm to Mr Termini, and the court heard "he made no reply to the charge after caution".

Garda Godfrey had no objection to bail subject to conditions agreed with defence solicitor David Bassett.

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That teen was ordered to stay out of Talbot Street, Portland Row, Summerhill, Gardiner Street, Amien Street, Railway Street, and the surrounding areas in the north inner city.

He must obey a 9pm  7am curfew and provide gardai with a contact phone number. Furthermore, the judge imposed a term barring him from communicating with the first defendant.

He was also accompanied to court by his father and sat silently throughout the hearing. The boy nodded to indicate he understood when the judge warned that breaking the terms could result in the court revoking bail.

The third boy, 16, was brought before Judge Kelly shortly after 3pm also charged with the same offences as his co-defendants.

Detective Sergeant Shane Noone told the court that boy "made no reply" to the charge.

Similarly, he had no objection to bail with conditions, and defence solicitor Roy O'Neill consented to the terms.

This teenager must obey a 9pm  7am curfew, provide a mobile phone number and "be contactable 24 hours a day", and not associate with the co-defendants.

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He has to stay off Talbot Street, Railway Street and James Joyce Street.

The boy and his mother interacted with the judge to clarify the bail terms.

Sleepover

The mother asked if her son "is allowed to have a sleepover". Detective Sergeant Noone said he was amenable to that if he knew where the boy was having the sleepover.

The teen replied, "No problem", when warned not to contact the co-defendants and that "if you see them on the street, stay out of their way".

His mother said, "he will not be with those lads", but raised queries about the areas her son has been barred from by the court.

Detective Sergeant Noone explained: "This incident involves CCTV where youths were hanging around Railway Street, and it emanated from there; we are concerned that it could go back to that situation, and we want to avoid that."

Mother and son thanked the judge as he was released.

The three boys, who have yet to indicate pleas, will appear again on October 5th for the DPP's directions in the case to be given. Legal aid has been granted.

A decision has yet to be made as to whether the case, which has attracted international attention, will remain in the Children's Court or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

The legislation states, "No report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name, address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings."

A GoFundMe Page set up Mr Termini's family has reached over $100,000 within days.
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyahs highly anticipated debut is a blistering and violent critique of the American prison system

Fiction

1. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is published in hardback by Harvill Secker. Available now

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Happy happy publication day to @NK_Adjei & the stunning Chain-Gang All-Stars



A pure fire page turner - @maxjohnporter pic.twitter.com/nrs79RQnhg  Vintage For Booksellers (@VintageHuddle) July 13, 2023

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Sometimes books can be compared with quite random things for clout, but Chain-Gang All-Stars being billed as a mix of Squid Game and The Handmaids Tale feels fitting. Set in an alternate America, this enthralling debut follows Chain-Gang All-Stars: a programme where prisoners fight each other to the death in a bid for freedom, all in front of millions of fans. It gives the prisoners a human face, namely with the main characters  fierce warriors and lovers Loretta Thurwar and Hamara Hurricane Staxxx Stacker. Its a hugely imaginative read  the world-building is masterful  while also making a powerful point about incarceration in America today. With an action-packed plot, as Thurwar hurtles towards freedom, sober points are made throughout, with real statistics about the American prison system weaved throughout as footnotes. An unmissable read.

9/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

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2. The List by Yomi Adegoke is published in hardback by 4th Estate. Available now

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COVER REVEAL 



It's here! Finally able to unveil the cover of #TheList, out July 20th 



Available for pre-order now @Waterstones https://t.co/uSriTHfSZd pic.twitter.com/Fd5KkI3HMi  Yomi Adegoke (@yomiadegoke) April 21, 2023

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Yomi Adegokes debut novel The List is being called the book of the summer, and is being co-developed by HBO Max, the BBC and A24 onto the screen  so you might want to add this cautionary tale about the good, bad and ugly parts of the internet to your summer reading list. The book follows a high-profile journalist called Ola Olajide, who is set to marry her fiance Michael in a months time. They are the couple goals of their social network and seem to have it all. Until one morning, when they both wake up and see a crowdsourced list of sexual abusers online  with Michaels name on it. The novel takes jaw-dropping twists and turns, infused with cultural references, and attempts to challenge readers about their response to sexual abuse online, and what accountability even means. It feels like a crucial text.

8/10

(Review by Yolanthe Fawehinmi)

3. Pet by Catherine Chidgey is published in hardback by Europa Editions. Available now

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Pet, the new novel by the author of @WomensPrize longlisted Remote Sympathy @CathChidgey, publishes in the UK today! We have been thrilled by the reaction of the press, so here are a few of our favourite reviews... Order your copy from @bookshop_org_UK https://t.co/2eqGoN0Ch0 pic.twitter.com/7LlcIqgU84 Advertisement  Europa Editions UK (@EuropaEdUK) July 13, 2023

Pet is a chilling coming-of-age story set in 1980s New Zealand. Its 1984, and Justine is caught in the middle of a changing world  her mum recently died of breast cancer, shes the only child to a struggling single father and hasnt quite found her place in the world. Teacher Mrs Price has her favourite students who she asks to do little jobs for her. When Mrs Prices attentions turn to Justine, the girls world is rocked once again as her friendships are tested and home life is turned upside down. Does Justine have the inner strength to embrace her moral compass and make herself heard? Pet is an enthralling page-turner, laced with dark ominous themes, examining both the oppressive racism that was rampant in the 1980s and the far-reaching power of the Catholic church.

8/10

(Review by Rachel Howdle)

Non-fiction

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4. That Peckham Boy by Kenny Imafidon is published in hardback by Torva. Available now

TODAY IS PUBLICATION DAY!!!



My debut book #ThatPeckhamBoy is being published by @PenguinUKBooks and is out now and available everywhere.



A big thank you to every one who pre-ordered copies already too, I hope you enjoy reading the book  pic.twitter.com/ypkDDxpRd5  Kenny Imafidon (@KennyImafidon) July 13, 2023

Kenny Imafidons memoir provides a personal and readable account of growing up in Peckham, falling into crime, spending six months on remand for a murder he didnt commit and turning his life around. Imafidon did well at school and was involved in politics even while he was a teenage drug dealer  and after his brush with injustice, he now works on helping underrepresented communities like the one he comes from. There is some reflection, but not much that is deep or revelatory, even if That Peckham Boy does provide an accessible look at a life most readers may not be familiar with.

6/10

(Review by Christopher McKeon)

Childrens book of the week

5. Rhinos Dont Cry by Mark Grist, illustrated by Chris Jevons, is published in hardback by Bloomsbury Childrens Books. Available now

Hey guys! Exciting news!



My first picturebook, 'Rhino's Don't Cry' will be in shops from 20th July.



We've been working on this for a while now! Milo's adventure is the first in a series with @KidsBloomsbury & illustrated by the ace @Chris_Jev. https://t.co/TglvO5rTFU pic.twitter.com/1tXvIKYQTr Advertisement  Mark Grist (@montygristo) June 21, 2023

When was the last time you saw a rhino riding a bike, sliding down a bannister, painting  or even crying? Youll see all of these delightfully quirky things in poet and rapper Mark Grists debut childrens book. Our protagonist is Milo, a little rhino who one day watches a film with his favourite movie star, who proclaims that rhinos dont cry. Milo takes this to heart  and keeps things bottled up inside, even when his cat Pickles goes missing. But on a chance encounter with his favourite movie star, Milo founds out something amazing  not only can rhinos cry, but every so often it does some good. Its a lyrically rhyming, easy to read tale with colourful pictures and a sweet underlying message, making it perfect for bedtime.

8/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 22nd

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

2. Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

3. None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

4. Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang

5. Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs

6. The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse

7. Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

8. A Death In The Parish by Reverend Richard Coles

9. The Trial by Rob Rinder

10. Talking At Night by Claire Daverley

(Compiled by Waterstones)

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HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record Of BTS by BTS & Myeongseok Kang

2. What About Men? by Caitlin Moran

3. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

4. Pax by Tom Holland

5. But What Can I Do? by Alastair Campbell

6. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

7. The Wager by David Grann

8. Future Of Geography by Tim Marshall

9. Hitler, Stalin, Mum And Dad by Daniel Finkelstein

10. Into The Void by Geezer Butler

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. The Mother by T.M. Logan

2. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

3. The Trial by Rob Rinder

4. Atomic Habits by James Clear

5. Mythos by Stephen Fry

6. None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

7. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

8. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

9. The Fellowship of The Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

10. What About Men? by Caitlin Moran

(Compiled by Audible)
Wildfires have reached the outskirts of Athens as strong gusts of wind cause flare-ups around Greece, disrupting motorway traffic and rail services.

The fires have raged across parts of the country during three successive Mediterranean heatwaves over two weeks, leaving five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggering a huge evacuation of tourists over the weekend on the island of Rhodes.

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Water-dropping helicopters and a ground crew were called early on Thursday to a blaze in Kifissia, just north of Athens, which was quickly put out.

Near the central city of Volos, a wildfire burned on two fronts, forcing a section of Greeces busiest motorway to shut for several hours, while national rail services passing through the area were delayed.



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Firefighters also battled flames on Rhodes for a 10th successive day, while flare-ups were reported on the island of Evia.

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The World Meteorological Organisation and a European Union climate change service reported on Thursday that temperatures in the month of July set a new global record.

As Southern Europe fights extreme heat and wildfires, parts of central Europe have been hit with winter conditions. Sub-freezing temperatures, frost and snow have been reported in the Tatra mountains, which run through Poland and Slovakia.

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In Italy, firefighters battled brush fires in the southern mainland regions of Calabria and Puglia, as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, helped by temperatures dropping into the low and mid-30s. Sicily remained the focal point, with fires continuing to burn near the capital, Palermo, as seven aircraft were engaged to douse the flames.

Without doubt, we can see that all across the Mediterranean the climate crisis is here and its affecting us all more strongly than perhaps even scientists had warned us about, Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday during a meeting with the countrys president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Wildfire carbon emissions for July in Greece were the highest by a huge margin  totalling over one metric megaton and doubling the previous record  since records started 20 years ago, according to the European Union agency that analyses satellite data, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.

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Unfortunately, it is not all that surprising, given the extreme conditions in the region, said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the agency.

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The observed intensity and estimated emissions show how unusual the scale of the fires have been for July relative to the last 20 years of data.

In Athens, at a ceremony held at the defence ministry, senior members of the armed forces paid tribute to the two pilots killed in a firefighting plane crash this week.



Apples and water for the animals, left by locals, lie in the burnt forest near Gennadi village on Rhodes (Petros Giannakouris/AP)

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Captain Christos Moulas and Lieutenant Pericles Stephanidis died during a low-altitude water drop on the island of Evia.

Defence minister Nikos Dendias said the operators showed self-denial in the line of duty.

Greece today is in mourning. Their memories will live on, he said.

Funeral services for the two airmen will be held in northern Greece later on Thursday and on the island of Crete on Friday.
Kyiv has launched a major attack on Russian forces as part of its weeks-long counteroffensive, committing thousands of troops to a battle in Ukraines southeast, according to western and Ukrainian officials and analysts.

The surge in soldiers and firepower has been centred on the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, a western official said.

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Fighting has intensified in recent weeks at multiple points along the 930-mile frontline as Ukraine deploys western-supplied advanced weapons and western-trained troops against the deeply entrenched Russian forces, who invaded 17 months ago.



Emergency services work after a Russian attack in Mykolaiv, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday said fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region has intensified significantly.

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Mr Putin, who is in St Petersburg for a summit of African leaders, praised the heroism with which Russian soldiers have repelled Ukrainian attacks and claimed Moscows troops not only destroyed multiple pieces of military equipment but also inflicted heavy losses on Kyivs forces.

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His claims could not be independently verified.

Ukraines counteroffensive is a massive military operation, which was likely prepared for months.



Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg (Alexey Danichev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP)

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Military planners need to orchestrate supplies of ammunition, food, medical supplies and spare parts to the frontline.

Ukrainian officials have been mostly silent about battlefield developments since they began early counteroffensive operations, though deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said troops are advancing toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhizhia region.

Though that movement could be a tactical feint and both governments have used disinformation to gain battlefield advantages, such a manoeuvre would be in line with what some analysts predicted.

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Olena smiles at her husband Maksym, an injured Ukrainian serviceman, at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

They envisioned a counteroffensive that would try to punch through the land corridor between Russia and the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula, moving towards Melitopol, which is close to the coast of the Azov Sea.

That could split Russian forces into two halves and cut off supply lines to the units located further west.

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The intense fighting is taking place in areas in the south and east of Ukraine, far from the capital Kyiv, and it was not possible to verify either sides claims.

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The Institute of Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanised counteroffensive operation in western Zaporizhzhia region on Wednesday, adding that they appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions.





Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 27 July 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/i3r9qIXiiE



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/yRWgpdNeE3  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) July 27, 2023

It cited Russian sources, including the Russian defence ministry and several prominent Russian military bloggers.

Moscow-appointed head of the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, said Ukrainian forces on Thursday morning tried unsuccessfully to break through Russian defences in the area.

Kyivs forces suffered significant losses and pulled back to (their) positions, Mr Balistky said.

However, in what appeared to be a precautionary move, Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) on Thursday banned civilian access to the Arabat Spit, a narrow strip of land linking the annexed peninsula Crimea to the partially occupied Kherson region.

The Kherson region is a key gateway to Crimea.

The open-ended ban is needed to contain security threats, the FSB said in a statement quoted by Russias state news agency RIA Novosti.

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US officials, who have provided Kyiv with weapons and intelligence, declined to comment on the latest developments, though they have previously urged patience as Ukraine seeks to grind down the deep Russian defences featuring minefields, trenches and anti-tank obstacles.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to Papua New Guinea that Kyivs effort to retake land seized by Russia since its February 2022 full-scale invasion will be tough and long, with successes and setbacks.

And US secretary of state Antony Blinken said an intense battle is taking place but declined to provide details.

We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine, Mr Blinken said during a visit to New Zealand.

In its daily intelligence update posted to Twitter, the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: As Ukrainian forces continue major offensive operations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, one of the single most influential Russian weapon systems in the sector is the Ka-52 Hokum attack helicopter.





In the Dnipropetrovsk region, I met with those who save the lives of Ukrainian defenders - our medics.



On your frontline you are the same heroes as the military. Thank you for saving our boys and girls. Thank you for giving all your time and energy to restore the health of our pic.twitter.com/NLcuDAwDuf Advertisement    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 27, 2023

Russia has highly likely lost around 40 Ka-52s since the invasion, but the type has also imposed a heavy cost on Ukraine.

The MoD said Russia has in recent months likely augmented the force in the south with at least a small number of brand new Ka-52 variants: a heavily modified aircraft, informed by lessons from Russias experience in Syria.

Another key improvement to the Ka-52 fleet, the MoD said, is the integration of a new anti-tank missile, the Lmur, which has a range of approximately 9.3 miles.

Ka-52 crews have been quick to exploit opportunities to launch these weapons beyond the range of Ukrainian air defences, it added.
Workers for companies owned by Michael Jackson had no legal obligation to protect children from the pop star, a US attorney has told an appeals court.

Jackson estate lawyer Jonathan Steinsapir pushed back against a tentative decision by Californias 2nd District Court of Appeal, which said it was inclined to revive previously dismissed lawsuits from two men who allege Jackson sexually abused them for years when they were boys.

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The courts reasoning, Mr Steinsapir argued, would require low-level employees to confront their supervisor and call them paedophiles.

Holly Boyer, an attorney for plaintiffs Wade Robson and James Safechuck, said workers ought to have that responsibility.

We do require that employees of the entity take those steps, because what we are talking about is the sexual abuse of children, Ms Boyer told the three-judge panel in the video-conference hearing.

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Michael Jacksons brothers Randy, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie carry his coffin out of the Staples Centre in Los Angeles following a memorial service in 2009 (Mario Anzuoni/PA)

What we are talking about here is seven and 10-year-old children who are entirely ill-equipped to protect themselves from their mentor, Michael Jackson.

Ms Boyer added that the boys were left alone in this lions den by the defendants employees. An affirmative duty to protect and to warn is correct.

Jackson died in 2009.

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Robson filed his case in 2013 and Safechuck sued the following year. The two men became more widely known for telling their stories in the 2019 HBO documentary, Leaving Neverland.

A judge who dismissed the lawsuits in 2021 found that that MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, two corporations for which Jackson was the sole owner and lone shareholder, could not be expected to function like the Boy Scouts or a church where a child in their care could expect their protection.

Mr Steinsapir said evidence that has been gathered in the cases, which have not reached trial, showed that the parents had no expectation of Jacksons employees acting as monitors.

He said a deposition from Mr Robsons mother showed she did not even know the corporations existed when she first brought her seven-year-old son into the pop stars presence.

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They were not looking to Michael Jacksons companies for protection from Michael Jackson, Mr Steinsapir said.

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Mr Steinsapir said the assertion in the lawsuit and the courts tentative decision that the corporations had engaged in negligent hiring was absurd when the person doing the hiring was the alleged offender.

Any person that might be prone to criminal tendency has a duty not to hire himself? Mr Steinsapir said.

The hearing dealt only with the legal obligations of companies, not the truth of the mens allegations, but Mr Steinsapir frequently called them both unproven and untrue.

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Mr Robson, now a 40-year-old choreographer, met Jackson when he was five years old. He went on to appear in three Jackson music videos.

His lawsuit alleged that Jackson molested him over a seven-year period.

Mr Safechuck, now 45, said that he was nine when he met Jackson while filming a Pepsi commercial. He said Jackson called him often and lavished him with gifts before moving on to a series of incidents of sexual abuse.
In this image provide by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a fish swims near coral showing signs of bleaching at Cheeca Rocks off the coast of Islamorada, Florida, July 23. AP-Yonhap



The surface ocean temperature in and around the Florida Keys soared to typical hot tub levels this week, amid recent warnings from global weather monitors about the dangerous impact of warming waters on ecosystems and extreme weather events.



A water temperature buoy located inside the Everglades National Park in the waters of Manatee Bay hit a high of 101.19 degrees Fahrenheit (38.44 Celsius) late Monday afternoon, U.S. government data showed, while other buoys nearby topped 100F (38C) and the upper 90s (32C).



Normal water temperatures for the area this time of year should be between 73F and 88F (23C and 31C), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which published the findings from the National Data Buoy Center.



The readings add to previous warnings over Florida's warming waters in the southeastern United States as prolonged heat continued to bake other parts of the country.



The growing frequency and intensity of severe weather  both on land and in oceans  is symptomatic of global, human-driven climate change that is fueling extremes, experts in the field say, with current heatwaves expected to persist through August.



Earlier this month, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said global sea temperatures have reached monthly record highs since May, also driven in part by an El Nino event.



The WMO and NOAA say temperatures like those in South Florida can be deadly for marine life and threaten ocean ecosystems.



That can also impact human food supplies and livelihoods for those who work is tied to the water.



As he worked his knife to filet fish hauled into Key Largo on Tuesday, fishing boat captain Dustin Hansel said the catch has been getting "slower and slower" for the past five summers. He's also been seeing more dead fish in waters around Key Largo.



"As far as all of our bay waters, any near-shore waters, everything is super, super hot," Hansel told Reuters.



NOAA warned earlier this month that the warmer water around Florida could supercharge tropical storms and hurricanes, which build more energy over warmer waters. Rising temperatures are also severely stressing coral reefs, the agency said. (Reuters)


People in Niger have woken up to a divided country after mutinous soldiers claimed to have ousted the president.

But the government said it will never accept their rule and has called for the population to reject it.

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Foreign affairs minister Hassoumi Massoudou told news network France 24 on Thursday: There was an attempted coup but of course we cannot accept it.



Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum (Boureima Hama/Pool Photo/AP)

We call on all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action that tends to set us back decades and block the progress of our country.

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Mr Massoudou also called for the presidents unconditional release and said talks are ongoing.

President Mohamed Bazoum was elected in 2021 in the West African nations first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.

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He thwarted a coup attempt days before he was sworn in.

Threats to his leadership undermine the Wests efforts to stabilise Africas Sahel region, which has been overrun with coups in recent years.

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Mali and Burkina Faso have had four coups since 2020 and both are being overrun by extremists linked to al-Qaida and the terrorist group calling itself Islamic State.





This afternoon @antonioguterres spoke to @mohamedbazoum. He expressed his full support and solidarity to the Nigerien President. https://t.co/mSLUs48W4Q  UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) July 26, 2023 Advertisement

US secretary of state Antony Blinken visited Niger in March, seeking to strengthen ties with a country where extremists have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighbouring nations.

On Wednesday morning, members of the presidential guard surrounded the house of Mr Bazoum with him and his wife inside and detained him.

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The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of the deteriorating security and bad economic and social governance of the nations 25 million people.

They said all institutions have been suspended and security forces are managing the situation and urged external partners not to interfere.

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The coup was allegedly sparked by the head of the presidential guard, General Tchiani, who the president planned to relieve from his position, Niger analysts say.





The president has not and will not resign and is safe in his home, a source close to him said.

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Mr Bazoum tweeted early on Thursday morning.

It is unclear how much support the coup leaders have from the rest of the security forces, but support for Mr Bazoum among the population and political parties appears strong.

In a statement on Wednesday, a group of Nigerien political groups said the situation was suicidal and anti-republican madness.

Our country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted, it said.

Benin president Patrice Talon, head of the Economic Community of West African State, is expected to lead talks as part of mediation efforts.



Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, front centre, makes a statement late on Wednesday in Niamey as a delegation of military officers appeared on state TV to read out a series of communiques announcing their coup detat (ORTN/AP)

In an interview in December, Mr Bazoum said that while there is always the possibility of a coup when armies fail to secure a nation against extremists, Niger had the situation under control.

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We are doing well in managing our own situation, he said.

For many western countries, Niger was seen as the last hope for partnership in the region with anti-French sentiment that led to a pivot from French forces in Mali to the Russian mercenary group Wagner, founded by millionaire businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Wagner is believed to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

There is concern that a potential new regime in Niger would take a page from those countries playbooks and worsen instability.

The international community strongly condemned the coup on Thursday.

French foreign minister Catherine Colonna tweeted that France is concerned about the events in Niger and following the situation closely.

France firmly condemns any attempt to take power by force, the minister tweeted.

The European Unions foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, tweeted that Niger is an essential partner for the EU in the Sahel and the regions destabilisation would serve no ones interests.

He reaffirmed the EUs full support of Mr Bazoum.
Nigers president has declared that democracy will prevail, a day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup over the West African countrys deteriorating security situation.

While many people in the capital of Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country and which side the majority might support.

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A statement tweeted by the army commands account declared that it would back the coup in order to avoid a murderous confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath. It was not possible to confirm that the statement was genuine.





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Meanwhile, President Mohamed Bazoum  who was elected in 2021 in Nigers first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France  appeared to have the backing of several political parties.

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The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Mr Bazoum tweeted early on Thursday morning.

Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou issued a similar call on news network France 24, asking all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action.

He demanded the presidents unconditional release and said talks were ongoing. The Economic Community of West African States regional grouping sent Benin president Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts.

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Mr Bazoum is a key ally in the Wests efforts to battle jihadists linked to al Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africas Sahel region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighbouring nations.





This afternoon @antonioguterres spoke to @mohamedbazoum. He expressed his full support and solidarity to the Nigerien President. https://t.co/mSLUs48W4Q  UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) July 26, 2023 Advertisement

The fight against extremism in the region has become a major arena in which the West and Russia have vied for influence.

Mr Bazoum was seen by many as the Wests last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and instead sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

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Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and US secretary of state Antony Blinken visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties. American, French and Italian troops train the countrys soldiers while France also conducts joint operations.

But the threat to Mr Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger could also turn away from the West.

On Thursday, several hundred people gathered in the capital and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags. Later, they began throwing rocks at a passing politicians car.

If Mohamed Bazoum resigns from the presidency, Niger will probably move to the top of the list of countries where the Wagner Group will seek to expand, said Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at Dragonfly, a security and political risk consultancy.

Wagner already had its sights set on Niger, in part because it is a large producer of uranium sought after by Russia. But Mr Bazoum posed an impediment because of his pro-French and pro-Western stance, said Mr Baumgartner.

Wagners head Yevgeny Prigozhin weighed in on Thursday, describing the developments as part of Nigers fight against the colonisers.



Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, front centre, makes a statement late on Wednesday in Niamey as a delegation of military officers appeared on state TV to read out a series of communiques announcing their coup detat (ORTN/AP)

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It effectively means winning independence. The rest will depend on the people of Niger, on how efficient they could govern, Mr Prigozhin, who led a brief mutiny against the Kremlin last month, said in a statement.

Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Mr Blinken said on Thursday that he had spoken with the president, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Mr Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the US condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

On Wednesday morning, members of the presidential guard surrounded Mr Bazoums house and detained him.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people.

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions, and closed all the borders.

The coup was reportedly sparked because Mr Bazoum was allegedly planning to fire the head of the presidential guard, General Omar Tchiani, Niger analysts say.

Military experts say some of the people who appeared on state television were high-ranking officers, including General Moussa Salaou Barmou, the head of Nigers special forces who has a strong relationship with the United States.
Britain's Prince Harry's claim over allegations of unlawful information gathering against the publisher of The Sun will go ahead to a trial, following a UK High Court ruling.

Harry, 38, alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World, and has launched a claim for damages.

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At a hearing in April, NGN asked Mr Justice Fancourt to throw out Harry's case, arguing it was brought too late because he should have known sooner he had a potential claim.

In a ruling on Thursday, the judge concluded that Harry cannot bring his claim relating to phone hacking, but that his claim over other allegations  including use of private investigators  should go ahead to a trial which is due to take place in January next year.

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The judge also refused to allow the duke to rely on an alleged secret agreement between the royal family and senior executives working for media mogul Rupert Murdoch as part of his claim.

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Britain's Prince Harry arriving at the Rolls Buildings in central London to give evidence in a phone-hacking trial against Mirror Group Newspapers in June (PA)

In his written ruling, the judge concluded: I am satisfied that there is no reasonable prospect of the duke proving at trial that he did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have discovered facts that would show that he had a worthwhile claim for voicemail interception in relation to each of the News Of The World and The Sun.

He already knew that in relation to the News Of The World, and he could easily have found out by making basic inquiries that he was likely to have a similar claim in relation to articles published by The Sun.

Harrys lawyers previously argued that NGNs challenge to his claim is an attempt to go behind the alleged secret agreement, between the British royal family as an institution and the publisher, which Harry was told of in 2012.

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But NGN, which denies any unlawful activity took place at The Sun, disputed that such an agreement was in place.

Mr Justice Fancourt said in his ruling that the duke had not provided any evidence from those in the palace who would have been aware of a secret agreement if there was one.

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At a hearing in London earlier this month, lawyers for Harry said there was evidence to support the existence of the agreement, including emails between senior executives at the Rupert Murdoch-owned parent companies of NGN and palace staff in 2017 and 2018.

David Sherborne, for Harry, also said in written arguments the fact Prince William settled a claim against NGN for a very large sum of money in 2020 also supports the contention that there was a secret agreement in place.

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But Anthony Hudson KC, for NGN, told the court the bid to alter the dukes claim is a radical intended revision of his case and he is trying to ride two horses galloping in completely different directions and hedge his bets.

Mr Hudson said the alleged agreement was such a secret agreement that no-one apart from the claimant knows anything about it, and even the claimant knows very little about it.

Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in May that a claim by actor Hugh Grant over alleged unlawful information gathering  other than allegations of phone hacking  can go ahead to be tried next January (PA)

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The barrister also said there was an extraordinary delay between Harry launching his claim against NGN in 2019 and first raising the issue of the secret agreement following the publishers strike-out bid.

Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in May that a claim by actor Hugh Grant over alleged unlawful information gathering  other than allegations of phone hacking  can go ahead to be tried next January.

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Grant, 62, is suing NGN in relation to The Sun only, having previously settled a claim with the publisher in 2012 relating to the News Of The World.

NGN has previously settled a number of claims since the phone-hacking scandal broke in relation to the News of the World, which closed in 2011, but has consistently denied unlawful information gathering took place at The Sun.

Harry has been involved in six legal battles at the High Court in recent months.

His civil litigation has seen him bring claims against three major newspaper publishers over allegations of unlawful information gathering, as well as legal challenges against the Home Office in relation to his personal security.
Lawyers for former US president Donald Trump arrived at the office of special counsel Jack Smith on Thursday, ABC News reported, on the day a grand jury meets in the investigation of efforts to overturn Mr Trump's 2020 presidential election defeat.

Mr Trump said on July 18th he had received a letter from Mr Smith stating that he is a target of that investigation, which includes events leading up to the January 6th, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

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It is not uncommon for defence attorneys to meet with federal prosecutors prior to them seeking an indictment, in the hopes of convincing them not to bring charges against their client.

Mr Trump's attorneys previously met with officials at the Justice Department, including Mr Smith, before a grand jury in Miami indicted him for mishandling classified records and obstructing justice.

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The attempt to spill the board of Bubs Australia by a dissident shareholder group led by founder Kristy Carr has been unsuccessful, putting an end to a months-long bitter dispute about the leadership of the infant formula company.

At an extraordinary general meeting on Thursday, more than 62 per cent of investors who voted (about 50 per cent of all investors) chose not to remove chairperson Katrina Rathie, Alibaba-backed C2 Capital managing partner Steve Lin, Reg Weine and Paul Jensen from the board of directors.

Katrina Rathie has hung onto her postion as chairperson of Bubs Australia after an unsuccessful board spill.

Shareholders at the meeting, held in a packed-out room in Sydneys Radisson Blu hotel, include ex-CEO Carr, former chairman Dennis Lin, Chemist Warehouse chair Jack Gance, agribusiness industry heavyweight Kidder Williams, and dozens of retail investors.

After the meeting concluded, Rathie said it was very pleasing that the vote was substantially in their favour.
The controversial American hit film Sound of Freedom, about a Homeland Security agent who quits his job to take on child traffickers, is headed for Australian cinemas.

The unheralded thriller has stormed to stunning box office success in the US - taking more than $US130 million ($191 million) in three weeks - after being released by self-described faith-based distributor Angel Studios.

Jim Caviezel in Sound of Freedom. Credit: Angel Studios

While it tells a non-partisan story, the film has been championed by both mainstream conservatives and far-right figures including Steve Bannon and My Pillow proprietor Mike Lindell as well as followers of the QAnon movement.

The film has been a gift to exhibition and has dynamited the red flyover states and faith-based audience ... who have been intrigued by the anti-child trafficking topic, industry website Deadline Hollywood reported.
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Review Eating outCarlton We join the queue for Sooshi Mangos baffling Italian restaurant, Johnny, Vince & Sams Besha Rodell July 28, 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

As featured in the Melbourne hit list August 2023 See all stories .

1 / 10 Dining tables are covered with lace, then plastic, and the waiters display Italian sass. Bonnie Savage 2 / 10 Spaghetti and meatballs. Bonnie Savage 3 / 10 Eggplant parmigiana. Bonnie Savage 4 / 10 Go-to dish: Salami pizza. Bonnie Savage 5 / 10 The materials and design details affectionately conjure the immigrant Italian/Greek suburban home with accuracy. Bonnie Savage 6 / 10 Veal schnitzel. Bonnie Savage 7 / 10 Fennel and orange salad. Bonnie Savage 8 / 10 The dining rooms vibe is Nonnas living room circa 1983. Bonnie Savage 9 / 10 Pavlova. Bonnie Savage 10 / 10 A rococo vase is one of many nostalgic design details. Bonnie Savage Previous Slide Next Slide 12.5 / 20 How we score Italian$$$ The first frigid night I showed up at Johnny, Vince & Sams, the woman manning the door was in a circular conversation with a family at the front of a long queue. I can put you on the waiting list if youd like, she was saying to the mother of two shivering pre-teens. I cant put you ahead of other people who are waiting. We thought this was the wait, the mother replied, indicating the line. Weve been here for over an hour.

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Back and forth they went. When I was able to get a word in, I inquired, So this line isnt to get into the restaurant? Its to talk to you to get onto a list to get into the restaurant? Yes. So how long is the wait after the line? About an hour and a half. Theres a lot about the new Lygon Street restaurant from three-man comedy group Sooshi Mango thats baffling, including the system for securing a table.

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Why cant the staff simply walk down the line and take everyones name? Restaurant computer systems are built for calculating wait times, for avoiding the very scenario that seems built into this places model: people standing outside in the cold for more than an hour before they are sent away for another 90 minutes. Sooshi Mango comedy trio enlists hospo heavyweights for new nonna-style Italian restaurant in Lygon Street According to brothers Joe and Carlo Salanitri and their friend Andrew Manfre, who make up Sooshi Mango, the restaurant is an attempt to revive the glory of Lygon Street and lean into the nostalgia of the Italian-Australian experience. Its hard for me to accurately convey how perfectly theyve captured that in the design of the space. In their attention to outrageous detail, the owners have conjured the immigrant Italian/Greek suburban home with such accuracy, the space itself is an act of love  and comedy. The carpet is floral; the tables are covered with lace, then plastic, and topped with heavy, cut-glass goblets; the wallpaper is a striped brocade. There are rococo statues and vases, landscape and portrait artwork from the 1970s, a wooden display cabinet filled with random tchotchkes, and a back hallway lined with poorly executed family photos in wonky frames. Even the bathroom taps are that brown, moulded plastic found in so many Melbourne homes in the 1970s and 80s. The exactitude, and the affectionate humour behind it, are remarkable.

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Italian-Australian suburban nostalgia at Johnny, Vince and Sams. Bonnie Savage This isnt the trios first foray into the culinary world  they also have a wine label under the name Johnny Vince & Sams (and yes, you can order it in the restaurant)  but in order to bring this place to life, theyve turned to industry professionals: Johnny Di Francesco of 400 Gradi fame wrote the menu; Dani Zeini from Royal Stacks acted as service consultant; while Joel Hales, formerly of Capitano, is head chef. The food, as you might imagine, is pure nostalgia, with some more modern elements thrown in. Theres a round of burrata from Campagna ($15), for instance, served on a plate drizzled with oil, but no bread on which to spoon it. Spaghetti and meatballs. Bonnie Savage Meatballs come as an entree ($20) or over spaghetti ($29) and are tight, egg-heavy and served with a tomato sugo thats extremely acidic.

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That same sauce comes pooled around the eggplant parmigiana ($28), one of the better dishes on the menu, appropriately gooey and rich, and on the gnocchi ($32), which are soft but not pillowy  more of a moosh. Some dishes are just inexplicably sloppy, such as a salad that looks as if someone took a head of fennel, went at it with a cleaver using their non-dominant hand, and then threw in some oranges ($14). Go-to dish: Salami pizza. Bonnie Savage The pizzas ($24-$30) are good even though they veer away from the classic Italian-Australian version. Instead, they are long and bready, more of a flatbread. It would be wrong to say that the service is great, because its highly disorganised. The servers themselves are good, though  particularly their brand of Italian sass, which is so convincing it couldnt possibly be an act.

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The owners have conjured the immigrant Italian/Greek suburban home in an act of love  and comedy. The restaurant isnt taking bookings, although it will at some point. Im curious about this. The cynic in me is tempted to believe that a group whose career is dictated by social-media algorithms understands that long lines play extremely well on TikTok and Instagram. Indeed, theres much about the place thats engineered for content: on the night of the freezing, three-hour wait, the woman in charge of the wait list did produce a trayful of shots and a waitress followed behind, filming as people in the line downed them. What fun! Did it matter that the shots were non-alcoholic, basically thimblefuls of juice? Not to the gram. The low-down Vibe: Nonnas living room circa 1983 Go-to dish: Salami pizza ($27) Drinks: Very sweet cocktails, even the ones without dessert in them; Italian and Australian wines Cost: About $110 for two, excluding drinks This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine
Klingender in 2010 with a work titled Bima, by artist Declan Apuatimi. He established the Aboriginal art department at Sothebys in 1996 after starting at the auction house in the early 1990s, where he initially ran its contemporary art department. As head of Sothebys Aboriginal art, Klingender created international interest, by touring selected works from upcoming Australian auctions in Paris, London and New York. Artists including Rover Thomas and Emily Kame Kngwarreye became revered throughout the world. In 2009, he set up his own operation, Tim Klingender Fine Art. He had an extensive list of international clients, and his authority and judgment earned trust and respect among artists, curators, collectors and colleagues alike. He was dedicated to supporting First Nations people, and instrumental in raising money for the Western Desert Dialysis Appeal. That funded Purple House, an Alice Springs-based health organisation.

He was also senior consultant to Bonhams auction house between 2011 and 2013, during which time he primed the high-profile sale of the Laverty Collection of Contemporary Australian Art by touring it in New York and London beforehand. His many auctions enjoyed commercial and critical success. He created a fine and decent international secondary market not only because he was fine and decent, but because he had an exquisite eye. He has set a high standard, part of his legacy. Klingender, John Mawurndjul, Elle McPherson and Tim Jefferies at the opening of the 2006 exhibition that raised money for the Western Desert Appeal. Credit: Sothebys He continued consulting for Sothebys and ran a number of international sales with them. His shows in Australia and in New York, Paris and London were almost, without exception, of museum standard. He detected heft. Recognised it, innately. In people and in art. And people recognised it in him. Anyone involved with Indigenous art would immediately consider him the go-to for his profound knowledge of such an ancient art form. When the National Gallery in Canberra and the National Gallery of Victoria needed to regularly value their Aboriginal art collections, they knew who to call.

John Albrecht, chairman of Australian auction house Leonard Joel, was quoted after the accident as saying Klingender literally conceived and designed the ethical secondary market for Indigenous art in Australia. The founder of Sothebys in Australia, Robert Bleakley, was similarly declarative, telling a journal: I dont think theres anyone who can step into the breach there. Klingender in 2007 with the Clifford Possum painting Warlugulong. In a letter to Klingenders wife Skye McCardle, Henry Howard-Sneyd, Sothebys chairman of Asian Art, Europe and Americas, wrote: Tim became a big part of my reason for being so taken by the Australian market presence of our company  I know my life was enriched by knowing and working with him. Only weeks earlier, Klingender had been in New York to command Sothebys fourth auction of Aboriginal art.

On leaving New York he posted on his Instagram feed: Such great art, energy, old friends and new friends every time  and now 26 years of having the responsibility and privilege to show some of the best Australian Indigenous art in a city like no other. Cant wait to get home and head to sea. In the past few days, Klingenders friend, art curator Hetti Perkins, admired that he was a comet blazing through life. Klingender with John Wilkerson, a leading American collector of Aboriginal art, in New York in May. She encapsulated what many felt. His voracious embrace of existence was infectious, his capacity for mirth prodigious, his generosity unstinting. Klingenders enchantment with art was fuelled by his studies at University of Melbourne, where he graduated in the mid-1980s.

As long ago as 2000, he assisted Perkins source paintings for the seminal exhibition Papunya Tula: Genesis and Genius at the Art Gallery of NSW. He was working with Perkins on a forthcoming retrospective of Kngwarreyes work for the National Gallery of Australia. Loading The nature of the savage loss this month clashes with the spirit of this caring, gentle, inspiring man. Of Tim Klingender it can be truly stated that here was a person who made the world better and fairer. It was a world he loved to explore, travelling extensively with his beloved family, even spending many months some years ago exploring Asia. Another exciting world tour was in the planning to celebrate his 60th birthday. Klingenders verve and kindness, his ethics and principles and his ceaseless curiosity were qualities also to be found in his parents, Joanna and Tony.

Klingender was an exceptional father, husband, brother, son and friend. The bond he had with his siblings has been noted by many for its colossal strength. With many friends, he had bonds spanning decades. And he just kept making them everywhere he went, carefully promoting Aboriginal art. He was, in his work, words, and ways a cultural leader. So much knowledge has been lost. It is irreplaceable. Klingender was the most iconic influence on this sector of the international art market. Here was a unique, compelling melange of curiosity, intellect, substance and zest. What a grand memoir he might have written. And what a grand story he wrote with his days. Tim Klingender is survived by wife Skye McCardle and their daughters Bay and Gala, and his siblings Jessica and Jonathan and their families.
Balancing scrutiny with sensitivity on issues affecting marginalised groups is often a toxic and divisive affair, but one federal Greens MP, who also didnt want to be named, insisted the problem was a Victorian one and not spread through the wider party. Loading CBD has been told Leppert was the author of the report. We tried to contact him for comment but received no response. The same goes for party leader Samantha Ratnam. Seems like the party is getting its line straight before making any more declarations. IS THIS YOUR NEW TAXMAN? When hes not remaking capitalism, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has kept himself busy finding people to run important institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Australia (Michele Bullock) and the Productivity Commission (Chris Barrett).

And thats not the end of the recruiting. It has been noted elsewhere that three of the Future Funds seven board seats  including that of chairman Peter Costello, also chairman of CBDs owner  fall vacant over the next 12 months (while one is already empty). Tax commissioner Chris Jordan. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen But less attention has been paid to Australian Taxation Office boss Chris Jordan, whose second term is up next April. Jordan, who was forced to defend the ATOs heavy-handed treatment of some South Australian businessmen in 2019, has reportedly signalled he will not seek a third term, but nobody is ruling it out. Another five years of Jordan might be a good thing for Chalmers, optically speaking. The internal candidate considered most likely to get the top job is second commissioner Jeremy Hirschhorn, who made his name climbing the ranks to lead partner at err ... KPMG. Sure, its not PwC, but the prospect of appointing a former big-four heavy to replace Jordan, who took the ATO mantle after chairing KPMG himself, might be considered a little risky in Canberra, where consultants are currently a little lacking in the popularity department.

ROBO-DEBT BARBIE? Bureaucrats, theyre just like us! Who among us hasnt relieved some job-related stress by indulging in the movie of the moment? Former secretary of the Department of Human Services Kathryn Campbell eschewed the fancy seats on her Barbie outing. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen This column was reliably informed that Kathryn Campbell donned pink to attend a Canberra cinema on Sunday to watch Barbie, just one day before news broke that shed resigned from her lucrative AUKUS advisory role. We thought shed be more of an Oppenheimer fan. The former Department of Human Services secretary was formally suspended without pay last Thursday after damning findings out of the robo-debt royal commission showed she had failed to act when 434,000 welfare recipients were falsely accused of owing money to the government.

It was confirmed on Monday that she had resigned from her position. But unlike many of the nations movers and shakers who have snapped up swanky tickets over the past week, Campbell didnt treat herself to a Gold-Class seat and was instead spotted among the plebs in regular seats. Given the occasion was timed with the end of her $900,000 salary, can you blame her? FREQUENT FLYER FRYDENBERG Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg was spotted on the 9am Virgin flight from Melbourne to Sydney on Thursday morning, sitting in the business section and chatting enthusiastically to the passenger seated next to him. Josh Frydenberg is clocking up the air miles. Credit: Eamon Gallagher He was in Sydney just for the day, fulfilling duties in his four-day-a-week role as Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific adviser. Were told he travels interstate most weeks. Frydenbergs Goldman role takes him on frequent international jaunts too. He must be clocking up those frequent flyer points!

SPILT MILK SPOILED A board spill by the former leaders of Bubs Australia failed on Thursday after founder Kristy Carr and her loyal lieutenant Dennis Lin failed to gain the numbers to get their revenge on chair Katrina Rathie at the annual general meeting. Rathie attempted to pay lip service to Carr on Thursday and was met with incredulous laughter from the former chief executive, who then muttered comments to those around her. Bubs chair Katrina Rathie (left) and founder Kristy Carr. Credit: Nine Rathie unceremoniously booted the pair from the ASX-listed infant formula business in May, citing financial underperformance. The axing is now the subject of an unfair-dismissal case, with the company counter-suing over allegations the former executives misused company funds.

Chemist Warehouse chair Jack Gance, who happens to be the companys second-biggest shareholder, demanded a breakdown of how many millions Rathie spent on her campaign to discredit Carr and Lin. Rathie declined to put a figure on it. Just when everyone thought the fireworks were over, an unidentified retail shareholder yelled at Rathie: I do not wish you well; I hope you lose the lot, referring to the multiple lawsuits the company is now embroiled in. Meeting adjourned! VENUE VICTORY Lygon Street will be filled with stories of US war crimes and whistleblowing on Saturday, with the unofficial book launch of former Reuters journalist Dean Yates Line in the Sand, alongside speeches from Julian Assanges father, John Shipton, and military whistleblower David McBride. But the event almost never happened. Yates publisher, Pan Macmillan, didnt put forward any money, so Yates was left to organise the shindig himself.

He teamed up with Julian Assange campaigner Raine Cilicia, who searched far and wide for a venue. They were about to give up when Cilicia met CFMEU newsletter writer Lita Gillies. An avid Assange supporter, Gillies called in a favour from the CFMEU, which covered the $500 venue hire at Trades Hall. The launch of Line in the Sand has gained a little help from the CFMEU. Credit: John Shakespeare Sami Shah (comedian and partner to Kylie Moore-Gilbert, the academic who spent time in an Iranian jail on trumped-up spy charges) will now MC. Former ABC veteran Karen Percy and Hugh Riminton were interested but unavailable. Almost every politician in the country has been invited. Greens MP David Shoebridge will be there. Labors Julian Hill is a maybe. The bulk of federal cabinet members failed to respond to invitations, with the exception of Penny Wong, whose team issued a polite otherwise engaged. Its not the first time the CFMEU has gone out of its way to promote the Assange cause. At the state Labor conference this month, union organisers signed up to the Free Assange campaign, including Adam Olsen, Kylie Brown and Lisa Zanatta.
Ive been told that there was a pistol shooting range in the spaces under the Sydney Harbour Bridge southern approaches in the 1960s and 1970s, maybe even in one of the bridge pylons, writes James McDonald of Waverley. Is this true or an urban myth?

The latest exam howler (C8) to cross our desk literally did that, via surface mail, and comes from Tom Symonds of Kensington: My most memorable recollection from my teaching days is twofold: Charles Darwin was a voyeur who travelled the world studying orgasms. Then there was the School Certificate French candidate for whom the French President at the time was Pompey II, adds Peter Heron of Forestville.

Speaking of the written word, N. Andrew McPhersons pen-friend query (C8) resulted in many readers asking if the digital version counts, or e-friends as Les Shearman of Darlington describes them. Some, however, do occasionally put pen to paper, like Alison Stewart of Waitara: I still correspond with my German pen-friend. Since 1952 we have written faithfully, in English, as her grandfather wished her to learn it. In 2003, when visiting Hamburg, she presented me with a copy of the first letter I had written her, as a nine-year-old. Her grandfather had corrected the errors Id made. When earnest, we still occasionally use snail mail. Otherwise, email. Her son stayed with us on exchange, in the Olympic year 2000.

I claim Column 8 as my Australian pen-friend, says John Walter of Atlanta, Georgia (US).

Shirley Rider of Point Clare reflects: Before becoming a librarian, I spent a few years as a secretary using Pitman shorthand  widely used then. I still remember it and often write notes and memos to myself in shorthand. Saves time. Does anyone remember or use Pitman shorthand these days?
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the operation would seek to bust the cone of silence that veils the motives behind the tit-for-tat killings.

Taskforce Magnus, under the State Crime Command, will bring together eight existing strike forces and more than 100 officers and detectives.

NSW Police announced a new taskforce on Thursday aimed at scrutinising a string of deadly public shootings and the raging drug war that links the killings.

Taskforce Magnus will scrutinise a month of violence that began with the slaying of cocaine kingpin Alen Moradian in a Bondi carpark on June 27. The most recent victims of the violence are Ahmad Al-Azzam, a 25-year-old who died on Thursday in hospital after he was shot in the head on Sunday at Greenacre, and Ferenc David Stemler, 28, shot dead outside his Canterbury home early Thursday morning.

The taskforce is an amalgamation of eight existing strike forces and 50 detectives already probing public shootings across Sydney, with an extra 20 detectives. Thirty police officers will be deployed to south-west Sydney to patrol areas plagued by violence.

The scene of Sundays shooting at Greenacre. Credit: Edwina Pickles

The taskforces detectives will attempt to solicit information from underworld sources with knowledge of the recent attacks. Deputy Commissioner Hudson said a coordinated taskforce would be better equipped to identify the links between the shootings, which share common modus operandi  including public ambushes and torched getaway cars.

The strike forces folded into Taskforce Magnus include those investigating the May 22 killing of Marvin Oraiha in Elizabeth Hills, the July 7 shooting of two men in Marrickville, and the ambush of three people in Greenacre on Sunday.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Pink marked the homes slated for demolition. When the first sod was turned at North Sydney 100 years ago on Friday to mark the beginning of construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it was a day of hope-filled ceremonies and speeches. It also foreshadowed the devastation of busy neighbourhoods from Waverton to Milsons Point. Work started the next working day. Within three months of the celebrations marking the thrust of the ceremonial spade into the ground of todays North Sydney station at the corner of Blue and Miller streets, 34 houses had been demolished. Building the bridge involved the destruction of as many as 500 homes on the north shore along the path of the new highway, railway and approach to the bridge. The turning of the first sod marking the beginning of construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge happened on the corner of Blue and Miller streets, North Sydney, on July 28 ,1923. The bridge opened in March 1932. Credit: NSW Archives North Sydney Councils historian Dr Ian Hoskins said some people renting homes or businesses would only have realised their properties would be resumed when colour coded maps were pinned on the wall of the old North Sydney Courthouse. Many home owners and others had been notified by letter earlier. But for the overwhelming majority of residents who were renting homes and businesses, the news that they would be uprooted left them far from in the pink. Homes were destroyed near The Rocks, too.

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By 1925, The Daily Telegraph detailed the Vanishing Homes of Milsons Point, describing them as Bradfields Slaughter, referring to NSWs chief engineer Dr John J.C. Bradfield. Politician Jack Lang later wrote: Bradfield wanted to be the Napoleon III of Sydney. He wanted to pull down everything in the way of his grandiose schemes. He was always thinking of the future. Dr Ian Hoskins, historian for North Sydney, says as many as 500 houses and business were demolished to make way for the bridge and the new rail connection. Credit: Edwina Pickles And Bradfield was probably the first man to plan for Sydney as a city of 2 million people, wrote Peter Spearritt in The Australian Dictionary of Biography. The changes to provide for roads and rail to run across the new bridge would cut through the heart of North Sydney, said Jane Kelso, a historian with the Museums of History NSW. The bridge altered communities in unforeseen ways. It was a great thing, and the bridge brought hope and progress. But it was also a time of enormous loss and inconvenience. The sod turning event was a pivotal moment for Sydney and the nation, NSW Roads Minister John Graham said. Where would Sydney be without Our Bridge? he said.

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Before the bridge opened, going by road from the north shore to the city could take as long as a day and involved crossing five bridges. Graham said that, when the bridge opened in 1932, about 11,000 cars a day crossed it. Daily traffic is now 160,000 vehicles a day, 480 trains, plus cyclists and pedestrians. The anniversary was a chance to remember those who died during construction and pay tribute to those workers who are ensuring the bridge will be getting Sydney across the harbour for another 100 years, he said. Colour-coded maps used to let people know which homes would be resumed, and destroyed, and when to make way for construction of infrastructure for the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Credit: Shifting Old North Sydney documentary Compared with today, Hoskins said there was very little public protest from residents whose homes were resumed, although some wrote to the papers and politicians seeking mercy. Many were too old, sick and poor to search for a new home. Unlike today, most people accepted the changes. The only person I know who dug in his heels was Thomas Jenkins, Hoskins said. After Jenkins returned from World War I, he and his wife Cecilia ran the grocery store at 129 Alfred Street, North Sydney. I sunk all my savings, pay and war gratuity believing I was establishing a home under perfectly safe conditions, Jenkins wrote in a letter to the Public Works Department.

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Jenkins lost hope when his neighbours and customers moved because their homes had been resumed. We are being practically starved to death, Jenkins wrote. He was offered a job on the Harbour Bridge only to be seriously injured by a hot rivet, Hoskins said. The demolition follows the path of todays Bradfield Highway. It started near Waverton and continued to Kirribilli and Milsons Point, including Henry Lawsons favourite pub. Modest homes and grand mansions, a church, flats and pubs were destroyed. Between 5 and 10 per cent of North Sydneys population had to find new homes, Hoskins said. The sod turning was a massive event, including a banquet. A bit like an episode of the ABC satire Utopia, it was a designed to create confidence. Bradfields private papers, transcribed by engineer and historian William Phippen, revealed that, after decades of delays caused by commissions and inquiries, a ceremony was needed to prove the bona fides of the state. A bridge was first suggested in 1815 and the possibility of a bridge had been investigated by several commissions and inquiries.

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I was told quite candidly that firms doubted the good faith of New South Wales, Bradfield wrote. The start of construction would be an outward and visible sign of the bona fides of the states. Hence the Ceremony of turning the first sod, he wrote. At the ceremony, dignitaries referred to the bridge as the North Shore Bridge, a name soon dumped. And the minister for public works received a silver model of a cantilevered bridge that would never be built. Within nine months, the cantilevered bridge proposal was dumped for the arch that was dubbed The Coathanger. Historian Caroline Mackaness wrote Bradfield was most likely disappointed with the souvenir silver model of a cantilevered bridge because the scheme had been superseded in his mind by the possibilities afforded by the arch. The State Library of NSW said loans used to finance the construction took the city 55 years to pay off.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A months-long investigation into the failures of Home Affairs, exposing deep flaws in the operation of Australias gatekeepers. See all 15 stories . An Albanian politician sanctioned by the US and UK governments is suspected of leading an Australian organised crime group allegedly implicated in visa rorting and people smuggling, according to confidential intelligence assessments. Despite then-immigration minister Peter Dutton cancelling the visa of the politician, Tom Doshi, citing the risk he would engage in criminal conduct, law-enforcement agencies recently warned he was linked to a suspected criminal clan entrenched in Australia and exploiting the nations visa system. The clan is among others from Shkoder, a region in north-west Albania, that are suspected of systematically abusing Australias immigration system to build an entire Albanian organised crime criminal structure headquartered in South Australia, according to Australian police intelligence reports. Tom Doshi speaks to local journalists in Albania. Credit: AP The documents, produced by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and circulated to domestic and foreign police agencies, draw on numerous reports from state police forces and information from foreign law-enforcement bodies. They were seen by reporters from this masthead and international investigative reporting organisation, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission files describe how, since 2000, Albanian clans have used identity fraud and familial links to migration agents to move people into Australia, setting up cells in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and elsewhere, then engaged in crimes such as weapons and drug trafficking.

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Though the documents contain no details about his specific activities, Doshi is described in the files as the head of a syndicate principally consisting of his extended family. The files note that eight of Doshis relatives have been implicated in drug and money-laundering investigations, in some cases as primary targets, but there is no suggestion that Doshi himself has been directly implicated in these criminal investigations. Pope Francis meeting Tom Doshi. Credit: Instagram His relatives are said in the reports to have gained Australian visas using spurious documentation. Doshi, who spent years in both countries, has not been charged with any crimes in Australia. This masthead is not suggesting Doshi is guilty of any crimes, only that he has been reasonably suspected of involvement in organised crime and corruption by Australian and US authorities. He was designated persona non grata by the United States in 2018 for involvement in significant corruption and forced out of his Albanian parliamentary seat in 2021 following years of high-profile scandals.

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Loading I have never in my life been involved in any way with drug smuggling, human trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, or illegal immigration in Australia, or Albania, or anywhere else, Doshi wrote in response to questions. In fact, as a member of the Albanian parliament, I have been a strong supporter of the fight against these types of activities. I have no connection to any Albanian criminal clans based in Australia, or to any Albanian criminals anywhere. My siblings and their children total 33. I have little to no contact with them other than to encounter them at funerals or family celebrations. His denials come days after the Home Truths investigative reporting series by this masthead revealed how current and former law-enforcement officers had warned that other Albania mafia figures, including the Biba brothers, were rorting Australias visa system. The Biba brothers have no relation to Doshi. Often applicants will apply for a particular visa knowing it will be rejected, one of the Australian intelligence files reads, but [they] exploit the lengthy appeal process so they can generate evidence to support a different visa application. This view is publicly supported by police.

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Victoria Police Commander Paul OHalloran said: Theyve got facilitators, professional facilitators, to assist them, whether its through visa migration issues, legal or other means. Theyre very adept. A criminal life cycle The Australian intelligence documents seen by reporters outline what they call Albanian organised criminal groups five-stage life cycle. First, they say, people are recruited in their home regions in Albania, sometimes on the false promise of finding work abroad. Second, they are brought into the country using false visa claims and fraudulent documents. Third, they manage to remain in Australia by taking advantage of lengthy visa reviews and federal government licensed migration agents. Some Albanians apply to stay in Australia by claiming that blood feuds back home would endanger them if they returned. Fourth, they carry out criminal activities. Fifth, they are arrested, convicted, and their visas are cancelled.

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Shkoder is identified in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission documents as a centre from which many of these criminal groups originate. Five out of seven South Australian ACIC investigations between 2015 and 2020 featured a primary target from the Albanian county. Doshi, a political kingmaker in Shkoder, is alleged in the intelligence documents to be the leader of an organised crime group made up of his extended relatives referred to as the Doshi family syndicate. The documents reveal that investigators believe the clan engages in money laundering and exploits Australias migration system to facilitate its criminal activities. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission documents show that law-enforcement agencies suspect that Doshi has engaged in criminal activities, but the documents do not prove, and are not capable of proving, that Doshi has in fact engaged in any criminal conduct. Members of the clan, the documents say, were placed by Australian officials on an Albanian organised crime persons of interest list. This list was then shared with law-enforcement agencies in multiple European countries. The document suggests that these agencies identified members of the Doshi clan on the list from their own investigations.

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Loading Andrews said he was concerned about cash for access, evidenced by the governments 2018 reforms to donation laws. Opposition Leader John Pesutto, accusing Andrews of overseeing a culture of secrecy, cautioned against using the IBAC report as an excuse to centralise planning power in state government, a view echoed by the Municipal Association of Victoria. Operation Sandon is the most lengthy, costly and sweeping investigation of raw corruption in Victoria since IBAC was established more than a decade ago. The Sandon investigation centred on issues first publicly raised by The Age in 2011 and more substantially in 2018 around land deals at the City of Casey and the outsized influence of flamboyant developer and planner Woodman.

IBACs investigation focused on four planning matters involving Woodman and his associates, all of which were highlighted by The Age in October 2018. IBAC acting Commissioner Stephen Farrow said councillors at the City of Casey were elected to make decisions in the public interest. Our investigation found that to the contrary, some of their planning decisions were influenced by very significant undisclosed payments and benefits from property developers who stood to gain from their decisions, he said. It was done through elaborate financial arrangements that were designed to conceal the nature and source of those [payments]. Councillors who received the funds manipulated council processes in favour of these interests. He said the investigation uncovered broader issues than just at the City of Casey. [Weve] identified a range of systemic corruption risks at the state and local government level.

The key case study in the report was a bid to rezone industrial land in Cranbourne West to residential, a move that would have netted construction giant Leighton Properties, now owned by CIMIC, Woodman and others a combined windfall worth tens of millions of dollars. After The Age revelations in October 2018, a decision on the rezoning was deferred and finally rejected by then planning minister Richard Wynne in April 2020, just months after Casey Council was sacked by the government. Sandon found that Woodman and his associates directly paid councillors Aziz and Ablett in exchange for their support, donated to state candidates and MPs intending to influence them to help, and funded a residents action group which actively backed the rezoning. Andrews was privately examined as part of the five-year inquiry, but has been cleared of any wrongdoing. He was questioned over a lunch he had with Woodman and Labor-linked lobbyist Philip Staindl at the Flower Drum in Chinatown in 2017 and separate lobbying from Staindl at a fundraising event in early 2019 over the Cranbourne West rezoning.

Andrews said he could not remember having the 2019 conversation with Staindl or the contents of it. But Andrews said some of Staindls recollections  which the lobbyist later conceded may have included some exaggerations  did not ring true. IBAC found the general tenor of the conversation was as Staindl described it, including that the premier may have invited him to convey his regret to Woodman that the application had been deferred. On Thursday, the premier said he did not regret his interactions with Woodman and that there was no reason to suspect he was acting inappropriately. Im not about regrets, I have too much to do. Im focused on the future, Andrews said.

Loading Pesutto said it was extraordinary that IBAC preferred Staindls recollection of his 2019 conversation with Andrews, and that the premier appeared to pass on his regret to Woodman. That was not becoming of Victorias premier, Pesutto said. In the 304-page report IBAC gives adverse comments against a long list of political and business figures, including sitting Labor MP for Cranbourne Pauline Richards. Deputy commissioner David Wolf said it related to Richards dealings with Woodman. Its more the nature and involvement in the donations scheme, the receipt of donations, the meetings with the donor and allocation of donations across the party.

Woodman donated $20,000 to her 2018 election campaign and a further $10,000 to other Labor candidates at her suggestion, and IBAC disputed that they should be treated distinctly. Richards in a statement defended her conduct and said the IBAC report confirmed she had not approached the then planning minister or his office to lobby him over the rezoning. IBAC said in its report it did not have any evidence to suggest Richards had done so. Andrews defended Richards as a person of absolute integrity and character. Ablett and Woodman, in a written response to IBAC, denied wrongdoing.

Ablett said he rejected any inferences of corrupt, illegal or unethical conduct and that he received any payments, gifts or benefits in exchange for favourable council outcomes. IBAC rejected Abletts submissions. Woodman denied he had corrupted Casey council and said it was a false statement without evidence that his firm relied on a core group of councillors to advance his interests. There is no evidence that the work of Mr Woodman as a consultant was to improperly influence, i.e. dishonestly or unlawfully, or unduly influence decisions by council via any or all the mechanisms alleged. IBAC rejected Woodmans assertions and said he had directly paid councillors Aziz and Ablett for their support. Aziz did not respond to the report, but has previously denied he was corrupt.

Leighton Properties said any improper conduct by former employees and consultants was taken outside the scope of their authority and contrary to the terms of their employment. Former mayor Amanda Stapledon, who took her own life in early 2022, was referred to in the report as Councillor A. IBAC found she regularly declared a conflict of interest at council in her dealings with Woodman, but in incomplete terms. She was reported as saying she had been bitterly disappointed in herself. Councillor A was listed among those people with adverse findings against them, but IBAC noted, due to her passing, she was unable to respond or refute any allegations, comments or findings. IBAC vowed to review its practices after criticism in June from a coroner who investigated Stapledons death.

Casey is one of the biggest and fastest-growing municipalities in Australia where instant fortunes are made whenever councillors and planning ministers earmark humble cow and vegetable fields as new housing estates. IBACs Farrow said planning decisions had an impact on the liveability of all Victorians, so it was vital that such decisions be protected from improper influence and corruption. Farrow said the investigation showed how ministers, members of parliament, councillors, ministerial advisers and electorate officers may be targeted by lobbyists, and how limitations in the current regulation of lobbyists present corruption vulnerabilities. So effective was Woodman in winning access and influence, that IBAC heard through 40 days of public hearings and 800 hours of recordings that he had made Casey councillors his puppets and a group of sitting and aspiring state MPs effectively part of his team.
Im sure were still being discriminated against, Griffith said. The centres lawyer, Alan Flint, argued that the Kelly descendants should be recognised as a distinct cultural group and said their legal entitlement to bring the case was akin to Aboriginal groups and veterans who are afforded protections under Victorias Charter of Human Rights. We were hunted back then, and were still hunted now. Joanne Griffiths, Kelly family descendant They view themselves as cultural custodians, Flint told Justice Melinda Richards on July 6. The structures threatened to entrench the gross disrespect to the descendants that would take place if that tower is completed, Flint argued, adding that the family had undergone distress and persecution as a result of the development.

I know that the cultural rights have been disputed, but if you look at the rights in the Human Rights Act as what constitutes a cultural group, the cultural group is part of the group that has a common racial, religious or cultural background and see themselves as part of the culture. Action was taken against the City of Wangaratta, Heritage Victoria and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Ned Kelly in chains taken by Charles Nettleton at the gaol the day before he was hanged. The town of Glenrowan is where Kelly was finally captured by police in June 1880. The other members of the Kelly Gang died during an incident later called the siege of Glenrowan. Joe Byrne was shot by police, and Dan Kelly and Steve Hart died inside Ann Jones Glenrowan Inn, where the gang had been waiting with hostages.

The police set fire to the inn while they were still inside, and it burnt to the ground. Three civilians also died, including the publicans thirteen-year-old son. Barnaby Chessell, acting for the ARTC, argued against the proposition that Kellys descendants should be considered a distinct cultural group entitled to separate human rights. We submit in addition that descendants of Ned Kelly dont constitute a cultural group to which the protections afforded under the [human rights] charter would apply, he argued. Flint also accused the council and ARTC of fraud, and said the permits issued for construction were invalid on that basis.

Justice Richards dismissed the case, rejecting Griffiths application for an injunction and finding that the human rights charter did not apply because the Ned Kelly Centre is a corporation. She said Griffiths assertions she is part of a distinct cultural group are at present no more than assertions. Ms Griffiths is certainly passionate and determined in her efforts to protect and preserve Kelly related cultural heritage, but her affidavits told me nothing about any cultural practices she shares with other descendants of the Kelly family, Richards found. An artistic rendering of the Glenrowan Heritage Project tower. Credit: Glenrowan Heritage Project Part of the proposed development includes a viewing tower, a siege site experience enhanced with virtual and augmented realities and landscaping works around Lions Park. Presently there is a plaque commemorating the site, and a few tourist attractions including the Kates Cottage museum and an animatronic display called Kellyland.

I think its great, said Doug Stoneman, owner of Kates Cottage. Stoneman said he has just updated a Kelly mural in town and that the display will draw new tourists to the area. We dont know whats going there because its not open yet, but from what Ive been told its going to be a visual touchscreen which then lights up the actual area based on what it looked like back in the day, which sounds awesome. City of Wangaratta chief executive Brendan McGrath wouldnt comment on the case but said the community is eagerly awaiting the centre. During the hearing Justice Richards encouraged Flint to confine his arguments to the claims at hand, and avoid giving her a history lesson about past crimes inflicted on the Kelly family. You have a quite significant task to persuade me that I should grant relief in any form at the moment, and you really should focus on doing that rather than giving me a history lesson.

An ARTC spokesman said the Ned Kelly Centre seemed intent on pursuing the matter further despite the rejection by the court, and it would continue to legally defend the development should the need arise. Griffiths said she was absolutely mortified by the outcome and that she intended to appeal the decision. It is our history and our heritage and I think if anyone could present it in a way that it should be done, it should be us, but we seem to have no voice. Im most sure we are still being discriminated against, she said. The Kellys, lets just say, we havent had a great time with the courts over the last hundred-and-something years; have you noticed? Heritage Victoria declined to comment.
Australias peak body for universities has defended its decision to axe a $1.5 million communications campaign to prevent sexual violence among students, saying that broad national messaging would not have had enough cut-through to change young peoples behaviour.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said all 39 institutions would instead hold a sector-wide Respect at Uni week when students return to campuses at the beginning of next year, and develop a good practice guide for respectful relationships, with the agreement of the Department of Social Services.

Universities Australia chief Catriona Jackson says a homogenous messaging campaign for all university students in the country is unlikely to cut through.

Jackson faced a barrage of questions on Tuesday as part of a senate inquiry that is probing whether sexual consent laws and education can be improved.

The latest national survey of 43,000 university students found one in six had been sexually harassed and one in 20 had been assaulted since they began their studies  figures that advocates say are underestimates, given that the survey took place during the pandemic.
The legal diligence was led by Pranjita Barman, Partner; and Kriti Bhatia, Partner; along with Shaleen Tiwari, Senior Associate; Abhisht Patibanda, Associate; Ayushi Agarwal, Associate; Shravan Belsare, Associate; Drasti Gala, Associate; and Mohini Parghi, Associate.



Intellectual property, information technology and data privacy related diligence was led by Arun Prabhu, Partner (Head - TMT); and Anirban Mohapatra, Partner; with support from Mahim Sharma, Senior Associate Designate; Soumya Tiwari, Associate; and Anushka Soni, Associate.



Real Estate related diligence was led by Sudhindra Harsha, Partner; with support from Mamtaj Ansari, Senior Consultant; and Manisha KR, Associate.



Employment related diligence was led by Ankita Ray, Partner; with support from Ankita Sharma, Principal Associate; Faiza Khan, Senior Associate; and Himaa Sudhir, Associate.



As part of the transaction, Sheela Foam acquired share capital at an equity valuation of INR 2,150 crore, subject to customary adjustments for net working capital, debt, and surplus cash, if any.



The Transaction was signed on 17th July, 2023 and the acquisition is expected to be completed by or before November 30, 2023.
The transformational impact of nuclear propulsion on the design, operation and emissions of a 14k TEU container vessel and a 157k DWT Suezmax tanker have been modeled by ABS and Herbert Engineering Corp. (HEC) in a groundbreaking study.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726740650/en/

A concept design developed as part of the study. (Photo: Business Wire)

ABS commissioned HEC to carry out the study to explore the potential of advanced modern reactor technology for commercial marine propulsion. The study is designed to help industry better understand the feasibility and safety implications of nuclear propulsion and to support future development projects.

The study, which involved input from leading nuclear reactor developers, modeled the impact of two, lead-cooled, 30MW fast reactors on the container carrier, finding it would likely increase cargo capacity and operational speed, while eliminating the need for refueling during its entire 25-year lifespan. On the Suezmax vessel, the study found the addition of four, 5MW, heat-pipe microreactors, while decreasing cargo capacity, would raise operational speeds and only require refueling once during its 25-year life. Both concept vessels would emit zero CO 2 .

Our findings from this latest cutting-edge research underscore why the industry cannot afford to ignore the vast potential offered by nuclear propulsion both in terms of emissions reduction and operational efficiency. A net-zero world is more easily realized through nuclear propulsion, and we are putting in place the foundations for that future today. Turning this into a practical reality will require significant public sector support and ABS is well placed to bring governments and industry together, said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO. Advanced or small modular reactors address many of the issues traditionally associated with nuclear for commercial maritime use, with enhanced safety and efficiency, reduced cost and waste and proliferation prevention. Nevertheless, many questions need to be answered and it is critical that industry evaluate these technologies with a laser focus on safety.

HEC is pleased to be able to support ABS and explore the practical application of nuclear power on board. This study is helping us to understand in detail both the potential of modern reactor technology and how this will affect the design and operation of future vessels, said Robert Tagg, Senior Principal Naval Architect at HEC.

ABS is playing a pioneering role in supporting the development of nuclear propulsion for commercial vessels. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded ABS a contract to research barriers to the adoption of advanced nuclear propulsion on commercial vessels. The DOE has also contracted ABS to support research into thermal-electric integration of a nuclear propulsion system on a commercial vessel being carried out by the University of Texas.

About ABS

ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.

About HEC

HEC provides marine consulting, ship design, and software development services to shipowners, operators, shipyards, and government agencies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726740650/en/
Kincentric

News Summary

The latest research by Kincentric, a Spencer Stuart company focused on improving leadership impact by unlocking the power of people and teams, identifies a number of compelling business outcomes that can be achieved when organizations deliver a consistent and cohesive employee experience (EX) across the organization.
Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, has launched the SC696S series of multi-mode smart LTE modules equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Designed to support multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, ensuring exceptional performance and reliability, Quectel's latest generation of multi-mode smart LTE Cat 4 modules empower a wide array of applications with its built-in Linux operating system. Leveraging the power of the Qualcomm QCM6125 System-on-Chip (SoC) for IoT from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., accompanied by a built-in Qualcomm Adreno 610 GPU, this series delivers unparalleled processing capabilities and enhances the efficiency of diverse IoT use cases.

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Quectel Announces SC696S LTE Cat 4 smart module series targeting applications requiring high data rates and rich multimedia functions (Photo: Business Wire)

In addition, the adoption of MIMO technology enables the concurrent use of multiple antennas at the receiver end on the same frequency which minimizes bit error rate and optimizes data speed, improving communication quality. The modules also support a multi-constellation GNSS receiver for applications that require fast and accurate positioning.

Were delighted to launch the Quectel SC696S series of multi-mode modules which offer outstanding performance for a wide range of applications that demand high quality communication, said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions. The modules are ideal for a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications that require high data rates and rich multimedia functions. Were proud to bring the high-performance processing power of the Qualcomm QCM6125 SOC plus the graphics processing capability of Adreno 610 GPU to purchasers of the SC696S series of Quectel modules.

The module has been designed to support a wide range of applications ranging from smart cash registers and point of sale (POS) devices through to tax control machines, on-board equipment, robots, smart home devices, industrial handheld equipment, wearables, vending machines and other smart hardware. To support these use cases, the module offers LCM, camera, touch panel, UART, USB, I2C, I2S and SPI interfaces and can support a maximum of six cameras, two of which can be working concurrently.

The Quectel SC696S series of multi-mode modules featuring the Qualcomm QCM6125 SoC is able to support use cases for consumers and enterprises alike, with improved communication quality and advanced processing capabilities, stated Dev Singh, Vice President, Business Development, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. As Quectel and Qualcomm Technologies have done in the past, this technology will continue to drive innovation across many different industries and a plethora of verticals.

Quectel modules, built upon the solid foundation of Qualcomm Technologies SOCs, exemplify an unwavering commitment to product security. This steadfast dedication empowers device OEMs to confidently deliver innovative solutions that effectively address the rigorous security demands of our interconnected world. By leveraging the robust security features inherent in Quectel modules and Qualcomm Technologies SOCs, device OEMs can ensure the integrity and protection of data, safeguarding against potential vulnerabilities and threats.

With a form factor of 43mm x 44mm x2.85mm, the SC696S series comes in three variants to meet different user needs. These include the SC696S-EM, the SC696S-NA and the SC696S-WF, which supports only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The modules also operate in a temperature range of -35 C to +75C, making them ideal for even challenging deployment environments.

About Quectel

Quectels passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of 5,900 professionals sets the pace for innovation in cellular, GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, antennas, services and IoT connectivity.

With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world.

For more information: www.quectel.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patented technologies are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.

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The world has shrunk to the size of a hamlet, and no age is too young to start planning for the future. A Model United Nations (MUN) conference is the perfect introduction to the international scene for youngsters.

What is MUN?

Students are entrusted with resolving a global issue through study, drafting, lobbying, and debate in order to approve an appropriate "resolution" in a MUN, which is a recreation of an actual United Nations convention.

Youngsters participate in conversations and come up with solutions for the agenda they are given by assuming the roles of delegates, presenters, and chairs, representing various nations. They collaborate with children from other backgrounds. MUNs have been held regularly at the international and national levels ever since they were first held in the U.S. in 1949, but they only began to acquire prominence in India in 1996.

Every year, schools and universities in India host close to 50 Model UN conferences, which are supported by the United Nations Information Centre in New Delhi. The agendas or subjects covered at the MUNs are a mirror of the real-world concerns the UN discusses, and they range from broad subjects like the rights of religious minorities to more focused subjects like the enhancement of accident protections around nuclear power plants. To accurately mimic the structure of the UN, the entire procedure and discussion are conducted in accordance with established "Rules of Procedure."

What advantages come from participating in a MUN?

Students gain leadership abilities, research, writing, public speaking, and problem-solving skills by preparing for and taking part in a MUN. Moreover, developing abilities in negotiation, dispute resolution, and cooperation comes from developing solutions that are acceptable to most of the delegates.

Here are 10 ways that taking part in a MUN will benefit you in the future

1. Knowledge of the World

Reading news articles or watching video news programmes to stay current on international events might get boring at times. As you represent a country at a 'global' level and interact with other delegates representing other countries, taking part in MUNs will greatly expand your understanding of the world. As a delegate, you will be expected to thoroughly investigate the nations you have been assigned, analyse and comprehend their foreign policies, and take into account the variables that might affect how they behave internationally. You will obtain detailed and practical knowledge of international affairs as you examine the issue's complexities, including its background, history, treatment in the UN, and prior resolutions adopted on it.

2. Confidence Building

Participating in a MUN entails getting to know new people, communicating with strangers, working in teams to find answers to given problems, and confidently expressing one's opinions. The entire process, from getting ready for the MUNs to the discussions, debates, and resolutions adopted at the MUN, will help to increase your confidence. You will feel much more at ease dealing with strangers and expressing yourself freely after taking part in a MUN. Gaining more self-assurance will help you communicate effectively in difficult situations in the future.

3. Analysis Capabilities

The capacity to solve difficulties through analysis is a talent that benefits you at every stage of life as well as in every career. The MUN is a great venue for developing analytical abilities because you will be given a task in a simulated setting and required to complete it after considering the concerns of the other countries, previous precedents, and viable answers to come up with a workable conclusion.

4. Ability to Solve Issues

The MUN is fundamentally built on problem-solving abilities because it puts you in the centre of a (simulated) organisation tasked with resolving international concerns. As a result, problem-solving is a skill that you will need to develop from the start of the MUN, learning how to identify the key elements of a topic, determine factors to be considered when deciding on the solution, and putting it all together to come up with a final resolution that pleases all concerned countries.

5. Diplomacy

Negotiation, or diplomacy, applies to any deliberate discussion between two groups and is thus a very useful ability to have. It is not just limited to discussions between two countries. You will gain more knowledge and experience about how to conduct discussions between two groups in a diplomatic and goal-oriented manner by engaging in diplomacy at the MUNs. In addition to mastering the art of diplomacy, students who want to work as professional diplomats can hone their skills by taking part in MUNs, which offer a realistic glimpse into the daily lives and jobs of diplomats.

6. Public Speaking

It takes practice to become an effective public speaker, and the MUNs offer the perfect setting to test and enhance your abilities. The MUNs require a lot of public speaking because you discuss and share your opinions in front of a group of people. You will have numerous opportunities to improve your public speaking skills during the entire MUN event because you will give several talks.

7. Networking

Attending a MUN is the best method to network, meet new people, and create relationships that will be useful in the future. You will interact with other delegates, senior delegates, event chairmen, co-sponsors, judges, and organisers during a MUN. You can expand your network for later use by meeting potential mentors and developing new connections.

8. Writing Skills

At MUNs, there is a significant amount of writing required, including speeches, position papers on the resolution's subject, potential changes, and finally the resolution itself. The writing you will work on in MUNs is far more regimented and demands more originality than the writing you do in school. Each essay requires research and analysis, and it will help you develop your writing abilities-a talent that will be helpful in school and in the workplace.

9. Leadership Qualities

Given all the advantages mentioned above, it is reasonable to say that MUNs will enhance your personality. Your leadership abilities will undoubtedly be strengthened as you take charge as a representative of a real-world nation thanks to the independence, challenges, and teamwork. You will be inspired to act like a leader for the nation, making decisions and coming up with answers.

10. Applications for College

MUNs are renowned for their excellence, high standards, and degree of difficulty, and taking part in one will help you stand out when applying to colleges and/or jobs. Students who have participated in MUNs have been known to receive preferential treatment from elite Ivy League universities like Yale and Harvard. Even Indian universities are starting to use profile-based admissions (like those at liberal arts colleges), where extracurricular activities are given a lot of weight. MUN participation exemplifies the attributes that admissions officers and interviewers want in candidates: discipline, confidence, analytical prowess, and problem-solving abilities.
MBA curriculums are adjusting to this trend as AI and technology play a bigger role in business. In order to give business students the abilities they need to flourish in the twenty-first century, the MBA curriculum includes courses in AI and technology. They will get a competitive edge in the employment market as a result.

The director of the Jaipuria Institute of Management in Ghaziabad, Dr. Daviender Narang, has stressed the many benefits that result from the integration of AI and technology into MBA programmes.

Ai Improves Decision-Making

Large data volumes can be processed by AI algorithms in a fraction of the time it would take a human to do so, and these algorithms can also spot patterns and connections that humans would miss. MBA students can obtain data-driven insights to guide their decisions and develop a deeper knowledge of how AI and machine learning can be utilised to streamline business operations by utilising AI-powered analytics tools.

Fueling Information And Entrepreneurship

Automation of routine work and the ability to quickly reach better conclusions thanks to AI have enhanced productivity and reduced costs for enterprises. Additionally, AI-driven solutions can assist in the discovery of new revenue streams by identifying unmet client needs and market prospects. Last but not least, an understanding of AI equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to proactively anticipate and respond to the shifting demands of their organisations, enabling them to grow more adaptable and competitive over time.

Application In The Real World Via Case Studies

Case studies are a powerful tool for bridging the gap between theory and practise. When AI and technology are included into MBA programmes, real-world case studies that demonstrate how companies have successfully adopted these technologies can be included. These case studies give students insightful information on the difficulties and possibilities posed by the use of AI. Students can also evaluate ethical issues and potential biases associated with AI algorithms and design solutions to overcome them, assuring ethical and sustainable application. MBA students learn how to leverage AI and technology to boost efficiency and effectiveness while carefully weighing the ethical consequences of their choices by examining these real-world case studies.

Seeking To Implement Digital Transformation

MBA students can learn to leverage the most recent tools and technologies to create original plans and solutions with the aid of AI and technology. They may learn about consumer behaviour, spot trends, and find fresh opportunities thanks to these tools. They will be able to develop competitive advantages, spearhead disruptive innovation, and produce customer value thanks to their knowledge and experience.

Interdisciplinary Learning And Collaboration

Students get exposure to a number of various problem-solving techniques through working on AI. They discover how to divide up challenging issues into smaller, more doable jobs. This aids in the development of the critical thinking abilities needed to find answers that might otherwise go undetected.
In order to offer collaborative certification programmes for professionals, NSE Academy Limited (NAL), a fully owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE), recently formed an arrangement with IIM Sirmaur.

Strategic Alliance

The strategic alliance seeks to provide specific certification programmes that address the changing needs of the business world. The first joint certification programme, called "Executive Programme in Quantitative Finance and Risk Mitigation," will be made available to working professionals as part of the collaboration.

There will be more certification programmes available in the area of finance and related technology. IIM Sirmaur and NSE Academy Limited's eminent faculty members and industry mentors, who collectively contribute decades of experience and industry insights to the course, will present programme lectures.

Official Statement

Dr. Prafulla Agnihotri, the director of IIM Sirmaur, gave a speech at the event and stated, "IIM Sirmaur is honoured to partner with NSE Academy Limited for joint certification programmes. Participants will be able to develop specialised knowledge and abilities through this collaboration, enabling them to be successful in their particular industries.

Speaking at the event, Shri Abhilash Misra, CEO of NSE Academy Limited, said, "It is an honour to partner with IIM Sirmaur to deliver future-ready capabilities for industry professionals through our collaborative Executive Education programmes. "Executive Programme in Quantitative Finance and Risk Mitigation" is our initial offering and we're thrilled about it. We're also hard at work on introducing many more original programmes in the near future.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan, who is in Chennai for the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Sustainability, engaged with high school students monitoring water conditions in the Bay of Bengal followed by a shore walk at Elliot's Beach in the city on Thursday, July 27.

Administrator Regan, along with students, performed an experiment to measure temperature and salinity of sea water samples, an activity conducted as part of "Ocean Matters," an ongoing citizen science project organized by the U.S. Consulate General Chennai in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to build capacity of students to measure and monitor ocean health parameters.

EPA Administrator Regan said, "Young people have always been at the forefront of social movements and the environmental movement is no exception. I was honoured to join students in Chennai today to discuss the impacts of climate change and their efforts to protect our oceans. The United States is committed to tackling the climate crisis and ensuring a just transition, working together with our international partners to deliver a healthier planet for all."

Later, Administrator Regan joined the participants for a shore walk along the beach to observe and understand how climate change affects the coast and its inhabitants. During the walk, students used sketching to journal the coastal habitat. Administrator Regan also discussed with the participants the challenges that coastal and island communities face, including ocean warming, rising sea-levels, and ocean acidification, loss of fish stocks, and harm to marine species.

Jennifer Bullock, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General Chennai, said, "Climate and oceans are intrinsically interlinked; factors affecting the oceans - pollution, rise in temperature, ocean acidification, erosion, and overfishing - also affect rainfall, create extreme weather conditions, habitat destruction, and coastal erosion. Safeguarding the oceans and coasts helps build resilience to mitigate climate risks such as overflooding, cyclonic surges, and intrusion of sea water into land. Protecting the climate-ocean cycles also helps predictable monsoon and in turn impact food security, sustainable water management, and health. The 'Ocean Matters' project helps build capacity of youth to predict ocean risks, act, and build resilience."

Steffi John, Education Officer, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, who facilitated the shore walk, said, "Immediate action is needed to prepare for climate change, protect at-risk coastal areas, and mitigate the effects of climate change on coastal communities. Today's observation and journaling of beach activity helped these students learn about climate change and coastal ecosystems and presented them an interesting way to document this pressing global issue."

Saltanat M. Kazi, Fellow, TERI and Project In-charge, Ocean Matters, said, "The partnership of TERI and U.S. Consulate General Chennai will help reach students and teachers from 200 schools in Chennai, Puducherry, Kochi, Mumbai, Mangaluru, and Marmugao and provide them with an opportunity to learn more about science and environment using experiments." She added, "The project will also help the students develop a sense of ownership and responsibility to safeguard oceanic health."

What is "Ocean Matters"?

Launched in 2022, "Ocean Matters" aims to create awareness about ocean health and climate action among youth through scientific and evidence-based methods of sampling, testing, data collection, documentation, and research. Through a train-the-trainer basis, this project provided scientific testing protocols and training developed by the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), an international science program supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Department of State. Over 200 teachers and 1,000 students along the India's West Coast have been trained so far.

A second component of "Ocean Matters" includes testing the presence of microplastics using a protocol developed by an international team of scientists. It is being implemented in schools in Chennai, Puducherry, and Kochi. To participate in "Ocean Matters," interested high schools may email - oceanmatters2022@gmail.com.
Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia is headed to U.S. theaters on September 1, and its North American distributor GKIDS has posted a new, English-subtitled trailer for the highly anticipated sequel.

The film will get a limited U.S. Oscar-qualifying run. A full list of markets where the film will be screened can be found here.

Film details:
San Diego Comic-Con 2023 took place over the past weekend, and although many big studios opted out of attending this years event, there was still some exciting animation news and plenty of trailers for fans to dig into.

Below, weve highlighted five of the biggest animation stories from this years event.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Paramount screened more than 20 minutes of new footage from Augusts most hyped animated feature release. The full presentation isnt available online, but the studio has posted the first 30 seconds, which provides the most detailed look and listen yet at Jackie Chans Master Splinter.

Bonus News: Nickelodeon revealed that it has acquired broadcast rights to the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake

Warner Bros. shared a trailer and announced an August 31 release date for Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, a more adult spinoff of the classic Cartoon Network series. The show follows Fionna the human and Cake the cat, who first appeared in the third season of the original Adventure Time.

Synopsis: Fionna and Cake  with the help of the former Ice King, Simon Petrikov  embark on a multiverse-hopping adventure and journey of self-discovery. All the while a powerful new antagonist determined to track them down and erase them from existence lurks in the shadows.

Rick and Morty: The Anime

Adult Swim shared the first extended look at its upcoming Rick and Morty anime series as well as a bit of BTS info, announced in May of last year. The 10-episode show is directed by Takashi Sano, who features in the video, and produced by Animation Film.

Synopsis: The multiverse-straddling exploits of Rick and the gang pose challenges to the family bond, but they always rise to the occasion, Sano explained. Its such a life affirming sight, and Jerry is no exception. I am honored to have been given an opportunity to tell a new story about this amazing family. I hope you enjoy their adventures!

Bonus News: We also learned that the search for a replacement voice actor for original Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland is nearing its end.

Crisis on Infinite Earths and Watchmen

DC announced two new animated movies for a pair of its most popular graphic novels, Crisis on Infinite Earths and Watchmen. According to the company, both films are already being worked on and should be released sometime in 2024. Both properties have been adapted in live action previously, but this is the first time that either is getting an animated feature.

New Seasons of Harley Quinn and Invincible

One of Maxs biggest recent animation success stories will return for a fourth season in just a few days. Warner Bros. Discovery promoted the premiere with a new two-minute trailer during its Max Original Animation panel.

Prime Video debuted the season two trailer for its very adult superhero animated series Invincible ahead of that shows November 3 return. Season one debuted in the spring of 2021 and was such a huge hit that Amazon ordered two more seasons before the first had even finished airing.
In a wide-ranging profile published in Variety, Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins revealed new details about how hes going to fix the companys moribund Paramount Animation division.

The timing is opportune: Paramount is about to release Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which will almost certainly become the most successful release ever from Paramount Animation.

Not that most successful Paramount Animation film is a prestigious competition. Since launching in 2011, the division has produced a handful of dreary projects that are remarkably consistent in their vapidness (Wonder Park, Sherlock Gnomes, Rumble, Monster Trucks), and a couple reasonably successful Spongebob features.

In any case, Robbins appears ready to soak in the glory of TMNT. Its not about Disney and Pixar anymore, he told Variety, citing recent stumbles like Disney-Pixars Elemental. Forget the fact that Robbins would kill for an animated stumble like Elemental, which is on its way to $400 million global, far more than any Paramount Animation-produced animated feature has ever grossed.

If its not about Disney and Pixar anymore, what is it about then? According to Robbins, he has discovered that people are looking for animated movies that are irreverent and have a comedic point of view. Its a lucky break that he figured this out before any other U.S. animation producer realizes that comedy and irreverence work well in animation.

Robbinss second big insight is that original animation isnt worth the investment. Were not going to release an expensive original animated movie and just pray people will come, he said. Forgoing the produce-and-pray approach, Robbins has decided it would simply be easier to eliminate all traces of originality from the studios feature pipeline. He reveals that Under the Boardwalk, a formerly theatrical release, is now being quietly shuffled over to Paramount+, while it had previously been announced that Ron Howards The Shrinking of Treehorn had been sold to Netflix.

In place of original concepts, Robbins is turning Paramount Animation into a clearinghouse for Nickelodeon IP. First up, the aforementioned Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The company announced today that it is also developing a sequel to TMNT as well as a Paramount+ spinoff series, titled Tales of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The studio is also working on more Spongebob universe features including Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (Netflix, 2024) and a series of Avatar: The Last Airbender films. A new Paw Patrol movie will also release this year.

Its worth noting here that none of Nicks IP magically appeared out of thin air, as Robbins seems to believe. All of them were original concepts at one point in their history, and they were developed by artists over a period of years. Before they became familiar IP, some animation studio needed to invest in the original idea. Best of luck to Robbins and his all-in-on-Nick strategy. Its going to look like a brilliant decision in early August after TMNT is released. But Im guessing a few years from now, hes going to come to the realization that abandoning original ideas is neither a viable nor smart long-term strategy for any feature animation division.
Ippei Kuri, artist, producer, director, co-founder, and former president of animation studio Tatsunoko Production, passed away on July 1. He was 83.

Born Toyoharu Yoshida in Kyoto, Japan on January 1, 1940, Kuri was the youngest of three successful artist brothers. At 18, he dropped out of school and moved to Tokyo where he began working as a manga artist with his older siblings Kenji and Tatsuo Yoshida.

The older brothers had already found success in the field, and it didnt take long for Kuri to make his own mark on the art form with titles such as Mach Sanshiro (a Speed Racer spiritual predecessor), Messenger of Allah, and Judo Boy. Kuris style was heavily influenced by American superhero comics he read as a child which had been left behind by U.S. troops during and after World War II.

After several fruitful years working in Manga, the three brothers launched the animation studio Tatsunoko Productions in October 1962. Early productions at the studio tended to be based on the brothers manga properties such as Space Ace and Speed Racer.

In 1977, Kuri was appointed as managing director at Anime Friend, a subsidiary of Tatsunoko. When his brother Kenji retired in 1987, Kuri took his place and became the third president of the studio.

During his time at Tatsunoko and Anime Friend, Kuri contributed as a writer, producer, character designer, and director on many of the companys most iconic and enduring properties such as Speed Racer, Gatchaman, Space Knight Tekkaman, and more. He also directed animation for a significant number of episodes of the classic 1985 series Robotech, produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko, which produced all the series original animation.

Kuri served as Tatsunoko president for nearly 20 years, stepping down when the company was acquired by toy manufacturer Takara in 2005. Although his involvement with the studio waned heavily after the acquisition, Kuri stayed plugged into the anime world. In 2005 he was honored with a lifetime achievement award at Animation Kobe and he spent years speaking at events and serving as a guest professor at the Kyoto University of Arts and Crafts. From 2012-2014, he kept a blog where he would post pictures of his artwork and his public appearances.

Announcing Kuris passing on the Tatsunoko website, Tatsunoko representative director Hibiki Ito, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the deceased for his kindness during his lifetime.

The Yoshida brothers impact on the Japanese animation industry is hard to overstate. The work done by Kuri and his siblings and Tatsunoko has stood the test of time and helped define several generations of the art form.
Warner Bros. Discovery has revealed an upcoming Southeast Asia-localized version of Tom and Jerry, along with a brief teaser showing what the updated characters will look like in the new series.

The seven, three-minute shorts will feature the cartoon cat and mouse playing their endless game among the most recognizable landmarks of Singapore. The series is the first localized version of the IP, but its worth noting that just last year WBD released a series of cutesy T&J shorts in Japan. The difference is that while the Japanese shorts were done in a distinctive kawaii/anime style, they were still set in a traditional Tom and Jerry universe. For the new Singapore episodes, the studio went to great lengths to create distinctly Singaporean scenarios. That has never been done before outside of the U.S.

Heres what we know about the new Singapore-set series.
27 July of this year marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, which halted the three-year-long, all-out conflict known as the Korean War. The Armistice is not a peace agreement, and the two states that exist on the Korean Peninsula to the north and south of the 38th parallel are technically still at war with each other.

In the West, some have called the Korean War the Forgotten War. It is true that, in the days since the cessation of conflict in Korea, there has been no shortage of bloody wars offered to humanity by capitalism. But the Korean War holds historic significance that cannot be neglected.

It showed that the system of a nationalised planned economy could withstand the assault of US imperialism. It contained flashpoints of workers power  the first instances in East Asia. Yet the fact was that the working class did not emerge as an independent force, with a clear programme, capable of seizing the lead in the struggle that unfolded. As a result it turned into a bloody conventional war, and US imperialism was able to remain on the Peninsula as part of a criminal compromise with Stalinism, thus tearing apart a nation that had hitherto been unified for over 500 years.

End of WWII and the 38th Parallel

For much of its history, Korea existed as an independent kingdom sandwiched between China and Japan. In the 19th century, Korea under the Joseon dynasty gradually fell under the domination of Japanese imperialism as the Chinese empire waned. By August 1910, the entirety of Korea was formally annexed by the Japanese Empire, an important step in the ambitious young imperialist powers thrust towards further domination of all of Asia.

But when the tide of the Second World War turned against the Axis countries, of which Japan was a part, the two primary forces amongst the Allies, the US and the Soviet Union under Stalin, began to manoeuvre against one another in preparation for the postwar period.

The use of the 38th parallel as the dividing line was a hasty decision on the part of the US / Image: public domain

When the writing was on the wall for Japan, the US began to plot to ensure Stalin could not expand his sphere of influence in the postwar world. In the East, the US dropped atom bombs on Japan, first in Hiroshima and then in Nagasaki, as a brutal and unnecessary show of force aimed at the Soviets. Tens and thousands of innocent lives were extinguished in Japan by American weapons of mass destruction, including at least 10,000 Korean forced labourers living there at the time. This act was perpetrated even though the Japanese state was clearly leaning towards surrender.

The Soviet bureaucracy also hoped to expand its sphere of influence in order to establish a buffer against the US in order to protect its own interests. In the East, Stalin quickly declared war on Japan in 1945. The Red Army then swept through Mongolia, northeastern China, and eventually the north of Korea, with little resistance from the local Japanese forces, halting at the 38th parallel on the Korean peninsula in order for the US to land in the south of Korea and take hold there.

According to Bruce Cumings, the use of the 38th parallel as the dividing line between Soviet and American occupation zones in Korea was a hasty decision on the part of the US. Two young American colonels were given thirty minutes to draw this line. Stalin agreed to this decision, and at no point was any Korean given a say in the matter.

This was a criminal concession that Stalin agreed to with US imperialism. Had the Red Army continued its advance into the whole of Korea and encouraged the masses there to take power and prevent the US from even landing, the tide of world revolution would have been enormously strengthened.

Peoples Committees

In the tenuous period when all the major forces at play were advancing into positions while Japans hold over the Korean Peninsula was rapidly collapsing, there existed, for a time, a vacuum of state power. In this vacuum, the Korean peasants and workers took it upon themselves to take power into their own hands locally and run their affairs for themselves.

This effort was known as the Peoples Committees (), as village peasants and workers throughout Korea organised themselves into councils. These local committees linked up in turn into larger, regional bodies. The villagers and workers would elect their own committees as the new authorities for their local governments, and many of them attempted to conduct their own land and social reforms that smashed against not only the old Japanese authorities, but also traditional Korean landlords.

The rapid formation of the Peoples Committees was so formidable that they could not be immediately stopped by the Soviets or the US occupation forces. Within them, there were various political tendencies that reflected the balance of class and ideological forces in any given region. This phenomenon is, from a Marxist perspective, extremely significant. The Peoples Committees, especially those made up of urban workers, could have become the basis of working-class rule, in much the same way as the soviets emerged throughout Russia in the 1905 and 1917 revolutions. Under a Marxist leadership, in Russia, they became the basis for a new workers state after the success of the October Revolution of 1917.

In the absence of a Marxist leadership to unify them into a force capable of taking power, the Peoples Committees were eventually captured or crushed by forces operating in the North and the South. Still, their existence was a significant factor that influenced how the Korean War would eventually unfold.

Consolidation of the Northern and Southern states

As the Soviets halted their forces north of the 38th parallel, the US occupation forces were allowed to consolidate their positions in the south. The US, seeking to curb the Soviet Union, quickly gathered the support of the most reactionary bourgeois and landlord elements in the south. They also helped reorganise the old police force in conjunction with virulently anti-communist elements into a new, brutal police force, the Korean National Police (KNP).

The KNP would viciously crack down on communists and Peoples Committees operating in the South. A similar reorganisation took place in the military. The US even brought in officers from the former Japanese army to train them. This new, reactionary armed body of men would be the basis of the future state known as the Republic of Korea, to be headed by the most corrupt and autocratic bourgeois elements like Syngman Rhee.

In the north, the situation was different. Stalin, with his narrow nationalist outlook, was only interested in creating a satellite regime under the USSRs direction. But this proved to be a much more complicated endeavour for him.

Stalins preference, as in many countries in Eastern Europe, would have been to simply lean on a well-established local Communist Party that had undergone bureaucratic degeneration as a direct local agent. No such thing existed in Korea by the end of WWII. At that time, the Korean communists were scattered. Some were indeed directly tied to and controlled by the USSR. Many others had long fought alongside the Chinese Communist Party since the Yenan period in the 1930s, and were thus deeply tied to Mao Zedongs leadership, who by that time had gained his own mass base in China, independent of Moscow. Still others came from partisan militias that operated across northern Korea and northeast China that had a degree of independence from both the USSR and the CCP; and there were others that came from underground cells that worked in the south and Jeju Island under Japanese colonialism.

Kim developed a certain independence with his own base / Image public domain

If the policies of the Soviet Union and China had been guided by genuine Bolshevik methods and ideas, then these divisions would not have mattered. They would have simply made a joint call for the formation of a fraternal federation between China, Korea, and the Soviet states as part of a future world federation of socialist republics.

Instead, the fundamentally nationalist calculations of the bureaucracies of both the USSR and China, and also the Korean Stalinists of various stripes, ended with a complex compromise aimed at forming a state that would fit the interest of both the USSR and China. In the North, the USSR directed the merger of some of these forces into a Workers Party of North Korea and quickly intervened in and bureaucratised the Peoples Committees in the north under this partys leadership. It was also at this time that Kim Il-Sung, a guerrilla partisan leader, was agreed upon as a suitable compromise leader to balance between the pro-Moscow and pro-CCP tendencies.

On this basis, a new state in the north was formed. A new government modelled after the bureaucratic, one-party, totalitarian regime in the Soviet Union, and based on a nationalised planned economy, came into being, but under the leadership of Kim Il-sung.

Kim developed a certain independence with his own base, by appealing to nationalist and anti-imperialist sentiment. As an individual, his personal determination to unite the peninsula would play an important role in how the war unfolded.

Uprisings

For a time, the northern regime, and the Russians, allowed the Peoples Committees to carry out land expropriations on their own accord. The Peoples Committees in the south, on the other hand, were attacked by the southern police force and reactionary right-wing gangs. This made many among the southern masses anxious. For them, it was clear that the process in the north represented genuine progress. Unable to carry the same tasks through to fruition, the masses became increasingly frustrated, which in turn led to even more explosive armed uprisings against the US-backed authorities in the south.

A particular flashpoint was in Jeju Island. Being geographically detached from the mainland peninsula, but with a no less proud history of rebellions and uprisings, the Jeju Peoples Committees, in close coordination with the underground trade unions there and the Workers Party of South Korea, staged a general strike on 10 March 1947 to repel attacks from right-wing gangs dispatched by the South Korean regime. The southern troops in Jeju Island, commanded by US officers, enforced a brutal crackdown on this uprising, resulting in upwards of 30,000 deaths. Although crushed in the end, the revolt at Jeju Island in turn inspired more rebellions across the US-dominated South Korea.

Witnessing this process from the north, Kim Il-Sung decided that the time was right to expand the deformed workers state under his leadership across the whole of Korea. At the same time, Syngman Rhee in the south held the same ambition, in wishing to destroy the new social system in the north and unify Korea as a capitalist dictatorship with himself at its head.

This was a social war between capitalism and planned economies. After the Chinese revolution of 1949, with communist insurgencies ongoing in Malaysia and Vietnam, Eisenhower expressed the concern of US imperialism that Korea would be the first in a series of dominos to fall in the region. Thus the seeds of conflict were present from the very beginning.

Peacekeeping and US intervention

After gaining reluctant approval from Stalin and Mao, Kim Il-Sung made his move.

On Sunday, 25 June 1950, the Korean Peoples Army (KPA) of the north marched into the south / Image: public domain

On Sunday, 25 June 1950, the Korean Peoples Army (KPA) of the north marched into the south, captured Seoul, and drove further southward without meeting meaningful resistance. The massive success of the KPAs advance can be explained by the revolutionary measures they took. Everywhere they went, the southern Peoples Committees were restored and peasants would redistribute the land. The Seoul Peoples Committee expropriated all Japanese property and those belonging to the South Korean capitalists.

These measures won enthusiastic support from the masses. Many people joined the rebels that had been carrying on guerrilla operations in the south even before the northern army arrived. On this basis, the northern forces rapidly drove towards Busan, the southern port city.

The existing US and Southern forces faltered against this powerful, revolutionary advance, until they were able to hold off KPA advances around Busan with the aid of a hastily deployed Task Force Smith from Japan. With the authority of the phoney United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, the US under Marshal Douglas McArthur organised a forceful invasion into Incheon, then eventually drove north to take Seoul and in turn Pyongyang, the norths capital. On the basis of sheer military might and aerial bombardment, the USs direct intervention militarily pushed back the KPA and even threatened to take over all of the north.

Chinas involvement and social war

As the US forces drove into North Korea, the Chinese under Mao watched with anxiety. For them, the defeat of the Korean regime would bring US forces close to their borders in the northeast. This threatened the newly-founded state of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).

The Mao regime realised that an American-dominated Korean Peninsula would pose an existential threat to the newly founded PRC. Thus, China was compelled to send troops to Korea to repel the US-backed counter-attack, which would mark a decisive turning point for the war.

In October 1950, China sent an initial 260,000 troops into Korea and pushed the Americans back down towards the south.

In the end, therefore, the intervention of the imperialists turned Korea into hell on Earth, dragging out into a multi-year long conflict involving British, Canadian, Australian, Ethiopian, and many other nations soldiers, claiming the lives of thousands on both sides and millions of civilians. In the bloody process, Seoul changed hands four times, and the conflict ultimately centred above and below the 38th parallel.

As the war came to an exhausted stalemate, a split between Douglas MacArthur and President Truman opened over strategic questions. At one point, Truman and MacArthur both considered using nuclear weapons against North Korea and China. The split centred on whether Washington or the military had the power to authorise such a strike. The conflict between the two became public and acrimonious. Finally, in April 1951 the so-called war hero MacArthur would be relieved of his command, to be replaced by Lt. General Matthew. B. Ridgeway.

The removal of MacArthur did not stop the war, which dragged out for a few more years until the two sides finally agreed to a ceasefire in 1953, with the 38th parallel as the de facto border between the North and the South. A so-called Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was set up in the strip of land between the north and south, which to this day remains the most militarised area in the world.

Division cemented

The Korean War ended in a draw, and left a significant impact on the course of world history. Internationally, it showed for the first time that US imperialism, with all its superior military might, could not easily defeat the forces conjured by a new social system based on a nationalised planned economy.

The American airforce dropped over 635,000 tons of bombs on North Korea / Image: public domain



The fighting was brutal. Upwards of four million lives were lost, and at least half of them were civilians. To put this in perspective, that represented a number similar to the entire population of Ireland at the time. It would be false to apportion equal blame for civilian deaths however. According to South Koreas own investigation conducted in 2005, over 82 percent of massacres of civilians were conducted by South Korean forces under the command of the US. The American airforce also dropped over 635,000 tons of bombs on North Korea, more than in the entire Pacific theatre throughout WWII.

In one incident, hundreds of thousands of Koreans were drafted into a National Defense Corps by the US-backed government in the South. But when the Chinese were advancing down the peninsula, the draftees were forcibly marched south by their officers to evade capture. The officers however had embezzled money intended for purchasing food, and therefore 300,000 members of the National Defence Corps were lost through death or desertion. 90,000 deaths were directly attributed to starvation or disease on the death march and in training camps.

Despite all this inhumanity, the fact that the war ended in a stalemate shows the strength of the nationalised planned economies of China and the USSR, and the weakness of US imperialism, especially when faced with holding a people who refuse to remain under the jackboot of imperialism. Ted Grant summarised the significance of the war thusly:

Korea divided into Russian and American spheres of influence, reveals the weakness of imperialism in the whole of the Far East. Without the direct intervention of American imperialism the Korean Chiang Kai Shek would have collapsed as ignominiously as the Chiang regime itself. At best American imperialism will be enabled to retain a foothold after a lengthy struggle and American forces will be pinned down like those of the French in Indo-China and the British in Malaya, even in the event of a complete victory in the South. This is the measure of the decay of the old relations of capitalism and imperialism of the past. Capitalism rots at its weakest point.

Thus, the tragic division of the Korean nation was crystallised at the end of the war. The north under Kim Il-sung consolidated into the so-called Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, where any element of workers and peasants power was snuffed out. Instead, an autocratic, bureaucratic state came into being, one that bastardised the ideas of socialism so much that they even justified the rule of a hereditary dynasty. The Kim bureaucracy also seals off the country rather than seeing itself as a motivator for further international revolution.

The south, contrary to popular belief, by no means emerged as some bastion of democracy. Prior to the 1990s, the South Korean masses were ruled over by no-less brutal military dictators backed by the US. US imperialism continues to be responsible for heinous crimes against the masses in the South, amongst which was the crushing of the Gwangju commune of 1980. Through the sacrifice of countless lives of workers and youth, the South was forced to allow for certain bourgeois democratic freedoms whilst keeping many repressive features of the military dictatorship of the past intact.

The legacy of the Korean war, of the crimes of imperialism and the betrayals of Stalinism, are felt down to the present day. For further reading on the trajectories of the states in the north and south of the peninsula following the war, we recommend to our readers the following articles from the archives of marxist.com: Where is North Korea Going? (2006) By John Peterson and Fred Weston, and How capitalism developed in Taiwan and South Korea (2011) by Luca Lombardi
Lucky Cement receives KCCI Export Trophy Award

27 July 2023

Lucky Cement Ltd (Yunus Brothers) has received the KCCI Export Trophy Awards for its outstanding achievements in the international market. CEO of Lucky Cement Ltd, Muhammad Ali Tabba, was honoured with the prestigious KCCI Platinum Export Trophy Award for the companys exceptional performance in the cement sector from 2020-21.

Mr Tabba expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, We are immensely proud to be acknowledged by the KCCI. He added, We focus on implementing advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance technical capabilities and operational efficiencies. Our diversified business portfolio has helped us strengthen the countrys industrial base, enabling us to develop a larger manufacturing footprint and seize opportunities for growth in local and international markets.

Lucky Cement Ltd has successfully exported cement to several international markets and regions, such as south Asia, southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Lucky Cement Ltd takes pride in its state-of-the-art storage terminal at the Karachi port, which boasts an impressive storage capacity of 24,000t. This modern facility allows the company to excel in exporting bulk and containerised shipments and loose cement from Pakistan.

The company holds prominent ISO certifications, including ISO 9001:2008, 14001:2004, 45001:2018, and 27001:2022, reflecting its unwavering dedication to quality, environment, health, safety, and information security.

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Commemorative activities held to pay tribute to CPV heroes

Xinhua) 16:53, July 27, 2023

CHANGCHUN/SHENYANG, July 27 (Xinhua) -- On Thursday, a large crowd of performers and visitors gathered on the bank of the Yalu River in Ji'an City, where the first troops of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the border to fight alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) against U.S. Aggression in 1950.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

Song and dance performances and a photo exhibition in commemoration of the war were held Thursday morning in Ji'an, northeast China's Jilin Province.

"We are proud of the victory of the war and proud of the city's history of supporting the frontline," said Li Xin, a local resident of Ji'an.

The photo exhibition chronicles the history of the war in general, Ji'an's support to the war, as well as the individual stories of 29 CPV soldiers.

Also on Thursday, a mourning ritual was held at a cemetery resting 123 CPV martyrs in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province. Representatives from the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the armed police force, the Party and government departments, as well as students from universities, primary and secondary schools, and those from all walks of life joined the event.

"Many of the CPV martyrs buried here were passionate young people aged between 20 and 30. During the war, they were willing to give everything for the country and the people," said Du Ruofei, who works at the cemetery.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Criminal Court jury on Wednesday night found Kristijian Mrkonjic guilty of first-degree murder in a killing outside the Skyzoo bar on Lee Highway.

The conviction in the courtroom of Judge Boyd Patterson carries a life prison sentence.

Mrkonjic had been free on bond, but he was taken into custody after the jury ruling.

The lone defense witness in the Skyzoo murder case had testified Tuesday that a group at the former club on Lee Highway were "over-excited" and threatening to "beat the white boy's a--" just before Mrkonjic fired 13 shots at two people at the bar parking lot.



Eric Grant and Marking Vaughn, who were standing close together were each hit nine times each, and the 32-year-old Grant died. Eric Grant and Marking Vaughn, who were standing close together were each hit nine times each, and the 32-year-old Grant died.There were 13 shots fired in all with many of the bullets striking both men. Vaughn survived and testified at the trial.



Police said Mrkonjic sped away at speeds up to 130 mph in his gray Dodge Ram, and he was in Atlanta for five days before going into custody.



Police earlier said the killing came after a heated argument between Mrkonjic and Grant over a woman "that they both had a relationship with."



Police said Grant challenged Mrkonjic to a fight, but Mrkonjic told him, "Nah, m----- f-----, you're gonna die." Police said he then pulled out a .45 and began firing.



The witness, who his attorney said has received several threats, said he went to the Skyzoo about 1:30 a.m. in the incident he recalls as "two days before Memorial Day" in 2021.



He said he parked near Mrkonjic and went over to talk with him. He said they made plans to meet at the Waffle House to get something to eat. He said Mrkonjic's girlfriend was among those slated to go with them.



The witness said the club was letting out about 2:20 a.m. when Eric Grant and others started toward Mrkonjic. He said they were "griping" and appeared ready for a "ruckus." He said they intended they "were going to do something to him."



He told the jury in the courtroom of Judge Boyd Patterson, "It was wild. They were over-excited." He said, "I'm thinking I'm in trouble. It's time to go." He said he had gotten over near his car when the shots broke out.



Defense attorney Rip Biggs said there was "some provocation" for the slaying. He said, "There had been no animosity up to that point," then "they were going to beat him down."



Prosecutor Andrew Childress said some of the shots that hit the two men were in the back. He said the gun used during the incident has never been found.



Eric Grant was a 2007 graduate of Tyner High School and continued at Tennessee State University. He was a member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church.



The notorious bar has since been acquired by the Chattanooga Airport and torn down.
A woman at America's Best Inn, 7717 Lee Hwy., told police that another woman was staying at the hotel and that she was prostituting herself out and she wanted police to sit at the hotel and find her to charge her for prostitution due to her sleeping with the her now ex-boyfriend. She asked if police would contact her if that woman was to get arrested. Police informed her that she has nothing to do with the other woman, so she would not be receiving any information. She said that she just wanted to get the woman in trouble, due to her sleeping with her ex.



* * *

A woman on Orlin Drive told police her brother was in an argument with another person. She said she believed her brother would not go to court, but wondered what could be done to prevent her brother from contacting the other person, as they continue to argue. The woman was informed that her brother needs to be willing to go to court for charges to stick.

* * *

A man at the Reserve at Creekside, 1310 Reserve Way, wanted police to document that a driver backed into his vehicle in the parking lot. The driver agreed to pay him the cost of the damage and they will handle amongst themselves.

* * *

Police conducted a traffic stop in regard to illegal tint being displaying on a black Elantra on Wilcox Boulevard. Police spoke with the driver, informed him of his illegal window tint and provided a verbal warning.

* * *

A man called police from the Discount Mart at 4300 Norcross Road and said he was locked inside the store. Dispatch was able to get a hold of responsible who arrived on scene and let the man out.

* * *

A woman on Poplar Street wanted police to contact her ex-boyfriend to see about getting her belongings out of his apartment. Police spoke to the ex-boyfriend, who said he was currently located on North Hickory Street and would respond to his apartment as soon as he could get dressed. He said he would contact police once he got to his apartment.

* * *



Police were called to a disorder at a residence on N. Hickory Street. A man told them he and a woman were in a verbal argument about her being intoxicated. Both of them separated within the residence.

* * *

Police observed a vehicle (TN tag) improperly parked on the shoulder of the I-75 exit 7 off-ramp. The vehicle was towed from the scene by American Recovery Towing. A Glock case with an empty magazine was on the front passenger floorboard. No serial number was able to be found on the case.

* * *

A man told police that his vehicle was broken into at the UTC campus. He said that several of his belongings were taken, including a CashApp card. The CashApp card was then used twice; once at the Circle K for $34.81 around 2:14 a.m. and again at the Cookout around 2:55 a.m. in the amount of $8.18. Police spoke with the manager of the Circle K who indicated that she has been unable to locate the exact transaction in the system. Police will attempt to contact Cookout to see if video surveillance can be obtained.

* * *

A man on Shallowford Road told police that he was talking to a male on an app called Grindr and exchanged phone numbers with him. He said that they talked and then he got a phone number from him and it popped up on his phone as :Reginald Williams. The man then told him that he needed to send him $3,000 or he would ruin his life. He afterward called police. He told police he then received texts from the number saying things like he shouldn't call the police. Police gathered the man's information and left the scene.
I just cant forgive. Have you ever heard someone say this? Maybe youve said it yourself  or at least thought those words? If so, youre not alone. In one way or another, weve all suffered pain inflicted by others that seems beyond our capacity to forgive.

There are wrongs that have been committed on a grand scale, things such as slavery, not only here in the United States but also in many parts of the world. Theres the Holocaust, in which the Nazis killed millions of Jews all in the name of an insane ideology. Many of us will never forget the heinous terrorist acts on Sept. 11, 2001, which took the lives of more than 3,000 people and destroyed the iconic Twin Towers at New York Citys World Trade Center. Who could forgive such atrocities?

On a more individual level, each of us has experienced mental, emotional or physical injury, often inflicted by people we loved. Sometimes the wrongdoing was cumulative, occurring over a span of time. Or it might have resulted in a single moment of betrayal, anger, recklessness or abuse. Either way, haunted by experiences of being deeply hurt, its understandable for someone to adamantly insist, I just cant forgive.

The truth is, however, its not that we cant forgive. Its that we dont want to forgive. We could offer a variety of reasons for this: Memories of the pain inflicted are too vivid. We refuse to let the offending person (or persons) off the hook and act as if what they did never happened. We insist on justice being exacted for the wrongs weve suffered.

Each of those reasons  and others  seems justifiable. How can we forgive and move forward as if everythings okay when its not?

And yet in reality, failure or refusal to forgive many times results in more and prolonged pain for the one unwilling to forgive. We hold onto the grudge, grinding the axe of persistent pain. Sadly, thats tantamount to pouring out poison for the other person and then drinking it ourselves.

Thats not to discount or minimize the consequences weve endured from someone elses wrongdoing. Its just that after a while, unforgiveness affects us more than the object of our bitterness. Sometimes the offenders are unaware of the pain theyve caused, dont realize it still lingers, or just dont care. Ive heard of folks refusing to forgive people who have passed from this life. Whats their unforgiveness accomplishing then, other than sentencing themselves to an emotional prison?

In the Scriptures we find the subject of forgiveness discussed a lot. When Jesus introduced what we know as the Lords prayer, He included these words: Forgive us our debts [trespasses] as we also have forgiven our debtors [those who trespass against us] (Matthew 6:12). Then He added, For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15).

These are hard words to hear  and to apply  but the Lord is saying that if we as broken, fallible human beings arent willing to forgive the wrongdoings of others, why should we expect the perfect, infallible God to forgive us?

While meeting with His closest disciples, Jesus presented His guidelines for confronting a believing brother or sister who had sinned against them. Pursuing the subject further, Peter challenged Jesus: Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:15-22). Some translations say, seventy times seven.

Jesus wasnt instructing His followers to keep an exact count  Aha! Youve sinned against me 78 times  no more forgiveness for you! He was asserting that just as we expect God in His grace to offer unlimited, unconditional forgiveness for our own sins, how can we not extend the same grace to those who sin against us?

But thats so hard! we complain. And it is. A price must be paid! we want to argue. We desire retribution. Apart from Christ, such forgiveness may indeed be impossible. However, think of the example of Jesus Himself on the cross when He prayed, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). Especially since the Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders thought they knew exactly what they were doing.

Writing to believers in ancient Colossae, the apostle Paul admonished them, Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).

This doesnt mean offering forgiveness for grievous sins is easy for us to do. But nowhere in the Bible does it say the Christian life is supposed to be easy. In fact, struggle and suffering for Christ followers are presented as more the norm than the exception.

All we can do is cling to the assurance Paul offered in Philippians 4:13, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength  including forgiving the seeming unforgiveable.

* * *
Perfectly pressed Air Force Blues, mirror shined shoes, Character Development Instruction, drill tests and the reciting of the Cadet Oath are just some things that you can look forward to seeing on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Chattanooga Cadet Squadron.Promotions night is a regular event and all the cadets proudly display all their ribbons they have worked so hard to achieve. With hours of study in Aerospace Education, Character Development, physical fitness, Learn to Lead Modules, as well as the many cadets who also take on Emergency Services Training, they work through the challenges to pass tests and achievements that grant them their next grade.On Tuesday the squadron promoted three cadets who rose to their own set of challenges.C/A1C Maximo Gonzales, C/T Sgt. Sophia Willet, and C/2nd Lt. Ethan King, who is the fourth cadet to receive the Billy Mitchell Award in the Squadron this year. Deputy Commander 1st Lt. Zach Breedlove, who led the promotion ceremony, said The Billy Mitchell Award is an impressive achievement by itself. "It is the award that makes the cadets a Cadet Office. They wear the epaulets on their shoulders that show they have the rights of being called Sir/Maam and being saluted. However, Cadet King deserves recognition because he passed his Aerospace Test on his first try. That is something that we rarely see. C/2d Lt King is now in the 15 percent of cadets who have reached this achievement. If he joins the Air Force, he will now be able to enter as an E3 in pay grade," he said.Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the worlds largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving Americas communities, saving lives and shaping futures. Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.The Chattanooga Cadet Squadron is committed to serving Cadets ages 12-21 and helping them to grow and excel in the Core Values; Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect. They meet on Tuesday nights from 6:30-9 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 8451 East Brainerd Road in Chattanooga. You can visit Facebook or their website to see what they are up to. Adults looking to volunteer are always welcome as well. Their meetings are always open to the public.
Hamilton County students participating in the Urban League of Greater Chattanoogas Project Ready program won second place during the case competition at the 33rd annual Youth Leadership Summit, hosted by the National Urban League.

The NUL case competition allows youth participating in Project Ready at local Urban League affiliates to present a program that addresses an issue that they see in their community. ULGCs Project Ready students placed in the top four of 20 during the first round of the competition and competed again during the final round. Their program proposal, 423-T.K.T.T. (Think and Know the Tactics), focuses on reducing youth gun violence.

Project Ready students engage with our education team program leaders and volunteers regularly throughout the year on various initiatives such as our college and career readiness curriculum, leadership, academic and civic development, said Candy Johnson, president and CEO of ULGC. I am beyond proud of these students and their tremendous efforts to prepare and advocate for issues they care about in our community during the competition. They represented Chattanooga with the level of excellence from which we strive to build our Project Ready program. This is our first time ever placing as an affiliate and thats major.

During the annual Youth Leadership Summit students come together and engage in a transformative experience of learning, leadership and personal growth with the goal of ensuring that participants are prepared for the challenges of college, career and life. During this event, participants have the chance to interact with influential figures from the Urban League movement, as well as representatives from diverse local and global organizations.

Those representing ULGCs Project Ready program at the leadership summit include:

Kennedy Garrett, recent high school graduate and incoming freshman at Middle Tennessee State University

Trinity Williams, rising Hamilton County senior

Timothy Rice III, rising Hamilton County junior

TeSean Murphy, rising Hamilton County junior

The Youth Summit runs simultaneously with the NUL Annual Conference and is the most important civil rights event of 2023 to advance the U.S.s conversation and learning about justice, economic opportunity and the future of democracy, said officials.

For more information about Project Ready, visit www.ulchatt.net/national-achievers-society-nas.






Signal Centers Inc. launched the Work Ready program, which is designed to support TANF eligible parents, who have a high school education or HiSET, to gain paid internships and postsecondary education or training that will result in permanent employment in the licensed child care industry.Work Ready addresses two urgent issues in Tennessee: 1) the labor shortage in child care and 2) the unemployment rate among lower-income and minority citizens. The program uses a Two-Generational Approach which means addressing the needs of the whole family, both children and parents, simultaneously.Educational training is provided by Chattanooga State Technical Community College at the Work Ready training site. This program is funded under a Tennessee Department of Human Services grant contract.Joyce Jackson, previously the deputy director of Family Forward, another program of Signal Centers, has taken on the role as director. Success in this program will result in a stronger child care workforce, education and employment for lower-income families. The goals of the program will result in full-time employment with benefits that will end or reduce dependence on government benefits, officials said.All resources will work toward building a safety net of support for families who participate in the program including intensive case management, transportation assistance and a stipend. The program has three major components: 1) education and training; 2) on the job training through a paid internship; and 3) job placement and follow up. Interns will enroll in cohorts to align with training and education entry points. After that, the interns can choose to continue education or seek permanent employment.Every parent wants to see their children thrive. Finding a pathway to education and employment is a significant step in supporting the whole family, says Signal Centers CEO, Donna McConnico. This program offers not only a career path, social supports, education, and employment but also builds a community of students who are sharing the journey. Parents are learning to build a meaningful career while making a difference for families as well.For more information and to apply for the next cohort, visit: https://signalcenters.wixsite.com/work-ready
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In 1915, a man named Ernest Shackleton set sail on the Endurance vessel with his crew to Antarctica, becoming the first team to undergo such an expedition.

However, the ship sank during their trip. The remains of the wreckage were not discovered until almost a century later.

As the world prepared for war in 1914, Shackleton set out for Antarctica. The plan was for him to take about 56 men divided among two ships to Weddell Bay in Antarctica. Then, they would finish their journey at the Ross Sea.

On August 8, 1914, the Endurance departed from Plymouth, England, and headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Afterward, they made their way to the South Georgia Island. On December 5, the crew began their voyage to Antarctica. From the start, it was anything but smooth sailing.

The Endurance was a wooden ship built to survive frigid temperatures, but the Weddell Sea proved to be a challenge.

It contained choppy waters and large chunks of ice, forcing the vessel to pause in its tracks and change course multiple times.

In January 1915, the Endurance became lodged in the ice. The crew did their best to hack away at the ice, but their efforts were unsuccessfulthe ship was trapped. Shackleton held out hope that the sheets of ice would lead them to their destination.

However, the ice sheets started moving North, causing Shackleton and his men to spend the next few months aboard the ship, imprisoned among the ice. As the months passed, the ice sheets grew thicker the further North they headed.

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When this womans son was just 6-months-old, she and her ex split up. Then, shortly after her relationship ended, she met her current husband whom she married when her son was 3.

Since then, her ex has been very supportive of her marriage and believes her husband is an excellent stepfather. And even though their co-parenting relationship has been tough at times, she believes that she and her ex have done a fine job working through any issues for the sake of their son.

But, just last year, her ex wound up eloping with a new woman named Shelly, whom he only dated for about a year or so before tying the knot.

Thats why she doesnt know Shelly all that well and has only actually met her sons stepmother twice. Her son, on the other hand, really dislikes his fathers new wife.

He thinks Shelly is mentally unhinged, is way too involved in his personal business, and he blames her for being the reason he hasnt been able to spend as much quality time with his father, she explained.

Since her son will soon be a senior in high school, she and her son have also begun touring colleges. This past spring, they looked at a few schools. Throughout the summer, they also intend to visit various out-of-state colleges.

The plan was for herself, her husband, and her sons father to go on the tours together.

However, when she was trying to coordinate the details of their next tour with her ex earlier this week, a bomb was dropped on her. She learned that Shelly would also be joining them on their three college tours.

She didnt hesitate to ask her ex why his new wife was joining. She also pointed out how the woman tagging along was not necessary. Nonetheless, her ex claimed that Shelly just wanted to be supportive.

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The United States Department of Justice has agreed to pay $144.5 million to those hurt in a 2017 Texas Baptist church shooting. The US Air Force failed to supply information about a domestic assault conviction to the FBI. A former airman should have failed the background check necessary to purchase a semiautomatic rifle. Instead, he was allowed to buy the gun; go to the church his ex-wife occasionally attended in Sutherland Springs, Texas; and fire off hundreds of rounds in 11 minutes, killing 26 people.

United States: NDAs are sharply limited

The National Labor Relations Board issued a clarifying memo on employment-based non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements (NDAs), saying the government does not consider them valid if they make sweeping claims about confidentiality. Commonly used in church employment and settlement agreements, NDAs can only properly protect proprietary trade secrets, must have a time limit based on legitimate business justifications, and cannot have a chilling effect that prevents people from speaking to the media. A Christian group called #NDAfree has been pushing for churches to eschew the legal tool.

El Salvador: Conversion best option for gang exit

A study of El Salvador prisoners found that religious conversion is the most accepted way out of gang life. The survey of nearly 1,200 people serving time found that there is no standard practice for ending membership in MS-13, 18th Street, or other smaller gangs. But 97 percent said church membership was an acceptable way to calm down, or reduce participation, and a little more than half said conversion could allow for complete disaffiliation. The gangs watch converts closely and challenge the authenticity of new religious commitments. Roughly 15 percent of those in the US State Departmentbacked survey were attending evangelical worship services every week.

France: Christians propose extra episode of documentary

The French Protestant Federation offered to assist the broadcaster ARTE in making an additional episode of a documentary series on evangelicalism that would focus on the 745,000 believers in France. The series only briefly mentioned French evangelicals and did not distinguish them from Christian nationalists in the US or Brazil, prompting accusations of bias. ARTE did not respond to the offer.

Mozambique: Missionary pilot out of prison

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) pilot Ryan Koher, an American, was released from prison after four months. Koher was arrested while transporting supplies to an orphanage in Cabo Delgado, a region rich in natural gas gripped by conflict with Islamic State Mozambique. Koher still stands accused of providing supplies to terrorists but has not been charged.

Saudi Arabia: Signs point to slow movement toward legal church services

A state-sanctioned pastoral visit from Coptic Orthodox bishop Antonious Marcos is encouraging Christians to hope that Saudi Arabia might eventually allow congregations to meet legally. There are currently about two million Christians in the kingdom, including an estimated 500,000 evangelicals, but allowing them to worship together would be seen by many Muslims as a violation of the holy sites of Medina and Mecca.

Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has slowly pushed religious liberty reforms, while also cracking down on political dissent, since he took power in 2017. He cautions, however, that Christians cannot be allowed to officially meet without becoming targets for terrorism. The worlds leading Muslim scholars signed a religious liberty charter in Mecca in 2019, calling on Muslim governments to protect houses of worship and the rights of religious minorities. In 2022, the nation also hosted an interfaith gathering that included Catholic and Orthodox leadership, 15 prominent rabbis, and the head of the World Evangelical Alliance.

Eritrea: Religious restrictions prevent pastors burial

A Mennonite pastor was denied burial for more than two weeks because he did not belong to a state-recognized religion. Eritrea only allows people to identify as Sunni Muslim, Ethiopian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, or Lutheran. Tesfay Siyum, a founder of the Meserete Kristos Church, spent more than 10 years in prison for violation of the states religious restrictions. He was released two months before his death. State officials rejected his familys burial applications for two cemeteries for bureaucratic reasons before he was finally laid to rest in the capital city of Asmara.

Russia: Evangelical wins draft exemption

A St. Petersburg court ruled the conscription of an evangelical pacifist to fight in Ukraine is not legal. Pavel Mushumansky, who did alternative service in 2019, was drafted in Vladimir Putins partial mobilization and sent to fight in 2022. He appealed. If I pick up arms and take anothers life, the 23-year-old said, God will ask me why I took the life of a person whom God had died for, and whom he loves. Mushumansky said he would be happy to do more alternative service. Tens of thousands of Russians have resisted the mobilization, many fleeing the country. This is the first successful legal challenge of its type in Russia.

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Malaysia: Sporting event stirs fears of evangelism

A government official in the state of Selangor threatened to take action against a nonprofit organization encouraging religious tolerance through interfaith sports. The law prohibits inviting Muslims to churches. Impact Malaysia, which works with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, planned an event at a church in the city of Klang. The group insisted no Muslim youth were invited to the event. Religious affairs executive Zawawi Ahmad Mughni warned Impact Malaysia to be careful to avoid any such misunderstandings in the future.

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Questions about gender and sexuality plague the evangelical church, from the SBC to the PCA. Books on the topic are proliferating. In that context, its understandable that some folks see the new Barbie film as another volley in the gender wars. But Greta Gerwigs latest project is far too layered to be read through a literalist hermeneutic.

Rather than offering a blind affirmation of feminism or a critique of patriarchy, the movie explores how we use ideology to bypass the messier work of growing as humans. The gender wars are not the plot so much as the setting. They shape the world in which Barbie and Ken pursue maturity.



Consider Kens character arc. Forever condemned to be just Ken, Barbies beau finds his identity through relationship to her. He simps, or fawningly submits to her, by following her into the Real World. Once there, however, he catches a vision for a different lifeone where men rule but more importantly feel seen and valued. Crediting this to The Patriarchy, Ken carries the idea of male superiority back to Barbie Land as a shortcut to his own growth.



The movie tracks with Christine Embas recent observations that modern men are in a widespread identity crisisas if they didnt know how to be. This loss of self, she argues, is what fuels the popularity of right-wing masculinity gurus from Jordan Peterson to Andrew Tate. Those voices seem to offer young men a path forward. That it so often trends toward misogyny, as Kens own journey does, is only part of the point.

Eventually, Ken reckons with the roots of his discontent, which are less about social order and more about an abdication of self through posturing and performative identity.

Barbies journey, too, is directed away from gender stereotypes and toward mature personhood. But unlike Ken, who learns his own value, she learns to embrace her own imperfection.



When Barbie is inexplicably struck with thoughts of death and her heels drop to the floor, she seeks help from Weird Barbie, a guru-like outcast. In a scene that parallels The Matrix, Weird Barbie offers her a choice: She can either go back to non-reality, or she can move toward knowledge by taking on a quest in the Real World.

Instead of a blue pill or a red pill, however, she offers Barbie a pink high heel or a Birkenstock sandal (one that will accommodate her now-flat feet). Even though Barbie wants to pick the high heel and return to a state of ignorance, various questions and challenges force her to leave Barbie Land in search of answers.



Both Barbie and Ken venture beyond plastic tropes to discover their full (and sexed) humanity. While these existential questions are refreshing in a mainstream movie, the real magic is found in how they move toward maturity: through imperfection and mistake.

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As Vox critic (and former CT columnist) Alissa Wilkinson notes, the movie is a kind of retelling of the Fall. In both Genesis and Barbie, a prototypical woman reaches for forbidden knowledge and then offers it to her male companion. Both are met by a loss of innocence and exiled from perfection.



For evangelicals, framing maturation in light of original sin can be deeply unsettling, especially because Gerwig seems to suggest that experiential knowledge is necessary to human development. By contrast, we understand the Genesis narrative as a story of rebellion. In choosing what was forbidden, the woman and man disobey and come under a curse that will plague their entire existencefrom the earth under their (flat) feet to their own bodies.



Even more, much of evangelical theology and practice is aimed at reversing this curse. We understand Jesus as the Second Adam, come to redeem and restore what was lost (Rom. 5:1220). We look forward to the day when we are perfect once again.

And yet, within this frame, we sometimes overlook the process by which God sanctifies us. As we confess our sinfulness, we then convince ourselves that life with Christ will be an upward trending line of increasingly good performance that eventually results in perfection. Having begun by the Spirit, were pretty convinced we can continue in our own strength. But insofar as this approach to discipleship denies our humanity, we will struggle to live with our imperfection. As a counselor told me recently, Youre not an angel, Hannah. Youre a human being.



Here, theology can help us. While rightly understanding the Fall as a loss, theologians from Ambrose to Augustine to Aquinas to Wycliffe have also named it a fortunate fallone that reveals Gods goodness in a way that human perfection cannot. As John Milton renders the idea in Paradise Lost,

O Goodness infinite, Goodness immense!

That all this good of evil shall produce,

And evil turn to good; more wonderful

Than that which creation first brought forth

Light out of darkness!

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We do not sin that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1); and yet, grace abounds. Somehow God can take our failures and bring from them a richer, deeper understanding of both ourselves and his grace. In a divine irony, we only understand grace when we have need of it. Or as Jesus puts it in Luke 7:47, the one who has been forgiven little, loves little, while the one who is forgiven much, loves much.



In this way, sanctification requires that we leave behind plastic ways of being and embrace our God-given humanity, flawed as it is. It requires that we move from idealized forms to the complexity of embodied lives. It requires that we leave Barbie Land.



For Christians, this process is undergirded by Christs own incarnation, which affirmed the goodness of human existence even in a cursed world. And its secured by Christs death and resurrection, which offer both forgiveness and hope in the face of our failures.



As we embrace the imperfection of our lives, and as we accept a world marked by doubt, sin, and death, we do so confident in the reality of Gods love for us. In the end, its not our mistakes that make us whole but God who redeems our mistakes. It is God who, despite knowing our every weakness and disobedience, calls us to rest in his perfect obedience.

Or as a friend of mine put it recently, it is God who through Christ says to his faltering children, I know exactly why you are where you are even more than you do. The reasons are even deeper than you know. And I am personally going to vouch for you. Just be.



In this way, the love of God makes us real.

Hannah Anderson is the author of Made for More, All Thats Good, and Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul.

[ This article is also available in espanol, Portugues, and Indonesian. ]
The story of one humble Dutch family has long riveted American evangelicals. Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, simple Christian watchmakers living with their father in the Netherlands, risked everything to protect their Jewish neighbors from the Holocaust. And they endured unspeakable evil at the hands of the Nazis with faith, hope, and Scripture, always testifying to the goodness of God and the power of forgiveness.

More than 50 years after the ten Booms story first reached American audiences with the publication of The Hiding Place, audiences packed a Nashville theater to see it retold on stage. Next week, the Rabbit Rooms theatrical production of The Hiding Place is coming to cinemas across the US, with two special showings in more than 800 locations on August 3 and 5.

CT caught up with playwright A. S. Pete Peterson to ask him about the challenge of adaptation, the problems with portraying Nazis, his incarnational understanding of theater, and the compelling, convicting mystery thats at the heart of the ten Booms testimony.

Why do you think Corrie ten Booms story still grabs us? What it is about The Hiding Place thats so compelling?

Corrie ten Boom and her family are part of our cloud of witnesses. They have stood in a place where we cannot and they testify to something we cannot understand. That gives me, I think, the opportunity to believe in the absence of evidence that I can see myself.

Theres a mystery at the heart of the story thats almost impossible to define. The sense that the ten Booms had of the sovereignty of God and their ability to be grateful in the worst circumstances essentially do not make sense. But I dont mean that theyre crazy. I mean they understood something mystical, something powerful, something important for us all to wrestle with. Its convicting. Its compelling. But I think its also mysterious.

Why did you want to retell the story?

I didnt have any experience with The Hiding Place before this. When I was called and offered the opportunity to adapt it, I said, Let me go read the book. I immediately saw how important the story is. Theyre wrestling with the biggest possible questions.

For those who dont know, Corrie and Betsie ten Boom lived in the 1940s; they hid Jews in their home in the Netherlands during the Holocaust. They were caught and sent to a concentration camp. Betsie dies there. Corrie comes back and spends the rest of her life testifying to the way her faith helped her in that terrible situation.

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But the book is a bit out of date in the sense that its written to a different generation. I thought this is an opportunity to give this to our current generation. I think we have to find new ways to tell stories. I really wanted to honor the significance of the ten Booms testimony.

How did your perception of the story change? Did you come to understand some aspects differently through the work of adapting it for the stage?

Yeah. A lot of people think its Corries story, that shes the hero of the book. I would argue Betsie ten Boom is the hero of this book.

Its Corries testament to Christ and written to honor her sister. She had seen her sister become a kind of saint. The only way to talk about it is as a saint, a capital C Christian of the church. Betsie in the story is just an otherworldly character who walks into a death camp and starts thanking God for fleas and thanking God for her own nakedness. Its kind of shocking. If youre not careful, she really comes across as a loon.

We had to really figure out how to portray Betsie as a grounded human who comes to some extraordinary conclusions. We had to work really hard to portray Betsie in a way that woos the audience into her perspective on the world.

Can I ask you about the Nazis? Did you wrestle with how to frame them, how to portray what Nazis are?

Man, its complicated. Just to start, in the book there are multiple Nazis that we decided during adaptation to tie into one character so that the audience would be able to relate to the arc of the Nazi experience. You lose some things. Like the Nazi who interrogates Corrie was actually more sympathetic to her and helped her in a number of ways, but that didnt work dramatically. As youre assimilating characters, you have to think, These are real people, with real family trauma, and real family trees.

On a more philosophical level, one of the first things I did was jump on a plane and visit the ten Boom house in Haarlem, in the Netherlands, and then drove across Germany to the Ravensbruck concentration camp, where Corrie and Betsie were. I needed to experience that before I could write anything.

A concentration camp is like the negative of the Grand Canyon, if that makes sense. You see pictures your whole life, but then when you go you stand on the rim of it, you cant imagine how much bigger it is than you ever imagined. At Ravensbruck, standing in the gas chambers, standing in front of the oven, its so much deeper and darker and wider than you ever imagined. Its impossible to portray the enormity of true evil.

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I was surprised that the Nazis in the playthe two who really speakare atheists. Theyre antagonistic to Christianity in general. But historically, 95 percent of Germans were Christians. The churches very much adapted to and accepted Nazism, which the churches in Germany today work very hard to remember and repent of. They will tell you, We were part of something evil. Why present the Nazis in the play as people who didnt share the same faith as Corrie and Betsie ten Boom?

Its something we wrestled with. Ultimately, where I landed was, I was wanting the show at a meta level to be a work of theodicyCorrie trying to think about how does God permit eviland that needed an antagonist. It was helpful to have a Nazi be that antagonist.

The other thing is that, in her book, the Nazis that she encountered were very hostile to Christianity. Nazis came in and saw her reading the Bible and said, Why are you reading this trash? In her experience, she encountered Nazis who were antagonistic, and I dont know that I can explain that, because youre right about the history. But that was her experience.

Yeah, but only about 1.5 percent of people were atheists. The top Nazis and top Christian leaders were promoting a kind of heroic Christianity, purged of Judaism and Jewish influences, so Christianity was more about winning and less about, you know, the scandal of the Cross. It really changes things to portray her enemy as atheists.

Its an interesting question. But the reality is, as Corrie portrays them in the book, she did have multiple encounters with people who were specifically anti-Christian and atheistic. And it was helpful dramatically.

Youve written novels before. How different is theater? What are the biggest challenges of adaptation?

On the surface level, when you write a book and release day comes around, you sit in your room to deafening silence and hope somebodys reading it. When you write a play, you go to opening night, and even if people didnt like it, they stand up and clap.

The form of the novel is inherently interior. The novels greatest strength is it reveals the internal life of a character. Theater is inherently three-dimensional and, I would say, incarnational. I create something as a writer that is unfinished. It cannot be experienced as it is meant to be experienced until other people incarnate it in three dimensions on the stage and make it its full self.

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Thats also a fascinating theological thought to me. You could almost think of the law as theater, the law as something that God gave to Moses that we couldnt understand fully until the Incarnation showed up.

Its also beautiful to me that its a communal art form. When I write a book, its all on me. In theater, I write the best thing I can, but then you get into rehearsals and there are 30 or 40 people bringing their art to bear. And thats always better than I could have done on my own.

What did you see in the play, in the process of rehearsals, that wasnt just your intention but something coming to life through the collaboration or incarnation of the play?

Theres a moment at the end of the show where Corrie is offered an opportunity to offer forgiveness. The way that I had written was pretty matter of fact. Corrie is pretty matter of fact in the book. But as we rehearsed it, we really saw how delicate that scene needed to be. If its easy to forgive, were minimizing the evils of the Nazi regime. But if we make it too hard, that doesnt work either.

The process was, we did a couple of readings of it back in 2018 down in Houston. Then we did developmental workshops. Thats where everybody says whats wrong with it and I try and keep my mouth shut and then go back and fix it. Then we did, I think, four weeks of performance in Houston. Then COVID got in the way, and I spent most of the pandemic reworking the play. When it came to the stage in Nashville, that was another version.

That scene, the way it ultimately worked out, you can see the struggle on Corries face. When you get the actors involved, actors are incredibly emotionally intuitive people. They teased all sorts of nuance out that I had not seen, and it was beautiful.

It didnt change how it was written on the pages. But it changed the way the scene breathes and is enfleshed before the audience.

Whats next? Do you have another play youre working on now?

We are in active development for my adaptation of Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol. Im really interested in digging into the theological aspects. The story is fundamentally theological, but most adaptations downplay that part. But the theology is remarkable. Dickens knew his theology. Like, he named the main character Ebenezer for a reasonHither by thy help Ive come, you know? So Im excited to share that with people soon.
Judge dismisses church's lawsuit challenging Washington law mandating abortion coverage

A federal judge has rejected a churchs argument that a Washington state law forcing faith-based organizations to cover elective abortions in their employee health plans violates the churchs religious freedom rights.

In a Tuesday ruling, Judge Benjamin Settle of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington sided with the state by determining that Senate Bill 6219 is neutral and that there is no evidence it was enacted to target any particular religion.

The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the conservative legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of Cedar Park Assembly of God in Kirkland.

Settle, appointed to the bench by former President George W. Bush, disagreed with the churchs notion that the 2018 law requiring health insurance plans that offer maternity coverage to also provide substantially equivalent abortion coverage favored secular conduct.

He noted that it does not exempt non-religious organizations from the requirement regarding maternity care and abortion coverage while only forcing religious organizations to abide by it.

Because the Court concludes that SB 6219 is neutral and generally applicable, the law is valid if it is rationally related to a legitimate governmental purpose, the judge wrote.

ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot is disappointed with the decision, saying in a statement to The Christian Post that the church teaches that life is worthy of protection from its earliest stage, which is conception.

They live out this principle in and through their entire ministry  they partner with local pregnancy centers, host a camp for local children in foster care, host an annual service for couples struggling with infertility, and co-founded an adoption agency for frozen embryos remaining from in vitro fertilization, Theriot told CP.

By forcing pro-life churches to cover abortions in their health insurance plans, the State of Washington is going against past U.S. Supreme Court rulings that have consistently held that government hostility against people of faith is unconstitutional and has no place in our society, he continued. No one should be forced by the government to pay for abortions. We are disappointed in the courts ruling and will be considering our options for next steps.

The lawsuit claims the law violates the churchs rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the lawsuit argues that the state worked with pro-choice groups such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America to draft the legislation, which did not include exemptions for churches or religious organizations.

Washingtons attack on people of faith is intentional. It represents the kind of deliberate religious persecution that our country was founded to prevent. This Court should preliminarily and permanently enjoin SB 6219, the suit stated.

The district court dismissed the lawsuit in May 2020. But in 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that the church had a right to sue the state, overturning the lower courts ruling.

Cedar Parks complaint plausibly alleged that, due to the enactment of SB 6219, its health insurer (Kaiser Permanente) stopped offering a plan with abortion coverage restrictions and Cedar Park could not procure comparable replacement coverage. This is sufficient to state an injury in fact that is fairly traceable to SB 6219, the decision stated.
Megachurch founder James MacDonald says PTSD was factor in alleged assault of woman

Founder of Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago, James MacDonald, who is facing seven years in prison for allegedly attacking a 59-year-old woman in a California parking lot and causing her great bodily harm, said he was struggling with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder when the incident occurred.

MacDonald, 62, made the confession in a recent interview with Baptist News Global.

According to counselors Ive been to, Ive been diagnosed as having symptoms of PTSD, he said. Ive done a lot of counseling with Henry Cloud, and hes helped me understand two very important sentences.  The first one is first they idolize you. And then they demonize you.

The American Psychiatric Association defines PTSD as a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening and may affect mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual well-being.

MacDonald, who was ousted from HBC on Feb. 12, 2019, after making "highly inappropriate recorded comments" on a radio program as well as "other conduct" under a cloud of allegations of financial abuse and bullying, told BNG that the stress of leading a megachurch had impacted his general well-being so much he wanted to quit months before he was fired.

I would say by 2015 and 2016, I was in some pretty serious decline, he told BNG. I was trying to resign. I would say regularly in elder meetings, Im not doing good, this is too much for me. But, you know, I was the rainmaker, and they were very reluctant to let me go.

And in 2017, I went to a ministry recovery center in Edmonds, Washington, and I was there for a month. I shouldnt have come back. I should have stayed out for at least a year right then, but, you know, theres all this pressure and everything like that. So I came back Nov. 1, 2017, and I was gone from the church about 15 months later.

MacDonald said his very public downfall that followed his years of struggling as a megachurch leader broke him.

All this broke me down, broke me down, broke me down to where Im just like, I cry every day, he said. I cant take anything.  My threat response is completely trashed. I have no ability. If somebody brushes past me in the mall, I have to literally stop and make myself know thats not the same as someone drawing a gun on me.

It was in this condition, according to MacDonald, that he had the confrontation with the woman in the California parking lot.

In the complaint filed against MacDonald in the Superior Court of California in San Diego, he is charged with assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and battery with serious bodily injury.

The complaint alleges that on March 22, MacDonald did unlawfully commit an assault upon Barbara Bass by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 245(a)(4) and also did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence upon the person of Barbara Bass resulting in the infliction of serious bodily injury on such person, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 243(d).

According to Kraut Law Group, a serious bodily injury means a serious impairment of one's physical condition. Such injuries may include loss of consciousness, concussion, bone fractures, impairment of an organ or body part or a wound that requires extensive stitches.

A statement from the city of Coronado Police Department said at around 10:15 a.m. on March 22, MacDonald was attempting to parallel park his truck in the 900 block of Orange Avenue when he struck the vehicle parked in front of him which was occupied by a 59-year-old woman later identified as Bass.

When Bass got out of her car to talk with MacDonald, things escalated quickly, police said.

As the woman got out of her car to talk to the man, he jumped out of his truck and attacked the victim. As he was assaulting the woman, his truck rolled backwards striking the vehicle parked behind him. Witnesses came to the victims aid and stopped the man from leaving the area, the statement said.

Officers arrived on scene, arrested the suspect, and also found a stolen handgun inside his truck. The victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The roadway was closed for approximately 1  hours while officers investigated the incident.

MacDonald, however, doesnt appear to remember attacking the woman and told BNG, I think I blacked out.

I barely touched the lady in front of me. She jumped out of her car and came running at me. And I was so startled that I jumped out of my car and didnt even put it in park, he said. And it rolled into the person behind me, and I reached toward this lady.  And what I think weve been able to piece together, there isnt a video, but I think I blacked out and I fell. The reason I know is because I fell to the ground. I never put my hands underneath me.
Americas use of autonomous AI in warfare will reflect Judeo-Christian values: Air Force general

While the U.S. military does not have weapons completely controlled by artificial intelligence in its inventory, whenever these weapons are deployed, the AI driving these weapons will likely be programmed with a Judeo-Christian value system, Lt. Gen. Richard G. Moore Jr., deputy chief of staff for plans and programs in the U.S. Air Force, suggests.

Lethal autonomous weapon systems, or LAWS, explains a March report from the Congressional Research Service, are a special class of weapon systems that use sensor suites and computer algorithms to independently identify a target and employ an onboard weapon system to engage and destroy the target without manual human control of the system.

Last Thursday, at an event hosted by the Hudson Institute, Moore was asked when the U.S. would be able to start deploying LAWS and if the military had an ethical duty to keep humans involved even when the technology is ready.

Moore acknowledged that the U.S. was not yet ready to deploy LAWS, but it is an area that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks is particularly concerned about.

What will the adversary do? It depends [on] who plays by the rules of warfare and who doesn't.  There are societies that have a very different foundation [than] ours, he said. Our society is a Judeo-Christian society, and we have a moral compass. Not everybody does. And there are those that are willing to go for the ends, regardless of what means have to be employed. And we'll have to be ready for that.

The Congressional Research Service noted that although LAWS arent yet in widespread development, it is believed they would enable military operations in communications degraded or denied environments in which traditional systems may not be able to operate.

A growing segment of the international community has been calling for a ban or regulation of laws due to ethical concerns. Moore explained that the development of ethical AI will be a significant feature of the Defense Departments budget in 2024.

And that takes several forms. The first one is what do we think we're allowed to let AI [do]? The second one is how do we know how the algorithm made decisions? And do we trust it? And the third one is, at what point are we ready to let the algorithm start doing some things on its own that maybe we are or aren't comfortable with? Moore said.

He noted that Chris Brose's 2020 book, The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare, delves into how new technologies are threatening America's military might.

He talks extensively about whether you would trust a young soldier on the ground that maybe hasn't had sleep in three or four days and hasn't had a good meal or certainly shower, Moore said.

This young soldier, that heat, sweat, fatigue, all of that is making a decision about employing lethal force or not, or an algorithm that never gets tired. You might actually think that if you can understand how the algorithm makes decisions and trust it, you might rather have that algorithm that never gets hot and never gets tired, it never gets hungry. You might rather have it making decisions for you, Moore said.

But until you have in place the foundations of ethical AI that allow that to happen, you can't get there. So it is a very important discussion. It's one that's being held at the very highest levels of the Department of Defense.
Chronic smart phone scrolling linked to less sex, marital dissatisfaction even among churchgoers: study

Excessive smartphone use by a spouse has been linked to less sex and marital dissatisfaction, including among couples who attend church regularly, a new Institute for Family Studies report suggests. And researchers urge action to break the smartphone addiction among adults to fend off its potential threat to relationships.

"It is difficult to determine for certain whether excessive phone use is the culprit of marital problems, given that addiction to phones may be an indicator of an already-unhappy marriage," wrote authors Wendy Wang and Michael Toscano in the report published Wednesday titled "More Scrolling, More Marital Problems."

"Unhappy spouses might resort to using phones to escape and avoid communication with their partner. On the other hand, smartphones are engineered to be addictive."

Wang and Toscano say, "The most likely scenario is that marital difficulty and addiction to smartphones are reinforcing each other" and that "marital problems will be exacerbated to the breaking point and near impossible to address" unless smartphone addiction is addressed.

According to the data from an Institute of Family Studies/Wheatley Institute survey of 2,000 married couples ages 18 to 55, 37% of married Americans say that their spouse is often on the phone or some screen device when they would prefer to talk or do something together as a couple.

And the problem is even worse among younger couples and lower-income families.

About 44% of married couples under 35 said their spouse spends too much time on their phone compared with 34% of those aged 35-55. The smartphone addiction problem was only reported among 31% of higher-income couples compared with 44% of lower-income couples.

Married adults without a college degree (34%) were also more likely to say that their spouse spends too much time on their phone compared with those who are college-educated (39%).

"Husbands and wives are just as likely to feel left out because of their spouses' overuse of a smart phone. Liberals and conservatives are equally affected, as are those who attend church regularly and those who do not," the researchers added.

Wang and Toscano cited the work of Baylor University researchers James A. Roberts and Meredith E. David in their 2016 paper, "My life has become a major distraction from my cell phone: Partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction among romantic partners."

Roberts and David explore the concept of "partner phubbing (Pphubbing)," which "can be best understood as the extent to which an individual uses or is distracted by his/her cell phone while in the company of his/her relationship partner."

The 2016 study included an assessment of 145 adults, which showed that "Pphubbing's impact on relationship satisfaction is mediated by conflict over cell phone use."

"One's attachment style was found to moderate the Pphubbing-cell phone conflict relationship. Those with anxious attachment styles reported higher levels of cell phone conflict than those with less anxious attachment styles. Importantly, Pphubbing was found to indirectly impact depression through relationship satisfaction and ultimately life satisfaction."

Wang and Toscano also reported an apparent correlation between smartphone usage and marriage quality was significant.

Nearly six in 10 (59%) of married couples dealing with chronic smartphone usage reported that they are "very happy" with their marriage compared with 81% of couples who don't.

"Couples who experience phone distractions are about 70% less likely than other couples to be very happy with their marriage. Moreover, the odds of a future divorce perceived by these couples is four times higher than it is among couples who do not have a phone problem," Wang and Toscano wrote.

Data on smartphone addiction also suggests that it impacts couples' sex lives.

About 44% of couples struggling with a smartphone addiction reported having sex once a week or more, while 23% said they either haven't had sex at all in the last 12 months or have had it only once or twice.

"In contrast, the couples with greater control over their phones are more likely to report more frequent sex," Wang and Toscano wrote.

Couples struggling with a phone addiction are also less likely to go out on dates.

In light of their findings, the researchers urge couples to establish rules about the use of smartphones and voluntarily use basic phones. Social media companies are also being urged to re-design their platforms and remove their most addictive features like infinite scroll.

"A spouse spending more time on his or her phone will spend less time doing other things, such as reading a book, playing board games with the family, or connecting with family members. Addiction to smartphones crowds out the opportunity for couples to make time for one another," the researchers wrote. "Time spent intentionally together is especially critical for low-income marriages, as the extended networks of such couples tend to be in a precarious state. In such a brittle social environment, spouses bear a greater psychological and relational load. Therefore, addiction to a device is a recipe for failure and, as we have seen, divorce."
'Slap in the face of Christians': Fox News employees lament matching donations to Satanic Temple

Fox News donated money to several left-leaning advocacy organizations, including The Satanic Temple, according to a recent report, as the network comes under fire for its behind-the-scenes embrace of LGBT ideology and other progressive causes.

Fox News has developed a reputation as the go-to media outlet for conservative Americans. However, whistleblowers who either currently work at or once worked at the media outlet recently told Blaze Media that Fox News parent company is willing to match donations of up to $1,000 to several left-wing advocacy groups through its Fox Giving app.

Blaze Medias Director of Programming Rikki Ratliff-Feldman spoke with two Fox News employees and one former Fox News producer who revealed that the company matches donations to three notoriously liberal advocacy organizations: abortion provider Planned Parenthood, LGBT activist group the Trevor Project and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Fox also matches donations to The Satanic Temple, which is known for its After School Satan Club launched to counter the Good News Club.

The Christian Post reached out to Fox News for comment and will update this piece when a response is received.

Screenshots provided in the Blaze report back up the whistleblowers accounts. A close-up screenshot of the company portals page offering employees the opportunity to donate to Planned Parenthood describes the company as a respected leader in educating Americans about reproductive and sexual health. The portal makes no mention of the companys role in performing nearly 400,000 abortions in fiscal year 2021-'22.

As for the Southern Poverty Law Center, the organization came under fire last month for listing the parental rights group Moms for Liberty on its hate map alongside the Ku Klux Klan. The SPLC has developed a reputation for labeling opponents of progressive ideology as hate groups.

Ratliff-Feldman reported that I watched [one] source physically log in to their company portal, at Myfox.okta.com to confirm the giving app and to see some of the questionable charities and the donation match option for myself to verify nothing was photoshopped.

The former producer who spoke with Blaze Media cited the companys willingness to match donations to the far-left advocacy groups as evidence of complete disregard and hatred for Foxs core audience, which is a huge part of the country.

The producer, who along with the other sources chose to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal, insisted that viewers watch believing Fox is speaking for them, when in reality its a company participating in certain things that dont match their audiences values.

[The disdain] is driven more by executives, lawyers, and HR than people realize, he added. One of the current Fox News employees who spoke to Blaze Media agreed that the companys willingness to donate to progressive advocacy groups demonstrates a mismatch in values. According to the employee, Our business model has turned into just tell the audience what they want to hear. Its about appeasing and assuaging the audience even though most people in the C-Suite disagree with their audiences values. Its manipulative.

The Blaze Media report comes about a month after leaked documents shared by Daily Wire social commentator Matt Walsh showed that Fox encourages its employees to donate to the Trevor Project, which is known for pushing trans ideology in schools and hosts a sexually explicit chat room that connects children as young as 13 years old with LGBT adults.

Another document shared by Walsh encouraged employees to read a book promoting glory holes, defined as an opening drilled into the side of a restroom stall where you slide your [male genital] through and someone on the other side gives you [oral sex]. Additional findings presented in Walshs document dump include an employee at the network expressing disdain for the cable news channels core audience and the companys collaboration with notoriously liberal ice cream company Ben & Jerrys to host an LGBT pride event in the Fox News lobby.

A Fox employee pointed to the findings of Walshs document dump as well as the latest news about its donation matching for progressive organizations when asserting that Fox pretends to care about Christians, but some of the stuff they push internally suggests otherwise. The employee characterized glory holes, trans surgeries for kids, and potential donations to Satan as a huge slap in the face to every Christian at the company.

It offends me personally that this company acts like they support Christians and yet theyre literally willing to match [a] $1,000 donation to the Satanic Temple, the employee continued.

Foxs internal donation policy stresses that the company will not match or provide volunteering rewards to: Donations to organizations that discriminate on the basis of a personal characteristic or attribute, including, but not limited to, age, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expression, marital status,  pregnancy or medical condition either in its selection of recipients of the organizations services, funds, or other support; in delivery of services or in its employment practices.

Additionally, the company does not match donations made to organizations that are private and non-operating, or political, religious, or fraternal in nature.
Pastors warn smartphone addiction 'major issue' in Church, offer solutions

Two pastors have offered practical advice for combating smartphone addiction  an issue they said is permeating the Church at an unprecedented rate.

Smartphone addiction is one of the major pastoral issues of today, Joe Rigney, an author, seminary professor, and pastor at Cities Church, said in a video posted on the Gospel Coalition website, yet it only emerged in recent years.

I think anytime when were preaching at our church and we make an application to technology and smartphones ... you can feel it palpably from our people that theres a hunger for, Yes, we feel like theres something wrong here, and we just dont know exactly what to do. Because we feel like theyre so essential to living. Theyre so useful in so many ways, yet it feels like theres something thats off, he said.

The first step in combating smartphone addiction, Rigney said, is admitting theres a problem to begin with.

I think the first thing is just to admit and recognize that if youre a pastor or if youre a layperson, youre not the only one, and this is a more widespread problem, and you need to admit that it is a real problem, he said. I think that probably the first thing is just to really face it squarely  these little devices have been designed by some of the smartest people on the planet to make sure that youre on them all the time, and youre not Superman.

Instead of reaching for a smartphone at the beginning of the day, Rigney recommended reaching for the Bible or spending time in prayer.

If I resist [my phone] and get to prayer, Bible ... all of a sudden when Im getting out the door Im like, Oh, that was good. That was a good morning. I feel different than if I had been scrolling around the house for 30 minutes before the kids woke up, he reflected.

Dave Mathis, the executive editor for desiringGod.org and a pastor at Cities Church, agreed that to get a bigger sense of what your life is for, what your life is about, its important to pray first thing, and to pray last thing, rather than check the world. He stressed that smartphone addiction takes away from the important things in life, like spending time with ones children.

[One] of the great tragedies is to live with such gifts and count them as small things, or to count them as an annoyance, or to count them as pulling us away from these amazing and silly devices that we carry around, he said.

I find extended time on the smartphone is depleting, Mathis added. Its draining. I come away and my eyes feel strange, emotionally I feel like I have less energy. In contrast, spending time with loved ones or expending energy in the service of others makes him feel better.

Theres brain chemistry behind that, too, not just spiritual significance. So one thing about these phones is also how inactive they make us, and God didnt make us to be inactive. Thats one thing to fight in the process, he said.

Rigney encouraged believers to intentionally put their phones aside to find refreshing freedom, adding: Im putting it over there because I want to deliberately remove this shackle, not accidentally remove the shackle.

Numerous studies have linked smartphone addiction to depression, stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. A recent OnePoll survey of 2,000 adults that was commissioned by Vision Direct found that adults are spending 4.5 hours a day on smartphones.

Nina Schroder, a mental health therapist at Virginia Commonwealth University, told The Christian Post that in light of these statistics, students have to understand what is going on with the risks of excessive screen time.

I dont think they completely understand the effects of screens, she said. I want people to understand that there are negative effects of high screen use.

Im not saying that everything about screen use is bad, because there are some great uses. But we have to be mindful about how much were using it, how were using it, when were using it, and how its affecting us.

In a recent op-ed for CP, Pastor Greg Laurie said the antidote to smartphone addiction is to simply be still.

We need to make a conscious effort to disconnect from this barrage of media. This doesnt have to be a permanent thing (though that wouldnt be the worst idea ever) but it does need to be intentional, he said. We need to sit down, look at each other, and talk.

"This is a critical time for the Church and faith communities to step forward. This doesnt mean we have to offer our version of everything culture has, but rather something the culture is severely lacking. Im talking about authentic, loving community filled with people who go out of their way to engage with others  especially those who are young  and then take them under their wing to mentor and disciple them.
Christians in Nigeria hold prayer vigil after intense violence

Prayer vigils are being held across central Nigeria after a wave of attacks that has left hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced.

Open Doors reports that violent attacks against Christian farmers in Plateau State have "continued unabated" since May.

The state is no stranger to tensions, sitting between the mostly Muslim north of Nigeria and its largely Christian south.

The latest wave of attacks, however, has been especially deadly, according to Rev Dr Gideon Para-Mallam of the of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation.

"How long must we sit-out these religiously motivated and criminal killings in Nigeria," he said.

"The degrading of the value of human life without respect to our common humanity is beyond comprehension."

An estimated 350 people have been killed across the state in the last few months, and a further 80,000 left internally displaced.

The epicentre of the violence has been Mangu Local Government Area, where extremist Fulani have looted and burnt the homes of Christians, and killed them as they tried to escape, Open Doors reports.

Dr Para-Mallam continued, "The current harvest of deaths in Mangu must be treated with the utmost urgency it deserves.

"These unjust killings have lingered on too long  not just for Mangu but in other hotspots in the Middlebelt areas in particular as well."

Despite the scale of the violence in the last few months, Open Doors says that the Nigerian Army only stepped in last weekend.

A survivor named only as Simon described a harrowing attack on his community on 1 July.

"We were surrounded by Fulani militants," he said. "I just escaped. Two of my neighbours were killed. My wife and children narrowly escaped.

"I saw the extremists with my own eyes, they burnt our food, mattress, cushions, palm oil. Everything I owned; they burnt it. All I have now is the clothes on my body."

Another survivor, Danladi, lost everything he owned in a similar attack on his village.

"It was at night," he said. "We were just at home when they surrounded the whole community. They came and started shooting; they killed many of us, we escaped narrowly. Our houses have been burnt; we are still living with stress."

He pleaded for help: "We are calling on Christians all over and those in Nigeria to come to our rescue."
Ukraine bishop's desperate struggle to help thousands fleeing war zone

A bishop in western Ukraine says he is struggling to help the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled to his part of the country since the start of the Russian invasion.

Bishop Mykola Petro Luchok told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that nearly half of the Roman Catholic families living in the Zakarpattia region have taken in Ukrainians displaced by the war.

Mukachevo Diocese, which lies within Zakarpattia, has turned some of its buildings into accommodation to provide more shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Even though a lot of the fighting is in the east and south of Ukraine, the ongoing war has taken a considerable toll on Zakarpattia as many people have left the region, said Bishop Luchok.

"Therefore, one of the challenges has been that we have had to completely reorganise the way everything functions on a daily basis," he said.

ACN has been supporting some of the diocese's support work. Last winter it provided generators and battery energy storage systems to keep people warm when air strikes knocked out local power stations.

With additional funding from ACN, the diocese is supporting organisations providing trauma counselling for people affected by the war, including soldiers and people who have lost loved ones in the fighting.

Bishop Luchok said that mental health support was vital to help people heal from "deep mental wounds" suffered as a result of the war.

He has heard firsthand from people about the toll the war is taking on them during his many pastoral visits around his diocese.

"One aspect of the hardship is that there is no end in sight," he said.

"People are mentally fatigued. Then there are also those who have been physically injured in the war."

He said it was important not to "dwell on how things used to be and why our suffering is not ending" but instead "immerse ourselves in prayer and reflect on the meaning and power of Calvary".

"We should not focus on what we have lost but concentrate on carrying our crosses and on finding ways to help others," he said.

"Life is easier when we think not about our own suffering but rather about how we can help other people. We have to learn to serve each other according to the best of our abilities, in peace or war. We have to try not to be afraid, because fear closes our hearts to grace."
Job Description

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Swiss-UNDP project Resilient, Inclusive Markets in Moldova (PRIM) is set to contribute to the promotion of integrated approaches to inclusive and sustainable local economic development and employment creation, in partnership with ILO and SDC, targeting both local populations, as well as returning migrants and refugees.

Previous and ongoing SDC  UNDP efforts to address the positive impact of migration and engage migrants in local socio-economic development, along with design and piloting of local economic developments models and partnerships shaped a favorable enabling environment to expand the current work and take it to another level. In this context, Moldova has a number of comparative advantages that can be harnessed to steam up the growth, broaden its geography, and make it more socially inclusive.

In order to do so, UNDP Moldova will further advance the successful LED interventions by scaling up the focus from local to (micro)-regional, while at the same time leveraging revenue generation, strengthening business support services and value chains to increase the competitiveness of local economy, retention of human capital and facilitate local socio-economic development.

The role of the SMEs, including owned and led by migrants, is crucial, being potentially the most efficient transmission between the economic growth and welfare of the employed persons, particularly in the remote rural communities and small towns. Also new political and socio-economic development required new approaches, taking into consideration the need to build more resilient, inclusive, and innovative local communities and local markets.

Hence, the strategic goal of the PRIM project is to enhance the SMEs-based sustainable economic development and promote equal access to decent work at the local and (micro)-regional levels, targeting both local populations, as well as returning migrants and refugees. It leverages the enhanced multi-stakeholder cooperation, improved business support services and complementary regulatory frameworks at the level of individual communities and micro-regions.

The Project will enhance sustainability of the results from the previous efforts supported by the Swiss Government, shape them to new political and socio-economic developments, by embracing and promoting relevant policy and community-action innovations and by ensuring engagement of all relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of local development solutions for building responsive institutions, inclusive economy, and resilient communities.

In light of the regional security environment that is expected to remain turbulent even in the most optimistic scenarios, the Project is intended to bring a valuable contribution to the triple humanitarian-development-peace nexus at the local/regional level.

The strategic goal of the PRIM project is to enhance the inclusive, competitive, and sustainable economic development, and promote equal access to decent work at the local and (micro)-regional levels, by leveraging the enhanced multi-stakeholder cooperation, improved business support services and complementary regulatory frameworks.

The Project targets three interrelated Outcomes.

As part of Outcome 1, policy and institutional frameworks create an empowering environment for inclusive and sustainable economic development in the targeted economic sectors.

The Outcome 2 assumes that local/regional communities including private sector representatives, meaningfully cooperate in cluster formats to enhance value chains and improve their competitiveness.

As part of Outcome 3, the people of Moldova, especially women, youth, returning migrants and refugees, will benefit from improved economic opportunities in the pilot micro-regions. As part of Outcome 3, the people of Moldova, especially women, youth, returning migrants and refugees, will benefit from improved economic opportunities in the pilot micro-regions.



Scope of Work

Summary of key functions:

The Driver/Administrative Clerk will ensure, in line with the Project scope, the provision of the following administrative support services:

Clerical support

Provide support to the Project Finance Analyst in performing registry-related duties;

Distribute the Project correspondence, materials, and documents;

Provide logistical support to the Project team with respect to local visits, organization of events, and arrangements for Project personnel/ consultants;

Assist the Project Finance Analyst in obtaining quotations for vehicle repairs/servicing;

Be responsible for the Project office security and perform minor maintenance works;

Provide support in overseeing the Projects asset inventory;

Undertake other clerical duties as assigned.

Transportation support

Provide reliable and safe driving services by

a) driving the Project vehicle(s) for the transportation of UNDP/Project staff, as well as other stakeholders/visitors;

b) delivery / collection of mail, documents, cargo, and other Project-related items;

a) driving the Project vehicle(s) for the transportation of UNDP/Project staff, as well as other stakeholders/visitors; b) delivery / collection of mail, documents, cargo, and other Project-related items; Provide support for visa and customs formalities arrangements, when required;

Ensure proper day-to-day maintenance of the assigned vehicle(s), via timely minor repairs, arrangements for periodic maintenance and cleaning/washing;

Maintain accurate vehicle logs, prepare monthly summaries of fuel consumption and report to the Project Finance Analyst and/or Project Manager;

Ensure the availability of all vehicle-related documents/ supplies (including insurance, logs, office directory, maps, first aid kits, necessary spare parts, etc.);

Ensure that all relevant UNDP rules and regulations are met during national and international trips.

Institutional Arrangement

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the overall supervision of the PRIM Project Manager and under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Finance Analyst, the Driver/Clerk shall contribute to an efficient implementation of the project activities via administrative support (clerical and driving), anticipating and contributing to resolving project-related issues.

The Driver/Clerk will apply a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, as well as implementation of the internal control systems.

Core Competencies

Competency Definition Achieve results LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible Act with Determination LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies:

Business Development

Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.

Administration & Operations/Vehicle management

Knowledge of policy & procedures on fleet management

Business management/Resource Management

Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Administration & Operations/Registry & correspondence management

Ability to collect, register, maintain and deliver mail and UNDP pouch; ability to manage archives

Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.  Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.  Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.  Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

Administration & Operations/Documents and records management

Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archivingMinimum Qualifications

Secondary Education with a valid drivers license is required.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

A minimum of 3 years (with high school diploma) of relevant work experience as a driver with a safe driving record is required.

Experience in administrative/clerical work, preferably in an international organization is desired

Required skills

Valid drivers license (category B) with experience in short and long road driving.

Proven experience in similar positions in UN Agencies will be considered an advantage.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

Openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Commitment to UNDP mission, vision, and values.

Required language(s)

Fluency in oral and written English and Romanian

Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.



Required documents

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors.

A cover letter (max. 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.



Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Data de incheiere a postului vacant : 08 august 2023

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Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele
St Mungos and workers union Unite have failed to resolve a pay dispute at the charity, with protesting workers taking part in a ninth week of strike action.

The latest round of talks came as the charity faces being blocked from recruiting agency staff to cover striking workers in the coming weeks.

On Monday, the charity met Unites representatives to discuss the ongoing strike action, and unfortunately, there was no resolution from our meeting.



A spokesperson for the charity said: To be in week nine of an indefinite strike in a charity is extremely sad. We recognise the very real pressures the cost-of-living crisis is having on our colleagues and have tried everything to resolve the dispute.

Our most recent offer would have meant 90% of colleagues receiving a pay increase of 7-14%, when added to this years proposed annual pay rise.



Unite refuses to accept the charitys financial position and continues to ask for something which is unaffordable, despite us sharing our financial statements.

It would be reckless to commit money we dont have and would have major repercussions for our colleagues and the services we run in the future.



We are doing everything we can to work with Unite to end this unprecedented period of strike action and focus on supporting people experiencing homelessness, at a time when demand for our services is increasing.

Unite has yet to comment on the latest round of negotiations.

Agency staff

Last week, Unite said it had written to warn councils using St Mungos homelessness services following a recent High Court ruling.



From 10 August, employers will be barred from recruiting agency staff to undermine legal strike action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: The only way to resolve this strike is to enter into real negotiations. Irresponsibly dragging out this dispute past the 10 August will plunge the charity into a crisis. Unite stands ready to thrash out a deal if bosses at St Mungos are ready.



Unite regional officer Steve ODonnell said: St Mungos has been using agency staff to try to undermine our strike but it hasnt worked. All it has done is drag out the dispute and contribute to a toxic culture. Bosses have been doing workers and the people who rely on the charity a great disservice. Management needs to realise that our members are standing firm so its time to negotiate.



In response, a St Mungos spokesperson said: We recognise the change in law regarding the use of agency staff to cover workers on strike. We have alternative staffing options, not affected by this change, which we are putting in place to ensure we can continue to support our clients when it comes into force. We will be testing our adapted plans in the coming weeks to make sure they are robust.



We are doing everything we can to work with Unite, so together we can end this dispute at a time when the demand for our services is increasing. We need to ensure that the charity is sustainable, so that we can continue to deliver services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

St Mungos said that Unites asks were simply unaffordable for the charity.

They added: It is disappointing that they do not recognise the constraints we face, despite us sharing our financial statements with our unions and with colleagues.

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On Sunday, a few hours after polls closed in parliamentary elections in Cambodia, the Cambodian Peoples Party declared a landslide victory under its leader, Hun Sen, who has ruled the country almost unopposed for decades, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in the world. Hun ManetHun Sens forty-five-year-old son, who will reportedly soon take over as prime minister from his fathertold crowds in Phnom Penh, the capital, that the election saw a turnout of over 80 percent, although observers noted that a large number of ballots were spoiled. (Hun Sen has since threatened those who spoiled their ballots with legal consequences.) Hun Manet argued that the landslide turnout was a result of the peoples love for both the CPP and Hun Sen, who, by his own account, rescued Cambodia from the depredations of the Khmer Rouge regime and turned the country into an economic success story.

To many, however, Hun Sens victory had more to do with the fact that he has spent years undermining and/or outlawing political opposition, as well as crippling media outlets that covered him critically. Some outlets have been shut down, others acquired by figures close to Hun Sen. In February, Hun Sen ordered the closure of Voice of Democracy, one of the few remaining independent news outlets in Cambodia, over its coverage of Hun Manet. On July 12, shortly ahead of the elections, Cambodias telecoms regulator ordered local internet service providers to block websites and social media accounts linked to Cambodia Daily, a newspaper; Radio Free Asia, a broadcaster that is funded by the US government; and Kamnotra, which the Committee to Protect Journalists describes as a new independent public database, according to a number of local news reports and Voice of America (which, like Radio Free Asia, is US-state-funded). The regulator said that the three outlets broadcast information intended to make confusion [and] affect the governments honor and prestige.

As a result of these and similar moves, many Cambodians have gotten information about Hun Sens policies, and their countrys economic performance and position on the world stage, from government press releases and media outlets owned or controlled by supporters of Hun Sen. Another source, which has grown in power in recent years, has been Hun Sens official account on Facebook, where he has more than fourteen million followers. (Cambodia has a population of seventeen million people.) There, Hun Sen likes to post a mix of family photos with his grandchildren, advice for Cambodian citizens, and calls for his supporters to commit violent acts against his enemies.

For a time, Facebook did not take action against Hun Sens use of his account to encourage violence. But he seemed to go too far in a speech that was streamed live on Facebook on January 9, in which he referenced an opposition politician who was convicted of defamation last year and threatened to take action against anyone who accused his party of stealing votes. There are only two options, Hun Sen said. Either you face legal action in court, or I rally [the Cambodian] Peoples Party for a demonstration and beat you up. Speaking in the Khmer language, Hun Sen also threatened in his speech to send gangsters to the homes of his critics, and promised that he would arrest a traitorat midnight.

These seemed like more than idle threats: the son of a former opposition leader was attacked and beaten outside Cambodias National Assembly in 2015 by a mob that included several of Hun Sens bodyguards. In April, a report from Human Rights Watch concluded that physical attacks against members of the opposition increased following Hun Sens speech, with at least seven violent acts reported in Phnom Penh against six separate individuals; dozens of others were arrested and jailed on what HRW described as politically motivated charges. Hun Sens video was flagged to Facebooks moderators for violating the platforms policies against inciting violence. The company agreed that it was in violationbut the platform decided to keep it up, on the grounds that it was a newsworthy statement made by a political leader.

That wasnt the end of the matter: the video was kicked up to Facebooks Oversight Board, a group of legal and human rights experts that Facebook commissioned to provide arms-length advice to the company on content-related decisions, and that has been likened to the platforms Supreme Court, as I described in a piece for CJR after its creation. Late last month, the Board ordered Facebook to remove the video and also recommended that Hun Sen be banned for six months from both Facebook and Instagram, as a result of both the video and his previous calls for violence. The Board attributed its recommendation, in part, to Hun Sens history of committing human rights violations and intimidating political opponents, as well as his strategic use of social media to amplify such threats. Significantly, this was the first time that the Board had called for a world leader to be banned outright; the Washington Post stated, citing experts, that the ruling could even could shape how political speech is regulated online.

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Within hours of the decision, Hun Sen had taken down his Facebook page; indeed, the day before the decision was announced, he said that he had already stopped using the platform and planned to move over to Telegram, an encrypted-messaging app. He later banned members of the Oversight Board from entering Cambodia and threatened to block Facebook in the country completely, though he later relented. Ultimately, the call to ban Hun Sens Facebook account came less than a month before the election, meaning the damage had already been done. Last week, Hun Sens account was reactivated; at time of writing, it remained active.

And, when it comes to Facebook and Cambodian politics, Hun Sens account is arguably the tip of the iceberg. In a recent New York Times op-ed, Samuel Woolley, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote that, for a decade or so, Hun Sen and his supporters have been running a social media influence campaign out of a so-called Cyber War Room, the goal of which has been to support Hun Sens regime. The effort has been led by Hun Manet, who allegedly formed a troll army powered by fake and automated accounts and used Facebook and other digital platforms to attack his fathers political opponents with disinformation and, in some cases, death threats. In 2018, Sam Rainsy, a former opposition politician who fled Cambodia to escape a defamation case that he says was politically motivated, filed suit in the US in a bid to force Facebook to reveal information about Hun Sen and his supporters use of Facebook.

Woolley writes that clamping down on speech on social media has been critical to the consolidation of Hun Sens power, and that Facebook, Telegram and other platforms have been central to the CPPs illicit, strategic, and authoritarian control of Cambodias information space and, consequently, public opinion. Despots and tyrants in other countries, of course, have similarly used social media to defame journalists, threaten their opponents, and spread disinformation, Woolley notes, including the former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, whose sons ran a body called the Office of Hate, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys president, who was recently reelected following an election that was in many respects unfair, not least due to the countrys heavily restricted media environment. Facebook, for its part, has previously been criticized for failing to remove hate speech in Sri Lanka, during anti-Muslim riots in 2018, and, in a particularly egregious failure, when Myanmars army used Facebook to stir up genocidal hatred against the Rohingya Muslim population, as I wrote for CJR in 2018.

Leaving Hun Sens account up for so long while he threatened violence is not even the only evidence of Facebooks inadequate attitude toward such behavior in Cambodia: HRW recently called for a lifetime ban on Pheng Vannak, an influencer who threatened to behead a journalist; according to a report in the Washington Post, Facebook suspended Vannaks personal account, but he subsequently made a new one, which has more than one hundred thousand followers and, at time of writing, was still active. Meta, Facebooks parent company, said in a report in 2021 that it has made efforts to boost its on-the-ground expertise in Cambodia, including nearly tripling the size of its moderation team. But those steps havent spared it criticism: Phil Robertson, the deputy director for Asia at HRW, told the Post recently that the Cambodia content review team appears to have been asleep at the switch until recently, failing to take action to prevent violent threats.

Its impossible to say how much of a role Hun Sens Facebook following or other social media efforts played in the recent vote in Cambodia; the shuttering of independent media and jailing or beating up of opposition politicians has clearly had an effect, too. But those efforts created a vacuum of information, and, to a significant extent, Hun Sen has used Facebook to fill ita reality for which Meta is arguably partly culpable, as has also been the case in Myanmar and a number of other countries. Until the company figures out how to shut down this kind of activity for good, tyrants everywhere will continue to take advantage of it.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Media 2070s Collette Watson on the movement for media reparations

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
NEW YORK (AP)  A towering construction crane caught fire high above the West Side of Manhattan on Wednesday morning, causing its long arm to snap off, smash against a nearby building and plummet to the street as people ran for their lives on the sidewalk below.

Four people suffered minor injuries in the collapse, but no one died, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

As you can see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse, the Democrat said at a news conference, noting that the street at that hour of the morning is often filled with pedestrians, cars and buses.

The crane was operating 45 stories up when its engine compartment caught fire at around 7:25 a.m., authorities said. Photos and videos on social media show flames bursting from the crane hundreds of feet above 10th Avenue at 41st Street. The crane`s arm, which was carrying a 16-ton load of concrete, dangled before breaking off.

That weight of 16 tons is attached by a cable, said Joseph Pfeifer, first deputy commissioner for the Fire Department of New York. As the fire heats the cable, the cable weakens to a point where it loses its strength, and thats where the collapse occurred.

The person operating the crane tried to put out the fire as it spread but had to flee to safety, Pfeifer said.

A worker at a nearby construction site said everyone stopped and watched as flames engulfed the top of the crane and a column of black smoke rose above buildings. Within a few minutes, firefighters were shooting water down at the blaze from a balcony of an adjacent building.

I never seen anything like that, said Charles Pescatore, 18, a college helper on a construction site a few blocks away. It could have killed a bunch of people.

The cause of the fire is being investigated. Authorities said they also planned to investigate the structural integrity of the residential tower, which is under construction and expected to rise to 54 stories.

In addition to the four injuries from the collapse, two firefighters experienced heat exhaustion and chest pains.

The crane is owned by the New York Crane & Equipment Corp., one of the citys most widely used crane providers, officials said. The Queens-based company has been involved in other crane problems in recent years, leading to criminal charges and new safety measures around New York Citys crane operations.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

In May of 2008, a collapse of the company`s tower crane killed two workers on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The company and its owner, James Lomma, were acquitted of manslaughter and other charges; a mechanic pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

It was one of two deadly crane incidents in 2008, leading to the resignation of the city`s buildings commissioner, as well as new safety measures around testing and oversight of crane operations.

Five years later, a crane owned by the company left a concrete cube dangling above a bustling pedestrian area for several hours, shutting down a major thoroughfare in Midtown Manhattan.

Delicia McInnis, a Long Island resident who saw the crane come down Wednesday, said she was surprised no one was seriously injured.

Theres so many things going on at 7 oclock in the city, people are going to school, summer camp, theres always someone around in this area, she said.

The location is near the Port Authority Bus Terminal and an entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, which carries auto traffic to and from New Jersey under the Hudson River. Streets surrounding the site were closed to traffic Wednesday morning.

Associated Press writer Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.

Top photo: Smoke rises from a construction crane that caught fire in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. The crane lost its long arm, which smashed against a nearby building, dangled and then plummeted to the street as people ran for their lives on the sidewalk below. Some people suffered minor injuries, but no one died, according to Mayor Eric Adams .(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  A fire on a freight ship carrying nearly 3,000 cars was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, and the Dutch coast guard said one crew member had died, others were hurt and it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds.

Boats and helicopters were used to get the 23 crew members off the ship after they tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze, the coast guard said in a statement. The cause of the blaze wasnt immediately known, and it wasnt clear how the crew member died.

The Fremantle Highway was sailing from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore when it caught fire about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland.

As the blaze continued throughout the day, a salvage company sent an expert to assess the possibility of fastening a cable to the ship that could be used to tow it, the coast guard said.

Some of the crew members jumped off the ship`s deck into the sea and were picked up by a lifeboat, the lifeboat`s captain told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Some of the crew suffered broken bones, burns and breathing problems and were taken to hospitals in the northern Netherlands, emergency services said.

Currently, there are a lot of vessels on scene to monitor the situation and to see how to get the fire under control, coast guard spokesperson Lea Versteeg said by phone.

But its all depending on weather and the damage to the vessel. So were currently working out to see how we can make sure that  the least bad situation is going to happen, Versteeg said.

Asked if it was possible the ship would sink, she said, It`s a scenario we`re taking into account and we`re preparing for all scenarios.

By early afternoon, two ships were alongside the freighter, hosing down its sides in an attempt to cool them, the coast guard said, but firefighters were still unable to attempt to extinguish the flames and smoke was billowing out of the hold.

Images published in the afternoon by the coast guard showed gray smoke pouring out of the stricken ship.

Its location is close to a chain of Dutch and German islands popular with tourists in the shallow Wadden Sea, a World Heritage-listed area described by UNESCO as the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world and one of the most important areas for migratory birds in the world.

Its carrying cars, 2,857 of which 25 are electrical cars, which made the fire even more difficult. Its not easy to keep that kind of fire under control and even in such a vessel its not easy, Versteeg said.

The ship`s Japanese owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd, said it was working in cooperation with the local authorities of the Netherlands, a salvage company and a ship management company.

We will keep on endeavoring to extinguish the fire and recover the situation as soon as possible, the company said in a statement on its website. There is no information on oil pollution due to this incident as of now.

The company expressed sincere condolence for the death of the crew member.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said that permission had been given to salvage the ship as soon as that is possible. The ministry said that the busy North Sea shipping lanes remained accessible for other vessels.

A coast guard ship used to contain oil spills also was on its way to the scene as a precaution.

One towing ship managed to establish a connection with the freighter to hold it in place.

We hope that the fire will be under control or will die out and that we can get the vessel in a safe location, Versteeg said. But its all uncertain whats going to happen now.

The coast guard said in a statement that salvage companies and water authorities were looking at the best ways to limit the damage as much as possible.

Authorities in Germany were also on alert, German news agency dpa reported.

We are monitoring the situation, a spokesperson for the German sea disaster command in the northern city of Cuxhaven said, adding that it had offered support to the Dutch authorities. He said rescue ships and task forces were ready to help if needed, but that no decision had been made on whether to send them.

Kirsten Grieshaber contributed to this report from Berlin.

Top photo: Smoke is seen from a freight ship in the North Sea, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. A fire on the freight ship Fremantle Highway, carrying nearly 3,000 cars, was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, and the Dutch coast guard said it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. (Kustwacht Nederland/Coast Guard Netherlands via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
RHODES, Greece (AP)  Deadly fires raging in Greece and other European countries advanced on Wednesday, destroying homes and threatening nature reserves during a third successive wave of extreme temperatures.

The summer wildfires have struck countries across the region, prompting the European Union to expand its support, sending two Spanish firefighting planes to Tunisia after wildfires in neighboring Algeria left at least 34 people dead in recent days.

Heres a look at some of the major wildfires across Europe.

Greece

More wildfires broke out Wednesday in the central mainland, triggering a precautionary evacuation order for some outskirts of the town of Lamia.

Further north, villages were evacuated as a precaution near the city of Volos, whose residents were warned to stay indoors because of the hazard of smoke inhalation. State television ERT reported that an older woman was found dead in a caravan after another fire in the area.

New evacuations were ordered overnight on the islands of Corfu, Evia and Rhodes, where thousands of tourists were moved to safety over the weekend.

Authorities said the charred remains of a missing farmer were found in southern Evia  a discovery made following the death of two Greek firefighting pilots, in a crash during a low-altitude water drop.

The heat wave in Greece has pushed temperatures back above 40 C (104 F) while strong winds hampered firefighting efforts. The fire on Rhodes has damaged an inland nature reserve.

Rhodes resident Philippos Karageorgiou lamented how the blazes destroyed forest areas with virgin forest of several years  from herbs to anything you can imagine, and Rhodes was famous for all of these.

Algeria

Following three days of destruction, most major fires in Algeria have been contained or put out, thanks to a huge mobilization of aerial and ground resources as well as falling temperatures, authorities said.

The death toll stood at 34, including 10 soldiers assisting an evacuation. The coastal and densely-forested Bejaia area was hardest hit.

Critics say the governments efforts to prepare for the wildfires were insufficient following two deadly fire seasons.

Fires in August 2022 claimed 37 lives in the northeastern Taraf region. July 2021 saw the most significant damage in recent years, with at least 90 deaths in the northern Tizi-Ouzou region, 33 of them soldiers.

Italy

The bodies of two older people were found in a home that had been consumed by flames near the Palermo airport, on the island of Sicily, which had been closed

temporarily because of the encroaching flames, according to Italian news reports.

Firefighters battled wildfires across southern Italy as searing temperatures continued to scorch Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria, where dozens of fires broke out and multiple evacuations were ordered.

Freak storms in the north of the country also left two people dead on Tuesday from falling trees.

Croatia

A wildfire was burning several kilometers away from the famous walled town of Dubrovnik, in the country`s south along the Adriatic Sea coast, where water-

dropping planes and more than 100 firefighters held back the blaze before it reached houses overnight.

The medieval stone city is a protected heritage site and Croatias best-known tourism destination.

Its been a long night, but we managed to stave off the part (of the fire) that is important because of the houses, firefighting unit commander Stjepan Simovic said. We must be careful because the wind has started to pick up and the fire can grow again.

Portugal

More than 500 firefighters continued to combat a blaze close to Lisbon, Portugal. The fire forced the evacuation of 90 people from their homes along with 800

farm animals.

The blaze near the coastal town of Cascais, 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Lisbon, was brought under control early Wednesday, helped by cooler temperatures. Firefighters remained in the area to watch for any further flare-ups as temperatures and winds rose again Wednesday. Fears rose that it might spread deep into the nearby Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. No injuries were reported.

Turkey

A hospital and a dozen homes were evacuated as a precaution in the coastal town of Kemer, where firefighters for a third day battled a blaze raging through

woodland. At least 10 planes, 22 helicopters and hundreds of firefighters were deployed.

Five helicopters with night-vision capabilities worked through the night, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Authorities said residential areas were not under threat in Kemer in the Mediterranean coastal province of Antalya.

Water-dropping planes, helicopters and firefighters were also deployed to a forest blaze Wednesday near the district of Beykoz, in Istanbul, where temperatures reached 43 C (109.4). The cause of the wildfire on the Asian side of the city wasn`t immediately known and it wasn`t clear if residential areas were under threat.

Teams were also battling two fires near the towns of Kinik and Odemis in the western coastal province of Izmir, Anadolu said. At least three villages near Kinik were evacuated as a precaution.

Spain

Officials said that sparks from a brush cutter set off a wildfire on Gran Canaria island off the northwest coast of Africa. The fire in the la Caldera de Los Marteles volcanic area started when a worker using the cutter was clearing land with two others, island president Antonio Morales told reporters.

The three workers tried in vain to extinguish the ensuing fire before calling emergency services. Some nine water-carrying helicopters were being used by firefighters and Morales said they hoped to have the blaze under control later in the day. About 300 hectares (740 acres) of the mountain area has been burnt.

Tunisia

Tunisia`s interior minister, Kamel Fekih, said Wednesday that the wildfires that broke out in the country in recent days are now under control, signaling an end to the immediate danger.

He said a few fire pockets in the northwestern areas of Malouleh and Ain Sobh are currently being addressed but no longer pose any danger. Earlier in the week, a school principal in the northwestern town of Nefza died of asphyxiation because of heavy smoke from the flames.

Derek Gatopoulos reported from Athens. Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia; Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; Ciaran Giles in Madrid; Bouazza Ben Bouazza in Tunis, Tunisia; Veselin Toshkov in Sofia, Bulgaria; and Nicole Winfield and Frances DEmilio in Rome contributed to this report.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Former attorneys for McClenny Moseley & Associates hope to persuade a federal judge to lift a suspension that prevents them from practicing in the Western District of Louisiana, including one young lawyer who says he had been practicing law less than a year before the managing partner of MMAs New Orleans office persuaded him to accept a job negotiating settlements with insurers.

To the extent that my actions may have affected any clients of MMA, I have great remorse, just as I have incredible remorse for taking a job with MMA in the first place, Grant P. Gardiner says in a sworn affidavit submitted to the court June 21 and recently unsealed.

Gardiners statement and a letter from MMA founding partner James McClenny provide new details about happenings behind the scenes in the months before the law firm filed more than 1,600 lawsuits over the course of several days in August 2022, many of them on behalf of property owners whom they did not represent.

District Court Judge James D. Cain Jr. has scheduled an Aug. 8 hearing at the federal courthouse in Lake Charles to consider pleadings by Gardiner, McClenny, founding partner J. Zachary Moseley and former MMA attorneys Claude F. Reynaud III and Cameron Snowden. The court on March 3 barred each of the attorneys, along with New Orleans managing partner R. William Huye III, from practicing law in the district for 90 days and on June 8 extended that suspension for an additional six months.

The Louisiana State Bar has also suspended Huyes law license indefinitely while it investigates his actions. Huye did not request reconsideration of the District Courts suspension.

Gardiner said during an interview with Claims Journal that he is trying to salvage his reputation and protect his professional future. He says he has spent $15,000 on legal bills so far, but filed the affidavit explaining his experience with MMA on his own.

I am trying to have my own voice as much as possible, he said. This is my story and I want to tell it.

Gardiner said he and Huye once worked together at Pandit Law, where Gardiner had started as a clerk while still attending Loyola University School of Law. He was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in October 2021.

Huye left Pandit Law to open a New Orleans office for Houston-based MMA and asked Gardiner to come work for him. Gardiner said initially he declined because he was wary about taking a position with a startup.

Huye offered to hire Gardiner again after Hurricane Ida ripped through Louisiana. Huye told him the law firms marketing campaign had brought on 10,000 new clients. Gardiner said he was 10 years old when Hurricane Katrina dumped 10 feet of water on his New Orleans neighborhood and he relished an opportunity to work on hurricane damage claims.

Gardiner said he and other attorneys at MMA were kept in separate silos. He said the law firm operated like an assembly line. One lawyer worked on mediations and another on damage estimates. His job was limited to negotiating settlements with insurers and preparing for mediations.

Gardiner went to work for MMA on July 18, 2022, according to his affidavit. A month later, the statutory deadline for filing Hurricane Laura claims was approaching when Huye asked him and two other attorneys for permission to use the internet accounts that give them access to the federal court system  known by the acronym PACER  to file lawsuits on behalf of hurricane victims. He said in that way his name became attached to one quarter of the hurricane damage lawsuits filed by MMA.

Gardiner said Huye told him he had intended limit the number of lawsuits filed by using a permissive joinder to file one lawsuit against each insurer that owed for damages, naming all if the affected policyholders as plaintiffs. He said Huye asked to use his colleagues PACER accounts after federal courts rejected that approach.

Gardiner said he was unaware at the time that MMA had used a restoration contractor and a marketing company called Velawcity to sign up clients. He said he learned about the scheme only after a federal judge confronted Huye about the mass filings. Until then, he said he had no idea that MMA had made misrepresentations about who it represented.

He said he has paid dearly for allowing MMA to file lawsuits in his name.

In his personal life, Mr. Gardiner has on countless occasions had to explain his situation and his involvement (or lack thereof) to friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues, and opposing counsel, he said in a formal request for relief filed with the court on June 21. Mr. Gardiners wife (an elementary school teacher) has also been forced to endure questioning from friends, family, acquaintances, and coworkers.

McClenny also sent a letter to the court on June 15. He said he has started a new law firm that practices solely in Texas and has limited knowledge of of the current situation in Louisiana because he has completely distanced himself from the law firm.

I made a difficult but needed decision in December to depart the firm and retain no interest in its docket or future earnings, McClennys letter says. I left with nothing.

US District Court Terry A. Doughty, the chief judge for the Western District of Louisiana, announced on July 7 that he has scheduled an Aug. 8 hearing before Judge Cain to consider the suspensions of MMA attorneys. Doughty also ordered each of the attorneys to provide any information they have on client trust accounts.

Specifically, Doughty asked the law firm to list all storm damage clients whose funds were deposited, a full listing of funds distributed, a full listing of uncashed settlement checks and an explanation about the status of settlement funds for nine specific clients.

The judge did not explain why he wanted information about those particular clients.

Insurance defense attorney Matthew Monson, whose investigation of MMAs tactics led to the judicial inquiry, noted the order on his LinkedIn page Wednesday.

Thanks to Judge Doughty for this order to get to the bottom of the most important question, What did MMA do with the money?' he said.
BEREA, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County Council on Monday (July 24) denied an Olmsted Township couples request to annex to Berea 72 acres of rural property on which a developer would like to build 162 single-family homes.

The annexation decision now returns to Berea City Council for a final vote.

Berea council representatives voted unanimously June 26 to deny the annexation, but the state process requires a Cuyahoga County Council review and recommendation as well.

Joseph P. Hollo and Suzanne C. Hollo, along with Builders and Developers Co., presented information last September that reduced the number of proposed homes to 162. They had withdrawn a petition in 2019 seeking to develop the land for more than 200 homes after being met with staunch opposition from both communities.

Under the reduced plan, they still sought to tie into Bereas city services and infrastructure, such as sewer, water, street maintenance and safety forces.

Real estate taxes generated by each of the estimated $500,000 homes would have gone to Olmsted Township.

The Hollos subsequently filed a new annexation petition June 16.

Attorney Thomas Ritzert addressed County Council on behalf of the Hollos and the developer, while attorney Todd Hunt summarized Bereas position. Mary Vedda, an Olmsted Township resident, also spoke.

Mr. Hollo is free to develop his land according to the Olmsted Township Master Plan (that requires much larger lots in rural areas, thus far fewer homes)  but Mr. Hollo just doesnt want to, Vedda said. No one wants this development as proposed.

We would appreciate this finally being put to rest. This has gone on for years.

District 5 County Council Representative Michael Gallagher spoke just prior to the vote.

Both of these communities are in my district, and both of these communities soundly reject the annexation, regardless of the legal arguments that have been placed in front of us, Gallagher said.

He added that he felt the expedited administrative turnaround the petitioners placed on County Council was untimely, or almost purposely untimely.

He went on to encourage County Council representatives to vote (their) conscience, and they ultimately rejected the annexation petition.

Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.

Obviously, were supportive of the countys decision, Kleem told cleveland.com.

I think with Berea City Councils unanimous decision, and now County Councils unanimous decision, it sends a message that this annexation would cause Berea a difficulty for provision of services.

Read more stories from the News Sun.
BEREA, Ohio

Operating a vehicle under the influence: Mulberry Street

An intoxicated Berea woman, 31, was arrested at about 5:30 p.m. July 21 after she was involved in a vehicle crash on Mulberry Street at West Bagley Road.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A Dayton man wanted in connection with the sexual assault of a child was arrested Wednesday in Cleveland, reports say.

The U.S. Marshals Service tells the Dayton Daily News that Augustine Rosales, 48, was taken into custody by agents with the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. Rosales is charged with two counts of rape of a victim under 13, two counts of sexual battery, and one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

The Daily News reports that court documents show Rosales is accused of sexually assaulting a girl for the past two years, beginning when she was 12 years old. The girl eventually told a family member about the abuse and the family member contacted police.

WHIO Channel 7 reports Rosales is the father of a 7-year-old boy who disappeared from a park in April. The boys body was found in the Great Miami River after about two weeks of searching, WHIO reports.

Reports say Rosales is being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail until he can be extradited to Montgomery County.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is now tossing the dog bone of a potential Biden Impeachment inquiry. But what may be brought forth is just McCarthy and Rep. Jim Jordan barking questions to Bidens biting dog, Commander, wanting to know if it had also bitten the semi-truck driver in Ohio who was mauled by a K-9 during a traffic stop by Highway Patrol and Circleville, Ohio police.

According to a report released Tuesday by the conservative group Judicial Watch, Commander has bitten Secret Staff members 10 times in the past 4 months. That calls out for better dog training. As did the K-9 biting incident in Ohio, when a Circleville police officer released a K-9 to maul an unarmed truck driver, standing with his hands up, after being pulled over by Highway Patrol and Circleville police for a missing mud flap.

With the truck driver traffic stop, the dog training wasnt needed for the dog, but the dog handler, who released the dog despite being ordered by the Highway Patrol not to since the truck driver was clearly seen on video of the stop, standing with his hands up in the air. The dog handler, officer Ryan Speakman has now been fired after first being put on paid leave.

Circelville 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. Officer Speakman has been terminated from the department, effective immediately.

The traffic stop happened on U.S. Route 23. Circleville is 25 miles south of Columbus.

Expert K-9 dog handlers reviewing the tape said the K-9 unit should not have even been on the scene for the dog to be released, despite the semi-truck driver initially not complying with attempts to stop his truck. Instead, he called 9-11, confused as to why he was being pulled over and fearing police pointing guns who were pursuing.

Noteworthy this happened on July 4th. Shows were still not independent from poor judgement in police cars, semi-truck cabs and U.S. Capitol.
GLENDALE, Arizona  A teenager who disappeared nearly four years ago from her home in Glendale just days before turning 15 is safe after walking into a small-town Montana police station 1,000 miles from home, authorities announced Wednesday.

Alicia Navarro, now 18, showed up alone this week about 40 miles from the Canadian border and identified herself to authorities there as the missing teenager, according to police in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb.

She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy, Jose Santiago, a spokesman for the Glendale Police Department, said at a news conference.

After walking into the police station  in a town that was not immediately identified -- authorities contacted Glendale police.

At that point our officers went into investigation mode, Santiago said. We conducted several types of interviews. And not only through those interviews, but through the help of Alicias family themselves, we are confident that the person we are talking with and are dealing with is indeed Alicia Navarro.

The search for Navarro led to a nationwide effort involving the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that generated thousands of tips to police about her whereabouts, authorities told The Washington Post.

Navarro disappeared at age 14 on Sept. 15, 2019.

Shortly before Alicias 15th birthday, she left her mother a handwritten note in her bedroom saying she would come back home, according to The Arizona Republic.

Nunez found the note in Alicias bedroom saying: I ran away. I will be back, I swear. Im sorry. - Alicia. Up until their reunion, Nunez had not seen or heard from her daughter since reading that note.

Her mother, Jessica Nunez, raised concerns that Navarro, who was diagnosed as high-functioning on the autism spectrum, may have been lured away by someone she met online, The Associated Press said.

Glendale police Lt. Scott Waite said investigators are trying to piece together what happened and were investigating all the possible scenarios, including kidnapping.

As much as wed like to say this is the end, Waite said, we know this is only the beginning of where this investigation will go.

Police said Navarro told them she hadnt been harmed, wasnt being held and could come and go as she pleased. She does not face any criminal charges, they added.

Santiago said she appears to be doing well.

Alicia by all accounts appears to be in good spirits. She really just wants to move on with her life, Santiago said. She is very apologetic to what she has put her mother through. And she understands that she has caused a lot of pain to her mother, and it was not intentional on her behalf, and she is hopeful that they can have a relationship.

Nunez said the case should be an example of people to not give up hope.

Miracles do exist, she said. Never lose hope and always fight.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted 220-209 to reject the U.S. Fish and Wildlifes decision to list the northern long-eared bat as endangered.

The bat is found in more than 30 states including Ohio. Its numbers are dwindling because of a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome which affects bats that hibernate. The fungus looks like white fuzz on bats muzzles and wings.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, northern long-eared bats inhabit the states forests and woodlands in the summer. Between November and March, they hibernate in caves and abandoned mines.

ODNR says they nestle in small holes and crevices, often near other species that include little brown bats, big brown bats, eastern small-footed bats, and tri-colored bats. Since the 2011 discovery of the fungus in Ohio, some of the states northern long-eared bat populations have declined 97 percent, ODNR says.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Martha Williams told a Senate committee her agency is trying to find a vaccine that will keep bats from getting the disease and trying to conserve existing bats so theyll be around when they find a solution for white-nose syndrome.

I think weve made some progress, but we certainly havent solved it, said Williams.

FWS Deputy Director Stephen D. Guertin told another committee that white-nose syndrome has spread across approximately 79% of the species entire range and is expected to affect 100% of the species range by the end of the decade.

Data indicate white-nose syndrome has caused estimated declines of 97 to 100% in affected northern long-eared bat populations, said Guertin Given the increasing threat of this disease, the bat now meets the definition of an endangered species, i.e., in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Republicans argue that putting the bats on the endangered species list wont fight the fungal disease killing the bats and would instead hamstring developments and increase regulatory burdens in places where the bats are found.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, an Arkansas Republican who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, said that adding the bats to the endangered species act would force more than 3,000 projects in his home state to obtain additional permits. He said it would affect forest management efforts to prevent wildfires, as well as projects like roads, bridges and pipelines.

With this decision, the Biden administration is punishing small businesses, farmers, foresters, energy producers, those who transmit electricity because this would impact the ability to clear fallen timber off of off of power lines, added the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Pennsylvania Republican Glenn Thompson. Its just extensive the impact here to cover the cost of something they have no control over.

Democrats said the resolution is intended to undermine the Endangered Species Act.

Lets remember we work for the American people and not these industry polluters, said Arizona Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the National Resources Committee.

All Ohio Republicans backed rejecting the bats endangered status, while the states Democrats voted to keep it.

The measure passed the Senate in May by a 51 to 49 margin, with support from all the legislative bodys Republicans, as well as Democrats Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Neither legislative body passed it by a margin sufficient to override the presidential veto the Biden administration has promised.

Bats are critical to healthy, functioning ecosystems and contribute at least $3 billion annually to the U.S. agriculture economy through pest control and pollination, said a statement from the Office of Management and Budget. Overturning this rule would risk extinction of a species. Overturning protections for the northern long-eared bat that are rooted in science would undermine Americas proud wildlife conservation traditions and risk extinction of the species.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Lincoln Electric CEO Christopher Mapes will retire at the end of 2023, leaving the role open for Steven Hedlund, currently chief operating officer, to become the companys new leader.

The Euclid-based manufacturer of welding equipment announced the leadership transition Thursday morning in a news release and a filing to investors.
Rotunda Rumblings

Debating 1 in the 216: The City Club of Cleveland held a Wednesday forum featuring proponents and opponents of State Issue 1. Representing the yes side were two Republicans: Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Rep. Susan Manchester. On the no side were former Democratic Gov. Dick Celeste and former Republican Attorney General Betty Montgomery. Andrew Tobias details some of their most memorable and revealing exchanges, with added context.

2026 watch: Attorney General Dave Yost has further confirmed his interest in running for governor in 2026, as shown by a paperwork update he filed earlier this month with the Ohio Secretary of States Office. Tobias and Jeremy Pelzer report that Yost updated his campaign paperwork to indicate hes running for governor, rather than attorney general. Current Gov. Mike DeWine is barred by term limits from running for reelection. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted made a similar paperwork move in February.

Amendment accoutrements: Ohio will be the seventh state to vote on abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Laura Hancock provides context in the overall national fight over abortion rights. In Kansas, Michigan, Kentucky, Vermont, Montana and California, the abortion rights side prevailed. But by the time Nov. 7 rolls around, anti-abortion activists will have had about a year to develop a playbook to defeat it, with tactics such as Issue 1.

Period, no questions: Ohio girls in grades 6-12 will get free feminine hygiene products at school, after lawmakers sent $5 million to schools to make tampons, sanitary pads and other period items free, Hancock reports. Outside Ohio, seven other states fund and require products in schools. In families where money is tight, girls will extend the amount of time they wear products, putting themselves at risk of toxic shock syndrome, or leave school when theyre on their periods.

Elections complaint: A Republican activist from the Cleveland area has accused LaRose of skirting campaign-finance laws during the run-up to his recently announced candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Tobias reports that Ralph Kings complaint with the Federal Election Complaint says LaRose avoided officially announcing after hed clearly decided to run for the Senate, and in the process, illegally delayed who was financing his campaign while possibly allowing him to raise money directly for an allied political group. LaRose dismissed the complaint as silly, and said hes closely followed advice from his compliance team.

Border crossing: House Judiciary Committee Republicans, led by Ohios Jim Jordan, on Wednesday accused Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of everything from treason to doing the bidding of drug cartels, Sabrina Eaton writes. Nothing about the Biden administration policy is safe, orderly or humane, said Jordan, a Champaign County Republican. The committees top Democrat, New Yorks Jerrold Nadler, countered that the Biden administration has deported or expelled over 2.5 million people in the last two years.

Bank shot: U.S. Sen. JD Vance introduced legislation Wednesday called the Bank Failure Prevention Act, which would improve bank supervision and regulation for insured state banks with assets of $100 billion or more. It would switch oversight of the institutions to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), instead of the Federal Reserve or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). He argues the OCC, unlike the other agencies, is solely focused on bank supervision and regulation and has a strong track record in preventing bank failures.

Sick Bern: Bernie Moreno, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate, criticized LaRoses handling of the Issue 1 campaign during a podcast interview this week. The one thing I would knock Frank on is that he said its 100% about abortion which has screwed up the messaging, Moreno said on the Common Sense Ohio podcast. Its 100% about protecting the constitution.

Second act: Tim Ryan, the former Democratic congressman and 2022 U.S. Senate nominee, has a new political project, Robert Costa reports for CBS News. Ryan is launching an advocacy group called We the People, which Ryan says will host civic events aimed at organizing people who feel exhausted by politics. The group will be advised by Steve Schmidt, an ex-Republican political consultant who was on the periphery of Ryans 2022 campaign.

Reagan Tokes Law: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a law allowing prison officials to extend some sentences does not violate the state constitution. Samantha Hendrickson of The Associated Press reports that the 2019 law named for Reagan Tokes lets Ohios Department of Rehabilitation and Correction argue that the parole board should keep some felony offenders in prison past the minimums of their sentence ranges due to bad behavior or because there are signs they have not been rehabilitated.

Fair warning: DeWine kicked off the 170th annual Ohio State Fair on Wednesday with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and, as is tradition, walking around the fairgrounds with a bevy of aides and reporters in tow. Before trying a Schmidts bratwurst with his wife Fran, DeWine indicated to reporters that hell soon renew his attempt to have lawmakers firm up Ohios abortion laws ahead of Novembers vote on a proposed abortion-rights constitutional amendment. Ill have plenty to say after August, DeWine said, referring to the Aug. 8 special election on a different proposed amendment that would make it tougher for voters to pass the abortion amendment.

Fund the police: State Sen. Frank Hoagland, a Jefferson County Republican, said he will introduce legislation to establish a new state facility for police, featuring live fire scenario training, a track to conduct vehicle maneuvering and pursuit training, and a location for aircraft response training. DeWine first proposed the idea Tuesday when asked about a police officers dog mauling an unarmed, Black man on his knees with his hands in the air.

Full Disclosure

Five things we learned from the May 11, 2023, financial disclosure form filed by state Sen. Steve Wilson, a Warren County Republican:

1. In addition to his legislative salary of $77,674.20 last year, Wilson disclosed eight other sources of income of at least $1,000. They included more than $100,000 from the American Automobile Association Allied Group, where he serves as treasurer and a board member, and more than $100,000 in deferred compensation from LCNB National Bank, where he served as CEO before retirement. He also received somewhere between $25,000 and $49,999 each from five sources: Social Security, rental income from a Florida apartment, stock/mutual fund dividends from LCNB, LCNB retirement benefits, and from continuing to serve on LCNBs board of directors.

2. He or an immediate family member does business under a company called Otterbein Homes Inc.

3. Besides serving on the boards of LCNB and AAA Allied Group, Wilson is also on the board of the Warren County Foundation and is a trustee for Countryside YMCA in Warren County.

4. At some point in 2022, he owed at least $1,000 to three sources: Visa/USAA, LCNB and American Express.

5. The Ohio Senate reimbursed Wilson $1,884.96 last year for mileage.

On The Move

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, a Champaign County Republican, has endorsed State Issue 1, a process that includes him cutting an ad for the measure.

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  6 days (Aug. 1)

Election Day... 12 days (Aug. 8)

Todays hours for in-person, early voting: 8 a.m to 5 p.m.

Birthdays

Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right To Life

Straight From The Source

If you had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, would you capture it? Or just let it slip?

- Vivek Ramaswamy, Ohio entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate, rapping Eminems Lose Yourself while an undergrad student at Harvard under his rap alter ego, Da Vek. Politico reports on Ramaswamys affinity for rap.

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.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A South Euclid woman was fatally shot Thursday on Clevelands East Side.

Quiana Butler, 43, was struck about 12:35 a.m. on Superior Avenue, near Ansel Road, according to police and the office of the Cuyahoga County medical examiner. Officers found Butler on the ground with gunshot wounds on Superior Avenue and East 109th Street, police said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Theres out-of-state money aplenty funding both sides of Ohio State Issue 1, the amendment that proponents say is needed to protect Ohios constitution from out-of-state interests.

On Thursday, campaign groups spending for or against Issue 1, which will be decided in the upcoming Aug. 8 election, had to file reports documenting their financial activities.

The reports show that Person, One Vote, the campaign working to defeat the measure, has raised $14.8 million and spent $10.4 million, mostly on advertising. All but $2.3 million that the group raised came from out of state, although in-state groups, including the ACLU of Ohio, Ohio Citizen Action and the Ohio League of Women Voters, contributed $1.2 million in free services. Much of the organizations donors are nonprofits and dark-money groups that dont have to disclose whos funding them.

The official yes campaign, Save Our Constitution, raised $4.8 million  $4 million of which came from conservative Illinois billionaire Richard Uiehlein  and spent $1.6 million, mostly on ads. Groups that contributed the other $800,000 include 55 Green Meadows, an Ohio nonprofit associated with nursing home providers that gave $100,000 and Save Our Jobs LLC, a group with ties to the Ohio Chamber of Commerce that also gave $100,000. Jimmy and Dee Haslam, the owners of the Cleveland Browns, together gave another $50,000.

An allied group, the Protect Women Ohio Action Fund spent another $3.6 million in support of Issue 1. All but $200,000 of the funding for the group, which was formed to defeat an abortion-rights ballot issue in November, comes from the Concord Fund, a conservative dark-money group in Washington, D.C. The rest came from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national anti-abortion group in Washington, D.C. that also contributed free polling.

The reports offer the first look  and likely the last before the Aug. 8 election  at who is funding both campaigns, and document spending through July 19.

But especially for the no campaign, they leave more questions than answers, with out-of-state political advocacy groups that dont have to disclose their donors making up a large percentage of the funds.

Of the money raised by One Person, One Vote, $13.1 million came from non-individuals.

Many of those donors are nonprofits that dont have to disclose their individual donors, including $2.5 million from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a national progressive dark-money group; $1.85 million from the California-based Tides Foundation; $1 million from the American Civil Liberties Union; $700,000 from Article IV, an organization registered with a UPS Store box in Alexandria, Virginia; $500,000 from the Hopewell Fund, which the New York Times has reported is affiliated with the Sixteen Thirty Fund; and $500,000 from the North Fund, another liberal dark-money group.

Another $2 million came from the Ohio Education Association, the teachers union, and its national affiliate.

Another group that filed a campaign-finance report on Thursday is called Protect Our Kids Ohio, which has funded ads attacking Issue 1. The group got most of its money, $500,000, from Protect Ohio Constitution, the official campaign working to pass Issue 1, with another $185,000 coming from the American Principles Project, which has ties to Uiehlein.

Issue 1 would increase the number of votes, from 50% plus one vote to 60%, that future constitutional amendments would need to pass. If adopted, the higher requirement would apply to an abortion-rights amendment in November that prompted GOP lawmakers to place Issue 1 on the ballot.

It also would significantly toughen the signature-gathering requirements amendment campaigns must meet to qualify for the ballot, by requiring a minimum amount from all 88 Ohio counties, double the current 44 counties, and by eliminating a 10-day cure period during which amendment campaigns can gather more signatures if they initially fall short.

The heightened signature-gathering rules wouldnt take effect until January, and dont affect the abortion-rights issue.

The next state campaign finance deadline for the August special election falls on Sept. 15.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
Overseas Chinese motorcyclists ride from Rome to Xi'an via Silk Road

People's Daily Online) 09:40, July 27, 2023

Nine overseas Chinese individuals residing in Italy embarked on a 36-day motorbike expedition from Rome to Wenzhou city, in east China's Zhejiang Province, passing through Xi'an - the origin of the ancient Silk Road and the capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Over the course of this ambitious journey from June 10 to July 15, they traversed seven countries, covering 14,300 kilometers.

Deng Jianyi (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

The head of the motorbike team, Deng Jianyi, 40, also leads a local motorcycle club comprised of overseas Chinese in Italy. For Deng, a seasoned motorcycle enthusiast, the dream of riding his motorcycle from Italy to his homeland had been long-standing.

Before making the decision, Deng shared his idea with fellow club members who were enthusiastic about it. As a result, eight other members joined him on the adventure, and another agreed to drive a support vehicle, supplying essentials like food and fuel for the team.

Having a keen interest in history, Deng proposed that they travel via the ancient Silk Road. "I wanted to learn about local customs along the Silk Road. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). So, I think such a travel route is meaningful," said Deng.

The overseas Chinese motorcyclists hit the road. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Following the route of the ancient Silk Road, Deng organized an itinerary starting from Rome and traversing countries, including Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, and Kazakhstan, before reaching Xi'an via Horgos in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Throughout the journey, Deng observed numerous infrastructure projects under construction by Chinese companies. Particularly in Georgia's Caucasus Mountains, seeing a Chinese construction team at work gave them a sense of familiarity and comfort.

A Chinese company's construction site. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Deng said he experienced firsthand the friendliness extended by people from Silk Road countries toward Chinese people.

"We were riding for over 10 hours, but as night fell, we found ourselves stranded in 'no man's land,' which posed a danger to us. Additionally, we lost contact with our support vehicle," Deng recollected.

Fortunately, they managed to leave the desolate area around 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., finding a village with around 10 households. They went from door to door in search of fuel.

"One family had fuel and was willing to help us. We spared the fuel we bought for each motorcycle. Thanks to this, we could ride to a petrol station to refuel our motorcycles," Deng said.

After traveling 6,200 kilometers, Deng and his team arrived at Horgos in Xinjiang on June 27.

The motorcyclists pose for a photo in Xi'an. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Continuing their journey through Xinjiang and northwest China's Gansu Province, they finally arrived in Xi'an. From there, they rode to their ultimate destination, Wenzhou city  their hometown.

"Wherever we went in China, we encountered paved and smooth roads. But not every place along our journey in overseas countries is accessible by paved roads. In some places, even though there are paved roads, road conditions are poor," Deng said.

The journey left an indelible impression on team members unfamiliar with the Silk Road, especially in relation to the BRI.

"In the past, I didn't understand the meaning of the BRI. However, after the motorcycle journey, I knew that the BRI had brought changes to countries along the Silk Road," Deng said.

"The architectural style of many buildings in Turkiye is almost the same as that in China. Most taxis and police cars in Kazakhstan are made in China. The case I am most impressed by is a Chinese construction team in Georgia's mountains," Deng added.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol sat down with CNBC's Jim Cramer on Wednesday to discuss the Mexican fast-food chain's earnings and the "Autocado" robot prototype.

Chipotle reported $2.51 billion in revenue beating $2.53 billion consensus estimates after the bell. The company's stock has climbed 50% year to date, but it fell more than 9% in extended trading.

"The good news is, we're driving traffic, and, obviously, that traffic is resulting in same-store sales growth," Niccol said. "And, frankly, our supply chain team, our operators, have done a great job of managing labor, managing costs along the way."

Excluding the pullback in the cost of avocados, Niccol said Chipotle is still feeling the effects of inflated food prices. However, he added that the company will "keep an eye on it" and is prepared to adjust its prices accordingly.

Niccol also touted Chipotle's "Autocado" robot prototype. He said he'd been hearing consistently from workers about the difficulty of prepping avocados, which require cutting, quartering and peeling. He said the 'Autocado' not only makes workers' jobs easier, but it allows them to recover faster if they find they haven't prepared enough guacamole for the day.

"We challenged our team to come up with a robotic or an automated solution, and we've got one that's a prototype, it's the 'Autocado,'" Niccol said. "We're pretty excited about what it can do for us."
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demonstrates an Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset and Oculus Touch controllers during the Oculus Connect 3 event in San Jose, California, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016.

The difference is that Meta has rightsized its finances. While Snap's revenue dropped 4% in the second quarter, Meta is solidly growing again, driven by Facebook's ad business.

Neither Zuckerberg nor Spiegel have plans to cut back on spending money on experimental projects. Meta is burning billions of dollars a quarter on the futuristic metaverse , and Snap is pouring cash into augmented reality products and services. Both are heavily touting the benefits of artificial intelligence.

Meta shares are now up more than 160% for the year. Snap is up 20%, about inline with the S&P 500.

But in consecutive days this week the stark contrast between the two companies has become more clear than ever. Snap shares sank 14% on Wednesday after issuing a disappointing forecast the prior afternoon. Meta's stock jumped almost 7% in extended trading on Wednesday following better-than-expected results , a return to double-digit growth and rosy guidance for the third quarter.

Both companies were hammered by Apple's iOS privacy change in late 2021 and the broader economic tumult last year, spotlighted by soaring inflation, rising interest rates and the war in Ukraine. Their ad businesses shrank and investors bailed. Mass layoffs ensued.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is once again a fan favorite on Wall Street. The same can't be said for Snap CEO Evan Spiegel.

Meta Chief Financial Officer Susan Li told analysts on the company's earnings call that advertising revenue rose in part due to an increase in spending by online retailers and Chinese companies, continuing a trend from the previous quarter.

Li also said online advertisers are adopting Meta's Advantage+ service, which analysts have said is helping the company improve the effectiveness of its ad system following the iOS privacy change.

"We're seeing this work translate into results for advertisers as conversion growth remains strong in Q2," Li said.

Even with the ad rebound, analysts questioned Zuckerberg on the earnings call about the business rationale for investing in the metaverse, and expressed concern about growing losses in the company's Reality Labs unit.

Zuckerberg's pitch for the company's metaverse investment  which inspired the name change to Meta in 2021  continues to center around the idea that the company needs to own a platform. Apple has iOS, Google has Android and Facebook has always been forced to play by their rules in order to get distribution for its apps, which include Instagram and WhatsApp.

The metaverse is the place where Zuckerberg sees that dynamic changing. However, he has said it could take a decade and told analysts on Wednesday that he "can't guarantee you that I'm going to be right about this bet."

"I do think that this is the direction that the world is going in," Zuckerberg said. "One billion or two billion people have glasses today; I think in the future, they're all going to be smart glasses."

Meanwhile, Spiegel pitched Snap's AR projects as a "long-term focused" investment that represents "an extension of our core platform rather than totally new bets."

An analyst on Tuesday asked Spiegel whether the company has "a lot of employees that are working on like five-plus year projects that are not generating revenue," underscoring the general concern that Snap is spending too much time and investment on the future rather than resolving immediate financial concerns.

And while Meta has seemingly fixed most of its ad problems, Snap is still struggling.

"Profitability is being particularly impacted by a major step up in infrastructure spending as Snap invests in AI both to enhance the user experience and also attempt to improve ad targeting capabilities," wrote James Cordwell, an analyst at Atlantic Equities, in a note to clients. As a "subscale platform," Cordwell said he's skeptical of Snap's ability to succeed in those areas while "still delivering attractive returns to investors."

WATCH: Internet advertising bounce back is "Meta specific."
CNBC's Jim Cramer said Wednesday that "parsing the Fed's move is a mug's game."

After the Federal Reserve raised rates to their highest level in 22 years, Cramer said investors can use market volatility created by the central bank meeting to buy stocks in line with 10 themes from this quarter's earnings season.

"Why am I so confident about all these particular groups? Because the information is on time, it's current, it's now," Cramer said. "We know how the market's reacting to these issues in real time. That's what I like."

Here are Cramer's 10 themes:

"I like my approach: It's clinical, unemotional, and empirical," Cramer said. "Remember the theme this week: Keep it simple. Those 10 categories are as simple as they get."
Meta Platforms (META) delivered a much better-than-expected second quarter Wednesday, with its robust revenue guidance for the current period further proof the social media giant has made incredible strides monetizing its products even while reining in costs. Revenue for the three months ended June 30 climbed 11% year-over-year, to $32 billion, beating analysts' forecasts of $31.12 billion, according to Refinitiv. Earnings-per-share (EPS) grew 21% year-over-year, to $2.98, exceeding Wall Street's estimates of $2.91 a share, Refinitiv data showed. The beat would have been even bigger excluding a $780-million restructuring charge. Shares of Club holding Meta jumped roughly 7% in afterhours trading, to nearly $319 apiece, adding to a rebound that has seen the stock soar 148% year-to-date. Bottom line The parent company of Facebook and Instagram may have faced the highest bar out of all the "Magnificent Seven" technology stocks heading into second-quarter earnings season, due mainly to its significant outperformance this year. But the company delivered on those lofty expectations with a quarter that was the best among the group so far. The other members of that cohort have reported so far are Club names Alphabet (GOOGL) and Microsoft (MSFT), as well as Tesla (TSLA). Meta had seen its stock price and earnings decimated last year due to out-of-control expenses, a weak advertising market, and ongoing monetization challenges amid privacy challenges with Apple's operating system . And one by one, these problems have been alleviated throughout 2023. CEO Mark Zuckerberg's declaration in February that this year would be the company's "year of efficiency" transformed Meta's narrative. Investors quickly came to see the tech firm as serious about cost-optimization and achieving more with less headcount, rather than a Silicon Valley player burning through cash. While the ad market remains challenged, higher engagement, more time spent on Meta's family of applications, and the use of artificial intelligence has led to a 34% surge in the total number of ad impressions  essentially the number of times an ad is displayed on an ap. Meta's use of AI has also helped it navigate Apple's privacy changes for apps, while obtaining better results for advertisers. Taken together, the company has been able to significantly accelerate revenue growth. Coupled with rebounding operating margins, the stock is now more deserving of a so-called growth stock multiple instead of the "value" label investors had attached to the firm last year. With earnings estimates moving higher, we raise our price target to $350 a share, up from $250. Second-quarter commentary Strong platform engagement and improved monetization were the two big themes of the quarter. Meta now has more than 3.8 billion people who use one of its apps every month. Facebook was a standout in the quarter, with the number of daily and monthly active users both beating expectations. That was largely a result of a rise in active users from the U.S. and Canada, an important combined market due to its high average-revenue-per-user (ARPU) monetization rates. Driving these trends is the adoption of artificial intelligence, which not only improves recommendation systems  which show users content they are likely to be interested in  and engagement, but also monetization. Zuckerberg said Wednesday that AI-recommended content from accounts that a user doesn't follow is now the fastest-growing category of content on Facebook's feed. It's a bit of a copy from rival Tik-Tok's playbook, but the shift has been worth it because time spent on the Facebook platform is up 7% since the introduction of these monetization efforts. We can't talk about AI-recommend content without mentioning the Reels short-form video offering, which continues to be a major success story. Reels' plays now exceed 200 billion per day across Facebook and Instagram. But Reels isn't only getting more eyeballs, it's making a lot more money. The annual revenue run-rate of Reels across both social-media apps now exceeds $10 billion, up from $3 billion last fall. Back in May, Meta shared details about how it uses AI to improve the performance of ads for businesses, along with new features for its Meta Advantage suite of ad-automation tools. Meta CFO Susan Li on Tuesday said the company is leveraging AI to "move our systems towards using fewer larger models that enable us to leverage learnings across product surfaces and deploy improvements more quickly, broadly and efficiently." She added that Meta is also harnessing AI "to power advanced ads products like Advantage+ shopping, which continues to gain adoption," noting those efforts have "translated into results for advertisers." While Meta has this year become a story centered around AI-driven efficiency and improving monetization, Zuckerberg made clear Tuesday that he is still "fully committed" to the so-called metaverse through the work the company is doing in its Reality Labs segment. There's still plenty of investor angst about how much money this segment is losing every quarter, along with the limited visibility into when it will ever turn a profit. But for now, Zuckerberg has a pass because, to his credit, Meta's cost structure has been reduced significantly this year. It's also lot easier to stomach the high losses at Reality Labs when the company is in a position of strength and back to printing money. Meta generated more than $10 billion worth of free cash flow in the second quarter. Elsewhere, Meta is optimistic about the initial trajectory of its nascent Threads app , the platform the company launched earlier this month to rival Elon Musk's Twitter. The large uptake by users has made it a bigger opportunity than Zuckerberg anticipated, he acknowledged Tuesday. But don't expect plans to monetize the app any time soon. The company will focus on retention and the basics before that conversation begins, he suggested. Lastly, Meta slowed the pace of share buybacks. After buying back $9.22 billion worth of stock in the first quarter, Meta only repurchased $793 million in the second quarter. But this isn't necessarily alarming, given the stock has risen from the ashes this year, gaining hundreds of billions in market value. Still, the company has plenty of fire power to buy back stock if it wants to. It had $40.91 billion available and authorized for repurchases as of June 30. Outlook Meta's third-quarter revenue guidance is what really pushed the stock higher in late-market trading Wednesday. The company said it expects revenue to be in the range of $32 billion to $34.5 billion, reflecting growth of about 20% year-over-year at the midpoint. This view is much stronger than the $31.2 billion consensus forecast and a sharp acceleration from the 11% growth rate seen in the second quarter. The strong guidance was likely made possible due to easing foreign-exchange headwinds, along with stabilization in demand, easy year-over-year comparisons, and improvements to monetization and engagement. On the expenses side, Meta now sees full-year total expenses in a range of $88 billion to $91 billion, up from a prior view of $86 billion to $90 billion. Still, Meta continues to expect Reality Labs' operating losses to increase year-over-year in 2023. Meanwhile, management lowered its full-year outlook for capital expenditures to be in a range of $27 billion to $30 billion, below Wall Street's estimates of $31 billion. The company took the range down $3 billion due to cost savings, particularly on non-AI servers, as well as shifts in capital expenditures into 2024 from delays in projects and equipment deliveries. It's not from a reduction in overall investment plans. Meta expects capital expenditures to grow in 2024, as it invests in both data centers and servers to support AI work. Looking out to 2024, Meta outlined three factors that will drive total expenses growth in 2024. The first is higher infrastructure-related costs next year. The second is growth in payroll expenses, as the company evolves its workforce compensation toward higher-cost technical rolls. And the third is an expectation that operating losses from Reality Labs will increase meaningfully on 2023 levels  disappointing news amid an otherwise stellar quarter. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long META, MSFT, GOOGL. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

This photo illustration created in Washington, DC, on July 5, 2023, shows the logos for Threads, an Instagram app, and Instagram. Stefani Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images
Designer491 | Istock | Getty Images

1. Income-driven repayment plans

After 20 to 25 years of payments, borrowers enrolled in so called income-driven repayment plans get any remainder of their debt canceled by the federal government. The Biden administration recently wiped out debt for more than 800,000 people in such plans, delivering them $39 billion in relief. "Income-driven repayment plans are also student loan forgiveness plans," Kantrowitz said. While they're making payments, borrowers' monthly bills are capped at a share of their discretionary income, and some payments wind up being as little as $0.

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(The Biden administration is currently planning to make available a new income-driven repayment plan under which many borrowers will get to pay just 5% of their discretionary monthly income to their student debt. That option will be called SAVE, or the Saving on a Valuable Education plan.) The debt forgiveness at the end of the repayment term under these plans used to trigger a tax bill, but a recent law ended that policy until at least 2025, and experts anticipate it to become permanent.

2. Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Signed into law by then-President George W. Bush in 2007, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program allows certain nonprofit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years, or 120 payments. Although the program has had its fair share of problems, the Biden administration recently made a number of improvements to it.

Andrii Dodonov | Istock | Getty Images

There are typically three primary requirements to qualify for the program, although the recent changes provide some more wiggle room in certain cases: Your employer must be a government organization at any level, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization or some other type of not-for-profit organization that provides public service. Your loans must be federal Direct loans. To reach forgiveness, you need to have made 120 qualifying, on-time payments in an income-driven repayment plan or the standard repayment plan. The best way to find out if your job qualifies as public service is to fill out an employer certification form. In 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that 1 in 4 American workers could be eligible for the program.

3. Forgiveness options for teachers, nurses and others

In addition to those two main programs, there are several other forgiveness opportunities that many borrowers miss out on because they don't know about them, experts say. Full-time teachers who work for five consecutive years in a low-income school may be eligible for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program. The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program allows certain nurses to get up to 85% of their student debt canceled.

There are many other opportunities for loan forgiveness that often go unknown. Mark Kantrowitz higher education expert

Federal agencies also offer student loan repayment assistance programs, Kantrowitz said. Agencies can make payments to a federal employee of up to $10,000 a year, for a total of $60,000, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Meanwhile, there are numerous state-level student loan forgiveness programs.
A whopping 91% of workers report that they have faced workplace discrimination. Yes, you read that right. New data reveals that just 9% of today's workforce has not faced some form of workplace discrimination  whether it's based on race, gender, disability status, age, weight or another identifying factor. That's according to Monster's recent Workplace Discrimination Poll, which surveyed more than 3,000 employees and highlights the continued prevalence of discrimination at work. The staggering statistic leaves Monster career expert Vicki Salemi at a "loss for words," she tells CNBC Make It. What's more, the data reveals that workplace discrimination starts as early as the hiring process. In fact, 50% of those surveyed report they have experienced age-based discrimination in the job application process, while 40% of workers say that they have experienced racial discrimination in the hiring process. Although such a strong majority of employees have faced discrimination, only 28% feel comfortable reporting an incident they see or experience at work. Among the most important things to do despite this data is to arm yourself with information and documentation, Salemi says. Here are her top pieces of advice for all employees as today's workforce continues to grapple with workplace discrimination.

'Speak up. Document things.'

It is vital to speak up when you witness discriminatory instances, Salemi says. But that doesn't make it easy. Only 44% of workers feel comfortable reporting discriminatory incidents to a company-provided anonymous reporting resource, the Monster data reveals. Additionally, only 21% of employees feel comfortable reporting discriminatory behavior to a manager and 33% of workers feel comfortable reporting to HR. It is extremely valid to be scared of retaliation, Salemi says. But there are still steps you can take to be proactive for yourself and others. "We can do a few things. No. 1 is to speak up and document things," she says. "Were there any witnesses? What was the time? What was spoken? Is there an email?" Writing down everything you see and experience at work allows you to keep a record of workplace discrimination that you can use if you decide to speak up later. Communicating with colleagues to discuss your experience can also be a helpful step, Salemi adds. If you're not comfortable speaking up to someone within your company, seeking guidance from an outside employment attorney could be beneficial.

Learn what your company's policy is  and what to do if it doesn't have one
The chief executive of Airbus has called a lack of European collaboration on major defense projects following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine "frustrating."

Guillaume Faury told CNBC's Charlotte Reed that while there were pre-existing projects such as France, Germany and Spain's Future Combat Air System, which Airbus is working on, Europe was not "showing unity in addressing the new threats and solutions."

"That's very challenging, and it's quite frustrating to see that the responses that have been provided so far are mostly of a national nature and not much of a European nature," he said Wednesday.

"That's something we think Europe should reconsider and be more consistent, when it comes to working together on large programs."

Asked whether this could mean mergers and acquisitions creating larger defense players in Europe, Faury said: "Well, a lot of things can happen without M&A and a lot of the programs that have been successful in the past were mostly of a cooperation nature, sometimes with joint ventures."

Earlier this month, Michael Schoellhorn, Airbus' defense chief, said in a Financial Times interview that political discussions about steps toward European defence programs had so far been "lip service."

Schoellhorn said Europe remained too fragmented, and long-term clarity was needed before the industry could invest in the "procurement of bigger weapon systems behind aircraft and tanks."

Airbus results Wednesday showed that revenues at its defense and space division fell 8% which it attributed to "delays in Space Systems and delivery phasing in Military Air Systems."
The BlackRock logo is displayed at their headquarters on November 14, 2022 in New York City. BlackRock and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund signed an agreement to jointly explore infrastructure projects in the Middle East.

BlackRock has joined forces with the financial services arm of India's tycoon Mukesh Ambani in what's been referred to as a "major move."

This paves the way for the world's largest money manager to gain a foothold into the country's fast growing asset management market.

BlackRock, which had $9.4 trillion assets under management at the end of June, together with Jio Financial Services, each plan to invest up to $150 million in the 50-50 venture, according to a statement on Wednesday.

The joint venture will be called Jio BlackRock.

"Today marks a major move for BlackRock as we work to expand our footprint through a forthcoming joint venture in India with Jio Financial Services, a company built by Reliance Industries Limited," said Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, in a post on his LinkedIn page.

Mukesh Ambani is the founder and chairman of Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, the country's largest listed company by market share. The billionaire mogul has been named India's richest man in Forbes list with a net worth of $90.6 billion.
Jason Lee | Reuters

BEIJING  China-focused venture capital and other private investment funds have had a slow start to the year and are set to drag down Asia-Pacific fundraising to the lowest in 10 years. That's according to a second-quarter update Thursday from Preqin, an alternative assets research firm. Alternative assets include venture capital, but not publicly traded stocks and bonds. "Given the ongoing economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions related to China, investors continue to maintain a cautious stance," Angela Lai, vice president and head of APAC and valuations, research insights, at Preqin, said in a statement. "We currently don't see investors returning in large numbers to add allocations specifically to the China market." China's economic rebound from the pandemic has slowed in recent months. Challenges for the venture capital world go back further. The fallout around Didi's U.S. initial public offering in the summer of 2021 and increased regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. and China paused what was once a thriving international investment trend. The U.S. is also considering restrictions on investment in the most advanced Chinese technology.

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China-focused venture capital funds raised $2.7 billion in the second quarter, a drop of more than 50% from the first quarter, Preqin said. That dragged down overall VC fundraising in Asia-Pacific to $4.5 billion in the second quarter, the lowest in at least five years, the report said. "Any time you add an additional element of regulatory risk, or the government may shift gears and change course, you're adding more risk to the equation than the average venture capitalist wants to take," said Andrew J. Sherman, Washington, D.C.-based partner at Brown Rudnick. Still, "no sophisticated U.S. investor thinks they can make all their money just investing in the U.S.," he said, noting firms are still looking for opportunities in China and India to maximize returns. Preqin's analysts still see "China's economy as holding the key to a full recovery" in Asia-Pacific given "its broad range of investment opportunities and deep capital markets, and significant influence as the top trading partner for many APAC countries." In China, new rules for private investment funds are set to take effect Sept. 1, with a stated goal of "guiding" venture capital investment for long-term investment in "innovative startups." That's according to a CNBC translation of the Chinese.

Falling valuations

In private equity, China-focused funds are having an "even more challenging time" this year, Lai said, adding that in 2022, they raised just under 12% of what was raised in 2021. China-focused private equity firms' assets under management also declined for the first time in at least five years, Preqin said, noting it was "a development worth monitoring." Lai said it's a result of new capital coming in more slowly than the firms are liquidating existing investments  and if those investments' valuations decline.

Reflecting a global trend in falling valuations, China-based fashion startup Shein raised $2 billion in the second quarter  but at a valuation of $66 billion versus $100 billion just over a year ago, Preqin said.

Going to Japan

Money is meanwhile flowing to Japan. Asia regional funds have grown their share of APAC private equity fundraising in the second-quarter, with Japan-focused Advantage Partners raising the largest amount at just under $1 billion, Preqin said. Japan had the highest private equity deal-making in Asia-Pacific for two straight quarters, while deals in greater China dropped by more than 55% in the second quarter from the first, the report said.

We expect an increasing focus on advanced technologies across APAC as the technology race between China and the US intensifies. Preqin
Freight trains loaded with coal in China on Jan. 12, 2022. According to the IEA, coal consumption hit a record high last year.

Coal consumption increased by 3.3% to hit a fresh record high of 8.3 billion metric tons in 2022, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.

According to the Paris-based organization's Coal Market Update, demand increased "despite a weaker global economy, mainly driven by being more readily available and relatively cheaper than gas in many parts of the world."

Overall, the IEA said 10,440 terawatt hours were generated from coal in 2022, a figure that accounted for 36% of the planet's electricity generation.

Looking ahead, the IEA said coal consumption in 2023 would remain near last year's record levels.

Geographically, the picture in 2023 is mixed. "By region, coal demand fell faster than previously expected in the first half of this year in the United States and the European Union  by 24% and 16%, respectively," the IEA said in a statement accompanying its report.

"However, demand from the two largest consumers, China and India, grew by over 5% during the first half, more than offsetting declines elsewhere," it added.
Silhouettes of laptop users are seen next to a screen projection of Microsoft logo in this photo illustration.

European Union regulators on Thursday opened an antitrust investigation into Microsoft's bundling of its video and chat app Teams with other Office products.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said that these practices may constitute anti-competitive behavior.

It is the first antitrust investigation by the EU into Microsoft in over a decade.

"The Commission is concerned that Microsoft may grant Teams a distribution advantage by not giving customers the choice on whether or not to include access to that product when they subscribe to their productivity suites and may have limited the interoperability between its productivity suites and competing offerings," the EU regulators said on Thursday in a press release.

In other words, the EU is concerned Microsoft is not giving customers the choice to not buy Teams when they subscribe to the company's Office 365 product. In doing so, Microsoft might be stopping other companies from competing in the workplace messaging and video app space.

"These practices may constitute anti-competitive tying or bundling and prevent suppliers of other communication and collaboration tools from competing," the Commission added.

Microsoft 365, previously known as Office 365, is Microsoft's set of software which includes workplace-geared apps like Word and Excel.

Antitrust investigations do not have a self-imposed completion deadline. If Microsoft is found to be in breach of EU competition rules, the U.S. tech giant could face a fine of up to 10% of its total global annual turnover.
A worker cools off while working in a street during a heatwave in Sevilla, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, on July 17, 2023. Cristina Quicler | Afp | Getty Images

SEVILLE, Spain  The day-to-day reality of scorching summer heat in Spain is taking its toll. A spate of heat waves stretching across southern Europe has pushed temperatures in parts of Spain, Greece, Italy and Albania to record levels in recent weeks. Researchers say the climate emergency is strongly increasing both the likelihood and intensity of the extreme weather conditions. The mercury in the southern Spanish city of Seville hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) on July 20, shortly before national elections failed to produce a clear winner. On that day, a line of tourists stood in a queue waiting to enter the Royal Alcazar Palace, with lukewarm water bottles clenched in their hands. The stones of the largest Gothic cathedral in the world were hot to the touch. "The heat is relentless. I feel like the summers are hotter and longer than they used to be," Carlo Nunez, a 41-year-old born and bred Sevillian who works as a taxi driver, told CNBC. Elsewhere, a tourist slowly fanned herself as she chatted to her party while sat in the shade of a tapas bar in Plaza del Triunfo.

A woman walks protecting from the sun with a fan on the Triana bridge in Sevilla, in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, on July 17, 2023 during a heatwave. Cristina Quicler | Afp | Getty Images

The fans are a staple in Andalusia, the most populous region of Spain, a place of torrid summers and "Moorish" architectural heritage due to seven centuries of Islamic rule from 711 to 1492. Maria Sanchez, 39, works in a hand-made fans shop in downtown Seville. "During the day I work here where I have air conditioning but the walk home is ... agony," Sanchez told CNBC. "At night I have difficulty sleeping because of the heat which makes me tired all day long," she added.

'The skin has memory'

Water scarcity and the sweltering heat continue to be contentious issues in Spain, especially in Andalusia. Tacho Rufino, economist at the University of Seville, told CNBC that when classes are not in session, he lives in Cadiz in the southwest. "I had to make the move as Cadiz is on the sea and it's 10 degrees [Celsius] cooler." Rufino said he suffered from skin cancer, which his doctor informed him was due to excessive sun exposure. "The skin has memory, and it's not adjusting fast enough to the sun rays, which are getting harsher."

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Spain's general election, called six months earlier than necessary by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, resulted in an inconclusive vote. Led by Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the right-wing People's Party secured the most votes on Sunday but ultimately fell short of a parliamentary majority. The ballot was the first time Spanish elections had been held so late in the summer, a move that was heavily criticized. Still, voter turnout was more than 70%, a higher level than in 2019 when 66.23% of the population voted. The election result will likely kickstart several weeks of negotiating as rival political parties explore their options.

A fierce battle

Blistering heat is not new to Spain, a drought-stricken country that has been suffering from raging wildfires in recent weeks. Indeed, it is against this backdrop that Andalusia has been at the heart of a fierce battle over the Donana National Park, which is home to one of Europe's largest wetlands and is designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations cultural agency. The Andalusian regional government, led by the PP, proposed to expand agricultural irrigation to help local farmers battling water scarcity. Meanwhile, the European Commission and the central government of Spain opposed the move as the natural reserve state has been deteriorating at an alarming rate over the last 10 years due to excessive exploitation and intensive farming.

View of the fire from an evacuated population center, on 16 July, 2023 in Puntagorda, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. Europa Press News | Europa Press | Getty Images

A report from environmental campaign group Greenpeace published earlier this month highlights how Spain's agricultural sector is heavily dependent on natural resources  particularly land and water, both of which are under increasing pressure from changes to the climate. The economic impact of the recurring heat waves in Spain will be felt well after summer ends. "The current drought will limit Spaniards' power purchase this winter, especially in the olive oil sector," Rufino said. Spain exported $230 million of olive oil in 2021, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, making it the world's largest exporter of the commodity. Olive oil prices soared further into record-breaking territory this month and analysts have told CNBC that high prices could be here "for some time to come."

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Elon Musk's Twitter rebrand suggests that he's "totally out of his element," says Harvard leadership expert Bill George.

"If you had to write a case study on an example of a really poor takeover of an organization, Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter would fit that perfectly well," George, an executive fellow at Harvard Business School, leadership author and former CEO, tells CNBC Make It. "I don't think he understands social media."

Musk announced his decision to abandon the 16-year-old Twitter brand Sunday, opting for the new name and logo, X.

After acquiring the social platform for $44 billion last year, Musk fired former CEO Parag Agrawal and several other key executives, laid off thousands of other employees, restored some banned accounts, charged users $7.99 per month for blue-check verifications, and limited the number of posts users can view each day.

George, who's studied effective leadership and leadership failures over the past two decades, says Musk's modifications to the platform are a "big mistake." Many businesses have stopped advertising on the platform, and the company's cash flow is negative due to a nearly 50% advertising decline and "heavy debt," Musk posted earlier this month.

Neither Musk nor X immediately responded to CNBC Make It's request for comment.

The billionaire entrepreneur  currently the world's richest person, according to Bloomberg  has a track record of business success. He helped grow Tesla into one of the world's predominant electric vehicle producers, while SpaceX has inked contracts with NASA and dominated the U.S. satellite launch market.

Tesla has an $815.24 billion market cap, as of Thursday afternoon. SpaceX is valued near $140 billion, making it one of the most valuable private companies in the world, CNBC reported earlier this month.

"Elon is a brilliant, brilliant guy," Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett said at his company's annual meeting in May. "He dreams about things, and his dreams have got a foundation."

Broadly, George agrees: "I have to say, he did a brilliant job in creating Tesla. And he's done a lot of good things [at SpaceX] too."

Both companies deal in engineering, manufacturing and physics, George notes. In contrast, running a social media company may require a high level of interpersonal skills, which Musk's own brother says he lacks.

When he loosened the platform's content moderation standards, for example, Musk "turned off a lot of users by opening [them] up to a lot of blunt racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny and anti-LGBTQ+ [rhetoric]," says George.

And without sharing a more specific roadmap for the future of the rebranded social media company, Musk's pivot of X to an "everything app" could seem unclear and impulsive. That could potentially alienate users, making them unsure if staying engaged will be worth their time, adds George.

His advice for Musk: Take a step back from business operations at this particular company, and let CEO Linda Yaccarino more publicly take the helm.

"Now, that he has the [new] CEO of Twitter, he needs to let her restore what Twitter was, so [users and] advertisers come back," George says.

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Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks during a news conference after the first Democratic luncheon meeting since COVID-19 restrictions went into effect on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 13, 2021.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, the chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, demanded on Thursday that the Justice Department and two civil regulators open separate probes into Microsoft's "negligent cybersecurity practices" that led to a high-level, targeted hack targeting the highest echelons of President Joe Biden's cabinet.

Chinese hackers accessed the Microsoft-powered email accounts of top China envoys, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The intrusion, from May to June, occurred just ahead of a critical Sino-U.S. meeting.

Wyden sent the letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Jen Easterly on Thursday.

Microsoft shares fell about 1% in Thursday morning trading.

"Government emails were stolen because Microsoft committed another error. Although the

stolen encryption key was for consumer accounts, 'a validation error in Microsoft code' allowed the hackers to also create fake tokens for Microsoft-hosted accounts for government agencies and other organizations, and thereby access those accounts," Wyden wrote.

Wyden asked that the Justice Department examine whether Microsoft had violated federal law through its negligence; that CISA examine whether Microsoft violated best practices for securing the highly sensitive "skeleton key;" and that the Federal Trade Commission examine whether Microsoft violated federal privacy statutes.

Wyden's directive to the FTC focused on privacy concerns, but the agency could also examine whether Microsoft's dominance in the cloud computing market led to heightened risk through anti-competitive behavior. That allegation has been raised by rivals and cybersecurity operators, including Google .

"While Microsoft's engineers should never have deployed systems that violated such basic cybersecurity principles, these obvious flaws should have been caught by Microsoft's internal and external security audits," Wyden said.

"This incident demonstrates the evolving challenges of cybersecurity in the face of sophisticated attacks. We continue to work directly with government agencies on this issue, and maintain our commitment to continue sharing information at Microsoft Threat Intelligence blog," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the FTC confirmed the agency had received the letter but declined to comment further. CISA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cybersecurity experts have expressed mounting concern over the intrusion, which impacted at least a dozen government organizations worldwide. Both the State Department and the Commerce Department were targeted by Chinese hackers.

The State Department's cyber team informed Microsoft of the attack, and was only able to do so because it had engineered more granular reporting and logging. After the hack, Microsoft said it would stop charging for the sophisticated logging and offer it for free.

Wyden noted it wasn't the first time that a foreign government had hacked government agencies by exploiting Microsoft vulnerabilities.

"The Russian hackers behind the 2020 SolarWinds hacking campaign used a similar technique," Wyden noted. "Moreover, while Microsoft had known since 2017 that such keys could be quietly exfiltrated from customer servers running its software, it failed to warn its customers, including government agencies, about this risk."

Both Microsoft and federal officials have disclosed relatively little about the hack, though Microsoft has disseminated additional information and made concessions to customers to mitigate the impact of the exploitation.

Read the letter below.
Russia's defense minister accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a defense exhibition that featured the North's banned ballistic missiles as the neighbors pledged to boost ties, North Korean state media reported on Thursday.

The Russian minister, Sergei Shoigu, and a Chinese delegation led by a Communist Party politburo member arrived in North Korea this week for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War celebrated in North Korea as "Victory Day."

The nuclear-capable missiles were banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions adopted with Russian and Chinese support but this week they provided a striking backdrop for a show of solidarity by three countries united by their rivalry with the U.S. and a revival of what some analysts see as their Cold War-era coalition.

Shoigu is making the first visit by a Russian defense minister to North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union.

For North Korea, the arrival of the Russian and Chinese delegations marks its first major opening up to the world since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean media reported.

Kim thanked Putin for sending the military delegation led by Shoigu, saying the visit had deepened the "strategic and traditional" relations between North Korea and Russia.

"(Kim) expressed his views on the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries from the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists and to realize international justice and peace," North Korean media said.
Globally, nearly one in five workers say they've been passed over for business trips  not because of costs or lack of seniority, but because of the way they speak, according to a SAP Concur report.

Globally, nearly one in five workers say they've been passed over for business trips  not because of costs or lack of seniority, but because of the way they speak. In a survey of 3,850 business travelers in 25 markets, 18% of men and 16% of women said they felt they lacked equal opportunities for business trips because of their accents, according to a report published in June by SAP Concur. The results were most pronounced in Asia-Pacific, with the highest percentage of people saying their accents had affected their work travel coming from Australia/New Zealand (31%), Taiwan (26%) and Southeast Asia (25%). Overall, the survey showed more people felt their accents played a bigger role in their work travel opportunities than their physical appearance, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

An 'internal ratings' system

Shan, a former marketing manager at a global tech company, told CNBC her department chose speakers for events in Asia-Pacific based, partly, on the way they spoke. "But, of course, we won't tell them [that] in the face," she said. Employees were given "internal ratings" that took their accent into consideration, she said.

Shan, who asked that CNBC not use her real name owing to the sensitivity of the subject matter, said attendees from Australia and New Zealand told the company they couldn't understand speakers from Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam. As a result, her company chose speakers with accents that most of the audience could understand, Shan said. "Audiences' attention spans are getting shorter," she said. "So it's important for our speakers to be engaging [and] easily understandable."

'Easy' to understand accents

The idea that one accent is easier to understand than another is subjective, said Tracey Derwing, adjunct professor educational psychology at the University of Alberta. "There is no universally 'easy' accent," she said, as a listener's native language influences their ability to comprehend the speech of others. "English and Dutch are closely related ... native speakers of one of those languages usually will not have too much trouble understanding" one another, said Derwing. Vietnamese and English, on the other hand, are extremely different, she said. Not many Vietnamese words end in consonants, and none end in consonant clusters, which have two or more consonants together.

Some people react negatively to accents  and employers know that. They may not want to risk sending someone who has an accent despite the fact that the employee is easy to understand and fully capable. Tracey Derwing Professor emeritus, University of Alberta

"So it is quite hard for a Vietnamese speaker to perceive the sounds at the end of English words because they are starting with a first language that has very few," Derwing said. However, accent problems go well beyond communication, she said. "Some people react negatively to accents  and employers know that," Derwing said. "They may not want to risk sending someone who has an accent despite the fact that the employee is easy to understand and fully capable," she said. "Some businesses have adjusted their practices to take into account their clients' negative attitudes."

Accent bias in the workplace

It's not surprising that employees' accents play a role in determining business travel, said Regina Kim, an assistant professor of management at Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business. "Companies would want to send someone that can best represent the firm," she said. "Based on research, this person wouldn't be someone with an accent." In the United States, a person is considered to have "no accent" if they speak General American English or Broadcast English, which is perceived as being without regional characteristics. Companies such as the New York-based Accent Advisor teach people how to speak with this accent, which the company's website claims will help speakers "boost professional opportunities" and "overcome cultural biases."

Accent bias can be even more pronounced for speakers with non-English mother tongues. Research shows that non-native speakers are often perceived negatively, regardless of their competence levels, Kim said. "Individuals who have non-native accents are viewed as less intelligent, less loyal, less trustworthy and less competent. They tend to be rated low in status, especially when their accents are perceived as difficult to comprehend," she said. As a result, non-native speakers are less likely to be hired, more likely to be assigned lower status jobs, and earn less, she said.

An 'accent hierarchy'

Leadership specialist and author Ritu Bhasin said there's an "accent hierarchy" in today's globalized world. Accents from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States are at the top of the hierarchy, she said. Kim agreed, saying studies show that the Standard British English accent has a "covert prestige," with speakers being perceived as more trustworthy, intelligent and attractive. The opposite, however, is true of Asian accents, said Bhasin. "When you are from Asia, whether that's East Asia, South Asia, West Asia, in particular, because of racism, people treat you less favorably when you start to speak," she said. Ultimately, it's not just about speech, said Bhasin, "it's about nationality and ethnicity."

It's not my  English. It's my accent being used as a weapon against me  against where I'm from, or the people who are disliked in this region. Elizabeth

Elizabeth, who asked that CNBC not use her real name to protect her company's name, said she's been ridiculed at work because of her accent. "There were many incidents where I would have work discussions with a colleague, and she would just shut me down by saying: 'Your English is so bad. I don't understand what you're saying.'" The 35-year-old worker, who moved to Singapore seven years ago, said she communicates well enough to be understood, and feels something else is at play. "It's not my  English. It's my accent being used as a weapon against me  against where I'm from, or the people who are disliked in this region  such as those from China," said Elizabeth, who is from Taiwan.

Accents and national stereotypes

The presence and severity of accent bias in the workplace may depend on industry, location and company culture, said Kim. "For example, having a French accent in a wine industry may be 'better' because there's an industry-accent fit," she said. As for location, workers with French, Italian, Spanish or German accents may be more accepted in Europe, where their accents are more common, Kim said. They may, however, feel more self-conscious working for companies in the United States, she added. SAP Concur's global workforce survey supports that, with Europeans being the least likely (13%) to say that their accents had affected their business trip opportunities. Accent bias can be worsened by national stereotypes that listeners associate with the way their colleagues talk, said Kim.
An influential oil producers' alliance could collapse if unity dissolves around output policy, according to the managing partner of investing group Clean Energy Transition.

Speaking to CNBC's "Street Signs Europe" on Thursday, Per Lekander said waning oil demand growth and a lack of cooperation may facilitate the demise of OPEC+  a group of 23 nations that produces roughly 40% of the world's crude oil.

The breakup of OPEC+, Lekander said, could send oil prices careening to as low as $35 per barrel.

"In a growing market, time is your friend. You just need to wait a bit and things tighten up and improve," Lekander said. "In a declining market, time is your enemy. You have to keep cutting, keep cutting, keep cutting."

He added, "The more negative growth [there] is, and the less cooperation you have  and remember the last OPEC decision, it was really the Saudis doing it on their own ... so I would say, if my forecast is correct, and I'm very sure it is  it is going to break."

A spokesperson for OPEC was not immediately available to comment.

OPEC+ has been trimming oil production since November. Oil prices, which are down sharply year-to-date, were trading slightly higher on Thursday afternoon.

Brent crude futures with September expiry were up around 0.8% at $83.53 a barrel at around midday London time, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures with September delivery rose 1% to trade at $79.56 a barrel. Both contracts are up over 12% so far this month.

"There was a period in the 1990s and the 2000s where supply was so much, they couldn't jack up the price, but for most of the time, the oil price since 1974 has been artificially too high," Lekander said.

"If the cartel can't operate, I would say short-term you go to $35 and mid-term probably $45," he added.

The OPEC+ group has sought to distance itself from accusations of cartel behavior, saying its policies target global supply inventories, rather than specific fixed prices. Nevertheless, some Middle East nations in the coalition, which heavily depend on fossil fuel revenues, list oil price assumptions and forecasts in their national budget plans.
Federal prosecutors dropped a campaign finance charge against Sam Bankman-Fried, the second time they have narrowed the indictment against the founder of crypto exchange FTX .

Prosecutors told Judge Lewis Kaplan on Wednesday that they were dropping the charge of conspiracy to make unlawful campaign contributions because they had failed to obtain permission from the government of the Bahamas for that charge when Bankman-Fried was extradited from the island nation in December.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan previously dropped another charge against him, for violating anti-bribery statutes, on the same grounds.

The moves narrow the criminal exposure of the former billionaire, who prosecutors allege conspired to defraud investors and customers out of billions. The alleged scheme precipitated the collapse of Bankman-Fried's FTX and sent shockwaves throughout the crypto industry.

Prosecutors had alleged that Bankman-Fried funneled hundreds of millions of dollars in bipartisan campaign financing through two unnamed co-conspirators to avoid campaign contribution limits. The charge could have added two to five years to Bankman-Fried's imprisonment if convicted.

In their letter Wednesday to Kaplan in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, prosecutors wrote, "The Government has been informed that The Bahamas notified the United States earlier today that The Bahamas did not intend to extradite the defendant on the campaign contributions count."

"Accordingly, in keeping with its treaty obligations to The Bahamas, the Government does not intend to proceed to trial on the campaign contributions count," prosecutors wrote.

Since Bankman-Fried's detention and extradition, civil and criminal charges have been brought against several exchanges, advisors and individuals for crypto-related schemes. Former FTX executives, including top lieutenants Caroline Ellison, Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, have all pleaded guilty to federal charges. They are cooperating with the government's prosecution against Bankman-Fried, who is expected to face trial later this year.
Last week, total rail volume from Canada to the U.S. was down 12%, according to The Association of American Railroad's latest rail traffic report for the week ending July 22. This was an improvement given the first full week of the strike saw a 46% decrease in rail trade from Canada, and the second week suffered a 36% decrease.

The vessel and container gridlock is raising concerns for chemical companies who have critical materials stuck as a result, creating supply chain issues.

Rail traffic from Canada into the U.S. had a third-straight weekly drop as a result of the on-again, off-again strike at the West Coast Canadian ports.

"Delays appear to be bearing out toward the mid-to-upper end of that range," a Railway Association of Canada spokesperson wrote in an email to CNBC.

The Railway Association of Canada originally estimated that it would take three to five days for every day the strike lasted for networks and supply chains to recover. When the first strike ended on its thirteenth day, delays for rail containers were estimated at 39 to 66 days. Adding another day with the on-again, off-again strike last week, brings the congestion removal tally up to 42-70 days.

There are currently nine containerships waiting at the Port of Vancouver and the average wait time to get into port is 7.8 days, according to MarineTraffic data . At the Port of Prince Rupert, six container vessels are anchored and the average wait to get into port is 8.9 days.

The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) told CNBC that companies in its membership are also hearing that rail delays are expected at the higher end of the range.

During CN 's earnings call on July 26, Doug Macdonald, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, said that CN initiated a recovery plan on July 14. "We are running additional trains out of Vancouver and Rupert to clear the backlog and expect it to take up to eight weeks to be current if all areas of the supply chain work together."

All of these delays are impacting the delivery of critical chemical goods and items that are being delivered at the start of peak shipping season.

Chemical Solvents, an Ohio-based company, is one of the American shippers that uses the Port of Vancouver for its Asian imports. The company had previously moved imports out of the Port of Long Beach amid fears over the past year of a longshoreman's strike on the U.S. West Coast, and Covid rail delays.

The company imports products used in paints, coatings, and cleaning agents. Blaine Davidson, vice president of sales at Chemical Solvents, said significant delays are "going to be a problem," with existing supply of key chemicals limited in the supply chain.

Terri Shimensky, vice president of procurement for Chemical Solvents, said that the company was able in one case to buy a key chemical in the U.S., it was at a 15% markup. "Our margins are thin and that extra 15% means we actually lost money in the transaction," Shimensky said.

Eric Byer, CEO of NACD, said that hundreds of chemicals are needed to complete the U.S. manufacturing of products that arrive through the West Coast Canadian ports.

"There are millions of dollars of chemicals stranded on the water. We have members waiting for chemicals to be unloaded in Vancouver and then railed down to Chicago," Byer said.

That includes chemicals like sulfuric acid, which is used in drain cleaning products like Drano; phosphates used in laundry detergent; and acetone, which is used in the nail industry as well as a solvent that breaks down grease and wax. Sodium fluoride, found in toothpaste, and sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, also come through the West Coast ports of Canada. Additional chemicals transported include U.S. go into food, power drinks, cleaning, water purification, and personal care products.

Railroads also move large amounts of anhydrous ammonia, potassium compounds, and urea, as well as millions of tons of raw materials used to produce fertilizer.

"We remain concerned that, while waiting for ILWU Canada members to ratify the agreement struck with the BCMEA, shifts are being missed, and the product is still on the water for weeks after arriving at the Port of Vancouver," Byer said. "The current situation means that sooner or later product will not arrive on time, causing the needs of customers to not be met and the consumer either being unable to secure the product they need, or facing difficulties affording them due to increased costs."

NACD said some chemical companies expect supply chain congestion to last until September or October.

According to the Association of American Railroads, a single rail tank car of anhydrous ammonia is the equivalent of approximately four tanker trucks and enough to fertilize 770 acres of corn.
Slack signage on a laptop computer in the Brooklyn Borough of New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.

Slack said on Thursday that its workplace messaging app is back online after users briefly reported issues earlier in the day.

On Thursday morning, Slack had said that customers were having issues sending messages.

"Slack is now back up. Users may need to reload their apps to see this restoration," the company said in an update around 6 a.m. ET. "We appreciate your patience during our investigation of this outage."

According to the outage flagging site Downdetector, Slack began experiencing issues just before 5 a.m. ET. The problems peaked at around 5:30 a.m., with 5,000 users reporting issues with the platform.

Tests conducted by CNBC confirmed messages were now sending.
3,760 Enphase microinverters will power the drying and storage of more than 50,000 tons of California rice at Strain Ranches in Arbuckle, California, Feb. 19, 2013.

Check out the companies making headlines in extended trading.

Intel  The technology stock jumped nearly 6% as investors cheered a return to profitability and better-than-expected guidance. Intel projected third-quarter adjusted earnings of 20 cents per share, compared with estimates of 16 cents per share, according to Refinitiv.

Ford  The auto giant added 1% after raising full-year guidance and beating expectations for the second quarter. Ford reported 72 cents in adjusted earnings per share on $42.43 billion, while analysts surveyed by Refinitiv estimated 55 cents earned and $40.38 billion in revenue.

Roku  Shares of the streamer advanced 8.5% following a better-than-expected quarterly report. The company lost 76 cents per share in the second quarter, a narrower loss than the consensus estimate of $1.26 compiled by Refinitiv. Roku's revenue also came in better than anticipated, with the company posting $847 million against a $775 million estimate.

First Solar  The solar stock gained 6.6% after solidly beating Wall Street expectations in the second quarter. First Solar earned $1.59 per share and saw $811 million in revenue, while analysts surveyed by Refinitiv anticipated 96 cents earned per share on $721 million of revenue.

Enphase Energy  Enphase tumbled 12% after the solar stock gave a mixed financial report. The company said it earned $1.47 per share, adjusted, ahead of the $1.25 per share estimated by analysts, per Refinitiv. But revenue missed the consensus estimate by $11 million, coming in at $711 million.

Sweetgreen  The salad chain slid 7% after missing revenue expectations for the second quarter. The company reported $153 million while analysts polled by Refinitiv forecast $157 million.

Dexcom  The medical device stock rose 2% after delivering better quarterly earnings and forward guidance than Wall Street anticipated. The firm reported 34 cents earned per share, excluding items, on revenue of $871.3 million. Analysts polled by FactSet expected 23 cents per share and $841.2 million in revenue. Dexcom raised full-year revenue guidance to between $3.5 billion and $3.55 billion, while the average analyst predicted $3.5 billion.

T-Mobile  The telecommunications stock shed 1.6% on a mixed earnings report for the second quarter. T-Mobile earned $1.86 per share, above the analyst consensus estimate of $1.69, per Refinitiv. But revenue came in weaker than expected, with T-Mobile reporting $19.2 billion despite Wall Street forecasting $19.31 billion.

Boston Beer  Shares climbed 9% after the alcoholic beverage company reaffirmed guidance for the full year and gave a strong quarterly report. Boston Beer posted $4.72 in earnings per share on $603 million in revenue, while analysts polled by Refinitiv expected $3.43 per share and $593 million in revenue.
Despite a mixed earnings season so far, analysts are still optimistic on a host of stocks that have yet to report. By this week's end, more than half of S & P 500 companies will have reported quarterly earnings, according to The Earnings Scout. Of the companies that have reported so far, about 81% have beaten analyst expectations, per FactSet data. As analysts and traders look to the second half of the earnings season, these are some of the stocks with upward momentum heading into their reports. CNBC Pro screened S & P 500 stocks for those that are reporting next week and have seen the average analyst raise earnings estimates at least 10% when looking over a three- and six-month period. These stocks have also had their average targets for share prices raised in the last three months. Here are six that made the list: Resort and casino operator MGM Resorts International made the list and is slated to report Wednesday. The stock has gained more than 50% this year. Gaming stocks have been followed closely as analysts considered how China's economic reopening would help operations in Macao, a popular gambling destination on the Pearl River, and monitored demand in Las Vegas. The average expectation for MGM's earnings per share have skyrocketed more than 500% over the past three months and nearly 200% in the last six months. MGM YTD mountain MGM's 2023 Electronic Arts is also set to report next week, after analysts raised earnings expectations nearly 20% from three months ago and 30% from six months ago. The video game stock, scheduled to issue results Tuesday, has advanced more than 12% this year. Construction equipment maker Caterpillar , which has gained more than 8% this year, lagging the S & P 500, also made the list. Earnings expectations are up about 17.5% in the last three months. Caterpillar reports Tuesday. JPMorgan analyst Tami Zakaria said Caterpillar remains the top pick in the space. Investors focused only on the backlog should also look at pricing changes, the analyst wrote. "We believe the stock should continue to glide up given end market demand remains resilient in large non-resi[dential] construction projects, [oil and gas] and mining," Zakaria said in a note to clients last week. "We also see potential upside to 2H estimates as the expected dealer destocking headwind in 2H23 will likely be partially offset by strength in sales to end users." Molson Coors , NRG Energy and ON Semiconductor also showed up on the screen.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
Donald Trump was hit Thursday night with three new federal criminal charges, and a third defendant was added to the case where the former president already was accused of dozens of felonies related to retaining classified documents at his Florida residence after leaving the White House.

Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is charged in a new superseding indictment with his valet, Walt Nauta, over an alleged attempt to delete video surveillance footage at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, during the summer of 2022.

At that time, federal officials were seeking the return of government records they suspected of being kept at that location.

Trump is also newly accused of retaining a classified document detailing a U.S. military plan of attack on Iran, which Trump showed to a writer, publisher and two staff members at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on July 21, 2021.

At the time, Trump had not been president for six months, and his guests "did not have security clearances" to view the document, according to the superseding indictment in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Carlos de Oliveira, the third defendant added to the case against Trump and Nauta, is head of maintenance at Mar-a-Lago.

De Oliveira allegedly told another Mar-a-Lago employee that "the boss" wanted to delete a server containing surveillance footage showing how Trump's boxes had been moved around at the club, according to the superseding indictment.

The new charging document also identifies de Oliveira as the person who helped Nauta move about 30 boxes from Trump's residence to a storage room.

He also allegedly told the FBI he was not involved in moving documents that officials sought, telling agents, "Never saw anything."
Ternium could benefit if the U.S. puts a tariff on steel coming from Mexico, according to Morgan Stanley. Analyst Carlos De Alba reiterated his overweight rating on the steel producer and said it was still his top pick in the Latin American metals and mining sector. His $51 price target implies shares can gain 13.5% over the next year from Wednesday's close. "While Mexico is a net exporter of steel to the US, the country is a net importer of flat products from its northern neighbor," he wrote in a note to clients. "Hence, we believe that TX would be well positioned if the US imposed tariffs on steel produced in Mexico and Mexico retaliated." The volume of steel imported to the U.S. from Mexico jumped 43% in 2022, compared with 2018 and 92% from 2015. That underscores a shift in the relationship in recent years, as the country had a negative steel trade balance with the U.S. prior to 2018. Language from Mexican and U.S. officials around the need to address the recent surge has prompted concerns from investors that the U.S. may implement a tariff on steel imports from Mexico, De Alba said. If that happened, Ternium would not only be well-positioned, but may even benefit, he said. Ternium's product mix makes the company likely to get a boost from a lower steel trade given its business focus on steel types that aren't typically exchanged at high volumes between the two countries, De Alba noted. In other words, the bulk of the trade is steel more commonly produced by other companies. Ternium stock has a positively skewed risk/reward ratio, De Alba said. He also said profitability has reached an "inflection point," which has historically made for a good entry point for investors. TX YTD mountain Ternium's 2023 The stock is also at an attractive absolute valuation compared with its 10-year average, the analyst added. He pointed to the company's strong balance sheet, noting Ternium has a solid net cash position while still making investments into ongoing growth. De Alba also said investors should expect an attractive dividend yield. Shares have gained 47% this year.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
Special Counsel Jack Smith arrives to speak to the press at the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC, on June 9, 2023, announcing the unsealing of the indictment against former US President Donald Trump.

A grand jury in Washington, D.C. that has been hearing evidence about efforts by Donald Trump to overturn his 2020 election ended a session Thursday without an apparent criminal indictment of the former president, NBC News reported.

Earlier, a court official in Washington said no indictments were expected to be issued there Thursday, NBC reported.

Two sources told NBC News earlier that Trump's lawyers had been told to expect an indictment of the former president.

Trump's lawyers, Todd Blanche and John Lauro, met Thursday morning in Washington, D.C., with prosecutors for Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and were informed of the planned indictment, according to NBC.

Later Thursday, Trump wrote in a social media post: "My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country."

"No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, told CNBC in a text message, "NBC report is incorrect."

Early Thursday afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Service, who are responsible for security at federal courts, met with officials from the U.S. Park Police and Washington, D.C., police department at the Prettyman courthouse, NBC reported.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss military issues and regional security, state media reported Thursday.

During the meeting, Kim also showcased North Korea's collection of banned ballistic missiles to Shoigu, the Korean Central News Agency said.

Ukrainian forces launched a "significant" mechanized counteroffensive and broke through defensive positions in the south of the country, an analysis from research group the Institute for the Study of War said Thursday.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, one security guard was killed and port infrastructure damaged after an overnight missile attack struck the Odesa region, according to the region's governor.

A cargo terminal was also damaged in the attack as Russia has stepped up its attacks on Odesa's ports following Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal last week.

NATO said Wednesday it would increase patrols around the Black Sea to counter Russian threats to ports and ships after its withdrawal from the U.N.-brokered grain deal.

Meantime, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the government to start sharing information about potential Russian war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court in the Hague, a U.S. official familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday that Malaysian businesses committed to invest up to $285 million in the Philippines.

The president announced this during the Philippine Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur, after meeting with different Malaysian companies and business leaders there.

The investment commitments that we have received thus far are valued at around [$285] million, he said.

The president also said it is a good indication that there is a strong interest from Malaysia to invest in the Philippines.

Farm Fresh Berhad is one of the companies that have shown interest to invest in the country. In a statement, the Palace said the Malaysian dairy company is working with the government for its planned $20-million investment for cattle breeding for milk production.

Marcos also met with executives of Capital A Berhad. The companys business covers aviation, digital travel, and lifestyle brand.

In another statement, Malacanang said the sectors Malaysian investors are looking at include the food processing industry, multi-service digital platforms, aviation, aviation maintenance support services, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, water and wastewater.

Marcos said he is confident that the Philippine delegations series of meetings with Malaysian investors would provide a mutually beneficial outcome for both Malaysia and Philippine companies.

He said that while Malaysia has been one of the countrys top sources of foreign direct investments, many opportunities are now present for the latter to further increase its level of trade.

At present, Malaysian investments already provide valuable contributions to the Philippines and its economic development, in terms of food security, infrastructure development, job generation for our Filipinos, he added.

Marcos also assured Malaysian investors that the government would continue extending support not only to potential investors but also to Malaysian businesses in the Philippines.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 28)  Korean Drama star Kim Seon-ho said his role as an assassin in his debut film "The Childe" was one of his most challenging portrayals in his career yet.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Final Word, Seon-ho said he wanted to play different characters in different movies as an actor and playing as the "Nobleman" in this particular movie was difficult for him.

"It was challenging, of course, and the most difficult for me was a scene where I jumped off a bridge," the KDrama star said.

"I'm scared of heights. That was very difficult," the actor admitted.

The film features the "Nobleman," Seon-ho's character, a Filipino-Korean amateur boxer who travels to the Philippines in the hopes of tracking down his father.

The action-thriller film is in a different genre for Seon-ho's hit light romance TV series which include "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" and "Start Up."

While thankful for playing a different character, Seon-ho says his dream role is to play a "normal ordinary person" who experiences relatable situations for the audience.

Seon-ho, in his second visit to the country for a fan meet, thanked all his Filipino fans for their passion and warm support.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  The Office of the Ombudsman has found former Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) head Jeremiah Belgica and four others guilty of grave misconduct over the alleged irregular grant of frequencies to a telecommunications company.

Belgica and former ARTA officials Eduardo Bringas, Sheryl Pura-Sumagui, Jedrek Ng, and Melamy Salvadora-Asperin were ordered dismissed from their posts.

They five faced a graft complaint filed by DITO Telecommunications Corp.

They were accused of illegally issuing a resolution in 2021 that assigned contingent frequencies in favor of Now Telecom Company Inc., even though the same frequencies were already assigned to DITO by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) as the country's third telco player.

"The clear intent to violate the law by respondents was evident when they issued the assailed 01 March 2021 ARTA Resolution and OAA assigning frequencies to NOW Tel despite being aware beforehand of the following information gathered through the pleadings filed by the NTC, Comm. Cordoba, and DITO," the decision read.

It was signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on March 3, but was publicly released just recently.

In the event that dismissal can no longer be enforced due to separation from service, the Ombudsman said the respondents should instead pay a fine equal to their salary for one year.

"With the accessory penalties of cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification to hold public office," the decision read.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said the task force created to go after smugglers of agricultural products will start its formal investigation next week.

The formal fact finding will start next week, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told CNN Philippines The Source.

During his second State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is continuously going after smugglers and hoarders seen to be driving up the prices of agricultural commodities. He even issued a warning to them, saying their days are numbered.

In July, the president also ordered a probe into the smuggling of onions and other agricultural products, saying the act was equivalent to economic sabotage.

Remulla said they are looking into 20 possible onion smugglers. Of these, up to four are possibly major players, he added.

Those who smuggle garlic are interrelated with onion smugglers, he noted.

Remulla explained the smugglers have already mastered the industry and can control the system, including the release of local harvest, imported supply, and the use of cold storage facilities.

Its actually a micromanaged industry by a cartel because they have the money to buy off all the harvest and they control all the importation kaya yung buong supply system nyan na-compromise talaga (that is why the whole system was really compromised), he pointed out.

During the formal fact finding, the Bureau of Plant Industry will be asked to submit importation documents so investigators can trace where the imported agricultural products ended up.

Hinahanap natin ang timeline ng lahat at kung saan nagpupunta. Ite-trace natin lahat ang pinupuntahan ng bawat permit of importation, Remulla said.

[Translation: We are looking for the timeline and where they went. We will trace where each import permit ended up. ]

The DOJ chief said the Bureau of Customs will be also asked to explain how this is happening

We will be filing the cases in due time. Were just validating a lot of the modus operandi, Remulla said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  The Philippine government intends to discuss with Malaysia later this year the issue of dozens of Filipinos facing the death penalty there, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

During the last day of his state visit to Malaysia, Marcos told reporters that he expects the issue to be taken up during the two countries' Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in October.

"The joint commission mechanism is something that we use to raise any issues that come up between the Philippines and Malaysia, and it is one of them," the president noted.

"So, it was my suggestion to Prime Minister (Anwar) Ibrahim upon the briefing of the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) that we can take up the repatriation of Filipinos in the next convening of the joint commission," he added

Asked if his administration hopes to repatriate the Filipinos on death row so they can serve their sentence in the Philippines, Marcos said: "Iba-iba [It's a case-to-case basis]. But yes, that's essentially it."

However, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo later clarified that the incarcerated Filipinos wouldn't necessarily be repatriated, and that what is merely planned for now is that the issue will be tackled in October.

Of 83 Filipinos facing the death penalty overseas, 56 are in the neighboring country, according to the DFA.

The department said 30 were convicted of murder, 18 of drug trafficking, while eight waged a war against the Malaysian king during the 2013 Lahad Datu siege.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the territorial dispute over Sabah was not discussed at length during his meetings with top Malaysian leaders, as both Manila and Kuala Lumpur agreed to first tackle "solvable" issues.

He made the statement a day after separately meeting Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his state visit there.

Marcos said while the Sabah issue couldn't be avoided, it was mentioned only briefly during their talks.

"Lagi namang mababanggit yan eh," the president told the media hours before flying back to Manila. "Hindi mo maiwasan, meron naman talaga tayong outstanding claim na hindi natin binabawi."

"But what we I mean, it's clear to all the parties involved na hindi naman ma-dedecide 'yan ngayon," he added.

[Translation: That will always be mentioned. It can't be avoided, because we do have an outstanding claim that we are not withdrawingBut it's clear to all parties involved that the issue can't be decided on now.]

In March, Marcos said the two countries' foreign affairs chiefs will meet over the matter.

However, in the latest media interview, he said since the long-standing dispute requires a "much larger and much more involved" discussion, both sides have chosen to talk about other things for now  including expanding cooperation on various areas such as trade.

"The consensus is that we just talk about everything elseThere's a tacit agreement, at the very least, that we talk about all of the things that are solvable, all the issues that we can actually do, so when the time comes, perhaps we will come back to the issue. I'm sure it will come up again," Marcos said.

Years after being occupied by the Japanese and eventually becoming a British Crown Colony, Sabah became a state under Malaysia, which gained independence in 1963.

Manila insists that Sabah was merely on lease to Malaysia by the Sultanate of Sulu, which has ceded sovereignty over the area to the Philippines. The Sultanate signed a lease agreement in 1878 with the now defunct private firm British North Borneo Company over a part of Sabah, which Malaysia absorbed after the British colonizers left.

The dispute stems from the term "pajak" in the agreement written in Arabic. The Philippines maintains it means lease, while Malaysia says it translates to cession.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27)  The Sandiganbayan has directed the camp of former Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) head Zenaida Ducut to explain why the court should not reverse its earlier decision to suspend her graft trial due to her supposed mental incapacity.

The anti-graft court's 7th division said Ducut failed to comply with its order for her to submit the results of her yearly mental evaluation supporting her dementia diagnosis.

"The two-page NCMH (National Center for Mental Health) report submitted by accused Ducut merely stated that Ducut was 'seen and examined' last 8 February 2023. It was not accompanied by copies of the results of medical tests supporting the report/conclusion," the court said in a resolution dated July 25.

The Sandiganbayan earlier archived Ducut's cases indefinitely as doctors confirmed she is suffering from dementia, rendering her unfit to face trial.

However, Ducut was required to undergo medical evaluation and submit the results to the court yearly.

For her compliance this year, the court found the document submitted by Ducut to be insufficient as it only stated the examination was based on history, observations, and psychological test.

"Considering the evaluation is supposed to be on a yearly basis, it fails to specify what tests were conducted this year to support the indicated assessment and remarks," the court said.

Ducut is facing corruption charges over her involvement in the alleged misuse of former Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazons pork barrel in 2007.

She was supposedly acting as a broker for businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, who controlled fake non-government organizations used to divert pork barrel.
Generative AI, led by Microsoft and Microsoft-backed OpenAI, has turned into what seems an unstoppable juggernaut. Since OpenAI released an early demo of its generative AI tool ChatGPT less than eight months ago, the technology has seemingly taken over the tech world.

Tech behemoths like Microsoft, Google, and Meta have gone all in, with countless smaller companies and startups searching for tech gold. Critics, including many AI researchers, worry that if the technology continues unchecked, it could become increasingly dangerous, spread misinformation, invade privacy, steal intellectual property, take control of vital infrastructure, and even pose an existential threat to humankind.

The only recourse, it seems, is courts and federal agencies. As Ive noted before, Microsoft and OpenAI have insinuated themselves into the good graces of many lawmakers, including those who will decide whether and how to regulate AI, so Congress may well be beyond hope. Thats why government agencies and the courts need to act.

The stakes couldnt be higher. And now, thanks to a spate of lawsuits and action by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), we may soon find out whether Microsofts AI and OpenAI are mightier than the law.

The FTC steps up

Federal agencies have rarely been aggressive with tech companies. If they do try to act, its usually well after harm has been done. And the result is typically at best a slap on the wrist.

Thats not the case under the Biden administration, though. The FTC hasnt been shy in going after Big Tech. And in the middle of July, it took its most important step yet: It opened an investigation into whether Microsoft-backed OpenAI has violated consumer protection laws and harmed consumers by illegally collecting data, violating consumer privacy and publishing false information about people.

In a 20-page letter sent by the FTC to OpenAI, the agency said its probing whether the company engaged in unfair or deceptive privacy or data security practices or engaged in unfair or deceptive practices relating to risks of harm to consumers.

The letter made clear how seriously the FTC takes the investigation. It wants vast amounts of information, including technical details about how ChatGPT gathers data, how the data is used and stored, the use of APIs and plugins, and information about how OpenAI trains, builds, and monitors the Large Language Models (LLMs) that fuel its chatbot.

None of this should be a surprise to Microsoft or ChatGPT. In May, FTC Chair Lina Khan wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times laying out how she believed AI must be regulated. She wrote that the FTC wouldnt allow business models or practices involving the mass exploitation of their users, adding, Although these tools are novel, they are not exempt from existing rules, and the FTC will vigorously enforce the laws we are charged with administering, even in this new market.

In addition to the charges outlined in the FTC letter, she warned of other dangers: the ways AI can turbocharge fraud; how it can automate discrimination and steal peoples jobs; and how big companies can use their leads in AI to illegally dominate markets.

Multibillion-dollar lawsuits against Microsoft and OpenAI

The FTC move isnt the only legal action Microsoft and OpenAI face. There have been private suits, too. One of the most recent is a $3 billion class-action lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI, claiming the companies stole vast amounts of private information from people on the internet without their consent, and used that information to train ChatGPT.

The filing charges the companies took essentially every piece of data exchanged on the internet it could take, without telling people, or giving them just compensation for data collection done at an unprecedented scale.

It added that the companies use stolen private information, including personally identifiable information, from hundreds of millions of internet users, including children of all ages, without their informed consent or knowledge.

Timothy K. Giordano, a partner at the law firm behind the suit told CNN: By collecting previously obscure personal data of millions and misappropriating it to develop a volatile, untested technology, OpenAI put everyone in a zone of risk that is incalculable  but unacceptable by any measure of responsible data protection and use.

Another lawsuit, by comedian Sarah Silverman and authors Christopher Golden and Richard Kadrey, charge OpenAI and Meta illegally trained AIs using their copyrighted works without asking permission.

I can vouch from personal experience that Microsofts Bing chatbot may well violate copyright laws. While researching this column, I asked the chatbot, Can the courts rein in AI?

The answer I got was a curious one. First were a few dozen words that completely misunderstood the question. That was followed by concise, exceedingly well-written paragraphs about the issue. (Those paragraphs sounded nothing like the usual murky word-stew I get when I ask the chatbot a difficult question.)

Then I found out why.

In researching the chatbots sources for its answer, I discovered that the chatbot had lifted those well-written paragraphs word for word from an article written by Melissa Heikkila in Technology Review. They made up more than 80% of the chatbots answer  and the remaining 20% was useless. So, essentially the entire useful answer was stolen from Technology Review and Heikkila.

The upshot

Just last week, seven companies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Meta, and others agreed to put certain guardrails around AI. Those protections are little more than window dressing; the companies say theyll investigate AI security risks and use watermarks so people can tell when content has been generated by AI. Theyre only voluntary, though, with no enforcement mechanism or fines if theyre violated. The New York Times accurately calls them, only an early, tentative step...largely the lowest common denominator, and can be interpreted by every company differently.

The European Union, though, has passed an early draft of an AI law with real teeth in it. It says AI developers must publish a summary of copyrighted material they use to train AI; requires companies to stop AI from generating illegal content; curtails face recognition; and bans the use of biometric data from social media to build AI databases.

Even more important is that AI developers would be required to perform risk assessments before their products can be used, similar to the way drugs need to be approved by a government agency before being released. The final version of the law wont be passed until later in the year, and the AI industry is lobbying mightily against it.

So, can governments and the legal system ever regulate AI? Its not clear they can. Microsoft, OpenAI, and other AI companies have many reasons to fight against it  countless billions of them. Consider this: A recent report from Macquarie Equity Research found that if only 10% of enterprises who use Microsoft 365 sign up for Microsofts AI Copilot productivity tool, the company would get an additional $14 billion of revenue in the first year alone. Microsoft is building Copilots for essentially its entire product line, and pushing its cloud-based AI-as-a-Service offering. The sky is the limit for how much income all that may add up to.

Within a year, well know whether AI will continue untethered, or whether serious safeguards will be put into place. I cant say I know the outcome, but Im on the side of regulations and law.
07/27/2023

Photo (c) Joh Challicom - Getty Images Seven global automakers are hoping that theyve hit upon one of those if you build it, they will come moments.

BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis NV are creating a new charging network joint venture that could dramatically change the electric vehicle (EV) game by giving consumers expanded access to high-powered charging in North America.

By the time the last charging cable is plugged in, the consortium says that EV owners will have more than 30,000 high-powered urban and highway charge points so they can charge whenever and wherever they need.

This doesnt look like its going to be some simple roadside concrete pad kind of thing, either. The companies said that their goal is an elevated customer experience  with digital integration, appealing locations, and various amenities while charging, in addition to the charging stations.

According to the sustainability strategies of all seven automakers, the joint venture also plans to power its charging network entirely with renewable energy.

Stations are expected to open in the United States in 2024, and in Canada at a later date.

GMs commitment to an all-electric future is focused not only on delivering EVs our customers love, but investing in charging and working across the industry to make it more accessible, GM CEO Mary Barra said. The better experience people have, the faster EV adoption will grow.

Mercedes-Benz Group CEO Ola Kallenius thinks the environmental aspect is worth mentioning, too.

The fight against climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. What we need now is speed  across political, social and corporate boundaries, he said. To accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, were in favor of anything that makes life easier for our customers. Charging is an inseparable part of the EV-experience, and this network will be another step to make it as convenient as possible.

Not sure if you'd like an EV in your life? Here's a way to find out.

The way EV adoption is going, the automakers involved in this venture should be very happy with their decision. According to Evadoption, EV sales should increase to 4.7 million sales in 2030 from a little more than 500,000 in 2021.

But blindly buying an EV to see if you like it is a gamble for almost anyone who grew up driving a gas guzzler. However, AAA reports that more drivers are renting EVs when they go on vacation as a way to see how one might fit into their lives.

AAAs rental car partner Hertz has been investing heavily in electric vehicles, buying models from Tesla, Polestar, and GM. With tens of thousands of EVs available for rent at more than 1,600 locations in 44 states, the company thinks it can take care of nearly two million tryouts this year.

Trying before buying has been around for generations, this is a bit of a new twist on it says Rylie Mansuetti, spokesperson for AAA Oklahoma.

Before you jump on this idea, though, Mansuetti said there are some things you need to consider as a first-time EV driver.

Understand the driving range. "The rental car agent should explain to you how far you can expect to go on a charge and how that changes depending on how many passengers you have and how much luggage and gear you are taking with you," Mansuetti told ConsumerAffairs. "Its very important for drivers to pay close attention to the charge they have and to know how far they have to go to find a place to re-charge the vehicle."

He also said that with temperatures as hot as they are, EV renters need to realize that running the AC at full blast decreases an EVs range.

Finding a charging spot. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are 142,342 charging ports at nearly 55,000 charging stations across the country. That may sound like a lot, but some of that is geo-based. California has more than 40,000 outlets, but Oklahoma has only about 1,050 outlets. The AAA's app can help you spot where you can find a charging station, as can this interactive map from the Department of Energy.

Understand the technology on board the car. "EVs are very different from internal combustion engines," Mansuetti reminds drivers. "The gauges will look very different and the on-board electronics may seem very unfamiliar to anyone who is new to EVs. Acceleration and braking are also different with an electric engine. Knowing what the car can, and cannot do, is very important before hitting the road."
From yuppies to ex-hippies; from white collar to blue collar; from adorable little moppets to geriatric roommates  all found homes in the comedies of the 1980s. But which have held up and are available for you to stream?

This alphabetical list makes it easy for you to revisit the eras best comedies  no need to dig out your Betamax

227 (1985-1990) After her run on The Jeffersons  where she received five Emmy nominations for her role as the titular couples housekeeper  Marla Gibbs had an even bigger part in the launch and success of the NBC sitcom 227. Not only did she headline and co-produce it, but she also sang its theme song. Gibbs plays Mary Jenkins, resident of the D.C. apartment building that gives the show its title; the show basically revolves around Mary and her neighbors hanging out gossiping on the stoop (or, in the case of Helen Martins Pearl, leaning out her first-floor window to get in on the conversation). These days, the show is probably best remembered as the vehicle for breakout star Jackee Harry, who won an Emmy for her performance as Sondra, sexy neighbor to Gibbs Mary. In fact, you might recall Sandras Ooh, Mary! catchphrase before placing who the Mary in question even is. The show also gave one young performer her debut screen role as Marys daughter Brenda: future Emmy and Oscar winner Regina King.

Cheers (1982-1993) Sam (Ted Danson) has transitioned gracefully from washed-up Red Sox pitcher to recovering alcoholic/owner of the titular bar, where he delights his regulars with tales of his dating exploits. Then Diane (Shelley Long) stops in, with her fiance, on their way to eloping. Things dont quite work out for the relationship, so Diane needs a job, and starts her life over as Sams newest barmaid. Creators Glen Charles, James Burrows (who directed almost every episode) and Les Charles had previously collaborated together on Taxi, so they had plenty of experience creating comedy in a workplace, though audiences werent so sure: Famously, Cheers was a ratings loser in its first season, but a raft of Emmy nominations helped secure its future, and it might still be going today if Danson hadnt been ready to move on to new challenges after 11 seasons. But the Cheers-verse lives on: Its spin-off, Frasier, also lasted 11 seasons, with a revival set to arrive later this year.

The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley (1988) When it comes to radically weird kids shows of the 1980s that could also become obsessions for adults, Pee-wees Playhouse obviously reigns supreme. Sadly, its not available to stream in its entirety. Happily, it opened the door for other creators to push the boundaries of what childrens programming could do. And if one skinny weirdo with an affected speaking voice could connect to young viewers, why not two? Martin Short originated the character of Ed Grimley  a pointy-haired naif whose obsessions include Pat Sajak  on the stage at Torontos Second City, then carried him over to SCTV and his brief stint on Saturday Night Live. And though Ed wasnt conceived with a kid-to-tween audience in mind, neither was Pee-wee; turns out a man-child doesnt require much adaptation to appeal to the youth. In addition to Short reprising the titular role, the voice cast includes Shorts former SCTV castmates Catherine OHara and Dave Thomas, with Joe Flaherty playing his SCTV character Count Floyd in special live-action segments.

The Cosby Show (1984-1992) OB-GYN Cliff (Bill Cosby) and attorney Clair (Phylicia Rashad) have such fancy careers, they could probably enjoy an extremely high standard of living in their Brooklyn Heights brownstone. However, they decided to have five children, so their lives are merely quite nice. Though Cosbys fame as a stand-up comic surely propelled this project to the air, inspired casting created the familial chemistry that made the show a critical and commercial hit, and launched the careers of Lisa Bonet (second-eldest daughter Denise) and Malcolm-Jamal Warner (sole son Theo); and the pilot is still one of the best any sitcom has ever made. All that said: Its understandable if the off-screen crimes of its titular star have permanently soured you on this one.

Designing Women (1986-1993) One season after The Golden Girls  and well get to them  proved that four gal pals talking smack could be a recipe for sitcom success, Designing Women came along  and was about as different as another show about four ladies spending most of their time together could be. Instead of housemates, the Women shared a ground-floor office in an antebellum mansion in Atlanta. Julia (Dixie Carter) is the founder and president of an interior design firm; Mary Jo (Annie Potts) is her lead designer; Charlene (Jean Smart) is their office manager. Suzanne (Delta Burke) is Julias younger sister, a retired beauty queen who serves as a silent partner in the company and generally just hangs out, being a diva. Julias many impassioned monologues helped define CBS as the home for unapologetically opinionated women, as we would see a couple of years later with Murphy Brown (but which you cant see, because as of this writing its not streaming anywhere).

A Different World (1987-1993) When the time came for The Cosby Show to see daughter Denise (Lisa Bonet) off to college, it was to Hillman College, a fictional HBCU in Virginia. This proves to be a challenge, since Denise has never been a particularly dedicated student; it was also a challenge off-screen, since Bonet got pregnant during the shows first season, and EP Bill Cosby forbade the character from sharing the experience with her. Debbie Allen, a performer and director who had graduated from prestigious HBCU Howard, came on in the second season to help right the ship, and steered it through its sixth season with a spectacular ensemble cast and urgently contemporary storylines, ultimately making it far more socially relevant and radical than the show it had spun off from.

Family Matters (1989-1998) Today, Family Matters is remembered by many as the story of the Winslow family getting crowded out by their weird, intrusive neighbor, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White). But theres a reason Reginald Veljohnson  who played cop/patriarch Carl  is currently headlining Progressive TV commercials as TV Dad: Through the shows nine seasons, he created an indelible character who still shows up among TVs all-time best fathers. And if youre not particularly drawn in by the gentle comedy, perhaps the gossip in you will want to watch for signs of off-screen animosity between White and JoMarie Hariette Winslow Payton.

Family Ties (1982-1989) Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter) happily spent the 1960s as free-spirited hippies, but that sort of thing can skip a generation. When we meet them, theyre raising three kids. Alex (Michael J. Fox) is most openly rejecting all their values, spouting capitalist rhetoric and revering William F. Buckley Jr. Mallory (Justine Bateman) seems to have no particular political views, and is generally a stereotypical teenage girl of the sort a 50-something sitcom writer might invent. Jennifer (Tina Yothers) is a tomboy. (Brian Bonsalls Andy is born during the run of the show, but like all late-era babies, hes eminently forgettable.) Fox got most of the attention for the show  which made sense, given that Back to the Future came out just a few seasons in and made him a superstar  but the whole ensemble deserves credit for making the Keaton family feel so authentic, and so lovable.

The Golden Girls (1985-1992) I said wed get to them, and here we are. A year before the start of the series, hot-to-trot widow Blanche (Rue McClanahan) posts a note seeking roommates to share her large bungalow; dippy Rose (Betty White) and sardonic Dorothy (Beatrice Arthur) are the successful applicants. The event that sets the course for the rest of the series takes place in the pilot, when Shady Pines, the retirement home where Dorothys sassy mother Sophia (Estelle Getty) lives, burns down, requiring Sophia to become the girls fourth roommate. In 2014, the Writers Guild named it among its 101 Best Written TV Series of All Time, and alumni of its writing staff have certainly gone on to acclaim: those include Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz, and Marc Cherry, creator of Desperate Housewives. The shows DNA also lives on in, basically, every other sitcom with four female leads, from Sex and The City to The Sex Lives of College Girls.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988-1999) Most of us have had the experience of watching a bad movie for the joy of loudly goofing on it with our friends. Thats the concept behind Mystery Science Theater 3000. The framing premise is that co-creator Joel Robinson (co-creator Joel Hodgson) is a janitor trapped on a space station, forced by a pair of mad scientists to watch legendarily bad films so that the scientists can track his reactions. Joel is joined in his viewing by robot friends Tom Servo (Kevin Murphy), Crow T. Robot (Trace Beaulieu) and Gypsy (Jim Mallon). Over the shows run, Joel and his successor Mike (Michael J. Nelson) endure nearly 200 bad movies; then they made a movie of their own, in which Mike must watch This Island Earth. (A crowd-funded revival came to Netflix in 2017, but youre fine skipping it.)

Newhart (1982-1990) In semi-retirement from his career as a how-to author, Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) leave New York City for rural Vermont, where they buy and operate a historic inn. The kooky characters who surround them include handyman George (Tom Poston), spoiled maid Stephanie (Julia Duffy) and Michael (Peter Scolari), the producer of the local TV news show Dick starts hosting in Newharts second season. The towns most memorable residents are Larry (William Sanderson), his brother Darryl (Tony Papenfuss) and his other brother Darryl (John Voldstad); though the appeal of the Stratford Inn for tourists is its picturesque setting, Larry & Co. remind the viewer that Vermont also has its share of antisocial weirdos whose vibe is likely to clash with that of any character played by Bob Newhart.

Night Court (1984-1992) After making comedy out of the quirky characters who may tangle with the legal system on Barney Miller, Reinhold Weege created Night Court, which mines the same vein. Harry Anderson, already known as lovable con artist Harry the Hat in a recurring role on Cheers, plays Harry Stone, a judge presiding over the titular court  and, at just 34 at the time of his swearing-in, the youngest judge in New York. Harrys foils are womanizing prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette); idealistic public defender Christine Sullivan (Markie Post, from Season Three through the end of the series run); court clerk Mac (Charles Robinson); and bailiff Bull Shannon (Richard Moll), the last of whom lost his elderly partners Selma (Selma Diamond) and Flo (Florence Halop) when the actors who played them died between seasons. The shows format provided a revolving door for memorable guest stars, some of whom included Gilbert Gottfried, Yakov Smirnoff, Dick Butkus, Michael J. Fox and Fran Drescher. A sequel series followed earlier this year: Melissa Rauch plays the new Judge Stone, who happens to be Harrys daughter Abby; and Larroquette reprises his role as Dan, though this time hes the public defender.

Roseanne (1988-1997) After becoming a sensation as a domestic goddess turned stand-up comic, Roseanne Barr partnered with creator Matt Williams to translate her persona into a namesake sitcom. In the distant (and fictional) Chicago suburb of Lanford, Roseanne Conner toils in a plastics factory by day; by night, she raises three kids with her drywall contractor husband Dan (John Goodman). Said kids  grade-grubber Becky (Lecy Goranson), tomboy Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and forgettable brother D.J. (Michael Fishman)  have all learned sarcasm from their parents; the ability to laugh at lifes setbacks serves the whole Conner family well, since storylines tend to revolve around their financial struggles. Unfortunately, this also belongs in the same category with The Cosby Show in that its a fine piece of work tainted by its titular stars abhorrent behavior. To get the vibe without Roseanne herself, theres The Conners, which killed off her character after one racist tweet too many.

Seinfeld (1989-1998) Unlike Roseanne Barr, Jerry Seinfelds stand-up was (and is) based more on observations of lifes mundanities than on an outsized persona, which, one might think, would make him an unlikely choice to anchor a sitcom. But Seinfeld and co-creator Larry David found a way: a show that is, like Seinfelds bits, about nothing. Jerry (Seinfeld) lives on New Yorks Upper West Side; as a touring comic  if one who is not quite as successful as the real-life Seinfeld  his days are free to run unimportant errands and have lunch at the local coffee shop with his lifelong best friend George (Jason Alexander), ex-girlfriend Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and across-the-hall neighbor Kramer (Michael Richards). One of NBCs biggest hits for nearly its entire run, Seinfeld is still celebrated for the laser precision with which it taxonomized the petty irritations of urban life, from the expectation of a kiss hello to the angst of losing credit for the gift of a big salad.

The Simpsons (1989-) The Tracey Ullman Show was an early sketch series on the still-relatively-new Fox when it launched a series of animated shorts about the Simpson family, featuring the voice talents of several Tracey stars, from Life in Hell comic strip creator Matt Groening. A half-hour Christmas special followed, providing the proof of concept for The Simpsons to get their own spin-off series. The Tracey Ullman Show is long gone, but the chronicles of idiot father Homer (voice of Dan Castelleneta), patient mother Marge (Julie Kavner), hellion son Bart (Nancy Cartwright) and soulful daughter Lisa (Yeardley Smith) are still airing, with a 35th season coming this fall.

Square Pegs (1982-1983) Long before Freaks and Geeks and Glee, high school misfits got to be TV protagonists in Square Pegs. Patty (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a normal girl just trying to get to graduation at Weemawee High. Her best friend Lauren (Amy Linker), however, is desperate to break into the schools popular clique, and episodes tend to revolve around Laurens attempts to climb the social ladder. Co-stars include Jami Gertz as prep queen Muffy Tepperman; Tracy Nelson as Valley Girl Jennifer DiNuccio; and Leave It to Beaver alumnus Tony Dow as Pattys father. Creator Anne Beatts, a veteran of Saturday Night Lives writing staff, attracted top musical talent in this project too: Its brief run boasted performances by The Waitresses, John Densmore and Devo.

Too Close for Comfort (1980-1987) Ted Knight followed his role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show with this remake of the British show Keep It in the Family. As cartoonist Henry, Knight embodies a work-from-home icon well before the Zoom era. However, being at home means his family is up in his business, as the title suggests: Henry and his wife Muriel (Nancy Dussault) share the upper floors of their Victorian house in San Francisco, while their daughters Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) and Sarah (Lydia Cornell) share the apartment downstairs. The show even had its own Urkel: Monroe (Jm J. Bulloch), who broke out from what was intended to be a single appearance to join the series cast permanently.
Nonprofit organization Hack4Values has announced it will be expanding its free bug hunting program for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and nonprofits across Europe this Autumn. First launched in France in 2022, the Hack4Values platform is an online community comprised of ethical hackers and security researchers committed to creating a safer digital world for all NGOs and their beneficiaries. The program offers NGOs and nonprofits a free platform audit to help identify the security risks they face, with the Hack4Values community also providing solutions to help these companies keep their data secure from cyber threats. From September, the program will be able to onboard European nonprofits and NGOs, including those in the UK.

Digital technology plays a core role in the functioning of nonprofit organizations and NGOs, with donation collection platforms, social networks, and digital campaigns all essential tools to carry out their actions. However, many of them lack the cybersecurity maturity required to protect the sensitive information they hold, creating significant security risks and challenges, as well as making them prime targets for cyberattacks and fraudulent activity.

Over 50% of NGOs/nonprofits have been impacted by a cybersecurity attack

The Hack4Values bug hunting program was created by Fabien Lemarchand, VP of platform and security at ManoMano; Bruno-Georges David, president of Communication without Borders; and Yassir Kazar, CEO of Yogosha. Since launching, over 50 ethical hackers who have volunteered for Hack4Values have provided bug bounty programs for 10 NGOs including Amnesty International and Action Against Hunger, stated a press release. In 2022, the platform found more than 250 security vulnerabilities.

"NGOs have now gone through digital transformation and face the same risks as any organization, such as data breaches, GDPR sanctions, and payment fraud, but do not have the funding to defend themselves against these threats," said Lemarchand. "As a result, over 50% have been impacted by a cybersecurity attack."

Nonprofits face significant security threats and challenges

Nonprofits engaged in vital humanitarian work are finding themselves faced with increasing cybersecurity risks in an already challenging environment. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented shifts in weather patterns limiting resource availability and triggering mass migration, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and some of the largest rises in living costs for decades have all brought new urgency to the vital support humanitarian work (often led by nonprofits) provides those in need.

However, nonprofits are finding themselves faced with increasing cybersecurity risks that threaten their ability to provide relief successfully, safely, and securely. As a result, cybersecurity is increasingly playing a vital role in the future of the nonprofit-led humanitarian landscape.
So even when the BBC is in the wrong, its pompous hosts still fancy themselves as the moral conscience of the nation. How else to explain Nick Robinson's arrogant clash with Nigel Farage on the Today programme yesterday?

Mr Farage was on air to discuss his outrageous mistreatment by Coutts bank.

Coutts closed Farage's account after drawing up a sinister 40-page dossier documenting his apparently controversial political views.

This Brexit-supporting, Trump-friendly, Net Zero-criticising public figure does not 'align' with our values, so let's give him the boot, Coutts decided.

The BBC was implicated in this shocking act of political persecution. For not long after Farage first went public about his account closure, the BBC's business editor Simon Jack, wrote an article and took to Twitter to report that Coutts only gave him the heave-ho for commercial reasons.

It wasn't a political move, he said  it's just that Farage 'fell below the financial threshold required to hold an account at Coutts'.

The Farage-hating Twitterati lapped it up. The godfather of Brexit poses as a victim of woke oppression but really he's just not rich enough for that posh bank, they chortled.

Coutts closed Farage's account after drawing up a sinister 40-page dossier documenting his apparently controversial political views

READ MORE: NatWest carnage as shares plunge 3% after boss Alison Rose is forced to quit over Nigel Farage 'de-banking' scandal - with calls for the rest of the board to go - while ministers read the riot act to other banks on 'woke' culture NatWest is engulfed in a full-blown crisis today after its chief executive Dame Alison Rose (pictured) was forced to quit over briefing the BBC about Nigel Farage's 'debanking' Advertisement

We now know not only that Jack's story was wrong but that he got it from the very top of the NatWest Group, which owns Coutts.

It was Dame Alison Rose, NatWest's chief executive, who was the source of Jack's erroneous article. She blabbed to him at a posh charity dinner.

Rose has now resigned in disgrace and admits she made a 'serious error of judgment' when she breezily gossiped with a reporter about the confidential financial standing of one of her bank's clients.

The BBC itself has written to Farage to apologise for its promotion of 'incomplete and inaccurate' information. In short, fake news. Given all this, given the Beeb's cack-handed and biased handling of this important story, you might have expected the hosts of Today to show a little humility.

Not a bit of it. Robinson badgered Farage. He 'teased' him for failing to become an MP. 'You've run seven times and lost seven times', he sneered.

Farage wasn't having it. 'I'm sick to death of your condescending tone,' he shot back.

Aren't we all, Nigel?

It was a revealing moment. Robinson's conceited haran-guing of Farage tells us a bigger story about political life in the 2020s.

It confirms there is a woke sector of the Establishment that truly thinks it is infallible. Which carries on assuming its perfect and virtuous status  even after getting it wrong.

Worse, this privileged cabal does everything in its power to scupper news stories it finds inconvenient or embarrassing.

Robinson's attempt to make Farage the laughing stock of the Coutts story speaks to this elite's sinister urge to control the narrative by downplaying stories they don't like and dismissing certain facts and revelations.

In truth, this is a scandal of epic proportions.

A democratic political figure being 'de-banked' over his political views? The bank's chief executive whispering inaccurate claims to the public broadcaster? The BBC then having to apologise for its hawking of faulty information?

It all adds up to a borderline Orwellian effort to control public opinion.

And yet, from the Left, all we've had is shoulder-shrugging. When Labour's Shadow International Trade Secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, was asked about the Coutts affair, he could only erm and ahh.

The Government should not have intervened and put pressure on Dame Alison Rose to step down, he mumbled. Labour is meant to be a party that is sceptical of excessive corporate power and yet it refuses to take a clear line on Coutts' political dumping of Farage.

When Labour's Shadow International Trade Secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, was asked about the Coutts affair, he could only erm and ahh

The Government should not have intervened and put pressure on Dame Alison Rose to step down, he mumbled

These are the people who have been bashing the banks for years. 'Greedy, evil capitalists!' they once cried.

Now they look the other way. Partly, this is down to Farage-phobia and a moralistic loathing of populism more broadly.

Yet there's more to it. This is just the latest episode in a series of incidents where the Leftist elite has simply refused to tolerate reportage that questions the moral standing of its friends and allies.

Consider, for example, the response to the Mail's stellar investigative reporting this week on bent immigration solicitors and legal advisers, who've been charging up to 10,000 to make up bogus asylum claims.

This story is categorically in the public interest. It raises explosive questions about illegal immigration and the possible inflaming of it by legal bigshots here in the UK.

And yet the Left's kneejerk response has been to diminish this story.

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted about the Mail's investigation, criticising the 'subset of lawyers', the Labour Party and people-smuggling criminal gangs, who either assist or turn a blind eye to illegal immigration, he was slammed by the Bar Council.

Their spokesperson accused him of 'playing politics with the legal profession'. Sunak should cut out 'this damaging rhetoric', the council decreed.

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted about the Mail's investigation, criticising the 'subset of lawyers', the Labour Party and people-smuggling criminal gangs, who either assist or turn a blind eye to illegal immigration, he was slammed by the Bar Council

Yet again, the Left is trying to change the narrative. To shift the focus from the scandal of lawyers charging big bucks to falsify asylum claims to the Prime Minister's allegedly inflammatory tweets.

It looks like they will have their work cut out: the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has ordered the solicitors' watchdog to investigate the Mail's revelations about lawyers making bogus asylum claims.

Then there was the Huw Edwards story. To most people, it was clearly in the public interest for the media to investigate reports that a key figure at the BBC allegedly paid thousands of pounds to a crack addict in exchange for revealing photographs.

And yet the Left tried to shut this story down, too. From former BBC staffers Jon Sopel and Emily Maitlis to political foghorn Alastair Campbell, the cry went up: 'This is a non-story, stop talking about it!'

That's right: actual journalists saying there should be no journalism on the Huw Edwards affair.

For the tabloid press to dig for 'new dirt' on Edwards is a disgrace, thundered Sopel, seeming not to understand that finding information is the point of his profession.

When Edwards' wife released a statement saying Huw had been hospitalised for mental-health reasons, the chattering class demanded a complete cessation of reporting.

That's right: actual journalists saying there should be no journalism on the Huw Edwards affair.

If you keep talking about this, Huw will suffer, they said. It felt like emotional blackmail disguised as a critique of the 'low press'.

We shouldn't be surprised it's the Left-wing establishment's favourite tactic when trying to manipulate the political narrative.

It surely won't be long before they're presenting Dame Alison Rose as a victim of media misogyny and Faragist bullying.

This constant spinning of events to suit a Left-wing agenda poses a grave threat to free, frank and open debate  and it should worry us all.

Their authoritarian urge to elevate certain stories and diminish others robs ordinary people of the right to know what is really happening in this country.

There is nothing 'virtuous' about it. On the contrary: these are the despotic antics of people who think they should have the power to control the flow of information itself.
Will King Charles be breathing a sigh of relief at Kevin Spacey's not-guilty verdict?

American Spacey has picked up two honorary gongs and both were, unusually, presented in private audiences with Charles at Clarence House.

In 2010, he was handed a CBE and, in 2016, Charles presented Spacey with a knighthood.

The star-struck actor/director posted a photo of him and Charles on Facebook, saying: 'I may play a president on TV, but in real life I'm now a Sir.

'Thanks HRH  what a prince of a guy!'

The benevolent jury ensures that HM doesn't have to suppress Kevin's gush.

Prince Charles presents actor Kevin Spacey with his honorary KBE for services to the theatre, arts education and international culture at Clarence House on June 16, 2016

Actor Kevin Spacey reacts outside Southwark Crown Court, after he was found not guilty on charges related to allegations of sexual offenses, in London, Britain, July 26, 2023

Harry's phone-hacking setback, making him one of the few royals to suffer a loss during a court case, is coupled with his position as the first legitimate adult son of a sovereign not to be made a Knight of the Garter since the order was founded by Edward III in 1348.

The King is one of the rare monarchs not to have gartered at least one of their sons.

Prince William was made the 1,000th Knight of the Garter by the late Queen in 2008.

And since women were readmitted by Edward VII, Charles is the only king not to garter his consort  Queen Elizabeth gartered Camilla last year.

Unless there is a dramatic reconciliation with his father, Harry's unfortunate Garter record stands.

Prince Harry arrives to give evidence at the Mirror Group Phone hacking trial on June 7, 2023

Simon Napier-Bell, one of the late Sinead O'Connor's managers, recalls a post-concert telephone call to her Dubai dressing room.

'She didn't want to answer it so she handed it to me,' he remembers.

'Can I talk to Sinead?' the voice said.

'Who is it?'

'Gerry Adams.'

It didn't seem strange. He was simply one of Sinead's long-time friends.

And she didn't give him any special courtesy either. Just took the phone from me and told him: 'Sorry, Gerry  can't talk now.' Then clicked off.'

Sinead felt unfairly overshadowed by Australian warbler Kylie Minogue, pictured, resenting her frequent triumphs in the now-derided Rear of the Year contest.

'Kylie used to always win it,' wailed Sinead.

'I had a way better a*** than Kylie in my day,' adding, forlornly: 'I never entered myself in Rear of the Year when I should have.'

'Kylie used to always win it,' wailed Sinead. Minogue is pictured on 5 November 2020

Four years after the death of his husband David Oldham, celebrity cleric Richard Coles has found new love with actor Richard Cant.

'Watching him at work makes my heart beat faster; he's stunning,' gushes Richard.

'When I saw him in The Vortex at Chichester, I felt like standing up and screaming: 'That's my Dickie!'

Ooh missus.

Gabby comic Rob Brydon recalls his encounter with Prince Harry while queuing for the lavatory at a London hotel.

'I offered to stand aside so that he could use the loo,' recalls Brydon.

'He went: 'Oh'. And I went: 'It's alright, you can go if you want to, your royal highness.'

He adds: 'But I came out of there thinking: "What the hell did you do that for?" He probably thought you were the bellhop, Rob!'
A chicken shop with a zero-star hygiene rating has been dubbed the most tired in London after it served one diner a raw burger.

Food blogger M.Combes from London uses his platform to share reviews of chicken shops, mainly around the capital.

In a clip shared on TikTok, he revealed he had travelled to Belsize Park in northwest London to try out a place called QC Flavas.

Doing his research, he checked the establishment for its hygiene rating and was left shocked when he discovered it had a zero after last being inspected in November 2022.

When a health inspector assesses a food vendor they look at how food is handled, stored, prepared and how clean the facilities are, amongst other criteria.

Unfortunately Mr Combes discovered his chicken burger hadn't been cooked all the way through and was still pink inside

According to the Food Standards Agency, a zero rating means that urgent improvement is necessary and the business has significant food hygiene breaches that could put peoples health at immediate risk.

Shocked but remaining strong to give his followers his honest review, Combes checked out the menu displayed in the window before deciding on a Chicken Strip Burger meal for a reasonably priced 3.50.

Telling his fans he was about to lose his mind after discovering the abysmal rating, he asked people to pray for him as he entered the shop.

In the short video, M.Combes, who uploaded the clip in June, is seen ordering his snack as he checks out the interior of the restaurant.

Noting a threadbare sofa in the waiting area, he went further inside to where the tables and chairs are located.

After collecting his meal Combes took a seat at one of the tables which already had remnants of someone elses dinner on it.

He ordered a chicken strip burger meal, which came with chips and a drink. He said the chips weren't awful but he could tell the oil in the fryer hadn't been changed for a while

Social media user M.Combes chose a chicken shop to review that had a 0 star hygiene rating and documented exactly what happened

Opening up the container for his viewers to see, he started by describing the aroma of the meal, which was not promising.

Noting it smelled like the oil in the fryer hasnt been changed for a while, he spotted a bit of oil on the bun and questioned why it was there.

Deciding to try a chip, he opted for one of the darker brown ones thinking it must be more cooked.

After nearly burning his mouth on it he took a swig of the fizzy drink only to splutter when he discovered it was warm.

Finally, taking the plunge to bite into his burger he took a look at the meat inside and visibly gagged.

Showing it to the camera the meat appeared to be pink inside. Combes didn't finish his meal but chucked the rubbish in the bin before leaving.

Viewers were left horrified by the clip and rushed to give their thoughts on the establishment and the TikTokers hilarious review.

MC replied to one commentator that he was already worried about what was going to happen to his toilet when the meal worked its way through

One worried person replied that they would be praying for him.

I used to live there. I cant believe that place is still open. WHO IS GOING THERE, added a former local of the shop.

Another asked: I swear it's harder to get 0 than at least a 3. Like no way the conditions are that bad

Nahhhh 0 is a madness, you a braver man than me, wrote someone else.

Bro's sacrificing his life for all of us, 0 rating is madddddddd, added another viewer, while a sixth person joked: Bro is risking his life for us

According to the Food Hygiene Agency QC Flava's was recently inspected and a new rating will be published soon.

FEMAIL contacted QC Flava's for comment but they did not respond.
Supermarket giant Aldi is known for having pocket-pleasing prices, middle aisles of wonder, Cuthbert the Caterpillar and of course, a hilarious social media team.

In response to Elon Musk changing the name of Twitter to X, the squad behind the hashtag FreeCuthbert couldn't resist poking fun at the rebrand - cementing their reputation for poking fun at other companies.

The Tesla founder stunned the world this week when he revealed the new logo and moniker of the popular platform.

Feedback on the switch has been met with mixed reviews, with many taking the opportunity to mock the swap and removal of the famous blue bird.

Taking their shot, the UK Aldi team shared an image of a 'new' logo, writing: 'Now launching....AldX, (It's the same as Aldi we just fancied a change)'.

Fans rushed to congratulate the brand for teasing Elon so well and applauded their sense of humour

Social media followers loved the joke and rushed to heap praise on the team for light-hearted humour.

One person wrote: 'Have to admit, this social media team is bloody funny. It's definitely one of the best corporate accounts. I still remember the tweet about Eurovision scoring being as complicated as Tesco Clubcard prices from a few years back.'

'You guys are hilarious!,' added another user.

Someone else simply wrote, 'hahahahahahahaha,' while another cheekily suggested it was pronounced 'All D**ks'.

'Is it for over 18s only?,' asked another user.

However, some people took it upon themselves to tag Elon Musk, encouraging him to sue.

One unhappy soul wrote to the SpaceX CEO: @elonmusk copyright infringement right here. technically they used your brand for commercial use as they are verified and most likely get ad revenue from the ads in the replies to this.'

It's not the first time the budget retailer has used its social media account to poke fun at other businesses.

In 2021, M&S sued Aldi, claiming that its 'Cuthbert the Caterpillar' cake was a direct copy of M&S's Colin the Caterpillar, which has been in production since the 1990s.

Aldi's followers loved the jokey rebrand with many declaring the staff behind the tweets deserved a pay rise, although some tried to get them in trouble with Elon

Billed as the ultimate food fight, the two went head-to-head over 'Caterpillargate' with the German discount store making the most of the situation and the publicity, starting the 'Free Cuthbert' hashtag, which trended constantly on Twitter.

In a series of tweets, Aldi poked fun at its 136-year-old rival, dubbing the chain 'Marks & Snitches'.

But last year both supermarkets confirmed an agreement was struck to resolve the conflict.

Meanwhile, Aldi hilariously quipped that Cuthbert was now 'free' following the dispute, and announced his return on billboards on a van parked outside branches of M&S.

In the same year another fight broke out between the two over a gin Aldi sold that M&S believed to have been modelled on their own.

Aldi has form for trolling other supermarkets, and cheekily announced the return of the Cuthbert cake on a billboard outside of M&S

Aldi played the publicity game by making light of the situation by poking fun at themselves on social media, earning them more popularity

Aldi's social media team love to reply to their customers, getting involved with the jokes like this unfortunate looking Peppa Pig ice lolly

The two retailers eventually settled their court cases and Aldi took great delight in again using the situation to their advantage

Earlier this year Aldi joked they would have to 'cancel the crowns' on their own caterpillar cakes after M&S shared their promotion

Earlier this year Aldi delighted in throwing shade on Marks & Spencer after the supermarket was accused of ripping off another trademark name.

Staff at London pub-chain The Craft Beer Co were made aware that a T-shirt being sold by Marks & Spencer, featured the chains trademark name in a graphic on the front and back.

The company itself took to social media to question the similarities, writing on Twitter: 'Hey @marksandspencer whats the idea with these T shirts!?.

'Can we expect a royalties cheque in the post!? Surely one Iconic British Institution shouldnt be ripping off another!!?'

Revelling in the accusation, Aldi took to social media to stir the pot, retweeting an article about the situation and writing: 'OH HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED.'
There's no question about it - writing a CV can be an anxiety-inducing experience for job-seekers.

As well as racking your brain over your education and employment experience, you also have to think of ways to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

But while most people stick to a punchy opening line and some bullet points listing their key attributes, these quirky job-seekers decided to opt for a wildly different approach.

Earlier this week, Bored Panda collated some of the cringiest CVs shared by recruiters from across the US and UK.

In an attempt to catch a recruiter's attention, one desperate man - who failed to put his surname on his resume - thought it appropriate to boast about his 'cat-like reflexes' and having the 'facial hair of a 13-year-old'.

Pictured: this American man, known only as Eric, boasted about his 'cat-like reflexes' and facial hair on his CV

Meanwhile, another American job-seeker wanted to highlight their 'attention to detail' among their key skills - but accidentally made an ill-time typo that proved otherwise.

Similarly, a third made the mistake of boasting about their 'proafreading' skills.

Here FEMAIL reveals the most awkward CV fails that will make you want to think twice before you ever apply for a job again.

Awkward! This applicant in Georgia probably should have double checked their CV before boasting about how they pay 'attention to detail'

Look again! This job-seeker would have been left red-faced after saying they were good at 'proadofreading'

This job-seeker, thought to be from the US, didn't think to put references - simply telling employers to look them up on Google

This American woman - known only as Megan - refused to work with mayonnaise as it 'grosses her out'

Fake it til you make it! This confident job-seeker wrote under their skills on their CV: 'I can make it happen.'

Going back in time! This young jobseeker, from the US, thought to list their Grade 6 Spelling Bee under their awards

Missing the (bullet) point! This job-seeker missed a trick by not properly filling out their summary or achievements before submitting their CV

Aiming high! This young job-seeker made some rather tenuous points in the 'achievements' section of their CV
Social media users slammed them for not doing their research before the trip

The influencers revealed that they were nearly 'sex trafficked' and assaulted

Audrey Jongens, Meg Radice, and Kaitlin Reagan said they had a 'trip from hell'

A group of American influencers have opened up about their shocking 'trip from hell' in Europe - detailing how they were nearly 'sex trafficked,' were forced to spend thousands on new flights when an airport burnt down and then got 'scammed' when they discovered a lavish villa they had booked online didn't really exist.

Audrey Jongens, Meg Radice, and Kaitlin Reagan all embarked on an extravagant summer trip that was set to see them visiting Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Barcelona.

The influencers - who are based in New York City - were prepared to live out their dreams in the foreign cities, but had a very different experience to what they expected.

The influencers took to TikTok to recount their disastrous vacation in a viral clip, which has so far amassed more than 841,000 views.

They revealed that they were 'assaulted' and 'scammed' - adding that they were forced to drop thousands to get to their destination after their airport 'burnt down' during their trip.

Audrey Jongens , Meg Radice, and Kaitlin Reagan have revealed they had a trip from hell while vacationing in Europe. Audrey and Meg are pictured

They revealed they were nearly 'sex trafficked' while in Turkey - adding that a cab driver refused to let them out of the car unless they had sex with him (Kaitlin and Meg shown)

They revealed that they were 'assaulted' and 'scammed' - adding that they were forced to drop thousands to get to their destination after their airport 'burnt down' during their 'trip from hell'

In the clip, Audrey and Meg said: 'First things first, Kaitlin is seasick the first day, projectile vomits across the whole ship.

'We get to Turkey, almost get sex trafficked, then we get to Mykonos, we get hit and pickpocketed by little children and assaulted.

'We get to Italy and we get to our Airbnb the first night and it's a complete scam. It looks nothing like the pictures.'

Meg and Audrey then revealed that they were forced to book a hotel at the last minute, causing them to spend an 'insane amount of money.'

Then they reveal their airport - which was located in Catania, Italy - burnt down so they had to get a last-minute flight to Barcelona, which cost them '$1,000 for one-way.'

'This trip has been the trip from hell. I don't understand how so many things could have gone wrong, but Euro summer? I don't know if I got to come back for a while,' Meg said.

In a follow-up clip, Kaitlin and Meg revealed how they were nearly 'sex trafficked' in Turkey.

'This was by far one of the scariest things that has ever happened to us,' Meg said.

In another clip, Audrey revealed that when they finally got to Barcelona, she had to spend the night in the hospital because she got second-degree burns after a hookah fell on her

Although on the video-sharing platform the influencers whined about their vacation, they maintained a picture-perfect facade on their Instagram

The trio posed up a storm in Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Barcelona as they flaunted their figures and proved that the chaos wasn't going to stop them from getting the perfect photos

Kaitlin described the experience as 'horrible' as she claimed that the trio had jumped into a cab and the driver told them that he wouldn't drop them off unless they had 'sex with him.'

They then revealed that they were able to de-escalate the situation and were dropped off at their destination safely.

In another clip, Audrey revealed that when they finally got to Barcelona, she had to spend the night in the hospital because she got second-degree burns after a hookah fell on her.

Although on the video-sharing platform, the influencers whined about their vacation, they maintained a picture-perfect facade on their Instagram.

The trio posed up a storm in Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Barcelona as they flaunted their figures and proved that the chaotic incidents weren't going to stop them from getting the perfect photos for their Instagram feeds.

The contrast on their social media, along with the multiple videos they posted about their experience, caused viewers to slam them for not doing their research.

The contrast on their social media, along with the multiple videos they posted about their experience, caused viewers to slam them for not doing their research

People on social media claimed that they were the 'problem' and said they should have done their 'research'

One person wrote: 'This could have happened in the US too. Some research ahead can help too.'

Another user added: 'Something tells me some research would have helped lol.'

'It's clear to me that poor planning is to blame. I love Europe. always had a great experience,' someone else wrote.

'Sounds like you two are the problem,' one user wrote.

'Maybe you guys should have researched your trip better,' another person commented.

One commenter added: 'Tell me you didn't do your research without telling me. While some of it wasn't your fault a lot of the stuff you could have seen beforehand.'

Another American tourist recently came under fierce scrutiny after describing the Amalfi Coast as 'literal manual labor' because she had to walk up stairs to get to her destination.
The US-based mother 'goes through lip filler like she changes underwear'

A young mother whose millionaire husband is 25 years older than her has undergone $79,000-worth of surgery so she 'doesn't let herself go like so many women do'.

Leila Griffin, 29, who now lives in Tampa, Florida, has opened up about her extensive range of cosmetic procedures.

Leila, who is originally from Enfield, North London, wed Bruce Griffin, 54, in July last year despite initially embarking on a more causal relationship.

After a year of wedded bliss, the mother-of-one was determined to 'look the best she can for him' and has undergone a raft of cosmetic procedures that Bruce footed the bill for.

Leila flaunted her recent $9,000 lip and bum filler bill on TikTok and says she also had a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast implants earlier this year.

Leila Griffin, 29, who lives in Tampa, Florida, married her millionaire hubby, Bruce Griffin, 54, last year and has since undergone more than $79,000 of surgery

She claims that she 'goes for lip filler like she changes underwear' and that her entrepreneur and business owner husband will willingly pay - as he buys her 'whatever she wants'.

The glam mother says she wants to look as good as she can for her husband 'as every woman should' - and says that Bruce is thrilled with her surgery because he 'likes the fake look'.

Leila said: 'I'm an advocate for plastic surgery. If someone wants to get something done, they should just go and do it.

'The more accentuated your lips are the older you will look, but I don't care because that's the vibe. Big lips are the vibe.

'I do want to look as good as I can for my husband, as every woman should. There are so many women that let themselves go, and I'm like, "What are you doing?".

'When I told Bruce I was getting the surgery done, he said, "Whatever you want that will make you happy". He says I can get whatever I want.

'The surgery could have cost 100 grand and I still would have done it.

'I'll go to him and say, "Hey, this is what I want", and we'll talk about it, but for me he knows that no isn't an option.

The mother-of-one who is originally from Enfield, North London, said goes through lip filler like she changes her underwear

Bruce, who is an entrepreneur and business owner, was ;Leila's caregiver after she had a tummy tuck

'It's my body - if I want to do something that's my decision, and he just supports it.

'If anything, I prefer to look plastic rather than natural because that's what I like. Bruce likes the fake look {but] he's not the one who tells me to go and do it.

'But he will put in his two cents and it's then up to me [in terms of] what I decide to do with his opinion.

'Bruce was my caregiver after the [tummy tuck] surgery for a couple of weeks. You have to sleep in a wedged position, so he rented me a hospital bed that we kept in the bedroom.

'After I recovered, he loved the results - you can see ab definition.

'I go for lip filler like I change underwear. It doesn't last very long on me so I have to keep going back.

Leila has lost count of how many procedures she has had because she goes so often for Botox and filler

People often claim that Leila is a 'gold digger', but she says she is just blessed to be in love with an 'amazing provider'

While Bruce is very giving with Leila's surgery choices, he has worried that she will go overboard with her lips

Leila has described her romantic relationship with her husband Bruce as the best lover she's ever had

'I wouldn't know how many procedures I've had this year because I go so often for Botox and filler.'

But Leila's cosmetic surgery journey is far from over, as she said she's looking at boosting her bust, getting a nose job and briefly considered bum implants.

The body modification enthusiast says she's considering a labiaplasty but has been put off due to the 'obscene amount of time' she'd have to abstain from romping with Bruce while healing.

Leila claimed that she's often called a 'gold digger' and told to 'lay off the plastic' in the comment section of her videos.

But lucky-in-love Leila said she's 'blessed' to be in love with an 'amazing provider' who's happy to buy her everything she wants.

Leila said: 'I was going to get the butt implants in May, but I changed my mind. I want a bigger bum, but at the end of the day I caught him with no arse so it's fine.

'On top of that I was going to get a labiaplasty - and that he wasn't on board with. He said that I don't need it and I shouldn't get it, and he's happy with how it is right now.

'I'd like to just do it just because I like that kind of stuff, but I heard that you can't have sex for an obscene amount of time [afterwards] - and I can't do that.

'Bruce paid for the surgery. He pays for everything. I'm okay with that and people judge me for it.

'I just think that if you're blessed enough to fall in love with someone and on top of that they are an amazing provider, how does that make you a gold digger?

'There's so many women out there who don't work, and they're not branded gold diggers. It's probably because of our age gap and how I look.

'I get people saying "easy on the plastic" and I say, "No, it's a vibe".

'With my lips, Bruce said that he's worried that I'm going to go overboard.

'But I know in my head how I want to look and I'm not there yet, but I've told him not to worry. And to other people I might look stupid already, but I don't care.

'I obviously want to look good for my husband, but it was more to look good for myself and the world.'

Speaking in July 2022 about their passionate relationship, Leila claimed Bruce is the best lover she's ever had.

Hubby Bruce says that although he didn't think that Leila needed surgery in the first place, he's supportive of his wife and is happy she's pleased with the results.

Bruce, from Tampa, Florida, said: 'I think my biggest positive out of the surgery is that she is happy with the results.

'I never thought she needed it in the first place, but she was in a place emotionally where she felt like she needed to address a few things and I'm very supportive of my wife.

'Really, the biggest improvement for me was the way she feels about herself and that was what was so wonderful about seeing the results.

'Physically, she doesn't look much different to me, but I know she was happy with the results she has seen.'
A woman who threw her 36G bra at Drake while he was performing on stage is now officially working for Playboy.

Veronica Correia, 21, from Cumberland, Rhode Island, became a viral sensation after she tossed her underwear on stage during the rapper's show at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Upon discovering the piece of clothing, the One Dance artist picked it up, checked the tag, and exclaimed: 'Damn. 36G? Locate this woman immediately.'

Playboy immediately picked up on the story and got in touch with the Drake fan.

Now, Playboy has announced on Instagram that the single mother who tossed her bra at the chart-topper has gained a modelling position.

Veronica Correia, 21, from Cumberland, Rhode Island , who threw her 36G bra at Drake while he was performing on stage is now modelling for Playboy

Playboy's official Instagram account shared a snap of the Veronica as a Playboy model on Instagram, announcing her arrival as a model.

The post was accompanied with a link that said: 'Say hi to Veronica' with a red chili emojji.

Her Playboy profile explains that she is determined to 'show a positive body image'.

The business owner will be offering exclusive content and private DMs to those who follow her Playboy profile.

Veronica, who also owns her own business, revealed that she also got a message from Drake on Instagram about the occurrence

The single who threw her 36G bra at Drake while he was performing on stage is now modelling for Playboy where she is determined to 'show a positive body image'

Veronica Correia, 21, from Rhode Island, became a viral sensation after she tossed her undergarment on stage during the rapper's show at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn last week

Upon discovering the piece of clothing, the One Dance artist picked it up, checked the tag, and exclaimed: 'Damn. 36G? Locate this woman immediately'

And according to Veronica, she got a private message from Drake himself as well.

While chatting with TMZ, she explained that she went to the concert with 'no intention of throwing her bra.'

Now the woman who tossed her bra at the chart-topper has spoken out about what led up to the decision

'But then, I was having a little fun and he came past me to walk to the DJ booth. He was singing right in front of me, and I was like, "You know what. I'm gonna do it",' she explained.

'He passed right by me and I just knew he was gonna pick it up because I threw it right by his feet. There was no way he was gonna walk by it.'

Veronica, a Portuguese mother-of-one who runs a coffee shop called Cafe La La, vowed that 36G was her 'true bra size' and that her chest was 'all natural,' explaining that being on the curvier side 'runs in her family.'

She said she 'lost her mind' when he 'reacted the way he did' - and that it felt like a 'full circle' moment for her after suffering from 'serious back and shoulder pain' for years.

The Rhode Island-native said that after she posted about it on her Instagram Stories and it went viral, Drake somehow found her account and reacted to her Stories by replying with a laughing emoji.

After, she also received a DM from Playboy, who told her: 'If you wanna apply, we'll accept you right away., and it seems they did just that since she has been offered a role at the company.

According to Veronica, not only did she get a private message from Drake himself afterwards, but she's also been contacted by Playboy

Veronica, a Portuguese mother-of-one who runs a coffee shop called Cafe La La, told TMZ that 36G was her 'true bra size' and that her chest was 'all natural

She said she 'lost her mind' when Drake (seen with her bra) 'reacted the way he did' - and that it felt like a 'full circle' moment for her after suffering from 'serious back and shoulder pain'

The Rhode Island-native said that after she posted about it on her Instagram and it went viral, Drake found her account and reacted to her Stories by replying with a laughing emoji

While she's gotten a lot of requests to start an OnlyFans account after her now-viral interaction with the star, Veronica said it was not something that she was interested in.

'A lot of people have been messaging me saying, "Start it now, it would blow up, you would do so great, everyone would want to see an OnlyFans," but I don't really have that in mind,' she concluded.

Drake previously spoke out about 'not discriminating' against all types of bodies after someone else threw a 36DD bra at him during his Chicago tour earlier this month.

'36DD - some knocks, I'm not gonna lie. By the way, we don't discriminate, though,' he said.

'Shout out to the girls with the small titties. Shoutout to the girls with little booties, big booties, you know? All races, all faces, all places. Thank you, again, this is perfect.'
Her family celebrated after it took the sister a 'few years' to reach the goal

She explained that her mom paid her sibling $500 for going on the outings

A content creator has revealed her mom paid her sister $500 to go on 100 dates with different men before she tied the knot.

Alyse Carolyn frequently shares hair tutorial videos on her TikTok channel with her more than 306,000 followers.

But recently the hair expert, from Utah, decided to switch it up and share something more personal, revealing that her sister - who she didn't name - received $500 for going on 100 first dates to please her mom before she got married.

In a viral clip, which has so far amassed 7.6 million views, Alyse showed her family celebrating that her sibling had finally finished going on all of her dates with two cakes.

Alyse Carolyn is a Utah-based content creator who has revealed her mom paid her sister $500 to go on 100 dates

In a viral clip, which has so far amassed 7.6 million views, Alyse showed her family celebrating that her sibling had finally finished going on all of her dates with two cakes

Although she didn't show her sister's face or reveal her name, the content creator did show her sibling quickly scrolling through her phone to reveal the list of 100 guys

There were two cakes on the table: the first had candles forming '100,' while the second had ones spelling out 'YAY.'

She captioned the clip: 'When your mom pays your sister $500 for going on 100 dates with 100 different guys before getting married.'

Although she didn't show her sister's face or reveal her name, the content creator did show her sibling quickly scrolling through her phone to reveal the list of men she dated.

In the comments section, Alyse revealed that it took her sister a 'few years,' adding that she never paid for a single date so she was able to pocket the entire $500.

Viewers flooded the comments section and praised her mom for letting her daughter know that she always had options.

One person commented: 'Mama didn't want her to settle!'

Someone else wrote: 'Respect to mom for letting her know she always has options.'

Some users suggested that her mom was paying her to go on the dates because the family is Mormon and dating around is a common practice.

Some users suggested that her mom was paying her to go on the dates because the family is Mormon and dating around is a common practice

A user wrote: 'I grew up Mormon and my Mormon mom 100 per cent encouraged me to date around instead of having a boyfriend.'

One person said: 'I don't think it's always that extreme, but living in Utah and having Mormon friends it's definitely common to date around.'

However, other users said that $500 wasn't nearly enough money to go out with that many men.

One person said: 'That is not enough compensation.'

However, other users said that $500 wasn't nearly enough money to go out with that many men

Another user commented: 'Not enough money.'

Someone else wrote: 'I wouldn't do this for $500. Five dates with five different guys was enough to put me off dating.'

'$500 to deal with 100 different men is not enough,' another person added.

Although users begged for more details about the dates, Alyse has yet to share any updates.
A father whose daughter was strangled to death during sex six years ago broke down in tears as he recalled their last conversation.

In her new ITVX programme Laura Whitmore Investigates, the former Love Island presenter, 38, shares an emotional moment with grieving father Bob Miazek.

In November 2017, Bob's daughter Chloe - who was just 20 years old at the time - was murdered by Mark Bruce.

He had approached her at a bus stop in Aberdeen as they made their way home from two separate nights out.

Two hours later, the 32-year-old choked Chloe to death while they had sex at his flat in the city's Rosemount Viaduct.

During his High Court case, the 32-year-old tried to plead that they both had a 'shared interest' in 'erotic asphyxiation'.

After killing Chloe, Bruce was seen on CCTV leaving his flat and wandering the streets for over an hour before walking to Rosemount Police Station.

There he buzzed an intercom and said: 'I've done something terrible.'

In March 2018, Bruce was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to six years.

Five years on, Bob and his son Nathan sat down with Laura to reflect on what Chloe was like as a person and the lasting impact of her tragic case.

During the emotional meeting, Bob showed Laura childhood photos of his late daughter.

'That's one of my favourite photos,' Bob said as he shared one snap of Chloe and Nathan beaming at the camera as they sat together in a restaurant booth.

The father said: 'We were out at an Italian restaurant, they'd been decorating my flat for me. They'd painted each other and the carpet far more than they did anything else. As you can see everybody had a good time.'

A father who lost his daughter after she was strangled to death after sex - six years ago - broke down in tears as he expressed his pride for her

The High Court in Aberdeen was told that the pair had a 'shared interest' in 'erotic asphyxiation' and that Chloe Miazek (pictured) had died in 'seconds' after he had seized her neck during sex

Pictured: Mark Bruce, 32, from Aberdeen, was jailed for six years after he strangled Chloe Miazek to death during sex in November 2017

Tearing up, the visibly emotional father then said: 'I'm just so proud of both my kids.'

Bob told Laura that the last conversation he'd had with his daughter was about her borrowing some money to buy dress she'd wanted for her 21st birthday.

Chloe was set to celebrate the milestone birthday just eight days after she was murdered.

The father recalled: 'And I was like sure, as long you don't go and spend it at the pub.

'So, she said she wasn't going to go out. So when they phoned me on the Friday morning, I thought it can't be Chloe.

'They just said "you need to come out here now". And I knew within... I'd worked it out within minutes, what had happened. Worst time I've ever had in my life. Horrific... My world collapsed.'

'I can see how hard you've fought for the last few years,' Laura remarked. 'And what you've done with her legacy.'

While speaking with Laura, Bob had opened up about the difficulties of navigating the legal system during Chloe's case, and feeling sidelined in the process.

In her new ITVX programme, Laura Whitmore Investigates - which sees the former Love Island host explore taboo topics - the presenter shares an emotional moment with the grieving parent

He explained: 'So what happens with Scottish law is the Crown Prosecution Service picks and chooses which information they decide to show the judge.

'And when it goes to pleading, it's an agreed statement between the defense and the CPS that has to go to the judge. But all they said to us was "it's all fine, we'll handle it".

'But when they actually came through and was said in court, we disagreed with almost all of it that was said in that statement.'

Both Bob and Nathan felt it was a push to 'implicate Chloe in her own murder'.

Since then, Bob has worked with the organisation We Can't Consent to This to prevent others from using a similar 'sex game gone wrong' defence.

Bruce denied murder and plead guilty to culpable homicide, which is Scotland's equivalent to a manslaughter charge.

'That's one of my favourite photos,' Bob said as he shared one snap of Chloe and Nathan sat together in a booth

During Bruce's sentencing, his defence team said: 'There was no conversation between himself and Ms Miazek about violence during sex, there was no discussion and that at no point would she have expected such.'

Bob revealed that he's since done 'a lot of counselling' after long periods of struggle - he 'couldn't even leave the house for seven months' at one point.

'You have to be ale to confront it... you have to be able to talk about it,' he explained.

'Because he only got six years I made a promise that I'd do anything I could to represent my daughter.'

Reflecting on the case, Bob added: 'After being through this experience, I don't believe law represents the common people. It definitely didn't represent my daughter in any way. We'd got no support, nothing.'

In 2020, Bob told BBC Disclosure that he rejected the claim that Chloe and her killer had a 'shared interest' in choking during sex.

He also said Bruce didn't go to the police 'anywhere near' quickly enough. The killer wandered the streets for an hour before heading to the police station.

'He should have reported it when it happened,' said. 'He should've done something, not just leave her.'

In 2020, Bob told BBC Disclosure that rejected the claim that Chloe and her killer had a 'shared interest' in choking during sex

Advocate depute Jo McDonald said an officer asked him to clarify what Bruce meant when he said he had 'done something terrible'.

He replied: 'I've killed someone. There's a female in my bed.'

The first episode of Laura Whitmore's new show, which is available to stream on ITVX from today, centres around rough sex.

Laura also speaks to experts about the growing practices of BDSM in sex culture, and questions whether it's being used to justify violence against women in intimate spaces.

Other episodes will also tackle the rise of incels and cyber stalking.

'I tried to go in with no judgement but of course you have a judgement,' Laura said of making the programme - and particularly of speaking with men who sympathise with the incel movement.

'I don't agree with most of the things that some of the guys were saying to me, but it's important to give them space to speak and then afterwards I can challenge them.

'So, I had time, so some of the interviews went on for two hours, even though we don't use the whole interview, but just to get to the place where we want to, you can't just jump in with some of these topics. So it's important to give all our contributors the space that they need to get to the issues they want to talk about.'

Laura Whitmore Investigates is available to stream exclusively on ITVX from Thursday 27 July
A Sunday roast with a reported four-year waiting list has been hailed as the 'best of all time' - as foodies praised not only its mouthwatering flavours but affordable prices.

The Bank Tavern in Bristol - which has recently beaten off stiff competition from around the globe to be crowned as the eatery with the longest waiting list, according to research compiled by business payment provider, Dojo (dojo.tech) - has earned raving reviews from patrons who admit that it's 'worth the hype' and dubbed the food 'faultless'.

Its popularity is so exceptional that the website says booking for Sunday Roasts are now 'closed for the foreseeable future'.

The menu usually consists of a 30 day aged rare topside of beef, a slow cooked pork belly, a honey and rosemary roasted leg of lamb and a vegetable lentil loaf.

And it's not the first time the pub's delicacies have attracted widespread attention.

A Sunday roast with a reported four-year waiting list has been hailed as the 'best of all time' - as foodies praised not only its mouthwatering flavours but affordable prices. Pictured, landlord Sam Gregory tucking into a roast

It was crowned for its roast in the Bristol Good Food Awards in 2018, and in 2019, the Bristol Tavern was hailed 'Best Sunday lunch' by the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2019.

Speaking to The Guardian about their skyrocketing reputation at the time, landlord Sam Gregory admitted it's 'an emotive subject'.

'What is the best Sunday roast?,' he questioned. 'We are very much a backstreet boozer but I guess that's part of our charm.

'You just don't expect to get the quality of food you do when you first come through the door.'

'We dont repeat the same menu and although we always have beef. We also do pork, some vegetarian options and perhaps venison or poultry,' Sam had also told Secret Bristol last year.

He also explained that the pub's meat is sourced from West Country farms - and the landlord even catches his own deer and rabbit as well.

A three course meal will set customers back 26.95 or 21.95 for two.

TripAdvisor is filled to the brim with shining reviews of The Bank Tavern. Of 218 ratings, 177 felt the pub was 'excellent'.

'Supreme on all fronts,' one happy customer wrote this month. 'Always brilliant for weekday meals and Sunday lunch!

The Bank Tavern in Bristol has recently beaten off stiff competition from around the globe to be crowned as the eatery with the longest waiting list, according to research compiled by business payment provider, Dojo. Tom Lee pictured putting finishing touches on a roast

It's popularity is so exceptional that the website says booking for Sunday Roasts are now 'closed for the foreseeable future'

TripAdvisor is filled to the brim with shining reviews of The Bank Tavern. Of 218 ratings, 177 felt the pub was 'excellent'

'The latest menu offerings are very tasty and as always, competitively priced for what comes to the table. The presentation invariably surpasses the expectation from the menu description.

'The kitchen team always come up with something new, expertly presented and super tasty.'

'By far THE BEST Sunday roast,' another exclaimed. '(Eaten more than my fair share, so more than qualified!!) A small pub just off the centre of Bristol, with the genuinely friendliest team and clearly the most amazing chef. 10 out of 10.'

A third claimed that the roast is 'faultless'.

'Lovely staff, good wine and a proper normal pub,' they added. 'Three things that are essential to me for a roast dinner.

'1: Rare beef, 2: plentiful condiments (whole jar horseradish for table), a decent nut-free pud (Banoffee meringue pie).

It was crowned for its roast in the Bristol Good Food Awards in 2018, and in 2019, the Bristol Tavern was hailed 'Best Sunday lunch' by the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2019

Customers pictured enjoyed their Sunday roast dinners at The Bank Tavern in Bristol, hugely popular for its menu

The pub has received glowing reviews for not only its Sunday roasts but exceptional customer service

'Top marks! I will be back...if the waiting list ever goes down. Unlikely! Thanks so much to the team for making my friend's birthday dinner special.'

'Superb Sunday Roast,' another review read.

'I had tonkatsu pork as a starter and a main of Roast Beef. The food was superb. The staff are friendly and helpful and the place has a cosy homely vibe for a pub in the centre of Bristol.

'4 year wait for a table and I can understand why. Everything was well thought out and balanced and they also have my favourite cider on tap. Can't beat a Thatchers Dry.'

One customer would have even 'happily licked off the plate'.

The hugely popular menu usually consists of a 30 day aged rare topside of beef, a slow cooked pork belly, a honey and rosemary roasted leg of lamb and a vegetable lentil loaf

Dylan Christoph pictured preparing vegetables for a roast at The Bank Tavern, which has been hailed for its food

Pictured: Dylan carves beef at the pub. The Sunday lunch has been a hit with patrons who have raved about it online

The independent free house has been around since the 1800s and says it has survived 'an alarming number of riots, two world wars, Bristol City Council town planners and Thatcher'

'Sunday Lunch here was absolutely insane,' they wrote. 'The beef roast was to die for, large portion, beautifully presented and delicious!

'Would happily of licked the plate. Had the rum soaked pineapple and coconut crumble for dessert, heaven! Booking here is almost impossible, and I now know why, we were very fortunate to get a walk in, well worth trying. Top work Chef, and team, a fantastic experience!'

The independent free house has been around since the 1800s and says it has survived 'an alarming number of riots, two world wars, Bristol City Council town planners and Thatcher'.

The Bank Tavern in the UK isn't the only eatery in the UK to offer a long waiting list, with two others also featuring in the research's top 10.
They looked at data on 4,011 events that occurred between 2014 and 2022

America's mass shooting hotspots have been revealed in a first-of-its-kind map  and they aren't necessarily where most people own guns.

Researchers at the University of Colorado looked at 4,011 mass shootings  defined as four or more gun deaths, not including the shooter  between 2014 and 2022.

They broke down the massacres in each state by population size to calculate a rate  to allow for a more fair comparison.

Even though it is a city not a state, Washington D.C. was revealed to have the highest rate of mass shootings per capita - 10.4 shootings for every 100,000 people - even though it has some of the strongest gun violence prevention legislation in the nation.

Louisiana had the highest rate of mass shootings per capita of any state, the study found at around 4.3 shootings for every 100,000 people.

The above map shows the rate of mass shootings per million people by state between the years 2014 and 2022

The above maps show the rate of mass shootings per million that were linked to social events (left) and domestic violence (right)

Top ten states for mass shootings (2014 to 2022) Washington D.C. : 10.43 mass shootings per million people; Louisiana : 4.28 per million Illinois : 3.61 per million Mississippi : 2.91 per million Alabama : 2.32 per million Missouri : 2.29 per million South Carolina : 2.26 per million Delaware : 2.18 per million Tennessee : 2.03 per million Maryland : 2.2 per million Advertisement

Bottom ten states for mass shootings (2014 to 2022) Hawaii : 0 mass shootings per million people North Dakota : 0 per million New Hampshire : 0.08 per million Idaho : 0.13 per million Vermont : 0.18 per million Wyoming : 0.19 per million Utah : 0.21 per million Maine : 0.25 per million West Virginia : 0.31 per million Montana : 0.42 per million Advertisement

At the other end of the scale were Hawaii and North Dakota  which both recorded no mass shootings over the period studied.

Of all mass shootings, some 27 percent were linked to social settings, such as a bar, club or house party.

A further 16 percent were linked to crime, 11 percent to domestic violence and one percent to schools or workplaces. Fifty-two percent did not fit into one of these categories.

For the study, published today in JAMA Network Open, researchers extracted data from the Gun Violence Archive  a database of mass shooting incidents across the US run by a nonprofit group.

The researchers did not say why Washington D.C.  the nation's capital  was top of the list.

The district has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation  with open carrying banned and thorough background checks necessary before purchasing a weapon.

It also has a lower gun ownership rate than other states, with estimates suggesting 36 percent of residents have a gun  compared to the national average of 39 percent.

In second place was Louisiana, which has lax gun control laws and a high ownership rate of 52 percent.

Illinois, which has tight gun control laws and low gun ownership, came IN third on the list. [EXPAND ON CONTROL LAWS, SIMILAR TO DC]

The state also does not PERMIT open carry and has one of the lowest ownership rates in the country at 22 percent.

Rounding out the top five STATES WITH THE HIGHEST MASS SHOOTINGS were Mississippi (2.91 mass shootings per million people) and Alabama (2.32 per million).

The remaining states with the lowest rates of mass shootings were New Hampshire, Vermont and Wyoming  which all recorded only one incident over the study period.

The above map shows the rate of mass shootings per million people linked to crime (left) and all other events (right). It is for the years 2014 to 2022

Broken down by the number of mass shootings, Illinois was top of the list at 414 followed by California at 367, and Texas at 270.

PhD student Leslie Barnard who was behind the study said: 'We wanted to help explain the 'why, where and how often' to give people an understanding of this issue.

'This study is not intended to answer every question, but highlights components to generate more hypotheses.'

She added: 'The definition of 'mass shooting' is different depending on the source. While we consider mass shootings as four or more persons shot or killed, some data sources only count deaths.

'This discrepancy is especially difficult for epidemiologists, because we need to have a cohesive definition for what we're reporting on.'

Data on gun ownership by state came from estimates by the Pew Research Center based in Washington D.C.
Overall, one in five Brits reported taking dental health into their own hands

Dentists have spent years begging Brits to steer clear of DIY treatments. But their pleading appears to have gone in vain.

Research suggests the number performing at-home cosmetic dentistry has more than doubled in the last five years.

Overall, one in five people reported taking their dental health into their own hands, according to the survey of more than 2,000 Brits by Bupa.

Results suggested that social media is partly to blame for driving the 'concerning' trend, with 16 per cent of respondents admitting to creating their own whitening concoctions after watching clips on TikTok and other sites.

Along with at-home whitening kits, people reported using plaque-scraping gadgets and buying braces online.

London recorded the lowest percentage of adults who have seen and NHS dentist from 2020 to 2022. The North East and Yorkshire recorded the highest rate at 41.8 per cent

David Sergeant, from Seacroft in Leeds, said he had to resort to DIY dentistry because he hasn't been able to see a dentist for '10 or 15 years'  even after receiving an GP referral

The survey results show that there has been a 116 per cent increase in DIY dentistry since 2018.

One in six people admitted to making their own teeth whitening mixture using hydrogen peroxide.

The chemical is found in some whitening toothpastes and treatments and can be effective when used properly.

But the compound, which is also used cleaning and laundry products, can cause mouth infections and severe life-threating complications, such as stomach bleeding, breathing products, if used incorrectly.

Chris Hanford, a Bupa Dental Care dentist, said: 'DIY dental treatment can seem like a big cost saving initially.

How much does NHS dentistry cost? There are 3 NHS charge bands: Band 1: 23.80 Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Band 2: 65.20 Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions). Band 3: 282.80 Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges. For comparison, check-ups can cost between 20 and 120 at private dentists, according to Which?. Dentures and bridges can also cost up to 2,520, the consumer watchdog says. Advertisement

'However, such treatment can cause irreversible damage that can not only lead to pain but end up being more complex and costly to fix.

'The problem is that dental treatment at home is not professionally prescribed or supervised  and there's the added risk of buying counterfeit whitening kits.

'Any at-home teeth-whitening can cause damage to tooth enamel, give rise to tooth decay, as well as gum and tooth sensitivity  particularly if they're used too frequently.

'Poorly planned or ill-fitting braces can cause anything from wobbly teeth or gum recession to damaged bone.'

The consequences of DIY dental treatments can also be severe.

The research found that 74 per cent of people whod done it needed emergency treatment to fix their issues.

One in six people out of the group reported that they now have damaged tooth enamel, brittle teeth, tooth and gum sensitivity, weakened and brittle teeth, bruising or damaged dental bone.

But some cash-strapped Brits say they have no other option.

One study revealed 11million people in England failed to get an NHS dentist appointment last year.

This left some resorting to 3.99 repair kits and others pulling out their own teeth, as they were unable to fork out for private care.

David Sergeant, from Leeds, said he was not able to see a dentist for '10 or 15 years'  even after receiving a GP referral.

As a result, he says he was forced to use pliers or his hands to pluck out loose teeth.

Before facing the ordeal, the 50-year-old says he has a 'couple of beers' and ibuprofen  but confesses that his DIY dentistry leaves him with a bloody mouth.

He said: 'I've been pulling my own teeth out.

'I can't get an NHS dentist, for ten or 15 years. I've tried referrals from the doctors and there's nowhere that will take me.

Figures obtained by MailOnline eight months ago showed that in the 10 worst counties in England there are just 2,815 NHS dentists serving a population of more than 11.5 million people - or an average of one dentist to every 3,476 people

The country's worst area to receive NHS dental treatment - eight months ago - wass Kent, with just 407 dentists covering a population of almost 1.6 million - or one to every 3,904 people. While Hampshire, where the dental crisis has been raging for several years, is rated as the second-worst offender, with only one NHS dentist to every 3,773 people in its 1.85 million population

The country's best area - eight months ago - to receive NHS dental treatment was Cambridgeshire, with 145 dentists covering a population of 319,189

'I wait until the tooth is loose and then loosen it and loosen it and loosen it and pull it out myself. I have used pliers in the past, like big ones, but most of the time I just use my fingers.

'I have a couple of beers and fill myself up with ibuprofen and out it comes. Next morning there's a bit of blood.'

Director and principal dentist at Serene, Dr Safa Al-Naher, said he is 'very worried and concerned' about the rise in at-home dentistry.

He said: 'I have personally seen many cases that have come through to me, some disastrous.

'It is a false economy ultimately, as you spend your money on these products initially and then you spend more money again to get them fixed.

READ MORE: Patients are pulling out their own TEETH at home because they cannot access or afford a dentist, report finds Ten per cent of 2,104 people asked in a YouGov poll admitted to attempting 'DIY dentistry' (file image) Advertisement

'This discourages people from taking care of their teeth on a regular basis, visiting their dentists every six to 12 months.'

It comes after a YouGov poll of 2,104 people across the UK conducted in March 2023 found that one in 10 people have attempted DIY dentistry.

More than half (56 per cent) of the group carried it out in the last year and 20 per cent said they did so because they could not find an NHS dentist.

NHS dentistry has been in crisis for years but the situation has worsened since Britain emerged from the pandemic.

Thousands of NHS dentists quit during Covid and industry polls suggest even more are considering going fully private in the near future.

Dentists argued it is no longer financially viable to offer NHS procedures because of a lack of Government investment.

As a result, people have been left with no choice but to pay huge private fees, go without or do their own dental procedures.

Figures obtained by MailOnline last year also show that in the 10 worst impacted counties in England, there are just 2,815 NHS dentists serving a population of more than 11.5 million people  or an average of one dentist to every 3,476 people.

In Kent, just 407 dentists cover a population of almost 1.6 million  or one to every 3,904 people.

Hampshire, where the dental crisis has been raging for several years, is rated as the second-worst offender, with only one NHS dentist to every 3,773 people.
A depressed mother claims she has been left permanently 'lumpy and bumpy' after jetting to Turkey for a 7,000 'mummy makeover'.

Emma Witney, from Seaford, East Sussex, had her breasts lifted, fat removed from her stomach and a tummy tuck in Istanbul.

But the 46-year-old said the procedure, performed in March, went 'so badly' and she has been left with different-sized boobs, an oddly shaped stomach and was sewed up too tightly.

The mother-of-six says she can't afford to get it fixed, has been left in 'horrendous' agonising pain and has had to double the dose of her anti-depressant medication.

Emma, who works with children with additional needs, said she only got the surgery because she was depressed over her body but now feels worse than before. She is now urging others to save up and have cosmetic work done in the UK.

Emma Witney had a tummy tuck, her breasts lifted and fat removed from her stomach in Istanbul, in March but has now been left in agonising pain and permanent 'lumps and bumps'

Emma has been battling to lose weight for years.

She had a gastric-bypass surgery in 2020 that saw her lose 11.5 stone (73kg), which left her with loose skin.

After looking into options to remove her excess skin, she discovered 'mummy makeover packages' but couldn't afford to cough up the 27,000 it would cost in the UK. However, sites in Turkey advertised the procedure for a quarter of that price.

She reached out to a clinic in Turkey in November and booked her surgery for March after being promised a low price and seeing no negative reviews online.

The day before she jetted off, Emma's mother died. She said the clinic would not let her rearrange the procedure and she would lose her deposit if she did not show up.

She said: 'I was devastated when they said they couldn't change the date. I felt so guilty leaving my children for a week but I knew I wouldn't be able to go and do it again.'

After the procedure, Emma said she was left with 'lumps and bumps' covering her body and her breasts were different sizes.

She said: 'My tummy goes into a V shape, and it's bumpy too.

'One of my boobs is bigger than the other and my right arm puckers where it's been sewed tightly. It feels so tight and odd.'

Clinic staff told her that the problems were due to a build-up of fluid, which would be rectified by lymphatic massages  which helps promote the drainage of lymphatic fluid, Emma claims.

Emma also said her post-op care wasn't what she would have expected.

She said: 'Luckily I had taken my own pain relief over. I can't imagine what I would have done if I hadn't.'

Once she returned to the UK a week later, she forked out 500 for ten massage appointments.

But she was eventually told her 'lumps and bumps' could not be drained and would be permanent.

Emma said she only got the surgery because she was depressed over her body but now feels worse than before

After losing 11.5 stone following a gastric-bypass surgery in 2020, the personal assistant said she looked to have the procedure done in the UK but could not afford to cough up 27,000

The day before she flew out to Turkey, Emma's mother died and she says the clinic would not let her rearrange the procedure and would have lost her deposit. 'I was devastated when they said they couldn't change the date,' she added. 'I felt so guilty leaving my children for a week but I knew I wouldn't be able to go and do it again'

Emma said: 'After 10 weeks of getting specialist massages I was told it's not fluid.

'There's not much I can do at this point. No one's getting back to me.

'Now I'm healed I've been left all lumpy and bumpy  it's awful.

'I never would have expected to have paid all that money and be left like this. Now I don't have anything left to fix it.'

The clinic has been approached for comment.

Emma said: 'I got the surgery in the first place because I was depressed and I wanted to feel better about myself.

'But it's gone so badly I'm now having to double my anti-depressant dose. I paid so much money and now I can't do anything about it.'

She added: 'Don't take the risk. If you can save enough and do it over here [in the UK], do it.'

Liposuction that offers to remove up to 15 litres of fat, Brazilian butt lifts, eye colour-changing laser treatments and hymenoplasties are all offered in clinics across Turkey

British surgeons have raised the alarm about the rising cost of fixing botched cosmetic ops performed overseas, with one case alone costing the NHS an estimated 100,000

Turkish clinics offer packages including VIP airport transfers in 'luxury vehicles' and 5-star hotel stays with breakfast. Some even promise free tours of cities like Istanbul and the choice to take another guest at no additional cost, as well as 24/7 emergency lines, overnight nurse visits and even massages

Tens of thousands of Brits, particularly women in their 20s and 30s, flock to Europe for boob jobs, bum lifts and lip enhancements every year.

Turkey has become one of the most popular destinations, fuelled by celebrities and influencers who've made the four-hour trip in pursuit of revamping their bodies.

Clinics also offer luxurious 'all-inclusive' packages at five-star hotels, complete with meals and VIP transport. Such deals, on sale for in the region of 2,500, include the treatments themselves.

But despite seeming safe on the surface, Turkey is called the 'capital of butchery' by campaigners.

Dozens of ordinary patients have shared their horror stories at the hands of 'cowboy' surgeons, including some who needed life-saving treatment as soon as they landed back on UK soil. Correcting such botched ops costs taxpayers millions every year.

At least 24 Brits have also died going under the knife in Turkey since 2019, where standards are notoriously laxer than in the NHS. Surgical aftercare can be non-existent, too, argue victims of the procedures.
Dozens of scientists have today demanded the retraction of an influential paper credited with dismissing the idea that Covid emerged from a lab.

Authors of 'Proximal Origin', published days before Britain was thrust into its first lockdown, wrote: 'We do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible.'

But a coalition of experts have now demanded it is removed, calling it 'misleading' and 'damaging'.

The plea comes after secret messages between the authors  which casted doubt on their own beliefs  were unearthed.

One of the researchers behind the paper in Nature Medicine, Dr Kristian Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist, actually believed a lab escape was 'highly likely'.

Dr Andersen giving evidence during a hearing with the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Capitol Hill on July 11, 2023 in Washington, DC

Dr Kristian Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist from Scripps Research, was a co-author of the March 2020 Nature Medicine research article titled 'The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2'

While China has insisted the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have contemplated the possibility it leaked from a high-level biochemical lab in Wuhan - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread

Yet they publicly supported the natural origin theory for 'political' reasons, leaked messages revealed.

Authors of the piece also feared pinning the blame on the Chinese lab would cause a 's***show' and threaten future funding of virus manipulation research.

Proximal Origins was touted by the likes of Dr Anthony Fauci in the opening months of the global pandemic amid fierce debate over its origin.

At the time, many virologists assumed that the virus emerged naturally from a spillover from animals to humans at a wet market in the centre of Wuhan.

Although many leading experts still believe this was the cause, consensus over how the pandemic began three years ago has slowly started to shift.

Evidence the virus may have escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology is inconclusive, leaving experts fearing the truth behind Covid's origins will never be uncovered.

In a letter sent to Nature Medicine yesterday 34 scientists called for the paper's retraction.

Signatories include Dr Richard Ebright, a molecular biologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey and long-time critic of dangerous lab research on pathogens.

The coalition stated: 'The paper played an influential role  indeed, the central role  in communicating the false narrative that science established that SARS-CoV-2 entered humans through natural spillover, and not through research-related spillover.'

The signatories then cited recent US Congressional hearings showing authors of the paper itself did not believe the core conclusion of the paper.

'The authors' statements show that the paper was, and is, a product of scientific misconduct,' the letter read.

They added: 'It is imperative that this misleading and damaging product of scientific misconduct be removed from the scientific literature.'

Slack messages obtained by MailOnline show Dr Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist, told colleagues the idea of a lab leak was 'not some fringe theory' and was, in fact, 'highly likely' the genesis of the pandemic.

Professor Robert Garry, a respected microbiologist, is one of five scientists who wrote a paper in March 2020 entitled 'The Proximal Origin of Sars-Cov-2' credited with dismissing the theory Covid meagered from a lab leak, now says the paper went too far in its dismissal

Other authors of the controversial Proximal Origins paper Professor Ian Lipkin (left), an expert in epidemiology at Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University and Professor Andrew Rambaut (right), an expert in molecular evolution at the University of Edinburgh

Professor Edward Holmes, a virologist at the University of Sydney is another of the authors of Proximal Origins

Separate, publicly-available communications between the virologist and his co-authors show how the group backed the natural origin theory for 'political' reasons and feared pinning the blame on the Chinese lab would cause a 's***show' and threaten future funding of virus manipulation research.

Critics have claimed the messages as proof the authors worked to censor debate about the origins of the pandemic.

But the scientists involved have said they changed their minds between sending the messages and writing the paper.

Dr Andersen and the other scientists involved in publishing 'The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2' paper on March 17, 2020, were asked to testify before the US House Oversight Select Subcommittee earlier this month.

But only Dr Andersen and co-author Dr Robert Garry, a respected microbiologist who works at Tulane University in New Orleans, actually did.

House Republicans grilled the two doctors, citing the newly disclosed communications between researchers in early 2020 as evidence of a cover-up - something the scientists strongly refuted.

Some of the messages were published as part of a Government report released early before the hearing.

Some experts now say Covid may have emerged from within the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Here security personnel are pictured keeping watch during a visit by the WHO in 2021

Shi Zhengli - dubbed the 'Bat Lady' or 'Bat Woman' for her work on bat coronaviruses - investigated the possibility Covid could have emerged from her lab back in 2020 according to colleagues

In other messages, Dr Andersen admitted he found it 'strange' that Covid emerged in Wuhan, a city hundreds of miles from rural China where related coronaviruses circulate.

Other messages which were displayed in the cropped screenshots in the report show that another author Dr Andrew Rambaut, a biologist at the University of Edinburgh, feared pinning the blame on China for 'even accidental release' of the virus.

Another Proximal Origins author also distanced himself from the firm conclusions earlier this year.

Dr Garry admitted to the BBC last month that researchers went 'too far' in the paper.

He said the paper's concluding statement was never meant to dismiss all types of potential lab leak, just a deliberate one.

A number of other revelations about a potential lab leak in China being the origin of the Covid pandemic have emerged in recent months.

In June it was revealed that China's own 'bat woman' Dr Shi Zhengli, a leading virologist based at the WIV, at one point feared Covid could have leaked from inside her secretive laboratory.

Other insiders at the heart of Beijing's response to the pandemic have also admitted that the nation quietly investigated the possibility of the virus emerging from one of its labs.

Such investigations occurred despite President Xi Jinping's communist administration repeatedly denying the hypothesis, labelling it a smear campaign by 'anti-China' forces and insisting the virus emerged naturally instead.

Nature Medicine was contacted for comment.
BOOK OF THE WEEK

PAX: WAR AND PEACE IN ROME'S GOLDEN AGE

by Tom Holland (Abacus 30, 448pp)

In the deserts of what is now south Jordan, 1,900 years ago, a man called Lauricius scratched on a stone, in Greek: 'The Romans always win'. Was he a rebel, lamenting, or a soldier of Rome, boasting? It all depends on your point of view.

Pax is the third in Holland's majestic three-volume history of ancient Rome. The first, the award-winning Rubicon, covered the career of Julius Caesar and the growth (or decay?) of the old Roman Republic into Empire; the second, Dynasty, focused on the first Emperors, including such monstrous figures as Caligula and Nero, whose notoriety has rung down the centuries.

Pax deals with the somewhat more enlightened rulers who followed, during the years AD 69-138, including the bluff, soldierly Vespasian, who had spent so long campaigning under the Mediterranean sun, that his squint made him look, joked one contemporary rather riskily, 'like a man straining to have a sh*t'; and the refined and well-travelled Hadrian, who built that famous wall.

These were years of peace and prosperity, when the Empire finally settled down to enjoy the long and civilised Pax Romana. Or . . . were they?

Ancient history was never peaceful for long. And as the Romans, those supremely grim realists, would have said, if you want peace and prosperity, you have to fight for them.

Pax is the third in Holland's majestic three-volume history of ancient Rome. Inept: A 19th-century painting of Vitellius being dragged to his death

For all that these golden years were described even by the greatest of all the chroniclers of Rome, Edward Gibbon, as the most enviably civilised in world history, they were still riven with revolt and bloodshed. They were the years of the eruption of Vesuvius, of the Jewish Revolt, ending with the utter destruction of Jerusalem, and the building of that great theatre of ritual blood-letting, the Colosseum.

They began in utter chaos as well, with the Year Of The Four Emperors, in AD 69 , when four different rulers followed each other in dizzying succession, each ending in a fate gorier and grislier than the last.

In AD 68, Galba had become emperor on the death of Nero; but in January of AD 69 , the powerful legions on the Rhine proclaimed Vitellius emperor  when a country's military start deciding its political leaders, you know there's trouble ahead.

Galba was duly murdered  but the Senate proclaimed one Otho Emperor instead . . . then he was defeated in battle and replaced by Vitellius, who didn't last long before being stripped naked, pelted with filth, stabbed to death, and: 'Finally, a hook was jammed into the roof of his mouth and what remained of his body dragged away and dumped in the Tiber.'

Who'd want to be emperor?

Only when the bullet-headed Vespasian arrived back in Rome, with his glamorous war-hero son Titus, was order restored. Yet both men had blood on their hands.

They had won their glory in the appalling carnage of the Jewish revolt and its suppression. This is surely the central episode of the book and seems to have a symbolic significance for readers even today. On one hand you have a fiercely independent Middle-Eastern tribe, proud of its one god and despising all others, adhering doggedly to its ancient customs and traditions, including, to the Romans' mystification, a refusal to eat pork.

On the other hand, you have a world-bestriding imperial power, determined to impose order  or its own idea of order  on these chaotic tribal peoples and their territories, and stamp its values upon them, with military force if necessary. For the contemporary reader, this doesn't ring just one bell, but a whole peal of them.

In AD 68, Galba had become emperor on the death of Nero (pictured as portrayed by actor Peter Ustinov)

Tribe vs Empire: the actors may change, but the storyline stays the same. As Tacitus, the most acerbic of Roman historians, wrote of his own conquering countrymen: 'They make a wasteland and they call it peace'. The revolt in Judea began with an uprising that saw the Jewish rebels fall upon and massacre 6,000 Romans.

It also saw the shameful loss of a legionary standard, the Eagle of the XIIth. Roman honour 'demanded an unstinting, an annihilative vengeance'. Rome held sway over perhaps 100 million subjects, from Scotland to Arabia, thanks to the Romans' capacity for discipline and organisation, and for hugely impressive feats of civil engineering, such as roads, harbours and aqueducts: but above all, they held sway through a capacity for extreme violence in battle  and they weren't afraid to show it.

The Siege Of Jerusalem in AD 70 was one of the great epic onslaughts of history, and Holland evokes it superbly, with the vividness of cinema. The legions first cut down the woods and forests that surrounded Jerusalem, turning them into massive iron-plated siege towers.

These impregnable mobile fortresses then drew up to the walls of the city and began to rain down missiles on this wretched people who still, with tiresome fanaticism, refused to surrender.

The bombardment of rocks, arrows and blazing ballista bolts must have been of an awesome power. The eyewitness historian Josephus described how 'heads, hit by boulders, might be sent flying like sling-shot. The baby of a pregnant woman, hit in the stomach by a missile, might be borne by it several hundred feet'.

'Relentless, pulverising, nightmarish,' says Holland, 'the bombardment never stopped . . .'

And it could only end one way. The Romans finally breached the walls, slaughtered the inhabitants en masse, crucified others outside the city walls and burned the Jewish Temple to the ground.

Only when the bullet-headed Vespasian arrived back in Rome, with his glamorous war-hero son Titus, was order restored. Yet both men had blood on their hands. Pictured: Triumph of Emperors Titus and Vespasian, from Suetonius' Life of the Caesars, c.1537

This wasn't just a church or a cathedral: it was the Holy of Holies, in some ways the actual dwelling place of God Himself.

The implications for the Jews must have been devastating, its ruins 'a symbol of the might, of the terror, of the invincibility of Rome'.

The legions went on to harrow the entire province. Even the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus had preached just 40 years earlier, became 'a butcher's shambles. Fugitives from the legions, taking to fishing boats and rafts, had been hunted by the Romans; and such was the slaughter that the blood and viscera of the slain had come to dye the entire lake red'. The legion which had earlier lost its eagle, the XII Fulminata  The Thunderer  had certainly had its revenge.

There was also the attempt to complete the conquest of Britain  'a boggy land of milk-drinking barbarians'  with the conquest of Scotland, then called Caledonia.

It failed, to the pride of Scotsmen to this day. Holland suggests the main reason the Romans pulled back wasn't Scottish resistance so much as the sudden irruption of an army of Dacian warriors across the Danube.

This meant that some of the British legions had to be hurriedly withdrawn from Caledonia and sent off to fight the Dacians. Yet they had real respect for the big-boned, red-haired, fighting Caledonians  and they never returned.

Pax is a superb conclusion to Holland's trilogy. There's no other historian who can bring the ancient world before the reader in all its sights, sounds and smells, its pomp, magnificence and martial glory, its strivings and sufferings and horror.

Riveting from first page to last.
FOOD

THE FOOD ADVENTURERS

by Daniel E. Bender (Reaktion Books 20, 352pp)

When I lived in France and my parents-in-law came to visit from Wyre Piddle in Worcestershire, they would fill their car with trusted groceries  Robertsons jelly, Bird's custard, Heinz ketchup, Branston pickle, sliced white bread and Cheddar cheese.

They weren't going to risk any fancy foreign muck, like garlic or olive oil.

Daniel Bender, a professor of food studies in Toronto, suggests people are quite right to be nervous of new eating experiences, especially the 'fiery torments' of curries and spices, which can burn the mouth 'like a live coal' and 'cause tears to flow'. Exactly. The most intense pain I ever endured was in Borneo, when I chewed what I thought was a humble broad bean. It was a chilli.

Daniel Bender, a professor of food studies in Toronto, suggests people are quite right to be nervous of new eating experiences. Stock image used

Who really wants to go all the way to Australia for kangaroo tail stew, or to Bali for minced sea turtle? And it's never a good idea to drink the water. Typically, 'worms of various kinds invaded the lymph, circulatory and urinary systems. All from a glass of water carelessly consumed'.

In 1923, the American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention told travellers to expect 'diarrhoea, nausea and fever', and people were informed not to be surprised if most places overseas served meals which were 'unwholesome, dirty, smelly, inedible and contaminated'.

Nevertheless, there have always been hardy souls who positively enjoy tracking down bizarre lunches and dinners, e.g. Anthony Bourdain, who in 2013 swallowed a beating cobra heart in Vietnam.

Bender finds accounts of 18th- and 19th-century travellers who cheerfully tucked into 'mouldy fish and eggs ready to hatch into chicks'. In Canton (now Guangzhou), people have eaten 'hashed dog, sinews of whale and rat croquettes'. As Bender argues, though tourists always say they intend 'to seek out restaurants and food stalls where locals eat', in practice they prefer to rely on guide-book recommendations, and enter premises where health and safety inspections have been carried out.

Thomas Cook, Cunard, the Hilton hotel chain and other holiday businesses have developed a successful formula, in effect moving passengers from their home environment to foreign parts, while keeping them in isolation. When I went on a Saga cruise up the Amazon with Maureen Lipman for a travel story, our meals had been assembled in Southampton.

Of course, not everyone could be protected by holiday company guarantees. The chief drawback of being European soldiers, administrators, tea and rubber planters and residents, in the days of the empire and the Raj, was the food. Sooner or later everyone 'succumbed to a variety of illnesses, to dysentery and malaria'.

But you can't subsist forever on tins and packet soups. If I myself spent more time on the lavvy when I returned from India than I'd spent in the country in the first place, no wonder  bottled water often comes from the kitchen hose pipe, the plastic caps re-sealed with a heated pin.

It's at this juncture Professor Bender gets a bit woke and political. He's unhappy with the traditional view about the 'ignorance, superstition and filthiness of the natives'.

Nevertheless, there have always been hardy souls who positively enjoy tracking down bizarre lunches and dinners. Stock image used

Bender finds accounts of 18th- and 19th-century travellers who cheerfully tucked into 'mouldy fish and eggs ready to hatch into chicks'. In Canton (now Guangzhou), people have eaten 'hashed dog, sinews of whale and rat croquettes'. Stock image used

Bender doesn't like the way 'tourists enjoyed the racial privilege of servants', and he's dismissive of the Hilton hotels' Trader Vic's bars, as they represented a false, kitsch idea of Polynesia as 'a primitive paradise of sensuous women'. He'll be glad to know, therefore, that the London branch closed last December after 60 years. It was where Peter Sellers took Britt Ekland on their first date.

Where I see travel as involving fantasy, grand hotels, says Bender, were a continuation of imperialism  the demand for comfortable rooms with telephones and private bathrooms 'a relic of imperialism'.

He is one of those authors, of whom there is an increasing number, encouraged by progressive publishers, who can't stop fretting about 'the legacies of race and racism that had produced not only the empire but fascism'. Which is a lot to deduce from a mention of bamboo salad.
NatWest may have broken confidentiality rules when former chief executive Dame Alison Rose shared information about Nigel Farage's Coutts bank account with the BBC, the privacy regulator has said.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is examining whether the actions of the ex-boss of the lender, who dramatically quit, would 'constitute a serious data breach' or 'disregard client confidentiality'.

The ICO said: 'We can confirm we have received a complaint and are currently assessing the information provided and making necessary enquiries. We are aware of Dame Alison Rose's statement and will consider it as part of our enquiries.'

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is examining whether the actions of former NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose would 'constitute a serious data breach'

Information commissioner John Edwards added: 'The banking duty of confidentiality is over 100 years old and it is clear that it would not permit the discussion of a customer's personal information with the media.

'We trust banks with our money and with our personal information. Any suggestion that this trust has been betrayed will be concerning for a bank's customers and for regulators like myself.'

The Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the City, has also raised concerns with NatWest about a potential 'breach of customer confidentiality'.

The comments came as bank bosses admitted trust in the industry has been hit by the Coutts debacle.

At a meeting with Economic Secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith, industry leaders 'acknowledged that recent events had impacted upon public trust for the whole sector'. They pledged to 'act quickly to restore confidence'.

NatWest chairman Howard Davies and its interim chief executive Paul Thwaite did not attend the meeting, instead sending retail chief David Lindberg.

Others in attendance included HSBC UK chief Ian Stuart, Santander's UK boss Mike Regnier and Matt Hammerstein, who runs Barclays in the UK, as well as Nationwide chief executive Debbie Crosby and Lloyds managing director Philip Robinson. Experts warned the sector is likely to face political and regulatory consequences.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: 'Banks are trusted with our hard-earned cash and relied upon to fund a myriad of purchases from buying a house to business expansion which delivers jobs and prosperity.

'With that in mind it now seems absurd that the board of NatWest had considered that Alison Rose could ride out this storm.

'NatWest is no ordinary bank; it is still almost 40 per cent-owned by the UK taxpayer, and the political and regulatory ramifications of this episode are likely to ripple out for months to come.'
Rolls-Royce shares hit their highest level since the start of the pandemic as investors cheered more signs of a turnaround under its new boss.

In an unscheduled trading update, the FTSE 100 engineering giant said it expects profits of between 1.2billion and 1.4billion this year, up from its previous forecast of 800million to 1billion.

The company's shares soared 21.2 per cent, or 32.35p, to 185p, their highest level since March 2020, when Covid struck.

Flying high: New chief Tufan Erginbilgic is a former BP executive

The stock has almost doubled in value this year in a major boost for new chief Tufan Erginbilgic.

The former BP executive, who described Rolls as a 'burning platform' after taking over in January, has been carrying out a transformation programme.

His main goal has been improving operations, cashing in on the post-Covid revival in travel and taking advantage of increased defence spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

'Our multi-year transformation programme has started well with progress already evident in our strong initial results and increased full-year guidance for 2023,' he said.

'Despite a challenging external environment, notably supply chain constraints, we are starting to see the early impact in all our divisions.'

Erginbilgic has already indicated he is willing to take a hard line. In an address to staff earlier this year, he said it has a 'last chance' with investors.

Warren East, his predecessor, tried to lift profitability via a turnaround plan launched in 2018. The pandemic two years later forced another restructuring, to rescue it from the collapse in revenues when travel stopped, battering investor confidence.

But the firm, which makes engines for aeroplanes, has benefited from the return to the skies since lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Analysts at investment group Shorecap said Rolls has also been bolstered by 'exceptional demand' for defence equipment. It makes propulsion systems for Royal Navy warships and submarines.

Rolls makes most of its money from servicing and maintaining engines, and is now the best-performing stock on the FTSE 100 over the past six months.

The British firm is due to announce half-year results next week, which it said will show profits of between 660million and 680million, more than double market expectations.
GSK boss Emma Walmsley received a shot in the arm as it upgraded its profit forecasts following strong sales of its vaccines and HIV drugs.

The FTSE 100 pharmaceutical giant expects profits to grow by between 11 per cent and 13 per cent this year, up from previous predictions of 10 per cent to 12 per cent, while sales are expected to rise by 8 per cent and 10 per cent, against a target of 6 per cent to 8 per cent previously.

GSK reported an 8 per cent rise in profits in the second quarter of the year, to 2.2billion, while sales were up 4 per cent to 7.2billion.

Boost: GlaxoSmithKline chief executive, Emma Walmsley

The figures were boosted by a 20 per cent jump in sales of its blockbuster shingles vaccine shingrix as well as a 12 per cent increase in revenues from HIV medicines.

'We have delivered another excellent quarter of performance, with strong sales and earnings growth, notably in HIV and vaccines, and continued strengthening of the [research] pipeline and product portfolio,' Walmsley said.

The shares initially rose but ended the session down 0.6 per cent, or 7.6p, at 1385.4p.

The profit upgrade provides a welcome boost for Walmsley as she continues to push ahead with a major overhaul, which included the splitting off of GSK's consumer health arm Haleon last year.

The chief executive has been trying to shift the business back towards developing new drugs and vaccines, with many investors eyeing the upcoming US debut of arexvy, the first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the over-60s.

RSV causes cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough, but can lead to pneumonia in toddlers, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Analysts at Citibank said they expected the second half to benefit from arexvy sales as hospitals and other clinics stock up ahead of the winter.

But the company has also faced difficulties, notably from series of lawsuits in the US over its former heartburn drug Zantac, which was pulled from shelves in 2019 after it was found to contain a chemical that could cause cancer.

Concerns about potential legal bills have weighed on the share price over the last year, although last month GSK said it had settled with one claimant James Goetz. Another trial is scheduled in California in November.

Walmsley told reporters the firm was 'working through the Zantac overhang' on the share price and was 'very confident' in its position.
Some of the country's busiest airports have urged the Government to commission more research into a 'disastrous' tourist tax.

Hundreds of businesses have called on the Chancellor to reverse removing VAT-free shopping for international visitors.

Bosses of Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick yesterday said the UK is in danger of falling behind rivals that have tax-free schemes.

Businesses have called on the Chancellor to reverse removing VAT-free shopping for tourists

The UK's largest airport Heathrow was 'seeing first-hand the economic damage of the tourist tax', said Ross Baker, its chief commercial officer, adding: 'Tourist spend in the UK is eclipsed by our European neighbours where goods are up to 20 per cent cheaper.'

Heathrow blamed the policy for an 8.3 per cent dip in retail sales per passenger in the first half of 2023. It is forecasting 70million to 78million passengers in 2023, down on 2019's 81million.

Evidence is mounting that the tax is helping cities such as Paris and Milan lure consumers who might have favoured London.

Gatwick retail director Rachel Bulford said: 'It is imperative tax-free shopping is reinstated, as key, big-spending travel markets like China grow back, and before the UK falls irretrievably behind other European nations.'

Businesses have backed a campaign spearheaded by The Mail to ditch the unpopular measure.

On behalf of airports and other businesses, lobby group BusinessLDN asked the Treasury for more analysis into the levy yesterday.
It was always going to be the Government which had the casting vote on the future of Dame Alison Rose.

As a consummate establishment operator, Howard Davies, the NatWest chairman, would surely have taken political soundings before finalising his statement about Rose's future, one which gave her the full backing of the board.

That is the most basic of corporate Governance responsibilities  that is the G in ESG which is now in danger of being forgotten by boards in their obsession with Environment and Social issues, as Coutts has found out.

The last time Davies hit the headlines was when he resigned in 2011 as director of the London School of Economics following a scandal

Checking out such an important decision as the position of Rose, after her admission she was the BBC source on Nigel Farage, with your biggest investor would be an absolute essential.

But from what sources suggest, Davies may have taken his soundings from the wrong levels, compounding his miscalculation in letting Rose off the hook.

This explains the rapid response from Jeremy Hunt and then from Rishi Sunak to distance themselves from the Davies statement.

It was clearly their anger which forced Davies into his panicky emergency board meeting and announcement that Rose was quitting.

Questions remain about exactly who Davies might have taken soundings from but friends say he will have made discreet inquiries, most probably from senior civil servants at the Treasury.

He is extremely well connected, used to run the Financial Services Authority and is an assured operator at the higher echelons of Whitehall.

But he has been in trouble before. The last time Davies hit the headlines was when he resigned in 2011 as director of the London School of Economics following the scandal that the university received money from Libya to train hundreds of young Libyans.

Yet he seems to have been successfully rehabilitated, ending up as the chairman of one of the country's biggest banks.

Which brings us to the NatWest board, which includes senior independent non-executive director and former banker Mark Seligman alongside other non-executives.

The bank now faces huge reputational damage and a soggy share price  just when the Government was hoping to offload more of its share stake. Whether the board has the right directors to steer the bank through this crisis is a moot point.

Asking them all to step down would cause the bank even more of a confidence crisis although the board does need beefing up.

However, it's hard to argue that Davies, who has undoubtedly exacerbated the scandal, can be a safe pair of hands to see the bank through the next chapter of the crisis, which is by no means over.

Rolls on fire

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of Rolls-Royce, is full of surprises.

In an unscheduled trading update, he reports that the civil aerospace and defence units are enjoying higher sales and 'cost efficiencies' have improved profits.

The power systems business is also likely to see better profits over the rest of the year. It's the speed of Erginbilgic's turnaround  he's only been boss since the start of the year  that's such a surprise.

Only a few months ago he warned that Rolls was a 'burning platform'.

Now it's the shares which are on fire, soaring more than 20pc to 185p yesterday. They have now doubled in value this year.

Mad dogs and Englishmen

The latest M&S Family Matters Index  a quarterly tracker of the priorities of families across the UK  is at the highest it's been for two years and hugely up on the record low in September last year.

Half of those surveyed say they are more optimistic about their family's prospects for the next three months while one in three say they are more in control of their families' finances.

That's got to be good.

Many are also still planning a European beach holiday  despite the heat.

Mad dogs and Englishmen, and all that.
Thousands of unhappy Wizz Air customers are set for refunds after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) acted on complaints from passengers over compensation claims.

The regulator has forced the budget airline into a shake-up of its 'policies, procedures and passenger communications' after high volumes of complaints about cancelled flights and its poor record on issuing refunds.

The enforcement applies to 'welfare' claims only, meaning extra costs in areas like airline tickets, hotel accommodation and ground transportation. Cash compensation for when flights are delayed or cancelled is not covered.

Hungary-based and London-listed Wizz Air will be forced to make changes and reconsider previously rejected claims from over the last 15 months.

And in a warning to the rest of the industry, CAA joint-interim boss Paul Smith said the enforcement action taken against Wizz Air sends a clear message to other airlines on compliance standards.

Hungary-based and London-listed Wizz Air will be forced to make changes and reconsider previously rejected claims from over the last 15 months

Requests can also be made for complaints stretching as far back as six years ago to ensure that 'passengers who made claims to Wizz Air in the past, but had their claims incorrectly rejected.. receive the money they are legally owed'.

Smith said: 'This enforcement action sends a clear message that airlines must meet their obligations to passengers when they cancel or delay a flight. We will not hesitate to step in if we believe that airlines are not consistently doing this.

'Passengers have every right to expect their complaints and claims to be resolved quickly and efficiently and to be treated fairly by airlines, in line with regulations. We made it clear to Wizz Air last year that the way it was treating passengers was unacceptable.

'We will continue to watch the situation closely to check that passengers receive what they are owed and that Wizz Air's policies have improved, so that consumers have a better experience if things go wrong.'

Commenting on the CAA's decision, Marion Geoffroy, managing director at Wizz Air UK, highlighted 'operating challenges' that affected 'all airlines' last summer, which were 'driven mostly by the external environment'.

'[This includes] ATC disruptions, airport constraints and staff shortages across the whole supply chain,' she said.

'As a result, we were unable to meet our own high standards of service. Flights were too often late or cancelled, disruption management overwhelmed our internal and external resources, and claims took too long to process and pay.

'We have learned from this experience and have taken significant steps to make our operation more robust and customer-centric.'

Wizz Air shares were up 0.8 per cent in early trading to 2438p.

Back in February, Money Mail found that Wizz Air had received more complaints than any other airline.

A dossier of claims for more than 4,000 was sent to the company.

And one passenger impacted by Wizz Air not paying its customers what they owed was Mrs J.O.

She told the Financial Mail On Sunday: 'I was due to fly by Wizz Air from Doncaster to Cyprus. We were waiting to board the plane when I heard a woman scream that the flight had been cancelled. I looked at my phone and found a text saying we would fly the next day.

'Emails said we would get vouchers for food and drinks, but we never did. We were told accommodation would be sorted out, nothing was.

'Wizz Air staff had no clue what was going on. I eventually received 700 from Wizz Air, but they still owe me 1,500.'

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel responded to the news that the CAA are taking an enforcement action said: 'Wizz Air has an abysmal record on meeting its legal obligations under consumer law, racking up millions in pounds in county court judgments after continually failing to appropriately reroute passengers from delayed or cancelled flights and then refusing to reimburse those passengers for its failure.

'It is right the CAA is finally stepping in but it desperately needs to be given stronger powers to faster hold airlines to account.

'The CAA should be ready to swiftly take Wizz Air to court if it continues to break the law.'

However, he identified 'weaknesses in the CAA's powers', in that the the regulator is 'reliant on undertakings from Wizz Air to comply with their enforcement'.

'The regulator urgently needs new powers in the King's Speech so that the threat of fines forces airlines into faster action,' Boland added.
The chief executive of Ocado's eCommerce division is retiring after six years leading the profitable business unit.

Executive director and CEO of Ocado Solutions, which accounts for around 14 per cent of group revenues this year, Luke Jensen will retire in September after five years on the board.

The Ocado Solutions business provides technology to streamline their own delivery services.

Ocado shares struggled for direction in response to the news, falling by more than 6 per cent in early trading before clawing back to a more than 5 per gain by midday.

Ocado today announced that Luke Jensen, executive director and CEO of Ocado Solutions, was retiring on 30 September 2023

The Hatfield-based company announced that John Martin, current non-executive director, will be appointed as Jensen's replacement as CEO on 1 September, 'allowing a period of time' before Jensen's retirement at the end of the month.

Jenson said in a statement: 'I am proud and honoured to have played a part in the transformation of Ocado from a UK retail company to a global leader in technology solutions.

'With the roll-out of its latest innovations underway, Ocado is better placed than ever to support its partners to win in their markets, and to forge new partnerships with leading grocers across the globe.'

Tim Steiner, chief executive officer of Ocado, said: 'Over the last six years, Luke has played a key role in our transformation into a global technology solutions business.

'He leaves our Solutions business in a strong position to drive future growth, having recently established a global regional structure, with the appointments of regional presidents and the creation of a global Partner Success organisation.

'We wish him well and thank him for his contribution to Ocado. Luke will be supporting the transition over the coming months.'

Earlier this week, Ocado shares 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.
The veteran benefits system which has left some former soldiers feeling 'ripped in half' with no compensation could be overhauled after a major Government review.

Former members of the armed forces have long criticised both of their benefit schemes, saying they are hard to deal with, reject claims unfairly, make it difficult to claim compensation and drag cases out - for as long as 12 years in some examples.

Now the Ministry of Defence has published a review of one of those benefits systems, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

Are you a veteran feeling let down by the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or war pension system? Email sam.barker@thisismoney.co.uk

Ongoing struggle: Mark Rycroft is still fighting to get monthly compensation for the injury that ended his RAF career

The AFCS pays compensation to veterans with injuries or mental health issues from service after April 6, 2005. Before that date, claims are handled by the war pension scheme. The combined schemes pay out around 750million every year and are run by Veterans UK, part of the Ministry of Defence.

An MoD review published this week admits that many veterans think the AFCS has a 'lack of empathy', is not transparent and has serious issues around how claims are decided on and then paid.

The review also says that mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, are often not treated as seriously by Veterans UK as physical injuries, according to many veterans.

In fact, armed forces members can find their mental health damaged further by trying to make an AFCS claim, the MoD said.

Its report said that 'respondents repeatedly asserted that, particularly for those suffering from mental disorders, the AFCS claims process leaves many claimants feeling unacknowledged and even rejected by [their] current or former employer (the MoD), often causing further harm to their mental health'.

Only 50 per cent of AFCS claims in 2022 were accepted and paid out, rising slightly to 71 per cent for war pension claims.

Many veterans also told the MoD that getting their claims heard, and paid, took too long.

The MoD says the average claim took 61 working days to clear between April 1 2017 and March 21 2022 - but the longest took 2,841 days, or seven years and eight months.

Veterans can then appeal claims if they are unhappy with the decision or the money awarded - but this takes even longer.

Appeals took an average of 124 days, or more than four months, with some taking up to six years and three months.

Veterans trying to get a claim reconsidered normally wait 391 days, or one year and one month, but waits have extended to as long as 4,294 days, or a staggering 11 years, nine months.

One veteran that has been fighting the AFCS system for three years is Mark Rycroft, 46, a former Royal Air Force ground engineer who specialised in working on Hercules transport aircraft.

Rycroft, pictured earlier in his 25-year military career, says he wants his ongoing struggle to get compensation to ultimately help other soldiers with the same issues

Rycroft served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, the Middle East and the Falklands over a 25-year career.

He was discharged in March 2022 after being attacked from behind by a fellow serviceman while on an RAF base in Cyprus in 2019.

The attack knocked him out and left him with ankle injuries so severe he needed two operations and still struggles to walk.

The AFCS paid him a one-off figure of 10,300, but rejected his claim for monthly payments by saying his injury was not caused by his service.

Rycroft was left feeling let down by the Ministry of Defence as a result.

Those in power treat you just as a name and number, that's what really hurts

He said: 'You think you're buying into a family. After 25 years, when that family kicks you to the curb, that's what kills you.

'You go to some really horrible places, and you do it with a smile on your face, not because of what's going on politically at the time but because of the mates that are by your side and your belief in something bigger than yourself.

'When you realise it's just a myth, and those in power treat you just as a name and number, that's what really hurts. I've lived it, I've experienced it, it's ripped me in half.'

The engineer says the AFCS claims system feels inhuman and lacks accountability.

'It's the denial, the impersonality of it,' he said. 'All you ever do is speak to someone over email. When you do speak to someone on the phone they fob you off. All we want to do is speak to someone in person and put our hearts on the line and say "this is what you're doing to me". It feels like they hope you just go away.'

Rycroft has now turned to the tribunal system in an attempt to finally get his AFCS claim granted.

He added: 'By doing all this it is about protecting my friends who are still serving.'

Rycroft specialised in working on massive Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft before an assault led to him being dismissed from the RAF

MoD benefits review says improvements needed

The MoD's Quinquennial Review - so-called because it has been five years since the last one - made several recommendations to improve the AFCS.

These include suggestions to make the system simpler, faster and fairer for the veterans using it.

For example, the review suggests simplifying how injuries are assessed before AFCS is paid, and explaining exactly why each payout level has been decided.

It also recommends Veterans UK is quicker to give updates on claims to veterans, and that it better trains its staff so that claimants with mental health conditions are 'not disadvantaged' while claiming.

However, the MoD does not have to act on any of these recommendations.

An MoD spokesperson said the recommendations are now being discussed by the department, but that there would be no update on them until at least September 2023, after Parliamentary recess.

Minister for veterans' affairs Johnny Mercer MP said: 'These reviews offer a real opportunity to make a difference to veterans' lives, many of whom have made real sacrifices for their country.

'I will be considering the recommendations carefully and will work with the MoD to provide a response in due course.'

Review excludes war pensions

Many veterans and campaigners have also spoken out about the fact that the latest review only covers the AFCS, not war pensions - despite the latter being almost five times the size.

The AFCS pays out around 127.9million a year, compared to the 622.6million paid out to war pensioners and war widows and widowers.

Garry McDermott, 49, is a veteran of the Royal Scots regiment and served in Northern Ireland. He has faced a three-year battle to get increases to his war pension.

You're treated like dirt, and they're pushing you to breaking point. It has a knock-on impact to PTSD

McDermott gets war pension due to hearing loss, PTSD and a bad back caused by carrying 88kg backpacks during his time in service.

He is appealing the level of war pension he receives as his PTSD has worsened, as have the condition of his hips and knees.

McDermott said: 'On four occasions on the phone to Veterans UK I've felt myself at the limit. If the public knew the system was this bad I think they'd be taking to the streets, But because it's veterans, it is all kept under wraps. You're treated like dirt, and they're pushing you to breaking point. It has a knock-on impact to PTSD.'

Mark Harris, 60, is a former member of the Royal Engineers and a veteran of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Harris said: 'This review is aimed at the AFCS. A lot of older war pensioners hope it will filter down to us, but we don't seem to get mentioned. It's a case of "ignore, dismiss, deny, and hope you die".

'Being treated fairly is all veterans want. As soldiers we felt we used to belong to this organisation, and you were all on the same team. Then when you go back for help, we're told we're not on that team anymore. It is not fair, and it gets to you.'

The Ministry of Defence has recently published a review of one of its claims schemes

Eddie Denmark, 62, served as an anti-aircraft missile gunner in the Falklands and as a soldier in Northern Ireland.

He injured both knees in Northern Ireland, and also has PTSD, hand injuries and blood cancer, which is likely caused by exposure to radioactive materials during service.

Speaking of his struggle to increase his war pension payments, Denmark said: 'You're guilty until proven innocent. I don't think Veterans UK have been taking into account people's fragile physical and mental health, and their age.'

RAF veteran Charles Stuart left the force in 1993, after suffering severe injuries when an oil drum fell on him in 1991. This left him bedridden for six months and caused severe injuries to his neck and spine, as well as crippling headaches.

His struggle to get the appropriate level of war pension took years and has only recently finished.

Stuart said the findings of a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Veterans earlier this month have gone unanswered by the MoD.

This report found that 76.4 per cent of veterans rated their experience of claiming from Veterans UK as poor or very poor, and that Veterans UK advisors were rejecting claims despite not having appropriate medical training.

Stuart said: 'To me it appears that the problems highlighted in the Veterans Survey by the APPG have not been addressed, i.e. medical advisors opposing consultant reports, fairer assessments for war pensioners which would stop appeals, and the stress this brings.

'The decision-maker in all this, the MoD, must not disregard the results of the APPG survey, and we still need that public inquiry.'

Scottish National Party MP Owen Thompson has long campaigned for an overhaul of veteran benefits.

Thompson said: 'The system is clearly broken. This new review is scathing and a real call to arms.

'We have a moral duty to our injured servicemen and women but the UK Government has reneged on this despite all their empty rhetoric about supporting our armed forces. I have been calling for some time for a complete root and branch reform of Veterans UK.

'There is a perception that the welfare and compensation schemes are stacked against applicants and that they will do anything to avoid paying out. Why should injured servicemen and women go through hell and high water just to get what they are owed?'

Veteran Charlie Radclyffe is now an advocate for wounded servicemen and servicewomen and a former member of the South West Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee, a Government-appointed board that helps former servicemen and servicewomen.

Responding to a draft of the review, Radclyffe said he thought the suggestions would 'heal some of the wounds in the system and lead to fairer outcomes' if carried out.

But speaking to This is Money, he added: 'It is definitely not enough, that it does not cover war pensions. I do very strongly feel there should be a review of the war pension scheme.'

An MOD spokesperson said: 'The Quinquennial Review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme was commissioned to ensure that the scheme remains fit for purpose and we continue to support our serving personnel and veterans.

'We are committed to learning from this important review to understand how we can appropriately support our Serving Personnel and Veterans who have served our country with courage and honour. The Government will consider the recommendations and respond in due course.'
My elderly parents in-law had their joint bank account closed by HSBC in December. We don't really understand why but HSBC said it was because of 'safeguarding issues'.

It sent them a cheque with the balance  around 35,000  but they have no other account to pay it into. Before they told my husband and I in January, they had been living on food they had in the freezer and a small amount of cash borrowed from another relative.

I would describe them as being sheltered and vulnerable. They live in a remote part of the country and have no access to the internet. Between them they have various physical and mental health issues.

Without a bank account they can't access their pensions. They also have no vehicle as they are unable to tax, insure or MOT their car. We are helping them pay for food and bills, but won't be able to afford to much longer.

'De-banked': Our reader's 'vulnerable' parents in-law had their HSBC current account closed - leaving them without access to money as they struggled to open a new one (stock image)

My mother-in-law has been into her nearest branch  still miles away from her home  eight times to try and sort it out. Most times she was told to go online or make a call. But when she made a phone call with my help, we were told to go to the branch.

My father-in-law struggles to walk so it is hard for him to go with her. Sometimes they say a signature from him will be enough to open the account, but other times not.

My mother in-law had no ID, so I also had to get her a provisional driving licence. HSBC is one of the few banks that will accept this, so we can't simply go elsewhere.

They eventually did manage to apply for a 'basic' bank account in April, but this was declined due to a credit card issue. My parents in-law say they don't have a credit card, but again could be confused.

Essentially, HSBC is saying that they were given warning about the account closure and should have addressed it earlier.

I know my they may not have done what was required, but do you think you could get HSBC to reconsider? We are running out of options. Anon, North Wales

Helen Crane of This is Money replies: 'Debanking'  when a financial institution closes someone's bank account against their will  is all over the news at the moment due to Nigel Farage's complaint against Natwest-owned Coutts.

That story revolves around an exclusive private bank where customers must have serious sums of money at their disposal.

Your parents in law's story, which I was saddened to hear, shows that being 'debanked' can have much graver consequences for those at the other end of the income scale.

Why do banks close accounts? What a bank can shut your account for is laid out in its terms and conditions for current accounts. These are fairly similar from bank to bank, with some small changes. For example, HSBC's small print says it can shut an account if the owner breaks the law, lies, abuses staff, withholds information, would cause HSBC to break regulations or breaks the contract 'seriously and persistently'. Banks can also close accounts if the holder no longer meets the requirements to hold it, such as having a certain income or balance  though this usually only applies to 'premium' accounts and not basic ones. Unfortunately, banks will not usually spell out the exact reason for your account being closed, thanks to money-laundering laws.

It is almost impossible to live your life without a bank.

They lost their sole current account, which they had held for many years and relied upon for all of their income and outgoings.

This included paying in both their pensions, meaning they were left with a cheque for 35,000, but no money at all that they could actually access.

We don't know why HSBC closed the account.

But short of your parents in-law committing a massive fraud, which doesn't seem feasible, I think the bank had a moral obligation to help them find a suitable alternative.

You told me you made it clear to HSBC they couldn't afford life's basic essentials without the money on that cheque.

The bank should have immediately flagged them as being extremely vulnerable, and quickly set them up with a basic account.

Basic accounts are current accounts with no overdraft facility, often used by people who have bad credit or might not qualify for a standard account for another reason.

If your mother and father in-law didn't have your help, I dread to think what might have happened to them in the seven months they have been unable to access their cash.

It appears your parents in-law may have been given some warning that this was going to happen  but given their age and vulnerability, the message might have been missed or not fully understood.

But even if they did get a heads-up, they may not have been able to do much about it  as the bank's decision is usually final.

Their case highlights another big problem with today's banking system, which is that it increasingly excludes older people.

Having never travelled abroad or driven a car, your mother-in-law did not have any valid identification to open a new account.

Driven around the bend: Our reader was forced to get a provisional licence for her elderly mother, so that she could open a basic bank account

You were forced to go through the ridiculous rigmarole of getting her a learner driver's licence. It is not the first time I have heard of a bank doing this, and I would urge a bit of common sense here. Surely there is something else that would suffice?

I imagine the account opening process would also have been much easier if she had an internet connection.

I spoke to HSBC to explain my concerns and ask if it could open a new account for them as a priority.

It put you in touch with someone from its specialist 'financial inclusion' team who helped to explain exactly what they needed to do.

There was still some back and forth, especially at the branch where you told me your mother in law was told to bring in one kind of proof of ID, only to be told when she returned that it wasn't acceptable and she needed to bring something different.

CRANE ON THE CASE Our weekly column sees This is Money consumer expert Helen Crane tackle reader problems and shine the light on companies doing both good and bad. Want her to investigate a problem, or do you want to praise a firm for going that extra mile? Get in touch: helen.crane@thisismoney.co.uk

Eventually HSBC recommended that your mother-in-law signed up for an account in just her name for now, as this would be quicker.

She applied for a basic bank account and it was approved, but unfortunately this did still take some time.

You said it took a long time to get forms and the debit card posted out, and that branch staff didn't always email when they said they would.

In fact, it took so long that the cheque nearly expired.

I first made contact in early May, and the account was opened and the 35,000 cheque cleared into it by mid-July.

There is also more than 6,000 of backdated pension money that will now be paid into the account.

An HSBC spokesman said: 'Our focus is on helping people build financial health, including those in vulnerable circumstances.

'We're glad that we were able to help [these customers] access the banking services they need.'

I am pleased that your mother and father-in law once again have access to the vital service that is a bank account - but it really shouldn't have taken seven months to get there.

And why the account was closed remains a mystery - as is often the way in reader cases where accounts are shut, getting an answer is almost impossible.
A systems failure at The Co-operative Bank left some customers unable to make or receive payments with their accounts this morning.

The high street bank, that has around 3.1 million retail customers, took to its Twitter account on Thursday morning to explain the situation.

It also warned that customer account balances could appear out of date as a result of the tech glitch.

The Co-operative has said the problem has now been resolved and all outstanding payments are being processed.

The bank has told customers it is having issues with its payment systems leaving payments in and out of accounts unprocessed

Angry customers said their salaries hadn't been paid into their accounts and they had been unable to pay bills owing to the issues.

In a statement it said: 'All of our services are running as normal and customers are able to access their accounts and make payments.

'The issue affecting our payment processing system is now resolved and all scheduled payments are now being processed. Customers should see their account balances update in due course.

'We apologise for the inconvenience this may have caused and want to reassure our customers that if they have suffered any financial detriment due to this issue, we will look to redress.'

Angry customers have taken to social media to complain that they are missing payments

Some customers are threatened to leave the bank as a result of the tech problem

In addition to payment issues some customers are reporting they are unable to access the bank's app

Customers requiring redress as a result of the episode should contact the bank through the normal customer service channels.

In addition to the payment system failure, Twitter users reported problems with the bank's app leaving them unable to access their accounts.
Many Australians are unaware that they can be denied access to their money if they break rules buried in the fine print of opening an account.

The Commonwealth Bank states a customer may not use their banking services if they engage in conduct 'that in our opinion' is 'offensive, harassing or threatening to any person' or 'promotes or encourages physical or mental harm of any person'.

Professional poker player and author Crispin Rovere, who is in dispute with Westpac after they froze his account, highlighted the Commonwealth Bank's terms and conditions in a tweet last week.

RELATED STORY: ANZ Bank comes clean about the reasons why some branches are going cashless - read more

The Commonwealth Bank's terms of use policy has raised questions about whether the bank can just decide to cut people off from their money

Professional poker player and author Crispin Rovere, who is in dispute with Westpac after they froze his account, highlighted the Commonwealth Bank's terms and conditions last week

A Commonwealth Bank spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the terms were to prevent 'to address the issue of financial abuse in the context of domestic and family violence'.

'In 2020, we updated our Acceptable Use Policy to address technology-facilitated abuse and to provide a safer banking experience for customers,' the spokesperson said.

'Any customer found to be using NetBank or the CommBank app to engage in unlawful, defamatory, harassing or threatening conduct, promoting or encouraging physical or mental harm or violence against any person may have their transactions refused or access to digital banking services suspended or discontinued'.

But some Aussies said the rules were too vague.

'Since when are banks the arbiters of moral and legal conduct? Especially the Commonwealth Bank? Do they even remember The Royal Commission findings????' one said.

'Setting themselves up to freeze people's bank accounts for wrong speak,' another added.

Others said the rules were justified.

'Classic example is abusive ex's harassing their ex-partners with 1c transfers that include threats in the description. In support services you see this all the time as a modus operandi. In the normal world, most don't even know it happens.'

In July, Mr Rovere slammed Westpac as 'totalitarian', claiming the bank froze his accounts after he made a 'modest' cash deposit following a poker win.

The bank demanded to know where Crispin Rovere's funds came from, which were 'way, way under' $10,000 and refused to unblock his account until he told them.

Last Wednesday the Commonwealth Bank came under fire after it announced it had opened a cashless 'specialist branches', where customers would no longer able to access their money over-the-counter a trend also happening with NAB branches.

'The specialist centre branches focus more on business customers and loan products and are located nearby to traditional branches,' a spokesperson said.

'We continue to maintain Australia's largest branch network for customers.'

However, the news did draw favourable responses on social media.

'Bank branches without money? WTF! That's like having a petrol station with no fuel! Do they expect people to call into the branch just to say hi and have a chat,' one said.

Another joked: 'A bank without cash, that makes real sense.'

'I suggest everyone to change their bank where this is happening,' a third said.

Mr Rovere told Daily Mail Australia he only realised there was a problem when he tried to make a card payment at a hotel he was staying in, but the bank rejected it.

In the UK a prestigious bank's treatment of a former politician and outspoken right-winger has created a major scandal.

Coutts, an exclusive bank used by the British royals, has been embroiled in a highly embarrassing stoush with former European Parliament MP and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage after they closed his account.

Pictured are workers at a cashless Commonwealth Bank branch in Penrith where deposits and withdrawals can still be made via on-site ATMs

Controversial UK former politician Nigel Farage was dumped as a customer by Coutts bank because he did not 'align with their values'

After first claiming Mr Farage had let his deposit amount dwindle to the extent he did not qualify for the account the bank was later forced to release documents showing they put a black mark against him for not 'aligning' with their values.

Eventually the bank was forced to apologise to Mr Farage for 'deeply inappropriate comments' made about him by staff as they promised to undertake 'a full review of the Coutts processes' on bank account closures.

'Why every Australian should start paying in CASH': Mum exposes the little-known hidden cost of using a bank card: 'Use it or lose it'

A mother-of-three has explained why every Australian should start paying with cash instead of cards - showing that tapping for payments is taking money out of the community and giving it to banks.

In a Facebook post that has gone viral, Brisbane woman Fiona Edmunds showed that physical money will retain it's value no matter how many times it is used.

However whenever you use a bank card, some of the money will invariably be eaten away by fees, which the shop owners are forced to pay.

'I have a $50 banknote in my pocket and I go to a restaurant and pay for dinner with it,' Ms Edmunds said in the post that more than 19,000 people have shared.

'The restaurant owner then uses the bill to pay for their laundry. The laundry owner then uses the bill to pay the barber,' she continued.

'After an unlimited number of payments it will still remain a $50 value which has fulfilled its purpose to everyone who used it for payment.'

'BUT if I come to a restaurant and pay digitally via card, the bank fees for my payment charged to the seller could be up to 3 per cent or $1.50.'

Ms Edmunds said a similar percentage is imposed on every other transaction using that original $50 if the holder pays via tap-and-go.

'Payments made by the laundry shop owner, the barber and so on. Therefore after 30 transactions the initial $50 will exist at only $5 and the remaining $45 has become property of the bank.'

While this is a simplified example and fees vary wildly between banks, the principal is sound.

With each subsequent purchase, banks and credit card companies take a small cut from the original $50 until with enough transactions, eventually it becomes theirs.

'Use it or lose it folks... cash is king,' Ms Edmunds said.

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, fees that businesses pay banks or credit card companies to use their payment services - known as merchant fees - have on average decreased over recent years.

'However, consumers are making more payments with cards than ever before, which is raising total payment costs for merchants,' the RBA said.

'Smaller merchants also face notably higher card payment costs per transaction than larger merchants,' the central bank also noted.

This means that your local cafe is paying more of their income in fees than a large chain store which turns over a lot more money and can get fee reductions.

Business are allowed to pass on surcharges to customers to cover merchant fees but the amount cannot exceed the fee amount.

Average merchant fees for payment types:

Eftpos: less than 0.5 per cent

Visa and Mastercard debit: between 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent

Visa and Mastercard credit: between 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent

American Express: between 1.5 and 2 per cent

A Brisbane mother-of-three shared an elegantly simple explanation of why cash is superior to paying by card

Source: Reserve Bank of Australia.
Ron DeSantis beats Donald Trump on command of issues that matter most to New Hampshire Republicans, but a DailyMail.com poll found that voters have a major hesitation when it comes to picking the Florida governor: He just isn't Donald Trump.

The survey of 591 registered Republicans and others planning to request a primary ballot found that DeSantis had failed to gain traction since launching his campaign.

In fact he has dropped three percentage points since April.

But the poll also found that DeSantis had a firm grip on many of the most important issues for New Hampshire voters: getting things done, beating Joe Biden at the election and standing up to 'woke values.'

Yet that is still not enough to overtake the frontrunner, said James Johnson of J.L. Partners which conducted the poll.

Ron DeSantis polled well among New Hampshire Republicans when they were asked whether he had command of issues such as standing up to woke values, and can get things done. These were among the most important issues when they were asked what they wanted in a candidate

Republican primary voters in New Hampshire seem to like DeSantis's message, but Donald Trump's presence as frontrunner puts a ceiling on his vote share, says DailyMail.com pollster

'The problem for DeSantis is how much room he has to grow with Trump in the race. Though large numbers of primary voters like the Florida governor and think he would make a great president, they simply want to stick with Donald Trump,' he said.

'In a race with many other candidates where DeSantis cannot become the clear alternative to the former president, that puts a firm ceiling on DeSantis's support.

'But there are worries for Trump: even his own primary voters worry about his ability to beat Biden come a general election.

'If I were advising the DeSantis campaign, that's where I'd be getting them to aim their fire.'

The story is told in charts, graphs and word clouds.

They show that when voters are asked what is their biggest hesitation about voting for DeSantis, the answer is simple: He is not Trump.

'Trump is better,' came one response. 'He is not Donald Trump,' came another, indicating the former president's hold on the Republican base.

For Trump the problem centered on whether he could beat Biden in 2024.

When primary voters were asked what their greatest hesitation was about voting for DeSantis, their responses centered on the idea that he was not Trump. Others questioned his experience

When it comes to Trump, the main concern was whether he could beat Joe Biden in the 2024 election - as well as issues with his outspoken personality and criminal cases

'Not likeable to swing voters,' said one respondent, while other answers flagged the 'drama' that comes with him and his legal problems.

Other questions illustrate the issues battleground in New Hampshire and how the two candidates fare.

When voters were asked to rank issues in order of importance, they picked: Best on the economy, can get things done, can beat Joe Biden, will stand up against 'woke values, and is competent as their top five issues.

Then they were asked how the candidates rated on the issues.

DeSantis was top on standing up for woke values with a rating of plus 69 percent, while Trump registered 61. The governor of Florida also did better on transgender issues and being a true conservative.

Trump also fared well on many of the key issues, particularly on the economy. But he notably performed slightly worse than DeSantis on standing up against woke values and a lot worse on beating Joe Biden at the election (a net positive of 32 percent to DeSantis on 40 percent)

When importance to voters is plotted on the y axis of a graph, versus how well a candidate performs it shows DeSantis wins on four key issues (top left quadrant) while Trump wins only on the economy - although he beats the Florida governor convincingly

They tied for getting things done.

But Trump won out on the economy, 57 to 42.

Apart from that, DeSantis wins out on more of the issues that make up the primary battleground in New Hampshire.

Even so, the poll has him beaten easily by Trump. In a head-to-head matchup, the former president beats the Florida governor by 50 percent to 33 percent.

At the same time, his campaign is undergoing a radical overhaul. On Tuesday it emerged that it was cutting about a third of its staff and pivoting to more of an insurgent, outsider strategy amid donor fears it was burning through cash.

The poll results show that DeSantis, despite the early slips, has a policy message and record that could yet resonate with voters and provide a path to victory.

The result is that overall Trump has seen his lead over DeSantis slip in a head-to-head matchup but he still beats him handily in our poll of New Hampshire Republicans

Trump has also slipped nine points in the overall poll, and DeSantis has slipped three points since April. Chris Christie and Tim Scott have seen their share of the vote increase

He has until the Iowa caucus on January 15 next year before the poll numbers start getting set in stone as delegate numbers. New Hampshire will hold its primary soon after that date.

Yet somehow he has to overcome Trump's strategy of getting into the race early to snuff out his chances.

Neil Levesque, director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, said DeSantis could make a good case to voters that he was best placed to beat Biden in the election next year. It just might take time.

'But whether or not it's going to work with primary voters who sometimes have eye shades on about their love for a candidate ... particularly in the early parts of a campaign... ' he said.

'A lot of that will shake out as we get towards the primary and we have general election polling and whether it shows Trump getting too soundly defeated by Joe Biden, who even Democrats think is weak.'
It has fallen by almost 50 per cent in 20 years

Number of murder victims in NSW has plummeted

Fears of a new gangland war in Sydney after two shootings in 48 hours are at odds with new crime statistics showing the murder rate has plummeted across the state - as crime rates across Australia also fall.

The number of murder victims in NSW has dropped by almost half over the past 20 years, according to latest statistics from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR).

In BOCSAR's latest quarterly crime report released last month, it was found there were 48 murder victims across NSW between April 2022 and March 2023.

This is a significant decline from the 95 victims reported 20 years ago between April 2002 to March 2003 - representing a fall of 45.6 per cent.

This result does not take into account the population difference in 2002-2003 compared with 2022-2023.

Fears of of a new gangland war in Sydney after two shootings in 48 hours are at odds with recent crime statistics showing a drastic decline in murder across the state (pictured, forensics at the crime scene in Canterbury on Thursday)

New South Wales has seen a growth of about 1.5million people in that period of time.

BOCSAR executive director, Jackie Fitzgerald, told Daily Mail Australia that it was quite a staggering decline.

'It's really a remarkable fall, the raw numbers are showing a huge decline,' she said.

'It's half of what it was, we're seeing that across a range of murder types (gender, domestic violence and non-domestic violence-related).'

Ms Fitzgerald explained factors such as 'emerges in health' and 'emergency response time' could be potential factors in the drop.

'People are less involved in the tragic incidence of murder. It is becoming less common,' she added.

The BOCSAR crime report has highlighted significant falls in violent crime and property crime across the state.

Ms Fitzgerald said a significant factor in the decline of property crime and theft is that stolen goods weren't as saleable anymore.

'A big driver of that fall would be the collapse of the stolen goods market,' she said.

'No-one wants to buy a second-hand TV or a stereo stolen from a car. It's not very lucrative, those kind of offences.'

The BOCSAR executive director added that the drastic decline in young people committing crime was also a huge factor.

This data comes as five targeted shootings occurred in Sydney within the space of the past week.

There were 48 murder victims across NSW between April 2022 and March 2023 - a significant decline from the 95 victims reported 20 years ago between April 2002 and March 2003, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research

The number of murder victims in New South Wales has fallen by almost 50 per cent over the past 20 years (stock image)

A man, 28, was shot dead in Canterbury in Sydney's south-west following a confrontation with two men on Thursday morning.

The victim, who is yet to be formally identified, was treated by paramedics for gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen but died at the scene.

The latest street execution unfolded after two men had a verbal stoush with the victim.

'We believe two people engaged in conversation with the victim shortly prior to the shooting,' NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Dave Hudson told radio station 2GB.

Police have since found two burnt-out vehicles they believe were used as getaway cars by the gunmen.

The latest incident happened just hours after high-profile criminal lawyer Mahmoud Abbas was gunned down in Greenacre on Wednesday morning.

Mr Abbas, 31, has undergone emergency surgery after a gunman confronted him outside his Greenacre home.

On Sunday, three people were shot at Greenacre, leaving one 25-year-old man critically injured and a 22-year-old man and 19-year-old woman injured.

Sydney's southwestern suburbs are grappling with a gang-linked war involving a number of families. It has claimed at least 11 lives in recent years and has flared up again in the past few months.

It comes following the fifth-targeted shooting in Sydney over the past week, where a man, 28, was shot dead following a confrontation with two men in Canterbury (pictured, forensics seen photographing the shooting victim's bloodied body)

The latest incident happened just hours after high-profile criminal lawyer Mahmoud Abbas was gunned down in Greenacre on Wednesday morning (pictured, forensics at the crime scene were Mr Abbas was shot)

On Sunday, three people were shot at Greenacre, leaving one 25-year-old man critically injured and a 22-year-old man and 19-year-old woman injured (pictured, police at the crime scene in Greenacre)

But the spate of fatal shootings in Sydney are at odds with the plummeting homicide rate at both the state-level and in the national statistics.

The national homicide rate has fallen from 1.88 per 100,000 people between 1992 and 1993 to 0.82 per 100,000 people between 2020 and 2021.

This is a decrease of 55 per cent in 28 years.

Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, there were 210 homicide incidents and 221 murder victims in Australia.

This figure is found in the latest report from the National Homicide Monitoring Program released in March of this year.

It is a drop of 51 incidents since the previous report and the second-lowest number of homicides since the Australian Institute of Criminology began compiling national statistics in 1989.

The spate of fatal shootings in Sydney are at odds with the plummeting homicide rate at both the state-level and in the national statistics (stock image)

Out of the 221 victims, 70 per cent were male and only nine incidents involved multiple victims.

In other national crime statistics, since 2008-2009 robberies have fallen by 50 per cent, face-to-face threatened assault decreased by 44 per cent, non-face-to-face threatened assault dropped by 42 per cent and assault is down by 39 per cent.

The data shows the only crime that has been on the rise in that period of time is sexual assault.
A London lawyer on a six-figure salary has warned people against the career because it's 'not worth it'.

TikTok creator, Aydan Alsaad, posted a video on Monday where he questioned a lawyer about her job.

Despite being in the profession for ten years, when asked to give advice to those in law school who aspire to be lawyers, the woman responded: 'It's really not worth it.'

Instead, she encouraged viewers to 'do something that feeds your soul and not your wallet'.

The video is part of a series where Aydan approaches people on the streets and asks them about their careers, any advice they have, and whether they enjoy them - he's interviewed a variety of people from theatre producers to data scientists.

The video is part of a series where Aydan (pictured) approaches people on the streets and asks them about their careers, any advice they have, and whether they enjoy them

The interviewee admitted that her career is not 'feeding her soul', but said she doesn't know what she would like to do instead.

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She added: 'If I knew I would be doing it.'

Aydan then shoots some quickfire questions at the lawyer, where she answers in a brutally honest way.

He asks what her motto in life is, to which she responds: 'If you're going to do something, do it well.'

She continued: To be honest, I dont have the imagination it requires to have your own business. It requires imagination and a discipline that comes from doing it for yourself and I dont have that.

'If I didnt have to get up and be somewhere, I wouldnt get up, unless it was like to do yoga.'

Although she feels like her job isn't worth it, she admitted it does bring her some fulfilment as she gets to 'use her brain'.

'I like that a lot. I like when a problem is cerebral and I can solve it. I like that it requires a lot of EQ to deal with my clients, so those things together make it pretty good.

She also said that her greatest fear is failure, which led a lot of commenters to praise her 'authenticity' and 'vulnerability'.

One comment reads: 'I feel her! Not everyone wants to be a business owner or entrepreneur.'

Another says: 'This is the best interview so far! So relatable and most of us needed to feel that we're not alone thinking the same thing!'

Other lawyers were also in agreement, with comments reading: 'This girl speaks on behalf of all lawyers (I am one).'

Another with almost 2,000 likes says: 'Me, currently dying in law school.'

The lawyer on a six-figure salary (pictured) is urging people to do something that 'feeds their soul' not their wallet

Comments on the video praise the lawyers honesty and authenticity

Not everyone is in agreement, one viewer said 'you can feed yourself after work if you can afford to live'

Though the comments are mostly in agreement, some viewers have expressed the view that money is more important.

One said: 'As someone that did something to feed my soul, I have to say: feed your wallet cause you can feed your soul after work if you can afford to live.'

Another reads: 'Your job doesnt have to feed your soul if your life around it does.'
Had hoped teen was alive but had a 'gut feeling'

Shyanne's mum opens up on three months of hell

The mother of a missing teen opened up about her heartbreak as she lashed out at trolls just one day before remains were found.

The grim discovery was found during a large scale search for Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14, in north-east Tasmania on Wednesday, 50km from where she was last seen three months ago.

More than 150 search and rescue personnel scoured bushland in two locations on Wednesday, just four weeks after police released haunting footage of Shyanne's last known movements.

Just four weeks earlier, haunting footage of her last known movements along the Henry Street Bridge in Launceston was released by the police.

The desperate search took a tragic turn late Wednesday when human remains were found in bushland near Nabowla, about north-east of Launceston.

The last three months have been a nightmare for Shyanne's mum Bobbi-lee Ketchell, who has made several public appeals for information about her daughter's whereabouts.

Remains have been found following the three month search for Shyanne-Lee Tatnell (pictured)

Just hours before human remains were found in the search for her daughter, Ms Ketchell lashed out at those 'quick to judge innocent human beings' in a furious Facebook rant.

'You aren't caring enough!, you're giving up! You can't afford things like a bill board or posters for my daughter who is missing, you know what stuff you all judge mental beings!' Ms Ketchell wrote.

'Live one day in my shoes then happily judge until then shut your mouth, you have something to say about me and my situation say to my face!

'Just because my daughter isn't headline news or on the media does not mean she is forgotten about or we have gave up on her, the CIB are continuing to do all they can and more that you the public do not need to know or my family and I need to share!'

She insisted the case of Shyanne's disappearance remained a priority.

'We will find my baby girl, no one can feel my pain and understand how much I miss my daughter, every day is a struggle, but I am still a fighting, grieving mother that is doing all I can for all my children, being strong in this situation is hard but I will never give up!' Ms Ketchell said.

One day earlier, Bobbi-lee Ketchell (left) opened up on how much she missed her daughter Shyanne and vowed to find her

Remains have been found four weeks after Tasmania Police released CCTV of Shyanne's last known movement on April 30

A fortnight earlier, she shared several photos of the pair together, along with one of Shyanne celebrating a birthday.

'Our family is so lost and broken without you. We will never give up on you baby girl. I miss you so much, the not knowing is a nightmare, I really need you home xx my love for you is unconditional,' she wrote.

In another recent post, she issued a harrowing plea to other parents to hug their children.

'I can not explain the pain and heartache of missing your child so much, every little thing about them,' Ms Ketchell wrote.

'Hug your kids more, tell them you love them all the time, praise them, let them know you are there no matter what.

'As you never know what tomorrow will bring, you may not know when you can hug them next, tell them you love them, it could all be taken anyway from you just like that a split second.'

The last three months have been a living hell for Bobbi-lee Ketchell (left) as police investigated Shyanne's disappearance

Ms Ketchell told The Mercury a month ago she had refused to give up hope Shyanne would be found alive, despite 'a gut feeling she is no longer with us'.

'I'm living every parent's worst nightmare, but all I can do is pray she's safe and comes home into my arms,' she told the publication.

'I struggle to sleep because in the middle of the night, I don't know if she's warm enough. I go to sleep with her on my mind and wake up with her on my mind.

'Each time my phone goes off, I don't know if it's her or the police.'

'I have to prepare myself for the worst, if they find her dead.'

Extensive forensic examinations will conducted by specialist police after remains were discovered on Wednesday.

'While they have not yet been forensically confirmed, they are believed to be human remains,' a police statement read.

'Police have been in regular contact with Shyanne-Lee's family throughout the investigative process, and our thoughts continue to be with them and her loved ones during this difficult time.

Police are following a specific line of inquiry, however no charges have been laid at this stage

A crime scene has been declared at a property at Scottsdale as well as the scene near Nabowla.

Police with a specialist cadaver dog from NSW Police (pictured, on Wednesday) scoured the area during the search

The desperate search for Shyanne (pictured) took a tragic turn late Wednesday after remains were found 50km for where she was last seen

Earlier on Wednesday, Detective Inspector Andrew Hanson said the investigation had turned to one that's exploring a 'criminal element'.

'There was always the potential for some sort of criminal element to be involved.

'We are out there this week to explore the information and validate it.'

'Our investigative team has spent considerable time scouring CCTV, interviewing witnesses, and meticulously following up every lead.'

Investigators in early June forensically tested a car relating to a person of interest, but no link to Shyanne-Lee was found.

She had been staying in youth accommodation for the two weeks before her disappearance and was on her way to visit a friend in nearby Ravenswood.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.
The Oscar-winning screenwriter of 1999 erotic drama Eyes Wide Shut has branded the film's leading man Tom Cruise an 'egocentric control freak' while casting doubt on the 'passion' between the actor and his then-wife Nicole Kidman.

Veteran writer Frederic Raphael, 91, takes aim at the Hollywood star, as well as legendary film director Stanley Kubrick, in his acerbic new book, Last Post.

Raphael infamously fell out with the Kubrick family over his scathing 1999 memoir, Eyes Wide Open, which detailed his experience working with the late filmmaker and his notoriously exacting directing style, that ultimately saw him disinvited from the premiere.

In his new book, Last Post, Eyes Wide Shut screenwriter Frederic Raphael (left) makes no effort to conceal his contempt for the film's leading man Tom Cruise (right)

Raphael wrote the script for the award-winning erotic drama starring Cruise and his then-wife Nicole Kidman in 1999. The screenwriter has been vocal about the power struggle between him and Kubrick during the film's production

His vendetta continues in his latest work, which addresses 22 now-deceased family members and former collaborators in letters recounting their time together.

In his letter to Kubrick, Raphael accuses Cruise, along with Kubrick's wife Christiane Harlan and her brother Jan Harlan, of trying to write him out of the director's 'history' and for being responsible for his unflattering portrayal on Wikipedia.

'There has been an incessant campaign, led by the Harlans, whom I never met during the two or three years of addressing myself exclusively to you, to deny that I had anything much to do with the final version of Eyes Wide Shut,' he writes.

Raphael reignites his feud with Kubrick and his family in his latest book, which consists of 22 letters to late family members and former collaborators

'Until the Writers Guild intervened, they tried to eliminate me from the credits.'

He adds: 'The Harlans and Master Cruise have managed to insert some derogatory stuff in my Wikipedia entry.

'There must be some way of excising the libel, but I lack the modern skill or the dreary energy to pursue the matter. Their sullen purpose is to establish your grand-masterliness...'

The remark is believed to be in reference to a Wikipedia entry citing film critic Roger Ebert's 1999 interview with Cruise who had slammed Raphael's blistering account of working with Kubrick.

Cruise was quoted saying: 'He [Raphael] wouldn't have written it if Stanley had been alive. Opportunistic. Self-serving. Inaccurate. I don't know that man at all and I've never met him. It's been interesting seeing how people have behaved afterward.'

Later in his letter, Raphael goes on to take several more jabs at the Mission: Impossible star, his ties to Scientology, and his failed marriage to Nicole Kidman.

He makes no effort to conceal his contempt for the actor, who he also claims offered him an unspecified job in an apparent bid to control him after filming for the movie wrapped.

'I have never been called a liar by anyone as I have been by the Harlan clan and by Tom Cruise, egocentric control freak to whom I have never spoken,' he writes.

In his letter to Kubrick, Raphael accuses Cruise, along with Kubrick's wife Christiane Harlan (right) and her brother Jan Harlan, of trying to write him out of the director's 'history'

In his letter, Raphael questions Kubrick's decision to cast Cruise and slams his marriage to now ex-wife Nicole Kidman as a 'careerist merger'

'He did offer me a job though, soon after you finished shooting; the better to have me on a leash, no doubt. In his turn, he too seems to need the control he finds in Scientology...'

He adds: 'Since Eyes Wide Shut, he has spent a lot of time running for his living, winning fixed fights or hurtling into space. Nothing like a helmet for heading off dialogue.'

In a withering swipe directed at both Cruise and Kubrick, Raphael goes as far to question the filmmaker's judgment and motives for casting 'Cruise (hence Nicole)' in the film.

'[I]t was never admiration for his versatility, was it? From all accounts, you gave him slow hell for Warner Brothers' money,' he writes.

Raphael infamously fell out with the Kubrick family over his scathing 1999 memoir, Eyes Wide Open, which detailed his experience working with the late filmmaker and his notoriously exacting directing style

'You slave-drove him for what he cost and he took it like a man. What do you suppose he ever told the Scientology brass that locked him in hock to them?'

He continues: 'Was there something just a touch naive in your idea that casting a married couple as a marred couple would enable you to put "the truth" on the screen?

'One thing you can be pretty sure of: whatever any conjugal duo may disclose in public about their relationship, they rarely let any crucial cat out of the bag.

'Did you honestly suppose Cruise and Kidman were bound in genuine passion, rather than embraced in a careerist merger?'

Raphael is equally scathing of the actress, writing: 'Kidman has been a star for many years for many people: can you think of a single movie of hers you wanted to see again.'

The author's bitter commentary throughout the letter shows that Raphael's power struggle with Kubrick - who died months before the movie's release - during the film's production remains a source of deep resentment to this day.

Referring to the alleged campaign to undermine his contributions to the project, Raphael writes that Cruise and the Harlans 'ignore the fact that expertise often requires an opponent who is, in some regards, a collaborator.'

Both Christiane and Jan publicly responded to Raphael's blistering memoir at the time, defending Kubrick's legacy

'Your boosters deny you subtlety by wishing that you found me superfluous; aesthetic Stalinists, they have sought to write me out of your history.'

He continues: 'You will believe me when I say that, proud as I was to be working with you, I knew very well that you were always bound to make what began as 'our' movie entirely your own.'

Raphael's reference to Jan Harlan is believed to be in response to an interview he gave in 2007 interview cited on Wikipedia expressing satisfaction that Raphael had to asked to record a DVD commentary for Eyes Wide Shut, adding the writer 'may have felt hurt by the fact that Stanley returned to a close approximation of the original story by Arthur Schnitzler.'

Christiane, herself, also publicly responded to Raphael's book Eyes Wide Open at the time in 1999, in a statement saying: 'We believe that Mr. Raphael, whilst professing praise and a degree of affection for his subject, has in fact denigrated Stanley and unjustly caused pain to those who knew him well... Mr. Raphael's analysis of Stanley's personality bears no relation to the man we knew and loved so well.'
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is urging Republicans to zero in on impeaching President Joe Biden - and forget about going after other 'irrelevant' administration officials.

His suggestion comes after Kevin McCarthy threatened an impeachment inquiry against the president for the first time this week, sending shockwaves through the party.

Biden now joins Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas as the third potential impeachment target Republicans are eyeing since they took the majority in Congress six months ago.

McCarthy has been consulting with Gingrich about Biden impeachment prospects, according to two sources familiar with the talks. Gingrich was speaker of the House in 1998 when President Bill Clinton was impeached.

The former speaker, who said he would not get into his private discussions with McCarthy, told DailyMail.com that he is supportive of moving forward with an inquiry of Biden - and warned the House GOP not to waste time on Mayorkas and Garland.

'Those are irrelevant. Don't bother,' he told DailyMail.com. 'Save it for the big one.'

Gingrich has urged Republicans to zero in on President Joe Biden and forget about other White House officials after Kevin McCarthy's threats of an impeachment inquiry sent shockwaves through the party

But Gingrich later told the Washington Post that actually impeaching the president and removing him from office would be a 'terrible idea' because it would leave Vice President Kamala Harris in charge, who he called 'incompetent.'

When Republicans took control of the House, they promised not to 'politicize' the impeachment process as they had accused Democrats of doing with twice-impeached former President Donald Trump.

This week, McCarthy threatened a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden - but urged his rank-and-file members not to jump the gun.

The speaker insisted he wasn't 'announcing' an impeachment probe when he said the Biden probes are 'rising to the level of impeachment inquiry' - but will decide whether to do so based on the level of cooperation he sees from federal agencies in requests for information.

House GOP leadership has emphasized the reason to launch an inquiry would be to give greater weight to subpoenas in their investigations of the Biden family's shady business deals - and get around stonewalling from the Department of Justice.

Conference Chair Elise Stefanik went further on Thursday morning, telling Fox Business she would 'absolutely' support an impeachment inquiry into the president.

But Mayorkas and Garland aren't in the clear quite yet.

Just before McCarthy shook up the conference throwing Biden into the impeachment mix, the House GOP's largest caucus - the 173-member Republican Study Committee - called for Mayorkas' impeachment.

Several House Republicans have already filed impeachment articles against the Homeland Security secretary - accusing him of being 'derelict' in his duty to secure the southern border.

McCarthy insisted he wasn't 'announcing' an impeachment probe when he said the Biden probes are 'rising to the level of impeachment inquiry'

Gingrich says 'don't bother' impeaching AG Garland or DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas

On Wednesday Mayorkas testified before the Judiciary Committee in what at one point was expected to be the unofficial kickoff of his impeachment proceedings. Instead, the calls to have him impeached were muted.

And Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said days ago that his committee could move 'at a pretty quick pace' to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland given the testimony from two whistleblowers that the DOJ slow-walked an investigation into Hunter Biden and allowed the statute of limitations to run out on tax crimes for political purposes.

Garland has said he was not involved in the investigations into the president's son.

Impeachment of any Cabinet official is largely symbolic - two-thirds of the Senate would have to vote to convict to remove anyone from office.

So Republicans could move forward with: impeaching Biden for corruption allegations or for his handling of the border, impeach Mayorkas or impeach Garland.

But can they really try to impeach three people at once?

'Republicans are going to realize you only get one bite of the apple,' one House Republican insider told DailyMail.com. 'Everybody knows who Biden is - maybe 50 percent of the country has heard of Garland, even less for Mayorkas. And the border isn't sexy the way corruption is.'

On Wednesday Majority Leader Steve Scalise disputed this.

'We're going to continue to get the facts out and we can do all of these things at the same time,' Scalise insisted in response to a DailyMail.com question on trying to juggle three impeachment inquiries at once, 'while we're moving the legislative agenda, including appropriations.'

Asked whether it would be better to move forward with a Biden impeachment inquiry on the border or corruption allegations, he insisted the House could do both. 'It's not in lieu of anything. We believe we can do many things at the same time.'

'That's ridiculous,' retorted one senior House GOP aide.

'All of these investigations have to go through Judiciary, so you're going to tell me the House Judiciary Committee is going to spend eight months impeaching people? That's the rest of the legislative schedule.'

But Homeland Security Chair Mark Green said he will press forward with his five-pronged investigation into Mayorkas that he will present to the Judiciary Committee.

'My charge is to continue with my investigation,' he told DailyMail.com. Asked if multiple inquiries could take place at the same time: 'oh absolutely.'

Rank-and-file Republicans are divided over who to impeach - a sure sign that a potential Biden inquiry is in the early stages.

'I would hope that everyone would coalesce around one and do this in a proper order, I believe it would be a little bit too presumptuous to go after three people at once,' Rep. Max Miller, an Ohio Republican and former senior Trump aide, told DailyMail.com.

Miller said he thought it was 'somewhat likely' the president committed high crimes and misdemeanors, but that impeaching Garland would be the strongest case.

'I would start with Merrick Garland before anyone else, because I believe we live in a two-tier justice system.'

Last week two IRS whistleblowers testified that the Justice Department slow-walked the investigation into Hunter Biden and intentionally let the statute of limitations run out on some of his financial crimes.

Virginia Rep. Bob Good, a member of the rightwing Freedom Caucus, said all three officials 'deserve' to be impeached but taking out Biden would get to the heart of his gripes.

'Garland, Mayorkas are obviously executing the policies of President Biden. If they were to be removed, the president may well replace them with individuals who would execute the same policies,' he said.

He said impeaching the president for the border might even be a stronger case.

'I would submit that never in the history of the country has the president done more to harm the U.S. than what this president has done with the border. How do we let him continue to do that for another year and a half? We don't need any more investigation to that effect,' Good told DailyMail.com.

'That said, I also think we may be on the verge of uncovering the biggest political scandal in the history of the country,' he said, referring to the Biden corruption allegations.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. - who introduced impeachment articles for Biden over the border crisis last month - said she doesn't care whether it's over the border or the corruption allegations as long as there's a vote to impeach the president.

'I want an up or down vote,' Boebert told DailyMail.com. 'I'm fine with whatever comes up.'

An up or down vote is one prospect that is almost certainly out of the question - putting moderates on record with a vote to impeach the president without a formal investigation would be an easy way to lose a narrow majority in 2024.

Multiple Republicans said upon leaving their weekly conference meeting that the speaker had urged them to be cautious in talking about potential Biden impeachment, cognizant of the political bind it presents for swing-district members.

'He cautioned against jumping to conclusions on impeachment - that we would that we would follow the investigation wherever it goes,' said Rep. Kevin Hern, leader of the Republican Study Committee.

'I think the Speaker has been very consistent in what he said over the weeks and that is we need to do our investigation, unlike the Democrats who just jumped to conclusions without even due process.'

GOP strategist John Feehery said Republicans had to be careful not to let impeachment mobilize Democrats in the next election.

'No matter who they impeach, history shows it usually inflamed the base of the side you are impeaching.

'The more people they talk about impeaching, the less effective it is as a tactic. Because of the very real corruption concerns that comes with the Biden family, I would focus on him. The other two are just incompetent,' he told DailyMail.com.
Former Prime Minister John Howard has claimed the 'luckiest thing' to happen to Australia was that it was colonised by the British.

Mr Howard, 84, in an interview with The Australian this week explained why he has thrown his weight behind the No Campaign in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament debate.

Australians will vote 'Yes' or 'No' in a referendum to be held sometime between October and December this year on whether to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body to Parliament in the Constitution.

The Liberal Party legend said a European country colonising the huge land mass of Australia in the 17th and 18th centuries was 'next to inevitable' and that the country was fortunate it was England.

'I do hold the view that the luckiest thing that happened to this country was being colonised by the British. Not that they were perfect by any means, but they were infinitely more successful and beneficent colonisers than other European countries.'

Former Prime Minister John Howard has explained why he is supporting the No Campaign in the Voice referendum saying he doubts it will improve grass roots Aboriginal communities

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a press conference announcing the referendum in June

Mr Howard, a monarchist and Australia's second longest-serving PM, said he believes the Voice will become a 'cockpit of conflict' that will generate division.

'I don't think it is going to produce anything other than regular stand-offs between what the Voice is asking for and what the government of the day is willing to do... That's what I think will happen.'

A recent Resolve Political Monitor survey found support for the Voice was faltering with the No Campaign ahead with 52 per cent.

Sitting Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Voice will help close the social disadvantage gap with Indigenous Australians and ensure taxpayer dollars are used more effectively where they are needed.

But Mr Howard argues there has been no detail about how the Voice would fill service gaps to improve health, education and employment outcomes for First Nations people and risks becoming just another layer of bureaucracy.

The Howard government in 2004 abolished a previous Indigenous advisory body established 14 years earlier, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), saying it had not worked.

ATSIC had been involved in a number of scandals, and Mr Howard said at the time it had become too caught up in symbolic issues and neglected to deliver real change for grassroots communities.

Mr Howard believes leaders should be 'just sitting down and talking to each other' about how to lift First Nations communities up with mainstream Australia and the race-based advisory body could result in a combative rather cooperative situation.

John Howard meets the people of Wadeye in the Northern Territory in 2005, a tiny and remote aboriginal community which adopted the 'No School No Pool' policy that dramatically improved attendance rates

The Voice was recommended in the Uluru Statement from the Heart which points to it as stepping stone towards a treaty between First Nations people and the Commonwealth.

Mr Howard is also firmly against a this, saying a sovereign nation should have no need for a treaty with part of itself.

New Zealand, Canada and the United States all have treaties with First Nations people of their countries.

'I think most of the world is watching,' Megan Davis, a constitutional lawyer and Aboriginal woman who helped write the Uluru Statement, said.

'We're an outlier in the world,' she said.

Ms Davis has extensive experience as an international lawyer at the UN and also participated in the drafting of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

'We have absolute faith in Australians understanding the exigency of this reform, why we need it, and we believe they'll come on board and vote yes,' Davis said.
Few people would disagree that it was right for NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose to step down after her spectacularly inept handling of the Nigel Farage scandal.

By admitting, after a three-week omerta, that she was the source of an untrue BBC story about the former Ukip leader's account at Coutts, she made her position untenable. Make no mistake, had a bank clerk violated client confidentiality so egregiously, they'd have been sacked on the spot.

Before pulling the plug at 2am, the NatWest board announced its confidence in Dame Alison, raising serious questions about chairman Howard Davies' judgment.

This whole affair, of course, would never have happened had woke-worshipping bank bosses not closed Mr Farage's account because it found his  entirely lawful  political views dislikeable.

This problem is insidious and ever more widespread. In an increasingly cashless society, where accounts are as vital as utilities, partisan banks are dangerous.

Few people would disagree that it was right for NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose to step down after her spectacularly inept handling of the Nigel Farage scandal

Sir Keir Starmer's unwillingness to condemn Coutts for its attack on free speech suggests that, deep down, Labour is comfortable with banks cancelling their ideological enemies

Labour's strident defence of Dame Alison was extraordinary, claiming she had been forced out by the Prime Minister and Chancellor.

But given the taxpayers' 39 per cent stake in the bank since the 2008 crash, they have a duty to ensure it is well run.

Sir Keir Starmer's unwillingness to condemn Coutts for its attack on free speech suggests that, deep down, Labour is comfortable with banks cancelling their ideological enemies.

What a chilling glimpse of how a Starmer government could ride roughshod over freedom and democracy.

Not above the law

The corrupt solicitors who are growing rich by charging vast sums to make false asylum claims for illegal immigrants do more than just bring disgrace upon the legal profession.

Submitting fabricated cases makes it harder for genuine refugees to find sanctuary here, while shattering the public's faith in the immigration and justice systems.

So the Mail applauds the Lord Chancellor for urging the solicitors' watchdog to launch an urgent probe into the corruption exposed by our undercover investigation.

The Mail applauds the Lord Chancellor for urging the solicitors' watchdog to launch an urgent probe into the corruption exposed by our undercover investigation

In a hard-hitting letter, Alex Chalk tells the Solicitors Regulation Authority to use the 'full force of sanctions', including fines and the threat of being struck off. This is a good start. But more could be done.

It beggars belief that solicitors who intentionally help bogus asylum seekers game the system cannot face criminal sanctions  only professional ones.

Ministers should make it an offence. After all, if the lawyers want to behave like common crooks, they should be treated like them.

End the bad blood

Rishi Sunak hit the nail on the head yesterday when he told the inquiry into the blood contamination scandal that its victims had suffered a 'litany of broken promises and dashed expectations'.

Rishi Sunak hit the nail on the head yesterday when he told the inquiry into the blood contamination scandal that its victims had suffered a 'litany of broken promises and dashed expectations'

So why doesn't the Government do the right thing and approve full compensation for the thousands whose lives have been ruined because of infected NHS transfusions during the 1970s and 80s?

Of course, it's easy to understand why the families heckled the PM. Their battle for justice has lasted 40 years. That the state still fobs them off shames us all.

At first blush, it looks like a marketing campaign that has amusingly backfired. Instead of showcasing the beauty of God's Own Country, Yorkshire Water's latest advert features images of Herefordshire hills, a bar in Russia and motorists in Ukraine.

This blooper, however, underlines a troubling point about Britain's water companies. If their rapacious foreign owners show such casual disinterest in their customers, is it any surprise that bills are cripplingly high and sewage is shamelessly pumped into rivers and seas?
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Electric bike batteries must be regulated like 'fireworks' after causing hundreds of catastrophic house fires across the UK, a charity has urged.

Electrical Safety First warned they are dangerously prone to exploding while charging overnight - releasing the same energy as six hand grenades.

Fires sparked by faulty lithium-ion batteries are now occurring at the rate of at least six a week in the UK, and have so far injured an estimated 190 people and killed eight.

Often they are be caused by cheap e-bikes or e-scooters built with poor quality and substandard components sold by rogue sellers on internet marketplaces.

A report by the ESF calls on the government to crackdown on the practice by making it compulsory for all products require third-party approval before they enter the UK market.

The measures would bring e-bike and e-scooters in line with safety regulations for pyrotechnics and heavy machinery. Similar measures have already been introduced in New York City following a spate of fires.

Sofia Duarte, 21, died on New Year's Day after a converted e-bike battery burst into flames in the entrance of her flat, blocking the fire escape routes. Pictured is the e-bike that set on fire

Lesley Rudd, ESF chief executive, said: 'The huge amount of energy that is released over time when a battery bursts into flames is unlike other fires - in a matter of minutes a room can be decimated.

'This unique type of fire requires special measures to tackle the increasing problem.'

Warning there were 'too many reckless operators', she added: 'We need to get on top of this issue now to prevent more lives being lost.'

Sales of e-bikes have risen to about 165,000 a year and account for nearly one in ten new bikes in the UK, research has found.

But experts have warned that cheaper unregulated batteries can prove very dangerous.

A fully-charged e-bike battery is estimated to release a similar amount of stored energy as the amount of TNT contained in six grenades.

Though this vast amount of energy is released over a longer period of time, once alight it is incredibly hard to put out and acts similar to an out-of-control explosive firework.

The report reveals that the London Fire Brigade is called to a e-bike or e-scooter fire every two days on average - a 60 per cent rise on the previous year.

Earlier this month, a mother and her two children died after their house burnt down in Cambridge - caused by an 'electric bike that was charging', the fire service said.

A father told how his son's e-bike exploded while it was charging under the stairs and within four minutes 'the whole house was gone'.

Andrew Beaton, 59, told how he sprinted downstairs and threw the bike - which he had bought online as a Christmas present - and threw it outside.

He said: 'In that moment, all the batteries fell out and were exploding like hand grenades.'

The dad-of-five said the fire caused 50,000 in damage - but could nearly have cost them their life.

The main risk with lithium-ion batteries is a process called 'thermal runaway', which is caused when a battery cell starts to overheat due to an internal fault or physical damage.

This rapid rise in temperature causes the internal structure of the cell to become unstable and collapse, resulting in it venting flammable and toxic gases.

It causes an explosion that then triggers nearby cells to catch fire, which becomes uncontrollable and irreversible. Even if a fire is extinguished, it is common for it to start up again.

Aftermath of fire caused by e-bike in Shepherds Bush, London. E-bikes and e-scooters are at their most risky when their lithium batteries are charging, as during this period the batteries are most likely to fail

Aftermath of fire caused by e-bike in High Road, Tottenham, London. A blaze or explosion can also occur if there a battery is overheated or overcharged

Electric bikes are heaped into a pile after being destroyed in a fire, which authorities say started at an e-bike shop and spread to upper-floor apartments, June 20, 2023, New York

To meet current regulations, the batteries are currently only required to be self-declared as conforming to safety standards by the manufacturer, as is the case with many electrical goods.

Exceptions to this rule exist however for pyrotechnics, heavy machinery and medical devices - and the charity believes this should be the case for lithium-ion batteries too.

The report warns e-bikes can become particularly dangerous if they have been converted using DIY kits, or if they have been modified to prolong the battery life or increase the speed.

Online marketplaces selling unbranded 'universal' chargers can result in overcharging at higher voltages than intended.
Her son is currently appealing his defamation defeat

She took a principal to court over texts he sent his wife

It's been revealed veteran soldier Ben-Roberts Smith is not the first in his family to have filed a defamation lawsuit - with his mother previously launching legal action against a school principal.

Sue Roberts-Smith was working as a staff member at Perth's Swan Valley Anglican Community School when she took the acting school principal, Michael Crawshaw, to court back in 2013.

She bizarrely filed defamation action against Mr Crawshaw over five text messages he sent his wife about Ms Roberts-Smith in 2012 and 2013.

Court documents stated that 'tension had arose' between the pair at the school.

It is unknown how the decorated soldier's mother had knowledge of the contents of Mr Crawshaw's messages.

Ben-Roberts Smith's mother Sue (pictured left, with husband Len Roberts-Smith) launched defamation action against the acting principal of Swan Valley Anglican Community School

The action was heard in the Supreme Court of Western Australia - the same court where her husband, Len Roberts-Smith, previously sat on the bench as a judge.

Bennett & Co were representing Mrs Roberts-Smith in the defamation case.

Ironically, this was the same legal firm that represented one of the SAS soldiers who testified against her son and was a key witness in his defamation case against the Nine newspapers over war crimes allegations.

The former Special Air Service comrade, codenamed person 4, gave evidence that he witnessed Mr Roberts-Smith kick farmer, Ali Jan, off a cliff in Darwan in southern Afghanistan in September 2012.

Person 4 further testified that the villager, who was handcuffed throughout the ordeal, was then dragged over to a tree afterwards and executed.

Mr Crawshaw represented himself in the case brought by Mrs Roberts-Smith.

He filed a defence in July 2013, which he amended a month later. The principal built up his defence of spousal privilege and the text messages were not defamatory.

Mrs Roberts-Smith filed defamation action against Mr Crawshaw over five text messages he sent his wife about Ms Roberts-Smith in 2012 and 2013 (pictured, Mrs and Mr Roberts-Smith arriving at the Federal Court for their son's defamation case)

Bennett & Co, who acted for Mrs Roberts-Smith in the defamation case, were the same legal firm that represented one of the SAS soldiers who testified against her son (pictured with partner Sarah Matulin)

Spousal privilege is a common law principle where a married couple cannot be compelled to testify against each another.

Counsel for Mrs Roberts-Smith filed submissions in support of an application to strike out the amended defence.

Justice James Edelman - now a High Court justice - dismissed the strike-out application as the defence of spousal privilege was 'properly pleaded'.

Justice Edelman outlined that communication between a married couple was not grounds for defamation action.

It's presumed that Mrs Roberts-Smith discontinued her legal action against Mr Crawshaw after acknowledging that legal action cannot be taken against a person over the private text messages they send their spouse.

Her son also lucked out in his defamation action against the Nine newspapers - The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times.

Ben Roberts-Smith is appealing the Federal Court decision which found against him after he sued three newspapers for defamation

The Victoria Cross recipient has not been charged and maintains his innocence regarding the allegations

The Federal Court dismissed his defamation action over media reports he was involved in unlawful actions as an SAS corporal, including the murder of four unarmed prisoners.

Mr Roberts-Smith had claimed he was defamed in 2018 reports by the three publications that he kicked Ali Jan off a cliff and ordered his execution, and machine-gunned another prisoner, taking his prosthetic leg home as a souvenir drinking vessel.

The three media companies have since hailed the dismissal of the cases as a significant win.

They are seeking their legal costs from the former soldier, as well as from the Seven Network and Kerry Stokes private firm Australian Capital Equity, which financially supported the lawsuits.

Ben Roberts-Smith is appealing the defamation judgement which found he had committed war crimes.

The Victoria Cross recipient has not been charged and maintains his innocence regarding the allegations.
This is the incredible moment a British-made Starstreak missile destroyed a Russian helicopter flying over Ukraine.

Dramatic video shows the Ka-52 Alligator plummeting to the ground after it was directly struck by the surface-to-air missile.

The helicopter blades are still spinning for a few seconds after the rocket rips through the body of the aircraft, causing an explosion, with a thick plume of smoke visible as it falls through the sky.

The helicopter then crashes and bursts into flames.

One of Putin's top commanders onboard the aircraft was killed, defence sources have claimed.

Dramatic video shows the Ka-52 Alligator plummeting to the floor in Ukraine after it was directly struck by the surface-to-air missile. The helicopter blades are still spinning for a few seconds after the rocket shoots through the body of the aircraft

The rockets were fired from a Stormer light tank donated last year, according to Russian defence sources.

An image released by Ukraine's Marines purportedly showed the wreckage on the ground in frontline eastern Donbas.

The Ka-52 Alligator was struck near Donetsk, Kyiv said.

The 38th Separate Marine Brigade wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday: 'Today at 7:43 an enemy Ka-52 was destroyed by our brigade's MANPADS system.

'Glory to the marines of Ukraine!'

The Starstreak High Velocity Missile is designed to counter threats from high-performance, low-flying aircraft and helicopters.

The missile can travel at more than three times the speed of sound and uses three dart-like projectiles, allowing multiple strikes on a target.

It can be fired from the shoulder, a lightweight multiple launcher or from the Stormer armoured vehicle.

A thick plume of smoke is visible after the explosion. The helicopter then crashes into the ground and bursts into flames

The Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather attack helicopter operated by the Russian Air Force (File Photo)

The Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather attack helicopter operated by the Russian Air Force.

It is a highly manoeuvrable aircraft that can destroy enemy armoured and unarmoured ground targets, tanks, low-speed aerial targets and personnel at the frontline and in tactical depth.

Russia has lost at least 35 Ka-52 Alligators since February last year, according to intelligence defence analysis website Oryx.

Last month, Colonel Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, downplayed the threat from Russian attack helicopters during the counter-offensive.

'The Ka-52 is absolutely not a helicopter that establishes air superiority,' Ignat said.

He also argued it did not it deliver 'the kind of firepower that is decisive on the battlefield'.

He said a bigger aviation threat to Ukraine's forces came from Russian fighter jets that have more powerful radars and longer-range missiles than Ukraine's older Soviet-built aircraft.

A Stormer vehicle firing a Starstreak High Velocity Missile (File Photo)

A leaked German intelligence document claims Ukraine's counter-offensive is failing to make meaningful progress as the army is not fully harnessing western training.

The confidential insight obtained by Bild assessed that Ukrainian soldiers trained by western forces are showing 'great learning success' but let down by superiors.

It warned the military tends to promote soldiers with fighting experience over those with NATO training, meaning some have 'considerable deficiencies in leadership'.

It also remarked on 'deficiencies' in 'the application of management processes... which sometimes lead to incorrect and dangerous decisions'.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that while Ukraine has recaptured half the territory that Russia initially seized in its invasion, the counter-offensive was in its early days and would take shape over 'several months'.
An Ohio police officer who unleashed a K-9 on an unarmed black trucker with his hands up following a police chase has been fired from his position.

Ryan Speakman had initially been placed on leave after body camera footage showed him deploying the Belgian Malinois on Jadarrius Rose, 23 - who failed to pull over when he was stopped by troopers for a missing mud flap on his vehicle.

But on Wednesday, the Circleville Police Department announced Speakman has been terminated from his position.

'Circleville Police Officer Ryan Speakman's 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 in a statement.

'Officer Speakman has been terminated from the department, effective immediately.'

Ryan Speakman, pictured, has been fired from the Circleville Police Department after body camera footage showed him deploying a dog on an unarmed black man

The footage shows Speakman releasing the dog on the suspect despite warnings from state troopers

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has said Rose was bitten by the dog following a lengthy police chase that began when the suspect failed to pull over for an inspection of his commercial tractor-trailer.

An ensuing investigation included a determination by a use of force review board, which found the Circleville Police Department's 'policy for the use of canines was followed in the apprehension and arrest.'

But city officials now say they impaneled another review board to re-examine the evidence, the Scioto Valley Guardian reports.

The police department also noted: 'It's important to understand that the Review Board is charged only with determining whether an employee's actions in the use of force incident were within the department policies and procedures.

'The Review Board does not have the authority to recommend discipline.'

It continued on to say that Shallow Creek Kennels, a Pennsylvania-facility that trained the dog said their training and protocols were also followed.

Those protocols, it says, are 'standard for service dogs' used by the US military, Customs and Border Patrol officer, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and police departments throughout the US and Canada.

'We know the video of the incident is upsetting, and has attracted widespread attention and comments,' the police department said in its statement Wednesday.

'In short, we meet or exceeded all current Ohio laws and standards for police training for our canine teams.'

The Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, meanwhile, said it filed a grievance Wednesday on behalf of Speakman  who it argues was fired without just cause.

The union asked the police department to rescind his termination; pay and reimburse Speakman for 'all lost wages, seniority and benefits lost' resulting from his firing; expunge his employee record of his termination history; 'and/or any further relief necessary to make the grievance whole.'

Footage shows the Belgian Malinois biting and attacking the black trucker

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

Authorities say the Independence Day pursuit began after a Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector tried to stop the semi-truck Rose was driving because it was missing a mud flap.

When the inspector turned on the lights of his marked vehicle, the 'suspect vehicle continued west on US-35,' the Highway Patrol's case report says, noting the driver made direct eye contact with the officer, who called for backup.

Video of the chase showed that as cops began to pursue Rose, he slowed down and stopped, at which point an officer gets out of his vehicle with his gun drawn as he ordered Rose to step out of the truck.

Instead, Rose continued to drive away.

During the ensuing chase, he called 911 and told dispatchers the officers following him were 'trying to kill' him and he 'did not feel safe' pulling over the vehicle, according to recordings released by the Ross County Sheriff's Office.

Throughout the recordings, Rose tells dispatchers he was confused about why he was being asked to pull over and why police had their guns drawn when he briefly stopped.

Eventually, however, Rose does stop the semi-truck and gets out of the vehicle surrounded by police cars and officers with his hands raised.

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.

An state trooper in the distance could be heard screaming, 'Do not release the dog with his hands up.' It is unclear whether Speakman heard that order.

The footage showed the dog running towards Rose, on his knees, and the K-9 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.

The suspect then asks officers why they released the dog and ordered it to attack.

'You just let the dog bite me,' Rose said, to which Speakman replied that he failed to listen to his commands.

Rose was treated and released from a local hospital in the aftermath, and was then taken to the Ross County Jail.

He faced a charge of failure to comply with an order or signal by a police officer, a fourth-degree felony which carries a prison term of six to 18 months in prison.

The suspect was then released on bond on July 7, and the Ross County Prosecutor's Office is still collecting evidence before it determines whether to move forward with the charge against him, according to CNN.
A mother's heart-wrenching pleas for the return of her missing son have ended in tragedy after the man's body was found in a park on Wednesday.

Justin Males, 34, was last seen in CCTV footage on July 11 when he went for a walk towards Toolern Creek just before 7pm shortly after being dropped off at his Melton home on Barries Rd in Melbourne's west.

His body was found in the Melton park near Ferris Rd.

Victoria police said his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Justin Males (pictured left with mother Lisa Males) has been found dead in a park after going missing for a fortnight

His family became aware he was missing when he failed to call for his mum's birthday, leading to his parents making a heartfelt plea for help.

'In my heart and my gut someone knows something, hes somewhere. We have to find him,' Lisa Males told Seven News.

'He might be 34 but hes still my baby.'

At the time of his disappearance Mr Males was recovering from a stroke. His right arm was paralysed and he was unstable on his feet.

His father Kym Males said Justin had 'turned his life around' and 'was loved by everyone'.

'He had plans, he was looking forward to moving forward,' his distraught mother said.

Mr Males was last seen on CCTV being dropped off at his Melton home and then going for a walk

Police said they were awaiting the results of a post mortem but confirmed the body was Mr Males.

'Thank you all for your assistance in the search for Justin,' police said in a statement.
Driver was seen laughing the whole time

The shocking moment a driver who blocked an ambulance on a busy Australian highway has sparked online outrage.

The tradie, filmed driving along the motorway on Wednesday, refused to pull over for the ambulance despite paramedics flashing the vehicle's emergency lights.

The dramatic moment, which is believed to have unfolded on the M1 on the Gold Coast, was captured by dashcam footage and posted on Reddit.

The video showed the ute holding up the ambulance which was travelling at high speed.

A tradie has been slammed for blocking an ambulance on the M1 Motorway on the Gold Coast despite the emergency vehicle flashing its sirens for the driver to pull over

The ambulance can be seen flashing its headlights on high-beam while its siren could be heard wailing.

The driver of the ute however, remains oblivious and simply carries on driving his vehicle.

The careless act was noticed by a witness who was driving in a car nearby on the busy motorway.

The woman decided to intervene to urge the driver to pull over.

A witness filmed the shocking moment and pulled up close to the driver to tell him to 'get out of the way' after he refused to let the ambulance pass

'I'm [sic] tell him to pull over,' she said.

Moments later, she is seen catching up to the ute still driving in the far-right lane.

With her right hand hanging outside the window she is heard yelling 'f***' [sic] out the way' before losing her cool at the driver.

'Get out of the way,' she then said angrily.

'Get out out of the way, f***ing hell,' she said as she continued to wave to the driver to give way.

The driver of the ute, also towing a mini trailer, finally merged into the middle lane, allowing the ambulance to pass through.

'Jesus Christ, do you understand someone's life is in there,' the woman is heard to say on the footage.

According to the woman, there were two people inside the vehicle and the driver was believed to be a young man.

'The driver was in the driver's seat laughing,' the woman commented.

Motorists who block an emergency vehicle while it's on duty face heavy fines and demerit points, with drivers in NSW handed a $464 fine and three demerit points for the act. The offence carries a $321 fine for motorists in Queensland

The post was flooded with comments, many slamming the selfish driver.

'Hope he gets a 'f****n big fine,' one wrote.

'F****n hate inside lane hoggers,' another said.

In NSW, drivers who fail to give way to emergency vehicles will be fined $464.

The offence carries a $321 fine for motorists in Queensland.

In Victoria, drivers who don't get out of the way of an emergency vehicle will be handed a $318 fine.

Road users in South Australia face the biggest penalty, with a massive $559 fine.
Video captured the moment a worker narrowly escaped with his life when the construction crane he was operating caught fire before collapsing and injuring 12 people on the Manhattan sidewalks.

The equipment was attached to a luxury 47-story apartment building under construction on 41st Street and 10th Avenue near Hudson Yards, before a hydraulic fluid leak caused it to spark into flames.

It quickly collapsed and struck the side of another skyscraper before it smashed onto the sidewalk below along with the 16 tons of concrete it was carrying.

Video footage showed the moment the crane burst into flames, with a worker seen swiftly scrambling down a ladder to safety. As he made his escape, fellow construction employees joke and begin to chant: 'We don't need no water let the motherf****r burn.'

The operator of the crane has been identified by the Department of Buildings as Chris Van Duyne, 62.

He was previously charged following a construction accident in 2008 where his co-worker fell 48 stories to his death and had his crane operating license suspended for eight months, New York Daily News revealed.

A worker managed to escape with his life when the construction crane he was on caught on fire before it collapsed and injured 12 people on the ground in New York City

Footage was captured of the moment the crane burst into flames as a worker miraculously made his way down to safety

The operator of the crane has been identified by the Department of Buildings as Chris Van Duyne, 62

A total of 12 people have been injured. Two victims are in serious condition - including one of the two firefighters who are among the injured.

In the video, a worker on the construction site is heard saying, its on fire and hes coming down as his colleague Van Duyne makes his way down a ladder - with smoke seen billowing out the top of the burning crane.

An employee, who is recording the video, then said: Oh s**** that s*** is coming off.

The crane quickly ignites and a large red flame is seen burning. Staff on the site are heard chanting, the roof is on fire, we dont need no water let the motherf***** burn.

Another worker urgently asked someone to go get the fire extinguisher.

The video then pans to a view of the skyline and the crane is seen dangling above the sidewalk.

DailyMail.com first published an image of the shaken construction worker who was operating the crane before it burst into flames and collapsed.

Van Duyne tried to put out the fire but fled the cab once he realized the blaze was too large, according to co-workers who identified him on Wednesday morning.

He appeared shocked and shaken after the ordeal and declined to comment when approached by a DailyMail.com reporter.

In the video, a worker on the construction site is heard saying its on fire and hes coming down as his colleague makes his way down the burning crane

The employee on the crane fled using a stairwell of the construction site it was attached to

He tried to put out the fire but fled the cab once he realized the blaze was too large, according to co-workers who identified him on Wednesday morning

The crane he was inside collapsed and struck the side of another skyscraper before falling onto a rush-hour Manhattan street as terrified commuters ran for their lives.

The incident comes after Van Duyne was hit with administrative charges in 2008, alongside his brother James Van Duyne, after Anthony Esposito, 48, fell and died on September 4 during the construction of Silverstein Towers at 600 West 42nd Street.

The pair had cut the guardrail of a work platform that was attached to the tower crane, a joint investigation between the Department of Investigations and the Department of Buildings found.

Esposito, who was married with three kids, was helping the brothers dismantle the crane when he lost his footing and fell to his death.

He was wearing a safety harness but it was not attached.

Van Duyne and his brother were both charged with endangering public safety and violating city construction codes and fined $25,000 each.

They were both forced to complete 30 hours of department safety training.

Fellow construction worker, Richard Paz, told DailyMail.com that a cable hauling wet concrete up to the top of the building site overheated just before the fire.

The crane operator noticed the mechanics had stopped working, he said, because a computer system shut it down when the cable started burning out.

It was at that point the worker realized there was an issue and got out of the cab.

Once it got to a point where he couldn't extinguish the flames himself, he fled.

Fluid from the engine compartment leaked onto a heated metal plate, which sparked a flame and caused the crane to collapse on to an opposite residential skyscraper near Hudson Yards.

The cause of the flaming crane cab was reported by New York Daily News - who also said the equipment's permits and inspections were all up to date.

The blazing crane was attached to a luxury 47-story apartment building under construction at 550 10th Avenue, with the 16-tons of concrete it was carrying also smashed onto the street below.

It was seen striking the side of the 55-floor 555 10th Avenue apartment building opposite.

Terrifying video footage shot Wednesday morning showed the crane collapse and strike a glass residential skyscraper opposite - while people staying in nearby hotels and apartment blocks were quickly evacuated.

Pictured: The crane on fire. The fire heated up the cable of the crane, which was holding 16-tonnes of concrete, causing it to snap and trigger the collapse, FDNY deputy commissioner explained

A burning Manhattan construction crane is pictured collapsing and striking the side of a residential skyscraper on 10th Avenue, sending debris spraying onto the sidewalk below

The crane is seen collapsed on the street following the ordeal this morning

People covered in blood were stretchered into ambulances as screams rung out from construction workers and commuters on ground level, eyewitnesses said.

Over 200 firefighters rushed up to a nearby balcony and desperately battled the inferno - which blazed 500 feet above the Manhattan skyline.

Disturbing photos obtained by Dailymail.com show the ruined terrace of the luxury New York City apartment tower which was struck by the burning construction crane.

Shattered glass littered the ground and metal beams were strewn across the roof of 555 10th Avenue near Hudson.

Planters filled with ornamental grass were also destroyed, with the soil once contained within them scattered across the luxurious deck of the building.

Much of its glass safety railing was also wrecked by the falling crane, offering a vertigo-inducing new vista for anyone working on the clean-up scene.

Several exterior windows of the tower were also smashed, although a building spokesperson said no-one inside had been injured.

Residents were evacuated and were not allowed back in until after 4pm ET.

The crane is owned by New Jersey-based Lomma, whose late founder James Lomma was ordered to pay $96 million to two construction workers killed when another of his cranes collapsed in 2008.

DailyMail.com has contacted Lomma Corp. for a comment on Wednesday's collapse.

A worker said the clean-up is likely to go into the night.

A large yellow crane to remove the destroyed cement mixer, boom and crane was waiting at the police line.

One worker said: 'Our guys cant remove the crane without the all clear.

'It will likely take till tonight to clear the road and then well remove the crane.

'I cant be sure how long that will take.

Firefighters are seen spraying water on the crane in a bid to stop the fire

The FDNY posted an image of their firefighters tackling the blaze this morning

A fire department worker gazes over the balcony of 555 10 Avenue towards Times Square on Wednesday afternoon

He added most of the debris which exploded out of the cement bucket were rocks placed into the cement to enable the curing process.

Residents and workers in the area were seen running for their lives as the fiery crane blazed in the sky above them.

The dramatic incident sent debris spraying onto the streets - injuring multiple people below - while storefronts had their glass shattered.

Residents living with a view of the scene told DailyMail.com they heard screams from the construction workers at around 7.15am.

The fire then took hold and the top half of the crane collapsed at around 7:30am.

It broke off and smashed into 555 Ten, an apartment building across the street, then hit the ground.

The resident told DailyMail.com: 'We saw stretchers and ambulances so there are injuries on the ground. The stores under have also had all their windows broken.

'Weve now been evacuated from our building.'

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a conference from 10th Avenue: 'As you can see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse.'

He said the city were fortunate it didn't happen at a busier time of day.

First deputy fire commissioner Joseph Pfeifer said: 'At 7.25am this morning, we got a report of a fire in the engine compartment of the crane.

'We're talking about the engine compartment above the roof line, about 45 stories up.

'As our fire units responded to the scene, it collapsed. The top part of the crane, the boom, and a 16-tonne load crashed to the ground.

'At that point, we had injuries to civilians and firefighters but they were minor. We have four injuries to civilians, and two to our firefighters. Minor injuries.

'Most of the fire has been extinguished, but presently we have a fifth-alarm fire assignment, over 200 firefighters at the scene.'

Pictured: Part of a building that was impacted by the crane's collapse. Fluid from the engine compartment leaked onto a heated metal plate, which in turn sparked a flame and caused the crane to collapse on to an opposite residential skyscraper near Hudson Yards

This photo shows the damage inflicted of a terrace on 555 10th Avenue on Manhattan after it was struck by part of a burning crane on Wednesday morning

Planters and soil were strewn across the roof deck of the luxury 55-story tower, which was struck by a huge lump of burning metal after a hydraulic fluid leak caused the crane to catch fire

A view from the top of 555 10th Avenue towards 550 10th Avenue. It is the luxury 47-story condo tower that the crane was working on when it collapsed

Another snap shows shattered panes of glass on the exterior of the building. No-one inside was injured, but the tower was evacuated until around 4pm ET Wednesday

A construction worker described how he immediately evacuated his team from the deck and stairwell when he realized the fire broke out.

Irakli Klarje, who lives on the 39th floor of 5510 10th Street, said he thought there was an earthquake when he first heard the noise on Wednesday.

'The building shook, so I thought an earthquake was happening.

'I thought, what the hell is going on.'

He said he saw the huge plumes of black smoke from the crane - and then he called 911.

People staying in hotels nearby also said they were evacuated because of the inferno.

Heidi Elmore wrote on Twitter: 'Welcome to New York. Crane next to my hotel is on fire and collapsing so we had to evacuate.'

The debris is seen spewing on to the streets of Hudson Yards on Wednesday morning

The crane was seen ablaze from other parts of Manhattan

Videos shared by the FDNY showed firefighters on the balcony of a nearby building spraying the burning crane in a bid to put out the flames.

550 10th Avenue - the building that the crane was attached to - is a luxury rental tower consisting of 453 homes.

The 47-story tower is under construction, but will have over 20,000 sf of indoor and outdoor amenity space, as well as neighborhood retail on the ground floor.

The building is being designed by Handel Architects.

555 10th Avenue, directly across the street, is the building that the crane crashed into.

It is a 55-story luxury apartment block with a pool on the rooftop - and has one of the city's most exclusive observation deck experience at 650 feet over the new Midtown West.

No one was injured at 555 10th Avenue this morning, it was confirmed.
A political consultant close to Donald Trump brazenly defended using personal insults to attack Ron DeSantis and his aides as part of a brutal online war in the 2024 campaign.

Alex Bruesewitz repeatedly posted photos of DeSantis rapid response director Christina Pushaw blowing smoke and says it is proof she was 'high' on marijuana.

He also sent an image he claims is a younger Pushaw outside a weed dispensary, and told DailyMail.com: 'This is pre-facelift.'

It is part of a slew of attacks he has directed at the Florida Governor and staffers for his campaign and political office.

His posts have sparked an online war, with DeSantis allies reminding him that he once called for the death penalty for January 6 rioters and said Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol were 'animals'.

Brueswitz defended his social media attacks when DailyMail.com asked him for comment, and also sent along another image he claims is a younger Pushaw outside a weed dispensary and said in reference to the picture: 'This is pre-facelift.'

'Christina Pushaw and her band of MAGA reject 'influencers' are failing daily to undermine Joe Biden's leading opponent,' he said when asked why he has it out for Pushaw, and suggested she would be part of the next round of lay-offs amid reports of a campaign staff shake-up.

'Unfortunately for Christina, Ron DeSantis' failing campaign is running out of funds. It's only a matter of time before she is on a plane back to Ukraine to work for her hero, [President Volodymyr] Zelensky,' he added.

Alex Bruesewitz, founder and CEO of X Strategies and a close Trump ally, has launched a series of brutal personal attacks on members of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign team

Bruesewitz defended to DailyMail.com his repeated posting of an image of what he claims to be a younger Pushaw smoking weed. He said it's 'fair game' because she's working for an anti-weed candidate

DeSantis' campaign has not yet responded to a request for comment on the personal attacks by Bruesewitz.

The CEO and founder of X Strategies PR firm seemed to start deploying the attack strategy against Pushaw in June and spammed multiple tweets from DeSantis' campaign and political office with the same image.

It's 'fair game' to attack Pushaw for smoking weed, Bruesewitz claims, because she is working for a candidate who wants to 'reverse course' on the First Step Act to keep nonviolent marijuana offenders out of jail.

Reached by DailyMail.com regarding the onslaught of images he posted to Twitter of Pushaw, Bruesewitz went on the attack against DeSantis' team, assuming they were attempting to plant a negative story about Trump by way of highlighting his tweets.

Claiming he is a 'victim of team DeSantis harassment,' Bruesewitz said that the Florida governor's campaign is filled with 'a bunch of degenerate losers and they're imploding' because of bad polling against former President Donald Trump.

Bruesewitz said that Pushaw should be the one under scrutiny.

'In states where it's legal, you do you, girl. But when your boss is adamantly against marijuana, and attacks people, and is adamantly against the First Step Act, for example, that a lot of nonviolent drug offenders got locked up over and he wants to reverse the course on that, you know, I think it's fair game,' he told DailyMail.com.

'And so, you know, I posted that picture a few times,' he added. 'I think it's a nice picture of her. There's not too many nice pictures of her. And so I posted that one.'

'I don't know her personally, I just see her online,' Bruesewitz said when asked how he knows about any smoking habits by Pushaw. 'And you know, I'm glad I don't know her personally, I think she seems to have some issues.'

He then took aim at who Pushaw surrounds herself with, claiming they are 'an interesting group of people that partake in a lot of extracurricular activities.'

He also repeated brutal attacks against Pushaw, claiming the image of her smoking is 'more flattering' than her normal pictures and said that she has 'issues'

Bruesewitz provided to DailyMail.com an image claiming it's Pushaw in front of weed dispensary and said she looks different because it's 'pre-facelift'

In one tweet, Bruesewitz posted the image of Pushaw smoking next to an image from Hunter Biden's laptop with an image of the President's son with a cigarette in his mouth. He captioned the image, 'Same vibes,' and shared more recent images of the DeSantis aide he suggested are unflattering by questioning if they are 'AI.'

'We got some good [images],' Bruesewitz told DailyMail.com. 'This is pre-facelift.'

Asked how he knows Pushaw has had a facelift, he replied: 'I mean, everybody knows about the facelift.'

The Twitter feud between Bruesewitz and the DeSantis camp reached a head in late June when DeSantis' Governor's Office Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern called out the political consultant for saying a tweet he sent in 2021 calling for the 'death penalty' for rioters was 'fake.'

'Whole you're here. Why did you delete this? Did you want the death penalty for Trump supporters, or did you change your mind after seeing more evidence?' Redfern tweeted.

Bruesewitz responded: 'Given your teams history of making fake tweets, I'm sure this is fake.'

'Fake? Alex. It's archived,' Redfern tweeted.

DailyMail.com can confirm that the tweet is preserved in an archive of Bruesewitz's account and he has deleted the post.

He was responding to a video of a large group of Capitol Rioters on January 6, 2021 appearing to drag a police officer down the stairs to beat him.

'Death penalty for cop killers! Animals!' Bruesewitz tweeted on January 10, 2021.

Jeremy Redfern, the Press Secretary for DeSantis' Florida Governor office, dug up an old tweet of Bruesewitz's calling for the'death penalty' for Capitol rioters

Bruesewitz claimed it was fake, to which Redfern noted it was actually archived

This led Bruesewitz to delete his tweet claiming it was a fake  and he defended his original post by telling DailyMail.com it was an 'emotional tweet' he made before knowing all the facts of the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack

Bruesewitz said when confronted about the deleted tweet and his claim it was a fake created by the DeSantis team that he changed his opinion on the events once more facts came out.

'Well, look, you know, obviously, after the dust settled and the rest of it came out, it was evident that no police officer was killed that day,' Bruesewitz said.

Rioter Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, died when she was shot by Capitol Police as she tried to get through a barricaded door. Additionally, Brian Sicknick, a 42-year-old Capitol Police officer, died after two thromboembolic strokes the day after  following reports he was hit on the head during the riot.

Bruesewitz claimed: 'Nobody has done more for January 6 defendants and their families than me, you could contact any of the families and talk about how generous I was. I donated over $50,000 of my own money to help those who were persecuted by the Biden Justice Department.'

'Jeremy Redfern, I know he posted that,' Bruesewitz added. 'Obviously, it was a, you know, more of an emotional tweet that I tweeted during that time because I was frustrated with what took place on January 6, but I didn't understand, like most people at the time, that this was an entrapment.'

'I think it's a low blow to hit me on that given what I've been through,' he added, claiming he is a victim because he was subpoenaed by the now-dissolved House Select Committee when they were investigating the attack.

When Redfern was reached to respond to the attacks about him from Bruesewitz, he said he was too 'busy owning libs' on Twitter in regards to White House criticism of Florida's new black history curriculum.
Forcing out customers because of their political beliefs 'will not be tolerated' by the Government, Britain's top bankers were warned yesterday.

City minister Andrew Griffith used a summit with the UK's leading banks to caution executives that there must be 'no repeat' of the decision by NatWest subsidiary Coutts to close Nigel Farage's account because of his political views.

Leading executives from Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander were among those summoned to the meeting to discuss the fallout from the Farage case, which led to the dramatic resignation yesterday of NatWest chief executive Dame Alison Rose.

A Treasury source said Mr Griffith 'read the riot act to them', adding: 'He said the NatWest case should be a clear signal to the rest of the sector that this sort of practice will not be tolerated.'

The source said that bank chiefs had acknowledged that the row had 'impacted public trust for the whole sector' and pledged that they would adopt new government policy on account closures in order to 'restore confidence'.

City minister Andrew Griffith used a summit with the UK's leading banks to caution executives that there must be 'no repeat' of the decision by NatWest subsidiary Coutts to close Nigel Farage's account because of his political views

Leading executives were summoned to the meeting to discuss the fallout from the Farage case, which led to the resignation of NatWest chief executive Dame Alison Rose

Mr Griffith said: 'It is right that the NatWest chief executive has resigned.

'This would never have happened if NatWest had not taken it upon itself to withdraw a bank account due to someone's lawful political views. That was, and is always, unacceptable.'

The Treasury revealed that the bank bosses at the meeting had committed to 'the principle of non-discrimination based on lawful freedom of expression' and would cease activities designed to police the views of their customers.

New laws to be introduced in the autumn will mean banks have to give 90 days' notice before closing an account and spell out the reasons for shutting it down.

Banks will be able to avoid giving reasons only if doing so would interfere in a criminal investigation.

The Treasury said that banks would be expected to start introducing the agreed changes immediately.

Ministers are also said to be considering whether to make protection of free speech a condition of a bank's licence to operate in the UK.

A review has also been launched into the operation of the rules around so-called Politically Exposed Persons.

These regulations, originally drawn up by Brussels, were designed to help tackle corruption.

But Mr Griffith said banks needed to ensure they were implemented in a 'proportionate' way amid concerns they are causing undue complications for politicians and their families.
Kevin Spacey 'should never have been cancelled', a top Hollywood executive said after the star was cleared of sexually assaulting four men.

Double Oscar winner Spacey, who marked his 64th birthday yesterday, was overcome with emotion when the jury at London's Southwark Crown Court returned not guilty verdicts on all counts.

Spacey was accused of abusing his fame and power to carry out nine sex attacks on four men during his tenure as artistic director of the Old Vic theatre. But he insisted the claims were 'madness' and accused the claimants of 'lying for money'.

Since the dramatic high-profile trial - which included evidence in support of Spacey from Sir Elton John - concluded, The House of Cards star's supporters have rallied around him.

One top executive said people 'rushed to judgement' because of the MeToo movement and Spacey deserved to get his career back.

Kevin Spacey (pictured outside court after the verdict yesterday) 'should never have been cancelled', a top Hollywood executive said after the star was cleared of sexually assaulting four men.

Spacey (pictured with his Oscar for American Beauty) was accused of abusing his fame and power to carry out nine sex attacks on four men during his tenure as artistic director of the Old Vic theatre. But he insisted the claims were 'madness' and accused the claimants of 'lying for money'

'This is a man that never deserved to be removed so swiftly without any due process,' the executive told The Telegraph.

'There are people who were more interested in rushing to judgement than learning the actual truth.

'Kevin Spacey should now be able to resurrect his career. He should never have been cancelled.'

On the steps of the court after the verdicts were delivered, the US actor thanked the jury, his legal team as well as his loyal manager and longtime friend Evan Lowenstein for standing by him.

Since the dramatic high-profile trial - which included supportive evidence from Sir Elton John - concluded, Spacey's supporters have rallied around The Usual Suspects star

Sir Elton John and Spacey attend the Grey Goose Character & Cocktails Winter Fundraiser Ball in aid of the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 2009

He said: 'I imagine that many of you can understand that there's a lot for me to process after what has just happened today. But I would like to say that I'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision.

'I am humbled by the outcome today. I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security, my legal team and Evan Lowenstein for being here every day.'

The allegations not only shredded what had been a glittering showbiz career but also had major financial implications, with the star told to pay 25.5million to the producers of House of Cards after he was sacked.

He has also been landed with at least 1million in defence fees and suffered the humiliation of being edited out of the Sir Ridley Scott film All The Money In The World. Earlier in the trial Spacey told the jury: 'I've lost everything.'

He was first awarded the Academy Award for best supporting actor in 1996 for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in the mystery thriller The Usual Suspects (above)

Spacey poses with his Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in The Usual Suspects in 1996 (left). Right: Spacey posing with his Best Actor Oscar for American Beauty in 2000

Kevin Spacey was sacked from House Of Cards and then suffered the humiliation of being edited out of the Sir Ridley Scott film All The Money In The World

Two of the men involved in the case are known to also be suing Spacey in the civil courts. But the verdict ends criminal proceedings against him, raising the prospect that he could soon return to screens after being shunned by Hollywood for the last six years.

With two Oscars for his performances in American Beauty and The Usual Suspects under his belt, the Hollywood star was at the peak of his powers when bombshell allegations of sex offences were levelled against him six years ago.

His once-glittering career suddenly went into freefall, as he suffered the humiliation of being sacked from hit Netflix series House of Cards and being edited out of the Sir Ridley Scott film All The Money In The World, as well as vast financial losses.

Spacey is known for his role in 1995 hit The Usual Suspects (pictured), which won him an Oscar

American Beauty (pictured) came out four years later in 1999 and earned the star another Oscar, this time for Best Actor

More recently he appeared on screen alongside Jamie Foxx (left), Jon Hamm, Lily James and Ansel Elgort in 2017 film Baby Driver (pictured)

Yet he always remained confident that he could reverse his fortunes, once remarking in an interview: 'In ten years, it won't mean anything. My work will live longer than I will, and that's what will be remembered.'

When the court asked Spacey about his financial situation, he answered: 'I have got no money coming in and I have had a lot of legal bills and I have not paid it all off and I still owe money.'

The actor sold his Los Angeles mansion for 8.5million shortly before the scandal broke.

He still owns a 2.5million penthouse flat in an exclusive London tower block overlooking the Houses of Parliament - where he stayed during the court case.

As for the Old Vic, a London theatre that Spacey headed for 11 years, it is unknown whether the star will be reinstated.

In 2017, when allegations against the actor emerged, the Old Vic said 'no complaints' or allegations were ever received about Spacey either during his tenure or since he left.
Campaigners trying to save railway station ticket offices were thrown a lifeline yesterday as a consultation period over their closure was extended.

A three-week consultation period was due to end yesterday but has been extended by five weeks until September 1 following an outcry.

Train operators unveiled proposals earlier this month for mass closures of station ticket offices after Transport Secretary Mark Harper urged them to cut costs.

A consultation on the plans was announced on July 5 by the Rail Delivery Group, which said staff would move out of ticket offices, adopting new 'customer help' roles already in place on many parts of the rail network.

In a statement yesterday, Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said operators were keen to give more people a chance to share their views on the proposals.

'Train companies have listened to feedback and are extending the time available to respond to the consultation on changes to how tickets are sold at stations to 1st of September,' she said.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union protest outside Central train station in Glasgow over planned ticket office closures, as well as pay and conditions, July 13, 2023

'Operators are keen to give more people a chance to give their views on the proposals, so they can bring the railway up to date with dramatic shifts in customer buying habits while supporting all its customers as the railway evolves and adapts.

'While local plans vary, the aim of the proposals is to bring staff out from behind ticket office windows to offer more help for customers buying tickets and navigating stations.

'At the same time, ticket vending machines are being upgraded to offer a wider range of fares and we have committed that no customer will have to go out of their way to buy a ticket.'

The RDG has said the proposals would mean more face-to-face support was available across the network to choose the cheapest tickets and advise on journey planning, as well as support those with accessibility needs.

But the plans drew fierce criticism from groups representing passengers and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

The RMT yesterday described the five-week extension as wholly inadequate and called for 'the whole disastrous closure programme to be abandoned'.

The union's general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'Although our pressure has forced their hand, it is still a deeply flawed and a wholly inadequate consultation process which we are considering challenging legally in the courts.

'Our campaign to save ticket offices, protect our members' jobs and look out for the best interests of all rail passengers will only intensify in the coming weeks.

'20,000 rail workers will walk out on July 29 in pursuit of a negotiated settlement on job security pay, conditions and saving ticket offices.'

Any job cuts could provoke fury among transport unions who are already planning to strike this Thursday (File photo: RMT union general secretary Mick Lynch at a rally)

Labour said the delay was 'proof that the ticket office closure process has been a sham from the start'.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'While this is a matter for the industry, it is right that train operators have listened to feedback and extended their consultations, following continued engagement with stakeholders, including accessibility groups.

'Following the consultations, independent passenger bodies will continue to play a vital role in assessing and shaping proposals.'
Republicans were accused on Wednesday of 'weaponizing Joe Biden's son against him', with the hosts of The View condemning them for double standards when it came to the Trump children.

Hunter Biden, 53, appeared in court in Delaware on Wednesday and was expected to plead guilty to tax evasion and gun permit charges - but, in a surprise move, left court with the agreed plea deal thrown into chaos.

Speaking before the hearing, the women on the panel said the five-year investigation into the president's son, who has admitted being in the throes of addiction when he committed the crimes, was heavy-handed, and said Hunter's dubious dealings should not result in his father's impeachment.

Republicans are trying to prove that Joe Biden knew about and benefited from Hunter's trading off his position - something the president himself has always strongly denied.

'I think what is just terrible, and Ana said it the other day, they are weaponizing Joe Biden's son against him,' said Sunny Hostin, a lawyer and co-host of The View.

Sunny Hostin said on Wednesday that Republicans were 'weaponizing' Hunter Biden to hurt his father

Hunter Biden, 53, is seen on Wednesday leaving the courtroom in Delaware at the end of a surprising hearing, at which he was expected to plead guilty to tax evasion and gun permit violations. The agreement collapsed under scrutiny and is now being reviewed by the judge

'Joe Biden has experienced so much pain and loss.

'He lost his wife, he lost his little girl. He lost his Beau, his other son Beau, and now he has a son who clearly has a drug addiction and that's why he was offered a diversion program.

'It shows no one is above the law so he's pleading guilty - but that still isn't enough for the Republicans.'

Joy Behar noted that Hunter Biden, unlike Ivanka Trump, was never working in the White House.

'It seems they go after Biden's kid but Biden's kid was not in the administration,' said Behar.

'Trump's children were part of the administration.

'That's a huge difference when you think about it. He's the same as Roger Clinton and Jimmy Carter's son or brother. Same thing.'

Sara Haines, another co-host, pointed out that the charges were not about him being in the White House, but rather him 'getting a job kind of riding on the laurels - for which he had no qualifications.'

Joy Behar (right) and Sara Haines (left) are seen on Wednesday discussing Hunter Biden's court appearance

The president's son, seen on Wednesday, is under scrutiny for his tax evasion, gun permit and foreign business dealings

President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, step off Air Force One in February

Hunter, a Harvard-educated lawyer, was a lobbyist before his father became vice president in 2001.

He then found lucrative work advising companies - many of them internationally.

From 2013 through 2018 Hunter Biden and his company brought in about $11 million via his roles as an attorney and a board member with a Ukrainian firm accused of bribery, and his work with a Chinese businessman now accused of fraud.

At one point, Hunter Biden was paid $83,000 a month for his work with Burisma, the Ukrainian energy firm.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who served as Donald Trump's communications director before denouncing him and joining CNN and The View, said Hunter was undeniably involved in dubious business dealings and trading off the Biden name - but that did not mean his father should be impeached.

'Hunter Biden is 50 shades of shady,' said Farah Griffin.

'We know he's dealt with addiction. I do not fault him for that.

'There's definite examples of influence peddling. Making money off his name. That happens in politics.

'It doesn't make it okay in politics.'

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who worked in the Trump White House, said Hunter Biden was '50 shades of shady'

Whoopi Goldberg pointed out that Trump boasted about swerving taxes, legally.

Farah Griffin said Hunter was right to acknowledge his mistakes, but said the vast majority of Republicans did not want him impeached.

'He is pleading guilty to tax crimes today. Which is the right thing to do,' she said.

'Unlike the former president not pleading guilty, knowing he is guilty.

'The vast majority of Republicans in congress do not want to impeach Joe Biden.

'This is something that a fringe base within the house Republican conference is pushing. It's a mistake.

'Going after Hunter Biden or impeaching Joe Biden does not secure the border, it does not put food on the table. It does not make Americans' lives easier and it is a sideshow.

'If you don't like Joe Biden beat him at the ballot box but, by the way, you won't do that if you nominate Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis.'
Three food bloggers are suing a Chinese restaurant after being accused of faking food poisoning then failing to pay $364 for a Christmas lobster dinner.

The restaurant's operators found themselves in court after slamming the women for acting in an 'entitled' manner and engaging in 'totally classless', dishonest and fraudulent behaviour.

A Federal Court judge presiding over the trio's defamation action has already been accused of not taking the matter seriously but refused to take himself off the case.

Sisters Julie and Belinda Nguyen and Jennifer Do dined at Cabramatta's upmarket Silver Pearl eatery in Sydney's south-west on December 25, 2020.

Three food bloggers are suing a Chinese restaurant after being accused of faking food poisoning then failing to pay $364 for a Christmas lobster dinner. One of the trio is social media influencer Julie Nguyen (above)

The three social media influencers, who were joined by a fourth companion, ordered a live lobster to be served sashimi-style along with one bottle of red wine.

A version of what the Nguyen sisters and Ms Do did next is contained in a post published on the restaurant's Instagram page and produced in the Federal Court.

'Halfway through the meal, they complained to staff that they were "feeling sick" and accused us of serving them frozen lobster, instead of fresh/live lobster, which apparently was the reason for them "feeling sick",' the post claimed.

'Note the CCTV footage of them continuing to eat WHILST complaining about the food too.'

The post stated restaurant staff brought the remains of the lobster to the women's table and explained the 'vibrant' colour of the head juices meant the crustacean had only recently been cut open.

'They tried to reassure them that the lobster they chose, was the lobster was served to them,' the post continued.

'After they COMPLETELY FINISHED their sashimi and wine, they refused to pay. They were rude and tried to bully our waitstaff that we're not fluent in English.'

The operators of Cabramatta's Silver Pearl restaurant accused Julie and Belinda Nguyen and Jennifer Do of engaging in 'totally classless' behavior in an Instagram post (above)

The post claimed restaurant management identified the women through Instagram the next day and sent a direct message requesting they settle the $364 bill.

'Within 24 hours, they have ALL BLOCKED US,' the post stated. 'What makes this matter worse, is that after they left us, they went to another seafood restaurant across the road and ordered lobster and wine again!

'How could anyone eat more of what made them "feel sick"? let alone order another meal.'

The restaurant's management then addressed the diners directly by name before warning the Instagram post would remain online for 48 hours to warn other hospitality venues about them.

'Belinda, Julie and Jennifer, we are disappointed with your dishonest and fraudulent behaviour,' they said. 'We have hosted many food bloggers before, and none have ever acted this entitled.

'This is totally classless behaviour, and we hope your reputation was worth tarnishing for $364.'

Silver Pearl pictured the women they claimed faked poisoning to get a free $364 lobster meal (left). Management claimed the women then ordered another lobster and red wine at another restaurant (right)

The text of the original post against the women was followed by four others accompanied by photographs of where they had been sitting and further commentary about their alleged behaviour.

According to a Federal Court judgment, a subsequent Facebook post attracted adverse comments about the Nguyen sisters and Ms Do.

'It is fair to say that those observations were highly critical of the applicants,' the judgment stated.

'Some of those further comments made adverse comments about the appearance of one of the applicants.'

The Nguyen sisters and Ms Do claim the posts portrayed them as fraudulently obtaining a free dinner of lobster and wine by falsely claiming the food made them sick.

They further allege the posts portrayed them as 'scammers' who bullied waitstaff and by refusing to pay for a meal were dishonest and fraudulent.

During a case management hearing Justice Robert Bromwich suggested the matter could be better dealt with in a lower court or by way of mediation.

Julie Nguyen (above), Belinda Nguyen and Jennifer Do claim Silver Pearl's posts portrayed them as fraudulently obtaining a free dinner of lobster and wine by falsely claiming the food made them sick

Justice Bromwich noted the Federal Court usually considered more high-stakes defamation cases such as those brought by litigants including acclaimed actor Geoffrey Rush and alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith.

Barrister Roger Rasmussen, for the Nguyen sisters and Ms Do, replied it would be a shame if the Federal Court became a jurisdiction only for celebrities.

'I responded that it would be a shame if this court was turned into a neighbourhood disputes court, and that this matter was somewhere between the two, but more at the neighbourhood dispute end of the spectrum,' Justice Bromwich said in a judgement.

Justice Bromwich also observed he would be 'astonished' if the Nguyen sisters and Ms Do received any 'substantial amount of damages' if they were successful in their case.

Mr Rasmussen sought to have the matter sent to another judge on the grounds of apprehended bias but Justice Bromwich rejected that application.

Justice Bromwich said his comments did not support Mr Rasmussen's submission 'that because the applicants were social media influences or bloggers, their claims were less than impressive'.

The case returns to court in September.
Political donation and planning rules face sweeping overhauls after a corruption inquiry into a property developer's shady dealings to influence local councillors and Victorian MPs.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) on Thursday released its long-awaited Operation Sandon report into Casey council and property developers in Melbourne's southeast.

The explosive investigation resulted in Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews being dragged into a secret hearing in May last year - but IBAC has made no adverse findings against him and several of his ministers.

The IBAC probe centred on four planning proposals involving property developer John Woodman and his clients, including one to rezone land in Cranbourne West as residential to increase its value.

Casey councillors Sameh Aziz and Geoff Ablett accepted almost $1.2million in payments and in-kind support for promoting the interests of Mr Woodman and his clients.

The pair repeatedly failed to declare conflicts of interest with Mr Woodman or his companies and continued trying to influence other councillors even when they did, IBAC said.

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) on Thursday handed down its report into four planning proposals involving property developer John Woodman (pictured)

The explosive investigation resulted in Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews being dragged into a secret hearing in May last year - but IBAC has made no adverse findings against him

'Our investigation exposed significant weaknesses in the process for amending planning permits, with conflicted councillors easily able to manipulate the process for personal gain,' acting commissioner Stephen Farrow writes.

'The investigation showed the extent to which a property developer and consultant such as Mr Woodman can invest across the political spectrum to buy access to decision-makers at the local and state government levels.'

Findings of guilt or recommendations to lay charges cannot be made in an IBAC report but the watchdog can make a referral to prosecutors after its release.

Mr Woodman has fought the report's release through the courts since March 2022, including a failed appeal on Monday.

In his official response, he declared there was 'no evidence' his work as a consultant was to improperly influence and claimed he did not rely on the support of Mr Aziz and Mr Ablett.

Beyond the council, Mr Woodman donated more than $470,000 to the Labor and Liberal parties between 2010 and 2019 to access state decision-makers.

Both major parties agreed to accept membership payments in instalments from different accounts or entities to allow Mr Woodman not to federally declare the contributions.

'These fundraising entities were an important way of buying access to elected officials and senior decision-makers without transparency,' the report reads.

Between $10,000 and $27,000 was donated to each of the election campaigns for Labor's former Cranbourne MP Jude Perera, his successor Pauline Richards and Narre Warren MP Judith Graley.

The watchdog ruled Mr Woodman successfully lobbied two MPs he donated to, but Ms Richards was singled out with an adverse finding.

There was no evidence Ms Richards approached then-planning minister Wynne or his office before he rejected the Cranbourne West land rezoning proposal in 2020.

Casey councillors Sameh Aziz and Geoff Ablett accepted almost $1.2million in payments and in-kind support for promoting the interests of Mr Woodman and his clients. The pair repeatedly failed to declare conflicts of interest with Mr Woodman (pictured), IBAC said

The report detailed several representations made to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured with his wife Catherine) , including a 2017 lunch with Mr Woodman and others

Ms Richards admitted she could have been more circumspect in accepting Mr Woodman's 'generous offer' but denied furthering his interests, which IBAC accepted.

No adverse findings were made against Mr Wynne, Treasurer Tim Pallas or Premier Daniel Andrews among others.

But the report detailed several representations made to Mr Andrews, including a 2017 lunch with Mr Woodman and others after a winning bid of more than $10,000 at a political fundraiser.

In a covertly intercepted phone call, lobbyist Philip Staindl described a conversation he had with the premier at a 2019 function to Mr Woodman.

'He said the premier praised Mr Woodman's contribution to the Labor Party and lamented the fact Mr Woodman was being pursued with allegations of corruption by a journalist who was an 'arsehole',' the report said.

Mr Staindl also suggested he had given the premier Mr Woodman's telephone number and Mr Andrews had expressed interest in calling him.

In his secret examination, Mr Andrews told IBAC he could not recollect a conversation with Mr Staindl at the function but said some of the things recounted to Mr Woodman did not 'ring true' or 'sit well' with him.

The premier accepted Mr Staindl may have given him Mr Woodman's number but it was 'highly unlikely' it would have been to talk about a planning application.

The 308-page report did not name former City of Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon who did not provide a response before dying by suicide in 2020.

Thirty-four recommendations were made by the watchdog, including stripping councils of statutory planning responsibilities and a possible political donations ban on high-risk groups such as property developers.
NBC News has been slammed online for a report about black people needing 'safe spaces' to enjoy outdoor activities.

NBC BLK reporter Char Adams described in a recently-revived June essay several black-led outdoor groups working to 'provide safe spaces for black people to enjoy outdoor activities and dispel myths that the outdoors doesn't belong to us.'

The report focused heavily on creating racially segregated 'safe spaces' so that black people can avoid 'harassment' and 'trauma' from white people who might fly 'Trump flags' at campsites.

Adams explained that the groups were founded to combat racism from the Jim Crow Era barring African Americans from National Parks, and current stereotypes that black people do not enjoy outdoor activities.

Many on Twitter criticized the report after NBC News re-shared it on Tuesday, saying the media outlet was race-baiting.

NBC News was slammed online Wednesday for a June essay suggesting black people need 'safe spaces' to enjoy outdoor activities

The article detailed several black-led outdoor groups working to 'provide safe spaces for black people to enjoy outdoor activities and dispel myths that the outdoors doesn't belong to us'

Conservative defense attorney Marina Medvin joked that the outdoors were now 'racist'

On Wednesday, defense attorney Marina Medvin joked that the outdoors were now 'racist,' and Seattle-based radio host Jason Rant slammed the article as a 'parody.'

The article was written by NBC BLK reporter Char Adams (pictured)

'NBC News is now Teen Vogue, which became The New Republic,' he tweeted. 'They're just a parody, not a news organization.'

Kentucky State University Political Science Professor Wilfred Reilly even went as far as to say the article was an 'unbearable' example of 'upper-class left-wing neuroticism and fake race/gender grievance' from the media.

'It brings us headlines like "It's Summer: Is it All Right to Leave the House?' he joked.

NewsNation reporter Zaid Jilani also hit out at the news outlet for suggesting black people were living in a horror film.

'Does a week go by without an article from a once-reputable news organization suggesting minorities live in an endless M. Night Shyamalan movie where our entire lives are spent hiding from this or that?'

Conservatives took to Twitter to slam NBC News for the 'race-baiting' article

Other users also expressed their disgust at the notion that black people were that 'fragile,' with Lily Mae, a retired school teacher, writing: 'I have many black friends who love the outdoors.

'They are not so weak and oppressed feeling that they can't hike, fish, hunt, picnic, swim, etc... without feeling unsafe,' she said. 'Black people do not need safe places to enjoy the outdoors! What a race-baiting asinine idea!'

Another user added: 'I promise you guys, the black community is not this fragile.

'We've been going outdoors since the dawn of time... This was written by some oversensitive gender studies major, who's probably never set foot outside of their crime -ridden Democrat-run city.'

And a third tweeted: 'It takes a special breed of stupid to be traumatized by being outdoors. And it takes an even specialer breed of stupid to make something racist out of it.

'So just imagine the bred of stupid it takes to write an article about it.'
An Indigenous man claims he left a Voice to Parliament Yes rally in tears after a fiery confrontation with high-profile campaigners.

Grant Appo alleged on Sydney's Radio 2GB that he was told to 'sit down and shut up' by a member of Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo's posse, after he fired off several questions at an event in Bundaberg, Queensland on Wednesday night.

Mr Appo told Ben Fordham he challenged 'Yes' campaign claims there was no Aboriginal representation in Parliament, saying there were already six MPs across the house of representatives and the Senate.

'I told them: 'There's 4.6% of Indigenous people in Parliament, the Indigenous population is 3.3%. If they can't speak up on behalf of Indigenous people, then who can?' he said.

Mr Appo later told Daily Mail Australia that he was horrified by the way he was allegedly treated 'simply for asking questions'.

'At the end of my speech asking several questions, I was told to sit down and shut up,' Mr Appo claimed.

'They told me I was telling lies, misinforming the public,' he said, adding that Mr Mayo appeared to make 'angry' facial expressions toward him.

He also later accused the organisers of ignoring '60,000 years of cultural protocols' by acknowledging the wrong traditional owners of Bundaberg.

However, Daily Mail Australia has obtained audio of the altercation that evening which tells a different story. In the recording, Mr Appo is repeatedly asked to 'please, just sit down' after taking up 12 minutes of a 30-minute Q&A session.

Grant Appo said he was horrified by the way he was treated 'simply for asking questions'

Mr Appo saw the forum advertised online, and was encouraged to go along by his men's group - who he meets with regularly - to find out further information about the proposal

Mr Appo said the activists did a good job at promoting the Yes side, 'presenting it really well', but appeared to falter under questioning.

But he alleged Mr Mayo 'spoke over the top of [him] with an angry facial expression'.

Audio of the incident reveals there were several voices speaking over the top of one another as Mr Appo fired off several questions and Yes campaigner Jade Appo-Ritchie attempted to answer them.

Toward the end of the exchange, Mr Mayo quietly said: 'This is unifying. Unfortunately some in Canberra have chosen to make this a political issue and are telling us it is divisive. The purpose of this forum... is to give people the truth.'

Mr Appo said: 'He looked at me with such contempt, such angry facial expressions.' A Yes23 spokesperson denies this version of events.

It was then that a woman sitting in the front row - who had been interacting with both Mr Mayo and Ms Appo-Ritchie - turned around and repeatedly told him to 'sit down'.

Ms Appo-Ritchie reportedly said 'Thank you, Aunty', prompting Grant to 'pack his little bag, leave and have a little cry outside'.

Mr Mayo reportedly got 'angry' in his expression toward Mr Appo before another attendee lashed out

Mr Appo said they did a fantastic job at promoting the Yes side, 'presenting it really well', but appeared to falter under questioning

Mr Appo saw the forum advertised online and was encouraged to go along by his men's group - who he meets with regularly - to find out further information about the proposal to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body in the constitution.

He said many members of his community group know little about the Voice, and they hoped that he could ask questions on their behalf.

'They're older in age so they wanted me to go to get a better understanding, to learn the pros and the cons so I could go back and help them with information so they can decide if they should vote Yes or No,' he said.

'This is supposed to be something uniting this nation. But it is dividing this nation.'

About 70 people from the Queensland town turned out at the event to listen to Mr Mayo promote the Voice, alongside fellow Yes campaigner Jade Appo-Ritchie.

Mr Appo estimates about five people in the crowd were First Nations people.

A spokesperson for the Yes23 campaign told Daily Mail Australia: 'Yes23 encourages all Australians to attend community events to learn more about the referendum, regardless of whether they intend to vote yes, no or are still making up their mind.

'Mr Appos appearance at the forum in Bundaberg on Wednesday night was welcome, however we do not accept the version of events that have been put to us.

'He was given the opportunity to make a statement and ask multiple questions to the panel members who happily answered his questions.

'The reality with these community forums is that moderators have to respectfully ensure that all attendees are given the opportunity to have their say. This requires respectful and appropriate moderation at all times.'

Mr Mayo reportedly began 'speaking over the top' of Mr Appo 'with an angry expression'

Mr Appo said the primary concern he raised with the panel was whether the wider Aboriginal population already have a voice in parliament - the 11 elected federal politicians.

'4.6 per cent of Parliament is Indigenous,' he said. 'I said we have access to relevant ministers, or we could go to speak to our local council members.'

Mr Appo said local National Party MP Keith Pitt is extremely accessible and does 'everything he can' to elevate locals' concerns.

'You see members bringing up concerns from their constituents in the House of Representatives. Anything from power bills and the works. They have the audacity to say I was telling lies that elected members can talk for us.'

Mr Appo is now at home with his partner and traditional owners, talking through his emotions about the altercation.

He said it has left him feeling devastated - not only for himself but the wider community.

'As a proud Indigenous man, if I can't go to a public forum meant to address something to help me, who can?'

Mr Appo said the primary concern he raised with the panel was whether the wider Aboriginal population already have a voice in parliament - the 11 elected federal politicians

One of his elders, Byron, told Daily Mail Australia they are 'backing him entirely'.

Byron said the traditional owners had 'hoped we would have a Voice in these meetings, but Grant has proven we will never have a Voice in this system here in Bundaberg'.

'[The government] are gaining money off us, but it's not filtering down to our community where we actually need it. We have a big problem here in Bundaberg with housing, mental health.

'They're pushing for a Yes vote in these small communities, but it is devastating for our people. We've never had a Voice on the table to the government.'

Mr Appo has a long and deep connection with Bundaberg. His grandmother, mother, son and grandchild were all born in the region and are Taribelang Bunda people. He was disappointed his elders weren't invited to the event to provide a welcome to country, and Goreng Goreng handled the official ceremony instead.
2GB host Ben Fordham (pictured) said 'Sydney has had enough' after the fifth drug-related gangland shooting in as many days

Ben Fordham has sparked a debate about whether cocaine should be legalised after Sydney's fifth gangland shooting in as many days.

The 2GB radio host said the recent spate of suspected drug-related slayings raised questions about whether it was time to legalise the class A narcotic sweeping the city's pubs, bars and nightclubs.

'I know people hate hearing this element to it but the reality is that this is a black market,' Forham said on Thursday morning.

'It's an illegal product and while it's underground that's when the prices are going to be high. Is there an argument at some point that we do something to say "righto, well we're going to take this business out of the hands of the criminals"?'

His suggestion was met with a firm 'no' from the Daily Telegraph's crime editor, Mark Morri.

'You'll find it's so profitable the crims will still find a way to undercut the government. I don't think legalising is the answer,' said Mr Morri.

But the two men were in no doubt about what had sparked the recent violence on Sydney's streets.

'There's this massive pile of cocaine and people are willing to spend extraordinary amounts of money to get a bag of the stuff, is that the key reason why this war is happening?', asked Forhham.

Fordham's suggestion of legalising cocaine was rebuffed by Daily Telegraph crime editor Mark Morri who said criminals would still find ways of undercutting the government

Mr Morri said Syndeysiders appetite for cocaine was 'without doubt' the cause of the bloodshed.

'The amount of money that is being made now is just beyond what you and I can imagine. It's not a fair fight: if the cops had the same money as the drug cartels,' added Mr Morri.

The crime editor suggested a 'national approach to looking at the borders' to stop the flood of cocaine coming in.

The discussion came just hours after a 28-year-old man was dead found with several gunshot wounds on Broughton Street in Canterbury, south west Sydney, at about 2am on Thursday morning.

A burnt-out white hatchback was found on Beaconsfield Avenue in nearby Kingsgrove, in south Sydney, shortly after the 'targeted' shooting.

Forensics were seen photographing the shooting victim's bloodied body on Thursday

A burnt-out white hatchback (pictured) was found on Beaconsfield Avenue in nearby Kingsgrove, in south Sydney, shortly after the shooting

Police will probe whether the victim had links to drug supply and if he had plans to meet up with two men when he was shot dead, police sources have revealed.

It comes less than 24 hours after leading criminal defence lawyer Mahmoud Abbas was shot in his driveway in Greenacre at about 10.30am on Wednesday morning.

The first incident occurred just a 10 minute drive from the second shooting.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the two incidents are linked.

Leading criminal defence lawyer Mahmoud Abbas (pictured outside the Downing Centre Court in Sydney) was shot in his driveway in Greenacre on Wednesday morning

Mr Abbas was shot in the right leg and stomach outside his home on Narelle Crescent and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

He was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

NSW Police believe the shooting was targeted.

The shooting occurred on the same street where underworld figure Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was shot dead while visiting an associate in April 2022.

It comes just days after three people were shot in an industrial area in Greenacre at 2.15am on Sunday, with one man requiring life support.

NSW Police are expected to announce a new taskforce to investigate the shootings after five people were shot across the city in as many days.
In a national televised address, a group of soldiers claim to have overthrown Niger President Mohamed Bazoum following an apparent coup in the fragile state.

Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president's residence and offices in the capital Niamey on Wednesday, and after talks broke down 'refused to release the president,' a presidential source said.

Reading from a statement, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues, said the defence and security forces had decided: 'Put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.'

He said the country's borders are closed and a nationwide curfew declared, and all institutions of the republic were suspended.

The soldiers warned against any foreign intervention, hours after the president was held in the presidential palace.

In a national televised address, a group of soldiers claim to have overthrown Niger President Mohamed Bazoum following an apparent coup

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union both decried what they called an 'attempted coup d'etat'.

It described the events as an effort to unseat Bazoum, who was elected president two years ago in the nation's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.

The streets of Niamey were bustling as usual, with many residents refusing to discuss the situation until there was more clarity.

Some international security forces in the country were ordered put on lockdown. The United Nations said its 1,500 staff members in Niger were safe but had to suspend their regular work.

The head of ECOWAS said Benin President Patrice Talon was heading to Niger in a mediation bid, after the latest bout of turbulence to hit the region.

The African Union, the UN, the EU and the United States have all condemned the soldiers' actions.

In a tweet, the U.N. said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had spoken to Bazoum on Wednesday afternoon and 'expressed his full support and solidarity'.

Earlier, Guterres condemned any effort to seize power by force 'in the strongest terms' and called on 'all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order,' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The governments of France and the United States also voiced concern and urged the participating guardsmen to change course. Bazoum's administration has made Niger a key Western partner in the fight against Islamist extremism in Africa's Sahel region.

'We strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government, led by President Bazoum,' White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

'We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence.'

Mali and Burkina Faso have had four coups since 2020, and both are being overrun by extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Mercenaries from the Russian military company also have deployed in those countries.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was selected this month as the ECOWAS Commission's chairman, said the regional bloc's leadership would resist any attempt to unseat Niger's government.

'It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically elected government of the country,' Tinubu said in a statement he issued in Abuja.

'We will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.'

After meeting with Tinubu in Abuja, President Patrice Talon of Benin left for Niger as part of ECOWAS-led mediation efforts.

'I believe that all means will be used, if necessary, to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the ideal would be for everything to happen in peace and harmony,' Talon said.

The African Union also called on Nigeriens and Africans to 'join their voices in unanimous condemnation of this coup attempt, and for the immediate and unconditional return of the felon soldiers to their barracks.'

Bazoum, a former interior minister, was right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.

Their handover in April 2021, after elections won by Bazoum in a two-round contest against former president Mahamane Ousmane, marked Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence.

But reminders of the troubled past have never been far away.

An attempted coup took place just days before Bazoum's inauguration, according to a security source at the time.

Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader, an air force captain named Sani Gourouza, and former interior minister Ousmane Cisse.

Five people, including Gourouza, were jailed in February for 20 years while Cisse was acquitted.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March 'while the president... was in Turkey', according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.
The Nashville Christian school shooter Audrey Hale had mysterious handwritten notes on her clothes, a knife inscribed with her chosen name of Aiden and an anklet with the number 508407 etched on it, an autopsy report revealed.

The report came four months after the transgender shooter opened fire at The Covenant School - killing three adults and three children on March 27.

The autopsy revealed Hale's clothing was covered in 'handwritten words, drawings and numbers'. It's unclear what was written on her clothes.

The report also noted that Hale, 28, wore an orange plastic anklet with the mysterious inscription '508407.'

The autopsy was released as debate escalated over the decision to release the manifesto and other writings of Hale, which were recovered at the crime scene and at her parents' home.

School shooter Audrey Hale had mysterious handwritten notes on her clothes, a knife inscribed with her chosen name of Aiden and an anklet with the number 508407 etched on it

The report comes four months after the trans shooter opened fire at The Covenant School - killing three adults and three children

The report noted Hale identified as a transgender man but was listed as a female officially.

The medical examiner determined Hale's cause of death to be homicide by gunshot wounds.

The toxicological analysis found no detection of drugs or alcohol.

Hale opened fire at a Christian elementary school in Tennessee on the morning of March 27, killing six people including three nine-year-old students.

With an assault-style rifle in hand, Hale shot down the door of the Nashville area school and stalked the hallways before opening fire on her victims.

Hale murdered Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Evelyn Dieckhaus, all nine, and headmistress Dr. Katherine Koonce, 60, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61 and chef Mike Hill, 61.

She used three of seven legally purchased guns to carry out the shooting.

The transgender artist had a detailed map of the building and conducted surveillance outside The Covenant School she once attended, before carrying out the devastating massacre.

Will Kinney, (pictured) who was shot and killed in the massacre

Hallie Scruggs, 9, was killed in the shooting and is pictured with her father, a pastor at the church, Chad Scruggs

Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9, was one of the victims shot by Hale, 28, at the private Christian school

Hale can be seen stalking the corridors in footage released by Nashville police. She walks the length of the corridor before disappearing in the distance to go up to the second floor

She can be seen looking for someone to shoot within the church before opening the door and heading to the first floor

Police stormed the school 14 minutes after the shooting started and gunned down Hale in a mezzanine area. Dramatic bodycam footage captured the moment Officers Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo brought the massacre to an end.

Hale was shot dead by police after staging her attack. Investigators released body camera footage showing police officers taking down Hale.

Police said she was transgender, and online used the pronouns 'he/his' - although they referred to Hale, who was born female, as 'she'.

Hale ran Audrey Hale Illustrations, and described her work as: 'Commercial Illustration and Graphic Design.'

Normal Hale (pictured center), the mother of Audrey Hale (pictured right), the transgender shooter who killed six people, including three nine-year-old children and three staff members, was herself an advocate for gun control on social media

A lawyer for Hale's parents, Ronald and Norma Hale (pictured), has said the shooter's manifesto will be handed to the families of students at the Covenant School

Hale had planned the attack for months in advance and studied other mass murderers before killing six people, police have said.

Police said in April: 'In the collective writings by Hale found in her vehicle in the school parking lot, and others later found in the bedroom of her home, she documented, in journals, her planning over a period of months to commit mass murder at The Covenant School.

'The writings remain under careful review by the MNPD and the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit based in Quantico, Virginia.

Officers Rex Engelbart (pictured left) and Michael Collazo (pictured right) were the members of the team who shot and killed Hale

Hale used several weapons during the massacre, including this AR-style rifle which had been personalized with a sticker and daubed with 'Aiden', the name used after Hale transitioned

'The motive for Hale's actions has not been established and remains under investigation by the Homicide Unit in consultation with the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.

Investigators found a suicide note, weapons, and ammunition in Hale's possession. A manifesto and map of the Covenant School were also among the items.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in May that it would not release the manifesto pending litigation.

In June, a lawyer for the parents of Nashville school shooter Hale said a 'manifesto' found by investigators after the massacre would be handed to the families of students at the school.

A police officer walks by an entrance to The Covenant School after the shooting in Nashville

Children hold hands as they leave The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27 after Hale opened fire, killing three kids and three staff members

The parents have stated that they do not want the manifesto released to the public.

The pledge, made public during a court hearing, comes amid an ongoing legal battle over whether the writings by Hale, who killed three children and three adults at the Covenant School on March 27, should be made public.

Lawyers for the victims' families and the school have argued against the release of the so-called manifesto, but others including some media outlets and the National Police Association say it should published.
Queensland's new speed cameras hidden inside school zone signs haven't issued a single fine since they were installed seven months ago due to 'technical issues'.

The new cameras were installed around the state at the beginning of the school year as part of a trial due to end in April, 2024.

However, Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey claims his department told him late last week the cameras haven't been issuing fines to speeding drivers.

'Seven months and no fines issued to speeding motorists is not good enough, and that is why I asked my department to address this issue as a matter of urgency,' he said, ABC reports.

It is now expected 15 of the 24 cameras will be operational by the end of the month.

Queensland's new school zone speed cameras (above) haven't issued a single fine since they were installed in February

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey (above) said the problem was caused by 'technical issues'

Another four will be set up by August 27 while the last five will start issuing fines from October after undergoing design changes.

Warning signs will also be set up at the 24 camera sites to improve speed compliance.

The government estimates the number of speeding vehicles in school zones dropped from 6.6 in February, when the cameras were installed, to 6.3 at the end of May.

However, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli criticised the 'conga line of failures' the government has faced installing the new cameras.

'There's no point constantly making announcements but then never actually following through,' he said.

'All that does is create a sense of false hope and a sense of expectation.'

The Queensland Government announced the school zone cameras alongside road work speed cameras (above) last year

School zones in Queensland drop the speed limit to 40km/h where the limit is usually between 50km/h and 70km/h.

On roads with higher speed limits, the school zone speed is reduced to 60km/h.

The new speed cameras operate when school zones are active, generally from 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm. They are also designed to capture traffic incidents.

School zone speed limits are enforced to protect children while they travel to and from school.

The Queensland Government announced the school zone cameras last year alongside new road work speed cameras - which operate all-day and blend in with construction equipment.

Revenue collected from the cameras is re-invested into road safety initiatives, including improved roads in 'black spot' (high crash) areas and education programs.

Last July speeding penalties in Queensland were also dramatically increased.

The new cameras and harsher speeding penalties are part of the government's plan to reduce road fatalities by 50 per cent by 2031

The $183 fine for exceeding the speed limit by 1-12km/h was replaced by a $287 fine for speeding 1-10km/h above the limit.

The fine for $275 fine for exceeding the speed limit by 13-20km/h was also swapped for a $431 fine for going 11-20km/h over the limit.

The state government brought in the new measures as part of its plan to reduce road deaths by 50 per cent by 2031.
A shocking photo has emerged showing horrified schoolkids confronted with the scene of a bloodied body of a man hours after he was shot dead in Sydney's south-west.

The photo exposes the grim reality of Sydney's gangland war after a month of carnage with five people shot this month alone, prompting NSW Police to establish new taskforce.

A man, 28, was found with several gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen on Broughton Street in Canterbury around 2am on Thursday.

The victim, who is yet to be formally identified died at the scene, despite desperate attempts by emergency responders to revive him.

Hours later, several primary-school aged children were seen walking past the cordoned off crime scene with the bloodied face of the dead victim in clear sight.

Students walking to school were confronted with shocking scenes on Thursday morning

Forensics were seen photographing the shooting victim's bloodied body on Thursday morning

Forensic officers were also seen photographing the partially-covered body in full view of the public walking past.

An abandoned vape lay in the road near the body of the man clad in grey track pants and white runners.

A burnt-out white Holden Commodore was found on Beaconsfield Avenue in nearby Kingsgrove shortly after the 'targeted' shooting.

The car was found alight at about 6am on Thursday morning. A second car, a Lexus, was found burnt out on Dunrossil Avenue in Casula at about 3.20am.

It remains unclear if the cars are linked to the shooting.

Police will probe whether the victim had links to drug supply and if he had plans to meet up with two men when he was shot dead, police sources say.

Canterbury resident Chani woke up and heard a round of gunshots from the execution murder before racing to check on his children.

'I heard boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. It was coming from the middle of the street,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'I don't know if he was out there walking or whatever but they got him in the open.

'I got up straight away to see where my kids were. Sometimes they get up in the middle of the night and go to Canterbury Kebabs, so I was worried.

'I'm still shaken. It was scary. His body's still lying there while they do whatever, the forensics I guess.'

The 28-year-old man was found critically injured on Broughton Street in Canterbury. He died at the scene. Pictured are forensic officers at the crime scene

Broughton Street, Canterbury remained cordoned off after a second shooting within 24 hours in Sydney's south-west

The latest shooting comes just hours after leading criminal defence lawyer Mahmoud Abbas was shot in his driveway in Greenacre on Wednesday morning.

Daily Mail Australia doesn't suggest the two incidents are linked.

Mr Abbas was shot in the right leg and stomach before being rushed to hospital to undergo emergency surgery. He remains in a serious but stable condition.

The shooting occurred on the same street where underworld figure Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was shot dead while visiting an associate in April 2022.

The latest incidents this week have prompted NSW Police to establish a taskforce to investigate the recent spate of public place shootings and associated organised criminal activities.

Led by State Crime Command, Taskforce Magnus will examine the links between shootings dating back to when Alen Moradian was gunned down in a Bondi Junction carpark in Sydney's east on June 27.

'Public place shootings are reckless  and criminals carrying out such attacks show a blatant disregard for, not only their own safety, but that of the community,' NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said.

'Taskforce Magnus will provide investigating officers a full suite of capabilities and an arsenal of resources to not only find those responsible, but to end this brazen violence on our streets.'

'Organised criminals have proven time and time again they operate within a cone of silence  unwilling to assist police due to fear of retribution or misguided loyalties.

Mahmoud Abbas (pictured) was treated for gunshot wounds after he was shot outside his Greenacre home on Wednesday

Criminal defence lawyer Mahmoud Abbas remains in hospital after undergoing surgery

A MONTH OF SHOOTINGS IN SYDNEY

The latest three young people were shot in Greenacre in another suspected gangland shooting.

Ahmad Al-Azzam, 25, was shot multiple times including in the head while sitting in his silver Toyota on Mayvic Street at 2.15am on Sunday and is now fighting for life.

Kaashif Richards, 22, and Achiraya Jantharat, 19, who were in a separate car 50 metres away, were also shot and rushed to hospital.

Because of the high number of bullets focused on Mr Al-Azzam's car, investigators suspect Mr Al-Azzam was the hitman's target.

But the motive remains a mystery as none of the three victims had criminal records or any known links to organised crime gangs.

On July 7, a gunman in a balaclava shot brothers William, 33, and Eric Siale, 20, at Abdel's Salon on Marrickville Road. Both survived the attack.

On June 27, cocaine kingpin Moradian, 48, was gunned down during a brazen daylight ambush in an underground car park at Bondi Junction. Police said he had a target on his back.

For ten months the crime boss lived in constant fear of assassins he rightly believed were trying to locate him

Alen Moradian was gunned down during a brazen daylight ambush in Bondi Junction
He hooked-up with former PM Julia Gillard in 2004

Mathieson is trying to push for a diversion

The ex-partner of former prime minister Julia Gillard is set to plead guilty to a sexually assaulting a woman.

Tim Mathieson is accused of sexually touching the woman by sucking her nipple without her consent at Brunswick East in Melbourne's inner-city on March 13 last year.

Mathieson - known during Ms Gillard's reign as Australia's 'first bloke' - appeared via videolink in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday when his barrister indicated he would plead guilty to a single sex offence.

Further details of that sexual assault remain unknown, with two other related charges to be withdrawn as part of an anticipated deal with prosecutors.

Tim Mathieson, the ex-partner of former prime minister Julia Gillard, is set to plead guilty to a sexually assaulting a woman. He is pictured with Ms Gillard in 2010

Mathieson's barrister Brad Penno told the court his client would plead at his next appearance if prosecutors went through with its plans to withdraw the other charges.

'It is resolvable on the basis Mr Mathieson will plead guilty to charge one on the basis that charges two and three be withdrawn,' he said.

'If that's accurate I'd expect the prosecution to make an application along those lines,' he said.

The charge states Mathieson 'intentionally sexually touched [the victim] by sucking her nipple without her consent in circumstances where the accused did not reasonably believe that [the victim] consented to the touching.'

Mr Penno said he hoped to have Mathieson dealt with via the court's diversion program.

Under Victorian law, diversion plans are often handed down to first-time offenders and are designed not to impact on a person's life going forward.

Under the diversion plan, Mathieson would not be required to formally plead to the charges and instead simply make admissions to the charged offences.

Tim Mathieson is accused of intentionally touching the woman's nipple without her consent at Brunswick East in Melbourne's inner-city on March 13 last year

Mathieson is pictured leaving his lawyer's office in Melbourne on Thursday

'If the diversion is on the table it would need to return to a diversion hearing,' Mr Penno said.

A Crown Prosecutor agreed to withdraw two of the three charges on-the-spot, but would not commit to supporting Mathieson's request to be dealt with via diversion until it had been discussed with his alleged victim.

'The short answer is ... we need more time to make inquiries and come to a decision whether in fact a diversion is appropriate,' he said.

Dressed in a suit and tie, Mathieson sat quietly behind a desk at the rear of his barrister's office and made no comment throughout the hearing.

Mathieson lived with Ms Gillard in the Lodge in Canberra when she was Prime Minister, but Gillard revealed in early 2022 that the couple had split up some time earlier.

Tim Mathieson (right) has indicated he will admit to being a sex offender

Mathieson was photographed leaving his lawyer's office on Thursday

Mr Penno said he was happy to have prosecutors speak to the alleged victim with a view to bring the matter back to court next month.

The barrister made no objection to the single remaining charge sheet outlining basic details of the alleged offence being released to the media.

Should the matter not be dealt with via diversion, Mathieson would be forced to enter a formal plea, which could result in him being convicted of the crime and face a far more severe penalty.

Mathieson had been a hairdresser when he hooked-up with Ms Gillard in 2004.

He has three children, with daughter Sherri Mathieson once appearing on television reality show The Bachelor.

Mathieson become a reluctant public figure during his early relationship with the former PM.

He remained largely out of the spotlight, with reports emerging that he liked to cook at home for his busy partner.

That the couple were unmarried added to the challenge Ms Gillard faced at the time.

Tim Mathieson and Julia Gillard in happier times.

After Ms Gillard became Prime Minister in 2010, the pair became the first unmarried couple to live at The Lodge until she was toppled in a leadership spill in 2013.

Mathieson frequently accompanied the Prime Minister on engagements within Australia and on her official overseas trips.

During his time as prime ministerial spouse, Mathieson undertook voluntary work for Kidney Health Australia, Indigenous Diabetes Association and mental health group Beyond Blue.

He was also patron of the Australian Men's Shed Association, dedicated to encouraging men to meet and discuss problems in a comfortable environment.

Ms Gillard told the Adelaide Advertiser in March this year that she had split with Mathieson more than a year ago, after a decade and a half together.

Despite declaring in 2011 that he wished to wed Ms Gillard, the couple never married.
Karl Stefanovic has weighed in on a dispute which saw 600 farmers attend a meeting which voiced concerns about Western Australia's controversial new Aboriginal cultural heritage laws.

The Today show host questioned Nationals leader David Littleproud on Thursday morning about the divisive new legislation after hundreds of irate farmers packed out a shed in Katanning, WA, to voice their opposition on Monday night.

The July 1 rollout of the new laws, which were originally passed in 2021 and seek to protect culturally significant sites in WA, has been marred by controversy and confusion.

Many rivers, creeks and other tributaries are now considered ethnographic sites, requiring the highest level of assessment to change, including consultation from Aboriginal elders.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic (pictured) has weighed in on a dispute which saw 600 farmers unite to oppose Western Australia's controversial new cultural heritage laws

He questioned Nationals leader David Littleproud (pictured) who described the new legislation as 'out of touch and an overreach'

Critics of the legislation have blasted its allegedly confusing nature, potentially costly land surveys and the harsh penalties for infringement.

'I watched this meeting unfold. I was watching the fallout closely,' said Stefanovic.

'It takes an awful lot for a farmer to leave their land to protest. I mean, thats how ticked off they are?'

Mr Littleproud, who was at the meeting, agreed that the farmers were angry and described the new laws as 'out of touch and an overreach'.

'A farmer cant dig if he wants to desilt a dam and lift more than 20 kilograms of dirt without getting a cultural heritage survey, which is about $120 to $190 an hour, $1200 a day, he replied.

'If youre talking fence lines, you are talking kilometres.'

He added: 'The people making the decisions have no idea what it's like to work and live on the land... There's a way to have these conversations without ruining people's livelihoods.'

Around 600 farmers packed out a shed in Katanning, WA, to voice their opposition to the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws on Monday night

Peter Rundle, the Nationals WA Member for Roe, posted on social media that there had been a 'no show from the State or Federal Ministers for Agriculture' at Monday's packed-out meeting.

'To draw such a massive crowd of nearly 600 for this meeting just shows the discontent across the agricultural sector and regional communities; frustrated and wanting answers on how to stop this barrage of legislative changes from both the Federal and State Labor governments,' wrote Mr Rundle.

It is the latest episode to marr the introduction of the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws.

Earlier this month, a tree-planting project was embroiled in controversy after the leader of an Aboriginal corporation demanded $2.5million to approve it.

LandCare volunteers were planning to plant 5,500 seedlings along Perth's Canning River on 15 July.

But the event was cancelled after Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation CEO David Collard demanded $2.5million to allow it to go ahead, sparking confusion about Western Australia's new Aboriginal heritage laws.

Mr Collard was later dismissed from his role but the corporation insisted it wasn't because of the planting saga.
The shocking moment San Francisco police officers shot a man dead in a hail of bullets on Wednesday afternoon was caught on video - as it's revealed the cops were in the area pursuing another man.

The incident occurred in the Bayview section of the city. A local resident told KTVU the man who was shot suffered from mental illness. At the time of writing, his identity has not been made public.

Social media footage showed him lying on the ground after he had been shot, with what appeared to be a handgun by his side.

The encounter began after plainclothes officers attempted to arrest a suspect on the corner of Catalina Street and Fairfax Avenue shortly before 3pm.

A second man then arrived, believed to be unconnected to the first, and the plainclothes police called for uniformed backup.

The uniformed officers confronted the second man, who had his right hand in his pocket at all times.

The unnamed man confronted plainclothes police in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon, as they attempted to arrest another man

The man can be seen standing facing the officers - his right hand was permanently in his pocket

Video of the horrific incident showed what appeared to be a gun by the man's side after he was shot by officers

A crowd gathered, with one woman yelling to another, who was filming: 'Hey lady, back up! He's got a gun!'

She replied: 'Don't touch me - I don't care.'

One of the bystanders can be heard saying: 'They're going to kill him right here.'

The man, who was black, at one point walked back towards the crowd and gestured to them - all the time keeping his right hand in his pocket.

Police told him to drop the weapon, a spokesman for the force later said.

The man yells at officers, and appears to be walking away, when they opened fire.

He fell to the ground, still alive, with what looked like a handgun by his side. Police are yet to confirm whether it was real.

Officers ran to the scene, kicked the gun out of reach, then tried to push the crowd back.

The man died in hospital.

The man challenged the police for several minutes, his right hand permanently in his pocket. Police reportedly yelled at him to drop his weapon

A large crowd gathered - many of them filming the encounter - and the man turned, right hand still in his pocket, and gestured at them

Residents in the nearby apartment blocks also filmed the encounter

'The second male appeared to be armed with a firearm,' said Officer Robert Rueca, of San Francisco police department.

'How it was displayed, or how it was seen, we are not specifying at this time.'

A town hall meeting will be held to discuss the investigation within 10 days.

The shooting comes as San Francisco struggles to deal with soaring theft, an increasingly-desolate downtown, and a rise in homicides.

Murders in the city are up 23 percent, year on year, and robbery has increased by 13 percent.
An Australian man holidaying in Bali has been left stumped after receiving an excessive medical bill for the treatment of 'Bali belly'.

The Perth holidaymaker was staying off the Indonesian mainland on Gili Air, part of the popular Gili islands, when he fell ill with diarrhoea and sought help from a local doctor.

But the man got a shock when he was slapped with a bill for 6.75 million Indonesian Rupiah, the equivalent of almost AU$700.

'Bali belly', also known as traveller's diarrhoea, is usually caused by bacteria found in food and water but can be caused by viruses such as Rotavirus or Norovirus, which bring on gastro symptoms.

An Australian man holidaying in Bali got an unexpectedly large medical bill after seeking treatment for 'Bali belly, also known as traveller's diarrhoea

The man uploaded a photo of his medical bill to a Facebook group for travellers to Bali, which remains a widely popular holiday destination for Aussies, according to yahoo!news.

A receipt from a local medical clinic shows a doctor's charge of roughly $50, while medicine cost another $100.

Injections cost the man $172 and around $350 was for further treatment.

The man said that he had travel insurance and would be making a claim when he returned to home soil, but questioned if he'd been charged too much.

The man was left shocked after receiving a whopping medical bill for almost AU$700

'This is a LOT more than I expected,' the man commented, before asking what other people had paid for similar medical treatment.

People took to the comments to share details about how much they had been charged for similar experiences, with prices greatly varying.

'Cost me $520 to get the doctor,' one person said.

'I spent $400,' another revealed.

However most agreed that the man had been charged an unreasonable amount and concluded the treatment should cost around $150.

Some also advised Bali travellers to pack relevant medications with them before setting off overseas.

'Bali belly' is a common illness for travellers and can be caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses

According to government website Better Health, traveller's diarrhoea can be caused by micro-organisms including bacteria, parasites and viruses.

It is more common in young adults than older adults, likely because younger people tend to choose more adventurous destinations and travel styles, like backpacking.

Some high-risk foods that holiday makers should avoid include raw fuits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables, raw and undercooked meats and seafood. Water contaminated with infected faeces is another common cause.

Currently there are no vaccines that can reliably prevent the illness and the the best defence remains prevention.

Treatment which aims to ease some of the symptoms includes drinking plenty of water, antibiotics to kill a bacterial infection and anti-nausea drugs

In most cases, traveller's diarrhoea is self-limiting and tends to clear up in around four days.
Three adult men have been arrested for the brutal assault of a teenager at a country music festival in Alabama.

Cullman police announced on Wednesday that William Joseph Vinson Jr., 20; Zachary Scott Taylor, 21; and Chance Marcus Alan Starling, 20, were arrested Tuesday night following the assault of 18-year-old Reid Watts at the Rock the South music festival over the weekend.

Video from the event showed a group of men throwing the teenager to the ground and repeatedly punching him  allegedly because Watts spilled a drink on one of them.

Watts was left with a broken and had to be rushed to a local hospital in the aftermath.

The three men are now facing second-degree assault charges, which comes with a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars.

Zachary Scott Taylor, 21, was one of three men arrested Tuesday night in the assault of 18-year-old Reid Watts at the Rock the South music festival over the weekend

William Joseph Vinson Jr. and Chance Marcus Alan Starling, both 20, were also arrested in the assault. All three are now facing second-degree assault charges

Watts was left with a broken and had to be rushed to a local hospital in the aftermath

At a news conference on Wednesday, Cullman Police Chief David Nassetta said officers were able to apprehend the suspects thanks to tips from the public.

'The victim did not know them, and the witnesses we had didn't know them, so it was really an important part of the puzzle for people to look at the video and say, "Yeah I know these guys,"' the police chief said.

When asked about a possible motive for the brutal bating, Nassetta declined to go into details, but said it was 'absolutely meaningless.

'Our investigation showed that it was a pretty frivolous, meaningless thing,' he said.

'Nothing can really justify something like that, but in this particular incident, it was something that normally should not rise to this level of violence,' Nassetta continued.

'I think it kind of speaks a little bit to the character of the individuals that we arrested.'

Rock the South co-owner and producer Nathan Ball also thanked police, festival goers and social media users who helped identify the suspects.

'Like you, we were absolutely disgusted and appalled at the cowardly actions of a few individuals at our festival last weekend,' he said at the news conference.

'I want to emphasize wholeheartedly that this behavior is neither widespread nor common at any of our events.'

Video from the event showed a group of men throwing the teenager to the ground and repeatedly punching him

Following the news, Watts' mother, Kaci Howard, took to Facebook to call her son's alleged attackers 'cowards.'

'Imagine being as big as these three cowards and attacking a kid who weighs 124lbs from behind, attacking anyone from behind for that matter,' she wrote, sharing the suspects' mugshots.

Vinson, Starling and Taylor's cases will be presented to a Cullman County grand jury at a later date.

The suspects are currently out on bond.

Watts has previously said the entire altercation began Saturday night when a man at the music festival accused him of spilling a drink on him.

The teenager said he attempted to clear up any confusion, since he did not have a drink on him. The pair reportedly shook hands, but just moments later as his friends left to use the restroom, the teen was attacked from behind.

He told his local ABC station: 'Some dude said I was spilling beer on him or something along those things, and then I talked to him because I didnt have a drink on me at the time, like I didnt have anything, I talked to him and shook his hand because I thought everything was okay because I explained to him it wasnt me.'

'Then a few minutes later, I was walking back and got hit in the back of the head, then I hit the ground and tried to cover my face then I got knocked out and that was really all I remember,' he added.

The young man's girlfriend, Katie Hudgins, called the incident traumatizing.

'It was horrible, Im traumatized, I felt so helpless because I couldnt get in there and get to him and I had to sit there and watch him get beat up while hes unconscious, its horrible,' she said.

The brawl didn't end until festival security got involved, found the teen and rushed him out of the venue.

The teen was given a guitar from Kenny Strickland of the band Trotline following the attack

The young man's girlfriend, Katie Hudgins, called the incident traumatizing

Howard also said: '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.'

She shared a picture of her son being supported by a neck brace after he was rushed to the hospital, with an extremely swollen and red face,

'He has a fractured nose, concussion, stitches, knots the size of softballs on the back of his head. He never even saw it coming,' she wrote on Facebook

The teen has since been released from the hospital and is now recovering from his injuries at home.

He said that he's doing alright and the whole thing 'could've been a lot worse.'
A teenager who fatally doused her sleeping father with a chemical drain cleaner which left him gravely ill until he succumbed to his injuries six months later, has walked free from court after only getting a one year sentence with credit for time served.

Megan Imirowicz, 19, could have faced a life sentence over the death of her 64-year-old father, Konrad, with whom she was angry because he was too drunk to take her to a hair appointment.

Instead, she received a year in prison with credit for time served and five years of probation during her sentencing hearing.

Imirowicz was found guilty of using harmful devices/irritants causing death in a four-day trial presided over by Judge Victoria Valentine in June. For this felony she could have been sentenced to life imprisonment or any term of years and/or a fine up to $40,000 - but was let off with a light sentence.

The teen spent 500 days in a suburban Detroit jail after her father's death in March 2022. In addition, Imirowicz will undergo strict probation restrictions and is forced into an education program.

The teen sobbed in court upon learning of her reduced sentence.

She expressed her happiness at being able to return home to her family and revealed her shock at the leniency of the judge's decision.

'I'm really happy I get to go home with my family,' she said to Law & Crime Network on Tuesday, adding: 'I'm excited.'

Megan Imirowicz (pictured with her mother Julie Conrad), 19, was facing a potential life sentence for killing her father, Konrad Imirowicz, by burning him with a chemical drain clear, which contained a mixture of lye and water

The Michigan teen who fatally doused her sleeping father was released on Tuesday after receiving a year in prison with credit for time served and five years of probation

Imirowicz allegedly threw lye powder on her father with water, in order to produce a chemical reaction and cause severe burns on 1 October 2021.

The powder is often used in drain cleaner and has the ability to corrode things on contact, including metal, paint, cloth and skin. It is even more dangerous when lye is wet, as mixing it with water creates an exothermic reaction which causes a dramatic temperature increase of the water, getting up to 200F.

Prosecutors said that Imirowicz threw the power on her father because she was upset with him for being too drunk to take her to a hair appointment ahead of her 18th birthday party. Konrad is said to have been an alcoholic.

Police reported that teenager Imirowicz had been home when the incident began and left her father unconscious on the couch in their home before leaving the residence.

They later found the lye powder and water strewn over the couch after the 64-year-old was found by a neighbor in his Groveland Township home and was taken to hospital.

He had suffered significant injuries, including chemical burns to the head, torso and 'extremities'.

While in hospital, Konrad had his legs amputated, endured multiple infections, a tracheotomy, skin grafts and kidney dialysis, reports The Oakland Press.

Imirowicz was identified as the suspect in the attack by Michigan State Police after officers spoke to her father in Ascension Genesys Hospital, Grand Blanc, where he was being treated.

On Tuesday Imirowicz was reunited with her mother upon her release from the Oakland County Jail, where she had been incarcerated for the last 17 months.

'I was definitely surprise. I thought I would get three or six years, I was praying for a miracle today and that's what happened,' the teenager said.

Her mother even claimed the defense was shocked to hear the verdict.

Regarding her dad, Imirowicz said: I'm scared to feel anything about my dad right now. I miss him a lot. I'm not ready.'

'I know what happened and that didn't happen,' she added.

Imirowicz is pictured hugging friends outside of court after her sentence hearing on Tuesday

The teen spent 500 days in a suburban Detroit jail after her father's death in March 2022

Imirowicz has continuously denied that she was responsible for the death of her dad.

The Oakland County Jury had also convicted her of a misdemeanor domestic violence, but that charge was dropped during her sentencing hearing.

The terms of Imirowicz's sentence include 'intensive probation,' consisting of a mental health assessment and psychological exam, alcohol and drug testing as directed by her probation officer, and a review in court next January  six months into her probation.

In addition to court costs and fines, Imirowicz is required to participate in a high school or GED program, be home each night by 9pm and wear an electronic tether.

Regarding her probation restrictions, Imirowicz said: 'I think having all these restrictions would make it easier to get my life back on track and I'm not going to see it as something that holds me back but something that helps me move forward.'

Her mother, Julie Conrad, questioned the investigation and the thoroughness of the trial, suggesting that crucial information had been overlooked.

She pleaded for mercy, stating that the family had been broken even before the incident and was further shattered by the events that transpired.

'Two plus two just does not equal four,' she said pleading for mercy. 'Losing Megan, not being able to look her straight in the eye or to hug her is a mother's nightmare. Megan tried multiple times to reach out to her father and was prevented.'

'We were a broken family before this began and now, we are even more broken, while her (Megan) age and her body is 19 years old. Her maturity and emotional level are not that of an adult.'

Imirowicz allegedly threw lye powder on her father, Konrad Imirowicz, 64, with water, to produce a chemical reaction and cause severe burns on 1 October 2021

During her tearful appeal to the judge, Megan described the deep bond she had with her father and the pain of losing him.

She expressed her struggle to cope with the loss and her battles against self-harm, emphasizing that she loved her father deeply and was not the monster the prosecution portrayed her to be.

'Nineteen years ago, I was placed into the arms of the first man to ever love me, the man I'm lucky enough to call my dad. Growing up he became so much more, he was a storyteller, a tooth fairy, a friend, and hero, through it all the one thing never changed, was that he was mine,' she sobbed.

'One of the biggest things overlooked in this case is that me and my siblings lost my dad too. That loss has severely broken us.'

Megan acknowledged that she had lied to conceal her father's alcoholism, preferring to protect him rather than admit his struggles.

'I get scared that he thinks I didn't love him. He told me so many things, one thing he didn't tell me was how to live without him,' she said.

Imirowicz rejected the State's accusations and portrayal of her as a monster. She denied throwing lye at her father and claimed she had thrown some bread at him to wake him up.

The Michigan teenager was initially facing charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and misdemeanor domestic violence. But when Mr Imirowicz died as a result of the injuries on March 6, nearly five months after the alleged attack, Oakland County Prosecutors Office upgraded the charges to murder.

'The prosecution has tried to make me look like a monster but that's not me and never was,' Imirowicz told the judge, saying her father was her 'hero' and 'best friend.'

'One of the biggest things overlooked in this case is that me and my siblings lost my dad, too. ... I am the best parts of him. I'm his daughter. But without him I don't know who I am any more,' she told the judge.

She admitted lying to cover up the fact that her father was an alcoholic, and she said it was easier to lie than to admit that her father was so often drunk he would relieve himself in bags that were left on the floor.

'The prosecution's job is to make me look bad.' The reality she said was that she was the girl that took care of her father and threw surprise birthday parties for her brother so that he would know she loved him.

She asked for understanding and support from the judge to pursue her dreams, including obtaining a college degree in marine biology and setting up programs to help children with depression.

'I want to change the world,' she said. 'I'm asking you to help me accomplish my dreams. I'm not a threat to society, but an asset for the future.'

Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams commented on the sentencing, stating that it was not what they had advocated for, but the judge has the ultimate authority in deciding the sentence to be imposed.

In response to the sentence, Williams told The Oakland Press: 'This was not the sentence we advocated for, however the judge ultimately decides what sentence will be imposed.'
Australian consumers at all the major banks could soon be able to cancel their direct debits on an app after Westpac pioneered this new feature, a finance expert says.

Under existing arrangements, cancelling a gym membership, health insurance, streaming service or magazine subscription requires filling out a form.

Delays often occur, with some businesses requiring their customers to be billed one more time before the payments stop.

But with Westpac's new banking app feature, announced on Thursday, the direct debiting would stop immediately.

This new feature would enable a Westpac customer to select from a list of payments made during the past 90 days, and opt to have direct debits with a company blocked for three years.

Australian consumers at all the major banks could soon be able to cancel their direct debits on an app after Westpac pioneered this new feature, a finance expert says (stock image)

Westpac's managing director of cash and transactional banking, Mandy Rutherford, said the reversible block feature would give customers greater control over their money.

'We know cancelling direct debits can be challenging and we want to make the process easier for our customers,' she said.

'Customers can now stop a payment for a future direct debit in their app, giving them greater control over their money.

'This will be particularly handy if they have multiple streaming services or subscriptions that they decide are no longer needed.'

Griffith University personal finance lecturer Professor Robert Bianchi said this feature would soon be so popular the other banks would copy it during a cost of living crisis.

'I'm expecting that in the days, weeks or months to come, Westpac's competitors will probably implement the same feature,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'If you've got a cashflow problem, people will find the Westpac button as a convenience.'

But Dr Bianchi warned this new feature could see a customer breach a contract by cancelling a direct debit.

'If you have a gym subscription that has rolled and you have forgotten to renew it, and they continue to charge your account, and you then decide I'm going to cease this payment through my Westpac app, what is the legal, binding arrangement between the consumer and the merchant?'

Westpac's managing director of cash and transactional banking, Mandy Rutherford, said the reversible block feature would give customers greater control over their money (pictured is a Melbourne bank branch)

Under existing arrangements, cancelling a gym membership, health insurance, streaming service or newspaper subscription requires filling out a form (stock image)

In a worse case scenario, a contractual breach could also jeopardise someone's credit rating, and make it harder for them to get a home loan, especially if they owed money.

'Whilst this has positive benefits for the consumer, depending on the legal arrangement that you have agreed to, this might actually be a bad news story,' Dr Bianchi said.

'How many consumers read the fine print? And I would say probably 99 per cent don't so there could be some negative consequences.

'The cost is, is it going to stop you from obtaining a loan in a years' time because you owe Netflix $120, you owe the gym $300?'

Dr Bianchi said that if other banks introduced this feature, small businesses could abruptly encounter cashflow problems, putting jobs at risk, as they would have no warning about subscriptions or membership being cancelled.

'If people just decide to willy-nilly stop subscriptions without informing the merchant, it becomes a new business risk,' he said.

Companies would only be informed by Westpac if a customer asked their bank to cancel the direct debit altogether, but not if the direct debit was blocked on the app.
The news that former Prime Minister Julia Gillards ex Tim Mathieson will plead guilty to sexually touching a woman without her consent thrust the name of a man much of Australia had forgotten about back into the headlines.

The now 66-year-old was known as Australia's 'First Bloke' during Ms Gillard's time in the top job, when they were the first unmarried couple to co-habit in The Lodge.

He quickly disappeared from public view once her time as PM was over but has now been charged with sexually touching a woman by sucking her nipple without her consent.

Little is known of the circumstances of the alleged offence, which took place in Brunswick East in Melbourne's inner-city on March 13 last year.

Mathieson rose to notoriety as Australia's 'first bloke' when Ms Gillard became Prime Minister in 2010

Staci Child (pictured right) shared a candid photo alongside her father and step-sister Sherri (pictured left) to Instagram in 2016

Further details of that sexual assault remain unknown, with two other related charges to be withdrawn as part of an anticipated deal with prosecutors.

Mathieson rose to notoriety as Australia's 'first bloke' when Ms Gillard became Prime Minister in 2010.

The pair became the first unmarried couple to live at The Lodge until she was toppled in a leadership spill in 2013.

After mounting speculation Gillard revealed in early 2022 that the couple had split up some time earlier after a decade and a half together.

The former Hairdresser from Shepparton in in northern Victoria, has fathered three children from past relationships.

Staci Child, a hairdresser and make up artist to stars, who was formerly based in the US was revealed in Woman's Day as the secret love child he had fathered in his teens.

'I'm limited on what I'm allowed to say to the press,' she told the magazine in 2010.

The eldest daughter of Tim Mathieson, Staci Child (pictured) posed for lads magazine Zoo Weekly in a raunchy photoshoot wearing only a bikini and the Australian flag.

Despite spending time living oversea, Staci told Zoo Magazine she and her dad 'remained close'

Sherri (pictured) appeared on the first season of The Bachelor

Mathieson has openly acknowledged becoming a father prior to his first marriage and has said its nothing to be ashamed of, while friends add that he is immensely proud of everything his daughter has achieved.

Mathieson has in the past described his relationship with Staci and her mother as 'amicable'.

The same year, the tattooed, then 31-year-old posed for lads magazine Zoo Weekly in a raunchy photoshoot wearing only a bikini and the Australian flag.

She revealed her 'first man' father loved the photos.

'I think Julia will think it's a very Australian thing to do,' she added.

Staci grew up up with her mum, Pam in Shepparton and said that despite being based in New York she had remained close to her father, who she speaks to every day.

He has two other adult children with his ex-wife Diane Stark.

His daughter Sherri Mathieson, made headlines in 2013 competing for the affection of Tim Robards on the first Australian series of The Bachelor.

The self-described mystic goddess and self love queen, is now based in the Gold Coast where she offers promotes energy healing, sensual healing and goddess circles.

Mr Mathieson is understood to have a third child, whom has remained out of the media spotlight.

In her 2014 autobiography, My Story, Ms Gillard revealed details of her courtship with Mathieson.

The pair met in 2004 at the Melbourne salon where Mr Mathieson worked.

'Every four or five weeks on a Sunday morning, I used to go in and work my way through the newspapers as my hair was done,' she wrote.

'Tim and I got talking about politics: initially he thought I was a state member of parliament. We had later run into each other on a tram and had a chat.'

They didn't become an item until 2006, when they met for lunch during the 'politically quiet time of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games'.

Despite declaring in 2011 that he wished to wed Ms Gillard, the couple never married.
A learner driver who was caught speeding at 253km/h in an unregistered vehicle has been banned from driving and will spend the remainder of the year behind bars.

Tarelle Lewis Charles Power-Williams, 20, was slapped with a jail sentence for his menacing driving behaviour at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Magistrate Benjamin Sale described him as 'the most dangerous man in the state' during the height of his speeding offences at the same court earlier in the month.

The L-plater was clocked driving 253km/h in a 110km/h zone in his unregistered black Holden V8 ute on the North-South Motorway at Waterloo Corner in Adelaide on January 30.

Power-Williams confessed to 'driving like a d***head' after police caught up with him two kilometres away from where his speed was detected.

Tarelle Lewis Charles Power-Williams (pictured), 20, has been banned from driving and will spend time behind bars

The court heard his gear box had blown up while Power-Williams was revving behind the wheel, reports the Adelaide Advertiser.

The father-of-two has also been sentenced over another dangerous driving incident in November 2021, where he was caught in a stolen car speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, running through red lights and evading police.

Power-Williams had pleaded guilty to a range of offences including escaping a police pursuit, driving unregistered and breaching bail.

He also pleaded guilty to commercial drug trafficking and attempted trafficking back in June.

Magistrate Sale said Power-Williams appeared to have 'no regard for his safety or anybody else's' as the court heard, during an earlier appearance, that he 'aggressively' careered across three lanes.

'On the occasions that he was driving in the fashion that I have heard, he was probably the most dangerous person in the state for those minutes that he was driving,' Magistrate Sale said.

The young man was caught speeding in a black holden ute (pictured) that was unregistered on the North-South Motorway at Waterloo Corner in Adelaide on January 30

Power-Williams was clocked by police driving 253km/h in the ute, which was 143km over the speed limit

'This is not just being, as he's described it 'a d****head', but this seems to be offending that often only ends up in one way... if he keeps doing it that he will kill himself or he will kill somebody else.'

Defence lawyer Andrew Williams told the court the young man was ashamed of his behaviour and had taken the risks without thinking of the consequences.

But Magistrate Sale asked Mr Williams why his client made a conscious choice to drive at extreme speeds.

'Does he simply not care about his own life or the lives of others?' he asked.

Mr Williams told the court his client had become trapped in 'a self-destructive cycle' of economic disadvantage, mental health challenges and ongoing unemployment.

He added Power-Williams had been influenced by drugs, alcohol and negative peer-pressure.

A psychological report revealed to the court found Power-Williams had a difficult upbringing tainted by his parents' drug use that desensitised him.

Defence lawyer Andrew Williams said the father-of-two (pictured) had become trapped in 'a self-destructive cycle' of economic disadvantage, mental health challenges and ongoing unemployment

Power-Williams (pictured) was sentenced to one year and four months behind bars, with a non-parole period of seven months

Mr Williams said his client was young and immature which then led the magistrate to say his client would likely be 'a risk to the community for many years to come'.

The court heard in sentencing on Thursday that Power-Williams had told a psychologist 18-months ago that he was finished with crime and dangerous driving.

Magistrate Sale said that Power-Williams had failed to match his actions with his words.

The young man was sentenced to one year and four months behind bars, with a non-parole period of seven months.

He has been disqualified from driving for a minimum of six years.
A high-functioning autistic teenager who disappeared from her Arizona home one night in 2019 has been found alive in Montana.

Alicia Navarro, who was just 14 when she slipped out of her Glendale home, recently walked into a Montana police department and identified herself, Glendale police announced Wednesday.

'She is by all accounts safe. She is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy,' Officer Jose Miguel Santiago said at a news conference.

It remains unclear how Navarro, now 18, traveled more than 1,000 miles alone to a small town on the border of Canada to identify herself to police.

Her mother Jessica Nunez now says her daughter's reappearance is proof 'miracles do exist,' as she urged family members of other missing people not to give up hope.

Alicia Navarro, now 18, is pictured at Glendale Police Department

Navarro had not been heard from since she left her home in the early morning hours of September 15, 2019 while her parents were sleeping (pictured before she vanished)

In a Facebook video on Wednesday, Navarro said she feels relief knowing that her daughter is alive and well

Lt. Scott Waite said that Navarro had an 'emotionally overwhelming' reunion with her mother and was 'very apologetic (as) to what she has put her mother through.'

Navarro had not been heard from since she left her home in the early morning hours of September 15, 2019 while her parents were sleeping.

Her disappearance sparked a massive search that included the FBI. Police spokesman Jose Santiago said over the years, police had received thousands of tips.

After hearing the news that an 18-year-old identified herself as the missing teenager, Glendale police said they immediately responded to the unspecified small town in Montana.

Officers said they were able to verify Navarro's identity, and that she has been extremely cooperative with authorities.

'I can't even begin to express to you all the pride that I personally have in the men and women here at our police department,' Santiago said.

'Since her disappearance, our men and women here have been working tirelessly around the clock to not only bring closure to this family, but to make sure Alicia gets everything she possibly needs.'

He added that the girl 'by all accounts appears to be in good spirits' and 'really just wants to move on with her life.

'She is very apologetic to what she has put her mother though. And she understands that she has caused a lot of pain to her mother, and it was not intentional on her behalf, and she is hopeful that they can have a relationship.'

Her mother Jessica raised concerns that Navarro, who was diagnosed as high-functioning on the autism spectrum, may have been lured away by someone she met online when she disappeared in 2019.

Investigators from the police department, FBI and US Marshals Office are now trying to determine what happened to Navarro after her disappearance. Police said Navarro told them that she hadn't been harmed.

'I would ask patience, not only for us as law enforcement in this investigation, but patience for Alicia and her family,' Glendale Police Department Lt. Scott Waite said Wednesday.

'We can only imagine what she's going through, mentally, emotionally, as well as her family, and as much as we'd like to say this is the end, this is probably only the beginning of where this investigation will go.'

The Glendale Police Department said they were able to confirm Navarro's identity, and emphasized that she is safe

Over the years, Navarro's mom, Jessica Nunez, partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter

Alicia Navarro, who was just 14 when she slipped out of her Glendale home, recently walked into a Montana police department and identified herself

Police said she wasn't being held and could come and go as she pleased. She does not face any criminal charges, they added. 'She is not in any kind of trouble,' Santiago said.

Navarro went missing just one week before her 15th birthday, leaving her mother a handwritten note in her bedroom that read: 'I ran away. I will be back, I swear. I'm sorry.'

A few days prior, Arizona Republic previously reported, the girl had asked her mother, Jessica Nunez, if she could stay home from school.

Nunez agreed, figuring her daughter was nervous about starting classes at Bourgade Catholic School in Phoenix.

The mother-daughter duo then spent the next day visiting a chocolate factory, and Nunez said her daughter seemed happy.

But that night, Navarro asked her mother what time she was going to bed, and slipped out of the house when she was asleep.

Nunez suspected Alicia may have been abducted by someone she met online gaming.

'I'm more than 90 percent sure that my daughter met this person online,' she claimed at the time.

The mother said her daughter was a pretty cautious person, so it would have been unusual for her to be easily lured.

'Knowing the way my daughter's personality is, I don't think that she would have fallen for that,' Nunez said. 'This person probably took a while to be able to gain [her] trust.'

Navarro had long suspected that her daughter was abducted by someone she met online gaming, though police were never able to find any proof of that

Over the years, Nunez partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter.

Meanwhile, the Glendale Police Department followed up on thousands of leads regarding Alicia's disappearance.

It reported last year that it was getting at least one tip a week about Navarro's disappearance, but there was never any concrete evidence she was abducted.

Now, Nunez said in a Facebook video, she just feels relief.

'I, first of all, want to give glory to God for answering my prayers and for this miracle,' she said. 'For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to us this case as an example that miracles do exist and never lose hope, and always fight.'

She said she didn't yet have all the details about her daughter's disappearance, 'but the important thing is that she is alive.

'I want to thank the community and God for all that you have done,' she said.
A culture of bullying, sexual harassment, racism and over-working has been exposed in an independent report into Ernst and Young following last year's tragic suicide.

The Big Four consultancy giant, now rebranded as EY, commissioned former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick to probe the firm's 'toxic' work culture.

The report came after Aishwarya Venkatachalam, 27, fell to her death in the Sydney CBD last August.

The death sparked allegations of endemic bullying and racism at the firm, and triggered calls for a root and branch overhaul of the way the company operates.

After months of interviewing staff, the review was finally published on Thursday with a series of damaging revelations about life in the top end of town.

It revealed that more than one in seven felt bullied at work, one in 10 had suffered sexual harassment and one in 12 had suffered racism.

Aishwarya Venkatachalam (left), a 27-year-old senior auditor at EY, took her own life on August 27 last year

Ernst and Young Oceania has released the damning review into the firm's workplace culture

Oceanic EY CEO David Larocca (left) vowed to take on all the recommendations from the report by Elizabeth Broderick (right)

Almost half said their health was suffering because of overwork, with 40 per cent ready to quit. More than a quarter also felt excluded by their colleagues at work.

REVIEW'S DAMNING FINDINGS In the last five years, 15 per cent of staff had experienced bullying, 10 per cent had suffered sexual harassment, and 8 per cent were victims of racism. Two in five people are considering quitting and 46 per cent said their health has been affected by overwork. One in 14 said they felt unsafe at work and one in 12 said staff were disrespectful. It found 31 per cent of people at EY are working 51 or more hours in a week at least one week out of every four and 11 per cent are working 61 or more hours in a week at least one week out of every four. Only 31 per cent of staff think EY Oceania can change the culture of long work hours and overwork. The study found 22 per cent of staff are not confident the organisation will make 'meaningful change in relation to sexual harassment', while 26 per cent doubt they will fix its racism problem, and just 30 per cent believe they can end its bullying culture. But the company insisted: 'Overall, the vast majority of people feel safe in EY Oceania workplaces and believe people behave in a respectful manner towards others. 'Over nine in ten of our people agreed that they always feel safe in their workplace (94 per cent) and that people behave in a respectful manner towards others (92 per cent).' Advertisement

Nearly a third of staff are working more than 51 hours a week at least one week a month, while 11 per cent are working more than 60 hours a week.

And around a quarter of staff don't believe EY can repair its toxic culture - while almost 70 per cent doubt the company will ever fix its long hours and overworking.

It's understood the publication of the report was delayed to allow upper management to brace their senior staff for its findings before it was made public.

'There are findings in the report that are distressing and completely unacceptable,' admitted EY Oceania CEO David Larocca on Thursday.

'Bullying, sexual harassment and racism have no place at EY Oceania and I apologise to anyone who has suffered as a result.'

He vowed to push through all 27 of the recommendations in the report, including increasing time off in lieu and rewarding diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives.

It has also pledged to launch five pilot initiatives to tackle the inherent issues.

Other recommendations including changing key performance indicators 'to strengthen leadership' and increase harmful behaviour awareness.

The company has now also pledged to cut overwork and excessive hours by better estimating, costing and resourcing projects.

Ms Broderick said the report should be used as a template for workplace overhauls at other similar multinational giants.

'The review provides a strong platform for EY Oceania to shape its own workforce for the future, learning from the many voices who spoke to the review team,' she said.

'These findings may be a source of learning for other professional services firms across Australia and the globe.'

The review period had to be extended after Ms Broderick's company struggled to get sufficient staff to come forward for fear of honest replies affecting their career.

Key recommendations from Elizabeth Broderick's EY review The review's recommendations include: Revision of Key Performance Indicators to strengthen leadership and recognise contributions to improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Increase accountability for staff retention by charging the costs of excessive turnover to service lines.

Further leadership development to support staff wellbeing, including greater engagement between people with diverse lived experiences and their leaders.

Continue to build awareness across the firm of the impact of harmful behaviours through evidence-based training.

Reduce overwork and excessive hours through more accurate project scoping, resourcing and costing.

Endorse the development of an industry-wide code of practice for the Big Four accounting firms through the Australian Public Policy Committee.

Improve reporting to create a more transparent and trusted process and track outcomes for all parties in a complaint to monitor its impact and identify areas where additional support may be required. The five experimental pilot initiatives are: Margin relief to assess Partners on revenue measures but not profit margin, enabling resources to be allocated to complete client engagements within time and quality parameters while reducing the need for long additional hours.

Utilisation relief to reduce targets for people participating in any experimental pilot.

Enhanced time off in lieu to expand access to all EY Oceania people, including allocation of additional people to increase capacity.

Improved project management support by increasing administrative and financial management support.

Measure and reward contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives Advertisement

More than 4,500 current and former employees of EY across Australia and New Zealand participated in the review (pictured, an EY careers event in Australia)

An apparently anonymous survey (pictured) asking for staff insights into the allegedly toxic workplace culture was sent out to staff as part of the review

More than 4,500 current and former employees of EY across Australia and New Zealand participated in the review via an online survey and one-on-one interviews, written submissions, and group listening sessions.

EY acknowledged Ms Venkatachalam's death had triggered the review.

'Aishwaryas death saddened and shocked people across the organisation,' said a company statement announcing the report's findings.

'It was a catalyst for EY Oceania to understand the workplace experiences of its people more deeply.'

Mr Larocca admitted on Thursday that the company had failed its staff but never discussed Ms Venkatachalam's death any further.

'While the report shows many people have had a positive experience working at EY Oceania, it also shows that this is not everyones experience,' he added.

'We have fallen short of the standard that everyone who works at EY has a right to expect.

'The impact of long working hours is also significant and taking a heavy toll on the wellbeing of many of our people.

'I am grateful to everyone who participated in the Review and shared their experience. I thank them for their honesty and courage in coming forward.'

If this story has raised issues for you, help is available at Lifeline 13 11 14
Commercial pilots have allegedly had their jobs threatened if they reported UFO sightings and warned not to speak about it.

There have been dozens of reports of strange lights in the northern hemisphere across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, according to the host of Discovery's UFO Witness, Ben Hansen.

He claimed in an interview Wednesday with NewsNation that some of the sightings can be explained by a new satellite orbit, but a lot of outlier cases started coming forward in which crafts were doing 90-degree turns, hovering and taking off into the atmosphere.

Hansen said a couple of pilots who came forward to him were hauled into the office of their airline's chief pilot and threatened with losing their jobs.

It comes after the landmark hearing was held by Congress Wednesday on UFOs, where whistleblowers claimed the flying objects are extremely common in airspace.

Commercial pilots have allegedly had their jobs threatened if they reported UFO sightings and warned not to speak about it, according to UFO Witness program host Ben Hansen

Hansen told NewsNation's Brian Entin (left) that there have been dozens of reports of strange lights in the northern hemisphere across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans

Hansen said he started to cover pilot reports on flying alien objects because they were becoming more frequent.

'About August of last year I started reporting on pilot reports because we were having dozens of people reporting mainly towards the north crossing the Pacific and the Atlantic and seeing lights,' he told NewsNation.

'Although we were able to explain some of that as a new starlink kind of orbit, a lot of these what I call outlier cases start coming forward were exactly like Graves indicated these are doing 90-degree turns, they're stopping, they're hovering and taking off into the atmosphere.'

He added: 'At least a couple of these pilots who came to me were brought into their company uh their airline company chief pilot's office and were threatened basically with their jobs and told not to talk about this.

'That surprised me because I didn't think that that stigma was so heavy, especially in the commercial industry.'

Asked of there is a way for pilots to report UFOs without the risk of losing their jobs, Hansen said: 'It's getting there I think we're still very far away from it.

'We are looking at avenues to do that, it's probably going to be a civilian private sector solution to this because it feels safer for them to do that until the government has a better avenue.

'It's one thing to report to the government, it's another thing to be that person who comes forward with your company and now you are getting social media attention on it.

'One of them put it nicely and said you know I could I could video a satellite and put that on social media and my company would say nothing but if I do the same and take a UFO video and tell people this is what I saw then I'm in trouble.'

It comes after Ryan Graves, a former F-18 pilot with over a decade of service in the US Navy, testified under oath in the Congressional hearing that UAPs, unidentified aerial phenomena, are extremely common in airspace.

He told the committee he and more than 30 aircrew members and veterans have experienced them along with members of Congress who have confided in him.

Graves said, as an F-18 pilot in the Red Rippers, their squadron was 'split by UAP' during a training mission near Virginia Beach in 2014.

He described the object as 'dark gray or black inside a transparent sphere.' It was about 15 feet in diameter and came within 50 feet of the lead aircraft.

The mission commander ended the flight, and the squadron submitted a safety report, Graves continued to explain.

'This story is more common than we expect,' Graves said: 'more than 30 witnesses had told his group about similar sightings.'

'Often, they are veterans with decades of flying experience,' he added.

Graves also said, 'UAPs are in our airspace but are grossly underreported.'

David Grusch - a former high-ranking intelligence official- spoke next, providing details about how the US government has 'intact and partially intact' extraterrestrial vehicles.

Hansen claimed some sightings can be explained by a new satellite orbit but a lot of outlier cases started coming forward which were doing 90-degree turns, hovering and taking off into the atmosphere

Ryan Graves, a former pilot, Air Force and intelligence agency veteran David Grusch and Navy veteran fighter pilot Commander David Fravor were sworn into the Congress hearing on UFOs

He has previously said the US has run a top-secret UFO retrieval program for decades and claimed the 'Vatican was involved' in the first-ever UFO crash.

Grusch said last month that the first recovery of a UFO was in Magenta, Italy, in 1933, and Mussolini's Italian government held it until 1944 through 1945 when Pope Pius XII tipped America off about it.

'Due to my extensive executive level intelligence support duties, I was cleared to literally all relevant compartments and in a position of extreme trust both of my military and civilian capacities,' Grusch said during Wednesday's hearing.

'I was informed in the course of my official duties of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program to which I was denied access to that additional read-on when I requested it.'

Representative Glenn Grothman asked Grusch if he firmly believes the government has possession of UAPs, to which the former intelligence officer responded, 'absolutely.'

He said that is based on interviews with at least 40 witnesses.

Asked where the craft are, he added: 'I know the exact locations and those locations were provided to the inspector general ... I actually had the people with the firsthand knowledge provide a protected disclosure to the Inspector General.'

Grusch also said he had faced brutal retaliation after coming forward about his firsthand accounts of UFOs.

'I do have knowledge of active planned reprisal activity against myself and other colleagues.

'There were certain colleagues of mine that were brutally administratively attacked. It makes me very upset as a leader to see that happen to other co-workers and superiors of mine in the last three years,' Grusch added.

'How do you account for that response? That seems like a bizarre response,' Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin asked.

'I call it administrative terrorism. That's in their quiver or tool in the toolbox to silence people, especially the career government servants who care about their career, care about their clearance, their reputation, to climb the ladder, and when you threaten that flow, that career path, a lot of people back off, but I'm here to represent those people,' Grusch said.

Veteran fighter pilot Commander David Fravor, reminded the world about his infamous 2004 encounter with the 'Tic Tac' UFO.

'I'd like to say that the tic tac object we engaged in 2004 was far superior to anything that we had at the time, have today or looking to develop in the next 10 years, he said.

'If we, in fact, have programs that possess this technology, it needs to have oversight from those people that the citizens of this country elected in office to represent what is best for the United States and best for the citizens.'

Fravor described the Tic Tac object as being 'perfectly white, smooth and had no windows,' with 'two little objects that came out of the bottom.'

Fravor reminded the world about his infamous 2004 encounter with the 'Tic Tac' UFO. 'I'd like to say that the tic tac object we engaged in 2004 was far superior to anything that we had at the time, have today or looking to develop in the next 10 years, he said

Ryan Graves told the committee that he and more than 30 aircrew members and veterans have experienced UAPs, unidentified aerial phenomena, along with members of Congress who have confided in him

'It was amazing to see. I told my buddy I wanted to fly it,' Fravor said during the first-of-its-kind hearing.

'I'm not like a UFO fanatic  that's not me. But I will tell you that what we saw with four sets of eyes over five minutes, still, there's nothing we have nothing close to it,' he said. 'It's just an incredible technology.'

When Fravor was asked if he knew of any similar technology on Earth, he responded: 'Nothing that can come down from space, hang out for three hours and then go back up.'

He continued to explain that he and his squadron witnessed a UAP drop from 80,000 feet  nearly twice the ceiling of their F-18 fighter jets  down to the ocean's surface, where another craft seemed to be churning up the sea.

'Then it raced off past their rendezvous point three times faster than their jets,' he said

Fravor also said there are multiple witnesses coming forward that say that they have first-hand knowledge [of UFOs], which may have been a reference to a former Marine who claims he and five comrades saw a flying saucer being loaded with weapons while serving in Indonesia in 2009.
A member of Malcolm X's security detail on Tuesday spoke for the first time since the civil rights leader's assassination 58 years ago, and claimed he heard NYPD officers ask if the man convicted of the murder was 'with us'.

Mustafa Hassan, 84, told a press conference at the cultural center in Manhattan's Washington Heights district set up in Malcolm X's name that he was there at the assassination - but has still not been interviewed by authorities.

Malcolm X was killed aged 39 on February 21, 1965, in the Audubon Ballroom in the Washington Heights section.

Thomas Hagan, who went at the time by Talmadge X Hayer, was arrested immediately and confessed to firing the gun that killed him. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in 1966, and released on parole in 2010.

Two others sentenced alongside him - Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam, who died in 2018 - had their convictions overturned in November 2021: the pair were awarded a collective $36 million in damages in October 2022 by the City of New York.

On Tuesday, Hassan said he believed the assassination was orchestrated by the NYPD.

Mustafa Hassan, 84, wearing a hat, is seen on Tuesday pointing himself out as the man who grabbed the collar of Malcolm X's confessed killer, Talmadge X Hayer

Benjamin Crump, a lawyer representing the family of Malcolm X, said on Tuesday they believed it was 'a government conspiracy' to kill the civil rights leader

Malcolm X was gunned down as he began a speech in Harlem's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965

In February, the three daughters of Malcolm X announced they intend to sue the police over their father's killing.

Hassan said he saw Hayer pull the trigger.

'I would later see the same man outside as he was being beaten by Malcolm X's followers, while a group of policemen who suddenly showed up on the scene, asking is he with us,' said Hassan, reading from his affidavit.

He said that, while the officers sought to identify if Hayer was 'with them', they protected him.

Hassan saw the NYPD 'holding back Malcolm's followers from beating him.'

Hassan continued: 'From my vantage point this was an attempt by the police to assist him in getting away.

'Rather than allow the man to escape, I reached out and grabbed this man by the collar to prevent him from escaping.'

Hassan showed photos depicting the scene, adding that a police officer tried to stop him from grabbing Hayer.

Hassan said he believed the story told by undercover officer Eugene Roberts that there had been a 'dry run' for the assassination.

Roberts spoke to Dan Rather in 1992 for a CBS special, released at the same time as the Spike Lee film starring Denzel Washington in his Oscar-nominated role as Malcolm X.

A policeman clears the way as the body of Malcolm X, 39, is carried from the Audubon Ballroom where he was fatally shot while addressing a rally on February 21, 1965

In February, the case of Malcolm X's three daughters - Ilyasah, 60, Attallah, 64, and Qubilah Shabazz, 62 - was picked up by renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, with whom they have enjoyed a long partnership.

Crump, together with co-counsel Ray Hamlin, is planning to file a 'notice of intent' and sue the NYPD together with various government agencies on behalf of the daughters, alleging their involvement in the assassination.

The suit will allege how evidence relating to Malcolm X's murder was 'fraudulently concealed' by the authorities that were investigating his death.

On Tuesday, Crump said: 'We are putting forth in our legal action that the government was involved in the conspiracy to kill Malcolm X.

'They did not allow anybody to reveal their presence or what they were doing in the Audubon Ballroom.

'Eugene Roberts said they had a dry run. But he didn't know at the time. And he is a confirmed informant.'

Crump said the conspiracy 'goes to the top', noting that J. Edgar Hoover gave the instruction to 'do something about Malcolm X.'

Malcolm X carries his daughter, Ilyasah, as he gets into a car in May 1964

Ilyasah Shabazz, left, Attallah Shabazz, center and Qubilah Shabazz are to allege how evidence relating to Malcolm X's murder was 'fraudulently concealed' by the authorities

The role played by federal and New York government agencies, such as the NYPD, FBI, and CIA, in his murder has been a matter of dispute for a long time.

At the time, the agencies had access to factual and exculpatory evidence that Crump alleges they kept from Malcolm X's family and the individuals wrongly convicted of crimes connected to his assassination.

Malcolm X was a prominent civil rights leader during the mid-20th century.

Born in 1925, he became a member of the Nation of Islam while serving a prison sentence in the 1950s.

After his release, he rose to prominence as a charismatic spokesperson for the Nation of Islam and became known for his fiery speeches and activism in the fight against racism and for black empowerment.

He gained national prominence as the voice of the Nation of Islam, exhorting black people to claim their civil rights 'by any means necessary.'

Near the end of Malcolm X's life, he split with the Nation of Islam and, after a trip to Mecca, started speaking about the potential for racial unity.

It earned him the ire of some in the Nation of Islam, including the leader, Elijah Muhammad, who saw him as a traitor.

He continued to be a vocal advocate for black rights until his assassination in 1965 which remains a controversial and contested event.

Malcolm X was targeted because of his 1964 split with the leadership of the political organization National of Islam

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was giving a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Upper Manhattan, when he was shot and killed by multiple gunmen.

Three men were later convicted for their roles in the assassination, but many have raised questions about who else might have been involved in the plot and what their motivations were.

Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam, then known as Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson, and a third man were convicted of murder in March 1966. They were sentenced to life in prison.

The third man, Mujahid Abdul Halim - also known as Talmadge Hayer and Thomas Hagan - admitted to shooting Malcolm X but said neither Aziz nor Islam was involved.

The two offered alibis, and no physical evidence linked them to the crime.

In 2021, their judgements were overturned after the pair spent decades in prison.

THEN: Muhammad Aziz, pictured at left being escorted by detectives after his arrest in New York in 1965, and alleged accomplice Khalil Islam, who died in 2009. The city of New York is settled lawsuits filed on behalf of the two men after they were found to be falsely convicted of assassinating the renowned civil rights leader in Manhattan in 1965

The judgments saw 85-year-old Aziz and the family of the late Khalil Islam (pictured in 2009), who died in 2018, awarded a collective $36million, after the pair both spent 42 years in prison following what historians and legal experts determined was an erroneous conviction

The third man arrested for the killing, Thomas Hagan, now 80 and out of jail, was the only one of the three to confess to the crime, and long insisted that Aziz and Islam were not guilty - first attesting to that sentiment when he took the stand for a second time during the 1966 trial

Following a nearly two-year investigation by their lawyers and the Manhattan DA, both men were exonerated in November 2021 - after a series of doubts by historians and legal experts over inconsistencies in the case saw their conviction overturned.

To make good on the monumental slight, New York officials agreed to pay $26 million for the wrongful convictions, with the state forking over an additional $10 million.

The decision to make good on the wrongful convictions came after a 22-month investigation into allegations that prosecutors, the FBI, and New York Police withheld crucial evidence in the case that would have acquitted the pair.

There have also been allegations that government agencies, such as the FBI and the NYPD, were involved in the assassination.

Some believe that Malcolm X's activism and criticism of these agencies may have made him a target for retaliation.

He had also become more vocal about his opposition to racism and oppression in all forms, which may have made him a target of those who disagreed with his message.

After Netflix aired the documentary series 'Who Killed Malcom X?' in early 2020, the Manhattan DA's office announced it was taking a fresh look at the case.

'For millions and millions of Americans, we still need to know who killed Malcolm X and who ordered it,' then New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at the time.

But the prospect is clouded by the passage of time.

Every eyewitness who testified at the trial has died, and all the physical evidence - including a shotgun used in the killing - is gone, as are any phone records that might have existed.
A nang-addicted Aussie teen who was left bed-ridden by intense use of the toxic gas is finally back walking again.

Perth native Mollie Day was left near crippled by inhaling nitrous oxide from cannisters to a point where her addiction became severe.

The relieved 19-year-old was able to walk out of Royal Perth hospital on Wednesday with the help of a crutch.

19-year-old Mollie Day was relived to be walking out of hospital on Wednesday after overdosing on nangs, which left her crippled from inhaling too much nitrous oxide from cannisters

The teenager was on nangs for two months which damaged the lining of her spinal cord, as she lost movement and function in her body.

She would inhale as many as two 1.3-litre nitrous oxide canisters every day.

Day admitted herself to hospital after experiencing numbness in her legs, only to find out she was suffering from nitrous oxide poisoning.

While in hospital, she had little feeling below the waist. She couldn't walk, eat or go to the bathroom without assistance.

The Perth teen was unable to walk and go to the bathroom without assistance as the toll of inhaling 1.3 nitrous oxide cans every day left her bed ridden at the Royal Perth Hospital

Molly's addiction to nangs had also starved her brain of much of its oxygen supply.

Her mother, nurse Nancy Day, discovered 30 canisters inside her bedroom at one stage including 'big three-litre canisters of nitrous oxide'.

More Australians are finding themselves in hospital after overdosing on the dangerous 'party' drug.

The Royal Perth Hospital emergency department alone, saw 26 patients in 2022 after they suffered from inhaling too much of the gas.

Molly said there nangs addicts who was also admitted to hospital during her stay.

'Even in my ward now there's two more people who have been admitted in the past month for the same thing,' she told Nine News.

Molly says she is now wiser after she fell victim to using the drug when she was younger.

Molly is now urging others, particularly those her age to be aware of the dangers of using nangs, with many of her own friends using

'A lot of my friends was doing nangs [sic],' she said.

'I was told they weren't dangerous because you could get them from anywhere,'.

She is now raising awareness about using nangs and is set to speak at several schools in Perth, to make teens aware of the dangers.

Nangs are nitrous oxide canisters commonly known as laughing gas. It's often used as an anesthetic and sedative to relieve pain from minor surgeries.

They are sold in convenience sores for as little as ten dollars.

Users of nangs have been warned to stop using the drug recreationally as people can die from overdosing on the gas.

It's not a crime for adult buyers to sell nangs in Australia however it is an offence in NSW, South Australia and Queensland if a seller allows a buyer to purchase nangs, if they know they will misuse the drugs.
An innocent man who spent 17 years in jail for a horrific rape after a wrongful conviction could be in line for up to 1million compensation  but may be waiting 'years', his lawyer said.

Andrew Malkinson, now 57, yesterday finally won a 20-year battle to clear his name after he was convicted of raping a woman in Greater Manchester after a trial in 2003.

The prosecution had no DNA evidence but relied on him having been picked out of a line-up by the victim and on the testimony of two supposed eye-witnesses. Jurors were not told the witnesses had criminal records and one was a heroin user.

There were an array of physical differences between the victim's description of the suspect and Mr Malkinson, whose face did not match the e-fit issued after the crime. And while the victim  who was strangled and left for dead - had scratched her attacker's face, he had no injuries.

He was finally cleared by the Court of Appeal yesterday after a DNA sample on the victim's camisole was partially-matched to another man added to the DNA database in 2012. Another man, 48, has since been arrested and released under investigation.

Former security guard Mr Malkinson, who gained degrees in maths and physics while behind bars, had an earlier appeal refused in 2006 and twice had approaches to the Criminal Cases Review Commission rejected.

Andrew Malkinson, who served 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit

He could now be in line for 1million compensation, it was reported today.

But his lawyer, Emily Bolton, director of the legal charity Appeal, told The Guardian that an arcane system meant it would be 'years' before he could receive the money.

Speaking outside court yesterday, she also said: 'The question which should trouble everyone is why it took nearly 20 years to get here.

'The truth is this case is an indictment of both the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

'These so-called 'safety nets' in our justice system missed three earlier opportunities to put this obvious miscarriage of justice right.'

Former North West Chief Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal, who was appointed to that post in 2011, seven years after Mr Malkinson's conviction, told the Daily Mail: 'Andy Malkinson was a cruel victim of a miscarriage of justice

'Although I wasn't responsible for his prosecution I would apologise on behalf of the justice system that let him down. Sadly, there will be others. It's one of the worst miscarriages of justice this century.'

Last night, Mr Malkinson, who revealed he is 'homeless with no job', three years after his release from jail, called an apology by Greater Manchester Police which handled the original investigation into the rape in Salford 'meaningless'.

Mr Malkinson, given a life term and who served 10 more years than his original 7-year minimum term because he maintained his innocence, time he said took an 'extremely heavy toll' on his psyche and during which he 'contemplated suicide many times'.

Sarah, the half-sister of Andrew Malkinson, hugs him outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after he was cleared

He told the BBC's Newsnight programme: 'The Greater Manchester Police apology... it's meaningless to me, absolutely meaningless.

'An apology without accountability, what is that? It's nothing, it's nothing, it means nothing.'

He also said the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates miscarriages of justice in England, only investigated his case after having evidence handed to them 'on a platter'  because Appeal had obtained the DNA evidence.

In another broadcast, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme today that it felt as though he had been 'kidnapped by the state'.

He said: 'It's taken an extremely heavy toll on my person, my psyche, my psychology, my being, my soul.

'I can't articulate how I even managed to get through it. I was in total shock for the first even a few years. I contemplated suicide many times.'

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson had said: 'We are truly sorry to Mr Malkinson that he is the victim of such a grave miscarriage of justice in being convicted of a crime he did not commit and serving a 17-year custodial sentence.

'Whilst we hope this outcome gives him a long overdue sense of justice, we acknowledge that it does not return the years he has lost. I have offered to meet with him to personally deliver this apology.'

Mr Malkinson - pictured on Newsnight - has said the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates miscarriages of justice in England, only investigated his case after having evidence handed to them 'on a platter'

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell and Manchester Central MP said she is 'very concerned' about failures of Greater Manchester Police in the case of Andrew Malkinson who served 17 years behind bars for a rape he did not commit, and there are 'big lessons' in the way appeals are heard.

She told Sky News: 'This is a clear miscarriage of justice, the evidence was there, I think from my reading of the case.

'The evidence has been there for many, many years to suggest that he wasn't the perpetrator here, yet it has taken him a long personal battle, then with the legal system to get that overturned.

'So I think there are serious lessons here for Greater Manchester Police. But I think there are also big lessons here for the way in which appeals get heard in this country.

'There's a very, very high bar, I've got experience with this in other cases as well. It's a very, very high bar that has to be met in order for an appeal to be heard. And that's why we see these miscarriages of justice go on for years and years and it's just not right and we need to have better checks and balances, not just in terms of that evidential gathering, but then in terms of how cases are prosecuted, and whether appeals can be heard.'

Making the apology, Assistant Chief Constable Jackson said: 'In the vast majority of cases, the processes our officers follow lead to a case being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) whereby the suspect and evidence collected were relevant to the crime committed.

'The evidence presented by GMP and the CPS at court between 2003 to 2004 was subject to a full criminal trial before a jury, who ultimately reached the final guilty verdict. Sadly, in this case it is now clear that the wrong person was convicted.

'Due to new forensic evidence, following developments in forensic technologies, there is a live criminal investigation in which a suspect remains on bail.

'We cannot comment further on that matter at this time. We are sorry that, in this case, the judicial process failed and the wrong man was convicted.

'We are determined to work with our colleagues in the CPS to ensure all new evidence is fully examined and that the person truly responsible is convicted and the victim of this horrific crime receives the justice deserved.'

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson issued a public apology

Dominic Casciani, the BBC's home affairs correspondent, told Radio 4 this morning that it was an awful, extraordinary situation, after speaking to Mr Malkinson.

'Anyone who has spoken to Andrew Malkinson as I've had the privilege to do can only walk away thinking it raises so many questions about what happened going all the way back to 2003 which us why he says himself that although he has this conviction now quashed and he is effectively a free man in light of the law, his personal campaign and battle for justice simply doesn't end here and also has wider implications as his barristers very clearly argued in court yesterday for the nature of justice itself - quite simply because it took so long to get to this point and that's why I don't think he's going to be going away anytime soon in terms of actually pushing the issues around what happened to him.'

Mr Malkinson has said the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates miscarriages of justice in England, only investigated his case after having evidence handed to them 'on a platter'.

Mr Malkinson tried to get the body to investigate twice previously but his bid was turned down.

He told Newsnight: 'Basically they refused two previous applications, this third application finally, I believe they only accepted because it was handed to them on a platter. All the work had been done.

'They're actually, it makes me quite angry, they're claiming all the credit for the work and it was Appeal that did the work. I am appalled by them.'

Mr Casciani told Radio 4: 'What he argues is that it simply didn't take seriously enough the things he was saying about his case, that it could have moved faster to effectively force GMP to disclose its files.'

He added: 'He also wanted them to try to find DNA evidence from this poor victim to see whether or not there was something there, perhaps a sample from another man on her clothing and that's what turned out to be there many many years later.'

Mr Malkinson appeared on Newsnight wearing a tshirt saying 'Innocent'

E-fit of the suspect in the rape case (left) and a mugshot of Malkinson shortly after he was arrested (right)

Mr Malkinson with his mother Tricia outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after being cleared by the Court of Appeal

Andrew Malkinson, 57, (pictured outside the Royal Courts of Justice earlier this year) was jailed in 2004 after being found guilty of raping a 33-year-old mother-of-two next to the M61 in Little Hulton, near Manchester. His case was heard at the Court of Appeal

After the ruling, Mr Malkinson told reporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice: 'Since I was arrested in 2003, the police, the prison system and Probation Service have been calling me a liar because I denied that I committed the crime.

'They claimed I was 'in denial' and made me serve an extra 10 more years in prison because I would not make a false confession.

'I am not a liar. I am not in denial but I will tell you who is - Greater Manchester Police are liars, and they are in denial.

'Even after this judgment today, I predict we will see them denying responsibility for what happened. We will see them stretching credulity with their excuse-making.

'Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been scrambling to cover up how they wrongfully convicted me for 20 years.'

Addressing the victim of the crime he did not commit, he said: 'I am so sorry that you were attacked and brutalised that night by that man. I am not the person who attacked you but what happened to me is not your fault.'

Mr Malkinson's mother Tricia Hose, in her mid-70s, said: 'Now Andy's name has been cleared, suddenly in the public eye, I am no longer a deluded mother. My son is no longer a monster.

'But what has been done to him cannot be undone. The damage will be with him for the rest of his life and the woman who got attacked has been denied justice, just as my son was.'

Overturning Mr Malkinson's convictions, for two counts of rape and one of choking or strangling with intent to commit rape, Lord Justice Holroyde said he could 'leave the court free and no longer be subject to the conditions of licence'.

At the time of Mr Malkinson's trial, there was no DNA evidence linking him to the crime and the prosecution case against him was based only on identification evidence.

But a DNA sample, held by the forensic archive, was tested and found last October to link to another man, who has since been arrested.

A decision on whether he will be charged is awaited.

The CPS and GMP said in May they would not contest the appeal.

His conviction was quashed by senior judges at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday after DNA evidence linking another man to the crime came to light

The court will decide later whether Mr Malkinson's convictions were also unsafe because of what his lawyer Edward Henry KC called 'deplorable disclosure failures, which mostly lay at the door of the Greater Manchester Police'.

They include police photographs of the victim's left hand, which supported her evidence that she broke a nail scratching the face of her attacker, and the fact the two witnesses who identified Mr Malkinson had convictions for dishonesty offences and one was a heroin addict.

None of this was available to Mr Malkinson's defence team at his trial and Mr Henry said the failure to disclose the photographs 'deprived' Mr Malkinson of his 'strongest defence point - his lack of any facial injury'.

Emily Bolton, director of the legal charity Appeal, said outside court: 'We of course welcome today's ruling overturning Andy's wrongful conviction but the question which should trouble everyone is why it took nearly 20 years to get here.

'The truth is this case is an indictment of both the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

'These so-called 'safety nets' in our justice system missed three earlier opportunities to put this obvious miscarriage of justice right.'
Kim Jong-un gave Russia's defence minister a tour of North Korea's arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles and other advanced weapons today as Moscow looks for new weapons to supply its forces in Ukraine.

After Washington earlier this year accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, Kim was seen with Moscow's Sergei Shoig walking through a vast defence exhibition of missiles and previously unseen military drones.

The space showcased the North's nuclear missiles and what Seoul-based specialist site NK News said were new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which appear to be sophisticated rip-offs of the American RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper.

The Kremlin's war supremo handed over a 'warm and beautiful personal letter' from Vladimir Putin for the North Korean dictator, according to official media in the repressive state. The contents of the communique are secret.

Shoigu and a high-ranking Chinese delegation are in Pyongyang as Kim's first known foreign guests since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the country marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the July 27, 1953, Korean War armistice, which ended open hostilities and is celebrated as Victory Day.

Walking past huge intercontinental ballistic missiles and previously unseen military drones, Kim Jong Un (right) gave Russia's defence minister Sergei Shoigu (to the left of Kim) a tour of North Korea's newest and most advanced weaponry on Thursday, state media reported

After Washington earlier this year accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, photographs in state media showed Kim walking Moscow's Sergei Shoigu through a vast defence exhibition and shaking hands upon meeting (pictured)

The Russian delegation is seen in a vast exhibition hall with several large missiles and drones

Kim personally escorted Shoigu through the 'Weapons and Equipment Exhibition 2023', the official Korean Central News Agency said.

Photos appeared to feature North Korea's largest intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Hwasong-17, and the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM.

Russia, a historic ally of North Korea, is one of a handful of nations with which Pyongyang maintains friendly relations.

Kim and Shoigu had earlier discussed 'matters of mutual concern in the field of national defence and security and on the regional and international security environment,' KCNA said.

The North Korean leader has been steadfast in his support for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, including, Washington says, supplying rockets and missiles - a charge Pyongyang has angrily denied.

But the meeting appeared to be part of a deepening of Russian support for the brutal Kim and his sinister nuclear threat, as Shoigu pleaded for a stronger flow of ammunition, weapons and drones from Pyongyang for his troops invading Ukraine.

Shoigu committed to 'further deepening and developing tactical and strategic assistance and cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence security in response to the sharply changing regional and international security environment,' according to the Pyongyang state media.

He paid homage to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles Hwasong-17 and Hwasong-18 - which Russia, as a permanent member of the UN security council, forbade Kim from developing.

But Shoigu - standing in for Putin, for unexplained reasons - was bent on flattery of the dictator, at one point during a banquet telling Kim his 1.3 million-strong military 'has become the strongest army in the world'.

This was not reported by the Russian state media.

'Shoigu is clearly not just making a 'courtesy call', but, very likely, 'pricing the price' on North Korean shells and UAVs,' said Telegram channel Moscow Calling on the defence minister's three-day trip to Pyongyang.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un speaks with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as he gives him a tour of a large exhibition hangar full of the North's weaponry

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other Russian officers walk before they lay a wreath of flowers in front of the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung on the occasion of the upcoming 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, July 26

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, fourth left, meets with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam, third right, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, July 26

During the visit, Kim told Shoigu 'about the weapons and equipment which were invented and produced' under North Korea's national defence plan and 'repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes', KCNA added.

Shoigu's visit is noteworthy given that Russian defence ministers have not regularly visited Pyongyang since before the collapse of the USSR, experts told AFP.

'Russia may need the potential of North Korean military industry in the realm of conventional weapons, while North Korea may be interested in missile technology transfers from Russia,' Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, told AFP.

But despite the high-profile coverage of Shoigu's visit, North Korea is likely to be 'very careful' about providing Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, Park Won-gon, professor at Ewha University, told AFP.

'If it is confirmed publicly, European countries would also turn adversarial,' Park said, adding that North Korea would prefer not to face additional sanctions.

'So it will be careful, but it's possible that Russia will seek more help in secret.'

In a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic, North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to attend the events marking the armistice of July 27, 1953.

Kim's officials say they are marking the 70th anniversary of the 'victory of the Korean people in the Patriotic Liberation War of 1950-1953'.

While the truce left the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war, the North still sees it as a victory in the 'Grand Fatherland Liberation War.'

Satellite imagery indicates North Korea has been preparing for a large-scale military parade for the Thursday anniversary.

The inclusion of foreign guests at this year's celebrations is a post-pandemic first and hints at new flexibility towards enforcing border controls.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other Russian officers visit the Mangyongdae neighborhood in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, July 26

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu lays a wreath of flowers at the Liberation Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, July 26

Beijing is North Korea's most important ally and economic benefactor, their relationship forged in the bloodshed of the Korean War in the 1950s.

Putin's defence minister also met North Korean Defence Minister Kang Sun Nam.

'I am convinced that today's talks will help strengthen cooperation between our defence agencies,' said Shoigu.

'For Russia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an important partner, with which we share a common border and a rich history of cooperation.'

The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Kim and Shoigu talked Wednesday in the capital, Pyongyang, and reached a consensus on unspecified 'matters of mutual concern in the field of national defence and security and on the regional and international security environment.'

Without mentioning Ukraine by name, Kim backed Putin and Shoigu's imperial aspirations in the former USSR.

'He repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country,' said the North Korean state media.

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the 'hegemonic policy' of the U.S.-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests.

The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim.

One analyst said Shoigu's inspection of the North Korean missiles implied Russian acceptance of North Korea's nuclear programme.

'We've come a long way from when North Korea would avoid showing off its nuclear capabilities when senior foreign dignitaries from Russia and China were in town,' said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, calling the tour 'remarkable', reported Reuters.

'The personal tour for Shoigu - and [his] willingness to be photographed with Kim in the course of this tour - is evidence that Moscow is complacent with North Korea's ongoing nuclear modernisation.'

Kim Jong Un shows Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu around the exhibition hall

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks at an event for the upcoming 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, July 26

The Russian and Chinese delegations are Pyongyang's first known foreign visitors since its 2020 pandemic closure.

North Korea has been under a rigid, self-imposed blockade since early 2020 to protect itself from Covid-19, preventing even its own nationals from entering the country, raising questions over the severity of the outbreak of the virus there.

Analysts have raised fears for the local population, citing the country's poor healthcare service and use of questionable vaccines.

Kim Jong Un also met a Chinese delegation led by politburo member Li Hongzhong and told him 'the Korean people will never forget the fact that the brave soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers shed blood to bring about the war victory,' KCNA said.

'The meetings show that Kim is more interested in political theater than he is concerned about Covid,' Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, told AFP.

Park Won-gon, another professor at Ewha University, said it was unlikely the visits would lead to a reopening of North Korea's borders.

'Covid-19 is a very serious challenge for North Korea and they are not ready to open their borders yet,' he said, noting the country's 'broken' medical system and that its people had not been vaccinated.

North Korea only resumed some trade with China last year and allowed new Beijing envoy Wang Yajun to take up his position this year. He is the first known senior diplomat to cross into North Korea since the border closure in January 2020.

Russia's ambassador to Pyongyang, Alexander Matsegora, is known to have remained in the North Korean capital throughout the pandemic, even as staff numbers at his embassy dwindled and other foreign missions closed their doors.

Shoigu's profile on the international stage is a remarkable comeback for the longest serving senior Russian since Soviet times.

Earlier in the war, he was rumoured to be ill, and even to have suffered a heart attack.

He was also reported to have been against Putin's invasion plan.

One month ago, he was the main target of an armed mutiny by Wagner forces who wanted him to be fired and arrested for failings in the conflict with Ukraine.

Yet now Putin has permitted him to take time away from the war against Ukraine to grandstand on the international stage .

Shoigu, at 68 two years younger than Putin, remains one of the very few Kremlin ministers to have an independent political power base.

In the past month, Shoigu - who has appeared in his Russian general's uniform in North Korea - appears to have succeeded in purging or sidelining high-ranking critics in his armed forces.

When asked about the possibility that Shoigu's visit was to discuss importing weapons from North Korea, John Kirby, the White House's National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, didn't answer directly but said it was clear Putin is reaching out to other countries for support in fighting his war in Ukraine.

'Mr. Putin knows he's having his own defence procurement problems, his own inventory problems, that his military remains on the back foot, and he's trying to shore that up,' Kirby said.

Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean military was analysing the military assets shown in the North Korean photos but did not share specific assessments.

The North Korean festivities were widely expected to be capped later Thursday by a giant military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles.

State media, however, had not confirmed plans for a military parade.

Some experts say North Korea sees U.S. confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and insert itself into a united front against Washington.

Both Moscow and Beijing have been derailing U.S. efforts to strengthen U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests since 2022.

Jim Jong Un and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu shake hands in Pyongyang, July 26

The last time North Korea invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018, when it held a low-key event that excluded Kim's ICBMs.

North Korea at the time was initiating diplomacy with Seoul and Washington as Kim attempted to leverage his nukes for badly needed economic benefits.

Those efforts led to a summit between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump that June, but the diplomacy collapsed after their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since ramped up the development of the nuclear arms that he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival while berating 'gangster-like' U.S. sanctions and pressure.
The body of a tech entrepreneur who disappeared off Sydney Harbour has been found.

Andrew Findlay's body was recovered a week after he went missing following a boating accident, which also claimed the life of leading Indigenous art dealer Tim Klingender.

The father-of-three's family were notified of the grim discovery on Wednesday, with 51-year-old located near The Gap at Watsons Bay, not far from where Mr Klingender, 59 was found earlier.

The body of tech entrepreneur, Andrew Findlay (pictured with his kids) who disappeared following a boating accident off Sydney Harbour a week ago has been found

Tech entrepreneur Andrew Findlay's body was located on Wednesday by a fisherman about 150m south of The Gap at Watsons Bay

'About 2.10pm (Wednesday 26 July 2023), a fisherman observed a body approximately 150m south of The Gap,' a statement from NSW Police read.

'Water Police responded and recovered the body, now confirmed to be a 51-year-old man from a boating accident last Thursday (20 July 2023).'

Mr Findlay and Mr Klingender had gone fishing around 7.30am on July 20, while a southerly swell was smashing the shores of the Eastern Suburbs.

The 7.85-metre Brig Eagle inflatable fishing boat they set out in was hit by 5m waves and smashed into rocks at The Gap in Watsons Bay at about 10am.

Neither of the men was wearing lifejackets.

Mr Klingender's naked body - clad only in socks - was found among debris scattered among the rocks below Jacobs Ladder at South Head.

Dangerous conditions through the weekend prevented police from recovering evidence from the vessel, and the search for Mr Findlay was scaled back.

The boating tragedy also claimed the life of leading Indigenous art dealer Tim Klingender (right)

On Sunday, Marine Area Command Superintendent Joe McNulty said search efforts for the missing tech tycoon had been reduced under the presumption he was dead (Police search the waters off Watsons Bay late last week)

On Sunday, Marine Area Command Superintendent Joe McNulty said search efforts for the missing tech tycoon had been reduced under the presumption he was dead.

'The time frame for survival for anyone in the water, taking into account the temperatures at the moment in July, has lapsed,' he said.

Mr Findlay socialised in celebrity circles in Sydney's eastern suburbs and is close friends with model and Home and Away star Erika Heynatz and her husband Andrew Kingston, artist Daimon Downey and husband and wife musicians Angus McDonald and Connie Mitchel.

Mr Findlay's death means his partner, Lakshmi Pillai, has been hit with a double tragedy after losing her father just weeks ago.

She owns an upmarket clothing store on Woollahra's Queen Street in Sydney's east, which specialises in luxurious linen skirts, dresses and pants.
The desperate search for Shyanne-Lee Tatnell (pictured) took a tragic turn on Wednesday

A large axe found on the property of the man charged over the death of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell has been bagged as evidence by detectives probing her alleged murder.

A 36-year-old man was charged with the 14-year-old's murder after a tip-off led detectives to human remains in remote bushland at Nabowla, in north-east Tasmania.

Shyanne-Lee was last seen 50km away in Launceston three months ago, when haunting CCTV footage caught her disappearing into the black of night on a lonely road.

Investigators had been unable to find any trace of her since, but a breakthrough finally came when the vital new information led police to mount a huge air and land search operation.

A searcher on foot made the grim discovery of bones on Wednesday afternoon and detectives on Thursday confirmed they believe they belong to the missing teen.

The find led to a second crime scene being established 15km away in Scottsdale, where investigators sealed off a rural property belonging to the 36-year-old taken into custody.

Officers recovered an axe from the home

Specialist officers including divers scoured the sprawling rural property (pictured) in Scottsdale on Thursday

Police officers seized an axe from a car and bagged it as evidence

Two officers lugged items out of the house and into the back of a police van, including a carpet cleaning machine

Detectives were seen combing through sheds and shipping containers littered across the property

He was arrested in Launceston on Thursday afternoon and later charged with Shyanne-Lee's murder, just hours after police began scouring his property with a cadaver dog.

Forensic teams were seen gathering crucial evidence gathered from the expansive property - including the large axe and a carpet cleaning machine.

Police divers have also checked a creek on the property and trawled a net through it in the hunt for any clues relating to the teenager's disappearance.

Shyanne's death marks the second tragedy for her family within the last decade, following the death of her baby brother Xavier in late 2012.

Xavier had a rare genetic disorder which meant he had daily seizures and spent most of his short life in hospital.

His grandmother, Michelle Hubbard, jumped 3000 metres from a plane to raise money for research into his condition just months before his passing.

Mother Bobbi-Lee Ketchell still uploads photos of her son to social media each year to pay tribute to him.

Xavier had a rare genetic disorder which meant he had daily seizures and spent most of his short life in hospital

Police officers congregated on site as they discussed plans for the search

One officer carried a long item wrapped in a forensic bag to a truck waiting outside

Further down the property, another police vehicle was stationed to assist in search efforts of a dam

Divers plunged into the water to search the bottom, while officers on shore assisted

Police officers pack away equipment after searching through a dam on the property

Officers bundled items into brown paper before loading them into vehicles

Detectives and police spent hours poring over the property, which sits on the outskirts of Scottsdale

A police tow truck arrived at the scene to take away vehicles as another truck left with seized items

A ute which had been kept under forensic marquees for much of the days was then loaded onto the truck and taken away from the scene

Over the last month, the doting grandma has been posting about her teenage granddaughter and pleading with friends and family to be on the look-out.

Moments before police announced the arrest, Shyanne-Lee's mother uploaded a photo of her daughter on social media - smiling in her school uniform with a medal around her neck.

The caption read: 'My baby girl I love you so much.'

Her grandmother wrote a post after the arrest, saying her 'mother's heart's ripped out'.

'Bobbi-Lee should be organising Shyanne's 15th birthday not her funeral, but sit and listen while her sons [age] 16, 10 and four have their uncle inform them as best he can how their sister will never be home,' she wrote.

Ms Hubbard shared her heartbreaking theory about what may have happened to her little girl earlier this year.

'I personally think that she has accepted a lift from someone or she's been forced into a vehicle,' she told A Current Affair.

Human remains believed to belong to were found on isolated Bridport Back Road, a dirt track

Shyanne-Lee Tatnell's mother uploaded a photo of her daughter on social media - smiling in her school uniform with a medal around her neck

Police and a cadaver dog investigated a shipping container (pictured) at the rundown property on the outskirts of Scottsdale in north-east Tasmania

Northern Tasmanian Police Commander Kate Chambers would not discuss the state of the teenager's corpse at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

'I'm not going to talk about the condition of the remains,' she said.

'Shyanne-Lee's family must be having a very traumatic time at the moment and I just want to extend my condolences to them.'

Commander Chambers would not say whether the 36-year-old had been a person of interest throughout the investigation, or whether he was known to police.

The commander was also asked about previous reports claiming Shyanne-Lee feared she was being followed a week before she disappeared.

'Every single piece of information that was either provided to us or created by us in terms of through investigative techniques has been investigated,' she said.

Shyanne-Lee is pictured celebrating a previous birthday. She was due to turn 15 next month

Human remains were discovered 50km from where the girl was last seen

Earlier on Thursday, Daily Mail Australia witnessed detectives and forensic experts pouring over the 36-year-old's property, including a converted shipping container.

Logged trees, rusty motor vehicles, tin sheds, and other old shipping containers were littered across the block of land, about 3km out of town, which has been declared a crime scene.

Cows grazed in the front paddock as officers searched the grounds with two dogs - one for cadavers, another for drugs.

One dog was seen excitedly running through a paddock as officers took it down to a stream that runs along the perimeter of the property.

Forensic tents were erected over a ute parked near the house while officers unloaded equipment from their nearby cars.

The grim discovery of the remains comes just days after it appeared all leads had dried up for detectives searching for the teenager.

Police sealed off the property near Scottsdale (pictured) on Thursday as forensic experts and search teams moved in

Ms Ketchell set up a photo of her missing daughter on the family table last month as she celebrated her birthday. 'Thank you for the birthday wishes, I had a few hard days but was filled with family love and support got me through it,' the devastated mother said

Police spent weeks trying to track down all the cars seen driving past Shyanne-Lee in CCTV footage from Launceston's Henry Street Bridge, in the hunt for clues.

But on June 30, police admitted they had finally managed to find the driver of the last car, a silver Honda Accord, without it leading to any new developments.

This week though police were tipped off with vital new information that triggered the largest ground search in north Tasmanian history.

'It's as a result of the investigation, the inquiries we've made and information we've received from the public,' Detective Inspector Andrew Hanson revealed.

'We're acting on that information in that specific area.'

On Wednesday afternoon, a search team of 160 police officers, SES volunteers and a cadaver dog found the human remains.

Police officers and SES volunteers staged a massive search of bushland at nearby Nabowla on Wednesday (pictured) which led to the discovery with of the human remains

Shyanne-Lee - who would have been 15 on August 8 - vanished after she left the home of her mother Bobbi-Lee Ketchell in Burnie, north-west Tasmania, after a series of rows.

She moved in with her grandmother who lived nearby but later left there to stay at a youth centre in Launceston and had been there for two weeks before she vanished.

She was last seen on the Henry St Bridge over the North Esk River where the search has been focused before this week's tip off saw it switch 50km east to Nabowla.

Shyanne-Lee's mother Bobbi-Lee Ketchell greeted the news of the grim discovery of the human remains with a series of broken hearts in a post on Facebook.

It came just 48 hours after she had lashed out at online trolls attacking her for not doing enough to find her missing daughter.

'People these days are so cruel and quick to judge innocent human beings!' she posted on Tuesday. 'Like myself right now...'

She said critics had accused her of giving up on her daughter and not caring enough.

'Stuff all you judgemental beings!' she hit back. 'Live one day in my shoes then happily judge - until then, shut your mouth.

'You have something to say about me and my situation say to my face!'

The last three months have been a living hell for Bobbi-Lee Ketchell (left) as police investigated Shyanne-Lee's disappearance

A cadaver dog was taken through the various paddocks across the property

A police van was stationed in the driveway for much of the day as officers loaded items from the home and its surrounds into the vehicle
Actor Kevin Spacey reportedly celebrated at a London private members club after being cleared of sexually assaulting four men.

The double Oscar winner, who marked his 64th birthday yesterday, was overcome with emotion when the jury at London's Southwark Crown Court returned not guilty verdicts on all counts following a high-profile trial.

He was then spotted sipping whisky with about seven friends at the Groucho Club, a private members spot in Soho on Wednesday night, according to reports.

A witness told Page Six 'he looked very proud' and 'was sitting by the entrance for everyone to see.'

'He spent the evening nursing a whisky,' the onlooker said. 'They didn't sing Happy Birthday but everyone seemed in good spirits.'

Spacey reportedly left the club at around midnight, with an umbrella shielding him from the rain.

Actor Kevin Spacey speaks to the media outside Southwark Crown Court, London, after he was found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men

Court artist drawing of actor Kevin Spacey wiping tears from his eyes as he was found not guilty

PR guru Mark Borkowski told MailOnline that Spacey is 'already doing projects', adding: 'He's doing some masterclasses in Italy, he's got an independent film project in Europe. People love Kevin Spacey.

'For now it's about dealing with the stress that he's been through but it's now all about that big project. There is one film that is ready to go as far as I believe.

'It should be focused on a mega independent product, a great script and to get people to remind folk who Kevin Spacey is.

'If that's the case and audiences come then that's the first stage of recovery.

'For me it's always about the stage for Kevin Spacey, can you imagine him back on stage re-living one of his Shakespearean roles. Possibly a great new play for Kevin Spacey.

'Certainly there's a number of producers that would put him on.

'It's a new era for him and about what he does next which is the important move - but humility is key.

'People will be watching him very carefully.'

He said 'anything he might do is going to be a story'.

Spacey was accused of abusing his fame and power to carry out nine sex attacks on four men during his tenure as artistic director of the Old Vic theatre. But he insisted the claims were 'madness' and accused the claimants of 'lying for money'.

The allegations not only shredded what had been a glittering showbiz career but also had major financial implications, with the star told to pay 25.5million to the producers of House of Cards after he was sacked.

He has also been landed with at least 1million in defence fees and suffered the humiliation of being edited out of the Sir Ridley Scott film All The Money In The World. Earlier in the trial Spacey told the jury: 'I've lost everything.'

Brand and Culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline that Kevin Spacey was effectively cancelled from the moment the allegations came out about his conduct. But given his talent, the Hollywood A-lister will now rebuild his career and make critics 'eat their words'. And a return to Broadway or London's West End will be likely, speedy and lucrative.

Netflix is likely to be worried today given how he was dropped from House of Cards, for which he was paid a reported $500,000 per episode, and will likely have to pay him off or face an expensive lawsuit after they sued him, Mr Ede said.

He added: 'It's now time for him to build his career back but also make those that doubted him eat their words. He was sensationally sued by Netflix for $31million dollars and I expect they will be his first port of call for an apology and even a financial settlement.

Spacey was sacked from House Of Cards and then suffered the humiliation of being edited out of the Sir Ridley Scott film All The Money In The World

On the steps of the court after the verdicts were delivered, the US actor thanked the jury, his legal team as well as his loyal manager and longtime friend Evan Lowenstein for standing by him

'He will most certainly do a big TV interview to establish himself and remind the world of his personality rather than perceived one. With the Hollywood writers' strike and actors strike it's not as easy as it may have been to be offered a comeback role, however Spacey is one of the greatest actors of our generation and I can see him deciding to tread the boards on the West End stage or Broadway in a meaty role like Hamlet that shows his intense skills.

'I'm sure will be offered many book deals chronicling his ordeal. I don't think he will go quiet as he is a highly skilled performer with a brilliant talent and now he's been proven innocent it's his time to shine again'.

MailOnline has contacted Netflix for comment.

On the steps of the court after the verdicts were delivered, the US actor thanked the jury, his legal team as well as his loyal manager and longtime friend Evan Lowenstein for standing by him.

He said: 'I imagine that many of you can understand that there's a lot for me to process after what has just happened today. But I would like to say that I'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision.

'I am humbled by the outcome today. I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security, my legal team and Evan Lowenstein for being here every day.'


Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge (File photo) Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he did not want to speak in Parliament over Manipur violence, which is a temple of democracy but has ample time to make political speeches across the country which is "tarnishing democracy". He also said that the government which does not listen to the cries of people of Manipur is a blot on humanity.



In a tweet, Kharge said, "Burning of Manipur is a black chapter for the country. The government, which did not take note of cries of the people of Manipur for the last 85 days, is a blot on humanity. The Parliament session is going on and instead of speaking on the floor of the House, the Prime Minister is making speeches by visiting places, this is tarnishing democracy."



"By abusing opposition, the misdeeds of the Modi government cannot be erased. Only the anti-dalits, tribes and backward people can make fun of black clothes, but for us black is a symbol of protest and strength. Black color is a symbol of justice and a symbol of dignity. The people of Manipur deserve justice, peace and respect," the LoP said.



He said, "The BJP cannot run away from its responsibility by pushing the life of Manipur into darkness, by adopting dictatorial attitude, by diverting attention from the issue. There has never been a darker period in the history of Parliament than this.



He also attached the video of his statement to the media.



The Congress and the opposition parties have been demanding a statement over the Manipur situation by the Prime Minister in both Houses of the Parliament and also a detailed discussion on the situation in the northeastern state.






She had previously said she wanted them dead

A mother who smothered her children to death told them 'mummy's very sick and is going to die', before she killed them, a court heard on Thursday.

Lauren Anne Dickason, 42, is on trial in the High Court in Christchurch, charged with murdering her daughters - Liane, 6, and twins Maya and Karla, aged 2.

They were found dead at their home in Timaru on New Zealand's South Island on September 16, 2021, by their father Graham Dickason after he got home from a work function.

Dickason has admitted to killing her children but denies it was murder, with her defence claiming she is not guilty by reason of insanity.

Psychiatrist Dr Susan Hatters-Friedman, who interviewed the accused over four days, said Dickason told her children: 'I can't leave you behind because I don't know who's going to look after you,' the New Zealand Herald reported.

Dr Hatters-Friedman also told the court that when Dickason told her husband she wanted the girls dead, he told her to 'put on your big girl panties' and pull herself together for him and their children.

Lauren Anne Dickason (pictured), 42, is on trial in the High Court in Christchurch, charged with murdering her daughters - Liane, 6, and twins Maya and Karla, aged 2

The killings were described by the prosecutor as 'methodical, purposeful and perhaps clinical', a court heard

'An image flashed into my head of sedating the girls, putting them in bath, cutting their femoral arteries and putting them to bed,' Dickason told her, the court heard.

'I want to make the twins quiet.'

When he asked her how, she allegedly replied: 'Maybe put a pillow over their heads.'

But Dickason told the forensic psychiatrist that she never really intended to do that to the children, she 'just wanted peace and quiet for 30 minutes'.

Mr Dickason asked her if she wanted to be taken to a psychiatric ward and she said no as she worried it would 'mess up' their plan to emigrate from South Africa to New Zealand.

When she later had more thoughts about killing her children, she did not tell her husband because she was afraid about how he would respond, the court was told.

On the day she killed her children, which was just weeks after they had moved to New Zealand, Dickason felt anxiety was eating a hole in her stomach and couldn't think straight, she told Dr Hatters-Friedman.

She felt her problems were insurmountable and was worried her husband was 'tired' of her and 'irritated'.

When Mr Dickason left for a work event she touched his arm and said goodbye. She told the psychiatrist that it felt 'surreal, almost like I wasn't in my body'.

The children were acting up and fighting and Dickason was scared about what she might do to them.

The girls were found dead at their home in Timaru on New Zealand's South Island on September 16, 2021, by their father Graham Dickason after he had returned home from a work function

Dickason is on trial in the High Court in Christchurch charged with murdering her three young daughters - Liane, 6, and twins Maya and Karla, both 2 (family pictured together)

Graham Dickason is pictured with his daughters Liane and twins Maya and Karla

Dr Hatters-Friedman said Dickason thought she couldn't face any more of this and wanted it to end.

It was shortly after this that she told her daughters 'mummy's very sick and is going to die', before killing them.

On Wednesday, the court heard that Dickason killed her girls 'out of love' because she didn't want to leave them behind.

Her lawyer Anne Toohey said her client was 'disturbed' and suffering severe postpartum depression, the New Zealand Herald reported.

'All of the defence experts agree that there was an altruistic motive That means that Lauren killed her children out of love,' Ms Toohey said.

'In her mind, she was killing them out of love - she was killing herself and she didn't want to leave the children she was so sure this was the right thing to do she persisted.'

She told the court Dickason was 'in a dark place' and struggling to cope with feelings of inadequacy as a mother.

'She decided to kill herself and she felt that they were all better off dead,' Ms Toohey told the court.

Dickason's mother Wendy Fawkes also gave evidence on Wednesday. She said her daughter loved her children, but shortly before the family moved to New Zealand she was concerned her daughter would have a 'breakdown'.

The retired teacher and her husband Malcolm have attended every day of the trial, leaving only once when pathologist Dr Martin Sage gave evidence about the children's post mortems.

Ms Fawkes said her daughter had changed, stopped communicating and was very flat in the lead up to the alleged murders.

'I was extremely worried about her... I've never seen Lauren in such a bad mental state. (She) became more distant... in her messages to me she told me how broken she is.'

The Dickason family is pictured together when the twin girls were babies

Dickason has admitted to killing her children but denies it was murder, with her defence claiming she is not guilty by reason of insanity

Dickason had previously lost a daughter called Sarah when she was 18 weeks pregnant, after 17 rounds of IVF treatment.

The prosecution acknowledges she suffered from serious depression, but maintains she knew what she was doing when she killed her three girls, the court heard.

Crown Prosecutor Andrew McRae alleged the mother was an angry, frustrated and resented 'how the children stood in the way of her relationship with her husband'.

He told the court Dickason killed her children 'methodically and purposefully, perhaps even clinically'.

On Tuesday, a police interview was played to the court where Dickason said she killed one of her twins first because she was the 'worst behaved'.

Dickason said Karla had been 'really horrible' to her, biting and hitting her and 'throwing tantrums 24 hours a day'.

The officer who conducted the interview told the court Dickason was 'polite' and 'articulate' and willingly engaged with police throughout questioning.

On the night of the alleged triple murder, she smothered the girls around 20 minutes after her husband left for a work event.

She said the children were jumping on couches and not listening to what she was telling them and so she went to the garage, saw some cable ties and thought, 'That could possibly work'.

In the interview she told police: 'I have been thinking about it for sure last night something just triggered me', and so she put them all together in a room before using the cable ties on them.

Lauren Dickason is pictured with her twin daughters Maya and Karla

But that attempt was unsuccessful, so she suffocated them.

Dickason told police she then tucked each of them into their beds, pulling the blankets over their heads, fully aware that they were dead.

'Then I decided I had to do something with myself and I ran through the house and none of the knives were sharp and then I just started drinking my medication that I could find. I wanted to die.'

In the lead-up to the killings, she said she had been getting only two hours of sleep a night, was losing weight due to stress, had not felt normal for a couple of months before the incident and that moving to New Zealand had only exacerbated issues.

She described the day she killed the girls as her 'first day off' in four months, telling police after killing them she just climbed into bed with a hot water bottle and processed everything that had happened.

In the interview, Dickason said she had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 2015, had post-natal depression after the birth of both her older daughter and then the twins and had been medicated for years before stopping in early 2021.

Twin sisters Maya and Karla Dickason are pictured with their older sister Liane

She also admitted to having thoughts of harming her children in the past and had told her husband on three occasions that she was scared as she had considered hurting their daughters.

Throughout the video interview being played in court Dickason sat with her head in her hands.

Earlier in the trial the jury heard Dickason had carried out several searches regarding how to overdose children and what the lethal or fatal quantities of specific drugs were for kids.

The trial is expected to run for at least another two weeks with experts to speak on whether they believe Dickason was insane.

For confidential 24-hour support in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
There has been a wartime ban on officials leaving Ukraine since the invasion

Yuriy Aristov, 48, stayed at the five-star Waldorf Astoria hotel in the Maldives

A Ukrainian MP has quit his job and faces three years in jail after he reportedly faked sick leave to take his family to a luxury hotel in the Maldives - despite a ban on leaving the country.

Yuriy Aristov, 48, travelled to Poland for a work trip, but then faked sick leave and went the five-star Waldorf Astoria hotel on the island of Ithaafushi.

There is a wartime ban on officials leaving the country, while men of a fighting age (18 to 60) need special permission to do so.

A news report had revealed the case, triggering a vehement reaction from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a speech on Tuesday.

'For some, it's about islands and resorts during the war, for others it's about lining one's pockets in the military enlistment office, for others it's about bribes in the courts,' he said.

Yuriy Aristov, 48, travelled to Poland for a work trip, but then faked sick leave and went to a luxurious hotel in the Maldives with his family, according to investigators

He stayed at a five-star Waldorf Astoria hotel (pictured, file image) on the island of Ithaafushi, where Ukraine's SBU security service said he travelled 'under the guise of a 'business trip'''

'Any internal betrayal, any 'beach' or any personal enrichment instead of Ukraine's interests triggers fury,' Zelensky said.

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Investigators opened a case on charges of forgery that carry up to three years of imprisonment, the State Bureau of Investigation said. The SBU also searched his home on Wednesday.

A criminal case will assess whether he gave false information to authorities in his bid to leave the country.

In total, Aristov was abroad for a month and a half from June 5 to July 22.

He first travelled to Poland to 'deepen bilateral cooperation with the Lithuanian government'.

From July 10 to 19 he then recorded sick leave. It is thought he entered inaccurate medical information into the system as no examination was carried out.

Ukrainian media then spotted him in the Maldives resort, which was later confirmed by both the hotel and the MP himself.

Ukraine's parliament is set to vote on the resignation of Aristov, who was also the deputy chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence.

Aristov is believed to have been a close ally with Zelensky, with the two even said to have been partners in a seafood and restaurant business in the past

He was a close ally of Zelensky, with the two even having been partners in a seafood and restaurant business at one point, according to Ukrainian media.

There have been several scandals involving high-ranking Ukrainian officials since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.

On Monday, Ukraine detained a former official from the southern Odesa region, accusing him of bribes in return for exempting some people from being conscripted into the army.
Countess Alexandra Tolstoy has demanded answers from NatWest after it closed her account without any explanation - as the bank's board continues to face a backlash over its decision to 'de-bank' Nigel Farage.

The adventurer, broadcaster and writer was informed her account was being terminated in a letter two months ago.

She says she was not given a reason, but believes subsequent developments suggest it was due to her former partner Sergei Pugachev - a Russian oligarch known as Putin's banker.

The 49-year-old - a descendent of the Tolstoy dynasty - insists she has not spoken to the father of her three children for seven years and does not receive any maintenance from him.

She says further research revealed she was declared a PEP (a politically exposed person) and had her name flagged on the database of World-Check, which helps businesses identify a variety of specific third-party risks by screening people for money-laundering, sanctions and terrorist financing.

Countess Alexandra Tolstoy was informed her account was being terminated in a letter two months ago

The aristocrat says she was not given a reason, but subsequent developments suggest it was due to her former partner Sergei Pugachev - a Russian oligarch known as Putin's banker

She wrote to NatWest and argued the PEP classification was incorrect. She says the bank agreed to change it but refused to reinstate her account or provide any more information about why it was still closed.

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'I said ''Come on, I'm a single parent. This is a really human, horrible case. I've got three children  I can't support them, what do I do?'' and they just wrote this absolutely extraordinarily arrogant phrase ''We see no reason to meet you or speak to you or give you the rationale behind our reasoning'',' she told the BBC.

Alexandra spoke amid the ongoing row about Coutts' decision to terminate its relationship with Nigel Farage.

Alison Rose, the CEO of NatWest - which owns the prestigious bank - had previously briefed a BBC reporter that Mr Farage was ditched for failing to meet minimum wealth thresholds.

However, it subsequently emerged that the bank had complied a dossier on the former UKIP leader which branded him 'xenophobic and racist'

The revelation sparked a huge political row, with Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt both speaking out about the danger of banks refusing to provide services to people because of their political views.

Alexandra said her own 'de-banking' had caused chaos for her business providing horseriding holidays, although she has eventually been able to find an online bank to pay her bills.

Sergei Pugachev was previously close to Vladimir Putin but fell out of favour and was labelled a traitor by the Russian president

'It has been unbelievably stressful to the point of I don't sleep  I'm terrified, I've got three children, their father doesn't support them. How do I work my business? How do I rent my home?'

Alexandra found the bank had 'on false premises' used a series of articles about her to come to the decision.

READ MORE - NatWest boss could get multi-million pound payout after quitting for briefing BBC about Farage Advertisement

This included an interview she gave to the Daily Mail 12 years ago.

The 2011 article focused on her love affair with Russian oligarch Sergei Pugachev and their plans to attend the wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco. It spoke about Botox and Bentleys, and the Valentino haute couture frock that Alexandra would be wearing.

It was considered strong enough evidence to be included in the World-Check file which Alexandra says is now having such a big impact on her financial affairs.

'How can they use newspaper headlines swept off the internet?' she previously told the Mail.

Alexandra split acrimoniously from Pugachev when he fled the UK in 2015 despite a court order banning him from leaving the country.

According to Alexandra, who was born in the UK and is a British citizen, they are not in contact and he has not supported her and their children since he left.

She says she has no financial links to Russia  something which would be checked by NatWest.



Alexandra spoke amid the ongoing row about Coutts' decision to terminate its relationship with Nigel Farage

NatWest has said it will post a cheque within 60 days for the 12,000 she had in her savings account.

She has now gone to the financial ombudsman and sent a data access request for the information the bank holds on her.

'Everybody has the right to a bank account. It is an essential human right, in the digital economy we live in,' she said.

'I think this has to go further  this is just the beginning, I don't think this is the end.'
The operator at the helm of the construction crane that collapsed in flames in Manhattan previously had his operating license suspended and was fined $25,000 when a colleague plummeted 48 stories to his death, it has been revealed.

Chris Van Duyne, 62, narrowly escaped with his life when the crane he was operating caught fire before collapsing and injuring 12 people on the Manhattan sidewalks.

The building equipment was attached to a luxury 47 story apartment building under construction on 41st Street and 10th Avenue near Hudson Yards, before a hydraulic fluid leak caused it to spark into flames.

The incident, which saw the crane strike the side of another skyscraper before it smashed into the sidewalk, comes as New York Daily News reported that Van Duyne had been previously charged following a construction accident in 2008 that saw his co-worker fall 48 stories to his death.

Van Duyne was hit with administrative charges and had his crane operating license suspended for eight months alongside his brother James Van Duyne after Anthony Esposito, 48, fell and died on September 4, 2008 during the construction of Silverstein Towers at 600 West 42nd Street.

Chris Van Duyne, 62, (pictured on Wednesday after his crane collapsed) narrowly escaped with his life when the crane he was operating caught fire before collapsing and injuring 12 people on the Manhattan sidewalks

The building equipment was attached to a luxury 47 story apartment building under construction on 41st Street and 10th Avenue near Hudson Yards, before a hydraulic fluid leak caused it to spark into flames (pictured)

Pictured: The destroyed crane after it smashed into the Manhattan sidewalk on Wednesday

The brothers had cut the guardrail of a work platform which was attached to the tower crane, a joint investigation between the Department of Investigations and Department of Buildings found.

Esposito, who was married with three kids, was helping the brothers dismantle the crane when he lost his footing and fell to his death.

He was wearing a safety harness but it was not attached, reported New York Post at the time.

Van Duyne and his brother were both charged with endangering public safety and violating city construction codes and fined $25,000 each, it was reported at the time.

They were both forced to complete 30 hours of DOB safety training and had their crane operating license suspended for eight months.

It comes as video footage shows the moment Van Duyne's crane burst into flames on Wednesday, with the worker seen swiftly scrambling down a ladder to safety.

As he makes his escape, fellow construction employees joke and begin to chant: 'We don't need no water let the motherf****r burn.'

A total of 12 people have been injured. Two victims are in a serious condition - including one of the two firefighters who are among the injured.

In the video, a worker on the construction site is heard saying 'it's on fire' and 'he's coming down' as his colleague Van Duyne makes his way down a ladder - with smoke seen billowing out the top of the burning crane.

An employee, who is recording the video, then says: 'Oh s**** that s*** is coming off.'

Video footage shows the moment Van Duyne's crane burst into flames on Wednesday, with the worker (circled) seen swiftly scrambling down a ladder to safety

Van Duyne tried to put out the fire but fled the cab once he realized the blaze was too large, according to co-workers who identified him on Wednesday morning

The crane quickly ignites and a large red flame is seen burning. Staff on the site are heard chanting 'the roof is on fire, we don't need no water let the motherf***** burn.'

Another worker urgently asks someone to go get the fire extinguisher.

The video then pans to a view of the skyline and the crane is seen dangling above the sidewalk.

DailyMail.com first published an image of the shaken construction worker who was operating the crane before it burst in flames and collapsed.

Van Duyne tried to put out the fire but fled the cab once he realized the blaze was too large, according to co-workers who identified him on Wednesday morning.

He appeared shocked and shaken after the ordeal, and declined to comment when approached by a DailyMail.com reporter.

The crane he was inside collapsed and struck the side of another skyscraper before falling onto a rush-hour Manhattan street as terrified commuters ran for their lives.

Fellow construction worker, Richard Paz, told DailyMail.com that a cable hauling wet concrete up to the top of the building site overheated just before the fire.

The crane operator noticed that the mechanics had stopped working, he said, because a computer system shut it down when the cable started burning out.

It was at this point the worker realized there was an issue and got out of the cab.

Once it got to a point where he couldn't extinguish the flames himself, he fled.

Fluid from the engine compartment leaked onto a heated metal plate, which sparked a flame and caused the crane to collapse on to an opposite residential skyscraper near Hudson Yards.

Pictured: The crane on fire. The fire heated up the cable of the crane, which was holding 16-tonnes of concrete, causing it to snap and trigger the collapse, FDNY deputy commissioner explained

A burning Manhattan construction crane is pictured collapsing and striking the side of a residential skyscraper on 10th Avenue, sending debris spraying onto the sidewalk below

The crane is seen collapsed on the street following the ordeal on Wednesday morning

The cause of the flaming crane cab was reported by New York Daily News - who also said that the equipment's permits and inspections were all up to date.

The blazing crane was attached to a luxury 47 story apartment building under construction at 550 10th Avenue, with the 16-tonnes of concrete it was carrying also smashed onto the street below.

It was seen striking the side of the 55-floor 555 10th Avenue apartment building opposite.

Terrifying video footage shot Wednesday morning showed the crane collapse and strike a glass residential skyscraper opposite - while people staying in nearby hotels and apartment blocks were quickly evacuated.

People covered in blood were stretchered into ambulances as screams rung out from construction workers and commuters on ground level, eyewitnesses said.

Over 200 firefighters rushed up to a nearby balcony and desperately battled the inferno - which blazed 500 feet above the Manhattan skyline this morning.

Disturbing photos obtained by Dailymail.com show the ruined terrace of the luxury New York City apartment tower which was struck by the burning construction crane.

Shattered glass littered the ground and metal beams were strewn across the roof of 555 10th Avenue near Hudson.

Planters filled with ornamental grass were also destroyed, with the soil once contained within them scattered across the luxurious deck of the building.

Much of its glass safety railing was also wrecked by the falling crane, offering a vertigo-inducing new vista for anyone working on the clean-up scene.

Several exterior windows of the tower were also smashed, although a building spokesperson said no-one inside had been injured.

Residents were evacuated and were not allowed back in until after 4pm ET.

The crane is owned by New Jersey-based Lomma, whose late founder James Lomma was ordered to pay $96 million to two construction workers killed when another of his cranes collapsed in 2008.

DailyMail.com has contacted Lomma Corp. for a comment on Wednesday's collapse.

Firefighters are seen spraying water on the crane in a bid to stop the fire

The FDNY posted an image of their firefighters tackling the blaze on Wednesday morning

A worker said the clean up is likely to go into the night.

A large yellow crane to remove the destroyed cement mixer, boom and crane was waiting at the police line.

One worker said: 'Our guys cant remove the crane without the all clear.

'It will likely take till tonight to clear the road and then well remove the crane.

'I cant be sure how long that will take.'

He added that most of the debris which exploded out of the cement bucket were rocks placed into the cement to enable the curing process.

Residents and workers in the area were seen running for their lives as the fiery crane blazed in the sky above them.

The dramatic incident sent debris spraying onto the streets - injuring multiple people below - while storefronts had their glass shattered.

The fire heated up the cable of the crane, which was holding 16-tonnes of concrete, causing it to snap and trigger the collapse, FDNY deputy commissioner explained.

Residents living with a view of the scene told DailyMail.com they heard screams from the construction workers at around 7.15am.

The fire then took hold and the top half of the crane collapsed at around 7:30am.

It broke off and smashed into 555 Ten, an apartment building across the street, then hit the ground.

The resident told DailyMail.com: 'We saw stretchers and ambulances so there are injuries on the ground. The stores under have also had all their windows broken.

'Weve now been evacuated from our building.'

The Fire Department New York confirmed in a statement: 'FDNY units are currently operating at a crane collapse and fire at 550 Tenth Avenue in Manhattan.'
The President of Niger has been overthrown by soldiers from his own Presidential Guard in a lightning coup, all while the country grapples with the growing threats of jihadist movements and the influence of Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries.

Members of the elite guard yesterday sealed off access to President Mohamed Bazoum's residence and offices in the capital Niamey, and after talks broke down, 'refused to release' him, a presidential source said.

The soldiers said 'all institutions' in the country would be suspended, borders were closed and a curfew imposed 'until further notice' from 10pm to 5am.

'We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime' of President Bazoum, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said in a televised address late Wednesday.

'This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance,' he added, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers.

In this image taken from video provided by ORTN, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, front centre, makes a statement late Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Niamey, Niger, as a delegation of military officers appeared on Niger State TV to read out a series of communiques announcing their coup d'etat

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum

Nigeriens gather at the presidential palace in the capital Niamey after the Nigerien presidency have confirmed that a coup attempt was carried out on Wednesday by soldiers who sealed off access to the official residence of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey, Niger

Supporters of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum gather to show their support for him in Niamey on July 26, 2023

Home to around 22 million people, Niger is two-thirds desert and frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index.

It has been blighted by the jihadist campaigns of groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and Boko Haram from northeastern Nigeria.

And the country shares borders with Mali, Libya and Burkina Faso - three nations in which Russia's Wagner Group has a strong presence and has worked to foster good relations with power centres in each country while securing access to resources.

Niger has received several financial support packages from the EU and the US in recent years, and its poorly equipped military receives training and logistical support from the US and France.

But the coup attempt signals a potential shift away from the pro-Western tendencies of President Bazoum that could give the Wagner Group ample opportunity to worm its way into the country and partner with its new military leaders.

Bazoum himself has recognised the Wagner threat, stating in a recent visit to London: 'Wagner is certainly a very real presence in our region. 'They are in Libya, which continues to be volatile... ever since the fall of [Muammar] Gaddafi.

'They are in Mali - has Wagner's presence in Mali led to any benefit for Mali? I would say not at all. We have certainly no intention of inviting them into our country. They create problems, [they] don't solve them. We know they have been engaged in disinformation campaigns against us.'

The President also contested that his country's fight against the Islamist threat has been undermined by its neighbours who are governed by military juntas sympathetic to Wagner.

'Joint operations with Mali and Burkina Faso are proving difficult because they are run by military regimes. We need to protect our democratic system.'

Since his capture by revolting soldiers, regional and global leaders have called for the release of Bazoum, who entered office two years ago in Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence from France in 1960.

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, will head to Niamey for mediation efforts, the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said.

In a message on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, the president's office said 'elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper... (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard'.

'The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition,' the presidency said.

'The president and his family are well,' it added.

Hours after his detention, Bazoum's supporters had tried to approach the official complex, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.

One person was hurt, but it was not immediately clear if he was injured by a bullet or from falling as the crowd scattered.

Demonstrators gather to protest the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the Presidential Guard in Niamey on July 26, 2023

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (L) listens as Niger President Mohamed Bazoum (R) speaks during a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Niamey on May 2, 2022

The parties of Niger's ruling coalition in Niamey denounced 'a suicidal and anti-republican madness' in a statement, saying that 'certain elements of the presidential guard sequestered the President' and his family, as well as the interior minister.

Condemnation also poured in from beyond the nation's borders.

ECOWAS and the African Union both decried what they called an 'attempted coup d'etat'.

ECOWAS called for Bazoum's immediate and unconditional release and warned all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.

The European Union said it 'associates itself' with the ECOWAS statement and attacked 'any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability' of Niger.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to Bazoum to offer Washington's support, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he 'strongly condemns the unconstitutional change in government' in Niger.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said it was 'following with great concern the developments' in the country, and the foreign minister of Niger's former colonial power France, Catherine Colonna, condemned 'all attempts to take power by force'.

President Talon was expected to arrive in Niamey on Thursday, after a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu said Talon would mediate with both the Presidential Guard and Bazoum, with a view to finding an agreement.

The landlocked Sahel state has experienced four coups since its 1960 independence, and numerous other attempts.

Bazoum, a former interior minister, was the right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.

An attempted coup took place just days before Bazoum's inauguration, according to a security source at the time.

Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader. Five people were jailed in February for 20 years.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March 'while the president... was in Turkey', according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.
The family of a 13-year-old who vanished more than six weeks ago has offered a $10,000 reward for information to ensure his safe return.

James Yoblonski was last seen at the family home in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, on June 11 by his father William Yoblonski, who believes his son took the family's Chrysler van to live off-grid at Devil's Lake State Park.

James reportedly also took his father's firearm along with two survival guide books, according to News 3.

Mr Yoblonski said he will mortgage their home in a desperate appeal for any information to help bring his son back.

'The $10,000 reward is only if he's found. In the last three weeks, we haven't gotten any tips or anything,' he told WiscNews earlier this week.

Sauk County Sheriff Lt. Steven Schram said that after using police search dogs, a makeshift campsite was found near Baraboo and Devil's Lake State Park on both sides of Highway 12. A second campsite was also found, according to News 3.

James Yoblonski (pictured) was last seen at the family residence in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, on June 11

James's father William Yoblonski believes his son took the family's Chrysler van to live off-grid at Devil's Lake State Park (pictured)

The family's vehicle was then found abandoned just off the highway. His cell phone was also located 200 yards west of the van.

Tracking of the phone showed that James had left the family residence on Water Street in Reedsburg, driven through Wisconsin Dells, headed back toward Reedsburg, and then south toward Baraboo.

Investigators said they believe James could be attempting a survival mission and wants to see how long he can live in the wilderness.

After no further signs of James have been found since the spotting of the campsite, Mr Yoblonski said he believes someone may have picked up the boy.

In a heartbreaking address to his son, he said: 'Come out from wherever you're hiding. We want you home. We love you very much.'

Speaking to WKOW TV, he said: 'He's a smart kid. This is uncalled for, to do something like this and not to talk to anybody about it.

'I bought some off grid books and come to find out he's got one of those with him too,'

The Sheriff's office said: 'The vehicle was located at approximately 8:46AM on Monday June 12 by a Sauk County Deputy.

'A ping of James cellular phone, conducted by the Sheriffs Office with assistance from Division of Criminal Investigation, led to the location currently being searched by Law Enforcement, near USH 12 and the Sauk hill.

'Deputies located a makeshift campsite where property belonging to James was located. Law Enforcement is continuing to search the area and have asked for additional law enforcement agencies to assist.

'If you have any information regarding this case, you are encouraged to contact the Sauk County Sheriff's Office at 608-355-4495, or Sauk County Crime Stoppers @ 1-888-TIP-SAUK (1-888-847-7285).'
A retired British miner who killed his terminally-ill wife to 'liberate' her from suffering is facing a new delay in his bid to be freed from prison.

David Hunter, 76, will now be sentenced on Monday next week after the court was adjourned today.

The pensioner, from Ashington, Northumberland, had been on trial for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.

Hunter, who has been in custody for 19 months, told the court she 'cried and begged' him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer.

At a hearing on Thursday, Hunter's defence team argued that he should be given a suspended sentence, which would allow him to leave prison.

David Hunter (left) is transported from Paphos District Court in Cyprus after he was found guilty by Cypriot judges of the manslaughter of his terminally ill wife Janice, who died of asphyxiation at the couple's home in December 2021

Hunter leaving the Paphos District Court in Cyprus after his sentencing was adjourned

Hunter smothered Janice in 2021 at their retirement home in Cyprus. Last week, he told the Paphos criminal trial how he took the heart-breaking decision to end her suffering from devastating blood cancer

After hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence, the judge at Paphos District Court said Hunter will be sentenced on Monday, July 31.

In mitigation, his defence lawyer, Ritsa Pekri, said his motive was to 'liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions'.

The court heard it was Mrs Hunter's 'wish' to die and that her husband 'had only feelings of love for her'.

'There was no personal benefit for him,' Ms Pekri added.

She described Hunter as 'a quiet, family man that has never troubled the authorities' and said witnesses spoke of him 'looking after his wife during a difficult time of her life'.

The defence team said there have been no similar cases in Cyprus and so they had instead drawn from similar cases in New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

'We believe the suitable decision drawn from these cases is a suspended sentence,' Ms Pekri said.

State prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou argued that the Hunters' case 'was not one of euthanasia'.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, said: 'We gave lengthy written submissions which include case law from across common law countries such as Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Australia.

'This is important as Cyprus has never sentenced a case such as this before.

'Cases from those jurisdictions show that a suspended sentence can be given in these circumstances.

'We will be asking the court to give David a suspended sentence. He has spent the equivalent of almost two-and-a-half years in custody and no proper purpose would be served by him spending more time in prison.'

The cemetery where the grave of Janice Hunter, wife to David Hunter is buried near their former home in Paphos

Hunter, who has been in custody for 19 months, told the court Janice 'cried and begged' him to end her life

Hunter is due to be sentenced next week for the manslaughter of Janice, 74

Hunter told his trial, which lasted for more than a year, that his wife 'cried and begged' him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer.

He broke down in tears as he said he would 'never in a million years' have taken Mrs Hunter's life unless she had asked him to.

He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife's mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became 'hysterical'.

The couple's daughter Lesley Cawthorne said the family was 'apprehensive' ahead of the sentencing hearing.

She said: 'We are hoping for time served or a suspended sentence but are very aware that there's a chance he'll remain in custody. We're not counting our chickens.'

Ms Cawthorne said her father had been 'quietly relieved' since last week's verdict, but was 'not especially' hopeful about his sentence.

She added: 'He doesn't want to allow himself to get his hopes up.

'He's grateful that the judges seem to have understood what they went through and believe that he acted out of love.'

In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that he would 'never in a million years' have taken his wife's life unless she had asked him to.

He added: 'She wasn't just my wife, she was my best friend.'

Hunter showed the court how he held his hands over his wife's mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wife's wish after she became 'hysterical'.

Hunter went on to attempt suicide, taking drugs and alcohol with the aim of overdosing.

But medics managed to revive him before he was arrested on suspicion of pre-meditated murder  and he has since languished in a high-security jail in Nicosia.

Hunter - a retired miner - said he was forced to treat his wife himself at home due to Covid restrictions as her health deteriorated.

Hunter made his first statement in court last week and was visibly shaking as he gave evidence. He described how he took the devastating decision to end the suffering of his wife at their home in Cyprus

The final two witnesses in the trial took the stand today, telling the court how Janice's condition deteriorated in the last years of her life, how she became increasingly depressed, and that Hunter was a loving husband. Pictured: David and Janice Hunter seen on their wedding day

During the trial he told the court his wife was left crying out in agony 24 hours a day.

He broke down in tears as he told the court how he killed his wife after she 'begged' him for six weeks.

He said: 'I don't remember a lot of the last day. I went to make a cup of coffee and she started crying.'

He described how he went to the kettle and gripped the bench for support as his wife sat sobbing next door.

'The next thing I knew I put my hands on her,' he said, wiping tears from his eyes. 'When it was finished, she was a grey colour. She didn't look like my wife, and it was the first time I cried in many years.'

He described how he stood by her side and put his left hand on her nose and right hand over her mouth to smother her.

When prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou suggested that Mrs Hunter struggled and scratched him as he smothered her, Hunter told him: 'She never struggled, she never moved. You are talking nonsense.'
His family confirmed that he fell into a coma and passed away on Sunday

Paul Bond from Bristol suffered severe head injuries after his fall on July 9

A British father has died after falling from the second floor balcony of his Bulgarian holiday home while renovating the property.

Paul Bond, 61, suffered severe head injuries from the fall and slipped into a coma after the accident on July 9.

The builder from Bristol was unable to recover from his injuries and tragically passed away in Pirogov Hospital on Sunday, his family said.

The family will be using the funds previously intended for his treatment to bring him back to the UK.

Paul's daughter Abi wrote on social media: 'Dad passed away on Sunday afternoon. We just want to thank everyone for your kind words, prayers, support and donations, we will be forever grateful. We will be getting Dad home as soon as possible.'

Mr Bond, described as 'a hugely loved father, grandfather, son, brother and friend' had been busy renovating his holiday home when it appears he fell from the second floor balcony.

British father Paul Bond has died after falling from the second floor balcony of his Bulgarian holiday home while renovating the property

He was found by a friend on the morning of Sunday, July 9, although it was not clear when exactly he had fallen.

He was taken to hospital in a coma due to brain injuries, where he underwent surgery.

His daughters Sophie and Abi rushed to Bulgaria to be at his bedside where he had been placed on life support.

His condition was described as stable, although he remained on life support and his head injuries were believed to be irreversible, according to the fundraising appeal.

The fundraising effort raised nearly 7,000 which will be used to bring him back to Bristol.

Family friend Rebekah Richardson posted on the fundraising page: 'The family would like to thank all those who have supported them during this difficult time.

'This has been greatly appreciated, the money raised will now be used to bring Paul home as soon as possible. We appreciate your respect at this time.'

Ms Richardson has known the family for around 18 years and has been acting as their spokesperson since the accident.

She told the BBC previously: 'Paul's just a really kind of fun loving guy.

'He's got a massive, massive heart - he's very family orientated and is really loved by everyone that he knows.'
Leaked messages have demonstrated how alleged sex trafficker Andrew Tate coerced women into doing sex work for him, according to a new report.

When the influencer was arrested in Romania in December, authorities accused him of using the 'loverboy' method to lure woman to his compound in Bucharest under the guise of having a relationship, before forcing them to do sex work.

According to Rolling Stone, citing screenshots of purported messages from the 'War Room' (Tate's groupchat with his followers) and other texts in 2021, Tate described women as 'targets' and 'assets' and spoke of isolating and manipulating them.

In one message, the misogynist described how he isolated one woman until she 'lost her support networks at home' and kept her at the compound in Bucharest.

'The real goal is for her to agree to never go anywhere without me. Not even her home town. I need her working,' he wrote, according to screenshots.

Leaked messages have demonstrated how alleged sex trafficker Andrew Tate (left with his brother, Tristan) coerced women into doing sex work for him, according to a report

Former police officer Luana Radu (left) and Georgiana Naghel (right) are suspected of assisting the Tate brothers in the crimes they are under investigation for

Tate, who is currently under house arrest, also appeared to seek help from his associates to force one woman to post sexually explicit content on OnlyFans, an internet content subscription platform used mostly by sex workers.

In the message, Tate tells followers he'll be 'making the play tonight'.

'Since she moved [to Bucharest] she's been fed. But nothing else,' he wrote.

'She's broke. And she can't go home. And she can't leave the house. Man, I sound almost evil,' he added according to the leaked messages.

Pictured: A selection of messages purportedly sent by Andrew Tate to his 'War Room' group chat and to women, seen in screenshots also posted to the group chat

Tate has denied the trafficking and rape charges that have been levelled against him and his brother, Tristan, by the Romanian agency DIICOT.

DIICOT alleges that Tate, his brother Tristan and two Romanian women - Luana Radu and Georgiana Naghel - formed a criminal group in 2021 'to commit the crime of human trafficking' in Romania, as well as in the United States and Britain.

There are seven female victims in the case, DIICOT said, who were lured with false pretenses of love and transported to Romania, where the gang sexually exploited them and subjected them to physical violence.

One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the agency. The women were allegedly controlled by 'intimidation, constant surveillance' and claims they were in debt, prosecutors said.

A spokesperson for the influencer told MailOnline that 'a significant portion of retweets and shares of these screenshots across social media platforms originate from recently created and unverified accounts' and suggested they could have been generated by artificial intelligence (AI) platforms.

'The rise of AI and social media as a news source has opened up the opportunity to anonymously present potentially fabricated, or manipulated evidence, while bypassing the burden of responsibility and avoiding consequences,' they said.

'These realities raise concerns about the potential for a deliberate and targeted effort to sway public opinion and undermine the credibility of the evidence presented.'

On screenshots of messages purported to be between Tate and one of the victims included in the case against the Tate brothers, the spokesperson said she 'has publicly and categorically refuted any mistreatment from the brothers.

However, despite her pleas, the prosecution remains reluctant to remove her name from the alleged victim list.

'While all statements from the alleged victims, incriminating the brothers, have been unquestioningly accepted by the public, the evidence supporting the brothers' innocence has not been given the same fair treatment,' they added.

When Tate was arrested in Romania in December, authorities described how he used the 'loverboy' method to lure woman to his compound in Bucharest under the guise of having a relationship, before forcing them to do sex work

According to Rolling Stone: 'The messages paint a lurid and often disturbing image of the process by which Tate allegedly recruited young women to do his bidding using a combination of lies, manipulation, and coercive tactics, all the while using examples of his conversations as teaching methods for his acolytes and inviting feedback from them.'

The publication previously reported that the Tate brothers head up the War Room social network and Telegram channel, providing its members with access to their 'teachings' on sex, masculinity, and how to manipulate women.

While Tate's allies have said War Room is nothing more than a self-help group, the Rolling Stone reported sources as saying its a forum for coercing women to do online sex work for the group's members.

The screenshot obtained by the Rolling Stone and also shared on social media platforms show a group titled 'War Room PhD', seemingly a reference to Tate's defunct 'Pimpin' Hoes Degree' programme.

According to a description of the 'programme' on its website that has since been deleted, it said - seemingly from Tate's perspective: 'My job was to meet a girl get her to fall in love with me to where she'd do anything I'd say, and then get her on webcam so we could become rich together.'

The messages are dated from June 2021. A user identified as Tate is seen talking with War Room members, posting screenshots of women from Instagram and referring to them as 'targets' and 'assets' for OnlyFans cam work.

In one message from June 17, 2021, he shares a picture of a women and wrItes: 'Ibiza asset has agreed to do [OnlyFans work]. PhD writeup forthcoming.'

One of the members is seen praising Tate, writing: 'Much respect. I'll get back to training, studying, and implementing.'

Tate later sends a photo of two women he says have 'moved in together,' which Rolling Stone reports are listed as alleged victims.

He says one of these women has 'lost her support networks at home' and has started begging to see him.

In the War Room groupchat, 'Tate' shares screenshots of his own messages with the women, writing: 'The real goal is for her to agree to never go anywhere without me. Not even her home town. I need her working.'

In another screenshot of a message to her, he is seen telling her that she 'is never going back to [her hometown] even to visit' and says she doesn't 'need to leave the house in Bucharest. We are together. Always.'

The women responds: 'Yes. I understand.'

In the War Room groupchat, one user writes that 'isolation is critical'.

Romanian officials transport the cars seized from Andrew Tate's compound to a storage location in Pipera, Ilfov, Romania

Romanian police officers wait to enter Andrew Tate's and his brother Tristan's residence, on the outskirts of Bucharest, Romania, to check if they are present at the location

Andrew Tate, left, enters his house, during a visit by Romanian police officers to checking if they are present at the location, on the outskirts of Bucharest

About another women, 'Tate' recounts to his members how he recruited her to work for him by producing sexual content online, according to Rolling Stone.

He shares a screenshot in which the women is resistant to sending a sexual photo or creating content for OnlyFans, saying 'my body is intimate and only my husband should be able to touch and see.'

This, 'Tate' writes, is the 'maximum difficulty that you experience in the business' and appears to frame the lack of consent as a challenge and a learning experience for his followers, before asking them how they would approach the situation.

One person suggests a 'good-cop, bad-cop ruse'.

'Tate' tells his members that the woman has since moved to Bucharest and has been 'fed. But nothing else.' He tells them she's broke, can't go home or leave the house.

'Man, I sound almost evil,' he writes. 'But I'm not. I'm a Shephard. Leading the sheep. She doesn't realize that following me makes life better for her.'

In other messages, he describes how he used one woman's request for money against her, and in another, suggests he manufactured a fake conversation between himself and his so-called 'bottom-b**ch' Georgiana Nagel.

Nagel is one of the two women who has also been charged by Romanian prosecutors in connection with Tate's alleged criminal organisation.

'Tate' tells the group chat that the point of the fake conversation is to dispel the woman's suspicions that he's trying to pressure her into making explicit content.

Rolling Stone said it had shown the messages to someone who was previously close with the Tate brothers. They, the publication reported, said they demonstrated '100 per cent the way [the Tates'] mind[s] operates in regards to all females.'

'I honestly don't think they feel anything for any woman in terms of real genuine feelings and respect.'

It is understood that one of the women Tate is accused of bringing to Bucharest in May 2021 and forcing to create pornographic content has denied that she is a victim of the influencer brothers.

'The corruption is disgusting. WAKE UP PEOPLE!,' she wrote in January. 'I am not a Victim. There are no Victims in the Tate case.'

Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, are brought by police officers to the Court of Appeal, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Last week, a Romanian court ruled to extend the house arrest of the Tates.

The July 18 decision at the Bucharest Tribunal comes a month after prosecutors formally indicted the 36-year-old former Big Brother contestant along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women in the same case.

The decision means all four defendants - who were arrested in late December near Bucharest - will remain under house arrest for 30 more days.

Outside the court on Monday, Tate told journalists 'the moral arc of the universe bends towards justice in the end'.

'My brother and I are extremely resilient people. In the end justice shall be served,' he said. 'We're feeling like things are going to work out perfectly in the end  and until then we're going to follow the judicial process.'

The Tates lost their last appeal on July 6 against a prior house arrest extension.

After spending three months in police detention in Bucharest, the Tate brothers won an appeal on March 31 to be moved to house arrest.

Tate, who has been accused of peddling conspiracy theories online and has amassed 7.2 million Twitter followers, has repeatedly claimed prosecutors have no evidence against him and there is a political conspiracy designed to silence him.

Before the court's decision on Tuesday, a post appeared on his Twitter account saying: 'There are Matrix agents on all sides of the political spectrum. War is funded. Trump and I are self funded. Basically everyone else is bought and paid for.'

DIICOT alleges that the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 'in order to commit the crime of human trafficking' in Romania, as well as in the US and Britain.

Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate are escorted by police officers outside the headquarters of the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism in Bucharest (DIICOT) after being detained for 24 hours, in Bucharest

There are seven female victims in the case, DIICOT said, who were lured with false pretences of love and transported to Romania, where the gang sexually exploited them and subjected them to physical violence. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the agency.

The women were allegedly controlled by 'intimidation, constant surveillance' and claims they were in debt, prosecutors said.

Andrew Tate was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing hate speech and misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for getting sexually assaulted.

Several women in Britain are also pursuing civil claims to obtain damages from Tate, alleging they were victims of sexual violence.
Identical twin sisters who share every waking moment together have revealed they also share their fiance of 11 years.

Featuring on an episode of Extreme Sisters, Anna and Lucy DeCinque claim to be the most identical twins in the world, living as similarly as possible.

The 35-year-old pair weigh their food to be equal, taking bites at the same time and even sleep and shower together.

They have undergone the same plastic surgery and wear the same clothes to limit the amount of differences between the pair.

Now the sisters are trying to ensure their fiance, Ben, impregnates them both at the same time.

Anna and Lucy speak in perfect unison and take any opportunity to complete each other's sentences.

'We just think we're one person,' the twins said.

The twins started seeing their Ben 11-years ago when he started to message both of them separately.

They both agreed to date him at the same time as Ben didn't drive a wedge between the inseparable duo, unlike men they had attempted to date prior.

'Sharing a boyfriend for us means we get to be together all the time,' Anna said.

'There's no jealousy in this relationship. If Ben kisses Anna, he'll kiss me straight after,' Lucy said.

They also revealed how they get intimate with their fiance, saying: 'Ben in his own way will please both of us. If Ben does something to one twin in the bedroom, he has to do it to the other'.

The twins have been engaged to Ben for some time, with their 'biggest hurdle' being marriage laws in Australia.

'What's holding us back, is that you can't marry two people,' Ben said.

Two identical twins from Perth, Anna and Lucy DeCinque (pictured), claim to be the most identical twins in the world, sharing clothes, food and even a fiance

The twins have been dating Ben (pictured) at the same time for 11 years, claiming their 'biggest hurdle' is marriage laws not allowing him to marry two people at the same time

The twins shocked UK viewers of the ITV's This Morning program in February after they revealed their intentions to carry Ben's child at the same time.

'We can't live without each other, we can't be apart ... If it's possible, we'd like to be pregnant together,' the twins said.

'At the end of the day, it's how we choose to live our life and we're happy like that.'

The show's hosts, Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, asked the twins if Ben felt the pressure of impregnating them both only to be met with laughter from the pair.

'It's double the love for Ben, he understands that we need to be the same, we need to do everything together 24/7,' they said.

'We found our everything, we're so thankful we found Ben.'


Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday met suspended AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in Parliament saying that he supports all those who want a detailed discussion on Manipur violence and also a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament. Akhilesh Yadav, along with his wife and party MP Dimple Yadav, arrived in Parliament and met Singh and suspended Congress MP Rajni Patil.



Speaking to the media, Yadav said, I support all those MPs who want a discussion on Manipur, the Prime Minister should speak on it.



Taking a swipe at the BJP leaders, he said that the BJP leaders and its people, who speak on every issue and make everyone listen through several mediums, must also speak on the Manipur incident. Who wont feel ashamed? he asked.



He (Modi) keeps on saying that he will take India to new heights but should such treatment be meted out to women in the country, which has been seen by the entire world? Safety and respect of our mother and sisters is paramount even if our economy does not reach anywhere, Akhilesh Yadav added.



Singh was suspended for the remainder of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday for his unruly behaviour while he was demanding for a detailed discussion on Manipur along with the Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha.



Following his suspension from the Monsoon Session, Singh has been sitting on protest in the Parliament premises and is being joined by the leaders of the opposition parties.








A 'tidal wave of youth crime' will hit Britain if action is not taken to reverse a post-Covid surge in school absence, a think tank analysis has warned.

The Centre for Social Justice has identified a generation of 'ghost children' - those who are set to be persistently truant in their final year of school - if current absence rates are not addressed.

This risks an additional 9,000 extra young offenders - including 2,000 more violent offenders - by 2027 if left unresolved, the think tank found.

They focused their study on pupils projected to leave school in Year 11 in 2025 - a so-called 'lost generation' who began secondary school just as Covid lockdowns hit.

The CSJ, which was set up by ex-Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, warned of a 100million a year cost to the taxpayer from soaring youth crime linked to school absence.

The Centre for Social Justice warned of a 100million a year cost to the taxpayer from soaring youth crime linked to school absence

There will be an additional 9,000 extra young offenders - including 2,000 more violent offenders - by 2027 if school absence rates are left unresolved, the think tank found

The number of severely absent pupils  those missing more than half of their school time  has more than doubled since 2019

Rates of school absence have soared since the first Covid lockdown in 2020, their new report stated.

The numbers of persistently absent pupils  those missing more than 10 per cent of school time  rose to 32 per cent in 2022 among Year 11 pupils, up from 16 per cent just before the pandemic.

The number of persistently absent pupils rose by over 800,000 since 2019 to 1.7 million last autumn.

It has also been shown that the number of severely absent pupils  those missing more than half of their school time  has more than doubled since 2019.

The CSJ analysis of Department for Education and Ministry of Justice research found persistently absent pupils are three times as likely to commit an offence by age 17 than pupils fully attending school.

The think tank is calling for ministers to 'radically upscale' their response to school absence, including a national rollout of 'attendance mentors' to tackle the underlying cause of absence.

Andy Cook, chief executive of the Centre for Social Justice, said: 'Government needs to take absence seriously if we are to stop a lost generation of children suffering the consequences of lockdown for decades to come.

'Alongside stunting academic attainment, children with a history of school absence are three times more likely to commit an offence than those who routinely attend school.

'For the sake of these children's future  and for the safety of our streets  government must stop tinkering around the edges and accelerate the national roll out of attendance mentors, ensuring all children benefit from an education that sets them up for life.'

The Department for Education noted that persistent absence rates were falling, with 350,000 fewer children persistently absent between last summer and this spring.

A Government spokesperson said: 'We are working to prevent youth crime through our 200 million Youth Endowment Fund which aims to give young people most at risk the opportunity to turn away from violence.

'In schools we are funding Alternative Provision and SAFE taskforces which are providing direct, targeted support to vulnerable pupils at risk of involvement in serious violence, to keep them engaged in education.

'We are also working with schools, trusts, governing bodies and local authorities to identify pupils who are at risk of becoming - or who are - persistently absent to support those children to return to regular and consistent education.'
These are some of the shocking moments where supermarkets have been targeted by crooks in an epidemic that has seen an average of 1,000 incidents a day.

Major chains including John Lewis, Asda and the Co-op have been targeted by organised criminal gangs as crimes with shoplifting soaring by 26 per cent in the past year, according to the British Retail Consortium.

Many of the stores blame police for the surge in the disturbing crimes as families struggle amid the cost of living crisis.

One survey by the BRC says 56 per cent of retailers rated the police response as 'fair' - with others declaring it even worse.

The problem has become so serious the Home Office has ploughed funding into trying to stem the flood of illegality.

A spokesperson said: 'Theft is down 20 per cent compared to pre pandemic levels. However, we recognise the impact that theft can have on retailers which is why we are supporting police by providing funding for crime prevention means.

This was the moment a gang of thieves used a fleet of stolen Land Rovers including a car belonging to Richard E Grant to smash into jewellery shops, banks and petrol stations in a huge crime spree

The Co-op has released some of the CCTV footage from their stores, with one London shop 'looted' three times in just 24 hours

'The Government's anti-social behaviour action plan, which is backed by 160million of funding will make our communities safer by ensuring perpetrators face swift and visible justice, tougher punishments and introduce early interventions to reduce this behaviour.'

The Co-op say the level of 'out-of-control crime' saw one inner-city London store 'looted' three times in just 24 hours.

It warned the onslaught was unsustainable and could see some communities become a no-go area for local stores.

Other stores have also spoken out against the appalling treatment of its shops and staff.

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP), which owns Waitrose, said it was seeing 'rising numbers of shoplifting offences - often by organised gangs as well as anti-social behaviour'.

Lucy Brown, director of security for JLP, said: 'We're seeing a real increase - some are one-off offenders but the majority are shoplifting on a regular basis, switching across all retailers.

'They will use major transport infrastructure to hit every retailer in a particular town or city or high street.

'We're also seeing a rise in organised crime with groups targeting stores - they want to take high volumes and high value in one hit.'

The damage caused when a Range Rover smashed through a Tesco store in Reading

One gang carried out a crime wave in west London, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Dorset, between 14 November 2021 and 19 August 2022. Here, they smashed a stolen Range Rover into a Co-op store in Poole, Dorset

There have been accusations that police forces fail to respond to desperate calls by the stores

The Co-op has not named any of the branches affected, but most are in London

The stressful scenes can be seen in the harrowing footage released by the chain in support

Today the Co-op urged police and crime commissioners to target prolific offenders and local organised criminal gangs.

A Freedom of Information request showed that police failed to respond to 71 per cent of serious retail crimes reported, the Co-op said.

It also revealed that front-line store workers have seen physical assaults increase year-on-year by almost a third and anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse by a fifth.

Matt Hood, Co-op Food managing director, said: 'We know retail crime is driven by repeat and prolific offenders and organised criminal gangs.

'It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and the worst instances can even be described as "looting".

'I have seen some horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in our stores, where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened.

'I see first-hand how this criminal behaviour also erodes the very fabric of our communities - it's hard to over-emphasise how important urgent change is.

'Co-op has invested significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe, but we need the police to play their part.

'Too often, forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams, and criminals are operating in communities without any fear of consequences.'

James Lowman, chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: 'Our members are at the sharp end, seeing crime in their communities get steadily worse.

'Shop theft is rising because repeat offenders and organised criminals are targeting local shops to steal goods to resell.

The Co-op says criminals are operating in communities without any fear of police

The footage showed gangs of yobs running wild in shops unchecked by any police presence

'This organised criminal activity exploits vulnerable people by getting them to steal to order in exchange for their next fix, funds the illegal drug trade and harms businesses that provide essential services to communities.

'The police have to face up to theft, violence and anti-social behaviour in and around local shops.

'Cracking down on the criminals who account for the majority of this crime against our members would be the most effective way to make our communities safer.'

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shop workers union Usdaw said: 'Evidence is mounting that retail crime is on the increase.

'This is very concerning for our members in retail, because shoplifting is not a victimless crime.

'Theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers and, as the Co-op rightly says, it is often linked to organised crime gangs.'

Closed Circuit Television in all Co-op stores mean that frightening scenes are captured on film

These yobs forced themselves behind the counter and simply took whatever they wanted

Thieves typically target store kiosk areas  which have high-value cigarettes  and alcohol aisles



One Co-op outlet was raided three times on the same day, while others have been hit as many as 50 times.

Staff have described armed thugs flashing screwdrivers or knives at them, and gangs smashing through doors.

Thieves typically target store kiosk areas  which have high-value cigarettes  and alcohol aisles.

However, items including meat, coffee, and even baby formula and nappies are in their sights.

The Co-op warns that the situation has become so bad, it may have to shut stores in some areas.

Yasmin, a store manager in north-west London, says: 'One colleague collapsed recently due to the fear. I can't help thinking, what if the worst had happened? What if they hadn't gone home to their family that night?

'We risked our lives working through Covid and now it feels like we are risking our lives all over again.'

Conservative MP Philip Davies, who is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Customer Service, says: 'This patchy record of police forces uncovered by the Co-op is simply not good enough. Our frontline workers deserve far better.

'It is no good having stricter laws in place to punish offenders if the police are not properly investigating.'

The Co-op says it does work closely with a few police forces to tackle the problem, including Nottinghamshire.

As a result, 17 prolific offenders have been jailed this year and another 13 have been given a criminal behaviour order or rehabilitation.
He's believed to have links to the Marrickville barber shop shooting

He was due to face court for charges of drug possession

David Stemler was shot dead just after 2am at Canterbury

The latest victim in Sydney's bloody gangland killings is believed to have had links to to a botched assassination attempt at a Marrickville barber shop earlier this month and was facing drug charges.

David Stemler, 28, was shot dead just after 2am on Thursday after he met two men outside his rental home on Broughton Street in Canterbury, southwest Sydney.

Stremler was the fifth person shot in just five days in the Harbour City as underworld tension erupts leaving investigators struggling for answers.

Detectives are yet to reveal a possible motive for the targeted shooting but believe it is likely linked to control of the lucrative drug trade.

Stremler was due to face court for charges of drug possession in the coming days and had pleaded not guilty.

He died at the scene despite the desperate efforts of emergency responders to revive him, with bullets hitting him in the chest and abdomen.

The latest victim of Sydney's underworld war, David Stemler (pictured), was understood to have links to the barber shop shooting in Marrickville just weeks earlier

Stemler (pictured) was shot dead as he met two men outside his rental home in Canterbury shortly after 2am on Thursday

A burnt-out Lexus believed to be the getaway car was found on Dunrossil Avenue in Casula at about 3.20am.

A second vehicle, a Holden Commodore, was discovered on Beaconsfield Avenue in nearby Kingsgrove about 6am on Thursday.

Stemler's links to drug supply and the shooting on July 7, are now a major focus of the investigation.

Detectives suspect Stemler had links to the shooting at a Adels Salon in Marrickville where brothers William Siale, 33, and Etuate Eric Siale, 20, were the target of a botched assassination as they went to get their hair cut, the Daily Telegraph reported.

William was shot in the buttock and back, by the masked gunman and Siale was hit in the chest.

The two men were treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to hospital. Miraculously both survived.

Stemler (pictured) was set to face court for charges of drug possession which he had pleaded not guilty to

The 28-year-old man was found critically injured on Broughton Street in Canterbury. He died at the scene. Pictured are forensic officers at the crime scene

School children walk to school past the dead body on Thursday morning

The shooting of Stemler comes after prominent criminal defence lawyer Mahmoud Abbas was shot in his driveway in Greenacre on Wednesday morning.

Mr Abbas was hit in the right leg and stomach before being rushed to the hospital to undergo emergency surgery where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

The shooting occurred on the same street where underworld figure Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was shot dead while visiting an associate in April 2022.

The latest incidents this week have prompted NSW Police to establish a task force to investigate the recent spate of brazen shootings and associated organised criminal activities.

Broughton Street, Canterbury remained cordoned off after a second shooting within 24 hours in Sydney's south-west

Mahmoud Abbas (pictured) was treated for gunshot wounds after he was shot outside his Greenacre home on Wednesday

Led by State Crime Command, Taskforce Magnus will examine the links between shootings dating back to when Alen Moradian was gunned down in a Bondi Junction carpark in Sydney's east on June 27.

'Public place shootings are reckless  and criminals carrying out such attacks show a blatant disregard for, not only their own safety, but that of the community,' NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said.

'Taskforce Magnus will provide investigating officers a full suite of capabilities and an arsenal of resources to not only find those responsible, but to end this brazen violence on our streets.

'Organised criminals have proven time and time again they operate within a cone of silence  unwilling to assist police due to fear of retribution or misguided loyalties.'

Alen Moradian was gunned down during a brazen daylight ambush in Bondi Junction
PRINCE Harry's evidence was ruled 'implausible' as his phone-hacking claim against The Sun was thrown out yesterday.

A High Court judge said there was 'a lack of credibility' about the duke's claims.

And Mr Justice Fancourt dismissed as improbable Harry's story that Buckingham Palace had struck a secret deal behind his back. He said the Duke of Sussex had signed two 'statements of truth' that were 'inconsistent' with his evidence.

His excoriating 40-page judgment is believed to be the first time the evidence of a senior royal has been tested in this way.

Beneath the crest of Harry's father the King at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Mr Justice Fancourt ruled that the duke's case had 'not reached the necessary threshold of plausibility and cogency'.

The duke, 38, is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, alleging phone hacking and other unlawful activities were used to write stories about him. Yesterday, the phone-hacking elements of the case were thrown out after the publisher successfully argued Harry had left it too late to bring his case.

By law, claimants must launch a case within six years, and the judge said there was 'no doubt' the duke had known as long ago as 2012 that he had been hacked by the News of the World.

Prince Harry outside the High Court in June to give evidence against Mirror Group Newspapers. He lost his phone hacking claim against The Sun today

While Harry's phone hacking claims have been dismissed, the High Court judge granted him the right to continue suing the newspaper for other alleged illegal activity to find information for stories

NGN hailed the ruling as 'a significant victory'  but it still faces a trial scheduled for January on the other aspects of the case, which Harry's lawyer David Sherborne claimed were 'the majority' of the allegations. When NGN tried to have the whole case thrown out as being too late, Harry responded first by saying he had found out only recently about the hacking so could not have brought it sooner.

Then he said he would have brought it earlier but for a backroom 'secret agreement' between Buckingham Palace and newspaper executives, which meant he had been blocked by royal courtiers in 2012 from launching a claim.

This prompted the judge to question how Harry could simultaneously claim he did not know, while also insisting he had been blocked.

NGN's barrister, Anthony Hudson KC, claimed Harry was trying to ride two horses going in opposite directions and described his belated explanation as 'Alice in Wonderland stuff'.

After a hearing to get to the bottom of the 'secret agreement', Mr Justice Fancourt listed a series of 'problems' with the duke's case.

He said there was 'nothing other than his rather vague and limited evidence' to support a secret deal, no documentary evidence of it, and 'no evidence from those acting for the Royal Family at the time who might have been expected to support his account'.

Prince Harry's lawyer David Sherborne arrived at the High Court today ahead of the judgment

Harry's own stated case, which was 'twice supported by statements of truth', was 'inconsistent' with his evidence to the court, and also with evidence he had given in another case he is pursuing, against the publisher of the Mail, the judge found.

There was a 'lack of credibility' in the duke's claims and an 'improbability of a secret agreement being made'. The judge said it was 'surprising' that Harry had not remembered the supposed secret deal when he was putting together his case.

And he said Harry could 'easily' have found out he had a worthwhile case years ago had he exercised 'reasonable diligence'.

Despite the setback to the prince, the rest of his case will continue to trial, with The Sun facing serious claims that it used private eyes to snoop on the fifth in line to the throne.

Yesterday the judge said both sides had won victories so far, and should each bear their own costs up to now.

But Harry has also been ordered to pay towards the future costs of the newspaper's lawyers, who face extra work to respond to the fact that the duke must now amend his case in the light of yesterday's ruling.
Spanish locals have been spotted out before dawn to lay down their towels in a prime spot on a Costa Blanca beach - as holidaymakers are waking up earlier and earlier to claim sun loungers.

Early-risers in Torrevieja on Thursday proudly planted their flags in the sand even before the sun rose.

They started setting up at 5.30am just after council cleaners had finished their night shift as similar scenes also played out just over an hour's drive away in the popular holiday spot of Benidorm.

One local dug his sun umbrella - in the red and yellow of the Spanish national flag - into the sand and plonked his deckchair beside it before disappearing.

Another even planted a mini-Spanish flag into the top of his parasol - and stood next to it with his arms crossed in front of him as if he were defending his territory against foreign marauders.

Spanish locals have been spotted out before dawn to lay down their towels in a prime spot on a Costa Blanca beach

Early-risers in Torrevieja on Thursday proudly planted their flags in the sand even before the sun rose

Having a lie-in during time off abroad now seems to have gone out of the window for holidaying Brits as instead an early battle begins each day to claim the best spots.

READ MORE: Hilarious moment holidaymaker bags five sun loungers with well-rehearsed sprint Advertisement

It comes as a study revealed Brits get a thrill out of managing to grab a sun lounger by the pool before anyone else.

In a survey of 2,000 Brits by M&S Bank, 13 per cent of Brits said managing to get a sun lounger was one of the most exciting things about going on a summer holiday.

Other thrill-factors for a trip away included the smell of suntan lotion (18 per cent), getting your suitcase out (17 per cent) and googling the weather before travelling (18 per cent).

Paul Stokes, who commissioned the study, said: 'It's easy to forget things. It sounds simple, but make a list.'

Traditionally, early-rising German tourists have been the first off the blocks to grab one of the outdoor beds, leaving many British holidaymakers disappointed.

Locals in Benidorm were also spotted setting up their sunbeds in the middle of the night to beat British tourists.

Pictures showed residents on the beach erecting parasols in the dark in front of the ocean.

Spanish early-risers started setting up for the day at around 5.30am, just after council cleaners had finished their night shift

The Spanish locals lined the shores of the beach in an attempt to beat tourist Brits to the prime spots

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.

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.

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

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.'
A judge is being investigated for scrolling on her cell phone during a murder trial of a man accused of beating his two-year-old son to death.

Oklahoma Judge Traci Soderstrom was caught on security video using her phone to text and browse social media during jury selection, opening statements and testimony in the trial for a man charged with the fatal beating of his girlfriend's son.

Khristian Tyler Martzall was convicted for second-degree manslaughter for in the 2018 death of Braxton Danker.

The toddler was found by Lincoln County officials with injuries all over his body including broken bones and open wounds, according to News on 6.

Braxton's mother Judith Danker, who testified at Martzall's hearing, took a plea deal in 2019 after being accused of murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for enabling or permitting child abuse.

While Danker tearfully speaks in the stand, the Lincoln County District judge can be seen using her cell. When Danker reaches for a tissue to wipe her eyes and blow her nose, the judge glances over before looking back down at the screen.

Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom is being investigated for scrolling on her cell phone during a murder trial of a man accused of beating his two-year-old son to death

Braxton (pictured) was found by Lincoln County officials with injuries all over his body including broken bones and open wounds

Khristian Tyler Martzall (left) was convicted for second-degree manslaughter for in the 2018 death of Braxton Danker. Judith Danker (right) took a plea deal in 2019 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for enabling or permitting child abuse

Soderstrom, 50, is now being investigated by the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints.

Taylor Henderson, the council's director, said its work looking into accusations of misconduct by judges is secret by law and that she could not comment on whether it is investigating.

Ms Soderstrom declined to comment to The Oklahoman, who originally released the video footage, because the verdict in the murder case could still be appealed, saying judges are prohibited from discussing pending cases.

In the footage she can also be seen checking Facebook during the trial, which began last month in Chandler, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma City. At one point, she searches for a GIF.

The judge was sworn in on Jan 9 after being elected in November. Her four-year term expires in January 2027.

Sheriff Charlie Dougherty told the newspaper that he provided videos from the trial to the council at its request.

District Attorney Adam Panter said he reviewed the video after getting a tip from courthouse personnel. He said he found the judge 'spent hours of the trial' texting and scrolling on her cellphone.

Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom was caught on security video using her phone to text and browse social media during the trial. She is now being investigated by an ethics committee

While Danker (right) tearfully speaks in the stand, Soderstrom (bottom centre) can be seen using her cell

'It is both shocking and disappointing,' he told the newspaper.

'Jurors are banned from using cellphones in the courtroom during trials because we expect them to give their full time and attention to the evidence being presented.

'I would expect and hope the court would hold itself to the same standard required of the jurors, regardless of the type of case.'

Defense attorney Velia Lopez said Ms Soderstrom did well during the trial but never saw her on the phone.

Jari Askins, Oklahoma;s administrative director of the courts, declined to comment on the specifics of the case but said the conduct of judges is governed by the Code of Judicial Conduct, which states: 'A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.'

The code does not specifically mention the use of mobile phones.
A Ukrainian model, believed to have the 'worlds biggest cheeks' due to plastic surgery, is going under the knife again.

Anastasiia Pokreshch, a 33-year-old model from Kyiv, has lost count of the amount of surgical procedures she's undergone.

She began having beauty procedures when she was 26 and the obsession is yet to stop.

She gets a lot of compliments from fans who love her extreme look - however, they are becoming concerned for her health.

The model is leaving just a few months between each surgery and has previously admitted she still wants her cheeks to be bigger, reports The Mirror.

Anastasiia Pokreshch before she got any cosmetic surgery (right) and now (left). The model began having beauty procedures when she was 26

In a recent Instagram video, Anastasiia is seen to be lying in a hospital bed after her latest surgery, which was to enhance her breasts.

The video has nearly 5000 likes and 900 comments - most of which are urging her to stop.

One viewer wrote 'What a beautiful girl you are. Why do you need those cheeks and lips????'

In a video explaining the procedure, Anastasiia showed her old breast implants and compared them to her new ones.

She wrote in the caption: 'These are my past implants. Now I have 1050 ml, Motiva, the highest profile. Thank you @plastikaistanbul_ . By the way, they were looking for them all over Turkey for me, since this size is simply not produced anymore only on order and a long wait. And they found me as quickly as possible.'

She updates her fans on all of her procedures on Instagram, even sharing videos of filler being inserted her jaw and cheeks.

Anastasiia's newest breast implants are 1050 cc which she said is 'simply not produced anymore only on order and a long wait'

She updates her fans on all of her procedures on Instagram, even sharing videos of filler being inserted her jaw and cheeks

Her comments are full of concern and even insults.

One reads 'Those cheekbone implants look ridiculous! Probably some of the worst cosmetic surgery I have ever seen!' while another says 'What's wrong with her face?'

In 2020, the plastic surgery-lover appeared on This Morning, where she said she has 'no plans to stop.'

Philip Schofield described her as a 'striking vision' and Dr Alex Karidis, a cosmetic surgeon who joined them on the show, called Anastasiia's look a 'questionable cosmetic result.'

Despite this, Anastasiia is proud of the way she looks and is not afraid to continue sharing photos and videos of her cosmetic journey on social media.

Posting a photo after more lip filler, she wrote 'I am satisfied, And I will be even cooler in old age since it bothers everyone so much.'
A high-level drug dealer, who used the pseudonym 'monstermunchman' while running a large scale cocaine business, has been jailed for 18 years.

Jamie Joseph Veale, 32, used the secretive communications network EncroChat to supply at least 17 kilos of cocaine to customers in the north west of England.

The playboy cocaine dealer has now been subject to widespread mockery over his haircut after police posted a picture of his mugshot online.

Police caught Veale negotiating prices for kilos of Class A drugs after the UK's National Crime Agency successfully infiltrated EncroChat in May 2020.

Cheshire Police later raided Veale's home on Moorfield Road, Widnes to find cash, designer jewelry, multiple mobile devices, and drug paraphernalia.

Jamie Joseph Veale, 32, (pictured) used the pseudonym 'monstermunchman' to negotiate bulk cocaine prices on the secretive communications network EncroChat

Veale was slammed for his unusual combover-style haircut as social media users said the criminal should get a new wig.

Social media critics also suggested he might be wearing a knock-off toupee as one asked: 'Did he get his toupee off Del Boy?'

'Prison barber will sort that noggin out,' another social media user said.

Veale has now been jailed after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs at Liverpool Crown Court.

Veale was caught negotiating prices for bulk volumes of cocaine with those responsible for importing the Class A drug between May 19 and June 13 2020.

The 32-year-old used money made selling drugs to buy jet ski and go on extravagant holidays, that involved staying in luxury villas for months at a time.

He was identified as a suspect following the launch of a sweeping operation led by the NCA following the infiltration of EncroChat.

EncroChat let criminals send encrypted messages using modified smartphones to plan illegal activities, before it was compromised in a Europe wide operation.

The NCA's Operation Venetic led to hundreds of arrests on the basis of compromised EncroChat messages and the seizure of millions of pounds worth of drugs.

The modified mobile devices let users send messages under pseudonyms, to protect their anonymity.

The police operation led officers comb through EncroChat messages and use them as evidence in court.

Detective Sergeant Christian Gordon said: 'Despite having no job, Veale reaped the benefits of his criminal activity, owning luxury items and going on expensive trips abroad.'

'He was responsible for the supply of a substantial amount of cocaine and ran his conspiracy through a platform he believed would keep him under the radar.

'But after EncroChat was infiltrated, officers were able to comb through messages attributed to Veale under a codename and collect a catalogue of evidence against him.

'Thanks to this hard work, he is now facing a lengthy spell behind bars.

'Although this case is now closed, our fight continues against those intent on bringing illegal drugs into our communities. If you have any information in relation to drugs offences, please contact us via cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or call 101.'
A florist who drove to a pub drunk on Jagermeister was so intoxicated she parked her car in a hedge before going to the bar.

Kim Riefer, 58, narrowly missed a bystander as she made her perilous two mile journey for early doors, but was apparently oblivious to the near-miss and drove on into a car park.

She then left her Citroen Berlingo parked across two spaces with the front end of the vehicle embedded in the privet hedge before she staggered to the nearby Jolly Thresher in Lymm, Cheshire in the hope of ordering more drink.

Concerned staff at the posh country pub confiscated her car keys and called police who found Ms Riefer 'incoherent' and barely able to speak in the ladies bathroom.

A breath test showed she was more than three times the alcohol limit. The florist owner in Manchester said she had been consuming the German dark brown herbal liqueur, which has an alcohol volume of 35%, to relieve her stomach pains.

Kim Riefer was banned from driving for 26 months after she parked her car in a hedge while going to a pub

Mr Riefer, who lives in a 300,000 waterfront house alongside the Bridgewater Canal in Lymm admitted to drink driving and was banned from the roads for 26 months.

Miss Yvonne Dobson, prosecuting at Warrington Magistrates' Court, said: 'It was April 11 of this year at around 4.30pm. Officers attended a case of a road traffic collision where the defendant has attended the public house in Warrington.

'She almost crashed into a bystander before crashing into a hedge before entering the car park of the pub.

'Staff, as the defendant has entered the public house, have taken the vehicle keys from the defendant.

'As officers arrive at the location, they see the defendant's vehicle parked over two spaces, with the front end situated in a hedge.

'Officers entered the public house and the defendant was in the bathroom.

'Due to the level of intoxication the officer felt that the defendant was unable to coherently communicate with him. Whilst the officer was trying to speak with her, her eyes were glazed, her speech was slurred, she was unsteady on her feet and there was the smell of intoxicants on her breath.

'As such the defendant was arrested and took a breath test. She made no reply when told she was under caution. 'As she was transported to custody, the defendant said, 'I have had Jagermeister to ease my pain.' She continued to make references to consuming alcohol for stomach pain. The defendant is of previous good character, having no previous convictions - she has now lost that good character.

Ms Riefer drove while drunk to posh country pub the Jolly Thresher in Lymm, Cheshire hoping to order more drink

Tests showed Ms Riefer had 114 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, almost triple the legal limit of 35mcg.

Representing herself in court, she said she had sought counselling for alcohol issues.

She said: 'I didn't realise what I was drinking. At that time. I was looking after my sister with mental health issues and I was under a lot of stress. I did not know what Jagermeister was as I am a wine drinker.

'Yes, I did drink and drive and I did drive to the pub but I cannot say anymore than that. I am sorry. I am a good person.

'I have gone for counselling now, I am going to Pathways because I know the last three years have been difficult for me, losing my mum and then losing my sister. I am sorry, I am deeply, deeply sorry.'

'I have been in touch with Pathways, they have got me a key worker, and I have been to AA meetings, twice with a friend. I have done wrong and I am really, really sorry.'

Magistrates also sentenced Ms Riefer to a 12-month community order with a requirement of 120 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation. She was also made to pay 234 in costs plus a victim surcharge.

The florist was found in a breath test to be nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit for driving when she parked her car

JP Paul Chadwick told her: 'We have taken into consideration the personal mitigation you have offered in court this afternoon and have taken into consideration the steps you've taken to address your addiction, with Pathways and Alcohol Anonymous.

'Equally, we have taken into consideration your previous good character. The other side of the coin is that it was a very high reading. It was late afternoon, at a busy junction. There was traffic and pedestrians in the vicinity.

'It was noted that you very nearly hit someone turning into the pub and you parked the front of the car in a hedge. The presentence report highlights you had driven some distance.

'You had a drink and knew the effects of drink were in your system and you still got behind the wheel.

'You travelled to a pub. Members of the public were around. It was a member of the public who came across to you at the car park, to see if you were OK, because the standard of your driving was not what you would expect for a competent motorist.

'You were a hazard to yourself and other road users. I hope that you address your issues with the help of the external agencies.'
Tram operators have been fined a total of 14 million over the Croydon tram disaster which claimed the lives of seven passengers.

Many more people were injured when a tram carrying 69 people derailed near the Sandilands stop on the morning of November 9 2016.

Transport for London (TfL) and Tram Operations Limited (TOL) have accepted failing in their health and safety duties.

In a filmed sentencing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Mr Justice Fraser fined TfL 10 million and TOL 4 million.

He had already ordered they each pay 234,404 in costs to the prosecuting authority, the Office of Rail and Road, and a victim surcharge of 170.

Mr Justice Fraser told the court: 'This was undoubtedly an accident waiting to happen, quite literally.'

The bend near Sandilands in Croydon where the speed limit was 12mph

Prosecutor Jonathan Ashley-Norman had asserted the derailment was an 'accident waiting to happen'

Driver Alfred Dorris at Croydon Magistrates Court for the first court hearing over the Croydon tram crash

There was a failure to heed warnings about the risk of drivers becoming disorientated in the Sandiland tunnel network on the approach to the curve and a report of a 'near miss' just days before the crash was 'ignored', he said.

The 'complacency' around the inadequate lighting and lack of visual cues in the tunnel was 'disturbing', the judge said.

The court had heard tram 2551 was going three times the 20kph speed limit when it derailed on a sharp corner at Sandilands.

Driver Alfred Dorris, 49, from Beckenham, south-east London, was cleared of failing in his duty after claiming he had become disorientated and thought he was going in the other direction.

He blamed the crash on external factors including the poor lighting and signage on the approach through the Sandilands tunnel complex.

Prosecutor Jonathan Ashley-Norman had asserted the derailment was an 'accident waiting to happen'.

He told the court the main failing of the operators 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.

Three of the victims: Dane Chinery, 19, Mark Smith, 35, and Robert Huxley, 63

Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, and Donald Collet, 62 were also killed in the crash

In mitigation, the operators accepted the level of harm in the case was high but argued their culpability was on a 'medium' level.

They disputed the derailment was inevitable, arguing nothing like it had occurred on the network over 16 years before.

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.

Mr Smith's family, who had sat in court throughout the hearings, described the crash as 'wholly avoidable'.

His mother Jean Smith said no amount of money or justice would bring her son back but getting accountability may 'bring some sense of peace'. She said: 'We have to live with the consequences of other people's actions for the rest of our lives. I'm living a life sentence. It should never have happened.'

The final two victims were Phil Seary, 57, and Philip Logan, 52

Mr Collett's daughter Tracy Angelo said: 'We all remain completely devastated and individually we will never be the same again.'

Mr Huxley's son Adam said he had 'lost all trust' in the tram operators and felt 'insecurity, anxiety, vulnerability and heartbreak' whenever he went past the tram network.

He said: 'Killed whilst travelling to work and due to retire soon - Robert and anybody else did not deserve this.'

Mr Seary's widow Vivian 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.'

Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser said: 'When faced with the evidence of their failure over a number of years, both TfL and TOL accepted that they had not done everything that was reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of their passengers, with terrible consequences on the early morning of 9 November 2016.

'We must never forget the tragedy of that day, and must strive to learn all of its lessons so there can be no repetition. Our thoughts remain with those whose lives were so affected.

'The judge's remarks and the sentences imposed underline to the corporate defendants and the whole industry that their first responsibility is to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff.

'We welcome the improvements made to the network since the incident. We will continue to scrutinise this vital industry and hold operators to account if they fall short.'

London's Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said: 'I apologise on behalf of everyone at Transport for London, both past and present, for this tragedy and for the pain, distress and suffering that all those affected have endured and continue to endure.

'None of us can begin to appreciate the enormity of the loss suffered by the families and friends of Dane Chinnery, Donald Collett, Robert Huxley, Philip Logan, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Philip Seary and Mark Smith, or the impact on the lives of the many who suffered injury.

'Every passenger on the tram that morning entrusted their safety to us but we failed them and for that I am truly sorry. We remain committed to providing support to anyone who needs it.

'We accepted responsibility promptly and we did everything possible to ensure the right support was quickly in place to help all those affected.

'Since 2016, we have also delivered an extensive programme of major industry-leading safety improvements to the tram network.

'We continually review our network and work with the wider tram industry to ensure we are running the safest possible service for our customers and to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen again.'
DUNEDIN, New Zealand  Cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge (NZX, ASX: PEB) is today holding its Annual Shareholders Meeting at LINK Market Services offices in Auckland, commencing at 10.00am.

It attaches presentations given by Chairman Chris Gallaher, Chief Executive Dr Peter Meintjes, President Pacific Edge Diagnostics USA David Levison, and Chief Medical Officer Dr Tamer Aboushwareb.

In the presentation Pacific Edge notes, it expects to manage cash reserves - in the event of an adverse Medicare coverage decision - until it regains coverage, a process it would expect to take around 4 years.

Shareholders and other interested parties can also join the meeting online at:

www.virtualmeeting.co.nz/peb23

Released for and on behalf of Pacific Edge by Grant Gibson Chief Financial Officer.

For more information:

Investors:

Dr Peter Meintjes

Chief Executive

Pacific Edge

P: 022 032 1263

Media:

Richard Inder

The Project

P: +64 21 645 643

OVERVIEW

Pacific Edge: www.pacificedgedx.com

Pacific Edge Limited (NZX/ ASX: PEB) is a global cancer diagnostics company leading the way in the development and commercialization of bladder cancer diagnostic and prognostic tests for patients presenting with hematuria or surveillance of recurrent disease. Headquartered in Dunedin, New Zealand, the company provides its suite of Cxbladder tests globally through its wholly owned, and CLIA certified, laboratories in New Zealand and the USA.

Cxbladder: www.cxbladder.com

Cxbladder is a urine-based genomic biomarker test optimized for the detection and surveillance of bladder cancer. The Cxbladder evidence portfolio developed over the past 14 years includes more than 20 peer reviewed publications for primary detection, surveillance, adjudication of atypical urine cytology and equivocal cystoscopy.

Cxbladder is the focal point of numerous ongoing and planned clinical studies to generate an ever-increasing body of clinical utility evidence supporting adoption and use in the clinic to improve patient health outcomes. Cxbladder is reimbursed by CMS and has been trusted by over 4,400 US urologists in the diagnosis and management of more than 100,000 patients, including the option for in-home sample collection. In New Zealand, Cxbladder is accessible to 75% of the population via public healthcare and all residents have the option of buying the test online.

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The Home Office's 'routine' housing of unaccompanied child asylum seekers in hotels is unlawful, the High Court has ruled.

The ruling, which was overseen by Mr Justice Chamberlain, also stated that Home Secretary Suella Braverman's 'provision of hotel accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children exceeded the proper limits of her powers'.

It also found that Kent County Council had acted unlawfully 'by failing to accommodate, and then look after, all unaccompanied children when notified of their arrival by the Home Office'.

The charity Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT) brought legal action against the Home Office over the practice of housing unaccompanied youngsters in Home Office hotels, claiming the arrangements are 'not fit for purpose'.

In his ruling today, Mr Justice Chamberlain said the use of hotels for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children has become unlawful, as the power to place the children in hotels 'may be used on very short periods in true emergency situations'.

The High Court has ruled that unaccompanied children can only be housed in hotels in emergencies (Pictured: A child wrapped in blankets after being carried to safety from the Channel)

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been criticised for 'exceeding her power'

He told the court in London: 'It cannot be used systematically or routinely in circumstances where it is intended, or functions in practice, as a substitute for local authority care.'

The judge continued: 'From December 2021 at the latest, the practice of accommodating children in hotels, outside local authority care, was both systematic and routine and had become an established part of the procedure for dealing with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

'From that point on, the Home Secretary's provision of hotel accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children exceeded the proper limits of her powers and was unlawful.

'There is a range of options open to the Home Secretary to ensure that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are accommodated and looked after as envisaged by Parliament.

'It is for her to decide how to do so.'

ECPAT's bid was heard in London alongside similar claims brought by Brighton and Hove City Council and Kent County Council against the department.

The Home Office and Department for Education had opposed the legal challenges and said that the hotel use was lawful but was 'deployed effectively as a "safety net" and as a matter of necessity'.

Following Mr Justice Chamberlain's ruling, Patricia Durr, chief executive of Every Child Protected Against Trafficking, said: 'This judgment powerfully reaffirms the primacy of the Children Act 1989 and our child welfare statutory framework which does not allow for children to treated differently because of their immigration status.

'It remains a child protection scandal that so many of the most vulnerable children remain missing at risk of significant harm as a consequence of these unlawful actions by the Secretary of State and Kent County Council.

'Despite the recent passing of the Illegal Migration Act 2023, which will deny unaccompanied children the right to claim asylum, amongst other hugely damaging provisions, this judgment serves as a clear and timely reminder that neither central nor local government departments can depart from the statutory child welfare framework and the duties towards all children under The Children Act 1989.

'We will continue to defend the rights of every child in the UK to live free from exploitation and access the care they are entitled to under the law.'

Inside the lobby of the Copthorne Hotel near Cardiff, which has been housing asylum seekers

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel after being rescued during a small boat incident in the Channel

Mr Justice Chamberlain said that the use of hotels cannot be seen as an 'emergency' measure given the length of their use.

He said: 'The Home Secretary has been accommodating children in hotels for over two years.

'It may be that, in June and July 2021, the Home Secretary could plausibly have contended that the commissioning of hotels was intended and functioning an emergency measure.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has pledged to stop sending asylum seekers to hotels

'It is much more difficult to make that case after September 2021, when she agreed the Kent Protocol, which formalised the cap on the numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children that Kent County Council would accept, against a common understanding that any unaccompanied asylum seeking children who arrived when the cap had been reached would be accommodated by the Home Secretary in hotels.

'She and Kent County Council may well have hoped that it would not be necessary to use hotels, but it rapidly became clear that this intention was not being realised.'

The pushback comes after a week in which ministers last urged regulators to throw the book at corrupt immigration lawyers exposed by the Mail.

A Mail On Sunday investigation found rogue solicitors had been telling migrants how to cheat the asylum system.

In an unusual step, Rishi Sunak and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk said the 'appalling' conduct uncovered by this newspaper must be met with the 'full force of sanctions'.

In a letter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), a copy of which has been seen by the Mail, Mr Chalk said the practices exposed were 'unacceptable and must stop'. He called on the watchdog to conduct an urgent review of the sector to root out corrupt behaviour.

The move was echoed by the Prime Minister, who said immediate action was needed to restore public confidence. Mr Sunak said: 'While the vast majority of lawyers take their professional responsibilities seriously, these allegations of exploitation and unscrupulous practice brought to light by the Mail are truly shocking and it is vital that those found to be abusing their position face the full consequences of their actions.

The Home Office has said it is seeing an 'unprecedented rise in dangerous Channel crossings'

Migrants move a smuggling boat into the water as they leave a beach at Gravelines, near Dunkirk, yesterday

In an unusual step, Rishi Sunak (pictured) and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk said the 'appalling' conduct uncovered by this newspaper must be met with the 'full force of sanctions'

'I am determined to rebuild the public's confidence that it is their country and their government who should decide who comes here, not people looking to profit from undermining our laws.

'That's why this Government will continue to strain every sinew to end the abuse of our system and stop the boats.'

The interventions followed this newspaper's damning investigation into the activities of unscrupulous lawyers charging thousands of pounds to submit false asylum claims for illegal immigrants.

Some law firms are charging up to 10,000 to invent stories of torture, death threats and modern slavery designed to help clients claim asylum. The investigation found legal staff readily agreeing to help submit false claims, in apparent contravention of the solicitors' code of conduct.

The Mail handed over its evidence to the SRA, which is looking into the allegations. The independent watchdog said it would take action if it found evidence that solicitors or firms have acted in ways that contravene its rules and their duty to act legally and uphold the law.

In his letter to SRA chairman Anna Bradley, Mr Chalk said 'robust' action was needed to retain public confidence in the immigration system, which he said was a 'top priority for Government'.

He said he was 'appalled' by the 'apparent abuse of the system by individuals relied upon to give legal advice'.

'I would strongly encourage you to use the full force of sanctions available to you against solicitors where there is a finding of a breach,' he said.

'It is vital that we show the public  and the majority of honest and professional solicitors  that this kind of abuse of the system will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.'

Commenting on the ruling, a Home Office spokesman said: 'The High Court has upheld that local authorities have a statutory duty to care for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. We have always maintained that the best place for unaccompanied children to be accommodated is within a local authority.

'However, due to the unsustainable rise in illegal Channel crossings, the Government has had no option but to accommodate young people in hotels on a temporary basis while placements with local authorities are urgently found.

'In light of today's judgment, we will continue to work with Kent County Council and local authorities across the UK to ensure suitable local authority placements are provided for unaccompanied children, in line with their duties.'
A Holocaust survivor whose family were gassed at Auschwitz has joined the White House in condemning Fox News' prime time host's 'disgusting' remarks about Adolf Hitler's murdering concentration camps where six million Jews were killed.

Michael Bornstein, who spent seven months in Auschwitz when he was four, said Fox News host Greg Gutfield and the network should apologize after the commentator suggested that Jews could survive in the concentration camps by 'having skills'.

Gutfield sparked fierce backlash during a debate on Fox News' The Five about Florida's new slavery curriculum, which teaches students that slaves 'developed skills which, in some instances could be applied for personal benefit'.

The Fox News host compared the situation to Jews and how they 'survived [concentration camps] by having skills'. 'You had to be useful. Utility! Utility kept you alive, Gutfield said, without mentioning how millions of Jews died in the concentration camps as soon as they got off the trains.

Bornstein, 86, whose father and brother were gassed at Auschwitz, told CNN: 'The Fox News host should apologize, the Fox News network should apologize. There's absolutely no room for fake news like that.'

Michael Bornstein (left with his daughter Debbie), who spent seven months in Auschwitz when he was four, said Fox News host Greg Gutfield and the network should apologize after the commentator suggested that Jews could survive in the concentration camps by 'having skills'

Holocaust survivor Michael Bornstein on Gutfeld's Holocaust comments on Fox News: "I'm disgusted... there is no silver lining to killing 6 million people, or talking about slaves and the benefits of slaves in learning what they were doing." pic.twitter.com/n34OcXfX4S  Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) July 26, 2023

Michael Bornstein (bottom right, at age 4) and other children show their number tattoos to Soviet soldiers at Auschwitz in the days after liberation

Gutfield (pictured) sparked fierce backlash during a debate on Fox News' The Five about Florida's new slavery curriculum, which teaches students that slaves 'developed skills which, in some instances could be applied for personal benefit'

Bornstein, who wrote Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz with his daughter, said: 'I'm disgusted basically. My father was an accountant. And he had, basically, negotiating skills. He and my brother were gassed in Auschwitz.

How Michael Bornstein survived the Auschwitz death camp hiding in his mothers bunk while his father and brother were murdered Michael Bornstein was born on May 2, 1940 in the Nazi's Zarki ghetto in Poland. His family were shuttled to Auschwitz concentration camp by a cattle car when Bornstein was just four years old. Bornstein sent six months in Auscwitz and managed to survive by hiding in his mother's bunk. His father and older brother were gassed at Auschwitz before the camp was liberated by Soviet soldiers in January 1945. Bornstein, his mother Sophie Bornstein and his grandmother Dora Bornstein survived the Holocaust and fled to the United States where they settled in Manhattan. For years, Bornstein never wanted to talk about his experiences during the Holocaust or how his father and brother were murdered in the gas chambers. It wasn't until 2012 when Bornstein's grandson Jake decided to a project about his grandfather and the Holocaust that he spoke about what happened to his family. But for years, Bornstein refused his daughter Debbie's requests to do some research into his life and write a book about t. It was when Bornstein and Debbie searched on Google about children at Auschwitz that they found sites filled with conspiracy theories. It was at this moment that Bornstein decided to start writing his book Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz, which became a bestseller. Bornstein had studied at Fordham University and had a successful career in biochemicals for four decades before his retirement. He married his wife Judy Cohan who he has four children with - Lori, Lisa, Debbie and Scott. Advertisement

'My mother knew how to pack - learned how to pack - bullets. Bullets that killed Jewish people. There were over six million people killed in the Holocaust, over a million people killed in Auschwitz.

'And there is no silver lining to killing six million people, or talking about slaves, and the benefits of slaves and learning in what they were doing.'

Bornstein's daughter, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat, also told CNN that they were used to seeing conspiracy theories peddled online, but it was shocking to see a host of a major network parroting 'the same kind of garbage that minimizes the murder of six million people'.

'That is what is really shocking and really, really dangerous and upsetting,' Debbie added.

Gutfield's comments also sparked backlash from the White House, the Auschwitz Memorial and prominent Jewish organisations.

'Being skilled or useful did not spare [Jewish people] from the horrors of the gas chambers,' the Auschwitz Memorial said, while the White House slammed it as a 'horrid, dangerous and extreme lie that insults the memory' of millions who died during the Holocaust.

Bornstein, his mother Sophie Bornstein and his grandmother Dora Bornstein survived the Holocaust and fled to the United States where they settled in Manhattan.

For years, Bornstein never wanted to talk about his experiences during the Holocaust or how his father and brother were murdered in the gas chambers.

It wasn't until 2012 when Bornstein's grandson Jake decided to a project about his grandfather and the Holocaust that he spoke about what happened to his family.

But for years, Bornstein refused his daughter Debbie's requests to do some research into his life and write a book about t.

It was when Bornstein and Debbie searched on Google about children at Auschwitz that they found sites filled with conspiracy theories. It was at this moment that Bornstein decided to start writing his book Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz, which became a bestseller in 2017.

Gutfield had spoken about the Holocaust during 'The Five' during a discussion about Florida's new Black history curriculum, which teaches students that slaves 'developed skills' that could be used for 'personal benefit'.

Jessica Tarlov, a liberal-leaning co-host, had said she was uncomfortable with the new history standards and questioned whether arguments to defend them would be made in regard to the Holocaust.

'I'm not Black, but I'm Jewish,' Tarlov said on Monday. 'Would someone say about the Holocaust, for instance, that there were some benefits for Jews? That while they were hanging out in concentration camps, they learned a strong work ethic? That maybe you learned a new skill.'

Holocaust survivor Michael Bornstein displays the tattoo ID number the Nazis put on his arm when he was 4 years old

Pictured: Michael Bornstein and his grandmother, Dora

This is Dr. Bornstein's naturalization certification; he became an American citizen in 1957

Auschwitz Memorial statement While it is true that some Jews may have used their skills or usefulness to increase their chances of survival during the Holocaust, it is essential to contextualize this statement properly and understand that it does not represent the complex history of the genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany. Viktor Frankl's observation about the specific situation in Auschwitz, which at some point became a camp that connected the functions of a concentration camp and extermination center and where deported Jews went through the selection process, highlights how some Jews became registered prisoners and might have used their skills to gain favor or prolong their lives in that particular setting. Yet, it never gave them complete protection. However, we must not overlook the larger picture of the Holocaust. Nazi Germany's ultimate goal was to exterminate all the people it considered Jews (Nazis created their racial definition of a Jewish person). Millions of Jews were brutally murdered in execution sites, mainly across the east of occupied Europe, with entire communities wiped out regardless of their usefulness or contributions to society. While some of the ghettos seemed to have the goal of being productive and Jews were used as slave labor there, being "useful" did not guarantee safety, as the Nazis eventually decided to liquidate them, leading to the murder of those considered valuable as well. There were no selections in extermination camps, such as Treblinka or Sobibor, and almost all deported Jews were murdered upon arrival, irrespective of any perceived usefulness. Being skilled or useful did not spare them from the horrors of the gas chambers. Furthermore, during the final stages of the Holocaust, as the Nazi system was collapsing, concentration camp prisoners were evacuated to shrinking camp systems, resulting in the death of many. In these circumstances, being useful did not offer protection either. Therefore, while it is accurate to acknowledge that some Jews may have survived temporarily due to their perceived usefulness, it is crucial to remember that the Holocaust was a systematic genocide with the ultimate aim of exterminating the entire Jewish population. It would be more appropriate to say that some Jews survived the Holocaust because they were considered temporarily useful, and the circumstances of the Nazi regime's collapse prevented their murder. We should avoid such oversimplifications in talking about this complex tragic story. Advertisement

Gutfield responded by paraphrasing psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's book 'Man's Search for meaning'. Frankl had been imprisoned during the Holocaust and said how people could cope with the suffering and find meaning in horrific circumstances.

'Frankl talks about how you have to survive in a concentration camp by having skills. You had to be useful,' Gutfield said. 'Utility! Utility kept you alive!'

But the Auschwitz Memorial quickly slammed Gutfield for paraphrasing Frankl's comments and oversimplifying the horrors millions endured during the Holocaust.

'Viktor Frankl's observation about the specific situation in Auschwitz... highlights how some Jews became registered prisoners and might have used their skills to gain favor or prolong their lives in that particular setting. Yet it never gave them complete protection,' the Auschwitz Memorial said.

It added: 'We must not overlook the larger picture of the Holocaust. Nazi Germany's ultimate goal was to exterminate all the people it considered Jews.

'Millions of Jews were brutally murdered in execution sites, mainly across the east of occupied Europe, with entire communities wiped out regardless of their usefulness or contributions to society.

'While some of the ghettos seemed to have the goal of being productive and Jews were used as slave labor there, being "useful" did not guarantee safety, as the Nazis eventually decided to liquidate them, leading to the murder of those considered valuable as well.'

The Auschwitz Memorial added: There were no selections in extermination camps, such as Treblinka or Sobibor, and almost all deported Jews were murdered upon arrival, irrespective of any perceived usefulness. Being skilled or useful did not spare them from the horrors of the gas chambers.

'Furthermore, during the final stages of the Holocaust, as the Nazi system was collapsing, concentration camp prisoners were evacuated to shrinking camp systems, resulting in the death of many. In these circumstances, being useful did not offer protection either.'

The White House also slammed Fox News over its silence on Gutfield's comments.

'What Fox News allowed to be said on their air yesterday  and has so far failed to condemn  is an obscenity,' Andrew Bates, deputy White House press secretary, said.

'In defending a horrid, dangerous, extreme lie that insults the memory of the millions of Americans who suffered from the evil of enslavement, a Fox News host told another horrid, dangerous and extreme lie that insults the memory of the millions of people who suffered from the evils of the Holocaust,' Bates added.

'Let's get something straight that the American people understand full well and that is not complicated: there was nothing good about slavery; there was nothing good about the Holocaust. Full stop.

'Americans deserve to be brought together, not torn apart with poison. And they deserve the truth and the freedom to learn, not book bans and lies.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Fox News for comment.
Six people were killed and at least seven seriously injured when a tourist helicopter erupted in a huge fireball after slamming into a field during an ill-fated sightseeing trip in Russia this morning.

Shocking footage shows the moment the Mi-8 passenger helicopter burst into flames as it careened into the turf following a tour of Russia's Altai mountains.

The exact cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed, though one report highlighted by Russia's Emergency Ministry indicated the helicopter had hit overhead electric cables which destabilised its controls, while another suggested a wiring problem on the aircraft.

The pilot did not appear to be struggling for control on the helicopter's approach, and the craft gently reduced its altitude and hovered mere feet off the ground, as if about to land.

All of a sudden, the chopper began rotating and then violently lurched to the left, rising away from the ground again before pitching over and slamming sideways into the grass.

The pilot did not appear to be struggling for control on the helicopter's approach, and the craft gently reduced its altitude and hovered mere feet off the ground

All of a sudden, the chopper began rotating and then violently lurched to the left, rising away from the ground again before pitching over

The helicopter caught fire moments after impact and quickly became a raging inferno

At least six people were killed and seven were seriously injured in the crash. The extent of the injuries remains unknown

Videos showed the horrific scene at the village of Tyungur amid the brutal crash, as the helicopter caught fire moments after impact and quickly became a raging inferno.

It is believed there were 13 tourists on the helicopter, including eight women.

There were also three crew.

They had flown to view Belukha Mountain, a 14,783ft-high peak, the highest in the Altai Mountains in southern Siberia.

A report by Russian state media group TASS said: 'When landing in the village of Tyungur, Ust-Koksinsky district, the Mi-8 helicopter of Altai Avia hit electrical wires, fell and caught fire.'

The pilot was named as Vyacheslav Demikhov, 52, accompanied by co-pilot Oleg Egorov, 42, and flight engineer Alexei Desyatov, 28.

The identities of those killed and injured have not yet been specified.
An Army musician has been cleared of trying to rape a female colleague by forcing her to perform a sex act.

Lance Corporal William Porter had been drinking with his fellow musicians and other colleagues late at night in a barracks' common room.

The court heard the tuba player, of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, had an 'informal arrangement' to have casual sex with the woman and that night he turned up at her room.

After having consensual sex, he was then alleged to have done an act she didn't consent to.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she 'pushed' him away before telling him to leave, the trial heard.

Lance Corporal William Porter has been cleared of trying to rape a female colleague

She claimed LCpl Porter, a musician in the HCAV band, then said he would only leave if she performed a sex act on him, despite knowing she didn't like it, and grabbed her head before she fought him off.

But following a three day trial at Bulford Military Court, Wilts, LCpl Porter, who is in his twenties, has now been acquitted of assault by penetration and attempted rape.

LCpl Porter, who also plays for the Army's rugby team and is based in Windsor, Berks, had denied the incidents took place.

Trevor Wright, defending, said: 'Our case is there was a party and there was drinking. There were two people in [the woman's] room and took their time to leave.

LCpl Porter, a tuba player of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, denied the incidents took place while on trial at Bulford Military Court Centre

'One of these was [LCpl Porter]. There was intimacy and there was consensual sex. He didn't force her.'
Clenney is being sued for negligence by Obumseli's family, after claiming she acted in self-defense

A new lawsuit states security personnel for their Miami building 'did nothing' for 12 minutes as Christian Obumseli was attacked

Courtney Clenney has been charged with the second-degree murder of her boyfriend

Security guards stood outside of an OnlyFans model's apartment as she allegedly stabbed her boyfriend to death in a bloody rampage, according to a new lawsuit.

The bouncers for the Miami high-rise were notified of a fight between Courtney Clenney, 26, and Christian Obumseli, 28, but stood outside their apartment door for 12 minutes 'doing nothing'.

A lawsuit filed by Obumseli's estate claimed they waited for Clenney to call the police herself from their 22-floor unit to tell them she had stabbed the victim on April 3, 2022.

The complaint stated guards 'heard yelling through the door' despite knowing of Clenneys' history of past disturbances in the unit and common areas and her history of erratic, volatile and aggressive behavior.'

Obumseli arrived at the apartment at 4.30pm, with the pair allegedly starting to fight shortly thereafter, with a front desk attendant receiving complaints about noise from their until 15 minutes later.

OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney allegedly murdered her boyfriend Christian Obumseli in their Miami apartment on April 3, 2022

An image of the blood-soaked scene at Clenney and Obumseli's Miami apartment after the fatal stabbing, for which the OnlyFans model is now standing trial

An employee then called the police about the fight but said medics were not needed, according to the suit.

'At 4:45 pm, One Paraiso and other security and building entities knew or should have known that this constituted an emergency and that they had a right to immediately access the unit, given the unique circumstances of Ms. Clenney and her history and medical condition,' the suit read.

'They allowed Ms. Clenney to commit murder without providing any intervention  they stood outside the door of the unit while Ms. Clenney committed her heinous crime and did nothing to stop or attempt to stop the murder from occurring.'

The documents further claimed Obumseli would have survived if security for the building had intervened in the incident. Clenney called police at 4.57pm and said he was dying.

'By the time Ms. Clenney finished committing her crime, at 4:58 p.m., she opened the door to her unit and security saw her and her dogs covered in blood and Mr. Obumseli was already unconscious on the floor,' the suit stated.

'Had the building personnel or security performed their duties when they were first notified about the fight, 2 minutes after it started, Christian Obumseli would still be alive.'

Released 911 audio following the stabbing revealed Clenney told her former lover, 'baby, I'm so sorry' after allegedly plunging a knife into his shoulder.

She didn't tell the operator she had stabbed him, but sobbed to him about how sorry she was.

The bouncers for the Miami high-rise were notified of a fight between Clenney, 26, and Obumseli, 28, but stood outside their apartment door for 12 minutes 'doing nothing'

Clenney was arrested for second-degree murder four months after his death and claimed she stabbed him in self-defense

An employee then called the police about the fight but said that medics were not needed, according to the suit

Photos released by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office show Clenney moments after she allegedly stabbed her boyfriend in April

Bloody NBA-branded sweatpants that Clenney was seen wearing on the evening she allegedly stabbed her boyfriend to death

In the background, Obumseli could be heard crying out: 'I can't feel my arm.'

Graphic case photos have revealed she stabbed her much larger boyfriend inches above a tattoo of her name in cursive on the left side of his chest.

Seen in a mugshot from her arrest, Clenney faces second-degree murder charges

At the time, Obumseli's family said it showed she intended to kill him, then regretted it once the knife had been plunged into him.

Clenney is being sued for negligence by Obumseli's family, after being arrested and charged with second-degree murder four months after claiming she attacked him in self-defense.

Her lawyers claim she attacked her boyfriend after a 'history of abuse' and had filed a restraining order against him just days before the attack.

The OnlyFans model, who has more than 2million Instagram followers, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and remains in prison awaiting trial.

She was caught on camera two months before the killing attacking Obumseli in the elevator of their apartment, grabbing his head and hitting him several times.

Photos of the crime scene showed a puddle of blood near an entryway of the couple's apartment, the bloody knife supposedly used in the attack and Clenney drenched in Obumseli's blood.

The OnlyFans model, who has more than 2million Instagram followers, has pleaded not guilty and remains in prison awaiting trial

Security footage taken from the building's elevator two months before the murder also showed Clenney viscously attacking her boyfriend, who appeared not to fight back

Clenney talks to her lawyer Frank Prieto during a detention hearing on November 15, 2022

The couple had moved into the One Paraiso apartment complex in January 2022, four months before he was fatally knifed.

Miami Police had responded to disputes between the couple nine times before the alleged killing, including twice on the day they moved in, according to the court documents.

The lawsuit also revealed the owner of the unit had started an eviction process against the couple in March, after building management requested it following several complaints from other residents.

But they both had a change of heart after Clenney informed them on March 28 that she 'had been recently diagnosed with a severe borderline personality disorder, and had begun taking medication', adding that it would begin to kick in after taking it for a month.

Obumseli's family believes Clenney is guilty for his murder despite her claims she was acting in self-defense.

They were also left irate over investigators failure to charge Clenney immediately over his death, saying it was 'because of her 'privilege' as a 'wealthy white woman.''
He is accused of raping autistic, Down syndrome girl at Epstein's house in 2002

Black settled with them in January of this year - paying $62million

The Caribbean island government asked Black for photos of his trips to Epstein's home and all his emails, texts and phone calls with the late pedophile

Billionaire Epstein associate Leon Black paid the US Virgin Islands $62million in 2021 after being asked for all of his communications with the late pedophile and his 'right hand men' along with photos of his trips to Epstein's island, DailyMail.com can reveal.

In a subpoena issued by the US Virgin Islands government on January 27 2021, Black was asked for all emails, letters, transactions and other forms of communication that he and his office had with Epstein and his associates since 1998.

The Caribbean investigators also wanted to know about Black's own trips to Little St James, Epstein's private island where the late financier is said to have abused countless girls and allegedly handed them off to his friends too.

Black ended up settling, agreeing in January to pay $62.5million to make it go away. That settlement was first reported by The New York Times this week.

Black's representatives have insisted that it does not indicate complicity in Epstein's crimes or even knowledge of it.

Once a titan of the finance industry, Black stepped down in shame from his firm, Apollo, in 2021 after his deep ties to Epstein were revealed.

In January 2021, Leon Black was asked to hand over all his communications with Jeffrey Epstein dating back to 1998. The request came from the Attorney General of the US Virgin Islands as part of its probe into Epstein's sexual crimes. This year, Black settled with the government, paying them $62million to close the case

The government also asked Black for all photos of his trips to Little St James, Epstein's Caribbean island (shown)

He paid Epstein $158million over the course of five years between 2012 and 2017 - after Epstein had been convicted of soliciting prostitution from children in Palm Beach.

Black insists the payments were for estate planning and tax advice, and that he was given poor advice by Epstein, whose professional credentials barely touched his own.

The Senate Finance Committee is now investigating whether Black, worth a reported $11billion, owes tax on those payments.

Black was a pillar of New York high society as the chairman of the Museum of Modern Art and husband to theater producer Debra Black. The pair remain married and have four children.

Earlier this week, he was sued in Manhattan federal court by a Jane Doe who claims he raped her in 2002 when she was 16 at Epstein's house.

Now in her 30s, she is too old to file a claim against him with the New York Police Department, even in light of New York State's stretched historic child abuse statute of limitations.

This is the subpoena Black received in January 2021 from the USVI Attorney General's Office

The woman is autistic and has mosaic Down syndrome - a condition that is only manifested internally and has no physical symptoms.

She described in graphic detail how Black allegedly raped her on a massage table at Epstein's mansion after sodomizing her with sex toys and making her bleed.

She claims he threw her to the ground after the assault, calling her a 'w***re'.

The woman's attorney Jeanne Christensen described in the filing how she had been allegedly trafficked to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell - now in prison for her part in the sex trafficking operation - by a mystery couple named only as 'Elizabeth and Charlie'.

She says the girl had been given to them by her unsuspecting parents, then was subjected to horrific sexual and physical abuse.

The USVI also wanted to know about Black's communications with Epstein's 'right hand men' Richard Kahn (left) and Darren Indyke (right), who handled the late pedophile's will

The lawsuit describes shocking and twisted tactics allegedly used by Ghislaine to win the child's trust.

The girl's attorneys claim Ghislaine called her 'beautiful darling' and compared her to a 'doll', lauding her with praise whenever she pleased Epstein sexually and even clapping after the first time she made him ejaculate.

Maxwell has long denied the many allegations against her from a number of women.

She remains in prison serving a 20-year sentence for her crimes, but she is the only person in Epstein's orbit to have been sent down for what is described as a worldwide, pedophile ring.

Epstein killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Black's attorneys have strenuously denied the most recent lawsuit filed by Jane Doe.

They say he has never before met the girl who claims he raped her.
A mother's body has been discovered inside her home an hour before her former bikie ex-boyfriend was found dead nearby, in what's suspected to be a murder-suicide.

Georgia Lyall, 32, was shot in the head at her home in South Guildford, Perth at about 10.40am on Thursday.

At 11:30am, an officer found the body of Rebels bikie nominee Luke Noormets, 33, inside a burnt-out unit at Innaloo.

Detectives believe Noormets ended his own life moments after making a call to triple zero.

Georgia Lyall and former Rebels bikie nominee Luke Noormets (pictured together) have been found dead in separate incidents in Perth in what police believe could be murder suicide

Noormets body was found in a unit fire in Innaloo at 11.30am on Thursday (pictured)

'We're just trying to piece it all together,' WA Police detective inspector Dave Gorton said.

'At this stage, we do not have any concerns for the wider community.

'Every murder is tragic, it's unfortunate that these things do occur.'

The couple are believed to have been separated in the months leading up to the tragedy. The pair have a child together.

Noormets was known to police and handed a seven-year jail sentence in 2019 for a horrific crime that a judge described as 'cold-blooded torture, The West reported.

He was found to have lured a drug dealer to an address in Ashfield on June 12, 2017, before clocking him across the head and stuffing him into a car.

Noormets then drove him to a warehouse in Bayswater where he tortured him for 13 hours.

He was convicted of bashing the victim, waterboarding him and then setting the man on fire.

At the time of his arrest Noormets applied for bail telling the court he was no longer involved with the Rebels and needed to be at home to look after his partner who was expecting a child.

The application was denied.

Georgia Lyall (pictured) was found shot dead at her home in South Guildford

After four years in custody, Noormets fronted court in May 2021, where his lawyers argued new 'compelling and powerful evidence' should lead to his conviction being overturned.

It was put forward that the evidence meant Noormets should be released on bail immediately as he had served his time for kidnap and assault charges.

The application and subsequent appeal failed.

A social media post in December 2021, however, showed Noormets was out of jail and back with his child.

An investigation into the two deaths is ongoing.

For confidential 24-hour support in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin looks to have made a surprise appearance at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg today, just weeks after his group of mercenaries aborted rebellion against the Russian defence ministry.

Prigozhin, 62, was pictured alongside a man believed to be a member of the Central African Republic's delegation to the summit, where a slew of African leaders are meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The mercenary chief was seen smiling and shaking hands with the diplomat at the foot of an ornate staircase in the image circulated on the Telegram messaging app.

Prigozhin was seemingly spared punishment following the uprising last month, which saw his mercenary troops seize a city in southern Russia and bear down on Moscow before aborting at the last minute, under a deal allegedly brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko.

He was recently pictured in Belarus, where many Wagner troops are now residing in field camps as they help to train Belarusian army units - raising fears that they could attack Ukraine from the north, or even Poland to the West.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured) looks to have made a surprise appearance at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg today, just weeks after his group of mercenaries aborted rebellion against the Russian defence ministry

Prigozhin's presence at a Russian summit of African leaders and his meeting a CAR delegate would certainly make sense, given the Wagner group's extensive operational scope in numerous African countries including the CAR, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Mozambique and Burkina Faso.

READ MORE: Could Wagner really invade Poland and trigger WW3? Advertisement

They are also understood to operate in Niger, where a coup was carried out on Wednesday by the country's presidential guard.

Its goals differ in each region, but Wagner operations almost invariably involve bolstering the military forces of the Kremlin's preferred regimes in Africa by delivering weapons and training, and providing additional security services.

In return, Russia gains access to natural resources, investment opportunities and geopolitical influence.

His appearance in St Petersburg comes a week after he welcomed his fighters to Belarus following their failed mutiny against the Russian regime, a dark and grainy video apparently filmed at the Tsel military base appeared to show.

Speaking at the summit today, Putin offered free grain to six African countries.

Russia last week refused to extend a deal under which Ukrainian grain exports passed through the Black Sea to reach global markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices.

'In the coming months we will be able to ensure free supplies of 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea,' Putin said.

Over a year, the grain deal allowed around 33 million tonnes of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, helping to stabilise global food prices and avert shortages.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed African leaders attending the summit to demand answers about the grain disruptions that have propelled poorer nations towards crisis.

'They know exactly who's to blame for this current situation,' Blinken said of the leaders.

'My expectation would be that Russia will hear this clearly from our African partners,' he said Thursday during a visit to New Zealand.

Fighters from the Wagner private mercenary army are pictured in Belarus, July 2023

Satellite view of the Wagner private mercenary army's camp in Belarus, July 2023

Seventeen African leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are expected at the Russia-Africa summit taking place on Thursday and Friday.

The Kremlin has accused Western countries of trying to prevent African states from participating in the summit.

The summit is the second of its kind after an inaugural one held in 2019 in Sochi, southern Russia.

On Friday, Putin is set to discuss Ukraine during a working lunch with a group of African heads of state, according to the Kremlin.

The situation in Niger, where President Mohamed Bazoum has been detained by soldiers following a coup bid, is 'actively' discussed on the sidelines of the summit, the Kremlin spokesman said.

'It will likely be discussed in some way during the central events of the summit that will take place tomorrow. And today too,' Dmitry Peskov added.

The summit will be an opportunity to exchange views on key issues, according to Vsevolod Sviridov of the Centre for African Studies at HSE University.

Since the coronavirus pandemic and the launch of the military offensive in Ukraine, 'the framework in which Russia and Africa interact has seriously changed', Sviridov told AFP.

'It is necessary to find common ground, to explain to each other positions on topical issues, for example, the grain deal,' he added.

Putin has already held talks Wednesday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, praising their joint energy projects.

Representatives of African states continued to arrive in the former imperial capital ahead of the summit, including delegations from Mozambique and Libya, Russian state news agency TASS said Thursday.

Since the start of the Ukraine offensive, Russia has sought to strengthen diplomatic and security ties with Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) and President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani (right) arriving for a plenary session of the Second Summit Economic and Humanitarian Forum 'Russia-Africa' in St.Petersburg, July 27

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been on two tours of the continent so far this year, trying to win over leaders to Moscow's side by emphasising Russia's stand against Western 'imperialism'.

Russia's Wagner mercenary group has been a major player in the security sphere in Africa but its failed mutiny against Russia's military leadership last month has cast doubt on the future of the group's operations on the continent.

The summit in Saint Petersburg comes a month ahead of a summit of leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) due to take place in Johannesburg.

South Africa has said that Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant for his actions in Ukraine, will not be attending in person.
Vladimir Putin told leaders and officials from most African countries Thursday that Russia is making every effort to avert a global food crisis despite concerns that its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine will cause price spikes.

The Russian leader spoke at the opening session of a two-day Russia-Africa summit attended by a sharply lower number of African heads of state and government compared with a previous summit in 2019. While discussing the halted Black Sea grain deal, he promised large no-cost shipments of grain to six African countries.

'Our country will continue supporting needy states and regions, in particular, with its humanitarian deliveries. We seek to actively participate in building a fairer system of distribution of resources. We are taking maximum efforts to avert a global food crisis,' Putin said.

'I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year,' he said.

Russia intends to ship up to 50,000 tons of grain aid to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and Central African Republic in the next three to four months, Putin said.

Without directly referring to Putin's promise, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took a swipe Thursday at donations of grain to developing nations, saying they cannot compensate for the impact of Moscows cutoff of grain exports from Ukraine, which along with Russia is a major supplier to the world market.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a plenary session of the Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and President of the Republic of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye meet on the sidelines of the Russia Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool Photo via AP)

The U.N. chief said the United Nations is in contact with Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and other countries to try to reestablish the deal that saw Ukraine export over 32,000 tons of grain, allowing global food prices to drop significantly.

Guterres told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York that taking millions of tons of Ukrainian grain out of the global market will lead to higher prices. The higher costs 'will be paid by everybody, everywhere, and namely by developing countries and by the vulnerable people in middle income and even developed countries,' he said.

'So, its not with a handful of donations to some countries that we correct this dramatic impact that affects everybody, everywhere,' Guterres added.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric noted that Guterres pointed at Russias 'systematic bombardment' of Ukrainian ports and grain facilities, which he called 'a serious escalation.' Dujarric said the bombing will have a serious impact on any resumption of Ukrainian grain exports.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also said Russias promise to donate grain to African nations did not compensate for pulling out of the deal on Ukrainian grain.

People watch a TV screen broadcasting Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the plenary session of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (TASS Host Photo Agency Pool Photo via AP)

'A handful of donations to some countries cannot replace the millions and millions of tons of grain exports that help stabilize food prices around the world,' Jean-Pierre said.

U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel noted the U.S. pays for about half of the budget for the World Food Program compared to Russias contribution of less than 1%. 'So its pretty clear to us who is actively committed to addressing the dire concerns of food security,' Patel said.

Both Russia and Ukraine are major grain suppliers. They agreed a year ago on a U.N.- and Turkey-brokered deal that reopened three Ukrainian Black Sea ports blocked by fighting and provided assurances that ships entering the ports would not be attacked. Russia declined to renew the agreement last week, complaining that its own exports were being held up.

Promising Russian food exports to Africa is key to Putins stated goal of using the summit in St. Petersburg to bolster ties with a continent of 1.3 billion people that is increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Africas 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 Russias actions in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi arrive for a meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Alexei Danichev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, rear center, hosts a breakfast meeting with leaders of African regional organisations on the sideline of the Russia Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya, Mohamed Yunus Bashir Buhwaish al-Menfi, shake hands on the sideline of the Russia Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool Photo via AP)

The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been active in Mali and Central African Republic, and Eritrea has voted against more U.N. General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russias invasion of Ukraine than any other African nation.

Burkina Faso is seen by some observers as a likely next target for Wagner, and Zimbabwe has long been bitter about U.S. sanctions against it. Somalia, while a U.S. ally, is often held up as an African country most affected by any restrictions on grain supplies related to the conflict in Ukraine.

The Russia-Africa event follows an annoucnement by South African authorities last week that Putin had agreed not to attend an economic summit in Johannesburg next month because the trip could expose him to arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Putin on Thursday announced other moves to deepen relations with Africa, including increased enrollment of African students in Russian universities, the opening of Russian state news media bureaus in many African countries and a proposed 'common information space in Russia and Africa, within which objective, unbiased information about events taking place in the world will be broadcast to Russian and African audiences.'

Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said that while only 17 heads of state were at the summit, 32 other African countries were represented by senior officials or ambassadors. The Kremlin said crude Western pressure to discourage African nations from taking part caused the number of leaders taking part to shrink. In 2019, 43 heads of state attended.

Along with grain, another issue likely to be on the agenda was the fate of the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin following its brief rebellion against Russia's top military leadership last month. The private contractor's future will be an urgent issue for countries such as Sudan, Mali and others that contract with Wagner in exchange for natural resources like gold.

Russian officials and Prigozhin have said the company would continue working in Africa.

Messaging app channels linked to the mercenary chief posted pictures of him meeting with African officials at a St. Petersburg hotel. It wasn't immediately clear when the meetings took place.

A peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have tried to pursue was set to be discussed as well.
A family having a boat day off of Cape Cod were shocked and delighted when they saw three humpback whales breach the surface of the ocean together.

Robert Addie of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and his three daughters were left in awe when they saw the trio jump in unison on Monday afternoon.

Addie was even able to capture the glorious moment in nature on video. The video shows the three humpback whales breaching, followed by a calf breaching alone.

Addie told the Boston Globe earlier this week that it was 'an amazing day out there fishing.'

The three humpback whales breached simultaneously on Monday

Robert Addie (left) with two of his daughters and a son-in-law on a birthday fishing trip in Cape Cod where the triple breach occurred

The New Hampshire man had come down to Massachusetts for a birthday weekend with his children that doubled as a 'welcome home' celebration.

He told the outlet that he recently returned from a humanitarian aid trip to Ukraine.

'My children were glad to see me. I was glad to see them. We were having a ball,' he said.

It was the first time Addie had gathered will all three of his children on his birthday in a decade.

The family weekend included Boston restaurants, a Red Sox game, and the fishing trip to Cape Cod.

After seeing the whales, Addie said that he felt 'very rewarded' by their appearance, adding that it was 'very fitting - three daughters and three whales.'

The New Englander is originally from Winchester, Mass. and has spent most of his life on and off of the water, but had never encountered anything like Monday's sighting.

'All day I was trying to capture the whales, but I just couldn't catch them, and then I caught the magic moment,' he said, adding that he thinks the sighting was likely a 'once in a lifetime thing.'

'A triple synchronized aerial ballet of humpbacks? I dont know anyone thats seen it  just stunning,' he said to Fox10.

Robert Addie called the experience 'once in a lifetime' and that despite spending much of his life on the water, he'd never seen anything like the trip breach

Addie, who recently returned from a humanitarian aid trip to Ukraine, said the fishing trip was the first time he's spent his birthday with all three of his daughters in 10 years

Addie and his family caught glimpses of other whales, mostly humpbacks, on their afternoon at sea. The sightings occurred on Stellwagen Bank, a national marine sanctuary where sightings are relatively frequent.

Philip Hamilton, a senior scientist at the New England Aquarium, told the outlet that the whales weren't breaching for food, but instead likely in an effort to aid digestion, remove parasites, communicate acoustically, or just have fun.

Cape Cod is home to sea life including the humpback whales the Addies saw, as well as sharks, dolphins and turtles.
Group Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Oram has resigned from The Warehouse Group to take up an executive position at a New Zealand retail bank and will leave the business in late October 2023.

Jonathan joined The Warehouse Group in March 2018 as Deputy Group Chief Financial Officer and has been Group Chief Financial Officer since October 2018.

Jonathan has played an integral part in the Groups retail transformation journey and helped the Group deliver record financial results in 2021. Jonathan also played a critical role in helping the Group manage its move to agile ways of working in 2020 and through the Covid-19 pandemic says CEO Nick Grayston.

On behalf of the Executive Leadership Squad, I would like to thank Jonathan for the exceptional leadership and contribution he has made to the business over the past 5 years and wish him all the best in his new role.

Chair Joan Withers thanked Jonathan on behalf of the Board, for his contribution to the company over the past 5 years.

The Warehouse Group will commence a search for a new CFO shortly.

ENDS

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Wildfires are raging across southern Italy and have reached Athens in Greece

Officials in Calabria, southern Italy caught an arsonist red-handed with a drone

This is the moment a motorbike-riding arsonist was caught red-handed starting wildfires in Italy - before he realised he was being filmed by a drone and began to hurl rocks at it.

Around 30 drones have been employed by officials in Calabria, southern Italy, as part of a 'zero tolerance' policy towards those starting wildfires.

The fires have raged across Europe in recent weeks as flames tore through areas of Greece and Italy amid a sharp spike in temperatures.

However, authorities believe some of the fires may have been started on purpose.

Calabrian drone operators noticed smoke coming from the bushes in the countryside in Curinga, before they spotted a man walking along a dirt track.

This is the moment a motorbike-riding arsonist was caught red-handed by a drone starting wildfires in Italy

A video posted to social media on Monday by Calabrian governor Roberto Occhiuto showed the man parking his red motorbike before lighting fires.

Once he noticed he was being filmed, he began to hurl stones at the drone in an attempt to take it out.

He fled the scene on a motorbike but was followed by the drone, and was eventually reported to Italian police.

Mr Occhiuto said in the video: 'Calabria is a civilised region but it also has some imbeciles who go to set fires in the woods, like this arsonist we caught yesterday.

'Where does he come from, the caves?'

He added that the region has 30 drones it can employ to detect potential arsonists, stating that it will take a 'zero tolerance policy' towards any intentional fire starters.

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani also shared the footage on Twitter, saying: 'Only with an accurate control of the territory can these criminals be stopped.'

Areas of southern Europe such as Greece and Italy have been fighting extreme heat and wildfires.

Calabrian drone operators noticed smoke coming from the bushes in the countryside in Curinga

Once he noticed he was being filmed, the suspect began to hurl stones at the drone

He then attempted to escape on his motorbike but the drone followed him and he was reported to Italian police

Calabrian governor Roberto Occhiuto (pictured) shared the footage on social media and condemned those who have been starting the fires on purpose

In Italy, firefighters battled brush fires in the southern mainland regions of Calabria and Puglia, as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, helped by temperatures dropping some 13 degrees Celsius (55 F) into the low- and mid-30s C (high 80s F).

Sicily remained the focal point, with fires continuing to burn near the capital Palermo as seven aircraft were engaged to douse flames.

Footage from the country's roads showed scenes of people driving to safety down fire-flanked roads.

Sicily has requested emergency measures from the central government to battle wildfires

The island has been devastated by wildfires that have killed three elderly people, its regional president said today.

In a message on Facebook, Sicilian President Renato Schifani said 'scorching heat and unprecedented devastating fires' had turned Tuesday into 'one of the most difficult days in decades'.

Italian firefighters said they battled nearly 1,400 fires between Sunday and Tuesday, including 650 in Sicily and 390 in Calabria, the southern mainland region where a bedridden 98-year-old man was killed as fire consumed his home.

Sicily is a major tourist destination but a fire inside a terminal building last week caused the near-total closure of its biggest airport in Catania on the east of the island. Palermo airport was also closed for a few hours on Tuesday because of a wildfire nearby.

Residents look at flames burning in Capaci, near Palermo, in Sicily, southern Italy, Wednesday, July 26

A man tries to extinguish a wildfire in the Sicilian village of Altofonte, near Palermo, Sicily

Italian civil protection personnel burn out fires in Capaci, near Palermo in Sicily

Flames are seen on the side of a road through the window of a vehicle driving in Sicily

Wildfires have now reached the outskirts of Athens on Thursday as strong gusts of wind caused flare-ups around Greece, disrupting highway traffic and rail services.

The fires have raged across parts of the country during three successive Mediterranean heat waves over two weeks, leaving five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggering a huge evacuation of tourists over the weekend on the island of Rhodes.

Water-dropping helicopters and a ground crew scrambled early Thursday to a blaze in Kifissia, just north of Athens, which was quickly put out.

Near the central city of Volos, a wildfire burned on two fronts, forcing a section of Greece's busiest highway to close for several hours, while national rail services passing through the area were delayed.

Greek firefighters also battled flames on Rhodes for a 10th successive day, while flare-ups were reported on the island of Evia.

A European Union disaster response agency announced that it was sending two more firefighting planes, provided by France, to Greece.

But as Southern Europe fights extreme heat and wildfires, parts of central Europe have been hit with winter conditions. Subfreezing temperatures, frost and snow have been reported in the Tatra mountains, which run through Poland and Slovakia.

'Without doubt, we can see that all across the Mediterranean the climate crisis is here and it's affecting us all more strongly than perhaps even scientists had warned us about,' Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday during a meeting with the country's president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

An aerial view of houses among burned land, as a wildfire burns on the island of Rhodes

Greece has been struggling with forest fires that could not be controlled for 10 days

Flames engulf a hillside on Thursday in Apollana, Rhodes as flamed continue to spread

An air Tractor AT-802A drops water onto flames on a hillside in Apollana

The aftermath of the fire: A burned area after a fire near Kiotari
Two small business owners say they won't return to Splendour in the Grass after their merchandise stall was robbed on the last night of the star-studded music festival.

When Olivia O'Neill and Ebany McLees of the Australian-made clothing brand Ellore arrived at the festival in Byron Bay in northern NSW, they were immediately disappointed.

Instead of the well run operation they had expected, the pair claimed the site was an 'unorganised mess'.

'Originally, we were placed in a spot where we were completely isolated as a brand - out of the area where there was foot traffic - no one could even find us,' Ms McLees said.

The women, who are from Melbourne and Brisbane, asked to be moved to a better spot, and they were - but they claim the new position wasn't properly secured.

When Olivia O'Neill and Ebany McLees (pictured) of the Australian-made fashion clothing brand Ellore arrived at the festival in Byron Bay in northern NSW, they were immediately disappointed

And then they were robbed on the only night it rained at the 2023 edition of Splendour.

'It was the last day, vibes were high, we were so excited, until we hear this big bang out the back and the power goes out,' Ms McLees said in a TikTok post.

'They pulled our power out. So someone's jumped over the fence for some free hoodies and they've gone all over our stuff.

'A series of unfortunate events just continues to happen,' she said.

Ms O'Neill and Ms McLees rushed behind the stall where the bang had come from, to find the metal fence had fallen and several hoodies were missing.

The Ellore stall's fence (pictured) was knocked over and some of their merchandise was stolen

Despite everything, the young businesswomen were still delighted to get their brand (pictured) in front of so many people and to save a lot of people from being cold at Splendour

'The lids had been opened and someone had rummaged through and taken some of our hoodies, maybe five or six,' Ms McLees told Yahoo News.

The robber jumped back over the fence, but there was no security footage, so they got away with it.

By that point of the weekend, the pair was exhausted and a bit emotional, but they pushed through and stayed open until 11pm.

'Don't think we'll ever go back though, because of how unorganised the event team was and there were a lot of sellers there that were also unhappy,' Ms McLees said.

Despite everything, the young businesswomen were still delighted to get their brand in front of so many people and to save a lot of people from being cold at Splendour.

Eager masses turned up to Splendour in the Grass from Friday through to Sunday for a packed festival line-up headlined by Lizzo (pictured), Flume and Mumford and Sons

Tove Lo is pictured performing on stage during Splendour in the Grass on July 23, 2023 in Byron Bay, Australia

Noah Cyrus is pictured on stage at Splendour in the Grass 2023 in Byron Bay

Multiple people were charged with drug offences at the Splendour in the Grass festival over the weekend, most notably two men were charged with sexually touching festivalgoers

Their experience was far from the only negative thing to happen at this year's festival, though.

While thousands of revellers turned up for a packed festival line-up headlined by Lizzo, Flume and Mumford and Sons, some ended up in handcuffs.

A 43-year-old Victorian man was charged with three counts of sexually touching another person without consent on Sunday, and a 40-year-old Surfers Paradise man was charged with one count of sexual touching without consent on Saturday.

Both men were granted conditional bail to appear before Byron Bay Local Court next month.

On Saturday, police also charged a 23-year-old Mooball woman following a search of a car at a campsite nearby where they allegedly located ketamine, cannabis, MDMA, scales, resealable bags and $6,500 cash.

She was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.

The 23-year-old was granted conditional bail and will appear before Byron Bay Local Court next month.

NSW Police say they detected and seized a range of drugs from festivalgoers with the assistance of the Dog Unit.

Drugs seized included cannabis, MDMA, psilocybin, ecstasy, methylamphetamine and white powder believed to be cocaine.

In total police issued 42 court attendance notices, 36 criminal infringement notices and 31 cannabis cautions.

A 43-year-old Victorian man was charged with three counts of sexually touching another person without consent on Sunday and a 40-year-old Surfers Paradise man was charged with one count of sexual touching without consent on Saturday (pictured: Splendour 2023)

NSW Police say they detected and seized a range of drugs from festivalgoers with the assistance of the Dog Unit

NSW Police say they 'make no apology' for cracking down on illicit drugs.

'While most of the attendees were compliant, it's disappointing that we continue to detect the possession and supply of prohibited drugs,' Tweed/Byron Police District Commander David Roptell said.

'The safety of music fans attending the festival is and continues to be our number one priority, and we make no apology for coming down hard on drug possession and supply.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the organisers of the Splendour in the Grass festival for comment.
Jill Biden's ex-husband has slammed what he described as the 'Biden crime family' for 'targeting' him and Donald Trump, as the president's son Hunter faces mounting legal troubles.

Bill Stevenson, who was married to the First Lady from 1970 to 1975, previously told DailyMail.com that he was still married to Jill when she met Joe, and has always denied the Bidens' well-publicized story of having met on a blind date.

Speaking to Newsmax on Wednesday, the 75-year-old said the president's brother Frankie Biden tried to intimidate him during his divorce to Jill, and claimed he faced repercussions when he did not listen to the alleged threats.

'Frankie Biden of the Biden crime family comes up to me and he goes, "Give her the house or youre going to have serious problems,"' Stevenson claimed.

'I looked at Frankie and I said, "Are you threatening me?" and needless to say, about two months later, my brother and I were indicted for that tax charge for $8,200.'

Bill Stevenson, who was married to the First Lady from 1970 to 1975, claims the Biden family threatened him and caused legal persecution against him during his divorce to Jill Biden

Stevenson, who was married to the First Lady from 1970 to 1975, has said he was still married to Jill when she met Joe and they started an affair

When asked to clarify whether he believed his ex's second husband was behind the tax charge he faced, Stevenson said, 'I not only think it, but I know it.'

He went on to compare his alleged situation to former president Trump's legal woes; Trump is currently facing charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record, and concealing a document in a federal investigation.

'I was on the wrong side of them and they have literally come after me for 35 years in a row,' Stevenson, a staunch Trump supporter, continued.

'Its hard to believe what theyre doing to President Trump... I can't let them do this to a president I love and respect... This is the only reason Ive come forward.

'Its like I said, nothing about the divorce, no bitterness, but Jimmy, Frankie, and President Biden are very dangerous, and its tragic. I cant let them do what they did to me to President Trump. I cant do it.'

Newsmax host Greg Kelly then compared the charges against Hunter Biden to those Stevenson faced. Hunter has pleaded not guilty to failing to pay between $1.1 million and $1.5 million in federal taxes in 2017 and 2018.

Kelly pointed out Hunter is charged with misdemeanors for high amounts, while Stevenson was hit with felony charges for smaller ones.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment on Stevenson's claims.

Stevenson met Jill in August 1969, and the pair married six months later, when Jill was 18 years old.

As DailyMail.com has previously reported, Stevenson claims he introduced her to the future president.

At the time, Joe was a council member campaigning for the U.S. Senate, and was married to his first wife, Neilia.

Stevenson accused Joe's brother Frankie of threatening him to get him to leave his home to Jill Biden during their divorce

Newsmax host Greg Kelly then compared the charges against Hunter Biden to those Stevenson faced. Beau, Joe, Ashley, Jill and Hunter Biden are pictured

Hunter has pleaded not guilty to failing to pay between $1.1 million and $1.5 million in federal taxes in 2017 and 2018

'I threw a fundraiser for him in August, raised between $2,500 and $3,000,' said Stevenson.

'I introduced Joe to Jill in 1972. Right before the election, in '72,

'Jill, Joe, Neilia and I were in his kitchen. How do you forget that?'

Neilia Biden would die four months later, in a car crash in December 1972.

Stevenson said he first suspected Biden and Jill were having an affair in August 1974. He was then 26, Jill was 23 and Joe was 31.

By October, he said he was certain of it.

Their car, a brown Corvette, was involved in a crash in May, he discovered, and, surprised, he asked the man who informed him about the crash for details.

'He looks at me and says oh, she wasn't driving.

'I said, her beloved Corvette, she wasn't driving? He said, no, Senator Biden was driving.'

Stevenson said he then confronted Jill, and asked her if she was having an affair with Biden.

'She didn't say anything - she just looked at me,' he recalled.

'I said you have to go. You have to get your own place.'

Stevenson and Jill divorced in May 1975.

Jill and Joe say that they did not meet until March 1975, when the divorce was nearly finalized.
With the weather getting warmer and the days getting that little bit longer, that summer feeling is here - and so too are the school holidays.

The Easter holidays and May half-term have passed, and school pupils - and in some cases parents - are excited to see that the six-week extended summer holidays are here.

Whether you're planning to book work off so you can holiday with your family of four, or you want to meet up with some fellow pupils in the summer sun, we have had a look to see when schools end.

Here is everything you need to know about term dates, when the summer holidays started and when will they end.

It is important to check your school website when trying to find specific term dates as they can differ across the UK

in England and Wales the school holiday pattern tends to be similar. However if you are in Scotland your school dates will differ

When did the summer holidays start?

It is important to check your school website when trying to find specific term dates as they can differ across the UK.

These dates may vary because of the type of school you attend as governors will set terms times for academies, foundations and voluntary aided schools.

Whereas the timetables for other schools will be set by local education authorities also known as LEAs.

But fear not, in England and Wales the school holiday pattern tends to be similar. However if you are in Scotland your school dates will differ quite vastly as Scottish schools usually return to the classroom earlier in the year.

Most schools in England and Wales will broke up for the summer holidays on Friday 21 July.

But as previously mentioned, summer holiday dates can differ between different LEAs, so if you are unsure you can check on the Government website.

Schools were out much earlier in the year in Scotland, as they usually break at the beginning of July or end of June. So yet again, it is important to check because it can vary between LEAs.

In Northern Ireland the summer holidays begun on 1 July.

A mother packing a school lunchbox with her child. A chore parents won't have to do during the six week summer holiday

Summer holidays for independent schools are usually longer than state-run schools. So, they can enjoy vanilla ice cream (pictured in stock image) in the summer sun for longer

When do the summer holidays end?

Most state-run schools in England and Wales will have a six week summer holidays.

This means that the majority of English and Welsh schools will return to the classroom in Autumn on 4 September.

School will be in session from Wednesday 16 August for Scottish pupils and in Northern Ireland schoolgoers are set to return on Friday 1 September.

However, this is LEA-dependent, so be sure to check.

Summer school dates for independent schools do differ from state-run schools. However, their pupils usually get to enjoy a longer summer holiday, meaning they return to the classroom around the same time as state schools in England and Wales.

Specific dates can be found via individual school websites.
12-week old baby found with high levels of drugs in system

The mother of a 12-week-old baby boy found to have methamphetamine and cannabis in his system claims she does not know how her son ingested the drugs.

Sarah Joanne Brice, 34, pleaded guilty to a charge of recklessly endangering and causing suffering to a child on Thursday and faces serious prison time.

But she told Perth Court that she did breastfeed the boy while using drugs.

The baby was found by police in Brice's arms at her home in Caversham, north-east Perth, in January 2021.

Police noted that Brice was 'visibly on drugs' while they attended to the property, having been called by her partner and the father to the child, WA Today reported.

An assessment at the Perth Childrens Hospital found the child had 'extremely life-threatening levels' of drugs in his system as well as injuries to its head and skull.

The child has been placed in the care of Brice's mother, alongside another child that she had when she was 20 years old.

Sarah Joanne Brice, 34, pleaded guilty to a charge of recklessly endangering and causing suffering to a child on Thursday and faces serious prison time

The court heard that Brice had used cannabis since the age of 13 and started using methamphetamine 'on and off' since 18.

The father of the baby, a fellow drug user, contacted police with fears that Brice was not providing adequate care for the child.

Brice claims the man had punched her in the face not long before police arrived, with officers saying she had a large bruise and swelling on her cheek.

Police attempted to assess the baby at the property which they believed was unresponsive, however Brice tried to keep them away from the child.

Intervening soon after, officers took the child to Midlands St John of God Hospital where he was then transferred to Perth Childrens Hospital where the drugs were found in his system.

Her defence team told the court that Brice remains insistent that she was not on drugs the day police arrived at the property.

The mother-of-two claims the drugs had not passed on to the baby through her breast milk and must have been administered to the child by someone else.

Experts could not agree on how drugs had entered the baby's system, with one arguing it could have been passed through breastmilk while another disagreed.

Second-hand smoke had been floated as a potential explanation, but was shot-down as it could not warrant the high levels found in the baby.

Brice's defence team told the court their client admitted they should have removed the baby from the home as her relationship with his father had become a 'violent'.

The court heard Brice had been with him for around a year-and-a-half before the incident, with alleged assaults and strangulations occurring when she was two-months pregnant.

'She said he was a very angry person but she felt like she had nowhere else to go,' Brice's lawyers told the court.

'Looking back she can see that anywhere would have been better than there.'

State prosecutors claimed 'The drugs were likely ingested by the victim through breastfeeding but we cannot speak to the cause'.

'However, the form of ingestion could have been deliberately administered, through breastfeeding or through passive smoking.'

Prosecutors called the child's state a 'profound breach of trust', and are pushing for Brice to face jail time.

The presiding judge, Judge Gary Massey, requested the case be adjourned to consider the potential long-term effects the drugs would have on the child.

Brice will return to court on August 11 for sentencing.
The firm warned its generators could face additional stress thanks to the heat

The largest electric grid operator in the US has issued a level one emergency alert - raising the specter of its 65 million customers facing potential blackouts during a searing heatwave.

Currently gripping states in the Midwest, Northeast, and South, the high temperatures are set to persist this week, meteorologists have revealed - leading PJM Interconnection to issue the warning Wednesday.

PJM says it currently expects to have sufficient power to meet the usual summertime demands.

Bosses there say they also have reserve capacity to meet additional demand, as Americans run their air conditioners to cool down.

But they've warned they face challenges trying to meet contingency reserves, which are required during times of exceptionally high demand - such as extreme weather events. If the network does indeed go over capacity, its customers could face losing power.

PJM, which oversees the United States' largest electricity grid, provides power throughout a 13-state region, and is tasked with managing and paying on-call generators to keep those state's systems running. It coordinates the movement of electricity in locales as far east as New Jersey, and and far west as Tennessee.

Areas in both states were under excessive heat warnings Thursday, as hotter-than-normal temperatures that have been affecting the South expanded to the Midwest and Northeast this week.

With this in mind, officials at the Pennsylvania-based operator warned residents in affected states like Ohio and Kentucky to keep their air conditioners on to end the workweek, to fight temperatures that will feel over 100 degrees in some areas.

Scroll down for video:

PJM Interconnection - the country's largest electrical grid operator - issued a level one emergency alert Monday, warning millions of upcoming outages poised to occur this week. Seen here is the operator's main control room in Pennsylvania

In the Northeast, highs will jump into the upper 90s in places like New Jersey and Washington, DC, both of which receive electricity from PJM. The heat comes as temperatures that had been affecting the South this week continues to expand to the Midwest and Northeast

'A Maximum Generation Emergency/Load Management Alert and [a level one emergency alert] have been issued for July 27, 2023,' the company said in a notice. signaling it had available resources to meet firm load and reserve commitments.

However, the firm did air concerns about sustaining required contingency reserves, as demand is forecast to reach 153,286 Megawatts 5:00pm ET Thursday, dangerously close to PJM's 186,000 Megawatts of generating capacity.

'Maximum Generation Emergency has been called into the operating capacity,' the warning continued, adding dispatchers should provide them with an estimate of the amount of time needed to get power back up and running in the event of an outage.

The operator issued the Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 late Wednesday for Thursday, and another one earlier this week, this time for forecast hot weather, for Friday, when already sweltering weather is poised to slightly worsen.

The response programs, the firm said, are designed so those monitoring transmission systems in affected regions will also be ready to curtail electricity usage if necessary.

Such a maneuver would be waged to keep power supplies in places like Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee - all of which are under PJM's purview - stable, officials said.

Temperatures in those states are set to hover around - or even exceed - 100 degrees Thursday, as about 170 million American remained under heat advisories or excessive heat warnings toward the end of the week.

PJM serves more than 65 million not only in the Northeast but in the Midwest as well - with a huge slice of that sampling set in states set to be bombarded this week by brutal temperatures.

The country's biggest grid operator, PJM oversees power throughout a 13-state region, and is tasked with managing and paying on-call generators to keep those state's systems running

Response programs are now in place to ensure power supplies in places like Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Tennessee - all of which are under PJM's purview - stable, officials said. Meanwhile, more than 170 million are under some form of heat advisory

The increasing likelihood of outages in states covered by PJM comes as a stubborn heat wave continues to affect the Midwest, Northeast, and South - bringing with it temperatures that feel well over 100 degrees

In the Northeast - in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC - highs are set to jump into the upper 90s, heat comes as temperatures that had been affecting the South this week continues to expand to the Midwest and Northeast.

Large areas in all of the aforementioned states receive electricity from PJM, and portions of all are under some for of heat advisory.

DC, for instance, will come within a few degrees from record highs exceeding 100 degrees, as is the case in portions of Northern New Jersey and New York City. New York is not one the 13 states included in PJM's scope of operations.

That said, others, like Maryland and Ohio, and states further west like Tennessee and Illinois, are - with cities in each poised to record temperatures just south of 100 degrees Thursday and Friday.

Moreover, increasing humidity will also worsen Americans continued heat woes, as a strong area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere heat wave moves the heat from the Southwest into the Plains, all while another hot dome of high pressure brings high temperatures across the western Atlantic into the eastern states.

As a result, the heat index - a tool meteorologists use to measure how hot it actually feels outside instead of just temperature - could peak near or over 100 degrees in large portions of the Northeast and Midwest during the afternoon.

DC, for instance, will come within a few degrees from record highs exceeding 100 degrees, as is the case in portions of Northern New Jersey and New York City. New York is not one the 13 states included in PJM's scope of operations.

others, like Maryland and Ohio, and states further west like Tennessee and Illinois, are - with cities in each poised to record temperatures just south of 100 degrees Thursday and Friday.

Increasing humidity will also worsen Americans continued heat woes, as an area of pressure in the upper atmosphere heat wave moves the heat from the Southwest, while another hot dome of high pressure brings high temperatures across the western Atlantic into the eastern states

Meanwhile, in the Southwest, several heat records have been shattered in notoriously sweltering states such as Texas and Arizona.

In Texas, cotton, rice, and corn crops have withered under the extreme temps while similar reactions have occurred across the Midwest.

In Arizona, Phoenix this month shattered its record for consecutive days in which the temperature reached at least 110 degrees, standing at 26 days and counting as of Tuesday, when the forecast called for a high of 118 degrees.

The record was likely to grow Wednesday, with a high of 119 degrees expected. A total seven heat-associated deaths were confirmed over the last week in Americas hottest big metro, with dozens dead across the rest of the Southwest as well.

However, meteorogist say that a bit of relief might be on the horizon, though, after this week.

At that point, weather expert say Southerners could finally see some modest cooling.

Residents in the region - which has been hot even by Desert Southwest standards - temperatures will begin to lower back closer to average for this time of year by early next week.

That said, the South will still swelter over the weekend, with forecast highs ranging from the middle to upper 90s to near 100 degrees from Texas and Oklahoma to the Carolinas.

Heat index temperatures in those cases will easily eclipse 100 degrees, meteorologists said. North Carolina, one of the 13 states that received electricity from PJM, is set to experience temperature close to 100 degrees

As for the Northeast and Midwest, highs could drop back into the low 80s and upper 70s as soon as Sunday - forcing millions in states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to tough out the temperatures.

As for the increasing likelihood of outages, the Texas power grid hit a record high on July 18, but has so far avoided rolling blackouts.

Arizona also saw power use soaring to an all-time high this week, and has experienced thousands of outages as a result.

PJM is warning Americans in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, DC, to be wary.
A Michigan teenager who was freed after spending 500 days in jail for the death of her dad said Oxford shooter Ethan Crumbley's mom helped write her mercy speech.

Megan Imirowicz, 19, killed her 64-year-old father, Konrad, with whom she was angry because he was too drunk to take her to a hair appointment.

She threw lye powder and water over him in October 2021, and he died from chemical burn complications in March 2022.

Imirowicz was yesterday sentenced to a year in prison with credit for time served and five years of probation during her tear-filled sentencing hearing.

Outside court, she revealed her speech to the judge and court was heavily influenced by one of her 'best friends' she made in jail - Jennifer Crumbley.

'She helped me write the things out that I didn't know how to put into words,' Imirowicz said.

Megan Imirowicz, 19, killed her 64-year-old father, Konrad, with whom she was angry because he was too drunk to take her to a hair appointment. Outside court, she revealed that her speech to the judge and court was heavily influenced by one of her 'best friends' she made in jail - Jennifer Crumbley

Imirowicz' 'jail best friend' was Crumbley, the mother of Oxford High School's mass shooter. She 'told her to speak with her heart' and aided the teen to put her feelings into words. She is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter because she and her husband James are accused of failing to keep the gun away from their 'troubled minor child'

Crumbley, the mother of Oxford High School's mass shooter Ethan Cumbley, 'told her to speak with her heart' and aided the teen putting her feelings into words.

The unlikely prison friendship spanned 'months' as Imirowicz toyed over how she could best convey her words for her sob-filled sentencing.

Konrad Imirowicz, 64, died from chemical burn complications in March 2022

Speaking to Court TV, Imirowicz said about her sentencing speech: 'I was just in the moment. I wanted every single word to be heard and felt by everybody.

'Writing that took months, and the very last minute I finally found the words.

'So to be able to get those words out meant a lot to me. A lot was riding on them.'

When asked if she got any advice from anyone, she said it was the Oxford school shooter's jailed mother that she learned from.

'Yes. I have a best friend that's in jail and she was with me through this whole thing and she helped me with it,' the 19-year-old said. 'Jennifer Crumbley. She just told me to speak with my heart, she helped me write the things out that I didn't know how to put into words.'

Megan Imirowicz embraces her siblings after being released from prison

Crumbley - who allegedly did not stop her son from having a gun - is pictured in court in 2021

Crumbley is the mother of the 15-year-old who killed four students and wounded seven others at Michigans Oxford High School in 2021.

Her son rained gunfire in the school - and pleaded guilty to one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, and 19 other charges following the mass shooting.

She, however, is in prison awaiting trial for her own alleged involvement.

Jennifer Crumbley is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter because she and her husband James are accused of failing to keep the gun away from their 'troubled minor child.'

Mass shooter Ethan Crumbley said during his plea that he gave his father the money to buy him the handgun.

Defense attorneys argue that whatever the parents did might have been considered bad parenting, but it was not the cause of the deaths.

It's alleged that the Crubmley parents tried to flee the area after the mass shooting - and that James, his father, was caught with a receipt of the murder weapon.

The parents' case was put on pause by the Michigan Supreme Court last year while they confirm if they will even stand trial for the alleged crimes. But the duo will remain in jail for the meantime.

The 19-year-old sobs during her sentencing hearing

An image used in court shows the lye powder and water

The teen spent 500 days in a suburban Detroit jail after her father's death in March 2022

During her tearful appeal to the judge, Megan described the deep bond she had with her father and the pain of losing him.

She expressed her struggle to cope with the loss and her battles against self-harm, emphasizing that she loved her father deeply and was not the monster the prosecution portrayed her to be.

'Nineteen years ago, I was placed into the arms of the first man to ever love me, the man I'm lucky enough to call my dad. Growing up he became so much more, he was a storyteller, a tooth fairy, a friend, and hero, through it all the one thing never changed, was that he was mine,' she sobbed.

'One of the biggest things overlooked in this case is that me and my siblings lost my dad too. That loss has severely broken us.'

Megan acknowledged she had lied to conceal her father's alcoholism, preferring to protect him rather than admit his struggles.

'I get scared that he thinks I didn't love him. He told me so many things, one thing he didn't tell me was how to live without him,' she said.

Imirowicz was found guilty of using harmful devices/irritants causing death in a four-day trial presided over by Judge Victoria Valentine in June.

The teen spent 500 days in a suburban Detroit jail after her father's death in March 2022. In addition, Imirowicz will undergo strict probation restrictions and is forced into an education program.

The teen sobbed in court upon learning of her reduced sentence.

She expressed her happiness at being able to return home to her family and revealed her shock at the leniency of the judge's decision.

'I'm really happy I get to go home with my family,' she told Law & Crime Network on Tuesday, adding: 'I'm excited.'

Crumbley is the mother of 15-year-old Ethan (pictured) who killed four students and wounded seven others at Michigans Oxford High School in 2021

Imirowicz threw lye powder on her father with water to produce a chemical reaction and cause severe burns on 1 October 2021.

The powder is often used in drain cleaner and has the ability to corrode materials on contact, including metal, paint, cloth and skin. It is even more dangerous when lye is wet, as mixing it with water creates an exothermic reaction which causes a dramatic temperature increase of the water, getting up to 200F.

Prosecutors said that Imirowicz threw the power on her father because she was upset with him for being too drunk to take her to a hair appointment ahead of her 18th birthday party. Konrad is said to have been an alcoholic.

Police reported the teenager had been home when the incident began and left her father unconscious on the couch in their home before leaving the residence.

They later found the lye powder and water strewn over the couch after the 64-year-old was found by a neighbor in his Groveland Township home and was taken to the hospital.

He had suffered significant injuries, including chemical burns to the head, torso and 'extremities'.

On Tuesday, Imirowicz was reunited with her mother upon her release from the Oakland County Jail, where she had been incarcerated for the last 17 months.

'I was definitely surprise. I thought I would get three or six years, I was praying for a miracle today and that's what happened,' the teenager said.

Her mother even claimed the defense was shocked to hear the verdict.

Regarding her dad, Imirowicz said: I'm scared to feel anything about my dad right now. I miss him a lot. I'm not ready.'

'I know what happened and that didn't happen,' she added.
Rishi Sunak today lashed out at Sadiq Khan for having 'failed to deliver the homes London needs' as he unveiled plans to bypass the Labour mayor on new developments.

The Prime Minister announced he was 'stepping in' to boost housebuilding in the capital and 'make home ownership a reality again for Londoners'.

Downing Street said Mr Sunak's proposals would deliver more homes, including affordable housing, on brownfield land in the heart of the capital.

The plans include a direct allocation of 150million for housebuilding in London boroughs, which will bypass City Hall, to prepare brownfield land and support new roads and green spaces.

There will also be 53million for the Old Oak West project in west London, where 9,000 homes are planned near the site of a new HS2 station.

Rules on the use of a 1billion fund for affordable housing will be relaxed so it can be used to regenerate old social housing estates, while ministers will review Mr Khan's 'London Plan' for new homes.

The Government will also support 'Docklands 2.0' - a proposal for an eastward extension of the London Docklands development with the potential to create up to 65,000 homes across sites including Thamesmead, Beckton and Silvertown.

Mr Khan hit back at the PM's criticism of his housebuilding record as London mayor.

He noted how Mr Sunak last year crumbled to a Tory rebellion to ditch mandatory national housebuilding targets.

'This is desperate nonsense,' the London mayor said.

Rishi Sunak lashed out at Sadiq Khan for having 'failed to deliver the homes London needs' as he unveiled plans to bypass the Labour mayor on new developments.

The Prime Minister announced he was 'stepping in' to boost housebuilding in the capital and 'make home ownership a reality again for Londoners'.

But Mr Khan hit back at Mr Sunak's criticism of his housebuilding record in his seven years as London mayor

Mr Khan noted how Mr Sunak last year crumbled to a Tory rebellion to ditch mandatory national housebuilding targets

It is estimated that a London home now costs 526,000 on average, which is 14.4 times typical earnings.

The average first-time buyer home costs 425,000 in London and the average deposit is now 144,500.

Earlier this week, Mr Sunak hit out at 'top-down targets' for housebuilding, but in recent days his Government has also set out a range of reforms and proposals intended to boost the number of new homes being built in England.

The PM said: 'Labour's Sadiq Khan has failed to deliver the homes London needs, driving up prices and making it harder for families to get on the housing ladder.

'So I'm stepping in to boost housebuilding and make home ownership a reality again for Londoners.'

Responding on Twitter, Mr Khan hit back: 'Are you the same guy who dropped his house building targets?

'Because I'm the guy who started building more council homes than the rest of England combined, exceeded your affordable homes targets and built more homes of any kind than since the 1930s.

'This is desperate nonsense.'

The London mayor later added: 'This is pathetic gesture politics by the Tories in an attempt to distract from their out of touch Government's inaction on the mortgage crisis and Rishi Sunak's failure to stand up to his own backbenchers on housebuilding. Londoners won't be fooled in the slightest.

'The Tories have a miserable record of continually blocking badly needed new housing in London across the board while Labour in London has exceeded the Government's own affordable housing targets, delivered higher council home building than the rest of England combined and built more homes of any kind than since the 1930s.'

Mr Sunak today visited to a housing development in Hayes, west London, where he met residents and developers.

The PM told broadcasters he wanted 'everyone to be able to own their own home', but that it would mean 'building homes in the right places and not concreting over the countryside'.

As part of the measures announced, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove will work with the London mayor and City Hall to look at opportunities to accelerate housing development on brownfield industrial sites.

No10 warned, if progress was not made by the Autumn, Mr Gove could make direct changes to London's housing plan to increase the delivery of new homes.

He will focus his review on addressing issues such as single-story warehouses being prioritised over new homes on central London sites within a few minutes of Tube stations.

Mr Gove said: 'I want to use the regeneration of the Docklands as an inspiration for more regeneration across the capital, a Docklands 2.0, transforming more unwanted and underused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods.

'Our vision will only work if we make use of all the tools at our disposal to deliver homes in the capital.

'That is why I will continue to closely monitor the Greater London Authority to ensure it is delivering the housing London so desperately needs and I will not hesitate to intervene further if needed.'

A spokesperson for Mr Khan said: 'These disappointing and disingenuous claims appear to show a fundamental lack of understanding of housebuilding in London.

'The mayor delivered record numbers of affordable homes over the last six years, consistently exceeding Government targets despite the impact of the pandemic and Brexit. This has included starting more council homes than at any time since the 1970s.

'The mayor's London Plan was approved by the Government in 2021 and the ministers should know that the housing figures included within it are reliant on sufficient Government investment being made in infrastructure, particularly transport.'

Mr Khan in May hailed his record on housing delivery, as he pointed to progress in surpassing the target of starting 116,000 affordable homes in London between 2015 and 2023.
Cannabis industry experts claimed the move could lead to a surge in robberies in dispensaries

Marijuana is illegal under federal law despite some states legalizing its medicinal and recreational use

Mastercard has told US banks to block marijuana purchases on its debit cards, dealing a blow to an industry already on the fringes of the financial system.

Most major banks in the country have generally restricted cannabis purchases as marijuana remains illegal under federal law - despite multiple states legalizing its medicinal and recreational use.

Some 38 states - including California, Florida and New York - have legalized the use of marijuana to varying degrees.

Mastercard said it had become aware of the use of PIN debit cards on the company's network for cannabis purchases.

'As we were made aware of this matter, we quickly investigated it. In accordance with our policies, we instructed the financial institutions that offer payment services to cannabis merchants and connects them to Mastercard to terminate the activity,' a spokesperson for the company said.

'The federal government considers cannabis sales illegal, so these purchases are not allowed on our systems.'

Mastercard has told US banks to block marijuana purchases on its debit cards

Some 38 states - including California, Florida and New York - have legalized the use of marijuana to varying degrees

According to Bloomberg, companies that previously facilitated PIN debit payments for marijuana dispensaries received cease-and-desist letters from Mastercard last week - and are now facing challenges in providing alternative solutions to their clients.

Visa has also made efforts to crack down on cannabis purchases on its networks. In 2021, the company sent a memo to banks stating that cashless ATMs, used as a workaround by marijuana businesses, violated its rules. These cashless ATMs allowed buyers to use a bank card - but were reported as ATM withdrawals.

Experts said the latest move comes as a blow to the cannabis industry - penalizing legal dispensaries which are already struggling to compete with black market operations which tend to undercut them on price.

Sunburn Cannabis CEO Brady Cobb said in a statement that 'this move is another blow to the state-legal cannabis industry and patients/consumers who want to access this budding category.'

Josh Glasstetter, spokesperson for the US Cannabis Council told The Washington Post that the industry's estimated $30 billion in revenue this year would be 'overwhelmingly' generated through cash transactions - which could also leave workers at greater risk by inviting a surge in robberies.

'State-legal cannabis businesses are locked out of most banking and financial services,' Glasstetter said. 'The announcement by Mastercard is a powerful reminder of the need for action by Congress.'

'It makes absolutely no sense that legal businesses are being forced to operate entirely in cash, and it's dangerous - and sometimes even fatal - for employees behind the register,' Washington Senator Patty Murray warned last year amid a flood of thefts in dispensaries in the state.

Industry experts have warned that the move could force dispensaries to rely on cash, putting workers at greater risk

'The federal government considers cannabis sales illegal, so these purchases are not allowed on our systems,' a Mastercard spokesperson said

It comes after the Senate Banking Committee held its first hearing on the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in May, which aims to make it easier for the cannabis industry to access banking services.

It also aims to protect banks and their employees from punishment for providing services to cannabis businesses in states which have legalized marijuana.

However earlier this month Republican Senator John Cornyn said the plan to pass a marijuana banking bill was 'wishful thinking.'

Other lawmakers have expressed concerns - including Republican Senator Tim Scott who said the legislation had the potential to 'create loopholes in our money-laundering laws, making it harder to catch criminals.'
The Hunter Biden plea deal that a federal judge blew up in court Wednesday contained a feature that appears designed to impose guardrails against efforts by a potential Donald Trump administration to overturn it.

Trump has spent years raging against what he calls the 'Biden crime family' and poking at Hunter in particular, and has vowed to settle scores should he regain the White House.

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika repeatedly torched parts of the agreement during a three-hour hearing in her Wilmington courtroom.

Among the provisions she railed against was a paragraph on any potential breach of the deal to defer prosecution on a gun charge  and who would decide if Hunter was found to have violated it.

Normally, prosecutors would make the determination. But under the language pushed by Hunter's team, if the government believes there is a 'knowing material breach' of the agreement, it would seek a determination by the U.S. District Judge in Delaware  Noreika.

Hunter Biden's plea deal came under withering criticism from a federal judge, who resisted being put in the middle as an arbiter of whether he is found in breach of an agreement

They would seek a determination based on a 'preponderance of the evidence,' and if they get one could prosecute for perjury, obstruction of justice, or other criminal violations.

The judge called the deal 'not standard' and said it might be unconstitutional by giving her a role normally fulfilled by prosecutors themselves, who are part of the executive branch.

The judge had federal prosecutor Leo Wise read from the agreement in open court, and Politico obtained the entire document.

'I don't want to violate the separation of powers or do anything (un)constitutional,' the judge said. She also said she had never seen a diversion agreement 'so broad' that it encompasses crimes in another case.

Former President Donald Trump has railed against the Biden 'crime family,' clashed with his attorneys general, and has attacked special counsels Robert Mueller and Jack Smith

Biden lawyer Chris Clark negotiated an agreement with prosecutors that injects a judge into the mix on deciding whether there has been a breach. It could insulate his client in the event Trump tries to order prosecutors to go after Hunter

'I thought that Hunter Bidens attorneys made it quite clear why they wanted the judge involved, which is to have this neutral party in the event that the dept of justice is under a different administration,' former Southern District of New York Prosecutor Jessica Roth told CNN.

Another former prosecutor, Joyce Vance of the Northern District of Alabama, wrote on Substack that Hunter Biden had become Trump's 'favorite whipping boy' and 'faces ongoing risks of further prosecutions if Trump returns to office,' and argued that the idea to install a more neutral arbiter has merit.

'Trump is focused on revenge and retribution, and Hunter Biden seems to be at the center of his focus... Given Trump's public pronouncements about the "Biden crime family," there are good reasons for concern if you're Hunter Biden or his lawyers. So inserting a provision requiring sign off from the court as a guarantee against vindictive future prosecutions, makes sense.'

The judge is a Trump appointee, but was recommended by two Democratic senators. She received praise Tuesday from former Robert Mueller top prosecutor Andrew Weissmann for her conduct in the courtroom, who called her work 'exceptional.'
DUNEDIN, New Zealand  Cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge (NZX, ASX: PEB) notes the release overnight of a new proposed Local Coverage Determination (LCD) governing the reimbursement of its Cxbladder tests by Medicare, the US National Health Insurance provider.

The proposed LCD (DL39365) released by the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Novitas , notes the Cxbladder tests are not considered medically reasonable and necessary, the threshold required for coverage under the US Social Security Act. It follows substantially the same approach as the LCD Genetic Testing for Oncology (L39365), which was released in early June and then withdrawn in early July following a concerted legal and political campaign from Pacific Edge and its industry partners that focused on several procedural issues.

Notably, and in contrast to the prior finalized LCD, Novitas has now provided for the statutory requirement for a 45-day notice and comment period commencing 27 July 2023* and finishing 9 September 2023*, during which time all interested stakeholders may submit comments to Novitas. The notice and comment period will also include an Open Public Meeting on 11 August 2023*, where Novitas has advised Pacific Edge in a direct communication that DL39365 is confirmed on the agenda.

Pacific Edge Chief Executive Dr Peter Meintjes said: Pacific Edge supports Novitas efforts to ensure that Medicare only pays for analytically valid, clinically valid and clinically useful tests. Our Pacific Edge Diagnostics USA Team and our US-based Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) are well prepared for the Novitas Open Meeting where we will focus on the clinical value of Cxbladder to Medicare patients in the context of the standard of care in urology and the importance of physician choice when determining patient care. We will summarize our published clinical evidence, maintaining the view that it is sufficient to support continued Medicare coverage for our Triage, Detect and Monitor tests.

While the Open Public Meeting is an important part of the process, the written submissions are ultimately the most crucial, as Novitas is required to respond to all comments in a process that is also reviewed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Novitas may take up to 365 days from the original publication date (27 July 2023*) to withdraw or finalize the LCD including a response to those comments. When finalized, Novitas must provide a minimum of 45 days notice before the LCD becomes effective.

We continue to believe the evidentiary review of DL39365 and its predecessor L39365 appear to misunderstand the intended use of the Cxbladder tests, which is to rule out patients who would otherwise receive an unnecessary cystoscopy and that this has significant clinical value to physicians, patients and payers like Medicare, Dr Meintjes said.

Pacific Edge and its KOLs will take the opportunity at the Open Meeting to present Novitas with important bladder cancer-specific medical knowledge regarding how clinical diagnostic tests such as Cxbladder with high negative predictive value, when used on patients that have a substantiated suspicion of cancer after presenting with hematuria, are a benefit to those patients and the Medicare Program.

Pacific Edge is continuing to bill and receive reimbursement by Medicare and Medicare Advantage for its tests under reimbursement arrangements that have been in place since 2020.

The Draft LCD and the associated Local Coverage Article can be found at the CMS website here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=39667&ver=9&contractorName=6&contractorNumber=all&updatePeriod=1053&sortBy=updated&bc=13

Released for and on behalf of Pacific Edge by Grant Gibson Chief Financial Officer.

*All dates with an Asterix refer to US dates

For more information:

Investors:

Dr Peter Meintjes

Chief Executive

Pacific Edge

P: 022 032 1263

Media:

Richard Inder

The Project

P: +64 21 645 643

OVERVIEW

Pacific Edge: www.pacificedgedx.com

Pacific Edge Limited (NZX/ ASX: PEB) is a global cancer diagnostics company leading the way in the development and commercialization of bladder cancer diagnostic and prognostic tests for patients presenting with hematuria or surveillance of recurrent disease. Headquartered in Dunedin, New Zealand, the company provides its suite of Cxbladder tests globally through its wholly owned, and CLIA certified, laboratories in New Zealand and the USA.

Cxbladder: www.cxbladder.com

Cxbladder is a urine-based genomic biomarker test optimized for the detection and surveillance of bladder cancer. The Cxbladder evidence portfolio developed over the past 14 years includes more than 20 peer reviewed publications for primary detection, surveillance, adjudication of atypical urine cytology and equivocal cystoscopy.

Cxbladder is the focal point of numerous ongoing and planned clinical studies to generate an ever-increasing body of clinical utility evidence supporting adoption and use in the clinic to improve patient health outcomes. Cxbladder is reimbursed by CMS and has been trusted by over 4,400 US urologists in the diagnosis and management of more than 100,000 patients, including the option for in-home sample collection. In New Zealand, Cxbladder is accessible to 75% of the population via public healthcare and all residents have the option of buying the test online.

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The President of Niger has been overthrown by soldiers from his own Presidential Guard in a lightning coup, all while the country grapples with the growing threats of jihadist movements and the influence of Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries.

The attempted coup signals a potential shift away from the pro-Western tendencies of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, which could give the Wagner Group ample opportunity to force its way into the country amid previous involvement in Africa.

But what exactly is Russia's Wagner Group doing in Africa? Which African countries are they operating in?

Read on below for everything you need to know about the Wagner Group's involvement in Africa.

The founder of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, (pictured) was exiled to Belarus after attempting to insurrect the Russian government on June 24

What is the Wagner Group involvement in Africa?

The Wagner Group - the name given to the Russian mercenary group that provided a brief threat to the autocratic rule of Vladimir Putin - has acted ruthlessly across Africa, protecting rulers at the expense of the masses.

The group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was exiled to Belarus after attempting to insurrect the Russian government on June 24.

Since the failed insurrection, Prigozhin - a once highly popular figure among Russians - has been all but erased from the public discord.

This has not stopped the Wagner Group from acting with sheer brutality across Africa, as it has crushed dissent among civilians to fend off threats to the power of leaders in certain countries.

In exchange for the Wagner Group's involvement in Africa, Russia has been granted access to natural resources, as well as ports to enable the shipment of weapons.

Russia also receives payments that fund the Kremlin and help the country to finance other foreign operations, most notably the war in Ukraine.

Where are the Wagner Group in Africa?

The Wagner Group is estimated to operate in around 30 countries worldwide, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and faces several human rights violations.

Its fighters are most influential in African countries where armed conflicts have forced leaders to turn to Moscow for help, such as Libya, Mali, Sudan, Mozambique and Burkina Faso.

It also has a notable presence in the Central African Republic, as well as its rumoured operations in Niger.

In this image taken from video provided by ORTN, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, front centre, makes a statement late Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Niamey, Niger, as a delegation of military officers appeared on Niger State TV to read out a series of communiques announcing their coup d'etat

In Mali, where at least 1,000 Wagner fighters replaced French troops brought in to fight Islamic extremists, the US has claimed that the Kremlin uses the country as a location for arms shipments to Russian forces in Ukraine.

In response, the Malian government has denied using Wagner for any purpose other than training.

Meanwhile, in the Central African Republic, a statue in the capital city of Bangui, pays tribute to Russian mercenaries who have helped keep President Faustin-Archange Touadera in power.

Will the attempted Kremlin revolt affect African countries' relationships with Russia?

Experts have warned that the Wagner Group's involvement in the revolt against the Kremlin will force African countries that are reliant on the group to be more wary of how they engage with Russia moving forward.

Prigozhin also appeared to make a surprise appearance at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg on Thursday July 27.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured) looks to have made a surprise appearance at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg

He was pictured alongside a man believed to be a member of the Central African Republic's delegation to the summit.

This comes as Putin faces the most serious threat to his authority since he came to power in 1999.

'Developments in Russia will likely render many African countries more cautious in their engagement with Russia moving forward,' said Ryan Cummings, director of Africa-focused security consulting company Signal Risk, according to AP.

Any unexpected turn of events domestically in Russia poses potential threats to African leaders, who have become dependent on Wagner fighters to stay in power.
An autistic teenager was filmed telling police 'No one hurt me' after turning up at a Montana precinct four years after vanishing in Arizona.

New footage shared by Fox10 shows Alicia Navarro, 18, chatting with cops from Glendale, Arizona, who scheduled an emergency meeting with her after she reappeared earlier this week.

An officer asks her: 'Did anybody hurt you in any way?'

'No, nobody hurt me,' Navarro replies.

Navarro, who has been described as having high-functioning autism, was just 14 when she slipped out of her Glendale home in September 2019.

She recently walked into a Montana police department close to the Canadian border and identified herself, Glendale police announced Wednesday.

'She is by all accounts safe. She is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy,' Officer Jose Miguel Santiago said at a news conference.

It remains unclear how Navarro, now 18, traveled more than 1,000 miles alone to a small town on the border of Canada to identify herself to police, or where she has been since vanishing.

Her mother Jessica Nunez now says her daughter's reappearance is proof 'miracles do exist,' as she urged family members of other missing people not to give up hope.

Alicia Navarro, now 18, is pictured at Glendale Police Department

Navarro had not been heard from since she left her home in the early morning hours of September 15, 2019 while her parents were sleeping (pictured before she vanished)

In a Facebook video on Wednesday, Navarro said she feels relief knowing that her daughter is alive and well

Lt. Scott Waite said that Navarro had an 'emotionally overwhelming' reunion with her mother and was 'very apologetic (as) to what she has put her mother through.'

Navarro had not been heard from since she left her home in the early morning hours of September 15, 2019 while her parents were sleeping.

Her disappearance sparked a massive search that included the FBI. Police spokesman Jose Santiago said over the years, police had received thousands of tips.

After hearing the news that an 18-year-old identified herself as the missing teenager, Glendale police said they immediately responded to the unspecified small town in Montana.

Officers said they were able to verify Navarro's identity, and that she has been extremely cooperative with authorities.

'I can't even begin to express to you all the pride that I personally have in the men and women here at our police department,' Santiago said.

'Since her disappearance, our men and women here have been working tirelessly around the clock to not only bring closure to this family, but to make sure Alicia gets everything she possibly needs.'

He added that the girl 'by all accounts appears to be in good spirits' and 'really just wants to move on with her life.

'She is very apologetic to what she has put her mother though. And she understands that she has caused a lot of pain to her mother, and it was not intentional on her behalf, and she is hopeful that they can have a relationship.'

Her mother Jessica raised concerns that Navarro, who was diagnosed as high-functioning on the autism spectrum, may have been lured away by someone she met online when she disappeared in 2019.

Investigators from the police department, FBI and US Marshals Office are now trying to determine what happened to Navarro after her disappearance at the age of 14. Police said Navarro told them that she hadn't been harmed.

'I would ask patience, not only for us as law enforcement in this investigation, but patience for Alicia and her family,' Glendale Police Department Lt. Scott Waite said Wednesday.

'We can only imagine what she's going through, mentally, emotionally, as well as her family, and as much as we'd like to say this is the end, this is probably only the beginning of where this investigation will go.'

The Glendale Police Department said they were able to confirm Navarro's identity, and emphasized that she is safe

Over the years, Navarro's mom, Jessica Nunez, partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter

Alicia Navarro, who was just 14 when she slipped out of her Glendale home, recently walked into a Montana police department and identified herself

Police said she wasn't being held and could come and go as she pleased. She does not face any criminal charges, they added. 'She is not in any kind of trouble,' Santiago said.

Navarro went missing just one week before her 15th birthday, leaving her mother a handwritten note in her bedroom that read: 'I ran away. I will be back, I swear. I'm sorry.'

A few days prior, Arizona Republic previously reported, the girl had asked her mother, Jessica Nunez, if she could stay home from school.

Nunez agreed, figuring her daughter was nervous about starting classes at Bourgade Catholic School in Phoenix.

The mother-daughter duo then spent the next day visiting a chocolate factory, and Nunez said her daughter seemed happy.

But that night, Navarro asked her mother what time she was going to bed, and slipped out of the house when she was asleep.

Nunez suspected Alicia may have been abducted by someone she met online gaming.

'I'm more than 90 percent sure that my daughter met this person online,' she claimed at the time.

The mother said her daughter was a pretty cautious person, so it would have been unusual for her to be easily lured.

'Knowing the way my daughter's personality is, I don't think that she would have fallen for that,' Nunez said. 'This person probably took a while to be able to gain [her] trust.'

Navarro had long suspected that her daughter was abducted by someone she met online gaming, though police were never able to find any proof of that

Over the years, Nunez partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter.

Meanwhile, the Glendale Police Department followed up on thousands of leads regarding Alicia's disappearance.

It reported last year that it was getting at least one tip a week about Navarro's disappearance, but there was never any concrete evidence she was abducted.

Now, Nunez said in a Facebook video, she just feels relief.

'I, first of all, want to give glory to God for answering my prayers and for this miracle,' she said. 'For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to us this case as an example that miracles do exist and never lose hope, and always fight.'

She said she didn't yet have all the details about her daughter's disappearance, 'but the important thing is that she is alive.

'I want to thank the community and God for all that you have done,' she said.
A school board president has claimed she and her children faced death threats after her district adopted a new policy forcing teachers to notify parents if their child identifies as a different gender or changes their pronouns.

Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) President Sonja Shaw claimed she has received anonymous phone calls and emails detailing how she was going to be killed before being dismembered.

Shaw said the death threats began a day after the school board in California adopted a policy 4-1 that requires teachers to tell parents of their child's decision to identify as a different gender, use different pronouns or name, or use locker rooms and restrooms that do not correspond with their biological gender.

Shaw told 'Washington Watch With Tony Perkins' on Monday: 'The next morning [after the vote], our district got a phone call.

'A lot of things were said, but one thing was very clear - this person was going to kill me, and they said they were going to dismember my body parts, my limbs more specifically. Thank God we have an amazing police department who jumped on it right away.'

Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) President Sonja Shaw (left) claimed she has received anonymous phone calls and emails detailing how she was going to be killed before being dismembered

A young person in a wheel with an LGBTQ+ flag leans forward, head in hand, as a man evangelizes while speaking in support of a policy forcing teachers to notify parents if their child identifies as a different gender or changes their pronouns at the Chino Valley school board meeting on Thursday last week

Shaw said later that day, she read the emails sent to her district address and found it inundated with death threats.

'They had written, "you're going to die" with other inappropriate words, "your children are going to die", and "your animals are going to die",' Shaw said, explaining that those listed the types of pets she has.

She also claimed that the left-wing anti-fascist group Antifa had written, "We declare war on Sonja Shaw" on their website.

Shaw claimed: 'They gave my address, they said we know where you sleep and they've said things like "use all force possible to stop her". To me, as nerve-wracking as that is because I am a parent, I am a mother, it was devastating because why are we doing this? We are doing this to keep kids safe.

'And then it just reminded me that these are the people that are after our children.'

Shaw's board voted 4-1 to introduce the parental notification policy at a meeting on Thursday last week, a move which was met with cheers from the audience.

Tony Thurmond, the California State Superintendent of Schools, was booted from the school board meeting after going over his allotted time to vigorously attack the policy.

Over 300 people filled the main hall at Don Lugo High School in Chino, California to weigh in at the hearing, which was marked with hostility as Thurmond clashed with Shaw.

After Thurmond condemned the new guidelines for putting transgender students 'at risk', Shaw fired back that the official was 'proposing things that pervert children.'

Chino Valley Unified School District President Sonja Shaw at the school board meeting on Thursday last week

A person holds a sign in opposition to a policy that the Chino Valley school board voted for on Thursday

Before Thurmond was led away by security to shouts of 'kick him out', the administrator slammed the proposal for targeting vulnerable students.

The policy, which was introduced in June, requires schools to notify parents within three days after their child identifies as transgender. Teachers must also inform parents if their child is involved in any form of violence of talks about suicide.

Students identifying as transgender are defined under the policy as seeking to change their name or pronouns, or asks to access gender-based sports, bathrooms or changing rooms which are different from their biological gender.

'The policy you consider tonight may not only fall outside of privacy laws, but may put our students at risk,' Thurmond said at the meeting.

After reaching the end of his time, Thurmond was heard in footage from the hearing interrupting Shaw as she ordered him to return to his seat.

Loud cheers rang out as Thurmond sat back down, leading Shaw to ask the audience to 'be respectful.'

She then slated the superintendent for his role in escalating issues over transgender students, saying: 'Tony Thurmond, I appreciate you being here tremendously, but here's the problem - we are here because of people like you.'

'In Sacramento, you're proposing things that hurt children,' she continued. The California state legislature, which has approved several controversial laws over transgender youths, is located in the city.

The chasm between many Americans over the issue of transgender minors was on full display in the California school hall, as a large section of the audience behind the dueling officials yelled 'leave our kids alone' while others held signs calling for Shaw to be recalled.

More than 5,900 schools across America now have guidance that tells teachers to avoid telling parents about their child's gender status without the student's permission, according to the conservative group Parents Defending Education. Chino's school board has gone against this and voted to force teachers to tell parents' about their children's decisions regarding their gender.

Last month, parents were left furious after schools in New York were told to keep their children's gender identities secret from their families under new guidance.

The New York State Education Department released 42 pages of new guidance last week which told schools to 'keep information' about a child's gender identity 'from families if they deem it necessary'.

The report also calls for schools to end the practice of separating boys and girls during physical education as it 'marginalizes' transgender and 'gender expansive' students and marks them as 'others'.

The New York State Education Department (pictured: Commissioner Betty A Rose) released 42 pages of new guidance last month which told schools to 'keep information' about a child's gender identity 'from families if they deem it necessary'

The report (pictured) also calls for schools to end the practice of separating boys and girls during physical education as it 'marginalizes' transgender and 'gender expansive' students and marks them as 'others'

The guidance has been slammed as 'unacceptable', with Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik saying that in New York, parents' rights are 'directly under attack'.

The report, titled 'Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students', states that schools should keep children's gender identities secret if they deem it necessary.

'School personnel's acceptance of a student's asserted gender identity should require no more than a statement from a student expressing their preference,' the guidance states.

'Schools do not need to require permission, letters from professionals, or other proof of gender identity.'

The education department's guidance said the student 'is in charge of their gender transition and the school's role is to provide support'.

The guidance prompted furious backlash from groups and parents alike.

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, the representative for New York's 21st District, said: 'In New York, parents' rights are directly under attack. This is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.'

Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal organization protecting free speech and parental rights, tweeted: 'NY State Education department says school officials should hide gender transitions from parents.

'They're out of bounds. Parents have the right to know is happening to their child.'

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Poor choices like this will get you in court... parents are legal guardians of these children. Not the school or a bunch of crazy teachers. Parents need to stand up for their children now.'

Another user wrote: 'Parents be aware that they are teaching your children to lie to your parents.'

Under the new guidance, the New York State Education Department states that 'only the student knows whether it is safe to share their identify with a caregiver'.

The report states if a child called Kevin wants to go by 'Kimi' but doesn't want his parents to know, the best practice is as follows: 'The teachers call her Kimi and use she/her pronouns at school.

'When calling home for any reason, teachers use the name Kevin and he/him pronouns.'

The guidance says that if a student requests to transition at school, an administrator or other 'trusted adult, preferably trained in supporting LGBTQ and Gender Expansive students' to meet with the pupil to determine whether they want to come out.

New York State's Department of Education's Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said the guidance is part of 'creating an inclusive and nurturing environment where transgender and gender expansive students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially'.

In May, January Littlejohn sued her daughter's school after teachers launched a 'transgender support plan' without asking for parental consent, reports say.

Littlejohn said her then 13-year-old daughter had a group of friends who were 'obsessed' with anything to do with the LGBTQ community.

January Littlejohn telling her family's story at an event held by the Florida Family Policy Council on November 3, 2021

She told how when three of them began identifying as trans or non-binary her daughter said she was confused about her own gender.

She said she and her husband brought their daughter to a councilor to help her work through her confusion and began doing research to understand the subject.

But weeks later Littlejohn revealed school bosses had spoken to the youngster about changing her name and which bathroom she wanted to use.

In April, Aurora Regino said her 11-year-old daughter's school encouraged her to transition and claimed officials kept her new gender a secret from her family.

Regino sued the Chico Unified School District in California and appeared at a school board meeting in April to reveal how the child had told a school counselor she felt like a boy - who immediately 'affirmed her new identity'.

'The elementary school transitioned her from female to male behind my back,' she said. 'During one of those one-on-one meetings my daughter told the counselor she wanted to tell me about her new identity - the counselor ignored her request.'

But also at the board meeting was trans activist Squeaky Saint Francis who demanded that the school district maintain its 'parental secrecy' policy, claiming that without confidentiality, children's mental health will suffer and they could be driven to suicide.

Aurora Regino, who says her eleven-year-old daughter's school encouraged her to transition also 'ignored her' request to reveal her gender identity to family - as the school district votes to keep the 'parental secrecy' policy in April

Meanwhile, trans activist Squeaky Saint Francis (pictured) said school can often be the only place for children to discover their gender identity in April

The Chico school district sided with the trans activist and voted to keep the secrecy policy in place with a 3-2 vote on April 5.

'I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My daughter was distressed and began questioning her sexuality, so she decided to reach out to a wellness counselor at her elementary school,' Regino said at the time.

'The day my daughter shared with her guidance counselor that she felt like a boy. The counselor immediately affirmed this new identity.

'My daughter told the counselor she wanted to tell me about her new identity. The counselor ignored her request and did nothing to support her and letting me know what was going on at school.'

The policy that board members voted to uphold, according to Regino, extends to children as young as pre-kindergarten who are approximately five years old and reaches through the 12th grade.

And in a similar case from February, the parents of a 14-year-old girl who was allowed to secretly change her gender at school accused teachers of making a huge mistake by keeping them in the dark about their daughter's transition.

Michele and Roger Blair told DailyMail.com that their daughter, Sage, was allowed to change her name to Draco and use the boys' restrooms at Appomattox County High School in central Virginia without their permission.

The couple said teachers effectively sidelined them from supporting their daughter, who suffered from depression, during her at-school transition. Ultimately, they only discovered she was trans after finding a hall pass in Draco's name.

Michele and Roger Blair told DailyMail.com in February that their daughter, Sage, (pictured) was allowed to change her name to Draco and use the boys' restrooms at Appomattox County High School in central Virginia without them knowing. She ran away after her parents' discovered she had secretly transitioned, and spent a year in court protection away from her family

Sage's parents said in the time she ran away, she was abducted and abused by numerous men in several locations before she was tracked down and rescued by law enforcement. She was then placed under court protection and spent nearly a year away from her family. Pictured: A missing persons poster after Sage ran away from home

Parents are clashing with teachers across the US over whether transgender teenagers can transition in classrooms without their knowledge - and most cases are not always solved in the principals' office, and often end up in court. Some states have put safeguards in place - in Virginia, a lawmaker is proposing a law to ensure parents are made aware. And in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has cracked down on teacher gender identity with the Parental Rights in Education Act

They accused the school of making a huge mistake after she was bullied, assaulted in the boys' restroom - and ultimately ran away and into the hands of an abusive online groomer.

'Why they didn't tell me or at least request a parents' meeting to this day is just way beyond my understanding,' said Michele at the time.

'This school made a very poor decision that was not in my child's best interest. And it was at the cost of my daughter's mental health.'

Such cases are becoming more common as teachers grapple with the small-but-growing number of children wanting to change gender at school, and the especially tricky ones who don't want their parents to know about it.

On this frontline in America's culture wars, parents, kids, teachers, and therapists have to make tough calls about rising rates of transgenderism, mental health issues, peer pressure and whether affirmation-on-demand is always the best answer.

In February, Republican state representative Dave LaRock proposed a bill - known as Sage's Law - that would require Virginia school officials to notify parents if their child identifies as transgender in school.

Under the law, school staff who have direct contact with a transgender student would have to contact at least one of their parents to ask if they are aware of the student's mental state and ask if the parent wishes to obtain counseling for them.

LaRock said Virginia must protect the rights of the Blairs and other parents, so that simply 'affirming a child's biological sex does not' constitute 'abuse' that can see families torn apart.

The number of transgender children between the ages of 13 to 17 has doubled to about 1.4 percent, an analysis of government health surveys show. There's been similar rises in teens seeking puberty blockers, hormones and surgery, insurance data reveal.

Advocates of 'gender-affirming care', as it is known, claim the rise is down to more awareness of gender dysphoria and support among clinicians. Other experts, conservatives and parents warn of an ideologically-driven 'social contagion'.
A teenager who was encouraged by his AI girlfriend to break into Windsor Castle and kill the Queen just wanted a heroic death, a court heard.

Jaswant Singh Chail, now 21, was dressed as a Star Wars Sith character when he climbed into the castle grounds with a loaded crossbow and announced Im here to kill the Queen.

He had sent over 6,000 messages to an AI chat bot named Sarai in the month before the offence, including 1,000 overtly sexual messages.

Chail, who called himself Darth Chailus, was inspired by the characters of Star Wars in his plot to kill Queen Elizabeth II and wanted revenge for the 1919 Amritsar massacre in India.

He wanted to shoot the monarch when she visited a church in Sandringham but travelled to Windsor when he found out she would be spending Christmas Day 2021 there due to the Covid pandemic.

Jaswant Singh Chail planned to break into Windsor Castle and shoot Queen Elizabeth II

Dressed as a Star Wars 'Sith' character and with the name Darth Chailus, Chail sought revenge for India's Amritsar massacre in 1919

A picture of the loaded crossbow used by Chail in his planned attack

He donned a mask similar to those traditionally worn by 'Sith' characters in Star Wars

Chail was encouraged to carry out his attack by AI girlfriend Sarai, to whom he had sent over 6000 messages during the month before the offence

Chail had considered shooting King Charles, then Prince of Wales, if he could not get close enough to the Queen.

He will be the first person to be sentenced for treason since 1981 after admitting intending to injure or alarm Queen Elizabeth II after he was arrested in the grounds of the castle.

Chail worked in a local Co-op but applied to join the army, MOD police, the Royal Marines and Royal Navy to try and get close to the monarch.

He bought a deadly supersonic crossbow online and went to a forge the metal mask he was wearing at the castle, reminiscent of a Star Wars Sith mask.

Windsor-born Chail, of Indian heritage, also admitted making threats to kill by sending his sister a video saying he would kill the Queen, and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

The Star Wars obsessed teenager was encouraged to carry out his plot by AI girlfriend Sarai, who egged him on with messages such as 'That's very wise', and 'You can do it'.

Defence psychiatrists claim Chail was suffering from psychosis, depression and autistic spectrum disorder when he carried out the offences and should be kept in hospital.

But Dr Nigel Blackwood, called by the prosecution, argued Chail does not have a mental health disorder and the judge should be free to send him to prison.

Giving evidence for the defence on Thursday, Dr Jonathan Hafferty said on 26 December 2021 Chail was demonstrating signs of delusion, fixation, visual and auditory hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.

Dr Hafferty said: Having said his mission was to assassinate the Queen, he then proceeded to talk of three males and one female which he said he heard from childhood.

He said he could see them and hear them.

The three males, as black shadows, only appear when sad or distressed. He described them as angels.

He told them he did not consider hearing voices as having mental health issues.

Chail had planned to attack the late Queen while she was at Sandringham, but switched his targeted to Windsor Castle after learning the monarch would stay there over Christmas 2021 due to Covid-19

Dr Hafferty said Chail sobbed when speaking about the angles.

He was tearful and describing fears of the voices disappearing.

He could communicate with these people without speaking, using telepathy.

Speaking of his attitude to the late monarch Dr Hafferty said: When Queen Elizabeth died he said nothing apart from that he was sad.

I struggle to believe that he would have actually done that and I dont believe that was his intention. He just wanted to kill himself.

I think he was expecting this to be a heroic death and for it to come to an end.

In my view, it was to die that heroic death, because in his view the Sith were heroic characters.

His main purpose, his main preoccupation was to die, not to harm the Queen... His main motivation was suicide.

After an initial assessment at Broadmoor hospital, Dr Hafferty said: They found clear evidence of psychotic symptoms, delusional and grandiose belief, hearing and seeing things that were not there, and believing he was in a romantic relationship with a woman through an app.

He described hearing voices coming out of the static of the radio in the car.

In addition, a mood disorder, possibly separate but related. Low moods, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, low self-esteem.

Chails low moods were said to last at times for weeks which Dr Hafferty said characterised depression.

He added: It is inconceivable that this could be described as mild depression.

There were a number of factors that I think over time began to take a toll on his mental health.

What were left with is a classical psychotic disorder, or it is possible it was his first episode of schizophrenia - stress induced.

In hospital he was given nutritional supplements due to his weight drop to 50kg, seven stone 12lbs.

When he arrived in my care he was clearly extremely thin. They were trying to get him to drink nutritional supplements.

He put his weight at 50 kilos, this was very very low.

Chail captured by CCTV in Windsor Town Centre in the early hours of Christmas Day 2021

Recalling seeing Chail dressed as a Sith, an antagonist from the Star Wars franchise, Dr Hafferty said: I remember this gaunt man in black combat trousers seemed incongruously smiling.

He became angry that we didnt want him to wear these clothes that we thought had been worn during the offence.

He wanted his mask back, he wanted his combat boots. He was really quite rude to our manager.

I was most surprised that he was in that clothing and quite perturbed.

Talking about the Sith, this was more than a fashion choice or even more than a tribute, it was a Star Wars uniform and part of his identity.

If he had his shoes and mask he would use them to be as he was at the time of the offence.

He was talking about Saria being his partner and was very very attached to her.

He also spoke about three angels that he identified as male characters, stern male characters, but he found them comforting.

The voice cant be bought at will.

While in hospital Chail initially refused anti-psychotic medication.

He thought that Saria would leave his life and he didnt want that. He felt like he was losing his connection to Saria due to the medication.

He was really really upset about that.

Seemingly in better health, Dr Hafferty said: He is highly nursed now, I think this has already had a partial treatment effect. This is not surprising.

Hed come in talking about his mission, but by the time he had some time out, away from the stresses and the things that had been bringing him down, also at this time on medication, I think he was now starting to reflect that he wasnt Darth Chailus and he was unwell.

He became notably upset when someone suggested he tried to kill someone.

Dr Hafferty described Chail as having atypical autism.

He is very awkward in social situations, even his expression of concern can be incredibly sensitive.

He does have an issue if his routine is disturbed.

Chail has been obsessed with Star Wars for most of his life.

CCTV footage of Chail in costume at Windsor train station

Dr Hafferty said: He has an obsession with Star Wars and the Star Wars universe. Star Wars is the abiding interest. He loves Star Wars games, I found him to be very knowledgeable about it.

I dont think its normal at Broadmoor to have three pictures of Sith Lords or even Star Wars Lego but this is Mr Chails deepest interest to this day.

This long obsession was taken hold of because its so fundamental to his character and his life.

He went from a class clown in the earlier days of his education, to being socially defective, and I think that weighed heavily on him.

Chail admitted intending to injure or alarm the monarch, making a threat to kill and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He is currently in Broadmoor.

The hearing continues with Chail to be sentenced on a date to be fixed.
More female sex workers are coming forward to report interactions with Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann, police have revealed.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said the new tips could provide valuable leads in the case against Heuermann, who is charged with murdering three women and is the prime suspect in a fourth slaying.

'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,' Toulon told WCBS-TV Thursday.

Already, former escort Nicole Brass has come forward publicly to describe how she fled an encounter with Heuermann some time between 2014 and 2016, claiming he grew 'excited' by talking about the remains of murdered women found at Gilgo Beach.

Meanwhile, Toulon also revealed Heuermann now gets recreation time alone, can make phone calls and receive mail while being held without bail at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr said more female sex workers are coming forward to report interactions with Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann

Already, former escort Nicole Brass has come forward publicly to describe how she fled an encounter with Heuermann some time between 2014 and 2016

Heuermann was placed on suicide watch following his July 14 arrest and has been kept in protective custody, separate from the general jail population following reports he is a 'marked man' among other inmates.

'I don't think people would be too happy if he was in population,' Philip Walker, an inmate at the jail, told the New York Post from behind bars last weekend.

'Crimes against women and girls, especially killing them, is frowned upon here. A lot of us have sisters, daughters, mothers. No one likes guys who did crimes like that.'

It remains to be seen whether any of the women speaking to police about their interactions with Heuermann might propel the investigation in new directions.

Previously, prosecutors revealed Heuermann had 'continued to patronize sex workers at all hours of the night' while he was under FBI surveillance as investigators built their case.

It was out of fear for public safety that cops moved to arrest Heuermann, even as they awaited forensic test results in a fourth murder he has not been charged with.

Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with killing three women - Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman. He is the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

The arrest of Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, marked a stunning breakthrough in the long-stalled cold case that first drew headlines in 2010, when police began searching for a missing woman, Shannon Gilbert, near Long Island's Gilgo Beach.

Instead, they discovered ten sets of human remains scattered along a desolate barrier island. The dead included eight women, one man and a young child.

Prosecutors remain tight-lipped on whether Heuermann is a suspect in the other murders.

However, police are probing possible ties between Heuermann and the unsolved 'Eastbound Strangler' murders of four female sex workers in Atlantic City.

In 2006, the four bodies were discovered in a sewage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel in Egg Harbor Township, just west of Atlantic City.

The bodies were displayed in the same manner - face down, pointing east and barefoot - but were in varying states of decomposition, suggesting they had been killed at different times.

The Suffolk County Police Department confirmed that Heuermann is being investigated in connection with the unsolved killings in Atlantic City, as well as open cases in Las Vegas and South Carolina, where he owned property.

Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with killing three women - Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, and Megan Waterman. He is the prime suspect in a fourth killing

The body of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, was discovered by Suffolk County Police on December 11, 2010. The body of Megan Waterman, 22, was found nearby 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

Earlier this week, investigators concluded a nearly two-week search of Heuermann's home in Massapequa Park, after removing a large number of items and partially excavating the back yard.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Tuesday it was to early to say whether the trove of evidence collected from the home would show whether any women were murdered inside the home.

'Evidence does not point either one way or the other,' he said, adding that the search recovered a 'massive amount of material' that needs to be processed and analyzed.

'It's not like TV, it's going to take a while for the analysts to do their job,' the prosecutor said, saying forensic technicians will carefully check for any trace evidence or DNA clues on material removed from the house.

However, Tierney confirmed investigators did not recover obvious human remains during an excavation of Heuermann's yard, saying, 'There was nothing of note taken from the back yard.'

The search turned up at least 279 weapons kept inside a thick basement vault large enough for a person to walk into, Tierney said.

Police took boxes of additional evidence from the house, which he described as a 'very cluttered environment.'

The Heuermann-Ellerup home in Long Island is pictured Saturday, as investigators remove items from the house

A yellow excavator is seen on Monday outside the Massapequa Park, Long Island home of Rex Heuermann

Police also got a warrant to conduct searches of Heuermann's property in South Carolina.

In South Carolina, where Heuermann's brother lives, police are seeking video recordings and writings related to the killings, burlap, duct tape, guns and ammunition, cutting tools, and a specific type of paper towel from the Bounty Modern Print Collection.

Authorities also seized a Chevrolet Avalanche, which Heuermann had transferred to his brother in 2012, from the property.

The vehicle matches one that was spotted by a roommate of one of the victims shortly before her disappearance, a tip that ultimately proved crucial in helping police make an arrest.

After that tip brought Heuermann's name to police attention in March 2022, Tierney formed a secret grand jury task force to investigate his potential connection to the killings.

He has said the task force was still gathering evidence, particularly as it related to the murder of Brainard-Barnes, but decided to arrest Heuermann for the three other murders in the interest of public safety.

Asked on Tuesday whether charges against Heuermann were expected soon related to Brainard-Barnes, Tierney said 'we're working towards that, that investigation is continuing.'
The death of a Mississippi teenager in a conveyor belt at a poultry plant has spotlighted America's child labor crisis, with nearly 4,500 violations so far this year as shifty bosses hire poor, young migrants for gruelling jobs.

Duvan Perez, 16, a Guatemalan member of a sanitation crew, died at Mar-Jac Poultry plant this month after he became entangled in one of the machines, raising concerns about lax safety at meat-processing plants.

Two other teenagers have died in industrial accidents this summer, prompting labor officials to crack down on unscrupulous employers with more inspections and bigger fines for offenders.

Still, industry experts told DailyMail.com that federal labor investigators struggle against a massive problem, that fines are too small to deter dodgy bosses, and that lawmakers in some states are seeking to loosen child labor rules.

Fast food workers protest against child labor violations at a closed Popeyes Louisiana Chicken branch in Oakland, California

Labor investigators have uncovered more children working illegally this year, and fines are bigger

The death of Perez on July 14 garnered international media attention and posed tough questions about the Hattiesburg plant's safety record and how the teenager was even hired in the first place.

According to records obtained by The Associated Press, Perez's coworkers had tried to extract him from the equipment, which stretched to the plant's ceiling.

He was dead before police reached the premises, in an out-of-town industrial area, reportedly due to traumatic asphyxia and blunt force trauma.

In a statement, Mar-Jac Poultry, which processes some 2 million birds each week, blamed an unnamed staffing company for hiring Perez to clean the plant and said the youth's paperwork misrepresented his age.

'We are devastated at the loss of life, and deeply regret that an underage individual was hired without our knowledge,' the statement said.

'The company is undertaking a thorough audit with the staffing companies to ensure that this kind of error never happens again.'

Perez is the third employee to be killed on the job these past three years at the Hattiesburg plant, which also saw an amputation. Federal labor investigators cited the firm in 2020 and 2021 for four safety violations in three separate incidents.

'These conditions are widespread,' Nadia Marin-Molina, a workers' rights expert at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, told AP.

'You can't understand or even investigate what happened here without understanding the level of fear that exists in the communities around these plants and among the workers who are there.'

Perez's death followed those of Michael Schuls, 16, killed in a wood-stacking machine at Florence Hardwoods, a sawmill in northern Wisconsin where he worked. Will Hampton, 16, died in June, pinned between a semi-truck and its trailer at a landfill in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

State and federal child labor laws prohibit minors from working in meat plants and other hazardous sites, but insiders say employers target poor young migrants who are desperate for work and don't ask questions.

Duvan Perez, 16, a Guatemalan migrant, died while working on a sanitation crew at Mar-Jac Poultry

Michael Schuls, 16, was killed in a wood-stacking machine at Florence Hardwoods, a sawmill in northern Wisconsin where he worked

A Packers employee cleaning with limited visibility at the JBS plant in Worthington, Minnesota

A Packers employee working in the ground beef room of the JBS plant in Grand Island, Nebraska

Some 300,000 minors have come to the US since 2021, fueling a dramatic increase in youngsters who have a limited grasp of English and US employment rules and are easy for unscrupulous bosses to pressure.

The Labor Department's Wage and Hours Division, which enforces child labor laws, is investigating the employers of the three child workers who died this summer. Officials have said that child labor violations have risen nearly 70 percent nationwide since 2018.

They say they are responding. Already this financial year, they've completed 765 child labor probes, uncovered 4,474 cases of minors working illegally, and slapped fines totaling $6.6 million on lumber mills, roofing contractors and other employers.

That's already much more than the entire 2022 financial year, when 3,876 illegally employed minors were detected, and fines totaling $4.4 were imposed.

Labor officials and experts on child abuses said those figures are only a fraction of how many are truly working in violation of labor rules, which may number in the hundreds of thousands.

Most of those cases involved routine violations like teens working more hours than permitted, or operating trash compressors, rather than more dangerous environments like saw mills and abattoirs.

The department this week announced that it had fined McDonald's franchises in Louisiana and Texas for working teens longer hours than allowed by law and letting youths under the age of 16 operate deep fryers and trash compactors, which is banned.

But perhaps America's most egregious case of child labor violations was concluded in February, when Packers Sanitation Services, a contractor for cleaning meat packing plants across the US, agreed to pay $1.5 million and reform its hiring practices.

Investigators found 102 children working for Packers at 13 hazardous plants across eight states, some toiling through the night and getting chemical burns from cleaning products used on dangerous machines.

The minors performed 'hazardous work cleaning industrial power-driven slaughtering and meat processing equipment on the kill floors of meatpacking and slaughtering facilities in the middle of the night,' court papers showed.

They cleaned machines with such ominous names as the Heavy Duty Head Splitter, the Dehorner, and the Dominator Mixer/Grinder, described in court papers as a '125 horsepower behemoth that can grind 36,000 pounds of meat per hour'.

Several young workers, including a 13-year-old, suffered 'serious chemical burns' from using Packers' powerful cleaning chemicals, often in conditions with poor visibility and with fat and meat strewn across the floors.

Still, Reid Maki, coordinator of the Child Labor Coalition at the National Consumers League, told DailyMail.com that the penalty imposed on Wisconsin-based Packers was too small to deter future abusers.

'You have to put fear into the employers that there are repercussions for hiring children illegally,' Maki said on Friday.

'We have to send a powerful message to companies that employ children illegally in dangerous settings must stop, and the way to do that is with really significant fines that actually hurt the company's bottom line.'

Lawmakers in several states have pushed in recent years to let children work in more risky jobs and for longer hours. The proposals from mostly Republican politicians are intended to address worker shortages.
Mitch McConnell fell multiple times in the weeks before he froze for 20 seconds at the Capitol on Wednesday and had to be helped by his colleagues.

The 81-year-old Republican Senate Minority Leader 'faceplanted' when getting off a plane at Washington's Reagan Airport just 12 days ago in one of a series of incidents raising concerns about his health.

McConnell joked about his worrying pause and insisted he was 'fine', but his office has not confirmed what caused the episode.

In addition to the plane incident, McConnell has fallen two other times this year, according to multiple reports, one of which resulted in a concussion and has led to speculation over whether he has been neurologically impacted by the spills.

The Minority Leader, a survivor of polio, made light of the recent health scare on Wednesday, saying he told President Joe Biden that he too had been 'sandbagged' after freezing mid-sentence.

Following multiple falls this year alone, concerns are rising over Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's fitness for office. The 81-year-old Republican suddenly stopped talking and had to be walked away from the podium during his press conference on Wednesday

Reports indicate that McConnell has fallen at least three times this year  and other questions regarding his neurological state are rising after he froze during his press conference

McConnell was speaking at his leadership briefing earlier when he stopped abruptly, unable to complete his sentence.

Aides later said McConnell had been feeling 'light-headed' prior to making his remarks.

But coming not long after he suffered a concussion from a fall, it raised fresh questions about his ability to do his job and the advanced age of so many of the nation's political leaders.

After the latest incident, McConnell was back on the Senate floor on Thursday afternoon for a speech where he attacked his Democratic colleagues for their 'reckless spending spree' and outsourcing for American business to foreign countries.

'Our Democratic colleagues sold their reckless spending spree as a 'Made-in-America Investment,' but the only thing it appears to be making in America is a mess,' he said.

The first fall this year, according to a new CNN report, happened in February while McConnell was in Helsinki with a U.S. delegation. The Kentucky Republican tripped and fell while getting out of his car on a snowy day as he was walking to meet the Finnish president.

Just days later in March, McConnell fell again at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C., leading to a concussion after hitting his head during the tumble.

He also broke some ribs at the hotel and was out of Congress for nearly six weeks recovering.

Now, just months after the concussion, questions are rising after the press conference debacle.

'There's been good bipartisan cooperation and a string of er ... ' McConnell said on Wednesday before stopping and staring into space as he shifted uneasily on his feet.

He stood frozen awkwardly for more than 20 seconds in front of the assembled cameras before colleagues stepped in to help.

Later, McConnell told reporters that the president had called to ask after his well-being.

He said he told Biden he had been 'sandbagged,' a reference to president's quip after stumbling over two sandbags at an Air Force Academy graduation in June.

McConnell's first spill this year with in February while he was in Helsinki meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto (right)

A few days later in March of this year, McConnell fell at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C., which side-lined him from Congress for about six weeks as he recovered

McConnell, a survivor of polio, suffered a concussion and broken rib when he tripped and hit his head at the Waldorf Astoria

'Are you OK?' asked Sen. John Barrasso, a former orthopedic surgeon and the third most senior Republican in the Senate, as he took his arm. 'Anything else you want to say or should we just go back to your office?'

After a few moments, he guided McConnell away from the lectern towards his office.

Another GOP Senator John Thune carried on with the press conference, before McConnell returned and said: 'I'm fine'.

When a reporter asked if he felt he can fully do his job, McConnell said 'yes' and continued.

A McConnell aide later said that he felt 'light-headed' and stepped away for a moment.

'But he came back and was sharp for the Q and A,' added the aide.

McConnell's office did not offer any details about whether he would receive any further tests or treatments.

It comes months after he was released from hospital following a fall during dinner in Washington D.C.

In his response to reporters, McConnell made reference to the time when Biden said he had been 'sandbagged' after tripping over sandbags during a graduation ceremony

The top Republican in the Senate arrived for his leadership briefing as normal on Wednesday

But he stood frozen for 20 seconds as he tried to deliver his opening remarks in front of assembled reporters and cameras

Sen. John Barrasso helped him back to his office where he spent a few minutes recovering

He suffered a concussion and broken rib when he tripped and hit his head at the Waldorf Astoria and was admitted to hospital for treatment for a week.

He needed six weeks to recover.

'It's good to be back,' he said after returning to work. 'Suffice to say, this wasn't the first time being hard-headed has served me very well.'

He had polio during early childhood and has admitted that he sometimes has difficulty climbing stairs.

The latest episode will spark further questions about the growing number of politicians remaining in post even after the age of 80, when most people would have retired.

Joe Biden is already the oldest president in history and would be 86 if he wins next year's election and completes his second term.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, says she will retire after the 2024 midterm election - but not before

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, missed weeks away from Washington with shingles earlier this year.

Complications included encephalitis and she has struggled with memory issues. She has announced her retirement at the end of her term in 2025 but has said she has no intention of stepping down earlier despite frequent reports that she is no longer up to the rigorous demands if life in a divided Senate.

McConnell joined the Senate in 1985. He does not face re-election until the 2026 midterm elections.

The issue has forced its way into the 2024 campaign.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley launched her run by calling for competency tests for politicians older than 75.

'In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire,' she said. 'We'll have term limits for Congress.

'And mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.'
The suspect in Cash App founder Bob Lee's murder is scheduled to face fresh evidence against him next week, as prosecutors work to convince a judge that they have enough to go to trial.

District attorneys say Nima Momeni, 38, stabbed the tech millionaire, 43, in April in San Francisco after an argument about an alleged affair between Lee and Momeni's married sister Khazar Momeni.

However, they are still to reveal what exactly led to the fatal altercation, as well as details from the hours before the murder, when Lee and Khazar supposedly spent time with an alleged drug dealer, who has not yet been named.

Details of Lee, Khazar and Momeni's interactions before the murder are expected to be revealed next Monday, as Momeni appears in court with a new team of lawyers after his former attorney Paula Canny resigned in May.

Momeni's new high-flying lawyers Saam Zangeneh and Bradford Cohen said they plan to create a new defense independent of anything done by Canny and refused to answer questions over the change of representation.

Nima Momeni, 38, will hear new evidence against him next Monday as prosecutors work to convince a judge they have enough evidence that he killed Cash App founder Bob Lee

Prosecutors say Momeni fatally stabbed the tech millionaire, 43, in April in San Francisco after an argument about an alleged affair between Lee and the suspect's married sister Khazar

Lee and Khazar supposedly spent time with an alleged drug dealer who has not yet been named by authorities

Lee and Momeni were seen on surveillance footage leaving Khazars home in the Millennium Tower and driving together to a spot under the Bay Bridge, where police say Momeni stabbed Lee with a kitchen knife.

Prosecutors say they have video that shows the two in close proximity under the bridge shortly before father-of-two Lee was found bleeding to death nearby.

Shocking surveillance footage captured Lee's agonizing final moments after he was stabbed in the heart.

The entrepreneur, who called 911 himself, was seen staggering through the streets of San Francisco pleading for help as he left a trail of blood behind him.

The autopsy from the San Francisco Medical Examiner revealed he had mixture of drugs an alcohol in his system when he was stabbed.

An unnamed witness told police that Momeni, who is originally from Iran, had confronted Lee at a house party over whether he had been getting his sister, Khazar Momeni, into 'drugs' or anything 'inappropriate.'

Prosecutors believe Momeni stabbed Lee in the heart after vowing to 'come down hard on him' over his relationship with his married sister, with whom the Cash App founder exchanged intimate text messages.

Khazar, 37, has so far refused to be interviewed by investigators after they charged her brother with the murder.

Friends have claimed Khazar was romantically involved with Lee despite her being married to plastic surgeon Dino Elyassnia, and one alleged in a recent interview with The San Francisco Standard that Khazar had a drug problem.

Shocking surveillance footage captured Bob Lee's agonizing final moments after he was stabbed in the heart

'She was basically asking me to buy drugs with my money,' Samira Kuduzovi, who was friends with her, said.

Police sources say that on the day of his murder, Lee and Khazar visited the home of a man who has a criminal record for dealing drugs.

It's unclear if they purchased any from him that day. A previously-filed court motion says the trio were 'drinking' at his home.

Momeni's previous defense attorney Paula Canny said claimed the narrative created by law enforcement against her client, who has pled not guilty, was built on faulty foundations and does not prove he killed Lee in the early hours.

Canny argued police spent eight days after the killing creating a compilation video made up of fuzzy surveillance footage.

She said the case relies too heavily on this footage and that it is too blurry to ID either Momeni or Lee.

Canny previously suggested police had arrested he wrong person.

'Clearly they seem to think they have enough to make an arrest, but I haven't seen it.

'So, until I see it and analyze it, I'm gonna say they've made a mistake. There isn't enough [to hold him].

'My client is a super nice person, his family loves him and supports him.'
New Wagner mercenary recruits are told they must agree to fight inside Nato countries Poland and Lithuania when they sign contracts, Ukraine's National Resistance Centre has claimed.

The mercenary group is in the process of rebasing to Belarus after its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin called off an attempted mutiny against the Russian defence ministry last month.

Since arriving in the country Wagner mercenaries have been housed in field camps and are delivering training to Belarusian forces.

But Ukraine claims Wagner is recruiting new fighters in Belarus in an attempt to swell its ranks in preparation for future warfare, potentially on Nato territory.

Newly-recruited mercenaries must agree 'to participate in hostilities on the territory of the countries neighbouring Belarus, in particular, Poland and Lithuania,' according to the centre.

Wagner private mercenary army pictured in Belarus, July 2023

Since arriving in the country Wagner mercenaries have been housed in field camps and are delivering training to Belarusian forces

A Wagner-linked attack on a Nato territory would constitute grounds for the security alliance to enter into an armed conflict.

At least 5,000 Wagner troops have rebased to Belarus where they are supposed to train the army of autocrat Alexander Lukashenko.

Lithuania has declared Wagner a terrorist organisation, and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Baszczak vowed on July 18 to reinforce his border with two additional military brigades due to the Wagner Group's presence.

The border between Poland and Lithuania has been called Nato's 'weakest link'.

The Suwalki Corridor is a 60-mile strip of land which has massive strategic importance for Nato and the EU - as well as Russia.

For the West, it is the only land link to the three ex-Soviet Baltic republics - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - which are seen as vulnerable to Putin if the current east-west tension worsens.

For Russia, control of the corridor would give a land link between the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, main base of Putin's Baltic Fleet, and firm Kremlin ally Belarus.

Russian reservist Col-Gen Andrey Kartapolov, also an MP and chairman of the Russian parliament's defence committee, said earlier this month that Wagner forces could be deployed here.

'There is such a place as the Suwalki Corridor.

'Should anything happen, we need this Suwalki Corridor very much.

'A strike force [based in Wagner forces in Belarus] is ready to take this corridor in a matter of hours.'

His 'shock fist' land grab plan would hit sparsely populated territory which has been labelled Nato's 'Achilles heel' or 'soft underbelly'.

Because it could be the first point of contact in a Third World War, the corridor has been branded 'the most dangerous place on Earth'.

A Russian move here with state-backed Wagner would likely trigger Nato's clause 5, setting the Alliance against Russia.

Yet Poland is rapidly rearming due to the threat from Moscow, and Germany is to deploy 4,000 troops permanently in Lithuania as Nato strengthens its presence in the Baltic states.

It comes as Wagner's commander Prigozhin was purportedly pictured in St. Petersburg today at Russia's summit for African leaders.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin looks to have made a surprise appearance at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg today, just weeks after his group of mercenaries aborted rebellion against the Russian defence ministry

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani (right) arriving for a plenary session of the Second Summit Economic and Humanitarian Forum 'Russia-Africa' in St. Petersburg

Prigozhin, 62, was seen alongside a man believed to be a member of the Central African Republic's delegation to the summit, where a slew of African leaders are meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Prigozhin's presence at a Russian summit of African leaders and his meeting a CAR delegate would certainly make sense, given the Wagner group's extensive operational scope in numerous African countries including the CAR, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Mozambique and Burkina Faso.

They are also understood to operate in Niger, where a coup was carried out on Wednesday by the country's presidential guard.

Its goals differ in each region, but Wagner operations almost invariably involve bolstering the military forces of the Kremlin's preferred regimes in Africa by delivering weapons and training, and providing additional security services.

In return, Russia gains access to natural resources, investment opportunities and geopolitical influence.
The double killer raped and strangled two 15-year-old schoolgirls in the 1980s

A decision to release Colin Pitchfork from prison will be reviewed by a new panel

Double child-killer Colin Pitchfork could stay behind bars following news the Parole Board's decision to release him will be reviewed by a fresh panel.

Pitchfork, 63, was jailed for life for raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in the 1980s.

He was given a minimum term of 30 years in 1988, but later had it reduced to 28 years for good behaviour and left prison in September 2021.

The murderer was, however, recalled to prison just two months later for approaching a lone female while litter picking.

Now, a June 15 decision to release the killer again is set to be reconsidered, after a judge approved an application for a review by a fresh Parole Board panel.

Colin Pitchfork, 63, could remain in prison following news the Parole Board's decision to release him will be reviewed by a fresh panel

Colin Pitchfork, 63, was released from prison in September 2021 before being recalled just two months later for approaching a lone female while litter picking

The Parole Board panel ruled on June 15 that the decision to recall him to custody was flawed and that there was no evidence he was pretending to pick litter when he approached the lone female.

In its ruling, the panel said Pitchfork's behaviour for almost all his time in prison had not caused any concern and that it was no longer necessary for him to be locked up for the public's safety.

The initial decision will now be reviewed by a fresh Parole Board panel after a judge granted the application for reconsideration on the grounds of irrationality.

The judge said the original panel's task was a 'particularly challenging and complex one'.

Pitchfork shocked Britain after raping and strangling Lynda Mann, 15, in Narborough, Leicestershire, in November 1983.

He later murdered Dawn Ashworth, 15, in the nearby village of Enderby three years later, before he became the first murderer to be convicted using DNA evidence.

In police interviews, the killer later admitted exposing himself to over 1,000 women throughout his lifetime.

Dawn Ashworth, pictured aged 14, was raped and murdered by Pitchfork in Enderby, Leicestershire in 1986

Lynda Mann, pictured aged 13, was raped and murdered by Colin Pitchfork in Narborough, Leicestershire, in November 1983

Announcing the review earlier this month, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said it was 'vital' that dangerous offenders are kept behind bars.

He added: 'My thoughts remain with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, whose lives were changed forever by the heinous crimes of Colin Pitchfork.

'My number one priority is public protection and after careful assessment I have asked the Parole Board to reconsider their decision to release him.

'It is absolutely vital that every lawful step is taken to keep dangerous offenders behind bars.'

His intervention came after Conservative MP for South Leicestershire Alberto Costa wrote to Mr Chalk asking him to challenge the parole decision, describing it as 'simply unthinkable'.

The MP tweeted on Thursday: 'After very many years of campaigning, I am very relieved that the independent Parole Board has agreed with me that it would be in the public interest to keep double child rapist and murderer Colin Pitchfork in prison.'

The Ministry of Justice had previously said it would look 'very carefully' at the move, while a source there described it as 'deeply worrying'.
by Saurav Sarkar

A cisgender man and his transgender wife were among those who were allowed by Nepals highest court in June to register same-sex and other nontraditional marriages, reported Radio France Internationale.





The ruling, while temporary and incomplete, makes Nepal the second Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage after Taiwan. It was brought to existence by LGBTQ activists who argued that the government must recognize same-sex marriages under its own rulings. Nepali LGBTQ rights activist Pinky Gurung said to Reuters that as many as 200 couples were expected to register their marriages under the new ruling.





Meanwhile, in Turkey, conservative-instigated homophobia continues to rise, Global Voices reported. In response to a tweet by queer volleyball player Ebrar Karakurt, Global Voices said, a newspaper close to the Turkish government said that she was a homosexual deviant imposing a perverted lifestyle. While Karakurt brushed off the comment, Global Voices said that this is part of a series of attacks on LGBTQ lives and broader open-minded culture.





A participant at the fifth Annual Nepal Pride Parade in Kathmandu. Sanjog Manandhar/Kathmandupost

Author Bio: Saurav Sarkar is a freelance writer and editor who covers political activism and labor movements. They live in Long Island, New York, and have also lived in New York City, New Delhi, London, and Washington, D.C. Follow them on Twitter @sauravthewriter and at sauravsarkar.com.





Credit Line: from the Globetrotter News Service
An 11-year-old Wisconsin boy charged with killing his mother after she allegedly refused to buy him a virtual reality headset has been found competent to stand trial as an adult.

Quiana Mann, 44, was shot and killed at their home in Milwaukee in November 2022. Her son, who was 10 years old at the time, and has since been charged as an adult with first-degree intentional homicide.

Prosecutors say the boy shot Mann after she refused to buy the boy a $500 Oculus VR headset, and then used her credit card and Amazon account to buy the device.

The boy told investigators that he pointed the gun at his mother and intended to shoot the wall to 'scare her,' but that she had walked in front of him as he fired.

The boy is being held on a $50,000 cash bail at the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center. A preliminary hearing will be held September 5.

The boy, whose name has not been publicly released, fatally shot his mother Quiana Mann, 44, of Milwaukee, (pictured), in the face inside their home on November 21 because she refused to buy him a VR headset. He has been found competent to stand trial as an adult

After shooting her in the home (pictured), he put the gun in the closet and told his 26-year-old sister that their mother was dead. His family said he had 'rage issues' and heard five imaginary people. The child will be tried as an adult and faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jane Carroll listened to hours of testimony from two psychologists who examined the boy, who is now 11, before finding him competent to understand court proceedings.

While the psychologists disagreed on the boy's ability to understand courtroom proceedings, the judge said that because he had not been given a 'major mental diagnosis' and because he demonstrated an ability to learn, she found him competent to proceed, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

'He knew his case was in adult court, he knew that his case was a felony, he knew that there were two types of cases -- felonies and misdemeanors, he knew it was serious.' Milwaukee County prosecutor Sara Waldschmidt said in court.

The case has received some pushback from activists who called for the boy to be moved to juvenile court.

State law in Wisconsin requires children as young as 10 to be charged as adults for some serious crimes, such as homicide.

The boy wanted an Oculus Virtual Reality Headset - which ranges from $130 to nearly $500 on Amazon. He went onto his mother's account the day after the shooting and bought the headset and then allegedly unremorsefully told his grandmother that he was 'sorry for killing my mom' and then asked where his package was

Family members who spoke out after the shooting said the boy seemed more preoccupied with his gadgets than facing murder charges.

The boy's aunt Rhonda Reid told WTMJ-TV in December that when she talks to him in custody, he claims not to remember the shooting and quickly shifts the conversation to his favorite topic.

'When he calls, he's just like, "Make sure all my tablets and laptop and everything of mine is properly packaged,"' Reid said at the time.

Meanwhile, the boy's grandmother Lueritha Mann said she can't bring herself to speak to him, telling the outlet: 'I hope I do one day, but right now no. He took something very precious from me.'

'I can't believe he did it,' the grandmother said, adding, 'he needs to pay for what he's done.'

Reid said that her nephew had been attending therapy for more than a year for mood and conduct disorders, and part of his treatment plan included limiting access to electronic devices.

She said the boy 'was upset about these devices being taken away'.

The child who, according to family members has 'rage issues' and hears imaginary people, has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and will be tried as an adult.

Aunt Rhonda Reid said when she talks to her nephew in custody, he claims not to remember the shooting and quickly shifts the conversation to his favorite topic, his gadgets

The boy's grandmother Lueritha Mann said she can't bring herself to speak to him, saying: 'I hope I do one day, but right now no. He took something very precious from me.'

Wisconsin state law dictates that children as young as 10 will be charged as adults for serious crimes, such as murder. He faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

The fact that the boy will be tried as an adult has created some headaches for Carroll, as she noted that all the usual factors when deciding bail conditions 'don't make a lot of sense when applied to a 10-year-old.'

She pointed out that the boy has no home of his own, no job, no real assets, no way of attending court by himself or a prior criminal history.

He initially told police that the shooting was an accident. He claimed Mann had walked in front of him while he was aiming at a wall to 'scare her', and he accidentally shot her in the head, according to criminal charges obtained by the Journal Sentinel.

He later said in a second interview, however, that he intentionally aimed at his mother before shooting her at their home on 87th Street near Hemlock at around 7am on November 21.

After the shooting, he put the gun in the closet and told his older sister Brianna Moore, 26, that their mother, who worked in behavioral health, was dead, the complaint read. Moore then called 911.

Quiana Mann, 44, was allegedly shot in the face and killed by her 10-year-old son, who was mad at her for refusing to buy him a $500 VR headset

The boy's aunt said that when she collected him, he retrieved a set of house keys that contained a key to the gun's lockbox. When his aunt asked about the shooting, the boy said he pointed the gun at his mom and that she told him to put it down.

The boy's aunt and sister said he never cried or showed remorse and had also physically attacked his seven-year-old cousin the same day.

The boy's family said he has 'concerning' mental health issues, and has exhibited disturbing behavior in the past.

When he was four, the boy allegedly swung the family's puppy around by its tail, the complaint says. Six months ago, the family told police, he filled a balloon with a flammable liquid and set it on fire, causing an explosion that burned furniture and the carpet.

When asked why he did it, the boy allegedly said: 'Two sisters told him to do it.'

The boy told his family he hears five imaginary people talking to him, who he said are two sisters, an old woman, and two 'mean' men.

A sister also said in the complaint that her brother has had 'rage issues' all his life and becomes 'very angry and acts out.'
A couple who visited a Petland store to brutally kill a bunny, hamster, and parakeet are facing a police investigation - as well the wrath of hundreds online as security footage filmed after the attack continues to make rounds on social media.

Already identified by Oklahoma City cops, the pair - whose names have not been made public - were caught on camera carrying out the attacks on July 13 - though the footage has yet to be released.

Police say they broke the neck of the parakeet, strangled the bunny, and stomped the hamster, while also snagging a Guinea pig - whose fate is still unknown.

That said, stills and clips captured shortly after were, and showed the man and woman's likeness in full. Also laid bare was the couple's unmistakably upbeat demeanor, despite the savage nature of their alleged crimes.

Released by the Oklahoma City Police Department, the media has incited outrage - as officers now say they have identified the pair but will not be release their names until charges are formally filed.

Already identified by Oklahoma cops, the pair were caught on camera carrying out the attack on July 13 - though the footage has yet to be released and they have yet to be charged. A still released by the Oklahoma City Police Department, however, have already incited outrage

The couple broke the neck of a parakeet, strangled a bunny, and stomped a hamster kept at this Oklahoma City Petland on July 13, cops said. They may have also killed a Guinea pig, which is still missing two weeks later

In the meantime, the court of public opinion is in - and people are letting the two animal cruelty suspects know how they feel about the attack. In a one post that reshared the footage, commenters called the couple 'serial killers in the making.'

'Serial killers in the making! Sick and cruel!' one person sniped on the post from KOKH FOX 25 News Oklahoma, which contained video and photos of the suspects at the Oklahoma City Petland on North Pennsylvania Avenue.

'This the beginning of killer couples right there,' another chimed in, after the store's owner, Carl Swanson, told Fox 25 that the attack on the three innocent animals came out of nowhere.

'Little serial killers,' another noted of the duo, who appeared remarkably young in the footage - given the savageness of their alleged actions.

'Those 2 need locked up and mentally evaluated,' someone else wrote, ominously adding, 'There is no telling what they are capable of.'

The chorus of rage was seen Wednesday - nearly two weeks after cops were called to Swanson's store at about 5:48 pm on July 14.

The call, cops said, came after staffers came across two of the dead animals, the bunny and parakeet, inside of their respective enclosures the day before.

After an initial analysis, officers discerned the bird's 'neck had been broken', and that the bunny - which has been kept in an enclosure next to the parakeet - too had been killed. Cops later determined the rabbit had been 'strangled' to death.

Officers added the man had been the one to carry out the killings, while the woman seen in the footage kept watch.

In the meantime, the court of public opinion is in - and people are letting the two animal cruelty suspects know how they feel about the attack. In a one post that reshared the footage, commenters called the couple 'serial killers in the making.'

Aside from raising suspicions among the employees, the grim discovery spurred the staffers to call in Swanson, who went on to review footage from the store's security cameras.

After viewing the video, the manager was able to discern that the couple not only targeted the two discovered animals, but the aforementioned rodents as well.

Cops who also viewed the footage later specified: 'After breaking the neck of the Parakeet and strangling the bunny, the male grabbed a hamster and a Guinea pig before leaving the store with the female.'

When the staff watched the footage and saw that the pair had stolen the hamster and Guinea pig, they went out to the parking lot to investigate - and soon came across the savaged hamster.

Cops would later write that the hamster had been 'stomped to death'. As of Thursday, the Guinea pig has yet to be located.

Also gleaned from the footage was that the couple - who appeared to be in either their late teens or early 20s - visited the store the day before the attack to seemingly case out the planned slaughter.

Cops wrote the couple in that instance entered the store around 3:30 pm and began 'looking around.'

Eventually, they went to an enclosure carrying several puppies, and asked a staffer to see on of them.

Owner Carl Swanson told Fox 25 Tuesday that the attack came out of nowhere and left his employees 'heartbroken'

The animal was eventually brought out of the enclosure to them, but was not harmed.

'After interacting with the puppy, [the manager] stated the male went to the area where the bunnies and Parakeets are located,' the affidavit states.

'The video [the manager] showed me revealed the white male reaching into the bunny enclosure and appearing to hold the bunny down.

'The male looks around and lets go of the bunny,' the affidavit states. 'Another video showed the male reaching into the Parakeet enclosure and moving away.'

Just over 24 hours later, they would return, targeting the bunny and parakeet specifically.

Speaking to Fox 25 Tuesday, Swanson said he had never seen such an incident in his entire life.

'It was terrible for my staff and my employees,' Swanson told the station in a filmed interview. 'We are heartbroken. They did it quick because we always have workers on the floor to help.'

Police have yet to work out a motive, but say they have worked out the identities of the two people seen in the aforementioned footage.

As of Thursday, though, an arrest has yet to be made, and cops are electing to not identify the perpetrators until they are charged.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Oklahoma City Police Department for comment. Their investigation is still ongoing.
Wegmans Food Markets is set to open its first ever Manhattan store later this year - as it moves into an old Kmart location on Astor Place in New York City.

The grocery chain, known for its fresh and reasonably priced produce, announced that the 87,500 square-feet store, located at 770 Broadway, will open at 9am on Wednesday, October 18.

More than 600 newly-hired employees will staff the new location, the company said in a statement.

'We know our customers can't wait to come see what we have in store and our employees have been training, in some cases, for over a year to get ready for this day,' said store manager Matt Dailor.

'Wegmans is a celebration of food and people, and we cant wait to open the doors on October 18 to our community here in the east village.'

The grocery chain announced that the 87,500 square-feet store, located at 770 Broadway, will open at 9am on Wednesday, October 18

More than 600 newly-hired employees will staff the new location, the company said in a statement

The Astor Place store will be the second in New York City following the October 2019 opening of a location in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The Manhattan store was formerly home to the last Kmart department store in the borough, which closed its doors in 2021 after over 20 years in business.

Originally, the building housed the city's Wanamakers Department Store.

At the new Wegmans, customers can expect to find fresh sushi, pizza, wings, soups, fresh-made salads, hot sandwiches and Mediterranean-inspired Mezze options.

Customers will be able to shop in store or use the chain's mobile app to order items for pick-up or delivery.

An on-site dining room, featuring a sushi bar and champagne-oyster bar is also set to open its doors at the location in the first half of 2024, the company said in a statement.

At the new Wegmans, customers can expect to find fresh sushi, pizza, wings, soups, fresh-made salads, hot sandwiches and Mediterranean-inspired Mezze options

The east coast-based grocery chain is known for its fresh and reasonably priced produce. Pictured: Brooklyn Navy Yard store

Wegmans Food Markets has 109 stores located along the east coast - with the bulk of locations in New York State.

Others are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina.

The store, which opened its first location in Rochester, New York, in 1916, is famed for its fresh baked goods, Buffalo wings and extensive cheese selection.

The grocery chain, which has a cult-like customer following, also announced plans in March to open its first store in Connecticut.
More than 100 New York City public school children have listed their gender as 'X' - instead of male or female - after the district allowed the choice last year.

'X' is meant to encompass any student who identifies as non-binary, gender expansive or gender fluid - and is similarly an available option on birth certificates in the city.

The form has been in place for one year - and the data for 2022-23 shows that 108 schoolkids in the NYC public system chose X.

It equates to around .01 percent of the district's 1.1million population.

The enrolment form has to be signed off by a parent or guardian of the minor.

'X' is meant to encompass any student who identifies as non-binary, gender expansive or gender fluid - and is similarly an available option on birth certificates in the city

People march during the Brooklyn Liberation's Protect Trans Youth event on June 13, 2021

The form is used to indicate to teachers how to speak to the child.

The form made clear: 'The option you select does not have to match your student's birth certificate or other documentation.'

'X  Neither Female nor Male: My student does not identify as female or male (for example, identifies as non-binary, gender expansive, or gender fluid),' it read.

As well as that, kids were able to write a different chosen name to the one on their legal documentation.

There is a suggestion, however, that 108 figure may not be the official number of children who do not want to identify as either male or female, because the paperwork requires parental consent.

Non-binary students may not be comfortable discussing the topic with their family, some claim.

Separate enrolment data from 2021-22 showed that 300 students in the whole of New York State identified as non-binary.

'New York City Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, equitable and affirming school environment for every student in our school building,' education department spokesperson Jenna Lyle wrote in a statement.

'Affirming students' gender identities is of paramount importance.'

The form made clear: 'The option you select does not have to match your student's birth certificate or other documentation'

Allie Bohm, an attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union who focuses on LGBTQ issues, told Chalkbeat: 'The first step to making sure a school is meeting the needs of its student body is knowing who is in the student body.

'It's really important that they're collecting these data.'

In June, parents were left furious after schools in New York were told to keep their children's gender identities secret from their families under the new guidance.

The New York State Education Department released 42 pages of new guidance last week, which told schools to 'keep information' about a child's gender identity 'from families if they deem it necessary'.

The report also calls for schools to end the practice of separating boys and girls during physical education as it 'marginalizes' transgender and 'gender expansive' students and marks them as 'others'.

The guidance has been slammed as 'unacceptable', with Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik saying that in New York, parents' rights are 'directly under attack'.

The report, titled 'Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students,' stated schools should keep children's gender identities secret if they deem it necessary.

'School personnel's acceptance of a student's asserted gender identity should require no more than a statement from a student expressing their preference,' the guidance states.

'Schools do not need to require permission, letters from professionals, or other proof of gender identity.'

The words 'Trans Proud' is seen on a person as they march during the Brooklyn Liberation's Protect Trans Youth event on June 13, 2021

A report (pictured) also calls for schools to end the practice of separating boys and girls during physical education as it 'marginalizes' transgender and 'gender expansive' students and marks them as 'others'

In June, parents were left furious after schools in New York were told to keep their children's gender identities secret from their families under new guidance

The education department's guidance said the student 'is in charge of their gender transition and the school's role is to provide support'.

The guidance prompted furious backlash from groups and parents alike.

Stefanik, the representative for New York's 21st District, said: 'In New York, parents' rights are directly under attack. This is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.'

Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal organization protecting free speech and parental rights, tweeted: 'NY State Education department says school officials should hide gender transitions from parents.

'They're out of bounds. Parents have the right to know is happening to their child.'

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Poor choices like this will get you in court... parents are legal guardians of these children. Not the school or a bunch of crazy teachers. Parents need to stand up for their children now.'

'Parents be aware that they are teaching your children to lie to your parents,' added another user.

Under the new guidance, the New York State Education Department states that 'only the student knows whether it is safe to share their identity with a caregiver'.
A 40-year-old man is set to stand trial in Glasgow over claims he murdered his brother-in-law in a shooting spree on the Isle of Skye.

Finlay MacDonald is accused of killing father-of-six John MacKinnon, 47, with a shotgun at his home in the village of Teangue on the 10 August last year.

MacDonald is separately charged with the attempted murder of his wife Rowena MacDonald, 33, and two other people the same day.

He is accused of stabbing his wife and killing MacKinnon before travelling 30 miles to the village of Dornie and shooting John Donald MacKenzie, 63, and his wife Fay, 63.

MacDonald, who denies all charges against him, will now face a trial at the High Court in Glasgow on 14 May 2024, following a preliminary hearing today.

Finlay MacDonald is accused of murdering John MacKinnon, 47, (left) and attempting to murder his wife Rowena MacDonald by stabbing her repeatedly

Forensics officers attend John MacKinnon's home in the village of Teangue on the Isle of Skye

Prosecutors claim MacDonald killed Mr MacKinnon by repeatedly shooting him with a shotgun, after having previously shown 'malice and ill will' towards the father-of-six.

MacDonald is earlier alleged to have tried to kill his wife at her home in the village of Tarskavaig.

He is accused of struggling with her and repeatedly stabbing her with a knife, in an attack that caused severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and endangered her life.

Prosecutors allege the offence was aggravated 'by involving abuse of your partner or ex-partner'.

After killing Mr MacKinnon, MacDonald is alleged to have attempted to murder chiropractor John Donald MacKenzie and his wife Fay.

The alleged attacks on the couple - both 63 at the time - happened around 30 miles away at their home in Dornie, Wester Ross.

MacDonald is said to have fired a shotgun at Mrs MacKenzie hitting her on the head and body.

He is then accused of discharging the weapon at her husband striking the man on the body.

Similar to the charge involving his brother-in-law, MacDonald is also said to have directed previous ill-will towards Mr MacKenzie.

Forensics officers attend the home of John and Fay MacKenzie in Dornie, Wester Ross following the alleged shooting spree

Forensics officers attend the home of John and Fay MacKenzie in Dornie, Wester Ross

MacDonald finally faces an accusation of possessing a shotgun with intent to 'endanger life'.

The indictment states he did attend at and travel between the different properties while armed with the firearm and ammunition.

MacDonald's lawyer Shahid Latif said: 'He pleads not guilty to the charges on the indictment.'

Mr Latif said defence inquiries are on-going, but said he was content for a trial to be fixed.

Along with prosecutor Lisa Gillespie KC, he also asked for a further hearing to take place before then in December this year.

Lord Fairley went on to state: 'I will assign a trial of seven days duration for May 14 in Glasgow.'

Two crowdfunders at the time set-up to help the affected families reportedly raised more than 70,000.

Mr MacKinnon's funeral took place in Sleat on Skye with up to 800 people at the service.

Police Scotland chief constable Iain Livingstone said following the incidents: 'This was a very tragic and extremely concerning incident in a remote part of Scotland.

'It is a very difficult time for John MacKinnon's family.'
Donald Trump's lawyers conducted crunch talks with Special Counsel Jack Smith's office Thursday, but the former president insisted there was 'no indication' a third indictment is coming down over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Prosecutors on Smith's team met with Todd Blanche and John Laura - lawyers representing the former president - at the Department of Justice on Thursday, NBC News first reported. During the meeting they were reportedly told to 'expect' a third indictment.

Trump confirmed the meeting in a post to his Truth Social account, but countered the report that a third indictment is imminent.

'My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country. No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!' he added.

Smith is investigating whether Trump and his allies interfered with the transition of power after the 2020 election. He also indicted Trump on 37 counts last month on criminal charges including obstruction of justice for his handling of classified materials, which the former president pleaded not guilty to.

Donald Trump's lawyers held crunch talks with Special Counsel Jack Smith's office as he braced for an indictment on his bid to overturn the election

Trump confirmed last week that he'd received a target letter from the Department of Justice confirming he is the focus of the criminal investigation and that he expected to be arrested 'imminently.'

It will be the third set of criminal charges against Trump since he launched his campaign to return to the White House in 2024.

His trusted White House aide Walt Nauta was also indicted in the classified documents scandal.

Trump has also been indicted by New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg for falsifying business records, which he has also denied.

In addition, the district attorney in Georgia's Fulton County is investigating Trump over alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election in that state - which could lead to even more criminal charges.

The grand jury looking into January 6 is still convening and hearing from key witnesses in the case this week.

Trump has repeatedly slammed the January 6 investigation as a 'witch hunt' and claims it is election interference because he is leading in the polls.

He has also accused President Joe Biden of 'going after his 'number one political opponent.'

The former president is planning to go on the offense by working with his top Republican Hill allies to call out 'hypocrisies' in the Hunter Biden criminal probe and Biden family 'cover-up.'

First, GOP leaders plan to point out the 'hypocrisies' with how the investigation into the president's son Hunter Biden has been handled versus the investigation into Trump.

They will to point to the multiple whistleblowers that have sounded the alarm about the conduct of the investigation into Hunter.

Two IRS whistleblowers have alleged that the president's son had been given favorable treatment by investigators including a pattern by DOJ and IRS leadership of 'slow-walking investigative steps' and delaying enforcement actions.

Former President Donald Trump is facing 37 charges related to the mishandling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago in the bathroom and other unsecured locations

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said the whole case into the former president has been politically motivated

The second focus of the Republicans' Trump defense, a source told DailyMail.com, will be to turn attention to the 'suspect' timing of the indictments, which have come around major announcements by Republicans revealing Biden family shady business dealings.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said the whole case into the former president has been politically motivated.

'Recently President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for reelection. So what do they do now? Weaponize government to go after their No. 1 opponent,' he told reporters.

'This is not equal justice. They treat people differently and they go after their adversaries,' McCarthy added last week.
A 65 year-old Army vet has been awarded $20million after a cop snapped his spine during a traffic stop and left him paralyzed - with the appalling assault captured on camera.

Greg Gross was left horrifically-disabled after the April 2020 'pain compliance' restraint by Yuba City Police Officer Joshua Jackson, with video footage showing the bloodied brutality victim sobbing as he wailed: 'I can't feel my legs.'

The bed-bound former military man has been awarded the sum by a Sacramento jury after they were told he now requires 24 hour care from a team of nurses.

Stomach-churning body camera footage captured the moment Gross was injured after being pulled over on suspicion of causing a slow-speed crash while drunk driving.

Jackson made Gross sit on the ground, with his legs straight in front of him. He then repeatedly pushed the senior citizen's torso forward, towards the ground, with a force that ultimately snapped Gross's spinal column as fellow cops Scott Hansen and Nathan Livingston looked on.

Officers did not believe the victim when he repeatedly said 'I can't feel my legs' after his spine was crushed as he was pinned to the ground outside a hospital in Yuba City, California.

Sgt Joshua Jackson is seen slamming Army Vet Greg Gross to the ground in Yuba City in April 2020 during a traffic stop which ended with cops breaking Gross' spine

Jackson, pictured in his uniform, sat Gross down on the grass with his back upright, then pushed the senior citizen's torso forward until his spine snapped, paralyzing him forever

A now-paralyzed Gregory Gross is strapped into a bed, reviewing pieces of evidence from his catastrophic encounter with Yuba City police

Video shows that Gross is placed in handcuffs and forced to the ground. When he tells officers that he is in pain, they respond by saying that they are using 'pain compliance' to enforce good behavior from him.

The footage next cuts to Gross being handled beside a set of police cars next to a hospital.

The officer whose bodycam footage it is turns away for a moment to put on gloves, handing Gross over to a different officer - Joshua Jackson. The police department confirmed last year that Jackson has not been employed there since February 2021.

By the time he turns back, Gross is again on the ground, this time having been slammed into a lawn next to the hospital.

'I can't breathe, I can't breathe,' says Gross.

'You're talking. You can breathe,' says one of the officers as Gross begins to moan, his face now bloodied from being slammed into the grass.

His complaint then turns to 'I can't feel my legs,' which he repeats several times as officers place him in a wheelchair.

'Mr. Gross, we are done with your silly little games,' an officer says.

Once inside the hospital, Gross's serious complaint is not taken particularly seriously by the medical staff. He is, at one point, told to stop saying he can't feel his legs.

Shocking police bodycam footage shows Gross begging for help from the officers after he realized something had gone seriously wrong

Gross is now confined to a wheelchair or bed most of the time and requires round the clock care, which he will need for the rest of his life

An x-ray image shows the vertebrae in Gross' neck that were broken in the police altercation

Gregory Gross is an army veteran who lives in Yuba City, California. His settlement with the police department there is one of the largest ever in the state

The 65-year-old's complaints became serious and desperate as officers outside the hospital ignored him

Gross additionally sued the hospital and specific staffers who he believes mishandled his injury with catastrophic results

Only when he was ultimately given a cat scan and doctors were able to see the extent of the damage that had been caused, did his complaint register.

He required two surgeries to fuse his spine.

In a separate lawsuit filed against Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville, the University of California, Davis, Medical Center and individual medical workers, Gross alleged that it was the combination of police and medical misconduct that left him unable to walk.

That suit has not yet reached a conclusion.

Gross now requires around-the-clock care and is essentially confined to a hospital bed in his living room. He is unable to walk or care for himself and will remain that way for the rest of his life.

The $20million settlement, announced earlier this month, is one of the largest in the state's history.

As part of the settlement, Yuba City has agreed to start randomly auditing officers' bodycam footage and reviewing use of force incidents.

Gross will require round the clock care for the rest of his life - he is shown here in a hospital bed in his living room

X-rays presented as evidence show exactly the places where Gross' neck snapped during his interaction with officer Jackson

Police Chief Brian Baker apologized to Gross at a news conference following the announcement.

'Youve been in my thoughts since this tragedy was brought to my attention. On April 12th, 2020, we missed the mark. And for that, Mr. Gross, Im sorry,' he said.

Gross said that he's 'glad that they did something and took it serious.'

'I couldnt understand how someone could be in a position of authority and was acting like that and treating another human being like that.'

Last year, Gross detailed what his day-to-day looks like now: 'I just pretty much lay in bed all day. Im just existing right now, basically.'
One sold to a private buyer, but Spitbank Fort and No Man's Fort still on market

Acquired by Mike Clare in 2009 and transformed into hotels and a museum

Victorian forts, known as 'Palmerston's Follies', decommissioned by MoD in 1956

Victorian sea forts built to protect Britain from French invasion in the 19th century which were later transformed into luxury hotels by the Dreams bed tycoon have gone back on the market for 4.5million less after failing to sell.

Horse Sand Fort, No Man's Fort and Spitbank Fort, collectively known as 'Palmerston's Follies', were commissioned by Prime Minister Lord Palmerston amid concerns about the strengths of France's Napoleon III and his naval forces.

Mike Clare, the founder of Dreams bed company, bought the forts in 2009 and while While Horse Sand Fort was sold to a private buyer in 2021, Spitbank Fort and No Man's Land Fort still need new owners.

Mr Clare spared no expense converting the two forts into exclusive hotel retreats, with Spitbank opening to guests in 2012 and No Man's Fort in 2015.

He decided to put the sea fort hotels - that can only be reached by boat - up for sale for 5million each in 2018 when the business was generating a turnover of 4million a year.

No Man's Land Fort, now a hotel (pictured), is still on the market for 3million - 2million less than its original sale price

Mike Clare, the founder of Dreams bed company, bought the forts in 2009. Pictured: One of the bedrooms in No Man's Fort

The hotels closed when the pandemic hit in March 2020 and they have not reopened since. Pictured: Spitbank Fort

Spitbank Fort (pictured) is now on the market for 2.5million - half its original price tag and considerably less than it cost to refurbish the 150-year-old defences

Horse Sand Fort (pictured) sold to a private buyer in 2021. But the other two forts have not sold yet

But when the pandemic hit in March 2020, the hotels were shut and have not reopened since. Potential deals to sell the forts were also scuppered by Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The forts were acquired in 2009 by businessman Mike Clare (pictured), founder of the Dreams bed company

The historic forts have had several price drops since their closure and Spitbank Fort is now on the market for 2.5million - half its original price tag and considerably less than it cost to refurbish the 150-year-old defences.

No Man's Fort, which has 23 guest suites and seven bedrooms, is on the market for 3million - 2million less than its original sale price.

It boasts four stars and can accommodate up to 200 people at a time. Alternatively guests can hire out the entire venue for weddings, corporate events or other special occasions.

The hotel, which is 1.4-miles from the Isle of Wight, has five bars, each with a different theme, a restaurant and a spa. In keeping with its military history there is also a laser battle play area.

One of its star features are its rooftop hot tubs, with stunning views out onto the Solent.

Spread across four floors, the hotel also comes with a lighthouse and helipad for guests to arrive in style.

Solent Forts remain adamant that the price is not the most important thing and they would rather find the right buyer.

They are being sold with an option of planning permission in place to convert the unique hotels into residential use, if a buyer so chooses.

Spitbank Fort boasts stunning views across the ocean. The hotels can only be reached by boat

The stand-out feature at Spitbank is the open top roof terrace, which boasts a hot tub, hot pool, sauna and fire pit

Solent Forts remain adamant that the price is not the most important thing and they would rather find the right buyer. Pictured: Spitbank Fort

With a smaller capacity of 60, Spitbank - which is about a mile south of Portsmouth Harbour - only has nine luxury guests suites, kitted out with four-poster beds and opulent bathrooms.

As well as a restaurant and two bars, there is also a 'wine cave' and an event space that functions as a casino

Spitbank Fort has 33,000 sq ft of accommodation over three floors with nine luxury guest suites

Martin England, from Solent Forts, said: 'We have had a lot of interest but just not got it over the line. We had people coming in with international monetary deals that have then fallen apart because of the current global situation.

'We had Brexit, then Covid, then a war. So investors have been holding back, but I think the market is coming to the right time now.

'We took the initiative to get planning permission after some buyers in London expressed interest in having it as a holiday home for them and their families, but we have also had interest in businesses looking to use them as their head office.

'We are looking to move on now, we won't be opening them again and Mike is looking to retire.

'Mike is looking for the right future for the forts. He is very keen on his British history - and these would be owning a unique piece of British heritage.

'We purchased these strategic defences and turned them into a five-star bijou hotel and a four-star events venue.

'He wants to see them in the right hands. I'm not saying money is not important, but it's not the be all and end all.'

With a smaller capacity of 60, Spitbank - which is about a mile south of Portsmouth Harbour - only has nine luxury guests suites, kitted out with four-poster beds and opulent bathrooms.

The stand-out feature is the open top roof terrace, which boasts a hot tub, hot pool, sauna and fire pit.

Horse Sand Fort (pictured) retained the 100 chambers and living quarters, original gun carriages and armour plated walls while it was a museum

A helicopter is pictured landing at No Man's Land fort. The sea fort became a luxury hotel but has failed to sell

Mike Clare, the founder of Dreams bed company, bought the forts in 2009. Pictured: No Man's Land Fort

The forts, which have 15ft thick granite walls, were built in the Solent in the 1860s. Pictured: No Man's Land Fort

As well as a restaurant and two bars, there is also a 'wine cave' and an event space that functions as a casino.

The forts, which have 15ft thick granite walls, were built in the Solent in the 1860s as part of Prime Minister Lord Palmerston's coastal defences to prevent a naval invasion by France.

The invasion never came and the buildings were dubbed 'Palmerston's Follies' and criticised as costly and unnecessary at the time.

The Solent Forts served a purpose to protect Britain from the Nazi invasion as anti-submarine defences were strung between them, but they were then decommissioned by the Ministry of Defence in 1956.

No Man's Fort has 99,000sq ft while the smaller Spitbank Fort has 33,000 sq ft of accommodation over three floors.

The company applied for planning permission for change of use of both forts from a hotel to private residential accommodation, which was approved.

The third Solent Fort, the derelict and undeveloped Horse Sand Fort, had been used as a museum previously. It sold to a private UK buyer in 2021 for 715,000.
The educator was named 'Teacher of the Year' in San Diego County in 2022

Jacqueline Ma, 34, is accused of gross sexual misconduct with two 14-year-olds

A former San Diego 'Teacher of the Year' is facing new accusations that she had inappropriate sexual relations with students in her elementary school classroom.

Jacqueline Ma, 34, has been charged with additional counts of sexual misconduct linked to a second victim after her arrest and charges were filed earlier this year.

The married woman was also accused of keeping trinkets of the victim with her in her wallet and exchanging sexually explicit photos with a child as young as 12.

In March, Ma was initially charged with three counts of oral copulation with a child under 14, and three for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14.

In 2022, the former sixth grade teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary was one of five educators named Teacher of the Year in San Diego County.

Jacqueline Ma, 34, has been charged with additional counts of sexual misconduct linked to a second victim after her arrest and charges were filed earlier this year

In 2022, the former sixth grade teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary was one of five educators named Teacher of the Year in San Diego County

Ma taught sixth grade at Lincoln Acres Elementary School just south of San Diego

In an amended complaint filed by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, a second victim whose age is 14 has been added to the case.

On Wednesday, Ma pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her.

The former educator - who had worked at the local elementary school since 2013 according to her LinkedIn - is being held at Las Colinas Women's Detention Facility.

She is now facing '10 years plus 150 years to life in prison' if convicted of all 19 felonies she has been charged with, the District Attorney's office said.

Ma will next appear in a Chula Vista courtroom on September 21.

In March, a parent came forward and told police and investigators they suspected Ma had an inappropriate relationship with her 13-year-old.

The teacher initially bailed out on March 7 but was arrested the next day on felony counts of sexual misconduct, and other counts related to child pornography.

On Wednesday, Ma (pictured) pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her

In a court appearance on March 13, Deputy DA Drew Hart said Ma was 'obsessive, possessive, controlling, and dangerous.'

'When she was arrested, she had a photograph of the victim in her wallet, she had jewelry with his initials, and love letters were discovered in her classroom directed at the child,' said Hart.

At the time, the judge denied bail and pretrial release.

He said Ma presented a flight risk and danger to the public and the victim.

Investigators told Fox News after she was arrested that as part of damning evidence against her were text exchanges between Ma and one of her victims.

In the messages, she allegedly became frustrated with the victim when he didn't message back quick enough.

She is also accused of coercing the first victim to send videos back to her and is alleged to have been 'grooming him' and 'giving him gifts' for more than a year.

Ma allegedly helped the victim with schoolwork and praised him in order to maintain a relationship over the course of several months, Hart said.

It's unclear what conduct exactly Ma is accused of with the second victim.

In a court appearance on March 13, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Drew Hart (pictured) said Ma was 'Obsessive, possessive, controlling, and dangerous'

After her second arrest, National School District Superintendent Leighangela Brady described the allegations as 'deeply troubling' in an email to Fox News.

'Our community learned that Jacqueline Ma, a teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary School, was re-arrested by law enforcement as their continued investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors secured additional information to press felony charges,' Brady said.

'While this entire situation is indeed deeply troubling, we appreciate that law enforcement is dedicating resources to secure the facts and keeping our school district and community informed of their progress,' the superintendent said.

'I am grateful to our entire school community for facing this situation with a shared commitment to do all that we can to maintain our children's education without interruption.'
Many of America's most successful companies like Goldman Sachs and Mastercard also found themselves among the top 20

They found that Apple, Amazon, Tesla and Meta are among the country's worst workplaces when it comes to employee retention

Apple has been named the country's worst employer by a new study, with Amazon, Meta and Tesla not far behind.

Resume builder platform Resume.io looked into the LinkedIn data of the top 100 market companies in the U.S. to find which workplaces have the best and worst employee retention rates.

Many of America's most successful companies like Tesla, Goldman Sachs and Mastercard all found themselves among the top 20 worst employers according to talent retention.

The study found that tech companies have the shortest retention rates, with Amazon and Meta tied for second place, behind Apple, and Tesla and Netflix not too far behind.

It's worth noting that tech employees, particularly engineers, have in the past hopped jobs frequently because it helped them significantly increase their salary.

But that has changed in recent years, with mass layoffs prompting many tech workers to sit tight instead.

Resume builder platform Resume.io looked into the LinkedIn data of the top 100 market companies in the U.S. to find which have the best and worst employee retention rates

Coming in first place is the world's most valuable company, Apple, worth over $3trillion under CEO Tim Cook

Steve Jobs' brainchild has a median employee tenure of just 1.7 years on average

1. APPLE - 1.7 YEARS

Coming in first place is the world's most valuable company, Apple, worth over $3trillion under CEO Tim Cook.

Steve Jobs' brainchild has a median employee tenure of just 1.7 years on average.

Inc reported in 2022 that the iPhone maker's plan to keep staff from moving to Meta was backfiring. The Palo-Alto-based company offered stock bonuses to their best engineers ranging from $50,000 to $180,000.

But that did not stop employees from leaving, as many were upset by wat they saw as unequal treatment.

According to Inc: 'Instead, people are refusing to stay at Apple following such a glaring illustration of the company's inequities, as well as the general insensitivity within its environment.'

Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, California, has about 164,000 employees.

2. AMAZON AND META - 1.8 YEARS

Online retail giant Amazon, and Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, came in second-worst, with a median employee retention of 1.8 years.

Amazon, worth over $1trillion, has long faced backlash over its alleged poor treatment of employees, particularly its warehouse and delivery staff.

Back in May, hundreds of employees at the company's Seattle headquarters walked out to protest layoffs and a mandate to return to the office. There were also concerns among the tech company's climate commitments among the workers.

Amazon's workforce, an impressive 1,541,000, doubled over the pandemic under CEO Andy Jassy, as part of a hiring surge across almost the entire tech sector, but it then said it had overhired.

The company's head of human resources then rejected a petition from more than 30,000 employees who had asked for a reconsideration of the return-to-office mandate.

It meant workers would have to work on site at least three days a week and those who lived in different cities and states would have to pack up, sell their homes and relocate.

Meta, valued at $804billion, has also been dealing with employee dissatisfaction in recent months over post-pandemic layoffs. The company, based in Menlo Park, California, has about 86,482 employees.

In March, CEO Mark Zuckerberg took 'anonymous' questions from various employees during a meeting, including one from a worker who asked how employees could 'trust leadership decisions after two rounds of layoffs.'

The layoffs come after Zuckerberg had previously warned Meta employees that 2023 would be a 'year of efficiency.' They are part of a wider strategy to make the company more 'efficient and lean'.

'Leaner is better. Since we reduced our workforce last year, one surprising result is that many things have gone faster. In retrospect, I underestimated the indirect costs of lower priority projects,' he said.

3. ELEVANCE HEALTH - 1.9 YEARS

The health insurance provider, worth $110billion, is based in Indiana and is the only company in the top four that is not a technology business.

It has about 102,300 employees under CEO Gail Koziara Boudreaux.

Reviews on Glassdoor repeatedly mention the high turnover rate.

One anonymous reviewer claimed: 'Poor upper management skills lead to high turnover.

'Rather than hire in advance in preparation for peak volumes, they hire help once existing help is exhausted.

'As a result, people just quit.'

4. TESLA - 2 YEARS

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a notoriously demanding boss.

The automaker's chief has also told employees that remote work is no longer acceptable.

In a leaked email sent to workers last year, Musk wrote that any executive staff who wish to work remotely must be in the office for a minimum of 40 hours per week 'or depart Tesla'.

He added that the requirement for executive staff to work at least 40 hours in the office is 'less than we ask of factory workers'.

Musk has previously hit out against remote working policies and blasted Americans for 'trying to avoid going to work at all' and compared them to staff in China who stay at the factory 'burning the 3am oil'.

Tesla, valued at $818billion, recently moved its headquarters from California to Austin, Texas, and has about 127,855 employees.

5. AMD AND SERVICENOW - 2.3 YEARS

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., a semiconductor company valued at $182million is based in Santa Barbara, California, and has about 25,000 full-time employees led by CEO Lisa Sue.

It is tied in fifth place for the worst employee retention in the country with software developer ServiceNow, Inc.

ServiceNow, based in Santa Clara, has a market value of about $114billion and just over 20,000 employees. Its CEO is businessman Bill McDermott.

6. SALESFORCE AND NEXT ERA ENERGY - 2.8 YEARS

Salesforce is another software company based in San Francisco on the list. It's valued at $222billion and has nearly 80,000 employees.

Last year, CEO and founder Benioff laid into employees hired during the pandemic - claiming they were less productive. He even questioned if new employee were finding the work and environment at the company 'too overwhelming' as he tried to address the lack of productivity.

Salesforce came in sixth place, tied with Next Era Energy, an energy company worth 149billion and based in Florida with about 4,900 employees throughout the US and Canada.

7. S&P GLOBAL AND TJX - 2.9 YEARS

Investment data firm S&P Global came in seventh place with and department store corporation TJX, which owns T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods.

S&P Global, based in New York City, is worth $137billion and has nearly 40,000 employees led by CEO Douglas L. Peterson.

TJX, on its part, is based in Massachusetts and has an impressive 270,000 employees. Its CEO is Ernie Herrman.

8. GOLDMAN SACHS - 3 YEARS

The investment bank, led by CEO David M. Solomon, is only one of two financial institutions to make the top 10. Based in Manhattan, it has 48,500 and a market value of $118billion.

9. ABBOTT, VERTEX AND NETFLIX - 3.1 YEARS

Abbott is a medical devices and health care company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois. Its CEO is Robert B. Ford and it has about 115,000 employees and a market value of 197billion.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals also came in ninth place. Worth $90billion, it is based in Cambridge, MA, and led by CEO Reshma Kewalramani and employs about 1,100 people.

Netflix, on its part, is also based in California and worth $186billion. It has about 12,800 employees and its current CEOs are Greg Peters and Ted Sarandos.

10. NVIDIA AND MASTERCARD - 3.2 YEARS

Multinational technology company based in California NVIDIA rounds up the list with MasterCard.

NVIDIA became one of few companies to hit a $1trillion market capitalization this year. The company is led by founder Jensen Huang and has about 26,196 employees.

Mastercard, based in New York state, is valued at 376.70billion and has about 29,900 employees under CEO Michael Miebach.
After Russia unexpectedly attacked the Ukrainian province of Crimea and portions of two other provinces in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainians began mobilizing for another Russian attack. The attack finally came in 2022 and the Ukrainian were prepared, to the exceedingly unpleasant surprise of the invading Russian troops. The Russians failed to note the extent and impact of Ukrainian military reforms since 2014. The Russians found that they were no longer fighting the same kind of Ukrainian military they had defeated in 2014. The Russians had ignored or misinterpreted those reforms and were still unable or unwilling to accept the effectiveness of the Ukrainian reforms. One reason for that is the Ukrainian reforms succeeded in converting the Ukrainian military's 2014 recycled Soviet model to one based on the more effective Western model. This transition happened gradually as the NATO military aid Ukraine requested after 2014 included trainers for existing Ukrainian units as well as new Ukrainian officers. The NATO trainers trained new Ukrainian combat battalions as well as newly recruited Ukraine officers. What the Russians didnt appreciate until the 2022 war started was that NATO training produced very different results than the training Ukrainian forces were used to getting.

In 2014 the Ukrainian army was similar in skills and training methods Russia used. This was the old Soviet style of strict adherence to battle plans and discouragement of initiative among combat commanders. Western militaries approached these matters differently. Battle plans were created as estimates, not strict rules. Western commanders were trained to be flexible and adaptive in combat. As the NATO trainers did their work, the Ukrainian military was gradually reformed. Senior Ukrainian officers, all veterans of the old Soviet style of organization, command and training, tolerated this new approach not because they understood it, but because Ukraine needed all the military aid it could get and the Western combat unit and officer training seemed to work. When the Russians invaded they and senior Ukrainian commanders were surprised at how effective NATOs retraining of the Ukrainian armed forces worked. The Russians were dismayed and somewhat mystified at the poor performance of their troops. The Ukrainians were told the post-2014 Ukrainian troops and officers would be more effective because that had been the experience in similar situations since the 1990s.

Another aspect of Western training and combat doctrine is that you rapidly modify your tactics and training as a result of recent, or ongoing combat experiences. NATO nations supplying Ukraine with vast quantities of weapons and equipment noted how the Ukrainians performed. For example, peacetime training standards called for months of training before troops were ready to effectively use Patriot Air Defense systems. The Ukrainians did it in weeks. The Ukrainians not only learned how to operate Patriot systems but also developed new uses. This surprised, and pleased the Americans providing the equipment because the Ukrainians were making Patriot useful for all users. The Americans took notes and modified the performance specs and training methods.

The Ukrainian experience was somewhat unique because the Ukrainians had decades of experience with tweaking and upgrading existing systems. When Ukraine became independent in 1991 they inherited large quantities of Russian Cold War era weapons and equipment. Ukraine had been arguably the center of weapons development, production and upgrades while part of the Soviet Union. After 1991 they merged those skills with newly acquired Western marketing savvy. The Ukrainians modified and upgraded their Soviet era weapons to be more attractive to potential buyers. By 2014 Ukrainian had made all this into a sizable portion of their economy. The Ukrainian skills and speed with learning and modifying new Western weapons was, in hindsight, obvious.

The Russians did not pay attention. The poor performance of the Russian military in Ukraine during its 2022 invasion was not a surprise to everyone. Journalists, politicians in general and the Russians were taken by surprise but military historians, the U.S. Army and the Ukrainian military were not. Thats because the American army finally realized, in the 1980s, that a fundamental problem in warfare was not paying attention to what had worked in the past and why. Those who possess this predictive capability also know that its best to keep quiet about what they know because the enemy will adapt once the shooting starts and some foes do that rather quickly. Most do not because admitting you were wrong is something most senior military commanders resist.

A fundamental element in improving ground operations is analyzing past battles for what went right and what went wrong. The U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned has been around since the 1980s, and U.S. commanders use it to determine what works in combat and what doesn't. This is more important than ever in the 21st century, where urban combat and counter-insurgency conflicts dominate. In urban warfare and counter-insurgency, the potential for mistakes to be made is exponentially larger than in conventional, large-scale warfare.

Instead of hogging their experts, the US Army takes the data collected and analyzed at the CALL (Center for Army Lessons Learned) and supplies it to allied armies in the hope these allies will use this information. This sharing is more than just a gesture of goodwill. This does not always work, especially in countries where corruption and reluctance to change makes it difficult to make changes that will improve combat effectiveness. This cultural resistance was encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan but not in Ukraine, where the Ukrainians adapted while their enemy did not.

CALL is divided into several major sections. The first collects data from previous engagements, by interviewing and visiting with units in the field. This section is tasked with discovering issues and areas of needed improvement in doctrine, training and readiness. The Analysis Section deals with evaluating the data collected and assessing the methods needed to improve effectiveness and combat efficiency. Finally, the Information Integration Section is responsible for processing and distributing the suggestions and findings from the previous two departments.

The CALL is sometimes seen by other branches of the Army as a group of desk-bound analysts, but their suggestions and changes implemented in counter-insurgency and urban warfare tactics played a major role in maximizing the effectiveness of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Persuading the local military to change was often less successful.

Without something like CALL, doctrine and tactics rarely change. On-site CALL troops visited nearly every single major combat zone in Iraq and Afghanistan. CALL soldiers also spent significant time with Iraqi Special Forces and were an integral part of the development process for the country's military and police. Call analysts also report on who is accepting and acting on their advice and who isnt. The resistance to change was and remains a major problem in Iraq, Afghanistan and, we now know, in Russia.

Because of CALL and similar efforts by the U.S. Army Special Forces, American military advisors headed overseas are given a briefing on the culture they will be dealing with and how to deal with various types of obstacles. The army maintains a database of lessons learned that can be searched by region as well as situation. A major contributor to this database is army Special Forces troops, whose training concentrates on local customs and traditions and how to work within that. Thats why the Special Forces are organized around regional specialization. Special Forces operators learn the languages and customs of one region and usually spend their entire career working in that region. This Special Forces technique was learned from World War II experience where many of the founding members of Special Forces (in the early 1950s) had worked for OSS (Office of Special Operations), an organization created to deal with contacting, communicating with and supporting local resistance groups in German or Japanese controlled territory. The success of the OSS led to the creation of the CIA and Special Forces to deal with the Cold War. This conflict, which did not end until 1991, had begun in the late 1940s when it became obvious that Soviet Russia was going to continue taking control of other nations any way it could.

It took decades before the American military and foreign service learned how to use these new intelligence and operational capabilities. Tradition again but by the 1980s the military services cooperated in creating SOCOM (Special Operations Command) so that they all could benefit from what the OSS and Special Forces have developed. It took decades for most American military commanders to accept the findings and suggestions from CALL and SOCOM. Initially many senior American officers saw Special Forces and CALL operatives as a bunch of oddballs spouting nonsense.

Another factor in the development of more effective tactics was the realization, during World War II, that when the enemy developed a new weapon or tactic, the speed with which you could analyze it and come up with an effective countermeasure was a matter of life or death as well as victory or defeat. The speed of analysis and quickness of response was expressed more vividly in the 1960s by John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force officer. Boyd demonstrated how the speed of assessing a combat situation, developing a plan and executing it was decisive in all forms of combat. Boyd came up with the OODA (observe, orient, decide, and act) loop, which could be applied to air, naval and ground combat. This made sense to World War II veterans who had witnessed the OODA loop in action. It resonated with the Russians as well because superior speed with OODA was a German specialty which the Russians never mastered as well as the Germans did during World War II. But by the 1980s some Russian theorists saw computers as a possible solution. Again, the West had a technological edge and from the end of the Cold War and into the 21st Century it was Westerners who made all this work in combat. Russia never caught up, or caught on to how vulnerable to opponents who worked the OODA cycle faster than they did. This was demonstrated in Ukraine and Russian military and political leaders are still having a hard time accepting this OODA reality.

This became a problem for American military advisors working overseas, who frequently had solutions for problems encountered by foreign commanders they were supporting, but the real problem was local culture and resistance to change, especially the American emphasis on high-speed warfare and the need to quickly adopt new tactics to prevail.

Meanwhile Islamic terrorists were on the receiving end of many of these innovations and the survivors learned to adapt. The impact of high-speed warfare was demonstrated after September 11, 2001, when American forces used computerized data mining and analysis to speed up their OODA loops during counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and elsewhere. Sunni terrorists quickly learned that if an American raid was accompanied by intelligence specialists carrying biometric tools and communication links (to huge databases of information on known terrorists and their organizations), there would quickly be additional raids. A few new names found on one raid would spawn additional raids and within 24 hours large terrorist operations could be rolled up. Microsoft contributed by developing a thumb drive that could quickly extract useful data from a laptop while rough (but effective) machine translation of many Arabic documents could quickly provide more leads, locations and who or what to look for.

The Ukrainian military did not accept much change after Ukraine became independent of the Soviet Union, and Russia, in 1991. The Ukrainians had to accept the fact that they could not afford to maintain a large peacetime military. Russias seizure of Crimea and Donbas in 2014 was a wakeup call. The Russians had used KGB tactics, developed during the decades of communist rule that often used subversion and surprise to overthrow vulnerable governments. This included most East European countries who spent four decades under communist rule and Russian influence because of these tactics. The Russians tried to use these methods in Ukraine after 2000 and ran into resistance from many Ukrainians. After 2014 more Ukrainians were willing to accept advice from the Americans, who sent special forces and military advisors versed in CALL knowledge and willing to share with Ukrainians who were prepared to adapt. Initially it was Ukrainian military leaders and eventually political leaders, like current Ukrainian president Zelensky, who was elected in 2019 to make needed changes. That included lots of reforms to the Ukrainian military.

What happened in 2014 scared Ukrainians because they had agreements with Russia that were supposed to keep Ukraine intact. The Russians violated their written promises and the Ukrainians realized they had to prepare for the worst, which the Russians were openly discussing. The worst came in February 2022 when Russia invaded. The Ukrainians had changed and adapted while the Russians had not. The result was a striking Russian defeat which many Russian leaders still dont understand. The most important lesson was that you dont invade a neighboring country expecting your attack if they are better prepared to deal with it. The Ukrainians had developed new tactics and used new weapons to defeat the invasion. Most Russian troops were not told they were conducting an invasion because their officers were assured that there would not be any effective resistance. There was effective resistance and many Russian troops abandoned their armored vehicles and fled once they realized what they were up against. That resulted in about half the Russian tanks and other armored vehicles lost being abandoned intact by their crews in the first 60-90 days of the war.

The Ukrainians quickly developed procedures to adapt their vehicles to their own use with new insignia and some new communications equipment. The Ukrainians also used their newly acquired tanks more effectively than their former owners. Ukrainians, like the Russians, still used the same Cold War era tanks as the Russians, but were more aware of the vulnerabilities of these Russian designed tanks. For example, even the Russians didnt realize how vulnerable their tanks were to turret penetration by anti-tank weapons. Russia had made some changes to defeat the Western Cold War development of top attack anti-tank weapons. These weapons were not used against Russian attacks often enough, until 2022, to demonstrate that Russian tanks were extremely vulnerable because Russian tanks had been using an auto-loader since the late 1960s. This replaced the human loader but put a dozen or more tank gun rounds in the turret at all times. If one of those rounds was detonated by an anti-tank weapon penetrating the turret, all those ready rounds exploded, destroying the turret and the tank as well as killing the entire crew. As soon as Russian tank crews understood this, they were quick to abandon their tanks as soon as enemy fire began blowing tanks up. Western tank designers were aware of this problem and never adopted the autoloader because of it. There was never more than one shell exposed in the turret at a time. The other shells were kept in a separate armored container with blow out panels. If those protected shells exploded the armored container quickly blew apart from the inside, leaving the crew unharmed and the tank reparable.

The Russians officially called their invasion a special operation meant to liberate the Ukrainians from neo-Nazi and NATO influence. Most Russian troops soon realized that the Ukrainians were more enthusiastic and determined to defend their country from foreign invaders and wanted to join NATO to discourage Russian attacks. Government corruption and inept military leadership meant the Russian troops were poorly supplied with food, medical care and ammunition. New recruits were not trained or paid the cash bonuses promised. Troop morale plummeted because of this and soon Russia found it could not obtain enough troops to keep the special operation going. The Ukrainians went on the offensive in late August and rapidly drove the Russians out of much of the Ukrainian territory they had conquered in 2014 and early 2022. The Russian government did not want to admit they were losing but were unable to convince enough Russian soldiers to resist or Russians and Ukrainian collaborators living in the occupied territories to stay. The civilians fled and Russian troop numbers dwindled All this had nothing to do with foreign observers asserting that tanks were obsolete and warfare had changed dramatically. Neither was true but the reality was less newsworthy so the situation was not reported accurately. The Ukrainians kept attacking Russian logistics (supplies for the troops) while improving their own. This was the key to victory but made for dull headlines.
Seasoned British travellers today shrugged off 'exaggerated claims' about the dangers of the wildfires in Rhodes as they refused to abandon their prized holidays.

Fires have raged across parts of Greece during three successive Mediterranean heat waves in the past two weeks, leaving five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggering a huge weekend evacuation of tourists on the island of Rhodes.

Since Wednesday, officials have ordered the evacuation of several communities in the hard-hit area of Magnesia, a coastal area north of Athens. More people were forced to evacuate on Thursday, some via private speed boats, and head to the nearby port city of Volos, as flames rekindled.

Despite the disaster, British backpackers and families told MailOnline of the reassurances they had received from friends and hotel staff living on the popular sunspot as they arrived on early flights from the UK.

Stuart Drake from West Yorkshire said: 'There was no way we were going to miss our holiday. We know Rhodes like the back of us hand. We were down in the south where the fires are three years ago and I know we are not anywhere near them this year.'

Dan and Amy Cushing with Toby and Freddie, British tourists arriving at Rhodes airport despite the fires that have ravaged the island over the last 6 days

Wildfires continued to rage on the Greek Island of Rhodes on Tuesday

Mr Drake, a plumber, is spending two weeks island hopping with his wife Nicola and sons Archie, 16 and Seth, 14. They are spending two nights on Rhodes before taking ferries to the islands of Symi and then Kos.

He said: 'We've been in touch with friends who live here and they told us Rhodes is safe.

'There has been a lot of exaggeration about how bad the fires have been.'

Wife Nicola added: 'We love coming to Greece and the people here need us.

'They make 90 per cent of their money in the summer, so we couldn't let them down.

'We came through Covid. They needed us then and they need us now.

'The first thing I need is a cold Mythos [beer].'

Experienced travellers Dale and Juliet Page claim the forest fires had been 'wildly exaggerated' and that it is important to continue to support Rhodes.

Dale, 59, told MailOnline: 'We come to the Greek islands every year and we know that there are forest fires in the summer.

'But this year it has been painted like it's 'Dante's inferno' back in England.

'The whole situation has been wildly exaggerated.

'To be honest we are not worried in the slightest.

'We have spoken to the owner of the apartment we are staying in Lindos and they have reassured us that it is safe.'

Juliet, 61, added: 'We love coming to Greece so it's important that we support the Greek people. They rely on tourism on this islands for their livelihoods.'

Nothing could have stopped Lilly Norman from taking the plane to Rhodes this morning, as she is maid of honour at her best friend's wedding.

Lilly, from Leicester, told MailOnline: 'There was no question about whether or not we were getting on that plane.

'I am maid of honour at my best friend's wedding on Sunday.

'This has been planned for three years and it could not go ahead without me.

'She is getting married in Lindos and we have spoken to staff at the hotel and they say it's fine.'

Her partner Macauley Mewis added: 'It'll be fine.'

Lily Norman and Macauley Mewis, who said upon arriving in Rhodes: 'It'll be fine'

Dale and Juliet Page from Markfield Leicester, arriving in Rhodes despite the wildfires

The Cushing family from Norwich praised tour operator EasyJet who they claim reassured them their holiday would be safe.

Dan Cushing told MailOnline: 'EasyJet did stop holidays for a couple of days but now they have reassured us it is safe.

'We would not have come if EasyJet had said it was unsafe.

'But we are staying in Faliraki which is a long way from where the fires.

'So we thought 'fine', let's go.'

Olga Kefalogianni, Greece's tourism minister, has insisted travellers should still fly to Rhodes.

She said there 'has been no disruption in the airport' and only 10 to 20 per cent of the island has been affected by the fires.

She added that affected hotel accommodation accounted for 15 per cent of the total capacity of the island.

And UK Housing Secretary Michael Gove insisted the fires had been 'restricted to one part of the island' and Rhodes was still safe for British tourists to visit.

However, Labour has said the Government should 'rethink' the advice it is providing.

TUI UK & Ireland told MailOnline that the travel agency was still working to support customers impacted by the wildfires in the south east of the island.

A spokesperson said on Wednesday: 'Weve brought hundreds of people home and hundreds more will be travelling back to the UK on flights today.

'We appreciate how distressing and difficult its been for those who had to evacuate their hotels and curtail their holidays.

'And we also understand those due to travel to Rhodes may be concerned about how their holidays could be affected.

'Were continuing to monitor the situation and have made some changes to our holiday programme in the coming days.

'Wed like to reassure customers their health and safety is our top priority and re-iterate that we are constantly reviewing the situation and will provide any new updates as soon as we are able.'

A Sikorsky S-64F Skycrane helicopter sprays water at a fire at Gennadi in Rhodes on 25 July

The village of Asklipio in the South of the island was ravaged by fire on Monday night

Fire fighting crews work near close to the wildffire on the island of Rhodes, Monday July 24

Smoke rises as teams try to extinguish wildfires on Rhodes on July 25

As many as 10,000 Britons are estimated to be in Rhodes, the Foreign Office said, with 30,000 due to head there in the next few weeks.

The Foreign Office has not advised Britons to avoid non-essential travel to the entire island, while some travel companies are continuing to fly holidaymakers to Rhodes as they claim the blazes are not affecting the whole island.
A senior manager earning six figures successfully sued the Sherlock Holmes Museum after she was fired when she demanded a 500,000 bonus.

Honoria Cartlidge, who was on a 120,000 salary, was fired from the family-run museum on Baker Street, London after she became embroiled in a bitter money row with its female director when their long-term relationship broke down.

Ms Cartlidge's six year relationship with director Laura Von Ehrenstien had already broken down over money disputes - with the businesswoman claiming she was too 'money-orientated'.

The break-up was so bitter Ms Von Ehrenstien went to her ex-partner's flat and stole back the dog her family had given her five years before, an employment tribunal heard. Ms Cartlidge was left upset at the dog theft and a tribunal branded Ms Von Ehrenstein and the other directors 'malicious' for it.

Now, Ms Cartlidge has successfully sued the Sherlock Holmes Museum for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal. She also won claims of unlawful deduction of holiday pay.

Honoria Cartlidge, who was on a 120,000 salary, successfully sued the Sherlock Holmes Museum after she was fired when she demanded a 500,000 bonus. She was fired from the family-run museum on Baker Street, London after she became embroiled in a bitter money row with its female director when their long-term relationship broke down (stock photo)

The tribunal ruled even though she was not entitled to the 500,000 that she thought she was, the directors - including her ex-girlfriend - had acted unfairly in not bothering to hear her argument.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum, which attracts tourists from across the globe, boasts it is the 'official home' of the fictional detective.

The Georgian townhouse museum is located at 221b Baker Street - the actual address the fictional detective lived at.

It is run by directors Ms Von Ehrenstein, 35, her mother Andrea Von Ehrenstein, 57, and John Aidiniantz, 62, under parent company 221B Ltd, according to tribunal papers.

It is not the first time the museum has become caught up in legal battles - as Mr Aidiniantz is reportedly locked in a long-running High Court feud with his brother over it.

The London Central tribunal heard Ms Cartlidge began working at the museum in 2013. Her salary increased from 54,000 to 120,000 between 2016 and 2019 because the family were 'very happy' with her work

She claimed she was also paid for additional duties by the director she was in a relationship with for helping out the family. This included assisting with the renovation of their property, babysitting and childcare and dog-sitting.

But the family claimed they didn't pay her for any additional duties, and she did these as a member of the family.

Over several years, Ms Cartlidge received 145,000 from Ms Von Ehrenstien.

Ms Von Ehrenstien told the tribunal there were payments 'in the relationship' but not in a business sense. She said: 'I was helping out when she was asking me for money on several different occasions'.

In 2016, Ms Cartlidge was paid a bonus of 3,000 and she 'expressed unhappiness' at the size and claimed she had been promised 500,000.

Ms Cartlidge and her girlfriend split up in 2019, with Ms Von Ehrenstien saying it was because of the 'financial demands' of helping when she was asked for money.

Following the break-up, she continued working at the museum but things became 'strained'.

In May 2020, following a text from Ms Von Ehrenstien saying she had given her 'nearly 140,000', Ms Cartlidge replied: 'Laura, the company owes me 500,000, which is less than 10 per cent of yearly income, that I helped to achieve.'

Ms Von Ehrenstien told the tribunal: 'She [was] talking nonsense. I may not pay attention as she often asks for money. I see this and I blank it, not listen. She often asked for money because of the profit of the business - she was very money orientated.'

Now, Ms Cartlidge has successfully sued the Sherlock Holmes Museum for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal. She also won claims of unlawful deduction of holiday pay

In July 2020, because of 'tensions' the family decided to take back a dog she had been given by the family.

Her ex turned up to her flat and took it back. The dog had been in her possession for five years and the panel saw this as 'an act of maliciousness' which badly hurt Ms Cartlidge.

The family then decided to fire Ms Cartlidge over her demand that they owed her 500,000.

Employment Judge Mark Emery said she wasn't entitled to the bonus and lost her claim of unlawful deduction of wages through unpaid bonus.

The judge said: 'We accept that during 2014-16 [she] was often performing a role as a babysitter. She was seen as "part of the family".

'We concluded that the failure of [Ms Cartlidge] to record at any point prior to May 2020 that there was a verbal contract in January 2018 to pay her a bonus of 500,000 in Summer 2019 is fatal to her argument that a binding agreement was reached to pay this amount.

'We find it incredible that [Ms Cartlidge] said she considered that she did not need to acknowledge the promise.'

However, Judge Emery ruled she was unfairly dismissed as the directors didn't let her explain why she thought she was owed it.

Judge Emery said: 'She was not given an opportunity to say why she believed she had an entitlement to the bonus and why she believed the directors may be acting unlawfully.

'She genuinely believed she had this entitlement, even if the directors genuinely believed she did not. Instead, they reacted with anger, rejected her arguments as without any merit and summarily dismissed her.

'We therefore concluded that the dismissal was unfair because there was no attempt to conduct any process in circumstances where it was clearly reasonable to do so.'

Compensation for both Ms Cartlidge's winning claims will be determined at a later date.
A BMW driver who crashed into and killed a clubland figure nicknamed 'Mr Ibiza' before running to a shop to buy vodka has been found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

Daniel Masiulis, 38, from Tameside, was behind the wheel of a BMW 520d when he crashed into motorcycle rider Clive Pinnock in Gorton, Manchester.

Jurors today found Masiulis guilty of causing Mr Pinnock's death while over the drink-drive limit.

Masiulis was driving in the direction of Manchester city centre when he attempted to turn into the car park of a Tesco Extra shop during the Covid lockdown in April 2020, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Mr Pinnock was travelling in the opposite direction on a green and blue Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R bike and as Masiulis turned, Mr Pinnock hit the vehicle at 'high speed' and was thrown into the air off his bike.

Daniel Masiulis (pictured), 38, from Tameside, was behind the wheel of a BMW 520d when he crashed into bike rider Clive Pinnock

Jurors today found Masiulis guilty of causing Mr Pinnock's (pictured) death by careless driving while over the drink-drive limit, by a majority verdict of 10-2

He suffered traumatic brain injuries and a broken neck and pelvis and was pronounced dead later that evening.

Masiulis initially got out of his car and went to Mr Pinnock, however CCTV then showed him jogging away from the scene, with other bystanders going to Mr Pinnock's side.

Masiulis then went to a nearby shop and bought some vodka and Coca Cola before ringing police from Compstall Grove, the court heard.

He had 129mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, the legal limit being 80, a blood test revealed.

However, Masiulis claimed he drank 31cl of vodka after the collision and before the test, the court was told.

Prosecutors said that while it was not disputed that the speed of the motorbike contributed to the collision, a driver driving in a 'careful and competent manner' would have seen the other vehicle in time and 'avoided a collision'.

Masiulis denied drinking more than two bottles of beer prior to the collision but said he drank after, which placed him over the drink drive limit.

Pictured: The Tesco in Gorton, Manchester, where Mr Pinnock was killed by Daniel Masiulis in April 2020

Prosecuting, David Lees told the jury Masiulis drank as he 'knew' he was already over the limit at the time of the crash and wanted to give 'excuses' as to why he was.

When Masiulis's car was searched, two empty bottles of vodka were found, the court heard.

Masiulis did not go through a red light and was not speeding at the time of the collision, the court heard. However, Mr Lees said he 'should have had a heightened sense of awareness' when making the turn into the Tesco.

'There is no evidence that he saw Clive Pinnock before the collision occurred,' Mr Lees added. 'If he was paying proper attention he would have seen Clive Pinnock, there was no other traffic.'

Masiulis, of Baguley Street, Droylsden, denied causing death by careless driving and causing death by careless driving while over the proscribed alcohol limit. He told police he ran to the shop to buy vodka because he was in 'shock', adding that he was 'scared' about what happened and had never been in an accident before

Giving evidence, Masiulis said he had not seen the motorbike when he made the turn but denied being distracted. He said the first he knew of the bike was when he heard 'revving' and the bike struck his car.

After almost 12 hours of deliberations, Judge Tom Gilbart directed jurors that he would accept a majority verdict of 10-2 this morning. Around an hour later, the jury gave its verdict.

Wearing a blue suit and tie as he sat inside the dock, Masiulis was told he would be remanded in custody prior to his sentencing on September 12. His Honour Gilbart said: 'This is overwhelmingly likely to be met by a custodial sentence. The question is the length of that sentence.'
President Joe Biden faced reporters for the first time since a federal judge picked apart a plea deal that would keep his son Hunter out of prison, turning away amid a barrage of inquiries.

The president appeared at the White House Thursday to discuss the heat emergency scorching parts of the nation, but got grilled himself amid the sudden legal turmoil for his son.

Among questions he faced was one about whether he would pardon his son, who continues to face legal jeopardy after a federal prosecutor said in court the investigation of him is 'ongoing.'

U.S. Attorney Leo Wise also said one area that wouldn't be covered by the plea deal would be Foreign Assets Registration Act charges, which could be implicated by the array of high-flying business deals that U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika caused to be read into the court record Wednesday in Wilmington.

President Joe Biden ignored questions about his son's plea deal Thursday

Nevertheless, if Hunter's legal team and prosecutors can work out a plea deal, he could find a way to put his tax issues and a gun charge behind him.

Biden also ignored a question about whether the Justice Department blew his son's plea deal, after the judge exposed different interpretations between the two legal teams about what conduct would be immunized from prosecution.

The president's son left court without speaking to the media Wednesday, and his legal team also stayed mum.

President Biden will face the media again later Thursday, when he sits down with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Earlier Thursday, there was focus not on how Biden might handle his son's legal problems in a second term, but how his rival Donald Trump might proceed if he got back in.

The plea deal that a federal judge blew up in court Wednesday contained a feature that appears designed to impose guardrails against efforts by a potential Donald Trump administration to overrun it.

Trump has spent years raging against what he calls the 'Biden crime family' and poking at Hunter in particular, and has vowed to settle scores should he regain the White House. He now periodically inveighs against former Attorney General Barr, who quit weeks before the end of Trump's term after pushing back on his claims of election fraud.

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika repeatedly torched parts of the agreement during a three-hour hearing with Hunter Biden and his lawyers in her Wilmington courtroom Tuesday. This included particular a provision she said would put her in the middle of any disputes over a 'diversion' agreement that lets Hunter avoid prosecution on a gun charge.

She was particularly incensed that she would be involved down the road, but Hunter's and government lawyers told her she had no role in approving the terms his plea deal for tax crimes he would plead guilty to.

Among the provisions she railed against was a paragraph on any potential breach of the deal to defer prosecution on a gun charge  and who would decide if Hunter was found to have violated it.

Normally, prosecutors would make the determination. But under the language pushed by Hunter's team, if the government believes there is a 'knowing material breach' of the agreement, it would seek a determination by the U.S. District Judge in Delaware  Noreika.

Biden ignored yet another Hunter question during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Hunter Biden's plea deal came under withering criticism from a federal judge, who resisted being put in the middle as an arbiter of whether he is found in breach of an agreement

They would seek a determination based on a 'preponderance of the evidence,' and if they get one could prosecute for perjury, obstruction of justice, or other criminal violations.

The judge called the deal 'not standard' and said it might be unconstitutional by giving her a role normally fulfilled by prosecutors themselves, who are part of the executive branch.

The judge had federal prosecutor Leo Wise read from the agreement in open court, and Politico obtained the entire document.

'I don't want to violate the separation of powers or do anything (un)constitutional,' the judge said. She also said she had never seen a diversion agreement 'so broad' that it encompasses crimes in another case.

Former President Donald Trump has railed against the Biden 'crime family,' clashed with his attorneys general, and has attacked special counsels Robert Mueller and Jack Smith

Biden lawyer Chris Clark negotiated an agreement with prosecutors that injects a judge into the mix on deciding whether there has been a breach. It could insulate his client in the event Trump tries to order prosecutors to go after Hunter

'I thought that Hunter Bidens attorneys made it quite clear why they wanted the judge involved, which is to have this neutral party in the event that the dept of justice is under a different administration,' former Southern District of New York Prosecutor Jessica Roth told CNN.

Another former prosecutor, Joyce Vance of the Northern District of Alabama, wrote on substack that Hunter Biden had become Trump's 'favorite whipping boy' and 'faces ongoing risks of further prosecutions if Trump returns to office,' and argued that the idea to install a more neutral arbiter has merit.

'Trump is focused on revenge and retribution, and Hunter Biden seems to be at the center of his focus ...Given Trump's public pronouncements about the 'Biden crime family,' there are good reasons for concern if you're Hunter Biden or his lawyers. So inserting a provision requiring sign off from the court as a guarantee against vindictive future prosecutions, makes sense.'

The judge is a Trump appointee, but was recommended by two Democratic senators. She received praise Tuesday from former Robert Mueller top prosecutor Andrew Weissmann for her conduct in the courtroom, who called her work 'exceptional.'
After leaving Martha's Vineyard following the death of the family chef Tafari Campbell, Malia Obama is now back in Los Angeles.

The 25-year-old was spotted grocery shopping and paying for parking on Wednesday, a day after jetting out of Massachusetts on a commercial flight with younger sister Sasha.

Campbell, 45, died on Sunday after falling into the water on Great Edgartown Pond. Much of his death remains unexplained.

Malia Obama shops at Whole Foods on Wednesday July 26 after returning to L.A. following the death of the family chef Tafari Campbell

Malia, 25, returned to Los Angeles yesterday with her younger sister

The Obamas described Tafari as a 'beloved part of the family'. He had worked with them for 14 years

Tafari Campbell, 45, died in an accident on Sunday near the Obamas' home

Police will not reveal who he was paddle boarding with at the time, or who called 911 at 7.46pm.

They also are yet to reveal the exact cause of death but said yesterday that his death was 'not suspicious'.

The results of his toxicology report are yet to be returned and could take several weeks.

Many have asked how Campbell, a seemingly competent swimmer, could not make his way back onto his board after falling into the water.

Malia stocks up on eggs at a Los Angeles Whole Foods after leaving Martha's Vineyard

Malia, who works in film and television, lives in Los Angeles with her younger sister. She was not present for yesterday's outing

The 28-year-old hit the parking meter before entering the grocery store

Malia making her way back to her car. She is yet to comment on Tafari's death, but her parents issued a family statement earlier this week

He had no external trauma injuries that would suggest a hit to the head or any kind of concussion.

At the time of his death, Barack and Michelle Obama were not at the family property.

It's unclear whether Malia and her sister were there.

Campbell was described by friends and former colleagues as being 'fiercely loyal'.

He worked for the Obamas for 14 years - first in the White House and then privately - and also worked in the White House during the Bush administration.

He is survived by a wife and twin sons. Earlier this week, his wife said she would be 'heartbroken forever.'

Police logs reveal Campbell was paddle boarding without a life jacket and was dressed in all black.
Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley wrote about his sick plans in a handwritten journal, detailing his plot to target 'pretty' girls and make himself famous, according to evidence presented in court.

Crumbley, now 17, killed four fellow students at Oxford High School in 2021 after penning the chilling diary entries, including a drawing of a girl with a gun to her head captioned: 'The first victim has to be a pretty girl with a future so she can suffer just like me.'

'I want America to hear what I did,' Crumbley wrote. 'I will cause the largest school shooting in the state. I wish to hear the screams of the children as I shoot them.'

The diary was revealed at a Thursday court hearing, following which Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe is set to determine whether the killer gets life in prison - or a shorter term with an opportunity for parole.

During the hearing, a five-minute surveillance video showing the horrific shooting was played in court as tearful family members of the victims watched, but the video was not broadcast or photographed by the press on the judge's orders.

Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley wrote about his sick plans in a handwritten journal, according to evidence presented in court on Thursday

Crumbley, 17, killed four fellow students at Oxford High School in 2021 after penning the chilling diary entries, including a drawing of a girl with a gun to her head

In October, Crumbley withdrew his insanity defense and pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder and terrorism.

Known as a 'Miller hearing,' the court procedure on Wednesday was held pursuant to a Supreme Court ruling that automatic life sentences for juvenile offenders are unconstitutional, requiring a trial judge to rule on the issue. Crumley was 15 when he committed the massacre.

The lead investigator, Lt. Timothy Willis, was the first witness, saying the 22-page journal was found in a bathroom stall, apparently left behind by Crumbley before he emerged in an Oxford High School hallway and began shooting.

Willis said Crumbley searched the internet for information about police emergency response times, prison sentences for teenagers and whether Michigan has the death penalty.

Crumbley admitted to carrying out the shooting. But because he was 15 at the time, he cant automatically be given a life sentence.

A no-parole sentence is rare for Michigan teens convicted of first-degree murder since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 said minors must be viewed differently than adults.

Life in prison 'will only be imposed on a juvenile whos believed to be incorrigible, unredeemable and with no reasonable expectation of rehabilitation,' said Margaret Raben, former president of a statewide association of defense attorneys.

Judge Rowe has set aside at least two days for the hearing but isn't expected to make an immediate decision.

Family members react during the court hearing on Thursday in Pontiac, Michigan, as they view video of the Oxford High School shooting where Crumbley killed four students

An evidence photo shows a trajectory analysis of a bullet hole left behind in the shooting

Another bullet hole is marked by forensic technicians following the 2021 shooting

A 22-page journal (above) was found in a bathroom stall, apparently left behind by Crumbley before he emerged in a hallway at Oxford High School and began shooting

One journal entry describes the '9mm ready' and a plan to shoot a 'pretty' girl in the head

Another entry describes graphic plans to kidnap, rape and murder a female classmate

In the days before the massacre, Crumbley searched for information related to prison sentences on school computers

On the day of the shooting, Crumbley and his parents had met with school staff after a teacher was troubled by drawings in this worksheet that included a bloody body and a gun pointing at the words, 'The thoughts won't stop. Help me'

Police say Crumbley's first victim was freshman Phoebe Arthur (pictured), who was shot in the face but miraculously survived. A total of 13 people were shot, four of whom died

Crumbley's lawyers will argue he should be released at some point, claiming that the violence was the catastrophic climax of the teen's untreated mental illness and 'abhorrent family life.'

In her opening remarks, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said Crumbley was an 'offender like no other,' meticulously planning the attack and willing to peacefully surrender to spend his life behind bars.

'We must tell the truth. Our witnesses must tell the truth, and we will tell all of it,' McDonald told the judge in support of a life sentence.

Relatives of the victims quietly wept as video of the shooting, recorded on school security cameras, was played in court.

The video showed Crumbley, wearing a mask and winter cap, firing at students and eventually dropping to his knees with his arms raised as police encountered him.

Crumbley, now 17, could also be given a minimum sentence somewhere from 25 years to 40 years.

He would then be eligible for parole, though the parole board has much discretion to keep a prisoner in custody.

Oakland County Sheriff's Lt. Tim Willis holds the gun Ethan Crumbley used to kill four students and injured six others and a teacher in November 2021 at Oxford High School

Crumbley is shown at a shooting range in a video displayed in court Thursday. Video of the school shooting itself was not broadcast by the media by order of the judge

Oakland County judge Kwame Rowe will decide whether Ethan Crumbley should be sentenced to prison without the chance of parole

Crumbley's parents, James Robert Crumbley and Jennifer Lynn Crumbley, were also charged, and banned from attending their son's hearing

On the day of the shooting, Crumbley and his parents had met with school staff after a teacher was troubled by drawings that included a bloody body and a gun pointing at the words, 'The thoughts won't stop. Help me.'

School officials said Crumbley talked his way out of trouble by claiming the drawings were part of plans to create a video game.

After the meeting, Crumbley was allowed to stay in school, about 40 miles north of Detroit, though his backpack was not checked for weapons.

He later emerged from a bathroom with a pistol and began firing on fellow students.

Police say Crumbley's first victim was freshman Phoebe Arthur, who was shot in the face but miraculously survived. A total of 13 people were shot, four of whom died.

Prosecutors insisted Crumbleys decisions cant be mitigated by his young age or immaturity.

Crumbley 'took extensive time to research, plan and prepare for the school shooting, and he expressly considered the results, risks and consequences of his actions - specifically contemplating that he would spend the rest of his life in prison,' assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in a court filing.

Madisyn Baldwin, 17, (left) and Hana St Juliana, 14, (right) died in the 2021 shooting rampage at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit

Justin Shilling, 17, (left) and Tate Myre (right) were also killed in the senseless shooting

Crumbleys parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are separately charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting.

They're accused of buying a gun for their son and ignoring his mental health needs.

They had sought to attend their son's hearing, but were barred from attending in a one-word ruling from Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews, who wrote simply: Denied.

Crumbley's lawyers plan to offer testimony from an expert in child brain development and another who has spent time with the teen and performed psychological tests.

Crumbley is 'not one of those rare individuals who is irreparably corrupt and cant be rehabilitated,' attorney Paulette Michel Loftin said in her opening statement.

Roughly 300 people who were serving mandatory life sentences have returned to Michigan's local courts and received shorter sentences as a result of the Supreme Court's groundbreaking decisions about how to assess US teens convicted of murder, according to the State Appellate Defender Office.
A six-year-old boy is battling cancer after a bungling doctor dismissed his symptoms as an ear infection, his mother has revealed.

Sebastian Nunney's mother Lindsay was initially told that her son had probably developed an ear infection while at a GP appointment during the Covid pandemic in 2020.

But, months later the young boy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that mostly affects babies and children.

Sebastian's family has recently launched an appeal to raise 200,000 to send him abroad for potentially life-saving therapy.

Following a complaint by the family and an investigation by the General Medical Council, the doctor in question has since been ordered to undergo further training.

Pictured: Sebastian Nunney in July 2020, after being diagnosed with a rare cancer neuroblastoma

Sebastian with his mum Lindsay and dad Gregg. The family has launched an appeal to raise 20,000 to send him abroad for potentially life-saving therapy

Lindsay, 41, who fell pregnant with Sebastian after undergoing IVF, said: 'I was with Sebastian, he was clearly in pain and didn't want to be examined. It was at the peak of Covid so the GP had full PPE on and I got the impression she wanted us out of there as quickly as possible.

'At the time, doctors did not want to do face-to-face consultations but we really pushed for it because Sebastian had lost a lot of weight. I even showed her photographs of Sebastian just a few weeks earlier to try and show her how much weight he had lost.

'The doctor actually said it could be an ear infection because there was some inflammation in the ear.

'She read in the notes there had been a referral to see a paediatrician because Sebastian could be on the [autism] spectrum and she said "oh yes I see there might be some behavioural problems".'

Weeks later in July 2020 his parents took him to hospital after he became increasingly weak and tests showed his oxygen levels were dangerously low.

He had an X-ray which showed a large mass in his chest and further tests revealed he had the rare cancer neuroblastoma.

Sebastian was rushed to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham and placed on a ventilator and underwent a tracheostomy so a tube could be inserted into his windpipe.

Sebastian has neuroblastoma which is a rare cancer that mostly affects babies and children

The six-year-old has received treatment at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham

Sebastian's mother said his weight had plummeted and he complained of an 'ear infection'

Father, Gregg, 43, said: 'At the very beginning he was very sick.

'One Friday we were told by the nurses that we were allowed to be together at his bedside - even though Covid restrictions said we couldn't - "to make things more manageable", but we were told afterwards it's because they didn't expect him to make it through the weekend.'

They took turns on the bedside vigil where a heavily sedated Sebastian was started on a gruelling 80-day chemotherapy programme.

Gregg said: 'He looked like Doctor Octopus with all these tubes and wires. Nobody thought he was coming out of PICU.

'They took us to the room of doom again and said, "he's never coming out". We were just numb at that moment.'

Despite the odds being stacked against Sebastian, the brave youngster battled back and his tumour shrunk so much that doctors hailed it a 'miracle'.

But earlier this year, doctors discovered a cancerous growth in his leg and blood tests revealed the disease may have returned.

Mother Lindsay (pictured) was initially told her son, who was three years old at the time, had probably developed an ear infection, whilst at a GP appointment in 2020

In July 2020 Sebastian's parents took him to hospital after he became increasingly weak and tests showed his oxygen levels were dangerously low

Sebastian's dad Gregg compared his son to Doctor Octopus due to the tubes and wires attached to him

Gregg said: 'At the end of May Sebastian was still suffering - he was sore and tired - very upset and falling asleep at school, refusing to eat.

'It felt very much like his symptoms when he was first diagnosed.

'We were reassured that this was just his response to the radiotherapy, that he was just fed up after three years of treatment, and to just let him rest.

'He was in so much pain he just wanted to sleep and cry all the time.

'An MRI scan on June 20 showed abnormal tumours in his pelvis, the base of his skull and the soft tissue around his eyes.

'At the point we got the results, we were basically told that there isn't much hope now and we will try and find something to manage his pain.

'Our consultant said we're running out of options in terms of quality of life over treatment.'

The family, from Kettering, Northants, has launched an appeal to raise 200,000 to send Sebastian abroad for potentially life-saving therapy

In July 2020, Sebastian had an X-ray which showed a large mass in his chest and further tests revealed he had the rare cancer neuroblastoma

While undergoing treatment on the NHS, the family, from Kettering, Northants, have launched an appeal to raise 200,000 to send Sebastian abroad for potentially life-saving therapy.

One of the therapies the couple are looking into is CAR-T cell therapy which is available in Italy and America.

It works by collecting a patient's white blood cells, editing them in a lab to seek and destroy tumour cells, then injecting them back into the body.

To donate to Sebastian's GoFundMe click here.
Health officials in Hawaii are training therapists to keep parents in the dark about their child's sexual identity and to not document their conversations, according to a presentation by the state's Health Department.

Staff and graduates at the University of Hawaii Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy were told in a health department presentation that when working with LGBT youth, they need to 'be careful about what you document  parents may be able to access the information.'

Kimberly Allen, chair of the Hawaii Department of Healths Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division's Safe Spaces Committee, and Robin Lee, a member of the committee, were conducting the presentation, which occurred on May 5.

In a slideshow, seen by Fox News, the officials insinuated the therapists' conversations with LGBT youths ought to be kept off the record - and that parents shouldn't be told.

Kimberly Allen, chair of the Hawaii Department of Healths Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division's Safe Spaces Committee, insinuated that the therapists' conversations with LGBT youths ought to be kept off the record - and that parents shouldn't be told

Robin Lee, a member of the committee, was giving the presentation on May 5

The department agued the guidance is because 'Hawaiis age of consent for mental health services law for youth 14 and older' and that 'it should ALWAYS be the LGBTQ+ persons decision to whom and when they disclose their orientation or identity.'

The presentation, which was named 'affirming practice with LGBT youth,' said: 'Being LGBTQ+ is not a safety risk, but being out could be.'

In a statement, Kimberly Allen told Fox News Digital: 'When we say, "Be careful about what you document," we convey that clinicians, when deciding what words to use in documentation, should carefully consider the youth's individual situation and any harm that may arise from writing about a youth's identity in the medical record.'

'If a youth is not 'Out' to their parents but discloses their identity to their therapist, the therapist could inadvertently inform the parents if they document this information in the medical record and if the parent requests a copy of that record.'

Staff and graduates at the University of Hawaii Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy were told in a presentation that when working with LGBT youth, they need to 'be careful about what you document  parents may be able to access the information'

Last year, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed three bills into law that protected the fundamental rights of LGBT Hawaiians - including allowing 'gender-affirming' health care.

In June - on the other side of the country - parents were left furious after schools in New York were told to keep their children's gender identities secret from their families under the new guidance.

The New York State Education Department released 42 pages of new guidance last week, which told schools to 'keep information' about a child's gender identity 'from families if they deem it necessary'.

The report also called for schools to end the practice of separating boys and girls during physical education as it 'marginalizes' transgender and 'gender expansive' students and marks them as 'others'.

The guidance has been slammed as 'unacceptable', with Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik saying in New York, parents' rights are 'directly under attack'.

Pictured: Hawaii's State Department of Health

The report, titled 'Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students,' stated schools should keep children's gender identities secret if they deem it necessary.

'School personnel's acceptance of a student's asserted gender identity should require no more than a statement from a student expressing their preference,' the guidance states.

'Schools do not need to require permission, letters from professionals, or other proof of gender identity.'

The education department's guidance said the student 'is in charge of their gender transition and the school's role is to provide support'.

The guidance prompted furious backlash from groups and parents alike.

Stefanik, the representative for New York's 21st District, said: 'In New York, parents' rights are directly under attack. This is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.'

Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal organization protecting free speech and parental rights, tweeted: 'NY State Education department says school officials should hide gender transitions from parents.

'They're out of bounds. Parents have the right to know is happening to their child.'

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Poor choices like this will get you in court... parents are legal guardians of these children. Not the school or a bunch of crazy teachers. Parents need to stand up for their children now.'

'Parents be aware that they are teaching your children to lie to your parents,' added another user.

Under the new guidance, the New York State Education Department states that 'only the student knows whether it is safe to share their identity with a caregiver'.
Police in Alabama are seeking two charges against Carlee Russell after she 'faked her own kidnapping.'

Jefferson County Chief Assistant District Attorney Lane Tolbert is looking to charge Russell, 26, with false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident.

Both are class A misdemeanors in Alabama, which are punishable by up to one year in prison, with Tolbert adding they 'advise what we think the charges should be.'

If any charges are to be brought against Russell, they will be filed by the Circuit Clerk of Jefferson County, Bessemer Division's office.

Russell returned to her parents' home on July 15 after vanishing for two days, with Hoover Police Department confirming her disappearance was a 'hoax.'

Russell vanished from a highway and sparked a nationwide manhunt for her, that ended days later when she returned alone to her home

She admitted, through her attorney, there was no kidnapping, saying it was a 'single act' committed by Russell.

Her lawyer, Emory Anthony, said: 'My client has given me permission to make the following statement on her behalf.

'There was no kidnapping on Thursday, July 13th 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.

'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, Carly again, asks for your forgiveness and prayers.'

Nursing student Russell captured headlines after she went missing while on a 911 call on July 13, during which she reported finding a toddler by the side of the road.

She initially told cops that a man with 'orange hair' abducted her and claimed that she had managed to 'escape'.

Russell admitted through her attorney that there was no kidnapping, saying that it was a 'single act' committed by Russell

On July 17, the day after she turned up back at her parents' house, they recalled how they found Russell in a 'bad state'. Pictured: Talitha Russell and her husband Carlos

Russell refused to answer puzzled cops' questions before sensationally admitting she made up the whole elaborate tale.

Her hoax included claiming she was put in the trailer of an 18-wheeler, and there was a female whose voice she heard but who she didn't see.

She also told authorities the pair made her strip and photographed her body, but said they did not physically or sexually abuse her.

There was no indication of a motive for staging her disappearance or any information on where she was during the time that she vanished. Police did say she was in the Hoover area.

Russell stopped cooperating with police after returning home, after spinning them her initial elaborate tale.

Last week, Hoover police chief Nick Derzis said they had been unable to confirm Russell's story and wanted to speak to her to clarify details, which she refused to do.

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 as events unfolded, he erased all trace of her on social media.

Russell returned to her parents' home on July 15 after vanishing for two days, with Hoover Police Department confirming that her disappearance was a 'hoax'

Russell, 26, 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

Police in Hoover, Alabama, said on July 19 they had not found evidence to back those claims

Simmons then said he was disgusted with Russell after finding out the truth, saying he 'd been 'blindsided' by her fantasy story about being abducted.

He said her web of lies had 'created hurt, confusion and dishonesty' and revealed the pair had split following her bombshell confession.

Meanwhile, her mother refused to comment on the latest developments, simply telling reporters 'it was not a good time'.

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.

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

Her boyfriend, Thomar Simmons, had initially been among those frantically searching for her and expressed his relief when she turned up - but as events unfolded, he erased all trace of her on social media

In a statement posted to his Instagram, Simmons, said he was 'blindsided' by the hoax

When Russell was missing, her boyfriend frantically appealed for information on social media

She then stopped to pick up food for her and her mother. Russell then 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.

Derzis said during a press conference that it seemed there was a significant degree of planning that went into Russells plot.

'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.'

Russell with 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

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said Carlee's story could not be proven

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

Derzis was unable to say how much the 49-hour search operation cost, or whether she would be forced to repay the money.

Stuart Rome, owner of The Woodhouse, said the staff felt duped by Russell, and the business was being attacked due to her story

Large numbers of volunteers, uniformed officers and K-9 teams searched for Russell for days, with helicopter support.

Russell was also fired from her job at The Woodhous Day spa in Birmingham, with her boss Stuart Rome saying her former colleagues had flipped from distraught, to angry.

'It was really devastating for them thinking a co-worker was abducted,' he said.

'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.

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 disappeared.

Russell worked at The Woodhouse, in Birmingham. She was fired as the case unfolded

After calling 911, Russell reportedly called her sister-in-law to tell her she was going to check up on the child

Russell's parents say she 'banged on the door' on Saturday at 10.45pm and was in a 'bad state'

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.

Russell researched phrases relating to kidnapping and disappearances, including on the day she vanished.

In the days leading up to her disappearance, she researched terms like: 'Do you have to pay for an Amber Alert?'

Her car was caught on surveillance footage traveling along the highway while on the phone to a relative.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace told a racy story Wednesday about prioritizing a prayer breakfast over a morning romp with her fiance.

The 45-year-old South Carolina congresswoman said she had woken up at 7 a.m. and only had 45 minutes to get ready for the annual event, which brought together South Carolina lawmakers and took place on Capitol Hill.

It's hosted by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who's also running for president.

'Patrick, my fiance, tried to pull me by my waist over this morning in bed,' Mace told the crowd. 'And I was like, "No, baby we don't got time for that this morning, I've got to get to the prayer breakfast, and I've gotta be on time,"' she recalled.

Receiving some chuckles from the audience, she noted she was being a 'little TMI.'

'He can wait!' she said laughing. 'I'll see him later tonight.'

'Patrick, my fiance, tried to pull me by my waist over this morning in bed,' Rep. Nancy Mace told a prayer breakfast crowd Wednesday. 'And I was like, "No, baby we don't got time for that this morning, I've got to get to the prayer breakfast, and I've gotta be on time."'

Rep. Nancy Mace (right) reacts to a surprise proposal from her now fiance Patrick Bryant (left) in May 2022. He surprised her by having her go door-knocking with a film crew to shoot some background imagery for her campaign. Instead it was a set-up to propose

'I was here early today for you Tim,' she told Scott. 'And I think everybody was here early for you today.'

When a clip of her story started getting attention online, Mace defended the anecdote, calling it a joke.

'I go to church because I'm a sinner not a saint!' the congresswoman said.

'Glad those in attendance, including Sen. Tim Scott and my pastor, took this joke in stride,' she continued. 'Pastor Greg and I will have extra to talk about on Sunday.'

Mace's comments aroused some eyebrows, as she was publicly admitting to having sex before marriage, generally a no-no in Christian churches.

Mace is twice-divorced and has two children with her second husband.

She plans to wed fiance Patrick Bryant, who has been described as a Charleston software entrepreneur.

Rep. Nancy Mace (left) poses with her fiance Patrick Bryand (right) at a gala. The couple had been dating for several years before he popped the question last May while she was going through a tough primary campaign

Bryant surprised the congresswoman in May 2022, by tricking her into thinking she was doing door-knocking for her Congressional campaign and filming it to be used in a future political advertisement.

Instead she opened a door and Bryant appeared.

'I literally thought I was shooting b-roll, and I'm not!' Mace said, according to The State.

She told Bryant yes.

Her good fortune continued through 2022.

In June, she survived a tough primary after getting on the bad side of former President Donald Trump.

Mace had voted to certify the 2020 election and criticized Trump in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol attack, however she did not vote to impeach the ex-president over his role in the 'insurrection.'

She beat the Trump-backed challenger Katie Arrington by around 8 points.

Mace went on to win the general election in November against Democrat Annie Andrews by 14 points, in a district Mace had won against a Democrat in 2020.
The mounting evidence that Joe Biden was involved in his son Hunter's overseas business deals is so compelling even The New York Times is questioning the president's constant denials.

The Gray Lady's White House Correspondent Peter Baker said Wednesday night the administration's argument that Biden had nothing to do with his son's foreign dealings is becoming 'harder to make.'

He said Biden could previously frame the scandals as his son overcoming addiction - like he did during the 2020 campaign.

But he insisted that's now changed - and the White House can no longer use the 'wayward son' defense with more allegations coming out, and with his son facing further charges after the sensational unraveling of his plea agreement.

It comes just days before Hunter's former business partner Devon Archer is set to testify in Congress that Joe was on speakerphone when his son was conducting business.

Baker's comments to MSNBC came hours after Hunter Biden's 'sweetheart' agreement dramatically fell apart, leaving him open to charges over the millions in income he received doing business with China and Ukraine.

New York Times White House Correspondent Peter Baker said Wednesday night the administration's argument that Biden had nothing to do with his son's foreign dealings is becoming 'harder to make.'

It is also a sign that the tide is turning with the networks and publications that mostly fawn over Biden in their coverage.

Once the First Son found out the deal did not promise blanket immunity for his other foreign business dealings, he reversed course, pleaded 'not guilty,' and left the courtroom without a deal on the table.

Joe Biden and his team have maintained that he was not aware and, more importantly, not involved in his son's lucrative foreign business  and his communications team has repeatedly brushed off questions regarding whether the President's influence helped enrich his family.

They have also subtly changed their story. First, Biden and aides said he never spoke to Hunter about the foreign deals.

Then, they said he was never 'in business' with his troubled son.

Baker suggested that Biden's remarks about his son are now so far-fetched that they remind him of lies former president Donald Trump has spouted.

And Trump's comments, Baker pointed out, have made it so many wouldn't want to see him in the White House again in 2024.

During the 2020 general debate with Biden, Trump accused Hunter of 'making a fortune' in Ukraine and China.

'That is simply not true,' the Democratic candidate shot back at the time. 'My son, like a lot of people you know at home, had a drug problem. He's overtaken it. He's fixed it. He's worked on it. And I'm proud of him. I'm proud of my son.'

However, developments in the multiple cases against Hunter reveal that he made at least tens of millions from foreign business deals with multiple countries.

He received wire transfers from at least China, Ukraine and Romania.

Baker's comments to MSNBC came hours after Hunter Biden's 'sweetheart' plea deal dramatically fell apart, leaving him open to charges over the millions he received from China and Ukraine

Biden has maintained he was never involved in his son's business deals. The pair are pictured together last month

Baker said when Biden was a candidate, he could 'frame it successfully in 2020' as a success story of his adult son overcoming drug addiction.

'I think now of course it's been a few years since then, more information has come out, more allegations have been made,' he said in the MSNBC interview on Wednesday. 'Many of which of course have not yet been proven or confirmed.'

The New York Time correspondent added: 'I think that narrative is a little harder to make right now, and so for President Biden, it's not just about a wayward son, but about whether or not he himself had something to do with his wayward son's business dealings, and that's still an open question.'

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has repeatedly claimed that he has evidence of Biden's involvement in his son's business dealings.

The White House has also remained silent on Hunter Biden since it was revealed last month that he reached a 'sweetheart' deal with federal prosecutors.

But the agreement that spectacularly unraveled on Wednesday now puts the president in the library.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave a flat-out 'no' when asked if President Joe Biden would pardon his son Hunter for any of his crimes.

She gave the direct answer less than 24 hours after Hunter pleaded not guilty to tax and gun charges when his plea deal was torn up.

Jean-Pierre's blunt response also means that Biden would not rescue his son if he is charged over his lucrative business deals with Ukraine and China.

Her answer was noteworthy because it could tie Biden's hands should he wish to intervene in the legal process that has snarled his son for five years.

He has made a repeated point of saying Biden respects the Justice Department's independence and follows the rule of law.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden would not pardon his son Hunter. She fielded a series of questions about Hunter the day after his appearance in a Wilmington courtroom

In court Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Leo Wise said under questioning that the Hunter Biden investigation is 'ongoing' and provided cryptic answers about what charges he could potentially face. He said in open court that among the charges that the plea agreement would not cover are matters relating to the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Jean-Pierre's response came after Biden himself ignored a shouted question about his pardon power, which under the Constitution is subject to few constraints.

She was far less forthcoming on other matters, including to a pair of DailyMail.com questions about the substance of the tax matters that landed Hunter in court, and whether the president was concerned that the deal fashioned by the DOJ couldn't make it past a judge.

'I've answered this question,' when asked about the the information that states he failed to pay up to $1.5 million in taxes that he has since reimbursed with a loan from a 'third party'  a wealthy friend.

'We're not going to comment on this. This is this is an independent investigation that is being led by a Trump appointee prosecutor that is being led by clearly the Department of Justice,' she said.

'Im really not gonna say anything more than what I shared yesterday,' she said in response to yet another Hunter Biden question at her White House briefing, where the topic came up repeatedly. 'This is a personal matter for Hunter Biden, this is a personal issue.'

President Biden faced reporters for the first time since a federal judge picked apart a plea deal that would keep his son Hunter out of prison, turning away amid a barrage of inquiries.

The president appeared at the White House Thursday to discuss the heat emergency scorching parts of the nation, but got grilled himself amid the sudden legal turmoil for his son.

Among questions he faced was one about whether he would pardon his son, who continues to face legal jeopardy after a federal prosecutor said in court the investigation of him is 'ongoing.'

U.S. Attorney Leo Wise also said one area that wouldn't be covered by the plea deal would be Foreign Assets Registration Act charges, which could be implicated by the array of high-flying business deals that U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika caused to be read into the court record Wednesday in Wilmington.

President Joe Biden welcomes Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington Thursday. He faced multiple questions about his son Hunter's legal problems

Hunter Biden's plea deal came under withering criticism from a federal judge, who resisted being put in the middle as an arbiter of whether he is found in breach of an agreement

President Joe Biden ignored questions about his son's plea deal Thursday

Nevertheless, if Hunter's legal team and prosecutors can work out a plea deal, he could find a way to put his tax issues and a gun charge behind him.

Biden also ignored a question about whether the Justice Department blew his son's plea deal, after the judge exposed different interpretations between the two legal teams about what conduct would be immunized from prosecution.

The president's son left court without speaking to the media Wednesday, and his legal team also stayed mum.

President Biden will face the media again later Thursday, when he sits down with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Earlier Thursday, there was focus not on how Biden might handle his son's legal problems in a second term, but how his rival Donald Trump might proceed if he got back in.

The plea deal that a federal judge blew up in court Wednesday contained a feature that appears designed to impose guardrails against efforts by a potential Donald Trump administration to overrun it.

Trump has spent years raging against what he calls the 'Biden crime family' and poking at Hunter in particular, and has vowed to settle scores should he regain the White House. He now periodically inveighs against former Attorney General Barr, who quit weeks before the end of Trump's term after pushing back on his claims of election fraud.

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika repeatedly torched parts of the agreement during a three-hour hearing with Hunter Biden and his lawyers in her Wilmington courtroom Tuesday. This included particular a provision she said would put her in the middle of any disputes over a 'diversion' agreement that lets Hunter avoid prosecution on a gun charge.

She was particularly incensed that she would be involved down the road, but Hunter's and government lawyers told her she had no role in approving the terms his plea deal for tax crimes he would plead guilty to.

Among the provisions she railed against was a paragraph on any potential breach of the deal to defer prosecution on a gun charge  and who would decide if Hunter was found to have violated it.

Normally, prosecutors would make the determination. But under the language pushed by Hunter's team, if the government believes there is a 'knowing material breach' of the agreement, it would seek a determination by the U.S. District Judge in Delaware  Noreika.

They would seek a determination based on a 'preponderance of the evidence,' and if they get one could prosecute for perjury, obstruction of justice, or other criminal violations.

The judge called the deal 'not standard' and said it might be unconstitutional by giving her a role normally fulfilled by prosecutors themselves, who are part of the executive branch.

The judge had federal prosecutor Leo Wise read from the agreement in open court, and Politico obtained the entire document.

'I don't want to violate the separation of powers or do anything (un)constitutional,' the judge said. She also said she had never seen a diversion agreement 'so broad' that it encompasses crimes in another case.

Former President Donald Trump has railed against the Biden 'crime family,' clashed with his attorneys general, and has attacked special counsels Robert Mueller and Jack Smith

Biden lawyer Chris Clark negotiated an agreement with prosecutors that injects a judge into the mix on deciding whether there has been a breach. It could insulate his client in the event Trump tries to order prosecutors to go after Hunter

'I thought that Hunter Bidens attorneys made it quite clear why they wanted the judge involved, which is to have this neutral party in the event that the dept of justice is under a different administration,' former Southern District of New York Prosecutor Jessica Roth told CNN.

Another former prosecutor, Joyce Vance of the Northern District of Alabama, wrote on substack that Hunter Biden had become Trump's 'favorite whipping boy' and 'faces ongoing risks of further prosecutions if Trump returns to office,' and argued that the idea to install a more neutral arbiter has merit.

'Trump is focused on revenge and retribution, and Hunter Biden seems to be at the center of his focus ...Given Trump's public pronouncements about the 'Biden crime family,' there are good reasons for concern if you're Hunter Biden or his lawyers. So inserting a provision requiring sign off from the court as a guarantee against vindictive future prosecutions, makes sense.'

The judge is a Trump appointee, but was recommended by two Democratic senators. She received praise Tuesday from former Robert Mueller top prosecutor Andrew Weissmann for her conduct in the courtroom, who called her work 'exceptional.'
An American Airlines flight attendant has claimed that an unhinged driver chased her down an interstate, tried to run her off the road and threw objects at her car because of her employer.

A tearful Elizabeth Braley shared her story on TikTok as @elizabethbraley4 on Tuesday, and it has already been viewed more than 80,000 times.

The Charlotte, North Carolina, resident claims she was on her way home after an international flight when another driver cut in front of her suddenly.

'I just had to worry about my life driving home from work,' she said as she explained that a woman in a red Sedan had just tried to run her off the road at 80mph.

Braley said she repeatedly changed lanes to avoid the other driver, but the woman would follow her every time she did.

American Airlines flight attendant Elizabeth Braley has claimed that an unhinged driver chased her down an interstate and tried to run her off the road

The Charlotte, North Carolina, resident claims she was on her way home after an international flight when another driver cut in front of her suddenly

@elizabethbraley4 flight attendants should not have to worry about their life trying to just get home #flightattendant  original sound - Elizabeth Braley

'I tried slowing down, then speeding up but she's just not stopping for anything,'

The flight attendant then decided to speed up and move all the way left to try to avoid the frantic driver.

But the driver allegedly matched her speed and pulled up next to her open window.

'She looks at me, and she goes, F*** your airline! Braley shared. 'She starts throwing sh** out of her car, and its hitting the side of my car and she tries to run me off the road to the point where I had to stop.'

Braley didn't say whether she believes the angry woman had been on the flight she'd just come off, or whether it was just someone generally outraged by a past encounter with American.

The flight attendant added that while she's conscious the air travel industry -including American Airlines - have struggled with operations, flight attendants are not to blame.

'I have nothing to do with that. I just work for them, and I get frustrated, too, because we dont get paid for boarding. We dont have a contract right now,' she explained.

'We are so tired too, but like, really? I just dont get why people are so cruel sometimes.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to American Airlines for comment on this story.

Some fellow flight attendants supported Braley under her video's comments.

One wrote: 'Sugar Im so glad your [sic] ok. I m also an AA flying sister. I wish the public could understand we don't control the delays, weather, operations.'

A second added: 'I'm a fellow AA FA here hun, Im glad you are okay! People are cruel but theres always a god upstairs watching! Be strong & stay kind! Youre winning'

A third said: 'Love from UA [United Airlines]. Were standing beside you in solidarity. Something has to change.'

Braley added that while she's conscious the air travel industry including American Airlines has recently struggled with operations, flight attendants are not to blame

Braley posted a second video on TikTok thanking the public for their support

Braley posted a second video thanking the public for their support and explaining that she did not get the driver's plate or call police because she did not realize how dangerous the situation was until it was over.

She also shined a light on the air travel industry.

'When were sitting in the airport for a delay, were not getting paid. Were boarding, were not getting paid. When were in between flights, not getting paid,' she claimed.

'We only get paid when the plane doors shut and were in flight.'

Braley's video comes as Americans have been facing persistent flight cancelations and delays amid a desperate staffing crisis.

The industry is currently short about 32,000 commercial pilots, mechanics and air traffic controllers, according to analysis by CBS News.

Airlines have struggled to keep up with a post-COVID travel surge, which has caused major travel disruptions over the past two years.

And experts say the trend is likely to continue, as it takes years to train airline professionals  and because pilots must retire by law at the age of 65 and air traffic controllers at 56.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says his office is now investigating airlines for 'unrealistic scheduling,' or listing more flights than carriers can safely accommodate.
A man whose car had been stolen tracked down his vehicle to a Texas shopping center lot - before shooting dead one of the alleged thieves and wounding the other.

Gunfire erupted in the parking lot outside South Park Mall, San Antonio, just before 1pm Thursday after the man figured out where his stolen car was located.

The owner of the stolen car had ordered the driver and his female companion out of the vehicle - and sat them down by the tire at gunpoint while they waited for police.

But the stolen car victim was hit with a bullet when one of the suspected thieves, a male, took a gun out from his waistband and opened fire.

The owner then returned fire - which killed the suspected robber.

A video from the scene showed the dead man lying on the ground - with his female friend receiving help from two people at the scene. She had blood splattered all down her leg, which was attached to a boot. The two were shot during an alleged stolen car confrontation

San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said: 'Certainly a case of self-defense, is what we have'

The woman, who was the passenger in the stolen vehicle, was also shot, and is in critical condition at the hospital.

Police said that the owner of the stolen vehicle is in stable condition.

No charges have been filed yet.

The names of the people involved have not been released.

'Certainly a case of self-defense, is what we have,' San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said. 'We would prefer that they call the police before taking that into your own hands, but he did what he felt he needed to do.'

Gunfire erupted in the parking lot outside South Park Mall, San Antonio, just before 1pm Thursday after the man figured out where his stolen car was located

The owner of the stolen car had ordered the driver and his female companion out of the vehicle - and sat them down by the tire at gunpoint while they waited for police

A video from the scene showed the dead man lying on the ground - with his female friend receiving help from two people.

She had blood splattered all down her leg, which was attached to a boot.

There was a pool of blood coming from the dead man's head in the parking lot.

Texas has one of the strongest 'Stand Your Ground' laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney, the state's Governor has said.

McManus confirmed at a press conference: 'He had every right to track his vehicle down.'

But the police chief did not say if the man whose vehicle was stolen was 'in the right.'

He said that an investigation is ongoing.
Ukraine appears to have made the most significant breakthrough of its counter-offensive against Russian forces.

After two months of being held off along the frontline, Western-backed troops have finally punched through the invaders' defences.

The advance near Robotyne, in Zaporizhzhia province, suggests Ukrainian forces may be capable of making inroads deep into Russian-held territory.

The attacks, involving up to 80 tanks and armoured vehicles, destroyed Russian fortifications which had previously proved impregnable. Ukrainian commanders are understood to have used their best troops and best equipment, having previously held them in reserve.

The army recaptured the village of Staromaiorske on the southern front in a major breakthrough for President Volodymyr Zelensky - who posted a video of his forces celebrating liberating the territory.

'The 35th brigade and the 'Ariy' territorial defence unit have fulfilled their task and liberated the village of Staromaiorske. Glory to Ukraine! said a soldier in the video. Zelensky posted the video of at least eight soldiers holding the Ukrainian flag aloft with the caption: 'Our South! Our guys! Glory to Ukraine!'

Russian despot Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukrainian attacks in the south had intensified.

Ukrainian soldiers have claimed they have recaptured a village from Russian invaders in Donetsk as Kyiv ramps up its counteroffensive. Pictured: Kyiv soldiers hold Ukraine flag up after liberating village

The liberation of Staromaiorske is a major breakthrough for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured with Ukrainian service members as he visits a military hospital in the town of Ochaki)

There are three axes to Ukraine's counter-offensive  east towards the war-ravaged city of Bakhmut, south-east through Vuhledar and south towards the city of Tokmak. The advance near Robotyne is part of the southern axis

Zelensky has acknowledged progress in the counteroffensive has been slower than desired, but last night touted 'very good results' from the front, without providing details.

He said in his nightly video address on Wednesday: 'By the way, today our boys had very good results at the front. Good for them! Details will follow.'

Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Maliar also confirmed the Ukrainian army had seized the village. She wrote on Telegram: 'Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region has been liberated. Our defenders are currently carrying out clearing operations' of Russian troops.'

General Sir Richard Barrons, a former chief of the UK's joint command, compared Ukraine's advances to those the Allies achieved in Normandy after D-Day in WWII.

READ MORE: New Wagner recruits are now being told they must agree to fight inside NATO countries Poland and Lithuania when they sign up, Ukraine claims Advertisement

He said Russia's defences were 'textbook' and further gains for Kyiv would depend on how quickly Moscow could get reenforcements to the area.

'In the days after D-Day, the Germans were too slow to get their Panzers in the right places because they were too far away. If those tanks had turned up on the day, the Allies would never have got off the beach,' he told The Times.

The breakthrough was also confirmed by Western military think-tanks and pro-Russian bloggers.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US think-tank, said: 'Ukrainian forces managed to penetrate and drive through tactically challenging defensive positions.

'Reports indicate that Ukraine may be employing fresh and generally more experienced units. [They] appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions.

'These actions are likely the start of a 'main thrust' Ukrainian forces might be launching, rather than the sum of such a thrust. Gains are likely to occur over a long period of time, interspersed with lulls and grinding efforts.'

Details of the advance remained scant yesterday and it is unclear whether either side sustained heavy casualties.

It had been feared that Russian ordnance, planted in anticipation of Ukraine's advance, would prevent such progress. These minefields must be cleared by hand, often under fire, before armoured vehicles can advance.

There are three axes to Ukraine's counter-offensive  east towards the war-ravaged city of Bakhmut, south-east through Vuhledar and south towards the city of Tokmak. The advance near Robotyne is part of the southern axis.

Battles have raged in recent weeks on multiple points along the over the 600 mile front line as Ukraine wages a counteroffensive with Western-supplied weapons and Western-trained troops against Russian forces who invaded 17 months ago.

Putin praised the 'heroism' with which Russian soldiers were repelling attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region of the southeast, claiming Moscow's troops not only destroyed Ukraine's military equipment but also inflicted heavy losses to Kyiv's forces.

He insisted on state TV Ukraine's push in the area 'wasn't successful,' although it was not possible to independently verify his report. Putin was in St. Petersburg at a summit of African leaders.

Ukraine has committed thousands of troops in the region in recent days and Putin has said attacks have intensified. Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline

Putin has repeatedly claimed Ukraine has suffered heavy losses, without offering evidence. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier firing artillery at Bakhmut

Up until today's major victory, Ukrainian troops have made only incremental gains since launching a counteroffensive in early June. Putin has repeatedly claimed Ukraine has suffered heavy losses, without offering evidence.

Ukraine has committed thousands of troops in the region in recent days, according to a Western official who was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter.

The Russian army has set up vast minefields to stymie Ukrainian advances and used combat aircraft and loitering munitions to strike Ukrainian armour and artillery.

Ukrainian authorities have kept operational details of the counteroffensive under wraps, and they have released scant information about its progress.

However, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Wednesday that troops are advancing toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhizhia region.

The seizure of Melitopol near the Sea of Azov would be a major success for Ukraine, which hopes to punch through the land corridor between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. That could split Russian forces into two and cut supply lines to units farther west. Russia currently controls the whole Sea of Azov coast.

If Ukraine has taken Russian Staromaiorske, it could open the way for Kyiv forces to push southward toward the coast.

Ukrainian forces are using controversial US cluster munitions fired from 155mm heavy guns.

According to bloggers, the operation to liberate Staromaiorske began at dawn on Wednesday in a forest north-east of Robotyne. Kyiv's forces broke through the first line of Russia's defence, but they were delayed by minefields. It is anticipated that Ukraine will send reinforcements to the area to capitalise on the gains made.

The Ukrainian forces are understood to be utilising tactics learned from lengthy training exercises overseen by Nato troops, including British soldiers.

The focus of Kyiv forces north of Robotyne follows the Kremlin's dismissal of the commander of that stretch of the frontline, Major General Ivan Popov. He was removed after criticising the provision of troops and equipment.

The Ukrainian push comes in the wake of Russian military and political turmoil in June that saw warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private mercenary group, stage a short-lived rebellion that posed the gravest threat to Putin in his 23-year rule.

The mercenaries have withdrawn from the battlefield in Ukraine, where they played a pivotal role in capturing the stronghold of Bakhmut following the war's longest battle. Thousands of Wagner troops have reportedly moved to Belarus to help train its troops before moving to Africa.

Ukraine's National Resistance Centre has claimed new Wagner mercenary recruits are told they must agree to fight inside Nato countries Poland and Lithuania when they sign contracts.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky awards Ukrainian service members as he visits a military hospital in the town of Ochakiv

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Ben Abderrahman (L), during the Africa summit

Wagner's commander Prigozhin was purportedly pictured in St. Petersburg today at Russia's summit for African leaders

Ukrainian army medics treat wounded soldiers at a stabilisation point in the direction of Bakhmut

U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to Papua New Guinea that Kyiv's effort to retake land seized by Russia since its full-scale invasion in February 2022 would be tough and long, with successes and setbacks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said 'an intense battle' is taking place but declined to provide details.

'We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine,' Blinken said in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, a missile strike on Ukraine's southern Odesa region killed one civilian and further damaged its port infrastructure in the latest attack since Moscow broke off a grain export agreement, Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper said.

The attack used Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea, he said.

Ukraine's air force said it intercepted 36 Russian missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
Martha's Vineyard police left the reason for the 911 call reporting Obama private chef Tafari Campbell's drowning blank in official logs from the night of the accident, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Tafari, 45, fell into the water on Sunday night while paddle boarding on Great Edgartown Pond. He was not on the water alone, but police refuse to name the person he was with.

At 7.46pm, a 911 call was made to report that he had fallen in and could not make it back to the surface.

That call is noted in Edgartown Police Department's logs, but the reason behind it is left noticeably blank. The reason for every other call for that night is given.

The origin of the call is also listed as Wilson's Landing - a paddle board launch site, some two miles from the Obamas' house on Turkeyland Cove, where Massachusetts State Police say the first call came from.

The Edgartown Police Department logs from July 23rd, the night of the drowning, show a call at 7.46pm - the time the call was made to report Campbell's accident - but the reason was left blank. It was also described as coming from Wilson's Landing, which is 2 miles from the Obama residence

There was a swarm of activity in the vicinity of the Obama residence on the night of the accident. A neighbor recovered his paddle board some time after 7.46pm but his body wasn't retrieved by police until the following day. At 11.40pm that night, a neighbor in a nearby residence suffered a medical emergency

Edgartown police chief Bruce McNamee told DailyMail.com that the call log is generated by the Dukes County Sheriffs Office.

He could only speculate on why the reason for the call is left blank, saying it may be because the caller from Obamas property didnt dial 911, which automatically generates location data, and instead made a direct call to a business line.

He also said the address was listed as Wilsons Landing because that was the public launch used as the command post.

At the time the call came in, authorities didnt know where the drowning occurred so used the staging site for the incident location, he chief said.

The property boasts a private beach from which a paddle board can be easily launched. At the time of the drowning, Barack and Michelle were out of the house.

It's unclear if Sasha and Malia - who were also in town - were at home, or out with friends or their parents.

At 11.40pm, another 911 call was made from a neighbors' house to report an elderly woman falling down the stairs.

Chief McNamee said it was entirely unrelated to the accident on the water.

The Obamas' office did not respond to requests to clarify who was in the house when Campbell's accident occurred.

Dispatch calls between the emergency services on Martha's Vineyard confirm there was a second paddle boarder on the water with him.

They also confirm that the original 911 call to report what had happened came from a female who, by 8.18pm, was out on the water on a boat going 'back and forth' - presumably looking for him.

'We met with the reporting party, she is on a boat with two individuals and they're going back and forth as well,' said one of the rescuers at 8.23pm.

Tafari Campbell died in an as yet unexplained accident on the pond behind the Obamas' home. He had gone out paddle boarding on the calm water last night, and was seen falling off the board

That person also remains unidentified. It's unclear if they were the person Campbell was paddle boarding with.

Campbell's body was recovered on Monday at 10am - more than 12 hours after he fell into the water.

He was found 100ft from shore in around 8ft of water.

Since then, Massachusetts State Police have concluded that his death is not suspicious.

Sasha, 22, and Malia, 25, were spotted leaving Martha's Vineyard on Tuesday after the death of the family's private chef

Wilson's Landing, where the call log says the first report came from. The Obamas have their own beach at the foot of their property

He had no external trauma injuries when he was pulled from the water.

The results of the toxicology test carried out during his autopsy have not yet been returned.

The Obamas' paid tribute to Campbell as a 'beloved part of the family.'

Malia and Sasha Obama flew out of Martha's Vineyard on Tuesday. Malia was spotted back in Los Angeles today.

The Obamas are still thought to be on the island.

Campbell's wife, Sherise, issued a brief statement on Monday to say she would be heartbroken 'forever'.

He had worked for the Obamas for 14 years, first in the White House and then privately.
Families of the service men and women killed in Kabul two years ago gave the most damning verdict yet of President Joe Biden's response to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

During a congressional hearing into what went wrong, they were asked whether the Biden administration had taken ownership of the botched exit.

They shook their heads in unison.

'Neither do the American people,' said Rep. Eli Crane, a former Navy S.E.A.L, who asked the question.

It is almost two years since a suicide bomber detonated his deadly payload amid the chaos of Kabul's international airport.

President Joe Biden ordered U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The result was that the Taliban swept through the country and seized Kabul

He killed 13 Americans and at least 170 Afghans.

It brought a bloody conclusion to Biden's decision to bring home the troops remaining in the country after 20 years of conflict.

It followed weeks of turmoil as Taliban gunmen advanced on the capital Kabul while Afghanistan's armed forces, built with billions of dollars in foreign aid, melted away.

The result was that thousands of desperate Afghans besieged Hamid Karzai International Airport as they sought safe passage from the country's extremist overlords.

It marked Biden's first major test as president and his administration is accused of failing to properly plan the withdrawal or predict a Taliban takeover, despite the fact the insurgents had been gaining territory for months.

With the House now in Republican hands, lawmakers are intent on probing what went wrong.

Thursday's session of the House subcommittee on oversight and accountability began with Rep. Brian Mast, the chairman, recognizing the mother of Sgt. Nicole Gee, the mother of Cpl. Hunter Lopez, and the parents of Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, who all died in the blast at the airport's Abbey Gate in August 2021.

'Thank you for raising patriots and I'm sorry for your loss,' he said.

The Americans killed in the blast were: (left to right, starting with top row) Cpl. Daegan W. Page - Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo - Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover - Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza - Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum - Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui - Cpl. Hunter Lopez - Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz - Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss - Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez - Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak - Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola - Sgt. Nicole L. Gee

The mother of Gee (left), the parents of Sanchez (center) and the mother of Lopez (right) attended the hearing of the subcommittee on oversight and accountability

In his opening remarks he said Biden was the ultimate decision maker in the process to withdraw.

'The president's withdraw was a complete and utter catastrophe,' he said.

'The images of people hanging off of planes and desperate parents handing their babies over the airport walls to soldiers are seared into our country's collective conscience.'

Colonel (Ret.) Seth Krummrich, former chief of staff at Special Operations Command Central, and Command Sergeant Major Jacob Smith, of the 10th Mountain Division, were the session's witnesses.

But the most telling moment came when Rep. Mast addressed the families in the gallery.

The withdrawal will be remembered for the chaotic scenes of desperate Afghans trying to escape the Taliban at Hamid Karzai International Airport

Thousands of Afghans were flown to safety after the Taliban seized control of the country while U.S. forces headed for the exit, plunging Afghanistan into uncertainty

'To the families sitting behind you, that are still clearly morning, by nodding your head, yes or no,' he asked: 'Do you feel like this administration has taken ownership and accountability?'

They shook their heads.

'I didn't think so,' he said.

Rep. Mike McCaul, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said true leaders own their mistakes.

'Rather than prioritizing U.S. national security and the safety of thousands of Americans, they forced this rapid withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan on an artificial timeline,' he said.

'And the number is going to be September the 11th. What an insult to the victims of 9/11.'
Rescue teams are fighting to find a teenage swimmer who disappeared after swimming off Coney Island earlier today

A teenage swimmer remains missing and a second had to be rescued from the waters off Coney Island earlier today.

Dive teams from both the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responded to a report of people drowning on Coney Island Beach near West 22nd Street and Surf Avenue.

A source told the New York Post that a 14-year-old was pulled from the water, while a second teenager, 15, still remains missing.

DailyMail.com understands that a diver dispatched from the FDNY has now been pulled away from the operation, but others remain at the scene.

The teens, both swimming together, appeared to be drowning authorities said, but the younger teen was pulled to safety and is in stable condition.

One teenager was rescued from the water while another remains missing after struggling in the water

DailyMail.com understands that a diver dispatched from the FDNY has now been pulled away from the operation, but others remain at the scene

The teens, both swimming together, appeared to be drowning authorities said, but the younger teen was pulled to safety and is in stable condition

Dive teams from both the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responded to a report of people drowning on Coney Island Beach

A diver prepares to enter the water in Coney Island

Police and firefighters headed to the scene, with police divers jumping into the surf from NYPD helicopters.

On-duty lifeguards observed two boys in distress in the water in a no swimming area of the beach.

Eyewitnesses at the beach said the boys were playing near some rocks by the shoreline when they were swept under.

Footage shared on Citizen, shows a large crowd of people gathering on the beach, as rescue teams can be seen travelling over the sand on quadbikes.

Other teams are also stationed out in the water, as helicopters patrol the sky looking for the missing boy.

The National Weather Service had issued a rip current statement for the area, that remains in place until tonight at 9pm.

According to the service, the currents are dangerous and could be life threatening.

Police and firefighters headed to the scene, with police divers jumping into the surf from NYPD helicopters

The incident happened earlier today on Coney Island Beach in the borough of Brooklyn

A large police and fire department presence was seen at the famous promenade near where the incident unfolded

Eyewitnesses at the beach said the boys were playing near some rocks by the shoreline when they were swept under

On-duty lifeguards observed two boys in distress in the water in a no swimming area of the beach

The beach was packed as a heatwave continues to engulf the tri state area

A warning on the beach where the boys became distressed reads: 'Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore'

Their notice said: 'Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.'

An excessive heat warning is currently in effect across the city of New York until Friday night, with temperatures expected to rise to the upper 90s.

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said: 'We are expecting extreme heat to hit New York City, temperatures are predicted to reach the upper 90s with heat indexes above 105.

'It is imperative for New Yorkers to understand the potential dangers of high heat and humidity, which are among the deadliest weather emergencies we face in NYC.'

Health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said: 'It is more important than ever, with climate change clearly a public health issue, that we follow public health guidance in order to stay safe.'
Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan shared 'smoking gun' documents he says proves that Facebook took down content on social media at the direction of the Biden White House.

Jordan shared the string of documents ahead of a scheduled committee markup hearing during which Republicans were expected to take action to move forward a contempt of Congress charge against Meta, Facebook and Instagram's parent company, CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

'These documents, AND OTHERS that were just produced to the Committee, prove that the Biden Admin abused its powers to coerce Facebook into censoring Americans, preventing free and open discourse on issues of critical public importance,' Jordan tweeted Thursday.

He said that Facebook only produced the documents after the committee announced its intention to hold Zuckerberg in contempt.

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan shared 'smoking gun' documents he says proves that Facebook took down content on social media at the direction of the Biden White House

The documents 'PROVE that government pressure was directly responsible for censorship on Facebook,' the chairman continued.

Jordan said that he would suspend the markup on Zuckerberg's contempt charge based on Facebook's 'newfound commitment to fully cooperate' with the Republican investigation.

But that only stands 'for now.'

'To be clear, contempt is still on the table and WILL be used if Facebook fails to cooperate in FULL,' he threatened.

Jordan 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.

The subpoenas demanded internal communications between the company and the federal government over content moderation, deletion, or 'suppression' of content and related documents.

The thread of documents shared by the chairman began with an email from April 2021 to Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg.

It stated: 'We are facing continued pressure from external stakeholders, including the [Biden] White House' to remove posts.

An additional April 2021 email from Facebook's president for global affairs Nick Clegg to his team said that senior adviser to Biden Andy Slavitt was 'outraged . . . that [Facebook] did not remove' a particular post.'

The post had to do with the COVID-19 vaccines that the White House wanted labeled as 'misinformation' and removed off the social media platfrom.

Clegg responded to the White House saying that removing that content would 'represent a significant incursion into traditional boundaries of free expression in the US.'

According to additional emails, Facebook sought to 'repair' its relationship with the Biden administration.

'Given what is at stake here, it would also be a good idea if we could regroup and take stock of where we are in our relations with the [White House], and our internal methods too,' Clegg wrote in another email.

Another key instance stuck out to Jordan - when the social media company demoted a video post by Tucker Carlson in response to White House demands.

'Facebook was ready to tell the White House that it had demoted a video posted by Tucker Carlson by 50% in response to the White House's demands, even though the post didn't violate any policies,' he wrote on Twitter Thursday.

The chairman said Biden's surgeon general was also in on the censorship push, especially monitoring content put out by the 'disinformation dozen' that were allegedly spreading 'misinformation' about COVID.

Jordan wrote Zuckerberg last week to re-up his demands for the documents

Jordan wrote Zuckerberg last week to re-up his demands for the documents  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 Meta's introduction of a new social media platform, 'Threads,' we write to inform you that it is the Committee's view that the subpoena of February 15 covers material to date relating to Threads,' Jordan wrote.

'Since the Committee's 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 Committee's 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 Musk's 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.
Tina Fey is rumored to be making her way back to 30 Rock to take over Saturday Night Live, despite the creator insisting he has no plans to retire.

The 53-year-old former head writer of Saturday Night Live is 'being courted' to take over as executive producer when Lorne Michaels, 78, leaves, a source told The New York Post.

However, a spokesperson for SNL told DailyMail.com that there is 'no truth' to the rumor.

And Michaels has not formally announced any plans of his retirement. He previously told Gayle King on 'CBS Mornings' that he's committed to staying with the show through the 50th anniversary.

Michaels created the sketch comedy show in 1975 and the 50th season is set to start in the fall of 2024.

Tina Fey, 53, is rumored to be making her way back to 30 Rock to take over Saturday Night Live, despite the creator Lorne Michaels, 78, insisting he has no plans to retire

There has been speculation for years that Fey would eventually take over the helm of SNL

'I think I'm committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years,' Michaels told King in 2021. 'I'd like to see that through and I have a feeling that would be a really good time to leave.'

A year later, Michaels told the New York Times, 'I have no plans to retire.'

There has been speculation for years that Fey would eventually take over the helm of SNL.

The Manhattan resident left her SNL role as head writer and 'Weekend Update' co-anchor in 2006.

'I would be surprised if it wasn't her,' the source told The Post. 'Seth Meyers has his own show. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg won't come here. Judd Apatow passed [on the job] years ago. Amy Poehler has her own stuff. Bill Hader is directing a movie. Kate McKinnon is too hot.'

However, another source inside NBC told The Post that the rumor is not true.

Michaels has not formally announced any plans of his retirement. He told Gayle King on 'CBS Mornings' that he's committed to staying with the show through the 50th anniversary

Fey has been a longtime NBC alum. Her sitcom '30 Rock,' which she starred in as Liz Lemon won 16 Emmy Awards.

She has since had a slew of career successions including her Netflix series 'Kimmy Schmidt,' her screenplay for the movie 'Mean Girls,' which she then made into a Broadway musical.

Fey, who lives in Manhattan with her husband and two daughters, is currently on a comedy tour with Amy Poehler, which is set to end on January 13, 2024.
The mainstream media wall of silence protecting America's First Family has been crumbling for some time, but now its whole rotten foundation may collapse.

And when those bricks come tumbling down, Joe Biden better cover his head.

Wednesday's jaw-dropping implosion of Hunter Biden's sweetheart plea deal  delivered to him on a silver platter by his daddy's Justice Department  is too shocking for even the left-wing lapdog press to completely ignore.

When Federal Judge Maryellen Noreika blew a faint breath at the proposed agreement, it fell apart like a house of cards.

The judge simply asked government prosecutors and Hunter's lawyers if the deal would shield him from future charges that may arise from the DOJ's five-year probe, including any wrongdoing stemming from Hunter's lucrative consulting work with companies in China, Romania and Ukraine.

Hunter's attorney Chris Clark said it would. DOJ prosecutor Leo Wise said it wouldn't. And the you-know-what hit the fan.

The two legal teams got together and hammered out a compromise only for the deal to far apart again over a potentially unconstitutional provision that put the judge in charge of Hunter's probation.

That's not how these things work, she explained.

So no, this wasn't getting rubber stamped.

First of all, what the heck is the DOJ up to?

But do we really think that federal prosecutors and Hunter's high-priced legal team didn't discuss this all beforehand?

Sure, Hunter's lawyer was caught smoking a bong on the balcony of his Los Angeles home last week, but he surely must have been clear-headed during working hours.

Wednesday's jaw-dropping implosion of Hunter Biden's sweetheart plea deal  delivered to him on a silver platter by his daddy's Justice Department  is too shocking for even the left-wing lapdog press to completely ignore

The mainstream media wall of silence protecting America's First Family has been crumbling for some time, but now its whole rotten foundation may collapse. And when those bricks come tumbling down, Joe Biden better cover his head

No, I believe that Hunter, his team and the DOJ thought they were going to waltz in and out of court. They thought everyone would look the other way, because this is the President's son, and everyone knows that he gets special treatment.

Thank goodness for at least one honest woman in the federal judiciary. Judge Noreika was appointed during the Trump administration, but she was approved by Delaware's Democratic senators, so she is far from some right-wing hack.

This all only adds to suspicions that the DOJ's inexplicably long, five-year probe into Hunter that only resulted in slap-on-the-wrist charges for tax evasion and gun charges was a complete and utter sham.

That's not to mention the sworn testimony of two veteran IRS agents turned whistleblowers who say the Justice Department stymied their investigation, tipped off Hunter's team to their search warrants, and blocked prosecutors from charging Hunter for even more serious crimes.

Where there's smoke, there's fire, and this is a burning inferno.

Any journalist worth their salt should be salivating over it.

But will they suddenly lose their appetites?

You see, the Biden legal team wanted the DOJ to legally indemnify Hunter, just like he's been effectively indemnified from public criticism.

The narrative the White House has been spinning for years now is that poor, pathetic Hunter is an addict, so no one  not him and certainly not his father  bears any blame for his behavior over the last few decades or so.

It goes something like this:

Hunter has a child out of wedlock and abandons her.

How dare you talk about that?

Grandpa Joe refuses to acknowledge the little girl's existence.

Isn't it rude to discuss a private family affair?

Hunter lies on a federal firearms form.

Aren't you shaming someone with substance abuse issues?

Sure, Hunter's lawyer was caught smoking a bong on the balcony of his Los Angeles home last week, but he surely must have been clear-headed during working hours

The narrative the White House has been spinning for years now is that poor, pathetic Hunter is an addict, so no one  not him and certainly not his father  bears any blame for his behavior over the last few decades or so

Hunter fails to pay taxes on years of income, as foreigners with criminal links and ties to America's enemies pour buckets of cash into his pockets.

Can't we put that behind us?

Last month, when news of Hunter's deal with the DOJ broke, unofficial Biden campaign surrogate and co-host of The View, Ana Navarro, was practically hysterical in declaring that 'the Hunter Biden story is actually about a father's love for his son, and he will never give up on his son.'

Okay, girl. Anyone with six brain cells and intellectual honesty can see the truth.

When Hunter is insulated from criticism, so is his father.

But that narrative burst wide open in that Delaware courtroom.

The New York Times and their ilk are embarrassingly late to this story, but even they can't ignore that what happened was bad for Hunter, but immeasurably worse for Joe.

Just read what New York Times Chief White House correspondent Peter Baker said while inside the Democrat-friendly confines of an MSNBC interview.

'For President Biden it's not just about a wayward son but about whether or not he had something to do with his wayward son's business dealings and that's still an open question.'

Oh, welcome to the party, Peter. And he didn't stop there.

'President Biden's Hunter narrative is a little harder to make right now,' Baker remarked, noting that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has now stopped claiming that Joe 'never' discussed business with his son. Now, Jean-Pierre says Joe was 'never in business' with his son.

The New York Times and their ilk are embarrassingly late to this story, but even they can't ignore that what happened was bad for Hunter, but immeasurably worse for Joe. (Above) The New York Times Peter Baker on MSNBC

That may seem subtle, but it's not.

If President Biden lied about his involvement in Hunter's shady enterprises, what else is he lying about?

President Biden has said that he has not and would not interfere in the investigation of his son. Well, maybe that's worth looking into, especially after his unbelievably botched plea deal.

The accumulating evidence is impossible to ignore.

The IRS whistleblowers. Hunter's text messages to Chinese business partners demanding millions of dollars and threatening that he was 'sitting here with my father.' The White House backing off from Joe's official line that never spoke to his son about overseas business deals.

Does this mean the left will finally stop running interference for Hunter and Joe and start  gasp  reporting on it?

I won't hold my breath, but here's what I do know.

Honest Americans cannot look at this and say it's all on the up and up. It stinks to high heaven.

As Democrats often say, the walls are closing in.

Only this time, they're closing in on Joe.
This is the moment a Greek air force ammunition depot explodes as wildfires wreck havoc across the country.

Strong winds triggered a series of massive explosions at the depot in Volos, a coastal port city in the Thessaly region of Greece, on Thursday.

Video shows how horrified witnesses yelled out in panic after hearing a loud boom let out as clouds of black smoke billowed over the military facility, which had been evacuated before the explosions.

There were no injuries at the depot and by late Thursday the fire was no longer active. The Greek air force had moved F-16 fighter jets at a nearby base to another facility as a precaution, but noted the base was not under any immediate threat.

The explosions came as firefighters struggle to tame multiple blazes in the country after a wildfires have ravaged the country during three successive Mediterranean heat waves in the past two weeks.

Strong winds triggered a series of massive explosions at an air force ammunition depot in Volos, a coastal port city in the Thessaly region of Greece, on Thursday

The explosions came as firefighters struggle to tame multiple blazes in the country after a wildfires have ravaged the country during three successive Mediterranean heat waves in the past two weeks. An aircraft is pictured dropping water during a fire in Velestino on Thursday

People evacuate by boats during a wildfire at Nea Anchialos, near Volos, Greece on Thursday

The fire in the Volos area of central Greece's Magnissia region reached the ammunition storage facility about 6 kilometers (4 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 large explosions shattered windows on houses in a surrounding area, but the Greek fire service said no severe injuries were reported in nearby villages, which also were evacuated as a precaution.

Fire Service spokesman Ioannis Artopios said 12 villages were ordered evacuated in the Volos-Nea Anchialos area. He added: 'Despite their superhuman efforts, our forces were unable to stop the blaze.'

Artopios said the Volos area blaze was the most dangerous of the 124 wildfires the fire service had to deal with Thursday.

The wildfire burned on three fronts and forced a section of Greece's busiest highway to close for several hours, while national rail services passing through the area were delayed.

State ERT television showed residents and visitors in the coastal village of Anchialos, some 4 kilometers (2 1/2 miles) from the blast site, being evacuated by sea, while others were leaving in cars and buses. The coast guard said more than a hundred residents were taken in small private boats to the city of Volos.

The Nea Anchialos air base is some 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city, where loud blasts could be heard.

Water-dropping helicopters and a ground crew scrambled early Thursday to a separate wildfire in Kifissia, just north of Athens, which was quickly put out.

The large explosions shattered windows on houses in a surrounding area, but the Greek fire service said no severe injuries were reported in nearby villages, which also were evacuated as a precaution. The explosion is pictured above

There were no injuries at the depot and by late Thursday the fire was no longer active. The Greek air force had moved F-16 fighter jets at a nearby base to another facility as a precaution, but noted the base was not under any immediate threat. Clouds of smoke are seen after the explosion erupted

Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze after a wildfire broke out near Volos on Thursday

Smoke rises over a BP petrol station in Volos on Thursday after a wildfire broke out near the city, causing the industrial zone and some settlements to be evacuated

The fires left five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggered a huge weekend evacuation of tourists. People are pictured during the evacuations in Volos on Thursday

The ongoing fires have left five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggered a huge weekend evacuation of tourists on the island of Rhodes.

Greek firefighters also battled flames for a 10 successive day on Rhodes, where officials said the blazes were largely contained. Flare-ups were reported on the island of Evia.

The World Meteorological Organization, a UN body, and a European Union climate change service reported Thursday that temperatures during the first three weeks of July set a new global heat record.

As Southern Europe fights extreme heat and wildfires, parts of central Europe have been hit with winter conditions. Subfreezing temperatures, frost and snow have been reported in the Tatra Mountains, which run through Poland and Slovakia.

In Italy, firefighters battled brush fires in the southern mainland regions of Calabria and Puglia, as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, helped by temperatures dropping some 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) into the low- and mid-30s C (high 80s F).

Flames forced the evacuation of bathers on a popular stretch of the southern Adriatic coast near the town of Ugento in Puglia, Italian media said.

Since Sunday, firefighters have fought more than 3,200 wildfires in southern Italy, nearly half of them in Sicily and almost 900 of them in Puglia, Italy's national firefighters corps said on Thursday evening.

'Without doubt, we can see that all across the Mediterranean the climate crisis is here, and it's affecting us all more strongly than perhaps even scientists had warned us about,' Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday during a meeting with Greece's president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Greek and foreign firefighters have been battling the blazes for nine days as efforts to put out fires on land and in the air are ongoing. A fire that broke out in Volos is pictured on Thursday

Crews evacuate tourists and locals after a wildfire ravaged through Volos on Thursday

Due to a fire that broke out near the city of Volos, the industrial zone and some settlements were evacuated. Crews are pictured during the evacuation efforts on Thursday

A group of people and their dog are being ushered into evacuation boats on Thursday as a blaze ravaged through the city of Volos, Greece

Wildfire carbon emissions for July in Greece were the highest by a huge margin - totaling over 1 metric megatons and doubling the previous record - since record-keeping started 20 years ago, according to the EU agency that analyzes satellite data, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.

'Unfortunately, it is not all that surprising, given the extreme conditions in the region,' said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the agency. 'The observed intensity and estimated emissions show how unusual the scale of the fires has been for July relative to the last 20 years of data.'

In Athens, senior members of the armed forces paid tribute to the two pilots killed when a firefighting plane crashed this week, at a ceremony held at the Defense Ministry.

Capt. Christos Moulas and Lt. Pericles Stephanidis died during a low-altitude water drop on the island of Evia. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said they had shown 'self-denial in the line of duty.'

'Greece today is in mourning. Their memories will live on,' Dendias said.

Mitsotakis attended the funeral service for Stephanidis in northern Greece Thursday, while President Sakellaropoulou was expected at the service for Moulas on the island of Crete on Friday.
A United Airlines pilot who showed up drunk for a Paris to Washington DC flight has been slapped with a six month suspended prison sentence and a one year suspension of his pilot's license.

The 63-year-old, identified only as Henry W, turned up to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport on Sunday afternoon with blood alcohol level of 0.132%, three times over the legal limit to fly, One Mile at a Time reported.

Security personnel at the airport noticed that the man was 'showing signs of obvious drunkenness,' and 'he was staggering slightly, his eyes were glassy, and his mouth pasty,' the outlet reported.

The flight, which was due to carry 267 people to Washington Dulles Airport in Virginia, was cancelled.

The pilot was arrested and later told a Bobigny court hearing he only had two glasses of wine the night before the flight.

A United Airlines pilot who showed up drunk for a Paris to Washington DC flight has been slapped with a six month suspended prison sentence

The 63-year-old, identified only as Henry W, turned up to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport (pictured) on Sunday afternoon with blood alcohol level of 0.132%

A judge dismissed his claims and said he had been irresponsible, telling him 'there could have been a plane crash  you put 267 passengers at risk.'

The pilot must also pay a $5000 fine.

In a statement United Airlines confirmed that the pilot had been immediately removed from service, and that the company was fully cooperating with French authorities.

'The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We hold all our employees to the highest standards and have a strict no-tolerance policy for alcohol,' the statement read.

United was forced to crack down on drunkenness in 2019 after two of their pilots were arrested in Scotland before they were set to take off on a trans-Atlantic flight to Newark.

The airlines updated policy requires pilots to avoid alcohol for at least 12 hours before their flights.

The legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent, and can result in a revoked license, fines and prison sentences depending on severity.

The limit for a pilot is lower at 0.04 percent, the so-called 'bottle-to-throttle' rules set out by the Federal Aviation Administration state that pilots cannot consume alcohol within eight hours of their flight.

However, the organization states that 'eight hours from bottle to throttle does not mean you are in the best physical condition to fly, or that your blood alcohol concentration is below the legal limits.'
President Joe Biden reached out and touched Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office Thursday, buttering up his visitor with a decades old story about growing up with Italian-Americans.

'I hope you'll be nice to me,' Biden said at the top of their meeting, after mentioning Italy's role taking the helm of the G7 next year. Biden celebrated U.S.-Italy ties with the right wing leader who nevertheless joins the U.S. and European allies in opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Biden made a call to 'deepen the economic connection' between the two countries in areas such as space exploration.

He even gave her recognition of concerns about migration that the far right leader has made part of her persona. Meloni has called for a naval blockade amid a flood of African migrants seeking better prospects in southern Europe.

Biden mentioned Mediterranean nations and the 'legitimate migration challenges you have coming from Africa.'

'Be nice to me': President Joe Biden welcomed Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the White House. He told her that growing up he was embarrassed his name didn't end with an 'O' but that an Italian society gave him an award

For her part, Meloni, 46, said she was 'very pleased to be here' and cited the 'common values and cultural roots' between the two countries. 'We know who our friends are in times that are tough,' she said.

'I just want you to know, I was raised in a neighborhood where I was self-conscious my name didn't end in "O",' Biden, 80, said.

And I want you to know I'm the only non-Italian named the man of the year by the Italian Society,' he said, recounting the award. 'I deserve this award,' he said, after going through all the Italian names from his area, while his guest chuckled.

Biden praised Italy's support for Ukraine during the Oval Office meeting

Biden told stories of growing up with Italian-Americans in Scranton

Meloni looks on, as she is welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office

Biden fielded questions about his son Hunter at the end of the event

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy talked up his own Italian roots while welcoming Meloni

Meloni began her day at the Capitol, where she met with Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

'I may be Irish, but I'm not stupid. I married Dominic Giacoppa's granddaughter,' he said. 'I want you to know that, okay? Be nice to me.

The warm encounter came just months after Biden in comments at a fundraiser appeared to cite the Italian elections that brought Meloni to power as a warning sign.

He said China had been arguing that democracies cant be sustained in the 21st century,' then told his guests: 'You just saw whats happened in Italy in that election.'

Now, Italy's support for NATO's effort to arm and boost Ukraine in its war against Russia is keeping Italy within the fold.

Earlier, she met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who talked up his own Italian-American roots. His mother Roberta's maiden name is Palladino.
The missing Arizona teenager who was found alive in Montana four years after she went vanished has not yet reunited with her mother, it was revealed.

Alicia Navarro, now 18, showed up at a police station close to the Canadian border earlier this week and identified herself as the missing teen who vanished in 2019.

Navarro and her mother Jessica Nunez have only 'spoken briefly' over the phone but have not been reunited in person, private investigator Trent Steel told The New York Post.

Nunez, who has never given up her search for Navarro, posted a video on the Finding Alicia Facebook page, calling the news a miracle and said the family is thrilled to know she is safe.

Navarro, who has been described as having high-functioning autism, was just 14 when she slipped out of her Glendale home in September 2019.

Alicia Navarro, now 18, is pictured at Glendale Police Department

'I think this is a happier ending than any of us thought,' Steel told The Post. 'We're absolutely thrilled. This is a win.'

Steel added that Navarro has 'not made her intentions clear' about plans to return to Arizona.

Footage shared by Fox10 showed Navarro chatting with cops from Glendale who scheduled an emergency meeting with her after she reappeared earlier this week.

An officer asks her: 'Did anybody hurt you in any way?'

'No, nobody hurt me,' Navarro replies.

It remains unclear how Navarro, now 18, traveled more than 1,000 miles alone to a small town on the border of Canada to identify herself to police, or where she has been since vanishing.

'She is by all accounts safe. She is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy,' Officer Jose Miguel Santiago said at a news conference.

Nunez says her daughter's reappearance is proof 'miracles do exist,' as she urged family members of other missing people not to give up hope.

It remains unclear how Navarro, now 18, traveled more than 1,000 miles alone to a small town on the border of Canada to identify herself to police, or where she has been since vanishing

Navarro had not been heard from since she left her home in the early morning hours of September 15, 2019 while her parents were sleeping (pictured before she vanished)

In a Facebook video on Wednesday, Navarro said she feels relief knowing that her daughter is alive and well

Lt. Scott Waite said that Navarro had an 'emotionally overwhelming' reunion with her mother over the phone and was 'very apologetic (as) to what she has put her mother through.'

Navarro had not been heard from since she left her home in the early morning hours of September 15, 2019 while her parents were sleeping.

Her disappearance sparked a massive search that included the FBI. Police spokesman Jose Santiago said over the years, police had received thousands of tips.

After hearing the news that an 18-year-old identified herself as the missing teenager, Glendale police said they immediately responded to the unspecified small town in Montana.

Officers said they were able to verify Navarro's identity, and that she has been extremely cooperative with authorities.

'I can't even begin to express to you all the pride that I personally have in the men and women here at our police department,' Santiago said.

'Since her disappearance, our men and women here have been working tirelessly around the clock to not only bring closure to this family, but to make sure Alicia gets everything she possibly needs.'

He added that the girl 'by all accounts appears to be in good spirits' and 'really just wants to move on with her life.

'She is very apologetic to what she has put her mother through. And she understands that she has caused a lot of pain to her mother, and it was not intentional on her behalf, and she is hopeful that they can have a relationship.'

Her mother Jessica raised concerns that Navarro, who was diagnosed as high-functioning on the autism spectrum, may have been lured away by someone she met online when she disappeared in 2019.

Investigators from the police department, FBI and US Marshals Office are now trying to determine what happened to Navarro after her disappearance at the age of 14. Police said Navarro told them that she hadn't been harmed.

'I would ask patience, not only for us as law enforcement in this investigation, but patience for Alicia and her family,' Glendale Police Department Lt. Scott Waite said Wednesday.

'We can only imagine what she's going through, mentally, emotionally, as well as her family, and as much as we'd like to say this is the end, this is probably only the beginning of where this investigation will go.'

The Glendale Police Department said they were able to confirm Navarro's identity, and emphasized that she is safe

Over the years, Navarro's mom, Jessica Nunez, partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter

Police said she wasn't being held and could come and go as she pleased. She does not face any criminal charges, they added. 'She is not in any kind of trouble,' Santiago said.

Navarro went missing just one week before her 15th birthday, leaving her mother a handwritten note in her bedroom that read: 'I ran away. I will be back, I swear. I'm sorry.'

A few days prior, Arizona Republic previously reported, the girl had asked her mother, Jessica Nunez, if she could stay home from school.

Nunez agreed, figuring her daughter was nervous about starting classes at Bourgade Catholic School in Phoenix.

The mother-daughter duo then spent the next day visiting a chocolate factory, and Nunez said her daughter seemed happy.

But that night, Navarro asked her mother what time she was going to bed, and slipped out of the house when she was asleep.

Nunez suspected Alicia may have been abducted by someone she met online gaming.

'I'm more than 90 percent sure that my daughter met this person online,' she claimed at the time.

The mother said her daughter was a pretty cautious person, so it would have been unusual for her to be easily lured.

'Knowing the way my daughter's personality is, I don't think that she would have fallen for that,' Nunez said. 'This person probably took a while to be able to gain [her] trust.'

Navarro had long suspected that her daughter was abducted by someone she met online gaming, though police were never able to find any proof of that

Over the years, Nunez partnered with various private investigative services, put up billboards, appeared on television programs and used social media in her efforts to find her daughter.

Meanwhile, the Glendale Police Department followed up on thousands of leads regarding Alicia's disappearance.

It reported last year that it was getting at least one tip a week about Navarro's disappearance, but there was never any concrete evidence she was abducted.

Now, Nunez said in a Facebook video, she just feels relief.

'I, first of all, want to give glory to God for answering my prayers and for this miracle,' she said. 'For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to us this case as an example that miracles do exist and never lose hope, and always fight.'

She said she didn't yet have all the details about her daughter's disappearance, 'but the important thing is that she is alive.

'I want to thank the community and God for all that you have done,' she said.
The Tory hopeful taking on Sadiq Khan to be Mayor of London has said a government ban on new petrol cars 'is not going to happen'.

Susan Hall, who was chosen last week as Conservative candidate for London mayor, yesterday became the latest senior Tory to pile pressure on Rishi Sunak to drop the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

The Government's target is designed to speed up the switch to electric vehicles as part of efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

But Ms Hall, who will face Mr Khan in the May 2024 election, told the Spectator that the proposal was not achievable.

She said: 'I think 2030 is not going to happen. We haven't got charging points, there are so many issues. It's an admirable aim, but I don't think it will work.'

Tory hopeful Susan Hall (pictured) taking on Sadiq Khan to be Mayor of London has said a government ban on new cars 'is not going to happen'

Ms Hall will face Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (pictured) in the May 2024 election

Asked if she would be prepared to defy No 10 on the 2030 target, she added: 'Yes. I'd be speaking up for Londoners 100 per cent.

Mechanics lack spark The number of newly qualified electric car technicians is expected to drop 31 per cent compared to last year in a 'hugely damaging' blow to the Government's green plans. The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) warned the UK may be 25,000 mechanics short by 2030. It said the number of electric vehicle technicians who qualified in the first three months of this year is 10 per cent down on the same period last year, with a projected fall of 31 per cent compared to the second quarter of 2022. Steve Nash, of the IMI, said 'urgent attention is required to address the skills gap'. Advertisement

'If you are the Mayor of London, you speak for Londoners. Even if that means fighting with the Government [or] anybody else. I'd be like a mother. I will fight for my London.'

Ms Hall's comments come as the Mail calls for a rethink on the 2030 target. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove tried to shut down debate about the timetable this week, saying it was 'immovable'.

But a government source said the Prime Minister was open to reviewing the target, after warning that net zero ambitions must be pursued in a 'proportionate and pragmatic way'.

Tory peer Lord Frost said on Tuesday it was time to move away from high-cost policies designed to halt climate change and focus on cheaper measures that will reduce the impact of events such as flooding.

According to Ms Hall, voters in London had expressed discontent with Mr Khan's plans to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez).

She said: 'Out on the doorstep, I thought the questions would be all around Boris [Johnson] but it was all about the Ulez expansion.'

A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'We remain committed to phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, which will not only lower emissions, but also provides certainty to industry and puts us ahead of our European counterparts.

'We have also invested more than 2 billion to support the switch to electric vehicles, and there are now more than 44,000 public charging devices in the UK  an increase of 38 per cent over the last year.'
Prince Harry's phone-hacking claim against The Sun's publisher was thrown out yesterday after an extraordinary wrangle about a Buckingham Palace 'secret agreement'.

The Duke of Sussex had claimed that a clandestine deal between palace courtiers and newspaper executives was the reason he had not brought his case sooner.

After he launched the action against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun and News of the World, the company argued that he was too late.

By law, claimants have six years to start legal action after they find out about the alleged activity.

Harry's response was to say he would have brought the case sooner but for a 'secret agreement' at the Palace in 2012 that had stopped him.

Prince Harry arrives to give evidence at the Mirror Group Phone hacking trial on June 7, 2023

This claim to the court triggered a hearing, held earlier this month, to find out what this supposed deal was all about.

Yesterday the judge, Mr Justice Fancourt, ruled that such a deal was 'implausible'  and rejected Harry's bid to use it as the reason for his late claim.

He said the phone-hacking element of the duke's claim was therefore 'time barred' and was struck out.

But the rest of Harry's case  that he was also targeted by illegal activity such as private investigators 'blagging' information about him  will stay in the case, and a trial is scheduled for January.

Horses galloping in opposite directions

At the heart of the latest issue was Harry holding two seemingly contradictory positions.

The judge previously said he was troubled by the duke simultaneously claiming he did not have sufficient knowledge of the hacking before 2018 to bring his case, while also stating that he had been prevented from bringing a claim in 2012 by the 'secret agreement'.

In his ruling yesterday, the judge said it was 'inconsistent' to claim both these things at the same time. He added that no one is permitted to pursue 'alternative and inconsistent factual cases', and said Harry's evidence to the court was 'therefore contrary' to his own case.

The newspaper's barrister, Anthony Hudson KC, earlier described this as Harry trying to ride two horses galloping in opposite directions.

And he branded the claims of a secret agreement 'Alice in Wonderland stuff' and a 'construct' of the duke's lawyers.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, departs the Rolls Building of the High Court in London, June 7

'Surprising bad memory'

The judge said it was 'surprising' that Harry had not remembered the supposed secret deal when he was first putting together his case. He said there was 'no explanation as to how the Duke was unable to remember' the alleged agreement when preparing his witness statement in March 2021.

The duke had, the judge said, not only signed this 'statement of truth' which had failed to mention it, but had also failed to recall it again when signing off another court document in November 2021, two years after he first launched his case. He had not even mentioned it in his tell-all biography Spare.

Mr Justice Fancourt said: 'In my judgment, it is implausible that the duke did not remember before March 2023 if a secret agreement was made.'

Harry's lawyer had suggested the duke had 'refreshed his memory' after seeing emails.

Harry's evidence 'not strong'

The judge said the only evidence for the secret deal came from Harry himself and it was 'not strong evidence'.

He said: 'The duke is unable to identify between whom the secret agreement was made, or even who it was who told him about it.'

The duke's case was that he knew in 2006 that his mobile telephone had been hacked by the News of the World, and knew in about 2012 that there was further evidence to show he and William had been further hacked. But he said he discovered there was a secret deal under which the two princes would not bring legal action against the publisher until the end of hacking litigation, at which point the newspaper would pay compensation and apologise to them.

Mr Justice Fancourt said he might have expected to see some evidence from the palace courtiers who had supposedly struck this deal, or the royals' lawyer, adding: 'But there is none.'

He said: 'The duke has not provided any evidence from those in the Palace who would have been aware of a secret agreement if there was one.'

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of the Duke of Sussex (left) with his counsel David Sherborne (right) giving evidence at the Rolls Buildings as Justice Fancourt looks on

An 'inherently unlikely agreement'

The judge cast further doubt on the secret agreement by saying Harry's description of how it had supposedly operated seemed 'inherently unlikely' to him.

Mr Justice Fancourt did agree with Harry that emails between the Palace and newspaper executives did 'give some support' to the idea of hacking complaints being resolved informally.

But the judge said the terms of the supposed deal, as described by the duke, were 'surprising in themselves'.

If what Harry said was right, it would have involved him and his brother issuing claims against The Sun at a later date, which would still bring the unwelcome publicity the agreement was supposed to avoid.

In addition, it would commit the publisher to making admissions without knowing the terms of any future claims that might be brought. 'This seems inherently unlikely', said the judge.

'He could easily have found out'

Harry 'could easily have found out by making basic inquiries' that he had a worthwhile legal case to bring years ago, said the judge.

Mr Justice Fancourt said Harry knew as long ago as 2006 he had been hacked by the News of the World, and was told in 2012 he had been hacked on more than one occasion.

As well as that, two palace employees and even Harry's friends, including Guy Pelly, had been suing the newspaper group for hacking them to find out information about him. And the royals' firm of solicitors, Harbottle and Lewis, were even acting for 'a female friend' of the duke.

The judge said: 'There is no doubt that the duke actually knew in about 2012... that he had a worthwhile claim'.

Referring to Harry meeting hacking claims barrister David Sherborne at Sir Elton John's house in France, he added: 'All that the duke had to do was consult the Royal Family's solicitors at the time; or consult another solicitor, as the duke eventually did after having been introduced to Mr Sherborne at Elton John's summer party in 2019.'

Prince Harry's lawyer David Sherborne arrived at the High Court today ahead of the judgment

Evidence in Sun case 'inconsistent' with evidence in Mail case

Harry's evidence in The Sun case was 'inconsistent' with his evidence to another ongoing High Court case, against the publisher of the Mail newspapers, the judge said.

The duke has argued he was at the mercy of 'the institution' of the Royal Family which had a strategy to keep the media 'on-side' and keep him in the dark.

Mr Justice Fancourt quoted from a witness statement the duke made in the Mail case in which Harry said he had realised only in 2018 he could bring a legal claim and had added: 'The institution made it clear that we did not need to know anything about phone hacking and it was made clear to me that the Royal Family did not sit in the witness box because that could open up a can of worms.

'The institution was without a doubt withholding information from me for a long time.'

But the judge said Harry's evidence in the Mail case 'about being kept out of the loop by the Palace... is inconsistent with the duke's evidence in this claim' that he was told in 2012 about a secret agreement.

Hacking and the Duchess of York

Harry's lawyer argued that Prince William's secret settlement of a claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN) 'for a very large sum of money' in 2020 'supports' the contention there was a secret agreement.

Yesterday the judge dismissed Harry's theory, saying the fact William did not bring a claim in 2012 'does not indicate the existence of the secret agreement... it demonstrates that NGN was willing to settle with Prince William rather than become embroiled in litigation, as it has with the duke'.

He also cited the Duchess of York, saying Sarah Ferguson had settled a hacking claim against the publisher in 2012 and so this would 'appear inconsistent with the alleged secret agreement'.

Trial in January

Despite the phone-hacking claims being thrown out, the newspaper group still faces a high-profile trial next year on other claims of unlawful information gathering against Harry, which Mr Sherborne said was 'the majority' of the case.

The judge suggested it was more even, with NGN winning one half and Harry the other half of the case so far.
An elderly man could spend the rest of his life behind bars after border force officials allegedly detected 2kg of illicit drugs stashed in the lining of his suitcase.

The New Zealand man, 77, was travelling through Melbourne International Airport on Wednesday after arriving on a flight from Thailand.

Australian Border Force officers examined the mans luggage and allegedly detected a mysterious white powder hidden inside.

The substance was tested and returned positive result for heroin.

The man was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled substance.

Melbourne Airport scanners detected a suspicious item concealed in the man's suitcase

He faced Melbourne Magistrates Court the same day where he was remanded in custody to reappear at a later date.

The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

It comes a day after a Perth man 38, was arrested at the same airport after he allegedly attempted to import 3kg of methamphetamine in his luggage after arriving on a flight from Singapore.

He also faces possible life imprisonment after he was charged with importing a commercial quantity and possession of a border controlled drug.

The AFP works closely with law enforcement partners to stop illicit drugs from hitting the streets.

'Drug traffickers prey on our community, causing drug-related crime and the associated health and social costs,' Detective Acting Superintendent Amanda Glover said.

'Every detection of drugs at the border keeps our community safer and ensure that drug traffickers cannot reap profits by preying on Australians.'

Border force officials allegedly found 2kg of heroin stashed in the suitcase lining (pictured)

ABF Superintendent Kelly-Anne Parish added highly skilled officers are always on alert to detect illicit substances.

'Criminals will try to hide illicit drugs in a variety of ways, however no matter the amount of drugs that are hidden, big or small, our officers have the technology and expertise to find them,' she said.

'This is a good example of the real-time capabilities of our officers working at the border, 24 hours a day, to protect the Australian community from harmful drugs.

'The ABF and AFP work hard to protect the Australian community from the scourge of drugs and ensure airports are not part of the illicit supply chain.'
It was the union that made her a public offer of support following her bombshell Oprah interview in 2021.

But Meghan Markle has remained noticeably silent when it comes to the SAG-AFTRA strike in the US, despite once being part of the acting union.

There could be a conflict of interest for the Duchess of Sussex, 41, who is locked into a lucrative 78 million contract with Netflix  one of the streaming giants refusing to cooperate with the striking actors and writers.

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has been on strike against major studios and streaming services since July 14, with Hollywood productions at a standstill.

Meghan Markle attends day two of the Invictus Games 2020 at Zuiderpark on April 17, 2022

A-list stars including Colin Farrell, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jessica Chastain are among those on the picket line calling for increased base pay, streaming residuals and assurances artificial intelligence would not replace their work.

In her Winfrey interview, Meghan described her union membership as something she sorely missed when becoming a royal.

The duchess recalled telling the Palace's HR department: 'I just really need help. Because in my old job, there was a union, and they would protect me.'

Mid-interview, SAG-AFTRA came out in support of the tearful duchess in a tweet, saying: 'We are still here for you, Meghan. Everyone deserves the protection of a union.'

But the duchess has yet to show the same support.

SAG-AFTRA members and supporters walk the picket line as members of the Screen Actors Guild strike in New York on July 19, 2023

It comes as Netflix faced fresh criticism for advertising for an AI product manager amid the strike.

Last month, following the news the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Spotify deal was cancelled, rumours circulated that their Netflix deal, signed in 2020, could meet the same fate.

But the streaming platform spoke out in support of the couple, saying: 'The bond with Archewell Productions is one we deeply value.

'Our exciting journey with them isn't ending any time soon.'
Between 1,500 and 2,000 eligible people are thought to be alive today

Veterans exposed to the effects of nuclear bombs during the UK's testing programme will be given a new medal to wear on Remembrance Sunday.

Around 22,000 people were involved in experimenting with atomic and hydrogen bombs between 1952 and 1967 putting them at risk of high levels of radiation.

After 70 years of waiting for recognition, they will be given a medal depicting an atom surrounded by olive branches ahead of the service at the Cenotaph on November 12.

Labrats International, which represents those affected by nuclear tests, said veterans will be proudly wearing the medal despite believing recognition 'took longer than it should have'.

Founder Alan Owen told the PA news agency: 'This is a unique group of people who saw a nuclear explosion and for somebody like myself who is the son of a nuclear test veteran, I can't even comprehend seeing that.

Labrats International, which represents those affected by nuclear tests, said veterans will be proudly wearing the medal despite believing recognition 'took longer than it should have'

'People having to stand and watch it, it wouldn't happen today, to know they have actually seen it, experienced it and felt it, felt the heat, felt the blast, is something incomprehensible to the younger generation.

'For the first time ever this year they will actually have their own medal proudly on their chest to march with at the Cenotaph.'

The medal, which also bears the King's face, commemorates the contributions made by veterans, scientists and local employees from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 eligible people are thought to be alive today, though the honour can also be awarded posthumously to veterans' families.

Over 1,600 people have applied for the medal so far, 1,200 of whom are veterans, Labrats International said.

The UK became the world's third nuclear power on October 3, 1952, with the success of Operation Hurricane - the detonation of a plutonium bomb on Montebello Islands in Australia.

A mushroom cloud forms above Britain's first atomic bomb test at 8am, in the Montebello Islands, Australia, on October 3, 1952

More tests took place in the following decades at locations including Emu Field and Maralinga in Australia, Christmas and Malden Islands in Kiribati, and Nevada in the US.

The most notorious bomb, Operation Grapple Y, in 1958, was more than 100 times more powerful than the explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, said: 'As thousands flock to the cinemas to watch Oppenheimer, it's important to remember the contributions of the veterans, scientists and staff who worked on Britain's nuclear programme.

'Our nuclear deterrent continues to underpin both our security and the security of our Nato allies and this new medal is a fitting tribute to all those who worked to develop this vital defence.'

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'I am delighted that this commemorative medal is rightfully given to our nuclear test veterans, who have made an invaluable contribution to the safety and security of the UK, and who we recognise and value for their service to our nation.'
Rogue lawyers exposed by the Mail for offering to make bogus asylum claims will face investigation by the solicitors' watchdog.

The regulator pledged to take 'urgent action' after our undercover expose found staff at some law firms were charging up to 10,000 to invent stories of torture, death threats and modern slavery designed to help clients apply for refugee status.

Rishi Sunak and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk said the allegations of 'appalling' conduct must be met with the 'full force of sanctions'.

Politicians from across the political spectrum, including shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry and Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael have also called for the legal authorities to investigate.

Posing as an economic migrant who had arrived in the UK illegally, our reporter found legal staff readily offering to help him submit false asylum claims, in apparent contravention of the solicitors' code of conduct. One legal adviser even offered to supply the reporter with antidepressants to show to the Home Office to support false claims that he was traumatised.

Pictured: Muhammad Azfar from Kingswright Solicitors who suggested a marriage ploy to client

Lawyer Vinnasythamby Lingajothy (pictured) offered to invent a horrific back story of torture, beatings, slave labour and death threats for an asylum application

In a statement, the Solicitors Regulation Authority said: 'We can confirm we are investigating the firms/individuals. As a result of the information provided, we are looking to take urgent action to make sure the public are protected.

At last, BBC reports our story The BBC finally reported the Mail's investigation into rogue immigration solicitors two days after it was first published. This newspaper's revelations on Tuesday prompted a furious response from the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and leading Labour politicians. But the BBC didn't report the findings until the early hours of yesterday morning in an online article, and a few hours later on Radio 4's Today Programme. In the article  which linked to our story in MailOnline  the broadcaster quoted the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk urging the Solicitors Regulation Authority to use the 'full force of sanctions' at its disposal. 'Solicitors are critical to the operation of a fair immigration system. I know that the overwhelming majority take their professional duties and obligations extremely seriously,' Mr Chalk KC wrote in a letter to the SRA. The article also quoted Mr Sunak, who praised the Mail's work in uncovering the 'truly shocking' behaviour. The PM said: 'It is vital that those found to be abusing their position face the full consequences of their actions.' Advertisement

'If we find evidence that solicitors or firms we regulate have acted in ways that contravene our rules, and in particular their duty to act legally and uphold the law, we can and will take action.'

Mr Sunak said this week that the 'exploitation and unscrupulous practice' of rogue lawyers brought to light by the Mail were 'truly shocking'.

In a letter to SRA chairman Anna Bradley, Mr Chalk said 'robust' action was needed to retain public confidence in the immigration system.

The SRA has the power to levy substantial fines and even shut down law firms with immediate effect. It can also refer rogue lawyers to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, which can levy unlimited fines and strike off solicitors, leaving them unable to practise.

The Mail covertly visited a string of law firms with a reporter posing as an Indian national who had arrived in the UK illegally on a small boat to look for work.

Muhammad Azfar Ahmad, a lawyer at Kingswright Solicitors in Birmingham, said getting married to a British citizen or someone with indefinite leave to remain would be a 'better thing' than pursuing a difficult-to-win asylum claim.

Separately, Rashid Ahmad Khan, a lawyer with Rashid and Rashid Solicitors in Merton, south-west London, told our undercover reporter to write down the reasons why he was no longer safe in India just minutes after being told there were none, adding: 'You write one page I'll turn it into four pages.'

Legal representative Vinnasythamby Lingajothy, representing Duncan Ellis Solicitors in south London, offered to invent a horrific back story of torture, beatings, slave labour and death threats for an asylum application  in return for a fee of 10,000. The law firm said it had sacked him.

Convictions for people smuggling have fallen 36 per cent since 2010, according to research published by Labour. It showed 253 individuals were convicted last year, compared to 398 back in 2010.

Rashid Ahmad Khan, from Rashid & Rashid Solicitors, offered to invent dangers of life in India
The number of permanent GPs in England has dropped year-on-year for 12 months in a row with millions of patients still waiting more than a fortnight to be seen.

Health leaders warn official new figures show the workforce is being 'pushed closer towards the precipice', with many 'distressed' that they cannot offer the care they want.

There were 26,521 permanent qualified GPs working in England in June 2023, down 1.3 per cent from 26,859 in June 2022, according to NHS Digital.

It is the 12th consecutive month the number of family doctors has fallen year-on-year, suggesting the total is on a clear downward path.

The latest drop of 1.3 per cent comes after annual decreases of 1.4 per cent in March, 1.5 per cent in April and 1.3 per cent in May.

Many GPs are 'stressed' that they cannot offer the care they want to (stock photo)

The number of permanent GPs in England has dropped year-on-year for 12 months in a row (stock photo)

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the figures show 'the true extent of both the workforce and workload crises our GPs are having to cope with' in order to provide appropriate care for patients.

She added: 'Our teams have been working continuously under intense workload and workforce pressures in recent years, but the latest data shows just how serious these pressures have become.'

The figures are based on the number of full-time equivalent posts in the GP workforce, and do not include trainees or locums. GP workforce statistics can fluctuate month to month, which is why year-on-year comparisons are a more reliable measure of long-term change.

In September, then-health secretary Therese Coffey set out 'the expectation that everyone who needs a GP appointment can get one within two weeks'.

However, since then, 43.4 million appointments have involved a wait of more than two weeks after booking, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats.

In June alone, more than five million appointment dates were more than two weeks after booking, up 19 per cent from 4.2 million in June 2022.

The latest figures also show the proportion of GPs in England working full-time at local surgeries continues to be at its lowest level since current records began nearly eight years ago.

Some 22.7 per cent of qualified permanent GPs worked at least 37.5 hours a week in June 2023, down from 23.4 per cent in June 2022, while 69.2 per cent worked between 15 and 37.5 hours, up from 68.6 per cent.

Pictured: Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs

There were 26,521 permanent qualified GPs working in England in June 2023, down 1.3 per cent from 26,859 in June 2022, according to NHS Digital

The earliest data shows 33.3 per cent of permanent GPs were working full-time in September 2015, with 59.7 per cent working 15-37.5 hours.

Professor Hawthorne said: 'Demand for our services has grown significantly, we're now dealing with over five million more appointments a month than in December 2019 - around 70 per cent of which were carried out face to face - but with 977 fewer fully qualified, full-time GPs.

READ MORE: The real victims of Britain's GP crisis Advertisement

'The average number of patients per GP in England is now a staggering 2,302 - an increase equivalent to an extra 159 patients per GP since December 2019.' She also said workloads have snowballed while the nature of appointments are becoming more complex due to patients with chronic conditions.

Professor Hawthorne added: 'Many GPs are experiencing burnout, low morale and a sense of moral distress at not being able to offer patients access to much-needed care.

'We know that when GPs do leave the profession earlier than planned, it is often due to the pressures of the role, which results in a vicious cycle effect, whereby the workloads of those who remain in practice intensify.

'College surveys have shown that this cycle is likely to get worse, with many of our fully qualified GPs considering leaving general practice in the next five years.

'While there is hope that this situation can be turned around, it is evident that general practice is being pushed closer towards the precipice.' The Government unveiled its long-awaited NHS Workforce Plan in June, pledging to add more than 300,000 additional staff to the health service, as well as hiking the number of GP training places by 50 per cent to 6,000 by 2031.

Professor Hawthorne said the blueprint 'is an opportunity to address some of the most pressing issues', but added: 'We need to see it enacted as an absolute priority, including significant investment for improved retention initiatives to curb the rate at which GPs are leaving the profession and encouraging the next generation of GPs into the workforce.'

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called on the Government to guarantee a GP appointment within seven days, or 24 hours if it's urgent

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called on the Government to guarantee a GP appointment within seven days, or 24 hours if it's urgent.

He said: 'The government has cut the number of GPs, leaving millions facing distressing delays of more than two weeks.

'Patients right across the country are struggling to get a GP appointment when they need one.

'That has devastating consequences for their health, and is putting huge extra pressure on ambulances and hospitals too.

'Everyone should be able to see their GP when they need to.

'Our new guarantee would not only end these long waits, but also reduce the pressure on hospitals and paramedics, saving crucial time and money elsewhere in the NHS.' It comes as separate figures published yesterday [THU] revealed NHS staff were absent from work for more than half a million days in March because of anxiety, stress or depression - almost a quarter of all sickness absences that month.

The number of full-time equivalent staff working across the NHS has increased by nearly 5 per cent year-on-year, although there are still 112,000 vacancies.

Will Quince, minister of state for health, said: 'Today's figures demonstrate the clear progress being made to train and recruit record numbers of staff across the NHS.

'Cutting waiting lists is one of the government's five priorities and we are committed to ensuring we have the workforce in place to achieve that.

'We will build on this progress through the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which will deliver the biggest training expansion in NHS history and recruit and retain hundreds of thousands more staff over the next 15 years, backed by over 2.4 billion in government funding.'
A teenage girl has been charged with murder after a 32-year-old man was found dead in the bedroom of a western Sydney home.

Emergency crews were called to a home in Tregear at about 10.30pm on June 10 after a man, 32, was found unresponsive.

NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene but they were unable to revive him.

A teenage girl was arrested in Muswellbrook on Thursday for the alleged murder of a 32-year-old west Sydney man

Police will allege he was injured during a physical altercation at the home.

At about 2.45pm on Thursday afternoon, police arrested a 16-year-old girl in Muswellbrook.

She was refused bail to appear at court on Friday.

The teenage girl is the fourth person to be charged over the mans death.

Earlier this month, police charged two teenage men, aged 18 and 19, and a 16-year-old girl.

The 32-year-old man was found unresponsive in the bedroom of a Tregear home on June 10 - the teenage girl was the fourth person to be charged in relation to his death

It established Strike Force Armine to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder.

The 18-year-old was charged with murder, while the 16-year-old girl and 19-year-old man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).

Investigations are ongoing.
Former President Donald Trump asked an aide to delete Mar-a-Lago surveillance footage in a bid to wipe evidence in the classified documents investigation, prosecutors charge in a dramatic superseding indictment revealed Thursday.

Special Counsel Jack Smith's team of prosecutors has piled additional charges into the 32-count indictment the former president was already facing  and another Trump aide has now been charged with conspiracy in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.

Among the charges is that the former president allegedly told aides to 'wipe' security footage from his Florida club's server as a way to foil investigators probing the removal of classified documents from the White House.

Carlos De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago's head of maintenance, has been named as the third defendant alongside the former president and his valet Walt Nauta.

He is quoted in the indictment telling another Mar-a-Lago employee that '"the boss" wanted the server deleted.'

The news came on a day former President Donald Trump's lawyers met with special counsel Jack Smith's prosecutors

The Trump campaign came out punching in a statement Thursday night, but didn't address the claimes head on.

'This is nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their Department of Justice to harass President Trump and those around him,' read the statement.

'Deranged Jack Smith knows that they have no case and is casting about for any way to salvage their illegal witch hunt and to get someone other than Donald Trump to run against Crooked Joe Biden,' the statement also claimed.

The former president telling employees to wipe a server would be a stunning move after Trump harangued his ex-political rival, 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, for the treatment of her emails.

Trump claimed as recently as June that Clinton 'acid-washed' the emails she deleted from the private server she used as secretary of State before turning the rest over to federal investigators.

The new developments present additional legal jeopardy for the former president, who spent part of Thursday averring that his lawyers had relayed to Smith's team that he 'did nothing wrong' and that their January 6 case was no good and an indictment would 'further destroy our Country.'

The additional charges in the new classified documents indictment are related to obstruction of justice and willful retention of national defense information.

Smith's team added them to the existing indictment Thursday evening.

Trump was hit with a 37-count indictment in June.

According to one passage in the superseding indictment filed Thursday, De Oliveira 'told Trump Employee 4 that their conversation should remain between the two of them.'

De Oliveira 'asked Trump employee 4 how many days the server retained footage. Trump Employee 4 responded that he believed it was approximately 45 days.'

It continued: 'De Oliveira told Trump Employee 4 that "the boss" wanted the server deleted.'

That language, if substantiated, appears to put Trump at the heart of the alleged conspiracy to cover up information.

The indictment states that De Oliveira stated he didn't know how to wipe the server or that he would have a right to.

De Oliveira is believed to have helped Nauta move boxes of sensitive files around the private club after the Department of Justice subpoenaed Trump.

Nauta continues to work for Trump, and is facing charges of conspiring to withhold classified information from the government. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in Miami earlier this month.

The specific charges against De Oliveira were not immediately clear.

The news came on a day former President Donald Trump's lawyers met with the special counsel's prosecutors to discuss the January 6 case, according to Trump.

The developments in the Mar-a-Lago case came on a day when a separate January 6 investigation has been advancing

Walt Nauta, a valet to former President Donald Trump, has already been charged with conspiracy

Trump called the new indictment a 'desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden Crime Family,' although the White House said again Thursday that the Justice Department is independent. AG Merrick Garland appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith to handle the Trump probes

Trump has long called all the probes of him part of a 'witch hunt,' and has repeatedly trained his fire on the Biden family, who he calls 'corrupt.'

He told Fox News Thursday evening the new moves amount to election interference.

Nauta had been considered a witness that prosecutors might try to 'flip' to gain testimony against Trump, and he met with investigators during their probe. But instead the former White House valet has remained in Trump's employ, and prosecutors charged the former valet.

Now the inclusion of De Oliveira presents an additional candidate for pressure, although as in the case of Nauta, prosecutors may have decided they can make their case without him.

The stunning news came on a day when eyes have been on the January 6 case, where Trump has received a target letter from prosecutors related to that case, in Washington, D.C.

The indictment once again focuses in on a July 2021 meting Trump had with a writer and publisher identified to be working on former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows' book.

It quotes from an interview where Trump bragged about a 'highly confidential' document, using it to try to undermine former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley.

'He said that I wanted to attack a country,' Trump said, brandishing the document.

The tape already potentially undermined a Trump defense, but including his comment that, 'See as president I could have declassified it,' but 'now I can't.'

According to the new indictment, 'The document that TRUMP possessed and showed on July 21, 2021, is charged as Count 32 in this Superseding indictment.'

Other information in the indictment connects Trump still more closely to the boxes of material around his club  at a time when the National Archives was trying to claw back material.

In December 2021, an employee wrote that 'box answer will be wrenched out of him today, promise!,' followed by, '12 is his number.'

An employee texted about Trump, 'He's tracking the boxes, more to follow today on whether he wants to go through more today or tomorrow.' Another says he asked for 'new covers for the boxes, for Monday m.' Morning.'

It added, '*can we get new box covers before giving these to them on Monday? They have too much writing on them..I marked too much.'

That all preceded Trump finally providing 15 boxes to the Archives in January 2022.

The new indictment describes Nauta's moves to change travel plans after a meeting with Trump, the same day DOJ sent a grand jury subpoena for security footage.

Nauta provided 'inconsistent explanations' to colleagues, and said he had a family emergency but also used 'shushing' emojis.

He reunited with De Oliveria and visited a security guard booth where surveillance video is held, walking 'with a flashlight through the tunnel where the Storage Room was located, and observed and pointed out surveillance cameras.'

De Oliveira then told 'Trump Employee 4' in a conversation that should 'remain between the two of them' about the boss wanting to delete the server.

Another part of the indictment describes the period after the FBI discovered classified documents at MAL following the execution of a search warrant.

It says Nauta called Employee 5 to say words to the effect that 'someone just wants to make sure Carlos is good,' in reference to De Oliveira.

The employee said De Oliveira was 'loyal' and wouldn't do anything to affect his relationship with Trump.

He then told a PAC representative in a signal chat the same thing. Trump that same day called De Oliveira and told him that 'TRUMP would get DE OLIVEIRIA an attorney,' it said.

The new indictment names the trio  Trump, De Oliveria and Nauta, and says they 'did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate, and agree' to 'engage in misleading conduct' to 'corruptly' persuade another person to withhold information.

Other counts relate just to Trump and Nauta.

One new count, Count 40, charges the trio with 'altering, destroying, mutilating, or concealing an object.' That relates to the trio requesting n employee to 'delete security camera footage at the Mar-a-Lago Club to prevent the footage from being provided to a federal grand jury.'

It says De Oliveira made false statements during a January 2023 interview in Palm Beach.

He said he 'never saw nothing' when boxes were delivered to Mar-a-Lago.

But according to the feds, he knew because he 'had personally observed and helped move TRUMP's boxes when they arrived at The Mar-a-Lago Club in January 2021.'
The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation after blundering officials accidentally sent highly-classified state secrets to a close Russian ally in Africa because of a typing error.

A 'small number' of emails intended for the Pentagon which contained detailed descriptions of British research into hypersonic missiles were sent to Mali because of the accidental omission of an 'i' from an email address.

Officials sent the messages to an address ending with the west African country's .ml domain, rather than the US military's .mil, the Times newspaper reported. The same error in the US was revealed last week to have resulted in millions of military emails going to Mali.

Mali was among the six African countries promised free grain shipments by Vladimir Putin after the collapse of the Black Sea deal with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and President of the Transition of the Republic of Mali, Assimi Goita, shaking hands on the sideline of the Russia Africa Summit in St Petersburg

Moscow's Wagner mercenaries have also been deployed in Mali to fight alongside the army against jihadists.

An MoD spokesman said: 'We have opened an investigation after a small number of emails were mistakenly forwarded to an incorrect email domain.

'We are confident they did not contain any information that could compromise operational security or technical data.

Aerial view of the Pentagon building

'All sensitive information is shared on systems designed to minimise the risk of misdirection.

'The MoD constantly reviews its processes and is currently undertaking a programme of work to improve information management, data loss prevention, and the control of sensitive information.'
Tents will help to avoid using hotels as Channel crossings expected to surge

Suella Braverman has bought large tents to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers on disused military sites to avoid using expensive hotels, ahead of an expected surge of small boat crossings in the English Channel.

The Home Secretary has purchased the marquees in recent days to accommodate the migrants by the end of August, according to a Whitehall source.

More than 14,000 people have made unauthorised crossings this year as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak struggles to meet his promise of 'stopping the boats'.

But Ms Braverman is working on contingency plans to erect the tents in the coming weeks with a surge of boats expected.

The Times, which first reported the tent purchases, cited government sources saying a similar proposal was rejected last year because of warnings it would trigger legal challenges based on the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers.

Suella Braverman has bought large tents to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers to avoid using expensive hotels, ahead of an expected surge of small boat English Channel crossings (file photo of Migrant holding facility at Manston Airfield base in in Ramsgate, England, pictured in October 2022)

The Border Force reportedly predicts that the next three months will see the highest traffic in migrant crossings (file photo)

The Border Force reportedly predicts that the next three months will see the highest traffic in migrant crossings, following last year's pattern which saw just over half of the 45,755 small boat arrivals land on British shores in August, September and October.

Meanwhile, it is understood that a small number of positive results for tuberculosis have been detected at the former RAF site at Wethersfield in Braintree, Essex. Tests are under way to see if the cases are active.

Also, the Home Office expects to send an initial 50 people to the UK's first floating barge for asylum seekers on Tuesday despite safety concerns and local opposition.

A government source confirmed details of the first arrivals at the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset, and numbers are due to rise gradually over coming months.

The floating facility will host around 500 men at a time under government efforts to reduce the use of expensive hotels to house people awaiting the results of asylum claims.

It currently costs an average of 109 per hotel room used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers, The Times reported.

Between 1,000 and 2,000 beds for asylum seekers will initially be in the marquees by the end of next month, government sources told the paper. They will reportedly be housed there for several weeks and then moved out before the weather gets colder in the winter for health and safety reasons.

A record backlog and thousands of people making unauthorised crossings of the Channel have strained the system as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak battles to 'stop the boats'.

But refugee charities said the use of barges and former military bases to house asylum seekers is damaging to the needs of vulnerable people, and also raised concerns for migrants' safety.

Conservative MPs representing areas where the facilities are being established have also been worried about how their constituencies will be impacted.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) is working on contingency plans to erect the tents in the coming weeks with a surge of boats expected

A government source confirmed details of the first arrivals at the Bibby Stockholm barge (pictured) in Portland, Dorset, and numbers are due to rise gradually over coming months

A month behind schedule after undergoing repairs, Bibby Stockholm was met by protesters as it arrived in Portland Port on Tuesday last week.

Some residents have raised concerns for their safety on the island with a population of around 13,000 and argued that it does not have the infrastructure to provide for the newcomers and those already there.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'The Bibby Stockholm has completed a statutory inspection and refurbishment and is now berthing in Portland.

'The welfare of those in our care is of the utmost priority and the barge is now undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the coming weeks.'
Prosecutors tried to hide a blanket immunity clause for Hunter Biden in a crazy and unprecedented tactic  but were exposed by the judge during the three-hour hearing with the president's son and his lawyers in her Wilmington courtroom Tuesday. says a former government lawyer.

Ex-Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Will Scharf slammed prosecutors and Hunters legal team, led by Chris Clark, for allegedly trying to fool U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika into approving the generous and unorthodox plea deal without proper scrutiny, in a fiery interview with DailyMail.com.

The presidents son strolled into the courtroom in his former hometown, confident that his 'sweetheart deal' would breeze through  only to watch the plan to put his tax problems behind him crumble before his eyes.

Scharf, a former Trump administration official who is running for Attorney General of Missouri, claimed the proposed deal was spitting in the face of justice.

Legal experts expected a perfunctory hearing to waive through Hunter Bidens sweetheart plea deal over two tax misdemeanor charges in a Delaware federal court Wednesday. But instead his pact with prosecutors fell apart when it was dissected by Judge Maryellen Noreika

Legal observers slammed prosecutors and Hunters legal team, led by Chris Clark (right), for allegedly trying to fool U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika (left) into approving the generous and unorthodox plea deal without proper scrutiny

The former federal prosecutor, as well as courtroom witnesses and a transcript from the explosive hearing on Wednesday obtained by DailyMail.com, reveal the inside story.

Legal experts expected a perfunctory hearing to wave through Hunters sweetheart plea deal over two tax misdemeanor charges in a Delaware federal court Wednesday.

But instead his pact with prosecutors fell apart when it was dissected by Judge Maryellen Noreika.

Hunters deal put before her consisted of two documents: a plea agreement, in which Hunter confessed to two tax misdemeanors; and a diversion agreement, where prosecutors pledged to drop gun charges against him if Hunter stuck to federal rules.

Buried in the diversion agreement was a clause that gave Hunter blanket immunity for a wide range of other potential charges that could be filed by the Delaware US Attorney, including illegal foreign lobbying.

Judge Noreika said in the hearing that, due to federal rules, she could make a decision on the plea agreement but did not have a say on the diversion agreement  and complained that prosecutors had stashed the pivotal immunity clause in the latter document.

'You're saying I don't even get to accept it, I guess I'm supposed to rubber stamp it, she said.

'You're telling me that I don't have any role in it, and you're leaving provisions of the plea agreement out and putting them into an agreement that you are not asking me to sign off on.'

Scharf said that such non-prosecution promises always appear in the plea agreement. But in this case, they were instead hidden in the diversion agreement.

Ex-Assistant US Attorney Will Scharf explains that buried in the 'diversion' agreement was a clause that gave Hunter blanket immunity for a wide range of other potential charges that could be filed by the Delaware US Attorney, including illegal foreign lobbying

He believes it was an attempt to pull the wool over Noreikas eyes and get her to waive through the deal without spotting the huge concession by the Justice Department to the Presidents son.

This was a way of hiding the ball both in federal court in Delaware, and in the court of public opinion, to give Hunter Biden a free pass on a decade of criminal activity not covered by the charges in this case, the former Missouri violent crime prosecutor said.

He described the strange construction as crazy, totally unique and not something that you would ever see in a court of law in any other circumstance, anywhere in the United States.

I believe that this was an effort to insulate Hunter Biden from any future legal liability for just about anything that he has ever done, without them saying that in a document which would be politically controversial and subject to judicial approval, he added.

The idea that he would be let off, effectively with two misdemeanor convictions for failure to pay taxes, is spitting in the face of law enforcement, it's spitting in the face of justice.

Scharf applauded the Delaware district judge for spotting the scheme.

Judge Noreika smelled a rat. She understood that the lawyers were trying to paint her into a corner and hide the ball, he said. Instead, she backed DoJ and Hunter's lawyers into a corner by pulling all the details out into the open and then indicating that she wasn't going to approve a deal as broad as what she had discovered.

In the hearing, Norieka grilled Delaware AUSA Leo Wise over the strange way they had arranged their deal.

We looked through a bunch of diversion agreements that we have access to and we couldn't find anything that had anything similar to that, she said, according to a transcript.

Have you ever seen a diversion agreement where the agreement not to prosecute is so broad that it encompasses crimes in a different case?

No, Wise admitted, then tried to follow up but was cut off by the judge and told to sit down.

Noreika scolded both sides for trying to get her to rubber stamp the plea agreement without considering the blanket immunity awarded to Hunter in a separate document.

You seem to be asking for the inclusion of the Court in this agreement, yet you're telling me that I don't have any role in it, she chided. You're leaving provisions of the plea agreement out and putting them into an agreement that you are not asking me to sign off on.

The prosecutor was later put on the spot by Noreika and forced to reveal that the DoJs investigation was ongoing and that Hunter could be susceptible to illegal lobbying charges.

Scharf claimed Wise only did so in an attempt to save face after the overly generous back-door clause in their deal with Hunter was exposed.

But when Hunters hotshot attorney Abbe Lowell heard the Justice Department lawyer hint at potential further charges under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), he leapt up with a face like thunder and started angrily conferring with his team.

Hunter's lawyers exploded, Scharf said. They clearly believed that FARA was covered under the deal, because as written, the pretrial diversion agreement language was broad enough to cover it.

Hunter walked into the federal court in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, alongside his 'sugar brother' and lawyer Kevin Morris (left)  who was seen smoking a bong during a visit from the president's son last week

With the previous deal in tatters, the First Son pleaded not guilty, and the judge gave both sides 30 days to hash out an acceptable agreement.

On leaving the courtroom, Hunter appeared shell-shocked. What was meant to be a 20-minute, perfunctory hearing that put his criminal troubles behind him turned into a devastating setback for the Presidents son that will stretch his case into fall.

Other former prosecutors were left unimpressed by Delawares handling of the case.

The fact they didnt cover this ahead of time is really sloppy on the prosecutions part, former Washington DC Assistant US Attorney Shanlon Wu told CNN on Wednesday as the hearing unfolded.

For Bidens team if its ambiguous its good for them. But the fact that the judge is pointing it out now, thats on the prosecution. They should have taken care of this a long time ago.

The fact that the parties did not have that written out and completely on the same page and a full understanding on that and went into court today, is a failure by both sides here, said ex New York prosecutor Elie Hoenig. That is inexplicable to me.

Hunter Bidens potential criminal problems are not over here.
Now researchers at Historic England believe the grave belonged to a woman

The long-running mystery of a prehistoric grave has finally been solved after years of scientific debate.

New research led by Historic England has unveiled that a 2,000-year-old Iron Age burial site on the Isles of Scilly actually belonged to a warrior woman.

Since its discovery in 1999, archaeologists have mulled back-and-forth over the sex of the individual that possessed both a mirror and a sword.

But new evidence suggests this woman may have been a leading figure - perhaps among many other 'hidden' female warriors during the Iron Age.

'Our findings offer an exciting opportunity to re-interpret this important burial,' said Sarah Stark, a human skeletal biologist at Historic England.

The mystery of this prehistoric grave has finally been solved after years of scientific debate

For years, the mirror and sword have puzzled experts, as in other burials of the same period, swords are normally found with males and mirrors with females

HOW DO ARCHAEOLOGISTS DETERMINE THE SEX OF AN ANCIENT SKELETON? Recent scientific advancements allow experts to extract the protein from an individual's surviving tooth enamel. The protein contains links to either an X or Y chromosomes. Biologically, a female will have two X chromosomes, while a male will have one X and Y chromosome. Extracting protein is particularly useful because it generally lasts longer than DNA over thousands of years. Advertisement

'They provide evidence of a leading role for a woman in warfare on Iron Age Scilly.'

During the excavation 24 years ago, archaeologists found a copper alloy sword and a shield - both items that are commonly associated with males.

But a bronze mirror, adorned with what appears to be a sun disc motif, also laid alongside it, which experts said would typically indicate the remains belonged to a woman.

To discover the correct sex, scientists had previously conducted DNA analysis and visual assessments.

But these efforts largely failed due to the quality of bones at the site which had deteriorated over the course of 2,000 years.

As part of the latest research, scientists instead analysed the protein from tiny pieces of surviving tooth enamel.

These have become incredibly useful to researchers as they survive for much longer than DNA.

'Tooth enamel is the hardest and most durable substance in the human body,' said Glendon Parker, professor of environmental toxicology at the University of California at Davis.

The grave, discovered on the island of Bryher in 1999, contained a mirror and a sword

This image shows the detail on the sword which was recovered from the Iron Age burial site

READ MORE: 'Extremely rare' 3,000-year-old sword discovered in Germany is so well preserved it SHINES, archaeologists say Archaeologists have stumbled upon an extremely rare Bronze Age sword at an ancient burial site in Germany Advertisement

'Tooth enamel is the hardest and most durable substance in the human body. It contains a protein with links to either the X or Y chromosome, which means it can be used to determine sex.'

Thanks to chromosome analysis, scientists now believe there is a 96 per cent chance that the individual was female.

This gives a whole new meaning to the mirror, sword and shield found at her grave.

During the British Iron Age, most warfare was likely to have been surprise attacks carried out by a war-party on enemy settlements.

The mirror and weapons found in the grave are all associated with warfare, experts say, with mirrors having a range of practical and symbolic uses.

Signalling could be one use for the mirror, as warriors aimed to communicate and co-ordinate attacks.

But mirrors also had ritualistic functions - used as a tool to communicate with the supernatural world to ensure the success of a raid.

These findings suggest that female involvement in prehistoric violence may have been more common than previously thought.

Ms Stark said: 'Although we can never know completely about the symbolism of objects found in graves, the combination of a sword and a mirror suggests this woman had high status within her community and may have played a commanding role in local warfare, organising or leading raids on rival groups.

The Iron Age burial site is 2,000 years old and is situated on the Isles of Scilly, Britain

Scientists had previously attempted to establish the corpse's sex through traditional means such as DNA analysis

'This could suggest that female involvement in raiding and other types of violence was more common in Iron Age society than we've previously thought, and it could have laid the foundations from which leaders like Boudicca would later emerge.'

'It would be interesting to re-analyse other degraded burials to see if there are more "hidden" female warriors out there.'

The warrior's burial site is the richest Iron Age grave found to date in south-west England and is the only one in the region to contain weapons.

Both the sword and mirror are now on display at the Isles of Scilly Museum.
Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the moon in Greek mythology.

NASA has chosen her to personify its path back to the moon, which will see astronauts return to the lunar surface by 2025 - including the first woman and the next man.

Artemis 1, formerly Exploration Mission-1, is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the moon and Mars.

Artemis 1 will be the first integrated flight test of NASAs deep space exploration system: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Artemis 1 will be an uncrewed flight that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration, and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human existence to the moon and beyond.

During this flight, the spacecraft will launch on the most powerful rocket in the world and fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown.

It will travel 280,000 miles (450,600 km) from Earth, thousands of miles beyond the moon over the course of about a three-week mission.

Artemis 1, formerly Exploration Mission-1, is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the moon and Mars. This graphic explains the various stages of the mission

Orion will stay in space longer than any ship for astronauts has done without docking to a space station and return home faster and hotter than ever before.

With this first exploration mission, NASA is leading the next steps of human exploration into deep space where astronauts will build and begin testing the systems near the moon needed for lunar surface missions and exploration to other destinations farther from Earth, including Mars.

The will take crew on a different trajectory and test Orions critical systems with humans aboard.

Together, Orion, SLS and the ground systems at Kennedy will be able to meet the most challenging crew and cargo mission needs in deep space.

Eventually NASA seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon by 2028 as a result of the Artemis mission.

The space agency hopes this colony will uncover new scientific discoveries, demonstrate new technological advancements and lay the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy.

Who is Victor Glover? The man set to become NASA's first black astronaut to orbit the moon

Victor Glover (pictured) was selected as an astronaut in 2013 and became the first African American ISS expedition crewmember to live on the ISS seven years later

NASA is set to send the first-ever black astronaut to the moon.

Victor Glover, 46, was selected to take part in the space agency's Artemis II mission  the US' first lunar mission in a half-century.

The Pomona, California, native will be the first person of color to travel into deep space, hundreds of thousands of miles beyond the low-Earth orbiting International Space Station (ISS).

NASA officials say the diverse crew assignments signify the cultural shifts that have taken place since the original Apollo missions, which ended in 1972, at a time when white men dominated space exploration.

Glover was also the first black man to ever live on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2020 and is among 15 African Americans to be selected as an astronaut.

In his esteemed career since being selected as an astronaut in 2013, Mr Glover has logged over 3,000 flight hours in 40 different aircraft.

Artemis II - which will launch in November 2024 - will see the four-man crew orbit the moon in the Orion spacecraft but not land.

Their goal is to test new technology, including heat shields that protects Orion as it travels 24,500 mph in 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit on its way back.

If successful, NASA plans to launch an expedition to land on the moon titled Artemis III. Another success would spell out a trip to Mars for NASA.

I wanna thank God for this Amazing opportunity, Mr Glover said during a new conference Monday.

This is a big day. We have a lot to celebrate. Its so much more than the four names that have been announced. We need to celebrate this moment in human history.

'Artermis II is more than a mission to the Moon and back. Its more than a mission that has to happen before we send people to the surface of the moon. It is the next step on the journey that gets humanity to Mars.

This crew will never forget that.

Mr Glover was born in 1976 in Pomona, around 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

The city is far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, known for its high poverty rate and relatively high crime.

Mr Glover grew up in Ponoma, CA, 30 miles east of Los Angeles

He said his parents and teachers served as mentors as him growing up.

'Early on in life it had to be my parents; they encouraged me and challenged me and held me to high standards. Outside of home, I had teachers that did the same,' he told USA Today in 2017.

'They all challenged me, and they encouraged me.'

Mr Glover continued that his teachers and parents urged him to go the engineering school and eventually become a test pilot  leading to him becoming an astronaut.

He graduated from Southern California's Ontario High School in 1994, and went on to attend California Polytechnic State University, before completing his graduate education at Air University and the US Naval Academy.

'Im the first person in my family to graduate from college, and being at graduation with my mom and my dad and my stepdad and my little brothers and my grandparents,' he said to USA Today.

'That was unreal, that was cool and it was special for me.'

In 1999 he was commissioned as part of the US Navy. After completing flight training in Corpus Christy, Texas, he was 'given his wings' and awarded the title of pilot in 2001.

He then moved to San Diego to learn to fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, known as one of the Navy's more versatile aircraft.

After spending the next two years training in Florida and Virginia, he was deployed to Iraq in 2004 for six months.

Mr Glover was working in the office of the late Sen John McCain as a legislative fellow when he was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 2013.

NASA only selects a handful of the thousands of people that apply to be a member of the nation's astronaut corps each year. Only 15 black astronauts have ever been selected out of 348.

A vast majority of the 41 current astronauts have a military background, like Mr Glover.

He completed his astronaut training in 2015. Three years later, he was selected to be a part of the first ever operational flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon, a reusable aircraft designed by the firm Elon Musk found in 2002.

As part of that mission, he would live on the ISS from November 17, 2020 to May 2, 2021.

The nearly six-month-long stay on the station makes him the first black astronaut to inhabit it.

Jeanette Epps, 52, who was selected to be an astronaut in 2009 is set to become the second African American, and first black woman, to live on the ISS after the launch of Boeing Starliner-1 in 2024 or later.

In 2020, Mr Glover said it was an honor to be the first black person selected to the ISS.

'It is something to be celebrated once we accomplish it, and I am honored to be in this position and to be a part of this great and experienced crew,' he said during a news conference.

'I look forward to getting up there and doing my best to make sure, you know, we are worthy of all the work that's been put into setting us up for this mission.'

In an interview with The Christian Chronicle later that year, he said there were qualified black astronauts that should have earned the honor before him.

'I've had some amazing colleagues before me that really could have done it, and there are some amazing folks that will go behind me,' he said.

'I wish it would have already been done, but I try not to draw too much attention to it.'

Who is Christina Koch? The first female NASA astronaut set to orbit the moon

Christina Koch is set to become the first woman to go around the moon when NASA's Artemis II mission takes off next year.

Christina Koch, 44, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is set to become the first woman to go around the moon

The Grand Rapids, Michigan native, 44, is already the record-holder for the longest amount of time a woman has spent in space, 328 days, and for taking part in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019.

Selected to become an astronaut in 2013, Ms Koch said she has not followed a 'checklist' in order to become an astronaut  but instead chased her passions whether this be rock climbing, sailing or even learning to surf in her 40s.

She said in 2020: 'I really don't remember a time when I didn't want to be an astronaut.

'For me, I learned that if I was going to be an astronaut, it was because my passions had turned me into someone that could contribute the most as someone contributing to human space flight.'

While she's exploring space, her husband Robert will be left taking care of housework and the couple's puppy, LBD. It is not believed that they have children.

'Am I excited? Absolutely!' she said at a news conference at the crew's announcement Monday.

The one thing I'm most excited about is that we will carry your excitement,your aspirations, your dreams, on this mission.

She also said: We are going to launch from Kennedy space center, we are going to here the words go for launch on top of the most powerful rocket NASAs ever made.

NASA has sent a total of 355 people to space so far, of which some 55 have been women  or 15 percent. It has also sent 24 people to orbit the moon and 12 to walk on the lunar surface who were all men.

Russian Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to ever leave the earth's atmosphere  setting off in 1937. American women did not get sent to space until 1983.

Ms Koch, however, will make history on the Artemis II mission when she completes her long-awaited trip around the moon.

She revealed her love of space in a video when she was announced as a member of the Artemis I team in 2020.

The astronaut said: 'I am someone who has loved exploration on the frontier since I was little.

'I used to be inspired by the night sky and throughout my career, it's been this balance between engineering for space science missions and doing science in really remote places all over the world.

'I loved things that made me feel small, things that made me ponder the size of the universe, my place in it and everything that was out there to explore.'

She added: 'I didn't necessarily live my life following check boxes of how you could become an astronaut.

'But I followed those passions and one day I looked at what I had become and the skills I had gathered and I asked "could I sit across from a table and present myself as someone who could do this well?". And I thought, I'm going to give this a shot.'

She went to North Carolina State University in Raleigh to get a bachelor's and a master's in Electrical Engineering.

She then became an Electrical Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, before becoming a research associate for the United States Antarctic Program  living an entire year in the Arctic.

Ms Koch was one of eight selected as part of NASA's 21st class of astronauts in 2013. After two years of training, she became a full-fledged astronaut.

Her first space flight came in 2019 when she was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to work as a flight engineer.

She stayed up there for 328 days, taking the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman. The previous record holder, Peggy Whitson, was in space for 288 days.

While in space she also took the record for the first all-women space walk  when an astronaut gets out of a vehicle while in space  with Jessica Meir.

The pair spent seven hours and 17 minutes on the side of the ISS as they worked to replace a power controller. The walk also included a brief call with President Trump.

Upon her return to Earth in 2020, Ms Koch said she felt 'like a baby' who was two weeks old and working hard to hold up its head.

Back on Earth, she lives in Galveston, Texas, just outside of the Houston area.

Among her interests are backpacking, running, yoga, photography and travel.

Now she will be a part of a groundbreaking mission in NASA's goal towards putting a man on Mars.

The Artemis II mission marks NASA's first trip to the moon in half a century. It says it will be performed to help test kit in preparation for getting humans onto Mars.

The agency sent an empty Orion capsule around the moon last year before it returned to Earth in a long-awaited dress rehearsal.

If this latest mission goes well, then another flight to land people on the moon will be sent in 2025  as part of tests ahead of getting people onto Mars.
The sighting has resurfaced once more as whistleblowers testify in Congress

UFOs have long captured the public's imagination, but never more so than during yesterday's US congress hearing into claims the American government is covering up its knowledge of alien craft.

On a day that sparked huge interest in the US and across the globe, the landmark panel heard from three key witnesses who shared their encounters with unexplained objects.

Among them was retired US Navy fighter pilot David Fravor, who once again reminded the world about his infamous encounter with a 'Tic Tac' shaped UFO 15 years ago.

'I'd like to say that the tic tac object we engaged in 2004 was far superior to anything that we had at the time, have today or looking to develop in the next 10 years,' he said.

So what exactly was the 'Tic Tac' UFO incident? And could the 'perfectly white, smooth' object with no windows that Fravor saw really have been an alien spaceship? MailOnline takes a look back at everything we know.

Evidence: retired US Navy fighter pilot David Fravor (pictured) once again reminded the world about his infamous encounter with a 'Tic Tac' shaped UFO 15 years ago, during a bombshell US Congress hearing

READ MORE: Navy pilot who shot the famous 'Tic Tac' UFO video breaks his silence Underwood was flying in an F/A-18F Super Hornet as part of the USS Nimitz (above) carrier group when he encountered an 'unidentified aerial phenomena' Advertisement

What actually happened?

Before we get to Fravor, it's important to mention another former US Navy pilot first.

Chad Underwood was the man who actually shot footage of the 'Tic Tac' UFO in November 2004.

He broke his silence in 2019, detailing for the first time his bizarre experiences while flying over the Pacific.

At the time, Underwood had been taking part in Navy carrier group exercises just off the coast of Mexico.

For around two weeks, their missile cruiser USS Princeton had been tracking a mysterious aircraft on an advanced electronic radar.

Contact with the craft was so inexplicable that the system was even shut down and checked for bugs - but operators continued to track it.

On November 14, then Navy commander Fravor claimed he made visual contact with this object, which seemed to dive below the water, resurface, and speed out of sight when he tried to approach it.

Underwood then also saw the strange object for himself just after Fravor urged him to keep a look out.

The former pilot told New York Magazine: 'So, we go out to where our designated training area is. We're not necessarily looking for something, but the Princeton had a specific object that they wanted us to hunt, for lack of a better word. And all of a sudden, I got this blip on my radar.

What exactly was the 'Tic Tac' UFO incident? In 2004, Navy pilot Chad Underwood shot footage of a strange flying object in the sky, which was also seen by Navy commander David Fravor

Underwood is the one who coined the description 'Tic Tac' for the 'perfectly white' wingless oblong that was captured from his cockpit's in-flight video (pictured)

The 2004 'Tic Tac' sighting is once again at the centre of debate as three military whistleblowers spoke at Congress to uncover 'the biggest cover-up in history'. Pictured left to right: Ryan Graves, a former pilot, Air Force and intelligence agency veteran David Grusch and Navy veteran fighter pilot Commander David Fravor

READ MORE: Unravelling the mystery of 'Britains Roswell': UFO expert reveals his controversial new theory on the Suffolk forest On three separate nights over Christmas, military personnel were convinced they had seen strange flashing lights near to a Royal Airforce base in Suffolk Advertisement

'The thing that stood out to me the most was how erratic it was behaving. And what I mean by "erratic" is that its changes in altitude, air speed, and aspect were just unlike things that Ive ever encountered before flying against other air targets,' Underwood told the magazine.

'Because, aircraft, whether theyre manned or unmanned, still have to obey the laws of physics. They have to have some source of lift, some source of propulsion. The Tic Tac was not doing that. It was going from like 50,000 feet to, you know, a hundred feet in like seconds, which is not possible.'

Underwood is the one who first coined the description 'Tic Tac' for the white wingless oblong that was captured from his cockpit's in-flight video.

While he dismissed the idea that it was aircraft, a bird or even a weather balloon, he is still unsure whether the object was human or non-human.

The Tic Tac incident caused a sensation in 2017 when the Pentagon confirmed that the footage was actually authentic.

It then resurfaced once again on Wednesday when Fravor joined two other military whistleblowers to speak at a US Congress hearing.

He assured officials that he was not a 'UFO fanatic' and said that the Tic Tac was 'far superior to anything that we had at the time'.

'If we, in fact, have programs that possess this technology, it needs to have oversight from those people that the citizens of this country elected in office to represent what is best for the United States and best for the citizens,' he added.

Fravor described the Tic Tac object as being 'perfectly white, smooth and had no windows,' with 'two little objects that came out of the bottom'.

'I'm not like a UFO fanatic  that's not me. But I will tell you that what we saw with four sets of eyes over five minutes, still, there's nothing we have nothing close to it,' he said.

What else could it have been?

One theory is that it might well have been a radar reflector balloon used to gauge the abilities of enemy air defences.

Launched by a submarine, these specially-designed airborne devices actually date back to 1955, during the days of the Cold War.

It is unclear if such balloons are still used today, but given the covert nature of submarines it's not exactly something that defence chiefs would be shouting from the rooftops about.

One theory is that it might well have been a radar reflector balloon used to gauge the abilities of enemy air defences (depicted)

The War Zone, an online magazine oriented towards national security and geopolitical coverage and analysis, first came up with the theory.

It said that being able to deploy balloons with radar reflectors while submerged would be a 'highly effective way' of getting a feel for an enemy's air defences.

'By sneaking in or near enemy territory, releasing these devices under the right weather conditions, and raising their low-observable electronic intelligence gathering masts, they could theoretically improve the quality of the intelligence gathered remarkably,' the magazine added.

It concluded that the Tic Tac UFO witnessed by the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group during its training exercise in 2004 could therefore have been 'a bunch of radar reflector and/or electronic warfare payload-carrying balloons'.

What could come of the congress hearing?

Fravor's testimony comes as the US Senate is considering a UFO Disclosure Bill which seeks to make make all information relating to 'unidentified anomalous phenomena' (UAPs) public.

If passed, records will be publicly disclosed no later than 25 years after they are created unless the president believes their release would threaten national security.
With extreme heatwaves still raging across Europe, Asia and North America, scientists say this month is 'virtually certain' to be the hottest ever recorded  and possibly the warmest in the last 120,000 years.

So hot has July been so far that the World Meteorological Organisation and EU's Copernicus Earth observation programme are confident the 2019 record will be broken, even with several days to go.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said the era of global warming had ended and that our planet is now entering an 'era of global boiling'.

Worldwide temperature readings of the air and sea as well as losses of Antarctic sea ice have all smashed previous records this summer, while wildfires are currently ripping through Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean.

Experts say fossil fuel use is to blame for the extreme heat that has July on track to be the warmest ever 'by a significant margin'.

Forecast: The World Meteorological Organisation says this July is on course to be the hottest month 'by a significant margin'. Pictured are the 30 warmest months on record globally

Ablaze: Worldwide temperature readings of the air and sea as well as losses of Antarctic sea ice have all smashed previous records this summer, while wildfires are currently ripping through Greece (pictured) and other parts of the Mediterranean

EARTH IS ENTERING 'THE ERA OF GLOBAL BOILING' - UN CHIEF UN chief Antonio Guterres today pleaded for immediate action on climate change, saying that record-shattering July temperatures show Earth has passed from a warming phase into an 'era of global boiling'. Speaking in New York, the secretary-general described the intense heat across the Northern Hemisphere as a 'cruel summer'. He said: 'Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning. The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.' The extreme impacts of climate change have been in line with scientists' 'predictions and repeated warnings,' Guterres said, adding that the 'only surprise is the speed of the change'. 'The air is unbreathable. The heat is unbearable. And the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable,' said the former Portuguese prime minister. 'Leaders must lead,' he said. 'No more hesitancy. No more excuses. No more waiting for others to move first.' Ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit he is set to host in September, Guterres called on developed countries to commit to achieving carbon neutrality as close to 2040 as possible, and for emerging economies as close as possible to 2050. The 'destruction' unleashed by humanity 'must not inspire despair, but action,' he said, warning that to prevent the worst outcomes humanity 'must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition'. Advertisement

Dr Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist from Leipzig University who ran a separate reanalysis of the data, said given that the last time global temperatures were this high was 120,000 years ago, there is a 'decent chance' July 2023 could be the hottest month on Earth since then.

Of the 30 hottest days ever recorded, 21 of them have been during this month.

It comes just 24 hours after experts warned that Britain's record-breaking summer last year  which saw the country endure its hottest day in history  was 'a sign of things to come' for the UK's climate.

Met Office scientists added that such extreme heat was an example of what we can expect to see in future unless greenhouse gas emissions are brought under control.

Last year was also the hottest ever in the UK, according to Met Office records dating back to 1884.

This month in Britain temperatures have been much, much cooler than on the continent, where records have tumbled in a number of European cities.

It is still too early to know how many people have died as a result of the extreme heat experienced across large parts of North America, Asia and Europe, but it is probably thousands, said Dr Friederike Otto, a climate scientist from Imperial College London.

She added that the heatwaves in southern Europe and North America would have been 'the statistical equivalent of impossible' without human-induced climate change.

Dr Otto described heat as a 'silent killer' affecting the most vulnerable - those with pre-existing health conditions or living in poorly-built houses next to traffic-filled roads.

A study published earlier this month estimates that more than 61,000 people died across Europe last year because of heat, more than 3,000 of whom were in the UK.

Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, said: 'Record-breaking temperatures are part of the trend of drastic increases in global temperatures.

'Anthropogenic emissions are ultimately the main driver of these rising temperatures.'

Hot: People cooled themselves at the Trevi Fountain in Rome as a heatwave struck Italy

Pictured is a woman fanning herself from the heat and roasting conditions in Rome last week

UN member states are committed to the Paris Agreement which aims to prevent the global temperature rising 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and certainly no more than 2C.

The Earth has already warmed by more than 1.2C, mostly because of the burning of fossil fuels, and this is expected to rise to about 2.5C by 2100 with the emissions reduction policies currently in place.

WMO secretary-general Professor Petteri Taalas said: 'The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future.

'The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before. Climate action is not a luxury but a must.'

Dr Marina Romanello, executive director of the Lancet Countdown, said many countries are prioritising fossil fuel subsidies over public health and that in 2021 alone, heat exposure cost the world economy 700 billion US dollars (540 billion) and 470 billion potential labour hours.

Catherine Abreu, executive director of Destination Zero, said neoliberalism has 'gutted' many governments' ability to even imagine how to regulate the 'runaway, villainous, wealth-mongering' of the fossil fuel industry.

She added: 'Many governments can more easily imagine geoengineering our planet than simply investing in existing renewable energy technology that we know works, and that we know can scale to the levels required.

'We need these governments to be coming in, regulating these sectors, regulating a managed decline of the fossil fuel industry, and we also need governments to be pushing past the limits that the lies of the fossil fuel industry have put on their imaginations.'
New state of the art technology has revealed what stars actually sound like

Twinkling away in deep space, it's hard to imagine that some stars may sound like a 'warped ray gun'.

But state of the art technology suggests that's the case, after scientists created simulations which reveal the 'eerily fascinating' noises for the first time.

Researchers at Northwestern University unveiled what 'twinkling' stars sound like after converting the rippling waves of gas inside stellar cores into sound waves.

You may be surprised to know that these luminous spheres often blast noises like weather sirens and even distant humming in a 'windswept terrain', according to the US team.

'Waves emerging from the core of a large star, for example, make sounds like a warped ray gun, blasting through an alien landscape,' lead author Dr Evan Anders of the study said.

New technology used by Northwestern University has revealed what stars actually sound like

READ MORE: NASA's James Webb telescope catches glimpse of possible 'dark stars' for the first time NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected three bright cosmic objects that could finally prove the existence of dark matter Advertisement

'But the star alters these sounds as the waves reach the star's surface.'

As part of this study, researchers developed the first 3D simulations of what really goes on at the heart of the star.

At the star's core, intense pressure squeezes hydrogen atoms together to form helium atoms and excess energy.

This energy gives rise to heat, which causes clumps of goo-like plasma to rise as if it were inside a lava lamp.

These waves usually then ripple outward to the star's surface where they compress and decompress the stars plasma, causing brightening and dimming of the star's light.

However, Dr Andres claims that other waves also become 'trapped' and continue to bounce around inside the star.

By understanding this, scientists were able to convert the rippling waves of gas into sound waves, enabling people to hear both what the insides of stars and the 'twinkling' should sound like.

Because the waves are outside the range of human hearing, researchers uniformly increased their frequencies to make them audible.

Inside a star: At the star's core, intense pressure squeezes hydrogen atoms together to form helium atoms and excess energy. This energy gives rise to heat, which causes clumps of goo-like plasma to rise - as if it's inside a lava lamp. These waves usually then ripple outward to the star's surface where they compress and decompress the stars plasma, causing brightening and dimming of the stars light

HOW DO STARS FORM? Stars form from dense molecular clouds - of dust and gas - in regions of interstellar space known as stellar nurseries. A single molecular cloud, which primarily contains hydrogen atoms, can be thousands of times the mass of the sun. They undergo turbulent motion with the gas and dust moving over time, disturbing the atoms and molecules causing some regions to have more matter than other parts. If enough gas and dust come together in one area then it begins to collapse under the weight of its own gravity. As it begins to collapse it slowly gets hotter and expands outwards, taking in more of the surrounding gas and dust. At this point, when the region is about 900 billion miles across, it becomes a pre-stellar core and the starting process of becoming a star. Then, over the next 50,000 years this will contract 92 billion miles across to become the inner core of a star. The excess material is ejected out towards the poles of the star and a disc of gas and dust is formed around the star, forming a proto-star. This matter is then either incorporated into the star or expelled out into a wider disc that will lead to the formation of planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Advertisement

Depending on how large or bright a star is, Dr Anders says the convection produces waves corresponding to different sounds.

He continued: 'For a large star, the ray gun-like pulses shift into a low echo reverberating through an empty room.

'Waves at the surface of a medium-sized star, on the other hand, conjure images of a persistent hum through a windswept terrain.

'And surface waves on a small star sound like a plaintive alert from a weather siren.'

The team even passed songs through different stars to understand whether these masses have the ability to change their tune.

Audio clips from 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' were used to test this, in addition to a recording from 'The Planets' by classical composer Gustav Holst.

He added: 'We were curious how a song would sound if heard as propagated through a star.

'The stars change the music and, correspondingly, change how the waves would look if we saw them as twinkling on the star's surface.'

In another first, the Northwestern team also discovered how much stars should innately shine.

To do this, Dr Anders and his team developed a filter to understand how waves should bounce around inside of a real star.

When the filter was applied, simulations showed how the waves would appear if viewed through a powerful telescope.

Dr Anders said: 'Stars get a little brighter or a little dimmer depending on various things happening dynamically inside the star.

'The twinkling that these waves cause is extremely subtle, and our eyes are not sensitive enough to see it. But powerful future telescopes may be able to detect it.'
A Florida congressman revealed he has seen an image of 'an orb' hanging over the skies of the Gulf of Mexico, and he said it was 'not of any human capability.'

Representative Matt Gaetz made the shocking revelation Wednesday during a House Oversight Committee hearing related to UAPs that heard first-hand accounts from military veterans after they swore under oath.

Gaetz told the panel that he saw an image of a UAP and spoke to pilots who snapped the photo while he and other representatives visited the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida

'They saw a sequence of four craft, in a clear diamond formation, for which there is a radar sequence that I, and I alone have observed in the United States Congress,' he said during the first-of-its-kind hearing Wednesday.

'One of the pilots goes to check out that diamond formation and sees a large, floating, what I can only describe as an orb. Again, like I said, not of any human capability that I'm aware of.'

Representative Matt Gaetz made the shocking revelation Wednesday during a House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday related to UAPs

House lawmakers held the hearing to pressure the executive branch to release more information about unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) or UFOs, as Burchett prefers.

The main witnesses were David Grusch, a former high-ranking intelligence official, Ryan Graves, an esteemed former pilot, and Navy veteran fighter pilot Commander David Fravor, who witnessed the 2004 'Tic Tac' UFO.

The three men sworn in at the start of the hearing revealed bombshell after bombshell, but Gaetz also shared a story of an incident a few months ago.

He and Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett visited the Florida Air Base but were initially met with obstacles when they attempted to look into the information.

'We were not afforded access to all of the flight crew and, initially, we were not afforded access to images and to radar,' Gaetz said during the hearing.

'Thereafter, we had a bit of a discussion about how authorities [work] in the United States of America and we did meet with one of the flight crew who took the image.'

He continued to explain the image as lawmakers listened in their seats.

'The image was of something that I am not able to attach to any human capability, either from the United States or our adversaries,' said Gaetz, who reminded the room that he has served on the arms service committee for seven years and the committee that oversees technologies with DARPA.

According to Gaetz, the pilot encountered a fleet of UAPs in diamond formation over the Gulf of Mexico during a flight test designed in open air space.

Gaetz told the panel that he saw an image of a UAP and spoke to pilots who snapped the photo while he and other representatives visited the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida

The main witnesses were David Grusch, a former high-ranking intelligence official, Ryan Graves, an esteemed former pilot, and Navy veteran fighter pilot Commander David Fravor, who witnessed the 2004 'Tic Tac' UFO

The pilot flew closer to the formation and spotted the orb floating in the center.

'When he approached, he said his radar went down and he had to take this image from one of the lenses manually,' said Gaetz.

READ MORE: Congressman on intelligence committee says aliens 'have the technology to turn humans into charcoal briquettes' and Government has been covering up UFO existence since 1890 Republican Tim Burchett believes there is no question the objects in the skies are not of this Earth and have abilities to fly underwater and never leave behind heat trails. Advertisement

Gaetz also stated that pilots involved in the incident said 'that if they have a UAP experience, the best thing to do for your career is to forget it.'

That statement echoed the testimony of Grusch when he suggested the US government has murdered people as part of the conspiracy to keep UFOs a secret.

Grusch also claimed that he had been told by multiple credible intelligence officials that the US government had recovered non-human aircraft that had 'nonhuman' biological pilots inside them.

The former US Intelligence agent added that he knows of 'multiple colleagues' who were physically injured by UFOs either after encountering them or working on them as part of these special access programs.

Grusch also said he had faced brutal retaliation after coming forward about his firsthand accounts of UFOs.

'I do have knowledge of active planned reprisal activity against myself and other colleagues.

'There were certain colleagues of mine that were brutally administratively attacked. It makes me very upset as a leader to see that happen to other co-workers and superiors of mine in the last three years,' Grusch added.

'How do you account for that response? That seems like a bizarre response,' Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin asked.

'I call it administrative terrorism. That's in their quiver or tool in the toolbox to silence people, especially the career government servants who care about their career, care about their clearance, their reputation, to climb the ladder, and when you threaten that flow, that career path, a lot of people back off, but I'm here to represent those people,' Grusch said.
Scientists fear 'time-traveling' pathogens could be leaked into the world as their icy prison in permafrost is melting - and they could spark the next planet and destroy the environment.

Ancient viruses, sealed in permafrost for thousands of years, could survive and evolve to become the dominant free-living species- killing up to one-third of bacteria-like hosts.

The stark revelation was made by researchers at the European Commission Joint Research Center, who used computer simulations to find about three percent of virus-like pathogens became dominant after being released from the ice.

The new findings suggest that the risks posed by time-traveling pathogens  so far confined to science fiction stories  could be powerful drivers of ecological change and threats to human health.

Scientists fear 'time-traveling' pathogens could be leaked into the world as their icy prison in permafrost is melting - and their escape would be detrimental to the environment. Pictured is an aerial view of the Arctic permafrost

In 2022, scientists announced they had revived a 48,500-year-old virus found in melting Siberian permafrost.

It is among seven types of viruses in the permafrost that have been resurrected after thousands of years.

The youngest had been frozen for 27,000 years, and the oldest, Pandoravirus yedoma, was frozen for 48,500 years.

Although the viruses are not considered a risk to humans, scientists warn that other viruses exposed by melted ice could be 'disastrous' and lead to new pandemics.

For example, the Alaskan permafrost once trapped the influenza virus that spread in 1981, which could have started another outbreak.

There have been many studies on how such pathogens could impact humanity, but the latest takes an approach less studied - the environment.

The team quantified the ecological risks posed by these microbes using computer simulations by performing artificial evolution experiments where digital virus-like pathogens from the past invaded communities of bacteria-like hosts.

Researchers had several hypotheses, such as they expected ancient pathogens to be more susceptible to competition from modern ones.

'Modern hosts might also have escaped from ancient pathogens during their co-evolutionary history, and possibly retain their evolved resistance, thereby challenging invaders to find susceptible hosts,' reads the study published in PLOS Computational Biology.

For example, the Alaskan permafrost once trapped the influenza virus that spread in 1981, which could have started another outbreak

In 2022, scientists announced they had revived a 48,500-year-old virus found in melting Siberian permafrost (pictured)

However, the team also hypothesized that modern hosts could have lost resistance.

'In that case, invaders might have an advantage over modern pathogens actively involved in the ongoing host-pathogen arms race,' the team shared in the study.

The scientists used a program called Avida which is an artificial life system of digital microorganisms.

Once the simulations were created, the team then compared the effects of invading pathogens on the diversity of host bacteria to diversity in control communities where no invasion occurred.

The results of the simulations showed that the invader was more persistent than 33.6 percent of native pathogens.

While most of the dominant invaders had little effect on the composition of the larger community, about one percent of the invaders yielded unpredictable results.

'Some caused up to one-third of the host species to die out, while others increased diversity by up to 12 percent compared to the control simulations,' the team shared in a press release.

'The risks posed by this one percent of released pathogens may seem small, but given the sheer number of ancient microbes regularly released into modern communities, outbreak events still represent a substantial hazard.'
Laptops in hand luggage must be charged when going through security

With the hassle of taking off shoes, separating liquids, and removing laptops from bags, getting through airport security can be a rigmarole.

But the rules that are in place are there for good reason.

Here we break down the rationale behind the steps that travellers are required to take before passing through the scanners. Plus, we reveal a few tips for speeding up the process to ensure your holiday gets off to a flying start.

REMOVING YOUR LAPTOP FROM YOUR BAG

Why do we need to place laptops in a separate tray to the rest of our belongings when heading through security? Doug Drury, who is the Head of Aviation at CQUniversity Australia, explains that the main reason is that 'battery and other mechanical components are too dense for X-rays to penetrate effectively  especially if the scanning system is old'.

Laptops must be scanned separately because the device's 'battery and other mechanical components are too dense for X-rays to penetrate effectively', aviation expert Doug Drury reveals

Writing in a piece on The Conversation, he says that with the laptop in your bag, 'security officials cant use the screened image to determine whether a risk is present'.

Drury continues: 'Theyll have to flag the bag for a physical search, which slows everything down. Its easier if all devices are removed in the first place. A laptop inside a bag can also shield other items from view that may be dangerous. Scanning it separately reveals its internal components on the screen.'

The same applies to other large electrical items such as cameras, hairdryers and iPads.

This rule is on its way out, however, with the introduction of advanced new scanners in airports in countries such as the U.S, Australia and Holland. They've also been installed in London City Airport and northern England's Teesside International Airport.

The new CT machines use X-Ray technology to take a high-resolution 3D image of luggage, allowing assessors to view it from every angle and obtain a more detailed view of the contents. Older security scanners only produce a 2D image.

The British Government is requiring all major UK airports to use the technology by June 2024.

PUTTING LIQUIDS IN 100ML CONTAINERS

Liquids in hand luggage must be limited to containers of 100ml (3.4oz), unless travellers are using the new scanners in place in airports such as London's City Airport

This rule was put in place in 2006 after the British Metropolitan Police thwarted a terror plot to detonate liquid explosives on board a series of U.S and Canada-bound flights from the UK.

It was revealed that, as part of the plot, a homemade mixture of chemicals was to be hidden inside run-of-the-mill soft drinks bottles.

After the plot was uncovered, several strict new security measures were put in place in airports around the world - including limiting liquids in hand luggage containers to 100ml (3.4oz). While the rules vary in different countries, the 100ml limit applies in many, including the UK and the U.S.

Gov.uk says that if you take liquids in your hand luggage, they must be held in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag 'which holds no more than a litre (35oz) and measures approximately 20cm (8in) by 20cm (8in)'. It adds that 'contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed' and the 'bag must not be knotted or tied at the top'.

Much like the requirement to remove your laptop, however, this rule is also changing with the introduction of advanced scanners. When using these scanners at security, the limit is two litres (70oz) of liquid, rather than 100ml. This is because the new scanners detection algorithms call attention to any dubious items that may warrant further inspection - such as liquid explosives.

TAKING OFF YOUR SHOES

TSA says: 'You will have to remove your shoes. So save yourself the hassle of unbuckling, unzipping or untying and bring them slip-ons'

The reason why we need to remove our shoes in airport security goes back to 2001 when Richard Reid attempted to detonate an explosive device hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.

Passengers were able to subdue him by binding Reid - now known as the 'shoe bomber' - with plastic handcuffs, seatbelt extensions and headphone cords, and the plane was diverted to Logan International Airport in Boston.

The shoes-off rule was established by the U.S Department of Homeland Security in 2006, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) noting: Based on intelligence pointing to a continuing threat, TSA requires passengers to remove shoes to screen for explosives.

Passengers wearing boots or heels are the most likely to be asked to remove their footwear before passing through the scanners.

The TSA website says: You will have to remove your shoes. So save yourself the hassle of unbuckling, unzipping or untying and bring them slip-ons.

And the website for Gatwick Airport notes: By removing shoes, metallic jewellery, belts or any other removable items you greatly reduce the chance of activating our walk-through metal detectors, therefore speeding up your journey through security.

WHY YOUR ELECTRICAL ITEMS NEED TO BE CHARGED

If you're travelling with electrical goods - such as a laptop - it's important to make sure they're charged before you travel.

Gov.uk says: 'If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.'

This rule is in place to 'prove its an actual working computer' and not a security threat, aviation expert Drury wrote on The Conversation.

HOW TO GET THROUGH SECURITY FASTER

Paying for a 'fast track' service can help speed up the process of getting through security

Many airports offer 'fast track' services, taking you through a dedicated lane in security so you can complete the process faster. It costs around 8 at Stansted Airport and from just 5 at Gatwick Airport.

UK consumer watchdog Which? revealed earlier this year: 'Youre most likely to feel the benefit of fast-track security when travelling at peak times. If your flight is leaving before 10am, this is likely to be the busiest time of day at any airport.'

Meanwhile, if you've splashed out on a business class or first class ticket, this often entitles you to pass through a priority lane in security, accelerating the process. This does depend on the airport, however.

Frequent flyers in America ought to sign up for TSA PreCheck, which entitles them to reduced security measures - such as not having to remove their laptops or liquids from their bags - and access to a dedicated lane at security in more than 200 airports.

The TSA PreCheck website notes that in June of this year 88 per cent of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes to get through security. In order to qualify for it, travellers must attend a ten-minute appointment in one of the enrollment centres around the country, which involves fingerprinting for a background check.

You can also monitor the security wait times on apps such as MiFlight or MyTSA. This gives you the chance to relax with a coffee in the departure lounge and make your way through security when queues are at their shortest.

Finally, preparation is key. Having all your liquids pre-separated into a clear plastic bag and wearing shoes that are easy to remove are just some of the ways you can make it through the process more smoothly.
Cowabunga! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are BACK and this time they're taking on their biggest challenge to date, going above ground.

Loved by fans for decades, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael are returning to the big screen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem - a film that's set to keep the whole family entertained when it's released on July 31.

For years the heroes in a half shell have lived in the sewers, eating pizza and battling criminals under the guidance of their sensei Splinter - an anthropomorphic rat.

But now the turtle brothers are broadening their horizons by venturing out into the human world, determined to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers.

Here's why we love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and why you'll want to book a ticket.

Cowabunga! Prepare for the whole family to be swept by turtle-mania when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is released in cinemas on July 31

1. It's fun for all the family

Prepare to be swept up by turtle-mania because there's something for everyone in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

With themes of friendship, courage and overcoming adversity, it's easy to relate to the heroes in a half shell whatever your age.

Packed full of hilarious one-liners that will tickle the whole family, there's also plenty of intense action scenes sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.

2. There's an incredible cast

Boasting a who's who of Hollywood stars, the likes of honorary Oscar winner Jackie Chan, Golden Globe nominee Paul Rudd and everyone's favourite TV villain Giancarlo Esposito have lent their voices to the movie.

Multitalented musicians Post Malone and Ice Cube also feature while WWE legend turned actor John Cena takes on a major role.

And there's no counting out the incredible female talent in Mutant Mayhem, with Emmy winner Maya Rudolph and SAG nominee Rose Byrne rounding off the list of esteemed stars.

Meanwhile, following in the flippers of their esteemed predecessors is a talented crop of rising stars playing the beloved turtles.

Disney Channel star Nicolas Cantu takes on the role of Leonardo, the sensible leader of the group who always manages to keep his brothers in check while still having fun.

Turtle Power! Loved by fans for decades, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael are back and this time they're taking on their biggest challenge to date, going above ground

Brady Noon, known for his role in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid films, is Raphael, the loveable rogue of the group who prefers to act first and ask questions later - a strategy that often gets him and his siblings into trouble!

The Chi star Shamon Brown Jr. makes his big screen debut as Michelangelo, known for his witty wise cracks and can-do attitude.

Rounding off the awesome foursome is Nickelodeon star Micah Abbey as Donatello, the brains of the organisation who always has a trick or two up his sleeve when times get tough.

3. The story is turtle-y entertaining!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem sees the beloved foursome finally leave the familiarity of the sewers in the hope of living their life as normal teens.

Yet the turtles should've known that there's nothing 'normal' when it comes to their stories, with the brothers soon being thrust into the murky world of a dangerous crime syndicate.

Helped by their new friend April O'Neil they set out on a mission to save New York City from the criminal underworld, only to find themselves being targeted by an army of ferocious mutants.

Early reactions to the film have already set social media alight, while a screening of the movie at Annecy International Film Festival resulted in a six-minute standing ovation.

Human interaction: Helped by their new friend April O'Neil they set out on a mission to save New York from the criminal underworld, only to find themselves being targeted by mutants

Remember them? Alongside the turtles is the return of devilish baddies Bebop and Rocksteady as well as the turtles' mentor Master Splinter

4. It's from the hilarious mind of 'permanent teenager' Seth Rogen

While the awesome foursome were always known for their witty one-liners, self-confessed 'permanent teenager' Seth Rogen has elevated the film's humour by injecting his comic genius and fun-loving attitude into the film.

The five-time Emmy nominee produced the film with his long-time partner Evan Goldberg, and James Weaver, and has described it as 'permeated with teenage energy.'

Packed full of one-liners, such as the turtles being described as 'little Shreks' by their enemies, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments.

As a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from childhood, this was more than just a job for Seth but a passion project that he's excited to share with the world.

5. There's plenty of Nineties nostalgia

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been loved by fans for decades and Mutant Mayhem features plenty of nostalgic moments for loyal fans.

Alongside the turtles is the return of devilish baddies Bebop and Rocksteady as well as the turtles' mentor Master Splinter.

The beloved wise cracks, witty one-liners and famed turtle catchphrases remain, but with a modern twist and accompanied by the iconic rap and pop songs.

Action-packed: The beloved wise cracks, witty one-liners and famed turtle catchphrases remain, but with a modern twist and accompanied by the iconic rap and pop songs

Incredible animation: While it's the same awesome foursome we all know and love, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have had an animated overhaul

Book your tickets now: You can watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem when it's released in cinemas on July 31

6. There's a killer hip hop soundtrack

It will be impossible to stop your foot from tapping in the cinema as Nine Inch Nails stars Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have taken on the film's score.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Lair Experience The heroes in a half-shell will be taking over London at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Lair Experience. The free family-friendly event is a pop up interactive experience offering food, drinks, skating lessons and even a custom sneaker station. Experience the event on Leake Street (a short walk from Waterloo Station) from July 28 to 30. Learn more about the lair and book your tickets HERE.

And they're not the only musicians to feature on Mutant Mayhem, which also has tracks from the likes of Ice Cube, Post Malone, A Tribe Called Quest, Blackstreet, De La Soul and Natasha Bedingfield.

Director Jeff Rowe revealed he was blown away by the 'absolutely amazing' score, describing it as 'exhilarating, terrifying, heartbreaking and full of sounds I didnt know existed!'

Seth Rogen also heaped praise on the 'incredible' soundtrack, which is set to bring about some Nineties hip hop and rock nostalgia that will be impossible to get our of your head when the movie's over!

7. It's a visual spectacle

While it's the same awesome foursome we all know and love, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have had an animated overhaul.

The distinctive new style pays homage to the original comics with a hand-drawn look that layers up 2D effects on CGI animated characters.

The redesign has been credited with making the story bigger and better than ever, with Seth Rogen admitting: 'We started to write to the animation style.

'It needed to capture that  we can never have boring scenes, because the movie itself just seems to be crackling with energy.'

Watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in cinemas on July 31.
Bec Judd posted a throwback photo of her recent trip to Europe as she wished her eldest son Oscar a happy birthday on Wednesday.

In the image, the AFL WAG, 40, showed off her abs in a black bikini teamed with a floppy $885 denim sunhat from Loewe, which features ribbons saying 'love'.

She posed poolside with Oscar at their luxury villa in Ibiza.

'Happy birthday to the sportiest, smartest, cruisiest, fairest, selfless, kindest kid youll ever meet. Thanks for being calm when everyone is crazy,' she wrote in the caption.

She also expressed her surprise at the concept of her young son growing up: 'How are you 12?'

Bec Judd posted a throwback photo of her recent trip to Europe as she wished her eldest son Oscar a happy birthday on Wednesday. In the image, the AFL WAG, 40, showed off her abs in a black bikini teamed with a floppy $885 denim sunhat from Loewe, which features ribbons saying 'love'

Bec recently returned from her trip to Europe and explained her six-week absence from social media.

Sharing a photo of herself in an airport, the Melbourne model wrote: 'I've been gone for 6 weeks. Now Im back.'

A subsequent post revealed Judd had been on holiday in Europe since early June.

The accompanying photos showed the mother-of-four showing off her slender frame in a series of skimpy bikinis while enjoying the Northern hemisphere's summer.

'Happy birthday to the sportiest, smartest, cruisiest, fairest, selfless, kindest kid youll ever meet. Thanks for being calm when everyone is crazy,' she wrote in the caption

One ensemble saw the wife of former AFL player Chris Judd in a red bikini with racy cutouts under the bust.

It was recently revealed Bec is set to join the cast of The Amazing Race Australia Celebrity Edition.

The super-fit influencer will join her sister Kate Twigley on the Channel 10 real-life adventure show.

Bec recently returned from her trip to Europe and explained her six-week absence from social media

Bec and Kate will race against 10 other teams of celebrities, who are all out to win $100,000 for their chosen charity.

In a touching announcement, Bec explained the pair will be racing on behalf of a foundation set up by their dear friend Nicole Cooper, who lost her battle with bowel cancer earlier this year.

'Nicole was a staunch advocate for cancer patients and her foundation continues her amazing work in ensuring others with cancer have better treatment, support, and options in their fight,' it read.
A bathtub may not be the usual spot to snap a picture but for Hayley Atwell its just as good a place as the red carpet.

For the Mission Impossible star posted a photo of herself lounging seductively in the bathroom on social media platform Instagram.

The Londoner, 41, who has a tongue-in-cheek grin and is wearing a scarlet red dress designed by Italian fashion house Del Core, joked in her caption: Rub a dub dub randomly in the tub.

She stars with Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, the latest film in the high-octane series.

Now after soaking up the limelight and after a gruelling filming schedule, the actress, who got engaged to songwriter Ned Wolfgang Kelly in April, is looking forward to some downtime.

Don't mind me: A bathtub may not be the usual spot to snap a picture but for Hayley Atwell its just as good a place as the red carpet

I will go on holiday with my fiance, says Hayley. I will play with my dogs, and have dinners with my family.

Hayley was first linked to Ned in July last year, shortly after she was said to have split from co-star Tom Cruise for the second time.

Ned announced their engagement on Instagram in April, revealing he popped the question during a romantic getaway in Venice.

He gushed: 'Lucky me. Arrived in Venice at 10am, around midday the love of my life and I got engaged in the kitchen of this strange apartment surrounded by ducks, with a bloke outside the window murdering "My Way" on the accordion.

'A perfect start to the rest of our lives together. I'd never had any interest in getting married... until I met this extraordinary woman. Happy as a clam.'

Hayley and Ned keep their relationship lowkey and have rarely been pictured together.

The London-based artist's Instagram bio reads that he 'doesn't eat animals' and that he has been 'alcohol & drug free for over a decade'.

Speaking to The Sun when the couple first got together, an insider claimed: 'Hayley's happiness is written on her face right now.

Happy couple: Hayley got engaged to songwriter Ned Wolfgang Kelly in April

Single lady: Last year, Hayley was said to have split from her Mission Impossible co-star Tom for the second time (pictured on the Mission Impossible 7 set)

'They get on like a house on fire and make a very handsome couple.'

Ned's website says he has produced commercial music for big brands such as Bud Light, Headspace and Samsung.

He has also scored films, worked on the design side of projects, and penned articles.

Last year, Hayley was said to have split from her Mission Impossible co-star Tom for the second time.

A source said: 'Unfortunately it hasnt worked out for them. They have now decided they are better as friends.'

The insider also revealed that the fanfare around the couple after going public was too much to handle.

'They get on really well, and have fantastic chemistry, which is why they decided to quietly give the relationship another try earlier this year.

'What was working behind closed doors didnt work out so well when it was made public, and the fanfare around them as a couple exploded again,' the source stated.

The source also insisted that the couple's romance was 'genuine', stating 'In spite of some rumours to the contrary, it was never just for the cameras.'
Gina Kirschenheiter has revealed that she remained sober while filming The Real Housewives of Orange County's 17th season during a candid chat with E! News.

The 39-year-old reality television personality stayed away from alcohol for the first time since joining the show's cast back in 2018 - which she said enabled her to cope with the on-set drama much more productively.

The podcast host, who recently took a drama-filled trip to Montana, began the sit-down by joking that maintaining sobriety was a much more difficult task than many would realize.

Kirschenheiter stated: 'It's crazy, right? Who would do this sober? I just keep saying the whole season, "I am way too sober for this."'

The reality television personality then expressed that she felt as if her personal and professional lives were positively affected by staying away from alcohol.

Making an effort: Gina Kirschenheiter has revealed that she remained sober while filming The Real Housewives of Orange County's 17th season during a candid chat with E! News .; she is seen in 2018

'I think it was a really good thing for me. Obviously, personally I was able to tackle and look at some things that I really didn't want to look at,' she said.

The podcast host also remarked that she was able to remain much more level-headed with the other Housewives while they worked on the program.

She stated that 'I just felt way more present the whole season and able to stay in it more and help work things out between some of my castmates and what not, rather than just being like, "I can't take it anymore. I'm just gonna put myself down."'

Kirschenheiter then discussed how being sober helped her connect with Jennifer Pedranti after the media personality opened up about her past infidelity.

'That's the right mindset if you're going to look at these kind of traumas or things, you really want to do it with a clear mind,' she said.

The social media figure added that maintaining sobriety helped her emotionally deal with the actions of her ex-husband Matt.

'I have absolutely forgiven my ex. That's why, for me, this really doesn't have anything to do with him. It has to do with me and me having to process through all of my feelings and what I went through in regards to that trauma,' she said.

The reality television personality and her former spouse previously tied the knot in 2010, and the two subsequently welcomed their children Sienna Rose, Nick, and Luca.

Optimistic: The reality television personality then expressed that she felt as if her personal and professional lives were positively affected by staying away from alcohol

Big improvement: The social media figure added that maintaining sobriety helped her emotionally deal with the actions of her ex-husband Matt

The two split up in 2018, and Kirschenheiter's former husband subsequently pled guilty to a charge of domestic battery.

The former couple eventually finalized their separation in 2019, and the exes currently co-parent their children.

The reality television personality opened up about the state of her relationship with her former spouse during several episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

She has also moved on with Travis Mullen, whom she first began dating in 2019.
Cardi B and husband Offset announced on Wednesday that they have a new song called Jealousy coming out at the end of the week.

The 30-year-old New York native and 31-year-old Migos rapper each shared respective social media posts with the single's cover art.

It depicted the couple appearing at odds in a slightly grainy photo showing Cardi pushing her husband's face away as she looked in the other direction.

In the image Cardi showed off her busty chest in a pink top with a cutout at the bosom.

It comes weeks after Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, publicly accused his wife of cheating on him.

Coming soon: Cardi B and husband Offset announced on Wednesday that they have a new single called Jealousy premiering at the end of the week

Cardi wrote in an Instagram caption to her 168 million fans, 'Jealousy out Friday Link in bio.'

And for his part, Offset said in his caption, 'Let's talk about some music! Jealousy out this Friday! Link in bio!'

His post racked up more than 245,000 likes from his nearly 22 million followers, while Cardi's post has so far garnered over 880,000 likes.

Last month, in a since-deleted post, Offset accused his wife of more than five years of being unfaithful.

Cardi, 30, then hit back at Offset's claim with a Twitter Spaces rant in which she accused her 'motherf****r' spouse of 'spiraling.'

She also shared a recording in which she hit back at the father of her two children via song and urged her fans 'not to pay attention' to Offset's shock allegation.

Singing a well-known Keyshia Cole song called I Should've Cheated, the star vocalized: 'First of all, let me say you cant accuse me of all the things you know that you are guilty of. Sing it with me, yall! And I see that it is easy for you to blame everything on me. Yes, honey!'

Cardi, born Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, then said, 'Come on, now. Im Cardi B, n***a. I think sometimes motherf**kers forget Im Cardi B. If I was giving this p***y to anybody, it would be out. Im not just anybody.'

Duo: The 30-year-old New York native and 31-year-old Migos rapper each shared respective social media posts with the single's cover art; pictured in January 2020

Last month: It comes weeks after Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, publicly accused his wife of cheating on him

Buzz: Offset shared a screenshot of the song title Jealousy trending on Twitter

An insider later told People: 'They're just having a little quarrel. They're very intense so [they] go back and forth quite a bit. They'll hash it out like they always do.'

Earlier this week Offset teased the forthcoming single with a parody clip inspired by a 1988 James Brown interview with CNN.

He enlisted Jamie Lee Curtis to play the role of a reporter who inquired about his marriage.

'Your fans are saying that there's a lot of drama between you and your beautiful wife Cardi B,' Curtis said.

'She seems upset, Offset,' she said emphatically to accentuate the play on words.

'There's no problems!' Offset quipped, mimicking the late musician's way of speaking and the quirky late 80s interview.

He then broke out in song before stating, 'Let's talk about some music!'

'Yall ready for some new music???.JEALOUSY!!' he captioned the hilarious footage.

Capitalizing: Earlier this week Offset teased the forthcoming single with a parody clip inspired by a 1988 James Brown interview with CNN

Moving on: Just days after their public back-and-forth online, the two appeared united during Paris Fashion Week

All is well: Cardi recently showed off a new, unreleased Chrome Hearts ensemble and implied it was a gift from her husband as she wrote, 'Thanks babe'

Offset and Cardi quickly put their marital woes behind them as they were seen enjoying Paris Fashion Week together just days after the online spat.

The twosome secretly tied the knot in September 2017 but waited until the following year to announce the marriage.

In July 2018 they welcomed daughter Kulture, 5, and three years later their son Wave, 1, was born.

Cephus is also father to sons Jordan, 13, and Kody, 8, and 8-year-old daughter Kalea from previous relationships.
Emirates Islamic delivered its highest ever half-year net profit, with an exceptional jump of 73% to

AED1.2 billion ($326.7 million) during the first half of 2023. This record profit was driven by higher funded and non-funded income reflecting improved business sentiment.

The bank reported strong operating performance on higher funded income and higher non-funded income. Total income was up 71% y-o-y to AED2.340 billion.

Other financial highlights

 Expenses increased 63% y-o-y to AED968 million as the bank invested for future growth;

 Impairment allowances benefited from strong recoveries, delivering a healthy 60 basis point cost of risk;

 Operating profit improved 77% y-o-y

 Net profit margin was at 4.74% following stable profit rates in the first half of 2023

 Total assets at AED79 billion, increased 6% from end 2022;

 Customer financing was at AED51 billion, a growth of 5% from end 2022;

 Customer deposits at AED58 billion was an increase of 3% from end 2022 with current and saving account balances at 77% of deposits;

 Credit Quality: Non-performing financing ratio at 7.2% with coverage ratio strong at 120%

 Capital: Common Equity Tier 1 ratio at 19.0% and Capital adequacy ratio at 20.1% reflect the strong capital position of the bank

 Headline Financing to Deposit ratio at 88% remained within the managements target range

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Chairman, said: Emirates Islamic delivered a record set of financial results, with a net profit of AED1.2 billion for the first six months of 2023.

Emirates Islamic has always played an integral part in the UAEs development and we are committed to contributing substantially to the economys growth by providing innovative Shariah-compliant banking solutions to our customers

Demonstrating Emirates Islamics commitment to deepening the liquidity of the local currency sukuk market, Emirates Islamic issued the first dirham sukuk from a UAE bank, with a hugely successful AED1 billion dirham-denominated sukuk. The sukuk issue sets an important precedent, expanding financing options for UAE corporations with Shariah-compliant needs while enhancing the development of the medium-term dirham yield curve, he said.

Salah Mohammed Amin, Chief Executive Officer, said: Emirates Islamics balance sheet grew by 6% to AED79 billion during the first half of 2023, maintaining a trend of successful asset growth.

Strong capital and liquidity combined with a healthy deposit mix enable the bank to support customers in fulfilling their banking requirements. We have witnessed a strong growth across the Retail, SME and Corporate segments as the nations economy continues to be buoyant he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Katie Piper showcased her gym-honed physique in a white halterneck bikini in a series of snaps from her Cornwall holiday.

The television personality, 39, took to Instagram on Wednesday and showed off her cheeky side as she posed with her back to the camera in one shot.

Katie appeared in high spirits as she lapped up the sunshine on the beach on her break with husband Richard James Sutton.

She captioned the post: 'Cornwall you treat a girl well'.

Katie was inundated with comments with Lisa Snowdon calling her a 'Total fittie!'

Beach babe: Katie Piper showcased her gym-honed physique in a white halterneck bikini in a series of snaps from her Cornwall holiday

Strike a pose: The television personality, 39, took to Instagram on Wednesday and showed off her cheeky side as she posed with her back to the camera on one shot

Fitness influencer Alice Liveing said: 'Gorgeous Katie', and The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman put a series of flame emojis.

Katie also shared a sweet selfie with husband Richie, whom she married in 2015. They have two children together.

The star has recently been on our screens with her documentary Jailhouse Mums which saw Katie visit a number of different US prisons to follow pregnant female inmates with the delivery of their babies.

However the project didn't come without its complications as Katie recently revealed that she 'risked complete blindness' while filming the documentary.

The Loose Women presenter, who underwent an operation to fix a defect in her left eye earlier this year, admitted it is still 'not great' as she issued a candid health update earlier in June.

The author revealed she 'really struggled' while filming in prisons in the States due to not having access to eye drops.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Katie said her eye issue 'has never stabilised' and revealed: 'It's not great. It's ongoing my eye for me. I had this infection since February which has never really stabilised.'

Katie continued: 'It was a nightmare throughout the filming of the prison show. I was really struggling and it was really hard to get eye drops into the prisons.

Loved-up: Katie also shared a sweet selfie with husband Richie, whom she married in 2015

Praise: Katie was inundated with comments with Lisa Snowdon calling her a 'Total fittie!'

'It's just one of those things that has never been a stable injury for me. I think if you're going to have such a life-changing injury you're going to know and accept those things don't just heal and go away.

'It is the same for every burn survivor I have met at that level of severity of injury.'

In 2008 at the age of 24, she was the victim of a horrific sulphuric acid attack when a man she'd dated for only two weeks raped her then paid a hitman to attack her.

Subsequently, Katie lost the sight in one eye and has battled to keep the health of her other, but she did not let that deter her from finishing the project.
Bryan Cranston debuted a new look on Tuesday as he delivered a fiery speech at a Screen Actors Guild strike rally in New York.

The accomplished film and television actor, 67, took to the stage at Times Square to address hundreds of union members who gathered for the 'Rock the City for a Fair Contract' rally.

Where once he had a shaved head and goatee for his role as the cancer-riddled chemist who cooks meth, the Breaking Bad star has now opted for a very different look, sporting a full head of salt-and-pepper hair and shaded spectacles.

Cranston was also clean-shaven as he railed against Hollywood executives from a podium.

Wearing a black T-shirt with a clenched fist icon and the words 'SAG-AFTRA on strike' emblazoned across it, Bryan struck a defiant pose for the cameras.

Where once he had a shaved head and goatee for his role as the cancer-riddled chemist who cooks meth on Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston (pictured) has now traded in his criminal mastermind aesthetic for a new look

The Malcom in the Middle actor called out Disney CEO Bob Iger directly, saying 'We've got a message for Mr. Iger. I know, sir, that you look [at] things through a different lens. We don't expect you to understand who we are.'

'Listen to us when we tell you we will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots,' Bryan continued.

Hollywood stars such as Michael Shannon, F. Murray Abraham and Melissa Joan Hart also spoke passionately about their decision to stand in solidarity with fellow union members at the SAG-AFTRA protest.

Actors across the country began to strike on July 14 after negotiations over their demand for higher wages were not met by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Cranston took to the stage at Times Square to address hundreds of union members who gathered for the 'Rock the City for a Fair Contract' rally

Wearing a black T-shirt with a clenched fist icon and the words 'SAG-AFTRA on strike' emblazoned across it, Bryan struck a defiant pose for the camera

Bryan's forthright speech and new look comes after he recently opened up about his life and journey from that of a character actor to a bonafide star of film, television and theatre

Bryan's forthright speech and new look comes after he recently opened up about his life and journey from that of a character actor to a bonafide star of film, television and theatre.

The Los Angeles native  who recently clarified comments he made about 'retiring' from acting  was the special guest on 'In conversation With Josh Horowitz' at 92NY in New York City two weeks ago.

The focus of the stage interview and Q-and-A was to help promote his latest role in Wes Anderson's new film Asteroid City.

Taking place in a fictional desert town in 1955, Asteroid City tells the story of a youth stargazing convention spectacularly disrupted by strange cosmic events, according to the 92NY website.

Considered to be one of the most respected actors of his generation, the man behind Breaking Bad's iconic Walter White character talked about the making of the sci-fi romantic comedy-drama and working with Anderson, who's known for his work on The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Moonrise Kingdom (2012) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).

Bryan's forthright speech and new look comes after he recently opened up about his life and journey from that of a character actor to a bonafide star of film, television and theatre

Speaking about Wes Anderson's working style, Cranston said 'he wants to know every detail about everything.'

'That's why it becomes a Wes Anderson movie because nothing is left to chance,' he continued.

'[Anderson] called me and asked "would you like to be in Asteroid City" and before he could finish the sentence I'm saying yes.'
Jorgie Porter showcased her incredible post-partum figure just eight months after giving birth to her son Forest in a series of holiday snaps.

The Hollyoaks actress, 35, who plays Theresa McQueen in the soap, has jetted off with her fiance Oliver Piotrowski and baby boy, whom they welcomed in November.

Jorgie slipped into a green stripy bikini as she enjoyed hit the pool with an adorable Forest.

She wrote: 'Pool days with my mini pineapple', in the photos uploaded to Instagram on Wednesday.

Jorgie looked every inch the doting mum as she held her son, who looked sweet in a yellow hat.

Jetting off: Jorgie Porter showcased her incredible post-partum figure just eight months after giving birth to her son Forest in a series of holiday snaps

The star recently spoke about her health and fitness regime post-partum.

She said of maintaining her toned physique in an interview with The Sun: 'This is literally due to breastfeeding and Forest is 18kg now.

'I'm carrying this little thing around constantly has helped.

'I'm also just always running around doing things - I'm happy with my body but it goes up and down all the time.'

The couple revealed they were expecting in a video on Instagram which showed Porter, Piotrowski and their dog each moving their hands to unveil the sonogram photo.

Their baby joy came after the couple lost quadruplets at 14 weeks in a devastating miscarriage in August 2021.

The former Dancing On Ice star got engaged to Ollie while staying at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perth and Kinross after they began dating in 2020.

Jorgie recently gave her fans an insight into life as a new mother as she admitted she was 'terrified' of not pumping enough milk for her newborn son.

Doting mum: The Hollyoaks actress, who plays Theresa McQueen in the soap, has jetted off with her fiance Oliver Piotrowski and baby boy, whom she welcomed in November

Wow! Before going on holiday, Jorgie tried on a selection of bikinis

Looking good! The Hollyoaks star wowed fans during the wardrobe try-on

She shared a candid snap to Instagram of Forest sleeping on her chest and showed fans her breast pump as she penned: 'Today's challenge trying to pump so my mum can look after Forest for a few hours.

'Anyone else feel that in pregnancy soooooooo much is spoken about regarding birth and the baby but not a lot about what you might encounter after your baby is here?

'Like seriously, breastfeeding is amazing and I consider myself lucky that I haven't had many challenges so far, but I'm starting to need to leave Forest for a few hours and honestly feel like a need a degree to figure this out.'

Jorgie added: 'Apart from not knowing 'when' the best time is to pump is, whilst making sure he's getting what he needs now and pumping the 'right' amount for later sometimes after all the faff I'm then struggling to pump a drop at all.

'So genuinely if anyone has any tips I'd love to know and for anyone who feels like me save this post and hopefully some lovely Instagram fairies will come up with some answers to help us in the comments'.
She has yet to take the plunge and marry her Royal Marine fiance, Joseph Bates, but I see model Jodie Kidd is the latest celebrity to dip into the Wim Hof Method craze.

The 44-year-old TV personality endured a freezing ice bath while on a retreat, where she practised breathing techniques and stress-busting exercises.

Extreme athlete Wim Hof, creator of the method which has struck a chord with wellness-centric stars, claims exposure to the cold helps the body to heal.

Amazing day, cant wait to do it again, Jodie says. Her survivalist antics will impress Bates, 36, who also braved the icy waters.

The model previously revealed returning to a quiet life in the countryside helped her 'curb' her anxiety' after quitting the modelling industry to to protect her mental health.

Here we go: She has yet to take the plunge and marry her Royal Marine fiance, Joseph Bates, but I see model Jodie Kidd is the latest celebrity to dip into the Wim Hof Method craze

Getting involved: The 44-year-old TV personality endured a freezing ice bath while on a retreat, where she practised breathing techniques and stress-busting exercises

Jodie burst onto the fashion scene when she was just 16, after being spotted on a beach in Barbados by photographer Terry O'Neil, and fronted campaigns for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Chloe.

Three years after suffering a horrific panic attack during a catwalk at 19, Jodie quit the industry all together, eventually moving from London to her hometown in West Sussex.

She now lives near Kirdford with son Indio, 11, and told the Mirror that after going through some 'very dark times' she's managed to 'get on top of' her anxiety.

'Back then, no one really talked about mental health but now everyone's a lot more open about it, which is really important,' she said.

Jodie has put 'blood, sweat and tears' into The Half Moon pub, and admitted that while there have been challenges due to the pandemic, purchasing the business was one of the best decisions she's made.

However the model had to take down her pub sign which shows her bare bottom after locals complained to the council over its 'inappropriate' nature.

A painting of the landlady showing off her behind was put up in front of the pub, replacing the old traditional image of a face in a crescent moon.

Jodie's pub was one of a dozen who had their signs undergo a racy makeover as part of the the Stella Artois: The Pub Renaissance campaign.

All change: The model previously revealed returning to a quiet life in the countryside helped her 'curb' her anxiety' after quitting the modelling industry to to protect her mental health

New venture: Jodie now lives near Kirkwood with son Indio, nine, and in 2017 purchased her local village pub, The Half Moon. She is pictured fronting a campaign to champion local pubs

The saucy makeover at the West Sussex pub was in aid of raising money for charity however locals were unable to see the fun side of the sign.

Jodie told The Sun: 'Villagers thought it wasn't fitting for a 16th century pub to have an a*** hanging out. They complained and the council told us to take it down.

Jodie said: 'The campaign was there to raise money for people in the industry suffering as a result of rising energy bills. I was proud to be part of the campaign.

'If they didn't understand it was for charity and helping the hospitality industry, then I'm sure they were thinking 'why is our landlady getting her butt cheeks out? They must have thought 'she's gone completely mad'.
Devon Windsor sizzled on Instagram as she shared a trio of bikini-clad photos with her 4.6 million followers on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old model - who welcomed a second daughter in May - looked amazing less than three months postpartum.

The blonde beauty, who is married to entrepreneur Johnny Barbara, bared her toned abdomen in a bandeau and low-slung bottoms from her eponymous swimsuit line.

The former Victoria's Secret star wore a pair of round sunglasses and a shell necklace as she posed in clear blue water.

Windsor, who hails from St. Louis, Missouri, wrote a simple caption for her post: 'Beached.'

Smoldering: Devon Windsor sizzled on Instagram as she shared a trio of bikini-clad photos with her 4.6 million followers on Wednesday

Beauty: The 29-year-old model - who welcomed a second daughter in May - looked amazing less than three months postpartum

The mother-of-two wore her shoulder-length locks loose, styled in a center part and damp from the ocean.

She flaunted a glossy, milky white hue on her almond-shaped nails as she posed for makeup-free snapshots.

Missing from the photo set were her two daughters - Enzo Elodie, 2 in September, and Celine Blue, 3 months in August.

It comes after one day earlier the superstar shared a selection of photos with her husband and older daughter swimming with dolphins.

The trio donned coordinating black wetsuits and Windsor wrote in the caption, 'Not sure who had more fun, me or Enzo.'

Devon hasn't revealed her location, but she's been steadily uploading content from a tropical oasis.

Last month, just weeks after giving birth, she was back to work modeling in Miami.

She rocked three different looks, including two swimsuits and a plunging dress.

Cheeky: The blonde beauty, who is married to entrepreneur Johnny Barbara, bared her toned abdomen in a bandeau and low-slung bottoms from her eponymous swimsuit line

Family affair: The family-of-four coordinated looks as they celebrated the Fourth Of July

Three days after welcoming baby number two, Devon dropped in on social media to share the news with fans.

'Celine Blue Barbara,' she captioned a photo of herself in the hospital, adding, '5.1.23.'

She first announced she and her husband were expecting again in a November Instagram post.

'Someones becoming a big sister!' the entrepreneur captioned a snapshot of her holding Enzo above her baby bump.

'So excited to announce we are expecting baby #2 next year!' she added.
Selena Gomez made a shock move by publicly wishing her ex-BFF Francia Raisa a happy 35th birthday despite their vicious feud.

'Happiest of birthdays to this special human beings. No matter where life takes us, I love you.  @franciaraisa,' wrote the Disney Channel alum, 31, on Instagram Wednesday.

She included some of her favorite photos with Raisa, including one of the pair posing together at her star-studded 30th birthday party last July.

As of now, the Secret Life Of The American Teenager star does not follow Gomez on Instagram and hasn't acknowledged the birthday tribute.

The pair have had a rocky friendship in the years since Raisa donated a life-saving kidney to Gomez in 2017.

'I love you': Selena Gomez made a shock move by publicly wishing her ex-BFF Francia Raisa a happy birthday despite their vicious feud

Gomez needed a new kidney after suffering organ damage related to her lupus diagnosis.

She revealed she's undergone the transplant in a 2017 Instagram post that included a photo of herself and Raisa in hospital to Instagram.

In the photo, the pair are seen holding hands as they recouped side-by-side in hospital beds.

To honor Raisa's incredible sacrifice, they each got the surgery date tattooed.

A year after the transplant, Gomez was seen partying and consuming alcohol, which allegedly led to Raisa confronting her about her 'unhealthy choices.'

They reconciled in late 2018 after Gomez suffered a mental breakdown and checked herself into a facility.

But tensions flared last year when Gomez told Rolling Stone that her 'only friend in the industry' is fellow pop diva Taylor Swift.

Raisa remarked: 'Interesting,' on Instagram and made her feelings clear by subsequently unfollowing Gomez.

When a TikTok account posted a video documenting the burgeoning drama, Gomez snidely took to the comment section to write: 'Sorry I didnt mention every person I know.'

Adding fuel to the fire, Gomez also failed to mention Raisa as she spoke candidly about her mental and physical health in her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind And Me.

Gomez did show appreciation for Raisa as she candidly discussed the life-saving transplant while appearing on the streamer's series Dear....

She revealed that the actress took it upon herself to get tested to see if she could be a kidney donor.

'Happiest of birthdays to this special human beings. No matter where life takes us, I love you.  @franciaraisa,' wrote the Disney Channel alum, 31, on Instagram Wednesday

Memories: She included some of her favorite photos with Raisa, including one of the pair posing together at her star-studded 30th birthday party last July

Sacrifice: The pair have had a rocky friendship in the years after Raisa donated a life-saving kidney to Gomez  who suffers from Lupus  in 2017

Tensions flare: A year after the transplant, Gomez was seen partying and consuming alcohol, which allegedly led to Raisa confronting her about her 'unhealthy choices'; seen in 2017

Battle of the BFFs: Tensions flared last year when Gomez told Rolling Stone that her 'only friend in the industry' is Taylor Swift

Gomez also recalled how 'unbelievably overwhelming' it was that Raisa didn't even second-guess making the decision.

'So within three days she went to go do it and she was a match, and it was one of those moments where I felt watched over,' she said.

She said that she 'will never, ever, ever be more in debt to a person than Francia.'

But another wedge was seemingly put between the pair the following month when a TikTok comment went viral of Gomez referring to Swift  not Raisa  as her 'best friend.'

In May, Raisa appeared to shade her former BFF by avoiding all questions about her while out in LA.

Raisa was asked about the state of her relationship with the Rare Beauty founder and if they are on speaking terms but she refused to share any insight.

Raisa first met Gomez in 2007 when they were teenagers and they instantly developed a tight bond and attended a number of red carpet events together.

She attended Gomez's 30th birthday bash last year but skipped out on her 31st birthday celebrations over the weekend.

Unlike Gomez, Raisa failed to pay tribute to her ex-BFF on social media.

Birthday girl: Though it's unclear whether or not a reconciliation is on the horizon, Raisa was in full celebration mode on Tuesday while partying in a tropical destination

Bikini babe: 'If Im not in a bikini on my birthday then its not my birthday,' captioned the star, who flaunted her svelte physique in a tiny orange two-piece

Fashionista: She was also pictured modeling a large sunhat and a stylish crochet coord as she lounged on a couch

Party time: On her Instagram Story she is seen hanging out in a cabana by the water and enjoying drinks with friends

Though it's unclear whether or not a reconciliation is on the horizon, Raisa was in full celebration mode on Tuesday while partying in a tropical destination.

'If Im not in a bikini on my birthday then its not my birthday,' captioned the star, who flaunted her svelte physique in a tiny orange two-piece.

She was also pictured modeling a large sunhat and a stylish crochet coord as she lounged on a couch.

On her Instagram Story she is seen hanging out in a cabana by the water and enjoying drinks with friends.
The finale of season one of Secret Invasion dropped on Disney+ overnight.

And fans have flocked to social media to gush over the show's female star Emilia Clarke, 36.

Her portrayal of G'iah has wowed viewers, who have called the character 'the most powerful in the Marvel Universe'.

The six-part series sees Sam Jackson's famed Nick Fury character battle earth invaders alongside Skrull General Talos, played by Aussie actor Ben Mendelsohn.

In the show, Clarke playes Talos' fiercely independent daughter, G'iah.

Fans have flocked to social media to gush over the Secret Invasion's female star Emilia Clarke after the finale of the Disney + series

Her portrayal of G'iah has wowed viewers, who have called the character 'the most powerful in the Marvel Universe'

The six-part series sees Sam Jackson's famed Nick Fury character battle earth invaders alongside Skrull General Talos, played by Aussie actor Ben Mendelsohn

Fans gushed over the finale's climax as Clarke's character went head-to-head in a brutal battle with Gravik, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir.

One viewer tweeted a photo of Clarke as G'iah alongside the dark-haired beauty's famed role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones.

'Mother of Dragons, Mother of Powers,' the fan captioned the pic.

Another fan tweeted: 'She's the most powerful MCU hero now.'

Another agreed, tweeting: 'G'iah is Unstoppable.'

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Fans gushed over the finale's climax as Clarke's character went head-to-head in a brutal battle with Gravik, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir

The fan then claimed the spunky heroine had equal powers to such famed Marvel heroes such as Mantis, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch and the Hulk.

Secret Invasion is set in the present day MCU, where Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) learns 'of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls.

Fury teams up with Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and the ally Skrull Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), who has made his own life on Earth.

A fan compared Clarke's new superhero with her famed role in HBO's Game of Thrones

They team up to crush an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.

The series also stars Charlayne Woodard, Killian Scott, Samuel Adewunmi, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, and Don Cheadle returning as Rhodey.

Ali Selim directs all six episodes of the series, and also serves as an executive producer.
Kelly Bensimon has the look of a glowing bride.

During a stroll along the bustling streets of New York City on Wednesday, The Real Housewives Of New York City alum flashed a big beaming smile, all while gracefully displaying her new engagement ring.

Bensimon, who got engaged to financier Scott Litner over the 4th of July weekend, would also showcase her summer style in a white and pink satin floral dress that she matched with a pair of chic blue sandals.

At one point she would show off her infectious enthusiasm by raising her left arm to flash a peace sign.

Despite the rising temperatures, which saw it rise to the upper 80s Fahrenheit. Bensimon appeared to still have a good hair day, styling her blonde blonde locks long and flowing down over her chest to about the middle of her back.

On the go: Kelly Bensimon, 55, flashed a peace sign with her new engagement ring on full display while on the go during a busy day in New York City on Wednesday

Of course, with the sun glaring down on this hot summer day in Manhattan, she would also don cool dark sunglasses.

It turned out to be a busy Wednesday for the real estate agent, who kicked off things off in the morning with a 'photoshoot day' for her listings, she declared in an Instagram post.

'I love these day. I get to put my touch on some of the most beautiful properties in the world @douglaselliman,' she added in the caption of a photo showing her getting a ride to the studio for the shoot.

By the time she got to the studio, the former model slipped into a green Prada. ensemble, which was showcased in a couple of selfie snaps.

But eventually she slipped her floral number back on and headed to Golden Goose Forward in the Soho neighborhood of Downtown Manhattan, where she picked up a couple pairs of her old sneaker that she had redone 'to look brand new'.

Later in the early evening, Bensimon (born Kelly Jean Killoren) made her way to the Bronx to check out the latest game in the Subway Series rivalry at Yankee Stadium.

It looks as though he hooked up with one of her real estate gal pals for the between the Yankees and Mets, along with her fiance.

'We see, we play,' she wrote over a photo of herself and her friend, who both showed their allegiance to the Bronx Bombers by wearing one of her their hats.

Chic: The Real Housewives Of New York City alum showed off her summer style in a white and pink floral dress and blue sandals while out and about

Lovin' it: Dressed in her white floral number, Bensimon made a stop to Golden Goose Forward to picks up a couple pairs of sneakers that she had redone to look brand new

Busy work day: The real estate agent kicked off her Wednesday morning with a photoshoot for her new listings

Working it: Bensimon confessed she loves 'photoshoot day' because it allows her to put her 'touch on some of the most beautiful properties in the world'

By this time, Bensimon had changed into a casual ensemble that included a white t-shirt, to go along with her red Yankees cap.

She would also share a photo taken from the right field bleacher seats: 'Current view who do you like better: Yankees or Mets,' she asked her fans and followers.

The former RHONY star also snuggled next to Litner as the couple mugged for the camera with a couple of bright smiles.

'I like @yankees, he likes @redsox,' the former model revealed, which means they've got some issues to work out when they watch the famous rivalry together in the years to come.

Bensimon ended up leaving the stadium a happy lady, considering her Yankees beat the the Mets 3 to 1.

Bronx Bomber fans: Later on Wednesday, the former model looked up with a real estate gal pal and made their way to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx

Rivalry: Bensimon asked her 977,000 Instagram fans and followers whether they were fans of the Yankees or the Mets, ahead of the latest game in the Subway Series rivalry

Item: Bensimon also hooked up with her fiance Scott Litner at the Yankees-Mets game

Giving back: The former RHONY star also promoted a charity event on her Instagram page

Earlier in July, Bensimon and Litner celebrated their engagement a quiet romantic dinner in Chicago, according to People.

'She is over the moon and excited for this new chapter, her representative told the publication. 'They were dating for over a year when he surprised her with a custom designed emerald cut diamond engagement ring at her favorite childhood vacay destination Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.'

'I never thought I could be so happy,' Bensimon told E! News, while added that the proposal feels like a 'new beginning.'

Bensimon also took to her Instagram page to promote the upcoming Holiday House NYC that she's hosting on Friday, July 28.

The event is a 45 minute DanceBody class taught by Courtnay Mariani, where all the proceeds go towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Emily Ratajkowski took to the streets of New York City on Wednesday evening to walk her beloved dog Colombo.

The 32-year-old High/Low podcast host - who posed in a white bikini this week - covered up in a big white T-shirt.

She added a pair of olive green parachute-style pants, finishing with a pair of white sneakers.

The mother-of-one wore her newly-dyed ginger-hued hair straight with face-framing bangs.

Finally, the supermodel obscured her eyes with a pair of large, square-shaped black sunglasses.

Out and about: Emily Ratajkowski took to the streets of New York City on Wednesday evening to walk her beloved dog Colombo

It's the second time the supermodel was spotted out on Wednesday after she was also seen walking her pup earlier in the day.

She changed her outfit after stepping out in a halter neck top that flashed her toned tummy.

The bombshell teamed her prior look with amber-colored snake print trousers.

She joined the look with a pair of sporty purple, black, and silver sneakers and a black leather purse.

Emily has had Colombo since May 2019 and even brought him on The Tonight Show and introduced him to Jimmy Fallon when he was just a puppy.

'I've been loving it. It felt like a big step,' the beauty gushed about her pet at the time, which was before she became mom to son Sylvester Apollo in 2021.

Before her divorce, the best-selling author was often seen walking the pup on the streets of NYC with then-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.

The brown and black dog even has its own Instagram where the runway regular occasionally posts updates.

The star, who was born in Southern California, is regularly seen making a fashion statement as she walks Colombo around her neighborhood.

Comfortable look: The 32-year-old High/Low podcast host - who posed in a white bikini this week - covered up in a big white T-shirt

Big red: The mother-of-one wore her newly-dyed ginger-hued hair straight with face-framing bangs

Earlier look: Emily was also seen out and about earlier in the day

The My Body author recently welcomed Architectural Digest into the backyard of the NYC home she moved into last September.

'I wanted it to just feel really fresh,' she explained about the outdoor space.

'The back is surrounded by trees and a lot of plants, and I wanted it to feel comfortable but still chic and modern, without being too try hard, if that makes any sense,' she explained.

'I think we found a really good combination of pieces because it still feels modern, but it doesnt feel overly designed,' she added.

Emily said Sly has a little area just for him that includes a baby pool and a sensory table.

'I have a 90-pound dog and a two-year-old. Being in New York City, its just so nice to sit out there, having morning coffee and letting my son play.

'Im very much enjoying that and looking forward to more of it,' she said.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's controversial son Chet Hanks debuted a massive cross tattoo on his chest as his latest act of devotion to God.

The actor, 32, was a self-processed atheist before converting to Christianity in his late teens and is now devoting his platform to spreading the word of God.

On Wednesday, Chet made the dramatic move of clearing his Instagram entirely before uploading a shirtless photo showcasing his 'holy' ink.

He also proclaimed that his life's 'purpose' is to serve God and opened up about his troubled past in a four-slide text post.

'I have been in character for as long as I've been in the public eye,' Chet wrote in bold, white lettering.

The latest: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's controversial son Chet Hanks debuted a massive cross tattoo on his chest as his latest act of devotion to God

'I've played many roles and worn many masks. Actor. Rapper. Fitness guy. Lambo guy. None of them are the real me.

Chet confessed that he has long been 'an expert at playing the fool because I learned it as a survival mechanism.

'But the more I look around at the world I see that the world doesn't need any more caricatures. False depictions of who we think we need to be.

'There's only on thing the world needs more of and that's God,' he continued.

Chet believes that his hardships  including his past struggles with addiction, infamously erratic behavior and domestic violence allegations  were due to the absence of God in his life.

'All the pain in my life has resulted from one thing  the lie of believing that my purpose is anything but just serving God,' the sober star wrote.

Chet concluded the post by admitting that he's unsure how to best serve God but believe that God will guide him in the right direction.

'It's not fully clear to me yet how I can best serve Him but I feel that this level of honesty is a starting point. And I know He will continue to reveal more,' he wrote.

He also encouraged his 530,000 followers to embark on their own spiritual journey by accepting God into their hearts.

The born-again Christian has since deleted the posts.

Chet recalled the moment 'God revealed Himself to me' during a 2021 appearance on Logan Paul's IMPAULSIVE podcast.

Chet said he was an angry, rule-breaking 17-year-old when his parents sent him away to a 12-week camp in Utah wilderness.

During a hike, Chet found himself 'overcome with emotion' as he embraced the beauty of the landscape from an 'elevated perspective.'

'It felt like I was touched by the hand of God. It was at that moment God revealed Himself to me,' he told Paul and his co-hosts.

Starting fresh: On Wednesday, Chet made the dramatic move of clearing his Instagram entirely before uploading a shirtless photo showcasing his 'holy' ink

Purpose: He also proclaimed that his life's 'purpose' is to serve God and opened up about his troubled past in a four-slide text post

'All that anger, and that hate, and that resentment flipped. It inverted to just infinite hope, gratitude, peace, love. It just flipped on a dime, like that.

'And I was so overcome by emotion, I just sat at the edge of that cliff and I wept. I wept for an hour, uncontrollable weeping for like an hour. It did not cease, but tears of joy,' he continued.

'Tears of everything, feeling every emotion at once, all the pain and all the joy.'

Though he was deeply moved by the experience, Chet still ended up venturing down a dark path plagued with drug addiction, alcoholism and violence that got him into legal trouble.

He's also been accused of cultural appropriation and was previously accused by a girlfriend of abuse in 2021.

Chet told Paul that that period of his life lasted from age 16 to age 24 when he made the decision to get sober.

The star previously admitted to selling coke and smoking crack, before checking into rehab in 2014.

'A couple months ago I was selling coke [and] doing coke until I couldn't even snort it up my nose anymore because it was so clogged. I even smoked crack,' he revealed on Instagram at the time.

He seemingly fell off the wagon in 2021 as he revealed in September 2022 that he'd been sober for just one year.

Chet is the eldest son of Hollywood power couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.

The pair  who have been married since 1988  also share 27-year-old Truman.

Tom also has daughter Elizabeth Ann, 41, and son Colin, 45, with ex-wife Samantha Lewes.

Chet has long been synonymous with controversy as he's made headlines over the years for his erratic behavior.

In April, the father-of-one faced backlash for refusing to apologize for culturally appropriating accents.

While appearing on Showtime talk show ZIWE, he was asked if there were any marginalized communities he wanted to apologize to. Hanks replied: 'Nah.'

Converted: The actor, 32, was a self-processed atheist before converting to Christianity in his late teens and is now devoting his platform to spreading the word of God

Nepo baby: Chet is the eldest son of Hollywood power couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson; seen together in 2011

Chet had routinely been hit with claims of 'cultural appropriation' for frequently attempting to speak in a fake 'Jamaican' accent.

In 2020, he was yet again slammed for impersonating what seemed to be Jamaican patois - an English-based creole language with West African influences - in a bizarre video rant about Donald Trump following Joe Biden's presidential win.

Chet once again impersonated a Jamaican accent at the Golden Globes in 2020, after a video went viral of him speaking Patois and laughing, as he said he didn't want a 'mawga' girl, meaning 'skinny.'

However, he defended his actions when speaking about cultural appropriation in an Instagram video in February.

He asked: 'Why are we so caught up on this idea of theft and stealing?'

'Why are we so quick to be angry and tense over the blurring of racial communities, instead of just being welcoming towards it?'

In 2021 Chet was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-girlfriend Kiana Parker.

A civil suit filed by Parker alleged she was physically and psychologically terrorized by Hanks between October 2020 and 2021.

The lawsuit stated that Hanks shoved and grabbed his ex-girlfriend, threatened to carry out a murder-suicide and branded her a 'ghetto black b**** who wouldn't be believed.

Hanks' lawyer dismissed Parkers' allegations as a 'shakedown,' and claims they are in response to a suit filed by Hanks, claiming that Parker attacked him with a pot, leaving him with blood gushing from a wound on his forehead.

A clip of that confrontation also appeared to show Parker menacing Hanks with a knife while screaming 'Sh*t.' The screen faded to black, with Hanks then filmed showing his forehead wound while Parker saying that he 'pushed her.'

Parker said in her new court documents that Chet got into a clash with her in New Orleans October 18, claiming he pushed her and grabbed her arms and wrists after she said she was leaving the room they had shared at the Windsor Court Hotel.

Jamaican love: Chet has routinely been hit with claims of 'cultural appropriation' for frequently attempting to speak in a fake 'Jamaican' accent

No apologies: While appearing on Showtime talk show ZIWE , he was asked if there were any marginalized communities he wanted to apologize to. Hanks replied: 'Nah'

In defense: He defended his actions when speaking about cultural appropriation in an Instagram video. He asked: 'Why are we so caught up on this idea of theft and stealing?'

Parker told the court that Hanks said that said she was 'just a ghetto black b****' who wouldn't be believed, and that he'd threatened the murder-suicide the following month. She added that her nine-year-old twins were at home during the incident.

Chet and Parker were seen in a violent exchange on video January 8, as she was moving her things out of his abode.

Parker, in legal docs, said that Hanks had approached her with a knife in the incident, and she hit him with a pot to defend herself; she received a temporary restraining order in the incident.

Meanwhile his attorney branded the claims 'completely false, fabricated and fictional.'

Most notably, Chet was slammed by his father Tom's fans in February of 2022, after he claimed he didn't have a 'strong male role model' growing up, as they insisted he is an 'entitled brat' who threw his dad 'under the bus.'

Chet claimed he did not have a 'strong male role model' during his teens while he was struggling with the pressures of having celebrity parents.

Although Chet assured the public that 'I love my parents' and 'wouldn't want any different parents,' he confessed having a famous family is 'a double-edged sword.'

He opened up about his upbringing in a YouTube video titled 'The Truth About Growing Up As A Hanks' saying many people had 'contempt' for him as a movie star's child, and while trying to navigate the 's***-talking' and the 'd***-riders,' he lacked 'a strong male role model' who could have told him: ''Hey, bro, f*** these people. They are just jealous of you.'''

In the video, Chet shared that 'my experience was even more complicated because on top of fame already being toxic, I wasn't even famous. You know, I was just the son of somebody famous so I hadn't even done anything to deserve any sort of recognition and that created a lot of contempt, a lot of contempt for me.'

Chet shared that while his father was 'on this pedestal,' he himself was 'assumed' to be 'a really arrogant, entitled spoiled brat even though I really wasn't.'

During his high school and college years 'people would make up their minds about me before they even got a chance to know me and it was extremely hard to break down their walls so I encountered a lot of disdain, a lot of animosity, a lot of negativity because everybody was just prepared to hate my guts.'

As a result he wound up with 'a chip on my shoulder' and formed a 'hard exterior' because of the 'anger' he was harboring.

Relationship woes: Hanks was accused of domestic abuse by ex-girlfriend Kiana Parker in a $1 million suit she filed against him in 2021

No role model: Chet shocked fans in 2022, after he claimed he didn't have a 'strong male role model' growing up; Pictured with father Tom in 2012

Addiction: Chet has openly shared about his drug addiction, which he claimed to have battled since he was 16 years old, and shared at one point he was selling coke and smoking crack

Sober now: In September, Chet revealed with an Instagram post that he has been one year sober and wrote that, 'This is just the beginning'

He recalled that 'people did kinda f*** with me a lot growing up. It was never to my face. It was always behind my back, in the forms of like gossip and s***-talking.'

At the time he was also fielding 'd***-riders' who 'didn't give a f***ing s*** about me' but were 'just infatuated with the idea of hanging around f***ing Tom Hanks' son.'

In 2015, Chet defended his use of the N-word on social media, saying he believes it 'unifies the culture of hip-hop across all races.'

In an Instagram post, he said: 'I do say the n word in real life amongst my black friends who get me and can't nobody tell me I can't say what the [expletive] I feel like no disrespect to the struggle of black ppl during the civil rights movement but its 2015 now.'

He went on to encourage followers to 'get with the times.'

However later, Chet admitted that he now 'realizes' his white privilege, following a debate about cultural appropriation online.

Cultural appropriation is a phrase to describe when members of a dominant culture use elements from a disadvantaged or minority culture for profit.

'This has been an intense period of selfie reflection and it's been an enlightening period for me,' he said, but attempted to justify his Jamaican accent, adding: 'It's my only liberation from the constant activity of my mental. I am who I am.'

Chet also explained on The Red Pill Podcast with Van Lathan that he, 'was on a lot of drugs' when he used the N-word frequently, and when he tried to defend it in a now-deleted Instagram video.

'Number one, I was on a lot of drugs,' Hanks said. 'I wanted to be, like, down, you know what I mean? I just felt like I wasn't enough.'

'Lowkey, like subconsciously, looking back on it now I realize I was trolling,' he said. 'I thought, like, crazy antics and just whiling the fk out and doing some crazy st was going to like spark my career.'
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Oman Investment Authority (OIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation and investment in Oman.

The MoU will enable new and promising investments in Oman's rapidly growing economy, said a Saudi Press Gency report.

The MoU provides benefits and incentives for PIF and its portfolio companies, which intend to unlock investment opportunities in Oman.

The MoU also represents a significant milestone in PIF and OIAs strategic partnership as it aims to expand PIFs portfolio in Oman, building on the recent establishment of the Saudi Omani Investment Company (SOIC), a PIF-wholly owned company, which intends to invest up to $5 billion in promising sectors in Oman.

SOIC recently closed its first investment in Oman as a 20% anchor investor in Abraj Energy Services IPO and continues to seek other investment opportunities with OIA and its companies.

Through this MoU, PIF aims to streamline its investment activities in Oman across a wide range of asset classes and target industries. The OIA is expected to explore attractive investment opportunities for cooperation and partnership with PIF, in addition to providing all aspects of support required in the Omani market.

Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF, Yazeed A Al-Humied said: This MoU is an important step in further strengthening the relationship between PIF and OIA to expand investment and cooperation in the fast-growing Omani economy. PIF aims to create long-term strategic partnerships in the region that support the creation of sustainable returns, deliver value to local economies, maximise PIFs assets, and diversify the Saudi Arabian economy in line with Vision 2030.

Deputy President for Investment at OIA Mulhem Basheer Al Jarf said: This MoU builds on our existing relationship with PIF and enables greater cooperation, driving economic diversification in Saudi Arabia and Oman. It aims to facilitate partnership opportunities for the private sector in both countries, in alignment with OIAs efforts to attract FDI to the Sultanate of Oman through Omans 2040 vision."

As a key government entity responsible for strategic investments, OIA plays a leading role in Omans efforts to diversify the economy, foster sustainable development, and create a prosperous future for its people. By attracting capital, championing innovation, and implementing strategic initiatives, OIA plays an instrumental role in advancing Oman's economic growth, elevating its global competitiveness, and driving the nation toward a prosperous and resilient future.
Ruby Rose may have once been known for her signature ink, but that looks to be changing.

At a preview of stage play 2:22 A Ghost Story in Melbourne, the Orange is the New Black actor, 37, got up close and personal for her theatre debut.

Wearing a brown tank top and white linen pants for her performance, Ruby is still sporting plenty of body art.

But in a photo with castmate Daniel MacPherson, 43, she revealed the old tattoos on her hands are noticeably fainter.

The once very prominent letters spelling 'JUST' on one hand and 'LOVE' on the other look like they have been lasered off.

Wearing a brown tank top and white linen pants for her performance at a preview of 2:22 A Ghost Story at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne, Ruby was still sporting plenty of body art

In a cast photo, she revealed the old tattoos on her hands are noticeably fainter

Ruby stars as Lauren in the theatrical ghost story, an Aussie remount of the hit West End play.

The show opened on July 25 at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne.

'I'm very excited,' she told The Herald Sun. 'I've always wanted to do theatre, and this is my first play.'

Ruby once sported signature 'JUST' and 'LOVE' tattoos on her hands

Ruby recently returned to Australia after moving to Hollywood in 2013 to seek stardom in Tinsel Town.

She said she's planning to spend more time Down Under and admitted living in the states is 'draining' and toxic, due to the attitude towards the LGBTQI+ community.

'I don't know that I have the emotional bandwidth and energy to withstand another year of living in the States with that anger and that oppression and what they're doing to the gay community and the trans community  it has become so exhausting,' she told Stellar magazine.

Ruby recently returned to Australia after moving to Hollywood in 2013 to seek stardom in Tinsel Town

The Batwoman star came out as a lesbian to her mother before she entered her teenage years, before recognizing her sexual identity as being gender-fluid.

Ruby began her showbiz career as a model, DJ, and TV presenter for MTV Australia.

As her popularity grew, she found herself fronting major modeling campaigns for big names including Maybelline, and co-hosting popular shows such as Channel 10's The Project and Australia's Next Top Model.

In a photo with castmate Daniel MacPherson (pictured), 43, Ruby revealed the old tattoos on her hands are noticeably fainter

Ruby shot to fame in 2015 with her breakout role in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her acting career skyrocketed when she was cast in blockbuster movies such as Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) and Pitch Perfect 3 (2017).

On coming home, the former model praised her home country's innovations.

'I'm in awe of how technologically savvy everyone is,' she said, explaining she used a QR code to collect prescription medicine.

'No one in the United States is doing that.'

Ruby shot to fame in 2015 with her breakout role in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her acting career skyrocketed when she was cast in blockbuster movies such as Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) and Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked chic as she headed to her office in West Hollywood on Wednesday.

The supermodel, 36, flaunted her fabulous figure in a beige bodycon maxi dress as she got back to work after her recent family holiday to Portugal.

The British beauty kept her look casual with a pair of blue Adidas Samba trainers and accessorised with a white handbag.

Rosie's appearance comes after she enjoyed a well-deserved holiday with her actor fiance Jason Statham, 56, and their children Jack, six, and Isabella, 17 months, in Portugal.

The star is usually incredibly private about her personal life, but gave a rare insight into her family life with a series of sweet snaps earlier this week.

Stylish: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked chic as she headed to her office in West Hollywood on Wednesday

Chic: The supermodel, 36, flaunted her fabulous figure in a beige bodycon maxi dress as she got back to work after her recent family holiday to Portugal

The family seemed to be enjoying themselves as Rosie shared snaps of them horse riding, swimming in the sea and laughing on the beach.

In another fun snap, Jack was seen behind the wheel of the 4x4 car as he posed in a bucket hat, holding his shades slightly below his nose.

The couple have been together since 2010 and Jason proposed to Rosie in 2016 and despite their long engagement, the pair are in no hurry to rush their wedding preparations.

Back in 2018 when their son was born, Rosie told ET that the wedding wasn't a 'huge priority.'

She said: 'We're looking forward to that time. It's also not a huge priority for us; we're so happy.

'I think it will be fun to do it when the baby's grown up a bit and he can be involved in the wedding.'

Rosie has previously described the 'shift in identity' she experienced after becoming a mother, which felt like 'mourning the loss of [her] old life'.

Speaking in an interview with Net-A-Porter's PORTER magazine in 2021, she explained: 'For a period after I had my first son, there was a real shift in identity, and a sort of mourning of the loss of your old life, and who you were.'

Expanding on the transition from model to mother, Rosie added: 'I just remember feeling like the rug was pulled out from underneath me.

'I'd had all these years of being really independent, being able to come and go as I wished, being self-employed to a degree, calling the shots, and then suddenly having [something] that really anchored me to home life.'

Family fun: Rosie's appearance comes after she enjoyed a well-deserved holiday with her actor fiance Jason Statham, 56, and their children Jack, six, and Isabella, 17 months, in Portugal

Family time:The star is usually incredibly private about her personal life, but gave a rare insight into her family life with a series of sweet snaps earlier this week

Sparkling: Rosie flashed her huge diamond engagement ring as she captured a sweet selfie with her fiance Jason Statham, 56
Jade Jagger looked in good spirits as she left her father Mick Jagger's 80th birthday holding hands with Primal Scream rocker Bobby Gillespie on Thursday evening.

The star-studded bash took place at Embargo Republica nightclub in Chelsea as the Rolling Stones frontman celebrated his milestone birthday.

Bobby, 62, has been married to his wife, fashion designer Katy England since 2006 while Jade is thought to still be in a relationship with Anthony Hinkson.

Jade, 51, cut a trendy figure in a black mini dress with a low cut neckline which she wore with a navy shawl.

The jewellery designer also donned a pair of cream heels with a sequinned embellishment and added to her look with a black choker.

Night out: Jade Jagger looked in good spirits as she left her father Mick Jagger 's 80th birthday holding hands with Primal Scream rocker Bobby Gillespie on Thursday evening

Styling her brunette locks into curls, Jade complimented her outfit with a pair of eye-catching diamond earrings.

Bobby looked dapper for the evening in a forest green blazer and matching trousers which he wore with a black shirt.

Jade and Bobby have known each other for years with Bobby also a friend of fellow Rolling Stones progeny Marlon Richards, son of Keith.

The outing comes after Jade was convicted of resisting arrest and a minor offence of wounding a female police officer following a row at the La Oliva restaurant on May 17 with her boyfriend Anthony.

Jade appeared grim-faced as she left court with Anthony after she was fined 1,215 over the bust up and ordered to pay 700 in compensation to a police officer.

It later emerged a leading lawyer is seeking a retrial and tougher sentence for the jewellery designer following her fast-track court hearing.

A police lawyer told Mail Online he will demand the conviction is declared invalid because the trial earlier this month should 'never have taken place'.

Anthony was handed a four-month suspended prison sentence at the behind-closed-doors hearing after admitting to a crime of assaulting a police officer over the street scuffle last week outside trendy eatery La Oliva.

Suave: Bobby looked dapper for the evening in a forest green blazer and matching trousers which he wore with a black shirt

Couple: Bobby, 62, has been married to his wife, fashion designer Katy England since 2006 (pictured together in 2012)

Sir Mick's daughter, who he shares with ex-wife Bianca, also struck a deal with state prosecutors and put her hands up to crimes of resisting arrest and wounding.

Mother-of-three Jade and her boyfriend spent two nights in a police cell in Ibiza before appearing in court.

They were arrested on May 17 after a manager at the trendy restaurant called police and refused to serve Anthony because he was insulting staff and other customers.

He is said to have turned on officers who confronted him after he behaved aggressively towards other people on the street outside the eatery.

Video footage obtained exclusively by MailOnline showed him being pinned to the ground by police, who then called for an ambulance.

Jade is said to have intervened as her boyfriend was being arrested with witnesses claiming she accused officers of targeting him because he was black.

Well-placed sources said she insulted and pushed police, with the woman she hurt suffering a wrist injury which led to having to take time off work.

Other Spanish reports said she had scratched a police officer.

Pictured: Jade is the daughter of Rolling Stones star Sir Mick Jagger (pictured together in 2019) and his first wife Bianca

It did not become clear until after the hastily-organised fast-track trial, thought to have taken place after several hours of negotiations between defence and state prosecution lawyers, that Jade and Anthony had admitted their guilt and been convicted.

Anthony's prison sentence is understood to have been suspended as part of the plea bargain deal, with prison terms of two years or less routinely being suspended for first-time offenders in Spain.

Anthony was offering bespoke sunset dining experiences at a beach bar in Barbados last year, with Instagram videos showing him manning the BBQ for customers.

The businesswoman split from DJ Adrian Fillary in 2021, nine years after their star-studded Cotswolds wedding which was attended by guests including Kate Moss and her ex-husband Jamie Hince.

She was said to be 'devastated' by the breakdown of their relationship, with a source at the time telling the Mail on Sunday: 'This is all very sad. They thought they would be together for ever but it didn't work out quite like that.'
A Big Brother legend has confirmed her return to the famous house ahead of the dramatic ITV2 reboot.

Almost two decades after her first onscreen appearance, Nadia Almada, now 46, is set to 'show the kids how it's done,' as she spoke in a new interview on Thursday.

The TV personality was crowned champion of series 5 in 2004 and made history as the first ever transgender contestant to star on the Channel 4 programme.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'I love the show, I would love for them to see us and to have us and kind of remember, the pioneers of the show and I think it's kind of becoming a full circle. I've manifested it.

'It's exciting they're considering bringing us back and it's sort of nostalgic, the transition from the original fanbase to bring in the most memorable housemates into the new series.'

Exciting: Almost two decades after her first onscreen appearance, Nadia Almada, now 46, is set to 'show the kids how it's done,' and return to the Big Brother house (pictured in February)

She's back! The TV personality was crowned champion of series 5 in 2004 and made history as the first ever transgender contestant to star on the Channel 4 programme (pictured in 2004)

Nadia added: 'I'm excited for the possibility of going back in there and just to catch up and show the kids how it's done. I think it's beautiful we'll have it on the reboot, the new show and we are the Olympians of the product so why not, I think it'll be exciting.'

Her interview comes following the news that the ITV2 Big Brother reboot will feature some of the reality show's most iconic former housemates.

According to The Sun 'Nasty Nick' Bateman, Chanelle Hayes and Nadia are just some of the names producers are hoping will return to 'recapture the magic' of the original series.

A source told the publication:'It won't be a reboot full of old faces, it's likely to be a smattering rather than a deluge of BB veterans'.

'The one thing [producers] don't want to do is deliver a show which is essentially a Love Island-style contest full of beautiful people.

Before adding: 'They actually want the quirky, often controversial characters that are going to stir things up and make things interesting  and many of the names in the frame have proven track records in that respect.'

It comes after Nadia spoke out about her time on the show in 2004 and praised her ability to 'be herself and not a trans woman'.

The TV star, who went on to train as a Sassoon hairdresser after winning the fifth series and now works as a stylist, appeared along fellow stars Kate Lawler and Nasty Nick on This Morning in February for a mini reunion with host Alison Hammond.

Shock return! According to reports 'Nasty Nick' Bateman (pictured) Chanelle Hayes and Nadia are just some of the names producers are hoping will return

Fan favourite: A source said:'It won't be a reboot full of old faces, it's likely to be a smattering rather than a deluge of BB veterans' (Chanelle Hayes pictured)

Having made history during her time on the show, she discussed how it felt to be a transsexual woman in the legendary Borehamwood abode, and admitted she delighted in the ability to be entirely herself without labels.

Reflecting on how it felt to be locked up, she said: 'I had the best summer holiday ever - it was just stepping away from everyday life. Getting into a situation where I'm purely as I am rather than labelled as a trans woman.'

Due to ongoing discussions around trans rights and the behaviour of TERFs (trans exclusionary radical feminists), Nadia urged the trans community to tune out the 'toxic' discussions and focus on 'being themselves'.

Nadia won the hearts of the nation as the first ever transgender contestant to walk through the doors of the Big Brother house. She chose not to reveal the fact she was transgender to her housemates but the viewing public were informed.

The star lasted the full 71 days in the Big Brother house and emerged triumphant, taking home 63,500 in prize money after securing a huge 74% of the overall vote.

Nadia was concerned she would be judged by the British public for keeping her transgender identity a secret but her quick wit and fiery temper kept viewers entertained.

When she was announced the winner by host Davina McCall, she screamed with joy as she beat fellow contestants Jason Cowan and Daniel Bryan who made up the final three with her.

Way back when: It comes after Nadia spoke out about her time on the show in 2004 and praised her ability to 'be herself and not a trans woman' (pictured left in Febuary and right after winning the show in 2004)

On her time in the house, Nadia said: 'I had the best summer holiday ever - it was just stepping away from everyday life. Getting into a situation where I'm purely as I am rather than labelled as a trans woman.'

When asked about her legendary act of showering in heels, she delightedly admitted: 'I still do that!'

She went on: 'I was more than just a transgender woman, was a person with a personality. That's exactly it, there's a whole toxic conversation right now about trans-ness but we need to see people for who they are...

'Rather than labelling everyone with gender, race, religious so yeah it was just an awesome experience. People said, for the first time ever they could have someone to relate to. I think it was the best one [her series].'
Sigourney Weaver has revealed the secret to her 39 year marriage as she gave an insight into her family life on Thursday.

The actress, 73, said she was 'fortunate' to have married her husband Jim Simpson, 67, in 1984 and credited him for having so much 'aloha.'

Speaking during an interview for Reds September issue, she discussed the importance of communication and taking a 'leap of faith' when it comes to commitment.

Sigourney explained: 'Honestly, its such a huge leap of faith! Of course, you have to work at it and be willing to communicate, and you have to marry the right person, but youre also taking a huge gamble.

'I just feel so fortunate that I married someone with so much "aloha" because I lead a weird life.'

Advice: Sigourney Weaver, 73, has revealed the secret to her 39 year marriage as she gave an insight into her family life on Thursday

Family: The actress said she was 'fortunate' to have married her husband Jim Simpson, 67, and credited him for having so much 'aloha' (pictured with their child Charlotte in 2020)

Aloha is the Hawaiian word for love, affection, peace, compassion and mercy.

Adding of her family life she said: 'I try not to be in the public eye very often. When I have a wonderful project to support, I go all-out, but in general, we actually live a very boring life.'

Sigourney admitted that the couple love the same 'rugged stuff' and regularly spend time outdoors and 'walking around Britain.'

It comes after Sigourney told how she is keeping any feelings about becoming a grandmother 'in check' because her child is 'ambivalent' about having kids.

The actress, will soon be appearing on screen portraying a grandmother in new TV drama The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, which is slated for release on August 4.

When asked if she wants to be a grandmother, Sigourney said her child Char, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, isn't sure about having kids with the 'world being the way it is'.

She told Saga Exceptional: 'Well, I try to keep those feelings in check because my offspring is very ambivalent about all that, with the world being the way it is.'

Sigourney shares her only child Char, 33, with her husband Jim Simpson, who she tied the knot with in 1984.

Insight: Adding of her family life she said: 'I try not to be in the public eye very often. When I have a wonderful project, I go all-out, but in general, we actually live a very boring life'

The Avatar star also told how she relishes being an auntie to her many nieces and nephews as she gushed over how much she loves spending time with her family.

She said: 'I cherish being with my nephews and nieces and their rather large families is that, as someone who has worked a lot in her life, I love being with my family and enjoying the strength of the family.'

But Sigourney admitted she wishes they all lived closer to her, adding: 'My feeling is that I'm a far-away kind of aunt and that is very frustrating, because I can only interact with them in certain ways and see them when I can.'

Elsewhere, Sigourney also spoke about how her child Char is non-binary and confessed she was 'very happy' when they decided not to pursue a career in acting.

Read the full interview in Reds September issue, now on sale.
Jennifer Aniston has formed an unlikely friendship with This Morning regular Lisa Snowdon.

The Friends actress, 54, follows Lisa, 51, on Instagram and regularly likes her posts, particularly the former model's cooking tutorials.

The Hollywood star most recently showed her appreciation for Lisa's 'detox broth' with chicken, garlic and chilli.

She also took some notes on Lisa's recipe for vegetarian pasta along with a post advertising an anti-ageing capsule.

Jennifer also lent her support to Lisa when she released her book Just Getting Started: Lessons in Life, Love and Menopause.

Pals: Jennifer Aniston has formed an unlikely friendship with This Morning regular Lisa Snowdon

Fan: The Friends actress, 54, follows Lisa, 51, on Instagram and regularly likes her posts, particularly the former model's cooking tutorials

The start provided a front cover quote for the tome, writing: 'Bravo, Lisa, for lifting the veil and shifting the perspective on this season in women's lives. It's not the end but a beginning.'

It's not known exactly when Lisa and Jennifer first crossed paths but it was likely during Lisa's relationship with George Clooney.

The model dated the A-list actor for five years after they met on the of a Martini advert in 2000.

Speaking to The Sun, Lisa recalled: 'George was charming, a really nice man, good fun and we had a great time. It was quite wild.'

She added: 'Sometimes I think it will be written on my tombstone  "George Clooney once dated Lisa Snowdon."'

But she stayed tight-lipped on the saucier details that fans wanted to know, saying: 'I never tell', in response to questions about George's sexual prowess.

Lisa admitted that while she has lost touch with George over the years, but remains friends with his Ocean's Eleven co-star Matt Damon.

Speaking on I'm A Celebrity in 2016, Lisa said of the actor: 'He came to my birthday party. Hes really nice.'

Post: The Hollywood star most recently showed her appreciation for Lisa's 'detox broth' with chicken, garlic and chilli

Tutorial: Jennifer also took some notes on Lisa's recipe for vegetarian pasta

Support: Jennifer also liked a post Lisa shared advertising an anti-ageing capsule

Former flame: It's not known exactly when Lisa and Jennifer first crossed paths but it was likely during Lisa's relationship with George Clooney (pictured in 2004)

Jennifer has been a longtime friend of George's and she previously spent time with him and his wife Amal Clooney at their home in Lake Como, Italy after they welcomed their swins Ella and Alexander in 2017.

During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jennifer said: 'Its amazing to see him with children.

'Thats what we talked about. That anything can happen.'
Kimberley Garner didn't hold back as she packed on the PDA with her new boyfriend Andres Anthis in St Tropez on Thursday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, got very cosy with the hunk at La Ponche beach in the south of France.

The reality star, who previously dated her MIC co-star Richard Dinan, was first seen with her new beau earlier this month as they enjoyed a low-key dog walk in London.

The pair put on a steamy display out in the sunshine as they set the temperatures soaring even further with a series of passionate kisses and hugs.

A scantily-clad Kimberley showed off her toned and tanned figure in a skimpy bikini and looked happy in the arms of her handsome muscular toned boyfriend.

Woah! Kimberley Garner didn't hold back as she packed on the PDA with her new boyfriend Andres Anthis in St Tropez on Thursday

Frisky: The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, got very cosy with the hunk at La Ponche beach in the south of France

Love: The reality star, who previously dated her MIC co-star Richard Dinan, was first seen with her new beau earlier this month as they enjoyed a low-key dog walk in London

While not much is known about the handsome chap, the couple appeared happier than ever.

The model has been documenting her relaxing holiday with her family and boyfriend on her sunny getaway to her 534K Instagram followers.

Kimberley first found fame on Made In Chelsea and has made a name for herself as a successful swimsuit brand entrepreneur.

She recently spoke about how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started the business as nobody took her seriously.

She told MailOnline: 'I think people sometimes think that Im only the face, but I am responsible for every bit of the business.'

'I was 18 when I started my first company - I came up with an idea, stayed up for days learning how to register the company and teaching myself.

'It became very successful overnight.'

She explained: 'However, as I was only 18, no one ever imagined it was mine. I was a young blonde girl with a soft voice.

Happy: The pair put on a steamy display out in the sunshine as they set the temperatures soaring even further with a series of passionate kisses and hugs

Bronzed: A scantily-clad Kimberley showed off her toned and tanned figure in a skimpy bikini and looked happy in the arms of her handsome muscular toned boyfriend

Passion: While not much is known about the handsome chap, the couple appeared happier than ever

Social media: The model has been documenting her relaxing holiday with her family and boyfriend on her sunny getaway to her 534K Instagram followers

Career: Kimberley first found fame on Made In Chelsea and has made a name for herself as a successful swimsuit brand entrepreneur

Tough: She recently spoke about how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started the business as nobody took her seriously

Important: She told MailOnline: 'I think people sometimes think that Im only the face, but I am responsible for every bit of the business'

Progress: She said: 'I was 18 when I started my first company - I came up with an idea, stayed up for days learning how to register the company and teaching myself'

Kissing: They couldn't keep their hands off each other as they got hot and heavy on the sand in St Tropez

Peachy: She also displayed his pert posterior as they relaxed on the san together during the trip away

Bronzed goddess: She was sporting a deep holiday tan after spending lots of time in the sunshine

Cute: The hunk wore matching swimwear with Kimberley which featured the white polka dot design

Holiday: They looked like they were having a great time together as they laughed and chatted away

Packing on the PDA: They were all over each other as they enjoyed a trip to the beach at golden hour

Topping up his tan: He was all smiles as they spent some quality time together

'No one would take me seriously or realise it was my company. So, I pretended to be the Intern!

'I handled all the meetings, phone calls, and emails for the company.

'When it became a success, I put all the revenues into starting Kimberley London.'
Gogglebox Australia star Matty Fahd and wife Sarah Marie just welcomed their newborn son Lyon back in May this year.

And the reality TV star proved to be every inch the doting father on Thursday as he shared a clip of himself whistling to the infant.

Matty, who also shares son Malik with wife Sarah Marie, shared a clip of the amused baby smiling admiring his father's musical ability.

Matty seemed to be getting a kick out of the smiles as he laughed at his newborn son's reaction to the sound.

'A fan of whistling,' he captioned the clip.

Gogglebox Australia star Matty Fahd was every inch the proud father as he whistled to his newborn son Lyon in clip shared to Instagram on Thursday. Pictured with wife, Sarah Marie

Matty seemed to be getting a kick out of the smiles as he laughed at his newborn son reaction. 'A fan of whistling,' he captioned the clip. Pictured

Lyon was rugged up in an adorable colourful onesie as he sat in his baby chair.

Matty and Sarah Marie welcomed their second child in May.

The post was accompanied by a heartwarming carousel of photos showcasing their beautiful bundle of joy.

The series of snaps displayed a radiant Sarah Marie posing cheek-to-cheek with newborn Lyon, as well as tender moments of her cradling the baby boy in her hospital bed.

The couple captioned the images with moving words, revealing they plan on loving Lyon 'until the end of time'.

'My baby boy, you have completed us. We waited for you, we dreamt of you,' they began.

'Malik, your big brother has been calling your name. We will love you unconditionally,' they continued.

Matty and Sarah Marie welcomed their second child in May. Pictured

'We will love you until the end of time. Thank you for blessing us.'

The couple's joyous announcement was soon inundated with well-wishers.

Sarah and Matty announced they were expecting their second child together in December.

The couple shared the exciting news to Instagram, alongside a series of family photos with their three-year-old son Malik.

'Our family is growing! We're so excited to welcome a new Fahd to the family in 2023,' they wrote.

The couple announced they were expecting a second child in December

'Malik has already started prepping to be a big brother, reciting endless lists of the things he will be playing with his new sibling and writing up the 'Bulldogs for Dummies' playbook.'

They continued: 'Bane [their dog] was asked to participate in this photo but instead chose to piss on the front porch (thankfully out of shot). Play the circus music, warm up the cuddles and bring on 2023!'

The couple tied the knot in 2018 after four years of dating, and they welcomed their son Malik, in November 2019.
The war between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has been the longest  and bitterest  celebrity divorce in living memory.

But only a fortnight after a legal filing which accused Pitt of bullying and illegal behaviour over the vineyard they co-owned, it can be revealed that peace  yes, peace  could at last be on the horizon.

For both Pitt, 59 and Jolie, 48, have agreed to mediation which could settle their beef.

Documents filed last week in the vineyard dispute show that both stars have agreed to mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution over Chateau Miraval  rather than the matter going to court.

According to legal documents, Jolie has been willing to enter mediation over the vineyard throughout the process.

Jolie has also said that she's willing to take part in a settlement conference.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2007

Chateau Miraval  which is now valued at $164million  is where the couple tied the knot in 2014

Documents filed last week in the vineyard dispute show that both stars have agreed to mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution over Chateau Miraval  rather than the matter going to court. Brad Pitt is pictured at the vineyard

What's more, it can be revealed that Pitt has appointed a 'provisional administrator' to Chateau Miraval in a bid to resolve the war between himself and the Russians Jolie sold her share of the vineyard to.

That transaction sparked the current imbroglio.

The move, at Pitt's suggestion, aims to protect the highly successful wine business which he has helped to build, in conjunction with French wine-makers Famille Perrin.

It will see an independent figure come in to assess the winery and how it is run and (it is hoped), in time, facilitate negotiations between Pitt and Nouvel  the investment company his ex sold to Stoli boss Yuri Shefler.

A French source confirms the move, saying: 'In view of the dispute between Nouvel LLC (controlled by Stoli boss Yuri Shefler) and Mondo Bongo LLC (controlled by Brad Pitt), Chateau Miraval and its director have requested and obtained the appointment of a provisional administrator by the Draguignan (France) Commercial Court, to enable the company and its director to continue to grow the business and its essential partnership with the Perrin Family until such dispute is resolved, in the interests of Chateau Miraval, its directors, employees, partners and subsidiaries.'

Pitt and Jolie purchased Chateau Miraval, a 1300-acre estate in the south of France, in 2008.

Pitt inspects vines at the vineyard after its rose won an award

The actor at Chateau Miraval during a launch of his skincare line, Le Domaine

In 2013 they started a wine-making business there with the Perrin family  leading producers of organic wine from the Southern Rhone Valley.

The couple were even married at the property in 2014.

The wine side of things was an almost immediate hit, with Chateau Miraval Rose being ranked the best in the world by many experts (including Wine Spectator magazine). Profits grew from around 1 million in 2013 to around 15 million in 2022.

But in 2016, after an incident between Pitt, Jolie and their children on a plane trip from France to California, Jolie filed for divorce.

There have been skirmishes ever since  over custody of the kids, and money.

In April 2019 the divorce was 'bifurcated'  a move which dissolves the marriage while allowing other disputes to rage on.

In 2022 Pitt launched legal action against Jolie for selling her interest in Chateau Miravel to Russian oligarch Shefler. He had hoped to buy her out himself, and is now seeking to have the sale reversed.

Pitt and Jolie in Kensington, West London, in 2014, two years before their divorce

Pitt, 59, was described in legal filings as a 'bully' who has acted emotionally, irrationally and 'ultimately illegally' over the vineyard

Meanwhile, lawyers for Nouvel claimed two weeks ago that Pitt had been 'looting' the wine business and using it as his 'personal cashbox' for 'vanity projects'. They are seeking $350 million in damages.

Pitt, now dating businesswoman Ines de Ramon, has been in the UK this summer, filming racing drama Apex, but with the actors strike, he is now understood to have moved on.

The star was described in the earlier court filing as a 'bully' who has acted emotionally, irrationally and 'ultimately illegally' over the vineyard where he and Jolie were married.

It was said by lawyers for Nouvel that Jolie had to sell the business because after the drunken row on a private plane which ended their marriage in 2016, she was 'uncomfortable' being involved in the sale of alcohol.

Yuri Shefler of vodka maker Stoli was mentioned in the original legal filings

The filing alleged that their six children were so traumatised by that incident on the plane  described in full, riveting detail - that they have not been able to go back to Chateau Miraval since.

The documents alleged that Pitt had run a 'gaslighting' campaign which suggested that the image of the brand was damaged by its association with Yuri Shefler of Stoli, who bought Jolie's share.

In point of fact, wrote Nouvel's lawyers, the risk of damage to the brand came from Pitt's own tarnished image. Pitt was bluntly invited to 'look in the mirror.'

Pitt stood accused of using a deal with Jolie over the asset as 'leverage' by offering her 'poison pill' terms in a tit for tat after she filed allegations of domestic abuse during their custody battle.

It was also said in the filing that the Chateau Miraval company made no repayment of $40 million of loans and that Jolie sought to sell the company in order to 'achieve liquidity'  an astonishing assertion given her long and successful career in Hollywood.
will.i.am has told how Britney Spears sings about 'the price of fame' on their new song Mind Your Business.

The track, released on July 21, is the fourth song the two hitmakers have worked on together after Big Fat Bass, Scream & Shout and It Should Be Easy.

will.i.am appeared on Thursday's This Morning and discussed recording the song with Britney.

He said: 'We live in a world where people are pressured to share every moment and when they don't they feel like they are missing out or not fitting in. That shouldn't be the case.

'Britney is talking about the price of that level of fame, you can't even go to Tesco, you can't go to the supermarket. You can't go out without a price being on a photo.'

Interview: will.i.am has told how Britney Spears sings about 'the price of fame' on their new song Mind Your Business

He said: 'Britney is talking about the price of that level of fame, you can't even go to Tesco, you can't go to the supermarket. You can't go out without a price being on a photo'

The Black Eyed Peas star previously told how he first met Britney at the Rock in Rio festival in Portugal in 2007.

He explained: 'I was a fan of her's for years before I met her. When I heard Toxic, I was like what the F is this? This is the most awesomest wow sauce.

'We spoke about things that we were passionate about and I jotted them down and built on them.'

Speaking to Variety, Will.i.am revealed that Britney is ready to burst, she's so inspired to make new music.

He said: 'If Britney gets into the studio to make a record right now, it's earth-shattering. You see it when she's dancing on Instagram. You feel it. She wants to let go.'

'She's the inspo-est, the most electricity-bottled-up, and ready to burst. The most amazing array of colors.

He continued: 'She's love and passion, perspective and introspective.

'Whenever she wants me to be part of her next project I am there. It's going to be the most human, something every single person can relate to.

Pals: The Black Eyed Peas star previously told how he first met Britney at the Rock in Rio festival in Portugal in 2007 and has been a fan since

Collaboration: Will.i.am and Britney have worked together on other songs including Scream & Shout in 2012

And he also revealed that Britney has loads of ideas for new songs.

'She's always coming up with new songs. I can't wait,' he said.

Mind Your Business is Britney's first musical release since Hold Me Closer with Elton John which came out in August 2022.
South Africa: Transformation must take place through availability of opportunities

Transformation must take place via opportunities being made available, and not by dismissal or retrenchment of any group, stakeholders in the labour sector say.

This is the message that resonated during a joint workshop with the Department of Employment and Labour and Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on the recent amendments to the Employment Equity (EE) Act and setting of EE targets.

The workshop was held in Rustenburg, North West, on Wednesday.

Employment and Labour Deputy Director of Employment Equity, Niresh Singh, said in implementing employment equity and affirmative action, race alone should not be a qualification, but competence and ability should take priority.

Since 1998 when the EE Act was introduced, we are still found wanting when it comes to equity implementation. We need more African and coloured-owned businesses in place.

Government needs to put programmes in place. We need to be aggressive, go a step further by empowering women-owned businesses and those owned by people with disabilities, Singh said.

Singh was addressing the workshop held under the theme, 'Real transformation makes business sense'.



The department and CCMA are currently conducting the 2023 EE roadshows in the form of national workshops.

The focus of this year's workshops is to create awareness on the recently promulgated EE amendments, sector targets and regulations.

Singh said the countrys laws in the main are about inclusivity, and acknowledged that there may be unintended consequences in implementing the EE plan.

Employers must strive to achieve the Economically Active Population (EAP) stats, among other factors, to deal with underrepresentation of various population groups at the different occupational levels and for people with disabilities, Singh said.

According to the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE), the EAP is used as a benchmark to assist employers in the analysis of their workforce to determine the degree of under or overrepresentation of the designated groups in the workforce.

It also guides employers in the setting of numerical goals and targets for the achievement of an equitable and representative workforce.

In the 22nd CEE report, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) figures showed that in 2021, Africans accounted for 79.4% of the EAP, compared to 9.1% of coloureds; 2.7% Indians and 8.8% whites.

Singh said it is not an unreasonable request to ask employers to transform.

The EE workshops are targeted at employers or heads of organisations, academics, assigned senior managers, consultative forum members, human resource practitioners, trade unions, and employees and other interested stakeholders.

The national series workshops started on 18 July 2023 in Thohoyandou and will end in Durban on 29 August 2023.  SAnews.gov.za



This story has been published on: 2023-07-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Hotel & Hospitality Expo, taking place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre from September 10 to 12, will put the spotlight on the kingdom's multi-billion-dollar hospitality plans.

The show, which has been rebranded from The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia to better reflect the current trends and landscape of the hospitality industry, will remain the leading event for all things related to the hospitality sector in the Kingdom.

With around $110 billion pegged for the hospitality industry and a further 310,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformative boom as it aggressively looks to lead the global travel and hospitality industry.

Over the last few years, as part of its social and economic blueprint Vision 2030, the kingdom has made significant strides in its hospitality industry with the government looking to attract 100 million visitors per year within the next decade, investing billions in hotel construction and infrastructure, and building brand new sustainable cities along its coasts and deserts while attracting a swathe of foreign investment. Today, the country leads the Middle East and African region and is behind only China and the US in the global hotel construction market.

Co-located with INDEX Saudi Arabia and the Lighting Design & Technology Expo, the Hotel & Hospitality Expo connects manufacturers and suppliers in the hotel and hospitality industry with buyers in the kingdom.

To better focus and grow our attention in the hotel and hospitality industry, The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia has undergone a rebrand, said Elaine OConnell, Vice President Design and Hospitality of dmg events, which organises the Hotel & Hospitality Expo.

We've modernised the event to reflect the latest trends in the industry, and we're confident that this fresh approach will make it an even more engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The rebrand also means that there is increased visibility and access to a highly engaged and relevant audience, which we believe will help our stakeholders and exhibitors grow their business and establish new partnerships.

The expo will feature a number of events, including the Hospitality Leaders' Summit, which will bring together government and private sector experts from across the Middle East and Saudi Arabia to explore the current hospitality industry and offer insight into the industry's future.

To highlight the key issues and trends at this year's Hotel & Hospitality Expo, the show's advisory board, comprising some of Saudi Arabias top hospitality experts, conducted studies to identify the industrys challenges and solutions, and map out the future of the hotel and hospitality landscape in the country.

The findings revealed that sustainability, Saudi tourism, supply chain and logistics, developing finance, cultivating skills and honing talent, and looking at how big brands can support and drive the local economy, were the hot topics in the Saudi hotel and hospitality industry.

These included Richard Adam, the Director Destination Strategy & Commercial Development AFI, NEOM; Tom Stevens, the Vice President Operations, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation; Imran Changezi, the Senior Director Hospitality Development, Diryah Gate Company; Nadeem Zaman, the Chief Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia; Saeed Albially, the Vice President Development, Knowledge Economic City; Alessandro Maria Tedesco, the Chief Operating Officer, Febc Group; Rabih Feghali, the Senior Director Hospitality, Red Sea Global; Amit Nayak, the Vice President, Hospitality Asset Managers Association, HAMA; Dr Ayman Alwaleedi, Project Development - Executive Director, Rua Al Madinah Holding Company and Jean-Baptiste Recher, Regional Vice President Development Luxury Brands MEAT, Accor.

The other key highlights of this year's expo include the popular Chefs' Mystery Box Challenge, which sees 8-12 teams from the region's leading hotels and restaurants go head-to-head in a culinary battle as they create a three-course meal from a mystery ingredients box.

The Saudi Hospitality Talent Awards will also be part of the expo, to recognise the skill, talent and sheer brilliance of hardworking individuals from the Saudi hospitality sector.-TradeArabia News Service
A world-renowned plastic surgeon is exposing the secret procedures that he believes that Kylie Jenner may have undergone - after she finally confessed to having breast augmentation surgery.

Kylie, 25, confirmed on the latest episode of The Kardashians that she went under the knife at the tender age of 19, but said that she regrets altering her 'beautiful breasts' during a conversation with her best friend Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou.

Now, several experts have offered up their professional analysis of the star's changing shape - with many admitting they believe the mother-of-two could well have had work done on her lips, cheeks, nose, and even her derriere.

Fans had speculated for years that Kylie had undergone a boob job, as well as several other procedures, but the reality TV star had always denied it.

However, she has finally decided to come clean and revealed she had plastic surgery before giving birth to her first child, Stormi, in February 2017.

Changing face: Several plastic surgeons have claimed Kylie Jenner, pictured here in March 2023, has had various procedures over the years

Coming clean: The 25-year-old, pictured here in February 2023, has confessed she had a boob job at the age of 19

Showing off: Kylie (seen in 2022) does not shy away from flaunting her cleavage in tight tops and clothing

Too soon? Kylie (seen in June 2023) explained how her breasts were 'still healing' when she fell pregnant in 2017

'You know I got my breasts done before Stormi. Within six months of like having Stormi, not thinking I would like have a child when I was 20, like they were still healing,' she said to her BFF.

'I had beautiful breasts, like natural t*ts, just gorgeous, like perfect size, perfect everything, and I just wished, obviously, I never got them done to begin with,' she added to Stassie.

World renowned plastic surgeon Rod J. Rohrich claimed that in his profession opinion, Kylie has 'definitely' had various other procedures, including chin augmentation and potentially buttock fat augmentation as well.

He also noted that her lip fillers are 'quite obvious' - although the star has previously confessed to having her pout enhanced over the years.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Dr. Rohrich alleged: 'I think Kylie has had quite good plastic surgery as it's not overdone, especially her rhinoplasty and facial fillers.

'However, her lip fillers are quite obvious but she has admitted to having some lip filler removed recently as well. I give her credit for being more open and forthright about plastic surgery since she doesnt want her children to think less of her.

'Overall, Kylie is a beautiful woman already and the key is to not overdo cosmetic surgery, as we see so often in Hollywood. She is recognizing this early on, which is good.'

Referring to her famous family, who have also been accused of having various procedures to alter their appearances, Dr. Rohrich added: 'I hope her sisters can take a lesson from her, such as Kim Kardashian, who states she has not had any plastic surgery, just Botox. Of course, that is not true!

'I think it would serve the Kardashian clan better as global influencers to be more upfront and honest as so many young woman look up to them as role models so they should do their part as well,' he urged.

 Slide me  Over the years: Experts claim that Kylie has had procedures such as rhinoplasty and facial fillers

Expert opinion: Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Tabasum Mir pointed out 'noticeable changes' in Kylie's appearance

Teen times: Kylie pictured at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards when she was 17-years-old

Flashing the flesh: The reality TV star (seen in 2021) is no stranger to showing off her body in an array of bikinis

Looking peachy: Several surgeons think that Kylie (seen in July 2020) has undergone a Brazilian Butt Lift

Dr. Tabasum Mir, a New York City-based facial and body cosmetic surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience, has also weighed in on Kylie's 'remarkable transformation' and pointed out other 'noticeable changes' in her appearance.

Speaking to DailyMail.com. Dr. Mir - who has never treated Kylie - said it 'seems very likely that she has had a BBL and rhinoplasty'.

'I'm sure there is more,' she claimed. 'Despite her butt having reduced in size due to weight loss, her overall body shape has undergone a remarkable transformation.

'Over the years, a noticeable transformation in the shape and size of her hips and buttocks has been observed, revealing a smaller waist and a more accentuated buttock

'This remarkable change might have been achieved through a Brazilian Butt Lift or Buttock Implants procedure. The Brazilian Butt Lift combines artful body contouring and liposuction, utilizing extracted fat to enhance the buttocks, resulting in improved shape and a lifted appearance.'

Dr. Mir added: 'Upon comparing photos of her from 2011 to the present, noticeable changes in her nose become apparent, such as a narrower, shorter, and more contoured appearance. These transformations potentially indicate the possibility of one or two surgical rhinoplasty procedures.'

Just last week, Kylie denied having surgery in order to change her whole face during a previous episode of The Kardashians.

'One of the biggest misconceptions about me is that I was this insecure child and I got so much surgery to change my whole face, which is false,' she said during a chat with her sisters Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian about their influence on societal beauty standards.

Redhead: A younger Kylie (seen in 2011) had thinner lips and a different shaped face

Then and now: Kylie pictured in 2012 (left) and then in February of this year

Yummy mommy: These days, Kylie (seen in 2023) models a smooth complexion and fuller lips in her many selfies

Expert thoughts: One surgeon claimed 'the overall shape and harmony' of Kylie's face (seen in May 2023) has changed

'Ive only gotten fillers. I dont want that to be part of my story,' she continued before adding that shes always been 'the most confident kid in the room'.

However, Dr. Brian Basiri-Tehrani of Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery told DailyMail.com that he believes she has made many more tweaks that, over time, have added up 'to make a dramatic change'.

'Beyond lip filler, the overall shape and harmony of her face also changed over the years,' he explained. 'Her eyebrows and cheek bones look higher, leading to a more contoured face that resembles the prototypical Kardashian face.

'Her nose also appeared to look slightly smaller and more refined, leading to a subtle but noticeable change. It is possible she had a rhinoplasty.

'All these small changes over time add up to make a dramatic change. Over the years her body shape has also changed, becoming curvier. One explanation is she had a Brazilian Butt Lift or BBL, which is a procedure where liposuction is done in one area (typically the abdominal and waist area) with fat transferred to her buttocks and hips.

'Her waist slimmed down while her hips simultaneously increased in size, which is what you would expect after a BBL,' Dr. Basiri-Tehrani pointed out.

Discussing whether or not he thinks 19 is too young for Kylie to have had a boob job, he said: 'I think it just depends on the conversation she had with her plastic surgeon at the time. Communication is key.

'Getting breast implants (or a nose job, or any plastic surgery in general) at a young age is safe and acceptable as long as the patient is physically and emotionally ready. This also means the patient truly understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to having surgery.

Her point of view: Up until now, Kylie (seen in 2014) has denied having surgery and said she only ever had fillers

Looking back: The TV star (seen in February 2023) admitted that she regrets having a boob job because her natural breasts were 'perfect'

'One thing to keep in mind is that if you are between the age of 18 and 22 years old, you can only get saline breast implants. Silicone breast implants are FDA approved for patients 22 years old or older, whereas saline implants are FDA approved for patients 18 years old or older. Kylie probably had saline implants placed if she had surgery in the US,' Dr. Basiri-Tehrani continued.

'In Kylies case, her recovery was probably a little different than most people since she got pregnant six months after surgery. With pregnancy, high levels of hormones make the breasts bigger, making the recovery after breast surgery more challenging.

'History has shown that Kylie initially denies plastic surgery, but eventually opens up about it later. Perhaps she will eventually talk about other procedures she has done in the past when she is more comfortable and ready.

'The bottom line is whether you are an 18 year old considering a nose job or breast implants for the first time or a 58 year old seeking a facelift, being physically and emotionally ready is paramount.'
Henry Cavill's final scene in The Witcher has left emotional fans in floods of tears.

An emotional show finale saw Cavill's Geralt of Rivia and Anya Chalotra's Yennifer of Vengerberg lose their precious Ciri - played by Freya Allen.

Fans of the Netflix series have been left even more devastated in the knowledge that Cavill, 40, will not be coming back as The Witcher, with Liam Hemsworth, 33, to be his replacement.

Viewers took to Twitter in their droves, having their say on the momentous end for Cavill, on the back of a less-than-promising start to season 3.

One said: 'Yennifer calling Ciri her daughter was absolutely everything.'

Finale: The Witcher provided an emotional ending to Henry Cavill's term as Geralt of Rivia

Succession: Liam Hemsworth (left) will be taking over as The Witcher in the show's next edition

Heartbreaking: Fans of The Witcher were struck by the emotional ending to Cavill's final season on the show

As well as the moment between Yennifer and Ciri, one with Yennifer and Geralt after they realise that Ciri is lost brought particularly strong reactions out of viewers.

Many said that they were 'crying' in response to both scenes.

One said: 'The moment when Yennefer goes to see Geralt and cries, it's beautifully sad and painful.'

Another commented: 'They're so sad and blaming themselves, I can't stop crying.'

Religious followers of the show will no doubt be relieved, however, that the second volume of season 3 was less of a 'snoozefest' than the first.

The ending is something of a cliffhanger, but most people are assuming that Cavill's character does not survive.

This leaves the space for Hemsworth to succeed his predecessor as an entirely new Witcher.

Some were unfazed by the end despite tense end, with one saying they were 'hungry for more.'

Bot others were more sceptical, especially given the change of lead.

One predicted: 'Let's see what Liam can do but not seeing Henry is gonna be hard.'

Someone else struck a similar tone a similar tone: 'The Witcher is not gonna be the same without Henry Cavill. All the best Liam.'

Others were simply thankful towards Cavill, and regretting the fact that he is leaving the hit series.

'Thank you, king #HenryCavill for your talent, dedication, and passion,' said one fan, who described the former Superman as 'the best, the greatest and the only #GeraltofRivia.'

Another fan followed a similar sentiment: 'Thank you Henry for everything . You are the real witcher.'

Some were even pleading for Cavill's return already, with a fan begging: 'Henry is the best, please come back.'

With Hollywood actors and writers striking at the moment, it is unlikely the wheels will be put in motion for Hemsworth's start as Cavill's replacement any time soon.

So we will likely be waiting until at least 2025 to know if the Hunger Games actor will live up to the billing set by the first three seasons.
Nicola Peltz kept a low profile in a stylish Chanel jumper and cosied up to her husband Brooklyn Beckham in St Tropez on Wednesday.

The model, 28, looked sensational yet again as she headed out with a trendy sense of style on her lavish sunny getaway.

She looked effortlessly chic in her trendy attire as she donned a pair of loose-fitting trousers.

The American actress added height to her frame with a pair of towering wedge flip-flops and accessorised with a mini straw handbag.

Brooklyn, 24, sported a casual look wearing wide denim jeans, a white shirt and crisp white trainers while smoking a cigar.

Cute! Nicola Peltz, 28, cosied up to her husband Brooklyn Beckham, 24, in St Tropez on Wednesday

Stylish: The American actress kept a low profile in a stylish Chanel jumper before heading back to her yacht while wearing wedge flip-flops

The loved-up couple looked as happy as ever on their glamorous trip with Nicola's family.

They were pictured leaving the harbour in St Tropez and appeared to be getting on a boat to head back to their yacht.

It comes after the couple enjoyed another boat trip and looked every inch the celebrity couple as they dressed up in complementary cream ensembles.

Nicola was sure to show off her incredible figure in a tie-front Rumored top which left very little to the imagination while she added in a sizzling denim mini.

Brooklyn meanwhile was nailing the Riviera gent style in a crisp linen shirt with beige shorts and a pair of trendy sunglasses.

The couple tied the knot in an idyllic ceremony in Palm Beach last year and Brooklyn has since been showing his dedication to his wife through tattoos - having recently revealed 70 of his 100 inkings are tributes to his wife.

On his boat trip on Monday, Brooklyn showcased a plethora of his inkings from under his white shirt - with the designs snaking his arms and chest.

Ever the gent, Brooklyn gave Nicola a hand as they headed to their charter boat.

Trendy: Brooklyn, 24, sported a casual look wearing wide denim jeans, a white shirt and crisp white trainers while smoking a cigar

Next destination: They were pictured leaving the harbour in St Tropez and appeared to be getting on a boat to head back to their yacht

Perfection: The couple have been enjoying a lavish holiday on a yacht with Nicola's family in St Tropez

It comes after Brooklyn shared a sweet tribute to his actress wife Nicola as they celebrated their third engagement anniversary.

In an Instagram post, the budding chef wrote: '3 years ago I asked my best friend to marry me x It has been the most amazing 3 years and you are my everything x I can't wait to stay young together and continue to grow together.

'I wouldn't be where I am today without you x You make me a better person and man every single day and I can't wait to start a family with you at some point x.

'Happy 3 year anniversary Nicola Peltz Beckham'.
The Disney-owned streaming platform is adding a whole host of new titles to its roster this August.

Next month iconic films like Jurassic Park, The A-Team, The Fault in Our Stars, Hotel Transylvania and many more are set to arrive on the platform.

Hulu won't only bring you old releases either, with Only Murders in the Building premiering its third season, and new seasons of Solar Opposites and Reservation Dogs coming along too.

The platform is even set to livestream the Lollapalooza festival, with artists set to take centre stage between August 3 and August 6.

A star-studded line-up are set to grace the Chicago stage. Some acts performing include, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, The 1975 and more.

The wave of fresh titles are set to land on August 1, with the premiere of FX's fourth and final season of Breeders, and the arrival of animated classic Shark Tale plus more.

The Disney-owned streaming platform is set to host a new hoard of films this August. Jurassic Park, The A-Team, The Fault in Our Stars, Hotel Transylvania are among the roster

If you want a Hulu subscription, it will set you back 6.60 a month for an ad-supported plan, and if you want to stream ad-free you will have to pay 12.39.

What films will be on Hulu from August? Will your favourite show be on the platform? Read this full list detailing everything new coming to Hulu this month.
Armie Hammer was nearly unrecognizable when he surfaced in Los Angeles on Thursday, weeks after his holiday to Portofino.

At the start of June, the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced that the Call Me By Your Name actor would not be charged over claims of sexual assault after an ex-girlfriend previously accused him of raping her.

As the month wore on, it emerged he and his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers have settled their divorce nearly three years after filing.

Then at the end of June, he was spotted locking lips and holding hands with his on-again ex Lisa Perejma during a sun-dappled getaway to Italy.

Now, having returned stateside, the 36-year-old was seen sporting an extremely fine buzz cut as he stepped out in a skull-and-crossbones top and a pair of shorts.

Off he goes: Armie Hammer was nearly unrecognizable when he surfaced in Los Angeles on Thursday, weeks after his holiday to Portofino

One month ago, with the cloud of his legal woes no longer hanging over him, Hammer indulged in the delights of Portofino with his Perejma.

Perejmo, a dental hygienist, first dated Hammer from early 2021 until early 2022, in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of his marriage.

In May 2021 DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that the pair had been romantically involved with one another for about three months.

Perejma was at that time based in the Cayman Islands - where Hammer's marriage crumbled during the coronavirus lockdowns.

During her latest sighting in Portofino Perejma, who originally hails from British Columbia, appeared as affectionate with Hammer as ever.

As they sat across from each other during an alfresco lunch table, she could be spotted reaching over to place a hand on his brow.

She modeled a casual strapless floral top over a split denim maxi skirt, wearing her blonde hair down and warding off the rays with shades.

Hammer meanwhile showed off his toned arms in an Under Armour polo shirt, which he teamed with jeans and a pair of slippers.

Wow: Now, having returned stateside, the 36-year-old was seen sporting an extremely fine buzz cut as he stepped out in a skull-and-crossbones top and a pair of shorts

This is how his hair normally looks: Seen in 2018 at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Beverly Hills with longer locks

Back in May 2021, when their relationship first entered the public eye, a source told DailyMail.com she had 'really helped turn Armie's life around.'

Hammer at the time was not only in the throes of his divorce but was also facing #MeToo allegations and the accusation that he had a cannibal fetish.

However he was said to be 'happier and healthier than I've seen him in a long time' than ever during his relationship with Perejma.

'He's even introduced her to his father and stepmother - it won't be long until she meets his kids,' the insider divulged.

Meanwhile Hammer and Chambers, 40, first announced their separation after 10 years of marriage in July 2020 following disturbing allegations that Hammer had perpetrated violent abuse on women, which he has denied.

The pair are said to have reached an agreement regarding their property as well as any child and spousal support issues between them, TMZ reports.

This comes months after Chambers spoke of the moment she knew her marriage to Hammer was over, revealing he left her heart 'broken in nine million pieces.'

Speaking about the breakdown of her marriage in a candid chat with ELLE magazine, Elizabeth revealed that cracks had been showing for months, with the actor's behaviour during lockdown proving to be the final straw.

Settled: Hammer and his estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers settled their divorce almost three years after filing

The couple were on holiday with their children Harper, eight, and Ford, six, when Covid cases began to spike in the States, so they decided not to return to Los Angeles but instead quarantine in the Cayman Islands with Armie's father and stepmother.

Yet their already strained marriage began to break down even quicker, with Elizabeth describing Armie as 'the worst' during quarantine.

For his part, Armie has described the time as being a 'very complicated, intense situation, with big personalities all locked in a little tiny place,' likening himself to a wolf 'caught in a snare' that wants to 'chew his own foot off.'

Despite their struggles, Elizabeth was left blindsided when her husband decided to leave the family and return to California, where he helped a friend restore an old motel outside Joshua Tree National Park.

'My heart was broken in nine million pieces, and I still drove him to the airport,' she confessed.

She added: 'Marriage is always going to be difficult, and, as with any relationship, you go through a process. Especially if you throw success and fame into the mix; it just becomes more magnified

'[Over time] your partner is learning things about themselves,' she says. 'They're growing, you're growing; you hope that you're growing together.'

Ultimately, they had grown too far apart to make their relationship work.

Controversy: Hammer, 36, and Chambers, 40, first announced their separation after 10 years of marriage in July 2020 following disturbing allegations that Hammer had perpetrated violent abuse on women, which he has denied

While attempting to build herself back together, Elizabeth sought comfort from the marriage counsellor she had seen with Armie, famed psychotherapist and relationship specialist Esther Perel.

'[Esther] always said heartbreak is literally worse than a heroin addiction, and I think about that a lot', she confessed.

Elizabeth is now dating wellness specialist Ricardas Kazinec, 26.

While the couple are 'so in love', Elizabeth revealed they have to act 'completely platonic if the kids ever see us together, because I dont think its in their best interest to see their mom dating someone while theyre still processing divorce.'

Family: The exes share two children together, daughter Harper, eight, and son Ford, six

Elizabeth admitted it felt like she was 'ripping' her family apart by filing for divorce.

She explained: 'The dissolution of my family was literally my biggest fear of my whole life. You're building something, right? You're weaving a beautiful tapestry, and the last thing you want is for a knife to come and rip the tapestry in half.'

Elizabeth's heartache was only magnified when a series of depraved revelations about Armie's sex life were made public, among them that he had cannibalistic fetishes.

'I was learning things as the public was,' Elizabeth revealed. 'I was like, 'There are no words. What the f**k?'

The Social Network star had been under investigation for sexual assault since February 2021 after his ex-girlfriend, Effie Angelova, 26, accused him of 'violently' raping and abusing her in 2017.

Last month the LA County District Attorney announced the actor would not be charged over claims of sexual assault following Effie's accusations of rape.

Throwback: Chambers and Hammer pictured at the Paris premiere of Call Me By Your Name in 2018

Armie posted a statement to his Instagram account after a spokesperson LA DA George Gascon announced he wouldn't face charges due to a 'insufficient evidence.'

'I am very grateful to the District Attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and coming to the conclusion that I have stood by this entire time, that no crime was committed,' Hammer wrote.

'I look forward to beginning what will be a long, difficult process of putting my life back together now that my name is cleared.'

Tiffiny Blacknell, Director of the DA's Bureau of Communications, said in a statement that they were not able to prove Angelova's claims.

'Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we assign our most experienced prosecutors to review them. In this case, those prosecutors conducted an extremely thorough review, but determined that at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr. Hammer with a crime,' she said.

'As prosecutors, we have an ethical responsibility to only charge cases that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. We know that it is hard for women to report sexual assault,' Blacknell added.

She did say that the county would continue to provide support to alleged victims with services.

'Even when we cannot move forward with a prosecution, our victim service representatives will be available to those who seek our victim support services. Due to the complexity of the relationship and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.'

Armie posted a statement to his Instagram account after a spokesperson LA DA George Gascon announced he wouldn't face charges due to a 'insufficient evidence'

He has denied the accusations of rape through his attorney and said all of his sexual encounters were 'completely consensual, discussed and agreed upon in advance and mutually participatory'.

Several other women came forward and accused Hammer of being interested in kinky sex and even cannibalism in the wake of Angelova's claims.

The Call Me By Your Name star was dropped by his personal publicist and former agency as well as multiple projects following the allegations.

Hammer also stepped down from a role in Jennifer Lopez's film Shotgun Wedding, but maintained his innocence.

'I'm not responding to these b******* claims but in light of the vicious and spurious online attacks against me, I cannot in good conscience now leave my children for four months to shoot a film in the Dominican Republic,' he said in a statement to the Daily Mail.

The actor subsequently claimed he tried to commit suicide in the Cayman Islands following the backlash.

'I just walked out into the ocean and swam out as far as I could and hoped that either I drowned, or was hit by a boat, or eaten by a shark,' Hammer said.

Angelova hit back, accusing Hammer of being 'manipulative' and trying to 'evoke sympathy'.

She said he had told her the suicide story years before she spoke out, and was only sharing it publicly in an attempt to gain sympathy and silence his victims.

The actor has admitted he was emotionally abusive towards his former partners, but blamed his actions on being traumatized by a youth pastor who allegedly sexually abused him when he was 13.

The scandal began when the Instagram account House of Effie started leaking disturbing messages, said to be sent by him between 2016 and February 2020, that include conversations about BDSM, in addition to numerous sexual references to cannibalistic acts and blood-sucking.

In one message, the actor allegedly writes to the woman: 'I am 100% a cannibal. I want to eat you.'

'F**k. That's scary to admit,' the message continues. 'I've never admitted that before.'

Hammer's former partners Paige Lorenze and Courtney Vucekovich then also accused him of being physically and emotionally abusive while they were together.

Model Paige Lorenze, a former professional skier turned Instagram mode, spoke of the 'deeply traumatic' four month relationship she had with Armie Hammer, which left her emotionally and physically scarred

Lorenze told Page Six that the actor had carved the letter 'A' into her pelvis to brand her and then sucked the blood that oozed out.

In March 2021, Angelova officially came forward with her attorney Gloria Allred, alleging: 'On April 24, 2017, Armie Hammer violently raped me for over four hours in Los Angeles, during which he repeatedly slapped my head against a wall bruising my face.

'He also committed other acts of violence against me to which I did not consent.'

Angelova said she thought Hammer was 'going to kill' her and claimed he beat her feet during the alleged attack 'so they would hurt', according to Variety.

The 26-year-old claimed she met Hammer on Facebook when she was 20, before falling in love with the actor.

But she has since said she fell victim to 'manipulation tactics'.

Shortly after, the LAPD confirmed it was investigating the actor after a 'community member' came forward with an attorney on February 3, 2021, with a sexual assault claim.
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 45, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'
Former Emmerdale star Kelli Hollis has embarked on a completely new career since turning her back on acting.

The actress, 47, played Ali Spencer in the ITV soap between 2011 and 2015, with the character eventually being killed off away from screens in 2018.

But eight years after last appearing on Emmerdale, Kelli is now happily living in Thailand, where she runs a self-styled 'weed bar' with her partner Martin Dawson.

The TV personality has been in Thailand for a year and often showcases her new life on TikTok, where she's amassed over 100,000 followers.

The bar sells cannabis and other marijuana products, with pictures of the bar on TikTok showing items such as 'hash', 'joints' and 'brownies' for sale.

Something new: Former Emmerdale star Kelli Hollis has embarked on a completely new career since turning her back on acting

Role: The actress, 47, played Ali Spencer (right) in the ITV soap between 2011 and 2015, with the character eventually being killed off away from screens in 2018

Thailand is one of the few countries in Asia to have legalised cannabis for personal use, with 'weed bars' now reportedly popular in the country.

Kelli took to TikTok earlier this year with a celebratory post marking her first year in in the Southeast Asian country, with the thespian having initially planning to stay in the country for only for months.

She penned: 'Came for 4 months, now run a weed bar' alongside a video of herself and her partner enjoying the sights, as well as glimpses of her new business venture.

And Kelli certainly appears to be living her best life at her bar, which is located Bang Lamung within the coastal district of Chon Buri, and regularly posts updates of their daily goings on.

Speaking to LeedsLive last year, Kelli opened up about her business, remarking: 'We'd been to Pattaya a few times on a holiday, we did a bit of island hopping and in June they legalised marijuana and we found this really cute little shop and got really good friends with the owner and decided to basically set up our own weed shop.'

She went on to say of her shop, called La Choza Pratumnak: 'I'll be honest I've smoked weed since I was about fifteen but I'm not a hard-core weed smoker, I can't do full joints and edibles and all that so it probably bodes well or I'd probably smoke all the profits!

'It's definitely not something I envisaged but we've definitely made the right choice.'

Leeds-born Kelli has had a varied career before embarking on her new role as the weed shop owner.

Something new: Eight years after last appearing on Emmerdale, Kelli is now happily living in Thailand, where she runs a self-styled 'weed bar' with her partner Martin Dawson

Exciting times: The TV personality has been in Thailand for a year and often showcases her new life on TikTok, where she's amassed over 100,000 followers

Plans: Kelli took to TikTok earlier this year with a celebratory post marking her first year in in the Southeast Asian country, with the thespian having initially planning to stay in the country for only for months

TV star: As well as two stints on Emmerdale, with Kelli also playing Melanie Say in 2002, she also went on to portray Yvonne Karib (pictured) in Shameless for a six year stint starting in 2004

As well as two stints on Emmerdale, with Kelli also playing Melanie Say in 2002, she also went on to portray Yvonne Karib in Shameless for a six year stint starting in 2004.

She also played the role of Tina Crabtree in three Channel 4 related dramas.

Shortly after leaving Emmerdale she launched her own production company called Book To Screen, focusing on adapting novels for television and film.

Kelli also had roles in Sky drama Wolfe, plus BBC1 soap Doctors and Channel 4 comedy Ackley Bridge.

It comes after last year Kelli hit the headlines when she revealed she was accused of kerb crawling in a case of mistaken identity.

The actress was sent a letter by police warning that she faces a fine or arrest should she reoffend, after her car was caught roaming the streets of Newham, Greater London, soliciting prostitutes for sexual activity.

However, speaking in a video uploaded to TikTok, Kelli revealed she sold the car to a friend after moving to Thailand, but its new owner failed to change log details, so she's still the vehicle's official registered keeper.

The Leeds-born mother-of-two, who also starred in Channel 4 show Shameless, also revealed her friend has racked up a number of speeding fines, also in her name.

Kelli explained: 'Just before I left for Thailand I let my friend use my car because they wanted to go somewhere, they had no brakes or M.O.T, so it was pretty dangerous for them to drive their car.

'Begrudgingly I lent them my car and when I decided to go to Thailand for definite, I just said 'why don't you buy the car off me?'

'So when I was in Thailand they transferred me the money and reassured me, as I had no access to the log book.

Setting the record straight: It comes after last year Kelli hit the headlines when she revealed she was accused of kerb crawling in a case of mistaken identity

Warning: The actress was sent a letter by police warning that she faces a fine or arrest should she reoffend, after her car was caught roaming the streets of Newham, Greater London, soliciting prostitutes for sexual activity (pictured in Emmerdale in 2014)

Mistaken identity: However, speaking in a video uploaded to TikTok, Kelli revealed she sold the car to a friend after moving to Thailand, but its new owner failed to change log details, so she's still the vehicle's official registered keeper

Contact: Kelli then showed her followers a letter sent from the MET Police, confirming her white Suzuki motor vehicle had been spotted kerb crawling and warning of her potential consequences

'I explained what they had to do, take 25 off the car money and apply for a log book - easy peasy.

'But they didn't do that, and for the past couple of months I've been getting ticket after ticket, about five in all so far, but this is the icing on the cake.'

Kelli then showed her followers a letter sent from the MET Police, confirming her white Suzuki motor vehicle had been spotted kerb crawling and warning of her potential consequences.

She continued: 'So apparently on June 30 2022, in the London Borough of Newham, my car's been seen kerb crawling and I've had a letter warning me about it - what the actual f***?'
Ryan Seacrest paid tribute to his father Gary Seacrest with a loving birthday post shared to social media on Thursday.

The former Live With Kelly and Ryan host  who was named the new host of Wheel Of Fortune last month after longtime host Pat Sajak announced his retirement  shared a playful photo of himself with his dad, who was turning 77 this year.

The elder Seacrest, who rose to the rank of lieutenant in the Army, was seen sharing a perfectly chilled martini with his son in a beaming photo Ryan posted to Twitter.

'Happy birthday, Dad,' he captioned the picture. 'Thank you for everything. Wishing you the best day, and cheers to more great days to come.'

He capped it off with a martini and olive emoji.

Fatherson bonding: Ryan Seacrest shared a martini with his father Gary Seacrest in a photo he posted Thursday to celebrate his dad's 77th birthday

By his side: Ryan previously united with Gary and his mother connie on the set of Live With Kelly And Ryan in October, before announcing he was leaving the show ahead of taking over as Wheel Of Fortune host

It wasn't clear if the post, which was tagged to Manhattan, had also been snapped in New York City, or if it was a recently taken photo to commemorate Gary's birthday.

Ryan looked as cool as ever in a slim black sweater with his sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing his gold luxury wristwatch.

He paired it with charcoal jeans and gray suede shoes.

Gary had on a blue plaid shirt with gray trousers and brown leather loafers without socks.

In October of last year, Gary and his wife Connie, to whom he has been married for 53 years, flew to New York City from Orlando, Florida, to join Ryan on the set of Live With Kelly And Ryan.

Afterward, they joined their son for an intimate dinner with his girlfriend Aubrey Paige.

The parents have been intimately entwined with their son's success since his TV career took off into the stratosphere.

Gary and Connie currently work for the American Idol host's non-profit Ryan Seacrest Foundation, with Gary taking the dual roles of president and CEO, while Connie is the foundation's vice president of community affairs and hospital relations.

According to the foundation's website, it was with Gary that Ryan first shared his hopes of creating the foundation, and he tasked his father to help build it up.

Prior to his work on the foundation, Gary worked as an attorney in Georgia for more than three decades, eventually rising to run his own law firm. Fittingly, he's in charge of legal matters for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

He and Connie aren't the only family members on the board, as Ryan's sister Meredith Leach serves as the executive director, while he holds the titles of chairman and founder.

The non-profit strives to built broadcast studios within children's hospitals to allow young patients to explore their creativity while building experience with radio and television broadcasting.

Done it all: After serving in the military, Gary became a prominent attorney in Georgia for more than three decades. He now serves as President and CEO of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation; Ryan seen with (LR) Connie Seacrest, sister Meredith Leach and dad Gary in 2013

Family affair: Connie (2nd to L) is the foundation's vice president of community affairs and hospital relations; the family is seen with Selena Gomez in 2011 in Philadelphia

Sticking with it: This year marked Gary and Connie's 53rd wedding anniversary. Their son's foundation builds broadcast studios within children's hospitals for young patients to learn about broadcasting; seen in 2005

The organization currently has 11 studios up and running across the country.

Last year, Connie told Atlanta News First about how her son came up with the idea for his charity.

'We were with Ryan and Meredith, and he said, "I would like a foundation but I want to see something that happens. I just dont want to write a check. I want to see something that really makes a difference. The only thing I know is radio and TV,"' she recalled her son saying years earlier.

The first studio was set up in Atlanta, near where Seacrest grew up, and his mother said the foundation is working on its next two studios.
Former child star Alexa Nikolas stood by her previous claims that Jonah Hill allegedly forced a kiss on her when she was just 16 and he was 24.

While appearing on Wednesday's episode of the Off the Rails podcast, the Zoey 101 alum, who is currently pregnant with her second child, detailed the alleged assault, which she said occurred at a party at Justin Longs house in 2008.

Upon reflecting on the incident, Nikolas recalled how Hill 'didnt say anything' to her, but proceeded to slam her 'across' a car door.

'He just put his tongue right in my mouth. I just remember it moving around. It was really intense,' she said.

The actress, 31, said she remembers 'being startled and kind of just grossed out' and said she will 'never forget' the moment because you 'dont forget these things.'

'And, I tried to push him away, and I did actually. He did end up backing away. And I remember turning around and running upstairs,' she added.

Disturbing allegations: Former child star Alexa Nikolas stood by her previous claims that Jonah Hill allegedly forced a kiss on her when she was just 16 and he was 24

Hills attorneys previously called Nikolas story 'a complete fabrication' to Page Six.

Earlier this month, Nikolas first alleged Hill 'slammed her against a door and shoved his tongue in her mouth' when she was underage on Twitter.

In tweets published on July 8 and 9, Nikolas also alleged Long's then roommate, former CSI: Miami actor Jonathan Togo, 45, assaulted a minor friend of hers who was '16 or 17' at the party and that Long allegedly knew about it - which the Jeepers Creepers actor has denied in a statement to DailyMail.com.

Togo and Long would have been around 30 years old at the time of the alleged incidents. Nikolas - who is the founder of Eat Predators - an organization which aims to call out abusers and networks - claims adult men were 'feeding alcohol' to her and her minor friends.

Nikolas also accused Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, 49, of 'utter predatory disrespect for professional boundaries.'

Looking back: While appearing on Wednesday's episode of the Off the Rails podcast , the Zoey 101 alum, who is currently pregnant with her second child, detailed the alleged assault, which she said occurred at a party at Justin Longs house in 2008 (Hill seen in 2021)

Upon reflecting on the incident, Nikolas recalled how Hill 'didnt say anything' to her, but proceeded to slam her 'across' a car door (Nikolas pictured as a teen on Zoey 101)

Jonah Hill (seen above in his 2007 film Superbad)

She tweeted: 'After reading Sarah Bradys admirable post about #JonahHill I just gotta say when I was 16 I got invited to a house party at #justinlongs house where he was living with some lame predator actor from CSI Miami. Ill look up the name later and find him.

'Oh ya this was the guy living (from my memory) with #justinlong his name is Jonathan Togo ew ew ew.

'He was sleeping *aka assaulting a minor* a friend of mine that was also 16 or 17. Anyways. #JonahHill came over at some point and we were all pretty wasted because of course the predators were feeding us minors a bunch of alcohol.'

Describing the alleged incident between her and Hill - who she claimed knew she was 16 - she wrote: '#jonahhill seemed to have his eyes on me because at one point I wanted a cig and he said he had one in his car right outside. Didnt seem like too much of an effort so I trusted him. I went outside and he grabbed the cigs from his front seat.

'Just to note #JonahHill said if I wanted the cig I had to come with him outside to get it. He didnt wanna go all alone. They were all aware I was 16.

'#JonahHill didnt hand me the cig which I thought was weird and then as we walked back to the door I asked him for it and he said nothing but slammed me to the door and shoved his tongue down my throat. I was so appalled I pushed him off of me and ran inside.'

She then blasted Long over allegedly inviting teenagers to his house, writing: 'Also #justinlong why the f**k did you have children at your house late night? Ew.

'Hey Justin Long I find it interesting you being in Barbarian as a predator. It must have been weird playing some of your friends.

Alleged: The actress, 31, claimed Hill, now 39 - who was accused of 'emotional abuse' by ex Sarah Brady this week, 'grabbed her and shoved his tongue down her throat' when she attended a party at Justin Long's house (Hill pictured in 2021)

In tweets published on July 8 and 9, Nikolas also alleged Long's then roommate, former CSI: Miami actor Jonathan Togo, 45, (seen left with Long in 2008) assaulted a minor friend of hers who was '16 or 17' at the party and that Long allegedly knew about it - which Long has denied

Nikolas named Togo as the alleged attacker and shared a photo of him

Claim: Nikolas claimed Hill grabbed her and forced a kiss on her in shock tweets

'You knew your roommate was assaulting a minor under your own roof. You let it happen. Eek. I hope you regret it now.'

She also tweeted: 'I was 16 and #JonahHill was 24? Not okay.

'Ive been traumatized by men in Hollywood. Its truly sad the traumatic events I have lodged in my body and mind. Things have to change. F**k #familyguy too.'

Referencing MacFarlane, Nikolas, who voiced a character in a 2011 episode of Family Guy when she was 18 years old, wrote: 'One day soon after more therapy we can all start talking about #sethmacfarlanes utter predatory disrespect for professional boundaries period.

'I was 18. He was my boss and he is 19 years older than me.

'Oh ya and mysteriously offered the job. Never did voice work in my entire life. Creep.'

DailyMail.com has also contacted representatives for Seth Macfarlane and Jonathan Togo for comment.

A spokesman for Justin Long told DailyMail.com: 'This is the first time Justin has been made aware of this situation that allegedly happened nearly two decades ago. While Justin is sympathetic to any and all victims of any abuse , the simple fact remains he has no knowledge of what may or may not have happened concerning Ms. Nikolas.'

This comes after Brady, 26, - who dated Hill in 2021 for one year - set the internet alight on Friday by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments - including messages outlining his parameters for a 'romantic partnership.'

Nikolas also lambasted Long online - who has denied her allegations

Claim: Nikolas also accused Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane of 'predatory disrespect'

In June, it was revealed that Hill had welcomed his first child with his current girlfriend Olivia Millar.

Sarah revealed why she waited until his new girlfriend gave birth before posting.

Brady took to her Instagram Story on Sunday to post a voice memo to explain the timing of her posts was out of respect toward the pregnancy of Jonah's girlfriend Olivia Millar.

She could be heard saying: 'I didnt want [Millar] to have to see all of this while she was pregnant because I didnt know what kind of stress that would cause her and her baby physically.'

The surf instructor went on to say that she knows that 'the timing can seem bad' but she is hoping that Millar had seen the posts in order to 'make an informed decision of how she wants to care for herself and her baby.

'I just hope she would receive some of these screenshots somehow through friends, like, friends of mine that I met through him that I know are good people that I know would make an effort to protect her.'

This came just a day after Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments.

Exposed? Hill's ex Sarah Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments; pictured in 2021

Tense: Taking to Instagram late on Friday night, the surfer blasted the 39-year-old Superbad star by sharing screenshots of their past arguments

The rollout of damning statements against the movie producer began with an Instagram Stories post Brady shared with the caption, 'F*** it.'

The screenshot showed two messages alleged to be from Jonah on December 2, 2021.

The lengthy initial text apparently from Jonah included a list of unacceptable behaviors from Sarah if they were to be together romantically.

The new dad allegedly mentioned things including 'surfing with men,' 'inappropriate friendships with men,' and 'posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit' that were off limits for his then-girlfriend.

He additionally stated that if Sarah 'needed' to 'model,' 'post sexual pictures,' or maintain friendships with women who were part of her 'wild recent past' then he was 'not the right partner' for her.

In another post of his alleged messages, Brady claimed that Hill only wanted her to socialize with friends whom he had 'personally approved.'

The entertainer, whose documentary Stutz came out on Netflix last year, added, 'If these things bring you to a place of happiness I support it and there will be no hard feelings. These are my boundaries for romantic partnership.'

He then clarified, 'My boundaries with you based on the ways these actions have hurt our trust.'

Sarah wrote online to her nearly 80,000 followers, 'See the misuse of the term "boundaries"?'

Brady spun her posts as a 'warning to all girls.'

'If your partner is talking to you like this, make an exit plan,' she captioned a screenshot that appeared to show Hill complaining about social media photos featuring her 'a** in a thong.'

Implicit: Brady used the caption of new Instagram post to air out her ex. She claimed he had requested that she take down the full-clothed photo

Heed: Sarah called her decision to release the private messages a 'warning to all girls'

Unleashing: Sarah posted a message thread with the caption 'you make me sick'

'Call me if you need an ear,' she added.

After Brady appeared to have signaled that she had deleted some of the supposedly offending photos, the Wolf Of Wall Street star appeared to tell his then-girlfriend it was a 'good start' but that she didn't 'seem to get' his point.

'But its not my place to teach you. Ive made my boundaries clear,' he affirmed. 'You refuse to let go of some of them and youve made that clear and I hope it makes you happy.'

Brady maintained that her ex-boyfriend's critiques were made in an attempt to control her.

She explained that she agreed with his requests in an attempt to keep him from experiencing 'crippling anxiety.'

Insight: Sarah alleged that while dating Jonah, he had to 'personally approve' her friends

Former flames: The former couple used to regularly coordinate their outfits

One wish: Sarah said she wants her ex to be held accountable

Getting personal: In part of her tirade against her ex, the athlete noted, 'I hope my ex has a daughter, maybe shell turn him into a real feminist.'

'It hurts so badly': Brady seemed to be addressing Hill when she wrote 'Gaslight much?' over one screenshot. In the text, he appeared to complain that he was 'so lovely' to her, which he didn't feel was being reciprocated

Interacting with her fans, Sarah admitted: 'Its been a year of healing & growth with the help of loved ones and doctors to get back to living my life without guilt, shame and self-judgment for things as small as surfing in a swimsuit rather than a more conservative wetsuit.'

She continued, 'And Im sure theres still much more healing from this abuse ahead of me.'

The former duo first went public with their romance in August 2021 after their connection was sparked when Jonah approached her online.

On Friday Sarah said she was 'sharing this publicly now because keeping it to myself was causing more damage to my mental health than sharing it could ever do.'

She also explained she used to take the 'blame' for Hill's actions when they would speak with their therapist.

In part of her tirade against her ex, the athlete noted, 'I hope my ex has a daughter, maybe shell turn him into a real feminist.

'Because the fact that he calls himself a feminist now is laughable.  If I could have one wish for him it would be that he is surrounded by feminist men who can hold him accountable to grow in the ways he has expressed he wants to.'

The law student went on to say, 'I think fame can put people in an echo chamber of viewpoints, which can enable emotionally abusive behavior.'

Odd standards: One snippet of conversation appeared to show Hill complaining that his then-girlfriend's 'therapist thinks I suck,' before he called himself 'literally ... the best boyfriend. On earth'

Ridiculous: In a screenshot of a conversation with another person, Brady claimed that a therapist had urged her to come up with a 'safe word'  'pineapple'  for 'when Jonah was yelling at me'

Shade: In other posts, she urged her followers to 'Boycott Stutz,' Hill's documentary about his relationship with his therapist. One included a screenshot of text saying it 'is never appropriate for a therapist to speak about themselves at length'

One snippet of conversation appeared to show Hill complaining that his then-girlfriend's 'therapist thinks I suck.'

Brady seemed to be addressing Hill when she wrote 'Gaslight much?' over one screenshot.

In the text, he appeared to complain that he was 'so lovely' to her, which he didn't feel was being reciprocated.

'I literally am the best boyfriend. On earth,' he added. She mocked the sentiment by sarcastically writing #1 Boyfriend over the screenshot and adding a photo of a smiling dog.

In other posts, she urged her followers to 'Boycott Stutz,' Hill's documentary about his relationship with his therapist. One included a screenshot of text saying it 'is never appropriate for a therapist to speak about themselves at length.'

She also clarified that just because a person is 'emotionally abusive,' it 'doesnt mean theyre a terrible person.'

'At the same time, it doesnt mean its OK,' she said.

In addition to screenshots of conversations allegedly between her and Hill, Brady also included screenshots that appeared to show her complaining about her ex with another person.

She also clarified that just because a person is 'emotionally abusive,' it 'doesnt mean theyre a terrible person,' adding, 'At the same time, it doesnt mean its OK'

On Friday Sarah said she was 'sharing this publicly now because keeping it to myself was causing more damage to my mental health than sharing it could ever do.'

The other person said it must have made her 'feel crazy having a licensed professional tell You to Not talk to other men to keep your boyfriend from acting like a f***ing baby.'

Brady claimed that the therapist suggested she come up with a 'safe word for when Jonah was yelling at me,' which was 'pineapple.'

In June, it was revealed that Hill had welcomed his first child with his current girlfriend Olivia.

Details about the child, including the birth date, were not revealed, but his rep confirmed she gave birth in the spring of 2023.

Heads up: Sarah shared screen shots of her messages with Jonah that showed the actor letting her know he'd started dating another woman

Furious: Sarah told Jonah 'I'd appreciate if you'd make that woman aware of how recently you've been flirting with me, sexting me and leaning on me for partner level emotional support'. He replied by denying the timing of his new romance was 'inappropriate'

A question of timing: Jonah said it had been 'six months' since the end of the relationship. Sarah then produced a screen shot of a sexting message from mid July

'I've done nothing wrong': Jonah said he was 'deeply' let down by Sarah's reaction and felt violated by the fact she'd taken a screenshot of his sext

Hill - a self-described mental health advocate - then offered to pay for Brady's therapy for the rest of 2022 'even though you'll somehow punish me with that gesture.'

On Monday Brady posted more exchanges - which she claimed took place on August 30 and 31 last year - around the time he moved on with Millar which he texted Brady about.

She responded: 'I'd appreciate if you make that woman aware of how recently you've been flirting with me, sexting me, and leaning on me for partner-level emotional support.'

She also shared a screengrab of him writing about 'holding my hard [censored]' in a text dated July 13, 2022, prompting the actor to confirm: 'Yes we sexted two months ago.'

Hill blasted Sarah for the screenshot, branding it 'triggering' and accusing her of breaching his trust.
EastEnders' Stacey Slater was terrorised on Thursday as her stalker upped the ante and sent flowers to her home and sent a meaning 'I'm watching you' text.

The webcam model (played by Lacey Turner) was so fearful for her safety she turned to daughter Lily's tutor Theo Hawthrone (William Ellis) unknowing he was the real culprit.

During the latest episode the teacher arrived at her home under the guise of bringing extra homework with Stacey so relieved to see a familiar face she locked herself in with him.

The mum had been struggling to make ends meet recently and turned to the online sex work as a means of earning extra cash - with one mystery client named Edmund in particular paying extra cash for private sessions.

But she has been left fearful as the mystery individual appears to know all about her as well as her address.

Terror: EastEnders' Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) was terrorised on Thursday as her stalker upped the ante and sent flowers to her home and sent a meaning 'I'm watching you' text

Scary stuff: The webcam model was so fearful for her safety she turned to daughter Lily's tutor Theo Hawthrone (William Ellis) unknowing he was the real culprit

After Stacey became trapped with Theo thinking she was safe, he menacingly told her 'Stacey you're never alone'

Taking to Twitter one terrified fan wrote: 'Stacey locking all the doors in the house and then Theo telling her she's never alone, yet she doesn't know yet that he's the one stalking her...next level creepy from him. SOMEBODY SAVE HER'.

With a second commenting: 'Creepy Theo worming his way in to keep close to Stacy as he continues to stalk and scare her'.

And a third said: 'Theo freaks the hell out of me'.

Someone else wrote: 'The actor is doing such a good job because OH MY GOD I am uncomfortable'.

And another mused: 'I really feel like this business with Stacey being stalked by Theo is gonna result in her having a bipolar episode. She already has so much stress and when she finds out it's Theo, she's gonna be blaming herself and paranoid about letting anyone else in again'.

Meanwhile, while many believe that creepy Theo is indeed Stacey's stalker and on Wednesday some reckon they've have worked out a very huge Christmas twist for the character.

Earlier this year in a special flash forward episode, confirmed that someone form Albert Square is going to be killed this festive season.

Be careful! During the latest episode the teacher arrived at her home under the guise of bringing extra homework with Stacey so relieved to see a familiar face she locked herself in with him

Scary: Taking to Twitter one terrified fan wrote: 'Stacey locking all the doors in the house and then Theo telling her she's never alone, yet she doesn't know yet that he's the one stalking her...next level creepy from him. SOMEBODY SAVE HER'

A man was seen lying dead on the floor surrounded by six women - Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Suki ( Balvinder Sopal).

In the scene as the women stood over the body, Sharon confirmed he was definitely dead.

Viewers currently have no idea whether it is murder or an accident but some clues from the scene have revealed possible theories.

Drama: Earlier this year in a special flash forward episode , confirmed that someone form Albert Square is going to be killed this festive season

Uh oh! However, some viewers shared that they think Theo is the victim and will be unveiled as the murdered character on Christmas Day (Stacey pictured with blood on her hands)

In the coming months, more information will be given before the Christmas Day episode when all will be revealed about who the murderer is and who is dead.

However, some viewers shared that they think Theo is the victim and will be unveiled as the murdered character on Christmas Day.

Sharing their theories online, one wrote: 'There's definitely a possibility Theo Hawthorne could be a wildcard for the Xmas murder.'

A second said: 'Starting to think Theo is the one murdered in the Vic at Christmas??? If Im not mistaken its Stacey and Denise standing over him with the potential murder weapons. The thing that connects them- Lilys baby! Got a feeling this storyline taking a dark turn'

While a third spotted that most of the potential killers were featured in the episode, writing: 'stacey & denise, stacey & kathy and kathy & sharon scenes tonight 5 of the six.'

And another predicted something sinister to come for the character, adding: 'That Theo tutor character in Eastenders is an absolute wrong un! You can see something bad involving him coming a mile off.
Bahrain will soon start work on eight major projects being implemented under the Government Land Development Rights Programme in partnership with the private sector across the kingdom, reported BNA.

The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry has begun the preparations following the directives of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister last month, in addition to building 280 other units in Khalifa Town, it stated.

The ministry has already started the first steps of the project, which will be implemented in partnership with the private sector through the Programme, said Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna bint Ahmed Alromaihi.

The work on the 131-unit Salman Town project will begin later this year, she stated.

She also pledged to step up work to implement the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to expand the Programme.

The minister was speaking after inspecting the location allocated to construct the residential units in Salman Town.

She pointed out that the first trial phase of the Programme had been a big success, adding that 93% of the Suhail real estate project, which includes 132 units, have already been sold out in a record time, said the BNA report.

"We are co-ordinating with all relevant authorities to ensure the availability of the required building permits and all necessary basic infrastructure at the project sites," she added.
Jodie Kidd looked incredible as she attended she attended Leah Wood's Manava x Junior Rags fashion launch in London held at Upstairs at Langan's on Thursday.

The supermodel, 44, oozed rocker chic in a plunging black lace dress which teased a hint of skin and her ample cleavage.

Jodie completed her look with a pair of chunky Dr. Martens boots along with a selection of gold necklaces.

She was joined at the star-studded event alongside Lisa Snowdon and Kirsty Gallacher.

Leah is the daughter of Rolling Stones legend Ronnie, 76, and ex-wife and former Strictly star Jo Wood, 68.

Fashion: Jodie Kidd, 44, looked incredible as she attended she attended Leah Wood's Manava x Junior Rags fashion launch held at Upstairs at Langan's in Mayfair on Thursday

Style: Jodie (L) oozed rocker chic in a plunging black lace dress which teased a hint of skin and her ample cleavage (pictured with Leah Wood)

It comes after Jodie endured a freezing ice bath while on a retreat, where she practised breathing techniques and stress-busting exercises earlier this week.

Extreme athlete Wim Hof, creator of the method which has struck a chord with wellness-centric stars, claims exposure to the cold helps the body to heal.

Amazing day, cant wait to do it again, Jodie says. Her survivalist antics will impress Bates, 36, who also braved the icy waters.

The model previously revealed returning to a quiet life in the countryside helped her 'curb' her anxiety' after quitting the modelling industry to to protect her mental health.

Jodie burst onto the fashion scene when she was just 16, after being spotted on a beach in Barbados by photographer Terry O'Neil, and fronted campaigns for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Chloe.

Three years after suffering a horrific panic attack during a catwalk at 19, Jodie quit the industry all together, eventually moving from London to her hometown in West Sussex.

She now lives near Kirdford with son Indio, 11, and told the Mirror that after going through some 'very dark times' she's managed to 'get on top of' her anxiety.

'Back then, no one really talked about mental health but now everyone's a lot more open about it, which is really important,' she said.

Congrats: Jodie shared a big hug with woman of the hour Leah

Pals: Jodie (R) was joined at the star-studded event alongside Lisa Snowdon (L) and Kirsty Gallacher

Friends: (L to R) Jodie Kidd, Pips Taylor, Leah Wood, Lisa Snowdon and Kirsty Gallacher

Beaming: The guests all appeared to be having a wonderful time

Family: Leah is the daughter of Rolling Stones legend Ronnie, 76, and ex-wife and former Strictly star Jo Wood, 68 ( Jo and Ronnie pictured with Leah and sons Jamie (R) and Tyrone (L) in 2005)

Jodie has put 'blood, sweat and tears' into The Half Moon pub, and admitted that while there have been challenges due to the pandemic, purchasing the business was one of the best decisions she's made.

However the model had to take down her pub sign which shows her bare bottom after locals complained to the council over its 'inappropriate' nature.

A painting of the landlady showing off her behind was put up in front of the pub, replacing the old traditional image of a face in a crescent moon.

Leggy: Lisa Snowdon turned heads in a polkadot dress with racy thigh-high split

Pose: Gracie Egan (L) grabbed a snap with Lisa Snowdon (R)

Jodie's pub was one of a dozen who had their signs undergo a racy makeover as part of the the Stella Artois: The Pub Renaissance campaign.

The saucy makeover at the West Sussex pub was in aid of raising money for charity however locals were unable to see the fun side of the sign.

Jodie told The Sun: 'Villagers thought it wasn't fitting for a 16th century pub to have an a*** hanging out. They complained and the council told us to take it down.

Jodie said: 'The campaign was there to raise money for people in the industry suffering as a result of rising energy bills. I was proud to be part of the campaign.

'If they didn't understand it was for charity and helping the hospitality industry, then I'm sure they were thinking 'why is our landlady getting her butt cheeks out? They must have thought 'she's gone completely mad'.
Kelly Ripa was absent from Live with Kelly and Mark again on Thursday as Anderson Cooper filled in for the host.

Ripa, 52, has missed three episodes of the show in two weeks with her absence not explained in the interim. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for ABC and Kelly Ripa for comment.

Ripa's husband and co-host Mark Consuelos, 52, introduced Cooper, 56, saying: 'Filling in for Kelly today is Anderson Cooper.'

Cooper responded to Consuelos of his new presenting gig: 'You're killing it. Youre doing such a great job.'

The pair quipped about puppies and showed off two racy looking mushrooms.

Where is she? Kelly Ripa was absent from Live with Kelly and Mark again on Thursday as Anderson Cooper filled in for the host

Usual host: Ripa, 52, has missed three episodes of the show in two weeks with her absence not explained in the interim. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for ABC and Kelly Ripa for comment (pictured May)

Consuelos said: 'Kelly was taking a walk yesterday and she sent this to us today  just for you and me on the show today.

'She was thinking of us. New York City mushrooms.'

Ripa previously missed the show on July 20 and 21, with Maria Menounous filling in.

Ripa showed off her new hairstyle and icy highlights from celebrity hairstylist Ryan Trygstad on Wednesday,

'A bit more blonde for @kellyripa before vacation!' captioned Trygstad.

The mother-of-three looked thrilled with her lighter locks as she smiled for the camera.

She was seated at a well lit vanity while Trygstad stood behind her put the finishing touches on her blown-out style.

Kelly re-posted the image with the caption: 'Divine timing for a fresh coat of paint'

Kelly sent that! The pair quipped about puppies and showed off two racy looking mushrooms

Fans were in awe of her enviably full head of hair, which Ryan confirmed was 'all Kelly.'

Kelly's blonder 'do comes just in time for her latest summer vacation with Mark.

The couple and their three children recently ventured to Greece in June as a belated birthday and graduation gift for daughter Lola, who turned 22 last month.

Kelly and Mark also have sons Michael Joseph, 26, and Joaquin, 20.

Kelly and Mark first crossed paths in 1995 while on the set of the hit soap opera, All My Children, and tied the knot the following year in May 1996.

They celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

The couple heavily feature each other on their respective Instagram pages.

In April, Mark became Kelly's Live! co-host after Ryan Seacrest stepped down from the role.

Speaking to DailyMail.com in June, the actor confessed that he and his wife 'questioned if they should work together' on the hit morning show.

Barbie blonde: Ripa showed off her new hairstyle and icy highlights from celebrity hairstylist Ryan Trygstad on Wednesday

Vacation vibes: Earlier this week, Mark embodied vacation vibes as Kelly captured him lounging shirtless in their pool

New gig: In April, Mark became Kelly's Live! co-host after Ryan Seacrest stepped down from the role

Family: Mark also dished that he and Kelly vowed to be 'be real, open, and honest' with their audience while also being 'sensitive' when it comes to discussing their family life

'The conversation [about me joining the show] ran the gamut,' he explained. 'We said to one another, 'We're married, should be we doing this? Is it a good idea us working together?'

'But each objection we had it was like, well we've done this before. We worked together on All My Children for years on what was a much more intensive schedule, we were on-screen love interests we said if we can survive 12, 13-hour days of that, we know we can survive this.'

Mark also dished that he and Kelly vowed to be 'be real, open, and honest' with their audience while also being 'sensitive' when it comes to discussing their family life.

'We've always taken the approach that if it's anything sensitive or we think it could be sensitive, we'll just ask the kids and we always get a very direct answer!'
Teresa Giudice uploaded a heartwarming tribute to her husband Luis Ruelas on her Instagram account on Thursday.

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star, 51, shared a video on Instagram to celebrate her and Ruelas' third anniversary of getting together as a couple, where she called him the 'love of my life.'

'Happy 3 year anniversary to the love of my life!! Everything in our life happened for a reason for us to find each other. I love you endlessly and am forever grateful you came into my life,' Giudice wrote in the caption of her Instagram video post.

'Your soul is so rare. We have such a beautiful family and I will forever cherish our love . #summerlove #anywherewithyou #lovelovelove #3years.'

The video, which is 31 seconds in length, contains various photos and short video clips of Giudice and Ruelas, 49, sharing intimate moments with each other while on date nights, events, and vacations.

'Love of my life': Teresa Giudice (right) uploaded a heartwarming tribute to her husband Luis Ruelas (left) on Instagram on Thursday to celebrate their third anniversary together as a romantic couple, where she called him the 'love of my life'

Video Tribute: The video, which is 31 seconds in length, contains various photos and short video clips of Giudice and Ruelas sharing intimate moments with each other, including this one from their honeymoon

Heartwarming Tribute: In the caption of her video post on Instagram, Giudice gushed about how much she loves Ruelas and will 'forever cherish [their] love'

Giudice's video tribute to Ruelas on Instagram comes as the couple and their blended family are in middle of enjoying a family vacation in Mykonos, Greece ahead of their first wedding anniversary, which falls on August 6.

Greece holds a special place in the couple's heart as it is where they got engaged at at the Amanzoe Resort in Porto Heli in August 2021.

The pair also traveled to Greece for their honeymoon as well, where they stayed at Calilo, a luxury hotel on a remote part of the Greek Island of Ios.

On July 24, Ruelas posted a video of Giudice boarding a private jet that the blended family used to fly to Myknonos.

'I LOVE YOU  . #mykonos #familytime #summer2023 #happyanniversary,' Ruelas wrote in the caption of his July 24 video post on Instagram.

The song Dance the Night by Dua Lipa could be heard playing in the background of the Ruelas' post.

Intimate moments: The couple met in July 2020 but didn't confirm their relationship until December of that year, when Teresa made their relationship Instagram official

The couple were spotted on July 26 packing in some PDA while enjoying a nice day by the beach in Mykonos.

Giudice showed off her incredible figure in a white string bikini with a multicolor trim. She also wore a large white sunhat.

Meanwhile, Ruelas opted to go shirtless as he donned a pair of orange swimming trunks.

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. Their August 6, 2022, nuptials were 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.
Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report)  Research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Boston Scientific in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, July 19th. Zacks Research analyst U. Biswas now expects that the medical equipment provider will earn $0.62 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.61. The consensus estimate for Boston Scientifics current full-year earnings is $1.95 per share.

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Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on BSX. Citigroup increased their price objective on Boston Scientific from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. TheStreet raised Boston Scientific from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Boston Scientific in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. They set an overweight rating and a $58.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group initiated coverage on Boston Scientific in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. They set a buy rating and a $57.00 price objective for the company. Finally, CL King initiated coverage on Boston Scientific in a report on Friday, June 30th. They set a buy rating and a $64.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $56.95.

Boston Scientific Trading Down 0.0 %

BSX stock traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $52.40. 8,372,638 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,106,050. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.40. The business has a 50 day moving average of $52.67 and a 200-day moving average of $50.11. Boston Scientific has a 52-week low of $37.74 and a 52-week high of $54.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 88.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.80.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 6.91%. The business had revenue of $3.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.39 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boston Scientific

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 88,436.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 270,919,289 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $14,654,024,000 after buying an additional 270,613,292 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 112,306.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,661,660 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $863,475,000 after buying an additional 18,645,058 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at about $632,520,000. Steadfast Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at about $138,969,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 65.9% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,430,814 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $240,531,000 after purchasing an additional 2,157,849 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.20% of the companys stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.24, for a total value of $621,364.04. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 72,847 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,374.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Eric Francis Yves Thepaut sold 83,401 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.49, for a total transaction of $4,377,718.49. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $643,999.81. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.24, for a total transaction of $621,364.04. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 72,847 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,374.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 176,779 shares of company stock worth $9,371,164 over the last ninety days. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Boston Scientific Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems.

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CQS New City High Yield Fund Limited (LON:NCYF  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Thursday, July 20th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 27th will be paid a dividend of GBX 1.49 ($0.02) per share on Thursday, August 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 27th. This is an increase from CQS New City High Yield Funds previous dividend of $1.00. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

CQS New City High Yield Fund Stock Up 0.6 %

LON:NCYF traded up GBX 0.30 ($0.00) during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting GBX 47.80 ($0.61). 1,070,784 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,119,270. The firm has a market cap of 246.05 million, a P/E ratio of 5,160.00 and a beta of 0.51. CQS New City High Yield Fund has a twelve month low of GBX 43.03 ($0.55) and a twelve month high of GBX 54.80 ($0.70). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.81, a quick ratio of 2.43 and a current ratio of 0.26. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 47.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 49.63.

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CQS New City High Yield Fund Company Profile

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CQS New City High Yield Fund Limited is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by CQS Asset Management Ltd. The fund is managed by CQS (UK) LLP. It invests in fixed income markets. The fund primarily invests in fixed income securities such as corporate and government bonds, loan stocks, and high yielding bonds.

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The Monks Investment Trust PLC (LON:MNKS  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Tuesday, June 20th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 27th will be given a dividend of GBX 3.15 ($0.04) per share on Wednesday, September 13th. This represents a yield of 0.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 27th. This is an increase from The Monks Investment Trusts previous dividend of $2.35. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

The Monks Investment Trust Trading Down 0.4 %

LON MNKS traded down GBX 4 ($0.05) on Wednesday, hitting GBX 990 ($12.69). 226,712 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 370,771. The Monks Investment Trust has a 52-week low of GBX 906 ($11.62) and a 52-week high of GBX 1,102 ($14.13). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.90, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The company has a market capitalization of 2.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3,434.48 and a beta of 0.75. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 990.39 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 985.21.

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The Monks Investment Trust Company Profile

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The Monks Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. It is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Wincanton plc (LON:WIN  Get Free Report) insider James Wroath acquired 61 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 248 ($3.18) per share, for a total transaction of 151.28 ($193.97).

Wincanton Stock Down 1.4 %

WIN stock opened at GBX 243 ($3.12) on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 349.24. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 250.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 253.52. The company has a market cap of 302.63 million, a PE ratio of 910.93 and a beta of 0.62. Wincanton plc has a twelve month low of GBX 187 ($2.40) and a twelve month high of GBX 399 ($5.12).

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Wincanton Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a dividend of GBX 8.80 ($0.11) per share. This represents a yield of 4.06%. This is an increase from Wincantons previous dividend of $4.40. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Wincantons payout ratio is presently 4,814.81%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

About Wincanton

Separately, Numis Securities reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 365 ($4.68) target price on shares of Wincanton in a research report on Monday, May 22nd.

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Wincanton plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of outsourced and integrated supply chain solutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It offers business critical services, including storage, handling and distribution, eFulfilment, retailer, home delivery, fleet and transport management, and network optimization.

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Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) had its price target lifted by Barclays from $127.00 to $132.00 in a report issued on Monday, MarketBeat reports. Barclays currently has an overweight rating on the healthcare product makers stock.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on ABT. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and set a $112.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Friday, July 21st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.82.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $114.08 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $198.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.94, a PEG ratio of 5.12 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $93.25 and a one year high of $115.83. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $106.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $106.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.22.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $9.98 billion for 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 companys quarterly revenue was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.43 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.4 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.79%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 69.62%.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the firms 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Abbott Laboratories

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 15.0% during the 4th quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 673 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $74,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Alesco Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Alesco Advisors LLC now owns 2,435 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $267,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 3,743 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $411,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV now owns 22,785 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,307,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Delta Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Delta Financial Group Inc. now owns 6,475 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $656,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.08% of the companys stock.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Anchor Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 401,842 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 746 shares during the period. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC owned about 0.23% of Alexandria Real Estate Equities worth $50,467,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ARE. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,277,135,000. Centersquare Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 188.7% in the first quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 1,341,308 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $269,938,000 after purchasing an additional 876,725 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG increased its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 318.0% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,057,562 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $154,055,000 after purchasing an additional 804,563 shares in the last quarter. Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 3,924.1% in the 4th quarter. Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC now owns 538,222 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $78,403,000 after purchasing an additional 524,847 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 14.4% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,536,788 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $516,442,000 after purchasing an additional 446,033 shares during the last quarter. 85.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Alexandria Real Estate Equities

In other Alexandria Real Estate Equities news, Chairman Joel S. Marcus sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chairman now owns 351,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at $42,935,458.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Trading Up 0.9 %

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $141.00 to $137.00 in a research note on Monday, July 3rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. JMP Securities reduced their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $180.00 to $160.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $198.00 to $166.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $180.00 to $145.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $160.88.

NYSE:ARE traded up $1.09 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $128.44. 717,085 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,032,808. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.81, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.92. The firms 50 day moving average is $116.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $131.12. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a 52 week low of $108.81 and a 52 week high of $172.65.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by ($1.69). The firm had revenue of $713.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $700.22 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a return on equity of 2.54% and a net margin of 20.65%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.10 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 8.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were given a dividend of $1.24 per share. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.86%. 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. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 147.18%.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

(Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since its founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.

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Bahl & Gaynor Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX  Free Report) by 6.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 175,046 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 11,312 shares during the quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc.s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $24,766,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 3,711 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $581,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 33.3% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 280 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 20.0% in the 4th quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 420 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 2,701 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $382,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clean Yield Group boosted its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Clean Yield Group now owns 15,322 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,397,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.39% of the companys stock.

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Quest Diagnostics Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:DGX traded up $0.87 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $137.11. The stock had a trading volume of 142,498 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,052,652. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 12 month low of $120.40 and a 12 month high of $158.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $137.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $140.26. The company has a market cap of $15.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.95 and a beta of 0.95.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

Quest Diagnostics ( NYSE:DGX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The medical research company reported $2.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.07. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.26% and a return on equity of 16.51%. The business had revenue of $2.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.25 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.36 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 11th were given a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 10th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.07%. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DGX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Citigroup upgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the stock from $125.00 to $142.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $166.00 to $148.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $151.20.

About Quest Diagnostics

(Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing, information, and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine testing, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.

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Hitachi Payment Services to acquire Writer Corporation's Cash Management Business

Kolkata, July 27 (UNI) Hitachi Payment Services has entered into an agreement to acquire the Cash Management Business of Writer Corporation, a multi-business enterprise.

In the Cash Management industry, Writer Safeguard - the Cash Management Business of Writer Corporation, has been providing comprehensive cash services including ATM cash replenishment and retail cash pick-up services to corporate clients in India since 2001, according to a media statement here on Thursday.

Writer Safeguard has a network of close to 40,000 touchpoints including ATMs and Retail spanning 25 states across 1,500 locations serviced by a workforce of over 10,000 people.

The acquisition will transform Hitachi Payments market standing by integrating the cash management business into its overall service offerings, positioning it as a one-stop payments and commerce solutions provider.

It will enable Hitachi Payments to provide comprehensive ATM services to financial institutions, while on the merchant side it would complement Hitachi Payments digital offerings. By offering a unified and single platform for all merchant related payment and commerce needs, the acquisition will further strengthen Hitachi Payments value proposition to merchants and serve as a catalyst in accelerating digital adoption.

Tatsuro Ueda, Vice-President and Executive Officer, CEO of Financial Institutions Business Unit, Hitachi, Ltd, said, As the movement of digitalization accelerates globally, Hitachi is committed to provide future-ready solutions that effectively meet the varied needs of our customers especially in India, where digitalization is progressing rapidly in rural areas. This acquisition will enable us to expand our service offerings and further strengthen our position in the Indian market. Specifically for the merchant ecosystem, we will be able to provide a distinctive value proposition and further drive digital acceptance by becoming a one-stop solution provider, catering to the diverse needs of merchants.

Sumil Vikamsey, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer  Cash Business, Hitachi Payment Services, said, The acquisition of the Cash Management Business of Writer Corporation will complement Hitachi Payments vision of becoming a leading payments and commerce solutions provider, offering holistic, reliable and cost-effective solutions across the payments value chain. In line with our overall strategy, the deal creates opportunities for us to broaden our service offerings and provides us a unique position to drive growth and innovation in the Indian payments landscape.

Dayle de Souza, Managing Director, Writer Business Services, said, Over the last two decades, Writer Corporation has created a rich legacy in the Cash Management Business through pioneering technologies, operational efficiencies and superior risk management practices. As one of the founding members of the Cash Logistics Association, the company has played a pivotal role in bringing global standards to the Cash Management industry in India. We are confident that the transfer to Hitachi Payments will bring new possibilities for this business. We will continue to retain and grow the ATM Managed Services business as a part of the overall service portfolio to our corporate clients.

UNI SJC KK
Beck Bode LLC bought a new position in shares of Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK  Free Report) in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 137,891 shares of the shipping companys stock, valued at approximately $5,920,000. Teekay Tankers accounts for 1.5% of Beck Bode LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in TNK. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Teekay Tankers by 20.3% in the 1st quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 14,525 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $624,000 after buying an additional 2,450 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Teekay Tankers in the first quarter valued at about $326,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its holdings in Teekay Tankers by 12.0% during the 1st quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 238,257 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $10,228,000 after buying an additional 25,436 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in Teekay Tankers in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $248,000. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of Teekay Tankers by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 15,653 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $672,000 after purchasing an additional 1,500 shares during the period. 48.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Teekay Tankers Stock Up 2.0 %

Teekay Tankers stock traded up $0.82 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $41.02. The stock had a trading volume of 419,983 shares, compared to its average volume of 485,320. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of -0.13. Teekay Tankers Ltd. has a 12-month low of $20.40 and a 12-month high of $48.05. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $38.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.24. The company has a quick ratio of 2.42, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26.

Teekay Tankers Dividend Announcement

Teekay Tankers ( NYSE:TNK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 11th. The shipping company reported $5.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.65 by $1.48. The firm had revenue of $270.47 million for the quarter. Teekay Tankers had a net margin of 32.12% and a return on equity of 39.74%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Teekay Tankers Ltd. will post 13.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a  dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 22nd were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 19th. Teekay Tankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised Teekay Tankers from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 18th.

Teekay Tankers Profile

(Free Report)

Teekay Tankers Ltd. provides marine transportation services to oil industries in Bermuda and internationally. The company offers voyage and time charter services; and offshore ship-to-ship transfer services of commodities primarily crude oil and refined oil products, as well as liquid gases and various other products.

Further Reading

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GN Store Nord A/S (OTCMKTS:GGNDF  Get Free Report) is one of 118 publicly-traded companies in the Medical Devices industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare GN Store Nord A/S to related companies based on the strength of its risk, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

35.3% of GN Store Nord A/S shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 28.0% of shares of all Medical Devices companies are owned by institutional investors. 27.5% of shares of all Medical Devices companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares GN Store Nord A/S and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio GN Store Nord A/S N/A N/A 5.67 GN Store Nord A/S Competitors $840.78 million $61.26 million 84.76

Profitability

GN Store Nord A/Ss peers have higher revenue and earnings than GN Store Nord A/S. GN Store Nord A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

This table compares GN Store Nord A/S and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets GN Store Nord A/S N/A N/A N/A GN Store Nord A/S Competitors -48.09% -31.02% -10.59%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for GN Store Nord A/S and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score GN Store Nord A/S 0 2 2 0 2.50 GN Store Nord A/S Competitors 199 1106 1292 41 2.45

As a group, Medical Devices companies have a potential upside of 53.82%. Given GN Store Nord A/Ss peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe GN Store Nord A/S has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Dividends

GN Store Nord A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. GN Store Nord A/S pays out 19.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Medical Devices companies pay a dividend yield of 2.3% and pay out 278.4% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. GN Store Nord A/S is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

GN Store Nord A/S beats its peers on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

GN Store Nord A/S Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

GN Store Nord A/S develops, manufactures, and markets audio and video communications solutions for medical, professional, and consumer technology solutions in Denmark, rest of Europe, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, GN Hearing and GN Audio. The GN Hearing segment produces and sells hearing instruments and products. The GN Audio segment supplies headsets, video cameras, and speakerphones for professional use and consumer products. It offers its products under the ReSound, Beltone, Interton, Jabra, BlueParrott, FalCom, and Audigy brands. GN Store Nord A/S was founded in 1869 and is based in Ballerup, Denmark.

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Fortis (TSE:FTS  Free Report) had its target price lowered by CSFB from C$62.00 to C$61.50 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on FTS. TD Securities increased their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$63.00 to C$66.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Fortis from C$54.00 to C$53.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. CIBC dropped their price objective on Fortis from C$61.00 to C$59.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 21st. National Bankshares increased their price target on Fortis from C$56.00 to C$57.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price target on shares of Fortis from C$58.00 to C$60.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Fortis currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$58.46.

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Fortis Stock Down 0.1 %

FTS stock opened at C$57.33 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 127.94, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market capitalization of C$27.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.19. Fortis has a fifty-two week low of C$48.45 and a fifty-two week high of C$62.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$57.00 and a 200-day moving average of C$56.94.

Fortis Announces Dividend

Fortis ( TSE:FTS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.82 by C$0.09. The company had revenue of C$3.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$3.02 billion. Fortis had a net margin of 12.85% and a return on equity of 7.28%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Fortis will post 2.9979003 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were given a $0.565 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 16th. This represents a $2.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.94%. Fortiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 76.87%.

About Fortis

(Get Free Report)

Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 443,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 102,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,328 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity.

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Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by investment analysts at Raymond James from $21.00 to $20.00 in a report released on Monday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a strong-buy rating on the stock. Raymond James price objective would suggest a potential upside of 94.74% from the stocks current price.

Several other research firms also recently commented on CWK. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Cushman & Wakefield from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $15.50 to $11.00 in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price target on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $15.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. TheStreet cut shares of Cushman & Wakefield from a c rating to a d rating in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, UBS Group cut shares of Cushman & Wakefield from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the stock from $19.00 to $10.00 in a report on Monday, April 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.50.

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Cushman & Wakefield Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of CWK opened at $10.27 on Monday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $8.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.55. The company has a market capitalization of $2.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.12 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.04, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.18. Cushman & Wakefield has a 1-year low of $7.16 and a 1-year high of $17.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield ( NYSE:CWK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.23). The business had revenue of $2.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.10 billion. Cushman & Wakefield had a return on equity of 20.99% and a net margin of 0.74%. The companys revenue was down 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.48 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Cushman & Wakefield will post 1.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Cushman & Wakefield news, Director Jodie W. Mclean sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.84, for a total transaction of $117,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 33,176 shares of the companys stock, valued at $260,099.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Cushman & Wakefield news, major shareholder Drone Holding Gp I. Ltd Pagac sold 3,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.62, for a total value of $25,860,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 22,717,475 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $195,824,634.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Jodie W. Mclean sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.84, for a total value of $117,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 33,176 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $260,099.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.24% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cushman & Wakefield

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in Cushman & Wakefield by 108.3% in the 1st quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 3,128.2% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,292 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 2,221 shares during the period. Ellevest Inc. grew its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 117.0% during the 4th quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 4,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 2,513 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield during the 1st quarter valued at about $62,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 47.5% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 8,861 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 2,852 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.34% of the companys stock.

Cushman & Wakefield Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments.

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PROG Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PRG  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $36.26, but opened at $39.75. PROG shares last traded at $42.80, with a volume of 541,983 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on PRG. Loop Capital cut shares of PROG from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $34.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Monday, June 5th. KeyCorp increased their price objective on shares of PROG from $36.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday.

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PROG Trading Up 5.0 %

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $33.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $27.56. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 3.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.04 billion, a PE ratio of 17.21, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 2.08.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PROG

PROG ( NYSE:PRG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $1.11 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.27. PROG had a net margin of 4.70% and a return on equity of 27.54%. The business had revenue of $655.14 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $642.58 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.57 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that PROG Holdings, Inc. will post 2.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PRG. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in PROG during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in PROG by 83.0% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,836 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 1,740 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its holdings in PROG by 20.3% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 7,290 shares of the companys stock valued at $123,000 after purchasing an additional 1,232 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its holdings in PROG by 50.7% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 7,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $124,000 after purchasing an additional 2,535 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new stake in PROG in the 3rd quarter valued at about $150,000. 99.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

PROG Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PROG Holdings, Inc (NYSE:PRG) is a financial technology holding company based in Salt Lake City, Utah with three business segments: Progressive Leasing, which offers lease-to-own transactions primarily to credit-challenged consumers through e-commerce and point-of-sale retail partners, via online, mobile, and in-store solutions; Vive Financial, which provides consumers who may not qualify for traditional prime lending with a variety of second-look, revolving credit products through private label and branded credit cards; and Four Technologies, which provides consumers of all credit backgrounds Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options through four interest-free installments via its platform, Four.

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Bausch Health Companies (NYSE:BHC  Free Report) had its price target raised by Royal Bank of Canada from $8.00 to $9.00 in a report released on Monday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the stock.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Bausch Health Companies from $7.00 to $9.50 in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Bausch Health Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered shares of Bausch Health Companies from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, June 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $8.17.

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Bausch Health Companies Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of BHC opened at $9.46 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 139.36, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.65 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a 50-day moving average of $8.01 and a 200 day moving average of $7.84. Bausch Health Companies has a 1-year low of $4.00 and a 1-year high of $10.23.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Bausch Health Companies ( NYSE:BHC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by ($0.23). The business had revenue of $1.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.95 billion. Bausch Health Companies had a negative net margin of 4.38% and a positive return on equity of 381.67%. On average, research analysts expect that Bausch Health Companies will post 3.26 EPS for the current year.

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 64.9% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 22,365 shares of the companys stock worth $511,000 after purchasing an additional 8,801 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 24.2% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 10,763 shares of the companys stock worth $245,000 after buying an additional 2,100 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 116.6% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 26,654 shares of the companys stock worth $609,000 after buying an additional 14,350 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 8.9% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 183,039 shares of the companys stock worth $4,183,000 after buying an additional 14,908 shares during the period. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL increased its stake in shares of Bausch Health Companies by 14.7% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 82,735 shares of the companys stock worth $1,890,000 after buying an additional 10,590 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.38% of the companys stock.

About Bausch Health Companies

(Get Free Report)

Bausch Health Companies Inc operates as a diversified pharmaceutical company. It develops, manufactures, and markets a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals, and eye health. The company operates through five segments: Salix, International, Solta Medical, Diversified, and Bausch + Lomb.

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Summit Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJH  Free Report) by 7.2% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 8,935 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 602 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF were worth $2,235,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 1,428.6% during the first quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 107 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. J Arnold Wealth Management Co bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000.

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iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF Trading Down 1.3 %

IJH stock traded down $3.48 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $268.81. The stock had a trading volume of 3,076,084 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,183,759. iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF has a 52 week low of $217.39 and a 52 week high of $273.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.24 and a beta of 1.12. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $255.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $253.51.

About iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

Ishares S&P Midcap 400 Index Fund, formerly The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the United States mid-cap stocks, as represented by the Standard & Poors MidCap 400 (the Underlying Index).

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Summit Financial LLC raised its position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:MDY  Free Report) by 3.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,923 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust were worth $2,722,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust by 3,750.0% in the 4th quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 77 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Arcus Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. Capital Directions Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $52,000. Finally, RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $60,000.

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SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust Stock Down 1.3 %

NYSEARCA MDY traded down $6.29 during trading on Thursday, hitting $491.75. The stock had a trading volume of 694,937 shares, compared to its average volume of 797,841. The company has a market capitalization of $20.32 billion, a PE ratio of 11.00 and a beta of 1.12. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $468.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $464.13. SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust has a twelve month low of $398.11 and a twelve month high of $500.78.

SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust Company Profile

SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF is an exchange traded fund. SPDR MidCap 400 Trust focuses to correspond to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. The S&P MidCap 400 covers over 7% of the United States equities market, and is part of a series of S&P the United States indices. The index also includes companies, which should have four consecutive quarters of positive as-reported earnings, excluding discontinued operations and extraordinary items.

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Dhaka, July 27 (UNI) Dhaka Metropolitan Police detained several hundred leaders and activists of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from different areas in Dhaka on Wednesday night as the party has announced to hold a grand rally in Dhaka Friday.

Of them, over 50 BNP leaders and activists were detained from Midway Hotel situated near the partys Naya Paltan headquarters. DMP, however, could not inform media the actual number of arrests it made from different areas of the capital as of 12:00 pm Thursday.

DMP source told UNI that the law enforcement detained 411 people, including accused and wanted in different cases, on Wednesday night.

Of the detained, 366 are political arrests, police said.

Earlier in the day, police sent 75 BNP leaders and activists, detained on Tuesday night, to jail through court.

BNP alleged police are arresting hundreds of their leaders and activists who have come to Dhaka to join the partys grand rally called to press home its one-point demand of resignation of the government and make a way for the constitution of caretaker government that would oversee the upcoming parliamentary election.

UNI MAZ AKS 1524
UK, Germany, China condemn military coup in Niger

Moscow, July 27 (UNI) The United Kingdom, Germany and China have released separate statements to condemn the military coup in Niger, a Western African country, saying they stood with the African community in its efforts to negotiate a way out of the crisis.

A German Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement issued on Thursday that Berlin was following events in Niger with great concern. It demanded that the military release President Mohamed Bazoum and return to their quarters.

"We condemn the attempt by parts of the military to overturn Nigers constitutional, democratic order... We fully support the respective efforts of the African Union and the regional organisation ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States]. Violence must not be used for ones political or personal gain," the spokesperson said.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy handing over a cheque to students after releasing the funds Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena scheme at the camp office on Thursday. Photo BY ARRANGEMENT.

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Thursday that the students from Andhra Pradesh should gain top positions by obtaining the best education from the world's top-ranking universities.

"We should support and encourage students to achieve their goals," he said while depositing Rs 45.53 crore for 357 students for their studies abroad, at an event held in the CMs camp office here. This is for the beneficiaries under the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "I am of the view that unless our students are supported with financial assistance to pursue higher education in top colleges and universities, they cant become global leaders. Hence the implementation of this scheme. Our bright students can become CEOs of the top companies around the world."

The Chief Minister said, "This scheme is a boon to meritorious SC, ST, BC, minority and EBC students who want to study abroad but are facing financial difficulties. Under the Videshi Vidya Deevena, being implemented in full transparency, the government would extend financial assistance to all eligible students in saturation method."

"Parents of such students should not fall into a debt trap. Hence, the government is handholding all eligible students at every step - from paying their airfare and visa charges to helping them complete their courses in top 50 universities abroad as per the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University and Times Higher Education rankings," he said.

A total expense of upto Rs 1.25 crore to SC, ST, BC and minority students and upto Rs 1crore to EBC students would be reimbursed, the CM said, adding this will help students pursue their studies in 21 faculties across 320 educational institutions abroad.

"One has to pay Rs 1.32 crore for pursuing MBA in the Booth School of Business, Chicago University; Rs 1.02 crore for MS course in University of Manchester; Rs 1.16 crore for MBA in Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University; Rs 1.13 crore for MBA in London Business School and Rs 1.11 crore for MS in Columbia University. The fees vary from Rs 61 lakh to Rs 2.06 crore for pursuing MBA and MS courses in other universities abroad," Jagan Mohan Reddy noted.

The Chief Minister recalled that during the TD rule, the SC, ST, BC and Minority students got only Rs. 15 lakh while EBC students received Rs 10 lakh as financial assistance. While an annual family income limit of Rs 6 lakh was fixed for the beneficiaries during the TD rule, it has been enhanced to Rs 8 lakh by the present government to cover more number of students.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said the government pays the first installment after receiving immigration card (I-94), the second installment at the end of first semester, the third installment after the second semester results and the final installment after successful completion of fourth semester.
Having learnt about pathetic condition of the villagers, Bhupalpalli MLA Gandra Venkataramana Reddy took the issue to the notice of municipal minister K.T.Rama Rao and and urged him to provide helicopter for rescuing the villagers. By Arrangement

WARANGAL: Due to heavy downpour of water with incessant rains that lashed out from Wednesday morning to Thursday the entire Morancha village was inundated in flood water with overflow of water from Morancha vagu at danger levels here in Jayashankar Bhupalpalli district on Thursday.

According to the sources, around 1,000 members of the villagers are stranded in the floodwater. By taking their children, important materials and cattle on to the top of some buildings present in the village, they are eagerly awaiting for help.

A lorry driver who was stuck in flood water at the outskirts of Morancha village posted a video urging the authorities to rescue him.

He said that as many as ten members of the village washed away in the flood water in front of him and was unable to save them because of heavy inflow of flood water.

Having learnt about pathetic condition of the villagers, Bhupalpalli MLA Gandra Venkataramana Reddy took the issue to the notice of municipal minister K.T.Rama Rao and and urged him to provide helicopter for rescuing the villagers.

The Chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao probed the concerned authorities to carry out rescue operations immediately to save the villagers.
Telangana has effectively had no crop insurance policy since 2018, when the state government refused to release its share of the premium to insurance companies under the PMFBY, despite the Centre releasing its share. Representational Image/DC

Hyderabad: The BRS failure bringing in its own crop insurance scheme after opting out of the Centres Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana in 2020, has proved a whammy for farmers have suffering crop losses due to the earlier dry spell, the incessant rainfall in March and the current downpour.

Farmers complained that they receive no aid from the government or insurance companies, citing that they had to move the High Court to get the state government to release funds for damages suffered from 2018-2020.

In July 2022, crops were damaged across 12 lakh acres and in March 2023, crops were damaged on 5 lakh acres due to heavy rains. While the state government, in a first, announced compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers in March, it was done just for 2.3 lakh acres.

Further, even this amount is yet to reach the affected farmers completely.

The Telangana state government along with those in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal and Gujarat opted out of the PMFBY, but is now the sole state to have failed in bringing in its insurance scheme, even after three years.

After scrapping the PMFBY, the state government is entirely dependent on the Centre for funds to extend input subsidies to farmers under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Telangana has effectively had no crop insurance policy since 2018, when the state government refused to release its share of the premium to insurance companies under the PMFBY, despite the Centre releasing its share. This forced insurance companies to stop settlements and claims until the state government released its share. It only did so once farmers moved the High Court.

There are about 66 lakh farmers in Telangana. When PMFBY came into force and was implemented in Telangana, in 2015-16, about 10 lakh farmers insured their crops under this scheme.

In 2015-16, about 7.73 lakh farmers insured their crops and got compensation of Rs 441.79 crore for crop loss due to heavy rains.

In 2016-17, about 8.87 lakh farmers insured their crops on 7.33 lakh acres. Nearly 1.34 lakh farmers claimed Rs 111.33 crore in compensation for crop loss.

In 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, the insurance companies approved claims of Rs 960 crore, but the disbursal was delayed as the state government failed to pay its share of the premium.
Boduppal, Medpally, Bandlaguda, Nagole and Nagaram were the worst hit. Residents continue to remain fearful, especially those in colonies adjoining the Musi River. (DC Image)

Hyderabad: The incessant downpour on Wednesday and Thursday left the city on its knees, with roads waterlogged, residential colonies flooded, infrastructure broken and key junctions turning into traffic bottlenecks.

Boduppal, Medpally, Bandlaguda, Nagole and Nagaram were the worst hit. Residents continue to remain fearful, especially those in colonies adjoining the Musi River.

Residential colonies in Osmannagar and Saifnagar of Balapur were inundated by backflow from the Venkatapur lake. Shirdinagar, Kalyannagar and Patelnagar in Malkajgiri were also inundated, and the residents had to seek help for water, milk and other essentials.

According to DRF, waterlogging was severe in Langar Houz, Bandlaguda and Mailardevarapalli areas on Thursday morning, which they cleared, while they are pumping out water from near the Dwarka Hotel turning in Khairatabad. They said that eight water stagnation points have been identified in all.

The directorate of Enforcement Vigilance & Disaster Management (EV&DM) meanwhile appealed to residents to restrict themselves to their homes and only step out in case of an emergency.

The water level of Hussainsagar continued to remain perilously close to the maximum, with the level reaching 513.65 metres at 7 pm, exceeding the full tank level of 513.41 metres. Rainwater from the twin reservoirs of Himayatsagar and Osmansagar continued to be released into River Musi, while authorities are monitoring areas on the banks of Musi.

As of Thursday morning, two sluice gates of the Osmansagar reservoir were opened for one foot, with an inflow of 700 cusecs and an outflow of 216 cusecs. Two sluice gates were also opened at the Himayatsagar reservoir, up to a height of two feet, with an inflow of 1,300 cusecs and an outflow of 1,350 cusecs.

On the day, the DRF received 73 complaints, of which 37 were of tree fall and 30 were of waterlogging.

Educational institutions being shut down and IT firms allowing work-from-home, however, provided some relief for commuters during the rush hour.

City logs moderate rainfall

Chandrayangutta circle: Indiranagar: 5.4 cm

Kapra circle: GHMC office: 5.2cm

Karwan circle: Golkonda tahsil office, Langer Houz: 5.1 cm

Chandanagar circle: JPN Nagar, Miyapur: 5 cm

*Source: GHMC

**From 8.30 am on Wednesday to 7 am on Thursday
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), July 27 (UNI) The Allahabad High Court on Thursday reserved its order on a petition challenging the order of the Varanasi district court which directed the ASI to conduct a survey of Gyanvapi Mosque Complex.

The Court after hearing the arguments of counsels of all the sides extended the stay on the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex by the Archaeological Survey of India till August 3.

The HC of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker fixed August 3 as the next date, the day on which it will deliver its order.

As the hearing on the petition, filed by Anjuman Intezamia Committee, which looks into day-to-day affairs of Gyanvapi mosque, resumed, its counsels re-submitted that the survey by the ASI will be harmful and damage could be done to the structure.

In support of their submission, the counsels submitted that after the court order, the ASI team reached the premises with shovels and other equipment.

During the hearing, the counsel of the Hindu side reiterated that ASI was granted permission for a survey in the Ram Janmabhoomi case.

On this, the counsels of the Muslim side said that in Ram Mandir case the permission was given after the evidence process, whereas in the case of Gyanvapi untimely exercise was being carried out.

Appearing on behalf of the ASI, Additional Director Alok Tripathi informed the court that the ASI was set up in the year 1871. He informed that survey will be done with Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) technique and no excavation will be done.

Appearing on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, Advocate General (AG) Arun Kumar Mishra said that maintaining law and order situation was their duty and additional security forces will be required if the survey starts immediately.

The counsels of the Muslim side said that it was necessary to decide the point of maintainability of the civil suit. They said that survey without deciding the legal point of maintainability was wrong.

The court was informed that the issue of maintainability is pending with the Supreme Court. On this, the counsels of the Hindu side said that the matter should be disposed of at the earliest.

The counsels of the Muslim side said that as per the section 3 of the Places of Worship Act, the nature of a religious place could not be changed. They said that neither there could be an appeal or a litigation and all pending cases should be considered disposed of from August 1947.

It may be noted that the Anjuman Intezamia Committee has challenged the order of the Varanasi District court under Article 227 on Tuesday. Before this a caveat was filed by a plaintiff in the case Rakshi Singh on Monday.

Earlier, on July 21 the Varanasi district court had issued directives to the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex and submit its report by August 4.

However, Anjuman Intezamia Committee moved the Supreme Court which in its interim order on Monday stayed the Varanasi district courts order asking ASI to carry out a survey of Gyanvapi mosque, until 5:00 PM on 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, had said.

The Apex Court passed the interim order 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.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally, in Sikar, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Addressing a rally after laying foundation stones and dedicating to the nation various development projects in Sikar, in poll-bound Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lashed out at the Rajasthan government, invoking sacked Congress minister Rajendra Gudha's "Red Dairy". Modi said that the dark deeds of the Congress are recorded in the Red Diary, which will eventually lead to the party's defeat in the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state.

At a public rally in Sikar, Modi took a dig at the Opposition, particularly the Congress, saying the slogan "Indira is India and India is Indira" during the era of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has now changed to "UPA is India and India is UPA".

"The Red Diary is a fresh product of the Congress' 'loot ki dukan'. It is said that the dark deeds of the Congress are recorded in the diary, which will defeat the party in elections in the state," he said.

The Red Diary was recently produced by Gudha in the state Assembly, which he claimed contained the details of the alleged irregular financial transactions of chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

In his address, Modi also targeted the Gehlot government over various recruitment paper leaks in the state. He said: "A paper leak industry is running in Rajasthan. The Congress government will have to be removed to fulfil the dreams of youths."

"There is only one slogan this time  Nahi Sahega Rajasthan. Rajasthan will not tolerate atrocities against sisters and daughters. Today in Rajasthan, there is only one voice, one slogan  lotus will win, lotus will bloom," he said.

Pointing to the large number of people present at the rally, Modi said it was an indication of people's support for the BJP and its victory in the upcoming polls. "I have a guarantee. The fortunes of Rajasthan will change and that lotus will bloom," he said.

The Prime Minister called the Congress the biggest directionless party in the country. "Their method is the same, which has always been adopted by the enemies of the country," he said.

At the Sikar rally, Modi once again derided the Opposition for naming their alliance "INDIA". He cited reviled names such as the East India Company and the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) to assert that people cannot be misled merely by the use of the country's name.

"India was there in the name of the East India Company, but its intention was to loot India. India was also there in the name of the terror organisation SIMI, which changed its name after a ban on PFI, and the intention of the organisation was to damage India through terror attacks," he said.

He noted that Congress and its allies have started a new trick; this trick is to change the name. "In earlier times, when a generation or a company used to get defamed, it immediately put up a new board and tried to run its business by confusing people. The Congress is also doing the same. To make sure the UPA's misdeeds are not remembered, it has changed their alliance's name to INDIA," Modi said.

During his address, the Prime Minister asked the public at the rally if the Opposition leaders cared about India. "If they cared about India, would they have raised questions on surgical strike and air strike? If they cared about India, would they have doubted the bravery of Army personnel in Galwan?" Modi said, adding that these are the same people who used to cry in front of the world whenever there were terrorist attacks but did nothing about them.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister dedicated 1.25-lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation and described them as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity.

The Prime Minister said the Centre has taken many decisions in the interest of farmers during the last nine years and has made arrangements from seed to market for them.

"The PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras in the country will directly benefit crores of farmers at the village and block level," Modi said.

He mentioned the onboarding of farmer producer organisations (FPOs) on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and said that it will make it easier for the farmers to take their produce to the market from any part of the country.

In his address, the Prime Minister also mentioned the launch of Urea Gold, new medical colleges and Eklavya Model Schools.

Talking about farmer welfare measures, the Prime Minister said that his government is working earnestly to reduce the expenses of the farmers and support them in their time of need.

The Prime Minister asserted that the price of urea in the country is an example of the government saving farmers from financial burdens. "The government will not let the urea prices bother our farmers. When a farmer goes to buy urea, he has the belief that it is Modis guarantee," he said.

Referring to the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which led to disruptions in fertiliser supplies, the Prime Minister underlined that the present government did not let the hike in fertiliser prices affect the farmers of the country.

The Prime Minister said that a bag of urea, which costs Rs 266 in India, costs about Rs 800 in Pakistan, about Rs 720 in Bangladesh, about Rs 2,100 in China and about Rs 3,000 in the USA.

Talking about the PM Kissan Samman Nidhi, Modi said that it is the largest scheme in the world where funds are directly transferred into the bank accounts of farmers. He informed the rally that more than `2.60 lakh crores have been directly transferred to the bank accounts of farmers so far.
The sources, who declined to be named as the talks are private, did not elaborate on the plan or say if parts made at the proposed facility would be used in iPhones or another company's products.
The airline, also known as Go First, had in May sought an emergency arbitration to prevent it from going out of business and blamed Raytheon Technologies-owned engine maker for its financial woes and bankruptcy filing.
Macron will be on his return home from a 5-day visit to the Pacific islands of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, President Wickremesinghes office said.
For instance, the US was not amused by reports last year that Saudi Arabia was considering accepting Chinese renminbi to price some oil sales to China instead of the US dollar. Over time, given the economic clout of China and Saudi Arabia, that could have a very negative impact on the US dollar as the worlds most important currency. That would have to be canceled. The US also wants the Saudis to curtail their dealings with Chinese tech giants like Huawei, whose latest telecommunications equipment is banned in the US
"We took care and regularly got updates of his health condition, even after he was discharged from the hospital. The government condemned the incident. BJP state president Sarda Devi and minister Th Basanta also met him in a hospital in Delhi," he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhishek Anand said, "B.Tech student Prabhas alias Monu was stabbed to death in the early hours of Wednesday when he was going to visit the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain in a car along with his four friends." The accused have been identified as Tanya, Chhotu, Shobhit and Hrithik, he said.
"He (Ahmad) did not leave this place when the war began and he was here till the end of the war. He is very courageous. During the time of war, he tirelessly served meals to the Army men. Even I left, and when I used to come in between to check on my house and property and livestock, I saw he (Ahmad) was working at his shop, serving tea and meals to the soldiers," Majeed said.
"Post the assembly elections, he has been facing a barrage of criminal cases being foisted against him. The overzealousness of the police, which is acting on the instructions of the current ruling party is a glaring example of misuse of powers vested in the hands of the Chief Minister. He is facing absurd and vexatious criminal case one after another," his plea said.
Dr G S Khwaja, another renowned archaeologist, said, "It is a very unfortunate order. The monument is protected under the act of parliament and the HC is not above the law. There is a laid down procedure under the act to remove the given protection to a monument and only a committee of experts with deep understanding of archaeology can take a call on it."
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Hot. High 101F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Nevertheless, the no confidence motion may not be an unmitigated victory for the Opposition. If the focus of the Opposition was to somehow get Modi to speak  then he will speak but on issues which will include Manipur among many others. A no confidence motion by its general nature expressing lack of faith in the government cannot focus only on one issue. The field is open to the government to showcase what it thinks are its achievements. The issue is also no longer whether the Prime Minister should speak on Manipur or not. He must defend his government and is free to emphasise the areas he wants. In that sense, the focus will be diverted from the immediate as well as the long-term implications of the ethnic cleansing in Manipur.
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The sale of Parachute Regiment flags is now banned from the Apprentice Boys' Derry parade in August following a controversy last year.

Derry city and Strabane District Council voted to ban the flags at a recent meeting as part of the adoption of new criteria for the licensing of stalls.

The new criteria seeks to address the display and sale of a range of 'inappropriate' items including merchandise that promotes, supports, or glorifies hate crimes or breaches the council's section 75 responsibility to promote good relations.

The council says the criteria has been successfully applied to a number of events to date and temporary street licences will not be granted for the display, sale or supply of items that promote, support or glorify proscribed organisations.

A report presented to the Derry and Strabane District Council acknowledged that, while not illegal, there are 'particular sensitivities' associated with the Regiment that make the sale of associated items inappropriate in the city.

Sinn Fein Councillor Caitlin Deeney brought the motion. She said the sale of the flags could cause issues in the area.

We all know that this is a highly sensitive issue, particularly in our city and can cause issues in our communities and I just think as a council this year we need to be able to actively ensure that these items are not being sold, she said.

SDLP Councillor Catherine McDaid seconded the motion, saying it was right for the council to 'take a stand' on the issue.

Alderman Darren Guy, who is a member of the Apprentice Boys, took issue with some aspects of the criteria.

We now have a list of proscribed organisations, which is actually quite light but I'm told this is the prescribed organisation list that is handed out when somebody asks for it. I think there should be more on it and this is where there are grey areas where someone could bring something and sell it and say 'well it wasn't on the list so surely I'm doing nothing wrong', the UUP alderman said.

What offends one person doesn't offend another and that's when we get into the whole grey situation.

However, Ald Guy went on to say he would like to see individuals added to the banned items.

There are cases where items with an individual person are being sold in this area such as Michael Stone who is not linked to any paramilitary organisation, classed himself as a freelance paramilitary.

When you see a Bobby Sands thing, it doesn't mention anything about the IRA but it would be offensive to my community just the way Michael Stone would be offensive to any right thinking person.

Despite his issues with the criteria, Ald Guy said he 'welcomed that we've moved forward a bit with it'.

Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly also gave a dissenting view.

There are groups on this list like Saor Eire, The IPLO, who don't exist and haven't in decades. My problem with the report is that those who are making the rules are calling the shots on who is acceptable and who is not acceptable, he said.

For me if we were going to do a list we'd be here all night. I'd like to see the RUC and the B-Specials [on the list]. There's other people who would have Frosty the Snowman on the list because somebody who painted him on the window ended up in prison and a very lengthy duration out on bail with stringent bail conditions.

I don't think this is the way forward. I won't be voting for it. I think what we need, I actually think at that meeting with the apprentice boys a lot was said and I think that's the way forward, not by picking something and putting it on to paper.

Cllr Donelly and ald Darren Guy abstained from the vote, which passed with the support of all other councillors at the Health and Community meeting.
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The cost of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland is estimated to have reached more than 7.79 billion, a new Audit Office report has found.

The report said that lessons needed to be learnt from the pandemic spending to ensure that Stormont departments are well placed to deal with similar situations in the future.

Auditor general, Dorinnia Carville, has published the third in a series of overview reports summarising the Northern Ireland Executives expenditure in response to the public health emergency.

It said recent estimates of the total cost of UK Government Covid-19 measures range from 310 billion to 410 billion. In Northern Ireland, the total estimated cost is more than 7.79 billion.

The report said that at the end of March 2023, the spend by Northern Ireland government departments on measures to combat the impact of the pandemic was estimated to be 4.94 billion.

The other 2.85 billion was spent on national schemes which applied to Northern Ireland, including an estimated 1.72 billion covering the cost of 287,100 Northern Ireland employments furloughed by September 30 2021.

Almost 75% of the total estimated cost of Northern Ireland initiatives related to activities across three departments  1.59 billion in the Department of Health on the pandemic response, 1.08 billion in the Department of Finance offering rates relief and other support to businesses, and 0.97 billion in the Department for the Economy.

The report highlights the growth during the pandemic of ministerial directions. This is where ministers direct accounting officers to proceed with a spending proposal despite concerns that the spending may breach regularity or propriety principles or may represent poor value for money.

The report said: During the period from March 2020 to 28 October 2022 (when caretaker ministers were no longer in post), 51 Covid-19 related ministerial directions were issued.

This is more than the total number of ministerial directions issued in the previous 10 years.

The majority were in the Department for the Economy and the Department of Health.

The ministerial directions represented an estimated 1.4 billion of budgeted expenditure.

The report said auditors recognised that in the early stages of the pandemic, ministers needed to make urgent decisions.

It added: It is crucial that lessons are learned from the response to the pandemic, evaluating the impact of spending, identifying what worked well, or did not work, and building on those lessons to ensure organisations are well placed to react when faced with other emergencies in the future.

The report also identifies several lessons for departments on the use of self-declarations as a means of determining eligibility, the need for cross-departmental co-operation, and the importance of incorporating recovery and clawback arrangements to address potential error or fraud.

Ms Carville said: Work is ongoing to evaluate the impact of the Northern Ireland Executives response to the pandemic and the financial support provided.

While many of the lessons identified in this report can be attributed, at least partially, to the pace at which initiatives were delivered, it is crucial that these lessons are learned.

Evaluating the impact of spending, identifying what worked well, or did not work, and building on this insight will help to ensure organisations are well placed to react when faced with other emergencies in the future.

Oversight by the NICS (Northern Ireland Civil Service) board is key to ensuring lessons are learned, shared widely and, where necessary, that processes are improved and embedded.
The PSNI should reconsider in future a decision not to allow police officers in uniform to participate in the Belfast Pride parade, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has said.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in the Pride parade in the city on Saturday.

The PSNI recently said it had reversed a decision from 2017 which allowed officers to take part in uniform, citing obligations to impartiality.

But Ms ONeill said she questioned the motivation behind the PSNI U-turn.

However, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the PSNI had made the right decision as officers had to display impartiality.

The 2023 Belfast Pride Festival features more than 150 events over 10 days, culminating in Saturdays parade.

Ms ONeill said she would be in the city centre taking part this weekend.

She said: It is the biggest parade that we have here and it is something to celebrate.

It is a celebration of equality, it is love, it is such a positive thing.

I think its a really disappointing and retrograde step that the PSNI have chosen not to attend in their uniforms.

Those people from the LGBT community are our community, they are police officers, so why would that not be reflected in the PSNIs attendance at the event itself?

She added: I would ask them to reconsider that for future years and continue to engage and hopefully we will have a better response for next year.

I wonder about the motivation as to the change of heart and I think that is a question which the PSNI will have to answer.

Sir Jeffrey said: Of course people are entitled to take part in the Pride parade, but lets not forget, Pride is a protest movement and as such the PSNI is required to be impartial.

I would not expect the PSNI in uniform to take part in Orange parades or any other kind of parade where there is either a political or other agenda.

The PSNI must be above that and I think this is the right decision.

When announcing the PSNI decision earlier this month, Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said he understood the move would be disappointing for some, but added that the PSNI had statutory obligations to act with fairness, integrity and impartiality.

Mr Singleton said: Having personally engaged with members of the LGBTQIA+ community at a number of events in recent months and met with our own LGBT+ network on this issue, I know that this decision will come as a disappointment to some.

As a police service, we have had to carefully consider this request from our LGBT+ network on its merits, the stated purposes and circumstances surrounding the parade and our statutory obligations to act with fairness, integrity and impartiality, whilst upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all individuals, their traditions and beliefs.

Our broader participation in this and other Pride events continues to be an important element of our outreach and engagement highlighting the valuable role that LGBTQIA+ officers and staff play in our service, that we are an employer and service for all and that hate crime in whatever form is wrong.

The PSNI service policy prohibits officers from wearing their uniform or being identifiable as police when engaging in cause issues.

The service policy does however state that officers and staff can participate in such events provided they do so in a personal capacity and do not identify as members of the police.
Detectives investigating criminality linked to drug importation have arrested a man in Newry and seized a large quantity of tobacco.

PSNI detectives in partnership with UK counterparts conducted a number of searches in England and Northern Ireland on Thursday.

The raids were part of an ongoing investigation and followed a search of a van in the Belfast Harbour area in December 2022.

At that stage, a large quantity of suspected Class B drugs were seized and a 33-year-old man was arrested and subsequently charged with drug-related offences.

Detective Superintendent Richard Thornton said the man arrested by the PSNI on Thursday came following a search of a property in Newry.

During todays operation, a large quantity of tobacco was seized from a house in the Newry area and a 39-year-old man was arrested, he said.A 33-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man were also arrested in the North East of England.

All three remain in police custody at this time.

A referral to His Majestys Revenue & Customs will be made regarding the seized tobacco.

This collaboration with our partner agencies demonstrates our ongoing commitment to tackling organised crime and the criminality linked to drug importation, supply and use that often results in drug debts, drug addiction and drug-related deaths within our communities.

Anyone with information about the illicit supply, possession or misuse of drugs has been urged to call police in confidence on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) says it is "delighted" to support the HSE in its upcoming recruitment campaign for 2024 intake for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery course.

This Higher Diploma is facilitated by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda (RSCI Hospitals Group) in partnership with DkIT and is open to graduate General Nurses who are interested in pursuing a career in Midwifery.

DkIT says midwifery is a rewarding career providing the support to women and their family, pre-conception, during pregnancy, childbirth and up to six weeks after birth. It says that a midwife is with parents at the most special time of their lives and is involved in welcoming their new babies to the world.

Midwives recognise pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period as a healthy and profound experience in womens lives and use their professional knowledge, skills and attitudes, to competently support the woman and her family, working autonomously and within a team.

Aimee Kirwan who worked for almost 2 years as a General Nurse, is now working in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and is a current student on the Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme in DkIT, said:

"Although the programme is intense, especially during theory weeks with exams and assignments and working full time while also studying, I have absolutely no regrets choosing this career pathway and feel so privileged to be part of such a special moment in a couples life". Aimee added Its so special watching a mother holding her baby for the first time.

Sorcha O'Brien, who is a qualified Midwife for four years now, previously worked as a General Nurse for 4 years before deciding to go back to learning and complete the Higher Diploma in Midwifery.

Sorcha said "In 2018 I did the H-Dip Midwifery in DKIT, I had previously trained and worked as a Nurse in Dublin. This was a big change for me going to work in a new hospital, study in a different College and change my career path  In the end it was the best decision I could have made!

"Our classes were small groups which made them informal and very interactive which made learning easier. The hospital training was a steep learning curve but I worked with some wonderful Preceptors over the 18 months, who helped me along the way and are one of the main reasons I stuck with Midwifery.

"I love supporting parents in pregnancy and being part of a familys journey to welcoming their Baby. " Sorcha who is very passionate about her career as a Midwife has progressed in her Midwifery career and is now Clinical Midwife Manager (CMM2) in Maternal Health and Wellbeing.

The National Recruitment Service will launch the Higher Diploma in Midwifery (Student Midwife Recruitment scheme) Programme after 12 noon, Friday 28th July 2023. Applications will close on Friday 25th August 2023. Visit here for full details and the link to apply Midwifery Sponsorship.
Local Fianna Fail Senator, Erin McGreehan, has welcomed an announcement from her party colleague and Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, detailing the access criteria and the fertility services that will be publicly funded from September.

Eligible patients will be entitled to one full cycle of IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) treatment, initially provided in HSE-approved private clinics of their choice ahead of the opening next year of the first public National Advanced AHR (Assisted Human Reproduction) Centre.

To be eligible for publicly funded treatment, couples must be resident in Ireland and referred to a Regional Fertility Hub through their GP.

They must be in a relationship for at least one year, have no children from this relationship.

Patients with known clinical causes of infertility and patients where there is no known clinical cause will be eligible for treatment. Women up to the age of 40 and men up to the age of 59 will be considered eligible.

Senator McGreehan said: "Fianna Fail's commitment to introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment is soon to become a reality for the thousands of couples experiencing infertility.

"In Ireland, as many as one in six couples will experience fertility issues affecting both men and women equally and I warmly welcome news today, that from September, Assisted Human Reproduction treatment will be publicly funded for the first time in the State.

"This has been promised by successive health Ministers, but I am proud to say it is now finally being delivered by Fianna Fail Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

"Fianna Fail in Government acknowledge that people who are desperate to have a child are the most vulnerable and hugely open to exploitation.

"They are facing mental, physical and relationship challenges and on top of it all, huge financial barriers. It has been a key priority of mine and my colleagues to address this issue and I'm delighted that Minister Donnelly has committed to doing so.

"It represents a transformative step toward reproductive equality where the dream of parenthood becomes a reality for every aspiring parent, irrespective of their financial status.

"I understand that work is continuing on the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill which will allow Government to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.

I look forward this Bill progressing and ultimately seeing AHR services being expanded to wider categories so that we can help more people to fulfil their wish of starting a family.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said he expects to receive a definitive response from the UK Government over issues of concern he has raised about the Windsor Framework in the near future.

The DUP leader said that response would determine whether his party could support a return of the powersharing institutions at Stormont.

But Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has said she does not share optimism that Stormont could return in the autumn, and said a question remained over whether the DUP would share power with other parties in Northern Ireland.

The leaders were speaking following the latest round of party talks with the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady at Stormont Castle.

The talks over recent weeks have focused on laying the grounds for a possible return of Stormont in the context of a challenging budget situation.

The DUP collapsed the Stormont executive last year in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements created by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Windsor Framework struck by London and Brussels earlier this year sought to reduce the red tape on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK while maintaining the dual market access.

However, the DUP has insisted the new accord does not go far enough to address its concerns around sovereignty and the application of EU law in Northern Ireland and the party is maintaining its blockade of Stormont until it receives further assurances from the UK Government.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said recently he remains optimistic that the powersharing institutions could return this autumn.

Speaking at Stormont Castle, Sir Jeffrey said: We continue to engage with the Government. After the Windsor Framework we set out our position. We indicated continuing concerns that we had.

He said his party had put a number of proposals to the Government on how to deal with their concerns.

He added: We are in ongoing discussions with the Government about those proposals, and we expect to receive a more definitive response from the Government very soon.

Lets see then if that provides the basis for us to move towards the restoration of the political institutions.

But we must address the concerns that have been raised about how this Windsor Framework is going to work in practice, the impact it will have on our ability to trade with the rest of the United Kingdom and resolving those problems.

We are waiting for the Governments response and I expect that will happen within the summer, then we will see where we are.

The DUP leader said the negotiations with the UK Government would continue over the summer.

He added: This is a continuing engagement and I have made my summer available.

I am free to meet with the Government whenever they need to meet.

I want to get this done, it is my priority, and I will continue to work at this.

Ms ONeill said the DUP and the UK Government were engaging in a game of chicken.

She said: There were four parties in that meeting today, three of which are ready to form an executive and have been for some time.

The real question is are the DUP prepared to share power with the rest of us, deliver good public services, fight for workers and families right now who are dealing with the cost-of-living crisis.

She added: I would say that I dont share the Secretary of States very optimistic overly optimistic assessment last week (about the return of Stormont this autumn), I dont think there is any evidence to back that up.

I hope that changes, I hope we do have a reformed executive, but I dont think anybody was sitting in that meeting today under any illusions that anything had changed in terms of the DUP and the British Governments game of chicken.

She said the British and Irish governments needed to adopt a common strategy and work together to bring Stormont back.

Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry said the current situation was the most serious which Northern Ireland had faced in 25 years.

He said: We have a twin governance and financial crisis, we have a complete vacuum in terms of decision making and we have an unprecedented budget crisis facing Northern Ireland with huge levels of cuts.

Northern Ireland is bleeding badly and this situation urgently needs to be resolved.

An executive is not going to be a silver bullet, but all key stakeholders are stressing the importance of an executive.

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie warned that if the Assembly did not return this autumn, it may not return until after next year.

He said: I will stick and I have stuck with my analysis that, from the conversations Ive had, from the information Ive gleaned, that we will have the executive back up and running by the autumn.

That is the optimist in me. The pessimist in me is saying if we dont have it up and running in the autumn, were not going to have it up this year, and if we dont have it up this year, with a general election next year, we are not going to have it up next year either.
CORK businesses switching to solar power can expect their new energy system to pay for itself in three years  two years ahead of government predictions, an expert has said.

Funding packages of between 2,700 and 162,600 have been introduced to encourage more businesses to install 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 installing 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.

Firms that 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 added.

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. ESB needs to be notified of your solar PV installation for safety purposes, and to allow you to 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.
A COUNTY Cork town is facing possible water supply interruptions and traffic disruption as major water mains works begin next week.

The works are being carried out by Uisce Eireann, in partnership with Cork County Council, and will see the replacement of two kilometres of ageing, damaged water mains in Rathealy, Fermoy.

The programme to replace the water mains is due to commence next week and, Uisce Eireann, which rebranded from Irish Water at the start of the year, says it will provide a more secure and reliable water supply.

The section of works will take place along the R666 Rathealy Road, Fermoy, and temporary traffic lights will in place for the duration of the project, with local and emergency access maintained, the water utility company said.

The works may involve some short-term water interruptions, the company said, and promised that the public would be given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned water interruptions.

Uisce Eireann said the works would also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to peoples property boundaries and connecting it to their water supply.

The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Eireann by Ward and Burke Construction Ltd and are expected to be completed by the end of August.

Paul Gray, senior portfolio manager for Uisce Eireanns National Leakage Reduction Programme, described the works as a vital project for the town of Fermoy.

We are already carrying out back yard service works in the area and have recently commenced works in Duntahane which will involve the replacement of 3.4km of water mains, he said.

Old and damaged water mains are a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland.

The two km of new water mains will eliminate existing leaks and provide a more reliable supply for the people of Rathealy, he said.
A young man bleeding from the nose and wearing no shirt during a street row responded to arresting gardai by spitting blood at them.

Aaron Austin of Araglen Court, Togher, Cork, was jailed for two months by Judge Olann Kelleher at Cork District Court.

The judge said he had to impose a jail term on the young man as it was his 16th time engaging in threatening behaviour.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the incident occurred on March 10 at Evergreen Road where it was reported that people were fighting and gardai responded to the call.

Aaron Austin was in the middle of the street with a bloody nose and his top was off. He was shouting abuse at other people. He was abusive to gardai and members of the public.

He was slurring his words and he appeared to be intoxicated. On being informed he was being arrested he had to be restrained and handcuffed. He spat blood at gardai, Sgt Lyons said.

The defendant had 12 previous convictions for being drunk and a danger to himself or others and 15 counts of engaging in threatening behaviour. He had one for resisting arrest, four for assault and one for assault causing harm.

Judge Olann Kelleher said that what was of great concern was that the accused had 15 previous convictions for engaging in threatening behaviour.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said most of these offences dated back a long time. He said the accused and his family had the misfortune to have their family home burning down. He also said the young man suffered from epilepsy.

Judge Olann Kelleher responded to this saying that many people suffered from this condition but they did not come before the court with 15 convictions for threatening behaviour.

Mr Buke said the accused had been out of trouble since this incident occurred.

Judge Kelleher fined him 300 for being intoxicated and a danger, and sentenced him to two months in prison on the threatening charge.

These convictions could trigger the imposition of a suspended jail term previously imposed by another court for a different matter.
A Cork man accused of shouting insults at his grandmother and throwing things around her home  putting her in fear  spent more than three hours banging on a cell door in the courthouse causing disruption in Courtroom 1 throughout other court cases.

Before his application for bail was heard, Judge Olann Kelleher asked the 26-year-old if he was the one who was banging on the door for over three hours disrupting other cases.

At first he denied it but gardai involved in escorting prisoners to and from the cells to the courtrooms said he was the one who was banging for hours.

The defendant said: There were two other fellas in the cell. It wasnt just me. I did bang the door. I was just looking for my tobacco.

You know what it was, I didnt have a fag for the last two days over being in the garda station.

The bail application was dealt with at an in camera hearing at Cork District Court for Domestic Violence Act cases and because of the nature of the charges the parties cannot be identified.

Although the defendant referred to being in custody for two days, the evidence from Garda Elaine Murphy was that the incident occurred in the early hours of today (July 26).

Gardai responded to a 999 call from the defendants grandmother.

She alleged that her grandson was intoxicated and that there was a safety order in place. She said he called her a scumbag and a spastic and that he was throwing things around the house, Garda Murphy said.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor Donal Daly, she agreed that the defendant was not violent towards the gardai.

When the defendant gave evidence in his bail application, he said: Could I just say one thing to you  I had a relapse last week with drugs and I went downhill again. There was no violence. I was intoxicated. I was looking for stuff around my room.

Asked if he would stay away from his grandmothers if granted bail, he said, 100 per cent, I am trying to get into treatment.

Mr Daly said: He regrets any upset he caused to his grandmother. If he were not on drink and drugs there would be no problems.

Judge Olann Kelleher refused bail and remanded the 26-year-old in custody for a week.

Judge Kelleher said that over the past few years the defendants grandmother had come to court and spoken up for him on many occasions.

"And every time he lets her down. This man only thinks of himself and only talks about himself, the judge said.

The defendants grandmother who was present at the back of the courtroom wept as the young man was taken away for the week remanded he is in custody.
THE publication of the draft All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) has been welcomed by political representatives in Cork.

The review, jointly commissioned by the Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, will, when finalised, inform the future development of the railway system across the island of Ireland to 2050, in line with net-zero emissions commitments in both jurisdictions.

The AISRR has focused on how the rail network across the island could contribute to the decarbonisation of the islands transport system, promote sustainable connectivity into and between major cities, enhance regional accessibility and support balanced regional development.

Thirty recommendations have been put forward to achieve these goals.

Among the recommendations is a recommendation to upgrade the core intercity railway network to top speeds of 200km/h and to increase line speeds to at least 120km/h on regional and rural lines; to provide more direct services between Irelands east and south coasts; and to explore the case for developing new stations in the Cork, Belfast, Derry, and Limerick-Shannon city regions.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North-Central Colm Burke told The Echo that while he would welcome many of the recommendations, he said aims in the review to increase rail freight could be difficult.

If you have a scenario where youre adding to transport freight from a manufacturing facility to the train station to the train then at the other end taking it back off and putting it on lorries again to take it to its final destination, its very time consuming and its not necessarily industry efficient, he said.

Honore Kamegni, Green Party representative for Cork citys South East ward, praised the draft review as an example of how the party is using its position in Government to revitalise public transport and reduce pollution.

By increasing the speed, frequency and routes of trains, rail travel will become more appealing to everybody living in our area and a strong competitor to car travel, he continued.

Cork Luas

The proposed Cork Luas project is mentioned in the rail review which states:

The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy includes proposals for a tram route between Mahon and Ballincollig, which in the longer term could extend south to Cork Airport and Carrigaline.

Labour Party rep for Cork city, Peter Horgan, has said this reference gives hope that a larger plan may come for the Cork Luas network that will include the airport and Carrigaline.

Mr Horgan said Corks proposed light rail system should indeed service Carrigaline and Cork Airport.

I would amend the report to say that spurs to the airport *must* include Carrigaline and the airport.

That would also take in traffic pinch points such as Douglas.

We must show ambition for Cork.

"Carrigaline is now the largest town in the county according to the census.

Cork Airport continues to grow and thrive post pandemic.

What a vote of confidence it would be in decarbonisation and public transport to say, yes here is our route East to West and also south to Carrigaline and the airport.

Lets have ambition for public transport in Cork, but do it all at once, not piecemeal, he said.

Mr Horgan reiterated his comment that a recently announced further delay in announcing the emerging preferred route (EPR) for the Cork Luas was a bitter blow.

The delay earlier this month was a bitter blow and underlines my previous calls for a public transport tsar for Cork to be created.

Someone to hold to account for public transport in Cork - through their success or failures, he said.

The draft review is now out for public consultation and will close to submissions before midnight on Friday, September 29.

Interested members of the public can send submissions to strategicrailreview@arup.com.
A NEW survey has been launched to assess the need for support and referral services for gay and bisexual men experiencing violence or control in their intimate relationships.

The project reach OUT is a joint venture between the OSS Cork Domestic Violence Information and Resource Centre and Corks Gay Project.

International research shows that gay and bisexual men have at least as high a risk of experiencing abuse and control in their intimate relationships as heterosexual women do.

While there is little hard data in the Irish context, anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a real need for services catering for this population but currently little service provision available.

Recognising that gap in provision, OSS Cork sought funding from Tusla to create an initiative designed to assess the need for and develop inclusive services for gay and bisexual men in the Cork region.

In collaboration with Gay Project, and drawing on their expertise and experience in working with Corks gay community, the reach OUT project was born.

The reach OUT Survey, launched this week to coincide with Cork Pride celebrations, is gathering the views and experiences of gay and bisexual men as part of the larger reach OUT project.

Focus groups and interviews will contribute additional data to help inform the development of resources to address intimate partner violence and control in Corks gay community.

For more information on the survey and on the project, please contact Angela OConnell angela.oconnell@osscork.com or check the Gay Project website.
A MEMBER of staff at Tesco was pushed backwards when he tried to stop a man from stealing a bottle of vodka.

Shane OBrien, 32 of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a total of 22 charges at Cork District Court  many of them related to shoplifting.

Inspector James Hallahan said in respect of the incident at Tesco on Paul Street, Cork, that Shane OBrien stole the 38 bottle of vodka on April 18 and pushed the member of staff out of the way in the process.

A short time later that same evening he was stopped on St. Patricks Bridge carrying an empty bottle with the security tag still on it.

He called the member of An Garda Siochana a c*** and told him, F*** off, you pig.

There were numerous other shoplifting incidents around the city, mainly where alcohol was stolen from the shelf of a supermarket or off-licence.

There was another incident of aggression on March 25 where he clenched his fists and squared up to members of the public on Oliver Plunkett Street.

Judge Marian OLeary agreed to an application by defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, to adjourn sentencing until September 7.

The accused was remanded in custody until then.
Ginos Gelato is giving away a free scoop of gelato to Cork customers to celebrate 15 years in business this Friday.

Ginos Gelato has grown from one store in Newbridge in Kildare to 31 stores across 10 counties, including three stores in Cork city on Paul Street, Patrick Street and Oliver Plunkett Street.

A free scoop of ice cream will be offered to customers at each of the Cork stores while stocks last on Friday.

Since its inception, with eight staff members in 2008, Ginos Gelato has grown to a team of over 450 strong at peak season each year.

Gelato and crepes were the two offerings back in 2008, but now the stores also offer milkshakes, waffles and coffee, with gluten-free waffle cones also available.

Founded by Jonathan Kirwan and Anthony Murphy, Ginos has also been the winner of over 15 Blas na hEireann Golds over the last 15 years.

Speaking about their 15 years in business, Anthony Murphy said: Were thrilled to be celebrating 15 years in business this month.

The company has grown into Irelands most-loved gelato-, and were hugely proud of all of our achievements over the years.

Wed like to thank our staff across all of the stores nationwide for all of their hard work. Heres to the next 15 years.
GARDAI have launched an investigation after two women sustained injuries after an attack in the Blackpool area of Cork City in the early hours of last Monday morning.

The women, one in her 20s and the other in her 30s were taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) after the assault in the Orchard Court area of Blackpool at approximately 3.30am last Monday morning.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Echo that investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Gardai received a report of an incident of assault that occurred at approximately 3:30am on July 24 2023 in the Orchard Court area of Blackpool, Co Cork.

Two women, one aged in her 20s and the other in her 30s, were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during this incident.

"No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing, the spokesperson added.
A mother has told the Court of Appeal that she was under duress and had to prioritise her son's care when she pleaded guilty on the first day of her trial to the "repeated harassment" of a hospital doctor.

In November last year, Marlies Walsh pleaded guilty to harassing the doctor in 2018 and 2019 and was given a fully-suspended two-year sentence.

Walsh (51) of Pedlers Cross, Clonakilty, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to one count of harassment at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin. She had no previous convictions.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Walsh contacted the doctor and others at the hospital by phone and email over a period between December 2017 and August 2020 as she wanted to work as a patient advocate.

Her son, now 21, was a kidney transplant patient at the hospital.

Judge Elma Sheahan said Walsh had engaged in repeated harassment of the doctor and every effort had been made to get Walsh to stop her behaviour before a formal complaint was made to gardai.

Judge Sheahan imposed a two-year sentence, which she suspended on strict conditions. She also barred Walsh from communicating with the doctor or approaching his residence or place of work for 20 years.

SENTENCING HEARING

At the sentencing hearing, Garda Eimear Cantwell told Kate Egan BL, prosecuting, that Walsh's son had been a kidney transplant patient at Temple Street Hospital. Walsh had indicated to the team that she wished to become involved in advocacy on behalf of patients and families.

The transplant team declined her offer as there was already a full-time team of this nature in place. Her son's care was transferred to Cork but Walsh continued to contact the hospital and doctors. She also made unannounced visits to Temple Street.

The doctor later received a parcel from Walsh, which contained her CV.

Walsh also copied him into emails sent to other hospital staff in which she expressed her desire to take on a patient advocacy role. In April 2018, the hospital asked Walsh not to contact Temple Street, unless it related to her son's care.

In August 14, 2018, the doctor became alarmed after receiving an envelope from Walsh which contained a handmade object tied with a ribbon, post-it notes and five A4 sheets.

One of the pages included a drawing of a stick figure with no legs and a message asking the doctor to ring her.

Another envelope sent by Walsh to the doctor contained three small envelopes labelled 'past', 'present' and 'future' and contained items including Walsh's business card, a spool of golden thread and a note using the question style of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' with Walsh as the 'phone a friend' option.

COURT OF APPEAL

At the Court of Appeal today, Walsh, who represented herself, submitted that she had been under duress at the time she entered her guilty plea.

"I never said I didn't make numerous contacts for my son's quality of life and healthcare. It was my duty of care. I felt I had a duty to offer my help. I highlighted that," she told the appeal court.

Walsh said she found not being able to help her own child "very stressful" and said she felt that he had met with barriers regarding the "bespoke nature" of his care, which she said needed to be taken into account for him to have optimum help.

The appellant said she felt "stonewalled" and that "sadly, we just had to work around it but it wasn't like he didn't pick up on that. We were without the basics of reassurance, confidence and trust".

Walsh said "there was no fear or threat coming from our end" and claimed hospital staff "overreacted - there was an element of hysteria to it".

Mr Justice John Edwards said he did "not doubt the sincerity that you [Walsh] were trying to raise concerns".

"But at the end of the day, you received cautions from gardai and cease-and-desist letters from the hospital. You were not complying and the preferment was a charge of harassment. In interviews, you admitted the harassment. In the course of the trial you pleaded guilty and made admissions in a situation when you were represented by a solicitor and a barrister," said Mr Justice Edwards.

"I felt I had no choice as to why I pleaded guilty this one time," said Walsh, who added that the issue was about the duty of care of the hospital but her legal team sought to frame the case as a "political issue, or a protest issue".

Walsh said she had to come to Dublin for her case and found it a "protracted" process with her legal team while her son was sick at home in Cork.

Walsh said that she pleaded guilty after the prosecution's opening speech in order to return home to her son. "The frustration is this could have been avoided," said Walsh.

"You can't plead guilty and then say 'I was frustrated'," said Mr Justice Edwards.

"I was frustrated with the legal expertise in what I thought were instructions that would not be coming across to the court. That was the duress. He was at home. I had to prioritise him. What could I do?" said Walsh.

"The judge asked you if it was the case you wished to plead guilty and you confirmed and you pleaded guilty. You have to show us a legal deficiency. That you regretted the decision is not a basis on which it can be set aside," said Mr Justice Edwards.

Ms Justice Tara Burns said that she was "very sorry" to hear of the "dreadful" circumstances around the case but that the criminal matter before the three-judge court related solely to Walsh.

"This was a case about what you had done. My sympathy is with you. Matters had gone to An Garda Siochana and you had been contacted. This is related to your conduct," said Ms Justice Burns.

Walsh said that she had a "reasonable excuse" in grounding the appeal as she was "under duress".

"We have no details of that - only that there was an urgent situation with respect of your son. We simply have no evidence of duress," said Ms Justice Burns.

"The duty of care was not met with. I don't understand what motive I would have for harassment. I have no history of being adversarial. I try to co-operate with people but my son is always my priority," said Walsh.

"It didn't even get to that stage. Your barrister wasn't afforded an opportunity to open their mouth. You collapsed the scrum before it reached that point," said Mr Justice Edwards.

"The trial could have gone ahead. You've articulated the sincerity of the depth of your feelings but you opted not to avail," said Mr Justice Edwards.

Kate Egan BL, for the State, said the claim of duress did not amount to the invalidation of the guilty plea as it was voluntarily entered after legal advice.

"The kernel of the applicant's submissions appears to be that her legal team did not adopt the tone she desired in presenting her case and that she entered a guilty plea because she felt under pressure to be elsewhere and not at trial in Dublin," said Ms Egan in written submissions.

"Respectfully, if the condition of Ms Walsh's son was so deteriorating, this was not drawn to the attention of the court," said counsel.

Ms Egan said: "It was put forward by her counsel that she was under immense stress with respect to the treatment of her son and had been under that stress for some 20 years.

"Respectfully, no prejudice has been identified by the applicant as a result of the way her case was conducted. It is submitted that mere dissatisfaction with the outcome of the case is not grounds for concluding ineffectiveness of counsel.

"There is no submission advanced by the applicant that a plea was entered contrary to her instructions, or that she did not understand the nature of the guilty plea," submitted Ms Egan.

Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve its judgement in the appeal.
A Garda Sergeant who appealed a drink-driving conviction and two-year driving disqualification on the basis of a claim that his detention at the scene of a road traffic accident was unlawful was unsuccessful in his appeal today.

Judge Helen Boyle rejected the appeal by Robert Brosnan, who was off-duty at the time of the incident on December 19, 2020, at Cork Circuit Appeals Court.

I think the arrest was valid and everything that flowed from it, Judge Boyle said.

The penalty on the conviction that was under appeal included a two-year driving disqualification. This disqualification will now come into effect from August 1.

Judge Boyle noted that the appeal was based on the defence submission that the appellant was unlawfully detained following a road traffic accident.

Robert Brosnan identified himself as the driver of the vehicle when gardai responded to a call to the scene of the accident. Gardai spoke to people at the scene, including Mr Brosnan.

The evidence was that one of the gardai investigating at the scene walked down some distance from her parked patrol car to Mr Brosnan's own car.

She cautioned him. She got a smell of alcohol from his breath and his eyes were bloodshot. She cautioned him because she thought he may have committed an offence, Judge Boyle said.

After the caution was administered, the officer went back to her car to get the Drager device to test for suspected alcohol and she rang her inspector as she walked.

Barrister, Emmet Boyle, submitted that the period between the caution to the driver and the time when she returned with the Drager was a period of unlawful detention and that everything that followed after that from the prosecution side was invalid.

State solicitor, Jeremiah Healy, argued that the time between the caution and returning with the Drager did not represent an undue delay.

Mr Healy further stated that Robert Brosnan was not unlawfully detained and that he stayed at the scene voluntarily from the beginning.

The administration of a caution is not a detention so he was not unlawfully detained, Mr Healy submitted.

Judge Boyle agreed with that point that the appellant was not unlawfully detained.

The judge said he was free to leave but volunteered to remain at the roadside. Judge Boyle concluded that the later arrest and investigation were lawful.

Emmet Boyle, the defence barrister, said that apart from the submission he had made on this issue he was not going into evidence in the case.

Therefore the conviction and fine of 150 and the two-year driving disqualification, previously imposed at Cork District Court, remained on the count that on December 19, 2020, 44-year-old Robert Brosnan of Silversprings drove a car at Silversprings Lane, North Ring Road, Tivoli, Cork, while there was present 62 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of his breath.
A man on crutches verbally abused gardai dealing with an incident on Mary Elmes Bridge in Cork.

That was back in January and now at Cork Circuit Appeals Court he has been sentenced to two months in prison for charges arising out of this and other incidents.

39-year-old Timothy OMahony of Cork Simon Community appealed a total sentence of five months imprisonment that had been imposed on him at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the background to the incidents including the one on the bridge.

On January 13 at 4.10pm, gardai responded to a public order incident at Mary Elmes Bridge.

The man refused to give his details saying, F*** off, you dont need my details at all. I done nothing.

Garda Iain King said Timothy OMahony refused to leave the scene where gardai were dealing with a public order matter regarding other parties.

When Mr OMahony was directed a number of times to leave the scene of the disturbance he responded by saying, Where do you want me to go? And he refused to leave, Sgt Kelleher said.

The appellant had 86 previous convictions including 31 under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.

Judge Helen Boyle said the probation report on the appellant painted a disastrous picture of him.

The appellants barrister, Orla Meere, said that in his favour he had obtained stable accommodation through Simon and that they were willing to work with him. She added that he had come off heroin and gone on a methadone treatment programme.

Judge Boyle said that she would reduce the overall sentence to a period of two months.
A 29-year-old man charged with the murder of Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca, who was found dead in a flat in Cork city centre on New Years Day, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court in June next year.

Miller Pacheco, who is originally from Formiga in Brazil, but was living at Liberty Street in Cork, is charged with the murder of Ms Fonseca (28) at the bedsit flat on Liberty Street on January 1 this year.

A qualified librarian, Ms Fonseca moved to Cork in September last year and began working as a cleaner at Cork's Mercy University Hospital.

Today (Thursday), Ms Justice Melanie Greally fixed a date of June 24, 2024 for the trial. The case was listed for case management on November 24 next.

The deceased's body was found at Liberty Street just a couple of hours after she had gone out with friends to celebrate New Year's Eve in Cork city centre.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

A climate demonstration called by youth-led organization Auroras before it submitted its lawsuit against the state for their lack of climate work, in Stockholm, Sweden on Nov. 25, 2022. CHRISTINE OLSSON / TT News Agency / AFP via Getty Images

As the climate crisis escalates, there have been a growing number of court cases having to do with climate change. Since 2017, the number of climate cases has more than doubled, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Columbia Universitys Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.

The increasing number of climate change cases indicates that climate-related lawsuits are becoming an essential component of ensuring climate justice.

The Global Climate Litigation Report: 2023 Status Review  based on an evaluation of climate change law, science or policy cases collected through the end of December, 2022, by the Sabin Centers U.S. and Global Climate Change Litigation Databases  was published today. It is the day before the first anniversary of a declaration by the UN General Assembly that access to a healthy and clean environment is a universal human right, a press release from the UN Environment Programme said.

Climate policies are far behind what is needed to keep global temperatures below the 1.5C threshold, with extreme weather events and searing heat already baking our planet, said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP, in the press release. People are increasingly turning to courts to combat the climate crisis, holding governments and the private sector accountable and making litigation a key mechanism for securing climate action and promoting climate justice.

As climate litigation continues, the legal precedent accumulates, creating a robust body of law. The UN report gives a summary of important climate litigation over the past two years, including some historic cases.

Some of the major climate litigation cases included the conclusion by the UN Human Rights Committee that a countrys climate inaction and policy violated international human rights law in the case of the Torres Strait Islanders versus the Australian government; the Brazilian Supreme Court finding that the Paris Agreement is a treaty of human rights; and oil and gas corporation Shell being ordered to comply with the Paris Agreement and to reduce its carbon emissions by 45 percent as compared to 2019 levels by 2030, which was the first instance of a duty of a private company being found by a court under the Paris Agreement.

As of 2022, there had been 2,180 climate change cases, more than twice as many as when the number was first assessed in 2017. Most of the cases have been brought in the U.S., but they are happening all over the world, with climate litigation in developing countries, including Small Island Developing States, accounting for about 17 percent of reported cases.

According to the Global trends in climate change litigation: 2023 snapshot from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), there have been 2,341 climate change cases captured in the Sabin Centers databases, with 190 of those filed in the past 12 months.

The LSE snapshot said that climate change cases have been identified in Finland, Russia, Romania, Turkey, China, Thailand and Bulgaria.

More than 50% of climate cases have direct judicial outcomes that can be understood as favourable to climate action. Climate cases continue to have significant indirect impacts on climate change decision-making beyond the courtroom, too, the LSE report said. Domestic legal protections (e.g. for the right to a healthy environment) along with domestic climate legislation, play a critical role in cases against governments.

The UN report said that cases were brought in 65 international, national, regional, quasi-judicial, tribunal and other adjudicatory bodies across the globe.

There is a distressingly growing gap between the level of greenhouse gas reductions the world needs to achieve in order to meet its temperature targets, and the actions that governments are actually taking to lower emissions. This inevitably will lead more people to resort to the courts, said Michael Gerrard, Sabin Centers faculty director, in the press release.

The report shows that vulnerable groups are having their voices heard on climate crisis issues, including 34 cases brought by or on the behalf of youth and children under 25 years old, as well as a case in Switzerland surrounding how climate change disproportionately impacts senior women.

More cases are being filed against corporate actors, with a more complex range of legal arguments. Around 20 cases filed by U.S. cities and states against the Carbon Majors are now likely to go to trial, according to the LSE report. There has been growth in climate-washing cases challenging the accuracy of green claims and commitments. Some cases seeking financial damages are also challenging disinformation, with many relying on consumer protection law. Challenges to the climate policy response of governments and companies have grown significantly in number outside the U.S.

The UN report said most climate change cases fall under one or more of half a dozen categories, including human rights cases; challenges to non-enforcement of laws and policies related to climate domestically; cases regarding keeping fossil fuels sequestered in the ground; greenwashing and the need for greater climate disclosures; corporate responsibility and liability for climate-related harms; and suits that address failures to adapt to climate change impacts.

The report foresees an increasing number of cases brought by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, more climate migration cases and those related to extreme weather liability, as well as more lawsuits brought by groups that are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis.

The report also anticipates roadblocks in the application of climate attribution science and an increase in backlash cases aimed at dismantling climate action regulations.

This report will be an invaluable resource for everyone who wants to achieve the best possible outcome in judicial forums, and to understand what is and is not possible there, Gerrard said in the press release.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean in Miami Beach, Florida on July 13, 2023 during triple-digit heat indices over South Florida and surface ocean temperatures recorded at 92 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit. Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Earlier this week, south Florida saw sea surface temperatures equivalent to a normal hot tub. At Manatee Bay, inside Everglades National Park, a water temperature buoy about five feet underwater showed a temperature of 101.19 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday afternoon, with other buoys in the vicinity reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit, reported AFP and Reuters.

Manatee Bay is located about 38 miles southwest of Miami.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this time of year normal south Florida water temperatures should be from 73 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, The Guardian reported.

As far as all of our bay waters, any near-shore waters, everything is super, super hot, Dustin Hansel, a fishing boat captain in Key Largo, Florida, told Reuters.

Weather monitors around the world have been warning about the influence of such warm waters on extreme weather events, as well as on marine ecosystems like coral reefs.

We didnt expect this heating to happen so early in the year and to be so extreme, Derek Manzello, a coordinator at the NOAAs Coral Reef Watch, told CNN. This appears to be unprecedented in our records.

Sea surface temperatures in the waters of south Florida stayed above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for about four hours on Monday, according to AFP.

The 101.19 degrees Fahrenheit temperature might have set a sea surface temperature world record, but a tweet from meteorologist Jeff Masters, a former government scientist, said contamination of the measurement by land effects and organic matter in the water might invalidate the record. Unless there is photographic proof that debris was not present, it would be difficult to (verify) the 101.F record as valid, as reported by AFP.

Land and sea surface temperature records have been broken as heat waves and wildfires plague countries around the world, from Italy to China.

According to Spains Institute of Marine Sciences, the Mediterranean Sea saw a record high temperature of 83.678 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, Le Monde with AFP reported.

Experts have said current heat waves are expected to continue through August, with the extreme temperatures being fueled by human-caused climate change, reported Reuters.

Record high sea surface temperatures are being affected in part by El Nino.

Increased sea surface temperatures in Florida could add to the severity of hurricanes and tropical storms as they move over the warmer waters. We are seeing unprecedented changes all over the world, said NASA climatologist Gavin Schmidt, as AFP reported.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

The Gulf Stream is a strong current of warm water that flows from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean, and runs from the East Coast of the United States across the Atlantic and north past Western Europe. Without the Gulf Stream, which is part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a system of ocean currents that is vital to Earths climate, places like England would be much colder.

A new study by Susanne Ditlevsen and Peter Ditlevsen, researchers with the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, has concluded that the AMOC is at risk of collapsing around mid-century, much earlier than scientists had previously thought.

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is a major tipping element in the climate system and a future collapse would have severe impacts on the climate in the North Atlantic region, the authors wrote in the study. We estimate a collapse of the AMOC to occur around mid-century under the current scenario of future emissions.

In the study, the researchers conclude that there is a 95 percent probability that a transition of the AMOC will happen around 2025 to 2095.

Consistent measurements of the AMOC have not been ongoing for very long.

The AMOC has only been monitored continuously since 2004 through combined measurements from moored instruments, induced electrical currents in submarine cables and satellite surface measurements. Over the period 20042012, a decline in the AMOC has been observed, but longer records are necessary to assess the significance, the study said.

The study, Warning of a forthcoming collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, was published in the journal Nature Communications.

For the study, the researchers looked at North Atlantic sea surface temperatures south of Greenland from 1870 to 2020. Peter Ditlevsen said the area of the ocean they analyzed is warmed by the Gulf Stream, so if it cools, its because the AMOC is weakening, reported CNN. The pair of researchers took into account how human-caused global warming had influenced the water temperature and subtracted those impacts.

The researchers detected early signs of crucial changes in the AMOC, and Peter Ditlevsen said the collapse of the powerful complex system of currents was most likely to occur between 2039 and 2070.

Its really scary, Ditlevsen told CNN. This is not something you would lightly put into papers were very confident that this is a robust result.

The strength of the AMOC currents are reliant upon a balance of water salinity and temperature, but as ocean temperatures increase and the planets ancient ice melts, more freshwater is released into the ocean, reducing its density and ability to sink and cause currents. When ocean waters become too warm, too fresh, or a combination of the two, it dramatically affects currents like the Gulf Stream.

The rapid melting of glaciers has caused the AMOC to stop before, but its been more than 12,000 years. When it did, within a decade temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere oscillated from 18 to 27 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is still large uncertainty where the Amoc tipping point is, but the new study adds to the evidence that it is much closer than we thought, said Stefan Rahmstorf, a climatologist, oceanographer and Professor of Physics of the Oceans at the University of Potsdam in Germany, as The Guardian reported. A single study provides limited evidence, but when multiple approaches have led to similar conclusions this must be taken very seriously, especially when were talking about a risk that we really want to rule out with 99.9% certainty. Now we cant even rule out crossing the tipping point in the next decade or two.
Google's earthquake warning system for Android is supposed to provide notices in time to reach safety, but that might not have happened following the quake in Turkey on February 6th. BBC investigators claim that none of the hundreds of people they talked to in three Turkish cities received an alert before the first tremor hit. Only a "limited number" got an alert for a second tremor, investigators say.

In a statement to Engadget, Google says "millions" of people in Turkey received earthquake alerts, although the company hasn't shared data indicating widespread notifications. Google did show the BBC a handful of social media posts from people who said they received a warning, but only one was for the first quake. Product lead Micah Berman tells the outlet he doesn't have a "resounding answer" as to why social networks were quiet about alerts. A spokesperson tells Engadget the technology is "supplemental," though, and not meant to replace conventional warning systems.

The Android Earthquake Alert System uses the accelerometer (that is, motion sensing) in phones to effectively crowdsource warnings. If many phones vibrate at the same time, Google can use the collective data to find the epicenter and magnitude of the quake, automatically sending a warning to people who are likely to feel the brunt of the shaking. While there's no more than a minute's notice, that can be enough time to find cover or evacuate. The technology can theoretically help people in areas where normal warnings are unavailable.

The concern is that the system might have failed during a strong (7.8-magnitude) earthquake. Even if it worked, it's not clear how many people should and do receive warnings in cases like this, not to mention milder incidents. Without more data, it's not certain that Android's quake alerts will consistently reach enough people to have an impact.

Update 7/28 10:24AM ET: Google has issued a statement to Engadget with more details, including an emphasis that the alerts are supplemental. We've updated the story accordingly.
Samsung blames Q3's drop in revenue on decline in smartphone shipments It will focus on its new foldables over the next months.

Samsung has reported KRW 0.67 trillion ($527 million) in operating profit for the second quarter of 2023, which is just slightly higher than last quarter's, thanks to its memory business posting a narrower loss. That figure is also, however, much, much smaller than the KRW 14.1 trillion ($10.8 billion) operating profit it posted in July 2022. In its latest earnings report, the tech giant also revealed a consolidated revenue of KRW 60.01 trillion ($47 billion), which represents a 6 percent decline from the previous quarter's and a far cry from last year's record-breaking KRW 77.2 trillion ($59.4 billion).

The company blames the drop in revenue mostly to a decline in smartphone shipments "as the effect of the Galaxy S23 launch" in the first quarter faded. If you'll recall, Samsung's mobile division performed well the previous earning period due to the strong sales of the Galaxy S23 series, specifically the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Now, the division's consolidated revenue has slipped from KRW 31.82 trillion ($23.7 billion) to KRW 25.55 trillion ($20 billion), while its operating profit dropped by $500 billion.

Samsung expects the overall smartphone market to pick back up in the second half of the year, especially in the premium market. Unsurprisingly, it plans to focus its efforts on the newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 series. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 boasts a 3.6-inch external display  the previous model had a 1.9-inch one  while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a new hinge that gets rid of the gap between the two screen halves.

Meanwhile, Samsung's DS Division or memory business experienced a slight recovery in revenue from KRW 13.73 trillion ($10.2 billion) in Q1 to KRW 14.73 trillion ($11.53 billion). Its operating loss, while still massive at KRW 4.58 trillion ($3.4 billion), is at least a bit smaller at KRW 4.36 trillion ($3.4 billion). Going forward, the company plans to focus on the sale of what it calls "high-value-added products," such as DDR5 and LPDDR5x components.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
The $10,495 Fuell Fllow electric motorcycle is available for pre-order today The Fllow has 150 miles of range and will offer an option for swappable batteries

Erik Buell, best known for founding Buell Motorcycles, announced Fuell, his new electric motorcycle venture, back in 2019. In that same announcement, he said that Fuell would begin work on its first electric motorcycle: the Fuell Fllow. Following though a few years later, Fuell is giving us more details on the Fllow and opening pre-orders today.

The Fllow is a mid-sized motorcycle that claims to have the capacity of a larger bike, with 10 gallons of total storage in addition to space for a passenger. It features 150 miles of city range on a full charge and uses the CCS connector for charging. You can expect to fully charge in about 30 minutes with a Level 2 charger and between one and a half to two and a half hours for a standard home charger. In a pinch, youre looking at around eight hours when plugged into a standard 110/220V home outlet. While the bikes standard CCS connector is widely available in North America, weve seen a recent uptick in major car brands adopting Teslas NACS connector  fortunately, adapters are common. The bike has a top speed of 85 miles per hour with a speedy 0-60MPH time of 3.5 seconds.

Buell says that one of the main focuses with the Fuell brand is integrated and interchangeable battery packs. This technology would enable the ability to swap some components as the technology improves in the future. The company calls it the battery pack module and enables components such as the charger, rear wheel motor and fast charging socket to be swapped out and upgraded over time.

While Buell has a history with Harley-Davidson, Fuell is its own independent company, separate from the Buell Motorcycles brand. Founded in 1983, the brand ran for a decade before Harley-Davidson acquired 49 percent of the company in 1993, followed by full ownership in 2003. In 2009, Harley-Davidson announced the discontinuation of the Buell product line. While the brand has been resurrected since then Buell himself is solely focused on Fuell going forward.

Harley-Davidson hasnt been sitting quietly on the sidelines, either. The companys LiveWire division announced its S2 Del Mar electric bike in early 2023. The bike features a 110 mile range and a 0-60MPH time of 3.1 seconds. While the S2 Del Mar has a faster 0-60 time, the Fuell has longer range and faster charging. The Fllow is also prioritizing cargo capacity and modularity in its design.

The Fuell Fllow is available now for order at $10,495, with an MSRP of $12,995.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 56F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.
In February a Chinese weather balloon was discovered hovering over U.S. military installations in Montana, and it was international news.

Imagine everyones surprise months later when it was further discovered that the Chinese spy balloon was full of American technology.

We had, in fact, helped the Chinese spy on us. That spy balloon was the size of two school buses and flying 12 miles above Montana.

It would eventually give both of Montanas U.S. senators the opportunity to send out a lot of press releases, posture and make various demands of the current President and Democratic administration.

Was it a UFO? Nope, just spying from China.

In a twist that might make it uncomfortable when they pass each other in the hallway, national Republicans have also specifically tasked Belgrade resident and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines with unseating his fellow Montanan U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, in the 2024 election.

Republicans who already hold three of Montanas four seats in Congress would like a red sweep in a state that until recently was more dependably purple.

President Donald Trump won Montana by 20 percentage points over Hillary Clinton in 2016 and beat President Joe Biden by 16 points here in 2020

So, Tester is up for reelection and a bid for a fourth six-year term.

His fellow Montana senator has been tasked by his party with unseating him.

Daines used to live and work in China.

And Tester is chair of the Senates Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.that by its very nature has to deal with China.

And then theres the spy balloon.

Daines and other Republicans have faulted Biden for not shooting down the spy balloon earlier instead of waiting until it traversed the eastern half the country. The ballot was dispatched by a U.S. military jet off the South Carolina coast on Feb. 4.

The Chinese spy zeppelin was spotted over Montana on Feb. 1 after traveling over Alaskas Aleutian Islands and parts of Canada.

As the Belgrade News was going to print Wednesday, both Tester and Daines sent out press releases that a bipartisan legislation they both backed was officially included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Tester said that legislation blacklists China, Russia, North Korea and Iran from the right to buy American farmland.

They knew it was coming, and kept it pretty well buttoned up

In the last week the Belgrade News interviewed both Daines and Tester regarding the Chinese balloon episode. Here are highlights from those interviews:

Tester recounted a recent incident in North Dakota, Tester remembered, of a meat packing plant about to open in the state, a plant that would have been owned by the Chinese government.

The people in the community knew who was behind the plant. If the community hadnt risen up, theyde have gotten away with it, he said.

We need a blanket law (regarding foreign enemies)  dont buy our farmland. Its not yours.

As for the Chinese balloon episode?

It could have been handled better  Its serious business. Tester says the federal government knew about the balloon a long time before it was publicly discovered over eastern Montana in early February.

They knew it was coming, and kept it pretty well buttoned up, Tester said.

If the Billings Gazette hadnt published a photograph of the spy balloon, this episode might have played out who-knows-how.

The background: The Billings airport was suddenly on lockdown Feb. 1. The Billings Gazettes Chief Photographer Larry Mayer is a pilot, and knew something was up. Another photographer in town had noticed something in the sky, but didnt have the equipment Mayer did, who managed to get a photo of the spy balloon.

Tester said the government thought of destroying it over Alaska, an idea he backed. Daines is on the record thinking it should have been shot down over eastern Montana, where the most damage it could have done was to hit an antelope or a cow.

China is the #1 threat to this country, Tester continued. We need to work with (other countries) and have the ability to protect ourselves. The Defense budget is $832 billion. We need to make sure it is (focused) on our real threat, which is China. When the (Berlin) wall came down, China took off and ran. We relaxed. We started out-sourcing our defense. And China noticed.

The big challenge with the spy balloon? It had the ability to self-destruct, Tester continued. People said, why dont we shoot it down? That would be like me trying to shoot Big Sandy from here (Bozeman).

Our air space is sacred. We like our privacy, the senior Montana senator said.

I told Biden face to face, shoot it down over Montana.

On the subject of Chinese spying, Daines referenced his favorite military Challenge coin given to him years ago at the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls: Scaring the Hell out of Our Enemies since 1962.

The strength of our military is the context around this story (the Chinese spy balloon), Daines said.

When the Chinese launched that spy balloon, it went right over, hovered over the most powerful weapons ever for mankind. The fact that the Chinese could do that  it exposed his weakness (President Biden), Daines continued.

It paused, and that balloon continued to travel over the United States and was eventually taken down over the ocean.

I told Biden face to face, shoot it down over Montana. Youll risk hitting an antelope or a cow,said Daines, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

And the news that the Chinese spy balloon was full of American technology?

That was insult to injury, using U.S. technology to spy on U.S. assets, Daines continued. I think the Chinese watched what happened, and saw weakness. Weakness emboldens these regimes  Iran, China, Russia.

And the information regarding U.S. technology didnt come from the Biden administration, but from a Wall Street Journal article (two) weeks ago. That upset me, said Daines

I sent a letter to the Biden administration demanding answers for Montanans. And to hold China accountable. To refute these false lies China has been spreading.

Daines said he is introducing a bill to make the U.S. Treasury work with Commerce to restrict our trade partners from using that technology to spy on our own country.

Daines memory of the Montana start of this episode in February was that the Gazette sent their photo of the Chinese spy balloon to NORAD, and posted it on the papers website. Phones ringing off the hook  Montanans saying what is this? Why cant we just shoot it down?

Take a potshot? Well, its 65,000 feet in the air, Daines added, but God Bless our fellow Montanans.

The spy balloon passed unabated over the Aleutian Islands and Canada and the northeast tip of Idaho and then Montana. It hovered over Montana for at least a day or two.

He said a recent briefing on this issue, wasnt satisfactory. I left the meeting glad for journalists and how you feel theres more going on than you know. Its important the administration share everything they know.

As for the NDAA before the Senate, I want to add an amendment to identify Chinese entities and impose sanctions who U.S. businesses can do business with. Thats one amendment were talking about now, and working to get passed.
A late night crash on Bozemans Gooch Hill was all it took July 23 to arrest a federal fugitive from the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection on Capitol Hill.

Marc Anthony Bru, 43, of Vancouver, Washington, told a Montana Highway Patrol trooper he had missed a turn on Gooch Hill, tried to make a U-turn and went into the ditch at 1 a.m.

As he tried to get his 1999 Ford F150 out of the ditch, another truck ran into him. The other truck was traveling north and Brus truck was coming out of the ditch, facing south in the northbound lane. That truck was extensively damaged, and the driver would be arrested for DUI.

As it happens, Bru had an active federal arrest warrant from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a fugitive for failing to appear in the U.S. District Court for riot charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.

His arrest report said the warrant carried a caution that Bru was known to be armed and dangerous. He was arrested for no insurance, and driving while suspended. The report said he was suspended out of Washington state for failure to pay fines and court costs.

He was booked into the Gallatin County jail for the Gooch Hill driving infractions, and is being held for U.S. marshals.

Bru is facing multiple charges for his alleged actions on Jan. 6, including entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct and obstructing an official proceeding. Federal prosecutors allege he grabbed a police barricade and advanced with the mob into the Capitol.

Coverage from the Portland Oregonian newspaper said Bru was arrested in Vancouver in March 2021 and made his first court appearance in U.S. District Court in Portland. His arrest warrant affidavit contained photos and videos showing Bru flashing alleged white power hand signals, wearing Proud Boy logos, and marching with the crowd to the Capitol.

The affidavit said the FBI had learned of Brus whereabouts from tips. A tipster said Bru said he wanted to witness history in the making, according to the FBI.

He was charged in federal court in the District of Columbia with entering and remaining in a restricted building with no lawful authority. The U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You in Portland ordered his pretrial release, with GPS monitoring.

Bru pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. He was slated to represent himself at a bench trial scheduled to start in Portland on July 17, but had missed several pre-trial hearings.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest June 30., according to Montanas KBZK-TV. Prosecutors had said he wasnt going to show for his trial, quoting from a alleged text conversation that said Im done entertaining their n n n. If they want me they will come get me. Im drawing a n n nn n nline in the sand.

Bru has also been named in a civil lawsuit between the District of Columbia and members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, according to KBZK-TV.

Bru was released on bail March 2021  against the wishes of federal prosecutors.
A pride flag is displayed outside Montana Book Co. on Last Chance Gulch in Helena on June 1, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

Montana Pride will go forward in Helena, but after a federal court hearing Wednesday its still unclear if the law banning drag in public spaces will be in place.

U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris did not issue a decision on the plaintiffs request for a temporary restraining order against the law Wednesday after hearing from both sides of the case. But he said one would likely be coming soon.

Events for Montana Pride in Helena are set to begin on Sunday.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that the law, implemented from House Bill 359, infringes on free speech and is vague and hard to follow, while the defendants attorneys said the state has a right to go beyond what definitions already exist for obscenity when it comes to minors, and can put in place its own requirements for organizations that accept state money.

Helena City Attorney Rebecca Dockter said in court Wednesday, as the city did in filings Monday, that it will be issuing the permits for Montana Pride to host their annual event downtown and doesnt intend to condition the permits based on the recently passed law that bans drag on public property and includes potential penalties for businesses that host drag events.

Montana Pride, which this year will be celebrating 30 years since the first Pride event in Montana, joined a lawsuit which, in part, fights the constitutionality of House Bill 359 after organizer Kevin Hamm was told by city staff that permits for the event wouldnt be granted due to the recently passed law. The organization joined a slew of other plaintiffs that claim harm because of HB 359, which Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law in May.

At a federal courthouse in Helena, attorney Constance Van Kley  on behalf of nearly a dozen plaintiffs including Imagine Nation Brewing Company and the Myrna Loy Theatre  said the broad and vague nature of the bill imposes chilled speech, or a discouragement of First Amendment rights of expression. Van Kley pointed to the library in Butte canceling a lecture by Adria Jawort, a transgender woman, as well as events canceled by advocacy group the Imperial Sovereign Court of the State of Montana.

Van Kley said the bill language did not acknowledge the U.S. Supreme Courts methodology for determining obscenity, called the Miller Test. She also said the bill goes beyond that test as well as what has been outlined in drag bans in other states that have already been found unconstitutional, like Tennessees.

Attorney Thane Johnson, on behalf of Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen, said the state has a right to go beyond obscenity definitions when it comes to minors, and that plaintiffs in the case dont have fear of prosecution outside of a school teacher in Billings. But school is out, and a decision is likely before theyre back in the classroom. Johnson pointed to Pride events that have gone forward across the state in Libby, Red Lodge and Billings as examples the state is not trying to impede on Pride events.

Morris asked Van Kley if the state had more leeway in restricting public property than private. Van Kley said that municipalities dont want to be in the position of content moderation, especially in a place where people have the legal right to gather to protest.

Morris asked Johnson if the state would interfere with parents being able to choose to take their children to R-rated movies, to which Johnson said the state probably could.

Hamm, the event organizer and Democratic congressional candidate, said after the hearing the state doesnt know how to defend the bill because its poorly written.

The concerns that they have about sexually oriented businesses and prurient activities, thats all covered elsewhere in the code, Hamm said. This doesnt add anything to it, other than confusion.

Dockter, the Helena city attorney, told the Daily Montanan the law put the city in a strange position as city employees would have to implement it.

We have to make sure that our employees arent going to be civilly liable as well, she said. Thats what House Bill 359 puts us in the position of having to do  not what you see with other laws.

Morris said unless there was a conflict, the hearing over the request for a preliminary injunction against the law would be held on Aug. 25.

Everybody who wants to have fun and enjoys bright colors and wants to be entertained can come and do it, Hamm said. If you are one of those sad people that just wants to be hateful your entire time, stay home.

The post Judge to decide if drag ban will be in place during Montana Pride appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Maintaining forage quality with small dry-weather windows can be done by using baleage instead of dry hay.

The ideal conditions for baleage is to bale the hay between 40 to 65% moisture and wrap within two hours of baling. This process uses anaerobic conditions and the acids produced in fermentations to preserve hay.

Baleage fermentation is slower than in haylage, often taking six weeks. When forage is baled between 25 to 40% moisture, it will not ferment properly and baleage at these moisture levels should be considered as temporary storage.

During such situations, preservation is primarily a function of maintaining anaerobic, oxygen-limiting conditions. Mold is more likely at this moisture; higher bale densities and more wraps of plastic is required to better seal out oxygen. Baleage at this moisture will not maintain quality for long term in storage, and thus, it needs to be fed as soon as possible.

Have a plan

Baleage can be utilized as a plan or as a backup, but the best baleage is a plan and not a rescue.

A recent study conducted at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research center investigated the benefits of wrapping 25% moisture hay. This moisture has often been considered no mans land, as it is too wet to safely bale with preservatives as dry hay and to dry to bale as baleage.

This study investigated heating of the wrapped hay versus unwrapped with preservatives. Wrapping hay significantly reduced heating with no protein degradation compared to unwrapped hay.

When propionic acid was added at baling to the wrapped bales, not only was heating reduced, but after 84 days in wrapped storage the bales exhibited improved aerobic stability for the following 33 days it was monitored. This means that the hay would have improved bunk life.

While keeping oxygen out is the most important part of making high-quality baleage, it starts with mowing. When baleage is the planned storage method, your harvest capacity-limiting factor will be how many bales you can wrap an hour with the ideal goal of wrapping the bales within four hours.

Based on research done at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we recommend laying swaths as wide as your mower will allow, helping preserve forage quality and speeds up drying to 65% moisture by 10.8 hours.

When baling, your goal needs to be for the highest-density bales that you can make. Increasing density from 6 pounds/foot 3 to 8 pounds/foot 3, you gain an extra 12 hours of bunk life in the haylage due mostly to better bale fermentation.

Wrapping

It is important to wrap bales as soon as possible after baling to avoid spoilage. Most bale wrap is one mil low-density polyethylene and bales need a minimum of 5 mils of plastic to seal out oxygen, requiring a minimum of six wraps.

Types of plastic vary greatly in their stretchiness, which can reduce thickness by up to 25%. Some stretch is necessary so that the plastic stays sticky and seals well between the layers of plastic.

Be cautious when wrapping in the rain, as this will reduce the stickiness and allow more oxygen to penetrate, causing spoilage. Also, be cautious when wrapping forages that poke through the plastic which will require more layers.

When oxygen enters the bale, they start to heat and quality declines when temperatures are over 120F. The amount of time until bales are wrapped and the number of mils of wrap significantly affects internal bale temperature.

After bales are wrapped, handle them carefully using a squeeze so that plastic is not torn. If plastic is torn in storage, the tears should be taped as soon as you notice them. For this reason, bales should be inspected weekly in storage.

Never use bale spears to move wrapped haylage until the day you are going to feed it. It is recommended that bales be fed within a year of wrapping.

Baleage that is too wet, over 60% moisture, should be feed within three months, and baleage that is below 40% will not ferment well and should be fed within six months.

Most of the time when we make baleage as a rescue, it falls in the range of needing to be fed within six months. When done right, baleage can last a year and make excellent feed.

When done wrong, Baleage can spoil, mold and grow organisms that will make your animals sick; use your eyes and nose to be sure that the forage you are going to feed is of high quality. Dont force animals to eat forage they dont want.
LAKESIDE MARBLEHEAD, Ohio  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources joined Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to dedicate a new fish cleaning station at the Mazurik Fishing Access in Lakeside Marblehead last week. The new facility was installed and is managed by the ODNR Division of Wildlife to serve the thousands of anglers who catch walleye, yellow perch, bass and more off the coast of Lake Erie.

The cleaning station at the ODNR Division of Wildlife Mazurik Fishing Access provides ample counter space for anglers to cut and filet their fish, running water to clean their catch and a grinder that disposes of the remains.

The Mazurik fish cleaning station is one of three new stations placed along Lake Erie. The other two cleaning stations are at Huron and Avon Lake. Along with the fish cleaning station, the Division of Wildlife also installed ADA-compliant restrooms at the Mazurik Fishing Access. The total cost of the project was $1.1 million.
Love Lamb Week is set to make a return in September to promote British lamb by teaming up with popular farming influencers on social media to share Shepherds and their Pies.

The UK sheep sector is preparing to celebrate another Love Lamb Week at the beginning of September following a year of market turbulence.

Farmers are being encouraged to spur on their local community to get involved in promotional activities for the annual campaign.

The week, which commence 1-7 September, aims to highlight to consumers the advantages of the UK climate, with its rainfall and lush grass, making it the ideal place to produce lamb.

Promoting the meat during the initiative will be farmer influencers who will showcase the natural landscape and sustainability credentials of their own farms as well as cooking up their favourite shepherd's pie recipe.

The 'Shepherds and their Pies' social campaign will feature modern, creative takes on the traditional shepherd's pie, focusing on the value, versatility, and tastiness of lamb mince.

Major retailers will be promoting Love Lamb Week on their websites and consumers will find on-pack stickers in store on mince, lamb chops, shoulder joints, and meatballs.

The industry-wide initiative is supported by industry groups including AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales), NFU and Red Tractor, among others.

Carrie McDermid, head of marketing at AHDB, said: The Shepherds and their Pies campaign aims to encourage producers, farmers, and butchers alike to sing the praises of UK lamb.

"[They will] reassure consumers, during a time when food prices are rising, that lamb mince can be a tasty, good value and easy-to-use ingredient in their family meals.
Paradiso in Barcelona, the worlds #1 bar this year, is scheduled to do a bar takeover at ZLB23 at The Leela Palace

If you want to experience the magic that gave Barcelona bar Paradiso the title of the worlds best bar this year, ZLB23 at The Leela Palace in Bengaluru is the place to head to on August 10, 2023.

Paradiso (above) is a neo-speakeasy in Barcelona, Spain, that is so well known for its innovation and ingenuity in mixology that it has been named the Worlds No 1 bar this year. Sited in the El Born neighbourhood in Barcelona, the cocktail bar was opened in 2016. Inspired by a wide range of influences, including mythology, history and science, the cocktails on the constantly-changing bar menu include the Evolution Negroni, a variation of the Negroni with mango, chai tea and vanilla; the Great Gatsby, a whiskey-based cocktail with white truffle honey, amaro, and lavender; and Kryptonite, a gin-based cocktail with lemongrass, shiso, and Sichuan pepper. The cash-only bar also offers mixology classes, and is a popular spot with both visitors to the city and locals, who come for its drinks but also its classic bar bites (cheese, tapas and charcuterie), its dimly-lit ambience and its service.





ZLB23 (above), the Kyoto speakeasy at The Leela Palace, transports guests back in time to the Prohibition Era. The glamorous space boasts Prohibition-style cocktails such as the Paleman and Kyoto Sunrise as well as rare and premium spirits, great food that unveils the lost recipes of the East, and magnetic music.

Now, as part of The Leela Palaces commitment to bringing the finest bars in the world to India, Paradiso comes to ZLB23 via its CEO and owner, master mixologist Giacomo Giannotti (main image), who will be taking over the bar on August 10. Patrons can expect to enjoy the Kryptonite and the Evolution Negroni, the Paradisos specialties, as well as others in a programme that includes live demonstrations, informative workshops and discussions with the mixologists.

Also Read: Step Into New Zealands Best Hot Pools To Chill Out
In 2001, the movie Gadar featuring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel was a huge hit and received praise from all. But did you know that Ameesha was initially dissuaded from playing the character of Sakeena? The actress disclosed this information on Wednesday at the launch event of the sequel's trailer.According to Ameesha, she was advised against playing the role of a mother as it could have a negative impact on her career. Several popular names from the film industry suggested that she not take up the role. Ameesha mentioned that in her previous films with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, she played the role of a college girl and in both films with Hrithik Roshan, she was also a college student.She further said, "So, when this story was narrated to me and Kaho Na Pyaar Hai was yet to be released, everyone told me I wont be able to do the role of a mother! I love challenges, I want to step out of my comfort zone and conquer them. I had faith, I knew my director was brilliant. I knew a love story so beautiful was never written and will not ever be written. I just had to say yes."Ameesha Patel stated that prior to its release, Gadar was referred to as gutter, which greatly saddened her. She also revealed that when Gadar 2 was announced, there were similar discussions regarding her character. She stated, "When Gadar 2 was in talks, the same conversations started happening. Dude, have you seen yourself on Instagram?That girl who did Lazy Lamhe, how can she do Gadar now? How will she play a mother to a boy in his 20s? Those same questions were raised. But I just had to do it. We kept doing look tests for hours on end. Finally, I got a text from Anil Sharma, who wrote, 'My precious Sakina is back'."Gadar 2 is a sequel to the 2001 blockbuster film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. The film is directed by Anil Sharma and is set in 1971 amidst the "Crush India" movement and follows Tara Singh as he travels to Lahore, Pakistan to bring back his son. Along with Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, the film also stars Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur, Manish Wadhwa, and Gaurav Chopra in pivotal roles.Gadar 2 is slated to hit the big screen on August 11.
Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani Review: Seven years after the success of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Karan Johar is finally making his directorial comeback with Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh starrer Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. As the much-hyped film is finally set to release on July 28, the makers hosted a special screening in Mumbai last night.

Several well-known celebrities attended the screening to support Karan Johar and the whole team. Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia was one of them.

Neha Dhupia took to social media to share her excitement after having attended and seen Karan Johar's next, Rocky Rani Ki Prem Kahani. She called the movie phenomenal and lauded the entire cast's performance. She also shared cute selfie pictures with the director, Karan Johar who has come back with his feature film directorial after a gap of 7 years apart from having director two shorts in Lust Stories and Ghost Stories.

Sharing her review on Instagram along with the pictures, she wrote, "Watched #rockyaurranikipremkahani with my endless tub of popcorn and lifelong arm candy by my side... all of it ... the movie, the music the magic is beyond phenomenal. @karanjohar you are a genre that is created by you and no one else can match up. You make us laugh out loud, cry to a point it's cathartic and believe in Family as we all should thank you for the stories you tell and scale your mind develops them in. @aliaabhatt you and only are Rani, there's no other way to define you... the ultimate queen @ranveersingh I'm fangirling over it all the accent, the moves, and the emotion, and much more... @aapkadharam hi @azmishabana18 #jayabachchan ji just to see you all on screen together in this colour is incredible. And I'm not stopping till I mention the entire cast for their performances and the battles they fight. Absolutely stellar. . .. ok I must stop now... just go have a blast at the movies!!!"

Take a look at her post here:

Keep watching this space for more updates!
Kevin Spacey Photo Credit: Kevin Spacey Instagram

A London jury acquitted Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges on Wednesday after a four-week trial in which the actor said he was a "big flirt" who had consensual flings with men and whose only misstep was touching a man's groin while making a "clumsy pass."

Three men accused the Oscar winner of aggressively grabbing their crotches. A fourth, an aspiring actor seeking mentorship, said he awoke to the actor performing oral sex on him after going to Spacey's London apartment for a beer and either falling asleep or passing out. All the men said the contact was unwanted but Spacey testified that the young actor and another man had willingly participated in consensual acts.

He said a third man's allegation that he grabbed his privates like a striking "cobra" backstage at a theatre was "pure fantasy." He said he didn't remember a fourth incident at a small party at a home he rented in the country but accepted that he touched the groin of a man he had met at a pub during a night of heavy drinking. He said he had misread the man's interest in him and said he had probably made an awkward pass. Defence lawyer Patrick Gibbs said three of the men were liars and incidents had been "reimagined with a sinister spin."

He accused most of them of hopping on a "bandwagon" of complaints in the hope of striking it rich. Prosecutor Christine Agnew told jurors that Spacey was a "sexual bully" who took what he wanted when he wanted. She said he was shielded by a "trinity of protection": he knew men were unlikely to complain; they wouldn't be believed if they did complain; and if they did complain, no action would be taken because he was powerful. Spacey, who turned 64 on Wednesday, faced nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The accusations date from 2001 to 2013 and include a period when Spacey - after winning Academy Awards for "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty" - had returned to the theatre, his first love. During most of that period he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London. The men came forward after an American actor accused Spacey of an incident of sexual misconduct as the #MeToo movement heated up in 2017.

Several of the men said they had been haunted by the abuse and couldn't bear to watch Spacey's films. One of the men broke down when speaking with police as he provided details in a videotaped interview about the oral sex incident that he said he'd never told anyone before. Another man said he was angry about the abuse that occurred sporadically over several years and began to drink and work out more to cope with it.

Spacey choked up and became teary eyed in the witness box as he described the emotional and financial turmoil that the US accusations brought and the barrage of criticism that followed on social media. "My world exploded," Spacey testified. "There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days."

Gibbs said Spacey was being "monstered" on the internet every night and became toxic in the industry. Spacey was booted from "House of Cards" and his scenes in "All the Money in the World," were scrubbed and he was replaced by Christopher Plummer. Aside from some small projects, he has barely worked as an actor in six years.

A New York jury last year swiftly cleared Spacey in a $40 million lawsuit by "Star Trek: Discovery" actor Anthony Rapp on allegations dating back three decades. Spacey had viewed the London case as a chance for redemption, telling German magazine Zeit last month that there were "people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges in London."
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia has been riding high on the colossal success of her chartbuster song Kaavaalaa from the upcoming film Jailer. After taking the internet by storm with the foot-tapping Tamil song, she recently launched the Hindi version of the same, Tu Aa Dilbara, with a bang. Amid much fanfare, the dance number was unveiled by Tamannaah at an event.

At the event, Tamannaah Bhatia set the stage ablaze as she performed the viral hook step of the song with a few members of the media. For the unversed, Kaavaalaa has been sung by Shilpa Rao, while its Hindi version has been crooned by Sindhuja Srinivasan. And its lyrics have been written by Raqueeb Alam.

Meanwhile, Kaavaalaa continues to remain a trending song on Instagram reels, with countless users sharing videos of themselves grooving to its catchy beats. The peppy track also surpassed a whopping 70 million views on YouTube within a few days of its release. Now, we cannot wait to witness the magic that Tu Aa Dilbara will weave among Hindi-speaking audiences.

Besides Jailer, Tamannaah Bhatia has multiple compelling projects in the pipeline. She has Bhola Shankar in Telugu, Bandra in Malayalam, and Aranmanai 4 in Tamil lined up for release soon. Tamannaah will also be seen opposite John Abraham in Nikkhil Advani's Hindi film Vedaa.
Love First Review: Love is a movie produced and directed by RP Bala under RB Films. Bharath, Vani Bhojan, Vivek Prasanna, Bigg Boss Dani, Radharavi and many others have acted in this film.

Remake Of Shine Tom Chacko's Love

It is a remake of the malayalam film Love directed by Khalid Rahman with Shine Tom Chacko and Rajisha Vijayan in the lead roles. Cinematography for the Tamil version is done by PG Muthiah and music is composed by Rony Raphael. Already the teaser trailer of this film has received great response and the film is releasing tomorrow (28th July).

A special media premiere was held in Chennai today. Many press people shared their feedback after watching the film. One of them said, "An argument between the couple Bharat and Vanibhojan turns into a fight. Vani Bhojan is killed due to Bharat's anger. Her body is hidden in the bathroom. Following this Bharat tries to commit suicide.

Crux Of The Story

Then his friend Vivek Prasanna comes inside the house who is already in a confused state due to a fight with his wife. After a few minutes, Bigg Boss Danny, who is in a relationship with another woman without his wife's knowledge, also arrives.

Then comes Radharavi, who is Vanibhojan's father. On one occasion, both Vivek Prasanna and Danny come to know the truth. They think how to dispose of the body. Then the doorbell rings again. When you open it, Vani Bhojan is standing there. Meanwhile Vivek Prasanna and Danny both go missing. The film Love explains the end of all these mischevious acts."

Anoter media person who watched the film said, "The first half an hour, they created a buzz and failed to carry it forward. Similarly, if you expect the story to heat up when Vani Bhojan comes back in the second half, it is disappointing to easily put an end card as to what is the reason for all this."
Rajinikanth's Jailer Vs Malayalam Jailer: Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and starring Superstar Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Tamannaah, Sivarajkumar, Ramya Krishnan and others, Jailer is slated to release in theaters on August 10.

In this case, Jailer Malayalam film directed by Sakkir Madathil and starring Dhyan Sreenivasan is also going to release on August 10.

Sun Pictures Goes To Court

Director Sakkir Madathil said that he had registered the title of Jailer in the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce in August 2021. He also asked Sun Pictures to change the film's title as the release of both the films under the name Jailer would cause confusion.

But it is said that the Sun Pictures company refused to accept the request of Sakkir Madathil. Sun Pictures has approached the Madras High Court in this regard. They also filed a case against Sakkir Madathil. Whereas director Sakkir Madathil is also said to have filed a counter in court in response to Sun Pictures case. The case is scheduled to be heard on August 2.

Jailer Audio Launch On Dhanush Birthday

Both sides are determined to release Jailer as planned. In this case, the audio release ceremony of the Tamil Jailer movie is going to be held on July 28. Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan will be the special guest at the event which will be held at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

On the other hand, it is important to note the Jailer audio launch event is scheduled on Dhanush's birthday. The teaser of Dhanush's Captain Miller is coming on the same day. In that case, some people started talking that Captain Miller would clash with Superstar's Jailer.

After watching all the three lyric video songs of Jailer such as Kaavaalaa, Hukum and Jujubee, expectations for the film is increased to a great level. Fans say that their Thalaivar Rajinikanth is going to show mass throughout the film.

It was also reported that Super Subbu, who wrote the Hukum song, said that there are 70 percent comedy scenes in Jailer.
Rumors About Rajinikanth's Maldives Trip: It has been rumored that actor Rajinikanth went to Maldives for a secret meeting.

While acting in Jailer, Rajinikanth parallelly acted in Lal Salaam directed by his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth. Having given two flops in a row, he is looking forward to give an Industry Hit with Jailer. Similarly, even though he is said to be playing a guest role in Lal Salaam, his fans believe that Rajini will have his due importance.

A Short Break Before Lokesh Kanagaraj Film

Rajinikanth will next be seen in a film directed by Jai Bhim director TJ Gnanavel. The film is produced by Lyca and it is said to be based on a true story. After that, it is almost confirmed that Rajinikanth will act in the direction of Lokesh Kanagaraj. The official annoucement is expected to be released soon.

Rajinikanth recently went to Maldives to take a short break as he is committed to a series of films. A photo of him relaxing on the beach was released and trended on the internet. In this context, he returned to Chennai from Maldives today.

Rajinikanth Tried To Convince Dhanush ?

In this context, new information regarding Rajinikanth has been rumored. Accordingly netizens say, "Superstar Rajinikanth could not accept his daughter Aishwarya and Dhanush's separation. If not for them, but for the sake of their two sons, he want them to get back together.

In an effort to do that, he decided to invite both of them to Maldives and talk secretly about it. But Dhanush and Aishwarya avoided the trip saying that they are busy with works. It is said that Rajinikanth is a little upset due to this. This information is now spreading in Kollywood circles. However, Rajinikanth's supporters say that there is no truth in this information and Rajini went there only for rest.
Urfi Javed Flight Incident: Social media sensation Urfi Javed is no stranger to controversies and trolling. She often receives severe backlash for her bold fashion statements and fearless attitude. Recently, the diva encountered an unfortunate incident when a group of drunk men allegedly harassed her.

Urfi was on a flight to Goa, where things got a little sickening for her when the men misbehaved with her, leaving her in anguish. She had also shared a video on her Instagram, sharing a note on the incident stating that she is a "public figure and not anyone's public property".

And now, Urfi has opened up about the harrowing experience and how such things affect her.

Urfi Javed reacts to the harrowing incident of drunk men harassing her on a flight

Talking about the same incident, Urfi, in an interview with the Hindustan Times, recalled what happened to her on the flight. She shared, "They were calling me names and passing comments like, 'Yeh toh nangi rehti hai. Arrey isne kapde pehne hain aaj'. I kept calm because I didn't want to disturb the decorum of the flight."

Sherlyn Chopra Supports Urfi Javed After Stranger Moral Police Her Over Her Bold Dress: Mujhe Wo Libas Apatti

She added, "But, I I lost it when one of the guys, from the very group that was misbehaving with me, asked for a selfie. And I was like how dare you when you were the one calling me names."

Recently, when returning from Goa, Urfi got into a verbal spat with an elderly man who objected to her clothing and said, 'Aise kapde pehanna allowed nahi hain India mein'.

When asked if such incidents affect her, Urfi replied, "Mujhe iss sabse koi farak nahi padta. And I think more than me, the society should get affected by such incidents where men like these can tease girls, misbehave with them, and get away with it."

"Their excuse to it was that they were drunk. But if they are drinking, I should not be the one facing its aftermaths. Main uski saza kyu face karu. Also, they should not have been allowed to board the flight in the first place if they were drunk," she shared.

She then added, "I am a soft target kyunki mere aage peeche koi nahi hai. I have no connection with the Bollywood. I have no godfather in this film industry. That's the reality. There are people who would meet me nicely, but they are not friends. And it's not even their fault. They don't owe me anything."

Urfi Javed will soon be making her Bollywood debut with Ekta Kapoor's "Love, S*x Aur Dohoka 2. "

Instead Of Hating..: Urfi Javed Opens Up About Her Journey With Lip Fillers, Warns People Against Bad Doctors
Actress Vahbiz Dorabjee, who has always amazed the audience with her power-packed performances in many television shows, is also a very big travel enthusiast, due to which she is seen traveling abroad with her family and friends, but this time the actress recently visited the Maldives solo, where she wandered the beaches, streets, and tourist attraction spots of the Maldives alone. But what didn't make her fans calm were her social media stories, and they were also eager to know about what new hot outfits the diva donned on the beaches of the Maldives, as the actress keeps treating her fans with some of her adorable shots now and then. Doing the same, this time the diva blew our minds with some of her vocational outfits.

The actress went on a solo trip to the Maldives recently, and the sets of clothes she chose to wear were all jaw-dropping, and no one can as easily slay the bikini outfits as the diva does. Vahbiz looks absolutely remarkable in the first position, donning a minimal white off-shoulder one-piece paired with a delightful soft pink hat. This ensemble is timeless and versatile, making it a perfect choice for any season.

She knows to look hot, dramatic, and sensuous as she slays in a black and pink bikini like a goddess. She is definitely standing out from the rest. This is a sure-fire short, easy, breezy outfit that the actress is smoothly pulling off on the Maldives beaches.

OMG!! This stunning blue bikini set with a slit skirt is catching all the eyes, and the floral prints have given it a deep contrast that will take your fashion game high this summer season. And what is making it look more sexy is the way Vahbiz has pulled it off with her hotness, and she flaunts her style game to the fullest in this attire.

As soon as we plan to visit humid places, we need comfy yet trendy clothes to maintain our style game to the top-notch, and what better than a relaxed yellow gown, which the diva has beautifully adorned for the seashore evening lights.

Vahbiz is also seen in a saffron top with saffron lingerie. Talking about the accessories, she added a pair of chunky glasses, a floral shrug, and just minimal makeup to complete the vacation mood.

The actress looks perfectly perfect, like sunshine, in this hot neon bikini top paired up with a multicolored white skirt as she gets sun-kissed. She looks too hot in this frame. And her shrug is looking so classy that no one can pull off this outfit with such class as the diva is doing.




BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 27, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Erez Capital is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Anita Gupta to its esteemed team of Venture Partners. Dr. Gupta, a global leader in healthcare innovation, is renowned for her ground-breaking contributions to the medical field and her exceptional expertise in anesthesiology and pain management.With an illustrious career and a portfolio of remarkable accomplishments, Dr. Anita Gupta has made a significant impact on healthcare innovation and patient advocacy. As a World Economic Forum Member Expert, she has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Women of Influence in healthcare by Fierce Healthcare. Her educational background includes prestigious institutions such as Princeton and Harvard Business School, further solidifying her position as an award-winning executive and an exceptional leader in her field.Throughout her career, Dr. Gupta's dedication to healthcare innovation has led her to spearhead pioneering initiatives in the United States. Notably, her advocacy at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) resulted in the expansion of naloxone for frontline use in combatting overdoses, addressing the drug crisis head-on. Dr. Gupta's vigilance also played a crucial role in identifying and mitigating the impact of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, in the Philadelphia drug trade.In recognition of her exceptional expertise, Dr. Anita Gupta has been appointed as a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Global Forum on Innovation. Her distinguished title of Distinguished Fellow member at the National Academies of Practice further emphasizes her impact in the medical community.Dr. Gupta's remarkable contributions have not gone unnoticed, earning her features in renowned publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, CNN, MSNBC, The Huffington Post, and the Milken Power of Ideas. Her leadership and expertise have been acknowledged through numerous prestigious awards, including the Patient Advocacy Award by the National Academies, being named one of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Leaders by PharmaVoice, and being recognized as one of the Top 10 Healthcare Business Leaders in Philadelphia. Additionally, Dr. Gupta has been honored as one of the Top 10 Emerging Leaders by Pharmaceutical Executives and as a Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Scholar, among other esteemed accolades.Dr. Anita Gupta's addition to Erez Capital reinforces the firm's commitment to collaborating with top-tier professionals and industry leaders to foster innovation and make a lasting impact in the healthcare sector.About Erez Capital: https://ErezCapital.ioErez Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm in Boston, investing in seed-stage startup companies at the forefront of digital transformation.Contact:Noah Ente, Erez CapitalNoah@erezcapital.ioSource: Erez CapitalCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.


OAK BROOK (dpa-AFX) - A McDonald's (MCD) franchise that oversees twelve locations in the New Orleans metropolitan area has been penalized for violating child labor laws by the U.S. Labor Department. CLB Investments LLC, based in Metairie, Louisiana, was found to have employed over 80 minors, aged 14 and 15 years old, and allowed them to work longer and later hours than permitted by federal law across its restaurants in New Orleans, Kenner, Jefferson, and Metairie.



The violations came to light following investigations by the department's Wage and Hour Division, which revealed that three of the child workers were even assigned to operate manual deep fryers, a task prohibited for employees under 16 years old. As a result, the franchise has been slapped with a civil penalty of $56,106.



Similarly, Marwen & Son LLC, operating four McDonald's locations in Texas in Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Leander, also faced violations of child labor laws. The company was found to have employed 10 minors, aged 14 and 15, and subjected them to longer work shifts than legally allowed. Additionally, seven children were allowed to handle a manual fryer and oven, with two of them even operating a trash compactor. Marwen & Son has been fined $21,466 in civil penalties for these violations.



In response to the findings, Chris Bardell, the owner and operator of the New Orleans McDonald's franchise, asserted his commitment to the safety of his workers. Since then, he has implemented mandatory child labor law trainings for restaurant managers and conducted regular audits to ensure compliance with labor laws.



The U.S. Labor Department stressed the importance of protecting young workers, ensuring their safety. Betty Campbell, Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator in Dallas, emphasized that it is crucial for young individuals and employers to prioritize the protection of minor-aged children from potential workplace hazards and avoid interfering with their education.



This is not the first time McDonald's franchise operators have been under scrutiny for child labor law violations. In May, federal investigations revealed that three McDonald's franchise operators violated child labor laws at 62 locations in four states, involving over 300 children, some as young as 10 years old. McDonald's USA Chief People Officer, Tiffanie Boyd, pledged to take the issue seriously and support franchisees in maintaining compliance with all U.S. labor laws.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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INTO will deliver on-campus pathway programs and offer a comprehensive suite of student services to Lancaster - a UK Top 10 university

Lancaster, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - July 26, 2023) - Lancaster University and INTO University Partnerships have entered into a collaboration that will see INTO operate on-campus pathway programs for Lancaster's growing international student community.

Lancaster University and INTO form new partnership



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Students will enroll on programs which provide routes into a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Lancaster University - a UK Top 10 University according to Complete University Guide 2024. Details of the first intake will be shared over the coming weeks.

The programs will be delivered at the INTO Lancaster Centre on Lancaster University campus to the most stringent of standards and will incorporate Lancaster's commitment to delivering transformational education and existing strength in building global communities. In addition, they will infuse employability throughout the curriculum, preparing students for further study at the University and beyond.



Commenting on the partnership, Lancaster University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield said: "I very much welcome our new partnership with INTO and look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead. This is an important development that is designed to increase the flow of international students to our Lancaster campus. We are already one of the most international of universities with campuses in Germany, Ghana, China and Malaysia. Building mutually beneficial links with different countries and people around the world is very much part of our DNA."

INTO's CEO, John Sykes said: "We are thrilled to partner with Lancaster University, one of the UK's and the world's leading universities. From its outstanding academic and research credentials to its vibrant and expansive campus, Lancaster University represents a perfect choice for international students.

"Driven by innovation, we are committed to supporting Lancaster University reach diverse talent from across the world and to providing international students with a highly supportive experience for their academic and career success. We look forward to amplifying Lancaster's commitment to transformational education experiences delivered within a uniquely collegiate community environment."



Set across a stunning 560-acre campus in the northwest of England, Lancaster University is one of a handful of 'collegiate' universities made up of small, close-knit college communities providing students with a uniquely supportive environment in which to thrive and excel. Many of its subject areas are regarded among the world's best - including subjects such as Business and Management Studies, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science and Information Systems, Environmental Sciences and Law. The University ranks 11th in the UK for student satisfaction.



As part of the collaboration, INTO will deploy its market-leading recruitment infrastructure comprising a worldwide network of locally based education agents supported by in-market INTO teams to enroll students for Lancaster's pathway programs. INTO's local teams manage education agent relationships on a day-to-day basis, nurture student leads, ensure local market brand positioning and provide student-facing application support.

Along with pathway, INTO will also offer a suite of services to international students such as its employability program that helps students develop key career skills and gain real-world experience to improve their employability.

INTO has comprehensive partnerships with eight leading universities in the UK and delivers pathways programs through its dedicated Centres - most of which are based on campus. In INTO's 2023 Annual Student Experience Survey, 89% of international students enrolled in academic programs at INTO Centres in the UK said they were highly satisfied or satisfied with the overall experience, learning and support delivered.

Lancaster University fast facts:

World Top 125 - QS World University Rankings 2024

UK Top 10 University - The Complete University Guide 2024

1st in England for value for money - StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

UK's Top 25 most targeted by UK graduate employers - High Fliers 2023

UK's Top 15 for job prospects - StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

1st in the North and 8th in England for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2022

INTO University Partnerships connects ambitious international students with leading universities in the UK, the US and Australia. Since its inception in 2005, INTO has helped more than 130,000 students from 190 countries realize their dream of achieving a degree from a world-class university.

To register interest in programs offered at INTO Lancaster, click here: https://education.intostudy.com/lancaster



Contact Info:

Name: Davinder Kumar

Email: davinder.kumar@intoglobal.com

Organization: VP, Corporate & Public Relations

Website: https://www.intoglobal.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174621
Slimming Sprinkles is a new website offering perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women scientifically backed health, wellness, and lifestyle advice.

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - July 26, 2023) - Slimming Sprinkles announces a comprehensive new online platform created specifically for women who are perimenopausal, menopausal or postmenopausal - and living through a period of significant hormonal and bodily upheaval. Slimming Sprinkles has been designed to offer menopausal women-who the site's founder Chris Munch believes are often neglected in primary healthcare settings-accurate and well-researched information.

More details can be found at https://slimmingsprinkles.com/





Slimming Sprinkles Launches Menopause Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Website

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The new site focuses on delivering information that can help women understand the transformations that are taking place in their body, and develop strategies to maintain a sense of wellness, happiness and vitality as these changes take place.

When asked about the motivation for launching the new Slimming Sprinkles website, Chris Munch cited several worldwide studies which indicated that women both had poor knowledge of menopause and had received little to no formal education on its impacts upon the body. Munch also explained that, due to an aging population, by 2030, the population of menopausal and postmenopausal women is projected to increase to 1.2 billion, with 47 million new entrants each year.

As the new Slimming Sprinkles website explains, menopause is a phase of life that spans many years, with most women experiencing the first symptoms of menopause-on average-six to ten years before their final menstrual period. As such, given both its prevalence, its duration, and the profound changes it makes to a woman's body, Munch believes Slimming Sprinkles can be a user-friendly and accessible source of information about menopause for the many women who often feel they are facing this transition alone.

More information on the company behind the new Slimming Sprinkles website can be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/company/slimming-sprinkles

The new website is currently growing the resources it has available to perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women. Its current posts focus primarily on everyday foods-like green tea, garlic, ginger, chia seeds and blueberries-that can help women manage their blood sugar and balance their hormones during this period of hormonal upheaval.

In developing their informational posts, Slimming Sprinkles references work done by recognized institutions like the Mayo Clinic and peer-reviewed studies published on the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Chris Munch said of the new Slimming Sprinkles platform, "Our uniqueness lies in our specialization-we cater specifically to menopausal women, a demographic often overlooked in mainstream health content. We take pride in our approach, grounding our content in scientific evidence, pulling from reputable studies, and filtering out potential biases-both in the research and commercial realms. It's important to educate women about healthy menopause management since menopause is a very transformative period in a woman's life."

Interested readers can find out more at https://twitter.com/slimsprinkles

Contact Info:

Name: Chris Munch

Email: support@ampifire.com

Organization: Slimming Sprinkles

Address: 15 Harwood Road Fulham, London, England SW6 4QP, United Kingdom

Website: https://slimmingsprinkles.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174948
LEM HOLDING SA / Key word(s): Quarter Results

LEM announces strong sales but lower orders in Q1 2023/24



27-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.



Geneva, Switzerland, 27 July 2023 - LEM (SIX: LEHN), a leading global company in electrical measurement for renewable energy, automation, power network and e-mobility applications, announces Q1 results for 2023/24 (April-June) compared to 2022/23: Bookings decreased by 48.8% to CHF 81.0 million (CHF 158.1 million)



Sales increased by 23.8% to CHF 112.3 million (CHF 90.7 million); at constant exchange rates, sales increased by 34.6%



The company benefits from a diverse global distribution of sales, led by China and EMEA: China CHF 39.8 m (35.5% of total) EMEA CHF 39.4 m (35.1% of total) Rest-of-Asia CHF 20.5 m (18.2% of total) Americas CHF 12.6 m (11.2% of total)



R&D investments of CHF 8.3 million (CHF 8.5 million), or 7.4% of sales



EBIT increased by 34.3% to CHF 26.2 million (CHF 19.5 million); the EBIT margin increased to 23.3% (21.5%)



Net profit for the period increased to CHF 20.5 million (CHF 14.7 million) Frank Rehfeld, Chief Executive Officer, said: "The first quarter of our new business year 23/24 was the strongest in LEM history. We are very pleased about the top-line growth of 23.8% and increased EBIT margin of 23.3%. At constant currencies, our sales even increased by 34.6%. With supply chains improving, we delivered many long-standing orders. Long-term demand for electrification continues to increase, and the fundamentals of our business remain excellent. Therefore, we are continuing to invest and ramping up production capacity to meet future demand, and our new factory in Malaysia will start production in early 2024." Andrea Borla, Chief Financial Officer, remarked: "EBIT increased by 34.3% to CHF 26.2 million, which confirms the successful first quarter. Our lower bookings are a result of normalization of ordering patterns back to pre-pandemic levels, and they also reflect slowing markets, especially in China. We remain vigilant about possible market volatility in the coming quarters, while we continue to benefit from risk spread across businesses and regions." Performance by businesses in CHF millions Q1 2023/24 Q1 2022/23 Change Businesses Scope Automation drives, robots, tooling machines, elevators, HVAC 34.3 30.5 +12.5% Automotive battery (EV & CE), motor control, onboard charging 27.4 21.8 +25.7% Renewable Energy solar, wind 21.0 15.4 +36.2% Energy Distribution & High Precision charging stations, smart grid, energy storage, high precision 15.6 13.8 +12.6% Track trains, metro, trackside 14.2 9.3 +52.8% Total 112.3 90.7 +23.8%

Automation Our products for motor drives in manufacturing equipment, tooling machines, robotics, and conveyor belts, experienced good sales growth. Automotive Sales in our most important market, China, reduced slightly due to supply chain constraints preceding Q1. This was balanced out by strong sales in Korea and EMEA. We are increasing our production capacity at our Bulgaria site, which was accredited for Automotive production by IATF. Renewable Energy We had very good demand, with China as the major market for our solar products. There was also considerable demand coming from Europe. The prospects for Renewable Energy remain promising, as the global trend of decarbonization continues to drive long-term growth. Energy Distribution & High Precision We increased sales of our DC meter for EV charging stations, with Europe and the US contributing to major growth. Demand for our energy grid solutions remained strong, while our High Precision solutions for test benches and MRI scanners continued to develop well. Track Our traction business, with its project-based long investment horizons, grew due to extra demand coming from the EU, which is renewing energy meters for locomotives in various countries. Performance by regions in CHF millions Q1 2023/24 Q1 2022/23 Change Regions Scope China 39.8 37.6 +5.9% Rest-of-Asia Japan, South Korea, India, Southeast Asia 20.5 15.1 +35.8% EMEA Europe, Middle East & Africa 39.4 28.0 +41.0% Americas NAFTA & Latin America 12.6 10.1 +25.3% Total 112.3 90.7 +23.8%

China Sales increased despite a competitive market with many new players and sluggish economic growth. Demand for electric vehicles and solar combined with energy storage slowed considerably. The Automation business was relatively flat. Rest-of-Asia In South Korea, we sold more sensors for EV and hybrid cars, while business in Japan stood out with strong sales in Automation and High Precision. In India, we were finally able to deliver many orders for our Track clients, and the comparatively smaller Automotive business continued to grow. EMEA Traction performed very well, supported by investments across the value chain. Our metering solutions were in high demand, backed by investments in the ramp-up of charging infrastructure. Automotive and Automation performance was solid. Americas Automation continues to show high demand for sensors for processing lines. In Automotive, we gained from new designs in motor control for EV platforms, while battery management solutions retained a strong position. Improved profitability Gross profit was up by 19.6% at CHF 51.8 million (CHF 43.3 million), while the gross profit margin decreased slightly to 46.1%. SG&A costs were up by 12.8% to CHF 17.3 million (CHF 15.3 million) and accounted for 15.4% of sales (16.9%). This increase reflects our digitalization projects and recruitment of additional talent. R&D was down in absolute terms by 2.1% to CHF 8.3 million (CHF 8.5 million), or down at 7.4% of sales (9.4%). EBIT improved by 34.3% to CHF 26.2 million from CHF 19.5 million, primarily due to the increase in revenue. Our EBIT margin was up, at 23.3% compared with 21.5% last year. The negative impact of foreign exchange translations was CHF 1.2 million, compared to CHF 1.0 million last year, primarily due to CHF appreciation. Group tax expenses of CHF 3.9 million represent a tax rate of 16.1%. Net profit increased to CHF 20.5 million, while the net profit margin grew to 18.3% compared with 16.2% last year. Financial calendar The financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March 10 November 2023 Half year results 2023/24 2 February 2024 9 months results 2023/24 28 May 2024 Full year results 2023/24 27 June 2024 Annual General Meeting for the financial year 2023/24 2 July 2024 Dividend ex-date 4 July 2024 Dividend payment date



LEM - Life Energy Motion A leading company in electrical measurement, LEM engineers the best solutions for energy and mobility, ensuring that our customers' systems are optimized, reliable and safe. Our 1,700 people in 17 countries transform technology potential into powerful answers. We develop and recruit the best global talent, working at the forefront of megatrends such as renewable energy, mobility, automation, and digitization. With innovative electrical solutions, we are helping our customers and society accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1986, the company's ticker symbol is LEHN. www.lem.com Contact: Investment community Andrea Borla, Chief Finance Officer Phone: +41 22 706 1250 Email: investor@lem.com Contact: Media Cabinet Prive de Conseils s.a. (CPC) Michael Fuglister: fuglister@cpc-pr.com , mobile: +41 78 839 07 62 Etienne Vioget: vioget@cpc-pr.com , mobile: +41 79 560 54 83



Appendix ATTACHMENTS: Press Release (pdf): LEM Q1 Results 2023/24 If you do not wish to receive further media releases from LEM, you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the following link: One-click-delete If the email looks unformatted, please use this alternative link .

End of Inside Information
Galderma:

Galderma maintained strong momentum across all product categories reaching 2,003 M USD net sales in H1 2023, up 6.9% year-on-year on a constant currency basis

Growth primarily driven by Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology; Injectable Aesthetics continued to grow driven by double-digit performance in both Neuromodulators and Biostimulators despite softening in the Filler market and a high comparative base for the product category in 2022 following a post-COVID rebound

Delivered significant Core EBITDA margin expansion in H1 2023, with a Core EBITDA of 450 M USD and margin of 22.5% compared to 21.0% for full year 2022

On track to deliver on 2023 full-year revenue and profitability guidance of 6-9% constant currency net sales growth and 200-300 bps Core EBITDA margin expansion versus 2022

Showcased best-in-class innovation capabilities across its leading dermatology portfolio, including positive phase III data for nemolizumab in adult patients with prurigo nodularis, along with FDA approvals and major launches in Injectable Aesthetics and Dermatological Skincare

Private placement of over 1 B USD raised for newly issued shares, with proceeds used to strengthen the balance sheet and further accelerate Galderma's organic growth momentum

"Galderma sustained its growth momentum in the first half of 2023 driven by a laser focus on commercial execution and by premium positioning in attractive, high-growth markets. Galderma continues to demonstrate its commitment to bringing science-based, premium products to consumers, patients, and healthcare professionals, with new FDA approvals and new product launches in the first half of 2023.We also shared further positive data that underscores the strength of our differentiated innovation pipeline. I am delighted to see our unique, integrated dermatology strategy go from strength to strength, as we continue to deliver on our ambition to become the leader in dermatology." FLEMMING RNSKOV, M.D., MPH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Positive commercial and financial momentum

In the first half of 2023, Galderma reached the 2 B USD net sales mark for the period for the first time and delivered the majority of Core EBITDA margin expansion planned by year end, with Core EBITDA of 450 M USD and a 22.5% margin, representing a 10.5% constant currency growth compared to the first half of 2022 and a margin increase of 150 bps versus the full year 2022. The robust Core EBITDA growth was driven by sales growth, including contribution from pricing actions and positive brand mix evolution, savings from the end-to-end transformation program and cost discipline.

With its broad portfolio of leading brands and services, fueled by science-based innovation and focused commercial execution, Galderma is well positioned in a growing dermatology market. Despite the uncertain macroeconomic environment, consumer demand for premium products remained resilient.

After record growth in 2022, following a strong rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, net sales for the first half of the year were up 6.9% year-on-year on a constant currency basis, ahead of expectations.

Injectable Aesthetics delivered single-digit constant currency growth over the period, from a high comparative base in 2022. While Galderma gained market share across its Injectable Aesthetic portfolio, Neuromodulators and Biostimulators stood out with double-digit constant currency growth for the period. Overall category growth was subdued by the return to typical seasonality following the high 2022 rebound post the COVID-19 crisis, as well as softening in demand for Fillers in some key markets.

Dermatological Skincare continued its growth trajectory, highlighted by the double-digit growth of Cetaphil in the International region 1 and the growth of Alastin Skincare , including the recent expansion into Mexico.

in the International region and the growth of Alastin Skincare , including the recent expansion into Mexico. Therapeutic Dermatology returned to growth following the 2022 loss of exclusivity events in the U.S. Growth was driven by successful yield improvement measures in the U.S. for key brands such as Oracea, Aklief and Soolantra, as well as continued robust performance in International.

Growth for the period benefited from brand mix evolution and price increases across geographies, as a result of Galderma's differentiated portfolio of premium brands and services and ongoing launches of science-based innovations with meaningful consumer benefits.

From a geographical perspective, net sales growth was primarily driven by Galderma's larger region, International. There was particularly strong momentum with double-digit growth in fast-growing markets such as China, India and Mexico.

Galderma confirms guidance for the full year, expecting to deliver 6-9% net sales growth on a constant currency basis and 200-300 bps Core EBITDA margin expansion (versus 2022). The margin expansion guidance incorporates significant Core EBITDA generation which is planned to be partially reinvested into nemolizumab costs ahead of its future launch, following positive phase III results in prurigo nodularis and atopic dermatitis.

Earlier in 2023, Galderma raised over 1 B USD for newly issued shares in a private placement round. The investment came from a group consisting of current shareholders, new investors, as well as management, highlighting their confidence in Galderma's track-record and growth potential. The proceeds of the private placement are being used to strengthen the Company's balance sheet and to further accelerate its organic growth momentum fueled by its unique integrated dermatology strategy.

Continued pipeline progress and launch of innovative products and tools

In the first half of 2023, Galderma continued to advance innovation, with significant launches and positive data presentations across its leading dermatology portfolio.

Therapeutic Dermatology

Nemolizumab: prurigo nodularis update

Galderma premiered positive data from the phase III OLYMPIA 2 trial at the 2023 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, showing that nemolizumab monotherapy met all primary and key secondary endpoints and demonstrated significant improvements on itch, skin clearance and sleep disturbance in adult patients with prurigo nodularis. Results showed that:

56 percent of nemolizumab-treated patients achieved a response in itch intensity, as defined by an at least 4-point improvement in peak-pruritus numerical rating scale (PP-NRS) score, compared to 21 percent in the placebo group (p<0.0001) 2

38 percent of nemolizumab-treated patients reached treatment success in skin lesions, as defined by an investigator's global assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1, compared to 11 percent in the placebo group (p<0.0001)2

In addition, the latest data from the OLYMPIA 2 trial presented at the World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) showcased the rapid onset of action of nemolizumab monotherapy in adult patients with prurigo nodularis. Results showed that:

19.7 percent of patients treated with nemolizumab achieved an itch-free state as early as week 4 after only one dose of nemolizumab3

Aklief

Galderma presented data from the START study, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled split-face study, evaluating the efficacy and safety of trifarotene cream for preventing the risk of atrophic acne scar formation. Topline results demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in total atrophic acne scar count with trifarotene cream vs. vehicle treatment as early as week two, with a progressive and statistically significant difference up to week 24, and a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) success.4

Injectable Aesthetics

Sculptra

Galderma received approval from the FDA for Sculptra for the correction of fine lines and wrinkles in the cheek area. Sculptra is the first and original FDA-approved PLLA collagen stimulator that, when injected into the cheek area, helps stimulate natural collagen production to smooth wrinkles and improve skin quality such as firmness and glow, with results lasting up to two years.

Restylane

Galderma received FDA approval for its newest hyaluronic acid filler, Restylane Eyelight for the treatment of undereye hollows, also known as dark shadows, in adults over the age of 21. It is the first and only product in the U.S. formulated with NASHA Technology for volume loss under the eyes, giving patients natural-looking results.

In addition, Galderma launched a new indication of Restylane Defyne, for the treatment of chin retrusion, in China. This is the first approval for a hyaluronic acid injectable for this indication in the Chinese market.

Dermatological Skincare

Cetaphil

Galderma continues to roll out product innovation across its leading dermatologist-recommended brand for sensitive skin, Cetaphil. The latest innovation, Cetaphil Healthy Renew, was launched in Brazil in the first half of the year.

To support users with sensitive skin, Cetaphil unveiled a digital AI skin analysis tool. The comprehensive skin analyzer offers personalized skin assessment scores and skincare regimen recommendations in seconds.

In line with its commitment to supporting consumers with sensitive skin through its ongoing innovation, Galderma's Sensitive Skincare Faculty, in collaboration with the George Washington University hosted a dedicated symposium at WCD. It detailed the most extensive profiling of sensitive skin ever done, in 10,000 people across five continents.

Alastin Skincare

Galderma launched Alastin Skincare ReSURFACETM Skin Polish as the newest product addition to the Alastin Skincare collection of scientifically formulated and clinically tested products. ReSURFACE Skin Polish is designed to sweep away dead skin cells and impurities for instantly smoother and visibly brighter skin and delivers the power of dual-action exfoliation through volcanic minerals and glycolic acid (AHA) in a non-irritating, hydrating formula. It has been clinically proven to help improve tactile roughness and skin dullness within one week of use.

Notes and references:

1. Galderma reports revenue by two geographies: U.S. and International

2. Kwatra S. Late breaking abstract presented at the 2023 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

3. Stander S, et al. Late breaking abstract presented at WCD 2023

4. Galderma. START Topline results. Presented at WCD 2023

About Galderma

Galderma is the emerging pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market though Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body's largest organ the skin meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. Galderma's portfolio of flagship brands includes Restylane, Dysport, Azzalure, Alluzience and Sculptra in Injectable Aesthetics; Soolantra, Epiduo, Differin, Aklief, Epsolay, Twyneo, Oracea, Metvix, Benzac and Loceryl in Therapeutic Dermatology; and Cetaphil and Alastin Skincare in Dermatological Skincare. For more information: www.galderma.com.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including 2023 financial targets. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as "plans", "targets", "aims", believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "will", "may", "continues", "should" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect, at the time, Galderma's beliefs, intentions and current targets/aims concerning, among other things, Galderma's results of operations, financial condition, industry, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies and are subject to change. The estimated financial information is based on management's current expectations and is subject to change. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial consequences of the plans and events described herein. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors (including, but not limited to, future global economic conditions, changed market conditions, intense competition in the markets in which Galderma operates, costs of compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards, diverse political, legal, economic and other conditions affecting the Galderma's markets, and other factors beyond the control of Galderma). Neither Galderma nor its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, advisors, or any other person is under any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak of the date of this announcement. Statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or events should not be taken as a representation that such trends or events will continue in the future. Some of the information presented herein is based on statements by third parties, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, the fairness, reasonableness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of this information or any other information or opinions contained herein, for any purpose whatsoever.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726691984/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

Christian Marcoux, M.Sc.

Chief Communications Officer

christian.marcoux@galderma.com

+41 76 315 26 50

Sebastien Cros

Corporate Communications Director

sebastien.cros@galderma.com

+41 79 529 59 85

Emil Ivanov

Head of Strategy, Investor Relations, and ESG

emil.ivanov@galderma.com

+41 21 642 78 12

Jessica Cohen

Investor Relations and Strategy Director

jessica.cohen@galderma.com

+41 21 642 76 43
Former Comecer exec succeeds current Chief Executive Officer and founder Massimo Bocchi to lead the next phase of commercial expansion

BOLOGNA, Italy, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CellPly, the pioneer in multiparametric single-cell analysis and automated potency testing for cell therapy, today announced the appointment of Emiliano Spagnolo to the role of CEO, starting from July 14, 2023. Spagnolo joins CellPly after 15 years at Comecer Group, a company commercializing automated solutions for pharmaceutical products manufacturing, including Advanced Therapeutics Medicinal Products (ATMP), where he drove above-market growth for multiple business lines. Spagnolo succeeds current CellPly CEO and founder Massimo Bocchi, who will be moving into a Chief Strategy Officer role with the company.

"Having spent the last 15 years growing the Comecer Group from a family-owned company to a multinational group, I'm excited by the tremendous potential in CellPly capabilities and the VivaCyte Platform to accelerate our understanding of cancer and to enable novel cell and gene therapy development with biopharma partners," said Emiliano Spagnolo, CEO of CellPly.

"The 9 years I spent leading CellPly have been an incredible journey, I am thankful to the investors who believed in our initial idea leaving me the opportunity to guide an extraordinary team in making this idea an actual product," said Massimo Bocchi, Cellply founder and Chief Strategy Officer. "Emiliano shares our vision about the opportunity to revolutionize the development of cell therapies and immunotherapies by characterizing the immune system function at the single-cell level. He also recognizes the uniqueness of the world-class technical team that throughout the years developed a game-changer technology with passion, motivated by the ambition to support the development of life-saving therapies. Emiliano will bring Cellply to the next level by combining this technical expertise with the commercial and operational growth that the company needs to be a key player in a global market," added Bocchi.

Before joining CellPly, Spagnolo led the commercial organization at Comecer and the opening of subsidiaries in India, China, Emirates and USA. He also led the transition of Comecer into ATS Automation Group having the opportunity to be part of strategic teams managing M&A operations and company integrations.

"We are excited to get Emiliano on board with us," said Alessia Zanelli, Chair of the Board at CellPly. "We are all looking forward for extraordinary results during the coming years of Cellply thanks to his experience together with the rest of the entire team at Cellply," added Zanelli.

About Cellply

CellPly is a life-science company developing analytical tools aiming at unraveling the complexity of the immune system and enabling rapid and effective development of next-generation immunotherapies and cell-based therapies. Our unique solution combines a proprietary microfluidic technology to capture functional and phenotypic information from thousands of single cells, with the highly automated VivaCyte analytical instrument, integrating robotic solutions and AI for image analysis. Our goal is to make in-depth analysis applicable across the therapy development cycle, from discovery, to process development and quality control.

Contacts

press@cellply.com

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cellply

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Paris, France:27 July 2023

Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY), a global specialty-care biopharmaceutical company, presents today its financial results for the first half of 2023.

H1 2023 total sales up by 7.4% at CER1 (7.2% as reported), with growth-platforms'2 sales increasing by 17.7%1 and a strong contribution from newly acquired medicines, Bylvay (odevixibat) and Tazverik (tazemetostat). Somatuline (lanreotide) sales, now comprising around a third of the total, fell by 12.0%1

H1 2023 core operating margin of 34.0%, a decline of 5.6% points, driven by investment in the pipeline, mainly from Bylvay and Tazverik. IFRS operating margin of 19.2%, down by 15.7% points, including the integration costs and amortization of intangible assets from Albireo and Epizyme

Acquisition of Albireo accompanied by several favorable developments in the pipeline, including Onivyde (irinotecan), Bylvay, palovarotene and elafibranor

Upgraded 2023 financial guidance: total-sales growth greater than 6.0% at CER1 (prior guidance: greater than 4.0% at CER1); core operating margin greater than 30.0% of total sales (prior guidance: around 30%)

Extract of consolidated results for H1 2023 and H1 20223:





H1 2023 H1 2022 % change m m Actual CER1 Total Sales 1,536.6 1,433.7 7.2% 7.4% Core Operating Income 523.2 568.0 -7.9% Core operating margin 34.0% 39.6% -5.6% pts Core Consolidated Net Profit 393.0 420.5 -6.5% Core earnings per share (fully diluted) 4.73 5.06 -6.6% IFRS Operating Income 295.6 501.3 -41.0% IFRS operating margin 19.2% 35.0% -15.7% IFRS Consolidated Net Profit 195.1 394.3 -50.5% IFRS earnings per share (fully diluted) 2.35 4.74 -50.5% Free Cash Flow 371.5 339.0 9.6% Closing net cash/(debt)4 (272.2) 168.2 n/a





David Loew, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"The successful delivery on our strategic roadmap is yielding more top-line growth, advancements in the pipeline and further positive developments from external innovation. Improving execution supported another strong performance from our growth platforms in Oncology and Neuroscience in the first half of the year, while I was particularly pleased with the Rare Disease progress of the pipeline, including another regulatory approval for Bylvay in the U.S., positive clinical-trial results for elafibranor and a favorable regulatory step for palovarotene in the U.S. These developments have the potential to significantly benefit patients across a range of indications.

The performance in the first half of the year is reflected in today's upgrade to our full-year guidance. We look forward to more milestones and further expansion of the pipeline over time through additional external-innovation transactions. I am confident, as we continue to deliver more medicines to patients, in ensuring the sustainable growth of Ipsen."

Full-year 2023 guidance

Ipsen has upgraded its financial guidance for FY 2023:

Total-sales growth greater than 6.0%, at constant currency (prior guidance: greater than 4.0% at constant currency). Based on the average level of exchange rates in June 2023, an adverse impact on total sales of around 3% from currencies is expected





Core operating margin greater than 30.0% of total sales, excluding any potential impact of incremental investments from future external-innovation transactions (prior guidance: around 30%)

Pipeline update

Several announcements regarding Ipsen's pipeline were published in June 2023:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted its supplemental New Drug Application for Onivyde plus 5 fluorouracil/leucovorin and oxaliplatin (the NALIRIFOX regimen) as a potential first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date is

13 February 2024





13 February 2024 The U.S. FDA approved Bylvay for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in patients from 12 months of age with Alagille syndrome (ALGS). In July 2023, the European Medicine Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion recommending the approval of Bylvay for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in patients with ALGS aged six months or older. The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), a scientific committee of the EMA, concurrently issued a negative opinion for the maintenance of Bylvay's orphan drug designation in ALGS. This latter opinion prevents the retention of orphan-drug status in Bylvay's marketing authorization in ALGS and might delay a final European Commission decision. Ipsen plans to submit an appeal in respect of the COMP opinion





The U.S. FDA Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted in favor of investigational palovarotene as an effective treatment, with a positive risk-benefit profile, for people living with the ultra-rare bone disease, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). The PDUFA goal date is 16 August 2023. In May 2023, the CHMP confirmed the negative opinion on palovarotene as a potential treatment for FOP, and it was therefore not subsequently approved by the European Commission





Positive top-line data from the pivotal ELATIVE Phase III trial were published. In the trial, the efficacy and safety of elafibranor was assessed for the treatment of patients with the rare cholestatic liver disease, primary biliary cholangitis, who have an inadequate response or intolerance to the current standard of care therapy, ursodeoxycholic acid. The trial met its primary endpoint, and full trial data will be presented at a future scientific congress

Update on Galderma partnership

In July 2023, Ipsen notified Galderma of the termination of the July 2014 R&D collaboration related to the parties' respective neurotoxin programs.

Ipsen will retain all rights and obligations related to its early-stage R&D neurotoxin pipeline, including the development of IPN10200 (longer-acting neurotoxin). This decision does not impact the two ICC arbitrations initiated by Galderma. Ipsen intends to fully defend and vindicate its rights against Galderma's allegations.

Consolidated financial statements

The Board of Directors approved the condensed consolidated financial statements on 26 July 2023. The Company's auditors performed a limited review of the H1 2023 condensed consolidated financial statements. The interim financial report, with regards to the regulated information, will be available on ipsen.com in due course, under the Reports and Accounts tab in the Investor Relations section.

Conference call

A conference call and webcast for investors and analysts will begin today at 2pm, Paris time. Participants can access the call and its details by registering here ; webcast details can be found here .

Calendar

Ipsen intends to publish its year-to-date and third-quarter sales update on 26 October 2023. The Company also anticipates hosting a capital-markets event on 7 December 2023 in London. It will be webcast live and details will be available in due course.

Notes

All financial figures are in  millions (m). The performance shown in this announcement covers the six-month period to 30 June 2023 (H1 2023) and the three-month period to 30 June 2023 (Q2 2023), compared to six-month period to 30 June 2022 (H1 2022) and the three-month period to 30 June 2022 (Q2 2022), respectively, unless stated otherwise. Commentary is based on the performance in H1 2023, unless stated otherwise. The performance of the Consumer HealthCare (CHC) business, divested in July 2022, has been excluded from all commentary and comparisons to prior performance.

Ipsen

Ipsen is a global, mid-sized biopharmaceutical company focused on transformative medicines in Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. With total sales of 3.0bn in FY 2022, Ipsen sells medicines in over 100 countries. Alongside its external-innovation strategy, the Company's research and development efforts are focused on its innovative and differentiated technological platforms located in the heart of leading biotechnological and life-science hubs: Paris-Saclay, France; Oxford, U.K.; Cambridge, U.S.; Shanghai, China. Ipsen has around 5,300 colleagues worldwide and is listed in Paris .

Contacts

Investors Craig Marks

Vice President, Investor Relations

+44 7584 349 193



Nicolas Bogler

Senior Investor Relations Manager

+33 6 52 19 98 92 Media Amy Wolf

Vice President and Head of Corporate Brand Strategy and Communications

+41 79 576 07 23 Ioana Piscociu

Senior Manager, Global Media Relations

+33 6 69 09 12 96



1At constant exchange rates (CER), which exclude any foreign-exchange impact by recalculating the performance for the relevant period by applying the exchange rates used for the prior period.

2Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), Decapeptyl (triptorelin), Cabometyx (cabozantinib) and Onivyde.

3Extract of consolidated results. The Company's auditors performed a limited review of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4Net cash/(debt) excluding contingent liabilities (earnouts and CVR), previously part of the net cash/(debt) definition.

Attachment
SK Capital to support Ecopol's rapid growth as the Company expands its production footprint into the U.S. to best serve its global customer base and leverages its innovative sustainable film capabilities to enter new markets

Ecopol S.p.A. ("Ecopol" or the "Company"), a leading developer and producer of innovative biodegradable films, announced today the signing of a strategic investment from affiliates of SK Capital Partners, LP ("SK Capital"), a leading private investment firm focused on the specialty materials, ingredients, and life sciences sectors. SK Capital is acquiring a majority interest in the Company with Mauro Carbone, Ecopol's CEO and controlling shareholder, retaining a significant stake and remaining as both the CEO and largest individual shareholder. Existing minority investor Tikehau Capital, a global alternative asset manager, will also retain a minority stake.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726492596/en/

Headquartered in Chiesina Uzzanese, Italy, with state-of-the-art production facilities in Italy and the United States, Ecopol is a leading global provider of water-soluble and biodegradable films and delivery systems, primarily serving the fast-growing unit dose household detergent market for both automatic dishwashing and laundry applications, as well as specialty engineered stone and construction markets. Ecopol's mission is to create sustainable delivery systems that help safeguard the planet for future generations. The Company's rapid growth in recent years is expected to accelerate due to strong demand for its innovative films, which enable the world's leading consumer goods companies to offer more convenient home detergent products to consumers while significantly reducing carbon emissions, plastic packaging, and water usage across their supply chains. Ecopol has invested over 70 million since 2019 to add new capacity and capabilities, including the largest solution cast polyvinyl alcohol ("PVOH") film line in the world to serve laundry applications and a new production facility in Griffin, Georgia (USA) to better serve its global customer base.

"SK Capital is the perfect partner for Ecopol given its differentiated industry expertise, strong experience in the North American market and track record of successful partnerships with entrepreneur-led businesses," said Ecopol CEO Mauro Carbone. "Our organisations share the same core values and commitment to a more sustainable future that have defined Ecopol's success to date. Ecopol is grateful to Tikehau Capital for their support as we have expanded meaningfully and invested to support rapid growth alongside our valued customers. As we embark on our next chapter and continue to invest in innovation and capacity, we are fully aligned with SK Capital in our strategic vision to build Ecopol into the leading global provider of biodegradable film solutions."

"We are incredibly privileged to be partnering with Mauro to support the next phase of Ecopol's extraordinary growth," said Stephen D'Incelli, Managing Director at SK Capital. "Mauro has built an exceptional business with a reputation for strong customer service and delivering technology-driven, sustainable solutions, which aligns with our strategy of investing in companies where sustainability is a true competitive differentiator. His vision to invest in solution cast film technology for laundry applications and a new plant in the U.S. provides Ecopol with meaningful runway for growth, and we intend to support Mauro and invest in the Company as it scales as a critical supplier to its global customer base."

Daniele Ferrari, Senior Director at SK Capital added, "We see tremendous opportunity for Ecopol to expand within its existing end-markets and leverage its core competencies in biodegradable films to enter new applications, which will experience significant tailwinds as brand owners and consumers seek more sustainable solutions."

"Since meeting Mauro in 2020, he has continued to execute his vision and growth plan for Ecopol beyond our expectations," added Roberto Quagliuolo and Luca Bucelli, Head of Private Equity Italy and Co-Head of Italy, respectively, at Tikehau Capital. "Mauro has laid the foundation for the next chapter of Ecopol's journey and with its new partner SK Capital, we expect Ecopol to accelerate its expansion. We look forward to continuing to support the business as an ongoing minority shareholder."

Latham Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to SK Capital. Lead arrangers Credit Agricole Italia S.p.A. and Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A are providing committed financing in support of the transaction. Legance and Alpeggiani Studio Legale Associato served as legal counsel and STS Deloitte served as tax advisor to Ecopol. UBS served as financial advisor.

Closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary regulatory conditions and approvals.

About Ecopol

Ecopol is a leading global producer of water-soluble and biodegradable films. The Company's innovative delivery systems for unit-dose applications allow the world's leading brands to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and the usage of water and virgin plastic throughout their supply chains. Headquartered in Chiesina Uzzanese, Tuscany, Ecopol operates production campuses in Italy and the United States, providing the highest levels of service, technical support and innovation partnership to its worldwide customer base. For more information, please visit www.ecopol.com.

About SK Capital

SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, ingredients and life sciences sectors. The firm seeks to build resilient, sustainable and growing businesses that create substantial long-term economic value. SK Capital aims to utilize its industry, operating and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth and profitability, as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital's portfolio of businesses generates revenues of approximately $18 billion annually, employs more than 20,000 people globally, and operates more than 200 plants in over 30 countries. The firm currently has approximately $7.8 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com.

About Tikehau Capital

Tikehau Capital is a global alternative asset management group with 39.7 billion of assets under management (at 31 March 2023). Tikehau Capital has developed a wide range of expertise across four asset classes (private debt, real assets, private equity and capital markets strategies) as well as multi-asset and special opportunities strategies. Leveraging its strong equity base (3.1 billion of shareholders' equity at 31 December 2022), the firm invests its own capital alongside its investor-clients within each of its strategies. Controlled by its managers alongside leading institutional partners, Tikehau Capital is guided by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and DNA, shared by its 742 employees (at 31 December 2022) across its 15 offices in Europe, the Middle East Asia and North America. Tikehau Capital is listed in compartment A of the regulated Euronext Paris market (ISIN code: FR0013230612; Ticker: TKO.FP). For more information, please visit www.tikehaucapital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726492596/en/

Contacts:

Stephen Fishleigh

BackBay Communications London

stephen.fishleigh@backbaycommunications.com

+44 203 475 7552

Jeremy Milner

BackBay Communications Boston

jeremy.milner@backbaycommunications.com

(401) 862-9422
HEIDELBERG, Germany, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NEC Laboratories Europe and NEC Laboratories America have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) model called Attentive Variational Information Bottleneck (AVIB), which advances the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines. AVIB builds on previous discoveries to predict the binding between different proteins and molecules, which is a crucial part in the human immune system's ability to recognize and fight cancer. More specifically, it allows biotechnologists to predict the binding between T-cell receptors and antigens presented on the surface of cancer cells.

NEC's immune profiling technology, NEC Immune Profiler, and NEC Neoantigen Prediction System use bioinformatics and machine learning to analyze the DNA and RNA of cancer patients to identify neoantigens originating from cancer mutations. Neoantigens can be used to develop personalized therapeutic cancer vaccines that teach the patient's immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells. However, not all neoantigens that are presented on the surface of cancer cells have the same probability of binding to T-cell receptors that trigger the immune response needed to destroy cancer cells.

Dr. Pierre Machart, Senior Research Scientist at NEC Laboratories Europe, explains: "Almost any neoantigen arising from cancer mutations has some potential to elicit an immune response and be used in the design of an immunotherapy cancer vaccine. But identifying the neoantigens that are most effective can be extremely challenging."

Given that T-cell receptors vary greatly, testing which neoantigens are recognized by T-cell receptors is an even more challenging problem. Dr. Anja Moesch, Research Scientist at NEC Laboratories Europe, said: "When it comes to cancer, it is essential to intervene as quickly as possible. Until recently, biotech companies would usually develop immunotherapies by testing in a wet lab which neoantigens are presented on the surface of a patient's cancer cells and if they could be recognized by the patient's T-cells." Machine learning approaches have helped automate this two-step process, but there are still large gaps in the capabilities of machine learning that prevent effective vaccines from being quickly created. Continues Moesch, "AVIB can help to close this gap, allowing biotechnologists to significantly reduce the time needed to develop personalized cancer immunotherapy."

Recent advances in immunotherapy have, in part, been driven by machine learning methods that can predict the presentation of neoantigens on the surface of cancer cells. However, progress slowed because machine learning models are unable to predict reliably what T-cell receptors would recognize neoantigens. That is due to the limited amount of publicly available training data for machine learning models and the high complexity of molecules that need to be analyzed.

AVIB represents a first step towards predicting the likelihood that T-cell receptors will recognize neoantigens on the surface of cancer cells. For cancer immunotherapy, this allows biotechnologists to better rank the most effective vaccine elements by considering the presentation of neoantigens on a patient's cancer cells and their binding with T-cells. Dr. Martin Renqiang Min, Department Head of Machine Learning at NEC Laboratories America, said: "By using AVIB, we can improve the ranking of neoantigens which constitutes a therapeutic vaccine formula. We can do this not only based on whether they are presented on the surface of cancer cells, but also based on the predicted probability that they will be recognized by the patient's T-cells. This can greatly improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy."

AVIB's ability to predict whether T-cells will recognize neoantigens also opens the door for potential T-cell therapy - considered a major advancement in immunotherapy. Using this approach, T-cells can be directly engineered with T-cell receptors to bind with neoantigens on a patient's cancer cells, triggering their destruction.

About NEC Laboratories America

NEC Laboratories America, Inc. (NEC Labs) is the US-based center for NEC Corporation's global network of corporate research laboratories. Their diverse research groups collaborate with industry, academia and governments to provide disruptive solutions to complex problems. A leader in the integration of IT and network technologies with more than 100 years of expertise, NEC provides a combination of products and solutions that cross-utilize the company's experience and global resources to meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers.

For more information, visit https://www.nec-labs.com.

About NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH

NEC Laboratories Europe research and develop cutting-edge technology to create innovative social solutions. Located in Heidelberg, Germany, major research areas of NEC Laboratories Europe include artificial intelligence, blockchain security, 5G and 6G networks, and IoT platforms. These technologies promote NEC Group solutions for a better society in the fields of digital health, safer cities, public services and communication infrastructure.

For more information visit https://www.neclab.eu.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nec-laboratories-advances-therapeutic-cancer-vaccine-research-with-new-ai-model-attentive-variational-information-bottleneck-301886429.html
Industrial leader helps customers create leaner and higher performing automation machines with new, scalable drive solution.

BRUSSELS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, is pleased to launch, ArmorKinetix Distributed Servo Drives. This new distributed servo drive is an extension of the Kinetix 5700 platform and provides customers with a scalable drive solution that helps them deliver leaner, greener, and more powerful machine designs.

Manufacturers are increasingly seeking scalable solutions that simplify their machine control architectures, minimize the number of components, reduce manufacturing time, and optimize productivity.

ArmorKinetix Distributed Servo Drives enable customers to achieve these goals by providing a simplified architecture that mounts the servo solution outside of an electrical cabinet. As a result, machines can now be designed to be more modular while reducing cabinet size, cabling, and cooling requirements.

The smart servo drives also include vibration and thermal sensors that can detect potential machine issues, providing the ability to proactively identify and address problems and increase system uptime. This proactive approach is a catalyst for increased productivity.

"Rockwell Automation has worked closely with customers to align the ArmorKinetix Distributed Servo Drives with customer application needs," said Jon Vanderpas, product manager, Rockwell Automation. "This product is special because it not only provides industry-leading performance and precision to individual processes, but it also enables a more optimized way for people to design and operate automation equipment. This device is available in a wide power range that addresses the diverse needs of manufacturers across the industrial landscape," continued Vanderpas.

Companies now have a new opportunity to reduce the cost of manufacturing their machines, while increasing the scalability of their control architecture, improving energy efficiency, and creating more supportable machines. Key features of the ArmorKinetix Distributed Servo Drives include:

Best-in-class power density with minimal derating

Available as a distributed servo drive or as an integrated servo drive and motor

Power output up to 5.5KW

Advanced analytics using integrated vibration and thermal sensors

Integrated safety technology capable of achieving SIL 3

CIP Security capability

IP66 certification

This new distributed servo drive technology lowers total system costs, improves productivity and increases uptime for manufacturers, making it a desirable option to enabling the next generation of production machines.

To learn more about ArmorKinetix Distributed Servo Drives, please click here.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 28,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing The Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159973/ArmorKinetix_Distributed_Servo_Drives.jpg

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/rockwell-automation-reduces-material-and-labor-costs-with-new-armorkinetix-distributed-servo-drive-301883864.html
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Arrow Exploration Corp. (AIM: AXL) (TSXV: AXL) ("Arrow" or the "Company"), the high-growth operator with a portfolio of assets across key Colombian hydrocarbon basins, is pleased to announce that Mr. Ian Langley had accepted a position on the Board of Directors which will become effective on 1 August 2023.

Mr. Langley brings to the Board more than 35 years of experience as both an executive and director in various businesses in the UK and abroad. Mr. Langley attended the PACE Program at Manchester Business School and completed the Certificate and Diploma in Industrial Management courses at Wolverhampton University. Prior to this he completed a four-year engineering apprenticeship with British Rail Engineering Limited ("BREL"). From there Mr. Langley founded, ran and directed numerous private equity backed companies including Airswift, where Mr. Langley currently sits as the Chairman of the Board, and EPI Group where Mr. Langley sits as a non-Executive Chairman. Currently, Mr. Langley also sits as the non-Executive Director of the Berry Group and Boston Energy Ltd.

Mr. Langley has received industry recognition in these roles and won awards for his work including the BVCA Management Team of the Year, Sunday Times Fast Track, Top Track and Buyout. Track, EY EofY nominations and others.

Marshall Abbott, CEO of Arrow commented:

"From a business and finance perspective, Mr. Langley brings to Arrow both broad, practical experience with a variety of public and private companies, and an in-depth expertise in financial regulations and processes. He is highly respected in his field, and we look forward to working with him in meeting our corporate strategic goals."

Further information in relation to the Director appointment

Ian Michael Langley (aged 61) has confirmed that, other than the information disclosed below, there are no matters to be disclosed under Rule 17 and paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules.

As at the date of appointment, Ian Langley does not hold any Common Shares of Arrow.

Current Directorships

AIRSWIFT GLOBAL LIMITED (13357471) - Appointed June 2016

AIR ENERGI NEWCO LIMITED (09890678) - Appointed Jan 2016

AIRSWIFT HOLDINGS LIMITED (09913704) - Appointed Jan 2016

BERRY RECRUITMENT GROUP LTD. (09200786) - Appointed Sept 2014

EPI GLOBAL LTD (08938405) - Appointed June 2014

E P I LIMITED (04458520) - Appointed June 2014

EPI AMERICAS LTD (08966711) - Appointed June 2014

EPI GROUP HOLDINGS LTD (08960180) - Appointed June 2014

AIR ENERGI GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED (08166518) - Appointed Oct 2012

BERRY RECRUITMENT LIMITED (07036111) - Appointed Oct 2009

Previous Directorships

THE BLACK DRESS COMPANY (UK) LIMITED (03879220) - Mar 14 to July 2022 (Dissolved)

WOVEN RUGS LIMITED (09124470) - Mar 2015 to Jul 2021

POCKIT LIMITED (07157877) - May 2014 to Oct 2019

AIR RESOURCES LIMITED (01427732) - Oct 1991 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI INVESTMENTS LIMITED (06849405) - July 2009 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI GROUP INVESTMENTS LIMITED (08167461) - Oct 2012 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI HOLDINGS LIMITED (06849455) - Jul 2009 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI GROUP LIMITED (05509548) - Aug 2005 to Apr 2016

BELLEVUE RESOURCES LIMITED (03566040) - June 1998 to Apr 2016

MARCHFIELD HOLDINGS LIMITED (03353386) - Jul 1997 to Apr 2016

Mr. Ian Langley was a director of The Black Dress Company (UK) Limited from March 2014 to July 2022. The Black Dress Company (UK) Limited entered into a creditors' voluntary liquidation on 21 July 2020, with the Company subsequently dissolved on 29 July 2022. At the time of the dissolution the Statement of Affairs showed 574k of claims to unsecured creditors that were not paid, as well as 658k of outstanding creditors that had not filed claims / were not paid out.

There is no further information which is required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of Mr. Langley.

For further Information, contact:

Arrow Exploration



Marshall Abbott, CEO

+1 403 651 5995



Joe McFarlane, CFO

+1 403 818 1033



Brookline Public Relations, Inc.



Shauna MacDonald

+1 403 538 5645



Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker)



Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor

James Asensio

Gordon Hamilton



+44 (0)20 7523 8000



Auctus Advisors (Joint Broker)



Jonathan Wright

Rupert Holdsworth Hunt



+44 (0)7711 627449



Camarco (Financial PR)



Georgia Edmonds

Rebecca Waterworth

Billy Clegg



+44 (0)20 3781 8331

About Arrow Exploration Corp.

Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are underexploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Company's business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombia's most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. Arrow's 50% interest in the Tapir Block is contingent on the assignment by Ecopetrol SA of such interest to Arrow. Arrow's seasoned team is led by a hands-on executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and on TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AXL".

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "continue", "expect", "opportunity", "plan", "potential" and "will" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation, Arrow's evaluation of the impacts of COVID-19, the potential of Arrow's Colombian and/or Canadian assets (or any of them individually), the prices of oil and/or natural gas, and Arrow's business plan to expand oil and gas production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations, and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

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 RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175026
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Bambuser AB (STO:BUSER)(FRA:5JL) Bambuser reports Q2 2023 ARR of SEK 126 million, representing a year over year decline of 2% at constant exchange rates ("CER"). The Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow continues to improve. The cash balance closed at SEK 324 million, sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow.

The Adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 13%p. year over year. The free cash flow margin also improved by 47%p. year over year. The Company has taken further efficiency measures, resulting in annual cost savings of c. SEK 32 million with full effect expected in the third quarter.



Bambuser signed several new contracts with enterprise customers across all markets in the quarter, including Lego and KOSE. The Company further renewed and expanded several contracts, including John Lewis, Clarins, Macy's, and YOOX Net-a-Porter.



Q2 2023 Key highlights

Solid ARR traction with our biggest customers and continuous positive year over year momentum in profitability and cash flow.

ARR of SEK 126.0 million, -2% y/y at constant exchange rates ("CER").

Net Sales of SEK 49.0 million (49.7) with SaaS revenue growth of +5% y/y.

Adjusted EBITDA of SEK -32.8 million (-44.6), representing a -59% margin and a 13%p. margin improvement vs. Q2 2022

Free Cash Flow of SEK -26.0 million (-49.5), representing a -53% FCF margin and a 47%p. margin improvement vs. Q2 2022.

End of quarter Cash Balance of SEK 324.0 million (442.7), which is sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow.

The full Q2 2023 report is published at https://ir.bambuser.com/report-archive

About Bambuser

Bambuser is the world's leading Video Commerce company with the largest customer base in its industry. More than 350 brands from 40+ countries leverage Bambuser's best-in-class solutions.

Bambuser is truly global with headquarters in Stockholm and offices in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Turku. Our rapidly growing team speaks more than 30 languages and 62% of our senior management is female.

Founded in 2007 as a livestreaming pioneer, Bambuser pivoted to Live Shopping in 2019, leveraging our legacy as industry-leaders in video-first technology.

www.bambuser.com

Contact information

Corporate Communications, Bambuser AB

+46 8 400 160 00 | ir@bambuser.com

Certified Adviser

Erik Penser Bank AB

This information is information that Bambuser AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 2023-07-27 08:00 CEST.

Attachments

Q22023 InterimReport V03 FINAL

SOURCE: Bambuser AB

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770606/Bambuser-Continues-to-Report-Improvements-in-Profitability-and-Cash-Flow-in-Q2-2023
PARIS, France, July 27, 2023, 08:30 am CET - Pharnext SA (FR001400GUN7 - ALPHA) (the "Company"), an advanced late-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases with high unmet medical need, today announces an agreement with Bpifrance for a debt waiver of 7.95 million euros.

On February 24, 2023[1], the Company announced its decision to stop the development of its drug candidate PXT864 in Alzheimer's disease despite encouraging preclinical and clinical results, but remaining insufficient for commercial exploitation. Then the Company was unable to sign an agreement with an industrial partner to grant a license and continue the development of PXT864.

This Alzheimer's research program had been partly financed by Bpifrance (ex-OSEO) within the DIPPAL collaborative project[2], as a grant and a repayable advance. Repayment of this loan and payment of interest were based on commercialization of products resulting from the project (direct sales, licensing, development agreements) within 15 years of the last loan payment, i.e. by 2032.

Thanks to an amicable agreement with Bpifrance, which waived the amount of the loan received, and released the Company from all its obligations on the DIPPAL project, Pharnext's liabilities will be reduced by 7.95 million euros.

About Pharnext

Pharnext is an advanced clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases currently without satisfactory therapeutic solutions. Pharnext has a first-in-class drug candidate, PXT3003, in development for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), a rare, debilitating, inherited peripheral neuropathy. PXT3003 benefits from orphan drug status in Europe and the United States. In 2018, PXT3003 completed a Phase III clinical trial, the PLEO-CMT trial, with encouraging topline results. This trial was followed by an open-label extension study, the PLEO-CMT-FU trial, with 120 patients continuing treatment with PXT3003. Long-term data suggest a sustained benefit, safety, and efficacy, after 5 years of total trial time. An international pivotal Phase III study of PXT3003, the PREMIER trial, is currently ongoing with 387 CMT1A patients enrolled. PREMIER topline results are expected in Q4 2023. PXT3003 originated from the Pleotherapy R&D approach. Pharnext draws the attention of investors to the financial and other risk factors detailed in its financial reports. More information can be found at www.pharnext.com .

Pharnext is listed on the Euronext Growth Stock Exchange in Paris (ISIN code: FR001400GUN7).

Contacts

Financial Press Relations

ACTUS finance & communication

Deborah Schwartz

dschwartz@actus.fr

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 35 Investor Relations

ACTUS finance & communication

Jerome Fabreguettes Leib

pharnext@actus.fr

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 78

[1] Pharnext refocuses its clinical trial programs on PXT3003, its most promising drug candidate, to optimize financial resources allocation

[2] OSEO awards a 10.4 million funding package to Pharnext, Biosystems International, Bordeaux Hospital (CMRR), university Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2 and Inserm

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EQS-News: Marley Spoon Group SE / Key word(s): Quarter Results

MARLEY SPOON GROUP SE - Q2 2023 QUARTERLY RESULTS OF MARLEY SPOON SE



27.07.2023 / 09:15 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





MARLEY SPOON GROUP SE - Q2 2023 QUARTERLY RESULTS OF MARLEY SPOON SE

Berlin, 27 July 2023: Marley Spoon SE ("Marley Spoon" or the "Company" ASX: MMM), a subsidiary of Marley Spoon Group SE (trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "MS1") and leading global subscription-based meal kit provider for home cooking, released its quarterly results for the period ended 30 June 2023 through the Australian Securities Exchange. To review the released documents please follow this link:

https://ir.marleyspoon.com/investor-centre/?page=asx-announcements

Investors are invited to join a conference call on Thursday, 27 July 2023, at 9.30 am (CEST) / 5.30 pm (AEST) hosted by Marley Spoon Founder & CEO, Fabian Siegel, and CFO, Jennifer Bernstein, who will provide an update on the Company's performance.

To register for the call, please follow this link:

https://services.choruscall.it/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=2455267&linkSecurityString=3888f76cf

INVESTOR QUERIES:

ir@marleyspoon.com

Marley Spoon Group SE

9, rue de Bitbourg

L-1273 Luxembourg

END

About Marley Spoon Group SE

Marley Spoon Group SE, through its subsidiary Marley Spoon SE, is a global direct-to-consumer (DTC) meal-kit company. Our Vision is to "Build a better everyday, just for you, just right". We started Marley Spoon in 2014 to help our customers to cook for their families and deal with their busy lives. We also felt there should be a more sustainable way to cook at home, reducing food waste that traditional supermarket supply chains generate. Marley Spoon currently operates various brands in three regions: Australia, the United States, and Europe (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands). Our meal-kit brands, Marley Spoon, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, and Dinnerly, bring pre-portioned fresh ingredients with tasty and simple recipes and other eating solutions reliably to our customers every week. Our customers just decide what to eat, when to eat, and leave behind the hassle of grocery shopping. Chefgood is our direct-to-consumer ready-to-heat (RTH) service that o?ers premium-priced, high-quality, healthy, and nutritious RTH meals and eating solutions for our wellness and health-focused customers.

Marley Spoon's company culture is de?ned by autonomy, transparency and accountability. We are driven by our purpose, we are ambitious, and overall we believe in principles over policies. We are proud to have an international, diverse team with a balanced team-member gender ratio, and we continually strive to build the best team.

Disclaimer

This announcement constitutes neither an o?er to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are generally identi?able by the use of the words "may", "will", "should", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "project", "goal" or "target" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, forecasts, estimates, projections, opinions or plans that are inherently subject to signi?cant risks, as well as uncertainties and contingencies that are subject to change. No representation is made or will be made by Marley Spoon Group SE or any of their respective a?liates that any forward-looking statement will be achieved or will prove to be correct. The actual future business, ?nancial position, results of operations and prospects may di?er materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. Neither Marley Spoon Group SE nor any of their respective a?liates assume any obligation to update, and do not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any forward-looking statements or other information contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

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Tap to Pay on iPhone and the Viva Terminal iOS App allow contactless, instant payment acceptance for products, services and more, elevating the way transactions are made. The Viva Terminal App is suitable for any business, of any size, in any sector; from the hotel pool bar service to the shop-in-shop marketplace, to freelancers and sole proprietors, allowing customers to pay onsite or on the move. "Accepting payments has never been easier. All you need is your iPhone and the Viva Terminal App; a combination that delivers ultimate convenience, simplicity, and time-efficiency, maximizing business performance, and optimizing customer experience. We are excited that we can now offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to our UK business customers, enabling them to reach their full potential," notes Haris Karonis, Viva Wallet's Founder & CEO. Tap to Pay on iPhone enables Viva Wallet's customers to use a payment solution that is easy to set up and use. On an iPhone XS or later running the latest iOS version, merchants can download the Viva Terminal App on the Apple App Store to start using Tap to Pay on iPhone within minutes. At checkout, the merchant will simply prompt the customer to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Pay, their contactless credit or debit card, or other digital wallet near the merchant's iPhone, and the payment will be securely completed. The Viva Terminal App is compatible with any existing bank account, featuring, amongst others, advanced encryption and security protocols. Tap to Pay on iPhone uses the built-in features of iPhone to keep the businesses' and customers' data private and secure. When a payment is processed, Apple doesn't store card numbers on the device or on Apple servers.

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.
WBS, an event by Trescon, is gathering the region's leading voices in the web3 ecosystem as Asia puts down its marker as the home of blockchain and crypto. Join the countdown! Book your passes now for the most anticipated blockchain event of the year.

SINGAPORE, July 27, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - WBSSingapore, one of the world's longest running blockchain events, is back! Taking place on 2nd-3rd August, this eagerly awaited summit will be presented by Nordek, the driving force behind innovation in the industry. Nordek, a leading web3 payment and gaming solution ecosystem, is taking the industry by storm with its recent entry into the Singapore's leading crypto exchange, Coinstore.

With its association with one of the longest running blockchain event, World Blockchain Summit exhibits its commitment to the growth and rapid adoption of blockchain-based solutions. With its wide array of products, Nordek is playing a pivotal role in bringing web3 based payment platforms into the mainstream.

Sharath Ravi, CMO of Trescon, commented," We are excited to have Nordek be a part of the World Blockchain Summit in Singapore. Partnerships like this aligns with our objective to empower businesses with the transformative solutions of blockchain-based solutions. The World Blockchain Summit in Singapore is a showcase of the latest innovations and provides attendees with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and exceptional networking opportunities."

"We are thrilled to showcase NORDEK and its innovative features at the World Blockchain Summit Singapore 2023 and to launch some new products at the event," NORDEK's Raajessh Kashyap, CEO remarked. "Our vision is to build a blockchain ecosystem that is accessible and user-friendly for both businesses and consumers." NORDEK is well-positioned to accelerate the widespread adoption of web3 payments with its technology and comprehensive portfolio of services. WBS will give us the right platform and visibility to bring our innovations to masses."

The World Blockchain Summit has become a leading platform where top industry experts, web3 innovators and visionaries converge to deliberate over latest trends and technologies that are driving the transformative potential of the emerging technologies a step forward. World Blockchain Summit aims to drive collaboration and presents unlimited networking opportunities to its attendees.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of WBSSingapore, where cutting-edge ideas and game-changing solutions will take centre stage. Engage with leading experts, entrepreneurs, and industry pioneers who will shape the future of blockchain. Unveiling the latest trends and advancements in the field, this summit offers a platform for funding opportunities, expert guidance, and invaluable networking.

Register now to secure your spot at World Blockchain Summit Singapore. Last few discounted tickets are up for grabs, so act fast to ensure your presence at the most thought-provoking blockchain event of the year.

Key Topics Include:

What Web 3.0 means for enterprises

NFT Market Overview: Trends & Opportunities

Bridging DeFi and CeFi

Value Creation in the Metaverse

Looking into the Future of Web3

DAOs: A Business-Building Opportunity

Digital Asset Solutions for Business

Regulation of Crypto Assets

The Big Picture: Market Outlook for 2023

Experience an exclusive exhibition area showcasing ground-breaking projects, dedicated spaces for investors to explore potential deals, and unparalleled networking opportunities with industry icons and pioneers.

To book your passes and gain access to this extraordinary event, visit: https://bit.ly/WBSG-GAINACCESS

About World Blockchain Summit (WBS)

World Blockchain Summit (WBS), a part of Trescon, one of the world's fastest-growing organizers of emerging tech B2B events, demand gen services and more, is a web 3.0 focused events organizer. The management team has over 20 years of experience organizing successful conferences, expos, and summits. WBS works with web 3.0 industry leaders and innovators as advisors to ensure alignment with current market trends and needs.

About Nordek

Nordek is at the forefront of revolutionizing Web3 with its innovative payment and gaming solutions. Through its light speed-fast ecosystem, Nordek empowers consumers and businesses to embrace the potential of blockchain technology. Whether integrating solid codes or crafting tailor-made solutions, Nordek's optimized blockchain platform enables seamless payment and gaming experiences.

Get ready to mingle with our stellar partners:

Presenting Partner: NORDEK

Lead Sponsor: FIRDAOS

Gold Sponsor: PHOENIX, TELESIGN

Silver Sponsor: HUMBL, MILLIONERO, GPTCoin, FUTURECX

Bronze Sponsor: MIMO, ZOKSH

Pitch Partner: U2U FOUNDATION, FLOIN

Exhibitors: SINGAPORE BLOCKCHAIN INNOVATION PROGRAMME, MRMINT, ESPSOFTTECH

Association Partner: WOMEN IN BLOCKCHAIN ASIA

For inquiries, Contact: comms@worldblockchainsummit.com

Source: tresconCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.




TOKYO, July 27, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, "Hitachi") announced today that it has delivered a proton therapy system to HKSH Medical Group ("HKSH"), of which Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital is a member. The system has started treatment as of July 11, which marks the beginning of proton therapy treatment service in Hong Kong.This system, consisting of two rotating gantry treatment rooms, each equipped with spot scanning technology, is expected to become model case to display its capability to be installed in limited space of urban area with tis compact design configuration.For over a century, HKSH has been a leading private hospital in a city renowned for the quality of its healthcare. Consistently ranked among the best hospitals in Asia, HKSH has been a pioneer in various advanced medical technologies, nursing care, and patient-centric care, serving as a model of care in the Asia Pacific region.Hitachi's particle therapy systems can be found in leading hospitals around the world. With over 85,000 patients* treated to date, the systems have an excellent reputation for reliability. In addition to the proton therapy solution delivered to HKSH, Hitachi provides products and services with higher performance and added value, ranging from the heavy ion therapy system to the hybrid system combined with the capabilities of proton and carbon therapy.By promoting its healthcare business, Hitachi supports patient-friendly treatment and improvement of the quality of life (QoL) for cancer patients in Hong Kong and surrounding areas. It will continue to accelerate the globalization of its particle therapy system business and contribute to the further development of minimally invasive cancer treatments.*Statistics based on data up to December 2021 published on the PTCOG's website (https://ptcog.site/index.php/patient-statistics).Overview of Particle TherapyWebsite of Hitachi's Particle Therapy System: www.hitachi.com/businesses/healthcare/products-support/pbt/index.html.About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Experts Discuss the Implications of CBDCs on Personal Privacy and Individual Freedoms

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Christian Briggs, CEO of Hard Asset Management, Inc., and Congressman and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green from Tennessee, were key participants in a crucial live panel discussion, hosted by FreedomWorks in Washington, D.C., on June 26. The discussion centered on the potential risks and challenges posed by Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) as a modern surveillance system.

Watch the full one-hour recorded video from Washington, D.C.:

https://bmcham.com/pages/freedomworks-briggs

"It was an honor to share the stage with such distinguished experts, discussing the pressing financial matters of our time," said Christian Briggs. "These issues directly impact our global economy, and understanding them is crucial for policy, investments, and personal wealth management."

The panelists delved into the hidden world of CBDCs, exploring their potential impact on personal privacy and individual freedoms. The U.S. government's plans to phase out certain industries, notably fossil fuels, were also examined. The panel delved into the UN's influence on such policies, specifically around food systems and climate change.

Exploring the future of finance, Briggs, Green, and Mandy Gunasekara, Director of the Center for Energy and Conservation at Independent Women's Forum, discussed the implications of CBDCs and potential regulation via the Federal Reserve's FedNow service.

The conversation also covered the potential threats to liberty from digital currencies and Federal Chairman Jerome Powell's prediction of a dual-reserve currency world. They also considered the rising price of gold, hinting at profound global economic shifts.

Contact Information

John Grainer

info@bmcham.com

844-426-4653

SOURCE: Hard Asset Management, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770584/Hard-Asset-Management-CEO-Christian-Briggs-and-Congressman-and-Homeland-Security-Committee-Chairman-Mark-Green-Discuss-Central-Bank-Digital-Currencies
WARSAW, Poland, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Newland EMEA Opens New Office in Poland to Focus on Eastern European Markets

Newland EMEA, one of the leading companies in the AIDC industry, is thrilled to announce the opening of its new office and service center in Poland, marking a significant milestone in the company's mission to make scanning technologies accessible for businesses of all sizes.

The new office in Warsaw is strategically positioned to capitalize on supporting the Polish and Eastern European markets. With this expansion, Newland EMEA aims to strengthen its presence in Europe and enhance its ability to deliver exceptional AIDC solutions to clients across the region.

"Our decision to open an office and service center in Warsaw underscores our commitment to our Newland customer base in Poland. Poland happens to be one of the fastest-growing markets for Newland within the EMEA region. As a market disruptor, we consider it our mission to make scanning technology accessible and affordable to businesses of all sizes," comments Peter H. Sliedrecht, CEO at Newland EMEA. "Poland's location in the European region, business-friendly environment, and robust infrastructure make it an ideal location for our operations. We are excited about this expansion's opportunities and look forward to building long-lasting relationships in the market."

The new office will serve various functions, including support, sales, and technical operations. It will also enable Newland EMEA to provide on-the-ground support to its growing customer base in Poland, ensuring fast and personalized assistance. With a strong focus on partnerships, Newland EMEA remains committed to delivering high-performing solutions that address the evolving needs of its clients.

Newland EMEA will celebrate the opening with a reception for its valued partners and customers at its new office on 27 July.

For further information on Newland EMEA, please visit: www.newland-id.com

Established in 2009, Newland EMEA (Newland Europe BV) makes scanning simple. A leading player in the global AIDC industry, we create 1D and 2D data capture & collection devices accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

At Newland, we build our products from the ground up. Our product range consists of stationary & handheld scanners, mobile computers, micro kiosks and tablets, and OEM scan engines. All are based on our UIMG image technology and 2D decoder chip.

Headquartered in Culemborg, the Netherlands, Newland EMEA supports our local teams across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 500+ partners in EMEA, our extensive network of distributors and resellers offer products and services locally in 35+ countries.

Newland EMEA is a member company of Newland Auto-ID Tech, a subsidiary of Newland Digital Technology Co. Ltd. A public company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (ticker SZE-000997). Newland Digital Technology has over $1B in annual global revenue and 5,000+ employees, specializing in technology research and development, manufacturing and product management, data collection, mobile communication, and payment devices. With over 20 international patents and 500+ intellectual property rights, Newland is the 4th most prominent brand in AIDC technology and the 2nd largest global provider of EFT-POS terminals.

Newland EMEA thrives on a simple mission: to make everyday tasks easier, faster, and more intuitive through our products and partnerships.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/newland-emea-opens-new-office-and-service-center-in-warsaw-poland-301885397.html
CHICAGO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hybrid Power Solutions Market is projected to reach USD 4.0 billion in 2028 from USD 2.4 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 10.4% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Hybrid power solutions are essential because they provide a reliable and stable energy supply by harnessing the benefits of both renewable sources and conventional energy, ensuring energy security, reducing environmental impact by reduction in carbon emissions, and supporting sustainable development across various sectors.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Hybrid Power Solutions Market"

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50 - Figures

250 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=121425179

Hybrid Power Solutions Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 4.0 billion in 2028 Growth Rate 10.4% of CAGR Largest Market North America Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered System Type, Grid Connectivity, Power Rating, End User Industry, and Region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Reduction of carbon emissions Key Market Drivers Growth in hybrid power generation in off-grid locations

The Industrial, by end user, is expected to grow be the largest segment during the forecast period.

Based on end user, the Hybrid Power Solutions Market has been split into residential, commercial, and industrials. The industrial segment is anticipated to be the largest during the forecast period. Industrial segment is growing in Hybrid Power Solutions Market due to the increased emphasis on meeting emission reduction targets and achieving environmental sustainability. Industrial facilities, characterized by higher energy demands and carbon footprints, find hybrid power solutions particularly compelling in aligning with their sustainability objectives and reducing environmental impact.

The 100kW-1MW segment, by capacity segment, is expected to grow at the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period.

This report segments the Hybrid Power Solutions Market based on capacity into three segments: upto 100kW, 100kW-1MW, and above 1MW. The 100kW-1MW segment is expected to be the second-fastest growing segment during the forecast period. The 100kW-1MW segment is growing more in the commercial sector due to its suitable power capacity for various operations and equipment, cost-effectiveness, and technological advancements, making it a preferred choice for businesses.

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Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest region in the Hybrid Power Solutions Industry

Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest Hybrid Power Solutions Market during the forecast period. The region's increasing focus on renewable energy, coupled with supportive government policies and incentives, has driven the development of significant solar-wind projects in the region, specifically India. These large-scale projects contribute to the rapid expansion of the Hybrid Power Solutions Market in the Asia Pacific, attracting investments, fostering innovation, and establishing the region as a key player in the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions.

Key Market Players:

Some of the major players in the Hybrid Power Solutions Companies are General Electric (US), Vertiv Group Corp. (US), Vestas (Denmark), Wartsila (Finland), and SMA Solar Technology AG (Germany). The major strategies adopted by these players include sales contract, product launches, investments, collaborations, partnerships, and expansions.

Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=121425179

Recent Developments

In July 2023, General Electric Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fortune Electric Co., Ltd. to manufacture its Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) in Taiwan. This MoU enhances General Electric Company's market position in Taiwan by the introduction of its energy storage portfolio in the country.

In November 2023, Siemens Energy was awarded the project to construct a hybrid power plant in French Guiana, located near Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in northeast South America. The plant will utilize solar power exclusively to generate climate-neutral electricity, ensuring a continuous supply to approximately 10,000 households. In addition, Siemens Energy will provide operation and maintenance services for a period of 25 years, including remote control capabilities for the plant.

In December 2020, Vestas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) finalized their agreement to expand their partnership in sustainable energy. As part of the agreement, Vestas has acquired MHI's shares in the MHI Vestas Offshore Wind (MVOW) joint venture, while MHI has acquired a 2.5% stake in Vestas and will be nominated to a seat on Vestas' board of directors.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Distributed Energy Resource Management System Market - Global Forecast to 2026

Thermal Energy Storage Market - Global Forecast to 2025

About MarketsandMarkets:

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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North Sea Link - Blyth Station in the UK

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, July 27, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, today announced it has been selected as preferred technology provider of SSEN Transmission and National Grid, to supply two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations to interconnect the Scottish and English power grids.The energy transition requires a collaborative effort that can only be achieved with advanced technologies and new ways of working. In appointing Hitachi Energy as their preferred technology provider, SSEN Transmission and National Grid secure best-in-class technology and future production capacity in a rapidly growing market. For Hitachi Energy, this enables investment in new production capacity and to undertake large-scale recruitment drives. It also strengthens collaboration, standardization of solutions, and synergies between projects.The integration of renewables requires solutions that make the grid resilient, stable, and flexible. Hitachi Energy's innovation and long development of voltage sourced converter (VSC) power electronics and control and protection (MACHTM)(1) technologies meet the requirements alongside many other landmark grid integration projects.Eastern Green Link 2 will consist of two 525-kilovolt (kV) bipole VSC converter stations connected by 440 kilometers of subsea cable and 70 kilometers of underground cable, making it the longest HVDC link in the UK. The link will efficiently supply a total of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, which is enough to power around two million UK homes.(2)The link will help to secure power transmission in the northern UK and support the integration of new renewable electricity generation in Scotland, as part of the UK's Net Zero Strategy.(3) As much as 11,000 MW of offshore wind capacity is possible in Scottish waters by 2030(4), and HVDC transmission will play a large part in bringing this vast amount of renewable power to shore and south, to communities across the country."The UK's Net Zero Strategy has ambitious targets which will require vast amounts of new renewable generation. Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system," said Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business. "Our pioneering HVDC technology will ensure that this electricity will reliably and efficiently get where it's needed most.""This is another important milestone for EGL2 which is part of the new network infrastructure required to help the UK meet its net zero and energy security ambitions," said Sarah Sale, Deputy Project Director of National Grid. "Along with cabling bidder and formal joint venture announcements, this is another key part of the project which is now in place and ready for the delivery phase. We look forward to working in collaboration with Hitachi Energy and BAM as the project continues to progress.""The converter stations at either end of the cable will play a crucial role in making the power transported subsea suitable for transportation around the onshore transmission network - getting Hitachi Energy and BAM in place to deliver that technology is great for the project," said Ricky Saez, the EGL2 Project Director from SSEN Transmission."BAM is delighted to work in collaboration with Hitachi Energy on this vital renewable energy project for National Grid and SSEN Transmission," said Huw Jones, Executive Director of BAM Nuttall. "The converter stations will enable the transmission of green energy from areas of offshore wind generation to centers of population, supporting the UK's net zero ambitions and providing better energy security. We look forward to engaging with local communities and suppliers in Aberdeenshire and North Yorkshire, supporting BAM's vision to deliver sustainable infrastructure for our clients, stakeholders, and the communities in which we work."Hitachi Energy is collaborating with BAM, a construction company that designs, builds, and maintains sustainable buildings and infrastructure, to provide the civil and installation scope for the project. The collaboration with BAM will leverage the core competencies of the two companies to deliver a best-in-class solution for the project.Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology almost 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world's HVDC projects.(1) Modular Advanced Control for HVDC (MACHTM)(2) www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/network-and-infrastructure/segl2(3) www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy(4) www.gov.scot/publications/offshore-wind-policy-statement/HVDC websitewww.hitachienergy.com/offering/product-and-system/hvdcAbout Hitachi EnergyHitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world's energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10 billion USD. https://www.hitachienergy.comwww.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergyhttps://twitter.com/HitachiEnergyAbout Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - UK car production rose for the fifth successive month in June amid strong demand from the export market and better management of global supply chain challenges by manufacturers, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, or SMMT, showed Thursday. Car production grew 16.2 percent year-on-year to 84,767 units in June. The export market logged double-digit growth of 25.4 percent to 67,756 units in June. During the first half of this year, total car production rebounded 11.7 percent to 450,168 in June, up from 403,131 units in the same period last year. The performance represented the best first half since 2021 as manufacturers were increasingly able to manage global supply chain challenges, especially the shortage of semiconductors that had constrained production since the pandemic, the SMMT said. The production of electric vehicles, or EVs, surged by 71.6 percent annually in the first half of 2023 to a new record of 170,231 units. UK car exports to the European Union remain the largest market, at 59.5 percent, with 214,017 shipments so far this year. Considering other destinations, the US, China, Japan, and Australia make up the top five global export destinations for UK cars. Recent EV investment announcements, as well as a new commitment to build one of Europe's largest gigafactories in the UK, indicate a sector looking to the future, the SMMT said. 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (OTCQB: KDKCF) (FSE: 5DD1) (the "Company" or "Kodiak") today reports drill results from the fully funded, large drill program at its 100% owned MPD copper-gold porphyry project in southern British Columbia. Assay results from the first three holes drilled in 2023 at the West Zone (MPD South / Axe claims) are presented in this release.

Highlights

Kodiak's drilling at the West Zone to date has confirmed porphyry mineralization from surface over an area of 300 metres by 300 metres and up to 819 metres depth , extending well below historic drilling and open to extension.





, extending well below historic drilling and open to extension. A new zone of structurally hosted high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization has been discovered to the east of the West Zone.





has been discovered to the east of the West Zone. For the first time at the MPD project, significant mineralized hydrothermal breccia has been drilled. The breccia includes copper mineralized clasts suggesting additional undrilled mineralization at depth.

West Zone Drill Results - Figures 1, 2, and 3, Table 1

Three drill holes were completed into the West Zone, collared near the centre of the geophysical target and drilled to the south, vertically, and to the east. Additional drill holes are also being completed, with assays pending.





Drill hole AXE-23-001, drilled towards the south, intersected significant mineralization from bedrock surface to 539 metres depth . Assays include 0.28% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au and 0.83 g/t Ag (0.51% CuEq*) over 158 metres , within a broader interval of 0.18% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au and 0.61 g/t Ag (0.34% CuEq*) over 533 metres . Figure 6 .





. Assays include 0.28% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au and 0.83 g/t Ag , within a broader interval of 0.18% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au and 0.61 g/t Ag . . Drill hole AXE-23-002, drilled vertically, intersected mineralization from surface to 488 metres depth , assaying 0.21% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au and 1.36 g/t Ag (0.45% CuEq*) over 203 metres , within 0.15% Cu, 0.16 g/t Au and 0.80 g/t Ag (0.28% CuEq*) over 482 metres .





, assaying 0.21% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au and 1.36 g/t Ag , within 0.15% Cu, 0.16 g/t Au and 0.80 g/t Ag . Drill hole AXE-23-003, drilled to the east, also intersected from-surface mineralization assaying 0.22% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au and 1.08 g/t Ag (0.44% CuEq*) over 51 metres , within a broad interval of 0.13% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au and 0.61 g/t Ag (0.29% CuEq*) over 209 metres .





assaying 0.22% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au and 1.08 g/t Ag , within a broad interval of 0.13% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au and 0.61 g/t Ag . West Zone drilling by Kodiak and others show an approximately 1:1 ratio of g/t gold to % copper, similar to the central Gate Zone and usually indicative of higher temperature mineralization.

Gold-Rich Mineralization Within the West Zone

A review of drill core from AXE-23-001, 002 and 003 suggests some of the high copper-gold-silver values observed within the intervals reported in Table 1 also originate from interpreted north-south trending vein-like structures that enrich the porphyry mineralization. Examples of these are:

AXE-23-001: 5.14 g/t Au, 2.68 g/t Ag and 0.83% Cu over 2.1 metres at 21 metres downhole





over 2.1 metres at 21 metres downhole AXE-23-002: 10.7 g/t Au, 2.16 g/t Ag and 0.10% Cu over 0.8 metres at 591 metres downhole





over 0.8 metres at 591 metres downhole AXE-23-003: 9.51 g/t Au, 3.31 g/t Ag and 0.33% Cu , over 0.9 metres at 71 metres downhole





, over 0.9 metres at 71 metres downhole AXE-23-003: 8.29 g/t Au, 17.15 g/t Ag and 0.13% Cu over 0.8 metres at 192 metres downhole

New Structurally Hosted High-Grade Zone

Drilling east beyond the limits of the West Zone magnetic anomaly, drill hole AXE-23-003 intersected a new, structurally controlled high-grade copper-gold silver zone assaying 0.93% Cu, 0.64 g/t Au and 3.2 g/t Ag (1.44% CuEq*) over 16 metres starting at 274 metres down hole. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, Table 1 .





starting at 274 metres down hole. . The interval contains distinctive copper-gold-silver zone with semi-massive pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization in phyllic/propylitic altered andesite. Figure 4.

Discovery of Mineralized Hydrothermal Breccia

A new discovery was also made at depth in vertical drill hole AXE-23-002 where mineralized high-temperature, high-energy hydrothermal breccia was intersected over 175 metres from 644 to 819 metres. The hole was lost prematurely in mineralization. This is the first significant breccia-hosted porphyry mineralization drilled at MPD . Figure 5 .





over 175 metres from 644 to 819 metres. The hole was lost prematurely in mineralization. This is the . . The breccia contains chalcopyrite-mineralized clasts which account for a portion of the total mineralized grade . In most high-energy hydrothermal breccia systems, mineralized clasts indicate a separate, deeper mineralized zone below the breccia . Future drilling will test for mineralization at depth, including the source of the mineralized clasts.





. In most high-energy hydrothermal breccia systems, mineralized clasts indicate a . Future drilling will test for mineralization at depth, including the source of the mineralized clasts. The discovery interval assayed 0.29% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au and 0.72 g/t Ag (0.46% CuEq*) over 30 metres, within a broader zone assaying 0.11% Cu, 0.13 g/t Au and 0.53 g/t Ag (0.21% CuEq*) over 175 metres, which remains open at depth. Figures 1, 2 and 3, Table 1.

Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak said, "I am very pleased with these initial results from our 2023 drill program. The first three holes at the West Zone are a promising start and confirm our thesis that porphyry mineralization exists below and adjacent to shallow historic drilling. The West Zone is only one of several targets we will test this year and I am looking forward to the next batch of results from the Man Zone where our second drill is currently turning. In total we are aiming to test four or five targets in 2023, each with excellent discovery potential."

Chris Taylor, Chairman of Kodiak said, "We have been looking for mineralized breccias like the ones we have discovered beneath the West Zone since we began drilling at MPD, as higher-grade breccias are key contributors to many alkalic porphyry mines. We interpret both MPD North and MPD South as overlying major structural intersections that controlled porphyry magma emplacement and are using geophysical and drill data to define new targets within these mineralized corridors. This approach has proven effective in similar alkalic porphyry systems such as the Cadia-Ridgeway deposits in Australia, and locally at many British Columbia porphyry mines including Copper Mountain, Mount Polley and Red Chris."

Figure 1: West Zone plan map showing 2023 Kodiak drilling to date with assays (yellow traces). Bar graphs showing downhole copper (green) and gold (red) values. Background is Heli TMI magnetic data (Xstrata, 2012).



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/174980_912c2984243a5a51_002full.jpg

Figure 2: West Zone north-south long section at 677400mE (looking west). See Table 1 for results from new holes AXE-23-001, AXE-23-002 and AXE-23-003.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/174980_912c2984243a5a51_003full.jpg

Figure 3: West Zone east west long section at 5503100mN (looking north). See results Table 1 for new holes AXE-23-001, AXE-23-002 and AXE-23-003.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/174980_912c2984243a5a51_004full.jpg

Figure 4: Example of core from 2023 drilling at the West Zone, hole AXE-23-003. New copper-gold-silver zone with semi-massive pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization in phyllic/propylitic altered andesite breccia east of historic drilling. Core is within a 16-metre intercept reporting 0.93% Cu, 0.64 g/t Au and 3.20 g/t Ag from 274 to 290 metres.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/174980_912c2984243a5a51_005full.jpg

Figure 5: Two examples of core from 2023 drilling at the new lower zone, West Zone, hole AXE-23-002. Fragmental polymict breccia including chalcopyrite mineralized clasts in a potassic altered rock flour matrix with disseminated to blebby chalcopyrite and pyrite mineralization. Core is within a 30-metre intercept reporting 0.29% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au and 0.76 g/t Ag from 767 to 797 metres, towards the bottom of the drill hole.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/174980_figure5.jpg

Figure 6: Example of core from 2023 drilling at the West Zone, hole AXE-23-001. Altered andesite volcanoclastic breccia with quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite disseminated and as patches in matrix. Core is at 515 metres within a broad 533-metre intercept reporting 0.18% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au and 0.61 g/t Ag from 6 to 539 metres.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/174980_912c2984243a5a51_008full.jpg

Table 1: Weighted assay intervals for 2023 drill holes AXE-23-001, AXE-23-002 and AXE-23-003 (West Zone). See Figures 1, 2 and 3

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval** (m) % Cu Au g/t Ag g/t %CuEq* West Zone AXE-23-001 6 539 533 0.18 0.20 0.61 0.34 includes 6 164 158 0.28 0.28 0.83 0.51 includes 374 431 57 0.14 0.48 0.64 0.51 AXE-23-002 6 488 482 0.15 0.16 0.80 0.28 includes 6 209 203 0.21 0.30 1.36 0.45 includes 182 209 27 0.50 0.40 1.80 0.82 and 644 819 175 0.11 0.13 0.53 0.21 includes 767 797 30 0.29 0.22 0.72 0.46 AXE-23-003 6 215 209 0.13 0.20 0.61 0.29 includes 164 215 51 0.22 0.27 1.08 0.44 and 274 289 16 0.93 0.64 3.20 1.44

*Copper equivalent grades (%CuEq) are for comparative purposes only. Calculations are uncut and recovery is assumed to be 100% as no metallurgical data is available. Metal prices of US$3.75/lb copper, US$1,950/oz gold, and US$24/oz silver, using the formula: %CuEq = Cu grade + (Au price x Au grade + Ag price x Ag grade)/31.104/ (Cu price*22.046).

**Intervals are downhole drilled core intervals. Drilling data to date is insufficient to determine true width of mineralisation.

Table 2: 2023 MPD Drill Collar Information

Hole ID Easting (UTM Z10) Northing (UTM Z10) Elevation (m) Azimuth (degrees) Dip (degrees) EOH (m) Target Reported AXE-23-001 677400 5503115 1405 180 -65 732 West 2023-07-27 AXE-23-002 677400 5503115 1405 0 -90 819 West 2023-07-27 AXE-23-003 677400 5503115 1405 90 -45 367 West 2023-07-27

Holes AXE-23-001, 002 and 003 were all drilled from the same site to the south, vertical and eastward respectively (Table 2 and Figure 1). These holes were designed to confirm mineralization in historic drilling, and test for continuation at depth within a magnetic high, and below shallow 3D IP responses.

New drilling at the West Zone confirmed significant copper-gold mineralization from bedrock surface over 300 metres of width (east-west) and at least 300 metres of strike (north-south). Hole AXE-23-001 exited the mineralized zone on the west at approximately 540 metres downhole. Vertical hole AXE-23-002 confirmed copper-gold to 488 metres and then discovered a new lower zone of altered polymict breccia with chalcopyrite from 644 to 819 metres (where the hole was lost), and below historic drilling. Hole AXE-23-003 was drilled to test the eastern extent of the West Zone and encountered a fault bounded contact at 215 metres. This hole also intersected a second new 16-metre-wide high-grade, copper-gold-silver zone further east at 274 metres.

In addition, all three holes intersected high-grade, structural/vein hosted gold-silver-copper zones, with approximately metre-scale widths and interpreted to trend north-south within the broader porphyry envelope.

MPD is a large land package (226 square kilometres) located near several operating mines in the southern Quesnel Terrane, British Columbia's primary copper-gold producing belt. The project is located midway between the towns of Merritt and Princeton, with year-round accessibility and excellent infrastructure nearby.

QA/QC Procedures

All core samples were sent to ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) in North Vancouver, BC for preparation and analysis. ALS meets all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015 for analytical procedures. NQ size core was split and sampled over approximately three metre intervals. Samples were analyzed using ALS's Fire Assay Fusion method (Au-AA24) with an AA finish for gold and by a 48-element four acid digest ICP-AES analysis (MS61) with additional analysis for Ore Grade Elements (ME-OG62) and Ore Grade Cu (Cu-OG62). Results were reported in parts per million (ppm) and converted to percent (%), or grams per tonne (g/t) when applicable. In addition to ALS Laboratory quality assurance- quality control (QA/QC) protocols, Kodiak implements an internal QA/QC program that includes the insertion of sample blanks, duplicates, and standards in the field.

Jeff Ward, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical information contained in this release. Kodiak believes historic results referenced herein to be from reliable sources using industry standards at the time. However, the Company has not independently verified, or cannot guarantee, the accuracy of this historic information.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kodiak Copper Corp.

Claudia Tornquist

President & CEO

For further information contact:

Nancy Curry, VP Corporate Development

ncurry@kodiakcoppercorp.com

+1 (604) 646-8362

About Kodiak Copper Corp.

Kodiak is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA. The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in south-central British Columbia, Canada. MPD has all the hallmarks of a large, multi-centered porphyry system. Kodiak has made the Gate Zone discovery of high-grade mineralization within a wide mineralized envelope, and MPD hosts several other targets with similar discovery potential. Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Kodiak's porphyry projects have both been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits.

Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his gold discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group led by John Robins, one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs in Canada.

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 Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors, and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward-looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174980
First half 2023 Revenues1 reach 903 million, up 23.9% year-over-year.

Organic growth2 was 21.5% in the first half of 2023, with double-digit organic growth for both the Zegna and Thom Browne segments.

Acceleration in the second quarter with year-over-year growth of 35.1% and organic growth of 24.5%, led by solid double-digit organic performance in all major geographies and notable strength in the US.

Direct-to-consumer year-over-year growth (36.3% for the first half and 48.1% for the second quarter of 2023) continues to be dynamic across all regions for Zegna and Thom Browne, with both posting organic growth of around 30% for the first half of 2023 and of 36.2% and 33.7% in the second quarter of 2023, respectively.

Robust first half supports the Group's FY 2023 and mid-term outlook.

Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. (NYSE:ZGN) ("Zegna Group," the "Group," "Zegna," or the "Company"), owner of the ZEGNA and Thom Browne brands and exclusive licensee for the TOM FORD fashion business ("TOM FORD FASHION"), today announced preliminary unaudited revenues of 903 million for the first half of 2023, an increase of 23.9% year-over-year. Revenues at constant currency3 were up 24.7%, and organic growth was 21.5%. Revenues for the first half of 2023 reflect the consolidation of Tom Ford International LLC starting from April 29, 2023, as well as the consolidation of Pelletteria Tizeta S.r.l., (which was previously accounted for using the equity method), as of the same date.

Unaudited revenues for the second quarter of 2023 were 475 million, an increase of 35.1% year-over-year. For the same period, revenues at constant currency were up 37.4%, and organic growth was 24.5%, representing an acceleration compared to the 18.9% organic growth recorded in the first quarter of 2023.

Ermenegildo "Gildo" Zegna, Chairman and CEO of the Zegna Group, said: "The second quarter of 2023 has built on the Group's excellent performance since the beginning of the year. Our brands continue to resonate strongly with customers worldwide, with a positive rebound in China in the first half of the year, our persistent strength in EMEA, and our outstanding performance in the U.S. market."

"I am particularly pleased that we are gaining market share, and I am confident about the strong opportunities ahead as the menswear segment grows globally with both existing and new audiences. Our ZEGNA, Thom Browne, and TOM FORD FASHION brands all offer distinctive styles that cater to a wide range of shoppers and occasions, allowing us to be leaders across the luxury market. The strong execution of the One Brand strategy has made ZEGNA a global favorite, with successful collections which include staple Luxury Leisurewear items and our signature Triple Stitch sneaker. At Thom Browne, the work being done to strengthen womenswear continues to show great progress and the category is now outpacing the growth of menswear. Meanwhile, we have started our journey to make TOM FORD FASHION among the top ten luxury fashion names in the world. The Group's financial progress underpins our confidence that we are comfortably on track to meet our previously announced 2025 financial ambitions."

"I would also like to welcome Lelio Gavazza to the Zegna Group as Chief Executive Officer of TOM FORD FASHION. As we continue the integration of TOM FORD FASHION into the Group, I look forward to working with Lelio once he starts his new role in September. In partnership with the Estee Lauder Companies, we will build upon Tom's legacy to grow this iconic, one-of-a-kind luxury brand globally."

"Finally, our family's commitment to social responsibility over 113 years was once again highlighted last week when we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Ermenegildo Zegna Founder's Scholarship, which enables Italian graduates to pursue their postgraduate studies abroad and return home. This program is a particular point of pride for me as it brings back Italian talents to contribute to the future of Italy."

________________________________ 1 Throughout this press release, revenues for the first half of 2023 and the second quarter of 2023 are preliminary and unaudited. 2 Organic growth is a non-IFRS financial measure. See the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section starting on page 12 of this press release for the definition of such non-IFRS financial measure and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS measure. 3 Revenue growth at constant currency is a non-IFRS financial measure. See the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section starting on page 12 of this press release for the definition of such non-IFRS financial measure.

Highlights from the Second Quarter of 2023 and Recent Events

ZEGNA: Oasi di Lino, New Store Openings and Agreement with GBB



On June 19, during Milan men's fashion week, ZEGNA brought Oasi Zegna to Piazza San Fedele in the heart of Milan. The brand's collection showcased and was inspired by L'Oasi di Lino, a fabric made in Italy from flax plants grown in Normandy, France. Zegna commits to certifying Oasi Lino fibers as 100% traceable by 2024.



In the first half of the year, ZEGNA opened seven net new direct-to-consumer stores, bringing the total to 246. Store productivity also increased meaningfully over that period, driven by several factors including higher traffic, an increase in the number of transactions and in the average ticket, and store right-sizing.



On July 26, 2023, Zegna granted Give Back Beauty International SA exclusivity for the manufacture and sale of "Zegna" branded fragrances and cosmetics.





Thom Browne: Paris Couture Debut and New Store Openings



On July 3, Thom Browne presented a unique, highly anticipated Haute Couture collection in Paris, celebrating the brand's 20th anniversary. The collection, which reflected the brand's vision and Thom's singular style, has received praise from critics, the media, celebrities and couture clients.



In the first half of the year, Thom Browne opened three net new direct-to-consumer stores, bringing the total to 66, up from 53 a year ago and 63 as of December 31, 2022. The three new stores in the APAC region two in China and one in Japan highlight the importance of the region to the brand and Thom Browne's continued success and desirability.



As of July 1, Thom Browne began directly operating its Korean business and its network of 17 stores. The business is now wholly owned through Thom Browne Korea, a newly formed and wholly owned company, and will be operated in the region with external support from Samsung, previously its franchise partner.





TOM FORD FASHION: Acquisition Completed, License Begins and New CEO Appointed



On April 28, Zegna Group completed the acquisition of Tom Ford International LLC, the company that owns and operates TOM FORD FASHION. Upon closing, Zegna became a long-term licensee of The Estee Lauder Companies, the sole owner of TOM FORD brand, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, for all TOM FORD men's and women's fashion as well as accessories and underwear, fine jewelry, childrenswear, textile, and home design products.



On July 18, the appointment of Lelio Gavazza as the new CEO of TOM FORD FASHION was announced and he will be starting his role on September 18, 2023.



The addition of TOM FORD FASHION brings 51 direct-to-consumer and 70 monobrand wholesale locations to the Group's network across the U.S., Europe, and APAC.



Peter Hawkings' debut Womenswear fashion collection for Spring/Summer 2024 will take place in Milan during Fashion Week in September 2023.





Our Road to Sustainability: SBTi Targets Approval and Animal Welfare Policy



In August 2022, Zegna Group submitted its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which approved the targets in May 2023. The Group is targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) across its value chain by 2050 from a 2021 base year. In the near term, the Group has committed to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, fuel and energy-related activities, employee commuting, and investments by 50.4% by 2032.



On May 17, Zegna Group adopted its new animal welfare policy as part of its commitment to creating the best products from the highest-quality materials while ensuring the well-being and longevity of the natural environment and its inhabitants.





Made in Italy Luxury Textile Laboratory Platform: Acquisition of Minority Stake in Luigi Fedeli e Figlio



On June 6, Zegna Group and Prada Group announced the acquisition of 30% of Luigi Fedeli e Figlio, the world-renowned maker of fine Italian knitwear and yarns, with each group acquiring 15% of the company. The historic Italian company's focus on quality and sustainability aligns perfectly with Zegna Group's values and commitment to preserving and enhancing the craftsmanship of Made in Italy. This transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust approvals.



Review of Revenues for the First Half 2023 and the Second Quarter 2023

In the second quarter of 2023, Zegna Group generated revenues of 475 million, an increase of 35.1% year-over-year. At constant currency, revenues grew 37.4%. Organic growth for the period was 24.5%.

Revenues by Segment

Zegna Segment: For the second quarter of 2023, revenues for the Zegna segment amounted to 332 million, growing by 23.4% year-over-year and 25.2% at constant currency. Organic growth was 28.2%. This brought revenues for the first half of the year to 652 million, up 17.9% from the first half of last year, and up 18.4% at constant currency. Organic growth for the first half of 2023 was 23.8%. The segment's growth was driven by the very strong performance of Zegna-branded products in the quarter, particularly in direct-to-consumer, as well as a positive contribution from the Textile product line.

Thom Browne Segment: For the second quarter of 2023, revenues for the Thom Browne segment amounted to 95 million, growing by 8.1% year-over-year and with constant currency and organic growth of 10.8%. This brought Thom Browne segment revenues for the first half of the year to 208 million, up 11.9% from the first half of last year, and 13.6% constant currency and organic growth.

The growth of the Thom Browne segment in the second quarter of 2023 was driven by robust direct-to-consumer performance, which offset the slight decline in wholesale. On top of comparable stores growth, direct-to-consumer performance was also supported by the expansion of the brand's store network, which added 13 net new stores since June 30, 2022.

Tom Ford Fashion Segment: Effective April 29, 2023, concurrently with the consolidation of Tom Ford International LLC in the Group's financial statements, Tom Ford Fashion represents as a new operating and reporting segment of the Group. The Tom Ford Fashion segment includes all activities related to TOM FORD FASHION, from collection creation and development to merchandising, through to production, as well as retail and wholesale distribution. From April 29, 2023 to June 30, 2023, the segment reported revenues of 64 million.

Revenues by Product Line

Zegna-branded Products: Revenues for Zegna-branded products were at 269 million for the second quarter, up 33.9% year-over-year, with constant currency and organic growth of 37%. This brought first-half revenues for Zegna-branded products to 541 million, up 27.3% year-over-year, and with constant currency and organic growth of 28.4%.

The Made-to-Measure business continued to perform well, and together with sneakers and luxury leisurewear, have all shown consistent growth.

Thom Browne: Revenues for Thom Browne were at 94 million for the quarter, up 8.2% year-over-year, and with 11% constant currency and organic growth. This brought first half revenues for Thom Browne to 207 million, up 11.8% year-over-year, and 13.4% constant currency and organic growth.

The growth in Thom Browne revenues came from all product categories, with womenswear outperforming men's and kid's products also being a dynamic performer.

Textile: Textile revenues were flat at 39 million during the second quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year. This brought first half revenues to 73 million, up 6% year-over-year, 5.2% in constant currency. Organic growth for the first half was 5.3%.

Third-Party Brands: The performance in the second quarter of the Third-Party Brands product line reflects the end of the Tom Ford International distribution license. Revenues for the second quarter of 2023 were 6.6 million, down 71.4% year-over-year, -71.8% in constant currency, and -30.7% organic growth impacted by Tom Ford Products4, which starting from April 29, 2023, are reported as intercompany revenues, as a result of the acquisition of Tom Ford International LLC on April 28, 2023.

Revenues by Channel

The direct-to-consumer channel's momentum was robust across both Zegna and Thom Browne, which reported in the second quarter of 2023, year-over-year growth of 32.7% and 25.3% respectively, and 36.2% and 33.7% year-over-year constant currency and organic growth, respectively. The strong global direct-to-consumer performance of Zegna branded products was driven by double-digit growth across all regions, and it was met by a remarkable improvement in retail productivity at the brands' boutiques. Thom Browne benefitted from the expansion of its store network, as well as double-digit comparable store growth.

In the second quarter of 2023, Zegna's branded products wholesale channel showed robust growth of 42.8% year-over-year and 43.0% constant currency and organic growth. Meanwhile, the Thom Browne segment wholesale activity was down 1.7% year-over-year for the quarter and with constant currency and organic growth down 1.5%, including the effects of lower deliveries during the quarter to the South Korean market, which, as previously announced, is directly operated as of July 1, 2023.

Revenues by Geography

The Group saw robust global growth across all regions during the second quarter of 2023, driven by all geographies.

Early signs of strong activity from Chinese consumers drove growth in the Greater China Region. Revenues from the region were exceptionally strong at 142 million, up 35.3% year-over-year for the quarter, or 42.0% at constant currency and 40.0% organic growth. The growth is especially strong in comparison to last year, which was adversely impacted by Covid-19-related restrictions. Sales in Hong Kong and Macau were particularly strong thanks to the healthy recovery in direct-to-consumer activity. The resumption of Chinese tourism, particularly to other Asian countries, is starting to show results, with strong year-over-year reported growth in Southeast Asia and 30.1% year-over-year reported growth (36.8% constant currency and 23.9% organic growth) in Japan.

Group revenues from the EMEA region for the second quarter were at 173 million, up 36.8% year-over-year, 37.9% in constant currency. Organic growth for the quarter was at 24.5%. Both the UAE and Europe performed exceptionally well, especially in Zegna direct-to-consumer, benefitting from both domestic and tourist customers. Growth in the region was underpinned by the strong performance in the UAE, where revenues grew by 49.4% year-over-year, 53.1% at constant currency and 50.8% organic growth. EMEA revenues for the first half of the year were at 323 million, up 23.8% year-over-year, 24.2% at constant currency, and 21.4% organic growth.

In the U.S., revenues were at 99 million for the quarter, up 46.5% year-over-year, and 45.3% in constant currency. Organic growth for the quarter was at 13.9%. This brought first-half revenues in the U.S. to 157 million, up 26.1% year-over-year, 22.9% in constant currency, and 12.5% organic growth. In the first half, the U.S. benefited from the contribution of the Tom Ford Fashion segment's 11 directly operated stores, as well as solid double-digit performance in the Zegna and Thom Browne direct-to-consumer channels.

In Latin America, the Group's revenues reached 9 million for the quarter, up 30.7% year-over-year, and with 23.9% constant currency and organic growth, driven by revenues from Zegna's direct-to-consumer business in Mexico.

________________________________ 4 As previously disclosed, the licensing agreement for the production and worldwide distribution of luxury men's ready-to-wear and made-to-measure clothing, footwear, and accessories under the TOM FORD brand expired with the deliveries of the Fall/Winter 2022 collection, and a supply agreement to act as the exclusive supplier for certain TOM FORD menswear products commenced starting with the Spring/Summer 2023 collection.

Outlook

On May 17, 2022, at its first Capital Markets Day, the Group announced its financial goals for the medium term, which management defines as the end of fiscal year 2025. Within this time frame, the Group is aiming for annual revenues to exceed 2 billion and for Adjusted EBIT Margin to reach at least 15%, excluding the Tom Ford Fashion segment. The Group's 1H 2023 revenues show that the Group is on this trajectory, and the forthcoming first half 2023 and full-year 2023 results should comfortably confirm this. The Group's medium-term targets assume no further future escalation of the war in Ukraine, no significant macroeconomic or financial markets deterioration, no further disruption linked to the COVID-19 pandemic in the GCR or elsewhere, and no other unforeseen events.

Next Scheduled Announcement

The next scheduled announcement will be on September 13, 2023, in connection with the release of the Group's semi-annual condensed consolidated financial statements at and for the six months ended June 30, 2023. To receive email alerts of the timing of future financial news releases, as well as future announcements, please register at https://ir.zegnagroup.com.

About Ermenegildo Zegna Group

Founded in 1910 in Trivero, Italy, the Ermenegildo Zegna Group (NYSE: ZGN) is a leading global luxury group. The Group is the owner of the world-renowned ZEGNA and Thom Browne brands, and operates TOM FORD FASHION through an exclusive long-term license agreement with The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. The Group also manufactures and distributes the highest quality fabrics and textiles through its Luxury Textile Laboratory Platform. At the Group's core is a uniquely vertically integrated supply chain that brings together the best of Italian fine craftsmanship. Responsibility towards people, community and the natural world has been at the heart of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group's belief since its founding. At the end of 2022, Ermenegildo Zegna Group had more than 6,000 employees and for the year ended December 31, 2022 had revenues of approximately 1.5 billion.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication, including the section "Outlook", contains forward-looking statements that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to the Company. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," "target," "seek" or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including strategies or plans, are also forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this communication, the Company cautions you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known and projections of the future, which are inherently uncertain. In addition, risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the SEC. These filings may identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside the Company's control and are difficult to predict. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by the Company and its directors, officers or employees or any other person that the Company will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. The forward-looking statements in this communication represent the views of Zegna as of the date of this communication. Subsequent events and developments may cause that view to change. However, while Zegna may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly forward-looking statements. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the views of the Company as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

Second Quarter 2023 and First Half 2023 Preliminary Unaudited Group Revenues

Group Revenues by Segment (Preliminary and Unaudited)

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 ( thousands, except percentages) H1 2023 H1 2022 Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

Growth Q2 2023 Q2 2022 Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

Growth Revenues 903,059 728,993 23.9% 24.7% 21.5% 474,747 351,414 35.1 % 37.4 % 24.5 % Zegna segment 651,755 552,966 17.9% 18.4% 23.8% 332,431 269,443 23.4 25.2 28.2 Thom Browne segment 207,959 185,769 11.9% 13.6% 13.6% 94,708 87,641 8.1 10.8 10.8 Tom Ford Fashion segment 64,027 n.m. n.m. n.m. 64,027 n.m. n.m. n.m. Eliminations (20,682) (9,742) n.m. n.m. n.m. (16,419) (5,670) n.m. n.m. n.m.

___________________________________ (*) Throughout this section "n.m." means not meaningful

The tables below show a reconciliation of revenue growth for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and for the three months ended June 30 and March 31, 2023 to organic growth for the same periods by segment and at the Group level.

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 23.9 % (0.8) % 8.8 % (5.6) % 21.5 % Zegna segment 17.9 (0.5) 1.4 (6.8) 23.8 Thom Browne segment 11.9 (1.7) 0%.0 13.6 Tom Ford Fashion segment n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m.

Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 35.1 % (2.3) % 18.4 % (5.5) % 24.5 % Zegna segment 23.4 (1.8) 2.7 (5.7) 28.2 Thom Browne segment 8.1 (2.7) 10.8 Tom Ford Fashion segment n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m.

Q1 2023 vs Q1 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 13.4 % 0.3 % (5.8) % 18.9 % Zegna segment 12.6 0.7 (7.8) 19.7 Thom Browne segment 15.4 (0.7) 16.1 Tom Ford Fashion segment n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m.

Group Revenues by Product Line (Preliminary and Unaudited)

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 ( thousands, except percentages) H1 2023 H1 2022 Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

Growth Q2 2023 Q2 2022 Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

growth Total revenues 903,059 728,993 23.9% 24.7% 21.5% 474,747 351,414 35.1% 37.4% 24.5% Zegna branded products 541,319 425,252 27.3% 28.4% 28.4% 269,430 201,273 33.9% 37.0% 37.0% Thom Browne 206,951 185,166 11.8% 13.4% 13.4% 94,399 87,229 8.2% 11.0% 11.0% Tom Ford Fashion 64,015 n.m. n.m. n.m. 64,015 n.m. n.m. n.m. Textile 73,072 68,968 6.0% 5.2% 5.3% 39,254 38,724 1.4% 0.3% 0.6% Third Party Brands 15,477 47,341 (67.3%) (68.1%) (4.4%) 6,567 22,939 (71.4%) (71.8%) (30.7%) Other 2,225 2,266 (1.8%) (2.3%) (2.1%) 1,082 1,249 (13.4%) (13.1%) (12.7%)

________________________________________ Zegna branded products include apparel, bags, shoes and small and large leather goods, as well as licensed goods and royalties.

The tables below show a reconciliation of revenue growth for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and for the three months ended June 30, 2023 to organic growth for the same periods by product line and at the Group level.

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 23.9 % (0.8) % 8.8 % (5.6) % 21.5 % Zegna branded products 27.3 (1.1) 28.4 Thom Browne 11.8 (1.6) 13.4 Tom Ford Fashion n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. Textile 6.0 0.8 (0.1) 5.3 Third Party Brands (67.3) 0.8 (0.1) (63.6) (4.4) Other (1.8) 0.5 (0.2) (2.1)

Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 35.1 % (2.3) % 18.4 % (5.5) % 24.5 % Zegna branded products 33.9 (3.1) 37.0 Thom Browne 8.2 (2.8) 11.0 Tom Ford Fashion n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. Textile 1.4 1.1 (0.3) 0.6 Third Party Brands (71.4) 0.4 (41.1) (30.7) Other (13.4) (0.3) (0.4) (12.7)

________________________________________ Zegna branded products include apparel, bags, shoes and small and large leather goods, as well as licensed goods and royalties.

Group Revenues by Sales Channel (Preliminary and Unaudited)

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 ( thousands, except percentages) H1 2023 % of

Revenues H1 2022 % of

Revenues Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

Growth Q2 2023 % of

Revenues Q2 2022 % of

Revenues Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

Growth Revenues 903,059 100.0% 728,993 100.0% 23.9% 24.7% 21.5% 474,747 100.0% 351,414 100.0% 35.1% 37.4% 24.5% Direct to Consumer (DTC) Zegna branded products 465,710 361,850 28.7% 30.3% 30.3% 236,114 177,941 32.7% 36.2% 36.2% Thom Browne 82,924 66,174 25.3% 30.6% 30.6% 40,075 31,993 25.3% 33.7% 33.7% Tom Ford Fashion 34,751 n.m. n.m. 34,751 n.m. n.m. Total Direct to Customer (DTC) 583,385 64.6% 428,024 58.7% 36.3% 38.6% 30.4% 310,940 65.5% 209,934 59.7% 48.1% 52.8% 35.8% Wholesale Zegna branded products 75,609 63,402 19.3% 17.9% 17.9% 33,316 23,332 42.8% 43.0% 43.0% Thom Browne 124,027 118,992 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 54,324 55,236 (1.7%) (1.5%) (1.5%) Tom Ford Fashion 29,264 n.m. n.m. n.m. 29,264 n.m. n.m. n.m. Third Party Brands and Textile 88,549 116,309 (23.9%) (24.9%) 4.2% 45,821 61,663 (25.7%) (26.7%) (3.8%) Total Wholesale 317,449 35.2% 298,703 41.0% 6.3% 5.5% 7.6% 162,725 34.3% 140,231 39.9% 16.0% 15.6% 6.0% Other 2,225 0.2% 2,266 0.3% n.m. n.m. n.m. 1,082 0.2% 1,249 0.4% n.m. n.m. n.m.

______________________________________ Zegna branded products include apparel, bags, shoes and small and large leather goods, as well as licensed goods and royalties.

The tables below show a reconciliation of revenue growth for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and for the three months ended June 30, 2023 to organic growth for the same periods by sales channel and at the Group level.

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign Exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 23.9 % (0.8)% 8.8 % (5.6)% 21.5 % Direct to Consumer (DTC) Zegna branded products 28.7 (1.6)% 30.3 Thom Browne 25.3 (5.3)% 30.6 Tom Ford Fashion n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. Total Direct to Customer (DTC) 36.3 % (2.3)% 8.2 % 30.4 % Wholesale Zegna branded products 19.3 1.4 17.9 Thom Browne 4.2 4.2 Tom Ford Fashion n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. Third Party Brands and Textile (23.9)% 1.0 (0.1)% (29.0)% 4.2 Total Wholesale 6.3 % 0.8 % 9.7 % (11.8)% 7.6 % Other n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m.

Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign Exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 35.1% (2.3%) 18.4% (5.5%) 24.5% Direct to Consumer (DTC) Zegna branded products 32.7% (3.5%) 36.2% Thom Browne 25.3% (8.4%) 33.7% Tom Ford Fashion n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. Total Direct to Customer (DTC) 48.1% (4.7%) 17.0% 35.8% Wholesale Zegna branded products 42.8% (0.2%) 43.0% Thom Browne (1.7%) (0.2%) (1.5%) Tom Ford Fashion n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. Third Party Brands and Textile (25.7%) 1.0% (0.2%) (22.7%) (3.8%) Total Wholesale 16.0% 0.4% 20.8% (11.2%) 6.0% Other n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m. n.m.

______________________________________ Zegna branded products include apparel, bags, shoes and small and large leather goods, as well as licensed goods and royalties.

Group Revenues by Geographical Area (Preliminary and Unaudited)

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 ( thousands, except percentages) H1 2023 H1 2022 Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

Growth Q2 2023 Q2 2022 Reported

Revenues Constant

Currency Organic

Growth Total revenues 903,059 728,993 23.9 % 24.7% 21.5% 474,747 351,414 35.1 % 37.4% 24.5% EMEA (1) 322,680 260,627 23.8 % 24.2% 21.4% 172,572 126,171 36.8 % 37.9% 24.5% of which Italy 151,464 125,996 20.2 % 20.0% 16.8% 77,030 61,905 24.4 % 24.1% 14.3% of which UK 28,823 23,544 22.4 % 24.2% 21.5% 18,442 12,574 46.7 % 48.0% 24.3% of which UAE 31,906 21,745 46.7 % 45.1% 44.0% 15,506 10,377 49.4 % 53.1% 50.8% North America (2) 174,376 135,275 28.9 % 25.7% 16.3% 108,742 73,472 48.0 % 46.6% 16.2% of which United States 156,747 124,291 26.1 % 22.9% 12.5% 98,712 67,358 46.5 % 45.3% 13.9% Latin America (3) 15,736 12,525 25.6 % 16.5% 16.5% 8,963 6,860 30.7 % 23.9% 23.9% APAC (4) 389,025 318,825 22.0 % 25.4% 24.3% 183,772 144,009 27.6 % 33.3% 28.7% of which Greater China Region 306,835 247,193 24.1 % 27.7% 27.2% 142,309 105,213 35.3 % 42.0% 40.0% of which Japan 39,597 30,240 30.9 % 37.8% 32.6% 20,942 16,101 30.1 % 36.8% 23.9% Other (5) 1,242 1,741 (28.7) % (28.9%) (33.6%) 698 902 (22.6) % (22.7%) (31.9%)

________________________________________ (1) EMEA includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa. (2) North America includes the United States of America and Canada. (3) Latin America includes Mexico, Brazil and other Central and South American countries. (4) APAC includes the Greater China Region, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, India and other Southeast Asian countries. (5) Other revenues mainly include royalties.

The tables below show a reconciliation of revenue growth for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and for the three months ended June 30, 2023 to organic growth for the same periods by geographical area and at the Group level.

H1 2023 vs H1 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign Exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 23.9% (0.8%) 8.8% (5.6%) 21.5% EMEA (1) 23.8% (0.4%) 8.7% (5.9%) 21.4% of which Italy 20.2% 0.2% 6.3% (3.1%) 16.8% of which UK 22.4% (1.8%) 20.7% (18.0%) 21.5% of which UAE 46.7% 1.6% 1.1% 44.0% North America (2) 28.9% 3.2% 23.3% (13.9%) 16.3% of which United States 26.1% 3.2% 23.3% (12.9%) 12.5% Latin America (3) 25.6% 9.1% 16.5% APAC (4) 22.0% (3.4%) 2.9% (1.8%) 24.3% of which Greater China Region 24.1% (3.6%) 1.0% (0.5%) 27.2% of which Japan 30.9% (6.9%) 9.1% (3.9%) 32.6% Other (5) (28.7%) 0.2% 4.7% (33.6%)

Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022 Revenues Growth Foreign Exchange Acquisitions and

disposals Structural changes

in license

agreements where

Zegna operates

as a licensee Organic Growth Group 35.1% (2.3%) 18.4% (5.5%) 24.5% EMEA (1) 36.8% (1.1%) 18.1% (4.7%) 24.5% of which Italy 24.4% 0.3% 12.7% (2.9%) 14.3% of which UK 46.7% (1.3%) 38.6% (14.9%) 24.3% of which UAE 49.4% (3.7%) 2.3% 50.8% North America (2) 48.0% 1.4% 43.7% (13.3%) 16.2% of which United States 46.5% 1.2% 44.0% (12.6%) 13.9% Latin America (3) 30.7% 6.8% 23.9% APAC (4) 27.6% (5.7%) 6.3% (1.7%) 28.7% of which Greater China Region 35.3% (6.7%) 2.5% (0.5%) 40.0% of which Japan 30.1% (6.7%) 16.7% (3.8%) 23.9% Other (5) (22.6%) 0.1% 9.2% (31.9%)

________________________________________ (1) EMEA includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa. (2) North America includes the United States of America and Canada. (3) Latin America includes Mexico, Brazil and other Central and South American countries. (4) APAC includes the Greater China Region, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, India and other Southeast Asian countries. (5) Other revenues mainly include royalties.

Monobrand(1) Store Network at June 30, 2023

As of June 30, 2023 As of December 31, 2022 As of June 30, 2022 Stores Zegna Thom

Browne Tom Ford

Fashion Group Zegna Thom

Browne Group Zegna Thom

Browne Group EMEA (2) 69 10 4 83 65 10 75 69 10 79 Americas (3) 55 7 11 73 53 7 60 51 5 56 APAC 122 49 36 207 121 46 167 122 38 160 Total Direct to Customer (DTC) 246 66 51 363 239 63 302 242 53 295 EMEA (2) 59 7 12 78 57 6 63 85 5 90 Americas (3) 63 3 51 117 64 4 68 68 3 71 APAC 35 33 7 75 35 32 67 33 30 63 Total Wholesale 157 43 70 270 156 42 198 186 38 224 Total 403 109 121 633 395 105 500 428 91 519

________________________________________ (1) Monobrand store count includes our DOSs (which are divided into boutiques and outlets) and our Wholesale monobrand stores (including also monobrand franchisees). (2) Does not include any stores in Russia at June 30, 2023 or at December 31, 2022 (14 Wholesale stores in EMEA at June 30, 2022). Although some stores may still be operating at June 30, 2023, they have not been supplied by Zegna since February 2022 and have therefore been excluded from Zegna's store count. (3) Americas include North America and Latin America.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Zegna's management monitors and evaluates operating and financial performance using several non-IFRS financial measures including: adjusted earnings before interest and taxes ("Adjusted EBIT"), Adjusted EBIT Margin, revenues on a constant currency basis and revenues on an organic growth basis. Zegna's management believes that these non-IFRS financial measures provide useful and relevant information regarding Zegna's financial performance and financial condition, and improve the ability of management and investors to assess and compare the financial performance and financial position of Zegna with those of other companies. They also provide comparable measures that facilitate management's ability to identify operational trends, as well as make decisions regarding future spending, resource allocations and other strategic and operational decisions. While similar measures are widely used in the industry in which Zegna operates, the financial measures that Zegna uses may not be comparable to other similarly named measures used by other companies nor are they intended to be substitutes for measures of financial performance or financial position as prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT Margin

Adjusted EBIT is defined as profit or loss before income taxes plus financial income, financial expenses, foreign exchange losses/(gains) and the result from investments accounted for using the equity method, adjusted for income and costs which are significant in nature and that management considers not reflective of underlying operating activities.

Adjusted EBIT Margin is defined as Adjusted EBIT divided by revenues of the applicable period.

Zegna's management uses Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT Margin for internal reporting to assess performance and as part of the forecasting, budgeting and decision-making processes as they provide additional transparency regarding Zegna's underlying operating performance. Zegna's management believes these non-IFRS financial measures are useful because they exclude items that management believes are not indicative of Zegna's underlying operating performance and allow management to view operating trends, perform analytical comparisons and benchmark performance between periods and among segments. Zegna's management also believes that Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT Margin are useful for investors and analysts to better understand how management assesses Zegna's underlying operating performance on a consistent basis and to compare Zegna's performance with that of other companies. Accordingly, management believes that Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT Margin provide useful information to third party stakeholders in understanding and evaluating Zegna's operating results.

Constant Currency Revenues

In addition to presenting our revenues on a current currency basis, we also present certain revenue information on a constant currency basis (Constant Currency), which excludes the effects of foreign currency translation from our subsidiaries with functional currencies different from the Euro.

We calculate Constant Currency revenues by applying the current period average foreign currency exchange rates to translate prior period revenues of foreign subsidiaries expressed in local functional currencies different than the Euro.

We use revenues on a Constant Currency basis to analyze how our underlying revenues have changed between periods independent of the effects of foreign currency translation.

Revenues on a Constant Currency basis are not a substitute for revenues on a current currency basis or any IFRS-related measures, however we believe that revenues excluding the impact of foreign currency translation provide additional useful information to management and to investors in analyzing and evaluating our revenues and operating performance.

Organic Growth Revenues

In addition to presenting our revenues on a current currency basis, we also present certain revenue information on an organic growth basis (Organic Growth). Organic Growth is calculated as the change in revenues from period to period, excluding the effects of (a) foreign exchange, (b) acquisitions and disposals and (c) structural changes in license agreements where Zegna operates as a licensee.

In calculating Organic Growth, the following adjustments are made to revenues:

(a) foreign exchange: current period average foreign currency exchange rates are used to translate prior period revenues of foreign subsidiaries expressed in local functional currencies different than the Euro;

(b) acquisitions and disposals: revenues generated by entities, businesses or revenue-generating assets acquired or disposed of in the current year or prior year are excluded from both periods (acquisitions and disposals refer to share or asset deals or other changes in control of subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures);

(c) structural changes in license agreements where Zegna operates as a licensee: revenues generated from license agreements, where Zegna operates as a licensee, that experienced a structural change in the scope or perimeter in the current year or prior year are excluded from both periods, including changes to product categories, sales channels or geographies of the underlying license agreements.

We believe the presentation of Organic Growth is useful to better understand and analyze the underlying change in the Group's revenues from period to period on a consistent perimeter and constant currency basis.

Revenues on an Organic Growth basis are not a substitute for revenues on a current currency basis or any IFRS-related measures, however we believe that revenues excluding the effects of (a) foreign exchange, (b) acquisitions and disposals and (c) structural changes in license agreements where Zegna operates as a licensee provide additional useful information to management and to investors in analyzing and evaluating our revenues and operating performance.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727251537/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations Group Communications Media

Francesca Di Pasquantonio Clementina Tito

ir@zegna.com corporatepress@zegna.com
Dole plc (NYSE: DOLE) will announce its financial results for the second quarter of 2023 on Thursday, August 17, 2023, prior to the market opening. The company's management will host a webcast and conference call on the same day at 08:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

A presentation to accompany the discussion will be posted on the company website along with a press release and other supplemental financial information.

The live webcast and a replay after the event can be accessed at www.doleplc.com/investor-relations

The conference call can be accessed live by dialling (646) 307-1963 in the US or +353 (1) 582 2023 in Ireland and +44 20 3481 4247 for UK and other international participants. The conference ID is 4317462.

About Dole plc:

A global leader in fresh produce, Dole plc grows, markets, and distributes an extensive variety of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally and from around the world. Dedicated and passionate in exceeding our customers' requirements in over 75 countries, our goal is to make the world a healthier and a more sustainable place.

Category: Financial

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727819057/en/

Contacts:

Investor Contact:

James O'Regan, Head of Investor Relations, Dole plc

investors@doleplc.com

+353 1 887 2794

Media Contact:

Brian Bell, Ogilvy

brian.bell@ogilvy.com

+353 87 2436 130
SINGAPORE, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar has been ranked in the top AAA category for the fifth consecutive quarter in PV Tech's PV ModuleTech Bankability Ratings for Q2'2023, underlining the company's leadership status in high reliability, advanced technology, shipments and sound financial performance.

Trina has now been recognized as an 'Overall High Achiever' by RETC for three consecutive years and ranked 'Top Performer' for nine years in a row by PVEL. The company's Vertex modules have also recently been certified by TUV Rheinland for their performance in harsh marine environments, while its 700W series modules passed the RETC thresher test.

Trina Solar invests heavily in technological innovation. Combining 210mm technology and n-type i-TOPCon Advanced technology, mass-produced modules power output is forecast to exceed 700W next year.

The company's cumulative shipments of 210mm modules have reached 65GW+, giving it top ranking in 210mm module shipments worldwide. Customers have continued to demonstrate their trust in Trina Solar with their orders, recent ones including an agreement to supply 800MW Vertex modules to Aquila Clean Energy EMEA.

Trina Solar spares no effort in providing worry-free delivery of n-type modules. By the end of this year, its module production capacity is forecast to reach 95GW and its cell production capacity 75GW, with 40GW dedicated to n-type cells.

In July Trina Solar, with eight other module manufacturers, reached a consensus on standardizing dimensions, delivering high customer value, moving the industry a step further toward adopting 210mm technology.

Trina Solar is committed to delivering low-carbon products to its customers. Its Yiwu factory in China's Zhejiang province has become the PV industry's first to be officially certified as 'zero carbon'.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan Institute is proud to present the prestigious Enlightened Growth Leadership Awards, 2023, honoring organizations that embody a commitment to prospering while making a positive difference in the world. Amidst the ever-evolving business landscape, Frost & Sullivan Institute has identified an exceptional group of multinational companies that exemplify the successful fusion of business growth and global transformation by addressing challenges such as carbon emissions, waste generation, consumption of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels etc.

The Enlightened Growth Leadership Awards highlights companies that not only prioritize their own growth but also demonstrate a profound commitment to their people and sustainability. These organizations have successfully harmonized business acumen with a moral imperative, forging a path where prosperity coexists with social and environmental responsibility. This recognition serves as a testament to an organization's dedication to its stakeholders, including employees, investors, clients, and the planet itself.

"We are thrilled to honor these remarkable companies that have set new benchmarks in enlightened growth leadership. They have demonstrated that success is not just measured by financial achievements but by the positive impact an organization can create for its stakeholders and the world. These companies serve as beacons of inspiration, leading the way towards a sustainable and prosperous future," said David Frigstad, Director of Frost & Sullivan Institute.

Utilizing our proprietary, eight-step measurement-based methodology, supported by comprehensive research, in-depth analyses, and benchmarking, Frost & Sullivan Institute rigorously evaluated nominees to shortlist the winners. Our global think tank scrutinized diverse perspectives on how companies can enhance the global economy and improve the future of our planet. The selection process focused on critical performance indicators such as growth excellence, 'innovating to zero' on global priorities, customer value chain, and technological advancements. This ensures that the winners truly epitomize excellence in enlightened growth leadership.

Building upon the success of previous years, Frost & Sullivan Institute is thrilled to announce that the 2023 recipients will be celebrated at the prestigious Enlightened Growth Leadership Awards, taking place in Prague this November.

Recipients:

ADVANTEST CORPORATION

ARE Holdings,Inc

Data#3 Limited

Dilip Buildcon Ltd

EXEO Group, Inc

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited.

Golden Energy Mines.

Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited.

Keppel Infrastructure Trust

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.

LTIMindtree Limited

Lucky Cement.

MonotaRO Co., Ltd.

Kazatomprom

NMDC Limited.

NRW Holdings

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited

RWC

SD Biosensor, INC

Seegene Inc

Tokyo Electron Limited

Beach Energy Limited

AusNet

Datacom Group Ltd

Delta Electronics (Thailand) PCL.

DL E&C

Doosan Bobcat

DREAMTECH CO., LTD

ECOPRO

Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited

GMO Internet Group, Inc.

KAGA ELECTRONICS CO.,LTD

LX Semicon.

M3, Inc.

OFB Tech Pvt. Ltd

PERENTI GLOBAL LIMITED

PSA International

SL Corporation.

Sonic Healthcare Limited

UT Group Co., Ltd.

Zimplats

ZOZO, Inc

About Frost & Sullivan Institute

The Frost & Sullivan Institute (FSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing business practices to address global priorities. The genesis of the institute goes back to the vision of either creating or becoming part of a solution that addresses threats to humanity. The Institute has identified strategic imperatives for transformation and believes that we can truly accelerate innovation to zero. To learn more about FSI, visit www.frostandsullivaninstitute.org

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Media Contact:

Bivechana Gautam

Email: bivechana.gautam@frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

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Investments will likely target early-stage startups to nurture the next generation of electrification and to align with WEX's mission to lead the energy transition to EVs

WEX (NYSE: WEX), the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a new investment arm of WEX, WEX Venture Capital, to invest up to $100 million through the end of 2025, which will likely be made predominantly in early-stage companies focused on the energy transition, including areas such as fleet electrification, the electric vehicle (EV) charging ecosystem, energy management and optimization, and adjacent technology. WEX Venture Capital has already started to deploy capital, including minority investments in Chargetrip and ev.energy.

"WEX Venture Capital is proof that we do not have to choose between doing what's right for business and what's right for the future of mobility," said Melissa Smith, Chair, Chief Executive Officer, and President, WEX. "From routing and energy management to fuel payment systems, the energy transition will benefit from innovation in fleet management offerings, creating flexibility for our customers to seamlessly charge or fuel at work, home, and en route. WEX Venture Capital's investments will be aimed at supporting companies focused on the critical back-end infrastructure necessary to achieve widespread commercial EV adoption, while also creating new value for WEX's global fleet customers navigating the evolving electric mobility ecosystem. This is a crucial moment for WEX and the larger fleet industry, and we're proud to help lead this transition."

Already a trusted advisor to fleet mobility customers, including more than 18 million vehicles serviced globally as of Q2 2023, the portfolio companies in which WEX Venture Capital expects to invest will have the potential to benefit from the capital investment as well as the potential commercial opportunities presented by WEX's fleet mobility customers and partners across the broader and evolving fueling and charging ecosystem.

"In the years to come, the energy transition will transform how we move employees and goods around the economy," said Jay Dearborn, Chief Strategy Officer, WEX. "WEX Venture Capital positions WEX to not only serve our commercial customers with the innovation we drive from within, but to also participate and help unlock rich innovation that is happening across the ecosystem."

The new initiative reflects the importance of engaging with outside innovators and companies, which complements WEX's historical approach to growth through traditional M&A and internal development efforts. WEX Venture Capital diversifies WEX's long-term strategy by positioning the company to identify new revenue models, provide visibility beyond WEX's current product roadmap, and participate in the early-stage product innovation ecosystem as many of its fleet mobility customers begin to migrate from internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs and mixed fleets as part of the energy transition.

WEX Venture Capital's investment thesis is reflected in its recent investments in Chargetrip, a Netherlands-based company focused on range prediction and EV routing for private drivers and commercial fleets, and ev.energy, a UK-based company offering a managed charging software platform for EVs. ev.energy announced its $33 million Series B round of financing today.

"We are thrilled to welcome Chargetrip and ev.energy to the WEX Venture Capital portfolio," said Carlos Carriedo, Chief Operating Officer, International, WEX. "Chargetrip's deep expertise in range prediction and routing technology for EV fleets and ev.energy's managed charging platform are both critical in helping our clients optimize their EV investments. We look forward to collaborating with Chargetrip and ev.energy to help strengthen their first-mover advantage in market awareness, product maturity, and traction as fleets convert to EVs over time."

"The investment from WEX Venture Capital is a major step towards our goal to be the number one design partner for electrifying fleets. With WEX's network and fleet software expertise, Chargetrip will be able to access new customers, benefit from WEX leadership's knowledge, and grow its North American presence," said Gideon van Dijk, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Chargetrip

"WEX Venture Capital is a great partner for ev.energy, giving us access to millions of fleet vehicles across the US and Europe. I'm excited about working with WEX to help fleet managers save thousands and reduce carbon emissions through the vehicle-grid integration of fleet EVs," said Nick Woolley, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, ev.energy.

WEX Venture Capital is launched as the growth of EV adoption reaches an inflection point. Given its leading position in the fuel payments industry, serving over 600,000 fleet customers worldwide, WEX Venture Capital enables WEX to play a meaningful role in the greater electric mobility ecosystem by assisting a variety of new stakeholders, from energy suppliers to charge point operators, OEMs, charging locations, and energy markets, among others as they streamline the future of charging and payments.

For more information about WEX Venture Capital, please visit https://vc.wexinc.com.

About WEX

WEX (NYSE: WEX) is the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business. WEX has created a powerful ecosystem that offers seamlessly embedded, personalized solutions for its customers around the world. Through its rich data and specialized expertise in simplifying benefits, reimagining mobility and paying and getting paid, WEX aims to make it easy for companies to overcome complexity and reach their full potential. For more information, please visit www.wexinc.com

About WEX Venture Capital

WEX Venture Capital is the venture capital arm of WEX (NYSE: WEX) with an authorization of $100 million in capital focused on identifying and helping advance next-generation technology and companies focused on the energy transition. Investment areas of focus include fleet electrification, the electric vehicle (EV) charging ecosystem, energy management and optimization, and adjacent technology. WEX Venture Capital offers portfolio companies the potential to benefit from the breadth of WEX's global fleet business and expertise, while guiding WEX fleet customers as they navigate the expected global EV transition. For more information, please visit https://vc.wexinc.com.

About Chargetrip

Chargetrip is an API-based SaaS company that enables fleet electrification and e-mobility application development with EV routing and range prediction technology. Its platform routes about 15% of Europe's EV drivers and is trusted by top EV charging, vehicle rental, and energy utility companies globally. In addition to WEX Venture Capital, Chargetrip is backed by world-class investors HSBC Asset Management, Riverstone, Blue Bear Capital, Vindeggen, and Axel Springer Porsche. Learn more at https://chargetrip.com.

About ev.energy

ev.energy is a Certified B Corporation with a mission to make EV charging greener, cheaper, and smarter for utilities and their customers. Its end-to-end software platform wirelessly connects to a range of electric vehicles and chargers to intelligently manage EV charging while working with utilities to put cash back in customers' wallets for charging at grid-friendly times. With a global base of utility, vehicle OEM and EVSE partners, ev.energy manages more than 100,000 EVs on its platform each day. Learn more at https://ev.energy/business.

Forward-Looking Statements made by WEX

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding expectations for future investments. Any statements that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. When used in this release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "seeks,""will", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including: WEX's ability and timing to execute on any such investments and the success of such investments, as well as other risks and uncertainties identified in Item 1A of WEX's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 27, 2023 and any subsequent SEC filings. WEX's forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential future impact of any alliance, merger, acquisition, disposition or stock repurchases. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. WEX disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Contacts:

News media:

WEX

Julie Lydon, 415-816-9397

Julie.Lydon@wexinc.com

Investor:

WEX

Steve Elder, 207-523-7769

Steve.Elder@wexinc.com
Subsea orders of $4.1 billion; record inbound for both iEPCI and Subsea 2.0

Outlook for Subsea orders revised higher; full-year expected to reach $9 billion

Total Company backlog increased 25% sequentially to $13.3 billion

Cash flow from operations of $156 million; free cash flow of $103 million

Initiated quarterly dividend; repurchase authorization increased to $800 million

Commitment to distribute more than 60% of annual free cash flow through at least 2025

TechnipFMC plc (NYSE: FTI) (the "Company" or "TechnipFMC") today reported second quarter 2023 results.

Summary Financial Results from Continuing Operations Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions, except per share amounts) Jun. 30, 2023 Mar. 31, 2023 Jun. 30, 2022 Sequential Year-over-

Year Revenue $1,972.2 $1,717.4 $1,717.2 14.8% 14.8% Income (loss) $(87.2) $0.4 $2.1 n/m n/m Income (loss) margin (4.4%) 0.0% 0.1% n/m n/m Diluted earnings (loss) per share $(0.20) $0.00 $0.00 n/m n/m Adjusted EBITDA $205.9 $157.5 $186.5 30.7% 10.4% Adjusted EBITDA margin 10.4% 9.2% 10.9% 120 bps (50 bps) Adjusted income $44.0 $1.0 $8.4 n/m 423.8% Adjusted diluted earnings per share $0.10 $0.00 $0.02 n/m 400.0% Inbound orders $4,447.3 $2,858.9 $2,201.7 55.6% 102.0% Backlog $13,278.6 $10,607.4 $9,039.4 25.2% 46.9% n/m not meaningful

Total Company revenue in the second quarter was $1,972.2 million. Loss from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC was $87.2 million. These results included after-tax charges and credits totaling $131.2 million of expense, or $0.30 per share, which included the following (Exhibit 6):

An incremental non-recurring legal settlement charge related to the previously disclosed final resolution of all outstanding matters with the French national prosecutor's office of $126.5 million; and

Restructuring and other charges of $4.7 million.

Adjusted income from continuing operations was $44 million, or $0.10 per diluted share (Exhibit 6).

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes pre-tax charges and credits, was $205.9 million; adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.4 percent (Exhibit 8).

Included in total Company results was a foreign exchange loss of $48.3 million, or $45.2 million after-tax. When excluding the after-tax impact of foreign exchange of $45.2 million, loss from continuing operations was $42 million. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, was $254.2 million (Exhibit 8).

Shareholder Distribution Update

On July 26, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") authorized and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share. The Company intends to pay dividends on a quarterly basis, and this dividend represents $0.20 per share on an annualized basis.

The Board also authorized additional share repurchase of up to $400 million. Together with the existing program, the Company's total share repurchase authorization was increased to $800 million, of which $200 million has been completed to date. The remaining authorization to repurchase up to $600 million represents more than seven percent of the Company's outstanding shares at yesterday's closing price.

Doug Pferdehirt, Chair and CEO of TechnipFMC, stated, "Our second quarter results reflect both strong operational performance and continued delivery on our financial commitments. Total Company revenue for the quarter was $2 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $254 million when excluding foreign exchange. Both Subsea and Surface Technologies delivered sequential improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin, including a 420 basis point increase in Subsea to 14.4%, the highest quarterly margin since 2018."

Pferdehirt continued, "Subsea inbound orders of $4.1 billion were exceptionally strong in the period, driving sequential growth of 29% in segment backlog to $12.1 billion. Subsea orders included six integrated projects, including the direct award of our largest iEPCI to date, a contract from Equinor for the BM-C-33 development in Brazil. Year-to-date, iEPCI has accounted for more than 50% of our order intake. We continue to expect iEPCI to achieve its highest ever inbound in 2023, enabled by a record level of iFEED activity that often converts to direct award."

"We continue to drive further adoption of our Subsea 2.0 platform, with more clients recognizing the benefits of our configure-to-order product portfolio. In the quarter, we signed a 20-year frame agreement with Chevron, and we were awarded projects by Equinor and ExxonMobil that will utilize this unique technology."

Pferdehirt added, "Subsea inbound for the first half of the year totaled $6.7 billion, giving us confidence to raise our full year outlook. We now expect orders to reach $9 billion in 2023. We anticipate 70% of these orders will come from a combination of iEPCI, Subsea Services and all other direct awards, highlighting the quality of our inbound."

"The market backdrop remains very strong. The FEED pipeline continues to expand, with more projects in advanced stages moving towards final investment decision. Our Subsea Opportunities List, which highlights projects available over the next 24 months, remains robust. Longer-term visibility is also improving, with clients securing capacity for projects that extend to 2030. These are among the many tangible signs that support our view that this will be an extended market cycle."

Pferdehirt continued, "Demonstrating our continued commitment to maximize shareholder value, we have initiated a quarterly dividend and doubled the size of our existing share repurchase authorization to $800 million. These actions build upon the $200 million of shares we repurchased over the last 12 months."

"We also announced a new commitment to return more than 60% of our annual free cash flow to shareholders through at least 2025. This is supported by our confidence in achieving sustainable improvement in our financial performance and the strength of our long-term outlook. We intend to distribute a material portion of the improved returns to shareholders, and at the same time further strengthen our balance sheet."

Pferdehirt concluded, "We have strategically placed ourselves in a very differentiated position. More than 90 percent of our total Company orders and revenue are generated outside the North America land market. We are fundamentally changing the way we operate our business to ensure that we create greater value for all stakeholders. This is clearly being recognized by the market, with the quarter representing the highest level of inbound activity for both iEPCI and Subsea 2.0 in our Company's history. We look forward to sharing future milestones with you as we continue our more ambitious journey ahead."

Operational and Financial Highlights

Subsea Financial Highlights Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions) Jun. 30, 2023 Mar. 31, 2023 Jun. 30, 2022 Sequential Year-over-

Year Revenue $1,618.4 $1,387.6 $1,414.6 16.6% 14.4% Operating profit $153.4 $66.8 $97.1 129.6% 58.0% Operating profit margin 9.5% 4.8% 6.9% 470 bps 260 bps Adjusted EBITDA $233.8 $141.9 $176.0 64.8% 32.8% Adjusted EBITDA margin 14.4% 10.2% 12.4% 420 bps 200 bps Inbound orders $4,114.5 $2,536.5 $1,928.0 62.2% 113.4% Backlog1,2,3 $12,088.5 $9,395.3 $7,926.3 28.7% 52.5%

Estimated Consolidated Backlog Scheduling (In millions) Jun. 30, 2023 2023 (6 months) $2,353 2024 $4,272 2025 and beyond $5,464 Total $12,089 1 Backlog as of June 30, 2023 was increased by a foreign exchange impact of $189 million. 2Backlog does not capture all revenue potential for Subsea Services. 3Backlog as of June 30, 2023 does not include total Company non-consolidated backlog of $350 million.

Subsea reported second quarter revenue of $1,618.4 million, an increase of 16.6 percent from the first quarter. The sequential revenue improvement was largely driven by increased project activity in South America, the North Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Services revenue also increased due to seasonal improvement, including higher installation and intervention activity.

Subsea reported an operating profit of $153.4 million, an increase of 129.6 percent from the first quarter. Sequential operating results increased primarily due to higher revenue, improved margins in backlog, and increased installation and services activity.

Subsea reported adjusted EBITDA of $233.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 64.8 percent when compared to the first quarter, benefiting from the same factors that drove operating profit. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 420 basis points to 14.4 percent.

Subsea inbound orders were $4.1 billion for the quarter. Book-to-bill was 2.5x. The following awards were announced and included in the period:

ExxonMobil Uaru Project (Guyana)

Large* contract by ExxonMobil Corporation affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, to supply the subsea production system for the Uaru project. TechnipFMC will provide project management, engineering, and manufacturing to deliver the overall subsea production system. The award covers 44 subsea trees and associated tooling, as well as 12 manifolds and associated controls and tie-in equipment. This is ExxonMobil Guyana's first project utilizing the Subsea 2.0 system, which leverages the Company's configure-to-order model to deliver on an accelerated schedule.

*A "large" contract is between $500 million and $1 billion.

Equinor BM-C-33 iEPCI Project (Brazil)

Major* integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (iEPCI) project by Equinor Energy do Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Equinor ASA (Equinor). The award follows the conclusion of an integrated Front End Engineering and Design (iFEED) study of the BM-C-33 field offshore Brazil. The field is in water depths up to approximately 2,900 meters. The contract covers the entire subsea system, including Subsea 2.0 tree systems, manifolds, jumpers, risers and flowlines, umbilicals, pipeline end terminations, subsea distribution and topside control equipment, and installation. TechnipFMC will also be responsible for life-of-field services.

*A "major" contract is more than $1 billion.

Equinor Riserless Light Well Intervention Contract (Norway)

Significant* contract by Equinor to provide riserless light well intervention (RLWI) services on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The two-year contract runs from 2024 to 2025, with options to extend for each of the three subsequent years. TechnipFMC will provide production enhancement, production data, and pre-plug-and-abandonment services to Equinor using the RLWI method. RLWI enables well interventions from a monohull vessel, eliminating the need for a riser and the rig required to connect the riser to the subsea well. Instead, remotely operated Well Control Systems are used to facilitate operations on the seabed. This reduces cost and complexity, increases efficiency, and accelerates the timeframe for increased production.

*A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

Shell Dover iEPCI Development (Gulf of Mexico)

Significant* integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (iEPCI) contract by Shell plc for its Dover development in the Gulf of Mexico. TechnipFMC will supply the subsea tree systems in addition to the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the umbilical, riser, and flowline systems. The Dover development will tie back to the Appomattox platform, where TechnipFMC previously supplied and installed the subsea production systems.

*A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

Woodside Julimar Phase 3 Development (Australia)

Significant* contract by Woodside Energy** to engineer, procure, construct, and install flexible pipes and umbilicals for the Julimar Phase 3 development, offshore Western Australia. The Company will tie back four subsea gas wells in the Carnarvon Basin to the existing Julimar subsea infrastructure producing to the Wheatstone platform, using high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) flexible pipe and steel tube umbilicals.

*A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

**Woodside Energy Julimar Pty Ltd (Woodside Energy) is operator on behalf of the Julimar joint venture participants. The participants are Woodside Energy (65%) and KUFPEC Australia (Julimar) Pty Ltd (35%).

Azule Energy Block 18 Infills Development (Angola)

Significant* contract by Azule Energy to supply subsea production systems for the Block 18 Infills development, offshore Angola. It is TechnipFMC's first subsea production systems contract with Azule Energy, and follows the announcement of a flexible pipe supply contract for Azule's Agogo Integrated West Hub Development. The existing field layout will be reconfigured to accommodate new equipment that will continue to support Azule's production increase plan. TechnipFMC will design and manufacture subsea trees, a manifold, subsea distribution equipment, and topside controls, as well as jumpers, flowlines and umbilicals.

*A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

OMV Berling Gas iEPCI Development (Norway)

Significant* integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (iEPCI) contract by OMV (Norge) AS for its Berling gas development project. It will be OMV's first iEPCI project in Norway as operator. TechnipFMC will design and install the subsea production systems, controls, pipelines, and umbilicals for the development on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The award follows a six-month integrated Front End Engineering and Design (iFEED) study, which optimized the field layout and improved the project's economics by confirming the suitability of thermally insulated pipe-in-pipe technology for the flowline used in this tieback.

*A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

Additionally, we secured the following frame agreement in the period:

Chevron 20-Year Subsea 2.0 Frame Agreement (Australia)

TechnipFMC signed a 20-year framework agreement with Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, under which TechnipFMC may provide Subsea 2.0 configure-to-order subsea production systems for gas field developments off Australia's northwest coast. The agreement covers the supply of wellheads, tree systems, manifolds, controls, flexible jumpers, and flying leads. Deliveries under this framework agreement will utilize TechnipFMC's worldwide expertise and knowledge base, with the production systems manufactured at the Company's dedicated Subsea 2.0 facility in Nusajaya, Malaysia.

Surface Technologies Financial Highlights Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions) Jun. 30, 2023 Mar. 31, 2023 Jun. 30, 2022 Sequential Year-over-

Year Revenue $353.8 $329.8 $302.6 7.3% 16.9% Operating profit $25.7 $22.4 $10.0 14.7% 157.0% Operating profit margin 7.3% 6.8% 3.3% 50 bps 400 bps Adjusted EBITDA $46.9 $40.3 $32.4 16.4% 44.8% Adjusted EBITDA margin 13.3% 12.2% 10.7% 110 bps 260 bps Inbound orders $332.8 $322.4 $273.7 3.2% 21.6% Backlog $1,190.1 $1,212.1 $1,113.1 (1.8%) 6.9%

Surface Technologies reported second quarter revenue of $353.8 million, an increase of 7.3 percent from the first quarter. The sequential revenue improvement was driven primarily by higher activity in the Middle East and North America.

Surface Technologies reported operating profit of $25.7 million, an increase of 14.7 percent versus the first quarter. Sequential operating results increased primarily due to higher revenue and improved operational performance. Results in the period were negatively impacted by $3.9 million of higher restructuring and other charges.

Surface Technologies reported adjusted EBITDA of $46.9 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 16.4 percent when compared to the first quarter. Results increased largely due to higher revenue and improved operational performance. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 110 basis points to 13.3 percent.

Inbound orders for the quarter were $332.8 million, a sequential increase of 3.2 percent. Backlog ended the period at $1,190.1 million.

Corporate and Other Items (three months ended, June 30, 2023)

Corporate expense was $153.5 million. Excluding a non-recurring legal settlement charge totaling $126.5 million, corporate expense was $27 million.

The non-recurring legal settlement charge in the period was related to the resolution of all outstanding matters with the French national prosecutor's office. As previously disclosed, TechnipFMC is responsible for $195 million (179.5 million) of the legal settlement. The charge represented an increase to the existing provision to reflect the value of the total liability.

Foreign exchange loss was $48.3 million, primarily due to the significant depreciation of the Angolan Kwanza in the period.

Net interest expense was $30.3 million.

The provision for income taxes was $43.3 million.

Total depreciation and amortization was $97 million.

Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $156.2 million. Capital expenditures were $52.8 million. Free cash flow from continuing operations was $103.4 million (Exhibit 11).

The Company ended the period with cash and cash equivalents of $585.2 million; net debt was $844 million (Exhibit 10).

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 3.6 million of its ordinary shares for total consideration of $50 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 6.9 million shares for total consideration of $100 million.

2023 Full-Year Financial Guidance1

The Company's full-year guidance for 2023 can be found in the table below. No updates were made to the previous guidance that was issued on February 23, 2023.

2023 Guidance (As of February 23, 2023) Subsea Surface Technologies Revenue in a range of $5.9 6.3 billion Revenue in a range of $1.3 1.45 billion Adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 12.5 13.5% Adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 12 14% TechnipFMC Corporate expense, net $100 110 million (includes depreciation and amortization of ~$5 million; excludes charges and credits) Net interest expense $100 110 million Tax provision, as reported $155 165 million Capital expenditures approximately $250 million Free cash flow2 $225 375 million

_______________________________

1 Our guidance measures of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, free cash flow, and adjusted corporate expense, net are non-GAAP financial measures. We are unable to provide a reconciliation to comparable GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort because of the unpredictability of the individual components of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and the variability of items excluded from each such measure. Such information may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on our future financial results. 2 Free cash flow is calculated as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures.

Teleconference

The Company will host a teleconference on Thursday, July 27, 2023 to discuss the second quarter 2023 financial results. The call will begin at 1:30 p.m. London time (8:30 a.m. New York time). Webcast access and an accompanying presentation can be found at www.TechnipFMC.com.

An archived audio replay will be available after the event at the same website address. In the event of a disruption of service or technical difficulty during the call, information will be posted on our website.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries; delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients' project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments Subsea and Surface Technologies we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 20,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients' success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC.

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events, market growth and recovery, growth of our new energies business and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows, our expectation on shareholder distributions through cash dividend and stock repurchases, or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "commit," "guidance," "confident," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could," "may," "will," "likely," "predicated," "estimate," "outlook" and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on us. While management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All of our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause future results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections, including unpredictable trends in the demand for and price of crude oil and natural gas; competition and unanticipated changes relating to competitive factors in our industry, including ongoing industry consolidation; the COVID-19 pandemic and any resurgence thereof; our inability to develop, implement and protect new technologies and services and intellectual property related thereto, including new technologies and services for our New Energy business; the cumulative loss of major contracts, customers or alliances and unfavorable credit and commercial terms of certain contracts; disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions of the countries in which we conduct business; the refusal of DTC to act as depository agency for our shares; the impact of our existing and future indebtedness and the restrictions on our operations by terms of the agreements governing our existing indebtedness; the risks caused by our acquisition and divestiture activities; additional costs or risks from increasing scrutiny and expectations regarding ESG matters; uncertainties related to our investments in New Energy business; the risks caused by fixed-price contracts; our failure to timely deliver our backlog; our reliance on subcontractors, suppliers and our joint venture partners; a failure or breach of our IT infrastructure or that of our subcontractors, suppliers or joint venture partners, including as a result of cyber-attacks; risks of pirates endangering our maritime employees and assets; any delays and cost overruns of new capital asset construction projects for vessels and manufacturing facilities; potential liabilities inherent in the industries in which we operate or have operated; our failure to comply with existing and future laws and regulations, including those related to environmental protection, climate change, health and safety, labor and employment, import/export controls, currency exchange, bribery and corruption, taxation, privacy, data protection and data security; the additional restrictions on dividend payouts or share repurchases as an English public limited company; uninsured claims and litigation against us; tax laws, treaties and regulations and any unfavorable findings by relevant tax authorities; potential departure of our key managers and employees; adverse seasonal and weather conditions and unfavorable currency exchange rates; risk in connection with our defined benefit pension plan commitments; and our inability to obtain sufficient bonding capacity for certain contracts, and other risks as discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and our other reports subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

Exhibit 1 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenue 1,972.2 1,717.4 1,717.2 3,689.6 3,273.0 Costs and expenses 1,813.7 1,666.4 1,640.2 3,480.1 3,185.6 158.5 51.0 77.0 209.5 87.4 Other income (expense), net (181.2 12.9 7.3 (168.3 53.5 Income from investment in Technip Energies 0.8 (27.7 Income (loss) before net interest expense and income taxes (22.7 63.9 85.1 41.2 113.2 Net interest expense (30.3 (18.7 (27.7 (49.0 (61.6 Loss on early extinguishment of debt (29.8 (29.8 Income (loss) before income taxes (53.0 45.2 27.6 (7.8 21.8 Provision for income taxes 43.3 37.4 19.8 80.7 48.3 Income (loss) from continuing operations (96.3 7.8 7.8 (88.5 (26.5 (Income) loss from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests 9.1 (7.4 (5.7 1.7 (13.7 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc (87.2 0.4 2.1 (86.8 (40.2 Loss from discontinued operations (19.4 Net income (loss) attributable to TechnipFMC plc (87.2 0.4 2.1 (86.8 (59.6 Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations Basic and diluted (0.20 0.00 0.00 (0.20 (0.09 Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations Basic and diluted 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.04 Earnings (loss) per share attributable to TechnipFMC plc Basic and diluted (0.20 0.00 0.00 (0.20 (0.13 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 440.1 442.1 452.2 441.1 451.6 Diluted 440.1 455.0 456.8 441.1 451.6

Exhibit 2 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA (In millions) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 Segment revenue Subsea 1,618.4 1,387.6 1,414.6 3,006.0 2,703.7 Surface Technologies 353.8 329.8 302.6 683.6 569.3 Total segment revenue 1,972.2 1,717.4 1,717.2 3,689.6 3,273.0 Segment operating profit Subsea 153.4 66.8 97.1 220.2 151.1 Surface Technologies 25.7 22.4 10.0 48.1 13.7 Total segment operating profit 179.1 89.2 107.1 268.3 164.8 Corporate items Corporate expense(1) (153.5 (27.4 (22.0 (180.9 (51.5 Net interest expense (30.3 (18.7 (57.5 (49.0 (91.4 Income (loss) from investment in Technip Energies 0.8 (27.7 Foreign exchange gains (losses) (48.3 2.1 (0.8 (46.2 27.6 Total corporate items (232.1 (44.0 (79.5 (276.1 (143.0 Income (loss) before income taxes(2) (53.0 45.2 27.6 (7.8 21.8

(1) Corporate expense primarily includes the non-recurring legal settlement charges, corporate staff expenses, share-based compensation expenses, and other employee benefits. (2) Includes amounts attributable to non-controlling interests.

Exhibit 3 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Inbound Orders(1) June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 Subsea 4,114.5 2,536.5 1,928.0 6,651.0 3,821.6 Surface Technologies 332.8 322.4 273.7 655.2 565.0 Total inbound orders 4,447.3 2,858.9 2,201.7 7,306.2 4,386.6

Order Backlog(2) June 30, 2023 March 31, 2023 June 30, 2022 Subsea 12,088.5 9,395.3 7,926.3 Surface Technologies 1,190.1 1,212.1 1,113.1 Total order backlog 13,278.6 10,607.4 9,039.4

(1) Inbound orders represent the estimated sales value of confirmed customer orders received during the reporting period. (2) Order backlog is calculated as the estimated sales value of unfilled, confirmed customer orders at the reporting date.

Exhibit 4 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions) (Unaudited) June 30,

2023 December 31,

2022 Cash and cash equivalents 585.2 1,057.1 Trade receivables, net 1,206.2 966.5 Contract assets, net 1,266.5 981.6 Inventories, net 1,158.2 1,039.7 Other current assets 1,026.0 943.8 Total current assets 5,242.1 4,988.7 Property, plant and equipment, net 2,350.5 2,354.9 Intangible assets, net 673.9 716.0 Other assets 1,366.4 1,384.7 Total assets 9,632.9 9,444.3 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 429.5 367.3 Accounts payable, trade 1,516.5 1,282.8 Contract liabilities 1,219.0 1,156.4 Other current liabilities 1,273.0 1,367.8 Total current liabilities 4,438.0 4,174.3 Long-term debt, less current portion 999.7 999.3 Other liabilities 1,064.0 994.0 TechnipFMC plc stockholders' equity 3,099.6 3,240.2 Non-controlling interests 31.6 36.5 Total liabilities and equity 9,632.9 9,444.3

Exhibit 5 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In millions, unaudited) (In millions) Three Months Ended

June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2023 2022 Cash provided (required) by operating activities Net (loss) (96.3 (88.5 (45.9 Net loss from discontinued operations 19.4 Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to cash provided (required) by operating activities Depreciation and amortization 97.0 190.0 189.9 Loss from investment in Technip Energies 27.7 Income from equity affiliates, net of dividends received (1.2 (15.4 (9.3 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 29.8 Other non-cash items, net (6.1 11.9 46.5 Working capital(1) 198.0 (286.8 (686.2 Other non-current assets and liabilities, net (35.2 (41.2 1.8 Cash provided (required) by operating activities 156.2 (230.0 (426.3 Cash provided (required) by investing activities Capital expenditures (52.8 (110.1 (63.4 Proceeds from sale of investment in Technip Energies 288.5 Other investing activities for ER 26.2 30.7 4.4 Cash provided (required) by investing activities (26.6 (79.4 229.5 Cash required by financing activities Net decrease in short-term debt (16.9 (26.1 (173.5 Cash settlement for derivative hedging debt (17.2 (30.1 Net change in revolving credit facility 50.0 50.0 170.0 Repayments of long-term debt (451.7 Share repurchases (50.0 (100.0 Other financing activities (20.2 (35.6 (5.5 Cash required by financing activities (54.3 (141.8 (460.7 Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (12.4 (20.7 15.0 Change in cash and cash equivalents 62.9 (471.9 (642.5 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 522.3 1,057.1 1,327.4 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 585.2 585.2 684.9

(1) Working capital includes receivables, payables, inventories and other current assets and liabilities.

Exhibit 6 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) In addition to financial results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the second quarter 2023 Earnings Release also includes non-GAAP financial measures (as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and describes performance on a year-over-year or sequential basis. Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, excluding charges and credits, as well as measures derived from it (including Diluted EPS, excluding charges and credits; Income before net interest expense and taxes, excluding charges and credits ("Adjusted Operating profit"); Depreciation and amortization, excluding charges and credits; Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding charges and credits ("Adjusted EBITDA"); and Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange gains or losses, net; Adjusted EBITDA margin; Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net; Corporate expense, excluding charges and credits; Foreign exchange, net and other, excluding charges and credits; and net debt) are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that the exclusion of charges and credits from these financial measures enables investors and management to more effectively evaluate TechnipFMC's operations and consolidated results of operations period-over-period, and to identify operating trends that could otherwise be masked or misleading to both investors and management by the excluded items. These measures are also used by management as performance measures in determining certain incentive compensation. The foregoing non-GAAP financial measures should be considered by investors in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following is a reconciliation of the most comparable financial measures under GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures. Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc Loss attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations Provision

for

income

taxes Net interest expense and loss on early extinguishment of debt Income (loss) before net interest expense and income taxes (Operating profit) Depreciation

and

amortization Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) TechnipFMC plc, as reported (87.2 (9.1 43.3 30.3 (22.7 97.0 74.3 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges 4.7 0.4 5.1 5.1 Non-recurring legal settlement charges 126.5 126.5 126.5 Adjusted financial measures 44.0 (9.1 43.7 30.3 108.9 97.0 205.9 Diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, as reported (0.20 Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc 0.10

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Income from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc Income attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations Provision

for

income

taxes Net interest

expense Income before net interest expense and income taxes (Operating profit) Depreciation

and

amortization Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) TechnipFMC plc, as reported 0.4 7.4 37.4 18.7 63.9 93.0 156.9 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges 0.6 0.6 0.6 Adjusted financial measures 1.0 7.4 37.4 18.7 64.5 93.0 157.5 Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, as reported 0.00 Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc 0.00

Exhibit 6 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 Income from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc Income attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations Provision

for

income

taxes Net interest expense and loss on early extinguishment of debt Income before net interest expense and income taxes (Operating profit) Depreciation

and

amortization Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) TechnipFMC plc, as reported 2.1 5.7 19.8 57.5 85.1 94.0 179.1 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges 7.1 1.1 8.2 8.2 Income from investment in Technip Energies (0.8 (0.8 (0.8 Adjusted financial measures 8.4 5.7 20.9 57.5 92.5 94.0 186.5 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, as reported 0.00 Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc 0.02

Exhibit 7 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) In addition to financial results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the second quarter 2023 Earnings Release also includes non-GAAP financial measures (as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and describes performance on a year-over-year or sequential basis. Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, excluding charges and credits, as well as measures derived from it (including diluted income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, excluding charges and credits); Income before net interest expense and taxes, excluding charges and credits (Adjusted Operating profit); Depreciation and amortization, excluding charges and credits; Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding charges and credits (Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net); Adjusted EBITDA margin; Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net; Corporate expense, excluding charges and credits; Foreign exchange, net and other, excluding charges and credits; and net debt, or cash are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that the exclusion of charges and credits from these financial measures enables investors and management to more effectively evaluate TechnipFMC's operations and consolidated results of operations period-over-period, and to identify operating trends that could otherwise be masked or misleading to both investors and management by the excluded items. These measures are also used by management as performance measures in determining certain incentive compensation. The foregoing non-GAAP financial measures should be considered by investors in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following is a reconciliation of the most comparable financial measures under GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures. Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc Loss attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations Provision for

income taxes Net interest

expense Income before net interest expense and income taxes (Operating profit) Depreciation

and

amortization Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) TechnipFMC plc, as reported (86.8 (1.7 80.7 49.0 41.2 190.0 231.2 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges 5.3 0.4 5.7 5.7 Non-recurring legal settlement charges 126.5 126.5 126.5 Adjusted financial measures 45.0 (1.7 81.1 49.0 173.4 190.0 363.4 Diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, as reported (0.20 Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc 0.10

Exhibit 7 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Loss from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc Income attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations Provision for

income taxes Net interest expense and loss on early extinguishment of debt Income before net interest expense and income taxes (Operating profit) Depreciation

and

amortization Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) TechnipFMC plc, as reported (40.2 13.7 48.3 91.4 113.2 189.9 303.1 Charges and (credits): Impairment and other charges 1.1 1.1 1.1 Restructuring and other charges 6.8 1.3 8.1 8.1 Loss from Investment in Technip Energies 27.7 27.7 27.7 Adjusted financial measures (4.6 13.7 49.6 91.4 150.1 189.9 340.0 Diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc, as reported (0.09 Adjusted diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to TechnipFMC plc (0.01

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 Subsea Surface Technologies Corporate Expense Foreign Exchange, net and Other Total Revenue 1,618.4 353.8 1,972.2 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 153.4 25.7 (153.5 (48.3 (22.7 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges 0.5 4.6 5.1 Non-recurring legal settlement charges 126.5 126.5 Subtotal 0.5 4.6 126.5 131.6 Adjusted Operating profit (loss) 153.9 30.3 (27.0 (48.3 108.9 Depreciation and amortization 79.9 16.6 0.5 97.0 Adjusted EBITDA 233.8 46.9 (26.5 (48.3 205.9 Foreign exchange, net 0.0 0.0 0.0 48.3 48.3 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 233.8 46.9 (26.5 254.2 Operating profit margin, as reported 9.5 7.3 -1.2 Adjusted Operating profit margin 9.5 8.6 5.5 Adjusted EBITDA margin 14.4 13.3 10.4 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 14.4 13.3 12.9

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Subsea Surface Technologies Corporate Expense Foreign Exchange, net and Other Total Revenue 1,387.6 329.8 1,717.4 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 66.8 22.4 (27.4 2.1 63.9 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges (0.1 0.7 0.6 Subtotal (0.1 0.7 0.6 Adjusted Operating profit (loss) 66.7 23.1 (27.4 2.1 64.5 Depreciation and amortization 75.2 17.2 0.6 93.0 Adjusted EBITDA 141.9 40.3 (26.8 2.1 157.5 Foreign exchange, net (2.1 (2.1 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 141.9 40.3 (26.8 155.4 Operating profit margin, as reported 4.8 6.8 3.7 Adjusted Operating profit margin 4.8 7.0 3.8 Adjusted EBITDA margin 10.2 12.2 9.2 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 10.2 12.2 9.0

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 Subsea Surface Technologies Corporate Expense Foreign Exchange, net Total Revenue 1,414.6 302.6 1,717.2 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 97.1 10.0 (22.0 85.1 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges 2.6 5.4 0.2 8.2 Income from investment in Technip Energies (0.8 (0.8 Subtotal 2.6 5.4 0.2 (0.8 7.4 Adjusted Operating profit (loss) 99.7 15.4 (21.8 (0.8 92.5 Depreciation and amortization 76.3 17.0 0.7 94.0 Adjusted EBITDA 176.0 32.4 (21.1 (0.8 186.5 Foreign exchange, net 0.8 0.8 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 176.0 32.4 (21.1 187.3 Operating profit margin, as reported 6.9 3.3 5.0 Adjusted Operating profit margin 7.0 5.1 5.4 Adjusted EBITDA margin 12.4 10.7 10.9 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 12.4 10.7 10.9

Exhibit 9 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 Subsea Surface Technologies Corporate Expense Foreign Exchange, net and Other Total Revenue 3,006.0 683.6 3,689.6 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 220.2 48.1 (180.9 (46.2 41.2 Charges and (credits): Restructuring and other charges 0.4 5.3 5.7 Non-recurring legal settlement charges 126.5 126.5 Subtotal 0.4 5.3 126.5 132.2 Adjusted operating profit (loss) 220.6 53.4 (54.4 (46.2 173.4 Depreciation and amortization 155.1 33.8 1.1 190.0 Adjusted EBITDA 375.7 87.2 (53.3 (46.2 363.4 Foreign exchange, net 46.2 46.2 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 375.7 87.2 (53.3 409.6 Operating profit margin, as reported 7.3 7.0 1.1 Adjusted operating profit margin 7.3 7.8 4.7 Adjusted EBITDA margin 12.5 12.8 9.8 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 12.5 12.8 11.1

Exhibit 9 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Subsea Surface Technologies Corporate Expense Foreign Exchange, net and Other Total Revenue 2,703.7 569.3 3,273.0 Operating loss, as reported (pre-tax) 151.1 13.7 (51.5 (0.1 113.2 Charges and (credits): Impairment and other charges 1.1 1.1 Restructuring and other charges (0.8 5.9 3.0 8.1 Loss from investment in Technip Energies 27.7 27.7 Subtotal (0.8 7.0 3.0 27.7 36.9 Adjusted operating profit (loss) 150.3 20.7 (48.5 27.6 150.1 Depreciation and amortization 154.7 33.7 1.5 189.9 Adjusted EBITDA 305.0 54.4 (47.0 27.6 340.0 Foreign exchange, net (27.6 (27.6 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 305.0 54.4 (47.0 312.4 Operating profit margin, as reported 5.6 2.4 3.5 Adjusted operating profit margin 5.6 3.6 4.6 Adjusted EBITDA margin 11.3 9.6 10.4 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 11.3 9.6 9.5

Exhibit 10 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) June 30, March 31, June 30, 2023 2023 2022 Cash and cash equivalents 585.2 522.3 684.9 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt (429.5 (385.0 (104.0 Long-term debt, less current portion (999.7 (1,005.7 (1,370.7 Net debt (844.0 (868.4 (789.8 Net (debt) cash is a non-GAAP financial measure reflecting cash and cash equivalents, net of debt. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our capital structure and financial leverage. We believe net debt, or net cash, is a meaningful financial measure that may assist investors in understanding our financial condition and recognizing underlying trends in our capital structure. Net (debt) cash should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash and cash equivalents as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an indicator of our operating performance or liquidity.

Exhibit 11 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended

June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2023 2022 Cash provided (required) by operating activities from continuing operations 156.2 (230.0 (426.3 Capital expenditures (52.8 (110.1 (63.4 Free cash flow (deficit) from continuing operations 103.4 (340.1 (489.7 Free cash flow (deficit) from continuing operations, is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as cash provided (required) by operating activities less capital expenditures. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our financial condition. We believe from continuing operations, free cash flow (deficit) from continuing operations is a meaningful financial measure that may assist investors in understanding our financial condition and results of operations.

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Email: Matt Seinsheimer

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Twitter/X, Bloomberg, The Wall St. Journal and Everyone in Between are Talking About Cruise Chews

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Cheech and Chong's Cruise Chews ad campaign is going viral on Twitter, and making serious waves across the media. With the story gaining attention from major outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, the brand's advertising has captured the hearts of Twitter users nationwide, even attracting a reaction from Twitter owner Elon Musk himself.





Viral Meme From Clint Fiore

Viral Tweet That Was Commented on by Elon Musk





The ad campaign for Cheech and Chong's Cruise Chews has taken the Twitterverse by storm, reaching millions of users and generating an outpouring of comments and memes.

Some Twitter users have expressed mixed feedback, expressing concerns about the frequency of the ads. But, Cheech and Chong remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring Cruise Chews are readily available to those who would benefit from trying them.

"We are having a good time with all of the attention, but the real reason we are able to spend so much on Twitter is because customers are repurchasing at an incredible rate," said Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. President Brandon Harshbarger. "That's because, to put it simply, Cruise Chews help people. But you don't have to take my word for it; just look at what our customers are saying."

Feedback from actual customers has been pouring in, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Cruise Chews have garnered a reputation for delivering a consistent and enjoyable cannabis experience, which has led to loyal and satisfied customers who keep coming back for more.

One recent unsolicited review from Leisel in Illinois says:

"With PTSD comes extreme anxiety and I am using the Cruise Chews to help with that. CRUISE CHEWS ARE AMAZING!! I'm so glad I found your ad on Facebook!! Thank you for making my life easier!!"

[For more customer feedback, see the attached image.]

(Every customer review is a personal anecdote of firsthand experience. Results may not be typical.)

The campaign's popularity was highlighted when Elon Musk tweeted a crying laughing emoji in response to a meme suggesting that Cruise Chews were holding up Twitter's ad revenue.

Cheech Marin, one half of the legendary comedy duo, was asked if the company had any plans to slow down its advertising efforts and replied, "Well, we figure there are about 190 million people in the U.S. over 21, and we've reached about 16 million of them. I'd say we've still got a ways to go."

With the overwhelming response from Twitter users and mainstream media outlets and the growing loyal customer base, Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Co. is excited to continue its journey and introduce Cruise Chews to even more people across the nation.

For more information about Cruise Chews, go to CheechandChong.com.

Contact Information

Brooke Mangum

Chief Marketing Officer

brooke@cheechandchong.com



Related Images

Viral Meme From Clint Fiore

Viral Tweet That Was Commented on by Elon Musk Cheech and Chong's Cruise Chews Reviews

Reviews from Cheech and Chong's Cruise Chew users

SOURCE: Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770597/Cheech-and-Chong-Spark-Up-a-Viral-Frenzy-With-Their-New-Gummies
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Champion Electric Metals Inc. (CSE: LTHM) (OTCQB: GLDRF) (FSE: 1QB0) ("Champion Electric" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company executed an agreement to acquire the Griesbach Lithium Project (the "Acquisition") located in the pegmatite-rich Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory of Quebec. The newly acquired claims are within the Company's existing property package (see Figure 1).

Champion Electric now controls 1036 claims representing 529.17 km2 in James Bay.





Figure 1: Property Location Map Including New Claims*

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8681/174983_4c09b3b0b4660b14_001full.jpg

As part of the agreement, Champion Electric acquired 55 claims for 1,700,000 common shares of the Company. Half of the common share consideration included in the agreement incorporate a voluntary escrow of 18 months from the date of issuance. Additionally, the Vendors retain a 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR"). The Company has the option to repurchase 1% of the NSR from the Vendors for $1 million.

*The Projects are at an early stage of exploration, and the Company cautions that the qualified persons who have reviewed and approved this news release have not verified scientific or technical information produced by third parties, and proximity to projects containing lithium resources offers no assurance that the rock types or lithium resources reported by Patriot and others extend onto the Projects and such proximity is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization reported by third parties with projects in the district.

Qualified Person

Patrick Highsmith, Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG CPG # 11702) and director of the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Highsmith has helped prepare, reviewed, and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Champion Electric Metals Inc.

Champion Electric is a discovery-focused exploration company that is committed to advancing its highly prospective lithium properties in Quebec, Canada and cobalt properties in Idaho, United States. In addition, the Company owns the Baner gold project in Idaho County and the Champagne polymetallic project in Butte County near Arco.

The Company's shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol "LTHM", on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "GLDRF", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "1QB0". Champion Electric strives to be a responsible environmental steward, stakeholder and contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates, taking its social license seriously, employing local community members and service providers at its operations whenever possible.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF CHAMPION ELECTRIC

"Jonathan Buick"

Jonathan Buick, President and CEO

To learn more, please visit the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or the Company's corporate website at www.champem.com.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations and Communications

Phone: (416) 567-9087

Email: investors@champem.com

THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Statements with respect to completion of the private placement financing of the expected size or at all, the expected closing date, obtaining the necessary approvals to complete the financing and the Company's expected work programs in 2023 are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company, including discussions with investors and other participants in the private placement. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, including that the Company including but not limited the risk that market conditions, commodity prices, or other circumstances can affect the Company's ability to complete the financing, as well as other risks with respect to the Company described in the Company's public disclosure filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174983
Fortune 500 companies join forces to test outside-in planning concepts.

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The Spark Initiative, a groundbreaking project aimed at exploring the business relevance and value proposition of outside-in concepts in supply chain planning, has officially entered the testing phase. OMP, a leading provider of supply chain planning solutions, will apply these concepts in real-world scenarios using actual data from industry leaders.





The Spark Initiative

Building outside-in processes for better supply chain planning





Guided by the Spark Advisory Board - composed of esteemed industry leaders, academics, and OMP experts - two promising use cases have been selected for testing. This significant milestone represents the initiative's progress toward the practical application of outside-in planning concepts.

Testing demand visibility and supply resilience

The first use case, in collaboration with one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, will examine demand visibility. By analyzing sources of demand latency, the bullwhip effect, and the value of early demand signals, this case aims to enhance decision-making for new product introductions and optimize the timing and volume of subsequent production runs.

The second use case involves partnering with a leading multinational consumer goods company to test raw material resilience. This initiative will address discrepancies between finished goods demand signals and raw materials market signals, with the goal of reducing latency and effectively managing supply and demand shocks. The ultimate objective is to enable the translation of demand flows and bi-directional orchestration for the procurement plan within the tactical planning horizon.

Joint project teams for practical application

Dedicated project teams, consisting of customer and OMP experts, have already started to plan the required testing steps for both use cases, analyzing the data, and considering how processes might have to change to improve collaboration. These teams will evaluate the practical application of these outside-in planning concepts and present their findings at the upcoming OMP Conference in Barcelona, Sept. 27-28, 2023. During the conference, they will share valuable insights and best practices on how to incorporate outside-in planning concepts in supply chains.

"Through practical, real-life examples, the Spark use cases demonstrate to companies how they can bring outside-in planning concepts to life by making better use of available market data," explains Bob Herzog, former P&G executive and member of the Spark Advisory Board. "This approach enables businesses to enhance their performance by reducing sensing time and minimizing the disruptive bullwhip effect in the supply chain. I'm eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these tests."

"We're thrilled to transition into the practical application of use cases for our valued customers," says Jan Snoeckx, Associate Director of Innovation at OMP. "Grateful for the continuous support and enthusiasm of the advisory board, we look forward to collaborating with the customer teams to unlock the potential opportunities this initiative holds."

For more information about the Spark Initiative and its progress, visit the website.

Contact Information

Jan Snoeckx

Associate Director of Innovation

jsnoeckx@omp.com

+32 475 75 04 82

SOURCE: OMP

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770619/OMPs-Spark-Initiative-Advances-to-Testing-Phase-Pioneering-Outside-In-Supply-Chain-Planning
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQX:PMMCF) advises that the Option granted to Austral Gold Limited (ASX:AGD)(TSXV:AGLD) ("Austral" or the "Company") whereby Austral could acquire up to an 80% interest in the Morros Blancos property held by Pampa, as detailed in a July 28, 2021 news release, has expired.

During the term of the option agreement, Austral completed exploration activities to the value of approximately US$1.6 million across both the Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco properties.

Pampa Metals looks forward to advancing Morros Blancos as part of its broader, 100% owned portfolio.

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE:FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCF) exchanges and wholly owns a portfolio of projects highly prospective for copper, molybdenum and gold along proven and highly productive mineral belts in Chile, the world's largest copper producer.

Following recent drilling of the Buenavista Target in June 2023, Pampa Metals is seeking to further evaluate the Block 4 project via a joint venture partnership and will shift its focus to the acquisition, exploration and development of a more advanced stage copper project(s) with significant scale potential. Preferred jurisdictions are Chile or Peru (the world's largest copper producers) where the application of the Company's technical and commercial expertise in exploration, resource delineation and feasibility studies can be applied to creating significant value for shareholders. High quality copper projects in other jurisdictions which meet our criteria will be assessed on an opportunistic basis.www.pampametals.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

INVESTORS CONTACT

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

joseph@pampametals.com

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770484/Expiry-of-Austral-Option-Agreement
Gaining Traction in $160 Billion Global CAD-3D

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Toggle3D.ai (the "Company") (CSE:TGGL)(OTC PINK:TGGLF), a revolutionary SaaS solution harnessing the power of generative AI to convert CAD files, apply stunning 4K texturing, and seamlessly publish superior 4K 3D models, is pleased to announce a significant milestone of surpassing 10,000 users, with a total of over 12,900 3D projects. This is an outstanding achievement in user adoption since the Company's June IPO, positioning Toggle3D.ai as a frontrunner in the estimated $160 billion Global GGI Application Software market - which is up for grabs.

Toggle3D.ai CEO Evan Gappelberg commented, "Passing 10,000 users marks another major milestone for Toggle3D.ai as the platform rapidly gains traction. We are now setting our sights on even faster and bigger growth for Toggle3D as we expand our platform's product offerings and bring on senior marketing team leaders." He continued, "We are experiencing exponential growth with hundreds of new users per day and compounding, setting the stage for significant revenue opportunities and many more milestones to be achieved in 2023 and beyond."

Watch a video of Toggle3D.ai's text to 3D material generative-AI technology for instant 3D texturing: click here

Toggle3D.ai is continuously optimizing the Company's strategic marketing plan for growth and exposure, currently resulting in approximately 450 new users per day and growing.

To achieve growth, Toggle3D.ai is executing the following:

Made the Toggle3D app available in more countries

Running paid ads in more countries

Optimizing marketing budget

Improved SEO strategy

Organic traffic: the growth as a Company has naturally led to more organic traffic and sign-ups

Obtaining valuable feedback and building what customers are saying they need, resulting in more product-led growth.

Earlier this week the Company announced the appointment of Anita Matte as the Company's new Director of Growth Marketing. With an impressive background in B2B subscription business models and a proven track record of success, Anita joins Toggle3D.ai from Amazon, where she played a key role in driving marketing strategies for one of the world's largest corporations. Her new role at Toggle3D.ai will be to drive subscriber growth and to drive SaaS revenue.

Toggle3D.ai's innovative SaaS solution primarily targets product designers and industrial designers, offering seamless integration with CAD files and the ability to convert CAD to Web 3D Mesh effortlessly. Leveraging breakthrough generative AI technology, Toggle3D.ai empowers users to generate 3D materials from text prompts, benefit from AI-powered image analysis and 3D texturing tools, and utilize its powerful CAD to POLY importer capable of converting manufacturing files over 1000mb, a significant improvement of over 10X in converting power. The Company remains dedicated to consistently releasing new features, ensuring a continuously enhanced user experience.

As Toggle3D.ai continues to revolutionize the industry by offering an efficient and user-friendly platform for converting, texturing, customizing, and sharing web-friendly 3D models, its growing user base showcases the platform's versatility and potential. The Company remains committed to delivering exceptional solutions and actively engaging with its users to drive ongoing innovation.

Toggle3D.ai Benefits Over 3D Legacy Software

NO Learning Curve

Toggle3D.ai stands out from legacy 3D design software by eliminating the learning curve and making 3D design accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical background. Unlike traditional systems that require months of learning, Toggle3D.ai simplifies the process by humanizing design terminology, providing guided templates, and using machine learning to make the tools user-friendly.

Web-based Collaboration

Being web-based, users can access Toggle3D.ai instantly on their browsers without the need for downloads, updates, or system compatibility concerns. Additionally, the platform will offer advanced in-app collaboration features, enabling multiple users to work together on the same project in real-time, facilitating quick feedback, decision-making, and cross-department collaboration.

These collaborative tools empower businesses to adopt 3D design organization-wide, enhancing workflow efficiency and unleashing the potential of group iteration.

Recent Toggle3D.ai News

Toggle3D.ai Announces New Key Hire of Anita Matte as Director of Growth Marketing

Toggle3D.ai Announces +125% Jump in New Users Crossing 6000+ In First Month After IPO

Toggle3D.ai Unveils Revolutionary AI-Powered Image Analysis and 3D Texturing Tools

Toggle3D.ai - the Generative AI CAD-3D Model SaaS Studio Begins Trading in the USA Under the Stock Symbol: TGGLF

Toggle3D.ai Begins Trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE: TGGL)

About Toggle3D.ai

Toggle3D.ai (CSE:TGGL) (OTC:TGGLF) is a groundbreaking SaaS solution that utilizes generative AI to convert CAD files, apply stunning 4K texturing, and enable seamless publishing of superior 4K 3D models, serving various industries within the $160 billion CGI market. With its Augmented Reality-based rapid prototyping web app, Toggle3D empowers designers, artists, marketers, and eCommerce owners to effortlessly convert, texture, customize, and publish high-quality 3D models and experiences, regardless of technical or 3D design expertise.

Toggle3D.ai Investor Relations

Visit the Toggle3D Investor Relations website and sign up for the investor mailing list to receive the latest news, press releases, investor presentations, CEO interviews, financial information and more.

Sign up for the investor mailing list -click here

Follow Toggle3D.ai on Social Media

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Toggle3D

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toggle3d.ai/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Toggle3D

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/toggle3d-ai/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Toggle3Dai

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact(s)

Julia Viola, Lindsay Betts

investor.relations@toggle3D.ai

Toggle3D.ai

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

866-ARITIZE (274-8493)

Forward-looking Statements

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Toggle3D.AI Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770558/Toggle3Dai-Experiences-Exponential-User-Growth-Surpassing-10000-Mark-Since-June-IPO-a-300-Surge
Novel doping method enables enhanced capacity and improved input/output performance at lower manufacturing cost using generally available materials and equipment

Asahi Kasei has begun licensing of technology for the design and manufacture of lithium-ion capacitors (LiCs) based on its proprietary lithium pre-doping technology1

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727511448/en/

Diagram of Asahi Kasei's novel lithium doping technology (Graphic: Business Wire)

The novel proprietary doping method enables LiCs to be manufactured at lower cost with generally available materials and equipment which are used for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), while enabling the design and manufacture of LiCs with increased capacity and improved input/output performance.

The licensing includes not only Asahi Kasei's intellectual property related to LiC technology, but also technical expertise such as cell design and manufacturing with pilot equipment. By licensing its technology, Asahi Kasei expects to support licensees around the world to significantly reduce LiC development times and achieve low-cost LiC manufacture utilizing existing equipment.

Demand for energy storage devices is forecasted to continue rising due to the spread of electric mobility and increased use of renewable energy. The LiC is a next-generation energy storage device that uses the same material as an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) for the cathode and the same material used as an LiB for the anode. As LiCs have higher input/output characteristics than LiBs, they are suited to fields where instantaneous power is needed, and can be quickly recharged. Also featuring long cycle life and high safety, LiCs are expected to be used in mobility applications such as electric trams and buses which charge at each stop instead of using power from overhead lines.

In the growing field of energy storage systems (ESS) for renewable energy such as solar and wind, it is possible to extend the service life of LiBs by using LiCs in conjunction to reduce the LiB charge/discharge load. This is expected to reduce both running costs and environmental impact through less frequent replacement of LiBs, generating less waste.

The conventional LiC manufacturing process requires expensive materials for pre-doping, such as perforated foil and lithium metal foil. Furthermore, as lithium metal is highly reactive and hazardous, additional costs are incurred to maintain a safe working environment.

Asahi Kasei developed a low-cost pre-doping method using inexpensive lithium carbonate as the source of lithium ions, eliminating the need for expensive materials such as perforated foil and lithium metal foil. With this novel doping method, lithium carbonate is included in the cathode and pre-doping is performed at initial charging, when nearly all of the lithium carbonate decomposes and lithium ions transfer to the anode. This not only allows the manufacture of LiCs using materials and equipment similar to those used in the manufacture of LiBs, but also enables capacity and input/output performance to be raised by a factor of 1.3 or more (compared to Asahi Kasei's conventional LiCs).

Asahi Kasei has already licensed this technology, and will continue offering it to other licensees in order to support further adoption and application development of the LiC as a next-generation energy storage device which contributes to the world's sustainability.

1 Lithium ions are pre-doped in the anode, keeping the anode potential lower than the electrolytic solution potential, allowing a larger energy density due to improved withstand voltage and increased capacitance of the capacitor itself compared to conventional EDLC.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 48,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727511448/en/

Contacts:

Asahi Kasei Media Inquiries

Asahi Kasei America, Inc.

Christian OKeefe

E-mail: christian.okeefe@ak-america.com
Science Experiential Aerial Research Program Kickstarts in Florida

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV:VOL)(OTCQB:VLTTF) ("Volatus" or "the Company") announced today that it has expanded into the U.S. with the kick off of its newest version of the Science Experiential Aerial Research (SEAR) Program-The Litter Project.

High school students in Florida began the course this week and will be learning the basics of machine learning, aerial intelligence collection with drones and other essential science disciplines that will help prepare them for future work in aviation, technology, and science.

The curriculum focuses on a community-defined issue, in this case litter, to meet national- and state-defined science and math learning outcome requirements.

"We've run the SEAR Program now in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and of course, Manitoba, where we received a $500K grant," explained Matt Johnson, Director of Education for Volatus Aerospace. "In addition to meeting essential curricular outcomes for science, these courses are designed to provide students with hands-on experience with the technology and science so that they can learn what opportunities are out there. Our hope is that it will inspire them to pursue these types of careers as they look to college and beyond."

"Demand for aerial intelligence is not only growing in leaps and bounds but so are the technologies," began Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace. "Tools like Remotely piloted aircraft, machine learning and AI are essential to help us quickly, safely, and cost efficiently collect, process, analyze, and action terabytes of data. We are going to need to encourage students to pursue these careers to be able to scale and keep up with the demand. The SEAR Program gives students a taste of what is out there today and what could be their future-we are excited to expand this program into the United States."

The program is available across North America and can be tailor made to fit state/provincial curricular requirements in science as well as specific community concerns. To learn more, contact Matt Johnson at matthew.johnson@volatusaerospace.com.

Corporate Update: Volatus is pleased to announce that it has received an extension from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") to its proposed non-brokered private placement announced on April 13, 2023 of up to 250 convertible debenture units of the Corporation (the "Debenture Units") at a price of $1,000 per Debenture Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $250,000 (the "Offering"). The extended final date for acceptance of the Offering is August 31, 2023.

All terms of the Offering remain unchanged, and the Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for research and development and for general working capital purposes. The Company may pay a finder's fee on the Offering within the amount permitted by the policies of the TSXV. All securities issued in connection with the Offering, including any securities issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance of the Debenture Units. The Offering is subject to final approval by the TSXV.

The Debenture Units will be offered and sold by private placement in Canada pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus requirements under National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, and in certain other jurisdictions on a basis which does not require the qualification or registration of the securities offered, or any underlying securities.

About Volatus Aerospace:

Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout North America and growing into Latin America and globally. Volatus serves civil, public safety, and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, as well as R&D, design, and manufacturing. Through our subsidiary, Volatus Aviation, we are introducing green and innovative drone solutions to supplement and replace traditional aircraft and helicopters for long-linear inspections such as pipeline, energy, rail, and cargo services. Volatus is committed to carbon neutrality; the fostering of a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace; and responsible governance.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (i) the anticipated benefits of, and estimated revenue to be generated by, the master service agreement; (ii) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (iii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs of management as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that 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 may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the anticipated benefits and revenues of the master service agreement to the Company; the commercialization of drone flights beyond visual line of sight and potential benefits to the Company; meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV; and including, but not limited to, those factors set forth in the Company's Annual Information Form under the section "Risk Factors". 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 information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

TSXV: VOL

Contact Details

Danielle Gagne

Head of Marketing and Communications

+1-579-977-5066, ext. 92006

Danielle.Gagne@volatusaerospace.com

Company Website

https://volatusaerospace.com

SOURCE: Volatus Aerospace Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770551/Volatus-Expands-SEAR-Program-into-the-US
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to report results from seven drill holes targeting the Palos Verdes vein on the property of the same name located in the Panuco district in Mexico.

Highlights

PV-23-25:

This hole intersected 11,520 g/t Ag equivalent over 0.5 meters (3,100 g/t Ag, 102 g/t Au and 0.26% Zn) This intercept is part of a wider mineralized interval with 4,311 g/t Ag equivalent over 1.35 meters (1157 g/t Ag, 38 g/t Au and 0.1% Zn)

(3,100 g/t Ag, 102 g/t Au and 0.26% Zn) A second interval higher in the hole yielded 512 g/t Ag equivalent over 0.3 meter (384 g/t Ag, 1.36 g/t Au and 0.27% Zn).

Hole PV-23-24:

This hole intercepted 1,234 g/t g/t Ag equivalent over 0.7 meter (60 g/t Ag, 11.9 g/t Au and 3.9% Zn) This interval is within a wider 2.6-meter interval with 384 g/t Ag equivalent (32 g/t Ag, 3.3 g/t Au and 1.57% Zn)

(60 g/t Ag, 11.9 g/t Au and 3.9% Zn) A second interval higher in the hole yielded 302 g/t Ag equivalent over 1.2. meters (95 g/t Ag, 1.84 g/t Au and 1.2% Zn).

Hole PV-23-20:

This hole intercepted 189 g/t g/t Ag equivalent over 0.9 meters (58 g/t Ag and 1.58 g/t Au) and is the first mineralized intercept in the northeastern portion of the concession.

The Company is conducting a 2,500-meter drill program at the property, which is contiguous to the Panuco silver-gold project of Vizsla Silver Corp. ("Vizsla") (TSXV: VZLA). The Palos Verdes vein originates on Vizsla's concession to the south-west of the Palos Verdes concession and has 750 meter of strike length on Prismo's ground (Fig. 1).

"We are excited to report these high-grade mineralization intercepts at Palos Verdes. What makes these results even more significant is that they come from drill sites that were not previously accessible for drilling," said Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO of the Company. "Previous drilling in the southwest portion of the vein had intersected high grade mineralization with the best intercept of 2,336 g/t Ag and 8.42 g.t Au over a true width estimated at 0.8 meters within a larger mineralized interval with 1,098 g/t Ag and 3.75 g/t Au over a true width of 2.3 meters (see Prismo's news release dated September 30, 2020)."

Dr. Gibson added: "Holes 24 and 25 were drilled underneath the body of mineralized vein defined by our previous drill campaigns and have further extended the zone of high-grade mineralization. Holes drilled near the northeastern limit of the concession and vein outcrop seem to confirm the interpretation that this area has been down-dropped along the northwesterly striking fault zone that crosses the center of the Palos Verdes concession, and provides information that will allow targeting by deeper drilling."

"Given the encouraging results announced today, Prismo will shortly be finalizing plans to at least double the number of meters of drilling at Palos Verdes," said Alain Lambert, Executive Chairman of Prismo. "Any decision we make will include the advice and recommendations of the Joint Technical Committee formed as part of the strategic investment completed by Vizsla in January. The Joint Technical Committee is comprised of our CEO, Vizsla's VP Exploration Jesus Velador and Dr. Peter Megaw."

"The results announced today by Prismo clearly reaffirm the great potential of the Panuco district. Of particular interest is that the multiple high-grade mineralized intercepts announced are from the northeast part of the district where little exploration has been conducted by Vizsla to date, paving the way to potential discoveries," said Micheal Konnert, President and CEO of Vizsla Silver. "Vizsla owns a right-of-first-refusal on the Palos Verdes project. We look forward to the recommendations of the Joint Technical Committee and seeing Prismo expand its exploration footprint in this promising part of the Panuco district."









Figure 1. Geologic and drill hole map of the Palos Verdes and adjacent concessions.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Table 1. Assays for drill holes in the current program.

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) Est True width (m) Au

(g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu

(%) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Ag eq (g/t) New from this release















PV-19 Anomalous Ag





















PV-20 2.99 3.90 0.91 0.90 1.58 58 - 0.01 0.01 189

36.80 37.00 0.20 0.20 0.21 53 - - 0.01 71





















PV-21 Anomalous Au & Ag





















PV-22 No significant values





















Pv-23 No significant values





















PV-24 120.05 123.90 2.85 2.00 0.87 43 0.07 0.04 1.46 178 Incl. 121.40 122.60 1.20 0.84 1.84 95 0.05 0.05 1.26 302























150.22 152.85 2.63 1.83 3.30 32 0.14 0.40 1.57 384 Incl. 150.22 150.92 0.70 0.49 11.9 60 0.20 0.75 3.93 1,234





















PV-25 78.70 79.00 0.30 - 1.36 384 0.11 0.15 0.27 512























134.10 135.45 1.35 - 38.2 1,157 0.08 0.06 0.10 4,311 Incl. 134.60 135.10 0.50 - 102 3,100 0.20 0.17 0.26 11,520



Silver equivalent values are calculated using the following metals prices: Au, US$1,750/oz, Ag, $21.24/oz, Pb, $0.97/lb and Zn, $1.34/lb. Cu was not used in the calculation, and metallurgical recoveries were not considered as there is no data available for the Palos Verdes vein. True width estimated from hole inclination and estimated vein dip, where known.

Table 2. Drill hole data for holes from the current program.

Hole Target

Easting

Northing

Elev

Azim

Incl

Depth (m)

PV-23-19 NE block 414,023 2,593,310 1,313 326 -44 93.00 PV-23-20 NE block 414,049 2,593,296 1,296 324 -59 201.00 PV-23-21 NE block 414,004 2,593,260 1,294 330 -45 160.00 PV-23-22 NE block 414,008 2,593,262 1,294 330 -60 129.00 PV-23-23 NE block 413,963 2,593,219 1,261 300 -45 144.00 PV-23-24 PV vein 413,806 2,593,118 1,226 315 -70 201.00 PV-23-25 PV vein 413806 2593083 1236 320 -68 258.00



Coordinates in UTM WGS84 using handheld Garmin GPS.

The Company started the current drill program at the northeastern portion of the surface exposure of the Palos Verdes vein where it is believed that the mineralization has been offset downward. The first holes also target hangingwall splits off of the main vein. In general, precious metal values are low but anomalous in this area, probably due to the high structural level of the drill intercepts. However, hole PV-23-20 intersected 189 g/t over 0.91 meters in one of the hangingwall splits. This drilling provides important information on the vein orientations that will aid drilling at a deeper level where metals values are expected to be higher.

The veining with the high-grade intercept in hole PV-25 was cut at a shallower depth than programmed, and the vein may have been affected by the northwest trending fault or may be part of a separate shallowly dipping vein. Further drilling is planned to offset this intercept and determine the orientation of the vein. Several additional holes are planned to explore the gap in drilling along the southwester portion of the Palos Verdes vein between 13 and 15.





Figure 2. Cross section showing interpreted Palos Verdes vein and drill holes

mentioned in this news release.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7434/175046_37c701f2148e486a_03full.jpg





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 3. Longitudinal vein projection showing Ag equivalent intervals in drill holes

and interpreted mineralized shoot.

The Company has granted 815,000 incentive stock options (the "Options"), 525,000 stock appreciation rights (the "SARs"), and 525,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company subject to certain vesting requirements. Each Option is exercisable upon vesting into one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") at a price equal to the greater of (i) $0.285 and (ii) the closing market price of the Company's shares on the CSE on July 28, 2023 (the "Grant Pricing"), for a period of five years from July 27, 2023. Upon vesting, each SAR entitles the holder to receive Common Shares in an amount equal to the difference between the Grant Pricing and the closing market price of the Common Shares on the settlement date, for a period of five years from July 27, 2023. Each vested RSU entitles the holder to receive one Common Share. All grants of Options, SARs, and RSUs are subject to the Company's long-term performance incentive plan (the "Incentive Plan"), which was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on September 29, 2022 (the "Meeting"). A copy of the Incentive Plan is included in the Company's management information circular in respect of the Meeting dated August 31, 2022 available via the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

QA/QC

Samples taken by Prismo are analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods internationally recognized analytical service providers. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material are inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals.

Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

About Palos Verdes

The Palos Verdes project is located in the historic Panuco-Copala silver-gold district in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, approximately 65 kilometers NE of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, in the Municipality of Concordia. The Palos Verdes concession (claim) covers 700 meters of strike length of the Palos Verdes vein, a member of the north-easterly trending vein family located in the eastern part of the district outside of the area of modern exploration. Shallow drilling (<100m) conducted in 2018 on the Palos Verdes Vein was targeted 30 to 50 meters beneath largely barren vein outcrops and cut a well mineralized multistage vein two to seven metres wide with narrow intervals of high-grade precious metal values and subordinate base metals (see table of intercepts at www.prismometals.com). This mineralization is open in all directions and the currently planned drilling program is designed to follow it along strike and to depth.

About Prismo

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia).

Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

Contact:

Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer craig.gibson@prismometals.com

Jason Frame, Manager of Communications jason.frame@prismometals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175046
New tracking tools to reduce risk of loss from car theft for insurer's personal lines customers

LONDON, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb has launched a vehicle tracking system in the UK that will help protect the insurer's customers from car theft.

With criminals now often targeting high-value vehicles - particularly "keyless" models - Chubb S5 Vehicle Tracker and Chubb S5 Vehicle Tracker Plus are suitable for any vehicle make or model and come with a range of features. The trackers, introduced in partnership with Global Telemetrics, a stolen vehicle recovery and billing platform, are available to customers of Chubb's UK Personal Risk Services (PRS).

Stephen Vaughan, Head of Personal Risk Services Europe, Chubb said: "The number of luxury vehicles stolen has increased significantly in recent years as car thieves deploy ever-more sophisticated technology. Chubb's vehicle trackers have been developed to provide the highest available level of security for our customers to help protect their vehicles and provide them with peace of mind."

Features include driver recognition, remote deactivation and a phone app that provides live location details, journey history and geofence creation, which means the tracker sends an alert when the vehicle goes outside a defined area. Chubb S5 Vehicle Tracker Plus also offers enhanced security against keyless theft with its "No Tag, No Start" feature that immobilises a vehicle when the driver detection card is not in range or switched off.

For car owners with multiple vehicles, individual trackers can be installed and linked to one driver detection card, designed to fit securely within a purse or wallet.

Both Chubb vehicle trackers come with the highest Thatcham Security certification and are supported by stolen vehicle recovery specialist Global Telemetrics which has recovered cars worth more than 127million in the last four years*.

Chubb S5 Vehicle Tracker Plus costs 804, including installation and a one-year subscription. For subscriptions year two and onwards the fee is 199 per year. Chubb S5 Vehicle Tracker costs 564, including installation and a one-year subscription. For subscriptions year two and onwards the fee is 159 per year. Car owners will also receive tracker subscription renewal reminders from Chubb to ensure they maintain continuous coverage**.

*Global Telemetrics recovery data January 2019- December 2022

**Chubb does not have access to tracker data other than subscription renewal dates.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com

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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.
Full API integration will grant Cloudbeds customers access and visibility to a worldwide market of vacation rental-focused travelers

San Diego, July 27, 2023, the hospitality management platform powering more reservations and happier guests for lodging businesses around the globe, today announced its integration with Vrbo. Through a full API connection, owners and operators can manage all aspects of their Vrbo listing through the Cloudbeds platform. The integration creates a superior user experience with automation in onboarding, managing rates and availability, reconciliation, and more.

As one of the world's premier channels for vacation rentals, Vrbo will enable Cloudbeds customers to maximize bookings by connecting them to its massive base of travelers seeking family-oriented travel and prime leisure experiences.

The integration solidifies Cloudbeds' channel and distribution management solution as an industry leader, offering its lodging customers easy access to the world's top distribution channels in order to maximize their visibility, reach new markets and different types of travelers, and ultimately increase bookings.

Richard Castle, Co-founder and COO of Cloudbeds, shares, "Our mission at Cloudbeds is to power all segments of hospitality, delivering owners and operators technology capable of competing with the big brands. It gives us great pride to be one of the few official software partners of Vrbo, and we're excited to provide even more opportunities for our properties to reach new travelers."

To learn more about partnering with Cloudbeds, please visit www.cloudbeds.com/partner-with-cloudbeds.



ABOUT CLOUDBEDS

Cloudbeds is the platform that powers hospitality, enabling tens of thousands of lodging businesses in more than 150 countries worldwide to grow and thrive. The award-winning Cloudbeds Platform brings together technology solutions to increase revenue, delight guests, and streamline operations into a single unified system, enhanced by a curated marketplace of third-party integrations. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds was named No. 1 PMS, No. 1 Hotel Management System, and No. 1 Guest Messaging Softwareby Hotel Tech Report in 2023 and was recognized as a major player in the 2022 IDC Marketscape Report. For more information, visit www.cloudbeds.com.

Attachment
Regulatory News:

Cyril Buxtorf has been appointed Senior Executive Vice-President, Products Innovation of Groupe SEB (Paris:SK). Member of the Executive Committee, he has joined the General Management Committee. He will continue to report Stanislas de Gramont, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB.

Cyril Buxtorf joined Groupe SEB in 1997 and has built up a strong experience, both in the markets and in the Business Units, over the last 26 years.

Cyril started his career at the historic birthplace of Groupe SEB in Selongey, Burgundy, as International Market Manager within one of the Strategic Business Units. He moved to the Continents where he spent 7 years in Moscow as General Manager of CEI (Groupe SEB Vostok; Ukraine; Baltics), and then he was successively General Manager of Eurasia (Eastern Europe, CEI, Turkey, Middle East, Africa), General Manager of Western and Southern Europe.

In 2010, he came back to the Business Units to take the General Management of the Home Personal Care Business Unit for 5 years, before taking up the position of General Manager of the EMEA/Greater Europe Continent in 2015.

Graduating from EM Lyon, Cyril Buxtorf started his career as an export consultant in Germany, and then in marketing and internal audit with L'Oreal

Stanislas de Gramont, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB: "I am pleased to welcome Cyril to the General Management Committee in his new role as Executive Vice President, Products and Innovation. His solid experience within the Group, his passion for our products and his knowledge of the needs of every market in the world will be invaluable assets".

Next key dates 2023 October 26 | after market 9-month 2023 sales and financial data

Find us on www.groupeseb.com

World reference in small domestic equipment, Groupe SEB operates with a unique portfolio of 35 top brands including Tefal, Seb, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Lagostina, All-Clad, WMF, Emsa, Supor, marketed through multi-format retailing. Selling nearly 350 million products a year, it deploys a long-term strategy focused on innovation, international development, competitiveness, and client service. Present in over 150 countries, Groupe SEB generated sales near 8 billion in 2022 and has more than 30,000 employees worldwide.

SEB SA

SEB SA N RCS 300 349 636 RCS LYON with a share capital of 55,337,770 Intracommunity VAT: FR 12300349636

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Contacts:

Investor/Analyst relations

Groupe SEB

Financial Communication and IR Dept

Olivier Gernandt

Guillaume Baron

ogernandt@groupeseb.com

gbaron@groupeseb.com

Tel.: +33 (0) 4 72 18 16 04

comfin@groupeseb.com

Media Relations

Groupe SEB

Corporate Communication Dept

Cathy Pianon

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presse@groupeseb.com

Tel. 33 (0) 6 33 13 02 00

Tel. 33 (0) 6 88 20 90 88

Tel. 33 (0) 6 76 98 87 53

Image Sept

Caroline Simon

Claire Doligez

Isabelle Dunoyer de Segonzac

caroline.simon@image7.fr

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isegonzac@image7.fr

Tel.: +33 (0) 1 53 70 74 70
PLAINFIELD, IN / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $170,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations providing support for those impacted by devastating storms that moved across Indiana in late June and early July.

"When disaster strikes, nonprofit organizations play a vital role in helping families and communities get back on their feet," said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. "We know that the road to recovery will be a long one for those in hard-hit areas, and we're committed to supporting our customers and communities in the days and weeks ahead as they rebuild."

The grants will support a wide array of assistance programs for individuals and families in need, as well as ongoing restoration efforts including clearing debris and fixing damaged infrastructure.

"The storms that moved through our area earlier this month created hardships for many of our neighbors," said Randy Rogers, president and CEO of United Way of Monroe County. "United Way's primary role in times of disaster is in long-term recovery. With the support of Duke Energy, we are stepping up to deliver critical relief and assistance to those who need it most."

The following organizations will receive grants:

American Red Cross of Indiana (Statewide) - $50,000

The American Red Cross of Indiana delivered immediate relief to communities impacted by the storms, including standing up respite centers, which offered a break from the heat as well as a place for residents to charge their phones and devices and obtain water and snacks.

Salvation Army Indiana Division (Statewide) - $50,000

The grant funds will be used to provide families with practical items like food, supplies and housing, in addition to emotional support to help navigate through the effects of the storm.

United Way of Monroe County (Monroe County) - $30,000

United Way of Monroe County is standing up a program to provide basic needs support for local residents impacted by the storms. The organization will work with partner agencies to distribute resources to underserved residents, as well as provide support for services at area nonprofits.

Clay County Emergency Food Pantry (Clay County) - $10,000

The grant funds will be used to supply food for local residents in need.

Putnam County Community Foundation (Putnam County) - $10,000

The grant funds will support the creation of a countywide emergency food fund, as well as efforts to repair damage to local parks and replace trees that were harmed or destroyed by the storms.

Rediscover Clinton (Vermillion County) - $10,000

Following storm damage in Clinton, funds will go toward efforts to maintain a vibrant, healthy community - including beautification work and community events.

Terre Haute Parks Department (Vigo County) - $10,000

The grant funds will be used to restore the Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park, which was severely damaged by the storms. In addition, the funding will be used to support countywide park restoration and cleanup efforts.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana and is funded by Duke Energy shareholders. More information about the Foundation can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 890,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Duke Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Duke Energy

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Bayer isn't in the cattle business. At least, we weren't. That was before we started asking big questions about small farms. Questions like: What do small dairy farms in Latin America need to thrive? What are their pain points? And, how is global warming changing their business?

Why dairy?

For low-income farming families in Central America and Southeast Mexico, raising cattle and selling dairy can help keep food on the table. The livestock economy also bolsters regional food security, bringing nutrition to the most vulnerable, especially women, children and the elderly.

But it's hard to raise dairy cows in the local climate. Every year, the dry season slows milk production. And climate change is making it worse.

During droughts, the grass dies, and cows have little to eat. They lose weight, birth fewer calves, and suffer poorer health, all while the demand for dairy remains constant.

Bayer saw an opportunity to help. What if dairy farmers planted corn during the rainy season? They could store crushed corn plant material, called silage, and save it for the next dry season. They wouldn't have to rely on grass. Maybe they could even sell the excess crop.

Keep innovating.We mustn't just carry on with the basics, but go looking for alternatives. One of the alternatives for improving livestock is silage. - Donaldo Polanco, Dairy Farmer|Cortes, Honduras

But they weren't corn farmers.

If this project was going to work, the dairy farmers needed access to know-how and technology they had never had access to before. DKSilos corn is perfectly bred to thrive in the region and give dairy cows the nutrition they need to live healthy, productive lives. Next, they needed financing to purchase necessary equipment and farming inputs like seed, fertilizer and pest control.

Caring for healthier cows through partnership.

That's more than Bayer could do alone, so we asked others to join in and help these farmers keep their cattle fed and productive. Partners included Lacthosa Sula, a large Honduran dairy processor, and major dairy offloaders. Through these alliances, farmers got access to technicians with agronomy backgrounds, Bayer supervisors, training, financing, and distribution outlets.

Fortunately, I had all the advice and support from planting to harvest, until my silo was covered. - Hernan Molina Acero, Dairy Farmer|Pijijiapan, Mexico

The program has been running for seven years, reaching over 40,000 farmers throughout Southeast Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic. And the average farmer makes about $5,000 USD more per year by adopting these practices.

And those are only the human benefits. Healthy, well-fed animals are enjoying the corn silage as well. Cows are experiencing less sickness and better pregnancy and birth rates.

Enabling smallholder farmers is key to battling hunger in low and middle-income countries. That is why we're transforming our business at Bayer to provide tailored solutions that empower 100 million smallholders by 2030.

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View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bayer on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Bayer

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bayer

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SOURCE: Bayer

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Development Begins on Fourth Generation of Primary Drug TLR-AD1 Targeting CNS Tumors

Potential for Improved Outcomes for Cancer Patients in the $100 Billion a Year Immune Oncology Market

CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / NovAccess Global Inc. (OTCQB:XSNX), a biomedical company developing novel immunotherapies for brain tumor patients, today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and formation of a partnership with BCN Biosciences to expand its immunotherapy platform. Utilizing BCN's small molecule drug BCN057, developed with support from the National Institutes of Health and in collaboration with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), NovAccess Global has begun the development of a fourth generation of its novel brain tumor immunotherapy TLR-AD1, targeting glioblastoma.

Awarded Orphan Drug Status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022, TLR-AD1improves the ability of specialized blood cells, known as Dendritic Cells (DCs), to recognize tumors. These specialized blood cells then provide a 'zip code' to the immune system improving its ability to seek out and destroy tumor cells in the body. While TLR-AD1 is the most advanced technology to enhance DC immunotherapy, a combination therapy leveraging BCN057 could further enhance DC tumor recognition as well as increase DC yield from patients' blood. The partnership between NovAccess Global and BCN provides a unique opportunity to further develop BCN057 in combination with TLR-AD1 to benefit patients with CNS cancer and potentially other cancer tumor types.

Based in Pasadena, CA and founded more than ten years ago, BCN Biosciences is a privately held oncology-focused drug development company leveraging long-term partnerships with NIH, Kansas University Medical Center, and UCLA. BCN has a portfolio of drug assets focusing on novel cancer targets and therapies that affect how cancer cells evade the body's immune system. BCN is currently developing two classes of novel small molecule drugs that target the RAS signaling pathway, a key molecular switch in the development of malignancies, and improve patient response to current classes of immune oncology therapy.

"We are very excited to collaborate with BCN by applying its BCN057 drug to enhance NovAccess Global's immunotherapy platform technology," said NovAccess Global's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dwain K. Irvin. "We already have very promising pre-clinical data and we need to officially partner with BCN to take this preliminary data one step forward. This partnership is vital to our efforts of advancing our technology as we move into and through clinical trials. As data supports, we expect to add to our patent and license portfolio which is expected to bolster our position as a key player in defining the next generation of immune oncology therapies. Once proven in brain tumor cellular therapy, our drug platform may be vital to other cancer tumor types."

"BCN057 could make immunotherapies like TLR-AD1 even more effective by denying cancer cells the ability to evade the immune system," said Dr. Andrew Norris, BCN co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Norris, who also serves on the NovAccess Global Scientific Advisory Board, added, "The BCN team is excited to work with NovAccess Global to develop novel first-in-class technology that will overcome barriers to treat cancer and significantly benefit patients facing glioblastoma and CNS tumors worldwide."

The partnership with BCN will further strengthen the IP portfolio supporting NovAccess Global's 4th generation of TLR-AD1. This partnership will increase opportunities for third-party licensing of NovAccess Global's drug platform to pharmaceutical companies active in developing new classes of therapies to compete in the global immune oncology market which today exceeds more than $100 billion a year.

NovAccess Global plans to enhance TLR-AD1with its artificial intelligence (AI) driven Precision Medicine Division. Through this division, NovAccess intends to develop a comprehensive collection of personalized therapeutics and treatment protocols leveraging advances in bioinformatics, computational science, and molecular medicine. Clinical insights from the Precision Medicine Division will help to determine which drug variation based on the TLR-AD1 platform is most appropriate for patients to illicit the strongest and most durable immune response to their individual tumor type.

About BCN Biosciences

BCN Biosciences is a biopharma company with core competency in oncology drug discovery and development. BCN's mission is to improve cancer treatment by advancing new therapeutics that target specific mutations and immune system vulnerabilities. BCN Biosciences' experienced team of drug discovery and oncology experts is focused on the development and commercialization of a portfolio of small molecule therapeutic candidates.

?Currently BCN is developing drugs which target tumors driven by mutations in the RAS protein. KRAS mutant cancers represent over a quarter of all human cancers. These cancers are hard to treat because mutations in RAS make cancer cells more resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs as well as immunotherapies. This is most prominent in specific KRAS mutations such as G12C, G12D, G12V and G13D mutations. Such mutations cover a significant population of epithelial cancers patients, including almost half of colorectal, 80% of pancreatic, more than 30% of lung, a quarter of female reproductive cancers, as well as breast cancer. BCN is developing first-in-class therapeutics which target the oncogenic RAS pathway using a novel mechanism that restores the expression of a protein, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), in cancer cells. The advantage of this approach is that the inhibitors are less prone to RAS related drug resistance. Recent FDA approvals of KRASG12C inhibitors such as Amgen's (AMGN) LUMAKRASTM and Mirati's (MRTX) KRAZATI have renewed the excitement in targeting the pathway. However, drugs targeting the greater patient population with KRASG12V and KRASG12D mutations have only very recently advanced beyond preclinical study status. BCN is targeting this large and unmet clinical need.

BCN Biosciences also has an additional program in cancer immunotherapy, which includes first-in-class small molecules that inhibit or modulate the expression of PD-1 from within the T-cells that are present in the tumor microenvironment. This differs significantly from the existing industry model of blocking the interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1. In most cancers the response rate for such approach has been unsatisfactory and, in many cases has shown to exhibit toxicity. BCN's therapeutic approach may open new avenues to address patient segments who are currently not responding to monoclonal antibodies.

About NovAccess Global

NovAccess Global is a biomedical company accelerating novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Our goal is to discover, develop and bring to market novel and innovative medicine and medical devices to improve the quality of care for cancer and neurological patients.

NovAccess Global is currently developing a cancer vaccine therapy that enhances the patient's immune response against brain tumors. Our Company has a novel immunotherapeutic approach to treating brain tumor patients with glioblastoma, the most common adult brain tumor with a 15-month median survival after diagnosis. Our patented technology is designed to combine a dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic approach with a unique combination of toll-like receptor (TLR) adjuvants, TLR-AD1, to help promote an enhanced immune response against the patient's tumor. Our platform technology focuses on enhancing the patient's immune cells to fight their unique cancer by utilizing the antigens specific to the patient's tumor. It is a meaningful technology that could significantly improve the quality of life and prognosis for the many people who suffer from brain tumors. For more information, please visit novaccessglobal.com.

Follow us on social media and stay up to date on all of our developments:

https://www.youtube.com/@novaccess

https://www.facebook.com/novaccessglobal

https://www.linkedin.com/company/64892686

https://twitter.com/novaccessglobal

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in the Company's disclosures or filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. You are further cautioned that penny stocks and stocks of smaller companies like NovAccess Global Inc. are inherently volatile and risky and that no investor should buy this stock unless they can afford the loss of their entire investment. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.

Investor Relations Contact:

Jordan Darrow

Darrow Associates

631-766-4528

jdarrow@darrowir.com

SOURCE: NovAccess Global Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770492/NovAccess-Global-Partners-with-BCN-Biosciences-to-Expand-Immunotherapy-Platform
BURLINGTON, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Murchison Minerals Ltd. ("Murchison" or the "Company") (TSXV:MUR)(OTCQB:MURMF) is pleased to announce that further to its press release dated July 11th, 2023, the Company has closed its CAD $1.5 million non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") as detailed below.

The Company issued 9,000,000 Hard Dollar units ("HD Units") at a price of $0.06 per HD Unit, 11,500,715 Quebec flow-through units ("QFT Units") at a price of $0.07 per QFT Unit and 2,383,850 National flow-through units ("NFT Units") at a price of $0.065 per NFT Unit, to raise aggregate gross proceeds of CAD $1,500,000.30.

Each Unit was comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of a common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant") and each QFT and NFT Units were comprised of one flow-through common share of the Company (a "FT Common Share") and one-half of a Warrant. Each whole Warrant shall be exercisable to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $0.10 for a period of 24 months expiring July 26th, 2025.

All securities issued under the Private Placement are subject to a hold period expiring on November 27th, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities laws. Proceeds from the private placement will be directed towards exploration at the Company's 100%-owned BMK Zn-Cu-Ag-Pb-Au VMS Project in Saskatchewan, the 100%-owned HPM nickel-copper-cobalt Project in Quebec, working capital and administrative expenses.

2023 Exploration Program

Due to the high level of interest in the Company's high-grade Ni-Cu-Co HPM Project in Quebec and the decrease in the extreme wildfire situation in the Province, the Company has decided to reprioritize work at HPM over the previously announced diamond drill program at it's BMK project in Saskatchewan. The focus for the 2023 Summer Exploration Program will be on the continued de-risking of the HPM Project. The program will consist of ground geophysics and prospecting, developing a pipeline of future drill targets at the HPM Project.

Mr. Troy Boisjoli, Murchison Minerals President, CEO, and Director comments:

"The high degree of interest and support the Company received in this private placement speaks to the confidence our shareholders have in Murchison's projects and our ability to execute on objectives. With the closing the Company is well funded to drive both BMK and HPM projects forward - as demand for critical minerals increases. Our approach is to put the geoscience in front of the spend, creating shareholder value through the disciplined advancement of both projects. I would like to thank all our current shareholders, and new investors into Murchison for their support. We are excited to kickoff our 2023 summer exploration program."

Mr. John Shmyr, Murchison Minerals Vice-President of Exploration comments:

"Over the 2023 winter, Murchison's geological team with aid of our technical advisor Dr. Peter Lightfoot, focused on understanding and interpreting the data acquired during our successful 2022 exploration program at HPM. This was time well spent and led to the identification of a significant number of high priority Ni-Cu-Co targets for our prospecting crews to investigate. Furthermore, during the data review our geophysics experts were able to demonstrate that the BDF Zone is an example of a highly conductive sulphide body, which is less responsive to VTEM surveys. For us this is a great indicator of something substantial being hosted at BDF. Geologists at Voisey's Bay encountered a similar issue where the conductance of the sulphide mineralization was too high for typical geophysical systems such as VTEM to adequately detect. For that reason, Murchison will be using a tool called a SQUID (Super-conducting Quantum Interference Device), purpose built for highly conductive sulphide mineralization - allowing us to image key expansion areas at depth along the BDF Trend, de-risking future drill programs."

Insiders Participation:

Donald K. Johnson, OC, Murchison Minerals' Director, and Largest Shareholder

Mr. Johnson acquired an additional 7,000,000 Units for aggregate investment of $420,000 to maintain his current ownership in the Company at approximately 30%.

The Private Placement constituted a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as an insider of the Company acquired an aggregate of 7,000,000 Units. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the Private Placement by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Private Placement, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances to complete the Private Placement in an expeditious manner. The Private Placement was approved by all independent directors of the Company.

Finders Fee

The Private Placement is subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. Finder's fees of $57,004.82 were paid and 636,994 Finder's warrants were issued in relation to the Private Placement. Finder's warrants had same terms and conditions as the Warrants. All Finder's warrant issued are subject to a four-month hold period until November 27th, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About Murchison Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: MUR, OTCQB: MURMF)

Murchison is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on nickel-copper-cobalt exploration at the 100% - owned HPM Project in Quebec and the exploration and development of the 100% - owned Brabant Lake zinc-copper-silver project in north-central Saskatchewan. Murchison currently has 241.1 million shares issued and outstanding.

Additional information about Murchison and its exploration projects can be found on the Company's website at www.murchisonminerals.ca. For further information, please contact:

Troy Boisjoli, President and CEO or

Erik H Martin, CFO

Justin LaFosse, Director Corporate Development

Tel: (416) 350-3776

info@murchisonminerals.com

Forward-Looking Information

The content and grades of any mineral deposits at the Company's properties are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource on the property and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in any target being delineated as a mineral resource.

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. FLI herein includes, but is not limited to: future drill results; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parameters and methods used with respect to the assay results; the prospects, if any, of the deposits; future prospects at the deposits; and the significance of exploration activities and results. FLI is designed to help you understand management's current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and 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 FLI. Although the FLI contained in this press release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Unless otherwise noted, this press release has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI or information contained herein. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI. Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to obtain the assay results; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; the results of exploration activities; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental expectations; community and nongovernmental actions; and any impacts of COVID-19 on the deposits, the Company's financial position, the Company's ability to secure required funding, or operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedar.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Murchison Minerals Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770580/Murchison-Minerals-Closes-Fully-Subscribed-15-Million-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Tractor Supply Company (TSCO) said, for 2023, the company now expects earnings per share in a range of $10.20 - $10.40, revised from prior guidance range of $10.30 - $10.60. Net sales are now anticipated in a range of $14.8 billion - $14.9 billion, updated from previous guidance of $15.0 billion - $15.3 billion. Comparable store sales are now expected to grow in a range of 1.3% - 2.5%, updated from prior outlook range of 3.5% - 5.5%.



Tractor Supply Company said it is establishing a new target of 3,000 Tractor Supply stores in the U.S., an increase of 200 locations from its prior guidance. Additionally, the company anticipates accelerating its annual new store growth to approximately 90 stores per year beginning in 2025, with a step up to 80 new stores in 2024.



The company is also updating its real estate development and portfolio management strategy for its store real estate to include owned development and sale-leaseback capability. Tractor Supply Company currently expects executing a sale-leaseback transaction of new stores built under this program within a reasonable time after construction is completed.



Also, the company plans to periodically execute the sale-leaseback of its existing ownership of 117 stores to fund the cash required by the new development program and to capture the value of its existing real estate. For 2023, the company expects an after-tax benefit of approximately $0.20 of earnings per share anticipated in the second half of the year from the sale-leaseback of 10 to 15 stores. A similar benefit is anticipated to be achieved each year over the near term, the company noted.



Tractor Supply Company noted that its updated fiscal 2023 guidance includes the benefit of the sale-leaseback.



Second quarter earnings per share rose 8.5% to $3.83. Net sales rose 7.2% to $4.18 billion with comparable store sales increase of 2.5%.



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Top 3 Energie-Dividendenaktien Im neuen Energieboom von kontinuierlichen Ertragen profitieren. Wir zeigen hier, von welche drei Aktien Sie profitieren konnen. Hier klicken
DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Auri Inc. (OTC PINK:AURI) ("AURI") (the "Company"), is proud to announce today the following update to new Investment, new product launch, pending dividend, and Reg A+ pricing.

The company received a commitment from Phased Investments to invest $ 300,000 in blocks at $ .025 of AURI in the Reg A+. Increasing Reg A pricing with our SEC filings, should bring additional confidence with shareholders, and support for better PPS.

"We recently reduced our OS by 600 million shares, with another large tranche following behind, with over 1.9 billion shares retirement as a goal. We also filed with the Wyoming SOS for a reduction of the AS by 3 Billion shares. The Reg A+ Tier 1 price increase and the new distribution deals, seem to bring confidence to the market and our shareholders. After the Reg A+ Tier 1 price increase is approved by the SEC we will immediately reduce the AS by another 6 billion shares taking the AS to 4 billion. We will conduct another reduction of the AS to 3 billion as promised after the O/S is reduced to below 3 billion. We believe that further confidence will contribute to the market after the revenues that we project to produce take place. These factors combined should make this fall and winter season very productive to adding shareholders value." Explained Edward Vakser/CEO.

The excitement of recent growth and developments are shared with Apex Farms Corporation who enthusiastically approved the Reg A+ price increase and showed their vote of confidence with the recent AS and OS, reductions and stock retirement.

The management decided to add value and excitement to the recent FINRA announcement; awarding OTC Markets Group to officially trade crypto currencies, Auri, is happy to adjust the formula for the dividend currently at the October 2, 2023 record date, to a 1 to 1 ratio. Awarding 1 AU token for every 1 AURI share owned at the record date.

Recently the company announced:

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', that contributes to fast and full absorption of the product, therefore 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 the 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.

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 OTCMarkets 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 returns to below 3 billion shares.

Our plan is to retire the last 1 billion shares prior to the close of Q3 2023.

Recent Acquisitions

Recently the company has 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 back yard 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 the patents at the time of 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 Crypto Currency, 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/770611/Auri-Inc-New-Investments-New-Products-and-Revenues
Employees are 5X more engaged when the work experience is consistent and cohesive across multiple elements. Yet only 42% of employees globally have a consistent experience. Therein lies a missed opportunity.

CHICAGO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest research by Kincentric, a Spencer Stuart company focused on improving leadership impact by unlocking the power of people and teams, identifies a number of compelling business outcomes that can be achieved when organizations deliver a consistent and cohesive employee experience (EX) across the organization. The Global Employee Experience Trends 2023 Report reveals that employee engagement has plateaued over the last five years, and CEOs and CHROs must now shift their approach to EX if they want to accelerate business outcomes through their people.

The study, backed by extensive data from over nine million respondents across 2500 organizations, 162 countries and 62 industries, emphasizes the need for leaders to act on employee experience more holistically, with consistency of experience emerging as a key factor in driving business impact. In addition to consistency, which is achieved when multiple core experience elements create similar positive perceptions across employees, the report also outlines the importance of the alignment of EX to culture and business strategy, as well as endorsement by the C-suite. The data indicates that leading organizations are enjoying notable advantages in terms of employee engagement, retention, financial performance and customer satisfaction as a result of this groundbreaking new approach.

Key findings of the research include:

Ratings of customer satisfaction and financial performance are over 2X higher when the work experience is consistent, yet almost one third (29%) of employees have a highly inconsistent experience, with significant negative impact on engagement and business outcomes.

Employee engagement is 5.5X higher when EX is aligned to culture and strategy, yet only 36% of organizations have indicators that all three elements are truly aligned.

Nearly half (49%) of employees feel their employers are failing to provide the employee experience they were promised.

Senior leaders have 6X the impact on the consistency of EX compared to managers, demonstrating their critical role in bringing this to life.

In addition, Kincentric's 2023 report indicates employees have increased expectations regarding their day-to-day work experience, and while employees have expressed more positivity around things such as long-term career aspirations and virtual work arrangements, there has been a decline in measures around inspirational leadership, organizational values and support and connection.

According to Jeff Jolton, Managing Director of Research and Insights at Kincentric, leaders looking to drive exceptional business results should focus on the transformative power of a consistent and cohesive EX, instead of solely measuring employee engagement as an outcome. "Organizations must take a fresh, holistic and highly intentional approach to drive greater consistency in their EX - which is not about providing the same experience for everyone, but instead, striving to ensure employees have the same positive perception of the work experience," Jolton says. "The reality is that the majority of organizations globally are not providing the level of consistency required to translate EX into critical business outcomes and are missing a huge opportunity to unlock the full potential of their people and create competitive advantage."

Click HERE to learn more or to review the study highlights and full research report.

About Kincentric

Kincentric, a Spencer Stuart company, helps organizations unlock the power of people and teams to ignite change and drive better business results. With decades of experience and specialist expertise in areas such as culture, employee engagement, leadership assessment and development, HR and talent advisory, and diversity, equity and inclusion, we use data-driven insights to architect solutions that add value, enhance agility and increase organizational effectiveness. For more information, visit kincentric.com.

For more information:

Name: Robin Boesen

Email: robin.boesen@kincentric.com

Logo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2162663/Kincentric_Spencer_Stuart_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kincentric-2023-research-reveals-the-power-of-consistency-in-employee-experience-301886565.html
Vancouver, BC, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. (TSX-V: REVO), (Frankfurt: IJA2), (Munich: A2PU92), (the "Company") is pleased to announce a corporate update.



RevoluPAY Signs NDA linked to European Telecommunications Giant

RevoluPAY Signs Bilateral Agreement with BANKMED SAL Lebanon

Correction News Release 20 th July 2023

Update Legal Preparations HBDIG Technologies GmbH

NDA linked to European Telecommunications Giant

Per the news release dated July 11th, 2023, revoking exclusivity, the Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into a nondisclosure agreement ("NDA") with a new entity linked to and collaborating with one of Europe's largest telecommunications companies. The parties are discussing the RevoluPAY EU and international financial licensing, passporting, and financial technology in view of potential future synergies.

BANKMED SAL Lebanon

The Company is pleased to announce that RevoluPAY EP S.L financial institution #6900 has entered into a banking correspondent agreement with Bankmed SAL, a Lebanese bank. Bankmed SAL, established in 1944, is one of Lebanon's top five banks by assets with over $19 billion and deposits maintained in 36 branches in Lebanon and one in Geneva (called Bankmed Suisse). RevoluPAY continues growing its international financial relationships to fulfill the June 12th, 2023, notified Lebanese Red Cross ("LRC") and Million Bridges humanitarian programs.

Correction News Release 20th July 2023

The Company wishes to correct the news release issued on 20th July 2023. Specifically, the news release stated that an aggregate of 1,736,308 Common Shares was to be issued to the Company's Chief Executive Officer extinguishing $138,904.63 of corporate debt. An amended directors' resolution dated 26th July 2023 corrects the error since no shares for debt are to be issued to the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The balance of the news release is correct, including issuing a total of 320,394 common shares to four directors representing $25,631.52 in extinguishing the debt owing to them, which remains subject to TSX Venture approval.

Unresponsive HBDIG Technologies GmbH and Director Erik Aaron Lara Riveros

Further to the news release dated July 11th, 2023, the Company informed shareholders that it had remitted a Certified Letter on July 3rd, 2023, to HBDIG Technologies GmbH Austrian Headquarters. In continuance of the legal preparations, on July 12th, 2023, the Company also remitted an EU-recognized formal notification via digital copy of the requisition letter to the email address utilized for all communication with Director Erik A. Lara Riveros until he became unreachable. Regrettably, Director Erik Aaron Lara Riveros remains incommunicado at the time of publishing the present news release, not having responded to any of the Company's communications.

Links Used in This News Release

Wiki BankMED - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankmed

Lebanese Red Cross - https://www.redcross.org.lb/

MillionBridges - https://millionbridges.com/

RevoluPAY USA MSB License - https://docdro.id/gDc85Wc

PSD2 EU Passporting - https://tinyurl.com/yeywhvzz

About RevoluPAY

The Company's flagship Neobanking technology is RevoluPAY, the Apple and Android multinational payment app. Conceived entirely in-house, RevoluPAY features proprietary, sector-specific technology of which the resulting source code is the Company's intellectual property. RevoluPAY's built-in features include Remittance Payments, Forex, Crypto-to-fiat exchange, Retail and Hospitality payments, Real Estate Payments, pay-as-you-go phone top-ups, Gift Cards & Online Credits, Utility Bill payments, Gaming Credits, Leisure payments, Travel Payments, etc. RevoluPAY is aimed squarely at the worldwide multi-billion dollar Open Banking sector, cross-border forex payments, and + $595 billion family remittance market. RevoluPAY is operated by the European wholly-owned subsidiary RevoluPAY EP S.L situated in Barcelona. RevoluPAY is a licensed United States MSB, Canadian FINTRAC, and European PSD2 payment institution 6900 under the auspices of E.U. Directive 2015/2366 with E.U. 27 Country Passporting and official issuer of Visa Cards and authorized Visa Affiliate Member. RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. controls five wholly-owned subsidiaries on four continents.

About RevoluGROUP Canada Inc.:

RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. is a multi-asset, multidivisional, publicly traded Canadian Company deploying advanced technologies in; Banking, Mobile Apps, Money Remittance, Cross-Border Forex Payments, Mobile Phone Top-Ups, EGaming, Healthcare Payments, Esports, Invoice factoring, Online Travel, Vacation Resort, Blockchain Systems, and Fintech app sectors. Click here to read more.

For further information on RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. (TSX-V: REVO), visit the Company's website at www.RevoluGROUP.com. The Company has approximately 194,047,376 shares issued and outstanding.

RevoluGROUP Canada, Inc.

"Steve Marshall"

______________________

STEVE MARSHALL

CEO

For further information, contact:

RevoluGROUP Canada Inc.

Telephone: (604) 332 5355

Email: info@revolugroup.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.
The star of the scientific imaging contest shows the beauty in our oceans

WALTHAM, Mass., July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evident unveiled the winners of its fourth Global Image of the Year Scientific Light Microscopy Award, an annual competition that recognizes the best in scientific imaging worldwide. The winners were selected from 640 images submitted from 38 countries around the world.



Global Winner

Laurent Formery from the United States was selected as the global winner for his stunning image of the nervous system of a juvenile sea star (Patiria miniata). The small sample, about 1 cm wide, was labeled with an antibody against acetylated tubulin after optical clearing and captured using a color-coded Z-projection. Formery chose to image this sea star to showcase the beauty of science in the oceans.

"This is a fantastic feeling," Formery commented. "Two years ago, I won an honorable mention from IOTY. Winning the global award feels like an incredible achievement and shows I made progress. I love microscopy and can spend a huge amount of time in front of our confocal microscope, but the very nice samples that I am lucky to work with really make the difference. I work with marine invertebrates, in particular echinoderms (sea stars, sea urchins and their kind). They are beautiful animals, with a fascinating and aesthetically pleasing fivefold symmetry that is unlike anything else in the animal kingdom. We know little about how these animals shape their fivefold body, which is the topic of my research. Echinoderms, and marine invertebrates in general, are often not well-known animals. I'm happy that taking images of them helps communicate how much beauty we have in our oceans, and why it is important to know more about them and protect them."

For the grand prize, Formery will receive an Olympus SZX7 stereo microscope with a DP23 digital camera.

Materials Science Winner

Shyam Rathod from India was selected as the winner of the new dedicated category for materials science and engineering images. Rathod will receive an Olympus SZ61 stereo microscope for his colorful image showing the crystal of a topical medicine for wart treatment.

Regional Winners

Three regional prizes were awarded to Javier Ruperez (Spain) for EMEA, Igor Siwanowicz (USA) for the Americas and Jiao Li (China) for Asia-Pacific. Each regional winner will choose an Olympus CX23 upright microscope or SZ61 stereo microscope.

Honorable Mentions

Honorable mentions include Layra Cintron-Rivera (USA), Katelin Murphy (USA), Michael Shribak (USA), Jing Ling (China), Mei Yu (China), Robert Berdan (Canada), Uriel Ruiz (Mexico), Liu Ruming (China), Thorben Danke (Germany) and Ru Jinwei (China).

The contest launched on Oct. 4, 2022, with a call for users to submit their best scientific images through March 31, 2023. All entries were evaluated on artistic and visual aspects, scientific impact and microscope proficiency.

From starfish and butterfly wings to medicine, the Evident team continues to be impressed by the diverse specimens captured under the microscope.

"Each year, we receive an array of microscope images that masterfully blend art and science. This year's new materials science and engineering category adds another dimension to our imaging contest, bringing attention to the beauty of samples in all aspects of science," said Satoshi Nakamura, Vice President of Global Marketing at Evident. "We are honored to receive so many life science and materials science images from around the world demonstrating the versatility of the art of science."

About the Image of the Year (IOTY) Award

Evident's IOTY Award began with Olympus in 2017 as the Image of the Year European Life Science Light Microscopy Award with the aim to celebrate both the artistic and scientific value of microscopy images. Today, the competition stays true to this mission by encouraging people around the world to look at scientific images in a new way, appreciate their beauty, and share images with others.

To learn more about the award-winning images and the microscope techniques used to capture them, visit Olympus-LifeScience.com/IOTY.

About EVIDENT

At Evident, we are guided by the scientific spirit-innovation and exploration are at the heart of what we do. Committed to making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, we support our customers with solutions that solve their challenges and advance their work; whether it's researching medical breakthroughs, inspecting infrastructure, or exposing hidden toxins in consumer products.

Evident Life Science empowers scientists and researchers through collaboration and cutting-edge life science solutions. Dedicated to meeting the challenges and supporting the evolving needs of its customers, Evident Life Science advances a comprehensive range of microscopes for pathology, hematology, IVF and other clinical applications as well as for research and education.

For more information, visit EvidentScientific.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/26e91d7e-a2e3-41fc-a3e3-090f56b674e1
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Ricci Seguban prioritizes making a difference. It's something she strives for every day as a process safety engineer at the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery - and why she volunteers with the ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge, an annual program for kids at the Minnesota Zoo.

Charged with finding new ways to manage on-the-job risks throughout the 5,000-acre Flint Hills facility in Rosemount, Minnesota, Ricci spends much of her time talking with colleagues about how they work. The safety and well-being of employees and the surrounding community is priority number one for Ricci and the facility. Her job, she says, is making sure Pine Bend's more than 1,000 employees leave each day in the same shape as when they arrived.

"My career path isn't typical for someone with a chemical engineering background," she says. "But I find a lot of personal fulfillment when I do things that have an impact on people's lives. That's what drew me to safety in the first place."

It's also what inspired her to sign up for the ZOOMS program in the last three years. Supported and significantly expanded by Flint Hills, ZOOMS invites students to learn more about a specific zoo animal - the endangered Malayan tapir this year - then create detailed designs that reimagine or enrich its exhibit space. A record-breaking 5,200 students in grades three through 12 participated in the 2022-23 challenge, most from Minnesota and some from as far away as Australia.

When several hundred of those students presented their work at the Minnesota Zoo during the ninth annual ZOOMS exhibition week in early March, Ricci was among 20 Flint Hills team members serving as judges. The event, a sort of tapir-themed science fair, featured more than 260 projects. They spanned the gamut from poster-board-mounted drawings to detailed 3D models, including a few constructed entirely from recycled household items and one, by a team from Zimmerman Middle School from Zimmerman, Minnesota, envisioning the tapir habitat as a "resort." That design included a spa-like river (Malayan tapirs love to swim) lined with cushioned flooring because the 500-pound mammals have sensitive feet. And it earned its creators one of this year's five Flint Hills Innovation Awards, given for outstanding designs that demonstrate creative problem-solving.

"It's amazing to see the ideas students come up with," Ricci says. "You want to help them keep that creativity alive as they get older. Coming up with innovative solutions is something that's going to be helpful for them in any career."

This year she was pleased to hear students praise ZOOMS for showing them how skills they learn in the classroom, such as research, critical thinking and problem-solving, can also be applied to real-world problems.

"One team said they now see how the engineering design process can even be used by someone with a career at the zoo," she says.

That ZOOMS helps students use their math, science and problem-solving skills to address real-life issues has made it a hit among teachers, while kids, of course, are drawn to the cool critters.

"I've had former students tell me this project is one of the fondest memories they have of STEM," says Dawn Coats, STEM specialist at Lakeview Elementary School in Lakeville, Minnesota, where third-grade students have been participating in ZOOMS since 2019.

Studying animals is part of the third-grade science curriculum and adding this STEM-skills-driven challenge to the equation "takes their learning to the next level," she says.

When creating their projects, the students even practice a kid-friendly version of the engineering design process (identifying a problem, brainstorming solutions, making a plan and adjusting it along the way).

"They care so much about the animals and work hard to create something especially for them," Dawn says.

Those connections created between young people and animals are an important aspect of ZOOMS, and line up well with the zoo's mission.

"We want to inspire an interest in STEM and conservation to help students see why STEM knowledge and skills are necessary in the real world," says Minnesota Zoo STEM specialist Kristi Berg. "We are so incredibly grateful to have Flint Hills Resources partner with us for this program and especially lucky to get to have their engineers connect with students and provide expert feedback. It makes the ZOOMS Design Challenge an even more authentic learning experience for these kids."

Ricci is aware that her feedback, and her very presence as a woman engineer, can affect these students in defining ways.

"A diverse group of kids and a lot of girls compete in ZOOMS, so it's important for them to see role models they can relate to," she says. "Especially when it comes to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers: How can we help them learn more about the opportunities and options? If they see someone who looks like them in an engineering role, they may have the confidence to say, 'Hey, I can do it, too.'" That's how it worked for her, anyway. Born just outside Dallas and raised in Gig Harbor, Washington, Ricci was a good student who enjoyed math and science. But she didn't fully embrace those subjects until seventh grade when she was encouraged to join the mostly male robotics club by the science teacher who was its faculty adviser.

"Seeing a female teacher getting involved in STEM activities made me feel like I could join in," Ricci says.

Ricci learned about ZOOMS - and volunteered for the program - while she was working for a different Koch company before she moved into her role with Flint Hills in 2021. She's also taken on a leadership role with the refinery's employee-led Women's Network Group and its efforts to promote diverse perspectives in her field of expertise.

"Koch really supports volunteerism and connecting with the community," she says. "We try to connect what we've learned in our careers, and what we see in the work we do, to the students that we work with."

For Ricci, the rewards of community service stick around long after events like the ZOOMS challenge end. She returns to work feeling inspired and even more inclined to think about problems in new ways. Ricci also takes pride in knowing she's encouraged the next generation to follow their STEM dreams, just like she did.

"Having the chance to impact students, seeing how the challenge motivates them - I take that satisfaction back into my own career," she says. "I feel like we've achieved something wonderful."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Koch Industries on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Koch Industries

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/koch-industries

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Koch Industries

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: GUN) ("Gunpoint" or the "Company") is pleased to report the initial drilling results by Newcrest Mining Ltd. ("Newcrest") on the Appaloosa portion of Gunpoint's 100% owned Talapoosa gold-silver project in central Nevada. Newcrest Resources Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newcrest, has entered into an option and earn-in agreement with the Company (previously announced on September 28, 2022) to earn up to 75% in Gunpoint's Appaloosa property ("Appaloosa") for cash payments totaling US$5 million, incurring US$35 million in exploration expenditures and delineating a minimum 1.0 million-ounce gold indicated mineral resource.

Newcrest began drilling the Central Target area at Appaloosa in late April 2023. To date, Newcrest has provided data on six diamond drill holes, totaling 1900 meters including partial assay results. Drilling at the Central Target area has returned halo intercepts of gold, silver, and pathfinder elements consistent with the peripheral and upper zones of a low sulfidation epithermal gold-silver system.

Four drill holes intercepted significant thicknesses indicating a shallow dipping, oxidized mineral zone at the contact of two volcanic units suggesting lateral fluid migration. Lateral fluid migration is generally distal mineralization to the main feeder zones within a hydrothermal system. Significant assay intervals reported are apparent widths. True thickness of the mineralized intervals has not been determined, as the geometry of the mineralization to date is not understood.

At a 0.2 g/t gold cut off, the four holes returned:

APP-000128.97 meters @ 0.47 g/t gold, 7.9 g/t silver

APP-000212.38 meters @ 0.47 g/t gold, 2.6 g/t silver

APP-000319.0 meters @ 0.41 g/t gold

APP-000426.94 meters @ 0.59 g/t gold, 12 g/t silver

Evidence for a deep high-grade zone is supported by 0.3 meters of 7.9 g/t gold and 30 g/t silver intersected on hole APP-0004 starting at 323.6 meters. Drilling to discover the more developed parts of the epithermal system is ongoing.

Summary of Newcrest's Drill Results is highlighted below:

Hole ID Hole Type Easting

(m) Northing (m) RL

(m) Total Depth (m) Azimuth Dip From

(m) To

(m) Interval (m) Au

(ppm) Ag

(ppm) Cut off (Au ppm) APP-0001** DD 303100 4372308 1916 250 180 -45 103.33 132.3 28.97 0.47 7.9 0.2 Incl. 108.25 109.76 1.51 1.3 28 1.0 Incl. 114 115.4 1.4 1.3 17 1.0 APP-0002** DD 303100 4372308 1916 310 180 -70 104.62 117 12.38 0.47 2.6 0.2 Incl. 114.4 116 1.6 1.3 17 1.0 APP-0003** DD 303100 4372308 1916 275 360 -45 63.3 65.1 1.8 0.32 5.3 0.2 and 133.5 152.5 19 0.41 - 0.2 Incl. 151 152.5 1.5 1.0 - 1.0 APP-0004** DD 303070 4372485 1944 403 180 -50 168.16 195.1 26.94 0.59 12 0.2 Incl. 178.55 183.5 4.95 1.2 14 1.0 and 323.6 323.9 0.3 7.9 30 1.0 and 336.38 336.9 0.52 1.6 1.6 0.2 APP-0005** DD 303100 4372050 1884 310 360 -45 251 252.5 2.5 0.44 1.9 0.2 APP-0006** DD 302923 4372495 1940 405 180 -75 190 194 4.0 0.35 19 0.2 and 208 209.5 1.5 1.9 2.5 0.2

**partial intercept, assays pending.

Geophysics conducted over the property identified a northeast trending structural corridor intersecting the seven-kilometer-long Appaloosa trend. These northeast trending structural sets could represent subtle but important mineralizing conduits, particularly at the intersection with the Appaloosa Trend and will be systematically tested. Newcrest has moved the drill rig to the Antennas Target area located one kilometer northwest of the Central Target for the next fence of drill holes.

P. Randy Reifel, President of Gunpoint states: "We are very encouraged with Newcrest's initial drilling results at Appaloosa. The geological, geochemical, and geophysical results have delineated a large mineralized hydrothermal gold-bearing system within a seven-kilometer-long corridor. In addition to seeking high-grade epithermal gold mineralization at depth, the first holes have identified a shallow, potentially broad zone of oxide mineralization. Exciting early days for Appaloosa with the initial results showing promise of multiple target opportunities for future exploration."

Figure 1



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Figure 2



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QA/QC

Sampling, sample preparation and quality control protocols are considered appropriate for the material being sampled.

Cut core HQ samples. Half cut core samples were collected in Protexo cloth bags together with pre-numbered sample tags and grouped into shipping bins for dispatch to the laboratory by dedicated transport. Sample lengths ranged from 0.30m to 2.0m. Sample sizes are considered appropriate for the style of mineralization.

Sample series were verified for completeness at the Reno facility by Newcrest geologists prior to laboratory dispatch.

All drill samples were freighted by road to Bureau Veritas prep facility via laboratory in-house transport.

Sample preparation was conducted at Bureau Veritas facilities in Sparks, Nevada. Geochemical analyses were carried out at the independent ISO 17025:2017 accredited Bureau Veritas laboratories in Vancouver, B.C. Samples were dried at 60 C, and crushed to 70% passing 2 mm, and split to obtain a 250g sub-sample (method PRP70-250), which was pulverised to produce a pulped product with the minimum standard of 85% passing 75m (method PUL85).

Duplicate sample data are available from crush and pulp samples at a rate of approximately 1:50, which is acceptable for the material sampled and style of mineralisation. Observed duplicate variability in high grade samples is addressed with follow-up screen fire assay consisting of 1 kg of coarse reject from original sample.

Assaying of drill core was conducted at Bureau Veritas in North Vancouver. All samples were analysed for 59 elements using a 4-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS determination (method MA250). Gold analyses were determined by 30g fire assay with ICP-ME finish (method FA330) which is considered to provide a total assay for gold. Gravimetric analyses are automatically carried out for gold assays > 10 ppm and silver analyses >200 using 30 g pulps (method FA550).

Sampling and assaying quality control procedures consisted of inclusion of certified reference material (CRMs), coarse residue and pulp duplicates with each batch (at least 1:20).

Assays of quality control samples were compared with reference samples in MX Deposit and verified as acceptable prior to formal use of data from analysed batches.

Laboratory quality duplicates including replicates and preparation duplicates are captured in MX Deposit and assessed.

Analysis of the available quality control sample assay results indicates that an acceptable level of accuracy and precision has been achieved. The database contains no analytical data that has been numerically manipulated.

The assaying techniques and quality control protocols used are considered appropriate for the data to be used for reporting exploration drilling results.

Core sampling intervals are defined by the geologist during logging then assigned pre-printed sample identification numbers prior to core photography, cutting, and sampling. Pre-printed sample identification tags are affixed in the core box corresponding to each sampled interval and a duplicate sample tag placed in a pre-labelled bag containing the sampled core for assay.

All sampling and assay information are maintained in MX Deposit.

Sample submission forms providing the sample identification number accompany each submission to the laboratory. Assay results from the laboratory with corresponding sample identification are loaded directly into MX deposit.

No adjustments are made to assay data. Drilling intersects mineralisation at various angles. No twinned holes have been undertaken.

There are no currently known drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data.

All collar coordinates are provided in the North American Datum (NAD83 Zone 11N).

Surface drill collar locations are monumented with a stamped brass tag. Collar coordinates were surveyed with a Trimble DA2 GPS to 0.10m accuracy. Azimuth and inclination of the drillholes are surveyed with a TN14 Gyro-Compass at the collar, and a Reflex EZ Sprint Gyro every 30.48m (100ft) down hole.

About Gunpoint Exploration Ltd.

Gunpoint owns Talapoosa, an open pit, high grade gold-silver project in Nevada. Talapoosa has a mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") by Tetra Tech WEI Inc., with a measured and indicated mineral resource of 1.0 million ounces of gold and 13.6 million ounces of silver at an average grade of 1.11 g/t and 14.97 g/t, respectively (effective March 1, 2013). Inferred mineral resources add an additional 233,500 ounces of gold at 0.72 g/t and 2.2 million ounces of silver at 6.65 g/t. For further information, see "Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Talapoosa Project, Nevada" with an effective date of April 12, 2013 available under the Company's profile on SEDAR.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charlie Ronkos, Director of the Company, a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

For more information on Gunpoint, please visit our website at www.gunpointexploration.com or contact Randy Reifel, President, at (604) 731-2219.

GUNPOINT EXPLORATION LTD.

"P. Randy Reifel"

President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking Information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation, ongoing drilling to discover the more developed parts of the epithermal system; the geological, geochemical, and geophysical results delineating a large mineralized hydrothermal gold-bearing system within a seven-kilometer-long corridor; the first holes having identified a shallow, potentially broad zone of oxide mineralization; initial results showing promise of multiple target opportunities for future exploration work, and the estimated mineral resources at the Company's Talapoosa project. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth in the section entitled "Risk and Uncertainties" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2023 available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175102
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - XAU Resources Inc. (TSXV: GIG) ("XAU Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the shareholders approved all matters put forth for approval at the annual shareholders' meeting held on July 26, 2023 (the "Meeting"). The shareholders re-elected Gairat Gary Bay, Peter Hambro, Nataliya Hearn, Dan Hrushewsky and Daniele Spethmann to the board of directors (the "Board") and re-appointed RSM Canada LLP to be the auditors of the Company. The shareholders also approved the Company's stock option plan (the "Option Plan"), including certain amendments to comply with the new TSX Venture Exchange Policy 4.4. The Option Plan now requires disinterested shareholder approval to extend the term of options issued to insiders. For complete details about the Option Plan and further information about the Meeting, please see the Management Information Circular filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

About XAU Resources Inc.

XAU Resources is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company that has the 152.25 km2 Noseno land package in the Trans-Guyana gold belt. The property is in the same greenstone terrane that hosts the largest gold deposits in Guyana, the Aurora Mine and the Toroparu Project. Limited modern exploration has been undertaken on the property although the property has a 100-year history of small scale hard rock and placer mining. The property lies 210 km west of the capital, Georgetown and 75 km south of the regional supply centre at Port Kaituma (inland port).

For further information contact:

Gary Bay

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 647-339-4301

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/175108
A Hollywood Legend Revisited: Truman Capote's Historic Bel Air Home Gets a Luxurious Makeover

BEL AIR, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Nestled high above the renowned Sunset Boulevard lies 11001 W. Sunset Blvd, a single-story home with 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a design by the esteemed L.A.-based firm, Sophea Interior Design. Once home to the legendary American screenwriter and novelist Truman Capote and longtime friend Joanne Carson, this highly anticipated renovation will showcase a remarkable fusion of timeless design and modern sophistication. Truly an entertainer's paradise, this estate has transformed the Hollywood historic residence into a modern-day architectural masterpiece.

11001 W. Sunset Boulevard

Truman Capote's Iconic Estate

Truman Capote is renowned for his literary brilliance and timeless contributions to American literature, with his groundbreaking works, including the iconic "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and the gripping non-fiction masterpiece "In Cold Blood." Capote's exceptional talent and innovative storytelling captivated readers and brought him widespread acclaim, earning him a prominent position among the literary giants of the 20th century.

Discover the allure of the iconic pied-a-terre tucked in the hills of Bel Air, boasting a remarkable connection to Hollywood's golden era. This pied-a-terre in the Bel Air hills is renowned for its captivating city views, seen through floor-to-ceiling windows in the great room. Its allure extended beyond its architectural grandeur, as it served as a gathering place for Capote and his illustrious circle of celebrity friends, including actress Joanne Carson.

The five thousand square foot home is complete with Miele appliances, a 19-foot Cambria stone kitchen island, Italian custom cabinetry, and imported tiles from Spain.

The master wing is a sanctuary of indulgence, featuring a lavish appointed primary bedroom with a captivating wood accent wall and modern spa-inspired master bath. The adjoining room can be a bedroom, gym, office, or an expansive walk-in closet, all exclusively for the master suite.

The rooftop view deck is the ultimate outdoor space. With its breathtaking views of the city and ocean, this deck is complete with a BBQ, bar, seating area, fire pits, fountains, a pool, and spa. Every detail adds an undeniable touch of stardom and history to its very foundation.

Sophea Interior Design, led by Dorothy Alon, has poured creative expertise into this historic residence, masterfully preserving its rich Hollywood charm while elevating it with modern sophistication. With an array of new projects currently on the market, Sophea Interior Design continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of luxury interior design.

For more information on this architectural gem, please contact the real estate agent(s) Leon Oranskiy at 818-618-5366 and Sasha Tsarevsky at 818-406-5626.

Contact Information:

Dorothy Alon

Principal Designer

dorothy@sopheadesigns.com

310-409-6051

Ann Ivazov

Business Development at Sophea Interior Design

ann@sopheadesigns.com

818-448-6001

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Still-31.jpg

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QUZHOU, China, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 25, 2023, an activity for unveiling the international expression of Quzhou spirit in the new era was held in its namesake city in eastern China's Zhejiang Province. During the event, the official translations of the 12-character Quzhou spirit in the new era, namely "Uprightness and Courteousness, Openness and Confidence, Innovation and Excellence", were unveiled. Cash prizes up to 20,000 yuan were awarded to the winners of the international expression contest.

The global contest was launched in May 2023, drawing 9,651 entries from 56 countries and regions, thanks to extensive media coverage from outlets such as People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and China Central Television. Influential communication channels, including the Twitter account of the State Council Information Office of China, the main Facebook account of China.org.cn, and eZhejiang, the official English website of Zhejiang Province also followed the event as it unfolded, with relevant content garnering more than 35 million clicks.

Huang Yulong, President of the Academy of Translation and Interpretation of China International Communications Group, commented, "promoting a city's spirit in its development is essential to our country's social development now," adding that every city must address the question of how to become more international in its development. He also said that the contest, which garnered entries from speakers of the five UN's official languages besides Chinese, presented up-to-date content in innovative forms through diverse channels. "It offers a strong boost to the city's reputation and global presence. I believe it will bring a new look to Quzhou and serve as a model for other cities in China."

Wan Shaohua, a spokesperson for Quzhou spirit in the new era, was deeply moved by the videos submitted by Quzhou residents and overseas friends from Egypt, Australia, France, Belarus, Bolivia, and other countries. He said that the contest brought southern Confucianism to more places and helped Chinese culture go global.

Noelia Gutierrez Maldonado, a university teacher in China who was named a finalist of the Spanish translation, shared how she was inspired by the culture and history of Quzhou, and reflected that its heritage and values convinced her that Quzhou will play an important role in the exchange and mutual learning among civilizations along the Belt and Road.

"Quzhou spirit in the new era is rooted in its history and culture and passed down through continuous hard work, and represents the future. It is not only an iconic symbol of Quzhou's culture, but also showcases its visionary pursuits. It can be said that the Quzhou spirit possesses both a Chinese vision and an international horizon." A representative from the Publicity Department of the CPC Quzhou Municipal Committee said that the spirit's international horizon, mindset, ideas, and standards are all integral to the city's development, adding that "in the future, Quzhou will undoubtedly explore more diverse ways to gain global recognition, and become a place where diverse civilizations around the world converge."

Contact: Hong Yanhui

Tel: (0086) 570-3076191

Email: 39785657@qq.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/international-expression-of-quzhou-spirit-in-the-new-era-unveiled-301887478.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is excited to announce the election of two new board members and the re-election of an incumbent board member to serve on the SAC Board of Directors. These esteemed individuals will be seated on the Board in September 2023. The Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in guiding the SAC's strategic plan, and driving industry transformation, advancing our organization's mission of sustainability and positive impact.

The SAC is pleased to welcome:

Affiliate Category: Harsh Saini, Board Director, Global Fashion Agenda; Independent Consultant (newly elected)

Harsh Saini, Board Director, Global Fashion Agenda; Independent Consultant Brand/Retailer Category: Amanda Tucker, Vice President Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability, Target (newly elected)

Amanda Tucker, Vice President Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability, Target Manufacturer Category: Dr. Delman Lee, Vice Chair, TAL Apparel (incumbent)

These individuals bring a wide breadth of knowledge and valuable insights, each contributing a unique perspective critical to advancing our vision for a more equitable and restorative industry.

Harsh Saini brings over 25 years of global experience in sustainability, manufacturing, compliance, communication, brand and crisis management, and trade relations. She has also been an influential figure on multiple boards and committees, including Global Compact, Better Work, FLA, Bangladesh safety programs, OECD, The Fashion Pact, AAFA, ETI, SAC, and GFA.

"I am honored to have been selected to serve on the SAC Board of Directors representing the Affiliate member category," said Harsh. "I look forward to collaborating with fellow members and industry players to support SAC's vision and strategic initiatives for an even greater impact in our industry."

Amanda Tucker, with 25 years of experience in building coalitions to deliver change, possesses extensive expertise in sustainability, sourcing, labor rights, and governance across three continents. Her innovative approaches will be invaluable as we strive for a more sustainable future.

Grateful for her election to the Brand/Retailer seat, Amanda stated, "In order to make significant strides towards sustainability, I believe that we must work together and commit to learning and adapting with our partners to reach our shared goals. I am excited and honored to bring my expertise to the board with a goal to deliver meaningful change and impact at scale."

Dr. Delman Lee will return to the board, representing the Manufacturer member category. He has been a key advocate since the SAC's inception, actively supporting equal partnership and providing invaluable expertise and insight on the challenges facing manufacturers, and opportunities to deepen collaboration to ensure every voice throughout the supply chain is heard.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to continue representing the SAC manufacturer member category on the Board of Directors," said Delman. "It is a privilege to work alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals in driving our mission and shared vision forward. I remain committed to leveraging my experience and expertise to amplify the voices of my fellow manufacturer members and contribute to the collective efforts in achieving our sustainability goals. Together, we will make a lasting impact and create a more sustainable future for our industry."

The SAC CEO, Amina Razvi said, "We are thrilled to welcome our newly elected and re-elected Board members. The combination of their unique perspectives and wealth of experience will be instrumental in accelerating the SAC's efforts toward a more equitable and restorative industry. Only by working together will we achieve the necessary transformation within the consumer goods industry and steer it towards a more sustainable and responsible future."

The SAC is deeply grateful to outgoing Board members Rudiger Fox, CEO/Chief Environmental Activist at Sympatex, and Jonas Eder-Hansen, COO at Global Fashion Agenda, whose dedicated service and invaluable contributions have guided the organization's strategic direction and initiatives throughout their tenure.

Learn more about SAC's governance and view the current Board of Directors on our website today.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sustainable Apparel Coalition on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sustainable-apparel-coalition

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Sustainable Apparel Coalition

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770650/Sustainable-Apparel-Coalition-Welcomes-New-Board-Directors
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 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Global Market Report 2023, the global construction market will grow from $14503.87 billion in 2022 to $15461.84 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 6%. The construction industry worth is then expected to reach $19519.26 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 6%. Going forward, rising urbanization, increasing population growth, the growing government support, and industrialization will drive the construction market.

Learn More On The Construction Market Report - https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-global-market-report

Top three technologies that companies are adopting to capitalize on the construction industry opportunities are:

1.Construction Robotics

Construction market companies are using robotics for increasing productivity, to get work done quicker, cheaper and with more precise detail. For instance, as of June 2021, more than four out of five (81%) of the world's construction companies say they are planning to introduce robots into their operations during the coming decade, partly in response to a growing skills crisis being experienced by 91% of them.

2.Augmented Reality

Companies in the construction market are using augmented reality for increasing efficiency, improving safety, streamline collaboration, manage costs and overall boost project confidence. For example, AR can layer certain details and elements onto a building plan so stakeholders can get a better understanding of the project. AR can also be used to showcase 3D models and even provide tours, giving clients a solid idea of what a building would look like before it's built.

3.Rise In 3D Construction Printing

Construction companies are using 3D construction printing for creating construction components or to 'print' entire buildings. For instance, in May 2023, COBOD, a Denmark-based 3D construction printing solutions offering company, recently announced the construction of Europe's largest 3D printed building in Germany. This project is being spearheaded by KRAUSGRUPPE, a Heidelberg-based project developer, builder, investor, real estate manager and broker. It measures approximately 54m long, 11m wide and 9m tall. The construction process began on March 31st, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2023. It will function as an IT server hotel and will be one of the most technologically advanced and innovative structures in the region.

Request A Free Sample Of The Construction Market Report - https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=3598&type=smp

As per the construction industry overview, the Asia Pacific construction market was valued at $5,876.7 billion in 2022.

The market in Asia-Pacific is highly competitive, with major construction companies concentrated in China. The construction market in the region is mainly supported by government investment in housing and transport infrastructure. For example, in April 2023, the Chinese Government increased the spending on large construction and infrastructure projects by US$1.8 trillion year-on-year, to help regional economies recover from the pandemic. The investment will focus on high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy, as China looks to increase its technological self-sufficiency and energy security. The central province of Henan will increase spending on industrial transformation projects by nearly 50%, to US$290 billion.

View More Similar Market Reports:

Construction Machinery Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-machinery-global-market-report

Construction Chemicals Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-chemicals-global-market-report

Construction Elastomers Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-elastomers-global-market-report

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/construction-industry-forecast-2023-three-major-technologies-that-will-transform-the-market--by-the-business-research-company-301880804.html
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / ComboCurve, the leading analysis engine in the energy sector, is excited to announce the appointment of CJ Montano as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Montano brings over 25 years of experience, including a proven track record in software engineering, agile principles, and effective leadership.

ComboCurve's Chief Technology Officer, CJ Tibbs

A green and blue gradient in the background with a headshot of CJ Tibbs, ComboCurve's Chief Technology Officer in the foreground, beside the words "Chief Technology Officer CJ Tibbs" and the ComboCurve logo upper left.

Montano comes to ComboCurve with an impressive history of scaling complex engineering projects. During his tenure at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, he was part of the technical leadership team that successfully oversaw the growth of daily transactions from 500,000 to 20 million over seven years. His dedication to maintaining market stability and preventing catastrophic losses during times of volatility illustrates his risk management expertise and commitment to safeguarding businesses.

Montano has repeatedly shown his ability to build high-performing teams, transforming organizations for better software engineering. After leading the Quality Assurance (QA) group at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, he implemented agile transformations at companies like Relativity and ECHO Global Logistics. He went on to found his own successful business, Agile Unicorn, focused on building high-performance teams infused with lean principles.

"Montano's extraordinary track record managing complex systems and high-performing teams makes him an invaluable asset to the ComboCurve family," said Armand Paradis, CEO of ComboCurve. "We can't wait for him to get started. His leadership and technical skills perfectly complement our commitment to providing the best platform for strategic decisions in energy."

In his role at ComboCurve, Montano plans to make data-driven decisions a cornerstone of his strategy. He stresses the importance of data in supporting business growth. Montano also aims to bring a mindset around creating value rather than merely processing data. As a firm believer in the power of quality as a product, his vast experience will drive value in all areas of the company.

"I am thrilled to join ComboCurve, a company already ahead in modern engineering principles and with an excellent tech stack," Montano said. "I look forward to helping drive the focus on value and quality in our processes. The team here has already set a very high bar for quality. My philosophy will only reinforce the process of continual improvement."

This new appointment aligns with ComboCurve's strategic plan to continuously enhance its technological capabilities, solidifying its position as the most robust analysis engine in the energy sector.

About ComboCurve

ComboCurve is the most robust analysis engine in energy. The company's pioneering platform provides reliable forecasts, type curves, production economics, scheduling, and net zero planning in one place. ComboCurve customers make informed and profitable decisions based on accurate and comprehensive data. With its cloud-based technology and customer-focused approach, ComboCurve continues to disrupt the energy sector reducing engineering workflows from days to minutes. For more information, please visit combocurve.com.

Contact Information

Alexandra Brasher

Marketing Manager

a.brasher@combocurve.com

6626147722

SOURCE: ComboCurve

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770655/ComboCurve-Welcomes-CJ-Montano-as-Chief-Technology-Officer
KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / CRB, a leading global provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting solutions to the life sciences and food and beverage industries, recently announced the hiring of Carl Williams as its new Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety. Williams brings to CRB a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of driving environmental health and workplace safety initiatives.

In his role at CRB, Williams will drive CRB's safety strategy across all operational areas. He will work closely with cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative solutions that align with the company's commitment to sustainability and advance the safety and wellbeing of employees, clients, and the communities where CRB operates.

"From the office to the jobsite, everyone at CRB has a special accountability for the safety and wellbeing of their colleagues and clients. That can't happen without deeply rooted individual commitment, a strong company culture, and rigorous safety systems that anticipate and solve challenges before they arise," Williams said. "I am excited to support and advance CRB's comprehensive safety program across the organization."

Williams has an extensive background in EHS management, with nearly 40 years of experience in industrial safety and the use of key performance indicators to drive safety for construction organizations. His expertise also includes regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and the implementation of effective environmental management systems. Before CRB, Williams held health and safety leadership roles at Micron Technology, M+W Group and Texas Instruments.

"Carl's impressive experience and track record of implementing and driving safety programs within large organizations will benefit clients and advance our goal of making sure every person associated with CRB work goes home safe, every day," said Sam Kitchell, CRB's Chief Operating Officer. "

Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University. He has served on numerous EHS-focused industry groups.

About CRB:

CRB is a leading global provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting solutions to the life sciences and food and beverage industries. Our innovative ONEsolution service provides successful integrated project delivery for clients demanding high-quality solutions -- on time and on budget. Across more than 20 offices in North America and Europe, the company's nearly 1,700 employees provide world-class, technically preeminent solutions that drive success and positive change for clients and communities. See our work at crbgroup.com, and connect with us on social media here.

CONTACT:

Clarity Quest Marketing:

877-887-7611

Bonnie Quintanilla, bonnie@clarityqst.com

CRB:

816-200-5234

Chris Clark, chris.clark@crbgroup.com





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CRB on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CRB

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/crb

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CRB

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770656/CRB-Names-Carl-Williams-As-Its-New-VP-of-Environmental-Health-Safety
Strong Business Growth

Gross Profit Holding up Well

Regulatory News:

Clasquin (Paris:ALCLA):

Half-year Quarters H1 2023 H1 2022 Change Like for like

(lfl)*** Q2 2023/ Q2 2022 Q1 2023/ Q1 2022 CONSOLIDATED (unaudited) Number of shipments** 163,301 154,435 +5.7% +2.7% +6.8% +4.6% Sales (m)* 284.3 463.1 -38.6% -45.0% -36.7% -40.5% Gross profit (m) 67.4 71.8 -6.1% -16.1% +1.4% -14.1%

* Sales is not a relevant indicator of business in our sector, as it is greatly impacted by changing air and sea freight rates, fuel surcharges, exchange rates (particularly versus USD), etc. Changes in the number of shipments, volumes shipped and, in financial terms, gross profit are relevant indicators.

** The number of shipments does not include the Timar acquisition.

*** Constant consolidation scope: excluding acquisitions of Exaciel (01/07/22), CVL (01/07/22), Timar (28/03/23) and Log System (01/03/22)

Q2 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

Integration of the Timar group following Clasquin's acquisition of 63.52% of the share capital on 28 March 2023. Reminder: Timar is a Moroccan group specialising in the design of innovative solutions in the fields of international transport, logistics and goods transit. The group is listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange. 14 companies, 18 offices in 9 countries in North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania), West Africa (Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast) and Europe (France, Spain, Portugal). Headcount: 424 people (30/06/2023).



Several projects have been launched and are proceeding according to plan (cross-selling, financial reporting, IT security, HR policies, etc.).

Furthermore, the mandatory takeover bid launched on 9 June 2023 was completed on 28 June 2023.

At 17 July 2023, the Group held 66.01% of Timar's capital.

MARKET AND BUSINESS REVIEW

The fall in demand combined with increased market capacity, for both air and sea, continued to weigh on freight rates in Q2

The sea freight market has returned to pre-COVID levels, while air freight rates, although also down sharply, remain higher than in the pre-pandemic period.

Against this backdrop, as in Q1 2023, the Group succeeded in maintaining significant business volumes in Q2, with a 6.8% increase in the number of shipments (excluding the Timar acquisition).

The air freight business (excluding the Timar acquisition), up 25.0% in terms of number of shipments and up 15.3% in terms of tonnage, made a significant contribution to this growth thanks to new client acquisitions.

The sea freight business (excluding the Timar acquisition), up 3.4% in terms of number of shipments and down 1.0% in terms of number of containers shipped, performed well amid a significant fall in volumes.

The Road brokerage business (mainly Europe from and North Africa) grew 5.2% (excluding the Timar acquisition), consolidating its position in the automotive industry.

Despite unit margins declining in both air freight (down 27.2%) and sea freight (down 23.4%), consolidated gross profit rose 1.4% in Q2, driven by:

The acquisitions of CVL (July 2022), Exaciel (July 2022) and Timar (consolidated from 1 April 2023);

Growth at constant scope exchange rates: down 15.6%;

(July 2022), (July 2022) and (consolidated from 1 April 2023); Growth at constant scope exchange rates: down 15.6%; New client acquisitions, which accounted for 8.1% of total gross profit in H1 2023 (excluding the Timar acquisition).

Moreover, the Timar Group's Q2 gross profit amounted to 5.8m, in line with expectations

This was underpinned by:

The acquisition of new clients in the Overseas (air/sea) business

The strength of Road brokerage flows between Europe and North Africa, driven by a buoyant Euromed market.

Europe-Africa flows accounted for 22% of the Group's gross profit in H1 2023 (versus 12% for FY 2022).

BREAKDOWN BY BUSINESS LINE

NUMBER OF SHIPMENTS (excl. Timar) GROSS PROFIT (m) At current scope and exchange rates H1 2023 H1 2022 Change H1 2023/ H1 2022 Change Q2 2023/ Q2 2022 H1 2023 H1 2022 Change H1 2023/ H1 2022 Change Q2 2023/ Q2 2022 Sea freight 65,951 66,929 -1.5% +3.4% 33.3 39.8 -16.3% -19.6% Air freight 42,595 35,361 +20.5% +25.0% 18.2 20.9 -13.1% -5.6% Road brokerage* 37,245 35,273 +5.6% +5.2% 12.1 7.4 +63.4% +105.3% Other (rail, customs, logistics) 17,510 16,872 +3.8% -11.1% 3.8 3.3 +15.3% +57.5% TOTAL OVERSEAS BUSINESS 163,301 154,435 +5.7% +6.8% 67.4 71.4 -5.7% +1.5% Log System** 0.4 N/A N/A Consolidation entries (0.1) N/A N/A TOTAL CONSOLIDATED 67.4 71.8 -6.1% +1.4%

Road brokerage includes the road haulage business previously included in "Other businesses" and the RORO business (roll on/roll off: combined road sea transport (trailers or trucks on ships))

** Disposal of LOG System on 01/03/2022

VOLUMES H1 2023 H1 2022 Change H1 2023/ H1 2022 Change Q2 2023/ Q2 2022 Sea freight 129,409 TEUs* 134,441 TEUs* -3.7% -1.0% Air freight 33,472T** 33,572T** -0.3% +15.3%

Twenty-foot equivalent units

** Tons

2023 OUTLOOK

2023 MARKET

International trade by volume: up 1.0% (source: WTO)

Air freight by volume: down 4.3% (source: IATA)

Sea freight by volume: down 2.5-5%

CLASQUIN 2023

Business (volumes): outperform market growth

Unit margins: return to normalised margin

UPCOMING EVENTS (publication after-market closure) Wednesday 13 September 2023

Tuesday 07 November 2023 H1 2023 results Q3 2023 business report

CLASQUIN is an air and sea freight forwarding and overseas logistics specialist. The Group designs and manages the entire overseas transport and logistics chain, organising and coordinating the flow of client shipments between France and the rest of the world and, more specifically, to and from Asia-Pacific, North America, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

Its shares are listed on EURONEXT GROWTH, ISIN FR0004152882, Reuters ALCLA.PA, Bloomberg ALCLA FP. Read more at www.clasquin.com.

CLASQUIN confirms its eligibility for the share savings plan for MSCs (medium-sized companies) in accordance with Article D. 221-113-5 of the French Monetary and Financial Code established by decree number 2014-283 of 4 March 2014 and with Article L. 221-32-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code, which set the conditions for eligibility (less than 5,000 employees and annual sales of less than 1,500m or balance sheet total of less than 2,000m).

CLASQUIN is listed on the Enternext PEA-PME 150 index.

LEI: 9695004FF6FA43KC4764

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727931599/en/

Contacts:

CLASQUIN

Philippe LONS Deputy Managing Director/Group CFO

Domitille CHATELAIN Group Head of Communication Marketing

Tel.: +33 (0)4 72 83 17 00




PRESS RELEASE

Quarterly financial information as of June 30, 2023

IFRS - Regulated information - Not audited

Cegedim: first-half 2023 revenues grew at a double-digit pace

12.2% revenue growth in the second quarter, giving first-half growth of 12.5%, led by BPO division

Successful launch of the Allianz BPO contract

Public health investments (Segur de la Sante) contribute 4.3m over the first-half

Boulogne-Billancourt, France, July 27, 2023, after the market close

Revenue

First half Change H1 2023 / 2022 in millions of euros 2023 2022 Reported Like for like(1)(2) Software & Services 161.5 145.6 10.9% 10.5% Flow 48.2 45.2 6.7% 6.8% Data & Marketing 54.9 50.0 9.9% 8.9% BPO 32.8 25.4 29.3% 29.3% Corporate and others 3.5 1.3 160.9% 160.9% Cegedim 301.0 267.6 12.5% 12.1%

(1)At constant scope and exchange rates.

(2)The negative currency impact of 0.3% was mainly due to the pound sterling. The positive scope effect of 0.7% was attributable to the consolidation in Cegedim's accounts of acquisitions Mesdocteurs, Laponi, Sedia, and Clinityx.

Cegedim generated consolidated first-half 2023 revenue of 301.0 million, up 12.5% on a reported basis and 12.1% like for like(1) compared with 2022. All divisions contributed to the growth, sustaining the good sales momentum seen in the previous quarter. Work on the new contract with Allianz started April 1, 2023, and helped boost the BPO division's first-half revenue growth to nearly 30%.

Analysis of business trends by division

Software & Services

Software & Services First half Change H1 2023 / 2022 in millions of euros 2023 2022 Reported LFL Cegedim Sante: 39.8 31.8 25.1% 21.9% Insurance, HR, Pharmacies, and other services 95.3 89.8 6.2% 5.9% International businesses 26.3 24.0 9.8% 12.6% Software & Services 161.5 145.6 10.9% 10.5%

Cegedim Sante kept its pace of like-for-like growth above 20%. Segur public health projects contributed 4.3 million over the first half.

Other French businesses grew at the same pace as in the first quarter, 6.2%, driven by the HR segment and other services.

International businesses built on good first-quarter trends and grew 15.2% in the second quarter, notably in the UK in the doctor and insurance segments.

Flow

FLOW First half Change H1 2023 / 2022 in millions of euros 2023 2022 Reported LFL e-business 29.3 27.2 +7.4% 7.7% Third-party payer 19.0 18.0 5.5% 5.5% Flow 48.2 45.2 6.7% 6.8%

The electronic invoicing and digital data flow business grew 7.4%. Both French and international activities contributed to the growth.

The digital data flow business dealing with reimbursement of healthcare payments in France (Third-party payer) experienced 1.2% year-on-year growth in the second quarter and +5.5% over the first half. Invoicing related to the Allianz third-party payer contract now falls under BPO services (switch was made on April 1).

Data & Marketing

Data & Marketing First half Change H1 2023 / 2022 in millions of euros 2023 2022 Reported LFL Data 28.9 26.1 10.7% 8.8% Marketing 26.1 23.9 8.9% 8.9% Data & Marketing 54.9 50.0 9.9% 8.9%

Data activities grew 16.5% yoy in the second quarter, giving 10.7% growth in the first half, led mainly by sales in France.

In Marketing, advertising in pharmacies continued to grow in the second quarter (+5.6%), reaching growth of nearly 9% for the half.

BPO

BPO First half Change H1 2023 / 2022 in millions of euros 2023 2022 Reported LFL Insurance BPO 22.2 15.6 41.7% 41.7% HR BPO 10.7 9.8 9.4% 9.4% BPO 32.8 25.4 29.3% 29.3%

Insurance BPO growth amounted to 65% in the second quarter and 42% in the first half, led by the April 1, 2023, start of the Allianz contract.

Development in BPO for HR departments continues, with growth of 9.4% over the second quarter.

Highlights

To the best of the company's knowledge, there were no events or changes during the first half of 2023 that would materially alter the Group's financial situation.

War in Ukraine

The Group does not do business in Russia or Ukraine and furthermore has no assets exposed to those countries.

Significant transactions and events post June 30, 2023

To the best of the company's knowledge, there were no post-closing events or changes after June 30, 2023, that would materially alter the Group's financial situation.

Outlook

Based on H1 2023 revenues up 12.1% like for like(1), and despite the public health, economic, geopolitical, and monetary uncertainty facing the world, the Group is confident it can grow full-year revenues by at least 10% like for like(1) and improve its recurring operating income.

The Group does not expect to make any significant acquisitions in 2023.

---------

(1) At constant scope and exchange rates.

WEBCAST ON JULY 27, 2023, AT 6:15 PM (PARIS TIME) The webcast is available at: www.cegedim.fr/webcast The H1 2023 revenues presentation is available:



On the website: https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/documentation/Pages/presentations.aspx

And on the Cegedim IR smartphone app, available at https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/profil/Pages/CegedimIR.aspx

2023 financial calendar

2023 September 20 after the close



September 21 at 11:30 am







October 26 after the close H1 2023 results



SFAF meeting: first-half 2023 results presentation



Third-quarter 2023 revenues





Financial calendar: https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/agenda/Pages/default.aspx

Notice

This press release is available in French and in English. In the event of any difference between the two versions, the original French version takes precedence. This press release may contain inside information. It was sent to Cegedim's authorized distributor on July 27, 2023, no earlier than 5:45 pm Paris time.

The figures cited in this press release include guidance on Cegedim's future financial performance targets. This forward-looking information is based on the opinions and assumptions of the Group's senior management at the time this press release is issued and naturally entails risks and uncertainty. For more information on the risks facing Cegedim, please refer to Chapter 7, "Risk management", section 7.2, "Risk factors and insurance", and Chapter 3, "Overview of the financial year", section 3.6, "Outlook", of the 2022 Universal Registration Document filled with the AMF on April 12, 2023, under number D.23-0266.











About Cegedim:

Founded in 1969, Cegedim is an innovative technology and services company in the field of digital data flow management for healthcare ecosystems and B2B, and a business software publisher for healthcare and insurance professionals. Cegedim employs more than 6,000 people in more than 10 countries and generated revenue of 555 million in 2022.

Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).

To learn more, please visit: www.cegedim.fr

And follow Cegedim on Twitter: @CegedimGroup, LinkedIn and Facebook.





Aude Balleydier

Cegedim

Media Relations

and Communications Manager

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09 68 81

aude.balleydier@cegedim.fr

Jerome Moreau

Cegedim

Director of Management Control

Head of Financial Communication

Tel.: +33 (0)7 85 63 61 99

jerome.moreau@cegedim.com

Celine Pardo

.becoming

Media Relations







Tel.: +33 (0)6 52 08 13 66

cegedim@becoming-group.com







Annexes

Breakdown of revenue by quarter and division

Year 2023

in millions of euros Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Software & Services 80.4 81.1 161.5 Flow 24.8 23.4 48.2 Data & marketing 24.6 30.3 54.9 BPO 14.4 18.4 32.8 Corporate and others 1.6 1.9 3.5 Group revenue 145.9 155.1 301.0

Year 2022

in millions of euros Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Software & services 71.2 74.4 75.2 81.1 302.0 Flow 22.6 22.6 21.5 23.9 90.6 Data & marketing 22.5 27.6 22.8 34.1 106.9 BPO 12.3 13.1 13.0 14.6 53.0 Corporate and others 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 2.8 Group revenue 129.2 138.3 133.3 154.4 555.2

Revenue breakdown by geographic zone, currency, and division at June 30, 2023




PRESS RELEASE



July 27, 2023



FIRST-HALF 2023 RESULTS

Group revenue: 10,135 million,

up 2% as reported and on a comparable basis

Recurring operating income: 2,739 million

Net income attributable to the Group: 1,785 million

"In the first half, we pursued our investments in our Houses' desirability and exclusivity. While engaging in critical forward-looking initiatives, we maintained a high level of profitability. We also took some decisive steps to expand our footprint in the luxury universe, notably with the acquisition of the famed Creed fragrance house to accelerate the liftoff of Kering Beaute. Together with the major organizational changes we announced last week to enhance stewardship of our Houses, as well as the many projects we have already launched over the past few months, the developments of the first half strengthen my confidence in Kering's future prospects."

Francois-Henri Pinault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Group revenue amounted to 10.1 billion in the first half of 2023 , an increase of 2% both as reported and on a comparable basis. In the second quarter of 2023, sales rose 2% as reported and 3% on a comparable basis. Revenue from the directly operated retail network, which includes e-commerce sites, grew 4% on a comparable basis in the second quarter, with good performances in Asia-Pacific and Japan. Growth in Western Europe was solid, while sales fell in North America.





amounted to 10.1 billion in the , an increase of 2% both as reported and on a comparable basis. Against a background of ongoing investments in the Group's Houses, recurring operating income amounted to 2.7 billion in the first half. Recurring operating margin was 27.0%.





amounted to 2.7 billion in the first half. was 27.0%. Net income attributable to the Group was 1.8 billion in the first half of 2023.





was 1.8 billion in the first half of 2023. Free cash flow from operations, excluding real-estate acquisition and disposal, remained high at 2.1 billion during the first half, up 4%.







Operating performance

Revenue



(in  millions) H1 2023 H1 2022 Reported change Comparable change

(1) Gucci 5,128 5,173 -1% +1% Yves Saint Laurent 1,576 1,481 +6% +7% Bottega Veneta 833 834 -0% +2% Other Houses 1,856 1,955 -5% -5% Kering Eyewear and Corporate 869 591 +47% +16% Eliminations (127) (104) - - KERING 10,135 9,930 +2% +2%

(1)On a comparable scope and exchange rate basis.





Recurring operating income



(in  millions) H1 2023 H1 2022 Change Gucci 1,810 1,886 -4% Yves Saint Laurent 481 438 +10% Bottega Veneta 169 168 +1% Other Houses 224 337 -34% Kering Eyewear and Corporate 63 (7) - Eliminations (8) (2) - KERING 2,739 2,820 -3%

Gucci: further investment

Gucci's first-half 2023 revenue amounted to 5.1 billion (down 1% as reported and up 1% on a comparable basis). Sales in the directly operated retail network grew 1% on a comparable basis. Wholesale revenue dropped 3% on a comparable basis compared to the first half of 2022.

In the second quarter of 2023, Gucci's revenue rose 1% on a comparable basis. Sales from directly operated stores were also up 1%, driven by strong sales of Gucci's most exclusive products and by its leather goods, travel, and women's collections.

Gucci's recurring operating income totaled 1.8 billion in the first half of 2023. This equates to recurring operating margin of 35.3% and reflects investments made to continue the House's strategic initiatives.

Yves Saint Laurent: a highly desirable brand, another period of growth

Yves Saint Laurent's first-half 2023 revenue amounted to 1.6 billion, up 6% as reported and up 7% on a comparable basis. Sales from the House's directly operated retail network rose by 11% on a comparable basis, while wholesale revenue was down 10%, in line with the strategy of streamlining this channel.

In the second quarter of 2023, sales rose 7% on a comparable basis, thanks to good performance in the directly operated retail network (up 8%), driven by ready-to-wear and leather goods.

Yves Saint Laurent's recurring operating income was 481 million in the first half and recurring operating margin was 30.5%.

Bottega Veneta: strengthened exclusivity

Bottega Veneta's first-half 2023 revenue totaled 833 million, unchanged as reported and up 2% on a comparable basis. Sales from the directly operated retail network were buoyant (up 6% on a comparable basis), while wholesale revenue fell 13% on a comparable basis.

The House's sales in the second quarter of 2023 rose by 3% on a comparable basis, driven by healthy growth in the directly operated retail network (up 7%).

Bottega Veneta's recurring operating income in the first half of 2023 totaled 169 million, taking its recurring operating margin to 20.3%.

Other Houses: growth in the directly operated retail network, excellent momentum in Jewelry

Sales by the Group's Other Houses in the first half of 2023 totaled 1.9 billion (down 5% as reported and on a comparable basis), with a significant improvement between the first and second quarters. There was strong momentum in the directly operated retail network, with sales up 8% on a comparable basis. Wholesale revenue fell 27% as all Houses pursue their strategy of streamlining this channel, and reflecting the mixed American market.

In the second quarter of 2023, revenue from the directly operated retail network rose by 9% on a comparable basis, all Houses contributing to growth. Balenciaga began its recovery, driven in particular by the Asia-Pacific region. Alexander McQueen's ready-to-wear performed well, while Brioni made good progress. The Group's Jewelry Houses - Boucheron, Pomellato and Qeelin - maintained their strong growth trajectory, each delivering double-digit growth.

Recurring operating income from the Other Houses in the first half of 2023 amounted to 224 million, and recurring operating margin was 12.1%.

Kering Eyewear and Corporate: a record six months for Kering Eyewear

Kering Eyewear's first-half 2023 revenue hit a record 869 million, an increase of 51% as reported thanks to the significant contribution of Maui Jim and up 16% on a comparable basis.

In the second quarter, sales growth was once again sustained, with growth of 21% on a comparable basis - driven by the successful development of its brand portfolio - and 58% as reported.

Kering Eyewear's first-half recurring operating income rose sharply to 186 million.

After taking into account Corporate costs of 123 million during the period, the Kering Eyewear and Corporate segment's recurring operating income amounted to 63 million.

Financial performance

Net financial expense totaled 204 million in the first half of 2023.

The effective tax rate on recurring income was 27.1%.

Net profit attributable to the Group was 1.8 billion.

Cash flow and financial position

The Group's free cash flow from operations totaled 823 million in the first half of 2023. Excluding real estate activities, it was 2.1 billion.

At June 30, 2023, Kering's net debt amounted to 3.9 billion.

Outlook

To achieve its long-term vision, Kering invests in the development of its Houses, so that they continuously strengthen their desirability and the exclusivity of their distribution, strike a perfect balance between creative innovation and timelessness, and achieve the highest standards in terms of quality, sustainability, and experience for their customers.

In an environment of ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty in the near term, Kering will continue to execute on its strategy and vision, in pursuit of two key ambitions: to maintain a trajectory of profitable growth resulting in high levels of cash flow generation and return on capital employed, and to confirm its status as one of the most influential groups in the Luxury industry.

***

In its meeting on July 27, 2023, Kering's Board of Directors, chaired by Francois-Henri Pinault, approved the consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which were subject to a limited review.

WEBCAST

Kering will present its first-half 2023 results in an audiocast, which can be accessed here at 6:00 p.m. (CEST) on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session for analysts and investors.

The slides (in PDF format) will be available ahead of the audiocast at https://www.kering.com.

A replay of the webcast will also be available at www.kering.com.

About Kering

A global Luxury group, Kering manages the development of a series of renowned Houses in Fashion, Leather Goods and Jewelry: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin, Ginori 1735 as well as Kering Eyewear and Kering Beaute. By placing creativity at the heart of its strategy, Kering enables its Houses to set new limits in terms of their creative expression while crafting tomorrow's Luxury in a sustainable and responsible way. We capture these beliefs in our signature: "Empowering Imagination". In 2022, Kering had over 47,000 employees and revenue of 20.4 billion.

Contacts

Press Emilie Gargatte +33 (0)1 45 64 61 20 emilie.gargatte@kering.com Marie de Montreynaud +33 (0)1 45 64 62 53 marie.demontreynaud@kering.com Analysts/investors Claire Roblet +33 (0)1 45 64 61 49 claire.roblet@kering.com Julien Brosillon +33 (0)1 45 64 62 30 julien.brosillon@kering.com

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APPENDICES







EXCERPT FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION RELATING TO THE FIRST-HALF 2023 RESULTS



SITUATION AS OF JUNE 30, 2023







Contents page Announcements since January 1, 2023 8 Consolidated income statement 10 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 11 Consolidated balance sheet 12 Consolidated statement of cash flow 13 Breakdown of revenue 14 Main definitions 15

HIGHLIGHTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SINCE JANUARY 1, 2023

Dual-tranche bond issue for a total amount of 1.5 billion

February 20, 2023 - Kering carried out a dual-tranche bond issue in a total amount of 1.5 billion, consisting of a 750 million tranche with a 6-year maturity and a 3.25% coupon and a 750 million tranche with a 10-year maturity and a 3.375% coupon. This issue, which forms part of the Group's active liquidity management, enhances its funding flexibility by enabling it to refinance existing debt. The great success of this issue with investors underscores the market's confidence in the credit quality of the Group. Kering's long-term debt is rated A with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor's.

Gucci, supported by Kering, launches its "Circular Hub", first dedicated circular economy platform in the Italian Luxury industry

February 21, 2023 - With support of Kering, Gucci launched Italy's first dedicated circular economy platform for the Luxury sector. The Circular Hub will aim to accelerate the circular transformation of the Italian fashion industry's production model, across the entire value chain. Starting from raw materials and design, through to production optimization and logistics, the Circular Hub will be an open innovation platform for the design and manufacturing of circular products and the development of new solutions.

Kering Eyewear acquires French manufacturing company UNT

March 13, 2023 - Kering Eyewear signed an agreement to acquire 100% of French company UNT, Usinage & Nouvelles Technologies, to strengthen its position in the luxury eyewear industry. Founded in 1989 in Morbier in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region of France, UNT is a key player in the manufacturing of high-precision metal and mechanical components for the entire luxury eyewear sector. The completion of the acquisition was announced on June 30, 2023, after approval was obtained from the competition authorities.

Kering publishes its new report on progress toward its sustainability targets

March 22, 2023 - Six years after launching its "Crafting Tomorrow's Luxury" strategy, Kering published a new report showing its progress toward sustainability targets between 2020 and 2023. In the three years following the publication of its first progress report in 2020, the Group made significant strides toward attaining its initial 2025 social and environmental targets. Since then, Kering has added to those initial targets, with a series of ambitious new targets in line with the Group's strategies regarding the climate, biodiversity and the circular economy. Accordingly, Kering has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2035 compared with 2021.

Preliminary investigation by the European Commission

April 19, 2023 - On April 18, 2023, as part of a preliminary investigation into the fashion sector in several countries under EU antitrust rules, the European Commission started an inspection at the Italian premises of Gucci, a subsidiary of Kering. The Group is fully cooperating with the Commission as regards this investigation.

Kering unveils its new Italian headquarters in the center of Milan

May 25, 2023 - Kering announced the opening of its new 9,500 square-meter offices in Milan. Kering is the sole occupant of the six-floor Palazzo Pertusati, located in Via Senato in the center of the city.

Kering Beaute acquires Creed, the high-end luxury heritage fragrance house

June 26, 2023 - Kering Beaute announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Creed from funds controlled by BlackRock Long Term Private Capital Europe and Creed's current Chairman Javier Ferran. The acquisition of Creed is a major step for Kering Beaute. A perfect fit with the Group's portfolio of renowned luxury brands, it immediately provides Kering Beaute with the required scale, an outstanding financial profile, as well as a platform for supporting the future development of other Kering Beaute fragrance franchises, particularly by leveraging Creed's global distribution network.

Kering and Mayhoola announce that Kering becomes a significant shareholder of Valentino as part of a broader strategic partnership

July 27, 2023 - Kering and Mayhoola entered into a binding agreement for the acquisition by Kering of a 30% shareholding in Valentino, for a cash consideration of 1.7 billion. The agreement comprises an option for Kering to acquire 100% of the share capital of Valentino no later than 2028. The transaction is part of a broader strategic partnership between Kering and Mayhoola, which could lead to Mayhoola becoming a shareholder in Kering.

APPOINTMENTS AND NEW ROLES SINCE JANUARY 1, 2023

Appointment of Sabato de Sarno as Gucci's Creative Director

January 28, 2023 - Kering and Gucci announced Sabato De Sarno's appointment as Creative Director of Gucci. He will present his first collection during Milan Women's Fashion Week in September 2023. As part of his new role, Sabato De Sarno will lead the House's creative studio. He will be responsible for defining and expressing the House's creative vision through Womenswear, Menswear, Leather Goods, Accessories and Lifestyle collections.

Appointment of Raffaella Cornaggia as Chief Executive Officer of Kering Beaute

February 3, 2023 - Kering announced the appointment of Raffaella Cornaggia as CEO of Kering Beaute. Based in Paris, she is a member of the Group's Executive Committee. In her new role, and supported by a team of seasoned professionals, she will help develop expertise in the Beauty category for Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Pomellato and Qeelin. The creation of Kering Beaute will enable the Group to support these brands in the development of this category, which is a natural extension of their universes. Kering is confident it can create value for the Group and its Houses, drawing on each of their unique identities in a way that is fully consistent with their strategy and market positioning.

Departure of Daniela Riccardi from Kering's Board of Directors

April 27, 2023 - At the Board of Directors meeting following the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023, Daniela Riccardi submitted her resignation from her position as a Director of Kering.

Appointment of Maureen Chiquet to Kering's Board of Directors

July 18, 2023 - At its meeting of July 18, 2023, the Board of Directors, after consultation with the Nominations & Governance Committee, decided to coopt Maureen Chiquet as independent director for the remainder of Daniela Riccardi's term of office (expiring on the date of the shareholder meeting approving the financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025). She will join Kering's Board of Directors in September 2023. The cooptation of Maureen Chiquet will be subject to ratification by the shareholder meeting approving the financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Maureen Chiquet, a US citizen, has more than 35 years' experience in the fashion and luxury goods sector, including nine years as Global CEO of Chanel.

Kering strengthens its governance and operations

July 18, 2023 - Kering announced a series of top appointments aimed at reinforcing stewardship of its Houses, further elevating operational expertise at Group level, and strengthening its organization:

Francesca Bellettini, President and CEO of Yves Saint Laurent since 2013, in addition to her current role, is appointed Kering Deputy CEO, in charge of Brand Development.

Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci since 2015 and a member of Kering's executive committee since 2012, will leave the company effective September 23, 2023.

Jean-Francois Palus, currently Kering Group Managing Director, is appointed President and CEO of Gucci for a transitional period.

Jean-Marc Duplaix, Chief Financial Officer since 2012, is appointed Kering Deputy CEO, in charge of Operations and Finance.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(in  millions) First half 2023 First half 2022 CONTINUING OPERATIONS Revenue 10,135 9,930 Cost of sales (2,405) (2,552) Gross margin 7,730 7,378 Other personnel expenses (1,505) (1,376) Other recurring operating income and expenses (3,486) (3,182) Recurring operating income 2,739 2,820 Other non-recurring operating income and expenses - (13) Operating income 2,739 2,807 Financial result (204) (19) Income before tax 2,535 2,788 Income tax expense (692) (747) Share in earnings (losses) of equity-accounted companies 3 2 Net income from continuing operations 1,846 2,043 o/w attributable to the Group 1,785 1,987 o/w attributable to minority interests 61 56 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Net income (loss) from discontinued operations - 1 o/w attributable to the Group - 1 o/w attributable to minority interests - - GROUP TOTAL Net income of consolidated companies 1,846 2,044 o/w attributable to the Group 1,785 1,988 o/w attributable to minority interests 61 56

(in  millions) First half 2023 First half 2022 Net income attributable to the Group 1,785 1,988 Basic earnings per share (in ) 14.60 16.09 Diluted earnings per share (in ) 14.59 16.08 Net income from continuing operations attributable to the Group 1,785 1,987 Basic earnings per share (in ) 14.60 16.08 Diluted earnings per share (in ) 14.59 16.07 Net income from continuing operations (excluding non-recurring items) attributable to the Group 1,789 1,977 Basic earnings per share (in ) 14.63 15.99 Diluted earnings per share (in ) 14.62 15.99

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in  millions) First half 2023 First half 2022 Net income 1,846 2,044 o/w attributable to the Group 1,785 1,988 o/w attributable to minority interests 61 56 Change in currency translation adjustments relating to consolidated subsidiaries (95) 142 change in currency translation adjustments (95) 142 amounts transferred to the income statement - - Change in foreign currency cash flow hedges 119 (84) change in fair value 204 (212) amounts transferred to the income statement (79) 123 tax effects (6) 5 Change in other comprehensive income (loss) of equity-accounted companies - - change in fair value - - amounts transferred to the income statement - - Gains and losses recognized in equity, to be transferred to the income statement 24 58 Change in provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits (2) 13 change in actuarial gains and losses (2) 15 tax effects - (2) Change in financial assets measured at fair value 16 (207) change in fair value 22 (249) tax effects (6) 42 Gains and losses recognized in equity, not to be transferred to the income statement 14 (194) Total gains and losses recognized in equity 38 (136) o/w attributable to the Group 40 (160) o/w attributable to minority interests (2) 24 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 1,884 1,908 o/w attributable to the Group 1,825 1,828 o/w attributable to minority interests 59 80

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

Assets

(in  millions) June 30, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022 Goodwill 3,574 4,053 Brands and other intangible assets 8,053 7,357 Lease right-of-use assets 4,672 4,929 Property, plant and equipment 5,125 3,388 Investments in equity-accounted companies 51 49 Non-current financial assets 695 855 Deferred tax assets 1,600 1,640 Other non-current assets 8 8 Non-current assets 23,778 22,279 Inventories 4,569 4,465 Trade receivables and accrued income 1,204 1,180 Current tax receivables 491 378 Current financial assets 262 167 Other current assets 1,340 1,136 Cash and cash equivalents 3,328 4,336 Current assets 11,194 11,662 Assets held for sale - - TOTAL ASSETS 34,972 33,941

Equity and liabilities

(in  millions) June 30, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022 Equity attributable to the Group 14,572 13,998 Equity attributable to minority interests 800 785 Equity 15,372 14,783 Non-current borrowings 5,441 4,347 Non-current lease liabilities 4,219 4,420 Non-current financial liabilities 3 - Non-current provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits 71 66 Non-current provisions 18 19 Deferred tax liabilities 1,746 1,572 Other non-current liabilities 442 228 Non-current liabilities 11,940 10,652 Current borrowings 1,741 2,295 Current lease liabilities 832 812 Current financial liabilities 83 663 Trade payables and accrued expenses 2,327 2,263 Current provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits 12 12 Current provisions 134 168 Current tax liabilities 940 567 Other current liabilities 1,591 1,726 Current liabilities 7,660 8,506 Liabilities associated with assets held for sale - - TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 34,972 33,941

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in  millions) First half 2023 First half 2022 Net income from continuing operations 1,846 2,043 Net recurring charges to depreciation, amortization and provisions on non-current operating assets 878 797 Other non-cash (income) expenses (139) (264) Cash flow received from operating activities 2,585 2,576 Interest paid (received) 173 127 Dividends received (7) (4) Current tax expense 684 804 Cash flow received from operating activities before tax, dividends and interest 3,435 3,503 Change in working capital requirement (419) (476) Income tax paid (419) (617) Net cash received from operating activities 2,597 2,410 Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (1,891) (361) Disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 117 - Acquisitions of subsidiaries and associates, net of cash acquired (55) (11) Disposals of subsidiaries and associates, net of cash transferred - - Acquisitions of other financial assets (24) (119) Disposals of other financial assets 96 3 Interest and dividends received 14 6 Net cash received from (used in) investing activities (1,743) (482) Dividends paid to shareholders of Kering SA (1,712) (1,483) Dividends paid to minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries (12) (22) Transactions with minority interests (26) (22) (Acquisitions) disposals of Kering treasury shares (7) (648) Issuance of bonds and bank debt 1,508 1,708 Redemption of bonds and bank debt (658) (348) Issuance (redemption) of other borrowings (408) 223 Repayment of lease liabilities (419) (395) Interest paid and equivalent (178) (128) Net cash received from (used in) financing activities (1,912) (1,115) Net cash received from (used in) discontinued operations - (8) Impact of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 14 (11) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1,044) 794 Cash and cash equivalents at opening 4,094 4,516 Cash and cash equivalents at closing 3,050 5,310

REVENUE FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS

(in  millions)







H1 2023 H1 2022



Reported

change Comparable change

(1) Q2 2023 Q2 2022



Reported

change Comparable change

(1) Q1 2023 Q1 2022 Reported

change Comparable change

(1) Gucci 5,128 5,173 -1% +1% 2,512 2,582 -3% +1% 2,616 2,591 +1% +1% Yves Saint Laurent 1,576 1,481 +6% +7% 770 742 +4% +7% 806 739 +9% +8% Bottega Veneta 833 834 -0% +2% 438 438 +0% +3% 395 396 -0% +0% Other Houses 1,856 1,955 -5% -5% 966 982 -2% -1% 890 973 -9% -9% Kering Eyewear and Corporate 869 591 +47% +16% 436 283 +54% +21% 433 308 +41% +11% Eliminations (127) (104) - - (64) (53) - - (63) (51) - - KERING 10,135 9,930 +2% +2% 5,058 4,974 +2% +3% 5,077 4,956 +2% +1%

(1) Change on a comparable scope and exchange rate basis.

MAIN DEFINITIONS

"Reported" and "comparable" growth

The Group's "reported" growth corresponds to the change in reported revenue between two periods.

The Group measures "comparable" growth (also referred to as "organic" growth) in its business by comparing revenue between two periods at constant scope and exchange rates. Changes in scope are dealt with as follows for the periods concerned:

 the portion of revenue relating to acquired entities is excluded from the current period;

 the portion relating to entities divested or in the process of being divested is excluded from the previous period.

Currency effects are calculated by applying the average exchange rates for the current period to amounts in the previous period.

Recurring operating income

The Group's operating income includes all revenues and expenses directly related to its activities, whether these revenues and expenses are recurring or arise from nonrecurring decisions or transactions.

Other non-recurring operating income and expenses consist of items that, by their nature, amount or frequency, could distort the assessment of the Group's operating performance as reflected in its recurring operating income. They include changes in scope, the impairment of goodwill and brands and, where material, of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, capital gains and losses on disposals of non-current assets, restructuring costs and disputes.

"Recurring operating income" is therefore an alternative performance indicator for the Group, defined as the difference between operating income and other non-recurring operating income and expenses. This indicator is intended to facilitate the understanding of the operating performance of the Group and its Houses and can therefore be used as a way to estimate recurring performance. It is presented in a manner that is consistent and stable over the long term in order to ensure the continuity and relevance of financial information.

EBITDA

The Group uses EBITDA as an alternative performance indicator to monitor its operating performance. This financial indicator corresponds to recurring operating income plus net charges to depreciation, amortization and provisions on non-current operating assets recognized in recurring operating income.



Free cash flow from operations, available cash flow from operations and available cash flow

The Group uses an intermediate line item, "Free cash flow from operations", to monitor its financial performance. This financial indicator measures net operating cash flow less net operating investments (defined as acquisitions and disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets).

The Group has also defined a new indicator, "Available cash flow from operations", in order to take into account capitalized fixed lease payments (repayments of principal and interest) pursuant to IFRS 16, and thereby reflect all of its operating cash flows.

"Available cash flow" therefore corresponds to available cash flow from operations plus interest and dividends received, less interest paid and equivalent (excluding leases).

Net debt

Net debt is one of the Group's main financial indicators, and is defined as borrowings less cash and cash equivalents. Lease liabilities are not included in the calculation of this indicator. Borrowings include put options granted to minority interests.

The cost of net debt corresponds to all financial income and expenses associated with these items, including the impact of derivative instruments used to hedge the fair value of borrowings.

Effective tax rate on recurring income

The effective tax rate on recurring income corresponds to the effective tax rate excluding tax effects relating to other non-recurring operating income and expenses.
Regulatory News:

Under the liquidity agreement between Legrand (Paris:LR) and Exane BNP Paribas, the following assets were held in the liquidity account at June 30th, 2023:

49,700 shares

- 24,008,779

In the first half of 2023, it has been negotiated a total of:

Number of executions on buy side on semester: 6,394

- Number of executions on sell side on semester: 8,764

- Traded volume on buy side on semester: 846,751 shares for 71,814,174

- Traded volume on sell side on semester: 908,281 shares for 76,982,540

Recap:

At the previous statement date (December 31st, 2022), the following assets were held in the liquidity account:

111,230 shares

- 18,840,413

In the second half of 2022, it has been negotiated a total of:

Number of executions on buy side on semester: 9,432

- Number of executions on sell side on semester: 12,366

- Traded volume on buy side on semester: 1,407,398 shares for 105,576,353

- Traded volume on sell side on semester: 1,410,901 shares for 105,923,752

When the agreement was first put in place, the following assets were held in the liquidity account:

90,346 shares

- 19,880,644

The liquidity agreement complies with AMF Decision no. 2018-01 dated July 2nd, 2018, introducing liquidity agreements on equity securities as permitted market practice.

The reader is invited to verify authenticity of press releases by Legrand with the CertiDox app. More information on www.certidox.com

Date Buy Sell Quantity Number of

executions Traded volume Quantity Number of

executions Traded volume 02/01/2023 13 602 114 1 019 542 14 100 157 1 058 846 03/01/2023 6 000 40 455 597 7 500 61 570 060 04/01/2023 6 000 57 462 350 8 732 80 674 763 05/01/2023 15 000 84 1 156 260 17 500 194 1 354 914 06/01/2023 13 000 110 1 016 940 15 000 133 1 176 590 09/01/2023 5 500 34 442 270 10/01/2023 8 228 61 659 744 11/01/2023 6 250 84 500 130 9 500 57 760 525 12/01/2023 5 000 25 406 200 7 500 78 610 310 13/01/2023 10 500 81 852 900 13 000 162 1 057 600 16/01/2023 2 500 15 203 700 15 000 134 1 225 575 17/01/2023 3 750 28 308 370 8 000 84 658 060 18/01/2023 3 270 27 270 429 8 270 86 686 285 19/01/2023 15 000 119 1 222 100 16 000 208 1 305 352 20/01/2023 6 000 49 482 700 6 000 31 483 171 23/01/2023 2 000 18 162 600 2 000 6 162 900 24/01/2023 5 000 51 409 920 7 000 73 575 060 25/01/2023 12 500 88 1 020 300 12 500 152 1 020 750 26/01/2023 11 390 84 936 493 11 390 184 937 623 27/01/2023 3 000 17 246 300 5 000 42 413 460 30/01/2023 6 000 40 494 400 6 000 90 494 614 31/01/2023 15 500 112 1 271 894 15 110 142 1 241 159 01/02/2023 1 500 3 123 300 3 000 16 246 960 02/02/2023 8 500 67 704 950 10 000 81 831 593 03/02/2023 8 500 69 710 850 14 000 179 1 174 330 06/02/2023 8 500 65 706 010 8 500 103 710 770 07/02/2023 7 000 51 584 882 7 000 74 586 531 08/02/2023 10 508 67 862 713 6 508 102 534 720 09/02/2023 6 000 90 519 184 17 000 72 1 477 358 10/02/2023 5 000 30 426 940 6 000 48 514 200 13/02/2023 7 000 39 603 240 8 000 82 689 880 14/02/2023 16 500 90 1 436 350 16 500 192 1 440 278 15/02/2023 11 000 55 976 880 16/02/2023 5 500 45 493 640 2 000 7 180 800 17/02/2023 9 000 65 799 620 9 000 66 800 610 20/02/2023 12 000 96 1 069 200 9 571 100 854 779 21/02/2023 13 500 108 1 188 630 13 500 66 1 191 050 22/02/2023 12 000 83 1 049 500 14 500 87 1 269 873 23/02/2023 1 000 13 88 740 1 000 9 88 900 24/02/2023 17 000 129 1 497 250 14 750 199 1 299 360 27/02/2023 7 500 45 653 550 8 500 74 741 720 28/02/2023 20 000 199 1 743 697 20 000 172 1 744 500 01/03/2023 7 000 57 616 400 7 000 34 617 100 02/03/2023 11 500 65 1 003 650 12 500 171 1 092 440 03/03/2023 4 000 19 354 800 6 000 42 533 940 07/03/2023 12 750 113 1 134 395 10 250 143 913 823 08/03/2023 9 500 90 841 099 9 500 102 842 380 09/03/2023 5 500 27 487 550 6 500 54 578 000 10/03/2023 24 000 138 2 068 900 21 164 143 1 829 283 13/03/2023 10 000 54 851 160 8 799 95 750 895 14/03/2023 1 500 21 127 680 7 000 45 602 110 15/03/2023 9 500 59 807 600 308 2 26 580 16/03/2023 3 000 22 251 340 8 500 62 720 800 17/03/2023 4 500 22 381 720 4 500 26 385 590 20/03/2023 11 000 65 927 665 11 000 113 929 283 21/03/2023 2 000 14 172 300 22/03/2023 5 500 46 473 339 3 500 35 302 180 23/03/2023 7 500 47 636 600 4 500 30 383 250 24/03/2023 22 970 89 1 876 202 14 720 225 1 202 508 27/03/2023 750 4 61 085 8 500 47 694 860 28/03/2023 8 750 66 714 225 8 750 120 715 227 29/03/2023 3 000 24 247 300 30/03/2023 5 000 59 418 160 5 000 34 418 552 31/03/2023 4 000 46 335 680 4 000 34 336 200 03/04/2023 10 000 61 834 418 10 000 151 835 373 04/04/2023 12 564 88 1 053 554 5 564 52 469 945 05/04/2023 14 000 79 1 129 350 6 000 79 478 040 06/04/2023 6 500 67 512 083 15 160 195 1 197 633 11/04/2023 2 500 28 199 150 5 000 25 398 820 12/04/2023 5 500 73 446 311 6 500 52 527 969 13/04/2023 4 539 45 367 951 10 005 148 812 620 14/04/2023 3 500 38 285 830 5 000 36 409 200 17/04/2023 2 000 35 165 820 2 000 12 166 200 18/04/2023 2 400 25 200 380 7 400 59 619 220 19/04/2023 4 000 36 334 600 5 000 56 419 060 20/04/2023 7 000 44 591 920 6 000 54 508 589 21/04/2023 5 600 50 469 515 3 600 41 302 465 24/04/2023 3 000 31 252 860 3 000 21 253 040 25/04/2023 3 500 26 295 700 6 000 42 508 400 26/04/2023 7 500 52 633 450 27/04/2023 2 092 18 174 298 4 592 40 384 600 28/04/2023 5 500 39 465 840 5 000 40 425 030 02/05/2023 8 868 99 760 572 9 368 82 805 263 03/05/2023 4 000 28 343 132 4 250 38 364 940 04/05/2023 21 250 119 1 791 320 20 000 221 1 694 571 05/05/2023 6 000 76 509 800 6 000 54 510 300 08/05/2023 4 000 20 340 190 4 000 28 340 880 09/05/2023 7 000 46 595 610 5 500 50 469 862 10/05/2023 4 500 25 383 820 1 263 7 107 734 11/05/2023 3 000 47 257 100 6 237 69 533 875 12/05/2023 2 000 25 172 540 2 000 11 172 700 15/05/2023 3 500 47 302 540 3 500 33 302 890 16/05/2023 5 000 56 429 160 4 000 30 343 960 17/05/2023 4 000 44 341 664 4 000 57 342 080 18/05/2023 3 000 20 259 140 19/05/2023 2 000 22 175 440 4 500 29 395 270 22/05/2023 4 500 52 394 320 3 000 40 263 460 23/05/2023 6 500 46 567 800 4 500 54 393 270 24/05/2023 7 500 41 643 530 25/05/2023 2 750 10 236 390 9 400 121 809 405 26/05/2023 4 000 44 349 250 5 000 37 437 685 29/05/2023 2 000 16 176 840 2 000 13 177 240 30/05/2023 5 500 32 488 460 5 500 34 489 460 31/05/2023 10 750 73 947 395 8 000 81 706 061 01/06/2023 4 410 59 391 699 5 410 35 482 935 02/06/2023 7 500 89 661 876 4 000 19 354 560 05/06/2023 5 500 22 487 650 4 000 37 355 131 06/06/2023 4 000 51 354 827 4 000 36 355 318 07/06/2023 4 500 23 399 180 4 500 16 399 900 08/06/2023 4 500 33 399 690 4 500 23 400 260 09/06/2023 9 500 72 847 250 9 500 118 848 190 12/06/2023 3 000 26 270 900 5 000 42 452 200 13/06/2023 5 500 24 507 020 14/06/2023 1 500 8 139 200 15/06/2023 6 000 47 550 650 3 000 51 275 490 16/06/2023 5 000 31 456 800 5 000 30 457 500 19/06/2023 12 500 65 1 136 820 10 500 150 956 078 20/06/2023 10 000 30 899 500 7 500 63 676 500 21/06/2023 2 500 29 221 680 2 500 28 221 920 22/06/2023 4 500 44 395 100 23/06/2023 5 000 15 434 900 5 000 45 435 220 26/06/2023 6 000 38 520 490 7 000 72 608 270 27/06/2023 6 210 27 540 640 7 610 83 663 567 28/06/2023 4 100 66 363 276 5 000 36 443 300 29/06/2023 6 000 49 531 780 4 500 48 399 300 30/06/2023 5 500 29 494 050

Key financial dates:

2023 first-half results: July 31, 2023

"Quiet period1" starts July 1, 2023



2023 nine-month results: November 8, 2023

"Quiet period1" starts October 9, 2023



2023 annual results: February 15, 2024

Quiet period1" starts January 16, 2024



General Meeting of Shareholders: May 29, 2024

ABOUT LEGRAND

Legrand is the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for commercial, industrial and residential markets makes it a benchmark for customers worldwide. The Group harnesses technological and societal trends with lasting impacts on buildings with the purpose of improving life by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet with electrical, digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative and sustainable. Drawing on an approach that involves all teams and stakeholders, Legrand is pursuing its strategy of profitable and responsible growth driven by acquisitions and innovation, with a steady flow of new offerings-including products with enhanced value in use (faster expanding segments: datacenters, connected offerings and energy efficiency programs). Legrand reported sales of 8.3 billion in 2022. The company is listed on Euronext Paris and is notably a component stock of the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG and CAC SBT 1.5 indexes.

(code ISIN FR0010307819).https://www.legrandgroup.com

1 Period of time in which all communication is suspended in the run-up to the publication of results.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727182193/en/

Contacts:

About Legrand

Investor relations

Legrand

Ronan Marc

Tel: +33 (0)1 49 72 53 53

ronan.marc@legrand.com

Press relations

TBWA Corporate

Tiphaine Raffray

Mob: +33 (0)6 58 27 78 98

tiphaine.raffray@tbwa-corporate.com
Data presented at 49th Annual Meeting of EBMT 2023 confirms clinical benefit of MaaT013 in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD) in the early access program

Clearing of the IND for MaaT013 by the FDA in patients with aGvHD

PHOEBUS, a Phase 2b randomized placebo-controlled trial assessing MaaT033's impact on overall survival in allo-HSCT patients is now anticipated to start in H2 2023

As of June 30, 2023, cash and cash equivalents were EUR 35.1 million 1

Revenues of EUR 0.7 million1 in Q2 2023

Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma(EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a French clinical-stage biotech and a pioneer in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, today provided a business update and reported its cash position as of June 30, 2023 and its revenues for the second quarter of 2023.

"As a leading microbiome company in oncology, we are proud of the progress made in the second quarter of 2023. We are particularly pleased with positive interactions with international regulatory agencies, such as the FDA's clearance of the IND application, which paves the way for bringing MaaT013 to patients. We remain aligned with our strategy to pursue the development of MaaT013 towards its registration in the treatment of aGvHD. Additionally, we are on the brink of launching the largest, to our knowledge, randomized study in hemato-oncology with a microbiome therapy, as we finalize preparation for the Phase 2 trial of MaaT033,commented Herve Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma. "In the upcoming months, we will continue to deliver on the plans presented during our IPO to investors, patients, and the global community."

Pipeline highlights

MaaT013

In onco-hematology:

In April 2023, MaaT013 clinical results in its early access program for 81 patients, previously announced at American Society of Hematology (ASH), were presented during the 49th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2023). Clinical results showed a GI-Overall Response Rate (GI-ORR) of 56% with a 12-month overall survival (OS) of 59% in patients responding to MaaT013 treatment. A 65% ORR was observed in 31 patients being a similar population to those treated in MaaT Pharma's ongoing pivotal Phase 3 ARES clinical trial (3rd-line therapy after failure to 2nd-line ruxolitinib treatment); 12-month OS in this group responding to MaaT013 treatment was 74%. As a reminder, overall survival in ruxolitinib-resistant patients at 2 months is 22% (REACH1 study).

In April 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted the clinical hold and cleared the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MaaT013 in patients with aGvHD. MaaT Pharma intends to consult with the FDA on the next steps of the regulatory process to bring MaaT013 to US patients in the most expeditious way possible while the Company continues the late-stage clinical development of MaaT013 in Europe with the ongoing international multicenter, open-label, single arm, pivotal Phase 3 trial (ARES).

The Company announces that the independent data safety and monitoring board (DSMB) meeting, after enrollment of half of the patients in the ARES study evaluating MaaT013 in aGvHD, is expected in H2 2023, as opposed to H1 2023, while the ORR is expected mid-2024.

In parallel to the ARES trial, the European Early Access Program (EAP) continues to gather significant interest from healthcare professionals with the number of patients treated in H1.2023, significantly higher than that of H1.2022.

As a post-period event, in July 2023, the Company announced that clinical data on MaaT013 as a treatment for aGvHD was published in eClinicalMedicine, one of the Lancet Discovery Science suite's journals. The data includes results from 24 patients in a Phase 2 clinical trial and 52 patients enrolled in the EAP in France. The article can be accessed here.

In immuno-oncology:

The PICASSO study, sponsored by APHP, is on track for data readout expected in H2 2024. This is the only double-blind randomized clinical trial in the field evaluating a microbiome approach (MaaT013) to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICI) treatments in patients with metastatic melanoma.

With more than half of the patients now having completed their week 9 visit, the Company is in a position to receive biological biomarker data from its partner.

MaaT033

In onco-hematology:

In April 2023, MaaT033 data of Phase 1b study CIMON, previously presented at ASH 2022 annual meeting, were also shared at the EBMT 2023. The Company's second drug candidate was shown to be safe and tolerable in 21 patients. This is an important milestone prior to embarking on subsequent clinical development of MaaT033 and for establishing the dose determination for the Phase 2b PHOEBUS.

During the period, and following the positive feedback received from the FDA in April 2023 clearing the IND for MaaT013, the Company incorporated learnings related to its proprietary pooling technology into its clinical development plan envisaged for its second clinical-stage product MaaT033. In parallel, the clinical protocol of the Phase 2b randomized placebo-controlled PHOEBUS trial was reviewed in a Scientific Advice with EMA, with a positive outcome and no consequences on the authorizations already received in France and Germany in March 2023. Consequently, the start of the PHOEBUS trial, initially planned to start in Q2 2023 is now expected in H2 2023. This trial will assess MaaT033's impact on overall survival in allo-HSCT patients.

In neurodegenerative diseases:

The IASO Phase 1b pilot study (NCT05889572) in ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease in the US and Charcot's disease in French-speaking country) is active and ready for the first patient to be dosed.

Corporate update

On June 19, 2023, all resolutions presented during the AGM were adopted in line with Board recommendations. For further information, please visit: https://www.maatpharma.com/investors/GM

In June 2023, MaaT Pharma announced new appointments to the Board of Directors and Executive team, to align with the Company's long-term vision and goals:

Karim Dabbagh as Chairman and Nadia Kamal as Director, both independent.

Pr. Gervais Tougas, acting Chief Medical Officer and Philippe Moyen, Chief Operating Officer.

In June 2023, MaaT Pharma announced the appointment of Guilhaume Debroas as Head of Investor Relations.

As a post period event, in July 2023, MaaT Pharma announced having joined the Microbiome Therapeutics Innovation Group (MTIG). MTIG is a coalition of companies leading the research and development of FDA-approved microbiome therapeutic drugs and microbiome-based products to address unmet medical needs, improve clinical outcomes, and reduce health care costs.

Cash position1

As of June 30, 2023, total cash and cash equivalents were EUR 35.1 million, as compared to EUR 40.7 million as of March 31, 2023, and EUR 35.2 million as of December 31, 2022. The net decrease in cash of EUR 5.6 million during the second quarter 2023 reflecting the continued investment in R&D activities across the pipeline and includes partial reimbursement of the 2022 R&D tax credit for EUR 2.3 million. The Company believes it has sufficient cash to cover needs of the development programs into the second quarter of 2024.

Revenues in Q2 20231

MaaT Pharma reported revenues2 from its compassionate access program of EUR 0.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, comparable with EUR 0.7 million for the first quarter of 2023. Total revenues for the first half of 2023 amount to EUR 1.4 million compared with EUR 0.9 million for the first half of 2022. This trend is a direct reflection of the continued demand from the medical community for drug candidate MaaT013.

Upcoming financial communication and investor conference participation

September 26, 2023 Half-year Results 2023*

September 27, 2023 6th edition Forum LPB Valeurs Regionales

October 4, 2023 KBC Securities Life Sciences Conference

October 4-5, 2023 Portzamparc Seminar Biotech Health

October 9-10, 2023 Investor Access Event

*Indicative calendar that may be subject to change.

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma has launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single arm Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD, following the achievement of its proof of concept in a Phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, enables the identification of novel disease targets, evaluation of drug candidates, and identification of biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The company's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT).

Forward-looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

1 Unaudited data

2 Revenues correspond to compensation invoiced in relation to the compassionate access program, as approved by the French National Drug Safety Agency (Agence Nationale de Securite du Medicament or ANSM).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727188477/en/

Contacts:

MaaT Pharma Investor Relations

Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D.

Head of Investor Relations

+33 6 16 48 92 50

invest@maat-pharma.com

MaaT Pharma Media Relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

media@maat-pharma.com

Trophic Communications Corporate Communications

Charlotte SPITZ or

Stephanie MAY

+49 171 351 2733

maat@trophic.eu
PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 27 July 2023

H1 2023 turnover of 138.8m (+6.0%):

Double-digit growth for the Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics business

Implementation of the April store network's reorganisation in France and Belgium

Confirmation of the financial year's turnover growth and profitability targets

Business momentum continued in good conditions in Q2 2023, driven by Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics. Meanwhile, the Group implemented strategic optimisation measures in its network of stores in Belgium and completed those announced in France[1].

At the end of H1 2023, the Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics business exceeded last year's high level of turnover (+14.4% growth). The Bogart Beauty Retail business is up +4.0% taking into account a scope effect following the network's reorganisation and a one-off foreign exchange impact. At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, Bogart Beauty Retail business grew by +7.6% in H1 2023.

Revenues in m (unaudited) 2022 2023 Change Q1 turnover 55.3 64.8 +17.2% Q2 turnover 75.7 74.0 -2.2% Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics 13.7 14.6 +6,6% Bogart Beauty Retail 62.0 59.4 -4.2% Other Q2 revenues[2] 3.8 3.1 -18.4% H1 turnover 131.0 138.8 +6.0% Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics 24.3 27.8 +14.4% Bogart Beauty Retail 106.7 111.0 +4.0% Other H1 revenues2 5.9 5.9 -6.3% Total H1 revenues 136.9 144.7 +5.4%

The appendix also shows sales at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates.

Renewed growth for Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics

Q2 turnover comes in at 74.0m (-2.2% at current consolidation scope and exchange rates and +6.2% at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates), driven by Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics (+6.6%), whereas Bogart Beauty Retail fell back by -4.2% as a result of a scope effect (impact of April store closures in France and Belgium, and effects linked to the integration of Fann) and a foreign exchange impact. At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, Bogart Beauty Retail achieved Q2 2023 turnover growth of + 6.3%.

For H1 2023, Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics achieved double-digit growth, increasing its turnover by +14.4% to 27.8m (+14% at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates). The Jacques Bogart, Piaubert and Stendhal brands (particularly the make-up segment) continued to enjoy very strong export momentum.

H1 2023 turnover for the Bogart Beauty Retail business amounted to 111.0m versus 106.7m in H1 2022, i.e. an increase of +4.0%, with brisk business particularly in Germany and Dubai. Turnover for this H1 2023 integrates a scope effect of 2.2m linked to the strategic reorganisation measures implemented in Belgium to optimise the network, and those announced and now completed in France[3]. This action plan has led to the gradual closure of a number of stores (9 in Belgium and 17 in France, 4 of which in France at the end of H1 2023). There was also a 1.6m currency effect, particularly in Israel. At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, growth amounted to 7.6%.

At the end of this first half of 2023, the Group posted turnover of 138.8m, up +6.0% at current exchange rates and +8.8% at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates.

2023 outlook: confirmation of the Group's objectives

Bogart anticipates growth in both its businesses in H2, despite the effects of changes in its scope of consolidation.

The Group indicates that new fragrance and cosmetics launches are positioned for the second half of the year, bolstering the momentum of the Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics business over this period. The Jacques Bogart brand will be launching a new Silver Scent fragrance, and Carven a new fragrance duo for men and women (Carven c'est Paris La Nuit). Stendhal will also be launching the Rosis Delicatea line for sensitive skin and plans to expand its distribution into new regions.

The Bogart Beauty Retail business should continue to benefit from good overall business momentum across its various geographical regions, while the strategic reorganisation measures in Belgium and those announced in France have been completed. In H2, Belgium should also benefit from a plan to revitalise its tighter scope, with significant changes to the April brand's offering.

All in all, the Group confirms its ambition for growth in annual turnover and a strong recovery in profitability in line with its usual standards thanks to measures implemented to reorganise and optimise its retail network (in France and Belgium).

Next publication

2023 half-year results: Thursday 28 September 2023

Group website www.groupe-bogart.com

CONTACTS

BOGART

contact@jbogart.com

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 77 55 55

ACTUS FINANCE & COMMUNICATION

Investor relations

Anne-Pauline Petureaux

apetureaux@actus.fr

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 72

Media Relations

Manon Clairet

mclairet@actus.fr

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73

APPENDICES

Q2 2023 turnover at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates

Revenues in m 2022 2023 Change % Q2 turnover 74.5 79.1 +6.2% Bogart Fragrances and Cosmetics 13.9 14.7 +5.8% Bogart Beauty Retail 60.6 64.4 +6.3% Other Q2 revenues 3.8 3.1 -18.4% Total Q2 revenues 78.3 82.2 +5.0%

H1 2023 turnover at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates

Revenues in m 2022 2023 Change % H1 turnover 128.8 140.1 +8.8% Bogart Fragrances and Cosmetics 24.3 27.7 +14.0% Bogart Beauty Retail 104.5 112.4 +7.6% Other H1 revenues 6.3 5.9 -6.3% Total H1 revenues 135.1 146.0 +8.1%

[1] See press release of 19 January 2023

[2] Revenues from licences and advertising rebillings for brands which are distributed to BOGART's own-brand networks.

[3] See press release of 19 January 2023

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Whole Foods Market Foundations

Smallholder farmers around the world face layers upon layers of obstacles in selling their harvests: they tend to lack savings, have few options for financing, maintain inadequate farming tools and infrastructure, and can't access reliable and fairly priced markets, which often favor large-scale or industrial farms. While the definition of smallholder farmers includes those with access to up to 24 acres, Whole Planet Foundation mostly funds those farming on less than five.

Acceso's 'farmer first' model is removing these obstacles by linking small-scale farmers to high value domestic and international markets. By providing farmers with crop market analyses, financial advice, weather data, training in good agricultural practices, and farming inputs, farmers improve their productivity and profits. In fact, results from a 2021 Acceso study found that many of their smallholder farmers' incomes increase by more than 250%.

Their pioneering 'seed to market' approach builds the whole supply chain between smallholder farmers and formal markets, helping members to build the operational infrastructure needed to get their produce to market, and then selling it for them. Thus, Acceso provides smallholders with a 'one-stop-shop' to remove production and sales barriers. At the same time, Acceso's services benefit large buyers like Subway and major grocery stores, who buy from Acceso to ensure a single, transparent, and reliable system to source high quality produce from smallholders at scale.

Acceso's partnership with Whole Planet Foundation and Kasperick Foundation finances farmers taking loans to produce one or several of over 50 crops including tomatoes, beans, onions, and more. Loan recipients receive a combination of seed, seedlings, fertilizer, micro-tunnels, or compost on credit.

Whole Planet Foundation met several clients taking their first loans with Acceso, when we visited in May 2023.

Carlos began selling tomatoes when his brother lent him his greenhouse when he emigrated from El Salvador. He didn't have any experience with this variety but has been able to pick it up quickly with the guidance of an Acceso Technician, who provides technical assistance and supports Carlos while he pays back his loan, by selling his harvest to Acceso.

Gloribel, 21 years old, took her first ever loan, for $360. She learned about Acceso from her uncle, who'd taught her basic farming techniques as a teenager, when she worked on his small farm. She and her family do not have much land but with her Acceso greenhouse and seeds, she is able to generate more income.

In the years to come, Acceso anticipates working with thousands more like Carlos and Gloribel. In fact, in May 2022, Acceso signed a $15 million agreement with USAID to expand across El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Whole Planet Foundation and Kasperick Foundation are proud to be early supporters of Acceso, which is revolutionizing smallholder access to formal markets.

Learn more at wholeplanetfoundation.org.

Gloribel holding two tomatoes

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whole Foods Market Foundations on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Whole Foods Market Foundations

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whole-foods-market-foundations

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Whole Foods Market Foundations

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770699/Connecting-Smallholder-Farmers-in-El-Salvador-to-Reliable-Markets
The third instalment of the Animalis Edition at the 2023 2024 World Branding Awards welcomed pet and animal brands from around the world, celebrating their achievements as National, Regional, and Global Winners.

Held at the prestigious Hofburg Palace in Vienna, the awards ceremony was hosted by Howard Nightingall and welcomed winners across various categories, such as pet food, retail, wellness, aquatic products, and more.

"The Animalis Edition of the Awards are an acknowledgement to the tireless effort of the teams that build and maintain their brand presence in an ever changing market. As winners, these brands have established strong brand recall, top-of-mind awareness, and trust among their consumers," said Richard Rowles, Chairman of the World Branding Forum.

Over 100,000 consumers participated in a global online survey and nominated more than 1,500 brands. Of these, only 100 of the best brands from 30 countries were named as winners.

Buddy Brands, Coo Riku, Dymax, FRONTLINE, Hikari, Kaniva, and Taiyo were amongst the brands announced as winners. To win the World Branding Awards is no easy accolade, and cements their position as the top in their industry.

Winners from Taiwan include YU, ODOUT, and Zippets. Other National tier winners include Coo Riku (Japan), DeliBest (Switzerland), Global Pet Foods (Canada), Halti (United Kingdom), Heads Up For Tails (India), Kelly Co's (Thailand), NurturePro (Singapore), TopBreed (The Philippines), and VanCat (Turkey).

As the 2023 2024 World Branding Awards Animalis Edition draws to a close, the eagerly anticipated Global Edition of the World Branding Awards will return to the stage in November in Kensington Palace, London.

For more information, visit awards.brandingforum.org.

ABOUT WORLD BRANDING AWARDS

The World Branding Awards is the premier awards of the World Branding Forum, a registered non-profit organisation. The awards recognise the achievements of some of the world's best brands.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbrandingforum/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldBranding

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldbranding/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/world-branding-forum

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727650240/en/

Contacts:

editorial@brandingforum.org
Preps for Busy Fall with EUROSPINE and NASS

joimax, the German-based market leader in technologies and training methods for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery, presented at the ESPINEA World Summit at the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, PASMISS in Taiwan, NASSi in Bangkok, the ASEAN MISST in Jakarta, and at the first Annual Endoscopic Spine Surgery Symposium at the Seattle Science Foundation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727772616/en/

joimax leads the way at endoscopic spine events. (Graphic: Business Wire)

From July 13 to 15 more than 80 attendees from 22 countries connected at the ESPINEA World Summit. "This historic event was a major milestone in the educational training activity of ESPINEA, where we are proud to guide highly active surgeons from around the world within this encouraging field of endoscopic spinal therapy," concluded ESPINEA board members Dr. Alastair Gibson and Dr. Menno Iprenburg.

The July events provided joimax the ideal opportunity to launch the highly anticipated surgical access systems, iLESSYS Biportal and TESSYS Trans SAP, along with the new electrosurgical probe, Vaporace Bipo, which are key to the soon-to-be announced endoscopic expandable fusion platform.

joimax will also share its latest developments at EUROSPINE in Frankfurt, affording participants an opportunity to attend an open house at their global headquarters in Karlsruhe, where they will further learn about joimax's research and manufacturing capabilities. Moreover, the joimax US team will welcome NASS attendees in its hometown of Los Angeles.

"We are excited to see the widespread acceptance of endoscopic spine surgery around the globe," said joimax Founder and CEO Wolfgang Ries. "Having reached a tipping point, the NASS endoscopic "Surgical Stadium" event, will be another highlight the spine community can look forward to". For further information and event registration, contact joimax.

About joimax

Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2001, joimax is the leading developer and marketer of complete systems for full-endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery. With the Endoscopic Surgical Systems TESSYS (transforaminal), iLESSYS(interlaminar) and CESSYS (cervical) for decompression procedures, MultiZYTE for facet and sacroiliac joint pain treatment, EndoLIF and Percusys for minimally invasive endoscopically assisted stabilizations, established systems are provided, addressing a whole range of indications. All methods are supported by the latest generation electronical devices in the all new NAVENTO navigated endoscopic tower. In procedures for herniated discs, stenosis, pain therapy or spinal stabilization treatment, surgeons utilize joimax technologies to operate through small incisions under local or full anesthesia, via tissue and muscle-sparing corridors, and through natural openings in the spinal canal, e.g., the intervertebral foramen, the so-called "Kambin triangle".

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727772616/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact Germany

joimax GmbH

Antje Paulsen

antje.paulsen@joimax.com

+49-721-25514-214

Press Contact USA

joimax, Inc.

Emma Garton

emma.garton@joimaxusa.com

+1-949-859-3472
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable



World Water Week is the leading conference on global water issues, held every year since 1991. A non-profit event, co-created with leading organizations, World Water Week attracts a diverse mix of participants from many professional backgrounds and every corner of the world. Together we develop solutions to the world's greatest water-related challenges, with topics ranging from food security and health to agriculture, technology, biodiversity, and the climate crisis.

World Water Week 2023 is focused on innovation at a time of unprecedented challenges. The theme Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World invites us to rethink how we manage water. BIER is pleased to announce our participation in this year's event.

Join us for the presentation, Charco Bendito: BIER's Unprecedented Watershed Collaboration in Jalisco, Mexico.

Date: Monday, August 21, 2023

Time: 18:00 - 19:00

Location: Online

Session ID: 10888

The session will be conducted in English and Spanish and is free to attend though pre-registration is required.

As shared previously in the post, BIER Project Spotlight: Charco Bendito, Charco Bendito, or "Blessed Puddle," is an innovative, first-of-its-kind water stewardship collaboration comprised of beverage industry competitors, the local community, and committed local partners, working collaboratively to address complex watershed challenges in the Municipality of Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Jalisco Mexico.

During the World Water Week presentation, participants will learn why and how global beverage and food leaders collaborated to develop and implement this innovative basin-level watershed initiative that addresses three main goals: water accessibility, quality, and availability.

The session will share the model used to develop this initiative, how it is governed and financed, and the plans for the future, including scaling to have bigger impacts.

Participants will gain insights into the project's green infrastructure restoration activities, including reforestation and conservation, to increase availability up to up to 4.1 MM m3 by 2023.

Attendees will leave inspired, knowing how Charco Bendito is promoting equitable water access and connection for the population of San Lucas Evangelista by 2023.

And a call for action to enlist other participants as we look to scale the project further.

In keeping with Word Water Week's theme, Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World, which invites us to rethink how we manage water, session participants will be educated and motivated to explore similar watershed collaborations after learning how various stakeholders have united to collaborate on a complex watershed collaboration at the basin level.

Additionally, participants will learn how a group of global companies share responsibilities and manage this diverse and inclusive watershed initiative. This includes how this initiative was first launched as a Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable initiative and transitioned to local members, who now track and manage the initiative through a collaborative process where all participants are expected to be involved and are active.

Collaboration is at the heart of the Charco Bendito project, as such, our presentation aims to invite all collaborators into the effort so we can magnify the impact. BIER is exploring additional watershed collaborations using this model and welcomes participation by others.

Explore the full World Water Week program and register here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/beverage-industry-environmental-roundtable

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770709/Charco-Bendito-BIERs-Unprecedented-Watershed-Collaboration-in-Jalisco-Mexico-at-World-Water-Week
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Millions of European TikTok users have been inundated with ads promoting Chinese state propaganda on various topics, including COVID-19 and tourism in Xinjiang, a region known for its human rights abuses against Muslim Uyghurs. The analysis conducted by Forbes revealed that these ads echoed messages propagated by China's state media. One ad showcased Xinjiang as a desirable tourist destination with cute cats playing on the Great Wall, while another featured a vlogger accusing Western media of spreading falsehoods about the Chinese government's human rights violations. The ad library shared by TikTok on July 20 displayed over 1,000 ads from Chinese state media outlets that ran on European users' feeds since October 2022. The advertisements originated from sources like The People's Daily and CGTN, controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. The ads were seen by millions of users across various European countries, while data for countries outside Europe was not yet available. Xinjiang was referenced in 92 of 124 adverts promoted by one Chinese state propaganda outlet's social media account. Some ads from China News International depicted traditional dances and praised Xinjiang as 'a good place,' which contrasts starkly with reports of unjust arrests and detention centers where prisoners are allegedly subjected to forced labor. The ads appear to contradict TikTok's ad policies, which state that the platform does not show political or election-related ads. Additionally, the short-form video-sharing app prohibits advertising on social issues, elections, and politics. TikTok spokesperson, Jamie Favazza, clarified that state-controlled media outlets were not categorized as government agencies, and the exception allowing government entities to advertise did not apply to them. Concerns over TikTok's ties to the Chinese Communist Party have long been voiced by US government officials, who warn of potential data access granted to China. Critics fear China could use the platform to snoop on its vast user base, including the more than 150 million users in the US. In response, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed legislation banning the Chinese-owned TikTok from operating in the state starting January 1, 2024, making it the first state to enact such a ban. 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.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, revealed its plans to lay off approximately 350 employees, with a majority of the positions being corporate roles, as the company aims to recover from the repercussions of a controversial campaign involving a transgender influencer.



According to a statement by Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth on Wednesday, the layoffs will impact less than 2 percent of the company's workforce, which currently stands at around 18,000 employees nationwide. Whitworth described the decision as difficult but necessary, stressing that the company's primary focus is on securing long-term success for its organization.



Frontline staff, including brewery and warehouse workers, drivers, and field sales personnel, will be exempt from the layoffs. The move is intended to streamline and simplify the organizational structure of the company by reducing layers within the corporate hierarchy.



The company faced a setback recently as Bud Light lost its title as America's No. 1 beer to Modelo Especial. The decline in Bud Light's standing came in the aftermath of a campaign that involved Dylan Mulvaney, a trans influencer, during the NCAA Tournament. The campaign, combined with remarks from Bud Light's brand ambassador, triggered a nationwide backlash.



Following the controversy, conservative media outlets and social media users shared memes of individuals disposing of Bud Light in various ways, leading to a significant impact on the brand's reputation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis even announced that his administration was considering legal action against Anheuser-Busch and its parent company, AB InBev, due to the financial consequences of the campaign.



Since April, AB InBev shares have experienced an approximately 11 percent decline. Furthermore, Nielsen IQ data cited by Bump Williams consulting indicated that Bud Light sales in the last week of June were down nearly 28 percent year on year.



While Whitworth, the CEO of AB, stated last month that the company would continue to support the LGBTQ community, Mulvaney expressed her disappointment in June, revealing that AB never reached out to her after the backlash.



She emphasized in a TikTok video that hiring a trans person and then not standing by them publicly is even worse than not hiring a trans person at all. The controversy surrounding the campaign and its aftermath has created a challenging situation for Anheuser-Busch, leading to the decision to implement layoffs in a bid to reposition the company for the future.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / SkysTheLimit.org, a leading nonprofit organization committed to empowering historically excluded entrepreneurs, celebrates the tremendous success of its Rise Up! program, which focuses on supporting refugee entrepreneurs. The program was recently recognized by Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture, for its unwavering dedication to fostering strength, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit among newcomers to the country.

Combining the strengths of Sky's the Limit's virtual mentoring platform, entrepreneurship model, global online community, and grant dollars, the Rise Up! program offers specialized support to refugee entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and succeed in their business ventures.

Thanks to the generous support from Accenture, Sky's the Limit has been able to award startup grants, mentoring, and educational resources to refugee entrepreneurs since the program's launch a year ago.

"We're so grateful to Accenture and for Julie Sweet's visionary leadership, which has allowed us to highlight and celebrate the strength, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of newcomers to our country," said Sky's the Limit CEO, Bo Ghirardelli. "Thanks to this unique partnership, we have been able to mentor more than 100 refugee entrepreneurs and provide nearly $60,000 in startup grant funding."

Sweet expressed her appreciation for the platform's role in highlighting and celebrating the achievements of refugee entrepreneurs, and noted Sky's the Limit's outstanding work with the Rise Up! initiative, connecting refugee entrepreneurs with volunteer professionals, in a recent video, which may be viewed here.

Having served over 55,000 underrepresented entrepreneurs since its inception, Sky's the Limit is uniquely positioned to connect refugee entrepreneurs with skilled volunteers, partners, and necessary resources for launching and growing local businesses. This is made possible through Sky's the Limit's unique digital platform.

By reducing barriers and providing streamlined support throughout the entrepreneurial journey, Sky's the Limit works hand in hand with refugees to build and sustain thriving, inclusive communities. Refugees, often resettled in underserved areas, start businesses at a higher rate compared to other groups. These businesses tend to address urgent local needs and fill gaps in key sectors, including professional services, retail, and food. The impact of the Rise Up! program on the lives of entrepreneurs has been profound.

Rocio Ghattas de Siman, Founder of Yohago , highlighted the instrumental role her mentors played in helping her grow her business. "I am truly grateful for the continuous support and guidance from the mentors and entrepreneurs at Sky's the Limit. Their expertise, mentorship, and network have been instrumental in securing funding for Yohago. With their help, I am confident in the future success and growth of Yohago," said Rocio Ghattas de Siman. Read more about her inspiring journey here.

, highlighted the instrumental role her mentors played in helping her grow her business. "I am truly grateful for the continuous support and guidance from the mentors and entrepreneurs at Sky's the Limit. Their expertise, mentorship, and network have been instrumental in securing funding for Yohago. With their help, I am confident in the future success and growth of Yohago," said Rocio Ghattas de Siman. Read more about her inspiring journey here. Rohin Qaderyan, Founder of Silk Road Lapis , spoke about how Sky's the Limit boosted his confidence and business, helping him overcome obstacles. "I feel that Sky's the Limit definitely boosted my confidence and my business. Believing in my passion and the story that I have helped me to not be discouraged by all the other obstacles that I have been facing," said Rohin Qaderyan.

, spoke about how Sky's the Limit boosted his confidence and business, helping him overcome obstacles. "I feel that Sky's the Limit definitely boosted my confidence and my business. Believing in my passion and the story that I have helped me to not be discouraged by all the other obstacles that I have been facing," said Rohin Qaderyan. Marvi Sediq, Founder of Osman Kamis, expressed her gratitude for the support received from her mentors, stating, "From the moment I joined the team, I have been immensely impressed by the supportive and collaborative environment that permeates every aspect of Sky's the Limit. It is truly inspiring to work alongside talented individuals who share the same passion for innovation and making a positive impact. I would like to express my appreciation for the belief you have placed in me and for the platform you have given me to bring my entrepreneurial vision to life."

The Rise Up! program is an essential part of Sky's the Limit's commitment to providing opportunities for traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, veterans, disabled people, and individuals from low-income backgrounds. Sky's the Limit has provided over $450,000 in startup grants and has educated tens of thousands of diverse entrepreneurs.

Learn more about the Rise Up program here.

For more information about how to get your company involved in mentoring, please visit skysthelimit.org/partnerships.

# # #

About SkysTheLimit.org: SkysTheLimit.org is a digital platform that connects young, historically excluded entrepreneurs with one-on-one support from experienced business advisors and mentors, entrepreneurship training, and community-voted startup grants. SkysTheLimit.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Rocio Ghattas de Siman, Founder of Yohago at Washington D.C. Rise Up! pitch competition



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Skys the Limit on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Skys the Limit



Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/skys-limit



Email: info@3blmedia.com



SOURCE: Skys the Limit

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770759/Rise-Up-Unleashing-Potential-Accentures-Unprecedented-Partnership-Drives-Positive-Change-for-Refugee-Entrepreneurs
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / New Holland, a CNH Industrial brand, volunteered at the 27th Renewal & Remembrance on July 17, 2023, hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

The event paid tribute to military veterans and honored historic landmarks around the nation's capital. Hundreds of volunteers from across the U.S. traveled to Washington, D.C., including New Holland Construction, to take part in the annual event to conduct landscaping enhancing projects for these important sites.

"The Renewal & Remembrance is a special event for our company, New Holland team members and industry. We get to be a part of preserving the history and memory of those who protected and served our country," said Tyler Mills, head of New Holland Construction North America. "This day of service is a testament to our commitment to upholding the beauty of our nation alongside our colleagues in the professional landscaping segment."

In partnership with the National Park Service, 26 New Holland Construction and CNH Industrial volunteers worked to complete projects at the Washington Monument. This year's initiatives included laying grass seed around the Washington Monument to restore the grounds from the foot traffic of nearly 36 million tourists and residents each year. Additionally, the volunteers planted flowers and spread wood chips to enhance the monument's surroundings.

New Holland has a connection to Renewal & Remembrance through the CNH Industrial Veterans Employee Resource Group and Vets for CNH Industrial. These groups are dedicated to supporting service members as they transition to civilian careers. Part of these initiatives include veteran resource support, recognition and programs that connect veterans across CNH Industrial. Renewal & Remembrance is another opportunity for New Holland's veteran volunteers to ensure future generations can appreciate national landmarks and United States history for years to come.

In partnership with the National Park Service, 26 New Holland Construction and CNH Industrial volunteers worked to complete projects at the Washington Monument.



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CNH Industrial

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial

Email: info@3blmedia.com



SOURCE: CNH Industrial

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770763/New-Holland-Construction-Volunteers-at-Renewal-and-Remembrance-Event-at-Washington-Monument
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / NextGen Food Robotics Corp. (the "Company" or "NextGen") (NEO:NGRB); (OTC PINK:NGRBF); (Frankfurt:O83) is pleased to announce an extension agreement for marketing services (the "Extension") with Financial Star News Inc. ("FSN").

As previously disclosed, FSN has and shall continue to, as appropriate, be engaged by the Company to heighten market and brand awareness for NextGen and to broaden the Company's reach within the investment community through various online platforms and methods of engagement. Pursuant to the Company's agreement, the Company will pay a fee of US$650,000, representing the marketing budget for the Extension. The services will commence immediately and are expected to last for a period of sixty days, subject to earlier or later consumption of the marketing budget. FSN does not have a prior relationship with the Company aside from its previous engagements with the Company.

About NextGen Food Robotics

Nextgen Food Robotics is an automated robotic food co-packer and manufacturer that uses technology to modernize its food manufacturing processes. Additionally, Nextgen is developing the "Lily app", which is an AI-powered food application.

For investor inquiries or further information, please contact:

Paul Rivas, Chief Executive Officer

1 (236) 471-1357

privas@originalholycow.com

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws with respect to the Company. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions and in this news release include statements respecting: the Extension, the terms and duration thereof, and the services to be provided pursuant thereto. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable laws.

Neither the Neo Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the NEO Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE: NextGen Food Robotics Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/770769/NextGen-Food-Robotics-Announces-Marketing-Services-Extension
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the "Company" or "Atico") (TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF) announces its operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2023 from its El Roble mine. Production for the quarter totaled 2.80 million pounds of copper and 2,294 ounces of gold in concentrates, a decrease of 22% for copper and 18% for gold, over the same period in 2022.



"The El Roble mine continued to show improvement for the period in terms of both processed tones and increase in head grades over the previous quarter. The processing plant is again reaching steady state levels of 900 tonnes per day while the mine continues to transition back into higher grade areas. We anticipate further improvement in overall production results and metal output for the second half of the year," said Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO. "For the remainder of the year we will continue our strong focus towards mine vicinity exploration at the El Roble mine, looking to build on the success of the recent drill results in the historic areas of the deposit."

Second Quarter Operational Highlights

Production of 2.80 million pounds of copper contained in concentrates; a decrease of 22% over Q2 2022.

Production of 2,294 ounces of gold contained in concentrates; a decrease of 18% over Q2 2022.

Average processed tonnes per day of 800, a decrease of 10% over Q2 2022.

Copper head grade of 2.04%, a decrease of 36% over Q2 2022.

Gold head grade of 1.78 grams per tonne; a decrease of 28% over Q2 2022.

Copper and gold recovery of 91.1% and 58.7%; no significant change for copper and a decrease of 7% gold over Q2 2022.

Second Quarter Operational Details

Q2 2023 Total Q2 2022 Total % Change Production (Contained in Concentrates) Copper (000s pounds) 2,804 3,591 -22% Gold (ounces) 2,294 2,811 -18% Mine Tonnes of ore mined 72,340 61,667 17% Mill Tonnes processed 68,471 56,172 22% Tonnes processed per day 800 889 -10% Copper grade (%) 2.04 3.17 -36% Gold grade (g/t) 1.78 2.47 -28% Recoveries Copper (%) 91.1 91.4 Nil Gold (%) 58.7 62.9 -7% Concentrates Copper and Gold Concentrates (dmt) 6,784 8,278 -18% Payable copper produced (000s lbs) 2,639 3,411 -23%

Note: Metal production figures are subject to adjustments based on final settlement. The reported results are preliminary in nature and are awaiting independent lab verification.

Concentrate Inventory

The number of shipments the Company can export in any given quarter depends on several variables some of which the Company does not control, hence there may be an inherent variability in tonnes shipped quarter to quarter.

Q2 2023 Total Amounts in dry metric tonnes Opening inventory 6,647 Production 6,784 Sales (6,597 ) Number of shipments 1 Adjustment 20 Closing inventory 6,854

Note: Concentrate figures are subject to adjustments based on final settlement.

El Roble Mine

The El Roble mine is a high grade, underground copper and gold mine with nominal processing plant capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day, located in the Department of Choco in Colombia. Its commercial product is a copper-gold concentrate.

Since obtaining control of the mine on November 22, 2013, Atico has upgraded the operation from a historical nominal capacity of 400 tonnes per day.

El Roble has Proven and Probable reserves of 1.00 million tonnes grading 3.02% copper and 1.76 g/t gold, at a cut-off grade of 1.3% copper equivalent as of September 30th, 2020. Mineralization is open at depth and along strike and the Company plans to further test the limits of the deposit.

On the larger land package, the Company has identified a prospective stratigraphic contact between volcanic rocks and black and grey pelagic sediments and cherts that has been traced by Atico geologists for ten kilometers. This contact has been determined to be an important control on VMS mineralization on which Atico has identified numerous target areas prospective for VMS type mineralization occurrence, which is the focus of the current surface drill program at El Roble.

Qualified Person

Mr. Thomas Kelly (SME Registered Member 1696580), advisor to the Company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 standards, is responsible for ensuring that the technical information contained in this news release is an accurate summary of the original reports and data provided to or developed by Atico.

About Atico Mining Corporation

Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fernando E. Ganoza

CEO

Atico Mining Corporation

Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF

Investor Relations

Igor Dutina

Tel: +1.604.633.9022

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.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered 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 in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation the use of net proceeds, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs; the need to obtain additional financing to maintain its interest in and/or explore and develop the Company's mineral projects; uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Company's mineral projects; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the prospectus of the Company dated March 2, 2012 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Xebra Brands Ltd. (CSE: XBRA) (OTCQB: XBRAF) (FSE: 9YC) ("Xebra"), is providing an update to its previously disclosed management cease trade order ("MCTO"), announced on June 29, 2023, in respect of the audited annual financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis for the year ended February 28, 2023, including the CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "Annual Financial Filings") that were not filed by the required filing deadline of June 28, 2023 (the "Filing Deadline").

As previously disclosed, the Annual Financial Filings were not filed by the Filing Deadline due to the fact that there have been delays associated with the recent changes of management.

The Company is working expeditiously on the steps required to complete the Annual Financial Filings and expects to be able to file the Annual Financial Filings no later than August 4, 2023. The Company will provide updates as further information relating to the Annual Financial Filings becomes available.

Until the Annual Financial Filings are filed, the MCTO will be in effect. Additionally, the Company will issue bi-weekly default status reports in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders. The Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines during the period it remains in default of the filing requirements. The Company confirms that there have been no material business developments or other material information relating to its affairs as of the date of this news release that have not been generally disclosed.

About Xebra Brands Ltd.

Xebra Brands is an international cannabis cultivation and product company, with global brands and intellectual property. Our focus includes beverages, wellness and leisure. Xebra Brands is an absolute first mover in the Mexican cannabis sector with the first ever granted authorization to a corporation by the COFEPRIS. In Canada, Xebra Brands retails its unique Vicious Citrus THC/CBN Lemonades.

On Behalf of Xebra Brands Ltd.

"Jay Garnett"

Chief Executive Officer

For further information please contact:

Tel: (833) XEBRA 88

Email: ir@xebrabrands.com

Forward-Looking Information

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes, but is not limited to, business goals and objectives of the Company; statements and information regarding the timing for the filings of the Annual Filings; the Company's ability to be a first mover in a country, or to obtain or retain government licenses, permits, or authorizations in general, or specifically in Mexico, Canada or elsewhere, including cannabis authorizations from the Mexican Health Regulatory Agency (COFEPRIS); the Company's ability to satisfy the conditions of authorizations granted by COFEPRIS; any continuing uniqueness of any of the Company's products; and other forward-looking information concerning the intentions, plans and future actions of the parties to the transactions described herein and the terms thereon.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the reliance of the Company on its auditors and management with respect to the Annual Filings; Such factors include, but are not limited to, the inability of the Company to retain the authorizations granted by COFEPRIS; the inability to generate sufficient revenues or to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plan; changes in government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in various countries; risks associated with agriculture and cultivation activities generally, including inclement weather, access to supply of seeds, poor crop yields, and spoilage; compliance with import and export laws of various countries; significant fluctuations in cannabis prices and transportation costs; the risk of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; inability to identify, negotiate and complete potential acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures for any reason; the ability to retain key employees; dependence on third parties for services and supplies; non-performance by contractual counter-parties; general economic conditions; the continued growth in global demand for cannabis products and the continued increase in jurisdictions legalizing cannabis; the timely receipt of regulatory approvals for license applications on terms satisfactory to the Company; and other related risks as more fully set out in the registration statement of Company and other documents disclosed under the Company's filings at www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, there is no assurance that the Company will: be a low-cost producer or exporter; obtain a dominant market position in any jurisdiction; or have products that will be unique.

The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, the timing thereof and related matters. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175189
Nexo Therapeutics, a Watertown, MA-based small molecule oncology company, raised $60M in Series A funding.

The round was led by Versant Ventures with participation from New Enterprise Associates and Cormorant Asset Management. In conjunction with the funding, Ali Behbahani, M.D., general partner at NEA, joined Nexos board.

The company intends to use the funds to expand the platform.

Led by Andrew Phillips, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, Nexo Therapeutics is a small molecule oncology company dedicated to the discovery and development of new drugs for cancer patients who currently lack meaningful therapies. Nexo combines covalent ligand discovery and chemical biology with expertise in cancer biology and medicinal chemistry to unlock a pipeline of novel cancer therapies directed against previously intractable targets.

The companys chemistry engine, CODON (Covalent Discovery and Optimization), combines a proprietary library that leverages chemical diversity and innovative covalent chemistries with scalable biochemical and in-cell proteomics. This allows the company to identify promising hit compounds and conduct rapid optimization to produce compounds for in vivo studies.

Importantly, the engine uses covalent fragments against all ligandable amnio acids, thus expanding beyond conventional approaches that are constrained to cysteine and enabling discovery against targets that have been refractory to prior approaches.

Nexos chemical biology capability, INFINI-T (Informed Profile Before Initiation of Target), uses chimeric fusion proteins to address target biology and pharmacology questions. The function of these chimeric proteins can be controlled by small molecules in cellular and in vivo models to generate detailed information about the required depth, duration and selectivity of target inhibition. Importantly, the INFINI-T platform provides target product profiles for medicinal chemistry well in advance of lead optimization. This is expected to decrease the time and capital needed to bring drug candidates to the clinic.

The company also announced a multi-year strategic research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the details of which are described in a separate announcement.

Nexo is also led by

Michael Kim, Ph.D., COO and Co-Founder

Rhamy Zeid, Ph.D., VP, Head of Biology and Co-Founder

John Athanosopoulos, VP, Head of Operations and Co-Founder

Joe Patel, Ph.D., VP, Head of Discovery

FinSMEs

27/07/2023
Percasyo Inform, a Nottingham, UK-based insurance data intelligence provider, raised 2.7M in funding.

The round was led by Neil Utley and existing investor Praetura Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Led by Rich Tomlinson, Managing Director, Percayso provides insurance intelligence services offering, real-time solutions at all stages of the insurance lifecycle and delivering insight into insurance customers, risk and fraud.

Following the investment led by Praetura Ventures in March last year, the company extended its proposition to deliver a full quote intelligence suite. Its technology aggregates data from many different sources, allowing intelligence to be accessed with an API call at significant volume, while its platform and advanced tech allows insurance providers to take control of their own strategies and deployment by enabling rules and models to be used in their own environments via a SaaS model.

This year, the company also acquired Cazana, now branded Percayso Vehicle Intelligence, to increase its footprint across the UK motor insurance market.

The client base includes Ageas, Covea, Direct Line, Markerstudy, Somerset Bridge, and The AA.

FinSMEs

27/07/2023
Switchboard, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a data engineering automation platform, raised $7M in Series A funding.

The round was led by GFT Ventures and Quest Venture Partners. As part of the raise, Jeff Herbst, Founding Managing Partner of GFT Ventures and Marcus Owaga, Managing Partner of Quest Venture Partners, will join the companys Board of Directors.

The company intends to use the funds to invest in GTM functionalities aimed at serving a wider set of customers and invest in the platform, already in use by data-driven brands like DotDashMeredith, OrangeTheory Fitness, and Financial Times.

Co-founded by Ju-kay Kwek and Michael Manoocheri, Switchboard helps business teams make data-driven decisions without burdening their development teams. Their automated data engineering platform frees up data engineering resources and allows business users to connect to it directly. With its technology:

Business leaders can make decisions independently

Organizations can rest assured that their data management is SOC-compliant and reliable  even at terabyte scale

Silos are broken down and a single source allows stakeholders to work with the same clean, organized data across the company.

FinSMEs

27/07/2023
India has a rich history of industrial growth and innovation. The nations industrial sector, once centred around textiles and agriculture, has rapidly evolved into a diverse ecosystem that includes advanced sectors such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, and automotive. This dynamic shift reflects Indias growing prominence on the global stage and its increased competitiveness in the world economy. In an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, a nations competitiveness is paramount to attracting businesses, investments, and talent, and India is making all the right strides towards bolstering its industrial competitiveness.

Morgan Stanley predicts a significant shift in the global order as India emerges as the worlds third-largest economy, surpassing Japan and Germany by 2027. The country is also expected to secure the third-largest stock market position in the coming years. These developments offer a remarkable opportunity for investors and companies to tap into Indias growing power and potential. Morgan Stanleys estimates indicate that Indias GDP could more than double from its current value of $3.5 trillion to exceed $7.5 trillion by 2031. Moreover, projections suggest a substantial rise in Indias per capita income from $2,000 to approximately $5,000 within the same timeframe. This transformative shift is driven by three influential factors: accelerated financialization, a shift towards clean energy, and a digital revolution.

Policy landscape: Ease of doing business in India

India has undertaken extensive policy reforms over the past decades to foster a business-friendly environment. From liberalisation measures that opened the economy to foreign investments in the 1990s to recent initiatives simplifying regulations and dismantling bureaucratic barriers, India is committed to enhancing the ease of doing business. This approach has resulted in Indias notable rise in World Banks Ease of Doing Business rankings, currently standing at an impressive 63rd position, up from 142nd in 2014. Moreover, over 39,000 compliances have been reduced, and more than 3,400 legal provisions have been decriminalised. These efforts aim to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, making it easier for businesses to operate and thrive in the country.

Examples of successful foreign businesses in India, such as Amazon, Google, and IKEA, demonstrate the effectiveness of these policies. These companies have not only navigated the Indian business landscape successfully but have also flourished, reaping benefits from the large consumer base and a conducive policy environment.

Indias commitment to a conducive business environment extends to its legal framework. Several reforms have been implemented to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs), from liberalizing FDI norms in various sectors to simplifying procedures. The countrys robust intellectual property (IP) laws also provide necessary protections to foreign business interests, fostering an environment that encourages innovation while protecting proprietary rights.

Human capital: Indias highly skilled workforce

Indias human capital is one of its strongest assets. With high educational attainment levels and a vast pool of skilled labour, India is reaping its demographic dividend. The availability of a large, young, English-speaking workforce is particularly attractive to foreign businesses. This factor has been instrumental in establishing India as a preferred outsourcing destination for businesses around the world, providing cost-effective, high-quality solutions in areas such as IT, customer service, and R&D.

What initially started as a cost advantage has now evolved into a significant source of highly skilled talent and cutting-edge innovation. Global corporations have recognised the immense value of Indias demographic dividend and have established more than 1,500 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in the country as of September 2022. These GCCs represent some of the largest companies in their respective industries.

Collectively, the GCCs employed around 1.3 million individuals as of FY2021, and it is projected that this number will reach approximately 2-3 million by 2025. For many major global corporations, India is either the primary or the second-largest geographical hub for their workforce. In fact, India accounts for over 45% of all GCCs established outside of their home countries.

Furthermore, a significant portion, ranging from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of the global technology and operations workforce is based in Indias GCCs. This showcases the central role played by India in these corporations global operations, highlighting the countrys expertise and capability in these crucial areas.

Technological advancements and innovation

India has emerged as a global technology hub, with a thriving IT and software services sector thats pivotal to its industrial competitiveness. Indian companies have shown an impressive track record in delivering advanced tech solutions to global clients. Further, the countrys contribution to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics is noteworthy, and it continues to innovate at the intersection of technology and business.

Over the past two decades, Indias services exports have exhibited robust growth, expanding by 14%. In the fiscal year 2021-22, these exports reached a significant milestone, amounting to US$254.5 billion. A substantial portion of these services exports can be attributed to the Information Technology (IT) Services and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors, which accounted for US$157 billion in 2021-22. This growth has been driven not only by Indian-based IT companies but also by global corporations leveraging Indian talent through their capability centers in the country.

India has a significant opportunity to establish itself as a powerhouse in the platform and product domain. The Indian IT services sector is undergoing a transformation as it moves towards platform- based solutions. Additionally, the Indian Business to Business (B2B) Software as a Service (SaaS) ecosystem has developed its distinctive playbook, contributing to the growth and innovation in the sector.

The impact of these developments is already visible, as India has witnessed the emergence of its first billion-dollar product company. Moreover, the country boasts over 20 B2B SaaS unicorns, indicating the strength and potential of the ecosystem. These successes are fostering the growth of a robust and dynamic environment that has the potential to nurture Hyperscalers over the next two decades.

Moreover, with the recent roll out of 5G technology, India stands on the brink of a digital revolution that promises to further cement its position as a global industrial powerhouse. The advent of 5G technology is predicted to have a greater impact on the global economy compared to previous iterations of wireless technology. Global investment in the 5G industrial chain over 2020-2035 is likely to reach $3.5 trillion. Among the various economies, the Indian economy is expected to be at the forefront of this transformation with manufacturing sector reaping the maximum benefit of this internet revolution.

Indias rich resource pool: A treasure trove for businesses

Indias vast resource pool presents strategic advantages to businesses. Its abundant natural resources, including minerals and a diverse agricultural landscape, offer opportunities to various industries. Coupled with a consumer base of over a billion people, the implications for businesses are immense. Digital transformation has further helped leverage these resources, with digital payments, e- commerce, and remote services becoming mainstream.

Indias infrastructure development, while a work in progress, has seen significant improvements in recent years, with massive investments in transportation networks, logistics, and connectivity. These developments not only facilitate smooth business operations but also enhance competitiveness by reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Indias G20 presidency: A showcase of diversity and global influence

India, the worlds largest democracy, seizes an exceptional opportunity through the G20 to showcase its progress across economics, science, technology, space exploration, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Hosting over 200 G20-related meetings across 56 vibrant locations, Indias Presidency is recognized worldwide as an unprecedented chance brimming with potential. Guided by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), India aspires to foster peace, inclusive development, and sustainability. Advocating for Global South empowerment, India aims to challenge discrimination, foster resource equity, and promote a democratic world order for improved living conditions.

With strong macroeconomic fundamentals, robust public finances, remarkable growth in markets and exports, and a determined commitment to climate leadership, India shines as a beacon of hope on the global stage. The nations commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment is commendable, and the continued efforts towards infrastructure and digital development promise an even brighter future. As India continues its journey of industrial competitiveness, foreign businesses stand to benefit greatly from exploring the opportunities this emerging global hub has to offer.

The author is chairman and managing director, Apollo International Limited and Apollo Supply Chain. 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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The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday, 27 July, has started online registration for the recruitment of 3,500 Agniveers. As per the notification, unmarried male and female Indian citizens with an upper age limit of 23 years can apply for Agniveer Airforce Recruitment 2023 on the official website  agnipathvayu.cdac.in.

Airforce Agniveer Recruitment 2023: Important dates

Air Force Agniveer registration 2023 : 27 July, 2023

Last date to submit application form : 17 August, 2023

Air Force Agniveer exam date 2023 : 13 October, 2023 onwards

Eligibility for Airforce Agniveer Recruitment 2023

Candidate must fulfill all the required eligibility parameters mentioned by the IAF in terms of shortlisting the candidates as Agniveers.

Airforce Agniveer recruitment 2023: Education qualification

Science Subjects: Candidates should have passed the Intermediate/10+2/equivalent examination with Mathematics, Physics and English from an Education Board listed as COBSE member with minimum 50 per cent marks in aggregate and 50 per cent marks in English, OR

Passed three years of Diploma Course in Engineering (Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Automobile/ Computer Science/ Instrumentation Technology/ Information Technology) from a government recognised Polytechnic institute with 50 per cent marks in aggregate and 50 per cent marks in English in diploma course (or in Intermediate/ Matriculation, if English is not a subject in Diploma Course). OR

Should have passed two years of Vocational Course with non-vocational subjects viz. Physics and Maths from State Education Boards/Councils which are listed in COBSE with 50 per cent marks in aggregate and 50 per cent marks in English in vocational courses (or in Intermediate/ Matriculation, if English is not a subject in Vocational Course).

Eligibility for non-Science subjects

Candidate should have passed Intermediate / 10+2 / Equivalent Examination in any subject approved by Central / State Education Boards listed as COBSE member with minimum 50 per cent marks in aggregate and 50 per cent marks in English. OR

Have qualified two years of vocational course from Education Boards listed as COBSE members with minimum 50 per cent marks in aggregate and 50 per cent marks in English in vocational course or in Intermediate/Matriculation if English is not a subject in Vocational Course.

Air Force Agniveer recruitment 2023: Age limit

 The candidates must have been born between 27 June, 2003 and 27 December, 2006 (both days inclusive) are eligible to apply

 In case, a candidate clears all the stages of the selection process, then the upper age limit as on the date of enrolment should be 23 years

Airforce Agniveer Recruitment 2023 selection process

Selection under Airforce Agniveer Recruitment 2023 will be done in five phases:

1- Written Exam

2- CASB (Central Airmen Selection Board) Test

3- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT)

4- Adaptability Test-I and Test-II

5- Medical Examination

Airforce Agniveer Recruitment 2023 registration fee

Candidates applying in Airforce Agniveer Recruitment 2023 drive will be required to pay a registration fee of Rs 250.

Indian Airforce Agniveer Salary

For the first year, the salary of Indian Air Force Agniveer would be Rs 30,000 per month. It will increase to Rs 33,000 per month in the second year, Rs 36,500 per month in the third year, and Rs 40,000 per month in the fourth year.

How to apply for Agniveer Airforce Recruitment 2023

Step 1: Go to the official website of the Air Force Agniveer  agnipathvayu.cdac.in

Step 2: On the homepage, click on Air Force Agniveer 2023 recruitment link

Step 3: Enter your personal details to log in

Step 4: The application form will open on your screen. Correctly fill in the required details in it

Step 5: Pay the required registration/application fee and upload all the required documents

Step 6: Download and take a print out of the submitted application form.
If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle return to royal life in UK, it is definitely not going to be an easy ride for them and can lead to a lot of humiliation. As for Harry, it is very evident that he doesnt have a very strong personality and needs a crutch to lean on all the time. He is more like a shuttlecock who can easily be swayed from one side to another. Unlike plotter Meghan, he is an emotional man who can get easily carried away. Harry should have thought about the consequences before nodding at whatever Meghan said and joining hands in prostituting their titles to make more money.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are prostituting their titles and the Royal family to make more money, said Talk TV contributor Esther Krakue after the release of Harrys controversial memoir Spare. Harry and Meghan left the royal family in 2020, moving to Canada before opting to begin their new life in Montecito, California. The couple have regularly found themselves in headlines, but have only returned to the UK a few times.

According to marca.com, a royal expert believes that things would be awkward should they ever decide to return as working members of the Firm. Richard Fitzwilliamstold GB News, This would be one of the most bizarre events in royal history if they did return after all the attacks. It would be a humiliation for Meghan and Harry. The idea that after everything that has happened that Meghan and Harry could just walk back in is beyond extraordinary.

Since leaving the royal family, the Sussexes have been part of a Netflix documentary, interviewed by Oprah, and Harrys released a tell-all memoir, Spare. As a result, it doesnt appear the pair would be welcomed with open arms should they ever return to the royal family.

Harrys former biographer, Angela Levin, says Prince William and Princess Kate have been advised to keep their eldest son, Prince George, away from Harry.

Brits will welcome Harry only if he can break up from Meghan

On the other hand, the British royal family is eager to embrace Harry if he splits with his wife Meghan. According to another report published in marca.com, Meghan Markles former friend, said that if were to split from his wife, he might be welcomed back with open arms by the Brits. Lizzie Cundy, who knew Meghan from 2013, shared her thoughts on the ongoing split rumors surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. While some reports have suggested trouble in their romance, a source close to the couple dismissed the speculations as entirely made up.

Lizzie believes that a possible separation could actually work out better for Harry, saying: I think it will be a lot better for Harry. If he does come back here he would be welcomed with open arms. Dont forget it was our most popular royal once upon a time and the people who would welcome him with open arms, I really think it will be the best thing for Harry. Of course, its going to be very sad and its sad for the children. But its time for Harry to come home.

According to reports, even if Harrys proposal were to be entertained, it seems Meghan Markleis not eager to return to her former life in London. According to Bower, the former actress, who is now settled in California, is not close to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. London was just a stepping stone for her. I would imagine the last thing shed want to do is return to England to live in a small, poky flat in Kensington Palace, Bower commented.

Meghan Markle are reportedly considering the possibility of relocating to a new residence in Los Angeles. Rumours suggest they are exploring the idea of purchasing a property in the picturesque region of Malibu, which would bring them closer to the heart of Los Angeles. Currently residing in their 11.4-million (120 crore) mansion in Montecito, it can take them up to three hours to travel to central Los Angeles.

Its reported the Sussexes could be making a move to the coast just outside central Los Angeles, home to some of the biggest names in Hollywood, according to The Express UK.

They are in the early stages of buying a mansion in the area, considered one of the most sought-after regions in the US. And its less than an hour away from central Los Angeles and Beverly Hills  which, as a source told the outlet, is one of its biggest selling points. According to reports published in the The Express UK, 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, the source added.

Harry extended an olive branch to Prince William & Kate Middleton

Harry too is trying hard to mend relation with Prince William and Kate Middleton. But according to the recent reports, Meghan Markle was horrified with Prince Harry for reaching out to Prince William and Kate Middleton. The report also claims that the Duke of Sussex have even discussed possible return to the U.K.

Royal author Tom Bower told GB News that the Duchess of Sussex will be completely against their familys move to the U.K. According to royal author Meghan Markle is not on speaking terms with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Bower said, I dont think he can come back. Hes caused so much damage to the family and the concern now is that if he does return, he could well damage it even further. I think Meghan wouldve been horrified by Harrys suggestion. Shes not close to William and KateI would imagine the last thing shed want to do is return to England to live in a small, poky flat in Kensington Palace.
Is Indias forest cover under threat? Thats what experts are asking after the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill-2023. Amid the din of introducing a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led government, the lower house of Parliament briefly discussed the bill and then passed it amid sloganeering and waving of placards in the well of the House.

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, The primary objective of this Bill is to increase the forest area of the country to meet our goals of conservation of forests, conservation of biodiversity and the challenges posed by climate change That is why we have decided to drop the English word forest and replaced it with van sanrakshan aur samvardhan, which is closer to the vocabulary of our people.

For the unaware, the Bill is now being called Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, which translates to Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Act.

However, there are many environment experts who fear that greenlighting this legislation will threaten the forest cover of the country. Lets take a closer look at what the Bill entails and why has it sparked widespread concern?

What does the law say?

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill-2023 is meant to amend the parent legislation, known as the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. A key factor of this law was that state governments were prohibited from diverting any forest land for non-forest purposes, except with the nod of the Centre. Additionally, anyone who sought to oppose the states order on this could file an appeal before the National Green Tribunal.

Also read: Forest, tree cover in India up by 2,261 sq km in two years: Key takeaways from the forest report

However, under the new law certain kinds of infrastructure and development projects will be exempted from getting forest clearance. As per the new law, these include, strategic linear projects of national importance and concerning national security situated within 100 km of international borders.

The Bill states that the following categories of forest land will no longer enjoy legal protection:

 Land, up to 0.10 hectares, alongside a rail track or a public road.

 Land within 100 kilometres of the International Border, Line of Control or Line of Actual Control. Such land must be proposed to be used for the construction of strategic linear project of national importance and concerning national security.

 Up to 10 hectares of land that is proposed to be used for setting up security-related infrastructure.

 Up to five hectares of land in an area affected by left-wing extremism. This land needs to be earmarked to set up a defence-related project, a camp for paramilitary forces or a public utility project, as may be specified by the Centre.

The legislation clearly states that these types of land can be exempt on the condition that trees are planted elsewhere to make up for the felling of the trees in these areas.

Whats the problem though?

Environmentalists and tribals are wary of this legislation though. They claim that the Bill would open up forest land for commercial exploitation. Forest officials have said that they are worried about the exemption of the 100 km of forest in border areas for strategic purposes. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests BK Singh in a report by The Scroll said that this would encompass the entire North East region of India and the majority of the Himalayan region, both of which are ecologically sensitive and home to several wildlife species.

Experts also opine that the Bill takes away the supremacy of the Village Committee. For instance, in the past, for any linear project like roads or drainage, permission was required to be taken from the Village Committee. However, now, according to the experts, the Government can start doing non-forest activity on a forest land without taking permission from the Village Committee. They can give contract to any private company and can settle them on that land.

Some argue that the amendment has also redefined forests, which contradicts the orders of the Supreme Court in TN Godavarman Thirumulkpad versus Union Of India case of 12 December 1996.

They also contend that the governments plan of planting trees elsewhere as compensation is also not practical. Satyajit Sarna, a lawyer, wrote in The Quint, Only in an absurdist comedy could planting trees in Haryana compensate for the feeling of primeval old-growth rainforest on the Nicobar Islands. But to the bean counters, any tree is a tree, and its existence anywhere is sufficient to balance the books. As a consequence, tree cover in India is depicted to have risen while dense forests have receded.

Environmentalists add that forests are much more than just a tract of green cover. They state that natural forests perform a range of services that are necessary to the survival and well-being of million of species that they support. Furthermore, they play an important role in the livelihood and subsistence of crores of people.

Earlier in July, more than 100 former civil servants had written to Parliament, expressing their concern with the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The group has said they are worried both by the contents of the Bill and the process being followed in passing it.

They also alluded to the ineffectiveness of compensatory afforestation in their letter. They wrote: Such an expectation is unrealistic given the fact that large tracts of existing natural forests will be diverted for non-forest use. There are ample studies which suggest that natural forests are forty times more efficient as carbon sinks than newly planted forests. Moreover, the results of compensatory afforestation, as of today, have not been rosy. Between 2008 and 2019, an area equal to only 72 per cent of the diverted forest area was brought under compensatory afforestation; moreover, 24 per cent of this was on existing, but degraded, forest land.

My reply to the discussion on The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023. https://t.co/cmKC9egEEy  Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) July 26, 2023

What the government says?

Despite the stiff opposition, the government stands firmly with the proposed law, saying it is the need of the hour.

The Centre states that such a Bill will enable it to fast-track strategic and security related projects of national importance so as to ensure development of vital security infrastructures, especially along the international border areas such as Line of Actual Control, Line of Control and Left-Wing Extremism affected areas.

With inputs from agencies
To non-moguls, Elon Musks (perhaps temporary) rebrand of Twitter to X may seem high risk, amateurish, or even capricious. But it is likely doing exactly what he intended: generating enormous global interest, pushing Twitter closer to his other X brands (SpaceX, Tesla Model X, xAI), and clearing the way for a profitable merging of technologies.

What happened to the blue bird?

Last weekend, Musk began the (reversible) changes by renaming the Twitter platform X on its website and replacing the iconic blue bird logo with a crowdsourced interim white X on a black background.

Later, Musk posted an image of the character projected on the firms San Francisco headquarters and tweeted (or is that Xd?) that x.com now redirects to twitter.com.

The X bears a strong resemblance to the Unicode character mathematical double-struck capital X, derived from the way bold characters are usually written on blackboards in maths lectures. The logo is still undergoing iterations, with a short-lived thickening of the lines going live on 26 July, before Musk announced he didnt like it and would revert.

Linda Yaccarino, Twitters CEO and potential scapegoat if the rebrand goes wrong, also confirmed the launch on Sunday, tweeting, X is here! Lets do this.

Read more: Elon Musks hardcore management style: a case study in what not to do

Has a radical rebrand ever succeeded?

In 2021, Facebook rebranded its holding company to Meta. But it kept Facebook, gave us the metaverse, and didnt deprive the world of a cute feathery icon and concept of tweeting.

Branding experts around the globe have been quick to condemn the Twitter shakeup as too sudden and destructive of brand capital.

Thats perhaps because even slight name changes are known to be risky.

Kentucky Fried Chicken officially rebranded to KFC. Pepsi was once Pepsi-Cola. These successful adjustments took time and careful management.

Dramatic renaming of a household name has basically never worked. And theres no doubt a black X replacing Twitter is dramatic. It smashes the metaphor of birds updating one another in an idyllic blue-sky ecosystem. Sentimental fans holding out for a return to the good old days have now got the memo: Twitter isnt for you.

EPA/John G. Mabanglo/AAP

But perhaps thats the point. To me, X  a symbol that can be a cattle marker or an illiterate signature  seems like a probe to perturb and test the market.

Musk isnt renaming fast food or soft drinks. Twitter is in the hyper-dynamic business of information. Musk is agile and well-armed.

So maybe new branding rules are being forged.

Musks progressive alienation of Twitters traditional users could be an attempt to refresh the platforms demographic  to draw in those true to his other brands, while shaking off unprofitable sceptics. This would certainly fit with the push X gives towards Musks other X brands.

Most commentators have latched onto the idea the change is sudden, irreversible, and complete in one day. But Musks past business endeavours suggest he is a strategist. The change will take time to play out and can likely be revised, reversed and adjusted as feedback is generated.

Read more: What will Elon Musks ownership of Twitter mean for free speech on the platform?

Doesnt someone else own the X trademark?

Trademarking of X is probably not pivotal to the Twitter rebrand. But achieving limited ownership of the letter is not as preposterous as it sounds.

Trademarks are granted or refused based on their ability to identify the source of the associated goods or services. This means X can function as a trademark if it clearly identifies Twitter in the minds of the public (provided another Twitter-like service doesnt currently hold the trademark). Famous brands have advantages: Musk has already garnered enough media attention to ensure X is now a globally recognised term for his company.

Is X a generic term and thus not trademarkable?

My own research argues trademarks used by tech firms involved in consumer search and decision making (like Twitter) are inherently generic. But under the 77-year-old Lanham Act that still governs trademarks in the United States, X would have to be a common generic name for all services like Twitter to be refused. It isnt. Its mostly just a generic term for the 24th letter of the alphabet.

Speculation about the legality of X as a trademark is one thing. My time writing about trademarks, has taught me the reality in courts and tribunals is another. Both Microsoft and Meta (and many others) have laid claims to X in the past for various goods and services.

Lawsuits over X may be filed, but final determinations could be years in the courts. And if things go badly, Musk has just shown his willingness to pivot.

Read more: The digital town square? What does it mean when billionaires own the online spaces where we gather?

What is Musk trying to achieve?

Tech commentators are intrigued by the idea the X rebrand is part of Musks plan to create a WeChat-style everything app that would converge messaging, search, online shopping and mobile payment. Twitter CEO, Yaccarino, has said as much.

I find that analysis too simplistic, especially given the ongoing focus on antitrust. Musk is arguably in a position to survey (and reshape) the landscape of not just town square discourse but space travel, artificial intelligence (AI), transportation and even politics. He operates on a scale incompatible with endgames. I sense the X rebrand is more about a direction of travel. Or even a sacrifice for a greater goal.

The X rebrand could relate to AI (Musk had a role in a data drought this year by restricting Twitter data access). Or it could be testing the waters for a different pivot later in the year. Or it could be an attempt to distract from some other move.

Theres no way to know.

Even the phrase time will tell is no help. How can we know if an unknown plan succeeds or not? Does Musk care if Twitter disappears? Does he care if he is worth two hundred billion or three hundred billion?

Welcome to the inscrutable world of X.
The Central government is expected to soon table a Bill to replace its ordinance on the control of services in Delhi during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. On Tuesday (25 July), the Union Cabinet reportedly green-lit the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has been opposing the service ordinance that gives the final say to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena over the transfers, posting as well as disciplinary proceedings and prosecution sanctions against bureaucrats in the National Capital.

The Bill will easily sail through Lok Sabha, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government enjoys an overwhelming majority. Its the Rajya Sabha that may pose a challenge.

With the Bill set to be tabled in Parliament, can the NDA government pass the Rajya Sabha hurdle? What will happen if the legislation is enforced? Lets take a closer look.

Who is against the Bill?

AAP has the support of the newly-formed INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) coalition of anti-BJP parties. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party decided to join the alliance only after it was assured of the Congress support against the proposed legislation.

The Congress, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), all part of the INDIA bloc, have issued whips to their MPs asking them to be present in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday and Friday and vote against the Bill, reported The Hindu.

According to news agency ANI, JD(U) issued a three-line whip to its party MP and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh on Thursday (27 July) to vote against the Bill.

K Chandrashekhar Raos Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), not a part of the INDIA coalition, has also issued a whip to its members to vote against the Delhi services Bill in the Upper House.

All Members of Parliament of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (Rajya Sabha) are requested to vote against the bill to replace the ordinance on Delhi services, any time that it is brought before the House. All the Members of Parliament of BRS (Rajya Sabha) shall be present in the House on 26, 27 & 28th July 2023 and remain in the House till the voting on the bill is over, Hindustan Times (HT) reported citing the whip.

The Rajya Sabha presently has 237 members which sets the majority mark at 119.

With the support of seven BRS MPs in Rajya Sabha, the Opposition grouping of INDIA can muster 108 votes against the Bill, as per HT.

ALSO READ: Why is AAP at loggerheads with Centre over services ordinance in Delhi?

Where does the NDA stand?

It seems NDA is all set to get the Bill on the control of services in Delhi passed in Parliament.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddys YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has decided to put its weight behind Narendra Modi-led NDA on the Bill.

We will vote in favour of the government on both issues, YSRCP leader V Vijaysai Reddy told NDTV.

Explaining the partys reasoning behind the move, Reddy, as per HT, said, We would have backed them (AAP) if Delhi was a full-fledged state. In this case, it is not a full state and there are many areas which lie with the government.

The YSRCP, which has nine members in the Upper House and 22 in Lok Sabha, has often sided with the government on crucial bills even though it is not a part of the NDA.

The BJP and its allies, including All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have 101 members in the Rajya Sabha, out of which 92 MPs are from the saffron party.

With support from Independents and other non-aligned parties, the NDA could get 123 votes in favour of the Bill, as per HT. Thus, the NDA looks poised to get the Delhi services Bill cleared in Rajya Sabha.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaiks Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a non-aligned party with nine MPs in the Upper House, has not made its stance clear but is likely to support the Central government. We are yet to take a decision on the issue, a BJD spokesperson told HT.

How will the Bill affect power dynamics in Delhi?

In May, the Central government brought an ordinance nullifying the Supreme Court order which granted the power to the elected Delhi government to administer civil services, excluding police, public order and land, in the National Capital.

The Delhi government had called the Centres ordinance unconstitutional and a case of contempt of court.

As per Indian Express, the ordinance led to the establishment of the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) to decide the transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters regarding Group-A officers from the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) cadre.

The NCCSA has the Delhi chief minister as chairperson, and Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary as the other members. However, in case of a dispute, the services ordinance empowers the LG  an arm of the Centre  to take a final call on decisions made by the Authority.

If the services Bill gets passed in Parliament, it will put the LG back in the drivers seat over control of services in Delhi. This was previously done by the BJP-led Central government through a Union home ministry notification in 2015, leading to discord between the Centre and the Kejriwal government in Delhi.

With inputs from agencies
Extreme weather is becoming more and more frequent. It is not only raising temperatures but also making flying difficult.

In some parts of the United States and around the world, airlines are being forced to alter operations in the hardest-hit cities due to extreme temperatures.

This includes cutting fuel loads, letting go of passengers or luggage, or even waiting for daytime temperatures to drop in the evenings to help aircraft fly.

But how extreme heat is actually forcing airlines to reduce fuels, and even limit passengers? Lets take a closer look.

The reason

Engine performance and the amount of lift that an airplanes wings can produce are both negatively impacted by high temperatures.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in order for planes to take off during intense heat, their load must be reduced. This is because as it becomes hotter, air expands more, becoming less dense, making makes taking off more challenging. This impacts both smaller as well as larger passenger aircrafts.

Airlines announce weight restriction days when its really hot, according to USA Today. Therefore, fewer passengers, less luggage, or even less fuel must be carried on board. According to The Arizona Republic, a member of the USA Today Network, the most crucial aspect affecting an airplanes performance in extremely hot weather is its weight upon takeoff.

When at the gate, airplanes are connected to external cooling equipment, but intense heat might make them ineffective. When a plane stands idle on a tarmac, the mechanism that typically cools and circulates the air pushed into the engines as it leaves the gate is not ideal, explained Texas-based channel Khou.

When exposed to extreme heat exceeding its maximum operating temperature, passengers aboard the airplane could be at risk, as per Monroe Aerospace.

According to the FAA, the airline and the flight crew ultimately decide whether it is safe to fly based on the maximum temperatures and weather. The government organisation does not halt planes.

Also read: The Deadly Summer of 2023: Why long heatwaves are here to stay

US airlines affected

Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that numerous Delta passengers disembarked voluntarily from a trip from Las Vegas to Atlanta after delays due to aircraft weight concerns in the heat.

Delta said in a statement, Additional protocols have been put in place to address the operational impacts extreme heat has on aircraft, including loading less fuel to account for weight and balance and schedule refuelling along the route when needed.

On 17 July, some passengers on a Delta flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta who had no air conditioning for four hours on the tarmac suffered from heat exhaustion. The incident was described as shocking by Pete Buttigieg, the US secretary of transportation.

In response to the problem, American Airlines has also stated that it is taking extra precautions to ensure that the jet bridges connected to the aircraft are cooled and that auxiliary power units (the smaller engines that provide power when larger engines are shut down) are receiving early maintenance.

Though weve had a very small number of diversions and delays related to high temperatures, the plan we have in place has allowed us to avoid significant impact, an American Airlines spokesperson told Bloomberg.

Also read: Record heatwaves sweep the world, from US to Europe and Asia

Airlines workers in extremely hot weather

Some employees of airlines, such as ground staff and baggage handlers, work outside. In really hot weather, that may be risky.

According to Delta, American, and United Airlines Holdings Inc., those working outside, such as baggage handlers and those on airport ramps, are given more frequent breaks, more water, access to shaded places with air conditioning, and cooling towels.

In a New York Times article, a Phoenix airport employees experience was mentioned on how working in high heat affects workers. Prospect Airport Services not allowing employees to bring water with them had attracted massive criticism on social media.

Responding to the concerns, Sky Harbor tweeted, We work closely with our airport vendors and stakeholders to ensure their employees have access to water and receive proper information about staying hydrated.

We work closely with our airport vendors and stakeholders to ensure their employees have access to water and receive proper information about staying hydrated. Please share the NYT article with us at skyharbor@phoenix.gov so we can follow up. Thank you!  Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (@PHXSkyHarbor) July 20, 2023

A Southwest Airlines representative told The Republic, the companys staff are trained and experienced in operating during heat conditions, adding that they keep everyone safe by routinely hydrating, donning protective gear, and watching out for one another.

Also read: Heat is On: How 3 July becomes the worlds hottest day and the worst is yet to come

Heat dome over the US

Temperatures in Las Vegas reached 116 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius) on 16 July, while in Phoenix reached 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48.33 degrees Celsius) due to a heat dome across the US south-west.

Because safety calculations were not calibrated for 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.88 degrees Celsius) temperatures, Phoenixs extreme temperatures in 2017 also necessitated the cancellation of 60 flights, mostly by smaller regional jets and older aircraft, over the course of three days.

Flights have to wait until the sun goes down, the temperature drops, and they can take off, industry analyst Robert Mann told The Guardian last year, adding, As temperatures increase, there are going to be more occasions, at more places, where certain flights are going to have to take payload limitations or stop en route because they had to short-load the fuel.

For decades, scientists have warned that a warming planet will result in more intense storms, more heat waves, and other disruptions. Scientific American quoted Rob Britton, a former executive at American Airlines who now teaches at Georgetown University, as saying that airlines have a history of being adept at long-term change planning, but any adaptation approach will incur costs.

According to a 2020 report from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations organisation, climate change poses a variety of challenges to aviation and will have an impact on the entire system. Airports along the coast will be in danger from rising seas, and stronger storms will cause schedule disruptions and infrastructure damage.

The paper warned, If one airport is directly impacted by climate change, other parts of the network may be affected indirectly, which can cause ripple effects across multiple business and economic sectors.

Scientific American also cited a 2017 paper by academics at Columbia University and other institutions as suggesting that increasingly frequent heat waves would force certain airlines to reduce the number of passengers they carry because it is more difficult for aircraft to take off in hotter, thinner air. In some locations, during the hottest weather, aircraft will need to cut their weight by 10 per cent to 30 per cent.

With inputs from agencies
As Sahel countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso fall to military junta rule in recent years, Nigers Mohamed Bazoum stood as one of the regions few remaining pro-Western, democratically elected leaders. He came to power in 2021  the countrys first president to do so in a peaceful transition  and later called that a reflection of the maturity of the people and the wisdom of the leaders.

However, on Thursday, he appeared to have fallen to a coup himself, as soldiers from the Presidential Guard claimed to have overthrown his government. The rebels have held President Mohamed Bazoum in his residence since Wednesday, while other bodies of the Army have refused to join the uprising.

According to the Presidency of Nigers Twitter account, The Army and the National Guard are prepared to attack the elements of the Presidential Guard involved in this action if they do not return to reason.

It was unclear where the president was at the time of the announcement of the coup or if he had resigned.

A report from Indian Express stated that hundreds of people reportedly took to the streets of the capital, Niamey, chanting No coup detat in support of the president before the announcement. One of the protesters attempted to reach the presidential palace but was dispersed with warning shots by the rebels, as per El Pais, a Spanish daily newspaper.

Some sources close to the government told El Pais that they suspect the man behind the mutiny is General Omar Tchiani, head of the Presidential Guard, who feared being dismissed in the coming days.

Mohamed Bazoum never far from coup threat

Born in 1960 in the southeastern region of Diffa, a member of Nigers Arab minority, Bazoum studied in the southern cities of Goure and Zinder before leaving to study philosophy in Senegal.

He taught there for six years in provincial high schools, honing his oratorical skills.

On his return home, he got involved in union activities and was  along with fellow future president Mahamadou Issoufou  a founding member of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS).

During Issoufous decade as president from 2011, Bazoum was his right-hand man and served in different ministries.

Well-connected at home and abroad, he left office in mid-2020 to devote himself to the presidential election, which he eventually won with more than 55 per cent of votes cast.

Entering office, he said he intended to ensure continuity with Issoufous administration.

His name is not mentioned in the main corruption scandals that have often tarnished the regime, said Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, researcher at the International Crisis Group. He is recognised for a certain rigour in the management of public affairs.

In its fight against the jihadist attacks that afflict the west and east of the country, Niger has benefited from the support of several Western countries including the United States and former colonial power France, which have military bases there.

A few months after the withdrawal of French troops from Burkina Faso, 1,500 French soldiers are still in Niger.

As the security crisis endures, coup threats have never been far away.

Just days before he was sworn in, the government announced the arrest of several people after an alleged putsch attempt.

Among those held were the suspected ringleader, air force captain Sani Gourouza, and former interior minister Ousmane Cisse.

Five people, including Gourouza, were sentenced to 20 years in prison in February, while Cisse was acquitted.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March while the president was in Turkey, according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.

Deeply concerning

The attempt to oust President Bazoum sparked concern both locally and internationally.

The chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned in the most vigorous manner this attempt to seize power by force and urged the coup plotters to release Mohamed Bazoum immediately and unconditionally.

The president of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), the Nigerian Bola Tinubu, said: We will not accept any action that disturbs the proper functioning of the legitimate authority in Niger or anywhere in West Africa.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attempted coup in Niger with the utmost firmness and called for the maintenance of constitutional order in the African country.

For his part, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan issued a statement stating that the United States is deeply concerned by the latest developments and condemns any attempt to subvert the democratic government of Niger.

In particular, we demand that elements of the Presidential Guard release President Bazoum and prevent violence, said adviser to US President Joe Biden, reports El Pais.

Insurgency in Sahel

Mohamed Bazoum has been a crucial ally for Western powers in combating the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region. The country has played a pivotal role in regional security efforts. Nigers counterinsurgency measures have included military action as well as community participation, sparing the country from the worst consequences. However, the region remains unstable, with two coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso, and one in Guinea since 2020.

While military efforts and civilian participation have had some success in combating the insurgency, the regions overall security picture remains difficult.

The state in West Africa faces severe poverty, and its human development index ranks among the lowest globally. With a growing population, Niger has to deal with the severe circumstances of the parched Sahel and the consequences of a high birthrate. A successful coup in such a time might have far-reaching consequences, opening up opportunities for other parties to exert influence.

With inputs from AFP
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has lashed out at his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga for attending a solidarity rally for the Kuki-Zo tribal people of the violence-hit state. Singh has asked the Mizoram chief minister not to interfere in the internal matters of another state.

Manipur has been on the boil since 3 May, when ethnic clashes broke out between the majority Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zo community. The effect of the violence has also been seen in neighbouring Mizoram, with the state, as per NDTV, sheltering 13,000 internally displaced Kuki-Zo tribe people who had to flee Manipur.

Lets take a closer look at why the Manipur chief minister has hit out at his Mizoram counterpart.

Solidarity rally in Mizoram

On Tuesday (25 July), thousands of people hit the streets in Mizoram to express solidarity with the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur.

As per India Today NE, the rallies were organised across the state by the NGO Co-ordination Committee (NGOCC), a group of five major civil society organisations including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP).

Mizorams Mizos and Kukis in Manipur share a deep ethnic bond. The Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes come under the larger Zo ethnic umbrella.

In the capital of Aizawl, the Solidarity March saw the presence of Chief Minister Zoramthanga, his deputy Tawnluia, state ministers, and several lawmakers cutting across party lines.

According to The Hindu, the demonstrators condemned the Central and Manipur governments over brutal attacks on the tribal people and sexual assaults on Kuki-Zo women.

In a statement, NGOCC, as per The Hindu, said: So far, 359 churches and quarters have been destroyed, 197 villages burnt, 7,247 homes damaged by fire and 41,425 people have been forced to leave Manipur. Many students studying in Manipur cannot continue their studies due to this ethnic conflict. This may have far-reaching effects on the lives of the students and even the country as a whole.

NGOCC hairman R Lalngheta called on the Narendra Modi-led Central government to take immediate steps to address the sufferings of the Zo people in Manipur, reported India Today NE.

The offices of Zoramthangas ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Zoram Peoples Movement were closed in support of the rallies, as per PTI.

MNF is a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. The party is also a member of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in the region.

ALSO READ: Gang-raped, assaulted, killed: How women have become easy targets in Manipur

Manipur CM reacts

Manipurs Biren Singh, who belongs to the dominant Meitei community, said at an event to mark the Kargil Vijay Diwas on Wednesday, I ask the Mizoram chief minister not to interfere in the internal matter of another state, reported NDTV.

As per Scroll.in, the Manipur chief minister also claimed that abusive slogans were shouted against him at the solidarity rally in Aizawl.

Speaking to News18, Singh said he has conveyed his disappointment over Zoramthangas presence at the rally to a Mizoram minister.

It is very unfortunate. The rally organised by the people is democracy. But the involvement of the CM in that particular rally, thats unfortunate. I respect him (Zoramthanga) as a senior, but he has gone beyond ethics. A chief minister should not interfere in other states affairs. That goes for me too. I cannot interfere in or comment on something happening in Assam or Mizoram without the chief ministers consent. That is the protocol, the Manipur BJP leader told News18.

He also claimed that Manipur is moving towards peace, with normalcy returning to the majority of the areas.

Singh has been under fire since the 4 May video of two Kuki tribal women being stripped and paraded in Manipur went viral last week. The Opposition has demanded his removal, accusing him of adopting a lax attitude in taking action against sex crimes and failing to curb the violence in the state.

In an opinion piece in India Today NE, Manipur BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip alleged that chief minister Singh is known to be hand in glove with radical groups like Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol, who, he said, were the main executors of the ethnic cleansing of Kuki Zo community.

Singh, who has refused to step down despite pressure, said on Wednesday the fight in Manipur was between the government and those who want to disturb peaceful co-existence in the state.

Tension began when the state government started to act against drug cartels The Manipur government is not against the Kuki community who are living in the state, PTI quoted him as saying.

Earlier, BJP leaders admitted to Hindustan Times (HT) that Singh was seen as a leader of only the Meitei people and had lost the trust of the Kukis.

Manipur govt, Centre should do more

Zoramthanga told The Quint recently that the Manipur government and the Centre should do more for the violence-hit state, adding that he believed they tried their best but trying their best is not good enough.

They should do more because there is a lot of suffering, a lot of deaths, and a lot of shameful things that have happened (in Manipur). And in order to solve the issue, both the Manipur government and the Central government should do more, the Mizoram chief minister told the digital news outlet.

When asked if his Manipur counterpart should step down, Zoramthanga told The Quint, It is up to Biren Singh to resign or not He should consult with the BJP leaders in Delhi. Looking at what is happening, they will know best what to do.

On whether Presidents Rule should be imposed in Manipur, he said the decision should be taken by Singhs government and the Centre as they know better what will be the best.

Earlier in July, referring to Kuki-Zomis as my Manipuri Zo ethnic brethren, the Mizoram chief minister had called for immediate restoration of peace and normalcy.

With inputs from agencies
The monsoon has shifted its focus on the countrys financial capital, Mumbai. Mumbai is inundated with rain. Suburban areas such as Andheri subway and the area close to it are water-logged following heavy rains. Ambulances are reported to be stuck at Bandra near Lilavati Hospital. Heavy water-logging has also been recorded at the BKC flyover on the Western Express Highway (northbound).

Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Wednesday. And Mumbaikars see no relief from the rain in the coming days. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai has had its wettest July ever on Wednesday, with the month so far receiving a record 1,557.8 mm rainfall.

The previous wettest July on record was in 2020 when 1,502 mm rainfall was logged by the IMDs Santacruz observatory (representative of Mumbais suburbs).

From 1 July to 26 July, 2023 morning 0830 hours (8.30 am), Santacruz (observatory) had recorded 1,433 mm. So today, this record for wettest July has been broken at 2030 (8.30 pm) on 26 July, 2023, with the Santacruz observatory recording a total of 1557.8 mm so far, the IMD said.

Incessant heavy rains in Mumbai prompted the weather office to upgrade the orange alert to red with effect from Wednesday night till Thursday afternoon.

The red alert, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, is valid from 8 pm on Wednesday till 27 July afternoon and covers Mumbai city and suburban areas.

Schools closed; traffic halted

Due to heavy rains, the University of Mumbai has cancelled all exams scheduled for Thursday across the city.

On Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also declared a holiday for all government and private educational institutions on Thursday in view of the warning of heavy rainfall.

considering the safety of the students, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal has declared a holiday for all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools and colleges of Mumbai Metropolis on Thursday 27 July 2023, the BMC said on Wednesday.

Heavy rain also interrupted railway services in Mumbai and surrounding areas last week. Waterlogging at the Kurla station of the Harbour Line Down from Wadala to the Mankhurd segment, suburban traffic was temporarily halted as a safety preventive measure.

Due to the states constant rainfall, Maharashtra has seen flood-like conditions in numerous areas. The high tide has issued warnings to villages near coastal areas, according to the official.

Rains bring devastation

The extent of recent rainfall has also caused devastation in several regions of the city. Earlier this week, Ram Baugh cooperative housing society in Andheri east reported a landslide after soil and stones from the hilly area located behind the building fell on the seven-storey tall structure, reports weather.com.

Furthermore, the gallery of a lab at Peoples Welfare English High School in Mumbais Meghwadi neighbourhood collapsed. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident.

Late on Monday night, a road caved in near a storm water drain late at Goregaon East in Mumbai, impacting traffic movement along Infinity Road. According to a report in TOI, a tempo that was parked on Goregaon Infinity road where the incident took place was affected and the crane was to be called to lift the vehicle.

Rise in monsoon diseases

Amid the heavy rains, outpatients at Mumbai hospitals have increased, and the BMCs public health department has issued a warning about the rise in monsoon diseases. This month has seen an increase in cases of malaria, dengue fever, gastroenteritis, and leptospirosis throughout the city.

According to weather.com, nearly 1,000 confirmed cases of gastroenteritis have been registered in the first two weeks of July, while the actual number could be significantly higher. During the same time period, over 350 cases of malaria and 104 cases of leptospirosis were reported. Chikungunya and H1N1 illnesses have also been reported in large numbers.

Heavy to very heavy rains are forecast in the Maharashtra capital. The districts of Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Kolhapur, and Satara are predicted to get significant rainfall in the next days; orange advisories were issued in these areas between Tuesday and Friday.

With input from agencies
Varun Dhawan and Jahnvi Kapoors new release is creating bawaal in all the wrong ways. The Nitesh Tiwari movie, titled Bawaal, streaming on OTT platform Amazon Prime has earned the ire of a Jewish human rights organisation. The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) has written a letter to the OTT platform, asking them to drop the film, which according to them, trivialises the suffering and systematic murder of millions of victims of the Nazi Holocaust.

Heres a better understanding of why the Jewish organisation is upset with the movie, calling it a banal trivialisation of the suffering and systematic murder of millions of victims of the Nazi Holocaust.

Why the outrage over Bawaal?

For those who havent watched the movie yet, Bawaal revolves around the life of Ajay Dixit, a small-town high school history teacher (Varun Dhawan), and his wife Nisha, played by Janhvi. As part of the movie, they decide to go on a Second World War trail across Europe by visiting Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Now, herein lies the problem. In one scene, they are shown visiting the concentration camps in Auschwitz, re-imagining themselves as the prisoners in a dream sequence. The scene shows Varun and Jahnvi as both wearing striped pajamas and awaiting their death at a gas camp. The act is trying to draw an analogy between their personal difficulties and the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.

In another scene, Jahnvi playing Nisha says, Were all a little like Hitler, arent we? In another scene, the character also says, Every relationship goes through Auschwitz while referring to the struggles of all relationships.

These portrayals have offended the sentiments of many, including Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the SWC associate dean and director of Global Social Action. He told The Jerusalem Post, By having the protagonist in this movie declare that every relationship goes through their Auschwitz, Nitesh Tiwari trivialises and demeans the memory of six million murdered Jews and millions of others who suffered at the hands of Hitlers genocidal regime.

He also added, Auschwitz is not a metaphor. It is the quintessential example of Mans capacity for Evil.

He has also written to the OTT platform streaming the movie, asking for it to be taken down. If the filmmakers goal was to gain PR for their movie by reportedly filming a fantasy sequence at the Nazi death camp, he has succeeded. Amazon Prime should stop monetising Bawaal by immediately removing this banal trivialisation of the suffering and systematic murder of millions of victims of the Nazi Holocaust.

But what is this Simon Wiesenthal Center? As per its own website, it is a global Jewish human rights organisation that confronts anti-Semitism, hate, stands with Israel, defends the safety of Jews worldwide, and teaches the lessons of the Holocaust for future generations. It was established in 1977 by Rabbi Marvin Hier and was named after famous Nazi hunter, Simon Wiesenthal.

Incidentally, its not just the SWC that has taken umbrage to the dialogue. Several netizens have called out the maker and the actors of the movie for being insensitive. As one wrote on newly-rebranded X, An Auschwitz survivors story about his separation from his wife at the concentration camp makes Varun Dhawan realise what separation from your partner actually means. Bawaal is tone-deaf on so many levels (sic).

How have the maker and actors reacted?

Nitesh Tiwari, the director of the movie, has defended his work and said in an interview to Pinkvilla that he was disappointed with the way some people had interpreted the Auschwitz sequences in the film. I am a bit disappointed with the way some people have comprehended it. That was never the intention. It would never be my intention to be insensitive in any which way, he is quoted as saying.

Jahnvi, too, defended the film, telling Pinkvilla that when she spoke about it to an Ivy League university professor, whose ancestors didnt survive the Holocaust, he wasnt offended, but was moved by it. He understood everything that we set out to do with the film, and never once in the conversation did he ever allude to being offended by anything.

Varun Dhawan also said in an interview, Some people got triggered or sensitive about this. But I dont understand where does that sensitivity or trigger go when they watch, suppose an English film, Im saying for example. Theyre allowed to do everything there, theyre allowed to take leaps and theyre allowed to show things in a certain way, but youll find that correct. I know people have got very triggered after watching a small scene in a brilliant film, recently released. Its a scene thats important to our culture and our country. But thats okay for you. You dont feel they should be more sensitive to you? So where does your criticism go then?

What is the terrible history of Auschwitz?

Auschwitz-Birkenau, a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland, became the centre of the Nazi Holocaust.

While precise numbers are still debated, some believe that at least 960,000 Jews died at this camp. Other victims included approximately 74,000 Poles, 21,000 Roma, 15,000 Soviet prisoners of war and at least 10,000 from other nationalities. More people died at Auschwitz than at any other Nazi concentration camp and probably than at any death camp in history.

The camp was initially built because local prisons could not cope with the sheer number of Poles arrested. It was later expanded to include death chambers as crematoriums as Jews from all over Europe were sent to be murdered.

Many horrors unfolded at Auschwitz of which death was only one of them. Disturbing medical experiments, including castration, sterilisation, were carried out in the camp. Moreover, the infamous Angel of Death, SS captain Dr Josef Mengele, was one of the physicians practising here. His particular interest was experimenting on twins.

Horrific experiments were also performed on women at Auschwitz, particularly focusing on sterilisation. Reports state that Professor Dr Carl Clauberg, a German gynaecologist, developed a method of non-surgical mass sterilisation at the camp that consisted of introducing into the female reproductive organs a specially prepared chemical irritant that produced severe inflammation. In weeks, the fallopian tubes were blocked.

Years after the camp was liberated, the survivors have recalled the horrors they witnessed there. Leon Schwarzbaum, an Auschwitz survivor from Berlin, told the Associated Press in 2016, We saw the fire from the chimneys. So much fire came out of the chimneys, no smoke, just fire. And that was burning people.

Another survivor of the camp Henri Kichka described it to the BBC as a crack in the surface of the Earth through which hell could be seen. And a crack in the surface of our common humanity through which could be seen our capacity for enduring suffering  and inflicting it. And in 2020 when he was asked how he came out of it alive, he said: You did not live through Auschwitz. The place itself is death.

With inputs from agencies
An Indian-origin man is running for president of Singapore.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Wednesday formally launched his presidential bid after resigning last month from the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP) which has been running the prosperous city-state since the 1960s.

The 66-year-old, who quit active politics after two decades of service, has vowed to evolve the countrys culture to keep it a shining spot in the world.

Singapore, is slated to go to the polls in September.

But who is Shanmugaratnam, who previously served as Singapores deputy prime minister?

Lets take a closer look:

Early years and education

According to Daily O, Shanmugaratnam was born in Singapore on 25 February, 1957.

Shanmugaratnams grandparents were Indian immigrants. He traces his roots to Tamil Nadu.

Shanmugaratnams father, professor Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam, made major contributions to cancer research and healthcare, according to The Independent Singapore.

Known as Singapores Father of Pathology, Kanagaratnam passed away in 2018 at age 97.

Shanmugaratnam is one of three children.

According to the website Prestige Online, Shanmugaratnam while in school coauthored a poetry book But We Have No Legends with his classmates.

After completing his schooling in Singapore, Shanmugaratnam studied at the London School of Economics and University of Cambridge.

He later obtained a Masters in Public Administration at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government, where he was named a Lucius N Littauer Fellow for outstanding performance.

Shanmugaratnam is married to Jane Yumiko Ittogi  a former lawyer who now does social work.

The couple has been married over three decades and have four children  a daughter and three sons.

Career and politics

Shanmugaratnam spent most of his professional career at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)  the island states central bank and financial regulator  where he served as chairman from 2011.

He got into a legal tangle in the 1990s when he was fined for failing to protect the secrecy of official information after economic data was published in a newspaper ahead of its release. Shanmugaratnam had pleaded not guilty.

He joined politics in 2001.

Shanmugaratnam was first elected Member of Parliament in 2001, in Jurong Group Representation Constituencies (Jurong GRC) which allows candidates from the minorities to join a group led by members from the city states predominantly Chinese-origin population.

He has been re-elected to four times since.

He previously served as Deputy Prime Minister for eight years.

He was also finance minister and education Minister.

In 2015, when he was serving as deputy prime minister and finance minister, Shanmugaratnams name kept cropping up as a possible prime ministerial candidate.

He was the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and also advised the Prime Minister on economic policies.

He has served as the Minister for Education and Finance and was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019.

Shanmugaratnam had been Senior Minister of Singapore since May 2019.

Well known on international circuits and a darling of international investors, he has also held prominent posts at international organisations including the International Monetary Fund where he was appointed chairman of the policy steering committee in 2011, as well as the World Economic Forum and the United Nations.

Shanmugaratnam is chair of the G20 Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance.

He was also the first Asian chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee.

Shanmugaratnam chairs the Board of Trustees of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), which seeks to uplift educational performance and social resilience in the Indian Singaporean community.

Intend to be president for new era

I stepped into this race because I feel very strongly in the need to evolve Singapores culture, some of our norms and the way we go about working with each other so that we remain a shining spot in the world, he said at a press conference.

He said he intended to be a President for a new era as he officially launched his campaign for the office.

The 2023 presidential election is due in September, as President Halimah Yacobs six-year term ends on 13 September.

Accompanied by his wife Jane, Shanmugaratnam outlined challenges facing Singapore both globally and domestically and emphasised that the nations real challenge was to avoid becoming a divided society.

If Im fortunate enough to be elected as President, I pledge to bring my full experience and capabilities on the ground nationally and internationally, to serve as your President for this new and more challenging era, Channel News Asia quoted him as saying.

The senior politician said his 22 years in politics had given him ample experience in unifying people, an important role for the president.

When we talk about being a unifying figure, I do not say this rhetorically or just as an aspiration but I speak from a real track record, he said.

That includes the track record of respecting different views, including different political leanings and constantly trying to find common ground, he said.

Shanmugaratnam said he would also fulfil other responsibilities of the presidency such as safeguarding the reserves, citing his experience in government and politics over the years.

He said he would bring a more basic orientation of integrity and independence of mind, which he has been known for.

I dont have to change my colours like a chameleon. Im the same person with the same integrity and same independence of mind, and that remains critical for the role of the president, he said.

There are three prospective candidates who have publicly announced their intention to contest the polls.

The other two prospective candidates who have announced their intention to contest the election are businessman George Goh and investment manager Ng Kok Song.

Under requirements laid out in Singapores Constitution, public sector presidential candidates must have held office for at least three years as a minister, chief justice, attorney-general or other high-level posts.

Private sector candidates must have served for at least three years as chief executives of a company with an average of Singapore dollars 500 million in shareholders equity.

Singapore will hold its first presidential election since 2011, after President Halimah announced on 29 May that she will not seek a second term.

She is the countrys eighth and first female president. Her six-year term ends on 13 September.

The 2017 presidential poll was a reserved election, in which only members of the Malay community were allowed to contest. Halimah was named president then as there were no other candidates.

As per CNBC, The post of president is largely a symbolic and ceremonial one.

The president has limited executive power over the Singapore government and controls the national reserves.

With inputs from agencies
On 8 January, 2014, a fireball from space blazed through Earths atmosphere and crashed into the sea, north of Manus Island off the northeastern coast of Papua New Guinea.

Its location, velocity and brightness were recorded by U.S. government sensors and quietly tucked away in a database of similar events.

That data sat for five years, a source of no contention until Avi Loeb, a theoretical astrophysicist at Harvard University, and Amir Siraj, then an undergraduate student at the university, stumbled across it in 2019.

Last month, Loeb led an expedition to retrieve fragments of the fireball off the western Pacific seafloor. On 21 June, he claimed that he had.

And such discoveries, he says to the chagrin of many of his colleagues, maybe the way scientists find evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Not biological creatures, the way you see in science fiction movies, Loeb said. Its most likely a technological gadget with artificial intelligence.

Many astronomers, though, see the announcement as the latest example of Loeb making an outlandish declaration that is too strong and too hasty. His pronouncements (and a promotional video in Times Square about the search for extraterrestrial life) skew public perception of how science actually works, they say.

People are sick of hearing about Avi Loebs wild claims, said Steve Desch, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University. Its polluting good science  conflating the good science we do with this ridiculous sensationalism and sucking all the oxygen out of the room.

Desch added that several of his colleagues were now refusing to engage with Loebs work in peer review, the process by which scholars evaluate one anothers research to ensure that only high-quality studies are published. Its a real breakdown of the peer review process and the scientific method, he said.

And its so demoralising and tiring.

For much of his career, Loeb has been a powerhouse of a cosmologist, churning out hundreds of papers on black holes, dark matter, the first stars and the fate of our universe. But he has been captivated by the search for aliens since an interstellar object named Oumuamua zoomed by our planet in 2017. While scientists debated whether that visitor was an asteroid or a comet from another star system, Loeb made the case that it could be an artifact of intelligent life.

Loeb also began studying the fireball catalogue 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  Loeb and 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 in November, several months after US 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..defence 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, Brown said. To date, he continued, nearly all of those events could be chalked up to measurement error.

Brown and others have also been troubled by the lack of engagement Loeb has had with the community of experts who study fast-flying fireballs.

Loebs recent ocean expedition to salvage remnants of the meteor in question was financed with $1.5 million from Charles Hoskinson, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, and organized through EYOS Expeditions. The voyage took place about 60 nautical miles north of Manus Island along the expected path of the 2014 fireball.

A group of scientists, engineers and sailors and a film crew, as well as Hoskinson, accompanied Loeb. He has documented the voyage and its aftermath in a 42-part (and counting) series of self-published blog posts.

For two weeks, the science team dragged a custom-built sled equipped with magnets, cameras and lights across the seafloor, retrieving it at regular intervals to search for metallic bits of the 2014 fireball stuck to its surface. In the end, they recovered scores of glimmering beads, each less than a millimeter in diameter. Preliminary analyses performed on the ship showed these spherules to be made mostly of iron, with lesser amounts of other metals.

Thats not commonly found in the waters around Manus Island, said Maurice Tivey, a marine geophysicist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution who was not involved in the expedition but who once used underwater robots to map that region of the seafloor. Instead, sediments and volcanic ash are prolific  material that doesnt move around much once it has settled on the ocean bottom.

That, combined with the roundness of the recovered fragments  suggesting they were once aerodynamic  seemed pretty conclusive to Tivey.

So I do think hes found pieces of it, he said.

Skepticism about the endeavour flared at a recent Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conference that occurred while the deep sea expedition was underway. There, Desch argued that had the fireball been moving as fast as reported, there would have been nothing left to find  the meteor would have completely burned up in the atmosphere. Even in the most generous scenario, he said, only a milligram of material would have survived, and it would have been spread out over tens of square kilometers along the ocean floor.

Brown also presented at the conference, describing a recent analysis using data from an assortment of instruments to cross-check measurements for 17 of the objects listed in the same NASA fireball catalogue used by Loeb and Siraj. His results, which have been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, indicate that the catalogue data often gets directions and speeds wrong and that the size of the error for speed measurements increases for objects with greater speed.

Those errors are big enough to move the 2014 fireball from an unbound orbit to a bound one, Brown explained  meaning it might not have been interstellar after all. He found that if the object had actually been traveling at closer to 12.5 miles per second at impact, its reported brightness, density and air drag better fit theoretical models of meteors.

On that basis, Brown concluded that the fireball most likely impacted at a lower speed. 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 disagreed with that pushback.

When I was educated as a physicist, I was told when you have a model and it doesnt agree with the data, it means you have to revise your model, he said, referring to measurements in the NASA catalogue.

He also believes, unlike many of his colleagues, that the US military sensors are trustworthy, even though he lacks access to their raw readings. They are responsible for national security, Loeb said. I think they know what they are doing.

That he and his team found what they think are fragments of the 2014 meteor at the location indicated by those measurements only makes him more confident.

Its unlikely that the government will declassify how precise those devices data is. So Loeb is banking on a different kind of proof: He has sent the spherules to labs at Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Bruker Corp. in Germany for rigorous analysis and dating. Spherules older than our solar system, or with a distinct isotopic signature, must be interstellar.

At Berkeley, Loeb performed some of the first inspections himself. Early tests revealed the presence of uranium and lead, the abundance of which can be used to estimate the materials age. Two of the spherules found along the expected path of the fireball appear to be as old as the universe itself, Loeb claims.

Thats in contrast to a spherule recovered away from the fireballs path, which Loeb anticipates is either geological in origin or from a different meteorite. He estimated this spherule to have an age of a few billion years, comparable to that of our solar system.

But even if the fireball really did come from another cosmic neighbourhood, far more evidence is needed to show that the spherules are linked to extraterrestrial life.

According to Don Brownlee, an astronomer at the University of Washington who used magnets to collect cosmic marbles off the seafloor in the 1970s, if the spherules dont contain nickel, theyre probably not from a natural meteorite. On the other hand, he says, if no oxygen is found, its unlikely the material passed through Earths atmosphere. Loeb has already written that early results revealed an absence of nickel, but he did not mention oxygen.

He is open to the possibility that he is mistaken, but he also likes to invoke scientific luminaries in response to such concerns. Einstein was wrong three times, he said, referring to supermassive black holes, gravitational waves and quantum entanglement  all discoveries that have since been recognized with Nobel Prizes in physics.

Its valuable to test ideas experimentally, Loeb said. Let the evidence be the guide.

According to Desch, the meteor community does believe interstellar objects are out there, and theyre eager for one to strike the Earth  there just hasnt been strong evidence yet that it has happened.

I just want to assure the public that scientists dont make stuff up, he said. What the public is seeing in Loeb is not how science works. And they shouldnt go away thinking that.

The public may hear more from Loeb about additional bits of rock from the bottom of the sea. Later this year, his team intends to return to the waters north of Papua New Guinea to hunt for larger relics of the 2014 fireball. And in 2024, the team says it will visit a site off the coast of Portugal in search of the remains from a second meteor Loeb and Siraj have asserted is of interstellar origin.

He might be wrong, said Rob McCallum, a co-founder of EYOS Expeditions and the primary organizer of the recent expedition, adding, but well never know unless we look.

Katrina Miller c.2023 The New York Times Company


American travellers currently enjoy visa-free access to most European countries. But, the rules are about to change next year.

Come 2024, travellers from more than 60 visa-exempt nations will need to apply for European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) permission prior to their visits, according to the official travel website of the European Union.

The rules of travel to Europe have changed. Starting from 2024, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries, the EU website stated.

Lets take a closer look.

Also read: How powerful is Indias passport?

The reason

ETIAS has been introduced to evaluate potential security concerns associated with visitors before their arrival and stop cross-border crime and terrorism, reported NDTV.

Currently, US citizens dont need a visa to visit the majority of EU nations, but visiting these countries will get slightly complicated once the new visa requirements go into effect.

Since 2009, travellers entering the United States from a variety of nations have been required to apply for a comparable authorisation. Notably, ETIAS is similar to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) procedure.

Several of the top 10 nations on the Henley Passport Index, including the UK (passport holders can now enter 188 countries without a visa), New Zealand (187 countries), Canada (185 countries), and the US (184 countries), will be impacted by the move, according to The National News.

ETIAS visas

According to the EU website, ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries.

The government further explains that ETIAS clearance is only meant for short visits, which are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Notably, ETIAS visas are electronically connected to the travellers passport rather than physical paperwork.

The ETIAS approval remains valid for three years or until the registered passport expires, whichever occurs first.

Criteria

The EU states that travellers will require an ETIAS travel authorisation if they fit the following criteria: they are not EU citizens; they are nationals of a nation whose citizens are not required to have visas for a short-term stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS; and they do not have a residence permit, card, or document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Also read: What is skiplagging, the new air travel hack that airlines hate?

Application & processing

The EU will offer applications through a dedicated website and mobile application when the ETIAS requirement goes into effect the following year.

Travellers must submit information from their passports or another travel document to which a visa can be attached in order to apply.

For minors under their custody, parents and legal guardians may submit an application.

An email will be used to confirm the submission of the application and contain a special number that is required for future use.

If an application is denied, the email notifying the applicant of the decision will also include instructions on how to appeal.

According to the EU, most applications will receive an ETIAS approval within minutes, although it may take up to 30 days.

The government strongly advises applicants to submit their ETIAS applications well in advance of any trip and to wait until they have been approved before making any travel-related purchases, such as hotel or aircraft reservations.

Also read: What is CCHF, the new deadly virus spreading across Europe due to climate change?

Costing

The processing price for the ETIAS is set at 7 euros (~Rs 639).

Applicants under the age of 18 or older than 70 are not required to pay this amount.

Also read: China to resume 15-day visa-free entry for Singapore, Brunei citizens

Valid ETIAS visas cannot guarantee entry

Yes, it is possible that you may be denied entry to a European country.

Travellers will still have to go through border procedures when they arrive, and having an ETIAS visa does not ensure entrance, according to the EU website.

The travel document you use must match the one you submitted with your ETIAS application because they are electronically connected. If you dont, you might be unable to travel by bus, ferry, or plane or enter any of the ETIAS-required nations in Europe.

With inputs from agencies
Ninety-eight students died by suicide in the past five years in higher education institutions, including central universities, IITs, IIMs, NITs and IISERs, according to the Union Ministry of Education.

Twenty cases of student suicides have already been reported in higher education institutions (HEIs) in 2023 so far. These include nine cases from central universities and seven from IITs.

The data was shared by Union Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar in response to a written question in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister informed that the majority of the suicide cases being reported in the last four years were from engineering institutions.

According to the data, of the 98 students who died by suicide, the maximum cases were from IITs (39), followed by NITs (25), central universities (25), IIMs (4), IISERs (3) and IIITs (2).

In terms of the year-wise breakup, the government data shows that 20 student suicides were reported in these institutions in 2023 so far, 24 in 2022, seven each in 2021 and 2020, 19 in 2019 and 21 in 2018.

In a separate question on category-wise suicides, the data revealed that of the seven cases in IITs this year, two students were from SC and one from OBC categories. Of the nine cases in central universities, six were from SC, ST, OBC and the minority communities.

No suicides were reported from IIMs, SPAs and IISERs from these categories in the past two years.

The minister noted that according to the National Crime Records Bureau, there are various causes of suicides such as professional problems, sense of isolation, violence, family problems and mental disorders, among others.

Sarkar said that to address the issue of mental health and wellbeing during and after COVID-19, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken various steps and issued advisories to higher education institutions.

The UGC has also issued guidelines for promotion of physical fitness, sports, students health, welfare, psychological and emotional wellbeing at HEIs, he said.

The ministry has undertaken various steps such as peer-assisted learning, introduction of technical education in regional languages for students in order to ease the academic stress.

The Government of India initiative, named MANODARPAN, covers a wide range of activities to provide psychological support to students, teachers and families for mental and emotional well-being during the Covid outbreak and beyond. The ministry has also advised the institutions to make the system more robust that would include prevention, detection and remedial measures for addressing possible cause of suicides, the minister added.

With inputs from PTI.
Claiming that the PMO has removed his three-minute speech for the Prime Minister Narendra Modis event in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said that he had to take to twitter to welcome the Prime Minister and put forward his demands as he wouldnt be able to do so during the programme.

Meanwhile, responding to Gehlots tweet, the PMO tweeted, In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join.

During PMs previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence. You are most welcome to join todays programme. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued, the PMO added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat from Thursday during which he will inaugurate a number of key projects, including an international airport near Rajkot city.

In a long tweet in Hindi earlier, Gehlot said, Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Today you are visiting Rajasthan. Your office PMO has removed my pre-scheduled 3-minute address from the program, so I will not be able to welcome you through speech, so I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet.

     ,

        PMO     3                                   Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 27, 2023

Congratulating everyone on behalf of the state government, Gehlot said that the inauguration and foundation laying ceremony of 12 medical colleges taking place today is the result of the partnership between the Rajasthan government and the Centre.

The project cost of these medical colleges is Rs 3,689 crore, of which Rs 2,213 crore is the share of the Centre and Rs 1,476 crore of the state government, he wrote.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister said through the tweet he is putting forward the demands he wanted to make through his speech at the program, adding that he hopes that PM Modi completes these demands during his seventh visit to the state in six months.

He listed out the demands as follows:

1. On the demand of the youth of Rajasthan, especially Shekhawati, the permanent recruitment in the army should be continued as before by withdrawing the Agniveer scheme.

2. The state government has waived loans worth Rs 15,000 crore of 21 lakh farmers from all the co-operative banks under it. We have sent a one-time settlement proposal to the central government to waive off the loans of nationalized banks, in which we will give the farmers share. This demand should be fulfilled.

3. The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution for caste census. The Central Government should take a decision on this without any delay.

4. Due to the guidelines of NMC, the medical colleges being opened in our three districts are not getting any financial assistance from the central government. These are being built entirely with state funding. The central government should also give 60% funding to the medical colleges in these three tribal-dominated districts.

5. The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) should be given the status of a project of national importance.

He requested PM Modi to take a positive stand on these demands and assure the state that they will be fulfilled.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the international airport at Hirasar village near Rajkot city, on Thursday afternoon, which is Gujarats first greenfield airport, a release by the state government said.

PM Modi will then address a large gathering at the Race Course ground in Rajkot city. From the venue, the PM will dedicate packages 8 and 9 of the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana.

The recently completed packages 8 and 9 of the SAUNI scheme will provide water to 52,398 acres of irrigable land in 95 villages and potable water to around 98,000 people of the Saurashtra region, said the release.

From the venue, the PM will also inaugurate an over-bridge and a newly-constructed library.

On Friday, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Semicon India 2023 exhibition in state capital Gandhinagar, showcasing cutting edge technology related to semiconductors, the release added.

With inputs from agencies
For 8 months, a man allegedly kept his wife incapacitated in Bihars Buxar by constantly administering drugs, reportedly to maintain an affair with his sister-in-law.

The shocking incident came to light when the victims family finally located her unconscious in a remote village named Bihta, after being unaware of her whereabouts for eight long months.

According to the victims brother, his sister, who is just 26 years old, now appears frail like a 90-year-old senior citizen due to the continuous injections and drugging she endured during this period.

On June 27, the family found the woman and immediately rushed her to Varanasi for emergency medical treatment. While she has been discharged, her condition remains critical as she reportedly has gone crazy due to side effects of drugs as well as injections of hormonal changes.

Dr. AK Srivastava, the PHC in-charge in Chausa who attended to the victim, stated that such severe effects could result from a combination of excessive sleeping pills, malnutrition, and possibly other unknown injections available in the market.

The victims brother alleges that his brother-in-law deliberately turned his sister into a living corpse as retaliation for opposing his affair with his sister-in-law.

The accused supposedly administered medications and injections that caused significant damage to her health, including loss of eyesight and severe mental deterioration.

The victim, identified as Priyanka, got married to Mukesh Pandey of Raghunathpur village under Brahmapur police stations jurisdiction in 2018, and they have a three-year-old child together.

According to Priyankas brother Vikas, Mukesh had been physically abusing his sister from the early days of their marriage. Consequently, they had to bring her back to their family home. However, following a compromise in front of prominent family and community members, Priyanka was sent back to Mukeshs house about eight months ago.

After she returned, Vikas claims that they never got a chance to speak to Priyanka again, which led them to file a complaint of suspected murder at the police station on May 11th. Since then, Mukesh and his family have been on the run.

Upon Priyankas recovery, a case was lodged at Udwantnagar police station, and under the orders of Buxar SP, the police rescued Priyankas child from her in-laws ancestral house in Jagdishpur.

SHO Baijnath Choudhary confirmed that efforts are underway to arrest Mukesh and other family members involved in this distressing incident.
Indias top security agency NIA on Wednesday reported a major breakthrough in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case with the arrest of a notorious gangster of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who was hiding in UAE.

The accused Vikram Brar has also been linked to death threats received by Bollywood actor Salman Khan.

NIA officials informed that Brar was arrested from his hideout in Dubai with the help of UAE authorities.

The 11 cases pending against Brar, including charges of murder and extortion, had made him a high-priority target for law enforcement agencies, the officials informed.

The NIA asserted that Brar played a key role in Sidhu Moosewalas killing and had received extortion funds from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi through hawala channels.

The revelations suggested that Vikram Brar operated as part of Lawrence Bishnois gang from his base in Dubai.

Following his arrest, Brar will now be extradited to India to face trials. The NIA has slapped terrorism charges on Brar under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

NIA sources informed that Brars criminal connections extended beyond Lawrence Bishnois gang, as he was also associated with Rajasthans notorious gangster, Anandpal Singh.

The police have asserted that Brar has been most active around Chandigarh, while cases against him have been registered across several states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

One of the cases registered against Brar was from Pilibanga police station in Hanumangarh town. It was alleged that he had demanded Rs 30 lakh from Purushottam Agarwal, a middleman, and threatened to kill him if the demand wasnt met.

Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice against gangster Vikram Brar in the first week of July on the request of the Indian probe agency.

As per reports, Brars criminal activities include not just murders, but also arms smuggling and extortion cases in India, often in collaboration with Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldie Brar, and other gangsters.

The NIAs investigation revealed that Vikram Brar had been operating as the Communication Control Room (CCR) for Lawrence Bishnois terror gang while stationed in the UAE.

From there, he facilitated calls between Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar, who resided in Canada, and carried out extortion calls targeting individuals in India as instructed.

Moreover, Vikram Brar was instrumental in providing logistical support to Lawrence Bishnois gang in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.

This included weapons, arrangements for their stay, and other necessary facilities. Prior to joining Lawrences gang, Brar was associated with the Student Union of Punjab University (SOPU).
A 42-year-old woman was shot dead near her house in southwest Delhis Dabri area on Thursday night, police said.

The Dabri police station received information regarding the incident around 8.45 pm.
Senior BJP leader and former Union Cabinet Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday that Dynastys Black Magic will be vanished by Dynamic Modi Magic.

While replying to reporters when asked about the Oppositions move to bring the No-Confidence Motion against the Modi Government and wearing black clothes in the Parliament, Naqvi said that the dynastic devilry will be demolished by determination to delivery of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is working for the welfare of the people like a Karmyogi.

Naqvi said that Prime Minister Modi has increased the global stature of Naya Bharat through his honesty, probity, and credibility.

Shri Naqvi said that the dynasty has no confidence in peoples mandate and confidence in disturbing the democracy. Earlier also, the Congress had done election rehearsal in the Parliament in 2018, but they failed miserably in 2019 when people gave a bumper mandate of about 353 seats to the NDA. Now, the dynasty will get Chaubis Mein Char Sau Chalis Ka Jhatka (shock of 440 volts in 2024).
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday claimed that the Congress, as per its usual attitude, did not consult the other Opposition parties before moving the no-confidence motion and said that the rivals should first build confidence among themselves and then talk about peoples confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that PM Modi had predicted that the Opposition will move no-confidence motion against the government in 2023 once again.

#WATCH | Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi says, PM Modi had said that they (Opposition) can bring No Confidence Motion in 2023 once again. They have come prepared. But there is a little divide there. Congress party, as per its usual attitude, did not consult the pic.twitter.com/oF0h5xNWkX  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

PM Modi had said that they (Opposition) can bring no-confidence motion in 2023 once again. They have come prepared. But there is a little divide there. Congress party, as per its usual attitude, did not consult the other Opposition parties. First, there should be confidence among Opposition parties, among each other. After that, they can talk about peoples confidence in PM Modi, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.

He said that just like people showed confidence in PM Modi in 2014 and 2019, they will again show the same confidence in 2024.

Moving no-confidence motion and wearing black clothes will serve no purpose.., the Union Minister added.

Meanwhile, dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government over the Manipur issue, MPs belonging to the Oppositions INDIA bloc met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday to finalise their strategy in both Houses of Parliament.

Sources said the opposition leaders will not allow any business to be taken up in Lok Sabha after a no-confidence motion against the government was admitted by Speaker Om Birla.

The opposition MPs have pointed out that ideally the no-confidence motion should be discussed before any other business is taken up.

They wore black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing a discussion on Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement in both Houses on the violence-racked northeastern state.

The opposition MPs have been protesting in Parliament every day over the issue.

A no-confidence motion against the government by the Congress on behalf of the Opposition alliance was admitted by Birla on Wednesday.

Birla said a date for a discussion on the motion will be decided after consulting the leaders of all parties.

With inputs from agencies
What comes as a boon for both women and men in Sikkim planning to become parents, the Prem Singh Tamang government has announced a decision to provide 12-month maternity leave and one-month paternity leave to its employees.

Addressing the annual general meeting of the Sikkim State Civil Service Officers Association (SSCSOA) in Gangtok, Sikkim Chief Minister Tamang said the changes will be made in the service rules to provide the benefit.

How will this help?

Tamang said the decision will help the government employees to take better care of their children and families.

The officers are the backbone of the state administration, contributing significantly to the growth and development of Sikkim and its people, the chief minister said.

Tamang further said there has been a significant focus on streamlining the promotion process for civil services officers, leading to an increase in the number of promotions.

What is the maternity leave rule now?

According to the Maternity Benefit Act 1961, a working woman is entitled to six months, or 26 weeks, of paid maternity leave for her first two children. For each subsequent child, the mother can take three months or 12 weeks of leave, which is also fully paid for by the employer.

Himalayan state  Sikkim  has the lowest population in India, around 6.32 lakh.

An official notification in May this year stated that in order to boost the population of indigenous communities in Sikkim, the state government decided to provide advance and additional increments to its employees having two or three children with retrospective effect from 1 January, 2023.

The notification mentioned Department of Personnel Secretary Rinzing Chewang Bhutia saying that the state government employees possessing Sikkim Subject Certificate/Certificate of Identification shall get one advanced increment for having two surviving children

State government employees having three surviving children shall get one additional increment, Bhutia said, adding anyone of the spouses can claim for advance increment on mutual understanding.

With inputs from agencies
Dedicating 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday said that the Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created arrangements from seed to market for them.

Addressing a rally in Rajasthans Sikar, he described the Kendras as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity.

India, he said, could only develop when its villages do and his government was working to provide in villages every facility that is available in cities.

Our government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea, Modi said.

Farmers in India, he elaborated, get a sack of urea for Rs 266.

This is available in Pakistan for about Rs 800, for Rs 720 in Bangladesh and Rs 2,100 in China, added the PM.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was supposed to attend the programme but could not due to problems in his feet, he said.

He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health, the prime minister said about the Congress leader.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, CM Ashok Gehlot has been ill for some time now & has injured his leg. He was supposed to attend the program today, but could not due to his health conditions. I pray for his good health pic.twitter.com/T46ke7wNmb  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged that the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event.

Responding to Gehlot, the PMO tweeted, In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join.

Shri @ashokgehlot51 Ji, In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join. During PM @narendramodis previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those https://t.co/BHQkHCHJzQ  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 27, 2023

Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects in Sikar on Thursday, according to an official statement.

The Prime Minister said at the rally that creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan is a governments priority.

With inputs from agencies
The ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque premises will not be conducted until next month after the Allahabad High Court on Thursday reserved its order till 3 August.

Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker heard the matter in the afternoon session on Thursday and said on 3 August, the High Court would pronounce its order on the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committees challenge to the Varanasi District Judges July 21 ASI Survey order of the Gyanvapi Mosque.

The High Court was hearing a plea against a Varanasi district court order directing the ASI to conduct a survey to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque was built upon a temple.

The court heard the arguments from Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, which manages the mosque, and the Hindu side. Senior ASI officials were also present in the courtroom.

The high court on Wednesday said that it would take up the matter at 3:30 pm on Thursday, but Chief Justice Diwaker started hearing the case 15 minutes in advance and reserved its order before concluding the days proceedings at 5 pm.

With inputs from PTI
An unprecedented surge in the prices of tomatoes has been churning out crorepatis in Telanganas districts. Local farmers who had cultivated the crop have sold their produce at rewarding rates and with significant profits enabling them to rake in the moolah this season. The huge demand for the vegetable  a key ingredient in Indian cuisine has also contributed to the skyrocketing prices across the country.

In Medak district, Mahipal Reddy, a tomato cultivator made a whopping Rs 1.8 crore this season just by selling tomatoes.

There are similar success stories all across Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra as well. Y Narasimha Reddy, a farmer based in Vikarabads Parigi mandal, has been growing the kitchen staple for more than ten years now. Never has he seen such a surge in prices and demand, he recalls. A couple of months ago, Reddy suffered significant losses to the tune of Rs 15 lakh due to a sudden dip in cabbage prices, according to a Times of India report. But with the surge in tomato prices, he earned nearly Rs 30 lakh from his tomato crop. With tomato produce worth more than Rs 70 lakh still to be sold, Reddy will soon join the growing list of crorepati farmers in Telangana.

This time I cultivated my tomato crop on nearly 10 acres of land. When the crop was ready, I initially did not get a good price. But, all that suddenly changed and there was huge demand for tomatoes. It was then that I sold 3,000 boxes of tomatoes, Reddy said.

Another farmer, P Raghunandan, from Jinnaram mandal in Medak district sold tomatoes worth Rs 80 lakh that he had cultivated on his 3-acres of land. With another successful bargain, he too will join the ranks of Telanganas crorepati farmers.

The prices of tomatoes, along with several other essential vegetables have been spiraling since June, due to overall crop shortage and huge spoilage caused by unseasonal rains. Vegetable vendors had then predicted that the prices of the kitchen staple would eventually break the barrier of Rs 200 per kg, which it actually did over the 22-23 July weekend.
MPs from the Opposition alliance INDIA will visit Manipur on July 29 and 30 to assess the situation in the northeastern state which is riven with ethnic violence since May 3.

A delegation of over 20 opposition members of parliament will visit Manipur this weekend and will take a first-hand account of the situation in the state, Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore told PTI.

The opposition leaders have been seeking to visit the violence-hit state for some time but were denied permission in view of the situation there.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, however, had visited a few places in Manipur earlier.

Several MPs of the 26-party alliance INDIA will be part of the delegation.

They have been demanding a discussion in both houses of Parliament on Manipur, and also a statement from the Prime Minister on the current situation there.
A government research vessel with 36 people onboard, which was stuck between Goa and Karwar due to technical issues, was rescued by the Indian Coast Guard team on Thursday, said an officer.

The 28-member crew and 8 scientists  total of 36 people  were stuck on the ship and are now being brought towards Goa. The passengers are safe, said KL Arun, DIG Coast Guard.

#WATCH | Indian Coast Guard team rescue a research vessel of the Government of India, stuck between Goa and Karwar due to technical issues. The 28-member crew and 8 scientists  total of 36 people  were stuck on the ship and are now being brought towards Goa. The passengers are pic.twitter.com/78DceolOkU  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

Arun confirmed that its a Government of India research vessel and the rescue operation is on.

This vessel yesterday around 3 pm declared distress that it is not having any propulsion and having a total power blackout. We immediately dispatched our ships and the first ship reached by 5 pm and the second one reached by night. It is a very important national asset as it is a research vessel, added the DIG.

Theres a rescue operation going on, its a government of India research vessel This Vessel yesterday around 3 pm declared distress that it is not having any propulsion and having a total power blackout, so immediately we dispatched our ships and the first ship reached by 5 pic.twitter.com/YXICLiaeNh  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

In a statement earlier, the Coast Guard said, The Research Vessel Sindhu Sadhana had an engine and total power failure and was drifting at a speed of 3 knots towards land. It was approximately 20 nautical miles from the land when the distress message was received at the Coast Guard District Headquarters Goa around 1pm on Wednesday, July 26.

The situation was critical, as the state-of-the-art research vessel, was carrying valuable scientific equipment and research data, added the statement.

Earlier this month, an Indian Coast Guard ship Abheek which is based at Okha Port in Devbhumi Dwarka district, rescued five fishermen from a boat, stranded at sea. The Indian Coast Guard ship was en route to Okha from Kochi.

With inputs from agencies
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday said it has arrested a Pune-based man for allegedly giving shelter to the two terror suspects held last week by the city police.

The ATS said it also recovered black explosive powder, laptops, parts of drones, books written in Arabic, among other things from the two terror suspects, in addition to a tent that the duo had allegedly procured to stay in the forest areas in Punes adjoining districts.

The ATS took over the probe into the case from the Pune police recently.

The two terror suspects, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for their alleged involvement in a terror-related case in Rajasthan, were nabbed from Kothrud area of Pune city in the wee hours of 18 July.

A court in Pune later remanded the duo  Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan (23) and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki (24)  in police custody till 25 July, which was extended till 25 August.

On Wednesday, a person was arrested for giving shelter to Khan and Saki in Pune, the ATS said in a release. It, however, did not reveal the name of that person.

The ATS has also detained a person from Ratnagiri, but it is not yet clear whether that man is the same person held for giving shelter to the terror suspects.

The two arrested suspects hail from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh and are graphic designers. Both carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, the police said.

They fled Ratlam after coming to know that their names cropped up in the investigation in the terror case in which some suspected members of the Al-Sufa outfit were apprehended by the Rajasthan police from the Madhya Pradesh town, the police said.

They landed in Mumbai, where they stayed in the Bhendi Bazaar area for two to three days and then came to Punes Kondhwa area. The duo took up jobs with the help of a local resident, the sources said.

They befriended a third person, a resident of Jharkhand, who managed to escape when the police nabbed the duo, they said.

The ATS said that they recovered a tent, which the two terror suspects had procured to live in the jungle areas.

Several items, such as laptops, tablets, weighing machines, parts of drones, maps, electric circuits, a soldering gun, black powder, and books written in Arabic, were also recovered from the duo, it said.

During the analysis of the black powder, it came to light that it was an explosive substance, it said.

The ATS also added that they also recovered a tent, which they had procured to live in jungle areas.

Sources said that the two terror suspects were exploring possible hideouts in the jungle areas surrounding the Pune district in a bid to escape the eyes of the investigation agencies.

After taking over the investigation in the case, the ATS has slapped stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the suspects as the seized items suggest that the duo had received training on making bombs and posed a threat to the unity and security of the nation, they said.

The ATS also said in its statement that multiple teams were working to trace the third suspect, who managed to escape during the operation on 18 July.
Even as the situation in Manipur limps back to normal, the Centre held several rounds of talks with members of Kuki and Meitei communities in order to resolve the impasse.

According to government officials, six rounds of talks have been held with each community.

Meanwhile, a big breakthrough was achieved in the case in which two women were paraded naked and molested by a mob. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the nation.

The mobile phone from which Manipur women viral video was shot has been recovered and the person who shot the video is arrested, a government official was quoted as saying by ANI.

The law and order situation is relatively better in Manipur, however, not normal. Nearly 35,000 security personnel are on the ground; no shortage of medicine and daily supplies; prices of food and essential supplies are under control. A large number of government staff are returning to work and schools also resuming, the official added.

(With agency inputs)
In a recent statement that sparked controversy, Raghuraj Pratap Singh, a Minister of State in UP, courted controversy speaking about the fate of mosques in India in the wake of the Gyanvapi masjid row.

He claimed that the Mughals had constructed mosques by demolishing a staggering four lakh temples across the nation.

Singh expressed his determination to reclaim these temples and hand them over to the Hindu community.

During discussions on the Gyanvapi case, the Minister asserted that all temples, which he believes were once Hindu places of worship, should be rightfully returned to the Hindu community.

Singh pointed to the historical figure, Aurangzeb, accusing him of demolishing the said temples and building mosques in their place.

To avenge this historical event, he advocated for the immediate demolition of the 4 lakh mosques and build temples, asserting the Hindus rights over these structures.

Singhs fervor extended to Kashi, a revered city in Hindu tradition. He urged non-Hindus to vacate the city voluntarily, emphasizing its significance as a sacred site for Hindus and the core of their faith.

Citing Lord Shivas creation of the universe from Kashi, the Minister underscored the importance of this location to the Hindu community, urging an end to any disputes surrounding it.

Further, Singh made remarks about the political landscape, criticizing certain parties for allegedly favoring the Muslim population.

He claimed that parties like SP, BSP, and Congress were oriented towards gaining Muslim votes and harbored an anti-Hindu mentality.

He stressed the importance of respecting Hindu sentiments and interests, suggesting that a party advocating for Hindu welfare would be fit to govern the country.

He proudly mentioned the current ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party, as an example of this.

The Minister of State expressed confidence that these temples, which he perceives as captured, will be released through the legal system, advocating for their return to the Hindu community.

He also dismissed calls from certain political figures, like Owaisi, to leave the issue to negotiation, asserting that the captured temples must be freed without compromise.
A peculiar incident recently highlighted the frustration of Hyderabads residents with the citys civic authorities. Sampath Kumar, a resident of Alwal, found himself in an unusual situation when heavy rains led to waterlogging in many low-lying areas, including his own home. Despite making multiple appeals for help to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Kumars complaints were allegedly ignored, leaving him exasperated.

Feeling unheard and desperate for a resolution, Kumar decided to take matters into his own hands. He managed to capture a snake that had intruded into his house due to flooding. In an unorthodox act of protest, Kumar brought the snake to the GHMC ward office and released it there. A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing the snake calmly crawling on a table in the office. With this act, Kumar intended to draw attention to the waterlogging issue and compel the GHMC to address the problem seriously.

Snakes entering residential areas during heavy rains had become a growing concern. Avinash Visvanathan from the Friends of Snakes Society (FoSS) in Hyderabad explained to Moneycontrol that the floods had displaced snakes from their natural habitats, forcing them to seek refuge in human settlements.

The video went viral. Many residents echoed Kumars sentiments, stating that complaints regarding waterlogging and sanitation issues often went unaddressed, exacerbating their problems.

While releasing a snake at a government office may not be the most appropriate way to address civic issues, it served as a reminder of the importance of a responsive administration that promptly attends to citizen grievances. The incident also sparked discussions on the necessity of improved disaster management strategies in the city to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and flooding. The India Meteorological Departments (IMD) red alert for heavy rainfall in several districts of Telangana has highlighted the need for civic authorities to take prompt action so that citizens do not suffer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the secrets in the red diary will ruin the Congress in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Addressing a rally at Sikar in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister said that the Congress has only run Loot ki dukaan and Jhooth ka bazaar in Rajasthan in the name of running government.

The red diary is a fresh product of the Congress loot ki dukan. It is said that the dark deeds of the Congress are recorded in the diary, which will defeat the party in elections in the state, Modi said.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks on Laal Diary; says, The Congress has only run Loot ki dukaan and Jhooth ka bazaar in Rajasthan in the name of running governmentThe latest product of this is the Laal Diary of Rajasthan. It is said that in this diary pic.twitter.com/w0acOjzVul  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

The red diary was recently produced by Gudha in the state assembly. He claimed the diary contained the details of the alleged irregular financial transactions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

The Prime Minister also targeted the Gehlot government over various recruitment paper leaks in the state.

A paper leak industry is running in Rajasthan. The Congress government will have to be removed to fulfil the dreams of youths, he said.

Today in Rajasthan, there is only one voice, one slogan  lotus will win, lotus will bloom, he added.

He called Congress the biggest directionless party in the country and said Their method is the same which has always been adopted by the enemies of the country.

Modi once again derided the opposition alliance INDIA and cited names such as East India Company and SIMI to assert that people cannot be misled merely by the use of the countrys name. India was there in the name of East India Company but its intention was to loot India.

India was also there in the name of terror organisation SIMI which changed its name after a ban to PFI and the intention of the organisation was to damage India through terror attacks, Modi said.

Earlier, Modi dedicated 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation and described them as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity.

He said the Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created arrangements from seed to market for them.

With inputs from PTI.
A 19-year-old sailor of the Indian Navy was found hanging onboard INS Vikrant on Thursday morning, Indian Navy said. The indigenous aircraft carrier is currently docked in Kochi, Kerala.

Prime facie it appears to be a case of suicide, a report by ANI quoted Indian officials saying. A statutory Board of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

The deceased sailor was unmarried and was a native of Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He was found hanging in one of the compartments of the aircraft carrier.

The sailor was from the regular cadre and was not an Agniveer, a report by Hindustan Times quoted an official as saying.

He joined the Indian Navy in 2021 and had been deployed on board INS Vikrant after the commissioning of aircraft carrier.

The body of the sailor has been shifted to hospital for postmortem examination and the Harbour police have booked a case.

As per a report by The New Indian Express, 29 Navy personnel have died by suicide.

On 21 June, 2022, a 44-year-old Navy officer was found dead at Naval hospital in Kochi. He was Lieutenant Commander Santosh Kumar Patro, a native of Odisha. He was found dead hanging in the hospital bathroom.

On 6 July, 2021, a 19-year-old Navy sailor was found dead at the C2 watchtower at Katribargh with a bullet injury. The victim Thushar Attri hailed from Tappal village, Jarailiya, Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

A 25-year-old electrical artificer and a native of Rajasthan, Roopa Ram, was found hanging inside a hanger at a naval aircraft yard at Kochi Naval base on 22 June, 2016.

A collection of suicide prevention helpline numbers are available here. Please reach out if you or anyone you know is in need of support. The All-India helpline number is: 022-27546669
A new video of the incident in which two persons were killed after police opened fire at villagers protesting against power cuts in Bihars Katihar has surfaced.

In the video shared by a twitter user, over a dozen police personnel, some of them armed, can be seen firing and charging towards the protesters who started hurling stones at them.

The video also shows policemen pelting stones back at the protesters in retaliation.

This is not Kashmir but Bihar? Police firing on protesters outside Barsoi Power House in Katihar. Four-five people have been indiscriminately shot at. Of them, two people have died. Administration claims this is a self defence bullet, wrote the twitter user.

On Wednesday, two persons were killed and more than a dozen police personnel and power department employees sustained injuries in the incident that took place barely 100 meters away from Barsoi police station, according to the police headquarters in Patna.

Nearly 1,000 local residents were staging a demonstration in front of the power department office. Some anti-social elements had found their way into the crowd and they started hurling stones. When a police party tried to quell the disruptors, they too were attacked with bricks, stones and sticks, said the PHQ, which also shared photos of injured policemen.

Two of the protesters have died while another is undergoing treatment for injuries at the sub-division hospital, PTI-Bhasha quoted Katihar District Magistrate Ravi Prakash as saying on Wednesday.

One of the deceased, who died on the spot, was identified as Khurshid Alam (34), a resident of Baasal village. The identity of the second deceased was not known though he and the other injured protester were said to be residents of nearby villages.

Katihar Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar, who was camping at the site of the incident, told reporters, You can gauge the situation from the fact that there is hardly any portion of the power office left without tell-tale signs of the vandalism and stone-pelting.

With inputs from agencies
On 12 August, 2020, Islamic militants calling themselves Ansar al-Sunnah seized the coastal town of Mocimboa da Praia in northern Mozambique. It was a bloodbath. The Mozambican Army, which had repelled a similar attack just five months previously, disintegrated. Within days, the militants controlled most of northern Mozambiques Cabo Delgado province and swore allegiance to the Islamic State. Unable to counter the group effectively, Russias Wagner Group fled, their first major defeat. In March 2021, the same terrorists emerged from the bush and attacked the port city of Palma, 40 kilometers south of the Tanzanian border, besieging the Amarula Hotel where more than 100 foreign contractors working for a nearby oil concession lived or sought shelter; eyewitnesses say dozens died.

In January 2022, I visited Cabo Delgado to witness firsthand counterinsurgency operations. In Palma, I attended a ceremony marking the opening of school after the Islamic State-mandated closures and watched as the manager of the Amarula Hotel worked to plaster over bullet holes and remove shrapnel left over from rocket-propelled grenades. As I drove south into Mocimboa, the damage was far more devastating. Charred churches, burnt businesses, and ruined houses marked the town. Rusted hulks of vehicles dotted the roadway. The town had been without water or electricity since the Islamic State blew up generators, ripped up pipes, and tore down wires. The Islamic States actions in Mozambique differed from what I saw of its occupation in Iraq and Syria. In its Middle Eastern incarnation, the Islamic State held its people hostage in the regions cities and sought to hijack the local economy to sell oil, wheat, and cement. With the exception of churches, the destruction in Mosul, Iraq and Raqqa, Syria were largely the result of fighting to liberate the cities, not perpetrated by the radicals themselves. In Mozambique, the terrorist destroyed everything and forced the entire population into the bush. The men and teenage boys they forced to become soldiers or face execution. The women and girls they forced into servitude or forced into marriage. Towns remained abandoned.

The Rwandan Army deployed to Cabo Delgado to lead the counterinsurgency fight and help restore Mozambiques shattered capabilities. The commander in Mocimboa showed me both captured weaponry such as AK-47s, grenades, mortars, and bazookas; electronics such as walkie-talkies, computers, and satellite phones and the literature captured Islamic State fighters carried. Literature is important because it shows the nature of radicalisation. Traditionally, Muslims and Christians lived together in Cabo Delgado down to the town and village. Local traditions, animist influences, and Sufism permeated Muslim practice. Moderation was paramount. This is why literature matters. Notebooks seized from captured fighters, some of whom I met, reflected arguments, radical interpretations, and Quranic citations to sway a largely illiterate population to extremist interpretations that justified terror and the ambitions of the Islamic State. Many of the tracts captured fighters carried originated in Karachi, Pakistan, according to publication data in the books and pamphlets. Stickers and stamps indicated they arrived through Mombasa, Kenya, the largest port in east Africa, 4,300 kilometres away.

Pakistan did not fund the Mozambique violencethat was the responsibility of Tanzanian businessmen who confused Islamist charities with piety and their Mozambican counterparts who paid Ansar al-Sunna protection moneybut incitement matters and Pakistan often provided the platform upon which to brainwash recruits.

Because of the Rwandan intervention, Mozambique is no longer the epicentre of the Islamic State threat in Africa. While Nigeria and its neighbours continue to face Boko Haram violence, Al Shabaab destabilises Somalia and sponsors violence in Kenya and radicalism grows across the Sahel, and increasingly the Islamic State gravitates to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formerly known as Zaire). Unlike in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, there is little international counterterrorism presence to counter militant presence in Congo.

Years of instability, corruption, limited government control and neighbouring state interference have transformed the DRC. In the aftermath of Rwandas 1994 anti-Tutsi Genocide, the genocidaires fled to eastern Congo. The United Nations set up camps for refugees pouring in from Rwanda but, compounding their inaction prior to the genocide itself, they neglected to disarm the Hutu militants. Just as in southern Lebanon and Gaza Strip, the UN refugee camps became incubators for terrorism that not only furthered internal unrest but also upset cross border stability. This in turn contributed to Congo becoming the focal point for two great African wars in the late 1990s and early 2000s that ultimately involved nine countries, numerous militias, and killed more than five million civilians.

It was against this backdrop that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) which, despite its name, is a radical Islamist group that evolved in part of more extreme Tablighi Jamaat elements, moved into the DRC from Uganda, where today it represents itself as the Central African branch of the Islamic State. Initially in Congos North Kivu province, it has now expanded into Ituri. Both provinces are resource rich, with gold, diamonds, other minerals, and oil. Even if the ADF does not mine gold and diamonds directly, extracting protection money under the guise of taxes fills its coffers and enables it to expand.

In 1999, the United Nations established a peacekeeping mission for the DRC that, in 2010, it renamed the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Like many UN missions, MONUSCO is big and bloated, with an annual budget in excess of $1 billion. During conversations with me this month in Congos capital Kinshasa, I asked about the source of support for the ADF, especially given the traditional moderation of Congolese Muslims. Locals reported that a major engine for radicalisation among the local population is MONUSCO and particularly the Pakistani component that numbers approximately 1,700 persons.

In short, Congolese say that while the Pakistani component to MONUSCO might wear blue hats, many take it upon themselves as a personal mission to propagate and catalyze a more extreme interpretation of Islam common in Pakistan but foreign to Congo. Just as Pakistani literature emanating from Karachis publishing houses passively supported the Islamic State in Mozambique, Pakistans UN component appears much more actively even if unofficially to encourage and enable the Islamic State in Central Africa. This is not to allege a vast Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) conspiracy in the DRC. Rather, it is the natural outgrowth of Islamic extremism among Pakistans officer corps. To deploy on a UN mission is for Pakistani soldiers a reward. UN assignments are more lucrative than normal army service, and an assignment Pakistans military leadership offers only to the most ideologically loyal. This in turn requires embracing the Islamist radicalism that has marked Pakistans officer corps since the Bangladesh defeat and the rule of president-turned-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

I asked Congolese officials why they simply did not complain to the UN leadership. The answer: UN procedures give little recourse to recall national components. Just as the UN cited its own bureaucratic procedures to do nothing during the Rwanda genocide and then refuse to disarm its perpetrators in the UNs eastern Congo refugee camps, so too does its inaction today set the stage for far greater bloodshed. The Pakistanis enabling the ADFs rise do not care; they will simply return to Pakistan with full bank accounts and no need to suffer direct consequences for their actions.

Both Mozambique and Congo must do much more to restore order and reduce their permeability to the Islamic State. Pakistan is not responsible for their decades of poor governance, but individuals in Islamabad are increasingly seeking to take advance of it. Islamic extremism have left Pakistan teetering on the brink of state failure. It is tragic that rather than recognise their ideological cancer, many Pakistanis now seek to export it.

The author is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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On 17 July, in retaliation for an attack on the Crimean Bridge, Russia cancelled the Black Sea Grain deal facilitated by the United Nations and Turkey. The deal permitted war-torn Ukraine to export grain from its three ports to countries struggling with hunger and poverty. According to the New York-based International Rescue Committee, the deal has been a lifeline for the 79 countries and 349 million people on the front lines of food insecurity. The cancellation has already sent the wheat prices soaring, consequently, the countries affected by food insecurity, are bound to start blaming Russia for their misfortunes.

The war has been going on for over 500 days and does not seem to be heading to a conclusion soon. The Western world has been claiming that Russia and President Vladimir Putin are staring at certain defeat, on the other hand many anti-US analysts believe that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is taking Ukraine towards eventual obliteration. It is therefore necessary to do an objective analysis of the war and to see if Putin has really gained anything by it.

Most impartial analysts would agree that Moscow had certain genuine grievances against the West when it attacked Ukraine. The assurances given to Moscow after the disintegration of the Soviet Union were not adhered to, and NATO was moving eastward by incorporating even the former members of the Warsaw Pact as well as the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, it needs to be appreciated that the threat of war is a far more potent tool of state power than the war itself. Consequently, Putins position and Russias geopolitical strength has gradually diminished as the war has progressed.

This article makes an attempt to objectively analyse Putins losses ever since the war started. Firstly, there is no doubt that Russia did manage to achieve an initial tactical surprise by launching its main offensives from Crimea in the South and Belarus in the North, while Kyiv was expecting an attack from Donbas in the East. Putins objective was to rapidly capture Kyiv, install a government of its choice and reach a negotiated settlement with it. However, after the phenomenal success in the first 24 hours, when the Ukranians were in complete disarray, the offensive stalled. Subsequently, Zelenskyy managed to rally his countrymen around and gave a tough fight. The Russian objective, initially was not to antagonise the population or go for protracted war, but it has since dragged on causing widespread loss of life and property on both sides. With each passing day, both Russia and Ukraine are becoming weaker, but Ukrainian defence hardware is being augmented by the West, which sees it as an instrument to weaken Russia, without getting embroiled in the conflict.

When the war started, Russia was a former superpower that had re-established itself as a major power under Putin, by successfully defending Assad in Syria. Most of the CIS countries were firmly within its sphere of influence and even in Ukraine, a significant section of the population was pro-Russia. The international community including Ukraine had accepted Russias de-facto possession of Crimea and even its control over significant territories in both Donetsk and Luhansk provinces had been accepted with some caveats. It was also feasible for Russia then to pressurise Ukraine to implement Minsk Agreements on Donetsk and Luhansk.

However, after 500 days of conflict, almost all CIS countries, with the sole exception of Belarus are either abstaining or voting against Russia in UN resolutions, thereby clearly indicating a widening chasm with Russia. Countries like Sweden, which had remained neutral in both World Wars and Finland, which was treaty-bound to be neutral, are joining NATO, thereby facilitating its eastward expansion, which Putin wanted to avoid. Consequently, irrespective of the wars outcome, Moscows geopolitical stature is undoubtedly diminishing. More significantly, a weak Russia is becoming more and more dependent on China, which should be a cause of serious concern both in India and the West.

On the domestic front, the Russian economy has been shrinking and its performance on the military front has led to loss of men, material and prestige. The demographic crunch has forced Putin to rely on armed mercenaries and ethnic militias to fight the war. The rising dependence on non-state actors has created its own set of associated problems, as was evident in the rebellion by Wagner. The incident has severely dented Putins authority and has created a security threat for Moscow that would linger on till these militias remain on Russian soil.

If Russia has to prevent the gradual decay, Putin would do well to accept a negotiated settlement, that comes from friends and gives him a fig leaf to hide his failures.

The author is Director India Foundation. 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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It is easy to frame the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as a polarising Hindu-Muslim issue. Indeed, it is the last remaining core issue among the three distinctive agenda items that defined the BJPs ideological distinctiveness from the 1980s onwards. Of the other two, the Ram temple in Ayodhya is nearing completion and Article 370 has already been diluted. So, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for the idea of the UCC soon after the 22nd Law Commission asked for public suggestions on it, the reactions to the move saw predictable opposition  from AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi to the Muslim Personal Law Board to divisions within opposition ranks.

While the discussion so far has only been on the idea of a Uniform Civil Code and it is unclear what form a proposed UCC will eventually take, the debate may not be as straightforward as traditional fault lines suggest.

First, there is the question of tribal rights. Tribal groups in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and the Northeast have expressed concern that a UCC may interfere with tribal rights, customs and practices. In the Northeast, this includes questions raised by three chief ministers  Zoramthanga in Mizoram, Conrad K Sangma in Meghalaya, and Neiphiu Rio in Nagaland. Zoramthangas Mizo National Front, Sangmas National Peoples Party and Rios Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) are part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

Reservations have also been expressed by the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA), an RSS-affiliated body that works in tribal areas. ABVKA has pushed for further consultations with tribal bodies and favours the suggestion by BJP MP Sushil Modi, chairman of the parliamentary panel on law, that tribal groups, including those in the Northeast, be kept out of the ambit of the proposed UCC.

India has over 730 tribal groups notified under Article 342 of the Constitution and such a move, if it happens, would assuage many of the concerns expressed by their representatives.

Second, the traditional stereotype of the commonly assumed Hindu-Muslim binary on the UCC may be more complex than it looks. A recent survey of over 8,000 Muslim women across major states by Network18 offered interesting responses.

While the survey did not explicitly mention the UCC, the responses in the survey, conducted in-person, flew in the face of traditional positions.

When asked if they favoured a common law for personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption or inheritance, 67.2% women said yes. As many as 82.3% said men and women should have equal rights to property and inheritance, 64.9% wanted adoption to be allowed regardless of religion, 73.7% favoured the rights of divorced couples to remarry without restrictions and 78.7% favoured 21 as the legal age of marriage.

The survey also indicated a difference within age groups. Women below 44 years of age were even more liberal in their responses and those above 44 slightly more conservative. But the survey indicated a clear direction of change.

Ever since it was first debated by the Constituent Assembly, the UCC has always been framed as a Hindu-Muslim question. Its opponents feared it may turn out to be a Hindu Code in disguise. This is why the idea of the UCC has always remained a political lightning rod.

A lot will depend on specifics and the actual proposal when it is crafted. Yet, if the Network18 survey is any indication, then a gender-just, light-touch regulation that ensures a common set of legal principles for marriage, succession, and parental unions may have much wider support than traditional political divisions suggest.

Nalin Mehta, an author and academic, is the Dean of School of Modern Media at UPES University in Dehradun, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University Singapore, and Group Consulting Editor, Network 18. He is the author of The New BJP: Modi and the Making of the Worlds Largest Political Party. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author.
Cultural appropriation causes harm. It is an extension of racism and colonial oppression. It treats all aspects of marginalised cultures as free for the taking. Its quite short of skin colour. Its a power dynamic. Appropriation allows a dominant culture to profit from a non-dominant culture. Then the dominant culture takes credit for the aspects of the non-dominant culture theyve taken from, which reinforces the imbalance of power between the two groups. Thats historically how appropriation tends to work the way it does. Through pure deception.

Nonrecognition and misrecognition through appropriation and misappropriation create a hostile environment, wherein cultural groups are silenced, made invisible and subject to stereotypes and bigoted false narratives. It is limiting and harmful to the people whose culture has been appropriated. It affects their well-being, their financial status, their self-esteem, and their cultural integrity.

When a majority or dominant monoculture steals customs, practices, sciences, and ideologies from people of a foreign minority culture, it has negative trans-generational social, economic and psychological effects. It is especially difficult for indigenous and aboriginal peoples worldwide to preserve their traditions and cultures when people such as Europeans and Americans practice appropriation without understanding or appreciation. The latter take the customs of the former and reinvent them, misinterpret them, and re-imagine them to fit into the narrow grooves of their own understanding.

Sanatana Dharma is, as the name implies, universal. Its for anyone on the planet who can come to realize its truth and beauty. Hindu-ism, as the name implies, belongs to the descendants of Bharat or those with ancestors who lived in the valleys of the Saraswati and Indus rivers. As many know, the term Hindu is a misnomer stemming from a Persian mispronunciation of the word Sindu, meaning river. Hindu culture, tradition, and heritage therefore, belong to the indigenous. A Western Hindu transplant should acknowledge this and pay due respect. Personally, I went from identifying as a Hindu, to an American Hindu, to an adoptee of Hindu Dharma, to a Sanatana Dharmi. I am a Sanatani, but not a Hindustani. Linguistic distortion and appropriation work hand-in-hand.

Some measures of appropriation are difficult for Westerners to avoid. Many of us must learn what appropriation is in the first place. We tend to have the privilege of never having to be victims of it. Some who do know what appropriation is, fail to see how it causes harm. Any serious Western practitioner of the eternal way is in at least some sense appropriating from Indic culture. It is therefore only proper and principled to practice such appropriation along with great appreciation and understanding.

The most glaring example of appropriation of Indic or Hindu culture is the abduction of yoga darshana (philosophy). People in the West have always enjoyed the free taking of what is considered sacred to people from the East. We turn it into something it was never meant to be, just so it might fit into the narrow grooves of our understanding. We place it into the material. We make it marketable. We do away with Hindu terminology and create our own brands and labels. We take what is substantially transformative and metaphysical, and turn it into a mere commodity. Then we claim to have improved it and regurgitate a mutation back into the culture we consumed it from.

There are, however, many yoga practitioners in the West who study and teach authentic and comprehensive systems of yoga. Many even adopt Hinduism or become Hindu-ish. There are also many Hinduphobic yoga instructors who have confiscated yoga, twisted it around, made it into a cult of the body, attached it to New Age pseudo-psychology, and then claimed it as their own invention. They have made themselves into the authorities on yoga, then portray it as purely secular. Ive heard a few say that it has nothing to do with Hinduism. They unfortunately ignore important and preliminary aspects of yoga such as Satya (honesty), asteya (non-stealing), and aparigraha (non-attachment).

Is it any wonder there is so much untruth being delivered to a bewildered world with everyone claiming the right of conscience without going through any discipline whatsoever. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

The mystical and metaphysical aspects of yoga spirituality have been replaced by Christian yoga, goat yoga, power yoga, rage yoga, Namaste Bitches t-shirts, and Yoga Barbie dolls. The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued 150 yoga-related copyrights, 134 trademarks on yoga accessories and 2,315 yoga trademarks. And 1,500 patents involving the yoga industry are awaiting approval.

This subvention is exploitative and results in the loss and distortion of religious and cultural traditions, arts, symbols, and the languages of Hindustanis. Appropriation along with the reminiscence of colonialism and a modern secular mindset, leaves Hindu tradition in the balance.

Such spiritual and philosophical systems as yoga, are taken out of their religious and cultural contexts to fill the egotistical and financial needs of the Western yoga industrialist. There are certainly worse ways to make a living, but these traditions are forced to become a mundane misrepresentation of what was once and in fact still is, a religious practice. Actually, the etymological definition of the word yoga, and that of the word religion, are synonymous.

Ive attempted to explain cultural appropriation to American yogis and yoginis in terms they can understand. I ask them if theyd ever take customs from Native or rather indigenous Americans. Of course, they say they wouldnt. Though if it were socially accepted and profitable, Im sure they would. If only they could get away with it, as they do with the appropriation of Indias indigenous peoples and cultures.

Lets imagine how this would look. A young white American man, whose ancestors annihilated the natives and put them on reservations, becomes interested in Navajo culture. He visits a tribe and is allowed to take part in a sweat lodge, at no cost. He then comes back to his home in the city and builds his own sweat lodge. He decides to invite others to participate and charges them one hundred dollars each to participate.

He doesnt have an understanding of Navajo customs, and he wants to make the sweat lodge experience unique and more appealing to his customers. So he creates his own rituals and prayers to accompany the ceremony. He has his clients drink a six-pack of beer before entering the lodge (Google beer yoga). Now hes not only stolen a sacred practice from a marginalized group of people. Hes turned it into something profane. In doing so, hes promoted the stereotype that Native American people are drunkards. Then of course, the young man goes back to the reservation to teach Navajo children his new and improved ceremony that is better than their traditional way.

Beyond the appropriation of yoga, Hindu symbology is taken and used to make toilet seat covers. Tantra has been made into a fetish. A guru is anyone who has mastered his or her occupation. Karma is luck and fatalism. Meditation is just relaxation or at best, mindfulness. The theory of reincarnation has been watered down, so hypnotherapists can perform past-life regressions. Even the word dharma has been whitewashed and is translated to be synonymous with religion. New Age self-help authors like Eckart Tolle (who is worth $75 million) get rich from Hindu ideology he gives no credit to. Kirtan is made performative by Western wallahs who claim that kirtan has nothing to do with any religion.

After 1835 C.E., Ayurvedic medicine was subject to negative cultural and scientific appropriation by the British. They actively discouraged and suppressed Indian literature, languages, and sciences. Ayurveda is an integral part of Vedanta. It is a sister science to yoga which addresses all aspects of physical, mental, and spiritual health. In more modern times, the biomedicalization of Ayurvedic herbs, preparations and formulas has taken place. Such herbo-mineral products had been used by many hundreds of millions of Indians for at least the last 4000 years. Western biologists and pharmacologists have stolen some of these, patented them and became wealthy. Not a single rupee went back to the Indian culture or people who developed, tested and perfected what is an incredibly comprehensive system of medicine.

Appropriation is ultimately an ingredient in the recipe for cultural genocide. The largest population of indigenous people, or Indian Hindus and their non-Indian Hindu allies, have the capacity to be the strongest front against such an eventual possibility. Though many forces have tried, the culture of Sanatana Dharma which may appear to fade, can never be extinguished. Indian Hindus are part of the oldest remaining civilization on Earth. Indian Hindus, Western Hindus, and the Hindu diaspora should treasure both the traditional and evolutionary aspects of Indic culture and champion common causes.

The writer is an American Sanatani & the author of the soon-to-be-released book, A Hindus Guide to Advocacy and Activism. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firsttposts views.

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I am flummoxed by the outrage of some protectors of Hinduism at the scene of the Bhagavad Gita in the blockbuster biopic Oppenheimer, where the father of the atomic bomb recites a couplet of the Gita after making love. Their collective angst can be summed up in this letter written by Uday Mahurkar to Christopher Nolan, the director of the film. Mahurkar is an Information Commissioner appointed in 2020, and also the founder of the Save Culture and Save India Foundation.

In that letter he writes: It has come to our notice that the movie Oppenheimer contains a scene which make a scathing attack on Hinduism. As per social media reports, a scene in the movie shows a woman makes 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 Bhagwad Geeta is one of the most revered scriptures of Hinduism. Geeta has been the inspiration for countless sanyasis, brahmacharis 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.

The letter goes on to say that Hollywood is very sensitive about the fact that Quran and Islam is not depicted in any manner that may offend the value system of a common Muslim, even if you make something based on Islamist terrorism, and asks, Why should not the same courtesy be also extended to Hindus? The letter urges Nolan to remove this scene from your film across world and adds, Should you choose to ignore this appeal it would be deemed as a deliberate assault on Indian civilisation.

Mahurkars anger, in my view, is highly misplaced, as is the endorsement of his views by Anurag Thakur, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, who went to the extent of threatening action against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for clearing the film. The truth is that in Hinduism  unlike many other religions  there is no fundamental opposition between spirituality and sensuality. True, spirituality can be pursued without the sensual, but the sensual is not considered to be antithetical to either spirituality or Dharma. That is why the four highest purusharthas or goals in the Hindu world-view are Dharma (Right Conduct), Artha (the pursuit of material well-being), Kama (desire and the sensual) and Moksha (salvation). Thus, Hinduism is perhaps the only major religion in the world which gives philosophical validity to Kama, not in isolation but as part of an overall balanced life, where  as Vatsyayana explains in the Kama Sutra  each of the four purusharthas is pursued in proportion not in exclusion.

The revulsion to the enlightened acceptance of the sensual in our philosophical tradition was that of the British. The British were colonisers. They sought to impose their Victorian morality and Christian ethics on the depraved moral fibre of the native. According to them, the Hindus were tied to hateful, horrible belief and customs  unmentionable thoughts. Their world of darkness was filled with lust, and their culture had no moral codes  tolerating both polyandry and polygamy and countenancing the greatest sensuousness. Their form of worship was to a great extent disgusting and immoral, and the Hindu himself suffered from unparalleled sexual degradation.

It is unfortunate that today, the new evangelists of saving Hinduism and culture have begun to echo the same colonizers view. Hinduism is not a semitic religion, but has a highly nuanced and sophisticated viewpoint on the myriad aspects of life. That is why Krishna, who delivers the immortal sermon on Nishkama Karma in the Bhagwat Gita is also the most consummate lover, whose dalliance and raas with the gopis is outlined in explicit detail in the Vishnu Purana, Harivamsha and the Bhagavata Purana. His romance with Radha, is the core of a vast corpus of ethereal and unambiguously erotic literature, whether it be Jayadevas Gita Govind or the poems of Surdas, Bihari, Vidyapati, Chandidasa, Mira, Andal and many others.

In fact, Krisna is called Srinagaramurthimam, the very embodiment of love and sensuality, and Radha, who was not his wife, is called Raseshwari  the very essence of the sensual mood. None of this was comprehensible to the British, and the tragedy is that the many-splendoured grandeur of Hinduism is being reduced to this same prudish critique by present day votaries of the same Victorian morality, who go around harassing young couples for being anti-Hindu sanskriti, and protest the fact that Deepika Padukone wore a saffron coloured bikini.

Hinduism did not sanction hedonism, or wanton sensuality. But, as the structure of the Khajuraho temple shows, it did not see the physical as ruptured from the spiritual. At the base of the Khajuraho temple, we have depictions of uninhibited eroticism, for full public view. In the centre, is a depiction of Shiva or Vishnu with their divine consorts. At the shikhara or pinnacle we have the Trinity, thereby marking an undeniable nexus between the sensual and the spiritual, the first a valid part of life, and the second the desired moksha to be aspired for.

Oppenheimer considered the Bhagavad Gita, one of his most favourite books. As a young man he learnt Sanskrit at the University of California, Berkeley. He read the Meghaduta of Kalidasa with delight and great enchantment. He knew the Hindu cycle of time, origination, existence and pralaya, or annihilation. When the atom bomb was tested in the deserts of Mexico, the lines of Verse 12 of the Gita came to his mind: If the radiance of a thousand sons were to burst at once into the sky, that would be the splendour of the mighty sky. But he was acutely aware of the misuse of his invention. That is why the lines of the Gita came spontaneously to him: Now I become Death, the Destroyer of the World. The fact that he said this before, during or after making love, should matter the least to enlightened Hindus aware of the greatness of their religion.

The writer is a former diplomat, an author and a politician. 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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An Air Force general, Lt. Gen. Richard G. Moore, has sparked controversy by suggesting that the United States military artificial intelligence will be superior due to the influence of Judeo-Christian values in American society. He made these remarks during a speech at a conservative Hudson Institute event in Washington, DC. Moore asserted that American society, shaped by these values, possesses a moral compass that not everyone shares.

He further commented on the importance of adhering to rules in warfare and avoiding unscrupulous means, without directly singling out any particular countries or groups. There are those that are willing to go for the ends regardless of what means have to be employed, he said.

His statements were criticized for their Christian nationalist undertones, especially considering the history of military actions carried out in the name of Christian values.

Regardless of what your beliefs are, our society is a Judeo-Christian society, and we have a moral compass, Moore told the assembled crowd. Not everybody does.

Some have pointed out the irony in Moores remarks, considering the controversial history of certain military actions. It seems that his oblique references to AI warfare may be aimed at China, the USs main tech adversary, but it is unclear how different their AI capabilities truly are.

Well this is comforting, striking TV writer John Rogers wrote in a tweet dripping with sarcasm. No military actions motivated by Christian values [have] ever ended poorly.

Well this is comforting. No military actions motivated by Christian values has ever ended poorly. https://t.co/nxNCiDv4sR  John Rogers (@jonrog1) July 23, 2023



Yall no, AI researcher Damien Williams tweeted. The Western/Christian underpinnings of AI are part of the WORST PROBLEMS IT EMBODIES.

Yall no. The Western/Christian underpinnings of AI are part of the WORST PROBLEMS IT EMBODIES. Ive literally written hundreds (if not 1000s) of pages on this. JFC Judeo-Christian roots will ensure U.S. military AI is used ethically, general sayshttps://t.co/DaMInT543G  Dr Damien P Williams Warned You About Exactly This (@Wolven) July 23, 2023



Looking at the track record, the US has employed morally questionable technologies in the pursuit of victory, which should be a cause for concern rather than pride for those who share the generals views.
The House Oversight Committee is currently conducting a hearing on highly contentious allegations suggesting that the US government is concealing evidence of extraterrestrial life, and there are even suspicions of attempts to reverse-engineer alien artefacts.

During the hearing, David Grusch, Ryan Graves (a former pilot), and Navy veteran fighter pilot Commander David Fravor, who witnessed the 2004 Tic Tac UFO incident, were all sworn in as witnesses.

David Grusch, an Air Force veteran and former member of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, has reiterated these claims, stating that the government has not only retrieved unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) over the years but has actively worked to keep this information hidden from the public.

The purpose of the hearing

The central question at the heart of this hearing is whether any meaningful insights into the matter will be revealed. Congressman Tim Burchett, who is co-leading the UAP investigation, emphasised the importance of government transparency, noting that a lack of trust in the people erodes faith in the government. Were not bringing little green men or flying saucers into the hearing, he added. Sorry to disappoint about half yall. Were just going to get to the facts. Were going to uncover the cover-up.

I was informed, in the course of my official duties, of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program, said Gursch, adding that I made the decision based on the data I collected, to report this information to my superiors and multiple Inspectors General, and in effect become a whistleblower.

It is my hope that the revelations we unearth through investigations of the Non-Human Reverse Engineering Programs I have reported will act as an ontological (earth-shattering) shock, a catalyst for a global reassessment of our priorities, he concluded. As we move forward on this path, we might be poised to enable extraordinary technological progress in a future where our civilization surpasses the current state-of-the-art in propulsion, material science, energy production and storage.

The US govt killed people to cover up UAPs

In addition to his previous testimony, David Grusch made further claims during the hearing. He asserted that he had been informed by several credible intelligence officials that the US government had retrieved non-human aircraft with biological pilots on board. This indicates the existence of alleged extraterrestrial technology involved in these incidents.

At one point during the first-of-its-kind hearing, Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn) asked Grusch: Personally, have you heard of anyone being murdered? Grusch said: I have to be careful answering that question. I directed people with that knowledge to the appropriate authorities.

Moreover, Grusch stated that he was aware of multiple colleagues who suffered physical injuries resulting from encounters with UFOs or from their involvement in working on these unidentified aerial phenomena as part of special access programs. These claims add to the already highly controversial and extraordinary nature of the hearings revelations.

This testimony was given during a groundbreaking hearing. Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn) asked Grusch if he had any information about individuals being murdered, to which Grusch responded cautiously, stating that he had directed individuals with such knowledge to the appropriate authorities.

The most compelling testimony

When questioned about the possibility of similar technology being developed on Earth, Commander David Fravor responded that there is nothing he knows of that can replicate the behaviour of the observed unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). According to Fravors explanation, he and his squadron witnessed a UAP descending from an altitude of 80,000 feet, nearly twice the ceiling of their F-18 fighter jets, down to the surface of the ocean. At the same time, another craft appeared to be causing a disturbance in the water.

He further described that after this encounter, the UAP rapidly accelerated past their designated rendezvous point at a speed three times faster than their own fighter jets, highlighting the extraordinary capabilities demonstrated by the unidentified craft.

Fravor also mentioned that multiple witnesses have come forward with firsthand knowledge of UFOs. He alluded to a former Marine who claims that he and five fellow comrades witnessed a flying saucer-like object being loaded with weapons while they were stationed in Indonesia in 2009. These additional accounts reinforce the idea that there are multiple witnesses from different backgrounds reporting similar encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena.
In an escalation of Russias anger at Ukraine and its Western backers, Russia refused to speak at a UN Security Council meeting called to discuss Moscows recent devastating attacks on the key port of Odesa immediately following its refusal to extend the Black Sea grain deal.

The confrontation began at the start of a council session called by Russia on the divided Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Russias deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky ,protested that Britain, which holds the council presidency, was allowing only two briefers and Moscow wanted a third  Archbishop Gideon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Ukrainian government has cracked down on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its historic ties to the Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader, Patriarch Kirill, supported Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.

Polyansky accused the UK of bias, censorship and obstruction for limiting the number of briefers.

Deputy British ambassador James Kariuki responded that because of a tight time schedule to fit in two council meetings, the UK had offered a compromise to allow a third Russian briefer to submit a statement to the council, which he said was not unreasonable.

Polyansky was not satisfied, and Kariuki then put Russias proposal to have the archbishop speak to a vote. Russia got support only from China and Brazil, with the 12 other council members abstaining.

Polyansky called the councils refusal to allow the archbishop to speak an egregious example of double standards on human rights and freedom of religion.

As a sign of protest, he said, Russia wouldnt speak in the Ukraine-backed council session called by Ukraine to take up the Odesa attacks.

The meeting on the Orthodox Church then went ahead. The director of the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations, Nihal Saad, told the council that the division between Ukraines Orthodox bodies has existed for decades. But she said it has been exacerbated since the February 2022 Russian invasion and has reverberated worldwide as Orthodox churches have struggled with how and whether to take sides.

Saad said the heartbreaking damage to Odesas historic church, the Transfiguration Cathedral, caused by a Russian missile strike Sunday was condemned by many, including the U.N. secretary-general. The cathedral is in Odesas historic city center that is a UNESCO world heritage site and had been largely spared since the beginning of the war.

Saad lamented that it was one of 116 religious sites damaged since the invasion, according to a preliminary assessment by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In her briefing, Saad cited restrictions to freedom of religion by both Russia and Ukraine since the invasion, saying the politicization of religion in the war in Ukraine fuels intercommunal tensions, stokes fear and triggers violence.

Polyansky called the devastation to the cathedral a horrible tragedy and reiterated Russias claim that the cathedral was damaged by a piece from Ukraines anti-air defenses  not a Russian missile. If a Russian missile targeted the cathedral, he said, then there would be nothing left of the cathedral at all.

The Russian deputy ambassador left the council chamber at the end of the session.

The council meeting that followed on the Russian attacks on Odesa came days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraine to export more than 32,000 tons of foodstuff to many countries facing the threat of hunger.

In addition to severely damaging the cathedral, the Russian attacks crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

The council heard from 14 members, almost all condemning the damage to Odesa.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that Russia is hell-bent on preventing Ukrainian grain from reaching global markets and that the world is paying the price for Russias barbaric attacks.

She accused Russia of weaponizing grain and cynically using Russian-produced grain as leverage to win the support of other countries.

Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, the last speaker, told the council that Russian missiles, including anti-ship missiles, hit 29 historical and cultural landmarks in Odesa.

He said Russias blockade of Ukrainian ports, destruction of their infrastructure, obstruction of grain exports, and intimidation of foreign merchant vessels should be considered an attack on freedom of navigation.

These actions also aim at eliminating a market competitor, deliberately raising world food prices and making a profit at the expense of the millions of people around the world who will suffer, Kyslytsya said.

A junior Russian diplomat sat in Russias chair during the Odesa session and left the chamber when it ended  never having uttered a word.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed extending the state of emergency which would effectively delay elections in the war-torn country that were slated to be held in October.

Last year as Russia invaded Ukraine, Zelenskyy implemented martial law. Since then, the government has been extending the law with the most recent extension announced on May 20 for 90 days.

An approval from the Verkhovna Rada, the parliament of Ukraine, would extend the martial law till November 15.

If we have martial law, we cannot have elections. The constitution prohibits any elections during martial law, Zelenskyy said in May.

As per Ukrainian law, parliamentary elections should be held no later than October 29 and over 60 days should be granted to political parties for campaigning.

The law, however, does not allow elections to be held when martial law is in effect.

Russia to hold polls in captured parts of Ukraine?

Russia has captured key locations in Ukraine and is planning to set up its own governmental bodies in these areas.

Earlier this month, however, Russias top election official said that if the situation worsens in the four Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine, the local elections slated for September could be cancelled.

The four regions that Vladimir Putin has staked a claim for are Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Since the situation is really difficult, anything can happen, Ella Panfilova, who chairs Russias Central Election Commission, told Putin at a meeting in the Kremlin.

If unforeseen circumstances arise  in some areas the situation may deteriorate dramatically  and we see that there is a serious danger to the life and health of residents, then we have the right to postpone these elections, she said.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, whose Bud Light sales in the United States have lately declined, will lay off hundreds of corporate employees in the nation, CNN said on Wednesday, citing a company statement.

According to CNN, the job losses would affect fewer than 2 per cent of the worlds largest brewers entire workforce but would exclude frontline personnel such as brewery and warehouse workers, truckers, and field sales representatives.

Anheuser-Busch did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Reuters.

Bud Light and Budweiser have recently seen their sales plummet in the United States following a reaction from conservatives over a social media promotion featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, and have been dethroned as the top-selling beer brand in the country by Constellation Brands Modelo Especial.
Donald Trump wants to see President Joe Biden impeached, and the former presidents allies in Congress and his 2024 GOP presidential rivals are eager to join that fight as his own legal challenges mount.

Trumps chief opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, this week said the House Republicans are absolutely within their rights to consider an impeachment inquiry against Biden. Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, also running for president, said Republicans would be justified to do it. And House GOP leaders aligned with Trump are foreshadowing whats ahead.

House Republicans will leave no stone unturned, said Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the fourth-ranking House GOP leader and a top Trump ally, who is sometimes mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick.

This week, the prospect of impeaching Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden, emerged from the far corners of the GOPs right flank to the mainstream in the Republican Party.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced on Fox News that the House may open an impeachment inquiry into Biden, and expanded on his plans at a Tuesday press event at the Capitol.

Behind closed doors Wednesday, however, the Republican speaker told GOP colleagues its early in the impeachment process, and McCarthy acknowledged theres still much that is unknown about Joe Biden and whether he had any awareness or involvement in his sons business deals that would arise to an impeachable offense.

The speaker went through what we know and what we dont know, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a seasoned lawmaker and committee chairman.

Theres a lot we dont know  we dont know if any money went directly to President Biden or not, Cole said, explaining the message to the House GOP. Thats what they do the investigations about.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said McCarthy also told them if it comes to a Biden impeachment inquiry, hes going to ask that you be with me on this.

Greene, a Trump ally backing impeachment, said no one rose during the private meeting to object.

By putting Biden on notice that the House is considering an inquiry, the Republicans are elevating a once rare congressional check on executive power  the formal impeachment charges over high crimes and misdemeanors  into yet another tool being wielded in party politics.

Its a political escalation, urged on by Trump, after his own two impeachments. The prospect of a Biden impeachment inquiry also comes as Trump faces mounting legal cases, including a potential federal indictment in the investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith over his efforts to overturn the election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

Trump is the only president in U.S. history that has been twice impeached  first in 2019 over his phone call urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dig up dirt on the Bidens or risk losing U.S. military aid, and again in 2021 in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters trying to overturn Bidens election.

Now, as the Republican partys frontrunner for the nomination to take on Biden in 2024, Trump has long seethed over his impeachments at the hands of House Democrats. McCarthy has suggested the Trump impeachments could be expunged, as proposed by Stefanik and Greene. But Trump wants Biden to face similar impeachment charges.

They impeach me over a perfect phone call, and they dont impeach Biden, Trump posted online in capital letters this week, calling the current president corrupt.

Last week, at a Fox News town hall in Iowa, Trump expressed similar complaints asking: Why arent they impeaching Biden?  Why isnt he under impeachment?

House Republicans in various committees are probing the Bidens and suggesting the president may have been aware or involved in his son Hunter Bidens work, particularly when the younger Biden served on the board of the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma.

The Republicans in Congress point to testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who testified last week the Justice Department slow-walked their investigation into Bidens, a claim the agency rejects. The Republicans also publicly released what the FBI says is unverified information from a confidential informant alleging Burisma payments to the Bidens as bribes, though other documents show a top company official disputing any payments were made.

Hunter Biden had agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges of tax evasion stemming from a federal investigation, but the deal unraveled Wednesday when a judge raised questions about it.

Ive seen enough. We need a special counsel who has jurisdiction over any and all Biden family investigations, Chris Christie, another Trump rival in the 2024 race, said on social media.

The White House has declined to engage in specific questions about any House GOP impeachment inquiry against Biden.

They can do whatever it is that they wish to do, but were going to stay focused, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier this week, pointing to the real priorities that the American families care about.

Biden himself has repeatedly said that he does not talk with his son about his overseas business dealings.

As Hunter Biden appeared in court Wednesday, the press secretary issued a statement: As we have said, the president, the first lady, they love their son, and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life.

Not all Republicans are on board with the Houses plans to consider an impeachment inquiry, but those who object may face political retribution from Trump.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he understands House Republicans may be incentivized to launch an impeachment inquiry after Trump was impeached twice when Democrats had control of the chamber.

But the Kentucky Republican warned fellow Republicans of continuing down this path.

Impeachment ought to be rare rather than common, said McConnell, who has long endured Trumps ire and hasnt spoken to him since the month before the Capitol attack. I think this is not good for the country when we have repeated impeachment.

Trump this week singled out other Republican senators, including John Cornyn of Texas and Mitt Romney of Utah, who had expressed their reluctance to launch impeachment proceedings.

House Democrats have declared the effort to impeach Biden political extremism and signaled theywill oppose it.

Im very well aware of how important it is to follow the facts and the evidence before you reach any conclusions  and the Republicans are doing the reverse, said Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York, a chief prosecutor in the Houses first impeachment of Trump in 2019.

What they are talking about now is pure political retribution that is not based on facts and evidence, he said, adding thats abusing the impeachment power of the Congress.
The door is open for New Zealand to participate in the AUKUS weapons development and procurement project between the United States, Britain, and Australia, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday.

The multi-stage AUKUS project, launched in March, is expected to be completed in the late 2030s and early 2040s with the development and operation of a new submarine class, SSN-AUKUS, by the British and Australian governments. This project will also use cutting edge U.S. technologies.

The doors very much open for New Zealand and other partners to engage as they see appropriate going forward, Blinken told a news conference in Wellington.

Weve long worked together on the most important national security issues. And so as we further develop AUKUS, as I said, the door is open to engagement.

Blinken is spending a little over a day in New Zealand as part of a three-nation tour of the Pacific.

Chris Hipkins, the prime minister of New Zealand, and Nanaia Mahuta, the foreign minister, both met him. Later on Thursday, he will fly to Australia, where the biggest joint military exercise between the US and Australia will get underway.

Although Mahuta underlined on Thursday that New Zealand was not prepared to compromise or change our nuclear-free position and that it continued to support a nuclear-free Pacific, New Zealand has stated that it is open to discussions on a second phase of AUKUS that focuses on military technologies.

The international rules-based order, the increasingly contentious global environment, notably in the Pacific, and highlighted the importance of the rule of law were all topics covered in her warm and intimate chats with Blinken, she claimed.

Although their alliance was put on hold in the 1980s when New Zealand forbade the visit of American warships with nuclear propulsion or weapons, New Zealand and the US both regard themselves as close strategic partners.

Due to shared worries about Chinas influence in the Pacific, particularly Beijings expanding defence and policing links with the Solomon Islands and its possible destabilising effect in the region, their relationship has gotten closer over the past few of years.

According to Mahuta, New Zealand respects the sovereignty of the Solomon Islands but also supports regional agreements that call on the Pacific regions nations to band together when making decisions that could have an influence on the region.

(With agency inputs)
AI text generators have become so proficient in writing like humans that even OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, which, arguably is the most advanced text generator, can no longer differentiate between a piece that has been generated by AI, and one that has been written by humans.

As meme-worthy as this development is, this does not bode well for AI studios and their plans to differentiate between AI-generated content.

OpenAI shuts down its AI text detector

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has quietly discontinued a tool designed to detect AI-generated text. The decision was made because the tools accuracy did not meet their standards, as mentioned in a blog update on July 20, 2023. OpenAI acknowledged the need for better techniques to trace the origin of text and is now working on improving the tool.

Originally, the AI detection tool was launched to assist educators in identifying instances of academic cheating, as detecting AI-written text had become a significant concern. However, OpenAI was aware of the limitations of such tools and cautioned against relying solely on them for decision-making.

The reasons why students might use AI tools, such as stress or seeking shortcuts, are complex issues that require more than just technological solutions.

AI cant be trusted with anything

Even Turnitin, a popular plagiarism-checker software used in schools, faced accuracy issues with its new AI-written content detection tool. False accusations against students using AI to cheat were a concern after the software incorrectly identified over half of the text in a test conducted by the Washington Post.

Experts had previously raised concerns about ChatGPT and similar generative AI technologies in January, fearing that they could exacerbate existing problems in education, such as an overemphasis on tests and formulaic essays.

The current state of AI technology allows humans to imitate the writing style of AI models, and conversely, AI models can replicate human-like writing if given appropriate prompts. Exploiting this capability, individuals can easily evade AI detectors by instructing ChatGPT to write in the style of a known author. Despite this challenge, there has been a recent proliferation of commercial AI detectors over the last six months.

Prominent AI writer and futurist, Daniel Jeffries, expressed his scepticism regarding the effectiveness of AI detection tools, particularly highlighting OpenAIs struggles with their own tool. If OpenAI cant get its AI detection tool to work, nobody else can either, he tweeted Ive said before that AI detection tools are snake oil sold to people and this is just further proof that they are. Dont trust them. Theyre nonsense.

What happens to the plan of watermarking AI-generated texts?

Ongoing research is exploring the possibility of watermarking AI-generated text by deliberately manipulating the frequency of words in the output. However, the study mentioned indicates that such text watermarking methods can be easily bypassed by AI models that are capable of paraphrasing the content.

Given the current state of AI writing technology, it appears that AI-generated text is here to stay. As we move forward, AI-augmented text has the potential to seamlessly blend with the great works of human history, making it difficult to detect if used skillfully.

In light of this development, it may be essential to shift our focus from solely examining how text is composed to ensuring that it accurately reflects the intended message of the human author. Effective communication should be the primary goal, regardless of whether the content is generated by AI or written by a human. As AI continues to play a significant role in content creation, emphasizing meaningful expression and representation of ideas becomes increasingly important.
Refuting allegations of human rights violations in his country, Bangladesh Information Minister Hasan Mahmud Thursday said certain foreign powers are trying to create an issue over it to put undue pressure on the country.

Mahmud said the general election in Bangladesh due in January next year will be held as per the norms laid down in its Constitution.

The allegations of human rights violations in our country are not right. The condition of human rights in Bangladesh is much better than in the countries of those foreign powers who are raising questions about ours, Mahmud told reporters at Kolkata Press Club.

The foreign powers who are questioning the track record of human rights in Bangladesh are doing so to keep the country under pressure .

There has been racist attacks in the United States too. If there is any issue in India, do these foreign powers dare to question it? The answer is no as it is an internal matter of a soverign nation, he said.

But these foreign powers single out Bangladesh to keep us under pressure and to control us to some extent as Bangladesh is geo-politically very important,  Mahmud said.

To questions on Dhakas closeness with China, Mahmud said Beijings investment in Bangladesh has come down in recent years.

If you go by data, the amount of investment by China in Bangladesh has come down over the years. But yes they do get some contracts as their bidding rates are very low,  he added.
In yet another cross-border love story, a Chinese woman has travelled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan to marry the man she befriended on instant messaging app Snapchat and fell in love with.

As per police, 21-year-old Gao Feng arrived in Islamabad last week by road from China via Gilgit on a three-month visit visa. She was received by her 18-year-old friend Javed, a resident of Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan.

Due to security situation in Bajaur district bordering Afghanistan, Javed took Feng to his maternal uncles home in Samarbagh tehsil of Lower Dir District.

According to police, Feng and Javed were in contact through Snapchat for the last three years and gradually the friendship developed into a love affair.

On Wednesday, Gao converted to Islam and got married to Javed.

Her new name, after conversion, is Kiswa, a report by PTI quoted Javeds maternal cousin Izzatullah Khan as saying.

The incident is similar to that of Anju, a 34-year-old married Indian woman from Uttar Pradeshs Kailor, who travelled to Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend, 29-year-old Nasrullah.

Anju travelled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province last week legally from India via the Wagah-Attari border on a 30-day visa, valid for Upper Dir only.

Also Read: Shes ruined future of her children, husband: Indian woman Anjus father after she marries Pakistani Facebook friend

Earlier this week, Anju, the mother of two, converted to Islam and got married to Nasrullah. She now has a new name, Fatima.

The Indian authorities are also closely watching the case of Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman, who illegally came in India with her four children to marry and settle with Indian man Sachin Meena who she became friends with while playing online game PUBG.

With inputs from agencies
Niamey: (AP) Niger is not to be confused with Nigeria, Africas most populous country. Niger lies just to the north, part of the sprawling region directly below the Sahara Desert that for years has faced a growing threat from various groups of Islamic extremists.

Until Wednesdays coup attempt in Niger, the United States security ally had avoided the military takeovers that destabilised West African neighbours in recent years, and it was seen as the last major partner standing in a Francophone region where anti-French sentiment had grown.

Heres what to know:

What does this mean for regional security?

Signalling Nigers importance in the region where the Russian private military group Wagner also operates, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country in March to strengthen ties and announce USD 150 million in direct assistance, calling the country a model of democracy.

Now a critical question is whether Niger will pivot and engage Wagner as a counterterrorism partner like its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, which have kicked out French forces. France shifted more than 1,000 forces to Niger after pulling out of Mali last year.

Niger has been a base of international military operations for years as Islamic extremists have greatly expanded their reach in the Sahel.

Those include Boko Haram in neighboring Nigeria and Chad, but the more immediate threat comes from growing activity in Nigers border areas with Mali and Burkina Faso from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and the al-Qaida affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, known as JNIM.

What about counterterrorism efforts?

US partners battling extremists in the Sahel are dwindling. Notably, Malis military junta last month ordered the 15,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping mission there to leave, claiming they had failed in their mission. Now Wagner forces remain there, accused by watchdogs of human rights atrocities.

The United States in early 2021 said it had provided Niger with more than USD 500 million in military assistance and training programs since 2012, one of the largest such support programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Notably in Niger, the US has operated drones out of a base it constructed in the countrys remote north as part of counterterrorism efforts in the vast Sahel.

The fate of that base and other US operational sites in the country after this weeks attempted coup is not immediately known. The US Africa Command has not commented.

Niger was the site of one of the deadliest encounters for US forces in Africa in recent years, an ambush by extremists in 2017 that left four soldiers dead.

The attack again raised questions by some critics in Washington about why the US would be involved on the continent.

How deadly is extremism in the region?

Observers say West Africas Sahel region has become one of the worlds deadliest regions for extremism.

West Africa recorded over 1,800 extremist attacks in the first six months of this year resulting in nearly 4,600 deaths, a top regional official told the United Nations Security Council this week.

Of those deaths, most occurred in Burkina Faso and Mali and just 77 occurred in Niger, said the official, Omar Touray, the president of the ECOWAS Commission. Observers have warned that the extremist threat is also expanding south toward states like Ghana and Ivory Coast.

The coup attempt in Niger brings yet more insecurity to the region at large.

It also brings new challenges to one of the worlds poorest countries that also struggles with drought and migrants from across West Africa trying to make their way across the Sahara and into northern Africa en route toward Europe. (AP)
Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, presented a plea deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to tax crimes and avoid a gun charge on Wednesday, but the judge in the case indicated she needed more time to consider their arrangement.

The news indicates that the presidents legal problems will follow him when he seeks for re-election in 2024. Former President Donald Trump and Trumps Republican congressional supporters have criticised the agreement as unfairly favouring the presidents son.

The astonishing change of events occurred after what was supposed to be a regular plea hearing morphed into a three-hour affair with whispered talks between attorneys and tough questioning from US District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika.

I cannot accept the plea agreement today, she said, asking the parties to brief her on why she should accept it, meaning that Hunter Bidens lawyers and prosecutors may yet persuade her to approve the deal as it was previously negotiated, or to alter it to a form she can accept. She said she did not want to rubber stamp a plea deal.

At the hearing, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to accusations of failing to pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in revenue in 2017 and 2018, while owing more than $100,000, according to prosecutors.

He did not enter a plea in a second case in which he is charged with criminal possession of a handgun while addicted to and using a controlled drug.

Hunter Bidens attorneys and prosecutors spat in court about whether the plea agreement would have stopped the younger Biden from being charged with any future crimes, with defence counsel Chris Clark declaring the agreement null and void.

Biden first stated that he would not plead guilty to the tax charges until a settlement was in place to prevent prosecution on the gun charge, but changed his mind following protracted talks between his attorneys and prosecutors while Noreika sat in her chambers.

The parties eventually decided that the agreement would only offer Biden protection from prosecution for a restricted range of tax, drug, and weapons offences.

Politically charged case

Republicans have for years accused Hunter Biden of leveraging his fathers political power for personal gain in his dealings in Ukraine and China, though the probe by US Attorney David Weiss of Delaware, a Trump appointee, has not turned up any evidence to support those claims.

News of the plea deal in June sparked accusations of favourable treatment for the presidents son from Trump and his Republican allies, who have for years accused the younger Biden of influence-peddling abroad, among other things.

Those allegations spurred the criminal investigation by Weiss, who in a departure from typical practice was allowed to remain in office to continue the probe after Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election.

Weiss was present in court on Wednesday but did not speak.

White House spokesperson Karine Jeane-Pierre said the president supported his son, adding, Hunter Biden is a private citizen and this was a personal matter for him.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland has denied allegations of special treatment and said Weiss was given full autonomy to investigate Hunter Biden. Weiss has also said he faced no interference.

Hunter Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant, investment banker and artist. He has publicly discussed his struggles with addiction, including alcoholism and crack cocaine use.

Trump, who was indicted in New York for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star and faces federal criminal charges in Florida for his handling of classified documents upon leaving office in 2021, has criticized Hunter Bidens deal with prosecutors as a mere traffic ticket.
When a massive fire broke out on board a cargo ship carrying approximately 3,000 automobiles off the coast of the Netherlands, an Indian crew member was killed and 20 others were injured, with Dutch coastguards warning that the inferno may continue for several days.

The fire broke out on the 199-metre Panama-registered Fremantle Highway on Tuesday night, en route from Germany to Egypt. Several members of the crew were forced to leap overboard.

According to a social media statement by the Indian Embassy in the Netherlands, the fire killed one Indian person.

We are deeply saddened by the incident involving Ship Fremantle Highway in the North Sea, resulting in the death of an Indian seafarer & injuries to the crew, it said in a tweet on Wednesday.

We are deeply saddened by the incident involving Ship Fremantle Highway in North Sea, resulting in the death of an Indian seafarer & injuries to the crew. Embassy of India is in touch with family of the deceased & is assisting in repatriation of the mortal remains @MEAIndia  IndiainNetherlands (@IndinNederlands) July 26, 2023

The embassy stated that it is in contact with the deceased's relatives and is aiding in the repatriation of the lifeless remains.

"Embassy is also in touch with the remaining 20 injured crew members, who are safe and receiving medical attention. All possible assistance is being extended in coordination with the Dutch authorities and the shipping company," it said.

A representative for the Dutch Coastguard told CNN on Wednesday that rescue boats and helicopters were used to remove the 23 crew members off the ship after some of them leapt in the ocean.

According to the article, images show grey smoke pouring from the ship amid worries that it may sink 27 kilometres north of the Dutch island of Ameland, off the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is regarded as one of the most significant places for migrating birds in the world.

According to the Dutch national network NOS, one of the 25 electric cars on board may have ignited the fire.

Dutch firefighters were still struggling to put out the fire on the cargo ship some 16 hours after the blaze started, a Dutch coastguard said.

It could take hours, days, or even weeks to make sure the fire is completely out, a spokesman said, adding that it is currently too dangerous to put firefighters on the ship.

If you start filling the ship with water, you risk destabilising it and that could tip it over, spokesman Edwin Grammeman told NOS.

According to the coastguard, a distress call came when the ship was some 30 kilometres off the coast of the Wadden Sea island of Ameland.

The 23 crew members on board the Panamanian-flagged ship attempted to put out the fire themselves, but the blaze spread too fast. Specialised firefighters were brought in from Rotterdam but the situation had already become too dangerous by the time they arrived, the Dutch News reported.

Seven of the crew jumped into the sea and were picked up by nearby ships. The remaining crew members were rescued by helicopters. It is not clear how the person who died was killed, it said.

The authorities are now focusing their efforts on preventing the listing ship from sinking. A tugboat from the Wadden Island water taxi service Rederij Noordgat was able to attach a rope to the Fremantle Highway and prevent it from drifting into shipping lanes.

Other boats are on standby to try to help pull the vessel to safety.
According to Palestinian health sources, Israeli military fire killed a 14-year-old Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, as an extreme Israeli Cabinet minister visited a sensitive Jerusalem mosque that has been a regular flashpoint for unrest between Israel and the Palestinians.

Itamar Ben-Gvirs journey to the disputed hilltop complex comes at a time when Israel and the Palestinians have been battling for a year and a half, potentially escalating tensions. It was also expected to elicit criticism from Palestinians who see such trips as provocative. Jews and Muslims both venerate the site, and opposing claims are at the centre of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Fares Sharhabil Abu Samra, 14, was killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank town of Qalqilya, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military did not respond immediately.

Ben-Gvir was among hundreds of Jews expected to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tisha BAv, a day of sadness and repentance when Jews meditate on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, pivotal events in Jewish history.

This is the most important place for the people of Israel which we must return to and show our rule, Ben-Gvir said in a video released by his office, with the golden Dome of the Rock in the background.

Ben-Gvir, a former West Bank settler leader and far-right activist convicted of incitement and support for a Jewish terror group years ago, is now Israels national security minister, in charge of the countrys police force.

Ben-Gvirs third known visit to the contentious site since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right administration on Thursday. The Temple Mount is the holiest location in Judaism, and it is where the ancient Temples originally stood. It now houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islams third holiest site.

His visit could enflame already surging tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, who have been engaged in a monthslong round of fighting that has sparked the worst violence in nearly two decades in the West Bank.

Since early last year, Israel has been staging near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas which it says are meant to stamp out militancy and thwart future attacks. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press.

The military says most of those killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis since the start of 2023.

Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are permitted to visit the site, but not to pray there. But in recent years, a growing number of Jewish visitors have begun to quietly pray, raising fears among Palestinians that Israel is plotting to divide or take over the site. Ben-Gvir has long called for increased Jewish access.

Israel captured east Jerusalem, where the compound lies, along with the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state, with east Jerusalem as its capital. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move unrecognized by most of the international community and considers the city its undivided, permanent capital.

Netanyahus government, consisting of ultranationalists and West Bank settlement supporters like Ben-Gvir, has intensified steps to solidify Israels hold on territories that Palestinians seek for a future state, angering Israels top ally, the United States, and dimming hopes for Palestinian statehood.
Around 5,500 videos of female students of Islamia University Bahawalpur in Pakistan being drugged and sexually assaulted have been recovered from varsity staff.

It is being alleged that one of the accused behind the crime is a son of federal minister Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema who got addicted to drugs and was sexually exploiting hundreds of female students of the university.

Major Ijaz Shah, the security chief of the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) was also allegedly involved in the scandal.

Cheema was warned about the potential political damage if the videos of his son were made public, a report by Global Village Space said. After this, the minister contacted police officers who were related to him and allegedly sought their assistance in saving his son.

Cheema also demanded the arrest of Ijaz Shah and the confiscation of the explicit videos and images to prevent his son from being exposed.

Ijaz was arrested and cops recovered several aphrodisiac pills and drugs in his possession. Also, offensive recordings and pictures of IUB students and employees.

After the cops analysed Ijazs mobile phone, they tracked some students for supplying and buying drugs. The investigation revealed that 11 students enrolled in the university had criminal records and were involved in drug peddling.

Ijaz Shahs confession

During the interrogation, Ijaz revealed that he had been monitoring the security cameras at the IUB and used the footage to film female students hugging, smoking with friends under trees, and near university buildings.

These videos were then used to blackmail the students, threatening to share them with their parents.

The Global Village Space report said Ijaz allegedly would take scared female students to the homes of influential gang members, including the son of Cheema, where sexual exploitation would occur.

More arrests

Police also nabbed finance director of the university, Abu Bakar and Transport Incharge, Muhammad Altaf. A total of three staff members of Islamia University Bahawalpur have been detained.

Eight grams of meth was allegedly recovered from Altafs possession.

Meanwhile, Dawn mentioned that a special report by police claimed that a group of teachers at the university was involved in the sale of drugs and sexual exploitation of female students and teachers.

In the report, police claimed that the two officials held on drug charges were also involved in blackmail and sexual exploitation of students and teachers in the varsity.

The report claimed the finance director confessed that he along with a group of other teachers would purchase and distribute drugs through students and arrange dance/sex parties.

The cops further revealed that the group of teachers would exploit/blackmail girls, intoxicate them using drugs and were carrying out illegal activities with the help of the IUB security in-charge.

High-powered team constituted

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has constituted a high-powered committee, comprising three vice-chancellors and officers from security agencies, to investigate the Islamia University Bahawalpur scandal.

The members of the committee said that so far a thorough probe should have been conducted by the university management, but it failed to do so. They said the committee should engage the Federal Investigation Agency to probe this matter, adding that a forensic audit of all deans of the university should be carried out by the FIA cyber wing.

The committee has also decided to summon the Regional Police Officer of Bahawalpur and FIA Cyber Crime Wing head at the next meeting on 31 July.

With inputs from agencies
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday to discuss military problems and the regional security situation, according to state media, as the nation marked the 70th anniversary of an armistice that ended combat in the 1950-53 Korean War.

According to the Norths official Korean Central News Agency, Kim and Shoigu met in Pyongyang on Wednesday and agreed on unnamed matters of mutual concern in the field of national defence and security and on the regional and international security environment.

According to KCNA, Shoigu delivered to Kim a warm and good letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during the meeting. The report did not detail the military issues mentioned.

In a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic, North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to attend the events marking the armistice of 27 July 1953. While the truce left the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war, the North still saw it as a victory in the Grand Fatherland Liberation War.

KCNA said Kim also took Shoigu to an arms exhibition that showcased some of North Koreas newest weapons and briefed him on national plans to expand the countrys military capabilities. Photos from the exhibition showed Kim and Shoigu walking near a row of large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.

Some of the weapons in the images appeared to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that the North has flight-tested in recent years as it pursues an arsenal that can pose a viable threat to the continental United States. Kim and Shoigu also walked past what were possibly new surveillance and attack drones that had not been publicly announced by the North.

Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean military was analyzing the military assets shown in the North Korean photos but did not share specific assessments.

The North Korean festivities were widely expected to be capped later Thursday by a giant military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles. State media, however, had not confirmed plans for a military parade.

Some experts say North Korea sees US confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and insert itself into a united front against Washington.

The last time North Korea invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018, when it held a low-key event that excluded Kims ICBMs. North Korea at the time was initiating diplomacy with Seoul and Washington as Kim attempted to leverage his nukes for badly needed economic benefits.

Those efforts led to a summit between Kim and then-US President Donald Trump that June, but the diplomacy collapsed after their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since ramped up the development of the nuclear arms that he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival while berating gangster-like US sanctions and pressure.

Beijings delegation to North Korea is headed by mid-level official Li Hongzhong, a politburo member of Chinas ruling Communist Party.

KCNA said senior North Korean officials led by Choe Ryong Hae, chairman of the standing committee of the countrys rubber-stamp parliament, held a reception for Lis delegation in Pyongyang on Wednesday at which they honored Chinese soldiers who died while fighting alongside the North Koreans during the war.

Li said in a speech at the event that China is ready to promote the sound and stable development in relations with the North, KCNA said.

Analysts say Kim sharing the center stage with Shoigu and Li at a military parade would be a key accomplishment he could show to his domestic audience as well as a statement of defiance toward the United States.

On Wednesday, Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam that were aimed at strengthening cooperation between our defense departments, Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement.

KCNA reported that at a reception hosted by Kang, Shoigu praised the North Korean Peoples army under the leadership of Kim, saying it has become the strongest army in the world. Russian media reports did not include that comment.

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the US-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests. The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim.

Both Moscow and Beijing have been derailing US efforts to strengthen U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests.
A day after Rajnath Singh said that India is ready to cross the Line of Control (LoC) to maintain its honour and dignity, Pakistan on Thursday criticised Defence Ministers remarks saying the belligerent rhetoric is a threat to regional peace and stability.

Addressing the gathering at the Kargil War Memorial in Ladakhs Drass town on the occasion of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas on Wednesday, Singh said, We can go to any extreme to maintain the honour and dignity of the countryif that includes crossing the LoC, we are ready to do thatif we are provoked and if the need arises, we will cross the LoC.

#WATCH | Ladakh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, A war is not just between two armies but between two nationsEven after winning the war on 26 July 1999, if our forces did not cross the LoC, it is only because we are peace-loving, we believe in Indian values, and we have pic.twitter.com/sB13F5U0up  ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2023

The Kargil war was imposed on India. At that time, India had tried to solve the issues with Pakistan through talks we are backstabbed by Pakistan, he said, adding that the armed forces have been given a free hand to eliminate the nations enemies.

Responding to Singhs remarks, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself against any aggression.

We counsel India to exercise utmost caution as its belligerent rhetoric is a threat to the regional peace and stability, and contributes to destabilising the strategic environment in South Asia, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

This is not the first time that Indias political leaders and senior military officers have made highly irresponsible remarks about Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, it added.

Relations between India and Pakistan have often been strained over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

However, the ties between the two countries nosedived after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating it into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

Indias decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy.

India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of the country. India has said it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

With inputs from agencies
Pakistans finance minister said on Thursday that China has extended a $2.4 billion loan to the cash-strapped Islamic nation for another two years, in an effort to assist the country overcome one of its worst economic crises.

The latest loan maturity extension by Beijing boosted Pakistans frail foreign exchange reserves, which are still barely enough to cover imports for two months.

Ishaq Dar stated in a tweet on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, that the Chinese EXIM Bank carried over the principal amounts of the $2.4 billion loan for two years, which Islamabad was supposed to repay in 2024 and 25.

Chinese EXIM Bank has rolled over for 2 years principal amounts of following loans totalling US$ 2.4 billion which are due in next 2 fiscal years: FY2023-24: US$1.2 billion

FY2024-25: US$ 1.2 billion Pakistan will make interest payments only in both years.  Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 27, 2023

However, he stated that Pakistan will now merely pay interest in both years.

China has traditionally been a friend of Pakistan, and it has played an important role in keeping the government from defaulting this year, but there has been some anxiety in the country about how Islamabad would return the expanding Chinese loans.

Some experts in Pakistan refer to it as a debt trap, while the government claims that such assumptions are false. The new development comes only two weeks after the IMF deposited a much-anticipated first tranche of $1.2 billion in Pakistan's central bank as part of a rescue to assist Pakistan avoid default. It increased Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, which had lately fallen to $4 billion, prompting worries of a default.

Last week, Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves increased to $14 billion.

The IMF loans had been on hold since December mainly because of non-compliance with the terms of the previous $6 billion bailout by Pakistan. It forced Pakistan to seek financial help from friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan has said China in recent months gave it $5 billion in loans to avoid a default.

In Pakistan, Beijing is bankrolling the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package that includes a multitude of mega projects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.

China has already invested billions of dollars in Pakistan and the package is considered a lifeline for the country, which had struggled until June to overcome the economic crisis when Pakistan and the IMF agreed to a new $3 billion bailout.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan no longer faces the risk of default.

Since coming to power in April 2022, Sharif has blamed alleged corruption under former Prime Minister Imran Khan for Pakistan's economic downturn.

Sharif is likely to step down next month when the current parliament completes its five-year term, paving the way for new parliamentary elections, which will be held under the supervision of an interim government that will be installed next month when the National Assembly is dissolved.
According to a US official, US President Joe Biden has directed his government to begin submitting evidence of suspected Russian war crimes in Ukraine to the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Pentagon had been opposed to the proposal, quietly arguing that any collaboration with the court may lead to politicised prosecution of American troops stationed abroad.

The International Criminal Court (ICC), a permanent war crimes tribunal, issued an arrest order for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March for the alleged deportation of children from Ukraine, which would constitute a war crime.

The New York Times broke the story first, reporting that the Biden administration began telling legislators on Tuesday.

The White House declined to discuss specifics of any cooperation with the ICC.

Since the beginning of Russias assault on Ukraine, the president has been clear: there needs to be accountability for the perpetrators and enablers of war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, a National Security Council spokesperson said.

On the ICC specifically, we are not going to discuss the specifics on any cooperation, which is consistent with the courts practice of treating requests for cooperation in a confidential manner, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said the United States had previously sent teams of international investigators and prosecutors to help Ukraines Office of the Prosecutor General in preparing war crimes cases.

Ukrainian and Western authorities say there is evidence of murders and executions, shelling of civilian infrastructure, forced deportations, child abductions, torture, sexual violence and illegal detention.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have accused the Pentagon of effectively undermining war crimes prosecution of Russia by blocking the sharing of US military intelligence with the ICC.

Russia is not a member of the ICC and rejects its jurisdiction. It denies committing atrocities during its conflict with Ukraine.

The United States is also not a member of the ICC.

Russia has issued an arrest warrant for the ICC prosecutor who in March prepared a warrant for Putin on war crimes charges.

A successful war crimes prosecution requires a high standard of proof, in a situation where access to suspects and crime scenes is often restricted and there is overlapping jurisdiction between national and international courts.
Russia will no longer import goods like processed fish and seafood from unfriendly nations that include European Union countries, Norway and the US.

The Russian Ministry of Economic Development on Tuesday announced an embargo on imports of food products from these nations saying that the restrictions will free up certain market niches for domestic producers whose capacity allows them to fully meet the needs of the domestic market.

The ban on imports is in part a retaliation against Western sanctions imposed on Russia for carrying out strikes in Ukraine. Deliveries from countries like China, however, will continue as usual.

Custom duties on wine raised

Apart from this, imported wine from the unfriendly countries will face a hike in customs duties, jumping from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent.

The measures were outlined by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The government said that as Russian producers increase their output, consumers are increasingly choosing home-grown wine instead of imported ones.

Domestic production and imports from friendly countries will fully meet domestic demand.

Wine imports from Chile increased 9 per cent in value terms last year, while from Armenia they shot up 161 per cent, the government said, while there were prospects of a significant increase in imports of South African wine.

The report by the government also said that import duty on products like purified glycerine will be hiked to a whopping 35 per cent from 5 per cent to increase domestic firms competitiveness. A 50 per cent import duty would be imposed on plywood.

New year, new import bans

Russia has, since 2014, banned international products in the country on an on-again, off-again basis.

In 2014, the Russian president signed a decree prohibiting the import of certain agricultural products raw materials and foodstuffs originating from certain countries for one year.

The same embargo was extended in 2016 and the list of products banned was also modified.

This was yet again prolonged till 2018 by a presidential decree.

In 2017, the validity of the embargo was extended to live pigs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged 50,000 tonnes of free grain to six African nations.

The deal was made on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit, where the Russian leader said, In the coming months, we will be able to ensure free supplies of 25,000 to 50,000 tons of grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea.

Putins announcement comes a week after Russia halted the Ukrainian Black Sea Grain Deal that effectively blocked supplies in continents like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

It is important to note that both Russia and Ukraine are key global suppliers of barley, wheat, corn, and sunflower oil, among other food products.

Many countries have bore the brunt of depleted supplies after exports were disrupted owing to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It also sparked concerns about food security and global hunger.

Ukraine used to export over 3 million tonnes of grain to several countries when the Black Sea Grain Deal was up and running.

Putin to replace Ukrainian grain

At the summit, the Russian president also promised to replace the grain that was exported by Ukraine to Africa.

Hitting back at the West which has been criticising Russia for quitting the grain deal, Putin said that most of the grain that was exported under the said agreement had gone to high-income or above-average-income countries, including states in the EU.

A paradoxical picture is emerging. On the one hand, Western countries are obstructing supplies of our grain and fertilisers (via sanctions), while on the other they hypocritically blame us for the current crisis situation on the world food market, he said.

We understand the importance of uninterrupted food supply for African countries. It is important for socio-economic development and for maintaining political stability on the continent, Putin continued.

With inputs from agencies
In an emotional incident, three sisters from Meriden, Connecticut, got to hear their late fathers heartbeat again, four years after he passed away. This special moment became possible because their dad, Esteban Santiago, had donated his heart to save another persons life. The touching event was captured in a video and shared on the Today Shows Instagram page, touching the hearts of people all over the world. It all started in 2019, when Esteban Santiago suffered a serious medical emergency and fell into a coma. His eldest daughter, Kisandra, made the brave decision to follow his wishes and take him off life support. In honour of their dad, the family decided to donate his organs, including his heart.

They never expected that this act of kindness would lead to something extraordinary. Estebans heart found its way to Peter Turzer, a man whose life was hanging by a thread after a terrible car accident in 2016. During his treatment, Peter had multiple cardiac arrests while undergoing surgery and slipped into a coma for a whole week. But miraculously, he woke up and began his recovery.

Although Peter faced more health challenges and needed a heart transplant, his life changed forever when he received Estebans heart in July 2019. Grateful for this second chance at life, Peter even adopted a dog in honour of the young donor who saved him.

Kisandra Santiago was determined to find the person who received her fathers heart. After years of searching, she finally succeeded, leading to the emotional meeting between the three sisters and Peter Turzer. The moment when the sisters listened to their fathers heartbeat in Peters chest was deeply touching, showing the power of love and the incredible impact of organ donation.

Instagram users were left teary-eyed. I rarely cry but this story immediately brought tears to my eyes. What a joyful reunion of sorts, a comment read. A user wrote, Omg well I didnt expect to cry todaybut here we are. Bless that family, the donor and the recipient. This is love and kindness on the highest level.
Following an apparent coup in the precarious nation of Niger on Wednesday, soldiers claimed to have overthrown the government.

President Mohamed Bazoums residence and offices in the capital Niamey were sealed off by dissatisfied members of the elite Presidential Guard, according to a presidential source, and after negotiations failed, they refused to release him.

Leaders throughout the region and around the world demanded Bazoums release. Bazoum took office two years ago during the nation of Nigers first peaceful transfer of power since independence.

The leader of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said that nearby Benins president, Patrice Talon, will travel to Niamey to assist in mediation efforts.

In a televised address late Wednesday, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said: We, the defence and security forces have decided to put an end to the regime of President Bazoum.

This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance, he added, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers.

They said all institutions in the country would be suspended, borders were closed, and a curfew had been imposed until further notice, from 10 pm to 5 am.

Abdramane sought to reassure the national and international community with regard to respect for the physical and moral integrity of the deposed authorities in accordance with the principles of human rights.

One of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, Bazoum was elected in April 2021, taking the helm of a country burdened by poverty, chronic instability and plagued in recent years by jihadist insurgency.

In a message on X (formerly Twitter), the presidents office said elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard.

The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition, the presidency said.

The president and his family are well, it added.

Hours after his detention, Bazoums supporters had tried to approach the official complex, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.

One person was hurt, but it was not immediately clear if he was injured by a bullet or from falling as the crowd scattered.

The parties of Nigers ruling coalition in Niamey denounced a suicidal and anti-republican madness in a statement, saying that certain elements of the presidential guard sequestered the President and his family, as well as the interior minister.

Condemnation also poured in from beyond the nations borders.

ECOWAS and the African Union both decried what they called an attempted coup detat.

ECOWAS called for Bazoums immediate and unconditional release, and warned all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.

The European Union said it associates itself with the ECOWAS statement and attacked any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability of Niger.

Both UN chief Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said they had spoken to Bazoum to offer their support.

France  Nigers former colonial power  and neighbouring Algeria also issued condemnations, as did the World Bank which said it strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force or destabilise Niger.

President Talon was expected to arrive in Niamey Thursday, after a meeting in Abuja Wednesday with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu said President Talon would mediate with both the Presidential Guard and Bazoum, with a view to finding an agreement.

Coup-prone

The landlocked Sahel state has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, and numerous other attempts.

Bazoum, a former interior minister, was right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.

But reminders of the troubled past have never been far away.

An attempted coup took place just days before Bazoums inauguration, according to a security source at the time.

Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader. Five people were jailed in February for 20 years.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March while the president was in Turkey, according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.

Poverty and jihadism

The nation of 22 million is two-thirds desert and frequently ranks at the bottom of the UNs Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.

Niger is struggling with two jihadist campaigns  one in the southwest, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists from northeastern Nigeria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, stoking a humanitarian crisis and further straining the economy.

The poorly equipped military is receiving training and logistical support from the United States and France, which have bases there.

With inputs from agencies
South Korea has bagged a major military deal with Australia, surpassing Germany. Under the contract, South Korea will build 129 infantry-fighting vehicles (IFV) worth up to $4.74 billion.

The deal has been described as one of the largest projects in the history of the Australian army by Kiwi Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy.

The state-of-the-art vehicles will come with the latest generation armor, cannon, and missiles, providing the protection, mobility, and firepower needed by soldiers in close combat, Conroy told reporters.

According to Eurasian Times, South Korea has agreed to supply state-of-the-art IFVs that will effectively replace the Australian Armys Vietnam-era M113 armored personnel carriers.

South Koreas race to become worlds biggest arms dealers

In May, South Koreas arms sales jumped to more than $17 billion in 2022 from $7.25 billion the year before, according to its defence ministry, as Western countries scrambled to arm Ukraine and tensions rose in other hot spots such as North Korea and the South China Sea.

Explaining how South Korea stole the spotlight in becoming one of the worlds biggest arms exporters, Oh Kyeahwan, a director at Hanwha Aerospace told Reuters, The Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and others were thinking of buying defence products only in Europe, but now it is more well known that you can buy at a low price and have it delivered quickly from Korean companies.

Apart from this, South Korea has beaten most countries in terms of speedy deliveries. In a deal inked with Poland, the country offered to provide weapons faster than almost anyone was a key consideration.

The first shipment of 10 K2s and 24 K9s arrived in Poland in December, just months after the deals were signed, and at least five more tanks and 12 additional howitzers have been delivered since.

S Korea becomes major arms dealer in Russia Ukraine war

With the Russia-Ukraine war sparking a massive arms requirement, South Korea has emerged as a winner.

Despite not supplying arms and weaponry to Ukraine directly, the country has become one of the leading exporters of military equipment.

According to a New York Times report, South Korean arms exports rose by 140 per cent in 2022.

With inputs from agencies
If you are a foodie and love to explore various restaurants across the world, you might be aware that it is very common to have trouble getting a reservation unless you book your table days in advance. However, it might be surprising to know that there is a pub in the UK that has a four-year waiting list for its popular Sunday roast. Going by a report in Bristol Live, the restaurant booking management experts at Dojo have found this pub to be one of the hardest UK restaurants to get into. The list was made taking into consideration factors such as insights from TikTok, online reviews, and waitlists from restaurants.

The pub, named Bank Tavern in Bristol, has a four-year waitlist for Sunday, owing to the nationwide lockdown after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. The official website of the restaurant calls itself a small pub with a big heart. The waitlist is mostly for Sunday lunchtime as the pub serves its famous Sunday Roasts then.

According to a report in The New York Post, the Bank Tavern menu includes a 30-day aged rare topside of beef, along with a slow-cooked pork belly, a honey and rosemary roasted leg of lamb, and a vegetable lentil loaf. The diners will also have a choice between maple Sriracha glazed pork belly with apple coleslaw, Greek squid balls, and masoor dahl pakoras for starters. As for dessert, you can have either a strawberry and white chocolate pavlova, a limoncello tart, or a raspberry yogurt panna cotta.

Going by the official website of the pub, its extraordinary roasts have been the talk of the town for years now. In addition to this, the place was also named the home of Bristols best Sunday Lunch at the Observer Food Monthly Awards in 2019 and the Bristol Good Food Awards in 2018.

The Bank Tavern has been in business ever since the 19th century, overcoming numerous riots, two world wars, Bristol City Council town planners, and Thatcher, among other things.

The customers are warned through the official website of the pub that the reservations for Sunday dinners have been closed for the foreseeable future.
In a landmark decision, a UK court has nullified the rape conviction of a man who spent 17 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.

The overturning of his conviction came after fresh DNA evidence emerged, linking another suspect to the 2003 attack on a woman in Greater Manchester.

Andrew Malkinson, now 57 years old, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of seven years based solely on contested eyewitness identification, as no DNA evidence linked him to the crime.

Throughout his incarceration, he consistently maintained his innocence. However, it was not until January that his case was brought before the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) following the discovery of new DNA evidence, pointing to another suspect, referred to as Mr. B, who has since been arrested.

The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) did not oppose the appeal, leading to the quashing of Mr. Malkinsons convictions by three senior judges.

According to reports, Lord Justice Holroyde declared him free and released him from the conditions of his previous conviction.

Speaking to media outside the court, Malkinson expressed that he felt kidnapped by the state for almost two decades and asserted his innocence repeatedly to the jury, Court of Appeal, and CCRC, but his pleas were not heeded.

He criticized the cops who framed charges against him by calling them liars and accused them of unlawfully withholding crucial evidence that could have aided his defense.

Malkinsons release from prison in December 2020 did not bring him the freedom he had hoped for, as he remained under tight police and probation supervision, his name on the sex offenders register.

With his exoneration finally granted, he lamented his joblessness and homelessness, noting that the impact of wrongful imprisonment had left a gaping black hole in his life.

He apologized to the victim of the 2003 attack, expressing that while he was not her attacker, he acknowledged that the system had failed them both.

His legal team pointed out the wider implications his case could have for the criminal justice system, given the newly uncovered DNA evidence and undisclosed photographs of the victims hands, which corroborated her account of the attack.

The CCRC acknowledged that the evidence leading to the conviction overturning was only made available years after Malkinsons trial, emphasizing the need for advancements in scientific techniques to prevent miscarriages of justice.

The Great Manchester police confirmed the arrest of the new suspect but has not yet decided whether to press charges.

The police force and CPS issued apologies to Malkinson for the grave miscarriage of justice he endured for nearly two decades.

GMP also extended their regrets to the victim for the additional harm caused by the delayed identification of the true offender.

This case serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unbiased and thorough investigations, as well as the necessity of ensuring access to the most advanced scientific methods in the pursuit of justice.
Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation is has launched a probe against a member of parliament who went on sick leave during the ongoing war but was later found enjoying a holiday in the Maldives with his family.

According to report, the incident came to light when State Bureau of Investigation released a statement on Wednesday revealing the details of Aristovs whereabouts. However, they referred to him only as a peoples deputy without mentioning his name.

Media reports later identified the lawmaker as Yuriy Aristov, 48, affiliated with the Servant of the People party, which is the party of Ukraines current government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to the bureau, Aristov left Ukraine for a three-day business trip to Poland on June 5. After that, his subsequent movements were not disclosed, but he remained outside the country.

On July 10, Aristov reported being sick and registered with a private medical institution in Kyiv, which led to him being on sick leave until July 19.

Surprisingly, during this period of sick leave, Aristov and his family were found residing at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria hotel complex on the private island of Ithaafushi. This exclusive resort, where prices for accommodation begin at around $5,300 per night, can only be accessed by yacht from the airport. The hotel boasts 119 villas with private pools and features a restaurant run by the renowned Michelin-starred chef Dave Pynt.

Inquiries from journalists confirmed that Aristov was indeed staying at the Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives, as confirmed by a receptionist at the hotel.

The State Bureau of Investigation is now examining whether Aristov deliberately provided false information or documents regarding his travels. They are also investigating the legality of his vacation since Ukrainian officials are not allowed to holiday during the war, except for state-sanctioned trips.

As part of the investigation, Ukrainian authorities conducted a search of Aristovs apartment and seized his passport. The passport revealed immigration stamps dated July for the Maldives, further supporting the claims of his vacation.

If found guilty, Aristov could face a prison sentence of up to three years, according to the bureau.

Responding to the situation, Ukraines parliament chairman, Ruslan Stefanchuk, announced on Facebook that he had received Aristovs letter of resignation on Tuesday.

This incident echoes a similar case from January, involving the expulsion of another Servant of the People lawmaker, Mykola Tyshchenko.

He faced repercussions after posting a video of himself swimming in Thailand during a harsh winter in Ukraine. Tyshchenko claimed it was a work trip, but the party leader, Stefanchuk, asserted that he had not approved such a journey.

Requests for comments on Aristovs diplomatic travels made outside regular business hours to Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained unanswered.
A US court increased Sam Bankman-Frieds bail restrictions on Wednesday, limiting his capacity to speak publicly, and indicated he will consider jailing him before his FTX bitcoin exchange trial.

Prosecutors asked US District Judge Lewis Kaplan to detain Bankman-Fried immediately at a hearing in Manhattan federal court, saying he had crossed a line by sharing his former romantic partner Caroline Ellisons personal writings with a reporter, which they said amounted to a second instance of witness tampering.

Kaplan issued a gag order for the 31-year-old Bankman-Fried, as asked by prosecutors, and gave both parties until 3 August to explain their positions on whether the former millionaire should be imprisoned.

Im very mindful of the governments interest in this issue, which I take seriously, Kaplan said. Mr. Bankman-Fried, youd better take it seriously too.

Bankman-Frieds lawyer, Mark Cohen, stated that his client was only attempting to defend his image by interacting with the media and that it would be really almost impossible to prepare for the 2 October trial if Bankman-Fried was imprisoned.

Bankman-Fried has been confined to his parents house in Palo Alto, California, since his repatriation from the Bahamas, where he was detained and FTX was based, in December.

He has pled not guilty to allegations that he misappropriated billions of dollars in FTX client cash to help his crypto hedge fund, Alameda Research, cover losses.

Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda, is one of three former members of Bankman-Frieds inner circle who have pled guilty to fraud charges and agreed to assist with authorities. She will most likely testify against Bankman-Fried.

More than 1,000 calls with reporters

Last Thursday, the New York Times published an article containing excerpts from Ellisons personal Google documents prior to FTXs collapse.

She described being unhappy and overwhelmed with her job and feeling hurt/rejected from the break up of her personal relationship with Bankman-Fried.

Though Bankman-Fried acknowledged sharing Ellisons writings with a Times reporter, prosecutor Danielle Sassoon from the Manhattan US Attorneys office said it constituted the second time he had tampered with a witness.

She cited a January 2023 email to FTXs US general counsel, in which Bankman-Fried proposed entering a constructive relationship.

Sassoon said Bankman-Fried has had more than 1,000 phone calls with journalists.

She said this alone did not constitute tampering, but said Bankman-Frieds strategy for rehabilitating his reputation appeared built on discrediting and blaming Ellison.

This latest incident is an escalation of an ongoing campaign with the press that has now crossed a line, Sassoon said, referring to the Ellison writings. This isnt a First Amendment issue.

Sassoon also expressed concern about what Bankman-Fried might have told the best-selling author Michael Lewis, who plans to publish a book about FTX around when the trial begins.

Bankman-Fried had previously consented to a gag order but asked that it also apply to other witnesses such as current FTX Chief Executive John Ray. Ray, a veteran bankruptcy specialist who was named CEO after FTX filed for bankruptcy in November, has since been a strong Bankman-Fried critic.

Sassoon said at Wednesdays hearing that prosecutors did not expect to have Ray testify.

Later in the day, prosecutors said in a court filing that they would no longer include a charge accusing Bankman-Fried of violating US campaign finance laws at his upcoming trial.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Thursday during a visit to Papua New Guinea that Washington was not seeking a permanent base in the Pacific Islands nation under a new defence agreement.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the United States signed a defence cooperation agreement in May that sets a framework for the US to refurbish PNG ports and airports for military and civilian use.

Austin met with PNGs Prime Minister James Marape on a visit to discuss the deepening defence ties.

I just want to be clear, we are not seeking a permanent base in PNG, Austin told a news conference in the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby.

He said the two nations were deepening an existing defence relationship, and would modernise PNGs defence force and boost interoperability.

Our goal is to make sure we strengthen PNGs ability to defend itself and protect its interest, he added.

The United States and its allies are seeking to deter Pacific island nations from forming security ties with China, a rising concern amid tension over Taiwan, and after Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands.

Marape on Thursday said the defence cooperation with the U.S. would build up PNGs capability, and was not for a war joint preparation.

USA do not need PNGs ground to be a launching pad, he told reporters in response to questions.

They have bases in Philippines, in Korea, elsewhere, much closer to China, he added.

PNGs parliament is yet to ratify the deal, which has been questioned by some opposition party politicians concerned about upsetting major trading partner China. Marape said his government prioritised diplomacy.

In the Pacific we are not about war, we are about peace, tolerance and of course promoting our values of democracy, Christianity and living well with each other. The USA has always been showing that character also in their global footprint, he said.
In a recent address broadcasted on Afghanistans Tolo TV, Mohammad Hashim Shaheed Wror, the head of the countrys Invitation and Guidance Directorate, expressed his disapproval of neckties, linking them to the Christian cross.

According to Wror, these ties should be eliminated from society as they hold symbolic ties to Christianity.

Wror expressed frustration when encountering Afghan Muslim doctors and engineers wearing neckties in hospitals and professional settings.

He argued that the neckties historical connection to Islam is evident, and it resembles the Christian cross.

Referring to Sharia law, he emphasized that breaking and eliminating this symbol is essential.

Furthermore, Wror highlighted the prevalence of ties worn by television presenters, asserting that the cross represents a symbol of pagans and Jesus martyrdom.

According to wror, Jesus was hung in a manner resembling the cross.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this! A senior official of the Taliban regime says he is extremely upset whenever he goes to hospitals and sees doctors, as well as engineers, wearing ties. According to him, ties are symbols of the Christian cross and signs of pic.twitter.com/LFUD7h5YH5  Natiq Malikzada (@natiqmalikzada) July 26, 2023

Taliban, which regained control in August 2021, has a history of strict social regulations.

They, however, have not yet imposed any clothing restrictions on men. In contrast, women are required to wear burkas or hijabs when appearing in public.

Recently, the government ordered the closure of beauty salons under a newly imposed ban.

The topic of neckties has gained significance due to former President Ashraf Ghanis fashion choices.

During his time as the head of state during the US occupation, Ghani often wore traditional shalwar kameez in Kabul.

However, while traveling abroad, he donned Western suits along with neckties. Ghanis departure from Afghanistan occurred amidst the Talibans takeover of Kabul during the tumultuous withdrawal of US army, and there are allegations that he fled with a substantial amount of cash, leaving the country behind.

The debate over neckties, salons, etc continues to spark discussions in Afghanistan as the country navigates its cultural and religious identity under the new Taliban rule.
In a deeply fundamentalist Pakistan, even colas and soft drinks have a religion. And, if one does not conform to the dominant form of Islam, these, otherwise innocuous and thirst-quenching, beverages too have to bear the brunt of extremist Islamist fanatics.

In an interesting, as well as disturbing video, that has emerged from Pakistan, a soft drink was penalised for being owned by minority Ahmadi community.

The mullahs are destroying mango juice drinks Shezan owned by Ahmadiyya community members.

In Pakistan drinks also have faith, so as buildings. Everything has a faith thanks to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and PPP.pic.twitter.com/rGQqWvD6ki  Tahir Imran Mian  (@TahirImran) July 26, 2023

Over a decade, Shezan, one of Pakistans foremost soft-drink manufacturers, is being banned and boycotted in various parts of the Asian nation since it is from a company owned by an Ahmadi.

The boycott of Shezan drink is mere discrimination on the basis of faith.

Shezan, a company founded in 1964, makes juices, soft drinks, syrups, squashes, jams, sauces, ketchups, chutneys and pickles, including a popular mango-flavored juice which is Childrens favourite in Pakistani children.

Campaigns against Shezan are frequent with extremists targeting independent shops who stock the goods and company delivery vans and their drivers in Peshawar.

Who are Ahmadis?

The Ahmadis, a revivalist Islamic movement founded in the 19th Century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, have long faced persecution in Pakistan and the wider region. They were declared non-Muslims by the Pakistani parliament in 1974 when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the Prime Minister.

In May 2010, more than 85 Ahmadis were killed in bomb attacks on two Lahore mosques.

On 25 July, 2023, the minarets of a worship place of the minority Ahmadi community were destroyed by unknown men in Pakistans Sindh province and hateful graffiti was drawn on its walls.
Quote: William Owens Originally Posted by I called 5 dealers near me, and none would do x-plan, and some would not even guarantee a price, said they would have to see what the market was like when it came in.

So maybe they were better off not selling as many, but at higher prices. But I saved about $5k even flying from ATL to Iowa and driving home. It's crazy the different business models.

granger is good, that's where I got my 2022 ford f350 lariat 6.7L srw from. But I like Walterboro better becuase they are small, you can't talk directly to them, no wait. Also, my f450 got built in 6 months from them, whereas, my clone copy f450 (same options and color scheme) at Chapman was ordered 1 day after Walterboro ford order and took 3.5 months longer to get. I guess becuase Chapman was so large. Also my f350 I got from Granger took 8 months as well. This tells me smaller dealers get better priority becuase they don't have as many orders.Also, Walterboro is invoice. Granger is 2% under. I would only save roughly $700-$1000 after I fly out their drive it back, long drive, and out 1,275 miles on my 1 day old truck. I'll stick with SC, but Granger is a good backup. However I did almost loose my f350 their becuase they " jacked the price up, got all confused, and i ended up getting it $1,000 cheaper then I was suppose to.
News

Mental-health facility planned for idle Galveston County building

STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News The vacant county building on the corner of Ross Street and Oak Street in La Marque will be the site of a mental health extended observation facility.

LA MARQUE

A vacant building in La Marque is set to eventually be turned into a mental health extended observation facility, which will give the Galveston County Sheriffs Office mental health deputies a place closer than Houston to take people for psychiatric evaluations.

That long trip to St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston, 1401 St. Joseph Parkway, has long burdened the countys small mental health team because it takes deputies off the shift for half a day, officials said.

It takes deputies so long to drop them off in Houston, County Commissioner Joe Giusti said Wednesday. It takes quite a while and it takes somebody out of service for more than half of the day to do that.

The average trip to the medical center, which is almost 60 miles from Galveston and more than 30 from League City, takes more than an hour just to arrive at the hospital.

Galveston County Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved construction of the facility, which officials hope will not only save mental health deputies time, but keep mental health patients out of jail.

The idea is still new and a lot remains unanswered about it. Officials didnt know the cost of the facility, when construction would start or how many beds would be available.

The unit would be used as a diversion from jail, Giusti said.

The Gulf Coast Center, which provides access to counselors, therapists, psychiatrists and case workers, will partner with the county on the facility, Giusti said.

Center Executive Manager Lisa Becker didnt respond to requests for comment.

The facility, is an idle, county-owned building next to the Galveston County Medical Examiners Office, 1205 Oak St., that once housed county clinic. It will accommodate patients overnight and provide mental health treatment, Giusti said.

Its kind of a waiting station, Giusti said. Its a way to keep mental health patients safe. They can also start receiving treatment at the unit.

Why buy or build another building when you have one that works? Giusti said.

Although Giusti is optimistic about the facility, he predicts increasing demand for mental health services in the county.

The whole country is experiencing an increase in mental health issues, he said.

Several factors have contributed to the rise in demand for mental health services nationwide, such as the opioid crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and legislative changes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

I dont know how many beds theyll have or if it will meet the needs, Giusti said.

I dont think well ever totally meet the needs of mental health services because theres so many issues out there. Theres a lot of things that need to happen.

The sheriffs office, which already works with Gulf Coast Center, is unsure about the exact details of the plan, Maj. Ray Nolen said.

Im assuming that at least our agency will be able to bring mental health crisis patients to them as a clearinghouse to determine whether they need to be transported to a long-term facility, Nolen said.

We havent been officially told how many beds there are going to be or when we can start bringing them there, Nolen said. The construction is at least a year out or maybe even longer.

Houston-based design firm Huitt-Zollars is in charge of the architecture and construction of the unit. The company didnt respond to a request for comment.

The University of Texas Medical Branch once offered mental-health beds, but those were discontinued after Hurricane Ike in 2008, Giusti said.

We lost a lot of beds for mental health in UTMB, Giusti said.

Basically when somebody had a mental health condition, they were picked up and put in jail because there was nowhere else to put them. Obviously thats not the best place to stay.
Google Play Store For Larger Display Launched With Apps For Foldable Smartphones, Tablets, And Chromebooks Features oi -Alap Naik Desai

Google has finally launched a dedicated version of the Android Play Store that is designed and optimized for large-screen devices. The apps listed in the new virtual marketplace are intended for foldable smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks.

There are millions of Android devices that feature a large display. However, they too had to hunt for apps and games, on the Google Play Store that is intended for conventional Android smartphones. Let's take a look at the new and improved Android app store and its features.

Google Launches Play Store Optimized For Tablets, Chromebooks, And More

The quality, resolution, and user-friendliness of apps and games play a critical role in defining the user experience. Google is well aware that User Interface, search functions, and optimizations are key aspects but for a long time, foldable Android smartphone, tablet, and Chromebook users had to rely on the Google Play Store meant primarily for candy-bar smartphones.

Moving forward, the improved Google Play Store apps and game listing pages will make it easier for users to determine the quality of these apps. The search giant claims games will show a video banner on top of the page listing page to demonstrate gameplay.

Play Store listings will now show a columnar view of app listings. This will allow large-screen device users to view more information about apps and games.

Navigating the Play Store is now optimized for browsing on a large screen. The navigation bar on the left side can be easily reached with the thumb in landscape mode. The bar has three options - Games, Apps, Books, and Kids.

Observing that tablets are majorly used by children, the Kids section is now the primary tab on these devices. Additionally, Google has moved the Categories and Top Charts section to Apps and Games home.

The new tablet/foldable experience on the @GooglePlay Store looks amazing! pic.twitter.com/Hiwy6eCecL  Michael (@MichaelBTech) July 26, 2023

The new Google Play Store for large-screen devices has a split-screen search feature. It better utilizes the bigger display of tablets and foldable smartphones for an improved search experience.

Needless to mention, the feature allows users to see search results and app listing pages side by side. This helps users avoid going back and forth between search results and app listings.

Google Play Store For Large Screen Devices Gets Improved App Rankings and Quality

All apps and games that comply with Google's large-screen app guidelines will be brought to the top of the search results and the home page. The app marketplace will follow the same UI and UX guidelines for Editor's Choice and other curated lists.

The new Play Store will also show warnings on top of the page listings of apps and games. This will be applicable only for apps and games with a minimum 8 percent user-perceived crash rate or ANR (Application Not Responding) rate.

The new and improved Google Play Store for large screens will start rolling out to applicable or eligible devices in the next few days. Google has promised that it will gradually offer more features and functions for Android devices with larger screens. Google seems to have focused on large-screen devices only after launching the Google Pixel Fold, its first foldable Android smartphone.

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Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 to Debut in August Boasting Leica-Tuned Quad Cameras News oi -Kabir Jain

Xiaomi has officially announced the upcoming release of the Mix Fold 3, the first device manufactured on a new production line with enhanced design elements for increased foldable body durability.

Optical Full-Focus Quad-Cam Setup

Xiaomi collaborated with Leica to develop an "optical full-focus quad-cam setup" for the Mix Fold 3. This camera system features four cameras and aims to provide users with an exceptional photography experience.

Inaugural Device of Xiaomi's New Smart Factory

Xiaomi's President, Lui Weibing, disclosed the launch of a new smart factory in Beijing, with the Mix Fold 3 being the first product off the production line. The factory's advanced technology promises improved build quality and durability.

Camera and Processor

Rumors indicate that the Mix Fold 3 will sport a 50MP Sony IMX858 sensor and an in-display fingerprint sensor. It may be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC for best-in-class performance.

Battery and Charging Capabilities

The Mix Fold 3 is expected to support 67W fast charging, reducing the time spent connected to the charger. The leaked information also suggests a 4,800mAh battery and 50W wireless charging capability.

Advancements from the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2

Building on the success of its predecessor, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is expected to bring even more advancements to the table. As a refresher, the Mix Fold 2 boasts a 6.56-inch AMOLED exterior display with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels, a 21:9 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. On the inside, an 8.02-inch display with a resolution of 1914 x 2160 pixels and a brightness of 1300 nits offers an immersive visual experience.

In terms of optics, there is a triple-camera setup that includes a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultra-wide sensor. There is a 20MP selfie camera up front. Lastly, running the show is a 4,500mAh battery that supports 67W fast charging.

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Increased spread of disinformation directed towards Sweden

Government Offices of Sweden

26 July 2023

Today, Wednesday 26 July, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin held a press briefing on recent influence campaigns against Sweden. Mikael Astlund, Head of Communications at the Psychological Defence Agency (MPF), also took part.

Recent events such as the burning of copies of holy scriptures coincide with a more difficult security situation. The desecration of copies of the Quran has upset many people. There have been strong reactions against Sweden from individuals and networks in other countries, and representatives of several Arabic-speaking and Muslim countries. Certain actors outside Sweden are spreading and perpetuating false claims that the Swedish State is behind the desecration of copies of holy scriptures.

The MPF has been able to conclude that Sweden has been a target for Islamist information influence activities for some time. The influence campaign directed against Swedish social services that began in late 2021 was - and is - the most extensive campaign of this kind against Sweden. In times of increased spread of disinformation, it is essential to safeguard our open and democratic society, free formation of opinion, and Sweden's freedom and independence.

"There is a risk that the current disinformation campaigns against Sweden could jeopardise the situation of Swedish citizens and companies abroad, and pose a threat to national security. In light of this, the Government wishes to clarify that we all have a responsibility to not spread information and messages that are clearly incorrect," says Mr Bohlin.

The Government urges everyone to be vigilant against rumours and disinformation, to obtain verified information from authorities and to fact-check before sharing information on social media.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's comment following trilateral talks with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, Moscow, July 25, 2023

25 July 2023 20:31

1496-25-07-2023

Good afternoon.

Today we have held constructive talks with our colleagues, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan.

First, we had two rounds of bilateral Russia-Azerbaijan and Russia-Armenia talks. We discussed bilateral relations and further steps to implement the agreements reached at the summit level. After that, we held a trilateral meeting on the regional agenda, primarily the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and around it.

We presented Russia's views based on the reports made by the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh and we set out the measures that should be taken without delay to supply people in Karabakh with food, medicines and basic necessities, and to ensure uninterrupted electricity and gas supply in the interests of the public, the Armenians, and [other] people who live in that region.

Since the trilateral statement on November 9, 2020, Russia, as the main intermediary of the peace process, has been working towards an early settlement of the crisis in full compliance with the trilateral statements made by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

We also discussed a major provision of these agreements, namely the freedom of movement and the unblocking of transport and economic links in the region.

We highlighted delimitation issues, which are closely connected with the entire range of issues on our agenda, and related to the signing of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan as soon as possible.

We hope that this large-scale negotiating process will culminate in the signing of such a treaty, which will crown the efforts of Armenians and Azerbaijanis launched during the trilateral meetings with President Vladimir Putin.

It is an uphill path. There are many important and complicated issues to be addressed. The most sensitive of them has been and remains the issue of rights and safety guarantees for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh in the context of ensuring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan under the 1991 Declaration signed by the leaders of the former Soviet republics in Almaty. Its viability has been confirmed by the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities today. This is the basis for working on the peace treaty.

Armenia is aware of the importance of convincing Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to hold meetings with Azerbaijani representatives as soon as possible to coordinate their rights under the relevant legislation and Azerbaijan's international commitments, including numerous conventions on the rights of national minorities.

Azerbaijan, acting on a mutually agreed basis, is also ready to provide the same guarantees to persons residing on its territory. Armenia is ready to act likewise regarding the application of these conventions to people residing in the Republic of Armenia.

These are far from simple matters. I hope that the discussions we have had today will give a positive impetus to negotiations in this and other areas. The closest we can come at this stage is an agreement on the trilateral working group, to be chaired by three deputy prime ministers who will coordinate the practical aspects of unblocking transport links in the region. This will open the door to the implementation of transportation projects not only on the regional but also on a broader scale.

We have agreed to work towards the resumption of our dialogue on the second track, that is, between civil society representatives and political experts. We also hope that a trilateral dialogue will be launched between our parliaments, as we proposed today.

We believe that negotiations will continue. We are aware of the interest of both Armenia and Azerbaijan in using not only Russia but also other intermediaries. We would welcome the involvement of those who really want to help Baku and Yerevan come to an agreement and who are working towards this just like we are. However, there must be no attempts to solicit any agreements that will run contrary to the interests of the Armenian or Azerbaijani people, agreements that could look fine in the media but are based on geopolitical or internal political considerations.

Our colleagues have expressed gratitude for this initiative. We will continue to work energetically to prepare further meetings. In particular, there are plans for a summit meeting of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia this year.

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Squadron of F-35 Lightning IIs arrive in U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility

U.S. Central Command

July 26, 2023

9th Air Force (Air Forces Central)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- As part of a pre-announced Department of Defense deployment, a squadron of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs has arrived in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.

While deployed in support of Air Forces Central missions, the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Hill AFB, Utah will help defend interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region. In coordination with our regional allies, partners and the U.S. Navy, the F-35's will partner with A-10 and F-16s already in theater helping monitor the Strait of Hormuz.

The F-35's increased capacity and capability will allow the U.S. to fly in contested airspace across the theater if required. This deployment demonstrates the U.S.'s commitment to ensure peace and security in the region, through maritime support and support to the coalition's enduring mission to defeat ISIS in Syria. Due to operational security and host nation requests, we cannot discuss the length of the deployment or specific locations.

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July 26, 2023

Release

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Statement Marking 75 Years Since the Desegregation of the Department of Defense

Seventy-five years ago today, President Truman ordered the desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces and the civilian workforce across the U.S. government. That historic step made the U.S. military stronger and made America better.

For far too much of our nation's history, service members of color who fought to defend our country were forced to serve in segregated units. Black troops were denied the very rights that they fought to defend. Despite this bitter heritage, segregated units demonstrated their skill and mettle in war after war. During World War II alone, more than one million Black Americans served bravely to defeat fascism.

After the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, President Truman rightly declared, "The only limit to an American's achievement should be his ability, his industry, and his character." On July 26, 1948, President Truman issued two Executive Orders to enshrine that deeply American principle, mandating "equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin."

The end of segregation throughout the Department of Defense was a major step toward fulfilling America's founding promises of liberty and equality under law. Since then, our extraordinary military and our dedicated civilian workforce have welcomed qualified patriots from all racial backgrounds to defend our country and serve alongside one another. Today, some 44 percent of our active-duty, all-volunteer force are Americans of color.

The U.S. military is the finest fighting force on Earth because of our strategic advantages: we can draw on the talents and the strengths of skilled and brave Americans of every color, creed, and background. As we reflect on the tremendous progress that our country has made over the past 75 years, we recommit ourselves to continue the noble work of all those who broke down barriers, fought prejudice, and worked to ensure that America's peerless military embodies the democratic ideals that it so proudly defends.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3470724/

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July 26, 2023

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

Talisman Sabre 23 Field Exercise Sets Benchmark for Combined Military Training in Indo-Pacific

Inside a small tent on a sprawling military training range on Australia's northeast coast, U.S. and Australian exercise planners are immersed as the product of years of painstaking preparation unfolds in real time.

A large screen at one end displays red and blue dots overlayed on a digital topographic map depicting the real-time positions of thousands of troops from 10 different nations.

Just outside the tent, military helicopters take off and land as U.S. and Australian troops patrol the training area's sprawling ranges alongside their partner forces.

"You're currently standing in what we call the Field of Dreams," said Australian Army Col. Ben McLennan, commander of the Australian Defense Force's Combat Training Centre, as he welcomed reporters on Monday to the Townsville Field Training Area. The training area is the epicenter of the 10-day field training exercise taking place during Talisman Sabre 23.

"This activity that's occurring here is just the richest, most immersive and most realistic, no-consequence training environment that we can possibly create," he said. "We're calling it the Olympics of war games because it's the biggest, most ambitious Talisman Sabre ever."

This year marks the 10th iteration of Talisman Sabre, a biennial exercise designed to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening partnerships and interoperability among key allies. The spelling of the name  sabre vs. saber  reflects which country is leading the exercise: Talisman Sabre when Australia leads and Talisman Saber when the U.S. leads.

Thirteen nations from Japan to Germany are participating in this year's full exercise.

The 15-day exercise includes a variety of large-scale logistics and amphibious assault training operations and multinational firepower demonstrations, in addition to the field training exercise. Several Pacific Island partners  including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga  are participating for the first time.

Ten nations will make up the combined force that will face off, as part of the field-training portion of the exercise, against an enemy designed to have "comprehensive overmatch" over the coalition forces across all warfighting functions.

"That enemy element has all the capabilities across space, cyber, land, maritime and air that one would anticipate a peer threat to be able to bring to bear against Australia, United States and coalition partners," McLennan said.

U.S. Army Col. Ben Martin, operations commander for the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, said the scenario "reads right out of the most recent, emerging doctrine from both of our countries."

He said putting that doctrine into practice in a realistic and dynamic training environment is critical for being prepared to win in the next conflict.

"Big exercises like this are where we can induce the fog and friction of stress, the closest we can get to actual real combat on our respective combined forces, so that when that day comes, that they're trained and they're ready," he said.

Creating that environment, which was designed with input from both U.S. and Australian planners, is the product of tireless planning and unprecedented execution.

Participating countries have, for weeks leading up to the exercise, undergone the planning and manpower-intensive process of moving equipment into theater. Many of the units will be deploying a variety of capabilities for the first time on such a large scale. There are 30,000 troops participating in the full exercise and 10,000 participating in the field portion.

McLennan said the training itself serves as a "demonstration of collective resolve" on behalf of each nation to train and operate together to preserve the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

"United States and Australia have been aligned, have been close allies, and have been working together, training together for generations. But what we're achieving here is really an amazing break into a new chapter in our story when it comes to how we train together, learning how we might operate together, how we might fight together," he said.

"This is historic," McLennan said.

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German flight squadron deployed to Iceland

Government of Iceland

July 26, 2023

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

A squadron of six Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from the German Air Force will arrive in Keflavik to conduct a training mission in Icelandic airspace later this week. The German Air Force seeks to familiarize their crews and aircrafts with Icelandic airspace and operational challenges in the High North. The training mission is separate but complementary to NATO's enduring air policing mission in Iceland (ASIC IPPN), and provides an opportunity to deepen the growing defense cooperation between Germany and Iceland.

The 30 German airmen will be based out of the security zone in Keflavik and will train with the NATO Control and Reporting Centre (CRC). The Icelandic Coast Guard, in close coordination with civil aviation authorities, is responsible for hosting the deployment on behalf of the Defence Directorate at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland.

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3d MLR demonstrates Fight Now capabilities at MASA 23

US Marine Corps News

26 Jul 2023 | Story by 1st Lt. Anne Pentaleri 3rd Marine Division

NORTHERN LUZON, Philippines -- 3d Marine Littoral Regiment demonstrated its unique ability to get to the future fight and establish a forward presence during Marine Aviation Support Activity 23. In a matter of days, the inaugural MLR deployed its forces across the Pacific, established a fully operationally capable expeditionary advanced base in the vicinity of Northern Luzon, Philippines, and initiated communications with a reach-back cell based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The exercise marked a historical demonstration of 3d MLR's Fight Now capabilities.

MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities. Lead by I Marine Expeditionary Force, the exercise encompassed approximately twenty training evolutions and was participated in by units across the Fleet Marine Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines. During MASA 23, 3d MLR and detachments from each of its three subordinate units3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion, and 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalionfacilitated bilateral training evolutions at disparate locations across Northern Luzon. These included a simulated airfield seizure, air control, tactical combat casualty care, and subject matter expert exchanges across aviation, ground, and logistics capabilities.

In April, 3d MLR participated in Balikatan 2023, the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations, and counterterrorism skills. During MASA 23, 3d MLR used the lessons learned from Balikatan and previous exercises to establish minimal footprint EABs within the first island chain. Total forces in the area of operations added up to less than 300 essential personnel, making it the MLR's most light-weight, expeditionary deployment to date.

"MASA was a different package and a paradigm shift from Balikatan - from the way the MLR deployed to the way we did command and control to the headquarters we fell under," said Lt. Col. David Palacio, fires support coordinator, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment. "We're a learning organization and we quickly adapted post-Balikatan to provide a tailor-made package in support of I MEF by tying into elements of the MAGTF distributed throughout Northern Luzon. As 3d MLR's first independent detachment, MASA validated that the MLR can tie into any headquarters in order to rapidly deliver tailored capabilities from the third island chain to the first island chain and accomplish the mission."

3d MLR's successful participation in MASA 23 provided proof of concept to Force Design 2030. The exercise demonstrated the ability of an MLR to operate independent of its parent command and to integrate into the command-and-control node of any unit in the Fleet Marine Force in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. As the inaugural MLR prepares to make room for a second MLR to operate within the first island chain, key takeaways from MASA 23 will enhance the Marine Corps' understanding and utilization of the MLR's full range of capabilities.

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A Ready Marine Corps in the Western Pacific: The Stand-in Force Emerges in III Marine Expeditionary Force

US Marine Corps News

26 Jul 2023 | 1st Lt. Samuel Barge 3rd Marine Logistics Group

OKINAWA, Japan -- On a tropical island within the First Island Chain, planners from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force are deeply engrossed in their work, studying maps under tan weathered tents. Their focus is on wargaming enemy actions within their battlespace, while attentive interpreters in their native military uniforms mediate technical discussions, dictating their nation's part in the Stand-in Force.

At the same time, U.S. Marines execute a swift and precise deployment from an MV-22B Osprey over the island of Ie Shima. They rapidly fast rope to the ground and seek cover among the mangrove trees. Assessing their surroundings, they strategize their approach to the unpredictable river lying ahead, which poses as a formidable obstacle on their way to the next objective. These Marines belong to the highly capable III Marine Expeditionary Force.

On July 6, 2023, a host of Marines from the 3rd Marine Division assemble at Kadena Air Base, don their combat loads, and anticipate the powerful aircraft's transport of them within a matter of hours to an austere destination. This mission is part of the Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force Exercise, testing the Marines' ability to immediately provide unwavering support to allies and partners during regional emergencies, be it natural disasters or hostile actions.

As part of the Stand-in Force, the Marines and Sailors of III MEF undergo rigorous, comprehensive training. Their preparation focuses on thriving in remote locations, maneuvering with a low signature, and responding effectively if detected. This training also includes reducing their logistical dependence, as they learn to subsist independently by generating their own power, water, food, and fuel from the environment.

III MEF collaborates closely with the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, working together to conduct sea control operations in isolated maritime terrain. Their synergy ensures that they stand strong as a Stand-in Force, ready to face any challenge that may arise. Every occupation within III MEF diligently shifts its focus to training in dynamic scenarios, fostering adaptability and versatility.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. George Rawson, the current operations officer for 3rd Marine Division, emphasizes, "As the nation's Stand-in Force in the Indo-Pacific Command, III MEF uses ACMEX to display the utility of the ACM as a general-purpose response force that provides the combatant commander flexible options across the full range of military operations."

III MEF functions as a well-integrated and cohesive team, with subordinate units fulfilling various critical functions. Whether they are preparing an AGM-84D Harpoon Missile, conducting aerial refueling, or exchanging expertise with allied forces, every member plays a pivotal role in supporting the main body's mission.

Units from 3rd Marine Logistics Group continuously refine their systems, ensuring that III MEF possesses the necessary speed and efficiency in execution. During the Combined Distribution Exercise in June 2023, 3rd Landing Support Battalion showcased their capabilities, including water production, aerial medical evacuation drills, and resource delivery through the Joint Precision Airdrop System. This exercise demonstrated III MEF's joint and bilateral operability, as logistics units from Republic of Korea forces, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy joined forces with 3rd Landing Support Battalion.

Simultaneously, III MEF conducts a series of training events with allies and joint force partners across Japan, the Philippines, and Australia. These events actively build interoperability, enhancing the readiness of forces and making notable contributions to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Helicopter crews from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing participated in Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 from July 6 to July 21. During this exercise, they train extensively with squadrons from various U.S. Marine Corps units, the U.S. Air Force, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The training encompasses a wide array of activities, including bilateral air assaults, aerial sniping, fuel delivery in the air, jungle patrolling, and fast rope helicopter insertion training. During their training operations, these Marines reside on the ground in the teeming jungle, alongside their comrades from III MEF and the Filipino Marines, immersing themselves in the true essence of the Stand-in Force in the littoral environment.

"We are ready to go fight," says Lt. Col. Thomas Duff, commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 HMLA-169. "MASA gives us the ability to strengthen relationships, hone our warfighting skills, and practice in a distributed fashion in the [Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations] context. We will be here in the first island chain, fighting in the seams, because that's where we thrive."

Across Okinawa's remote maritime terrain, the III MEF Information Group deploys low-profile, highly mobile sensor teams to help identify adversary intentions, adding an extra layer of preparedness and situational awareness to the Stand-in Force. A member of a sensing team, 23-year-old U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. John Philips, a native of Gaffney, S.C., and a radio operator with 5th ANGLICO, III MEF Information Group, created a field expedient radio antenna using raw materials and a protein shaker bottle, highlighting the resourcefulness inherent in the Stand-in Force.

Col. Rich Martin, the III MIG commanding officer, highlights, "One of the hallmarks of a viable Stand-in Force is the ability to persist in forward locations and operate effectively when competition shifts into crisis, being able to provide reliable battlespace awareness and deliver effects that frustrate the adversary's ability to gain an advantagethat's how information is playing a key role for the MEF and the joint force."

The synchronized aggregate of III MEF forms an agile and highly capable Stand-in Force, ready to respond swiftly to any crisis or contingency. While this capability is not intended for long-term solutions, the combined strength of III MEF's functions serves as the most efficient tool for rapid response. Whether working from rugged planning tents or tactical positions, III MEF effectively sets the conditions for follow-on action, ensuring their readiness for any eventuality.

The Marine Corps remains prepared for a full-scale conflict, and as part of the Stand-in Force in the Indo-Pacific, it contributes to the success of joint and combined forces in the region. Packing lighter than before, III MEF, flanked by its allies and partners, stands sharper and more formidable than ever.

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A look at the Defence news 16 - 23 July

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 26-07-2023

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg will donate M113 armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine in the short term. These are refurbished vehicles purchased from private industry. This was announced by the ministers of defence of the three countries in a joint statement last week.

Navy seizes drugs after wild chase

HNLMS Groningen intercepted approximately 1,600 kilograms of drugs in the Caribbean Sea last Sunday. The drugs were seized after a 90-minute chase on a rough sea with high waves.

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Cambodian PM Hun Sen to retire, hand over power to Hun Manet in new gov't

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:47, July 26, 2023

PHNOM PENH, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Wednesday that he will retire after serving as the premier for 38 years in the Southeast Asian kingdom and will pass the reins of power to his eldest son Hun Manet.

"Hun Manet will become the prime minister in just more than three weeks," he said in a special speech televised on the state-run National Television of Cambodia (TVK).

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'Coup attempt' underway in troubled Niger as president held by guards

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 7:05 PM

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum has reportedly been seized by members of the presidential guard, triggering warnings from regional powers that a coup is underway.

Media reports said the presidential guards were holding Bazoum inside the palace, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning.

The report said that the city's center and the roads surrounding the Presidential Palace had been blocked, adding that the country's military appeared to have taken control of state TV.

Video footage from the capital Niamey shows the rest of the city appearing calm.

In a statement on Wednesday, the presidential office called the movement unsuccessful, adding President Bazoum and his family are safe and sound.

"The President of the Republic and his family are doing well. The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack the elements of the GP [Presidential Guard] involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses," the presidency said on social media.

A source close to the president later said that the country's Presidential Guard and government authorities are currently in negotiation.

The United Nations "stands by the Government and the people of Niger," a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

"The Secretary-General is following closely the situation in Niger. He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace, and stability in Niger," Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The African Union also condemned what it called a coup attempt and urged the "felon" soldiers involved to return to barracks immediately.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said there had been an "attempt to seize power by force" in the West African country, in a statement on Wednesday.

"ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition," the bloc added.

"ECOWAS and the international community will hold all those involved in the plot responsible for the security and safety of the President, his family, members of the government, and the general public," the ECOWAS statement said.

The US Embassy in Niger said it had received reports of political instability within the capital Niamey.

"At this time the city is calm. We advise everyone to limit unnecessary movements, and avoid all travel along Rue de la Republique until further notice," the embassy said.

Observers say a military takeover in the former French colony could further complicate Western efforts to fight the so-called war on terrorism that has spread from Mali over the past decade.

Land-locked Niger has become a pivotal ally for Western countries allegedly seeking to help fight the insurgency but facing growing acrimony from the new juntas in charge in Mali and Burkina Faso.

It is also a key ally of the European Union in the fight against irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa.

France also condemned any attempt to seize power and advised French citizens in Niamey to act with vigilance. The United States said it was deeply concerned by developments.

France moved troops to Niger from Mali last year after its relations with interim authorities there soured. It is also withdrawing special forces from Burkina Faso due to similar tensions.

Attempts on power in the landlocked West African state are common as Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960.

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Erdogan holds talks with Palestinian president Abbas, Hamas leader Haniyeh in Ankara

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 6:10 PM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held a joint meeting with the Palestinian president and the head of Hamas political bureau, pushing for unity among Palestinian factions ahead of a summit of Palestinian factions set for the weekend.

The meeting with Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh was held in the presidential complex in the capital Ankara on Wednesday, during which Erdogan offered condolences over the killing of Palestinians in attacks by Israeli security forces and settlers, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

"Pointing out the importance of the unity and solidarity of the Palestinian people, President Erdogan stated that those who seek to undermine the peace process benefit from Palestinian division," tweeted Turkey's Communications Directorate after the meeting.

Erdogan underlined that Turkey did not accept the ongoing Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, adding that Ankara was closely monitoring developments in occupied East al-Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque.

The meeting was held in the run-up to a meeting of Palestinian factions scheduled to be held in Cairo on July 30.

On Tuesday, Abbas held a one-on-one meeting with Haniyeh, in which they agreed to hold a broad meeting of factions in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to discuss the conflict with Israel and ways to end internal divisions.

Husam Badran, a member of the Hamas politburo, said in a statement that preparations for the Cairo meeting were discussed in talks between the Hamas leadership and Abbas, stressing that unity was needed to confront Israel, which "wants to swallow up the land, expand settlements, and control the capabilities of our people."

The group said its leaders reaffirmed in Tuesday's meeting with Abbas that "resistance was the most efficient way to confront the occupation."

Erdogan also held a bilateral meeting with Abbas on Tuesday, during which the Turkish leader promised to continue supporting the Palestinian cause and voiced concerns over the flare-up of violence in the West Bank in recent months.

"We will continue to support the Palestinian cause in the strongest way possible," Erdogan said alongside Abbas.

"We are deeply worried about the increasing loss of lives, destruction, the expansion of illegal settlements and settlers violence," the Turkish leader said.

Meanwhile, an official in the Palestinian presidency told AFP that the Cairo meeting will "discuss how to confront aggression against the Palestinian people," especially from the extremist Israeli administration, and "to strengthen Palestinian unity."

Since early last year, the occupied territories have seen increased violence by Israeli settlers and troops against Palestinians.

Earlier this month, Israeli forces conducted a two-day raid on the Jenin refugee camp, razing swathes of the area, and killing 12 Palestinians, including children

The raid on Jenin was one of the biggest operations carried out by the Israeli military in the West Bank in years.

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Death toll in Ecuador jail riots reaches 31 as govt. declares state of emergency

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 10:15 AM

The death toll from a wave of jail riots in Ecuador's most dangerous prison has reached 31, authorities say, hours as the government declared a 60-day state of emergency for the country's prisons.

The development came late on Tuesday after some 2,700 soldiers were deployed to take control of the over-crowded Guayas 1 prison in the port city of Guayaquil.

According to the prosecutor's office, the violence between rival gangs also left 14 wounded, before the government took "total control" over the situation at Guayas 1, which houses more than 5,600 inmates.

"With effort, commitment, and continuous work, we will move forward and recover the peace that organized crime has taken from us," President Guillermo Lasso wrote on Twitter. "We have to be more united than ever to win this battle."

Earlier, Guillermo ordered the military forces to assert control over Ecuador's prisons, saying in a decree that inmates in Guayaquil used firearms during the unrest and set fire to facilities using gas tanks.

According to the decree, at least one of the dead in the violence had been beheaded.

Lasso declared an earlier state of emergency in three provinces on Monday after a shooting left two people dead, including Agustin Intriago, the mayor of Manta.

"No mother should have to bury her children and no child should grow up without their parent, much less because of a criminal attack," Lasso wrote on Twitter. "Today Ecuador is in mourning."

The shooting took place on Sunday in the port city of Manta, where Intriago, 38, had recently begun a second term as mayor in May.

"The mission is to restore order in this detention center in order to protect the lives, health, and safety of inmates," armed forces commander General Nelson Proano said while speaking to reporters in front of Guayas 1.

He said that explosions heard from within the complex were "detonations made by the elite groups of the armed forces."

Lasso added that a suspect in the shooting has been taken into custody while investigations were underway.

Back in September 2021, Guayaquil's La Litoral penitentiary witnessed one of the deadliest prison riots in the country's history, with approximately 120 people killed.

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US claims drone damaged by flares from Russian jet over Syria amid escalating tensions

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 7:48 AM

A Russian jet fighter flew recently within a few meters of an occupying US spy drone over Syria and fired flares at it, striking the illegally flying American aircraft and damaging it, the US military has claimed amid multiple encounters between the rival military powers over Syrian air space in recent weeks.

"One of the Russian flares struck the US MQ-9, severely damaging its propeller," Chief of US Air Force Central Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich claimed in a statement on Tuesday as quoted in an AP report. "We call upon the Russian forces in Syria to put an immediate end to this reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behavior."

Grynkewich further claimed that the move on Sunday was an attempt by the Russians to knock the MQ-9 Reaper drone out of the sky and came just a week after a Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a US spying aircraft carrying a crew in the region, "jeopardizing the lives of the four American crew members.

This is while American military forces are operating in Syria illegally and the occupying forces are engaged in plundering the country's oil resources and transporting them to their military bases in neighboring Iraq. The invading US forces are also maintaining a military presence in the Arab country while collaborating with groups of anti-Damascus militants and terrorist groups.

According to the report, the Sunday incident marks the latest in a series of encounters between Russian fighter jets and American war planes flying over Syria. In one incident nearly a week ago a Russian Su-35 jet few close to a US MC-12 surveillance aircraft with a crew, forcing it to experience a strong turbulence.

US officials at the time described the encounter as a significant escalation in the persisting string of encounters between American and Russian aircraft that could have resulted in an accident or loss of life.

The development came less than two weeks after a senior Pentagon official was cited as saying that the US is considering military options to address "Russian aggression in the skies over Syria" while expressing rising fears about "growing ties between Iran, Russia and Syria across the Middle East."

"The Russian military activity, which has increased in frequency and aggression since March, stems from growing cooperation and coordination between Moscow, Tehran and the Syrian government to try to pressure the US to leave Syria," said an American "senior defense official" who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters on July 14, the unnamed American official went on to further claim that "Russia is beholden to Iran for its support in the war in Ukraine, and Tehran wants the US out of Syria" to extend aid to Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement "and threaten Israel."

"US has seen more cooperation, collaboration, planning and intelligence sharing, largely between mid-level Russian and Iranian Quds force leaders in Syria, to pressure the US to remove troops from Syria," the official also claimed as cited in the report.

In early July, three Russian jets launched parachute flares at an American drone, forcing the aircraft to conduct "evasive maneuvers." The incident was quickly followed by two others in the next two days.

Moscow said the US-led military coalition's fighter jets had violated Syria's airspace in the strategic al-Tanf region several times.

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Cambodia's Hun Sen says he'll hand power to eldest son in August

The longtime prime minister will step down once Sunday's one-sided election is certified.

By RFA Khmer 2023.07.26 -- For years, people have talked about Prime Minister Hun Sen's desire to eventually hand over power to his eldest son, the foreign-educated military general, Hun Manet.

Until recently, the 70-year-old Hun Sen said he would continue as prime minister until after the next parliamentary election in 2028. But in the weeks leading up to last Sunday's election, speculation grew that the change would happen much sooner.

On Wednesday, Hun Sen called a news conference to say he would step down as prime minister, a position he's held since 1985.

In a special broadcast on state television, he said a new Hun Manet-led government would be formed on Aug. 22, after the National Election Committee officially reports the results from Sunday's election.

"I would like to ask for understanding from the people as I announce that I will not continue as prime minister," he said.

Preliminary results show Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party winning 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly in the July 23 vote, which included Hun Manet as a first-time candidate for parliament from Phnom Penh.

The only viable opposition, the Candlelight Party, was disqualified in May on a technicality.

Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy told Radio Free Asia that announcing the handover before the NEC had even certified the election results was "indecent."

The Cambodian people "object to nepotism," as well as the prospect of living "under the grip of the Hun family forever," he said.

'Gripping power'

As recently as March, Hun Sen vowed to rule Cambodia until his death.

"Some people said Hun Sen is gripping power. I am accepting that," he said at a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh. "I am only defending the power that I am having - there is nothing wrong with that."

But last week, he drastically moved up that timetable when he told China's Phoenix TV that he could hand power over to the 45-year-old Hun Manet "within three or four weeks" of Sunday's elections.

That followed various promotions and appointments to government ministries in March and April that seemed to indicate that the sons and daughters of longtime officials would be assuming new leadership roles after the election.

Last week, CPP spokesman Sok Ey San confirmed to Radio Free Asia that a post-election government cabinet would be "90 percent new blood," with only a few ministers staying on.

Hun Sen's youngest son, Hun Many, thanked his father for his years of service in a message posted on Facebook.

"The Kingdom of Cambodia will move forward with optimism, enthusiasm, confidence, agility and high commitment to the national cause and people," he said. "Brother Net! We put our trust in you!"

New adviser positions for the old guard

Hun Sen confirmed on Wednesday that he would remain as head of the CPP - a post he previously said he would keep to remain politically involved.

He also said he would serve as president of the Senate and as a member of the Supreme Council of the King, a nine-member body that selects Cambodia's monarch. It last acted in 2004 when it selected the current king, 70-year-old Norodom Sihamoni.

Changes to the Constitution last year did away with a requirement that the Assembly vote to approve a newly designated prime minister, a move believed aimed at easing the transition to Hun Manet.

Hun Sen added on Wednesday that other aging top officials will be expected to step down from their ministry positions soon. They could possibly serve as high-level advisers or as senators, he said.

He said this transition would include Interior Minister Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An and Defense Minister Tea Banh - all of whom were recently promoted to vice president positions of the CPP.

They will also serve as members of the Supreme Council of the King, he said.

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Mike Firn and Matt Reed.

This story has been updated with background information and quotes from Sam Rainsy and Hun Many.

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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Explainer: What does Hun Sen's resignation mean?

Cambodia's long-serving prime minister has announced he is stepping down. What comes next?

By Abby Seiff for RFA 2023.07.26 -- Three days after Cambodia's highly controlled national election, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Wednesday he will step down and hand power to his eldest son, army chief Hun Manet.

Hun Sen, 70, has ruled Cambodia since 1985, making him one of the longest serving leaders in the world.

During those decades, Cambodia saw an end to civil war, rapid economic growth and a steep decrease in poverty. But Hun Sen's strongman rule has also been marked by extreme corruption, resource depletion, violence and political repression.

The July 23 election had no viable opposition and many saw it as smoothing the way for a power transfer. Immediately before the election Hun Sen told a Chinese television station that Hun Manet could become premier within a month.

Will Hun Sen retain any power after the transfer?

Hun Sen will take on several powerful positions. He will become president of the Senate, president of the Supreme Council of the King, and president of the CPP. As a result, Hun Sen may well be expected to control much behind the scenes.

He will also continue on as honorary president of the recently formed Cambodia Oknha Association. By heading the group of wealthy tycoons, Hun Sen is expected to also wield a potent economic tool.

Why is this happening now?

Hun Sen has variously promised to rule until 74, 90 and indefinitely. But in recent years he has spoken more about an eventual resignation. In 2021, he said Hun Manet would take over between 2028 and 2030. The announcement was officially endorsed by the party.

Even though Hun Sen announced a weeks-long transfer timeline just before the election, many were surprised by the speed at which he's moving to implement the transition.

According to Hun Sen, Hun Manet will be appointed Aug. 10 and sworn in Aug. 22. There has been speculation that the shift is related to Hun Sen's health or internal party conflicts, though there has been no definitive sign that either issue is the cause. It is also understood that Hun Sen wants the transfer to happen in time for his son to attend the UN General Assembly in early September.

What is clear is that Hun Sen and the CPP are attempting to prevent as little turmoil as possible when Hun Manet takes over. CPP spokesman Sok Ey San told RFA that only a few ministers will stay on when the new government is formed later this month.

Who is Hun Manet?

Hun Manet, 45, has been groomed for decades to take over the premiership. He was the first Cambodian to be admitted to the U.S.'s elite military academy West Point and later went on to get a doctorate in economics at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.

A four-star general, Hun Manet has served in Cambodia's military since 1995. He was the commander of the army until stepping down recently to run as a lawmaker for Phnom Penh.

What are the expectations for Hun Manet's rule?

Hun Sen built his public persona as an everyman  partly through famously lengthy, bombastic but often funny and rough speeches. In contrast, the western-educated and mild-mannered Hun Manet carefully curates his every statement, rarely betraying his true thoughts or feelings.

The effect has been to make him a sort of inkblot test for Cambodia watchers. Optimists see in Hun Manet a closeted reformist itching to step out of his father's shadow and rescue a country teetering on the edge of pariah status. They note his academic credentials, including his 2001 master's thesis exploring the idea of land reforms in Cambodia. They also point to his seeming reluctance to be dragged into his father's dirtier political frays.

Pessimists counter that Hun Manet has never veered from his father's "stability" narrative, which is a thinly veiled threat that any attempt to unseat the Hun family would be met with violence. Moreover, any attempt at meaningful reform would run up against the vested interests of the nation's tycoons and military leaders. Their support has been vital in sustaining Hun Sen's 38-year reign and would presumably be equally essential to his son.

The truth, however, is that nobody but Hun Manet really knows for sure what he has planned.

Another unknown is how much latitude Hun Sen will allow his oldest child. While he has vowed to step down, he will hardly be stepping out of politics entirely.

(Additional reporting by RFA Khmer and Jack Adamovic Davies.)

Edited by Jim Snyder.

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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After Deadline Passes, Afghan Women Pay The Price As Beauty Salons Shut Their Doors

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi July 26, 2023

Beauty salons across Afghanistan were silent as of July 26, a day after a deadline from Taliban rulers passed in another sign of the curbing of rights and freedoms of women in the impoverished country.

According to a decree issued by the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, makeup artists and hairdressers had until July 25 to close their salons.

The move has sparked rare public opposition from many Afghan women, and it was not clear if any salons were not complying. The ministry has not said if it will use force to close those not following the edict.

The closure of salons leaves a major hole in the economic and social lives of many Afghan women, who have seen their freedoms eroded since the Taliban militants took power in August 2021 in the wake of the withdrawal of international troops from the country.

"I am not only upset because of the money I will lose, but my dreams are crushed," said Nada, a makeup artist in the capital, Kabul who opened her salon five years ago.

"To me, my salon held a spiritual value. The fact that I was a helping hand for an orphaned girl when I earned money meant everything to me. Where does the Shari'a (the legal code of Islam) state that women should not work or study?"

The Taliban said the salons needed to be closed because they charge exorbitant amounts of money for makeup and that some of the procedures performed, such as plucking eyebrows and adding hair extensions, are illegal. The regime also cited the high cost for the families of grooms during wedding festivities as being a reason for ordering the closure.

Dozens of women took to the streets in various protests ahead of the deadline, only to see the demonstrations met by security forces use water cannons and warning shots in the air to disperse the gatherings.

Roya and her mother are the owners of a beauty salon -- one of the few places where women can earn money -- they opened when they were struggling to make ends meet.

Roya says the Taliban's decision to close salons is part of a series of harsh restrictions their government has put in place for Afghan women and girls, which has given rise to a feeling of isolation.

"No matter how much we protest, no one listens to us. Everyone is in pain and God knows it. We emptied this cupboard, I shed tears with every item I removed." she said as she cleaned out her salon.

One salon owner in Kabul, who did not want to be named due to security concerns, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that the Taliban should find an alternative income source for those who have been forced out of work and can no longer provide for their family.

"The government should provide us with work. Twenty people work with me to provide for the family. Does the government have anything in mind for us? What should we do at home when we are unemployed?"

The Tradespersons' Union of Afghanistan has told Radio Azadi that about 12,000 beauty salons, where around 60,000 women work, will be closed as a result of the order of the Taliban government.

In an interview with Tolo News private television station, Akif Mohajer, the spokesperson of the Taliban's Ministry of Good and Prohibition, said that the salons did not follow the recommendations of the ministry.

Media reports say these recommendations include that beauticians should offer prayers, that women should perform ablution before putting on makeup, that every beauty salon should have a place for doing ablutions and that women should wear a hijab, or head scarf, when inside the business.

Women makeup artists and beauty salon owners told Radio Azadi that most were observing those rules even though many did not receive official notice of them. Nor, they said, did the Taliban follow up or evaluate their recommendations, instead opting to head straight to the order of closing all salons.

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the Taliban rulers has already closed kindergartens where mostly women worked, while girls and women have been deprived of higher education. Women are no longer allowed to work in all nongovernmental and many government institutions.

The measures against women have prompted the United Nations to try and intervene, with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) calling on the de facto authorities to halt the edict closing beauty salons.

"UNAMA has said that this restriction on women's rights will impact negatively on the economy and contradicts support for women's entrepreneurship, and we're seeking a reversal of the bans," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said on July 24.

Heather Barr, associate women's rights director at Human Rights Watch, said the situation in Afghanistan right now is "the most-serious women's rights crisis in the world."

"The crisis in Afghanistan is overwhelming, and Taliban abuses are deepening what was already a devastating humanitarian crisis," Barr added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-beauty-salons- close-womens-rights-taliban-repression/32520725.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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Amid Crackdown In Restive Region, Tajikistan Targets Properties Linked To Aga Khan

By Farangis Najibullah, Mirzonabi Kholiqzod July 26, 2023

Officials in Tajikistan have taken over several major properties, including a hotel, a lycee, and a city park that are linked to the influential spiritual leader Aga Khan in the country's restive Gorno-Badakhshan region.

Prosecutors this month sought to appropriate a land plot in the provincial capital, Khorugh, where a Central Asia University campus funded by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is located. The land was purchased by the AKDN in the late 1990s, but officials now say the sales were illegal.

The AKDN is a private development agency funded by the Aga Khan, the imam of the Ismaili Shi'ite community. The majority of Gorno-Badakhshan's some 250,000 people identify as Ismailis.

The nationalization of the AKDN properties in Gorno-Badakhshan comes amid a crackdown in the remote, autonomous region that intensified in the wake of anti-government protests there in May 2022.

According to Tajik authorities, at least 10 people were killed, and 27 others were injured on both sides during clashes between protesters and security forces. Local activists, however, say security forces killed more than 50 people, ranging from unofficial local leaders to ordinary protesters.

Dozens of people in Gorno-Badakhshan -- including activists, journalists, and community leaders -- have since been arrested in connection with the protests, with many receiving lengthy prison sentences.

Soon after the protests were dispersed by security forces, authorities nationalized a hotel -- the Khorug Serena Inn -- that was built by the AKDN in Khorugh's picturesque Tem area.

The government went on to nationalize a recreational park in Khorugh in August. The AKDN had reportedly invested about $4 million in the remaking of the park between 2004 and 2005.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, sources close to the matter in Khorugh said the Aga Khan Medical Center was to be targeted next. The $25 million facility opened in 2018.

Last month, the government suspended the license of the Aga Khan Lycee that was established in Khorugh in September 1998.

It will be renamed the State Lycee for Gifted Students and operate under the auspices of the Education Ministry.

Tajik authorities haven't publicly commented on the closure of the AKDN entities. There have been no official statements by the AKDN.

RFE/RL's Tajik Service contacted government officials but didn't receive a response to its queries. AKDN representatives in Khorugh declined to comment.

Dushanbe has struggled to assert control in Gorno-Badakhshan, where so-called informal local leaders enjoy more influence than government officials appointed by the central government.

Recurrent Protests

The region has been the scene of many anti-government protests that are met harshly by security forces over the years. Protest rallies are rare in the rest of the strictly controlled Central Asian nation where dissent is not tolerated.

Dozens of people were killed and wounded in Gorno-Badakhshan in 2012 in a clash between government forces and local militants sparked by the killing of a security official.

In 2014, at least three people were killed and several buildings set on fire in Khorugh in fighting between locals and security forces.

A new wave of protests erupted in Khorugh in November 2021 with up to 5,000 people attending daily rallies, according to local residents. At least one person was killed and several wounded in the protests that were sparked by the fatal shooting of a local man by police.

The four-day demonstration ended after negotiations between government officials and representatives of the protesters.

The government agreed to protesters' demands that included dismantling police checkpoints and not opening criminal probes against the protest organizers.

But it launched a campaign against the informal leaders and other influential figures in the region -- including those who had left the country.

'Uneasy Relationship'

A longstanding mutual distrust between the government in Dushanbe and the people of Gorno-Badakhshan "is more palpable now than ever," a local political observer told RFE/RL's Tajik Service.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Khorugh native reiterated a relatively widespread sentiment that Dushanbe remains cautious of possible separatist ideas as well as the local population's loyalty to the Aga Khan. The majority of people in the rest of Tajikistan adhere to Sunni Islam.

Most of the people living in Gorno-Badakhshan, who are also called Pamiris, have their own local languages.

"Suspicions among government officials toward the Aga Khan organizations have particularly deepened since the 2022 protests. Some officials even seem to believe these agencies provide financial backing to those who nurture separatist ideas, but this is a baseless suspicion," the expert said. "The Aga Khan and his agencies don't need or seek instability here."

Edward Lemon, a Central Asia expert at Texas A&M University, says that "while the Aga Khan is their spiritual leader and Pamiris do have their own languages and religion, there is no viable pathway to independence or desire to be formally independent."

"What Pamiris are seeking is their right to live a dignified life autonomously from government interference and repression," he told RFE/RL. "But the government will not allow this."

Lemon described the relationship between the Aga Khan and the Tajik government as "uneasy."

Authorities in Tajikistan have never publicly alluded to any mistrust toward the AKDN presence in the country.

In the early 2000s, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon maintained what seemed to be a cordial relationship with the current Aga Khan -- Shah Karim al-Husseini -- who visited Tajikistan several times.

The Aga Khan, 86, last traveled to Tajikistan in 2012.

The AKDN first launched its projects in Tajikistan in the 1990s, providing humanitarian assistance to the country amid civil war.

The AKDN expanded its operation to other spheres, including education, finance, and health care, employing some 3,500 people across the country at its peak. It's not known how many jobs were affected by the recent appropriation of the agency's properties.

Written and reported by Farangis Najibullah with additional reporting by RFE/RL Tajik Service correspondent Mirzonabi Kholiqzod

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-crackdown-gorno- badakhshan-properties-aga-khan/32520966.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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Moldova To Sharply Reduce Number Of Russian Diplomats Amid 'Destabilization' Fears

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service July 26, 2023

Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu has announced that Moldova is drastically reducing the number of accredited Russian diplomats allowed into the country.

Popescu, who made the announcement at the start of a government meeting on July 26, said the move will result in fewer "individuals to destabilize the country."

He added that for decades Moldova has been "the target of quite hostile types of activities and policies on the part of the Russian Federation," with some of those activities carried out through the embassy.

"It's very important that diplomatic missions focus on developing good relations between countries," Popescu said.

"Or, since a sizeable number of diplomats of a country are focused on efforts to destabilize our state...we decided together with the political leadership to limit the number of accredited Russian Federation diplomats so that a smaller number of destabilizing individuals remain here."

Government spokesman Daniel Voda said the number of Russian diplomats will be reduced by some 75 percent -- to 10 from 37 -- and the number of technical personnel to 15 from 34.

Russia must comply with the decision by August 15, the Foreign Ministry said.

Since Moldova gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, Moscow has been continuously holding considerable sway in the country.

Russia still keeps more than 1,000 troops in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester, ostensibly as peacekeepers after Chisinau and Russia-backed separatists fought a short but bloody war in 1992 that was curbed by Moscow's intervention on the side of the insurgents.

The small country of 2.6 million has received thousands of Ukrainian refugees and initially voiced fears of a potential Russian invasion aided by the troops stationed in Transdniester.

Russia's Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov was summoned on July 25 to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry following a media investigation that found that there were an "excessive" number of antennas on the roof of the embassy building.

The investigation by The Insider and Jurnal TV found that there are many antennas capable of receiving various electronic signals mounted on the embassy roof and identified individuals who operate the antennas and who are reported to have links with Russian intelligence.

Vasnetsov argued that the antennas were installed during the construction of the embassy in the late 1990s when phone networks and the Internet were of poor quality in Moldova.

"This so-called espionage scandal is just an excuse to implement a decision already made some time ago to reduce the number of diplomatic staff," Vasnetsov said after the meeting.

"In our opinion, this move seriously undermines the dialogue between our countries and is not in the spirit of friendly relations."

Since beating Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in November 2020, U.S.-educated President Maia Sandu has firmly steered Moldova toward the West and last year gained an invitation for her country to open negotiations for European Union membership.

With reporting by nordnews.md

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-limits-russian- diplomats-destabilization/32520844.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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Nigerien Military Claims President Bazoum Removed From Power Amid Border Closures

Sputnik News

20230726

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The military of Niger appeared on national television and announced Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power after the leader had earlier been presented with an ultimatum.

In a televised statement issued by Col. Major Amadou Abdramane, the official relayed to the wider public that security forces had "put an end to the regime that you know" while warning against any foreign intervention.

"The country's borders are closed and a nationwide curfew declared," he said in the address while flanked by nine other individuals in military garb, noting the curfew and suspension of "all institutions" would remain in place until further notice.

The announcement came hours after the Nigerien president's residence and offices had been closed off after earlier negotiations faltered and military officials refused to release Bazoum from holding in the capital Niamey.

The alleged reason for the mutiny is Bazoum's intention to dismiss the commander of the Presidential Guard Gen. Omar Tchiani, local media reported.

Just as reports surfaced of the events, the US State Department issued a release indicating that Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Niger's president to convey the US' "unwavering support" for his administration and Niger's democracy.

"[Blinken] emphasized that the United States stands with the Nigerien people and regional and international partners in condemning this effort to seize power by force and overturn the constitutional order," the release reads.

"Secretary Blinken underscored that the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights."

Niger has become a key ally for Western nations, with Bazoum just one of a few pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region. The US has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on helping to boost the nation's security since 2012.

Bazoum has served as president since winning the presidential ticket in February 2021 after gaining over 55% of voter ballots. The official had previously served as the country's interior minister between 2016 and 2020.

 Sputnik

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Rebels in Niger Refuse to Free President Despite Ultimatum From Armed Forces

Sputnik News

20230726

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Rebels in Niger continue to hold captive President Mohamed Bazoum, while the armed forces gave them an ultimatum, a French news agency reported on Wednesday, citing sources from the president's inner circle.

Earlier in the day, media reported that presidential guards surrounded the presidential palace in Niamey, blocked off Bazoum's office and residence, but the situation in capital Niamey remained relatively calm.

According to the agency, despite the fact that the Armed Forces gave them an ultimatum, the rebels refused to free Bazoum after negotiations.

A French news portal reported that Bazoum's intent to dismiss Presidential Guard Commander Omar Chiani could be the reason behind the mutiny.

Bazoum claimed victory in the second round of the presidential election in February 2021 with 55.67% of votes against former president Mahamane Ousmane. Before running for presidency, Bazoum served as an interior minister from 2016 to 2020.

 Sputnik

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France Eyes New Deal With Qatar on Supply of Rafale Fighter Jets - Reports

Sputnik News

20230726

PARIS (Sputnik) - France was planning to agree on another contract to deliver 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar after the supply of 36 aircraft in 2015, a French newspaper reported Tuesday, citing sources.

Doha may place an order for French fighter jets between 2024 and 2025, the report said. Qatar may also request that France modernize the 36 aircraft supplied in 2015 to the F4 standard.

The intention was announced during the visit of French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu to Qatar on July 17, where he met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss the "strengthening of strategic partnership," among other topics, the media reported.

In 2015, Qatar and France struck a deal for the delivery of 24 Rafale aircraft worth 6.3 million euros ($6.96 million), with Doha having purchased another 12 fighters later.

A French broadcaster reported earlier that French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation received ten times fewer orders in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year. The company was expecting to receive more orders by the end of the year, when, among other things, the deal on the supply of 26 Rafale fighters to India is finalized.

 Sputnik

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

26 July 2023

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

** Niger

Good afternoon, thank you for coming in on a nice July day. I will start off with a statement on the situation in Niger. The Secretary-General is following closely the situation in Niger. He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger. The Secretary-General calls on all actors involved to exercise restraint and ensure the protection of constitutional order. The United Nations stands by the Government and the people of Niger. And if you allow me, I will read it in French, as well.

Le Secretaire general suit de pres la situation au Niger. Il condamne avec la plus grande fermete toute tentative de prise de pouvoir par la force et d'atteinte a la gouvernance democratique, a la paix et la stabilite au Niger. Le Secretaire general appelle tous les acteurs concernes a faire preuve de retenue et d'assurer la protection de l'ordre constitutionnel. Les Nations unies sont aux cotes du gouvernement et du peuple du Niger.

** Ukraine

This morning, the Security Council held a meeting on threats to international peace and security. Briefing Council members was Nihal Saad, the Director of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. She said that the Cathedral damaged in Odesa on Sunday was not the only religious site damaged throughout this war. According to a preliminary assessment undertaken by our colleagues in Paris at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 116 religious sites have been damaged since 24 February 2022. Ms. Saad stressed that religious sites should be places of worship, not places of war.

Also, later in the morning, the Council also held a meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. The Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari, told Council members that, in the wake of Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Initiative, these latest attacks signal a calamitous turn for the Ukrainians and the world. Mr. Khiari pointed out that port cities that allow for the export of grain, such as Odesa, Reni and Izmail, are a lifeline for many, and now they are the latest casualties in this senseless, brutal war. All those remarks were shared with you.

** Climate

A programming note: Tomorrow, at about 9:30 a.m., the Secretary-General of these United Nations will be at the Security Council stakeout. He will deliver remarks on climate, but he will also be taking some questions from you and attendance is mandatory, Mr. Bays.

** Deputy Secretary-General

At the closing of the UN Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, launched the Secretary-General's call to action for accelerated Food Systems Transformation. In her speech, Ms. Mohammed highlighted six concrete objectives for the Call to Action for all actors  to step up and commit to make food systems work for people and planet alike. These will support the broader push to get the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track. Earlier today, the Deputy Secretary-General spoke at an event on the use of space technology for transforming agrifood systems, saying that the profound changes underway in outer space, especially our growing access and use of low-earth orbit, can become game-changers for the 2030 Agenda. In this challenging global context  from conflict to COVID to the climate crisis  the emergence of new tools, in particular "digital agriculture", is most welcome, she added.

Later, she spoke at the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking, all this happening in Rome. She warned that, as we approach the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda, the SDGs are in deep trouble, with hunger at levels not seen since 2005. If current trends continue, by 2030, 575 million people will still live in extreme poverty and nearly 670 million will suffer from hunger. Transforming our food systems, she said, is one key to getting the world back on track and reversing these worrying trends. She added that the Joint SDG Fund's Window on Food Systems is being launched today. It is our effort to tackle the support needed to address this lack of funding to turn the situation around. Her remarks were shared.

** Syria

We have a quick humanitarian update on Syria crossings. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Health Organization (WHO) carried out two regular missions from southern Turkiye to north-west Syria today, through the Bab al-Salam crossing. In Azaz, which is north-west of Aleppo, the Office staff visited a paediatric hospital supported by the Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund. For its part, WHO conducted monitoring and provided technical support at several health facilities. The UN has completed nearly 170 cross-border missions to north-west Syria since the earthquakes in February. In the coming days, additional staff missions and truck movements are planned through the Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra'ee crossings.

** Central African Republic

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) announced today a plan to dedicate about $3 million to finance Quick Impact Projects, and about 90 of them in the coming year, and intended to support the reconciliation, political process and peace process, improve security and help restore State authority. In previous years, these kinds of projects resulted in the rehabilitation of bridges, the construction of schools, police stations, training centres, community radio networks and public administration infrastructure.

** South Sudan

On South Sudan, the humanitarian community is calling for urgent funding for transportation of people fleeing from Sudan to South Sudan. Many of those fleeing are vulnerable with no financial resources to continue their journey inside the country. The vast majority are South Sudanese returnees. Until now, South Sudanese authorities and the humanitarian community have been able to provide transportation assistance, so that people can reach their final destinations by river, by air or by road. However, without new funding, humanitarian agencies will be forced to halt transportation in two weeks' time. With no onward transportation available, more people will become stranded in and around the border towns where humanitarian services are already overstretched. We need $26.4 million to continue providing this service until the end of the year.

** Togo

A quick note from Togo, where our team there is reinforcing national efforts to counter violent extremist attacks in the northern regions. Over the past four months, the World Food Programme (WFP) distributed essential food supplies including corn, beans, salt, vegetable oil and enriched flour, benefiting 52,000 people, especially children, in impacted areas. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), for its part, provided 3,000 hygiene kits to women, including adolescents, many of whom were displaced. These kits include dental hygiene and towels, among other items. For its part, WHO distributed health-care kits, while the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) improved water, hygiene and sanitation access, installing latrines in health facilities and schools. Over 9,000 displaced students received school kits, and 2,000 children with severe acute malnutrition were treated. And the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is empowering elected bodies to promote dialogue mechanisms for social cohesion, while the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is assisting in the registration of 18,000 asylum seekers due to the rising number of refugees from Burkina Faso.

** Senior Personnel Appointment

Lastly, and importantly: Today, the Secretary-General is appointing Tatiana Molcean of the Republic of Moldova as the next Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). She will succeed Olga Algayerova of Slovakia, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her commitment and dedicated service to the United Nations. Ms. Molcean brings to the position 20 years of experience in the public sector with extensive international cooperation and development experience, and in-depth knowledge and expertise across the entire ECE membership. James, and then Ibtisam.

** Questions and Answers

Question : Niger, tell us more about what the UN has there? Who's in charge with the UN? Whom have they managed to make contact with?

Spokesman : We have about 1,500 UN staff, about 150 internationals, 21 various agencies. At this point, all UN staff is safe, though we've had to suspend our operations. Niger, like many other countries in the Sahel is where we conduct a lot of humanitarian and development operations.

Question : Is there a resident coordinator for that?

Spokesman : Yeah, there is a resident coordinator. She was currently out of the country on leave, but there's an acting resident coordinator who is meeting with staff. We are also trying to make contacts here from headquarters, and I will keep you posted on that.

Question : A couple of quick questions on Ukraine. Number one, I thought Denise Brown was briefing the Security Council today. That's why we couldn't have a briefing yesterday with her. She didn't brief, did she?

Spokesman : Yeah. My understanding there were some technical issues, given where she was traveling in Ukraine. That's...

Correspondent : It seems quite important that someone hears from her soon. She was...

Spokesman : No. No. We're trying to get her and get her back.

Question : And on that issue, because I know she went to this particular building, the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa that was hit, now the claim is coming from the Russian Deputy Ambassador that it was hit by Ukraine, not by Russia. What's the UN's view on that? The UN condemned Russia the other day.

Spokesman : I'm not aware of us changing our position in terms of what was already said. Ibtisam, and then I'll go to Edie.

Question : So, UN experts, special rapporteurs and others issued a statement today about the situation in Palestine and Israel. And among others, they say that the international community must take steps to prevent Israel's annexation of Occupied Palestinian Territory or risk being seen as accepting the Israeli Government's systematic violation of international law. Do you have a comment on that? And then what is your Special Representative doing, in order not to give this impression that you are actually accepting...

Spokesman : Well, listen, I have no comment on what the special rapporteur said. As you know, they're independent. They're free to say what they wish. From our part, I think our position on potential annexation, on the growth of illegal settlements has been very clear. The position is unchanged and unwavering. We will continue to pass that message along, both publicly and privately in our discussions with Israeli officials.

Question : Still on Israel and Palestine, but on a different issue. So, both Government and opposition voted in favour of law aimed to prevent Palestinian citizens from living in a long list of towns and villages. This law allows, but in vague terms, housing segregation against Palestinian citizens, which means that any town up to 700 households can now prevent those who are unsuitable in cultural or social terms to move in. Do you have any comments on that?

Spokesman : To be honest, I had not seen that report before coming in. I will get you some language on that.

Question : Just last one on Syria. Any updates on the negotiation between OCHA and the cross border?

Spokesman : I think our position in our requirements, in a sense and I'm a little loath to use that word, but our position on the need for us to be able to operate in north-west Syria and throughout Syria are along the same lines as we operate anywhere are unchanged. Our views have been made known to the Syrian Government. As soon as there are some positive news to share, I will share with you. Edie?

Question : Thanks, Steph. A follow-up on Niger. The new Special Envoy for West Africa, UNOWAS [United Nations Office on West African and the Sahel] was here yesterday. Is he still here? Is he involved in...?

Spokesman : Yeah. He's still here. As I came downstairs, he was about to meet the Secretary-General. So, if I have an update on what his activities are, I will let you know.

Question : Will he speak to us?

Spokesman : I will ask all of that.

Question : Yeah. Do you know whether he's been in touch with anybody there?

Spokesman : I cannot answer for that at this point.

Question : Okay. So, you're going to let us...?

Spokesman : Yes, ma'am.

Question : No. Also today, the anniversary of the Armistice between the two Koreas is basically here. Does the Secretary-General have any comment to both the North and the South Koreans?

Spokesman : Well, I think as we've been saying, we would like to see a resumption of the diplomatic dialogue as an effort to lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula and lead ultimately to the verifiable denuclearization of the Peninsula. Ms. Fasulo, and then I'll go to Alan.

Question : Thank you, Steph. Regarding North Korea, can you just clarify once and for all the situation with the UN Command regarding North Korea? You know there's been reporting about the UN holding talks, and we know it's a US-led command. Anyway, if you could just make some total sense of it.

Spokesman : Well, that's a tall order, if you want, if you ask me and you want me to make total sense of something. This was created during the Korean conflict by the Security Council. The resolutions are clear. It is... however, it has no operational link, no administrative link, no financial link with the United Nations. As far as my understanding, even when it was created, it was funded, paid for by the United States. So, it is a relic of that time. I assume it would be up for the Security Council to make the necessary changes. And I agree it does create a little bit of confusion every once in a while. Alan?

Question : Sorry. Thank you, Stephane. Today, the Security Council discussed the operation of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. So, my question is, is the SG touching this issue in his contacts with the Ukrainian authorities and in general, is he concerned about that?

Spokesman : Well, I would refer to what the comments made by Nihal Saad today on behalf of the Secretariat regarding the topic. We believe, everywhere in the world, people should have a right to worship freely.

Question : Yeah, but is he speaking about that topic with the Ukrainian authorities?

Spokesman : I have no more information to share on the topic of his discussions than I've had in the past. Mr. Bays?

Question : A different part of the world, Cambodia. Cambodia's Prime Minister was recently re-elected in an election where the opposition were not allowed to stand. He now says he's going to hand over power to his son, who wasn't elected by anyone. Is the Secretary-General concerned?

Spokesman : I think we have expressed our concern in the past and that position stands.

Question : Okay. DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea], further question on that. The Russian Defence Minister...

Spokesman : And I would also refer you to the statement made by Volker Turk on the Cambodia issue.

Question : Okay. I wasn't aware of that. DPRK, the Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, is in North Korea. Apparently, there's a Chinese delegation there, as well. The Secretary-General repeatedly expresses his concern about the missiles and projectiles and everything else coming from North Korea. What would he hope could be achieved if two permanent members of the Security Council are there?

Spokesman : Well, I don't know what the topic of the discussion. We very much hope that any Member State that is able to have direct contact with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea would pass along the messages that would lead to, as I said to Edie, a lowering in tension and ultimately resumption of diplomatic talks and denuclearization of the Peninsula.

Question : Okay. Final one from me. The sort of tone of things in the Security Council. You had a procedural vote today, very scrappy procedural vote. You had two rival meetings on Ukraine. You've had the Russian Deputy Ambassador condemning the way the UK presidency has been conducted. Is the Secretary-General concerned that there is a breakdown in the way things are getting done in the Security Council, there's a breakdown in the normal relations between these? I'm not talking about the policy areas. I'm just talking about the tone of things. Is that a concern?

Spokesman : The Council is the master of its own business. They will conduct the business as they wish. Has the Secretary-General expressed concern at the fault lines, the growing tensions between some members of the Council, especially at the permanent members' level? Yes. And as we've always said, the more united the Council is, the more, in a way, the more authority it gives the Secretary-General to do his own work. And the reverse is what it is. Okay. Thank you all. Stakeout at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, and then we'll also have a briefing, and we hope to have WF... oh that's right. Okay. I forgot. I'll just... one day at a time. Anyway, see you tomorrow.

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Critical funding gap for onward transportation for people fleeing Sudan risks to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the border areas

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

26 Jul 2023

(Juba, 26 July 2023) The humanitarian community in South Sudan is calling for urgent funding to ensure continued support for onward transportation for people fleeing the Sudan conflict to South Sudan. Since the outbreak of hostilities in Sudan on 15 April, over 193,000 people have crossed into South Sudan. In June 2023, the number of new arrivals surged significantly, with approximately 15,000 individuals arriving from Sudan every week. Over 70 percent of the arrivals enter South Sudan through Renk's Wunthow border entry point, of whom the vast majority are South Sudanese nationals. With no end to the Sudan conflict in sight, it is expected that the number of people seeking refuge in South Sudan will continue to rise in the coming period.

"Many of those arriving in South Sudan are increasingly vulnerable with no financial resources to continue their journey inside the country," said Peter Van der Auweraert, the Acting Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. Until now, National and State-level Authorities together with the humanitarian community have been able to provide onward transportation assistance to those without means so that they can reach their final destinations by road, river or air. Funds are, however, dwindling rapidly and without new funding, humanitarian agencies will be forced to halt transportation assistance in two weeks time. Funding shortfalls have already forced the National Authorities to cease assistance.

Should the required funding not be secured, the consequences will be extremely severe, impacting the wellbeing and safety of returnees and refugees from Sudan as well as of the South Sudanese living in the affected border areas. "It is quite straightforward, everyday support for onward transportation is unavailable, hundreds more will become stranded in and around border towns like Renk, with already overstretched humanitarian services becoming overwhelmed within a matter of days, not weeks," warned Peter Van der Auweraert. "Unless we find a way to continue supporting onward transportation, we will soon be in a situation whereby the living conditions for people arriving become ever more dire and the occurrence of tensions and conflict over scarce resources ever more likely," he added.

The humanitarian partners in South Sudan urgently require US$26.4 million to continue providing transportation support until the end of the year. "South Sudan needs additional support from international donors, and that the National Authorities restart their support for onward transportation. Only a joint effort will avoid the humanitarian catastrophe we are all afraid of," highlighted the Acting Humanitarian Coordinator.

Note to editors:

An estimated 9.4 million people, 76 per cent of South Sudan's population, are projected to need humanitarian and/or protection assistance in 2023. The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan requires US$1.7 billion to reach 6.8 million of the most vulnerable people with urgent vital support. As of 25 July 2023, only 39.4 per cent of the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan is funded. South Sudan continues to be the most violent context for aid workers. Three aid workers lost their lives while on duty since the beginning of 2023. Across the country, aid workers - mostly national humanitarian workers - are affected by the impact of armed violence, bureaucratic impediments and targeted violence.

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Kadena AB aces dispersed operations during Northern Edge 23-2

Published July 26, 2023

By Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- U.S. service members integrated with Japan Self-Defense Forces, French air and space forces and other allies and partners to enhance Agile Combat Employment capabilities from dispersed locations during Northern Edge 23-2, July 2-21.

Staging out of Kadena Air Base, the "Keystone of the Pacific." afforded U.S. forces and partner nations the opportunity to work through interoperability challenges across joint, multinational and multi-domain operations in support of the shared security objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Northern Edge 23-2 was a success in challenging our forces to exercise distributed operations in the field rather than simple simulations, increasing proficiency and force durability," said U.S. Air Force Col. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander. "Working together with our Japanese counterparts enables us to bolster our real-world training capabilities, which enhances our readiness and lethality."

The large-scale exercise tested participants' mission capabilities to include command and control, movement and maneuverability, hub and spoke distribution, combat search and rescue and the testing and experimentation of new technology.

From infancy, multilateral partners gave inputs into the operational design of the exercise and continued to participate all the way to its culmination.

"By training with our partners, we learn how to work through some operational challenges as a collective force and get closer to our goal of a truly interoperable, joint and multinational partnership," said U.S. Air Force Maj. John Della Pia, 18th Operational Support Squadron Wing weapons and tactics chief.

NE 23-2 also achieved the joint force air component commander's vision by deploying more than 5,000 personnel, 90 fighters and 20 tankers to 10 locations throughout the region.

"Our Airmen essentially deployed - physically moving between different locations, picking up a pack and sleeping bag, showing up to a place that they might not have everything they need and learned how to work through those struggles in real-time," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Scott Darden, 336th Fighter Generation Squadron maintenance project officer during NE 23-2. "The JASDF were great partners and were 100% willing to help and were key to our success."

An integral aspect of NE 23-2 was exercising distributed operations through a centralized hub and dispersed spokes, demonstrating greater agility and ability to outpace an adversary's actions and complicate targeting cycles through movement and maneuverability across a wide area.

"Planning and coordinating an exercise on this scale introduces some incredible challenges - in terms of the sheer number of airplanes, the amount of fuel required to keep airplanes flying and the outstanding work of our logistics teams to ensure both our hub and spokes were successful in their missions," Della Pia said.

The range of operations provided by spoke operations in Hyakuri and Tsuiki Air Bases, allowed additional U.S. Air Force commands to validate new tactics, techniques and procedures.

Such coordination resulted in four F-35A Lightning IIs completing a historic endurance mission by flying for 10 hours before joining allied forces in the air to participate in a tactical training mission over the Indo-Pacific region.

"Northern Edge provides opportunities for us to train like we will fight - as a joint and coalition force," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Rachel Self, 355th Fighter Squadron F-35A pilot.

Another new capability tested, in conjunction with the Air Mobility Command's concurrent full spectrum exercise Mobility Guardian 23, was the Real-Time Information in the Cockpit system, that provides intelligence and C2 capabilities to KC-135 Stratotanker crews. This technology provides operations which streamline aircraft tracking and proficiency on-time, on-target across vast distances.

As Kadena AB continues to demonstrate its strategic importance as a hub facilitating multiple, multi-faceted exercises, and continue daily operations to meet mission objectives, the 18th Wing reinforces its vital position to ensuring long-lasting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

"It's been a herculean effort to ensure that our daily operations haven't suffered as a result [of Northern Edge]," Della Pia said. "It's easy to forget that we have normal operations and taskings that occur daily, and it's no exception during an operation like this. Team Kadena has been working in overdrive to ensure mission success and they've knocked it out the park!"

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Connected battlespace modernizes fight in Indo-Pacific

Published July 26, 2023

By Senior Airman Sebastian Romawac

18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- History was made during exercise Northern Edge 23-2 as the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing, working with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center, sent their modified KC-135 Stratotanker to Kadena Air Base for use in the Western Pacific.

The KC-135, equipped with the Real-Time Information in the Cockpit system, otherwise known as RTIC, and the Collins Aerospace Intelligent Gateway flew alongside the Raytheon Multi-Program Testbed, otherwise known as RMT, as well as numerous joint and coalition aircraft, to modernize and enhance battlespace communications for all players in the Indo-Pacific region.

The RTIC program of record provides real-time situational awareness to KC-135 crews by displaying enemy threats, target data and allied force locations on an avionics display located in the cockpit.

"Prior to RTIC, we were completely relying on outside sources to tell us where threats were, let us know if we were in danger and tell us where our receivers were," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Mike Starley, Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center KC-135 test detachment director. "Now the KC-135 crews have a moving map screen available in the cockpit and can make their own tactical decisions on whether or not they're at risk, which will allow them to get closer to the fight and offload fuel."

Building upon RTIC, the Utah ANG and AATC, in coordination with Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, have been testing a connected battlespace through what the team calls the Intelligent Gateway. This new advancement for the KC-135 was able to bridge beyond line-of sight networks with operational and strategic level information to line-of-sight datalinks at the tactical edge. This allows the transfer of situational awareness and closure of decision cycles between joint and air operations centers, tactical command and control nodes, and joint and coalition assets from sub-surface all the way to space.

With the Intelligent Gateway, air operations centers are provided with a live picture of the battlespace and have situational awareness they did not have before. Joint, allied and partner forces can communicate through the KC-135 Intelligent Gateway to make tactical decisions with a common operating picture. From the warfighter in the air, to the commander on the ground, everyone's situational awareness is enhanced through the KC-135 Intelligent Gateway.

"We only have so many surveillance aircraft available and in a theater as large as the Indo-Pacific, there's going to be a lot of holes with no command and control," Starley said. "But we're always going to have a tanker there, no matter what. Now we're able to take advantage of all that space and use the KC-135, that's already in the fight anyway, for C2."

During Northern Edge 23-2, the Utah ANG KC-135 worked in tandem with the RMT to test advanced communication and intelligence-gathering capabilities. The RMT uses a combination of radar and electronic intelligence sensors to capture information on simulated threats. Onboard processors then generate a clear targeting solution that is passed on to the Utah ANG KC-135 and then to joint and allied players on the network for C2 purposes.

The KC-135 team from Utah ANG and the RMT participated in Northern Edge 23-1 recently held in Alaska as well.

"The Collins/RTX team in collaboration with the Utah ANG picked up in Japan, where we left off in Alaska," said Lora Magliocco, Collins Aerospace Connected Battlespace Joint Experimentation and Demonstration director. "The team demonstrated the value of connecting the battlespace by providing relevant command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data to decision makers at machine speeds. The connected battlespace opens new opportunities to apply artificial intelligence, big data concepts and advanced networking at the tactical edge."

This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. These systems are being stress tested and matured in the Indo-Pacific region during exercise Northern Edge 23-2 and are supporting Joint All-Domain Command and Control and Advanced Battle Management System initiatives by not only increasing communication capabilities, but also drastically shortening real-world decision-making timelines.

"When an aircraft lands after a mission with intelligence, surveillance, or reconnaissance, there is usually a 72-hour air tasking order cycle before a decision is made to go after that target," Starley said. "In theory, we could take that 72-hour ATO cycle and shrink it to 72 minutes or less, meeting commander's intent."

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USS Normandy Arrives in Rijeka, Croatia

US Navy

26 July 2023

From Carrier Strike Group 12 Public Affairs

RIJEKA, Croatia -- The USS Normandy (CG 60), a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, arrived in Rijeka, Croatia for a regularly scheduled port visit and mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR), July 26, 2023.

The port visit to Rijeka provides an opportunity to strengthen the United States and Croatia's relationship, and offers a chance to further demonstrate the United States' commitment to its European regional allies and partners, while also allowing Normandy to begin her scheduled mid-deployment maintenance availability.

"It is an honor to choose Croatia as Normandy's mid-deployment maintenance availability port," said Capt. Errol A. Robinson, commanding officer, USS Normandy. "Porting in Rijeka enables us to make the necessary repairs during deployment periods and to continue to demonstrate the interoperability we have with our Croatian partners. Moreover, the officers and crew are extremely excited to explore Rijeka and its wonderful culture."

While in Rijeka, Normandy's Sailors will have the opportunity to tour the city and surrounding areas and to experience the rich history and culture of Croatia. They will also be able to participate in a community relations project while in-country, organized by the ship's Religious Ministry Team, comprised of Lt. Brandy Brown and Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Carrie Caton.

The last U.S. Navy vessel to visit Croatia was the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. Ford hosted a reception for distinguished visitors while anchored off the coast of Split, Croatia, June 27, 2023.

CSG-12, Gerald R. Ford CSG, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Normandy is a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG). The GRFCSG is comprised of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).

The ships of DESRON-2 within the GRFCSG are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).

The squadrons of CVW-8 embarked aboard Gerald R. Ford are the "Tridents" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, the "Spartans" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, the "Bear Aces" of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW 124), the "Ragin' Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, the "Blacklions" of (VFA-213), the "Golden Warriors" of (VFA-87), the "Tomcatters" of (VFA-31), the "Gray Wolves" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

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Experts: Austin's Papua New Guinea Visit Spotlights Defense Pact

By Christy Lee July 26, 2023

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's visit to Papua New Guinea will focus, in part, on detailed discussion establishing a U.S. military presence in the country, according to experts.

Underpinning the establishment of a U.S. military presence in PNG is the Defense Cooperation Agreement the two countries signed in May.

The Defense Cooperation Agreement "will form the foundational framework for the two countries to enhance bilateral security cooperation" and "improve the capacity of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force," said a statement released by the Pentagon on Tuesday.

"This is a major step for both the United States and Papua New Guinea," said Zack Cooper, former special assistant to the principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy during the George W. Bush administration and now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

"U.S. officials know that they need to have access to more facilities in the Indo-Pacific region, but most of that access has been limited to existing U.S. treaty allies and a limited set of long-standing partnerships. Papua New Guinea is the first major new access point for the United States in years," Cooper told VOA Korean via email.

"Defense Secretary Austin's trip is likely to focus on the details and implementation, as well as providing a visible indication of growing U.S.-PNG ties," said Terence Roehrig, professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College.

"His visit will also likely seek to allay any concerns in Papua New Guinea that this will lead to a permanent U.S. base and somehow infringe on the country's sovereignty, an important issue since the agreement has yet to be ratified in the PNG parliament," he told VOA's Korean Service via email.

The defense agreement will be released officially after the PNG parliament ratifies it as expected in August. It will allow the U.S. to station troops and vessels at six sites including Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, according to Agence France-Presse, which obtained a copy of the agreement.

"These six sites are useful for both air and naval forces, which are both critical in the large expanses across the Pacific," said Cooper. "For Papua New Guinea, I think this will open up new possibilities in terms of not only security cooperation but also economic assistance. This trip will help solidify those arrangements."

Experts said Austin's visit featuring discussions with PNG Prime Minister James Marape and his top defense officials is important as the region has become another theater of U.S.-China rivalry.

Dennis Wilder, who served as the National Security Council director for China from 2004-05, told VOA's Korean Service via email that Austin's trip "demonstrates that the region is a priority and that the United States will make considerable efforts to counter China's attempts to bring the region into its sphere of influence" while the security pact "strengthens the U.S. footprint in the western Pacific."

Roehrig said the U.S. ties with PNG are important "to keep pace with Beijing's presence in the South Pacific" and to "ensure regional access."

Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA's Korean Service via email Tuesday that China is "not opposed to countries' efforts to grow ties with Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island countries."

"We always advocate," he continued, that the international community to give "more attention and support" to island nations and that "the negotiation and signing of any cooperation document should help realize this goal."

He added, however, that "we should be on alert particularly for geopolitical games under the pretext of cooperation" and that "any cooperation should not target at any third country."

For China, the region is the so-called Air Silk Road, an important part of its Belt and Road Initiative that seeks to connect Asia and Central and South America through Pacific Island countries.

According to Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation research center, in addition to the first island-chain, which includes Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia, China has been seeking to exert its dominance over the second island-chain comprising countries in the South Pacific such as Palau, Solomon Islands and PNG.

"China has this notion of the first island chain that they totally want to control, and a second island chain, which the Solomons could be part of, where it would establish pretty significant control," said Bennett in a telephone interview. "The U.S. doesn't want China to get there."

According to the Australian Institute of International Affairs, the first chain comprises the Kuril Islands, the main Japanese archipelago, Okinawa, the northern part of the Philippines archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and Taiwan. The second consists of the islands of Japan stretching to Guam and the islands of Micronesia.

China reached a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April 2022. The security agreement allows China to send ships to the islands to "carry out logistical replacement" as well as military forces to "protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects."

Cooper said: "China will probably step up efforts in Solomon Islands and other locations in response, so American leaders and their counterparts will want to watch closely to see what Beijing might do in the coming weeks and months."

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Cambodian Ream Naval Base Modernized by China Nears Completion: Defense Ministry

By Sun Narin, Han Noy July 26, 2023

Cambodian officials say renovation work on a naval base in the coastal city of Sihanoukville is nearly complete, but U.S. officials have voiced suspicions the facility, being upgraded by China, will be used exclusively by China's military.

Suspicions about China's intentions for the Ream naval base were raised after satellite imagery showed that a major pier capable of anchoring aircraft carriers had been constructed on the site.

Chhum Socheat, a spokesman for the Cambodia National Defense Ministry, confirmed to VOA Khmer that the work will be completed soon but said, "I don't know the inauguration day."

He denied speculation that China will use the base to expand its influence in the region against its rival, the United States.

"I regret that there is untrue information. Cambodia is very small. They [some countries] have bad intentions on our country," he said.

"Some countries don't acknowledge the truth, and they still say untrue information," he said.

Satellite imagery taken by BlackSky, a U.S. commercial imagery company that monitors the construction at Ream naval base, noted "the rapid pace of development of a large Chinese military naval station from August 2021 until July 2023."

"There is a near-exact similarity between an angled deep-water pier located on the western shore of the Ream base and another military pier at the People's Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti.

"Both main piers are 363 meters long and large enough to support any ship in China's naval arsenal, including the new 300-meter-long Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier," said Craig Singleton, China Program deputy director and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, in a July 24 release on BlackSky's website.

In August 2022, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the issue with the Cambodian government about the naval base it is modernizing with Chinese funds, saying use of the site would pose a threat to Southeast Asia if used exclusively for China's military. He made his remarks during a visit to Phnom Penh.

In discussing the naval base, Blinken told VOA Khmer that U.S. concern "is first and foremost in making sure that Cambodia has a truly independent foreign policy, and is not, does not feel pressured, of course, by anyone."

"And when it comes to the Ream naval base, I think countries throughout the region would be very concerned if any one country had exclusive control or use of any portion of the base or was doing anything there that undermined the security of other countries in the region. So, I think it's important to have transparency and to make sure that the base is open to all, and not the exclusive use of any one country," the top U.S. diplomat said.

Political analyst Em Sovannara told VOA Khmer the Ream base is "a very sensitive issue" that requires the Cambodian government to be transparent to allay U.S. suspicions.

''If it is just a political statement via news outlets, it can't solve or clear doubts from the U.S. Thus, there should be other mechanisms for strengthening diplomatic ties with the U.S., which is a way to solve the issue," he said.

The United States has alleged that China will maintain a military presence at Ream, Beijing's second such overseas outpost and its first in the strategically significant Indo-Pacific region. It also has an outpost in Djibouti, at the mouth of the Red Sea.

Tea Banh, Cambodia's defense minister, said in June 2022 the Ream base would most likely not be open for full examination by any foreigners after completion.

He said that Cambodia would not allow any foreign military base on its soil and "has no intention to provoke any threats to any country, and Cambodia is never against other countries' 'military building efforts.'"

"Cambodia just wants to strengthen its protection capacities to curb against pressure and impacts of the current geopolitics competition," he said, adding, "Cambodia has no policy to choose one country against one country."

In October 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh told VOA Khmer the Cambodian government had "not been fully transparent about the intent, nature and scope of this project."

Ream is on the Gulf of Thailand near the South China Sea, where China has claimed sovereignty and disregarded international law.

The Wall Street Journal in 2019 also reported that China had signed an agreement to have People's Liberation Army officers stationed at the naval base. Satellite imagery has shown the demolition of buildings, some built by the United States, and the recent construction of two structures on the base's northern half.

Some information for this article comes from Agence France-Presse.

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UN Envoy Pressed to Prioritize Female Rights in Afghan Crisis Review

By Ayaz Gul July 26, 2023

A rights watchdog said Wednesday that human rights in Afghanistan, especially those of women and girls, should be at the center of a U.N. Security Council-mandated independent assessment of the global response to the country's crisis.

Human Rights Watch said it had shared the recommendations with Feridun Sinirlioglu, U.N. special coordinator leading the assessment, urging him to address the rights abuses of Afghans and hold accountable those responsible for the abuses, including the Taliban.

"The situation in Afghanistan right now is the most serious women's rights crisis in the world," said Heather Barr, associate director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch. "The crisis in Afghanistan is overwhelming, and Taliban abuses are deepening what was already a devastating humanitarian crisis."

Barr criticized the international response as inconsistent, ineffective and insufficiently focused on human rights, saying the independent U.N.-mandated assessment could guide a more effective answer to the "dire situation."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Sinirlioglu as the special coordinator in April and asked the former senior Turkish government diplomat to provide recommendations for an "integrated and coherent approach among relevant political, humanitarian and development actors" to address the challenges faced by Afghanistan.

The move stemmed from a Security Council resolution in March asking the United Nations to conduct and provide the assessment to its members by Nov. 17.

The Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO allies withdrew all their troops after 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.

The fundamentalist authorities have since introduced their interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, to govern the conflict-ridden and impoverished South Asia nation. The Taliban have banned Afghan women and girls from an education beyond about a sixth-grade level and have barred them from most employment and visiting public places such as parks, gyms and bathhouses.

The Taliban have also barred Afghan women from working for international nongovernmental organizations and the United Nations, in a country where more than 28 million people need food aid. The ban forced the World Food Program to cut 8 million food-insecure Afghans from assistance.

On Tuesday, the hard-line authorities permanently closed all beauty salons across Afghanistan, leaving an estimated 60,000 women without work. Parlors were among the last significant sources of employment for women.

The international community has repeatedly criticized Taliban curbs on women and demanded their reversal.

The Taliban dismiss criticism of their rule, insisting that it is aligned with the Afghan culture and Shariah.

Sinirlioglu met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his June visit to Kabul. A post-meeting Taliban statement quoted Muttaqi telling the U.N. coordinator that their government replaced violence with "peace and stability. Islamic rights of women are ensured ... and all achievements in the areas of security have been without any foreign support."

Human rights concerns and the treatment of Afghan women have prevented foreign governments from granting legitimacy to the Taliban as they mark their second anniversary in power next month.

On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department renewed its call for de facto Afghan authorities to review their policies.

"We have been incredibly clear, quite regularly condemning the clear backsliding that we're seeing in Afghanistan, the egregious human rights abuses, the marginalization of women and girls," Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson, told reporters in Washington.

Patel emphasized that "if the Taliban intends to seek international recognition, they need to start directly with the actions and the policies they choose to undertake in Afghanistan."

Human Rights Watch said Wednesday that the U.N. special coordinator should ensure that his team includes experts on human rights, including the rights of women and girls.

"Afghan women and girls and others suffering under Taliban repression feel abandoned by the world," Barr said. "The independent assessment should both help restore global attention to the situation in Afghanistan and propose concrete tools for holding the Taliban and other rights violators accountable."

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department announced Wednesday that Tom West, special representative for Afghanistan, and Rina Amiri, special envoy for Afghan women, girls and human rights, will travel to Kazakhstan and Qatar July 26-31. The delegation will meet with counterparts from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for a special session on Afghanistan.

In Qatar's capital, Doha, West and Amiri will meet with Taliban representatives and technocratic professionals from key Afghan ministries to discuss "critical interests" in Afghanistan, the statement said.

"Priority issues will include humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan, economic stabilization, fair and dignified treatment of all Afghans, including women and girls, security issues, and efforts to counter narcotics production and trafficking."

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Afghan Relocation Flights Paused, Activists Call For Resumption

By Akmal Dawi July 26, 2023

Relocation flights from Afghanistan carrying Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants to U.S. immigration processing centers in Qatar and other countries have been suspended for more than one month, and it's unclear when they will resume.

For nearly two years since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) has been relocating SIV-eligible Afghans by air and overland routes.

The U.S. government used military planes to evacuate tens of thousands of Afghans amid a chaotic withdrawal from the country in August 2021.

Subsequently, most Afghans have been relocated by chartered commercial flights from Taliban-controlled Kabul airport.

A spokesperson for the Department of State confirmed that the relocation flights have been "paused since mid-June" but did not offer additional details because of operational sensitivity.

"We are hopeful these flights will resume soon," the spokesperson said.

Despite condemning the Taliban's repressive policies, U.S. officials had previously welcomed the ability of SIV-eligible Afghans to board relocation flights.

Sources involved in support of CARE operations gave different explanations for the pause in the flights from Kabul.

One source, who asked not to be named in this article because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the group's security and operational issues, said the Taliban had suspended the flights because of internal disagreements.

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, said he was not aware of any restrictions imposed on the relocation flights on their part.

A second source said the U.S. had paused the flights due to concerns that the Taliban leadership was benefiting from the chartered flights by Afghan carriers, potentially violating U.S. economic sanctions on the Taliban.

Calls for resumption

While the U.S. has no diplomatic presence in Afghanistan and has largely curtailed engagement with de facto Taliban authorities, activists say now is not the time to wind down the relocation program.

"Any efforts that the U.S. has to meet our obligation to our allies should not be paused," said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, an umbrella body of individuals and non-government organizations advocating for Afghans who worked for the U.S. in Afghanistan.

"We have an obligation to those left behind," said Chris Purdy, director of Veterans for American Ideals and Outreach, a coalition of veterans that advocate for human rights.

Over 152,000 Afghans who say they worked for the U.S. military in Afghanistan prior to the Taliban's return to power in August 2021 have applied for the SIV program, according to the Department of State.

They are competing for about 17,000 principal SIVs remaining in the program. Some U.S. lawmakers have proposed legislation that will add 20,000 additional principal SIVs through 2029.

Human rights groups have accused the Taliban of targeting former Afghan government forces and individuals who worked for the U.S. in the past, a charge the Taliban deny, saying the group has offered a general amnesty.

"I don't trust the Taliban," Purdy told VOA. "Just because someone has successfully hidden for two years doesn't mean that they should have to live their lives under fear."

Critics have also complained that the program is not moving quickly or efficiently enough to relocate vulnerable Afghans.

"For nearly two years, the U.S. government has failed to evacuate at-risk Afghans in a speedy and efficient manner," said Adam Bates, a policy counsel with the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).

The IRAP has filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court accusing the government of leaving thousands of Afghan and Iraqi SIV applicants at serious risk in their home countries.

"Instead of abandoning its allies, the U.S. must increase efforts and resources to create viable pathways to safety for at-risk Afghans, better late than never," said Bates.

U.S. officials say they are committed to making every feasible effort to relocating SIV-eligible Afghans.

"Many factors in the relocation process impact the pace of operations and are out of the control of the U.S. government," said the Department of State's spokesperson.

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Niger Soldiers Claim President Bazoum Has Been Overthrown

By VOA News July 26, 2023

A group of soldiers claimed on national television in Niger on Wednesday that President Mohamed Bazoum has been removed from power.

"We, the defense and security forces ... decided to put an end to the regime," said Colonel Amadou Abdramane, shown seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues, reading a statement. His statement also mentioned "the deteriorating security situation and bad governance."

Abdramane said all institutions of the republic are suspended, that the country's borders are closed, and a nationwide curfew declared.

The soldiers warned against foreign intervention and said they would respect Bazoum's well-being, Reuters reported. The Associated Press reported that it was unclear where Bazoum was at the time of the announcement or if he had resigned.

Hours earlier, members of Niger's presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace in what African organizations called an attempted coup against Bazoum, the country's democratically elected leader.

Niger's capital, Niamey, remained calm as the situation unfolded Wednesday, though the U.S. Embassy has advised people in the city to limit unnecessary movements and avoid travel along the Rue de la Republique, where the palace is located.

The United States joined African leaders in calling for the release of Bazoum, who was being held inside the country's presidential palace by members of his presidential guard.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the immediate release of Bazoum late Wednesday. Earlier, he had said on Twitter, the social media site rebranded as X, that he has spoken with Bazoum.

"The U.S. condemns efforts to subvert Niger's constitutional order by force and underscores that our partnership depends on the continuation of democratic governance," he said.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan released a statement that said the United States is deeply concerned about developments in Niger.

"We strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government, led by President Bazoum," Sullivan said in the statement. "We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence."

The West African bloc ECOWAS also condemned the events in Niger and called on what it described as coup plotters to free the president "immediately and without any condition."

The statement from ECOWAS, known formally as the Economic Community of West African States, vowed to hold those involved in the plot responsible for the safety of the president, his family, members of the government and the general public.

Others condemning the apparent coup attempt included the chairman of the African Union commission, Faki Mahamat, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and former colonial power France, which has about 1,500 soldiers in Niger helping the government battle Islamist militants.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Guterres had spoken to President Bazoum on Wednesday afternoon.

Guterres condemned "in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability," Dujarric said, adding, Guterres called "on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order."

Local journalist Ousseini Issa told VOA's French to Africa service the situation in Niamey is "confusing."

"At first, the presidency was out of reach, including for agents who work there," Issa said. "Then we got the news that soldiers based in Ouallam, about 100 kilometers from Niamey ... have come to Niamey. The whole presidential area is cordoned off, all services are closed."

Niger's presidential administration said elements of the presidential guard launched what it called an anti-republican movement on Wednesday morning and "tried in vain to obtain the support of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard."

Abdoul Aziz Garba Birimaka, Niger's presidential special security adviser, told VOA's French to Africa service the main question is what led to the attempted coup.

"Indeed, that is the question, what led us to this extreme? What is happening? Why? ... How could all this have happened without any suspicions as we learn that someone who is supposed to protect is now holding you (against your will)," Birimak said. "Those are many questions that remain unanswered for the moment."

The West African state is one of the region's most unstable, experiencing four military coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, and a number of unsuccessful coup attempts.

Elements of the military launched a failed coup d'etat two days before Bazoum's inauguration in April 2021.

VOA English to Africa service's Carol Van Dam Falk and the French to Africa service's Idrissa Fall and Abdourahmane Dia contributed to this report. Some information is from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Thaksin's Return Set to Heat Up Thai Politics

By Vijitra Duangdee July 26, 2023

Fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will end 15 years of self-exile by returning to Thailand next month, the billionaire's daughter said Wednesday, turning up the political heat just as his family's party scrambles to form a new government.

Thailand's only civilian prime minister to win back-to-back elections, Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup and then fled overseas two years later to avoid prison for corruption convictions he says are politically motivated.

But Thaksin, 74, remains hugely influential as the figurehead of the Pheu Thai party.

The party placed second in elections in May but is now in a prime position to form a government after the election-winning Move Forward Party was blocked by an appointed Senate of army allies from leading an administration.

Thaksin's return is likely to anger royalist conservatives, who accuse the telecoms billionaire of dividing the kingdom with money, politics and corruption.

"I don't quite believe myself in what I'm about to type here," his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra wrote on Instagram on Wednesday morning in announcing the shock return.

"You (dad) are coming back on August 10 at Don Muang airport...we are all dazzled, happy and also concerned but we've always respected your decision."

Thaksin has made several false promises of return before, while rumors of meetings in London, Hong Kong and Dubai with political allies and rivals have sporadically provoked intrigue about a possible deal to allow him back.

But Paetongtarn's post is the first time she has confirmed a date of his return.

Jail, danger?

Thaksin, a former policeman, is one of the most famous Southeast Asian politicians of the last two decades. He earned a reputation for smart economic management after helping pull Thailand from the depths of a 1997 financial crisis.

His populist "Thaksinomics" fueled a rural revival with pro-poor polices in health, including virtually free universal health care and education, as well as large subsidies.

The toppling of his government saw the birth of the "Red Shirt" protest movement which backed his family through several bloody rounds of street demonstrations as the establishment repeatedly took down Shinawatra-led or linked governments.

"Thailand is his home; he deserves to return to home," Paisal Janpan, a Red Shirt supporter based in Bangkok, told VOA. "I'm sure he will come back with his head held up high."

But Thaksin faces more than 10 years in prison for his convictions.

Thai media reports citing police said there are plans to take him straight into custody without saying how long he will be held.

"I wish good deeds will protect you, keep you safe so you can come home to send your grandchildren to school as you've always wanted to," Paetongtarn added.

Thaksin still has powerful enemies inside the establishment, many of whom have staked their reputations on "uprooting" the Shinawatra brand from Thailand.

"I guarantee you that he won't be held in jail, but in a hospital with air conditioning," Nipit Intarasombat, a renowned anti-Thaksin lawmaker now with the army-linked Phalang Pracharat party, said in a Facebook post in response to the news.

"People like Thaksin have thought about this over and over... but be warned that if you make a misstep, it could lead to death."

Two months after the last election, Thailand still does not have a new prime minister or government.

That has left the caretaker government of former army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha in charge of the country, nine years after he staged a coup against the administration of Thaksin's sister Yingluck.

If Thaksin does return, he will enter a kingdom in the midst of a new political crisis.

The unelected Senate blocked Pita Limjaroenrat of the Move Forward Party from becoming prime minister. Pita was also suspended from parliament while a court considers his alleged media shareholding dealings, which could breach constitutional rules.

Speaking to CNN, Pita said his party could no longer form a government and therefore he supports "Thaksin Shinawatra's party" in its efforts to form a coalition.

"It's not just about a personal goal for me to become prime minister but it's to stop Thailand from a vicious cycle of military dictatorship," he added.

Pheu Thai is expected to propose that either property tycoon Srettha Thavisin or Paetongtarn becomes prime minister over the coming week.

But Pheu Thai will need to convince a large section of the Senate to get behind its candidate, a requirement that experts say may lead the party to split the pro-democracy bloc and abandon Move Forward.

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Ghana Abolishes Capital Punishment

By Kent Mensah July 26, 2023

Ghana's parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty. The move comes three decades after the last death sentence was carried out in the West African nation. Rights group Amnesty International has hailed the Tuesday vote, describing it as a "landmark decision," and urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to sign it into law.

Under current law, the death penalty in Ghana can be imposed after convictions for genocide, piracy, smuggling, murder or high treason. Under the 1960 Criminal and Other Offences Act, the punishment can be carried out by hanging or by firing squad.

However, the West African country has not executed anyone in 30 years, and this week, parliament approved a bill to eliminate capital punishment completely.

Francis-Xavier Sosu, the opposition MP who sponsored the bill, tells VOA the development is a milestone for Ghana's democracy and called on President Akufo-Addo to commute the sentence of those on death row now to life imprisonment.

"This is a very good news for Ghana because it adds to our democratic credentials and adds to our human rights record as a nation, particularly when since 1993 we haven't been able to use the death penalty as a means of punishing offending persons and people who were condemned to serve death sentences were only kept in the condemned cells. So, I think it's a win for Ghana," he said.

Since 1977, Amnesty International has been campaigning for the global abolition of the death penalty. Reacting to news that Ghana's parliament voted to abolish the practice, the international rights group issued a statement saying, "it is a victory for all those who have tirelessly campaigned to consign this cruel punishment to history and strengthen the protection of the right to life."

However, not everyone in Ghana welcomes the lawmakers' decision. Harry Agbanu, a religious lecturer at the University of Ghana, said the abolition of the capital punishment will be an incentive for people to take the law into their hands.

"The floodgate has been opened for violent, criminal activities by some members of society, and that is unfortunate. I'm praying that the opportunity is not being created for people to take the law into their own hands by engaging in mob action. There has not been any sound argument in favor of the abolishment of the death penalty," he said.

For his part, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, a lawyer and a governing New Patriotic Party MP, said the decision is not meant to embolden criminals but rather to uphold more humane ways of dealing with criminals.

"This is not to say that those who have taken it upon themselves to take the lives of others are being encouraged to do so. God gives us life and under no circumstances should a person's life be taken nearly [merely?] because of commission of such an offense. In its place we have introduced a life imprisonment," he said.

The total number of people facing the death penalty in Ghana at the moment stands at 176, including six women, according to prison authority's records.

President Akufo-Addo is expected to assent to the bill in the coming weeks, administration sources say. Ghana now joins a league of 29 out of 55 African countries that have abolished the death penalty.

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Statement from President Joe Biden on the 75th Anniversary of the Desegregation of the Armed Forces

July 26, 2023

Seventy-five years ago today, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ending the unconscionable racial segregation of our Armed Forces and bringing our nation closer to our founding values. This landmark Order, issued more than a decade before the passage of the Civil Rights Act, directed the military to ensure the "equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin." It was a vital step forward for our nation. It recognized the equal bravery and equal sacrifices of generations of service members of color who deserved to be equally honored. So today, as we commemorate this milestone on our unending journey toward our more perfect union, we honor the contributions, sacrifice, and resilience of the brave servicewomen and men of every background who stepped up to defend our nationin so many cases, even before their rights as equals under the law had yet to be realized.

This contrast is particularly poignant in the stories of Black service members, whose contributions to our Armed Forces date back to the Revolutionary War and the founding of our country. Black regiments joined the cause of the Union in the Civil War, while fighting for their own freedom from enslavement. The Harlem Hellfighters helped turn the tide of World War I, but did so while assigned to the French Army because American commanders did not allow them to fight alongside white units. The proud Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 sorties in World War II, only to face discrimination and oppression when they returned home. These stories, and countless others, venerate American heroes who never gave up on our country, and in so doing, relentlessly pushed our nation closer to the ideals of liberty and justice for all.

Likewise, courageous women and men of color, including Native Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans have always stepped up to serve our Nation dating back to our revolution. From the Native American Code Talkers of World War II, whose innovative use of their native languages formed an unbreakable code that helped securevictory in the Pacific while back home the Tribal Nations were dispossessed of their land; to the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team of Japanese Americans who fought to liberate Europe even as their own families were wrongly imprisoned in Japanese internment camps at home; to the Army's 65th Infantry Regiment of Puerto Rican service members known as the Borinqueneers, who fought bravely in the Korean War only to be court martialed and jailed, these troops have led the fight for freedom and equality at home and abroad.

And today, as we celebrate this proud legacy of service, we also honor those who currently serve in uniform and recommit ourselves to the work we must do - as a military, and as a society - to ensure they can do so with dignity and respect, secure in the knowledge that their talents will be valued, their sacrifices will be honored, and their families supported.

I have long said that our one truly sacred obligation as a nation is to prepare and equip those we send into harm's way, and to care for them and their families both while they are deployed and when they return home. Our military thrives and succeeds when our people succeed. Today, more than 40 percent of active-duty service members are people of color. Yet, despite this growing diversity, service members of color still face unacceptable barriers. They are underrepresented in positions of senior leadership, face bias in the military justice system, and are still more likely to be dishonorably discharged. We owe it to them and the entire force to continue working to build a military where equal dignity and equal respect are fully realized.

As Commander in Chief, this is a priority for me personally, and for my entire Administration. It is critical that the full diversity and strength of our force is reflected at every level of the Department of Defense, including at the highest levels of leadership. Our service members deserve nothing less than a fair and equitable work place, from the Secretary of Defense down to the newest recruit. That's why the Department of Defense has taken steps to better address racial bias in the ranks and to strengthen equal opportunity, including by increasing the transparency of promotion selections and updating hair and dress standards. It's also why I have committed to strengthening the military justice system, advancing reforms to enhance fairness in the prosecution and defense of serious crimes, including changes to ensure random selection of panel members for courts-martial.

America's greatest strength has always been our diversity, and there is no greater testament to this than the success of our military. Let us continue to break down barriers so that all qualified servicemembers, no matter their race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious background, are treated with dignity and respect, can reach their full potential and have their contributions valued. On this day, the 75th Anniversary of the Executive Order that forever strengthened our military, we must remain unflagging in our effort to complete the work that lies ahead. That is how we will ensure the United States Armed Forces remains the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.

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Niger - Coup Attempt - 26 July 2021

Niger will probably move to the top of the list of countries where the Wagner Group of mercenaries will seek to expand, if Mohamed Bazoum resigns from the presidency, according to Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at Dragonfly, a security and political risk consultancy. Wagner already had its sights set on Niger, in part because its a large producer of uranium sought after by Russia. But Bazoum posed an impediment because of his pro-French and pro-Western stance, said Baumgartner. Wagners head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, described the developments as part of Nigers fight against the colonisers. His comments came as several hundred people gathered in Niamey and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags.

Prigozhin, whose Wagner fighters are very active in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, framed the overthrow as liberation: "It effectively means winning independence. The rest will depend on the people of Niger, on how efficient they can govern." Some coup supporters who ransacked and set fire to Niger's ruling party headquarters in the capital, waved Russian flags as plumes of smoke billowed from the building before police fired teargas to disperse them.

What happened in Niger is nothing other than the struggle of the people of Niger with their colonisers. With colonisers who are trying to foist their rules of life on them and their conditions and keep them in the state that Africa was in hundreds of years ago, said the message. Today, this is effectively gaining their independence. The rest will, without doubt, depend on the citizens of Niger and how effective governance will be, but the main thing is this: They have got rid of the colonisers, the message said.

Prigozhin, in his voice message, appeared to boast of Wagners alleged efficiency in helping African nations stabilise and develop in what sounded like a sales pitch. Thousands of Wagner fighters are capable of bringing order and of destroying terrorists and of not allowing them to harm the local populations of these states, he said.

The voice messages release coincided with the publication on Telegram of at least two photographs purporting to show Prigozhin meeting African attendees of a showcase two-day Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg. Smiling and wearing blue jeans and a white polo shirt, Prigozhin looks relaxed in the photos as he poses to shake the hands of the delegates.

In Niger there were not only French forces, but American and European soldiers as well. It was initially unclear as to the coup leaders position towards these military groups. Militarily, Frances argument that it maintains a presence solely to help countries in West Africa has also largely been rejected. Since independence, France has maintained large permanent army bases in many of its former colonies, but this presence is part of a strategy for political influence.

After Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger, hitherto allied with Western countries, becomes the third country in the Sahel, undermined by attacks by groups linked to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, to experience a coup State since 2020. Mali and Burkina Faso notably turned to Russia after demanding the departure of French soldiers from their soil.

Africanist Vasily Filippov saw the situation around the coup in Niger as a gift for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Moscow has its own interests in the states of the African continent, including in Niger, noted the analyst at the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. France had already lost its former control over African countries. According to the analyst, the situation with the coup d'etat played into the hands of the head of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The French are now paralyzed, they have a catastrophic economic situation. Imagine what a catastrophe will happen if we squeeze out all 40% of the uranium that they receive from Niger from the French, said Filippov.

With immediate effect, the Republic of Niger under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tchiani announced the suspension of the export of uranium and gold to France on 30 July 2023. Protestors were surrounded the French Embassy in Niger calling for the end of French colonial practices repeating the slogan Down with France! and reaffirming their support to the coup leader, Tchiani. Wazobia Reporters, a Nigerien news website, reported on protestor proclaiming We have uranium, diamonds, gold, oil, and we live like slaves? We dont need the French to keep us safe."

Analysts said that uranium prices may rise in the coming weeks if the situation in Niger shows no sign of improvement. "In the short term, the military coup will lead to shortages and higher prices, but what happens next will depend on the coup's duration," Wang Guoqing, research director at Beijing Lange Steel Information Research Center, told the Global Times on 03 August 2023. The spot price of uranium rose to $56.25 per pound on July 31, from $56.15 a week earlier, according to an analysis by UxC, a market research firm for the nuclear industry.

Failures of governance serve as a justification for the military to seize power, and that belief is echoed among some members of the public. When a country is on the verge of security collapse under a democratic government  as was the case in Burkina Faso  a significant part of the public might support the military, which promised to restore security. But soldiers are not trained to manage countries and there is no guarantee that they will be better representatives of peoples interests than an elected citizen. There are those who want a fundamental change in national politics, even if that comes about through military takeover. Others think that, even if civil and democratic governance is dysfunctional, the military is not the solution.

Mohamed Bazoum was an important western ally in the fight against a spreading jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region and had also co-operated with the EU in stemming the flow of people who use Niger as a transit country on their journey towards Europe. Mutinous Nigerien military personnel announced that President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power and that the landlocked West African countrys borders had been closed. They also formed the National Council for the Salvation of the Homeland, which assumed full power. Niger's capital is home to the largest French air base in this part of Africa. Military units from France, Germany, Italy and the United States are also now in the country. Their numbers have not been disclosed.

The situation in Niger will be actively discussed at the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg on July 27-28, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. According to the Russian presidential spokesman, "of course, it is impossible to ignore such events on the African continent." "Naturally, this is being actively discussed on the sidelines of the summit. And, this topic will very likely be discussed in some fashion at the key events of the summit tomorrow. And today, as well," Peskov added.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said 27 July 2023 "We are calling on the conflicting parties to refrain from the use of force and resolve all controversies through a peaceful and constructive dialogue," the Russian diplomat said. According to Zakharova, Russia expresses the hope that "this domestic political crisis will soon be resolved in the interests of civilian peace for the sake of the fraternal Nigerien people." She added "We expect the military to release President Mohamed Bazoum as soon as possible".

Landlocked Niger is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world. Niger finished third from bottom on the UN Human Development Index. President Mohamed Bazoum, 63, is one of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region, where a rampaging jihadist insurgency has triggered coups against elected presidents in Mali and Burkina Faso. Bazoum, a former interior minister, was right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms. Their handover in April 2021, after elections won by Bazoum in a two-round contest against former president Mahamane Ousmane, marked Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence.

In Mali and Burkina Faso, the transitional governments that emerged from several military coups were seeking closer ties with Russia's Wagner Group, In Niger, tere were complaints about the abuse of power, corruption and impunity, above all the behavior of the former colonial power France.

The official social media account of Nigers presidency posted: "The President of the Republic and his family are well," adding that the presidential guards (GP) had failed to secure support from the other elements of the security services in this "fit of pique". Bazoum, in a social media posting on 27 July 2023 morning, vowed to protect "hard-won" democratic gains in a country that is a pivotal ally for Western powers helping to fight an insurgency in the Sahel region. Niamey was quiet on 27 July 2023 as citizens awoke to heavy rain, closed borders and a nationwide curfew imposed by the coup instigators.

Olaf Bernau reported that "The presidency of Mahamadou Issoufou between 2011 and 2021 appears to have been particularly disastrous . According to Abari, the mining engineer, who comes from the political left, came into office with a lot of advance praise. Everyone would have expected a decisive fight against corruption. But the already blatant corruption escalated from day one. Issoufou rigorously persecuted political opponents, including former comrades-in-arms, and had unwelcome mayors removed, for example in Niamey, Bilma and Diffa."

Niger is a multiparty republic. In February 2021 Mohamed Bazoum won the presidential election with an estimated 56 percent of the vote in the second round of voting. He assumed office the following April in the first peaceful transfer of power in the countrys history, although the office stayed within the ruling party. International and domestic observers considered both rounds of the presidential election to be peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and inclusive. In 2020 legislative elections, conducted in tandem with the first round of presidential elections, the ruling party won 79 of 171 seats, with 127 seats for the ruling coalition, and opposition parties dividing the remainder. International and local observers found the legislative elections peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and inclusive.

Members of the Presidential Guard detained Bazoum inside his palace in the capital, Niamey, early on 26 July 2023. In a statement broadcasted later on national television, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for a group calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, said that the defence and security forces have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with. He added This follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management. The soldier said the countrys borders have been closed, and a nationwide curfew was in place. All institutions of the country were also suspended, Abdramane added. He was seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues as he read out his statement.

Niger's army command on 27 July 2023 declared its support for a coup instigated the previous day by soldiers of the presidential guard, saying its priority was to avoid destabilising the country.

"The Military Command of the Niger Armed Forces composed of the Chief of Staff of the Armies and the Chiefs of Staff of the Armies, following a meeting held on July 26, 2023 and motivated, on the one hand, out of a concern to preserve the physical integrity of the President of the Republic and his family, to avoid a deadly confrontation between the various Forces which, beyond the latter, could cause a bloodbath and tarnish the safety of the population and on the other hand, for the sake of preserving cohesion within the Defense and Security Forces, have decided to subscribe to the declaration of the Defense and Security Forces.

"Any external military intervention, from whatever source, would risk having disastrous and uncontrollable consequences for our populations and chaos for our country.

"The General Staff also recalls that our country is still plagued by the insecurity imposed by the Terrorist Armed Groups and other Organized Crime Groups. Consequently, he invites all the FDS to remain focused on their missions and to maintain their well-known combativeness for the pursuit of the fight against terrorism and organized crime, for the ultimate objective which is the well-being of our populations."

The soldiers said in a late-night televised address that Bazoum had been stripped of power and the republic's institutions had been suspended, marking the seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020. They earlier cut off the presidential palace in the capital Niamey with the president inside.

As reported by the Jeune Afrique portal, the uprising is allegedly caused by Bazum's intention to remove General Omar Tchiani, commander of the presidential guard, from his post. Al Arabiya TV channel, citing its own sources, reported that the president rejected the rebels' demand to sign a letter of resignation.

General Omar Tchiani, commander of the presidential guards, had been pinpointed by many local reports as the man behind the coup. While Tchiani was not present on TV, he is widely seen as being hugely influential behind the scenes in the events. Very little is known about the general, who is reportedly also named Abdourahmane. Tchiani is from Nigers western region of Tillaberi, a main recruitment area for the army. He had headed the presidential guards since 2015 and was a close ally of former President Mahamadou Issoufou  the politician who led the country until 2021. Ironically, he led the unit that blocked an attempted coup in the country in March 2021, when a military unit tried to seize the presidential palace days before Bazoum who had just been elected, was due to be sworn in.

The motivations behind Tchiani spearheading the coup remain unclear but there were rumours that the deposed president wanted to dismiss him only a few days ago, Paul Melly, Niger expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, told Al Jazeera. Another possible reason, Melly noted, is that Bazoum wanted to mark himself out as his own man from Issoufous presidency by changing the composition of the presidential guards, including replacing Tchiani.

It was unclear how much support the coup leaders have from the rest of the security forces, but support for Bazoum among the population and political parties appeared strong. In a statement, a group of Nigerien political groups said the situation was suicidal and anti-republican madness. It said Our country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted.

Bazoum was elected president of Niger in 2021, taking the helm of a country mired in poverty and burdened by a history of chronic instability. His election was Nigers first democratic transition of power following four military coups since the country gained independence from France in 1960. A military unit tried to seize the presidential palace in March 2021 days before Bazoum was due to be sworn in, but the attempted coup was thwarted.

A military takeover in Niger could further complicate Western efforts to help countries in the Sahel region fight a jihadist insurgency that has spread from Mali over the past decade. Niger has become a pivotal ally for Western powers seeking to help fight the insurgency but facing growing acrimony from the new juntas in charge in Mali and Burkina Faso. It is also a key European Union ally in the fight against irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa. The United States says it has spent around $500 million since 2012 to help Niger boost its security. Germany announced in April that it would take part in a three-year European military mission aimed at improving the country's military.

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on 26 July 2023 condemned an attempted coup d'etat" in Niger and called for President Mohamed Bazoum to be liberated amid reports that members of the presidential guard were holding him inside his palace. In a statement posted on social media, Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat of the African Union Commission expressed his strong condemnation in reaction to reports that members of Niger's presidential guard had detained President Mohamed Bazoum inside the palace. "Informed of an attempt by certain members of the military to undermine the stability of democratic and republican institutions in Niger, which is tantamount to an attempted coup d'etat, [Faki] strongly condemns such actions by members of the military," he said, adding that they amount to a total betrayal of duty.

ECOWAS and its member countries are monitoring the situation in Niger and will do everything within their power to protect its democracy, Chairman Bola Tinubu said in a message posted on the X social network formerly known as Twitter. "The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa," said Tinubu, who is also Nigerias president.

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, said he was on his way to Niger to assess the situation after meeting with ECOWAS chairman Tinubu. "All means will be used, if necessary, to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the ideal would be for everything to be done in peace and harmony," Talon told reporters in Abuja.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell said he was "very concerned about current events in Niamey", adding Brussels' condemnation of any "attempts to destabilise the democracy and threaten the stability of Niger".

A statement from Frances foreign ministry said Paris strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force in Niger, adding that France is "concerned" and is "closely following the development of the situation".

UN chief Antonio Guterres also condemned "any effort to seize power by force". A UN spokesman said that Guterres later spoke with Bazoum and expressed "his full support and solidarity".

The White House issued a statement calling for Bazoums release. "The United States is deeply concerned about today's developments in Niger," the White House said. "We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence."

At Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Nings Regular Press Conference on July 27, 2023, she stated "We are closely following the development of the situation in Niger, and have noted the statements by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States on this. China calls on relevant parties in Niger to act in the fundamental interest of the country and its people, solve differences peacefully through dialogue, restore order at an early date, and safeguard the overall peace, stability and development of the nation."

Al Jazeeras Ahmed Idris, who has reported extensively on Niger, says the coup plotters, like other soldiers who grabbed power in similar circumstances across the region in recent years, will seek to use President Bazoum as a bargaining chip in any future negotiations. Bazoum is still being held by the coup organisers and they want to use him as a bargaining chip following the script of coup plotters in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, Idris said. For them its important to have Bazoum in their custody; so whatever foreign intervention will happen will have to be on their own terms.

Idris noted that there were fears the situation could escalate. Yesterday we saw supporters of the president try to march to the presidential palace  in their words to free the president from the clutches of the coup plotters  but they were dispersed after gunshots were fired into the air, he said. Today we saw both sides calling on supporters to be on the streets.

The putschists accused France, whose 1,500 soldiers are in Niger, of violating border closures by landing a military plane at Niamey international airport. They called " once and for all for strict compliance with the provisions " taken by the junta.

France "does not recognize the authorities" from the putsch led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani and considers Mohamed Bazoum, "democratically elected", as "the only president of the Republic of Niger", said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We reiterate in the strongest terms the clear demands of the international community calling for the restoration without delay of constitutional order and democratically elected civil power in Niger ", continues the Quai d'Orsay in a press release, a few hours later. that General Tchiani read a press release on public television presenting him as " President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland ".

"This coup d'etat is perfectly illegitimate and deeply dangerous for Nigeriens, for Niger, and for the whole region", noted the French president during a press conference alongside Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape. "This is why we are calling for the release of President Bazoum and the restoration of constitutional order."

Michael Shurkin, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told VOA, "President Bazoum has been one of the most effective leaders in the area, if not the most effective leader. He's somebody who by many standards is doing all the right things in terms of trying to deal with the country's vast problems and working effectively with Niger's many Western security partners, including France in the United States."

He said, "A coup removes from the region a democratically elected and effective civilian official, replacing it with, first of all, a necessary period of uncertainty as the Nigeriens have to figure out what to do and make all the next steps. Also, it's a huge blow to the West, which has really been turning to [Niger] to presume that sort of like it's its last effort to try to shape events in the Sahel as the Sahel otherwise has been swirling down the drain."

West African leaders on 30 July 2023 gave the military junta in Niger one week to cede power, warning they did not rule out the "use of force", and imposed immediate financial sanctions. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the "immediate release and reinstatement" of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held by the military. "In the event the authorities' demands are not met within one week (ECOWAS will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force. For this effect, the chiefs of defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately," the bloc said in a statement after its summit in Abuja, Nigeria,

ECOWAS announced the "suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger", which is part of the bloc, as well as halting energy transactions. It said it was freezing Niger's assets in ECOWAS central and commercial banks and imposing a "travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt". "The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials," said the statement, which was read out at the end of the crisis meeting by Nigerian president and ECOWAS chairman Bola Tinubu.

In 2022, ECOWAS leaders agreed to create a regional security force to intervene against jihadists and prevent military coups. Details on how that force would work and its funding were still unclear, with ECOWAS defence ministers expected to make decisions later this year.

In Niger  as in Burkina Faso and Mali  protesters have taken to the streets to show their support for the military coup. The motivations of the protesters are diverse. We know that in Niamey [Nigers capital city] there is significant opposition to Bazoum, and probably even more against his party, the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), which has been in power for 12 years. Some have joined protests to show their opposition, rather than out of support for the idea of a military coup. Others are probably genuinely convinced that a military takeover is beneficial for the country. We have to note as well that other Nigeriens have protested in support of the president, but were quickly dispersed by security forces.





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Brazil's Parana Declares 6-Month State of Emergency Due to Bird Flu

Sputnik News

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MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - The southern Brazilian state of Parana, which borders Paraguay, has declared a 180-day emergency due to the detection of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza among migratory birds, the regional government said on Tuesday.

"In order to expedite the response to reported cases of suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) and facilitate access to resources to combat this disease. The authorities of Parana will impose a 180-day animal health emergency in the state from this Tuesday," a statement said.

So far, seven cases of H5N1 have been identified in Parana in migrating wild birds. Regional Minister of Agriculture and Supply Norberto Ortigara said in the statement that the government needs to "avoid the spread of the virus on industrial farms by all possible means."

In 2022, there were over 19,000 poultry farms in Parana, while the volume of poultry meat exports from this region exceeded one million tonnes in the first half of this year.

Earlier in the month, the World Health Organization warned the global community that avian influenza is increasingly affecting mammals, thus posing a higher risk to humans.

A Sputnik

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Fourth U.S.-ROK Working Group Meeting on the DPRK Cyber Threat

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

July 26, 2023

The Republic of Korea (ROK) hosted the 4th U.S.-ROK Working Group on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Cyber Threat on July 26, led by Deputy Special Representative for the DPRK Dr. Jung Pak and ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for North Korean Nuclear Affairs Lee Jun-il. The meeting underscores the close collaboration between the U.S. and ROK governments to disrupt the DPRK's ability to generate revenue for its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs.

The United States and ROK are pursuing a wide range of actions to address the DPRK's malicious cyber activity, including its theft of virtual currencies, and DPRK information technology workers working abroad by fraudulently posing as non-DPRK nationals. The U.S.-ROK working group discussed how to more effectively partner with foreign governments and industry leaders to raise awareness of the threat posed by DPRK cyber actors and to increase information sharing between governments and the private sector on cyber security issues.

The working group also discussed the DPRK's social engineering and hacking tactics to steal information related to geopolitical events, foreign policy, and other topics of interest from research centers, academic institutions, and media organizations. For more information on the DPRK's cyber espionage threat, read the recent advisory here .

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Jordan's War on Illegal Drugs From Syria May Need Iran

By Dale Gavlak July 26, 2023

When Jordan and other Arab nations brought Syria back into the Arab League, one of the conditions was that it tackle its burgeoning unregulated drug production and stop using Jordan as a transit point for its criminal drug trade to wealthy Gulf nations. However, observers say they are seeing little action from Damascus.

On Monday, Jordan's border forces shot down a drone carrying two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from Syria. The bust came just a day after Syrian and Jordanian security officials met in Amman to discuss how to end illegal cross-border drug smuggling. Damascus has pledged to rein in its flourishing criminal drug trade in exchange for changing its pariah status with its 2011 brutal civil war.

Observers blame the Syrian leadership of Bashar al-Assad, its military and Iran-backed militias in southern Syria for overseeing the smuggling of mainly the amphetamine Captagon, which is cheaply produced and very addictive, destined for Gulf Arab states. The Syrian government denies any involvement in the production of Captagon.

Jordanian analyst Amer al-Sabaileh, a nonresident fellow at the Washington-based Stimson Center, tells VOA that it is unlikely in the short-term that Syria will do much to stop the multibillion-dollar a year illicit drug flow, especially as its official economy tanks.

"On the ground things are too much rooted in the region, networks are very big. The parallel economy in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, groups, militias are depending totally on this income for years now, especially since the sanctions that took place over Syria and Lebanon," he said. "These networks are very strong, very deeply rooted, and the economy of these parts of the region is depending on this trade."

Jordan's foreign minister, Ayman al-Safadi, told the online meeting of the U.S.-led global coalition to combat illicit drug trafficking earlier this month that in the past few years alone, Jordanian authorities had seized more than 65 million Captagon pills. The only way to combat the unregulated trade, he said, was through a collaborative effort.

It's believed that Jordan used a targeted airstrike in May against a drug dealer inside Syria. Observer Baria Alamuddin, writing in the Saudi Arab News, suggested Jordan will use its military "inside Syria if narcotic smuggling is not brought under control."

Alamuddin, al-Sabaileh and other observers say it's not only drugs being smuggled, but also weapons.

"The Assad clan have flooded the region with tons of narcotics, while becoming notorious for smuggling weapons, people and contraband goods. States such as Jordan and Lebanon have been doubly afflicted aawash with cheap, deadly drugs, and also enmeshed in the transit of these products," Alamuddin wrote. "If Damascus desires to benefit from re-established trade relations with Arab nations, it should disabuse itself of the fantasy that its future prosperity is based on the narco-state model."

Al-Sabaileh warns that security services battling drugs may be "a tool for infiltration" for the Syrian regime's backer, Iran.

"This is not just drugs, in my opinion. It's a tool of infiltration for the region," he said. "The aim is transforming Jordan to be a hub, not just for drugs but as well for weapons. Worrying now is also how to transform Jordan to be a transitionary point for weapons to go to the West Bank. This is a declared old goal of the Iranians. There are Iranian militias in the south of Syria working is not just to generate money. It is something that goes beyond."

In a separate incident, Jordan charged a lawmaker, Imad al-Adwan, in May with transporting weapons in his car with the intention of traveling to the West Bank. Israel arrested him at a border crossing after guns were found inside his car. Meanwhile, weapons stockpiles have been found in the city of Jenin. Earlier this month, the United States set up a global coalition of 97 countries, including Jordan, to combat the threat of synthetic drugs such as Captagon and fentanyl.

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Pentagon Expects China Will Try to Inhibit US Ability to Use Space

Sputnik News

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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US military expects that China will try to inhibit the United States' capabilities in space, President Joe Biden's nominee for commander of the US Space Command, Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, said during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

"Because the People's Republic of China has studied how we use space, we do expect that they will try to inhibit our ability to use space the way we would prefer to across the joint force," Whiting reported.

Whiting agreed with lawmakers that a potential "Chinese invasion of Taiwan" could lead to a battle in space with the United States.

"We think the opening shots of such a war could happen in space or cyber," he claimed.

Earlier in July, US Indo-Pacific Command head Adm. John Aquilino expressed confidence that the US military is capable of defending Taiwan against a "Chinese invasion".

According to the general, the US thinks that China and Russia are developing their military capabilities in space, affecting Washington's defense policy of deterrence.

"It absolutely happens," Whiting stressed during his confirmation Senate hearing on the position of the commander of the US Space Command when asked whether or not China and Russia are developing their capacity for offensive and defensive weapons in space.

In addition, Whiting agreed that these developments are undermining US defense national security policy.

"The creation of the US Space Command recognizes that new reality," Whiting said.

Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous entity but stops short of declaring independence.

Beijing opposes any official foreign contacts with Taipei and regards its sovereignty over the island as indisputable.

A Sputnik

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Images Show More Military Equipment Gathered At 'Wagner Camp' In Belarus

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service July 26, 2023

Military equipment and vehicles believed to belong to the private Wagner mercenary group continue to move to a site in the village of Tsel in eastern Belarus that is believed to be a site where troops from Yevgeny Prigozhin's company have settled after its aborted mutiny in Russia last month.

Images from the Planet Labs service published on July 25 show at least 750 pieces of equipment and trucks of different types near the tent camp in what used to be a former garrison for members of a Belarusian missile brigade.

Since July 19, the amount of equipment and cars has been building steadily and now includes 62 tent-covered trucks, 534 minibuses, vans, SUVs, pickups, and regular cars, 33 buses of various types, 99 trucks, including some with platforms and construction equipment on them, and 26 trucks and armored vehicles used to transport military personnel.

The Belarusian Hajun Telegram channel that monitors the movement of military equipment in Belarus said on July 25 it had registered at least 11 columns of military vehicles and equipment most likely belonging to Wagner that had entered Belarus and moved to Tsel since July 11.



Estimate of the amount of Wagner equipment at the camp in Tsel Estimate of the amount of Wagner equipment at the camp in Tsel

Last week, Prigozhin, Wagner's founder and leader, appeared to be in Belarus in a video welcoming his fighters and saying they would help to turn the country's army into the second-best in the world.

The fate of Prigozhin and his Wagner troops has been unclear since a short-lived mutiny on June 23-24, the biggest threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin's 23 years in power.

The authoritarian ruler of Belarus and Putin's close ally, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, was involved in talks ending the mutiny by agreeing with Prigozhin and Putin to host the Wagner troops, and their leader, in Belarus.

Days after the agreement, a tent camp began to appear in Tsel.

Wagner troops played a key role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, helping take much of the town of Bakhmut after nearly 10 months of intense fighting. Prigozhin has said he lost 20,000 men during the Bakhmut operation.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-wagner- equipment-tsel/32521272.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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Trilateral talks between China, Japan and S.Korea set to resume

Global Times

Seoul and Tokyo urged to expel extraterritorial influence, show sincerity for talks

By Zhao Yusha Published: Jul 26, 2023 11:16 PM

China and Japan have agreed to resume high-level trilateral talks with South Korea at the end of this year, the first time in four years. The trilateral talks, if successfully convened, could at least inject impetus to economic cooperation between Northeast Asia's three biggest economies and pave the way for regional stability, said Chinese observers. Yet for the talks to yield concrete result, leaders from both Japan and South Korea are facing the ordeal of excluding extraterritorial pressure, experts said.

Speaking at a regular press conference on Tuesday, Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Tuesday said he and Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the agreement on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Indonesia earlier this month.

"It's highly meaningful for the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea, which share a big responsibility toward the region's peace and prosperity, to get together" to discuss cooperation and other issues, Hayashi was quoted by Reuters as saying.

The next trilateral summit will be chaired by South Korea, which is aiming to hold it by the end of this year, media reported.

The last trilateral summit meeting was held in December 2019 in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Subsequently, strained relations between Japan and South Korea over issue of wartime labor and COVID-19 forced a hiatus in the meetings.

The resumption of trilateral talks between Northeast Asia's three biggest economies will inject much needed impetus to global economic recovery and send a positive signal for regional stability and peace, LA Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula issue at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

During the past three years, tensions between Japan and South Korea thawed to please the US and to cooperate with Washington's Asia-Pacific strategy to counter China. Meanwhile, bilateral relations between China and Japan and China and South Korea have soured due to Tokyo and Seoul's willingness to serve as US vassals in region.

According to the data released by the General Administration of Customs of China, the trade volume between China and South Korea reached $362.2 billion in 2022, an increase of 0.1 percent. China-Japan trade was $357.4 billion, down 3.7 percent from a year earlier. As a result, South Korea moved up one place from China's fifth largest trading partner, replacing Japan to become China's fourth largest trading partner in 2022.

"If you look at it from a geopolitical perspective, China's relationships with Japan and South Korea are now laden with red flags, while at the economic level, cooperation is everywhere," Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. He believes economic collaboration will dominate the talks and serve as a cornerstone of trilateral ties.

Leaders from South Korea and Japan are facing obstacles to realize the talks, since the two have succumbed to US pressure on thwarting China's rise, and this has fractured the foundation for cooperation between Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, LA said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol are leaning closer to NATO, an alliance in which the US plays a central role, after having attended the NATO summit two years in a row. Moreover, the two countries are closely following the US' Asia-Pacific strategy to counter China on issues ranging from the Taiwan question, chip industry to other domains.

The US certainly does not like to see the three Northeast Asian countries join hands and cooperate, and politicians from Japan and South Korea should show sincerity and resolve their discrepancies with China within themselves and stay clear of outside influence, according to LA.

During his speech at the 2023 International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation in Qingdao, Shandong Province earlier this month, Wang Yi said that China, Japan and South Korea, as well as other Asian countries, should practice open regionalism, promote inclusive Asian values, cultivate strategic autonomy, safeguard regional unity and stability, resist the Cold War mentality, and avoid coercion by hegemony.

Da, on the other hand, urged Japan not to speak with China in two voices, hoping to strengthen economic ties but at the same time challenging China's hot-button issues.

While the Japanese foreign minister praised the trilateral talks as "highly meaningful," the country's State Minister of Defense Toshiro Ino told the Telegraph in an interview published on Sunday that Japan would likely come to Taiwan's aid if Beijing attacks. His remarks were rebuked by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, who urged Japan to stop playing with fire on the Taiwan question, adding that Taiwan is China's territory and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no interference by any external force.

"Self-contradictory gestures like those make it hard for China to believe that Japan has enough sincerity to participate in the talks. For the talks to convene smoothly, moresincere moves from Japan and South Korea are expected," Da said.

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US seeks to advance high-level exchanges but 'sincerity needed'

Global Times

Raimondo's planned visit 'a touchstone' to see if ties could truly be eased

By Chen Qingqing and Liu Caiyu Published: Jul 26, 2023 11:34 PM

China and the US continue to maintain the momentum of high-level engagement, with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo unveiling plans to visit China "later this summer," media reported, following successive visits by high-level US officials to Beijing. However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued to slander China's image during his latest trip to the Pacific, even as he emphasized the importance of managing US-China relations in a responsible way, which reflects the duplicity of Washington's China policy, experts said.

Although the resumption of high-level exchanges has helped bring back some cooperation between the two countries in areas such as climate change and possibly counternarcotics, experts said Raimondo's visit could be a "true touchstone" to see if there is any substantial easing of tensions or US officials are merely paying "lip service" to the strained bilateral relations.

Some experts warned that the two countries are now at a critical stage of managing their differences, as there are huge challenges to be faced if bilateral ties are to be prevented from spiraling down given that the US could take unfriendly and even dangerous moves to damage relations, especially when competition is still the mainstay the US' China policy. Domestic factors including the dominance of the Republicans in US Congress and upcoming campaign season are seen as the biggest stumbling blocks to the Biden administration's flexibility in its China policy.

'Touchstone'

Blinken pledged to step up support for Pacific island nations during his visit to Nuku'alofa, Tonga on Wednesday. He is the first US Secretary of State to pay an official visit to Tonga. He also raised a warning about aid from China, calling its so-called militarization of the South China Sea and "economic coercion" as problematic behavior, according to media reports.

"Using these expressions is typical proof that the US has no bottom line in its China policy. The US' diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region on China-related topics is highly hypocritical," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

By claiming that it can effectively manage divergences with China, the US is trying to confuse the Pacific countries and project a bad image of China, undermining the foundation of bilateral cooperation and "sowing the seeds" of mistrust about China in the region, Li said.

Following a decision by China's top legislature to remove Qin Gang as foreign minister, appointing top diplomat Wang Yi as foreign minister, both Blinken and the US State Department vowed to continue engaging with the Chinese side.

"Top legislature's decision on foreign minister does not mean any change in our foreign policy. China's US policy has been consistent as we always seek constructive and stable relations with the US," LA Xiang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday. He said he views the latest criticism from Blinken on China as reflecting the longstanding duplicity of the US' China policy.

The US been seeking to cooperate with China while containing China, but now it realizes that it has to make some adjustments, otherwise, the intensified containment could lead to more severe consequences, LA said. He noted that stabilizing relations and making real improvements will depend on the extent of the US' sincerity.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that China's diplomatic activities have been pushed forward steadily when asked about the change of foreign minister.

For China-US relations, China has always viewed and developed relations in accordance with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, maintaining communication on dialogue and exchanges at all levels, Mao said.

Regarding Raimondo's planned visit, LA said it will be important to see if the US takes concrete steps.

"The visit, if it happens, could be a touchstone to see if China-US tensions could truly ease, as the commerce department not only involves trade and tariffs but also tech curbs, he said. Since trade was the area where bilateral relations began deteriorating years ago, he suggested that the Biden administration needs to show its sincerity by taking action, for example by scrapping the additional tariffs on Chinese goods.

"If the US only pays lip service, both on the economy and on climate change, without taking concrete steps, we'll know how little sincerity it has in improving ties, and that those engagements are just lip service," the expert said.

Domestic obstacles

While the Biden administration is seeking to maintain high-level dialogue with Beijing, the US Senate attached a measure to the annual defense policy bill on Tuesday that would subject some US investments in China to new requirements, US media reported.

The measure, approved by 91 to 6 on Tuesday, would require firms to notify the government about certain investments in China and other countries of concern, although they would not be subject to review or possible prohibition, Bloomberg said. Its focus is investment in high-tech sectors, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as hypersonics and satellite-based communications.

The US House of Representatives also passed legislation on Tuesday opposing the efforts from the Chinese mainland to undermine the island of Taiwan in international organizations, according to media reports.

While cooperation on climate change and counternarcotics could inject some certainty into stabilizing China-US relations, any sustainable cooperation could be challenged by domestic political factors in the US, experts said.

It is unlikely that the Biden administration will make any big adjustment on its China policy given it lacks flexibility while it faces many restraints in domestic politics, Li said.

"Considering the influence of Congress in the US' China policy, the mainstream tone of competition toward China will become more obvious," he said. "Domestic political factors could be the biggest stumbling block for China-US relations."

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PLA Air Force open-day event displays advanced aircraft

Global Times

J-20, J-16, YU-20 perform mock in-flight refueling before public for first time

By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan in Changchun Published: Jul 26, 2023 10:03 PM

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force open-day event and the Changchun Aviation Exhibition kicked off in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, on Wednesday, with 45 aircraft of 13 types delivering a spectacular visual show to the audience, many of whom said they could feel the atmosphere of combat and the PLA Air Force's readiness and vigilance in safeguarding the country's skies.

During the flight performances that came shortly after an opening ceremony, a YU-20 aerial tanker, two J-20 stealth fighter jets and two J-16 heavy fighter jets formed a formation and flew low above the audience, winning applause from the crowd, who for the first time had the chance to witness such a scene with their own eyes.

Closely followed by the fighter jets, the YU-20 released two aerial refueling drogues as the formation took an in-flight refueling configuration.

Such a configuration was displayed for the first time at 2022's Air Force open-day event, but only through a photo. According to reports, China's new-generation YU-20 aerial tanker has accomplished several in-flight refueling exercises above the sea together with multiple types of aircraft including the J-20 and the J-16.

In August 2022, the PLA Air Force revealed that the YU-20 participated in a China-Russia strategic aerial patrol at the time, in which the aerial tanker provided in-flight refueling for a J-16 fighter jet.

As a type of multi-functional tanker aircraft, the YU-20 has multiple refuel points. Each refueling can potentially increase the combat radius of receiving aircraft by 30 to 35 percent, significantly boosting the long-range operability of PLA Air Force warplanes and contributing to the development of the PLA Air Force's long-range precision strike capabilities.

The J-20, a domestically developed new-generation stealth fighter jet, remained the star of the show throughout the entire flight performance.

In recent years, a number of J-20s have been gradually commissioned into the combat units of the PLA Air Force, boosting the latter's comprehensive combat capabilities and contributing to its sacred duty of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

As the flight performance went on, the J-20s formed a four-aircraft diamond formation, performed straight-up ascends, fast turns as well as a four-aircraft tactical fly-through in opposite directions, which is considered a very challenging maneuver in flight performances.

The flight performance by the J-20s is combat-oriented and precise, Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times at the event after seeing the show.

Zhang said that the J-20s' moves were not only thrilling to watch, but also very practical. They allow the aircraft to turn in other directions fast while not losing much energy, and this means that the fighter jet can change the direction its weapons are pointing at very flexibly during maneuvers, enabling it to launch attacks before the enemy.

A surprise at the event came as two types of aircraft in the "20 family" soared through the sky, a YU-20 escorted by four J-20s.

The crowd was impressed when the YU-20 flexibly performed an S maneuver despite its bulky fuselage, spiraling left and right 200 meters above the event site like a snake flying through the air.

The YU-20 also demonstrated the release of jamming flares. In a combat environment, fast ascents and turning in a small radius combined with the use of flares can increase the aircraft's survivability from hostile man-portable air defense missiles.

The performance of the YU-20 looked as if the aircraft was a fighter, Zhang said.

Zhang said that he was impressed by the YU-20's Afghan landing maneuver during the flight performance. This maneuver was named after Soviet transport aircraft's landing method in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

In this maneuver, aircraft approach the airfield at a high altitude without descending too low, then dives down fast and lands. This method can reduce the time the aircraft flies at low altitude, which can also reduce the chance the aircraft is hit by a hostile man-portable air defense missile.

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China, Russia to hold third joint naval patrol in West, North Pacific

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Jul 26, 2023 03:26 PM

China and Russia will soon launch their third joint naval patrol, which will see both sides' warships sail into West and North Pacific waters following the Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercises in the Sea of Japan.

Experts said that the voyage could reach the Bering Sea and display the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's far sea capabilities amid the largest ever joint military exercise held by 13 countries including the US, Australia, the UK, Canada and Japan in Australia targeting China.

In accordance with an annual cooperation schedule between the Chinese and Russian militaries, the two countries' navies will hold a joint naval patrol in West and North Pacific waters recently, China's Ministry of National Defense said in a press release on Wednesday.

The operation is not targeted against any third party and is not related to any international or regional situation, the press release read.

It marks the third joint naval patrol between the two countries. The first joint patrol came after the Joint Sea-2021 naval drills in 2021, which saw Chinese and Russian navies form a joint flotilla and sail across the Sea of Japan, the West Pacific and the East China Sea in seven days, marking a complete circumnavigation around Japan. The other came after the Russia-led Vostok-2022 strategic drills in 2022, which saw the two countries' vessels reaching the Bering Sea in addition to the West Pacific.

China and Russia successfully wrapped up the four-day Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercises in the Sea of Japan on Sunday. The Chinese side reportedly sent the Type 052D guided missile destroyers Qiqihar and Guiyang, the Type 054A guided missile frigates Zaozhuang and Rizhao, and the Type 903 comprehensive replenishment ship Taihu, while the Russian side sent the large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tribunts and Admiral Panteleev as well as the corvettes Gremyashy and Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov.

It was expected that a joint naval and air patrol would follow the exercise, which practiced anti-sea mine, anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine operations under the theme of safeguarding strategic maritime routes.

Chinese military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Wednesday that the joint naval patrol could start from the Sea of Japan, stretch into the Pacific Ocean and even reach the Bering Sea.

Australia is currently hosting the Talisman Sabre 2023 military exercise, which features 13 countries including the US, Australia, the UK, Canada and Japan. Top US naval official Carlos Del Toro pointed to China as a focus of the drill.

Facing such threats, the PLA should display its open ocean capabilities, Song said.

The North Pacific is not that far away from China, and the China-Russia joint naval patrol is conducive to the safeguarding of strategic routes in the Bering Sea, Song said.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on July 26, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

CCTV: "Global South" has been an international buzzword lately. We saw that Director Wang Yi put forward China's proposal on greater Global South cooperation at a BRICS meeting. Do you have more to share on this?a

Mao Ning: The Global South is the family of emerging markets and developing countries. While attending the Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in South Africa, Director Wang Yi put forward a four-point proposal on strengthening Global South cooperation. The proposal calls for joint efforts to end conflicts and rebuild peace, to promote development through revitalization, to seek progress with openness and inclusiveness, and to pursue cooperation in solidarity.

Wang Yi stressed that independence is the political hallmark of the Global South, development and revitalization its historical mission, and justice its unyielding pursuit. Global South countries need to join hands and contribute their share to world peace and common development. China is a natural member of the Global South and will always be part of the developing world. We stand ready to work with emerging markets and fellow developing countries to act on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and forge a human community with a shared future.

Global Times: Today, the Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau issued a public statement and the Wuhan Public Security Bureau put up a bulletin. According to them, the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center suffered a cyber attack, which was detected by China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and Chinese company 360. Global Times reported that preliminary evidence indicates that the cyberattack had come from the US. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: According to the statements from relevant Chinese agencies, a hacker group with overseas government background launched a cyberattack on the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center, which is a serious threat to China's national security.

We condemn the irresponsible attack. China will do what is necessary to safeguard our cybersecurity.

China Daily: Lately, US officials, including National Security Advisor, Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce and spokesperson for the White House National Security Council have commented on the so-called "Chinese cyber attacks against the US". Officials from the US National Security Agency even said that espionage is what nation-states do. Are the statements released today by relevant Chinese agencies a response to US remarks?aa

Mao Ning: The statements from China are objective and professional. They simply stated a fact. This is inherently different from the accusation and smear against China from the US. The US government is engaged in malicious cyber operations against not just China but countries around the world, while blaming China for so-called "hacking attacks." This is textbook double standards and political manipulation.

Cybersecurity is a common challenge. By politicizing and weaponizing cybersecurity issues, the US is disrupting the global effort of jointly addressing the challenge through dialogue and cooperation and hampering the mutual trust among countries. The US needs to immediately stop its wrongdoing and work with the rest of the world to make common rules through dialogue and cooperation and abide by these rules, and safeguard peace, security and stability in cyberspace with a constructive and pragmatic attitude.a

CRI: It is reported that Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, visited the cemetery of martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) in Hoechang County and presented a wreath before the grave of Mao Anying. Do you have any comment?a

Mao Ning: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War. On the upcoming occasion of the 70th anniversary, the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un visited the cemetery of martyrs of the CPV in Hoechang and paid high tribute to the CPV martyrs, which shows that the party, government and people of the DPRK deeply cherish the formidable feats of the CPV and that China and the DPRK are carrying forward the traditional friendship in the new historical period.a

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. Consolidating and growing bilateral relations serves the common interests of both sides and is conducive to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region. Guided by the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries and in accordance with the requirements of the new era and the aspiration of the two peoples, China stands ready to work with the DPRK to strive for new and greater progress of China-DPRK relations.

The Paper: Renowned Japanese writer Seiichi Morimura passed away aged 90 years old on July 24. He was the author of many bestsellers, including the reportage "The Devil's Gluttony" that exposed the Japanese army Unit 731 which was part of the forces that invaded China. What's your comment?

Mao Ning: We mourn for the passing of Mr. Seiichi Morimura and extend our sympathies to his family. Mr. Morimura was a renowned Japanese writer with a sense of justice. Many of his works are about upholding justice and human conscience. His reportage "The Devil's Gluttony", in particular, gave an in-depth account of Japan's crimes of germ warfare against China. We commend the courage of those with insights in Japan who faced up to and exposed historical truth. Japan needs to draw serious lessons from the history of its militarist aggression and take effective steps to get rid of its toxic legacy.

Shenzhen TV: A high-level international forum on mangrove protection opened this morning in Shenzhen. Do you have information on that? What outcomes can be expected from the forum?

Mao Ning: A high-level international forum on mangrove protection opened today in Shenzhen. The forum aims to galvanize global consensus and efforts for mangrove protection. A joint statement was adopted this morning. It encourages governments to incorporate the protection and sustainable use of mangroves into national plans to achieve strong ecological, economic and social benefits. A special fund was launched to improve mangrove protection worldwide.

The forum is an important step implementing the outcomes of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) held last November and China's recent national conference on ecological and environmental protection. It fully demonstrates China's commitment to advancing international cooperation on mangrove protection and building a clean and beautiful world.

Beijing Youth Daily: It was reported that Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has canceled his plan to visit China due to an injury. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: The Fijian side has informed China that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has to postpone his visit to China due to an injury. We understand and respect the decision. We extend our sympathy and wish him a speedy recovery. We will stay in touch with Fiji on matters regarding his visit.

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Fiji prime minister shelves China visit after falling while looking at mobile phone

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was due to leave on an official visit to China on Wednesday.

By Stephen Wright for BenarNews 2023.07.26 -- Fiji's prime minister has canceled an official visit to China after he tripped while looking at his mobile phone and injured his head.

Addressing Fijians from his official residence while still wearing a blood-stained shirt, Sitiveni Rabuka said in a video posted online that he fell on the steps of a government building on Tuesday and hit his head against a door.

"I've just come back from the hospital where I had a dressing put on my head for a small accident I had this morning," he said. "I do not know whether my head hurts more than the door or the door hurts more than my head."

Rabuka was due to leave on an official visit to China on Wednesday that coincides with a period of heightened rivalry between Washington and Beijing in the Pacific.

Fiji's relations with China have burgeoned over several decades, but have been less cordial since Rabuka was elected prime minister in December, ending 16 years of rule under Frank Bainimarama.

The Pacific island country's ties with China had particularly blossomed after Australia, New Zealand and other countries sought to punish it for Bainimarama's 2006 coup that ousted an elected government. It was Fiji's fourth coup in three decades. Rabuka orchestrated two coups in the late 1980s.

Rabuka has said a police cooperation agreement with China, signed in 2011 by Bainimarama's government, may not be consistent with Fiji's democracy, and has put it under review.

His government also elevated the status of Taiwan's representation in Fiji, but reversed that step after strong protests from China, which views the democratic island as a renegade province.

"I have had to inform China that I will not be able to undertake that trip that was coming up tomorrow night," Rabuka said in the video. "I'm sure there will be other invitations later on."

Rabuka said there would likely be speculation about the canceled trip but emphasized nothing was wrong.

China, over several decades, has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure and aid for developing Pacific island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and build its own set of global institutions.

Last year, China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, alarming the United States and its allies such as Australia. The Solomons and Kiribati switched their diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare visited China earlier this month and was feted by its leaders. Sogavare, in turn, heaped praise on his hosts including the "visionary" leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping in a public relations win for Beijing.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Tonga, Australia and New Zealand this week as Washington continues efforts to strengthen its relationships in the region.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China issues guidelines to save the economy - from Xi Jinping

Battered private-sector entrepreneurs say privately new 31-point guidelines are nothing but words.

Chris Taylor for RFA 2023.07.26 -- China's economic planning agency announced an initiative this week, following up on last Wednesday's 31-point Party plan, to incentivize the private sector and kickstart the economy in the second half of the year, state media reported.

At a press briefing Monday, the National Development and Reform Commission claimed to have a list of more than 2,900 projects that would require a total investment of RMB 3.2 trillion (U.S.$447 billion) - the commission hopes the private sector is interested.

Those still wishing for a government stimulus package of the kind China has embarked upon in the past will be disappointed.

Among the raft of incentivizing tidbits on offer from the NDCR was the promise that private sector investors could keep 100% of their returns, in a move the commission said would take some of the pressure off cash-strapped local governments.

Last week Beijing pledged to improve conditions for businesses, which have suffered from years of strict pandemic controls and regulatory crackdowns on key sectors like technology and property.

China consultancy Trivium commented in its newsletter, "We doubt there are that many profitable projects for private companies to invest in.

"With confidence in the economic outlook weak, and investors bruised from a three-year crackdown on industries dominated by the private sector, it will take much more than this to awaken those animal spirits."

According to Bloomberg, private investment in China contracted this year - now comprising just 53% of overall fixed assets investment, down from a peak of 65% in May 2015. The NDRC said its aim is to maintain private investment at a "reasonable level."

It is the first time in decades - apart from 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic - that private investment has contracted in China.

Meanwhile, the 31-point joint statement by the Communist Party and the government last week, may have included pledges to treat private companies the same as state-owned enterprises and to consult more with entrepreneurs on policy initiatives, but they were widely received with skepticism by entrepreneurs.

Writing in the New York Times, Li Yuan said, "After three years in which the government cracked down on private companies, stamped out innovation and exalted state-owned businesses, the document represents a near-concession by the Communist Party that its campaign failed spectacularly."

"The country's economic problems are rooted in politics," the columnist wrote. "Restoring confidence would require systemic changes that offer real protection of the entrepreneur class and private ownership. If the party adheres to the political agenda of the country's paramount leader, Xi Jinping, who has dismantled many of the policies that unleashed China's economy, its promises on paper will remain just words."

'Open for business'

China's leadership has been repeat-button reassuring businesses that China is committed to opening up, while simultaneously sending the opposite message with its actions.

"China will unswervingly stick to opening up regardless of changes to the global environment," Premier Li Qiang said in March.

"Beijing has devoted more attention to supporting private businesses this year than at any time we can remember since the founding of the People's Republic," noted Trivium last week.

But Bloomberg Opinion commented, "There's no escaping that China under Xi decisively abandoned the "reform and opening up" credo of the late Deng Xiaoping.

"The party has given itself an ever-bigger role in the economy, and the space for private discourse and decision-making has shrunk. That's become crystal clear to the business world, making a return to the good old days hardly realistic - no matter what Xi says now."

Foreign investors are particularly rattled by a revised anti-espionage law, which took effect on July 1, and redefines spying as the collection of information, which any business operating in China needs to do if it wants to understand the local market.

It expands the definition of espionage to constitute accessing "documents, data, materials or items related to national security and interests," leading Cedric Alviani of Reporters Without Borders to comment at the time that it covered, "basically any type of information."

Meanwhile, with private and foreign investment contracting, more than one in five young Chinese - workers from 16 to 24 - unemployed and local consumers holding back on spending, apparently sticking with the belt-tightening of the COVID-19 lockdown period, China's economy appears to be lacking confidence and running out of steam.

Even the property market can't find its feet again. Home sales were down 28% in June year on year, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Enter foreign investment

Foreign investment built China into the economic Goliath it is today, but now it's starting to quest elsewhere, in a move that is clearly frustrating for Xi Jinping's stolidly top-down leadership.

China wants a return of foreign investment, reports Reuters, but foreign firms today tend to see risk where once they saw more than a billion consumers and bounteous returns.

Financially battered local governments, which had to bear the vast costs of COVID-19 testing regimes while already suffering from a debt overhang after years of profligate spending on ambitious and sometimes unnecessary infrastructure projects, particularly covet foreign investment, but it's increasingly difficult to sugar-coat projects sufficiently to attract to attract capital.

"Provinces and cities from Sichuan to Chaozhou have sent delegations across the globe to pitch and invite investors to rare symposiums," Reuters reported.

For foreign investors eyeing a more challenging regulatory environment and far less attractive terms than a decade ago, it's a hard sell.

The AmCham China White Paper survey released in May this year found that 32% of the group's member companies cite "inconsistent regulatory interpretation" and "unclear laws and enforcement" as a major risk.

For the first time, AmCham member companies said they were less willing to invest in China, with nearly 45% of respondents saying the domestic investment environment is "deteriorating."

In June a European Chamber of Commerce in China report found that 64% of European companies say doing business in China has grown more difficult in the past year and "75% have reviewed their supply chain strategies over the past two years, with 24% reporting plans to at least partially onshore their supply chains into Mainland China and 12% having already shifted parts of them out of the country."

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China In Eurasia Briefing: China's Missing Foreign Minister Gets Replaced

By Reid Standish July 26, 2023

China's Missing Foreign Minister Gets Replaced

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang was suddenly replaced on July 25 by his predecessor Wang Yi in a surprise shake-up to China's foreign policy leadership.

Finding Perspective: Qin has not been seen in public since late June and the announcement of his removal at a special session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee came after weeks of speculation about his fate.

Qin has only been on the job for seven months and assumed the role as Chinese leader Xi Jinping's handpicked successor after serving as China's ambassador to Washington.

No reason was provided for Qin's removal, but his mysterious absence has fueled a wide array of rumors about what happened to him.

China's Foreign Ministry cited unspecified health reasons for Qin's absence from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Indonesia earlier this month, but has not commented since.

Other rumors have linked his disappearance to an alleged affair with a Chinese state-run TV anchor, a severe case of COVID-19, or that he is under government investigation.

Why It Matters: Like most high-level moves in Beijing, this one exists within China's black-box political system and his removal raises more questions than answers.

What did Qin do? Is Wang's appointment long-term? Did Qin lose an internal Party battle? Did his time spent in the United States leave him vulnerable to accusations of being politically compromised by foreign intelligence?

It may be some time -- if ever -- before we get some answers to those questions. But here's what we do know.

Wang became China's top diplomat when he joined the Politburo in October and state media reports didn't mention any change to Wang's party roles, suggesting he would occupy his Politburo and Foreign Ministry positions at the same time. Some analysts have speculated that this signals that he will be a placeholder until a younger replacement can be found.

Qin appears to maintain his role as state councilor, a senior government rank in the State Council, China's cabinet, with the State Council's website continuing to list him as a state councilor. Mentions and images of him on the Foreign Ministry's website, meanwhile, have been removed.

Some have speculated this indicates that Qin is under investigation and that he has been sucked into China's extrajudicial interrogation system for Communist Party members who are viewed as politically suspect.

Qin has been regarded as a fast-rising protege to Xi, and is said to have been pulled up through the ranks by the Chinese leader. His appointment last year as foreign minister over more experienced candidates caused some surprise among observers of elite Chinese politics.

That close association with Xi makes the episode particularly intriguing, but with few details known about Qin's disappearance, it's difficult to figure out how exactly his removal will change things behind the scenes.

Expert Corner: The Ripple Effects From Qin's Disappearance

Readers asked: "What message does Qin Gang's absence and removal as foreign minister send to the world and does it hurt Chinese foreign policy?"

To find out more, I asked Sari Arho Havren, an associate fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute:

"Qin Gang is not the first, and not the last, high-ranking official to go missing in China. The 'loud' silence follows the Chinese Communist Party's pattern of secretive behavior. While he has been removed and now replaced, the longer the absence takes without a sensible explanation, the higher the chances that Qin's career is finished. From Beijing's perspective, however, the way Qin's disappearance radiates to the outside world is a minor, if any, concern at all.

"Qin's absence is, however, not entirely without consequences abroad. While China is facing a myriad of challenges and is trying to woo foreign investors back, a missing foreign minister does not increase confidence in China's conditions and stability. Instead, it further underlines the dissonance between the country's political and business environments.

"Additionally, foreign ministerial level meetings have been postponed or downgraded to the vice-minister level. While Qin's disappearance caused delays in diplomacy and fueled speculation, the long-term consequences are likely minimal. Once Beijing closes the case, the whole episode will quickly be forgotten as the majority of other countries have gotten used to dealing with the Communist Party's abnormal behavior."

Do you have a question about China's growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and I'll get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. A Chinese 'Super' Observation Station

A new Chinese "super" observation station for climate and environmental monitoring opened in Tajikistan in June, but what's behind the appearance of the station in Central Asia? I looked into it here.

What You Need To Know: The station -- located in Shahritus, a town in southwestern Tajikistan near the meeting point of the country's borders with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan -- is part of a growing constellation of stations in countries along Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that are run by or partnered with Lanzhou University.

Scientists from Lanzhou University say the station provides comprehensive data for dust, pollutants, and weather in key areas of Central Asia and that it can help warn about extreme weather conditions, as well as provide data about climate change.

The station uses LiDAR (light, detection, and ranging) systems, which help scientists to accurately map and examine natural and manmade environments.

But as Bradley Jardine, managing director of the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, told me, LiDAR systems are also a key component of smart, autonomous, and electric vehicles -- a sector where China is an emerging global leader -- and the broader network that the new station is part of is designed to allow China to refine its domestic technology.

"As China positions itself to become dominant in the future global automotive industry, there are a large number of state grants available for refining the technology, and research institutes like Lanzhou are on the cutting edge," Jardine said.

The station's location and the Tajik government's close cooperation with Beijing have also raised questions about whether it could be used for surveillance and security purposes, especially given that China has financed, built, and in some cases helped operate surveillance and security outposts and facilities in Tajikistan.

While the station's full scope is unclear, Jardine noted that stations like those in Shahritus "rely on weather satellites -- possibly similar in nature to the object that had recently run errant across the United States," in reference to the high-altitude Chinese balloon that traversed Canada and the United States in February and was said by U.S. and Canadian officials to be used for espionage and surveillance.

2. What We Learned From A Virtual SCO

This year's annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was held virtually and wrapped up on July 4 in comparatively muted fashion to last year's meeting in Uzbekistan.

But what are the key takeaways from one of Eurasia's main political gatherings?

The Details: Last year's summit in Uzbekistan was a multiday event that garnered outsized attention around the world because it was the first time that Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in person since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Xi's trip to Kazakhstan en route to the summit also marked his first foreign trip since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 summit's high-profile billing led to increased momentum about the SCO becoming the premier bloc for the region and something that could eventually rival Western-led organizations, given that it is spearheaded by China and Russia and its members comprise around 40 percent of the global population.

In comparison, the 2023 gathering hosted by India was virtual, a format believed to be adopted due to concerns in New Delhi over hosting Putin in person and strained relations between India and China.

This tale of the two summits illustrates the contradictions inherent within the SCO.

The grouping continues to extend its reach -- something seen this year with Iran becoming a new member and Belarus slated to join next year -- but the SCO is still hamstrung by a tangled web of interests and allegiances among its members, which includes includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan has assumed chairmanship of the bloc and the 2024 summit will be held in Astana, where it is likely to receive higher billing from its host government.

Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has already called for closer cooperation within the SCO on energy and Astana is likely to use its chairmanship to focus on the issue.

3. The Transit Ground

Trade data shows Central Asia's imports from China are up sharply, with heavy truck shipments from China to Central Asia tripling this year, in another sign of how the region is becoming a growing hub for Chinese dual-use goods reaching the Russian military.

What It Means: A new report by Joseph Webster for the Lowy Research Institute said that most imported goods are then re-exported to Russia.

As Webster notes, such flows have helped Russia stave supply shortages, but also to avoid making tough calls on which manufactured products to prioritize in production. "Importing certain industrial products could allow the Kremlin to repurpose production lines for military goods, such as tanks or armored vehicles," he wrote.

According to Chinese customs data, Beijing has exported $16.6 billion worth of goods to Central Asia, up 140 percent from the same period in 2021.

The report feeds into a growing body of evidence that Beijing is delivering enough militarily useful -- although non-lethal -- equipment to Russia to have a material impact on the Kremlin's war on Ukraine.

A new investigation from Politico found that Russian buyers have declared orders for hundreds of thousands of bulletproof vests and helmets made by Shanghai H Win, a private Chinese manufacturer. The shipments, along with those of Chinese-made drones and other products, show the loopholes being used to keep Russia's war machine afloat amid sanctions.

Across The Supercontinent

Bye-Bye BRICS: South Africa has announced that Putin, who has an outstanding arrest warrant issued in his name by the UN's International Criminal Court (ICC), will not travel to the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month.

Partners At Sea: China and Russia wrapped up air and naval exercises in the Sea of Japan on July 23 that the Chinese Defense Ministry said were aimed at "safeguarding" the security of waterways.

Gassed Up: According to Chinese Customs data, Uzbekistan sold nearly $204 million worth of gas to China in this year's second quarter. This ranks the country as China's fifth largest source of gas.

Content Control: Sohu, the prolific Chinese website, sparked backlash in Tajikistan after it published an article saying that the Central Asian country of nearly 9.7 million has over 800,000 widows. A claim that was not tied to any source of information or survey.

After Tajik media -- including RFE/RL's Tajik Service -- reported on the claims and some user comments on Sohu, the article was then removed. No explanation has been provided, but articles regularly vanish from China's heavily censored Internet and there is precedent for controversial articles about Central Asia being removed after they sparked backlash in the region.

One Thing To Watch

Chinese stocks soared on July 25 as Beijing pledged to ramp up measures to bolster China's sputtering economy.

The stock rebound comes after China's top leaders pledged to ramp up policy support to boost domestic consumption as the post-COVID rebound has been slower than expected for the Chinese economy.

Xi's hold on power rests on the belief that he drives prosperity for his people. Yet economic growth has been -- in relative terms for China -- muted, and local government debt remains problematic.

Last week, official data showed that economic recovery in China continued to lose momentum in the April to June months, prompting urgent calls for more help from the central government.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-eurasia-briefing- standish-foreign-minister-qin-gang-replaced/32520666.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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Amid Chinese Foreign Ministry Shake-Up, Wang on Africa Tour

By Kate Bartlett July 26, 2023

This week as Beijing suddenly announced that China's foreign minister Qin Gang had been removed after just seven months in the job, his predecessor and now replacement, seasoned diplomat Wang Yi, was on a tour of some of Africa's key economies.

Wang participated in BRICS summit-related meetings in South Africa, infrastructure talks in Kenya, and pledges on debt relief in Ethiopia, meetings that analysts said illustrate China's way of showing its commitment to the continent.

"Talk about hitting the ground running: news broke when Wang Yi was on tour as the director of the foreign affairs commission of the party's central committee," Lauren Johnston, senior China-Africa researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs said of the revelation that Qin a who hadn't been seen for a month a had been removed.

"His tour, now as foreign minister, includes South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Turkey a all big players in the Global South," she told VOA.

Paul Nantulya, research associate for the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, told VOA that Wang's trip to the region comes as China seeks to re-engage more with Africa in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However he noted: "It is rather unusual to have two high-level multicountry visits within a space of six months, because remember Qin Gang was in Africa at the beginning of the year for the inaugural Chinese foreign affairs visit."

Cliff Mboya, a research fellow at the Afro-Sino Center for International Relations, suggested it might not be coincidence that Wang was in the region when Qin's exit was announced, noting Wang could be "coming to re-establish relations and continue from where Qin Gang left."

Requests and Promises

The analysts noted Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, where Qin is also scheduled to travel, are the economic powerhouses of East, Southern and West Africa. Ethiopia, a surprise addition to Wang's itinerary, is the seat of the African Union.

According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, while in Addis Ababa Wang told Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed: "China encourages powerful and reputable enterprises to invest in Ethiopia and is willing to play a positive role in easing Ethiopia's debt pressure."

The country is billions of dollars in debt. Security there is also a concern as the strategic Horn of Africa nation emerges from a brutal civil war.

Next, in Kenya, Wang met with President William Ruto a who was elected last year and had talked tough on China during his campaign.

Nantulya noted that China is Kenya's largest trading partner and a key security partner, and that Beijing has been "very anxious about the change of government" there and was obviously looking to cement ties.

According to a readout from the Chinese side, Ruto used the meeting with Wang to push for more infrastructure investment, despite analysts noting China has pulled back a bit recently from its major Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Kenya said it is willing to "deepen cooperation in the fields of railways, highways, water conservancy, aviation and renewable energy," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

On his third stop, in South Africa, Wang attended security meetings related to the upcoming summit of the BRICS group of economies, which also includes Brazil, Russia and India. Wang spoke with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor, and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang noted that "the friendship between China and South Africa has a long history, and the two countries have forged a profound friendship of comrades and brothers."

Steven Kuo, a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town and author of the book "Chinese Peace in Africa: From Peacekeeper to Peacemaker," pointed out that Chinese rhetoric around "South-South cooperation" and anti-imperialism "does strike a chord with African countries. Increasingly African countries, including South Africa, see the West as hypocritical, so there are some ideological commonalities."

Wang also promised South Africa that China would "expand cooperation in key minerals, digital economy, clean energy, environmental protection industries, marine resource development, poverty reduction and other fields."

Looking Ahead

Wang's trip comes as global powers vie for influence in Africa a which is youthful, growing and resource-rich.

This week has been a busy time for Africa diplomatically, with the U.S. Treasury undersecretary in Kenya and Somalia, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba trying to get support on a trip to Equatorial Guinea, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hosting leaders at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg from Thursday.

The next two stops on Wang's schedule are a fourth African state, the continent's largest economy, Nigeria, and Turkey.

Like Kenya, Nantulya noted, Nigeria has a new government, which might be one of the reasons it was chosen, as well as the fact that Beijing is increasing engagement in West Africa. Earlier this month China's navy visited the country amid speculation it is seeking a military base somewhere on the Atlantic coast.

In August, President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, along with all the other leaders of the bloc, except for Russian President Putin, who is unable to attend due to an International Criminal Court warrant out for his arrest.

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China Looms Large as US Heavyweights Head to the Pacific

By Jeff Seldin July 26, 2023

Top U.S. military officials and diplomats are embarking this week on another concerted push against Chinese influence across the Indo-Pacific, hoping to expand security agreements with key Pacific Island nations.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea late Wednesday for a series of meetings with the country's prime minister and top defense officials.

The visit to Papua New Guinea, the first by a sitting U.S. secretary of defense, comes just months after the two countries signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement, meant to serve as a framework for enhancing the capabilities of Port Moresby's defense forces and establishing a U.S. military presence - with rotational forces - on the island.

From there, Austin is set to travel to Brisbane, Australia, for the 33rd annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN), where he will be joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their Australian counterparts.

Blinken will arrive in Australia after a visit to the island nation of Tonga, where he dedicated a new U.S. embassy, and a stop in New Zealand.

The visits by Austin and Blinken are being supplemented by other trips to the region by high-ranking U.S. officials, including a visit by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff to New Zealand and Samoa, and an upcoming trip by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

"We see ourselves as delivering results with partners," a senior U.S. defense official said Monday, ahead of Austin's visit to Papua New Guinea. "The secretary's hitting the road again to keep the momentum moving forward in the region."

Focus on defense agreement

For Austin, the key focus for his meetings in Port Moresby will be on the recently signed defense agreement, which still needs to be ratified by Papua New Guinea's parliament.

U.S. officials said they are optimistic the deal will be ratified "quite soon," adding it is something "that both sides really wanted."

"The agreement will serve as a foundational framework for us to enhance our security cooperation, improve the capacity of the PNG [Papua New Guinea] defense forces, allow us to respond to humanitarian and regional crises, and also expand the scope of our [military] exercises," said a second defense official, who like the first briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity.

The official also expressed confidence that officials from both countries will make progress on a second deal a a so-called shiprider agreement a that allows Papua New Guinea personnel to sail on U.S. Coast Guard ships.

"This is really important and really valuable for enhancing maritime domain awareness and combating things like illegal unregulated and unreported fishing," the official said.

Concern about China

Yet for all the optimism, there is growing concern about pushback from China in response to U.S. efforts.

During a visit to the U.S. last week, the president of Palau, a small Pacific Island nation, warned Beijing is actively trying to influence politicians in his country and others to prevent them from gravitating to Washington.

"All the Chinese need to do is get a new president that favors what they want to do and they can change it," Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said during an event in Washington.

And Whipps said Beijing's strategy is meeting with some success, having managed to curry favor with some of his fellow politicians by offering economic incentives that Washington has yet to match.

Pressed on China's outreach campaign and offers of economic cooperation, some U.S. officials downplayed the concerns.

"Our approach... is to demonstrate value and to demonstrate the ways in which we can contribute meaningfully to a long term, mutually beneficial security relationship," said the second senior defense official.

"In every one of our alliances and partnerships throughout the region, we are working to ensure they're delivering for the partners and for the host countries," the official said. "And I think that's true in every instance."

As evidence, they point to agreements like the ones signed by Papua New Guinea and also to military exercises like Talisman Sabre, getting underway in Australia.

With some 30,000 troops taking part, Talisman Sabre is the largest U.S.-Australian military exercise. This year, however, U.S. officials point to participation from a host of other countries from the region, including India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. Additionally, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga, are taking part for the first time.

U.S. diplomatic officials, however, have been careful not to paint U.S. efforts, including the establishment of a new U.S. embassy in Tonga, as part of a counter-China campaign.

"Our embassy is not being set up to counter China," a State Department official told reporters last week, briefing on the condition of anonymity.

"Strategic competition is an aspect, a reality in the region," the official added. "But we are standing up an embassy to reflect our strong ties with Tonga and, frankly, our desire to be engaged in places like Tonga."

Still, despite efforts to downplay Washington's moves in the Pacific, some analysts say the U.S. and allies like Australia are keenly aware of China's efforts to lure countries into its sphere of influence, either with economic incentives or with security agreements, as it has done with the Solomon Islands.

"Australia and the U.S. have never been more interested in the Pacific Islands than they are now," said Lavina Lee, a Sydney-based adjunct fellow with the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies, during a media call previewing this week's Australia-U.S. ministerial meeting in Brisbane.

"Both Australia and the U.S. is keen to address the region's concerns by also showing that they are a provider of public goods without strings attached, as opposed to China."

At the same time, the U.S. and Australia are working to strengthen their growing military cooperation, with U.S. officials speaking of a "profound strategic alignment" between the two allies.

"There will be a strong focus on advancing defense industrial cooperation, production and information," the second U.S. defense official said of Saturday's ministerial meeting.

U.S. officials said they expect the meeting to result in a "broadening [of] our force posture initiatives to new domains and locations" in Australia.

They also expect talks to focus on Australia's guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise aimed at bolstering Australia's ability to produce precision guided munitions, which have been in demand in Ukraine and could further be in demand by Taiwan should China decide to retake the island by force.

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KPA Commanding Officers Visit Kumsusan Palace of Sun

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 26 (KCNA) -- Commanding officers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) including Kang Sun Nam, Jong Kyong Thaek and Pak Su Il visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on Tuesday on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.

The KPA commanding officers solemnly entered the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with the pride and honor of significantly greeting the holiday of victors.

Floral baskets in the names of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean People's Army were laid before the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il .

The participants paid high tribute to the statues of the President and the Chairman in reflection of the boundless reverence of all the service personnel of the armed forces of the DPRK.

The KPA commanding officers renewed their firm will to successfully carry forward the ever-victorious tradition of the DPRK and defend the all-people general advance for the overall prosperity of the DPRK with matchless military muscle, true to the idea and leadership of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un ushering in a new era of a prosperous power. -0-

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Grand Performance Given to Celebrate 70th Anniversary of Great War Victory Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Enjoys Performance with Goodwill Missions on Visit to Pyongyang

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- A grand celebration performance was given at 00:00 on July 27, adding to the joy and excitement of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War shining as a symbol of heroism and justice along with its great eminence of victory in the course of the development of the dignified Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as a grand festival of glory and succession to be specially recorded in history.

The performance venue was overflowing with the great pride and self-confidence of significantly greeting the war victory day, the holiday of the DPRK and all its people, with the priceless honor and dignity offered by the victory in the three-year war and the 70-year-long indomitable struggle for preserving that victory - 25 568 days since July 27, the historic day when the first people's country in the East, a new-born republic, won a victory in the war for repulsing the brigandish armed invasion by the U.S. imperialism, the ringleader of the imperialists, in the middle of the 20th century called the "century of war".

Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, enjoyed the performance.

Prior to enjoying the performance, he had a warm and friendly talk with Li Hongzhong, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China (PRC) who is on a visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the great war victory.

Li Hongzhong, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress of the PRC who is leading a Chinese party and government delegation on a visit to Pyongyang, courteously handed to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un a personal letter sent by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC and president of the PRC, on the occasion of the war victory day.

Expressing thanks for it, Kim Jong Un offered his heartfelt thanks to Xi Jinping.

He told Li Hongzhong that the significance of July 27, the war victory day common to the Korean and Chinese peoples, was further highlighted as they were present together to celebrate it. Noting that Xi Jinping dispatched a party and government delegation to the DPRK in the current crucial period, he said that it showed the general secretary's will to attach great importance to the DPRK-China friendship.

Saying the Korean people will never forget the fact that the brave soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers shed blood to bring about the war victory and their noble spirit and soul though many years have passed and generation has been replaced with new one, he affirmed that the WPK and the DPRK government will as ever strive to further strengthen the friendship and solidarity with the fraternal Chinese people and always advance hand in hand with the Chinese people in the struggle for socialism.

When Kim Jong Un appeared at the theatre auditorium with the heads of the delegations, stormy cheers of the audience shook the theatre.

Pretty children presented fragrant bouquets to Kim Jong Un .

Children presented bouquets to the heads of the delegations.

Members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, cadres of the Party, the government and the military, and the participants in the celebrations including war veterans and persons of wartime merits watched the performance.

Present there on invitation were members of the Chinese party and government delegation and the Russian military delegation.

The performance was given by leading art troupes including the State Merited Chorus, the Ensemble of the State Affairs Commission and the Wangjaesan Art Troupe, and social and military art troupes and artistes and students of art education institutions.

Put on the stage of the performance which started with overtures "Tell, Fireworks of War Victory" and "July 27, Our Victory Day", were wartime songs, hymns for the war victory, songs of faith popular during the years of succession and other numbers.

Through the immortal hymn "Cantata to Marshal Kim Il Sung ", the performers sang highly of the greatest-ever feats of President Kim Il Sung , who trained the Korean people to be the strongest ones with indomitable spirit and matchless strength punishing the imperialist tyranny and made a history of miraculous war victory admired by mankind in the grim period when the U.S. imperialists, who boasted of being the world's "strongest", had gone to extremes in their arrogance and arbitrary practices and thus brought about a fierce storm of independence against imperialism and the revolution for national liberation.

When the venerable image of the President declaring victory at the military parade for celebrating the war victory was shown on the background screen along with his friendly voice resounding throughout the venue, the audience broke into loud applause with boundless reverence for the peerlessly brilliant commander who reliably protected the destiny of the country and peace of humankind by winning a great victory in the fierce anti-imperialist, anti-U.S. sacred war with his Juche-oriented military idea, outstanding strategy and tactics and iron faith and will.

"Song of National Defence", "To a Decisive Battle" and other wartime songs, which resounded all over Korea fighting against aggressors, touched the audience, bringing back the memory of the legendary years.

Through the numbers representing the endless advance by the defenders of the country under the hail of bullets and shells and their hand-to-hand combats for annihilating the enemies, and through the numbers pulsating with the patriotic passion and emotion lavished by them out of their confidence in victory during the three-year-long war woven with life and death, blood and tears and love and hatred, the performers impressively sang of what a stern death-defying resistance the heroic army and people of the DPRK waged to preserve the dignity and prestige of their country.

When Chinese and Russian serial songs specially selected for goodwill missions visiting Pyongyang were put on the stage, the audience felt their hearts overflowing with conviction and friendship that the history and traditions of friendship and solidarity formed and consolidated in the joint struggle for independence against imperialism would be steadily carried forward and developed century after century.

The performance ended with the finale "The People Offer Glory to the Party" and "July 27, Our Victory Day".

At the end of the performance, the audience again broke into enthusiastic cheers.

Kim Jong Un warmly acknowledged their cheers, congratulating the performers on their successful performance. -0-

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Weaponry Exhibition House with Sergei Shoigu

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- The "Weaponry Exhibition-2023" is going on under the sponsorship of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.

Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, visited the weaponry exhibition house on July 26, together with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and members of the military delegation of the Russian Federation.

When he arrived at the exhibition house, Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the DPRK, made a salute to him.

Present there were senior party and government officials including Kim Tok Hun, Jo Yong Won, Choe Ryong Hae and Ri Pyong Chol, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, commanding officers of the Ministry of National Defence and military and political commanding officers of the large combined units and combined units of the Korean People's Army.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un again expressed thanks to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and members of the Russian military delegation for visiting Pyongyang with militant comradeship and friendly feelings to congratulate the DPRK and its people on their great auspicious event.

Sergei Shoigu expressed his gratitude to Kim Jong Un for paying deep attention to the itinerary of the Russian delegation, offering it significant occasions and lavishing warm welcome on it despite his busy schedule.

Kim Jong Un , together with Sergei Shoigu, looked round the new-type weapons and equipment.

Telling the Russian defence minister about the weapons and equipment which were invented and produced under the national defence development plan set forth at the 8th Congress of the WPK and have been recently furnished to the Korean People's Army, Kim Jong Un shared with Sergei Shoigu comments on the worldwide trend of weaponry development and its strategy.

Having a friendly talk with the Russian defence minister, he expressed his views on the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries from the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists and to realize international justice and peace.

He repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country. -0-

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Chinese Party and Government Delegation Arrives in Pyongyang

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- A party and government delegation of the People's Republic of China led by Li Hongzhong, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, arrived in Pyongyang, the capital city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on July 26 to participate in the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.

The delegation was warmly greeted by Kim Song Nam, director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the C.C., WPK, Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Pak Kyong Il, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Association.

Ambassador Wang Yajun and staff members of the Chinese embassy here were present to greet the delegation.

A woman worker presented a bouquet to Li Hongzhong.

With national flags of the two countries and bunches of flowers in their hands, citizens in Pyongyang warmly welcomed the goodwill mission of the Chinese people who assisted the Korean people in their just cause at the cost of their blood, sharing the fate in the same trench to repel the imperialist aggression. -0-

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Reception Given for Chinese Party and Government Delegation

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on July 26 in honor of the party and government delegation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on a visit to the DPRK for participating in the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.

Present there on invitation were the party and government delegation of the PRC led by Li Hongzhong, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Communist Party of China (CPC) and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, and Ambassador Wang Yajun and staff members of the Chinese embassy here.

Attending it were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Song Nam, department director of the WPK Central Committee, Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, and senior officials of the Party and the government.

Kim Song Nam made a speech at the reception.

The speaker warmly welcomed the Chinese delegation's visit to the DPRK on behalf of the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK government and paid high tribute to the martyrs and veterans of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) who helped the Korean people in their revolutionary war at the cost of their blood in the most difficult period.

Referring to the fact that the CPV made a historic contribution to bringing about the war victory, an unprecedented event in history, through militant unity and comradely cooperation, he said that the Korean people would not forget forever the heroic feats and merits of the bravery soldiers who recorded a brilliant page in the history of the great victory in the Fatherland Liberation War and the history of DPRK-China friendship.

The Korean people are rejoiced over the achievements made by the Chinese people in building a modern socialist state with Chinese characteristics in the new era, he said, expressing conviction that the Chinese nation's dream of great prosperity will surely come true, thanks to the steadfast leadership of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary Xi Jinping as its core and the devoted efforts of the Chinese people rallied around the Party.

Then Li Hongzhong made a speech.

Noting that upon authorization of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Central Committee of the CPC, he visited the DPRK at the head of the Chinese party and government delegation, he said: General Secretary Kim Jong Un and the WPK Central Committee attach great importance to the visit of the delegation and accord cordial hospitality to it, and this is a manifestation of friendly feelings toward the Chinese party, government and people.

Saying China is very rejoiced over the fact that the socialist cause of the DPRK has steadily gained momentum with each passing day through thorough implementation of the resolutions made at the 8th Congress of the WPK and the plenary meetings of the Party Central Committee, he hoped that the Korean people would continue to achieve fresh successes by promoting the cause of socialism under the leadership of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim Jong Un .

The Chinese side is ready to, together with the Korean side, resolutely implement the important common understanding reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and thus promote the sound and stable development of the China-DPRK relations, provide the peoples of the two countries with happiness and make a positive contribution to the regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.

The reception proceeded in an amicable atmosphere. -0-

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Talks between Defence Ministers of DPRK and Russia Held

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- Talks between Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the DPRK, and Sergei Shoigu, minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, were held in Pyongyang on July 26.

Present there from the DPRK side were Jong Kyong Thaek, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, and Im Chon Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and from the Russian side were Aleksei Krivoruchko, vice-minister of Defence, Andrei Rudenko, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and other members of the Russian military delegation and Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.

At the talks, the two sides exchanged views on the issue of further strengthening the strategic and traditional DPRK-Russia relations of friendship and expanding and developing the militant friendship and cooperation between the armies of the two countries in conformity with the historic common understanding and agreement reached by the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and the respected President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, and on regional and international issues of mutual concern before reaching a complete consensus of views.

The talks proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere. -0-

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Reception Given for Russian Military Delegation

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a reception on Wednesday in welcome of the military delegation of the Russian Federation on a congratulatory visit to the DPRK for the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.

Present there on invitation were members of the Russian military delegation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.

Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the DPRK, Jong Kyong Thaek, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army (KPA), Pak Su Il, chief of the KPA General Staff, and other commanding officers of the Ministry of National Defence and Im Chon Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, were on hand.

Kang Sun Nam made a speech at the reception.

He once again warmly welcomed Sergei Shoigu visiting Pyongyang with warm feelings of friendship toward the army and people of the DPRK at the significant time of splendidly celebrating the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.

Sergei Shoigu's visit will serve as a significant occasion in demonstrating the might of the militant unity of the armies and peoples of the two countries, established in the historic struggle against the common enemy and further consolidated in the common front against the hostile forces' moves for a war of aggression, he noted.

Referring to the history and tradition of DPRK-Russia friendship, he said that the present conflicting international military and political situation requires the armies of the two countries to resolutely stand against the U.S. brigandish strategy for world supremacy and further strengthen their mutual cooperation and collaboration on the principle of defending the national sovereignty and interests.

Expressing the full support for the just struggle of the Russian army and people to defend the sovereignty and security of the country and reaffirming the stand of the army of the DPRK to further strengthen cooperation and solidarity in the same trench of the anti-imperialist struggle, he sincerely wished the Russian army and people success in building powerful Russia under the leadership of President Putin.

Then Sergei Shoigu made a speech.

He expressed thanks to the army and people of the DPRK for their warm hospitality and warmly congratulated the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.

The Korean People's Army honorably inheriting the fighting tradition of the respected generation is not only reliably preventing the threat of outside forces but also actively taking part in the economic construction and the work for improving the people's standard of living, he said.

He stressed that the KPA, closely rallied around the Supreme Commander, has become the strongest army in the world by glorifying its heroic feats in the Fatherland Liberation War and steadily bolstering its might.

Expressing belief that the Korean people would register fresh successes in their struggle for building a thriving country, he showed the will of the Russian Federation to boost many-sided cooperation with the DPRK in full accord with the interests of the two peoples.

The reception proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere. -0-

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Sergei Shoigu Lays Wreath before Liberation Tower

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- Sergei Shoigu, defence minister of the Russian Federation on a congratulatory visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War, laid a wreath before the Liberation Tower on Wednesday.

Present there were Kim Min Sop, vice-minister of National Defence of the DPRK, Im Chon Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and members of the Russian military delegation and Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.

Members of the guard of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up at the Liberation Tower.

The national anthems of the Russian Federation and the DPRK were played.

A wreath in the name of the Russian defence minister was placed at the Liberation Tower amid the playing of the wreath-laying music.

The participants paid tribute to the martyrs of the Soviet Army who unsparingly dedicated their lives to the sacred war for Korea's liberation in the noble internationalist spirit.

Then they went round the Liberation Tower. -0-

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Russian Defence Minister

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 27 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a military delegation of the Russian Federation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, on a congratulatory visit to the DPRK for the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War, at the office building of the Party Central Committee on July 26

He gladly met and exchanged warm greetings with Sergei Shoigu.

He warmly welcomed the visit of the Russian military delegation to the DPRK and had a friendly talk with Sergei Shoigu.

On the occasion, Shoigu courteously conveyed an autograph letter from Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un .

Expressing gratitude to Putin for his warm and good letter, Kim Jong Un asked Shoigu to convey his thanks to Putin who dispatched the military delegation led by the defence minister to Pyongyang to congratulate the Korean people on the glorious victory holiday.

Recollecting with deep emotion the history of deep-rooted DPRK-Russia friendship, they at the talk exchanged the appraisal and opinions on the matters of mutual concern in the field of national defence and security and on the regional and international security environment and reached a consensus of view on them.

The talk proceeded in a cordial atmosphere overflowing with militant friendship.

After the talk, Kim Jong Un was presented with a gift prepared by Sergei Shoigu with sincerity.

He expressed deep thanks for it and presented his souvenir to Shoigu in commemoration of his visit to the DPRK.

The meeting between Kim Jong Un and Sergei Shoigu at an important time serves as an important occasion in further developing the strategic and traditional DPRK-Russia relations as required by the new century and further boosting in depth the strategic and tactical collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the field of national defence and security to cope with the ever-changing regional and international security environment. -0-

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Tehran set to settle remaining issues with IAEA over two nuclear sites: Iran's nuclear chief

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 4:15 PM

Iran's nuclear chief says the country has provided the UN nuclear watchdog with new information over its recent probe into what it terms the unexplained presence of uranium particles in certain locations in Iran and is willing to settle those issues with the agency.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Mohammad Eslami said Iran had compiled and sent "detailed answers" to the International Atomic Energy Agency over the two sites that have been subject to the agency's probe.

"About the two remaining sites, we have sent evidence and documents to the agency. If they are not accepted, we will clarify [our position] and provide further evidence and documents," he said.

Eslami said Iran and the agency have "continuous and constant interaction" in line with a joint statement they issued in March, which is itself based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Safeguards Agreement.

Iran and the IAEA agreed in March to take steps aimed at facilitating enhanced cooperation and expediting the resolution of outstanding safeguards issues.

The two sides are currently in a dispute triggered by the agency's claims of "uranium traces" found at "undeclared nuclear sites" in Iran.

Iran has strongly rejected the accusations about the existence of undeclared nuclear activities or material in Iran but voiced readiness to cooperate with the IAEA to settle disputes.

In late May, the IAEA said it had decided to close the file on traces of what is claimed to be nuclear material at one of the alleged "undetected" sites in Iran following progress in cooperation between Tehran and the nuclear watchdog.

The agency said in a confidential quarterly report on May 31 that it had decided to close off the investigation of traces of uranium allegedly found at the Marivan site in Abadeh County, the southwestern province of Fars, after receiving a "possible explanation" from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

"The agency at this time has no additional questions on the depleted uranium particles detected at Marivan ... and the matter is no longer outstanding at this stage," the watchdog said.

The Marivan site is the first to be addressed under a work plan agreed upon by Iran and the IAEA back in March. The other two sites are in Varamin and Turquzabad, both located on the outskirts of Iran's capital, Tehran.

The agency said in a March report to members of its Board of Governors that its inspectors suspected that Iran had worked on nuclear material at the two sites from 1999 until 2003.

The remarks come as talks over the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal putting curbs on Iran's nuclear work in return for the removal of Western sanctions remain stalled. Tehran blames the US, arguing the country has failed to provide assurances it won't exit the deal again, as it did in 2018.

Iran says its nuclear work is peaceful and the dispute with the West is rooted in their opposition to Iran's scientific advancements.

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Iranian Supreme Court Annuls Protester's Death Sentence, Case To Be Reviewed

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 26, 2023

Iran's Supreme Court has annulled the death sentence of Mohammad Ghabadloo, a protester who was arrested amid a crackdown on nationwide unrest last year.

Ghabadloo, 22, was sentenced to death on charges of "waging war against God" and "spreading corruption on earth" after an incident where he allegedly ran over a high-ranking police officer during protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody for an alleged hijab violation.

Ghabadloo's lawyer, Amir Reisian, said on Twitter that the case will be referred to a court, which will examine issues related to Ghabadloo's mental health.

"Waging war against God" and "corruption on Earth" are charges often leveled by Iran's judiciary in cases allegedly involving espionage or attempts to overthrow the government.

But with months of unrest over Amini's death in September 2022 for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly rattling the country, courts have taken to using the charge against protesters who have flooded the streets in mass demonstrations.

Ghabadloo suffers from a nervous disorder and appeared before a court headed by Judge Abolqasem Salavati of the Revolutionary Court in November.

The court proceedings were televised by state-run media, a tactic commonly employed by the government to help try to quell the protests. Critics have frequently labelled these so-called public courts as "staged" and marred by "forced confessions."

In a recent message from prison, Ghabadloo described his mental state by saying: "I feel the roughness of the noose around my neck every moment. I am always ready for them to call my name to solitary confinement."

Ghabadloo also reached out to the family of Farid Karampor, the special forces officer he was accused of killing, writing: "I never intended to kill anyone.... I never even saw his face."

The Twitter account Dadban, a platform providing free legal counsel to protesters and victims, shared a message stating, "Ghabadloo's case is full of contradictions."

It said the forensic medical report indicated that the police officer was killed as a result of being hit in the head with a hard object, "presumably in a skirmish and not a car accident."

It also confirmed a skirmish took place on the day of the officer's funeral, as per accounts given by police commanders.

Iranians have demonstrated across the country since Amini's death, with women and schoolgirls putting up unprecedented shows of defiance in what appears to be the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution.

In the face of mass protests around the country since Amini's death, the authorities have warned of harsher penalties for participants in the unrest.

Seven convicted protesters have already been executed and others are on death row after being handed death sentences.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protester-death-sentence- annulled/32521393.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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Iranian Activist Sentenced Again For 2009 Presidential Campaign Speeches

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 26, 2023

Ahmad Zeidabadi, a prominent Iranian political activist, has been sentenced to a year of punitive imprisonment and 50 lashes in a case he says is linked to speeches he gave during the 2009 presidential election.

Zeidabadi, who has previously served time as a political prisoner, disclosed on his Telegram channel that the charges in the case heard in a court in the central city of Arak were "propaganda against the system" and "spreading lies with the intention of disturbing public opinion."

He linked the court's decision to speeches he delivered during the 2009 presidential election campaign in support of then-presidential candidate Mehdi Karrubi. It is the second time he has been incarcerated for the same offense.

In 2009, Zeidabadi, who is also a journalist, was sentenced to six years in prison, five years of internal exile, and a lifetime ban from social and political activities for "propaganda against the system" and "conspiracy to disrupt national security."

After completing his six-year prison term, he was exiled to Gonabad in the northeastern province of Khorasan in 2015.

Zeidabadi explained that the verdict was issued in absentia in 2010 due to his status declared as "unknown," even though he was in prison. Unaware of the case, he did not request a retrial, leading to the confirmation of the sentence 14 years later.

He noted he had already served his punishment for the charge and therefore, this part of the sentence should be annulled due to the principle of "res judicata" or "the matter has already been judged."

In recent months, Iranian authorities have escalated their crackdown on journalists.

In another case, Nilufar Hamedi, a journalist who has been incarcerated for the past 10 months, had another hearing on July 25.

Hamedi, a reporter for the Shargh newspaper, previously published an image of the grieving grandparents of Mahsa Amini, a young woman whose death after being detained by morality police in September 2022 sparked months of nationwide protests.

Another court session was also scheduled on July 26 for Elaheh Mohammadi, a journalist for the Ham-Mihan newspaper. She was arrested following her reporting on Amini's funeral procession.

Both journalists face charges including "collaborating with the adversarial U.S. government" and "conducting propaganda activities against the regime."

They both denied the accusations during their initial court appearances.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-zeidabadi-prison- 2009-again/32521332.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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Israel: Statement by the Spokesperson on the developments related to the judicial reform

European External Action Service (EEAS)

26.07.2023

EEAS Press Team

The European Union is following the developments in Israel related to the judicial reform closely and with concern.

EU-Israel relations are based on shared values, including the separation of powers and the rule of law, where the independent judiciary is an essential element to ensure effective checks and balances.

While the specific arrangements related to the judicial reform and its scope are to be decided by the Israelis, it is important that the core values on which our partnership is based are preserved.

The European Union calls on the Israeli government to continue to seek a broad consensus and aim for a process that is inclusive. It is important to reach a compromise which would be acceptable for the Israeli citizens and political parties.

The ongoing debates and demonstrations are a sign that a considerable part of the Israeli population is concerned about the reforms and that Israel is a vibrant democracy.



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Netanyahu's poll ratings flounder as domestic woes mount over judicial overhaul

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 6:09 PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a hit in opinion polls from a judicial overhaul by his hard-right coalition that has triggered unprecedented protests across Israel over the past few months.

Surveys by two main Israeli news broadcasters published late on Tuesday showed that if an election was held now, the number of seats held by Netanyahu's governing coalition in the 120-seat Knesset parliament would fall from 64 to 52 or 53.

Seats held by Netanyahu's Likud party would fall from 32 to 28, according to N12 News, and to as low as 25 seats, according to another survey by broadcaster Reshet 13.

Less than a quarter of respondents have shown support for the legislation package. Netanyahu won an approval rating of 38 percent of respondents in N12's poll, with a majority of Israelis seeking his judicial plan either scrapped entirely or negotiated with the opposition.

On Monday, Netanyahu's coalition gave Knesset approval to legislation that will limit some of Israel's so-called supreme court's powers. It was the first ratification of a bill that is part of a government bid to overhaul the judiciary.

The approval came despite mass street protests and fierce objections from the opposition.

Netanyahu introduced the plan in January, triggering months of unprecedented anti-regime 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 Israel's so-called supreme court incapable of striking down politicians' decisions.

The United States, Israel's main supporter, has urged him to reach broad agreements on judicial reforms and called Monday's legislation "unfortunate".

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, has said he wants to pursue consensus on any further legislation by November.

The divide has even spread to the military, with volunteer reservists saying they will not report for duty and former top brass warning that Israel's war readiness could be at risk.

The development comes as thousands of reservists have said they'll halt their volunteer duty if Netanyahu's extremist administration passes the contentious judicial overhaul bill into law.

Critics say the amendment will open the door to abuses of power by removing one of the few effective checks on the executive's authority of the entity without a formal written constitution.

On Tuesday, Moody's Investors Service said the regime's judicial drive and the upheaval it has been causing will likely have negative consequences for Israel's economy and security.

Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz recently warned of a "worrying" security situation across the occupied territories amid a months-long wave of anti-regime protests, sparked by Netanyahu's far-right administration and its contentious policies.

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Israeli Supreme Court to Consider Law Weakening Its Power

By VOA News July 26, 2023

Israel's Supreme Court said Wednesday it would hear petitions in September seeking to overturn a law passed this week by parliament's right-wing governing coalition to curb the court's authority to overturn laws that the court considers to be "unreasonable."

The law is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's broader plan to overhaul Israel's judiciary that has spawned months of street demonstrations against it and divided the Jewish state.

On Tuesday, most doctors across the country staged a one-day walkout to protest the law and a group of high-tech workers paid for black ads on the front pages of major newspapers with an inscription calling the parliament's action "A Black Day for Israeli Democracy."

The most secular elements of the country have protested the changes as undermining the country's standing as the only democracy in the Middle East. More nationalist and religious sectors, including the legislative coalition led by Netanyahu, have voiced support for the changes to undercut rulings by appointed judges they view as too liberal and interfering with the actions of elected lawmakers.

The case in September will give the country's top court a chance to rule on the scope of its own authority.

The court said it would consider the new law after Israel's parliament, the Knesset, returns from recess in September.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a good governance group, said its petition contends that the law undermines Israel's democratic standing and was passed through a flawed legislative process.

"We are ready. We will appear in the Supreme Court to defend Israeli democracy and we will do everything we can to stop the coup," Eliad Shraga, the group's chairman, said on Wednesday.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press.

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Malaysia talks of leeway for ASEAN members' informal approach to Myanmar

PM Anwar's comments come after Thailand's meeting with the junta and others that some in bloc viewed positively.

By Iman Muttaqin Yusof for BenarNews 2023.07.26 -- Malaysia and the Philippines on Wednesday discussed giving fellow ASEAN states more latitude in pursuing individual and informal approaches for dealing with the post-coup crisis in Myanmar.

The question of how to handle the repressive and recalcitrant Burmese junta has divided the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after member-state Thailand engaged with Myanmar's military at least four times lately.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters that he and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discussed ASEAN and Myanmar at a bilateral meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

"We did touch on Myanmar to strengthen the five-point consensus of ASEAN, but also give some flexibility, room and space for neighboring countries to engage on an informal basis," Anwar said during a joint press conference with Marcos afterwards.

Anwar added that if this were to take place it must be done "without sacrificing the issues of human rights and the treatment of minorities, particularly Rohingya and other Burmese minorities in Myanmar."

The Philippine president, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday afternoon for a two-day visit, did not mention Myanmar but, according to the Associated Press news agency, he said that in general ASEAN countries should be able to use bilateral means to solve problems.

"I think that this will be an important aspect to all the issues that ASEAN is presently facing and to all the issues that the member states are presently worrying about," AP quoted him as saying.

ASEAN's five-point consensus, a roadmap to restoring peace in Myanmar, has been ignored by the junta, which agreed to the plan two months after it toppled an elected government in February 2021.

All along, the junta has cracked down on mass protests, killed nearly 4,000 people and arrested thousands more, according to human rights groups.

Aside from barring junta representatives from its meetings, ASEAN has been widely criticized for failing to make much headway in moving Myanmar towards peace. Malaysia's former foreign minister, too, panned the consensus last year, saying it needed to be thrown out and that a new, time-bound plan with enforcement mechanisms should be formulated.

The Thai government, meanwhile, broke ranks with ASEAN and has engaged in talks with Myanmar's military.

Earlier this month, in a shock announcement, Thailand's foreign minister said he met secretly in prison with Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was jailed after the Feb. 1, 2021, military coup. The meeting, Thailand said, was approved by the Myanmar junta and the imprisoned leader.

Last month, Thailand also held another meeting with Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister, representatives of India and China, as well as from ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The Burmese and Thai militaries are said to be close, and the outgoing Thai PM is a former army chief.

Malaysia, Singapore and ASEAN 2023 chair Indonesia skipped that meeting.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that its minister's prior commitments were the reason he couldn't attend. But it added that ASEAN's five-point consensus remained the gold standard and bloc unity along with support for the ASEAN chair must be demonstrated.

Legitimacy for junta?

Anwar's comments Wednesday about exploring individual member-states approaches to the Myanmar crisis, therefore, mark a change in Malaysia's position.

His comments also followed a joint statement from ASEAN foreign ministers this month that reflected the divide within the bloc by noting that "a number of ASEAN member states" viewed the Thai meeting in June "as a positive development."

Anwar's rethink probably resulted from a realization that the situation seems to have become deadlocked, said Lee Pei May, a political expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia.

"When the agreed-upon solution doesn't yield the expected results, it's essential to be open to exploring alternative approaches to find a resolution that benefits everyone involved," she told BenarNews.

"This is one of the reasons why I believe Anwar has suggested that informal engagement with the Myanmar regime could be the way forward."

An informal approach gives neighboring countries and the junta more flexibility to discuss and find common ground, May said.

"Thus, it is up to the wisdom of each country's leader how they want to engage with Myanmar's junta," she added.

But another analyst, Chong Ja Ian, of the National University of Singapore, warned of the perils of informal approaches.

"[T]he issue is how much legitimacy do ASEAN or its members wish to extend to the junta. Will the junta use any contact or assistance to boost their legitimacy and the legitimacy of their actions, including on human rights abuses?" he told BenarNews.

"If there is engagement, what tangible outcomes do such engagement bring for the people of Myanmar or ASEAN? Or are they really photo opportunities for politicians?"

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Junta shelling kills man, forces residents to flee village in Myanmar's Shan state

The attack follows a battle between junta troops and a local ethnic army.

By RFA Burmese 2023.07.26 -- Myanmar's military shelled a village in Shan state, killing a man and forcing most residents to flee, locals told RFA Wednesday.

The local killed in Tuesday's attack on Muse township's Hseng Hkawng village was identified as 40-year-old Aik Lau by a villager who goes by the name Cherry.

"He was sitting outside the house and his face and back were hit when the heavy artillery shell landed and exploded," Cherry told RFA.

"Another house was hit and one person was injured in the thigh."

The village has around 200 residents, most of whom fled after the explosion.

Locals said most of the villagers are from the Ta'ang (Palaung) ethnic group. A resident of a nearby village said there was a battle between junta troops and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army in the township on Tuesday morning.

They said troops fired a 60-millimeter heavy weapon from a bridge next to Nam Aum village, damaging some houses in Hseng Hkawng.

The troops then raided Kawng Wein village, 0.8 kilometers (half a mile) from Hseng Hkawng and interrogated locals.

The ethnic army has been active near those villages, fighting with about 200 soldiers in the last few days, and the military junta has been shelling villages since Monday, according to locals.

Some shops and houses in Nam Aum village were destroyed by shelling and troops sent an attack helicopter to fire on the village on Tuesday, residents told RFA on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

RFA's calls to junta council spokesperson for Shan state, Khun Thein Maung, went unanswered Wednesday.

A Ta'ang National Liberation Army information officer, who declined to be named for security reasons, told RFA he did not know the exact situation on the ground.

Fighting across Myanmar since the junta extended the state of emergency on Feb. 1, 2023 has left 383 civilians dead, according to data from the BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor, a group that compiles data on the military conflict.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) announced on July 15 that nearly two million people have fled their homes due to armed fighting and insecurity across the country since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

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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Putin's visit to China during BRI forum in October shows Russia's support to China: experts

Global Times

By Leng Shumei Published: Jul 26, 2023 09:47 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation shows Russia's support to China and the two countries are expected to enhance cooperation during the visit, experts said on Wednesday.

Russian President Putin's visit to China is scheduled for October when China will host the One Belt One Road forum, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said on Tuesday, according to Russia's state news agency TASS.

"We have received an invitation and plan to go to China," Ushakov said.

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier that one of the topics on the visit's agenda would be bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Apart from that, Moscow and Beijing will exchange views on the current international situation, TASS noted.

Since 2000, Putin has visited China 17 times. His latest visit was on February 4, 2022, at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games, according to TASS.

Reports of Putin's visit to China within this year started to circulate since early July. Previously, the Kremlin confirmed the arrangement of the visit but did not announce a finalized date. The Kremlin also noted that now was a good time to maintain high dynamics in the development of relations between Russia and China.

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), so October's forum is of vital significance to China. The confirmation of Putin's attendance to the forum and his visit to China during that period showed Russia's support to China in the construction of the BRI," Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Chinese experts also noted that the visit demonstrates a growing mutual trust between China and Russia despite Western attempts to sow discord between the two sides, and that the trip is expected to yield more results in multilateral and bilateral pragmatic cooperation.

The two presidents will focus on bilateral trade and economic cooperation and on global issues. In addition to reaching new consensus within the framework of the BRI, there may also be new cooperative projects signed, including the development of the Far East as proposed by Russian experts, as well as cooperation in previously challenging areas such as transportation and agriculture in Siberia, which had faced various obstacles in the past but now the obstacles are now largely removed, experts noted.

The two countries would also talk about implementing the contents in the joint announcements they issued in March during President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia, Cui noted.

China and Russia in 2015 signed a joint declaration on cooperation in linking the construction of the BRI and the Eurasian Economic Union, drawing a new blueprint at a strategic level for the development of bilateral relations.

According to Cui, in the past eight years of cooperation under the BRI, the two countries have set good foundations, such as cross-border bridges in the field of infrastructure construction, the completion the China-Europe freight train mechanism and the application of RMB in Russia.

"In the future, the two countries are expected to deepen and enhance their cooperation in the level of industrial chains, such as vehicle and ships manufacturing industries and the chip industry," Cui said.

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Moscow Court Sentences Cybersecurity Company Chief To 14 Years

By RFE/RL July 26, 2023

The Moscow City Court has sentenced Ilya Sachkov, the head of a leading Russian cybersecurity company, to 14 years in prison on a high treason charge.

The court pronounced the verdict and sentence on July 26 without providing details of the case. It is not clear what exactly Sachkov was accused of as the trial was held behind closed doors, because the court said the case materials were classified.

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 18 years in prison for the 37-year-old.

Sachkov is the founder of Group-IB, currently known as F.A.C.T.T., a company known for its work in tracking down hackers and fighting theft and cybercrime.

He is one of a group of prominent people, including scientists and cybersecurity officials, to be arrested in Russia on treason charges in recent years. Moscow has faced numerous allegations of being behind cyberattacks on Western countries -- which it has consistently denied.

Investigators have said Sachkov was suspected of passing classified information to a foreign country. No other details were given by officials.

Sachkov was arrested and charged after police searched his company's offices in Moscow in September 2021. He denies any wrongdoing.

Last month, a senior executive at F.A.C.C.T., Nikita Kislitsin, was arrested in Kazakhstan at the request of the United States, where he is wanted for allegedly buying personal data obtained through the 2012 hack of Formspring, a now-defunct social media site that allowed users to receive answers to questions.

In late June, the Tver district court in Moscow said it issued an arrest warrant for Kislitsin in connection with an investigation into illegally accessing computer data in Russia, adding that a legal request would be sent to Kazakhstan to extradite Kislitsin to Russia.

One of Kislitsin's acquaintances and the mastermind of the hacks of the U.S. companies, Yevgeny Nikulin, was extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic in 2018 and sentenced to more than seven years in prison. He was released earlier this year and deported back to Russia.

Group-IB, founded in 2003, has grown markedly in recent years as cybercrimes increase globally.

In addition to Moscow, the company has offices in Singapore, London, New York, and Dubai.

With reporting by Mediazona and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-cybersecurity- sachkov-sentenced-14-years/32520916.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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Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu holds talks with his North Korean counterpart

26.07.2023

Today, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu held talks with the Minister of Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea General of the Army Kang Sun-nam in Pyongyang.

'I am pleased to meet you. I gratefully accepted your invitation to visit Pyongyang, the capital of a friendly State. I am grateful to my Korean friends for the rich programme during the visit. I felt your care and your attention from the first minutes. It is possible not only to work actively, but also to learn a lot of interesting things about the DPRK, your culture, traditions and sights,' said Sergei Shoigu.

The head of the Russian military department stressed that his visit to the DPRK is taking place during the days of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War. In the bloody battles of 1950-1953, the Korean People's Army under the command of Comrade Kim Il Sung won a historic victory over a strong and cruel enemy.

The Russian Defence Minister noted that cooperation between the two countries has been strengthening in the post-war period. Visits by the warships, official visits by high-ranking representatives of defence departments, exchanges of delegations at the working level, and personnel training have contributed to the preservation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an important partner of Russia, with which we are connected by a common border and a rich history of cooperation,' stressed the head of the Russian military department.

Sergei Shoigu expressed his intention to consistently develop bilateral ties in all areas: 'I am convinced that today's talks will contribute to strengthening of cooperation between our defence departments.'

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Fewer Leaders to Visit Russia-Africa Summit Due to Western Pressure - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20230726

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russia-Africa Summit 2023 will be attended by fewer foreign leaders largely due to their own plans, but there is also pressure of the United States that has played a role in it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

"As regards reduction in number of foreign leaders that have arrived [to attend the summit], it has indeed happened. It is largely due to working plans of leaders, but of course, there is a bit of what we have discussed with you earlier. It is absolutely undisguised, brazen interference of the United States, France and other countries through their diplomatic missions in African states, and they are trying to exert pressure on the leadership of these countries to prevent their active participation in the forum," Peskov told reporters.

The spokesman stated that these actions by the West were outrageous, though it would not create obstacles to the organization of the summit.

July 27-28, the Second Russia-Africa Summit will take place in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. According to the Kremlin, the summit is an advantageous platform to discuss grain exports and Russia's support for Africa. The meeting is expected to provide the participants with opportunities to sign many international and bilateral documents, the spokesman noted earlier.

A Sputnik

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Russia-CAR Defense Industry Cooperation Actively Developing - Ambassador

Sputnik News

20230726

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Defense industry ties between Russia and the Central African Republic (CAR) are thriving, and Moscow has recently delivered an L-39 fighter jet to Bangui, Russian Ambassador to the CAR Alexander Bikantov told Sputnik.

"Cooperation in the field of military and technical cooperation is actively and consistently developing ... Recently, Russia has carried out a large supply of relevant weapons, in particular aircraft," Bikantov said.

In particular, Moscow supplied "the L-39 fighter, which, in fact, marks the creation of a separate branch of army aviation as part of the armed forces of the Central African Republic," the ambassador noted.

Russia is also willing to strengthen defense industry cooperation with Tanzania, Russian Ambassador to Tanzania Andrey Avetisyan told Sputnik.

"Russia is open to strengthening ties with Tanzania in this area [military and technical cooperation]. If Tanzania formulates its needs, of course, we will be ready to respond and consider proposals," Avetisyan said.

He noted that ties between the two countries in military education were developing "very actively," adding that hundreds of Tanzanians are currently studying in Russian military academies and schools.

The Second Russia-Africa Summit will take place in the Russian city of St. Petersburg from July 27-28. Summit participants are expected to sign many international and bilateral documents, the Kremlin said.

A Sputnik

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What Africa and Russia Have to Gain From Summit

By Kate Bartlett July 26, 2023

African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, are heading to St. Petersburg this week for the second Russia-Africa Summit, as an isolated Moscow looks to shore up its influence in a key region.

Analysts told VOA that high on the agenda will be President Vladimir Putin's nixing of an arrangement that allowed Ukrainian grain to reach foreign markets.

Putin will be under pressure to reassure them after he terminated a deal allowing safe passage of Ukrainian grain exports earlier this month a a move criticized by the African Union Commission as something that could negatively affect food security, especially in Africa.

The move has riled African governments, with one senior Kenyan official saying the axing of the agreement is "a stab [in] the back."

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, said the decision not to renew the deal has already caused an increase in global food prices, which could hurt parts of Africa.

"Our very hope is that as the African leaders go to the Russia-Africa Summit, they can actually be able to have a much more sound conversation about the Black Sea grain deal a amongst other things that of course will be negotiated there a so that this can go back on the table and the exports can go," Sihlobo said.

Earlier this week Putin himself sought to reassure African countries, relations with which have become increasingly important given Russia's isolation by the West since its invasion of Ukraine last year. Many African countries have been hesitant to take sides in the conflict.

In a statement, Putin promised that Russia could replace the Ukrainian grain itself "both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis."

Cameron Hudson, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Putin is likely to use the St. Petersburg meeting, which starts Thursday, to appeal to African leaders' direct needs.

"Obviously he's trying to win back some friends from his exit from the grain deal," Hudson said, "and also show that he has the power to kind of cut bilateral deals with African countries that put them frankly more in his need, which is exactly the position that he wants to be in."

Analysts have noted that Russia has an outsized influence in Africa comparative to its trade and investment clout. This is sometimes because of the former Soviet Union's support for the region's 20th century liberation movements, and because of shared anti-Western sentiment.

At the first Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, Putin vowed to double trade with Africa to $40 billion over five years. Instead, it has been sitting at about $18 billion a year, compared with China's record $282 billion worth of trade with Africa.

Despite its relatively minor economic clout, Moscow is keen to use the summit to project political heft, said Denys Reva, a researcher for the Institute of Security Studies in South Africa.

"Despite the fact that the level of investment has been low, the level of trade has been low, Russia has very cleverly learned, or realized, some of the problems that exist between Western states, the European Union and the U.S., and Africa, and has positioned itself, in a way, to separate itself from these traditional partners," Reva said.

While the summit aims to position Russia as a global player, Russian media reported that fewer than half of the African countries attending are sending their heads of state.

Analysts also said the issue of the Wagner Group a the mercenary group that recently attempted a mutiny in Russia and which has operations in several African nations a will likely be raised on the summit's sidelines.

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South Africa Opposition Protests Race Quotas for Management Jobs

By Vicky Stark July 26, 2023

Members of South Africa's main opposition party took to the streets Wednesday in Cape Town to protest a new law that allows racial quotas in the workplace, saying it will discriminate against minority whites, Indians and mixed-race people.

Protester Astrid-Anne Abrahams is part of the mixed-race minority group classified in South Africa as "colored."

"We already have so little jobs. There are a lot of people ... not working, and now they still want to marginalize us a colored and whites and Indians," Abrahams said.

The South African government says the law is necessary because most companies are not following through on pledges to transform their workforce by hiring more qualified Black South Africans.

While Black people make up an estimated four-fifths of the more than 60 million people in South Africa, the latest employment equity report from the government shows they hold only 16.9 percent of management positions.

Protester Topollo Mokhathi, a Democratic Alliance councillor in the city of Cape Town who is classified as Black, says the existing employment equity legislation in place since 1998 obviously hasn't worked for everyone.

"Instead, we have found that there's a certain grouping that benefited. It's a small elite grouping," Mokhathi said.

Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the amendment to the Employment Equity Act of 1998, giving the minister of employment the power to set targets for certain sectors. Companies that employ more than 50 people will be affected.

Such companies must ensure within five years that they meet targets, which are aimed at boosting Black representation in higher-level positions that require specialized skills, professional degrees or management responsibilities.

The details of which targets will be set for which sector and province were open to public comment and are still being finalized.

Labor lawyer Puke Maserumule says it's good to have laws, but government must work to ensure compliance.

"And of course, on the part of employers, the will to implement a perhaps willingly a without legal duress. Because let's be honest, it's in the interest of everybody a Black, white, yellow, green a that we don't have the levels of differentiated incomes that we have, the levels of poverty. It's just a recipe for disaster," Maserumule said.

The opposition Democratic Alliance says the law will inevitably cost some people their jobs based on skin color.

The director of employment equity in the Department of Labor, Ntsoaki Mamashela, says no one will lose their job in order for companies to meet the targets.

But she says companies that do not comply or have a valid reason for not complying will be taken to labor court and could be fined up to 2% of their annual revenue.

Mamashela says a nationwide campaign is underway to explain the amendments to workers and bosses.

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Warplane crashes in SW Saudi Arabia, killing all those on board

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 8:46 PM

A Saudi Arabian warplane has crashed in the kingdom's southwest, killing all those on board.

The incident took place on Wednesday involving an F-15SA aircraft, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing a statement issued by the country's defense ministry.

It took place during a "training mission" in the city of Khamis Mushait, the agency added.

The exact location of the incident was identified as the training area of King Khalid Airbase, some 815 kilometers (506 miles) southwest of the capital Riyadh.

The F-15SA is a two-seat fighter jet, but the kingdom did not immediately identify the number of crewmembers.

Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said an investigative committee had launched a probe to look into the cause and circumstances of the incident.

The kingdom began using the aircraft extensively in 2015 when it launched an invasion against neighboring Yemen.

It was, however, reportedly forced to return many of the warplanes to their hangars after April 2022, when the two sides announced a truce.

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Syria's Assad blames US, allies for fomenting 'global instability' to harm Russia

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 6:14 AM

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has blamed the US for fomenting global crises, saying Washington and its Western allies have generated "a state of global instability" in efforts to weaken rival Russia.

The United States and its Western allies "have fabricated a global political and economic crisis and caused a state of global instability with the aim of undermining Russia's position and its international presence," Assad said during a meeting in Damascus with visiting Russian presidential envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday.

"They used Ukraine as an instrument to push such objectives, but the repercussions of the crisis began unfold in their respective countries in terms of living conditions, as well as social and economic life," President Assad further told Lavrentiev and his accompanying delegation.

He also pointed out that Moscow's firm position toward the West and the United States remains one of the most important factors leading to the emerging establishment of a multi-polar world.

The Syrian president further discussed regional issues with the Russian envoy, including matters such as the return of the Syrian refugees and the need for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria.

Lavrentiev, for his part, conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin's greetings to Assad, stressing Moscow's support for the Damascus government to enhance the security and stability of the Syrian nation.

The senior Russian diplomat also underlined the need for closer cooperation between the two countries to secure a decent return of Syrian refugees to their motherland.

He noted that Russia and Syria are committed to the humanitarian dimension of the Syrian refugee crisis, and categorically reject all attempts to politicize the matter.

The development came a week after a senior Russian diplomat lashed out at the persisting illegal presence of US forces in Syria, demanding immediate end to the American illegitimate military occupation of the Arab nation's energy- and mineral-rich regions.

"Washington uses the pretext of combating terrorism to be present east of the Euphrates in economically important areas, where crude oil and strategic natural reserves are abundant" said Russian president's special representative for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, who also serves Moscow as deputy foreign minister, in an interview published last week by al-Arabiya television news network.

"At the same time," he further pointed out, "its troops are deployed at al-Tanf area in southern Syria," blasting the practice as a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

Bogdanov also censured US support in the terror-ravaged country for the anti-Damascus Kurdish-led militants affiliated with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria.

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Tsai inspects military drill day after testing positive for COVID

ROC Central News Agency

07/26/2023 05:11 PM

Taipei, July 26 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () visited Taoyuan on Wednesday morning to oversee a military exercise at an oil refinery, her first public appearance since testing positive for COVID-19.

The president, wearing a military suit and a face mask, traveled to the Taoyuan Refinery, which is about five kilometers from Taoyuan International Airport, to observe the military conducting an exercise to practice protecting the critical facility operated by the state-owned oil and gas company, CPC Corp.,Taiwan.

Tsai's visit to the refinery was her first public appearance since testing positive for the disease and displaying mild symptoms Tuesday afternoon.

According to Presidential Office spokesperson Lin Yu-chan (), Tsai's symptoms have alleviated and her medical team believe the president is well on her way to a full recovery.

Speaking after the drill, Tsai thanked the armed forces, police officers, fire bureau staffers and all others involved for their participation in responding to the simulated attacks on the refinery.

She also underscored the importance of law enforcement and the armed forces collaborating with the private sector and civil society in order to more effectively protect critical infrastructure from attacks, without elaborating how they should do this.

Tsai also urged the refinery to reinforce its cybersecurity systems and to conduct regular exercises to reduce the risk of cyber attacks.

The drill at the refinery, along with the military's simulation of anti-aircraft landing operations at the airport on Tuesday morning, are part of the ongoing live-fire Han Kuang exercises aimed at testing Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion.

Lin noted that Tsai attaches great importance to the Han Kuang military exercises and the president wished to show her support for all those participating in the drills by inspecting them personally.

Tsai will also meet with a delegation from the European Parliament at the Presidential Office in Taipei on Wednesday afternoon, according to the office.

After testing positive for COVID-19, the president canceled her plans to inspect the Wanan air raid drill and the Min An disaster prevention exercise in Tainan on Tuesday afternoon.

Tsai, 66, has received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Taiwanese company, Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp.

(By Wen Keui-hsiang and Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/kb



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Hostage, bomb threat drill held at Taipei Main Station

ROC Central News Agency

07/26/2023 03:34 PM

Taipei, July 26 (CNA) Taiwan's military and civilian police joined forces early Wednesday for a hostage crisis and bomb threat drill in Taiwan's busiest transportation hub, as part of the ongoing live-fire part of the Han Kuang military exercises.

The drill, held on Wednesday morning around 2 a.m. in one section of Taipei Main Station, involved a mock hostage taking of civilians by hostile forces.

After being informed about the situation by metro police, military police from the nearby 211th battalion under the 202nd Military Police Command, along with officers from the Taipei Police Department, arrived at the scene.

After eliminating the abductors, the police then discovered a mock explosive device and a dispatched a bomb squad to detonate it.

During the drill, which was open to the media, a CNA reporter identified two foreign nationals at the scene, who were engaging in conversations with the police at the conclusion of the exercises.

The Ministry of National Defense did not disclose the identities of the two men, but local media speculated that they could be part of a United States observer delegation that visits Taiwan annually during the drills to share advice on defense issues.

Meanwhile, before the Taipei Main drill, the 202nd Military Police Command held a round of exercises involving the blockading of a bridge around midnight, which simulated the prevention of enemy forces advancing into Taipei City from nearby New Taipei City.

Working together with Taipei Wanhua District police forces and civilian defense units, military police used roadblocks to set up spot-check sites at Wanban Bridge -- that connects New Taipei's Banqiao District with Taipei's Wanhua District -- to stop enemy forces traveling into Wanhua, which is only ten minutes away from the Presidential Office Building and Taipei Main Station, as well as other key political and economic infrastructure.

Taiwan's military police is a separate branch of its armed forces, unlike its counterparts in most other countries.

Aside from serving as a law enforcement agency for the military, Taiwan's military police is also responsible for protecting government leaders from assassination or capture, guarding Taiwan's strategic facilities, and for engaging in counterintelligence against enemy infiltrators, spies, and saboteurs.

The live-fire component of this year's Han Kuang military exercises kicked off early Monday.

The annual drills, which have served as Taiwan's major war games since 1984, consist of live-fire drills and computerized war games and are meant to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion.

This year's tabletop exercises were staged in May.

(By Matt Yu, Wu Sheng-hung and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb





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In a first, Taiwan military conducts drill at major civilian airport

ROC Central News Agency

07/26/2023 01:08 PM

Taoyuan, July 26 (CNA) Taiwan's military on Wednesday conducted its first ever anti-takeover drill at the country's major international gateway to test its ability to fend off a Chinese invasion, as Taiwan's annual live-fire Han Kuang drills continued.

The anti-takeover drill at Taoyuan International Airport saw members of the Aviation and Special Forces Command and Army Airborne Special Forces posing as the "red" invading forces, with "blue" ground troops deployed to repel the takeover, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.

It was designed to test the armed forces' cross-branch coordination and emergency response capabilities during a simulated Chinese invasion, the MND said.

During the 40-minute drill, the red team arrived at the airport on four military Black Hawk UH-60M choppers and engaged in a simulated attack while the blue team, consisting of Army soldiers, aviation police officers and airport firefighters, defended Taoyuan International Airport.

The red team also simulated a bomb attack at the airport, and airport firefighters on the blue team used two Oshkosh Striker 3000 firefighting vehicles to extinguish the explosives, according to the MND.

Similar drills were previously staged at other airports in Taiwan but never at Taiwan's busiest civilian airport in Taoyuan.

When the MND first announced the planned drill earlier this year, Transportation Minister Wang Kwo-tsai () said it would last an hour and potentially affect at least 61 flights and more than 4,000 travelers.

On Wednesday, the drill was cut to 40 minutes, with the MND saying it was done so that no scheduled flight would be delayed or affected by the drill.

According to the Taoyuan International Airport live flight web pages, however, no commercial planes pushed back from a gate between 9:19 and 9:55, and only one landed there between 9:09 a.m. and 10:14 a.m., indicating that the airport was not handling commercial traffic for about 40 minutes.

The military was also scheduled to hold an emergency landing and takeoff drill at a civilian airport in southeastern Taiwan on Tuesday as part of the Han Kuang drills, but it canceled the plan on Monday due to Typhoon Doksuri, which was expected to affect southern Taiwan.

The planned drill at Fengnian Airport, the first of its kind since the airport opened in 1981, would have involved F-16 fighter jets and C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, according to the MND.

The live-fire component of this year's Han Kuang military exercises kicked off early Monday.

The annual Han Kuang exercises, which have served as Taiwan's major war games since 1984, consist of live-fire drills and computerized war games and are meant to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion.

This year's tabletop exercises were staged in May.

(By Wu Sheng-hung and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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Air raid drill slated for Thursday in central Taiwan canceled: MND

ROC Central News Agency

07/26/2023 09:18 PM

Taipei, July 26 (CNA) The annual Wanan air raid drill scheduled for Thursday in central Taiwan has been canceled as the country braces for the impact of Typhoon Doksuri, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday.

The cancellation was made after the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) expanded a land warning for the typhoon at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday to include parts of central and southern Taiwan, including Miaoli County, Taichung, Nantou County, Changhua County, Yunlin County as well as Chiayi County and City, the ministry said in a press release.

The 30-minute drill, originally scheduled from 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, was set to involve the sounding of air raid sirens across parts of central Taiwan, in order to test shelter operations and with the aim of raising public awareness of emergency warnings in order to reduce the possibility of casualties and damage if an attack occurs, the ministry said.

Furthermore, the Navy Command Headquarters also released a statement Wednesday saying that it had made a range of preparations, including the deployment of AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles to Tainan's Guantian and Pingtung's Jialutang and Renshou military bases in southern Taiwan for disaster prevention and relief missions.

The underwater operation unit had also prepared rubber boats and pumping equipment, and will fully cooperate with local governments when needed, the statement said.

The Military News Agency also reported that soldiers from the Army's 333rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade had been deployed to Linbian Township in Pingtung Wednesday morning to assist the local disaster prevention effort and to help with typhoon-related preparations.

The 4th Theater of Operations in southern Taiwan had also headed to Liugui, Shanlin and Maolin in Kaohsiung Wednesday morning to assist the local government with preventive evacuation of local residents, according to the report.

(By Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/kb

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U.S. House passes bill to safeguard Taiwan's international participation

ROC Central News Agency

07/26/2023 02:07 PM

Washington, July 25 (CNA) The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation aimed at countering efforts by China to exclude Taiwan from participating in international organizations.

The bill, titled the Taiwan International Solidarity Act, was passed via voice vote and would amend language in the TAIPEI Act of 2019.

While the TAIPEI Act originally focused on how the U.S. should support Taiwan's participation in international organizations, the new bill would also require it to oppose attempts by Beijing to "resolve Taiwan's status by distorting [such organizations'] decisions, language, policies or procedures."

Specifically, the bill makes the argument that United Nations Resolution 2758, which recognized the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate government of China in 1971, does not apply to Taiwan.

"The resolution did not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related organizations, nor did the resolution take a position on the relationship between the [PRC] and Taiwan or include any statement pertaining to Taiwan's sovereignty," the bill states.

"The United States opposes any initiative that seeks to change Taiwan's status without the consent of the [Taiwanese] people," it adds.

The draft bill was first introduced in February by representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Ami Bera (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), John Curtis (R-UT), Andy Barr (R-KY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Lisa McClain (R-MI).

The bill will now proceed to the Senate, and if passed there, would be sent to the president to be signed into law.

(By Stacy Hsu and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/kb

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Turkiye's First Main Battle Tank to Be Put Into Serial Production in 2025

Sputnik News

20230726

ISTANBUL (Sputnik) - The serial production of Turkiye's first main battle tank Altay will start in 2025, once the first batch of the 250 combat vehicles is delivered to the Turkish military, Mehmet Karaaslan, the general manager of the BMC Defense manufacturing company, told Sputnik.

"According to our estimates, all tests will be completed in 2024. We plan to transfer the first batch of tanks, that is 250 units, in 2025," Karaaslan said on the sidelines of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul on Tuesday, adding that the construction of a tank factory in Ankara would be finished by the end of 2024.

Due to a number of export restrictions and sanctions, some of the tanks' parts have been replaced with locally produced items or those not subject to limits, which has required repeated tests, Karaaslan said.

The Altay project is being implemented under an agreement signed by the Turkish Defense Ministry and Turkish company Otokar in March 2007. Since Turkiye had no experience in building its own tanks, Otokar signed a contract with South Korean company Hyundai Rotem for the joint development of a prototype of the new tank. Under the contract, Hyundai Rotem transferred to Turkiye all the technologies used in South Korea's K2 Black Panther tank. Over time, BMC replaced Otokar as the main contractor for mass production of the tanks.

The first prototype of the Altay tank was presented at the IDEF in Istanbul in May 2011. The first two Altay tanks were delivered to the Turkish armed forces in April 2023. The volume of investments in the production of the tanks is over $40 billion.

A Sputnik

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UK and Turkey continue to strengthen ties at Defence industry fair

The UK and Turkey's defence relationship will continue to strengthen, following Ministerial meetings at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul.

26 July 2023

Export opportunities discussed between Defence counterparts.

UK and Turkish Minsters discussed greater military and industry cooperation.

Meeting held at International Defence Industry Fair in Turkey.

The UK and Turkey's defence relationship will continue to strengthen, following Ministerial meetings at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) hosted in Istanbul.

At IDEF, the Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge met with the Turkish Deputy Defence Minister, Celal Sami TAfekci and the president of the Turkish Defence Industry Agency, Professor Doctor Haluk GArgAn.

The meetings covered a range of topics, including equipment, exports and further opportunities for cooperation across the shared domains.

Also at IDEF, the Minister celebrated the joint venture and signing of an MOU with Nurol Mankina and NP Aerospace which declares their intent to invest in the UK Defence industry.

In recent years, the relationship between the two nations has gone from strength-to-strength, with a strong and growing defence industrial relationship with Turkey that covers air, land and sea domains, and in particular the UK industry continues to work with Turkish counterparts to develop their TF-X Combat aircraft.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

The UK-Turkey relationship is stronger than ever. We share an enduring defence partnership with our respective industries, and we are committed to addressing our shared security challenges. It was a pleasure to meet the Turkish Deputy Defence Minister and President of the Turkish Defence Industry Agency, and I look forward to continuing to deepening those ties.

British industry was on display during the event which was attended by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Rolls-Royce.

During the visit, the UK and Turkey reaffirmed its commitment to the UK Defence Industry and agreed to continue collaborating with international partners and industry.

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NATO-Ukraine Council addresses serious security situation in the Black Sea

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

26 Jul. 2023

The NATO-Ukraine Council met on Wednesday (26 July 2023) to address the serious security situation in the Black Sea region following Russia's unilateral termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and TArkiye. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convened the meeting following a request for crisis consultation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Deputy Secretary General Mircea GeoanA chaired the Council.

Allies and Ukraine strongly condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal and its deliberate attempts to stop Ukraine's agricultural exports on which hundreds of millions of people worldwide depend. They also condemned Russia's recent missile attacks on Odesa, Mykolaiv, and other port cities, including Moscow's cynical drone attack on the Ukrainian grain storage facility in the Danube port city of Reni, very close to the Romanian border. Allies noted that Russia's new warning area in the Black Sea, within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, has created new risks for miscalculation and escalation, as well as serious impediments to freedom of navigation.

Deputy Secretary General Mircea GeoanA said: "Russia continues to show utter disrespect for international law and for the people worldwide who depend on Ukrainian grain. Russia is threatening civilian ships, terrorising peaceful cities, and destroying parts of the world's cultural heritage with its brutal strikes. NATO is united. We stand in solidarity with our Black Sea Allies, we will continue to protect one another, and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes."

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "Russia bears full responsibility for its dangerous and escalatory actions in the Black Sea region. Russia must stop weaponising hunger, and threatening the world's most vulnerable people with food instability. Russia's actions also pose substantial risks to the stability of the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance to NATO. Allies are stepping up support to Ukraine and increasing our vigilance. We remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory from any aggression."

Allies welcomed the continued efforts of TArkiye to revitalise the grain deal, and the efforts of other Allies - including Bulgaria and Romania - as well as the European Union and the United Nations to enable the continued export of Ukrainian grain by land and sea. Allies also made clear that they would continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.

NATO and Allies are stepping up surveillance and reconnaissance in the Black Sea region, including with maritime patrol aircraft and drones. Since last year, in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, NATO has significantly increased its presence in the region, including with two new multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria and Romania.

Today marked the second meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, following its inaugural meeting at the Vilnius Summit earlier in July. NATO ambassadors and invitee Sweden were joined by videoconference by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure; and Brigadier General Oleksii Hromov, Deputy Chief of Main Operational Directorate (J3) of General Staff of the Armed Forces.

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Ukraine wasting Western military training: German intelligence report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 5:42 PM

Ukraine's counteroffensive is failing to make progress because its army is not fully implementing the training it has received from the West, a leaked German intelligence document has revealed, blaming Ukraine's lack of success on the tactics of its commanders.

According to an assessment paper by Bundeswehr, Ukraine is spreading its troops out too thinly on the front line and attacking with units composed of a few soldiers.

The confidential document that has been obtained by Germany's Bild newspaper says that the Ukrainian soldiers trained by Western forces are showing "great learning success" but are let down by their commanders.

It further adds that the Ukrainian military favors promoting soldiers with combat experience over those who have received NATO training.

The document claimed that commanders can therefore show "considerable deficiencies in leadership" which lead to "wrong and dangerous decisions."

According to the German army's assessment, Ukraine is sacrificing its advantage in manpower by splitting its Western-trained brigades into small units of just 10 to 30 men, insufficient to break through Russian lines.

"Some of the troop units are divided up in so many small sections that each troop unit does something, but a joint combat leadership is not recognizable," the paper said.

It adds that the small unit sizes increase the risk of friendly fire and fail to group together enough Western-trained soldiers to be operationally effective.

Sergei Sumlenny, founder of the Berlin-based European Resilience Initiative Center think tank, dismissed the report as "typical German arrogance."

"The belief of the Bundeswehr is that the German-trained soldiers are so much better than everyone that they can be better officers than experienced Ukrainian soldiers. A German certificate doesn't make you a better soldier," Sumlenny said, as cited by The Telegraph.

Many in the Ukrainian army believe that they are being pressured by the West to sacrifice large numbers of their men without sufficient weaponry to protect them.

Despite the fact that Berlin has been one of Kiev's largest arms supporters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has regularly clashed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz over several issues.

The West has trained more than 50000 Ukrainian troops and has supplied Kiev with a raft of military aid packages since the Ukrainian war started last year.

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There will be no Ukraine if it joins NATO: Duma deputy speaker

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 10:54 AM

A top Russian lawmaker insists that there will be no Ukraine if the East European country joins the US-led NATO military alliance.

Pyotr Tolstoy, the deputy speaker of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, made the remarks in an interview with Iran's Tasnim news agency published Tuesday.

Asked about Turkey's expression of support for Ukraine's NATO membership, Tolstoy said Russia could not have a positive opinion on the move.

"Regarding the rhetoric about Ukraine joining NATO, I should say the issue is that Turkey, as a member of the 31-member bloc, wants Ukraine to join the alliance. However, I believe that there will be no Ukraine as a result," he said.

"Zelensky can join NATO himself but without Ukraine," he added.

The Russian diplomat also argued that Turkey always thinks about its own interests and acts accordingly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially applied for NATO membership in September 2022, seven months after Russia launched what it called a special military operation in Ukraine partly to prevent NATO's eastward expansion after warning that the military alliance was following an "aggressive line" against Moscow.

Earlier this month, Zelensky met with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul, where the latter said Ukraine "deserves" accession into NATO.

After his Istanbul visit, Zelensky brought home five commanders from Ukraine's ultranationalist Azov Battalion, who were supposed to remain in Turkey until the end of the war under an agreement between Moscow and Kiev.

Europe acts upon US, UK 'dictates'

Tolstoy also lashed out at the European countries that are supplying weapons to Ukraine, saying they are acting upon the "dictates" of the United States and Britain.

"We told our partners in Europe a lot about our concerns on (arming) Ukraine but they refused to listen to us and stirred up anti-Russian sentiment in the minds of Ukrainians," he said.

"In the course of 8 years, they exported weapons to Ukraine. Actually, Ukraine is fighting with NATO weapons and NATO is saying very explicitly that it would continue to arm Ukraine."

Tolstoy added that Russia will, in response, continue to destroy those weapons, and consequently, Ukraine will be demolished.

"The detriments of war will be known after the (end of the) war. The war will ultimately end but after that, the losses incurred by the Anglo-Saxons, the Europeans, the Americans and the British will start."

"Following the war, Europe will definitely lose its hegemony because of Ukraine's situation. They (the Europeans) do not make decisions on their own, but rather upon dictates and orders by the US and the UK."

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US keeps backing Kiev's 'terrorist plans' by its military aid: Russia

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 10:50 AM

The US government keeps sponsoring the "terrorist plans" of Kiev by sending military aid to the ex-soviet country, causing more death and suffering, Russia's ambassador to Washington has reiterated.

"The actions by Washington, which continues to pump its Ukrainian puppets with weapons, are beyond morality and common sense," Anatoly Antonov insisted in a post on the Russian embassy's official Telegram channel as quoted in a TASS report on Wednesday.

"The United States seeks to present itself as a selfless benefactor of Ukraine. It hypocritically talks about 'helping' the republic. It manipulates public opinion, hiding the true goals of its policy," the Russian diplomat further emphasized.

Referring to US plans to send another $400 million package of military aid to Kiev, Antonov added: "The only thing the United States strives for is more human suffering and deaths. One can be sure that missiles and munitions, paid for with billions of dollars from the pockets of American taxpayers, will ruin cities, litter fields with unexploded ammunition, maim and mutilate."

He also emphasized that the United States is trying more for human casualties and the country is destroying and killing with the billions of dollars it receives from its taxpayers.

The statement came as the US government announced on Tuesday that it will send another package of military aid worth 400 million dollars to Ukraine.

The package will include additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as 32 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin and other anti-armor systems and rockets, Hydra-70 aircraft rockets, Hornet Unmanned Aerial Systems and over 28 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades.

Ukraine's Western-backed president 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 and prolong the war.

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US military shipment to Ukraine for first time includes spy drones

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 26 July 2023 10:42 AM

The United States has announced a fresh package of military assistance to Ukraine, including nano spy drones for the first time in military supplies.

According to a statement released by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on Tuesday, the new $400 million military package includes additional munitions for Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), Stinger anti-aircraft and Javelin anti-tank systems, HIMARS missiles, as well as artillery and mortar rounds.

It also contains 32 Stryker armored personnel carriers in addition to Black Hornet drones and other military equipment.

According to media reports, the latest US military shipment for Ukraine is funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, which authorizes the president to quickly transfer articles and services from US military stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The material will come from US excess inventory.

The military consignment will be the 43rd huge shipment of weapons, munitions, and equipment approved by the US government for Kiev.

Since Russia launched its campaign in Donbas in 2022, the US provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars of weapons.

However, this is the first shipment, in which the United States is including six-inch-long Black Hornet spy drones.

Till now, the US government had refused to send the micro-drones despite Ukrainian authorities' months-long begging for this type of vehicle from their Western backers.

The Black Hornet nano spy drones, each costing several million dollars, would give Ukraine the ability to not only spy on Russian positions but conduct more accurate weapons damage assessments.

One researcher at the German Aerospace Center described the Norwegian-developed drones as "the very best on the market", claiming their deployment to Ukraine was "game-changing".

"The drone is used for reconnaissance and target identification. It is easy to operate, robust, difficult to detect, and particularly well suited for combat in urban areas," said Bjorn Arild Gram, Norway's defense minister. The Norwegian drones are built by Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies.

The Black Hornet is being provided to Ukraine via donations by the British and Norwegian governments, the company said. FLIR Unmanned Aerial Systems was awarded a $93 million contract in April to provide the small spy drones to the US Army.

Norway's Prox Dynamics AS, the developer of the military nano UAV, said the drones have been in use by the armed forces of Norway, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Algeria, Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands, Poland, New Zealand, India, Turkey, South Africa, Ukraine, and Morocco, Telegraph reported.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed Russia could end the war at any moment it wanted by simply evacuating Donbas.

"Russia could end this war at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks against Ukraine's cities and people. Until it does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes," Blinken said in a statement.

In response, Russia has repeatedly pointed out that Moscow launched its special military operations to stop the US-led West's eastward expansion and to defend the pro-Moscow population in Donbas, while stating that pouring more weapons into Ukraine will only add to the death and destruction.

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Ukraine Lost Up to 210 Soldiers in Donetsk Direction in Past Day - Russian Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20230726

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces lost around 210 troops in the Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, the Ukrainian military continued to make attempts to attack in Donetsk, South Donetsk and Krasny Liman directions. The ministry also mentioned that four Ukrainian attacks have been repelled in the Donetsk direction.

"Enemy losses per day amounted to 210 Ukrainian servicemen, seven armored combat vehicles, three vehicles, two US-made M777 artillery systems, three Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery mounts, D-20 and D-30 guns, as well as a US-made howitzer M119," the ministry stated.

Moreover, the Russian army has advanced in the Sergeevka area of the Krasny Liman direction, repulsingfour attacks in this direction, while Ukrainian troops lost over 190 soldiers in the past 24 hours, according to the report.

"In the Krasny Liman direction, units ... continued offensive operations in the area of aathe settlement of Sergeevka of the Lugansk People's Republic. The advance was up to three kilometers [1.8 miles] along the front and 2700 meters in the depth of the enemy's defense," the ministry noted.

The ministry added that Russian troops are conducting successful offensive in the Kupyansk direction as well, where units are now holding better positions, while Ukraine's military casualties amounted to 135 soldiers in the past day.

In June, Ukraine attempted to launch the so-called counteroffensive that it had been announcing for months. Regardless of the significant losses, the Ukrainian forces failed to advance into Russia's territory.

A Sputnik

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Ukrainian Forces Attempt to Break Defense Lines in Zaporozhye Region

Sputnik News

20230726

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian military is trying to breach Russian defense lines in several areas of the Zaporozhye region on Wednesday but suffering huge casualties, Yevgeny Balitsky, the acting governor of the region, said.

"The situation in the area of Rabotino, Novodanilovka and Novopokrovka escalated, the enemy tried to break through the defense from four in the morning, but faced fierce resistance from our units and suffered significant losses," Balitsky wrote on his Telegram channel.

The official added that Ukrainian forces made attempts to shell settlements in the region 36 times over the past 24 hours.

The attempts of the Ukrainian regime to breach Russian defenses have been futile, regardless of them being called a counteroffensive. Kiev has been demonstrating little compassion towards Ukrainian soldiers and NATO-supplied weapons.

A Sputnik

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Zelensky Regime Fomenting Hatred Against Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Russia

Sputnik News

20230726

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - Ukrainian lawmakers and officials are whipping up hate rhetoric against the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has led to violence against its clergy, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The rhetoric of hatred against the UOC is being stoked by prominent politicians, state leadership and regional officials, and a massive information campaign against it is being conducted in state and privately-owned media," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a report on Kiev's persecution of the UOC out on Tuesday.

The ministry noted that such rhetoric had resulted in acts of aggression and unmotivated violence against clergy and arson attacks on churches and shrines of the canonical Church.

In addition, the report noted that the United States was making it clear that it approved of Kiev's actions to persecute the UOC by failing to condemn them.

"During the persecution of Orthodox believers in Ukraine, they [the US] have not criticized the destructive church policy of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky, thus apparently making it clear that they approve of the illegal actions of their subordinates," the foreign ministry said.

The problem of the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine is "still not among the priorities of the United Nations and other specialized organizations," and in response to the foreign ministry's appeals, international organizations "limit themselves to reprimands," the report read.

"There is no adequate response to the anti-Orthodox policy of the ruling regime in Kiev, to the numerous cases of confiscation of real estate and property of the UOC, to the facts of arbitrariness and violence against clergy and believers," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated that Ukraine is holding sham referendums to hand over the property of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

"Re-registration is carried out on the basis of fictitious referendums held among members of territorial, rather than religious, communities and sometimes outsiders," the ministry said in a report.

The ministry accused the Ukrainian government of forging documents to legitimize land grabs. It argued that mass transfers of property rights were not what people voted for but were pushed on communities by local officials with military backing.

"In addition to the paramilitary 'territorial defense' force, these seizures are often supported by local authorities and law enforcement agencies, and members of other religious organizations have been taking an active part in them," the report read.

Over the past year, the Ukrainian authorities have organized the largest wave of persecution against the UOC in the country's history. Citing its ties to Russia, local authorities in various regions of Ukraine have passed resolutions banning the activities of the Church, and a bill has been submitted to the country's parliament to effectively outlaw it throughout Ukraine.

Besides, the authorities have imposed sanctions on some members of the UOC clergy. The Security Service of Ukraine began to initiate criminal cases against the clergy of the UOC and to conduct "counter-intelligence activities," including searches of bishops and priests, churches and monasteries in an effort to find evidence of "anti-Ukrainian activities."

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Hungarian Parliament Would Veto Ukraine's Accession to NATO - Party Head

Sputnik News

20230726

BUDAPEST (Sputnik) - Hungary's parliament would veto Ukraine's accession to NATO because the move could lead to another world war, the leader of Hungary's national conservative political party Our Homeland Movement party, Laszlo Toroczkai, told Sputnik on Wednesday.

He said the "military psychosis and anti-Russian sentiment" evident at the recent NATO summit in Vilnius were "both astonishing and frightening."

"Unfortunately, there is such an atmosphere in all European institutions, not only in the European Union, but even in the Council of Europe, of which I am a member. I felt that these crazy politicians could even push the world into a third world war, while they are already destroying the European economy with their sanctions policy. Some of them would immediately admit Ukraine into NATO, but that would be crazy, it would lead to a world war that would destroy the whole world. This should be prevented, but I am sure that Ukraine's entry into NATO would be vetoed by the Hungarian parliament," Toroczkai said.

On July 11, the first day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, alliance leaders approved a three-year assistance package for Ukraine. It includes a multi-year assistance plan to achieve compatibility with the alliance, the creation of the NATO-Ukraine Council and the elimination of the Membership Action Plan condition, a move that reduces the accession process from two stages to one. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine would become a NATO member when the allies decide the conditions have been met.

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada amended two laws in December 2014, abandoning the country's non-aligned status. In February 2019, Ukraine's parliament passed constitutional amendments that solidified the country's course toward the EU and NATO. Ukraine became the sixth country to receive NATO's extended partner status. In late September 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would apply for NATO membership under an accelerated procedure.

In the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April 2022, the Our Homeland Movement won six seats in the National Assembly out of 199.

A Sputnik

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If Russia is serious about ensuring freedom of religion or belief in Ukraine, it should end its senseless war: UK statement at the Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.

26 July 2023

The United Kingdom is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere can enjoy their human right to freedom of religion or belief - a commitment we share with Ukraine, which has been fighting to protect democracy, plurality and human rights in Ukraine from Russian assault for decades.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has expressed open support for Putin's illegal invasion, which has brought so much suffering upon Ukraine. This suffering includes, as Director Saad said, the recent destruction of the cathedral in Odesa.

And to think Russia has the audacity to lecture us on religious freedom.

It is entirely understandable that Ukraine wants to protect its national security in the face of these attacks, and it has every right to do so.

If Russia is serious about ensuring freedom of religion or belief in Ukraine, instead of using spurious Security Council meetings to advance the kind of disinformation we've heard today, and which I fear is not finished, it should end this senseless war and withdraw its forces.

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Russia continues to challenge the foundations of European security: UK Statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Neil Holland thanks Bulgaria for chairing the Forum for Security Cooperation professionally, despite Russia's destructive behaviour.

26 July 2023

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to start by thanking you for your professional stewardship of this Forum over the past trimester. You and your team have ensured that this Forum has remained relevant and able to fulfil its mandate during challenging times.

This Forum has rightly remained focused on Russia's unprovoked, full-scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine. Russia continues to challenge the foundations of European security. To violate the UN Charter. And to flagrantly disregard the Helsinki Final Act's core principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force. Under your leadership, we have shown that these principles and this Forum continue to matter. And that we will keep on defending both.

Madam Chair, the Security Dialogues this trimester focused different thematic lenses on Ukraine. The Forum discussed the Black Sea, weeks before Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and reprehensible attacks on civilian infrastructure in Odesa. It highlighted the environment-security nexus, in the aftermath of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam - the impacts of which could last for decades. And to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, this Forum paid tribute to the women of Ukraine, and to our diplomatic colleagues. It is essential that we continue to champion women's full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in political and peace processes.

Madam Chair, it is over 500 days since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Since 24 February last year, we have seen the extraordinary determination of the Ukrainian people as they have defended their homeland. And we have seen a frustrated Russian military unleash horrendous amounts of violence on civilians and critical national infrastructure. Despite the disinformation perpetrated by our Russian colleagues, it is clear to all that Putin made a grave miscalculation when he chose to invade a sovereign neighbour. And it is clear that millions of young Russians will bear the cost for years to come for an invasion they did not choose. Indeed, far too many will have paid the ultimate price.

No one can deny the Belarusian regime is an active supporter of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. We call upon the Belarusian regime to desist from supporting Russia's attempts to stoke further regional instability. Any complicity in the invasion itself constitutes a breach of international law.

Russia's destructive behaviour in Ukraine has been mirrored in the OSCE. It compounded years of non-compliance by triggering the process to permanently leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. This showed Russia's ongoing disregard for the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and the principles of arms control. The Russian delegation blocked consensus on holding the Annual Security Review Conference - another unwelcome first for the OSCE. And the behaviour of the Russian delegation in this Forum has breached and at times gone way beyond diplomatic norms. So I would like, in that light, to pay particular tribute to you, Madam Chair, for standing up to that behaviour.

I would like to conclude by thanking Bosnia-Herzegovina as it leaves the FSC Troika, and to welcome Cyprus. As the incoming Chair, Canada can count on the UK's full, continued support next trimester. As can Ukraine - as it fights a war it did not choose and against an enemy who has demonstrated a disregard for international law, sovereignty, and human rights. Ukraine must remain at the forefront of our minds over the summer and into next trimester. The UK and the international community will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Thank you.

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Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine had a phone call with the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States

President of Ukraine

26 July 2023 - 23:24

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan.

As part of the ongoing dialogue with allies, Andriy Yermak informed the American side about the situation at the front and the measures taken by the defense forces to liberate Ukrainian lands from the Russian invaders.

Andriy Yermak also spoke about the recent shelling by the terrorist state of the historic center of Odesa and the port infrastructure of Ukraine. He emphasized the need to continue to bolster the air defense system in order to protect people's lives and prevent the destruction of the export potential of our country, on which food security in the world depends.

The parties emphasized the importance of continuing to find ways to help Ukraine export grain to the world market, particularly the Global South.

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States also continued consultations on long-term security commitments for Ukraine and discussed a process in which bilateral agreements with partner nations can be concluded in keeping with the framework of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine adopted following the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

The interlocutors also discussed the implementation of the Peace Formula of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the possibilities for a future Global Peace Summit.

The Head of the Office of the President also thanked the US for the package of defense assistance announced yesterday, which includes artillery, missiles and ammunition, drones, and other significant capabilities critical to assisting Ukraine in its counteroffensive.

Andriy Yermak and Jake Sullivan also briefly discussed the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft, which is expected to begin in the near future, and the implementation of reforms in the anti-corruption, and rule of law sectors.

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine thanked US President Joseph Biden, his entire team, both houses of Congress and the entire American people for the help and support for our state in the struggle for freedom, independence and common democratic values.



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It is very important that the audacity of this attack by Russian terrorists was destroyed - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

26 July 2023 - 22:09

Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

Today is a day that should end with a special gratitude to all our air defense warriors for every Russian missile shot down.

The data is still being clarified, but according to preliminary reports, more than 30 missiles were shot down during today's missile attack alone - the vast majority of those used against us.

There were a few hits, and some missile fragments fell. But it is very important that the audacity of this attack was destroyed. The air defense units did a great job!

I am grateful to everyone who protects the Ukrainian sky. And we work every day to ensure that our warriors have more and more opportunities to defend Ukraine, our cities and people. Today is no exception.

Today, the first emergency meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council took place. We agreed on this meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and we convened the Council in just a few days. Both Jens and all Allies responded promptly and in solidarity.

At the level of the Alliance, the Russian attacks against our country and our ports have been clearly condemned. We discussed what specific actions can bring calm and predictability to the Black Sea region. Thank you all for the substantive work of today's NATO-Ukraine Council!

Today, the Italian Senate adopted a decision to recognize the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian people. And this is very important. It is important that the world's recognition of the historical truth about the Holodomor is becoming more and more confident - step by step, we will ensure full recognition of this truth.

I held several important meetings on preparing international events in August, including the Crimea Platform.

We are also preparing a list of de-occupation steps for Crimea. Comprehensive steps: security, economic, and social. We can quickly reintegrate Crimea into the state fabric of Ukraine. In fact, the occupiers should already consider that while the Crimean bridge is still somewhat operational, they should return home to Russia.

Crimea, like the rest of Ukraine, will be free - free from all Russian evil, starting with Russian missiles and ending with every Russian occupier. Russia will lose this war, and no missile will save it.

Glory to all those who defend Ukraine! By the way, today our guys at the front had very good results. Well done. More details later.

Glory to Ukraine!





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Ihor Zhovkva met with the Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine

President of Ukraine

26 July 2023 - 20:58

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked Japan for supporting our country in the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, in particular in the context of Japan's Presidency of the G7.

"Japan's leadership in supporting Ukraine is an example for many of our partners, including those from the Global South," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office noted.

The interlocutors discussed preparations for the next meeting at the level of national security advisors on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, as well as the organization of the Global Peace Summit.

The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office also thanked Japan for its important role in the adoption of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine by the G7 countries on July 12, which became the basis for the creation of a system of effective security guarantees for our country on the path to NATO membership.

"Only two weeks after the adoption of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, 12 new countries have officially joined it, and their number will continue to grow," emphasized Ihor Zhovkva.

The interlocutors noted the constructive dialogue between the two countries and agreed to continue to coordinate joint actions.



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Andriy Yermak had a conversation with the Director of the National Security Office under the President of Korea

President of Ukraine

26 July 2023 - 19:56

In order to coordinate the implementation of the agreements reached following the recent meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol in Kyiv, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak had a conversation with Director of the National Security Office under the President of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yong.

Andriy Yermak noted that the recent visit of the leader of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine was successful and extremely important for the development of relations between the two countries, which are reaching an unprecedentedly high level.

"It is important that during his visit, the President of the Republic of Korea took the time to visit places near Kyiv, where he was able to see with his own eyes the consequences of the crimes committed by the Russian aggressor on the territory of Ukraine," emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the President's Office told the interlocutor about the preparation of the next meeting of national security advisors to the heads of state on the implementation of Ukraine's initiatives to restore sustainable and just peace based on respect for the UN Charter and international law.

Andriy Yermak noted that Ukraine continues to actively work on the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula and the preparation of the Global Peace Summit.

The parties also coordinated cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea in the humanitarian and economic spheres.





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Ukraine: 'Latest attacks signal a calamitous turn', Security Council hears

26 July 2023 - The recent wave of devastating Russian attacks targeting Odesa and other key Ukrainian port cities marks a "calamitous turn" in the 15-month war, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday.

The Council meeting was convened following the missile strikes on Sunday which damaged the centuries-old Transfiguration Cathedral, the first and foremost Orthodox church in the historic city.

Other landmarks in the city centre, a protected World Heritage Site, were also damaged in the attack, which killed one person and injured several others.

Culture under fire

Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for political and peacebuilding affairs, noted that this was far from the first attack against Ukrainian culture and heritage. Since the start of the war, UN cultural agency UNESCO has verified damage to 274 cultural sites in Ukraine, including 117 religious sites.

"As the Secretary-General stated this weekend, we are concerned about the threat that this war increasingly poses to Ukrainian culture and heritage, and we urge the Russian Federation to immediately cease attacks against cultural property protected by widely ratified international normative instruments," he said.

Port facilities hit

The attack was preceded by several successive nights of missile and drone strikes against Odesa and other cities in southern Ukraine, including Mykolaiv and Chornomorsk, following the collapse of the UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative on grain exports. Three people were killed and dozens more were injured.

Mr. Khiari recalled that both the UN political affairs chief and Humanitarian Coordinator warned the Council last week that attacks against Ukrainian Black Sea port facilities could have far-reaching impacts on global food security.

"We have now seen disturbing reports of further Russian strikes against port infrastructure, including grain storage facilities, in Reni and Izmail ports on the Danube River - a key route for shipment of Ukrainian grain, not far from Ukraine's borders with Moldova and Romania," he said.

Deliberately targeting infrastructure that facilitates the export of food to the rest of the world could be life-threatening to millions, he added, appealing for an immediate end to the attacks.

Latest war 'casualties'

"In the wake of Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Initiative, these latest attacks signal a calamitous turn for Ukrainians and the world," he said.

"Port cities that allow for the export of grain such as Odesa, Reni and Izmail, are a lifeline for many. Now they are the latest casualties in this senseless, brutal war."

Mr. Khiari also highlighted the desperate need for funding to support humanitarian operations in Ukraine. While the UN and partners reached some 7.3 million people during the first half the year, a $3.9 billion response plan is less than 30 per cent funded.

Meeting on religion

The Security Council held another meeting earlier on Wednesday focused on alleged persecution involving the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Russia had requested the meeting, having first raised the issue in January when it alleged that Ukraine was attempting to "destroy" the Church, which is affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Nihal Saad, Director of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), which promotes intercultural dialogue, said politicization of religion in the context of the war in Ukraine fuels intercommunal tensions, stokes fear and triggers violence.

Concern over restrictions

She said restrictions to freedom of religion and the safety of religious communities, both in territory controlled by the Ukrainian Government and in Russian-occupied areas, is a matter of grave concern.

Citing UN human rights reports, she noted that incidents of violence against members and supporters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church increased between February and April of this year.

April also saw several city and regional councils banning Ukrainian Orthodox activities, as well as a surge in hate speech and several incidents of violence.

Meanwhile, in areas under Russian control, troops perpetrated actions against clergy and members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic and Christian Evangelical communities, including forced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture and unlawful deportations during the period from 1 August 2022 to 1 January 2023.

Russian authorities also raided, ransacked and closed three places of worship belonging to the Baptist community in the city of Melitopol, allegedly for the community's purported links with foreign intelligence services.

Role of religious leaders

Ms. Saad said urged both sides to respect and uphold freedom of religion or belief.

"Targeting religious actors and faith communities across Ukraine is short-sighted, miscalculated and counter-productive," she said.

"The role of religious leaders in maintaining solidarity across ecumenical lines is crucial to preserving the social fabric of a unified Ukraine and will be a key factor in peacebuilding if and when the war comes to an end," she added.

Prior to the start of the meeting, Russia expressed disagreement because one of the two non-UN briefers it had proposed, an Orthodox priest, was not invited to participate.

The United Kingdom, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, said Russia had been asked to limit participation to one briefer.

Russia called for a procedural vote to extend an invitation to the speaker, which failed to pass. The country said it would not speak in the subsequent meeting as a sign of protest.

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Latest in Ukraine: Russian Attacks Damaging Cultural Sites, Grain Depots

By VOA News July 26, 2023

A former U.S. Marine who was freed by Russia last year in a prisoner swap has been injured while fighting for Ukraine against Moscow's forces, the U.S. State Department said.

The European Union is considering helping fund the costly transportation of grain out of Ukraine after Russia halted a deal that allowed Black Sea exports of Ukrainian grain vital to global food security.

Russian bombardments are taking a heavy toll on Ukrainian cultural sites as well as grain supplies that Kyiv had been shipping to impoverished countries.

The mounting damage was spelled out Wednesday at unusual back-to-back U.N. Security Council meetings on Ukraine.

According to the U.N. cultural organization UNESCO, since the war began in February 2022, at least 274 Ukrainian cultural sites have been damaged, including 117 religious sites.

"Religious sites should be places of worship, not places of war," Nihal Saad, director of the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations, told the council in her briefing.

But Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's deputy permanent U.N. ambassador, said the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was conducting a "campaign" to destroy Orthodoxy in Ukraine.

He dismissed condemnations of Russia's missile strike Sunday on the Transfiguration Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the southern city of Odesa, and suggested it was Ukraine's fault.

"If the Russian missile truly struck the cathedral, as the Zelenskyy regime claims, then there would be nothing left of the cathedral at all," Polyansky told the Security Council. "But it was damaged and not completely destroyed."

'Calamitous turn'

At the second hearing, requested by Kyiv, Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, told the council that Russian strikes on grain facilities are "a calamitous turn for Ukrainians and the world." Moscow withdrew last week from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which protected Ukrainian shipments to other countries.

"Port cities that allow for the export of grain, such as Odesa, Reni and Izmail, are a lifeline for many," Khiari said. "Now, they are the latest casualties in this senseless, brutal war."

Officials say that strikes on Odesa have damaged infrastructure important for future grain exports. A strike on the port of Chornomorsk last week destroyed 60,000 metric tons of grain, enough to feed 270,000 people for one year, the Word Food Program said.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russia's attacks have global consequences for the world's food supply, especially in parts of the world struggling with hunger and malnutrition.

"Russia is hell-bent on preventing Ukrainian grain from reaching global markets, which is why it unilaterally suspended its participation in Black Sea Grain Initiative," she said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was continuing to try to find a way to restart the deal.

Russia has altered its naval activity in the Black Sea, Britain's Defense Ministry said Wednesday, adding that there is a possibility Russian forces are preparing "to enforce a blockade of Ukraine" after withdrawing from the year-old grain shipment deal.

The Defense Ministry said in its daily update that the Russian corvette Sergey Kotov had deployed to the Black Sea to patrol a shipping lane between the Bosporus and Odesa.

"There is a realistic possibility that it will form part of a task group to intercept commercial vessels Russia believes are heading to Ukraine," the British ministry said.

US aid

The United States will send Ukraine an additional $400 million in military aid, including air defense missiles, small drones and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

The weapons are being provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows for the speedy delivery of defense articles and services from U.S. stocks, sometimes arriving within days of approval. The materiel will come from U.S. excess inventory.

The aid announcement comes at a time when Ukrainian troops are involved in a slow-moving counteroffensive against invading Russian forces.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the assistance is aimed at "strengthening Ukraine's brave forces on the battlefield" and "helping them retake Ukraine's sovereign territory."

"The people of Ukraine continue to bravely defend their country against Russia's aggression while Russia continues its relentless and vicious attacks that are killing Ukrainian civilians and destroying civil infrastructure," Blinken said in a statement.

The new aid package includes an array of ammunition, ranging from missiles for Patriot air defense systems and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASMS), Stinger anti-aircraft systems, more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Stryker armored personnel carriers and a variety of other missiles and rockets.

It also will include for the first time U.S.-furnished Black Hornet surveillance drones a tiny nano drones used largely for intelligence-gathering. Ukraine has previously received these drones from other Western allies.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $43 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

Also Tuesday, Russian lawmakers approved a bill extending the upper age limit for the compulsory military draft from 27 to 30, a move that appears aimed at expanding the pool of recruits for the fighting in Ukraine.

The measure was quickly approved by the lower house on Tuesday. It will need to be approved by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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EU Divisions Over Ukraine Grain Exports Set Stage for Bigger EU Battles

By Lisa Bryant July 26, 2023

The past year has lifted Poland's image in the European Union from rule-of-law defier to leading Ukraine champion, welcoming more than a million refugees since Russia's invasion and providing billions of dollars in military aid to neighboring Kyiv.

But Poland's newly acquired luster is fast fading, as Warsaw and four other neighboring countries balk at another Ukraine export a millions of tons of grain that have now lost maritime transport routes since Russia's pullout this month from the year-old Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The countries, including Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, argue that Ukrainian cereals are flooding local markets and undercutting local harvests.

Analysts say money and politics are at stake a not just millions of dollars in EU compensation for farmers from those countries but also key rural votes that governments in Poland and Slovakia are courting ahead of fall legislative elections.

The grain standoff that is dividing the 27-member bloc a which has largely pulled together since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine a may also carry longer-term implications for the EU.

Looming on the horizon, although with no fixed date, is Ukraine's hoped-for membership in the bloc, which may divert millions of dollars of funds from Brussels that its eastern EU neighbors currently enjoy.

"What we're seeing now is the Eastern European countries coming to terms with the economic implications of their political and military support for Ukraine," said Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund in Brussels and the Peterson Institute for International Relations in Washington.

With Kyiv now an EU candidate, "they're going to have to choose," Kirkegaard said. "Are they really interested in also supporting Ukraine in the long run? We're seeing a part of that process playing out now."

EU agricultural ministers met Tuesday in Brussels to look at ways to expand European overland rail and road "solidarity routes" set up last year to export Ukrainian grain to account for the cutoff of Black Sea routes.

The European Commission is also considering a separate proposal by Lithuania to have the grain exported through five Baltic sea ports.

Experts have raised questions about whether Europe has the capacity to re-export the extra Ukrainian grain tonnage that previously traveled through the Black Sea. That includes potential problems harmonizing rail gauges a defining the distance between the two rails of the tracks a among member states.

Tuesday's meeting reached no agreement on the fate of a temporary deal the EU struck with Poland and four other Eastern European countries in May. That allowed Ukrainian grain shipments to pass through their territories but banned local sale and storage.

Brussels also offered roughly $110 million in compensation for farmers in those countries who were reeling from the cheaper competition.

'Not European'

The five countries now want the deal a which expires in mid-September a expanded until year's end.

"I hope that this will be extended," Polish Agricultural Minister Robert Telus told media website Euractiv. "But if it is not, Poland will still have to tackle the issue, and we have demonstrated we can do that."

The commission says it will respond before the September deadline. But many other EU members oppose any extension.

"What is not possible is to take the money from Brussels as compensation for the burden, but at the same time close the border to Ukraine," said German Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir.

That would undermine EU solidarity for Ukraine, he said, adding, "The only one who is happy is [Russian President] Vladimir Putin."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized the push to extend the restrictions on Ukrainian grain exports, calling them "unacceptable" and "not European" during his evening address Tuesday a echoing remarks made by other critics in recent weeks.

For its part, France's Liberation newspaper has claimed Warsaw is using "pirate methods" that threaten the bloc's unity against Russia, "and puts into peril the rest of the economy of Ukraine that it claims to support."

Poland, along with Hungary, has faced plenty of other EU criticism over the years a from flouting rule-of-law principles to the bloc's asylum and migration rules. Earlier this month, the EU Commission cited underwhelming progress by both on judicial reforms that are conditioned to its release of millions of dollars in funds.

But for Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party, the need to shore up its key rural base is most immediately at stake, observers say, ahead of this fall's legislative vote.

"Clearly, it's an electoral strategy of the Polish government," Kirkegaard said of Warsaw's push to extend the Ukrainian grain import restrictions. "Are they going to back down? Probably not. Will the rest of the EU accept that? No."

The prospect of a stable Ukraine one day joining the bloc also weighs into the calculations of Poland and the other four Eastern European countries, he said. While Kyiv's membership would offer an extra bulwark against Russia, it would likely divert millions of dollars in EU agricultural and other funds that many nations enjoy today.

With discussions over the next 2027 EU budget looming, "they're putting their markers down," Kirkegaard said. "They're positioning themselves for what is going to be a huge fight."

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On July 25, 2023, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) issued Order G-200-23, revising the scope and timetable for its review of BC Hydros 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to focus, for the immediate future, on the load forecast scenarios and near-term new energy acquisition proposals.



BC Hydro filed an update to its 2021 IRP (IRP Update) with the BCUC in June 2023. The IRP Update identifies that BC Hydro expects increased load and decreased supply, compared to its original IRP submission. Amongst other things, BC Hydro has indicated that it needs to acquire 3,000 GWh of new clean or renewable energy from new facilities in BC to begin operating in fiscal 2029, and an additional 700 GWh from existing facilities prior to 2029.

The BCUC has pivoted the proceeding timetable to focus, in the near term, on BC Hydros load forecast scenarios and planned energy acquisition to address the accelerated timeline that BC Hydro has indicated it needs to acquire new energy. It is expected that the BCUCs review of these items will be completed in the first quarter of 2024. Following its review of these two matters, the BCUC will determine the appropriate review process for the remaining portions of BC Hydros 2021 IRP.

Parties involved in the 2021 IRP review are invited to comment on the regulatory process and timetable outlined in Order G-200-23 by Thursday, August 3, 2023.

To review BC Hydros IRP, IRP Update, or other documents related to the BCUCs review, please visit the proceeding webpage on bcuc.com.

Background

BC Hydro filed its 2021 IRP with the BCUC on December 21, 2021. The BCUC established an open and transparent public proceeding to review BC Hydros 2021 IRP that, to date, has included participation from 25 registered interveners and letters of comment from 11 parties.

On June 15, 2023, BC Hydro filed its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan Signposts Update (IRP Update), which amongst other things, included increased load and decreased supply forecasts, and a need for BC Hydro to acquire 3,700 GWh of new clean or renewable energy.

An IRP, or long-term resource plan, examines a utilitys forecast energy demands, outlines the resources the utility needs to meet that demand, and establishes an action plan for the steps it plans to take to meet its customers energy needs. Long-term resource plans must remain flexible to accommodate the inevitable changes that occur in the energy industry over time, and as a result, the review process must also be flexible.

About the BCUC

The BCUC is an independent regulatory body, responsible for regulating BCs energy utilities, as well as its compulsory automobile insurance rates, and intra-provincial pipelines rates. It is the BCUCs role to balance the interests of customers with the interests of the businesses it regulates. The BCUC carries out fair and transparent reviews of matters within its jurisdiction and considers public input where public interest is impacted. The BCUC is also responsible for administering BCs Fuel Price Transparency Act.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Krissy Van Loon

Manager, Communications

Phone: 604.660.4727

Email: Krissy.VanLoon@bcuc.com
New York, USA, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Market Research Future (MRFR) 's report highlights Digital Workspace Market Information By Component, Organization Size, Deployment Model, Vertical, And Region - Forecast till 2032"; the market will achieve USD 235.5 billion in 2032 at a 21.2% CAGR.

Digital Workspace Market Key Players

Eminent industry players profiled in the global Digital Workspace market report include

LumApps SaaS

Hewlett Packard Development LP.

ATOS SE

Cognizant

Infosys Limited

Asana Inc.

Total IT Global

IBM Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Alphabet Inc.

VMware, Inc.

Slack Technologies LLC

Interact

Kissflow Inc.

MangoApps Inc.

Powell Software

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The idea of a digital workplace focuses on employing digital transformation to harmonize personnel, technologies, and business processes. It allows workers to access data and apps from any location and device. The digital workplace offers various advantages with the growing digital technology of smart assets to support employees' effective work without jeopardizing continuing operations. Solutions for organizational mobility enabling people to work seamlessly across physical, virtual, and networked locations are called "digital workplace solutions." Building a user-centric office environment is the primary goal of workplace digitization. Employers can choose devices that improve their working experience thanks to digital workplace solutions, which increase productivity inside the company. Additionally, small, and medium-sized businesses are increasingly adopting the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), and work-from-home concepts are fueling the growth of the digital workplace market.

Additionally, many firms have significantly invested in transforming their workplaces to accommodate the hybrid work methodology, which calls for leveraging cloud-based technologies to facilitate remote working with safe access. This is due to how quickly outbreaks can spread. A digital workplace uses the latest, easily adaptable products and digital technologies to adapt to people's work and increase staff participation and happiness levels. People can operate effectively and comfortably from their separate places in a private atmosphere. People perform to the absolute best of their ability and cooperate more freely than before because technology empowers them rather than restricts them. Organizations are introducing digital solutions for the workplace to increase team member happiness by creating an environment that is easier to navigate and flexible.

It aids businesses in luring new hires while keeping on more seasoned and knowledgeable employees. By offering a complete and thorough perspective of network activity, which aids in recognizing dangers from within and outside, the digital workplace also enhances security. Additionally, a digital workspace makes it simpler for businesses to adopt cutting-edge technology and the cloud without sacrificing user experience. Digital workplace solutions incorporating machine learning and artificially intelligent (AI) algorithms help safeguard the company's data.

Digital Workspace Market Report Scope:

Report Metric Details Revenue Forecast in 2032 USD 235.5 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of 21.2% from 2023 to 2032 Base Year 2022 Study Period 2023-2032 Key Market Opportunities Integration of ai into digital workplace Increased demand flexibility and employee experience Key Market Drivers Increasing need for digital workspace environment Increase in virtual communications and connectedness post pandemic Rising adoption of cloud-based deployments for remote work

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Digital Workspace Market Dynamics

Digital Workspace Market Drivers:

The demand for advanced digital workplace regulations, freely accessible data, and the requirement to establish a workplace that helps draw in, keep engaged, and motivate workers all contribute to the market growth for the digital workplace. The use of services delivered via the cloud has grown due to pressure to cut costs and improve productivity. Hardware maintenance does not require a workforce, producing outcomes more quickly and effectively while being adjustable. Thanks to the cloud-based solution, employees may run real-time analytics on data from remote locations. The widespread adoption of cloud-based digital workplace solutions and the market's growth is anticipated to be driven by lower maintenance costs and reduced labor costs.

Additionally, simple-to-use digital workplace solutions will boost team member productivity and satisfaction while increasing the effectiveness of business operations inside and outside the boundaries of the office. As a result, businesses are increasingly adopting digital workplace solutions, driving the market's expansion. Additionally, during the projected period, the market for the digital workplace will grow profitably due to the increasing use of workplace transformation technologies among SMEs. The higher efficiency, cost savings, increased adaptability, and competitive advantage that digital workplace solutions offer create the lucrative potential for expanding the digital workplace market.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (191 Pages) on Digital Workspace Market:

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Digital Workspace Market Restraints

Some obstacles restricting the market development for the digital workplace are a lack of modern infrastructure facilities to install digital solutions and a lack of training and essential education among the workforce.

Digital Workspace Market Segmentation

By component, the market includes solutions and services.

By organization size, the market includes SMEs and Large Enterprises.

By deployment model, the market includes cloud and on-premise.

By vertical, the market includes BFSI, IT & telecommunications, retail & e-commerce, healthcare, manufacturing, government & public sector.

COVID-19 Analysis

Due to lockdowns, travel restrictions, and business closures, COVID-19 harms the global economy and businesses in many different countries. The closing of numerous plants and factories has had a detrimental influence on the production, timelines for delivery, and sales of goods on the international market. However, the sectors' embrace of the digital workplace favorably affected the market's expansion. Increased digitalization, rising interest in desktop-as-a-service, and rising team member desire for greater freedom in balancing work and life all contribute to the current boom. To maintain business continuity, businesses have resorted to remote employment and modified their technologies to establish a digital workplace in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Regional Analysis

Because more firms are adopting digital workplace solutions to increase operational efficiency, North America led the global market for the digital workplace, followed by Europe. Additionally, it is projected that the need for digital workplace solutions in Asia would be fueled by rising team member demand for a flexible workplace to maintain a work-life balance. The digital workplace industry is expanding in the Asia Pacific due to the expanding demand to improve team member retention through virtualization and digitalization of the workplace. By the conclusion of the projection period, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa are estimated to post a significantly higher CAGR.

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About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis regarding diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.

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Westford, USA, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Virtual Clinical Trials market size is expected to reach USD 12.85 billion by 2030 and exhibit a CAGR of 5.75% in the forecast period (20232030), according to Skyquest's latest research report. The increasing adoption of telemedicine and digital health technologies, facilitating remote patient monitoring and data collection, the need for faster and more cost-effective clinical trial processes, driving the adoption of virtual trial methodologies, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the shift towards decentralized and remote clinical trial models, advancements in wearable devices and sensors, enabling real-time data collection and patient engagement, is fueling the market's growth.

According to SkyQuest's latest global research of the Virtual Clinical Trials market, increasing use of decentralized trial models, leveraging remote patient monitoring and telemedicine platforms, growing adoption of wearable devices and digital health technologies for real-time data collection and patient engagement, the integration of electronic health records (EHR) and electronic data capture (EDC) systems to streamline data management, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in data analysis and patient recruitment, the emergence of virtual trial platforms and technologies that offer end-to-end solutions for study design, participant recruitment, and data collection, are the trends that aid in the market's growth.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Virtual Clinical Trials Market"

Pages - 210

Tables - 63

Figures -75

Virtual clinic trials are clinical trials that are conducted remotely, using technology such as video conferencing, online surveys, and electronic data capture (EDC). This allows participants to take part in clinical trials from the comfort of their own homes, which can make it easier for them to participate and can also help to reduce the cost of clinical trials

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Prominent Players in Virtual Clinical Trials Market

Akili Interactive

AppliedVR

Bastyr University

Biogen

Bristol Myers Squibb

Clinicient

Cognizant

CureMD

DigiPath

Evidation Health

Fairview Health Services

Fulgent Genetics

Hinge Health

Intermountain Healthcare

J&J

Kite Pharma

Medtronic

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Attributes



Details



Forecast Period 2023-2030 Market Size in 2022 8.24 Billion 2030 Value Projection



12.85 Billion CAGR 5.75% Segments Covered















Indication



Oncology, Cardiovascular, other Study Design Interventional, Observational, Expanded access Regions Covered







North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Rest of Latin America), Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA)

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/virtual-clinical-trials-market

Virtual Trial Technology Solutions Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period

Virtual trial technology solutions dominated the global online market as they have gained widespread popularity among individuals seeking body contouring treatments. These procedures use techniques such as cryolipolysis, ultrasound, and radiofrequency to target and reduce localized pockets of fat without surgery. Non-surgical fat reduction procedures offer benefits such as minimal downtime, non-invasiveness, and targeted fat reduction, which appeal to a broad range of patients.

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies are the Leading Application Segment

In terms of application, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies are the leading segment as they are increasingly adopting virtual trial methodologies to accelerate drug development and improve the efficiency of clinical research. Virtual trials offer benefits such as faster recruitment, remote patient monitoring, and reduced operational costs.

North America is the leading Market Due to Technological Advancements

Region-wise, North America is one of the largest growing markets with a huge emphasis on technological advancements. The region has a well-developed healthcare infrastructure and a high level of technology adoption, making it conducive to implementing virtual clinical trial services. Additionally, North America has a supportive regulatory environment that encourages.

A recent report thoroughly analyzes the major players operating within the Virtual Clinical Trials 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 endeavours to develop innovative solutions that cater to the ever-increasing demand for Virtual Clinical Trials.

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https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/virtual-clinical-trials-market

Key Developments in the Virtual Clinical Trials Market

In January 2023, Akili Interactive acquired AppliedVR. This acquisition will help Akili to expand its virtual clinic trial capabilities and meet the growing demand for virtual reality (VR)-based clinical trials.

In February 2023, Fairview Health Services acquired DigiPath. This acquisition will help Fairview to expand its virtual clinic trial capabilities and meet the growing demand for digital pathology in clinical trials.

Key Questions Answered in Virtual Clinical Trials Market Report

What specific growth drivers will 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 Intraoperative Imaging Market

Global Ankylosing Spondylitis Market

Global Anti-aging Services Market

Global Veterinary Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market

Global Antimicrobial Powder Coating 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
LEHI, Utah, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CancerVAX, developer of a breakthrough universal cancer vaccine that will use the bodys immune system to fight cancer, reported that the Company has appointed Dr. Jonathan Lakey to CancerVAXs Board of Advisors.



Dr. Lakey graduated from the University of Alberta with a BS, MS and PhD and received post-doctoral training in Indianapolis and Seattle. Dr. Lakey is currently the Professor of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering and the Director of the Clinical Islet Program at University of California Irvine. Prior to that, he was the Director of the Comprehensive Tissue Bank at the University of Albert. Dr. Lakey is most well-known for co-inventing the Edmonton Protocol, along with Dr. James Shapiro, which aided in the improvement of islet isolation techniques for patients with Type 1 diabetes, a recognized major advancement in the treatment of diabetes. The Edmonton Protocol allows patients to receive islet transplants from the enzymes of cadavers and has had a success rate of over 75%. This development has informed treatments for diabetic patients, but has also opened the door for similar treatments for patients with cancer who have compromised organs from the disease or from chemotherapy and radiation. Dr. Lakey has done extensive research in the fields of oncology, stem cells and organ transplantation. He is the recipient of the Outstanding Leadership in Science Award from Alberta Science & Technology, Outstanding Achievement Award from the Canadian Diabetes Association, Awards from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and was honored with the Meritorious Service Medal (2005) by the Governor-General of Canada. Dr. Lakey has published over 495 scientific papers, 45 book chapters, submitted over 500 scientific abstracts and published a book on islet isolation.

CancerVAX CEO Ryan Davies said, We are honored to have Dr. Lakey join our Board of Advisors. His decades of experience will help us better understand new ideas in oncology immunotherapy as we work on developing new cancer drugs.

Im excited to be working with Ryan and the CancerVAX team. This is a noble cause and I am honored to have a part in the exciting work CancerVAX is doing, said Dr. Lakey.

Dr. Lakey recently appeared on the CancerVAX CEO Podcast and the video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS54nCFPPVM

For more information about CancerVAX, please visit http://www.cancervax.com/.

About Us

CancerVAX, Inc. is a pre-clinical biotechnology company developing a breakthrough universal cancer vaccine that will use the bodys immune system to fight cancer. Working with a team of experienced cancer researchers and physicians at UCLA, we intend to create a Universal Cancer Vaccine that will detect, mark, and destroy only the diseased cells with an incredibly high level of precision. Much like the COVID-19 vaccines that train the body to recognize and destroy the coronavirus, our cancer vaccine will leverage the bodys own immune system to destroy cancer cells. As we develop our universal cancer vaccine, we are also working with UCLA to develop single-disease cancer treatments targeting Ewing sarcoma, a rare but deadly bone and soft tissue cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. We look forward to the day when treating cancer will be as simple as getting a flu shot.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake 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.

Press Contact:

CancerVAX, Inc.

Tel: (805) 356-1810

info@CancerVAX.com
Westford, USA, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, the life sciences industry operates in a highly regulated environment, with regulatory authorities such as the FDA and EMA placing significant emphasis on the quality and safety of products. This sets pressure on the manufacturers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and other life science products to adhere to conventional regulatory standards such as testing, inspection and certification in the aerospace and life sciences testing, inspection, and certification market .

Browse in-depth TOC on "Aerospace and Life Sciences Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market"

Pages - 211

Tables - 88

Figures  76

The medical device application has gained significant traction in aerospace and life sciences testing, inspection, and certification market, particularly with the surge in wearable medical devices among both the young and the elderly population. The need for medical devices has become even more essential with the global ageing population.

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Prominent Players in Aerospace and Life Sciences Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market

SGS SA

Bureau Veritas S.A.

Intertek Group plc

Eurofins Scientific SE

ALS Limited

TUV SUD

Merieux NutriSciences Corporation

DNV GL AS

UL LLC

Lloyd's Register Group Limited

Applus+

Element Materials Technology Ltd.

AsureQuality Limited

Exova Group Limited

NTS

British Standards Institution (BSI) Group

TUV Rheinland AG

Kiwa NV

TUV Nord Group

NSF International

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/aerospace-and-life-sciences-testing-inspection-and-certification-market

In-House Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to the Greater Visibility

The in-house segment is projected to take the lead in the global aerospace and life sciences testing, inspection, and certification market. In-house testing helps companies to maintain greater visibility and control over their processes, enabling them to identify and address issues more efficiently. Additionally, in-house testing can improve distribution efficiency, allowing companies to move products to market more quickly.

The markets in the North America plays a significant role in the aerospace and life sciences testing, inspection, and certification market due to the presence of major players in the region, such as UL LLC, Bureau Veritas SA, and Intertek Group plc. In addition, the region has a strong focus on regulatory compliance and safety, which drives the demand for TIC services in the aerospace and life sciences sectors.

TIC Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to its Increasing Investments in Research and Development

TIC segment and product developers have recognized the significance of ensuring their products' safety, quality and efficiency in compliance with regulatory requirements in the aerospace and life sciences testing, inspection, and certification market. As a result, they have established their own in-house testing, inspection and certification services. These services are utilized to conduct comprehensive assessments of their products, including aerospace and life sciences products, to ensure they meet regulatory standards.

Regional markets in the Asia Pacific is expected to witness rapid growth in the aerospace and life sciences testing, inspection and certification market during the forecast period (2023-2030). The growth is attributed to the increasing investments in research and development capabilities for safety mechanisms, coupled with the rapid urbanization in the region.

A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the aerospace and life sciences testing, inspection, and certification market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/aerospace-and-life-sciences-testing-inspection-and-certification-market

Key Developments in Aerospace and Life Sciences Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market

Battery mineral resources Corp. filed a technical report for its NI 43-101 resource estimate at Punitaqui in 2022, which JDS mining and energy Inc authored. This report is expected to provide valuable information about the mineral resources at Punitaqui.

The UL enterprise launched new brands for its three organizations in 2022, namely UL research institutes, UL standards & engagement, and UL solutions. These new brands reflect and clarify each organisation's unique role in working for a safer world. This move is expected to strengthen UL's position as a leading safety science company and improve its visibility in the market.

Key Questions Answered in Aerospace and Life Sciences Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Report

What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period?

List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence?

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth?

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market

Global Healthcare RFID Market

Global Connected Drug Delivery Devices Market

Global Cellulite Treatment Market

Global Immunohematology 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
Bpifrance takes a c.5% stake in Quadients capital to support its transformation and development strategy

Paris, 27th July 2023  Bpifrance announces that it holds c.5% of Quadient's capital and voting rights. This investment is in line with Bpifrance's strategy to support French companies undergoing transformation and positioned in promising fast-growing activities. By acquiring a stake in Quadients capital, Bpifrance is demonstrating its confidence in the Company's development strategy in key attractive markets.

An innovative B-to-B subscription platform, Quadient powers billions of essential business transactions every day, such as payments, invoices, statements, medical records, parcels, mail, insurance policies, contracts and more. The Company has leveraged its solid base of over 440,000 historical customers to diversify its service offering and create an integrated set of solutions generating strong synergies and cross-selling opportunities.

Believing in Quadient's growth potential, in the strength of its integrated business model, and in the ability of its management and Board of Directors to pursue its transformation plan, Bpifrance intends to make a long-term commitment to the Company in order to support and accelerate its development. This investment comes at a key moment in Quadient's history, as the company is currently in the final year of its Back to Growth strategic plan.

In this context, Bpifrance plans to continue purchasing Quadient shares, depending on market conditions, with the aim of holding at least 8% the Companys capital. If this 8% threshold is reached, Bpifrance will propose the appointment of Bpifrance Investissement as an independent director at the next Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the terms of an agreement signed between Quadient and Bpifrance, and in compliance with the Companys governance rules and appointment process in place.

In line with its commitment as a long-term shareholder, Bpifrance undertakes to support Quadient's overall strategy within the Board of Directors and at the Annual General Meeting, and to consider any capital reinvestment opportunities that may be proposed by the Company. In addition, Bpifrance has agreed to hold on to its Quadient shares for a period of three years, and to purchase or subscribe for Quadient shares only up to the limit of 15% of Quadient's share capital and/or voting rights.

Nicolas Dufourcq, CEO of Bpifrance, said: We are delighted that Bpifrance has become a reference shareholder in Quadient, a Company that has embarked on a promising transformation and has positioned itself in key markets of the future. Bpifrance is thus affirming its long-term commitment to Quadient, convinced that the Group will play an active role in the digital transformation of French companies.

Geoffrey Godet, CEO of Quadient, said: We are pleased to welcome Bpifrance to Quadient's capital. Bpifrance brings a wealth of experience from its many investments in leading companies in France, as well as its expertise in the field of technology. As we prepare for the next phase of our strategic plan, Bpifrance's support as a long-term investor and our future collaboration within the Board of Directors will enable us to continue innovate, develop, and grow our business, while delivering significant value to all our stakeholders.

Didier Lamouche, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Quadient, said: We are thrilled with the agreement with Bpifrance, and are delighted to welcome a major shareholder with a long-term commitment to support ans help accelerate the Company's strategy. We are convinced that the addition of a new independent Director will strengthen the governance of both Quadient and its Board of Directors.

About Bpifrance

Bpifrance Investissement is the management company that handles Bpifrance's equity investments. Bpifrance is the French national investment bank: it finances businesses  at every stage of their development  through loans, guarantees, equity investments and export insurances. Bpifrance also provides extra financial services (training, consultancy) to help entrepreneurs meet their challenges (innovation, export).

For more information, please visit: https://www.bpifrance.com/

Follow us on Twitter: @Bpifrance - @BpifrancePresse

About Quadient

Quadient is the driving force behind the worlds most meaningful customer experiences. By focusing on three key solution areas, Intelligent Communication Automation, Parcel Locker Solutions and Mail-Related Solutions, Quadient helps simplify the connection between people and what matters. Quadient supports hundreds of thousands of customers worldwide in their quest to create relevant, personalized connections and achieve customer experience excellence. Quadient is listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and is part of the CAC Mid 60 and EnterNext Tech 40 indices. Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing.

More information: https://invest.quadient.com/en-US

Contacts :





Bpifrance

Sophie Santandrea

Tel : +33 7 88 09 28 17

sophie.santandrea@bpifrance.fr



Quadient

Catherine Hubert-Dorel

Tel: +33 1 45 36 61 39

c.hubert-dorel@quadient.com / financial-communication@quadient.com

Attachment
The following resolutions have been adopted at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Panevezio statybos trestas AB held on 27 July 2023:

1. Amendment of the Articles of Association of Panevezio statybos trestas AB.

The decision has been taken not to adopt the resolution on amendment of the Articles of Association of Panevezio statybos trestas AB.

2. Selection of the audit company to carry out the audit of the set of annual financial statements of Panevezio statybos trestas AB and determining the terms of payment for audit services.

2.1. To select Grant Thornton UAB as an auditor to carry out the audit of the financial statement sets of Panevezio statybos trestas AB and the companies of Panevezio statybos trestas AB Group for the years 2023 and 2024. To pay the amount not exceeding 71,400 (seventy one thousand four hundred) Euros (VAT excluded) per 2023 and the amount not exceeding 76,400 (seventy six thousand four hundred) Euros (VAT excluded) per 2024 for the audit of the financial statement sets of all companies of Panevezio statybos trestas AB Group located in Lithuania. This amount covers payment of the amount not exceeding 37,400 (thirty seven thousand four hundred) Euros (VAT excluded) per 2023 and the amount not exceeding 40,400 (forty thousand four hundred) Euros (VAT excluded) per 2024 for the audit of the financial statement sets of Panevezio statybos trestas AB for the years 2023 and 2024.

The financial statement sets for the years 2023 and 2024 will be subject to the audit in Panevezio statybos trestas AB, Hustal UAB, Vekada UAB, Skydmedis UAB and Alinita UAB, including necessary reviews of PS Trests SIA, Kingsbud SP Z.o.o., Seskines projektai UAB, PST investicijos UAB Group, Ateities projektai UAB, Aliuminio fasadai UAB, Tauro apartamentai UAB, for the purposes of consolidating.

2.2. The auditors for carrying out the audit in the companies of Panevezio statybos trestas AB Group located outside Lithuania following the legal acts regulating accounting and audits in the countries thereof, are selected at the discretion of the General Meetings of Shareholders at these companies. Payment for these audit services is not included in the payment for the audit of the financial statement sets of the companies of Panevezio statybos trestas AB Group, specified in item 1.1. hereinabove.

2.3. To delegate the Managing Director of Panevezio statybos trestas AB:

2.3.1 to sign the contract/contracts (and/or its/their appendixes) for carrying out the audit of the financial statement sets for the years 2023 and 2024, any integral parts of such contract/contracts, amendments of, supplements to the contract/contracts, hand-over statements and any other documents related to the proper implementation of the decision;

2.3.2 to initiate the General Meetings of Shareholders at the companies of Panevezio statybos trestas AB Group, by means of participation at the meetings thereof to ensure selection of the relevant audit companies and make sure these companies and their subsidiary companies comply with the procedure defined established by this decision.

2.4. The copies of the contracts and work completion certificates shall be provided to the parent company within 7 (seven) days from their signature.

For more information contact:

Egidijus Urbonas

Managing Director

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Pune, India, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The size of the silane market can fluctuate over time due to various factors such as industrial demand, technological advancements, economic conditions, and regulatory changes. These sources can provide you with the latest data and insights on the current state and projected growth of the silane market. It is a colorless and flammable gas and is a crucial building block in the production of silicones and other advanced materials. Silane is utilized in various industries due to its unique properties and versatility.

Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its research report, titled Silane Market Size, Share, Growth and Report Forecast 2023-2030.



Get a Free Sample Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/silane-market-102380

The Report Lists the Main Companies in the Silane Market:

BRB International BV

Qufu Chenguang Chemical Co., Ltd.

Dow Inc., Gelest Inc.

Onichem

Evonik Industries

OCI

Nanjing Union Silicon Chemical Co., Ltd.

Silar

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

The report on the silane market contains:



Excellent insights on all the latest development

Comprehensive research

Latest market trends

Factors restricting the market growth

Report Coverage:

The silane report provides an in-depth analysis of the key trends propelling the global business landscape over the forthcoming years. It further presents an account of the vital strategies adopted by leading market players for securing a competitive edge and expanding their geographical footprints. Other components include an overview of the driving and restraining factors and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on industry expansion.

Get a Quote Now:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/get-a-quote/silane-market-102380

Segmentation:

The silane market can be segmented based on types, applications, functions, and geography.

By Type

Organo-functional Silane

Mono/Chloro Silane

By Function

Coupling agents

Adhesion promoters

Hydrophobing and dispersing agents

Moisture scavengers

Silicate stabilizers

By Application

Fiberglass

Plastic & Composites

Paints & Coatings

Inks

Adhesive & Sealants

Other

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

The Middle East and Africa

Browse a Summary of This Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/silane-market-102380

Market Drivers :

Heavy Demand from Automotive Industry to Aid Expansion

The increasing demand for paints & coatings in the construction industry is likely to foster healthy growth of the market. The flourishing building & construction industry is expected to bolster the healthy growth of the market in the forthcoming years. The growing acquisitions and partnerships among major companies are expected to create lucrative sales opportunities for the market in the foreseeable future. For instance, in January 2017, Momentive Performance Materials Inc announced that it has acquired Sea Lion Technologys operating assets in Texas City, Texas. The new contract of the chemical manufacturer Sea Lion will allow the manufacturing of silane products for Momentive including silanes sold under Momentives NXT brand. Sea Lion will continue to manufacture NXT silane as an integrated part of Momentives global supply chain and will join the companys 24 other manufacturing facilities around the world.

However, the high price of raw materials used for the production of silane is expected to hamper the growth of the market. The volatile prices of raw materials are predicted to act as a barrier to the expansion of the market.

Regional Analysis:

Geographically, the silane market is divided into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific is predicted to dominate the global market due to the rising demand from the construction industry in China and India. The increasing demand for paints & coatings is likely to aid expansion in the region.

North America is predicted to witness a substantial growth rate during the forecast period. Europe is expected to account for a significant share due to the rising demand for fuel-efficient cars with low CO2 emissions. The increasing demand for composite-based cars is expected to enable speedy expansion of the market in the forthcoming years.

Middle East & Africa is expected to witness a high growth rate in the forthcoming years due to the growing demand for paints & coatings in the region. The market in Latin America is expected to witness a low growth rate due to the lack of commercialization and urbanization. The lack of building & construction activities is expected to restrict the growth in the region.

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https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/silane-market-102380

Read Related Insights:

Silicon Metal Market Size, Growth, Trend, Forecast Report (2022-2029)

Fiberglass Market to Reach USD 25,525.9 Million by 2028

Paints and Coatings Market to Worth $235.06 Bn by 2029

About Us:

Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

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MONACO, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The yachting of yesteryear goes on display. From 13-16 September, Monaco Classic Week-La Belle Classe organised by Yacht Club de Monaco pays tribute to all the splendour associated with sailings maritime heritage. Around 110 classic sailing and motorboats are expected for this 16th edition alongside a 20-strong fleet of the clinker-built Dinghy 12 class; a fabulous line-up that will fill the YCM Marina comprising a dozen period motor-yachts, 50 vintage motorboats, including around 30 Rivas and 3 powerboats from the early 20th century as well as 50 classic sailing yachts.



Launched in 1994, this unique in the world biennial event pays homage to large and small pleasure boats that bear witness to the yachting of yesteryear. The meeting brings owners and their crews out on the water for a range of contests with social occasions in the evening in the time-honoured tradition of a certain 'Art de Vivre la Mer' so dear to YCM. Among those joining Yacht Club de Monacos flagship Tuiga (1909) of note will be Maliclaire, a 35m topsail schooner (1909), the three-mast schooner Creole, built in 1927 by the Camper & Nicholsons yard and Atlantic, replica of that famous three-mast schooner helmed by the legendary Charlie Barr which left her mark on the history of sailing by setting the first record for a North Atlantic crossing. It was a record that would remain unequalled for 75 years.

This year the public and classic yacht enthusiasts also have the opportunity to see a photography exhibition dedicated to Prince Rainier III, who founded the YCM and so loved sailing, as the Principality celebrates the centenary of his birth. Access to the quays and exhibitors Village (painters, photographers, craftsmen, official YCM Boutique) is free to everyone starting Wednesday 13th September from 10.00am.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4bf5403-d981-4d59-b9f0-025502ef55eb

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
Dublin, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Digital Experience Platform Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Platform, Services), By Deployment (On-premise, Cloud), By Application, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global digital experience platform market size is estimated to reach USD 30.41 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.9% over the forecast period.

Incumbents of several industries and verticals have started using a customer-centric approach to deal with real-time customer data. Digital experience platforms (DXP) can help these industries in achieving a holistic view of activities, customer interactions, and data across multiple applications and touchpoints.



Digital experiences offered by the companies also contain the potential to enhance customer engagement and increase operational productivity in the long run. As these, enterprises prioritize various components of digital experience to attract tech-savvy and self-educating customers. These factors would further supplement the growth of the digital experience platform industry.



Increasing demand for CRM solutions owing to the shifting focus of end-use companies toward digital marketing and services to enhance consumer experience is anticipated to drive the digital experience platform market growth across the globe in the forecast period. The integration of emerging technologies such as big data analytics and cloud computing plays a vital role in improving the productivity of DXPs, thereby supporting market growth.



Digital experience platforms assist companies in providing enhanced consumer experience across all channels, including physical touchpoints, social media, mobile applications, and websites. Moreover, with these platforms, companies can optimize content creation and actively improve their digital channel to attract a potential consumer base.



Rising public and private investments in AI and big data analytics technologies are anticipated to create significant growth opportunities for the digital experience platform industry. With AI and Machine Learning (ML) integration, marketers are automating their marketing processes, such as content creation and data analysis, and ensuring security compliances.



With AI, companies are integrating chatbots into their websites to address various consumer queries. Additionally, AI uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to determine intent via users' semantic vector search to optimize search engine performance. These factors would further supplement the growth of the DXP market.

Companies Mentioned

Salesforce.com, Inc.

Acquia Inc.

ADOBE INC.

International Business Machines Corporation

Liferay, Inc.

Microsoft Corporation

Open Text Corporation

Oracle Corporation

SAP SE

Sitecore

Digital Experience Platform Market Report Highlights

The platform segment is expected to witness a considerable growth of CAGR at 12.9% over the forecast period. Advances in technology are particularly allowing organizations to modernize their internal operations, cut down paper costs, reduce errors, easily onboard new employees, and drive better communication between departments. Better utilization of data with the help of AI and ML is also allowing organizations to deliver exceptional customer experiences more effectively

The cloud segment is expected to witness a considerable CAGR at 15.3% over the forecast period, owing to the ease in deployment, relatively lower investments in physical infrastructure, and hassle-free integration associated with cloud deployment

The business-to-consumer segment is expected to witness a considerable CAGR at 14.2% over the forecast period, owing to the rising interest in content personalization to offer an enhanced customer engagement experience

The IT & telecom segment is expected to witness a considerable CAGR of 13.6% over the forecast period. With continued digitalization and the growing use of connected devices, the adoption of digital experience platforms by IT & telecom companies is expected to gain traction over the forecast period

The Asia Pacific regional market is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR and reach USD 7,804.8 million by 2030. The growth of the Asia Pacific DXP market can be attributed to the rising penetration of mobile devices such as smartphones & tablets, growing public & private investments in the IT industry, and a considerable increase in per capita incomes

Key market players have an extended operating history, a large customer base, and significant competitive strengths. For instance, For instance, in September 2020, Deloitte Digital announced a strategic partnership with Lamborghini, an automotive giant based in Italy, to assist in the transformation of its digital experience. Deloitte Digital developed a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform based on the Salesforce platform and integrated it with a content management system, allowing Lamborghini to create and deliver relevant content to their customers

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 130 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $11.17 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $30.41 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.9% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2. Executive Summary



Chapter 3. U.K. HR Analytics Market Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1. Market Lineage Outlook

3.1.1. Parent Market Outlook

3.2. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.3. Market Dynamics

3.3.1. Market Driver Analysis

3.3.2. Market Restraint/Challenge Analysis

3.3.3. Market Opportunity Analysis

3.4. Business Environment Analysis Tools

3.4.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.4.2. PEST Analysis

3.5. COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Chapter 4. Digital Experience Platform Factoring Market Solution Outlook

Chapter 5. Digital Experience Platform Market Deployment Outlook

Chapter 6. Digital Experience Platform Market Application Outlook

Chapter 7. Digital Experience Platform Market End-use Outlook

Chapter 8. Digital Experience Platform Market: Regional Outlook

Chapter 9. Competitive Landscape

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pfx7k9

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 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Lactic Acid Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Raw Material (Sugarcane, Corn, Cassava), By Application (Industrial, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care, Polylactic Acid), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global lactic acid market is estimated to reach USD 5.80 billion by 2030 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2030.

Growth can be attributed to increasing demand for this product in various end-use industries, including industrial, food & beverages, and pharmaceuticals, especially in emerging economies such as India, China, and Indonesia. Additionally, demand for this product as a feedstock in the production of polylactic acid (PLA) is anticipated to drive the market globally.



Various raw materials used for the production of lactic acid include carbohydrates such as corn, sugarcane, sugar beet, and tapioca. Large share of this product produced globally is obtained through the fermentation process owing to its lower production costs as well as rising consumer awareness regarding sustainable and environmentally friendly products.

The production process is commercially mature with a significant number of manufacturers including Corbion, NatureWorks LLC, Galactic, and Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co., Ltd using it.



The raw materials used for the commercial synthesis of this product include maltose or starch, lactose, sucrose, and glucose. These raw materials are derived from various feedstock such as barley malt, whey, molasses, and beet sugar, which are used to produce lactic acid via microbial fermentation.

The cost of raw material is a key factor to be considered in the fermentation process for the commercial production of this product. They may specifically cater to application areas such as industrial, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, chemicals, and agrochemical products.



Polylactic acid is predominantly used to manufacture microwaveable containers, including disposable cutlery and food containers. Multiple beneficial properties, such as improved aesthetic appeal, and resistance to grease & oil, among others, is positively influencing the demand for polylactic acid in the formulation of food packaging products across the globe, further triggering the lactic acid demand.

Companies Mentioned

Futerro

BASF SE

Galactic

Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co. Ltd.

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation

Corbion

thyssenkrupp AG

Dow

Cellulac

Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG

Vaishnavi Bio Tech

TEIJIN LIMITED

Danimer Scientific

NatureWorls LLC

Lactic Acid Market Report Highlights

In 2022, sugarcane emerged as dominant raw material segment by contributing over 38% revenue share, owing to abundant availability in nature, low cost, and environmentally friendly alternative

In 2022, corn emerged as the second largest raw material segment and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% by 2030, owing to rising awareness for sustainable products in the major end-use industries

In 2022, PLA emerged as the dominant application segment in terms of both volume and revenue, owing to the rising usage in the manufacturing of biodegradable & biocompatible products

In 2022, North America emerged as the largest regional market, where the high revenue share is due to the presence of major personal care & cosmetic industry in this region specifically in the U.S.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 130 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $3.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $5.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.0% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2. Executive Summary



Chapter 3. Lactic Acid Market: Market Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1. Market Lineage Outlook

3.1.1. Global organic acids market outlook

3.2. Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping

3.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.3.1. Raw Material Trends

3.3.2. Manufacturing Trends

3.4. Technology Outlook

3.4.1. Fermentation

3.5. Regulatory Framework

3.5.1. U.S. FDA

3.5.2. EU COMMISION

3.5.3. Asia Pacific Regulatory Framework

3.5.3.1. China

3.5.3.2. India

3.5.3.3. Japan

3.5.3.4. Philippines

3.5.3.5. Australia & New Zealand

3.6. Market Dynamics

3.6.1. Market Driver Analysis

3.6.1.1. Growing Personal care sector

3.6.1.2. Growth in Pharmaceutical industry

3.6.2. Market Restraint Analysis

3.6.2.1. Volatile raw material prices

3.6.3. Key opportunities prioritized

3.6.3.1. Market Opportunity Assessment Analysis

3.6.3.2. Industry Analysis - Porter's

3.6.3.3. PESTLE Analysis

Chapter 4. Lactic Acid Market: Raw material Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 5. Lactic Acid Market: End-use Estimates & Trend Analysis

Chapter 6. Lactic Acid Market: Regional Outlook

Chapter 7. Competitive Landscape

Chapter 8. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1jrf5c

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
New York, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Bio-Based Foam Market- Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06480233/?utm_source=GNW



Global Bio-Based Foam market is anticipated to grow significantly through 2028 due to the growing demand from the E-Commerce sector. In 2021, the number of people participating in e-commerce was around 502 million in Europe.

The extensive usage of bio-based foam packaging in end-use sectors, including food and beverage, healthcare, and automotive, is the outcome of a progressive global shift from synthetic to biodegradable materials. Restrictions placed on the use of petroleum-based materials in specific end-use applications are anticipated to further encourage the development of bio-based foam resulting in the growth of Global Bio-Based Foam market in the forecast period.

Quickly Rise Up E-Commerce Industry

Growing E-Commerce is anticipated to fuel demand for bio-based foam packaging, which has been used for packaging goods like electronics, cars, and other goods in forecast years. Over the course of the forecast period, the market for bio-based foam packaging is likely to expand due to the enormous increase in the E-Commerce sector.

For instance, according to ET Prime, B2B e-commerce platform Udaan shipped over USD 1.7 Bn products in 2022.

Therefore, this segment will lead the growth of Global Bio-Based Foam Market in the upcoming years.

Sugarcane Will Continue to Be a Key Raw Material

The collection and transportation of trash for reprocessing are complicated by the fact that foams are mostly made from frothy and bulky gasoline.As a result, demand for bio-based foam will rise.



In terms of raw materials, sugarcane is a bio-based product that is majorly used to make bio-based foam and is predicted to lead the market for bio-based foam packaging.

For instance, in October 2022, Braskem invested over USD 60 million to boost the production of its Im Green biopolymer, a bioplastic made from sugarcane.

Such efforts to attain carbon neutrality would increase the usage of sugarcane biopolymers in all types of foams, which will improve the outlook for the sector. Therefore, shifting toward bio-based feedstock to produce foam increases the demand for Global Bio-Based Foam market during the projected period.

Growing Demand from End-Use Industries

Manufacturers of bio-based foam use a variety of chemicals to enhance the moisture resistance, UV protection, and fire-retardant qualities of construction materials.Different programs have been created by regulatory agencies all around the world to encourage green buildings.



Such activities will increase the demand for bio-based foam insulation in the building industry for applications such as noise abatement and shock absorption.

For instance, the Energy Conservation Building Code and other programs were established by the Indian government to encourage the construction of energy-efficient structures.

The need for bio-based foam rises as more cars are manufactured in the automotive sector since bio-based foams are utilized to improve comfort, vehicle efficiency, protection, and energy efficient and are easily biodegradable, which leads to an increase in demand for this type of foam for packaging purposes which led to increasing the demand of Global Bio-Based Foam market in the forecast years.

Recent Developments

 In November 2022, Huntsman launch of ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system (foam technology) for molded acoustic applications in the automotive industry.

 Huntsman Co. signed MOU with KEEN Inc. for the production of a line of shoes on plant-based soles in February 2022.

 In February 2022, Sealed Air Co. bought Foxpack Flexibles Limited.

 For the mobility industry, Huntsman offered a variety of bio-based foam technologies in August 2019.



Market Segmentation

Global Bio-Based Foam Market is segmented based on raw material, type, end-use industry, and region.Based on raw materials, the market is categorized into corn, sugarcane, soy, and others.



Based on type, the market is fragmented into rigid and flexible.Based on end-use industry, the market is segregated into building & construction, Packaging, automotive, and others.



Based on region, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.

Company Profiles

Woodbridge Corporation, EVA GLORY Industrial Co., Ltd, BASF SE, Cargill Inc., BEWi ASA, Stora Enso Oyj, Trocellen GmbH, Lifoam Industries, LLC, Huntsman Corporation, Foamite Industries Inc. are some of the key players of Global Bio-Based Foam Market.



Report Scope:



In this report, Global Bio-Based Foam market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:

 Bio-Based Foam Market, By Raw Material:

o Corn

o Sugarcane

o Soy

o Others

 Bio-Based Foam Market, By Type:

o Rigid

o Flexible

 Bio-Based Foam Market, By End Use Industry:

o Building & Construction

o Packaging

o Automotive

o Others

 Bio-Based Foam Market, By Region:

o North America

United States

Mexico

Canada

o Europe

France

Germany

United Kingdom

Spain

Italy

Belgium

o Asia-Pacific

China

India

South Korea

Japan

Malaysia

o South America

Brazil

Argentina

o Middle East & Africa

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE



Competitive landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies in global Bio-Based Foam market.



Available Customizations:



With the given market data, we offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:



Company Information



 Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06480233/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. (Marimaca Copper or the Company) (TSX: MARI) is pleased to announce the results of the five drill hole diamond drilling exploration program from the eastern margin of the Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD). The program was designed to follow-up on the sulphide-bearing intersection of the previously released hole MAD-22, which intersected higher grades of primary copper mineralization down-dip of the Marimaca oxides. The program encountered challenging drilling conditions due to the orientation of the drilling from existing drill-pads along major known structures at the MOD. Results from this program and learnings regarding the approach for potential future deeper drilling, particularly origin and orientation, and will be considered for the design of follow-up exploration work. A discussion of results is provided in the Geological Discussion section of this news release.

Highlights

Four drill holes recovered to a maximum depth of 349m from surface, with three holes completed successfully to target depth

The fourth hole, although recovered, MAD-25 was terminated above target depth due to poor rock quality caused by localized faulting

Holes MAD-24, 25, 26 and 27 intersected the extension of the upper oxide and mixed/enriched copper mineralization This zone is interpreted as the near-surface, oxidized expressions of high-grade mineralized structures encountered in MAD-22

MAD-25 intersected 56m at 0.40% CuT from 136m including 24m at 0.63% CuT of secondary and primary sulphides in-line with the projected horizon from MAD-22, however, could not progress further into the horizon due to rock quality in a fault zone and was terminated at 218m

Hole MAD-24 intersected 74m of 0.52% CuT from 24m including 18m at 0.68% CuT from 24m and 28m at 0.79% CuT from 64m above the projected sulphide horizon Hole MAD-24 intersected a barren post-mineral dyke from 224.3m which occupied the projected extension of the sulphide horizon from MAD-22

Hole MAD-27 intersected 40m at 0.50% CuT from 68m including 18m at 0.90% CuT of mixed and enriched mineralization from 74m, and a deeper intersection of 12m at 1.0% CuT of chalcopyrite mineralization from 162m

Hole MAD-26 intersected strong magnetite alteration from 186m, however with a higher pyrite/chalcopyrite ratio relative to MAD-22 corresponding to lower grade copper intersections

MAD-23 was terminated as a result of contractor operational performance leading to contractor replacement for subsequent holes (MAD-24, 25, 26, 27)

Sergio Rivera, VP Exploration of Marimaca Copper, commented:

Despite challenging drilling conditions we continue to improve our understanding of Marimacas genesis and target generation for the potential sulphide feeder zones. We are very encouraged to see the continuation of the alteration assemblages and rock types observed in MAD-22 in the follow-up program, which is the first time that consistent sulphide-associated alteration has been observed below the MOD. MAD-25, in particular, which stepped out 500m to the south of MAD-22, intersected the expected alteration mineral assemblages with strong mineralization at the targeted horizon, but was terminated before the expected higher-grade zone due to the intersection of a fault zone, which deviated the hole.

Planning for the next phase of sulphide exploration will incorporate learnings from this first phase campaign, including adjusting the approach to drilling from east to west to allow for easier orientation of the drilling to the deeper target horizons. Approaching from the west will take time to plan new drilling infrastructure rather than using existing eastern drill pads at the MOD, however we believe the sulphide potential warrants this.

We continue to believe that the sulphide potential is high, particularly considering the scale of the oxidized mineralized body at the MOD and the indications, such as Hole MAD-22, that higher grade remnant feeder structures, remain intact in the shallower down-dip zones of the MOD.

Figure 1: Plan view of drill holes





Figure 2: Idealized 3D view of MOD (looking North) with interpreted sulphide feeder horizon and 2023 MRE pit





Figure 3: Idealized long and cross 3D view of MOD with MAD-22 interpreted Chalcopyrite-dominated zones identified

Further Drill Hole Observations

Hole MAD-25 was a 500m step out to the south of MAD-22 and intersected strong mixed and primary sulphide mineralization from near the projected target horizon, at approximately 136m downhole, but was terminated due to fault intersection at 218m

Holes MAD-25, 26 and 27 intersected extensions of similar alteration-mineralization assemblages comparable with MAD-22 including sections showing massive to stringer filling chalcopyrite and pyrite and pervasive hydrothermal magnetite replacement, partially related to coarse actinolite veinlets associated with the porphyritic quartz-diorite intrusion host rock Located immediately adjacent to the eastern wall of the whittle pit limits for the October 2022 MRE, indicating potential for high grade, open pit-able mineralization

Sulphide copper mineralization encountered in the deeper mineralized intercepts were less consistent than MAD-22 due to variability in pyrite/chalcopyrite ratio in the primary zones This variation is common in IOCG systems, which further analysis required to vector to the higher chalcopyrite-bearing zones This was observed in MAD-26, which intersected strong magnetite alteration from 186m, however with a higher pyrite/chalcopyrite ratio relative to MAD-22 corresponding to lower grade copper intersections



Geological Discussion

Results from MAD-22 and follow up sulphide exploration drilling continue to support the current interpretation of the mineralized system at the MOD. The large-scale nature of the supergene (oxide) mineralized body at the MOD, and the alteration assemblages and remnant primary sulphide-bearing structures encountered in MAD-22, 25, 26 and 27 continue to provide strong evidence for a sulphide-rich feeder system which can be interpreted as the source for Marimacas oxide ore body. Chalcopyrite and pyrite-bearing mineralization encountered in drilling post-dates pervasive magnetite-actinolite alternation which is consistently found down-dip of the MOD and corresponds to the magnetic-highs identified in the high-resolution mag-drone surveys (see press release dated February 15, 2023).

The programs goal of stepping out from MAD-22 was hindered by the drilling orientation which was east-biased, causing interference from parallel dykes and late faults on north-south trends and dipping to the east. Planning for future potential deep sulphide drilling will focus on a western orientation which will require preparation of new drilling infrastructure rather than use of existing access roads and MOD drill pads. Despite the challenging conditions, the results from MAD-24, 25, 26 and 27 further confirm the IOCG-nature of the broader Marimaca mineralizing system which is hosted by a monzodiorite stock affected by a system of parallel faults and fractures which control the emplacement of superimposed mineralization-alteration events.

Borehole Teleview analysis of holes MAD-24, 25, 26 and 27 returned similar results to that of MAD-22 in that that the dominant structures controlling in the altered and higher-grade primary mineralization are oriented north-north-east dipping at 75 to 80 degrees to the east. This is in contrast to the general structural sense of the MOD, where dominant structures are oriented more north south and are more shallow dipping to the east. The importance of dacitic dykes and the north-west trending regional faults and structures is also noted for the confluence of these important geological features and their proximity to higher grade mineralization, both in the oxide and primary mineral zones.

The explored area for Marimaca sulphides remains very limited and relatively shallow (<450m depth), with the deeper extents of the Marimaca system remaining untested and the oxide/secondary sulphide column consistently reaching depths of 400m+. As previously noted, the size of the surface expression and volumetric scale of the MOD continue to support the thesis that the genesis of the Marimaca oxides must relate to a strong, successive tectonic-magmatic event which introduced copper-sulphide bearing structures that underwent repetitive oxidation events above depths of 500m.

Background  Marimaca Sulphide Exploration

Based on previous drilling and results from hole MAD-22, the Company developed an exploration model which was based on a strong correlation between higher grade chalcopyrite mineralization and high magnetic susceptibility, which was used to vector for future deeper drilling campaigns. During the 2021 campaign, the deeper drilling, which was targeting deeper sulphide potential, encountered additional oxide and secondary sulphides in a zone now known as MAMIX (refer to announcement dated 5 May 2021). This extended the envelope of leachable copper minerals by, in some cases, several hundred meters. This discovery was a core component of the upgraded Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) released in October 2022 (refer to announcement dated 13 October 2022), but left the sulphide potential unaddressed.

A review of historical drilling data highlighted numerous broad zones of, typically remnant, primary mineralization, especially around the centre of the project, which were identified but never properly followed up on due the focus on the MAMIX Zone. MAD-22 (a geotechnical hole testing rock quality on the eastern MOD pit wall) was drilled on section N7,435,550, which is located 250m to the south of N7,435,800 (Figure 1) and intersected very high-grade primary copper mineralization. MAD-22 was drilled directly into an area with some of the highest magnetic susceptibilities encountered at the project. As noted in the release in December 2022, MAD-22 encountered very high grades of primary copper mineralization over broad downhole widths and encountered mineral textures of magnetite-actinolite veins and stringers and massive chalcopyrite.

Table 1. Summary of Significant Intercepts

Hole Depth (m) From (m) To (m) Intercept (m) %CuT MAD-23 No Recovery MAD-24















336















0 152 152 0.31 including 24 122 98 0.43 including 24 98 74 0.52 including 24 42 18 0.68 and 64 92 28 0.79 MAD-25



217.65



136 192 56 0.40 including 164 188 24 0.63 MAD-26



















348.9



















154 268 114 0.19 including 186 268 82 0.22 including 190 230 40 0.31 including 190 204 14 0.49 and 212 230 18 0.28 and 250 262 12 0.30 MAD-27























317.45























68 232 164 0.28 including 162 232 70 0.32 including 68 108 40 0.50 including 74 92 18 0.90 and 162 174 12 1.01 and 192 206 14 0.33 and 220 232 12 0.38

Table 2. Drill Collars and Survey

Hole Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Inclination Depth (m) MAD-23 - - - - - No Recovery MAD-24 375143.6 7435535.1 1125.0 90 -65 336.00 MAD-25 375204.2 7435426.3 1108.3 90 -65 217.65 MAD-26 375202.7 7435431.3 1108.1 40 -60 348.90 MAD-27 375143.5 7435537.1 1125.0 70 -55 317.45

Sampling and Assay Protocol

True widths cannot be determined with the information available at this time. DDH holes were sampled on a 2m continuous basis, halved by a conventional core splitter on site with one half sent to the Andes Analytical Assay preparation laboratory in Calama and the pulps then sent to the same company laboratory in Santiago for assaying. Samples were prepared using the following standard protocol: drying; crushing all sample to -1/4 and passing through a secondary crusher to better than 80% passing -10#; homogenizing; splitting; pulverizing a 400-600g subsample to 95% passing -150#; and a 125g split of this sent for assaying. All samples were assayed for %CuT (total copper); %CuS (acid soluble copper) and Ag AAS. Au was Fire Assayed. A full QA/QC program, involving insertion of appropriate blanks, standards and duplicates was employed with acceptable results. Pulps and sample rejects are stored by Marimaca Copper for future reference.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release, including the information that relates to geology, drilling and mineralization was prepared under the supervision of, or has been reviewed by Sergio Rivera, VP of Exploration, Marimaca Copper Corp, a geologist with more than 35 years of experience and a registered member of the Comision Minera (Chilean Mining Commission), as well a member of the Colegio de Geologos de Chile, Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas de Chile and of the Society of Economic Geologist USA, and who is the Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 responsible for the design and execution of the drilling program.

The QP confirms he has visited the project area, has reviewed relevant project information, is responsible for the information contained in this news release, and consents to its publication.

Contact Information

For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact:

Tavistock

+44 (0) 207 920 3150

Emily Moss / Adam Baynes

marimaca@tavistock.co.uk

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2023 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/37cf26ca-9ff4-4fb8-ac58-a3fa6b11b774

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3db89f4-a47f-48f3-a849-4e0ff0e84f01

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27034ebe-6a79-430b-b653-6af1c0c85b04




The company aims to develop environmental projects, providing quality returns for investors while accelerating global climate change mitigation efforts

BERLIN, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newly founded startup, KAYA, is pleased to announce its recent launch with an ambitious mission: to break down barriers that developing countries face in scaling up the development of ecosystem conservation projects.

The company aims to mobilize green financial investments, particularly in Africa, one of the worlds most climate-vulnerable regions that currently receives only 3% of sustainable investment flows.

KAYAs action-oriented approach intends to help the private sector in meeting their climate action targets.

In light of the recent Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, KAYA is already making waves with plans to mobilize financial investments into large-scale nature restoration and conservation projects. Its focus is bridging the accountability and climate justice gap between private sector emitters and developing regions.

This is a fascinating time for ecosystem conservation and restoration work, said Chaitanya Sure, Co-Founder & Chief Climate Officer. The participation of the private sector in environmental markets is tremendously valuable for organizations implementing climate solutions at scale, but the latter is still too small a group to serve the urgent needs of the planet and the growing market demand. That is the void KAYA is set out to fill.

KAYA is currently conversing with the Governments of Angola and Tanzania around undertaking multi-year reforestation and fire management activities that would restore and protect natural ecosystems in an area of up to 1 million hectares. It aims to finalize an agreement with Angola by year-end.

The company plans to leverage multiple revenue streams including emerging biodiversity credits as well carbon credits. Sure explains, Delivering positive societal and ecological impacts through carbon markets is often slowed by small carbon assets and high transaction costs, ultimately making it hard for investors to engage. This is what we are trying to solve.

Working closely with the public sector and local communities, KAYA is set out to not only develop, but implement these projects through their entire lifecycle, from conception to execution, while managing them on the ground. One of the few project developers to take this holistic, long-term approach, KAYAs projects aim to reduce land-based emissions, preserve biodiversity, and create positive social impacts, such as local job creation and infrastructure for life-improving services.

The Berlin-based startup, with regional presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, takes a science-based approach to aid governments and businesses in mitigating climate change while boosting regional economic growth. KAYA offers opportunities for businesses to meet their climate action targets by restoring nature, thereby contributing to much-needed global carbon reductions.

About KAYA

KAYA develops large-scale ecosystem preservation and restoration projects in close collaboration with the public sector and local communities. They aim to make a lasting positive impact on landscapes and livelihoods of people across Sub-Saharan Africa, and help the continent build a resilient low-carbon economy by enabling its rich natural capital to thrive.

For more information, visit www.kaya.global.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Nicole Viduka, Communication & Media Manager

outreach@kaya.global

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9a022ab9-b54f-45ea-8240-2413553dafaf
Toronto, ON, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHEIN, the prominent global fashion e-retailer, is excited to announce its anticipated pop-up experience at the VELD Music Festival. SHEIN promises to elevate the festival experience with giveaways and a much-needed rest station to help guests beat the heat.

Taking place from August 04 to August 06 at Downsview Park, located at 70 Canuck Avenue, SHEIN's activation will be a must-visit destination for fashion enthusiasts and festival-goers alike.

Throughout the festival, SHEIN will be providing a touch of glamour to attendees' beauty routines. Festival-goers can look forward to receiving these exclusive giveaways and enhancing their festival style with the latest accessories, beauty products, and trends.

SHEIN's pop-up will feature a dedicated rest station, providing guests with a comfortable space to relax, recharge, and escape the summer heat before rejoining the crowds of music lovers.

The VELD Music Festival is one of Canada's premier electronic dance music festivals, attracting music lovers from across the globe. SHEIN strives to enhance the overall festival experience and leave a lasting impression on attendees.

Please note that the pop-up experience is open to festival-goers of all ages. However, VIP guests must be at least 19 years old.

For more information about SHEIN and its activation experience at VELD Music Festival, please visit ca.shein.com or follow SHEIN at @shein_ca.

###

About SHEIN

SHEIN is a global, integrated marketplace offering extended fashion and lifestyle shopping categories from SHEIN branded apparel to products from a global network of sellers, all at affordable prices. Headquartered in Singapore, SHEIN remains committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, leveraging its industry-leading on-demand production methodology since 2012, for a smarter, future-ready industry.

Save money. Live in style!

SHEIN Website | ca.shein.com

Instagram | @shein_ca

#SHEINxVELD

#SHEINmusicfest

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Quincy, Mass., July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Breezeline, the eighth-largest cable operator in the U.S., will extend its fiber network to over 1,200 unserved homes and businesses in King William County, Virginia starting next year.

The multi-year initiative is being funded by Breezeline and a $1.5 million subsidy from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission to bring connectivity to homes and businesses that lack access to broadband internet.

We continue to make significant progress in our pre-construction planning, said Sean Brushett, vice president of technical operations for Breezeline. We have recently completed the field walk-out phase, the design phase is now underway, and we expect the construction phase to begin this fall.

Once Breezeline begins the activation phase early next year, homes and businesses will have access to Gig-speed Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology for the very first time. The technology provides a powerful online experience for users with fast symmetrical download and upload speeds and low latency for video conferencing, distance learning, telemedicine, and gaming.

Breezeline also plans to introduce Stream TV, a new cloud-based service that seamlessly integrates live TV, DVR, On Demand and popular streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, and Disney+ for viewing on devices inside and outside the home via a single, easy-to-use interface.

In addition to the King William County project, Breezeline is expanding internet connectivity to nearly 7,500 unserved homes and businesses in eastern Caroline County and Essex County through a $15.2 million Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant, with additional contributions from Breezeline and the counties. Breezeline also completed construction this spring on a $7.2 million, 150-mile fiber-broadband expansion to more than 1,400 homes and businesses in Mathews, Caroline, Lancaster and Middlesex counties, also funded by VATI with contributions from Breezeline and the counties.

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New York, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Central Asia Data Center Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06480141/?utm_source=GNW



 Azercell, a telecom operator based in Azerbaijan, announced the successful internal testing for 5G technology, and the company is likely to deploy 5G services soon across the country.

 Mobiuz, a telecom operator based in Uzbekistan, announced the launch of its 5G services in the capital city, Tashkent. However, Ucell was the first telecom company in Uzbekistan to launch 5G services in 2022, for which Huawei Technologies supplied the equipment. 5G services were initially launched in Tashkents business district.



Improvement in Inland and Network Connectivity



 Investments in submarine cables in Central Asia are limited because all countries are landlocked and surrounded by each other. However, Georgia is the only country in the region with submarine connectivity, with two operational submarine cables connecting the country with Bulgaria and Russia.

 The government and enterprises in various countries have continuously been strengthening fiber infrastructure for better connectivity with other countries over the years. Several telecommunication providers are investing in improving network connectivity within the country. In January 2023, Uzbektelecom, a telecom company based in Uzbekistan, signed a new contract with NEC, Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and NTT Communications to supply the equipment for expanding their telecom networks and connectivity across the country.



The Increase in Data Center Investments



The Central Asia data center market reels under the undersaturation phase, which will likely pace up in the upcoming 23 years owing to increased social & internet penetration and digitalization across the region. DataDome, a construction company, announced its plan to develop a new facility in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for DataTime. The facility will host around 100 rack cabinets with a power capacity of 500 kW.



SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS



 The adoption of VRLA batteries in the UPS systems is dominant in the Central Asia data center market. Operators still adopt VRLA batteries in the region. Modular UPSs are likely to gain traction during the forecast period.

 Due to the scarcity of water and cooling resources, data centers in Central Asia use air-based cooling techniques in data centers. Only a few facilities are available for free and water-based cooling.



Segmentation by Infrastructure Investment

 UPS Systems

 Cooling Systems

 Racks

 Power Distribution Units (PDUs)

 Investment in Other Accessories



GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

 Kazakhstan is considered a prime location for data center development in the Central Asia data center market. Kazakhstan is also among the major hub for crypto mining, making it the second-largest market after the United States. The industry is among the prime hubs for crypto mining data centers due to the availability of cheap power.

 Uzbekistan is an emerging data center market in Central Asia and is also a largely populated country in the region. Metrotelecom and the internet exchange provider, ITI-IX, opened two data center facilities - ITI-IX T252 and ITI-IX T233.



Segmentation by Geography



 Armenia

 Azerbaijan

 Georgia

 Kazakhstan

 Kyrgyzstan

 Mongolia

 Tajikistan

 Turkmenistan

 Uzbekistan



VENDOR LANDSCAPE



 The market has the presence of several participants/vendors that are active in the Central Asia data center market. However, most infrastructure operators have a presence through several resellers and distributors.

 Some infrastructure providers active in the Central Asia data center market include ABB, Caterpillar, Cummins, Eaton, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Legrand, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, STULZ, and others.



VENDOR LANDSCAPE



Prominent Infrastructure Providers

 ABB

 Caterpillar

 Cummins

 Eaton

 Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

 Huawei Technologies

 Legrand

 Mitsubishi Corporation

 Rittal

 Schneider Electric

 STULZ

 Vertiv



Other Infrastructure Providers



 Alfa Laval

 Assa Abloy

 Carrier

 Condair

 Generac Power Systems

 Johnson Controls

 Panduit

 Piller Power Systems

 Riello UPS

 Siemens

 Socomec

 Trane (Ingersoll Rand)



Construction Contractors & Subcontractors



 AECOM

 Arup

 DataDome

 Fluor Corporation

 KKCG Group

 Tetra Tech



Data Center Investors



 AzInTelecom

 DataPro

 Kazteleport

 QazCloud

 Rostelecom

 Transtelecom

 Uzbektelecom



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:



1. How big is the Central Asia data center market?

2. What is the growth rate of the Central Asia data center market?

3. What is the estimated market size in terms of area in the Central Asia data center market by 2028?

4. What are the key trends in the Central Asia data center market?

5. How many MW of power capacity is expected to reach the Central Asia data center market by 2028?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06480141/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
Press release



Paris, July 27th 2023

Success of the capital increase reserved for employees

The capital increase reserved for employees "We Share Amundi" (announced last June) was successfully implemented on 27 July 2023: more than one employee in three in the world, and more than one in two in France, participated in this operation which proposed for the sixth consecutive year a subscription of shares with a discount. More than 2,000 employees in 15 countries have subscribed to this capital increase for an amount exceeding 30 million.

This operation, which is part of the existing legal authorizations voted by the Annual General Meeting of 12 May 2023, reflects Amundis desire to involve its employees not only in the development of the company but also in the creation of economic value. It also contributes to reinforce employees' sense of belonging.

The impact of this operation on net earnings per share is very limited: the number of shares created is 787,503 (0.4% of the capital before the transaction). This issue brings the number of shares comprising Amundis capital to 204 647 634 as of 28 July 2023.

Employees now hold more than 1.5% of Amundis capital, compared to 1.1% before the transaction.

***

About Amundi

Amundi, the leading European asset manager, ranking among the top 10 global players1, offers its 100 million clients - retail, institutional and corporate - a complete range of savings and investment solutions in active and passive management, in traditional or real assets.

With its six international investment hubs2, financial and extra-financial research capabilities and long-standing commitment to responsible investment, Amundi is a key player in the asset management landscape.

Amundi clients benefit from the expertise and advice of 5,400 employees in 35 countries. A subsidiary of the Credit Agricole group and listed on the stock exchange, Amundi currently manages more than 1.9 trillion of assets3.

Amundi, a trusted partner, working every day in the interest of its clients and society

www.amundi.com

Press contact:

Natacha Andermahr

Tel. +33 1 76 37 86 05

natacha.andermahr@amundi.com

Investor contacts:

Cyril Meilland, CFA

Tel. +33 1 76 32 62 67

cyril.meilland@amundi.com

Thomas Lapeyre

Tel. +33 1 76 33 70 54

thomas.lapeyre@amundi.com

1 Source: IPE "Top 500 Asset Managers" published in June 2023 based on assets under management at 31/12/2022

2 Amundi data at 30/06/2023

3 Boston, Dublin, London, Milan, Paris and Tokyo

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CRANBURY, N.J., July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), the leading multimedia peer-reviewed journal dedicated to issues in managed care, announced that it will host an Institute for Value-Based Medicine (IVBM) event on specialty care in Tampa, Florida on August 10. The in-person event, Genomics, Real-World Evidence, and Phase 1 Innovations in a Community Oncology Practice, will be held in partnership with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute at Hilton Downtown Tampa from 5-9 p.m. EDT.



We are excited to partner with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) for this transformative event, said Gil Hernandez, vice president of AJMC. Together, we will leverage the power of real-world evidence and discuss strategies to provide personalized care within community oncology practices. This partnership exemplifies our shared dedication to advancing the field of oncology and improving patient outcomes.

This upcoming event will feature a distinguished panel of health care experts who will discuss the latest innovations in value-based care and the evolving landscape of genomics in oncology.

Our physicians and leaders are pioneers in the field of genomics, precision oncology and clinical research, said FCS President and Managing Physician Lucio N. Gordan, M.D. Together they are challenging the status quo in community oncology, pushing beyond standard practice to develop and direct therapies that produce the best possible outcomes by utilizing the most innovative technologies and systems. We look forward to providing an in-depth look at how we are pushing the needle at every step throughout the patient journey to advanced oncology care.

Attendees will be provided with an exceptional networking opportunity, allowing them to connect with leading professionals in the field and exchange ideas that drive positive change in community oncology practice. With genomics, real-world evidence, and phase 1 innovations at the forefront, attendees will delve into the latest advancements and transformative breakthroughs in oncology.

The event will cover the following sessions:

Welcome and Introduction Presenter: Nathan H. Walcker, CEO at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Implementation of Next-Generation Sequencing in a Large Community Oncology Practice Presenter: Jennifer Gass, Ph.D., FACMG, associate director of genetics laboratory at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Integration and Bioinformatics to Support a Scalable In-House Molecular Testing Program Presenter: Trevor Heritage, Ph.D., senior vice president and data officer at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Implementing a Precision Oncology Capability Within a Large Community Practice Presenter: Trevor Heritage, Ph.D., senior vice president and data officer at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

FCS Research: Conducting Clinical Trials in a Community Oncology Setting Presenters: Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, vice president of nursing and research at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute; John Musser, senior director of clinical research administration at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Innovations in Phase 1 Clinical Trials Presenter: Manish Patel, M.D., director of drug development at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Q&A Panel Panel: Lucio N. Gordan, M.D. (moderator); Josh Eaves; Jennifer Gass, Ph.D., FACMG; Trevor Heritage, Ph.D.; Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP; John Musser; Manish Patel, M.D.; Nathan H. Walcker





To learn more about the event, visit the registration page.

About The American Journal of Managed Care

The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) is a multimedia, peer-reviewed, MEDLINE-indexed journal that keeps industry leaders on the forefront of health policy by sharing digital research relevant to industry decision-makers. Other brands in the AJMC family include The American Journal of Accountable Care and Evidence-Based Oncology. These comprehensive, multimedia brands bring together views from payers, providers, policymakers and other industry leaders in managed care. AJMC is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) offers patients access to more clinical trials than any private oncology practice in Florida. The majority of new cancer drugs recently approved for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials with FCS participation* and has been recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award. Trained in prestigious medical schools and research institutes, our physicians are consistently ranked nationally as Top Doctors by U.S. News & World Report.

Founded in 1984, Florida Cancer Specialists has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies, genomic-based treatment, and immunotherapy. Our highest values are embodied by our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians, clinicians and staff.

To learn more, visit flcancer.com.

Media Contact:

Lauren Garafola

MJH Life Sciences

lgarafola@mjhlifesciences.com

An image accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5499163f-6118-4b1c-ba05-b23e0325ce64
New York, NY, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a complement to its ongoing exhibition Activist New York, which marked its 10th anniversary in 2022, the Museum of the City of New York unveiled a new installation, An Accessible City for All: Disability Rights in New York, 1968 to 2017. Open in time for the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the new installation highlights New Yorks leading role in the movement and has a particular focus on the prolonged campaigns activists have waged for more accessible public transit.

The modern disability rights movement is composed of a wide range of people with physical and intellectual disabilities and influenced by other Sixties social movements. New Yorkers pushed for the nations first municipal office focused on the disability community, approved by Mayor Lindsay in 1968. Two years later, young activists founded the Brooklyn-based grassroots group Disabled in Action. Together they fought for new policies and legislation at all levels of government, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. They also continued to mobilize for access to the citys-built environment, create resources to live independent and visible lives and formulate a proud disability identity. In the process, they have made a more inclusive city for all, and helped broaden thinking about the range of human bodies and minds.

The An Accessible City for All installation shares images, objects, and more, including:

My Ear Broke  an art piece made from artist/director/author Chella Mans hearing device, which was part of his Big Deaf Project series;

 an art piece made from artist/director/author Chella Mans hearing device, which was part of his Big Deaf Project series; A This Station is a Dinosaur protest sign, used by Elevator Action Group in 2017 outside the then-antiquated and inaccessible subway station by the American Museum of Natural History;

A megaphone from disability historian Warren Shaw which was used in a protest to exempt those with disabilities from a gas rationing rule in the late 1970s;

A photograph showing disability rights activist sitting on a bottom step of a city bus equipped with a new lift, still not yet accessible to wheelchair users;

An ID card from Judith (Judy) Heumann  often regarded as the mother of the disability rights movement; and

An NYPD memo about an August 1969 demonstration concerning welfare and medical benefits





The Museum of the City of New York has been sharing New Yorks stories, and amplifying the voices of New Yorks communities, for the last 100 years, says Sarah Henry, the Robert A. and Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe Chief Curator and Interim Director of the Museum of the City of New York. Were grateful that the Puffin Foundations support of Activist New Yorks evolution over the past decade and were so pleased to shine a light on disability activists on the occasion of this important anniversary.

An Accessible City for All was organized by Sarah Seidman, Puffin Foundation Curator of Social Activism, with input from community advocates composed of individual activists as well as groups including Disabled in Action, Brooklyn Center for Independence, and NYC Disability Rights Archive.

ABOUT ACTIVIST NEW YORK

Now in its second decade, Activist New York examines the ways in which ordinary New Yorkers have advocated, agitated, and exercised their power to shape the citysand the nationsfuture. Centuries of activist efforts, representing the full spectrum of political ideologies, are illuminated through a series of installations. The exhibition features historic artifacts and images from the Museums celebrated collection as well as pieces on loan from other repositories and personal collections and serves as a learning tool for thousands of students and educators annually.

Support

Activist New York and its associated programs are made possible by The Puffin Foundation, Ltd.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, the Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the worlds most influential metropolis. Winner of "Best Museum" in Time Out New York's "Best of the City 2021" and multiple American Alliance of Museums (AAM) awards, MCNY engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the citys past, present, and future. To connect with the Museums award-winning digital content, visit www.mcny.org; or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @MuseumofCityNY and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MuseumofCityNY.







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LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This summer, agency for premium brands, Team One along with award-winning wine brand Chateau Ste. Michelle (CSM) are issuing a call to action to concertgoers across the country, urging them to unplug from technology and enjoy the moment. Tapping into the brands multi-year partnership and role as the official wine sponsor for Live Nation, the new campaign Raise a Glass; Not Your Phone aims to inspire the next-gen wine drinkers best music moments this summer.



The campaign idea was driven by insights showing that when viewing an event through your phone, your brain isnt capturing the moment and is wasting the experience. With 66% of Americans considering themselves addicted to technology , the campaign serves as a call to action to concertgoers encouraging them to enjoy the best music moments this summer through their eyes and ears and not their phone.

This new nationwide campaign features Rollingstone.com and music venue takeovers, pop-up concerts, swag, and more. This work will be seen at summer concert venues, including 46 amphitheaters and 32 clubs and theaters from Gov Ball to III Points Music festival in Miami. The campaign will also be front and center at CSMs own concert series, At the Chateau held on their winery grounds in Woodinville, Washington.

To help bring to life the visual identity of the campaign, Team One tapped up-and-coming illustrator Helen Li, known for her bright, playful images inspired by a mix of music and pop culture. For the visual assets, Li, CSM and Team One leaned into a friendly and open feel for the design, showcasing different concertgoers with not a phone in sight.

Guillermo Sanchez, Chateau Ste Michelles Senior Vice President of Marketing said, music is in our DNA. We wanted to share that love of music with the fans so at our concerts this summer, and across Live Nation shows, we encourage people to live in the moment, not through their phones. This year CSM is embedded in the music culture  through our actions, not ads.

Weve all done it, captured a show on our phones only to realize later that we sacrificed a great concert for a really bad video, said Renee Welch, Mgmt Director of Strategy at Team One. What we heard from our target was that sharing (social) moments has actually gotten in the way of them truly being in the moment. That was a powerful insight that CSM wanted to do something about.

Collaborating with a contemporary artist like Helen, we were able to develop a visual language that feels right for the brand and truly fresh for the wine category, said Jason Stinsmuehlen, Team Ones Executive Creative Director. This campaign has been so much fun and were actually just getting started.

This work continues to roll out this summer with more in store from the partnership between CSM and Live Nation extending over the next three years.

About Team One

Team One is Publicis Groupes fully integrated media, digital and communications agency dedicated to helping premium brands thrive in the modern media landscape. With 450 employees, Team One has six North American offices, including its Los Angeles headquarters, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Boise. Team One clients include Lexus and the Lexus Dealer Association, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Barclays Bank, Marriott International, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, KB Home, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., Simplot, and Cathay Pacific Airlines. Adding a 2023 Bronze Effie to the list of accolades, Team One continues to be recognized for its industry-leading work and unique culture that encourages innovation at all levels. To learn more about the agencys work, team, and innovation ethos, visit TeamOne-USA.com.

Contact:

Melanie Capruso

Melanie.capruso@digennaro-usa.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c257fe5-37ec-4388-a5c4-f807caf7b975
Not for Distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (Alaska Energy Metals or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement of units (the Units) for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,445,000 (the Offering). The Offering was led by Emerging Equities Inc. as lead agent (the Lead Agent), on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners, Red Cloud Securities Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. (together with the Lead Agent, the Agents).

The Company issued a total of 16,112,500 Units at a price of $0.40 per Unit. Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase an additional Common Share (each, a Warrant Share) at a price of $0.80 until July 27, 2025.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be allocated as follows: drilling at the Eureka Zone of the Nikolai project in Alaska ($3,500,000), metallurgical studies ($500,000), marketing ($1,000,000), property acquisitions ($500,000) and general corporate purposes ($465,339). The Company may allocate the net proceeds of the Offering in such priority and proportions as the board of directors or management of the Company determines is in the best interest of the Company.

The Company paid the Agents a cash commission of $403,100 and issued 1,007,751 compensation options (the Compensation Options). Each Compensation Option entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Shares at a price of $0.60 until July 27, 2025.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance under applicable Canadian securities laws.

About Alaska Energy Metals

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, palladium and gold. Located in development-friendly central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the intended use of proceeds. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

This news release does not constitute an offer for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, in the United States or to any U.S Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act)) of any equity or other securities of the Company. The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Catalyst Accelerator is thrilled to announce the selection of six exceptional, US-based companies for their 12th cohort focused on AI/ML for Space and Maritime Applications.

The Catalyst Accelerator, powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), exists to empower nontraditional technology companies to accelerate their involvement in the national defense ecosystem by providing connections, mentorship, and business development in a collaborative setting for a lasting national impact. According to the Presidential Executive Order 13859; Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Continued American leadership in AI is of paramount importance to maintaining the economic and national security of the United States and to shaping the global evolution of AI in a manner consistent with our Nation's values, policies, and priorities.

The AI/ML for Space and Maritime Applications cohort (#CAAML) is the first joint Accelerator between the US Space Force and US Navy. The #CAAML cohort will launch on August 22nd and will end on November 17th. Throughout the program, the companies will be splitting their time between Colorado Springs, Colorado and College Park, Maryland to allow for equal exposure to the Space Force and Naval ecosystems. Each company will also collaborate with subject matter experts from both the Space Force and Naval sectors, work with government and commercial Sherpas, and complete an intensive customer discovery process. The cohort will culminate in two Demo Days (Nov 9  Colorado Springs, Nov 16  College Park) where they will pitch their technology to Government and Industry partners as well as investors assessing the potential of cohort company technologies.

We are incredibly excited about our first joint Accelerator between the Space Force and Navy! We look forward to the collaboration between the Forces and the small businesses who specialize in AI/ML. Hearing use cases from industry and government, then discovering how our companies might solve some of the challenges presented, is one of the most exhilarating parts of the Accelerator, explained Shae Thomas, Program Facilitator for the Catalyst Accelerator.

The Catalyst Accelerator team, with technical advisement from Government, Industry, and Academia, underwent a rigorous selection process in order to carefully select the companies for the #CAAML cohort. The following startups were chosen based on their demonstrated potential and innovative capability solutions:

Data2 (Data Squared) (Wilmington, Delaware) At Data Squared USA Inc, our mission is to revolutionize data analysis through cutting-edge technology and expertise in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLM). By unlocking valuable insights from millions of unstructured data sources through the application of knowledge graphs, we build ontologies that empower organizations to make informed decisions that go beyond traditional quantitative analysis. Our focus lies in developing efficient Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) pipelines and providing novel solutions that leverage the potential of unstructured data for impactful outcomes.

https://data2.ai

Duality Systems (Monument, Colorado) Duality Systems focuses on business optimization in four core areas supported by PhD-level expertise: Operations Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Decision and Risk Analysis. Our scheduling product, Balance Scheduler, uses AI-based algorithms to produce efficiencies of scale, provide better solutions that can ingest more variables and potential outcomes near-instantly, and drive a far better user and organizational experience. It can be applied to personnel, operations, and logistics. It creates the conditions for more informed decisions, larger decision windows, and efficient long term strategic planning as well as shaping long-term risk mitigation and decision support strategies within the most complex environments.

https://www.dualitysys.com

Exosite (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Exosite provides off the shelf products and services to Industrial OEMs and other organizations that benefit from collecting data from equipment, analyzing that data, and taking action based upon the data. Exosite has worked with hundreds of customers since its founding in 2009 with a current focus on organizations providing maintenance and services to high value equipment. Exosites software offers a low code experience, is highly configurable, and offers flexible integrations with 3rd party systems without requiring software development expertise.

https://www.exosite.com

Precursor SPC (Seattle, Washington) Precursor SPCs vision is to ensure continuous global superiority in space operations through accurate and timely information advantage, distribution, and execution. Precursor is developing a first-of-a-kind AI/ML Space Weather Nowcasting and Forecasting platform, the only solution available today that provides real-time high resolution 4D representation of the actual Space environment and delivers on-demand actionable Space Weather information for military, civilian and commercial operations. Precursors Nowcasting refers to forecasting current and near-future events based on real-time rather than historical data or physics-based models. Precursors Nowcasting is based on a high-fidelity representation of the actual Space environment and is the foundation for Forecasting. Precursors real-time Space Weather Nowcasting and Forecasting delivers unmatched capabilities for public safety and national security Use Cases.

https://www.precursor-spc.com

R-DEX Systems, Inc. (Woodstock, Georgia) R-DEX Systems, Inc. develops and deploys cutting edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and advanced sensor solutions for mission critical systems. Our vision is to bring AI out of experimental settings and into operational environments. As a leading innovator of advanced AI systems for the Department of Defense, R-DEX has built efficient AI and machine learning operational pipelines and services to support the development and deployment of trusted and generalizable AI technologies. This has resulted in a portfolio of AI products that span multiple sensor modalities for a wide range of applications in Aided/Automatic Target Recognition (Ai/ATR), Electronic Warfare (EW), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), radar, wireless communications, and autonomous systems.

https://r-dex.com

RS21 (Albuquerque, New Mexico) RS21 is a data science company that uses AI, data engineering, design, and software development to create AI/ML solutions for NNSA, DHS, and DOD. Our team brings deep expertise in predictive model development, risk and threat modeling, natural language processing, and data governance and standards. RS21 has built a proven AI-powered tool that performs fault detection and prediction to safeguard critical equipment and the important functions they perform.

https://rs21.io

The Catalyst Accelerator is proud to play a pivotal role in driving technological advancements and fostering innovation in the space and maritime sectors. By bringing together talented startups and industry leaders, the Accelerator aims to fast-track the development and deployment of AI/ML technologies that will shape the future of these industries.

About Catalyst Accelerator

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate and United States Space Forces Catalyst Accelerator is a NewSpace-focused defense and national security industry accelerator, headquartered on the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. CCTI is a collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business, entrepreneurs, startups, government, academia, and investors intersect with Colorados aerospace and defense industry to create community, spark innovation, and stimulate business growth. The Catalyst Accelerator is a collaborative program hosted by Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI, a Colorado 501(c)3) in partnership with the United States Space Force, and the Air Force Research Laboratory to provide a robust, mentor-driven curriculum for accelerator teams.

Attachment
Third payment for the sale of NOVAGOLDs 50% interest in the Galore Creek project



Treasury exceeds $125 million

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (NYSE American, TSX: NG) (NOVAGOLD or the Company) received $25 million from Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT) (Newmont) as per the 2018 Share Purchase Agreement (the Agreement) in which NOVAGOLD sold its 50% interest in the Galore Creek project (GCP) in British Columbia, Canada. All amounts are in U.S. dollars.

Under the terms of the Agreement1, total consideration payable by Newmont was up to $275 million. NOVAGOLD received $100 million upon closing, $75 million in July 2021 and this most recent receipt of $25 million.

The latest payment from Newmont increased NOVAGOLDs cash position by $25 million, which consisted of approximately $109 million of cash and term deposits as of May 31, 2023. As a result of the successful sale of the GCP, NOVAGOLD materially increased its treasury, providing the Company with a strong financial foundation to advance its 50%-owned Donlin Gold project in Alaska.

About NOVAGOLD

NOVAGOLD is a well-financed precious metals company focused on the development of its 50%-owned Donlin Gold project in Alaska, one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world. With approximately 39 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories, inclusive of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (541 million tonnes at an average grade of approximately 2.24 grams per tonne, in the Measured and Indicated Resource categories on a 100% basis)2, the Donlin Gold project is regarded to be one of the largest, highest-grade, and most prospective known open-pit gold deposits in the world. According to the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Report, both as defined below3, once in production, the Donlin Gold project is expected to produce an average of more than one million ounces per year over a 27-year mine life on a 100% basis. The Donlin Gold project has substantial exploration potential beyond the designed footprint of the open pit which currently covers three kilometers of an approximately eight-kilometer-long gold-bearing trend. Current activities at the Donlin Gold project are focused on state permitting, engineering studies, community outreach, and workforce development in preparation for the eventual construction and operation of this project. With a strong balance sheet, NOVAGOLD is well-positioned to fund its share of permitting and advancement efforts at the Donlin Gold project.

Scientific and Technical Information

Certain scientific and technical information contained herein with respect to the Donlin Gold project is derived from the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Report3. Henry Kim, P.Geo., Senior Resource Geologist, Wood Canada Limited (Wood); Mike Woloschuk, P.Eng., VP Global Business Development & Consulting, Wood Group USA, Inc.; and Kirk Hanson, MBA, P.E., Technical Director, Open Pit Mining, Wood Group USA, Inc. are the Qualified Persons responsible for the preparation of the 2021 Technical Report, and each is an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K  Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (S-K 1300). Paul Chilson, P.E., who is the Manager, Mine Engineering for NOVAGOLD and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and under S-K 1300, has approved and verified the scientific and technical information contained in this media release.

NOVAGOLD Contacts:

Melanie Hennessey

Vice President, Corporate Communications

604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This media release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, possible, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results will, may, could, would or should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on several opinions, estimates and assumptions that management of NOVAGOLD considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our goals and planned expenditures; the potential development and construction of the Donlin Gold project; perceived merit of properties; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; the success of the strategic mine plan for the Donlin Gold project; the success of the Donlin Gold community relations plan; and the conversion of Galore Creek into a mine and the receipt of the $75 million contingent payment from Newmont. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent the expectations of NOVAGOLD managements estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include the need to obtain additional permits and governmental approvals; the timing and likelihood of obtaining and maintaining permits necessary to construct and operate; the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; the coronavirus global pandemic (COVID-19); uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drill results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in the United States or Canada; the need for continued cooperation between Barrick and NOVAGOLD for the continued exploration, development and eventual construction of the Donlin Gold property; the need for cooperation of government agencies and Native groups in the development and operation of properties; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, disease pandemics, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, ore grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; whether or when a positive construction decision will be made regarding the Donlin Gold project; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in NOVAGOLDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly the "Risk Factors" sections of those reports and other documents filed by NOVAGOLD with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting NOVAGOLDs website at www.novagold.com, or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of NOVAGOLD on the date the statements are made. NOVAGOLD assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

___________________________________________

1 See July 26, 2018 media release titled NOVAGOLD Enters Agreement to Sell Its 50% Stake in Galore Creek to Newmont for up to $275 Million here.

2 Donlin Gold data as per the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Report, as defined below. Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 8 Mt grading 2.52 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 534 Mt grading 2.24 g/t, each on a 100% basis and inclusive of Mineral Reserves, of which approximately 4 Mt of Measured Resources and approximately 267 Mt of Indicated Resources inclusive of Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD through its 50% ownership interest in Donlin Gold LLC. Exclusive of Mineral Reserves, Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 1 Mt grading 2.23 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 69 Mt grading 2.44 g/t, of which approximately 0.5 Mt of Measured Resources and approximately 35 Mt of Indicated Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD. Donlin Gold possesses Proven Reserves of approximately 8 Mt grading 2.32 g/t and Probable Reserves of approximately 497 Mt grading 2.08 g/t, each on a 100% basis, of which approximately 4 Mt of Proven Reserves and approximately 249 Mt of Probable Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD. Mineral Reserves and Resources have been estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and S-K 1300.

3 The Company retained Wood Canada Limited (Wood) in 2020 to update content in its previously filed Donlin Creek Gold Project, Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Second Updated Feasibility Study, effective November 18, 2011, and amended January 20, 2012. This update resulted in a report titled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA with an effective date of June 1, 2021 (the 2021 Technical Report) and was filed on August 31, 2021. The Company is a registrant with the SEC and is reporting its exploration results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves in accordance with S-K 1300 as of November 30, 2021. While the S-K 1300 rules are similar to National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects rules in Canada, they are not identical and therefore two reports have been produced for the Donlin Gold project. The Company requested that Wood prepare a Technical Report Summary of the Donlin Gold project, Alaska, USA using the standards of S-K 1300 and it is titled S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA (S-K 1300 Report) dated November 30, 2021. Wood incorporated 2020 costs and new gold price guidance to meet the Companys reporting requirements. The resultant 2021 Technical Report and S-K 1300 Report showed no material change to the previously reported mineral resources or mineral reserves.
 Last patient dosed in SPL026-SSRI drug interaction study with data readout anticipated in Q3 2023



 Potential for an expedited route to an international, multi-site Phase II study with SPL028 in 2024, based on clinical findings across SPL026 and SPL028 programs to date

 SPL026 Phase IIa clinical trial results well-received at several international scientific conferences

 Anticipated cash runway to at least Q4 2024 following recent operational restructuring

LONDON, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Small Pharma Inc. (TSXV: DMT) (OTCQB: DMTTF) (the Company or Small Pharma), a biotechnology company focused on short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health conditions, has today published its financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended May 31, 2023. A complete copy of the results and the corresponding managements discussion and analysis can be found under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all currency references are in Canadian dollars.

Financial Highlights (including post-period events):

Cash on hand as of May 31, 2023 was approximately $13.2 million.

Cash used in operating activities was $5.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023. Two of the Companys Phase I studies recently completed dosing. These exploratory studies are aimed at informing the development path of the Companys key clinical programs. The Company recently conducted an operational restructuring. This is expected to deliver a reduction in cash burn for upcoming quarters, which is anticipated to provide a cash runway extension until at least Q4 2024.

Operating expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2023 were $5.7 million.



Recent Business and R&D Highlights:

SPL026: First-Generation N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Asset

Small Pharma has advanced its SPL026 clinical program, with ongoing exploratory studies to evaluate additional formulations and treatment populations.

Intravenous ( IV ) SPL026 drug interaction study: The last patient has been dosed in the Companys Phase Ib drug interaction study assessing the potential interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and SPL026 in patients with Major Depressive Disorder ( MDD ). This open-label study is investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics ( PK ), pharmacodynamics ( PD ), as well as exploratory efficacy of SPL026, alone or in combination with SSRIs. Results from the study are expected in Q3 2023.

) SPL026 drug interaction study: The last patient has been dosed in the Companys Phase Ib drug interaction study assessing the potential interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( ) and SPL026 in patients with Major Depressive Disorder ( ). This open-label study is investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics ( ), pharmacodynamics ( ), as well as exploratory efficacy of SPL026, alone or in combination with SSRIs. Results from the study are expected in Q3 2023. IV/Intramuscular ( IM ) SPL026 Phase I: Results from this study, which compared the safety, tolerability, PK and PD profiles of IV and IM SPL026 administration in 14 healthy volunteers demonstrated that: SPL026, when administered via the IM route, was well tolerated with no safety concerns reported from participants in the trial. The IM drug profile delivered a mean PK half-life of approximately 40 minutes and a mean psychedelic experience duration of approximately 45 minutes. This met the target treatment length, demonstrating the potential for IM administration as a convenient route for patients and physicians.

) SPL026 Phase I: Results from this study, which compared the safety, tolerability, PK and PD profiles of IV and IM SPL026 administration in 14 healthy volunteers demonstrated that: The Company anticipates that upcoming data from its active SPL026 and SPL028 trials will be informative to SPL026s progress. As such, the SPL026 development path will be determined upon the completion of the active Phase I trials.



SPL028: Proprietary Second-Generation Deuterated DMT Asset

SPL028 is the Companys novel deuterated DMT compound targeting an extended DMT psychedelic experience. It offers a unique short-duration DMT drug profile that could provide optimized dose formulations for different administration routes and distinct therapeutic benefits for patients.

SPL028 is currently dosing in an ongoing Phase I study in healthy volunteers. It is a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study evaluating the safety, tolerability, PK and PD of both IV and IM administration of SPL028.

Preliminary findings from the first two cohorts of the study demonstrate that IV SPL028 elicits a psychedelic experience of <1 hour and is well-tolerated. Topline data is expected in Q4 2023.

The Company anticipates that the combined data from the SPL026 and SPL028 programs could enable an expedited path to initiating a multi-jurisdiction, multi-site Phase II study for SPL028 in 2024. Accordingly, the Companys protocol for the SPL028 Phase I program includes the option of initiating a Phase Ib patient study evaluating the efficacy and safety of injectable SPL028 in depression.

Determination of the optimal development route for SPL028, including the target depression patient population, will be reviewed following the conclusion of the ongoing Phase I studies.

SPL028 has a multi-layered intellectual property (IP) portfolio that has matured significantly in 2023 and includes Composition of Matter protection in multiple jurisdictions and protection surrounding related deuterated compounds.



Intellectual Property Portfolio Progress

Significant progress has been made in advancing the Companys IP portfolio with 26 patents granted and 95 patent applications pending across the Companys four key areas of patent protection. These include: Composition of Matter, covering novel drug substances; Medical Use, covering therapeutic compositions and medical uses thereof; Drug Product, covering pharmaceutical formulations; and Synthetic Route, covering the novel and efficient synthesis of high purity drug substance at scale.



Corporate Activity

The team presented clinical and preclinical data on SPL026 and SPL028 at a number of key scientific and industry events including the 34th CINP World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology in Montreal, Canada; the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver; and the British Association for Psychopharmacology 2023 Summer Meeting.

The Company hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with key opinion leaders in psychiatry in March 2023. Dr. Carol Routledge was joined by Jerry Rosenbaum, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and David Erritzoe, MD, PhD, Imperial College London to discuss the potential of short-duration psychedelics as a treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. A replay of the roundtable discussion can be accessed here.

George Tziras, CEO of Small Pharma, said: Our exploratory SPL026 and SPL028 Phase I studies, which are aimed at expanding patient access to DMT-based treatments, are almost complete. This will enable us to make a data-driven decision on the optimal development path for our clinical programs. We were very pleased that the results from the IV/IM study indicate the potential for IM as a convenient alternative route of treatment administration with a favorable safety profile. We also look forward to sharing the results of the SPL026-SSRI drug interaction study soon, which could further expand access to DMT-based treatments in the future given the large population of patients who currently take SSRI medication.

About Small Pharma

Small Pharma is a biotechnology company progressing a pipeline of short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for the treatment of mental health conditions. Small Pharma has a portfolio of clinical-stage DMT-based assets, SPL026 and SPL028. The Company was granted an Innovation Passport designation for SPL026 from the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (the MHRA) and has a pipeline of proprietary preclinical assets.

Contact Information:

Small Pharma Inc. & Investor Relations:

George Tziras, Chief Executive Officer

Email: ir@smallpharma.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)7720 326 847

Media Relations:

Jenny Maguire, Head of External Affairs

Email: jenny.maguire@smallpharma.co.uk

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking information (forward-looking information) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information 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 information.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the SPL026 clinical trials and studies to evaluate additional formulations and treatment populations, including anticipated results from such studies and the Companys decisions related to SPL026s development path for key clinical programs upon completion of the active Phase I trials; the expected timeline for data readout of the IV SPL026 drug interaction study; statements related to the SPL028 clinical trials and studies, including the Companys decisions related to SPL028s optimal development route following conclusion of the ongoing Phase I studies; the potential for SPL028 to provide optimized dose formulations for different administration routes and distinct therapeutic benefits for patients; the potential for the Company to pursue an expedited path to initiating a multi-jurisdiction, multi-site Phase II study for SPL028 in 2024 based on combined SPL026 and SPL028 study results; the Companys expectation to generate material cost savings as a result of an operational restructuring in order reduce its historical cash burn; the ability for the operational efficiencies to extend the runway of the Companys current resources to at least Q4 2024; the potential for IM administration to provide an alternative safe and convenient route of treatment administration; the ability to further expand access to DMT-based treatments in the future; and the Companys ability to provide short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for the treatment of mental health conditions.

In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information 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 information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: compliance with extensive government regulations; domestic and foreign laws and regulations adversely affecting the Companys business and results of operations; the impact of pandemics or other future disruptions; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

Small Pharma makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about its proposed products. The MHRA or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding DMT-assisted therapies and other next generation psychoactive compounds. The efficacy of such therapies has not been confirmed by MHRA-approved research. There is no assurance that such DMT-assisted therapies and other psychoactive compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential therapies do not imply that Small Pharma verified such in clinical trials or that Small Pharma will complete such trials. If Small Pharma cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Small Pharmas performance and operations.

The TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. 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.
CLEVELAND and PHILADELPHIA, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Investors in Premier Global who purchased their investments through Nicholas Nick Stovall, a Minnesota investment professional, have hired the investor rights lawyers at the Rosca Scarlato law firm to pursue claims for compensation in connection with their Premier Global investments. The Rosca Scarlato lawyers have started filing claims on their behalf, against a Minnesota financial service company that employed Stovall, a previously registered financial advisor in Arden Hills, MN. The law firm represents multiple families of Premier Global investors in Minnesota and Oklahoma and is preparing to file additional claims on their behalf, to seek compensation for their Premier losses.



The complaint filed by the Rosca Scarlato attorneys alleges that Mr. Stovalls former employer failed to conduct adequate due diligence prior to him recommending the Premier Global investments, which were unregistered and fraudulent, to investors. The complaint further alleges that Mr. Stovalls former employer failed to adequately supervise his Premier Global-related activities. According to recent regulatory disclosures, Nick Stovall was permitted to resign on July 21, 2023, following allegations of violations of his employers policies and procedures, the solicitation of unapproved products, failure to notify his employer of a regulatory inquiry in a timely manner, and failure to provide timely notification regarding a subpoena and investigation that was initiated by the State of Kansas Securities Commissioner.

The Premier Global Ponzi Scheme

Premier Global Corporation, Premier Factoring, related PF funds (Premier), and dozens of sales agents are subject to pending regulatory actions by securities regulators in Kansas and Oklahoma in connection with allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent, Ponzi scheme that raised over $100 million from hundreds of investors nationwide through misrepresentations and omissions. Premier has been placed into receivership.

The Rosca Scarlato Investor Lawyers Are Preparing to File Additional Claims for Compensation on Behalf of Premier Global Investors

The Rosca Scarlato attorneys currently represent numerous Premier Global investors in Minnesota and Oklahoma, and are working to seek compensation for their Premier losses from financial service companies that employed some of the agents who promoted Premier to investors. The Rosca Scarlato attorneys goal is to supplement whatever recovery may be available to those investors through the liquidation of Premiers assets in the receivership proceedings.

Premier Global investors may contact investor rights attorneys Alan Rosca and Paul Scarlato with any questions regarding this matter and their investment losses, or to offer useful information, toll free at 888-998-0530, via email at arosca@rscounsel.law or pscarlato@rscounsel.law, or through the contact form on the Premier Global Investor Center page. All evaluations are free.

The Rosca Scarlato attorneys typically take cases on behalf of investors on a contingency fee basis, advance all case expenses, and only get paid for their fees and expenses if and when they are successful.

* This release may be deemed to include Attorney Advertising. There has been no finding of liability as to any of the allegations herein, and the referenced proceedings are currently pending and have not been adjudicated.
NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, July 31, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the voice in President Bidens Cabinet for Americas 33 million small businesses, will visit New York City to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the SBA.



Administrator Guzman will visit with local small business owners to highlight how President Bidens Investing in America agenda has led to record job growth and a historic small business boom, with entrepreneurs applying to start 12.2 million new small businesses during President Bidens first 30 months in office. Administrator Guzman will end her day with a visit to the New York Stock Exchange, where she will ring the closing bell at 4 p.m. ET to mark the SBAs anniversary and celebrate the immense possibility of American entrepreneurship with former SBA-assisted small businesses that have since grown to successful publicly traded companies.

Established by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1953, via the Small Business Act, the SBA has since provided billions of dollars in support to small business owners. After seven decades of helping American entrepreneurs achieve their small business dreams, the SBA continues to assist millions of small business owners every year through resources and strategic guidance, helping them build meaningful lifelong connections and sustain their local economies.



All times are local; specific location information will be provided upon successful RSVP.

Monday, July 31, 2023

Small Business Visits

WHO: SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman



WHEN: Afternoon. Additional details to come.





WHERE: New York City. RSVP HERE for specific addresses and times.

NYSE Closing Bell Ringing

WHO: SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman



WHEN: 4 p.m. ET





WHERE: Live-streamed on The Bell | NYSE.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
TORONTO, Ontario, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudbay Minerals Inc. (Hudbay or the company) (TSX, NYSE: HBM) releases positive results from the companys 2023 winter drill program near its Lalor mine in Snow Lake, Manitoba, and announces the significant consolidation of land in the Snow Lake region through several strategic transactions. The agreements with multiple land holders will increase Hudbays holdings in the Snow Lake region by more than 250% to a total of 2,690 square-kilometres. The drilling results and the regional land acquisitions provide the potential for mine life extension at Hudbays Snow Lake operations beyond 2038.



Key Highlights:

Step-out drilling approximately 500 metres northwest of Lalor has intersected a series of base metal and copper-gold zones, including a high-grade copper-gold-silver zone. Recent borehole electromagnetic surveys have identified multiple conductive horizons with target generation and planning for future drilling campaigns in progress.

Down-plunge drilling from Lalor indicates the alteration zone, hosting mineralization currently being mined, continues for at least two kilometres to the north.

Acquisition of the Cook Lake properties in Snow Lake provides additional potential for a new discovery. The Cook Lake properties are untested by modern deep geophysics. Historical drilling intersected base metal and gold mineralization and the drill programs were limited to an average depth of only 275 metres, which is a fraction of Lalors current known depth of approximately 600 to 1,500 metres.

Incorporating the recently announced agreement to acquire Rockcliff Metals Corp. (Rockcliff), Hudbays land position within trucking distance of its Snow Lake processing facilities will expand by more than 250%.

These positive exploration results and land consolidation initiatives provide the potential to deliver increases in near-term production, mine life extension and substantial long-term value creation from Hudbays Snow Lake operations.

Peter Kukielski, the companys President and Chief Executive Officer, comments, Since the start-up of Lalor in 2014, much of our focus has been on in-mine resource conversion, where we have had tremendous success adding over two million ounces of additional high-grade gold reserves. In our first step-out and down-plunge drill program since the initial discovery of the gold and copper-gold lenses at Lalor more than a decade ago, the results demonstrate the potential to replicate our exploration success through the discovery of additional high-grade zones that could enhance near-term production and further extend mine life. We are also consolidating our land package in the prospective Snow Lake Greenstone Belt, where we have more than tripled our land holdings to provide further opportunity for the discovery of new deposits to unlock meaningful long-term value at our Snow Lake operations.

Lalor New Mineralized Zones  Near-term Production Growth Potential

Hudbays 2023 winter drill program in Snow Lake included exploration near the Lalor mine with one drill rig testing a geophysical anomaly located northwest of Lalor, within 500 metres of existing underground infrastructure (please refer to Figure 1 at the end of this news release). The geophysical anomaly was initially tested in 2022 with the intersection of significant widths of silver mineralization, as seen in hole LX0188, which was drilled from the closest underground platform at an unfavorable angle, and hole CH2206. Silver is the most mobile metal in a volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) system and can indicate the immediate proximity of more significant base metal mineralization when encountered in significant quantity in isolation from the other metals. In 2023, four follow-up drill holes were completed with all holes intersecting an alteration zone that is known to host the Lalor mineralization. Holes CH2202, CH2302 and CH2303 also intersected several sulphide horizons with both zinc and copper-gold-silver mineralization. Full details on the assays received to-date can be found in Table 1 located towards the end of this news release and highlights include:

Hole CH2302 intersected three mineralized zones, including 7.0 metres of 3.06% zinc and 15.1 grams per tonne silver; 3.5 metres of 3.81% copper, 3.75 grams per tonne gold and 104.5 grams per tonne silver; and 7.5 metres of 3.87% zinc and 7.5 grams per tonne silver

Hole LX0188 intersected 13.0 metres of 13.0 grams per tonne silver

Hole CH2206 intersected 9.9 metres of 18.9 grams per tonne silver and 1.49% zinc, and 3.8 metres of 9.7 grams per tonne silver and 4.30% zinc

Hole CH2303 intersected 9.7 metres of 106 grams per tonne silver and 6.4 metres of 11.7 grams per tonne silver and 2.7% zinc

In addition, recent borehole electromagnetic surveys have identified multiple conductive horizons and Hudbay is in the process of generating targets and a plan for the next drilling campaign. Given the close proximity of these intersections to the existing Lalor underground infrastructure, the mineralization in this area has the potential to further enhance the near-term mine plan for Lalor pending additional drilling and positive feasibility studies.

Lalor Down-plunge Drilling  Long-term Mine Life Extension Potential

Hudbays 2023 winter drill program in Snow Lake also included four drill rigs testing the down-plunge copper-gold extensions of the Lalor deposit, in the first drilling in the deeper zones at Lalor since the initial discovery of the copper-gold zones in 2009 and 2010. This initial campaign consisted of eight widely spaced drill holes over a distance of two kilometres, as shown in Figure 2. Seven of the drill holes reached their planned minimum depth of 1,500 metres prior to the spring thaw that necessitated an early end of the program. All holes intersected the zone of strong alteration known to host the Lalor mineralization and have shown many occurrences of disseminated copper sulfides indicating the potential close proximity of one or more higher grade copper-gold feeder zones similar to Lens 27 currently in production at Lalor. Furthermore, two of the holes have shown better mineral endowment with three intercepts of a minimum of five metres of copper mineralization, as shown in Table 2. The lack of gold associated with the copper mineralization suggests that drilling has yet to intersect the core of the mineralized system. These initial results from widely spaced drilling are a very encouraging indication that the rocks hosting the rich copper-gold mineralization at Lalor continue down-plunge as predicted by Hudbays geological models.

Cook Lake Properties  Potential for Another Snow Lake Anchor Deposit

In late June 2023, Hudbay completed the acquisition of the Cook Lake properties from an arms-length third party. The Cook Lake properties are located within ten kilometres and along the same regional trend as Hudbays Lalor mine, as shown in Figure 3, and have the potential to host a new discovery at depth. The properties include the Cook Lake North and South properties, which are within 30 kilometres of Hudbays Stall and New Britannia processing facilities.

Hudbay has received data regarding approximately 60,000 metres of historical drilling that was completed on the Cook Lake properties between 1971 and 2012, with an average depth of only 275 metres, which is a fraction of the depth of Lalors current known mineralization of approximately 600 to 1,500 metres. The historical drill holes appear to have intersected polymetallic mineralization, as highlighted in Table 3, including a 3 metre intersection of typical base metal mineralization of the Snow Lake region at 5.1% copper, 3.7% zinc, 1.0 grams per tonne gold and 20.7 grams per tonne silver and a 3.3 metre intersection of typical copper-gold feeder mineralization at 3.0% copper, 2.3 grams per tonne gold, 8.9 grams per tonne silver and 0.8% zinc. Although the historical data has not been validated by a qualified person, the mineralization on the Cook Lake properties indicates that there is the potential for new deposits on the same favourable mineralized horizons as many known deposits in the area, including the Lalor, 1901 and Chisel deposits. The Cook Lake properties are untested by modern deep geophysics, which was the discovery method for the Lalor mine.

Rockcliff Acquisition  Regional Land Consolidation with Satellite Potential

On June 19, 2023, as previously announced, Hudbay entered into a definitive agreement with Rockcliff, pursuant to which Hudbay agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Rockcliff that it does not already own pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement (the Arrangement). Rockcliff is one of the largest landholders in the Snow Lake area with more than 1,800 square kilometres across all its properties. The completion of the Arrangement will consolidate Hudbays ownership of the Talbot deposit and provide the company with additional exploration properties in the vicinity of its Stall and New Britannia mills, as shown in Figure 4. These additional properties include the land adjacent to Hudbays Pen II deposit, which is a low tonnage and high-grade zinc deposit that starts from surface and is located approximately 12 kilometres by road from the Lalor mine. Rockcliff intersected mineralization down-dip from Hudbays Pen deposit and identified a deep geophysical conductive plate.

Completion of the Arrangement is contingent upon court approval from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List), shareholder approval of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by Rockcliff shareholders at a special meeting scheduled to be held on August 31, 2023 and other customary conditions and stock exchange approvals. The Arrangement is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.

Next Steps

Consolidating these properties in the Snow Lake area will provide Hudbay with a significant land package within trucking distance of the companys existing processing infrastructure. Figure 4 shows the increase in Hudbays land position through the acquisition of the Cook Lake properties, the proposed acquisition of the Rockcliff properties and other recent land acquisitions, representing a more than 250% increase in Hudbays Snow Lake land package. Hudbay intends to explore these claims in hopes of finding a new anchor deposit to maximize and extend the life of Hudbays Snow Lake operations beyond 2038.

The companys 2024 exploration plans include regional geophysical surveys to be conducted on the newly consolidated land package in Snow Lake. The company also expects to refine targets for its 2024 winter drilling campaign to the northwest and down-plunge from Lalor using the results from geophysical borehole surveys.

Table 1: Lalor Northwest 2023 Drill Program Results

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn (%) Cu (%) LX0188 476.0 489.0 13.0 0.02 13.0 0.01 0.01 CH2206 972.0 975.8 3.8 0.15 9.7 4.30 0.10 CH2206 983.1 993.0 9.9 0.45 18.9 1.49 0.62 CH2302 1090.0 1097.0 7.0 0.53 15.1 3.06 0.85 CH2302 1121.0 1124.5 3.5 3.75 104.5 1.19 3.81 CH2302 1140.5 1148.0 7.5 0.04 7.5 3.87 0.08 CH2303 1031.4 1041.0 9.7 0.51 106.2 0.38 0.02 CH2303 1121.9 1128.3 6.4 0.22 11.7 2.65 0.22

Table 2: Lalor Down Plunge 2023 Drill Program Results

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn (%) Cu (%) DUB307 1434.0 1439.8 5.8 0.181 2.105 0.026 0.483 DUB308 1336.5 1343.6 7.1 0.031 0.876 0.004 0.486 DUB308 1349.6 1363.6 14.1 0.047 1.026 0.005 0.647

Table 3: Cook Lake Selected Historical Drill Results

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn (%) Cu (%) FB_C103 270.8 273.8 3.0 1.01 20.7 3.66 5.07 FB_C142 385.5 388.8 3.3 2.25 8.9 0.79 3.02 FB_C152 660.8 664.6 3.8 2.29 4.3 0.97 1.40 FB_C155 759.6 761.4 1.8 3.54 9.0 4.90 3.08

A qualified person has not independently verified this historical data or the quality assurance and quality control program that was applied during the execution of this drill program and, as such, Hudbay cautions that this information should not be relied upon by investors.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101

The technical and scientific information in this news release related to the companys Lalor mine has been approved by Olivier Tavchandjian, P. Geo, Senior Vice President, Exploration and Technical Services. Mr. Tavchandjian is a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources at Hudbay's material properties, as well as data verification procedures and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates of scientific and technical information may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant factors, please see the technical reports for the companys material properties as filed by Hudbay on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Supplemental Information for Lalor Drill Holes

Hole ID



Collar Coordinate Length (m)



Azimuth



Dip



Location



Core Size



Easting Northing Elevation CH2206 426564 6081700 313 1220 320.09 -75 Surface NQ CH2301 426594 6081627 307 1190 319.84 -76.8 Surface NQ CH2302 426577 6081804 303 1298 319.19 -77 Surface NQ CH2303 426529 6081778 303 1247 319.94 -75 Surface NQ DUB307 427032 6082146 302 1970 0.09 -80 Surface NQ DUB308 426795 6082635 299 2003 359.87 -80 Surface NQ LX0188 426625.7 6081492 -541.8 557.2 304.03 -20 Underground NQ



Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, Hudbays plans for future drilling programs, Hudbays expectations regarding the prospective nature of the Cook Lake properties, exploration at Lalor, the potential for exploration discoveries on Hudbays regional land claims, the consummation and timing of the Arrangement, the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Arrangement, and the strengths, characteristics and potential of the Arrangement. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.

The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to risks generally associated with the mining industry and the current geopolitical environment, such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations, energy prices and general cost escalation), risks associated with the permitting process with respect to our projects, uncertainties related to the development and operation of our projects, risks related to the Arrangement, including business integration risks and risks that the Arrangement is not consummated, as well as the risks discussed under the heading Risk Factors in Hudbays most recent Annual Information Form and under the heading Financial Risk Management in Hudbays most recent managements discussion and analysis.

Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

About Hudbay

Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.

Hudbays operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbays growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona, the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.

The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better futures for communities. Hudbays mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

For further information, please contact:

Candace Brule

Vice President, Investor Relations

(416) 814-4387

investor.relations@hudbay.com

Figure 1: New Zone Discovery Near Lalor

Recent drilling testing a geophysical anomaly located within 500 metres northwest of Lalor intersected high-grade mineralization, including a high-grade copper-gold-silver zone. Blue plate denotes a horizon of conductive material associated with some of the best mineralized intersections.





Figure 2: 2023 Down Plunge Drilling at Lalor

Winter 2023 surface drilling to test the deeper extensions of the Lalor deposit included eight widely-spaced drill holes to explore a large footprint of approximately two kilometres by one kilometre down dip of Lalor.





Figure 3: Acquisition of the Cook Lake Property

In late June 2023, Hudbay completed the acquisition of the Cook Lake North and South properties. The Cook Lake North property is located within ten kilometres of the Lalor deposit and has the potential to host a new discovery at depth. Approximately 60,000 metres of historical drilling has been competed across the Cook Lake properties with an average depth of only 275 metres, a fraction of Lalors current known depth of approximately 600 to 1,500 metres.





Figure 4: Newly Acquired Land Position in the Snow Lake Camp

With the recently acquired Cook Lake mining claims and upon completion of the pending acquisition of Rockcliff, Hudbay will have consolidated a majority of the mining claims in the vicinity of its Snow Lake operations. A significant portion of this land package has had limited modern geophysics conducted on the claims, providing additional potential for new regional discoveries.





Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96ad2761-63ab-4cca-a015-92e4f4e62eae

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6f4ecbc-8d11-4f20-bca8-02d4797f2dd4

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a16ab36b-6319-4a53-a233-9095886b9c22

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/165433f9-101c-4d25-b6de-280896bc857d
Vancouver, July 26, 2023 - M3 Metals Corp. (TSXV: MT) (FSE: X0V) ("M3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a mineral property option and joint venture agreement (the "Agreement") with Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge"), a TSX Venture Exchange listed company.

The Agreement grants Surge the option (the "Option") to earn up to an eighty (80%) percent interest in and to the M3M Lands (as shown in the map below and identified as the M3 Metals Claim Block) by Surge making the following payments to the Company:

to earn a fifty (50%) percent interest upon Closing in the M3M Lands, Surge must make a cash payment to the Company of $500,000 and must issue to the Company a total of 2,000,000 of Surge's common shares;





to earn an additional twenty (20%) percent interest in the M3M Lands, Surge must make a cash payment to the Company of $250,000, issue to the Company a total of 2,000,000 of Surge's common shares and make $250,000 in exploration expenditures; and





to earn an additional ten (10%) percent interest in the M3M Lands, Surge must make a cash payment to M3M of $500,000 and issue to the Company a total of 1,000,000 of Surge's common shares.

Upon earning a fifty (50%) percent interest in the M3M Lands, the Company may either continue to earn the additional twenty (20%) percent interest and ten (10%) percent interest in the M3M Lands or may require M3M to enter into a joint venture agreement with Surge for further exploration and development of the M3M Lands. Upon payment of the Full Option Exercise Price, M3M and Surge must enter into a joint venture agreement with industry customary terms including that the party with the greater interest in the M3M Lands will act as the Operator of the M3M Lands unless otherwise agreed between them.

Closing of the M3M Agreement is expected to occur within ten (10) days of TSX Venture Exchange approval of the M3M Agreement. The M3M Agreement and the Option have a term of five (5) years and require, upon their termination, that the parties enter into a joint venture provided that Surge has earned at least a fifty (50%) percent interest in the M3M Lands.

No finder's fees are payable in connection with the M3M Agreement and M3M and Surge are not related parties for the purposes of MI 61-101 or otherwise subject to it.

The M3M Agreement, and the performance of the Company's obligations thereunder, are conditional upon the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The properties comprising the M3M Lands were staked by the Company in April of 2023 prior to the Company entering into the Lakshmi Property Agreement (as described below). The M3M Lands that were staked by the Company are comprised of 253 claims in Elko County Nevada and are located approximately 40km southeast of Jackpot, Nevada and 73km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada.

M3M Lands (Identified in Map as "M3 Metals Claim Block")



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5509/175039_a3ec9171346a09ff_001full.jpg

LAKSHMI PROPERTY UPDATE

On May 9, 2023 the Company announced that it had entered into a mineral property option agreement (the "Lakshmi Property Agreement") to acquire an interest in the Lakshmi Property, a mineral property prospective for lithium. The Lakshmi Property is expected to be the focus of the Company's exploration and development efforts on a going forward basis. The Lakshmi Property Agreement is subject to its approval by the Exchange. Approval requires the Company to submit a technical report on the Laskshmi Property which the Company anticipates will be completed, and submitted to the Exchange, shortly. More complete information on the Lakshmi Property can be found in the Company's news release of May 9, 2023 under the Company's Issuer Profile on sedar.com.

ABOUT M3 METALS CORP.

M3 Metals Corp. is a Canadian listed Company, focused on creating shareholder value through discoveries and strategic development of mineral properties in North America. For additional information please visit M3 Metals website at www.m3metalscorp.com. You may also email info@m3metalscorp.com or call investor relations at (604) 669-2279.

M3 Metals Corp.

"Kosta Tsoutsis"

Kosta Tsoutsis, CEO

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain 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 future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, currency risks including the exchange rate of US$ for CDN$, changes in exploration costs and government royalties or taxes in Canada, the United States or other jurisdictions 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 affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175039
Montreal, July 26, 2023 - SRG Mining Inc. (TSXV:SRG) ("SRG" or the "Company") announced significant progress has been made towards meeting the closing conditions of the proposed private placement, announced on July 10, 2023, to Carbon ONE New Energy Group Co., Ltd ("C-ONE").

Under terms of a subscription agreement between the Company and C-ONE, SRG will issue 28,222,380 common shares to C-ONE (or its designated affiliate) through a private placement at a price of C$0.60 per share. The subscription amount is approximately C$16.9 million (US$12.7 million) (the "Subscription Amount"). On closing, C-ONE will come to own 19.4% of SRG's issued and outstanding common shares, establishing C-ONE as one of SRG's largest shareholders.

SRG's current largest shareholder, La Mancha Investments S.a.r.l. ("La Mancha") will partially exercise its pre-existing anti-dilution right. Under terms of a separate subscription agreement, dated July 25, 2023, between the Company and La Mancha, SRG will issue 779,439 common shares to La Mancha (or its designated affiliate) through a private placement at a price of C$0.60 per share. The aggregate subscription amount of La Mancha's subscription is approximately C$0.5 million (US$0.3million) (the "La Mancha Subscription Amount"). La Mancha currently owns an aggregate of 27,442,941 SRG common shares representing approximately 24.1% of SRG's issued and outstanding common shares and following the subscription, and after giving effect to the C-ONE private placement, La Mancha will own an aggregate of 28,222,380 common shares of SRG representing approximately 19.4% of SRG.

The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions which have all been met or waived other than delivery of the securities of SRG, as well as additional closing conditions related to regulatory approvals, including approval by the Ministry of Commerce ("MOC") of the Peoples Republic of China, the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") of the People's Republic of China and State Administration of Foreign Exchange ("SAFE") of the Peoples Republic of China and under the Investment Canada Act.

C-ONE has provided evidence of the Subscription Amount being retained for the purpose of completing the placement upon receipt of regulatory approval, and has provided an undertaking to retain the Subscription Amount with Bank of China until such time as MOC, NDRC and SAFE approvals have been obtained, following which C-ONE shall transfer the Subscription Amount in trust to an independent escrow agent for the purpose of completing the placement following the completion of the remaining regulatory approval process. La Mancha has similarly deposited the La Mancha Subscription Amount in an escrow account in anticipation of all closing conditions having been met or waived.

Completion of the transaction is expected to occur by or in Q1 2024. The common shares will be subject to a four month and one day hold period from the date of their issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

La Mancha is holding SRG common shares for investment purposes and in the future, La Mancha may, from time to time, increase or decrease its investments in SRG through market transactions, private arrangements, treasury issuances or otherwise. La Mancha is a wholly owned subsidiary of La Mancha Resource Fund SCSp (formerly known as La Mancha Fund SCSp, the "Fund").

The head office of La Mancha and the Fund is located at 31-33 Avenue Pasteur L-2311 Luxembourg. SRG's head office is located at 1320 boul. Graham, Suite/bureau 132, Mont-Royal, Quebec, H3P 3C8.

La Mancha will file an early warning report in accordance with applicable securities laws, which will be available under SRG's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and may also be obtained by contacting: Karim Nasr, Partner, La Mancha Resource Capital LLP, karim.nasr@lamancha.com, +44.203.960.2020.

The La Mancha investment is a "related party transaction" for purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). SRG is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, respectively, in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(b) of MI 61-101, respectively, as the fair market value of the investment is not more than 25% of SRG's market capitalization.

About C-ONE

A leading private anode materials company in China, C-ONE was founded in 2022 by C-ONE's Chair, Yue Min. Mr. Yue is a co-founder of BTR New Material Group Co., Ltd, the largest anode materials company in the world, and is a pioneer in China's graphite and silicon-based anode industry. As a principal inventor, Mr. Yue is a leading authority with over 30 years of experience in anode materials who has drafted numerous industry standards and has over 300 battery-related patents in his name.

C-ONE has assembled a large production base for various anode materials that sets the benchmark in the industry, including natural flake graphite. C-ONE is an innovative anode material industry leader and one of the lowest cost anode material producers in China, with a current installed capacity of 300,000 tonnes per annum ("tpa") of CSPG. C-ONE owns several natural flake graphite mines that feed 250,000 tpa of spheroidizing capacity, 275,000 tpa of chemical purification capacity and 100,000 tpa of thermal purification capacity as well as 300,000 tpa of ALD-like coating capacity.

In addition to natural flake graphite material, C-ONE has the capacity to produce 150,000 tpa of artificial graphite and planned production of 15,000 tpa of silicon-based products.

About SRG

SRG Mining is a Canadian-based mining company focused on developing the Lola Graphite Project located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. The Lola Graphite Project has Proven and Probable Reserves of 41Mt at a grade of 4.14% Cg. SRG aims to develop a fully integrated source of battery anode material to supply the European and North American lithium-ion and fuel cell markets. With attractive operating costs, proximity to European end-markets and strong ESG credentials, the Company is poised to become a reliable supplier while promoting sustainability and supply chain transparency. SRG is committed to generating sustainable, long-term benefits that are shared with the host countries and communities where it operates.

For additional information, please visit SRG's website at www.srgmining.com.

Contact :

Matthieu Bos Matt Johnston

President & CEO Corporate Development Advisor

Email: m.bos@srgmining.com Email: m.johnston@srgmining.com

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "accelerate", advance", "confident", "aim", "develop", "expected", "include", "will", "become", "continue", "deliver", "believe", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would" or "might". Forward-looking information in this news release includes receipt of regulatory approvals, completion of the private placement of C-ONE in the common shares of SRG, and the exercise of La Mancha's anti-dilution rights. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) decision making processes by applicable regulatory authorities in China and Canada; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the decision making of third parties, including La Mancha; (iv) the continuation of title related to the Company's mineral properties until the date of closing; (iv) the results of a national security review, if any, associated with the proposed investment; and other risks and factors more generally associated with the business of the Company, as described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the MD&A of the Company and which is available at www.sedar.com, all of which should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is given as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
June 27th - Pickering, Ontario - Renforth Resources Inc. (CSE:RFR) (OTC:RFHRF) (FSE:9RR) ("Renforth" or the "Company") would like to inform shareholders that the mineralized McCart Nickel Property, located approximately 15 km west of Iroquois Falls, Ontario, along Highway 11, has been added to Renforth's Ontario exploration property portfolio.

About McCart

Historic work on the McCart Property is recorded as early as 1917 with the documentation of nickel on the property. Less than a dozen recorded exploration programs between the first documented in 1917 and the present day have occurred, however, they continued to define nickel occurrences, with the result that a strike length of approximately 600m, limited only by a lack of outcrop, has been outlined consisting of nickel mineralization controlled by the basalt contact of the intrusive body where dunite lies in sheared contact with the komatiitic volcanics. Currently the main sulphidic zone has been outlined as 3-4m wide on surface, consisting of disseminated and net-textured pyyrhotite with minor chalcopyrite and pentlandite. In addition to this a historic trench on the property exposes graphitic mudstones with traces of albitization and oxidation, there is also a large body of unrecorded and unexplored felsic volcanics present to the south on the property.

Grab samples taken in a brief property visit in November 2022 confirmed the presence of nickel on the property with a high grab of 0.236% Ni taken from a historic trench showing 10-15% pyyrhotite, this sample was proximal to a historic result of 4,100ppm Ni from prospecting and thin section work completed by Cunnison & Pyke between 1991-93, this information is taken from the public record. Renforth notes two cautions to the reader with regard to this information (1) a grab sample is selective in nature and not reflective of the entirety of the lithology on the property, or the property itself, and (2) historic work is not to be unduly relied upon, while it is presumed the work was carried out in an acceptable and workmanlike manner by geoscientists there is no original material remaining for verification and the technology, assay methodology and certification standards have changed in the intervening years. The reference to historic work is for indicative purposes only.

Renforth acquired the 9 staked claims that currently form the McCart property though an assignment of the claims, at no cost, and own 100% of the rights to the claims with no encumbrances. Renforth anticipates that these claims will be visited at some point in the Fall of 2023 for initial prospecting work by Renforth.

The sample referred to above from November 2022 was taken in the field by Brian H. Newton P. Geo, sealed and delivered via bonded courier to the facilities of ALS Canada Ltd. in Sudbury, Ontario where they were processed using service codes PGM-MS23L and ME-MS61 for assays of low level pgm elements and 48 element four acid ICP digestion.

Technical disclosure in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Brian H. Newton PGeo, a "qualified person" pursuant to NI 43-101.

For further information please contact:

Renforth Resources Inc.

Nicole Brewster

President and Chief Executive Officer

C:416-818-1393

E: nicole@renforthresources.com

#Unit 1B - 955 Brock Road, Pickering ON L1W 2X9

Follow Renforth on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

About Renforth

Renforth is a secure multi-commodity area play with the dominant brownfield land position south of the world class Cadillac-Larder Lake Fault ("CLLF") in the prolific Cadillac and Malartic mining camps of Quebec's Abitibi. Offering exposure to gold, zinc, nickel, copper, cobalt and more, including lithium, Renforth's land position encompasses several areas of interest. In the more than 300 square kilometres Renforth holds, there are both resources and mineralized ground undergoing exploration to extend zones and define the amount of metal in structures.

Renforth's position is unique in that the ground is road accessible, has hydro power in place and is in an established and secure mining jurisdiction which regularly ranks as Top 10 (as determined by the Fraser Institute) in the world.

The CLLF, which extends from west of Kirkland Lake in Ontario to east of Val d'Or in Quebec is a regional first order fault which hosts numerous mines along its extent, including one of Canada's most lucrative gold mines, the know historic O'Brien Mine which formed the Cadillac Mining Camp, and Renforth's Parbec gold deposit near Malartic. Now, immediately north of Renforth's landholdings is one of the few instances of the CLLF being mined on its north side with North America's deepest single stage shaft, the Penna shaft, at Agnico Eagle's LaRonde Mine. Renforth holds the dominant land position in the Cadillac Camp south of the fault, and a good portion of the land position in the Malartic camp as well, contiguous to one of the few mines operating on the south side of the Cadillac Break, the Canadian Malartic Mine. Renforth's landholdings in the area host gold and silver as well as a host of future facing, or battery, metals such as nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt, and lithium.

No securities regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'expect', 'believe', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'intend' and similar words referring to future events and results. Such statements and information are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in the Company's securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the reader is cautioned against placing undue reliance thereon. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided, and the Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Vancouver, July 27, 2023 - Gitennes Exploration Inc. ("Gitennes" or the "Company") - (TSXV:GIT) announces that further to its news release dated March 1, 2023 the TSX Venture Exchange has approved the acquisition of the Blue Ice property ("Blue Ice") located approximately 100 km northeast of Sept Iles, Quebec. Blue Ice mineralization is hosted in pegmatites and has been historically sampled by Gitennes with assays returning high grade Heavy Rare Earth Elements ("HREE"), niobium and tantalum.

The Blue Ice property is Gitennes' third battery metals property in Quebec along with its Sept Iles nickel and its Sept Iles Rare Earth Element properties which were acquired in May 2023 and are also located in the Sept Iles region.

Historical Highlights of the Property

Assays from grab samples of: Total Heavy REE - 7,000 ppm; Niobium - 1.86%; Tantalum - 0.48%;

Three swarms of pegmatite dikes have been mapped; Pegmatite swarms occur over 1,200 metres from north to south; Results are from two separate pegmatite dikes 640 metres apart; Only one claim has been mapped, potential for more pegmatites on other claims;

Property covers a large area of pegmatite dikes with a previously undocumented occurrence of large crystals of beryl, a beryllium mineral;

Limited historical exploration on the entire property offers an excellent grass-root discovery opportunity;

A power line crosses the property, and an active rail line is 500 metres away.

With the acquisition of the four claims Blue Ice now consists of 119 contiguous claims totaling 6,462 hectares. In addition to the four claims, Gitennes staked and owns 100% of 115 claims.

Large pegmatite that was sampled and returned heavy REE, niobium and tantalum.

The TSX Venture has approved the acquisition of four claims under two separate option agreements that gives the Company the right to acquire 100% of the claims.

The first option agreement for one claim pays the vendor $10,000 and issues 100,000 shares. Gitennes must expend $50,000 on exploration on the claim within 12 months of signing the agreement. A 1.5% NSR will be granted to vendor.

The second option on three claims pays the vendors $75,000 by the second anniversary of the signing of the agreement and Gitennes will issue 300,000 shares by the third anniversary of the agreement. Exploration expenditures by Gitennes will total $600,000 over three years with the first $100,000 required to be spent within 18 months of the signing of the agreement. A 1.5% NSR will be granted to the vendors.

About Gitennes Exploration Inc.

Gitennes is in the business of exploring for and advancing mineral properties with a focus on high grade or large tonnage gold deposits. The Company currently has five gold properties in Quebec, JMW, New Mosher, Maxwell, VG Boulder and Serpenphior, the Snowbird gold property in British Columbia and a 1.5% Net Smelter Return royalty on the 18 million ounce Urumalqui Silver Project in Peru. Gitennes owns 100% of its Quebec gold properties except for New Mosher which is under option whereby Gitennes can earn an initial 70% with the right to increase its ownership to 85%. The JMW, Maxwell and Snowbird Properties have been optioned to other gold exploration companies.

Qualified Person - The technical content in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mitchell E. Lavery, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

For further information on the Company, readers are referred to the Company's website at www.gitennes.com and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Gitennes Exploration Inc.

"Ken Booth"

Ken Booth

President

For further information, please contact: Ken Booth

Phone: 604-682-7970

Email: info@gitennes.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of the Company. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "schedules", 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. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the exercise of the Option to acquire the New Mosher and Snowbird Projects and to conduct exploration activities thereon. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development and actual results of exploration activities; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the TSX-V), permits or financing; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; potential defects in title to the Company's properties; fluctuations in the prices of commodities and precious metals; operating hazards and risks; environmental issues and liabilities; and competition and other risks and uncertainties of the mining industry. Although the Company believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Readers should consider all of the information set forth herein and should review the Company's periodic reports filed from time-to-time with Canadian securities regulators. These reports and the Company's filings are available at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ("Buenaventura" or "the Company") (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Peru's largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, will host its Analyst and Investor Day ("Buenaventura Day") on Monday, December 4, 2023 in New York, NY.

This event, held for equity analysts and institutional investors, will feature presentations by Mr. Leandro Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, as well as other members of the senior management team.

The event will begin with breakfast at 9:30 am ET followed by presentations starting at 10:00 am. Buenaventura Day is open to the investment community and pre-registration is required. Confirmation and additional event details will be provided to registered attendees.

Financial analysts and institutional investors who are interested in attending the event in person should contact Cinthya Werner at +1 (646) 940 8843 or email cinthya@inspirgroup.com.

Company Description

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Peru's largest, publicly traded precious and base metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the exploration, mining development, processing and trade of gold, silver and other base metals via wholly-owned mines and through its participation in joint venture projects. Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, La Zanja*, El Brocal and Coimolache).

The Company owns 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer (a partnership with Freeport-McMorRan Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation).

For a printed version of the Company's 2022 Form 20-F, please contact the investor relations contacts on page 1 of this report or download the PDF format file from the Company's web site at www.buenaventura.com.

(*) Operations wholly owned by Buenaventura

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and related conference call contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements including statements related to the Company's ability to manage its business and liquidity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's results of operations, including net revenues, earnings and cash flows, the Company's ability to reduce costs and capital spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic if needed, the Company's balance sheet, liquidity and inventory position throughout and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's prospects for financial performance, growth and achievement of its long-term growth algorithm following the COVID-19 pandemic, future dividends and share repurchases.

This press release may also contain forward-looking information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning the Company's, Cerro Verde's costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver, copper and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production, subsidiaries' plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic, social and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's view with respect to the Company's, Cerro Verde's future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Press Release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727070470/en/

Contact

Contacts in Lima:

Daniel Dominguez, Chief Financial Officer

(511) 419 2540

Gabriel Salas, Head of Investor Relations

(511) 419 2591 / gabriel.salas@buenaventura.pe

Website: www.buenaventura.com

Contacts in NY:

Barbara Cano

(646) 452 2334

barbara@inspirgroup.com
The American Museum of Natural Historys recent decision to remove the statue of Theodore Roosevelt from its Central Park entrance gives us all the opportunity to revisit and rethink a wide range of things we have taken for granted in American history and American memory. Although the Roosevelt debate has largely focused on the statue groups depiction of him as a cowboy or Rough Rider on horseback, leading a Native American on one side and an African gun bearer on the other to a more civilized future, it might be useful to give some attention to the distinguished American sculptor who fashioned the sculpture.James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) was born in Winona, Minn., but he grew up near Mitchell, S.D. His father was a railroad engineer who spent the summer of Frasers birth in Montana gathering up the remains of George Armstrong Custers Seventh Cavalry members who perished at the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 26, 1876, to return them to their homes in the East. Young Fraser discovered his artistic vocation while carving scattered chunks of limestone near his home. He was inspired by the architecture and sculpture he observed at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893. He studied in Paris, before returning to the United States in 1902, where he set up a studio in New York that he made his headquarters for the next 50 years.Among others, Fraser sculpted statues of Alexander Hamilton (D.C.), Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson City, Mo.), Albert Gallatin (D.C.), John Hay (Cleveland), Benjamin Franklin (Philadelphia), Abraham Lincoln (Jersey City, N.J.), Thomas Edison (Dearborn, Mich.), Harvey Firestone (Akron, Ohio), and General George Patton (West Point). His Roosevelt group for the American Museum of Natural History was dedicated in 1940. Fraser is best known, however, for two other works: the Indian Head (Buffalo) nickel in 1913 and his sculpture The End of the Trail, first exhibited at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915, where it won a gold medal.The Indian Head nickel was Americas standard five-cent coin between 1913 and 1938. It was preceded by the Liberty Head nickel (1883-1913) and was replaced by the Jefferson nickel, which (somewhat redesigned) still circulates. The Fraser Indian Head nickel was part of a general currency reform undertaken by President Theodore Roosevelt, who engaged his friend Augustus Saint-Gaudens to give our coinage a more modern and more quintessentially American look. This was the same impulse that led TR, when the White House was remodeled in 1902, to insist that the carvings on the stone fireplace mantel in the State Dining Room be changed from lions to the American bison (buffalo).The buffalo on the reverse side of the Indian Head nickel (tails) was probably modeled after a bison bull in New Yorks Central Park Zoo named Black Diamond. Black Diamond was the offspring of a bull and cow given to the zoo by the Barnum and Bailey Circus. It is also at least possible that the nickel buffalo was modeled after one of the bulls brought back from the Montana frontier by William Hornaday, the man who did more than anyone else to save the buffalo from extinction, and the first director and one of the founders of the Bronx Zoo. Frasers accounts of the sculpting process varied over time, but he knew the artistic effect he wanted to achieve, and it was identical to the cultural philosophy of Theodore Roosevelt. When I was asked to do a nickel, I felt I wanted to do something totally Americana coin that could not be mistaken for any other countrys coin. It occurred to me that the buffalo, as part of our western background, was 100 percent American, and that our North American Indian fitted into the picture perfectly.Frasers Indian was a composite. The depiction of the Native American on the obverse face (heads) was based on several of Frasers encounters with Plains Indians. Before the nickel was made I had done several portraits of Indians, among them Iron Tail [an Oglala who performed with Buffalo Bill], Two Moons [a Cheyenne who participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn], and one or two others, and probably got characteristics from those men in the head on the coins, but my purpose was not to make a portrait but a type. As is often the case in cultural history, a number of different Native Americans later claimed to have been Frasers model. The result is quite beautiful, with perhaps just a touch of probably unintended caricature. Today, Fraser would probably be accused of a mild form of cultural appropriation, though the Sacagawea dollar that circulated during the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (2003-2009) was also partly a composite, and it was also designed by a non-Indian artist.The End of the Trail is one of the most iconic images of American Indians in our culture. It depicts a Native American man slumped over an exhausted horse standing gingerly at the end of the trail, overlooking, Fraser said, the Pacific Ocean, because American Indians had been driven out of all of their traditional homelands farther and farther west until there was nowhere left for them to go. The Native man is holding a lance which is pointed toward the ground, not in defiant resistance but in defeat. Fraser fashioned the lance so that from a distance it appears to have transfixed the Native man.Its a great sculpture by a distinguished American artist. I have been drawn to it all of my adult life. You can hardly go through a whole day of traveling through the American West without seeing it on a car decal, a belt buckle, a t-shirt, or a motel sign. Even though I have always loved the image, I have for a long time felt uneasy about it. Created in 1915 not long after the century of the Indian Wars ended at Wounded Knee (Dec. 29, 1890) and with the passage the Dawes Act (Feb. 8, 1887), which parceled out the reservations into small square homesteads, many of them claimed as surplus by white pioneers, The End of the Trail expresses genuine sympathy with the plight of Native Americans. Thats almost everyones first impression of the sculpture. But it represents nobility in defeat, dignity in loss, the end of Indian resistance, and the vanishing Indian, as if once Native American resistance to the white conquest of the continent was over, Indians would simply disappear over the horizon.This, in fact, is the message of John Gasts famous 1872 painting American Progress, in which the angel Columbia floats over the landscape stringing telegraph wire while the Natives ride off once and for all into the sunset as covered wagons, steamboats, plowmen, and railroads occupy their former hunting grounds. It is also the burden of a number of state seals: white pioneers advancing, Natives receding into the past. Frasers sculpture manages at the same time to be triumphalist for white civilization  the conquest of the continent is now complete  and yet compassionate. He is well aware of the cost of American civilization.But heres what I consider to be the problem with Frasers famous sculpture. During the conquest period, from 1607 to 1900, the European-derived white Americans were so threatened by the idea of Native American sovereignty and resistance, so determined to take the continent by whatever means necessary, no matter how ruthless, that they did not have the luxury of exhibiting much respect or sympathy for the peoples they were displacing. Native Americans were denigrated and demonized, called savages, red devils, prairie n.rs, and worse.Even in the 1880s, the most famous re-enactment in Buffalo Bills Wild West was the Indian attack on the settlers cabin, finally repelled, of course, and the virtue of Victorian wives and daughters preserved by the white cavalry. Frontier newspapers wrote front page editorials dripping with unguarded racism, some of which unapologetically called for the actual extermination of American Indians.It is a sad but telling irony that the most popular genre of frontier encounters literature was the captivity narrative, in which a white woman is kidnapped by marauding savages and handed around to lusty warriors to suffer a fate worse than death at their hands. Rather than a narrative, say, in which Native peoples are minding their own business on their ancestral lands when an armed white militia group arrives to wipe out men, women, and children in a dawn raid.By the time Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th president of the United States, the Indian Wars, were over  many of them clearly fueled by the leftover testosterone and white male rage of the Civil War (on both sides). American Indians had been pacified, thrust onto reservations, many of which were incapable of supporting the resident population, forced to take up till agriculture on barren lands, their children carried off by force to faraway boarding schools where they were taught to be red Americans. Finally, victory in hand, it was possible for white colonialist civilization to step back and take a deep breath. The threat was over. Crazy Horse (Oglala) was dead. Sitting Bull (Hunkpapa) was dead. Red Cloud (Lakota) was disarmed (in every sense of the term). Geronimo (Apache) and Chief Joseph (Nez Perce) were sufficiently tamed to be pressed into marching in Roosevelts March 1905 Inaugural Parade, like conquered Gauls in one of Julius Caesars Roman triumphs.Now it was possible to pull back a little on the steam juggernaut of Americas Manifest Destiny and find some sympathy, in defeat, for the Native peoples the United States had spent the previous 100-plus years dispossessing, fighting, cheating, and offering one lying promise after the next. How many times had white negotiators in the Black Hills or the Wallowa Valley in Washington said, Give us this much land and we promise we will never be back for more?The narrative of the vanishing Indian has a long pedigree in American culture. In the 1830s, American ethnographer and artist George Catlin and the German prince Maximilian of Neuwied traveled on separate missions to the northern Great Plains to capture Native American culture before it was too late. Catlins paintings and essays, together with the magnificent watercolors of Maximilians artist Karl Bodmer, provided the world an indelible portrait of Native American life just when the fur trade was beginning to destabilize Upper Missouri cultures dramatically.Half a century later, the Seattle-based photographer Edward S. Curtis undertook a 30-year project to photograph Native Americans of the trans-Mississippi West in their native clothing and in as close to a pre-white cultural landscape as was still possible, again, to get it all down before it was too late. Frasers gorgeous The End of the Trail is perhaps the greatest  certainly the most iconic  rendition of the vanishing Indian genre. It spoke powerfully to the American public in 1915 and it still speaks to the world in 2020.But its message is problematic. First, there is the hypocrisy of just starting to celebrate the American Indian when you have finished the work of vanquishing him. Fraser would not have received acclaim if he had presented the sculpture in 1870 or even 1890, while the mad conquest was still unfinished. Second, as any Native American cultural representative will tell you, Indians didnt vanish after all. They morphed, accommodated, adjusted, partially assimilated, ducked below the radar, regrouped, resisted, and above all survived. They are still among us, though you and I might not always recognize them in their 21st-century clothing, working side by side with their white and Black counterparts all across the United States and Canada.The End of the Trail may mark the end of one phase (one trail) of the history of indigenous Americans, but it did not extinguish them biologically or culturally, in spite of the best efforts of the 18th- and 19th-century conquerors. As Mark Twain put it about newspaper reports that he had died, reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. Reports of the final vanishing of Native Americans have always proved to be more pessimistic than accurate. In fact, one of the single most remarkable, even stunning, facts of American history is the resilience and now resurgence of Native American culture  language, craft work, agriculture, religious observance, and cultural pride.What links The End of the Trail with the TR statue group at the Museum of Natural History is an understanding, even if a somewhat melancholic one in the case of the vanishing Indian, that white Europeans and Americans were the dominant race of the world, destined to bring civilization to all the benighted indigenous people of the planet, whether in South Africa, Rhodesia, New Zealand, and the American West, whether they liked it or not, and at the end of the Gatling Gun if necessary.It was widely thought in Roosevelts era that Native Americans could not co-exist with white civilization, at least not in any recognizable form. Frasers The End of the Trail evokes sympathy not righteousness, a post-conquest respect rather than a guilty call for attempting to undo what Helen Hunt Jackson called a century of dishonor. It may have been necessary to be ruthless in bringing about the Europeanization of North America and other waste places, as Roosevelt termed them, but it was then thought to be the burden and destiny of Anglo-Europeans and Teutonic peoples to extend the blessings of civilization to the far corners of the earth. This, certainly, was Roosevelts view and he was, in his four-volume, entirely unapologetic about it. The most ultimately righteous of all wars is a war with savages, he wrote. American and Indian, Boer and Zulu, Cossack and Tartar, New Zealander and Maori  in each caser the victor, horrible though many of his deeds are, has laid deep the foundations for the future greatness of a mighty people.If we want to understand the current cultural moment, we must try to understand it in the troubled context of American history.I believe it would be a crime against art and human creativity to destroy any of James Earle Frasers sculptures. All of his work is characterized by soulfulness and generosity of spirit. Even the two Natives in the Roosevelt statue group in New York are depicted with a kind of sensual dignity. Separated from TR on horseback, they would perhaps now be regarded as beautiful and non-controversial, although the fact that the African is depicted as a gun bearer signifies his subordinate status.Frasers art should not be lumped in with a hastily rendered statue of Stonewall Jackson thrown up in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement in the deep south to intimidate African Americans and maintain the apartheid of Jim Crow America. No fair person can look at Frasers sculpture and believe he was a deliberate racist. He was not one of those whites Martin Luther King denounced in August 1963, as vicious racists . . . lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification.In fact, the ambivalences of Fraser and the ambiguities of his sculpture are precisely what we prize in great art. Who has ever written a definitive essay on "Hamlet" or explicated Joycesto the satisfaction of the rest of us, or figured out precisely what is going on in an Emily Dickinson or Langston Hughes poem? Our best strategy  I know I write as a white male of privilege  is to remove such statues as now intensely irritate, offend, or hurt, to contextualize the ones that are in any significant way problematic, and then to place at least the best of the offensive statues in obscure rooms in our museums with plenty of critical interpretation. Iconoclasm is always a gross form of art criticism and it paints our rich, nuanced, often tragic history with a very broad and sometimes unjust brush.If James Earle Fraser were alive today, I doubt that he would fashion the TR sculpture group as he did. He would not presume to appropriate Native American iconography to form a composite Indian for the nickel, and he would find it conceptually impossible to believe that Native Americans, some of whom have been governors and U.S. Senators, presidents of universities, great athletes, internationally revered hoop dancers and flutists, and extraordinary doctors, lawyers, CEOs, and writers, were a vanishing race.That was then.
The Local 1000 contract was the first to include the new health care stipend. The $260-per-month stipend, which isnt pensionable, is equal to the average monthly health insurance premium payment for Local 1000 members. The unions represented workers, ranging from nurses to IT specialists to food inspectors and custodians, will receive a 7 percent raise over their three-year contract, with some specific job classifications receiving additional 5 percent raises.

The California Correctional Peace Officers Association, representing about 28,000 employees, will receive a 3 percent raise in a one-year contract.

The California State Law Enforcement Association, representing about 7,300 workers in jobs ranging from dispatchers and security officers to park rangers, will receive a 10 percent raise over four years, with some receiving special salary increases of up to 24 percent.

The California Association of Highway Patrolmens 6,700 members receive automatic pay increases based on an average of raises among peace officers in the states largest local departments in Southern California and the Bay Area. In its new contract, the union agreed to give up a half-percent of an anticipated 3.5 percent raise next year to help pay down pension debt.

State attorneys and administrative law judges will receive the same health care perk as Local 1000, plus a 2.75 percent raise, in a one-year agreement. California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment, representing about 4,300 workers, is eager to return to the bargaining table to try to close pay gaps between its workers and attorneys working for other public organizations.

A group of about 1,000 blue-collar workers who maintain heating and cooling systems at state prisons, manage water and waste at state parks and handle HVAC at other state facilities will receive raises of 8.5 percent over three years. Some of the International Union of Operating Engineers tenured workers in high-cost areas will receive salary increases up to 25 percent.

(TNS)  Nearly two-thirds of California state workers will receive raises in the coming months based on new contracts their unions negotiated with Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration this year.The state is boosting pay for about 147,000 of its 235,000 employees through the contracts, giving raises of about 3 percent per year to most while increasing salaries for some hard-to-fill jobs by as much as 25 percent.Pay, benefit and health care changes in their contracts, which have terms of one to three years, will cost the state about $5.6 billion, according to the California Department of Human Resources.Last year, the state spent about $18.4 billion on wages and about $8.2 billion on retirement and health benefits, for a total of about $26.6 billion, according to State Controllers Office data. Thats up from about $19 billion 10 years ago.The states total payroll hovered between $14 billion and $15 billion from 2009 to 2014, when it started ticking upward as the economy recovered.Newsom took office in a year when contracts with six state worker unions were expiring, including its agreement with SEIU Local 1000, the largest state worker union representing about 100,000 workers. The state also was sitting on a budget surplus.After a slow start, negotiations went relatively smoothly, avoiding the strike threats and standoffs that peppered some of the negotiations with former Gov. Jerry Browns administration. Newsom signed legislation Oct. 13 finalizing the new contracts.State workers with the new contracts received salary increases that are in line with those being negotiated by cities and counties, where workers unions have been negotiating 3 to 5 percent raises, said Tim Yeung, a labor and employment lawyer with Sacramento-based firm Sloan Sakai.Newsoms bargaining team demonstrated willingness to offer special raises for job classifications with recruitment and retention problems, authorizing hefty increases for workers in select jobs. This years contract agreements include a couple novel arrangements, such as a new $3,100-per-year health insurance stipend and the diversion of part of a California Highway Patrol raise to help pay for retirement benefits.Taken together, the contracts reflect a bargaining approach aimed at bolstering the states workforce while minimizing the pay increases that add the most to the states pension burdens, Yeung said.Historically the state has been conservative in their general salary increases for public employees, and I think these contracts preserve that position, he said. To the extent theyre having retention problems, it sounds like theyre trying to target particular raises for those positions, which makes sense to me.In addition to new raises and perks, many of the contracts call for slight increases to what state workers pay toward their retirement benefits, including changes that move employees closer to a 50-50 split with their employers in making annual pension contributions.Just one union with an expired contract, the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians, didnt reach a new agreement. A spokesman for the union, whose workers care for mentally ill and developmentally disabled people in state facilities, declined to comment on where negotiations stand. When contracts expire, employees keep working under their last contracts terms.Highlights of the six new contracts are below:
F1 champions split over Ricciardo comeback

Two former world champions are divided over Daniel Ricciardo's handling of his return to the Formula 1 grid.

Daniel Ricciardo, Hungarian GP 2023

 Red Bull

For his part, 1997 title winner Jacques Villeneuve thinks the 33-year-old Australian played a masterstroke prior to Hungary by filling the suddenly-ousted Nyck de Vries' place at Alpha Tauri.

Daniel rested for a few months and did some political work that de Vries didn't see coming, the Canadian told the French broadcaster Canal Plus.

It's impressive to return to Formula 1 and drive these great cars with a big smile and working social media. Incredible, Villeneuve added.

No other driver has yet been able to return to Formula 1 after four miserable seasons like that.

Indeed, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko says he has no regrets about making the call to axe Dutch rookie de Vries.

That was a perfect return for him, he told Osterreich newspaper. "He was even in sight of points.

It was absolutely right to take him. He brings energy and a positive vibe.

But while 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg agrees that it was an impressive return for Ricciardo, he is less impressed with some of Ricciardo's messaging.

The only thing I would like to say is that it was unnecessary for Daniel to make it so clear that he is here to come back to Red Bull, said the German.
No room for Mick Schumacher at Red Bull says Tost

Mick Schumacher still has a future in Formula 1, according to Alpha Tauri team boss Franz Tost.

Mick Schumacher, Japanese GP 2022

 Haas F1 Team / LAT

Tost, who is retiring at the end of the year, actually pushed team owner Red Bull hard to sign the axed Haas driver for 2023 - but was overruled.

I stood up for Mick, the Austrian told sport.de. He had Formula 1 experience and was still young. That was not the case with Nyck (de Vries).

Tost, 67, said Red Bull opted to sign Dutchman de Vries - who was subsequently dumped after just 10 races - because there was nobody else at the time .

But when it came time to replace de Vries, Red Bull this time promoted Daniel Ricciardo back into racing action.

Tost admits that there will be no room in the Red Bull family for Schumacher for some time.

We are occupied, he said. We have a few young drivers coming on - some talents from the Red Bull driver pool. We will definitely fall back on them.

As for 24-year-old Schumacher, though, Tost - with close historic ties to the Schumacher family - insists he has not given up on him .

However, he thinks the German is in good hands with Mercedes and Toto Wolff.

He (Wolff) is super well connected, said Tost. "I think he'll do everything to ensure that Mick gets a seat sooner or later.
Pirelli hits back at Hamilton's tyre claims

Mario Isola has hit back at Lewis Hamilton's claim that Pirelli is wasting excessive amounts of wet-weather Formula 1 tyres after every race.

Lewis Hamilton, Hungarian GP 2023

 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Hamilton was among the critics of the new and more sustainable tyre allocation system that was trialled last weekend in Hungary, as he argued that it only led to less track action.

The Mercedes driver said a better idea would be to fix an alarming situation with the rain tyres - where they are thrown out after a race if not used.

There's a lot of wet tyres that I think they throw away after every weekend. Like, a lot, said the seven time world champion.

Maybe they should look at something like that rather than taking time on track away from the fans.

But Isola, Pirelli's F1 boss, says Hamilton seems to not have all the details.

At the European races, we leave the (dry) tyres on the rims and take the new ones with us, supplying the teams with the same sets, he said.

With overseas races it is more difficult, Isola admitted. "Because of the customs rules, the teams have to take the rims and we have to bring the tyres.

And that's a problem, because once a tyre is off the rim, it can't be reused.

Isola explained that because of the use of tyre blankets, which could soon be banned in Formula 1, damage to a single tyre means scrapping an entire set.

Rain tyres don't have this problem as they don't use tyre blankets right now, so we only need to replace one tyre in a set of four. So it's great to save money on that.

He also said Pirelli is interested in redesigning the tyres so that they are able to be safely removed from wheel rims after one race and put back on at the next.

Another idea that we have discussed was for races that are usually dry and sunny, like Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, not to fit all the tyres to the rims, said Isola.

On Friday, the F1 Commission meets at Spa-Francorchamps where a decision about whether to proceed with the 2024 tyre blanket ban will be made.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, the outcome of that decision could impact whether Pirelli remains F1's tyre supplier in 2025 or the baton is handed over to Bridgestone.

(GMM)
Entrepreneurial spirit key to thriving in uncertainty - Vodafone HR Director

Business Desk Report Business News Jul - 24 - 2023 , 11:48

The Human Resources Director for Vodafone Ghana, Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, has stressed the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within organisations, a concept she referred to as intrapreneurship.

She said it is important for organisations to create an environment that encourages innovation and does not punish failure, as failure often accompanies innovation.

Speaking at the What I Wish I Knew (WIWIK) 2023 conference at the University of Ghana Business School, Mrs Akrong said Employees need to understand an organisations strategy and values to align their innovative ideas with the organisations goals. An open culture that promotes trust is crucial for this understanding and alignment.

The conference, themed Thriving in Uncertainty, brought together a diverse group of speakers, including Capt. Prince Kofi Amoabeng (retd), President of UT Holdings, Daniel McKorley, Chief Executive Officer of the McDan Group of Companies and Carol Jarvis, Professor in Knowledge Exchange & Innovation at the Bristol Business School, UK.

She further underscored the importance of integrity and trust in business, introducing the concept of the say-do ratio, which refers to the consistency between what one promises and what one delivers. High integrity and trust are crucial for maintaining a good say-do ratio, added.

Sharing her personal experience, Mrs Ashiokai, an alumnus of the University of Ghana Business School, encouraged individuals to gain experience and not rush the journey to finding their career path.

You have to take those jobs on the way to building your career. Sometimes we're in such a hurry to make that money right now, but the experience is just as important, she advised.
GUTA proposes new scheme to promote Made-in-Ghana products

Della Russel Ocloo Business News Jul - 27 - 2023 , 10:42

The Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) has proposed a new scheme to the government to support the production and sale of made-in-Ghana goods.

Titled the "tripod scheme", the president of GUTA, Joseph Obeng, said it would involve the government earmarking funds to industries so that they could provide supplier's credit to distributors to support the made-in-Ghana agenda.

This will allow distributors to buy made-in-Ghana goods without having to pay upfront, which would make it easier for them to sell these goods to consumers.

GUTA

Members of GUTA, the President said, had often had challenges securing suppliers' credit locally, thus necessitating a look beyond the shores of Ghana, where they are able to access around 90 to 180 days of suppliers credit from foreign manufacturers to cover the importation of goods produced elsewhere into Ghana.

The tripod scheme, which he suggested is similar to the EXIM Bank arrangements that exist in other countries, allows for government-guaranteed loans that are made available to businesses that export locally produced goods to other destinations.

"This helps to make it easier for businesses to get the financing they need to export their goods, and it also helps to promote the sale of domestically produced goods," Mr Obeng said.

Mr Obeng made the call when he led the leadership and some members of the various groupings under GUTA on a tour to Avnash Industries, producers of the Golden Drop and Lafia vegetable oils, as well as Royal Farmers rice in Tema.

The visit was part of GUTA's local industry outreach initiative aimed at accessing the level of production and how the association could source goods from local manufacturers.

The group was taken around the company's edible oil refinery, which produces 500 metric tonnes per day.

The company also runs a 500 metric tonnes per day rice milling factory in Tamale, the largest rice milling plant in the sub-region, which provides a ready market for 290,000 local rice farmers in that area.

Just like any other local manufacturing company, officials of Avnash say the company has faced its fair share of challenges, including high production costs, the importation of cheaper edible oils that have priced their products out of the market, and trade policies from neighbouring countries that have hindered the exports of their products to markets within the sub-region.

Pragmatic Policies

Mr Obeng said that the idea of promoting made-in-Ghana goods should not be done by paying lip service, but by putting in place "pragmatic policies" that would help to boost the production and sale of made-in-Ghana goods.

He maintained that the "tripod scheme" would also be a more effective way to use the start-up capital that the government may be providing young people to boost local manufacturing competitiveness.

"The start-up capital that government is talking about should not be given to people who do not know how to even start up, rather, it should be given to identifiable businesses that can source locally produced goods," Obeng said.

He remains hopeful that the government will create a win-win situation for both businesses and consumers to help boost the Ghanaian economy.

The Group Head in charge of Industries at Avnash, Vipul Jain, in his remarks, indicated that the company, which previously exported 3,000 to 4,000 metric tons of edible oil to Senegal, is unable to do so presently, owing to the imposition of a $200 per metric tonne tax by officials of that country.
Israel has great business opportunities for Ghanaians

Kwame Larweh Business News Jul - 27 - 2023 , 08:05

The leader of the Israel Economic and Trade Mission to Ghana, Mr Yaniv Tessel, has said Israeli companies are ready to foster stronger ties and create opportunities for Ghanaian businesses for accelerated economic growth and development.

He said the business interactions between the two nations could catalyse economic growth for their mutual benefit.

"Israel companies are already undertaking projects such as the Sunyani Water Project, facilitating the agro industry, cyber security and other security issues in the country," he remarked.

Mr Tessel made these observations at the first Israel-Ghana Business Forum held at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel in Accra last Tuesday.

Delegations from eight Israeli companies, namely LR Group, Dekel Oil, Negev Mining, Data Harbor, Lesico Group, Netafim, A.D. CON Ltd and Migdal Limited took time to expatiate on their businesses and how Ghanaian businesses could tap into their expertise for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Mr Youval Rasin, the CEO and Chairman of DekelOil Agri Vision PLC, entreated Ghanaian Agric entrepreneurs to approach it for agricultural processing expertise, logistics and farming operations.

"Our multi-disciplinary team of experts are focused on building a multi-commodity agro-industrial company in Ghana and the West Africa sub region," he noted.

The CEO of DataHarbor, Mr Oz Mizrahi, for his part, stressed a collaboration with Ghanaian data-analytics services companies on how to build the best data for the Fintechs, marketing, credit risk and smart pricing.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC), Mr Yaw Amoateng Afriyie, said GIPC was well positioned to work with their Israeli counterparts.

"We have exciting new lithium prospects in our country, we have 60 million tonnes of manganese, 150 million tonnes of iron ore, biomass and 230,000 hectares of arable land," he stated.

He called on Ghanaian businesses to embrace the expertise from Israel to ensure their products and services meet international standards.
Plastic perils mount

Arthur Lu Business News Jul - 27 - 2023 , 12:17

Plastic pollution is a global crisis.

There is now an estimated 30 million tons of plastic waste in seas and oceans and 109 million tons in rivers.

The presence of plastic in fish living in even the deepest, darkest oceans is an indication of how pervasive this human-made material has become.

A report by the Minderoo Foundation indicates that 2022-2030 is likely to see a wave of plastic-related corporate litigation.

This could reach $20bn-plus in the US alone, it estimates.

Produced in partnership with Praedicat and law firm Clyde & Co, The Price of Plastic Pollution notes that litigation is mainly expected to affect the petrochemical industry.

Still, claims could be brought against major consumer companies.

Human health exposures

Depending on where your company sits on the spectrum of the plastics industry, it could be at risk of claims from human health exposures to chemical additives, environmental damage or human health exposures to MNP.

These are microplastics, less than 5mm or one-fifth of an inch in length, and nano plastics, which measure around 1nm to 1mm (4e-8 to 0.04 inches).

They can enter the environment through industrial processes, plastic waste, cosmetic products, or degradation.

Another potential area of legal action lies with directors and officers who greenwash their sustainability claims.

The first warning shots have been fired.

Last year, an American coffee company settled in the US and Canada with a consumer and regulator respectively, after being challenged on claims about the recyclability of its disposable coffee pods.

Earth Island Institute, a California-based environmental group, has also filed three separate lawsuits against producers of plastic goods.

It made a name for itself by suing renowned brands for creating a plastic pollution nuisance.

In January this year, three NGOs filed a lawsuit against a food company in France, claiming the firms failure to set a plastic phaseout strategy goes against Frances 2017 corporate duty of vigilance law.

The NGOs are looking to force the company to assess its plastics use and update its vigilance report with a plastics strategy.

This is one example of litigation moving from the petrochemical industry to other downstream sectors, such as food and beverage.

There have not yet been any large losses in judgments or payouts.

However, the risks companies are exposed to will vary depending on whether they manufacture resins, use plastics to make or package products, how prevalent they are in the consumer supply chain, and how rigorous their risk management is when it comes to reporting, communication, compliance and transparency.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or forever chemicals barely degrade in the natural environment.

Many of the most hazardous chemicals  phthalates, bisphenols, and fluorinated compounds  are found in many items people use daily, including disposable food packaging from takeaway restaurants and supermarkets, non-stick cookware, cosmetics, textiles and electronics.

Mitigation of plastic pollution is a complex issue

They have even been found in drinking water and the blood and breastmilk of humans and wildlife worldwide.

Sectors exposed could include companies in the consumer goods industry that use chemicals in food-contact materials, clothing, cosmetics or toys.

For MNPs, it could include companies that add microplastics to products, such as personal care products.

Other sources of MNPs can arise from the breakdown of microplastics [larger than 5mm] during use or disposal, such as the wearing down of rubber tires.

Plastic pathways must be identified

Liability risks are likely to be first evident in bodily injury claims sought by workers.

Plastics are ubiquitous.

With many companies involved in the production chain, potential implications are high.

However, identifying source points or responsible parties for alleged damages or injuries will be challenging.

Companies can protect themselves by identifying how the plastic pathways connected to their processes could cause pollution and how they can be eliminated, including in product design, R&D, waste and chemical management.

Mitigation should also include looking to transition to sustainable alternatives, particularly for MNPs.

For companies involved in the chemical side, its stopping the use of substances tied to adverse health effects.

However, that substitution with alternative materials could incur higher costs and the possibility of knock-on effects such as higher greenhouse gas emissions.

So finding a one-size-fits-all solution is not straightforward.

UN finance group to tackle plastic scourge

In March 2022, United Nations member states agreed to negotiate a legally binding global treaty by the end of 2024 to end plastic pollution.

Companies in the finance and insurance sector expressed expectations of the treaty, inspiring others in the sector to take action on reducing plastic pollution and production.

The group will gather feedback from a range of stakeholders, including governments, the private sector and other parties, to develop a perspective on the future agreement, offering input to the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee.

Mitigation of plastic pollution is a complex issue that requires all parties contributing to the plastics issue to work together to find innovative and sustainable solutions.

Together, we can protect the world so future generations can live and thrive.

The writer is the Head of Global Environmental Impairment Liability at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
Take advantage of Alternative Market to expand operations - SMEs told

Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Business News Jul - 27 - 2023 , 07:57

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been advised to take advantage of the Ghana Alternative Market to maximise growth and profits of their businesses.

The Head of Listing and New Products at the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Joyce Boakye, who made the statement at the Women Investment Summit Africa, said the Ghana Alternative Market (GAX), an innovative market operated by the GSE with focus on growing businesses, offered the platform for people to invest in SMEs and ensure their growth.

She said since the GAX was set up in 2013, only six companies had so far been registered on the market mainly because most SMEs were of the misconception that the Stock Exchange was far beyond the reach of their operations and required a difficult process to list on the market.

Ms Boakye, however, said the alternative market rather provided SMEs guidance and opportunity to raise their capital for their operations and encouraged businesses to take advantage of the GAX to grow and expand their operations as well as profits.

"Apart from the platform for investment, the GAX accommodates SMEs at various stages of their development, including start-ups and existing enterprises, both small and medium, providing them the visibility needed to thrive," she said.

Ms Boakye also stated that although the GAX was open to all, it required a high level of standards and companies that were market ready.

Nonetheless, Ms Boakye said the GAX provided an incubation period to train companies and SMEs on the right structures such as book-keeping to keep them transparent and competitive for the global market.

ShEconomy

The Women Investment Summit Africa was organised by the Oxford Africa Women Leadership Institute (OAWLI) under their women economic empowerment project dubbed the ShEconomy Africa Project.

The summit brought together women in SMEs from all 36 countries that the project has made its footprint.

Participants were engaged on how to grow their businesses and the importance of book-keeping.

The Global Director of the OAWLI, Odelia Ntiamoah, said the summit was as a result of data collected from a thousand women on what they needed to promote their businesses.

She said from their research, the two things that came up most was access to finance and access to the market.

And so this summit was to gather these women and help them deal and address these challenges that hinder the growth of their businesses, she said.

Mrs Ntiamoah further urged SMEs and companies to be transparent with their businesses and inculcate the habit of book-keeping because that was what companies ready to invest were looking out for.

Book-keeping is becoming a general problem and so I am calling on incubators, government agencies and everyone in the SME ecosystem to actually pay particular attention to this area because it is what will make them bankable and have access to finance and if their books dont look clean nobody would want to deal with them, she added.

Taxes

The Director for Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ashanti Regional Office of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Agnes Akosua Adu-Boateng, charged businesses to pay their taxes, especially businesses with a turnover of GH200,000 threshold were required to pay taxes.

Once you are doing a business and you are earning income you have to come to the GRA and register to pay taxes, she said.

Paying taxes, she said, would help maximise revenue to pay for government social intervention projects among other government interventions.
Ghana has a rich history of film production MultiChoice Ghana MD

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Jul - 26 - 2023 , 18:40

The Managing Director of MultiChoice Ghana, Mr Alex Okyere has noted that Ghana has a rich history of film production, with Ghanaian films being popular in the 80s and 90s.

He, however, mentioned that the glory state is facing challenges including piracy, lack of funding, disinterest from some key stakeholders and a decline in audience numbers.

In a welcome address at the third edition of Graphic Showbiz forum on Tuesday, July 25, Mr Okyere said despite the intimidating challenges, there were still several factors working in favour of the industry.

The growing popularity of streaming services like Showmax have provided a new platform for Ghanaian films to reach audiences around the world.

 For instance, since MultiChoice launched the Akwaaba Magic channels, it has sparked the fire in the bellies of producers like Ivan Quashigah, Shirley Frimpong Manso and young budding producers like our MultiChoice Talent Factory graduates to cash in on the opportunities thereof, he said.

The guest speakers for the forum were George Bosompim, a lecturer at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and Public Relations Officer of The Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), Peter Sedufia, a film director and CEO of Oldfilm Productions, Ivan Quashigah, Film Producer and CEO of Farmhouse Productions; actor Prince David Osei and Afua Kissi-Nyame, Head of Marketing, Multichoice Ghana.

In a presentation, the editor of Graphic Showbiz, Ms Adwoa Serwaa Bonsu, mentioned that the relevance of forum was to create a platform for knowledgeable panel who understood the elements of filmmaking to figure out the direction of our movie sector.

The Director of Marketing for Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Franklin Sowah thanked the panellists and guests for heeding to the call for relevant discussion on the movie industry.

He also pledged the GCGLs commitment to creating relevant platforms for productive conversations about Ghanas creative industry including the film sector.

Related articles: Third edition of Graphic Showbiz Forum held

Ghana's film industry needs government support- Multichoice MD
Peter Sedufias lawyer seeks compensation from EBN for broadcast of Aloe Vera movie

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Jul - 27 - 2023 , 14:44

Lawyer for OldFilm Productions, Kwame Kodua Atuahene has written to the management of Eclipse Broadcasting Network (EBN) over alleged copyright infringement following the unauthorised airing of the Aloe Vera movie.

In the said letter seen by Graphic Showbiz, it noted that Aloe Vera owned by his client, Peter Sedufia has exclusive economic rights to its copyright.

The letter mentioned that since the release of the movie in 2020, the client has had minimal opportunities to monetise the work through sales, premiering, or authorised broadcast despite the high cost of production.

That on Saturday, July 12, 2023, before 2:00pm, you caused the broadcast of Aloe Vera, a work owned by Oldfilm Productions, without the express permission of my client as required by the Copyright Act 2005(Act 690).

You are advised to act on the legitimate and fair demand for compensation within ten days of this letter, failing which, I shall act as instructed and initiate legal proceedings for compensation without further recourse to you, the letter said.

Read letter here:

Read also: Film laws and policies should not cripple industry Peter Sedufia

Ghana has a rich history of film production MultiChoice Ghana MD
Police sensitise schoolchildren to road safety practices

Emmanuel Bonney Education Jul - 27 - 2023 , 07:33

The police in the Central Region have sensitised schoolchildren of the Onua Francis International School at Gomoa Buduburam and the Young Executive School (YES) at Kasoa to road safety practices.

The move is aimed at curbing road traffic accidents among children and also to help make them see the police as their friends.

At the event, organised by the school, the Deputy Central East Regional Police Commander, ACP Joseph Owusu-Bempah admonished schoolchildren to observe safe road crossing practices to avoid vehicular knockdowns.

Zones

He urged the schoolchildren to cross the road at marked areas and avoid running, which could lead to slipping in the process to be run over by a vehicle.

Moreover, he called on them to walk briskly when crossing the road and not to run.

Sometimes, you see children running; no, you dont have to do that.

Make sure that the car that is coming is at a distance so that you just walk quickly across to the other side, he emphasised.

ACP Owusu-Bempah said children walking along the street should endeavour to face on-coming vehicles so that they could see those coming in their direction to take precautionary measures in the event of a vehicle veering off the road.

He said they always observed the most common rule of looking left, right and left again, before crossing and asked children to see the police as their friends.

Report

The Gomoa Buduburam District Police Commander, ASP Ernest Agbo, also called on the schoolchildren to report any form of sexual harassment to school authorities and the police for the necessary action to be taken against perpetrators.

He said children, especially girls, should not allow anybody to touch parts of their bodies, including their buttocks, breasts and genital areas.

If anyone does that to you go and report the person.

Even if that person is a female, go and report.

Take good care of yourself and then learn hard, he said.

Appeal

For his part, the Director of the Onua Francis International School and YES, Francis Essel-Okyeahene, appealed to the Police administration to organise similar educational programmes for all schools across the country to reduce accidents.

He said the programme had been quite educative and commended the police for undertaking such an exercise to sensitise schoolchildren to road safety issues.

He said that would go a long way to curb accidents in the country, adding that the authorities would continue to organise more such programmes to ensure the safety of children.
TVET tool for national development

Emmanuel K. Asante Education Jul - 27 - 2023 , 07:26

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a vital role in national development by equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the workforce and economic growth.

To make TVET a perfect tool for national development, several key aspects need to be addressed and enhanced.

These include curriculum development, infrastructure and facilities, industry collaboration, quality assurance and public perception.

To align TVET with national development goals, it is crucial to develop a dynamic and industry-relevant curriculum.

The curriculum should focus on emerging technologies, current industry practices, and market demands.

Regular consultations with employers, industry experts and relevant stakeholders are essential to ensure that the curriculum remains up-to-date and responsive to changing skill requirements.

Infrastructure, facilities

TVET institutions need to have modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities to provide hands-on training to students.

Adequate investment in workshops, laboratories and equipment is necessary to simulate real-world working environments.

This allows students to gain practical experience and develop the necessary technical skills required by industries.

trong collaboration between TVET institutions and industries is crucial to ensuring that the training provided is relevant and meets industry needs.

Establishing partnerships, such as apprenticeship programmes and industry attachments, enables students to gain practical experience and develop a deeper understanding of the industry's requirements.

Industry representatives can also contribute to curriculum development, ensuring that the skills taught are aligned with industry standards.

Quality assurance

A robust quality assurance system is essential to maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of TVET programmes.

Accreditation bodies should be established to ensure that TVET institutions meet the required standards.

Regular monitoring and evaluation of programmes, instructors and facilities should be conducted to maintain quality and make necessary improvements.

Public perception

Addressing the public perception of TVET is important to attract more students and create a positive perception of vocational education.

TVET should be promoted as a viable and respected career pathway, on par with traditional academic routes.

Raising awareness about the potential for employment and career progression through TVET can help change societal attitudes towards technical and vocational education.

Encouraging research and innovation within the TVET sector can lead to the development of new technologies, methodologies and best practices.

Research should focus on identifying emerging skill gaps, analysing industry trends, and exploring innovative teaching and learning approaches.

TVET institutions should collaborate with research organisations, businesses and government agencies to foster an environment of innovation and continuous improvement.

Continuous professional development

To ensure that TVET instructors possess the necessary knowledge and skills, continuous professional development programmes should be provided.

Instructors should be equipped with the latest industry practices, teaching methods and technological advancements.

Training programmes, workshops and seminars should be organised regularly to upgrade the skills of instructors and keep them abreast of current trends.

By addressing these key aspects, TVET can become a perfect tool for national development.

It will produce a skilled workforce that meets industry demands, drives innovation and contributes to economic growth.

writer is a teacher/

construction engineer.
15 Communities educated on womens unpaid care work

Biiya Mukusah Ali Jul - 27 - 2023 , 09:51

Women, particularly unemployed housewives, spend several hours providing domestic and care work at home without payment of salaries or allowances for the services.

The most affected are vulnerable women and women from the rural communities, as they are burdened with domestic chores such as cooking, taking care of children and the elderly, fetching water, washing, keeping the house and its environment clean, among others.

It is believed that women could earn hundreds of Ghana cedis monthly, if they are to be paid for the services they render for their families at home.

Research

In 2016, a research conducted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) indicated that women who do not get paid for providing domestic care could earn GH43,200 annually if they were paid for such services.

The researchers used the then minimum wages and salaries including other economic factors in determining the average earning.

Not only that, statistics from the Ghana Living Standards Survey six captured in Ghana's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Indicator Baseline Report show that averagely Ghanaians spend 42.8 minutes on domestic and care work every hour, with females spending more time on that than their male counterparts.

Also, statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service showed that a typical Ghanaian woman worked on the average 13 hours per day, while only 40 per cent of her days work was paid.

Unpaid Care Work (UCW) is services that women provide in their various homes and communities such as preparing food and taking care of children, the sick and the elderly, which consume time and energy but do not yield salaries or allowance.

Undeniably, some males share some responsibility of the unpaid care work and other forms of unpaid work, but women are responsible for a disproportionate amount of unpaid work.

Women are more likely to be found in the informal sector where they are concentrated in vulnerable employment, such as household chores, which prevent them from working in the formal sectors and attending capacity building programmes and community gathering to enhance their abilities.

Undermine welfare

The domestic unpaid workload on women undermines their welfare, as it prevents them from participating in some crucial social gatherings, economic and political activities as well as community meetings and programmes.

Women, therefore, have less time to engage in paid work, network and participate in activities for societal change, thereby undermining their well-being, causing insecurity, limiting options for decent work, and fosters financial dependence.

Additionally, the unpaid care work carried out by women often goes unnoticed and unrecognised in the calculations of a countrys economy.

WISE project

In a bid to change the narrative, the Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), with funding from Plan International Ghana has implemented a Community Level Advocacy Session under the Womens Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises (WISE) Project in 15 communities in the Sunyani Municipality.

The four-year project is being implemented at the cost of GH122,000 to educate the public on issues about unpaid care work and the need to involve women in decision-making at the household and community level.

Beneficiary communities

The 15 communities expected to benefit from the project are Abesim, Adomako, Asufufu, Watchman, Kwasinfum and Benue Nkwanta.

Others are Atronie, Nsagobesa, Boreso, Daadom, Atuahenekrom, Nwowasu, Kyeredua, Yawsae and Atwikrom.

The WISE project is a Women's Economic Empowerment project which seeks to promote innovative, integrated and gender transformative business services by improving womens agency to exercise decisions regarding women participation in economic growth and establish their own business.

As part of the implementation of the project, there will be series of community level advocacy sessions to orient community members and create awareness of the benefits of supporting womens economic participation and building womens agency to take individual and collective actions.

The advocacy will be in a form of community dialogue sessions and expected to be done in two phases.

The Phase one of the project will concentrate on unpaid care work, while phase two will focus on decision-making.

Expectation

The project is expected to reach more men to share or involve in household chores with women to help reduce time poverty and allow women to engage in other economic activities.

It also aims at helping men and other community members to have a better understanding of womens rights, and appreciate the importance of women participating in household and community decision-making.

The target audience in the implementation of the project are male champions, traditional and religious leaders, savings group members and all other community members.

Inception meeting

At the inception meeting at Abesim near Sunyani in the Bono Region recently, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GloMeF, Raphael Godlove Ahenu, said it was the target of the NGO to achieve about 30 per cent of women being allowed to involve in decision-making at household and community level, with special focus on younger women across all locations.

He said the organisation had also targeted about 50 per cent of men to develop positive attitudes in support of womens economic participation and advancement and about 65 per cent of community and religious leaders to have adequate practical knowledge to promote women's economic empowerment.

Mr Ahenu said 30 separate local level community dialogue sessions would be held in the 15 communities in the municipality.

Remuneration

For her part, the Bono and Ahafo Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Joycelyn Adii, told the Daily Graphic after the meeting that the department over the years had advocated remuneration of women for the provision of their services.

"We are of the view that there are various ways of appreciating women for performing domestic chores.

Ms Adii said the ministry was going by the International Community standard, which says that women should be recognised for the work done, reduce the workload of women and allow women to have representation in the decision-making at the household and community level.

She said the department had intensified its advocacy campaigns about the unpaid care work and women involvement in decision-making to get majority of the public to buy into the ideas.

Ms Adii called on the public to support the advocacy in order to help bring relief to women, enhance women development and the development of the country.
2 fishermen die after patrol boat rammed their canoe, they were on a Homowo ritual fishing in Tema

Benjamin Xornam Glover and Della Russel Ocloo Jul - 27 - 2023 , 13:13

Two fishermen died on Thursday dawn after their canoe was reportedly rammed by a patrol speed boat at the anchorage of the Tema Port.

The identity of the patrol boat is yet to be identified but some people from the fishing community have alleged it belongs to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

The GPHA in a press statement has denied that the boat in question belonged to the Authority.

The canoe with the inscription - Adesa Na Ohetsui - [Man, have patience] had onboard 12 fishermen.

They were said to have embarked on a Homowo ritual fishing sanctioned by the Tema Traditional Council.

However, others said the fishermen defied the closed fishing season, which is expected to end on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Graphic Online's Benjamin Xornam Glover and Della Russel Ocloo report from Tema that, a patrol team from the GPHA reportedly drove them away from the anchorage.

The incident happened at about 1:30am.

The fishermen were said to be hauling their net within the anchorage when they were allegedly rammed by the patrol boat that was at the scene to drive them away from the anchorage.

The deceased have been identified as Francis Tetteh Larbi, aged 27 and Samuel Acquaye Allotey, aged 45.

They are both residents of Tema New Town.

Outrage

The incident sparked anger and outrage among the fishing community at dawn.

They have therefore called for an independent investigation into the incident while also calling for the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to be held accountable.

There was also a near-brawl between the police and a crowd of people who had gathered at the Canoe Landing Basin where the bodies were retrieved.

The crowd prevented the police from conveying the bodies of the deceased in a police pick-up truck, arguing that their kinsmen were not criminals to be conveyed as such.

A hearse later conveyed the bodies to the International Maritime Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

The Commander of the Marine Police Unit in Tema, Superintendent Charles Osei, confirmed the incident to Graphic Online and said that investigations were underway.

He, however, said the police were yet to establish the identity of the boat and the cause of the incident.

Graphic Onlines sources have told our correspondents that the patrol boat was deployed to the anchorage following a signal from port control about an alleged illegal activity by some fishing boats within the anchorage of the port.

The fishermen, the source claimed, were hauling their nets when they saw the patrol boat approaching and attempted to escape.

In the process, the said patrol boat rammed into the side of the canoe, causing it to capsize with the nets trapping the deceased.

Some quantities of premix fuel which were also onboard the canoe spilled over the canoe and into the sea causing the bodies of the deceased to peel off.

The Tema Awudun Chief Fisherman, Nii Ashitey Odametey II, told Graphic Online team that the traditional council undertakes expeditions to catch baits for the performance of rituals towards the Homowo festival.

He said that the various stakeholders, including the GPHA and Marine Police, were aware of the expedition and that about 20 canoes were at sea for the expedition when the incident occurred.

The Chairman of the Tema Canoe Owners Association, Nii Adjiete Quaye said they received information that a tugboat rammed into the canoe and subsequently left them the fishermen to their fate.

He said a vessel plying the anchorage that chanced upon the incident rescued the 10 who later realised two of their colleagues were unaccounted.

"They then informed the rescue team which turned over the canoe leading to the bodies of the deceased being found trapped in the fishing net", Nii Adjiete said.

Investigative Committee

The Tema Metropolitan Security Committee (MESEC) has set up a five-member committee to probe the circumstances that led to the incident.

The committee, which is made up of representatives from the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Investigations Bereau, National Disaster Management Organisation, (NADMO) and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, has five days to submit its report.

GPHA

GPHA however in a press statement signed by the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager of the Tema Port, Abena Serwaa Opoku-Fosu has denied that the boat in question belonged to the Authority.

The statement said that the Port Control Station on Thursday July 27, 2023 at about 12:30 am received a distress call from MV. Seaspan Dubai for assistance to ward off several fishing boats which had surrounded their vessel.

"The security patrol team which comprises of the Ghana Navy, Marine Police and GPHA Security timeously responded, cautioned, and asked the said fishing boats to leave", the statement, a copy which was made available to Graphic Online said.

It stressed that at 01:18 am, MT Marina M which was also at the anchorage, also called the Port Control Station for assistance to ward off a suspicious looking fishing boat with about nine occupants.

The team again responded by cautioning and directing the boat and its occupants to row out.

"On their way back, the Patrol Team chanced upon another set of fishermen who had cast their nets and were fishing within the Terminal 3 basin, close to a container vessel. The nets were seized, and the men were cautioned and led out of the basin after which all patrol activities were halted at 04:55 am on Thursday July 27, without any incident of collision whatsoever," the statement said.

It emphasized that whereas the fishermen are aware of the dangers of fishing within the port basin and anchorage, some continue to carry out these illegal activities at the peril of their own lives and that of vessels and cargo.

The statement said that while the Port Authority regrets the unfortunate passing of the two persons, and extends its sincere condolences to their families and colleagues, GPHA is a responsible organization involved in search and rescue missions and as such will not abandon victims of a collision even if it involved our own craft.
Birth Asphyxia: 50,000 Babies die annually - Ghana Health Service

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jul - 27 - 2023 , 12:29

About 50,000 babies die from birth asphyxia in Ghana every year.

The Programme Manager for Newborn and Child Health of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Edward Antwi, said the figure could be more, given that some of the cases that occurred in home deliveries and outside recognised health facilities might not have been captured in the data.

Birth asphyxia happens when a baby's brain and other organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients before, during or right after birth.

It could happen before birth in the womb and result in stillbirths or during prolonged labour.

"In Ghana, on the average, one million babies are born every year, and with the current neonatal mortality rate of 17 per 1,000 live births, it means for every one million births, about 170,000 are dying, and out of this, 30 per cent are dying from birth asphyxia," Dr Antwi said.

Stakeholders in neonatal care and child health are deliberating on reducing neonatal deaths, particularly asphyxia cases, across the country as part of efforts to reduce neonatal mortality.

About 100 participants in the 11th annual national newborns conference, which opened in Cape Coast last Tuesday, deliberated on reducing the incidence of asphyxia, strengthening sick newborn care at referral district hospitals and supporting new asphyxiated babies to survive, among others.

Conference

The conference, being held on the theme: "Imagine Ghana without Birth", would also discuss the impact of neonatal deaths on families and the role of leadership in newborn care.

"Even though we do not know the true extent, even with the conservative information we have, about 30 per cent of all babies in Ghana die from birth asphyxia," Dr Antwi stated.

He said it was known that in many parts of the country, many women delivered at home, and were not counted.

He called for adequately equipped hospitals to effectively reduce neonatal mortality in general in the country.

"A number of hospitals, especially the lower level facilities, don't have what it takes to take care of the mothers and the babies," he said.

Dr Antwi said part of the problem was with the level of commitment of health workers, and therefore advised health workers to be more committed to providing efficient and prompt health services.

Reducing newborn deaths

The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, in a speech read on his behalf by the Central Regional Director of Health, Dr Akosua Sarpong, said the first hour of newborns was critical.

The Minister said the reduction in neonatal deaths to 17 per 1,000 live births was significant although there was work to be done to achieve the targeted 12 per 1,000 live births.

He noted that inadequate equipment and staff, late referrals and poor education on breastfeeding were some of the causes of asphyxia deaths in newborns.

Mr Agyeman-Manu noted that the Ministry of Health was committed to working to further reduce newborn deaths and urged health workers and managers to effectively collaborate to reduce the incidence of birth asphyxia.

He thanked the partners for their continued support for the ministry towards improving health indicators.
Black flies invade La Nkwantanang, Dawhenya

Maclean Kwofi Jul - 27 - 2023 , 09:36

An in-depth investigation is currently ongoing to establish the extent of black fly breeding sites or sources within the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality and Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region.

The effort at La Nkwantanang is being spearheaded by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of the municipal assembly to enable the government and its agencies to fight the invasion of harmful insects head-on in parts of the municipality.

This is after entomological and epidemiological investigations by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) confirmed the presence of the black fly larvae in the Dakubi Stream, a fast-flowing water body from the Akuapem Ridge lying between Oyarifa-Teiman and Abokobi that runs into the Odaw River.

Although the Dakubi Stream has been confirmed as a breeding source, authorities at the municipal assembly believe that there may be other streams and rivers responsible, and, therefore, requires thorough scouting of the municipality.

Some of the affected communities are Kponkpo, Borga Town, Teiman, Oyarifa, Abokobi, Ayi Mensah, Danfa, Peduasi and Adenta.

Read also: Public Health Alert: Suspected black flies invade Dawhenya

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, in a statement issued last Monday, said he had received a complaint of a suspected invasion of black flies in the Dawhenya Electoral Area and extending to some parts of the Laluekpo Electoral Area.

The statement said his office is working closely with the District Health Directorate and the District Environmental Health and Safety Directorate to ensure that once we have an identification of the fly species and a protocol for containment established, we can work swiftly in the interest of my constituents.

Black flies characteristics

Black flies, sometimes called buffalo gnats, are harmful insects that have a resemblance to a mosquito ranging in sizes from five to 15 millimetres, dark and relatively robust, with an arched thoracic region.

They have large compound eyes, short antennae, and a pair of large, fan-shaped wings.

The adult black flies bite mammals (humans, livestock and pests) to feed on blood.

With the ability to fly up to 20 miles and more to cause havoc, the insects are responsible for the transmission of river blindness or onchocerciasis when victims are exposed to their bites between one and two years.

The disease is called river blindness because the black flies that transmit the infection live and breed near fast-flowing streams and rivers.

In Ghana, these insects are often found in some parts of the Northern and Eastern regions, but in recent times parts of the Greater Accra Region have started experiencing an upsurge in their invasion.

Precaution

The black flies are attracted to dark-coloured clothing, sweat on the skin and sweet-smelling scents.

Their bites are painful, itchy and can cause severe allergic reactions.

There is no need to worry about them when indoors, as they are only active during the day.

Daily Graphic visit

When the Daily Graphic team visited the stream and some of the affected communities last Tuesday, residents said they were going about their daily routine cautiously, and confirmed that they had noticed an invasion of the insects in the last two months.

A resident, who gave his name as John Adams, said: We have heard that these flies can cause blindness. Our fear is that it may infect our children.

A municipal assembly pickup with a public address (PA) system moved about at Danfa, creating awareness and educating the public about the insects.

Beyond the Dakubi Stream, the residents also pointed to two more streams believed to be the breeding sites of the flies in Danfa and Ayi Mensah.

Within these neighbourhoods, residents dressed to cover almost all parts of the body, wearing socks and gloves in some cases.

Assembly confirmation

The Head of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit (EHSU) of the municipal assembly, Joseph Quarcoe, confirmed to the Daily Graphic the presence of the black flies in the municipality.

As soon as the EHSU received the information of the strange insect invasion on July 13, this year, we arranged with the Disease Control Unit of the assembly to conduct initial investigations, which included site visits and collecting samples from the stream for entomological investigation at the NMIMR.

Officials of NMIMR subsequently visited the site to collect different samples which later established that the Dakubi Stream is the breeding source of the flies, he said.

Scouting

Mr Quarcoe said the assembly was scouting the municipality to identify the fast-flowing streams and rivers to apply larvicide that could destroy their larvae to prevent them from metamorphosing.

The head of EHSU said the good news was that the adult black fly could live between 15 and 30 days and, therefore, disinfecting them might not be an appropriate solution because their larvae would still bring them back in their numbers.

He said the assembly was engaged in public education on precautionary measures, larviciding and clearing the weeds and bushes along the stream to stop the invasion and eradicate the larvae from the municipality.

Mr Quarcoe said so far no one had been infected with any disease because an individual needed to expose himself or herself for a period of one to two years before the river blindness disease would manifest.
Blind Union launches technology device

Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Jul - 27 - 2023 , 10:30

The Ghana Blind Union (GBU) has launched a special device that will aid visually impaired persons to easily access mobile phones, laptops and other technological devices.

Known as the Hable One, the device is a portable braille which enables visually impaired persons to read and send messages via their mobile phones with a Bluetooth connection to their phones.

The connection makes it easier for them to navigate through their phones to access apps and settings.

Breakthrough

The Executive Director of the GBU, Dr Obeng Asamoah, described the innovation as a breakthrough, being the first of its kind in the country for persons with disability.

He said until now, blind persons used a braille keyboard which made it difficult for them to use both android and apple phones.

Dr Asamoah, therefore, said: This is welcome news, the device will help many blind people and will make life easier for them.

It is really an innovation that will make a difference.

A member of the GBU, Isaac Afari, also said that the introduction of the device was timely, and appealed to organisations and the general public to support the union procure it for its members in the country.

This is just the beginning of more wonderful inventions to aid blind education, he added.

Opportunities

The Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation, Rita Kusi Kyeremaah, also described the Hable One as a device that would create opportunity for persons with disability to push for inclusion.

It was difficult for persons with disability to get access to some of these innovations.

So we are happy to have been introduced to this technology, she said, adding that it would make visually impaired persons more productive to contribute to nation-building.
Chief Justice declines petition to remove judge from Ato Forson trial

Justice Agbenorsi Jul - 27 - 2023 , 12:16

The Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has declined a request to remove the judge presiding over the case in which Minority Leader and former Deputy Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, and two others have been accused of allegedly causing 2.37 million financial loss to the state in an ambulance deal.

The request was contained in a petition filed by Richard Jakpa, a private businessman standing trial with the minority leader.

The petition, which sought to remove the trial Judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe from presiding over the case alleged bias on her part as a result of an incident which occurred during one of the courts sittings.

He alleged bias because the trial judge on June 20, 2023, issued a stern warning to him that it was the last time she would tolerate any disrespect from him and let him go home.

When the case came up for hearing today (July 27), Justice Asare-Botwe notified the parties in the case that the petition seeking the transfer of the case has been dealt with by the Chief Justice, and has been declined.

Meanwhile, lawyers for the minority leader have also filed two motions; one, the presiding judge should recuse herself and the other, the Court should release his travel passport to him.

The motions are expected to be heard by the trial judge later today.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame was in court to cross-examine Alex Mould, a former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and a defence witness of Dr Forson.

The other accused person in the case is Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health.

The three have pleaded not guilty to counts of willfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to willfully cause financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property.
CHRAJ engages stakeholders on business action plan

Chris Nunoo Jul - 27 - 2023 , 07:49

A stakeholder consultative forum to incorporate the views and contributions of people with disability into a national action plan on business and human rights has been held in Accra.

The forum, which was being held after the completion of similar regional consultations was to engage other critical people such as people with disability to be included in the plan and their voices heard.

A Member of the Steering Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights, Clement Kadogbe, speaking at the forum in Accra yesterday said, the gathering was to ensure the committee came up with a very robust, workable and pragmatic NAP for Ghana.

The forum was made possible through the collaboration between the office of the Attorney General and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) with support from the Friedrich -Ebert Stiftung.

The development of the NAP was an initiative of the late United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Kofi Annan who about ten years ago highlighted the fact that the current human rights regime did not protect people against businesses and companies.

The proposal was unanimously adopted in July 2011 and it required that countries developed a NAP to give effects to the UN guiding principles on business and human rights.

Mr Kadogbe said the CHRAJ in collaboration with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration conducted a national baseline assessment to identify the gaps in businesses in the country and the human rights regime.

Following that, an 18 -member steering committee representing key stakeholders was tasked to develop a NAP on business and human rights for Ghana so that Ghana will join the few countries in Africa like Uganda and Kenya to have a NAP, he added.

He said the steering committee had so far been to all the regions to consult in order to incorporate the views of everybody into the NAP, having finished with the regional consultations a month ago.

A Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education, Victor Brobbey, in an interview said the plan should be finalised by the end of this year.

He said the next step after the forum was to finalise the NAP, hold validation workshop and publish the plan.

We hope to have a national sensitisation with support of the media and also with the business community because they are our partners in this process, he gave the assurance, saying the NAP will seek to improve the business and human right environment of the country.

Mr Brobbey who is also the Lead Anchor of the NAP Steering Committee, said the UN guiding principles were developed to address human right violations with respect to businesses.

He said the CHRAJ, working with the Attorney Generals Department a few years ago, came to the realisation that the NAP was something the country needed.

That, he explained, would prompt businesses to be more aware of human rights and the need to respond to the NAP process.

Abuses

Mr Brobbey mentioned the issue of child labour in the cocoa sector, environmental violations and brutalities even by mining companies and said at universal peer reviews, the UN human right council ask us when we are developing our national action plan to address basic human right concerns.

He, therefore, assured all stakeholders to expect a comprehensive and bold plan.
Cocoa roads contracts: PAC demands report of payments in 2 weeks

Nana Konadu Agyeman Jul - 27 - 2023 , 08:24

Thr Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to produce a report on payments made to cocoa road contractors from 2020 to the present.

The committee particularly directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahene-Aidoo, to produce the report in two weeks, failure of which he and other top management members of the board would be sanctioned.

He referred to Article 103 (3) of the Constitution which stipulates that (6) A committee appointed under this article shall have the powers, rights and privileges of the High Court or a Justice of the High Court at a trial for (a) enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; (b) compelling the production of documents; and (c) issuing a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad.

I am using these powers to demand for that document.

This is a committee of Parliament, and this is a Constitution that gave us that power, and so we want you to give us that report, the chairman demanded.

Engaging the CEO of COCOBOD over some infractions contained in the Auditor-Generals 2021 Report on the board, Dr Avedzi said: Whether the report has been submitted somewhere else, we are demanding it, and we give you two weeks.

It is a report and the work has been done.

It is a matter of pulling it from the drawer, he said.

Why directive?

Dr Avedzi gave the directive when the COCOBOD CEO and other management members appeared before the committee yesterday.

Per the Auditor-Generals report, the records of COCOBOD showed that the board had been burdened with a relatively high loan portfolio over the years.

It said the board had debts totalling GH12.3 billion on its records as of the end of the 2019/2020 financial year.

The debt burden resulted in increased finance costs over the years.

This, if not managed effectively, could lead to the crippling of the cocoa industry, the report said.

Cocoa roads

A member of the committee, Kwame Governs Agbodza, asked the COCOBOD management what part of the companys indebtedness was to cocoa road contractors for works certified in 2020.

He also quizzed if the figure owed contractors had improved or depreciated in terms of debt situation regarding cocoa roads.

In the view of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu, cocoa road contractors were also Ghanaians who aided the work the board did in the country, and thus there could not be a better opportunity for COCOBOD to give them (contractors) some assurance.

The information we want is not witch-hunting but just to find information to the problem that affects everybody in this country, he said.

When the chairman asked Mr Agbodza if the report was submitted to him, the Adaklu MP said the immediate former Minister of Food and Agriculture did make a public comment that he submitted the report to Parliament.

We demand report copy

Intervening, Dr Avedzi questioned why since September 2020 when the boards account was prepared, management did not have money to pay cocoa road contractors.

He, therefore, directed that in providing the information to the committee, the board must disclose what was the current debt of COCOBOD to cocoa road contractors as of September 2020.

Unfulfilled promise

Dr Avedzi pointed out that the last time the CEO of COCOBOD appeared before the PAC, the committee demanded that he furnished them with an indebtedness report on cocoa roads.

We demanded the report but you did not provide it to the committee.

We are asking you now again to provide a copy of the report where you spent money to do an audit of cocoa roads throughout the whole country since we have not received a copy.
ECG experiencing transformer thefts in Eastern Region

Haruna Yussif Wunpini Jul - 27 - 2023 , 10:24

Three Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) districts in the Eastern Region, namely Koforidua, Suhum and Kyebi, have been battling with transformer thefts, the company has said.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua last Tuesday, the Eastern Regional Communications Officer of ECG, Emmanuel Halm, said apart from stealing the transformers, other installed essential parts of power distribution were also taken away.

He said the thieves had so far stolen two out of six transformers installed and two copper windings.

Mr Halm said a 50 KV transformer, installed for street lights at the Oyoko Roundabout in the Koforidua District, was brought down last week Tuesday in the night by unidentified thieves, who made away with its copper windings.

He said another transformer placed at Pampanso No.1 in the Suhum District was also vandalised together with its copper windings last week Tuesday in the evening.

Transformers

Mr Halm said aside from the two transformers, there had been several attempts to also remove others at Kenkey Factory and Nyamekrom, both within the Koforidua District, where ECG materials were kept.

The thieves, he said, managed to bring the transformers down but were unable to open the tank covers after some residents of the areas reported the outage to the ECG.

Last week, we received a report from the Kyebi District that one Kofi Asante Mesharlk had been found dead under ECG's transformer located at Kyebi Amanfrom holding a cutter.

"The case has been reported to the police for investigation.

"It is, however, suspected that he went there with accomplices to steal some parts of the transformer but they abandoned him after he fell and died, Mr Halm said.

He appealed to residents of the various communities to be on the lookout for strange persons fidgeting with ECG transformers and report them to ECG offices or the police.

Mr Halm indicated that it was only ECG staff that had been authorised to go near its installations, including transformers.

He explained that no unauthorised persons were allowed near ECG installations under any circumstances, due to the danger it could pose to their lives.

"This is why we have fenced our transformers with caution signs around them, he said.
G-Pak celebrates Golden Jubilee

Emmanuel Bonney Jul - 27 - 2023 , 06:55

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Dr Valentin Mensah, has challenged G-PAK Limited, a subsidiary of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), to have a strategy for the next 50 years as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee.

G-PAK has done so well and at the moment, you are one of the top presses in the country and that there is the need to have a strategy for the next 50 years as well, Dr Mensah said during the celebration of G-PAKs 50th anniversary in Accra last Tuesday.

He commended G-PAK for the successes chalked up so far, adding that 50 years was no mean achievement.

After 50 years you have every right to celebrate today.

On behalf of the board and management, we would like to thank you all for the hard work  both G-PAK and staff of the GCGL.

You have done so well.

Dr Mensah, who is also the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the GCGL, said not all state-owned enterprises could boast of an organisation such as G-PAK.

Commendation

For his part, a former board chairman of G-PAK, Nana Otuo Acheampong said for the few years he was at G-PAK, we were able to make some impact.

Among such impact, he said, was the purchase of new machines from Holland to augment the existing ones.

A member of the Board of the GCGL, Ivy Austin, said G-PAK was dear to the company in view of its position in the printing industry.

More grease to your elbow and a happy 50th anniversary, she said.

For his part, Mr Mate-Kole said the company was going digital and that vision was clear.

Honours

As part of the celebration, themed: Experience Our Heritage, 20 staff of G-PAK received cash awards and award shields for their dedication to work and long service.

The fun-filled event saw staff who distinguished themselves in the various units of the organisation, as well as those who have served for 10 years or more being recognised for their respective contributions.

A 50th anniversary cake was also cut, while a minutes silence was observed for the departed members of the company.

They were the immediate-past General Manager, James Dadzie, Comfort Adofo Kissi and Francis Fievor.

Awardees

The awardees included the acting General Manager, Kingsley Mate-Kole; Ernestina Awatey, Paul Asare, Esther Dankwa, Lester Agyare, Benjamin Nyarko, Bernard Asare, Daniel Mensah, Joana Kissiwa and Eza Quaye.

The rest were Bernard Nyarko, Isaac Frimpong, Gad Kumi Yiadom, John Oduro, Janet Asiedua, Benjamin Amissah, Doreen Sackey, Matilda Osabutey and Justice Edem.

Leading the GCGL team at the ceremony was the Managing Director, Ato Afful, who doubles as the Board Chairman of G-PAK Limited.

Others included the Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey; GCGL Solicitor, Stephen Sah; Director of Technical Services, Charles Amoako; a former Board Chairman of G-PAK, Nana Otuo Acheampong; Head of Information Systems of the GCGL, Christabel Addo Mfoamfo, and the Head of Design Unit at GCGL, Esther Somuah.

Background

G-Pak was established in 1973 as Graphic Packaging, a fully-owned subsidiary of the GCGL, then known as Graphic Corporation.

It subsequently commenced operations as a key strategic business unit responsible for the commercial printing and packaging business of the company.

The SBU started off with the production of quality labels and skillets for two of Ghanas prized manufacturing firms  Unilever Ghana Limited and Pioneer Tobacco Company (PTC), later rebranded as British American Tobacco Company (BAT)  among other firms.
Gulf of Guinea project: Regional officers train in procurement process

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jul - 27 - 2023 , 10:09

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has organised a three-day training workshop on the procurement process and management for key officers in two northern regions.

This is to pave the way for the full implementation of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project.

The officers, who were drawn from all the municipal and district assemblies (MDAs) from the Upper East and North-East regions included municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs) as well as coordinating directors.

Other participants included procurement officers, finance officers, SOCO project focal officers and heads of procurement at the regional coordinating councils (RCCs).

They were taken through both Ghanas procurement procedures and that of the World Bank.

Smooth implementation

In a speech delivered on his behalf by the North East Regional Minister, Yidana Zakaria, at the opening of the training last Monday, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Daniel Botwe, said the training programme had been designed to build the capacity of the participants, to ensure smooth procurement processes and implementation of the project.

He noted that the training had come at an opportune time when the ministry, in collaboration with 48 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), had launched the procurement of 582 sub-projects in the beneficiary areas.

The projects include markers, water systems and health facilities as well as the provision of critical logistics for educational and health institutions.

He said indeed, the delivery of these sub-projects will promote job creation, build trust as well as bring communities together to enjoy a shared vision through the provision of their most critical needs

Mr Botwe urged the participants to remain committed to the training workshop as it aimed at equipping them with the necessary competencies to optimise procurement practices and minimise risks.

It is important that we pay particular attention to the guidelines for the procurement process under the World Bank to avoid queries and audit infractions during the implementation process, the minister stated.

In welcoming the participants, the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, said the RCC, with the mandate to coordinate and monitor the performance of MDAs, would strictly monitor the implementation process to ensure that the objectives of the project were achieved.

He cautioned officers, who would be privileged to work on the project, to attach some sense of seriousness and urgency, saying appropriate sanctions would be meted out to anybody who will frustrate the execution of the project.

He added that, there is no doubt that this project will be a game changer, as it would reposition the local economies of our districts and make them more resilient and sustainable for the benefit of all.

Background

The SOCO project is a $450 million multi-country project to be implemented in Benin, Cote dIvoire, Togo and Ghana with support from the World Bank.

The Government of Ghanas total allocation is a $150 million credit facility and it is being implemented in 48 MMDAs in six regions, namely Oti, Northern, Upper West, Upper East, Savanna and North-East regions.
Judge threatens to strike out case involving bank worker who allegedly stole GH1.2million from customers' accounts

Graphic Online Jul - 27 - 2023 , 16:44

The judge hearing the case involving GH1.2 million, allegedly stolen from customers' accounts by a former staff of a major Ghanaian bank (name withheld) may be struck out.

This is the second time the judge, Ellen Ofei-Ayeh has issued a warning to strike out the case due to the prosecution's failure to file disclosure for the trial's commencement.

Since June 26, 2023, the prosecution has been unable to submit the required disclosures, citing the need to amend the charge sheet, provide brief facts, and seek advice from the Attorney-General's (A-G) Department.

Following a two-week adjournment, the prosecution claimed not to have received any response from the A-G. As a result, the Accra Circuit Court has given the prosecution a final warning to file the necessary disclosures by August 3, 2023, or risk having the case struck out.

The judge emphasized that although some of the accused individuals were on bail, the first accused, Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie was still in custody on remand, limiting his liberty.

The case has been adjourned to August 7, 2023.

Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, a 25-year-old has been charged alongside several others. They are facing charges that include forgery, falsification of accounts, stealing, and conspiracy to commit a crime. The other accused persons, except for Afriyie, have pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been granted bail with specific conditions. Some of the co-accused are yet to be arrested.
Kinbu SHTS launches 150th anniversary

Daily Graphic Jul - 27 - 2023 , 07:19

The Kinbu Senior High Technical School has launched its 150th anniversary and extended an invitation to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a product of the school, to join in the celebration of his alma mater.

The 150th Anniversary/Speech & Prize-Giving Day is scheduled for September 2024.

The programme lined up for the celebration will include pre-speech & prize-giving, fun games, Kinbu Old Students Association (KOSA) Homecoming, health screening, clean-up exercise and float through the principal streets of Kinbu in Accra.

At a press conference to launch the event, the Headmistress of the school, Sylvia M. Letcher-Teye, gave a historical background and phases that the school had undergone from 1874 to date.

Phases

In phase one, the school was known as Rowe-Roads School and Kinbu Middle Boys School in 1874.

Phase two occurred in 1987 when the school metamorphosed into Kinbu Junior Secondary School.

Phase three saw the school changing its courses to include technical programmes, so the schools name changed to Kinbu Secondary Technical School in 1991.

The final phase four occurred in 2006 when the West Africa Examination Council switched its examination from Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination (SSSCE) to West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

This modified the names of senior secondary schools to senior high schools; hence, Kinbu Secondary Technical School also became Kinbu Senior High Technical School.

Role

The President of KOSA, Joseph Oddei, said by celebrating this 150 years would mean celebrating the success of teachers, students and all those who had played various roles in bringing Kinbu thus far amid all the challenges.

He said that was why the management of the school had carefully chosen the anniversary theme to be: Equipping our future leaders with the 21st-century skills  the roles of the stakeholders, which would bring stakeholders together through various pre-anniversary activities to discuss the theme.

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the school, John Mensah Anang, said the historic milestone represented a century and a half of educational excellence, resilience and transformative impact on the lives of countless students.

He paid tribute to visionaries and trailblazers who, over the years, had laid the foundation of the institution.

Past students

KOSA members who have distinguished themselves in various fields include the former CEO of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof. Nii Otu Nartey  (KOSA-1960); the late former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Nat Nunoo Amarteifio; a Development Chief of James Town, Nii Aryee Krotia, aka George M. Aryee; a Labour Union Activist, USA, Isaac Nortey (KOSA-1960); a Missiologist, Rev. Nii John Gershong (KOSA-1963), and Dr Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo of the United Nations.

In attendance at the press launch were the Korle-Klottey Municipal Director of Education, Joyce Osae-Apenteng, teaching and non-teaching staff of the school, some old students, the parent-teacher association Chairman, Emmanuel Nicholas Osei, a session of the school choir, which provided some melodies of the school anthem and other songs to the admiration of the guests.

The main launch of the anniversary is scheduled for November 23, 2023, at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Auditorium.

PIC

John Mensah Anang, Board Chairman of Kinbu SHTS, delivering his speech at the press launch.
Kofi Amoabeng: UT Bank co-founder warns business owners to keep influential figures at bay for success

GraphicOnline Jul - 27 - 2023 , 11:57

Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, a co-founder of the defunct UT Bank has issued a caution to business owners, advising them to maintain a distance from pastors, politicians, traditional rulers, and even their own families in order to ensure the enduring success of their ventures.

Speaking at the 25th-anniversary celebration of Fairgreen Limited in Accra on July 26, Mr. Amoabeng described these influential figures as "necessary evils" that should be handled with care.

While acknowledging that politicians and pastors can offer valuable connections that boost a company's status, Mr. Amoabeng warned that they may also exploit the business for personal gain.

He stressed the importance of vigilance, cautioning against accepting chieftaincy titles that could burden a company with financial and time-consuming responsibilities, such as funding durbars and supporting the community.

Politicians and pastors are necessary evils because they can give you the right connections. However, they also need to milk you, and they can raise your company to a high status if you have the right relationships. But be careful. Dont accept chieftaincy titles. They will drain your finances and time, and you will be responsible for the expenses of durbars. These are the things that have set this country back. Make sure you dont fall prey to any of them, whether its the church, chiefs, politicians, or your own families. You have to navigate carefully, he advised.

Mr. Amoabeng also advised business owners to resist family pressures influencing employment practices, emphasizing the need to make tough decisions and fire family members if they jeopardize the company's interests.

Moreover, he urged the leadership of Fairgreen Limited to establish a distinct working culture, free from the negative traits often observed in Ghanaian society, such as laziness, jealousy, and excessive reliance on religion, which can hamper productivity.

When you start a business, you are under the radar and can be a bit protective. But as you grow, you come under pressure. I call this pressure dealing with the devil. You must deal with them. You cant avoid them. Family, friends, and relatives will ask why you are always employing strangers when your family members are available. They want to kill the company. You need to be strong enough to fire them when they do something wrong. If you dont have the will to fire them, dont appoint them, he said.

Concluding on a hopeful note, Mr. Amoabeng expressed his desire for the long-lasting prosperity of Fairgreen Limited, celebrating its growth from humble beginnings in a garage to securing international contracts. He hoped that the company would endure for a remarkable 100 years.
Military Academy Intake 15 marks 50th anniversary

Joshua Bediako Koomson Jul - 27 - 2023 , 07:41

The Ghana Military Academy (GMA) Intake 15 has organised a thanksgiving service to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their commissioning as officers into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

The event, which took place at the academy last Sunday, was on the theme: 50 years dedicated service to God and country.

It brought together all the surviving members of the intake and their families, the leadership of the GAF and the military academy, as well as some officer cadets to worship and thank God for the blessings upon their lives and the force.

They also held an intercessory prayer for the leadership of the country, and also prayed to God to strengthen the GAF to continue leading the peace by protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.

As part of the celebration, the members made a donation of GH50,000 as seed money for the construction of a library for the military academy.

In addition, they also donated books written by some members of the intake to the academy.



Best intake

The President of Intake 15, Brigadier General George Adjei (retd), thanked the Commandant of the academy and his staff for giving them the premises to commemorate the anniversary.

I must say with pride that Intake 15 has been one of the best intakes ever in our noble Armed Forces.

We produced a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Service Chiefs, Chief of Staff, Formation Commanders, top generals and brilliant staff officers, he said.

He congratulated his colleagues for making the group and the GAF proud, and for the show of love and goodwill towards each other for the past 50 years.



Values

Brig. Gen. Adjei further implored the officer cadets to remain loyal and to put the interest of the country first in everything they did, adding that your actions and inactions should not betray Ghana.

He said every activity which profited them at the expense of the nation should be seen as a corrupt and disloyal act.

Always remember not to steal, lie, cheat, or tolerate those who do so.

You are the future of the GAF in some few years to come, so your allegiance to the Constitution of the country should be paramount and never in doubt, he said.

As officers, he said, they should be honest in all their dealings with their subordinates and superiors.

Brig. Gen. Adjei urged them to seek the interest and welfare of their troops at all times.

He urged them to develop the moral courage to always stand for the truth irrespective of the consequences.

From my experience in the Ghana Armed Forces, I will urge you not to cut corners, engage in eye service or malign your colleagues and superiors to protect yourself.

Remember that a good name is better than riches, he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Vice-Admiral Seth Amoama, said the theme of the event reflected the continuous work of the officers in the country even after retirement.

It is said that a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for, and so it is with any other organisation such as ours.

That is why we in the GAF are so proud and pleased to have had these fine gentlemen who served the colours with so much integrity, diligence and dedication, he said.

He described the members as the epitome of hard work and dedication to God and country.

Vice-Admiral Amoama said it was the first intake to produce seven generals in one day in the year 2003 along with one of them who rose to become a CDS.

He said the intake also produced Deputy United Nations Force Commanders, Deputy Commandants for the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Military Academy and Training Schools and Commandant for the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

Their prowess, he said, was not limited to only the GAF, but also academia, where they produced the first doctorate holder in the Ghana Armed Forces in 1977, a Director for the Ghana Law School and fine authors.

He urged the officers to follow in their footsteps as they served in the profession and country.
Pastor arrested for alleged Illegal mining in Twifo-Praso

GNA Jul - 27 - 2023 , 07:59

Mr. Kwaku Gyebi, a Ghanaian based in America and affiliated with the House of Prayer Evangelistic Ministry in Twifo-Praso, has been apprehended by the police for his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities at Perwudie, near Twifo Praso, in the Twifo-Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region.

The arrest, which took place last Sunday, came after the Minerals Commission filed a formal petition, urging authorities to take action against the suspect for his illegal mining operations in the area.

Kwaku Gyebi is currently in police custody to aid in the ongoing investigations.

The petition, signed by Mr. Charles Zantione, the Acting District Officer of the Minerals Commission in Assin Fosu, was addressed to various authorities, including Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District Police Command, seadeayo Kwesi Kennin IV (the Paramount Chief of Twifo Atti-Morkwa), and the Small-Scale Miners Association. It implored them to take decisive action against Gyebi's illegal mining activities as a deterrent to others.

According to records from the Commission, the suspect held two concessions, namely GMA Gyebi Mining Enterprise and Eastside Precious Mining Enterprise, at Mintaso. However, he was operating outside the allocated concessions and had no legal mineral rights over the site he was currently mining.

The Commission accused Gyebi of intimidating and driving away other prospective concessionaires from their rightful sites by forcefully claiming ownership of areas that did not belong to him. Additionally, he and his armed men were alleged to have vehemently resisted the Commission's orders to halt their operations, even going so far as to drive the inspection team out of the site.

Furthermore, the Commission noted that Gyebi did not comply with the necessary provisions for reclaiming the mined-out portions of the site, making his illegal mining activities environmentally hazardous and posing risks to neighboring communities.
Reintroduce Moral Education in schools - Rev. Opuni appeals to Education Ministry

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Jul - 27 - 2023 , 11:26

A former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, is appealing to the Ministry of Education to consider the reintroduction of moral education in Ghana's curriculum.

His appeal follows some disturbances in some senior high schools in the country, including the recent happenings at the Adisadel College in Cape Coast.

Reacting to the Adisadel College incident in a radio interview with Accra-based 3FM, the clergy man said "Bring back morality; bring back patriotism in the curriculum."

"A student at a school like Adisadel College can pick the head of a student and hit it with metal bed..." he bemoaned and said morals were declining among students in the country .

Adisadael College Incident

A recent video from the Adisadel College where one student was attacking the other went viral, attracting anger, fury and outcry from the public, who called for immediate action to be taken.

The incident, which happened at a dormitory at the Quaque House, left one of the students, Kelvin Ofori, who was attacked by a taller student, with a swollen cheek.

The taller and older student, identified only as Bobby, was seen in the viral video holding the neck of his victim from behind as though to strangulate him in the presence of other students who shouted cautionary remarks.

As the victim gasped for breath and tried to free himself from his attacker, the taller student pushed him towards a bunk bed and violently hit his face against the bed.

At that moment, Bobby was seen pushing Ofori away from him.

The victim examined his face and felt blood on a badly swollen cheek.

Suspension

The school has suspended Ofori and the bully, and the two third-year students are to write the WASSCE papers from home.

A statement from the school said the student who recorded the video and circulated it would also be suspended externally for one week, return and do internal work on suspension for another week, and bring the phone to the school, else he would also be sanctioned.

Also, others who were there but did nothing and also did not report would all go through some internal punishment.

The housemaster, Ekow Holman, has also been relieved of his post, pending the outcome of the investigation.

For the former Christian Council chief scribe, students are becoming wicked, hence the need to reintroduce moral education to help correct their wickedness.
Set up units to facilitate access to information  Yaw Sarpong Boateng

Francisca Eshun Jul - 27 - 2023 , 08:13

The Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission, Yaw Sarpong Boateng, has urged public institutions to establish an information unit to promptly facilitate citizens access to information.

Such a unit, he said, should be headed by an information officer to help generate accurate information for the public when needed.

"Such a unit would also help the institutions to generate, process, maintain and preserve information which is accurate and authentic" he said.

He was speaking at a forum to engage heads of public institutions, private institutions, opinion leaders, civil society organisations and student bodies on what was expected of them in the implementation of Act 989 in Cape Coast last Tuesday.

The Executive Secretary stated that the right to information law must encourage members of the public to speak up and ask questions from state institutions to help firm up the countrys democracy.

He indicated that failure by an information officer or public officer to perform a function authorised by the Act where the occasion arose to perform that function constituted a gross misconduct.

He further said where an application for access to particular information was received by a public institution, the information officer should take a decision on the application and send a written notice to the applicant within 14 days from the date of receipt of the application.

The Right to Information Act, 2019, Act 989 was passed by the Parliament of Ghana in 2019, and assented to by the President the same year to give constitutional right to access to information held by public institutions.

The RTI Act aims to promote transparency and accountability by empowering people to access information on central and local governments as well as non-governmental organisations which are publicly funded.

Under the Right to Information Act 2019 (Act 989), people's right to access information is limited to public institutions.

Necessary governance tool

Mr Sarpong said the Act was a necessary tool in the government's effort to attain good governance and sustainable development.

He added that it was the responsibility of public institutions in respect of access to information to compile and publish up-to-date information in the form of a manual every year.



Central Regional Minister

For her part, the Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan, commended the commission for taking the decision to educate the general public and institutions on the Act, saying it would promote and enrich the countrys democratic tenets.

Participants

Some participants said some public officials and institutions still did not allow people to access information in their institutions.

participants also said they needed more education on how to access information and called for more education on the Act.
Support LI on import substitution - Deputy Trade Minister to stakeholders

Timothy Ngnenbe Jul - 27 - 2023 , 08:30

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Nana Akua Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, has urged key stakeholders in the trade and Industry sector to support the legislative instrument (L.I) on import substitution.

The L.I., which is currently before Parliament, seeks to regulate the importation of selected products into the Ghanaian market, including rice and poultry.

When implemented, the L. I will become a law that would promote domestic production and regulate trade and economic activities in the country.

Meeting

At a consultative meeting organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) in Accra, the deputy minister stressed the need for local producers and importers to take keen interest in the law.

The meeting was held to seek the input of stakeholders in the economic sector on the L.I.

The move was also to ensure a fair inclusion of the stakeholders whose contribution was vital in the implementation of the policy.

Major stakeholders such as the Ghana Union of Traders Association, the Association of Ghana Industry as well as the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana participated in the dialogue.

Premium

Nana Asiamah-Adjei said the Bill was one of the ministrys major responses to the economic pressure currently faced by the country because of the inability to produce products such as rice and poultry in larger quantities to feed the growing population.

She was optimistic that the passing of the Bill would help the country to reduce its foreign dependency through the local production of industrialised products.

The deputy minister observed that the significant expenditure on rice every year underscored the need for a policy shift to reduce reliance on the importation of foreign goods.

She said in making that paradigm shift, it was important to bring the key stakeholders along so that everyone would be abreast of it.

We need to be able to engage people who are going to be directly on indirectly affected by this bill before we are able to enact it into law.

The feedback we get from them will enable us to forward it to the Attorney Generals Department for it to be considered during the final draft, she said.

Support

The associations pledged their support for the Bill.

They said it would not only boost local production but also create employment opportunities for the youth.
UGBS begins 2nd phase of graduate lecture halls

Beatrice Laryea Jul - 27 - 2023 , 11:08

The Construction of a GH145-million five storey Lecture Hall Complex project at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has begun.

The edifice which is being constructed by Grow Engineering Firm has lecture halls housing 1,300 students, a cafeteria with 120 seating capacity, a library and an e-learning centre.

It also has an administration block which will house a reception, staff meeting room, mother and father care space, 30 offices for faculty and seven rooms for visiting faculty.

It is expected to be completed in the next two years.

Academic excellence

At the ceremonial sod-cutting to signify the birth of the project last Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the project symbolised the universitys unwavering dedication to academic excellence, research and innovation.

She said it represented an attestation of the universitys commitment to fostering an environment that nurtured and empowered the bright minds of the future.

This project will stand as a beacon of knowledge innovation and transformation. The facilities and resources that will emerge from this project will enhance the learning experience of our students, enabling them to become trailblazers and leaders in their respective fields, she said.

My expectation also is that it will bolster our research capabilities, allowing our esteemed faculty members and graduate students to undertake groundbreaking studies that address societys most pressing challenges, she said.

On challenges she said: Together we shall navigate every obstacle secured in the knowledge that our collective effort will yield results that extend far beyond our time.

Appreciation

Prof. Amfo expressed appreciation to the deans, both past and present of the UGBS, faculty and staff of the school as well as the consultants, contractors and other partners for their dedication and tireless efforts to bring the project thus far.

Accommodation issues

For his part, the Dean of the UGBS, Prof. Justice Nyigmah Bawole, noted that the idea to put up the second phase of the lecture hall complex at the graduate campus stemmed from their inability to accommodate the more than 4,000 students at the graduate level currently.

When COVID-19 struck, it gave us a respite because then we could conveniently move our students online. However, as we moved gradually from the menace and started getting back to normalcy, the call for students to appear physically and to be in lecture facilities to engage face-to-face with our students became more demanding, Prof. Bawole said.

He paid tribute to his predecessors, faculty and partners for their unflinching support to bring the project this far.

As a school, our strategy says we will have to develop world class infrastructure and I am happy to announce to you that todays sod cutting is for us to proceed with the construction of a hundred and forty-five million cedis project, a five-story project which is supposed to be one of a kind on the Legon campus, he added.

Presentation

Earlier, Augustus Richardson of Mobius Architecture, consultants of the project, took the gathering through a projected monitor presentation to enlighten them on what to expect on completion of the project.
Waste treatment plant commissioned in Western Region

Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu Jul - 27 - 2023 , 10:54

The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, has called for deliberate policies to protect and promote Ghanaian entrepreneurs to spur the country's growth and development.

At the commissioning of phase one of the Sekondi-Takoradi Integrated Waste Treatment Plant in the Western Region, he said, Ghanaian businessmen were willing and capable of helping to build and transform the country, while creating sustainable jobs.

The missing link to achieving that, however, was the lack of encouragement to push Ghanaian businessmen to the next level to capitalise on the development deficits and proffer solutions to enhance growth.

When we give opportunities and sometimes they go wrong, we need to muster the courage and correct that Ghanaian businessman for his or her wrongs, for the Ghanaian entrepreneur is capable and willing but needs encouragement.



Designed capacity

The current facility replaces the unstructured disposal of waste at Sofokrom, near Essipon, which currently poses a serious threat to nearby settlements and easily accessible to domestic animals and birds.

The waste treatment plant has the capacity of 1,000 cubic metres per day ((m3/day) or an average of 100 truck loads of refuse a day.

Dr Agyepong said the dream to set up Zoomlion years ago was to lead the solution to waste management challenges in the country and beyond, where refuse would no longer be considered as waste but the solution and raw material for the next production line.

Dr Agyepong said the project was inspired by the governments vision of making the country the neatest in Africa, and that aside from the installed capacity, the facility would provide about 400 direct jobs and more than 1,000 indirectly.

Pureco KFT-Hungary is a Hungarian company that designed the plant and manufactured the machinery.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ballint Horvath, commended the stakeholders for their contribution to the project, which he said, met high international standards and safety protocols.

Ghana, Hungary

The State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Tristan Azbej, said the completion of the project was a remarkable milestone for the partnership between Ghana and Hungary.

The Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Darko-Mensah, for his part, said the completion of phase one of the project would greatly ensure more acceptable treatment of waste in the region.

He said currently only 10 per cent of the faecal waste in the region was treated.
Catherine Afeku dismisses abandonment reports, affirms support for Alan Kyerematen

GraphicOnline Politics Jul - 27 - 2023 , 13:43

Former Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Catherine Afeku, has refuted recent claims suggesting that she had abandoned the campaign of Alan Kyerematen, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant.

She addressed the reports, labelling them as false and misleading attempts to divert public and party attention from the forthcoming special delegates conference (Special Electoral College) slated for August 26, 2023.

In an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, Mrs. Afeku firmly stated that her allegiance to Mr. Kyerematen remained unwavering, and she has not severed ties with him in any manner.

Addressing the specific incident that sparked the rumours, Mrs. Afeku explained that she had merely emphasized the need for the party's Secretary, Justin Frimpong-Kodua, to address the party ahead of the upcoming event, in accordance with the party's laws.

We all know that were going to select our Presidential candidate on August 26 and we needed our Secretary, JFK to address the party for the upcoming event as according to the laws of the party. This is what I said as a veteran in the political terrain and which I said earlier this month on 14 while today is 27. That means two weeks ago and its now that someone wants to divert the public and partys attention to me, she said.

Using a biblical analogy, Mrs. Afeku drew a parallel between the situation and the story of Joseph, who faced betrayal from his brothers. She likened the misleading headlines to such deceitful actions.

Despite the rumours, Mrs. Afeku expressed her gratitude for Mr. Kyerematen and reiterated her unwavering support for him.

She firmly believes that Mr. Kyerematen will be chosen as the NPP flagbearer and will go on to contest and potentially become the next President of Ghana in the 2024 polls.
Africas mined lithium production output is set to increase more than ten-fold this decade, according to Benchmarks Lithium Forecast. This will increase the regions strength in the supply of critical minerals beyond cobalt, which the continent has historically dominated. Benchmarks Lithium Forecast shows that the region is expected to account for just 4% of global mined lithium supply this year. However, by 2033 its market share is forecast to triple to 12% of global supply.

China has invested heavily across Africa to help secure access to its critical mineral deposits, potentially putting Western countries on the back foot when it comes to operating in the region, Benchmark said.

A total of 83% of forecast lithium supply is set to come from projects with some form of Chinese involvement, according to Benchmark.

Of the critical battery minerals, cobalt is the one with which Africa captures the largest share of the upstream mining. Benchmarks Cobalt Forecast shows that 75% of mined cobalt comes from the continent, with the vast majority of this coming from the DRC.

Although Indonesian cobalt will eat into this market share, the region will maintain a strong 69% of the market in 2030,, Benchmark said.

Africa has rich flake graphite reserves, too, and is expected to grow production from 19% of global supply this year to 39% in 2030, according to Benchmarks Natural Graphite Forecast.





In graphiteunlike in cobalt and lithiumnon-Chinese companies are the dominant investors on the continent.

Some African countries want to increase the amount of value they extract from these minerals before they get exported, Benchmark noted. Namibia recently banned exports of non-beneficiated ores of critical minerals including lithium following in the footsteps of Zimbabwe, which passed similar legislation in December last year.

Last month, Namibia banned the export of unprocessed lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite and rare earth minerals.

Despite Africas growing presence in the mining of critical raw materials, it remains a bit player in the value chain further downstream. The continent is forecast by Benchmark to produce just 0.1% of lithium chemicals in 2030 and 0.2% of spherical graphite.

Africa has a greater share of the refining of cobalt than the other critical minerals, but even so, is forecast by Benchmark to capture just 4.9% of this market in 2030 despite 69% of mined cobalt coming from the continent in that year.
LiquidPiston, a developer of efficient engine technology and hybrid power systems, has been awarded an $8.3-million contract by Parsons Corporation to integrate its recently launched high-performance rotary X-Engine, the XTS-210 (earlier post), into a lightweight, compact 10 kW generator set to be field-tested by the Army, delivering unmatched power flexibility and portability to the warfighter.

The XTS-210 is a 25 horsepower, two-stroke, supercharged, liquid-cooled 210cc X-Engine variant currently under development that reduces size and weight by nearly 80% over diesel engines with comparable power output while targeting an SFC of less than 350 g/kwh at maturity.

The XTS supercharger adds up to 1 bar boost while operating on a 2-stroke cycle, producing 6 combustion events per revolution of the rotor, to deliver smooth power from a minuscule package.





XTS-210 engine core (left) compared to 25 hp Kohler KDW1003 (right).

The LiquidPiston generator set (genset) will be approximately one-quarter the size and weight of the currently fielded Advanced Medium Mobile Power Source (AMMPS) generator system. Given its smaller footprint and inverter type operation, LiquidPistons new genset could replace multiple existing generator power classes with a single genset platform, greatly simplifying Army genset procurement and logistics.

Leveraging LiquidPistons patented High Efficiency Hybrid Thermodynamic Cycle (HEHC) and compact, heavy-fueled rotary engine, the new genset will offer several key benefits:

Lightweight: 75% lighter and smaller than the currently-fielded AMMPS

Easy to transport: can be man-portable, instead of requiring a truck, trailer, or forklift

Space-efficient: occupies only ~9 cubic feet of space

Fuel-efficient: targeted to use up to 8% less fuel

Current military mobile generators are too heavy and inefficient for modern use cases, which also makes them a potential hazard. A 2009 report commissioned by the Army Environmental Policy Institute (AEPI) developed a methodology for calculating casualty factors for fuel and water resupply convoys in theater operations. The authors demonstrated the methodology based on historical data from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Casualties calculated include Army soldiers and civilians killed or wounded while transporting fuel or drinking water to consuming units and forward operating bases in theater.

The report found that the casualty factor for fuel resupply in Afghanistan was 0.042i.e., 0.042 casualties for every fuel-related resupply convoy or one casualty for every 24 fuel resupply convoys in Afghanistan. For Iraq, the fuel casualty factor was 0.026.

The report estimated that in 2007 there were 5,133 required fuel convoys for Iraq and 897 required fuel convoys for Afghanistanor 170 casualties (132 in Iraq, 38 in Afganistan) from fuel convoys in 2007 alone.

With the power density of LiquidPistons 10 kW genset, nearly 4x the power could be deployed to the battlefront for the same transport volume as currently-fielded gensets; this would reduce the frequency of refueling and therefore the risk to the troops.

Imagine the possibilities that are created when soldiers no longer have to haul a massive and inefficient generator on a towed trailer. This generator can have a revolutionary impact on the livesand the mission successof our armed forces. This award demonstrates a deep commitment by the Army to help LiquidPiston develop an ultra-light and portable power generation system, first for military applications and later for a range of commercial applications in the over $4-billion global portable generator market. Dr Alec Shkolnik, co-founder and CEO of LiquidPiston

LiquidPistons award supports an existing $14.9-million Other Transaction Award (OTA) prime contract for US Army Expeditionary Intelligent Tactical and Expeditionary Power that was awarded to Polaris Alpha Advanced Systems, a Parsons Company, by the Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC) in 2022. Through this contract, Polaris Alpha Advanced Systems is providing research and development to deliver reliable, adaptable, and reconfigurable power that meets extended power needs for the growing number of tactical electronic devices utilized in increasingly complex and remote battlegrounds.

LiquidPistons generator solution is the result of decades of engine research and development, coupled with more than 10 contracts secured with the US Department of Defense and more than $20 million awarded in development funding over the past 24 months, including a $9-million DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory award for a Compact Efficient Rotary Engine announced last fall and a $8.3-million award from DEVCOM C5ISR Center for the development of a Light Weight High Efficiency Generators. It will serve as a building block that will yield a family of modernized Tactical Electric Power (TEP) sources with similar efficiency and size reduction benefits.
The BMW Group launched its new test site for fully automated development and test drives in Sokolov (Czechia), the Future Mobility Development Center (FMDC). As the first development location of its kind in central Europe, the FMDC, in which BMW Group invested 300 million, will play a key role in the companys future mobility development.

The surrounding terrain in the former mining region offers the suitable real-world conditions for testing of highly and fully automated driving and parking to supplement the virtual simulation of driving situations. Through this combination of virtual simulation and real-world testing, the BMW Group says it will meet the highest safety requirements of its customers. The FMDC in Sokolov rounds out BMWs existing group of test sites in Aschheim near Munich, Miramas in France, and Arjeplog in Sweden.

With our new Future Mobility Development Center, we have created a one-of-a-kind test site, designed exclusively for the highly demanding testing of automated driving and parking up to level 4. On 600 hectares of land, we test all possible driving conditions with maximum flexibility and tremendous efficiency: city, countryside, freeway, as well as automated parking. The special thing: We can run our test modules one after the other without stopping. This makes our testing as realistic, reliable, and customer-oriented as possible. Frank Weber, BMW Board Member for Development

The new test site not only enables the testing and further development of technological innovations, but also stands as an example of how the highest environmental protection and sustainability standards have been consistently integrated in concept and implemented. Throughout the planning and establishment of the proving ground, BMW worked in close cooperation with specialized ecological construction monitoring.

Making mobility electric, digital, and sustainable goes beyond our vehicles at the BMW Group. We look at the entire value chain, including our own sites. Together with our partners, we were able to develop a former surface mine site here in Sokolov into a modern and efficient test site and create new, attractive jobs. The Future Mobility Development Center and its charging infrastructure are supplied with one hundred percent green electricity from renewable energy sources. This is another step toward the decarbonization of our sites globally. Ilka Horstmeier, BMW Board Member for People and Real Estate

In addition to the use of green electricity, the site is equipped with an innovative water management system that systematically collects rainwater and uses it for track irrigation. The protection and promotion of the local biodiversity were also considered throughout the planning process: amphibian control systems were installed throughout the site to ensure the safe crossing of animals across the proving ground. 2.2 million cubic meters of soil previously excavated by nearby mining were used to build the site. Thus, no additional land was sealed, but rather an area that had lain fallow was recycled for forward-looking technological development.
While the Green River City Council is making it easier for local businesses to get permits such as catering and open container permits, discussion of an upcoming event revealed the need to keep working through some of the details.

During the July 18 meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to establish a process to administratively issue catering permits, twenty-four hour malt beverage permits and open container permits. The resolution authorizes the City Administrator to oversee these types of permits and act on behalf of the Governing Body.

Mayor Pete Rust noted the council members have already discussed the resolution in previous meetings, but asked for an overview. City Clerk and Director of Finance Chris Meats, who was attending the council meeting as the acting city administrator in place of Reed Clevenger, explained that the citys current ordinance specifies that the mayor and governing body must be the ones to approve these types of permits. He noted that several other cities in Wyoming are moving to use administrative process for approval. The city of Green River is currently working on establishing an administrative procedure, according to Meats, but this resolution was one of the first steps.

We do have a significant amount of ordinance changes we need to make to the liquor ordinances to comply with some new state statutes that have come out over the last two years, and well finalize this change with that, Meats explained. But this is just to tide us over so we dont have to have near as many special meetings.

Most, if not all, of the councils special meetings in the last few years have been to approve permits, according to Meats, and this resolution will cut down on that need.

Staff feels this will also allow the City to be more flexible with timelines and be more business friendly, the explanation on the meeting agenda stated.

Later in the meeting, the council approved the consent agenda, which included one open container permit, one malt beverage permit, and three catering permits. The consent agenda originally included one more open container permit and one more catering permit, but the council voted to move them to regular agenda items to have more discussion.

BadAss Brews requested an open container permit that would cover two separate events, one of which was the Show Off Your Ride Car Show on July 29 and the other of which was the Too Broke for Sturgis event to take place August 5 and 6. The Buck N Bar also requested a catering permit for the same Too Broke for Sturgis event.

Councilmember Robert Berg split the motion in order to handle the two BadAss Brews events separately, and the council approved the open container permit for the car show coming up on Saturday. The Too Broke for Sturgis event, however, garnered more discussion.

Councilmember Gary Killpack raised concerns about the nature of the event and asked Chief of Police Shaun Sturlaugson to comment on the security aspect. Chief Sturlaugson noted that any special events with alcohol involve the concerns of making sure minors dont have access to alcohol and having some kind of security.

Sturlaugson also noted that trying to staff large events with police officers for security puts strain on the department and on city finances with the need to pay officers overtime. According to Sturlaugson, the permit for the Too Broke for Sturgis event estimated having up to 2,000 people.

BadAss Brews owner Russ Hemmert joined the council meeting during the conversation and was asked to speak about the event. When Councilmember Sherry Bushman asked where the estimate of 2,000 people came from, Hemmert said he had no idea, saying hed seen the number in an email but thought it was referring to other local events occurring the same day. He said he only estimates about 40-50 people to be at the Too Broke for Sturgis event.

When it came to how the event got started, Hemmert explained he and the staff at the Buck N Bar were approached by a group with the idea for the event who wanted to have a poker run, close the street down, park their bikes, and play outdoor games like cornhole. Hemmert said he thinks it will essentially be a bunch of guys on motorcycles that want to come hang out for the day.

Despite Hemmerts clarification, Councilmember Killpack still voiced his opposition to the idea, saying even if it starts small it could grow to a bigger event in the future that could cause problems.

I dont want an event like Sturgis in Green River, Wyoming, Killpack said. Im not in favor of anything that would be like Sturgis in our small, little community. I think thatll destroy our town.

The council decided to wait to discuss the open container permit and catering permit for the event at the next council meeting. Meats confirmed that this will also make it possible to change some of the wording on the permit requests, such as the estimated number of people.

Killpack also brought up the question of whether a permit allows the business in question to sell any kind of liquor, and why both an open container permit and catering permit were needed. Meats explained the permits give businesses the ability to distribute anything they can under their retail license, including hard liquors. He also explained the open container permit gives the ability to have open containers of alcohol outdoors in public areas where theyre typically not allowed and applies to a specific area, allowing multiple businesses to have alcohol within that area under the permit. The catering permit, he noted, allows businesses to distribute outside of their building.

Weve actually had quite a few internal discussions lately on special permits, Meats said during the City Administrators Report section at the end of the meeting. Sounds like we need to have a little discussion on some of these catering deals that you guys just administratively allowed us to do.

Meats also noted that other cities and towns all do things a little differently, but the city will work on putting guidance together and getting feedback from the council.

During his comments, Councilmember Berg explained the intent behind voting to allow the city administrator to approve these permits was largely for cases like when a wedding needs a last-minute permit for catering and needs quick approval.

Meats also added that if the council still wishes to have these permits brought before them, that can be done, but agreed that the intent was for permits to be able to be approved without having to wait for the next council meeting or needing to call a special meeting.

We just want to try to be more friendly to the people, Meats said.
URA administrator allegedly stole FGD funds

The City of Green River's former URA/Main Street Administrator, Jennifer "Jennie" Melvin, was arrested on two counts of alleged theft over $1,000 and is being tried for suspected embezzlement from the Green River Urban Renewal Agency (URA) and Flaming Gorge Days (FGD).

According to the probable cause affidavit from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), "a total of $42,942.55 was stolen out of the FGD account by Melvin between June 8, 2022 and May 21, 2023," resulting in the first theft count, and "a total of $34,551.53 was stolen from the URA account by Melvin between January 14, 2021 and May 30, 2023," resulting in the second theft count.

The affidavit explains that DCI began an investigation into Melvin for suspected embezzlement on June 6, 2023. In May of 2023, Melvin allegedly began to call in sick often and did not respond to emails or phone calls, eventually stopping going to work completely.

"Due to Melvin's lack of communication with the Wyoming Business Council, the Green River URA was placed on probation," the affidavit states. "FGD had to be canceled because events weren't scheduled by Melvin and the account was empty."

When Melvin stopped coming to work, her work-related mail was forwarded to other City employees, which included bank statements from the URA and FGD accounts. City Administrator Reed Clevenger "noticed a large amount of suspicious withdrawals and payments being made from the FGD account to the point that the account was overdrawn multiple times," according to the affidavit.

In 2021 and 2022, recurring payments to several businesses from the FGD account were noted and occurred regularly, which were the primary transactions.

DCI Special Agent Roy Warren "observed that starting in 2022, there was a very drastic change in the amount of charges to the FGD account." These charges allegedly included withdrawals from local ATMs and charges from supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, Amazon, rental store companies, and hotels.

The ending balance for the FGD account in December 2021 was $48,391.51, while the ending balance for December 2022 was $4,487.41, according to the affidavit. By May 2023, the account had a balance of -$345.95.

Both Clevenger and SA Warren noted that several of the charges to the FGD account were ATM withdrawals from Wyoming Downs Off Track Betting in Rock Springs. When SA Warren contacted Wyoming Downs, he "learned Melvin is a regular customer at the establishment."

Charges on the FGD account were marked as "out of the normal business," and included charges to online companies and subscriptions as well as local businesses, which are listed in the affidavit. The affidavit also notes that Melvin had the only debit card issued for the account.

Melvin also allegedly moved large amounts of money from the URA account into the FGD account to offset the charges to the FGD account. From January to May 2023, there were debit card transactions that seemed suspicious, many of which were to local businesses. During the same time, checks were made from the URA account to the FGD account which coincided with overdraft fees, according to the affidavit.

Melvin also allegedly took advantage of the URA's "Downtown Dollars" program. Melvin allegedly wrote some of the checks as "cash" which exceeded normal reimbursement amounts and were designated to go toward a specific business that sells goods Melvin likes.

Melvin was arrested by the Rock Springs Police Department on July 14 and was released on July 18 after posting the $75,000 surety bond.

Melvin's preliminary hearing before Judge John Prokos in the Circuit Court of the 3rd Judicial District in Sweetwater County was originally scheduled for July 26 but was rescheduled for August 16 at 1 p.m.
Green River Police Department reports for July 16

At 3:12 p.m., officers responded to Smiths located at 905 Bridger Drive for a report of a theft. Officers met with an individual who reported they had left their cell phone in a cart and an unknown individual had taken the phone before they could retrieve it. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident.

At 5:29 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats. Officers met with an individual who reported an individual was making verbal threats towards them and requested a trespass warning be issued. Officers then made contact with the individual, issued the trespass warning, and completed a report of the incident.

At 6:48 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a written warning for alleged speed.

At 10:31 p.m., officers responded to the area of 700 Crossbow Drive in reference to trespassing. Officers met with an individual that had been previously issued a trespass warning for the property. The individual advised they were trying to go home and reported medical concerns. Officers offered assistance, transported the individual, and completed a report of the incident.

July 17

At 12:15 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued a verbal warning for alleged no tail lights.

At 12:46 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for not stopping at the flashing red light at the intersection of Monroe Avenue and Uinta Drive. Officers met the driver and occupants of the vehicle and detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officers located multiple items of suspected drug paraphernalia and suspected marijuana. Officers ascertained two passengers had active warrants. Officers issued the driver, Aden Winders, of Green River, citations for alleged failure to maintain liability coverage, obedience to traffic-control device, and paraphernalia (possession with intent to use); and arrested both passengers, Jackson Gladue, of Green River, who had a Municipal warrant, and Chandlar Robertson, of Green River, who had a Circuit Court warrant. Officers issued Gladue and Roberston citations for alleged paraphernalia (possession with intent to use), transported both to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, and completed a report of the incident.

At 12:43 p.m., officers responded to a report of a nuisance property. Officers attempted to make contact at the residence, posted a notice to abate, and completed a report of the incident.

At 10:22 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Hitching Post and Rhode Island Place and issued the driver written warnings for alleged speed and no valid drivers license or violation of drivers license conditions.

At 11:06 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Astle Avenue and Jensen Street and issued the driver Karry Hornsby, of Reliance, written warnings for alleged visibility distance and a citation for alleged failure to maintain liability coverage -2nd offense.

At 11:18 p.m., officers responded to the area of Riverview Drive for a report of possible shots fired. Officers arrived in the area and observed some fireworks being set off. Officers were unable to determine where the fireworks were lit but advised the reporting party about the fireworks.

At 11:46 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and E Flaming Gorge Way and issued the driver a written warning for alleged visibility distance.

July 18

At 12:17 a.m., officers responded to a report of theft. Officers met with an individual who reported their phone missing. Officers later learned the phone had been returned. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident.

At 5:15 a.m., officers responded to a report of barking dogs. Upon arriving, officers were unable to locate the barking dogs and attempted to make contact with the reporting party. Due to the early hour, no contact was made at the suspected residence. Officers completed a report of the incident and forwarded it to Animal Control.

At 6:10 p.m., officers responded to Family Dollar at 200 UInta Drive for a report of theft. Officers met with an individual who reported losing and later recovering their wallet, but money was missing. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident.

At 9:55 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of 400 Uinta Drive and issued a citation to the driver Yvonne Swett for alleged left turn at intersections.

At 10:12 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of W Flaming Gorge Way and issued a written warning to the driver for an alleged headlights - (2) one on each side violation.

At 10:39 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued a written warning to the driver for an alleged headlights - (2) one on each side violation.

July 19

At 12:56 a.m., officers observed an individual known to have an active warrant and made contact. Officers confirmed the Circuit Court warrant and placed Misty Mares, of Green River, under arrest. Mares was transported to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and officers completed an incident report.

At 4:57 a.m., officers responded to a traffic stop in the area of Astle Avenue and issued the driver a verbal warning.

At 5:25 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Hillcrest Way and issued the driver a verbal warning for alleged failure to stop.

At 5:55 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a verbal warning for no visible registration.

At 6 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Hitching Post Drive and issued the driver a verbal warning for alleged headlight and drivers license violations.

At 12:12 p.m., officers responded to the area of Riverview Drive for a report of a two-vehicle collision. It was reported one vehicle was traveling south exiting the parking lot near US Bank and proceeded to turn left (east) onto Riverview Dr when it collided with another vehicle, which was traveling east on Riverview Drive. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report.

At 1 p.m., the community service officer (CSO) observed an abandoned vehicle in the area of E 3 S Street. Officers tagged the vehicle and completed an incident report.

At 1:28 p.m., while on routine patrol, the community service officer observed a residence on E 3 S Street that was in violation of City ordinance. The officer made contact with the property owner, advised of the violation for nuisance weeds, issued a notice to abate, and completed an incident report.

At 2:49 p.m., officers responded to a report of fraud. Officers met with an individual who reported receiving an alert on their Ipad that their Apple account had been compromised and a phone number was provided for customer support. The caller requested banking information to confirm transactions and requested the individual to visit a specific website. No information was given and no monetary losses were reported. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report.

At 4:22 p.m., officers responded to Expedition Island for a report of found keys. Officers collected the keys for safekeeping and completed an incident report.

At 7:33 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic disturbance. Officers met with individuals involved in a verbal dispute, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident.

At 7:48 p.m., officers responded to the area of Iowa Circle for a report of a disturbance. Officers made contact with an individual who reported two individuals ding-dong-ditching their residence. Officers were able to identify the individuals and made contact. Officers advised of the complaint, gathered information and completed a report of the incident.

At 10:35 p.m., officers responded to the area of Hitching Post Drive for a report of a vehicle vs deer collision. It was reported one vehicle was driving south on Hitching Post Drive when two deer ran into the roadway. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report.

July 20

At 4:36 p.m., Animal Control Officers responded to a residence on Riverview Drive for a report of a welfare check on the dogs at that residence. Officers met with the owners of the dogs and advised them of the violations. Officers gathered information, issued a notice to abate, and completed a report of the incident.

At 5:16 p.m., officers responded to E 4th S Street for a report of trash on the sidewalk in front of the residence. Officers made contact with the property owner, advised of the complaint, and completed a report of the incident.

At 8:52 p.m., officers responded to W Teton Boulevard in reference to a report of a disturbance. Officers met with individuals involved in a verbal dispute, gathered information, and completed an incident report.

At 9:17 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Green River Way in reference to a report of theft. Officers met with an individual who reported their ex took multiple items from their garage. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report.

At 10:03 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a written warning for alleged improper lane usage.

At 10:18 p.m., while out on a traffic stop, officers observed a vehicle with the driver revving the engine as they passed by officers before quickly accelerating east down Monroe Avenue. Officers approached the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle accelerated and ran the stop sign located at the corner of Monroe Avenue and E Teton Boulevard. Officers subsequently issued the driver William Damien Kaden Pfeifer, of Green River, citations for alleged stop sign violation, exhibition of acceleration, and eluding a police officer. Officers completed an incident report.

July 21

At 12:50 a.m., officers responded to the area of Maverik located at 59 Uinta Drive in reference to a REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately). Officers observed the vehicle parked behind W Flaming Gorge Way, where officers contacted the driver of the vehicle and three other occupants in the vehicle. After conducting a DWUI investigation, the driver was later found to be impaired and was arrested. Officers issued the driver Randy Deal, of Arizona, a citation for alleged DWUI of alcohol .08 or greater, transported Deal to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, and completed a report of the incident.

At 3:32 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Crossbow Drive and issued the driver a verbal warning.

At 7:56 a.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. Officers met with an individual who reported being harassed and threatened by an ex. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident.

At 10:11 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Uinta Drive and East Flaming Gorge Way for a report of a two-vehicle collision. It was reported that one vehicle was traveling east on Flaming Gorge Way and was turning left (north) onto Uinta Drive when it struck a second vehicle, which was traveling west on Flaming Gorge Way. Officers gathered information, issued the driver of the first vehicle, Theodore Gregory, of Green River, a citation for alleged obedience to traffic-control device, and completed an incident report.

At 4:03 p.m., officers responded to the area of Elm Street in reference to a disturbance. Officers met with the individuals involved in a verbal dispute, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident.

At 4:35 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats. Officers met with an individual who reported being threatened by a neighbor. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident.

At 8:18 p.m., Animal Control Officers responded to the area of Expedition Island for a report of an animal at large. ACOs impounded one dog and transported it to the animal shelter.

At 8:56 p.m., officers responded to the area of Bailey Court in Green River for a report of a fire. The fire was extinguished. It was determined the fire was accidentally started. Officers met with several individuals, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident.

July 22

At 7:54 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a written warning for alleged speed.

At 11:16 a.m., Animal Control Officers responded to the area of Adams Street for a report of an animal at large. ACOs impounded one dog and transported it to the animal shelter.

At 5:31 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Scotts Bottom Road and issued the driver a written warning for alleged speed.

At 9:08 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a written warning for an alleged tail lights required violation.

July 23

At 12:57 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a written warning for alleged speed.

At 3:43 a.m., officers responded to the area of Elk Valley concerning a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot. It was reported a subject was inside the vehicle and was possibly intoxicated. Officers arrived in the area and observed a vehicle matching the description given parked with a subject inside that appeared to be sleeping. Officers attempted to wake the subject inside the vehicle and after several minutes the subject awoke and then started the vehicle. Officers made contact with the subject and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. Subsequently, officers placed the subject, KC Simpson, of Riverton, under arrest and issued a citation for alleged public intoxication. Officers transported Simpson to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed an incident report.

At 10:31 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Astle Avenue and issued the driver a written warning for alleged speed.

At 11:38 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged cell phone violation.

At 3 p.m., officers responded to a residence on E 2 South Street in reference to malicious mischief. Officers met with the homeowner who reported that someone broke the windows out at both their properties. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report.

At 7:59 p.m., officers responded to a report of a citizen assist. Officers met with an individual over parking issues with a neighbor. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report.

At 8:03 p.m., officers were notified of an individual with an active warrant. Officers made contact with the individual, confirmed the warrant, and placed Denny Demarto, of Green River, under arrest. Officers transported Demarto to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident.

At 8:18 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of W Flaming Gorge Way and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged expired registration.

July 24

At 6:01 a.m., officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance. Officers met with the individuals involved in a verbal altercation. Officers gathered information and called for advocate assistance. The parties were separated and officers completed an incident report.

At 8:48 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of E Flaming Gorge Way and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged registration violation.

At 10:57 a.m., officers responded to Probation and Patrol located at 140 Commerce Drive for a report of an individual with an active warrant. Kraig Stewart, of Jamestown, was arrested per the warrant and transported to the Sweetwater County Detention Center. Officers completed an incident report.

At 6:31 p.m., officers responded to Medicine Bow Drive for a report of trespassing. Officers met with an individual who requested another individual be issued a trespass warning for their property. Officers met with the individuals, issued the trespass warning, and completed a report of the incident.

At 7:38 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged registration violation.

At 7:53 p.m., officers responded to the area of Bridger Drive for a report of a citizen assist. Officers met with individuals concerning custody issues. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report.

At 9:18 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a written warning for alleged speed.

At 9:51 p.m., officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance. Officers met with an individual involved in a domestic disturbance and gathered information. Officers attempted to locate the other involved party and completed an incident report.
A letter to the editor and open letter to Harriet Hageman

Dear Mrs. Hageman,

Many thanks on your recent town hall tour around the state. It was a pleasure to see you in Douglas (June 30, 23). You may remember me from that meeting. We spoke briefly about the issue of those individuals at the US southern border. There were a few more thoughts that I had, a few points that I was hoping to make, if you would indulge me.

You encouraged us to be active, engaged, citizens. I agree with that principle very much. As such, Im writing both to you, and to the editors of a few of the newspapers around our great state. God willing, one or two may publish it.

Your main position regarding the border is that it is necessary to secure it. This is, without question, true. Another point that you brought up was that thousands were dying by attempting to cross it illegally, by turning to the cartels and human traffickers. That it is the job of the Executive branch, rather than that of Congress, to enforce border security and to process immigrants and asylum seekers. These points are solid, and should not, in my opinion, be questioned.

As a member of Congress, along with your fellows Mr. Barrasso and Mrs. Lummis, you are in a special position. You are one of perhaps roughly four hundred people in the nation, that I can think of, who has access to President and can wield some influence, if they choose. (Those individuals being the members of Congress, the members of SCOTUS, the State Governors, and the like as you surely know.) It is, as I understand it, by making deals that successful governing takes place.

As you mentioned, Mrs. Hageman, thousands of people at the border are dying trying to cross. There is a massive bottleneck in processing, causing people who have fled their countries, to seek illegal means to cross and risk their lives in order to cross to safety. Completely closing our borders now is little different than sending European Jews, who were seeking asylum, back to Nazi Germany as was done in our grandparents time. This was a major reason our current asylum laws exist. Im not saying that anyone is a Nazi, but as far as numbers are concerned, deaths are still taking place.

Here in the great state of Wyoming we pride ourselves on equality. This is, after all, the Equality State. There are few of us who would say we were inherently better than anyone else. There are few of our fellow citizens, cowboys or not, who would wish to change the noble character of our state motto, and what it represents. True equality for all. Equal treatment and equal rights for all. It is an ideal truly worth living up to.

For those among us who profess faith in Christ, when we crack that Book, we see several commandments. Of course, put God first. But likewise, treat everyone else in the same way in which we would wish to be treated. If someone comes to you desperate for help, then we are told to help them. Also, if it is within our power, we are told to save the life of the stranger, for they are as your brother or sister, just as the Samaritan did.

Now, for those of us who may not profess such faith, most of us still recognize that which is right and just. People tend to remember and rightly honor those who act justice and mercy. Its a human trait to do so. People always respect action.

Thinking about it, two problems can often be used to solve one another. If youre creative, multiple things can be solved at once. Border security is a serious issue that many of us care about. There is also a humanitarian crisis, of thousands dying in our southern desserts. Surely by being willing to cooperate on one issue, you can gain cooperation on the other? This is a part of the art of governance.

As for those unfortunates that are waiting, whose fate is uncertain, most of them simply seek to be law abiding, workers, and taxpayers, regardless of if they gain citizenship or not. (As you know, we all pay sales tax on everything that they buy, and income tax is automatically withdrawn from every paycheck issued to anyone.) In theory one way to raise revenue is to bring in more tax payers.

One who governs wisely learns from the mistakes of other policy makers. With BREXIT Great Britain is now suffering, realizing that she has lost more than she gained. BREXIT was sold, in part, as a security measure to the people of England. Now, farms are failing due to lack of migrant workers that normally assist during harvest. Florida, also, is feeling a similar pinch after passing some bills that have the same effect. Migrants tend to fill jobs that no one else wants, and thereby help the economy in general.

These are complex issues, complex problems, more than most people should be asked to solve by themselves. Please dont think that Im trying to ask you to solve them. Solving problems is not what Im asking of you. Im simply asking that you do what you can to improve the situation, to whatever degree you can. We tend to raise ourselves when we build people up. Its a general law of Karma You reap that which you sow. When you are willing to help others, you end up helping yourself as well.

Ive heard it said that when you save a life, you become the mother of generations. People are unnecessarily dying. Not being of help puts the choice before them of suffering what they risk their lives fleeing, or risk their lives and breaking USCIS laws. Its a very hard spot for an individual to be in perhaps the hardest possible. Much can be gained, in many ways, by relieving this pressure.

Ive heard it said Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. Deeds, not words, Mrs. Hageman Deeds, not words. I know that you will do that which you feel is best. I bow to your wisdom in this matter. I thank you for your service, in whatever decision you choose to make.

Aaron Corkill-Bomgaars

Douglas
Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County's Board of Trustees welcomed its newest board member, Craig Rood, at the beginning of July.

Rood, a Wyoming native who has lived in Sweetwater County for more than 50 years, will fill the seat vacated by Ed Tardoni, a trustee of more than six years who retired from the board at the end of his term.

Rood is the Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs for Project West, a greenfield trona mine and refinery. He has served with the Memorial Hospital Foundation, Wyoming Mining Association, Wyoming Business Alliance, Skill USA, Wyoming Taxpayers Association, Sweetwater County Treatment Court, Green River Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Wyoming

"I truly believe we all should give back to the community," Rood said. "Running for public office is difficult for me because of my job, so I feel this is a good way to be involved in making Sweetwater County a better place to live. The hospital is an incredible asset we all take for granted  until you need it  and I hope to help ensure its future.

"After having been the plant manager for the Big Island Mine and Refinery for eight years, I understand how a large business operates," he said. "I have experience with large budgets and large groups of employees. I feel like this skill set transfers well and I can help the hospital continue to grow and get better."

Trustees also elected its slate of officers, with few changes: Barbara Sowada will continue as board president; Taylor Jones, vice president; and Kandi Pendleton, secretary. Marty Kelsey was elected treasurer.

The board typically meets at 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month in the hospital classrooms. Board meetings are open to the public. Agendas, packets and minutes are posted at sweetwatermemorial.com.
Aimee Urbin has been promoted to Director of Medical Laboratory Services at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.

Urbin first began working for MHSC as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in 2018. She later worked as its Point-of-Care Coordinator. Most recently, she served as Assistant Director under Laboratory Director Mary Fischer for more than a year.

"I am very grateful to have served our hospital, community, and our patients as Director of Laboratory Services," said Fischer, who plans to continue working on a part-time basis for now to ensure a successful transition.

"Aimee brings years of experience, knowledge, and leadership skills to our hospital and laboratory," Fischer said. "We are very fortunate to have her leading this department."

Even after 18 years in this field, Urbin said she learns new things every day.

"I love feeling like I am helping patients and their families, even if it is behind the scenes," she said. "I am so blessed to be able to be part of the patient care team."

She and her team of 40 are prepared for the coming changes.

"We have many changes coming, such as the lab expansion," she said. "Sometimes, change can be challenging. Hopefully, we can manage all the changes that are coming with ease by working as a team."

Kari Quickenden, MHSC Chief Operating Officer, has no doubt that will be the case.

"I have complete confidence in Aimee," Quickenden said. "Aimee brings her former experience from other laboratories to MHSC and is committed to quality, safety, and patient care.

"The lab at MHSC is trusted," Quickenden said. "I know our patients and the future of our laboratory are in good hands with Aimee."

Urbin has a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Before coming to MHSC, she worked as a clinical supervisor and in other positions at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. She also worked for ARUP Laboratories in Salt Lake City and at Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Neb.

Urbin said, even as a young child, she always knew she wanted to be in healthcare.

"Through college, I found that I was really interested in the scientific and technical aspect of how our bodies work," she said. "The thought that you can help a patient, and their families, through analyzing microscopic elements, such as blood, is pretty amazing."

For more on this and all Sweetwater Memorial has to offer, go to sweetwatermemorial.com.
According to Samsung Germany's customer support, the Korean company will release the One UI 6.0 beta based on Android 14 on August 2 for the Galaxy S23 family. Then, on August 9, so exactly one week later, the Galaxy A34 5G and Galaxy A54 5G will get it too.

It's nice to see that Samsung isn't forgetting about its best-selling mid-rangers when it comes to these beta releases, and isn't focusing only on high-end models. Of course, the high-end models are still covered, and they're still first in line, as you'd expect, but only one week of waiting for your mid-ranger to get the beta isn't bad at all.

The One UI 6.0 beta was initially rumored to launch in the third week of July, but now seems to have been delayed by around a week.

Before One UI 6.0 matures enough to be released to all supported devices, Samsung still has to deliver One UI 5.1.1. A beta of this version went out to the Galaxy Z Fold4 and the Galaxy Tab S8 family earlier this month, and now that the Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and Tab S9 series are official and running this iteration of the skin, we assume updates to Samsung's older devices are pretty much imminent. We'll keep you posted, naturally.

Source
Xiaomi confirmed earlier this month that Mix Fold 3 will arrive in August and will be the first device, built on a new manufacturing line with improved design to ensure the strength of the foldable's body.

Today, the official Weibo profile of the company confirmed the report once again, and added that Xiaomi and Leica developed a new solution for an "optical full-focus quad-cam setup". This means that the Mix Fold 3 will have four shooters instead of three seen in both its predecessors.

Currently, only vivo and Huawei have foldables with four cameras on the back, and both have the same combination we expect to see from Xiaomi - wide, ultrawide and 2 telephoto cameras, one with a periscope lens behind. Details on the specs of Xiaomi's implementation are yet to be released, though.

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 was the thinnest foldable at the time of its launch, while the Mix Fold was the first such device with 67W fast charging. One thing Xiaomi is yet to do with the Fold series is to launch them internationally, and we hope the third time is the charm, even if earlier rumors suggested it won't happen.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will soon begin recruiting volunteer organizations from the U.S. mainland to help repair homes damaged by Typhoon Mawar, according to a news release from Adelup.

Although the program, initiated at the request of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, has been approved, it is not yet operational.

Volunteers are expected to be deployed by Aug. 14, with the goal of completing as many repairs as possible by Nov. 25.

More information about eligibility and application requirements is forthcoming.

GUAM STRONG is short for Guam Urgent Assistance Mobilized to Support Typhoon Repairs on Guam and will be a vital next step to supporting those who were unable to avail of the RISEUP metal roofing repair program, which concluded today, the governor said in a news release. Our goal is to restore typhoon-affected dwellings to a habitable condition in a cost-effective manner, without duplicating other forms of disaster assistance.

The program will provide residents with basic carpentry, electrical and plumbing repairs in addition to roofing.

Skilled volunteers from nonprofit groups, such as members of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, will arrive on Guam and perform repair work on eligible homes.

FEMA will be responsible for sourcing the tools and necessary building materials for repairs such as utility restoration, rehabilitating functional and accessible living spaces, and necessary debris clearance.

The total projected cost of the initiative is $2 million, with the federal government covering 75% of all associated costs and Guam paying 25%, or $500,000. The program will use donated materials where possible to offset costs.
During a legislative session on July 26, the senators of the 37th Guam Legislature advanced a bill to assist with addressing the confidentiality of crime victims.

The bill addressed the clarification of eligibility and to maintain confidentiality of victims records and information, as required by federal law.

Speaker Therese Terlaje addressed Bill 144-37 before the legislative body moved it to the third reading file. According to the speaker, the bill was requested by the chairman of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Commission.

Terlaje stated it was urgent for the bill to be introduced as the commissions meetings would have publicized confidential information pursuant to the Open Government Law. So, the commissions meetings have been temporarily postponed since Oct. 2022 until a law to make an exception for the commission was passed to protect the victims records, according to Terlaje.

Sen. Joe San Agustin noted his support due to confidentiality of the victims.

Nobody should know about that individual other than when they go to court and figure that out, stated Sen. San Agustin. In reference to protection and confidentiality of any victim, Im in full support of that.

Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes also addressed her support for the bill as additional crimes were included for compensation.

It now included vehicular homicide and a hit-and-run with injuries as a felony due to a failure to stop. That was a really good added point, stated Barnes.

Speaker Terlaje closed on the bill by noting that federal funds are used for the commission and the significance of the program.

To receive compensation as a victim, you must have suffered one of the violent crimes listed in Chapter 161, Title 8 Guam Code Annotated Section 161.55, stated the speaker. There doesnt need to be a case filed or a decision in any case filed against anyone for the victim to receive compensation.

The bill now awaits further action until the senators get to the third reading file in their agenda.
A bill to charge criminals with third-degree felony for the destruction of public property during public emergencies has not advanced within the 37th Guam Legislature during their sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Despite all the senators noting there was good intent in Bill 132-37, only four of the present ten voting senators approved the motion to place the bill on the third reading, thus failing the motion.

The bill faced disagreements with some senators addressing that it might be unnecessary.

Sen. Fisher referred to Section 43.31 in Chapter 43, Title 9 of Guam Code Annotated where crimes against the community are defined.

This bill is unnecessary since the punishment and prohibitions are already offered in Guam law, stated Fisher. This actually seems to limit the punishment.

Sen. Frank Blas Jr. noted that while he appreciated the intent of the bill, it also presented a lot of ambiguities.

Fix it. I applaud the author for wanting to do something about it, but in the finality its in, it wont work and is going to cause more problems, stated Blas.

Blas then made a motion to have the bill referred back to committee, but the motion failed.

Sen. Telo Taitague then questioned if this was a political bill or something for publicity.

When we have a bill thats in front of us, and the author doesnt even do homework on the bill or answer questions, that makes me think if this is a political bill. Thats what it looks like, said Sen. Taitague. There are so many questions of this bill that does not help the intent of what were trying to do. It is so frustrating being in here and not having the same senators do the same and think that they can just make deals on the side so their name will be in the newspaper.

Taitague then concluded with the impact of any vote of approval that her colleagues would have.

We dont need another crack in our judicial system. How do we follow the law when its written so poorly? We cannot vote on a bill like this in good conscience, said Taitague. Can you sleep tonight if you vote yes on this bill, or did you already make a deal? Shame on us if any of us did that. The people of Guam deserve better.

Sen. William Parkinson, the author of the bill, addressed how he wished people would just know to do the right thing.

Were all from this island and know what its like to rebuild the pieces, said Parkinson. I put this legislation forth to send a message to the community: if you will not be part of the solution, we will not tolerate you being a problem. We will not allow people to get in the way of our recovery. Im not proud of this legislation, but I do believe it is necessary.

Sen. Roy A.B. Quinata also addressed his full support as Guam doesnt need any more further delay with response of any resources our people need.

We want to make sure our equipment and what our agencies are tirelessly fixing are not wasted, said Quinata. When individuals unfortunately have nothing else better to do than wreak havoc on society, we have to ensure that there is teeth to bite them back.

Sen. Joe San Agustin also shared that the bill was overdue.

I just wish we had done this several terms ago, but it happened now, and its about time. We need to start protecting our folks and first responders with GPA, GWA and DPW because they work very hard to respond to the needs of the people of Guam, said San Agustin. During a disaster, everybody is hoping that GPA, GWA or DPW show up. We have to legislate to stop the crime? Shame, shame, shame.

Parkinson then closed on the bill by stating that the bill should be seen as a sentencing enhancement.

This would be in addition to a crime against the community and not a replacement for it, said Parkinson. This bill has no other purpose than to foster a stronger and more resilient Guam that stays united and ensures that those who attempt to destroy the harmony of our community are held accountable for their actions. Our islands resiliency and unity will prevail.

Two other bills remain on the second reading file for the current legislative session agenda, which will be covered when the senators come back from recess on Friday.
A felons request to be pardoned for his past criminal convictions in order for him to receive federal food aid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been recommended for denial.

The Guam Pardon Review Board on Thursday voted to submit a recommendation to the governor to deny Anthony Babautas pardon request.

The final decision to deny or grant the pardon request rests with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero; the board can only recommend.

Babautas criminal record included a drug possession case, family violence, robbery, assault and violating court orders while on probation.

The chief parole officer for the Department of Corrections, Mike Quinata, said the main reason for Babautas pardon request is basically to become eligible for SNAP benefits.

Because of his drug conviction, Babauta could not receive federal food assistance, Quinata said. Babauta resubmitted his pardon request to include two other prior convictions, Quinata added.

Acting chief prosecutor Heather Zona from the Office of the Attorney General said the office would object to a grant of pardon in order to receive SNAP, especially if the person committed multiple violations while on parole.

Zona, whos not a member of the parole board, said while on probation, Babauta picked up another case for a third-degree robbery, possession of schedule II controlled substance and assault, and was not reporting to the probation office.

Babauta also didnt follow court-recommended community services, didnt follow Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Centers recommendations and other programs, and failed to make court-ordered payments, Zona said.

My concern is that the board would be granting a pardon to somebody who doesnt comply with the terms of his court orders. So if its really just purely to receive SNAP, I mean, I have to believe, especially if hes in California, there are other options available to him. I dont think thats really a valid basis to grant a pardon. We would object on that basis, Zona said.

DOCs Quinata said Babauta is currently hospitalized in California, and is partially paralyzed.

Zona said it should be realized that when a person commits a felony, they wont be eligible for different federal programs or payments. In Babautas case, she said, there are multiple felonies.

The board, led by Chairman Stephen Guerrero, deliberated on the merits of Babautas pardon request before voting. They voted to recommend denial of the pardon request.

In general, a person who is convicted of a felony loses his right to own a gun, receive a passport, serve on a jury, hold a public office or services, but the consequences vary depending on the U.S. jurisdiction.

A recently enacted Guam law lifted the lifetime ban on federal public assistance programs for individuals with felony drug convictions.

A governors grant of pardon does not clear the criminal record of the person pardoned. However, the person becomes eligible for an expungement, which wipes out any record of criminal conviction as if it never happened, often sealing the case file.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is seeking the purchase of about 102 acres of ancestral lands in the Barrigada-Mangilao area for a new medical complex, a plan that has the support of the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission but would still require the Legislatures approval.

This comes months after the Legislature overrode the governors veto on a bill requiring senators involvement in any long-term federal lease deal, such as the governors proposed lease from the military of 112 acres of property near Eagles Field in Mangilao for the medical campus.

With the Eagles Field lease deal off the table, the property will be used as part of the missile defense system.

Besides Eagles Field and now the ancestral lands, other sites earlier considered for the location of a new hospital and medical campus were Ypao Point and Adacao. A new hospital alone is estimated to cost over $1 billion to build.

Sen. Chris Barnett, when sought for comment on Thursday, said hes still not sold on the idea that a billion-dollar health care complex makes sense for Guam.

And Im not sure why we keep ignoring what our medical community says about which proposed site for a new hospital is the best option, he said. I stand ready and committed to work together to address our peoples health care needs. Ultimately, I hope we see more transparency than we did with the Eagles field debacle.

The governor on Thursday said while it will take time to build a new Guam Memorial Hospital and related facilities in the area, her goal is to secure the ancestral lands within the year, and start construction, especially for the Public Health Laboratory and a hospital.

We are still really in good standing for funding from the federal government, the governor said.

The 102 acres of ancestral lands eyed for the new medical complex, she said, is about a mile from the Eagles Field. Both have similar typography, she added.

The governor also said the infrastructure for power and water are already available in the area, so its only a matter of hooking up to these systems.

I think this one would go through and Im hopeful and very optimistic that the Legislature will approve it. It does not have any landowners. Its actually crown land that was put under the Guam Ancestral Lands commission inventory, the governor said.

The commission is responsible for returning excess federal land or former Spanish crown land to their ancestral landowners. The agency has its own money in a land back which comes from the commercial lease of crown land that does not have ancestral landowners.

Over $10M Ancestral Lands commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the appraisal of the property, consisting of seven lots that are nearly across from the Hawaiian Rock Products property in Mangilao.

GALC Executive Director John Burch, at the board meeting, said allowing the appraisal to proceed signifies the commissions support of the governors plan to use ancestral lands for a new medical complex that will house a new GMH, Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam Behavioral Health and related facilities.

Based on discussions at the commission meeting, similar property in the area was appraised for about $25 per square meter, so the ancestral lands will come up to more than $10 million.

But Burch and the commissioners said an appraisal of the ancestral lands should give the commission an idea of the value of these lots. He said the governor indicated theres federal funding for the purchase of the ancestral lands for a medical complex.

Compensation for the ancestral lands would be based on fair market value, Burch said.

Burch also said there are currently about 1,088 acres of ancestral lands in the commissions inventory, and the governor is only seeking about 100 acres.

Whether the Legislature approves or disapproves the sale or lease of these ancestral lands, GALC at least would have an appraisal of the properties, commissioners said.

As it turns out, our property from Ancestral Lands is the second choice, Burch said of the location for a medical campus. There are easements to the property. Its centrally located, its near utilities, water and power, its not on the property but very near it. So the cost of installing that will not be too costly.

The Guam Economic Development Authority, he said, has already prepared the process for seeking out interested parties to conduct the appraisal, using a $25,000 seed money from the commissions account.

Commissioners anticipate that the amount spent for the appraisal will be returned to the account when the property is sold, or leased.

Burch also said the ultimate decision to approve the ancestral lands lease or purchase for a new medical complex rests with the Legislature.

Adelup, he said, has been preparing a draft bill for the commissioners review by their next meeting, before its sent to the Legislature for consideration.
In a span of 48 days, over 500 temporary roofs have been installed as part of the Roofing Installation Support Emergency Utilization Program, better known as RISEUP.

Through coordination efforts by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Guam Homeland Security, Office of Civil Defense, the Office of the Governor of Guam and numerous military service members, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, 537 homes were able to have roofs after the devastating impact of Typhoon Mawar.

The program concluded with a small gathering at the 537th home in Dededo, owned by Fely and Sonny Baza.

Fely Baza shared her appreciation on behalf of the household.

We want to thank everybody. We appreciate what you did for us. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you to all the armed services and the mayors, said Baza. Its not leaking in our house anymore. Our grandkids can come home now.

Vice Mayor Peter John Benavente of Dededo expressed his appreciation as well on behalf of Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares and the village of Dededo.

For everybody that has put the RISEUP together, we want to thank everyone. We greatly appreciate all your services. We look forward to working with everybody, stated Benavente. We still got a little more work to do, but at the end of the day, this is a team effort. Were all here together.

Lt. Col. Chelsey ONan, senior USACE representative on Guam, shared that despite USACE and the Army being credited with the execution of the projects, there were another two branches on ground to help out.

The US Air Force deployed their Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, also known as Red Horse, while the Navy deployed the Naval Construction Batallions, also known as the Seabees.

Lt. Col. Charles McGrue, deputy commander for Task Force West, stated that being on Guam showed the focus on family.

If you look at this mission, it is getting family together to help family, said McGrue.

He then noted how all the different branches of the Department of Defense were helping out the government of Guam and FEMA to do great things.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero shared that being able to celebrate the occasion was able to be done through the work of everyone involved.

We have nothing but good things to say about our federal partners, said Leon Guerrero. From a grateful island, we appreciate all the help that you have done. We will continue to forge forward with that federal relationship because we cannot do it all by ourselves.

Despite the Bazas having the last home under RISEUP, the governors office have announced an upcoming volunteer program that will be driven by members of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster in order to support those who were unable to avail of RISEUP support.

Our goal is to restore typhoon-affected dwellings to a habitable condition in a cost-effective manner, without duplicating other forms of disaster assistance, stated Leon Guerrero.

The program, Guam Urgent Assistance Mobilized to Support Typhoon Repairs on Guam, will provide residents with basic carpentry, electrical, and plumbing repairs in addition to roofing to ensure essential living spaces are safe and functional, according to the governor.

The program is anticipated to begin by the week of Aug. 14 this year and complete as much repairs as possible by Nov. 25.

The people of Guam are well known for our resiliency, and this resiliency is not only attributed to the support we get from within our community but also the strength we draw from others, added Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio. Even before Typhoon Mawars landfall, FEMA officials and our federal partners were on island and ready to provide aid. We are incredibly grateful for these robust partnerships and for all who have uplifted our people through manpower, resources, and time.
The mountains of debris generated by Typhoon Mawar have created an unexpected financial windfall for the Guam Solid Waste Authority.

Something good with the typhoon, Director Minakshi V. Hemlani said during the agencys board meeting Thursday.

While the extra money could help accelerate a 22% pay increase for employees, it would not be enough to stave off or reduce a proposed rate increase for customers.

General Manager Irv Slike told directors the Layon landfill will soon accept debris from contractors that has been gathered at temporary collection areas such as Tiyan and Ypao Point.

Slike said the estimated volume of waste is 83,000 cubic yards, and if you assume that that material weighs 400 pounds (per cubic yard), which is very conservative ... well be looking at somewhere around $2.4 million to $2.5 million.

Because Guam is in the rainy season, the weight may actually be higher, he added.

The contractors have been told mattresses and furniture have to be shredded and compacted before they can be accepted, Slike said.

If you mass bury that material, it creates air pockets in the landfill and then you further the risk of fire, he said.

Director Peggy Denney asked how the extra waste would affect the lifespan of Cell 3 at Layon, and Slike said estimates would have to be done as the waste arrives at the site.

He said the debris would eat into airspace, but its nothing that we need to like, stop everything and start building another landfill.

The directors passed a resolution asking the governor to approve a 22% pay raise for agency employees effective July 30. Previously, a pay increase had been scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Its time to compensate our workforce, Slike said. They did an especially exceptional job through the typhoon. Most of their counterparts have gotten the 22% raise, and now that weve got this comfort level with the amount of revenue that we did not have before the typhoon, its time to do this.

Accelerating the raise would cost a total of $119,871.

Denney asked if the windfall from the typhoon would affect the agencys plan to ask the Public Utilities Commission for a $5 monthly rate increase for each customer.

Slike said that would be unlikely.

While the typhoon provided a nice bump in revenue, there are still longer-term financial issues associated with the landfill and post-closure costs of the Ordot dump.

He said costs would be around $80 million over 75 years.

So youre gonna have to have a lot more typhoons to come up with that amount of cash.
Robert Underwood is the former president of the University of Guam and Guams former delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives.




Haiti - FLASH : The US Congress passes a law on the transparency of criminal collusion in Haiti





On Tuesday July 25, 2023, the United States Congress unanimously adopted the bill entitled "HR 1684/Haiti Criminal Collusion Act", a text which requires transparency on the sanctions of the United States against gangs and members of the Haitian private sector. .



This bill requires the Department of State to provide an annual report to Congress on ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti.



The bill also requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on certain individuals identified in the report



The report must, among other things:



Identify prominent criminal gangs in Haiti,



List Haitian political and economic elites that have links to criminal gangs,



Assess how collusion between Haitian political and economic elites and criminal gangs threatens the Haitian people and U.S. national interests, and,



Assess what actions the governments of the United States and Haiti could take to address those threats.



Let's remember that the US President can waive sanctions in certain circumstances.



The next steps before being an effective law are the US Senate, then the Presidency.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Social : A Haitian dies during her expulsion from the Bahamas





According to a note from the Ministry of Immigration of the Bahamas, a woman of Haitian origin who was part of a group of 143 migrants in an irregular migratory situation died on the plane intended for their repatriation to Haiti.



"As the plane was about to take off, it had to return abruptly due to complications with one of the female passengers who had health issues on board the plane, the ministry said.



Immediate medical assistance was provided by the nurse stationed at Lynden Pindling International Airport (on the island of New Providence) as well as by paramedics from the fire services.



The Doctor's Hospital emergency medical team also arrived by ambulance to provide further medical assistance.



Despite the efforts, the Haitian migrant passed away during the medical intervention.



The Department of Immigration said that the Embassy of Haiti in Nassau has been informed of the death of this Haitian citizen, whose identity and cause of death have not been publicly disclosed.



S/ HaitiLibre


















Korean Movie | 2022

 Horror  Omnibus

Directed by  Ahn Mi-na ()  Choe Won-kyung ()  Jeon Byeong-deok ()  Kim Jang-mi ()  Lee Gwang-jin ()  Wally Seo ()

Written by  Ahn Mi-na ()  Choe Won-kyung ()  Jeon Byeong-deok ()  Kim Jang-mi ()  Lee Gwang-jin ()  Wally Seo ()

104min | Release date in South Korea: 2023/08

Synopsis

A perfume is found in the dressing table of a dead person. A boy is bullied because he can see ghosts. A girl is hosting an online livestream show of her friend being possessed by a spirit after her family member died. This film consists of five stories with diverse genres from ghost story to exorcism and mystery. The five episodes of different genres and various subject matter are completed as one full story with an extra one that opens and closes the film. The five episodes are the believers stories, which rookie reporter, Si-kyung, who is on an undercover mission, witnesses while attending a prayer service of a religious group. This clever structure not only connects all the stories as one, but also gives unity to the individual narratives, rather than them being separated and standing alone. What will be she offering at the end of the ritual that he secretly attended? (MO Eun-young)



"Stink" (, ak-chwi)

A woman killed herself by cutting off her ears. Da-hee ,who bought a dressing table without knowing it was hers, finds a perfume in the drawer.



"A Child Who Sees Ghosts" ( , gwi-sin-bo-neun a-i)

Joon-ho, the song of a shaman, is being bullied by Do-jin's gang for the reason that he can see ghosts. He has to show them real ghosts to break free from the violence.



"exorcism.net" (., ek-so-si-jeum.net)

Hwa-yeong, a high school girl, is possessed by an evil spirit after her family's death. Her best friends Joo-in and Eun-gi decide to let the world know about her through live broadcasting online and ask for a ceremony of exorcism.



"The Person Who Lived" (  , jeon-e sal-deon sa-ram)

Ji-soo got her own room. That night when she was having a housewarming with her colleagues, a middle-aged woman came and knocked on her door. She warns the woman. Never take the talisman off her house.



"String" (, kkeun)

A rainy night. Jae-seok wakes up to the sound of the alarm and finds that a hard string is tied to his neck.

Source
Published on 2023/07/26 | Source

Korean movie "Black Summer" is available to preorder on DVD with English subtitles from YESASIA.

"Black Summer" (2017)

Advertisement

Directed by Lee Won-young

With Woo Ji-hyun, Lee Gun-woo-I, Jung Won-chang,...

Synopsis

Ji-hyeon is a contractual employee in the film department at a local college. When time allows, he dedicates himself to writing and directing movies. He is grateful that he is able to do what he enjoys, and spends his days chronicling and archiving ordinary surroundings and occurrences. One day, Ji-hyeon is interviewing candidates for a male role in his next film, when he is reunited with Geon-woo, who attended the same university a few years behind him. As the two men become reacquainted, Ji-hyeon starts to feel a change in the wind; his heart is beating faster, his pinwheel is picking up speed. Ji-hyeon and Geon-woo sense newfound emotions beginning to take hold. In a twist, their relationship is exposed to the college community. Rather than jeopardize Geon-woo's future as an actor, Ji-hyeon makes a sacrifice. The two men must ultimately decide how they will react to both despair and hope.

Release date in Korea : 2019/06/20

DVD with English subtitles

Order from YESASIA
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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Graphic submitted.

By Tim Gardner

The Avery County Public School System will offer free lunches for the 2023-2024 school year, which begins for students on Monday, August 14. The free meals are part of the Community Eligibility Provision, which is a meal service option that allows eligible schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students in a particular school or an entire school system.

Avery County Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Brigman said there will be free lunches and breakfasts for all students at each of the countys public schools.

The purpose of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is to improve access to nutritious meals for students in high poverty areas, address daily food insecurity, student meal debt, and the stigma of why some students eat free, while others must pay for their meals at school.

School system eligibility and reimbursement is based on Identified Student Percentage (ISP). The means that the number of identified students consists of those directly certified for free meals based on their participation in other government funded food programs. Schools are not reimbursed at the free rate for all meals served unless the school system has at least 62.5 percent of identified students. Avery County Schools, as a whole, currently falls under the ISP threshold.

School districts that elect to participate in the CEP program have various factors to consider, including its impact on many federally funded programs and on non-Federal funding sources such as grants and revenues from State of North Carolina and local sources.

Brigman commented to High Country Press about the free meals: We in the school system are very thankful for the opportunity to provide all students in Avery County access to breakfast and lunch each day at no cost to students and families. As a result of the leadership of our Nutrition Director, Mrs. Tammy Woodie, this benefit has been made possible for the 2023-2024 school year. We are also thankful for our Avery County Board of Education members (Pat Edwards, Randy Singleton, Kathey Aldridge and John Greene), who gave final approval and supported the process for meals to be provided to our students each day free of charge.

Woodie noted that no free and reduced application forms are required for students to participate to obtain the free breakfasts and lunches.

For further information about the free meals program, call the Avery County Schools Central Office: (828) 733-6006.

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(CNBC) BlackRock has joined forces with the financial services arm of Indias tycoon Mukesh Ambani in whats been referred to as a major move. This paves the way for the worlds largest money manager to gain a foothold into the countrys fast growing asset management market. BlackRock, which had $9.4 trillion assets under management at the end of June, together with Jio Financial Services, each plan to invest up to $150 million in the 50-50 venture.

To read this article:
Juha Pantzar , the chief executive of the Guarantee Foundation, revealed to YLE on Wednesday that the share of young adults applying for voluntary debt adjustment arrangements guaranteed by the foundation has increased substantially.

A NUMBER of Finns experiencing financial hardship have sought help from the Guarantee Foundation, an organisation that provides free services to help people to cope financially.

The development is concerning.

On the compounding side, under 30-year-olds already make up 37 per cent of our clientele. That has grown at an absolutely astounding pace since 2019, he commented on YLE A-studio.

Pantzar stated to the public broadcasting company that the debt problems are attributable to three factors: the availability of credit, lack of other financing options due to low income and gambling problems.

People are telling us that money happens to be easily available and its very difficult to estimate whether itll be paid back, he expounded. [Low-income earners] may feel that they have no other option to manage their day-to-day life.

The Finnish government states in its action plan that it intends to address the indebtedness of households by improving the financial know-how of Finns. Pantzar viewed that the objective is commendable but also called for earlier interventions to debt problems and investments in supporting people at risk of getting into debt.

You shouldnt just teach about the logic for taking out new money but also about, given that people do sometimes face these problems in life, how you could get rid of them.

The Guarantee Foundation operates a helpline for people struggling to get a grip of their debt or financial situation, provides guarantees for debt-consolidation loans, provides so-called mini-loans and offers a free online service for tracking day-to-day finances.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
In Uasin Gishu County , a high-profile education scam involving over 300 parents and several county officers is currently under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The case, dubbed the "Finnish Education Scam", is centered around a scheme promising Finnish educational opportunities for students. The matter has sparked anger and protests, with parents claiming to have collectively lost more than Sh300 million.

Timeline of Events

The first hint of a scam came to light when affected parents discovered their children missed out on an educational programme in Finland for which they had paid substantial sums to the county. This discovery led to protests, notably at the governor's office in Kapseret, where parents demanded a refund.

In response to the escalating situation, DCI instructed over 300 parents and county officials to record statements, starting on a Tuesday that fell on July 18. The DCI headquarters in Nairobi issued a directive for all aggrieved parties to present relevant documents related to the case during their visit.

The situation grew more complex when Senator for Uasin Gishu, Jackson Mandago, defended himself against allegations of involvement in the scam, stating that he did not swindle any money from the programme. Mandago pointed to his successor, Governor Jonathan Bii, arguing that he handed over the programme to Bii's administration with more than Sh104 million in the programme's bank accounts.

However, Governor Bii had previously disclosed that the account only had Sh1.8 million, contradicting Mandago's claims. The governor urged Mandago to explain his knowledge about the programme since it had been started during his tenure.

As investigations unfolded, a crisis meeting was held involving Governor Bii, Senator Mandago, and other county leaders, aiming to resolve the row over the education scam. Yet, following the meeting, no immediate statement was issued.

Shockingly, amidst the DCI probe, a top Uasin Gishu official, among three who had been suspended due to the scam, fled the country with his family. This official, notably a signatory to the bank account where parents deposited their money, managed to leave despite an ongoing investigation by both DCI and EACC.

Implications

The unfolding events have massive potential implications, primarily for the victims of the scam, who have unequivocally demanded their money back. Their loss has instigated a wave of public unrest, which could escalate if they are not adequately compensated.

The scam also brings into focus the accountability and integrity of county officials and leaders, with potential political fallout for those implicated. This case could significantly impact public confidence in local governance and overseas education programmes.

Furthermore, the unfolding situation is being closely watched by the international community, and particularly by Finnish stakeholders. The scandal may influence future bilateral educational exchanges and partnerships, and could potentially prompt policy changes to protect individuals from similar scams.

As investigations continue, the resolution of this case will undoubtedly serve as a lesson for other regions in mitigating and preventing education scams. It underscores the importance of accountability, transparency, and robust checks and balances in overseas education programmes.

HT
In a landmark publication titled " Citizenship in an independent Scotland ," First Minister Humza Yousaf envisions a more inclusive and fairer approach to citizenship, should Scotland gain its independence. This paper, the fifth in the Building a New Scotland series, outlines the eligibility criteria for Scottish citizenship, as well as proposals for a just fee system and the establishment of an independent Migrants' Commissioner.

At the core of the proposal lies the belief that individuals should not have to choose between their Scottish identity and other nationalities. The vision is one of openness and inclusivity, welcoming those who wish to settle in Scotland without placing unnecessary barriers or exorbitant fees in their way, along with their families.

With demographic challenges due to an aging population, Scotland recognizes the urgent need to attract more people to its shores. By embracing newcomers and allowing them to contribute to the country's communities, economy, and public services like the NHS, Scotland aims to build a stronger and more vibrant nation.

Key proposals in the paper include granting settled status in Scotland to EU citizens who were resident in Scotland or the UK before 31 December 2020. Additionally, any child born in Scotland after independence would automatically be considered a Scottish citizen if at least one of their parents is a Scottish, British, or Irish citizen or holds 'settled' status in Scotland.

For those aspiring to become Scottish citizens in the future, including those with close and enduring connections to Scotland, clear rules and application procedures would be put in place to facilitate their journey towards citizenship.

The proposed fairer fee system for citizenship applications is centered on cost recovery rather than revenue generation. This means that the fees would be set at a reasonable level, making citizenship more accessible to all who seek it.

Moreover, the First Minister has committed to establishing an independent Migrants' Commissioner, a crucial recommendation stemming from the Windrush Lessons Learned Review. This Commissioner would play a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights and interests of migrants, ensuring a just and supportive environment for those who choose to call Scotland their home.

Citizens of an independent Scotland would enjoy numerous benefits, including the right to hold a Scottish passport, continued freedom of movement within the Common Travel Area, and the eventual prospect of resumed rights as EU citizens, following Scotland's commitment to re-joining the EU as an independent nation.

The proposals laid out in "Citizenship in an independent Scotland" are aimed at answering questions and alleviating concerns about the future of citizenship in the nation. The First Minister is eager to hear the views and feedback from the public and stakeholders on these transformative proposals.

The paper is part of a comprehensive series titled "Building a New Scotland," which has previously addressed topics such as the potential wealth and fairness of an independent Scotland compared to the UK, the renewal of Scottish democracy with independence, the macroeconomic framework and currency arrangements, and the incorporation of rights and equality in a written constitution, collaboratively developed by the people of Scotland.

The vision for citizenship in an independent Scotland is founded on principles of inclusivity, fairness, and diversity. By embracing a more welcoming and open approach to citizenship, Scotland aims to create a vibrant and thriving society that embraces its citizens' multiple identities and contributions from all corners of the globe.

HT
County on track to greenlight Ecusta Trail construction Sept. 19

The Henderson County Rail-Trail Advisory Committee heard an Ecusta Trail update on June 12.

Bicycle riders, joggers, walkers and moms and dads pushing baby strollers probably wont get an early gift of a paved Ecusta Trail by Christmas Day but they may be able to enjoy a graded and packed base by then and celebrate the fact that asphalt will come in the spring.

Using words like unprecedented and pinching ourselves to make sure its real, members of Henderson Countys Rail Trail Advisory Committee this month applauded the $45.9 million in grants the federal government announced in recent weeks.

Henderson County Engineer Marcus Jones and his team aggressively marketed the contract to pave the first six miles of the trail  from downtown Hendersonville to U.S. 64 in Horse Shoe  sending out bid invitations to more than 50 contractors locally and regionally. It worked. A mandatory prebid meeting last week drew 20 contractors, 13 of which are holding plans and presumably evaluating the work in order to bid, said Christopher Todd, Henderson Countys director of business and community development. Some of the 20 people at the prebid meeting were likely subcontractors teaming up with general contractors.

It was a pretty good spread of local and out-of-town contractors, Todd said. Well see who comes in and actually submits a bid.

During the July 12 rail-trail advisory committee meeting, Todd cautioned that the project still needs money to match a grant and to cover such amenities as parking, rest rooms and signage.

I know a lot of folks see this (federal money) as, were done with the raising of money or the moneys all there, he said. I hesitate to say that, because Im paid to be pessimistic. My goal is to make sure that this actually happens. However, were a heckuva lot closer than we once were. Were actually going to have a trail on the ground, it looks like, in the next few years, as we begin to design and build this out in its entirety, which is extremely exciting. We have a great opportunity here in working with the city of Brevard and the NCDOT to help make this project come to fruition as quickly and as cheaply as possible.

Go date: Sept. 19

Assuming no glitches in the bid opening on Aug. 7, Im looking at a notice to proceed (with construction) on September the 19th, Jones told the committee And that would put us, hopefully, completing construction in May.

The paving contractor wont be able to work straight through the winter because asphalt plants shut down in November, he said. Other work, including grading, drainage work and installing bridges minus the paving, can proceed, however.

We have determined that prefab bridge structures are available, and theres not a lot of lead time (for delivery), he said. The construction industry has gotten better, less expensive, more available over the last couple of months.

Overall, because of the windfall of federal transportation grants, momentum is strong for progress on all 19 miles of trail. In the span of two weeks, the Federal Highway Administration announced that:

Brevard won a $24.5 million RAISE grant (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity), $5.8 million of which can be used in Henderson County. No match is required.

The NCDOT received a $21.4 million grant from federal Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects program. Henderson Countys portion is $2.9 million. The grant requires a 10 percent local match. The NCDOT is the administrator of both grants.

Counting four other grants totaling $18.8 million received since 2020, the greenway now has $64.7 million to cover design, engineering and construction.

Thats a pretty healthy number to have available to address the trail, Jones said. But there is a path where thats not enough money. Everythings looking better now. But Im trying to be realistic, not pessimistic. I think were in a good place.

By years end, the eastern-most segment of the corridor should have a level, hard-packed base of crusher run, an aggregate mix that compacts well.

We would hope that we can get the base down before the winter sets in and possibly the bridges so that would provide a much better experience on the trail until we get to paving, Jones said.

Its expected that the interim surface would be excellent for jogging and suitable for gravel bikes, mountain bikes and strollers but probably not road bikes.

Were still pinching ourselves

Mark Tooley, the president of Friends of Ecusta Trail, said the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club raised around $90,000 to match grants through its Tour de Transylvania rides this month.

Were still pinching ourselves, making sure its real, he said of the two big federal grants.

The city of Brevard, which is managing the Transylvania mileage of the trail, now has money to proceed with design and engineering plans.

The city is working on plans to really maximize the impact of this funding for both Henderson County and the city in the most effective manner possible, Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof said. The city also wants to explore how those monies can best be used to augment and fill in gaps for some of the things that we cannot fund under these grants.

In other news from the rail-trail advisory committee:
(JTA) - Barbie the doll has a deep Jewish history. Now, the creator of "Barbie" the movie hopes watching the film will also evoke a deep Jewish experience.

Greta Gerwig, who conceived and directed the buzzy live-action film released this month, told The New York Times that she hopes watching the movie will be a quasi-spiritual activity for its viewers. The feeling she wants to achieve, she said, is the same one she felt as a child when she was a guest at the Shabbat dinners of close family friends who were observant Jews.

At those dinners, she recalled, the father would include Gerwig as he blessed the children, a traditional element of Shabbat ritual. (Gerwig's own family was Unitarian Universalist and she attended a Catholic high school, a period of her life that inspired her 2017 film "Lady Bird.")

"I remember feeling the sense of, 'Whatever your wins and losses were for the week, whatever you did or you didn't do, when you come to this table, your value has nothing to do with that,'" Gerwig told The New York Times of the Shabbat dinners.

"I remember feeling so safe in that and feeling so, like, enough," she said. "I want people to feel like I did at Shabbat dinner. ... I want them to get blessed."

Gerwig is winning acclaim for transforming Barbie from a stagnant symbol of capitalism and women's oppression into a canvas for exploring self-discovery, through an accidental jaunt from the toy world into the real one. The movie's lead writer, Noah Baumbach, is Gerwig's Jewish partner and co-parent. Its stars include Jewish actress Rhea Perlman as the doll's real-life Jewish creator, Ruth Handler.

The movie is the first for Mattel, the toy company that Handler and her husband grew into an empire. Mattel has always closely guarded the Barbie brand, but under the leadership of the Israeli-American Ynon Kreiz, who has served as its CEO since 2018, it is loosening the reins. The company has embarked on more than 100 brand partnerships in conjunction with the movie, including with the Israeli ice cream chain Golda, that are expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue. Other toy-spinoff movies are in the works.
(JNS)  Hundreds of visitors flocked to Shiloh in Samarias Binyamin region on Thursday to welcome a biblically pure red heifer.

The 22-month-old cow, which was brought to Israel from the United States, found a new home at the Ancient Shiloh heritage site, where the biblical Tabernacle once stood.

In the coming month, two more heifers will be transported to the town, and a center will open there dedicated to researching the phenomenon. The heifers will be kept in a fenced-off area, and visitors will not be able to touch the animals.

The mysterious red heifer, or Parah Adumah, is first mentioned in the Book of Numbers, when God instructs Moses and Aaron to take a perfectly red unblemished cow, upon which no yoke was laid. The animal is subsequently slaughtered, and its ashes are used in a purification ritual.

The discovery of an entirely red such heifer is a rarity. Jewish sources state that only nine were slaughtered in the period from Moses to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. According to the 12th-century sage Maimonides, the Messiah will offer the 10th red heifer.

In keeping with biblical law, the heifer put on display in Shiloh is completely red and has never borne a yoke.

This is an exciting and exceptional event for the entire Jewish people, said Ancient Shiloh CEO Coby Mamo. We are already in touch with researchers and promoters around the world who are waiting to come here with large groups. We have returned to the site of the Tabernacle in Shiloh and are bringing back the Jewish past for the future of our people.

Binyamin Regional Council head Israel Ganz called the cows arrival a historic moment.

The Ancient Shiloh site is continuing to grow and develop, and the Red Heifer Center will attract more visitors, up to one million a year, from Israel and around the world, he added, calling it good news for the Jewish world, for scientists and researchers, and for everyone.

The red heifer arrived as part of the councils Binyamin Temple Conference, which started on Wednesday with a Temple-era dinner.

The conference continued on Thursday with lectures at Tel Shiloh, the center of Jewish life before the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. Among other topics, speakers discussed the offering of the Passover sacrifice in modern times, the traditional grape varieties of the region, and urban and logistic planning in the vision of future Jerusalem.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of CCAR Journal: The Reform Jewish Quarterly and is reprinted with permission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. The full special issue on Israel at Seventy-Five can be found at https://ccar.co/summer23.

A Tough Neighborhood

This is the line of Noah. Noah was a righteous man; he was blameless in his age; Noah walked with God.

 Genesis 6:9 JPS 1962, 1985, 1999

A rabbinic midrash on this verse suggests that a person should not be judged by absolute standards  that time, place, and circumstances should be considered. I believe the same consideration should apply to judging nations, including Israel. Rabbi Jeff Salkin wrote in this journal, in 2007, that many Reform rabbis have been too effective critiquing religious inequality in Israel before teaching love of Israel. Eleven years later, he wrote that religious issues are not a major reason for Reform Jewish alienation from Israel. In this article, I will address what I believe are some of the major reasons for that alienation and my responses to them.

Is it fair to compare Israel to other nations that are at peace with their neighbors? As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu famously said, Israel lives in a tough neighborhood. Just as retail stores in crime-ridden areas of the U.S. have roll-down gates; just as private homes in crime-ridden areas of many countries have bars on their windows, Israel built a wall to reduce terrorist attacks. Although it was widely denounced, it has saved lives.

The destruction of Israel is the official policy of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority which rule the Arab Muslims of Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, respectively. Iran, which does not share a physical border with Israel, calls publicly for Israels destruction. Iran is developing offensive weapons with that stated purpose and supplies weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah. Any discussion of Israels defensive measures must be in the context of this reality.

Critiques and Responses

The Elephant in the Room

Israels continued occupation of the Arab Muslim areas of the West Bank has been a public relations disaster. Israel has failed to embed in public opinion, in the U.S. and elsewhere, the fact that it never sought such a long occupation. In 1967, Israel offered to return this area to Jordan in exchange for recognition and peace. The Arab League conference in Sudan that fall replied No peace. No negotiation. No recognition. Israel did give up land for peace with Egypt in 1978. In 1994 Israel and Jordan concluded a peace agreement which included minimal land transfers from Israel to Jordan and left the status of Jordans former West Bank territories unresolved.

Israel has also failed to embed in world opinion the facts that it withdrew unilaterally from Gaza in 2005, forcibly evicting Israeli citizens, which allowed Hamas to turn it into a military base from which to launch rockets and build tunnels. Israel offered the PA 96 percent of the West Bank and Gaza, including the Temple Mount, in 2000 and 98 percent in 2008 and was rebuffed both times. President Bill Clinton, who worked closely with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the 2000 negotiation, told PA President Yasser Arafat when he rejected Israels offer You are leading your people and the region to a catastrophe. It seems that the PA preferred their stated long-term goal of eradicating Israel completely over immediate nationhood.

I remember vividly the heartbreak of one liberal rabbi, who spoke from the pulpit on Rosh Hashanah 2001, about having seen video of Arab Muslims in the West Bank rejoicing over the destruction of the World Trade Center towers in New York City on September 11 of that year. This rabbi, who I believed was a dove concerning Israels relationship with the Arab Muslims in the West Bank, said publicly that There are some people whom you just cant make peace with. While I would like to believe that it may someday be possible for Israel to make peace with the Arab Muslim residents of the West Bank and even of Gaza, this does not seem likely or even possible under current conditions. The misguided sympathy for their situation which has been aroused in international opinion probably bolsters their determination not to make peace.

Apartheid Catnip

One of the charges against Israel which resonates most strongly among young Americans, including young American Jews, is that Israel is an apartheid state. This is catnip, calculated to provoke an emotional response, impervious to reason or fact. It plays into the intersectional dogma conflating all oppressed minorities: Blacks, Hispanics, LGBTQ, etc. My response to this charge is that most Israelis would not want to be occupiers of others if Israels safety could be secured. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that if the Arab Muslims laid down their weapons there would be no more war, but if Israel laid down its weapons there would be no more Israel. Because Israels attempts to return the West Bank have been rebuffed, its efforts to protect its citizens must be understood within the context of constant threats they face.

Big Lie #1: White European Colonialism

An additional charge which resonates strongly among young Americans, including Jews, is that Israel is an outpost of white European colonialism. The facts refute this charge:

There has always been some Jewish presence in the land, notwithstanding the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Jews by the Romans in the wars of 66-70 CE and 132-135 CE. In 2008 I visited a 4th century CE synagogue in the Galilee. Clearly Jews lived in the area.

The estimated 567,654 Jews who were expelled from Arab Muslim countries of the Middle East and North Africa, from May 1948 to the end of 1967, almost equaled the number of mostly European Jews who were in Israel in 1948. It was not much less than the number of Arab Muslims who left Israel after May 1948.

Most of the Jews who came to Israel from those Arab Muslim countries were not white Europeans. Since 1948, Israel airlifted in thousands of Yemenite Jews and, decades later, Ethiopian Jews. They became citizens under the Law of Return.

Today, a majority of Israeli Jews are at least partly descended from Middle Eastern and North African Jews. Objectively, they cant be considered white Europeans.

Anyone who has visited Israel has seen Jews of many skin tones, some of whom would be considered persons of color in U.S. colleges and universities. In 2013, Titi Aynaw, an Ethiopian Jewish orphan, was crowned Miss Israel. In February 2022, an Arab Muslim, Khaled Kabub, was appointed a justice of Israels supreme court.

Big Lie #2: Israel Stole the Land

Another charge against Israel is that it sits on land that was stolen from the indigenous inhabitants. In fact, large areas of the current State of Israel were unoccupied desert and swampland when major Jewish immigration began in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Jewish pioneers who arrived to join the existing Jewish population irrigated the desert and drained the swamps to make the land arable. Much of the land onto which Jewish immigrants moved was bought from absentee Turkish owners, Arab owners, and other entities by the Jewish National Fund and individual Jewish philanthropists. Denials of this, by anti-Israel propagandists, have been swallowed whole by liberal Jews whom I know personally.

The Abraham Accords

The Abraham Accords of 2020 have somewhat altered the situation on the ground. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain apparently acted in what they believed to be their own best interests, without giving the Arab Muslim residents of the West Bank and Gaza a veto. Moreover, Im confident that the UAE and Bahrain had tacit approval from Saudi Arabia to enter their new relationship with Israel. I believe that the leaders of all three of these Sunni Muslim countries, and some others, have more fear of Shiite Muslim Iran than disdain for Israel.

(In November 2022, at my local Costco, I bought a box of kosher baklava bites, in the holiday season entertaining section. It was produced in the UAE in enough quantity to sell in Costco.)

Israeli Exceptionalism

Military Restraint

What other nation warns its enemies of impending attacks? It is well documented that in Israels actions against Hamas in Gaza and against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces have exercised tremendous restraint by delaying retaliatory attacks and reducing their effectiveness to warn nearby civilians. Both Hamas and Hezbollah have stored munitions in civilian buildings and neighborhoods and launched rockets at Israel from them, with callous disregard for the lives of their own population. The IDF has dropped leaflets into these areas and has even made phone calls to warn vulnerable civilians.

Foreign Disaster Relief

As I write this in February 2023, Israel has just sent 150 disaster recovery and medical workers and lifesaving supplies to Turkey in response to its terrible earthquakes. This is especially noteworthy because of Israels rocky relations with Turkey since Recip Tayyip Erdogans election in 2003 and ongoing Turkish support for Hamas. That support was highlighted by the 2010 Freedom Flotilla which sailed from Turkey and seemed intended to promote international hostility toward Israel via a public relations incident.

Israel is even sending aid to help people in Syria, which is openly hostile to Israel, to recover from the same earthquake. Israel has famously been the first or one of the first countries to give emergency assistance to victims of natural disasters in Florida, Texas, Mexico, Haiti, and many other places. In 2016, I attended a New York Board of Rabbis Yom Ha-Atzmaut flag raising, at Bowling Green in Manhattan, at which a Haitian member of the New York City Council thanked Israel for its assistance to his homeland.

Israel knows how to serve humanity and is committed to doing so, even in places where it is hated, even in places where the government is openly hostile to it. I question whether Israels hostile neighbors, as well as other nations which vote consistently against Israel at the UN, would send aid if Israel were to suffer a similar disaster.

Technology for the World

In 2018, my wife and I rode Israels coastal highway, from Haifa to Tel Aviv. We passed campuses of nearly every major high-tech company you could name. Apple, Google, Microsoft, Motorola, etc. were all there. People throughout the world, in places where Israel is admired and in places where Israel is hated, use technology developed in Israel to earn their livelihoods and to communicate with one another. Its ironic that much of the hatred for Israel which is spewed daily online travels via technology that Israel pioneered or helped to develop.

Regional Medical Resource

On a Friday in July 2008, I stood on Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem, near the gates of the original campus of Hadassah Hospital. Most of the people I saw coming out of the gates that afternoon were Arab Muslim men and women in traditional dress. Hadassahs hospitals are duly proud of their record of employing Jewish, Muslim, and Christian doctors and nurses to treat Jewish, Muslim, and Christian patients. Israel has even provided medical treatment to al-Qaida fighters wounded in the Syrian civil war.

In July 2008 I also visited Efrat, in the Gush Etzion enclave, which is surrounded by an Arab Muslim population. At the time, Efrat was starting work on a medical urgent care facility. I was told that the local Arab Muslims declined the opportunity to share in the staffing and running of the urgent care center. Nevertheless, the stated purpose of the facility is to treat residents of the region, not specific groups of residents.

Human Rights in a Tough Neighborhood

In the spring of 2016, I taught Jewish Life and Thought at Rollins College, in Winter Park, Florida, to a diverse class of Christians and Jews. Two of my Christian students were also taking a Middle Eastern Studies course, taught by a Muslim woman. These students told me that their professor had shown her class a video on the Israel lobby in the U.S. I replied that of course there is an Israel lobby in the U.S., and that its needed to defend Israel in a mostly hostile world.

Thinking about what matters to liberal college students, I created and handed out a listing of human rights in Israel. I wanted to show that unlike many of its neighbors, Israel respects:

Womens Rights  sexual freedom, business ownership, election to public office

Religious Freedom  Mosques and churches are built. Muslims and Christians hold public office.

Freedom of Speech  Anti-government opinions are published. Full internet access for all.

I believe the listing was eye-opening for many of my students and speaks to the concern of todays young liberal Jews and other young Americans about social justice.

At about that time, the University of Central Florida, where Ive taught since 2014, was visited by Hen Mazig, an openly gay former IDF officer, who spoke at the campus Hillel. I wonder in which of the neighboring countries he would be allowed to live, let alone serve as a military officer. Indeed, Israel is a unique human rights refuge in a tough neighborhood.

Disclaimer

I have read charges online of interference with Arab Muslim life in the West Bank by some far-right Orthodox Jews, including destruction of olive groves, seizure of grazing lands, etc. I have no direct knowledge of these matters and will leave their consideration and discussion to others.

Rabbi Sanford Olshansky, AJR 2011, Gratz College MA in Jewish Studies 2011, CCAR 2013, lives in Brevard County, Florida, about  hour southwest of Kennedy Space Center, with his wife of 51 years, Marilyn Olshansky, a retired attorney. They have a son, daughter-in-law, and 2 grandsons, ages 9 and 5. They love to travel domestically by car and often cruise internationally.

CCAR is the Central Conference of American Rabbis. The journal has been published since 1953.
(JTA) - Today is not just "Barbie" release day - moviegoers are also planning to fill theaters across the United States to see Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" biopic.

Many hope it will answer a question that has long divided Americans and the country's understanding of its history: Who exactly was J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb?

Oppenheimer's name has become "a metaphor for mass death beneath a mushroom cloud," in the words of Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, whose 2005 book "American Prometheus" was adapted into Nolan's film. But to fully understand the physicist, biographers have looked for clues in his belief system - an ethical code grounded in science and rationality, a fiery sense of justice and a lifelong ambivalence toward his own Jewish heritage.

Here's a primer on his Jewish story, the other Jewish characters he met while developing the Manhattan Project and how the movie portrays it all.

The German Jew who was "neither German nor Jewish"

Oppenheimer was born in 1904 to German Jewish parents rapidly rising into Manhattan's upper class. His father, Julius Oppenheimer, came from the German town of Hanau and arrived in New York as a teenager - without money or a word of English - to help relatives run a small textile import business. He worked his way up to full partner, won a reputation as a cultured fabrics trader and fell in love with Ella Friedman, a painter whose German-Jewish family had settled in Baltimore in the 1840s.

Their secular household embraced American society. The Oppenheimers never went to a synagogue or had a bar mitzvah for their son; instead, they aligned themselves with the Ethical Culture Society, an offshoot of Reform Judaism that rejected religious creed in favor of secular humanism and rationalism. Oppenheimer was sent to the Ethical Culture School in New York's Upper West Side, where he developed an interest in universal moral tenets and a firm distance from Jewish traditions.

Although his parents were first- and second-generation German immigrants, Oppenheimer always insisted that he didn't speak German, according to Ray Monk, the author of "Robert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the Center." He also maintained that the "J" in "J. Robert Oppenheimer" stood for nothing at all - even though his birth certificate read "Julius Robert Oppenheimer," indicating his father had passed on the Jewish name.

"To the outside world, he was always known as a German Jew, and he always insisted that he was neither German nor Jewish," Monk told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. "But it affected his relationship with the world that that is how he was perceived."

Oppenheimer's academic brilliance became a flimsy shield against the antisemitism that orbited his life. He entered Harvard just as the university moved toward a quota system over concerns about the number of Jews being admitted. Nonetheless, he kept to his studies and stayed aloof from the campus controversy, according to Monk. He even tried to befriend non-Jewish students, but the prevailing antisemitism mostly doomed those efforts and left him with a predominantly Jewish friend group.

After earning a bachelor's degree from Harvard in 1925, he conducted research at the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory and completed his PhD at Gottingen University - in pre-Nazi Germany - under Max Born, a pioneer of quantum mechanics. Before he got to Cambridge, though, a Harvard professor wrote him a recommendation that captured the institutionalized prejudice in academia: "Oppenheimer is a Jew, but entirely without the usual qualifications."

Oppenheimer returned from Europe to teach physics at the California Institute of Technology and the University of California at Berkeley. While at Berkeley, he tried to secure a position for his colleague Robert Serber and was rebuffed by his department head Raymond Birge, who said, "One Jew in the department is enough." He did not push back on the decision, later hiring Serber to work on the Manhattan Project.

The Nazi effect

Until the 1930s, Oppenheimer was resolutely indifferent to politics. Though he studied Sanskrit along with science and read classics, novels and poetry, he took no interest in current affairs. He later explained this at his infamous 1954 hearing before the United States Atomic Energy Commission - which, at the height of the McCarthy era, would end with him losing his security clearance over past associations with communists and support for left-wing causes.

"I was almost wholly divorced from the contemporary scene in this country," he said. "I never read a newspaper or a current magazine like Time or Harper's; I had no radio, no telephone; I learned of the stock market crash in the fall of 1929 only long after the event; the first time I ever voted was in the presidential election of 1936."

But a profound shift occurred in Oppenheimer during the mid-1930s, as he watched family, friends and great scientific minds crushed under the tides of Nazism in Germany and the economic collapse at home.

"I had a continuing, smoldering fury about the treatment of Jews in Germany," he said in his testimony. "I had relatives there and was later to help in extricating them and bringing them to this country. I saw what the Depression was doing to my students... And through them, l began to understand how deeply political and economic events could affect men's lives."

In addition to rescuing family members, while teaching at Berkeley, he earmarked 3 percent of his salary to help Jewish scientists escape Nazi Germany. By World War II, his drive to defeat Germany would propel him to direct the Manhattan Project - the top-secret development of an American atomic bomb - at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico.

He was an unlikely candidate for the post. The FBI had already marked him as politically suspect for communist sympathies. He was a theoretical scientist, not an applied scientist with experience leading a laboratory. He wasn't yet 40 years old. But Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Groves chose Oppenheimer as the Manhattan Project's director in 1942 partly because he showed a burning sense of imperative.

"Oppenheimer said to Groves, 'Look, the Nazis will have their own bomb project and it will be led by Heisenberg, who's one of the leading nuclear physicists in the world. We need to move and we need to move quickly,'" said Monk.

Other prominent Jewish scientists felt compelled to join. Six of the project's eight leaders were Jewish, along with a significant number of Jewish technicians, scientists and soldiers up and down the ranks, some of them refugees from Europe.

The Strauss feud

Although two atomic bombs ultimately dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, not Germany - and Germany had already surrendered by then - Oppenheimer was hailed as a hero for his role in ending World War II.

But only nine years later, he was humiliated before the Atomic Energy Commission and stripped of his security clearance. Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the AEC, became suspicious of Oppenheimer for opposing the development of a hydrogen bomb. Oppenheimer pressed for international control of nuclear weapons, believing the purpose of the atomic weapon was to end all war.

But Strauss had a different objective: U.S. supremacy over the Soviet Union.

"Oppenheimer said you'd have to be crazy to use a weapon that was 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. So his case was, 'We can't develop this thing,'" said Monk. "Lewis Strauss was inclined to think that the only person who would advocate the U.S. not developing a hydrogen bomb was somebody who had the interests of the Soviet Union at heart."

Strauss also developed a personal hatred for Oppenheimer, who could be arrogant and supercilious. They came from very different Jewish backgrounds: Strauss was a committed Reform Jew with modest origins, who worked as a traveling shoe salesman instead of going to college. He identified closely with his faith and served as the president of New York's Temple Emanu-El from 1938 to 1948.

"I think Strauss also had to navigate being Jewish in an American society that didn't totally embrace Jews, and I think it was somewhat of a threat to him to have somebody like Oppenheimer whose approach to dealing with his Judaism was to hide it, basically," physicist and rabbi Jack Shlachter told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

In the film, Strauss is portrayed as having secretly orchestrated Oppenheimer's downfall at the hands of the Atomic Energy Commission, in part by collaborating with Hungarian-Jewish physicist Edward Teller, who agreed with Strauss on the necessity of the hydrogen bomb.

How Nolan's film portrays the story's several Jewish characters

Bird writes an account of Oppenheimer running into Albert Einstein, one of the most famous Jewish figures of the 20th century, shortly before the 1954 hearing. The two men were friends and colleagues at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study; Einstein joined the faculty after fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, while Oppenheimer became the institute's director in 1947.

Einstein had signed a letter to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, written by physicist Leo Szilard, that urged the development of a fission bomb in 1939. Einstein later regretted signing it.

According to Bird, Einstein urged his friend not to go before the AEC. He said that Oppenheimer had already done his duty for America, and if the country repaid him with a witch hunt, he "should turn his back on her."

Oppenheimer's secretary Verna Hobson, who witnessed the conversation, said he could not be dissuaded. "He loved America," she said, "and this love was as deep as his love of science."

Einstein responded by calling Oppenheimer a "narr," or "fool" in Yiddish.

The movie makes considerable hay out of Oppenheimer's relationship with Einstein, played by Scottish actor Tom Conti. The two men have frequent run-ins both during and after the development of the bomb.

Another Jewish physicist friend and colleague, Isidor Rabi, attributed Oppenheimer's lifelong loneliness and bouts of depression to the distance he created from other Jews - a community that might have given him some solace from his own government's rejection.

"Isidor Rabi said that his problem was that he couldn't identify fully as Jewish," said Monk. "Although Rabi wasn't religious, when he saw a group of Jews, he said, 'These are my people.' And Oppenheimer could never do that."

In the film, characters repeat Oppenheimer's insistence that the "J" stands for "nothing," rarely interrogating him on his Judaism. He never encounters any overt antisemitism directed at him. Yet the movie's version of Oppenheimer, played by Irish actor Cillian Murphy, does not seem as tortured by his Jewish identity as Rabi said he was in real life. At several points in the film, Oppenheimer bonds with other characters in his orbit over their Judaism and expresses anger at Hitler's treatment of German Jews.

Universal Pictures Cillian Murphy plays J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's film "Oppenheimer."

The film's Oppenheimer also claims to read German well, including the ability to read Karl Marx's "Das Kapital" in its original language. It's part of the character's lifelong fascination with languages, which also informs his famous utterance of the Bhagavad Gita quote, "Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds."

The only language the film's Oppenheimer seems to have no interest in learning is Yiddish - a fact that Rabi (played by Jewish actor David Krumholtz) ribs him about at their first meeting in prewar Germany, when Rabi tries to bond with Oppenheimer over feeling like their kind isn't welcome.

In the movie, Oppenheimer is also shown welcoming multiple Jewish refugee physicists to the Manhattan Project facility. Teller, played by Jewish actor Benny Safdie, is one of them, even though he becomes a key adversary.

As for Strauss' character, played by Robert Downey Jr., he proudly mentions his key Jewish resume point early on in the film.

"I'm the president of Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan," he exclaims.
(JNS) - In a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans to add 10 people to four executive organizations, some centered on culture and others on international issues.

Biden has named Susie Gelman as a commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Gelman brings extensive experience on the subject, as she has led and contributed to numerous Jewish and Zionist organizations.

From 2016 to 2023, Gelman served as board chair of the Israel Policy Forum. She contributed three presidential terms to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, where she is a lifetime member of the board of directors. She is also a member of the ownership group of Mid-Atlantic Media, publisher of the Washington Jewish Week, Baltimore Jewish Times and Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.

One position with an international religious freedom emphasis was Gelman's time working for the Israel Religious Expressions Platform of the Jewish Federations of North America as co-chair. This initiative pushed for greater pluralism in Israel by promoting freedom of choice in marriage.

Gelman is a graduate of Harvard University and the Georgetown University Law Center. Her leadership experience in higher education includes membership on the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and president of the Georgetown Day School Board of Trustees.

Other appointees included five to the Institute of American Indian Arts Board of Trustees and two to the President's Export Council. The Route 66 Centennial Commission also will receive two new members-Juliana Stratton and Trait Thompson-who will no doubt get their kicks driving forward a project aspiring to find a way "to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Mother Road of the United States, Route 66, in 2026."
(JNS)  More than 1,200 people gathered on July 17 in Arlington, Va., for the annual Christians United for Israel Washington Summit. It was the events 18thor chaiiteration, gathering some of the more than 10 million members of the nations largest, pro-Israel organization.

Throughout the day, political, scholarly, advocacy and religious speakers addressed various topics, many centered on the themes of courage and fighting antisemitism.

Gods love for the Jewish people will be here forever, Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of CUFI, told the audience. What CUFI does, or does not do, to bless Israel will be remembered forever.

Hagee, 83, founder and senior pastor of the 22,000-strong Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, cited leadership lessons from King David to George Washington to Teddy Roosevelt. He also urged courage.

When you try to do the right thing in the right way, God will be with you, he said.

The pastor underscored that one of those right things to do is to combat antisemitism, which he called one of Americas greatest sins.

Lets attack antisemitism wherever we find it. Dont worry what people say about you. We are not here to please the antisemites or to cooperate with them, he said. We are here to please the Almighty and live according to the dictates of God, including being defenders of Zion and comforting Jews.

We can force it back under the rocks

Several speakers drew lessons from the Bible, which they applied to modern times.

Pastor George Morrison, a CUFI board member, and Sandra ParkerHagees daughter and chairwoman of CUFI Action Fundencouraged being like Nachshon, son of Aminadav, who per the book of Exodus leapt first into the Red Sea.

Only when he was up to his nose [in water] did the Red Sea part, Morrison said.

Malcolm Hoenlein, vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, also referenced ancient Egypt.

Pharaoh modeled true antisemitism, he said, noting that the Egyptian ruler enslaved Jews, whom he assumed would collaborate with the countrys enemies, should Egypt be attacked, even though he doesnt accuse Jews of doing anything wrong, he said.

Hoenlein said that antisemitism, which he considers an antiseptic term compared to Jew-hatred, has no cure, but we can force it back under the rocks.

In the CUFI program, Hoenleins affiliation with the Conference of Presidents was listed, and Jewish Insider reported that he was harsher in his criticism of the White House strategy on antisemitism than the group has been.

In an interview with JNS, he spoke in his personal capacity rather than on behalf of the Conference of Presidents. He said that the U.S. Department of Education needs to do a lot more to protect Jews on the nations college campuses.

No Jewish student or faculty should feel threatened, he said. Get alumni, donors, administrators, members of boards to stand up and say, This is not tolerable.

The Jewish community is winning battles but losing the war on antisemitism, he told JNS. Were spending into the nine figures to fight antisemitism. We need a more coordinated and collaborative approach.

Federal antisemitism standards in a vulnerable position

Kenneth L. Marcus, founder and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, told attendees that more than half of U.S. states have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition on antisemitism in some form.

Marcus said its helpful that the Biden administration produced a national strategy to combat antisemitism but at the same time noted that the administration weakened the plan by supporting a more lenient definition of antisemitism in addition to IHRA.

The administration has delayed issuing regulations for the 2019 Executive Order on Combating Antisemitism, which reaffirms that Title VI protects Jews from antisemitic harassment or other discrimination if it is based on their race, color, or national origin, Marcus told JNS.

It leaves federal antisemitism standards in a vulnerable position, he said. People should reach out to the administration, directly or through their members of Congress.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican candidate for president, spoke about the movement to boycott Israel.

Youre free as a person to have whatever views on foreign policy you want, but when you focus all of your ire against the only Jewish statenot the CCP or other rogue regimesthats antisemitism, and that is wrong, he said. (He was referring to the Chinese Communist Party.)

When Airbnb enacted a policy that discriminated against Jews in Judea and Samaria, Florida imposed sanctions on the company, DeSantis told attendees.

Lo and behold, they reversed their policy, he said.

Florida also acted against Unilever, when its subsidiary Ben and Jerrys announced it would no longer operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, added DeSantis. And most recently, the state has opened an investigation into the investment giant Morningstar over alleged boycotting of Israel in its environmental, social and governance ratings.

Speakers agreed much work and great challenges loomed, but Hoenlein sees reason for optimism. God, in his wisdom, sometimes creates what we think are problems but are really opportunities, he told attendees.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley (center) poses with Christians United for Israel founder and chairman Pastor John Hagee and his wife, Diane Castro Hagee, at the CUFI Washington Summit on July 17, 2023.

(JNS) - Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, took to the stage on Monday evening at the annual Christians United for Israel Summit in Washington. The former governor of South Carolina played to an adoring, pro-Israel crowd as a darling of its movement.

Haley, who trails well behind former President Donald Trump in polls very early in the presidential primary cycle, spoke with reporters before assuming the stage. She seemed prepped for a foreign-policy debate, covering an array of issues from China to Russia and, of course, Israel.

Haley dug into U.S. President Joe Biden for his slow-rolled invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House, which Biden only extended in a phone call on Monday-more than six months after Netanyahu was re-elected.

"It's about time. I mean, look how long it's taken here," Haley told reporters. "You have a friend and ally that shares the same values. We share the same enemies. And yet you refuse to ask him to come for the longest time."

"Now, suddenly, you want to talk to him. I mean, it's Joe Biden. He's acting just like Obama did when it comes to Netanyahu," Haley continued. "Now you see him wanting to criticize the judicial reforms in Israel. He needs to stay out of it."

The Biden administration is "very preachy to Israel," and the president "always wants to talk down, like they should listen to us," Haley said.

She intimated that Biden is missing the forest for the trees. When Israel is safe and strong, the United States is safer, she said. "We need to start treating them like the ally that they are."

'Antisemitism is hate'

Haley also rapped congressional Democratic leaders for failing to take to task a handful of hard-left House members who are boycotting Israeli President Isaac Herzog's speech to Congress on Wednesday. The boycotters, in part, have claimed that Israel is racist.

"Antisemitism is hate. Antisemitism needs to be treated exactly like racism," Haley said. "It used to be that Republicans and Democrats were both pro-Israel. It used to be that Republicans and Democrats both defied racism. But you're not seeing that anymore."

She equated a lack of action on this issue with a de facto endorsement of the progressives' behavior.

"The Democratic Party owes us an answer on this," Haley said. "They cannot continue to spew this hate. Not when antisemitism is hitting the levels that it is today."

"We should never tolerate it, and they always treat antisemitism differently than racism. They shouldn't," Haley said. "It's just as evil, and they need to start calling it out."

The same goes for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) calling to account Republicans who take part in antisemitic activity, according to Haley.

According to polls, Trump maintains a very solid lead in the Republican primary in a crowded, diverse field. But the former president's legal woes and what many view as negative baggage could make for a volatile campaign, potentially allowing another candidate to break through.

Of the value of her pro-Israel bona fides to the Democratic-leaning American Jewish electorate in a general election, Haley said he hopes that "everyone will remember what a good friend I was to Israel, and realize that I've never let up on that."

"I will continue to be the most pro-Israel candidate that is running for president," she stated.

Being pro-Israel isn't about political expediency to Haley, the candidate said.

"I believe it," she said. "In my heart, I know it's the right thing to do. I know that we need to make sure that they never think anything less of the United States but as their absolute best friend, and I will ensure that that happens."

A media analysis of Haley's donors shows high levels of giving from prominent Jews, and her inner-campaign circle features several Jews. JNS asked Haley why Jewish donors have flocked to her, and why she surrounds herself with so many Jewish consultants.

"I would like to think they trust me," she said. "At the end of the day, that's what you want, is for people to trust you. You want them to feel like they know exactly what to expect from you. With the Jewish people, I've always fought really hard in support of the pro-Israel community."

She added that she would "like to think that they just feel like this is a strong bond and relationship. And I hope that they'll continue to strengthen. And I hope they know that I'm going to continue to fight for the things they care about."

'All they've done is tried to weaken sanctions'

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has failed to launch an investigation into the origins of drones, with which Russia is attacking Ukrainian civilians. The United States and other Western allies, including the three European signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, say the evidence points to the drones being manufactured and supplied by Iran, in violation of the accord.

JNS asked Haley to comment on the lack of investigation from the global body-a familiar target of hers.

"The United Nations refuses to acknowledge Iran for being the terrorists that they are," Haley said. "This regime was not following resolutions when I was there. This regime continues to export oil with the help of Biden. This regime continues to fund and fuel terrorists. This regime continues to work on building a nuclear bomb."

Meanwhile, she said, U.N. leadership remains silent on the issue.

"That's the reason Iran has gotten away with so much. All they've done is tried to weaken sanctions with the help of Joe Biden, weaken how much is said to Iran with the help of Joe Biden, and now, Joe Biden wants to further chat with Iran," she said.

"You can't work with people who say 'Death to America. Death to Israel,'" she said.
(JNS) - Just as Israel's president was settling in following a busy day in Washington, a gift came his way from the Capitol, courtesy of the Jewish state's opponents.

Less than 24 hours before he was to address a joint session of Congress, the House passed a Republican-sponsored resolution stating that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state. The resolution's filing was inspired by a flippant insult hurled at Israel by the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, who, under heavy pressure from House leadership and rank-and-file from her own party, attempted to walk back her comment.

Only nine members, all from the hard left, voted against the resolution, with 412 in favor, including 195 Democrats.

Fears of Herzog's visit being overshadowed by any number of issues-domestic Israeli political strife, sharp tensions in the U.S-Israel relationship, the lack of a similar White House invitation to Israel's prime minister-certainly didn't disappear on Tuesday.

But Herzog's command of his hour in the Oval Office, combined with progressive Democrats' foolish insistence on showing how much Congress actually values Israel, tamped down some of those worries.

In the most consequential room in America, dealing with the world's most consequential leader, Herzog seemingly took control of the narrative. Accentuating the positive and owning the negative, Herzog took a meeting with the U.S. president and crafted a story of partnership that would survive even the toughest of disagreements.

In his own opening statement in the Oval Office, Herzog told Biden and journalists that he was "pleased to hear about your conversation with [Israeli] Prime Minister Netanyahu, which focused on our ironclad military and security cooperation."

The call between Biden and Netanyahu-the first in several months-seemed timed by the Biden administration to take the anti-Netanyahu card off the prime minister's table, and to assure Herzog's trip didn't put a heavy microscope on the Biden-Netanyahu relationship.

Noting that "enemies of ours that sometimes mistake the fact that we may have some differences as impacting our unbreakable bond," Herzog twisted the tale into one of "how much our cooperation has grown in recent years and achieved new heights," alluding to behind-the-scenes partnerships in any number of government-to-government programs which go unrecognized in the daily news cycle.

Herzog took the topic of Israel's judicial reforms, which have drawn the personal ire of Biden, and spun the "heated debate" over the issue in Israel as "a virtue and a tribute to the greatness of Israeli democracy," pledging, as chief negotiator between the Israeli government and opposition, that he would "seek to find amicable consensus on the issue," as Biden has essentially demanded.

He told reporters after the meeting that "when the president of the greatest power in the world asks questions like he asked [Netanyahu] yesterday, it's not to upset, but out of deep concern and consideration of our need as a nation in these very moments to reach understandings and agreements and dialogue, because in the end, Israel is very important to the world, to the region and the United States. This should be a consideration for our brothers and sisters in Israel."

One of the main missions of Herzog's trip was to remind Biden why he constantly describes himself as a Zionist and why he holds, as he told Herzog at the outset of Tuesday's meeting, a love for Israel that is "deep-rooted and long-lasting."

From that standpoint, Herzog seemed to say all the right things, at least when the doors were open to journalists.

Behind closed doors, an Israeli diplomatic source said that Biden, while emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself, issued a word of caution about "price tag" violence against Arabs. Herzog, according to the source, countered by noting the increase in Palestinian terrorism in recent months and the increasing loss of life among Israeli citizens.

While the spiraling security situation across the so-called Green Line has been a top-line agenda item for the Biden administration for months and is often used as a cudgel against the Israeli government's policies vis a vis the Palestinians, statements and readouts from Tuesday's meetings provided little indication of administration anger toward Jerusalem or lopsided blame of Israel.

The source indicated that Herzog and Biden met one-on-one for around 40 minutes, followed by an extended 90-minute bilateral session, in which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan joined in.

Normalization efforts with Saudi Arabia, brokered by Washington, were termed as complex but possible by Biden's side, according to the source. Many analysts say the window of opportunity on that issue is closing fast, due to congressional opposition to Riyadh's demands and the upcoming U.S. presidential election, which will take focus and energy away from big-ticket foreign policy goals.

Biden reiterated the need, from Washington's standpoint, for broad agreement in Israel regarding the government's judicial reform effort, calling the "struggles in Israel and the noise surrounding them" problematic for making regional progress.

Israel's entry into the U.S. visa waiver program was also addressed, with the Biden administration saying efforts were progressing.

Herzog's meetings with Biden and later in the afternoon with Blinken also focused on Iran, regional integration, Israeli security and antisemitism.

At the top of the one-on-one with Blinken, Washington's top diplomat told Herzog that he had the administration's support in trying to negotiate a resolution to the controversial judicial reforms.

"What you have been doing, the leadership you have shown in affirming those values, bringing people together in affirmation of those values, could not be more important," said Blinken.

While Herzog stayed away from any mention of the Palestinians in his public comments on Tuesday, Blinken stressed the need to make progress on a two-state solution.

Herzog had a packed schedule for Wednesday, including a pair of rarities. He first attended a seldom-held bipartisan congressional leadership meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Then, he addressed a joint session of Congress, becoming only the second Israeli president-behind his father and former Israeli President Chaim Herzog-to ever do so.

He then met with the bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus before a one-on-one with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Herzog departed for New York on Thursday for meetings with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and members of the Jewish community.
(JNS)  Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday addressed a joint session of Congress, following a meeting the previous day with his U.S. counterpart at the White House.

At this moment in my peoples history, gathering on Capitol Hill to celebrate 75 years of Israeli independence with our greatest partner and friend, the United States of America, my soul is overflowing with pride and joy. The people of Israel are grateful to no end for the ancient promise fulfilled and for the friendship we have formed, said Herzog.

When the State of Israel was established in 1948, the land which the Almighty promised to Abraham, to which Moses led the Israelites, the land of the Bible, of milk and honey, evolved into an exquisite land of democracy. Against all odds, the Jewish people returned home and built a national home, which became a beautiful Israeli democracy, a mosaic of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze and Circassians, secular, traditional and Orthodox, of all denominations and all possible views and lifestyles. A land which welcomed the ingathering of exiles from one hundred different countries, continued Herzog.

A land which became the Startup Nationa bustling hub of innovation and creativity, social action and intellectual discovery, spiritual awakening and business ventures, scientific ingenuity and lifesaving medical breakthroughs. We built a nation-state which has faced relentless war, terror and delegitimization since its birth. A country fighting to defend itself from enemy and foe, yet whose citizens continue to greet each other with the word peace, shalom.

Herzog then shifted attention to Iran, calling the Islamic Republics nuclear program perhaps the greatest challenge Israel and the United States face at this time.

Let there be no doubt: Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Iran is building nuclear capabilities, that pose a threat to the stability of the Middle East and beyond. Every country or region controlled or infiltrated by Iran has experienced utter havoc. We have seen this in Yemen, Gaza, in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. In fact, we have seen this in Iran itself where the regime has lost its people and is

suppressing them brutally. .

Iran is the only nation on the planet publicly calling, plotting and developing means to annihilate another nation, a member of the family of nations, the State of Israel.  Allowing Iran to become a nuclear threshold statewhether by omission or by diplomatic commissionis unacceptable, the Israeli leader said.

On the issue of peace, Herzog thanked the United States for its longstanding diplomatic efforts in the region.

The peace which the United States brokered between Israel and its neighbors has revolutionized the Middle East. The historic peace treaties with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have demonstrated the many blessings of opting out of the cycle of war, he said.

Three years ago, the Abraham Accords realigned our imaginations and our region. Israel eagerly welcomed the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Morocco into an exclusive, warm peace between our peoples.  Israels hand is extended, and our heart is open, to any partner in peacenear or far.

Israel thanks the United States for working towards establishing peaceful relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a leading nation in the region and in the Muslim world. We pray for this moment to come. This would be a huge sea change in the course of history in the Middle East and the world at large, continued Herzog.

My deep yearning is for Israel to one day make peace with our Palestinian neighbors. Over the years, Israel has taken bold steps towards peace and made far-reaching proposals to our Palestinian neighbors. Notwithstanding the deep political differences, and the numerous challenges that surround Israeli-Palestinian relations, and I do not ignore them, but it should be clear that one cannot talk about peace while condoning or legitimizing terror, implicitly or explicitly. True peace cannot be anchored in violence.

Palestinian terror against Israel or Israelis undermines any possibility for a future of peace between our peoples. Israelis are targeted while waiting for buses, while taking a stroll on the promenade, while spending time with their family.

At the same time, successful terror attacks are celebrated, terrorists are glorified, and their families are financially rewarded for every Israeli they attack. This is inconceivable. It is a moral disgrace. Terror is not a bump in the road. Terror is hatred and bloodshed. It contradicts humanitys most basic principles of peace. Israel cannot and will not tolerate terror, and we know that in this we are joined by the United States of America, added Herzog.

We pray for the fulfillment of Isaiahs prophecy, Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

With respect to the Netanyahu governments judicial reform initiative, Herzog expressed great confidence in Israeli democracy.

Although we are working through sore [painful] issues, just like you, I know our democracy is strong and resilient. Israel has democracy in its DNA, he said.

I will say to you, our friends, in English, what I have said to my people, to my sisters and brothers, in Hebrew back home: As a nation, we must find a way to talk to each other no matter how long it takes. As head of state, I will continue doing everything to reach a broad public consensus, and to preserve, protect and defend the State of Israels democracy, added Herzog.

He proceeded to stress the importance of the Jewish states relationship with America.

We are proud to be the United States closest partner and friend. We are grateful to the United States for the necessary means you have provided us to keep our qualitative military edge, and to enable us to defend ourselves, by ourselves, he said.

This reflects your ongoing commitment to Israels security. We are also tremendously proud that ours is a two-way alliance, in which Israel has been making critical contributions to the national security and interests of the United States in numerous ways. Thank you, dear members of Congress, for your support of Israel throughout history, and at this critical moment in time, added Herzog.

The Israeli president invited a slew of guests to attend the speech, including Clifton Truman Daniels, grandson of former U.S. president Harry Truman, who recognized Israel 11 minutes after its declaration of independence in 1948.

Herzog is also being accompanied by Leah Goldin, whose son Lt. Hadar Goldin was killed in action during the 2014 conflict with Hamas in Gaza. His body is still being held by the Palestinian terror group.

The Israeli leader also invited, among others, the American leaders of the Reform and Conservative movement and the Orthodox Union.

On Tuesday, Herzog had a wonderful meeting in Washington with U.S. President Joe Biden, whom he called a huge friend of Israel.

Herzog told reporters that he and his American counterpart had discussed many issues, including the Iranian nuclear threat.
(JNS)  Ahead of a one-on-one meeting on July 19 at the White House, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a new climate technology partnership, which will draw up to $70 million of U.S. and Israeli investment to support climate-healthy agriculture and use new technologies to protect critical Middle East and Africa water resources.

We are harnessing today the broad infrastructure of our cooperation to introduce a new joint initiative to address a primary challenge of our time, said Herzog. He said the implications of the climate crisis were far reaching, with repercussions for all.

The two leaders announced the partnership at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is part of the White House complex.

Harris noted that she had toured Israeli desalination plants when she last visited the country, calling Israels advances in the field a model for the rest of the globe, in terms of how we use the best of innovation and science and technology to preserve some of our Earths most natural and precious resources.

She told Herzog: The work that you have done has inspired so many here in the United States as well.

The partnership, which Harris said could extend to Negev Forum countries or India via the I2U2 forum, could expand access for farmers and innovators to certain Israeli and U.S. technological tools or mobile applications, investment in training, technical assistance and education, according to Harris.

This investment in innovative solutions for sustainable food production and water use augments existing cooperation between our two countries and will help build resilient food systems and address the climate crisis around the globe, said the vice president.

Herzog told reporters that he had predicted Harriss political ascent when he met the then-U.S. senator in Jerusalem in 2017. Im so happy I was right, he said.

The two have spoken by phone four times since Herzog became president in 2021.

Iran threat, judicial reform

At their meeting, Herzog and Harris also discussed the Iranian threat, Israeli normalization with Arab and Muslim countries, the volatile security situation in Judea and Samaria and the need to combat antisemitism, according to a White House official.

Harris said that countering Iran was the highest priority.

Harris repeated the refrain of an unbreakable U.S.-Israel bond, and emphasized Washingtons ironclad commitment to Israeli security, however, she touched on a pair of sore points.

She emphasized the need to strengthen our respective democracies and democratic institutions, an apparent reference to Israeli judicial reform, which the White House has criticized harshly and extensively.

Harris also made reference to the work we will do to ensure Israelis and Palestinians can live safely and securely and enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity and democracy, also a common Biden administration refrain.

Earlier in the day, Herzog had addressed judicial reform head-on in his address to the joint session of Congress, likening the internal debate in Israel to those in the United States in recent years. I have great confidence in Israeli democracy. Although we are working through sour issues, just like you, I know our democracy is strong and resilient, he told Congress.

Herzog has largely avoided the Palestinian issue during his time in Washington, except when discussing Palestinian terror preventing progress in a peace process.

Visa waiver program

On the same day Herzog and Harris unveiled the climate partnership, Israel announced that it will change its travel procedures for U.S. citizens who are listed on the Palestinian population registry. Starting on July 20, such individuals will be able to travel through all Israeli points of entry, including Ben Gurion Airport, and like other U.S. citizens, remain in Israel for up to 90 days.

Ben Gurion Airport had been off-limits to Palestinians, who had to travel to Jordan and then fly in and out of Amman. The change brings Israel closer to qualifying for the coveted U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which requires reciprocity. Under the programs terms, all participating countries citizens can travel visa-free to the United States in exchange for the same courtesy applied to U.S. citizens traveling abroad.

We understand that these changes are designed to ensure equal treatment for all U.S. citizens, without regard to national origin, religion or ethnicity, the U.S. State Department stated. The department is working closely with the government of Israel in its efforts to meet those requirements, in furtherance of our shared goal that Israel join the Visa Waiver Program when it meets all program requirements.

Washington will reportedly send a team of officials to Israel over the coming days and weeks to ensure Israeli compliance with the parameters of the memorandum of understanding on the issue, which the U.S. and Israeli ambassadors signed. If Israel doesnt comply with the program requirements by September 30, it would have to reapply for membership in the program.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (l) and Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Washington, D.C. on July 18, 2023.

(JNS) - Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday after visiting President Joe Biden at the White House.

In statements issued before the meeting, the two leaders expressed mutual appreciation for the "unique relations" between the countries and discussed the shared goal of countering the Iranian threat.

"I want to thank you Mr. Secretary for pursuing such important goals as containing and limiting, and stopping the Iranian nuclear program, as building a regional coalition of nations which pursues peace and wants more and more integration with Israel in the region," Herzog stated.

The president also said that the two would discuss the situation in Lebanon, in an apparent reference to the tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border due to Hezbollah provocations, as well as Israelis missing in action and held prisoner in Gaza.

Herzog brought to Washington with him Leah Goldin, the mother of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed in action in the Gaza Strip in 2014 and whose body is being held by the Hamas terrorist group.

Blinken echoed Herzog's remarks, saying that "we are deeply committed to working together in dealing with the challenge posed by Iran. In particular making sure that it never acquires a nuclear weapon. We are deeply committed to the normalization process and both deepening and expanding Israel's relations with its neighbors far and wide."

The top U.S. diplomat also praised Herzog for "affirming democratic values" by "bringing people together." He also reiterated the U.S. stance in support of "two states for two peoples," which he said was "essential for Israel's long-term security and its standing as a democratic Jewish state."

Earlier on Tuesday, Herzog met with Biden in the Oval Office, lauding a "wonderful meeting" in an address to foreign reporters and calling the U.S. president a "huge friend of Israel."

Herzog told reporters that he and the president discussed "many issues" during the meeting, including the "Iranian nuclear threat."

"Naturally we also discussed the internal issues in Israel," Herzog said, referring to the Netanyahu government's judicial reform effort. "We should see the current debate in Israel with all its facets as a tribute to the strength of the Israeli democracy."

Herzog's meeting at the White House on Tuesday was the first stop in the Israeli head of state's official trip to Washington and New York.

He is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, on the occasion of Israel's 75th anniversary.

"I thank the leadership of the United States Congress, led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and his predecessor Nancy Pelosi, for the historic privilege to address a joint session of both Houses of Congress marking the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel," Herzog said before the trip.
WASHINGTON (JTA)  President Joe Bidens concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus planned overhaul of Israels courts system should be taken into account by the Israeli parties seeking a compromise, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said after meeting Biden.

Herzogs advice, effectively aimed at Netanyahu and appearing only in his comments in Hebrew to Israeli media after his White House meeting on Tuesday, was unusual in a foreign leader insisting that the United States had a role to play in a matter of internal debate.

Its not like the relationship between the United States and countries that are very important to it, this is a relationship with deep family elements, with mutual concern about what happens in the United States and of course in Israel, Herzog said.

The appeal comes as U.S.-Israel tensions increase, with members of Netanyahus cabinet openly accusing Biden administration officials of colluding with the opposition.

Herzogs conversation with Biden covered regional issues, the Iranian threat, whats happening with the Hezbollah in Lebanon, but also what is happening in Israel and we have to understand and respect this, that when the president of the greatest power on earth asks questions and interests himself, as he did in his conversation with the prime minister yesterday, its not just for fun, not to gossip, to bother us, it comes from deep concern from many of our friends, the Israeli president said.

Its another consideration for us as a people in this moment, to come to understandings, to agreements, to dialogue, to drafts [of a legislative deal], because at the end of the day, Israel is very important to the world, its very important to the region, its very important t to the United States, and that must also be a consideration to our brothers and sisters in Israel, he said.

Massive protests against the planned overhaul, which would sap the courts of much of their independence, have rocked Israel for months. The protesters see the courts as a bulwark protecting vulnerable populations, including women, Arabs, the non-Orthodox and the LGBTQ community, and say the legislation to blunt their power would jeopardize Israeli democracy.

Biden, unusually, invited Herzog to the White House before inviting Netanyahu, and he has made it clear that his delay in inviting Netanyahu was because he was unhappy with the direction of Netanyahus current government. In a conversation this week, Biden told Netanyahu that he hoped to see him in the United States soon.

In addition to the proposed courts reforms, Biden is also unhappy with Israels government because of its accelerated settlement in the West Bank, and because of the extremists that Netanyahu has joined with in his coalition. Israels government is its most right-wing in history.

The English-language commentary by Biden and Herzog barely addressed tensions between the two countries.

I was pleased to hear about your conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, which focused on our ironclad military and security cooperation, Herzog said as he and Biden meant in the Oval Office. Because there are some enemies of ours that sometimes mistake the fact that we may have some differences as impacting our unbreakable bond. I truly believe that if they would know how much our cooperation has grown in recent years and achieved new heights, they would not think that way.
(JNS)  A petition calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be removed from office over an alleged conflict of interest will be heard by the High Court of Justice on Sept. 12.

Israels Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, agreed last week to hear the petition claiming Netanyahu violated a 2020 agreement to not involve himself in his governments judicial reform initiative due to his ongoing corruption trial.

Leaders of the parties in Netanyahus coalition condemned the courts move, saying in a joint statement that an extreme political group led by [former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (res.)] Dan Halutz is trying to oust through a baseless petition an incumbent prime minister who was elected by a huge majority in democratic elections.

We are shocked by Justice Ruth Ronnens decision to hold a hearing on the petition, especially after the Knesset passed a law that precludes the impeachment of an elected prime minister because of baseless claims of the kind that are included in the petition, they said.

This is going down a dangerous slope of fatal damage to democracy and the will of the people, they added. We and millions of citizens will not accept this, we will not allow it.

In November 2020, then-Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit determined that Netanyahu could not involve himself in certain decisions that could impact his criminal cases and therefore create a conflict of interest.

According to Mandelblits arrangement, which the High Court upheld in March 2021, Netanyahu could not take part in making appointments to law enforcement agencies, the Supreme Court or the Jerusalem District Court.

Netanyahu also could not influence ministers or officials with authority over issues related to his trial.

This past February, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara told Netanyahu that the conflict of interest deal extended to his involvement in the judicial reform program. The premier strongly objected, referring to it as a gag order.

Finally, in a March 23 television address, Netanyahu said he would no longer stand on the sidelines of the judicial reform debate.

We reached the absurdity that if I had entered this event, as my position requires, they threatened to compel me to take a leave of absence, which would nullify the results of the election and the will of millions of citizens, he said.

No more. I am entering the arena. I am laying aside any other consideration, for our people and for our country. I will do everything in my power to find a solution, Netanyahu said.

The High Court has rejected similar petitions in the past. In March, it rejected one to remove Netanyahu and fined the petitioners, the Israel Democracy Guard, 5,000 shekels (a bit under $1,400).

Baharav-Miara on Sunday submitted her position in a letter to the Supreme Court, calling for the justices to reject outright the latest petition.

Under the existing circumstances and in this state of affairs, there is no reason to demand that the honorable court intervene and grant the far-reaching remedies requested in this petition, including the termination of the prime ministers term, nor is there any reason in the letters of the legal adviser to the government [the attorney generals position in Hebrew] to establish a reason like that, Baharav-Miara wrote.

The petitioners claims do not lay before the honorable court a factual foundation, certainly not solid and well-founded. What emerges from this is that the petition in its current form remains general, and therefore should be dismissed, she continued.
(JNS) - Surgeons at Hadassah Medical Center-Ein Kerem managed to reattach a boy's head after a horrific accident left him internally decapitated.

A car hit Suleiman Hassan, a 12-year-old Arab from the Judea and Samaria region, as he rode his bike, the Jerusalem hospital announced.

After he was airlifted to Hadassah's trauma unit, doctors discovered that the ligaments holding the rear base of his skull were seriously damaged, leaving it disconnected from the top vertebrae of his spine.

"The injury is extremely rare, but we do know that because children between ages four and 10 have heads that are large in relation to their bodies, they are more susceptible than adults," Dr. Ohad Einav, the orthopedic specialist who led the extremely rare surgery together with Dr. Ziv Asa, said.

Studies suggest that over half of children and adolescents do not survive the condition, also known as bilateral atlanto-occipital joint dislocation.

"We fought for the boy's life," Einav added. "While in the operating room, we used new plates and fixations in the damaged area. ... Our ability to save the child was thanks to our knowledge and the most innovative technology in the operating room."

Showing no neurologic or motor deficiencies, Hassan was recently discharged from the hospital. Hadassah doctors will continue to monitor him.

Hassan's father did not leave his bedside during his recovery from surgery, medical staff reported. "I will thank you all my life for saving my dear only son. Bless you all," he said.

"Thanks to you he regained his life even when the odds were low and the danger was obvious. What saved him were professionalism, technology and quick decision-making by the trauma and orthopedics team," the Palestinian father said.

In March of this year, Newsweek named Hadassah Medical Center a world leader in oncology and for the fifth straight year one of the globe's top hospitals in both cardiology and smart technology.
TEL AVIV (JTA)  President Joe Biden has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet in the United States soon, after months of holding off on inviting him to the White House.

The invitation was extended and accepted during a phone call between the two leaders on July 17. Israeli prime ministers typically receive an invitation to Washington shortly after taking office, but Biden, who has known Netanyahu for decades, has so far held off on inviting him to the capital.

This invitation may not exactly end the wait: According to reports from Axios and the Jerusalem Post, citing the prime ministers office, Bidens invitation did not mention the White House, meaning the leaders could potentially meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

The delay in the White House invitation has been widely attributed to the right-wing policies pushed by Netanyahus government coalition, including an effort to weaken the countrys judiciary  which Biden strongly opposes. The Biden administration has also harshly criticized recent Israeli plans to expand settlements in Judea and Samaria.

In March, shortly after Netanyahu paused the judicial overhaul in the face of mass protests, Biden said Israel cannot continue down this road. Asked when he would be inviting Netanyahu to visit, Biden responded at the time, Not in the near term.

In June, Netanyahu announced that he would travel to Beijing on a diplomatic visit. Upon announcing the visit, Netanyahu said that the U.S. will always be Israels most vital ally and irreplaceable ally.

No date has been set for the U.S. visit, and the invitation comes at the onset of a visit to Washington by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who will address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. Although Herzogs position as head of state is meant to be apolitical, his visit has also caused controversy: Several progressive lawmakers have pledged to boycott his speech in protest of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians.

In addition to the White House visit, Netanyahu and Biden discussed the judicial overhaul, a key piece of which is set to pass this week. They also discussed countering threats from Iran and easing tensions in Judea and Samaria, which has seen an escalation of violence this year.
U.K. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis received the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, July 11, 2023.

(JNS) - U.K. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis was officially honored as Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire during a "moving" ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, his office announced.

King Charles III bestowed Britain's highest honor upon Rabbi Mirvis in the 2023 New Years Honours, which were publicly announced earlier this year, recognizing his "significant services to the Jewish community, to interfaith relations and to education."

The 2023 honors list was the first approved by Charles following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.

The January announcement noted that Mirvis has been chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth since 2013 and "addresses global events with his vision of a 'Judaism of Responsibility' intervening, for example, on the plight of Uyghur Muslims, the only such intervention by a global faith leader."

Mirvis said in a statement at the time that "I am enormously honored and deeply humbled by this award," adding: "It will be particularly moving for me to receive this award from His Majesty the King in his first year as our monarch."

In a similar ceremony at Windsor Castle, British-Jewish television presenter Rachel Riley received the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire, the third highest-ranking Order of the British Empire award.

A leading voice speaking out against anti-Jewish hatred in the United Kingdom, Riley found herself on the receiving end of abuse when she criticized the Labour Party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle on Tuesday, Riley said there was a worrying trend of rising antisemitism, while knowledge of the Holocaust was in decline, and that Jewish communities were having to take security measures as a consequence.

"You go into a Jewish school, organization or charity, and often they're unmarked, they always have tight security, and primary school children are taught how to hide in case there's a terrorist attack. That's not normal in Britain," she said.

"The king is a big advocate for all faiths and inter-faith relations, it's one of his passion projects. He was genuinely interested in what I've done to deserve it," concluded Riley.
(JNS)  A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is calling on the State Department to update Congress on negotiations to end the Palestinian Authoritys policy of paying terrorists.

In a letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the 50 members of Congress noted with concern the uptick of violence in Judea and Samaria in recent months and the P.A.s refusal to condemn the killings of Israelis while at the same time continuing its pay for slay program.

Led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), the letter was signed by 30 Democrats and 20 Republicans.

For some Palestinians, terrorism literally pays. As you know, the Palestinian Authority has for decades provided financial compensation and other benefits to families of terrorists jailed in Israeli prisons and martyrs killed while carrying out attacks against Israelis, the missive reads.

The Palestinian Authority has clearly continued down the path of more hatred, violence and terror, without regard for the damage inflicted or for their role in diminishing the prospects for peace. But, so long as they pay citizens to murder civilians, they will do so without benefiting from the support of United States taxpayers. We know that the administration shares the view that support for terrorism and the Palestinians characterization of the martyr payment system as a form of social welfare is unacceptable.

The Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund costs the P.A. more than $300 million annually, or 8 percent of its budget.

According to an analysis of the P.A.s 2017 budget by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, $346 million was paid to martyrs and prisoners (33,000 recipient families) compared to $213 million for social welfare benefits (118,000 recipient families).
(JTA)  When the U.S. Supreme Court sided last month with a Colorado web designer who refuses to do work for same-sex couples because of her religious objection to same-sex marriage, it risked opening the floodgates to a host of discriminatory acts under the guise of First Amendment freedom of expression.

Most of us thought that we had made progress in eliminating government-sanctioned bigotry. Justice Neil Gorsuchs 6-3 majority opinion in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, saying that her refusal to serve a same-sex couple is protected speech, reminds us, however, that discrimination endorsed by the high court remains a clear and present danger, first and foremost for the LGBTQIA+ community, but also for the rest of us.

As a daughter and son of Holocaust survivors, we tend to understand social and political events through the prism of the destruction of European Jewry. The Jews were deprived of their rights in Nazi Germany immediately after Hitler came to power in 1933. And we know that excluding Jews and others from commercial and civil life was one of the earliest stages before their eventual annihilation.

The 303 Creative case forces us to contemplate the possibility that white supremacists, antisemites, Islamaphobes and other hate-filled individuals and groups will now be allowed to recast their bigotry in First Amendment or religious freedom terms. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, the decision threatens to balkanize the market and to allow the exclusion of other groups from many services.

With this new ruling, what is to prevent a devout Christian who believes that Jews killed Jesus from selling wedding dresses only to brides who accept Jesus as their savior or from refusing to print bar mitzvah or Ramadan invitations? What about a white supremacist caterer who believes that interracial marriages violate his or her religious beliefs? Will his lawyer use this SCOTUS decision to construct a clever First Amendment or Free Exercise defense that allows him to get away with not serving such couples?

We are reminded of Gregory Peck who, masquerading as a Jew in the 1947 film Gentlemans Agreement, is turned away from a restricted resort, as so many Jews were in real life. Jackie Robinson, Louis Armstrong and other African-Americans were denied entry into hotels, restaurants and other central institutions of American society until the civil rights revolution of the 1950s and 1960s put what we thought was an end to such nefarious practices.

A previous generation of jurists also thought that legally sanctioned discrimination was accommodating sincere religious beliefs. Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, wrote County Circuit Judge Leon M. Bazile of Caroline County, Virginia, in his now notorious Jan. 6, 1959, ruling sentencing Mildred Loving, a woman of African-American and Native-American descent, and Richard Loving, a white man, to one year in jail for violating Virginias miscegenation laws.

Judge Bazile continued by saying that God placed the races on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangements there would be no cause for such [i.e., interracial] marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix.

It was not until June 12, 1967  more than eight years later  that the Supreme Court overturned the Lovings criminal conviction and declared Virginias prohibition of interracial marriages to be unconstitutional.

Do we now have to worry that the Court in the future might validate some version of Judge Baziles bigotry under the guise of the First Amendment?

Americans are witnessing the legal legitimization of an us vs. them society. It comes at a point when the LGBTQ+ community was just beginning to gain legal ground. Now, the community is again legally seen by many as the other.

We dont believe it is alarmist to say that such delegitimization may be the beginning of a process of dehumanization. History has taught us that when we no longer see others as equal to ourselves, we grant license to bigots to treat such individuals as less than human.

Why are we compelled to speak out and feel strongly that all of us have an obligation to speak out? Because of the warning for the ages that German pastor Martin Niemoller taught us, a warning which we, present-day Americans, ignore at our peril:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out  because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out  because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out  because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me  and there was no one left to speak for me.

We are here to speak out for and stand with the LGBTQ+ community and for all who may eventually be adversely affected by this misguided ruling. For all we know, it could be us.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
(JNS)  Up until now, the legal battles being waged about tolerating dissent against support for gay marriage or gay pride events have been focused on conservative Christians. But a kosher baker in West Orange, N.J., is highlighting the fact that the question of the right to refuse to produce services for causes, ideas or beliefs can not only involve Jews but also create difficult dilemmas for Jewish communities.

While all those concerned understand that the baker has the law on his side, synagogues and even the local Jewish Federation seem prepared to ostracize him for his choice. By placing the bakery under a modern version of the traditional herema ban essentially separating an individual from the Jewish communitythe Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ was making an important statement about its concept of what is and what isnt consistent with the values of the Jewish community.

Such a decision was, no doubt, popular with the majority of that community, which is likely not Orthodox and views opposition to gay pride events as not merely mistaken but beyond the boundaries of normative behavior in contemporary American and Jewish society.

But can any federation that draws such a line, which designates a significant percentage of Orthodox Jews as being beyond the pale, do so without violating its prime mission to bring Jews together? If it is prepared to take such a stand, can it, in good conscience, be said to represent the interests of the entire Jewish community?

Yitzy Mittel, the owner of the West Orange Bake Shop, is the focus of the controversy. According to the New Jersey Jewish News, Mittel canceled orders from Congregation Bnai Israel, a Conservative synagogue located in Millburn, N.J. The synagogue wanted a rainbow-decorated cake and cookies to celebrate Gay Pride month. Additionally, they wanted rainbow cupcakes for a youth group.

The baker had made a pride cake for the same synagogue a year earlier but then had come to think that he had violated his own beliefs by doing so. The synagogue wound up getting their treats from another kosher bakery. But that wasnt the end of it.

Bnai Israels Rabbi Robert Tobin reportedly sermonized about the incident, saying I believe that humans are created in the image of God with a variety of potential gender identities with the possibility of gender fluidity. He then defended Pride as a reasonable overcorrection to the past history of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ communities by our religious and social authorities.

He conceded that this disagreement didnt mean that the bakery should lose its kosher certification and did say that the law was clear that Mittel had a right to do as he liked. But it was equally true that the synagogue also had a right to refuse to spend their money supporting businesses that dont agree with them on such issues.

They were joined in this sentiment by other non-Orthodox synagogues in the area. The more important decision came from the MetroWest Jewish Federation, which covers an area of New Jersey that includes Essex, Morris, Sussex and Union counties, as well as parts of Somerset.

In an email, MetroWest executive vice president and CEO Dov Ben-Shimon circulated a memo to his staff that the organization will not be purchasing goods from Mittels bakery in the future.

Once the news of his decision was made public, Ben-Shimon heard criticism from those who thought it wrong for a federation that claimed to represent the entire Jewish community to be ostracizing a kosher baker who, after all, felt he was only following traditional interpretations of Jewish law. Ben-Shimon wanted no further part in the controversy, claiming that his initial decision was made in haste and was no longer official policy. While he called for dialogue, he also left it unclear whether the organization would, in fact, follow the lead of the synagogues in boycotting Mittlels business or if it would purchase items from it in the future.

Supreme Court decisions in cases like Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado and, most recently, 303 Creative v. Elenis, have established that efforts by states like Colorado to effectively make it criminal for vendors to refuse to produce creative material for causes or beliefs that they personally oppose are unconstitutional. In doing so, the court has reaffirmed the basic principle that the right to religious freedom cannot be abrogated because certain beliefs fall out of fashion, as is the case with those who oppose the rapid acceptance of gay rights in the last decade.

Equally important, the 303 Creative decision made clear the distinction between denying ordinary services to people on the basis of their identity and being compelled to do work that specifically requires someone to use their talents to celebrate something they oppose. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission attempted to put Jack Phillips Masterpiece Bakeshop out of business for refusing to bake a cake for a gay marriage ceremony.

Like Phillips, who said he was happy to sell baked goods to any customer but didnt think he ought to be forced to design a gay marriage cake, 303 Creative owner Lorie Smith similarly refused to design such a website while insisting that she didnt turn away customers who ask for ordinary services. Mittel was doing the same thing.

One can argue that theyd be better off not turning away customers, but the point about religious liberty is that it is rooted in an understanding that the state must not make religious tests or declare some faiths, especially those rooted in the biblical values that helped create the United States, as beyond the protection of the law for all intents of purposes.

The courts decisions in these cases have been bitterly criticized by liberal Jewish organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, and those representing Reform and Conservative Judaism. Like others on the left, they believe that upholding the rights of people like Phillips, Smith and Mittel is permitting discrimination that ought to be illegal. Yet the courts have rightly dismissed that argument, saying that this would mean compelling people to violate their religious beliefs and denying them the right to free speech.

After all, if a conservative Christian baker could be compelled to bake a gay wedding cake, on what grounds could, say, a Jewish baker, refuse to bake one that had Christian imagery or, perhaps, even Nazi symbols like a swastika? If the law reasons that gay marriage is a good thing that cannot be reasonably opposed while a Nazi cake is bad, then what is being proposed is not a legal principle but a decree that distinguishes between approved and illegal beliefs. And as much as most Americans now approve of marriage equality for gays and rightly regard Nazism with disgust and anger, the law cannot make such distinctions. As the court correctly noted in 303 Creative, the law cannot compel speech.

Thats a distinction difficult for many people to understand. Still, liberals who wish to ban opposition to gay marriage must realize that doing so would be to establish a system in which some creeds are permitted and others are not. The Constitution specifically opposes such a scheme, which would amount to a state religion in all but name.

Jewish groups in New Jersey have a different problem.

Support for gay rights has quickly become not merely popular in the Jewish community but is now regarded as a tenet of liberal Judaism. Some in the Orthodox world are open to more engagement with gay men and women, but much of that community is still opposed in principle to normalizing the issuesomething that puts them very much at odds with the rest of society.

Yet it is ironic that liberal Jewish institutions that are committed to a big tent with regard to a variety of beliefs, including some that are critical of or opposed to the State of Israel, are utterly intolerant of Orthodox Jews and businesses that wont go along with gay pride celebrations. If some organizations, like the ADL, seem primarily interested in pursuing a left-wing political agenda rather than defending the Jewish community on a host of issues, it would appear that this is now accompanied by an appetite for treating dissent on an issue like gay rights as grounds for expulsion from the community.

It is true that a community solely defined by a devotion to inclusion is one that stands for nothing. But does the fact that many Orthodox Jews are out of step with contemporary culture on some issues put them in the same category as, for example, groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, which dont merely oppose Israels existence but traffic in antisemitism? How can a federation pretend to speak for all Jews by treating the Orthodox as now morally equivalent to those actively engaged in trying to harm Jews?

The answer is that it cannot. While we are all free to choose to purchase goods from businesses that are aligned with our personal values, when groups that pretend to uphold Jewish unity start placing kosher bakeries in heremin much the same manner as an Amsterdam synagogue did to the great skeptic Baruch Spinoza in 1655then the Jews have much bigger problems than where to purchase cupcakes.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate). Follow him on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin.
(JNS)  Welcome to Apartheid.

That was the slogan on a placard brandished by a protester outside a home in Jerusalems Old City section, denouncing last weeks removal of illegal Arab squatters from the property.

On one level, it was just another ordinary real estate dispute, the kind that is heard in courts every day in every city in the world. Except that this one involves Arabs, Jews and racists who believe that Jews should not be allowed to live in mostly Arab neighborhoodslike the guy with the Welcome to Apartheid sign.

Thats rightthe same people who are try...
(JNS)  They say that diplomacy is the art of the possible. That is why, despite the conventional wisdom that Israel-U.S. relations have reached a dead end, the two sides can still find a way to move forward. There are even precedents for that.

In 2010, then-President Barack Obama demanded an immediate 10-month freeze of settlement activity in Judea and Samaria. Despite the misgivings in Jerusalem and the political headache this caused for the coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heeded that request, on the condition that there would not be an extension once the 10 months elapsed...
I have written before about how tough it has been for me to get used to the pace of things here in New Orleans. While publicity and television and the music might lead you to believe that New Orleans is one big party, it just is not so. When all is said and done, this remains at heart, a sleepy small Southern town.

Dependent on tourism as its life blood, the city also has had to contend with its threat of hurricanes and a number of problems brought upon themselves.

Lets start with this: The city itself is disappearing. For years, this low-lying city near the Gulf of Mexico prostituted it...
If weather can ever be a metaphor for emotion and feelings it certainly was so on the two days we visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camps.

On the first day, the weather was cold, damp, rainy and overall bleak. It mirrored perfectly the despondent, depressed and mournful emotions of remembering the Jewish victims of the most horrific attempt, and successful genocide of more than one third of the global and ninety percent of the European Jewish population.

Our second day visit started out with a tour of the Krakow ghetto, established by the Nazis in 1941, where approximately 20,00...
There is no doubt that India is the worlds largest democracy with 140 crore population, holding the distinction of being the fastest-growing major economy and making a giant leap to become the fifth largest economy by replacing the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that India will be the third largest economy in the world in his third term (2024-29). India, under the leadership of PM Modi has already embarked on a journey in the Amrit Kaal to become a developed nation by 2047. Undoubtedly, Modi would achieve what he has guaranteed. But, as a nation, are we honestly doing enough to contribute to this journey? No. It is startling that only 7,40,09,046 people filed income-tax returns in 2022-23. Yes, only about 7.40 crore assesses the total 140 crore population! Prime Minister Narendra Modi with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

According to official data presented in the Parliament, if only 5.3% of total inhabitants file ITRs, those who actually pay tax will be even less. It means that less than 5% of Indians are directly shouldering the burden of 140 crore fellow citizens in the nation-building exercise. Even if we take out roughly 75% of the population from tax liabilities factoring in children, elderly and the poor, the number of taxpayers should be ideally 35 crore. The present situation is not only deplorable but also unacceptable  firstly, on the principle of equity; and secondly, it does not gel with the PMs vision of making India the third largest economy after the US and China by 2029.

One is certainly intrigued by this ITR data of the Union finance ministry that was tabled in the Lok Sabha on July 24, 2023. Rich and industrial states -- Maharashtra and Gujarat  emerged as the top two states (in that order) in terms of number of people filing ITRs in 2022-23. (Returns filed in FY23 reflected the income in the previous fiscal year). While Maharashtra is credited with 1,13,91,610 (or about 1.14 crore) ITRs filed, Gujarat secured the number two position with just 74,50,672 (74 lakh). Surprisingly, Uttar Pradesh (UP) left other rich, prosperous and industrial states, to become number three with 71,65,746 (71.66 lakh) persons filing ITRs in FY23. Interestingly, despite the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka being more than UP, the total number of people filing ITRs in the two states was just 45.90 lakh and 42.58 lakh, respectively.

According to the data, barring Gujarat and Maharashtra, most of the economically well-off states lagged behind UP in terms of the total number of ITRs filed in FY23. For instance, the total number of ITRs filed for Telangana was 26,92,185 in FY23; Haryana 29,45,240; Kerala 19,73,551; Andhra Pradesh 21,65,161; Punjab 36,09,942; Rajasthan 48,48,031; Odisha 12,90,397; West Bengal 45,56,394; Madhya Pradesh 29,93,536; and Chhattisgarh 11,60,389. And, about 3.7 million (37,06,999 crore) people filed ITRs in the countrys capital (Delhi) in FY23.

The data is relevant because in states overall ranking, UP was below all these states, barring Delhi. The composite score of CareEdge Ratings first edition of State Ranking 2023 ranked UP 15th among the large states, placing it below Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Haryana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. According to CareEdge, an arm of CARE Ratings Ltd, it arrives at the overall rank of states by evaluating their performance across the seven pillars  economic (weightage 0.20), fiscal (0.15), financial inclusion (0.15), social (0.15), infrastructure (0.15), governance (0.10) and environment (0.10).

The comparative data show an interesting fact. People filing ITRs in prosperous Punjab (36 lakh)  a land of luxurious cars -- are far less than UP (72 lakh). Similarly, Indias power centre and the residence of the rich  Delhi has only 37 lakh people filing ITRs in FY23.

Tax evasion is not just a financial crime, it is a crime against society. Besides revenue losses to the exchequer, it puts an excessive tax burden on a very small percentage of the population, who are honest taxpayers. It is a legacy issue because bureaucrats always choose the easy way. They hound only those who file ITRs and non-fillers have so far escaped the tax net because the task is tedious for these babus and they are only driven by meeting the target. Imagine, 25% of the population is filing ITRs and most of them are paying income tax  this would not only make the country prosperous, but also distribute tax burden evenly among the assesses. As a result tax rates could be reduced substantially, meaning more disposable income in the hands of people to spend, leading to faster growth of the economy.

The government should resolve to reduce the tax rate by widening the tax net. It can be done without overreach, the need is to shun bureaucratic attitudes and approach the matter with a positive mindset. Instead of punitive actions and lengthy paperwork, the government may resort to incentives  for example, persons paying income-tax regularly for 25-30 years would be eligible for a life-long pension after a cut-off date. It could be called Gratitude to Taxpayer or some other fancy name. The amount of the pension can be determined on the basis of individuals contributions. A small portion of income-tax revenue can be collected in an investment fund or EPFO could be given the task to manage this Gratitude Fund. This will incentivise many people to join the tax net. Bureaucrats and policymakers may think of various other innovative schemes to incentivise taxpayers.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shishir Gupta Author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (2011, Hachette) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (2014, Hachette). Awarded K Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the 2011 Ben Gurion Prize by Israel. ...view detail
Turkey is one of the most popular medical tourism destinations, with hair transplant Turkey procedures becoming the most commonly sought-after service by foreigners. That is something that transpired seemingly overnight.

Doctors, medical staff, and hair transplant clinics in Turkey align with the most current practices and technologies to ensure high-quality hair transplant procedures for their clients. The concentration of these clinics is highest in Istanbul, the city many medical tourists visit every year.

The overview of hair transplant Turkey services

The medical sector in Turkey is advancing at a rapid pace. Everyone involved in it is passionate about medicine and helping people. Adopting the latest best practices and implementing new medical technologies have enabled hair transplant clinics in Turkey to become attractive to local patients and those from abroad.

One of the examples is Smile Hair Clinic, which has significantly helped establish Istanbul as a leading medical tourism destination on the map of Europe. Smile Hair Clinic is one of the most reputable hair transplant clinics in Turkey, specializing in hair transplant procedures. Many patients seeking hair loss treatments want to schedule with a hair transplant surgeon at this clinic.

The clinic was established back in 2018. Dr. Gokay Bilgin and Dr. Mehmet Erdogan are the clinics founders. These two doctors are known for their devotion to helping patients restore their natural hairline while pursuing advancements in hair transplantation.

Why choose Smile Hair Clinic

While the hair transplant cost and the hair transplant method are the two factors patients most commonly consider when choosing a clinic, Smile Hair Clinic has managed to cut through the noise by enhancing its offer.

The doctors and medical staff at the clinic have years of experience in FUE and DHI hair transplantation methods. The clinics facilities uphold the highest medical sanitization and patient safety standards. Located in a high-tech building and elegantly designed, Smile Hair Clinic has quickly become synonymous with excellence in hair transplantation operations.

The clinic currently has over 100 medical staff members, including doctors. Everyone working at the clinic is under continuous training to ensure all patients receive the best possible care. The ongoing training helps surgeons and their teams know how to best utilize new technologies and tools in helping patients restore natural looks pain-free.

Following the best practices, utilizing cutting-edge medical technologies and tools, and keeping staff well-trained are not the only factors to single out Smile Hair Clinic as one of the leaders in the field of hair transplant in Turkey. The clinics philosophy is to approach every patient individually.

Every patient is unique in terms of skin coloration, facial structure, and existing hair. Tending to every patient individually and developing customized treatment plans deliver the most satisfying long-term results.

The cost of hair transplant procedures is also a crucial factor during decision-making. Even though it offers next-level medical services, Smile Hair Clinic has managed to keep the prices attractive, especially for patients from Europe and the USA. The hair transplant cost in Turkey is 33% to 25% more affordable than getting transplanted hair at prestigious clinics in Europe or the USA.

Finally, the staff at Smile Hair Clinic knows how stressful it can be to organize and manage a trip to a foreign country, especially when someone is going for a delicate medical procedure such as a hair transplant. The chances are that the clinic has to thank its all-inclusive packages for its popularity.

Whats included in the packages offered by the clinic?

Smile Hair Clinic decided to put together an all-inclusive package to address the needs, wants, and concerns of patients from abroad.

Patients who choose the clinics services dont have to know anything about Istanbul to reach their destination. They also dont have to worry about looking for and booking accommodation during their stay in Turkey.

Hair Smile Clinic organizes airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-clinic transport for its patients. The clinic has also partnered with 4-star and 5-star hotels where patients can rest before and after the procedures.

The clinics hair transplant services also include all the needed medication. Patients receive all the meds they need before and after the hair transplant surgery, and its all included in the package.

Communicating effectively with a doctor is essential for the success of the hair loss treatment and helps patients feel relaxed and comfortable. To ensure everything goes smoothly, the clinic also provides patients with a language interpreter who can speak their mother tongue.

What are the services of Smile Hair Clinic?

Smile Hair Clinic, as the name implies, specializes in hair transplant and beard transplant surgeries. The medical staff performs hair transplant procedures using FUE hair transplants and the DHI method. After assessing the individual needs of every patient, the doctors decide the number of grafts and hair follicles needed for the procedure.

The doctors at the clinic no longer use the FUT hair transplant method. Instead, they rely on a revolutionary FUE or Follicular Unit Extraction method. Its significantly less invasive than FUT. This advanced method enables doctors to make grafts from the scalp. The procedure leaves no visible marks on the scalp and delivers natural-looking results.

To make their services even more patient-friendly, the doctors at the clinic implement sapphire blades technology. It enables them to make micro-incisions. That is an even more advanced FUE method that ensures excellent results with minimal trauma to the scalp.

As for other hair transplant techniques practiced at Smile Hair Clinic, patients can also undergo a DHI or Direct Hair Implantation procedure. This procedure differs from FUE as it enables doctors to extract and implant hair follicles simultaneously.

Conclusion

Turkey is one of the most popular medical tourism destinations worldwide, especially for hair transplant procedures. Clinics like Smile Hair Clinic offer hair transplant services for significantly less money than in the US and Europe.

However, there are other reasons many patients decide to go to Istanbul. The high-quality hair transplant services and holistic and individualized treatments render hair transplant clinics in Turkey highly sought-after.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
India, July 27, 2023: In a glitzy ceremony of the prestigious International Excellence Awards, Sernexuss, a leading immigration and study visa consultant in India, was recently recognised with the highly coveted Best Immigration and Study Visa Consultant in India as well as the International Excellence Award for the year 2022. This recognition further solidifies the company's position as a global leader in the immigration consultancy sector.

The International Excellence Awards celebrated outstanding individuals and organisations across various fields. The event's highlight was the presence of renowned Bollywood actor and philanthropist, Mr. Sonu Sood, who graced the occasion and presented the prestigious awards. In this august gathering, attended by notable members from various sectors, Sernexuss, led by Mr. Rahul Malhotra, stole the limelight and received multiple accolades for its exceptional immigration and study visa consultancy services.

Much like the renowned International Awards, the visa consultancy was also honoured at another sought-after award ceremony, The Global Business Awards. One of the highlights of the event was when none other than the beauty icon, Ms. Shilpa Shetty, presented Sernexuss with the esteemed Global Business Award for the Best Immigration Consultant in India. This indicates that the company's unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to providing seamless immigration solutions resonated with the esteemed jury panel.

Similarly, the accomplishments of Sernexuss did not go unnoticed by the renowned Business Outreach Magazine, which awarded the company with a certificate of appreciation for being the most innovative company of 2022. This recognition underscores Sernexuss' dedication to staying at the forefront of the industry, constantly adapting and introducing innovative solutions to serve their clients better.

Sernexuss success is also attributed to their strategic partnership with Mr. Sundeep Ari, a registered Canadian Immigration Consultant based in British Columbia. His expertise and genuine approach to providing authentic information and immigration pathways to Canada have significantly contributed to the company's success and client satisfaction.

Moreover, with a strong belief in transparency and effective mentoring, the company has positively impacted the lives of over 5,000 clients, helping them realise their dreams and converting their hard work into well-deserved recognition. The company's exceptional service and dedication have earned praise from both clients and industry experts alike.

A leading name in the immigration industry, Sernexuss offers a wide range of services, specialising in securing Permanent Residency in Canada and Australia, providing IELTS assistance, facilitating Job Seeker visas for Germany, arranging Work Permits for New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Europe, etc., guiding individuals through Study visa applications, and offering Business visa solutions. The companys transparent and secure process includes eligibility checks, while Sernexuss also assists with Spouse visas, Job Assistance, and Post-Landing services.

Additionally, the Immigration consultancy also provides customised services within the legal framework of immigration, helping individuals migrate for study, work, travel, or business purposes. The benefits include well-prepared applications, affordable access to professional services, step-by-step instructions, transparency, document evaluation, updated information on immigration laws, improved approval chances, and alerting clients to potential delays.

Aspiring immigrants should note that immigration consultants must streamline the process, ensuring a smoother and more successful immigration experience. Therefore, as a reputed visa consultancy, Sernexuss has come up with a list of key considerations that should be kept in mind when choosing immigration consultants. The following pointers are aimed at ensuring that you find genuine and trustworthy professionals who can help you achieve your immigration goals:

Market perception and reputation: Look for consultants with positive customer feedback and a good public image, as this indicates credibility and reliable customer service.

Look for consultants with positive customer feedback and a good public image, as this indicates credibility and reliable customer service. IRCC registration: Ensure that the consultants you choose are registered with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to ensure their legitimacy and expertise.

Ensure that the consultants you choose are registered with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to ensure their legitimacy and expertise. Awards, accreditations, licences, and certifications: Consultants affiliated with prestigious institutions demonstrate their commitment to professionalism and quality service.

Consultants affiliated with prestigious institutions demonstrate their commitment to professionalism and quality service. Success ratio: Research and inquire about the consultants' track record in successfully assisting clients with similar immigration services. Meeting with them and comparing their success rates can help gauge their effectiveness.

Research and inquire about the consultants' track record in successfully assisting clients with similar immigration services. Meeting with them and comparing their success rates can help gauge their effectiveness. Experience and longevity: Consider the consulting firm's experience and longevity in the industry, as reputable companies with several years of expertise are more likely to have the knowledge and resources to assist you effectively.

Finally, Sernexuss believes that it is crucial for governments and international organisations to acknowledge and respond to the changing dynamics of migration and that adequate policies and infrastructure are established to provide support for both migrants and host societies.

All in all, with its unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction, Sernexuss has remained at the forefront of its industry. As a trusted and dependable partner for individuals seeking immigration and study visa solutions, Sernexuss is poised to uphold its reputation and touch more and more lives with its excellent services.

For more information, please visit: https://sernexuss.com/ or https://sernexussedu.com

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
New Delhi (India): In today's digital age, Web Development has emerged as a highly sought-after skill, with businesses and individuals alike seeking to create engaging and user-friendly websites and applications. As the demand for web developers continues to grow, so does the availability of online courses dedicated to imparting the necessary skills and knowledge. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore some of the best Web Development courses available, equipping you with the insights to embark on your journey to becoming a proficient web developer. In your journey of becoming a web developer, we would highly recommend you go for online programs by various online course platforms like AlmaBetter. Its 6 months course will help you kickstart your career in Web Development and get the best pay with your dream job.

1. Full-Stack Web Development:

A Full Stack Web Development course is an excellent starting point for those who want to master both front-end and back-end development. These courses cover a wide range of technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end development and various server-side languages like Python, Ruby, or Node.js for back-end development. By learning AlmaBetters full-stack development, you'll gain a holistic understanding of Web Development, enabling you to build complete and functional applications.

2. Front-End Development:

Front-end development courses focus on the user interface and user experience aspects of Web Development. They delve deep into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, teaching you how to create visually appealing and interactive websites. Additionally, these courses often cover popular front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js, which are in high demand in the industry.

3. Back-End Development:

Back-end development courses concentrate on server-side programming and database management. You'll learn how to handle server requests, process data, and interact with databases to build dynamic web applications. Courses may cover server-side languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, or Node.js, along with databases like MySQL, MongoDB, or PostgreSQL.

4. Responsive Web Design:

In the mobile-first era, responsive web design is crucial for creating websites that adapt seamlessly to different devices and screen sizes. Responsive web design courses teach you how to create flexible and fluid layouts using HTML, CSS, and media queries. Understanding responsive design is essential to provide an optimal user experience across various devices.

5. Web Development with JavaScript Frameworks:

JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js have revolutionized Web Development, making it more efficient and scalable. Web Development courses that focus on these frameworks allow you to build interactive and feature-rich single-page applications (SPAs). If you're interested in modern Web Development trends, learning these frameworks is a must.

6. Web Accessibility:

Web accessibility ensures that websites and applications are usable by people with disabilities. It is a critical aspect of Web Development, and dedicated courses help you understand the importance of accessibility and how to implement best practices to create inclusive digital experiences for all users.

7. Web Security:

Web security is a top priority in the digital world as cyber threats continue to evolve. Web security courses educate you on best practices to protect websites from attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other vulnerabilities. Understanding web security is essential to safeguard sensitive user data and maintain the integrity of your applications.

8. DevOps for Web Developers:

DevOps practices aim to enhance collaboration between development and operations teams to improve software development and deployment processes. DevOps courses for web developers teach you how to automate tasks, use version control systems effectively, and work with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

9. Building E-commerce Websites:

For those interested in building online stores and e-commerce platforms, specialized courses on e-commerce Web Development can be highly beneficial. These courses cover topics such as integrating payment gateways, managing inventory, handling transactions securely, and implementing shopping cart functionalities.

10. Project-Based Courses:

Project-based Web Development courses provide hands-on experience by guiding you through real-world projects. By building practical applications, you can apply the concepts you've learned and create a portfolio that showcases your skills to potential employers.

The world of Web Development offers a plethora of opportunities for aspiring developers to master their craft and pursue fulfilling careers. Choosing the best Web Development courses that align with your goals and interests is a crucial step in your journey. Whether you're focusing on full-stack development, front-end or back-end specialization, responsive design, JavaScript frameworks, accessibility, security, DevOps, e-commerce, or project-based learning, remember that consistent practice, dedication, and passion are key to unlocking your full potential as a web developer. Embrace the learning journey, stay up-to-date with evolving technologies, and let your creativity and expertise shine through the websites and applications you build.

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 Student World Impact Film Festival, a prestigious event in the realm of media studies, has once again provided a remarkable platform for talented students to exhibit their exceptional works. With an impressive global reach, this year's festival attracted participants from 120 countries, each presenting their thought-provoking films to captivated audiences. Rahul Sasidharan's "Rajakumari" garners a special mention and prize.

Vaiga, the talented daughter of Sajeev Kallada and Shalini Sajeev, has been recognized with a special mention for her exceptional abilities as a child artist. Mr Sajeev Assumes Dual Leadership Roles in the SNDP and Youth Movement. Vaiga, a student at Shanthinikethan School in Erinjalakuda, is pursuing her studies in the tenth standard.

Vaiga, being a versatile performer, has garnered numerous accolades for her exceptional acting prowess exhibited in various cinematic productions. She is the recipient of the prestigious accolade for the most outstanding child actress in the year 2019, bestowed upon her by the esteemed Satyajit Ray Film Society, in recognition of her remarkable performance in the film titled 'Talking Toy'. Additionally, she was honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Prathibha Puraskar, a distinguished honour specifically designated for the most exceptional child artist, once again for her notable portrayal in the aforementioned short film. The film 'Rajkumari' is currently garnering significant critical acclaim and recognition for its effective portrayal of a socially pertinent subject matter. Vaiga's acting enhanced the thematic elements and effectively conveyed the intended message of the film to the audience. The entire crew of the film 'Rajakumari' deserves commendation for effectively shedding light on a significant social matter about women's empowerment and the politics surrounding the female body. Learn more - https://www.facebook.com/vaigasajeeve?mibextid=ZbWKwL

The film revolves around Neeraja's Struggle with an identity crisis stemming from her family's Beliefs. Neeraja's Struggle Takes center Stage in the film. Award-Winning Actor Vaiga Pursues Professional Dance Alongside Acting and is, known for her exceptional talent and accolades, including extensive training in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi under the tutelage of Guru Job Master and Kathakali and Mohiniyattam under the tutelage of Kalanilayam Gopinathan and Kalamnadalam Prajeesha, respectively. With a burning passion for dance, Vaiga aspires to pursue a professional dance career while continuing to shine in the world of acting.

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.
Days after a video of 70 year old lady weeping for her missing corn cart outside Cubbon park in Bengaluru went viral, it was handed over back to her on Wednesday. Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan intervened and said that sellers like her preserve culture, tradition and memories of Bengaluru. Bengaluru's 70 year old corn seller gets her seized cart back, after Twitter row

Also Read - Bengaluru police and BBMP launch QR codes for complaints and feedback. Details

Last week, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seized carts of many roadside hawkers for allegedly encroaching the footpaths with their carts. An activist named Priya Chetty Rajgop shared the plight of the old lady, who was spotted outside the Cubbon Park and worried about her missing cart. Priya shared the video and tweeted, This poor old lady has been selling Bhutta (corn) on a cart for the last 3 decades at Cubbon Park (MS Bldg entrance). Her cart was seized & thrown into BBMP truck on Saturday. Stil Comes to the park daily but has no food to eat. Please return her.

In the video, the woman said that her cart went missing and BBMP officials had taken it in a truck to clear the footpath outside Cubbon Park. The video took the internet by storm with netizens demanding the BBMP to return her cart.

On Wednesday, Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan said that her cart was returned to her by the civic body. He tweeted, Glad to share that BBMP has released the cart for the poor elderly lady who has been selling corn and other delicacies at Cubbon Park for the last three decades. We understand the significance of street food vendors like her in preserving culture, tradition, and memories.

He also said that vendors like her can continue doing their business without any disruptions. We must continue to value and uplift these hardworking individuals who bring so much to our city. Their commitment to their craft should be celebrated and protected. Let's ensure that street food vendors like her can continue to operate without unnecessary disruptions, he added.

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BJP's IT Cell chief Amit Malviya on Thursday took a swipe at the Congress government in Karnataka for "not having funds" for the MLAs to carry out development works in their constituencies. Amit Malviya was reacting to DK Shivakumar's statement that the Karnataka government cannot provide funds for development this year.

He was reacting to the statement of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who said on Wednesday the Congress government in the state cannot provide funds for development this year because of financial constraints caused due to implementation of its five poll guarantees.

ALSO READ | Limited funds for development of Karnataka this year: Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar

Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, had said an effort will be made to ensure that the party legislators, who have huge expectations, understand the situation and remain patient.

Some Congress MLAs are said to be miffed and have complained to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and party leadership that they have not been able to get work done in their constituencies, and also transfers (of government servants) as requested, and have expressed unhappiness regarding ministers, alleging non-cooperation.

ALSO READ | 'Slap on Cong's face': Tejasvi Surya after Karnataka HC stays proceedings against Amit Malviya in defamation case

Malviya tweeted, "Congress will ruin Karnataka. There is no sign of the 5 guarantees being implemented and now no development too."

He also alleged that the MLAs will have "no face" due to fund crunch.

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Chairing a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting here on Thursday, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said he has decided to address the grievances of legislators by holding monthly meetings in districts. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar during the Congress legislative party meeting. (PTI)

Siddaramaiah called the CLP meeting at a hotel after several legislators expressed concerns over non-implementation of development works in their constituencies.

At the meeting the chief minister made it clear to ministers that they should approve the recommendations made by MLAs regarding transfers of officials at the taluk/constituency level. Siddaramaiah told ministers to decide on transfer of officials at the district level.

A number of senior MLAs, including BR Patil, Basavaraj Rayaraddi, RV Deshpande, Vinay Kulkarni, and CS Nadagouda, had expressed their dissatisfaction with the functioning of many ministers and urged the chief minister to call a meeting of the CLP.

Addressing concerns about the release of funds for constituency development works, Siddaramaiah acknowledged that it was not possible to provide all the funds requested by MLAs due to the governments hefty expenditure on the implementation of five guarantees, which totalled nearly 50,000 crore. However, he assured legislators that funds would be released on a priority basis. Siddaramaiah urged ministers and legislators to not be misled by false information spread by the BJP and to act responsibly in public.

During the recently concluded Budget session of the state legislature, several Congress MLAs and MLCs voiced their discontent, attributing their inability to execute essential constituency work to the alleged non-cooperation of ministers.

A legislator requesting anonymity revealed that the grievances encompassed the halt of various ongoing projects, including roads, community and school buildings, bridges, drinking water schemes, housing, and the lack of sufficient funds to address the drinking water shortage.

Adding fuel to the fire, an alleged letter supposedly signed by 30 MLAs emerged, accusing state ministers of demanding money in exchange for sanctioning funds for constituency-related projects. The letter bears the letterhead of party MLA BR Patil.

However, a day before the CLP meeting, senior Congress leader and Aland MLA BR Patil called for a comprehensive inquiry into a different letter that had recently gone viral on social media.

The letter, purportedly signed by 11 MLAs, caught Patils attention, and he promptly brought the matter to the attention of the superintendent of police, Isha Pant, urging a thorough investigation.

Patil suspected some unscrupulous individuals may have manipulated his old letterhead to create an illusion of discord between him and the district in-charge minister for political gain.

Commenting on the CLP meeting, Congress minister Priyank Kharge attributed the controversy to the previous government. He pointed out that many MLAs were concerned that the previous BJP government had announced several projects without allocating adequate funds for their implementation.

The concern among the MLAs is that the last (BJP) government had announced several projects, but there are no funds for those projects. For example, in my RDPR (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj) department, several projects have been started. However, the former chief minister has not left money for these projects in the head of accounts. Similarly, each MLA is seeking similar matters to be discussed in the meeting. What is wrong with that? he said.

In response to deputy chief minister DK Shivakumars statement about the lack of sufficient funds for development works, Kharge emphasised that the issue revolved around the unscientific manner in which the BJP government announced projects.

Shivakumar on Wednesday stated that the Congress government might face challenges in providing funds for development this year due to financial constraints arising from commitments made under the five guarantees.

We have allocated 40,000 crore this year for the five guarantees, leaving limited funds for developmental projects, said Shivakumar, who also serves as the minister for water resources and Bengaluru city development.

Even in irrigation and public works, we cant give (funds for development). But expectations are high. Weve asked MLAs to hold on. We will explain this to them at the CLP meeting, Shivakumar had said.

Kharge clarified that the current government had only been in power for two months, and the projects announced were inherited from the previous administration.

Whatever projects were announced were done by the previous government. We have also set aside money for the scheme we have promised. We will present the budget in a few days; details of the budget, like the head of the account, will come. We will take a decision on which projects need to be given funds and which projects were unscientifically stated by the previous government. This will be discussed with the MLAs as well.
A Kalyana Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KKSRTC) bus driver refused to allow Muslim female students without burqa to board the bus at Kamalapur taluk bus stand in Kalaburagi district on Thursday, sparking outrage among netizens on social media, officials familiar with the developments said. A bus driver refused to allow Muslim female students without burqa to board the bus in Kalaburagi district (Agencies/Representative use)

According to eyewitnesses, a group of students, including female students wearing hijabs, were waiting to board a bus heading to Okali. However, the bus driver insisted that the female students wear burqa before boarding the bus.

The female students explained that they were headed to Okali and were merely seeking to travel to their destination, but the driver remained adamant, eyewitnesses said.

In response to the drivers discriminatory behaviour, the students decided to board a different bus heading to Okali village.

Later, the female students, aged 14 to 18, complained to their teachers, who inquired about the incident with the bus driver. The bus driver answered in a loud voice, officials said.

The video clip of the conversation was widely shared on social media.

The incident has sparked outrage among the public, drawing attention to the issue of discrimination based on religious attire.

Through social media, it has come to my notice, as someone forwarded a video clip of the incident, Bidar district KKSRTC divisional security inspector (DSI) H K Mallikarjuna told HT. He said that they have identified the bus driver as Mehaboob from Basavakalyan bus depot.

I visited the Kanakapura bus stand to investigate the issue and collected information and recorded statements of the bus conductor, students, and the general public. Prima facie, the driver is at fault. I will submit a report to KKSRTC divisional controller, and he will take disciplinary action, he added.

In another video clip, the victim student is heard saying that after seeing a hijab on her head, he asked her name. When she did not reveal her name, the driver is seen saying: If you are a Muslim, you should wear a burkha, only then I will allow you to board the bus.

According to government orders, wearing burqas is prohibited in schools. However, the recent Shakti scheme implemented by the Congress government offers free travel for girl students on government buses. The initiative aims to encourage female students education and empower them with better access to educational opportunities.
Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Navdeep Singh Jinda was allegedly attacked in Madhya Pradeshs Khandwa district on Wednesday night during his visit to the state, officials familiar with the matter said. (Representative Photo)

Jinda, who is the chairman of Sugarfed and minister of state in the government of Punjab, was on an official visit to Madhya Pradesh to strengthen AAPs base in the region ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Jinda was attacked by unknown miscreants outside a hotel in Khandwa, the goons also attacked his gunmen and damaged his vehicle, said Satyendra Shukla, superintendent of police (SP), Khandwa.

Following the incident, a first information report (FIR) was lodged at the Kotwali police station on Thursday morning based on the complaint filed by Jinda, added Shukla.

It was a political attack as we were holding meetings in the area. We were getting good response and thats why some local politicians planned this attack, Jinda claimed.

SP Shukla said the FIR has been registered under section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 294 (using obscene language) and 506 (criminal intimidation) against unidentified persons, adding that an investigation into the matter has been launched.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as eye flu, is rapidly spreading throughout the city, prompting health authorities to advise caution. The condition starts in one eye and can spread to the other eye within a few days. (HT Photo)

The ophthalmology departments at GMSH, Sector 16, GMCH, Sector 32, and other government hospitals are reporting a significant increase in patients, with up to 90% complaining of eye flu symptoms.

In just one week, as many as 1,186 patients have turned up with eye flu at GMSH-16  128 of them on Wednesday alone.

As per doctors,while this condition can affect individuals of any age group, older patients with weakened immunity and children are at a higher risk of contracting it.

Conjunctivitis is most often caused by a virus, but can also be caused by bacteria or allergy. It doesnt affect vision and mostly gets completely cured after running its course  up to a week.

According to Dr Sanjeev Sharma, head of the ophthalmology department, GMSH-16, eye flu symptoms comprise swelling of the conjunctiva and eyelids, excessive tear production, itching, irritation and a burning sensation in the eyes. It may also lead to crusting of the eyelids or lashes.

In some cases, it can accompany symptoms of a cold, flu or respiratory infection. Typically, the condition starts in one eye and can spread to the other eye within a few days. The eye discharge is usually watery rather than thick, Dr Sharma added.

While there is a prevailing misconception that eye flu can be transmitted solely by making eye contact with an infected individual, the primary mode of transmission is through direct contact with discharge from the eyes of an infected person.

He emphasised that individuals who were infected should refrain from self-medication and promptly seek medical attention from a doctor.

As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of eye flu, the eye operation theatre at GMSH has been temporarily closed, Dr Sharma said.

Shortage of eye drops adds to suffering

Amid the rising eye flu cases, the situation has become more distressing for the affected patients as the UT health department is facing shortage of eye drops and antibiotics required for treatment of the infection.

According to sources, the necessary medicine to treat this infection is currently unavailable at GMSH-16 OPD. As such, patients are being diverted to private chemist shops and being told to return to the doctors for verification. On the other hand, other eye-related medications are accessible and provided within the OPD.

Dr Sharma said they had sent a letter to the GMSH medical superintendent, demanding antibiotics specifically needed for treating this infection.

Dr VK Nagpal, medical superintendent, GMSH, on the other hand, said the medicine was present in the hospitals storage, but had not been stocked in the OPD for distribution.

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The Chandigarh University student, who was shot dead at his rented accommodation in Sarpanch Colony, Bhagomajra, Kharar, on July 16, was murdered by two former students of the varsity to avenge a violent restaurant brawl from last year, said police. Victim, Anuj Kumar, 21, a native of Bhiwani and a final-year student of computer science engineering at Chandigarh University (CU). (HT Photo)

Cracking the case in less than two weeks, police have arrested the accused, identified as Ujwal Bhardwaj, alias Ujji, a native of Bhiwani, and Karamdeep Sheoran, hailing from Hisar, said senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sandeep Garg on Thursday.

Both are aged 23 and have left the varsity after completing their courses.

The victim, Anuj Kumar, 21, was also a native of Bhiwani and a final-year student of computer science engineering at Chandigarh University (CU), Gharuan.

He had died after being shot five times in the cheek, chest, ribs and leg. His roommate, Praneet Sharma, 21, a native of Nagali village, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, was also shot in the leg, but had survived the attack. He is a third-year student of computer science engineering at CU.

Police have recovered two .32-bore pistols used in the crime and the motorcycle used by the accused to flee, along with two live cartridges.

Anuj and his friend Prince had reportedly beaten up Ujwal and Karamdeep during a scuffle at a restaurant in October last year. To avenge the assault, the duo reacheds Anujs house and shot him dead, while Prince was away, the SSP said.

Following the murder, various teams were formed under the supervision of SP (investigation) Amandeep Singh Brar, SP (rural) Manpreet Singh and DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu, he added.

During investigation, a CIA staff team, led by inspector Shiv Kumar, arrested the accused and recovered the weapons and motorcycle used in the crime.

The SSP added, Ujwal is already facing an attempt to murder case registered at Bhiwani. The two accused are former students of CU in some other department.

Police are on the lookout for the persons who supplied weapons to the duo.

Victim, his friend had beaten up accused in October

During police investigation, it came to light that the victim, Anuj, and his friend Prince had clashed with the accused, Ujwal and Karamdeep, at a restaurant in Kharar in October last year.

Ujwal had suffered a head injury in the scuffle. He and Karamdeep had lodged a police complaint at Kharar, but no action was taken despite their repeated representations.

Nursing a grudge, they started planning to avenge the assault, Prince being their primary target. They procured two pistols and carried out recce of Anujs accommodation. Sensing an opportunity on July 16, they rang the door bell, found Anuj home with his roommate and opened fire, killing the former and injuring the latter. Not present in the house, Prince escaped the attack.
Digging deeper into the work-from-home scam wherein a gang of online fraudsters duped several people of crores after offering them lucrative returns through fake remote jobs, police have arrested a total of nine gang members. The gang contacted the victims through Whatsapp and Telegram, offering lucrative online part-time jobs. (iStock)

With their arrest, police have cracked three cases of cyber crime, registered in June and July, while probe continues into a total of 181 similar complaints, where Chandigarh residents have lost 3.97 crore over the past few months.

The first three to be arrested were Sandeep Kumar Sangwan, 28, of Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, a commerce postgraduate; Rakesh, 28, also from Charkhi Dadri, a graduate; and Manish Rawat, 33, of Dayalpur, Delhi, a Class-12 pass-out.

Their arrest came following a probe into the complaint by Kawaljeet Singh of Sector 38, Chandigarh, who runs a travel agency. He had approached the police after being defrauded of 39.53 lakh by the gang and a case was registered on June 29. A total of 14 mobile phones, eight bank account kits, and five flex boards and seven stamps of shell firms were recovered from their possession.

The second case was registered on July 15. Here, police arrested five members of the same gang, including Aditya Sharma, 20, and Mahesh Sharma, 34, both residents of Madhya Pradesh; Raj Kumar Narang, 47, of Janakpuri, Delhi; Pratik Maingi, 35, of Vikaspuri, Delhi; and Mahesh Kumar, 35, of Kalkaji, Delhi.

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of a woman, who was cheated to the tune of 45.40 lakh through WhatsApp and Telegram links.

According to police, Narang also operated his module from Dubai for four months. Police recovered 10 mobile phones, two cheque books, six SIM cards, 11 stamps and two bounced cheques from the five accused.

The ninth gang member, Vishal Verma, 34, an arts graduate from Jodhpur, was arrested on the July 1 complaint of a woman, who lost 7.62 lakh to the fraudsters.

Modus operandi

As per police, the gang contacted the victims through Whatsapp/Telegram, offering lucrative online part-time jobs. They would share links of groups, which already had multiple members to gain the victims trust.

After offering them nominal profits for tasks such as liking social media posts, they would invite the victims to invest money for high returns. Once the victims transferred the money, they would remove them from the groups, SP Ketan Bansal said.

After duping the victims, the fraudsters invested the money in crypto currency in Dubai, China, Indonesia and Pakistan through various digital wallets.

Those arrested also opened shell trading companies for cheating and money laundering. We found 20 such shell companies, said A Venkatesh, DSP (Cyber).

Police said a few chartered accountants, employees of reputed private banks and advocates were also involved in the scam.

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Despite vigorous push from the UT administration, electric vehicle (EV) penetration remains quite low in Chandigarh. In the past five years, electric vehicles accounted for less than 1% of all vehicles sold in Chandigarh. (HT File)

In the past five years, EVs accounted for less than 1% of all vehicles sold in the city. This information was shared by Union minister of state for heavy industries Krishan Pal Gurjar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

In response to queries about promoting EVs, Gurjar shared that of the total 8,43,049 vehicles registered in Chandigarh since 2018, only 7,628 were EVs as of July 21, 2023, representing a mere 0.90%.

Of the total 8,43,049 vehicles registered in Chandigarh since 2018, only 7,628 were EVs as of July 21, 2023.

Among UTs, Delhi was placed on the top, boasting of 2.71% EV penetration, followed by Chandigarh, while the national average stands at 0.81%.

The UT administration had introduced its EV Policy in September 2022, aiming to make Chandigarh a model EV city with a high penetration of zero-emission vehicles within five years.

During this period, the administration plans to gradually stop registering fuel-run vehicles to dissuade people from buying vehicles that cause pollution.

Public infrastructure lacking

However, in terms of public infrastructure, currently, Chandigarh has only eight charging stations with 48 charging points that were set up in 2018 under Centres Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme.

Under the UT policy, EV owners charging their vehicles at home pay domestic power rates, while those charging at public stations are charged 8 per unit for slow or medium charging, 10 per unit for fast charging and 11 per unit for battery swapping.

The administration is in the process of upgrading these charging stations at a cost of 3.2 crore to lower the charging time. Following the upgrade, that is expected to take six months, an electric car will be fully charged in around 1 hour, compared to the current eight hours.

Similarly, electric two-wheelers that are currently charged in three hours at these stations will be ready for use in 18 minutes after the revamp.

Sukhwinder Singh Abrol, the project director of Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST), said after obtaining clearances from the UT administrator, the work will begin within two weeks under the supervision of a Rajasthan-based agency.

Furthermore, the administration has started the work to install eight more charging stations at different locations.

As part of the EV policy, UT plans to increase the number of public charging stations to 100 by 2024. All petrol stations will have to set up EV charging stations. If there is inadequate space, owners will make necessary arrangements for installing the charging stations in the nearby parking area.

Ranjiv Dahuja, president of the Federation of Chandigarh Region Automobile Dealers, said alongside their efforts to promote EVs, the administration should also focus on creating public awareness about using charging stations effectively.

Incentives of little help?

To promote EVs, the administration has waived registration fee and road tax for five years, while owners of vehicles running on conventional fuels have to pay both. The benefit has been extended to hybrid vehicles too.

Also an incentive ranging from 3,000 to 2 lakh is being offered for up to 42,000 vehicles of different categories, including 25,000 e-cycles, 10,000 e-bikes and 3,000 e-cars, purchased between September 20, 2022, and September 19, 2027.

The incentive is available for EVs bought anywhere across the country, but only permanent residents of Chandigarh are eligible for it.

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Police have arrested the owner of a chemist shop for allegedly pointing a pistol at a business rivals daughter in Phase 10. Mohalis Phase 11 SHO inspector Naveen Pal Singh Lehal said the CCTV footage clearly showed the accused brandishing a pistol while using obscene gestures at the woman. (Getty image)

Identified as Nirmal Singh Kanda, the chemist is also accused of using obscene gestures and abuses towards the woman.

His sons, Sant Singh Kanda and Jaskaran Singh Kanda, along with another accomplice, Naresh Kumar, have also been booked. They are at large.

The complainant in the case, Harbinder Singh Bindra, runs a chemist shop adjoining that of Kanda in Phase 10.

Providing CCTV footage to the police, he alleged that on July 21, his daughter was sitting at the shop, when Nirmal, along with his sons and Naresh, used obscene gestures, foul language and brandished a pistol at his daughter to threaten her.

Phase 11 SHO inspector Naveen Pal Singh Lehal said the CCTV footage clearly showed Nirmal brandishing a pistol while using obscene gestures at the woman.

Nirmal and his accomplices have been booked under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 294 (obscene acts and songs), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 25/30 of the Arms Act.

Nirmal was arrested on Tuesday and on Wednesday produced before a court that sent him to 14-day judicial custody.

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The local police have book a contractor and his aide for allegedly leaving an ailing labourer, working for him, in a public part instead of taking him to hospital, leading to his death. Contractor leaves ailing labourer to die in park in Ludhiana. (HT FILE)

The locals noticed the labourer in a park at Partap Colony and rushed him to civil hospital for treatment in an ambulance, where he died.

After his death, the Division number 5 police booked labour contractor Kahan Singh of Rishi Nagar in Ludhiana and his aide, who is yet to be identified.

The FIR has been lodged on the statement of one Mukesh Kumar of Jawahar Nagar, stating that he came to know that the contractor had deployed some labourers in razing a building in Shakti Nagar area. He said that a labourer working there fell ill and fainted.

The contractor along with his aide took the ailing worker in an auto stating that he is taking him to hospital. The complainant said that instead of taking the victim to the hospital, the accused left him in a park near Geeta Mandir in Partap Colony and fled.

The locals noticed the labourer and rushed him to the hospital. While undergoing treatment, the man died in the hospital.

Head constable, Rakesh Kumar, who is investigating the case, said that after investigating the case, the police lodged an FIR under sections 304A (causing death due to negligence) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC. A hunt is on for the arrest of the accused.

The police are trying to identify the victim, so that his body could be handed over to his family.

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Former member of Parliament Pawan Kumar Bansal has urged UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit to withdraw all notices issued to occupants of tenements in rehabilitation colonies. Tracing the history of tenement allotment to migrant labour, Former member of Parliament Pawan Kumar Bansal highlighted its purpose in rehabilitating those residing in ramshackle slums across Chandigarh. (Getty image)

He also called for granting ownership rights, except when occupants lack proof of linkage with the original allottee, such as general power of attorney (GPA), will or other property transfer documents.

Tracing the history of tenement allotment to migrant labour, Bansal highlighted its purpose in rehabilitating those residing in ramshackle slums across the city. In October 1979, the Chandigarh Allotment of Low-Cost Tenements on Lease and Hire Purchase Basis Scheme, 1979 was introduced to provide a sense of belonging to occupants of low-cost tenements.

Bansal recalled that in 2012, the UT administration initiated steps to regularise and grant ownership rights to various allottees/transferees in different rehabilitation colonies. The need for regularisation arose as the transferees, who purchased tenements from original allottees belonged to economically weaker sections (EWS) of society.
Ganga Sarni Bisht, 56, has emerged as a pioneer of natural farming in Himachal Pradeshs tribal district of Kinnaur. An M.Phil in Hindi, she was a teacher in Delhi before she decided to return to her roots and has now become a role model for women in the field of natural or zero-budget farming. Ganga Sarni Bisht, 56, has emerged as a pioneer of natural farming in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. An M Phil in Hindi, she was a teacher in Delhi before she decided to return to her roots and has become a role model for women in natural farming. (HT Photo)

Gangas transformation began in 2013 when she discovered the growing demand for chemical-free produce in the bustling markets of Delhi. Determined to eliminate chemicals from her farming practices, she embarked on a quest for alternatives. This led her to the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) technique. Attending a training session conducted by Palekar, a Padma Shri awardee, at Kufri in Shimla district in 2018, Ganga was armed with knowledge that would change her life forever.

Also read: Himachal monsoon: 3 missing after pick-up truck falls into Sutlej in Kinnaur

With the support of her husband, Sushil Negi, a former Air India officer, Ganga adopted the SPNF technique on a trial basis. Buoyed by the success, she expanded its implementation across their 10-bigha land, including the barren patches. Initially, Ganga faced resistance from her in-laws, but she persevered and gained the freedom to farm in her innovative way. Alongside her husband, who took voluntary retirement six years earlier, Ganga dedicated herself to natural farming on six bighas. Their diversified crops, including beans, barley, peas, radish, carrot, beetroot, coriander, capsicum, garlic, and apple orchards, spanning 5 bighas, yielded fruitful results, with an annual income of 2.5 lakh from crops and seed savings of 5,000.

Reduces input cost

A significant benefit of adopting natural farming principles was the considerable reduction in farm expenditure. Ganga said her expenses have fallen from 12,000 to 3,000 per 6 bigha.

Her success story goes beyond financial gains. Embracing a mixed-farming approach allowed her to harvest and sell crops throughout the year, securing a loyal customer base, even in advance for marriages, due to the freshness and taste of the produce. Today, Ganga is inspiring other women make the shift to natural farming. Through her association with the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana, she got the knowledge to prepare inputs at home and gained independence from the market. Her husband secured an outlet at Tapri for selling natural produce.

In a bid to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the dependence on chemical inputs, the Himachal Pradesh government introduced the Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y) five years ago. Initially, 2,669 farmers adopted natural farming and now 1.65 lakh farmers are practising it. Of them, more than 60% are women farmers. At present, the total area under natural farming in the state is 19,915 hectares.

Women farmers in their field at Kilba village in Kinnaur district. (HT Photo)

Climate-resilient techniques

This programme encourages non-chemical, low-cost, and climate-resilient natural farming techniques with a focus on enhancing the farmers incomes.

Nearly all panchayats in Himachal Pradesh have adopted natural farming models.

Natural farming discourages the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and relies on farm inputs derived from desi cow urine and dung, along with locally sourced leaves. This low-cost approach is not only in harmony with nature but also ensures the production of chemical-free and nutrient-rich crops.

We are working on a business model for natural produce. We will consolidate the number of farmers practising natural farming and simultaneously increase the area under it, says state project director, PK3Y, Himas Negi.

The scheme focuses on capacity building of farmers, particularly small and marginal ones, through regular contact and advisories on natural farming techniques.

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The Gurdaspur police have busted a Jammu and Kashmir-linked narco module being operated from the United States (US) with the arrest of three of its members, including a woman, in Paniar village. The arrested persons in Gurdaspur on Thursday. (HT photo)

With the arrest of the accused, the police have recovered 18-kg heroin from their car in which they were travelling from Srinagar to Amritsar.

The accused have been identified as Vikramjit Singh, alias Vicky, and Sandeep Kaur, alias Harman, of Sangrur, and Kuldeep Singh, alias Kala, of Mansa.

Gurdaspur senior superintendent of police Harish Dayama said their preliminary investigation has found that the arrested accused had been in contact with one Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, presently living in the US, for the smuggling of heroin from J&K to Punjab.

The SSP said, A team comprising assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Aditya S Warrier and deputy superintendent of police (DSP-NDPS) Sukhpal Singh had stopped a Swift Dzire car (PB-31-1679) near the Paniar Sugar Mill. During checking, 18 packets of heroin were found lying under the car seats.

He said, During questioning, the accused told us that the heroin was kept inside their car by an unidentified aide of Mandeep during their stay in Srinagar.

A case under Sections 21-C and 25-61-85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the arrested accused at Dinanagar police station.

Meanwhile, a senior police official, who wished not to be named, said, The accused have told us that the consignment was to be smuggled to Amritsar. This was not their first attempt of smuggling and they had earlier smuggled four to five consignments from J&K to Amritsar and Tarn Taran areas.

He said, The packets bear 999 mark, suggesting that the heroin might be smuggled from Pakistan. Earlier too, such packets with similar marking were recovered and the investigation found that they were smuggled from Pakistan.

The official, who is also a part of the investigation, said the accused woman, who is married and friend of Vicky, had recently returned from Croatia. She was hired in the module to deceive the police from checking.

The SSP said their investigation to find if the heroin was smuggled from Pakistan was still on. According to police, accused Kala is already facing two criminal cases.

Earlier in June, the Gurdaspur police busted a module linked to J&K and recovered 40 lakh drug money from five members of the group.


High drama took place outside the house of Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh in Sector 79 after vegetable vendors, who were stopped by MC from running a vegetable market in Sector 78, staged a protest by setting up their stalls there. Raising slogans, the vendors took out a march and gheraoed the municipal corporation office in Sector 68, Mohali, where they met civic body secretary Ranjeev Kumar. (Getty image)

Led by Balwinder Singh Kumbra, the farmers said their livelihood was solely dependent on the vegetable market, but the civic body was not allowing them to sell produce daily.

Later, raising slogans, the vendors took out a march and gheraoed the MC office in Sector 68, where they met MC secretary Ranjeev Kumar. Heavy police force was deployed at the office to control the situation.

Kumar said the civic body had allowed vegetable market in Sector 78 only once a week on Monday to help farmers sell their produce directly to residents. However, the vendors were setting up their stalls daily.

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Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal sent back the proposed tender for the construction of a community centre in Sector 19 at a whopping 6.16 crore for re-examination during a meeting of the finance and contract committee (F&CC) of the municipal corporation (MC). Panchkula mayor Kulbhushan Goyal raised objection against the cost of the  6.16 crire-tender for a community centre in Sector 19. (HT File)

The mayor raised objection against the cost of the tender during the meeting held on Tuesday.

The tender for the construction of the community centre, which includes the installation of fire fighting equipment, boundary wall and gate, was placed before the committee for approval.

Besides this, another tender for stormwater drainage in Sector 19 at a cost of 2.15 crore was also sent back to the public health department for re-examination due to technical flaws.

The F&CC approved the proposal to replace all street lights of the city with smart LEDs at a cost of 9.90 crore. The proposal will be sent to the urban local bodies (ULB) department for technical approval.

Goyal said the street lights will be converted to LEDs under the Divya Nagar Scheme, under which, half of the amount will be borne by the ULB department.

A company has already been selected by the state government to buy LEDs. It will have command and control management system panels. All smart lighting systems will operate from one place, said Goyal.

A survey of the total street lights and dark spots in the city was conducted, and on this basis, a total of 18,500 LED lights will be installed in Panchkula.

During the meeting of the committee, a 1.39-crore budget was approved for the recarpeting work of Sector 4 internal roads, along with 1.40 crore for running and maintenance of toilets in markets and other areas of the city.

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. Raj Jit (53) was dismissed from service in April and is facing a vigilance bureau probe also into assets allegedly amassed by him by selling narcotics.

A Punjab and Haryana high court bench on Thursday reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea from sacked assistant inspector general (AIG) Raj Jit Singh Hundal, an accused in a drugs smuggling case.

It was on July 21 that a Mohali court had dismissed his anticipatory bail plea filed in respect of June 12, 2017 FIR in which he has been roped in as an accused. He had approached the high court on July 25.

Raj Jit (53) was dismissed from service in April and is facing a vigilance bureau probe also into assets allegedly amassed by him by selling narcotics.

After hearing arguments from his counsels, the bench of justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Harpreet Kaur Jeewan reserved the order on the plea.

The plea alleges that he has been roped in belatedly in a manner which is unknown to law and therefore there are serious apprehension of being arrested by violating the procedure established under law. There had been a tug of war between various sets of high-ranking officials in Punjab Police, which had led to a grave chasm percolating from the top to the bottom. It is a matter of grave concern that factionalism in Punjab Police had stooped to the lowest level, it alleges adding that he was being made a scapegoat in the tug of war between two factions of the state police, it claims.
A delegation of the Punjab BJP on Thursday met governor Banwarilal Purohit here on the flood issue, highlighting that the Aam Aadmi Party government allegedly failed to take measures on time despite warnings of heavy rainfall to prevent losses suffered by farmers. The Punjab BJP delegation, led by state unit chief Sunil Jakhar (centre), after meeting governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh on Thursday. (Keshav Singh/HT)

The delegation was led by state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar.

We have requested the governor that answers should be sought from this government so that the people of Punjab come to know how because of negligence on part of the AAP dispensation, the heavy losses caused due to floods could have been prevented, Jakhar told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan after meeting the governor.

Floods do cause losses, but more loss was suffered due to the negligence of the AAP government, he said, adding the government failed to handle the situation.

Jakhar also alleged that the government did not take necessary measures, including cleaning of drains and strengthening of embankments that led to the flooding.

In many areas, the danger looming large is the outbreak of diseases, the BJP leader said, adding the Bhagwant Mann government should wake up from its slumber and take necessary measures.

He said 218 crore had been released by the Centre for relief measures.

Jakhar said fields in many areas in the state are still waterlogged, where sowing of crops is not possible.

He said the AAP government should give interim relief to the farmers, whose fields are still submerged, and compensate those who have suffered crop loss due to recent floods caused by heavy rains.
A delegation of Punjab BJP on Thursday met Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit at his residence and urged him to force the state government to ensure immediate interim relief reaches all those impacted by the recent floods. A delegation of the Punjab BJP, including party state chief Sunil Jakhar, meets state governor Banwarilal Purohit regarding the flood issue in the state, in Chandigarh on Thursday. (ANI)

Led by Jakhar, the delegation also handed over a demand letter to the governor. Despite warnings of heavy rainfall, the AAP government failed to take steps to prevent huge losses caused by the floods, state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar claimed.

He said a memorandum was submitted to the governor asking him to direct the Bhagwant Mann government to fulfil its Constitutional duty and be answerable to people of Punjab.

A number of Punjabis have been left to fend for themselves by the government, while their houses and fields are inundated by flood waters, Jakhar said in the memorandum.

On the flood issue, Jakhar alleged that the government failed to take necessary measures, including cleaning of drains and strengthening embankments, that led to the flooding.

In several areas, there is a looming danger of the outbreak of diseases, the BJP leader said, adding the government should wake up from its deep slumber and take necessary measures.

He said 218 crore were released by the Centre for relief measures in Punjab and the Union government is willing to extend all possible help to the state in this hour of crisis.

Jakhar said several fields in the state continue to remain waterlogged and sowing of crops was not possible.

He said the AAP government should give interim relief to the farmers whose fields are still submerged and also compensate those who have suffered crop loss due to the floods caused by heavy rains. The government should not escape from its responsibility, Jakhar said.

Jakhar said as per the latest reports, majority of the districts of the state are still badly affected by floods which lays bare any claim of planning by the AAP dispensation.

The Punjab BJP chief also touched upon the revenue officials going on a pen-down strike, demanding an apology from a ruling AAP MLA for allegedly misbehaving with a tehsil office staff recently.

...One can only imagine the state of affairs of this government while the CM leads his ministers in well-curated photo ops, which have now crossed all limits of insensitivity at this grave hour, he said.

Apart from Jakhar, the delegation comprised of Kewal Singh Dhillon, Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, Parminder Brar, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Arvind Khanna, Balbir Sidhu, Amanjot Kaur Ramuwalia, Jai Inder Kaur, Dr Subhash Sharma, Rakesh Rathore and Raj Kumar Verka.

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The Union ministry of health and family welfare through an official letter has advised the PGIMER director to release an advertisement to select a new candidate for deputy director administration (DDA). The Union ministry of health and family welfare through an official letter has advised the PGIMER, Chandigarh, director to release an advertisement to select a new candidate for deputy director administration. (HT File)

Currently, Kumar Gaurav Dhawan is serving as PGIMER DDA. He joined the institute on November 14, 2019. Last year the ministry of health and family welfare requested extension of his tenure. After which Dhawan received one-year extension from his parent organisation the Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs.

Before joining PGIMER, Dhawan was additional commissioner, CGST, sub-commissionerate, Mohali. He will be completing four years of his tenure in PGI by November 2023.

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: Veterinary council of India has established a committee headed by Inderjeet Singh, vice chancellor of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana for modernising veterinary education in India. Veterinary experts during a meeting at the varsity on Thursday. (HT PHOTO)

The committee, comprising field professionals including dean of the College of Veterinary Science and the dean of postgraduate studies. This committee conducted a series of brainstorming sessions with faculty members from various departments. The primary objective of these meetings was to design a minimum standard of veterinary education in India for a competency-based, practical-oriented, and future-ready curriculum.

Inderjeet Singh highlighted the significance of making the curriculum future-ready to address the dynamic challenges in animal healthcare and welfare. The proposed changes aim to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the veterinary profession.

Singh advocated the necessary realignment of the courses to interlink the knowledge and training imparted by basic, para-clinical, and clinical departments and remove the obsolete theoretical teachings. He wished that the revised curriculum should meet the highest standards of excellence in veterinary education and align with various stakeholders expectations, including students, educators, and industry professionals.

Sarvpreet Singh Ghuman, dean, College of Veterinary Science, stated that with the evolving landscape of veterinary services, there is a growing demand for graduates who can identify innovative solutions, start their ventures, and contribute to the growth of the veterinary industry.

Dean of postgraduate studies Sanjeev Kumar Uppal emphasised the need to equip veterinary graduates with practical skills and competencies that align with the latest technological advancements and emerging trends.

As the committee progresses with the curriculum revision, it intends to actively engage with key industry players, experts, and students to gather comprehensive insights and perspectives. The updated curriculum is expected to be implemented in the upcoming academic year, heralding a new era of competency-driven and entrepreneurial-focused veterinary education.
In the second such case in 10 days, a woman rammed her car into the shutter of a closed showroom, injuring two persons and shattering glass doors, in Sector 22-C on Wednesday morning. Chandigarh Police impounded the Tata Tiago and booked its driver, identified as Jaspal Kaur, a resident of Sector 22, on the complaint of the showroom owner, Gagneet Singh. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Police impounded the Tata Tiago and booked its driver, identified as Jaspal Kaur, a resident of Sector 22, on the complaint of the showroom owner, Gagneet Singh.

Police said Kaur, a housewife who lives opposite the Sector 22-C market, was parking her car in front of the Lenskart showroom after dropping her child at a local school.

Two employees were about to open the shutter of the shop around 8 am, when Kaur lost control of the car and reversed it into the showroom at a high speed.

The impact of the collision left the showrooms shutter completely mangled, while both employees suffered minor injuries on legs and feet. An LED TV inside the shop, along with spectacles and glass doors, were also damaged, the while cars rear windshield was smashed.

An employee at the shop said after the accident, Kaur drove her car out of the shop in haste.

Police eventually traced the driver and seized her car. She was booked under Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of 50) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code at the Sector 17 police station.

Sub-inspector Surinder Kumar said since the showroom owner lodged a formal complaint only later in the evening, the accused was yet to be arrested.

Earlier on July 16, a 25-year-old woman had rammed her Mahindra Thar into the house of a retired IAS officer, Inderjeet Singh Sandhu, in Sector 8 C, damaging two cars, a pillar and a portion of the front wall.

In this matter, police had only lodged a DDR, as both parties had reached a compromise eventually.
The Uttarakhand Police have attached the house of an absconding accused in the alleged patwari/lekhpal and assistant engineer/junior engineer paper leak case. Representational images.

The police attached the house of accused Anil Kumar in Manduwala village under Fatehpur police station in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

A team from Kankhal police station last month had warned some of the accused that their properties will be seized if they dont surrender. Notices were sent to the houses of the accused as per court order. Fearing action, one of the accused Brijpal surrendered but Anil Kumar was still on the run. Our team went to his house in Saharanpur to attach the property as a stern message to all absconding accused, Haridwar senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh said.

We adopted a zero-tolerance policy against culprits who played with the future of youth and arrested over three dozen accused. We also sealed the properties acquired by them illegally, the SSP added.

On May 1, a special investigation team (SIT) of the Haridwar Police had filed a charge sheet in a local court against 96 accused in connection with the alleged paper leak case. Those charge-sheeted included 75 candidates who used unfair means to pass the examination.

On April 7, the SIT filed a charge sheet against 60 accused, including 40 students, in connection with the case.

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The Delhi Police on Thursday morning arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly stabbing his 42-year-old jeweller employer in Karol Bagh area of central Delhi on Wednesday night. For representational purposes only.

Sanjay Kumar Sain, the deputy commissioner of police (central), said they received a PCR call at the Karol Bagh station around 10.45pm on Wednesday regarding a stabbing incident on the third floor of a house in Beadanpura area.

The police team immediately reached the spot and found a person, later identified as Pratap Jadhav, lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. The deceased hailed from Ghoti village in Sangli district of Maharashtra. Forensic teams were later called to inspect the crime scene, he said.

During enquiry, it was found that the deceased ran a business of supplying gold to jewellers in the area. The police recovered 39.50 lakh in cash from the place. Four suspects were seen near the crime scene in the CCTV footage analysed by the police. Upon further verification, it emerged that of them, two were employees of the deceased and they have been identified as Ganesh Kumar and Sudeep Kamble. Kamble, a resident of Tikota village in Vijayput district of Karnataka, has been arrested, while the other three are still at large. Several teams have been deployed to nab the other suspects, Sain said.

Sain added that during the interrogation, Kamble also revealed that they hatched a conspiracy to kill Jadhav as he always used to scold all his employees.

A case of culpable homicide amounting to murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been lodged at Karol Bagh police station, he added.
In three separate interstate operations this week, Delhi Police arrested nine peddlers from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and recovered nearly one kilogram of heroin worth more than 1 crore, police officers aware of the matter said on Thursday. The operations took place in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. (Representational Image)

According to Ravindra Singh Yadav, the special commissioner of police (crime), in the first operation, a man identified as Imran Khan alias Sahil, 20, was arrested from west Delhis Khayala with 269 grams of heroin. During questioning, Khan revealed that he obtained the contraband from Mohammad Anwar, 28, and Mohammad Mehboob, 29, both residents of Visaratganj village in Uttar Pradeshs Bareilly district. As a result, raids were conducted in Virasatganj, and both were apprehended there, he said.

In the second operation, the anti-narcotics task force (ANTF) of the crime branch arrested three people, Mohammad Toheed, 25, Junaid Khan, 28, and Mohammad Ayas, 22, all residents of Bareilly, from a location near Delhis Ajmeri Gate, and 340 grams of heroin was seized from their possession. They all used to work in a slipper company in Ajmeri Gate, and they adopted this illegal vocation for money. After questioning Ayas, we learned about another suspect involved in this case in Bareilly. A trap was set, and the suspect, Sakeb Khan, 28, was arrested from Sirauli in Bareilly, he said.

In the third operation, Yadav said that a tip was received that two women drug traffickers would arrive at a spot near Shiv Mandir in the Mubarakpur Dabas area of northwest Delhi. A raid was conducted there, and two women, Shobha, 31, and Poonam, 28, were arrested with 310 grams of heroin. Theyre both sisters who have been in the drug business for the last three years, he said.

He added that between January 1 and June 30 of this year, Delhi Police recovered approximately 40 kg of heroin, 15 kg of cocaine, more than 2,000 kg of marijuana and over 275 kilograms of opium.
Just when the Capital is experiencing a significant rise in the detection of mosquito larvae, the union of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)s domestic breeding checkers (DBCs), who are public health department workers deployed to combat the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Delhi, has threatened to go on a general strike beginning July 31. The union seeks payment of pending salaries, regularisation of their services, and other benefits as permanent municipal employees. The public health department uses domestic breeding checkers to detect mosquito breeding sites, control mosquitos with larvicide and fogging, and raise public awareness about vector-borne diseases. (AFP)

According to Devanand Sharma, who heads the Anti Malaria Ekta Karamchari Union, the DBCs have been working as contractual employees for more than 28 years, and the authorities have repeatedly promised to make them regular employees, but this has never happened. We are facing a salary gap of two to three months. Several letters were sent to the commissioner and mayor, but no action was taken. The written assurances made after our last strike in March 2022 to accommodate us as MTS (multi-tasking staff) workers have also been reneged on, Sharma said.

The public health department uses DBCs to detect mosquito breeding sites, control mosquitos with larvicide and fogging, and raise public awareness about vector-borne diseases.

The unions letter to mayor Shelly Oberoi and commissioner Gyanesh Bharti says the strike will begin on July 31, 2023, with a protest demonstration outside the Civic Centre on Minto Road.

MCD did not respond to a request seeking comment.

The three former corporations had over 3,500 DBCs, with approximately 1,350 DBCs working with SDMC, 1,535 with North MCD, and 710 for EDMC.

The DBC union claims that even though they have been working with MCD since 1996 when a large outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases occurred, they are still treated as daily wage labourers.

The number of potential mosquito breeding sites has increased with the city experiencing flooding and waterlogging over the last two weeks.

According to MCDs action taken report on vector-borne diseases, issued on Monday, 16,582 houses were found to have mosquito larvae in the previous week. The number has increased significantly, with 12,495 sites detected in the weekly cycle ending on July 15, 8,889 sites detected in the weekly cycle ending on July 8 and 8,742 in the cycle ending on July 1. Between July 8 and July 22, the number of such mosquito breeding sites detected by DBCs nearly doubled.

The current level of dengue cases is the highest in six years. Compared to the 187 dengue cases reported between January 1 and July 22, 2023, the city reported 159 cases in 2022, 47 cases in 2021, 28 in 2020, 34 in 2019, and 49 in 2018. However, MCD officials attribute the increase to the disease being declared notifiable last year, resulting in better reporting from healthcare institutes.

Meanwhile, MCD announced on Thursday that a special drive was conducted in mosquito breeding hotspots, during which 108,729 premises were checked, mosquito breeding was detected in 1,769 locations, and 620 legal notices were issued to the owners.

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The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Thursday notified the new solar policy for Lutyens Delhi area, which the civic body oversees, while also granting a 1% increase in the transfer duty on the sale and purchase of properties in the New Delhi area. The civic body passed the increase of transfer duty from the existing 2% to 3% in the case of females and third genders and an increase from 3% to 4% in the case of males, with effect from August 1, 2023. (HT Archive)

After incorporating the public feedback, the civic body approved the solar policy that targets to promote grid-connected solar plants in New Delhi to meet its electricity needs and export surplus electricity into the distribution grid.

In another policy approval granted by the council, the sale and purchase of properties in New Delhi will invite an additional 1% transfer duty. The civic body passed the increase of transfer duty from the existing 2% to 3% in the case of females and third genders and an increase from 3% to 4% in the case of males, with effect from August 1, 2023.

An NDMC official said that the government of Delhi has already notified the increase in the rate of transfer duty in MCD areas. NDMC has decided to execute similar rates to bring parity with MCD rates. Once the new rates are implemented, NDMC is expected to generate additional revenue of 18-20 crore annually, the official said.

The NDMC Act permits the council to levy duty on the transfer of property not exceeding 5%. Transfer duty is part of the stamp duty and a registration fee levied by the revenue department on the total sale amount on a property acquired through a gift, conveyance, or sale deed.

A second NDMC official said that the new solar policy will help people utilise the existing roof space of buildings to harness the available potential to generate solar power and achieve the target of 100% renewable power consumption in New Delhi by 2025. NDMC vice chairperson Satish Upadhyay said that one of the salient features of the policy is relaxation in sanctioned power load.

Earlier, the residential properties could only install solar panels or plants up to the sanctioned load capacity of their connection. If people increased their sanctioned power load, the fixed charges component of the bill also increased. Under our policy, if there is scope to generate more power for any property, there will be no increase in their fixed-use charges. This is the first such step taken by NDMC as a discom, said Upadhyay.

The two policy decisions apart, the council also accorded administrative approval to transfer five-acre land at the Okhla compost plant back to the MCD, which had leased it to NDMC, for the development of a solid waste management facility.

A second NDMC official said that 20 acre in Okhla was leased to NDMC in 1980 out of which five acre will now be returned. A proposal was received from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi commissioner in May 2023 regarding the transfer of the land, the official added.

The decisions were taken in a meeting presided by NDMC chairperson Amit Yadav a day after Wednesdays meeting was adjourned by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after heated arguments between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party over the handling of floods in the Capital. The meeting was adjourned in the absence of New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi.

Meanwhile, the four BJP members of NDMC also tabled a censure motion against the CM in his absence. Upadhyay said that the censure motion was tabled for failure to control the flood situation in New Delhi and the non-availability of drinking water for 4-5 days in the NDMC area.

The motion said that the Apex Committee on Flood Control in Delhi, headed by the CM, has not held a meeting due to which the NDMC area was also affected.

However, the AAP, in a statement, alleged that the BJP looted MCD for 15 years. BJP has no work. Everyone knows how BJP looted MCD over the last 15 years. Their condition is like a thief scolding a police officer. All the scams done by BJP during its tenure will be probed and many of its leaders will go to jail, the statement said.

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The Yamuna river in Delhi continues to flow over the danger mark of 205.33 metres, with the peak level at 205.75m at 8am in Delhi Railway Bridge on Thursday, according to the Central Water Commission. A view of the Yamuna river as its water level rises after water being released from Hathni Kund barrage due to heavy rainfall. (Hindustan Times)

Read here: Yamuna crosses danger level yet again, agencies stay on alert

The river breached the danger mark again on Wednesday following heavy rain in parts of the national capital and upper catchment areas, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an 'orange' alert for the day.

Meanwhile, the Hindon river in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, a tributary of Yamuna, recorded the water level at 196.84m at 7am on Thursday after recording the Highest Flood Level (HFL) at 197.28m on Wednesday following the incessant rains in the parts of Delhi-NCR.

The rise in water level in Yamuna and Hindon due to the Wednesday's downpour yet again sparked concerns about the flood-like situation in Delhi-NCR. Around 17 villages with over 3,100 people have been displaced and moved to shelter homes while nearly 1,600 hectares of land was submerged in the floodplains in Noida and Greater Noida.

Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma and Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M visited some of the impacted villages, and reviewed the situation in flood-affected areas near the Hindon river banks. Verma said that the inspections were carried out in the affected places to assess the situation at ground zero. The DM also inspected the district administrations makeshift shelter homes.

On Tuesday, a huge yard filled with cars belonging to a private company got completely submerged in Hindon water in the Ecotech 3 area of Greater Noida.

The national capital received its heaviest deluge for a July day in 21 years on the 8th of the month when 126.1mm of rain was recorded between 8.30am and 5.30pm, triggering chaos on the streets.

Read here: Hindon flood crisis: Ghaziabad police keep vigil of locked houses in Karhera

At 208.66m on July 13, the Yamuna surpassed its previous record of 207.49m set in September 1978. It breached embankments and penetrated deeper into the city than it has in more than four decades.

Delhi and its adjoining areas are also witnessing a sudden surge in the number of Conjunctivitis cases with the national capital reporting over 100 cases per day, according to Dr JS Titiyal, Chief RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS.
KOLKATA: West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose has appointed a lawyer as his representative to the executive council (EC) of Kolkatas Jadavpur University (JU), triggering a sharp reaction from the institutes association of teachers. Kolkata, July 11 (ANI): West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose addresses a press conference, at Governor House in Kolkata on Tuesday. (ANI Photo) (Saikat Paul)

Partha Pratim Ray, general secretary of Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA), said this was the first time that a lawyer has been appointed as the chancellors nominated member in the universitys executive council, its highest decision-making body. This is not desired. Ideally, a person which academic background should be selected for the post, he said.

The university was told about the governors decision to nominate lawyer, Sushmita Saha Dutta, on Tuesday,

Bose is chancellor of West Bengals 31 state-run universities.

The development came days after Bose appointed retired chief justice of Karnataka high court, Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, as acting vice-chancellor (V-C) of Kolkatas Rabindra Bharati University on July 4 and a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Kerala, M Wahab, as working V-C of Kolkatas Aliah University on July 21.

The two appointments were made without consultation with the state government, an official of the higher education department said on condition of anonymity.

No Raj Bhawan official commented on the appointments.

Bengal education minister Bratya Basu could not be contacted.

West Bengal is witnessing an impasse in the higher education department since last year when the tenure of vice-chancellors at 29 universities ended. Their services were extended till May 31 this year and the government started the process to form search committees to select new incumbents.

Differences between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and the Raj Bhawan surfaced in June when Bose appointed senior professors from 13 universities as vice chancellors without consulting the TMC government. The Bengal government hit back by stopping the salaries of the new appointees saying they were not recruited by the education department.

Sanat Kumar Ghosh, a retired professor, challenged the appointments and filed a public interest litigation (PIL) at the Calcutta high court which upheld the governors decision in an order issued on June 28. The court also revoked the states order on the suspension of salaries.

The TMC criticised Bose on Thursday, alleging that he was out to destroy the education system. Rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC) stipulate that only eminent professors with administrative experience can be appointed as V-Cs, the party said.

TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said: This governor wants to disturb the academic atmosphere of Bengal by misusing his position as chancellor. UGC rules say the basic requirement for being a V-C is a professorship for at least 10 years and experience in administering an academic institution. Since there are no separate criteria for acting V-Cs, the governor is using this grey area under instructions from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Bengal is known across the world for excellence in higher education. The governor wants to destroy that image, Majumdar added.

Bengal BJPs chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya dismissed the allegation while defending the governor. The entire education system of Bengal has already been destroyed by TMC. Its former education minister Partha Chatterjee, two legislators and top officials of the higher education department are in judicial custody as suspects in the school recruitment scam that federal agencies are probing. The governor is introducing people from other fields to stop this criminalisation of the education system, Bhattacharya said.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath discussed the development of waterways in the state and gave directions regarding the formation of the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority in a high-level meeting on Thursday, said a government statement. U.P. chief minister Yogi Adityanath. (HT file)

Under the guidance of honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the expansion of waterway transport in Uttar Pradesh is progressing rapidly. The National Waterway from Prayagraj to Haldia is operational. There are immense possibilities for both passenger and cargo transportation in inland waterways in the state and we need to expand it further, he was quoted as saying in the statement.

Yogi said, Uttar Pradesh is a land of perennial rivers with most rivers having sufficient water throughout the year. The state has a rich tradition of water transportation. There was a time when the princess of Ayodhya travelled through waterways to South Korea. However, in the course of time, the sector was neglected.

There is a need for concrete efforts to promote creation and development of waterways in the state and to utilise them for transportation and cargo movement. In this regard, formation of the Inland Waterways Authority in the state should be considered by studying the functioning of the National Waterway Authority and similar systems in other states and presenting relevant proposals, the CM said as per the statement.

He said the authority will function as a nodal authority coordinating with the Indian Inland Waterways Authority. It will regulate all activities related to inland waterway transport and tourism.

The authority will also ensure compliance with environmental and safety laws related to water transportation as well as take responsibility for conducting hydrographic surveys and inspections for the development of waterways.

The authority should study and analyse data related to inland waterway traffic. Scientific research should be conducted on inland water transportation, tourism, shipping, and navigation activities. Technical training for stakeholders and officials/employees involved in inland water transportation should also be provided, the statement quoted the CM as saying.

The transport minister should be appointed as the ex-officio chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterway Authority, while a seasoned expert with extensive experience in the field of water transportation should be appointed the deputy chairman. The transport commissioner of the state should be designated as the CEO of the authority. Officials from departments related to finance, culture, irrigation and forestry among others should be included as members, Yogi said.

He also said Illegal mining/settlement should be strictly prohibited in the catchment areas. Vigilance is necessary in this regard.
The headmaster of a government primary school in Visheshwarganj area of Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich was suspended after allegedly found sleeping naked in front of students while being in a drunken state, the officials said Thursday. A purported video of the incident also surfaced online where the headmaster, identified as Durga Prasad Jaiswal, is seen allegedly indulging in the obscene act. The headmaster was suspended on July 24 on the basis of a preliminary inquiry conducted by the block education officer.(Representational image)

The officials said the veracity of the viral video is yet to be ascertained. Jaiswal is posted at Shivpur Bairagi Primary School in Bahraich, which is located 125 kilometres north-east of Lucknow.

However, several agitated parents claimed that this was not the first time Jaiswal had done something like this. The parents claimed that he often indulged in obscene acts in front of the students and said he would take off his clothes in class and rest, news agency PTI reported.

Not the first time

Some parents also said that because of Jaiswal's behaviour, girl students have stopped going to the school. As the matter came to light, an enquiry was ordered by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) after which the headmaster was suspended.

Also Read: Acting principal of Govt upper primary school in Amethi held for molesting girls

"We got a complaint against Durga Prasad JaiswalHe was suspended on July 24 on the basis of a preliminary inquiry conducted by the block education officer," BSA Avyakt Ram Tiwari said.

"A departmental inquiry is being conducted. If necessary, a First Information Report will also be lodged against the headmaster," the BSA said.

A police official said that no arrests have been made in the incident as of now, Any possibility of that will arise only after an FIR is lodged. He said an FIR, in turn, will be filed based on the conclusions of the departmental probe.

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Schools and colleges will remain closed in Maharashtra's Palghar on Friday, the district administration said. This is in view of the heavy rainfall alert issued in the district by the weather department. Schools will also remain closed in Ratnagiri and Thane districts. People hold umbrellas while walking amid heavy rainfall.(HT File)

As many as 13 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in various districts of Maharashtra in view of heavy rainfall in the state. The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for Mumbai on Friday. Different parts of the city witnessed waterlogging on Thursday. Schools and colleges remained shut. According to the weather department, Mumbai received 90 per cent of the average seasonal rainfall till Thursday.

READ | Heavy rain to continue in Mumbai today, says IMD; Traffic alerts, 5-day weather report

"Out of the 7 lakes that supply water to Mumbai, the Tansa Lake started overflowing today at 4:35 AM (Wednesday)," Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) noted.

"Monsoon in entire Maharashtra has aggravated as it is active in the Southwest region. We've given a red alert warning for Mumbai since 223 mm of rainfall has been recorded in Colaba in the last 24 hours and 145 mm in Santacruz. For today, we've given an orange alert warning in Mumbai...We've announced yellow and orange alerts for Vidarbha and Marathwada respectively," IMD official Sunil Kamble said.

IMD Mumbai issued a red alert for the city and neighbouring Raigad district on Thursday, predicting heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, the adjoining Thane and Palghar districts were issued orange alerts.

In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Thursday, both the Colaba observatory (representative of the island city) and the Santacruz observatory (representative of suburbs) recorded significant rainfall, IMD Mumbai stated. The Colaba observatory recorded extremely heavy rainfall at 223.2 mm, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 145.1 mm rainfall during the same period. These rainfall measurements indicate that there were substantial precipitation levels in both areas, with the island city experiencing a higher amount of rainfall compared to the suburbs.

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NCP's Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel on Thursday said Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is a popular and heavyweight leader and he will get an opportunity to become the chief minister. Ajit Pawar Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times)

Asked about such speculation, Patel, who supports Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, told reporters in Nagpur that the post (of CM) is not vacant, so why talk about it.

"Ajit Pawar is a popular and heavyweight leader. He has been leading our party for several years now. Those who work get the opportunity either today, tomorrow or day after. Many have got the opportunity. Ajit Dada will also get it, if not today, tomorrow or anytime in future. We will work in that direction," he said.

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan recently claimed that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar would be appointed as the state's chief minister replacing Eknath Shinde on August 10.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed Chavan's claim saying Shinde will continue to be the chief minister and there will be no change of guard in the state.

Also Read: The ED case probing Ajit Pawar and associates

Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs 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 Ajit Pawar, the nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Shinde had said Ajit Pawar's entry into the government posed no threat to him.

Asked about the possibility of him being inducted into the council of ministers at the Centre, Praful Patel there is no discussion on the Union cabinet reshuffle or expansion.

"I don't think it will happen," he said.

To another question, he said, "My constituency will always be Bhandara-Gondia."

Patel had earlier represented Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondia constituency in the Lok Sabha.
Three days after NCP chief Sharad Pawars grandnephew and party MLA Rohit Pawar staged a sit-in at Vidhan Bhavan seeking an industrial estate in his constituency, industries minister Uday Samant on Thursday announced an inquiry to find out if fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi is one of the landowners at the proposed site. Mumbai, India - July 24, 2023:NCP MLA Rohit Pawar,staged protest and demanded MIDC at Karjat- Jamkhed, during monsoon assembly session at Vidhan Bhavan, in Mumbai, India, on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

It is very serious if he is the same Nirav Modi who fled to London after the fraud at Punjab National Bank. The industries departments inquiry will also find out who the real owners are, Samant said in the council. Modi is currently lodged in a prison in London.

Samant was responding to the allegations made by BJP MLC Ram Shinde who was MLA of Karjat-Jamkhed in Ahmednagar before losing the constituency to Rohit Pawar in the 2019 assembly polls.

Shinde claimed that among the landowners at the site in Karjats Khandala-Pategaon, where a MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) unit had been proposed, were Nirav Deepak Modi, Nayan Agrawal, Pankaj Vinod Khanna and others.

I too demanded an MIDC estate in Karjat during my tenure, but I never insisted on a particular location. Nowadays, some people are demanding it at Khandala-Pategaon. Documents revealed that the landowners at this location are Nirav Deepak Modi (survey no. 35, 39 (1) and (2), 58, 59 and many more), Nayan Agrawal (survey no. 37), Pankaj Vinod Khanna (survey no. 47), and others, he said.

This raised doubts because people like Nirav Modi would get money from the government as compensation for the land acquisition, Shinde said. So, the government should conduct a detailed inquiry into the names. People should know if he is the same Nirav Modi who fled India. The government should also find out if these people purchased the land from farmers at cheaper rates and are now trying to sell to the government at higher prices.

Samant said a proposal to set up an MIDC estate at Khandala-Pategaon was made in 2021. However, it is shocking to know the names of Nirav Modi, Nayan Agrawal, Pankaj Vinod Khanna and others as the landowners at the proposed site.

Calls and text messages sent to Rohit Pawar seeking his comments went unanswered.

On Monday, Rohit Pawar staged a protest over the issue, and later withdrew it after Samant met him and promised a decision at the earliest. Later deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar expressed his unhappiness over Pawars protest saying the elected representatives should exercise patience when their demands are being considered by the government.

Significantly, Rohit Pawar stood by his grandfather following the split in the party by Ajit.

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Incessant heavy rainfall in Mumbai on Thursday caused flooding in low-lying areas, disrupted local train services and slowed down traffic in some parts of the city due to waterlogging. The Met Department has issued a 'red' alert, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas. After heavy rain in Thane water logging near Vandana cinema, Thane.(Praful Gangurde HT photos)

(Click here for Mumbai Rain LIVE Updates)

Rains in Mumbai today? Here's what IMD predicts

The India Meteorological Department's Mumbai Centre forecast suggested continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in the city and suburbs, with a possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places.

Active monsoon conditions are expected to persist over parts of Konkan and the adjoining ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra in the next 2-3 days, IMD said.

Average rainfall in Mumbai today

Rainfall in Mumbai from 8:30am to 5:30pm on Thursday

Santacruz 75.8mm

Colaba 85.8mm

Bandra 68.5mm

Dahisar 159.5mm

Ram mandir 82.0mm

Chembur 60.5mm

Byculla 84.0mm

CSMT 83.5mm

Matunga 69.0mm

Mumbai weather updates for the next five days

Day Rain intensity Probability IMD alert Thursday Heavy to very heavy at few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places Very likely Red Friday Heavy rainfall at isolated places Very likely Yellow Saturday Moderate rain Very likely Green Sunday Moderate rain Very likely Green Monday Moderate rain Very likely Green

Mumbai traffic alert

- Vehicular movement is closed at Poisar, Samata Nagar due to 3ft water logging.

- At Andheri Subway on both sides, vehicular movement is restricted due to 3ft water logging. Traffic is diverted towards SV Road.

- Vehicular movement is closed at Payal Hotel Junction (Dahisar East) due to 3ft water logging.

-Commuters reported waterlogging on tracks between Churchgate and Marine Lines stations, but train services were not affected, according to the Western Railway.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had declared a holiday for all government and private schools and colleges here on Thursday. "The BMC requests all citizens to stay alert, remain indoors and kindly follow instructions from the administration," Mumbai civic commissioner and administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal said on Wednesday night. In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Thursday, the Colaba observatory (representative of the island city) recorded "extremely heavy" rainfall at 223.2 mm, while the Santacruz observatory (representative of suburbs) recorded 145.1 mm rainfall, according to the IMD Mumbai.
Mumbai: Traffic jams and serpentine queues of vehicles on the Sion-Panvel highway have become a common feature for motorists. The pothole-affected area includes Uran Phata junction, approach road to Jui Nagar flyover, approach road to Sanpada flyover, road towards Vashi toll Naka. (HT PHOTO)

Even as commuters patience continues to be tested while driving on this stretch, both the Public Works Department (PWD) and the traffic police are blaming each other for the delay in undertaking repair work on the highway.

As per the PWD officials, the delay in road repair work is due to permission not being granted by the Traffic police department.

However, the traffic department stated that the permission was denied only for a short period because of construction work on Mumbra bypass, and the road work on the Sion-Panvel highway has been going on for the past four years.

This highway does not have potholes, it has craters. I am now well-versed with which part of the road has patches of potholes. The traffic jams are only caused by those motorists who are not familiar with the road and get stuck, said Rehan Sheikh, a daily commuter.

The pothole-affected area includes Uran Phata junction, approach road to Jui Nagar flyover, approach road to Sanpada flyover, road towards Vashi toll Naka.

Deepak Singh, a Nerul-based social activist, had taken up the issue with both the authorities. The activist is also the petitioner of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2018 about the worsening condition of the roads in the city.

I have been consistently asking the PWD to get the road (Sion-Panvel highway) repaired before the onset of monsoons. Now, everyone can see that nothing has been done. It was due to such erroneous practices that, in May, my nephew lost his life on this road while riding his bike, said Singh.

Concerned that other motorists might meet a similar fate, the activist sought the commissioner of police to take suo-moto action against PWD officers.

However, during an interaction with a PWD engineer, the activist was informed about the role of the traffic police department.

The engineer claimed that the traffic police did not allow them to undertake repair work as it would lead to traffic congestion on the stretch. But surprisingly, the ground situation is no different now as the road sees extreme traffic congestion often stretching over a kilometre, said Singh.

Ranjeet Hande, chief engineer, PWD, confirmed that the traffic police not giving permission is one of the reasons for the delay in repair work but said that the work will be finished at the earliest.

Due to continuous rains, there are a lot of potholes on this stretch. Asphalting work is going on. The concretisation of the approach road to the flyover is also underway, and repair work will also speed up once the weather conditions are better, said Hande.

Meanwhile, the traffic department said that permission for road repair was only denied for a short while.

The road work on Mumbra Bypass in April-June was stated to be one of the reasons for not permitting repair work on Sion-Panvel highway.

The work on the Mumbra bypass resulted in heavy traffic congestion on the Sion-Panvel highway. Therefore, permission was not given for any repair work between April 5 to June 14, said Tirupati Kakade, deputy commissioner of police, Traffic department.

Now, the delay is because of heavy rainfall. Nevertheless, repair work is still being done, and we are giving all possible assistance to reduce traffic congestion, added Kakade.
Navi Mumbai: Acting on the residents demand, the state government has decided that the new railway station on the trans-harbour line will be named Digha instead of Dighe. Speaking on the history of the name, former MP Sanjeev Naik, who had made the demand for the railway station in 2012 during his tenure as Thane MP, said that the residents and their representatives had demanded that the station be named after their village. They had even written a memorandum of the demand to the then guardian minister Ganesh Naik as the railway authorities named the station Dighe. (Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO)

While Digha villagers opposed the previously decided name, Dighe, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena staged a protest in June.

Pratap Mhatre, a resident, was confused about why the station was named Dighe when the area is known as Digha. We have a Digha deity temple in the area, and hence it was important for us that it is named accordingly. We fail to understand why Dighe was chosen earlier, he said.

The state government issued an official notification which stated that based on the recommendation of the Thane collector, the name Digha has been decided for the station that falls in the Thane-Airoli section. The proposal will be sent to the central government for final approval.

The name of the railway station will be Digha. Its confirmed. The present signboards of Dighe will be changed as and when required, Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer of Central Railway (CR), said.

When asked about the much-delayed railway station will be commissioned, he said, Some works remain. We shall confirm it soon.

Mhatre said the residents are glad the government has rectified the mistake and taken the right decision. The railways should now commission the station at the earliest as the works are complete. We have heard of various dates of inauguration so far. The commuters of the region will get some relief if the station is inaugurated at the earliest.

Speaking on the history of the name, former MP Sanjeev Naik, who had made the demand for the railway station in 2012 during his tenure as Thane MP, said that the residents and their representatives had demanded that the station be named after their village. They had even written a memorandum of the demand to the then guardian minister Ganesh Naik as the railway authorities named the station Dighe.

The area is known as Digha ward in civic records, the election commission, too, has the area registered as Digha. However, some sections ignored the sentiments of the locals and based on old revenue department records, had submitted certificates to get the station named Dighe instead of Digha, he added.

He said that MLA Ganesh Naik spoke to chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on the issue and asked for a proposal to name the station Digha.

He added, We had inspected the railway station and suggested some changes and facilities be provided in the station. We are confident that the issues raised will be taken care of, and the station will be commissioned at the earliest with the name Digha.

The five-year wait

Daily commuters are upset at the long delay in commissioning the railway station work, which began in 2018.

Digha railway station is Phase I of the Airoli-Kalwa elevated rail corridor project. Phase II has also been delayed over land acquisition issues. The corridor project costing 476 crore, has been undertaken by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) under Mumbai Urban Transport Project III.

Residents have to travel all the way to either Airoli or Thane for train services. The station will also provide direct access to lakhs of people from Navi Mumbai to the Kalyan-Dombivli areas, bypassing Thane railway station once the Airoli-Kalwa elevated corridor project is completed. Commuters from Kalyan, Dombivli, Ambernath and Badlapur have to come to Thane railway station first and then take another train on the Trans-Harbour line towards Vashi or Panvel. Similar is the case with commuters travelling to these areas from Navi Mumbai.

Thane MP Rajan Vichare has written to railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav and MoS Railway Raosaheb Danve, on the delay. He said, Thane railway station is burdened due to commuters from Navi Mumbai and the other cities. The elevated corridor will provide direct access between these cities and reduce the burden on Thane railway station by almost 40%.

Skywalk to curb crowding

A 1.5 crore elevated skywalk has been planned to connect the station to the opposite area. This will prevent the commuters from having to use the chowk area near the station, leading to possible crowding and traffic jams in the area, the CR official said.
A farmer from Hingoli in Maharashtra facing a debt of around 20 lakh has written a letter to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde seeking a compensation for his crop losses and said if he does not get it, he will have no option but to commit suicide. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde(Hindustan Times)

Gajanan Narayan Awchar, hailing from Sapatgaon in Sengaon taluka of Hingoli, in his letter written to the CM on July 23 said he has pomegranate plantation over a hectare of land.

The farmer claimed he has not been able to sell the produce in any market since the COVID-19 pandemic and the crop infections since two years have increased the losses to 50 lakh.

In the letter submitted to the chief minister's secretariat on July 24, Awchar claimed he has no means to earning to sustain his family comprising five members as he has a debt of nearly 5 lakh from a bank and 15 lakh from another financial institution.

The farmer also claimed he has been receiving notices from the bank and facing mental harassment for not being able to repay the loan.

"The government should compensate, or else there is no way left for me but to commit suicide," he said in the letter.

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Two people, including a teenager, were reported to have drowned in separate incidents in Thane district on Thursday. Thane, India - July, 27, 2023: Chirag joshi 19 Year old boy has drowned at the waterfall in Pankhanda village of Ghodbunder Road Sanjay Gandhi national park in Thane , in Thane, in Mumbai, India, on,Thursday, July, 27, 2023. ( Praful Gangurde / HT Photo ) (Praful Gangurde/HT Photo)

According to the Kasarvadavli police, Chirag Joshi, 19, went out for a party with his elder brother and three of the latters friends to a dam near Pankhanda waterfall at Ovala on Wednesday evening.

According to his brothers friends statement, the five of them went on bikes to this water body. When they were having food, Chirags brother wanted water to drink. Chirag promptly replied that he would fetch it from the dam. But when he did not return after several minutes had passed, the group began a search for him. After they found the bottle he was carrying floating on the water, they informed the police, a police officer said.

Teams of the Thane Disaster Relief Force (TDRF), the fire brigade, and the police reached the spot around 6.30 pm, officials said.

A TDRF officer said, We looked for Chirag, but couldnt find him. We called off our rescue operation after 8 pm. Soon after we resumed our search on Thursday morning, we found his body stuck near a rock. We fished it out and handed it over to the police.

The police have registered an accidental death report and recorded statements of the friends. All the five were residents of Kalwa, the police officer said.

In the second case, a 32-year-old man is suspected to have drowned in a nullah near Retibunder creek in Kalwa where he had gone with his friends for fishing, police said.

Around 12 pm on Thursday, Dosa, a resident of Shanti Nagar, slipped and fell into the water body, a police officer said and added that his body was not found until a search operation was called off at 7 pm.
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray continued his sharp attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its top leadership in the second part of his interview released on YouTube, daring the BJP to finish his party and showering praise on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (PTI File)

In the second part of his interview on the partys official podcast YouTube channel Awaj Kunacha, Thackeray spoke on various issues including Hindutva, the 2024 general elections, the split in NCP and what he described as the politics of finishing other parties.

We are not arrogant but we have the confidence, and this confidence will lead to the defeat of the dictatorial regime in 2024. I will not succumb to any pressure and will fight till I win. Splitting opposition parties by using ED (Enforcement Directorate), and CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) were not the examples of good political culture. said Thackeray. He also asked why the BJP engineered the split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) despite a majority in the assembly.

He also dared the BJP leadership to finish him and his party. Long ago, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray saved both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. They are repaying the favour in this way. If they get joy by finishing me, do it. Lets see. I have the blessings of my father and the support of the people, Thackeray said, referring to the period after the Gujarat riots when Modi was the chief minister.

Thackeray also praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. When I met him, and we talked to each other, I felt that what we heard about him was totally wrong. Unlike the perception created about Rahul Gandhi, I found that he listens to others very carefully and also explains his stand, said Thackeray.

Thackeray frowned at deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar taunting Sharad Pawar for continuing to lead the party at his age to explain why he was splitting the party. It was in bad taste. Using such language for the person who made you does not suit our culture. We should respect our elders who have done everything for us. Thackeray said.
Five members of a family, that includes two children, had a narrow escape after their house in Chotpur village collapsed on Tuesday in the wake of heavy rainfall and flooding of river Hindon, police said. The remains of the collapsed house in Chotpur village . (HT Photo)

The family has been living in the single storey house near the riverbank since the past 11 years. The water level in the Hindon, at the Ghaziabad barrage, had increased significantly, flooding several low-lying villages on the riverbank in the district.

The family, which hails from Bihar, said they came to Noida around 11 years ago in search of work. Sonu Kumar Sharma, who initially worked at a private company but now drives an e-rickshaw, said the family has a loan of over 1 lakh to repay.

The family members said they were asleep when the house collapsed on Tuesday night. We awoke to the loud sound of walls and ceiling cracking on Tuesday night. We also heard the sound of splashing water. I raised the alarm and we rushed out. We could only save some clothes before the house collapsed; everything else, including furniture, utensils, etc, is under the debris, said Sonu.

It took hardly 10 minutes for everything to come crashing down. We are currently residing with an acquaintance in Chotpur, he said.

We bought the house 11 years ago in Chotpur village when many others were also settling there. This is the first time that we saw floods here and the water level rose so high that it reached our house which is built at a height, compared to the other houses. The house was purchased after taking loans and, now, we have nothing left, said Sonu, the sole breadwinner of the family.

The district administration said they are taking steps to help affected families. Around 15 shelter homes have been established at various places for displaced people where provisions have been made for food, drinking water and medication. Once we are done with the relief and rescue, inspections will be conducted to identify families who have been similarly affected and the needful will be done, said additional district magistrate (finance) Atul Kumar.

There are government guidelines that allow for compensation to be provided in case of natural disaster after due verification, the ADM said.

Floodplains surrounding the Hindon and Yamuna have been inundated since both rivers are in spate. Many areas across the district are submerged after the heavy rainfall on Wednesday.

The Gautam Budh Nagar district administration has been issuing advisories to people in low-lying areas over the past 10 days asking them to relocate to higher ground. On Wednesday, 3,137 people were evacuated from flood-hit areas in the district.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a yellow alert for Delhi-NCR for the days to come.

On Thursday, the level in the Hindon, at the Ghaziabad barrage, was 199.20 metres. The danger mark of the river is 205.80 metres. At the Okhla barrage, the Yamuna level stood at 198.65 metres, while the danger mark in the river is 200.60 metres.

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A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT)-Allahabad and National Cadet Corps (NCC) Group Headquarters, Prayagraj, for the automation of the examination process of the NCC A certificate at Prayagraj. The MoU signing underway on Thursday. (HT Photo)

The agreement was signed by MNNIT director Prof Rama Shanker Verma and NCC Group Commander Brig KP Krishna Kumar, MNNIT officials said.

Under the guidance of assistant professor Lieutenant Divya Kumar of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at MNNIT-Allahabad, students have developed a technique that enables computerised operation of the examination for the NCC A certificate. This technique, developed in approximately a year, incorporates computer vision and image processing methods, informed MNNIT director Prof Verma.

The NCC is the largest youth organisation in India and holds significant importance in shaping the character and discipline of Indian youth. The NCC A Certificate examination covers 19 subjects, including personality development, leadership, map reading, weapons training and military history. Faculty members from the Armys Permanent Instructors (PI) Staff and the NCC Officers in colleges jointly provide training to NCC cadets on fundamental aspects of the armed forces.

With the newly developed technique, the NCC A certificate examination process, conducted as an objective exam, will now have its answers recorded on an OMR sheet developed by MNNIT-Allahabad. This computer-based technique is so efficient that the result can be declared as early as the next day after the examination, Prof Verma explained.

The MNNIT director congratulated Brigadier KP Krishna Kumar while delivering the software. He also mentioned that this technology transfer would facilitate collaboration between the institute and defence services.

Prof Verma expressed the Institutes readiness to transfer such technologies to other organisations and Government institutions too. Furthermore, there are plans to utilize this technique for conducting the examinations of B and C Certificate of NCC too in the future.

During the event, a number of MNNIT officials including Prof LK Mishra, Dean (Academics), Prof Geetika, Dean (Resource Generation and International Affairs), Prof DK Yadav, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Registrar Ramesh Pandey and other deans were also present.

The software received appreciation from Col Ravindra Khatri, Commanding Officer of 1 UP (Uttar Pradesh) Technical Regiment of NCC.

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A research vessel of the National Institute of Oceanography, headquartered in Goa, developed a technical snag leaving it without engine power mid-sea, leading the Indian Coast Guard to launch a rescue mission to extract 36 crew members and valuable scientific instruments aboad the ship. Visuals from the rescue operation. (Official handout photo.)

According to a Coast Guard statement, they received an alert that the vessel named Sindhu Sadhana was in distress and perilously drifted towards Karwar (Karnataka), carrying eight scientists among the total crew of 36 individuals.

The ship encountered an engine and total power failure, rendering it motionless and at the mercy of the seas currents. The distress signal was received at the Coast Guard District Headquarters in Goa at approximately 1300 hrs on July 26, 2023, the ship said.

Responding swiftly to the distress call, the Indian Coast Guard launched a high-priority rescue mission, dispatching two advanced ships, ICGS Sujeet and ICGS Varaha, along with skilled teams to the area. Recognising the potential magnitude of the disaster, the Indian Coast Guard promptly initiated measures to safeguard the Ship, protect the fragile ecosystem, and prevent the vessel from running aground, the Coast Guard said in the statement.

ICGS Sujeet successfully took the Sindhu Sadhana under tow, and both ships are currently en route to Goa, expected to reach Mormugao harbour on the morning of 28th July. The crew onboard the CSIR-NIO research vessel is safe and sound, the statement added.

The vessels proximity to the ecologically sensitive Karwar coastline posed an imminent threat of grounding, which could have resulted in a major oil spill, causing devastating pollution to the marine ecosystem.
A sailor was found hanging on board INS Vikrant on Thursday morning, officials aware of the matter said. The aircraft carrier is currently docked in Kochi. (Representative Photo)

The 19-year-old sailor was from Muzaffarpur in Bihar, the officials said.

He was found hanging in one of the warships compartments, said officials, adding that the navy has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

The sailor was not an Agniveer and was from the regular cadre, said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named.

Indias 1st indigenous aircraft carrier, the 45,000-tonne Vikrant has been built at Cochin Shipyard at a cost of Rs. 20,000 crore. Only the US, the UK, Russia, France and China have the capability to build aircraft carriers this size.

It has been named after the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which was operated by the navy from 1961 to 1997.

Vikrant is 262 metres long, has a height of 61 metres (keel to mast) and its flight deck measures 12,500 square metres (equivalent to 10 Olympic-size swimming pools.) It has an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles, a maximum speed of 28 knots, 2,300 compartments and can carry a crew of 1,600.

(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290)

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Not given permission to meet a student leader  Ajay Samrat  lodged in prison, a Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation, including two MLAs and an MLC, sat on a protest near the gates of the Naini Central Jail, on Thursday. SP delegation members and supporters during a sit-in near the gates of the Naini Central Jail on Thursday (HT Photo)

The entire delegation and their supporters were later detained by the police and taken to the Reserve Police Lines before being allowed to leave later in the afternoon.

The delegation then went and met Prayagraj police commissioner Ramit Sharma and handed over a memorandum demanding the recent fee hike at AU be rolled back and cases registered against students recently be quashed.

The recent actions clearly show that the BJP-led state government is against students and their interests. The delegation that had arrived to meet Samrat on the instructions of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was not allowed to meet him. When the delegation members sought a written reason for being denied permission to meet the student leader, the jail and the district administration gave no reason for it, Hamza said.

The delegation members including MLAs RK Patel and Hakim Lal Bind, MLC Man Singh Yadav, former Allahabad University Students Union president Hemant Singh Tunnu, party spokesperson Manoj Kaka, former general secretary of Yuvjan Sabha Uday Prakash Yadav and student leader Adil Hamza. They were backed by over a dozen members of the SP and the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha, the students wing of SP, who raised slogans against the state government and the administration during the sit in.

On July 11, a student of Allahabad Universitys Centre of Media Studies Ashutosh Dubey had collapsed and died on the AU campus. The next day, on July 12, a mob of students allegedly led by Samrat and his aides had created ruckus at AU claiming negligence of the administration in providing ambulance in time for the student.

According to AU officials, the mob had damaged properties and tore registers besides assaulting, misbehaving with women teachers and snatching away their cash and jewellery. A video of manhandling with teachers at Sanskrit department of AU had also gone viral on social media.

An FIR was lodged on July 14 against six named and 20 unnamed persons for July 12 vandalism at AU premises on the complaint of AU proctor. Police later arrested two persons including Jitendra Dhanraj and Ajay Yadav Samrat on July 15. The name of Jitendra Dhanraj had surfaced during investigation, and he was arrested near Chaitham Lines following a tip-off. Ajay Yadav Samrat was named in the case lodged on complaint of AU proctor Rakesh Kumar Singh.
A harvested human heart was airlifted from Nagpur to Pune in an IAF plane on Wednesday morning and later transplanted into a recipient admitted to the Army Institute of Cardio-Thoracic Sciences (AICTS) in the western Maharashtra city. The live heart, retrieved from a woman declared brain dead, was successfully transplanted into the recipient, a male air warrior at the Pune-based AICTS, later in the day. The vital organ was sent through a green corridor created by the civil administration before being transported to Pune.(Representational image)

The vital organ was sent through a green corridor created by the civil administration before being transported to Pune, more than 700 km from Nagpur, on an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 aircraft in the most expeditious manner, said a defence release here.

The flying time was around 90 minutes, said an official. A separate press release issued by the zonal transplant coordination centre here said the donor of the heart was a 31-year-old woman, Shubhangi Gannyarpawar, who resided in Nagpur with her husband and one- and-a-half-year old daughter. The woman was admitted in a private hospital in Nagpur on July 20 after complaining of severe headache and was later diagnosed with severe blood clotting in the brain, said the release.

She was declared brain dead and convenor of zonal transplant coordination centre Nagpur, Dinesh Mandpe, spoke with her family members for donation of organs, it said. With the consent of Shubhangi Gannyarpawar's husband and brother, the heart, liver and two kidneys were donated to four recipients -- one in Pune and three in Nagpur. A tweet by the Southern Command, headquartered in Pune, said AICTS performed successful heart transplant.

The donor was a homemaker, while the recipient is a 39-year-old IAF air warrior, said the tweet. "Green corridor was provided by IAF Traffic Police Nagpur & Pune & SC Provost Unit," said the Southern Command tweet.

A green corridor is created with the aim of expediting organ transplants and saving lives. For a green corridor, the traffic department collaborates to transport a vital organ in less than 60 to 70 per cent of the time that is usually taken to go from one place to another.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday made the fifth arrest in connection with Maharashtra ISIS module case for promoting violent activities of the banned terrorist group. Renowned anaesthesiologist Dr Adnan Ali Sarkar was taken into custody by the NIA sleuths following raid at his Kondhwa residence in Pune. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday made the fifth arrest in connection with Maharashtra ISIS module case for promoting violent activities of the banned terrorist group. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

The NIA in a statement released said that it was the fifth arrest in the case registered on June 28. Four others arrested by the central agency on July 3 after extensive searches were identified as Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Mumbai, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba from Pune, and Sharjeel Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala from Thane.

The NIA release stated that during the raid several incriminating materials, such as electronic gadgets and several documents related to ISIS, were found at Sarkars Kondhwa house.

The accused, according to the probe agency, hatched a conspiracy to further ISIS terrorist activities, known by different names such as Islamic State (IS)/Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL)/Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daish/ Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP)/ISIS Wilayat Khorasan/Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham Khorasan (ISIS-K), the release said.

Sarkar was trying to disturb the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of the country, and wage a war against the government of India as part of the ISIS conspiracy through the organisations Maharashtra ISIS module, as per NIA investigations. The agency said that it will continue to probe the Maharashtra ISIS module case.

Dr Sarkar has an experience of 16 years in treating difficult airway and regional anaesthesia. He completed his MBBS in 2001 from BJ Government Medical College in Pune and MD Anaesthesia from the same college in 2006. He is known to speak English, Marathi, Hindi and German languages. There are 18 publications which he has co-authored with field experts, sources said.

The NIA had issued a statement on July 3 stating to have dismantled an ISIS module in Maharashtra and detained four persons for encouraging terrorist activities in an intelligence-led operation.

NIA raids followed inputs that the accused and their associates had recruited youth and trained them in the fabrication of IEDs and weapons. The accused had also shared material, including Do it Yourself kits (DIY), amongst themselves for fabrication of IEDs and manufacture of small weapons, pistols etc. Further, on the directions of their foreign-based ISIS handlers, the accused had created inflammatory media content, which was published in the magazine Voice of Hind, in furtherance of the banned outfits agenda of terror and violence, said the statement from the anti-terror investigation agency.

Hospital authorities where the doctor worked described Sarkar as one of the best doctors in his field. He was earlier working with another private hospital, but has been associated with the current hospital as a consultant, they said.

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Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Uttarakhand Medical Education University has started the registration process for Uttarakhand NEET UG 2023 counselling on July 27, 2023. Candidates who want to take admission in MBBS/BDS courses can apply online through the official site of HNBUMEU at hnbumu.ac.in. Uttarakhand NEET UG 2023 Counselling: Registration begins today, link here (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The last date to register online is till July 31, 2023. The choice filling by the candidates for Round 1 counselling will begin today, July 27 and will end on July 31, 2023. The data processing will be conducted on August 1 and August 2, 2023. The results will be declared on August 3, 2023 after 8 pm. The last date of joining the allotted college is August 8, 2023.

Centralised counselling will be conducted for the following quota of seats- M.B.B.S./B.D.S. Courses in Government/Private Medical/Dental Colleges/ Private Medical college affiliated with State Private University of Uttarakhand against state quota seats and M.B.B.S./B.D.S. Courses in Government/Private Medical/Dental Colleges/Private Medical college affiliated with State Private University of Uttarakhand against All India quota seats.

Uttarakhand NEET UG 2023 Counselling: How to apply

To apply online, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official site of HNBUMEU at hnbumu.ac.in.

Click on Uttarakhand NEET UG 2023 Counselling link available on the home page.

A new PDF file will open where candidates can register themselves.

Login to the account and fill in the application form.

Make the payment of application fees and click on submit.

Once done, download the confirmation page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The online counselling registration fees for Round 1 and Round 2 is 6500/- for all categories. Counselling registration fee shall neither be refunded nor carried forwarded, if the application for NEET UG-2023 Uttarakhand State Centralised counselling is rejected/candidature is found to be ineligible. For more related details candidates can check the official site of HNBUMEU.

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Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to announce Class 10 and Class 12 Compartment examination results 2023 soon. As per past trends, the board usually announces Compartment results within 10-15 days. CBSE Compartment Result 2023: Where to check Class 10th, 12th results?(PTI File)

When declared, students will be able to check CBSE Compartment exam results on the following websites:

cbseresults.nic.in results.cbse.nic.in

In addition to these, students are also advised to visit the main CBSE website: cbse.gov.in for updates related to the Compartment examination.

CBSE conducted the Class 10 Compartment or Supplementary examination from July 17 to 22 and the Class 12 Compartment exam was held on July 17.

CBSE conducted practical examination for Compartment students from July 6 to July 20, 2023.

The board is likely to announce Class 12 Compartment results first and then results of Class 10.

How to check CBSE Class 10, 12 Compartment results 2023

Go to the official website, cbse.gov.in.

Now, go to results.

Open the link for Class 10 or Class 12 Compartment result, as required.

Enter your login credentials and submit.

On the next page, check your compartment result.

Download the page and save it for future uses.
The results of Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board 2023 were declared on Thursday. The Munshi/Maulvi (Secondary), Alim (Senior Secondary), Qamil and Fazil examination year-2023, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board were organised at 539 centres A total of 1,69,796 candidates appeared in the examination , out of which 1,09,527 candidates passed. Among the passed candidates, 54,481 are boys and 55046 are girls. In this way a total of 84.48% students have passed the Madrasa Board examinations. UP Madrasa Board Result 2023 declared, 84.48% students pass

In the Munshi/Maulvi (Secondary Arabic/Persian) examination, Mohammad Nazil of Madrasa Talimul Jadid Noorkhanpur, Bhadohi secured first position in the state, Mohammad Moin of Madrasa Jamia Zikra district Sitapur got second position and Mohammad Irfan,of Madrasa Jamia Zikra district Sitapur bagged third position.

A total of 101182 students appeared in the Munshi/Maulvi exam, out of which 79.21% passed , in this way a total number of 70687 students passed.

As many 29496 students appeared in the Alim exam, out of which 23888 passed in this way 88.58 percent of students passed. 8120 candidates appeared in Qamil, against which 7513 passed, which comes to a percentage of 91.2 %. As many as 4420 students appeared in Fazil, out of which 4129 passed, In this way 95.31 percent of students passed.

In the Alim (Senior Secondary Arabic/Persian) examination, Chandni Bano of Madrasa Usman Ahmed Public School, district Farrukhabad, was topper , Sadiya Fatima, of Madrasa Allama Fazle Haq Khairabadi Memorial, Khairabad district, Sitapur, secured the second position and Mohammad Uzair, of Madrasa Allama Fazle Haq Khairabadi Memorial, Khairabad, district Sitapur secured the third position.

In the Qamil exam Ruqaiya Baby,of Madrasa Majharul Uloom Varanasi came first, Hadiya Khatoon, of Madrasa Jamia Zikra Niswan, district Sitapur, second and Mohd Hussail of Madrasa Darsgah Aliya Islamia Sharif Moradabad was third.

In the Fazil exam Farha Naz of Madrasa Siddiquia Niswan School District Kanpur Nagar secured the first position, Warisha Naz of Madrasa Siddiquia Niswan School District Kanpur Nagar secured the second position and Waseem Ahmed of , Madrasa Darul Huda Yusufpur District Siddharthnagar bagged the third position in the examination.

Chairman UP Madrasa Education Board Iftikhar Ahmed Javed said ,  I congratulate all the successful candidates and wish them best of Lucknow for future ,I want them to fulfill the wish of PM Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath who want Quran in one hand and laptop in other hand.

He said,  The basic policy of our government is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas Saath Sabka Prayas. The Madrasa are not modernising themselves to compete with other top schools. UP Madrassa Education Council's Madrassa e-learning app (Dums.) has been launched and the goal of the central and state government is to provide traditional education in madrassas as well as modern education in a scientific way, so that madrassa students can join the mainstream. Keeping this in mind, continuous efforts are being made to link Madrasa education with new technology and courses. Education of modern subjects is being promoted. The government is continuously working for the empowerment of minority community students.

Iftikhar Ahmed Javed said ,  We are continuously working for the welfare of minorities. We are completely serious about the betterment of Madrassa education and are continuously taking necessary steps. The Madrasa Board exams were successfully conducted in a copy-free, transparent manner at 539 examination centers in the state. Webcasting of all the examination centers was also done at the headquarter level.

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UP Polytechnic Admit Card 2023: Joint Entrance Examination Council Uttar Pradesh (JEECUP) will release admit cards for the Uttar Pradesh Joint Entrance Examination (Polytechnic) or UPJEE 2023 today, July 27. When released, candidates can download it from the official website, jeecup.admissions.nic.in. The National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test 2020 application form can be edited by visiting the official website. (Representational image)(Unsplash)

Previously, it was scheduled to be out on July 16 but it was postponed.

The Candidates can download their Admit Card for Online Entrance Examination from 27-07-2023, reads a message displayed on the website.

JEECUP will conduct UPJEE (Polytechnic) tentatively in the first week of August, 2023.

Earlier this month, the online registration window for UPJEE 2023 was reopened for new candidates.

JEECUP 2023: How to download UP JEE Polytechnic admit cards

Go to jeecup.admissions.nic.in.

Find and open the admit card download link given on the home page.

Enter the asked details and login.

Check your admit card and download it

Take a printout for the exam day.

UPJEE(Polytechnic) is held at state level for admission at government and private polytechnic colleges.
SNAMUN 2023, a three-day student-led conference began at The Lawrence School, Sanawar on Thursday, July 27. Young minds from leading schools across the country have come together for this symposium. SNAMUN '23: 3-day student-led conference opens at The Lawrence School, Sanawar

Distinguished guest speakers at the conference reinforced their commitment to internationalism, public-spiritedness, and building a safer, more inclusive world on the opening day of the conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Purnima Chauhan, ex-IAS, reiterated the importance of "vocal for local" even while planning global reforms. She urged the young delegates to be mindful of the needs of their local communities while addressing global challenges.

Professor Jasteena Dhillon is the Guest of Honour for the conference. Dhillon is a distinguished figure with over 20 years of experience in law and international development.

Himmat Singh Dhillon, Headmaster of The Lawrence School, Sanawar while speaking at the opening ceremony said, As educators, it is our fundamental duty to instill in our students a profound sense of responsibility towards their communities and the world at large. Every school, regardless of its location, must rise to the occasion and envision how it can positively impact its surroundings. Let us inspire our young minds to be catalysts of change, creating a reality that transcends boundaries and fosters enlightenment for all. Together, we can empower the next generation to lead with compassion, drive progress, and make our shared planet a better, more harmonious place for everyone.

The agenda of the 3 days conference includes topics like global crises, women leadership at the grassroots level, measures to protect child refugees, and reviewing Agenda 2030 with a special emphasis on gender equality. Furthermore, the conference also seeks to shed light on significant historical events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, providing young minds with a better understanding of crisis management and emergency planning.

"I am delighted to extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to all the delegates, faculty members, and participants of the Lawrence School Sanawar Model United Nations conference. Your dedication to diplomacy, meaningful discussions, and constructive debates sets a shining example for future generations. The theme 'Justice and Sustainability' reflects the urgency of our times, and I am hopeful that the innovative minds gathered here will contribute to achieving impactful resolutions soon, said Rohit Thakur, Minister of Education Himachal, Member of Legislative Assembly.

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Netflix has unveiled the trailer for the latest addition to the Castlevania Universe, a spin-off series titled Castlevania: Nocturne! Castlevania: Nocturne trailer is out!(Netflix)

Castlevania: Nocturne will premiere on September 28 this year and will stream exclusively on Netflix. Last year, Netflix teased Castlevania: Nocturne during Netflix Geeked Week with a 42-second announcement trailer.

Castlevania: Nocturne takes place long after the fourth season of Castlevania. The story follows Richter Belmont, the descendant of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades. Richter Belmont previously featured in multiple entries in the series, including the PC Engine classic Castlevania: Rondo of Blood.

Netflix released a description of Castlevania: Nocturne which reads as follows

"France, 1792  the height of the French Revolution. In a remote part of western France, the counter-revolutionary aristocracy has forged an alliance with a terrifying Vampire Messiah, who promises to 'eat the sun' and unleash an army of vampires and nightcreatures to crush the revolution and enslave humanity. Annette, a sorceress from the Caribbean, seeks out Richter Belmont, the last descendant of the long-fabled family of vampire hunters, to lead the resistance."

What is Castlevania?

Castlevania is an American adult animated dark fantasy action based on the Japanese video game series of the same name by Konami. The television series was created and written by Warren Ellis for Netflix.

Vampire Vlad Dracula Tepes human wife was burnt at the stake due to false allegations of being a witch. Stricken with grief, he wages war against the people of Wallachia, declaring that they will all pay with their lives. He summons an army of demons who overrun the city, leaving the people filled with fear and distrust. Outcast monster hunter Trevor Belmont joins forces with magician Sypha Belnades and Dracula's dhampir son Alucard to defeat Dracula and end the terror.

Castlevania premiered on July 7, 2017, on Netflix. The anime was widely appreciated for its spectacular visuals and compelling adaptation. Fans were thoroughly impressed with the first season and hoped for the continuation of the series. Castlevania anime consists of four seasons. The spin-off, Castlevania: Nocturne continues afterwards.
Actor Aditi Rao Hydari left everyone awe-struck with her magical regal look at India Couture Week 2023. She slayed in ace designer Ritu Kumar's designed outfit on Wednesday night. Aditi has been making waves in the fashion world with her stunning style statement for a while now. Her fashion undoubtedly reflects her poised and graceful personality. Also read: Aditi Rao Hydari poses for pic with rumoured boyfriend Siddharth as they vacation together. See pics Aditi Rao Hydari presents a creation by the designer Ritu Kumar during the FDCI India Couture Week in New Delhi on Wednesday. (AFP)

What Aditi Rao Hydari wore as a showstopper

She walked the ramp wearing an ivory ensemble that featured the esque handcrafted details over the skirt and the blouse. She wore a full-sleeved blouse adorned with intricate embroidery and mirrorwork. For the glam, she kept minimal makeup and opted for a 'mangtika' to accessorize her entire beautiful look.

Aditi Rao Hydari during her ramp walk at India Couture Week. (AFP)

Aditi Rao Hydari reveals her fashion mantra

During the media interaction post-show, Aditi opened up about what fashion means to her. She said, I dont have a fashion mantra, thats my fashion mantra. I believe that we should wear clothes then that they should wear us. It should not be peer pressure or any burden. We should have fun with the clothes that we wear. I think what is more important is to love yourself and love what you wear and that is what truly matters.

Earlier this year, Aditi made heads turn with her stylish appearance at Cannes 2023. Aditi represented cosmetics giant L'Oreal at Cannes 2023. She hit the red carpet in a voluminous yellow floor-length gown. She kept hair and makeup simple and jewellery to a minimum.

Aditi Rao Hydari's projects

Meanwhile, on the work front, Aditi is all set to star in the Indo-U.K co-production Lioness. Lioness, the official Indo-UK co-production being made under the bilateral treaty signed by the two countries in 2008, was announced at the India Pavilion (managed by FICCI under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) at Cannes Film Festival.

The film inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who discovered the story of Princess Sophia Duleep, is the story of two British Punjabi women living in the UK, a century apart. Peter is also one of the executive producers of the film. Aditi also has Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi in her kitty.
Ameesha Patel will be reprising her role as Sakeena in Gadar 2. At the trailer launch event, the actor opened up about how there were many who had doubts when she was offered the first installment of the film. Ameesha also added that even after two decades, there were many people who had their doubts whether she could pull of the role off a mother in the sequel. (Also read: Gadar 2 trailer: Sunny Deol smashes Pakistanis with a sledgehammer, stares at a handpump. Watch) Ameesha Patel poses for photos during the launch of the trailer of her film 'Gadar 2', in Mumbai, (PTI Photo)(PTI07_27_2023_000025A)(PTI)

Gadar 2 trailer launch

The Gadar 2 trailer was released on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Divas. Sunny Deol and Ameesha were present at the trailer launch event. The trailer sees Tara (Sunny) and Sakina's son Jeete (Utkarsh) get tortured by a Pakistani army general. Tara promises an anguished Sakina that he'll get Jeete back. He visits Lahore and beats up Pakistani army soldiers with a sledgehammer.

Ameesha on people doubting her

At the trailer launch, Ameesha talked about how there were many insiders who did not trust her to pull off the role of a mother in Gadar. Recounting those comments without taking any names, she said, "Anil Ji ne jab mujhe pehli Gadar ki kahani sunayi thi tab bahut se logo ne, bahut jaani maani hastiyon ne, bade logo ne kaha ki mai ye film kaise karungi... ab sabne kaha ki aap toh Maa ka role kar hi nahi paoge. Mujhe challenges bahut acche lagte hain. So, instead of getting dejected, I took it as a challenge. Logo ne Gadar ke ane ke pehle, Gadar ko gutter kaha tha.(When I was initially offered Gadar, a lot of people from the film industry, big names, had asked how will I be able to pull off the role. People also called Gadar gutter before its release.)

Ameesha then added that the same doubts have persisted since she took on the sequel of the film as well. She said, "Aur ab Gadar 2 ki baat ayi tab bhi wahi sawaal uthe ki Dude have you seen yourself on Instagram? Lazy Lamhe ki ladki ab kaise Gadar karegi? (Now ahead of Gadar 2, people are still asking how can I pull off a mother's role after doing a song like Lazy Lamhe)"

Gadar 2 is co-produced by Anil Sharma and Zee Studios. The film will release in cinemas on August 11.

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Ananya and Aditya at Barbie screening

Earlier this week, someone on Instagram shared a video where the person was seen posing for selfies with Ananya and Aditya. While Ananya came wearing a pink top for the movie, Aditya wore a white shirt. They were at Jio World Drive in Mumbai.

Sharing the video, the fan wrote, Major fan girl moment during the Barbie movie with @adityaroykapur & @ananyapanday. Reacting to the video, someone commented, Such a great boyfriend he is! He literally went to watch Barbie with her. Adi took Ananya to watch the Barbie movie how cute, added another. One more said, Omg they are together.

Ananya and Aditya dating timeline

Ananya and Aditya's dating rumours started after they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali party last year. Recently several pictures of Aditya and Ananya from their European vacation leaked online and went viral. The two returned to Mumbai together but were seen exiting the airport separately as snapped by paparazzi.

Last Saturday, Ananya and Aditya were snapped as they were out and about together for a drive during the rains in Mumbai. While Aditya was seen laughing while looking at Ananya, she seemingly tried hiding her face from photographers.

Ananya will be next seen in director Vikramaditya Motwane's untitled cybercrime-thriller film. She also has Farhan Akhtar's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. It also stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav in the lead with Ananya. She also has a comedy film, Dream Girl 2 with Ayushmann Khurrana in the pipeline, which is set to arrive in theatres on August 25. Besides these, Ananya will also be making her web series debut with Prime Video's upcoming Call Me Bae.

On the other hand, Aditya Roy Kapur will be seen in Metro In Dino, directed by Anurag Basu. The anthology film also features Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sara Ali Khan, Anupam Kher, Ali Fazal and Neena Gupta in the lead roles, apart from Aditya.

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Lyricist Javed Akhtar has been asked to appear before a Mumbai court regarding a counter complaint filed against him by Kangana Ranaut for alleged "extortion and criminal intimidation". Now a PTI report has revealed that the court, while summoning him to appear on August 5, had said that there was indeed sufficient ground to proceed against him for the offence of criminal intimidation and gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman. Also read: Javed Akhtar asked to appear before court on Kangana Ranaut's complaint against him of 'criminal intimidation, insult' Javed Akhtar has been asked to appear before a court regarding a complaint filed against him by Kangana Ranaut.

In 2020, Javed had filed a complaint against Kangana when in an interview she accused him of threatening her after calling her to his home amid her ugly fight with Hrithik Roshan over their alleged affair. Kangana had then filed a counter complaint against Javed Akhtar.

What the court said

Metropolitan magistrate (Andheri court) R M Shaikh on July 24 issued the summons against Javed Akhtar, asking him to appear before the court on August 5. While issuing summons, the court said no case of extortion was made out against the lyricist. Asking a person to give a written apology will not come under the definition of "valuable security" as defined under section 30 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) because no legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released, it said.

"As far as other offences levelled against the accused are concerned, on the basis of averments in the complaint, verification of the complainant and statement of her (Kangana's) sister Rangoli Chandel," the court said. "I have come to the conclusion that there are sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused for offence under IPC section 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman)," the court added.

More about the case

In his complaint in 2020, Javed had claimed that Kangana dragged his name during an interview while referring to a 'coterie' existing in Bollywood, following the alleged suicide by actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Kangana went on to file a counter-complaint in the same court against Javed for alleged "extortion and criminal intimidation". She said in her complaint that following her public dispute with her Krrish 3 co-star, the lyricist had called her and her sister Rangoli to his house with "malafide intentions and ulterior motives and then criminally intimidated and threatened" her.

(With PTI inputs)

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Kriti Sanon, who made her debut in Bollywood with the 2014 film Heropanti, in an old interview had spoken about how being an outsider with no filmy connections affected her career. The actor, who turns 33 on July 27, had spoken to Pinkvilla about nepotism in the film industry and revealed that she had been replaced by starkids in movies. Also read: Kriti Sanon shares snippets from chaotic' trip to Las Vegas with sister Nupur Sanon Happy birthday Kriti Sanon: She was last seen in the film Adipurush.

Kriti Sanon has featured in a number of films since 2014 such as Dilwale, Raabta, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Luka Chuppi and Housefull 4. She was most recently seen in Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Adipurush, which received backlash over its dialogues, costumes and much more after it was released in June.

Kriti Sanon on nepotism

Speaking about her career, Kriti had told Pinkvilla in 2020, "I'm very ambitious and I know that I have the potential to do a lot more. I want to work with certain A-list directors. So I have got great opportunities but if I compare, there are a few more which I really want and I'd love to have. The difference is still there. I don't mind reaching out to directors. If I had been from a film family, I would not have to reach out. They would already know me, and I would have interacted with them somewhere. But after a while, only your work speaks. It probably takes way longer or more number of hit films and performances to sort of get there."

What Kriti said about dealing with the situation

She had further said without taking any names, "I don't know if they dialled the phone or not, but someone, who was from a film family, or there was a little more buzz about that person, had replaced me. So yes, it's happened but I don't know the reason behind it. The director might have genuinely wanted that person. It has happened a few times.... It irritates you a little bit and you feel bad. What else can you do beyond a point? But everyone has their own share of successes or failures. Things happen or don't happen for a reason. Sometimes, I didn't get a film I really wanted to do and then, it hasn't worked as well. So maybe, some of it was for good."

Kriti's upcoming projects

She will be seen in The Crew, which also stars Kareena Kapoor and Tabu. The film is backed by Ekta Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor. Kriti also has an untitled film with Shahid Kapoor as one of her upcoming projects. She also has Ganapath with Amitabh Bachchan and Tiger Shroff, which is scheduled to be released this year. The film is helmed by Vikas Bahl.

Kriti Sanon is also reuniting with her Dilwale co-star Kajol for the first project to be made under her new production banner, Blue Butterfly Films. Titled Do Patti, the film will release on Netflix and will be made in collaboration with writer Kanika Dhillon's new production house, Kathha Pictures.

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Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha got engaged in May in New Delhi and the actor and Aam Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader will reportedly marry later in 2023. In a new interview with The Quint, Raghav Chadha opened up about life after engagement with Parineeti Chopra. The politician said that his colleagues and seniors tease him less now, since he is set to marry soon. Also read: Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha looking at winter wedding in Rajasthan Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra at their engagement in Delhi.

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha's relationship

The two never publicly spoke about them dating, but reportedly, they knew each other for several years before making their relationship official in May. Since their engagement, pictures and videos of them from Rajasthan had surfaced online as they visited various locations, scouting for their wedding venue.

Raghav on engagement with Parineeti

Recently Raghav was asked how his life had changed after engagement with Parineeti. "Well, I think we should restrict this conversation to political alliances and not personal alliances. But yes, most certainly, my colleagues, co-workers in the party, and my seniors tease me a little less now... Earlier they used to ask me to get married, now they tease me a little less because they know I am getting married soon," Raghav told The Quint.

Parineeti Chopra got engaged to Raghav Chadha in Delhi earlier in May.

Parineeti and Raghav's engagement

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha got engaged in the presence of family and friends on May 13 at Kapurthala House in New Delhi. The couple was twinning in white ethnic outfits for the ceremony that was attended by everyone from actor Priyanka Chopra to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. After their engagement, Parineeti and Raghav had also stepped out to greet the paparazzi and posed for photos as they made their first public appearance as a newly-engaged couple.

Parineeti and Raghav's wedding

As per a recent Hindustan Times report, Parineeti and Raghav are looking for their wedding venue, and are planning to get married between September and November this year in Rajasthan. According to a source, Parineeti went scouting for the venue in Udaipur and is also exploring Kishangarh. While she went solo to Udaipur, she was joined by Raghav for the rest of the tour in Rajasthan.

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Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani will be released on Friday, and ever since the film's trailer dropped earlier this month, fans and celebs alike have been gushing about the film. In a new interview with News18, actor Churni Ganguly, who plays Alia Bhatt's mother in the film, has addressed the criticism of how Karan Johar has portrayed a Bengali family in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Also read: Jaya Bachchan scolds paparazzi at Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani screening Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani includes a Rabindranath Tagore reference, but Churni Ganguly believes it is not offensive to Bengalis.

Reacting to the buzz around a scene that has come under scrutiny, where Ranveer Singhs Rocky mistakes a portrait of Rabindranath Tagore as Alia's character Rani Chatterjis dadaji (grandfather), Churni defended how the film portrays Bengalis. She added 'portraits of Tagore are seen in many Bengali houses'.

Churni says film shows quintessentially Bengali family

She told News18, There are certain events that have gradually crept into the Bengali system but if you want to project a family as quintessentially Bengali, you need to include these things. I think that things like Ranveers character addressing Rabindranath Tagore as dadaji worked well for us. Portraits of Tagore are something you see in many Bengali houses.

Churni further said, When youve to project a Bengali family, you need to refer to certain stereotypes. These arent even stereotypes. According to me, its all essentially very Bengali. We still dont wear lehengas at our weddings; weve still stuck to our sarees.

Alia Bhatt's look as a Bengali grabbed attention

Soon after the trailer dropped, Alia Bhatt's Rani Chatterjee in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was compared to other iconic Bengali characters portrayed over the years in Hindi films, such as Vidya Balan as Parineeta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Paro in Devdas and Deepika Padukone as Piku Banerjee.

Many had also compared Alia and Deepika's fashion sense in their films Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Piku, respectively. Some even said that Alia was imitating Deepika's style with her sarees, heavy jhumkas as well as her black bindi. Many others had said Deepika's accent in Piku was more authentic compared to Alia's as Rani.

About Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

The Karan Johar film marks Ranveer and Alias reunion after Zoya Akhtars Gully Boy (2019). Veteran actors Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan are part of Ranveer's family  the Randhawas. Bengali actors Tota Roy Chowdhury and Churni as well as veteran actor Shabana Azmi play Alia's family  the Chatterjees  in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The film charts Rocky and Rani's love story as they deal with their 'very different' families.

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Zareen Khan said that comparisons with Katrina Kaif 'backfired' on her career as the film industry didn't give her a chance to prove her individuality. The actor during a recent 'Ask me Anything' session on Reddit, also said that she was 'literally like a lost child' during her early years in Bollywood as she didn't come from a filmy background. Also read: Zareen Khan weighed over 100kg in college, was body-shaming when she entered film industry After she made her debut with Salman Khan's Veer, Zareen Khan was instantly compared to Katrina Kaif (right).

Zareen Khan also said that initially she was 'really happy being compared to Katrina'. She said she was a fan of the actor, and found her to be 'really pretty'. Zareen had made her acting debut with the 2010 film Veer. She was one of the newcomers launched by Salman Khan. She was instantly compared to Katrina, who had worked in several films with Salman by then, such as Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005) and Partner (2007).

On comparisons with Katrina Kaif

A person asked Zareen on Reddit, "People compared you a lot with Katrina Kaif in your early days in Bollywood. How did it make you feel and did it have any impact on your career?"

To which, the actor replied, "So when I entered this industry, I was literally like a lost child, since I don't come from a filmy background. So it made me feel really happy being compared to Katrina as I was her fan too, and found her really pretty. But it backfired on my career as the people of this industry didn't give me a chance to prove my individuality."

Zareen Khan's career

Apart from Hindi films, Zareen has also appeared in Punjabi, Telugu and Tamil films. After her first film Veer, in which she featured alongside Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty and Jackie Shroff, Zareen was seen in the 2012 comedy Housefull 2. She has acted in Hate Story 3 (2015) and the Telugu film Chanakya.

She was also seen in the 2014 Punjabi film Jatt James Bond. Directed by Rohit Jugraj, the film also featured Gippy Grewal, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Yashpal Sharma. It was Zareen's first Punjabi film.

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Amid rumours that Ariana Grande is dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, it is now being reported that Slater has filed for divorce from his wife, Lilly Jay. According to a report by TMZ, Ethan is officially filing for divorce. Meanwhile, Ariana has also separated from her husband Dalton Gomez, and has deleted her wedding pictures from Instagram, which she posted in 2021. (Also read: Wicked love triangle! Ariana Grande's romance with 'Wicked' co-star Ethan Slater leaves wife Lilly Jay 'blindsided') Ariana Grande is reportedly dating Ethan Slater.

Ariana and Dalton separated?

Ariana was recently spotted without her wedding ring, which added more fuel to rumours about her troubles with Dalton. Meanwhile, it was reported that Ariana and Dalton started dating during the shoot of Wicked. Ethan married his high-school sweetheart Lily Jay in May 2021, and they also welcomed a baby last boy last year. Production insiders revealed that Lilly Jay and their baby visited the Wicked set, where Grande seemingly spent time with the couple as well.

Ethan files for divorce

Now, as per a report by TMZ, Ethan has filed for divorce from Lilly. Sources close to Lilly revealed that she was heartbroken to hear about Ethan's new relationship and felt as if he had abandoned their family. Neither Ariana Grande nor Ethan Slater has publicly addressed their alleged romance yet.

More details

Meanwhile, Ariana has even deleted the anniversary post she had shared in May. Ariana and Dalton got married in May 2021 at her home in Montecito, in a private ceremony. Ariana was photographed at the Wimbledon mens singles final last week, without her diamond ring on her left finger. She was seen sitting between actors Andrew Garfield and Jonathan Bailey. The star reacted to certain moments during the match, covering her mouth with her right hand. Her ring was notably missing. The star was last seen with her wedding ring in public at Jeff Goldblums concert in London in April. Ariana was previously linked to Pete Davidson.

The first look of the highly anticipated two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked was dropped earlier this year in April. Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba and Ariana plays as Glinda in the Jon M Chu film. The first part of Wicked is set to release next year, eyeing the date of November 27, 2024. The second part is expected to release the following year.

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Jennifer Aniston celebrated her friend Sandra Bullocks 59th birthday on Wednesday by inviting her over to her Bel Air home for some baking fun. A sweet celebration for Bullock's 59th birthday(CHARLEY GALLAY/GETTY)

Aniston shared a video on her Instagram Story of Bullock and another close pal, Will & Grace star Sean Hayes, making chocolate pumpkin brownies from Lil Luna in her spacious mid-century modern-style kitchen.

Bullock, who starred with Aniston in The Net and The Proposal, was in charge of mixing the ingredients in a bowl, while Hayes acted as her assistant. Aniston filmed the whole process and gave them instructions from behind the camera.

What step are we at now, missy? Bullock asked Aniston, who replied, Im folding it in! Bullock then echoed a joke that Aniston made, saying, Thats what he said, which made Hayes repeat it loudly and Bullock burst into laughter.

The Lost City star also jokingly chastised one of their friends who was off-camera, telling him, Dont pick your nose and then tell us how to cook!

The brownie recipe they were following involved canned pumpkin, chocolate, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which seemed more appropriate for a fall-themed treat than a summer dessert.

Baking with Bullock(JENNIFER ANISTON/INSTAGRAM)

The Murder Mystery star also posted several photos of Bullock on her Instagram Story to mark her birthday. She revealed that she calls Bullock Sand-a-La in the first photo, writing, Happy Birthday Sand-a-La!! She also shared a photo of them hugging at an event, a photo of Bullock posing with a dog, and a photo of them wearing matching masks.

Bullock received a lot of love from her celebrity friends on her 59th birthday, including Octavia Spencer. The two acted together in A Time to Kill (1996) and Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005).

ALSO READ| I love you: Selena Gomez extends sweet birthday wish to Francia Raisa despite previous rift

Spencer, 53, posted a photo of her and Bullock grinning for the camera on Instagram, as well as a cute snap of them hugging at the 2012 Academy Awards ceremony.

She wrote a heartfelt message to the 59-year-old star in the caption.

There are some people you meet whose impact goes far beyond their work: their aura, their kindness, their joy. Sandra Bullock is one of those people. Please join me in the comments in wishing her a very happy birthday!.

Ryan Reynolds also celebrated Bullocks birthday with a reference to their 2009 movie The Proposal. Reynolds, 46, shared a clip on Instagram from the rom-com featuring their famous naked scene, making a joke about her birthday present this year.

Happy Birthday to the inimitable and stunning Sandra Bullock! For your birthday this year, I got us both intimacy coordinators. And an HR department. And clothing? he wrote.
Exciting news for all spy thriller fans! The highly-awaited action-packed movie "Heart of Stone" is set to hit the OTT platform "Netflix" very soon. In this article, you'll discover everything you need to know about the release date on Netflix, its satellite rights, and where you can watch it online. The highly anticipated spy action thriller "Heart of Stone" is going to release on "Netflix" soon. So, find everything about the Heart of Stone here!

The official synopsis of the movie on IMDb reads:

An intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency races to stop a hacker from stealing its most valuable and dangerous weapon.

Heart of Stone Release Date

Heart of Stone is going to stream on Netflix on August 11, 2023.

Heart of Stone - A glimpse into the world of espionage

Heart of Stone is an exciting new action movie on Netflix, featuring some of Hollywood's top stars. The film takes us into the thrilling world of spies and their high-stakes missions, all revolving around a mysterious MacGuffin.

The movie trailer premiered during Netflix's Tudum Global Fan event on June 17, 2023. It reveals the difficulties Rachel Stone encounters as the voiceover talks about the demands placed on a top-level spy like her:

You know what you signed up for - no friends, no relationships. What we do is too important. When governments fail, the only thing left is the Charter. The most highly trained agents, no political leanings, no national allegiances, working together to keep peace in a turbulent world.

Rachel Stone is a member of a special group of spies who work undercover to bring peace to a troubled world. But there's a problem  the Charter they protect is in danger!

In this action-packed movie, Gal Gadot takes on the lead role, performing daring stunts like jumping off cliffs with only a parachute and battling enemies in mid-air. She's known for her work in Red Notice, another collaboration with Netflix.

Opposite Gadot, Jamie Dornan plays Parker, an MI6 agent, while Alia Bhatt plays Keya Dhawan, a skilled hacker with her own agenda. She plans to steal and use The Heart for her own purposes, putting Agent Stone in a tough spot. Now, Rachel Stone must step up to save the Charter and her organization from harm!

In the movie, you'll also see Matthias Schweighofer, known for his role in Army of Thieves, talking about The Heart's incredible power. He explains that The Heart gives Charter its strength and can even cause market crashes or manipulate planes.

Mark Breakspear, the VFX supervisor for the film, mentions that The Heart is a powerful AI that gathers, analyzes, and shares human data to predict patterns. It guides the Charter with possible plans for specific situations.

Following the success of action-packed films like Red Priest, Extraction 2, and The Gray Man, Heart of Stone is expected to make waves on Netflix upon its release on August 11, 2023

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Netflix just announced a limited series named Painkiller, which would focus on America's real-life opioid issue. This drama, starring Matthew Broderick and Uzo Aduba as the key characters, will follow a fictitious version of events that led to one of America's worst crises in recent years. The upcoming limited series Painkiller puts a sharp focus on the origins and aftermath of Americas opioid epidemic. Here's everything you need to know!

The streaming platform released a trailer for the upcoming series, showing a glimpse of the complex criminal world that caused this big crisis.

The synopsis reads:

Explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin. [It is an] examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans.

When and Where Is Painkiller Premiering?

"Painkiller" will have six episodes and is scheduled to debut on Netflix on August 10, 2023.

Painkiller trailer: Pain, pleasure, and Greed

The Painkiller trailer reveals how OxyContin, a legal drug prescribed by doctors, is connected to the opioid crisis in America. It shows the people profiting from it, its widespread use across the country, and those who are working to stop its harmful effects.

The creators of the series took a realistic approach, capturing some stunning visuals and impressive sound work in the trailer.

"Painkiller" is inspired by Barry Meier's book and Patrick Radden Keefe's article from the New Yorker Magazine. But instead of showing real events, the show will tell the story in a fictionalized way, adding their own twist to the tale.

During Netflix's Tudum event, Director Peter Berg discussed the series and shared important details about it.

He said:

Everyone knows that the opioid crisis is bad...But this is the origin story of the collision between medicine and money that allowed it to happen. One of the many things that I thought was missing [from the conversation about OxyContin] was the introduction of the drug into mainstream medicine.

He added:

"How Arthur Sackler, this psychiatrist from New York who specialized in lobotomies, started to realize that the future was in pills  specifically in advertising pills. Whoever could market their drug better was going to make the most money...We wanted to make sure people knew upfront that there might be some farcical moments in this show, but that we don't think there's anything remotely funny about the Sackler family, Purdue and the opioid crisis."

Executive producer Eric Newman emphasized the significance of this limited series by stating:

We wanted to mirror the effects of opioids: the warmth and the hope and the relief of taking a pill thats going to deliver you from your suffering and then watching it become suffering.

When and Where Was Painkiller Filmed?

Netflix commenced production on their anticipated limited drama series, Painkiller, in Toronto, Canada, in April 2021. The filming concluded in November 2021.

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"The Monkey King," a fresh animated film by actor-producer Stephen Chow, coming to Netflix in August. Heres everything we know about The Monkey King, Netflixs upcoming animated movie based on a legendary Chinese tale, including its release date, trailer& more.

This movie is inspired by a Chinese character from "Journey to the West," a famous 16th-century Chinese novel. The Monkey King possesses extraordinary supernatural powers, but his biggest challenge is his own inflated ego.

In "The Monkey King," you'll hear the voices of talented Asian actors from Hollywood, like Jimmy O. Yang as the Monkey King, Bowen Yang as the Dragon King, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Lin, Jo Koy as Benbo, Ron Yuan as Babbo, and Stephanie Hsu as the Mayor's Wife.

When will The Monkey King be released on Netflix?

The Monkey King will be released on the streaming service Netflix on August 18.

The Monkey King plot: What is the Netflix movie about?

As per the official synopsis: The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a charismatic Monkey and his magical fighting Stick on an epic quest for victory over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkeys greatest foe of all  his own ego!

It goes on to say: Along the way, a young village girl challenges his self-centered attitude and shows him that even the smallest pebble can have a big effect on the world.

This movie is all about a make-believe Chinese monkey who gains amazing powers from Taoist practices in the book "Journey to the West," written long ago in the 16th century. In the animated version, the Monkey King uses these supernatural abilities to boost his big ego. He goes on a brave adventure to defeat 100 demons and become truly immortal, hoping to join the gods.

When discussing the adaptation of the tale for a modern audience while respecting the folklore, producer Peilin Chou stated:

We wanted The Monkey King to be both relatable for the globe, but also new and cool for Chinese audiences that had seen dozens of films and television series about this character in the past.

We achieved that on a few levels, first with portraying Stick as an anthropomorphic character, which to my knowledge had never been done before and just felt like a no-brainer to me for animation.

Thats everything we know about The Monkey King, which drops on Netflix on August 18.

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BTS ARMY has been eagerly waiting for the solo debut of BTS member V aka Kim Taehyung. In a recent Weverse Live, Jungkook replied to a fan asking if he had heard Kim Taehyungs songs. For a long time, the BTS member has teased fans about a solo record. (Also read: BTS' V making his solo debut in September? BigHit Music responds to reports) BTS member Jungkook has teased that he had heard a few songs from V's upcoming album.

Jungkook teases fans about V's music

During a Weverse Live, when a fan asked Jungkook whether he has heard any of Kim Taehyungs songs, he said: Have I listened to Taehyungs album? Has the news come out? Ive listened to a few of his songs, theyre good hes good. Ive heard it beforehand.

Kim Young-dae on V's new music

Meanwhile, music critic Kim Young-dae attended the 2023 ACC Culture Education event and reportedly revealed that he has heard V's songs. According to a translation by Sportskeeda, he said, "You'll be totally surprised and be able to hear more of his natural vocals and also something different from the BTS vocalist V. I think you'll be a little surprised! It's a new discovery by a vocalist named V. Of course, there's a familiar side of V. But I was like, 'Ah.. I think you'll be surprised to see how that's done. First of all, the music is so good V has a very charming voice, right? In the BTS songs, he interpreted (the songs) in a certain way. And there's one reason why this album is so unique. You'll be really surprised. It's not about a collaboration."

A few days ago, BTS's agency BigHit Music had said that there is no confirmation regarding V's solo album release. The agency officially announced on July 20, The schedule is being released after confirmation. V is currently working relentlessly on his solo album."

About BTS

BTS consists of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook. Currently, the group is on a hiatus to follow their solo careers. Jin and J-Hope are enlisted in the military and others will be joining the services too as per their individual timeline. The group is likely to be back after wrapping up their mandatory military service, sometime around 2025.

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Fans of Travis Scott will have to wait a little longer to see him perform at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. (FILES) US rapper Travis Scott arrives for the screening of the film "The Idol" during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 22, 2023. US rapper Travis Scott will not face criminal charges for the crowd movement that left ten people dead at the Astroworld festival he co-organized in Texas in November 2021, judicial authorities announced on June 29. "No criminal charges will be filed," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg's office said in a statement. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)(AFP)

The rappers concert, which was scheduled for July 28th, has been called off due to production issues that prevented the show from being set up in the desert.

Live Nation Middle East, the concert promoter, broke the news on social media Wednesday and apologized for the cancellation.

We regret to inform you that the UTOPIA show, originally scheduled for July 28th at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is cancelled, they tweeted. Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert. We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired.

Live Nation also assured ticket holders that they would receive full refunds from their point of purchase. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience for this cancellation may have cause and appreciate your understanding. We remain committed to bringing exceptional live performances to fans and hope to have the opportunity to do so in the future.

Scott, 32, also took to Twitter to address his fans and promise that he would reschedule the concert at some point.

Egypt at the pyramids will happen. But due to demand and detail logistics they just need a bit a time to set lay on lands. I will keep u posted on a date which will be soon love you alllll, he wrote.

He also teased that he had more similar shows planned in other locations.

But in good news I had 4 more of these type of experiences in other places. COORDINATES SOON REACH, he added.

The Goosebumps artist recently dropped the first single from his upcoming album, a collaboration with Bad Bunny and The Weeknd called K-Pop.

ALSO READ| No iPhone, only Galaxy SUGA steals the show at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event!

K-Pop is a preview of what fans can expect from the 32-year-olds highly anticipated album Utopia, which he has not yet announced an official release date for. He has, however, hinted that its coming soon. The album will be presented in a 3-D immersive experience.

Utopia will be Scotts first album since 2016, and his first major project since the tragic incident at his Astroworld Festival in Houston in November 2021, where 10 of his fans died in a crowd crush.
Fears surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) have plagued human society since the dawn of the computer age. The warnings often focused on the physical threats of machines killing, enslaving, or replacing people. However, in the wake of recent developments in generative AI, renowned historian Yuval Noah Harari warns us that a new danger has emerged; AIs astonishing language manipulation capabilities, using words, sounds, and images can potentially hack our civilisation's operating system. This infiltration has led us down the path of what Harari terms as an "infocalypse." Digital revolution (Shutterstock)

While there have been several discussions on how this may impact our society, we specifically examine the challenges that may emerge in digital commerce. Within a few months of generative AIs rollout for common use, we're witnessing the early signs of AI tools, like ChatGPT, being misused to power bots, generate fake reviews, and saturate the web with subpar content. The products and services listed on online marketplaces are already witnessing reviews that begin with the telltale words, "As an AI language model", which clearly implies that these reviews have been written with the help of generative AI.

This is a significant threat to trust in digital platforms because when it comes to making purchasing decisions, the opinions of consumers, who have used a particular product, hold significant sway. According to a survey by an SEO platform, a staggering 76% of consumers regularly consider reviews before making a product choice. Furthermore, nearly 75% admit that a positive review is the key factor influencing their perception of the product. However, the proliferation of fake reviews jeopardises consumer trust in online reviews as a whole. Authentic reviews, whether positive or negative, serve as a valuable resource by sharing genuine experiences. In contrast, fake reviews distort the marketplace by depriving consumers of accurate information and swaying their decisions with misleading endorsements. Fake reviews also hold the power to either damage or bolster a business's reputation, with far-reaching consequences. Research conducted by Harvard Professor Michael Luca suggests that a mere one-star change in a company's Yelp rating can substantially impact its revenue by 5-9%.

In the early days of digital commerce, there wasnt significant recognition of the need to regulate platforms to ensure genuineness of reviews. Unfortunately, this led to the rise of paid-review farms, which exploit businesses seeking to artificially boost their ratings on review platforms. A different study by Luca highlighted that in 2015, fake reviews could be brought for as little as 25 cents per review, indicating that the cost of posting fake reviews was much lower than the benefit one could reap out of them.

Recognising the severity of the problem, the European Commission (EU) and national consumer protection authorities conducted an extensive EU-wide website screening to assess the credibility of consumer reviews. The results revealed deep doubts about the authenticity of reviews on the majority of the analysed websites. In India, the proliferation of fake and misleading reviews also violates consumers' right to be informed, as enshrined in the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The Department of Consumer Affairs therefore took notice after the release of the EU report and promptly invited key stakeholders to address the issue.

As a result of these discussions, the Department in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), introduced voluntary standards for online reviews in November 2022. However, when these standards were created, they did not proactively account for the generative abilities of AI. It is now crucial to consider the ongoing AI boom and its implications on the industry.

AI is a dynamic field, and regulating fake reviews online requires the support and collaboration of industry stakeholders. The government must encourage innovation by the private sector in collaboration with experts and consumer groups to address this problem at scale as proliferation of fake reviews is likely to increase given the short time required to generate new content. Online marketplaces also have market incentives to address this problem, as they are well aware that fake reviews undermine trust and credibility, leading to decreased user engagement and ultimately people's reluctance to use their platforms. We must therefore also build systems so that platforms collaborate with each other to identify common bad actors who are operating across online marketplaces.

Further, in India, initiatives such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) which are encouraging interoperability could also play a potential role in building systems of cooperation to check fake reviews. Fixing accountability of fake reviews and law enforcement mechanisms may also need to be revisited as AIs impact on this aspect becomes clearer.

As the AI revolution unfolds, our ability to preserve the integrity of digital commerce becomes paramount to ensure continued trust in digital markets. We should take proactive steps to regulate and combat the proliferation of fake reviews to enable informed decision-making and protect online commerce from AI-powered manipulative practices.

This article is authored by Mayank Mishra, Manager, Public Policy & Salil Ahuja, Associate, Public Policy, TQH Consulting.
Around 80 tourists were rescued by a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the wee hours of Thursday after they got starnded at Muthyala Dhara waterfall in Mulugu district of Telangana after an increase in water flow on Wednesday, the police said. Tourists stuck in the Muthyala Dhara waterfalls in Mulugu district in Telangana as water flow increased.(Mint)

The tourists, who were from Khammam, Hanumakonda, Karimnagar and Warangal, were on an adventurous trip to witness the waterfall on Wednesday. They were trapped in the forest on the return journey in the evening due to the sudden surge of the stream, HT reported.

The District Disaster Response Force, NDRF, and the local police were deployed to the site to conduct the rescue operation after the water flow increased in the waterfall following the incessant rains.

As per the visuals shared by the news agency ANI, the stranded tourists can be seen being provided medical services and other food essentials post the rescue operation.

According to police, all the tourists are in good health and the overnight rescue operation has been completed.

"Rescue work has been completed. A total of 80 stranded tourists have been rescued from the Mutyala Dhara waterfall. We verified with every group and no one is left behind now. They have been given water and medical services. One boy got a minor scorpion bite and he has been treated. 90% of tourists' health is fine," Gaush Alam, Superintendent of Police, Mulugu told news agency ANI.

Heavy rain batters Telangana:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of extremely heavy rainfall in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh until Thursday. The state has recorded the highest-ever rainfall in a day with Laxmidevapeta in Venkatapur mandal (revenue block) of Mulugu district recording 649.8 mm by 8 am on Thursday.

Several other parts of northern Telangana, including erstwhile combined districts of Warangal, Karimnagar, Adilabad and Khammam have been witnessing extremely heavy rains for the last two days. Videos of rivers and water bodies overflowing, roads being cut off and residential areas being inundated are flooding social media.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Here are todays top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of various projects, in Sikar. (PTI)

'Gehlot ji could not come today as...': PM Modi in Rajasthan amid PMO, CM Twitter war

Prime Minister Narendra Modi prayed for Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot's good health as PM Modi launched various development projects in Rajasthan's Sikar amid an intense Twitter war between Gehlot and Prime Minister's Office over Gehlot's supposed presence at the event. Read more

OMG 2 song Har Har Mahadev: Akshay Kumar attempts Lord Shiva's Tandava dance in perfect Sawan number

A new song from Akshay Kumar's upcoming film OMG 2 seems to be the apt offering in the month of Sawan. Titled Har Har Mahadev, the song has Akshay Kumar channeling Lord Shiva with ash smeared on his face and body and doing his famous Tandava dance. Read more

'I've answered this a lot of times...': Rohit irked with question on Virat Kohli, issues blunt 'it doesn't matter' reply

Team India will return to action on Thursday when it takes on the West Indies in the first of three-match ODI series in Barbados. Read more

Mental barriers to speaking up and how to overcome them

Often we feel that the situation is wrong, and we should speak up against it, but we are unable to. This happens because of years of conditioning of the home to learn not to talk when we should choose peace by diverting the issue. Read more

Top 5 Indian women bowlers in ICC ODI rankings

Here are the top 5 Indian women bowlers in ICC ODI rankings. Read more

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NEW DELHI: Al-Qaeda maintains a close and symbiotic relationship with the Afghan Taliban and is shaping its regional affiliate to expand operations to Jammu and Kashmir, Bangladesh and Myanmar, according to a new United Nations report. The UN report said al-Qaeda members have infiltrated law enforcement agencies and public administration bodies and ensure security of the groups cells across Afghanistan (Reuters File)

The report on global operations of al-Qaeda and Islamic State by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the UN Security Council said that al-Qaeda has an estimated 400 fighters in Afghanistan, while its affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), has about 200 fighters led by Osama Mehmood.

Al-Qaeda is shaping AQIS to spread its operations into Jammu and Kashmir, Bangladesh and Myanmar, the report said, citing an assessment by an unnamed UN member state. This member state also noted that certain limited elements of AQIS are ready to either join or collaborate with ISIL-K, the report added, referring to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP), the global terror networks chapter in Afghanistan.

Another UN member state noted the possibility of AQIS merging with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been emboldened by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. This member state assessed AQIS to be providing guidance to TTP for conducting increased attacks within Pakistan, the report said.

The creation of AQIS was announced by former al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in September 2014, and Pakistan-based Asim Umar was the affiliates original leader. Osama Mehmood, believed to be a Pakistani national, became head of AQIS in 2019 after Umar was killed in a US-Afghan military operation. There are no reports so far of AQIS cooperating with the Islamic State-Khorasan Province in the region.

AQIS has largely been unable to carry out large-scale attacks outside Pakistan, where it claimed responsibility for killing a brigadier of the Pakistan Army in September 2014 and for attacking a police complex in a Karachi suburb in January 2017. Experts believe the group has been unable to gain traction in India, where the groups leader, Mohammad Asif, was arrested in late 2015.

However, AQIS published a so-called code of conduct in June 2017 that outlined the groups goal of carrying out attacks in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar. It also issued a statement in English and Urdu in June 2022 calling for attacks in India.

According to the UN report, Afghanistan remained a place of global significance for terrorism, with approximately 20 terrorist groups operating in the country. The goal of these terror groups is to spread their respective influence across the regions and to build theocratic quasi-state entities, the report said.

The relationship between the Afghan Taliban, which captured power in Kabul in August 2021, and al-Qaeda remains close and symbiotic. However, al-Qaeda operates covertly in Afghanistan to help promote the narrative that the Taliban comply with agreements not to use Afghan soil for terrorist purposes, the report said.

Under the patronage of high-ranking Taliban officials, al-Qaeda members infiltrate law enforcement agencies and public administration bodies, ensuring the security of the groups cells across Afghanistan. Al-Qaedas capability to conduct large-scale terror attacks remains reduced while its intent remains firm.

Al-Qaeda uses Afghanistan as an ideological and logistical hub to recruit new fighters while covertly rebuilding its external operations capability, and the group has set up new training centres in Kunar and Nuristan provinces. Al-Qaeda is also working to strengthen cooperation with non-Afghan terror groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) and Jamaat Ansarullah.

Some UN member states assessed Sayf al-Adl remains the most likely successor to al-Zawahiri, who was killed in a US drone strike in Kabul in July 2022, and he is reportedly still in Iran.

UN member states also assessed Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) as the most serious terrorist threat in Afghanistan and the wider region, according to the UN report. IS-KP is estimated to have 4,000 to 6,000 members, with Mawlawi Rajab the leader of the groups external operations.

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BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's video message on the Manipur crisis, saying people enjoy and have a laugh when the Congress leader tweets. Dubey said the House feels empty without Rahul Gandhi, who has been disqualified from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case, and people will not get something to laugh about if the Congress leader won't tweet. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the ongoing violence in Manipur, alleging that the BJP leader knows that his ideology has set the northeastern state ablaze. In a video message shared by Congress, Rahul Gandhi said Modi is the prime minister of a selected few and doesn't care about the sufferings of the women of Manipur.

You would be surprised why is the prime minister of the country not going to Manipur and speaking on it. It is because Narendra Modi is the PM of only a selected few, of RSS. He has nothing to do with Manipur. He knows that his ideology has set Manipur ablaze, he added.

Gandhi said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is only interested in power and would do anything to get it.

Reacting to Gandhi's video, Dubey told ANI, There is no difference between a child and Rahul Gandhi. Since he has been disqualified as an MP and has stopped coming to the Parliament, the House feels empty.

If he won't tweet, then people will not get something to laugh about. Whenever he tweets, people enjoy it.

Dubey also claimed that the ongoing crisis in Manipur is due to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, imposed in the state during the Jawaharlal Nehru-led government in the 1950s. He said Prime Minister Modi will respond to all questions related to the strife-torn northeastern state during the discussion on the no-confidence motion.

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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
Almost 24 years after the Kargil war, Captain Vikram Batra died fighting Pakistani forces, his battle cry yeh dil mange more" still echoes from the peaks of Kargil, says his twin brother Vishal for whom a return to the mountains is akin to a pilgrimage. Captain Vikram Batra during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

Vishal Batra, who attended the 24th Kargil Diwas event, also said he was thankful to the people for their love and affection towards his brother, fondly called the "Lion of Kargil" for his supreme sacrifice in the 1999 war.

"It is always a proud and nostalgic feeling whenever I visit these mighty peaks to see the valour displayed by our young officers and soldiers. It feels exactly the same as it did back then -- ye dil mange more...we can still hear him (Capt Vikram) say that," he told PTI.

He said he is filled with pride to see the kind of love he receives from people throughout the country.

"But on a personal level it has been a difficult healing journeyMy family has still not made peace with it even after these many years, Vishal Batra said.

Captain Vikram Batra died fighting Pakistani forces during the Kargil war in 1999 at the age of 24. He was given the highest wartime gallantry award 'Param Vir Chakra' posthumously.

Due to his exemplary feat, Captain Vikram was awarded with many titles. He came to be fondly called the "Tiger of Drass", the "Lion of Kargil", the "Kargil Hero", and so on. His bravery, zeal and determination had set a standard for everyone fighting the war. "Yeh dil mange more" was Batras victory slogan.

Vishal Batra, who flaunts a tattoo of ye dil mange more on his right arm, said visiting the war memorial is like visiting a shrine for him.

"The kind of love I receive not only from the officers but also from families of other martyrs, it just fills me with different emotions. I can feel him here, he still is, said Vishal, who works in a bank.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra starrer Bollywood movie Shershah, which was released in 2021, is based on Capt Vikram Batras story.

The Indian Army had launched a fierce counter-assault, 'Operation Vijay', to push back Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh in 1999.

The Kargil War saw soldiers of the Indian armed forces fight in the most challenging terrain under harsh weather conditions, defeating the enemy in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed to mark Indias victory over Pakistan in the war.

"When you go home, tell them of us, they gave their today for our tomorrowPaid homage to dear twin who would always be love for me (our Shershaah Captain Vikram batra PVC) and other bravados on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Beneath the earth at the war memorial, the young warriors sleep, Vishal Batra wrote in a social media post.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said his three-minute scheduled address listing demands such as scrapping the Agniveer scheme and loan waiver at Prime Minister Narendra Modis programme in poll-bound Rajasthans Sikar was cancelled. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) immediately denied the claim but Gehlot stuck to it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot . (ANI/File)

The PMO maintained that Gehlot was invited and his speech was also slotted as per protocol at the inauguration and the foundation laying ceremony of 12 medical colleges but the chief ministers office said he will unable to attend the event.

In a tweet, PMO said Gehlot has always been invited and he has also attended Modis programmes previously. You are most welcome to join todays programme. Your name is on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued.

Gehlot responded saying the PMO was informed he will attend the event virtually due to the injury and that his minister will be at the venue. He attached the correspondence over it and the event schedule. Respected Prime Minister, your office has taken cognisance of my tweet but probably it is not aware of the facts. My address was part of the proposed programme..., he tweeted.

Gehlot added he was again informed that he would not be addressing the event on Wednesday night. Gehlot said he will join the programme in Rajasthans interest in non-interactive mode through video conferencing.

In his tweet earlier in Hindi, Gehlot said he will not be able to welcome Modi. ...so I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet. He said the inauguration and foundation of medical colleges were being laid in partnership between the Rajasthan and the Union government. The project cost of these medical colleges is 3,689 crore, of which 2,213 crore is the Centres share and 1,476 crore of the state government.

He said he was tweeting the demands he was to make in his speech while referring to Modis seventh visit to Rajasthan in six months. Gehlot cited the demand of the youth, especially of Rajasthans Shekhawati region, and said the permanent recruitment should be restored by withdrawing the Agniveer scheme.

The scheme, which sparked protests last year over reduced tenure and fewer post-service benefits, has been designed to lower the average age of Indias armed forces. Recruitments under it are being done on four-year contracts. Only 25% of the recruits will be retained at the end of their terms.

Gehlot said the state government has waived loans worth 15,000 crore of 2.1 million farmers from all the cooperative banks under it. We have sent a one-time settlement proposal to the central government to waive the loans of nationalised banks...This demand should be fulfilled.

He asked the central government to take a decision on a caste census without delay while referring to the Rajasthan assemblys resolution over it.

Reservations and caste census are expected to be major issues in the run-up to the 2024 national elections. A caste census has not been conducted since 1931. Congress backed quotas based on a national caste census before it stormed to power in Karnataka in May.

Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are due to go to the polls along with Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram. The polls in the five states accounting for roughly 15% of Indias population are set expected to set the tone for the 2024 national elections.

In his first tweet, Gehlot said medical colleges in three districts built entirely with the states funding were not getting any financial assistance from the central government. The central government should also give 60% funding to the medical colleges in these three tribal-dominated districts, Gehlot said.

He demanded the status of a project of national importance for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). Congress has accused the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of stalling the ERCP, which seeks to provide irrigation and drinking water facilities across 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan.

Modi was also due to transfer money into the accounts of 90 million farmers under the Kisan Samman Nidhi cash transfer scheme for small and marginal cultivators before addressing a gathering of farmers in Sikar.

BJP leader Rajendra Rathore tweeted thanking Gehlot for at least accepting the central governments 2,213 crore contribution to medical colleges in the state. It would have been better if you had paid attention to the faculty and other resources in the previously operated medical colleges.

Rathore questioned why did not Gehlot keep his poll promise to waive the loan of the farmers in 10 days. Now the governments tenure is in the last stage...so you are demanding loan waiver from the central government.

Rathore said Gehlot was rejecting Agniveers even as the country has accepted them. ...lakhs of youth across the country are taking advantage of the Agnipath scheme to serve the nation. Why this narrowness?

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A circle inspector of the Kerala crime branch has been booked in Malappuram district for allegedly raping a woman on the pretext of marriage. For representational purposes only. (PTI File Photo)

We received the complaint from the woman two days ago, following which the case was filed. She claimed that the officer raped her multiple times starting last year on the pretext of marrying her. The investigation is going on, investigating officer Benny Vellappallil, deputy superintendent of police at Tirur, said.

A case under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against MC Pramod at the Kuttipuram police station.

Pramod was the circle inspector at Kuttipuram and is currently an officer of the same rank in the crime branch section after his transfer to Thrissur last year.

Another officer from the Kuttipuram station said the accused reportedly assaulted the woman at different places including Wayanad, Kuttippuram and Payyannur. The accused, who has not been arrested yet, will be questioned soon, the police said.

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The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday successfully averted a potential environmental disaster as they rescued a research ship belonging to the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) that suffered engine failure. The ship, named RV Sindhu Sadhana, was carrying eight scientists and a total crew of 36. Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued Research Ship of CSIR-NIO,

The vessel was drifting perilously close to the ecologically sensitive Karwar coastline and posed an imminent threat of grounding, which could have led to a major oil spill, resulting in devastating pollution to the marine ecosystem, a government release said.

The distress signal was received when the ship was approximately 20 nautical miles from the land, adrift at a speed of 3 knots due to engine failure. The NIO research vessel was equipped with valuable scientific equipment and research data, raising concerns about potential damage to the delicate marine environment.

In response to the distress call, the Indian Coast Guard immediately launched a high-priority rescue operation. Their highly advanced ship, manned by a skilled team, was dispatched to the area. Recognizing the magnitude of the potential disaster, the Indian Coast Guard acted swiftly to safeguard the vessel and protect the fragile ecosystem from harm.

Despite facing challenging weather conditions and the considerable distance between the ship and the coastline, the Indian Coast Guard team managed to successfully tow the NIO research vessel to safety, skillfully navigating it back to Goa. The seamless execution of the rescue operation ensured the well-being of the crew onboard, who are now reported to be safe and sound.

Both ships are currently en route to Goa and are expected to reach Mormugao harbour on the morning of July 18, the release said.

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The Congress on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of obstructing Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge from speaking in the Rajya Sabha after external affairs minister S Jaishankars statement on developments on Indias foreign policy. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (Twitter Photo)

Speaking on the latest developments in foreign policy, S Jaishankar told the House that India had prioritised its engagements with its neighbours and elucidated on the significant progress made in bilateral relations under the leadership of PM Modi.

Slamming the Oppositions disruption during his statement, Jaishankar said, If you claim to be INDIA but if you are not prepared to listen to Indias national interests, then what kind of India are you? If you cannot respect the president, vice president, prime minister, if you wont allow the external affairs minister to make a statement in Parliament, then its a very sorry state of affairs.

INDIA, which stands for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, comprises 26 opposition parties so far.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition leaders, leader of the House Piyush Goyal said, It is very unfortunate that the Opposition is politicising an issue such as Indias foreign policy. The Opposition will not be able to understand how India is advancing on a global level, as apprised to is in the House by the foreign minister (S Jaishankar).

Earlier, the opposition MPs of the INDIA alliance had arrived at the Parliament wearing black clothes as a mark of protest against the Manipur violence.

The Manipur issue has been a key reason for the continuous logjam in both Houses since the monsoon session commenced.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs on Thursday raised an objection over the ruckus by opposition lawmakers during the external affairs ministers statement on Indias foreign policy developments and said they would not let Congress's leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury speak in the House. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts the proceedings of the House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo/SansadTV)

When the Chair asked Chowdhury to raise a point of order, Union minister Piyush Goyal stood up and said he would not allow the Congress leader to speak in protest against the disruption of the external affairs minister's statement earlier in the day.

Chowdhury said that the no-confidence motion moved in May 1978 against the Morarji Desai government by then leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha C M Stephen was immediately taken up for debate, suggesting that the no-confidence motion against the Modi government should also have been taken up immediately.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the motion is under the cognisance of the Speaker and there is a 10-day window to take it up. Joshi also asserted that the Modi government has the numbers on its side and is ready to face the voting whenever the Speaker decides.

They have moved a No Confidence Motion which is under the cognisance of the Speaker. There is a 10-day window. Whenever the Speaker decides, the government is ready. We have the numbers. People trust us and PM Modi, not them, Joshi said.

Earlier today, external affairs minister S Jaishankar gave a detailed summary of foreign engagements of the president, vice-president and prime minister over the last four months amid loud sloganeering by the opposition. At one point, the minister was barely audible with "INDIA , INDIA" slogans being raised by members.

INDIA is an acronym for the newly constituted Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance of 26 opposition parties.

Slamming the Oppositions disruption during his statement, Jaishankar said, If you claim to be INDIA but if you are not prepared to listen to Indias national interests, then what kind of India are you? If you cannot respect the president, vice president, prime minister, if you wont allow the external affairs minister to make a statement in Parliament, then its a very sorry state of affairs.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition leaders, Goyal said, It is very unfortunate that the Opposition is politicising an issue such as Indias foreign policy. The Opposition will not be able to understand how India is advancing on a global level, as apprised to is in the House by the foreign minister (S Jaishankar).

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The safety and security of passengers are of paramount importance to the railways, said the Delhi high court on Thursday while directing the Centre to conduct periodic audit of safety and security measures in the Indian Railways. The high court asked the Centre to ensure maintenance of highest standards of safety and security at stations all across the country. The high court asked the Centre to ensure maintenance of highest standards of safety and security at stations all across the country (HT)

A bench of chief justice Satish Chandra Sharma and justice Saurabh Banerjee passed the order while disposing of a public interest litigation by advocate Kush Kalra, seeking anti-collision systems and other safety/security measures like baggage scanners, hand-held metal detectors and CCTV cameras at all the railway stations.

Kalra alleged that there was a lack of safety and security measures at the majority of the train stations. He said he had drawn the attention of the railway authorities towards inadequate safety measures at stations but no steps were taken to rectify the situation. The petitioner claimed the Indian Railways has in replies to Right to Information (RTI) queries admitted it has received huge budgetary allocations for safety and security measures at all its stations.

The court, while taking note of the safety and security measures being taken by the authorities, said they clearly reflect that the Indian Railways has been taking all necessary safeguards to ensure there is no breach in this respect.

The affidavit (by Centre) reveals that the Railways have presently installed CCTV cameras, luggage scanning devices, door frame metal detectors, hand held metal detector, body worn cameras and dogs (sniffer and tracker), automatic train protection system etc, the court said.

the respondents shall ensure that there is a periodic audit in respect of the safety and security measures in the Indian Railways and after conducting periodic audit and assessing the situation, the Government of India shall ensure maintenance of highest standards of safety and security at railway stations all over the country, the bench added.

In its affidavit, the government said that all India helpline number 139 is being used for assistance in case of complaints and the Railway Protection Forces Twitter handle is available for passengers in case they have to file a complaint or seek assistance.

It said operation Meri Saheli has been launched to ensure safety and security of women passengers, especially for those travelling alone, besides providing a child helpline and deploying anti-trafficking units at stations.

Regarding anti-collision devices, the affidavit said Automatic Train Protection Systems are being put in place. An anti-collision device developed by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) is in place as a pilot project on a 1,736 km route of the Northeast Frontier Railways.

It said the public-sector transporter has undertaken the task of providing CCTV cameras at all the 6,124 railway stations. About efforts to check alcohol consumption on railway premises and trains, the court was informed action is being taken against the accused under the Railway Act, and 42,086 offenders have been prosecuted till July 2022.

It said the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police are escorting 3,200 trains per day for safe and secure journey of passengers.

The government said 245 luggage scanning devices have been installed on platform entry points and 977 door frame metal detectors have been put in place at stations. Altogether 4,846 hand held detectors are there at various railway stations.
New Delhi: The Union home ministry has told the Supreme Court that seven cases connected to the ethnic violence in Manipur  including the May 4 assault of two women by a mob, a viral video of which sparked an outcry  have been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and requested the top court to shift these trials outside the strife-torn state, home minister Amit Shah said on Thursday. Union home minister Amit Shah (File Photo/PTI)

Briefing the media in Delhi, Shah also said that the man who filmed the assault of the two Kuki women was arrested, and that security forces had established a 35,000 personnel-strong buffer zone between the warring Meitei and Kuki communities, with no death reported from the northeastern state since July 18. The government was also moving to stop the flow of drugs across the Myanmar border and stepping up the fencing of the sensitive international frontier, he added.

Six cases have already been sent to CBI, and the seventh is on its way. We want, for the sake of impartiality, trials in these cases to be held outside the state of Manipur, Shah said. Three other cases have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the home minister said.

Earlier in the day, the Union government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, informing the apex court that the viral video case was handed to CBI and asking the top court to shift the trial in the case out of the state. The Supreme Court is the only authority that can transfer trials out of a particular state.

At least 147 people have died and 40,000 displaced by ethnic clashes that have roiled Manipur since May 3, virtually portioning the state between the dominant Meitei community that lives in the plains and constitutes 53% of the states population, and the tribal Kuki group, which lives in the hill districts and makes up 16% of the state.

Shah said that the authorities arrested the videographer of the May 4 clip that showed men  a first information report (FIR) later identified them as members of Meitei groups  hooting and applauding while stripping two Kuki women and forcing them to parade naked. The mobile phone that was used to take the shots had prima facie revealed a conspiracy to embarrass the government on the eve of the monsoon session of Parliament, the minister added.

The monsoon session has been deadlocked over the sexual assault, with the Opposition demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak inside Parliament on the Manipur violence, and the government insisting that it was ready for a debate and that Shah will respond on the floor of the House. The Opposition has also maintained that the state government has failed in restoring law-and-order, calling for the removal of chief minister N Biren Singh.

The PM was constantly in touch with the home ministry throughout, and, at times, spoke to Shah three times a day, said people aware of the developments.

Shah clarified that neither him nor intelligence agencies had any clue about the May 4 video, and said that strictest action will be taken against the culprits, and others accused in the 6,065 FIRs filed by the state police. Neither the army nor the police were present when the May 4 video was shot, he said.

Police have registered FIRs in two other cases involving viral videos that are being circulated on social media to aggravate the situation in Manipur but where the actual incidents occurred in Myanmar in 2022.

Shah said Indian security forces formed a buffer zone between the Meitei and Kuki communities with a unified command under security adviser Kuldiep Singh, who is handling the law-and-order situation on a day-to-day basis.

At least a dozen round of talks have taken place separately with the two communities using credible interlocutors, he added.

With the Centre directly involved in defusing the situation, Shah said that 72% of state government employees had returned to work, and 82% students were back in school. The Union and state civil services exams were also held in the state recently, Shah said, adding that the law-and-order situation was largely under control and that he hoped peace would return to the state soon.

The home minister said that though a Manipur high court order on scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meiteis had sparked ethnic clashes, there was no communal violence reported from the state. He also made it clear that the government will move the Supreme Court on ST status to Meiteis, there will be no move to bring back the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to new areas in Manipur.

He said biometric data was being taken of all those Kukis who entered the state from Myanmar, and after the completion of the survey by December 2023, all names will be put in a negative list so that they cannot get Indian identity cards.

The minister pointed out that four major ethnic clashes involving Kukis had taken place in the 1990s when the Congress was in power at both the Centre and in the state  the Naga-Kuki clash in 1993, the Kuki-Paite clash in 1997-1998, the Meitei-Pangal clash in May 1993, and the Kuki-Tamil conflict in 1995.

Shah stayed in strife-torn Manipur for three days and met 41 groups, and junior minister Nityanand Rai was in the state from May 25 to June 17 to monitor the violence in Imphal, Churachandpur, Moreh, and Kangpokpi.

Through the violent 1990s in Manipur under the Congress regime, only minister of state for home Rajesh Pilot replied to Parliament, and he spent a mere three-and-a-half hours in the state. When once, in 2011, an MP asked for the government to debate on Manipur clashes, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh walked out of the House, Shah said.

He said that the government was only answerable to the public and Parliament, not to the Congress as the party had taken 14 days to send paramilitary personnel to quell violence in the state in 1993.

Shah also said that there was no restriction for anyone to travel to Manipur and that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was only stopped from travelling via road as the security forces were unsure about the situation ahead. He said that Gandhi was taken by helicopter as he did not give an undertaking that he wanted to travel on road against the advice of the security forces.

The minister said he had no options but to reach out to the public via the media as the Opposition was not interested in any debate in Parliament. He said with the railways reaching Manipur within months of its being planned, the prices of food, petrol and essential commodities had cooled, and were comparable to Delhi now.

Manipur suffered blockades of 149 continuous days with petrol selling at 240 and LPG at 1,900 under the Congress regime. We will not allow the violence to spread to other states bordering Manipur and any insurgency or extremism will be dealt with iron hand, Shah said.

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A statement made by the Union home ministry in Parliament on Wednesday about the disappearance of over 30,000 girls and women from Andhra Pradesh has kicked up a political row in the state with the opposition parties demanding an explanation from the state government on the same. In a written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha, Union minister of state for home affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra said a total of 30,196 females from Andhra Pradesh went missing in a span of three years between 2019 and 2021. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

In a written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha, Union minister of state for home affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra said a total of 30,196 females from Andhra Pradesh, including 7918 girls below 18 years and 22,278 women above 18 , went missing in a span of three years between 2019 and 2021.

According to the data, 2186 girls and 6252 women went missing in 2019 from Andhra Pradesh; 2374 girls and 7057 women in 2020, and 3358 girls and 8969 women in 2021.

However, the Union ministers statement did not mention how many of them had been traced and handed over to their relatives. The government is taking cognizance of reports of all missing girls and women, he said, adding that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes the data, which was available until the year 2021.

The statement comes weeks after popular actor and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan making an allegation that nearly 30,000 women had gone missing in Andhra Pradesh and expressing apprehension that they might have been subject to human trafficking with the help of village and ward volunteers at the grassroots level.

Soon after the Centre made the statement in Rajya Sabha, Pawan Kalyan took to Twitter and said the statement clearly showed that the number of missing girls and women in Andhra Pradesh has been on a rising trend. Why are our girls and women missing? Whats happening to them? Who will take responsibility?... he asked.

In a separate statement, Andhra Pradesh BJP Mahila Morcha media convener Sadineni Yamini said the disappearance of thousands of women in AP was a matter of concern. The statistics released by the central government on missing women shows that the safety of women in the state is in danger, she said.

She alleged that the YSR Congress party government was not taking any steps for the protection of women and wondered whether there were any anti-social forces behind the missing women. What is happening to all the missing women? The government should answer, Yamini said.

On Thursday, speaking to reporters at Kadapa, Director General of Police (DGP) K V Rajendranath Reddy said as per the records available with the state government, only around 26,000 girls and women were reported missing between 2019 and 2021.

Of them, 23,354 women and girls were traced and were returned to their respective families. Another 2,700 are yet to be traced. We are on the job of finding their whereabouts, he said.

The DGP said there were various reasons for the missing of women and girls, including socio-economic reasons that compel them to leave their homes. We need to work out a comprehensive strategy to address the underlying issues and safeguard vulnerable people, he said.

Pawan Kalyan, at a public rally held in Eluru on July 9, said that 30,000 women went missing from the state and of them, only 14,000 were traced and the fate of another 16,000 women was not yet known.

He alleged that village and ward volunteers, appointed by the state government, were relaying information pertaining to single women, widows and destitute girls and passing on the information to anti-social elements. These elements are making use of this information to target women and traffic or trap them, the Jana Sena Party president said.

His remarks angered village volunteers at several places and they held protests against Pawan Kalyan. A day later, senior YSRCP leader and Andhra Pradesh Womens Commission chairperson Vasireddy Padama served a notice to the actor asking him to furnish proof of his claims within 10 days.

Whats the evidence for your comments, which can cause fear about womens safety in society? Your remarks violate the dignity of single women. What are the figures that the Union government provided you regarding women handed over through village volunteers to anti-social forces? she asked.

On July 13, the police at Vijayawada registered a criminal case against Pawan Kalyan for allegedly making wild allegations against village and ward volunteers appointed by the state government.

Acting on a complaint made by a village volunteer Digamanti Suresh Babu, a case was registered against Pawan Kalyan at the Krishna Lanka police station in Vijayawada under sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 505 (2) (making statement conducive to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.

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Eleven women municipality workers in Kerala have jointly bagged the 10 crore jackpot of the state governments 2023 Monsoon Bumper lottery, people familiar with the matter said. Kerala finance minister KN Balagopal and transport minister Antony Raju release the lottery department's Onam bumper ticket, in Thiruvananthapuram on July 24. (PTI)

The 11 women are members of the Haritha Karma Sena, a green force of the state Kudumbashree Mission engaged in doorstep collection of all kinds of non-biodegradable waste and its segregation before its processing.

The winners, associated with the Parappanangadi municipality in Malappuram district, had jointly bought the 250 ticket as they didnt have money to buy on their own. The winning ticket of the BR-92 lucky draw was MB200261. The lottery also has multiple prizes of 10 lakh, 5 lakh, 3 lakh, 1 lakh etc. The winning ticket was submitted at the Punjab National Bank branch in Parappanangadi and the amount will be deposited in one of the winners accounts after deducting income tax and agent commission.

Read | Auto driver-cum-chef on cloud nine as he wins 25 crore Onam bumper lottery

Radha, 49, who had suggested to buy the lottery ticket and picked out the winning ticket from the agent, said, I am still in shock. Its unbelievable. We had to check with multiple people to make sure that we won and still we couldnt believe it. We all come from very poor families with lots of debt and liabilities. I myself have a debt of 3 lakh which I hope to clear with the amount I get from the lottery. So, it has reached us at the right time, she added.

This is the fourth time the group bought the bumper lottery ticket, previously having won 1000 in Onam bumper.

Sheeja Ganesh, the coordinator of the 57-member Haritha Karma Sena, said, Its very surprising but I am very happy for them. These are extremely hard-working people who go to great lengths to make ends meet. Of the 11 people, three collect the waste from households while the rest are engaged in segregating and weighing the waste. They earn between 8000 to 14000 a month.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishnu Varma Vishnu Varma is Assistant Editor and reports from Kerala for the Hindustan Times. He has 10 years of experience writing for print and digital platforms and has worked at The New York Times, NDTV and The Indian Express in the past. He specialises in longform reportage at the intersections of politics, crime, social commentary and environment. ...view detail
One of the most contentious issues at the G20 environment and climate sustainability ministerial is the global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions before 2025. Along with that, the goal of keeping global warming under 1.5 degree C also remains fuzzy. (HT Photo)

Increasing renewable energy goals, phasing down fossil fuels, and the Paris Agreements goal of keeping global warming under 1.5 degree C above pre-industrial levels are among the main issues deliberated in the recently concluded Goa ministerial meeting.

While the Goa meeting delivered a poor outcome following resistance by G20 members over renewable energy targets, according to the people aware of the development, the July 28 meeting in Chennai is expected to discuss important and contentious issues, including climate change mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation or climate finance.

The G20 communique, expected to be released on July 28 as a joint statement of the G20 environment and climate ministers and members, is likely to have at least 13 to 14 paragraphs on G20s views on the climate crisis.

Also Read: G20 climate meet in Chennai to focus on mitigation, finance

However, according to those attending the meeting, Saudi Arabia and a few others are strongly against having this agreement in the communique or joint statement expected to be released by the G20 nations on Friday.

Most of the brackets are around the issue of peaking. Naturally, that clouds the entire mitigation issue, said an official who is attending the meeting.

What has already not been agreed on in the energy track cannot be agreed on here. 1.5 degree will be cushioned. There are disagreements on that. Everyone is holding their positions. We are trying to be as inclusive as possible. We are also trying other means like making them sign on blue economy principles which is also a climate issue with sea level rise, added another official. Negotiations continued till early morning on Thursday and again resumed on Thursday afternoon.

All G20 environment and climate ministers are attending the meeting including the United States special envoy for climate John Kerry.

HT reported on July 23 that the G20 energy track in Goa failed to reach consensus on critical climate issues such as trebling of renewable energy deployment and phasing down of fossil fuels, a chairs summary indicated, although Indias minister for renewable added talks were still one of the most successful for the bloc, and that it laid down important groundwork ahead of the COP28 climate talks later this year.

It was clear from the summary that some G20 members did not support the language on phasing down fossil fuels and trebling renewable energy deployment.

Concerned with the slow progress of the G20 on climate mitigation, Sultan Al-Jaber, COP28 president-designate and Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have issued a joint statement on the G20 to deliver a strong statement on climate mitigation.

The G20 must affirm its commitment to achieving the operationalisation of the fund and funding arrangements for loss and damage. Those at the frontline of climate change need our support now, not in 5 years, they said.

The G20 must show that it can deliver for the most climate vulnerable, including the least developed countries and small island developing states, COP 28 presidency and UNFCCC said.

The leaders also urged G20 nations to raise the importance of defining a Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and operationalizing the loss and damage fund and funding arrangements to an equal level.

G20 nations called on to urgently prioritize revised commitments, whether NDCs, NAPs or on climate finance, including contributions to the ambitious replenishment of the GCF to align with the Paris Goals, they said.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)s Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change had said limiting warming to around 1.5 degree C requires global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030, at the same time, methane would also need to be reduced by about a third.

Even if we do this, it is almost inevitable that we will temporarily exceed this temperature threshold but could return to below it by the end of the century, the report had said.

Climate Analytics, a global climate science and policy institute, had said a resolution on peaking requires global leadership by the big emitters, the G20 countries, accounting for about three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. All eyes will be on the outcome of their summit later this year. At the start of 2022, there was some hope that we had started on a downward trajectory, but unfortunately, emissions have rebounded since the COVID-19 pandemic to reach new records  largely from coal-fired power, it had said in March.

Some countries are on a knifes edge  they could be peaking their emissions  but decisions made in the here and now, especially those concerning fossil fuel expansion and climate finance from rich nations, are the axis on which our ability to limit warming to 1.5C turns, the note had said.

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At least four men were injured after two armed groups clashed and engaged in gunfight on Thursday in different places along the borders of Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts of Manipur, people aware of the matter said. An area where a mob set afire at least 30 houses and shops in Moreh on Thursday. (PTI)

The Manipur police were yet to share the details of the victims. Till late on Thursday night, gunshots were heard being fired by miscreants at different places along the two district borders, police said.

Tribal body, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), however, claimed that a 30-year-old man had died in the incidents, while three others were injured. In a press statement, the tribal body said all four were village volunteers. The attack lasted for almost the whole day. Bombs were also used in the attack, ITLF said.

Read | 26 INDIA leaders to begin two-day Manipur visit tomorrow

A police officer, requesting anonymity, said the four injured men have been rushed to the Raj Medicity hospital in Imphal.

At around 4 am on Thursday, the exchange of gunfire started after armed miscreants entered different villages in Kangvai, Kwakta, Phugakchao IKhai and Terakhongshangbi areas.

Officials aware of the matter said there were tensions in and around Kangvai and nearby Torbung areas after a teenager was injured by a mortar shell fired by armed miscreants on Wednesday.

Read | End the whataboutery around Manipur crisis

Police and security forces are at the spot. The villagers have been rescued so that they dont get caught in the cross fire. Firing is still on, an officer at the Manipur polices control room said on Thursday night.

The fresh firing incidents were reported a day after a group of armed miscreants ransacked 15-16 abandoned houses in Moreh town and set them on fire, following which a gun battle broke out between the armed mobs and security forces on Wednesday.

At least 150 people have been killed and nearly 50,000 displaced in Manipur since May 3, when ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state between numerically dominant Meitei community  which forms 53% of the state population and mostly inhabit Imphal Valley  and tribal Kukis, who live primarily in the hill districts. Violent clashes broke out after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill district of Churachandpur on May 3 to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Even as cases of violence have come down in the recent weeks, miscreants from both tribal and non-tribal groups continue to be in possession of large cache of arms and ammunition that were looted from police armoury. During the course of violence, mobs across different districts broke into armouries of police and other military units in two phases  first during the initial week of violence and the other during May 27-28  and looted 3,500 guns and over 500,000 rounds of ammunition. So far, police and security forces have recovered only around 1,200 guns and 13,000 rounds of ammunition.ad

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prawesh Lama Prawesh Lama covers crime, policing, and issues of security in Delhi. Raised in Darjeeling, educated in Mumbai, he also looks at special features on social welfare in the National Capital. ...view detail
Union minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday mentioned former MP Rahul Gandhi's name in the Rajya Sabha as she gave a roaring speech countering the accusation of the Congress MP Amee Yajnik who asked whether the women ministers would speak on Manipur. "When will you have the guts to discuss Chhattisgarh, when will you have the courage to discuss what is happening in Bihar? When will you have the courage to tell us how women are raped in Congres-ruled states. When will you have the guts to tell how Rahul Gandhi put Manipur on fire. Do not cast a doubt on the women ministers of the cabinet," Smriti Irani said. The video of Smriti Irani's outburst which the opposition termed as 'meltdown' went viral. When Smriti Irani took Rahul Gandhi's name, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman sitting in front of Smriti Irani, turned and took a look, as seen in the video. Smriti Irani in the Rajya Sabha said Rahul Gandhi put Manipur on fire.

Without naming Smriti Irani, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote she witnessed a 'meltdown' in the House and also a 'toxic obsession'. "Hope the minister gets well soon and realises there is a bigger responsibility to the nation," Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote.

This is the first session of Parliament where Rahul Gandhi is not present as he was disqualified following his conviction in the Modi surname case after the last session.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate slammed Smriti Irani for her 'theatrics' and said her dead conscience won't come alive with the 'theatrics'. "You kept quiet for 78 days on Manipur. You were silent on Hathras, Lakhimpur, Shahjahanpur, Ankita Bhandari. You did not speak a word for our athletes. You have Failed women, @smritiirani," Shrinate tweeted.

'Rahul Gandhi brand of secularism'

On Twitter, Smriti Irani again took on Rahul Gandhi after her Rajya Sabha speech. Sharing a report on Rahul Gandhi's old controversial statement that Muslim League is a secular party, Smriti Irani tweeted: "Ladies and Gentlemen- the Rahul Gandhi brand of secularism- his unholy alliance declares Hindus to be burnt alive in their temples . Hindu hate not new to the dynasty but now to openly threaten Hindusthat is a new low, Mr. Gandhi." Smriti Irani's attack came after Muslim Youth League members in Kerala were booked for raising provocative slogans in a rally for Manipur.

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The INDIA alliance will send a delegation comprising representatives of all its constituent parties to Manipur to meet the stakeholders on July 29 and 30, alliance leaders said on Thursday. The non-BJP alliances first visit to Manipur comes after their protest in Parliament. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and other opposition MPs dressed in black, at the Parliament complex in Delhi on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT)

INDIA MPs team to visit Manipur on July 29 and 30. Parties who dont have MPs will send other representatives, said Congress leader Manickam Tagore.

This will be the first delegation of the INDIA alliance to the state that has been gripped by ethnic clashes  primarily between the tribal Kukis, which mostly reside in the hill districts, and majority Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley  since May 3.

Also read | How INDIA decided on no-confidence motion against govt

At least 150 people have died and over 50,000 have been displaced. Clashes first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community.

Trinamool Congresss (TMC) Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek OBrien said, The delegation will meet people in both the valley and the hill regions of the state. The INDIA delegation will meet different communities living in Manipur and also visit some relief camps.

In the past, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and delegations by Left and Trinamool have visited Manipur.

This visit assumes importance as the alliance has expressed serious concerns over the Manipur situation in its meeting in Bengaluru and moved a no-confidence motion over the issue in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament.

The delegation of more than 20 opposition MPs will visit Manipur this weekend and will take a first-hand account of the situation in the state, Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore told news agency PTI.

Read | NDA or I.N.D.I.A? BSP chief Mayawati on joining alliance for 2024

Leaders indicated that one MP each from the INDIA bloc parties or their representatives were expected to be part of the delegation. TMCs Sushmita Dev, JMMs Mahua Maji and NCPs Vandana Chavan are likely to be part of the delegation. Earlier, the Opposition bloc had wanted a delegation of chief ministers to visit the state but the idea was dropped due to logistical issues, the leaders cited above said.

The Congress is likely to send its MP Gaurav Gogoi, who has moved the no-confidence motion against the government, to Manipur.

On Thursday, the Opposition parties wore black attire in protest and four parties  the Congress, RJD, Trinamool and BRS  boycotted the Business Advisory Committee meeting called by Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Some senior Opposition leaders also met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to seek an early schedule for the debate on the no-confidence motion.A

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India and Japan on Thursday emphasised the role of their bilateral partnership in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific and discussed ways to deepen their cooperation on defence equipment. External affairs minister S Jaishankar and Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in conversation at the 15th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI)

These issues figured in the 15th India-Japan foreign ministers strategic dialogue between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi. The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress in the bilateral special strategic and global partnership.

The ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues and emphasised the crucial role of the strong and enduring partnership between India and Japan in ensuring a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that is inclusive and rules-based, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

They expressed satisfaction at the strengthening defence and security cooperation, including regular exercises and staff talks between all three services. In this context, they discussed the way forward to deepen defence equipment and technology cooperation, the statement said.

The discussions between Jaishankar and Hayashi covered a range of bilateral, regional and global issues. They also emphasised the importance of achieving the target of Japanese investments in India worth five trillion yen during 2022-27. In this context, they explored potential areas of collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, resilient supply chains, and digital public infrastructure.

Jaishankar and Hayashi also discussed cooperation within multilateral and plurilateral frameworks, including the Quad. They agreed on the need for early reforms of the UN Security Council and exchanged views on their respective G20 and G7 presidencies.

In the context of 2023 being observed as the year of India-Japan tourism exchanges with the theme of Connecting Himalayas with Mount Fuji, the ministers acknowledged the importance of people-to-people exchanges. They also discussed ways to promote the movement of skilled human resources from India to Japan.

Japan is looking to hire thousands of skilled Indian professionals in specialised sectors, especially nurses, under its Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) programme.

The India-Japan foreign ministers strategic dialogue reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to strengthen their special strategic and global partnership, the statement said, adding that the meeting deepened bilateral cooperation and set the stage for enhanced collaboration on regional and global issues.

During a visit to India in March, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled a new plan for a free and open Indo-Pacific that envisaged India as an indispensable partner for preventing coercion and upholding a rules-based order.

While delivering tghe Sapru House Lecture, Kishida laid out Japans New plan for a free and open Indo-Pacific  Together with India as an indispensable partner. The address built on the historic speech by late former premier Shinzo Abe in Indias Parliament in 2007, which spoke of India and Japan nurturing the coupling of the Indian and Pacific Oceans to ensure freedom and prosperity.

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The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday issued a whip to the partys all five Rajya Sabha MPs, including deputy chairman of the House, Harivansh, to vote against a bill that seeks to replace the Delhi ordinance that hands control of the national capitals bureaucratic machinery to the Centre. HT Image

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is expected to be discussed in the Upper House next week.

Aneel Prasad Hegde, chief whip of JD(U) in Rajya Sabha, said all MPs were issued a whip.

Asked why the whip was issued to Harivansh, Hegde said it was issued to all party MPs.

We have issued a whip to all our MPs. I will need to check if this was sent earlier as well to the deputy chairman. All MPs have been issued a whip. This time I am the Chief Whip of the party and the whip has been issued to all five Rajya Sabha MPs of the party, Hegde said.

The three-line whip will be applicable from July 27 to August 11, when the Monsoon session of Parliament will conclude.

According to a senior official of the Bihar assembly secretariat, the deputy chairman will be like all other members when not presiding over the House and so the party whip will apply to him as well. However, if he is presiding over the House during the voting, he can cast his vote only in case of a tie, the official said.

The JD(U) is part of a 26-party opposition alliance which has been named INDIA.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirban Guha Roy A journalist for 21 years, Anirban covers RJD, legislature and government beats. Has extensive experience in covering elections and writes regularly on finance, land reforms, registration, excise and socio-economic issues. ...view detail
The Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal, on Thursday targeted Opposition members, who were dressed in black and pressing for a debate on the Manipur violence along with Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement, after the latter continuously raised slogans and tried to interrupt a statement by external affairs minister S Jaishankar on developments in foreign policy. Goyal said it was unfortunate that politics was being played over such an important matter relating to the countrys prestige. (ANI photo)

The Opposition MPs raised slogans demanding a statement from the PM on the ethnic violence in Manipur while Jaishankar spoke on the latest developments in foreign policy, highlighting the PMs and Presidents recent visits abroad (including Modis visits to the US and France) and their important outcomes.

It is unfortunate that politics is being played over such an important matter relating to the countrys prestige, said Goyal.

Also Read:Congress accuses BJP of obstructing Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha

This is a matter of Indias honour. I think that the people who are wearing black clothes cant understand the rise of the country on the global stage... Their past was black, their present is black, and their future is black. But we hope there will be light in their life too, he said.

Kaale kapde, kaale kaam, nahi sahega Hindustan (India will not tolerate black clothes and black deeds), Goyal said.

The treasury benches and the Opposition sparred in the house raising slogans against each other and the din that ensued led to two adjournments in the first half.

Rajya Sabha chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar permitted the Opposition members to seek clarifications on the external affairs ministers statement, but the latter were in no mood for that and continued with their sloganeering.

We must never forget that the decade belongs to India. The rise of the country is unstoppable. The century belongs to us. I have noticed in my visits abroad that being a citizen of this country is a great honour, Dhankhar said, pointing out that rules did not permit clarifications on the ministers statement, but he would still allow it as the matter was about Indias rise on the global stage.

He also said Indias rise on the world stage was a defining moment and a matter of pride for every Indian.

The rise is because of 1.4 billion Indians, Dhankhar added.

The Opposition, however, continued to escalate its protests over the Manipur issue that has constantly disrupted the functioning of the Parliaments ongoing monsoon session.

On Wednesday, Congress leader P Chidambaram said he was shocked to learn that not a single question had been admitted and answered in Parliament on Manipur since the monsoon session began on July 20.

Since May 3, the state has been gripped by ethnic clashes  primarily between the tribal Kukis, who mostly reside in the hill districts, and majority Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley  in which at least 150 people have died and over 50,000 have been displaced.

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The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 that seeks to decriminalise minor offences in 42 central acts pertaining to environment, agriculture, media, industry and trade, and publication, among others. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December. (ANI)

The objective of the bill  which amends 183 provisions in 42 acts  is to reduce the compliance burden and promote ease of living and doing business in the country. The bill was passed through a voice vote amid protests and sloganeering by the Opposition over its demand of a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur situation in House, followed by a detailed discussion on the ongoing ethnic strife in the northeastern state.

Moving the bill for passage, Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said around 40,000 provisions and procedures that had the possibility of creating problems for people have been either simplified or removed by the Narendra Modi government over the last nine years.

We saw several provisions that would make a person run court-to-court even for small mistakes. They would have to spend a lot of money, Goyal said. Even for little fine, people were faced with several difficulties, businesses were hampered making the life of small shopkeepers, hawkers, and small business owners working in MSMEs difficult With a fine or a penalty, they will be given another chance for improvement.

Some of the acts that are being amended, include The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; Public Debt Act, 1944; Pharmacy Act, 1948; Cinematograph Act, 1952; Copyright Act, 1957; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Bahujan Samaj Party lawmaker Malook Nagar appreciated the economic aspect of the bill and said: Instead of imprisonment, this is a monetary punishment. This is good for the countrys economy. If anyone is imprisoned and he dies, the business will also die and loss for the economy.

Goyal had introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha in December last year. It was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for review. The committee had made seven recommendations, which were approved by the Union Cabinet.

Meanwhile, amid oppositions sloganeering on Manipur, the Lok Sabha also passed The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022. The bill aims to repeal 65 laws that are obsolete or that have been made redundant by other laws.

The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 was also introduced by Union minister Pralhad Joshi in the Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to allow the auction of minerals mined offshore and omit at least six atomic minerals from a list of 12 that cannot be commercially mined.

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Rajya Sabha witnessed a slogan war on Thursday, as opposition MPs shouted slogans against prime minister Narendra Modi seeking his statement on the Manipur issue, while members from the ruling party responded with chants in favour of the PM. The commotion broke out during an address by external affairs minister S Jaishankar (ANI)

The commotion took place even as external affairs minister S Jaishankar was addressing the House on issues related to foreign affairs. While opposition chanted INDIA, INDIA and a range of slogans criticising the prime minister, the ruling side responded with Modi, Modi.

Later, addressing the media outside the House, Jaishankar accused the opposition of 'not being ready to listen.'

I wanted to inform the House of the developments made in the past month. You saw a very successful visit of the PM to the US...I felt bad that the opposition was not ready to listen. It seemed that they wanted to criticise any and every achievement of the country, he remarked.

The external affairs minister continued: Foreign policy is an area where we usually work together. We may debate within the country but outside the country, we should display a united front. The opposition's conduct today should be looked into, when it comes to national interest, politics should be set aside and it should be appreciated.

INDIA or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance is a group of 26 opposition parties, including the Congress. The parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Also on Thursday, MPs from the INDIA group of parties turned up in black to protest the prime minister's silence on Manipur, where ethic clashes have been going on since the first week of May. The government's stand, on the other hand, has been that it is ready for a discussion.

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Union foreign affairs minister S Jaishankar today delivered a speech in Rajya Sabha elaborating the development made in the ministry in the past month. Opposition MPs, on the other hand, were firm in their protest over the Manipur issue, demanding an elaborate statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaks in the Rajya Sabha.(PTI)

During Jaishankar's speech, sloganeering by the Opposition somewhat superseded what the Union minister was saying.

Upset by the unrest in the upper House, Jaishankar alleged that the Opposition's objective is to criticise any progress India makes and prevent its message to spread in the country.

I felt bad that the Opposition was not ready to listen. It seemed that they wanted to criticise any and every achievement of the country. Foreign Policy is an area where we usually work together. We may debate within the country but outside the country, we should display a united front. Opposition's conduct today should be looked into, when it comes to national interest, politics should be set aside and it should be appreciated, he said.

The foreign minister read out his speech in the upper House amid ruckus that reached a new decibel levels on July 27. The BJP-led NDA coalition MPs were heard chanting Modi-Modi slogans, to which, the Opposition bloc responded with India-India slogans.

Earlier in the day, the INDIA alliance arrived at the Parliament wearing black clothes to register their protest against the Manipur violence.

"This will be a symbolic protest to give a message that we stand with the people of Manipur in this hour of grief," AAP MP Raghav Chadha said.
As a step up in their protest demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur crisis, the INDIA alliance on July 26 moved a no-confidence motion after days of logjam in the Parliament. It was later accepted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and he informed the House that he would schedule the date and time to discuss the motion after consulting with party leaders. Thereafter, MPs in the lower House continued their protest against the central government over its stance regarding the Manipur violence and demanded a proper discussion on the floor. Opposition MPs protest in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament(PTI)

Read: What is a no-confidence motion?

Meanwhile, chaos ensued in Rajya Sabha after the Opposition alleged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's mic was turned off while he was addressing the House on Tuesday. Likewise, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram alleged that not a single question on Manipur issue was admitted and answered in the Parliament since the monsoon session began on July 20.

While the unrest continued in both the Houses, the Centre had a success in passing the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha only after a quick discussion for about 30 minutes. In Rajya Sabha, the Constitution (Scheduled Tribe) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022, was passed through a voice vote after the Opposition staged a walkout of the House.
Mumbai Rain highlights: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation made an announcement on Thursday declaring the closure of all schools and colleges in Mumbai due to the forecast of extremely heavy rainfall in the city. This decision was taken after the India Meteorological Department upgraded the alert level from 'orange' to 'red,' indicating the prediction of intense rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs starting from 8 pm today until Thursday afternoon. The safety and well-being of the residents are of utmost importance, hence the precautionary measure to keep educational institutions closed during this period of anticipated heavy rainfall.



Since 12 pm on Wednesday, the city experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall in different areas. In the ten-hour period between 12 pm and 6 pm on Wednesday, the city received an average rainfall of 76.45mm. The eastern suburbs of Mumbai received an average rainfall of 58.01mm during this period, while the western suburbs received slightly more at 70.43mm. The rainfall has significantly affected various parts of the city and has likely led to waterlogging and other related issues in low-lying areas. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions and stay updated on the weather alerts issued by the authorities to ensure their safety during this period of intense rainfall.

Water logging at Maharshi Karve Rd between Churchgate station and charni Rd East in Mumbai.(HT photo by Anshuman poyrekar)
The no-confidence motion brought by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Wednesday will not hurt the government as NDA has 331 MPs in Lok Sabha as against INDIA's number of around 150 in the Lok Sabha. "It is not a matter of numbers, but of morality," Congress MP Manish Tewari said clarifying the expectations that INDIA has from this no-confidence motion. Every MP will have to take their personal choice when the no-confidence motion debate is taken up in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manish Tewari said. (ANI)

"When there will be division on the motion in the Lok Sabha, morality will be tested and it will be incumbent upon every MP to take a 'personal position'," Manish Tewari said. Read | Indira to Modi: When PMs faced no-confidence motion a year ahead of polls

What is a no-confidence motion?

A no-confidence motion is a written statement expressing no trust in the incumbent government. Any Lok Sabha MP with the signatures of 50 members can bring a no-confidence motion. If it is submitted before 10am, like what happened on Wednesday, the notice is read by the Speaker.

The Speaker on Wednesday admitted the no-confidence motion and said he will inform INDIA about the schedule for discussion.

No-confidence motion: When will it be discussed in Parliament?

The Speaker has the discretion to allot a date within 10 days from the day the motion is accepted. The Congress demanded the motion be taken up on Thursday. Congress MP Manish Tewari said when a no-confidence motion is brought and it is said that the House has lost confidence in the government, all business should be put on hold.

No-confidence motion: Which parties supported

All parties who have come under INDIA favoured the no-confidence motion. When Speaker Om Birla asked for Lok Sabha members to stand up in favour of the motion, Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, DMK's T R Baalu and NCP leader Supriya Sule, stood up. Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, CPI, CPI(M), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), JD(U), and AAP stood up for the headcount.

No-confidence motion: How are the numbers stacked?

Out of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, five are vacant. The NDA has over 330 members and the opposition alliance has around 140 and 60 members are not aligned to any of the groups.

No-confidence motion: What INDIA wants

The united opposition has been demanding a statement from PM Modi in Parliament. PM Modi expressed his anguish after the video of two Kuki women paraded naked surfaced. The opposition wants a statement inside Parliament. The government is ready to discuss the Manipur issue in Parliament, Union home minister Amit Shah wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said the no-confidence motion brought by Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance - the opposition grouping -- is a waste of Parliament's time and a 'ridiculous strategy' to appear relevant. "As oftem happens with bad losers, the more you shrink, the lower you sink," the BJP MP tweeted. INDIA on Wednesday moved a no-confidence motion against the government but since the numbers are in favour of the NDA, the opposition aims to compel PM Modi to make a statement in Parliament on Manipur. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla admitted the no-confidence motion and will schedule it for discussion, while the opposition parties want the discussion to be held today. "Since 2014 there is no Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as no opposition party since 2014 has secured the required 10% seats in that House. In spite of having abjectly lost the confidence of the electorate in the polls twice,far from being humble they resort to ridiculous stratagems only to appear relevant," Jethmalani wrote. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's no-confidence motion on Wednesday. (ANI)

Indira to Modi: When PMs faced no-confidence motion a year ahead of polls

Congress on behalf of INDIA and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (not part of INDIA) filed two separate no-confidence motions against the government. Read | 'All no-confidence motions defeated or inconclusive in past': Check full list

No-confidence mnotion against the PM Modi government: Here's what happened so far and what's next

1. All floor leaders of the opposition parties (INDIA) will meet Mallikarjun Kharge today. The Congress has issued a three-line whip for its MPS urging them to be present in the Rajya Sabha today.

2. All MPs of belonging to the INDIA bloc parties will wear black clothes in Parliament as a mark of protest over Manipur.

3. Congress MP Manish Tewari said according to the rules when a no-confidence motion is accepted by the Speaker, all other business is suspended and discussion is initiated immediately.

4. Manish Tewari said the no-confidence motion is not a matter of numbers but of morality. "When there will be division on the motion in the Lok Sabha, morality will be tested and it will be incumbent upon every MP to take a "personal position"," the Congress MP said.

5. Once 100 or more MPs in Parliament rise in support of the motion, carrying out any other business will be inappropriate, the Congress MP said demanding a discussion on the no-confidence motion on Thursday.

6. Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien said under Rule 267, INDIA is asking for an immediate discussion on Manipur issue. The last emergency discussion was held on demonetisation in 2016 and after that no emergency discussion notice was accepted.

7. Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday met AAP MP Sanjay Singh who has been sitting in protest after his suspension from the Rajya Sabha for the entire session for 'repeatedly violating' the directions of the chair.

8. The no-confidence motion accepted by the Speaker on Thursday will be the 28th in Lok Sabha's history. All previous no-confidence motions either remained inconclusive or were defeated.

9. In 2018, Telugu Desam Party's Srinivas Kesineni brought a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government. There was an 11-hour debate on that following which the motion failed.

10. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, this no-confidence motion is the first major action collectively taken by the bloc of 26 parties.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
Jharkhands first chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP in Rajya Sabha, Shibu Soren, who has not been keeping well these days, has arrived in Delhi with his caregivers. AAP leaders protest against the Centres ordinance in New Delhi on July 5. (HT Photo)

At the INDIA allies meeting on Thursday, the Congress party informed allies that it is trying to bring to the House former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 90, who is not regular in his attendance in the Upper House.

And Janata Dal (United)s Rajya Sabha floor leader Aneel Prasad Hegde said on Thursday that one of its MPs, Bashistha Narain Singh, is unwell, but he himself has said that he will come to the House next week.

These measures to squeeze in every possible vote from the Opposition benches underlines how the parties that formed the INDIA alliance in Bengaluru on July 18 want to confront the NDA over The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The bill, expected to be discussed in the Rajya Sabha next week, will replace the Delhi ordinance that hands control of the national capitals bureaucratic machinery to the Centre.

But the government still appears to have the numbers it needs.

Trinamool Congress floor leader Derek OBrien wrote a letter to Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday seeking an informal one-day notice to the Opposition before the government brings the bill.

If this bill springs up in the List of Business, there will be no way to ensure that there is enough opportunity for thorough debate and scrutiny of this very important legislation. Also, it will not allow all parties to ensure that ALL members (including those with serious medical conditions restricted to a stretcher or wheelchair and have to be transported by ambulance from hospital or residence) are present in Rajya Sabha on that day. An informal one-day notice will be appreciated so that we can bring these members to the chamber for voting, he wrote in the letter.

To be sure, the government has the prerogative to bring a bill through a supplementary list of business in a House, taking the Opposition by surprise. A supplementary item usually comes without prior notice as against the list of business which is notified on the previous evening. In 2019, for instance, the government brought the resolution to scrap Article 370 in J&K and the bill to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories without any prior notice.

The government is likely to find the numbers to have the The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 cleared in both Houses of Parliament. While in the Lower House, the government enjoys a massive majority, in the Upper House, the government is likely to get support from at least 123 MPs while 109 MPs are expected to vote against the bill as things stand. This includes nine members of the YSRCP, which said they will back the bill. The BJD too has nine MPs in the Rajya Sabha but is yet to reveal its strategy.

To be sure, bills can also be passed through a simple voice vote if there is a din in the House.

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Opposition's INDIA bloc, consisting of 26 non-BJP parties, are slated to hold their third meeting in Mumbai, Maharashtra on August 25-26. The announcement comes days after the second such high profile meeting that was held in Karnataka's Bengaluru in mid-July. Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attend the second day of the joint Opposition meeting, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

Through these meetings, the Opposition hopes to forge unity and strategize to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At the Bengaluru meet, the Opposition parties announced that its coalition will be called 'I.N.D.I.A' (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), and the Congress party asserted that the next general election will be a face-off between I.N.D.I.A and Prime Minster Narendra Modi.

After the conclusion of the July 18 meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge informed that the next meet in the series will be held in Mumbai, however, the date was not finalised at the time.

'Bengaluru meet highlights'

One of the prominent highlights of the Bengaluru meet was that the Congress party, which is the largest party in the alliance with a pan-India presence, said that it was not interested in the PM's post if they won the election.

Kharge said that the Congress's intention is not to assume power for ourselves. The Congress chief's words had struck a chord with several leaders from non-Congress parties who welcomed his remarks and said his speech reflected the mood of the meeting. The leaders also agreed that all the parties would have to make efforts to set aside their differences, to make the alliance a success.

Notably, during the Bengaluru meet, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) also held a meeting of 38 parties in Delhi on July 18, which was chaired by PM Modi.

At the meeting, Modi had also taken a swipe at the Opposition bloc and said For us alliance is not forced, but is a means of strength.

Opposition bloc's decision to name their alliance I.N.D.I.A has become the latest flashpoint between the two political groups. While the BJP mocked the I.N.D.I.A bloc saying that regrouping under a different name won't make them any more credible; I.N.D.I.A parties claimed the BJP is triggered by the decision and is not bothered by its barbs.

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Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has claimed the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax department and the CBI are the "only three strong parties" in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (PTI File)(HT_PRINT)

In an interview to Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who is the executive editor of Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana', Thackeray also slammed the Centre over the ethnic strife in Manipur and said Prime minister Narendra Modi is not even ready to visit the north-eastern state.

Taking an aim at a recent meeting of the BJP-led NDA, Thackeray claimed when elections approach, for the BJP its government is the NDA government. After the polls are over, it becomes the Modi-government, he added.

Leaders of 38 parties, part of the NDA, met in Delhi last week.

On the same day, 26 opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), met in Bengaluru and a proposal was adopted unanimously to name their coalition as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

The opposition parties have been accusing the ruling BJP of misusing central agencies to target the opponents.

There are 36 parties in the NDA. The ED, CBI and Income Tax are the only three strong parties in the NDA. Where are the other parties? Some parties do not even have a single MP, Thackeray said in the interview, the first part of which was published in 'Saamana' on Wednesday.

On the issue of Uniform Civil Code, Thackeray said the BJP should first bring a law for a ban on cow slaughter from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

If everyone is equal before law, then those who are corrupt in the BJP should also be punished, the former Maharashtra chief minister said.

He also asserted that the "real Shiv Sena" is where the Thackeray family is.

Thackeray said those who engineered a split in the Shiv Sena thought it would perish, but it is rising again.

It is also a blessing in disguise because many veterans who rebelled had occupied their seats for a long time, and now new people can get a chance in their place, he said.

In June last year, MLA Eknath Shinde and 39 other legislators revolted against the Shiv Sena leadership, leading to a split in the party and collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Shinde later became the chief minister with the BJP's support.

On the petitions seeking disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena MLAs including Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Thackeray said if state assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar does not do justice, then doors of the Supreme Court are open for his party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi prayed for Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot's good health as PM Modi launched various development projects in Rajasthan's Sikar amid an intense Twitter war between Gehlot and Prime Minister's Office over Gehlot's supposed presence at the event. As PM Modi concluded his speech, he mentioned Ashok Gehlot's leg injury and said, "Ashok Gehlot ji has not been keeping well for some time as he received some injury in his leg. He was supposed to come to this event today but could not come because of this difficulty. I pray for his good health and congratulate the people of Rajasthan for the development projects," PM Modi said. Ashok Gehlot alleged that his 3-minute speech was removed from PM's programme in Rajasthan. The PMO refuted and said his office informed the government that he would not present because of his leg injury.

Gehlot says speech dropped, 'No': says PMO

The war of words began as Ashok Gehlot put out a tweet at 7.40am in which he said he won't be able to attend PM Modi's event in the state because his 3-minute speech has been removed from the programme by the PMO.

The PMO countered and said as Gehlot was invited to all other previous events of PM Modi in Rajasthan, he was invited to this one as well. It was Ashok Gehlot's office that informed the government that the chief minister would not attend the event because of health reasons.

Ashok Gehlot replied that his office informed the central government that he would not be able to physically attend the event because of his leg injury.

Still I attended the programme: Gehlot's press conference at his residence

After PM Modi's address, Ashok Gehlot addressed a press conference at his residence and said he was informed last night that his speech was removed from the programme. "Still I attended the programme virtually in a non-interactive mode as it is about Rajasthan," Gehlot said.

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NEW DELHI: India on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping discussed the need to stabilise bilateral ties at a brief encounter on the margins of last years G20 Summit in Indonesia, a shift from an earlier characterisation of the interaction as merely an exchange of courtesies. PM Modi and President Xi spoke briefly at a formal dinner for G20 leaders in Bali in November (PTI File)

External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchis comments on the encounter between the two leaders at a dinner hosted by the Indonesian president on November 16, 2022, came three days after a statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry contended Modi and Xi had reached an important consensus on stabilising China-India relations.

During the Bali G20 Summit last year, Prime Minister and President Xi Jinping, at the conclusion of the dinner hosted by the Indonesian president, exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilise our bilateral relations, Bagchi said in response to questions at a regular media briefing.

As you are aware, we have steadfastly maintained that the key to resolution of this whole issue is to resolve the situation along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) on the eastern sector of the India-China boundary and to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas, he said, referring to the military standoff between the two countries in Ladakh sector.

Bagchi also acknowledged that foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, during a media briefing held in Bali, Indonesia, at the conclusion of last years G20 Summit, had spoken only about exchanging courtesies.

With regard to the question relating to the handshake between the prime minister and President Xi Jinping, I will only say that Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping, who were both attending the G20 dinner...hosted by the Indonesian President, exchanged courtesies at the conclusion of the dinner, Kwatra had said at the briefing in Bali.

On July 24, a Chinese foreign ministry readout on a meeting between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Johannesburg had contended that Xi and Modi reached an important consensus on stabilising bilateral ties at the interaction on the margins of the G20 Summit in Bali.

The readout also said this consensus on stabilising bilateral relations should be converted into specific policies and concerted actions to enhance strategic mutual trust. This is largely in line with Beijings contention that the military standoff on the LAC should be put in an appropriate place while the two countries take forward relations in other areas, such as trade.

India has already rejected such an approach, with external affairs minister S Jaishankar insisting that bilateral relations cannot be normalised until there is peace and tranquillity in the border areas. He has also accused China of triggering the standoff by violating agreements and protocols on border management.

People familiar with the matter said the conversation between the two leaders could not be characterised as a consensus and that all that was discussed was the need to stabilise bilateral relations.

During his meeting with Wang, Doval made it clear that the standoff on the LAC has eroded strategic trust and that peace and tranquillity in border areas are essential for normal relations.

The border row and a brutal clash at Galwan Valley in June 2020, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, have taken India-China relations to their lowest point in six decades. The two sides are yet to resolve several friction points in the Ladakh sector despite more than two dozen rounds of diplomatic and military talks.

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Jaipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at the Rajasthan government and referred to recently sacked minister Rajendra Gudhas claim of a red diary, alleging that the dark deeds recorded in the document will cause the Congresss defeat in the year-end assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hits out at the Rajashtan government by referring to recently sacked minister Rajendra Gudhas claim of a red diary. (PTI)

Addressing a public rally in Sikar, the PM said the red diary was a fresh product of the Congresss loot ki dukan and said the Congress will be defeated in the upcoming assembly elections.

In the name of running the government in Rajasthan, Congress has set up a loot ki dukan in a jhooth ka bazar (market of lies). The latest product of this loot ki dukan is Rajasthans red diary, Modi said.

He was referring to a controversy around the sacking of Gudha, who was removed last week for his comments comparing the brutal sexual assault of two women in Manipur to crimes against women in Rajasthan. On Monday, Gudha was suspended from the House after he claimed to be in the possession of a red diary that held details of allegedly irregular transactions in the Ashok Gehlot-led government.

Gudha has alleged that the diary contained details of the money paid to Congress lawmakers during the 2020 rebellion led by then deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot.

On the allegations of Gudha, PHED minister Mahesh Joshi had stated, All the allegations are baseless. Everyone should follow the conduct of the house, whatever happened today is unfortunate.

Later in the day, Gehlot hit back at Modi over the red dairy controversy, saying there was no such document. The BJP is making baseless allegations in panic. There is no red diary. Rajendra Gudha has been made a scapegoat by the BJP, he said, while responding to the PMs charge later in the day. The CM was speaking at a public function to provide subsidies to 3.6 million beneficiaries to buy a cooking gas cylinder for 500.

In his seventh visit to Rajasthan this year, Modi said the people were saying that if the pages of the red diary were opened, then several big leaders of the Congress will be in the dock. These people might remain tight-lipped, but this red diary will lead to the Congresss defeat, he added.

Hitting back, Gehlot said the real loot was done by the PM by selling a red cylinder (LPG cylinder) for 1,150. He said the people of Rajasthan will show a red flag to the BJP.
Prime minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the Hirasar Greenfield International Airport, Gujarat's first Greenfield Airport to the nation on Thursday during his two-day visit to Rajasthan and Gujarat from July 27-28. Newly-built Greenfield Airport ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(PTI)

Read here: 'Gehlot ji could not come today as...': PM Modi in Rajasthan amid PMO, CM Twitter war

Along with the airport, PM Modi will dedicate a number of key projects worth over 860 crore including packages 8 and 9 of the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana.

According to the press statement by the prime minister's office (PMO), the new airport, spanning across 2,500 acres, is envisioned to be a transportation hub for people traveling abroad from the state.

Salient features of the Rajkot International Airport:

1. The Hirasar Greenfield Airport, located at around 30 km from Rajkot, spans over 2500 acres and has been developed at a cost of 1,405 crore.

2. The airport boasts a well-designed 3040 m (3.04 km) long and 45-meter-wide runway, capable of accommodating 14 planes simultaneously.

3. The terminal building compliances with GRIHA -4 rules (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), while the New Terminal Building (NITB) is equipped with various sustainability features like Double Insulated Roofing System, skylights, LED Lighting, Low Heat Gain Glazing, and others.

4. Emphasising sustainability, the airport is also equipped with a solar power system, a green belt, and a rainwater harvesting system, along with essential facilities like one parallel half taxi-way, a rapid exit taxi track, an interim terminal building, and cargo and MRO/hangars.

5. Its strategic location on the Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway aims to streamline logistics for various industries in the region.

Read here: SpiceJet plane catches fire at Delhi Airport during engine maintenance

6. According to the press release, the design of the airport's terminal is inspired by Rajkots cultural vibrancy which would feature the art forms from Lippan art to Dandiya dance through its dynamic external facade and splendid interiors.

7. The airport would reflect as an epitome of the local architectural heritage and will reflect the cultural glory of art and dance forms of Kathiawar region.

8. The Hirasar Greenfield Airport will contribute towards the local automobile industry of Rajkot, along with trade, tourism, education and industrial sectors throughout Gujarat.

9. The construction of the new greenfield airport was the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the AAI and the Civil Aviation Department of the Government of Gujarat.

10. PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the airport in October 2017 in Gujarat's Chotila, considering the close proximity and an ease of travel from Rajkot.

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Jaipur Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lashed out at the newly created Opposition grouping, the India National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), and said Mahatma Gandhis Quit India movement against the British was once again needed to create a prosperous country and eradicate corruption, dynastic politics, and appeasement. HT Image

Speaking at a function to launch central government projects in Rajasthans Sikar town, Modi played on the name of the 26-party alliance and likened it to the East India Company, Students Islamic Movement of India, and Popular Front of India, saying that all of them contained India in their names but their motive was to harm the country.

With the label of INDIA, they want to cover up their old deeds. Had they really cared about India, would they have asked foreigners to interfere in India? he said, possibly setting the tone for the next general elections and the assembly polls in Rajasthan later this year.

The way Mahatma Gandhi had said Quit India, todays slogan is Bhrashtachar (corruption) Quit India, Parivarwad (dynasty politics) Quit India, Tushtikaran (appeasement) Quit India. Quit India will save the country and help our nation develop, Modi added.

The PM called the Congress  the largest constituent of INDIA  the countrys largest directionless party that had adopted a new ploy of changing their name. In olden days, if a companys fraud was exposed, it would try to fool people by changing it name Congress and its allies are copying such fraud companies. To stop people from remembering the misdeeds of the UPA, they have changed their name from UPA (United Progressive Alliance) to INDIA, he said.

He also accused the Congress of asking foreign countries to meddle in Indias internal affairs. Would they question Indian armys valour in Galwan too? he asked, referring to a clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers at the Line of Actual Control in June 2020 that left 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese personnel dead. The PM accused the Congress and its allies of having no faith in the countrys defence forces and said that previous governments denied soldiers one-rank, one-pension for decades.

Modis comments in Congress-ruled Rajasthan  one of three major states that go to the polls towards the end of the year  come just weeks after Opposition parties came together as INDIA to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2024.

During the 25-minute speech, Modi hit out at Opposition leaders, saying that they stood with divisive forces and vote bank politics rather than nationalism.

These people are full of arrogance. They once said, Indira is India, India is Indira. The people taught them a lesson and threw them out. But they didnt learn a lesson. They now say UPA is India, India is UPA. The people will once again teach them a lesson, said Modi. He was referring to a slogan coined by then Congress chief DK Barooah in 1974.

At the event, Modi dedicated 120,000 PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras to the nation. Kendras are one stop solution centres for all farmer related issues. He also transferred the 14th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, a sum of 17,000 crore, to around 80 million farmers across the country, inaugurated six Eklavya model schools and five medical colleges, and laid the foundation stone for seven new medical colleges in Rajasthan.

The power of the farmers and the hard work of the farmers extract gold from the soil. Thats why our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of the country, he said.

Today, after so many decades since independence, such a government has come to power, which understands the pain and sorrow of the farmers, understands their concerns, thats why decisions have been taken continuously in the interest of the farmers in the last nine years, he added.

Modi also took aim at the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan, saying the Congress was running a loot ki dukan and jhooth ka bazaar (marketplace of lies). And the latest product of this loot ki dukaan is Rajasthans red diary the red diary holds the black deeds of the Congress people are saying that if the pages of the red diary open, then powerful people will be dock even the biggest Congress leaders are becoming speechless on hearing about the red diary these people can seal their lips but this red diary is going to wipe out the Congress in the elections, Modi said.

He was referring to a controversy around the sacking of former Rajasthan minister Rajendra Gudha, who was removed last week for his comments comparing the brutal sexual assault of two women in Manipur to crimes against women in Rajasthan. On Monday, Gudha was suspended from the House after he claimed to be in the possession of a red diary that held details of allegedly irregular transactions in the Ashok Gehlot-led government.

Gehlot hit back at Modi over the red dairy controversy, saying there was no such document. The BJP is making baseless allegations in panic. There is no red diary. Rajendra Gudha has been made a scapegoat by the BJP, he said, while responding to the PMs charge later in the day. The CM was speaking at a public function to provide subsidies to 3.6 million beneficiaries to buy a cooking gas cylinder for 500.

During his speech, Modi repeatedly said the BJP was coming back to power in Rajasthan. There is only one slogan in all corners of Rajasthan, Jeetega Kamal, Khilega Kamal (The Lotus will bloom), Modi said, attacking the state government over crimes against women, rape cases, examination paper leaks, and farm debt.

Instead of taking action against culprits, the Congress leaders are accusing the victims of telling lies, he added.

Sikar  along with Churu and Jhunjhunu  forms the Shekhawati belt, which is dominated by the Jat community. The BJP has traditionally not been strong in this belt. In the 2018 assembly elections, the BJP won just three of the 21 seats in Shekhawati.

Modis scathing attack in Sikar came just three weeks after a speech in Bikaner. In the last nine months, the PM visited Rajasthan seven times, addressing meetings in different regions of the state in a bid to reach out to all communities.

Reacting to the speech, Trinamool Congress MP Derek OBrien asked why the prime minister was being so negative.

Hello PM @NarendraModi, youre at it again! Attacking our new name. INDIA, Jeetega Bharat. Whats happened? Why are you so negative? Weve got you just where we wanted you to be. React. Be negative. And we will carry on spreading the word. INDIA. Jeetega Bharat, he said in a video message.

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Jaipur: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday alleged the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) cancelled his pre-scheduled three minute speech at an event addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sikar district  a charge rebutted by the PMO which said he was invited but his office said he would not be able to join. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleges his speech was cancelled at Prime Minister Narendra Modis event. (PTI)

As Gehlot insisted that he was supposed to speak but his address was not slotted for the event, Modi said the chief minister could not join due to a problem with his feet.

The Prime Minister addressed a rally and inaugurated various development projects, including the release of the 14th instalment of the Centres flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), at Sikar. The state is scheduled to go to the polls in November.

The initial exchange between Gehlot and PMO took place on Twitter, hours before Modis visit to the district.

Gehlot said he was welcoming the Prime Minister through his tweet, instead of a speech, as the latters office had removed his pre-scheduled three-minute address from the event.

Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today you will be visiting Rajasthan. Your office, PMO, has removed my prescheduled three-minute address from the programme, so I will not be able to welcome you through the speech. I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet, he tweeted in Hindi.

In his post, Gehlot also listed demands that I would have put forward through my speech at the programme and hoped the Prime Minister would fulfil them during his seventh visit (to the state) in six months.

Gehlot sought withdrawal of the Agniveer scheme for recruitment in army, navy and air force. He said that his government has waived cooperative bank loans worth 15,000 crore of 2,100,000 farmers and has sent a one-time settlement proposal to the Centre to waive nationalised bank loans and offered to pay farmers share.

He also said that the state assembly has passed a resolution for conducting a caste census and forwarded it to the Union government, and sought a decision on the matter without any delay.

The chief minister demanded national project status for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project.

The PMO, however, said the chief ministers speech was slotted but the latters office said he would not be able to attend the event.

Shri @ashokgehlot51 Ji, In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join. You are most welcome to join todays programme, the PMO said.

During PM Modis previous visits as well, you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued, it added.

Last month, Gehlot fractured a toe and also injured another.

The chief minister again hit back, saying the PMO was not aware of the facts. He said his office had informed the Centre that owing to his leg injury, he will be attending the event through video conferencing.

Your office has taken cognizance of my tweet but probably they too have not been made aware of the facts. My address was kept in the proposed minute to minute program sent from the Ministry of Health, Government of India. Last night I was again informed that I would not be addressing. My office had informed the Government of India that as per the opinion of the doctors, due to leg injury, I would attend the program through video conferencing and my ministers would reach the venue, he tweeted in Hindi.

Even now I will be involved in this program in the interest of Rajasthan on non-interactive mode through video conferencing, he added, as he shared a copy of the minutes of the programme he received earlier and the letter sent from his office to the Centre on the micro-blogging site.

Speaking to reporters at his residence, Gehlot said: The minute by minute programme had come and I was to speak in it. Suddenly last night, I was told that my speech was not there.

Modi, however, said Gehlot was supposed to attend the programme but could not due to a problem with his feet. He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health, he told the rally.

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The Rajya Sabha on Thursday cleared the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Bill which was tabled in Rajya Sabha last week by Union information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur seeks to make amendments to the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The Bill intends to ensure that the film industry content does not suffer due to piracy as the menace causes heavy loss to the industry. Union information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur (File Photo)

The Bill was passed after a discussion that lasted over two hours in the Upper House of the Parliament on Thursday, but without the Opposition as they staged a walkout after their demands for a discussion on Manipur was not entertained.

The Bill plans to tackle film piracy, overhaul age-based certification provided by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and provide consistency in categorising films and material across platforms.

In the Bill, the government has proposed a maximum three-year jail term and a fine of up to 5% of the production cost of a film for persons making pirated copies of movies. The Bill seeks to introduce additional certificate categories (UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+) and the UA category, reported PTI.

The Bill further seeks to introduce new sections in the Cinematograph Act with provisions to prohibit the unauthorised recording of films (section 6AA) and their exhibition (section 6AB). Provision 6AA prohibits the recording of any part of the film for the sole usage of the same device, the report further mentioned.

Piracy is like cancer and this government has decided to eradicate it. The Bill took almost four decades but a lot has been changed. India being a country of storytellers, should emerge as the content hub of the world. I thank all the members for supporting the Bill and giving many suggestions, Thakur said.

Thakur also slammed the Opposition as they staged a walkout.

At a time when we are passing the Bill, the way the Opposition is behaving it seems that they are neither with or in favour of the film industry, nor want India to rise as a soft power. The Bill is not limited to any producer or director but includes the benefits of smaller roles like spot boys, cameraman etc. Then there is this issue of piracy which is hugely affecting the film industry. I am trying to raise the rights of the people working in the film industry, the Opposition is eating away their rights. Anurag said.

Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs, including Radha Mohan Das, Dr Sonal Mansingh, Pavitra Margherita, Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik, Kavita Patidar, Biplab Kumar Deb, Ajay Pratap Singh, GVL Narasimha Rao, Bhubaneswar Kalita expressed their interest in movies while touching on the topic like more movies on social issues, regional language and enhanced control of content on OTT.

To which, Thakur replied, I have noted the concern of honourable members of the language and objectionable content on OTTs. I want to tell you all that I called a meeting of OTT players 7 days ago and told them that self-regulation means that the responsibility lies with you. If you dont do something about this, we will be forced to use other means.

Biju Janata Dal MP and film director Prashanta Nanda supported the Bill, he, however, raised how OTT platforms did not mind publishing explicit content materials on their website, whereas the provisions of the censor board were strict for films that go to the theatres. He also spoke of how the addressal of issues by the CBFC was a lengthy process and asked how much authority the body holds.

To this, Thakur underlined how CBFC had been given complete autonomy now under this Bill while adding, The major concerns for the Amendment of the Bill includes how much power the CBFC has. There could be a few instances where it could have taken a long time to issue a certification but we have to understand that it is an autonomous body and it holds some power. After this revision, the government will give the supreme authority to the CBFC and that is what the Bill wants.

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP Niranjan Reddy said his party too supports the Bill as the government would reduce control of producers, which he deemed would boost the creative aspect.

He raised that although the piracy act was helpful, complaints pertaining to piracy was a lengthy process and added, Piracy is costing the Indian economy $2.8 bn which is only going to increase. I request the government to take piracy-related issues seriously.

Thakur responded, We dont know the exact amount generated by pirates/piracy agencies, but its evident that the real talent gets affected by it. To take action on such laws, this Bill will impose Rs. 3 lakh fine on anyone involved in such activities. The government has decriminalised a lot of things, but under this Bill, anyone who is involved in piracy will be given a 3-year imprisonment sentence.

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On Thursday, Muharram processions in Srinagar were taken out through the traditional route for the first time in 34 years, with the Jammu and Kashmir administration revoking a 1989 ban which prohibited mourners from marching from Gurubazar to Dalgate. Shia mourners participating in Muharram procession in Srinagar (Screengrab courtesy ANI)

Also Read: Shia cleric walks out of Jammu and Kashmir administration meeting on Muharram

A video shared by news agency ANI showed one such procession making its way through the Gurubazar-Dalgate route. There was a tight security deployment on the occasion, and stringent conditions were put in place to ensure no untoward incident took place.

Vijay Kumar, ADGP, Kashmir Zone, said force had been deployed on the previous night itself.

We held a detailed meeting as soon as the govt decided this (to give permission). Force is deployed from last night, Kumar said, according to ANI.

Why were Muharram processions banned?

The year 1989 saw the beginning of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, and the participants, therefore, were seen as being soft towards the separatist movement. The ban was kept in force by successive governments in the Valley.

Despite the prohibition, youths from the community used to take out processions on 8th and 10 Muharram on these routes, which the police used to respond to with force. Also, there was no ban on processions in other parts of the city.

Why has the ban been revoked now?

This came after top officials in the administration felt that allowing the procession will send a strong signal about peace in the region. Subsequently, meetings were held with members of the Shia Muslim community, and the ban was eventually withdrawn.

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to grant an urgent hearing to West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari who challenged last weeks Calcutta high court order permitting the police to register a first information report (FIR) against him for an alleged hate speech ahead of the panchayat elections. Bengal BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari at a protest (PTI File Photo)

A bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia told Adhikari that his matter was already listed for August 4 and directed the matter to come up on that date.

Advocate Bansuri Swaraj who appeared for Adhikari, told the court, I am in a precarious situation. Please list the matter on July 31. She said the high court order was passed without hearing him as he enjoyed protection from arrest under two orders passed in separate proceedings by the high court in September 2021 and December last year. These orders have been upheld even by the Supreme Court. The bench told Swaraj, It is already coming up on August 4. All that we can say is that it shall not be deleted from the list.

Adhikari approached the top court challenging the high courts July 20 order on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Suman Singh who alleged that Adhikari was making hate speeches that can promote enmity between different groups in society. Since Adhikari enjoyed the protection of two high court orders passed on September 6, 2021 and December 8 last year restraining police from registering FIR or taking coercive action against him, the petitioner complained that such acts were going unpunished.

A division bench of justices IP Mukerji and Biswaroop Chowdhury directed the police to treat the PIL as a complaint and allowed the police to proceed with the registration of FIR if the facts narrated in the petition make out the commission of an offence of hate speech punishable under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court protected Adhikari to the extent that it did not permit the police to arrest him.

The order allowed police to carry out investigations and submit a report to the court by August 7. The high court held: Arrest of the respondent no. 3 (Adhikari) or any other coercive action against him can only be made in terms of the report only if leave is granted by this court.

While mentioning the matter for urgent listing, Swaraj said the state government has already filed 26 FIRs against Adhikari since he became a member of the legislative assembly (MLA) from BJP in 2021. There are two high court orders that protect me and this court has upheld the orders on five occasions, she said, adding that the police stopped registering new cases against Adhikari after these orders.

Adhikari in his petition filed through advocate Siddhesh Shirish Kotwal said, The order (of July 20) can have serious ramifications at this stage, potentially leading to registration of additional FIRs against the petitioner. The police machinery in West Bengal is in collusion with the current ruling party, constantly attempting to foist cases against the petitioner.

The (high court) bench despite acknowledging that the orders dated September 6, 2021 and December 8, 2022 have been contested before the Supreme Court as well as division bench of the high court on multiple occasions, and as such the said order remains unaltered, passed directions to register FIR.

The petitioner in the high court has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, which means that the top court will hear the petitioner who is represented by advocate Soumya Dutta, before passing any order.

To be sure, the high courts July 20 order underlined that there was no judicial bar on registering a case against Adhikari if an offence was committed.

On our close examination of the said two orders passed by the single judge of this court, we find that the court was concerned with certain allegedly false and malicious allegations and complaints being made against the respondent (Adhikari) and FIRs being lodged against him, at the material time.

It continued: The said orders are not to be interpreted as preventing registration of any criminal complaint or FIR against the respondent for any subsequent event, act, transaction or facts which are not connected with the facts in issue in the said two writ applications (in which the orders came to be passed)... The state police authority shall exercise their powers in accordance with law and carefully examine whether the acts narrated disclose any offence under Section 153A of IPC. If they are so satisfied they will register the FIR under Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
A day after Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi moved the no-confidence motion against the PM Modi government in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, CPI MP Binoy Viswam said many parties of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance felt that the motion would have been stronger and more effective if it had represented other INDIA parties. "Not only CPI, but many other parties raised objection in a responsible way. The Congress leadership understood it and they are so democratic that they agreed that it happened out of hurry," Binoy Viswam said. Read | On no-confidence motion, BJP MP's 'more you shrink, lower...' jibe | 10 points The opposition MPs wore black dress to Parliament on Thursday as a mark of protest. (PTI)

"The chapter is closed now. What is important is that the no-confidence motion is there in Parliament and it has the signature of a sufficient number of MPs," the CPI MP said.

Congress as per its usual attitude: Pralhad Joshi

Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said like PM Modi predicted in 2019 and asked the opposition to prepare for a no-confidence motion in 2023, they came prepared but there was a little divide. "Congress, as per its usual attitude, did not consult the other Opposition parties. First, there should be confidence among Opposition parties, among each other. After that, they can talk about people's confidence in PM Modi. There's no use of wearing black clothes. You will have to wear black clothes later too," Pralhad Joshi said.

Opposition's black dress protest in Parliament

Opposition MPs of the INDIA bloc came to Parliament wearing black clothes in a mark of protest over the Manipur issue. The MPs met at the chamber of Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday morning where it was strategised that they would not allow any business to be taken up in the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2pm.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released a fresh data on the number of women and girls that went missing in India. According to the Union ministry of home affairs, quoting NCRB data, 3,75,058 women above 18 years of age went missing from across the country in 2021 alone. A total of 10,61,648 women went missing from 2019 to 2021 across the country(File (representative image))

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the two states from where the maximum number of girls and women disappeared from 2019 to 2021.

From Madhya Pradesh, 52,119 women in 2019, 52,357 in 2020 and 55,704 in 2021 went missing, indicating an upsetting upward trend. In Maharashtra, 63,167 women in 2019, 58,735 in 2020 and 56,498 in 2021 went missing, however, showing a downward trend.

A total of 90,113 girls (those who are below 18 years of age) disappeared in 2021 with the highest from West Bengal at 13,278.

Collectively, a total of 10,61,648 women went missing from 2019 to 2021 across the country. Simultaneously, 2,51,430 girls disappeared during the same period.

It is the responsibility of respective state governments to maintain law and order, including investigation and prosecution of crimes against women, the Home Ministry said in a statement.

It mentioned the number of initiatives the Centre has taken for the safety of women including the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 for effective action against sexual offences.
Commitments on reigning in greenhouses gas emissions by 2025 and setting a global warming target of under 1.5C are two of the thorniest issues holding up chances of a consensus within Group of 20 (G20) members, people aware of discussions between the nations said on Thursday, mere hours before a much-awaited joint statement was expected at Chennai. Commitments on reigning in greenhouses gas emissions by 2025, one of the thorniest issue holding up chances of a consensus within G20 members (PTI)

Among the holdouts, the people said, were countries such as Saudi Arabia that strongly oppose on peaking emissions being part of the communique, or joint statement, expected following the meeting of the G20 environment and climate ministers underway at Chennai.

Most of the brackets are around the issue of peaking. Naturally that clouds the entire mitigation issue, said an official who is attending the meeting, asking not to be named.

What has already not been agreed on in the energy track in Goa cannot be agreed on here. The 1.5 degree will be cushioned. There are disagreements on that. Everyone is holding their positions on emissions, climate finance etc. We are trying to be as inclusive as possible. We are also trying other means like making them sign on blue economy principles which is also a climate issue with sea level rise and ocean acidification, added another official.

Negotiations continued till early morning on Thursday and resumed later in the afternoon.

The meeting is being attended by all G20 environment and climate ministers, including United States Special Envoy for Climate, John Kerry.

G20 member countries are responsible for 80% of global emissions and GDP. The grouping is also a unique mix of rich and emerging economies -- from the US and the EU to India and China which have varied priorities based on their economic status and historical contribution to emissions.

On the sidelines of the ministerial, a Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) by G20 chair India, led by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, was convened. Environment and climate ministers of Denmark, Canada, EU, Italy, France and Mauritius joined the coalition.

HT reported on July 23 that the G20 energy track in Goa failed to reach consensus on critical climate issues such as trebling of renewable energy deployment and phasing down of fossil fuels. That meant there was no communique or joint statement, and only a chairs summary was issued. Yadav, however, had said the talks were still one of the most successful for the bloc, and that it laid down important groundwork ahead of the COP28 climate talks later this year.

Concerned with slow progress of the G20 on climate mitigation, Sultan Al-Jaber, the president-designate of this years UN Climate talks (COP28) in Saudi Arabia, and Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), issued a joint statement from Chennai calling on the G20 to deliver a strong statement on climate mitigation.

The G20 must affirm its commitment to achieve the operationalisation of the fund and funding arrangements for loss and damage. Those at the frontline of climate change need our support now, not in 5 years time, they said

Germanys state secretary and special envoy for International Climate Action, Jennifer Morgan, issued a statement on Wednesday stating that she expected a clear outcome on climate mitigation from Chennai. G20 must agree on joint ambitious climate action, such as phasing out of fossil fuels and setting an ambitious global target for renewable energy and a doubling of energy efficiency improvements, the statement said.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) s Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change had said limiting warming to around 1.5C requires global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030; at the same time, methane would also need to be reduced by about a third.

The environment ministry in a note on Thursday said there are extensive discussions on water resource management, preamble and climate change, resource efficiency and circular economy and blue economy under the environment and climate track.

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Archival materials and artworks from different phases of master modernist Lalit Mohan Sen's short but immensely productive creative career feature in a new retrospective-scale exhibition here. "Lalit Mohan Sen: An Enduring Legacy", underway at Emami Art gallery, pays tribute to Sen's extraordinary oeuvre, celebrating the diversity and modernist spirit in his works. Sen's paintings, prints, posters and photographs were widely exhibited and praised in India and abroad. (South Asian Artwork/Facebook)

Born in 1898 in West Bengal, Sen, contemporary to noted painter Asit Kumar Haldar and eminent miniature artist Mukul Dey, was a well-known artist and teacher. He studied in India and England, and was one of the four artists the Indian government selected to decorate the newly-built India House in London in 1930. His rich and expansive practice is represented by a wide range of mediums and materials, including oil and tempera paintings, various graphic prints, book cover illustrations and a selection of previously unseen drawings and photographs.

"Although he was a great artist and quite well-known in his lifetime, the name of Lalit Mohan Sen is seldom heard in todays art historical discourse. Based on intensive research, the exhibition brings together a large variety of his work  paintings, drawings, prints, design works, sculptures and photographs  along with rare archival materials, presenting Lalit Mohan Sen truly as a prolific and versatile artist," said Richa Agarwal, ceo of Emami Art, in a statement.

Sen's paintings, prints, posters and photographs were widely exhibited and praised in India and abroad. Queen Mary appreciated his tempera painting 'Potter Girl' in the Royal College of Art exhibition in 1930 and bought it for the royal collection.

In the early-1920s, he was the only Indian artist whose woodcuts Victoria & Albert Museum had displayed in the Museums print room as permanent exhibits. After returning to India from England, he rejoined the Government School of Arts and Crafts, Lucknow, as Superintendent of Drawing Teacher's Training and continued to teach there. He became the schools principal in 1945.

A versatile artist and teacher, Sen passed away in Lucknow in 1954. According to exhibition consultant Debdutta Gupta, the exhibition seeks to reinterpret and expand visitors' knowledge about the artist through the collection of his works by drawing attention to the multiple mediums, including photography, sculpture and ceramics, of which he was a master.

"It looks beyond his Western oeuvre and focuses on his relationship with Indian and indigenous art forms. This project seeks to reinstate Sen's versatility and ability to experiment and amalgamate different genres and mediums, especially in an age when art has become increasingly impacted by digital technologies," he added. The exhibition will come to a close on September 30.
A dozen people  artists, scientists, academics and writers  turned up at The Bureau of Linguistical Realitys first word salon in January 2015. They were all friends of San Francisco-based artists Alicia Escott and Heidi Quante, founders of this project. At their pop-ups, artists Heidi Quante and Alicia Escott create a faux bureau, inviting participants to coin words about their responses to the changing environment.

None of them had any idea what a word salon was. They showed up, some joked, because of the promise of dinner.

Once everyone had settled in, the group was offered a single prompt: What is a feeling associated with or provoked by climate change, for which you wish there was a word?

On an unusually warm night in an unusually warm winter, with California also in the midst of a drought, the prompt sparked a discussion that lasted hours. People stayed, chatting, till 1 am, says Escott.

In the years since, the bureau has held numerous word salons, pop-ups and online sessions with groups across the US, and in the UK, France, Spain and Canada. From these, Escott, 43, and Quante, 44, have gathered more than 500 words (with many more left unrefined in notebooks, Escott says), and are gradually uploading these to the project website.

Each word is meant to serve as a starting point from which to delve into ones own and others experience of the climate crisis. Using words as architecture, we want to create a space where we honour personal as well as cultural or region-specific experiences, Quante says. Excerpts from an interview.

What are some core principles that guide your linguistic process?

Quante: The strategy adopted by most US climate groups is to tell people what to do, which doesnt work. We focus on using humour, curiosity and self-driven learning to co-create words with people, letting them have agency.

This is facilitated through four modalities: the word salons; a faux bureau (with a table-chair set-up and us in playsuit uniforms) that pops up at climate meets, art and science exhibitions, etcetera; performance-based lectures at universities; and our website, which allows people to write to us if they want to submit words.

Escott: Often, we encounter people who have for the first time been given the space to sit and talk about their individual feelings and experience of the crisis. While just providing that opportunity is already enough, naming those experiences by co-creating a neologism is also very powerful for them.

Quante: We only accept neologisms for feelings or experiences you have personally had. We dont collaborate with people who want to speak on behalf of others or name other peoples experiences.

Escott: But its a collaborative process. Someone will suggest a word; or it will emerge from a group. We will arrive at a definition together, fine-tune it later, share it with that group or individual over email, and they are welcome to help recast the definition.

Have you seen any of these words filter into the public lexicon?

Escott: Its always amazing to hear the words in public. A friend recently texted me from a jazz show. They were playing a song named Blissonance (the mixed experience of bliss and dissonance one experiences when enjoying time in nature while also recognising how ones presence in that place can be negatively affecting it). That was a word coined at one of our word-making salons in California, in 2015.

British philosopher and ecologist Timothy Morton used the word shadowtime (a feeling of living in two distinctly different temporal scales simultaneously; the sense that our preparation for the future might be in vain due to climate disruptions) three times during a lecture.

These words themselves, and the process of creating them, is an effort to open ourselves and our participants to new ways of thinking, and providing a chance to sit with emotions arising out of the times we live in. Its what we at the bureau call convergencies (convergences of emergencies) and emergination (the possibilities that can emerge from this).

What are the challenges in keeping such a project alive across years?

Escott: This is an independent art initiative, so in many ways, its a passion project. We do get funding through grants such as the French Ministry of Cultures ArtCOP21 Grant in 2015; the Kindle Projects Makers Muse Award & Grant in 2016, and the French Ministry of Cultures Environmental Arts Prize in 2016, and stipends and honoraria for hosting the project at various institutions and lectures.

Quante: We function at the intersection of art and the climate movement. So foundations are often unsure if were climate change enough or artistic enough. But weve had offers to create a book of the neologisms, and given that were an ongoing artwork, it will hopefully translate into a series.
A metropolitan magistrate court in Andheri, which has been hearing a matter pertaining to actor Kangana Ranaut and scriptwriter and poet, Javed Akhtar, found earlier this week that there were sufficient grounds to proceed against Akhtar on the charge of criminal intimidation which Ranaut had filed against the septuagenarian two years ago. Ranaut, in her mid-30s, had filed a counter-complaint against Akhtar, who had moved the Mumbai court on the charge of defamation. The judge has summoned Akhtar on August 5. PREMIUM The issue between the two National Award winners started in 2020, when Akhtar filed a defamation suit in November

The issue between the two National Award winners started in 2020, when Akhtar filed a defamation suit in November, seeking to prosecute Ranaut for offences punishable under section 499 of the Indian Penal Code.

A year later in September, Ranaut filed a counter-suit alleging that the lyricist had meddled in a dispute between her and actor Hrithik Roshan, attacked her moral character by making unwarranted and uncalled-for statements and imputed the lack of chastity to her, thereby intentionally insulting her modesty by commenting on her personal relationship with co-star. She further claimed that Akhtar, in March 2016, had called Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel to his residence where he threatened her with dire consequences, if she failed to tender an apology to Roshan.

Ranaut sought to prosecute Akhtar under Sections 383 (extortion), 384 (punishment for extortion), 387 (putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt in order to commit extortion), 503 (criminal intimidation), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC.

According to Akhtar, in a television interview that aired on July 20, 2020, Ranaut referred to him and some other film personalities as Bollywoods suicide brigade. She had added in the interview that once (in March 2016) Javed Akhtar had called me to his house and told me that Rakesh Roshan and his family were very big people. If you dont apologise to them, you will have nowhere to go. They will put you in jail, and eventually, the only path would be that of destruction you will commit suicide. He shouted and yelled at me. I was shaking in his house.

In his complaint, the 77-year-old lyricist claimed that the statements made by Ranaut in her television interview were false and defamatory and damaged his reputation. He added that the actress dragged his name while referring to a "coterie" in Bollywood following the death by suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

On December 19, 2020, the magistrate court ordered the Juhu police to investigate Akhtars complaint and file a report by January 16, 2021.

Accordingly, the Juhu police filed their report, stating that, there was a meeting between Akhtar and Ranaut in March 2016. In the said meeting Dr Ramesh Agrawal (family physician of Kangana, Akhtar and Roshans) was also present. Akhtar never told her (Ranaut) that she will commit suicide, or she will have to go to jail.

The police also said that during the investigation they had issued summons to Ranaut on several occasions, but she did not turn up. The police had, however, recorded statements of three other witnesses  Akhtar, the doctor and a family friend of Akhtar.

In the statement given to the police, Dr Ramesh Agrawal said that in 2015-16 he came to know about the problems between Hrithik Roshan and Ranaut and the lyricist had had asked him to mediate and resolve the dispute, since he knew both of them well.

Dr Agrawal added when he asked Ranaut, she agreed to meet Akhtar at his house to discuss the issue between her and Hrithik Roshan. Aggarwal supported Akhtar's claims and said the lyricist never said things like you will commit suicide, and you will be sent to prison etc.

On September 20, 2021, eleven days after the Bombay high court dismissed her plea for quashing of the defamation complaint filed by Akhtar, Ranaut filed the cross-complaint against Akhtar claiming that with mala-fide intention and ulterior motive, he called her and her sister to his residence and coerced her into tendering a written apology to Hrithik Roshan, thereby forcefully seeking to create a document (valuable security) in his favour. Thus, the accused instilled fear in her mind seeking to criminally extort a written apology (valuable security) from her to favour her co-star, her complaint stated.

The magistrate court, however, did not find substance in her allegations of extortion and issued a process for proceeding against the 77-year-old for offences of criminal intimidation and insulting Ranauts modesty. The court has now asked Akhtar to attend the court on August 5 to answer the charges.
Rakul Preet Singh is a travel enthusiast and when the actress is not shooting, she utilises her time to spend quality time with her loved ones by travelling and exploring new places. The actress is currently enjoying time with her family in Dubai. Rakul is quite active on social media and regularly shares snippets from her travel diaries, providing fashion inspiration to all her followers. With her stunning looks and incredible fashion sense, Rakul is proving her fashion prowess. After her chic bikini looks, this time the actress donned a grey co-ord set that exuded chill vibes. Read on to know more about her look and take some fashion notes from the style diva. (Also read: Rakul Preet Singh in backless swimsuit 'feels like a mermaid' as she chills by the pool during Dubai holiday. See pics ) Rakul Preet Singh is making the most of her Dubai holiday, effortlessly setting fashion goals with her chic and casual outfits.(Instagram/@rakulpreet)

Rakul Preet Singh's casual look in a stylish co-ord set

On Wednesday, Rakul gave her fans a mid-week treat as she uploaded a series of pictures on Instagram with the caption, "Look at the stars, see their beauty and in that beauty see yourself". In the post, Rakul can be seen striking a pose by a river on a beautiful night. Her post quickly went viral on social media with over 200K likes and several comments from her followers praising and admiring her. Let's have a look at her stunning pictures.

For her casual look, Rakul opted for a coordinated set in a grey shade, consisting of a crop top with a small neck, no sleeves and a fitted bust, which she paired with a matching skirt with a body-con fit and a slit at the side. She kept her accessories minimal, styling her look with a pair of white earrings, flats and a beaded bracelet on her wrist. She opted for a no-make-up look, wearing only mascara, blushed cheeks and a shade of red lipstick. With her hair tied in a messy bun on the side partition, Rakul serves fashion goals.

Her outfit showcases the perfect blend of comfort and style, offering numerous styling options. It serves as a perfect inspiration for a summer date look or even a brunch with friends.
International Friendship Day 2023: One of the most cherished relationships of the world is friendship. Its an interesting relationship where it is not based on blood relations but just promises and understanding. Our friends have our back, no matter what. They are the ones we go to when we want to celebrate our wins or cry to when we need a shoulder. They are our worst enemies, and they help us with all the problems we have under the sun. Friendship is a beautiful relationship and there is no restriction on age, colour and caste when it comes to knowing who your true friend is. International Friendship Day 2023: Date, history, significance, celebration of the day(Unsplash)

International Friendship Day is celebrated every year to cherish our best friends, the meaningful friendships we have and how we can go through anything in life if we have the right friends holding our hand. As we gear up to celebrate the special day, here are a few facts to know:

ALSO READ: Happy Friendship Day 2022: Wishes, quotes, images to share with friends

Date:

Every year, International Friendship Day is celebrated on July 30. Since 2011, the special day is observed on this day when people express their gratitude to their friends for being with them.

History:

In 2011, the UN General Assembly announced International Friendship Day as a day to celebrate friendships, ties between cultures, communities, countries and people. The youth are the future of the country, and this day emphasises on the importance of teaching them to respect diversity and seek unity in everything.

Significance and celebrations:

On this day, government organisations, private entities and other institutes hold events, seminars and activities to initiate the dialogue among diverse communities and cultures to come together and embrace the unity within themselves. Through solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation, unity in diversity is explored on this day. "The International Day of Friendship is an initiative that follows on the proposal made by UNESCO defining the Culture of Peace as a set of values, attitudes and behaviours that reject violence and endeavour to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems. It was then adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1997," wrote United Nations.

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In vitro fertilization or IVF has revolutionised the field of reproductive medicine and has helped millions of people worldwide to achieve their dream of parenthood and it is the need of the hour to promote public understanding and education about infertility, the available treatment options and also the emotional and physical impact it has on individuals and families. Few know that there are different assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that are available to men who are experiencing infertility. Male fertility tips: 5 assisted reproductive techniques that can help men battling infertility (Photo by Yan Krukov)

In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr Sneha Sathe, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility in Chembur, gave an overview of the various methods and techniques that can assist in addressing male infertility concerns -

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This procedure involves placing the husbands washed semen sample (semen sample processed in the laboratory) into the woman's uterus at the time when she is most fertile, thereby increasing the chances of fertilization. In cases where the husband's semen report shows mild to moderate abnormalities or when there are sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction or anejaculation, IUI is considered an appropriate choice. Alternatively, if the husband has a zero sperm count, IUI using donor sperm can be a viable option. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): IVF, a commonly employed assisted reproductive technology (ART), involves the retrieval of eggs from the woman's ovaries and their fertilization with sperm within a laboratory setting. The resulting embryos are subsequently transferred back into the woman's uterus. ICSI is often used in conjunction with IVF. It involves injecting a single sperm directly into a mature egg to facilitate fertilization. ICSI proves particularly advantageous in instances of severe male factor infertility, characterised by significantly impaired sperm count, motility, or morphology. Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): These procedures involve retrieving sperm directly from the epididymis or testes in men with azoospermia. Depending on the cause of azoospermia, it is possible for some men to be able to have their biological child. Surgical sperm retrieval and ICSI are often needed to achieve pregnancy in these cases. Sperm and Embryo Cryopreservation: Sperm and embryos can be frozen and stored for future use. This practice proves particularly beneficial for men who may undergo treatments that could potentially impact their fertility (like Cancer treatment), as well as for couples who wish to preserve their fertility for later purposes. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): PGT involves screening embryos for genetic abnormalities before transferring them to the uterus. This technique can help identify healthy embryos and reduce the risk of passing on certain genetic conditions.

Dr Sneha Sathe advised, When determining the most appropriate fertility treatment option for men, it is important to also consider additional factors such as the age of the wife, duration of infertility and the presence or absence of other factors contributing to infertility. Your fertility specialist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that takes into account these factors, as they play a crucial role in devising a personalised treatment plan. Tailoring treatment plans specifically for the couple, enhances the likelihood of achieving successful results.
The body's lymph nodes serve as one of its first lines of defence against sickness. From these biological police stations, immune cells are sent out to repel invaders. However, the majority of metastatic tumours also start in lymph nodes. How to deal with metastatic cancer: Study(Pixabay)

Its paradoxical, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Assistant Professor Semir Beyaz says. The cancer goes right in, but the immune cells arent doing anything. Its important to understand whats going on because this is how cancer takes the whole body hostage.

Beyaz joined with collaborators from Massachusetts General Hospital to investigate. They found that breast cancer cells trick the immune system with help from a molecule called MHC-II. Future therapeutics targeting this molecule may help slow the cancers spread and improve patient outcomes.

ALSO READ: Why do we lose fat, muscle during infection? Study sheds light

MHC-II acts like breast cancers passport, Beyaz says. It convinces the lymph node to let the cancer in and protect it. From there, its mayhem.

In other places, like the intestine, MHC-II helps destroy abnormal cells before they become a problem. But breast cancers version of MHC-II doesnt carry the red flags immune cells recognize. So, the lymph node treats it like a false alarm. Beyaz explains:

Cancer hijacks the lymph nodethe police station. The detectives just say, Welcome. Heres a comfy couch. Heres a coffee. Cancer bribes the neighboring cells. Then it grows. This is what MHC-II is doing in lymph node metastasis.

The team found that, in mice, higher levels of MHC-II on a subset of cancer cells led to greater immune suppression in lymph nodes. This caused worse metastasis and shorter survival. When they switched off MHC-II production in cancer cells, lymph nodes awoke to the threat. As a result, the cancer couldnt spread as fast, and the mice lived longer.

If you get rid of MHC-II in cancer cells, you curb the invasion, Beyaz explains. The lymph nodes stop suppressing the immune response and reduce cancers colonizing abilities.

Beyaz now hopes to reveal exactly how cancer adapts and spreads. Understanding these mechanisms could bring us closer to new metastasis-blocking therapeutics. But, he cautions, the effectiveness of any potential drug will depend on where cancer first develops.

For example, in the gut, we see the opposite of whats happening in breast cancer, Beyaz explains. There are context-specific rules, and this tells us there is no one cure-all.

Over 300,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. While a long journey lies ahead, Beyaz thinks this research may someday have clinical implications that lead to better therapies and improve patients lives.
Typhoon Doksuri brought strong winds and rain to Taiwan, where schools and offices in the south and east remain closed and is heading toward China, threatening further disruption to shipping and air travel. Sea waves are pictured near the coast in Linbian in western Pingtung County as Typhoon Doksuri past southern Taiwan. High waves lashed Taiwan's southeastern coast on July 26, with the Central Weather Bureau issuing warnings and heavy rain advisories. (Photo by Johnson LIU / AFP)

At least three people have been killed by the massive storm, which caused chest-deep floods in the Philippines northern Cagayan province. The typhoon, with sustained winds up to 155 kilometers (96 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 191 kph, was about 170 kilometers southwest of Taiwans southernmost point as of 7:15 a.m. local time.

Taiwan has closed offices and schools in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Hualien, Taitung, Penghu and Kinmen, though Taipei  which saw strong winds and rain overnight  remains open. In mainland China, Xiamen Airport will shut for 24 hours from 6 p.m. tonight, Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific Airways said, canceling its flights there for Thursday. Doksuri is expected to make landfall in Fujian and Guangdong coastal areas on Friday morning, Chinas National Meteorological Center said.

China is maintaining the highest alert of its four-tier colour-coded system for severe weather, its weather center said. Hong Kong, which is calling it a severe typhoon, is maintaining its standby No. 1 signal, but sees a relatively low chance of strong winds in the city.

Fujians Xiamen city has ordered schools to suspend activities like summer camps and sport competitions, Xinhua reported Wednesday night. Zhangzhou, another city in Fujian province, will suspend work and classes from Thursday noon to Saturday noon, according to CCTV.

The typhoon caused at least two fatalities in the Philippines, with a woman hit by a falling tree and a 16-year-old boy crushed by landslide, AFP reported on Wednesday, citing local officials. CNN Philippines said the disaster risk reduction agency is verifying reports that five people died.

In Taiwan, Doksuri caused one death, the Central News Agency reported, citing the local disaster response center.

Cagayans experience with storms and flooding, and the evacuation of nearly 16,000 people, appears to have limited human casualties. Still, more than 180,000 people were affected by the storm in the Philippines, with electricity cut to dozens of towns. Much of the northern city of Baguio remains without power.

Similarly, Taiwan has extensive experience with typhoons, though it has been spared direct hits in recent years, and companies and the government took extensive steps ahead of the storm to minimize damage.
New Delhi Spiritual destinations are turning hotspots for young travellers seeking tranquillity and self-knowledge.

Be it for pilgrimage or penance, places believed to be Gods abode have long been considered mostly the preserve of the elderly. But now, these destinations are turning hotspots for young travellers seeking tranquillity and self-knowledge. In a post-pandemic context, this trend could be seen as a manifestation of travellers increasing focus on spiritual well-being and its benefits for holistic well-being.

Age of enlightenment

Referring to a record increase in clientele for the Chardham and Kedarnath circuits, Deepak Dhayal, founder, Kinghills Travel, says, Over 10,000 people signed up from across India. Compared to previous year, the ratio of young participants has now increased three- to fourfold.

Top domestic spiritual destinations have witnessed a 21% growth in air passenger traffic from pre-Covid times, notes Rajesh Magow, co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip. A noteworthy trend is the increasing interest in pilgrimage travel during long weekends, including that of youngsters. Domestic airlines have responded to the demand by adding 15% incremental capacity to prominent spiritual destinations, he says. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Prayagraj, Vrindavan, Dwarka, Puri and Ajmer have recorded accelerated growth in terms of most visited spiritual destinations.

Reasons aplenty

Mohit Joshi, a travel expert from Skyscanner says, Millennials and Gen Z are prioritising spiritual connections and mental and physical well-being. Our data shows that around 52% of travellers aged 18-24 and 59% aged 25-34 are actively planning to travel to a pilgrim destination in India.

This wouldnt be without transformation of connectivity and infrastructure. Spiritual destinations are undergoing a higher growth vis-a-vis leisure destination. Dwarka, Somnath Vrindavan, Puri and Katra have recorded accelerated growth, says an expert from Goibibo. Efforts have also been made to beautify these places, including developing them as well-rounded pilgrim towns equipped with quaint homestays, outposts of international restaurant chains tailored to tourist palates, not to mention cultural walks and religious tours.

Reclaiming spirituality

29-year-old Rajiv Rajoriya, a finance executive in Delhi who went to Kedarnath with his group of thirteen other friends, says, Ive been to several spiritual destinations in the past, including Rishikesh, Varanasi, Vaishnodevi, but my recent trip to Kedarnath was memorable. It was life-changing and a dream-come moment because not many get that calling. It was the hardest treks Ive ever done, but the sense of tranquility and inner peace was immeasurable. All I wanted to experience was that feeling of being a little closer to God and being healed from all the negativity.

23-year-old Naman Goyal, a college student from Faridabad, says, I love visiting spiritual places, not just in India but even outside the country. Recently, I went to Nepal to visit Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, followed by Sri Muktinath, a sacred site on Annapurna Circuit treks. It was one of its kind experience. Visiting spiritual places releases my pent up emotions and I feel recharged.

31-year-old Nupur Sharma, a lecturer, says, I shifted to Paris 4-5 years ago and developed my interest in spiritual travelling in the last 2-3 years. I like to visit the lesser explored temples of the city. Recently, I went to Sidh Bali Mandir in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, Pushkar, Ajmer Dargah and Nakodar dargah. The whole purpose is to not just visit and come back but to stay there and experience the calmness. I also love hearing the religious tales from people around. It nourishes my soul.
OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT had created a sensation on its debut last year. The new bot gained immense popularity due to its ability to perform several functions as per command prompts. In recent times, the chatbot has indeed witnessed a dip in usage traffic.



But the question still remains: Will AI take away our jobs? The tech industry is divided over this question. While some feel that the jobs will be taken away, the differing voices opine that humans will be able to do were work easily than before. But OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has now shocked everyone by saying that jobs will definitely be taken away due to technology.



Altman said that the impact of artificial intelligence will not be all positive. He told The Atlantic that a lot of people working on AI are pretending that it will be good for humans and act like supplement, but it is not the case. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.(AP)

Sam Altman, who has called for regulatory mechanisms to mitigate the risks of such powerful tools, told the website that his company could have created something more powerful than the chatbot but the people would not be ready for it.

He also said that people need to come to terms with the idea that a powerful new intelligence might coexist with humans in the future.

Forum to build powerful tech

Technology giants including OpenAI, Google and Anthropic are launching a forum for supporting safe and responsible development of large machine-learning models, Reuters reported.



As per the report, the forum will be focusing on coordinating safety research and articulating best practices of frontier AI models.

They are highly capable foundation models that could have dangerous capabilities sufficient to pose severe risks to public safety, industry leaders have warned.

Generative AI models, like the one behind chatbots like ChatGPT, extrapolate large amounts of data at high speed to share responses in the form of prose, poetry and images.

(With Reuters inputs)

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Elon Musk, the maverick billionaire known for his ambitious ventures, has encountered yet another obstacle in his chaotic rebrand of Twitter. The tech mogul's plan to transform Twitter into X.com has hit a roadblock in parts of Asia, where Indonesia has blocked access to the new web domain, citing anti-pornography laws. Elon Musk's plan to transform Twitter into X.com has hit a roadblock in parts of Asia, where Indonesia has blocked access to the new web domain, citing anti-pornography laws.

On Tuesday, Indonesia, a majority-Muslim country with a population of 270 million, prevented access to x.com, the new web domain intended to become Twitter's online identity. The country's officials claimed that the domain had a history of association with gambling and pornography, leading to the blockage.

X.com's Colorful Past

Before its recent rebranding, X.com had an intriguing past. It had remained a blank page with only the letter "X" for the past six years. Prior to that, X.com was a storefront for PayPal and eBay services, targeting online shop operators, with no connections to gambling or pornography.

The rebranding process at Twitter's headquarters in San Francisco has been far from smooth. Local police intervened on Monday to halt workmen attempting to remove the Twitter sign. The reason behind the intervention was that Twitter had not obtained the required permits to block the pavement outside the building, leaving the rebranding incomplete.

Is Musk Missing the Mark on Social-Emotional Intelligence?

Adding to the hurdles, a former Twitter executive, Esther Crawford, criticized Elon Musk's leadership style. Crawford, who once went viral for sleeping on Twitter's office floor to deliver new features demanded by Musk, accused him of lacking empathy and a proper social-emotional intelligence. She emphasized that while Musk's boldness, passion, and storytelling are inspiring, his deficiency in process and empathy can be painful for those working with him.

Twitter's Ambitious Goals

Despite the challenges, Musk's ambition for Twitter remains strong. His vision is to transform the platform into an "everything app," similar to China's WeChat, which functions as a multipurpose super-app. With determination and ingenuity, Musk aims to push Twitter beyond its current boundaries and create a truly unique digital experience.

While the road to rebranding may have some bumps and detours, Musk's tenacity and innovative spirit will undoubtedly drive Twitter's evolution into a platform that aims to revolutionize the way we interact in the digital world. Only time will tell how this ambitious endeavor unfolds, but one thing is certain: Elon Musk's journey is always filled with surprises.

Also read | After slamming Oppenheimer, Elon Musk mocks Margot Robbie's Barbie

(Source: The Telegraph)
Chandrayaan-3 recently completed its final earth-bound orbit-raising move and now it is set to slingshot and embark on its lunar journey. A group of private astronomers using the Polish ROTUZ (Panoptes-4) telescope spotted the spacecraft cruising through space. Sybilla Technologies, the company operating the telescope, shared a video capturing Chandrayaan-3 as a small dot amidst the vastness of space and stars on Tuesday. Chandrayaan-3 as observed by the Polish ROTUZ (Panoptes-4) telescope(Twitter/@sybilla_tech)

Scott Tilley, a member of the observation team, provided a trajectory update on Wednesday, mentioning that the spacecraft passed through its first apogee of the new orbit, spending many hours in deep space, drifting through his field of view.

ALSO READ- Chandrayaan-3: Why did Chandrayaan-2 lander fail? Why is it so difficult to land on Moon?

Responding to the question if everything is going as per the desired output, he said, using Doppler methods that would be difficult to claim. "Even if there were minor deviations in apogee achieved vs. desired, you'd simply correct in the next burn and so on... A failure would be a radical difference detected that places the s/c fuel margins at risk or places it in an orbit that compromises the mission.

Chadrayaan-3 successfully completed the final earth-bound orbit-raising move

India's third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota on July 14 and is expected to make a soft landing on the moon's South Pole with a lander and rover on August 23.

The spacecraft completed five orbit-raising manoeuvres around earth on Tuesday and is now preparing for lunar insertion. According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it has achieved an orbit of 1,27,603 km x 236 km, with the farthest and closest points in its elliptical orbit.

Its next step is to shift to an earth-to-moon trajectory, where the Moon's gravity will eventually pull it into lunar orbit, with the ultimate goal of achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface.

What are the next steps in the Chandrayaan-3 mission?

Chandrayaan-3 will fire its thrusters on August 1 to leave Earth's gravity and head towards the moon. After entering the moon's gravity, it will move into lunar orbit, completing 5-6 circles around the moon by the first week of August. Over the following 10 days, the spacecraft will identify the exact landing spot in the Moon's south pole area, as stated by Union Space Minister Jitendra Singh.

Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface on August 23 at 5:47 pm IST, but the timing may change based on the moon's sunrise. If there's a delay, ISRO will reschedule the landing for September.
Till now, there have been several heartwarming stories of humans rescuing animals. However, this time when a woman went out to rescue an animal, it turned into a dangerous situation for her. A mountain rescue group in Wales reported that when a womans parrot flew away, she followed it all the way on a high cliff and got stranded there. Woman stranded after trying to rescue a parrot.(Facebook/@ Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team)

Also Read: Dog travels on Mumbai local, deboards like a seasoned commuter

What happened during the rescue?

The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team shared a post on the womans rescue. They shared that they were alerted when a woman was stuck high on the cliff of Glyder Fawr, a mountain located in Wales, United Kingdom. The woman was part of a group of parrot owners who were taking a walk in the area. As they were walking, a peregrine falcon attacked them, causing a scare between one of the parrots and leading it to fly away.

They further added, The owner's tracker showed it to be high on the upper cliffs of Glyder Fawr and she climbed up to retrieve it. Unfortunately, the parrot decided freedom was great and flew back down to the group unassisted, leaving the owner and her second bird now stuck. To a barrage of parrot jokes from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and teams in North Wales Mountain Rescue Association, a hill party climbed up to the base of the cliffs and belayed a team member up to her location to make her safe. On arrival at the casualty, Jeckyll, the second parrot, perched on her owners' rucksack, greeted our team member with a 'Hello'! Once safely on belay, both parrot and owner were lowered to safe ground before being guided down off the mountain."

Take a look at the post below:

This post was shared just a few days ago. Since being shared, it has been liked close to 2,000 times. Many even shared their reactions in the comments section

Check out what people are saying about this incident here:

An individual added, "Surprised that the peregrine didnt manage to kill any of the parrots. They were very lucky and their owners were very lucky we have such fantastic volunteer mountain rescue teams able to assist them in their hour of need." A second shared, "This has to be the best MR rescue post Ive ever read. So glad its been a happy ending!" A third added, "Brilliant! Great job guys!"

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In another cross-border love story, a Chinese woman journeyed to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to tie the knot with a man she met and fell in love with on Snapchat. Gao Feng, a 21-year-old Chinese woman, entered Islamabad last week through Gilgit on a three-month visit visa and met her 18-year-old friend Javed, a resident of the Bajaur tribal district which shares a border with Afghanistan. As per the police, the two had been communicating through Snapchat for the past three years. Their friendship gradually blossomed into a romantic relationship. The Snapchat app logo is seen on a smartphone(REUTERS)

On Wednesday, Gao underwent a conversion to Islam and subsequently married Javed. The information was shared by Izzatullah Khan, the maternal cousin of the man, during a conversation with PTI over the phone.

READ | She is dead for us: Indian woman Anju's father after she marries her Pakistani friend

According to Izzatullah, Gao arrived in Islamabad on July 20. On July 21, they travelled to Lower Dir District, where Gao stayed at Izzatullah's residence in Samarbagh.

The nikkah ceremony between Javed and Gao took place on Wednesday. However, due to security concerns, the local police and district administration advised them to leave the district for Islamabad as her safety was not assured.

Izzatullah added that Javed is currently pursuing a Computer Science course at Bajaur Degree College, and they plan to have a court marriage in China after resolving the necessary procedures.

According to Izzatullah, Gao will be returning to China in a few days, but Javed will remain in Pakistan. After completing his education, which is expected to take nearly a year, Javed plans to join Gao in China.

The incident comes at a time when a 34-year-old married Indian woman named Anju, hailing from Rajasthan, ventured to the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet her 29-year-old Pakistani lover, Nasrulla, whom she had connected with on Facebook. The latter married Nasrullah after converting to Islam. In a separate incident, Seema Ghulam Haider, a 30-year-old Pakistani mother of four, clandestinely crossed into India to be with Sachin Meena, a 22-year-old Hindu man she met while playing PUBG in 2019.



(With PTI inputs)READ

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One of Australia's longest-serving prime ministers on Wednesday said British colonisation was "the luckiest thing that happened" to his country, while predicting a referendum to give Indigenous communities a "voice" in national policymaking would fail. Ex-Australian Prime Minister John Howard.(REUTERS)

Australia is expected to hold a referendum this year on whether to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a constitutionally enshrined right to be consulted by the government on laws that impact them.

But conservative John Howard, who led Australia from 1996 until 2007, said Australians were yet to be told how this would lead to better health, education and social outcomes for Indigenous people.

In an interview with The Australian newspaper published Wednesday, Howard said: "I think it will go down significantly -- that's my sense."

The 84-year-old said the focus should not be on the push for a dedicated "voice" for Indigenous Australians.

Instead, Australia should be "just talking about how to lift up Aboriginal people, and put them in the mainstream of the community, finding out ways of doing it", he said.

He dismissed the idea of reparations and treaties, describing the latter as "constitutionally repugnant".

"I do hold the view that the luckiest thing that happened to this country was being colonised by the British," he said.

"Not that they were perfect by any means, but they were infinitely more successful and beneficent colonisers than other European countries."

His words come as support for the "yes" campaign stutters in the polls -- a Resolve poll for Nine newspapers about a week ago showed the "no" campaign ahead with 52 percent.

Campaigning has also become increasingly acrimonious, marred by accusations of misinformation, racism and "Trump-style politics".

Howard said: "Shouldn't we just be sitting down talking to each other?"

He added: It's going to be hard. It's going to take a long time. It's going to be less successful than we would like. But why are we doing this to ourselves?

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A GOP congressman slammed the Biden administrations CBP One App as a Disney FastPass for migrants into the US at a tense hearing on the US-Mexico border Wednesday. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)(AP)

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) of Florida accused Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of letting migrants stay in the US indefinitely through the app, which he said was like a theme park ticket.

This app that youve got everybody downloading is like the Disney FastPass into the country  never to be subject to be actual removal, Gaetz said.

The CBP One App is the official way asylum-seekers at the southern border can request refuge in the US, by applying for a slot with border patrol to present their case before trying to enter the country.

A migrant shows the CBP One App from the US Customs and Border Protection agency, to use to apply for an appointment to claim asylum, on a phone in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, on May 10, 2023. The US on May 11, 2023, will officially end its 40-month Covid-19 emergency, also discarding the Title 42 law, a tool that has been used to prevent millions of migrants from entering the country. (Photo by Gilles CLARENNE / AFP)(AFP)

Congressman, I disagree with everything youre saying, Mayorkas replied.

The government recently increased the number of CBP One slots across the Southern Border to 1,450 a day, but a slot is not a guarantee of entry into the country. But, there is still no public data on how many asylum-seekers have been admitted versus the number who have been turned away.

Youve sent the message to the cartels, and theyve taken this app and youve digitized illegal immigration and youve scaled it to the moon, Gaetz told Mayorkas, without providing any evidence for his claims.

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The migrant sorting app was launched during the Trump Administration but it has been expanded in the Biden era to allow migrants fleeing from their own governments, especially Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans into the country.

President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas have praised the app saying it reduces illegal border crossings because asylum seekers have to wait in Mexico while they get a slot before entering the US or face severe penalties if they are caught crossing illegally.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)(AP)

The feds cite the numbers of migrant encounters at the border, which in June were 144,000, a drop of 30% from May, when the CBP One App was widely used.

These are the lowest monthly Southwest border encounter numbers since February 2021, US Customs and Border Protection stated.

However, the same border stats show arrests of illegal crossers were up from 35,000 in May to 45,000 in June  an increase of 28%  showing that more migrants chose the illegal route when it became harder to enter the country legally.

Migrants who do not have a slot or cross the border illegally will be denied a chance to seek asylum in the US, the administration says.

What youve done to execute this Mayorkas Doctrine, where so long as you dont commit a crime you get to stay here and burden our hospitals, burden our schools, burden our social services, burden our jails, Gaetz said.

Members of Congress pointed out it takes years for asylum seekers to get a final decision from overloaded immigration courts, which tell people if they qualify for asylum.

Historically less than 30% of all asylum cases filed are eventually approved.

During the hearing, the Homeland Security Secretary was asked several times to give the number of migrants who are released into the country and later ordered to be removed by a judge.

ALSO READ| US Federal Reserve interest rates hit 20-yr high in battle against inflation surge. Is there a 'soft' landing in future?

Mayorkas told the committee hed give the number later on.

Rep. Darrell Issa presented data from the Department of Homeland Security, indicating that a staggering 83% of asylum-seekers granted entry to the US did not meet the necessary criteria for protection.

Its 83% according to his own documents commencing the period from 2014-2019 and perhaps it has improved, but I doubt it, Issa said.
On Sunday, a group of children found a red suitcase while playingby a stream in Ingeniero Budge, Buenos Aires, as reported by Jam Press. In a shocking turn of events, the suitcase was filled with human remains. Dismembered remains of crypto millionaire Fernando Perez Algaba, 41, found in a suitcase(New York Post)

When the childrens parents notified the Buenos Aires police, an investigation was launched. The body parts in the suitcase were identified as the victims legs and forearm while another whole arm was found in the stream.

El Pais reported that the authorities discovered the missing head and torso on Wednesday.

The body parts were reportedly cleanly amputated. It is likely that the dismemberment was executed by a professional.

The autopsy revealed that the victim was shot thrice before getting chopped up and stuffed in a suitcase.

Based on the fingerprints and tattoos, the police identified the body parts as belonging to Fernando Perez Algaba. Algaba had been reported missing since last Tuesday.

Who is Fernando Perez Algaba?

Fernando Perez Algaba, nicknamed Lechuga (lettuce) by his friends, was an entrepreneur. He began working at the age of 14 as a pizza delivery man. I started with a bicycle and a box and I started selling sandwiches, said Algaba.

From there, Algaba moved on to repairing and reselling vehicles. He eventually accumulated millions by renting luxury vehicles and selling cryptocurrency. He amassed a following of around 900,000 followers on Instagram and frequently advertised his business on the platform.

The influencer was settled in Barcelona, Spain, at the time but was reportedly staying in Argentina for a week prior to his alleged murder. He was supposed to return the keys to his rented apartment on July 19. But according to testimony by the property owner, he failed to show up or answer the phone. Following this he was reported missing.

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In 2019, Algabas company Motors Lettuce SRL began bouncing checks. As a result, the entrepreneur had allegedly racked up irrecoverable debts with the Argentine tax agency.

As per a report by La Nacion, Algaba left a note on his phone claiming that hed lost a lot of money by investing in crypto. He was also involved with the Barra Brava, a violent gang that demanded a $40,000 loan from Algaba.

If something happens to me, everyone is already warned, he wrote in a message.
Worldcoin is a crypto project that has a bold vision: to give people free digital coins if they let a silver orb scan their eyes. This way, the project hopes to tell humans and AI apart online and also explore the idea of an AI-funded universal basic income. But as this idea takes off, some people are worried about privacy and other problems. The Worldcoin logo on a laptop arranged in Germantown, New York, US, on Monday, July 24, 2023. Worldcoin, the digital identity and crypto payments project co-founded by OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, launched on Monday. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

The person behind Worldcoin is Mr. Altman, the boss of OpenAI, the company that made the famous chatbot ChatGPT. He thinks Worldcoin can help solve a big challenge in the digital world: how to know who is human and who is not. He also thinks Worldcoin can help create more economic opportunities for people.

Worldcoin could drastically increase economic opportunity, scale a reliable solution for distinguishing humans from AI online while preserving privacy, he wrote in a letter on the company website.

To make this happen, Worldcoin needs a lot of people to join in. They need to scan their faces and irises into the silver orbs, which will give them a unique number and some free crypto tokens. Over the last two years, more than two million people from 33 countries have done this. Most of them are from Europe, India, and southern Africa.

Now that the project is ready to launch, many people are curious and eager to try it out. They line up at the places where the orbs are set up. But not everyone can join.

People queue to use WorldCoin's iris-scanners in Tokyo, Japan July 25, 2023. REUTERS/Anton Bridge(REUTERS)

US citizens are not allowed because of some rules.

Getting scanned is easy and fast. After scanning their irises, people get a unique number that is checked with the database to make sure no one cheats. Then they get 25 free Worldcoin tokens, which are worth about $2 (1.56) each. They can use the tokens for different things, like trading or giving to charity.

But not everyone is happy about Worldcoin. Some people who run the orbs have been accused of tricking people into signing up, especially in poorer countries. Some privacy experts are also worried that the eye scans could be stolen or misused, even though Worldcoin says they dont keep any data.

Another problem is that Worldcoin depends on these orbs too much. Some critics think that Worldcoin could have too much control, which could make people not trust them.

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Some cryptocurrency experts have mixed feelings about Worldcoin. Vitalik Buterin, who co-founded Ethereum, liked the orbs for protecting privacy but also warned about the risks of the project. Jack Dorsey, who founded Twitter and loves crypto, seemed doubtful, calling Worldcoins mission cute and jokingly saying, Visit the Orb or the Orb will visit you

Mr. Altman is not bothered by the critics, though. He thinks they can help him learn and improve.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step away from the royal family and settle in the United States seemed like the start of a new chapter in their lives. However, recent speculations suggest that their American dream might not be going as smoothly as anticipated. FILE - Meghan Markle, and her husband Prince Harry arrive to the observatory in One World Trade in New York, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. After months of speculation about whether they would be invited to the coronation, the palace announced that Harry would attend but Meghan would remain in California with their two children.(AP)

Royal commentator Duncan Larscombe weighed in on the couple's journey during a talk with TalkTV's Vanessa Feltz. Larscombe believes that the initial "honeymoon in America" for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is now over. He expressed doubts about their ability to build a successful future without resorting to negative discussions about the royal family.

While Meghan Markle appears to be living the dream she once had as an aspiring actor, becoming "the queen of the city she was once rather anonymous in," Prince Harry seems to be facing the opposite experience, longing for privacy.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's professional personas take hit in US

The couple's professional personas have taken a hit in the United States as well. They were harshly portrayed in a South Park episode, depicted as a spoiled couple. Additionally, they were not nominated for an Emmy for their Netflix docuseries, and their names were absent from the guest list for Barack Obama's 60th birthday celebration, raising eyebrows in the celebrity circle.

Furthermore, a report claims that some high-profile celebrities who once praised Harry and Meghan now fear getting too close to the couple. There are concerns that private conversations and secrets could find their way into a potential second documentary, potentially damaging relationships with other members of the royal family.

Living in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have yet to address the recent speculations about their American journey.

As the couple continues to navigate their new life away from the royal spotlight, only time will tell whether their American dream will turn into the nightmare that some critics seem to envision.
Chennai: The G20 environment and climate ministers communique or joint statement on Friday will be a key document that will shape the outcome of the UN Climate Meeting (COP28) in Dubai later this year and will determine if G20 countries responsible for 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions resolve to keep global warming under 1.5 degree C. Steven Guilbeault (left), minister of environment and climate change, Canada, attends the 4th Environmental and climate sustainability working group meeting held in Chennai on Thursday. (AFP)

Canada, a G20 member hopes to see strong language on fossil fuel phase-out and an ambitious renewable energy goal. But, a lot of these issues are still being negotiated behind closed doors at the G20 meeting in Chennai. Canadas environment minister Steven Guilbeault said he wants G7s climate ambitions to be reflected by the G20 also. Excerpts from interview:

What are your expectations from this G20 meeting on climate mitigation?

Its not a secret that many countries including Canada were somewhat disappointed with the outcomes of COP27 on climate mitigation. We were able to make progress on other issues like Loss and Damage for example which was important but we cannot solve climate change unless we have more ambition when it comes to mitigation. The G7 countries were able to agree on a number of very important elements in regards to climate mitigation and I am hoping and many of my peers are hoping that we can reproduce that outcome here at the G20 meeting.

Could you mention specific goals you wish to see in the Chennai communique?

Phasing out of unabated fossil fuels. We were close to agreeing on that at Sharm El Sheikh (COP27). We agreed on it at G7. We are very grateful to India for putting forth a global goal on renewable energy and energy efficiency which is also something we would strongly support.

You had hosted the biodiversity COP in Montreal last year. Can we see a resolution on the 30 by 30 goal (ensure that at least 30% globally of land areas and of sea areas are conserved) from G20?

I am grateful to India for putting forth a strong language on the global biodiversity framework and the 30 by 30 goal. Its a language thats largely agreed on by the G20 so we will be able to make progress on that.

Do you think there will be agreement on the 1.5 degree C goal and peaking emissions globally before 2025?

I was encouraged in the energy ministers summary agreement from Goa on recognising temperature thresholds. 1.5 degree C was not mentioned but the Paris Agreement goals were mentioned. We may be able to go a bit further here on that in Chennai. Many of us agree on the need to peak by 2025 but obviously this is still a subject that is being discussed.

What are your views on fossil fuel phase-down/out?

We prefer phaseout. It is entirely consistent with our domestic legislation of being carbon neutral by 2050. Anyone who agrees with the carbon neutrality goal should be able to agree with the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels. I am hoping that we can come to an agreement on that in Chennai.

How do you think the trust deficit around climate finance can be addressed? Do you think the donor base should be expanded as has been proposed by many rich countries at COP27?

Firstly its important to recognise that according to preliminary analysis by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) we will be able to reach the $100 billion goal this year in 2023. According to that analysis between 2020 and 2025, we will be able to reach the goal of $100 billion per year as per the Copenhagen commitment. We know $100 billion is not enough and we know more work is happening now on multilateral banks and climate finance. And yes, Canada would support language on the fact that we need to expand donor base. There are countries who can contribute more than they are contributing now.
New York City's Mayor Eric Adams has taken a bold step to address the overcrowding crisis in the city's taxpayer-funded shelters by ordering over 100 migrants to leave. These eviction-like notices, issued under the new 60-day shelter stay limit, target single adults who have been in the system the longest. The move is aimed at making room for migrant families with children who continue to arrive in the Big Apple in large numbers. New York Mayor Eric Adams has taken a bold step to address the overcrowding crisis in the city's taxpayer-funded shelters by ordering over 100 migrants to leave.(Getty Images via AFP)

Overwhelmed Shelters and Emergency Response

Since the spring of 2022, over 93,200 migrants have arrived in New York City. Currently, there are more than 56,200 migrants staying in various city-run shelters, including over 2,900 newcomers in just the last week. Mayor Adams has expressed concerns about the shelters being stretched to their "breaking point" since last fall.

In response to the ongoing influx of asylum seekers, the city is taking emergency measures to accommodate them. A large-scale emergency housing facility is being set up at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens. The facility, named the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center, will cater to around 1,000 single adult male migrants. The state has provided the space, and the city will be reimbursed for construction, maintenance, and staffing costs.

Also read | Tent city troubles emerge in New York City as migrants seek shelter below Brooklyn-Queens Expressway amid housing crisis

Growing Crisis and Unsustainable Efforts

Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom emphasized that this situation is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, leading the city to find creative ways to support asylum seekers. However, she noted that these efforts are unsustainable without a national decompression strategy from the federal government. While the Creedmoor facility offers a temporary solution, the city continues to call for support from all levels of government to tackle this ongoing challenge.

Challenges and Concerns

Despite the urgent need for additional shelter space, not everyone is pleased with the placement of the new migrant facility at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. Some have expressed concerns about its impact on food delivery services for a senior citizen center located on the same grounds. State Sen. Leroy Comrie criticized the plan, suggesting that there are alternative locations that would not disrupt essential services for seniors.

Looking Ahead

The situation remains complex and pressing as the city faces an unprecedented flow of asylum seekers. Mayor Adams' administration is making critical decisions to alleviate the burden on shelters and provide temporary solutions for those seeking refuge. However, without a broader national strategy, the challenges will persist, requiring ongoing collaboration and support at all levels of government.

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The city is also exploring other options, such as transporting migrants to upstate counties that have volunteered space to share the burden. Despite these efforts, the urgency remains to address this unique humanitarian crisis that continues to impact New York City and its residents.
Japan's population declined in all of its 47 prefectures for the first time in a record drop, while its number of foreign residents hit a new high, reaching almost 3 million people, according to government data released Wednesday, highlighting the increasing role that non-Japanese people play in the shrinking and aging country. After peaking in 2008, Japans population has since shrunk steadily due to a declining birthrate. (AFP)

The population of Japanese nationals fell by about 800,000 people, or 0.65%, to 122.4 million in 2022 from the previous year, falling for a 14th straight year, according to data from the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry based on residency registrations as of Jan. 1 this year.

Japan's total population was 125.41 million, down just over half a million people from a year earlier, and there was a 10.7% jump in foreign residents with addresses registered in Japan, the ministry said.

The increase in Japan's foreign population was the biggest year-on-year rise since the ministry started taking statistics in 2013. Foreign residents now account for about 2.4% of Japans population, the ministry said.

Peaked in 2008

After peaking in 2008, Japans population has since shrunk steadily due to a declining birthrate. The country saw a record low of 771,801 births last year.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has set tackling the declining births as one of his top policy goals and pledged to secure annual funding of about 3.5 trillion yen ($25.2 billion) over the next three years for a new child care package, which includes child birth and rearing allowances and increased subsidies for higher education.

Kishida's Cabinet last month approved a plan to expand the scope of job categories allowed for foreign workers, opening the door for future permanent residency, in a major shift in a country known for its closed-door immigration policy as it struggles with a shrinking population.

Experts say the proposed low-birth measures are mostly additional funding for existing ones and dont address underlying problems.

They also say that Japan's conservative government needs to do more to raise salaries, improve working conditions and make society more inclusive for minorities and those with non-Japanese roots to attract foreign workers to move to Japan and stay.
A town in Long Island reportedly wants to buy and raze the home of alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann  a property that several curious visitors have been flocking in recent days. The single-family home is situated on First Avenue in Massapequa. Reporters and curiosity seekers swarming the place have now raised concerns among Rexs neighbours. Police have now concluded their search of Rex Heuermann's property (AP Photo/John Minchillo, Suffolk County)

They have a lot of concerns in terms of quality of life, their safety, and their property, village Mayor Daniel Pearl said at a community meeting, according to New York Post. Daniel added that his village government was laying the groundwork to potentially buy the house. Rex had lived at the property with his wife and children for nearly 30 years. The six-room home was reportedly purchased by Rex for $170,000 in 1994.

Daniel did not clarify what the town is planning to do with the house. Legally, were getting everything lined up so the village is prepared to move forward when the time comes, he said. He added that the possible sale is too far in the future to plan what exactly will be done with the property, but it will potentially be destroyed.

Someone could come in and knock it down and rebuild on the property, Daniel said, adding that it would be better if a private buyer, instead of the village, snapped up the property. The village isnt interested in owning private homes, but it is one option, he said. Potentially we could work with a developer.

Right now were concerned with having people come in to try to look at this house, trampling neighbors lawnsand snapping photos in front of their homes, he added.

The property was built in 1956. The one-story residence occupies just 1,323 square feet of space, and houses a full basement and one fireplace. As per the real estate site Zillow.com, the current estimated price of the house is around $635,000.

Nassau County Police Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun said police will be stationed around the house for the foreseeable future to keep people away. There will be 24-hour video surveillance and the property will be guarded by police vehicles.

A massive walk-in vault with big iron door was discovered inside Rex Heuermanns property

Police have now concluded their search of Rexs property. A massive walk-in vault was uncovered during investigators search of the house, police have confirmed. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said the 12-day search of the home was fruitful. He added that he hoped authorities will wind down their work very soon. There have been some things that weve had to take into custody  That makes it fruitful, he said.

Rodney said earlier reports of a soundproof room being found were misconstrued. Theres not a soundproof room. There is a vault where he secured numerous amounts of guns, he said. Somehow I believe the soundproof room and the vault  the message got misconstrued. Rodney added that the vault they discovered was secured with a big iron door.

Rex 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.

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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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had a brief health scare Wednesday afternoon when he stopped speaking in the middle of a weekly Republican leadership news conference and was escorted away. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., center, is helped by, from left, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, after the 81-year-old GOP leader froze at the microphones as he arrived for a news conference, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. McConnell went to his office for a few minutes and returned to speak with reporters. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)(AP)

McConnell, R-Ky., was talking about an annual defense policy bill when he suddenly went silent. He did not speak for 19 seconds. His Republican colleagues asked if he was OK, and Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, a doctor, and a top McConnell deputy, walked him away from the cameras and reporters.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa made a gesture that looked like the sign of the cross at first. Her office later said she was motioning for Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota. A few minutes later, McConnell came back to the news conference by himself. He said he was fine when asked about his health. He said, Yeah when asked whether he can do his job fully.

An aide said McConnell felt lightheaded and stepped away for a moment.

He came back to handle Q&A, which as everyone observed was sharp, the aide said.

McConnell spoke to reporters briefly Wednesday night as he left the Capitol and said, The president called to check on me.

I told him I got sandbagged, he joked.

A White House official and a spokesperson for the senator confirmed that President Joe Biden and McConnell talked on the phone Wednesday. McConnell said, Im fine when asked by reporters how he was doing. He did not directly answer what happened earlier or whether he saw a doctor.

McConnell fell and hit his head on March 8 after an event for the Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC aligned with McConnell and GOP leadership at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington. He was hospitalized with a concussion and a minor rib fracture and was discharged on March 13 before he went to rehab.

He didnt come back to the Senate until mid-April.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told NBC News on Wednesday that he had a regular meeting with McConnell after the Senate GOP leadership news conference to catch up on both houses.

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He was good, McCarthy said. There was no concerns about his health in the meeting.

McConnell has been in the Senate since 1985. He wont face re-election until the 2026 midterm elections.
Soldiers claim to have overthrown Niger's government following an apparent coup in the West African nation on Wednesday when members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. Niger Army spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Adramane speaks during an appearance on national television, after President Mohamed Bazoum was held in the presidential palace, in Niamey, Niger, July 26, 2023 in this still image taken from video. ORTN/via Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. NIGER OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NIGER

Members of the elite guard sealed off access to the president's residence and offices in the capital Niamey, and after talks broke down, "refused to release" him, a presidential source said.

The soldiers said "all institutions" in the country would be suspended, borders were closed and a curfew imposed "until further notice" from 10 pm to 5 am.

"We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime" of President Bazoum, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said in a televised address late Wednesday.

"This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance," he added, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers.

Regional and global leaders have called for the release of Bazoum, who entered office two years ago in Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence from France in 1960.

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, will head to Niamey for mediation efforts, the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said.

One of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, Bazoum was elected in April 2021, taking the helm of a country burdened by poverty and jihadist insurgencies.

In a message on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, the president's office said "elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper... (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard".

"The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition," the presidency said.

"The president and his family are well," it added.

Hours after his detention, Bazoum's supporters had tried to approach the official complex, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.

One person was hurt, but it was not immediately clear if he was injured by a bullet or from falling as the crowd scattered.

The parties of Niger's ruling coalition in Niamey denounced "a suicidal and anti-republican madness" in a statement, saying that "certain elements of the presidential guard sequestered the President" and his family, as well as the interior minister.

Condemnation also poured in from beyond the nation's borders.

ECOWAS and the African Union both decried what they called an "attempted coup d'etat".

ECOWAS called for Bazoum's immediate and unconditional release and warned all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.

The European Union said it "associates itself" with the ECOWAS statement and attacked "any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability" of Niger.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to Bazoum to offer Washington's support, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he "strongly condemns the unconstitutional change in government" in Niger.

The foreign minister of Niger's former colonial power France, Catherine Colonna, condemned "all attempts to take power by force".

President Talon was expected to arrive in Niamey on Thursday, after a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu said Talon would mediate with both the Presidential Guard and Bazoum, with a view to finding an agreement.

- Coup-prone -

The landlocked Sahel state has experienced four coups since its 1960 independence, and numerous other attempts.

Bazoum, a former interior minister, was the right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.

An attempted coup took place just days before Bazoum's inauguration, according to a security source at the time.

Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader. Five people were jailed in February for 20 years.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March "while the president... was in Turkey", according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.

- Poverty and jihadism -

The nation of 22 million is two-thirds desert and frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.

Niger is struggling with two jihadist campaigns -- one in the southwest, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists from northeastern Nigeria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, stoking a humanitarian crisis and further straining the economy.

The poorly equipped military is receiving training and logistical support from the United States and France, which have bases there.

bh-stb/bam/leg/sco

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A black truck driver who was attacked by a police dog while surrendering on July 4 has seen justice after the Ohio cop who released the animal was fired. FILE PHOTO: Truck driver Jadarrius Rose, 23 is handcuffed by an Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) officer as a police dog is held back after Rose was attacked by the animal during a traffic stop south of Columbus, Ohio, U.S. July 4, 2023 in a still image from police body camera video. Ohio State Highway Patrol/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. THIS PICTURE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY. AN UNPROCESSED VERSION HAS BEEN PROVIDED SEPARATELY./File Photo(via REUTERS)

Ryan Speakman, a Circleville Police Department officer, ignored orders to hold back the German shepherd K9 that bit Jadarrius Rose, 23, who had his hands up and was on his knees.

The department said Wednesday that Speakman did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers and terminated him effective immediately.

The firing came a day after Speakman was put on paid administrative leave as his use of force was probed.

The Circleville Police Use of Force Review Board found that the departments policy for the use of canines was followed in the apprehension and arrest and that the K9 training protocols were also followed.

However, the department said that the Review Board only looked at whether Speakmans actions were within department policies and procedures, not whether they warranted discipline.

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They did not reveal what led them to fire Speakman, a three-year department officer, and said it would not comment further on a personnel matter.

Speakmans police union, the Ohio Patrolmens Benevolent Association, filed a grievance Wednesday demanding that Circleville reinstate Speakman and clear his record, claiming he was fired without just cause.

On Wednesday, Officer Ryan Speakman was terminated for releasing his K9 on a man.(Circleville Police/Facebook)

The accused police officer, who joined the Circleville department in February 2020, unleashed his police dog after a 25-minute chase involving the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Bodycam video showed the moment Ohio state troopers told Rose to come forward while Speakman, holding the K9, shouted different commands.

Get on the ground or youre going to get bit! he yelled in the video.

Rose obeyed by kneeling and raising his hands, as a state trooper told Speakman, Do not release the dog with his hands up!

But Speakman let go of the dog, which ran toward Rose and bit him as he cried for help.

Rose was taken to a nearby hospital for the dog bites and was charged with failure to comply, a fourth-degree felony, after being released.

The 23-year-old victim did not explain why he didnt stop when police first tried to pull him over, but a 911 call he made revealed he told dispatchers that the officers chasing him were trying to kill him and he didnt feel safe stopping after seeing they had their guns drawn.

Rose told The Columbus Dispatch that he couldnt talk about why he fled from the officers but said, Im just glad that it was recorded. What you saw is what, pretty much, happened.

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The video sparked outrage after it was released Monday, with Ohios governor calling it a wake-up call for better police training.

You have a Circleville police officer making clearly a call that was not within normal protocol, Gov. Mike DeWine said at a press conference Tuesday.

Frankly, my first reaction was training, it really was. You just have to make sure that every officer has the right training and that is not taking place in those smaller departments.
Striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers picket outside Paramount Studios on July 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.(Getty Images via AFP)

President Biden's bid for re-election is facing a bump in the road as he puts the brakes on attending critical fundraisers in Los Angeles. The reason behind this decision? The ongoing actors' and writers' strikes that have Hollywood at a standstill. According to TMZ's sources with inside knowledge reveal that President Biden has made the decision to refrain from visiting the L.A. area until the strikes are resolved. With the strikes showing no signs of a swift conclusion, this move might pose a challenge for Biden's campaign, considering there are 15 months left before the election.

President Biden has always been a staunch supporter of workers' rights and unions, and the Hollywood strikes are no exception. Back in May, he expressed his hope for a speedy resolution, stating that he sincerely wishes for the writers to get a fair deal they deserve.

Striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers picket outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California.(Getty Images via AFP)

LA and California important for Biden

L.A. and California hold immense importance in Biden's campaign fundraising efforts. In 2020, Biden raised a staggering $105.5 million in California alone, representing a significant 21% of the total funds raised for his campaign.

With L.A. County being a critical factor in Biden's campaign equation, he held 20 virtual fundraisers in 2020, some attracting attendees paying $25,000 per head. However, this time around, Biden's campaign team is holding off on scheduling such events until the Hollywood strikes reach a resolution. Some affluent individuals have already offered their luxurious homes for fundraisers, but nothing has been set in stone yet.

Biden's decision to postpone fundraisers is driven by a sense of empathy for the industry professionals facing hardships due to the strikes. The President believes it would be unseemly to raise substantial funds from the Hollywood community while many in the industry are struggling.

Also read | Did Joe Biden say he ended cancer in White House speech? Here's the truth

Despite the uncertainty caused by the strikes, an experienced industry source predicts that the situation will be resolved by the end of the year, possibly even earlier. Nevertheless, the pressure is mounting as the campaign clock keeps ticking.

(Source: TMZ)
Prince Harry's legal fight against the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World will proceed to trial, according to a recent high court ruling. FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, departs the Rolls Building of the High Court in London, Britain June 7, 2023. (REUTERS)

The 38-year-old royal has accused News Group Newspapers (NGN) of using journalists and private investigators to unlawfully gather information about him. Seeking damages for the alleged invasion of his privacy, Harry launched his claim against NGN.

NGN had attempted to have the case dismissed in April, arguing that the duke's claim was brought too late, and he should have known about it earlier. However, the court's ruling stated that while Harry could not bring his claim regarding phone hacking, his allegations concerning the use of private investigators would proceed to a trial scheduled for January next year.

In a further setback for Harry, the judge refused to allow him to rely on an alleged "secret agreement" between the royal family and media mogul Rupert Murdoch's senior executives as part of his claim. The court deemed that there was no evidence supporting the existence of such an agreement.

Also Read | Prince Harry trial: Royal biographer claims that he was asked to hack phones at work

Harry's lawyers had argued that NGN's challenge was an attempt to undermine the alleged agreement, which the duke was made aware of in 2012. However, NGN refuted the existence of any such agreement and denied any involvement in unlawful activities.

This legal battle marks one of several for the duke, who has been involved in six legal cases at the high court recently. Beyond his disputes with newspaper publishers over privacy issues, Harry has also faced legal challenges against the Home Office concerning his security.

As the trial date approaches, all eyes will be on the high court to witness the outcome of this high-profile case and its potential implications for privacy rights and media practices in the United States.

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Spotify has reportedly taken a 34 million hit after performing a cull of failed podcasts, after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's contract with the music giant was terminated last month. Spotify revealed that it had taken a hit as a result of "write-offs and contract termination" costs "in connection with rationalising our podcast content portfolio". Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at the Invictus Games venue in The Hague, Netherlands on April 15, 2022 (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)(AP)

Spotifys CEO Daniel Ek said the company was "stepping out of some deals and relationships that havent worked out". We overpaid relative to what we should have done, he added, according to GB News.

When Meghan Markles Spotify podcast was snubbed

Spotify laid off about 6% of its 6,600 workforce back in January, and hundreds of more employees later. Spotifys head of podcast business, Sahar Elhabashi, wrote in a blog post, We have made the difficult but necessary decision to make a strategic realignment of our group and reduce our global podcast vertical and other functions by approximately 200 people, or 2% of Spotifys workforce.

The decision came after Harry and Meghans famous audio deal could not rake in the amount of money that was expected. Shortly after, the couples podcast was snubbed by Spotify. Insiders close to Spotify have claimed the royal couple failed to meet the productivity benchmark that was needed to receive the full payout, according to Wall Street Journal. Meghan, however, is reportedly planning to create more podcasts.

After the end of the first season, Spotify was reportedly planning to release a second season. Sources close to Meghan and Harry have claimed the couple would stop making Netflix documentaries, publishing memoirs and appear for interviews that do not speak well of the Royal Family.

Recent reports have been suggesting that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently under tremendous financial pressure and are finding it hard to fund their lifestyle. While Meghans Spotify podcast was recently snubbed, their Netflix deal reportedly remains intact.

It is believed Harry recently reached out to Prince William to discuss the possibility of returning to the UK. According to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, making this U-turn would be a "humiliation" for the couple.
A bomb killed six people and wounded scores on Thursday when it exploded near the Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum, Syria's most visited Shiite pilgrimage site, the interior ministry said. This image shows people gathering at the site of an explosion in the town of Sayyida Zeinab on the outskirts of Damascus.(AFP)

The deadly blast south of Damascus came ahead of the annual commemoration of Ashura, when Shiites remember the death of the Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in a seventh century battle.

The interior ministry gave a death toll of six, state news agency SANA reported, revising an earlier death toll of five.

More than 20 people were wounded in the attack which the interior ministry said was caused when a motorcycle exploded near a taxi, calling it a "terrorist bombing".

A source at the nearby Al-Sadr hospital told AFP earlier that the facility had received 10 wounded after a car bombing near the shrine.

State television reported that the explosion was caused by a "bomb placed in a taxi by unidentified people".

"We heard a huge blast and people began to run," 39-year-old civil servant Ibrahim told AFP.

"Then ambulances arrived and security forces cordoned off the area."

He said the explosion took place "near a security building around 600 metres (yards) from the mausoleum of Sayeda Zeinab", granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed and the daughter of Imam Ali, a founding figure of Shiite Islam.

The authorities had tightened security measures around the mausoleum for the 10-day Ashura commemoration, the most important in Shiite Islam.

On Tuesday, an explosion in a car in the same area wounded two civilians, official media cited a security official as saying.

Shiite shrines are a frequent target of attacks by Sunni Muslim extremists of the Islamic State group (IS), not only in Syria but also in neighbouring Iraq.

The Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum was hit by several deadly bombings during the country's civil war that erupted in 2011.

Since then, the mosque complex with its turquoise ceramics and gold dome in the Iranian style has been defended by Shiite militiamen, mostly Lebanese and Iraqi, as well as by the army.

Attacks have nonetheless declined in recent years, with some of the security measures relaxed.

IS said it was behind a double suicide attack in February 2016, 400 meters from the mausoleum, that killed 134 people, including more than 90 civilians.

The group had also claimed a triple blast near the sanctuary several weeks earlier that took the lives of at least 70 people.
In a surprising twist on Fox News Thursday morning, entrepreneur and former college rapper Vivek Ramaswamy showcased his freestyle skills, adding a new dimension to the 2024 presidential race. Taking inspiration from the saxophone-playing former Arkansas governor, Ramaswamy brought some rhythm and rhyme to his interview on Fox & Friends. Republican presidential candidate businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the Family Leadership Summit.(AP)

As Ramaswamy dropped his freestyle bars, he proved that he is not just a serious contender for the presidency but also a man of many talents. The 37-year-old entrepreneur revealed that during his undergraduate days at Harvard College and Yale Law School, he was known as "Da Vek" on stage, showcasing his libertarian freestyling skills.

Eminem, the Inspiration

In a recent Politico story, Ramaswamy shared that he was inspired by none other than Eminem during his college years. The Michigan-born rapper's story resonated with him, igniting a passion for American capitalism. While Ramaswamy has since revised his views on Eminem, he still appreciates the artist's music.

Although his rapping career never took off, Ramaswamy's journey has been anything but ordinary. After making a name for himself in the investment world, he founded the biopharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences. Now, he has set his sights on the presidency, and recent polls show a surge in support for his campaign.

Ramaswamy's Rise in the Polls

The latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate places Ramaswamy in third place nationally with a notable 5.4% support. He has surpassed established politicians like Sen. Tim Scott, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

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With his witty freestyle rap and impressive rise in the polls, Vivek Ramaswamy has captured the attention of many Americans. As he continues on the campaign trail, he is sure to bring a unique blend of politics and charisma to the race. Will he become the next surprising success story in American politics? Only time will tell.Also read |
The past months have been a rollercoaster for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, they're now on a mission to rebrand themselves, steering away from any royal family bashing and focusing on separate projects. But according to an expert, there's a specific moment when Meghan may have hit a roadblock, leading to their recent predicament. (FILES) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala at the Hilton Midtown in New York City on December 6, 2022. (AFP)

What all went wrong for Harry and Meghan?

From a bizarre "car chase" in Manhattan to Spotify pulling the plug on their multi-million dollar deal after just one podcast season, the hits kept coming. Netflix's Emmy snub for their docuseries, Dior denying any collaboration with Meghan, rumors of marital woes, and even whispers about them struggling financially and considering a move to Malibu  it's no wonder they're looking to turn things around.

While Meghan and Harry may chalk it up to bad luck, an expert offers a different perspective. Los Angeles correspondent Ross King shared his insights in the new documentary "Meghan: Famous But Friendless," suggesting Meghan's Hollywood career comeback might not be going as planned.

Spotify pulling the plug on Meghan's deal was the first sign

The first sign, King believes, was when Spotify abruptly ended their deal with Meghan after only one season of her podcast. "The Spotify deal collapsing, it made a lot of us think: 'Is this the first sign of running out of steam for Meghan?'" King remarked. "If it was working for both parties, it would not end. There's obviously been some disagreement, maybe some level of disappointment, on possibly both sides."

The aftermath of the Spotify snub was tough for Meghan. She reportedly felt distraught over the situation, as an executive at the company publicly labeled them as "grifters," causing a major blow to her image and popularity. It was a brutal reality check for the Duchess, and she knew things needed to change.

In an attempt to repair her image and rejuvenate her career, Meghan has signed with talent agency WME, known for representing big-name stars like Serena Williams and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

As the couple tries to navigate their way back to a positive spotlight, they're learning that rebranding isn't an easy feat. Nonetheless, they're determined to carve their own path and leave the negative headlines behind.
A woman hiking a remote part of Arizona's Grand Canyon tragically died in triple-digit heat earlier this month. The 57-year-old hiker was discovered dead in the Tuweep section of the national park on July 3. Parts of the Grand Canyon have even peaked at 114 degrees. Multiple heat-related deaths are reported every year, especially in the West (AP Photo/Holly Ramer - representational)(AP)

This is not the only weather-related death reported in recent times in the US. Several people hike or trek to their favourite destinations in the summer, but extreme heat makes their journeys very dangerous. National parks, especially, are threatened. Multiple heat-related deaths are reported every year, especially in the West.

The excessive heat, however, does not stop national parks aficionados from embarking on their journeys, Cynthia Hernandez, public affairs specialist for the National Park Service, told ABC News. "People are still excited about coming out to national parks in whatever condition there exists out there, even in high heat conditions," Cynthia said.

People die due to heat illness

Records provided to ABC News by the NPS revealed that more people died due to heat at this point in the summer than any other year since 2007. At least five people are believed to have died due to heat-related illnesses in national parks since the start of the summer months, as per press releases by the National Park Service.

A boy, 14, died on June 23 at Big Bend National Park in Texas, and his father died trying to look for him. A 65-year-old man was found dead inside his car on July 3, about 30 yards off-road from North Highway Death Valley National Park in California. Most recently, on July 18, a 71-year-old man died at the Golden Canyon trailhead at Death Valley National Park. In each of these deaths, heat illness is considered to be a factor, as per NPS.

People have not stopped visiting these national parks despite the danger. Grand Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Big Bend National Park have been witnessing ever-increasing visits.

Kathleen Davenport, medical director for emergency departments at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical School, advised people to allow their body time to acclimate to their new environment before starting a journey. They should also pre-hydrate. People should avoid going out between 10 am and 3 pm, and ensure they take frequent breaks in the shade. Upon feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseated, people should rest in the shade after cooling down the body with a wet shirt or towel

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The Georgian is pleased to announce the promotion of Bre Smith to General Manager at the landmark hotel. The new role follows the restoration and re-opening of the iconic oceanfront property in April 2023, where Smith first joined the team as Director of Operations.

Bre joined the 84-key property with over 15 years of experience in hospitality and management, with a special focus on art, creativity, service. Her exceptional contributions have proven pivotal in the successful realization of eight hotel openings, ranging from their conception to launch.

Her hospitality journey began in 2004 while attending Loyola Marymount University. Her tenure at The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey marked the beginning of her flourishing career in Hospitality. During her time with the Ritz-Carlton, Smith worked across properties spanning Palm Beach, Vegas, Boston, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, Maui, Los Angeles, and Puerto Rico. She served as Director of Restaurants at the Beverly Hilton, the Director of Guest Relations at the Ambassador Chicago, the Hollywood Roosevelt, and later the Corporate Director of Guest Services at Triumph Hotels in New York. Most recently, Bre was the Director of Food and Beverage at Soho House Chicago.

In addition to her extensive industry background, Smith is a gifted, self-taught painter with a number of exhibitions under her belt. Her artistic sensibilities seamlessly interweave with her role as a hospitality executive, manifesting in the creation of unforgettable experiences for discerning guests.

Her work can be viewed at Teterboro Airport, NYC and at hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton, Loews Santa Monica, and recently The Renwick, New York City. She was asked to be a part of the 150th Celebration for Bloomingdale's this past September, created an installation for Amass spirits, major design firms in LA, and a street piece on Melrose Blvd in the Fairfax District of LA in collaboration with Wrdsmth. In April 2021, Smith created an artist studio & residence inside the iconic Ambassador Chicago. She donates her art to support charities throughout the country. She was accepted into the Artist Residence in France at Chateau Orquevaux, which she attended in October 2022. In June 2023, Smith hosted a solo exhibition of her work at Gallery 33, The Georgian's state-of-the-art exhibition and event space.

BLVD and ESI Ventures are proud to work with the renowned international design firm, Fettle; local architect, HLW; California General Contractor, BCCI; and numerous other industry-leading design, development, and hospitality firms on the historic restoration of The Georgian.
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Farstad as General Manager. Farstad will manage an incredible team of associates, be responsible for the resort's daily operations to ensure an excellent guest experience, and a superior hotel offering.

Bringing almost 15 years of hospitality experience, Farstad offers a wealth of tourism knowledge to Curacao Marriott Beach Resort and is instrumental in spearheading the tactical business direction of the property and strengthening Marriott's core values.

Under Farstad's leadership, his hotels have been recognized on several occasions, including when the TPS Marriott Sudbury won the 2019 Revenue Performance Team of the Year from the Hotel Association of Canada. Most recently, Farstad collaborated in creating the not-for-profit tourism organization Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels and their partnership with the newly branded "Discover Saskatoon" to increase travel and revenue for the city.
Taghrid Alsaeed is the Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral. She is pivotal in bolstering Mirals overall integrated marketing communications framework, encompassing destination awareness, strategic direction, and hospitality business partnerships. Taghrid joined Miral in early 2022 and oversees the creation and development of Mirals brand assets for local, regional, and global campaigns as the company continues to cut through the competitive international marketplace. Under Taghrids leadership, Mirals marketing department has achieved significant milestones, including entering a key partnership with the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) to strengthen the emirates position as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). Before joining Miral, Taghrids vast experience led her into several leadership roles in the industry; in 2011, she joined Mubadala Development Company Abu Dhabi as head of Digital Communications & Infrastructure. In 2018, she was seconded from Mubadala to Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games as the Director of Media and Marketing, she was also seconded to support the setup of the Abu Dhabi Media Government Office. In 2020, Taghrid returned to Mubadala to reshape the organisations media outreach strategy, establishing and heading the Media Intelligence & Innovation department. The passionate marketing pioneer began her leadership journey at Aldar Properties in 2008. She held various managerial positions in Sales, Marketing, Digital, and Media, spearheading the redevelopment of the companys brand strategy. Earlier in her career, Taghrid established Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank subsidiary Burooj Real Estates sales and marketing division in 2006 and continued to lead their media and marketing team while pursuing her entrepreneurial ambitions through several successful private-sector endeavours. Taghrid is an appointed a board member at Miral Destinations, a subsidiary of Miral Group, and the trade and promotion of unique destinations including Yas Island Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island. She is actively engaged within different industry circles locally, regionally, and internationally as a TechStars Hub71 Accelerator Program mentor and member of the Strathclyde UAE Alumni Entrepreneurial Advisory Board (SUEAB), Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, and a Twofour54 partner. Taghrid holds an MBA in Strategic Management from Strathclyde University Abu Dhabi, a masters degree in Visual Information Technology from George Mason University, Virginia, USA, and a bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems from Marymount University, Virginia.
Accor Pacific, the largest hotel operator in Australia and New Zealand, is delighted to announce that its partners have invested more than $300 million in hotel renovations and refurbishments since the beginning of 2022.

This significant investment demonstrates Accor Pacific and their partners commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences and maintaining the highest standards of quality across its portfolio.

The extensive renovations and refurbishments have taken place in various locations throughout the Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and French Polynesia. The investment aims to enhance guest satisfaction, elevate property amenities, and ensure that Accors 400 hotels, apartments and resorts in the Pacific, remain at the forefront of the industry.

We are proud to announce this substantial investment in hotel renovations and refurbishments. It reflects the commitment of our partners to invest in Accors brands, which continue to deliver outstanding guest experiences. These renovations will not only enhance the overall guest experience, but also contribute to the economic growth and development of the local communities where Accor hotels, apartments and resorts are located.

The renovations have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests, who have noted the enhanced comfort and improved facilities. Accor continues to prioritise guest satisfaction and aims to provide exceptional experiences that exceed expectations. Accor Pacific CEO, Sarah Derry

The $300 million investment in renovations and refurbishments aligns with Accors sustainability goals. Efforts have been made to incorporate eco-friendly practices and technologies throughout the refurbishment processes, reducing the ecological footprint of the hotels and promoting responsible tourism.

Among the notable projects completed is the highly anticipated refurbishment of Manly Pacific - MGallery, located in Manly, Sydney. The extensive renovation showcases the hotel's commitment to contemporary design and luxurious comfort. The updated property now offers state-of-the-art facilities, modernised guest rooms, and improved amenities, ensuring an unforgettable stay for guests.

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide also unveiled an elegant new look earlier this year. The 202-room flagship Adelaide hotel renovation includes 17 floors of luxuriously reappointed guestrooms, as well as the addition of two new luxury suites and two dedicated family rooms. The hotel also added a new restaurant - TUTTO Cucina + Bar - with an open kitchen and wine cellar to its ground floor, plus a new high-end private dining room / boardroom, guest library lounge and enhanced conference rooms located on level one of the hotel.

Following a multi-million dollar transformation, the five-star Swissotel Sydney has unveiled its new lobby bar Arches on Market, and stunning European inspired rooftop pool, both nestled high above the bustling city scape in the heart of Sydneys CBD, within the iconic heritage hotel.

The Playford - MGallery, Adelaides original five-star boutique hotel, recently received a $25m full property makeover including guestrooms, function spaces, reception and a stunning new stand-alone restaurant and bar, Luma. Within the refurbishment, the hotels renowned Art Nouveau design was given a modern twist with exquisitely tactile surfaces, organic lines and luxury finishes by internationally acclaimed designers Hachem.

In 2022, a stunning $40 million renovation of Pullman Melbourne on the Park was unveiled. The refurbishment included 19 floors of completely upgraded Superior, Premium and Deluxe rooms and suites as well as a new Executive Lounge and the spectacular William Clarke Sky Villa, positioning Pullman Melbourne on the Park as one of Melbournes premium hotels.

Some examples of other recent refurbishments include: Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Mercure Cairns, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, Pullman Cairns International, Mercure Sydney, Sofitel SPA at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney, Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach, Peppers The Hills Lodge, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Novotel Melbourne Preston, Novotel Darwin Airport and Mercure Darwin Airport Resort, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, Pullman Auckland, and Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.

Accor brands across the Pacific region include: Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissotel, Movenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismores SO/ and TRIBE.

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industrys most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading hotel franchisors, announced today that all nine Radisson Hotels Americas brands  including Radisson Blu, Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites  are now available to be booked on ChoiceHotels.com. This adds nearly 600 hotels onto its world-class central reservation system ahead of schedule and less than a year since its acquisition of Radisson Americas closed. Choice also announced the successful integration of the Radisson Rewards Americas loyalty program into the award-winning Choice Privileges program. This enables the nearly 60 million Choice Privileges members to earn and redeem points at over 7,400 hotels across 22 brands in 45 countries and territories.

We are excited to offer travelers hundreds of additional hotels to choose from on ChoiceHotels.com, including numerous upscale and full-service properties, as we welcome our Radisson franchisees to Choice's powerful reservation engine. Integrating nearly 600 hotels and the Radisson Rewards Americas program in such a short period of time is a testament to Choice's advanced technology and integration expertise and shows our commitment to providing franchisees with opportunities for optimal success and offering travelers ways to easily find the right hotel to meet their travel needs on one website. Pat Pacious, CEO, Choice Hotels International.

Integration Milestone Marks More Bookable Options on ChoiceHotels.com

Integrated Loyalty Programs Bring New Choice Privileges Member Benefits, Co-Brand Credit Cards & More

Diamond Elite members of Choice Privileges, the highest Elite level, starting today, are entitled to free breakfast for two at Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, and Park Plaza hotels in North and South America and LATAM. Click here for a full list of benefits.

Members of Choice Privileges now have more accommodation options to choose from where they earn and redeem points, as well as two new co-branded credit card options which launched earlier this year, that accelerate the number of points earned to get to a redemption night faster. Cardholders can now earn points on everyday purchases, including at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement and phone plans, making this the fastest way to earn points during stays at participating Choice Hotels properties.

To book your next Choice stay and earn travel rewards, visit ChoiceHotels.com and enroll in Choice Privileges for free.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With nearly 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of September 30, 2022, the Choice family of hotel brands provides business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper mid-scale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program offers members a faster way to rewards, with personalized benefits starting on day one. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

 2023 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statement

This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.

Addendum

This is not an offering. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made except by a Franchise Disclosure Document first filed and registered with applicable state authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document can be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 1 Choice Hotels Circle, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850, [email protected].

 2023 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
Extreme tourism and adrenaline-fueled experiences push the boundaries of exploration, attracting wealthy individuals seeking exclusive adventures.

The allocation of resources and responsibilities in extreme tourism raises questions about fairness, rescue operations, and the potential positive impact on research and innovation.

Cultivating mindfulness and appreciating the natural wonders of our planet can offer profound joy and foster a sense of environmental stewardship, complementing the pursuit of adrenaline experiences.

Adrenaline experiences - To risk or not to risk

As the world came to a standstill, gripped by the search for the vanished submersible Titan, carrying five individuals including OceanGate's CEO on a daring mission to explore the depths of the Titanic wreckage 4000 meters below the sea, the underlying question emerged:

"Why would anyone willingly expose themselves to such risks?"

Undoubtedly, adrenaline-fueled experiences have always pushed the boundaries of exploration, whether it be delving into the ocean's abyss or venturing into the vast expanse of space

The quest for exclusivity

The advent of billionaire-funded space tourism ventures, such as Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, has brought unprecedented attention to extreme tourism. These ventures promise ordinary individuals the chance to experience weightlessness and witness the Earth from a unique perspective. Similarly, ambitious deep-sea projects backed by billionaires like Richard Branson offer glimpses into the uncharted depths of our oceans. For billionaires, the pursuit of exclusive experiences in extreme tourism ventures represents a unique opportunity to indulge in unparalleled adventures and leave a lasting mark on history.

Nonetheless, these individuals have often reached the pinnacle of success in their respective fields, accumulating vast wealth and resources along the way. With a desire to set themselves apart and explore the limits of human capability, billionaires seek out extraordinary adventures that offer a sense of exclusivity. By participating in space travels or deep-sea expeditions, they become part of an elite group of pioneers, pushing the boundaries of what is known and experiencing a level of adventure that remains beyond the reach of the majority.

Rescue operations - Everybody deserves to be saved

Space and deep-sea tourism inherently carry risks, regardless of the meticulous precautions taken. Accidents and unforeseen challenges can occur, and when it does, the question arises as to who funds the search and rescue missions. Depending on the circumstances and location of the incident, responsibility for funding search missions can vary. In some cases, private companies or individuals may bear the financial burden of initiating search efforts, particularly if they are directly involved or have a vested interest in the successful outcome.

However, when incidents occur in remote or challenging environments, public-funded entities such as government agencies, coast guards, or search and rescue organizations often step in to coordinate and finance the search operations. These public-funded institutions possess the necessary expertise, resources, and infrastructure to conduct large-scale search missions efficiently. Moreover, their primary objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals involved in extreme tourism activities, thereby emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts between private entities and public-funded organizations to address emergencies effectively.

The stark contrast between search efforts for wealthy individuals involved in extreme tourism and the lack of substantial rescue operations for refugees in the Mediterranean raises profound questions about fairness and prioritization. While considerable resources are often allocated to search and rescue missions for affluent individuals, the same level of urgency and support is not consistently extended to those fleeing desperate situations. This disparity highlights the deep-rooted inequalities and systemic issues that persist in our global society. It calls for a critical examination of our priorities and a collective effort to address the fundamental humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations. By advocating for equality and empathy, we can strive to create a world where all lives are valued and where rescue efforts extend to those most in need, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Ethical dimensions - Harnessing the potential of extreme tourism for a better world

While addressing the concerns of fairness and resource allocation, it is important to recognize the potential positive impact that extreme tourism adventures by wealthy individuals can have on funding research initiatives. The substantial investments made by these individuals in their pursuit of exclusive experiences can contribute to scientific breakthroughs and advancements. By channeling a portion of the revenue generated from these ventures towards research and development, critical studies can be undertaken to explore new frontiers, understand our planet better, and uncover innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. The funding acquired through these adventures can support scientific exploration, technological advancements, and environmental conservation efforts, benefiting not only the participants but also the broader scientific community and society at large. It is through this symbiotic relationship between extreme tourism and research funding that we can harness the potential of these adventures to drive progress, knowledge, and ultimately, a better future for all.

In conclusion, extreme tourism, with its adrenaline-fueled adventures and exclusive experiences, raises important questions about fairness, resource allocation, and the potential for positive impact. While appreciating the beauty of simplicity and finding fulfillment in the present moment is essential, it is equally crucial to acknowledge the potential benefits that these ventures can bring. By directing a portion of the funds generated from extreme tourism adventures towards research initiatives, we can fuel scientific advancements, promote environmental conservation, and contribute to a better understanding of our world.

However, as we embrace these opportunities, it is imperative to maintain a balanced perspective, ensuring that the benefits are shared equitably and that the well-being of all individuals, including vulnerable populations, is prioritized. By cultivating a sense of responsibility, empathy, and a commitment to inclusivity, we can strive for a future where extreme tourism not only offers thrilling experiences but also serves as a catalyst for positive change, ultimately making our world a better place for everyone.

Cultivating mindfulness

It is crucial to recognize the importance of cultivating mindfulness and an appreciation for the simple moments and natural wonders that surround us. Instead of constantly seeking out adrenaline-fueled thrills, we should encourage individuals to develop a deeper connection with their immediate environment. By fostering mindfulness, we can fully embrace the present moment and find profound joy in the ordinary. Just as the tourism commercial of Iceland comically expressed in their tourism commercial, we don't need to venture to distant planets when our own planet offers breathtaking beauty. By immersing ourselves in nature, whether it be strolling through a local park or marveling at a stunning sunset, we can cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude. Teaching people to appreciate these simple moments not only promotes personal well-being but also fosters a greater sense of environmental stewardship. By cherishing and preserving the natural wonders that already exist, we can ensure that future generations have the opportunity to find solace, inspiration, and joy in the unspoiled beauty of our planet.

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Williamstown Select Board Pressed to Adopt Residential Tax Exemption

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Just because no towns east of Interstate 95 have utilized a provision of state law on property taxes, it does not follow that towns outside of eastern Mass cannot or should not take advantage of that provision, a member of the Select Board argued on Monday night.

Stephanie Boyd, who talked about exploring use of the commonwealth's Residential Tax Exemption during her election campaign in the spring, made good on that promise with a lengthy presentation to her colleagues about the structural inequity in the current property tax system and how the RTE potentially could ameliorate that problem.

Boyd went step by step through an analysis of national studies and local numbers to show that taxing all residential property at the same rate is regressive.

Part of her argument relied on data from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center that shows that for wealthier Bay State homeowners, a lower percentage of their overall wealth is based on the value of their homes.

For the top 1 percent of homeowners, their principal residence represents less than 10 percent of their total wealth. For the middle 60 percent of residents, the home made up more than 60 percent of their wealth, according to a 2020 study by the non-profit.

At the same time, Boyd pointed to a 2021 study by an economist at the University of Chicago that showed that wealthier homes are typically undervalued in property tax assessments  shifting even more of the burden onto those with more modest homes.

"Using data from millions of residential real estate transactions, this paper shows that assessments are typically regressive, with low-priced properties being assessed at a higher value, relative to their actual sale price, than are high-priced properties," the abstract of the paper reads, in part.

One way to address these inequities is the RTE, Boyd said.

It allows a municipality to exempt up to 35 percent of its average assessed property from the local property tax for full-time owner-occupied residences.

The effect is to shift more of the tax burden onto higher priced properties. Boyd's initial analysis showed that the local "break-even" point for the tax shift would be $514,000 in home value  meaning properties assessed at less than $514,000 would pay less in property taxes and homes valued at higher than threshold would pay more.

Boyd argued that rather than looking at it as a "cost shift" to higher valued properties, it is more accurate to look at the RTE as a "cost correction" for more modestly priced homes that already are taxed at too high a rate.

"We don't do taxes well," Boyd said. "We want to wait for the perfect tax policy. That's not going to happen. It's not perfect now. It won't be perfect in the future.

"We know people at the lower income end are struggling financially. Let's err on the side of making it easier for people at the lower end and a little harder for people at the other end because for years we've been doing it the other way around.

"This is one of the few things we can do directly to affect affordability. And we should all be working together to do that."

The Residential Tax Exemption has been employed by 18 cities and towns in the commonwealth  all in the eastern part of the state and many on Cape Cod.

The Select Board each year has a vote at its tax classification hearing  usually in late August  to decide whether to employ the RTE when setting the tax rate for the current fiscal year.

In years past, board members have been swayed by the argument that the RTE is more relevant in communities like those on the Cape, where there are a higher percentage of second home owners.

Town Manager Bob Menicocci, who came to Town Hall last summer, noted that, historically, the RTE was created to address issues in places like Provincetown, but he did not dismiss out of hand the idea that it could be used at the other end of the commonwealth.

"As our assessor has said to the Select Board in the past [at the annual hearing]  what is done policywide in the commonwealth is in response to two things: a cluster on the Cape and the islands  largely summer homes, second homes  and in the Boston area, all clustered around a larger urban area," Menicocci said.

"The conversation we're having at this point steps outside that, trying to take a tool that was used for some very specific purpose and do something different with it. The core of the conversation we're having now is around tax policy, the regressive nature of it and a desire to do something about it. We'd be an outlier on that chart [of towns currently employing the RTE]. That's completely reasonable, something the town can choose to do."

But, Menicocci said, he would want to see more study and, perhaps, an outside consultant to run the numbers and make sure that the RTE would act as intended and, perhaps, identify unintended consequences.

"That's more than the day job of our assessor can pull off," Menicocci said.

Select Board member Andrew Hogeland, who recently was elected to a fourth term on the board and who has participated in up to nine tax classification hearings (assuming no absences), argued that Williamstown should think long and hard before becoming that "outlier" Menicocci referred to.

"I'm surprised other towns haven't done that," Hogeland said. "I'd be curious to see who has done it. Every year, 300-some communities choose not to do this.  I assume some of those towns have smart people who have done the analysis."

Boyd rejected that argument.

"I agree with Bob that when this legislation was enacted, it was done to deal with inequities in towns that had extremes," Boyd said. "That does not make it not appropriate for us.

"We in this country have only recently started to see these deep inequalities in tax policy. The study I showed you only came out in 2021. There have been a number of cities and towns that have started to make changes based on that work. I think we should be careful  saying it's not appropriate for us today."

Boyd said at one point that she was ready to vote to implement the RTE in town as early as next month, but she recognized that others around the table had concerns that need to be addressed before they could join her in that vote.

She asked her colleagues to share any of their concerns with her so she can answer any questions they might have. One that came up on Monday night came from Jeffrey Johnson, who asked for an analysis of how the RTE would impact assessments on rental properties, many of which house some of the town's lower-income residents.

"A lot of rental people don't get benefits of the tax breaks," Johnson said. "That doesn't mean we shouldn't look at it. That's why I want to get more information."

Boyd agreed to study that specific question. She also said if the board decides it wants to follow the route of hiring a consultant, the members should draft a specific list of questions it wants that outside expert to address.

Later in the meeting, during the public comment portion, two residents told the board that they should find a way to implement the RTE.

"Even though Williamstown may be an outlier compared to other towns, I think it meshes with other town goals and things other boards are working on," said Cheryl Shanks, who serves with Hogeland on the board of the town's Affordable Housing Trust.

"Data shows the current situation is regressive  both for the assessments of lower-valued properties relative to their sales prices and for the income burden property taxes represent. We're not trying to boost advantages to lower income people. We're going into this with a playing field already geared against people living in lower assessed properties."
ACI Worldwide, a global leader in mission-critical, real-time payments software, and Security Bank Corporation (Security Bank), a leading universal bank in the Philippines, have signed a contract to revolutionize the Bank's real-time payment hub. Under this partnership, Security Bank will implement ACI's cloud-native Enterprise Payments Platform solution, which will enable the Bank to unify its payments platform and facilitate the interoperability of payment services and gateways for high and low-value payments such as InstaPay, Philippine Domestic Dollar Transfer Service System (PDDTS), PESONet, Swift, and PhilPaSSplus on ISO2022 standards. The new modernized payment hub empowers Security Bank to roll out innovative products and services to customers faster and add new payment types seamlessly and cost-effectively to its core infrastructure.

(From L-R) Security Bank's SVP and Channel Network Division Head, Stephen John Bell and EVP and Transaction Banking Group Head, John Cary Ong with ACI Worldwide's SVP and Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Leslie Choo and Vice President, Head of ASEAN, Chee Cheng Ong.

According to ACI Worldwide's 2023 Prime-Time for Real-Time report, real-time payment transactions in the Philippines are expected to grow from 625 million in 2022 to 1.5 billion by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%. With paper-based transactions dominating 98.4% of payments volume and real-time payments only representing 0.7% share of payments volume in 2022, the market has yet to see its inflection point. Under its Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap (DPTR) 2020-2023, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) aims to convert 50% of total retail payments to electronic channels and increase the number of Filipino adults with bank accounts to 70%. While there has been significant progress toward achieving these goals, there is still massive potential to reach the unbanked and underserved segments of the economy and unlock the benefits of real-time payments.

"The Philippines is among the fastest growing economies in ASEAN, clocking an impressive 7.6% GDP growth in 2022. Embracing digital real-time payments to foster financial inclusion and innovation, especially with the rise of a young, tech-savvy consumer base, is pivotal to the Philippines' economic progress," said Leslie Choo, Senior Vice President, Managing Director  APAC, ACI Worldwide. "Security Bank is at the forefront of driving customer centricity and redefining the digital real-time payments landscape in the country, and ACI is proud to support the Bank with cutting-edge payment hub technologies in leading this transformation. Our robust solutions go from powering country-wide real-time payment ecosystems to interconnecting cross-border real-time payment networks and enabling the integration of different types of payments, such as the convergence of high-value and low-value payments into a single, unified, intelligent, cloud-native payment hub."

"Digital real-time payments are becoming ubiquitous, with today's customers looking for a hyper-connected, frictionless customer experience. ACI's modern, scalable, and cloud-native architecture will power real-time payments to meet the dynamic demands of our customers in the digital era. This initiative and our investment in innovative payment technology are testament to our unwavering commitment to customer-centricity," said Stephen John Bell, SVP and Channels Network Group Head at Security Bank.

"A modernized real-time payment solution offers financial resiliency and agility for businesses in the Philippines through enhanced cash flow management and improved business liquidity. For Filipino consumers, they can look forward to a fast and seamless customer experience through secure digital channels. As Security Bank celebrates 72 years of enriching lives and empowering businesses, the partnership with ACI signifies our commitment to deliver a BetterBanking eXperience." said John Cary L. Ong, EVP and Transaction Banking, Group Head at Security Bank.

Payments lie at the intersection of commerce and the digital economy, and at Security Bank we recognize that fast, frictionless, and embedded payments offer a distinct competitive advantage. As the digital economy grows and customer appetite for seamless payments increases, Security Bank is commited to offering integrated solutions for both consumers and merchants to meet this demand. Fundamentally, payments are becoming more instant, frictionless, and embedded within customer journeyshence invisible. As Security Bank continues to drive its BetterBanking eXperience transformation, we see our partnership with ACI having a major role to play in shaping the future outlook of the payments sector to better serve our customers and guide them into the next payments era, said Lucose Eralil, EVP and Enterprise Technology & Operations Segment Head.

ACI Worldwide has unrivaled experience powering on-premise and cloud-native payment hubs for major banks across Asia Pacific and implementing critical real-time ISO 20022 payments ecosystems and central infrastructures. ACI provides the central infrastructure for Indonesia's BI-FAST as well as the gateway for banks and multi-tenant aggregators, one of the world's largest real-time payment initiatives. When fully implemented, this will incorporate 135 banks, multi-tenant aggregators, merchants and payment service providers, leveraging ACI's Low Value Real-Time Payments Solution. Malaysia's Real-time Retail Payments Platform (RPP) was introduced by the national payments network and central infrastructure provider PayNet, in collaboration with ACI to establish ISO 20022 real-time payments across financial institutions and communities, creating a unified and harmonized payments ecosystem in Malaysia. Thailand's National ITMX has also successfully implemented real-time ISO 20022 bulk payments powered by ACI.

Security Bank is on a comprehensive digital transformation journey to leapfrog the competition and deliver a BetterBanking eXperience. The Bank is investing heavily in technology uplifts across various parts of its business, including digital channels, lending systems, Human Capital Management (HCM), network modernization, transaction banking, and enterprise channels, which includes the partnership with ACI Worldwide. The ACI engagement will enable Security Bank to implement a cloud-native enterprise payments platform solution, unifying payments platforms such as InstaPay, Philippines Domestic Dollar Transfer Service System, PESONet, Swift, and PhilPaSSplus on ISO2022 standards. This will give customers one centralized, real-time, and seamless platformmaking Security Bank the first bank in the Philippines to roll out a Payments Hub and Gateway.
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Oscar-winning screenwriter Bo Goldman, known for writing the script for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, has died aged 90.

He died on Tuesday (25 July) in Helendale, California, his son-in-law, director Todd Field, told the New York Times. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Born into a Jewish family in New York in 1932, one of five children, Robert Goldmans father was a Broadway producer who owned a chain of retail stores, but lost his fortune during the Depression.

His parents never married, and it wasnt until years later that Goldman learnt his father had several children with another woman. Having attended fancy schools, which he believed were paid for by his uncle, Samuel, Goldman began working as an assistant to renowned Broadway composer Jule Styne, before serving in the US army.

After leaving his wife and six children behind in 1974 and moving to Los Angeles in an attempt to revive his career, Goldman was offered the chance by director Milos Forman to adapt Ken Keseys novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, for the big screen.

The script, in collaboration with Lawrence Hauben, ended up winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay adapted from other material. The film was also named Best Picture and earned Oscars for Forman, along with actors Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher.

In 1980, Melvin and Howard won Goldman his second Oscar for Best Screenplay written directly for the screen.

A decade later, he bagged his third Oscar nomination for his work in 1993s Scent of a Woman.

The screenwriters other credits include The Flamingo Kid (1984), Little Nikita (1988), and City Hall (1996).

During his career, Goldman also won two Golden Globe Awards, two Writers Guild of America Awards, and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998, as well as two Bafta nominations.

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If there is a train of thought that runs through my work, he told The Washington Post in 1982, it is a yearning, a longing to make the people real and capture their lives on the screen. I think there is nothing more fulfilling in the world than to see your view of life realised in art.

For me, film is unique; it has a peculiar quality for re-creating life. I find life so wonderful, that to try to capture it in art is like trying to catch starlight.

He is survived by his son Justin Ashforth and four daughters: Mia Goldman, Amy Goldman, Diana Rathbun and Serena Rathbun. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Many people from the film industry have paid tribute to Goldman upon hearing the news of his death.

One of our greatest screenwriters has died, wrote writer Mark Harris. Melvin and Howard alone would earn him his place in history, but there was also Cuckoos Nest, The Rose, The Flamingo Kid, Shoot the Moon...

RIP Bo Goldman, a master not replaceable by AI or lesser talents.

The Wraps Drew Taylor added: So sad to hear about the passing of Bo Goldman. Truly one of the great Hollywood screenwriters, his scripts always had such amazing energy & life, his empathy for his characters was enchanting.

Melvin & Howard is my favorite script of his & one of the greatest movies ever. RIP.
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Greta Gerwig has revealed a scene that ended up being removed from the final cut of Barbie.

The filmmaker directed the hit film, based on the Mattel doll, as well as co-wrote the script with her partner Noah Baumbach.

Starring Margot Robbie as the titular plastic figurine, with Ryan Gosling as her beach-loving companion Ken, the film has broken several box-office records since its cinematic release last Friday (21 July).

In a recent podcast interview, Gerwig, 39, provided some insight into the filmmaking process.

Appearing with her longtime editing collaborator Nick Houy, she revealed that theyd hoped to sneak in a gag about flatulence that she found really funny  but others did not.

Weve always tried to get in a proper fart joke and weve never done it, Gerwig said on the latest episode of Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, by IndieWire. We had like a fart opera in the middle [of Barbie]. I thought it was really funny. And that was not the consensus.

It was in the wrong place, too, Houy added. We need to work it into a more significant narrative moment next time.

Houy has worked on two of Gerwigs other releases: Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019).

Greta Gerwig (Getty Images for Warner Bros.)

Elsewhere in their conversation, the pair discussed the necessity of testing the film in front of smaller audiences to gauge the reactions to certain scenes, as Barbie is so much more a comedy than their other movies.

So we were just, like, Lets put it in front of people and see how they react, Houy explained. Everyones different and every screenings different and weve definitely learned, over the years, that you really have to let things have their fair chance and then act accordingly. Once you know its dead, you have got to get it out of there.

Though Barbie has been met with many positive reviews, some right-wing pundits including Piers Morgan and Ben Shapiro have voiced objection to the films feminist messaging.

Gerwig responded to the passion of the dissenting voices in a conversation with the New York Times.

My hope for the movie is that its an invitation for everybody to be part of the party and let go of the things that arent necessarily serving us as either women or men, she offered.

You can read The Independents five-star review here.
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After several failed live-action attempts, it seems as if Hollywood has finally realised that 6ft tall, nunchuck-wielding, roided-out reptilians shouldnt ever exist outside of animation. Thank god. When the foam latex masks of the Nineties live-action films graduated into Michael Bays uncanny CGI creations of the 2010s, responses shifted from mild unease to full-blown horror. Tipping its hat to that inauspicious past, with a brief blast of Vanilla Ices Ninja Rap, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem blends a hyper-aware but affectionate love of the franchises past with the look and lingo of the present. Its learnt all the right lessons from the current Spider-Verse craze.

Director Jeff Rowe had already adopted the Spider-Verse computer animation as hand-drawn concept art ethos for his own The Mitchells vs the Machines in 2021. Here, he chucks in the raw, slightly misshapen quality of adolescent doodles  a sort of artful ugliness, that envisions New York City as one gigantic, blacklight-coloured laser quest venue. You imagine every floor is at least a little bit sticky. Mutant Mayhem, like The Mitchells vs the Machines or Puss in Boots: The Last Wish before it, suggests that studios are actually allowing animation filmmakers to do more than thoughtlessly hop on the latest trend. The film looks exactly how a franchise born out of the independent comic book scene and bolstered by Saturday morning cartoons should look.

Its also clearly written by millennials with a childhood love of these pizza-scarfing crime fighters  specifically Rowe, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit  but feels convincingly tailored to the incoming generations Z and Alpha, too. The origins of our heroes  four baby turtles exposed to a nuclear agent known as the ooze, then raised by a rat trained in the art of ninjutsu  remains firmly tongue-in-cheek. Its also in keeping with the desires of original creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird to parody superhero conventions as a whole.

And, refreshingly, these teenage turtles are now actually voiced by teenagers. As a result, Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), Donatello (Micah Abbey), Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr), and Raphael (Brady Noon) sound convincingly young and dumb. When Leonardo claims hes got rizz (for the oldies, that means flirtatious charm), it doesnt sound four years out of date  a near-miracle in the world of studio filmmaking. And when they all start chanting bacon, egg, and cheese, its with the impenetrable chaos of four siblings so close that theyve concocted their own dialect.

The films starry quality comes from its supporting cast: not only is the turtles rodent patriarch, Splinter, voiced by Jackie Chan, but they find themselves up against a crew of zoological mutants born out of the same ooze that made them. Superfly (Ice Cube) is their leader, joined by Genghis Frog (Hannibal Buress), Leatherhead (Rose Byrne), Rocksteady (John Cena), Bebop (Rogen), Wingnut (Natasia Demetriou), Ray Fillet (rapper Post Malone), and Mondo Gecko (a totally rad, scene-stealing Paul Rudd). The Bears Ayo Edibiri, meanwhile, voices April ONeil, journalist and longtime human ally of the turtles, with her winning, trademark deadpan, allowing the standard straight woman of this franchise to have a little fun of her own.

The film pitches Superfly against the turtles in a sort of Magneto vs Professor X dispute over whether the oppressed and marginalised should seek vengeance or acceptance from society. Its hardly revolutionary stuff, but Mutant Mayhems script never pretends otherwise. All it knows is that these sorts of movies need just a smattering of sincerity and humanity to soar. And, for a franchise thats never had the best track record on the big screen, its exactly the makeover the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles needed.

Dir: Jeff Rowe. Starring: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr, Brady Noon, Nicolas Cantu, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Ayo Edebiri. PG, 100 minutes.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is in cinemas from 31 July
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Questions have cropped up about the ouster and whereabouts of Chinas foreign minister Qin Gang who has kept out of the public eye for a little more than a month.

Known as one of the countrys wolf warrior diplomats, speculation has swirled over the public absence of the 57-year-old close aide of president Xi Jinping, whose sudden removal from the presidents cabinet after barely half a year has caught analysts by surprise.

To add to the chatter about Mr Qin, there have been no clear answers from Beijings leadership either, with several questions about him from a daily official briefing being mysteriously scrubbed from the official record.

The Chinese foreign ministry that Mr Qin earlier commanded said the top leader from Mr Xis cabinet was off work for health reasons.

The ministry didnt share further details of his illness, spurring debate about the long-maintained secrecy that has followed the ruling Communist leaderships top brass and its decision making.

The ouster and Mr Qins public no show likely sets the stage for one of the biggest political tumults to strike China in a decade.

It also comes on the heels of a dramatic and unexplained moment from late last year, in which one of the countrys former presidents, Hu Jintao, was ejected from the heavily stage-managed National Congress of the Communist Party.

Mr Qin was last seen on 25 June where he held talks with delegates from Sri Lanka, Russia and Vietnam in Beijing, in what marked his last public appearance.

And just days earlier, he was part of a closely watched five-and-a-half-hour long meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, followed by a dinner. That meeting was dubbed candid and constructive from both sides.

On 11 July, the foreign ministry said Mr Qin could not attend a meeting in Indonesia for unspecified health reasons.

Despite his absence, work at the foreign ministers office has continued unabated.

On Wednesday, China finally had the opportunity to answer more than 20 questions at a daily briefing on Mr Qins unexplained disappearance. But all of them were deflected in carefully worded responses by foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

On being asked how Mr Qins absence affected Chinas diplomacy with the US  as his disappearance comes at a critical juncture amid strained bilateral ties between Beijing and Washington  Ms Mao had a cryptic answer.

Chinas diplomacy has been making progress and moving forward in an orderly manner, she said and sought the next question.

When asked if Mr Qin was subject to a corruption probe, Ms Mao said she didnt have the required information available with her.

While such briefings rarely issue concrete information on matters critical to the autocratic regime  especially to foreign media  they are generally carefully moderated and verbally recorded for publishing.

Questions of Mr Qins absence were completely removed from the record published later in the evening.

The record was also struck to just seven questions from the Chinese state media, fuelling the mystery about one of the tallest ministers China has boasted of recently.

With a long career in diplomacy that started in the early 2000s, Mr Qin became one of Chinas youngest foreign ministers after his appointment in December last year.

He also served as the same ministrys spokesperson and also as its chief protocol officer, coordinating Mr Xis various interactions with foreign leaders.

He was also recognised for being one of the first diplomats to speak aggressively in defence of Chinas increasingly assertive foreign policy, a style known as wolf warrior diplomacy.

His absence and lack of explanation from Beijing has served more questions than answers, said political scientist Ja Ian Chong at the National University of Singapore.

It also underscores the opacity and unpredictability, even arbitrariness in the current political system, he said.

The vacuum of his position in current geopolitical engagements is being filled by his predecessor and top official Wang Yi who will now represent China this week at a national security advisers meeting of the Brics nations in Johannesburg.

Mr Wang will now have to assert his stop gap role in Chinas communications with several allies at a time the war in Ukraine is grinding on and ties with the US are fraying.

Mr Qin had visited various countries as foreign minister in his tenure, including several in Africa in January and in Europe in May, where he pushed Chinas call for a ceasefire in Ukraine  a tough sell given China has been criticised for not condemning Russias invasion.

Analysts said that, as the prominent Chinese face of diplomacy, Mr Wang will likely prioritise stability of US-China ties after months of hostility and keep Mr Xis possible visit to the US this November on track.

His efficiency in handling Chinas position on cross-strait bilateral ties with Taiwan will also be critical amid presidential elections there in 2024.

The turmoil also speaks about Mr Xis place in Chinese leadership and his decision making, wherein he fast tracked Mr Qin from spokesperson, to protocol chief, then ambassador and finally to foreign minister.

The real issue of the Qin affair is that it showed how poor Xis judgment was is in helicoptering Qin to the foreign minister post, and then took so long to act on his removal, said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the London University School of Oriental and African Studies and a longtime analyst of Chinese leadership dynamics.

Xi is not losing control, but those in the party who are secretly against Xi must be drawing lessons on Xis weaknesses, he told the Associated Press.

Before Mr Qin became an issue, Mr Xi showed decisiveness whether hes right or not, he said.

He has not shown that over the Qin affair, which is hugely embarrassing for him.
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North Korea showed off two brand new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and its most advanced ICBM missiles in an extravagant exhibition of its weaponry to visiting delegations from Russia and China.

The previously unseen drones were displayed during the Weapons and Equipment Exhibition 2023 held in Pyongyang on Wednesday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The two North Korean drones closely resemble the US militarys RQ-4A Global Hawk and US MQ-9 Reaper, experts have said, indicating the hermit kingdoms progress in developing both combat and reconnaissance drone capabilities to match Washington.

Framed pictures displayed in front of the drone models showed flight testing of the UAVs, including above Pyongyang, and Mr Kim inspecting them in secrecy, reported NK Pro. The latest drones were labelled DPRK Air Force along with their serial numbers.

One of the UAVs at the expo was seen equipped with two different types of missiles attached beneath its wings, showcasing an overall design resembling that of a US MQ-9 Reaper combat UAV, according to the report.

The drone appeared to have a wingspan of 65ft (20m) when first seen in a satellite image by the outlet last month.

The other model was showcased which was first seen during testing last month. It has a wingspan of around 115ft (35m) and a v-tail.

Joseph Dempsey, a research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said even as the two drones clearly emulated the US militarys UAVs visually, they are not as capable in performance.

Kim Jong-un and Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu attending a performance held in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, in Pyongyang (EPA)

North Koreas new UAV designs clearly emulate the US Global Hawk and Reaper visually but the key capabilities associated with both types  particularly in terms of flight performance, avionics or sensor payloads  will not be replicated so closely, Mr Dempsey said.

The larger model of the drone looks like its a high-altitude, medium-to-long endurance type, Ankit Panda, Stanton senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told NK News.

The design does resemble several known drone designs, but thats not necessarily evidence that the North Koreans are relying on stolen information or knowledge, Mr Panda told the outlet.

The exhibition was attended by Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu as well as Chinese officials in the first display of rare diplomatic exchanges since the start of the pandemic that marked years of isolation of the country.

Images showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walking past an array of weaponry, from Pyongyangs nuclear-capable ballistic missiles to its newest drones, with Mr Shoigu and other officials.

North Korea also displayed its Hwasong-17 liquid-fuel and Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBMs (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)

According to KCNA, Mr Kim engaged in a friendly talk with Mr Shoigu, who presented him with an autographed letter from Russian president Vladimir Putin. Mr Kim said Mr Shoigu had praised North Koreas military as the most powerful in the world.

Additionally, a visiting Chinese delegation headed by politburo member Li Hongzhong, delivered a personal letter from Xi Jinping to Mr Kim.

Apart from drones, the exhibition at Pyongyangs Three Revolutions Exhibition House complex showed few new developments in North Koreas defence system.

North Korea presented the Hwasong-17 liquid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which it first launched in November 2022, along with its transporter erector launch vehicle (TEL).

Both were displayed in camouflage paint schemes for the first time, suggesting the potential deployment of the system to individual units.

Additionally, the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM, which was successfully tested in April and July, was showcased separately on stands next to its large transporter.

Experts believe the Hwasong-18 can be prepared for launch in a shorter time than the Hwasong-17, making it a notable advancement in North Koreas missile capabilities.

It also displayed Hwasong-12Na (Hwasong-12B), a missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).
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A Chinese man allegedly swam nearly 10 hours from Fujian Province to Taiwan's Matsu Islands in an effort to "seek freedom".

The Chinese national in his 40s reportedly sought help from tourists near the Beigan Township on Beigan Island, the second largest island in Matsu on Monday after being stung by a bee.

The tourists notified the local authorities, who arrived at the scene and confirmed the mans identity to be an illegal Chinese immigrant, CNA reported.

The Chinese national was taken to the Beigan health center, an official said, noting that his injuries were not serious.

The man carried dry food, clothing, medicine, and Renminbi, according to officials. He told authorities that he embarked on the journey from Huangqi Peninsula in China's Fujian Province to Taiwan's Matsu Islands to "seek freedom."

The distance between Huangqi Peninsula and Beigan Island is about 12km. The main island of Taiwan is located over 200km away from Chinas coast.

He was taken to Lienchiang district prosecutors office for investigation in accordance with the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the officials said.

China has beefed up its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, arguing that Taipei is obliged to reunite with Beijing, by force if necessary, and has no right to conduct foreign relations.

Taiwan has been self-ruled since it split from the mainland in 1949 following a civil war.

In 2020, a 45-year-old Chinese national was arrested after he swam seven hours to reach the Taiwanese island of Kinmen County due to the "political environment" in China.

He was arrested for illegally entering Taiwan. The man, surnamed Li, claimed he began his journey from Chinas coastal city of Xiamen for "freedom".

Two men were reportedly arrested in 2019 after attempting to swim to Kinmen. One of the men used childrens inflatable swimming rings to stay afloat while the other person used empty soda bottles to make a raft.
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Afghanistans economic crisis, security issues and womens rights are set to be discussed between US officials and ruling Taliban representatives in a rare round of talks taking place for the first time since the fall of Kabul to the hardline regime in 2021.

US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel on Wednesday announced the talks in Qatars capital Doha, but also said they do not mean any kind of indication of recognition or any kind of indication of normalisation or legitimacy of the Taliban, amid concerns about human rights abuses and gender apartheid against women and girls in Afghanistan.

The officials and de facto representatives will be joined by technocratic professionals from ministries in Kabul. We have been very clear that we will engage with the Taliban appropriately when it is in our interest to do so, Mr Patel said, while adding that they did not mean any change in policy.

Earlier remarks of gradually recognising the de facto Taliban rulers as the official administration in charge of Afghanistan, dubbed baby steps by UN deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed, had sparked an uproar among locals and political commentators.

They had condemned the official remarks to legitimise the hardline regime that has banned girls and women from schools, colleges, universities and most workplaces in addition to rolling out public execution and flogging to maintain law and order.

The Taliban delegation in the Gulf nation will be represented by the regimes acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, its foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Both delegations, before sitting down in Qatar, will travel to Kazakhstan where they will meet officials from there, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss Afghanistan, the State Department said.

The leaders will also meet civil society members focused on womens rights. The trip to Kazakhstan and Qatar will be held from 26-31 July, the State Department said.

Qatar has been a key player in discussions between the Taliban and the US for many years. It hosted months of US-Taliban peace talks and has since been critical to the evacuation of American citizens and others from Afghanistan. Roughly half the people who have left the country have transited through Qatar.

The Taliban rulers will be seeking an end to financial sanctions, the Afghan foreign ministry said, something that, if done, would be the top indicator that Taliban rule will be legitimised.

Afghanistans priority during talks are ending sanctions and blacklists, unfreezing Afghanistans bank reserves and stopping violation of Afghanistans airspace, it said, adding they would also meet Qatari officials.

The Talibans rule and stronghold over Afghanistan, which it took by toppling the Nato-backed Ashraf Ghanis administration in August 2021, has not been formally recognised by any foreign nation for almost two years now.

Its leaders are seeking recognition for stabilising the countrys battered economy and paving way for financial aid from the West, while also subjecting most of the population to its interpretation of Sharia law and banning women from public spaces in a stark reminder of its 1990s rule.

Thousands of desperate Afghans rushed to flee the country in 2021 in grim visuals of chaotic exits, when the Taliban gradually inched closer to the presidential palace in Kabul to cement its grip over the country.

Men were seen clinging to US Air Force planes taxiing down runways and families were seen tossing infants across building parapets to send them away from Afghanistan, confirming the fear of Talibans rule.

President Joe Bidens administration faced flak for the chaotic pullout which was negotiated by his predecessor Donald Trump and rolled out shortly after the Democratic leader entered the White House.
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Singapore conducted its first execution of a woman in 19 years on Friday and its second hanging this week for drug trafficking despite calls to cease capital punishment for drug-related crimes.

Activists said another execution is set for next week.

Saridewi Djamani, 45, had been sentenced to death in 2018 for trafficking nearly 31 grams (1.09 ounces) of diamorphine, or pure heroin, the Central Narcotics Bureau said.

Its statement said the amount was sufficient to feed the addiction of about 370 abusers for a week.

Singapores laws mandate the death penalty for anyone convicted of trafficking more than 500 grams (17.64 ounces) of cannabis and 15 grams (0.53 ounces) of heroin.

Djamanis execution came two days after that of a Singaporean man, Mohammed Aziz Hussain, 56, for trafficking around 50 grams (1.75 ounces) of heroin.

The narcotics bureau said both prisoners were accorded due process, including appeals of their conviction and sentence and petition for presidential clemency.

Human rights groups, international activists and the UN have urged Singapore to halt executions for drug offenses and say there is increasing evidence it is ineffective as a deterrent. Singapore authorities insist capital punishment is important to halting drug demand and supply.

Human rights groups say it has executed 15 people for drug offenses since it resumed hangings in March 2022, an average of one a month.

Anti-death penalty activists said the last woman known to have been hanged in Singapore was 36-year-old hairdresser Yen May Woen, also for drug trafficking, in 2004.

Transformative Justice Collective, a Singapore group that advocates for the abolishment of capital punishment, said a new execution notice has been issued to another prisoner for Aug, 3  the fifth this year alone.

It said the prisoner is an ethnic Malay citizen who worked as a delivery driver before his arrest in 2016. He was convicted in 2019 for trafficking around 50 grams (1.75 ounces) of heroin, it said. The group said the man had maintained in his trial that he believed he was delivering contraband cigarettes for a friend he owed money and he didn't verify the contents of the bag as he trusted his friend.

Although the court found he was merely a courier, the man still had to be given the mandatory death penalty, it said. The group condemns, in the strongest terms, the state's bloodthirsty streak and reiterated calls for an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

Critics say Singapore's harsh policy merely punish low-level traffickers and couriers, who are typically recruited from marginalized groups with vulnerabilities. They say Singapore is also out of step with the trend of more countries moving away from capital punishment.

Neighboring Thailand has legalized cannabis while Malaysia ended the mandatory death penalty for serious crimes this year.
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Southern European countries suffering under a sizzling heatwave for weeks can finally hope for some respite as a new forecast reveals subtle changes in the jet stream that are expected to bring temperatures down.

With shattered temperature records, devastating wildfires in Greece and tragic loss of lives, people have been anxiously awaiting relief from intense heat conditions that gripped Europe this month.

The latest forecast from the UKs Met Office offers a glimmer of hope as conditions are projected to shift slightly, indicating the weakening of the heat dome that enveloped the southern part of the continent.

Meteorologist Alex Deakin, in a deep dive analysis by the Met Office, predicted temperatures in Europe will dip off a little bit starting on Wednesday in Italy and gradually easing in Greece by the end of the week.

The jet stream, a narrow band of westerly winds circling the northern hemisphere, has been responsible for creating the heat dome over Europe.

But from Wednesday, this air from the west will start spreading over Italy and the jet stream will move southwards, eventually bringing temperatures down in eastern Europe as well in the next few days.

Fast forward to Wednesday, you can see southern Italy joins in with the cooler air as well, and by the time we get to Thursday, most of Greece is cooler and by Friday, that cooler air is even pushing down across Cyprus, he said.

So we are seeing temperatures dropping because of that dip in the jet stream.

Mr Deakin said while Europe will see temperatures dropping a little bit from the extremes of over 40 degrees Celsius, the weather will still remain sunny and warm.

Italys temperatures are expected to go down to the average, close to 30C, while in Greece, temperatures will come down maybe a day later, he said.

So the peak in the heat across Greece is likely to be on Wednesday, when the winds are lightest and again a lot of hot, strong sunshine, Mr Deakin said. But we see a drop there as well.

A fireman runs away from blazes as he tries to control a wildfire in New Peramos, near Athens (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Deakin warned that, despite the improvement in temperatures, gusty winds could exacerbate the wildfire situation in the region. However, the anticipated cooling will at least bring temperatures closer to the average, providing much-needed relief to affected areas.

And as we can see the change, we will also see the winds gusting up as well, which isnt gonna help the wildfire situation here.

But at least as I say, the temperatures will be getting back closer to average, still plenty of sunshine.

Scientists said a combination of factors, such as a stagnant jet stream, the El Nino phenomenon and the record-shattering average global temperatures caused by the climate crisis were all responsible for the extreme heatwaves sweeping three continents.

The jet stream over Europe had been in a stationary position in the last few days, experts said, which meant that the weather systems were kept in a holding pattern that made heat build up.

A recent study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) said such heatwave conditions are more common now due to the heating of the planet by 1.2C since the 1800s due to greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists have been warning that as global average temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves in Europe are becoming more frequent and stronger.

The WWA research showed that with the current heat, Europe, which is heating faster than the global average, already has a probability of facing extreme heat like the one currently persisting, every 10 years.
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The warning lights have been on for weeks but now it is official: July 2023 is set to be the hottest month on record  and possibly in 120,000 years.

The new global mean temperature  the overall reading if you could stick a thermometer at every location on Earth  was confirmed by scientists at the European Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organisation on Thursday. Copernicus discovered that up to 23rd July, Earths temperature averaged 16.95 Celsius (62.5F), giving scientists enough data to declare a record before the month ends.

Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on the findings.

The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.

Dr Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at Leipzig University whose separate analysis was first to confirm the new record, told a press briefing on Wednesday that July 2023 was likely the warmest in 120,000 years, stretching back to the interglacial Eemian period when hardwood trees grew in the Arctic and hippos roamed as far north as the Rhine and Thames valleys.

It also follows the hottest June on record, and toppling of hottest day records multiple times earlier this month, reaching a global average of 17.08C (62.74F) on 6th July, WMO reported.

The overall mean temperature isnt going to kill anyone but means that the planet has a fever, said Dr Frederike Otto, senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change.

The increase in global heat is manifesting in extreme weather events worldwide. Southern Europe, North Africa and Asia have faced relentless heatwaves since late spring, and in the southern United States, temperatures have regularly topped 37C for weeks.

Phoenix, Arizona had a record-breaking 19 days in a row above 43.3C this month while China set a new national temperature record of 52.2C on 16 July in Xinjiang province.

Wildfires have exploded across Greece, Italy, Croatia and Algeria. In Canada, there are now more than 1,000 wildfires  double the amount four weeks ago  which have destroyed 46,000 square miles  an area half the size of the UK.

The extreme heat is also causing intense, erratic rainfall which has led to deadly flash flooding in China, South Korea, Brazil and US Northeast.

The 2023 July record also came with a public health warning.

Global daily surface air temperature from 1 January 1940- 23 July 2023 (Copernicus/WMO)

Heatwaves are known as silent killers and are the deadliest of all climate-driven disasters. Extreme temperatures contributed to more than 60,000 deaths in Europe alone last year.

These deaths are most often among societys already vulnerable groups, and an ageing global population along with growing cities  which can be much hotter than rural places  means that heat deaths will only increase, Dr Otto said.

Dr Marina Romanello, a climate change and health researcher at UCL, said the record heat was rapidly undermining the foundations of health and placing more burdens on many countries already over-stretched healthcare systems.

Heat-related mortality for those over 65 years old has risen by about two-thirds in the past 20 years meanwhile, wildfire exposure has increased in 60 per cent of countries.

A firefighting helicopter dumps water in Mandra, west of Athens, on 18 July 2023. Another heatwave is expected to hit Greece today (AP)

Almost a third of global land area is affected by drought annually compared to the 1950s, with the Horn of Africa and South America being particularly vulnerable. These conditions are pushing tens of millions more people into extreme hunger.

This years extreme heat is being amplified by the emergence of a natural climatic pattern, El Nino, which leads to hotter ocean temperatures. Since May, record sea surface temperatures have driven marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean, the UK and Ireland, the Baltic Sea, the Sea of Japan along with parts of the Pacific and western Indian Ocean.

But without a manmade climate crisis, these heatwaves would be the statistical equivalent of impossible, Dr Otto said.

The hottest month on record is a direct result of the burning and extraction of coal, oil and gas. We need to accelerate the clean energy transition to draw back from this runaway climate crisis. Dr Catherine Abreu, executive director of Destination Zero

This is not chance. These are not rare events in todays climate.

If El Nino intensifies, its possible that next summer will be even hotter.

In the first and third weeks of July, the planet shot 1.5C above the average temperature 150 years ago  before humans began burning massive amounts of fossil fuels.

It doesnt mean that the planet will permanently exceed 1.5C  the temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement which refers to long-term warming  but shows we are close and that 1.5C will likely be permanently breached in the early 2030s, Dr Haustein said.

The culprit of all this extreme heat is the excessive emissions from burning fossil fuels.

We know who is responsible, said Dr Catherine Abreu, executive director of Destination Zero, a diplomatic initiative focused on limiting fossil fuel production.

She pointed to a few dozen major players in oil, gas and coal, along with large cement-makers, adding that the fossil fuel industry has known for decades about the impacts their products would have on the planet.

A person receives medical attention after collapsing in a convenience store on July 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona (Getty)

The hottest month on record is a direct result of the burning and extraction of coal, oil and gas, she added. We need to accelerate the clean energy transition to draw back from this runaway climate crisis.

But even as scientists sound the alarm, again, political and corporate will to tackle the global crisis is lagging.

The global fossil fuel industry more than doubled its profits to $4 trillion in 2022 but little of this money has been used to transition away from oil and gas to clean energy.

At the geopolitical level, progress is grindingly slow. Last weekends meeting of energy ministers from the G20  the worlds 20 richest countries  ended with failure to reach a consensus on cutting down fossil fuels and a walk-back on commitments made in 2022.

Many governments are still prioritising, and subsidising, the oil and gas industry over healthcare, Dr Romanello said, and the global carbon price is still negative.

According to the 2022 Lancet Countdown report, led by Dr Romanello, in the majority of 86 countries creating the bulk of global emissions, the net cost of fossil fuel subsidies is $400bn. For one-third of these countries, their losses exceed what they spent on healthcare.

The new July record raises the prospect that 2023 could be the hottest year in human history, a record that is unlikely to hold for long.

The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future, said WMOs Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.

The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before. Climate action is not a luxury but a must.

This article has been updated
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Ed Miliband has insisted his party leader Sir Keir Starmer is committed to green policies, as he dismissed tittle tattle that has been aimed at the shadow climate change secretary in the wake of the Uxbridge by-election defeat.

Concerns around the expansion of Londons ultra low emission zone (Ulez) were blamed last week for Labour failing to take Boris Johnsons old Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat.

But recent days have also seen reports of some internal unhappiness in Labour circles about the partys green policies, spearheaded by Mr Miliband, amid concerns that the commitments could leave Labour vulnerable to Tory attacks at the next general election.

I am far too experienced to be worried about that kind of thing. Because the truth is you always get tittle tattle in Westminster Ed Miliband

But the former leader dismissed any speculation of a rift between Sir Keir and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, as he re-iterated the leaderships commitment on net zero.

I am far too experienced to be worried about that kind of thing. Because the truth is you always get tittle tattle in Westminster, Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4s World At One programme.

The truth is that Keir Starmer is absolutely 100% committed to the project of clean energy by 2030, which is the way to cut bills and give us energy security and tackle the climate crisis.

And hes also absolutely committed, as is Rachel Reeves, to ramping up to 28 billion a year of investment to bring the good jobs that we need for our country.

And you know what? If Labour wins the election, we will never have had a prime minister and a chancellor so committed to this agenda and Im incredibly proud to work alongside them.

In recent days Sir Keir has declined to say if Londons charge on polluting vehicles should go ahead, with senior party figures quick to urge London Mayor Sadiq Khan to reflect on the policy in the wake of the by-election.

A similar debate was opened up among Conservatives following the success at Uxbridge with some Tories calling on the Prime Minister to rethink the approach to reaching net zero by 2050.

Mr Sunak has said he wants a proportionate and pragmatic approach to achieving net zero amid cost-of-living pressures.
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The sweltering 40C summer in Britain last year will be considered cool by the turn of the century, as extreme weather events become more frequent, the Met Office has warned.

In its annual State of the UK Climate report, the Met Office analysed 2022s weather and warned temperatures higher than 40C, summer droughts, grassfires and downpours will increase in both frequency and severity.

A severe heatwave gripped the country last summer, as a new temperature record was set (40.3C) and numerous wildfires were reported across Britain.

Flames and smoke rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Gennadi, on the island of Rhodes, Greece (Reuters)

More than 3,000 heat-related deaths were recorded in England and Wales during five heat periods between June and August 2022, according to a joint report by the Office of National Statistics and the UK Health Security Agency.

While 2022 was an extraordinary year for the UK in terms of weather and climate, the Met Office said these conditions are a potential warning of what we should expect in the future as a result of human-caused climate change.

Experts have warned were now tackling a full-blown climate crisis, as wildfires continue to rage across several parts of Europe amid a severe heatwave. Affected countries include Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Croatia, Gran Canaria, and Turkey, with more than 40 people dead across the Mediterranean as of Wednesday.

Greece has been worst-hit; firefighters have been battling more than 500 fires for nearly two weeks. On Saturday, a blaze that started on the island of Rhodes triggered a major evacuation, forcing 20,000 people to flee their homes and holiday resorts.

Nearly 1,400 fires have broken out in Italy between Sunday and Tuesday, including 650 in Sicily alone. A 98-year-old bedridden man died as flames engulfed his home in the coastal city of Reggio Calabria, in the south of the country. At least three other people have died as a result of the fires, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

A firefighting plane drains water on a wildfire on the mountain in Altofonte near Palermo, Italy (AP)

Other parts of the world impacted include North Africa, as wildfires in 15 provinces of Algeria have prompted the evacuation of 1,500 people. So far 34 people have died, including 10 soldiers who were trapped by flames. Strong winds have caused these fires to spread to neighbouring Tunisia.

As temperatures continue to soar, climate science experts said the UK could also face an increasing number of wildfires in coming years.

Dr Matthew Kasoar, a researcher at Imperial Colleges Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society, said unless global temperatures are stabilised by reducing global emissions to net zero, wildfires will continue to become an ever more present risk here in the UK and across many other parts of the world.

Mike Kendon, from the agencys National Climate Information Centre, added: In terms of weather and climate, 2022 was an extraordinary year for the UK.

The UK faced wildfires of its own last summer when record temperatures were recorded (Getty)

It was the warmest year for the UK in our long-running record national series back to 1884, and for Central England in a series of more than three centuries. We also had an unprecedented heatwave, with 40C recorded in the UK for the first time, marking a moment [in] climate history.

He said that the record-breaking temperatures and the heatwave last July were made much more likely by climate change and that the Met expects far more high temperature records to be broken in the future.

Mr Kendon said climate projections show that even under a medium emissions scenario a year like 2022... could be the norm by the middle of the century and relatively cool by the end of the century.

Other findings published in the report included that the 2022 heatwave was made more likely by human-induced climate change that is also causing these extreme heat events to become more frequent, intense, and prolonged.

Experts also warned that Britains infrastructure was not built to withstand the increasingly changeable and turbulent weather were seeing today.

Commenting on the report, a spokesperson for National Rail said: Ensuring the resilience of our network in the face of a changing climate is going to be the biggest challenge for the railway in this generation.

Scientists say the scorching heatwave last year was a sign of things to come (Getty)

The majority of our infrastructure was designed and built in the Victorian era, and while these assets have largely stood the test of time, they were not built to cope with the increasingly changeable and turbulent weather were seeing today.

The Met Offices findings come days after Rishi Sunak appeared to signal a dilution of his governments environmental policies to tackle the climate emergency, and against the backdrop of an ongoing heatwave in southern Europe as several Mediterranean countries  including Greece  battle raging wildfires.

While Downing Street said it remains committed to achieving its net zero goal by 2050, a spokesperson said the prime minister is making sure we listen to consumers and business and will continually scrutinise green policies such as the ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The Tory party is currently divided over environmental policy after the Conservatives narrowly held the Uxbridge by-election as a result of a campaign opposing an upcoming extension of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) championed by mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Dr James Painter, a Reuters Institute researcher with expertise on the portrayal of climate change in UK media, told The Independent that while scepticism about human involvement creating climate change is very low in the population, public support for policies to reduce emissions is more fragile.

Research shows that questioning the basic science of climate change is probably diminishing in the mainstream media, he said.

This may be in part because it is increasingly difficult for climate sceptics to deny climate change when so many extreme events are happening around the world.

 However, what we see in recent months is a strong shift towards policy scepticism, that is a persistent and strident questioning of the policies to address climate change, such as Net Zero or Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).
British Gas made a record profit of 969m in the first half of the year, after the energy regulator Ofgem raised the energy price cap to compensate suppliers for previously setting it too low.

Britains biggest household energy provider, which supplies 7.5 million households, saw its profits rocket to 10 times more than the 98m it made in the same period last year, breaking its previous record of 585m in the first half of 2010.

Centrica, which owns British Gas, chalked up a record interim profit of 2.1bn. It announced it will reward investors by paying an increased dividend of 1.33p per share and buying back a further 450m of its own shares. To try to limit the controversy over that, it will provide 50m more support to help customers struggling with energy bills that for many households are still double what they were a year ago.
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A couple has filed a $75,000 lawsuit against an Airbnb owner after they allegedly found hidden cameras recording them during their stay.

In August 2022, Texas couple Kayelee Gates and her fiance Christian Capraro stayed in property owner Christoper Goisses vacation rental in Silver Springs, Maryland. The two were engaging in intimate activity in the bathroom before they allegedly located disguised cameras recording them. They had moved into the main room, laid down on the bed, put a movie on and began to relax, per the filing report. When Gates and Capraros looked up at the ceiling, the pair noticed there were two smoke detectors in the room: one directly above the bed and one in the corner.

As they moved closer to inspect the devices, they noticed what appeared to be cameras hidden in plain sight and were convinced they found another in the bathroom. They took one device in the bedroom down, at which point they allegedly confirmed it was a recording camera.

In the lawsuit, Gates opened up about the sense of fear and anxiety that consumed her after finding the hidden camera. I definitely have had many cry sessions about it, she said. Like, I can feel my heart start beating really heavy and fluttery whenever I start thinking about a situation. Whenever I start thinking about the situation  I get a little shaky even talking about it.

The woman admitted she felt embarrassment, humiliation, disgrace and loss of dignity.

It gives me the heebie geebies not knowing if someone looks at me weird if theres a potential they have seen it. That always lurks in the back of my head every time I meet somebody, Gates continued.

Gates and Capraro relocated to a nearby hotel where they called in a report to the police. When the Maryland authorities searched the Silver Spring property, they found an additional hidden camera in the basement of the house, where other Airbnb renters were staying.

Dan Whitney, a Maryland attorney, claimed: Now its a Pandoras box of uncertainty. Once that box is open, once that recording is made, its impossible to know where it went, who sent it, has it been shared, has it gone on the internet?

According to a Fox 5 report, Goisse denied any wrongdoing and alluded to the possibility that his guest had planted the cameras before contacting authorities. Per the filing, the property owner refused to allow MCPD to search the bedroom where his twin brother Larry was staying, which had a locked door. The family member eventually left the room, but not before he was presumed to destroy the evidence.

Kayelee Gates and her fiance Christian Capraro (Fox 5 Image)

Montgomery County Police has not commented on the case because of the ongoing litigation. Gates and Capraro are asking for more than $75,000 as a result of emotional stress caused, according to Whitney. Goisse has 30 days to respond.

I think that what happened to our clients is the tip of the iceberg regarding hidden cameras in Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, Whitney told The Independent. There is an element of trust and duty between every short-term rental guest and the host that a safe and private space will be provided in exchange for the guests payment. When a host violates that trust and duty, and fails to provide a safe and private space, the host can be held legally responsible for the guests injuries and damages.

Whitney recogonised the emotional and traumatic effect that hidden cameras can have on individuals, adding that the victims life is never the same, and the knowledge that they were secretly recorded becomes a life long burden. He added: There are many legal rights available to victims of hidden cameras, but no amount of money can restore privacy that was violated.

The Independent has reached out to Gates and Goisse for comments as well.
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A woman who shared all of her previous salaries on LinkedIn has been praised by job-seekers for her contribution to salary transparency.

Charlotte Chaze, founder of Break Into Tech, posted her pay history on LinkedIn for her connections to see. She then took to TikTok to explain why she decided to openly admit how much she made in every position shes held.

In her 5 July post, Chaze announced that she had added the salary for each job, from unpaid to hourly, so she could do do her part to make salary transparency happen.

The business owner noted that her salaries started at $29,000 and rose yearly before jumping to $158,000 six jobs later. I know this wont catch on LinkedIn, but if it did... she added at the end. However, her caption contradicted the statement, as she then advised her followers against following her lead.

I actually *dont* recommend doing this yourself. Showing a potential future employer what you currently make could cause them to lowball you, Chaze confessed. Im just doing it because I can and its helpful for others. Use it to your advantage!

In the comments, viewers praised Chaze for the transparency while taking the opportunity to share their frustrations when it comes to companies refusing to disclose pay with potential employees. I just wish job listings at least list a salary range. Too many have absolutely no info, one person commented.

Making a jump from $28,000 to $70,000 is impressive and this is the hope and inspiration I needed to see today, another person wrote, while someone else said: Salary transparency is so important.

Wow. I love this level of transparency, another viewer said.

However, not everyone agreed with Chazes method, as some argued that it may hinder prospective employees, like the TikToker had acknowledged in the caption of her video.

The other side is employers using your current and past salary to lowball your new salary if its a jump in pay, one viewer said, while another pointed out: Yeah, thats great so now every company will lowball you when giving job offers.

Someone else advised against the tactic, writing: Please dont do this, to which Chaze responded: Agreed, as I stated in the caption.

Speaking to Buzzfeed, Chaze further explained her intentions in wanting to show people how their salary could possibly be greater than a company is leading on. I shared my salaries because I wanted to show my personal example of going from $28,000 to $70,000 in one job change, and then to $158,000 just a few years later, she said. When I was making a low salary, I never thought Id make it to six figures, so I broke down all the salaries I made along the way to show how it can be done, even if youre starting really low. Its all about showing people whats possible as motivation to go for what you deserve.

Chaze also acknowledged her privilege in being able to share her earnings on the internet for anyone to see. According to haze, because she is a business owner now, she does not need to worry about being law-balled by a future employer.

The recruiters and hiring managers who have weighed in seem to agree with that idea overall, although some have suggested that your current and previous salaries shouldnt matter when you apply for a new job. I think we all agree on that, which is why I dont recommend that most people post their salaries, she added.

Though Chaze is doing what she can in the fight towards salary transparency, she believes employers and their recruiters should be the ones to do so to help minimise income gaps in gender and race.

When employees dont know what everyone is making, the rich white cis male CEOs named John win. They can pay Ariana $20,000 less than she deserves (and $10,000 less than Chad) because no one taught her that she needs to ask for the salary range in the first interview and negotiate when she gets the offer, the tech mogul said.

Even Chad is making less than he deserves because the company has spent hundreds of thousands on research to determine the lowest possible salaries they can get away with offering: salaries that are high enough to convince the new hires to accept their offers, but low enough that the CEO can get another $1m bonus this year, she continued. Salary transparency might feel like a taboo topic, but companies are already talking about our salaries behind closed doors. Lets continue that conversation with the doors open so everyone can participate.

As for her biggest piece of advice to individuals in the workforce, Chaze told Buzzfeed it is to learn in-demand career skill and job hop, before noting that the biggest roadblock in your career advancement can also be yourself sometimes.

The hard part isnt learning the skills, its believing you can do it. Once you get past doubting yourself, learning the skills is something anyone can do. Get started and dont stop until you get your job offer, because you only need one offer and youre in, Chaze said.

Salary transparency laws have been enacted in a handful of states, including California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, Rhode Island, New York, Washington, Illinois and Colorado. The legislation means that 26.6 per cent of the US labour force is now covered by pay range transparency laws, according to the National Womens Law Center, which notes that pay transparency laws have been consistently linked to narrowed gender wage gaps.

The Independent has contacted Chaze for comment.
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Bethenny Frankel has again criticised Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with the reality star describing the couples lives since leaving the royal family as a botched job.

The former Real Housewives of New York City star shared a video to TikTok on Tuesday 25 July to discuss how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been targeted by online criticism since stepping down from their royal duties in 2020. In her own remarks about Harry and Meghan, Frankel appeared to question both the couple and their publicist when she asked: How could someone botch something so badly?

She then expressed how she feels sorry for Harry and Meghan, and claimed that the royals think their lives are fascinating.

I almost feel badly, like I think I do feel badly, because I cant imagine having so much at your fingertips and letting it all slip away because of living inside your own head, Frankel added. And thinking every single thing that you do and say and want is so fascinating that you should be accepting awards at podiums around the world. Why?

After discussing Meghans success as an actor before marrying Harry, Frankel once again remarked on the negative press that has surrounded the couple. How do you do every single thing wrong? she asked.

The reality star then claimed god forbid the couple were to split, they are all that each other has - seemingly referring to Harrys estranged relationships with his father, King Charles III, and older brother, Prince William. Meanwhile, Meghan also has an estranged relationship with her father, Thomas Markle.

Frankel continued her video by claiming that shed never seen a botched job like this in my life as she described Harry and Meghans public lives. I just, I cant imagine going from hero to zero like that, she said, seemingly referring to their decision to leave the royal family. Having money, having opportunities, she added, before calling Harry and Meghan two grifters and urging the couple to stay out of the spotlight.

Go away for a long time, and basta and close the mouth, she said.

Frankel then referred to the various ways that Meghan and Harry have recently made headlines, including the paparazzi car chase they experienced in May and the false rumours that Meghan was becoming the face of Dior.

What goes on? she said. Like, just quiet down for a really long time or just like, go on like the Real World or something, I dont know.

While Frankel didnt specify why she was speaking out about Meghan and Harry, she did address the backlash that shes previously faced for her opinions in the caption of her post. Remember you cancelled me for stating the truth? Remember it happened again. In the text over her video she wrote: The biggest botch jobs ever.

In the comments of the video, which has more than 276,000 views, many viewers agreed with Frankel and claimed that her criticism about the ongoing coverage of Harry and Meghan was accurate.

I agree. Its so sad. They could have had such a huge, positive platform, one TikTok user wrote.

However, other viewers criticised Frankel for continuing to discuss the couple, with one writing: You do make valid points but you bring them up an awful lot, maybe you should also let them be.

This isnt the first time that Frankel has criticised Harry and Meghans decisions after leaving the royal family. In a September 2022 episode of her Just B With Bethenny Frankel podcast, she discussed the release of Meghans Archetypes podcast, claiming that the duchess cant stop talking about the very thing that she wants to be irrelevant.

Frankel also accused Meghan of trying to take down the royal family and said that, while its important to address issues of racism, thats not something that people are surprised by.

So you wanted out of there? Okay you got out but it is your husbands family and you keep beating the same storyline, she continued. You want to be a voice for change, a woman for female empowerment, to talk about racism and how unacceptable it is, what its like to be a woman of colour? So do that. So do that in the future.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Bethenny Frankel and the Sussexes for comment.
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Fans are praising a resurfaced clip of Renee Zellweger where she shared her candid response to questions she received about her weight gain for Bridget Jones Diary.

The actress discussed how shed been constantly asked about her weight loss, after starring in the movie franchise, during a 2017 interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Zellweger previously shared that she gained 30 pounds for her role in 2001s Bridget Jones Diary, in which her character is concerned about her weight. Although she went on to lose the weight, she later regained it for the films 2004 sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

During her resurfaced conversation with Oprah Winfrey, Zellweger revealed that, after starring in the film franchise, she continued to be asked: How did you lose that weight? However, according to the Judy star, the question creates assumptions about what a womans body should look like.

It saddens me so much because it seems to imply that one way of being is acceptable and the other isnt valuable, and thats just not true, she said.

She said that when asked the question about her weight loss, she doesnt want to answer because it comes with people applauding her and once again saying: Oh my god, how did you lose it!

Winfrey chimed in to note that when Bridget Jones was at her heavy size in the movie, this was still the normal size for Americans. In response, Zellweger reflected on the praise that her character received, which she believed nullified the idea that women should be a size zero.

And did you know, I was told this while we were filming, did you know that Bridget Jones was voted the most sexy personality, on-screen, whatever personality in England? she told Winfrey. I thought wow, that right there completely nullifies the notion that youre supposed to be a size zero in order to be considered attractive, dont you think?

On TikTok, where the interview clip has been reshared, many people praised Zellwegers response to questions about her weight, while others criticised those who asked her about her appearance in the 2000s.

How did we ever get out of the 00s alive!! one person wrote, while another said: This really reflects how things have changed. Its not perfect, but its so much better.

The conversation about Zellweger also came in response to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the Hollywood pressures placed on women.

In the replies, many people went on to criticise the Bridget Jones movies by claiming that they created a false perception about Zellwegers character being overweight.

I mostly remember Bridget Jones Diary and everyone in the movie saying she was fat, one person wrote. Renee Zellweger is NOT and has never been fat. Shes what, a size eight in the movie at most?

One year before her conversation with Winfrey, Zellweger had also discussed her characters weight during an interview withToday in 2016, while promoting her return to the movie franchise for Bridget Joness Baby. Speaking to TV host Savannah Guthrie, the Jerry Maguire star said that she was concerned about how her characters weight was presented in the films.

I never thought she had a weight issue, she said. I thought that was just something that, like all of us we think: Oh Id love to change this thing about myself when in fact nobody notices it but you.

She noted that during her long conversations about Bridget Jones reaching her ideal weight, she explained that the director, Sharon Maguire, told her why she did this, saying: In deciding how we show that [Bridgets] evolved, lets let her have that one thing, that one thing that shes always obsessed about, that shes always presumed is the golden ticket to her happiness. And let it have no bearing on her life at all.
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Coutts chief executive is to step down, the second senior executive at NatWest Group to depart after Nigel Farages private bank account was closed.

Peter Flavel follows NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose, who resigned earlier this week after admitting she was the source of an inaccurate story about Mr Farages finances.

The resignations follow days of pressure on the banking groups leadership following a dispute over whether Mr Farages bank account at prestigious private bank Coutts was closed because of his political views.

Below we look at everything we know about Mr Flavel as the row claims another scalp.

Who is Peter Flavel?

Peter Flavel is the CEO of Natwest-owned Coutts (Alamy)

Australian-born Peter Flavel, 63, is the chief executive officer of Coutts.

A Harvard Business School alumni and Oxford graduate, he joined Coutts in 2016 as the first non-British CEO in over 300 hundred years of the banks history. A father of three, his salary is estimated to be around 910,00, according to The Telegraph.

He is also vice-Chair of Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conference and a member of the Philanthropy Advisory Committee of the Royal Albert Hall.

Where did he work before?

Mr Flavel has more than 30 years of experience in financial services across Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.

Before joining Coutts, he was the CEO of J.P Morgan Private Wealth Management in Asia Pacific based in Singapore. He also spent nine years with Standard Chartered in Asia and founded their global Private Bank in 2006.

The CEO has been credited for a boost in Coutts performance since he joined seven years ago.

Peters passion for innovation across banking, lending and wealth management and raising the bar on service standards has led to a market-leading net promoter score from Coutts clients, his NatWest Group profile says.

He has revived Coutts branding and image to be more warm and modern, whilst taking pride in its history, encouraging clients to recognise that Coutts is more than a bank.

What has Nigel Farage said about him?

Nigel Farage is calling for the resignation of the whole Natwest board (PA Wire)

Mr Farage called Mr Flavel out several times as the row grew, accusing him of being asleep at the wheel.

Claiming Mr Flavel repeatedly refused to respond to letters, earlier this week Mr Farage said the Coutts bosss position was unsustainable.

Speaking to The Independent onTuesday, Mr Farage said: I wrote to him twice before it went public, and once since.

So three times, I have reached out to the CEO and not even been given the courtesy of a response. Frankly, that is just disgusting. He is totally incompetent, does he care? Has he been in hiding?

Mr Farage said big, highly paid jobs such as running Coutts come with responsibility. And he added that he warned Mr Flavel he would go public about the closure of his account, but claims he continued to be ignored.

Dame Alison Rose resigned after admitting to making a serious error of judgement over BBC leak (PA)

He added that none of it, from the departure of Dame Alison to the 650m hit to NatWests shares on Wednesday morning, would have happened if Mr Flavel responded.

When the news Dame Alison Rose quit as head of Natwest broke on Wednesday morning, Mr Farage called for the whole board to resign.

He said: So, shes gone, and thats a start, but I have to say that (Coutts chief executive) Peter Flavel ... (NatWest chair) Howard Davies ... it was the board that sanctioned this culture that talks about diversity and inclusion, and actually is very divisive.

In my case, as you can clearly see, pretty poisonous stuff. I think any board member that endorsed that statement last night, where they said yes, she breached confidentiality, but she can stay in her post... frankly, I think the whole board needs to go.

What has Peter Flavel said?

After his departure as chief executive was announced on Thursday afternoon, Mr Flavel said: I am exceptionally proud of my seven years at Coutts and I want to thank the team that have built it into such a high performing business.

In the handling of Mr Farages case we have fallen below the banks high standards of personal service.

As CEO of Coutts it is right that I bear ultimate responsibility for this, which is why I am stepping down.
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FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried will no longer face a campaign finance charge at an October criminal trial, federal prosecutors say, citing a decision by Bahamian authorities to reject a count in the indictment that was not listed on the warrant against him when he was extradited to the United States in December.

Prosecutors told U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in a letter that the government in the Bahamas notified it on Wednesday that authorities there did not consider the charge to be included in Bankman-Fried's extradition. Thus, prosecutors wrote, they would not pursuit it at the trial, in keeping with U.S. treaty obligations to the Bahamas.

Bankman-Fried, 31, has been confined to his parent's Palo Alto, California, home as part of a $250 million bail package that prosecutors on Wednesday asked a judge to revoke. Prosecutors say his extensive contact with the news media demonstrates an effort to affect the jury pool. His lawyers deny it. The judge has imposed a gag rule while he decides the issue.

The man once viewed as a crypto guru has pleaded not guilty to charges that he cheated investors and looted FTX customer deposits to fund lavish lifestyles for some of those who aided his dramatic rise in the cryptocurrency world. FTX entered bankruptcy in November when the global exchange ran out of money after the equivalent of a bank run.

In early May, Bankman-Frieds lawyers sought dismissal of a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate campaign finance laws, the eighth count in the original indictment against him, saying it was not included in a Warrant of Surrender that described the other seven charges he would face in the U.S.

They said permitting the charge to proceed against him would set a concerning precedent that would enable prosecutors to engage in a bait-and-switch in which they obtain the extradition of a defendant by including charges they know the extraditing state would approve, only to add charges at a late date that were likely to be disapproved.

The charge, which carries a potential for up to five years in prison after a conviction, pertained to the government's claim that Bankman-Fried enabled over $100 million siphoned from Alameda Research to fund over 300 political contributions that were unlawful because they were made in the name of straw donors or came from corporate funds.

In an indictment, prosecutors said Bankman-Fried made the contributions to improve his personal standing in Washington, D.C., to increase FTX's profile and to curry favor with candidates who might help pass legislation favorable to FTX, including legislation concerning regulatory oversight over FTX and its industry.

The indictment said Bankman-Fried became one of the largest publicly reported political donors to the 2022 midterm elections as he caused substantial contributions to be made in support of candidates to Democrats and Republicans, and across the political spectrum.

Bankman-Fried, however, did not want to be known as a left-leaning partisan, or to have his name publicly attached to Republican candidates, prosecutors wrote.

Michael Zweiback, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney and a former federal prosecutor who once headed the Cyber & Intellectual Property Crimes Section in California's Central District, said the prosecution's withdrawal of the campaign finance charge will not stop them from introducing facts pertaining to it at trial.

That evidence is not excluded just because the charges have been dismissed, he said. The evidence of the systematic campaign donations are all part and parcel of describing the nature of the fraudulent scheme and therefore would be admissible.

Zweiback said the dropping of the charge from the October trial and a related charge in a superseding indictment that could go to trial next year will not impact the case  or the more serious charges that led U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in New York to call it one of the largest financial crimes in history.

He said campaign finance evidence will likely be used to show the jury how Bankman-Fried planned to continue his grip on the industry. Zweiback added that they'll want to show jurors that his plans included soliciting favor and influence with politicians.
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Two of Taiwan's largest cities have shut down schools and offices Thursday as Typhoon Doksuri brought heavy rains and winds to the island's eastern and southern coast.

Doksuri weakened further on Thursday, with sustained winds of 155 kph (96 mph) and gusts of up to 190 kph (118 mph), according to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau. The typhoons center will not hit Taiwans mainland, but its outlying bands will still bring stronger winds and rains Thursday afternoon.

In the south, port city Kaohsiung and the ancient capital Tainan announced that offices and schools will be closed Thursday. Hualien and Taitung counties in the east have also shuttered schools and offices. Kaohsuing also evacuated some 300 residents who lived in a mountainous part of the district, according to the semi-official Central News Agency.

The storm temporarily left tens of thousands of households without power in Kaohsiung and Tainan, although most of them have had their power restored as of 11 a.m. Thursday, according to the Taiwan Power Company.

The storm will travel through the Taiwan Strait during the day Thursday and make landfall in China's Fujian province on Friday.

The typhoon swept through northern Philippine provinces with ferocious wind and rain Wednesday, leaving at least six people dead and displacing thousands of others as it blew roofs off houses, flooded low-lying villages and triggered dozens of landslides.
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A teenager raised in a multi-faith household says her upbringing shows everyone can live in unison if people are willing to educate themselves about different beliefs.

Bea Baldwin practices Judaism along with her father while her mother is a Christian.

The 17-year-old student, from Stratford-upon-Avon, said living in a household of two religions has given her the insight to teach people about her faith while also understanding theirs.

She celebrates Christian and Jewish faith holidays with her family, and has been inspired to reduce antisemitism after facing it a lot in my life.

She shared her experience after analysis of census data showed there are almost 300,000 multi-person households in England and Wales where two faiths are recorded.

Asked what living in a multi-faith household represents, Bea said: I think it shows if you are willing to educate yourself, everyone can live in unison without issue.

I feel the issue is when people are ignorant towards a religion or a group of people, thats when the issues arise  not because of the religions themselves, purely just because of the lack of education and misunderstanding between the two.

She said that although she is Jewish, she also follows Christian holidays, describing herself as literally a mix.

Asked about growing up in a multi-faith home, she said: It definitely broadened my view, because I grew up in an area thats predominantly Christian, and I didnt know anyone that wasnt Christian growing up, really.

I definitely had a bigger insight into the world of everybody surrounding me.

That was always intriguing because they wouldnt understand things that I would.

Bea said she attends a school that is very mixed faith, and it has been interesting to teach other people about her faith.

I have that insight into two different religions, one that is known about a lot less.

Its interesting teaching other people, from my perspective, my religion, but also being able to understand theirs as theyre Christian.

Bea, who will be applying to university next year, said she wants to reduce antisemitism, having experienced it first-hand.

She said: I quite want to go and study Jewish studies; Im quite interested in reducing antisemitism because thats something Ive faced a lot in my life, so I definitely want to pursue that.

She has also been running lessons on Judaism in her local community and at her old school, saying: My school didnt have the education so I did it myself.

Bea said that when she was growing up, she loved both Christmas and Hanukkah because thats nine days of presents, so that was always fun.

She added that faith celebrations and festivities in her household get equal weight, but when Christmas and Hanukkah overlap that can be pretty interesting.

Her mother Sarah, 54, who married husband Joe, 56, in a civil wedding 27 years ago, said they have never pushed their daughter to follow one religion over the other.

Speaking about her wedding ceremony, Ms Baldwin, an architect, explained: We had a non-religious (wedding), we had a civil wedding.

We live both religions, we follow both holidays, which is quite nice.

Asked about raising their daughter, Ms Baldwin said: I think, not legally, but the normal thing is that the faith follows the mother, so technically she should be following the Christian faith.

But weve never pushed one way or another and (she) made that decision at quite an early age to identify as Jewish.
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A retired British miner may be able to leave prison this week as Cypriot judges prepare to sentence him for the manslaughter of his terminally ill wife.

David Hunter, 76, will be sentenced in a hearing expected to last at least two days from Thursday after being cleared of the more serious charge of premeditated murder.

His legal team will be arguing he should be given a suspended sentence and that there is no point in keeping him in prison any longer.

The pensioner, from Ashington, Northumberland, had been on trial for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.

Hunter, who has been in custody for 19 months, told the court she cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer.

The couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said the family was apprehensive ahead of the sentencing hearing.

She told the PA news agency: We are hoping for time served or a suspended sentence but are very aware that theres a chance hell remain in custody. Were not counting our chickens.

Ms Cawthorne said her father had been quietly relieved since last weeks verdict, but was not especially hopeful about his sentence.

She added: He doesnt want to allow himself to get his hopes up.

Hes grateful that the judges seem to have understood what they went through and believe that he acted out of love.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, told PA: In this case we are putting forward case law from across common law jurisdictions such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, given that no cases such as this have ever been dealt with in Cyprus.

In these jurisdictions, the courts have found that suspended sentences are appropriate where the facts are similar to those in Davids case.

Last week the court found in Davids favour on all matters including that Janice had requested that he help her die, that he had acted because of his love for her, and that he then tried to end his own life.

We will be submitting to the court that a suspended sentence is appropriate in this case, given the type of offence, Davids age, the fact that he has spent 19 months in custody, and his previous good character.

There is no point in keeping David in prison any longer.

In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that he would never in a million years have taken his wifes life unless she had asked him to.

He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend.

Hunter showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wifes wish after she became hysterical.
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The boss of Co-op has warned that shop crime is out of control after one store was looted three times in a single day.

New data released by the supermarket chain revealed it had recorded its highest-ever levels of retail crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour this year.

The company said there was a 35 per cent increase in crime this year, with almost 1,000 incidents a day in the six months to June 2023, while one inner city London store was targeted three times in a day.

Matt Hood, Co-op Foods managing director, said he had seen horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in its stores, and warned that out of control levels of crime could deprive communities of their local shops.

The supermarket chain also warned that criminals have freedom to loot after a Freedom of Information request by Co-op revealed that police failed to respond in 71 per cent of serious retail crimes reported.

Data also revealed that store workers saw physical assaults increase year-on-year by almost 30 per cent, while anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse rose by 20 per cent.

One store manager in east London described witnessing looting as terrifying.

I have spent 20 years at Co-op, and it is worse now than ever before, the workers said. Its like you are stuck. Shoplifting has always been there, but this is different, they just sweep the products off the shelves. There is nothing you can do.

They have even smashed our outer doors to get in. We call the police, and have been told to call 101. It is being normalised, but colleagues are terrified, and their families are worried for them every day they come into work.

We have even had people dropped off, in blacked-out cars, to steal, then picked back up again. It is organised. We need to make sure no one gets hurt, something needs to change.

Meanwhile, other store managers said looting had got worse and worse since the pandemic.

We risked our lives working through Covid, and now it feels like we are risking our lives all over again, said a northwest London store manager.

The retailer is now urging police to target prolific offenders and organised criminal gangs, who, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) annual crime report, are responsible for almost two-thirds of crime.

Mr Hood said: I have seen some horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in our stores, where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened.

I see first-hand how this criminal behaviour also erodes the very fabric of our communities  its hard to over-emphasise how important urgent change is. Co-op has invested significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe, but we need the police to play their part.

Too often, forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams, and criminals are operating in communities without any fear of consequences.

Phillip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley and the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on customer service, said the patchy record of police forces on responding to retail crimes was not good enough.

He said: Our frontline workers deserve far better. It is no good having stricter laws in place to punish offenders if the police are not properly investigating these crimes and ensure perpetrators are punished. Those police forces with the worst record need to find out what those with the best record what they are doing and ensure they bring themselves up to the same standard.

Police inspector Oliver Vale, Nottinghamshire Police, said: Retail crime is something we recognise within Nottinghamshire Police as being an issue that needs to be proactively tackled but we cannot do this alone and the information sharing model that Op Synergy has developed has allowed for us to collaboratively secure significant convictions and prohibitive orders on some of our most prolific retail offenders by working with the Co-op.
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Whole-life orders are the most severe punishment available in the UK criminal justice system, for those who commit the most serious crimes.

Gun fanatic Louis De Zoysa joins the UKs most dangerous offenders, who are likely to die behind bars, after being handed one for shooting Metropolitan Police custody sergeant Matt Ratana while handcuffed in a police cell in 2020.

He joins a list of notorious names, including Sarah Everards killer Wayne Couzens, necrophiliac David Fuller and quadruple murderer Damien Bendall.

A total of 69 people are currently serving one, the Ministry of Justice.

People serving their sentence in a secure hospital were included in the figures.

They will never be considered for release unless there are exceptional compassionate grounds to warrant it.

De Zoysa, 26, was found guilty of murder at Northampton Crown Court after jurors were shown distressing CCTV footage of him using a legally bought revolver to shoot Sgt Ratana.

His victim died in hospital, despite the efforts of medical staff, after being struck by two bullets in a holding cell in Croydon, south London.

The jury which convicted the former tax office data analyst was not told a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun and a dummy launcher were found at his rented property after the killing.

De Zoysa was younger at the time of the order being imposed than terrorist Ali Harbi Ali, who was also 26 when he was given a whole-life order for the murder of MP Sir David Amess in October 2021.

Last December brutal killer Damien Bendall received one for murdering his partner Terri Harris, 35, her daughter Lacey Bennett, 11, her son John Paul Bennett, 13, and Laceys friend Connie Gent, also 11, who was staying for a sleepover.

In December 2021, David Fuller was handed a whole-life tariff for the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987 and the sexual abuse of more than 100 dead women and girls in hospital mortuaries.

Couzens whole-life sentence for the murder of Sarah Everard was the first time it has been imposed for a single murder of an adult not committed in the course of a terror attack.

Milly Dowlers killer Levi Bellfield is serving two whole-life orders  for her murder, the killings of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.

Other notorious criminals serving whole-life orders include Gloucester serial killer Rose West; Michael Adebolajo, one of Fusilier Lee Rigbys killers; Mark Bridger, who murdered five-year-old April Jones in Wales; neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, who killed MP Jo Cox; serial killer Stephen Port and, more recently, the Reading terror attacker Khairi Saadallah, who murdered three men in a park.

Before they died, Moors murderer Ian Brady and his girlfriend Myra Hindley, Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and doctor Harold Shipman, thought to be one of Britains most prolific serial killers, were also among those serving whole-life orders.

In the past, home secretaries could issue whole-life tariffs and these are now determined by judges.

Under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which passed through Parliament last year, the Government has expanded the use of whole-life orders for premeditated murder of a child.

The reforms allow judges to hand out the maximum sentence to 18 to 20-year-olds in exceptional cases, such as for acts of terrorism leading to mass loss of life.

The act also gives judges the discretion, in exceptional circumstances, to impose a whole-life order on offenders aged 18 or over but under 21.

Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi, who was convicted of conspiring with his suicide bomber brother Salman Abedi over the 2017 atrocity, avoided a whole-life order because he was 21 at the time.
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Andrew Malkinson, who served 17 years behind bars for a rape he did not commit, has called an apology by the police force which handled the original investigation meaningless.

The 57-year-old was found guilty of raping a woman in Greater Manchester in 2003 and the next year was jailed for life with a minimum term of seven years.

Mr Malkinson served 10 more years because he maintained his innocence, time he said took an extremely heavy toll on his psyche and during which he contemplated suicide many times.

His conviction was quashed by senior judges at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday after DNA evidence linking another man to the crime came to light.

Greater Manchester Police issued an apology to him following the ruling.

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson said: We are truly sorry to Mr Malkinson that he is the victim of such a grave miscarriage of justice in being convicted of a crime he did not commit and serving a 17-year custodial sentence.

Whilst we hope this outcome gives him a long overdue sense of justice, we acknowledge that it does not return the years he has lost. I have offered to meet with him to personally deliver this apology.

However Mr Malkinson told the BBCs Newsnight programme: The Greater Manchester Police apology its meaningless to me, absolutely meaningless.

An apology without accountability, what is that? Its nothing, its nothing, it means nothing.

He also said the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates miscarriages of justice in England, only investigated his case after having evidence handed to them on a platter.

Mr Malkinson tried to get the body to investigate twice previously but his bid was turned down.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Thursday that it felt as though he had been kidnapped by the state.

Its taken an extremely heavy toll on my person, my psyche, my psychology, my being, my soul.

I cant articulate how I even managed to get through it.

I was in total shock for the first even a few years.

I contemplated suicide many times.

After the ruling, Mr Malkinson told reporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice: Since I was arrested in 2003, the police, the prison system and Probation Service have been calling me a liar because I denied that I committed the crime.

They claimed I was in denial and made me serve an extra 10 more years in prison because I would not make a false confession.

I am not a liar. I am not in denial but I will tell you who is  Greater Manchester Police are liars, and they are in denial.

Even after this judgment today, I predict we will see them denying responsibility for what happened. We will see them stretching credulity with their excuse-making.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been scrambling to cover up how they wrongfully convicted me for 20 years.

Addressing the victim of the crime he did not commit, he said: I am so sorry that you were attacked and brutalised that night by that man. I am not the person who attacked you but what happened to me is not your fault.

Mr Malkinsons mother Tricia Hose, in her mid-70s, said: Now Andys name has been cleared, suddenly in the public eye, I am no longer a deluded mother.

My son is no longer a monster.

But what has been done to him cannot be undone. The damage will be with him for the rest of his life and the woman who got attacked has been denied justice, just as my son was.

Overturning Mr Malkinsons convictions, for two counts of rape and one of choking or strangling with intent to commit rape, Lord Justice Holroyde said he could leave the court free and no longer be subject to the conditions of licence.

At the time of Mr Malkinsons trial, there was no DNA evidence linking him to the crime and the prosecution case against him was based only on identification evidence.

But a DNA sample, held by the forensic archive, was tested and found last October to link to another man, who has since been arrested.

A decision on whether he will be charged is awaited.

The CPS and GMP said in May they would not contest the appeal.

The court will decide later whether Mr Malkinsons convictions were also unsafe because of what his lawyer Edward Henry KC called deplorable disclosure failures, which mostly lay at the door of the Greater Manchester Police.

They include police photographs of the victims left hand, which supported her evidence that she broke a nail scratching the face of her attacker, and the fact the two witnesses who identified Mr Malkinson had convictions for dishonesty offences and one was a heroin addict.

None of this was available to Mr Malkinsons defence team at his trial and Mr Henry said the failure to disclose the photographs deprived Mr Malkinson of his strongest defence point  his lack of any facial injury.

Emily Bolton, director of the legal charity Appeal, said outside court: We of course welcome todays ruling overturning Andys wrongful conviction but the question which should trouble everyone is why it took nearly 20 years to get here.

The truth is this case is an indictment of both the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

These so-called safety nets in our justice system missed three earlier opportunities to put this obvious miscarriage of justice right.
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The Home Offices use of hotels to house lone child asylum seekers has been unlawful for more than 18 months, the High Court has ruled.

The charity Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT) brought legal action against the department over the practice of housing unaccompanied youngsters in Home Office-run hotels, claiming the arrangements are not fit for purpose.

In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Chamberlain said the practice is unlawful, as the power to place the children in hotels may be used on very short periods in true emergency situations.

He told the court in London: It cannot be used systematically or routinely in circumstances where it is intended, or functions in practice, as a substitute for local authority care.

Ensuring the safety and welfare of children with no adult to look after them is among the most fundamental duties of any civilised state Mr Justice Chamberlain

The judge continued: From December 2021 at the latest, the practice of accommodating children in hotels, outside local authority care, was both systematic and routine and had become an established part of the procedure for dealing with unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

From that point on, the Home Secretarys provision of hotel accommodation for unaccompanied asylum seeking children exceeded the proper limits of her powers and was unlawful.

The judge also found Kent County Council is acting unlawfully in failing to accommodate and look after lone children seeking asylum when notified by the Home Office.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said in his 55-page judgment: In ceasing to accept responsibility for some newly-arriving unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, while continuing to accept other children into its care, Kent County Council chose to treat some unaccompanied asylum-seeking children differently from and less favourably than other children, because of their status as asylum seekers.

He also said: Ensuring the safety and welfare of children with no adult to look after them is among the most fundamental duties of any civilised state.

During a hearing after the judgment was made public, Mr Justice Chamberlain said there was an urgent need for negotiation between the Home Office and Kents local authority.

He said: At the forefront of my mind are the interests of the children in Kents care.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said it would not be acceptable for this to be delayed due to a lack of peoples availability over the summer.

If it means ministers have got to be interrupted on their holidays, then so be it, he said.

The court previously heard that at the time of the hearing in the claims earlier this month, 154 children remained missing from the hotels, including a 12-year-old.

The judge said in his ruling: These children have been lost and endangered here, in the United Kingdom.

They are not children in care who have run away. They are children who, because of how they came to be here, never entered the care system in the first place and so were never looked after.

The judgment was welcomed by the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council Bella Sankey.

She said: As a result of this policy, a dozen classrooms of children, including some of the most traumatised and vulnerable children in the world, have gone missing and, sickeningly for us, 50 children are still missing from the hotel used in Brighton and Hove.

Patricia Durr, chief executive of ECPAT, said following the ruling: It remains a child protection scandal that so many of the most vulnerable children remain missing at risk of significant harm as a consequence of these unlawful actions by the Secretary of State and Kent County Council.

A Home Office spokesperson said: The High Court has upheld that local authorities have a statutory duty to care for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. We have always maintained that the best place for unaccompanied children to be accommodated is within a local authority.

However, due to the unsustainable rise in illegal Channel crossings, the Government has had no option but to accommodate young people in hotels on a temporary basis while placements with local authorities are urgently found.

In light of todays judgment, we will continue to work with Kent County Council and local authorities across the UK to ensure suitable local authority placements are provided for unaccompanied children, in line with their duties.
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A High Court ruling which found the Home Offices use of hotels to house lone child asylum seekers is unlawful has been hailed as a landmark day for childrens rights.

The charity Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT) brought legal action against the department over the practice of housing unaccompanied youngsters in Home Office-run hotels, claiming the arrangements are not fit for purpose.

In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Chamberlain said the practice is unlawful and had been used since at least December 2021.

Following the ruling, ECPATs chief executive, Patricia Durr, said: It remains a child protection scandal that so many of the most vulnerable children remain missing at risk of significant harm as a consequence of these unlawful actions by the Secretary of State and Kent County Council.

The court has confirmed that there can be no exceptions when the rights of vulnerable children are concerned Enver Solomon, Refugee Council

She added the decision was a clear and timely reminder about the legal obligations of local and national government towards all children in the wake of the passing of the Illegal Migration Act.

The Refugee Councils chief executive welcomed the ruling.

Enver Solomon said: It is a landmark day for childrens rights.

The court has confirmed that there can be no exceptions when the rights of vulnerable children are concerned.

The Government should do everything in its power to ensure these children are safe and in the care of local authorities.

The court previously heard that 154 children remained missing from hotels, including a 12-year-old.

Mr Solomon added: Most importantly, we are still waiting to hear what is happening to the 154 children who are still missing.

There can be no compromise when it comes to childrens safety and welfare, and we hope the Government will take the necessary steps to find the missing children and ensure they are safe.

Childrens charity the NSPCC said it would be urging the Government to find solutions to protect and support all children and young people coming to the UK.

No child should be placed in hotel accommodation Anna Edmundson, NSPCC

Anna Edmundson, head of policy at the NSPCC, said: Unaccompanied children entering the UK have already experienced major trauma and require protection and support whatever their immigration status.

This ruling rightly reinforces how that protection and support is best provided by local authority care.

No child should be placed in hotel accommodation.

The Liberal Democrats said that Home Office policy has once again been shown to be immoral and unworkable as they called for the end of hotel use.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: Yet again, Home Office policy under the Conservatives is immoral, unworkable and unlawful too, as the High Court has just ruled.

This confirms what we have been saying for months  that housing asylum-seeking children in squalid hotels is totally unacceptable.

Its high time for the Home Secretary to finally commit to ending the use of these hotels immediately.

Sadly, this Conservative government has decided that their anti-refugee rhetoric is more important than safeguarding children from exploitation.

The Home Office said it has maintained that unaccompanied children are best placed with a local authority.

A department spokesperson continued: However, due to the unsustainable rise in illegal Channel crossings, the Government has had no option but to accommodate young people in hotels on a temporary basis while placements with local authorities are urgently found.

In light of todays judgment, we will continue to work with Kent County Council and local authorities across the UK to ensure suitable local authority placements are provided for unaccompanied children, in line with their duties.
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British musician Elton Johns testimony played a significant part in actor Kevin Spaceys acquittal in a trial based on accusations of sexual assault dating back from 2001 to 2013.

The American Beauty actor was handed a not guilty verdict on Wednesday after just over 12 hours of deliberation in accusations he said left him without work for six years since surfacing in 2017.

The allegations centred around Spaceys time in the UK when he was the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in 2003.

Three men accused him of aggressively grabbing their crotches, what the prosecutor said was a preferred method of assault and described him as "vile" and a "slippery, snaky" predator.

Another accuser to give evidence said he believed Spacey had performed a sex act on him while he was asleep in the Hollywood stars London flat.

But a significant moment that turned out to be a turning point in his trial was the appearance through a videolink from Monaco of global popstar Elton John.

Dressed in a black suit with tinted orange glasses, the renowned musician confirmed Spaceys innocence by contradicting one of the main accusers claims.

One of the accusers had alleged that the actor had groped him while driving to one of Johns "White Tie and Tiara" balls in 2004 or 2005.

Sir Elton John told Kevin Spaceys trial that the star went straight to a ball at his house after flying in on a private jet, then bought a Mini Cooper at the event and stayed the night.

He was asked how he can be sure of Spacey not using a commercial aircraft and he responded: I dont think he was wearing white tie on a commercial flight.

"Yes, he came in white tie, and he came straight from a private jet. Yes, I dont think hed wear white tie otherwise, he said.

During the ball, Spacey mentioned purchasing a red Mini in a charity auction, which he claimed became the "most expensive Mini Cooper ever".

Following the event, Spacey spent the night at the residence of Sir Elton and his husband, David Furnish.

Also appearing through a video link, Mr Furnish told jurors that he went through all the pictures taken at the parties held annually and the House of Cards actor only appeared in images from 2001.

He said he specifically remembered the moment when Spacey agreed to come to the party, saying: He was an Oscar-winning actor, there was a lot of buzz and excitement that he was at the ball.

The 63-year-old actor standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was charged with nine sexual offences concerning four men which were were allegedly committed between 2001 and 2013.

I imagine that many of you can understand that theres a lot for me to process after what has just happened today, a humbled Spacey said outside Southwark Crown Court.

I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached their decision.

During the trial, he said: My world exploded.

There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered, I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.
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The widow of a Metropolitan Police sergeant who was shot dead in a custody cell has said she cannot forgive the gunman who ripped our lives apart as he was imprisoned for life with no hope of ever being released.

Cannabis addict Louis De Zoysa has been sentenced to a whole life order by a High Court judge at Northampton Crown Court yesterday, having been convicted last month for the murder of Sgt Matt Ratana.

At the gun fanatics three-week trial, jurors were shown distressing CCTV footage of the 26 year old using a legally bought revolver he had smuggled into the police station to gun down Sgt Ratana.

Sue Bushby described Sgt Ratana as her soulmate (Met Police)

The officer was struck by two bullets in the holding cell in Croydon, south London, in 2020 and later died in hospital from his injuries.

At De Zoysas sentencing on Thursday, Sgt Ratanas partner of five years Sue Bushby fought back tears as she said she could not forgive the cowardly killer who ripped our lives apart.

Jurors had been shown distressing CCTV footage of Louis De Zoysa using a legally bought revolver to gun down Sgt Matt Ratana (Metropolitan Police)

My heart is broken and my life feels empty, she said, describing Sgt Ratana as her soulmate. Words cannot express the trauma of losing my courageous and gentle giant. Matt and I have been robbed of a future together.

She said the years since her partners death had been unbearable and she had been left in a state of limbo, unable to work and unsure if she will ever be able to move on. Im hoping one day it will get easier, she said. But at the moment, the nightmare continues.

Matt Ratana was struck by two bullets in the holding cell in Croydon, south London, in 2020 and later died in hospital from his injuries (Met Police)

Sentencing De Zoysa, Mr Justice Johnson said: The jury found you guilty of murder. The sentence for murder is set by law. It is life imprisonment, so I sentence you to life imprisonment.

Describing De Zoysas actions as controlled, deliberate, and in cold blood, Mr Justice Johnson said: The seriousness of the offence means that a minimum term order is not justified. I impose a whole life order, which means you will remain in custody for the rest of your life.

London mayor Sadiq Khan meets Sue Bushby at Sgt Ratanas memorial service in Westminster in November 2021 (PA Wire)

At his trial, De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, claimed diminished responsibility.

However, the former tax office data analyst was found guilty after a jury decided he pulled the antique weapons trigger deliberately to fire homemade bullets and did not suffer an autistic meltdown. It was not told a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun, and a dummy launcher were found at his rented property after the killing.

De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, was handed his sentence by Mr Justice Johnson at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday (PA Media)

The jury was shown slow-motion video of New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana being hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by De Zoysa within three seconds.

A second bullet struck the 54-year-old in the thigh before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers, as a third round hit the cell wall at Croydons Windmill Road custody centre.

De Zoysa bought the antique revolver in an online auction (Met Police)

De Zoysa, who was living in a flat on a farm in Banstead, Surrey, discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor 16 seconds later, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing brain damage.

The killer, who now uses a wheelchair, has communication difficulties and is being treated at a healthcare unit in Northamptonshire, was arrested in London Road, Norbury, in the early hours of 25 September 2020.

A bag containing seven bullets and cannabis was found during a search of De Zoysas clothing and body but officers did not discover a holster containing a .41-calibre revolver loaded with six rounds.

De Zoysa claimed diminished responsibility but was found guilty after a jury decided he pulled the antique weapons trigger deliberately to fire homemade bullets, and did not suffer an autistic meltdown

During the trial, prosecutors said De Zoysa retrieved the weapon from under his left arm, while handcuffed to the rear, as he was being transported to the Windmill Road custody block in a police van.

CCTV evidence suggested he managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand around 16 minutes before the shooting and then took advantage of a vent at the back of his overcoat to hide the weapon.

The court was told that after buying the revolver on the internet three months before the murder, De Zoysa used bullets he had made to test that it worked.

CCTV evidence suggested De Zoysa managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand around 16 minutes before the shooting and then took advantage of a vent at the back of his overcoat to hide the weapon (PA Media)

The bullets had been made with parts De Zoysa also bought online, the court heard.

Pre-trial hearings, at which De Zoysa was twice ruled fit to plead despite his communication problems, were told he has no previous convictions.

An examination of his digital devices confirmed his interest in weapons and uncovered material relating to ideologies including right-wing extremism, Islamic extremism and homophobia, all of which he later denied being interested in.
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A retired British miner killed his terminally-ill wife to liberate her from her suffering, a court in Cyprus has heard.

David Hunter is due to be sentenced next week for the manslaughter of Janice, 74, his spouse of 52 years, who died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.

The 76-year-old, from Ashington, Northumberland, was cleared of the more serious charge of premeditated murder last week.

At a hearing on Thursday, Hunters defence team argued that he should be given a suspended sentence, which would allow him to leave prison having spent 19 months in custody.

After hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence, the judge at Paphos District Court said Hunter will be sentenced on Monday July 31.

In mitigation, his defence lawyer, Ritsa Pekri, said his motive was to liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions.

The court heard it was Mrs Hunters wish to die and that her husband had only feelings of love for her.

There was no personal benefit for him, Ms Pekri added.

She described Hunter as a quiet, family man that has never troubled the authorities and said witnesses spoke of him looking after his wife during a difficult time of her life.

The defence team said there have been no similar cases in Cyprus and so they had instead drawn from similar cases in New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

We believe the suitable decision drawn from these cases is a suspended sentence, Ms Pekri said.

State prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou argued that the Hunters case was not one of euthanasia.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, said: We gave lengthy written submissions which include case law from across common law countries such as Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Australia.

This is important as Cyprus has never sentenced a case such as this before.

Cases from those jurisdictions show that a suspended sentence can be given in these circumstances.

We will be asking the court to give David a suspended sentence. He has spent the equivalent of almost two-and-a-half years in custody and no proper purpose would be served by him spending more time in prison.

Hunter told his trial, which lasted for more than a year, that his wife cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer.

He broke down in tears as he said he would never in a million years have taken Mrs Hunters life unless she had asked him to.

He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became hysterical.
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A Star Wars-obsessed teenager arrested with a crossbow at Windsor Castle after threatening to kill the late Queen was not rational when he exchanged thousands of messages with an AI chatbot, a psychiatrist has said.

The Old Bailey has heard how former supermarket worker Jaswant Singh Chail was encouraged and bolstered by artificial intelligence girlfriend Sarai before he breached the castle grounds on Christmas Day 2021.

After being confronted by the officers with stun guns, Chail said: I am here to kill the Queen.

In February, Chail, now aged 21, from Southampton, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Treason Act, making a threat to kill the then Queen and having a loaded crossbow in a public place.

On Thursday, Dr Jonathan Hafferty, instructed by the defence, said that Chails relationship with Sarai was not rational.

Their chats had included calling her an angel and saying they would be united in death, the court was told.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC suggested that the evidence showed Chail exchanged explicit sexual messages with Sarai on a daily basis demonstrating an active libido.

And Chail knew throughout these interactions that Sarai was an AI chatbot, Ms Morgan asserted.

She said that he was testing the technology to see what it was capable of and when Sarai gave him answers he did not expect he became very emotional.

But referring to his references to angels, Dr Hafferty said: I just do not accept that is normal rational behaviour of somebody using a chatbot.

He questioned Chails alleged political motives, saying the defendant had said he was sad when the Queen died.

The psychiatrist also referred to an assessment at Broadmoor hospital which concluded Chail did not exhibit extremism.

He said Chail had suicidal thoughts when he entered Windsor Castle.

He told the court: I believe he thinks in his mental state this would be an heroic end.

I am less convinced he would actually have tried to assassinate the Queen, because I think in his own view he would be killed before that and he was surprised to get as far as he did.

The hearing was adjourned until Friday when more psychiatric evidence will be heard.

Mr Justice Hilliard is expected to put off sentencing Chail to a later date.
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Two more youths have appeared in court charged in relation to an assault on a US tourist in Dublin city centre.

Stephen Termini, a New Yorker in his 50s, was seriously injured in an attack in Talbot Street last week, prompting a wider debate on whether the Irish capitals streets are safe.

The two male juveniles, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

They were later taken before the Childrens Court in Dublin.

On Sunday, gardai arrested another male juvenile who appeared before a special sitting of the Childrens Court charged in relation to the assault.

He was remanded on bail.
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Post-mortem examinations are expected to take place after two whales stranded off the east coast of Scotland died.

The northern bottlenose whales were beached on the shoreline in Culross, Fife, on Tuesday evening.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and the South Queensferry coastguard rescue team attended but one whale died at 6am on Wednesday and the other at 2pm.

Northern bottlenose whales are understood to be rare visitors to the North Sea and can grow to 10 metres in length, feeding primarily on squid.

The rescue charity said the carcasses are expected to be removed from the site for post-mortem examinations by the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Society.

The animals are thought to be two from a trio of the same species spotted in the Moray Firth earlier this month.

The stranding is the latest of several in the UK and comes less than two weeks after a pod of 55 whales beached in the Western Isles.

In autumn 2020, rescuers, including BDMLR, the Ministry of Defence and local volunteers, attempted to shepherd a pod of northern bottlenose whales to sea from Loch Long, Argyll, ahead of a major military exercise.

They switched to monitoring the animals from shore after unsuccessful herding attempts.
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The government has been told to regulate e-bike and e-scooter batteries like fireworks by a new report.

The report by charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) recommends that the UK introduces mandatory third-party approval for the vehicles batteries.

This would force manufacturers to have their batteries approved by an accredited third party, such as a test lab.

Once approved, the products would then be supplied with a certificate proving they meet safety standards.

Nothing is more precious than life and we want to ensure we do all we can to keep substandard batteries off the market Lesley Rudd, Electrical Safety First

If implemented, the UK would follow New York Citys lead, after it introduced the requirement following a series of fatal fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

It comes after a flat fire caused by an e-bike that had been left charging overnight killed a mother and two young children in Cambridge earlier this month.

The report warns that without better regulation now, e-bikes and e-scooters risk an outright ban in future.

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, said that a fire caused by a battery bursting into flames is unique and requires special measures.

The huge amount of energy that is released over time when a battery bursts into flames is unlike other fires  in a matter of minutes a room can be decimated, she said.

This unique type of fire requires special measures to tackle the increasing problem.

She warned that substandard e-bike and e-scooter batteries are claiming lives.

Substandard versions of these products are claiming lives, our recommendations are a first-of-their-kind to look at real solutions to tackling these fires and ensuring only safe products end up in peoples homes.

Nothing is more precious than life and we want to ensure we do all we can to keep substandard batteries off the market.

She added that the public should buy their scooters only from a reputable retailer.

Once in peoples homes they are incredibly difficult to get out. Our recommendation would help to ensure that there are stricter rules around new e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries entering the market and to get on top of this problem once and for all, she said.

We would urge people to only buy their e-bike or e-scooter from a reputable retailer and to use a compatible charger with the device to reduce the risk of a ferocious fire.
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The Government has provided limited detail on the justification for moving civil servants out of Whitehall and exaggerated the success of the flagship element of levelling up policy, MPs have said.

The cross-party Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee said key announcements on the programme were made in a somewhat piecemeal fashion without accompanying details of the policys rationale, targets, costs and benefits.

This striking lack of published information on the relocation policy hinders scrutiny of its design and progress and makes it hard to assess whether the relocation target is sufficiently ambitious, or indeed realistic, the committee concluded.

The Government aims to open 30 regional hubs, largely in cities outside London, while closing older regional offices around the UK.

The report said the Government has not provided adequate analysis on both the economic impact on towns where offices are axed and the benefits to areas hosting new hubs.

A target to relocate 22,000 civil service posts away from London by 2030 has been set under the places for growth programme.

In March this year, it was announced that 11,000 civil servants had been relocated.

However, the report said while the figure indicates good progress, a lack of clear information makes it difficult to judge how substantial achievements are.

The committee highlighted a lack of clarity on the Governments definition of a relocated post created a risk of confusion over what it is committing to achieve.

It was generally assumed the overall number of civil servants in London would have to fall to reach the 22,000 target for relocations.

However, with the volume of London-based civil servants continuing to rise, the Cabinet Office confirmed to the committee that the target does not take into account other activities that would lead to an increase in officials in the capital.

Therefore, the Government is not committing to reduce the total number of civil servants in London by 22,000 from a baseline level set in a particular year.

This means the target is largely being achieved by recruiting new civil servants to vacancies in regional offices rather than moving officials out of Whitehall.

In some of its communications the Cabinet Office is adopting a boosterish approach to reporting progress, which is likely to give an exaggerated picture of its achievements Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

The report said the Government is essentially relying on a counterfactual narrative that all the posts newly recruited to regional offices would have been filled in London if not for the programme.

This makes external scrutiny of the Governments self-reported progress difficult, it added.

Under the places for growth plan, the Government has also committed to ensuring 50% of senior civil service roles will be based outside London by 2030.

The report said the Government appears to be moving in the right direction, albeit slowly to reaching this target, with 255 senior roles relocated as of November 2022.

However, the report said there had been over-enthusiastic presentation of progress.

In September 2022, the Cabinet Office reported: The number of senior UK civil servants now based in Glasgow has grown by 1,400% under the scheme, with 30 senior officials now permanently located in the city.

MPs said the use of this percentage figure was mathematically correct yet hyperbolic and likely to mislead.

The report said: Given the total is 30 posts, the rise of 1,400% must describe an increase merely of 28 posts, from an original two posts.

The use of this figure suggests a wish to dress up the progress that has been achieved as something more grandiose.

It later added: In some of its communications [the Cabinet Office] is adopting a boosterish approach to reporting progress, which is likely to give an exaggerated picture of its achievements.

The report also highlighted concerns over a lack of methodology guiding decisions on where civil service posts should moved to and from.

It added observers had raised questions over whether decisions were excessively driven by personal or political calculations, poorly co-ordinated across government, or taken without due consideration of local impacts.

The committee added a decision by the Treasury to open an economic campus in Darlington has been linked with the close proximity of the town to then chancellor Rishi Sunaks constituency and with the suggestion that Darlington is a key red wall seat.

Conservative committee chairman William Wragg said: The lack of consistency in relation to relocating civil service jobs reveals a vagueness at the heart of a key plank of the Governments levelling up agenda.

The Cabinet Office has failed to provide a clear account of why certain functions are located where they are, and how relocation and regional hubs will benefit local communities across the country, if at all.

The Governments latest plans have involved closing long-established regional offices, which can have hard-hitting impacts on local communities.

This flies in the face of the Governments levelling up agenda. We need greater transparency and accountability of what seems to be a haphazard approach to reforming the Governments estates and its workforce.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: The Places for Growth programme is helping level up the country by moving over 12,000 roles out of Greater London in its first three years  with new locations in Darlington, Bristol and Glasgow.

Extensive planning and analysis goes into decisions on new locations, including assessment of value for money, skills and local transport networks.

New hubs are expected to deliver millions of pounds of economic benefits for local areas through increased footfall and spending from staff. Moving civil servants will always encounter opposition but we are determined to deliver.

Garry Graham, general secretary of the Prospect union, welcomed the reports call for greater evidence to demonstrate what benefits arise from moving civil service work out of London.

He added: The Government must stop chasing headlines by announcing arbitrary figures for headcount reductions and relocations, and instead develop a long-term strategy that has the confidence of staff and local communities.
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New laws putting a legal duty on venues to increase security measures following the Manchester Arena bombing may not reduce the threat of terror attacks, MPs have said.

Parliaments Home Affairs Committee found that the costs of implementing the Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill could force village halls, restaurants and small businesses to close.

A report published on Thursday welcomed the governments intention but raised concerns about proportionality and effectiveness, finding: There is a lack of evidence that the risk of terrorist threat justifies the measures proposed for smaller premises, or that the bill will have any effect on reducing terrorist threats.

The whole thrust of the draft bill seems to be aimed at bricks and mortar rather than the real target, which is a concentration of people or use of buildings by individuals or groups at higher risk of attack.

The findings were released days after Suella Braverman warned that the terror threat to Britain was rising as attackers become increasingly unpredictable and harder to detect.

In a speech outlining the governments new terrorism strategy, she backed the bill and vowed to ensure public venues are better prepared and protected against terrorist attacks.

The bill is also known as Martyns Law, named after Manchester victim Martyn Hett, following years of campaigning by his mother Figen Murray.

Having lost my son to terrorism, along with so many others in the Manchester Arena attack, I find it hard to understand the argument that a few hours of training each year is a disproportionate step for businesses to take, she said.

Martyns law is a proportionate response that will keep millions of us safer and the government must now press ahead.

It was backed by the chair of the Manchester Arena public inquiry, who called for the government to ensure a high standard of protective security for large venues and for rigorous and robust enforcement.

Manchester Arena bombing public inquiry finds 'missed opportunities' to prevent attack

Doing nothing is not an option, Sir John Saunders said after finding numerous opportunities to prevent the attack or reduce the death toll were missed.

The draft bill would apply different standards to venues depending on their size, with a standard duty for public places with a capacity of between 100 and 800 people, and an enhanced duty for larger premises.

The standard duty includes terrorism protection training for employees and drawing up procedures for a terror attack.

Larger venues would have to appoint a designated senior officer, create a security plan, complete a terrorism risk assessment and apply reasonably practicable such as physical security to reduce any threat.

The law would create a duty on other staff controlling the venue to cooperate with the new officer, such as owners of shops inside a shopping centre, and the government plans to create a regulator to enforce compliance.

The Home Affairs Committee found that the current proposals would place a significant and disproportionate burden on smaller venues while failing to ensure adequate safety measures at all public events at risk of terror attacks.

Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, has long campaigned for the new law (PA) (PA Wire)

Chair Dame Diana Johnson said the costs could place the very future of some smaller businesses and voluntary organisations at risk, when many are already struggling with the cost of living and energy bills.

We must do all we can to ensure venues are equipped to react to terror threats, but the government must ensure that the steps they need to take are based on an accurate assessment of risk and not arbitrary capacity figures, she added.

We are concerned that this bill as currently drafted would fail to make a significant impact in preventing or mitigating the effects of terrorism.

For example, in its current form, a local village hall would be required to carry out safety precautions while a city centre open-air farmers market or Christmas market would not. This makes little sense and takes no account of the actual terrorist threat.

The committee said it had received evidence suggesting that the measures would not have made a significant difference in several recent UK terror attacks, which have included outdoor knife and vehicle rampages.

Salman Abedi detonated his bomb in a public foyer linking Manchester Arena with a busy railway station (Manchester Arena Inquiry/AFP)

MPs called for the government to first impose the duty on large venues only, and review the impact before extending it.

They questioned why the law does not cover outdoor events and gatherings, and said first aid training should be included as the Manchester Arena inquiry had shown it could be the difference between life and death.

Nick Aldworth, who led the protect and prepare strand of national counter-terrorism policing until his retirement in 2019, said the Home Affairs Committees conclusion did not reflect the universal and unpredictable nature of the terrorist threat.

He warned that confining the duty to large venues could signpost terrorists to smaller locations and increase the risk to them.

At a time when we are seeing terrorists shift their focus to these kinds of venues as soft targets, nowhere is without exposure to terrorism, Mr Aldworth added.

The government should take their point seriously on including outdoor venues, but their wider arguments are not only wrong but dangerous.

The Home Office said the law had been developed following extensive public consultation and that it was committed to improving security at public venues.

We will carefully review the recommendations of the report and we are committed to introducing the bill as soon as parliamentary time allows, a spokesperson added.
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Prince Harrys legal battle against The Suns publisher will continue to a High Court trial, a judge has ruled.

The Duke of Sussex, 38, alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN) titles and the now-defunct News of the World from the mid-1990s until 2016.

Mr Justice Fancourt ruled on Thursday that Harry cannot bring his claim in relation to phone hacking, but the rest of his claim could be tried. This relates to other allegations of unlawful information gathering such as the use of private investigators.

The trial will hear claims that the tabloids had used investigators and blagging techniques to glean information on him and his friends, including details of his relationship with former girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

However, the trial, which is fixed for next January, will not hear phone hacking claims after the judge ruled that the Duke was aware enough of the scandal to bring his case sooner.

Rupert Murdochs media company had previously settled a number of claims since the phone-hacking scandal broke in 2011 in relation to News of the World, but has consistently denied unlawful activity at The Sun.

In his written ruling, the judge said: I am satisfied that there is no reasonable prospect of the duke proving at trial that he did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have discovered facts that would show that he had a worthwhile claim for voicemail interception in relation to each of the News of the World and The Sun.

He already knew that in relation to the News Of The World, and he could easily have found out by making basic inquiries that he was likely to have a similar claim in relation to articles published by The Sun.

He also refused to allow the duke to amend his case to rely on a secret agreement between Buckingham Palace and senior NGN executives.

Lawyers for the duke had said there was evidence to support the agreement, including emails between executives and palace staff in 2017 and 2018.

The Duke of Sussexs case relating to unlawful information gathering can be taken to trial (AP)

Mr Justice Fancourt said in his ruling that the duke had not provided any evidence from those in the palace who would have been aware of a secret agreement if there was one.

NGN disputed such an agreement and denied any unlawful activity took place at The Sun. During a hearing in April, NGN asked Mr Justice Fancourt to throw out the dukes case, arguing it was brought too late.

Anthony Hudson KC had argued there was an extraordinary delay between Harry launching his claim in 2019 and first raising the issue of the secret agreement.

A spokesperson for NGN said after the ruling: The High Court has today, in a significant victory for News Group Newspapers, dismissed The Duke of Sussexs phone hacking claims against both the News Of The World and The Sun.

As we reach the tail end of litigation, NGN is drawing a line under disputed matters, some of which date back more than 20 years ago.

In arguing his case, the Duke of Sussex had alleged a secret agreement existed between him/Buckingham Palace and NGN which stopped NGN from asserting that the dukes claim had been brought too late.

The claim forms part of six legal battles Harry has begun at the High Court (Getty)

The Judge, Mr Justice Fancourt, found his claims in relation to the alleged secret agreement were not plausible or credible. It is quite clear there was never any such agreement and it is only the Duke who has ever asserted there was.

Mr Justice Fancourt then dismissed the dukes phone hacking claims against both the News Of The World and The Sun on the grounds that the claim had been brought too late.

This substantially reduces the scope of his legal claim. The exact nature and scope of any trial of the remainder will be the subject of further hearings.

Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in May that a claim by actor Hugh Grant over alleged unlawful information gathering  other than allegations of phone hacking  can go ahead to be tried next January.

Grant, 62, is suing NGN in relation to The Sun only, having previously settled a claim with the publisher in 2012 relating to the News Of The World.

The claim forms part of six legal battles for the former working royal which are ongoing at the High Court.

His civil litigation has seen him bring claims against three major newspaper publishers over allegations of unlawful information gathering, as well as legal challenges against the Home Office in relation to his personal security.
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Almost 300,000 households across England and Wales have people of different religions living alongside each other, according to analysis of census data collected and published for the first time.

The figures have been hailed as reflecting the rich complexity of religious life in the two nations and demonstrating that increasingly, households and families are also arenas for religious diversity.

The latest census, which took place on 21 March 2021, showed the religious make-up of the population to be more diverse than ever, with fewer than half of people describing themselves as Christian.

It was also the first survey of its kind to report the religious affiliation within the 17.3 million multi-person households in England and Wales  of which 285,000 (1.6 per cent) were recorded as having at least two different faiths.

The proportion is as high as one in 20 in some areas of London, including Hounslow and Westminster (both 5.5 per cent) and Barnet and Harrow (5.1 per cent), according to analysis by the PA news agency.

The highest figures in England outside London are Slough in Berkshire, where 4.6 per cent of multi-person households had at least two religions stated on the census, and Hertsmere and Oxford (both 3.8 per cent), while the highest in Wales is Cardiff (1.8 per cent) and Newport (1.0 per cent).

By contrast, Blaenau Gwent had the lowest proportion across England and Wales (0.4 per cent of multi-person households), followed by Merthyr Tydfil, Hartlepool and Caerphilly (all 0.5 per cent).

This adds further to the picture of the rich complexity of religious life in our nations today. We are beginning to understand that many of our neighbourhoods are routinely places of religious diversity. Reverend Richard Sudworth, Church of England

The PA analysis is based on the latest release of census data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Reverend Richard Sudworth, the Church of Englands national inter-religious affairs adviser, said there will be many stories of love, loyalty and mutual care across religious difference behind the numbers.

He said: The survey adds further to the picture of the rich complexity of religious life in our nations today.

We are beginning to understand that many of our neighbourhoods are routinely places of religious diversity.

What this survey shows is that, increasingly, households and families are also arenas for religious diversity. Underneath these numbers will be many stories of love, loyalty and mutual care across religious difference from which we can all draw lessons and indeed celebrate.

The existence of multi-religious households further reinforces our firm belief that we as a society hold an admirable capacity for togetherness, mutual care and understanding across our diverse communities, given the opportunity Muslim Council of Britain

The Muslim Council of Britain said the figures show that society is capable of togetherness, mutual care and understanding.

A spokesperson for the organisation said they have always striven to bring diverse communities together in pursuit of the common good, adding that their efforts show Britain is a multi-cultural and religiously diverse one, a Britain in which people of all faiths and none demonstrate the capacity to come together in support of one another routinely.

They added: The existence of multi-religious households further reinforces our firm belief that we as a society hold an admirable capacity for togetherness, mutual care and understanding across our diverse communities, given the opportunity. The stories these figures represent are worth telling, and learning from.

A more detailed breakdown of the types of religion practised at the time of the census shows that of the total 24.8 million households in England and Wales  including single-person homes  11.0 million (44.3 per cent) were recorded as Christian-only, while 3.1 million (12.6 per cent) contained someone who was Christian and someone who had no religion.

A further 176,800 households (0.7 per cent) had someone who was Christian and somebody of any other religion, though the data does not indicate the faith.

Some 2.4 per cent of all households in the London borough of Barnet fell into this category  the highest for any local authority area.

For other single-faith households, the census recorded almost one million that were Muslim-only (988,900, or 4.0 per cent of total households), along with 301,600 Hindu (1.2 per cent), 143,000 Sikh (0.6 per cent), 88,600 Jewish (0.4 per cent), and 74,700 Buddhist (0.3 per cent).

Hertsmere in Hertfordshire was the local authority area with the highest proportion of households that were Jewish-only (15.7 per cent), while Tower Hamlets in London was highest for Muslim-only households (25.9 per cent) and Harrow in London was highest for Hindu-only (22.7 per cent).

Harrow and Slough both topped the list for households where the census recorded any combination of two religions that did not include Christianity, at 1.1 per cent, compared with 0.1 per cent (or 30,200) of all households in England and Wales.

Meanwhile there were 81,800 households (0.3 per cent of the total) with any combination of three or more of the religion categories on the census  for example, three different faiths, or two faiths plus the no religion category.

The local area with the highest proportion for this criteria was Cambridge, at 1.3 per cent.

However, in a sign of an increasingly secular society, the census suggested nearly a third of all households in England and Wales (30.3 per cent, or 7.5 million) followed no religion at all.
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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he does not think the Irish Government would offer condolences to Russia in the event of Vladimir Putins death.

Mr Varadkar was responding to a question relating to Irelands historical foreign policy.

He said he did not believe an Irish delegation would be present at the Russian presidents funeral.

The hypothetical situation relates to events almost 80 years ago.

The Irish Government adhered to a strict policy of neutrality throughout the Second World War.

I wouldnt imagine wed be represented at the funeral Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

However, then-taoiseach and minister for external affairs Eamon de Valera sparked outrage among the international community when he expressed condolences to Germanys Irish minister Eduard Hempel following Adolf Hitlers death by suicide in 1945.

The event caused significant reputational damage to Mr de Valera and the state, and is regarded as an important moment in the history of Irish neutrality.

The diplomatic conundrum was dragged into the 21st century this week at a post-Cabinet briefing with Mr Varadkar.

While Ireland insists it continues to employ a policy of neutrality, senior government ministers say this relates to being militarily neutral rather than being politically neutral.

Last week, Mr Varadkar pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes when he visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

He also announced millions of euro in additional funding for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Following the trip, the taoiseach was questioned about Mr de Valeras actions following the death of Hitler.

Asked by reporters if Ireland would offer a similar condolence to Russia in the event of Mr Putins death, Mr Varadkar said: I dont think so.

Briefly pausing to consider the theoretical event, he added: Its a good question, I hadnt thought of it before.

Mr Varadkar, who was banned from travelling to Russia last year, concluded: I wouldnt imagine wed be represented at the funeral.

In November, the Kremlin said it was placing 52 key representatives from Ireland on a sanctions list for expressing what it claimed was Russophobic sentiment.

Mr Varadkar was among the officials subjected to the ban by Russia.

The Russian embassy in Dublin has been approached for comment.
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The UK risks losing its position as a global leader on vaccination as uptake rates for life-saving jabs has declined, MPs have warned.

The Health and Social Care Select Committee specifically sounded the alarm over the falling number of children receiving their routine jabs, which protect from illnesses including meningitis, measles and hepatitis B.

MPs said that it is unacceptable that people find it difficult to get to vaccination appointments due to practical challenges like the time and location of jab appointments and urged health leaders to improve access.

The latest data show that vaccine coverage fell in 13 out of the 14 routine programmes for children up to five years old in 2021/22.

And earlier this month, health officials launched a campaign calling on people in London to check their vaccination status after a spike in measles cases.

Meanwhile, the group of MPs also said that health officials need to ready themselves to deliver exciting new medicines, warning that it would be incredibly disappointing if the NHS was not prepared to deliver new treatments as and when they become available.

Unless the Government addresses challenges around declining rates among childhood immunisations and implements reform on clinical trials, the UKs position as a global leader on vaccination risks being lost Steve Brine

They said that innovations such as personalised cancer vaccines are on the horizon and more must be done to ensure patients in England are not forced to wait once they are ready.

Their new report also sounds the alarm over a decline in clinical trial activity.

Commenting on the report, Steve Brine, chair of the Health and Social Committee, said: Vaccination is the one of the greatest success stories when it comes to preventing infection.

However, unless the Government addresses challenges around declining rates among childhood immunisations and implements reform on clinical trials, the UKs position as a global leader on vaccination risks being lost.

The UK Health Security Agency issued a warning earlier this month that London risks a measles outbreak of tens of thousands of cases if MMR rates remain low, and weve seen a spike in the capital and in the West Midlands already, so that should be a massive wake-up call.

When it comes to developing the medicines of the future, its alarming to hear that industrial clinical trial activity in the UK is at the lowest point to date.

One of the challenges is the slowness of bureaucratic processes to set up trials. This and other challenges must be fixed if we are to make the most of our world-leading academic and research expertise.
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RAF jets intercepting unauthorised aircraft in the Baltic Sea are the sound of freedom for Estonians sharing a border with Russia, the Amari Air Base deputy commander has said.

British military personnel will leave the eastern European nation next week as their time policing the Baltic Sea as part of Natos Operation Azotize mission comes to an end.

They will be replaced by the Spanish Air Force, who will assist the Estonians in keeping their skies safe from Russian aggressors amid the war in Ukraine.

Since their arrival in March, the British typhoon jets have intercepted 50 Russian aircraft.

Estonia, which borders Russia, does not have its own flying air force, making its alliance with Nato crucial to the countrys safety in the geopolitical context of the war.

Commanding officer Scottie McColl, who leads the RAFs 140 Expeditionary Air Wing at the Amari base, said: There is no doubt that Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine has changed the context in this part of the world.

When you speak to Estonians you can see how important it is for them for us to be here.

Ive spoken to an Estonian commander who described the noise of our jets as the sound of freedom.

Major Tanel Rattiste, deputy commander at the Amari Air Base, near Tallinn, told the PA news agency that Nato provides freedom because each time when we have a Russian Federation aircraft closing in to our borders, not only Estonia but the Baltics, then all of the time Nato  and this time the UK jets  are scrambled and they will go and intercept those flights.

The Russian Federation knows that we know where they are and what they are doing and that we are ready.

We are really appreciating that the Royal Air Force is contributing to this enhanced air policing mission. They have been here several times before and each time it has been a pleasure for us.

All of our skies are relying on allies from Nato and from the partners in the UK.

The Estonian military has backed Ukraine following the invasion last year, with Ukrainian flags placed alongside Estonias badge on many of their uniforms.
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Britain will rejoin the EU in the future, Tony Blair has predicted  as polls show support for rejoining climbing ever higher.

The former prime minister told the New Statesman magazine that a future generation would take the UK back inside the bloc and reverse Brexit.

A new survey by Deltapoll carried out between 14-17 July found 56 per cent of people would vote to rejoin the EU versus 38 per cent who would vote to stay out.

I believe at some point a future generation will take Britain back into Europe, and, you know, you just have to look at whats happened, he told the magazine in a wide-ranging interview.

Sir Tony went on to describe Brexit as a constant sadness to me.

Labour has ditched its anti-Brexit stance under Keir Starmer, ruling out rejoining the bloc or even its single market.

Elsewhere in his interview Sir Tony warned that the only way of fighting climate change was to cooperate with China.

He said the climate was the single biggest global challenge but that Britains emissions were dwarfed by that of larger countries.

Dont ask us to do a huge amount when frankly whatever we do in Britain is not really going to impact climate change," he told the magazine.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 / 50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 30 July 2023 Englands Stuart Broad walks out to bat with James Anderson, after announcing his retirement from cricket the evening before, prior to day four of the Ashes 5th Test match against Australia at The Oval Getty UK news in pictures 29 July 2023 People taking part in the 2023 Belfast Pride Parade PA UK news in pictures 28 July 2023 Members of the Transmanian Devils rugby union team take part in their inaugural training boot camp at Sale Sports Club in Manchester AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 July 2023 Rylan Clark recreates Kendall Jenners heart hair selfie to mark the launch of Samsungs new nationwide selfie competition, offering entrants the chance to win 500,000 PA UK news in pictures 26 July 2023 Campaigners, including many who are personally infected and affected by infected blood, gather in Westminster, London, calling for compensation for victims to be authorised by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is giving evidence later to the Infected Blood inquiry PA UK news in pictures 25 July 2023 Storm clouds gather over St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the north east coast of England PA UK news in pictures 24 July 2023 Women embrace each other as one of them arrives at Gatwick Airport after being evacuated off the Greek island of Rhodes Reuters UK news in pictures 23 July 2023 People enjoying the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset PA UK news in pictures 21 July 2023 Newly elected Labour MP Keir Mather (left), with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at Selby football club, North Yorkshire, after winning the Selby and Ainsty by-election PA UK news in pictures 18 July 2023 Tony Blair (left) speaks with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change's Future of Britain Conference in central London PA UK news in pictures 17 July 2023 David Barber, the Kings Swan Marker, examines a swan during the annual census of the swan population along sections of the River Thames Reuters UK news in pictures 16 July 2023 Spains Carlos Alcaraz holds the winners trophy after beating Serbias Novak Djokovic during their mens singles final tennis match on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 July 2023 Tunisias Ons Jabeur is interviewed in the Media Theatre in the Broadcast Centre after her defeat in the final of the Ladies Singles on day thirteen of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London PA Wire UK news in pictures 13 July 2023 His Majesty The Kings Coronation Ensemble and Her Majesty The Queens Coronation Ensemble, during a photo call for the new Coronation display for the summer opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. PA UK news in pictures 12 July 2023 Beavers are released by the National Trust at Wallington estate in Northumberland in a project to improve local biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change PA UK news in pictures 11 July 2023 People hug as they admire Submergence inside Propyard, Bristol, where a 20,000 sq ft immersive art installation, curated by art collective Squidsoup, titled Beyond Submergence, is being exhibited PA UK news in pictures 10 July 2023 Tracy Seven with a Beef Shorthorn as she prepares her cattle ahead of the Great Yorkshire Show at the Showground in Harrogate, which opens to the public on Tuesday. PA UK news in pictures 9 July 2023 Mark Wood, right, celebrates with Chris Woakes, left after England won the third test match in the series AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 8 July 2023 Zharnel Hughes of Shaftesbury celebrates after winning the Mens 100m Final at the UK Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena Getty UK news in pictures 7 July 2023 Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the Men's Singles second round match during day five of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Getty UK news in pictures 6 July 2023 Queen Camilla during a visit to Lochcarron of Scotland at the Waverley textile mill in Selkirk, in the Scottish Borders, as part of the first Holyrood Week since the King's coronation. PA UK news in pictures 5 July 2023 Anti-monarchy protesters hold placards near the St Giles Cathedral on the day of the National Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving for Britains King Charles, in Edinburgh Reuters UK news in pictures 4 July 2023 Andy Murray celebrates break point against Ryan Peniston in their mens singles first round match at Wimbledon Getty UK news in pictures 3 July 2023 A cigar smoked by Winston Churchill, which is expected to fetch 600-800 is pictured on his statue in Westerham, Kent PA UK news in pictures 2 July 2023 Englands Ben Stokes hits a six off the bowling of Australias Josh Hazlewood during the last day of the second Ashes test at Lords Cricket Ground in London Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 1 July 2023 Pata Yamaha Prometeon rider Toprak Razgatiloglu followed by Aruba.It Racing - Ducati rider Alvaro Bautista (right) during the World SBK race 1 on day two of the FIM Superbike World Championship 2023 at Donington Park, Derby PA UK news in pictures 30 June 2023 Rembrandt Harmenszs Portrait of Jan Willemsz, van der Pluym and Jaapgen Carels is held by gallery staff, during a photo call for highlights from the forthcoming Classic Week Sales, at Christies, London. PA UK news in pictures 29 June 2023 A visitor walks through a part of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusamas installation You, Me and The Balloons during a preview ahead of the start of the Manchester International Festival Reuters UK news in pictures 28 June 2023 England player Jonny Bairstow carries a Just Stop Oil pitch invader during day one of the second Ashes Test at Lords Cricket Ground Getty UK news in pictures 27 June 2023 A Dolly Parton impersonator banned from Facebook protests outside the offices of parent company Meta in Kings Cross, London, as part of their Stop Banning Us appeal Lucy North/PA UK news in pictures 26 June 2023 Glastonbury site clean-up operation in progress PA UK news in pictures 25 June 2023 Lil Nas X performs on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 June 2023 Chemical Brothers perform beneath the Arcadia spider in the very early morning at the Glastonbury Festival PA UK news in pictures 23 June 2023 A performer entertains festivalgoers in the circus field at Glastonbury festival AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 June 2023 Ladies Day at Royal Ascot Racecourse AP UK news in pictures 21 June 2023 Katherine Jenkinson from Carlisle with her jersey calf in the wash bay at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh, ahead of the Royal Highland Show PA UK news in pictures 20 June 2023 The sunrises at 04.25am at St Marys Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, on the North East coast of England, the day before Summer Solstice  the longest day of the year PA UK news in pictures 19 June 2023 The King and Queen depart the annual Order of the Garter Service PA UK news in pictures 17 June 2023 Typhoon fighter jets fly over The Mall after the Royal family attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as King Charles III celebrates his first official birthday since becoming sovereign. PA UK news in pictures 16 June 2023 A peregrine falcon nesting at Malham Cove, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park PA UK news in pictures 15 June 2023 Newborn alpaca Sir Steveo, who has been named after one of his keepers, ventures outside in the Pets Farm area of Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling PA UK news in pictures 14 June 2023 Grace Kumars father and Barnaby Webbers brother, Charlie, embrace ahead of a vigil at the University of Nottingham after they and Ian Coates were killed and another three hurt in connected attacks on 13 June PA UK news in pictures 13 June 2023 Police forensics officers on Ilkeston Road PA UK news in pictures 12 June 2023 People relax in a suspended swimming pool as hot weather continues, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 11 June 2023 Usain Bolt and teammates celebrate with the trophy after winning Soccer Aid 2023 Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 10 June 2023 A cyclist trains in the early morning, as hot weather continues, in Richmond Park, London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 June 2023 A performer walks on a tightrope at Covent Garden during a sunny day in London AP UK news in pictures 8 June 2023 A women rides her horse through the river during the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 7 June 2023 The Princess of Wales during a game of walking rugby during her visit to meet local and national male rugby players at Maidenhead Rugby Club PA UK news in pictures 6 June 2023 An aerial view shows the dry bed of Woodhead Reservoir, revealed by a falling water level after a prolonged period of dry weather, near Glossop, northern England AFP/Getty

Despite rows over benefit policy and Ulez in recent weeks Labour still enjoys a significant lead over the Conservatives, with most pollsters suggesting a gap of around 20 points.

At a meeting on the party's NEC Labours campaign director Morgan McSweeney said he had been studying complacency in campaigns like Neil Kinnocks in 1992 and Hillary Clintons in 2016  according to a read-out of the session by Starmer ally Luke Akehurst.

Labours campaign chief Shabana Mahmood meanwhile also defended controversial attack ads aimed at Rishi Sunak, telling the New Statesman: Its not so much a case of taking the gloves off. Ive never had any gloves on frankly. Its not in my nature to stand back and wait for them to throw the first punch.
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The head of the upmarket private bank Coutts has become the second banking chief in two days to resign over the closure of Nigel Farages accounts.

Peter Flavel acknowledged that the handling of the case fell below Couttss high standards and stepped down with immediate effect on Thursday.

His departure piles pressure on Sir Howard Davies, the chair of NatWest Group  which is 39 per cent owned by the taxpayer and is the parent company of Coutts  to stand down. It follows the resignation of Dame Alison Rose as the chief executive of NatWest, after a debacle which has plunged the banking group into chaos.

Sir Howard initially expressed full confidence in Dame Alison when she admitted she was the source of a leak to a BBC journalist, which led to a misleading story suggesting Mr Farages accounts were shuttered solely for financial reasons.

Mr Farage, the former leader of the pro-Brexit Ukip party, later obtained internal documents labelling him as xenophobic and racist and a grifter, suggesting his accounts were closed in part due to his political views.

During the continued fallout from the row between Mr Farage and the bank, Rishi Sunak declined to say whether he had confidence in Sir Howard.

When asked, the prime minister said it wasnt right for people to be deprived of basic services like banking because of their [political] views.

Responding to Mr Flavels resignation, Mr Farage said it was only a matter of time. The ultimate responsibility for the dossier de-banking me for my political views lies with him.

He added: I even wrote to Mr Flavel twice before going public and didnt receive an acknowledgment.

Senior Tory MP David Davis welcomed the resignation as the honourable thing to do, but said Dame Alison and Mr Flavel had left quite a large dent in NatWests reputation.

If I was considering a new bank I would not go to this group, he told The Independent.

Mr Davis said the only thing left to do is a reasonably rapid replacement of NatWest chair Sir Howard.

I dont think he should tender his resignation tomorrow but in a month or two, Mr Davis said.

And he said that Dame Alison and Mr Flavel should not receive payouts for quitting before their contracts expired. He added: If a bank clerk had breached confidentiality or done the sorts of things we are talking about here, then they would have been out on their ear, and there would not have been a compensation payment

It would send entirely the wrong message to their customers and their shareholders  including taxpayers  if they paid-off either Alison Rose or Mr Flavel.

If we see enormous compensation for loss of office, that would be very wrong indeed.

It comes as NatWest prepares to unveil its half-year financial results on Friday. The bank, whose largest owner is the Treasury, is expected to reveal an operating pre-tax profit of 3.3bn for the latest half year, up from 2.6bn in the same period last year.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Mr Flavel said he was exceptionally proud of his seven-year tenure at the bank.

But he added: In the handling of Mr Farages case we have fallen below the banks high standards of personal service.

As chief executive of Coutts it is right that I bear ultimate responsibility for this, which is why I am stepping down.

Acting NatWest chief executive Paul Thwaite, who took the reins after Dame Alisons departure, said he was personally sorry to lose Peter as a colleague.

But Mr Thwaite said his departure was the right decision for Coutts and the wider group.

Mohammad Kamal Syed will take on the top job at Coutts while a replacement for Peter Flavel is found (NatWest)

Mohammad Kamal Syed, who joined in 2012 and is currently Couttss head of asset management, will take the top job at the private bank while a replacement is found. Mr Thwaite said he would be the ideal person for the role.

Australian-born Mr Flavel, 63, had been chief executive of Coutts since 2016 when he became the first non-British boss in more than 300 years of the banks history.

His salary is not publicly disclosed but it is thought to be around 910,000 and outside Coutts he is vice-chair of trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conference and a member of the philanthropy advisory committee of the Royal Albert Hall.

Mr Flavel has more than 30 years of experience in financial services across Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.

Before joining Coutts, he was the CEO of JP Morgan Private Wealth Management in Asia Pacific based in Singapore. He also spent nine years with Standard Chartered in Asia and founded their global private bank in 2006.

The CEO has been credited for a boost in Coutts performance since he joined. Peters passion for innovation across banking, lending and wealth management and raising the bar on service standards has led to a market-leading net promoter score from Coutts clients, his NatWest Group profile says.

He has revived Coutts branding and image to be more warm and modern, whilst taking pride in its history, encouraging clients to recognise that Coutts is more than a bank.
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A self-identification system to allow transgender people to legally identify as their chosen gender without a medical diagnosis is not the right way forward, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

It comes after Labour rowed back on plans to introduce a self-ID system for transgender people, with shadow women and equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds arguing instead that a medical diagnosis upholds legitimacy of applications and confidence in the system.

The Labour leader, speaking to listeners on Nicky Campbells BBC Radio 5 Live show, also said that in his view a woman is an adult female, so lets clear that one up.

Sir Keir said his approach, which is at odds with Scottish Labour, emerged after the partys national policy forum at the weekend.

He denied Labour is trying to sneak out the policy shift, after Ms Dodds confirmed the move in an article in The Guardian.

Writing in the paper, she said Labour is committed to modernising the Gender Recognition Act.

Changing gender is not a decision anyone makes lightly. The process is intrusive, outdated and humiliating, she said.

So we will modernise, simplify and reform the gender recognition law to a new process. We will remove invasive bureaucracy and simplify the process.

But she added the law should protect legitimate applications and criticised the SNP Scottish governments cavalier approach to gender recognition reform, after the move sparked a clash with the government in London.

Pressed by listeners and host Campbell on Labours stance, Sir Keir said: We dont think that self-identification is the right way forward. Weve reflected on what happened in Scotland.

Weve set out that we want to modernise the process, get rid of some of the indignities in the process, keep it a medical process.

Weve always said, Ive continued to say, and Sunday, when we completed our policy forum, allowed us to be clear that there should be safe places, safe spaces, for women, particularly in relation to violence against women and girls.

Sir Keir was pressed to name his specific concerns about why safe spaces are needed: I think its more that biological women who have been subjected to violence against women and girls want a safe space where they can feel safe.

Pushed to be more specific, he said they want a safe space where they can feel that they are properly supported and protected.

Scottish Labour said earlier this week that it remains committed to the de-medicalisation of the process for trans people to obtain legal recognition in their preferred gender.

Paul OKane, the partys social justice spokesman at Holyrood, said Labour is committed to modernising and reforming the outdated and intrusive Gender Recognition Act, as well as ensuring exemptions in the Equality Act are upheld.

Scottish Labour continues to support the de-medicalisation of the process in Scotland.
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The chief executive of Coutts Bank, long known as the bankers for Britains royal family and nobility, has stepped down amid the furor surrounding populist politician Nigel Farages complaints that his account was closed because of his political views.

CEO Peter Flavels resignation came just a day after Coutts owner NatWest Group parted ways with its CEO, Alison Rose, the first woman to head one of Britains four big banks. Rose left after acknowledging that she had discussed Farages personal details with a journalist.

In the handling of Mr. Farages case we have fallen below the banks high standards of personal service," Flavel said in a statement. As CEO of Coutts it is right that I bear ultimate responsibility for this, which is why I am stepping down.

The controversy began two weeks ago when Farage, a right-wing talk show presenter and former leader of the pro-Brexit U.K. Independence Party, said Coutts had improperly closed his account because it disagreed with his political views.

The BBC then published a story, based on an anonymous source, saying that the account was closed because Farage did not meet Coutts 1 million pound ($1.3 million) borrowing requirement.

But Farage obtained documents from the bank showing that while officials had discussed his financial affairs, they also examined the reputational damage associated with keeping him as a customer.

Rose later acknowledged that she was the source of the BBC story.

Farage, a skilled attention seeker, has accused the bank of stomping on his freedom of speech. Conservative politicians and pundits have backed Farage, criticizing banks more broadly for using anti-money laundering laws to punish people with unpopular views. They have demanded that banking regulations be changed to ensure that everyone has the right to a bank account.
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Holidaymakers travelling through the extremely busy Port of Dover have faced bottlenecks of traffic, bosses there said.

The processing time at the border was previously 90 minutes, which is the time expected for peak travel days, an update from the Kent port said on Thursday morning.

On Thursday afternoon, port bosses said the processing time at border control is 20 minutes and that 14,898 people had set sail from the port so far on July 27.

All the positions for French border officials, Police Aux Frontieres, are open, it is understood.

On Thursday morning, a Port of Dover spokesperson said: The port is extremely busy due to high volumes of passengers arriving too early for their sailing, causing bottlenecks.

Please keep to main routes (A2/A20) and do not arrive more than three hours before your sailing.

The Kent port has been preparing for summer holiday getaway traffic, with measures put in place to minimise queues.

Bosses are urging car passengers embarking on summer getaways to arrive up to but not more than three hours before their booked sailing.

This is up from two hours last year, while before the end of the Brexit transition period the port gave no advice for when people should turn up.

Port bosses said anyone who misses their sailing will be put on the next available trip.

Expected car arrivals were expected to peak at more than 2,000 on Thursday morning and nearly 3,000 on Saturday.

As of 9.25am, 1,836 cars had sailed from the port.

Bob McKay, 36, from Faversham, Kent, said he was frustrated after spending several hours queuing at the Port of Dover to board a ferry.

Mr McKay is travelling as part of the Kent-based Caritas Chamber Choir, a musical group which specialises in acapella music and early choral pieces, to perform at the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille in the city of Lille on Saturday.

Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: We drove down to Dover and arrived about 100 minutes before our sailing time and we spent most of that time queuing through border control.

Once we got through, we drove around to the actual ferry check-in and that was about a half-an-hour queue. You expect there to be queues when its a busy time of year and during the holidays, that makes perfect sense.

But we felt a little bit frustrated given we booked a 10am ferry and now were having to wait for a 12pm one, so its quite a long time in the car.

We were in the car by 7.15 this morning; so its just a very long day.

Despite the long queues, Mr McKay added: Its fine, were all in good spirits and having a nice weekend away.

I think the frustration has been that theres very little communication about the amount of time queues are taking and the reasons for the delays.

Then the response from the DFDS (ferry company) on Twitter was a bit lacking, I think.

I know that they havent necessarily got all of the live information but I think when your real experiences are being challenged that can be frustrating.

PA has contacted DFDS for comment.
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Rishi Sunak has sparked a row with the Mayor of London, accusing him of failing to build enough homes and threatening to intervene if delivery is not increased.

Sadiq Khan described the criticism as desperate nonsense and said his tenure as mayor has seen the most homes built since the 1930s.

Earlier this week, Mr Sunak hit out at top-down targets for housebuilding, but in recent days his Government has also set out a range of reforms and proposals intended to boost the number of new homes being built in England.

Number 10 announced it will launch a review of the multi-decade London plan, which is intended to guide the development of the city over the next 20-25 years.

Labours Sadiq Khan has failed to deliver the homes London needs, driving up prices and making it harder for families to get on the housing ladder Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

The Government said it would look at the prioritisation of sites chosen for housebuilding in London, with the aim of putting more focus on central sites close to Tube stations.

Michael Gove will work with the Labour mayor to accelerate residential development on inner city brownfield sites, the Government said, with the Housing Secretary reserving the right to directly intervene if progress has not been made by the autumn.

Downing Street also announced an additional 200 million for development of brownfield areas in the capital, of which 150 million will go directly to boroughs, bypassing the mayors office.

As part of a set of measures announced on Thursday, rules on how 1 billion already allocated for affordable housing in London will be relaxed to support the regeneration of older social housing estates.

Im the guy who started building more council homes than the rest of England combined, exceeded your affordable homes targets and built more homes of any kind than since the 1930s London mayor Sadiq Khan

The Prime Minister said: Labours Sadiq Khan has failed to deliver the homes London needs, driving up prices and making it harder for families to get on the housing ladder.

So Im stepping in to boost housebuilding and make home ownership a reality again for Londoners.

Responding on Twitter, Mr Khan said: Are you the same guy who dropped his house building targets?

Because Im the guy who started building more council homes than the rest of England combined, exceeded your affordable homes targets and built more homes of any kind than since the 1930s. This is desperate nonsense.

Mr Sunak was speaking on a visit to a housing development in Hayes, west London, where he met residents and developers.

The Prime Minister told broadcasters he wanted everyone to be able to own their own home, but that it would mean building homes in the right places and not concreting over the countryside.

The Prime Minister has also rejected Mr Khans call to give his office the powers to introduce a system of rent controls.

Speaking to ITV News, Mr Sunak said: Wherever they have been used rent controls dont work they just reduce the supply of new housing and reduce the quality of it as well. That is not the right answer to this question.

Last month, Labours shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy rejected the idea of rent controls.

As part of the measures announced, the Government will also consider options for improving transport links for a Docklands 2.0 scheme, which it said has the potential to create up to 65,000 homes in the capital across sites including Thamesmead, Beckton and Silvertown.

And an additional 53 million worth of investment will be made for the Old Oak West development site in west London.

Mr Gove said: I want to use the regeneration of the Docklands as an inspiration for more regeneration across the capital, a Docklands 2.0, transforming more unwanted and underused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods.

Our vision will only work if we make use of all the tools at our disposal to deliver homes in the capital.

That is why I will continue to closely monitor the Greater London Authority to ensure it is delivering the housing London so desperately needs and I will not hesitate to intervene further if needed.

It comes after the Housing Secretary used a speech in London this week to set out a range of planning reforms, including on leasehold reform, simplifying planning procedures, expanding planning capacity and regenerating and reviving inner cities.

The proposals include developing a new urban quarter in Cambridge with space for homes, art facilities, laboratories and green areas.

Housing is seen as an issue likely to resonate on the doorsteps come a general election, expected next year.

It is also a topic that has provoked concern from Conservative backbenchers in the past, with the Prime Minister this week seeking to assure Tory MPs that his plan was not about uncontrolled development.

Mr Khan in May hailed his record on housing delivery, as he pointed to progress in surpassing the target of starting 116,000 affordable homes in London between 2015 and 2023.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: These disappointing and disingenuous claims appear to show a fundamental lack of understanding of housebuilding in London.

The mayor delivered record numbers of affordable homes over the last six years, consistently exceeding Government targets despite the impact of the pandemic and Brexit. This has included starting more council homes than at any time since the 1970s.

The mayors London Plan was approved by the Government in 2021 and the ministers should know that the housing figures included within it are reliant on sufficient Government investment being made in infrastructure, particularly transport.
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Scotland would adopt a citizenship model similar to that of Ireland if it ever becomes independent, the First Minister will announce on Thursday.

Humza Yousaf will unveil the fifth paper in a series laying out the prospectus for Scotland after separation on Thursday, focusing on immigration and citizenship.

The Scottish Government has long advocated increased immigration to cope with an ageing population, with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon publishing plans for a separate Scottish visa in 2020, which was almost immediately rejected by Westminster.

Speaking at a roundtable event on Thursday in Edinburgh, Mr Yousaf will announce that anyone with a parent born in Scotland will be able to apply for Scottish citizenship if the country leaves the UK.

The paper will also lay out the rights of British nationals to claim dual citizenship, as well as how the process for foreign nationals to apply will be streamlined.

Speaking ahead of the announcement, the First Minister said: Today Ill outline the Scottish Governments proposals for citizenship in an independent Scotland  they are inclusive, bold and they will help boost both our population and economy.

Scotlands working population is being hit by a heartless Westminster migration system that isnt fit for purpose and a hard Brexit that Scotland didnt vote for, making our population challenges significantly worse.

I am in no doubt that alongside the climate crisis, the challenges of an ageing population are one of the biggest issues future generations will face in Scotland, unless action is taken today.

The Scottish Government wants to make it easier for people, including those seeking to reconnect with family roots, to gain citizenship and contribute to our economy, society and public services like the NHS.

And when we re-join the EU as an independent country, Scottish citizens will be able to enjoy all the benefits of EU citizenship too.

An independent Scotland will be a welcoming country as part of our ambition to be an inclusive, progressive and prosperous nation. I look forward to the debate about what citizenship will mean in a modern, independent Scotland.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie said the paper was more therapy for Humza Yousaf and the nationalist movement than a serious attempt to persuade people to support their cause.

Even if it is just for a few hours, it must be a great relief to be distracted from broken ferries, ever longer waiting lists and a social care backlog that mushrooms, he added.

But the SNP shouldnt be using Government time and money when funds are tight and for something that they know just isnt going to happen. A majority of people want Government to focus on the day job.

Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for the constitution, external affairs and culture Donald Cameron MSP said: This latest self-indulgent paper touting independence is not just a blatant misuse of public money and resources by the SNP, it demonstrates how out of touch they are with the public.

Its a sign of Humza Yousafs weakness that he is once again obsessing on breaking up the UK  because its the only issue his feuding party can agree on.

Rather than wasting taxpayers money and civil servants time on pushing a divisive, party political agenda, a strong leader would be concentrating on the issues that matter to Scots  unacceptable NHS waiting times and the cost-of-living crisis.

As for tackling population decline, the SNPs policy of making Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK is an active disincentive to people settling here.

While the scandal-ridden SNP retreat to their independence comfort blanket, only the Scottish Conservatives are focused on Scotlands real priorities.
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Shell failed to deliver another bumper crop of profits in the last quarter, with the business falling short of market expectations.

The oil giant said on Thursday that it had seen its adjusted earnings more than halve in the three months to the end of June when compared with the same period a year ago.

A drop had been expected, but markets failed to forecast just how far earnings would fall.

Adjusted earnings reached just under 5.1 billion US dollars (3.9 billion) during the quarter, down from 11.5 billion dollars (8.9 billion) a year earlier.

Analysts had expected the figure to reach almost 5.6 billion dollars (4.3 billion), according to a consensus compiled by the company.

It is also a reduction from the oil majors record first-quarter results, which saw it make 9.6 billion (7.6 billion) in adjusted earnings in just three months, well ahead of expectations at the time.

Since then Shell has courted controversy by saying it will no longer try to reduce its oil production by 1%-2% per year until the end of this decade.

The company said it has already achieved this target because it sold off some of its oil fields, allowing other companies to produce the oil instead.

It said it will continue to produce about as much oil as it does today until 2030.

As we deliver more value with less emissions, we will continue to prioritise share buybacks, given the value that our shares represent Shell chief executive Wael Sawan

On Thursday, chief executive Wael Sawan said: Shell delivered strong operational performance and cash flows in the second quarter, despite a lower commodity price environment.

Today we are delivering on our  commitment of a 15% dividend increase.

We are going further on our buyback guidance by commencing a 3 billion dollar (2.3 billion) programme for the next three months and, subject to board approval, at least 2.5 billion (1.9 billion) at the third-quarter 2023 results.

As we deliver more value with less emissions, we will continue to prioritise share buybacks, given the value that our shares represent.
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Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum has made a defiant vow to protect "hard-won" democratic gains a day after he was toppled in a military coup.

The countrys foreign minister Hassoumi Massoudou also issued a rallying cry on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, for all democrats and patriots to make the coup fail.

However, in the wake of the presidents vow, sent via social media, Nigers army command declared its support for a coup. The army needed to preserve the physical integrity of the president and his family and avoid a deadly confrontation... that could create a bloodbath and affect the security of the population, it said in a statement signed by the army chief of staff.

The statements followed a late-night address on Wednesday by soldiers on national television announcing that Mr Bazoum had been removed from power and all institutions of the republic suspended, marking the seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020.

Mr Bazoums supporters tried to approach the palace where he was being held, but were soon dispersed after warning shots were fired by members of the presidential guard  which had first moved against Mr Bazoum.

The incident triggered condemnation by the United Nations, the European Union and the United States.

Who is Mohamed Bazoum?

Mohamed Bazoum is the tenth president of Niger and first assumed office in April 2021.

Mr Bazoum had promised to improve the countrys security and education, in an inauguration that was noted as the countrys first democratic transition of power since independence in 1960.

Before taking his position as president, he had served as the president of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism. From 1995 to 1996 Mr Bazoum served as the minister of foreign affairs, doing so again from 2011 to 2016.

In 2016, he was briefly minister of state at the presidency and was later appointed minister of state for the Interior serving until his 2021 presidential election.

On February 2021, Mr Bazoum had secured 55.75 per cent of the votes cast, beating former President Mahamane Ousmane who garnered 44.25 per cent.

At the time of his win, the US State Department congratulated Mr Bazoum and said it was marking a historic transfer of power.

The statement said: We value the strong relationship between the United States and Niger and look forward to working with President Bazoums administration to expand bilateral relations including in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance, security, and trade.

Why is a coup taking place?

Supporters of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum demonstrate in Niamey (AP)

This is as a result of the continuing degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance," air force Col. Major Amadou Abdramane said in the video, with nine other officers present on Wednesday.

However, the removal of Mr Bazoum from a leadership position would undermine the Wests efforts to stabilise Africas Sahel region. This military takeover marks the seventh couple in the West and Central African region since 2020. Mali and Burkina Faso have had four coups since 2020, facing regular attacks from extremists linked to al-Qaida and Isis.

Niger is a key ally of France and the US in the war against such jihadist groups in the region. The countrys role has grown since a souring of relations with Burkina Faso and Malis military governments.

Back in Niger, in March 2021, there was another attempted coup when a military unit tried to seize the presidential palace days before Mr Bazoum was due to be sworn in.

If the government is overthrown, it can cause major issues for Western powers who have invested the countrys money and security.

The US has said it has spent $500m since 2012 to help Niger boost its security and in April of this year, Germany announced that it would take part in a three-year European military mission aimed at improving the countrys military.

"Bazoum has been the Wests only hope in the Sahel region. France, the US and the EU have spent much of their resources in the region to bolster Niger and its security forces," said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme for Germanys Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung thinktank.

Mr Laessing said the coup would create an in for Russia and organisations to spread their influence in Niger.

Niger Colonel statement in full

Major Abdramane addressed the people of Niger on national television and said: Today, 26 July 2023, we the defence and security forces gathered as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, CNSP, have decided to put an end to the regime you know.

This follows the continuing deterioration of security and poor economic and social governance. Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised.

What have people said in support of Mr Bazoum?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) pictured President Mohamed Bazoum during their meeting at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger on 16 March 2023 (AP)

The African Union and West African regional bloc ECOWAS condemned what they called an attempted coup detat.

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, flew into Niger on Wednesday afternoon to see the situation after meeting with Nigerian President and ECOWAS Chairman Bola Tinubu.

"All means will be used, if necessary, to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the ideal would be for everything to be done in peace and harmony," Mr Talon told reporters in Abuja, Nigerias capital.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, reportedly spoke to Mr Bazoum and conveyed the unwavering support of the United States  the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Mr Blinken added: I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning, and made clear that the US resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger. We call for his immediate release.

We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. Were actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the coup attempt by members of the military acting in total betrayal of their republican duty.

Additional reporting from agencies
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Nigers president has defiantly declared that democracy will prevail in the wake of a coup by mutinous soldiers backed by the countrys army command.

While many in the capital Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country, and which side civilans might support.

A statement tweeted by the army commands account declared that it would back the coup in order to avoid a murderous confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath.

Meanwhile, President Mohamed Bazoum  who was elected in 2021 in Nigers first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France and is a key ally of the West  appeared to have the backing of several political parties.

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Mr Bazoum tweeted early Thursday morning.

Supporters of the coup ransacked and set fire to the headquarters of the ruling party in the capital Niamey, after several hundred had gathered. The crowd played pro-army music. Some waved Russian flags  support for the Wagner mercenary group that is active in the region  and chanted anti-French slogans, echoing a growing wave of resentment towards former colonial power France and its influence in the Sahel region.

The foreign minister, Hassoumi Massoudou asked all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action. He demanded the presidents unconditional release and said talks were ongoing. The Economic Community of West African States regional grouping sent Benin President Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts.

Mutinous soldiers announced on national television that Mohamed Bazoum has been removed as president (ORTN/AP)

The international community has strongly condemned the attempted takeover. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, called on Thursday for Mr Bazoum to be released immediately and unconditionally.

Stop obstructing the democratic governance of the country and respect the rule of law, Mr Guterres told reporters.

Mr Bazoum is a key ally in the Wests efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africas Sahel region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighboring nations.

The fight against extremism in the region has become a major arena in which the West and Russia have vied for influence.

Mr Bazoum was seen by many as the Wests last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and instead sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Wagner appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties. American, French and Italian troops are currently stationed in the country to train its soldiers, while France also conducts joint operations. Those behind the coup accused France of landing a military plane in the country on Thursday, in defiance of their orders to close the countrys borders.

The threat to Mr Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger could also turn away from the West.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken with Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum earlier this year (AP)

Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Mr Blinken said Thursday that he had spoken with the president, saying that he "made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country."

Mr Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the US condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

On Wednesday morning, members of the presidential guard had surrounded Mr Bazoums house and detained him.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seised control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions, and closed all the borders.

The attempted coup was reportedly led by the head of the presidential guard, General Tchiani, who the president had planned to relieve from his position, Niger analysts say. According to someone close to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak about the situation, the president has not and will not resign and is safe in his residence.

In a statement on Wednesday, several political parties expressed their support for him, calling the coup attempt suicidal and anti-republican madness.

The country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted, they said.

Frances foreign minister, Catherine Colonna, tweeted that France is concerned about the events in Niger and following the situation closely. France firmly condemns any attempt to take power by force, the minister said.

The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk called for Mr Bazoums release and said all efforts must be undertaken to restore constitutional order and the rule of law.

Russia also called for the presidents release and the countrys foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said the country wants to see a speedy resolution of this internal political crisis.

Associated Press
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A group of soldiers announced on national television late on Wednesday that Niger president Mohamed Bazoum has been ousted from power.

This comes just hours after the president was detained in the presidential palace.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, accompanied by nine other officers, read a statement declaring that the defence and security forces have made the decision to put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.

The countrys borders have been closed until the situation has stabilised and all institutions of the republic have been suspended, colonel Amadou Abdramane revealed. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed throughout the national territory until further notice.

The soldiers issuing the statement also cautioned against any foreign intervention.

Reports suggest that the apparent coup was orchestrated under the leadership of the head of a regional political and security group.

On Wednesday, the presidencys official Twitter account stated that the presidential guards were involved in what they described as an anti-Republican demonstration and attempted in vain to garner support from other security forces.

Supporters of Mr Bazoum attempted to approach the presidential complex but were dispersed by members of the presidential guard, it was reported. The guards fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, according to AFP.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, reportedly spoke to Mr Bazoum and conveyed the unwavering support of the United States  the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Later, Mr Blinken said: I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning, and made clear that the US resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger. We call for his immediate release.

We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. Were actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, strongly condemned what he called a coup attempt by members of the military acting in total betrayal of their republican duty.

The Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS], a regional bloc consisting of 15 nations in West Africa, issued a call for the immediate and unconditional release of President Bazoum. They also issued a stern warning that all individuals involved in the situation would be held accountable for his safety.

Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria and also the Chair of ECOWAS, stated that he was already engaged in close consultation with other regional leaders regarding the unfolding situation in Niger.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned any attempt to seize power through the use of force in Niger. He called on all parties involved to exercise restraint.

This afternoon @antonioguterres spoke to @mohamedbazoum. He expressed his full support and solidarity to the Nigerien President, a UN spokesman said on Twitter.

The United States, France, and the European Union joined in condemning the power grab in Niger.

The [attempted] coup fits into a long pattern of inability by the political class to speak to the economic challenges and the security and political instabilities in the country, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, professor of peacekeeping practice at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. That, nevertheless, does not justify the attempted coup.

Corruption is the big elephant in the room, plus a fight against violent extremists. This is a challenge that almost all West African governments are facing, he added.

According to Reuters, military vehicles were observed blocking the entrance to the presidential palace in the capital city, Niamey. Security sources also reported that access to ministries adjacent to the palace had been blocked as well. However, in other areas of the city, residents described normal traffic flow and no visible presence of armed individuals on the streets.

Its a fit of temper by the presidential guard but talks are underway with the president, an unidentified source was quoted as saying by AFP.

The president is fine, hes safe and sound, the source said. He and his family are at the residence.

Nigers foreign minister on Thursday said that the elected government is the legitimate and legal authority, a day after a coup bid by soldiers.

LSI-Africa quoted Kalla Moutari, a lawmaker from the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism as saying: I have spoken to the president and ministerial friends, they are fine.

Mr Bazoums election as president in 2021 marked a significant milestone for Niger, as it was the first democratic transition of power in the countrys history since gaining independence from France in 1960.

Prior to this peaceful transfer of power, Niger had experienced four military coups.

Additional reporting from agencies.
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Jessica Nunez had been living on a prayer since her 14-year-old daughter Alicia Navarro went missing from their home in Glendale, Arizona, nearly four years ago.

Everything indicated that when Alicia climbed a fence in the backyard of the home on 15 September 2019, she intended to come back; the teen took her phone and laptop with her but not the chargers, all her clothes remained in her closet and she promised to return in a rushed note she left behind in her bedroom.

I ran away. I will be back, I swear. Im sorry, Alicia wrote on a crumpled piece of paper.

Despite thousands of leads, days turned into weeks and years without reliable information regarding Alicias whereabouts. Ms Nunezs initial fear was that her daughter, who is on the Autism spectrum and struggles with social anxiety, would become an easy target for predators.

But worries have grown over time that Alicia was lured out of the home in the first place. In several media appearances, Ms Nunez vowed that her daughters disappearance would not become another statistic, and after four years of pleading for Alicias safe return in any and every way she could, the mother and daughter have finally been reunited.

The Glendale Police Department announced on Wednesday evening that Alicia had walked inside a police station in a Montana town near the Canadian border. Authorities have refused to say where exactly the now-18-year-old was found, but have said she is happy, healthy and safe by all accounts.

Anti-predator Project Tim Steele, who has worked along with law enforcement on the case since 2021, told The Independent that Alicia showed up at the police station several days ago, but it took investigators a while to confirm her identity. The organization, which only employs former law enforcement, combats human trafficking and sexual predators in the US.

Before we said anything and caused the media stir we knew it was going to cause, we wanted to make sure we had the right person, Mr Steele said. She walks into a police station in a small town in Montana, and she identified herself as Alicia Navarro. She says she would like to get her drivers license and thats how this whole thing started.

Alicia Navarro (left when she disappeared and right since her return) (Navarro Family/Glendale Police)

From what she stated, this started as a runaway situation. But of course, there are more dynamics at play as we start to put together the puzzle, Lieutenant Scott Waite also said during a press briefing.

In a video shared by law enforcement, Alicia is seen talking with detectives and saying that no one hurt her  but the mystery remains as to where she has been all this time. Police have said that the investigation is far from over.

Its a good day. Everybody should enjoy this because it gives hope to a lot of other people that have missing loved ones. Dont give up hope. Theres still a chance and hope is a powerful thing, Mr Steele added. I just want to convey that Jessica is asking for privacy right now so her family can begin the healing journey, but she is so grateful for the love and support shes received from around the world on this case. Its helped her get through some very, very dark places.

Heres everything we know about the case:

15 September  Alicia vanishes

Alicia went missing just five days before her 15th birthday.

She was last seen by her parents at their home near the area of 45th Avenue and Rose Lane.

When her mother woke up on the morning of 15 September 2019, she found that the door leading to the backyard was ajar. Near the fence were stacked chairs and bricks Ms Nunez believes Alicia may have used to climb out of the house, she told True Crime Youtuber Kendall Rae in a 2021 interview.

Alicia, who was diagnosed as high-functioning on the Autism spectrum, had asked her mother two days before going missing to skip school in order to have a mental health day.

Alicia Navarro left a .note in her room reading, I ran away. I will be back, I swear. Im sorry (Glendale Police Office )

Ms Nunez said that her daughter had not been acting in an unusual way and that she even seemed happy when they visited a chocolate factory on 14 September.

Just hours before going missing, Ms Nunez said that Alicia asked her when she planned to go to bed, she told The Arizona Central two years ago. Ms Nunez described her daughter as an introverted girl who had a small group of friends in real life and spent a lot of her time playing video games online.

Alicias mother feared daughter had been lured out of the home

At the time, Ms Nunez raised concerns that Alicia may have been lured out of the home by an internet predator, emphasising that it was out of character for her daughter to run away because she didnt even know how to take public transportation

Im more than 90 per cent sure that my daughter met this person online, Ms Nunez told The Arizona Central.

I didnt even think these types of people existed that would lure our youth. I know this world can be evil, but honestly, that didnt cross my mind at all, Ms Nunez said. Knowing the way my daughters personality is, I dont think that she would have fallen for that. This person probably took a while to be able to gain (her) trust.

Alicia went missing just five days before her 15th birthday (Finding Alicia )

Shortly after Alicia went missing, a Silver Alert was issued by authorities. Ms Nunez also reached out to several private investigators and organizations that work with families of missing and exploited children.

Alicias disappearance prompted a massive search operation by local police and the FBI. The Glendale Police Department said that thousands of tips have been received throughout the years.

She is by all accounts happy, healthy and safe

Glendale Police Department spokesperson Jose Santiago said detectives are confident the young woman who identified herself as the missing teen is indeed Alicia Navarro, following several interviews with her family.

Mr Santiago said Alicia showed up at a police station in Montana by herself. He said the town is about 1,000 away from Glendale but did not specify where exactly.

She said that she knew she was listed as missing and she wanted to find a way to get off of that list, Mr Steele told The Independent. But she wasnt real specific other than she identified herself and said she wanted to get a drivers license.

Mr Steele said authorities will now attempt to retrace Alicias steps in the last four years. He noted that although Alicia has been able to speak on the phone with her family, she has not been physically reunited with them yet.

Were still in the very early stages of the investigation, he added. We have no idea if theres been any laws that have been broken. We have no idea whats gone on, so thats one thing that that we and law enforcement are going to work together to try and find out in the coming days and weeks.

In a video posted to the Finding Alicia Navarro Facebook page, Ms Nunez said: For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example that miracles do exist, never lose hope, and always fight.

Ms Nunez said she found out about the news just an hour before the developments were shared by law enforcement.

Alicia showed up at a police station in Montana by herself, Glendale Police said (Glendale Police Deparment)

Lieutenant Scott Waite said Navarros return is probably only the beginning of where this investigation goes as police continue to investigate where Alicia has been during the last four years and if anyone was with her.

We also have a message from Alicia herself, who is asking for privacy. This has been a traumatic situation for her, as you can imagine, but she is looking to be able to move on in her life, shes looking to build a life for herself, and shes asking for some privacy and patience as well, Mr Santiago added.

In the video shared during the presser, Alicia thanked the department for looking for her and said no one had hurt her.

An investigation into the teens mysterious disappearance is now underway.
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A missing persons case took a mysterious turn this week when a teenager walked into a Montana police precinct four years after she vanished without a trace in Arizona.

Alicia Navarro was 14 years old when she was last seen leaving her home in Glendale, Arizona, on 15 September 2019. She left her parents a note saying she would return but never did.

The disappearance of the teenager, who has autism, prompted a huge search involving the FBI and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

But, despite thousands of tips pouring in over the past almost four years, there was no sign of the missing girl  until now.

Glendale Police announced on Wednesday that the now-18-year-old walked into a police station thousands of miles away in a small town close to the Canadian border and told officers that she was the missing girl.

In a press conference, police spokesperson Jose Santiago said that Alicia is by all accounts well and has since been reunited with her mother.

She showed up to a police department. She identified herself as Alicia Navarro. She basically asked for help to clear her off of a missing juvenile list, he said.

She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy, he said.

Police Lt Scott Waite told reporters that the investigation so far indicates that Alicia ran away from home of her own accord.

Every indication shes given to us so far is that she willfully left her home, he said.

Alicia Navarro (left when she disappeared and right since her return) (Navarro Family/Glendale Police)

Now the dynamics surrounding that decision are obviously something were looking into.

Lt Waite added that the investigation is still ongoing but the teenager is not facing any charges over her disappearance and is not in any kind of trouble.

Questions remain around where Alicia has been for the past four years and how she got from Arizona to Montana.

Police said that the reunion of Alicia with her mother Jessica Nunez was emotionally overwhelming for both of them and that the teenager was very apologetic to what she has put her mother through.

She wanted to talk to her mom, and she wanted to make sure her mother knew she was OK, said Mr Santiago.

Now, the teen and her mother are hoping to rebuild their relationship, he said.

We will continue to work with our state, local federal partners and even across state lines to make sure that Alicia has everything that she needs, said Lt Waite.

That shes taken care of, that her family is getting the help that they need, and that most importantly that this investigation is completed thoroughly and done correctly.

Following news of her daughters return, Ms Nunez released a video statement saying that their case shows parents of missing children should never give up home of finding them.

I do feel I owe this video to the community and to God, she said in the video, shared on Twitter by 12 News journalist Bianca Buono.

I first of all want to give glory to God for answering their prayers and for this miracle.

For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example. Miracles do exist and never lose hope and always fight.

My daughter, Alicia Navarro, was missing since September 15th 2019, she has been found safe.

I do not know the details. I do confirm she is my daughter. She is alive and she is safe.

She added: This is recent news for me, it was an hour before it was posted on social media and the news. I dont have details but the important thing is she is alive.

I want to thank the community and God for all that you have done.
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A Holocaust suvivor has called on Fox New and host Greg Gutfeld to apologise for his "disgusting" remarks about surviving in concentration camps.

Gutfeld courted controversy on Monday during a segment on the Fox talk show The Five, where the pannelists were discussing Floridas new slavery curriculum, which teaches students that slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit".

One of the commenters on the panel, Jessica Tarlov, said that provision within the standards made her uncomfortable. As a Jewish person, she felt a similar framing of the Holocaust would be highly offensive.

Gutfeld then compared the situation to Jews who had to survive in a concentration camp by having skills. He said: You had to be useful. Utility. Utility kept you alive.

Im disgusted, basically, said Holocaust survivor Michael Bornstein, while responding to Gutfelds comments.

My father was an accountant. And he had, basically, negotiating skills. He and my brother were gassed in Auschwitz," Mr Bornstein told CNN.

He continued: "My mother knew how to pack  learned how to pack bullets that killed Jewish people.

There were over six million people killed in the Holocaust, over a million people killed in Auschwitz, and theres no silver lining to killing six million people, or talking about slaves and the benefits of slaves and learning what they were doing.

Debbie Bornstein Holinstat, Mr Bornsteins daughter, told CNN that while Holocaust conspiracy theories on the internet were not uncommon, but it was shocking to see a host at a major news network spewing the same kind of garbage that minimizes the murder of six million people.

That is what is really shocking and really, really dangerous and upsetting," she said.

Mr Bronstein called on Fox News to apologise, saying: "I think people are looking for notoriety. Whatever it takes to get the audience to listen to the news, whether its fake news or whatever is necessary, and I think it has to stop.

As I said, Fox News should apologise, the host should apologise, and theres no room for this fake news on television, he added.

The Fox News host was criticised by the White House and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, who called his remark an inaccurate description of the Nazi genocide.
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Several videos and images of people in the US panic-buying rice emerged after India announced an export ban on the Asian staple.

In videos widely shared on social media, people could be seen with their grocery carts just full of rice bags. People were also seen climbing up the grocery store shelves to reach for rice bags.

One Twitter user shared a video in which people were seen scrambling and elbowing each other for rice bags and wrote: I came to know from workers in Indian groceries, Costco has stocks but they [are] afraid of Indians climbing racks to snatching #rice bags, may fell over other customers and get hurt. This is very shameful. Below is from Indian groceries.

I visited almost 10 plus stores. I started looking for a bag of Sona Massori [a variety of rice] at 9am and it wasnt until 4.00pm that I could finally lay my hands on a bag of rice at triple its usual price, one Indian-American named Aruna from Washington DC was quoted as saying by ANI.

The announcement of the ban on rice exports by the Indian government has caused a frenzy among Non-Resident Indians [NRIs] who are now rushing to secure their supply of this essential ingredient in Indian cuisine.

Videos circulating on social media depict people scrambling to grab the last available rice bags at large stores as they seek to stock up on the staple food.

Last week, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi banned the export of non-basmati white rice to stabilise domestic prices ahead of key national elections next year following difficult harvests.

India is the worlds largest rice supplier and approximately one-quarter of its total rice experts are non-basmati grains.

The Independent has reached out to Costco for comment.
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The mother of an Arizona teenager who was missing for four years has spoken out followings her daughters miracle return.

Alicia Navarro was 14 years old when she ran away from her home in Glendale, Arizona, on 15 September 2019. Since then, law enforcement has fruitlessly investigated thousands of tips as her mother, Jessica Nunez, publicly pleaded for her safe return.

The Glendale Police Department announced on Wednesday evening that Alicia had recently walked inside a police station in a Montana town near the Canadian border, ending the four-year-long search for her. Authorities have refused to say where exactly the now 18-year-old was found, but have said she is happy, healthy and safe by all accounts.

Jessica Nunez (Finding Alicia)

In a video statement shared on the Finding Alicia Facebook page, Ms Nunez said she found out about the news just an hour before the developments were shared with the public and the media. Ms Nunez then thanked God and the community for the support throughout the time that her daughter was missing.

I, first of all, want to give glory to God for answering their prayers and for this miracle, Ms Nunez said. For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example. Miracles do exist and never lose hope and always fight.

Ms Nunez added: I do not know the details, I do confirm she is my daughter, she is alive and she is safe ... I dont have details but the important thing is she is alive.

Ms Nunez used social media to spread awareness about her missing daughter. Just two days before Alicia was found, Ms Nunez had posted on Facebook that it only takes one person to speak up and make a difference.

Glendale Police Department spokesperson Jose Santiago said detectives are confident the young woman who identified herself as the missing teen is indeed Alicia Navarro, following several interviews with her family.

Mr Santiago said Alicia showed up at a police station in Montana by herself. He said the town is about 1,000 miles away from Glendale but did not specify where exactly.

Lieutenant Scott Waite said Navarros return is probably only the beginning of where this investigation goes as police continue to investigate where Alicia has been during the last four years and if anyone was with her.

Authorities said on Wednesday that Alicia had walked into a police station in Montana (Glendale Police Deparment)

From what she stated, this started as a runaway situation. But of course, there are more dynamics at play as we start to put together the puzzle, Mr Waite said during a press briefing.

We also have a message from Alicia herself, who is asking for privacy. This has been a traumatic situation for her, as you can imagine, but she is looking to be able to move on in her life, shes looking to build a life for herself, and shes asking for some privacy and patience as well, Mr Santiago added.

In the video shared during the press conference, Alicia thanked the department for looking for her and said no one had hurt her.
 Close Carlee Russell: Police give timeline of disappearance

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Carlee Russell wore a big smile when she had her mug shot taken as she was charged with two misdemeanour counts for faking her own disappearance and kidnapping in Alabama.

An arrest warrant was issued Friday, on charges of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident.

Ms Russell was released from jail later that day after posting bond, her lawyer said.

The Alabama woman disappeared on the evening of 13 July after calling 911 claiming she was stopping to help a toddler walking alone on Interstate 459. She returned home two days later and claimed she had been kidnapped and barely managed to escape.

Police revealed last week they were unable to verify many of Ms Russells claims and pointed to her relevant internet history which included searches for Amber Alerts and the movie Taken.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis told local WVTM 13 that investigators had sussed out the hoax long before her confession.
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A Florida girl was arrested after making a false report that her friend was kidnapped.

The 11-year-old girl, from Port Orange, Florida, texted 911 around 9.45am on Wednesday and falsely reported that her 14-year-old friend had been kidnapped by an armed man who was driving a white van, according to the Volusia Sheriffs Office.

The 11-year-old said she was following the van in a blue Jeep. For the subsequent hour and a half, the girl texted updates to 911, which included a description of the suspect and that he had a gun.

Multiple deputies said they responded to the report to search for the suspect van but to no avail.

Ultimately, the officials tracked the girls cell phone, which led them to her home. Roughly 40 minutes after receiving the initial 911 text, officials arrived at the home and talked to the girls father, who said she was inside with her family, the sheriffs office said.

As the police approached the 11-year-old, she was holding her cell phone, which was ringing. Volusia Sheriffs Dispatch was on the other end of the call. The girl then told the police that she got the idea to prank 911 through a YouTube challenge and thought it would be funny.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood didnt agree, saying: This kind of prank activity is dangerous  were going to investigate every incident but today it wasted valuable resources that might have helped someone else who legitimately needed our help.

The girl was charged with making a false police report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner, which is a felony. She was also charged with misuse of 911, which is a misdemeanour.

The sheriffs office said the Port Orange girl was transported to the Family Resource Center for processing, before being transferred to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

In bodycam footage released by the sheriffs office, a deputy is heard telling the girl, who is handcuffed and whose face is blurred: This is going to be an opportunity for you to turn this into a learning experience. This is not something youre going to carry with you for the rest of your life.

This isnt the first time that reports of fake abduction have circulated in recent weeks. The story of 25-year-old Carlee Russell made headlines after she mysteriously vanished for 49 hours, but then reappeared, explaining she had been kidnapped.
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Police captured the disturbing images of children locked in a cage when they raided a home in the Las Vegas metro area.

On Sunday, 11 June, police searched a one-bedroom, one-bathroom home near Flamingo Road and Valley View Boulevard near Las Vegas, according to a report.

When they entered, they found six children  two who were locked in a cage  who had suffered severe abuse, according to doctors who examined them afterward. Police said it was the worst case of child abuse and neglect they had ever encountered, reports CBS 8.

Law enforcement was called to a convenience store earlier that day in response to a woman, Amanda Stamper, 33, who was reportedly hiding from her husband, Travis Doss, 31, who she said had "threatened to kill her."

Ms Stamper told police that they would find the children in a deplorable condition when they entered the apartment.

The children locked in the cage  aged nine and 11  were padlocked inside. One of the children inside had "two black eyes that were swollen shut, multiple marks and bruises all over his body, and he was emaciated," according to police.

Mr Doss has been indicted on 40 charges by a Clark County grand jury. Those charges included several for child abuse, according to court records. Ms Stamper was indicted on seven child abuse charges.

Mr Doss's seven children lived at the house. Police removed six of them.

Ms Stamper told investigators that he had been "violent towards all the children" except the two-year-old. She further claimed that he beat the children with "belts, extension cords, skillets, his hands and feet," according to police.

"Amanda said all the children are covered with marks from their neck down," a report states.

Mr Doss allegedly told Ms Stamper he believed one of the boys in the cage had died because he had "kicked him in the head too hard."

Travis Doss, 31, was incited on 40 counts, including several for child abuse, after police found six children in his Las Vegas apartment with signs of abuse, including two who had been locked in cages (Las Vegas Metro Police)

Ms Stamper reportedly told police she thought the child "looked dead for the last five days."

When police arrived at the apartment, a child answered the door, and police attempted to enter, but the child did not unlock the door. The officer who recorded the footage told the child they were there to check on them and ensure they weren't hurt. The child replies that they're "not hurt we're fine."

Amanda Stamper, 33, was indicted on seven counts of child abuse (Las Vegas Metro Police)

"I can't leave until I physically see you sweetie, please answer the door," the officer responds.

A maintenance worker at the facility eventually convinces the child to open the door, allowing police inside.

As police struggle to open the padlock on the cage, another child tells them that their father had instructed them not to open the door for strangers.

An 11-year-old who was reportedly severely beaten told police that he had not eaten in several days.

He kept saying that he was always hungry and thats why he stole and then he said its food thats in the trash can so how is that even stealing, a detective testified to a grand jury. And he kept saying that he needed big food because he was a big boy now and that he would have to share like one large fry from McDonalds with like all six kids, his six siblings I mean, and just that he was never really fed and thats why he stole.

An image from Las Vegas Metro Police body camera footage (screengrab/Las Vegas Metro Police)

The child explains that his father hit him in the face because he was trying to squeeze through the bars, as he "didn't do anything" and "was freaking out."

A detective told the grand jury the boy said he had been locked in the cage "all day every day."

In the video an officer consoles the child and assures him he was not a bad kid, but was simply in a bad situation.

Youre not a bad kid, this is just a really crappy situation, the officer says. And were going to get you some help and this is not going to happen again.

Mr Doss reportedly admitted to investigators that he "beat [the child] pretty bad" but insisted that he had "no choice."

Mr Doss is being held and his bail was originally set at $250,000, before being raised to $500,000 following his indictment. Ms Stamper is being held without bail due to a probation violation.

Both have pleaded not guilty to their charges.
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Taylor Schabusiness scowled and stared down the jury as she was convicted of murdering and dismembering her lover, sexually assaulting his corpse and then dumping his head in a bucket for his mother to find.

Jurors in Brown County, Wisconsin, took just over 30 minutes on Wednesday to find the 25-year-old guilty on all counts of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in the shocking murder of her former boyfriend Shad Thyrion.

As the verdict was read out, Schabusiness scowled and sipped water from a cup.

She then turned in her chair and glowered at the jury as each panel member was asked by the judge if the verdict was true and correct.

Throughout the harrowing three-day trial, the panel heard gruesome testimony of how Schabusiness strangled Thyrion in a meth-fuelled sex tryst back in February 2022.

After killing him at the home he shared with his mother in Green Bay, Schabusiness confessed to police that she continued having sex with his corpse.

She then gathered kitchen knives with the intention to dismember Thyrion and keep all of his body parts, prosecutors said.

But she got lazy partway through the dismemberment and dumped his severed head inside a green bucket.

His torso, penis and carved-out organs were found scattered in the basement of the home while one of Thyrions feet had been shoved into his chest cavity.

Jurors heard how, after butchering his body, Schabusiness proceeded to use a bucket and a tote bag to collect Thyrons blood, which she then used to shower with.

Thyrions devastated mother later found her sons severed head in the bucket when she returned home.

Following her arrest, Schabusiness allegedly confessed to killing Thyrion and gloated that officers would have fun trying to find all of the organs, according to the criminal complaint.

Taylor Schabusiness scowls as the verdict is read out (Law&Crime)

Schabusiness stated she thought it took 3-5 minutes for the Victim to die. Detective Kempf clarified with Schabusiness that when the Victim began to cough up blood she just did keep on choking the Victim because she wanted to see what happens, it reads.

Schabusiness stated she enjoyed choking him and made comments to detectives asking if they knew what it was like to love something so much that you kill it.

Prosecutors said that the gruesome murder was premeditated, revealing that Schabusiness had made a series of chilling internet searches in the lead-up to it  including Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy and Jeffrey Dahmers butt.

During her three-day trial  starting on Monday  she was seen smirking as the grisly details of the killing came to light. At one point, she also appeared to make a gun finger gesture.

Schabusiness had initially entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity but a court-appointed physician found her competent to stand trial.

In February, she attacked her previous attorney during a court hearing forcing a deputy to wrestle her to the courtroom floor.

Schabusiness now faces life in prison on the charges.
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A woman convicted of strangling her lover and dismembering his corpse made chilling searches about Jeffrey Dahmer in the week leading up to the murder.

Taylor Schabusiness, 25, was found guilty Wednesday on charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in the death of 24-year-old Shad Thyrion on 23 February 2022 in Gray Bay, Wisconsin. Schabusiness admitted to choking Thyrion during sex after consuming meth and prescription drugs.

During the three-day trial, detectives told the court about Schabusiness online searches for Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy and Jeffrey Dahmers butt. Although her defence had requested those searches not be admitted as evidence, Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh ruled in the prosecutions favour.

Eleven days before she killed Thyrion, Schabusiness took a bizarre selfie next to a cellphone with an image of the cannibal serial killer.

The most damning evidence against Schabusiness came from disturbingly graphic detail about the way Thyrions body was mutilated. His head and genitals were left inside a bucket that his mother found at her home, while his carved-out torso with a foot stuffed inside and chunks of his flesh were discovered in her basement.

It took jurors less than an hour to find her guilty on all charges.

Schabusinesss former attorney had entered a not-guilty plea for reason of insanity. The legal counsel left the case after she attacked him in court in February when the judge delayed her trial.

This case is a puzzling, unclear collection of facts, Schabusiness current attorney Christopher Froelich said during closing arguments, according to the Green Bay Gazette. Was this an accidental death? Was there intent to kill Shad Thryion? Its foggy, its cloudy, its hard to figure out.

However, prosecutors argued that the oddities and gruesome details surrounding the case left no doubt the murder had been premeditated and evil.

This is bizarre. This is strange. This is unnatural, but in no way is it unclear, Brown County District Attorney David Lasee told jurors.

Eleven days before she killed Shad Thyrion, Taylor Schabusiness took a bizarre selfie next to a cellphone with an image of Jeffrey Dahmer (Law&Crime Network )

According to a criminal complaint, Schabusiness picked up Thyrion from her mothers home around 9.30pm on 21 February 2022. A friend of the couple joined them before they headed to an apartment where the three smoked marijuana.

Ms Schabusiness told police that she and Thyrion also smoked methamphetamine and injected Trazadone. She and Thyrion eventually returned to his mothers home and spent the day there while she was away.

The alleged murderer claimed in an interview with police that she and Thyrion used chains to choke one another as foreplay. Thyrion reportedly laid face down in bed before Ms Schabusiness went crazy and repeatedly choked him despite the fact that he was coughing blood and turned purple.

Thyrion was murdered and dismembered. His head was found inside a bucket by his mother on 23 February 2022.

Taylor Schabusiness scowls as guilty verdict is read out (Law&Crime)

Green Bay Police Detective David Graf testified in court earlier this week that Ms Schabusiness allegedly admitted to enjoying the ordeal.

Her response was that she liked it, Detective Graf said, according to local news station WBAY.

Dane County Medical Examiner Dr Vincent Tranchida also testified in court about the lack of blood on the scene of the murder.

We have decapitation, we have dismemberment, we have transection of the torso, subsequently internally the body has been eviscerated. In other words, we have entered inside the body through various cuts through the abdomen and between the ribs where the victims organs have been removed, largely one by one, he told jurors.
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A Wisconsin woman accused of choking a man to death and dismembering his body was seen smirking in court as witnesses recounted gruesome details about the murder.

Taylor Schabusiness, 25, is standing trial in Gray Bay on charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in the death of 24-year-old Shad Thyrion. The victims decapitated head and genitals were found inside a bucket at his mothers home on 23 February 2022.

Ms Schabusiness, who had been convicted of unrelated charges a month before the murder, has since reportedly admitted to law enforcement that she choked Thyrion during sex and proceeded to mutilate his body parts and carve out his organs. Her previous attempts to enter not-guilty pleas for reason of insanity have been unsuccessful.

Since her trial kicked off on Monday, disturbing details about the way Thyrions body parts were found have been revealed by prosecutors and witnesses. According to testimony shared by a detective who investigated the case and the medical examiner who performed an autopsy on Thyrion, Ms Schabusiness allegedly preserved his blood and then proceeded to shower with it before leaving the bucket with Thyrions body parts for his mother to find.

Earlier this year, the suspect had caused a stir in court when she charged at her own attorney after the judge ruled to delay her trial. In recent days, cameras inside the courtroom have also captured her smirking as investigators testify before jurors  at one point, she even appeared to make a making a finger gun gesture.

There was a human head, there was genitalia in the bucket. What I would recognize as a penis and testicles, Detective Philip Scanlan told the court on Tuesday.

Ms Schabusiness was also seen laughing when a friend of hers and Thyrion took the stand to testify before jurors about the day leading up to the murder.

Bodycam future showed in court showed Gray Bay Police Department Officers responding to the scene of the murder after Thyrions mother called 911. The officers appeared in shock as they inspected the basement of the home and found chunks of human flesh.

I went downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, to the right, there was a green bucket with a shower towel on top of it, Officer Alex Wanish told the court, according to The New York Post. Just to verify we had an actual head in the bucket, lifted the towel off and there was in fact a human head, severed head in the bucket.

Taylor Schabusiness has been since smirking and laughing in her trial over the murder of 24-year-old Shad Thyrion (Law & Crime network )

According to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors, Ms Schabusiness picked up Thyrion from her mothers home around 9.30pm on 21 February 2022. A friend of the couple joined them before they headed to an apartment where the three smoked marijuana.

Ms Schabusiness told police that she and Thyrion also smoked methamphetamine and injected Trazadone. She and Thyrion eventually returned to his mothers home and spent the day there while she was away.

The alleged murderer claimed in an interview with police that she and Thyrion used chains to choke one another as foreplay. Thyrion reportedly laid face down in bed before Ms Schabusiness went crazy and repeatedly choked him despite the fact that he was coughing blood and turned purple.

Shad Thyrion was murdered and dismembered. His head was found inside a bucket by his mother on 23 February 2022 (Shad Thyrion/FB)

Green Bay Police Detective David Graf testified in court earlier this week that Ms Schabusiness allegedly admitted to enjoying the ordeal.

Her response was that she liked it, Detective Graf said, according to local news station WBAY.

Dane County Medical Examiner Dr Vincent Tranchida also testified in court about the lack of blood on the scene of the murder.

We have decapitation, we have dismemberment, we have transection of the torso, subsequently internally the body has been eviscerated. In other words, we have entered inside the body through various cuts through the abdomen and between the ribs where the victims organs have been removed, largely one by one, he told jurors.

The trial is slated to last just one week, with jurors expected to decide Ms Schabusinesss fate on Friday.

If convicted on all charges, she will face life in prison as the death penalty is not legal in Wisconsin.
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Nothing could have prepared Tara Pakanich for what she encountered in the early morning hours of 23 February 2022. Inside a green bucket covered with a shower towel at her home in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was the mutilated head of her 24-year-old son Shad Thyrion.

Thyrions torso, penis and carved-out organs were later found by law enforcement in her basement. The gruesome nature of the murder was on full display in court this week as Taylor Schabusiness went on trial charged with his murder.

On Wednesday, a jury took just 30 minutes to convict her on all counts of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and third-degree sexual assault in Thyrions death. Now, she faces life in prison as the death penalty is not legal in Wisconsin.

Schabusiness, 25, and her victim knew each other since middle school and had been involved in a sexual relationship, she told law enforcement. On the fateful day of Thyrions death, they had been consuming methamphetamines and prescription drugs.

Taylor Schabusiness scowls as shes convicted of killing and dismembering lover

But despite Schabusiness attempts to enter not-guilty pleas for reason of insanity, prosecutors honed in on the atrocious evidence they said suggested premeditation.

Over the course of the three-day trial, jurors heard about Schabusiness online searches for Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy as well as how she allegedly preserved Thyrions blood and then showered with it before recounting to detectives how much she liked strangling him.

Throughout the proceedings, she also attacked her own lawyer and was seen smirking as gruesome details about the murder are mentioned.

Heres everything we know about the case:

The murder

According to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors, Schabusiness picked up Thyrion from her mothers home around 9.30pm on 21 February 2022. A friend of the couple joined them before they headed to an apartment where the three smoked marijuana.

Schabusiness told police that she and Thyrion also smoked methamphetamine and injected Trazodone. Schabusiness and Thyrion eventually returned to his mothers home and spent the day there while Ms Pakanich was away.

The alleged murderer claimed in an interview with police that she and Thyrion used chains to choke one another as foreplay. This time, she said, she and Thyrion put metal chains on each other.

Thyrion reportedly laid face down in bed before Schabusiness went crazy and repeatedly choked him despite the fact that he was coughing blood and turned purple.

Green Bay Police Detective David Graf testified in court that Schabusiness allegedly admitted to enjoying the ordeal.

Her response was that she liked it, Detective Graf said, according to local news station WBAY.

Taylor Schabusiness (Taylor Schabusiness/GBPD)

Schabusiness allegedly went on to tell law enforcement that she continued having sex with the dead body for a period of time because she enjoyed it and then gathered kitchen knives with the intention to dismember Thyrion and keep all his body parts, but she got lazy, according to theGreen Bay Press-Gazette.

Detective Graf said that Schabusiness proceeded to use a bucket and a tote bag to collect Thyrons blood, which she then used to shower with. Dane County Medical Examiner Dr Vincent Tranchida also testified in court about the lack of blood on the scene of the murder.

We have decapitation, we have dismemberment, we have transection of the torso, subsequently internally the body has been eviscerated. In other words, we have entered inside the body through various cuts through the abdomen and between the ribs where the victims organs have been removed, largely one by one, he told jurors.

Dr Tranchida also said that one of Thyrions feet had been shoved into his chest cavity and that his back was filleted.

Decapitated head found by Thyrions mother

Ms Pakanich told the court on Monday that she was woken up by a knock on her front door around 2.30am on 23 February 2022. She went to the basement to check whether Thyrion was there and after not finding him, she went back upstairs and found the bucket with part of her sons remains inside.

Ms Pakanichs boyfriend Steve Hendricks then called 911. Bodycam video of the officers responding to the scene shows them searching the basement of the home and securing the crime scene after confirming that a human head was inside the bucket.

Shad Thyrion (Shad Thyrion/FB)

I went downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, to the right, there was a green bucket with a shower towel on top of it. Just to verify we had an actual head in the bucket, lifted the towel off and there was in fact a human head severed head in the bucket, Green Bay police officer Alex Wanish testified during the trial.

The rest of Thyrions body parts were found placed inside plastic bags and cardboard boxes in the basement and in a minivan at the property.

Schabusinness told police they would had fun trying to find all of the organs

Schabusiness had been previously convicted of unrelated fleeing, eluding and obstructing a police officer charges. She was sentenced to three months in jail in January 2022, but it is unclear whether she was under home arrest or work release at the time of Thyrions murder.

Following testimony from Thyrions mother, authorities eventually located Schabusiness, who had removed a GPS tracker from her ankle.

Detective Graf testified that Schabusiness had initially claimed to have blacked out while choking Thyrion, but then allegedly admitted thinking that she regained consciousness and thought she was already this far so she just kept on, referring to choking the victim.

Taylor Schabusiness returns to a Brown County courtroom after attacking her attorney Quinn Jolly, during a hearing in Green Bay, Wis., Feb. 14, 2023.

The criminal complaint also read: Schabusiness stated she thought it took 3-5 minutes for the Victim to die. Detective Kempf clarified with Schabusiness that when the Victim began to cough up blood she just did keep on choking the Victim because she wanted to see what happens.

Schabusiness stated she enjoyed choking him and made comments to detectives asking if they knew what it was like to love something so much that you kill it.

Schabusiness allegedly indicated the crime scene and told officers that they would have fun trying to find all of the organs.

Schabusiness entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity entered by her former attorney.

Last year, a physician appointed by the court found that she was able to stand trial. Her attorney said at that time that Schabusiness has been diagnosed as bipolar in the past and that she had been getting mental health treatment since she was in the seventh grade.

Woman attacks lawyer in court whilst standing for trial for killing lover

However, Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh ruled in March that Schabusiness was competent to stand trial.

In February, Schabusiness attacked her previous attorney during a court hearing before a deputy wrestled her to the courtroom floor.

Schabusinesss current attorney filed a motion to exclude evidence of searches Schabusines made before the murder, including Jeffrey Dahmer walking into court all sexy and Jeffrey Dahmers butt. Judge Walsh ruled that the evidence can be admitted in court, but no mention should be made of her searches for satanism.

He thought of others before himself

According to his obituary, Thyrion worked with his father and grandfather in the family business.

Shad enjoyed camping, games, and spending time with his family, the obituary read. He was a very kind and compassionate person who often thought of others before himself. A talented artist, he also enjoyed wood carving.

Sixteen jurors were selected last week, following Judge Walshs ruling that Schabusiness can help in her defence.

The panel took just over half an hour to return a verdict of guilty on all charges.
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A mother of four has died in a freak accident while exercising at an LA Fitness gym in Washington state.

Delrie Rosario, 36, fell and hit her head on a treadmill at the gym in the city of Kent on Friday 21 July, her grieving family told KIRO-7 News.

Her sister Marissa Woods told the news site that Rosario had tried to slow down the machine when she missed a step and collapsed, hitting her head on the treadmill.

I was screaming, you know, Anybody, just please help! Anybody know how to do CPR? Ms Woods told KIRO-7 News.

While other gym-goers stopped exercising to help, none of the LA Fitness staff came to her aid, Ms Woods said.

LA Fitness did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent.

Ms Woods said her sister failed to regain consciousness and was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Her heart, lungs, kidneys and liver have since been transplanted to save the lives of five people on organ donor waiting lists, she added.

Delrie Rosario, 36, was a devoted mother to her four children Delaino, Rickey, RicKae and Delaiah. (GoFundme)

(Shes) saving lives. How big can your heart be to still be saving lives? Ms Woods told KIRO-7 News.

Just think, somebodys walking aroundwith her big heart. They dont even know what heart theyre about to get.

Rosario was a devoted mother who worked two jobs to provide for her four children Delaino, Rickey, RicKae and Delaiah, her sister added.

An LA Fitness gym in Kent, Washington state, where Delrie Rosario died after falling from a treadmill (KIRO-7 News)

On her Facebook page, Rosario described herself as The Momma.

Her friends have set up a GoFundme page to help support her surviving children, which had raised $24,000 of a $50,000 target by Thursday.

Among the many incredible qualities she possessed, being an amazing Mother was top of the list, organiser Noelle Meluskey wrote.

Heartbreakingly she has left behind four beautiful children.

While deaths on treadmills are rare, with only three to four recorded each year, thousands of people are injured annually, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Treadmills account for the highest number of exercise-related injures suffered in the home, the commission said.

Some 15,800 patients were treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained on treadmills in 2020, compared to 22,500 in 2019, according to figures provided to the Washington Post.

Experts recommend giving the exercise machine plenty of space, always using the safety key, and never stepping off a moving treadmill.
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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.
 Close Moment crane collapses in middle of Manhattan after catching fire

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A construction crane caught fire and partially collapsed in the heart of Manhattan on Wednesday morning, sending commuters fleeing for their lives as rubble rained down onto the streets below.

The fire broke out at around 7.30am ET on a crane on a building under construction along W 41st St and 10th Avenue, close to Hudson Yards.

Bystander footage showed the top of the crane alight before it suddenly collapsed, crashing into a building opposite where it appeared to smash several windows. New Yorkers in the streets below were seen running away from the carnage.

Two construction workers told The Indepednent about the terrifying moment the building they were working in was suddenly struck by the crane.

Were walking down the stairs and thats when you hear the boom, boom, boom, Alexander, a construction worker who only wished to be identified by his first name, told The Independent.

Twelve people  nine civilians and three firefighters  were injured in the collapse, the FDNY told CNN.

All suffered non-life threatening injuries while one of the firefighters suffered chest pains.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that it was extremely lucky more people werent hurt.
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A Tennessee student is suing his school district after he was suspended for posting mocking memes of his headteacher on social media.

The 17-year-old student from Tullahoma has filed a lawsuit after he was suspended for three days after posting images depicting his headteacher as a cat in a maids outfit, among others, on Instagram.

This case is about a thin-skinned high school principal defying the First Amendment and suspending a student for lampooning the principal on the students Instagram page even though the posts caused no disruption at school, the suit said, according to NBC.

A lawyer representing the student, who has not been named, said that the images posted to social media  which took the headteachers head and placed it on different pictures  were simply gently satirising a school administrator who was perceived as being a bit overly serious.

Lead attorney Conor Fitzpatrick commented to The Guardian: One of the main things were trying to do here is cement the rights of American students to express themselves on social media, without fear of censorship, as long as what theyre expressing doesnt disrupt the school day.

A student has shared memes on Instagram mocking his principal (USDC Tennessee Winchester)

The school has no business jumping in and acting as a censor. If something they post  might be inappropriate, thats a matter for their parents  not the government, he added.

The suit also argues that the images were not posted by the student while he was on school property, despite the school policy stating that whether at home or school, students should not post pictures to social media that lead to the embarrassment, demeaning, or discrediting of any student or staff.

However, the suit claims the schools policy is overreaching and in breach of the First Amendment.
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The family of a US Army private who fled across the border into North Korea have issued a fresh plea to the Biden administration to do whatever it takes to bring him home.

Travis King, 23, sprinted across the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea after joining a private tour on 18 July and is believed to have been taken into custody.

Mr King had been due to face a military disciplinary hearing later that week after serving two nearly months in prison in South Korea for assault.

In an interview with NBC News, Mr Kings sister Jaqueda Gates said the family were suffering amid the lack of information from North Korean officials.

Ms Gates said she had spoken to her brother 48 hours before his mad dash over the border, and was at a loss to understand what had happened.

My brother, hes not the type to get into trouble like that. It all just sounds made up, Ms Gates told NBC News.

US Army soldier Travis King defected to North Korea on 18 July (VIA REUTERS)

She said she hoped that the US government was doing everything it could to get her brother out of the secretive totalitarian state.

At the end of the day, I just feel like it should be no men left behind, Ms Gates told the network.

Mr King had last week been due to fly back to Texas to face disciplinary action for a confrontation with a South Korean police officer, that landed him in jail for six weeks.

He apparently left Seouls Incheon International Airport instead, and joined a tour group visiting the DMZ.

Mr Kings uncle Myron Gates told NBC News that they had been in touch with the parents of Otto Warmbier, a US student who died after being detained in North Korea in 2017.

Mr Gates said his worst fear was that his nephew returned from captivity in a vegetative state, as Warmbier had.

When he went to the Army to fight for America, America should fight for him, fight for him to come home, Mr Gates told the news site.

Jaqueda Gates says she is struggling to understand what happened to her brother Travis King (NBC News / screengrab)

Mr Kings mother Claudine Gates was an emotional wreck, Mr Gates added.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for information about Mr Kings status.

A spokesperson previously said that Mr Kings well-being was their top priority.
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Tucker Carlson has claimed that his firing from Fox News was part of the $787.5m defamation settlement between the network and Dominion Voting Systems.

In a new book, the ousted host says that Fox agreed to take me off the air, my show off the air, as a condition of the Dominion settlement, according to The Guardian.

Mr Carlson told biographer Chadwick Moore that the network had to settle the case after Dominion sued Fox for airing lies about the company in relation to former President Donald Trumps falsehoods regarding the 2020 election.

The ex-host added that the owner of Fox, Ruper Murdoch, 92, couldnt testify. I think that deal was made minutes before the trial started.

I mean, I know it was, he said.

Mr Carlson claims that he wasnt fired, just that his show was taken off the air.

All Seasons Press, the publisher of Mr Moores book titled Tucker, has said that its based on hundreds of hours interviews with Carlson, his family, colleagues, acquaintances and enemies.

Mr Carlson was the top broadcaster in primetime before being removed from the lineup, garnering millions of viewers attracted by his far-right diatribes.

Following his departure, he has since started broadcasting on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, prompting a dispute with Fox, where he remains contracted.

Dominion has rejected that Mr Carlson was ousted as part of its settlement with Fox News.

Mr Moore has included the denial from Dominion in the book, stating that a lawyer for the company wanted to make clear personally that Dominion made no requests or demands whatsoever regarding Mr Carlsons employment with Fox or his appearance, or non-appearance, on Fox News, according to The Guardian.

Similarly, Fox has categorically rejected the notion that Mr Carlsons ouster was connected to the defamation suit.

Mr Carlson claimed in conversations with Mr Moore that he didnt make any claims about Dominion that would be cause for libel.

On 24 April, Mr Carlson thought he was set to receive a call from Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott to offer congratulations on the sixth anniversary of his programme moving to the 8pm timeslot.

I was first confused, and then shocked, he states in the book. It was just, Were taking you off the air. No explanation why, and theyve let me guess ever since. Thats literally all I know. I asked if I violated my contract. They said, no, Im not fired, Im still under contract.

He goes on to suggest that political pressure coming out of DC could have led to him being cancelled. He added that Mr Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch, the co-chair of News Corp, definitely didnt like my views on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But he also said that Lachlan Murdoch told him it was okay that they didnt see eye to eye. Mr Carlson is seen by many observers as being pro-Russian.

On the very same page in the book, Mr Carlson calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a monster but said that the Murdochs were great about Ukraine.
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Republican US Rep Byron Donalds has repeatedly echoed other GOP officials in a specious crusade against critical race theory and woke indoctrination in American schools.

But on 26 July, the Florida congressman called on Floridas Department of Education to correct newly approved curriculum guidelines for middle school students to learn how enslaved people developed skills that could be applied for personal benefit.

The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, [and] accurate, he wrote on Twitter, now known as X. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong [and] needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasnt the goal [and] I have faith that FLDOE will correct this.

In an interview with Floridas WINK-TV, Mr Donalds, who is Black, suggested the standards need some adjustments and that Floridas Board of Education could bring refinement to the curriculum standards for African American history lessons that the board unanimously approved earlier this month.

The standards have been widely derided by educators, Democratic officials and the White House; Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to the state last week to condemn propaganda and the extremist, so-called leaders who support it, a not-so-thinly veiled strike against Governor Ron DeSantis and his 2024 campaign for the Republican nomination for president.

After his comments, Mr Donalds felt the wrath of the DeSantis campaign and other state officials.

Did Kamala Harris write this tweet? replied DeSantis aide Christina Pushaw.

Floridas Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr said that the state standards would not be changed at the behest of a woke [White House], nor at the behest of a supposedly conservative congressman.

Supposed conservatives in the federal government are pushing the same false narrative that originated from the [White House], said DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern.

Florida isnt going to hide the truth for political convenience, he added. Maybe the congressman shouldnt swing for the liberal media fences like [the vice president].

In March, Mr Donalds joined other prominent Florida Republicans to endorse Donald Trump for president.

The Congressman also calls it like he sees it, and if he thinks something is BS, hell tell you. Thats why we like him so much, said Trump aide Jason Miller, who called attempts to smear Mr Donalds a disgrace.

Mr Donalds responded to the inter-party backlash, stating that anyone who cant accurately interpret what I said is disingenuous and is desperately attempting to score political points.
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One of the frequent instances in which Senator Dianne Feinstein has appeared confused and unsure of the business of the Senate at hand has been caught on camera, a day after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze at a press conference and was ushered away after appearing unable to talk.

The Democratic senator from California was attending a meeting Thursday of the Senate Appropriations Commitee, where during votes she appeared to lose track of the proceedings and began to motion for a vote that was already in progress.

The beginning of her speech prompted a fellow Democratic senator, Patty Murray, to lean in and tell her: Just vote aye.

It was a concerning moment made all the more relevant by the display of Mr McConnell a day earlier; after pressing from reporters throughout the afternoon and into the evening, it was eventually born out that the Senate GOP leader, who suffered a concussion after a fall this past spring, was the victim of another fall just a few weeks ago at DCs Reagan airport.

The incident was branded awkward by NBCs congressional reporter Sahil Kapur, and it drew the issue of the Senates graying membership back into the headlines for a second day in a row.

A spokesperson for the senator offered this explanation to Fox News: Trying to complete all of the appropriations bills before recess, the committee markup this morning was a little chaotic constantly switching back and forth between statements, votes, and debate and the order of bills. The senator was preoccupied, didnt realize debate had just ended and a vote was called.

"She started to give a statement, was informed it was a vote and then cast her vote, they continued.

Ms Feinstein, 90, is one of the chambers oldest members and has long been the subject of stories and anecdotes wherein she appears unsure or confused about her immediate surroundings or the proceedings of the Senate. The concerns have escalated to the point where there are now persistent calls for her retirement on social media, something that the senator has pledged to do at the end of her term.

A crowded field has already emerged to vie for her seat next year; California US House members Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee and Katie Porter are all contending to succeed her in what is expected to be one of the most expensive statewide races in 2024.

The senator returned to work earlier this year after a two-and-a-half month absence, related to illness; the void left by her leave prevented the Senate Judiciary Committees Democratic majority from compelling Supreme Court Justice John Roberts to testify at a hearing called to discuss ethical issues plaguing the nations highest judicial authority.
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The White House on Thursday said President Joe Biden would not use his authority as president to grant any pardons or other relief that would short-circuit the criminal case against his son, Hunter Biden.

The younger Mr Biden, an attorney and lobbyist turned visual artist, is currently facing two misdemeanour charges for allegedly failing to pay taxes for two years, as well as a felony charge for allegedly lying on a gun background check form.

During Thursdays daily White House press briefing, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked if Hunter Bidens father, the president, would consider pardoning his only surviving son.

Ms Jean-Pierre replied: No.

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden had previously settled on a deal for the lawyer and lobbyist turned artist to plead guilty to tax misdemeanour charges and enter into a diversion programme on a gun-related charge, but the judge overseeing the case demanded more information from both sides during a hearing at a Wilmington, Delaware courthouse on Wednesday.

US District Judge Maryellen Noreika ordered attorneys from both sides to file briefs with the court on a provision of the diversion agreement which she had questioned because it raised separation of powers concerns, or modify the agreement to exclude the provision she questioned.

The agreement, which she had reviewed, said that she would be responsible for deciding if Mr Biden was ever in breach of the agreement. She suggested that such a role would be improper for her because it is the executive branch, through prosecutors, which makes charging decisions.

Because Mr Biden had to enter a plea at his court appearance, he has pleaded not guilty while attorneys from both sides confer to make the agreement comply with the judges concerns. He will be able to enter a guilty plea when his attorneys and prosecutors have settled on language for a deal.
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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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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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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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Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) delivered an emotional speech about his disability to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mr Fetterman spoke via video message in his signature Carhartt shirt at the American Association of People with Disabilities celebration of the landmark law that passed in 1990 with overwhelming bipartisan support.

During his campaign for Senate last year, Mr Fetterman suffered a stroke which affected his auditory processing. As a result, he now uses speech-to-text technology.

The reality is that all Americans should be able to get access to the support that they need, he said. The Americans with Disabilities Act makes this possible.

In February, Mr Fetterman checked into Walter Reed Medical Center to undergo treatment for depression. He checked out at the end of March and has since returned to the United States Senate.

I want to thank your community for the work that you have done to make sure people with disabilities can run for and win office, he said.

Mr Fetterman appeared at the celebration with other elected officials including Sen Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the former House majority whip; and Rep Debbie Dingell (D-MI). Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also attended.

Now that Im a senator, Im going to continue to fight for disability rights in DC, Mr Fetterman said.

But many of the people at the event also highlighted the work that needed to be done to make places more accessible. Ms Duckworth, who lost both of her legs serving in the Iraq War, talked about how she took her two daughters to see the Barbie movie but could not go because the elevator did not work.

And so my two girls watched a movie with their nanny with me sitting outside for two and a half hours waiting for them to be done, Ms Duckworth said, noting how nobody had informed her that the elevator was broken until after she bought a ticket. It is 2023 folks we can and will and should do better.

She also pointed out how it is still legal to pay people with disabilities below the minimum wage and that medical equipment continues to get broken when people with disabilities travel by air. As a result, she said she is pushing for wheelchairs to be considered complex medical devices so they could not be destroyed.

Similarly, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared over the video to discuss how the Transportation Department had begun preliminary work to stay in their wheelchairs as they fly.

And today were pleased to officially announce the rule that will increase the size of accessibility of airplane bathrooms to better accommodate access on board, he said.

The anniversary comes after many people who helped pass the ADA such as disability rights Judith Heumann and the late Sen Lowell Weicker, a Republican from Connecticut, and C Boyden Gray, an adviser to former president George HW Bush, passed away earlier this year.

Ms Duckworth spoke about how eventually, plenty of people will need to use the accommodations that the ADA guarantees.

I hope one day you develop one because that will mean that you've lived a long life and maybe that you'll care about disabled access, she said.
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The lower house of Jordan's parliament passed legislation Thursday to punish online speech deemed harmful to national unity, drawing accusations from human rights groups of a new crackdown on free expression in a country where censorship and repression are increasingly common.

The measure makes certain online posts punishable with months of prison time and fines. These include comments promoting, instigating, aiding, or inciting immorality, demonstrating contempt for religion" or undermining national unity.

It also punishes those who publish names or pictures of police officers online and outlaws certain methods of maintaining online anonymity.

The legislation now heads to the Senate  where it is expected to pass  before going to King Abdullah II for final approval.

Lawmakers have argued that the measure, which amends a 2015 cybercrime law, is necessary to punish blackmailers and online attackers.

Prime Minister Bishr al-Khasawneh insisted during Thursday's deliberations that the bill did not run afoul of Jordan's clear and balanced constitution, Jordanian media reported.

But opposition lawmakers and human rights groups cautioned that the new law will expand state control over social media, hamper free access to information and penalize anti-government speech.

This law is disastrous and will lead to turning Jordan into a large prison, opposition lawmaker Saleh Al-Armoiti said after Thursdays vote.

In a joint statement ahead of the vote, 14 human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, called the law draconian. They said the law's "vague provisions open the door for Jordans executive branch to punish individuals for exercising their right to freedom of expression, forcing the judges to convict citizens in most cases.

The president of Jordan's press association also warned the language could infringe upon press freedom and freedom of speech.

Jordan is a key U.S. ally, seen as an important source of stability in the volatile Middle East.

But ahead of the vote, the U.S. State Department criticized what it said were vague definitions and concepts in the law, warning it could "further shrink the civic space that journalists, bloggers, and other members of civil society operate in Jordan.

The house speaker in parliament said the law was approved by a majority, but a final vote tally was not immediately released.

The measure is the latest in a series of crackdowns on freedom of expression in Jordan. A report by Human Rights Watch in 2022 found that authorities increasingly target protesters and journalists in a systematic campaign to quell peaceful opposition and silence critical voices.

All power in Jordan rests with Abdullah II, who appoints and dismisses governments. Parliament is compliant because of a single-vote electoral system that discourages the formation of strong political parties. Abdullah has repeatedly promised to open the political system, but then pulled back due to concerns of losing control to an Islamist surge.
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Republican strategist Karl Rove used whiteboards to illustrate Robert F Kennedys conspiracy theories during a bizarre Fox News interview on Thursday.

After Florida governor Ron DeSantis said he would be prepared to sic RFK Jr onto the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mr Rove told Fox host Bill Hemmer it was a nutty idea.

Using two whiteboards with bullet points featuring RFK Jrs past statements on vaccines, election interference and the Ukraine war, Mr Rove ripped into the Democratic presidential candidate.

He has incredible conspiracy theories that are just outrageous, Mr Rove, a former senior adviser to George W. Bush, said.

He slammed RFK Jrs false claims that vaccines cause autism.

We havent used mercury since 2001 in childrens vaccines. It was never used in the three most common vaccines for children. And no scientific evidence supports this theory.

He went on to list RFK Jrs unhinged claims that AIDs isnt caused by HIV, Wi-Fi causes leaky brains, and chemicals in water are making children transgender.

He went on to list RFK Jrs previous assertions that 5G was a mass surveillance tool, the CIA had killed JFK, and the 2004 election was stolen after computers switched nearly a quarter million votes from John Kerry to George Bush in Ohio.

This is just nutty stuff. It is not just healthcare that Robert Kennedy is a conspiracy buff on, Mr Rove added.

Fox has been accused of aggressively pushing Mr Kennedys candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in the hopes of harming President Joe Bidens election hopes.

GOP strategist Karl Rove went on Fox News to describe Robert F Kennedy Jr as a nut' (Twitter / Fox News)

Sean Hannity hosted a primetime town hall event with Mr Kennedy this week, and hes been receiving more attention on the right-wing news network than many Republican candidates.

And true to form, the Fox host pushed back against Mr Rove, saying that the anti-vaccine conspiracist was a different kind of Democrat, the kind of Democrat that you and I grew up with.

Mr Hemmer asked the veteran GOP consultant what was wrong with a Mr DeSantis offering to work with a Democrat.

Nothing wrong with that, Mr Rove replied. In this particular instance, putting Robert Kennedy in charge of the Center for Disease Control or the Food and Drug Administration is a nutty idea.

RFK Jr has denied he is a conspiracy theorist, and is merely floating possibilities that required further investigation.
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Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell reportedly tripped and fell while disembarking from a plane earlier this month before he abruptly froze mid-sentence during a news conference on Wednesday, according to reports.

Mr McConnell fell from a plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on 14 July after the flight was cancelled and everyone had boarded the plane, two sources told NBC News.

The 81-year-old has recently started using a wheelchair as a precaution while travelling in crowded places such as airports, a source said.

A passenger who was in the same plane as Mr McConnel said he had a face plant and another passenger helped the Republican leader, according to the report.

On Wednesday, he abruptly stopped while speaking during the weekly Republican leadership press conference and had to be led away by colleagues.

The Kentucky senator stared vacantly for around 20 seconds before his colleagues who were standing behind him asked him if he wanted to return to his office. He did not respond but slowly walked back.

He returned later to the conference and said he is fine and answered questions from the press.

The president called to check on me. I told him I got sandbagged, he joked, in an apparent reference to a quote from Joe Biden in June he made after he tripped over a sandbag and fell while onstage at the US Air Force Academy graduation.

A polio survivor as a child, Mr McConnel has long acknowledged some difficulty as an adult in climbing stairs.

Mr McConnel was out of the Senate for almost six weeks after he sustained a concussion and fractured a rib when he fell and hit his head after a dinner event at a hotel earlier this year. He was hospitalised for several days.

In 2019, he also tripped and fell at his home in Kentucky, causing a fracture in his shoulder and required surgery.

Hes definitely slower with his gait, a Republican senator was quoted saying by NBC. They added that he doesnt address his health issues even during closed-door meetings with GOP leaders.
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Nigeriens awoke to a divided country Thursday after mutinous soldiers claimed to have ousted the president. But Niger's government said it will never accept their rule and has called for the population to reject it.

There was an attempted coup, but of course we cannot accept it, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassoumi Massoudou told news network France 24 in an interview Thursday.

We call on all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action that tends to set us back decades and block the progress of our country, he said. He also called for the president's unconditional release and said talks were ongoing.

President Mohamed Bazoum was elected in 2021 in the West African nations first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960. He thwarted a coup attempt days before he was sworn in.

Threats to his leadership undermine the Wests efforts to stabilize Africas Sahel region, which has been overrun with coups in recent years. Mali and Burkina Faso have had four coups since 2020, and both are being overrun by extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March, seeking to strengthen ties with a country where extremists have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel but the overall security situation was not as dire as in neighboring nations.

On Wednesday morning, members of the presidential guard surrounded the house of Bazoum with him and his wife inside and detained him.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of the deteriorating security and bad economic and social governance of the nation's 25 million people. They said all institutions had been suspended and security forces were managing the situation, and urged external partners not to interfere. The attempted coup was allegedly sparked by the head of the presidential guard, General Tchiani, who the president had planned to relieve from his position, Niger analysts say.

According to someone close to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the situation, the president has not and will not resign and is safe in his residence.

"The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it," Bazoum tweeted early Thursday morning.

It's unclear how much support the coup leaders have from the rest of the security forces, but support for Bazoum among the population and political parties appears strong. In a statement Wednesday, a group of Nigerien political groups said the situation was suicidal and anti-republican madness."

Our country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted, it said.

Benin President Patrice Talon, head of the Economic Community of West African State, is expected to lead talks as part of mediation efforts.

In an interview with the Associated Press in December, Bazoum said that while there's always the possibility of a coup when armies fail to secure a nation against extremists, Niger had the situation under control. "We are doing well in managing our own situation, he said.

For many Western countries, Niger was seen as the last hope for partnership in the region with anti-French sentiment that led to a pivot from French forces in Mali to the Russian mercenary group Wagner, founded by millionaire businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. Wagner is believed to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

There is concern that a potential new regime in Niger would take a page from those countries' playbooks and worsen instability.

The international community strongly condemned the coup Thursday.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna tweeted that France is concerned about the events in Niger and following the situation closely. France firmly condemns any attempt to take power by force, the minister tweeted.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, tweeted that Niger is an essential partner for the EU in the Sahel and that the regions destabilization would serve no ones interests. He reaffirmed the EUs full support of Bazoum.

___

Associated Press reporters Tracy Brown in Washington and John Leicester in Paris contributed.
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Thailand's Parliament will try to pick a new prime minister next week following two unsuccessful attempts, it said Thursday, as political uncertainty grows more than two months after the country's election.

Parliament said the vote will take place Aug. 4. The decision came despite the House speaker saying two days ago that the vote would be delayed pending clarity from the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of Parliament's vote last week to block Pita Limjaroenrat, whose progressive Move Forward Party captured the most seats in the election, to be nominated for prime minister a second time.

The government ombudsman petitioned the court to rule on the issue after receiving complaints from private citizens and lawmakers from Pitas party that Parliament's vote was unconstitutional. Pita lost a first vote in Parliament on July 13.

Thai media say the court will meet next Thursday, a day before the new scheduled vote, to determine whether to accept the case. If accepted, it could order the vote to be postponed until it issues a ruling.

Adding to the political uncertainty, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, one of the most divisive figures in Thai politics, announced Wednesday that he plans to return on Aug. 10 after living in self-imposed exile to escape a prison term in criminal cases he has decried as politically motivated.

Thaksin was elected prime minister in 2001 and easily reelected in 2005, but was ousted by a military coup in 2006 after being accused of corruption, abuse of power and disrespecting the countrys monarchy.

The Pheu Thai party, the latest in a string of parties closely affiliated with Thaksin, is seeking to gather enough support in Parliament to have one of its leaders become prime minister. Thaksins daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is one of the partys three candidates.

Forming a new government after the May election has proven an unexpectedly hard task. Move Forward, the surprise election winner, pulled together an eight-party coalition with 312 seats in the 500-member lower house. However, under the military-enacted constitution, confirming a new prime minister requires a majority vote by both the elected House and the 250-member Senate, which was appointed by a previous military government. Pitas initial bid fell short by more than 50 votes, largely because only 13 senators backed him.

The Senate sees itself as the guardian of conservative royalist values. Many senators said they would not vote for Pita because of his partys call for the reform of a law that makes it illegal to defame the royal family. Critics say the law, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, has been widely abused as a political weapon.

Parliament on Aug. 4 is also scheduled to debate a motion filed by Move Forward seeking to amend the constitution to eliminate the Senates ability to veto a prime ministerial candidate.

Public frustration has grown over Parliament's failure to name a new leader. Supporters of the Move Forward Party have staged several protests calling for senators to stop blocking a candidate from the eight-party coalition.

Dozens of protesters gathered in central Bangkok on Thursday to express their anger at the Senate and over growing rumors that Pheu Thai plans to join hands with parties that supported the outgoing government of Prayuth Chan-ocha, who as army commander seized power in a 2014 coup and was returned as prime minister after a 2019 election.

Move Forward, the most progressive member of the coalition, stepped aside as the coalition's leader after its two failed attempts at selecting a prime minister and let Pheu Thai, the second biggest member, take over. Pheu Thais other possible nominees include real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin and Chaikasem Nitsiri, the partys chief strategist.

Although Pheu Thai said last week that for now the coalition will stick with its original members and try to win more support before the next vote, it did not rule out the possibility that Move Forward could be excluded to attract more conservative lawmakers. It met with several parties that supported Prayuth as prime minister in 2019.

Move Forward supporters feel that Pheu Thai is putting the pursuit of power ahead of principle. The rumor of that Pheu Thai is switching sides was fueled further by the announcement of Thaksins return. The royalist establishment, backed by the military, holds a sharp animosity toward Thaksin, making many believe that Pheu Thai has compromised with them to facilitate the populist billionaires return.
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Why was a major candidate for the presidency just asked about a lesson set to be taught to middle school students in Florida social studies classes?

Governor Ron DeSantis found himself answering yet more questions about his states new conservative-friendly social studies curriculum at a press event in Utah over the weekend as the Republican sees continued signs that his record on racial and social issues in the Sunshine State will be an issue in the upcoming GOP primary debates and, potentially, the 2024 general election.

Mr DeSantiss campaign held a summit with donors in Utah this past weekend where top advisers pledged a reboot to the Florida governors stagnating presidential bid including cutbacks to pricy expenditures including private events that have not helped his standings in the polls improve.

The candidate himself held a press conference on Friday, where the question about Florida schools was directed to him.

The Florida Department of Educations social studies standards for the 2023-2024 school year, released this month, provide lesson topics for middle school teachers including a benchmark clarification which instructs educators to teach students that slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. It isnt clear what their personal benefit would be in this scenario.

The line is included as part of a broader lesson entitled: Examine the various duties and trades performed by slaves (e.g., agricultural work, painting, carpentry, tailoring, domestic service, blacksmithing, transportation).

Mr DeSantis has come under fire for the curriculum changes, from both Democrats and Republicans alike. Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris railed against Mr DeSantis without naming the Florida governor.

There is a national agenda afoot. Extremist so-called leaders for months have dared to ban books.  Extremists here in Florida, passing a law Dont Say Gay, trying to instill fear in our teachers  And now, on top of that, they want to replace history with lies.

And former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, who is seeking the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, also called out the governor for what he claimed was a lack of leadership.

While the change to the curriculum itself is subtle  a single sentence added to a much larger document  the news of its insertion played into a larger narrative of Floridas right-wing shift under the DeSantis administration. Florida schools, in particular, are the biggest battleground for this war, where liberal groups and nonpartisan experts alike warn that students are increasingly the recipients of a whitewashed educational environment devoid of anything that conservatives find unseemly or uncomfortable, such as discussions of the sins of slavery, representation of LGBT+ persons in the classroom or teaching materials, and other narratives that brush up against conservative belief systems.

The changes to Florida schools had already earned the state the condemnation of the NAACP and other civil rights groups, something that has enraged conservatives and drawn the state into an ugly national fight against any group or organisation that the governor perceives to have a liberal agenda, including the Disney corporation.

Now, he is officially a candidate for president and facing the reality that his loyally conservative record in Florida has failed to allow him to make serious inroads against Donald Trump and his support base, while he remains engaged in fighting off competitive rivals like Vivek Ramaswamy and others in the crowded Republican primary contest.

It remains to be seen whether his campaign reset (which continued this week with layoffs of roughly a third of his staff) will be a necessary fat-trimming measure or the sign of his campaigns early demise; what is certain is that the issue of the quality of education in Floridas schools is not going away, at least any time soon.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said he would consider appointing anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr to head up the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if he is elected to the White House.

The Republican presidential hopeful made the bizarre comment in an interview wth OutKicks Clay Travis on Wednesday when he was asked whether he would consider adding RFK Jr to his ticket as vice president.

While Mr DeSantis dismissed the idea of having him as his running mate because  as RFK Jr is running as a Democrat  he believes his opinions would alienate Republican voters, he did suggest that he could consider him for other positions.

If youre president, you know, him on the FDA if hed be willing to serve, or him on CDC, Mr DeSantis said.

But in terms of being VP  if there is, you know, 70 percent of the issues that he may be averse to our base on ... that just creates an issue.

RFK Jr is an outspoken anti-vaccine activist, and, as such, the suggestion that he could serve on the CDC or FDA will no doubt spark concern among both organisations  as well as among Democrats.

It also seems that other Republican hopefuls would be less inclined to consider RFK Jr for a position  although not because of his anti-vax comments.

Former vice president Mike Pence tweeted his take on Mr DeSantis interview.

When I am President, I will only consider Pro-Life Americans to lead FDA, CDC, or HHS, he said.

2024 candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr appears on NewsNation for a town hall (NewsNation)

To be clear, pro-abortion Democrats like RFK, Jr. would not even make the list.

The current frontrunner for the Republican ticket remains former president Donald Trump, who is polling at above 50 percent, according to an NBC News poll  despite having been indicted in two criminal cases and potentially soon to be indicted on a third.

Mr Trumps popularity with his base has so far survived him being the first president in history to be impeached twice by the House and becoming the first president in history to be indicted on both state and federal criminal charges.

Social media users on X, formerly known as Twitter, were quick to criticise the Florida governors proposal.

Democratic strategist Max Burns tweeted, In a week of major mistakes for Ron DeSantis, the idea of making RFK Jr. the head of the CDC is perhaps DeSantis most unhinged yet.

Former FDA Associate Commissioner Peter J. Pitts was not amused, writing, Outrageous. They deserve each other.

Similarly, a George Washington University professor of medicine opined, Ron DeSantis suggesting that RFK Jr. could potentially run CDC or FDA in a DeSantis administration demonstrates how unserious a candidate he is.

One more nail in the why-a-vote-for-Ron- wont happen, one person wrote.

Another chimed in with a disapproving comment: Oh, really Ron? Just this fact alone that you might even consider nominating an anti-Semitic, anti-vaxer, conspiracy theory kook to lead the FDA or CDC, scares me.
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A man who was once the leading Republican candidate for governor in Michigan  after his arrest on charges related to January 6  has just pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour.

Ryan Kelley became the latest prominent Republican to be caught up in the prosecution of those who attacked the US Capitol when he was arrested last June. The news gave him a temporary polling bump in the Michigan gubernatorial primary, as voters apparently saw his participation in a violent riot that injured dozens of police officers to be a positive aspect of his candidacy.

He was later defeated by Tudor Dixon in the states Republican primary, however, and now awaits sentencing for a misdemeanour charge of entering and remaining in a restricted area. NBC News first reported his guilty plea on Thursday.

Mr Kelleys charge is comparatively lower than those faced by many other participants in the attack, as there appears to be no evidence that Mr Kelley was among the more violent perpetrators that day. Police who were attacked during the riot described the advancing supporters of Donald Trump screaming insults and racial epithets at them while assaulting them with metal barricades, chemical sprays and other makeshift weapons.

A number of firearms were also spotted in the crowd throughout the day, though no shootings occurred beyond one woman who was shot by Capitol Police as she attempted to force her way through a barricade to the House floor where lawmakers were huddled in fear inside.

Mr Kelley "used his hands to support another rioter who was pulling a metal bike rack onto the scaffolding during the attack, according to a plea agreement, but was accused of actively battling with officers.

His plea agreement has already been accepted, and a sentencing date has been set for October.

The guilty plea of a former Republican candidate comes as Mr Trumps attorneys met with Jack Smith and his team on Thursday; the former president is said to be imminently expecting a third criminal indictment charging him with crimes related to the attack on the US Capitol in the final days of his presidency.

Mr Trump and his legal team are also thought to be expecting, in the same indictment, charges related to their months-long effort to challenge and wrongly alter the results of the 2020 presidential election.
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Donald Trump is now the subject of three criminal cases  at a time when he is hot on the trail of another stint in the White House.

The former president was indicted, again, by a federal grand jury on 1 August  two months after Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith unveiled charges against him for his alleged retention of classified documents.

Mr Trump was charged this time with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding.

The charges are related to Mr Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election result and the subsequent January 6 attack on the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

In the 45-page unsealed indictment, the Justice Department outlined the ways that Mr Trump and six co-conspirators allegedly attempted to spread false claims of election fraud and obstruct Congresss certification of the election results.

On Thursday 3 August, the ex-president pleaded not guilty to all four charges during his arraignment in DC.

Mr Trump also is at the centre of another Justice Department special counsel indictment surrounding his alleged illegal retention of government papers and showing highly-classified information to unauthorised persons on two separate occasions, among many other allegations.

Earlier this year, he became the first-ever former or current president to face criminal charges when a New York City grand jury voted to indict him on criminal charges over hush money payments allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 presidential election.

He pleaded not guilty in that case to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal an alleged scheme to illegally influence the national vote by suppressing negative stories about him.

That followed another Manhattan civil jury finding Mr Trump liable for the sexual abuse of Elle magazine columnist E Jean Carroll in a dressing room of the exclusive Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s.

Former president Donald Trump appears in a Manhattan court for his first arraignment of the year on Tuesday 4 April 2023 (AP)

Ms Carroll, 79, sued the former president for assaulting her and then destroying her reputation when he accused of lying about the encounter, claiming that she was not his type.

He also faces a $250m civil lawsuit from New York attorney general Letitia James, whose investigation allegedly reveals years of illegal conduct to inflate his net worth... to deceive banks and the people of the great state of New York.

Mr Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination for president and has insisted that he will remain in the race regardless of any outcome in the criminal cases against him. He also has relied on news of the investigations and indictments to raise money for his campaign, which has netted millions of dollars.

But with potential convictions and judgments in both state and federal indictments and with multi-million dollar lawsuits to fight, what will the state of chaos mean for Mr Trumps political future?

Can Trump still run for president?

In short, yes. There are no restrictions in the US constitution to prevent anyone under indictment or convicted of a crime  or even currently serving prison time, for that matter  from running for or winning the presidency.

Even if Mr Trump were to be tried and convicted in one of the so-called speedy trials, he could still run the entirety of his presidential campaign from a prison cell.

What is far less clear is what would happen were he to win in that scenario.

Just as there are no restrictions in the constitution on a person running while under indictment, there is no explanation for what should occur in the event that they win.

There is nothing in the founding document that would automatically grant Mr Trump a reprieve from prison time, save for the likelihood that any charges brought by federal authorities, were they still being litigated at the point when he assumed the presidency for a second time, would be dropped due to the Justice Departments refusal to prosecute a sitting president.

Recommended All the lawsuits and criminal charges involving Trump and where they stand

In Ms Carrolls case, Mr Trump did not face any jail time because it was a civil trial.

State-level charges like the ones filed by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg in the hush money case are far trickier and would fall outside of Mr Trumps prospective presidential pardon power were they to conclude in a conviction.

Were conviction on state charges to occur alongside a Trump election victory, it would likely lead to a massive legal fight to determine whether there was a way for the former president to worm his way out of serving time.

If Mr Trump was unable to avoid that outcome, it would almost certainly lead to his impeachment (for a historic third time) or removal via the 25th Amendment, which allows the Cabinet to remove a president who is unable to perform their duties.

There are many duties and trappings of the presidency that he would simply be unable to fulfill from a prison cell, the viewing of classified materials to name just one.

Any potential conviction of Mr Trump is still a long way off and little more than a distant possibility.

But the conversations he has started with his bid for the presidency, despite facing two indictments and multiple criminal investigations, have already pushed parts of theoretical US constitutional law into a much more real place than many experts ever believed they would live to see.

What has Trump said about the probes?

The former president has repeatedly characterised the multiple investigations against him, including the January 6 probe, as a politically motivated hoax and an attempt to steal the 2024 election from him.

On 1 August, Mr Trump called Mr Smith deranged and the January 6 charges a fake indictment.

The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes. President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys, a statement from Mr Trumps campaign read.

On 3 August, the former commander-in-chief left his arraignment in DC after pleading not guilty to the 2020 election charges and told the press: When you look at whats happening this is a persecution of a political opponent.

This was never supposed to happen in America. This is the persecution of the person thats leading by very, very substantial numbers in the Republican primary and leading Joe Biden by a lot so if you cant beat them you persecute them or prosecute em.

This story was updated on 4 August 2023 to reflect new developments
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Running for president may involve a lot of signing autographs  but Donald Trump clearly has a lot to learn about the etiquette.

This week, as he took time out from his legal battles to greet fans on the campaign trail, the former president scrawled on a young girls hand in permanent marker.

Footage of the encounter, circulating on social media, shows Mr Trump first shaking the girls hand as she perches on the shoulders of a man.

He then takes her hand and writes something on it.

The child looks somewhat bemused by the encounter.

The skin-signing episode prompted much confusion on social media, with many discussing what he had written (hi being the main consensus) and why he used permanent marker on the childs skin.

It is not the first time the president has signed a childs hand in black marker, after he was pictured doing the exact same thing at Mar-a-Lago back in March.

On that occasion, the childs mother joked that her daughter could now never wash her hand again, to which Mr Trump responded: You have no idea.

The latest incident comes as Mr Trump is hitting a series of stops this week including New Orleans, Iowa and Pennsylvania as he campaigns for the Republican 2024 nomination.

On Saturday, he is set to deliver his first address in Pennsylvania since announcing his candidacy.

While he continues to ramp up his campaign, his legal troubles also continue to escalate.

Sources told NBC News that the former presidents legal and political teams are preparing for the federal grand jury to potentially vote to indict him on charges over the January 6 Capitol riot and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election as soon as Thursday.

The grand jury was seen arriving at the courthouse in Washington DC on Thursday morning.

Last week, Mr Trump said he had received a letter from special counsel Jack Smiths office saying he is the target of a grand jury investigation  indicating that a criminal indictment is looming.

Since then, Mr Trump has gone on the attack against his political rivals and Mr Smith, and also posted a video begging Congress to help save him from his escalating legal troubles.

This would mark his third criminal indictment after he was charged with 34 state counts of falsifying business records over hush money payments made prior to the 2016 election and 37 federal charges over his alleged mishandling of classified documents on leaving office.

Despite his legal troubles and slew of alleged crimes, he is currently viewed as the most popular of the Republican presidential hopefuls in a crowded field that also includes his former vice president as well as some of his fomer allies-turned-enemies.
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Former president Donald Trumps attempts to undermine the results of elections that his rivals have won are now at the centre of a sprawling federal indictment against him, one that follows an avalanche of lies and conspiracy theories about the democratic process and a campaign to overturn the votes of millions of Americans.

Lawsuits from his legal team and Trump allies were shot down in court. His own administration and campaign failed to produce any evidence.

But his false and inflated claims, spanning more than a decade, have sowed enough doubt among his supporters to construct the lie of stolen and rigged elections, animating Republican attempts to challenge results and craft legislation to do what Mr Trump failed to do in the courts.

A persistent lie that the election was stolen from him fuelled violence at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, sustained partisan investigations intended to reverse the outcomes in states he lost, inspired Republican-led legislation in nearly every state to change how elections are run, and has formed the basis of Mr Trumps 2024 campaign.

Did he believe the truth of his claims? And how often was he told, by both his advisers and White House officials, that he was wrong?

These are questions that prosecutors are likely considering as US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and his team prosecute the former president, but they wont need to establish that he was aware that he was spreading misinformation to charge him for crimes allegedly committed to throw out millions of Americans votes and remain in power.

Years of evidence, however, suggests that he knew what he was saying was false, or that he should have known he was not telling the truth, when he waged his assault on an election he lost to Joe Biden.

A history of sham and rigged elections

Mr Trump told his followers to march on Washington and stop this travesty. He told them to fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice.

The world is laughing at us, he said. This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! Our country is now in serious and unprecedented trouble... like never before.

It was 7 November 2012 and Barack Obamas election night defeat of Mitt Romney that first sent Donald Trump into a Twitter tailspin.

Most of those messages were later deleted, but similar statements were repeated often and in public in the years that followed, including on a stage in Washington, DC, that day a mob of his followers stormed the halls of Congress on 6 January 2021.

Four years after raging over 2012 results, after he came in second place in the Iowa caucus for the Republican nomination for president, Mr Trump said his then-rival Ted Cruz stole the primary from him.

Ted Cruz didnt win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad! he said on Twitter in February 2016.

He called for a new election or for the votes to be nullified.

In August 2016, during a campaign stop in Ohio, he said he is afraid the elections going to be rigged  a statement based on nothing.

But that summer, however, Republican operative Roger Stone called on then-candidate Trump to talk about voter fraud constantly.

He told Breitbart: He needs to say for example, today would be a perfect example: I am leading in Florida. The polls all show it. If I lose Florida, we will know that theres voter fraud. If theres voter fraud, this election will be illegitimate, the election of the winner will be illegitimate, we will have a constitutional crisis, widespread civil disobedience, and the government will no longer be the government.

Mr Trump will go to the places other politicians wont, and hes probably the only person to run for president within the last 50 years who would dare to do this, and might even get away with it, Stone added.

Then-candidate Trump would later tell Fox News host Sean Hannity that there are 1.8 million people who are dead, who are registered to vote, and some of them absolutely vote.

Of course there is large-scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive! he said on Twitter that same week.

A voter fraud commission that found no evidence of voter fraud

Shortly after entering office in 2017, Mr Trump established a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, chaired by his then-Vice President Mike Pence. Kris Kobach, then the secretary of state of Kansas and a key architect of GOP election laws, was appointed as vice chair.

Other members of the commission included members of influential right-wing think tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Public Interest Legal Foundation, which have also advanced restrictive voting laws under the election integrity banner.

In July 2017, Mr Kobach requested every state to provide a list of all registered voters, the last four digits of their Social Security numbers, their addresses, dates of birth, political affiliation, and voting history.

Mississippis secretary of state Delbert Hosemann said the commissions request can go jump in the Gulf of Mexico. Virginias then-governor Terry McAuliffe said he had no intention to respond to the commissions request.

This entire commission is based on the specious and false notion that there was widespread voter fraud last November. At best this commission was set up as a pretext to validate Donald Trumps alternative election facts, and at worst is a tool to commit large-scale voter suppression, he said in a statement at the time.

He added that the only irregularity stemming from the 2016 presidential election involved Russian troll farms to sow political and social discord and boost Mr Trumps candidacy.

On 3 January 2018, Mr Trump announced that he was dissolving the commission.

Despite substantial evidence of voter fraud, many states have refused to provide the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity with basic information relevant to its inquiry, he said in a statement at the time.

Rather than engage in endless legal battles at taxpayer expense, today I signed an executive order to dissolve the Commission, and have asked the Department of Homeland Security to review these issues and determine next courses of action.

The commission released its documents six months later, after a lawsuit from Maines secretary of state and commission member Matthew Dunlap argued that instead of widespread evidence of fraud the commissions findings actually reveals a troubling bias.

Mr Dunlap said that the commissions purpose was not to pursue the truth but rather to provide an official imprimatur of legitimacy [from] President Trumps assertions that millions of illegal votes were cast during the 2016 election and to pave the way for policy changes designed to undermine the right to vote.

There exists no single document that reveals there is no widespread voter fraud, according to Mr Dunlap, but evidence that fails to substantiate the presidents claims.

A disinformation campaign before a single vote was cast

Before he publicly and repeatedly cast doubt on the legitimacy of mail-in ballots and the results of the 2020 election, then-President Trump was reportedly so impressed with his administrations work in election security that he planned a press conference around it.

Months before Election Day, intelligence officials met with Mr Trump and other White House officials on 14 February, 2020 to review potential threats to that years election and assured the president they had no concerns about its integrity.

That briefing came one day after a House committee hearing with intelligence officials who warned lawmakers that Russia was likely interfering in 2020 campaigns to boost Mr Trumps chances of re-election. Days later, Mr Trump fired Joseph Maguire, the acting director of national intelligence who testified at that hearing. He was immediately replaced with Richard Grenell.

That press conference never happened; Mr Trump continued his narrative that elections, particularly those in which Republicans lose, are corrupt.

In March 2020, as election officials prepared for an increase in voting by mail during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Trump told Fox News that higher voter turnout would be a political disaster for Republicans.

The things they had in there were crazy, he said of Democratic proposals for emergency coronavirus aid. They had levels of voting, that if you ever agreed to it youd never have a Republican elected in this country again.

Mr Trump vowed to block such emergency funding for the US Postal Service, specifically to prevent expanded access to voting by mail.

They need that money in order to make the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, he told Fox Business in August 2020. But if they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting, because theyre not equipped to have it.

Mr Trump and Republicans have repeatedly claimed without evidence that universal mail-in voting  in which any eligible voter can request an absentee ballot  is ripe for fraud.

Republicans should fight very hard when it comes to state wide mail-in voting. Democrats are clamoring for it, Mr Trump said in April 2020. Tremendous potential for voter fraud, and for whatever reason, doesnt work out well for Republicans.

Proponents have often defended those claims by pointing to a 2005 report from the Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former president Jimmy Carter and former secretary of state James Baker.

The report noted that because voting by mail takes place outside of polling locations, there is an increased potential for fraud, but does not say that any such fraud has occurred on the scale Mr Trump has alleged. The report goes on to state that when safeguards are in place  like in Oregon, where voters have exclusively voted by mail since 1998  fraud was virtually nonexistent.

False claims and mischaracterisations about the report prompted former President Carter to issue a rare public statement in May 2020 urging political leaders to take immediate steps to expand vote-by-mail and other measures that can help protect the core of American democracy  the right of our citizens to vote.

After court rulings struck down his attempts to challenge vote-by-mail policies, and as he campaign failed to find evidence, then-President Trump routinely used his bully pulpit at the White House and on stage at his campaign rallies to launch a flood of false claims spread widely among his supporters and on social media.

When a federal judge ordered his campaign to produce such evidence in their possession, and if they have none, state as much, attorneys produced evidence pointing to only a handful of election fraud cases  none of which involved mail-in ballots.

A legal effort to overturn results while aides told him he lost

By Election Day in 2020, then-President Trump made dozens of false or misleading statements about voter fraud and voting by mail within that year alone. He kept going within hours after polls closed on 3 November.

A big WIN! he wrote on Twitter at 12.45am that night. We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election. We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed! he wrote minutes later.

At a news conference hours later, he claimed a very sad group of people are trying to disenfranchise his supporters before listing states that he falsely claimed to have won.

Frankly, we did win this election, he said. So our goal now is to ensure the integrity, for the good of this nation. This is a very big moment. This is a major fraud on our nation.

Over the following days and months, he continued to suggest that the late-counted mail-in ballots for Mr Biden that changed the outcome in states that he lost were evidence of fraud, after he spent months denigrating absentee ballots and urging his supporters to cast their votes in person.

A flurry of legal challenges and partisan legislative hearings targeted election laws and outcomes in states that he lost; none produced any evidence of widespread fraud.

His legal team largely walked away from the effort, except for Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, who are now facing defamation claims and professional sanctions for amplifying the same baseless claims.

In November 2020, one week after the election, Mr Krebs said in a statement through his agency that there is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised. That sentence was highlighted in bold in the statement.

Mr Trump fired him with a tweet.

The House select committee investigating the events surrounding January 6 found that Mr Trumps senior advisers told him on 12 November, 2020, that he lost the election  not from fraud, but because more people voted for Mr Biden.

Mr Trump was then reportedly furious with his US attorney general Bill Barr when he told the Associated Press in December 2020 that to date no agency has seen any evidence of fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election.

That month, John Eastman  a Trump-linked attorney who organised the so-called alternate elector scheme  also warned the campaign against repeating debunked data in a suit targeting Georgias election results.

Mr Trump was made aware that some of the allegations (and evidence proffered by the experts) has been inaccurate, Mr Eastman wrote, according to court filings. For him to sign a new verification with that knowledge (and incorporation by reference) would not be accurate.

That email from Mr Eastman underscores what federal prosecutors have alleged: That Mr Trumps team was aware that the arguments they were making were indefensible, and that the man who was insisting on them knew that.

Judge Carter also pointed to an email from a Trump attorney that said merely having this case pending in the Supreme Court, not ruled on, might be enough to delay consideration of Georgia.

This email, read in context with other documents in this review, make clear that President Trump filed certain lawsuits not to obtain legal relief, but to disrupt or delay the January 6 congressional proceedings through the courts, wrote Mr Carter, alleging a similar tactic that Mr Trump has used to squash investigations and lawsuits against him for years.

The House committee spent a year and a half on its investigation, including a series of blockbuster public hearings laying out evidence and witness testimony describing the depth of Mr Trumps attempts to remain in office at whatever cost. The panels final 845-page report provides a detailed account of Mr Trumps refusal to cede power  regardless of the outcome of a democratic election  while his close advisers told him that he lost.

In his interview with the House select committee, Trump adviser Jason Miller said he had several conversations with Mr Trump that his claims were wrong. Mr Barr told the committee that Mr Trumps claims were detached from reality.

Mr Barr and other administration officials also said they tried to debunk conspiracy theories surrounding Dominion Voting Systems, which recently settled with Fox News for $787m in a landmark defamation case against the network. But Mr Trump went on to tweet about Dominion nearly three dozen times from November 2020 up until the attack on the Capitol on January 6.

In a text message reviewed by federal prosecutors, Mr Trumps own chief of staff Mark Meadows joked with a White House lawyer about his false claims of voter fraud in Georgia.

The former president has continued a narrative of political persecution as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination for president, with a reliable mention of stolen or rigged election in speeches and on his Truth Social platform.

Mr Trump, who has reliably turned to projection in his rhetorical playbook, is now referring to the multiple investigations and indictments against him as their own form of politically motivated election interference to stop him from reaching the White House.

This story was first published on 27 July and has been updated with subsequent developments.
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A federal court in Washington DC said on Thursday there were no indictments returned against Donald Trump so far and none were expected for the remainder of the day, despite heavy speculation that charges from special counsel Jack Smiths office could be announced at any moment.

The deputy clerk of the US District Court for the District of Columbia said no such indictment was likely on Thursday, Politico reports.

Earlier in the day, the former president, who is being investigated for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election result and his ties to the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, said his lawyers met with Mr Smiths office.

My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country, Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Thurday. No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!

Members of the grand jury appointed as part of the special counsel investigation were seen continuing to work throughout Thursday, according to NBC News.

Last week, Mr Trump was informed in a letter from the special counsels office of the statutes under which he is potentially going to be charged, including conspiracy to commit offence or to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under colour of law and tampering with a witness, victim or informant.

Donald Trump (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mr Smith has been investigating the former president since November 2022.

An indictment from the special counsel would mark the third set of serious charges against the former president this year.

In June, Mr Trump was charged in federal court in Florida with 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified White House documents after leaving office.

In April, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office charged Mr Trump with 34 counts related to hush money payments made to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to both sets of charges.
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Federal prosecutors have added more charges against former president Donald Trump for allegedly obstructing the investigation into whether he unlawfully retained national defence information at his Palm Beach, Florida property.

In a superceding indictment filed late on Thursday, prosecutors alleged that Mr Trump and co-defendant Walt Nauta conspired with another Mar-a-Lago worker, Carlos De Oliveira, to attempt to have surveillance footage from the club deleted so it could not be provided to the grand jury investigating the presence of classified documents at his property.

Mr Trump was also newly charged with specifically posessing the classified document which he is alleged to have shown to a group of people at his Bedminster, New Jersey club.

In a statement, Mr Trumps presidential campaign called the new charges nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their Department of Justice to harass President Trump and those around him.

Deranged Jack Smith knows that they have no case and is casting about for any way to salvage their illegal witch hunt and to get someone other than Donald Trump to run against Crooked Joe Biden, the campaign said.

In the superceding indictment, which was signed by Mr Smith personally, prosecutors allege that Mr Trump masterminded efforts to prevent the government from obtaining the footage it would later use to charge him with obstruction when he was first indicted on 8 June.

According to the indictment, Mr Trump allegedly called Mr De Oliveira on 23 June of last year, one day after prosecutors emailed his company a draft grand jury subpoena calling for production of CCTV camera footage from the club, including locations where boxes containing classified documents were stored.

Its not known exactly what Mr Trump said to his new co-defendant during the 24 minute phone call, but prosecutors allege that at some point Mr Trump ordered the deletion of security camera footage so it could not be used to further the probe into his possession of documents with classification markings after the end of his presidency.

The next day, prosecutors served the Trump Organization with the final version of the subpoena, and Mr Trump is alleged to have met with Mr Nauta, who subsequently cancelled plans to travel with Mr Trump and instead arranged travel to Palm Beach.

After the former US Navy Chief Petty Officer changed his plans, prosecutors allege that he lied to fellow employees and Secret Service agents about the purpose of his travel.

At the same time, he contacted another Mar-a-Lago employee who served as director of information technology at the club, as well as another Mar-a-Lago worker, and disclosed to the latter that his purpose in visiting the club was to discuss how long CCTV footage was stored.

Prosecutors also allege that Mr Nauta and Mr De Oliveira actually walked through the darkened club after Mr Nauta arrived there on 25 June, with flashlights to determine where different security cameras were located.

Mr De Oliveira, who has also been charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice, subsequently told the aforementioned Mar-a-Lago employee that the boss wanted the footage deleted before it could be provided to the grand jury investigating the presence of classified documents at the club.

The longtime Mar-a-Lago worker is also charged with lying to FBI agents about his role in assisting in the moving of boxes containing classified documents at different points during the investigation.

Additionally, Mr Nauta has now been charged with conspiring with Mr De Oliveira to obstruct justice by participating in the efforts to have the surveillance at issue deleted, and Mr Trump has been hit with another count of obstruction of justice for asking for the footage to be deleted.

Prosecutors have alleged that Mr Nauta contacted another Mar-a-Lago worker following the 8 August 2022 search of the club by FBI agents to tell them that someone just to make sure Carlos is good.

The employee replied that Mr De Oliveira was loyal and would not do anything to harm his relationship with his employer, the ex-president.

Mr Nauta also caused the worker to tell an employee of Mr Trumps political action committee that Mr De Oliveira was loyal, and Mr Trump later personally called Mr De Oliveira to assure him that he would get him legal representation.

Mr De Oliveira has been summoned to make his first court appearance in the case on 31 July at the same Miami courthouse where Mr Trump and Mr Nauta were arraigned.

The new charges against Mr Trump and Mr Nauta and the charges against their new co-defendant come as Mr Smith and his colleagues are weighing whether to ask a Washington, DC grand jury to indict Mr Trump for crimes allegedly committed as he tried to overturn his 2020 election loss and remain in office against the will of voters.

Defiant Donald Trump attacks 'nasty' Pence and 'deranged' special consul Jack Smith

Last week, Mr Trump revealed that prosecutors had given his defence team a letter informing them that he is a target in the Justice Department probe into his to effort overturn the election and the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

The letter is understood to lay out three crimes which Mr Trump could be charged for: conspiracy to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under colour of law, and tampering with a witness.

As grand jurors met at the Washington, DC federal courthouse on Thursday, Mr Trumps legal team also met with prosecutors to try to dissuade them from seeking what would be the third indictment of Mr Trump since April.

The ex-president later took to his bespoke social media platform in the early afternoon to confirm that his defence team had concluded what he described as a productive meeting with Department of Justice representatives,

He also stated that his legal team spent the session explaining in detail that [he] did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of [him] would only further destroy our Country.

Grand jurors finished their work on Thursday without voting on any indictments, but they could be asked to return charges against Mr Trump when they reconvene on Tuesday.
 Close Former Us Intelligence Officer Claims Us Government Has Recovered Non-human Biological Material From Ufo

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Pentagon whistleblowers shared explosive claims of alien technology defying laws of physics and pushback from military leadership against those reporting such sightings in a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday.

Three witnesses took part in the hearing  David Grusch, a former intelligence official and whistleblower who said last month that the US has intact and partially intact alien vehicles, David Fravor, an ex-Navy commander who reported seeing an object flying across the sky during a 2004 training mission, and Ryan Graves, a retired Navy pilot who claims he spotted unidentified aerial phenomena off the Atlantic coast every day for at least a couple years.

Mr Grusch claimed individuals have been injured while working on reverse engineering UFOs, but he said he couldnt get into specifics of how that happened, adding that non-human biologics were found along with recovered crafts.

At one point, Congressman Tim Burchett asked Mr Grusch if anyone had been murdered as part of government efforts to cover-up information.

I have to be careful asking [sic] that question, he responded, citing an investigation into whether or not he was the subject of retaliatory action for whistleblowing. I directed people with that knowledge to the appropriate authorities.
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Donald Trump was indicted for a third time on Tuesday 1 August after a grand jury in Washington, DC, charged the ex-president on four counts related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and incite the US Capitol riot of 6 January 2021.

On Thursday 3 August, the former commander-in-chief appeared at an arraignment in hearing in DC at which he pleaded not guilty and denounced the affair as an act of persecution by his political enemies.

This comes after he has already been indicted twice this year  first in New York over allegedly falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments and second over his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Now, Mr Trump has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding  all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.

Whats more, a fourth indictment could soon follow, as Mr Trump 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.

For his part, Mr Trump has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly insisted  as he did in DC, 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.

What is a grand jury?

In the American legal system, a grand jury is simply a group of randomly-selected American citizens called upon by the federal or state laws of the United States to conduct legal proceedings, chiefly to weigh the evidence in a criminal case to determine whether there is a sufficent basis under which charges should be brought.

Unlike a trial, a unanimous verdict is not required. Typically, just 12 of a 16 to 23-strong grand jury needs to vote to indict a person for it to take place.

All proceedings surrounding grand juries are secret in accordance Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the burden of proof for prosecution lower than it is at a trial, with only a majority belief in probable cause needed to secure an indictment.

What is an indictment?

Should a grand jury conclude in favour of issuing formal charges, an indictment is then issued to the subject, which serves as formal notice that the state has reason to believe that person has committed a crime.

An indictment does not determine guilt or innocence but is a required procedural step in a criminal proceeding.

What is an arraignment?

After the state secures an indictment, it can take a case forward to an arraignment.

At an arraignment hearing, which takes place before a judge, defendants are read the charges facing them and the maximum penalties they carry and then are offered the opportunity to make a plea  either not guilty, no contest, or guilty.

If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, the case most frequently moves to sentencing.

If the defendant pleads not guilty, the judge will set the terms of bail and the dates for subsequent events in the case, including any pre-trial hearings and an eventual trial, which can sometimes occur months or years after the initial charging date.

So where is Trump in all of this?

The former president has already been indicted twice  once by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg for his alleged role in the hush money scheme and by Mr Smith in Florida for his alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstruction of justice.

Mr Trump was arraigned in New York in the state case on 4 April, in Miami in the first federal case on 13 June and now once again in Washington in response to the second federal indictment on 3 August.

The former commander-in-chief pleaded not guilty in all instances.

Mr Trump was released after all three arraignments and is not expected to be held in jail while awaiting a potential trial in either case.

He is, of course, running for the presidency again and is the current runaway leader in the polls for the Republican presidential nomination, leaving the likes of Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and Chris Christie trailing in his wake, which could make things interesting going forward.
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The race to save dozens of pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in Australia has come to a sombre end.

On Tuesday, the pod of about 100 whales stranded itself on Cheynes Beach, near the city of Albany in Western Australia. Tragically, more than 50 of the whales perished overnight.

After two days of intense efforts, wildlife officials will euthanise the survivors of the pod, acknowledging that the challenging mission to save them has ended.

Wildlife officials and hundreds of dedicated volunteers had tirelessly worked throughout Wednesday, putting forth tremendous efforts to rescue the surviving whales.

Despite the continuous efforts to lead the remaining 45 stranded whales to deeper waters, attempts proved unsuccessful.

As a consequence, on Wednesday, authorities made the decision to euthanise the survivors.

The Western Australia Parks and Wildlife Service said the whales persistently returned to the shallows, indicating that their chances of survival in deeper waters were slim.

Sadly, the decision had to be made to euthanise the remaining whales to avoid prolonging their suffering, the service said.

It was a difficult decision for all involved, however, the welfare of the whales had to take precedence, it said.

Peter Hartley, a manager from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions who was in charge of overseeing the response to the stranded whales, spoke about the decision to euthanise the survivors.

He described the process as incredibly hard, highlighting the emotional toll and difficulty associated with making such a heartbreaking choice.

Probably one of the hardest decisions of my 34 years of wildlife management. Really, really difficult, Mr Hartley said.

It was a considered and well-thought-out decision. And you know, we thank the support of the veterinarians that assisted with the assessments and the advice that they gave me to make that decision, he said.

Drone footage released by the state government showed the whales clustering and remarkably forming a heart shape before they ultimately stranded themselves on the beach on Tuesday.

Were getting requests from around the world from scientists wanting the video footage of them all huddled together on Tuesday, Mr Hartley said.

Were going to be learning a lot about the behaviour. Were also going to be learning a great deal about the genetics, the make-up of that group, were they related? he said.

On the remote Chatham Islands in New Zealand last October, approximately 500 pilot whales tragically died after they beached themselves.
 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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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.
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Moldova has expelled 45 Russian diplomats and embassy staff members in Chisinau, citing Moscows "unfriendly actions" amid further deteriorating relations over the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

We agreed on the need to limit the number of accredited diplomats from Russia, so that there are fewer people trying to destabilise the Republic of Moldova, foreign minister Nicu Popescu said at a cabinet meeting.

The foreign ministry said the decision was based on "numerous unfriendly actions" towards Moldova, "which are not related to the diplomatic mandate, as well as attempts to destabilise" the country.

Russia has been given the 15 August deadline to cut its embassy staff to 25 from the strength of 80 currently.

For many years we have been the object of hostile Russian actions and policies. Many of them were made through the embassy, Mr Popescu said.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the move was just another step towards bilateral relations", and said the "unjustified and unfriendly actions ... will not go unanswered".

The Kremlin said Moldovas decision is regretted while accusing its accused leadership of encouraging Russophobia.

Unfortunately, Chisinau is deliberately driving our relations into a very miserable state, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Once part of the Soviet Union, the relations between Russia and Moldova reached a new low after president Maia Sandu opposed Russia for invading Ukraine and accused Russian leadership of hatching a plan to overthrow her government.

The latest move comes just days after two local media outlets published an investigative report accusing the Russian embassy in the capital of spying with their dozens of satellite dishes and antennas installed in the building.

The joint investigation was published by the Russian investigative media site Insider and Moldovas Jurnal TV channel. It said that 28 antennas installed on the roof of the embassy and an adjacent building could have been used for spying activities.

Russia denied the claims as a fantasy which has nothing to do with reality.

It prompted Moldova to summon Russias ambassador to the country.

Moldovas government spokesman, Daniel Voda, said: "In circumstances where employees are not involved in promoting bilateral relations, it becomes obvious that their diplomatic and administrative-technical representation is excessive.

Moldova shares its borders with both Romania and Ukraine. It is one of the poorest European countries which has been heavily impacted by the war in Ukraine.

It has accused Russia of backing separatist groups which control Transnistria, a breakaway territory in Moldova witnessing conflict since 1990s.

The invasion has put a strain on its resources and services as several Ukrainian refugees arrived in the country to escape the fighting.
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Vladimir Putin has told African leaders that Russia will ship 50,000 tonnes of grain aid to six countries in the continent despite withdrawing from a deal with Ukraine.

Speaking at a summit in St Petersburg on Thursday, attended by many of Africas heads of state, the Russian president said he was committed to averting a global food crisis.

Earlier this month, Russia declined to renew the agreement with Ukraine to reopen Black Sea Ports, which had been blocked by fighting in its illegal invasion of the country, to ensure safe passage of ships. The Kremlin said in withdrawing that its own exports were being held up.

Both Russia and Ukraine are major grain suppliers to Africa and Mr Putin has pledged to deliver the aid to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and the Central African Republic in the next three to four months.

Our country will continue supporting needy states and regions, in particular, with its humanitarian deliveries, Mr Putin said.

We seek to actively participate in building a fairer system of distribution of resources. We are taking maximum efforts to avert a global food crisis.

Vladmimir Putin at the summit (TASS Host Photo Agency)

I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year.

Promising Russian food exports to Africa is key to Mr Putins stated goal of using the summit to bolster ties with a continent of 1.3 billion people that is increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Mr Putin also announced other moves to deepen relations with Africa, including increased enrolment of African students in Russian universities. He will also open Russian state news media bureaus in many African countries and proposed common information space in Russia and Africa, within which objective, unbiased information about events taking place in the world will be broadcast to Russian and African audiences.

Africas 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 criticising Russias actions in Ukraine.

However, this was the second Russia-Africa summit since 2019 and saw the number of heads of state in attendance plummet from 43 to 17. The Kremlin blamed the number of empty seats on crude Western pressure to discourage African nations from taking part.

Vladimir Putin speaks at the conference with African leaders (POOL/AFP/Getty)

Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said that while only 17 heads of state are attending the summit, 32 other African countries are represented by senior officials or ambassadors.

Elsewhere, Mr Putin has admitted that Ukrainian attacks have intensified in recent days, as Kyiv ramps up the counteroffensive against Russian troops.

The president told the African summit that attacks by Ukrainian forces have intensified significantly, primarily in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Follow the latest from the UkraineRussia conflict in our live blog here

Additional reporting by AP
 Close Drone footage shows moment Russian ship is attacked

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Russia has pledged to reinforce western borders following reinforcement from Nato, with the ramped-up security arriving after a surge in drone attacks on Moscow.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said NATO-member Poland had already announced plans to strengthen its military, and he expected significant NATO forces and weaponry to be deployed in Finland.

On Wednesday, Russia claimed it shot down two Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow, one near a major airport to the south of the city and one to the west of the capital.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said whilst one drone was shot down near Domodedovo, where one of Russias biggest international airports is located. Another was downed near the Minsk motorway.

Kyiv has never claimed responsibility for attacks inside Russian territory, but the Russian defence ministry dubbed the incident a terrorist attack.

Meanwhile, Poland has confirmed it will send 2.000 troops to its frontier with Belarus, twice the number requested by the Border Guard, to stem illegal crossings and maintain stability.

Poland has worried increasingly about the border area since hundreds of battle-hardened Wagner mercenaries arrived in Belarus last month at the invitation of President Alexander Lukashenko.
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Ukrainian authorities are reportedly conducting an investigation to determine whether a member of parliament violated the law by taking a family holiday to the Maldives.

Earlier in January this year, the Ukrainian president banned officials from travelling abroad for non-governmental purposes.

The security service has initiated a criminal case to ascertain whether member of parliament, Yuriy Aristov provided false information to the authorities. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

During a video address in January, Volodymyr Zelensky said: Ignoring the war is a luxury that no one can afford.

He added: There is a principled decision of the NSDC [National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine] on officials travelling abroad. It applies to all officials of the central government and various other levels of local government. It applies to law enforcers, peoples deputies, prosecutors and all those who are supposed to work for the state and in the state. If they want to rest now, they will rest outside the civil service. Officials will no longer be able to travel abroad for vacation or for any other non-governmental purpose.

Mr Aristov is accused of providing false information while applying to leave the country. He reportedly went on a family vacation to the Maldives.

The MP reportedly told authorities he was going on sick leave. But investigations found that Mr Aristov had been on the private island of Ithaafushi in the Maldives in mid-July with his wife and children.

The State Bureau of Investigation and the Security Service of Ukraine have opened a criminal case against him.

Mr Aristov was abroad from 5 June to 22 July, during which he embarked on a three-day business trip to Poland before being observed in the Maldives by Ukrainian media.

Kyiv Independent said that he was first spotted in the luxurious 5-star Waldorf Astoria Maldives hotel on the private island in mid-July.

An investigation by the Ukrainian outlet, Slidstvo.info revealed that Mr Aristov had indeed been a guest at the Maldives resort after the hotel confirmed. However, by the time they received the inquiry, he had already checked out.

The accommodation costs at this exclusive resort vary significantly  starting from 100,000 hryvnias [$2,600] and reaching 323,000 hryvnias [$8,800] for a single night. Additionally, there is a premium villa option that surpasses one million hryvnias per night [$26,700], according to local media.

In response to the publication of the investigation, Mr Aristov promptly resigned from his position as a peoples deputy. Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk made the announcement of his resignation on Facebook.
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Wildfires have ravaged at least nine countries in Europe and North Africa this week, forcing mass evacuations as firefighters battle on in tinderbox conditions.

Extreme heat and billowing winds have created the perfect storm for fires to rip through swathes of land in Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Gran Canaria, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Algeria and Tunisia.

The blazes have killed five people in Greece as they destroyed homes, farms, and factories and scorched swathes of forest land since July 17.

Follow the latest on wildfires in Europe here.

In Rhodes, one of the worst affected Greek islands, more than 20,000 tourists and locals fled from the blaze in the biggest evacuation in Greeces history.

In the hard-hit area of Magnesia, wildfires reached an air force ammunition depot close to the coastal town of Nea Aghialos on Thursday. The blaze at the depot caused powerful explosions and the coast guard said people were forced to escape by land and sea to Volos, the regional capital.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection minister Vassilis Kikilias said: Given the climate crisis, we will again have extreme weather conditions that will again test our strength. Nothing is over, the battle will continue throughout the summer, he said.

A firefighter tries to extinguish a wildfire burning at the industrial zone of the city of Volos, in central Greece (REUTERS)

Italian firefighters said they battled nearly 1,400 fires between Sunday and Tuesday, including 650 in Sicily and 390 in Calabria, the southern mainland region where a bedridden 98-year-old man was killed as fire consumed his home.

Fires were still burning on the hills around Palermo on Wednesday, with Canadair planes back in operation to try to douse the flames.

Speaking to Sky News, Piero Messina said: The landscape from Palermo from the night of the fire seems to be really an apocalypse scene. It seems to be not real.

Flames burn in a field in Capaci, near Palermo, in Sicily, southern Italy (LaPresse)

Meanwhile, in North Africa, at least 34 people have been killed in Algeria, with fires burning in a total of 15 provinces and 1,500 people evacuated from their homes. Among those killed were 10 soldiers who became trapped by flames.

Strong winds resulted in fires spreading to neighbouring Tunisia earlier this week, with two border crossings closed in an attempt to contain the blaze.

Here we look at where the fires have struck in Europe this week:

View more

Rhodes:

Italy:

View more

Croatia:

View more

Portugal:

View more

Turkey:
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Israeli military fire has killed a 14-year-old Palestinian boy in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said  as an ultranationalist Israeli Cabinet minister visited a sensitive Jerusalem holy site that has been a flashpoint for violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

The visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatens to inflame tensions further. It also prompted the Hamas militant group to announce the launch of a rare rocket from the West Bank and drew condemnation from across the Muslim world.

The site is revered by Jews and Muslims, and the competing claims lie at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Early on Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said 14-year-old Fares Abu Samra was killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank town of Qalqilya. The Israeli military said Palestinians threw rocks and firebombs at troops, who responded by firing into the air. It said the incident was being reviewed.

Mr Ben-Gvir joined hundreds of Jews visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound  the location in antiquity of two biblical Jewish temples  to mark the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av. During the day of mourning and repentance, Jews reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, pivotal events in Jewish history.

The Waqf, an Islamic trust that runs civil matters at the mosque, said that 2,240 Jews had entered the compound for the holiday  the highest number recorded in five years.

"This is the most important place for the people of Israel which we must return to and show our rule," Mr Ben-Gvir said in a video released by his office, with the golden Dome of the Rock in the background.

The Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem Affairs Ministry warned that the government and people like Mr Ben-Gvir would "push things toward religious war" by provoking Muslims worldwide. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it considered Mr Ben-Gvir's visit an attempt to impose Israeli sovereignty over the site.

Neighboring Jordan, which acts as a custodian over the site and has a peace agreement with Israel, said such visits "threaten to trigger new cycles of violence." Saudi Arabia, the custodian of Islam's two holiest cities and a country with which Israel hopes to normalise ties, denounced the visit as "a provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world." Turkey demanded that Israeli authorities "restrain these provocations."

Mr Ben-Gvir, a former West Bank settler leader who years ago was convicted of incitement and supporting a Jewish terror group, now oversees the country's police force. Thursday was his third public visit to the contested site since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government. The site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. Today, it is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

Police said they had arrested 16 people for violating "visitation regulations" at the site. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are permitted to visit the site, but not to pray there. But in recent years, a growing number of Jewish visitors have begun to quietly pray, raising fears among Palestinians that Israel is plotting to divide or take over the site. Ben-Gvir has long called for increased Jewish access.

His visit could aggravate already heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians as violence in the territory surged to its highest level in nearly two decades.

As Palestinian anger rose over Mr Ben-Gvir's visit, the Hamas military wing in the West Bank released a video purporting to show militants in the northern city of Jenin firing a rocket toward northern Jewish settlements across Israel's separation barrier.

The Israeli military said it had found remains of an improvised rocket near the Palestinian village of Silat al-Harithiya, just northwest of Jenin. While Hamas' military wing launches hundreds of rockets from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip during skirmishes with Israel, rocket fire from the West Bank remains rare.

Since early last year, Israel has been staging near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas which it says are meant to stamp out militancy and thwart future attacks. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press. At least five of them, including the boy killed on Thursday, were age 14 or under.

The military says most of those killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis since the start of 2023.

Mr Netanyahu's government, consisting of ultranationalists and West Bank settlement supporters like Ben-Gvir, has intensified steps to solidify Israel's hold on territories that Palestinians seek for a future state, angering Israel's top ally, the United States, and dimming hopes for Palestinian statehood.

Associated Press
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The official account for Elon Musks X app has switched from @Twiter to @X without paying the previous owner for the one-letter account, according to reports.

The single-letter username had been registered to Gene X. Hwang, the co-founder of photo firm Orange Photography, for more than 16 years before Twitters sudden rebranding on Monday brought the account under scrutiny.

On Tuesday, Mr Hwang said that neither Mr Musk nor X had reached out to him, however by Wednesday the account was under the control of the tech billionaires company.

Alls well that ends well, Mr Hwang posted from a new account, @x12345678998765.

Neither Mr Musk nor X paid any money for the one-letter account, according to The Telegraph, though did offer some company merchandise. The Independent has reached out to X for further information.

Mr Musk has reportedly taken over other accounts without permission since he took over the platform in October 2022.

According to Platformer editor Zoe Schiffer, the worlds richest person took over the username @e shortly after acquiring the company for $44 billion, despite the original owner of the account being unwilling to part with it.

The @e account remains inactive, featuring the name John Utah  the same as the protagonist of the 1991 film Point Break  and following just three accounts: Elon Musk, LAist and Nasa.

X has also changed its other official accounts to ditch the Twitter branding, renaming its subscription service to @XBlue, and @TwitterSupport to @Support.

The companys Twitter signage was also removed from its San Francisco headquarters on Monday.

The website domain X.com also now redirects to Twitter.com, while all of the sites blue bird logos have been replaced with a crowd-sourced X logo.

The hasty switch from one brand to another may result in legal difficulties for Mr Musk, according to trademark lawyers, after it was revealed that the billionaire does not own the intellectual property rights for the letter X when it relates to social networking.

Tech rivals Meta and Microsoft both own trademarks for X in different domains, with Metas Mark Zuckerberg currently controlling the federal trademark for a blue-and-white letter X for social networking services.

Theres a 100 per cent chance that Twitter is going to get sued over this by somebody, one US-based IP lawyer said on Tuesday.
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Scientists have claimed to make a breakthrough that would be one of the holy grails of modern physics  but experts have urged caution about the results.

In recent days, many commentators have become excited by two papers that claim to document the production of a new superconductor that works at room temperature and ambient pressure. Scientists in Korea said they had synthesised a new material called LK-99 that would represent one of the biggest physics breakthroughs of recent decades.

Superconductors are a special kind of material where electrical resistance vanishes, and which throw out magnetic fields. They are widely useful, including in the production of powerful magnets and in reducing the amount of energy lost as it moves through circuits.

They are also often impractical, since they require low temperatures and high pressure. That means that they cannot be used in most traditional circuits, for instance.

Since the beginning of the last century, scientists have been working not only to understand superconductivity but also develop new materials that would allow the phenomenon to be harvested at ambient temperatures and pressures. That has not been successful, and the discovery of such a material would mark a major breakthrough in physics.

The new papers, published in recent days as a preprint on the website arXiv, claims to have overcome that problem. The researchers said they had not only found a way to synthesise such a superconducting material, but also that it could be done relatively easily  leading to huge excitement on social media.

One Twitter thread from Alex Kaplan, a recent Princeton graduate who is now head of coffee product at startup Cometeer, helped propel the news into the mainstream. His thread had been viewed 8.5 million times, Twitter said, and has been retweeted more than 10,000 times.

Today might have seen the biggest physics discovery of my lifetime. I dont think people fully grasp the implications of an ambient temperature / pressure superconductor, he wrote in a long thread that went on to explain the possible applications of the material.

Mr Kaplan pointed to the fact that vast amounts of energy are lost in the transmission of electricity across the world, that the the authors claimed material could be made in just 34 hours with simple equipment, and that such a superconductor would have revolutionary uses in everything from nuclear fusion reactors to batteries and quantum computers.

Scientists away from the work agreed that such a breakthrough would be hugely significant. But they urged caution, pointing to the fact that the paper has not yet gone through the peer review process, the results have not been replicated, and that there could be other explanations for the apparently astonishing behaviour described in the work.

A real, working room-temperature superconductor which works at ambient pressure would be one of the holy grails of modern physics, unlocking major new developments in energy, transportation, healthcare, and communications, said Mohammad Yazdani-Asrami of the University of Glasgows James Watt School of Engineering.

As it stands, however, the paper is not yet peer-reviewed and has not yet been tested in other labs to see if other researchers can reproduce its results. These are both key to determining for sure whether the world should be getting excited about the authors claims, which need much more scrutiny at this early stage. If the claims of findings are approved, perhaps, this is one of the most significant achievements of last few decades in physics and material engineering.

Others voiced specific concerns about the paper. Some of the results meant that other researchers working on superconductors were not convinced by the claims made in the paper.

The recent preprint by Lee, Kim and Kwon suggesting that they have observed room temperature superconductivity in the copper doped lead phosphate system, without the need for very high applied pressures, is interesting, but not yet wholly convincing, said Susannah Speller, Professor of Materials Science at the University of Oxford, and Chris Grovenor, Professor of Materials at the University of Oxford.

Professors Speller and Grovenor pointed to the fact that the data did not show the behaviour that would be expected to happen when the material became superconducting. Features that would be expected to be evident in the results were not, they said, and and so it is too early to say that we have been presented with compelling evidence for superconductivity in these samples.

John Durrell, professor of superconductor engineering at Cambridge University, said that it could take considerable time to see the practical benefits of the breakthrough, even if the teams results were confirmed.

There will be understandable scepticism about this result in the community as there have been numerous reports of room temperature superconductors over the years which have not held up, he told The Independent. I would, therefore, personally withhold judgement on this work until it becomes clear if the result is reproducible in other laboratories.

From my engineering point of view, a practical room temperature superconductor would be potentially transformative  allowing a host of exciting applications such as cheap MRI machines, more compact and efficient motors and low loss power transmission.

However, there can be significant challenges in turning a newly discovered superconducting material into a practical material. In previous cases, this has taken one or two decades and is not always possible.
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The threat of strikes at Gatwick airport over one of the busiest weekends of the year has been lifted after companies made improved pay offers to workers.

Members of the Unite union working for four ground handling companies at the Sussex hub had planned to walk out from Friday, 28 July, to the early hours of Tuesday morning, 2 August.

But each of the companies has made improved pay offers  which have either been accepted or are being voted on.

Ground handlers check in passengers, load and unload bags and dispatch aircraft. A strike would seriously disrupt peak-season operations.

ASC workers, who handled flights for Tui, voted in favour of what Unite calls a double-digit pay rise. Staff at Menzies, handling Wizz Air, accepted a 13 per cent increase for ground handling staff and a 17 per cent increase for the lowest paid staff, as well as enhancements to annual leave and sick pay.

The votes in favour of the deals mean that both disputes have now ended, and all strike action related to them cancelled.

Earlier this week, strikes by Gatwick DHL workers, who handle easyJet flights, were called off after the workers voted to accept a 15 per cent pay deal.

The one outstanding issue is GGS, which handles British Airways and Vueling. Members are voting on an improved pay offer, which is thought likely to be accepted. The first strike has been suspended and a second bout of industrial action from 5 to 9 August is thought unlikely to go ahead.

Unites general secretary Sharon Graham said: These excellent results were achieved because Menzies and ASC workers at Gatwick are unionised and stood strong.

Unite does what it says on the trade union tin: Defend and improve jobs, pay and conditions for our members.
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Following wildfires near Cascais last month, Portugal is once again being hit by raging flames.

This time, blazes have broken out near the popular holiday region of the Algarve in southern Portugal.

The fire started on Saturday 5 August in the Odemira area north of the Algarve, and since then has swept south.

Some 800 firefighters have been brought in to tackle the flames, while more than 1,400 people have so far been evacuated from their homes.

Around 6,700 hectares of land have already been destroyed by the blaze, which has been difficult to control amid soaring temperatures and high winds.

The situation is critical, difficult and complex, according to Odemiras mayor, Helder Guerreiro.

The weather conditions we are going to experience in the coming days means any small occurrence (fire) could become a big one, Civil Protection secretary of state Patricia Gaspar told a news conference.

If youre booked to travel to Portugal, is it still safe to go? And what are your rights if you cancel a holiday? Heres what we know so far.

Where is affected by the wildfires?

The main wildfire is in the municipality of Odemira, in the Alentejo region on Portugals west coast. Since then it has been moving south, and has now spread to the interior woodland of the Algarve.

Some roads in the area have been blocked off, while 19 villages, four tourist accommodations and a camp site have been evacuated.

Three districts in the country  Braganca, Castelo Branco and Guarda  are currently on red alert for extreme heat, while more than half of the country has been put on maximum alert for wildfires by Portuguese weather agency IPMA.

It is a worrying situation, Civil Protection commander Jose Ribeiro told reporters during a morning briefing, adding there were two active fronts, with one heading to Monchique, a lush green mountainous area in the Algarves countryside.

Monchique, which last burned in 2018, is popular among locals and tourists due to its thermal springs and hotels.

The UKs Met Office has also issued a weather update across Spain, Portugal and Africa as wildfires rage across some of Portugals most popular tourist hotspots.

Temperatures have increased across Spain, Portugal and North Africa in recent days, widely into the mid 30s C, if not into the low to mid 40s C, the Met Offices statement, released via X, read.

The heat is expected to extend further north and east by midweek, before temperatures return closer to average by the weekend.

Is it safe to travel to Portugal?

On Monday (7 August), Portugals minister of internal administration confirmed that for now the government will not declare an alert as wildfires spread across parts of the south.

Either because of the response of the (teams), or because of the number of fires, or because of the change that seems to be positive in the movement of winds  and also because there has been, from yesterday to today, a relative replacement of nocturnal humidity, for now the alert situation will not be ordered, minister Jose Luis Carneiro told reporters yesterday, Portugal Resident reports.

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advice on Portugal has not been updated to reflect the latest fires; its standard advice reads: Forest fires can occur anywhere in Portugal. Risk of fires is higher when the weather is hot and dry. Fires have become more common due to drought and high temperatures.

Forest fires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The Portuguese authorities may evacuate areas and close roads for safety reasons. You should:

familiarise yourself with local safety and emergency procedures

follow the advice of the Portuguese authorities

call the emergency services on 112 if you see a wildfire

Starting a forest fire, even if it is by accident, is illegal in Portugal.

No holidays to Portugal appear to have been cancelled by travel companies at this time.

Can I cancel my holiday to Portugal?

It depends on the kind of holiday you have booked and where you are due to travel.

If you have booked a package holiday through a tour operator to an area in the fire-impacted Odemira municipality, you may be able to cancel and receive a refund or rebook for free in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring 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 (as per the Package Travel Regulations).

The key term here is significantly affect: if the travel company can still get you there and the hotel is unaffected by the wildfires, they are not required to refund you if you choose to cancel the holiday.

If youve booked travel and accommodation separately, rebooking flights in many cases costs as much as buying a whole new ticket.

Cancellation costs incurred also wont be covered by your travel insurance in the vast majority of cases, as the FCDO has not issued an advisory against all non-essential travel to Portugal.
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Turkey has joined other holiday destinations across Europe in being struck by wildfires while in the grip of high temperatures.

Mediterranean countries have seen days of flames, first seen on the Greek island of Rhodes but since spreading to Corfu, Sicily and parts of Portugal, France and the Canary Islands.

In Turkey, 10 planes, 22 helicopters and more than 200 vehicles have been deployed this week in the firefighting efforts in Kemer area, with some 120 hectares of woodland burned, tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told reporters.

The temperature has exceeded 40C in some parts of the country over the past few days, and the Antalya region  one of the most popular spots for British tourists  has seen evacuations and people treated for smoke inhalation.

With the summer holidays upon us, many people will be ready to head away for a break. If youre booked to travel to Turkey, you might be asking: is it still safe to go? Heres what we know so far.

Which parts of Turkey are impacted by the fires?

A wildfire broke out near the tourist resort of Kemer in the southern province of Antalya, on Tuesday (25 July), with firefighters tackling the blaze amid high temperatures. Strong winds and low humidity meant the flames spread fast, according to a statement from the office of Antalyas governor.

Local authorities have taken all necessary measures to prevent the fire spreading to residential areas, according to officials.

A forest fire in Istanbuls Beykoz district can be seen from Bosphorus and emergency services are also dealing with outbreaks in Aegean Izmir, Afyonkarahisar, and Kutahya provinces, reports local publication Duvar English.

Last week, fires were reported in the provinces of Mersin and Hatay, both in the south-east of the country, as well as Canakkale in the west.

What is the latest Foreign Office advice?

Before the extreme heat and wildfires affected Europe, the Foreign Office (FCDO) already had three travel warnings in place for Turkey:

Border with Syria: advises against all travel within 10km of the border

City of Sirnak: advises against all but essential travel

Hakkari province: advises against all but essential travel

Specific FCDO advice on forest fires states: Forest fires happen frequently in Turkey during summer. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas.

You could get a fine or prison sentence for lighting a fire of any kind in forbidden areas. This includes barbeques and discarding cigarette butts in the woods. If there is a forest fire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation. Follow the directions of local authorities.

Travellers are advised to call the emergency services by dialling 112 if they spot a forest fire.

If I cancel my holiday, will I be refunded?

Unlike the fire-stricken Greek islands, where tour operators are being especially flexible around changing holiday plans, this is not the case in Turkey. The risk of fires affecting travel to Turkey is currently very small, so cancelling would likely mean losing the money paid for the booking.

Under the Package Travel Regulations, holidaymakers who book a package can cancel and receive 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. Those seeking refunds for independent travel (arranging the journey and accommodation separately) would have to try claiming instead through their travel insurance. But the wildfire risk in Turkey at this time is not extreme enough to make claiming a refund a viable option.

Unless the Foreign Office advice changes, or your trip is cancelled by your airline and/or holiday provider, dont bet on getting your cash back.
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu toured an arms exhibition with Kim Jong-un on Wednesday 26 July, during his visit to Pyongyang.

The pair met to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, state media said, illustrating North Koreas support for Russias conflict in Ukraine as the isolated country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Mr Kim showcased some of North Koreas newest weapons in the arms exhibition and briefed Mr Shoigu on national plans to expand the countrys military capabilities.

Footage shows the pair walking near a row of large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.
At least six people have died after powerful typhoon Doksuri lashed the coastline of the northern Philippines with gale-force winds and torrential rain on Wednesday 26 July.

The storm, which brought winds of up to 175kmh, burst banks of rivers and left thousands without electricity, with widespread flooding and landslides reported.

Heavy rain also pounded coastal communities and mountain towns, with one victim killed in the central region of Calabarzon and four dead in the Cordillera region.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in China on Friday.
Volodymyr Zelensky visited a hospital in Dnipro on Thursday 27 July, to present state awards to medical workers.

The president of Ukraine thanked the staff on a trip that coincided with Medical Workers Day.

On your frontline, you are the same heroes as the military. Thank you for saving our boys and girls. Thank you for giving all your time and energy to restore the health of our warriors, the video, shared on Mr Zelenskys Facebook page, was captioned.

We highly respect you and are proud that we have such doctors. I wish you and all Ukrainians victory, good health to you and your families.
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I dont often agree with Morrissey, but I thought he put it well when he raged that the cruel play-pen of fame gushes with praise for Sinead OConnor now she has died, but hadnt the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you.

Hes right: Sinead paid a hard price for her honesty. She was mocked, ignored and sidelined by a music industry that has become sterile and safe.

A victim of childhood abuse herself, Sinead was the first proponent of #MeToo, decades before it became a movement in 2017. When #MeToo took off, people kept asking why more stars hadnt already spoken out against abuse. But Sinead was doing it back in 1992, when she ripped up a picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Live, to protest against child abuse in the Catholic Church.

She was forever speaking her mind and taking action. She refused to play The Star-Spangled Banner before a show and then boycotted the Grammy Awards the year she was nominated. She told the organisers that she believed artists should always speak the truth and never keep it hidden, even though we are operating in a world which does not like the sound of the truth.

The world couldnt knock that out of her. Sinead remained a fearless, and often vindicated, truth-teller: she was reviled by many Pogues fans when she reported Shane MacGowan to the police for heroin use, but said, I love Shane, and it makes me angry to see him destroy himself selfishly in front of those who love him. MacGowan later credited that moment with him kicking the drug.

Many were less magnanimous than MacGowan in the face of her truths. The actor Joe Pesci said of her SNL stunt that if it was my show, I would have gave her such a smack. When a music critic described her as the crazy woman in pops attic, she was forced to defend herself, saying: Its not like Im attacking people with knives or trying to strangle anyone or wandering around in my nightdress.

No, she was doing something far more threatening than that: speaking the truth about the world we live in. And as many truth-tellers discover, people admire them when theyre puncturing someone elses illusion but hate them when theyre puncturing theirs.

Her music lives on, but losing her life-force and personality is such a loss. In this Ed Sheeran era, when songs are written less to touch our hearts than to satisfy a commercial algorithm, and in which artists dont rage against the machine but bow down in front of it at royal concerts and on exploitative reality shows, we are sorely in need of characters like her.

What artist is there now who would warn Miley Cyrus that she is being pimped by the industry, who would tell Simon Cowell he murdered the industry, or Piers Morgan that he was dying to be b**** deep in Meghan Markle so bad its driven you crazy?

Its true that artists do speak more about social issues these days, but not with the courage, rage and recklessness of Sinead. A modern pop star joining a hashtag on social media, after careful discussions with their management team, is not the same as tearing up a photograph of a holy man live on US TV. Its really the opposite of that.

She had a volatile relationship with religion, which saw her ordained as a priest, then ask three successive popes to excommunicate her, and describe the Vatican as a nest of devils where Christ was being murdered by liars. Then she converted to Islam, which she called the natural conclusion of any intelligent theologians journey.

All of that confused a lot of people, but to me it was beautiful and made perfect sense. Sinead spoke from the heart, no matter the consequences  and had a furious devotion to the truth. I think she wanted to find a home where that was welcome. Although I enjoyed her music, it was this divinity that I adored and which made me cry when I heard she had died. To me, Sinead was a prophet.

I wonder what she would make of todays chorus of praise, a lot of it from people who had nothing good to say about her in life. Well, she can rest in glory, knowing she was right. Just after the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church had been exposed, a mural appeared on a wall in Dublin wall. It said: Sorry Sinead, you were right all along.
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In 2010, the late Stephen Hawking issued a stark warning for humanity: do not try contacting extraterrestrial life. If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didnt turn out well for the Native Americans, he cautioned. Given what we know about humanity and our propensity for colonizing and destroying civilizations other than (and, frankly, including) our own, there is no reason to believe alien beings would come in peace. Best keep to ourselves.

Do I believe ET has crash-landed looking for Reeses Pieces? No. If he had, surely Donald Trump would have blabbed long ago. Yet the Congressional hearings on unidentified ariel phenomena (UAPs)  more commonly known as unidentified flying objects (UFOs)  was not an exercise in the absurd. Robert Garcia, a Democratic Representative from California, put it best when he said that UAPs, whatever they be, may pose a serious threat to our military and our civilian aircraft, and that must be understood. We should encourage more reporting, not less on UAPs. The more we understand, the safer we will be.

This is a welcome shift in the conversation. Ten years ago, it is impossible to believe that UAPs would have gotten a serious public hearing in the House of Representatives. Seeing Congress take seriously an issue that is important to many Americans is heartening, especially when that issue  while perhaps not as exciting as aliens landing on earth  is still one of the utmost importance. Earlier this year I wrote about the Chinese spy balloon which flew across the width of the North American continent. We know now that it was not the first incident where the Chinese had breached Canadian and American airspace. It will, in all probability, not be the last.

The spy balloon made for an excellent meme on TikTok, where users posted videos tracking its location and generally turning an apparent act of espionage into a punchline. That this was happening on an app that lawmakers and many Americans feel is a national security threat is ironic. In June, Forbes reported that US states were flying thousands of Chinese drones across the Eastern seaboard. Chinese drone maker DJI has a near-global monopoly on that market.

Our skies are filled with surveillance technology made in a country increasingly hostile to our national interests. Some of it  like drones and spy balloons  we have identified. Some of it, though, we probably havent, given rapid advances in technology.

Which brings me back to the UAP hearings. I am heartened by the bipartisan nature of what happened on Capitol Hill yesterday. Rather than sniping at one another or trying to score political points, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle seemed to take the conversation seriously and keep questions to the subject at hand. Sure, much of the hearing focused on ascertaining whether or not little green men have visited Earth, but another major component was the need for transparency from the Pentagon and military brass on just what is happening in the skies above America. Witnesses told Congress of their fear of retaliation from superiors for blowing the whistle and of the need for more accountability and honesty about what is happening. Both Democrats and Republicans seemed to agree with this point, as do I. Repeatedly, witnesses testified that they could not answer questions directly due to the classified nature of some information. This seemed to frustrate members from both parties, with Wisconsin Republican Glenn Grotham stating that several of us are going to look forward to getting some answers in a more confidential setting. I assume some legislation will come out of this.

I should hope so. As I mentioned earlier, one of the key differences between the United States and China is the formers commitment  however flawed its execution may be  to a free and democratic society. Despite the attempts by some on the far-right to ban books and teaching about certain subjects theyve declared verboten, America is still an open society where information and viewpoints are, or ought to be at any rate, freely expressed. This includes transparency from our government, who it is worth remembering we elect and work for us, on matters of national security (so long as revealing that information does not jeopardize national security).

It is a lesson we should have learned from The Golden Girls. Ahead of its time as always, in a 1988 episode, Dorothy and Rose spot a UFO above the skies of Miami. The military first confirms that what they saw was indeed an extraterrestrial vehicle, but swears the women to secrecy. It is later revealed by an intrepid journalist, however, that what they actually saw was a top-secret defense aircraft. No little green men were visiting South Florida, just men in green suits.

Dorothy and Rose got the truth. The American people deserve it, too  not just because we deserve to be told the truth by our government (a government far too many already lack trust in) but because that is a hallmark of the American way of life, and perhaps the single most important difference between us and China in what is set to become the next clash of ideologies: illiberal authoritarianism versus liberal democracy.

We do not fear an educated and informed populus. We relish it. The truth is out there, and the American people deserve it. I am glad to see Congress finally agrees.
Group said bat population would be disturbed by development

Permission has been granted for dozens of apartments in the south Dublin suburb of Knocklyon, despite local objections citing concerns of the impact on the local bat population.

Emmaville Limited, a joint venture between Tipperary building firm Clancy Construction and Cork property developers Lyonshall Limited, has been granted permission to redevelop Scholarstown House on Scholarstown Road in Dublin 16.

The property, a large home which sits on 1.65 acres, was first built in the late 1500s, and rebuilt early in the 20th century. As it is a protected structure, the project will involve converting Scholarstown House into two residential units consisting of a two bed unit and and a three bed unit.

As well as this an apartment block ranging in height from 3 to 5 storeys containing 74 apartments will be built on the land.

The development will also have a reception and communal amenity room, as well as 40 car parking spaces and 183 bike parking spaces.

The project has been granted planning permission by South Dublin County Council despite a host of objections from local residents.

Many of the complaints claimed the new project would add too much traffic to the area, and also expressed concerns about the demand on local services such as schools.

The residents association for Woodlaw, a nearby housing estate, said the area was already stretched by the nearby two Oaks development, a project building 590 apartments and duplexes.

The population density of this area of Knocklyon has increased considerably in the last two years, it said in a submission to South Dublin County Council.

The supporting infrastructure in terms of schools, road network and public transport needs to be upgraded in line with the additional population.

The Scholarstown House project also drew objections from the Ballyboden Tidy Towns Group. Ballyboden is a suburb near Knocklyon.

The group said there were a range of problems with the development, listing almost 50 separate points as part of its objections.

Among these were the fact that the density and height of the project, which the group said will have a devastating impact on Scholarstown House, a protected structure, its setting, and character.

It must rank as one of the most insensitive and oppressive attempts to dismantle our built heritage, it said.

The poor design, increased height, increased density, and overwhelming massing of these units is out of character with the pattern of development within a protected curtilage of a protected structure itself elsewhere.

The group also raised several concerns about local wildlife and habitats, which it said the development could damage.

We know that this area has a large bat population and we are concerned about the impact [it] will have on bat flying paths, foraging and nesting, it said.

The bat survey is inadequate and clearly the authors may need to revisit the most recent case law.

The group also said that there would be a devastating rate of tree removal, adding: The severity of the impact on the street canopy, landscape screening is truly shocking, unacceptable and contrary to South Dublin County Council Development Plan.
Henry St and Mary St retail property was the best performer as it confined its decline to only 0.3pc following a busier period of lettings. Photo: Collins

The average value of commercial property across the Irish market continued to decline in the second quarter of this year  down 3.2pc. This brought overall value declines for the 12 months to the end of June to 12.2pc, according to the MSCI Ireland Quarterly Property Index compiled in conjunction with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.

Since the onset of the Covid pandemic, the decline has totalled 18pc.

Colm Lauder of Goodbody stockbrokers says that the Irish office sector was again the weakest performer during the second quarter with a 4.3pc decline and retail was the strongest with a decline of only 0.9pc. Industrial values declined by 1.5pc in the quarter.

The index is the key industry benchmark for performance measurement and valuation trends and is based on over 7bn of direct property assets.

Within the office sector the traditionally strongest area, Dublin 2 as well as the city core and South Docklands, proved to be one of the weakest in the quarter  down 4.4pc  while a similar fall was seen in Dublin 1, 3 and 7 offices, most of which are in the IFSC and North Wall Quay. Dublin 2s annual decline was 15.4pc while the north sides annual decline was 12.9pc.

Suburban Dublin offices posted a 3pc decline.

Mr Lauder expressed surprise that Henry and Mary Street retail property was the best performer as it confined its decline to only 0.3pc following a busier period of lettings.

However, this part of the city remains one of the weakest on an annualised basis, with values down 13.1pc over the 12 months, he added.

In comparison, while Grafton saw a 1pc decline in the quarter, it had a better 12-month performance confining its decline to 9.8pc

Retail warehouses also posted a modest decline of 0.6pc in the three months bringing their annual fall to 8.1pc.

Performance for industrial assets was more varied, with properties in south-west Dublin posting a decline of only 0.9pc in Q2 whereas larger warehouse/distribution assets saw sharper declines of 1.7pc in the quarter. This was very much a function of the recent yield trends, given how keenly priced big box assets had been prior to the current upward rate cycle, he adds.

Mr Lauder says the index provides further evidence that Irish investment property is closely following UK and Continental European trends in re-pricing.
If products are sourced within the Republic the levy will be charged and paid by the manufacturer

Any business or individual buying concrete products from a supplier in Northern Ireland will have to make a tax return and pay an additional 5pc of the market value of the product direct to Revenue, the Irish Independent has established.

The 5pc concrete levy is due to come into effect from September 1. The first pay file date for self-assessed reporting will be January 23, 2024.

Where products subject to the levy, including ready-mix and concrete blocks, are sourced within the Republic the levy will be charged and paid by the manufacturer.

In cases where products are imported  in practice that will be largely cross-Border  the legal onus to pay the levy will fall on the buyer, who is treated as having made the first supply of the products and is therefore liable to the levy.

Those buyers, whether they are a business or ordinary household will be obliged not only to file a return and pay the levy but also to document their purchase and keep detailed records of their invoices.

Late returns or failure to make a return will risk a penalty of 4,000 as well as the levy itself.

Failure to keep records of purchases will incur penalties of up to 3,000.

The levy will operate on a self-assessment basis.

A chargeable person, whether they are a concrete manufacturer or individual buyer, must submit returns and pay the levy to Revenue on a twice yearly basis.

Revenue published an update on the scheme yesterday, including penalties for failure to comply with the new rules.

The registration facility for the Defective Concrete Products Levy (DCPL) on Revenues myAccount and ROS systems will come into operation on August 14.

It will be possible to submit returns from October, it is understood.

People in the industry say the levy will increase the price of infrastructure including homes, farm facilities and energy generation at a time of rising costs. They also fear the different treatment for concrete shipped over the Border will put them at a disadvantage.

The 5pc levy on concrete products which will be introduced in September was created to help fund the overall cost of the Mica Redress Scheme. But industry groups say it will disproportionately hit suppliers of ready-mix cement, firms that never sold the kinds of defective blocks that contain mica, and end users.

Stephen Wright of Wright Quarry Products in Monaghan told the Irish Independent earlier this month that the deadline is looming with little action to date to inform the market about how it will operate.

He fears losing orders to cross-Border rivals amid the expected confusion.

For larger jobs, customers might be aware [of the rules]. But for smaller builds, for farmers and others who buy cement, you have to question whether theyll be aware of this, and how Revenue will enforce it, he said.

Read more Bank of Ireland increases fixed mortgage rates for the fourth time

On This Day In History - July 27th
French lottery operator La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) has signed an agreement to acquire Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), which holds the exclusive rights to operate the Irish National Lottery until 2034.

FDJ said it is acquiring the entire capital of Premier Lotteries Ireland for an enterprise value of 350m.

It means all three of Premier Lotteries current shareholders: main shareholder Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP) plus An Post, and An Post Pension Fund, are selling their stakes.

OTPP acquired the operator in 2014 for 405m in a deal that granted a 20-year licensing period and included keeping long-time lottery operator An Post and An Post Pension Funds as junior partners

While An Post has been a minority shareholder since the licence was privatised in the wake of the financial crisis the sale will mean no state involvement in the National Lottery for the first time since it was created.

The sale is subject to approval by the Regulator of the National Lottery.

The Irish National Lottery will continue to be owned by the Irish State but it operates under a 20 year licence that was sold in 2014 for 405m. There is a decade left to run on the licence.

FDJ is the operator of the French National Lottery.

Vivienne Jupp, Chair of Premier Lotteries said: PLI has moved from strength to strength since winning the licence for the Irish National Lottery. I would like to thank Ontario Teachers and An Post for their support in building PLI into a leading European operator in the period since 2014.

An Post CEO and National Lottery Director, David McRedmond, said the sale was a positive outcome for Ireland and for the National Lottery that FDJ, a long-established operator of the French lottery has been successful in its bid.

"FDJs industry expertise will be hugely beneficial to the future operation, and strengthens Irelands ties to its nearest EU neighbour, he said.

The National Lottery made sales of 1.05bn in 2021, its most successful year to date, according to the most recent annual report published last summer.

Of that, 304m was distributed to what it calls good causes, while 586m was paid out in prizes for Lotto and other games, including scratch cards.

The Government put the National Lottery up for sale in 2012, when the State was just a year into its bailout programme, with a pledge to spend the proceeds on the National Childrens Hospital.
Retail property firm Hammerson saw both sales and footfall rise at its Irish retail centres in the first half of the year.

Hammerson operates a number of retail centres in Ireland, France and the UK.

It co-owns Dundrum Town Centre with German insurer Allianz, as well as half of the Pavilions shopping centre in Swords and the Ilac Centre in Dublin city centre.

Sales rose by 2pc across its Irish locations in the first six months of the year compared with the corresponding period in 2022.

This compared with a 3pc increase in the UK, and 7pc growth in sales in France.

Hammerson noted resilient consumer spending but pointed to some categories where consumers were cutting back, such as jewellery.

Retailers charging for online deliveries and returns has also boosted store visitor numbers.

Footfall was up 7pc in Ireland, Hammerson reported.

Rent collection now stands at 98pc for 2022, while 95pc of rent for the first six months of the year has been collected.

In Ireland, 96pc of rent for this period has been collected. Irish net rental income was up 8.6pc as a result of reduced year-on-year bad debt changes.

Hammerson described this as a normalisation of rent collection following the pandemic.

This was a challenge for the property firm during lockdowns when retailers were forced to close due to restrictions. Hammerson provided rent waivers in 2020 and 2021.

Estimated rental value at the groups retail centres remained flat, with this measurement rising by just 0.1pc in Ireland.

Vacancy levels across the group remain low, with occupancy rates hitting 95pc. Hammerson recorded 134 leasing deals in the period, which represented 18.3m of rent. In Ireland, vacancy levels hit 3pc.

The group also reported a revaluation loss of 44m across the managed portfolio. Irelands revaluation loss stood at 19m.

The valuation of Irish properties is now 638.4m.

This was driven by an outward shift in rental yield, the company said.

In its half year report, Hammerson added that construction had commenced at its Ironworks development in Dundrum. Agreements have been reached for the long-term lease of 15 of the 122 new apartments at this site.

Hammerson also anticipates that planning will be finalised for its OConnell Street site, while its application for Dundrum Phase II, another residential scheme, is in progress.
Irish Air Line Pilots Association is the professional association and registered trade union for pilots working in Ireland and abroad

Unions have warned industrial action at Emerald Airlines could escalate to rolling strikes after serving notice of a 24 hour work stoppage.

IALPA (Irish Air Line Pilots Association), which is a branch of the Forsa trade union, has said company management has still refused to engage in talks aimed at forming a collective agreement.

Emerald is the carrier which holds the regional service franchise for Aer Lingus to areas such as the Channel Islands and the Dublin to Donegal service on behalf of the larger company.

IALPA served notice of a 24 hour strike in advance of the bank holiday weekend, from midnight on Thursday August 3 to midnight Friday August 4.

The industrial action will include pickets at Emerald offices and at the Dublin Airport roundabout.

It follows the escalation of a work-to-rule action by pilots earlier this week, where pilots refused to accept changes to their rosters with fewer than 24 hours notice.

IALPA said there was no engagement with Emerald management about beginning talks on a collective agreement following the work to rule.

Niall Shanahan, Director of Communications with Forsa, said the industrial action could continue to escalate.

If there is no development from management, the pilots will first engage in the one day action and then review that, he told the Irish Independent.

You could see a series of one day actions, or an escalation to all out strike.

Forsa said 58 of the 86 pilots employed by Emerald Airlines in the Republic of Ireland are members of IALPA.

The union said Emerald flight services would likely be disrupted, but did not say to what extent.

There has been no development from management, there has been a failure to engage and begin talks on a collective agreement, Shanahan said.

If this goes beyond August 4, proactive engagement will be needed to see the action suspended.

Emerald had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

However, the company said in a statement on Monday that it maintains an active and healthy dialogue directly with all of our employees, including pilot employee representatives.

Emerald added: Just last month we presented our pilots with a new pay and conditions agreement, which was overwhelmingly accepted by over 80pc of our pilots.
The British star has reportedly been spoken to by the channel following a complaint from an employee described as his closest colleague that was registered in May.

This complaint came after the filming of his next cookery show James Martins Spanish Adventure and, according to Deadline, its the second one to follow an incident that occurred in 2018.

Martins production company, Blue Marlin Television, has acknowledged the complaints, saying lessons have been learned.

Its been alleged that Martin reduced members of the new ITV specials crew to tears in front of their fellow employees, and then changed schedules that would have only given them a few hours of sleep.

Martin is then claimed to have shown up late despite being the one to change the schedule.

A producer who regularly works with Martin said: Whats remarkable is I saw this behaviour on every project I did with him and it feels conscious. I think he just feels like its OK to behave like that.

The first complaint, which was made in 2018, came after the chef allegedly grew angry with a member of staff after his drain became blocked while filming an episode of James Martins Saturday Morning at his home.

Those who work on this show said that Martin has been repeatedly accused of inappropriate, intimidating and bullying behaviour.

In response to the two allegations, Blue Marlin Television told Deadline: An unfortunate incident occurred after filming James Martins Saturday Morning in 2018 where Jamess home was badly damaged. Blue Marlin accepted responsibility. James was shocked by what had happened and on reflection acknowledges he responded emotionally, which he wholly regrets. James apologises for any offence or upset caused, as he did at the time to the crew involved.

Following this and some issues filming James Martins Spanish Adventure, James and Blue Marlin Television agree that lessons have been learned which have been discussed with members of the team and with ITV. Blue Marlin Television and James Martin have taken on board ITVs recommendations and their sharing of best practice, and are in the process of fully implementing.

However, the company denied to The Independent that there was major damage to his house. The statement continued: Since the 2018 incident, Blue Marlin Television has continued to film over 500 shows at James home. Blue Marlin Television remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all those with whom they work is of the utmost priority.

Meanwhile, ITV said in response to The Independent: Following a complaint we received in May from members of the Blue Marlin production team about the filming of James Martins Spanish Adventure, we contacted Blue Marlin to discuss these concerns and to understand how the issues raised were being addressed and what actions were being taken. As a result, we made a number of recommendations for Blue Marlin to implement as soon as possible, sharing best practice of some of our own relevant procedures around staff welfare and reiterating our Supplier Code of Conduct.

It continued: At ITV people and their welfare are our highest priority. The production companies who make shows for us have primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen. We make clear our expectations in this regard as part of our pre-greenlight duty of care processes. This includes having appropriate independent controls in place to enable everyone who works on their shows to confidently and confidentially raise concerns.

The Independent has contacted Martin for additional comment.

This controversy comes shortly after ITV vowed, during a parliamentary hearing following the Phillip Schofield controversy, that it had a zero tolerance guidelines when bullying and harassment was concerned.

On This Day In History - July 27th
Fraudsters are using family impersonation to prey on customers during holiday season.

Consumers have been warned that fraudsters are using family impersonation to prey on customers during the holiday season.

So-called family impersonation messages in circulation rose by 25pc this month alone, Bank of Ireland said.

Consumers were told to never trust text messages, and always stop, think and check.

The bank said scammers were sending fake text messages purporting to be from a member of the family with a lost or damaged phone who needed access to money.

Typically the message says: Hi Mum, I have lost my phone. This is a temporary number....

These messages ultimately lead the customer to website links that are not genuine and are an attempt to collect personal card and online banking details, according to Bank of Ireland.

In an increasing number of cases, fraudsters are asking people to go to their branch to make a payment, with the value of these payments in the months of May to July close to trebling when compared the previous three months.

The bank said cases of Hi Mum text message scams follow a similar format each time.

They open with Hi Mum / Hi Dad, this is my temporary / new number ... followed by a request intended to look as if its from a child asking for help to pay for something urgently.

In some cases, the fraudster will ask for a payment to be made to a specific bank account or in other cases ask for a card number and then set it up on a digital wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

The fraudsters will then ask the receiver of the message for the code that the bank just sent.

Today's News In 90 Seconds - July 27th

Head of fraud at Bank of Ireland Nicola Sadlier said: Smishing attacks come in waves, with the same objective each time  to access peoples bank account details or dupe them into transferring money.

The fraudsters develop new variations on similar frauds to catch people out.

She said familiar tactics included fraudsters posing as banks, utility companies, toll operators and government agencies.

This time, we have seen the fraudsters turn to family impersonation, targeting a particular vulnerability that preys on a parents instinct to respond to a child in trouble in order to access their money.

This is particularly prevalent when families or children may be holiday, Ms Sadlier said.

The bank boss said the sense of urgency in this current wave of text message was deliberately designed to cause panic, meaning customers were, unfortunately, acting on the request before considering a rational response.

If a text prompts you to act immediately  stop, think and check before reacting.

Our advice to customers is no matter what youre being told in a text, always call your son or daughter back on the number that you know.

Bank of Irelands advice to customers in response to the current smishing scam is:
10pc drop in number of population who identify as Roman CatholicFive counties now have larger populations than before the famine periodThere was a 7pc increase in the number of people who cycled to work, while number of people who drove to work increased by 4pc

The CSO will publish eight themed reports throughout the rest of the year. Stock photo

The number of Irish-speakers has risen to 1,873,997 which is a rise of 6pc between 2016 and last year. Photo: Getty

Nearly one third of workers said they worked from home for at least part of their week. Photo: Getty

There was a drop in the number of people who identified as Roman Catholic. Photo: Getty

Average weekly rents in private accommodation have increased by 37pc to 273 since 2016, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said in its latest census release on Housing in Ireland.

Census 2022 found the fastest growth in rent was recorded in Longford, at 51pc, but the highest average weekly rent paid was in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, at 442 per week. The lowest average weekly rent in 2022 was in Donegal at 134  up 29pc since 2016.

According to the findings published earlier this year, Irelands population had passed the five million mark for the first time since 1851 and now stands at 5,149,139 people, up 8pc since the last census.

The latest release shows that home ownership, with a mortgage or loan, dropped by 1pc since 2016 to 531,207, while the overall number of households renting their accommodation from private landlords, local authorities, and voluntary bodies surpassed the 500,000 mark.

Donegal and Tipperary recorded the largest reduction in the number of properties owned with a mortgage or loan. Last year, there were 679,718 dwellings that were owner occupied without a mortgage or loan, up 11pc from 2016.

Census 2022: The proportion of the population identifying as Catholic has dropped by ten percentage points

In Carlow and Waterford, the number of dwellings rented from a private landlord went up by 15pc, the highest increase of all counties.

Between 2016 and last year, there was an 83pc increase in the number of households rented from a private landlord by a person aged 65 years and over.

The age at which at least two-thirds of householders owned their homes  with or without a loan  was 44, which is up slightly compared to 2016.

The CSO will publish eight themed reports throughout the rest of the year. Stock photo

Since Census 1991, the age at which more than half of householders owned their home, with or without a mortgage or loan, increased from 26 to 36 years.

The results show that housing stock increased in each county since 2016, with the fastest growth recorded in Meath and Kildare (over 11pc) and the slowest in Tipperary (2pc). In counties such as Tipperary, Donegal and Leitrim, the number of occupied homes increased at more than twice the rate of the housing stock.

At State level, the population growth rate was higher than that of the housing stock, 8pc compared with 5pc, respectively. The CSO said the trend started in Census 2016 and reversed the pattern seen in the 20 years from 1991 to 2011 when the number of homes went up by more than 70pc while the population grew by 30pc.

In Census 2022, there were 58,869 occupied dwellings with an average of more than one person per room and 9,271 households with an average of more than two persons per room.

Households headed by a person aged 35-39 were the most likely to have more than one person per room.

In terms of central heating, natural gas was more prevalent for homes where the householder was aged 40-44, electricity in those headed by someone aged 25-29 and oil for households where the head of household was 65 years and over.

The release also shows that last year 119,300 homes here used solar panels  6pc of all occupied properties. In Meath, the use of solar panels was reported by 7,629 homes, 11pc of all occupied dwellings in the county and the highest proportion at State level. While, in Dublin City the use of solar panels was reported by 6,197 homes  3pc of all occupied properties in the county and the lowest proportion nationwide.

AGE OF POPULATION

Five counties now have larger populations than before the famine period, the CSO revealed.

Census 2022 found that Irelands population had passed the five million mark for the first time since 1851 and now stands at 5,149,139 people, up 8pc since the last census.

However, compared to 1851, Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Louth have surpassed their corresponding pre-famine totals.

Some of the largest counties by population around the time of the famine were Cork, Galway, Tipperary and Mayo, but the number of people living in these counties is still below 1851 levels.

The census found Cork had the highest percentage of residents born in the county at 418,259, or 72pc of residents.

Meanwhile, Meath had the lowest percentage of residents born in the county, at 71,356 or 32pc of residents. Nearly 60pc of the 5.1 million people usually resident in the State were living in the county of their birth.

There was a drop in the number of people who identified as Roman Catholic. Photo: Getty

RELIGION

There was a fall in the proportion of the population who identified as Roman Catholic from 79pc (3,696,644) in 2016 to 69pc (3,515,861) last year. The no religion category increased from 451,941 people to 736,210. The Church of Ireland category showed little change, but remained the second largest religious category with 124,749 people (2pc).

The Church of Ireland remained the second largest religion at 124,749, with its figures not notably rising or falling since the last Census.

Mayo had the highest proportion of Roman Catholics at 80pc of the countys population, closely followed by Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon and Galway county, all reporting 79pc. Dublin, meanwhile, had the lowest, at 53pc.

EDUCATION AND THE IRISH LANGUAGE

There were 150,000 people who had finished education at age 15, a drop of 150,000 since 2016, while the number of people who finished full-time education when they were 25 years or older was up 48pc to nearly 375,000.

The numbers who speak Irish increased by 6pc between 2016 and 2022 to 1,873,997.

Of the people who said they could speak Irish, 623,961 spoke Irish daily within and outside the education system.

POPULATION CHANGES

Ireland's population increased by 8pc (387,274 people) to 5,149,139 in the six years between April 2016 and April 2022. All counties showed population growth, from 5pc in Donegal, Kilkenny, and Tipperary, to 14pc in Longford. The east of the country showed strong growth, with an increase in Meath of 13pc followed by Fingal (12pc) and Kildare (11pc).

POPULATION BY AGE AND SEX

The highest increase in population was in the over-70s, at 26pc, while there was a 4pc fall in the numbers of people aged 25-39. The average age of the population increased from 37.4 in 2016 to 38.8 last year, continuing the trend of an ageing population from 2011 when it stood at 36.1.

There were 2,544,549 males and 2,604,590 females in the country, or 98 men for every 100 women.

Nearly one third of workers said they worked from home for at least part of their week. Photo: Getty

CARERS

The number of unpaid carers increased by 53pc to more than 299,000 between 2016 and 2022.

There were increases in the proportion of the population providing unpaid care across most age groups. People aged between 50 and 59 were the group most likely to be providing regular unpaid care. It should he noted that there were a number of changes to the question on unpaid carers on the 2022 census form which may affect comparability with the previous census, the CSO warned.

MARITAL STATUS

Single people aged 15 and over made up 43pc of Ireland's population, compared with 41pc in 2016. There were more single men (52pc) than women (48pc), Married people, including those who were re-married and people in a same-sex civil partnership, accounted for 46pc of the population aged 15 and over, down from 48pc six years ago

VOLUNTEERING

In April 2022, 711,379 people reported that they regularly engaged in volunteering activities. The largest numbers of volunteers were in sport followed by community, social/charity, religious and political areas. Males were most likely to volunteer in a sporting organisation while females were more likely to volunteer in their community.

CHILDCARE

Just under one in three children under the age of 15 was in childcare last year. The most common type of childcare used was a creche or a similar facility. These provided care to 139,899 children in April last year. The second most common type of childcare was provided by an unpaid relative or family member to 92,118 children.

HOME OWNERSHIP

The proportion of owner-occupied dwellings continued to fall, down from almost 70pc to 66pc in the 11 years from Census 2011 to 2022. The number of households who rented their accommodation from a private landlord rose by 7pc to 330,632 between April 2016 and April last year.

The number of Irish-speakers has risen to 1,873,997 which is a rise of 6pc between 2016 and last year. Photo: Getty

REMOTE WORKING AND COMMUTING

Nearly 750,000 people  a third of workers  indicated that they worked from home for at least some part of their week. Four out of five business, media and public service professionals availed of remote working. The proportion of workers in the science, research, engineering and technology professionals group who ever worked from home was also high at 78pc.

There was a 7pc increase in the number of people who cycled to work, bringing the number to more than 60,000. The number of people who drove to work increased by 4pc to 1.2 million between 2016 and last year. There were 4pc fewer people commuting to work by train, Luas, or Dart.

There were 176,276 unemployed people who had lost or given up their previous job.

The number of retired people increased to nearly 658,000, up by 21pc from 2016.

BROADBAND

Almost 80pc of households had a broadband internet connection last year, up from 71pc in 2016 and 64pc in 2011.

TIME CAPSULE

Of the 1.8million occupied private households enumerated during Census 2022, 348,443 (19pc) completed the Time Capsule. The completion rate by county ranged from 16pc to 21pc. Complete data on the time capsule will be released in further reports later this year.

Todays publication is the first in a series of reports on Census 2022. The CSO said it would publish eight themed reports throughout the rest of the year, that explore exploring a range of topics including housing, homelessness, religion, disability, and carers in greater detail".

Small Area Population Statistics will also be published in September.

Cormac Halpin, senior statistician in the census division, said: The publication of Census 2022 results could not have been achieved without the overwhelmingly positive response from the public and we thank everyone who completed their census form on April 3, 2022. We would also like to thank everyone involved in the Census 2022 campaign culminating in todays successful publication of the results.
A Meath man describing himself as the sovereign king of Ireland has asked a judge for orders against Bus Eireann after a driver refused to let him get on a bus and separately against a garda for a speeding ticket.
Kerry family speaks out as killer set to be released: I can't believe he is out after just five years
South Africa: Gauteng couple found guilty of smuggling reptiles

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the conviction of a Gauteng couple, Gerald and Elisha van der Westhuizen, for their role in the smuggling of reptiles from South Africa.

The conviction and sentencing demonstrate the important work being undertaken in implementing the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking with a focus on disrupting transnational organised crime, and targeting the value chain and financial crimes linked to the illegal wildlife trade, the Minister said on Thursday.

The Gauteng couple was linked to two German nationals, who were earlier convicted of smuggling lizards and other reptiles from South Africa, through an analysis by the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre.

An analysis of WhatsApp messages found that Gerald van der Westhuizen had on three occasions illegally sent Sungazer lizards to Germany and Mexico.

The couple was sentenced in the Kempton Park Regional Court on Monday. Gerald was sentenced to a fine of R1 million, half of which was suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of a similar offence; while Elisha was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment.

The sentence has been wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of Contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).  SAnews.gov.za

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This story has been published on: 2023-07-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Feud victims brother jailed for 1.5m drugs bust under investigation over Keane Mulready-Woods murder

Stephen Carberry (45) was jailed yesterday for eight years over ecstasy and cannabis haulHis younger brother Richie was shot dead in 2019 as part of the Drogheda feud

Teenager Keane Mulready Woods was dismembered by a drugs gang from Drogheda

Robin Schiller Thu 27 Jul 2023 at 03:30






Mr Termini was beaten up in an attack on Talbot Street in Dublins north inner city last WednesdayHe remains in a serious condition in Beaumont Hospital following the attack

Two more male juveniles have been arrested in connection with the serious assault on a US tourist on Talbot Street in Dublin city centre.

Gardai confirmed they held the teens, aged 14 and 16, for an alleged offence contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Both are currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a north Dublin Garda Station.

Meanwhile, a 14-year-old boy charged with attacking victim Stephen Termini, 57, who was hospitalised after the assault has been remanded on continuing bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The boy, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, was arrested at the weekend and granted bail with conditions following a special court sitting on Sunday.

He is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Termini at Store Street, Dublin 1, on July 19, contrary to section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Today's News In 90 Seconds - July 27th

He has yet to indicate a plea.

The teen appeared before the District Court President, Judge Paul Kelly, at the Dublin Children's Court today. He was accompanied by his father and did not address the court.

Garda Sergeant John Brady, Store Street station, told the court that the DPP's directions were not available yet and added that the teenager had only been charged on Sunday.

"We are working on the file; I think there is agreement to put it back to a date in October," he said.

Defence barrister Roisin O'Mara confirmed there was consent to the adjournment period sought by Sergeant Brady.

Counsel asked the court to vary the bail terms, which were not read out, for a week commencing in August.

Sergeant Brady did not object to the application which was granted.

Judge Kelly ordered the boy to return to the Children's Court on October 5.

Stephen Termini, remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being punched and kicked in the head just yards from Store Street Garda station last Wednesday night.

Stephen Termini was seriously injured on Talbot Street

The New Yorker, has been in a coma at Beaumont Hospital after suffering serious injuries to his eye and head.

A GoFundMe page set up to help the family travel over to visit Mr Termini raised more than $120,000 (108,000) in the past week.

Mike Rizzuto, a son of Mr Termini, 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 first thing, and it looks like well be over there as soon as, Mr Rizzuto told Independent.ie.

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.

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.

In the wake of the assault on Mr Termini and a spate of other assaults in Dublin City in recent months, the US Embassy is urging American citizens to keep a low profile on Dublin streets.

Stephen Termini

The warning cites a number of safety measures that travellers should take, in what could damage Irelands international reputation as a welcoming destination for tourists.

The latest security awareness alert was sent to US citizens in Ireland on Monday night.

It warned travellers to avoid walking alone, especially at night, to avoid carrying large amounts of cash and to keep expensive watches or jewellery hidden.

It also urged people to keep a low profile, limit their use of headphones or earbuds and to avoid staring at phones while moving through public areas.

Citizens were warned by the US government to exercise good personal security while travelling in light of a number of recent incidents.

They were also told not to place passports and valuable items in the outer pockets of backpacks or purses or on tables in public places.

Travellers should safeguard valuables, such as credit cards and passports, and refrain from carrying large amounts of cash.

It also warned: Be vigilant. Pickpocketing, mugging, and snatch and grab theft of mobile phones, watches and jewellery can occur.
Vulnerable women being targeted by adverts offering special arrangements

Landlords are seeking sex from prospective female tenants in exchange for reduced rent or free accommodation.

RTE Investigates went undercover to meet some landlords who were posting sex-for-rent adverts.

In a special report, which airs tonight, footage from face-to-face meetings shows male landlords asking for sex up to three times a week.

Irelands homeless figures are currently at an all-time high, with more than 12,000 in emergency accommodation.

The RTE investigation shows how some landlords have been exploiting the housing crisis by offering vulnerable women accommodation in return for sex.

Some of the adverts mentioned special arrangements and asked specifically for foreign women.

RTE Investigates: Sex for Rent

Dr Cliona Saidlear, executive director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI), told RTE Investigates: What you have right now is something of a perfect storm in terms of the vulnerability that has opened up around housing and around finding somewhere to rent and accommodation.

The landlords who feature in the programme all asked the researcher to meet them in their cars, but she insisted on public places.

Read more Home Truths: eight wider consequences of the housing crisis

One landlord texted before the meeting asking whether she would perform a sex act on him in his car afterwards.

He also told her that if she wanted, they could book a hotel and see if she wanted it. Afterwards, he texted again to say: I can put u up in a hotel maybe Wednesday night. Enjoy it yourself, I want to call then Thursday morning.

After she told the man she was not interested in the arrangement, he replied to say that it was a pity because she was surprisingly pretty.

The young Brazilian woman pretended she had lost her job as an au pair and was sleeping on a friends couch in a crowded house in Dublin.

She responded to adverts from landlords based in Munster, Leinster and Dublin. The men are aged in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

When she texted showing an interest in the adverts, some replied asking for her to send a picture of herself.

An advert by a man in his mid-40s from Leinster read: Free room for housekeeping and other services when required. No time wasters. No men. Females only thank you.

He refused to send a picture of the room until RTEs researcher sent a picture of herself first.

In advance of the meeting, he replied by text to give further details of how the arrangement would work.

He said services are sexual and she would maybe have to do housekeeping two hours a week.

Cooking isnt required, he said.

The man asked whether she had a high sex drive and whether sex would be a chore.

On This Day In History - July 27th

A third advert said an en suite room was available for free in Dublin with special arrangement.

The landlord told the researcher it would involve sex maybe twice a week.

He told her: You dont belong to me. You will be independent.

The practices exposed in the programme have led to calls for explicit legislation banning sex-for-rent offers.

In 2022, a bill aimed at criminalising the behaviour stalled in the Oireachtas at committee stage.

Kieran McGrath, a psychiatric social worker said: We need explicit legislation. A law governing it would send a very clear message, because people who convince themselves this is OK and its not illegal, that gives them a green light as far as theyre concerned.

He said sex-for-rent also raised questions in relation to consent.

Theres no equality at all. This is basically sexual exploitation where you give sex in return for some economic benefit, whether it might be rent, it could be drugs, it could be alcohol, Mr McGrath said.

Thats a well-established definition of sexual exploitation which is a form of sexual abuse. Its that simple.

RTE Investigates: Sex for Rent will be shown tonight at 9.35pm on Prime Time, RTE One.
Tourists were evacuated as wildfire rages across Greece's Rhodes island on July 22, 2023. Photo by Lefty Damian/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Tui will not operate outbound flights between Ireland and Rhodes up to and including Friday, July 28, the tour operator has confirmed.

All flight-only customers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds, and package holiday customers will have the option to amend their booking or cancel with a full refund, it said.

"Refunds will be processed within 14 days of the booking being cancelled.

However, Tui plans to resume its holiday programme from Ireland to the north of the island  where hotels and resorts are fully operational  this weekend.

"Any customers who would prefer to amend to another available holiday can do so or they can cancel with a full refund.

The details come as wildfires on Rhodes have prompted the evacuation of thousands from homes and hotels.

Wildfires have also affected Corfu and Evia, with a heatwave in Greece pushing temperatures above 40C and strong winds hampered firefighting efforts, AP reports.

Tui and Ryanair each operate two flights between Ireland and Rhodes each week.

Ryanair said its flights to and from the island are currently operating as normal and unaffected by the forest fires and that any changes would be notified on its app.

Passengers travelling from the July 25 to 27 inclusive to and from Rhodes can now change their flight free of charge online via the website/app, it added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not advised against travel to Rhodes or other wildfire-affected islands.

It does, however, advise Irish holidaymakers travelling to areas that may be affected by wildfires to check with their tour operator or hotel before travel, to stay away from affected areas, stay informed and follow local advice.

Package holiday prices to Rhodes are showing discounts in the coming days on Tuis Irish website (tuiholidays.ie).

A seven-night self-catering holiday to the Cosmos Maris resort on the east is reduced by 48pc to 498pp based on an August 2 departure, for example.

The tour operator said its teams in Rhodes have been working tirelessly to support customers impacted by the wildfires in south-eastern parts of the island.

It said it had brought hundreds of people home on flights to the UK and Ireland this week.

We appreciate how distressing and difficult its been for those who had to evacuate their hotels and curtail their holidays.

"And we also understand those due to travel to Rhodes may be concerned about how their holidays could be affected.

"Were continuing to monitor the situation and have made some changes to our holiday programme in the coming days.

"Wed like to reassure customers their health and safety is our top priority and re-iterate that we are constantly reviewing the situation and will provide any new updates as soon as we are able.

Customers booked to travel to impacted hotels on the south up to and including Friday, August 11 can rebook or amend with a full refund, it said.

Scheduled return flights from Rhodes to Ireland will continue to operate as planned.
A 24-year-old man had a bag placed over his head when he was abducted by a gang near his home and brought to a beach in north Co Dublin where he was savagely assaulted.

Sources said the incident may have escalated had gardai not arrived on the scene while the assault was still happening.

The shocking incident unfolded at around 5.30pm on Tuesday and it was the second unrelated violent kidnapping incident that happened in Dublin in the space of four days.

In the latest incident, the young man was abducted by a gang in Balbriggan who then contacted male relatives of the victim demanding a four-figure cash sum for an alleged drugs debt.

It was demanded that the relatives call to an address at a housing estate in the seaside town with the cash but instead gardai became aware of the abduction and extortion attempt.

At around the same time that this happened, officers also received reports from members of the public of a man being viciously beaten at Balbriggan beach and they rushed to the scene.

When they got there, a number of suspects fled. The abducted man had serious injuries to his body and head. The victim was later hospitalised.

One line in the probe is that the attack may have been carried out by local criminals who are linked to a gang who use an Eircode as their identity symbol.

It is understood that this gang is heavily involved in drug dealing and drug intimidation in Balbriggan and other parts of north Dublin, as well as being prominent in the drug scene in Drogheda and other towns in Louth and Meath.

In April, the Irish Independent revealed that an Eircode gang had entered the void left by the Garda crackdown on feuding gangs in Drogheda and were involved in serious drug debt-related intimidation tactics.

This includes threatening phone calls and calling to innocent family members homes for the purpose of the collection of drugs debts.

The gang have been using social media to deal drugs, often in smaller quantities but sometimes in bulk.

The alleged debt that this gang were demanding from the victims relatives on Tuesday may not be considered big money by some people but it is huge money if you dont have it, a source said last night.

At the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, there were a number of violent incidents and stand-offs in Dublin but especially in Balbriggan involving gangs of teenagers who were naming their groups from the Eircodes of the towns and areas where they live to distinguish themselves from rivals.

On This Day In History - July 27th

In the past year gardai have charged a number of people in court and there have been convictions in relation to drug-related intimidation. Most of these cases occurred in north Dublin but it is a nationwide problem.

The number of people facing demands to pay debts has more than doubled in the past three years.

Demanding payment of debts increased 45pc last year, and is up 104pc when compared to the 2019 figure, according to official Garda figures released in March.

Drug related intimidation is a massive and increasing countywide problem.
Be Brave and Save is the motto of the fire service of Greece

Whether battling to vanquish the flames of the fires rampaging across the Greek islands this week, charging up the stairs of the World Trade Centre to bring people to safety on 9/11, or plunging straight into the burning inferno of a house fire here at home, thats what firefighters do.
Wherever Russian troops are, Kyiv should be able to kill them  even with Western-supplied munitions.

We learned this week that Russia has increased its upper age limits for reservist mobilisation from 45 to 55, in some cases even as high as 70.

Having sustained huge numbers of casualties in the last 17 months, shortage of troops is also being tackled with plans to increase the age at which men can be compulsory conscripted from 27 to 30. Laws to reduce the countrys perennial problem of draft dodging have been tightened.

All this shows that, despite the failure of its initial plans to crush Ukraine, the Kremlin is keen to give the appearance it is not backing down. But it also reveals Moscows Achilles heel.

When the war began to go wrong for Russia, Putin needed many more men to feed the war machine, but he was desperate to avoid general mobilisation for fear of a backlash among the population. Even the partial mobilisation of 300,000 in September triggered sporadic protests in several cities and led to an exodus of nearly 400,000 young men frightened of being called up to fight. That number may now be considerably higher.

Historically, high casualty rates have created instability in Russia and the USSR. Death tolls in the Russo-Japanese War, World War I and the war in Afghanistan contributed respectively to the Russian revolutions of 1905 and 1917 and the fall of the USSR.

Some of the other ingredients of such rebellions are also present today, including increasing economic hardship, and an incompetent military leadership that has seen several Russian generals dismissed and even arrested.

Casualties foment discontent at home and among the already demoralised troops on the front line  as well as eroding Russian fighting power. High enemy attrition rates might therefore be more effective for Ukraine in turning this conflict round than retaking territory, important though that also is.

Though a wide range of numbers have been bandied around, casualty figures on both sides have been impossible for outside observers to reliably assess. But, despite Kyivs claims, the likelihood is that attrition rates have not so far been in its favour.

That means they have to find more efficient ways of killing Russian soldiers, or winning victories which render numbers irrelevant (such as via large-scale encirclements) while preserving their own.

Frontal attacks against heavily defended obstacles are likely to have the opposite effect, which is why Kyiv has been holding back its most powerful armoured brigades.

The most prolific killer in this war is artillery. Here, Russia has superiority, perhaps 10-1, in guns, shells and missiles. The West, and in particular the US, has supplied Ukraine with enormous quantities, but with thousands of shells fired every day, arsenals are running dry. The defence sector in the West has been unable to keep up with demand, and it is essential that greater investment is now made to increase production.

Air power too is essential. Nato cannot train pilots and supply F-16s in time to influence the current counter-offensive  but this is a long-term war of attrition, and Joe Biden needs to stop prevaricating and make sure the jets are delivered as soon as possible.

The same goes for ATACMS long-range missiles. Bidens fear has always been, despite Ukrainian guarantees, that these weapons might be used to fire at sovereign Russian territory. But that, among other targets, is what they should be used for.

Western fears of escalation were once perhaps understandable  but many of Moscows supposed red lines have been crossed long since, without consequences. This war is at the stage where the gloves need to come off.

It is militarily incomprehensible that Russia should be able to move and concentrate its forces to attack Ukraine with complete impunity. Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow are not sufficient. Wherever Russian troops are, Kyiv should be able to kill them, including with Western-supplied munitions.

Despite the West providing Ukraine with enough weapons to keep fighting so far, that will not be sufficient for the future. Unless Ukraine receives far greater quantities of shells, as well as advanced weaponry, to maximise kill-rate against Russian forces, this could become a frozen conflict. And that only plays into Putins hands.
Closure of major clinic in the town last Christmas has left local GPs struggling to fill the void

Concern has been expressed by Charleville residents about the lack of GP availability in the area.

The lack of GP coverage in Charleville and area has led to many extremely negative comments on Facebook on the manner in which the retirement of the medical practice in the town last Christmas was handled by the HSE.

People have stated that they were not notified that they would have to re-register with a GP or that the incoming practice would be confined to accommodating a certain number of patients.

This has left many people who formerly were with the previous practice without access to a GP and it is causing extreme hardship to those who cannot renew prescriptions, procure a referral letter for consultants or access other medical procedures.

Commenting on the present situation, Evelyn OKeeffe, the recently selected Sinn Fein candidate for the Kanturk/Charleville area in the forthcoming Cork County Council election, said: GP access is a basic human need that is now not available to all the community in Charleville. Insufficient numbers of GPs operating is at a critical point.

Locals have voiced their frustration and anger at having no GP months after a large town practice closed. People who live locally all their lives are now finding themselves without a GP service.

This is, in turn, leading them to cause extra unnecessary pressure on the Mallow based South Doc and Mallow hospital A&E department [injury unit]. A letter from a GP is needed to get a referral to consultant services, such as maternity and basic procedures, like MRI scans etc.

Once again, here in Charleville the people of the town are feeling totally abandoned by their local and national government representatives, who to date have not informed the community on how and if they are working on solutions to rectify the current critical crisis in the towns shortage of GPs.

All current Charleville GPs are full and working at maximum capacity; they cannot be expected to take the blame for the current crisis. The HSE and government officials knew that Dr Molloys was one of the biggest medical card practices in the country outside of Dublin, which also catered for a big number of private patients.

The community is calling for urgent action to tackle the severe shortage of GPs. This is causing significant challenges when it comes to getting timely access to GP and medical appointments. If the current situation continues, people will die unnecessarily due to delays in early access to medical care and onward referrals to specialist consultants.

Some people within our community are now not engaging and seeking medical care they need. They feel it isnt worth the extreme distress of going to our countrys A&E departments for basic GP care. This is absolutely heart-breaking for people and immediate action is needed to correct the situation, she said.

Representations made by Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould to the director of HSE services in the North Cork area, and furnished to Ms OKeeffe, elicited the reply that: there was no reduction in services, red eye or otherwise, and South Doc continuously reviews its operations and staffing to ensure maximum efficiency in services in North Cork.

However, Ms OKeeffe says that this seems at odds with the reality of the situation on the ground, as the South Doc facility in Kanturk has been closed, and people have been referred to Mallow South Doc, thereby putting more pressure on the Mallow service. That, coupled with the people who cannot get a GP in Charleville, and who now have to rely on the Mallow South Doc, service will add greatly to the load on the Mallow facility.

The population of Charleville is approaching the five thousand mark, as the forthcoming census figures will attest to, surely this calls for a South Doc branch to be located at Charleville Medical Centre. This will be a major issue for discussion in the forthcoming local election, said Evelyn OKeeffe.
Cells at courthouse held notable prisoners who left graffiti

An example of some of the engravings on the cell walls at the Bridewell

Junior Minister for Justice James Browne pictured with Lisa Egan, Sheila O Keeffe, Mary Crowley, Court Services Southern Regional Manager and Michael Moynihan TD, during his visit to Kanturk Courthouse last week. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Following an invitation from Michael Moynihan TD, Junior Minister for Justice James Browne visited Kanturk Courthouse last week to meet with various representatives from the area who are advocating for the preservation of historical graffiti in the building from the era of the War of Independence.

Michael Moynihan said: The Courthouse is of course an exceptional building but also the graffiti is very significant and engravings from this period can only be seen in Kilmainham Jail and Cork Women Prison , hence the huge concern in allowing it disappear before our eyes. I welcome the Ministers visit along with representatives from the Court Services to assess the situation at first hand and put in place measures to preserve it. Minister Browne has assured me he will have discussions with Court Services to see what can be done

Mary Crowley, Courts Service Southern Regional Manager speaking to The Corkman said The Courts Service has worked with OPW to protect the external parts of the building and have undertaken some maintenance and repair works including some roof repairs in 2022. We would welcome an approach from a state body that would see the building put back into public or community use.

Sheila O Keeffe from Tullylease and formerly of Kiskeam was part of the delegation meeting Minister Browne. Sheila has a keen interest in seeing the engravings protected because her Father Dan Guiney of Kiskeam was imprisoned at the Bridewell (Courthouse building) in January 1923. My Father joined the Irish Volunteers when they were formed in Kiskeam in March 1917.

The strength of the unit at this time was 20. It increased to 40 in a short time.

All volunteers were members of the Land League. When the British threatened conscription their numbers increased to 150 and when the conscription bill was passed in the British parliament their numbers increased to 200. Initially he was 2nd lieutenant of the Kiskeam column. From 1917 to late 1919 his duties consisted of training and organising camps. The Volunteers were trained in the use of guns and in military manoeuvres.

At Easter 1920 he was involved in the destruction of the RIC barracks in Glashakinleen and shortly after this he was involved in the destruction of the court house in Newmarket. He took part in many ambushes including Tureengarrive ambush where Commissioner Holmes was fatally wounded.

From the declaration of the truce up to the signing of the treaty he was again involved in training and camps. At the signing of the treaty he took the anti-treaty side. He took part in various engagements against the Free State army until he was arrested in January 1923. He was initially taken to the Bridewell in Kanturk from there he was transferred to Cork Jail and eventually to Tintown camp until November 1923

It is clear why Sheila and many other descendents of those who were imprisoned in the Bridewell, Kanturk, are passionate about preserving the writings on the walls of the cells.

This graffiti is deteriorating rapidly and will not survive much longer without intervention she said.
A 500-seater performance centre for Dublin City could cost up to 35 million to develop as plans progress to find a suitable location.

Dublin City Council is examining multiple locations for the proposed new venue which would be located between the two canals within a 15-minute walk to public transport.

Depending on the size of the venue, it could cost from 13 million for a small black box or between 25 to 35+ million for the preferred performance centre.

A conceptual feasibility study carried out with 159 respondents in the arts sector found a need for a multi-use venue in the city.

John Davison, head of strategic communication at Turley Planning, said there is a definite need for a venue of this size.

The performance centre would require two kinds of performance spaces for the city, with a black box and a theatre hall to suit a range of art forms.

Mr Davison said: The black box and the more traditional theatre meet different programming needs. There is a need for both within the city.

They could be delivered separately and that is clear, or there could be a site with a sufficient scale of venue presently to meet the black box need that could be developed.

The council are looking to develop a temporary centre in the interim period while design plans for a 500-seater venue are carried out.

From a vision point of view we were looking at two needs, a short-term need to address the immediate need within the sector, and a long-term development for a performance centre for Dublin.

A number of locations have been proposed, including within the basement of the College Green development, Grand Canal Dock, the Guinness Quarter or the Beckett Theatre.

The design team took into account the other 18 venues across the city for consideration for development. This included the OReilly Theatre,The Helix and Smock Alley, however, limitations arose with their size and operation.

One of the key design considerations was the stage and the importance of the stage design, said Mr Davison.

Two typologies emerged, either a flexible black box space, and again the very large representative sample from the music sector skewed the results in favour of that, but if we looked at a more balanced by art form response, what you would have seen is a Proscenium stage combined with an End stage, he said.

Sunil Sharpe, DJ and nightlife campaigner with Give Us The Night said it would be preferable if the venue was located in the city centre, as opposed to councillor requests to consider other areas of the city.

Mr Sharpe also said flexibility is needed to ensure the space caters for multi-use, including a standing space with retractable seating.

The overwhelming feedback that has come back is that flexibility is key.

If it is that we start out with a black box space that perhaps can be for standing gigs but we are moving towards a fully seated venue, I dont think that would be keeping with the overall spirit of what people want from this.

There is a desire for a 500 seater venue but I think there should be some flexibility, he said.
A man in his 20s has been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the graveyard killing of a Killarney man.

Gardai have confirmed that as part of their ongoing investigation into the fatal assault in Rathass Cemetery, Tralee, Kerry on Wednesday, October 5 2022, Gardai on Wednesday July 26, 2023, arrested a man in his 20s.

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in Kerry.

Thomas Tom Dooley (43) from Hazelwood Drive, Killarney, died after he was attacked by a group of men at Rath Cemetery in Tralee on October 5, 2022 shortly after he; his wife and four of his seven children had attended the funeral of a close family friend.

Mr Dooleys wife Siobhan also suffered serious injuries in the course of the attack.

Tom Dooley was treated at the scene in the graveyard by paramedics before being rushed by ambulance the short distance to University Hospital Kerry where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

Three people have been charged with the murder of Mr Dooley.

Gardai are continuing to investigate the incident and today, Thursday, July 27, has seen the latest arrest in the case.
Now living in Durban in South Africa, Ed is fast becoming a master of his martial arts craft

Moyvane native Edward Carmody (right) pictured receiving his 2nd Dan black belt in Goja Ryu Karate in Durban South Africa at the age of 81.

Last saw year saw Ed, at the ripe old age of 80, achieve the incredible feat of getting his black belt in Goju-ryu karate; now one year later, Ed, at 81 years old, has not been resting on his laurels and was last week rise up the ranks even further as he was awarded his 2nd Dan Black Belt.

Eds first introduction to the world of karate and martial arts came way back in the 1960s when he worked as a Garda in Cork City before he departed for South Africa in 1969.

Having fallen out of the habit after this, Ed picked back up karate six years ago at age 75 and has not looked back since.

Its only when Ed references the fact he is only one year older than current US President Joe Biden that you realise how remarkable his accomplishment is, but he admits that, even under the great tutelage of his sensei Ben Mare, the road to the black belt has not been smooth at his age.

Stances such as what he called the horse stance where youre squatting down and getting really low, he said that this is not fun at times - especially when like him, you have gotten a new hip in recent years.

Speaking to The Kerryman this week from his adopted home of Durban, South Africa, Ed said that karate is amazing for helping to keep his mind and body young.

I do it [karate] for the mind and the body. I find it very good as you get older. I just find that its a great way of life, he said.

For his grading to achieve the 2nd Dan, Ed said that he had to do a number of katas - which are a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements - including Tensho, Sanchin and Gekisai Dai Ichi.

As well as this, he had to demonstrate a mastery of all the basic movements and stances that he has learnt up to now.

Looking to 3rd Dan and the future, Ed said that he will soon be able to take on the role of being a Sensei himself too if he chooses.

Ever up for a new adventure, Ed said that on his next trip home to Kerry, he wants to tackle Carrauntoohil for the first time.

Ive never been up it and so Im hoping that next summer, when I come back for a visit, I want to climb it and get it done, he said.
Nikiwe Dube (41) concocted complex plan to trick private and public health care facilities to employ him as a child psychologist

A man who used false documents to secure employment as a child psychologist and live a fake life has been jailed for four years.

Nikiwe Dube (41) with an address at Colpe Drive, Deepforde, Drogheda, Co Louth pleaded guilty to four charges of using a false instrument on dates between November 2019 and February 2022 including a psychological transcript with a false garda stamp, a false identification badge purportedly from the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and a fake medical certificate.

He further pleaded guilty to two counts of deception in that he dishonestly induced TTM Healthcare to put him on their books of employment, causing a loss, on a date between August 15, 2021 and September 9, 2021 and that he did dishonestly induce the HSE to give him an interview towards employment on August 18, 2022.

Dube used false documents to secure employment as a child psychologist in the public and private healthcare sectors when he didn't have the required academic qualifications, the court heard.

Imposing sentence, Judge Elva Duffy said Dube had put himself out there as a medically-trained professional and was working with children and adolescents who were clearly in a very vulnerable position because they had come looking for help.

She said Dube knew what he was doing and described it as a complex fraud. She said he had chosen to live a fake life where he abused trust and received significant money for his work.

Judge Duffy said Dube carried out this fraud without an apparent purpose and set himself out to be someone he was not.

She also noted that the State confirmed that the gardai have not been able to confirm Dubes true identity and said that is of some concern to the court.

Judge Duffy acknowledged that Dube made immediate admissions, has expressed remorse and that his plea of guilty was valuable as it would have been a difficult case to prove. She further acknowledged a positive probation report and governors report and the fact that Dube is a diabetic.

She said the case warranted a headline sentence of five and half years before she imposed a sentence of four years, having taken the mitigation into account. The sentence was backdated to when Dube first went into custody on August 5, 2022.

The court heard that in February 2022, Dube was put forward for a senior post as a child psychologist with an annual salary of 80,000 by recruitment agency, TTM Healthcare.

This application was reviewed by the head of psychology at Avista Medical, who had some concerns that the submitted documents, including a letter of validation, did not conform with the standard content and format. This person brought his concerns to the attention of the human resources department.

Separately on March 15, 2022, an assistant principal officer in the Department of Health's professional regulation unit, which is responsible for the validation of foreign psychology qualifications, told gardai they had been contacted by Avista in relation to the letter of validation included in Dube's application.

The Department of Health staff member said the unit had checked their archives and had no record of Dube. As such, the letter of validation was not issued by the Department of Health. Further enquiries determined the letter of validation to be false.

Gardai then contacted the recruitment agency TTM Healthcare, who provided them with documents including a letter of validation, a GNIB card, transcripts from the University of Zimbabwe and a Zimbabwean police clearance certificate.

The court also heard Dube was employed by Gateway Residential Care in Sligo between November 2019 and November 2021 as a child psychologist. He received 172,000 in wages and expenses during this period.

Gateway Residential Care provided gardai in March 2022 with documents including a letter of good standing from the PSI and documentation from the University of Zimbabwe including a qualification in psychology.

Gardai also spoke with a recruitment consultant working for TTM Healthcare who said Dube contacted them in August 2021 about a vacancy for a HSE clinical post. Dube was screened and it was confirmed that he met the requirements of the post.

Dube provided documents to TTM Healthcare including a Master of Science in clinical psychology transcript, a diploma in cognitive behavioural therapy, his GNIB card and a letter of validation. Garda vetting forms for TTM Healthcare and the HSE were also completed.

Dube was approved for a locum post in November 2021, however TTM paid his wages of 11,628 during this period due to outstanding garda vetting.

The investigating garda confirmed that much of Dube's work was carried out remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic and he had limited interaction with patients, both supervised and unsupervised.

Dube also had an identification badge purportedly from the PSI, however the society does not issue badges. The PSI contacted the University of Zimbabwe, whose staff confirmed that Dube had not studied there.

In May 2022, a garda at the Navan Garda Immigration Office confirmed that a stamp on a transcript did not originate from that office.

Gardai arrested Dube in August 2022 in Drogheda. After caution, he told gardai that he had been expecting this, but not at that moment.

He told them that he had paid over 4,300 online for a pack of documents and that he knew he should not have done it.

Dube made no comment when interviewed. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since August 5, 2022.

The investigating garda agreed with Gerardine Small SC, defending, that her client made admissions when first approached by gardai. He also confirmed that Dube had been in custody since his arrest and that his guilty plea avoided what would have been a complex trial.

No victim impact statements were provided to the court.

Ms Small asked the court to take into consideration her client's early guilty plea, immediate admissions and expressions of remorse. She said her client had educational attainment in this area.

Dube was born in Zimbabwe and worked as a LGBT counsellor for six years, the court heard. He had to flee the country due to concerns for his safety and applied for international protection in 2018.

A governors report and an education report were handed to the court. Dube is an enhanced prisoner and works in the prison laundry. He also volunteers as a listener with the Samaritans.

A letter of apology was also handed to the court. Dube is diabetic and has issues with cholesterol for which he takes medication.

Ms Small said Dube is aware of the serious breach of trust and the seriousness of the offence. She noted that he accepts that he sought refuge in a country and his behaviour towards that country is wholly unacceptable.
Judge finds too many discrepancies in evidence to convict

A 20-year-old woman alleged to have stamped on the head of another female, has been cleared of an assault charge.

Amy Nulty, The Green, Tredagh View, Drogheda, denied assaulting Karen Smyth causing her harm at Tredagh View on 26 May 2021.

At the conclusion of prosecution evidence in the district court and following a defence application, Judge McKiernan said there were too many discrepancies in the evidence.

Karen Smyth testified that while walking home she was laughing on her phone. Amy Nulty and her boyfriend were walking along the road and Amy called her names.

There had been a lot of bickering backwards and forwards going on for a long time. She didnt know why.

Ms Smyth said she crossed the road towards them. She thought it was the man who punched her. She grabbed Amy by the hair and ended up falling to the ground.

Both started putting the boot into me. I was terrified. I was on my own. I lost my glasses.

They ran off after putting a few boots in.

Ms Smyth added she suffered a broken nose. She went to the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk and was referred to Beaumont Hospital and got her nose realigned.

Cross-examined by solicitor Dermot Monahan, the witness said she did cross the road, remarking she had enough of this.

A punch was thrown at her. She grabbed Amys hair. They were both on the ground. Amy didnt video her as she lay on the ground.

Martin Kirwan gave evidence that he was in his sitting room when he heard shouting and screaming of obscenities.

He saw Karen on the ground and Amy stamping on her head.

Amy lived in the same street. She got her phone out and was pointing it at Karen. He assumed she was recording.

Amy legged it down the road. Karen was shaking and I rang the gardai for her.

Mr Kirwan told Mr Monahan that he didnt see the two women lying on the ground.

Karen was pleading with Amy to stop. Amy was standing over her.

The incident was investigated by Gda John Spain who said that he identified two independent witnesses, one of whom was Martin Kirwan.

The other was a lady who said that she had heard shouting outside. She saw Amy Nulty hit Karen Smyth first.

Gda Spain continued that at 9.30pm on 28 May 2021 he arrested Amy Nulty on suspicion of Section 3 assault.

He handed into court photos of Ms Smyths injuries and medical reports from the Louth County Hospital and Beaumont Hospital.

He added that Ms Nulty made a counter allegation that Karen Smyth assaulted her and that she was the aggressor.

Gda Spain replied to Mr Monahan that the second independent witness was not in court and that Amy Nultys boyfriend had not been charged.

The solicitor sought a direction. He submitted that Karen Smyth initiated this confrontation by crossing the road and grabbing his client by the hair.

Also, Ms Smyth and Mr Kirwan had pointed out different locations on photographs as to where the assault took place.

If Mr Kirwan had been at his window he couldnt have seen where it happened according to the injured party.

Judge McKiernan said, There are too many discrepancies here, adding that any doubt had to go in favour of the defendant.

The charge was dismissed.

Legal aid was granted.
TJ O'Hara and Katerina Conkova at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Emma Crowley and Matthew Miley at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Darragh Connolly and Louise Anderson at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Liam Skeffington, Michael Clifford and Matthew Hunt at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Sophie Harrington, Ruby McMahon and Lauren Durcan at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Nevina Newton and Habib Ibrahim at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Ciara Towey and Michael Honeyman at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Evan Folliard, Anna Tracey, Paul Gallagher, Jade Gray and Scott Gallagher at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Tomas Killoran and Kate McLaughlin at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Jessica Casey and ChLoe Hyland at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Zach Clarke, Emilee Marino, Niamh Oliver and Leah Duffy at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Claudia Gallagher, Rebecca Staunton, Holly Hyland and Cara King at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Emily Figg and Kieran Feely at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Chloe McCann, Adrian Walsh, Sinead Johnston, Aoife Johnston and Conor McArdle at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Aleksandar and Radoskar Stankov at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Pixie O'Hara and Thomas Finan at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

The Leaving Certificate class of 2023 in St Attractas Community School gathered in Tubbercurry before setting off for Tullamore by bus to celebrate their graduation dinner dance.

Photgrapher Carl Brennan was on hand to catch the glamour and excitement in the lead up to their departure.

Pixie O'Hara and Thomas Finan at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Aleksandar and Radoskar Stankov at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Chloe McCann, Adrian Walsh, Sinead Johnston, Aoife Johnston and Conor McArdle at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Emily Figg and Kieran Feely at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Claudia Gallagher, Rebecca Staunton, Holly Hyland and Cara King at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Zach Clarke, Emilee Marino, Niamh Oliver and Leah Duffy at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Jessica Casey and ChLoe Hyland at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Tomas Killoran and Kate McLaughlin at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Evan Folliard, Anna Tracey, Paul Gallagher, Jade Gray and Scott Gallagher at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Ciara Towey and Michael Honeyman at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Nevina Newton and Habib Ibrahim at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Sophie Harrington, Ruby McMahon and Lauren Durcan at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Liam Skeffington, Michael Clifford and Matthew Hunt at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Darragh Connolly and Louise Anderson at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

Emma Crowley and Matthew Miley at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

TJ O'Hara and Katerina Conkova at St Attracta's Community School Debs in Tubbercurry.

St Attractas has over 700 students and a teaching staff of 60.

Today's News In 90 Seconds - July 27th
People with disabilities continue to face barriers when they are out and about in Sligo town, according to a local advocacy group.

Hazards include, bins on footpaths, kerbs are too high, are not enough ramps and drivers who are not disabled but who park in disabled parking spaces. These issues raised by members of the Sligo Advocacy Group and Sligo DPO (Disabled Persons Organisation) at a recent meeting with County Councillors.

John Colreavy, Heather Lyons and Leanne Wynne, of the Sligo Advocacy Group, showed photographs of specific locations in town where they experience difficulties. John showed pictures of not being able to access recycle bins because the openings are too high for him to use.

Heather showed a video she took of the dangers of going to a bank at Stephen Street. She said I have to come off the footpath in my wheelchair, go out on to the street and then back on the footpath, this is very dangerous. Apart from the traffic, if my wheelchair hits a kerb?

Problems with disabled parking spaces were also highlighted where in many cases there is not enough space to safely support people when using to get on and off vehicles.

The importance of people with lived experience of disability being represented on the Councils committees was highlighted with both groups requesting membership of the Disability Consultative Committee when membership is next open, following the 2024 Local Elections.

Cllrs. Declan Bree, Arthur Gibbons, Thomas Healy and Michael Clarke attended the meeting. All councillors were invited but many could not attend due to holidays and other engagements.

Cllr. Bree, Chair of the Disability Consultative Committee said he would bring up the issues raised at the next meeting of this committee. Aisling Egan, Sligo Advocacy Group, thanked the Councillors for their support. Leanne Wynne said: I look forward to a day when I and other disabled people will find it a lot easier to get around Sligo town.
Ivan Dungan and Pam Galloway pictured at Rev Katherine Kehoe's leaving function in the Gorey Methodist Church on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Pictured at Rev Katherine Kehoe's leaving function in the Gorey Methodist Church on Sunday were Ali Denvir and Anne O'Brien. Pic: Jim Campbell

Siobhan Norman, Ciara and Heather O'Leary were pictured at Rev Katherine Kehoe's leaving function in the Gorey Methodist Church on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell

The Leech and Poole families were pictured at Rev Katherine Kehoe's leaving function in the Gorey Methodist Church on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Goreys Methodist Church bid a sad farewell to one of its favourite Ministers recently, with the departure of Reverend Katherine Kehoe in June for a new beginning in Carlow.

On June 18, they held a Circuit farewell, similar to a Parish event, in the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey, with a meal.

The following Sunday saw Reverend Kehoe conduct her last Service, for Gorey and Arklow. We had a cup of tea in the Hall afterwards, with a cake, said Reverend Kehoe.

Gorey Methodist Church was nearly full to the brim with over 80 worshippers. Reverend Kehoe started her service in Gorey in 2018 but is now being stationed to Carlow and Kilkenny in line with Methodist practices.

Reverend Kehoe remembers her five years in Gorey fondly, as one of the best times of her life. A highlight was meeting the late Cecil Riddle of South East Radio, who played many of her musical requests.

It was only later that she discovered that Cecil was a member of her congregation. I felt I knew him for 20 years before I came here, she said. Reverend Kehoe conducted Cecils Funeral Service in 2020.

Gorey and Arklow are completely in my blood. I was heartbroken to leave, but when we are ordained, we say we go where we are sent, she said.

I made so many friends, not just in the Methodist Church, but also in the Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic Church, and Presbyterian Church.

Reverend Kehoe says it was the happiest five years. Gorey Methodist Church has about 150 members, with a smaller number in Arklow.

Highlights of the Methodist calendar include the Covenant Service on the first Sunday in the year when members renew their pledge to their God, and in May they celebrate Aldersgate Day, in memory of the Founders of the movement, John and Charles Wesley.

Gorey Methodist Church is very much part of the wider community, said Reverend Kehoe, with regular coffee mornings on Wednesdays in the Market Square in Gorey, and fundraisers. Its the highlight of the week for many people, especially for people living alone.
Molly said she was sitting by the fire in the kitchen on a Saturday afternoon. I presume that she was knitting, she never did nothing  she was always doing something.

It was raining she said, a rotten day outside, the sea was in a furious mood, spitting and crashing up through the woodenworks. No one would dream of coming down on the quay, she wrote.

The heavy front door wouldve been closed, the secondary glass door she had fitted to allow daylight down the hall, sufficed on a normal day, in spring or summer. But this was the depth of winter and the storm outside was in no mood to accommodate any human abodes on reclaimed land.

So she sat there alone, with RTE Radio playing away in the back kitchen on the transistor. It would be downtime for Irish Radio schedules, nowadays  but in those days, even down time was important, because there wouldnt have been much competition.

We didnt have local stations and there were no competing national stations to RTE. There wasnt even an RTE Radio 2, just RTE Radio; todays equivalence is Radio One.

Me Da, she said, had gone up to the bookie office next to Walkers on the Main Street to back a horse. When she wrote that, I immediately envisioned him scribbling on the bookies docket, which he kept in the drawer, with the carbon paper all intact  and him employing his complicated system of connecting three horses to each other so that one winnings would automatically go to the next horse and then the next, if they all won hed hit the jackpot.

Hed hand me the crumpled dockets with three shillings inside, to ferry up to the bookie. It was a weekend task every Saturday. In the seven or eight years of being his courier, I never saw his triple cross succeed once, but he succeeded in having a vested interest in three different races.

So Molly was on her own in the kitchen listening to the radio, when she got the surprise of her life on that station which she listened to and sang along with all day long, the only radio station with a clear reception.

The fella on the radio said he was going to play a record by Turner and Kirwan, she said. Molly couldnt believe her ears, and was afraid to move in case she might miss a second of it, in case she would drop her knitting, and the needles might scrape against each other, or hit the gas stove with her foot.

It was very good, she said. I dont remember ever hearing it before, it was called Dusty Mansions. Larrys voice sounded nice and soft like Chris De Burgh . And the piano playing was lovely. When it finished he talked all about you first playing clarinet, and then being on the Travelers, and then The Arrows before joining Larry and going to America where you both were doing very well.

"And then he told about Larry being on a group before going to Dublin and America, and that you were known as Turner and Kirwan of Wexford, because both of you were from Wexford. I was delighted, and no one else in the family heard it but myself, they were all disgusted.

I still read some of Mollys letters, now kept in my drawer. But this one reminds me of the wonder of RTE. None of todays commercial stations wouldve played that self-released recording by young unknowns. For most Irish artists, RTE is our only hope. Commercial stations wont even play their own local artists, RTE keeps our culture alive.
Pubs, cafes, and restaurants face an uncertain future if the 9 per cent VAT rate for hospitality and tourism is hiked up to 13.5 per cent, a Wexford TD has warned.

Government must maintain the 9 per cent VAT rate as rural tourism is facing a perfect storm, according to Independent Deputy Verona Murphy.

Ms Murphy said the adverse weather and accommodation issues are affecting many tourism related activities within the county this summer.

We are seeing and will continue to see disruption to the tourist sector, particularly for things like activity centres, places of interest, and other ancillary services which are sustained by the influx of tourists.

When all available hotel and holiday accommodation is being used in a tourist area to host our Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers, then its inevitable that there are fewer accommodation places available for tourists.

Tourism is the life blood of many County Wexford Communities and many other communities across the country.

Ms Murphy said fewer accommodation places available for tourists means fewer customers for the other tourist-related businesses in those areas. For every euro spent on accommodation, there is a further 3 spent in the local economy. One such businessman reported to me that their business is down 60 per cent on last year, which was a year already significantly down on previous ones.

Deputy Murphy concluded: The governments lack of a sustainable plan when it comes to the accommodation of asylum seekers is having a knock-on effect on these types of industries. This is not the fault of those people being accommodated by the government.

The fault lies with the governments approach to the issue. Those in the tourism sector must be supported. The retention of the 9 per cent VAT rate is just one measure that is essential for the very survival of many businesses this year and the years ahead. The 9 per cent VAT rate has proven to be the right rate of VAT when compared to our European competitors and must be maintained. Its not rocket science, its common sense

Ferns publican Tom Dunbar is a member of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) national executive. The VAT rate for accommodation should be decoupled from food and drink as the prices for accommodation, particularly in the Dublin area, have skyrocketed, he said.

Small cafes and small pubs have enough to deal with high energy prices, and costs for food. Its difficult enough now without another rise, he said. Further costs could close many smaller businesses.

Mr Dunbar said he is hopeful rather than being optimistic that the current 9 per cent rate will be retained.

Due to the prices being charged for accommodation in Dublin, its difficult to argue that a change in the VAT rate will make any difference to the hotel sector, he said. However, it will make a huge difference to the smaller pubs and cafes.

The summer was bad enough. The weather has been disastrous for the past few weeks. If the 9 per cent rate was increased, it would be disastrous for the local economy in north Wexford, he said.

It would be disastrous for certain businesses. Its an added cost. Eating out at the moment is quite expensive. Its going to be more expensive. It will put people off, if they were eating out once a week, now they would go once a month.

Mr Dunbar said it could be the straw that breaks the camels back for smaller businesses. Its all thing adding up: energy, the price of everything, and on top of that, this as well. It would be most unhelpful.

The CEO of County Wexford Chamber wrote to Minister Michael McGrath earlier this year seeking the continuance of the reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector.

"County Wexford Chamber believes that trading conditions have not sufficiently improved to the point where this temporary reduction could be reversed. If anything, we believe that the situation is probably more difficult than before, said a spokesperson.

For example, input costs for restaurants are so much higher than pre-covid. This not only pertains to well publicised costs such as energy, but also all other inputs including meat, fish, chicken, vegetables as suppliers are forced to pass on their rising costs.

The margins for many of our members in these sectors are very tight, so much so that an increase in costs such as VAT, where there is no scope for negotiation, is enough to render many of those businesses unviable and no doubt represents a greater threat to the overall economic wellbeing of our county.

We believe that this is a much more complex issue than often represented. Something that requires more time and an in-depth study involving all stakeholders to gain better understanding which should lead to alternative solutions that balance sectoral and regional needs and therefore support vibrant local economies across the country. Meanwhile, it is vitally important that the 9% rate should be maintained until that work is complete, she added.
Our beauty writers top tips for achieving a wearable day-to-night smoky-eye look that works for everyone

While you may not immediately think of a smoky eye when you consider makeup looks for summer, it has become my go-to over the last couple of months.

This is partially because I am disorganised and constantly in a hurry so tend to pick up whatever products are closest to me, leading to looks being repeated for some time, and partially because Ive finally found a wearable day-to-night smoky-eye look that works for every occasion. It all comes down to one element: grey eyeshadow.

Previously, I would have considered black or dark brown to be key ingredients when it came to a smoky eye, but the recent resurgence of grey eyeshadow via the 90s supermodel trend has changed everything. Matte grey eyeshadow is the chic, wearable sister of black shadow, and it suits every eye colour. Where a black look might appear harsh and too dramatic for some situations, grey is soft and doesnt look over the top, no matter what the time of day. I dont believe makeup should have any rules when it comes to age, but if you find the idea of wearing black eye makeup intimidating because you have mature skin, try grey. It will deliver soft smokiness in spades.

Thats all well and good, Louise, I hear you saying, but how are we actually doing this? First, make sure you have a good matte grey shadow. Thanks to the supermodel trend, there are some excellent grey-themed palettes around at the moment.

Vieve Ninetease Palette, 52, brownthomas.com

I love Vieves Ninetease Palette (52, via brownthomas.com) and BPerfects Gravity Palette (22.95, via bperfectcosmetics.com). Theyre very similar in terms of colour theme, containing a blend of matte greys, shimmery silvers and pewters, and some warm creams and burgundy-toned browns. The significantly more expensive Ninetease palette is superior in terms of formula  the shadows are beautifully creamy and richly pigmented, but the Gravity palette is perfectly good.

When it comes to application, start with a creamy neutral tone over the lid to neutralise any redness. Then use a darker neutral tone with a bit of warmth in the crease; from the Gravity palette, I like Axis or Deep Impact, or from Ninetease I like 93. I also like to take this shade under the lower lash line but not into the inner corner of the eye.

Next, choose a matte grey shadow to cover the lid with. How dark you go is up to you  but you want a mid-toned grey at least to achieve a smoky effect (like Soot from the Ninetease palette, or Greyscale from the Gravity palette). Blend this into the transition colour on the lid and along the lower lashline too until the edge is seamless.

BPerfect Gravity Palette, 22.95, bperfectcosmetics.com

Feel free to use some translucent powder to assist your blend if you find its not working for you  this will soften the look generally. A pop of silver shimmer can be added to the centre of the lid or inner corner if you like a bit of sparkle, or this can be left as is. Shimmer shades should always be applied with the finger if possible, as this will deliver maximum intensity.

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner, 12, boots.ie

For night-time, a little black liquid liner along the upper lashline or pencil in the waterline can add some drama. I find NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner (12, via boots.ie) long-lasting and easy to apply.

KVD Beauty Tattoo Pencil Long-Wear Gel Liner, 22, boots.ie

Alternatively, KVD Beautys Tattoo Pencil Long-Wear Gel Liner (22, via boots.ie) stays where you apply it on the waterline.

Buying Irish

La Bealtaine, 130, cloonkeen.com

Cloon Keen are one of my favourite Irish brands thanks to their gorgeous products and consistently beautiful design, both in terms of their stores and packaging. Recently, they gave their fragrance bottles a redesign and, as you might expect, the results are flawless. As well as being an aesthetic delight, the bottles now include a screwcap so that each bottle can be refilled. While every fragrance is delightful, I particularly enjoy La Bealtaine (130, via cloonkeen.com) in the summertime. Its bright and fresh, with notes of bergamot, mandarin and neroli.

Something old...

Color Wow Raise the Root Thicken & Lift Spray, 21.90, meagherspharmacy.ie

Im not sure who originally coined the phrase the higher the hair, the closer to God but it has not left my head since the first time I heard it. Whether Im blow-drying it or wearing it in its natural curls, big, voluminous hair is all I want. The right products are crucial to achieving this goal, and Color Wows Raise the Root Thicken & Lift Spray (21.90, via meagherspharmacy.ie) has been my go-to for quite some time. It can be used on wet or dry hair and just needs to be sprayed (liberally) on to the roots before using the heat of a hair dryer to activate it. Brush the hair up as you dry the roots, and youll see substantial and lasting lift. This product is particularly effective on fine hair, and great to give your hair a bit of life at the end of your wash cycle.

... Something new

Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist, 29.50, brownthomas.com

The Olaplex brand has become a staple of many a hair routine, both in salons and in peoples bathrooms. It is synonymous with repair, thanks to its patented Bond Building Technology, but now the brand is moving into styling products. The latest launch is Volumizing Blow Dry Mist (29.50, via brownthomas.com), a product that includes the aforementioned technology and still has an emphasis on maintaining the hairs quality via heat protection, but also promises to deliver lasting volume. For use on wet or dry hair, the mist is designed to be sprayed at the root before using a hair dryer to add lift.
Actor Russell Crowe has shared a story of how he met Sinead OConnor in Dublin and had the opportunity to tell the singer that she was a hero of mine.

The Australian Oscar-winner was among the many thousands of people to express their condolences at the news of Sineads death and shared a story of how the pair met in Dublin in 2022 while he was filming a movie in Ireland.

In a series of tweets, Crowe recalled the chance encounter while enjoying a pint outside a pub in Dalkey last year.

He wrote: Last year, working in Ireland, having a pint in the cold outside a Dalkey pub with some new friends, a woman with purpose strode past us.

"Puffy parker zipped to the nape and her bowed head covered in a scarf. One of my new friends muttered an exclamation, jumped up and pursued the woman. Thirty metres down the road, the friend and the woman embraced and he waved me over.

"There under streetlights with mist on my breath, I met Sinead. She looked in my eyes, and uttered with disarming softness oh, its you Russell.

Actor Russell Crowe cycles into Bray, Co Wicklow during a break from filming at Ardmore Studios in Bray. Photo by Padraig O'Reilly

"She came with us back to the table and sat in the cold and ordered a hot tea. In a conversation without fences we roamed through the recent Dublin heatwave, local politics, American politics, the ongoing fight for indigenous recognition in many places, but particularly in Australia, her warm memory of New Zealand, faith, music, movies and her brother the writer. I had the opportunity to tell her she was a hero of mine.

"When her second cup was taking on the night air, she rose, embraced us all and strode away into the fog-dimmed streetlights.

We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman.

Peace be with your courageous heart Sinead, Crowe said.

"She was an icon" - Sinead O'Connor in profile

Police in London have confirmed that Sinead was found unresponsive in her South London flat around 11am on Wednesday morning and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death is not being treated as suspicious, police confirmed.

"Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner."
Sinead O'Connor is to split from her third husband. The 45-year-old singer married musician Steve Cooney (57) just eight months ago while on tour in Europe

CONTROVERSIAL Irish singer Sinead O'Connor has called time on her third marriage.

The Irish Independent has learned that the 45-year-old split with husband Steve Cooney three weeks ago, just eight months after they wed while on tour last summer in Europe.

On Sunday, April 3, while performing at 'The Music Of Ghost Light' in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, it was first noticed that O'Connor was no longer wearing her wedding ring.

She was also without the ring when she was photographed on Monday outside a coffee shop in Bray with her former partner Frank Bonadio.

Contacted by the Irish Independent, O'Connor confirmed last night that she and Cooney (57) had separated.

"Steve is lovely so it's not his fault but mine.

"It was an extremely happy marriage.

"I'm heartbroken about it breaking up," she said.

The mother of four has often spoken about suffering from bipolar disorder.

Until recently, she was dealing with it by use of medication but said she stopped because it resulted in her putting on weight.

"I didn't mind putting on weight -- the problem is strangers telling me I was fat. That was hard on our marriage," she added.

In recent months O'Connor and Cooney had been "unfortunately" spending time apart.

O'Connor's new album 'Home' is due out in June, while Cooney is studying for a PhD.

O'Connor announced her wedding to Australian musician Cooney via a statement on her official website on July 22, 2010.

Conquering

"We who run this site are very happy to announce the marriage of Steve Cooney and Sinead O'Connor has taken place this morning," read the statement.

"Thanks be to the Great Lord Jah. Rastafarai. Dread I. Conquering Lion I. One love."

Cooney, previously a member of Irish band Stockton's Wing, is part of O'Connor's touring band.

However, a family member told the Irish Independent: "The negative tone of the media coverage of her marriage sparked her illness and she became suicidal."

O'Connor has been married twice before.

Her first marriage was to writer John Reynolds, who also produced several of her albums, including 'Universal Mother'.

They have a son Jake (24) together.

She then had a daughter, Roisin, in 1996, with journalist John Waters.

In 2001, she married journalist Nick Sommerlad after a whirlwind romance but they split less than two years later and she went on to have son Shane with folk musician Donal Lunny in 2004.

She was involved with Mary Coughlan's ex-husband, American Frank Bonadio, whom she split from earlier last year after four years together.

However, the two, who have a son Yeshua Francis Neil (4) together, remain good friends and were spotted enjoying a coffee together near her home in Bray, Wicklow, last Tuesday.
An injured demonstrator is dragged by police to be detained during a protest in Tel Aviv. Photo: AP

Israels Supreme Court said yesterday it would hear an appeal against a new law that curbs some of its own powers, pitting it against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government that is seeking an overhaul of the judicial system.
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The father of Rajasthani woman Anju who travelled to Pakistan and married her Facebook friend Nasrullah broke silence on the action of his daughter, whose cross-border love has caught the glare of people, media reports said.

Gaya Prasad Thomas, Anju's father, said as quoted by NDTV, "She is as good as dead for the family. She has no right to come back to India. If she returns, then she has to face strict punishment. What she did is wrong and people who do that deserve punishment."

"India is a respectable country and I'm ashamed of what she did and apologised to the government. He added that she doesn't have any right to take her two children. Don't let her touch them," he added.

"Her action and name are a taint on us therefore I requested to remove my name from my daughter's name," Thomas said.

Reportedly, Anju has converted to Islam.

Cross-border love

As per reports, the woman, named Anju, fell in love with 29-year-old Nasrulla, her Facebook friend whom she met on social media in 2019.

In India, Anju was married to Arvind in Rajasthan and they both have a 15-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.

The 34-year-old, who was born in Uttar Pradesh, told her husband, as he claimed, that she was going to Jaipur.

In Pakistan, she was staying at Nasrullah's home in the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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.

They tied the knot in a local court of a district and sessions judge amid tight security.

Both appeared in the court in Upper Dir in the presence of family members of Nasrullah, police personnel, and lawyers, the police.

According to Geo News, the Indian woman has been shifted to her home from the court under police security.

As per the statement, they have signed the nikkah on their own will and Fatima told the court that she willingly came to Pakistan.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Agartala/UNI: With the successful implementation of Har Ghar Tiranga (National Tricolour in every house) over the year to mark the 75th anniversary of Indias Independence as part of the national program to promote patriotism, the Tripura government has decided to launch the 'Meri Matti Mera Desh' (My soil is my country) campaign for a week.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha already held a high-level meeting to finalise the programs road map, which will be launched on August 9 across the state and continue till August 15.

While appreciating the success and impact of Azadi Ka Amrita Mohotsav, the Chief Minister said Tripura ranks first in the country in the implementation of the program launched by the Centre.

Dr Saha on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working towards the development of the country as well as taking the country forward with patriotic thoughts, which are now being reciprocated by Indians.

He expected that all the stakeholders would play a strong role in keeping the states reputation intact in the country through the successful implementation of the 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' events.

Dr Saha advised the departments to prepare their events during the campaign in advance for the successful implementation of this program.

The 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' program has been taken as part of the concluding program of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav. In this program, soil will be collected from every panchayat across the country and brought to Delhi to pay tribute to the national heroes, and the Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav Memorial and Amrit Bhatika will be constructed there.

In the panchayat-level 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' program in memory of the heroes of the country, memorial plaques should be placed, especially near Amrit Sarovar reservoir, and the Panchprana pledge should be taken in Panchayats with mud lamps and selfies uploaded on the specific website for this campaign.

"At least 75 local tree saplings should be planted in every village Panchayat in India, defense personnel, state police personnel, and Central Armed Police Forces. The families of the freedom fighters and heroes will be honoured, the national flag will be hoisted, and the national anthem will be played," said the officials present in the meeting.

The soil will be collected from the village and brought to the Panchayat and then to the block in the Mitti Yatra. One youth from each block will carry an earthen pot and set off for Delhi's Kartavya path. Amrit Bhatika will be made with the soil brought by 7500 youths from each block on Kartavya Road in Delhi.
Naveen Patnaik Twitter page

Former UK PM Tony Blair on Wednesday met Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and discussed the issue of economic development and growth of the East Indian state.

Patnaik described his meeting with Blair as 'pleasurable'.

Following the meeting, the Odisha CM tweeted: "It is a pleasure meeting former UK Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair. Had a meaningful discussion on economic development and growth of #Odisha & future perspectives. Thank Mr. Blair for extending policy support, assistance in developing a comprehensive economic strategy for #Odisha. "

It is a pleasure meeting former UK Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair. Had a meaningful discussion on economic development and growth of #Odisha & future perspectives. Thank Mr. Blair for extending policy support, assistance in developing a comprehensive economic strategy for pic.twitter.com/QdK6ElvscD  Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 26, 2023

Interestingly, on July 21, the government of Odisha inked an MoU with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI).

Patnaik tweeted: "Appreciate the preliminary suggestions of Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) focusing on inclusive benefits for our citizens. Thanked him for his praise for Odishas success in different sectors and appreciation for #5T initiative bringing transformation in governance."

Established in 2016, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), commonly known by its trade name the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

It is a non-profit organisation set up by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to provide advice to governments and "to help political leaders build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in an increasingly interconnected world".
Image: Unsplash

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 13 Chinese people on charges of bordering on illegal mining activities in Ilorin, Kwara State of Nigeria.

The offence is contrary to, and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983, This Day Live reported.

The suspects, comprising a female and 12 males, were arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Ilorin following credible intelligence about their activities which included but not limited to, illegal mining and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.

The suspects are Guo Ya Wang (36), Lizli Hui (42), Guo Jian Rong (36), Lizh Shen Xianian (37), Lishow Wu (26), Guo Pan (38), Lia Meiyu (53), Guo Kai Quan (36) Lin Pan (50)

Others are Ma Jan (38), Wendy Wei Suqin (31), Li Zhinguo Wei (29) and Xie Zhinguo (53).

During interrogation, the arrested people confessed they worked for Chinese company known as W. Mining Global Service Limited situated at Olayinka in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
Image: Pixabay

Recent data has shown that the crime committed by Chinese nationals in Nepal is rising.

Over the past four years, a total of 837 Chinese individuals have been deported from Nepal due to their involvement in various illegal activities, Pardafas reported.

Based on statistics from the Immigration Department, the deportations were as follows: 427 individuals in 2019, 226 individuals in 2020, 34 individuals in 2021, and 150 individuals in 2022, all found engaged in unlawful actions within the country, the Nepali newspaper reported.

According to the Nepal Police, Chinese nationals have recently become increasingly involved in online fraud activities within Nepal. In addition, there have been cases of Chinese individuals being apprehended for various other criminal offenses, including ATM fraud, gold and dollar smuggling, as well as illegal wildlife and human trafficking.

Over the past seven years, the recorded number of Chinese nationals engaged in criminal activities in Nepal has surpassed 1,500. Particularly concerning is their misuse of tourist visas to carry out these unlawful acts.
Every year, July 26 is observed as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

According to the United Nations, the day is marked to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as "a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem" and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation, and uses.

AFP

India's mangrove forests

India is home to 10 mangrove forests spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.



Among these, the Sundarbans in West Bengal are the largest and account for almost half of the total mangrove cover in India.

The mangroves have several important roles in the coastal areas where they grow in the overall ecology.

AFP

How mangroves protected coasts during cyclone

The mangroves act as a natural barrier and are the first line of defence from storm surges, tsunamis, tides, sea level rise, and erosion.



In May 2020, when Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan, one of the strongest of its kind to hit the Odisha and Bengal coast in years, made landfall, mangroves proved to be the difference-maker.

The trail of destruction was much less in Bhitarkanika National Park, as the mangroves successfully defended the coast and reduced the impact of the cyclone.

A treasure-trove of biodiversity

Mangroves also support rich biodiversity and provide valuable nursery and rearing habitats for fish, crabs, shellfish, sea turtles, and bird nesting grounds.

BCCL

The Mangroves are also intertwined with the economy of the areas where they grow, as the fishermen depend on them for their livelihoods.



Nature-based solution for disaster and climate resilience

The role of Mangroves as a natural defence is increasingly becoming important as a nature-based solution for disaster and climate resilience.

"in coastal areas which are prone to erosion, you can either build a concrete wall, or you can plant mangroves, which will help in energy dissipation, and reduce the force of the waves, costs much lesser, and is better for the ecosystem," Amit Prothi, Director General of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), had recently told Indiatimes.

How India lost its mangrove forests

Despite the enormous benefits they have to offer, mangroves across the world are facing an ever-increasing existential threat.

AFP

The biggest risks mangroves face are coastal development, shrimp aquaculture, charcoal farming, and natural disasters.

According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, the very dense mangrove cover in the Sunderbans has shrunk by two square kilometres  from 996 sq km to 994 sq km - between 2019 and 2021.

The delta had a mangrove cover of 999 sq km in 2017, which had declined by three square kilometres in 2019. And it was 1038 sq km in 2011.

600 sq km of mangroves lost in 10 years

In Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai, the loss of Mangroves has been concerning.

BCCL

According to The Global Mangrove Alliance's (GMA) The State of the World's Mangroves 2022 report, between 2010 and 2020, Mumbai lost 600 sq km of mangroves, and more than 62% of that loss was attributable to direct human influences.

Destruction of Mangroves violates fundamental rights

In 2018, the Bombay High Court said that the destruction of Mangroves offended the fundamental rights of the citizens, and hence it was a mandatory duty of the state and its agencies to protect and preserve the mangroves.

In 2005 in its interim orders in the matter, the HC had ordered a ban on hacking or construction on mangrove land and dumping of debris and garbage on such mangrove plots.

BCCL

However, in December 2022, the HC permitted the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) to cut around 20,000 mangroves spread across Mumbai, Palghar and Thane for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
On a long-haul 12-hour British Airways flight, an unexpected culinary shock awaited passengers when they were served one piece of KFC instead of a gourmet meal.

The out-of-the-ordinary dining experience onboard the flight stemmed from a catering mishap that led to the disposal of all the originally planned meals .

Twitter

According to reports on July 26, the incident occurred during the BA252 flight on June 23, which departed from Turks and Caicos, a British Overseas Territory nestled near the Bahamas, and finally touched down in London after an extensive 12-hour journey through the skies.

@British_Airways just landed @HeathrowAirport after a 12.5 hour flight BA252 from Turks and Caicos with no catering! BA had to serve @kfc at Nassau giving some lucky passengers 1 piece of chicken. The container with the plane catering wasnt chilled so all thrown away!! pic.twitter.com/U5IcBD2hRy  Andrew Bailey (@aktivandrew) July 24, 2023

According to Twitter user Andrew Bailey, who claimed to be a passenger onboard the flight, he was informed that a "chilling container with food failed on the plane."

As a consequence of this failure, all the initially loaded food had to be discarded.

During a mid-journey stop in the Bahamas, the flight crew took an unusual approach to cater to the passengers' appetites by arranging for KFC fried chicken.

 Un Boeing 777 de British Airways, reliant les iles Turques-et-Caiques a Londres, a vecu une drole de mesaventure la semaine derniere.



Apres un probable probleme de refrigeration des frigos a bord, le personnel a ete oblige de se fournir chez KFC lors d'une escale pic.twitter.com/QSLqaGJZCo  air plus news (@airplusnews) July 27, 2023

An Instagram user shared a video capturing the flight attendants serving pieces of chicken from a KFC bucket to passengers onboard the aircraft.

However, the meal allocation seemed lighter, with the user reporting that "only one chicken leg per passenger" was served.

"...they then said they would be handing out vouchers as we left the plane, which myself and travel partner never received. Absolute disgrace; how do you forget the catering for a 12-hour flight? (sic)," the user further added.

In an interview with news.com.au, a British Airways spokesperson defended the flight crew, claiming that their limited range of options impacted their choice.

"Our teams sprung into action and made sure our customers onboard our flight had something to eat."

"We apologize to customers that their full meal service was not available and that we had to wing it on this occasion," the spokesperson said.

Amidst the social media outcry condemning the airline's actions, a handful of users stepped forward to defend British Airways.

Twitter

One Twitter user, who identified as a flight attendant from a different airline, empathized with the crew's challenges in finding a resolution. They pointed out, "As someone who is a flight attendant with a different airline, I can understand the frustration that the crew must have gone through to try and come up with a solution. However, it was the fault of the catering company, not British Airways,"



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After four years of uncertainty and worry, a glimmer of hope has shone upon an Arizona family as their missing teenager has been located. Alicia Navarro, who was just 14 years old at the time of her disappearance, went missing from her family's home in Glendale, Arizona, on September 15, 2019.

The sudden vanishing act left her loved ones desperately seeking answers and longing for her safe return.

However, Alicia has finally been found in a remarkable turn of events.

Now 18 years old, she emerged at a police station in a Montana town located 40 miles away from the Canadian border, according to Glendale police.

Alicia emerged at a police station in a small town near the Canadian border in Montana.

UPDATE: Alicia Navarro has been found safe! Now 18, she has come forward and identified herself to a police station in Montana near the Canadian border. Officials say she appears "healthy" and "safe" and has been reunited with her family. Where she was, and the details of her pic.twitter.com/2TcqktDaVS  Unsolved Mysteries (@Unsolved) July 27, 2023

The Glendale Police Department confirmed this remarkable discovery in a press conference, announcing that Alicia has been located safe, healthy, and content.

Twitter

As per public information officer Jose Santiago, "Alicia went missing in September of 2019, and for more than four years, detectives have followed up on thousands of leads. This week, Alicia walked into a police department in a small town in Montana and identified herself. At that point, Federal partners, local police, and detectives at Glendale Police began their investigation into this individual."



BREAKING NEWS: Alicia Navarro, who was 14 when she disappeared from Glendale, Arizona in 2019, has been FOUND SAFE! Investigators say she was found in a Montana town close to the US-Canadian border. Thank you for everyone who shared her poster, more details to come! pic.twitter.com/LrHZIKHIPk  National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (@MissingKids) July 26, 2023

The Police department added, "Through our interviews, along with those of family members, we are confident that the now 18-year-old young lady is indeed Alicia Navarro,"

"This case is far from being closed. We have been continuing to investigate her whereabouts for the last four years and will do so alongside our Federal partners. Alicia is asking for privacy at this time. We are thankful we can bring some type of closure to her family. We are also thankful that she appears in good health and happy," the Glendale Police Department said.

Navarro arrived at the police station on her own, leaving authorities puzzled about how she made her way to Montana following her disappearance.

According to Glendale Lt. Scott Waite's statements during the news conference, her disappearance appeared to be a runaway situation.

Waite confirmed that Navarro didn't require medical attention when she arrived at the station.

The teenager has since been emotionally reunited with her mother, which Waite described as "emotionally overwhelming" for both of them. Details about the location and timing of their reunion were not disclosed, but it was confirmed that Navarro is currently staying in Montana.

Navarro has been fully cooperative with the investigation and has shown deep remorse for the distress she caused her mother, as stated by Santiago.



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On Wednesday, Ukraine's SBU security service searched the residence of a Ukrainian MP, Yuriy Aristov, following allegations that he went on a holiday to the Maldives.



According to reports, Aristov first traveled to Lithuania for a work-related trip but later claimed to be sick. He embarked on a journey to the Maldives, where he stayed at a luxury hotel with his family.

The incident has sparked an investigation into the MP's actions, raising concerns about the authenticity of his sick leave and the implications of his alleged actions.

Aristov's actions have breached a wartime ban prohibiting officials from leaving the country. Additionally, men of conscription age must obtain special permission before traveling abroad.

As a result of this violation, a criminal case has been initiated against Aristov, which could lead to a potential prison sentence of up to three years if he is found guilty.

Facebook

According to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Security Service of Ukraine, their initial investigations have uncovered that he was present on the private island of Ithaafushi in the Maldives in mid-July, despite being on registered sick leave. Ukrainian media spotted him during his time in the Maldives.



Aristov initially departed for a three-day business trip to Poland, and his stay abroad was extended from July 5th to July 22nd.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a speech cautioning public servants about the importance of upholding the country's interests and avoiding actions that could be perceived as betrayal.

Screenshot

"When you constantly see and feel the moral strength gained for Ukraine by our warriors, our people, who are doing everything possible and impossible for the victory and preservation of freedom, any internal betrayal, any 'beach' [holiday], or any personal enrichment instead of Ukraine's interests triggers fury at the very least," he said, as per a report in the BBC.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and President Zelenskyy's anti-corruption campaign in January of the same year, several scandals involving top Ukrainian officials have been brought to light.

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Would you pay Rs. 40 lakh for a pair of shoes? Well, if you are a true Apple fan, you may end up doing so as a pair of "ultra-rare" custom-made sneakers designed to be a one-time giveaway for Apple employees has been put up for auction.

Rare Apple Sneakers Put Up For Auction At Rs 40 Lakh

SOTHEBY'S

The Apple sneakers were designed in the mid-1990s and are now up for sale by auctioneer Soethebys with a $50,000 (about Rs 40 lakh) price tag.



The shoeswhich arrive new in the boxare mostly white, in a similar shape to the trendy Nike Air Forces, feature the old-school rainbow Apple logo on the tongue and lateral quarter, and come with an extra pair of red shoelaces.

Sothebys is not auctioning the shoes; rather, theyre available for immediate purchase through the Buy Now marketplace arm of the site. Though the pair has never been worn, Sothebys warns of imperfections "consistent with age," including some yellowing around the midsoles and light marks on the toe boxes.

The shoes were never available to the general public, making the pair "one of the most obscure in existence," according to the auctioneers listing, as per Forbes report.

Also Read: Why Apple Is Forcing A 111-Year-Old Fruit Company To Change Its Logo

Third Most Expensive Shoes On The Auctioneer's Website

SOTHEBY'S

The Apple shoes are currently the third most expensive pair of sneakers for sale on Sothebys site, behind a pair of Nike SB Dunk Low Paris Bernard Buffets going for $90,000 and a pair of Nike x Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s going for $75,000.



In 1986prior to becoming the technology giant it is nowApple released "The Apple Collection," a spread of clothing and accessories like umbrellas, bags, and keychains that featured the rainbow Apple logo, CNN reported. The collection also featured a watch and pocket knife, an umbrella, and towels, as per Insider.

Besides these sneakers, old Apple merchandise is already having a moment this summer. Earlier this month, a first-generation iPhone from 2007 was auctioned off for $190,373. Thats more than 300 times the iPhones original price of $499.

Also Read: Not Steve Jobs, This Man Was The First CEO Of Tech Giant Apple

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Issuing a statement on the ministry's official website, Gerapetritis said that this latest decision and all the previous ones by Albanian courts "essentially prevent Beleri from his right to be sworn in and assume the duties bestowed on him by the people of Himare."
In a recent eye-opening report, data technology company StatiSense unveiled distressing findings from the Multidimensional Poverty Index (2022) report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report sheds light on the staggering number of people living in multidimensional poverty in Nigerias oil-rich Niger Delta region, comprising states such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa.

The figures are nothing short of alarming and raise serious questions about the effective use of resources and policy implementation in these states.

The report reveals that Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River states are the hardest hit, with 5.08 million, 4.4 million, and 3.44 million people respectively living in multidimensional poverty. For Akwa Ibom state, this represents over 71 percent of its total population of 5.451 million people estimated by the National Population Commission (NPC).

Similarly, in Rivers State, the 4.4 million people living in multidimensional poverty account for 62.4 percent of the states estimated 7.47 million inhabitants. Cross River State also struggles significantly, with 3.44 million people living in multidimensional poverty, constituting a staggering 75.6 percent of the states population.

READ MORE: 63% Nigerians Are Multidimensionally Poor  NBS

While Edo and Delta States also face challenges, their numbers are relatively lower compared to the states mentioned earlier. Edo has 1.4 million people living in multidimensional poverty, representing 35.4 percent of its estimated 3.9 million population, while Delta has 2.73 million people in poverty, which is just under 50 percent of its population.

Bayelsa State emerges as the most concerning case, with a shocking 2.61 million people living in multidimensional poverty, constituting a staggering 88 percent of the states estimated 2.9 million inhabitants. The Ijaw ethnic group-dominated state, despite receiving significant funds from the federation account (N87.13 billion in 2021), faces a severe challenge in improving the living standards of its people.

The 13 percent derivation funds, intended to ensure that resource-rich regions benefit from their natural resources, have been a subject of scrutiny.

Many analysts and policymakers question why these funds have failed to uplift the living standards of the people in these states. Despite receiving substantial financial support, poverty persists and worsens with the rising cost of living, magnified by increases in fuel prices and the depreciation of the naira, the national currency against major international currencies especially the US dollars.

Stanley Nwani, lecturer of economics at the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos told BusinessDay in a telephone conversion that the region needs a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to dealing with the issue of multidimensional poverty.

There is an urgent need for transparent and accountable governance in the region, with a focus on responsible allocation and use of funds. The government must prioritize investing in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation to lift people out of poverty and ensure sustainable development, a view many people hold.

Furthermore, the report underscores the necessity of community-driven development initiatives. By involving local communities in decision-making processes and development projects, the effectiveness and relevance of these efforts can be maximized.

Sustainable economic diversification is also crucial. Over-reliance on oil revenue leaves states vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices. Encouraging investment in other sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, can create alternative income streams and reduce the impact of oil price volatility.

Education and skill development play pivotal roles in poverty reduction. By equipping individuals with the necessary tools and knowledge, they can access better job opportunities and improve their economic prospects.

Finally, it is essential to strengthen social safety nets. Establishing effective welfare programs and support systems can provide a safety net for vulnerable populations, helping them weather economic challenges and improve their well-being, Nwani said.

In conclusion, the StatiSense report serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted multidimensional poverty plaguing Nigerias oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The findings call for urgent action from policymakers, stakeholders, and communities to address the systemic issues contributing to poverty. Only through collective efforts and a commitment to sustainable development can these states realize their full potential and provide a brighter future for their citizens.
A six-month-old baby, identified as Chinedu Chukwueke, who was kidnapped from his mothers shop on Monday at the Kure market in Minna by a unknown woman has been found at a refuse dump close to the Gauraka Police Station, Minna in Niger State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the father of the child, Chuks, announced the babys kidnap via his official Twitter handle, @talk2chuks01 on Monday.

He said: My baby boy Chinedu Chukwueke of 6 months old was taken from my wifes shop today Sunday at Kure Market Minna. She came in the guise of wanting to learn work in my wifes saloon and took the baby.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who commented on the matter, urged Chuks to report the incident at the nearest police station.

So sad You can get to me and your PPRO for private talks since many things are better handled privately, not on social media, Adejobi had tweeted.

It was gathered that the child was discovered at a garbage dump near the Gauraka police station in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.

However, while updating the public on Wednesday afternoon, Chuks noted that his baby was found at a dumpsite close to a police station.

He said, Baby has been found. He was dumped at a refuse dump close to Gauraka police station. Baby is in good health.

The Public Relations Officer for the Niger State Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the infants discovery around 12:30 pm on Wednesday.

He attributed the successful recovery to sustained pressure and close monitoring, explaining that the baby was abandoned near Gauraka primary school in an erosion ditch.

The infant was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for a medical check-up and confirmed to be in good health before being reunited with his family.

Abiodun said, Effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing perpetrator of the crime to face the wrath of the law.
The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a woman identified as Tinene Isa, for allegedly cutting off her husbands private part with a razor on their wedding night.

According to Katsina Post, the incident happened in Yar Kyasuwa village in Kafur Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

READ ALSO: Ogun Monarch Crushed To Death Inside Commercial Tricycle

Aliyu noted that the victim was in a critical condition and receiving medical treatment at General Hospital in Malumfashi.

He said the suspect used a razor blade to perpetuate the act.

We are making investigation into the matter. She is a bride of over 30 years of age. Maybe she took a long time before she married, or it is not her first marriage. I dont have much details, we will find out all these in our investigations, the PPRO said.

Aliyu added that the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution after investigation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it will carry out an investigation into the brawl between its officials and those of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) that occurred at the Lagos State Federal High Court, July 25.

Recall that on Tuesday, Godwin Emefiele, suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was arraigned for charges bordering on illegal possession of firearms at the court in Ikoyi and was granted N20 million bail.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo, ruled that Emefiele be remanded at the correctional centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions but DSS operatives insisted on taking him into custody.

The duo had a face off over who would move Emefiele from the premises, with the DSS forcefully grabbing him from prison officers back into their custody.

Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson,via a statement on Wednesday, described the incident as unfortunate, and that it does not reflect the professional disposition of the service.

According to him, DSS has respect for the judiciary and would not go out of its way to undermine it.

The DSS recognises the Judiciary as a critical component in nation-building, national development and security management.

READ ALSO: Emefiele: DSS Show Of Shame Shouldnt Be Overlooked, Punish Operatives, Restructure Agency  Fayose Tells Tinubu

Also, the service has a robust working relationship with sister security and law enforcement agencies including the NCoS, Afunanya said.

He furthered that the personnel of both agencies exhibited undue overzealousness, and that the DSS has initiated an investigation into the matter.

This is with a view to identifying the role played by specific persons as well as undertaking disciplinary actions if necessary and drawing some lessons going forward.

For emphasis, the DSS has not broken any laws in handling the Emefiele case despite efforts by some elements to skew the narratives to the contrary.

The service had since alerted the public of sinister plots to discredit its leadership. In pursuit of its assignments, it will strive to remain professional, maintain ethical standards and a high sense of discipline.

The service will ensure that it will not be used for clout and fame chasing or delusional heroism. It will, however, remain focused on its national security mandate, he said.

He however urged well-meaning Nigerians to support the service in achieving the desired security goals for the nation.
The Presidency has said that despite the hike in ancillary fees at several universities nationwide, tuition remains free in Federal Universities.

This comes barely five days after Federal Unity Colleges increased the school fees for new students from N45,000 to N100,000.

This was contained in a statement titled Federal Universities Remain Tuition-free, signed by the Presidents Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake on Wednesday.

READ ALSO: School Fees Hike: You Cant Increase Prices Of Everything At The Same Time  Parents Cry Out To Tinubu

The Presidency declared that For the avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free.

While acknowledging the rise in fees in federal universities in the country, the presidency insisted that these are ancillary fees and do not affect tuition.

We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increases in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.

However, the fact remains and we have confirmed that these are discretionary charges by each university for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory and other charges. They are not tuition fees, said the Presidency.

It said the authorities of these universities had explained the rationale behind these new fees, adding that the Bola Tinubu administration remains committed to his promise of ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, has access to quality tertiary education.

In addition to the Students Loans Scheme, under the Student Loans Bill signed into law by President Tinubu in June, which will go into implementation ahead of the next academic session in September, Alake said the Federal Government will also strengthen other mechanisms to support indigent students.

Parts of the governments plans to make sure all diligent students complete their education on time, notwithstanding their parents financial situation, include work-study, merit-based scholarships and grants, he revealed.
The audience at the Met Philadelphia for a Philly Pops "Music of Queen" concert in 2019. Read more

The judge in the Philly Pops antitrust lawsuit against the Kimmel Center has declined to order the Pops immediate return to its former home in the arts center, as the group had requested.

In a pretrial hearing Wednesday, the Pops failed to meet the burden of proof for irreparable harm it would suffer if it were not immediately reinstated as a resident of Verizon Hall, U.S. District Court Judge Mia Roberts Perez ruled.

Such an order would have allowed the Pops the right to perform in the Kimmel once again this fall. The case now will either head toward trial or be settled out of court.

While we are disappointed by the courts decision today, we are determined to once again perform for our patrons and the community we love, said the Pops in a statement attributed to president and CEO Karen Corbin. The Philadelphia Orchestra has made it abundantly clear  both through their repeated actions and their response to the Pops lawsuit  that they are absolute in their wrongheaded mission to shut down the Philly Pops. We want to thank our patrons and musicians for their patience and understanding as we work through this unprecedented set of circumstances.

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The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. on Wednesday expressed appreciation for the court ruling.

The Philly Pops claims lack merit and we remain committed to vigorously defending ourselves in court and pursuing our counterclaims against the Philly Pops for the more than $1 million it owes, said POKC in a statement. As we continue to address the Philly Pops baseless allegations, we will continue to provide high-quality, diverse programming for audiences and look forward to welcoming the former Philly Pops musicians  the No Name Pops  who are renting the Kimmel Centers Verizon Hall for performances in October.

The fledgling pops ensemble organized after the Philly Pops was evicted from the Kimmel, and the American Federation of Musicians filed its own lawsuit against the Pops on behalf of Pops players for nonpayment of broadcast fees for a Christmas show in December 2022.

In its April lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for Eastern Pennsylvania against POKC, the Pops alleged that the orchestra, after merging with the Kimmel Center, engaged in unlawful, anticompetitive and predatory conduct to eliminate the Philly Pops as a competitor in and monopolize the market for live symphonic popular concert music in the greater Philadelphia area.

Asked where the Philly Pops would seek to perform in the future, a Pops spokesperson said the groups board would be considering next steps.

Perez said in her ruling that the bar for issuing a preliminary injunction like the one the Pops was requesting was high. Citing legal precedent, she said that the Pops had failed to provide projections showing how a return to Verizon Hall might trigger charitable contributions. It didnt show that its former musicians would be willing to perform for the organization again, she said, and did not provide any evidence that ticket buyers  some of whom feel burned after the Pops failed to provide refunds for concerts not performed  would materialize.

Much of Wednesdays hearing was devoted to the question of whether the Pops had any performing venues available to it other than Verizon Hall. Without access to the hall, the Pops would have to consider filing for bankruptcy, said Pops attorney William DeStefano. Pops board member John J. Meko Jr. testified that Verizon was the only viable performance space for the group for its regular subscription concerts.

Asked by Kimmel lawyer Steven A. Reed whether the Pops would have to shut down if it couldnt return to Verizon Hall, Meko said:

I dont think theres any way forward without getting back into the Kimmel.

Reed pointed out that the Pops had performed in other venues, like the Mann Center, and that its own website currently stated that it was the principal orchestra of the Met Philadelphia.

Reed led Corbin through testimony and a series of documents showing that the Pops had long been behind on its bills to the Kimmel, and had even received previous notices of default long before the current crisis.

At some point, enough is enough, Reed said to the court in his closing argument.

DeStefano argued that a return to Verizon Hall would reopen the tap of revenue, and that previously the Pops had been allowed by the Kimmel to stretch out debt payments beyond their due date.

Perez responded: Isnt that why were here?
Nicole LeVine, Peco's chief operating officer, talks with Inquirer reporter Erin McCarthy during an interview at the Peco Operations Center in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Read more

Nicole LeVine had been out in the field all morning, attending a safety meeting with Peco employees and touring new construction at the companys gas plant.

Still, she wore a relaxed smile as she sat down with a reporter in a conference room at the utilitys service center in Plymouth Meeting.

LeVine has served as Pecos chief operating officer  the first woman to hold that position  for less than a year.

But after 28 years at the company, there havent been too many surprises in her new role. The 47-year-old has worked her way up from University of Delaware intern to full-time engineer to director of gas operations to vice president of electric operations (with no less than eight stops in between).

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A Ridley Park native, she is familiar, too, with the region and its 1.7 million Peco customers.

In this role, she wants to improve service for those customers, building on the success of last year, during which customers experienced the fewest power outages in the utility companys history. Storm season runs from May to September or October, so now is a critical time for accomplishing that goal.

The Inquirer asked LeVine about being a woman leader in a traditionally male-dominated field, how Pecos doing on storm response, and what she wants customers to know.

Questions and answers have been edited and condensed for clarity

What was your experience like coming up as a woman in this industry?

Early on, I felt like I needed to know the business better than my male peers because I wanted to be taken seriously. In hindsight, that benefited me because Ive gained a significant amount of knowledge that I may not have had otherwise.

I volunteered after Hurricane Katrina to take our crews down to Mississippi to help restore power. I was the lead and we got assigned our job for the day. I said, Lets pull into this parking lot so we can get our arms around what we have to do today. A gentleman came out of the property and was like, Hey, I would love to be able to talk to who is in charge here. I was like, Nicole LeVine, Peco energy, what can I do for you? And he looked me up and down, and hes like, No, no, no, no. I wanted to know who is in charge. And Im like, Yeah thats me, Nicole LeVine. What can I do for you? And he looked me up and down again and said, Does your daddy own this company? It was the first time I [realized] people looked at me and  partially because my age and mainly because I am a woman  said I dont belong. That fueled me.

How is Peco doing in terms of gender equity, including in field positions like line workers?

When I started, the landscape looked a lot different. Today, all four of our senior vice presidents are females.

We could use some more women in the field. We do have some women field workers. They are amazing. I and a couple of my female managers and directors take them out to lunch quarterly. And I joke with them a lot that I can usually afford to take them to a nice restaurant because the table is small. I hope we get to the point where I cant afford to take you to a nice restaurant anymore.

Summer seems like it would be a busy time for operations here. How has Peco been doing in terms of outages?

Weve done a significant amount of work over the last several years to prepare for storms. Last year, we actually had our best-ever reliability performance on record. And that was mainly due to a lot of the investments weve made, a lot of the automation weve put into our system, including a device called a recloser. And what that does is basically try to isolate where the damage is and then allow the remaining customers just to experience a momentary interruption [when your lights flick off for just about 30 seconds]. Were on track again to have an exceptional reliability year, even with storms.

Excessive heat has been a growing issue nationwide. Could that directly cause power outages?

No, it shouldnt. Itll cause higher loads but our system should be able to keep up with those higher loads.

What tips do you have for customers worried about outages this summer?

Know how to contact us, whether through the app, through calling us [at 1-800-841-4141], through texting us [at 697326]. If you see anything out there, whether its a wire sagging or a tree potentially growing into our facilities, let us know so we can get out there and fix it before it becomes an outage.
When Rhymeir McKellar walks down the street, he thinks people see a young Black man with tattoos, braids and a backward ball cap and assume, there goes a threat.

But knowing McKellar is to know a teenager bursting with humor who is personable and polite. Hes a musician and athlete who will bend your ear about why he wants to go to college and study business, about how the hard things hes been through dont define him.

I wish people would just get to know me, said McKellar, 18, a rising senior at George Washington High School. Im funny, Im helpful.

McKellar and dozens of other Philadelphia School District students leaned into those feelings this week at Camp Akili, an experience organized around healing-centered engagement, a practice that aims to address community trauma and build stronger schools and communities.

The work is rooted in the research and practice of Shawn and Nedra Ginwright, who have spent the last 30 years steeped in youth development and social and emotional learning. Shawn Ginwright is a Harvard University education professor who believes that young people in many cities in this country have so much untreated, unhealed trauma.

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Philadelphias school board earlier this year awarded Flourish Agenda, the Ginwrights nonprofit, an $885,000 contract to pay for the camp and for training for up to 250 district staff who work in the central office and at 16 schools. State grants are funding the contract, which runs through the 2023-24 school year.

It means that this week, 75 district youth ages 14 through 18 are spending time living on Philadelphia Universitys East Falls campus, celebrating themselves and confronting the big issues that surround them: gun violence, depression, racism.

McKellars counselor suggested he apply for Camp Akili. McKellar had to leave one Philadelphia high school where he got in fights, and coped with a home life that was sometimes complicated  his family experienced homelessness, living in a car for months.

The idea of a healing camp that gets deep into issues of self-worth, racial identity, and community healing was a little daunting, at first. But McKellar found himself loving it.

A lot of people my age and from my background get discouraged fast, but youve got to say, Let me forgive myself, forgive everything that put me in that situation, said McKellar. Being able to talk about what went on, its lifting things off my chest. I feel lighter.

His friend Dana Medley, a student at YES Philly, an alternative program that educates district students and also participates in the healing-centered engagement work, is now a Camp Akili believer, too.

Medley, who has six sisters, had to step up at a real young age, he said. I had to pitch in on bills at 12, 13. He struggled at a Philadelphia comprehensive high school, but found self-worth and income as a chef. Spending a week on healing was transformational, Medley said.

Well take this back to school, he said. Staff from George Washington, YES Philly, and the other schools are also being trained on the Healing Centered Engagement principles; officials say the aim is more meaningful adult-student relationships and a calmer school climate.

Jayme Banks, the school districts deputy chief of prevention and intervention, is all in on the work. As she sought to help students and schools move forward amid the citys gun violence epidemic and post-pandemic, she learned about healing-centered engagement and wanted to dig deeper.

It didnt feel check-boxy, and it can really resonate with our communities, our youth, our families, said Banks.

That is, the trauma baked into most Philadelphia students lives often needs intervention from medical professionals  psychologists, therapists. But its got to be bigger than that, Banks said; the needs are too great.

Its all of us. All of us have a piece to do to help each other. Thats the only way were going to break down all of this, she said.

Until this week, Camp Akili existed only in California, where the Ginwrights are based. The organization had plans to take the camp national, in a few years, but Banks talked them into bringing it to Philadelphia this year  a model that no one else has done before, Banks said.

Energized by the progress shes seen since beginning to work on healing-centered engagement earlier this year, Banks has big plans for expansion  camps for parents, camps on school breaks. Shes already had discussions with philanthropists and nonprofits about funding the work.

I want to do this in a very transformative way that we are moving communities, said Banks. Im not even talking about school communities  I want the whole community.

Sometimes, the work is heavy, such as the time Banks saw a young man stepping away from a session with tears in his eyes. He had just found out that a friend, a victim of gun violence, was hospitalized in critical condition. And sometimes the work is joyful and life-affirming.

On Monday night, McKellar and Medley participated in a pillow fight in the Philadelphia University dorms  the first of their lives. It was planned lightheartedness, the kind of thing thats too often missing from Philadelphia young peoples lives.

I felt like a big kid, McKellar said.

These days, nobody knows how to hold a conversation, nobodys held accountable, Medley said. Activities such as pillow fights and the twice-daily Harambee ceremonies held every day at camp, with chants and affirmations, help build bridges to those things, Medley and McKellar said.

Fresh off a plane from Boston, the Ginwrights watched as 75 Philadelphia students participated in a midday icebreaker Tuesday. A DJ spun tunes as young people moved from group to group, answering the question: If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be, and with whom?

The Ginwrights were in their element, smiling, talking to young people and Camp Akili staff. The experience, Shawn Ginwright said, is about looking back at traumas, but also about moving forward into a more joyous, healthy, loving space.

A key tenet of Camp Akili is lifting up the Black experience. About half of the districts students are Black, and encouraging self-love in a world that often dehumanizes youth of color is crucial, said the Ginwrights.

And though the camp, and the training, are not guaranteed to succeed, with time and practice, they have the potential to build stronger schools.

What Im hoping is that you give the students and teachers tools to recalibrate a school climate thats centered on well-being, said Shawn Ginwright. All of these little things add up to a shift in climate thats much more healthy and more positive.

The schools chosen to receive training are Gideon Elementary, Francis Scott Key Elementary, George Washington High School, High School of the Future, Blaine Elementary, Jay Cooke Elementary, Bartram High School, Kenderton High School, Kensington High School, Liguori Academy-Fortis, Martin Luther King High School, Bethune Elementary, Roxborough High School, Duckrey Elementary, Tilden Middle School, and YES Philly.
An unvaccinated child in Montgomery County contracted measles. Vaccines make the risk of infection minimal. Read more

An unvaccinated Montgomery County child has tested positive for measles, county authorities said Thursday.

The child visited three emergency departments and two grocery stores while potentially infectious: Bryn Mawr Hospital and Costco Wholesale at North Wales on July 20, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia on July 21, Walmart Supercenter in Hatfield on July 22, and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia Middleman Family Pavilion in King of Prussia on July 23.

Montco authorities are asking people who visited these locations on those days to review their vaccination records. Investigators from the countys Office of Public Health are conducting contact tracing efforts, and will reach out to people who were potentially exposed.

 READ MORE: One in five Philadelphia newborns is not protected from measles, CHOP-Penn study finds

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The measles virus is highly infectious and can pass through direct contact or the air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness can be especially dangerous for children under 5, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems. Before the advent of measles vaccines, 400 to 500 people died of the virus each year.

In 2000, after decades of vaccination efforts, the U.S. met the World Health Organizations definition of measles elimination. But local outbreaks still occur. In recent years, the number of measles cases nationwide ranged from 13 in 2020 to 1,274 in 2019.

A measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio, during the last fall and winter left 85 children sick. Of those, 80 were unvaccinated.

The number of school children who received their routine vaccines has decreased since the start of the pandemic. Experts worry that the decline will make outbreaks such as the recent one in Ohio more common.
Joan Dawson McConnon (left) and Sister Mary Scullion, co-founders of the anti-homelessness nonprofit Project HOME, are pictured at JBJ Soul Homes in Fairmount. After 34 years, the women will be stepping down. Read more

Sister Mary Scullion, the powerhouse advocate and street angel fueled by enough bad-ass rebel energy to minister to multitudes of people experiencing homelessness, will be leaving her job as president and executive director of the nationally renowned Project HOME.

Joan Dawson McConnon, the associate executive director who co-founded the Philadelphia nonprofit with Scullion in 1989, will also be stepping down.

Scullion will remain in her role through Dec. 31, 2024, and will be helping with leadership transition through June 30, 2025. McConnon will stay on through June 30, 2024, then will consult through the end of the year.

Weve done the best we can. Its time for someone else to come in, Scullion, 70, said during an interview earlier this week, occasionally crying softly. The work has been such a blessing.

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McConnon, 63, said, Weve had a unique relationship, but we both realize its really time to move aside.

In 34 years, Scullion and McConnon grew Project HOME from a winter shelter in South Philadelphia where volunteers washed dishes in a washing machine, to a formidable institution with 1,000 units of housing in 19 residences across the city. The nonprofit has a $52 million operating budget, one million square feet of real estate, dozens of programs, and a staff of 450 thats helped countless people in need find homes, improve their health, become educated, and get jobs.

Throughout, the duo have adhered to their organizations now familiar motto: None of us are home until all of us are home.

Scullion and McConnon met in 1988 at Mercy Hospice in Center City, which offered services to women experiencing homelessness. McConnon, then a 27-year-old graduate student at Drexel University studying taxation, did volunteer work there, but thought the system of helping those in need was dysfunctional. A nun named Sister Claire suggested McConnon voice her complaints to Scullion, whod visit friends at the hospice from time to time.

If theres anyone wholl break the rules to help people, McConnon recalled Sister Claire telling her, its Mary. They spoke, and Scullion and McConnon have been breaking and making the rules ever since.

Sister Mary is an angel, said Wes Mitchell, 61, of Phoenixville, whod lived homeless for years before moving into a Project HOME residence in Center City in 2015. This organization that she and Miss Joan built help people like me feel like theyre people again  not just discarded.

Years ago, colleagues said, Scullion and McConnon devised their working dynamic: McConnon would remain in the background, where shes more comfortable, while Scullion would be publicly visible, addressing the media and interacting with politicians and philanthropists, including one rock star, Jon Bon Jovi.

McConnon lives in Springfield, Delaware County, with her husband, Mark, a middle school English teacher. They have three grown children. Scullion, born into a working-class family near Oxford Circle, lives in a North Philadelphia Project HOME residence for young adults aging out of foster care.

Unassuming and self-deprecating, Scullion graduated from St. Josephs University in 1976 and Temple Universitys School of Social Work in 1987. Shes part of a Roman Catholic order known as Sisters of Mercy. In addition to the three vows  poverty, chastity and obedience  that all Catholic nuns take, Sisters of Mercy also take a fourth vow, of service.

In performing that service, Scullion is famous for being tireless and tough.

Believe me, if she needs to tell you off, she will, said Sam Santiago, the former Philadelphia police officer whos long worked on Project HOMEs outreach team.

Paul Levy, president and CEO of the Center City District whos worked (and occasionally argued) with Scullion for years, said, Marys pragmatic, and has been blunt and down-to-earth while creating humane, well-run programs. Laughing, he added, And Mary swears, if you want to know.

Santiago dismissed that. It doesnt matter, he said. We all know Sister Mary is going straight to heaven.

Replacing an icon

Estelle Richman, president of Project HOMEs board of directors, now faces a daunting personnel problem.

Its the scariest thing, she said. How do you replace an icon? Sister Mary told me that helping people experiencing homelessness is a mission from God. How do you fill that job?

Nationally known, Scullion was named one of Time magazines 100 most-influential people in 2009. Shes won the University of Notre Dames Laetare Medal, American Catholicisms highest honor.

Shes huddled with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former first lady Michelle Obama, and Pope Francis; been a guest of U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Philadelphia) at the 2020 State of the Union address; and met with the late former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Prince Charles. Her successful partnership with New Jersey rock star and philanthropist Bon Jovi is as celebrated a pairing as it is unlikely.

Mary can chat with queens, she can chat with a janitor, Project HOME trustee Lynne Honickman told The Inquirer in 2010. And they both get the same person. Honickmans family has given several million dollars to the nonprofit.

Scullion lived homeless for a week in 1978 to understand the life-depleting travail of sleeping in the open. During her early years, she led demonstrators into City Council chambers, set up protest encampments at 30th Street Station, and was arrested for civil disobedience efforts a reported four times.

Throughout, her moral authority has remained unquestioned.

Sister Mary has navigated political and cultural minefields, said Saint Josephs sociologist Maria Kefalas, whos sent numerous students to Project HOME to intern for her schools famous alum.

Shes a religious woman in the conservative Catholic church interfacing with folks on the left and right, dealing with racial politics, drugs in Kensington, multimillion-dollar philanthropies, celebrities. She models a Catholicism thats decent and good, and she shields her work from ugly tribal squabbles.

Its extraordinary, and I dont know anyone else who can do it. Shes a powerhouse advocate, and her retirement is stunning. I cant imagine Philadelphia without her.

Liz Hersh, executive director of the Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services, said simply: Philadelphia is a better place because of her. Other cities are criminalizing homelessness, but Marys fought that here and in doing so, has changed the world.

Scullion has influenced others in her field.

The advocates of today stand on Sister Marys shoulders and continue to be inspired by the bad-ass rebel energy she had in the 1980s, said Stephanie Sena, an anti-poverty fellow at Villanova Universitys Charles Widger School of Law, who created a homeless shelter in Upper Darby last year.

In 2010, Sena told Villanova she wanted to start a student-run homeless shelter. The school balked, said Sena, and would sign off only if Scullion gave her blessing.

Sena said Scullion used expletives to express her displeasure with Villanovas apparent reticence.

Not long after, Scullion was being given an award at Villanova. As she spoke, Sena remembers, Scullion told the audience, without having consulted the school, This is the first university in our area that will be running a homeless shelter, with Stephanie at the helm.

Villanova said OK, and Scullion contributed $40,000 to the shelter.

Bad-ass, Sena repeated.

Patron saint

People take delight in Scullions improbable partnership with Bon Jovi, and the good works theyve done together.

Sister Mary is close to people who are do-ers, and he is, said Edel Howlin, who worked in communications for Project HOME between 2019 and 2021. She wrote speeches for Scullion and Bon Jovi to publicize his multimillion-dollar support of the nonprofit, including his contributions toward JBJ Soul Homes, 51 units of affordable housing in Fairmount.

Theyre like-minded individuals, driven and focused, she said.

Jons an amazing, incredibly thoughtful human being, Scullion has said.

Shes my patron saint, Bon Jovi has told people, singing her praises whenever he can, including on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2020.

As it happens, the saint idea isnt limited to Bon Jovi. Others have floated it, with varying degrees of seriousness.

Santiago of Project HOMEs outreach is on board:

She does the things only saints do, like going out at night when nobody else knows it to try to get people on the street to come in, or paying for the burials of formerly homeless people.

Shes been performing miracles in Philadelphia a long time. Sainthood? Sister Mary gets my vote.
Claudia Fitzgerald holds a missing person flier for her son, Alexander, who was last seen June 21. Read more

In the days since the disappearance of a Black Alabama woman was determined to be a hoax, missing persons advocates are pleading with the public not to let one womans lies distract from the thousands of legitimate cases of missing people of color that never make the headlines.

This is one of those cases.

Claudia Fitzgerald knows that her son does not fit the description of someone whose disappearance usually garners much attention.

Hes Black.

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Hes a grown man.

Hes 33. And hes someone who experiences mental health problems.

A neighbor told police that he spotted Fitzgeralds son, Alexander Fitzgerald, walking near the 7200 block of Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia on June 21 with two Black men that the neighbor did not recognize.

Alexander hasnt been seen since.

Fitzgerald is a retired school district employee who said that on the day Alexander disappeared, she had been at the hospital with her daughter, who was giving birth to her first grandchild. When she came home that day, she said she started to worry. Alexanders key was still in the door of the home they share, she recalled. The door was slightly ajar, Fitzgerald said, but her son was nowhere to be found.

Despite her concerns, Fitzgerald didnt want to treat her adult son as a child, so she waited the recommended 48 hours before going to the police, hoping hed pick up his phone or eventually come home.

He is 33, so maybe he met a young lady, she told me when we talked. These are things that I was thinking. I didnt want him to be out on a date, and the police to come in.

The police officer who came to her home a couple of days later to take the initial report was blunt: Underage children are the priority when it comes to missing persons cases, she recalled him telling her.

And while she could understand that, she told him there were reasons to worry about her grown son.

Alexander was a trusting, maybe too trusting young man who developed mental health issues in adolescence that called for medication that he still takes.

He has a routine from which he almost never strays: Every day he goes to a nearby gym and then comes home  some days maybe later than others, but he is never gone for long periods of time.

He always picks up his phone, or calls, she said.

For the first day or two after he didnt come home, her calls went to his voice mail. Now, the call doesnt even connect.

The last time Fitzgerald spoke to the detective on the case, he didnt seem to be making much progress. So, she hired a private investigator. Greg Singleton is a retired Philadelphia homicide detective who has worked his share of missing persons cases, including the 2005 case of LaToyia Figueroa, a young pregnant West Philly mother whose body was later found in a wooded lot in Chester.

He knows firsthand there are times when adults dont want to be found. But when thats not the case, he said its usually not good.

He also knows something else: Media attention helps, he said, and too many cases of Black and brown people dont get enough. Figueroa  who was Black and Hispanic  disappeared around the same time as Natalee Holloway, a white American teen who had gone missing in Aruba. But while Holloways disappearance dominated the headlines, Figueroas story didnt get national attention until a local blogger criticized major networks for ignoring the story.

Singleton has been in touch with the police  who told me this week that detectives are still actively investigating Alexanders disappearance  and has urged them to check Alexanders bank and phone records.

He peppered the area with missing posters, secured video from where Alexander went missing, and talked to friends and neighbors. Hes searched for him all over the neighborhood, on construction sites, even in Kensington, a neighborhood known for drugs that Alexander wandered into a few months ago before promising to never go back again.

When I first talked to Fitzgerald last week, I told her that I hoped by the time this column was ready to publish, shed call to say Alexander was home and safe.

But when we talked again recently, she was still in the dark, and Singleton was coming up empty.

Fitzgerald worried that the lies told by Carlee Russell, the Alabama woman who admitted Monday her kidnapping story was a hoax, might affect other families desperate for attention for their missing loved ones.

So she asked me to convey a few things to anyone reading this.

Please, she said, weeping, just illustrate the fact that he is a kind, young man. And generous, and forgiving, and trusting. I mean, nobodys perfect, right? But he was a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.

And then she added one more thing she wanted people to know.

This is real, she said.
Atco Dragways owner says he has sold the property, according to Waterford Township Mayor Tom Giangiulio, Jr.

The mayor disclosed the news at Wednesday nights township committee meeting.

But Giangiulio said Leonard Capone Jr., the raceways seller, would not divulge the name of the buyer, nor did Capone claim to know what the purchaser intends to do with the property. The only other detail Giangiulio seemed to have was that the new owner is a private buyer from Florida.

The settlement has already occurred, the mayor said. We have no idea as to what will be done with the property or the time frame when anything will occur. This was a sale of a piece of property that was purchased in a private transaction.

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 READ MORE: Atco Dragway's grandstands go on sale. Whats next in the dismantling of a drag-racing dream?

Neither Capone nor his lawyer, James Maley, could be reached for comment.

The public learned of Atco Dragways abrupt and surprise closing the evening of July 18 when the announcement was posted on the raceways Facebook and Instagram pages. It came on the heels of a busy weekend during which Atco Dragway hosted the 29th Pan American Nationals, which the closure announcement hailed as the biggest and best ever.

At Wednesdays meeting, Giangiulio said Capone had sold the dragway before the Pan American event.

But the mayor stressed that township officials had no involvement or other knowledge about the sale. He said they learned about the dragways closing on Facebook.

It was a shock to us as much as to you, he said at the municipal meeting.

The news of the 63-year-old dragway has stunned racing fans. Atco was the oldest dragway in New Jersey. Only Island Dragway in Great Meadows is still operating.

In 2020, Insurance Auto Auction, an Illinois-based company with offices nationwide, put in an application with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission to redevelop the 180-acre property as an automobile auction facility. The Pinelands Commission didnt approve that application, but it allowed the township to review it.

The Waterford Township Joint Land Use Board reviewed the development and rejected it, based on environmental and other concerns.

As of last week, no new applications for the property had been made to the Pinelands Commission. Any use but as a dragway would require commission review and approval, said a spokesman.
Derrick Chappell in 2021. Chappell is one of three Chester men lawyers say deserve new trials after new DNA analysis of evidence from Henrietta Nickens' 1997 murder. Read more

Henrietta Nickens was 70 years old when her daughter found her lying face down in her one-bedroom Chester apartment, her blood smeared on the wall and pooled on the sheets of her twin bed. Nickens face had been badly beaten, according to police reports. Her underwear had been removed, and investigators suggested shed been sexually assaulted.

Police soon arrested two men and a teenager, alleging the three Chester residents had broken into Nickens home that October evening, brutally assaulted her, and left her for dead.

That was in 1997. Today, Derrick Chappell, Samuel Grasty, and Morton Johnson are grown men, sentenced to essentially spend the rest of their lives behind bars after they were convicted of murder, burglary, and related charges in the early 2000s for Nickens death. They were 15, 20, and 18, respectively.

But over two decades and numerous appeals, Chappell, Grasty, and Johnson have all maintained their innocence. Their lawyers say unreliable witnesses, a false confession, and unscrupulous police work led to their clients arrests for a crime they did not commit.

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And at a post-conviction hearing on Tuesday before Court of Common Pleas Judge Mary Alice Brennan, those lawyers made what they said was their strongest argument yet that their clients should receive new trials.

Presenting a newly conducted DNA analysis, they argued that Nickens assault and murder was committed by a single perpetrator, one whose genealogy doesnt match that of Chappell, Grasty, or Johnson.

The jurors would likely view the evidence differently today, said Nilam A. Sanghvi, legal director for the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, the criminal justice nonprofit representing Chappell. This unknown male would take center stage at trial.

What did the DNA analysis reveal?

Prosecutors have never disputed that semen recovered from Nickens body is no match to the DNA of Chappell, Grasty, or Johnson.

In fact, their DNA analysis from the initial investigation led them to drop their initial charges of rape and sexual assault, while continuing to try the men for murder.

In explaining then how the DNA from Nickens factored into the case, prosecutors suggested the elderly woman had consensual sex shortly before the assault (Nickens family maintains she was not sexually active and was ill at the time of her death). Another theory offered was that someone broke into Nickens home and, finding her beaten by the suspects, assaulted her as she died.

The Pennsylvania Innocence Project, a statewide organization, and the nationally focused Innocence Project took Chappell and Johnsons cases around 2016, while another justice group, Centurion, took Grastys. Their attorneys remain highly skeptical of those theories  ones prosecutors reiterated Tuesday.

The idea theyre still pushing, that this woman had consensual sex, is preposterous, said Paul Casteleiro, Grastys attorney.

Its modern DNA analysis that allowed Alan Keel, an expert on post-conviction DNA analysis, to test for biological traces of Chappell, Grasty, and Johnson on Nickens bedding and nightdress, as well as a green jacket, size XXXL, left in Nickens bedroom.

Keel found nothing, he testified.

I would expect to recover some biology from them, Keel said, had the three men beaten Nickens to death.

Keel instead found that DNA from the jacket  which Nickens family said hadnt been present in the home just hours before her death  matched DNA recovered from her body, a stain on her bedsheet, and a chewed straw in the jackets pocket.

That DNA, referred to as Unknown Male 1, didnt match any genealogical profiles in national databases, according to Keel. But it wasnt from any of the three accused, either.

His findings, Keel testified, supported the defendants conclusion that Nickens was beaten to death and assaulted by just one person.

Prosecutors,in turn, said the defense had tunnel vision and refused to consider alternate theories that implicated their clients. Above all, they reminded the court that the men had ultimately been convicted by juries.

Memories we cant get back

Throughout the nearly six-hour hearing, families and friends waited patiently for the ruling that would determine the future of Chappell, Grasty, and Johnsons cases.

That ruling never came. Due to a scheduling issue, a detective ready to testify on behalf of the defendants wasnt available to take the stand. A new hearing was set for Aug 22.

For Kenyett Levue, Johnsons sister, patiently waiting is nothing new.

The 47-year-olds younger brother was convicted for Nickens murder while he was still in his early 20s. Levue and her family have since watched Johnson mature from behind the glass of a county prison visitation booth.

To this day, Levue is confident that all three men were wrongfully accused.

We have our good days, we have our bad days, Levue said outside the courtroom, wearing a white Free Morton Johnson shirt. Were not able to say I love you in person, or give him a hug in person. Its been wear and tear, so much trauma and heartache.

Levue said her brother has always been a kind, intelligent, witty person. Johnson, now 43, has become a bit sarcastic in prison, Levue said  but thats to be expected.

We lost so many memories we cant get back, Levue said. She now calls the Innocence Project lawyers working on her brothers case her A-Team. All we can do from this day forward is create new memories.
Former EducationWorks employees have sued the nonprofit for not paying them the wages they are owed.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court this week, comes nearly two months after the layoffs of 133 employees and the death of the nonprofits CEO, Miles Wilson. Before the layoffs, EducationWorks had missed two pay cycles, totaling a months worth of pay.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Soledad Richards, a compliance and data manager who resigned shortly before the layoffs, and Kenya Baldwin, who worked as an assistant director of learning and impact before getting laid off. If a judge certifies the suit as a collective action, other former employees can join the case.

The court filing alleges EducationWorks broke state and federal law by failing to pay workers, as well as not paying workers their unused paid-time-off, as laid out in the employee handbook. The suit seeks payment of wages and paid time off, as well as damages and attorneys fees.

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EducationWorks did not respond to a request for comment.

The nonprofit, which ran after-school programs at Philadelphia and New Jersey public schools as well as operated workforce development provider PowerCorpsPHL, has publicly said it is waiting to get paid.

We believe that there are outstanding receivables for services already earned that will cover compensation to the laid off and furloughed employees, an EducationWorks spokesperson said in a statement earlier this month. We are in discussions with those agencies and our lender. Ensuring payment to the employees remains our highest priority.

 READ MORE: A month after layoffs, EducationWorks employees still havent been paid

More than 90% of EducationWorks $8.4 million in revenue came from city, state, and federal grant dollars, according to its federal tax filing for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, the most recent available.

The City of Philadelphia has halted payments to EducationWorks, a city spokesperson said Thursday.

In an email to staffers last month, CFO Jamil Rivers wrote to staff, Unfortunately, we did not receive payment in from [Public Health Management Corporation] or the City of Philadelphia. The funders received a notice of default from the lender of our line of credit, the Reinvestment Fund, which prohibits them sending payments to us.

Two days later, board member Nikki Frazier told workers that rumors were to blame for the lack of payment.

A ripple effect was created when there was an inflow of e-mails from staff and articles written which caused rumors to spread, Frazier wrote. Because of the rumors, vendors decided to hold payments owed to us. That has delayed the situation significantly as we have been doing damage control to produce information and financials to prove the rumors false, so they may release funds.

Lawyers could add additional defendants, such as the City of Philadelphia or Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), if they determine the parties are joint employers, the court filing said. They could also add individuals, such as EducationWorks executives or board members, if they find evidence showing liability, it said.

The City of Philadelphia and PHMC declined to comment because they were not named in the suit.
(USE AS DESIRED) Philadelphia City Hall with statue of William Penn by Alexander Milne Calder (rear) and banner for the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) on North Broad Street Mar. 20, 2023. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Make sure youre not just drinking coffee this morning. Have plenty of water throughout the day, as the high is expected to reach 97 degrees. Philadelphia has declared a heat emergency for today and tomorrow.

Its been three years from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and much of the world seems relatively back to normal. But for Philadelphia arts groups, recovery is slow. Attendance numbers havent bounced back.

Our lead story follows the communitys struggle to bring back audiences.

 Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Audiences are not as large as they were in 2019. Arts groups are navigating this reality without the millions of federal emergency aid money that kept them afloat during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some important numbers:

Only a third of arts and culture groups in the Philly region say attendance has reached or exceeded pre-COVID levels, according to preliminary findings from a forthcoming Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance survey. Only 15% of performing arts groups surveyed in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties said attendance was back or exceeded their 2019 figures.

Still, there are signs of hope.

One bright spot: The African American Museum in Philadelphia exceeded its pre-pandemic attendance numbers with the help of its much-publicized Rising Sun show its presenting with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. It reached 75,000 for the year ending June 30, 2023.

If theres a silver lining, its that the dip in attendance is forcing arts groups to pay more attention to what audiences and communities want.

Continue reading to learn what options arts groups are exploring to find and attract new audiences.

Hunter Biden was supposed to go into the U.S. courthouse in Wilmington on Wednesday and quickly resolve federal charges in a plea deal.

Things didnt go according to plan.

First, disagreements between the prosecutors and Bidens lawyers prompted both sides to threaten to withdraw from a deal for Biden to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and a related agreement that would have spared him prosecution in an illegal gun possession case. Both sides eventually resolved their differences and went with the expected plea.

But then, the judge overseeing the case refused to accept it  for now.

The result: Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty and is facing the prospect of returning to court later this year.

Read more for the judges reasoning for not accepting the plea.

What you should know today

 Trivia time 

Which actor from Philadelphia is hosting the travel memoir series, You Are Here, on AMC?

A) Gary Dourdan

B) Colman Domingo

C) Victoria Pedretti

D) Quinta Brunson

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Anticipating: Craig LaBans AMA today at 3 pm in r/PhiladelphiaEats. Hell be talking about his new Taste Philly newsletter that showcases the immigrant communities and food cultures that make up Phillys amazing food scene.

 Watching: A former Air Force intelligence officer told Congress that the U.S. is concealing a multi-decade program that captures unidentified flying objects.

 Unscramble the anagram 

Hint: Throwback uniforms 

GREEK NELLY

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Mike McGuire, who correctly guessed Wednesdays answer: Cape May.

Photo of the day

And thats it from me. Ill be your inbox tomorrow bright and early.
Dalrymple family members pose for a photo at work at Dalrymple's Card & Gift Shoppe in Sea Isle City,Thursday, July 20, 2023. From left are: Valerie Dalrymple Gaughen; .Angel Dalrymple; Nicole Dalrymple Conahan; .Charles Dalrymple; and Barbara Dalrymple. Jersey Shore towns rely on quaint but important general stores to give vacationers what they need. Read more

Hello! I came face-to-face with the encroaching of Philly things down the Shore this summer at a Fishtown-centric pop-up over at Fish & Whistle in Ventnor, the brainchild of Vanessa Wong, who also opened Wahine Wine Company last year at the base of the Dorset Avenue Bridge in newly-bougie-aspiring Ventnor. For me, it was a treat: Fishtown pickles, artisanal pasta kits, hot sauce and olive oil straight from the hipster source 60 miles away.

But I balked at the seafood guy. Im sure his curated and impeccably sourced frozen scallops, trucked down in a cooler from Philadelphia, originally from Maine, are great, but ... youre at the Jersey Shore. If youve never picked up the ridiculously fresh (and not frozen) scallops, tile fish, or tuna from Viking Village in Barnegat Light (and available at Ventnors farmers market among others), or stood in line at the wonderful Randalls in Pleasantville, or sidled up to the outdoor window of nearby Casino Lobster and ordered live lobster like they were cups of water ice from Johns, youre really missing out. Not to mention fishing or crabbing for your own dinner!

Are people really looking to source all their fancy foods and dinners from Philly, or to eat at restaurants duplicated from where they just drove down from? I love the new Good Dog Bar in Atlantic City, its great! Its a fantastic addition to Atlantic City. But if youre here on vacation, wouldnt it make more sense to seek out a local joint?

Sarah Maiellano wrote a great feature about all the Philly chefs and entrepreneurs who are bringing their sophisticated palates and business models down the Shore. Some are marooned, longing for the Vietnamese food they left behind on Washington Avenue (check out Atlantic Citys multiple offerings on that score), or French restaurants (have they been to the French-Afghan wonder Setaara, again in Atlantic City?) Im not knocking all the great new restaurants and welcome all the burned-out Philly service workers who are finding better work-life balance near the beach. I love the energy of it all. But it seems strange to want to just do the things you could have done back home.

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On a related note, my colleague Al Lubrano wrote an ode to the very Shore-specific general stores, many of which have been in the same families for generations. Their secret to longevity? They stock ... everything! And theyre happy to see you, and are happy to talk. And once youre on that island, who wants to leave to go to Target or Walmart? Long may they live. Read Als beautiful and heartwarming ode to Dalrymples, Hands, Hoys, and other general stores here.

 Are you happy to see familiar Philly things down the Shore, or are you all in on the local joints? Let me know what you think by replying to this email, and Ill include your most interesting responses.

 Its heating up even down the Shore, and the waters been perfection, though thankfully not as hot as Florida.

 Amy S. Rosenberg ( Tweet me at @amysrosenberg.  Follow me on Insta at @amysrosenberg.  Email me at downtheshore@inquirer.com)

Shore talk

 Shelf cloud Alarms sounded in Stone Harbor to get everyone off the beach after an ominous shelf cloud formed. Cecily Tynan tweeted out some cool video.

 Arch opposition Cape May considered a proposal for more of its controversial Promenade arches, which some people seem to not like that much.

 Ocean City Beach Patrol won the prestigious Atlantic City Lifeguard Classic. The full schedule of lifeguard races is here. They are immensely fun!

 Kids on bikes The talk is not about the teens, but the little ones, who seem to be allowed to ride their bikes alone and in the middle of the street down the Shore.

 Curfew wars: While Ocean Citys teen drama seems to have faded, Beach Haven and Wildwood are both trying to tighten curfews, Wildwoods to midnight, and Beach Havens to 10 p.m.

 Mourning A Philadelphia family is not managing at all after 8-year-old Javier Velez died when his fathers car was struck while he was napping inside after a night of fishing along the White Horse Pike in Absecon, reports Eric Conklin of the Press of Atlantic City.

What to eat/What to do

 Night in Venice, the annual boat parade in Ocean City is 6 p.m. on Saturday, with the theme    Its a Philly thing. Actually its not! But welcome Jim Gardner, this years grand marshal. All the Night in Venice need-to-knows are here.

 Spiegelworlds The Hook at Caesars, a circus-meets-cabaret-meets-burlesque-meets-magic show, opened its A.C. permanent residency to enthusiastic reviews.

 Notice the amusement park remains at the foot of the George Redding Bridge heading into Wildwood. Inquirer photographer Tom Gralish did.

 Bridge birds: Ocean Citys rookery off the eastbound lanes of the Ninth Street bridge at the Welcome Center is just sensational bird-watching.

 Travel up the Parkway for classic North Jersey Shore bars like Parker House in Sea Girt? Are they better than what we have down here?

 Stoked Michelle Myers reports on free exercise classes, including a surf class for people with disabilities in Wildwood.

 Surf shop meets weed shop: Cape May County is close to getting its first legal marijuana dispensary.

Shore snapshot

Vocab lesson

Shibumi (noun, $270) The blue and teal beach-shade device that is wind-driven is second only to the Cool Cabana four-posted umbrella in popularity this summer, though some towns, like Long Beach Township, have banned it.

Wow, people using that cool Shibumi canopy seem extremely content and shaded. Should we splurge for one?

 Trivia time 

Last weeks question was about disappearing Shore haunts. Of the choices, only Mustache Bills is still open, and this may very well be the last season for the Barnegat landmark. A reader called h2oholic was first with the answer, adding Great food. Have to enjoy it now since the property is for sale.

Alas. Can a Philly chef be far behind?

This weeks question: What does the most popular version of the plush sensation Sunny the Seagull from Moreys Piers have in its mouth?

A. Johnsons Popcorn kernel

B. Slice of Macks Pizza

C. Cup of Polish Water Ice

D. French fry

If you think you know the answer, email me for a chance of a shout out.

What youre saying about ... getting here!

We got a lot of ideas about how to get down the Shore most efficiently after The Inquirers runaway summer hit Race to the Shore. Most involved not routes but ... timing. Go early! Go at 2 a.m. Go ... in September ().

One idea with respect to the train option is to get off in Absecon, and hit the Uber to O.C. from there, instead of going all the way into A.C. Might save some time, especially if you have someone waiting to pick you up.

Other thoughts:

From John Shiffert: Reporting from my trip early Saturday morning...I made it from Flourtown to the end of the Stainton Causeway at 9th Street in 95 minutes. I left at 5:55 a.m. , and arrived at 7:30 a.m., without contravening the speed limits. Because Kelly Drive was closed for a regatta, I had to get on the [Schuylkill] at City Avenue and went over the Walt, which I would never do unless there wasnt any traffic. Still, thats the key to getting to O.C. in a timely fashion ... timing.

Matt Engel loves the backroads from Wilkes-Barre to Wildwood. Its a breathtaking journey when you approach the magnificent Commodore Barry Bridge at Chester, Pa. It gets even better when you ride the scenic back roads in South Jersey to Wildwood. And the corn is fantastic!

Your Shore memory

Theresa Willer-Grinkewicz sends this dreamy hitchhiking memory...

We were about 19, we decided on a Friday night, about 9pm, to hitch-hike to Wildwood where our friends were. Our friend Earl drove Gus and me to Olgas diner on Route 73 and we stuck out our thumbs. After about 5 minutes, a guy pulled over and asked where we were heading. Wildwood, we said. Well, I can take you as far as the Villas, and we hopped in. The man knew every back road in South Jersey and were in the Villas in about an hour. He left us on a seemingly deserted road but in about 10 minutes, a souped-up Chevy comes roaring down the road, passes us but stops about 100 yards away. We ran up to him and got in. Twenty minutes later, we left the hot-rodder at Uncle Lous Pancake House where our friends were hanging out. Sat down to a plate of pancakes at 1am while the BeeGees New York Mining Disaster 1941 played in the background.

 Send me your Shore memory, tell us how the Shore taps into something deep for you, for a chance to be featured here.

 Bye until next week, which will be ... August. Stay cool, and shaded.
The author calls revisions to the Black history curriculum in Florida schools "a sugar-coated telling of history." Read more

The long war on Black history continues.

The state of Florida approved a new set of standards for teaching Black history, and students at the states public high schools will now learn that slavery was a benefit to some Black people because it taught them skills.

Consider the language from state standard 68.AA.2.3., which examines the duties and trades performed by enslaved Africans, such as farming and blacksmithing. The instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

Whats more, additional state standards are asking educators to discuss with students how slavery existed before 1619 (i.e., not our fault), and acts of violence that were perpetrated both against and by Black people, including during race riots such as the 1921 Tulsa Massacre.

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Were I simply an educator, Id be disheartened to read these words. But I am a Black educator. When I read these words, I think about my K-12 experience. I think about the many lessons my teachers failed to teach, because of the traditional practice of whitewashing U.S. history. Now, decades later, I anticipate Florida students receiving a deficient retelling of history, similar to the one I received. Its as if nothing has changed.

Needless to say, the Sunshine States new standards were deemed a step backward by a state teachers union. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and NAACP President Derrick Johnson have also condemned the new language.

The approval of these standards is a continuation of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis war against Black history and Black studies. Its an attempt to codify a sugarcoated telling of history that fails to wholeheartedly acknowledge enslavement as what it is: a violent evil that deemed African people as unhuman to justify an economic system that enriched the capitalist class of white settlers.

Whats happening in Florida isnt anything new. It is a mere continuation of the white supremacist tradition of whitewashing history.

Whats happening in Florida isnt anything new.

Throughout history, publishers, universities, religious authorities, and social activists were responsible for disseminating the ideology of white supremacy and Black inferiority through books.

For the longest time, this ideology included the myth that Black people were gifted civilization, government, and religion as a result of being transported to Europe and the New World. Now, the state of Florida adds to that the gift of skills and competencies.

Heres the truth: African people had civilization, government, and religion long before they were stolen for labor, with the mighty empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

Likewise, African people had plenty of skills and competencies prior to their arrival on the shores of the Americas. According to the Encyclopedia of African American Society, planters in the Southern states had to learn from West Africans, such as the Ashanti and Yoruba people, who knew about crop rotation and the importance of diversifying crops. Africans also knew how to grow rice, and manage plantations.

Simply calling African people taken from their homes slaves  rather than saying that they were enslaved or an enslaved person  is already a denial of their humanity. But to say that Africans acquired skills as a result of enslavement is a denial of the genius thats responsible for the skills they had gained prior to their enslavement.

The standards also fail to differentiate race-based chattel enslavement in the Americas from the historical enslavement that occurred worldwide prior to 1619, where enslavement wasnt based on race. Crucially, the standards fail to acknowledge that race riots werent perpetrated by African Americans, but by mobs of violent white people.

My quest for the truth about Black history  which I didnt get as a student  led me to the classroom, to becoming an educator. Were I a teacher in Florida, my quest to teach the truth would have me removed from the classroom  possibly by the angry attendees at a school board meeting.

 READ MORE: Will I get fired for this? Rejecting white supremacy has a high cost in education | Opinion

Historically, efforts by white supremacists to perpetuate the myth of Black inferiority inspired W.E.B. Du Bois, Carter G. Woodson, and others to fight back by writing books of Black people and Black history. It inspired me to write a book for kids about stories of Black resistance.

May the efforts of these fights over freedom in Black education inspire us all to fight back  with the sound of our voice, or the stroke of a pen.

Rann Miller is an educator and freelance writer based in South Jersey. His Urban Education Mixtape blog supports urban educators and parents of children attending urban schools. Miller is also the author of Resistance Stories from Black History for Kids, to be reissued in 2024. @RealRannMiller
When the Florida Board of Education approved Black history standards that say in part, that enslaved Africans benefited from the skills they learned in bondage, it was the latest salvo in the ongoing war against Black people.

In a country where white supremacists have already stolen Black labor, Black land, and Black lives, stealing history is the next logical step. By presenting the false narrative that the enslaved were somehow better off because of the skills they learned in captivity, white supremacists can do more than whitewash their crimes against humanity. They can present slavery as a viable alternative for the future.

Thats why the fight for tomorrows freedom must begin today. To win it, Black people must use the most powerful weapon we possess. We must boycott the state of Florida.

In a country where white supremacists have already stolen Black labor, Black land, and Black lives, stealing history is the next logical step.

Some will question why the battle for Black history is important enough to warrant such drastic action. Perhaps we should ask our Jewish brethren. Their history includes the Holocaust  a period in which 6 million European Jews were murdered at the direction of German Chancellor Adolf Hitler.

Its illegal to publicly deny the Holocaust in Germany, because denying history opens the door to repetition. Thats why the Anti-Defamation League monitors antisemitic propaganda so closely. Its why any hint of antisemitism is so quickly addressed, and its the reason that no state would dare to approve a curriculum filled with lies about the Holocaust. The political, economic, and media backlash would be devastating.

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Florida doesnt fear the same reaction from African Americans. After all, the states previous attacks on Black history have been met with little more than finger-wagging.

When right-wing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed laws banning lessons on racist privilege and oppression, Democratic politicians crowed, the courts stood aside, and the story eventually faded from the news cycle. When the state banned an AP studies course on Black history, there was anger on social media and a flurry of coverage that did little to change the facts on the ground. When the state unveiled a Black history curriculum that twisted truth to the breaking point, the White House sent Vice President Kamala Harris to deliver a speech in Jacksonville.

Harris rightly said that extremists in Florida want to replace history with lies. She also asked, in reference to Floridas proposed lessons on slavery, 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?

The vice president  a Black woman  was correct to pose such a question. We must all question a curriculum that seeks to cover the rape, murder and brutality of slavery by teaching middle school students how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

We must question any curriculum that seeks to teach high school students that the victims should share blame for the 1920 Ocoee Massacre, one of the deadliest acts of Election Day violence in American history. By requiring teachers to include acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans, the state is seeking to gloss over the fact that a mob of white Floridians initiated the attack because a Black man tried to vote.

For those who doubt that history repeats itself, I give you Jan. 6, 2021. That day of deadly violence occurred after Black voters in key states helped to oust Donald Trump. On that day  little more than a century after Ocoee  another mob of white people attacked to oppose Black political power, and in an aftermath both frightening and bizarre, white supremacists and their political allies tried to tell us it was a tourist visit.

At a time when such people will lie about the present, we must stop our enemies from burying the past.

Boycott Florida.

Not one dime in Disney World or Universal Studios. Not a penny in Sea World or the city of Miami. No money on spring break, and no spending for vacations, because fighting the battle for history is not about preserving yesterday. Fighting the battle for history is about protecting tomorrow.
Joan Dawson McConnon, left, and Sister Mary Scullion, right, co-founders of Project Home, gather outside the JBJ Soul Homes in Philadelphia on April 15, 2014. Project Home will celebrate it's 25th anniversary on April 22. ( DAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer ) Read more

SISTER MARY Scullion once spent a week on the streets with the homeless to learn what it was like to have to find food when she was hungry and a place to sleep at night.

"I had to depend on the kindness of strangers," Sister Mary, of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, recalled last week.

"I did ask people if they could spare a couple of dollars. And sometimes, when people would leave food that they were discarding, I would take that."

That experience in the '70s marked the beginning of her life's mission. It led to the creation, with Joan Dawson McConnon, of Project HOME. The internationally known agency has developed more than 600 housing units and helped more than 8,000 people get off the streets, kick their addictions, and find jobs and new housing.

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Tomorrow, Project HOME will celebrate its 25th anniversary with the grand opening of the JBJ Soul Homes, a 55-unit apartment building on a triangle of land on Fairmount Avenue, between 15th and Broad streets, in Francisville.

The home, funded largely by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, is for formerly homeless men, women and children, and will house eight young people leaving foster care.

"We had no idea when we started that this was going to last," McConnon said of Project HOME, on Fairmount Avenue near 15th Street, in Francisville.

Project HOME not only helps homeless people get off the streets and into shelters, it also provides education, job training, opportunities to work and permanent housing, including home ownership.

Two women of faith

Sister Mary and McConnon were on separate paths aiding the homeless before they joined forces more than 25 years ago.

Since the 1970s, long before she made Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world in 2009, before she was being sought out by a secretary of Housing and Urban Development who wanted a tour of Project HOME's housing developments, Sister Mary had been in the trenches feeding the homeless and bringing attention to the plight of homelessness.

For her efforts, she was arrested several times - but never convicted - for passing out food to the homeless at 30th Street Station; for taking over City Council; for protesting, along with the late Rev. Paul Washington, outside former Mayor Ed Rendell's City Hall office.

Each night, Sister Mary made the rounds, handing out food and blankets to the homeless on the streets of Philadelphia.

And each night the homeless men and women she encountered suggested that she and McConnon could work together.

"The men on the street told me about Joan," said Sister Mary, 60. "They said she was someone I should meet.

" 'She puts you to shame, Sister Mary,' " the nun said the men told her.

McConnon, now 54, had grown up in Springfield, Delaware County, and graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School. After earning an accounting degree from Penn State in the early 1980s, she worked as an accountant for GTE and Corning Glass for six years. In the late '80s, she had returned to Philadelphia to enroll at Drexel, where she pursued a master's degree in taxation while helping the homeless at night.

"The dehumanization of people living in doorways and bathing in fountains, I thought it was really unacceptable," McConnon said.

Sister Mary had heard that McConnon was volunteering at night at the Mercy Hospice women's shelter, operated by the Sisters of Mercy, at 13th and Pine streets. One night, Sister Mary introduced herself.

The two began to work together in 1988 on a project called the Night Winter Coalition.

"This was a response to people dying on the street," said McConnon, the chief financial officer for Project HOME.

Working with a team of volunteers, including physicians, they would take to the streets to ask people to come in from the cold.

The first shelter

Later that year, they opened their first shelter, named for St. Katharine Drexel, in the swimming-pool locker room at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, on 17th Street near Catharine, in South Philadelphia.

"We had absolutely nothing that first winter," McConnon said. "It was as bare-bones as you could imagine.

"We had a microwave, and we cooked everything - breakfast, lunch and dinner - in that microwave.

"We didn't have a sink, so we'd take a hose off the washing machine to wash the dishes."

On Valentine's Day, they cut out hearts and wrote the men's names on them and put the hearts above their beds.

If they found out that someone had a birthday, they found a way to have a cake and celebrate. For some of the men, no one had celebrated their birthdays since they were teenagers, McConnon said.

"All of this is a manifestation of how we value people," she said.

The following year, the pair incorporated as Project HOME to obtain grants and other financing to continue their work.

Project HOME is born

HOME is an acronym for Housing, Opportunities for employment, Medical care and Education - all areas in which Project HOME strives to help.

"When we talk to people and ask what enabled them to come in [off the street], the one thing people said over and over again was that there was an open door as opposed to a closed door," Sister Mary said in an interview at the JBJ Soul Homes building.

"The more doors we can open for each other - giving people a hand up, more than a handout - the better. And an opportunity is not a single thing. It has to be consistent and meaningful."

Sister Mary, who has walked side-by-side with millionaires as well as homeless folks, said that Project HOME's successes have resulted from treating both groups with equal humanity.

It is the "power of relationships" that matters, she said, adding that she learned that lesson from the late Sterling Hicks, a formerly homeless man.

"If people would walk by him and see him like a piece of dirt, then that's how he felt," she said. "He said people were his mirrors and he saw himself through other people's eyes.

"When people saw him as a human being, it was those relationships, many of them with strangers, that empowered him enough to get up and come inside.

"I'll never forget that. I think it's true for everyone."

McConnon, a married mother of three, said that helping the homeless is a matter of faith.

"Whatever you do to the least [of my brothers], you do to me," McConnon said, paraphrasing Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.

"I believe that this is what people of faith are called to do."

She said she had no idea that she and Sister Mary would realize such success 25 years ago.

"We were responding to the needs of the men during that winter by starting a winter-emergency shelter, working with the city," she said.

Steady growth

Boosted by both public and private financing, Project HOME grew and grew, creating 600 housing units, Sister Mary said.

The housing opportunities include everything from safe havens - shelters for homeless people who are still living on the streets - to permanent residences with on-site staffers who offer support, to apartments and a home-ownership program for people who have gone through recovery, improved their education and gotten jobs and financial counseling to manage a home.

Along the way, Sister Mary did whatever it took to make the shelters successful. At one point, she lived at the Women of Hope shelter, at 12th and Lombard streets. Then, to pacify neighbors concerned about the opening of the St. Elizabeth shelter for men, near 23rd and Berks streets, she lived for eight years alongside the men, who were just coming off the streets.

Project HOME also operates the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs, in North Philadelphia, offering both adult-education and after-school programs for children and teens.

Next year, Project HOME expects to open a health-care center, the Stephen Klein Wellness Center, at 21st Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. It will move its current St. Elizabeth's Wellness Center to the new building, which will have doctors from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and a YMCA.

Sister Mary, who now lives in North Philadelphia near the Honickman Learning Center, has advised public officials at every level that ending homelessness requires more than short-term solutions such as focusing on shelters alone.

Our mission grew and expanded over the years, she said, not only to address the issue of people experiencing homelessness, but also with the long-term view of preventing homelessness.
Hunter Biden enters the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Del. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 where he is expected to plead guilty. Read more

WILMINGTON  Flanked by lawyers, Hunter Biden strode into the U.S. courthouse in Wilmington on Wednesday expecting to quickly resolve federal charges that have become a distraction for his fathers reelection campaign.

But it soon became clear that things werent going according to plan.

During a contentious, three-hour proceeding, disagreements emerged that prompted both sides to threaten to withdraw from a deal for Biden to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and a related agreement that would have spared him prosecution in an illegal gun possession case.

And once prosecutors and Bidens lawyers resolved those differences and agreed to move forward with the expected plea, the judge overseeing the case suddenly expressed doubts of her own and refused  for now  to accept it.

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You just want a rubber-stamp agreement.  Im not in a position where I can accept or deny a plea, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika said, questioning whether some aspects of the complicated deal were constitutional.

In the end, Biden emerged from the J. Caleb Boggs federal building  named after a former political opponent of his fathers, in the city where President Joe Biden has based his reelection campaign  back where he started: still charged with federal crimes.

Noreikas decision to defer any ruling for at least two weeks delivered the latest surprise in a case that has been tied up for years in accusations of political bias. The White House maintains that the case is a personal matter that has nothing to do with the president. But Wednesdays hearing seemed to energize Republicans, who have sought to tie President Joe Biden to his sons misdeeds and who have accused the Justice Department of going easy on Hunter Biden because of his fathers position.

The judge is appropriately pushing back on this, Julianne E. Murray, chair of the Delaware Republican Party and a lawyer who represents the right-leaning think tank Heritage Foundation, said after Wednesdays hearing. Shes figured out there is a lot more to this than what is being presented to her. Under no circumstances should she take a plea shes uncomfortable with.

Political implications of the case against the presidents son

House Republicans sought to block the plea agreement this week when the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee filed a brief in federal court arguing the case had been tainted by political interference. On Tuesday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy indicated House Republicans may launch an impeachment inquiry into the president regarding his sons financial dealings, featuring whistle-blower testimony alleging political interference in Hunter Bidens case.

In response, David Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware whose office cemented the plea deal, said hed testify before Congress about the probe. Both Weiss and Noreika, the judge overseeing the case, were appointed by former President Donald Trump.

Republicans have blasted the plea as being too lenient and argued that the investigation was not comprehensive enough, pointing to an FBI informants unverified claim that a recording exists of both Bidens pressuring a Ukrainian oligarch to pay them $10 million. A former director of the FBI has said theres no proof the recordings are real. President Biden said in 2019 hes never spoken to his son about overseas business dealings, a statement the White House has since reaffirmed.

Hunter Biden is a private citizen, and this was a personal matter for him, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday. As we have said, the president, the first lady, they love their son and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life. This case was handled independently, as all of you know, by the Justice Department under the leadership of a prosecutor appointed by the former president, President Trump.

As the president stares down a tough 2024 reelection campaign, attacks related to his son are sure to follow him. Democrats are quick to call that offensive a double standard, pointing to Trumps recent federal indictment related to mishandling classified documents and attempts to keep them from the government.

History of the Hunter Biden prosecution

The unusual level of partisan attention surrounding what is a relatively routine tax case has dogged Hunter Bidens prosecution from the start.

The probe began in 2018 during Trumps administration. Bidens attorney general, Merrick Garland, has repeatedly vowed not to allow politics to interfere with the case and kept Weiss on as U.S. attorney in Delaware so as not to interrupt the investigation.

Last month, prosecutors charged Biden with two counts of willfully failing to pay taxes in 2017 and 2018, as he was taking home millions of dollars in income as a lawyer and a consultant, including for foreign entities based in Ukraine and China. In a separate filing, they accused Biden of illegally possessing a gun he obtained while he was abusing drugs.

From the start, Biden signaled he was willing to plead guilty to the tax charges in exchange for a recommendation from the government that he be spared jail time and serve two years probation. Prosecutors agreed to drop the gun charge if Biden remained drug-free and successfully complied with the terms of his probation.

The snag that emerged in court Wednesday was rooted in that deals unusual nuances  and the extent to which both sides sought to cut the judge out of approving any of its terms.

Biden pleaded not guilty

Repeatedly throughout the hearing, Noreika expressed frustration at assertions by the lawyers that she had only limited authority to accept or reject the deal. And as her intense questioning of its contours continued, she unearthed conflict that prosecutors and defense lawyers thought theyd resolved.

For instance, one aspect of the deal would have shielded Biden from prosecution for any additional crimes tied to the conduct described in his plea agreement. Noreika noted that those papers detail Bidens work for foreign entities and questioned whether his plea deal meant Biden would now be immune from any hypothetical charges that could emerge from his work with those companies.

Prosecutor Leo Wise said no, acknowledging that the Justice Departments investigation into Biden continues. That response appeared to surprise Biden and his lawyer Christopher Clark, who declared that if the government stuck to that stance he would have to consider the deal null and void.

Noreika also had questions about what her role would be enforcing the deal theyd struck over the gun charge, considering the lawyers likened it to an out-of-court settlement in a civil case. Though she stressed she had not made up her mind, she signaled repeatedly that her questions about that aspect of the deal might prompt her to reject it.

She instructed the lawyers to return to her within two weeks with a revised plea deal that would clarify her role in overseeing its terms and more fully detail the extent to which the agreement would protect Biden from future prosecution.

Biden said little throughout the proceeding, providing a series of yes or no answers under questioning from the judge. Through his lawyers, he blamed his much-publicized struggle with drug and alcohol addiction for his failure to pay his taxes from 2016 to 2019.

But while Biden told the court hed achieved sobriety in June 2019, Noreika noted he still failed to meet an extended tax filing deadline of October 2019.

In putting my life back together  it was a flood of problems, Biden told her. By the time I found someone to help me, it was past the deadline. It shouldnt have gone by me.

Ultimately, though, Biden told the judge he was not prepared to enter his guilty plea to the tax charges unless his deal on the firearms count was also assured.

The hearing ended with Biden pleading not guilty, instead, and facing the prospect of returning to court later this year. He did not address a crush of reporters as he left the courthouse with his attorneys and was swept into an awaiting car.

One woman shouted out Hunter, you know you wrong!

The scene was otherwise relatively quiet outside the courthouse situated within a mile of the Joseph R. Biden Aquatic Center and the Joseph R. Biden Amtrak station; a polar opposite of the spectacle that played out in Miami during Trumps federal indictment last month.

Theyre going after Hunter because of Joe and I think theyre separate, said Sarah Baptist, an artist who stopped to sketch the media set up outside. Hunter is an adult. His actions as a 50-something-year-old man are his own.

Jack Fitzharris, a videographer in the city, called President Biden past his prime, but said Hunter Bidens legal challenges dont factor into that view. Especially when youre dealing with addiction, you cant have control over anyones actions, no matter how hard you try.
Many companies in and around Philadelphia are using less office space as hybrid work has come to dominate white-collar professions. Read more

Just past the midway point of 2023, Philadelphias office market is caught in limbo, and stakeholders are figuring out how to adapt to a post-pandemic normal with few precedents.

The essential problem, of course, is that companies are broadly using less office space as hybrid work has come to dominate white-collar professions.

Kastle Systems, which monitors swipes into office buildings, showed a slight decline in local single-day occupancy in the second quarter of this year  from 50.8% to 50.1%  the first such decrease since 2021. Second quarter analysis from real estate services company Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) shows a 17.3% vacancy rate in Philadelphia and 20.6% in the suburbs.

When you get to 20% vacancy, thats significant, and that takes a long time to get it down to a level where you have a strong market, said Tom Weitzel, managing director with JLL in Philadelphia. Buildings really need to be at about 12% vacancy to be considered healthy  Its going to be pretty ugly.

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Other market analysts try to highlight the positive side. For those seeking to buy office buildings, for their current use or something else, valuations could drop soon. And for those who want higher end office space, now is the time to lock in a deal.

A lot of our clients are looking at this as a generational opportunity on the buy side, said Les Haggett, first vice president with the real estate services company CBRE. And its the same thing for companies trying to get into some of the best spaces in Philadelphia and the suburbs at lower rent.

The reshuffle has already begun. In the last month alone, Independence Health Group announced it wants to sublease 224,000 square feet of space at 1900 Market, the law firm Fox Rothschild revealed it would be reducing its footprint by 40% in Center City, and Wells Fargo ended its tenure at 101 N. Independence Mall for smaller quarters on West Market Street.

Office leases often last for 10 years, if not longer, so many pre-COVID leases still have time left. Lenders, owners, and developers are furiously evaluating their next steps. Many incumbent tenants are trying to sublease some of their pre-COVID office space as they figure out exactly how much room they will need in future.

Office brokers report being inundated with valuation requests on buildings across the region. Everyone wants to know what their holdings are really worth. Is leasing strong? Is residential conversion a possibility? Are there cases where it makes sense to demolish a building to make way for something new?

It feels right now theres just a lot of planning and not a ton of action, said Ashley DeLuca, who co-leads a newly created team at the law firm Ballard Spahr that evaluates how to handle distressed properties. Were doing a lot of talking with clients about their assets. Lenders, especially, are spending a lot more time than they historically have on understanding the asset.

Weakness concentrated in some markets, buildings

Much has been made in the COVID-era of the flight to quality. If companies are asking their workers to come back a few days a week, they want the newest or most centrally located offices with the best amenities.

Both in downtown Philadelphia and in the suburbs, trophy office buildings posted significantly lower vacancy rates than the market at large, standing at just over 13% as compared to 25%, reported the real estate services firm CBRE in its second quarter office market analysis.

Brandywine Realty Trust, a Philadelphia company with a national portfolio of more than 24 million square feet of office and other space, noted in its second quarter earnings call that its core holdings in Center City, University City, the Philadelphia suburbs and Austin, Texas, were 91.2% occupied and 92.7% leased.

That means the office market isnt dead, but its increasingly polarized. Of the 1,300 buildings JLL reviewed for its second quarter analysis, 457 of them have no vacancy. But certain buildings are in serious trouble. JLL found that just 28 buildings across the region account for a quarter of office vacancy.

As the Philadelphia Business Journal reported, the owners of three Center City buildings  Centre Square, the Wanamaker, and One South Broad  together owe $530 million while facing sharply declining tenancy. Property owners facing high vacancy and imminent loan repayment have few palatable options.

Submarkets also have winners and losers. Western Montgomery County has the worst overall total vacancy in the region at 27.8%, and much of the rest of the county isnt faring much better. Both Horsham and Willow Grove  which are lumped together  and Plymouth Meeting and Blue Bell have total vacancies of well over 20%.

The Lehigh Valley and Wilmington, Del., are facing vacancy rates just as bad.

But all those submarkets combined dont come close to the same square footage of office space as the west Market Street area in Center City.

On paper, the heart of downtown Philadelphias office district doesnt have a lot to brag about either with a 17.6% vacancy. But Weitzel said much of the pain is concentrated in a handful of buildings, such as Centre Square. Then theres the old Morgan Lewis headquarters at 1701 Market St., which will be entirely vacant when the law firm moves down the block. That building, however, is one of the few likely to be converted to residential in the medium term and taken out of the office market entirely.

If you take out some of the big buildings that are going to be depressed for a long time, it would look a lot better, said Weitzel. Its better than a lot of other markets. Its still by far and away the most attractive market for your business to be in the city.

A different kind of vacancy

There is an large amount of sublease space right now too, where tenants try to rent out some of the space they still have under contract. CBRE found at the end of the second quarter 21% of the nearly 25 million sq. ft. of vacant office space in the region was sublease space, a significant increase from 7% in 2020.

The superabundance of subleasing is historically unusual and is a sign of this moment of uncertainty as office users try to figure out how much space they actually need.

A lot of companies are still kind of figuring out their strategy, but the reality today is that their space is being underutilized, said Haggett of CBRE. Marketing your space for sublease is a relatively low risk decision by a company; it doesnt really cost you anything. So lets see what happens and test the market, as we figure out our strategy.

Across the United States the square footage of sublease space available has doubled since the pandemic, according to CBRE, and Philadelphia is no exception. In submarkets like the Navy Yard, almost all of the vacancy is sublease space thats up for grabs, as opposed to a totally empty, non-income generating void.

Historically, such offerings have drawn little interest. Large-to-medium size office tenants like to have control of their surroundings and dont want to deal with a previous occupant playing landlord.

Pre-pandemic sublease space also tended to be the least appealing offerings on the market: older buildings, with few amenities, and ugly furnishings.

But today, as companies shrink their office footprints, they are trying to rent out some premiere spaces. Comcast has already successfully rented a couple floors in Three Logan Square, for example, where it subleased 160,000 square feet on seven floors at the beginning of this year.

Weitzel said this is another measure of the strange state of the contemporary office market.

Historically, corporates didnt want to go into sublease space, but I think thats going to change, said Weitzel. Usually its old, and not very attractive. But weve never had this much good sublease space in the city.
I watched with interest how my superiors and colleagues interacted with others  I could hear their tones of voice, listen to their conversations and learn what to say and not say and equally as important HOW to say it when it came to speaking with clients, suppliers and other stakeholders, said Ross. Technology is great but it cant replace some of the face to face learnings all professionals need.
A barrister and mediator, Pynt was the co-founder of the Australian College of Insurance Studies (ACIS), a lecturer at the University of Western Australia (UWA) for 32 years, the general editor of the Australian Insurance Law Journal, and an author and co-author of a myriad of articles.
As CEO, Williamson will lead operations for all of Victor's businesses in the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Italy, Germany and Australia, delivering solutions to insurance brokers and their customers. He will report to Martin South, president and CEO of Marsh.
People are feeling that in the body and theyre not able to just keep going the way they once were - and who is going foot the bill for that? Its ultimately going to be corporations, she said.
Arch noted: Gross premiums written by the insurance segment in the 2023 second quarter were 14.7% higher than in the 2022 second quarter, while net premiums written were 18.4% higher than in the 2022 second quarter. Growth in net premiums written reflected increases in most lines of business, due in part to new business opportunities, increases in existing accounts, and rate changes.
In simple terms, he said, if were using premium as a decent proxy for the number of people were going to need, and I appreciate there will be some efficiencies as the expertise grows, well need twice as many people in the market in three or four years, and three times as many people after that. So we need to think about not only how we as a broker deal with that, but also how we support our clients in meeting that challenge.
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A gas line exploded Tuesday near a highway in rural western Virginia, but no injuries were reported, according to local officials.

TC Energy said it was notified of a fire after there was a pressure drop in its Columbia Gas Transmission Pipeline along Interstate 81 around 8:40 a.m., the company said in a statement. That section of the pipeline near Strasburg was shut down as a precaution, TC Energy said.

Witnesses saw the explosion in a field off Interstate 81 after 8 a.m. and called authorities, Shenandoah County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Denise Vollmer said by telephone. The explosion happened near Battlefield Road and Copp Road, she said.

The interstate was closed briefly, but the fire has been contained, Vollmer said. No structures were threatened, she said.

Jordan Morgan of Broadway in Rockingham County was driving to work Tuesday morning and could see the flames as he got on the interstate several miles to the south at Woodstock. As Morgan traveled north, he said he realized that the towering blaze shooting up high above the trees along southbound lanes was not a controlled burn as he first assumed. Had he been traveling on the other side of the highway, Morgan said he might not have felt comfortable driving past.

I could feel the heat and pressure from it, Morgan said. Ive never experienced anything like that.

TC Energy said it in a statement Tuesday afternoon that the fire had been extinguished and it was working with local authorities to investigate the explosion. The company said it has established an approximately 1,650-foot response radius to ensure the safety of the community and asked the public to avoid the area.

Strasburg is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Washington, D.C.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Virginia
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Vermont state and federal officials are urging 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.

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 be 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.

Photo: Flood waters remain on the destroyed fields at the Intervale Community Farm, following recent flooding, July 17, 2023, in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Profit Loss Flood Agribusiness Vermont
An international team began siphoning oil out of a decrepit oil tanker off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday, the United Nations chief said, a crucial step in a complex salvage operation aiming to prevent a potential environmental disaster.

For years, many organizations have warned that the neglected vessel, known as SOF Safer, may cause a major oil spill or even explode.

The ship-to-ship transfer of oil which has started today is the critical next step in avoiding an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe on a colossal scale, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

UN Secures Insurance Coverage to Salvage Rusting Oil Tanker off Coast of Yemen

More than 1.1 million barrels of oil stored in the rusting tanker were being moved to another vessel the U.N. purchased, he said.

The oil transfer came after months of on-site preparatory work and is scheduled to be completed in less than three weeks, the U.N. said.

The Safer tanker was 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.

It 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 vessel has not been maintained for eight years and its structural integrity is compromised, making it at risk of breaking up or exploding. Seawater has entered the engine compartment, causing damage to the pipes and increasing the risk of sinking, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press in June 2020.

For years, the U.N. and governments of other countries as well as environmental groups have warned that if an oil spill  or explosion  occurs, it 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 oil as was spilled in the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska, one of the worlds worst ecological catastrophes, according to the U.N.

The potential clean-up bill alone could easily run into the tens of billions of dollars, Guterres said.

The replacement vessel, now named the Yemen, reached Yemens coast earlier this month and the salvage team managed on Saturday to safely berth it alongside the Safer.

The transfer of the oil to the Yemen will prevent the worst-case scenario of a catastrophic spill in the Red Sea, but it is not the end of the operation, David Gressly, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said Monday.

After transferring the oil, the Yemen vessel will be connected to an undersea pipeline that brings oil from the fields, Achim Steiner, administrator of the U. N. Development Program, told the AP on Sunday.

Steiner said the Safer tanker would be towed away to a scrapyard to be recycled.

The U.N. chief said about $20 million is still needed to finish the salvage operation, including cleaning and scrapping the tanker and removing any remaining environmental threat to the Red Sea.

Photo: The Safer tanker is seen on Monday, June 12, 2023, off the coast of Yemen. A senior United Nations official says a salvage team is set to begin siphoning oil out of the decaying tanker moored off the coast of Yemen. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman, File)

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Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Energy Oil Gas
China canceled dozens of flights and trains in preparation for Typhoon Doksuri, which has shuttered much of southern and eastern Taiwan after bringing torrential rain and strong winds to the Philippines.

At least 11 people have died in the Philippines, according to the countrys disaster management agency and local authorities, while there was one fatality in Taiwan. The massive storm is packing sustained winds up to 155 kilometers (96 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 191 kph, and was about 190 kilometers southwest of Taiwans southernmost point as of 3:15 p.m. local time.

The typhoon is expected to move through the southern part of Taiwan Strait tonight and gradually get closer to Chinas coastline early morning tomorrow, Taiwans Central Weather Bureau said in a live Facebook forecast. For now, the human toll is lower than that seen from many previous typhoons, and agricultural losses appear limited.

Typhoon-Prone Philippines Seeks New Insurance After Lapse of Catastrophe Bond

After battering the northern Philippines, where it caused chest-deep floods and disrupted power, the storm brought strong winds and heavy rains to Taiwan, where roughly 55,000 households experienced power disruptions. Schools and offices in many key cities on the island, including Kaohsiung and Tainan, remain closed.

The storm caused numerous flight cancellations in the Philippines earlier this week, while Taiwan authorities said more than 300 domestic and international flights were scrapped.

China is now girding for the storm and has raised the highest alert of its four-tier color-coded system for severe weather. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas of Fujian and Guangdong Friday morning, according to Chinas National Meteorological Center.

Fujians Xiamen city has announced closures to offices and schools from 3 p.m. and will gradually suspend public transport tonight, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Zhangzhou city, near Xiamen, is suspending work and classes for two days.

China Eastern Airlines Corp. said its inbound and outbound flights in several southeastern cities will be canceled from today through Saturday to ensure passenger safety. The airport of Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian, has canceled more than 50 flights Thursday, according to CCTV. Dozens of train services in the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China have also been suspended, according to China Railways Shanghai bureau.

Hong Kong, which is calling the storm a severe typhoon, will maintain its lowest alert until Friday morning. The local observatory says the chance of issuing a higher warning signal is relatively low.

Nearly 16,000 people have been evacuated in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan, where Doksuri made landfall as a super typhoon. Although more than 180,000 people in the country have been affected by the storm, the devastation appears much less than in October last year, when more than 100 people died from floods and landslides triggered by storm Nalgae, which also displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

There also appears to have been relatively limited damage to the countrys agriculture. The typhoon caused an estimated 53.1 million pesos ($973,080) of damage to crops, primarily for rice and corn, according to its agriculture department. Taiwan estimates its agricultural losses from the typhoon to be about NT$1.5 million ($48,000).

Taiwan also has extensive experience with typhoons, though it has been spared direct hits in recent years. The government and local companies took extensive steps ahead of the storm to minimize damage.

With assistance from Danny Lee, Olivia Tam, Adrian Kennedy, Ditas Lopez, Ocean Hou and Dominic Lau.

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics China
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) __ A minivan crashed into a building in Wisconsin, toppling much of its brick facade and leaving much of its roof sagging precariously, police said Monday.

Officers called to an area near downtown Green Bay late Sunday, July 23, found the damaged minivan outside the building, the facade mostly a pile of bricks on the ground and exposed beams jutting from the partly crumpled roof.

The minivan`s driver, a 29-year-old Green Bay woman, suffered non-life- threatening injuries. Police said she was taken into custody along with her passenger, a 27-year-old Oneida man, the Green Bay Press Gazette reported.

Green Bay police said the van bounced off the building and spun around and did not penetrate it as the facade fell to the sidewalk below.

James Brick, owner of the Main Street Commons building, said the car hit a perfect spot on one side of the building that made the facade and part of the roof collapse.

We are hypothesizing demolishing that part of the building to let the other tenants back in, he said.

Police Lt. Brad Strouf said the area along Green Bay`s Main Street could remain closed for several days.

Theres a concern that more of that building  its about a two- or three- story building  could continue to collapse and then fall into Main Street. Thats why its shut down, Strouf told WBAY-TV.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Wisconsin
A 43-year-old employee at a Westfield, Illinois grain elevator found himself trapped for five hours in February 2023 as co-workers and emergency responders worked to remove hundreds of pounds of soybeans to pull him out. Thankfully, the worker suffered only minor injuries.

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the incident at Littlejohn Grain Inc. found the bin operator exposed the employee to engulfment hazards by allowing them to enter the bin without required protective equipment, such as a safety harness or lanyard, while the bins screw auger turned. At the time of the incident, workers were walking down grain  a well-known hazard that must be avoided  to unclog soybeans stacked as high as 30 feet on the bins inside walls.

OSHA determined that the company violated federal grain-handling safety standards by allowing employees to enter the bin without protective equipment and by not locking out the auger to prevent movement while workers were inside. The company also failed to train workers on emergency procedures.

This worker avoided serious and deadly injuries too often suffered by workers who are trapped in a silo where flowing materials can completely engulf someone in a matter of seconds, explained OSHA Area Director Edward Marshall in Peoria, Illinois. The quick actions of his co-workers and first responders prevented him from suffering a fate that needlessly claimed the lives of too many agricultural workers every year.

OSHA cited the company for two willful, 10 serious and three other-than-serious violations, including failing to provide fall protection to workers on grain platforms, lacking a hazardous communication program, not inspecting fire extinguishers and powered industrial trucks and failing to train workers in their use, and for not making sure required machine guards were in place. OSHA proposed penalties of $272,957.

OSHA also learned that on July 12, 2023  only months after Littlejohn Grain was warned about the dangers of preventing movement of a bins auger  another Littlejohn Grain employee in Westfield became caught in a moving bin auger. The employee suffered injuries that required a foot amputation. The investigation into that incident is ongoing.

Based in Martinsville, Illinois, Littlejohn Grain Inc. has served grain producers in Clark, Edgar and Cumberland counties since 1923. In addition to its facilities in Westfield and Martinsville, the company operates a grain elevator in West Union. The company is a member of the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois.

Topics Illinois
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Allstate Insurance is no longer eligible for one of the largest incentive packages from the state of North Carolina, created when Allstate pledged to add more than 2,200 workers in Charlotte. The insurance carrier said too many remote workers made the in-person jobs requirement impracticable.

The states Economic Investment Committee agreed this week to end a 2017 incentives agreement with Allstate, which could have pocketed as much as $17.8 million in cash if it met job-creation goals, The News & Observer newspaper of Raleigh, the Associated Press and other news outlets reported.

In 2017, Allstate pledged to add some 2,250 new employees by 2020 at its operations center. It was considered at the time to be one of the largest job-creation projects in state history.

But the rise in remote working, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, made it difficult to meet the companys hiring goals, an Allstate executive wrote the committee earlier this month. At the end of 2022, only 213 of Allstates North Carolina employees were physically working at the Charlotte campus, said Eric Steffe, the companys director of global corporate real estate.

Most of Allstates North Carolina workers are not in an office work location and are therefore ineligible to be counted as project site employees for the incentives programs, Steffe told the newspaper.

North Carolina paid nothing to Allstate from the initial incentives agreement through the Job Development Investment Grant program, but local governments have paid cash grants of $1.4 million, the newspaper reported.

Steffe said the company continues to view North Carolina as a strategic market to attract talent, and an excellent place for our employees to reside.

Since North Carolina began awarding Job Development Investment Grant incentives 20 years ago, grants that terminated early have outnumbered completed grants by a more than 3-to-1 margin, according to an analysis by the newspaper.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Talent North Carolina
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Authorities searched on Thursday for the person who set a fire that killed a Memphis firefighter and sent three others to the hospital.

The Memphis Fire Department said arson was to blame for a fire late Tuesday that killed Lt. Jeffrey Norman and injured three other firefighters when they were trapped inside a burning house.

The blaze started in a trash bin located outside of the house, fire officials said in a news release Thursday. It spread to a carport and into an addition to the home above the carport.

Injuries suffered by Norman and the three firefighters who were hospitalized have not been disclosed.

Fire officials asked the public to help identify the person who set the fire.

Norman, a 20-year veteran firefighter, was a courageous and dedicated member of our team, Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said in a statement.

Jeffrey was a leader and hard worker who took pride in serving his community, Sweat said Wednesday.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Two Florida Democratic state senators are hosting webinars this month and next on the states property insurance situation.

Homeowners Insurance 101: A Guide for Insurance Coverage, a series of virtual town hall meetings, began Wednesday on the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus Facebook page. The first session will be broadcast through Aug. 22 with a second set for Aug. 17, a local news site reported.

State Sens. Lauren Book, D-Davie, and Jason Pizzo, D-Miami, spoke at the first meeting and addressed the continuing crisis in Florida, that has seen property insurance premiums spike and several insurers stop writing business in the state.

Jason. Homeowner. Want to know why the hell my rates are so high and why its so hard to place insurance, Pizzo said in the session. He said the meetings would look at shenanigans and will talk through basic issues in Florida property insurance.

I don't foresee a future where reinsurance rates or primary insurance rates dramatically dip.

Former state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Paul Handerhan, president of the Federal Association for Insurance Reform, an advocacy group, also spoke in the webinar this week. Handerhan noted that despite recent reform measures taken by the Florida Legislature, property insurance premiums are unlikely to drop in coming years.

Floridas risk exposure profile is some of the highest, not in the country, but in the world, Handerhan said. I dont foresee a future where reinsurance rates or primary insurance rates dramatically dip. I do think were going to get to a period where the market kind of stabilizes over the next year or two. But the amount youre paying right now is probably going to be pretty consistent with what youll continue to pay in the future.

Topics Florida Politics
A federal lawsuit alleges that health insurance giant Cigna used a computer algorithm to automatically reject hundreds of thousands of patient claims without examining them individually as required by California law.

The class-action lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Sacramento, says Cigna Corp. and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Co. rejected more than 300,000 payment claims in just two months last year.

The company used an algorithm called PXDX, shorthand for procedure-to- diagnosis, to identify whether claims met certain requirements, spending an average of just 1.2 seconds on each review, according to the lawsuit. Huge batches of claims were then sent on to doctors who signed off on the denials, the lawsuit said.

Relying on the PXDX system, Cignas doctors instantly reject claims on medical grounds without ever opening patient files, leaving thousands of patients effectively without coverage and with unexpected bills, according to the lawsuit.

Ultimately, Cigna conducted an illegal scheme to systematically, wrongfully and automatically deny members claims to avoid paying for medical necessary procedures, the lawsuit contends.

Connecticut-based Cigna has 18 million U.S. members, including more than 2 million in California.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two Cigna members in Placer and San Diego counties who were forced to pay for tests after Cigna denied their claims.

The lawsuit accuses Cigna of violating California`s requirement that it conduct thorough, fair, and objective investigations of bills submitted for medical expenses. It seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial.

Cigna utilizes the PXDX system because it knows it will not be held accountable for wrongful denials because only a small fraction of policyholders appeal denied claims, according to the lawsuit.

In a statement, Cigna Healthcare said the lawsuit appears highly questionable and seems to be based entirely on a poorly reported article that skewed the facts.

The company says the process is used to speed up payments to physicians for common, relatively inexpensive procedures through an industry-standard review process similar to those used by other insurers for years.

Cigna uses technology to verify that the codes on some of the most common, low- cost procedures are submitted correctly based on our publicly available coverage policies, and this is done to help expedite physician reimbursement, the statement said. The review takes place after patients have received treatment, so it does not result in any denials of care. If codes are submitted incorrectly, we provide clear guidance on resubmission and how to appeal.

Topics California
Source: Adrian Day

July 27, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Global Analyst Adrian Day provides brief updates on two of his favorite resource companies. He also looks at very disturbing activity by banks in England, which he believes is a foretaste of what we can expect once Central Bank Digital Currencies come into force.

Altius Minerals Corp. (ALS:TSX.V) released preliminary revenues of $18.7 million for the second quarter, which came in slightly lower than expected, mostly because of potash and renewables. The advantage of a diversified portfolio is that while one or two areas may be weak, others are strong, and thermal coal and iron ore both performed well. It is well understood that this year's revenues will be lower than last because of the closure of the 777 Mine as well as the very high potash prices last year.

The company ended the quarter with just over $11 million in cash and $93 million available under its credit facility. It also holds a portfolio of exploration company equities, whose value fell by $10 million during the quarter to $41.8 million.

However, Altius said it expects several of these to be very active in the period ahead, with about 300,000 meters of drilling in the works. It also appears that Altius repurchased some shares in the last quarter. Further details will be available with their full quarterly financials month.

Altius is a core holding and a Buy here.

Lots of Activity Planned for Orogen

Orogen Royalties Inc. (OGN:TSX.V) released an update on its project generation portfolio, including an estimated 28,000 meters of partner-funded drilling for year, with four drill programs underway and four more planned, mostly in Nevada.

Orogen also has projects in British Columbia and Mexico, although it has scaled back activity in the latter due to the current mining environment.

Orogen is a favorite junior and a Buy if you do not own.

TOP BUYS THIS WEEK include Nestle SA (NESN:VX; NSRGY:OTC), Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. (OR:TSX; OR:NYSE), Midland Exploration Inc. (MD:TSX.V), Lara Exploration Ltd. (LRA:TSX.V), and Nova Royalty Corp. (NOVR:TSX.V).

FEEDBACK We received perhaps the most feedback we have ever received on our recent article regarding the departure of CEO Sandeep Singh from Osisko. People who knew him, people who had worked with him, and people who had just met him all expressed shock.

The company has yet to provide an official explanation. I hope to come away from meetings next week with a little more clarity.

UPCOMING APPEARANCES include Rick Rule's Resources Symposium this coming week in Boca Raton. I look forward to meeting several of you at the event. Next month is another of the quarterly On The Move webinars, co-hosted by Rich Checkan and yours truly. Our special guest on August 16 is Alex Green, Chief Investment Strategist of The Oxford Club and author of the best-selling The Gone Fishin' Portfolio. Details to follow, but reserve the evening of 16th in your diary now.

And then, in September, in Vancouver, is the annual Capital & Morality Conference, hosted by Jayant Bhandari. This is not an investment conference, but I have met many of you here over the years. I'll be presenting on "Individualism, Land Rights and Liberty in Mediaeval England." Other speakers include Dr. Amy Wax and Rick Rule.

DEBANKED Many of you will have read of the astonishing and disgraceful actions of several British banks in closing accounts of people whose views they do not like and other banks refusing to open accounts for public figures. Among those affected are children of MPs and Peers, as well as, for example, a vicar who preached against transgenderism, and most notably, Nigel Farage, who led the campaign for Britain to leave the EU.

It was Farage who courageously brought this to the public attention. His bank, Coutts, which used to be one of the most esteemed of Britain's private banks, leaked untrue information about financial problems and an allegation that Farage had received under-the-table payments from the Russian government as being the reason for the closure. Under Britain's equivalent of the Freedom of Information, Farage obtained internal documents that showed that the bank had been monitoring his social media and public views and, in fact, closed the account because they did not like these views. His "friendship with Trump" was noted in the 40-page internal bank report.

"His views do not align with our values," the bank frankly said internally as a reason for closing his account. After Farage courageously went public, risking his reputation, scores of other people came forward to say they too had been "de-banked" and suspected their public views of being the reason. This is Orwellian and a foretaste of what can be expected once governments start introducing their own digital currencies. It should send shivers down the spine.

What business is it of a bank the view of its customers, and what business does the bank have preparing dossiers on its customers? Not ironically, in view of Farage's Brexit views, it was an EU law on anti-money laundering that led to the increased surveillance of customers. The government has pledged to put a stop to this.

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Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Browne Jacobson, Ipsen Ireland, Permanent TSB, Eversheds Sutherland and Boulder Media.

Darragh Killeen, a specialist dispute resolution lawyer, has been promoted to partner with law firm Browne Jacobson in Dublin. He joined the firms office in Dublin when it opened in June 2022. A highly experienced specialist lawyer, he has expertise in handling complex transnational TMT disputes and regulatory investigations. He represents clients across a variety of sectors including, in particular, technology, construction and manufacturing. The focus of the Dublin office is on providing a market leading integrated end to end TMT practice covering Digital Transformation, Data and IP including disputes and regulatory investigations for clients doing business in and through Ireland and the EU.

Anna Walsh has been appointed to HR director for biopharma firm Ipsen Ireland, a specialist in transformative medicines for patients with life-limiting conditions. She will lead the companys HR strategy and people-focused initiatives, and manage training and development for Ipsens team of 175 employees in Ireland. She was previously head of HR with UK construction firm Breedon Group, and head of HR with the Beauparc Group. Anna holds a diploma in Strategic HR Management from the Irish Management Institute in Dublin, a diploma in HR management from the Dublin Business School, as well as a Master of Law from the University of Wroclaw in Poland.

Barry DArcy has been appointed as chief risk officer (CRO) with banking group Permanent TSB Group. Mr DArcy will be responsible for leading Permanent TSBs group risk function and will be a member of the banks executive committee. He is currently CRO of KBC Bank (Ireland), a role which he has held since 2017. He joined KBC Bank (Ireland) in 2011 and was previously its head of finance and its head of credit/asset and liability management risk. He is a qualified accountant whose earlier career includes finance roles in banking and in food and IT multinationals. His appointment takes effect from October 2nd.

Aisling OHare has joined law firm Eversheds Sutherlands commercial team, based in Belfast. She brings 10 years experience advising public and private sector clients on commercial contracts, intellectual property and data protection. She has also advised on tech and innovation contracts, including software development, licensing, reseller agreements and SaaS agreements. She was a senior associate in a large local firm, and was also an in-house lawyer for a global software firm. She is dual qualified to advise in Northern Ireland, and England and Wales. Im looking forward to using my experience in commercial law and areas like software in supporting clients, Aisling said.

Nuala Maguire has been appointed as Of Counsel in the construction and projects team with law firm Eversheds Sutherland, based in its Belfast office. She joins from a large public sector organisation, having also worked in private practice. She focuses on all aspects of construction projects from procurement to drafting and negotiating contracts, managing completion deliverables and dispute avoidance. In a turbulent year for the construction industry with labour, costs, and materials challenges to navigate, reliable legal advice has never been as important, said Nuala. She holds a first class honours LLB from the Open University; she qualified as a solicitor in 2011.

Colm Tyrrell has been appointed as head of studio production with animation studio Boulder Media. Founded in Dublin in 2000 and acquired by Princess Pictures in 2022, Boulder Media has produced My Little Pony, The Amazing World of Gumball and Danger Mouse. An expert in producing animated series, Colm brings more than 20 years experience in TV and production. He was the series producer of hit shows such as Doc McStuffins, Vampirina and Henry Hugglemonster for Disney. He was director of production at Brown Bag Films, overseeing Angelas Christmas (Netflix), Karmas World (Netflix), Otis the Tractor and Eva the Owlet (Apple TV+), and Lu & The Ballybunch (Warner).
Sinead O'Connor was known for speaking her mind, as much as for her singing.

She used both her platform and her lyrics to work through her own struggles, to speak truth to power and to highlight the issues most important to her.

In his tribute to O'Connor, President Michael D Higgins said: "Those who had the privilege of knowing her could not help but be struck by the depth of her fearless commitment to important issues which she would bring to public attention no matter how uncomfortable those truths may have been."

He said that her contribution joins those great achievements of Irish women who contributed to our lives, its culture, and its history in their own unique but unforgettable ways.

Here we look at just some of the iconic Irish woman's quotes and lyrics over the years.

Sinead O'Connor. Picture: Domnick Walsh/Eye Focus

On being labelled a troublemaker:

I don't do anything in order to cause trouble. It just so happens that what I do naturally causes trouble. I'm proud to be a troublemaker.

On strength and perseverance:

They tried to bury me. They didn't realise I was a seed.

On being a young woman entering the music scene in the 90s when the industry was still dominated by men:

I got into the record business at a time when record executives were a little frisky, let's put it that way. Not in a manner that they would cross a line if you said no but they would certainly try their very best. In some ways, you had to protect yourself straight off. You would be better to have a bag over your head really. But they wanted me to grow my hair really long and wear mini skirts and all that kind of stuff because they reckoned I would look much prettier. So I went straight around to the barber and shaved the rest of my hair off.

Singing War by Bob Marley on Saturday Night Live as she ripped a photo of Pope John Paul II in 1992:

And we know we shall win/As we are confident in the victory/Of good over evil

On why she ripped up the picture of the Pope:

My intention had always been to destroy my mothers photo of the pope. It represented lies and liars and abuse. The type of people who kept these things were devils like my mother.

Sinead O'Connor ripping up a photo of Pope John Paul II in 1992.

On whether god exists:

I don't like the word god, I think it's off-putting. It has become an off-putting word. I definitely think there is a presence which responds to the human voice. I don't think it cares if you call it Fred or Daisy, you know? But there is something out there. Definitely.

On mental health:

We need to be compassionate and gentle toward those of our brothers and sisters who have been hurt and are wounded and fragile, while also strong and alive. We should not mock those who are brave enough to show their wounds.

On her own sexuality:

Heres the thing: I think if you fall in love with someone, you fall in love with someone and I dont think it would matter what they were. They could be green, white and orange, they could be whatever the opposite of gay or straight is. I dont believe in labels of any kind, put it that way. If I fall in love with someone, I wouldnt give a shit if they were a man or a woman.

Sinead O'Connor. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

On why she refused to attend the Grammys in 1991:

I believe very much that the music industry as a whole operates and is concerned mainly with material success. A lot of artists are responsible for encouraging the belief among people that material success will make them happy. One of the ways that the industry encourages commercial success and materiality is by having award ceremonies which honour those who have achieved material success rather than people who have told the truth or have done anything to pass information to people or inspire people or just be truthful about anything.

On inspiring other artists:

If I hope for anything as an artist, its that I inspire certain people to be who they really are. My audiences seem to be people who have been given a hard time for being who they are.

Lyrical honesty

Horse on the Highway

Come home, come home, young one

Put down the streets and come

For they do not belong to you

And paradise so sweet, lies at your mother's feet

And I am not complete without you

Tonight I'll dream we are in heaven

Sitting underneath an apple tree

I am Stretched on your Grave

When my family thinks

That I'm safe in my bed

From night until morning

I am stretched at your head

Calling out to the air

With tears hot and wild

My grief for the girl

That I loved as a child

One More Day

Dry all your tears

Come what may

And in the end, the sun will rise on one more day

Black Boys on Mopeds

Margaret Thatcher on TV

Shocked by the deaths that took place in Beijing

It seems strange that she should be offended

The same orders are given by her

England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses

It's the home of police who kill black boys on mopeds

8 Good Reasons

Everybody wanting something from me

They rarely ever wanna just know me

I became the stranger no one sees

Cut glass I've crawled upon my knees

But I got eight good reasons to stick around

The Emperor's New Clothes

There's millions of people

Who offer advice and say

How I should be

But they're twisted and they will never be

Any influence on me

Three Babies

And of course

I'm like a wild horse

But there's no other way

I could be
A report critical of the supports offered to childrens mental health validates our lived experiences, a young woman who previously accessed these services said yesterday.

Tammy Donaghy was speaking during the launch of a report into the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) by the Mental Health Commission.

I really welcome this report, she said. 

This report not only has recommendations in it, but it also has in writing that young people have been let down by services. It validates our lived experiences.

She said her childhood was affected by poverty and her parents struggled with addiction issues, leading to her father dying by suicide when she was just 11.

She became very unwell after this, and said: My teenage years were chaos and I really really struggled. Her GP prescribed medication and referred her to Camhs.

I was put on that waiting list when I was 16 years old, I received no care other than being sitting on that waiting list. I was sat on that list from the age of 16 and it went through until I was 18, she said.

Then I was put onto a list for adult mental health services.

She praised her school and local youth services which linked her with psychotherapy, saying: Im still here, but it is because of that wraparound approach I had from services. Now a youth worker, she added:

Young people do not have many positive things to say about accessing mental health services. It can be retraumatizing and it can really make them feel not listened to, not heard and not valued.

Mental Health Reform, an umbrella group for mental health NGOs, also welcomed the report for highlighting problems.

CEO Fiona Coyle said childrens safety is compromised due to the long waiting lists and lack of resources. She warned of significant distress and frustration for families.

It is alarming that some Camhs teams are neglecting to monitor children using antipsychotic medication, she said.

The lack of follow-up care is also of serious concern. We must restore trust in the mental health system and ensure that families and children receive the high standard of care they deserve.

The Mental Health Commissions inspector Dr Susan Finnerty called on the services to move on from a landmark 2006 report which set out targets, saying treatment in other countries has evolved past this.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association echoed Dr Finnertys concerns around the pace of change, and said:

There are many strands that have to come together, involving all pillars of the health system  GPs, Consultants, Allied Health Professionals  to ensure these highly vulnerable patients are cared for as required.

The report makes 49 recommendations, including enforcing standards across all 75 Camhs teams so children receive the same care everywhere.

Inspectors identified unacceptable variability between HSE regions and even internally within some regions. They noted in some cases GPs faced with long waits and frustrating attempts to have a child referred instead send the child to the local hospital emergency department.

Families only have access to piecemeal emergency provision over weekends and outside of core working hours, they warned.

If you have been affected by these issues, contact Jigsaw.ie
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he does not think the Government would offer condolences to Russia in the event of Vladimir Putins death.

Mr Varadkar was responding to a question relating to Irelands historical foreign policy.

He said he did not believe an Irish delegation would be present at the Russian presidents funeral.

The hypothetical situation relates to events almost 80 years ago.

The Government adhered to a strict policy of neutrality throughout the Second World War.

However, then-Taoiseach Eamon de Valera sparked outrage among the international community when he expressed condolences to Germanys Irish minister Eduard Hempel following Adolf Hitlers death by suicide in 1945.

The event caused significant reputational damage to Mr de Valera and the state, and is regarded as an important moment in the history of Irish neutrality.

The diplomatic conundrum was dragged into the 21st century this week at a post-Cabinet briefing with Mr Varadkar.

While Ireland insists it continues to employ a policy of neutrality, senior government ministers say this relates to being militarily neutral rather than being politically neutral.

Rumours have circulated about the health of Russian President Vladimir Putin (PA/Nick Potts)

Last week, Mr Varadkar pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes when he visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

He also announced millions of euro in additional funding for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Following the trip, the Taoiseach was questioned about Mr de Valeras actions following the death of Hitler.

Asked by reporters if Ireland would offer a similar condolence to Russia in the event of Mr Putins death, Mr Varadkar said: I dont think so.

Briefly pausing to consider the theoretical event, he added: Its a good question, I hadnt thought of it before.

Mr Varadkar, who was banned from travelling to Russia last year, concluded: I wouldnt imagine wed be represented at the funeral.

In November, the Kremlin said it was placing 52 key representatives from Ireland on a sanctions list for expressing what it claimed was Russophobic sentiment.

Mr Varadkar was among the officials subjected to the ban by Russia.

The Russian embassy in Dublin has been approached for comment.
The company that operates Irelands national lottery is to be sold to the operator of Frances own lottery in a deal worth 350m.

The full share capital of Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), currently majority owned by the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan with minority stakes held by An Post, is to be sold to La Francaise des Jeux, pending approval by the lottery regulator.

That approval is expected to be delivered some time before the end of 2023. The deal has been in gestation for several months after PLI was put up for sale earlier this year.

PLI said that the sale will see the vast expertise of the French operator brought to bear on the Irish operation, while nothing will change in terms of how the lottery itself raises funding, given the lottery itself will remain in Irish State ownership.

Vivienne Jupp, chair of PLI, said that the company had moved from strength to strength since first winning the licence to operate the Irish lottery in 2014.

She said the company looks forward to the next chapter of growth, where we will be able to share best practices with FDJ and continue to operate a responsible world-class lottery for the people of Ireland.

Delight at acquisition

Announcing the deal to the French market, FDJs chairman Stephane Pallez said he was delighted with the acquisition.

Becoming a foreign lottery operator marks a major new step in the international development of the FDJ group.

Last year, Premier Lotteries Ireland recorded gross revenue of 399m with turnover of 140m, with relative earnings by scale comparable with that of the French operator.

A deal to sell PLI had been well flagged since the beginning of the year.

PLI was first acquired by the Canadian fund in 2014 for 405m via a deal which included a 20-year licence to operate the Irish lottery.

An Post had previously denied that its own minority holding in the company would be sold, even if the OTPP stake were to change hands.

The sale is the latest by OTPP, which previously sold off its lottery businesses in both the UK and Illinois.
Three teenage boys now face charges for attacking US tourist Stephen Termini who was hospitalised after suffering severe injuries in Dublin.

Mr Termini, a New Yorker aged 57, was rushed to hospital after an incident on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city last week. The alleged attackers, three boys aged 14, 15 and 16, were remanded on bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on Thursday.

Mr Termini, an artist and musician, remains in a serious but stable condition in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital. A 14-year-old boy was charged on Sunday and granted bail with conditions following a special court sitting on Sunday.

He is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Termini at Store Street, Dublin 1, on July 19, contrary to section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Facing his second hearing, the teenager appeared before the District Court President, Judge Paul Kelly, at the Dublin Children's Court on Thursday morning. He was accompanied by his father and did not address the court.

Garda Sergeant John Brady, Store Street station, told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) directions were not available yet and added that the teenager had only been charged on Sunday.

"We are working on the file; I think there is agreement to put it back to a date in October," he said. Defence barrister Roisin O'Mara confirmed there was consent to the adjournment period sought by Sergeant Brady.

Counsel asked the court to vary the bail terms, which were not read out, for a week commencing in August. Sergeant Brady did not object to the application, which was granted.

Following a defence request, the judge warned the news media that the usual Children's Children's Act reporting restrictions applied.

Second defendant

At just after 2.30pm, the second defendant, a 15-year-old schoolboy, was brought before the judge. Garda Sergeant Niall Godfrey told Judge Kelly that the teen was arrested at his home on Dublin's north side at 7.30am and taken to Store Street Garda station, where he was detained and later charged.

He is also accused of assault causing harm to Mr Termini, and the court heard "he made no reply to the charge after caution".

Garda Godfrey had no objection to bail subject to conditions agreed with defence solicitor David Bassett. That teenager was ordered to stay out of Talbot Street, Portland Row, Summerhill, Gardiner Street, Amien Street, Railway Street, and the surrounding areas in the north inner city.

He must obey a 9pm to 7am curfew and provide gardai with a contact phone number. Furthermore, the judge imposed a term barring him from communicating with the first defendant.

He was also accompanied to court by his father and sat silently throughout the hearing. The boy nodded to indicate he understood when the judge warned that breaking the terms could result in the court revoking bail.

Third defendant

The third boy, 16, was brought before Judge Kelly shortly after 3pm also charged with the same offences as his co-defendants. Detective Sergeant Shane Noone told the court that boy "made no reply" to the charge.

Similarly, he had no objection to bail with conditions, and defence solicitor Roy O'Neill consented to the terms. This teenager must obey a 9pm to 7am curfew, provide a mobile phone number and "be contactable 24 hours a day", and not associate with the co-defendants.

He has to stay off Talbot Street, Railway Street and James Joyce Street. The boy and his mother interacted with the judge to clarify the bail terms.

The mother asked if her son "is allowed to have a sleepover". Detective Sergeant Noone said he was amenable to that if he knew where the boy was having the sleepover.

The teenager replied, "no problem", when warned not to contact the co-defendants and that "if you see them on the street, stay out of their way". His mother said: "He will not be with those lads", but raised queries about the areas her son has been barred from by the court.

Detective Sergeant Noone explained: "This incident involves CCTV where youths were hanging around Railway Street, and it emanated from there; we are concerned that it could go back to that situation, and we want to avoid that." Mother and son thanked the judge as he was released.

DPP directions

The three boys, who have yet to indicate pleas, will appear again on October 5 for the DPP's directions in the case to be given. Legal aid has been granted.

A decision has yet to be made as to whether the case, which has attracted international attention, will remain in the Children's Court or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

The legislation states: "No report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name, address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings."

A GoFundMe Page set up Mr Termini's family reached over $100,000 within days.
A mother has told the Court of Appeal she was under duress and had to prioritise her son's care when she pleaded guilty on the first day of her trial to the "repeated harassment" of a hospital doctor.

In November last year, Marlies Walsh pleaded guilty to harassing the doctor in 2018 and 2019 and was given a fully-suspended two-year sentence.

Walsh, 51, of Pedlers Cross, Clonakilty, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to one count of harassment at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin. She had no previous convictions.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Walsh contacted the doctor and others at the hospital by phone and email over a period between December 2017 and August 2020 as she wanted to work as a patient advocate. Her son, now 21, was a kidney transplant patient at the hospital.

Judge Elma Sheahan said Walsh had engaged in repeated harassment of the doctor and every effort had been made to get Walsh to stop her behaviour before a formal complaint was made to gardai.

Judge Sheahan imposed a two-year sentence, which she suspended on strict conditions. She also barred Walsh from communicating with the doctor or approaching his residence or place of work for 20 years.

At the sentencing hearing, Garda Eimear Cantwell told Kate Egan BL, prosecuting, that Walsh's son had been a kidney transplant patient at Temple Street Hospital. Walsh had indicated to the team she wished to become involved in advocacy on behalf of patients and families.

The transplant team declined her offer as there was already a full-time team of this nature in place. Her son's care was transferred to Cork but Walsh continued to contact the hospital and doctors. She also made unannounced visits to Temple Street.

The doctor later received a parcel from Walsh, which contained her CV.

Walsh also copied him into emails sent to other hospital staff in which she expressed her desire to take on a patient advocacy role. In April 2018, the hospital asked Walsh not to contact Temple Street, unless it related to her son's care.

Doctor became alarmed

In August 14, 2018, the doctor became alarmed after receiving an envelope from Walsh which contained a handmade object tied with a ribbon, post-it notes and five A4 sheets.

One of the pages included a drawing of a stick figure with no legs and a message asking the doctor to ring her.

Another envelope sent by Walsh to the doctor contained three small envelopes labelled 'past', 'present' and 'future' and contained items including Walsh's business card, a spool of golden thread and a note using the question style of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' with Walsh as the 'phone a friend' option.

At the Court of Appeal on Thursday, Walsh, who represented herself, submitted that she had been under duress at the time she entered her guilty plea.

"I never said I didn't make numerous contacts for my son's quality of life and healthcare. It was my duty of care. I felt I had a duty to offer my help. I highlighted that," she told the appeal court.

Walsh said she found not being able to help her own child "very stressful" and said she felt he had met with barriers regarding the "bespoke nature" of his care, which she said needed to be taken into account for him to have optimum help.

'Stonewalled'

The appellant said she felt "stonewalled" and that "sadly, we just had to work around it but it wasn't like he didn't pick up on that. We were without the basics of reassurance, confidence and trust".

Walsh said "there was no fear or threat coming from our end" and claimed hospital staff "overreacted  there was an element of hysteria to it".

Mr Justice John Edwards said he did "not doubt the sincerity that you [Walsh] were trying to raise concerns".

"But at the end of the day, you received cautions from gardai and cease-and-desist letters from the hospital. You were not complying and the preferment was a charge of harassment. In interviews, you admitted the harassment.

"In the course of the trial you pleaded guilty and made admissions in a situation when you were represented by a solicitor and a barrister," said Mr Justice Edwards.

"I felt I had no choice as to why I pleaded guilty this one time," said Walsh, who added the issue was about the duty of care of the hospital but her legal team sought to frame the case as a "political issue, or a protest issue".

Walsh said she had to come to Dublin for her case and found it a "protracted" process with her legal team while her son was sick at home in Cork.

Walsh said she pleaded guilty after the prosecution's opening speech in order to return home to her son. "The frustration is this could have been avoided," said Walsh.

"You can't plead guilty and then say 'I was frustrated'," said Mr Justice Edwards.

"I was frustrated with the legal expertise in what I thought were instructions that would not be coming across to the court. That was the duress. He was at home. I had to prioritise him. What could I do?" said Walsh.

"The judge asked you if it was the case you wished to plead guilty and you confirmed and you pleaded guilty. You have to show us a legal deficiency. That you regretted the decision is not a basis on which it can be set aside," said Mr Justice Edwards.

'Dreadful' circumstances

Ms Justice Tara Burns said she was "very sorry" to hear of the "dreadful" circumstances around the case but that the criminal matter before the three-judge court related solely to Walsh.

"This was a case about what you had done. My sympathy is with you. Matters had gone to An Garda Siochana and you had been contacted. This is related to your conduct," said Ms Justice Burns.

Walsh said that she had a "reasonable excuse" in grounding the appeal as she was "under duress".

"We have no details of that  only that there was an urgent situation with respect of your son. We simply have no evidence of duress," said Ms Justice Burns.

"The duty of care was not met with. I don't understand what motive I would have for harassment. I have no history of being adversarial. I try to co-operate with people but my son is always my priority," said Walsh.

"It didn't even get to that stage. Your barrister wasn't afforded an opportunity to open their mouth. You collapsed the scrum before it reached that point," said Mr Justice Edwards.

"The trial could have gone ahead. You've articulated the sincerity of the depth of your feelings but you opted not to avail," he added.

Claim of duress

Kate Egan BL, for the State, said the claim of duress did not amount to the invalidation of the guilty plea as it was voluntarily entered after legal advice.

"The kernel of the applicant's submissions appears to be that her legal team did not adopt the tone she desired in presenting her case and that she entered a guilty plea because she felt under pressure to be elsewhere and not at trial in Dublin," said Ms Egan in written submissions.

"Respectfully, if the condition of Ms Walsh's son was so deteriorating, this was not drawn to the attention of the court," said counsel.

Ms Egan said: "It was put forward by her counsel that she was under immense stress with respect to the treatment of her son and had been under that stress for some 20 years.

"Respectfully, no prejudice has been identified by the applicant as a result of the way her case was conducted. It is submitted that mere dissatisfaction with the outcome of the case is not grounds for concluding ineffectiveness of counsel.

"There is no submission advanced by the applicant that a plea was entered contrary to her instructions, or that she did not understand the nature of the guilty plea," submitted Ms Egan.

Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve its judgement in the appeal.
Teacher Enoch Burke claims the inclusion of what he calls a promoter of transgenderism" on a panel to hear his appeal over his dismissal means his case will not be dealt with in a neutral and unbiased way.

Mr Burke, whose dismissal from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath has been stayed pending the appeal, says Kieran Christie, general secretary of Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) should be excluded, or recuse himself, from the appeals panel because he has supported the ideology since 2016.

Mr Christie has strongly denied the claims and says Mr Burke has wrongly based his claim of bias from the fact Mr Christie has accepted the law of the land on gender recognition.

On Thursday, Mr Burke made arguments in his High Court action against the Disciplinary Appeals Panel seeking a declaration that the inclusion of Mr Christie was unfair, unreasonable and unlawful.

There was one brief interruption in the proceedings when Mr Burkes sister Ammi and mother Martina complained about a comment made by counsel for the appeals panel. The judge rose briefly but returned after less than five minutes and the hearing resumed.

Mr Burke claims a sworn statement by Mr Christie that a person's "gender identity and biological sex may not necessarily be the same thing" means he "supports transgenderism".

'Radical campaigning role'

Less than six months after his appointment in 2016, Mr Christie had quickly adopted a "radical campaigning role" on transgenderism, he said.

This was when Mr Christie wrote in the ASTI members' magazine ASTIR that the "most important" session of a just held ASTI seminar was an address by a representative of the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) group.

By 2017, the relationship with TENI had become more formal when the deputy general secretary agreed to sit on TENI's education advisory group, Mr Burke said.

A body which was supposed to be standing up for the rights of teachers was now "joining hands with a radical organisation" in which it is a bedfellow and accomplice of a group which is "going to roll out this ideology from the top down", he said.

The ASTI was a member of what Mr Burke called the radical Children's Rights Alliance which in 2018 made a "very disturbing recommendation" that legislation should be introduced allowing children over 16 to change their gender without their parents' consent, he said.

The alliance also recommended that under-16s should be allowed to apply for recognition of their preferred gender.

These recommendations were made under Mr Christie's tenure and he was "going out to bat for a radical gender ideology which will strip the rights of parents to raise their five, six and seven-year-olds and set them out on gender mutilation and a path of tragedy".

'Appalling prejudice'

Mr Burke said ASTIs appalling prejudice was demonstrated by advice given in a newspaper interview by its deputy general secretary Diarmuid de Paor last September saying parents should support their children if they wanted to use the pronoun they rather than he or she.

Padraic Lyons SC, with Hugh McDowell BL, for the appeals panel, said Mr Burke failed to show there has been any statement made by Mr Christie that would demonstrate prejudice, hostility or dislike or that any position taken by ASTI would effectively decide the appeal.

In relation to Mr De Paor's newspaper interview, counsel said this was about a general issue in schools and was not about Mr Burke.

Mr Burke was wrong in his claim that Mr Christie's bias was also demonstrated in May this year when he presented an ASTI achievement award to a teacher because of her commitment to supporting LGBTI+ students.

This was one of a number of awards ASTI gives out "all the time", he said. In 2023 alone, there had been 15 such awards.

At that point, Mr Burke interjected to say there was no evidence of this and what counsel was saying was absolutely disgraceful. His sister Ammi, who was sitting behind him in court alongside their mother, also interrupted to say the court was permitting lies.

Mr Justice Conor Dignam rose without comment but returned in less than five minutes and the hearing resumed.

Mr Lyons said Mr Burkes claims about ASTI inviting TENI to a seminar, or about its deputy general secretary sitting on TENIs education committee strained credulity.

In relation to his Childrens Rights Alliance claims, he said ASTI was one of about 100 members of that body and ASTI did not have any input into its submission in relation to gender law changes, he said.

Mr Justice Dignam reserved his decision.
Russia refused to speak at a UN Security Council meeting called to discuss Moscows recent attacks on Ukraines port city of Odesa immediately after its refusal to extend the Black Sea grain deal.

The confrontation began at the start of a council session called by Russia on the divided Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Russias deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, said Britain, which holds the council presidency, was allowing only two briefers and Moscow wanted a third  Archbishop Gideon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Ukrainian government has cracked down on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its historic ties to the Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader, Patriarch Kirill, supported Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.

A resident walks through the rubble of an apartment building destroyed in Russian missile attacks in Odesa (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Mr Polyansky accused the UK of bias, censorship and obstruction for limiting the number of briefers.

Deputy British ambassador James Kariuki said because of a tight time schedule to fit in two council meetings, the UK offered a compromise to allow a third Russian briefer to submit a statement to the council, which he said was not unreasonable.

Mr Polyansky was not satisfied and Mr Kariuki then put Russias proposal to have the archbishop speak to a vote.

Russia only got support from China and Brazil, with the 12 other council members abstaining.

Mr Polyansky called the councils refusal to allow the archbishop to speak an egregious example of double standards on human rights and freedom of religion.

As a sign of protest, he said, Russia would not speak in the Ukraine-backed council session called by Ukraine to raise the Odesa attacks.

Nuns pray outside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa following Russian missile attacks (Jae C. Hong/AP)

The meeting on the Orthodox Church then went ahead.

The director of the UN Alliance of Civilisations, Nihal Saad, told the council the division between Ukraines Orthodox bodies has existed for decades.

But she said it has been exacerbated since the February 2022 Russian invasion and has reverberated worldwide as Orthodox churches have struggled with how and whether to take sides.

Ms Saad said the heartbreaking damage to Odesas historic church, the Transfiguration Cathedral, caused by a Russian missile strike on Sunday was condemned by many, including the UN secretary-general.

The cathedral is in Odesas historic city centre that is a Unesco world heritage site and had been largely spared since the beginning of the war.

Ms Saad lamented that it was one of 116 religious sites damaged since the invasion, according to a preliminary assessment by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

In her briefing, Ms Saad cited restrictions to freedom of religion by both Russia and Ukraine since the invasion, saying the politicisation of religion in the war in Ukraine fuels intercommunal tensions, stokes fear and triggers violence.

Mr Polyansky called the devastation to the cathedral a horrible tragedy and reiterated Russias claim the cathedral was damaged by a piece from Ukraines anti-air defences  not a Russian missile.

People clean up inside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral (Jae C. Hong/AP)

If a Russian missile targeted the cathedral, he said, then there would be nothing left of the cathedral at all.

The Russian deputy ambassador left the council chamber at the end of the session.

The council meeting that followed on the Russian attacks on Odesa came days after Mr Putin pulled Russia out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraine to export more than 29,030 tonnes of foodstuff to many countries facing the threat of hunger.

In addition to severely damaging the cathedral, the Russian attacks crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, and destroyed 54,431 tonnes of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

The council heard from 14 members, almost all condemning the damage to Odesa.

US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russia is hell-bent on preventing Ukrainian grain from reaching global markets and the world is paying the price for Russias barbaric attacks.

She accused Russia of weaponising grain and cynically using Russian-produced grain as leverage to win the support of other countries.

A street performer sings while playing the accordion at a popular beachside attraction in Odesa (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Ukrainian ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, the last speaker, told the council Russian missiles, including anti-ship missiles, hit 29 historical and cultural landmarks in Odesa.

He said Russias blockade of Ukrainian ports, destruction of their infrastructure, obstruction of grain exports and intimidation of foreign merchant vessels should be considered an attack on freedom of navigation.

These actions also aim at eliminating a market competitor, deliberately raising world food prices and making a profit at the expense of the millions of people around the world who will suffer, Mr Kyslytsya said.

A junior Russian diplomat sat in Russias chair during the Odesa session and left the chamber when it ended  having never uttered a word.
Survivors of a pod of almost 100 whales that beached on the southwestern Australian coast have been euthanised after a second day of frantic but unsuccessful efforts to rescue them, authorities said.

The pod of long-finned pilot whales stranded themselves on Tuesday on Cheynes Beach, east of the former whaling station of Albany in Western Australia state, south of the capital Perth.

Despite the efforts of 100 wildlife officers and 250 volunteers wearing wetsuits to protect against the southern hemisphere winter cold, 52 stranded whales died on the beach.

The remaining 45 were euthanised on Wednesday after efforts to lead them to deeper water failed.

The whales gather closely near Cheynes Beach (DBCA/AP)

The survivors continually returned to the shallows, the Western Australia Parks and Wildlife Service said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Sadly, the decision had to be made to euthanise the remaining whales to avoid prolonging their suffering, the service said.

It was a difficult decision for all involved, however the welfare of the whales had to take precedence.

The service thanked the officials and volunteers who helped with the attempt to save the whales.

A storm lashed the beach with wind and rain on Wednesday afternoon and two volunteers were treated by paramedics for hypothermia, Australian Broadcasting Corp reported.

Peter Hartley, a manager of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions who oversaw the response, on Thursday described the decision to euthanise the survivors as incredibly hard.

Rescuers try to help whales stranded on Cheynes Beach (Australian Broadcasting Corp/AP)

Probably one of the hardest decisions of my 34 years of wildlife management. Really, really difficult, he told reporters in Albany.

It was a considered and well thought out decision. And you know, we thank the support of the  veterinarians that assisted with the assessments and the advice that they gave me to make that decision.

Wildlife experts speculated the beaching could be an indicator of stress or illness within the pod but said the reasons will likely remain a mystery.

Pilot whales are highly social animals and maintain complex familial relationships with their pods from birth.

Drone footage released by the state government showed the whales clustering and forming into a heart shape before stranding themselves on the beach.

Mr Hartley said samples would be taken from the whale carcasses for analysis before they are buried at an inland location.

A rescuer tends to a whale (DBCA/AP)

Were getting requests from around the world from scientists wanting the video footage of them all huddled together on the Tuesday, he said.

Were going to be learning a lot about the behaviour. Were also going to be learning a great deal about the genetics, the make up of that group. Were they related?

The incident was reminiscent of one last September, when 200 pilot whales died after a pod stranded itself on the remote west coast of the island state of Tasmania, off Australias southeastern coast.

The following month, nearly 500 pilot whales died after stranding themselves on two remote beaches in New Zealand.
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)  members of an ethnic military coalition known as the Northern Alliance  held talks with junta representatives in Naypyitaw on July 20-21.

In attendance were Major-General Yar Pyae, chair of the juntas National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC); Luo Yaku, vice-chair of the UWSAs United Wa State Party political wing; San Pae, NDAA vice-chair; and Sao Sae Paing Pha, SSPP central executive committee member.

Junta newspapers reported that agreements were signed at the talks, but no details were provided.

Colonel Sao Hsu, second secretary of the Shan State Progress Party, shed light on the agenda and outcomes of the talks in an interview with The Irrawaddy.

What was discussed and what agreements were made with the regime?

We have held four rounds of talks with them so far, and signed agreements about our discussions after every meeting. This time, all the agreements that were reached in previous meetings were signed as a single agreement. They (the junta) proposed holding a peace conference. We said we would be unable to attend if it were held immediately. We would first have to get majority approval from our committee at headquarters. The regime proposed the conference, but we didnt discuss it.

Other things we discussed included regional development and peace and stability. Regional development was also discussed in our previous talks.

The rest of the meeting was taken up by legal issues and the regime discussing the peace process. We neither spoke nor participated in that discussion.

We didnt talk politics. We consider this to be the job of political parties and Parliament. At present, there is no Parliament and political parties are not functioning. We only discussed how to avoid conflicts. The regime said it would combine its proposals in a draft and sign it.

Did your groups sign any political agreement?

There was no political agreement. We neither negotiated nor signed political agreements. We mainly discussed how to avoid clashes. Our bases and checkpoints are very close to theirs in some areas. So, we asked them if they would move them away a little. We discussed nothing about politics at the Union level. Our Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee also has a policy (on this). We only discussed peace, regional stability and development in our areas.

Why does the regime want the Northern Alliance to join peace talks?

It wants all the groups it has held talks and signed agreements with, as well as signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, to join the peace conference.

At meetings with the regime, we have also talked about what we want it to do. The regime has explained to us why it cant fulfill certain things. We are conducting the talks based on our demand that political problems should be solved not by military means but peacefully around a table.

The proposed peace conference will likely take time to organize. At the latest talks, the regime said agreements it has reached with us and other EAOs would be signed at the conference in the presence of political parties that have registered for its proposed election.

We and the regime have different views about the proposed peace conference. But the regime appears determined to hold the conference anyway. We told them that only a few groups would attend if it were held now, and that it couldnt be called a conference if only a few groups attended.

Why have you rejected the peace conference proposal?

I havent said that we would not attend it. We will not attend it for now. We will wait and see. If the conference is at the national level, accepted by all, and beneficial to the country, no one will oppose it. But if it is a peace conference in name only, with no tangible outcome, we are not interested.

What did your groups discuss on regional development at the meeting?

We discussed health, education, transportation and border development. But they could not give us answers immediately. We have suffered a civil war, and we want to secure development for our people. We dont like the ongoing war and we want to stop it.

We want to find a peaceful solution. We only resort to defending ourselves (militarily) when negotiation is completely impossible. Since the regime has regularly invited us to talks, we are engaging in talks.

At previous meetings, the regime reportedly told your groups not to get involved with PDFs. Did it do so again at the latest meeting?

They didnt talk about that this time.
UK retailer John Lewis and Partners will stop sourcing gems from Myanmar, the rights group Burma Campaign UK said.

John Lewis have done the right thing by deciding to stop sourcing from Burma, Mark Farmaner, director of the rights group, said in a statement.

Retailers must ensure that the gems they sell have not helped pay for the bombs and the bullets the Myanmar juntas military is using to kill people, Farmaner said.

Burma Campaign UK had written to John Lewis and about 40 other retailers asking them to ensure that any gems they source from Myanmar are not helping fund the junta.

It received a reply from John Lewis Partnership (JLP)the employee-owned company that operates John Lewis and Partners department storessaying that their suppliers source a very small portion of gems from Myanmar, but they are urgently seeking alternative sources of gems.

We remain extremely concerned to learn of developments around the conflicts that have taken place, and that continue to take place in recent years in Burma/Myanmar, JLP said.

JLP is the largest and most successful cooperative in the UK. Owned by a trust on behalf of all its employees, it operates John Lewis and Partners, a chain of high-end department stores.

Since the February 2021 coup, the military has taken control of a gems industry worth an estimated US$ 2 billion per year, Burma Campaign UK said.

The junta extracts revenue from the industry through its own private companies, state-owned enterprises and government ministries, control of trade routes, and both legal and illegal trade and business interests of military family members.

The massive revenue generates funds to purchase weapons and equipment for the juntas brutal military campaign against the nationwide resistance.

Burma Campaign UK said it is not calling for a blanket ban on gems from Myanmar. Rather, it is calling on companies to ensure the gems they sell have not been sourced in a way that provides money to help the junta buy weapons and or fund a military that continues to commit atrocities.

JLPs decision to stop buying gems from Myanmar follows an announcement in June by TJCone of the biggest TV shopping channels and online jewelry retailers in the UKthat it had stopped selling rubies and gems from Myanmar.

Since the February 2021 coup, the junta has arrested more than 24,000 people and killed at least 3,848 more, frequently through indiscriminate airstrikes on schools, hospitals, and entire communities.

More than 1.5 million civilians have been displaced by its campaign of terror, according to UN figures.
Fierce clashes continue raging in Kayah States Hpaswang and Loikaw townships since the junta sent in heavy reinforcements on July 21 to resume its counter-offensive in the first state to establish its own interim government body.

Junta forces were supported by heavy shelling and airstrikes when fighting broke out near Kyauk Pe Nyo village Wednesday morning, residents of Hpaswang Township said. The Hpaswang Peoples Defense Force (PDF) said fighting had been constant on the east bank of Than Lwin River since last week.

Around 400 junta troops pushed further into Hpwaswang Township and resistance forces retreated from two villages about 48 kilometers from Mase town near the border with Thailand.

Kyauk Pe Nyo and Wan Aung villages were seized by junta forces last week. A resistance member was killed during the battle, according to the Hpwaswang PDF. Local media reported on Wednesday that tensions remained high in Loikaw Township as about 300 junta troops were sent as reinforcements to Loikaw town, the states capital, on Monday. Another two junta convoys, each consisting of about 40 trucks, were also sent to Loikaw. Skirmishes broke out on Loikaw-Moebye Road and near Nwar La Woe village since July 21, according to resistance forces.

The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) accused the juntas infantry on conducting indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets again. At least four villagers, including a pregnant woman and her child, were injured by shelling in Wan Kone village on Tuesday. Another artillery bombardment killed a 16-year-old boy and wounded two others in Pa Dar Ngay village on July 20. Two villagers including a child were wounded in Kone Thar village due to junta shelling, the KNDF said. Nwar La Woe residents were also forced to flee their homes when junta forces raided the village on July 23.

The KNDF has become the juntas most serious threat in the state bordering Naypyidaw. Although it was formed just two years ago, it has grown to 22 battalions with more than 7,000 troops.

At least 1,000 people from four villages were displaced in Hpaswang Township, residents said. The United Nations in Myanmar estimates that at least 98,400 people have been displaced in Kayah State as of June 17, 2023. Local aid groups put the number at more than 270,000 people in Kayah State and neighbouring Pekon Township of southern Shan State.

About 100,000 people are in urgent need of food and healthcare, they say.
More than 230 women and girls have been killed and nearly 400 detained by Myanmars regime this year, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which monitors junta killings and arrests.

The report said 237 females across the country had been killed this year by Wednesday with the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region suffering the highest number of fatalities at 130. Bago Region reported 28 and Chin State 20.

Wednesdays report said 91 females were killed by regime airstrikes and 69 died in junta shelling. The Burmese Womens Union said females were being burned to death and killed in junta custody this year besides being killed in bombardments.

An AAPP representative said the rate of detentions and killings of women has significantly increased this year as regime troops raid and torch Sagaing villages, regardless of whether there has been fighting with resistance forces.

Women left behind in the village who could not flee became targets of the military. They were being killed, raped or used as human shields. The military targets women because they are active in the revolution, the representative told The Irrawaddy.

Kyar Khin Sein, the leader of Tiger Women Drone Force in Sagaing Region, said women are regularly raped and killed.

Regime soldiers give no leniency to women. They see all the people who dont support them as resistance members so it is better for women to fight back, Kyar Khin Sein told The Irrawaddy.

Sagaing, Magwe and Bago regions and Chin, Kayah and Karen states are seeing the heaviest fighting with residents regularly threatened by junta ground troops, airstrikes and shelling.

We are always ready to run. We always listen for warplanes and ground troops. We fear shelling, which can hit us at any time, a woman in Sagaing Region told The Irrawaddy.

Targeting women has increased female involvement in the resistance movement to unprecedented levels in Myanmar, according to the AAPP.

This year 394 women and girls have been detained across the country, including 75 in Sagaing Region, AAPP report said. Around 365 of the females remain in detention.

Since the February 2021 coup, the regime has killed an estimated 3,848 people and detained 24,048, the AAPP reported on Wednesday.
A resistance group under the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) claims it inflicted heavy losses on junta soldiers during an ambush in Kyauktaga Township, Bago Region on Tuesday.

Kyauktaga Township Peoples Defense Force (Kyauktaga PDF) said it used land mines and firearms to ambush 40 junta soldiers who arrived at Nanza village in a truck and two motorbikes on Tuesday night.

The resistance group also seized weapons during the attack.

On Wednesday, resistance members discovered the bodies of seven junta soldiers along with six weapons and ammunition in the village after the regime force had retreated, said Kyauktaga PDF.

The group said another seven junta soldiers were taken to Taungoo hospital after being seriously wounded during Tuesdays ambush.

The ambush came a week after two heavy clashes at Nanza village and nearby In Kone village on July 19. The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)  the armed wing of the countrys oldest rebel group, the Karen National Union (KNU)  joined with PDFs to attack two military units of 400 troops from four junta battalions, including police and pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members, according to NUG and KNU statements.

They claimed that the clashes killed 41 regime forces and wounded another 40 including a deputy battalion commander.

The Irrawaddy was unable to independently confirm the casualty claims.

The KNU said junta soldiers occupied Nanza village for four days until July 23, burning down 20 houses and looting residents furniture and livestock.

A large quantity of ammunition left behind by regime troops was seized by the KNLA on July 24, according to the KNU.

The KNLA and PDFs have escalated their coordinated attacks on junta bases and regime targets in Karen, and Mon States and Tanintharyi and Bago Regions.
Any measured stock take of international human rights promotion from the United Nations would have to arrive at a lamentably low rate of success, if progress is measured by ending atrocity crimes and uplifting fundamental rights for everyone. There dont seem to be many places where peace is breaking out and respect for universal rights is ascendant.

It is often assumed that the Myanmar military has a thick skin towards international criticism of its appalling human rights record. For war criminals, they often appear wounded by international criticism and feel the need to respond with affronted rebuttals, despite usually a brace of well documented evidence.

These public rebuffs are evident in the State Administration Councils (SAC) aggression towards the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its relatively mild criticism in a joint communique following the recent Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jakarta.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a statement that claimed Myanmar, being a responsible member state, faithfully engaged in the Joint (C)ommuniques drafting process. It was found that Myanmars inputs, concerns and voice are not reflected in the final Joint Communique. Therefore, Myanmar reiterates its disappointment regarding the unfair and one-sided facts about Myanmar and categorically rejects and dissociates itself from that paragraph. There were actually five paragraphs on Myanmar, but it was likely the one that contained this criticism that formed the umbrage: [ASEAN] strongly condemned the continued acts of violence, including air strikes, artillery shelling, and destruction of public facilities and urged all parties involved to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence.

The spectacle of successive Myanmar military regimes obsessing for supposed inaccuracy and systematic denial of charges of human rights violations is routine. Its as if some form of Praetorian entitlement is at play, that any criticism of the military must be denied, denounced and dismissed. It frequently dissolves into absurdity.

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Myanmar in Geneva, controlled by the SAC, is the primary interlocutor of umbrage over reporting to the HRC, a beleaguered outpost of unconvincing refutation and alternative-reality generation. If one were so inclined, and no foul if not, the mission is a treasure trove compendium (in English) of complete refusal to confront reality.

The mission has been busy of late condemning the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) which has released a detailed report on SAC obstructions of humanitarian assistance throughout Myanmar since the February 2021 coup detat. The official observations include technical denials of specific paragraphs contained within the UN report. In the wake of clearly evident official obstructions of aid following Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State, the mission cast relations with the UN as divisive; It is regrettable to note that the United Nations agencies in Myanmar have been put under pressure from the UN System which is excessively influenced by certain donor countries. Many UN agencies have been barred from meaningfully engaging and cooperating with the Government and it poses tremendous challenges in Myanmars cooperation with the United Nations.

The SACs current foreigner bete noire is the current UN Special Rapporteur (SR) for the situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, American activist and former congressman Tom Andrews. There is no doubt Andrews is enthralled with the sound of his own voice, and his self-promotion is long-standing. But in the absence of a credible UN leadership role on Myanmar, and the paucity of support for Special Envoys of the Secretary General, Andrews has been the focal point of international denunciation of the SAC, and they clearly loathe him as a meddlesome irritant. South Korean lawyer Yanghee Lee had a similar effect on the military, the nationalist organization Ma Ba Tha and ousted Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, from Lees time as Special Rapporteur and with her current involvement with the Special Advisory Council-Myanmar (SAC-M).

Andrews has released reports of very high quality, including Conference Paper thematic reports that go beyond the routine update to the Human Rights Council and General Assembly, including a February report on international arms transfers and one in June on widespread abuses against children in Myanmar since the coup. The arms transfer report in particular made important contributions to the potential for strengthening sanctions. Andrews obviously touches some raw nerves, as the recent official Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release response to his report to the HRC illustrated.

It is disturbing to see that the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has made his presentation with the purpose to isolate Myanmar He further calls on the member states to impose sanctions on Myanmars state-owned enterprises which greatly contribute to public services. It simply means to hurt the people and violates the right to development of Myanmar.

It isnt Western sanctions that increase burdens on people, but the World Food Program (WFP) did cut rations to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh again in March, in a widely criticized move as foreign aid donations reduce. As Andrews forcefully stated at a UN press conference recently, Kids, Rohingya children, cannot eat resolutions. They cant eat Special Rapporteur reports either, but the point was well made.

In their rebuttal to his interactive session on July 5, the Missions response said, The Special Rapporteur has been given ill-suited mandate by the EU and western sponsors to produce limitless conference room papers with attempts to discredit the Government. Well, theyre not limitless, but there have been a few of them. If the SAC is discomforted with these reports the best thing is to keep producing them. It may seem like death by a thousand paper cuts, but any accumulative action to atrophy the military machine is worthwhile. And reflect on that bruised little note of frustration on limitless: someone at the Geneva Mission is irked at having to systematically check Andrews prolix reports. Make them longer and more technical then: irk away.

Its one compulsion of a small bureaucratic mind to lean back on the rule book, especially in ham-fisted fashion, but its a time-honored tradition during military rule in Myanmar. The same response churlishly charged Andrews with breaching the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders which states in Section 3(f): Neither seek nor accept instructions from any Government, individual, governmental or non-governmental organization or pressure group whatsoever. This is rich coming from a client state of Russia.

The official denials also continue the fiction of genuine progress on the repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, which descended into farce when UN boats were compelled to transport SAC officials on a preparatory mission to Coxs Bazar back in March. Yet the responses continue to deny the existence of the Rohingya: Myanmar does not recognize the invented term Rohingya as it has never existed in legal and historical records of the country. The people of Myanmar cannot accept the term Rohingya with the wider political agenda to claim ethnicity and territorial status.

The Mission also contends that calls to repeal or amend the starkly racist 1982 Citizenship Law amount to interference in the internal affairs of Myanmar, and also insists that claims of 1.1 million in Bangladesh camps are inaccurately inflated. Denying the existence of the Rohingya and how many were forced out of Rakhine State repeatedlyboth existence denied and violently expelledand then refusing to amend the legal underpinnings of statelessness of the Rohingya and thousands of other people in Myanmar are all signs repatriation in safety and dignity is unlikely.

The Special Rapporteur and OHCHR reporting are prominent parts of an international structure of accountability, which also includes the long-term work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM) to compile case-files for possible future prosecution, the ongoing case to determine potential breaches of the Genocide Convention in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the long-term investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the crime of forced deportation of Rohingya to Bangladesh. Adding to the complex of condemnation are international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) such as Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).

Its unclear how much criticism by the UN and international human rights groups actively intrudes on the guilty psyches of the generals. Its impossible to determine how much the official responses are driven by genuine feelings of professional frustration at the charges of abuses, to what level there is a Stanley Cohen-type state of denial from professional diplomats in MOFA who genuinely consider it a technical exercise of specific yet blanket rejection, how much is authoritarian bluster, and to what level officials are having fun in denying serious charges of war crimes. Whilst the state media and MOFA occasionally denounce INGOs, they are evidently fixated on the UN, which could suggest the regime takes their membership of the world body (and ASEAN to some extent) as important: but insists membership should come criticism-free.

The National League for Democracy administration didnt make any real effort to reform the system of denial, certainly not after the mass violence against the Rohingya sparked in October 2016. Whilst the special rapporteurs have had mixed success over the past 30 years, the diplomatic umbrage they spark from successive military regimes is worth the effort; even if they are rarely responsible for stopping abuses, they build on cataloguing evidence of abuses. They wont be body blows, knockout punches, or surgical strikes or any other other cliched exaggeration of their effect.

The reporting will rankle, wound, irritate, exasperate, frustrate, annoy, and grate but not fundamentally undermine the superstructure of military rule. But if corrosion, rust and rot are long-term objectives then reporting works, and if it has the psychological effect of nails on a chalkboard, or better yet, bamboo under fingernails, then it serves an important function. Its tempting to goad, jeer, sneer, and taunt, but a careful professional compilation of crimes anchored in international humanitarian law that will reverberate inside that militarybecause regardless of what some speculators peddle, everyone inside knows what a culture of murder and sadism exists at every levelwill be in the long run cumulatively effective.

There has been much commentary since the coup that massacres and massive air strikes are evidence of regime desperation and data points of imminent military collapse. This is sadly wishful thinking: the sit-tat is simply willing to use any form of ultra-violence at its disposal to stay in power. They have been aloof from calls for domestic and international accountability for decades, and are possibly depending on the international community to extend immunity the way they did in 2011. But if efforts to routinely remind the perpetrators of their crimes simply prick a conscience, theyre worthwhile.

Less impactful are OHCHR and SR reports on their own colleagues in the UN system, where human rights reporting is often rewarded with muted contempt. Regardless of their stated commitment to human rights, many UN agencies see their promotion as obstruction, and do all they can to avoid interaction with human rights colleagues. SRs are routinely distained, particularly in Myanmar where successive rapporteurs faced stonewalling by many (but crucially not all) in the UN Country Team and Resident Coordinator office (UNCT and UNRC). For those agencies with protection mandates such as the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), they are usually interpreted as protection from outside interference and the safety of budgets rather than actually helping other people.

When this analyst visited one previous SR at UN headquarters on Natmauk Road in Yangon some years ago, the rapporteur looked in frustration at a large poster of smiling happy people with the logo One UN and inquired which one?!? The SR had been frustrated by Country Team dissension over Rakhine State, where UN dysfunction was on full view even as mass atrocities continued. Things havent changed much in the 30 years of rapporteur efforts in Myanmar.

Half of the UN member states are in open warfare against the Human Rights Council: this is after all a world body where its two largest donors to counter-terrorism work are Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two of the largest donors to international terrorism. Contradictions suffocate the UN. Some clarity and principle based around the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is always a good tool to taunt rising right-wing populism around the world, and in trying to find a resolution to Myanmars horror-show. Technical UN agencies involved in humanitarian and development work continue their high-level engagement in Naypyitaw, regardless of how effective their entreaties are at ensuring access to affected populations and unfettered operational space: a central criticism of the OHCHR report that raised the ire of the SAC Mission in Geneva. In this case, its really only the SR and HRC reflecting the reality in Myanmar, not the operational agencies themselves.

Diplomats want to downgrade any human rights promotion, and see them as obstacles to elite settlements. Hush-hush interventions are perceived, with scant evidence, as being more effective. They are aided in these machinations by mercenary academic speculators and consultants who, if the price is right, will convince you that junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has the heart of a Hari Krishna. Distain for what is often sneeringly called megaphone diplomacy is widespread (who actually uses a megaphone?). These are all ancillary reasons to maintain the production of critical reports from rapporteurs and OHCHR. They are obviously needling the multiple actors who need to be reminded of the savagery of the SAC as they craft shifty deal-making.

But if international human rights activists want to send the regime into multiple conniptions they should make efforts to bolster domestic Myanmar human rights groups, such as the Karen Human Rights Group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and womens rights groups and think-tanks. The Myanmar military is always more afraid of its own people than international justice. Min Aung Hlaing and his henchmen may be confident in clinging onto power in the near term. But there must also be a nagging thought that their future could entail being dragged out of a drainage ditch on the outskirts of Pyinmina by soldiers of the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF). As alluring as that image may be, another probability is that senior members of the SAC are toppled and face domestic justice, something they likely fear more than the ICJ and ICC.

Perhaps this is where Andrews, OHCHR and the IIMM could direct some more of their energy, in urging international donors to increase support for the Myanmar human rights movement and the media. Almost all UN human rights reports rely on a range of Myanmar researchers, civil society groups, multiple think-tanks and untold reliance on the media; as do INGOs who rarely give credit.

But the Myanmar media, especially, is being gutted by major Western donors. Depleting an interlocking civil society complex will reduce the amount of information available to international effort, and actively undermine the ability of Myanmar groups to report on contemporary events and compile information for future domestic justice initiatives. Failing to bolster, with core, long-term financial and genuine technical assistance, the Myanmar media will only serve the interests of overpaid foreign research outfits and by extension the SAC. It will also dilute the sources of information for UN human rights reporting.

Myanmar people young and old, rural or urban, and rich and poor (well, the rich prefer the military mostly) also know well the indisputable weakness that cuts across all dictators regardless of culture and ideology: they all hate being laughed at. So inject as much humor into exploiting the abundant absurdity of their thoroughly unconvincing defenses when confronted with their catalogue of crimes against humanity.

The litany of responses have their lighter sides, including this finale from the recent rebuttal of the OHCHR humanitarian restrictions report: Due to time constraints, Myanmar could not make its comments on the remaining paragraphs. This does not mean that Myanmar agrees with these paragraphs; rather, it simply means that there was insufficient time to provide feedback. Take that, world.

David Scott Mathieson is an independent analyst working on conflict, humanitarian and human rights issues in Myanmar.
A day after President Joe Biden faced criticism from Republicans for claiming, We ended cancer as we know it, the World Health Organization (WHO) addressed its goals for childrens cancer.

The childhood cancer survival rate in low- and middle-income countries is less than 30%. The WHO and St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, based in Memphis, Tennessee, want to increase that rate to at least 60% by 2030.
Thursday, Jul 27th, 2023 (5:03 pm) - Score 2,496

Broadband ISP Virgin Media (VMO2) has confirmed that their 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP / XGS-PON) broadband network, via wholesale network partner nexfibre, is being expanded to cover the town of Crewe in Cheshire (England).

Just to recap. Last year saw Telefonica, Liberty Global and InfraVia Capital Partners create a new joint venture firm called nexfibre (here), which aims to deploy a separate open access full fibre network to reach up to 7 million UK homes in areas NOT currently served by Virgin Media  starting with 5 million by 2026. But Virgin Media is currently the only ISP for this network, and theyre already selling services over it (here).

So far nexfibre has already covered over 300,000 premises (adding 175,500 in the last quarter alone), although theyve yet to reveal a solid rollout plan and thus consumers often remain uncertain about whether theyll be reached by the networks future expansion plans. The good news for Crewes population of around 77,000 is that theyll be one of the first areas to benefit.

A Virgin Media spokesperson told Nub News: Work is underway to bring our gigabit broadband services to homes and businesses in Crewe. We will announce more about our plans in due course. The catch is that theyre not the first gigabit-capable broadband operator to show an interest in Crewe.

Both Openreach and Zzoomm have already deployed a significant amount of FTTP coverage across the town, while LilaConnect (VXFIBER) and Digital Infrastructure (BeFibre) also have the town on their plans (although Lila/VXs build is currently in limbo). Suffice to say that locals look likely to have quite a bit of choice coming their way, although they might not appreciate all the extra disruption from repeated street works.
Shelton, CT  date ##, 2023  TMC today announced Comcast Business has signed on as a Gold sponsor for ITEXPO, the #TECHSUPERSHOW, being held February 13-15, 2024 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ITEXPO is the leading event for IT professionals, C-levels and business owners, MSPs and the channel, and service providers to gather and advance their digital transformation initiatives. Since 2001, its the annual meeting place to make tech purchasing decisions and select new partners.

Were ecstatic to welcome Comcast Business as a Gold sponsor of ITEXPO 2024, said Rich Tehrani, TMCs CEO and ITEXPO Conference Chairman. Comcast Business offers a broad suite of technology solutions to keep businesses of all sizes ready for whats next. With a range of offerings including connectivity, secure networking, advanced cybersecurity, and unified communications solutions, Comcast Business is partnering with business and technology leaders across industries and have integrated Masergy, a leader in software defined networking, to help drive businesses forward. They are a must-see at ITEXPO.

For more information or to register for ITEXPO, contact [email protected]. For media inquiries, contact Michelle Connolly. Companies interested in exhibiting, sponsorship or advertising packages for ITEXPO or MSP Expo should contact TMC's Joe Fabiano at 203-852-6800 x132 or Maureen Gambino at 203-852-6800 x109.

For the latest ITEXPO news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @ITEXPO.

About TMC

Through our news and solutions-focused editorial platforms, live events, webinars, and online advertising, TMC provides global buyers with valuable insights for making informed technology purchase decisions and successfully navigating markets.

In turn, leading technology vendors rely on TMC, TMCnet and our family of sites and events for exceptional branding, thought leadership, and lead generation opportunities.

Our live events, including the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW, offer unparalleled visibility and sales prospects for all participants. With our customized lead generation programs, including a turnkey webinar program, we consistently deliver a steady stream of leads that translate into sales opportunities and database growth.

In addition, display advertising on respected news sites and newsletters generates millions of impressions, bolstering brand reputations.

TMC offers a comprehensive 360-degree marketing solution, with services such as event and road show management, as well as expertly crafted content creation including blogs, press releases, articles, and marketing collateral. These efforts contribute to SEO, branding, and overall marketing success.

To discover more about how TMC can assist you in achieving your marketing goals through our events and online advertising, please visit www.tmcnet.com. Stay connected with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter by following @tmcnet.

Media and Analyst Contact:

Michelle Connolly

Senior Marketing Manager

TMC

203-852-6800 x 170

[email protected]

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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.
Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High 86F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Showers and a few thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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Oakland, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  The Israeli government voted this week to limit their Supreme Courts ability to overturn unconstitutional laws after several months of debate. This elicited storm of global criticism, including from the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which said it is gravely concerned that this will further fracture Israel and American Jewry. It has also provoked huge demonstrations, notably from thousands of enlisted Israeli military and reservists threatening to not report for duty. The reaction from the White House meanwhile, has been nothing short of enabling, with a tepid statement about the importance of consensus building, as if that were important to Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu. The social and political consequences include legal action, a general strike and possible refusal by some 10,000 military reservists to report for duty. Israel even had its own Charlottesville parallel on Monday when a man drove into a crowd of protesters near Kfar Sava, at a massive demo.

The Knesset passed a law preventing the Supreme Court from striking down laws they find unreasonable in light of the countrys basic laws and from nixing governmental appointments on grounds of corruption. This is the culmination of a campaign by Israeli PM Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu, and Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezelal Smotrich to consolidate their far-right wing coalition power in perpetuity, and to pass anti-democratic legislation to ensure that aim. This step would aid Netanyahus fight against graft and corruption charges, and upend democratic norms in Israel. It would also open the door legislative annexation of Palestinian territories in violation of international law.

Embed from Getty Images Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich (L) attend a weekly cabinet meeting in the prime ministers office in Jerusalem, on June 18, 2023. Netanyahu vowed on June 18 to advance the governments controversial judicial reforms, which have seen his premiership marred by mass protest against the proposed overhaul. (Photo by Ohad Zwigenberg / POOL / AFP) (Photo by OHAD ZWIGENBERG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

If a majority in the US Congress took similar steps in these polarized times a civil war could erupt here that would make January 6 look like a picnic. The battle for democracy in Israel thus mirrors the parallel struggle in the U.S. The protest dynamic in Israel, on the other hand, bears some similarities to recent US movements, from Occupy Wall Street to Black Lives Matter, with big crowds in the streets that sometimes block key thoroughfares. I have discussed the vertical alliance between Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu; and pointed to the political, governmental and historical parallels.

Haaretz columnist Yossi Verter argues that Netanyahu,  . . . made a blood pact with the racist, messianic, ultra-Orthodox and nationalist State of Judea . . . He will now be able to marginalize the Supreme Court, depose the attorney general, and appoint a general prosecutor to prosecute his cases. Bibis fan base is the ultra-Orthodox Haredim and far-right settler communities, and hes granted their entire wish list of agenda items; including ongoing exemption from military service for the Haredim, and the equivalent of Israeli Proud Boys in key ministerial positions.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Al Jazeera English: Israel judicial changes: Doctors and medical workers on strike

The rise and rise of the Zionist far right is connected with major population movements. A mutant brand of zealous religious Zionism has supplanted the political Zionism that was established in Basel in 1896, after the organic Jewish settler movement began in 1882. The Revisionist (fascist-leaning) Zionism of Vladimir Zeev Jabotinsky, who founded the Jewish Self-Defense Organization in Odessa and then helmed far right wing organizations in British Palestine, ultimately gave rise to the Likud Party, which first came to power under Menachem Begin, a Jabotinsky protege, in 1977. The Likud won in part because it attracted the support of many Mizrahi, Middle Eastern Jews, who felt disadvantaged by the Labor Party establishment dominated by European, Ashkenazi Jews. The right-wing zealotry that Begin promoted was wrought up with the ambition to gobble up the remaining Palestinian territories under a regime of settler colonialism. Even leftist and centrist Israelis often supported the settlement movement in the West Bank, which Israel seized in 1967. Those hundreds of thousands of settlers, many of them ultra-Orthodox or Mizrahim and on the far right politically, are championed by several of Netanyahus coalition partners and are in a position to dictate policy to the centrists. So first, the relatively secular far right Likud supplanted Labor, and then Likud itself increasingly allied with the religious, messianic Zionists, bringing them to power.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC-aka The Joint) was founded in 1914 to aid Jewish victims of World War I, and Jews settling in Palestine. This refugee relief organization has been branded as a radical leftist organization by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, as he moved to defund its programs. He canceled a 3 million shekel ($817,000) allocation to fight crime in seven troubled Israeli Arab towns, because the program is run by the AJDC.

The Hon. Daniel Cormer, former Israeli Ambassador to India to called this, a scandalous, anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish move, while opposition lawmaker Meirav Cohen tweeted, Boycott the Joint? Seriously? Whos next? The Jewish National Fund? This right-wing mindset is tragically represented by Ben-Gvir, whose worldview doesnt extend beyond the settlement of Kiryat Arba, as characterized by Haaretz columnist Yossi Melman.

Embed from Getty Images

The Israeli far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, appeared at both the Gay Parade and the far-right demonstration in Jerusalem on June 1, 2023. (Photo by Stefano Lorusso/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Israel now faces a constitutional crisis, in which the Supreme Court could strike down the legislation designed to curb its powers. The government may in turn refuse accept the new decision and seek to retaliate. This active political volcano is a result of four years and five inconclusive elections in Bibis pursuit of these goals. It has become the battle for Israels parliamentary and perhaps, spiritual soul. The conflicts pitch existential questions for Jews such as, What is Zionism, and what has it become? How did a political movement designed to protect Jews from persecution morph into a monstrous force of persecution of its own?

Thousands of protesters have been met with violence by the police and government supporters in throughout Israel. Bibi is trying to turn Israel into his own singular dictatorship. After the beatings by police and organized right wing thugs at the demos, Bibi called it a necessary democratic step aimed at restoring the balance between the branches. Bibis buzz phrases such as balance and safeguarding rather than endangering democracy turn the obvious meanings of balance and democracy, pointing to just how Orwellian his far right and corrupt agenda has become.

Israel could well be heading toward its own January 6. The parallels are real. Both the Republican Party and Likud have empowered and invested in their countries most extreme far right-wing ideologues, and seized upon opportunities and vulnerabilities to dismantle democratic guard rails that disrupt their agenda. While the U.S. has empowered Congressional Reps such as Marjorie Taylor Green, Tommy Turberville, and Lauren Boebert; Israel has elevated Bibis extremist henchmen Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to czar-like positions on the Cabinet, where they can pursue their worst draconian fantasies against both Palestinians and Israeli leftists and centrists, whom they dismiss as traitors and terrorists.
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By Anna Lippman, York University, Canada | 

We saw it in the United States on Jan. 6, 2021. We witnessed it during Canadas so-called Freedom Convoy. The evidence is clear fascism is on the rise in North America. But ethno-nationalist fascism is growing even faster in the remote areas of occupied Palestine amid widespread protests in Israel about a contentious law that limits the Supreme Courts ability to check governmental power.

How do these right-wing adherents become seduced by its messaging? For many, the answer lies in an Israeli movement that actively radicalizes boys and young men in its fight for an ethno-nationalist state of Israel.

This practice is inspired and associated with the Kahanist movement and the Kach party, both banned at various points by Israel and the United States for being terrorist groups.

Originally created by the late American-Israeli rabbi Meir Kahane (also the founder of the U.S. Jewish Defense League), this fundamentalist and extremist Jewish supremacy group calls for a full Jewish state in Israel and the expulsion and death of Arabs in the region.

Claiming Jewish teachings as justification, Kahanism fuels hate under a guise of piety.

Street kids

Often recruited from unstable homes and off the streets of Jerusalem, these boys  known as hilltop youth  typically range in age from their teens to 20s. Many of them have experienced traumatic home lives prior to joining these radical youth groups.

Deeply religious and spurred by a literal interpretation of the Torah, they have taken it upon themselves to create West Bank outposts that are deemed illegal by international law.

While the Israeli government has made promises to remove illegal outposts in these areas for over a decade, and even occasionally clears out the youth in the area, most illegal outposts carry on and eventually become settlements, complete with tacit government approval in the form of water, electricity and other utilities.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Vice News: Israels Far Right Government is a Gift to Settlers

Beyond simply settling the West Bank, these young men frequently attack Palestinians and their villages, coined pricetag attacks that refer to the price they will make others pay for lost outposts.

These attacks, ranging from destroying buildings to murder, are seen as a commandment for these Jewish settlers to rid the land of anyone but Jewish inhabitants.

While these youth are most notorious for the 2015 murder of an 18-month-old baby in Duma and a subsequent celebration of the death, their presence has not abated.

Rather, the government has further legitimized their presence in the West Bank by setting up rehabilitation programs and homes.

Other youth brought to the West Bank

In addition to offering the young people in this area more infrastructure and supervision from adult settlers, the government also provides schooling. These schools serve the youth illegally occupying these areas, but other young people from other areas are brought to the West Bank to live and attend school in these outposts.

The rehabilitation centres therefore not only legitimize the presence of these outposts in the West Bank, but also allow them to proliferate through their success.

Yeshivas, schools for religious Jewish studies, are also present in these outposts. Most of these yeshivas are run by extremist rabbis who meld Jewish studies with hatred for Palestinians and encourage violence in the name of an all-Jewish state.

While the official policy of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is to dispel these youth and their outposts, in practice these groups have a much cozier relationship. They are working particularly closely with the officials in the new far-right government, several of whom have personal relationships with settlements in the West Bank, to retain the illegal occupation of the West Bank.

Most recently, these youth have been recruited for a special branch of the Israel Defense Forces called Desert Frontier, which patrols the West Bank and directly interacts with Palestinians living in the area.

Channelling hatred

This unit is also considered an opportunity for rehabilitation for these youth to channel their hatred and violence towards Palestinians in the area into military power and intelligence.

The unit also works in the Jordan Valley, helping other youth co-opt Palestinian pastureland for their own use. Though officials often publicly blame these young people for violence in the West Bank, in private they fund and encourage their presence in this area.

That means the Israeli government can blame settler violence on these young extremists and publicly condemn them, but it also benefits from their continued theft of Palestinian land and life.

Inspired by settlers and right-wing extremists before them, and seeking to find acceptance and community after harsh conditions in their home lives, the hilltop youth are using their right-wing ideology as a tool that allows them to harm Palestinians and their villages with no remorse.

While officially held up as a fringe extremist group, these youth are both funded and tacitly encouraged by a right-wing government seeking to expel all Palestinians from the land.

Larger strategy?

The national security minister himself  Itamar Ben-Gvir  is a settler with ties to youth in the West Bank, indicating the presence and radicalization of these young men is part of a larger strategy to conquer the land while feigning diplomacy.

As more and more young men are brought to the region to attend these rehabilitation centres and then drafted into the army, Israel is preying on these traumatized youth to maintain strongholds in the West Bank.

Rather than receiving counselling and home placements, these boys are encouraged to use their fundamentalist teachings to support the army and governments goal, no matter the personal toll.

Anna Lippman, Sociology Instructor, York University, Canada

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
LIMA, Peru / Jul 26, 2023 / Business Wire / Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (Buenaventura or the Company) (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Perus largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, today announced results for the second quarter (2Q23) and six-month period ended June 30, 2023 (6M23). All figures have been prepared in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) on a non-GAAP basis and are stated in U.S. dollars (US$). Buenaventura has provided accumulated six-month results to reflect the provisional pricing effect on the first six months of 2023.

Second Quarter and Six-Month 2023 Highlights:

2Q23 EBITDA from direct operations was US$ 17.1 million, compared to US$ -12.9 million reported in 2Q22. 6M23 EBITDA from direct operations reached US$ 68.7 million, compared to US$ 74.0 million reported in 6M22. 2022 EBITDA does not include US$ 300 million resulting from the sale of Buenaventura's stake in Yanacocha.

2Q23 net loss reached US$ 5.4 million, compared to a US$ 44.6 million net loss for the same period in 2022. 6M23 net income was US$ 67.5 million, compared to US$ 570.1 million net income for the 6M22. The 6M22 result includes a US$ 480 million net income from discontinued operations, primarily due to the reclassification of Buenaventura's interest in Yanacocha.

The Company recorded a US$ 9.8 million provisional price adjustment for the accumulated first six months of 2023. This is comprised of US$ -13.7 million in fair value of accounts receivables and US$ +3.9 million in adjustments to prior period liquidations. This compares to a US$ 35.1 million loss for the accumulated first six months of 2022.

Buenaventura's 6M23 consolidated copper production increased 23% YoY. Zinc production decreased by 68% YoY, lead decreased by 60% YoY, silver decreased by 28% YoY, and gold decreased by 11% YoY.

El Brocal's underground mine production increased to 9,300 tpd during 2Q23, compared to 8,150 tpd in 2Q22. The El Brocal ramp-up remains on target to reach 10,000 tpd by year-end 2023.

Buenaventura's cash position reached US$ 202.4 million and net debt decreased to US$ 520.9 million with an average maturity of 2.9 years by quarters end, June 30, 2023.

2Q23 capital expenditures were US$ 49.7 million, compared to US$ 36.1 million for the same period in 2022. 6M23 capital expenditures reached US$ 85.9 million, compared to US$ 56.0 million in 6M22, and includes US$ 24.0 million related to the San Gabriel Project and US$ 19.2 million related to the Yumpag Project.

Buenaventura looks forward to permitting approval of Uchucchacua, Yumpag, El Brocal and Coimolache. The company continues to work with the Peruvian environmental authority (SENACE) on its final review. We expect permits for Uchucchacua and Yumpag to be approved during 3Q23.

Cerro Verde paid a total dividend of US$ 250 million on April 28, 2023. Buenaventura received US$ 49.0 million relative to its stake in Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde will pay a second dividend on August 3, 2023, from which Buenaventura will receive an additional US$ 49.0 million.

Financial Highlights (in millions of US$, except EPS figures):

2Q23 2Q22 Var 6M23 6M22 Var Total Revenues 173.3 150.1 15% 358.8 383.0 -6% Operating Income -22.0 -64.2 -66% -9.5 -32.0 N.A. EBITDA Direct Operations (1) 17.1 -12.9 N.A. 68.7 74.0 -7% EBITDA Including Affiliates (1) 87.4 57.8 51% 265.7 291.5 -9% Net Income (2) -6.7 -36.3 -81% 57.7 568.2 -90% EPS (3) -0.03 -0.14 -81% 0.23 2.24 -90%

(1) Does not include US$ 300 million from the sale of Buenaventuras stake in Yanacocha. (2) Net Income attributable to owners of the parent (3) As of June 30, 2023, Buenaventura had a weighted average number of shares outstanding of 253,986,867.

For a full version of Compania de Minas Buenaventura Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Release, please visit: https://www.buenaventura.com/en/inversionistas/reportes-trimestrales/2023

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

Compania de Minas Buenaventura will host a conference call on Thursday, July 27, 2023, to discuss these results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 10:00 a.m. Peru Time

To participate in the conference call, please dial:

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1-844-481-2914

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Participants who do not wish to be interrupted to have their information gathered may have Chorus Call dial out to them by clicking on the above link, filling in the information, and pressing the green phone button at the bottom. The phone number provided will be automatically called and connected to the conference without any interruption to the participant. (Please note: Participants will be joined directly to the conference and will hear hold music until the call begins. No confirmation message will be played when joined.)

Company Description

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Perus largest, publicly traded precious and base metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the exploration, mining development, processing and trade of gold, silver and other base metals via wholly-owned mines and through its participation in joint venture projects. Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, La Zanja*, El Brocal and Coimolache).

The Company owns 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer (a partnership with Freeport-McMorRan Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation).

For a printed version of the Companys 2022 Form 20-F, please contact the investor relations contacts on page 1 of this report or download the PDF format file from the Companys web site at www.buenaventura.com.

(*) Operations wholly owned by Buenaventura

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and related conference call contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements including statements related to the Companys ability to manage its business and liquidity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Companys results of operations, including net revenues, earnings and cash flows, the Companys ability to reduce costs and capital spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic if needed, the Companys balance sheet, liquidity and inventory position throughout and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Companys prospects for financial performance, growth and achievement of its long-term growth algorithm following the COVID-19 pandemic, future dividends and share repurchases.

This press release may also contain forward-looking information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning the Companys, Cerro Verdes costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver, copper and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production, subsidiaries plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic, social and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Companys view with respect to the Companys, Cerro Verdes future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Press Release.
VANCOUVER, BC, July 27, 2023 /CNW/ - Awale Resources Limited ("Awale" or the "Company") (TSXV: ARIC) is pleased to provide an exploration update on the Odienne Project JV in Cote d'Ivoire. With Newmont funding a 3 million USD budget for 2023, the Company has undertaken an aggressive exploration campaign in the first half of the year at Odienne, that has culminated in 4859 m of drilling completed. The Company awaits a strong flow of results from this reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling (DD) which was completed on July 17, 2023.

This drilling followed up on the Sceptre East and Charger discoveries, as well as scout drilling three new targets at Lando, Sceptre Main and BBM (Figure 1).

"Awale has gained significant momentum at Odienne over the first half of 2023, and we look forward to converting this into market traction as the drill results are soon to come. We are excited about the visuals from the follow-up drilling at Sceptre East and Charger and the maiden holes drilled at the Lando, Sceptre Main and BBM Targets.

We eagerly await assay results from this phase of drilling, which will include the holes drilled at Charger which have been reported to contain visible gold. Alongside the follow up drilling at Sceptre East and Charger we expect new breakthroughs from scout drilling at the three new targets drilled, where significant alteration and sulfide mineralization has been intercepted," said Andrew Chubb, Awale Resources CEO.

A summary of completed exploration in the second half of 2023 is as follows:

Two Phases of drilling totaling 4859 m in 33 holes over 5 zones at the Odienne East permit. New discovery at Sceptre East and high grade gold intercepted at Charger in a discovery drilling phase for these targets (see Company news release dated March 29 2023) Assays Pending for Phase 2 and 3 including; Follow up drilling at the Scepter East and Charger targets Scout drilling at three new targets  Lando, Sceptre Main and BBM Results flow expected from early August

Airborne geophysics  Permit wide 100m line spaced detailed magnetic and radiometric survey (see Company news release dated July 13 2021)

Ground geophysics IP  8km 2 of Gradient array and Pole Dipole surveys at Sceptre Main, Sceptre East and Lando Gravity - permit wide 400m x 400m grid (90% complete)



LINK TO FIGURES AND DRILL CORE PHOTOS

Background on the Odienne JV Targets

Charger

Results pending on 1715.5 m of drilling in 11 reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drill (DD) holes. Drilling was planned as follow-up to previously reported OERC-89 and OERC-132. Two of the follow-up holes (OEDD-44 and OEDD-45 ) have intercepted visible gold (see Company news release dated June 21 2023) in step-back drilling to previously reported holes OERC-89 and OERC-132 where drilling targeted intrusive-hosted sulphide mineralization underlying previously untested gossans and new artisanal workings (Figure 2). Significant intercepts from the previously reported drilling included the following (see Company news releases dated March 29 2023 and July 22 2021).

Hole From (m) to (m) Width (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Gram-Metres

Au OERC-89 13 34 21 2.6 19.9 0.075 54.6 Including 14 18 4 5.9 8 0.06 23.6 and 30 33 3 9 89.6 0.37 27 OERC-132 74 106 32 3 6.6 0.17 96 Including 78 82 4 12.4 30 0.7 49.6 Table 1: Drill results from previous drilling phase (reported 29th March 2023 and July 22nd 2021)

Sceptre East

Results pending for follow up drilling of 11 RC and DD holes for 1597.5 m on a previously reported discovery where initial scout drilling focused on an approximately 1km long section of a multi-kilometer combined ground geophysical (Induced Polarization) and soil 'Cu-Au geochemical anomaly' (see Company news release dated March 29 2023). Over 500m x 300 m of open mineralization was recognized during the discovery drilling phase identified at Sceptre East, with all drill holes ending in mineralization (see results previously reported below). This phase of drilling included step out and step back holes from the discovery drilling and has again intercepted copper and molybdenum veining similar to the discovery drilling (Figure 3)

Hole From (m) to (m) Width (m) Cu Eq.* Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) OERC-128 6 126 (EOH) 120 0.29 0.14 0.13 1.5 82 Including 39 52 13 0.43 0.3 0.12 1.6 146 and 78 126 48 0.36 0.11 0.21 2.2 102 OERC-129 11 132 (EOH) 121 0.42 0.21 0.18 2.4 136 Including 30 50 20 0.46 0.3 0.13 1.7 183 and 72 94 22 0.93 0.5 0.43 6.6 171 OERC-130 5 138 (EOH) 133 0.43 0.15 0.13 1.6 312 Including 14 52 38 0.46 0.21 0.13 1.7 284 and 62 90 28 0.48 0.21 0.14 1.9 296.1 * Calculated using Following Prices Au-1737/Oz, Cu 3.6/lb, Ag 21/Oz and Mo 40,000/ tonne (average closing price since 2019) Using the following formula - Cu+0.7Au+0.0087Ag+0.0006Mo Table 2: Drill results from discovery drilling phase (reported 29th March 2023)

Sceptre Main

Results pending for five Scout DD holes completed for 653.5 m (Figure 4). The holes were planned to understand and tenor of high-grade polymetallic mineralization with grades of up to 26.7 g/t Au and 11.0 g/t Au in rock chip sampling* of artisanal working two shear zones that have been mapped over 1.6km of strike. Drilling has intercepted disseminated and quartz vein hosted sulphide mineralization.

Lando

Results pending for two maiden drill holes completed for 249m, targeting a significant NNW trending 4km long by 1.5km wide gold and copper soil geochemical footprint with point highs of 921ppb Au and 0.2% Cu, which aligned with coincident Induced Polarization anomalies (see Company news releases dated August 23 2022 and November 28 2022) . Initial holes targeted surface rock chip sampling and artisanal gold workings consisting of quartz breccias with iron oxide fill (rock chip samples up to 4.8 g/t Au)*. Host rocks are basalts exshibiting high strain and altered to chlorite, silica, epidote with disseminated sulphide and stringer veining up to 3.0 g/t Au*. Drilling has intercepted significant sulphide mineralization with pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite, the quartz breccias seen in surface artisanal workings were not intercepted (Figure 5).

* Rock Chip sampling is selective and not necessarily representative of the overall grade of mineralization for these prospects.

BBM

Results pending for four scout DD holes totaling 644 m on three broad (400 m) spaced sections targeted potential Au-Cu mineralization on a 4km long Cu/Au/Mo geochemical footprint (see Company news release dated October 25 2022). Silica alteration and sulphide mineralization was observed in all holes within in a significant shear zone at an intrusive/sedimentary contact. Sulphides observed include pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite (Figure 6).

Next Steps

As the full wet season is now on us, the team will remain active in logging and interpretation of the recently completed drill program ready for the interpretation and planning of next phase subsequent to the inflow of assay results from the recently completed program . A 400m mesh gravity survey is now 90% complete and is expected to be finished the end of July. Strong news flow is expected to commence in the next weeks as results are returned from the laboratory for the earlier holes drilled at Sceptre East, Sceptre Main, Lando, BBM and the previously reported visible gold at Charger (see Company News release dated June 21 2023).

The Awale-Newmont JV  'Odienne Project JV'

The Odienne Project JV covers one permit and one application within the greater Odienne Copper-Gold Project in the Northwest of Cote d'Ivoire, and is subject to an earn-in agreement with Newmont Ventures Limited ("Newmont"); see Company News Release dated May 31, 2022) through which Newmont retains the option to earn-in to a minimum of 65% interest, from Awale, in the Odienne Project JV in return for USD 15 million of exploration expenditures. Newmont is funding the exploration program and Awale is managing the Odienne Project JV in the initial three-year phase. The budget for 2023 allocated by Newmont for the Odienne Project JV is USD 3 million.

More from Awale Resources

As part of a new and comprehensive marketing strategy emphasising our presence on social media platforms, we invite you to connect with us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel, as well click on the following links that have been released in recent weeks.

1. Awale Resources CEO Andrew Chubb leads a webinar that explains Awale's renewed focus on defining a new world-class copper-gold district in West Africa: https://bit.ly/43IV5HF

2. Awale Resources CEO Andrew Chubb speaks to journalist Thomas Warner about the latest developments at the Company's Odienne copper-gold project in West Africa's Cote d'Ivoire: https://bit.ly/3OetDM6

3. Awale Resources CEO Andrew Chubb speaks to director Stephen Stewart about the story and vision behind the Odienne project: https://bit.ly/3rKe3R1

Awale is looking forward to keeping stakeholders and interested parties well informed through informative and helpful content on these and other platforms.

About Awale Resources

Awale is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits. The Company currently undertakes exploration activities in the underexplored parts of Cote d'Ivoire. Awale's exploration success to date has culminated in a fully funded earn-in Joint Venture with Newmont covering one permit and one application (the "Odienne Project JV") within the greater Odienne Copper-Gold Project in the Northwest of Cote d'Ivoire, where three significant gold and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum discoveries have been made. The Sceptre East and Charger discoveries have significant scope for growth with future discovery and resource development drilling. The project has multiple pipeline prospects that have similar geochemical fingerprints to Iron Oxide Copper Gold ("IOCG") and intrusive related mineral systems. The 400km2 of granted tenure and 400km2 under application remains underexplored and offers significant upside potential. The Odienne Project JV forms a solid foundation for the Company to continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district scale discoveries.

Quality Control and Assurance

Analytical work for drill samples is being carried out at the independent Intertek Laboratories in Ghana and Australia Ltd. an ISO 17025 (2017) Certified Laboratory. Samples are stored at the Company's field camps and put into sealed bags until collected by Intertek from the Company's secure Odienne office and transported by Intertek to their preparation laboratory in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire for preparation. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried, and pulverized to greater than 85%, passing a 75-micron screen. Two pulps are prepared from each sample with one stream to Intertek Ghana for fire assay and a second to Australia where the sample is analysed by 52 element ICP/MS with an Aqua Regia digest. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference material (standards) are being used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis.

Mineralized Interval Calculations

Significant intervals reported in this news release are calculated downhole length weighted intercepts. For the Sceptre target broad mineralised intervals are calculated using a 0.05%Cu lower cut grade with 10 m of internal included waste, higher grade intervals are calculated using a combination of 0.1%Cu and 0.15g/t Au with 10m and 5m of internal waste respectively. For the Charger target initial intervals are calculated at a 0.2g/t interval including 3m of internal waste. Included intervals are at a 5g/t Au cut off with no waste. True widths are unknown as all reported intervals are from RC drilling with a limited number of holes for each prospect.

Qualified Person

The technical and scientific information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved for release by Andrew Chubb, the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr Chubb is the Company's Chief Executive Officer and holds an Economic Geology degree, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and is a Member of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr Chubb has over 18 years of experience in international mineral exploration and mining project evaluation.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

AWALE RESOURCES LIMITED

"Andrew Chubb"

Andrew Chubb, CEO

For additional information you are invited to visit the Awale Resources Limited website at www.awaleresources.com, or contact Andrew Chubb CEO (+356) 99139117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding, the Company's presence in Cote d'Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements under the Newmont JV, works on other properties, planned drilling, commencement of operations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than 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 release.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Champion Electric Metals Inc. (CSE: LTHM) (OTCQB: GLDRF) (FSE: 1QB0) ("Champion Electric" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company executed an agreement to acquire the Griesbach Lithium Project (the "Acquisition") located in the pegmatite-rich Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory of Quebec. The newly acquired claims are within the Company's existing property package (see Figure 1).

Champion Electric now controls 1036 claims representing 529.17 km2 in James Bay.

Figure 1: Property Location Map Including New Claims*

As part of the agreement, Champion Electric acquired 55 claims for 1,700,000 common shares of the Company. Half of the common share consideration included in the agreement incorporate a voluntary escrow of 18 months from the date of issuance. Additionally, the Vendors retain a 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR"). The Company has the option to repurchase 1% of the NSR from the Vendors for $1 million.

*The Projects are at an early stage of exploration, and the Company cautions that the qualified persons who have reviewed and approved this news release have not verified scientific or technical information produced by third parties, and proximity to projects containing lithium resources offers no assurance that the rock types or lithium resources reported by Patriot and others extend onto the Projects and such proximity is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization reported by third parties with projects in the district.

Qualified Person

Patrick Highsmith, Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG CPG # 11702) and director of the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Highsmith has helped prepare, reviewed, and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Champion Electric Metals Inc.

Champion Electric is a discovery-focused exploration company that is committed to advancing its highly prospective lithium properties in Quebec, Canada and cobalt properties in Idaho, United States. In addition, the Company owns the Baner gold project in Idaho County and the Champagne polymetallic project in Butte County near Arco.

The Company's shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol "LTHM", on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "GLDRF", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "1QB0". Champion Electric strives to be a responsible environmental steward, stakeholder and contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates, taking its social license seriously, employing local community members and service providers at its operations whenever possible.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF CHAMPION ELECTRIC

"Jonathan Buick"

Jonathan Buick, President and CEO

To learn more, please visit the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or the Company's corporate website at www.champem.com.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations and Communications

Phone: (416) 567-9087

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Statements with respect to completion of the private placement financing of the expected size or at all, the expected closing date, obtaining the necessary approvals to complete the financing and the Company's expected work programs in 2023 are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company, including discussions with investors and other participants in the private placement. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, including that the Company including but not limited the risk that market conditions, commodity prices, or other circumstances can affect the Company's ability to complete the financing, as well as other risks with respect to the Company described in the Company's public disclosure filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA) (the "Company" or "Origen") is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Cubitt to its Board of Directors. With a 30-year track record in the natural resource industry, Mr. Cubitt brings extensive experience as a founder, sell-side dealer, and buy-side institutional investor. He holds executive and board positions in both private and publicly-traded companies, most recently as CEO and then non-executive director of Solis Minerals Ltd. Previously, Mr. Cubitt served as the director of investments for Vertus Investment Advisory and co-founded Ascenta Asset Management, where he held the position of managing director.

Gary Schellenberg, President and CEO of Origen, stated, "Mr. Cubitt's diverse and complimentary skill set adds significant value to our team and we extend a warm welcome as he joins Origen."

Jason Cubitt responded, "Gary has created a first-class portfolio of projects in Origen, including two lithium projects that represent the state-of-the-art in extending known lithium districts. I look forward to working with the team to bring these assets greater investor attention."

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,

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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to report results from seven drill holes targeting the Palos Verdes vein on the property of the same name located in the Panuco district in Mexico.

Highlights

PV-23-25:

This hole intersected 11,520 g/t Ag equivalent over 0.5 meters (3,100 g/t Ag, 102 g/t Au and 0.26% Zn) This intercept is part of a wider mineralized interval with 4,311 g/t Ag equivalent over 1.35 meters (1157 g/t Ag, 38 g/t Au and 0.1% Zn)

(3,100 g/t Ag, 102 g/t Au and 0.26% Zn) A second interval higher in the hole yielded 512 g/t Ag equivalent over 0.3 meter (384 g/t Ag, 1.36 g/t Au and 0.27% Zn).

Hole PV-23-24:

This hole intercepted 1,234 g/t g/t Ag equivalent over 0.7 meter (60 g/t Ag, 11.9 g/t Au and 3.9% Zn) This interval is within a wider 2.6-meter interval with 384 g/t Ag equivalent (32 g/t Ag, 3.3 g/t Au and 1.57% Zn)

(60 g/t Ag, 11.9 g/t Au and 3.9% Zn) A second interval higher in the hole yielded 302 g/t Ag equivalent over 1.2. meters (95 g/t Ag, 1.84 g/t Au and 1.2% Zn).

Hole PV-23-20:

This hole intercepted 189 g/t g/t Ag equivalent over 0.9 meters (58 g/t Ag and 1.58 g/t Au) and is the first mineralized intercept in the northeastern portion of the concession.

The Company is conducting a 2,500-meter drill program at the property, which is contiguous to the Panuco silver-gold project of Vizsla Silver Corp. ("Vizsla") (TSXV: VZLA). The Palos Verdes vein originates on Vizsla's concession to the south-west of the Palos Verdes concession and has 750 meter of strike length on Prismo's ground (Fig. 1).

"We are excited to report these high-grade mineralization intercepts at Palos Verdes. What makes these results even more significant is that they come from drill sites that were not previously accessible for drilling," said Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO of the Company. "Previous drilling in the southwest portion of the vein had intersected high grade mineralization with the best intercept of 2,336 g/t Ag and 8.42 g.t Au over a true width estimated at 0.8 meters within a larger mineralized interval with 1,098 g/t Ag and 3.75 g/t Au over a true width of 2.3 meters (see Prismo's news release dated September 30, 2020)."

Dr. Gibson added: "Holes 24 and 25 were drilled underneath the body of mineralized vein defined by our previous drill campaigns and have further extended the zone of high-grade mineralization. Holes drilled near the northeastern limit of the concession and vein outcrop seem to confirm the interpretation that this area has been down-dropped along the northwesterly striking fault zone that crosses the center of the Palos Verdes concession, and provides information that will allow targeting by deeper drilling."

"Given the encouraging results announced today, Prismo will shortly be finalizing plans to at least double the number of meters of drilling at Palos Verdes," said Alain Lambert, Executive Chairman of Prismo. "Any decision we make will include the advice and recommendations of the Joint Technical Committee formed as part of the strategic investment completed by Vizsla in January. The Joint Technical Committee is comprised of our CEO, Vizsla's VP Exploration Jesus Velador and Dr. Peter Megaw."

"The results announced today by Prismo clearly reaffirm the great potential of the Panuco district. Of particular interest is that the multiple high-grade mineralized intercepts announced are from the northeast part of the district where little exploration has been conducted by Vizsla to date, paving the way to potential discoveries," said Micheal Konnert, President and CEO of Vizsla Silver. "Vizsla owns a right-of-first-refusal on the Palos Verdes project. We look forward to the recommendations of the Joint Technical Committee and seeing Prismo expand its exploration footprint in this promising part of the Panuco district."





Figure 1. Geologic and drill hole map of the Palos Verdes and adjacent concessions.

Table 1. Assays for drill holes in the current program

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) Est True width (m) Au

(g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu

(%) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Ag eq (g/t) New from this release PV-19 Anomalous Ag PV-20 2.99 3.90 0.91 0.90 1.58 58 - 0.01 0.01 189 36.80 37.00 0.20 0.20 0.21 53 - - 0.01 71 PV-21 Anomalous Au & Ag PV-22 No significant values Pv-23 No significant values PV-24 120.05 123.90 2.85 2.00 0.87 43 0.07 0.04 1.46 178 Incl. 121.40 122.60 1.20 0.84 1.84 95 0.05 0.05 1.26 302 150.22 152.85 2.63 1.83 3.30 32 0.14 0.40 1.57 384 Incl. 150.22 150.92 0.70 0.49 11.9 60 0.20 0.75 3.93 1,234 PV-25 78.70 79.00 0.30 - 1.36 384 0.11 0.15 0.27 512 134.10 135.45 1.35 - 38.2 1,157 0.08 0.06 0.10 4,311 Incl. 134.60 135.10 0.50 - 102 3,100 0.20 0.17 0.26 11,520

Silver equivalent values are calculated using the following metals prices: Au, US$1,750/oz, Ag, $21.24/oz, Pb, $0.97/lb and Zn, $1.34/lb. Cu was not used in the calculation, and metallurgical recoveries were not considered as there is no data available for the Palos Verdes vein. True width estimated from hole inclination and estimated vein dip, where known.

Table 2. Drill hole data for holes from the current program.

Hole Target

Easting

Northing

Elev

Azim

Incl

Depth (m)

PV-23-19 NE block 414,023 2,593,310 1,313 326 -44 93.00 PV-23-20 NE block 414,049 2,593,296 1,296 324 -59 201.00 PV-23-21 NE block 414,004 2,593,260 1,294 330 -45 160.00 PV-23-22 NE block 414,008 2,593,262 1,294 330 -60 129.00 PV-23-23 NE block 413,963 2,593,219 1,261 300 -45 144.00 PV-23-24 PV vein 413,806 2,593,118 1,226 315 -70 201.00 PV-23-25 PV vein 413806 2593083 1236 320 -68 258.00

Coordinates in UTM WGS84 using handheld Garmin GPS.

The Company started the current drill program at the northeastern portion of the surface exposure of the Palos Verdes vein where it is believed that the mineralization has been offset downward. The first holes also target hangingwall splits off of the main vein. In general, precious metal values are low but anomalous in this area, probably due to the high structural level of the drill intercepts. However, hole PV-23-20 intersected 189 g/t over 0.91 meters in one of the hangingwall splits. This drilling provides important information on the vein orientations that will aid drilling at a deeper level where metals values are expected to be higher.

The veining with the high-grade intercept in hole PV-25 was cut at a shallower depth than programmed, and the vein may have been affected by the northwest trending fault or may be part of a separate shallowly dipping vein. Further drilling is planned to offset this intercept and determine the orientation of the vein. Several additional holes are planned to explore the gap in drilling along the southwester portion of the Palos Verdes vein between 13 and 15.



Figure 2. Cross section showing interpreted Palos Verdes vein and drill holes mentioned in this news release.

Figure 3. Longitudinal vein projection showing Ag equivalent intervals in drill holes and interpreted mineralized shoot.

The Company has granted 815,000 incentive stock options (the "Options"), 525,000 stock appreciation rights (the "SARs"), and 525,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company subject to certain vesting requirements. Each Option is exercisable upon vesting into one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") at a price equal to the greater of (i) $0.285 and (ii) the closing market price of the Company's shares on the CSE on July 28, 2023 (the "Grant Pricing"), for a period of five years from July 27, 2023. Upon vesting, each SAR entitles the holder to receive Common Shares in an amount equal to the difference between the Grant Pricing and the closing market price of the Common Shares on the settlement date, for a period of five years from July 27, 2023. Each vested RSU entitles the holder to receive one Common Share. All grants of Options, SARs, and RSUs are subject to the Company's long-term performance incentive plan (the "Incentive Plan"), which was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on September 29, 2022 (the "Meeting"). A copy of the Incentive Plan is included in the Company's management information circular in respect of the Meeting dated August 31, 2022 available via the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

QA/QC

Samples taken by Prismo are analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods internationally recognized analytical service providers. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material are inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals.

Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

About Palos Verdes

The Palos Verdes project is located in the historic Panuco-Copala silver-gold district in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, approximately 65 kilometers NE of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, in the Municipality of Concordia. The Palos Verdes concession (claim) covers 700 meters of strike length of the Palos Verdes vein, a member of the north-easterly trending vein family located in the eastern part of the district outside of the area of modern exploration. Shallow drilling (<100m) conducted in 2018 on the Palos Verdes Vein was targeted 30 to 50 meters beneath largely barren vein outcrops and cut a well mineralized multistage vein two to seven metres wide with narrow intervals of high-grade precious metal values and subordinate base metals (see table of intercepts at www.prismometals.com). This mineralization is open in all directions and the currently planned drilling program is designed to follow it along strike and to depth.

About Prismo

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia).

Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

Contact:

Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM) (FSE:FIRA) (OTCQX:PMMCF) advises that the Option granted to Austral Gold Limited (ASX:AGD)(TSXV:AGLD) ("Austral" or the "Company") whereby Austral could acquire up to an 80% interest in the Morros Blancos property held by Pampa, as detailed in a July 28, 2021 news release, has expired.

During the term of the option agreement, Austral completed exploration activities to the value of approximately US$1.6 million across both the Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco properties.

Pampa Metals looks forward to advancing Morros Blancos as part of its broader, 100% owned portfolio.

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE:FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCF) exchanges and wholly owns a portfolio of projects highly prospective for copper, molybdenum and gold along proven and highly productive mineral belts in Chile, the world's largest copper producer.

Following recent drilling of the Buenavista Target in June 2023, Pampa Metals is seeking to further evaluate the Block 4 project via a joint venture partnership and will shift its focus to the acquisition, exploration and development of a more advanced stage copper project(s) with significant scale potential. Preferred jurisdictions are Chile or Peru (the world's largest copper producers) where the application of the Company's technical and commercial expertise in exploration, resource delineation and feasibility studies can be applied to creating significant value for shareholders. High quality copper projects in other jurisdictions which meet our criteria will be assessed on an opportunistic basis.www.pampametals.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

INVESTORS CONTACT

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.
July 27, 2023  TheNewswire  Vancouver, BC - Tribeca Resources Corporation (TSXV:TRBC) (OTC:TRRCF) (Tribeca Resources, the Company) is pleased to announce results from extension geophysical surveying (Induced Polarization - IP) at the Gaby discovery, which is part of the La Higuera IOCG project in northern Chile. The results provide new chargeability anomalies that significantly extend the chargeable zone at Gaby to the north, providing encouragement that recently intersected mineralization continues beyond the limits of current drilling.

Highlights:

Two lines of extension IP geophysical surveying at the northern end of the Gaby IOCG target have returned significant IP chargeability anomalism, up to 26 mV/V in inverted data, consistent with the presence of disseminated sulphide minerals. The new data extends the chargeable zone at Gaby by an additional 600m to the north.

The eastern line (1400E) also identified a promising coincident low resistivity  high chargeability anomaly at its southern end, which presents a strong drill target, and is located in the vicinity of small historic pits hosting both oxide and chalcopyrite copper mineralization.

This IP survey was designed to test the area to the north of the Gaby discovery, where ground magnetic and gravity anomalism are present, but not coincident. Chargeability anomalism consistent with sulphide mineralization has been recorded adjacent to the previously reported 1mGal gravity anomaly. This data is supportive of mineralization intersected in the northernmost hole of the last program (e.g. 264m @ 0.31% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au in GBY007) continuing further to the north.

Tribeca Resources CEO, Dr Paul Gow commented:

These are excellent results from the extension IP surveying at Gaby, which significantly extend the one-kilometre-long chargeability anomaly we have been successfully drilling.

Off the back of our recently announced financing, we are now preparing for the Phase 2 drill program in which we will drill further north under cover and attempt to expand the known size of this copper-gold system.

IP Geophysical Survey

The IP survey comprised two lines, for 4.4 line-kilometres, located approximately 650 metres apart (Figure 1). The survey lines were configured in a NNE orientation (025), slightly oblique to the north-south lines historically surveyed in the area, in order to avoid additional infrastructure (a road upgrade and new transmission powerline) erected in the area since the original surveying in 2004-2008.

The survey used a 100m pole-dipole array and utilized a n=1 to 20 configuration that nominally represents a greater depth penetration than previous surveying at the target in 2004-2008, which utilized a n=1 to 6 configuration. The survey was undertaken by the same contractor that completed the original survey.

Line 750E

Line 750E hosts an 800m long +20 mV/V chargeability anomaly, peaking at 26 mV/V in the inverted data. The resistivity inversion indicates a resistive basement in this zone, beneath a highly conductive horizontal layer that represents the gravel cover and weathered top of basement.

Importantly, this line indicates that the 20 mV/V chargeable anomalism defined in the historical surveying continues to the north. The two drillholes that have pierced this cross-section (GBY006 and GBY007) are on the flank of and within the southern portion of the anomaly, with both intersecting significant copper-gold mineralization.

This chargeability anomaly represents a strong drill target and given the NNE orientation of the survey line there is also potential that the mineralization drilled to date may also expand, or trend, towards the east off the current north-south zone drilled to date.

Line 1400E

Line 1400E hosts a strong coincident chargeability and low resistivity anomaly at its southern end. The geometry of the anomaly suggests a potentially north-dipping low resistivity zone. Drilling in the two holes to the west, 30-60m off-section, encountered intervals of copper mineralization towards the end of the holes (e.g. 22m @ 0.15% Cu in RCH-LH-12 and 14m @ 0.24% Cu in RCH-LH-10). These coincident chargeability and low resistivity anomalies represent a new drill target well east of Tribecas drilling to date.

The northern end of Line 1400E hosts a chargeability anomaly of 17-19 mV/V amplitude (Error! Reference source not found.), evident over approximately 450m length of the line. It is not known if this is related to the highly chargeable zone in the northern end of Line 750E.

Together the two new lines of IP data provide strong encouragement for the extension of mineralization to the north of current drilling and provide an additional target to the east of the main Gaby trend.

Figure 1. Location of the IP lines surveyed in this program (750E and 1400E).

Notes on geophysical surveying

The Induced Polarization (IP) surveying reported here was completed by Argali Geofisica E.I.R.L., which is a longstanding and reputable Chilean geophysical contracting and consulting company. The IP data were acquired with the pole-dipole array and a dipole spacing of 100 m expanded through 20 separations (n= 1 to 20). A time-domain waveform with a frequency of 0.125 Hz was employed. Survey location was determined by handheld GPS using the Prov. S. America 1956 (mean) datum, which has been converted by the Company to the WGS84 datum.

Qualified Person

All scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared by, or approved by, Dr. Paul Gow, who is the CEO of Tribeca Resources. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG), a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM) and a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

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, have 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.

Tribeca Resources flagship property is the La Higuera IOCG project that comprises 4,147 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 Resources 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 Services 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.

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", believe, "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 drilling program, the ability of the Company to develop and define a suitable resource at the La Higuera IOCG project and the relationship between geophysical survey results and potential mineralization.

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.
DENVER, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQB: ARRNF | FSE:1BHA) (ARR or the Company) is pleased to announce Donald S. Swartz II has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company effective August 1. Mr. Swartz will lead the Company from ARR's new corporate headquarters to be based in the Denver, CO area. ARR is building its presence in the United States and has selected Denver as its head office due to its proximity to its flagship operation in Halleck Creek, Wyoming.

Mr. Swartz has over 20 years of leadership experience in the domestic and international resource sector. He is a highly skilled mining professional with a proven track record of success in developing and executing strategies that resulted in creating new business opportunities in the mining industry with significant revenue growth.

Donald is the right leader for American Rare Earths to lead the Company at this critical time, says Creagh OConnor, Chairman, American Rare Earths. His extensive experience in mining and as a proven leader will be invaluable as we develop and execute our plans to capitalize on the tremendous value inherent in ARR's rare earth operations in the United States. Donald will report directly to the board and work with Melissa Mel Sanderson, President North America, to lead the company in the next phase of development.

Mr. Swartz is taking over from Chris Gibbs who has served the Company as CEO for almost two years. Mr. Gibbs will continue as a Non-Executive Director and consultant based in Australia, his extensive knowledge and North American mining expertise will assist Mr. Swartz in the transition.

Mr. OConnor takes this opportunity to thank Chris for his efforts in advancing the world-class Halleck Creek project through the Maiden JORC Resource process and fast-tracking further exploration in that region. We look forward to him continuing as a Non-Executive Director and on behalf of the Board and all staff, I wish him the very best as he chooses to spend more time with his growing family in Australia.

I am excited to be joining American Rare Earths at this crucial time, says Donald Swartz. The Company is uniquely positioned to take a lead in the development of rare earths in the US and become a prominent leader in the global rare earths market. I look forward to driving the commercialization of the Companys significant rare earth assets and working, along with Mel, to make American Rare Earths a successful company.

Before joining American Rare Earths, Mr. Swartz was Senior Vice President for Vista Energy Holdings, which developed two mining projects, both now fully operational in Alberta and Nova Scotia, Canada. He has also held various leadership roles with Westmoreland Coal Company, including Chief Commercial Officer, SVP of Commercial, Sales and Marketing, VP Sales and Marketing, VP of Business Development. Mr. Swartz has also held leadership roles with John T. Boyd Company and Consol Energy. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Denver University and a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from West Virginia University.

This announcement has been authorized for release by the Board of American Rare Earths.

About American Rare Earths Limited:

American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQB: ARRNF | FSE: 1BHA) is a leading explorer and developer of rare earth elements with a strong focus on developing sustainable and cost-effective extraction and processing methods. To meet the rapidly increasing demand for resources essential to the clean energy transition, American Rare Earths is developing its 100% owned magnet metals projects, Halleck Creek in Wyoming and La Paz in Arizona, both with the potential to be among North Americas largest rare earth deposits. The Company is concurrently evaluating other exploration opportunities while collaborating with US Government supported R&D to develop a sustainable domestic supply chain for the renewable future.

Head Office

Suite 706 Level 7, 89 York St.

Sydney, NSW 2000

Tel 612 8054 9779

GPO Box 1546

Sydney NSW 2001

US Mail

c/o Western Rare Earths

514 Grand Avenue #371

Laramie, WY 82070

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americanrareearths.com.au

For media inquiries, please contact:

Susan Assadi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

347 977 7125
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (Alaska Energy Metals or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement of units (the Units) for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,445,000 (the Offering). The Offering was led by Emerging Equities Inc. as lead agent (the Lead Agent), on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners, Red Cloud Securities Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. (together with the Lead Agent, the Agents).

The Company issued a total of 16,112,500 Units at a price of $0.40 per Unit. Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase an additional Common Share (each, a Warrant Share) at a price of $0.80 until July 27, 2025.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be allocated as follows: drilling at the Eureka Zone of the Nikolai project in Alaska ($3,500,000), metallurgical studies ($500,000), marketing ($1,000,000), property acquisitions ($500,000) and general corporate purposes ($465,339). The Company may allocate the net proceeds of the Offering in such priority and proportions as the board of directors or management of the Company determines is in the best interest of the Company.

The Company paid the Agents a cash commission of $403,100 and issued 1,007,751 compensation options (the Compensation Options). Each Compensation Option entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Shares at a price of $0.60 until July 27, 2025.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance under applicable Canadian securities laws.

About Alaska Energy Metals

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, palladium and gold. Located in development-friendly central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the intended use of proceeds. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

This news release does not constitute an offer for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, in the United States or to any U.S Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act)) of any equity or other securities of the Company. The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom.
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has prohibited live coverage and publication of images in the corruption case against state minister for Karamoja Affair Agnes Nandutu.

The order has been issued by Justice Jane Kajuga Okuo following an application by state Attorney David Bisamunyu, asking court to regulate media coverage.

He says the right to information should be balanced to protect their two witnesses.

While delivering her ruling, tOkuo said the witnesses may be intimidated and cause a miscarriage of justice, adding that the press is only free to listen and get audio.

Nandutu is accused of participating in the diversion of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja sub-region.

Nandutu, who doubles as the Woman Member of Parliament for Bududa district is battling charges of dealing with suspect property.

Prosecution states that during the month of June 2022 at the office of the Prime Ministers Stores in Namanve and Kkola cell Bulwanyi Parish Mukono district, the minister dealt with 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets of guage 28 by receiving and holding the said government property.

That Nandutu had reason to believe that the iron sheets were acquired as a result of loss of public property an offense under the Anti-Corruption Act.
Buganda Road Magistrates Court has ordered police to immediately arrest former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Lubega Mukaaku for failing to appear in court.

This follows their failure to appear in court on Thursday for further hearing of their case in which they are accused of inciting violence.

Their lawyer, Mr Matovu Musa told court on Thursday that his clients are out of the country but senior state prosecutor Ivan Kyazze objected to his plea, saying there is no proof to that effect which prompted the trial Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza to issue an arrest warrant against the duo.

According to court documents, Besigye and Mukaaku are to be produced in court on August 27, 2023.

The duo was arrested demonstrating against the sky-rocking commodity prices in Kampala and later granted bail. They pleaded not guilty to one count of incitement to violence which prosecution contended was committed on June 14, 2022, at Kikuubo Shawurayako in Kampala City.

Today we received a ruling whereby the trial Magistrate said that the two accused persons [Besigye and Mukaaku] should be arrested. A warrant of arrest was issued against them and criminal summons were issued against all their sureties. To me, Im seeing it as an irregular ruling because I intimated to the trial Magistrate that the matter had lost track on the 27th day of February 2023, their lawyer Matovu Musa said on Thursday.

It is alleged that the accused without any unlawful excuse at an assembly addressed members of the public implying that it would be desirable for them to demonstrate, yet it could result in violence and destruction of property.
Hearing of the corruption case against state minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu is expected to kick off today.

Nandutu is expected to appear before Anti-corruption Court Judge Jane Kajuga Okuo. She is accused of participating in the diversion of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja sub-region.

Nandutu, also Woman Member of Parliament for Bududa district is battling charges of dealing with suspect property.

Her co-accused include the Minister for Karamoja Affairs Gorreti Kitutu, and Finance state minister Amos Lugoloobi among other senior government officials.

Prosecution states that during the month of June 2022 at the office of the Prime Ministers Stores in Namanve and Kkola Cell Bulwanyi Parish Mukono district, Nandutu dealt with 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets gauge 28 by receiving and holding the said government property.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of 2.8 million US dollars from Norway to support over 32,000 refugees and members of the host community in Uganda.

The cash is expected to help provide basic food needs as they transition from humanitarian assistance to self-reliance.

Abdirahman Meygag, WFPs country director in Uganda says severe funding shortfalls and rising costs of food and energy are forcing thousands of refugees in Uganda to survive on less than a third of the food they need.

The support is possible through WFPs Refugee Self-Reliance Transition Model in Uganda, where moderately vulnerable refugees receive information, skills, financial training, climate-smart agricultural inputs such as early maturing and drought-tolerant seeds, and mechanization support to strengthen livelihood activities and enable self-reliance.

The Refugee Self-Reliance Transition Model will run for three years and will be implemented in Oruchinga, Nakivaale, Bidibidi, and Lobule refugee settlements in the first year.

Uganda hosts more than 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
By Kevin Githuku

Phaneroo Ministries International, a Kampala-based born-again church is seeking a Guinness World Record for Uganda.

The church is set to host a hand-clapping session that will last three hours non-stop this Sunday in a bid to break the Guinness World Record of the longest applause, dubbed Clap for Jesus.

The longest applause recorded so far is 2 hours 5 min, by Clark Stevens during what was dubbed; The Festival of Awesomeness in the United Kingdom in July 2019 which was organized to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of remembering to celebrate all achievements, no matter how big or small.

Speaking to Journalists at Phaneroo Ministries Internationals head office in Kampala earlier today, Pastor Rohi Bright said the applause session is also aimed at thanking God for their 9-year milestone as a ministry.

Apostle Grace Lubega together with his team are set to break the world record of the longest applause that has ever happened in the world and we are looking forward to breaking that record but for the Glory of the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, said. Pastor Rohi

Joe Rwabose, the organizations team member further confirms that the event will be manned by professional observers from the Guinness World Record Organization, as well as professional timekeepers, cameras, and others to ensure they hit the three-hour mark uninterrupted.

If broken, this will be the second Guinness World Record for Uganda with the first being the largest ever made chapati rolex weighing around 205 KGs.
The murder case against a police officer who is accused of murdering Mr. Uttam Bhandari Saremalan, an Indian money lender has been further remanded to Luzira prison.

This is after prosecution led by Ivan Kyazze informed Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and promised court to commit him during the next sitting session.

This prompted the presiding magistrate to adjourn the case until August 24, 2023, for committal.

Prosecution alleges that Police Constable Ivan Wabwire, a resident of CPS Kampala police Barracks on May 12, 2023, at Raja Chambers along Parlimanetary Avenue in Kampala with malice aforethought unlawfully killed Uttam Bhandari Saremal by shooting.
Seamus Foley has just published a new poetry book called Among the Wildflowers alongside co-authors Delia Tobin and Sally-Anne Watson Kane.

Seamus poems take us from the Kilkenny of his youth through to his experiences and observations of people and nature in Victoria.

Sally-Annes poems journey through her Australian childhood, adolescence and family history in Central Victoria to the Latrobe Valley, mountains, bushland and beaches of Gippsland.

When Delia was asked how the book came about, she replied, I met Seamus Foley at the Celtic Music Festival, in Koroit. Seamus was also part of the Poetry Editing Group Gippsland (PEGG) which Sally-Anne hosted. Covid hit and this forced the Group to go online. Thats when I joined the group and met Sally-Anne. I was delighted for the opportunity for all of us to work together.

The three poets decided not only to workshop and edit their poems but to work towards compiling a book together. Among the Wildflowers is the result of that collaboration.

The Lark in the Clear Air is about Sunday morning growing up in Ireland listening to Ciaran Mac Mathuna on RTE 1, getting ready for Mass. This was the theme tune to the radio programme and it brings back so many memories of my father, it was the inspiration for this poem, said Delia.

The book will be launched in Australia at the Mornington Library on August 12, 2023.

Events - Mornington Peninsula Libraries (mornpen.vic.gov.au)

If you would like to order a copy of Among the Wildflowers 20 please email: deliatobin@icloud.com
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(Kitco News) - Prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) asked the judge presiding over FTX founder Sam Bankman-Frieds criminal trial to revoke his bail and jail him on Wednesday, saying he crossed a line by allegedly trying to intimidate a witness.

Prosecutor Danielle Sassoon told U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan at a hearing in Manhattan federal court that the former crypto CEO has had over 1,000 phone calls with journalists. But last week, the DoJ filed a complaint against Bankman-Fried accusing him of leaking the private diary of former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison in an effort to discredit her as a witness.

The court filing submitted by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on July 20 accused Bankman-Fried of sharing Ellisons journal and other personal writings with a New York Times reporter for an article published that same day, characterizing the leak as an attempt to interfere with a fair trial by an impartial jury.

Ellison became a government witness in December, and she had a tumultuous partnership with SBF spanning several years that was both romantic and professional.

This latest incident is an escalation of an ongoing campaign with the press that has now crossed a line, Sassoon said of the Ellison article. No set of release conditions can ensure the safety of the community.

She also said she is concerned about what Bankman-Fried may have told Michael Lewis, the author of financial true-crime best-sellers Liars Poker and The Big Short, who will be releasing a book about FTX around the time that the fall trial is scheduled to begin.

One of the purposes of the court hearing on Wednesday was to consider what Kaplan called the adequacy and continuation of the current bail conditions. Bankman-Fried has been confined to his parents' home in Palo Alto, California since his extradition from the Bahamas in December, apart from legal and health-related appointments.

Bankman-Frieds lawyer Mark Cohen told Judge Kaplan that his client was merely trying to protect his reputation, and that it "really would be almost impossible" to prepare for the upcoming trial if his client were jailed. Cohen asked that the judge deny the application and put forth an order, however strict the court determines is required, so we can just put this issue behind us.

The New York Times article featured excerpts Ellisons writings where she admits to feeling overwhelmed by her leadership role at Alameda Research, and describes the pain and frustration she felt from her fights and break-ups with Bankman-Fried while continuing to live and work closely with him.

Prosecutors had already asked the judge to bar Bankman-Fried from making public statements that could interfere with the case in the past.

In last weeks filing, Williams described as particularly pernicious Bankman-Frieds decision to use the Times to publicize the information. Having the story appear in a reputable newspaper with a worldwide readership without identifying the defendant as the source lends a misleading patina of legitimacy to what would otherwise be naked advocacy, compounding the risk of tainting prospective jurors, he wrote. In addition to tainting the jury pool, the effect, if not the intent, of the defendants conduct is not only to harass Ellison, but also to deter other potential trial witnesses from testifying.

The complaint asserts that the government is particularly attuned to these concerns after the defendants improper outreach to a potential witness resulted in the modification of his bail conditions, referring to SBFs attempts to communicate with Ryne Miller, General Counsel of FTX US, through both email and Signal on Jan. 15.

Bankman-Frieds trial on the initial set of criminal charges is scheduled to begin on Oct. 2, 2023.
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(Kitco News) - BlackRock continues to engage with the blockchain industry as the worlds largest asset manager announced a new partnership with Indias Jio Financial Services Limited to form Jio BlackRock.

Jio BlackRock is a 50:50 joint venture that combines the respective strengths and trusted brands of BlackRock and JFS to deliver tech-enabled access to affordable, innovative investment solutions for millions of investors in India, BlackRock said in a press release.

The new venture will combine BlackRocks expertise in investment management, risk management, technology, operations, and intellectual capital around markets with JFS local market knowledge, digital infrastructure capabilities, and execution capabilities to introduce a new player to the India market with a unique combination of scope, scale, and resources.

The two firms are looking to attract initial investments of $150 million each in the joint venture. Jio BlackRock plans to launch operations once it receives the required regulatory and statutory approvals.

India represents an enormously important opportunity, said Rachel Lord, Chair and Head of APAC at BlackRock. The convergence of rising affluence, favourable demographics, and digital transformation across industries is reshaping the market in incredible ways.

We are very excited to be partnering with JFS to revolutionize Indias asset management industry and transform financial futures, she added. Jio BlackRock will place the combined strength and scale of both of our companies in the hands of millions of investors in India.

Hitesh Sethia, President and CEO of JFS, said Jio BlackRock will be a truly transformational, customer-centric and digital-first enterprise with the vision to democratize access to financial investment solutions and deliver financial well-being to the doorstep of every Indian.

India has maintained a hard-line stance toward the blockchain industry, adopting a slow, measured approach to regulation and integration.

In February, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Indias 2023 budget, which left in place the crypto tax rules established the year prior that levy a 30% tax on all crypto profits and a 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) on all crypto transactions.

In addition to maintaining the high taxes, the government also added stipulations that could potentially lead to a fine or jail time for non-compliance with the TDS provision. The fine would be equivalent to the tax liability of the transaction while offenders also risk the possibility of spending up to 84 months in jail for failure to comply.

In March, the Indian government officially added digital asset-related activities to the list of behaviors that must follow anti-money laundering (AML) rules, which means crypto exchanges, NFT marketplaces and custody service wallet providers are now legally responsible for monitoring suspicious financial activities.

All businesses that facilitate digital asset transactions are required to register with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and comply with other mandatory processes under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

As part of the requirements of the PMLA, financial institutions are obligated to maintain a record of all transactions for the last ten years, provide these records to officials on demand, and verify the identity of all clients.

And in its role as president of the G-20, India is working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to develop a regulatory approach for cryptocurrencies. During an interview in February, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the G-20 is looking to establish a set of global standard operating procedures that can be agreed upon by member nations for the regulation of crypto assets.
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(Kitco News) - The U.S. House Financial Services Committee approved a pair of crypto-related bills on Wednesday, setting the stage for a full vote in the House that could finally deliver some regulatory clarity for the countrys blockchain industry.

A majority of lawmakers on the Committee voted in favor of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT for the 21st Century Act) and the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act in legislative sessions on Wednesday.

The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act was introduced by Republicans on July 20. It was crafted to establish rules that outline when a crypto firm would need to register with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), depending on the services offered.

The main goal of the bill is to provide a concrete process for determining if a digital asset is a commodity or security, and to provide clarity on which regulator has jurisdiction.

The bill lays out a process that would allow crypto assets that have been labeled securities to be re-labeled as commodities and includes a description of the steps firms need to take to certify with the SEC that their projects are adequately decentralized, allowing them to register digital assets as commodities with the CFTC.

We have crafted landmark legislation that establishes robust consumer protections and clear rules of the road for market participants while keeping innovation in the United States, said French Hill (R-AR), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. I am proud that it has cleared its first hurdle today, passing out of committee with bipartisan support.

The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, which was reintroduced in August by co-sponsors Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Darren Soto (D-FL), was created to establish guidelines that promote blockchain innovation in the U.S. and remove barriers to development.

Emmer called the approval by the Committee a huge win for the United States as we are one step closer to putting Americans in the drivers seat in crafting the future peer-to-peer digital economy.

This agreed-upon guidance clarifies that non-custodial blockchain developers and service providers (miners, validators, wallet providers) that never custody consumer funds do not have to register as money transmitters, he said. After all, money transmission licensing laws are designed to protect consumers from the risk of loss of assets a risk that occurs when transmitters and other intermediaries take control of consumer funds. Guidance, however, is not as concrete as [a] statute. Statute gives certainty. Guidance can change at the political whim of a new administration.

If passed in the House of Representatives, the bill will clear things up by affirming to the blockchain community that if you dont custody customer funds, you are not a money transmitter, Emmer concluded.

The House Agriculture Committee reviewed the FIT for the 21st Century Act on Thursday and ultimately approved it after several amendments were added by members of the Committee.

After approval by the Committees, the bills will advance to a full vote in the House of Representatives. If approved by the House, it will then advance to the Senate, where it will be debated, revised, and voted on.

While the House Financial Services Committee approved the two bills, a third bill under review, the Digital Assets Market Structure bill, was derided by members on both sides of the aisle and ultimately rejected.

The main area of concern was a clause in the bill that would allocate more power to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Committee members also expressed concerns about whether the bill would weaken consumer protections enshrined by decades-old U.S. securities laws and ultimately leave American investors with fewer protections against fraud.

Ive been on this committee for 20 years and I can say unequivocally that this is the worst piece of legislation that has been presented for markup in that 20 years, Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) told the committee.

Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) also pushed back against the bill, saying it paid too much attention to the pleas of the crypto industry while ignoring regulatory guidance from the SEC.

As I have said before, we dont need to invent new regulatory structures simply because crypto companies refuse to follow rules of the road, Waters said. Our securities laws have protected investors and retirees for 90 years while supporting capital formation and facilitating innovation.

It remains to be seen whether any of the bills currently making their way through the legislative process will ultimately receive enough bipartisan support to advance to President Bidens desk to be signed into law.
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(Kitco News) - Tungsten has three qualities that make it incredibly difficult to replace, said Fireweed Metals' CEO Brandon Macdonald.

Macdonald spoke to Kitco mid-July in Dawson City at Invest Yukon's Investment Conference & Property Tours.

"It's got the highest melting point of any metal, it's the hardest of any metal, and it's I think the third or fourth densest, being just slightly denser than gold.

In certain applications there are no substitutes, making tungsten critical for use in mining, manufacturing, aerospace and defense. Yet China has a stranglehold on the market, controlling about 85% of supply.

Fireweed Metals (TSX-V: FWZ) is advancing two critical metals projects in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Macmillan Pass includes the Tom and Jason lead-zinc deposits. A 2018 resource estimate put Macmillan Pass among the world's most significant zinc resources.

The Mactung property adjoins Macmillan Pass and straddles the boundary between the two territories. Discovered in 1962, the project has seen extensive drilling, metallurgical testing, and multiple historical resource estimates.

Fireweed recently put out a new resource at Mactung, which according to Macdonald, identifies it as "the largest high-grade tungsten deposit in the world, I think that's safe to say, it's certainly the best tungsten project outside of China.

An updated preliminary economic assessment is expected this year.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Travel and accommodation expenses were paid for by Invest Yukon.]
WASHINGTON, July 27 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators unveiled a sweeping overhaul Thursday that would direct banks to set aside billions more in capital to guard against risk.

If fully implemented, the proposal would raise capital requirements for large banks by an aggregate 16% from current levels, with the brunt felt by the largest and most complex firms, regulators said. The industry is already warning that such a big hike could force them to trim services, raise fees, or both.

Agency officials argued Thursday that such costs would be more than offset by the benefit of a more resilient banking system.

The proposal, set to be voted on later today by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve, marks the first in an extensive effort to tighten bank oversight, particularly in the wake of spring turmoil that saw three large financial firms fail.

The proposed rule, which would implement a 2017 agreement by global regulators, aims to overhaul how banks gauge their riskiness, and in turn how much money they must keep on hand as a cushion against losses.

The proposal would overhaul how banks must measure risk from lending, trading activities and internal operations. In several cases, the plan would scrap a prior reliance on bank internal models to measure various types of risk, instead opting for a standardized approach, which regulators argue would produce more consistent and comparable results.

The proposal also reverses previous relief for banks with over $100 billion in assets, after several midsized firms failed in the spring. Under the plan, banks of that size would have to account for unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, as well as adhere to a stricter leverage requirement.

That change would be felt most acutely by banks with between $100 billion and $250 billion in assets, such as Citizens Financial Group (CFG.N), Fifth Third (FITB.O), Huntington (HBAN.O) and Regions (RF.N) which enjoyed several relaxed rules under changes implemented in 2019.

The sweeping proposal, which spans over 1000 pages and asks for input on dozens of topics, will kick off an intense lobbying battle by the banking industry as firms seek to soften, delay, or otherwise derail the effort. Regulators said they will take public input on the proposal until November 30, and aim to have the requirements fully phased in by July 1, 2028.

Banks argue the increases are unjustified and economically harmful. They also complain that regulators already direct banks to hold capital against some of the risks measured in the proposal via other means, making the new requirements redundant.

Top officials at banks like JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), Bank of America (BAC.N), and Morgan Stanley (MS.N) have warned stricter rules could force them to pull back from services or increase fees. Analysts say it could take years of retained earnings to comply, pinching their ability to boost dividends or buy back shares.

Agency officials said Thursday most banks already have enough capital to meet the proposal, and firms that need to catch up would need at most two years of retained earnings to do so.
The reduced sales target of 9-9.5 million vehicles, from 9.5 million previously, was down to a dip in first-half sales in China, Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz said.

Antlitz said the so-called "performance programmes" in the works to make the group's brands more efficient would have to begin yielding results this year, adding it had no time to lose in the face of rising competition.

Its next Capital Markets Day in April 2024 will focus on its strategy in China, where Volkswagen still hopes to be the number one international carmaker, though its electric vehicle (EV) sales for now lag local EV makers and U.S. rival Tesla (TSLA.O).

"Competition is intensifying and customers are cautious," Antlitz said on a press call following half-year results, referring to the global autos market. "We need to achieve the first results of these programmes in the second half of 2023 to make us more resilient."

The company's shares were down 3.3% at 1115 GMT.

Despite lowering its deliveries target, Volkswagen kept its 2023 financial guidance unchanged. But that contrasts with recent increases at several rivals, which Royal Bank of Canada analysts said suggested a likely downshift in the second half.

"I see the 9 to 9.5 million deliveries scenario as the best case .... communication should be more conservative. Investors feel the worst is yet to come," Bankhaus Metzler analyst Juergen Pieper said.

Volkswagen is in the midst of a strategy shift aimed at proving to investors it can protect market share in the transition to electrification.

Still, its mass-market business in particular is struggling to boost margins, lagging competitors like Renault (RENA.PA) and Stellantis (STLAM.MI) despite the German group's pledge to put profits over volume.

Higher prices and revenues from internal combustion engine cars should help cushion its finances in the second half, Antlitz said.

CASH FLOW

Supplies of key components such as semiconductors had improved but transport and logistics delays had weighed on the first half, Volkswagen said.

"We are now moving from a bottleneck in chips to a bottleneck in transport," said Antlitz, adding steps had been taken to eliminate the hold-ups and reduce waiting time.

"The focus for the second half is now on strengthening net cash flow," he said.

Cash flow, which plunged over 71% in the second quarter to 226 million euros, would improve over time as inventories go down, he said, sticking to the lower end of the firm's full-year cash flow target of 6-8 billion euros ($6.7-8.9 billion).

The core Volkswagen Passenger Cars, VW Commercial Vehicles, Seat, Skoda and Cupra brands achieved an operating margin of 5.5% in the first half.

Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Ducati made a 10% operating margin.

Volkswagen also said it had sold its Russian operations for 125 million euros.

In May, the company said it had sold its shares in Volkswagen Group Rus to Art-Finance, which is supported by autodealer group Avilon. The deal included VW's Kaluga factory, which has annual production capacity of 225,000 vehicles.

($1 = 0.8986 euros)
Louis Holbrooke writes:

New data from KPMG suggests organised crime will the biggest winner from new measures targeting cash-strapped smokers.

The share of tobacco consumption sourced from New Zealand's black market has increased to 12.1%, up from 9.2% in 2017, according to KMPG's latest regular inquiry into illicit tobacco consumption in New Zealand.

While the total size of the black market has shrunk in kilogram terms, this is in line with wider reductions in the smoking rate as savvy smokers switch to vaping.

The worrying sign here is that among those Kiwis who continue to smoke, the black market is normalised as a source of affordable durries.

A taxed and regulated pack of Marlboros now costs $43, and the vast majority of that is tax. With smokers being disproportionately lower-income it's little surprise that they're jumping at the opportunity to buy homegrown tobacco leaf or cigarettes smuggled from China and Korea.

Artificially high legal tobacco prices create massive profit margins for illicit importers and growers of tobacco  profits that can be used to fund further criminal activities.

The obvious risk is that with an illicit market already thriving, new measures to make legal cigarettes less appealing and proposed crackdowns on vaping products will only fuel illegal activity. We need only look at australia, where vapes are effectively prohibited and a study estimates a massive 23.5% of tobacco consumption comes from the illicit market.

Customs are concerned, telling the NZ Herald they've seen a significant increase in the smuggling of tobacco products over recent years. . .The illicit tobacco market in NZ is already substantial and Customs expects demand for illicit tobacco to increase.

Right now, smokers pay more than enough tax to cover associated health system costs. But if Labour follows through with plans to slash nicotine content and availability of legal cigarettes, or if National pursue a signalled vaping crackdown, the tobacco black market will boom, cratering tax revenues and normalising crime.

Louis Houlbrooke is the Taxpayers' Unions spokesperson for lifestyle economics issues.

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Stuff reports:

Police dogs were used to track Labour MP Kiri Allan's movements after she was found about 500 metres from her crashed car on Sunday evening, The Post understands.

So the Minister of Justice drove over the limit, hit a parked car, did a runner from the scene leaving her car abandoned, and then after the Police tracked her down with Police dogs, refused to accompany them. Incredible.

The following things can all be true, and are not contradictory:

You can admire Kiri Allan greatly as a person, her friendliness, her sense of humour, her open style, her battle with cancer, her down to earth nature.

You can have great empathy for her mental health issues, admire she is open about them, and understand how hard that can make life.

You can also accept that there have been so many reports of bullying type behaviour (three different agencies raising concern, a backbench Labour MP, and VIP Transport) that how she deals with people is sub-optimal. This doesn't negate the first two. I know several former National ministers whose treatment of staff was also sub-optimal, but I also regard them as friends and good people. No-one is perfect.

While having empathy for the mental health challenges, it is legitimate to point out that poor judgment in areas (speech at RNZ, not disclosing as a conflict a donation from an official who reports to her, treatment of others) probably contributes to the already high stress you are under. It can lead to a vicious circle where the more under pressure you are, the worse your judgment becomes.

No amount of poor mental health excuses any MP, let alone the Minister of Justice, from fleeing the scene of a crash, having to be tracked down by police dogs and resisting address. This is an issue of huge public interest, and that doesn't just stop with the resignation. Of course Parliament debated what happened. How could they not?

Gareth Hughes has written an excellent piece on the pressures of being an MP. The long hours, the late nights, the time away from family and the pressure from the media and the public. He also points out One of the hardest things for me was that while politics is a team sport, often it's your colleagues who you are in competition with.

I worked in Parliament for eight years. I was only a staffer, but even at that level the job wasn't great for mental (or physical) health due to the pressures of work. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the job and it was a privilege, but I am a much happier person now.

There is still a lot not known about the crash and the arrest. Again, despite the resignation, it is still a matter of legitimate interest about the circumstances around the then Minister of Justice being arrested. In my opinion it would be far better for Kiri Allan if a full statement was made about what happened. Otherwise, there will just continue to be story after story as details get drip-fed out.

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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 71F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 61F. Winds light and variable.








"The Address to the Nation that President Boluarte will deliver on July 28 can be a first step towards regaining the confidence of the private sector," he told Andina news agency.





Reusche pointed out that said message must bring consistency between what is announced and the actions carried out.





In addition, he noted that the private sector should continue to be informed about what is being done in order to consolidate the recovery of investment.





"We have noticed that the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is making very concrete efforts to anchor business confidence, but this part of the communication is not being received and is not resonating. So, it is a matter of repeating the message of open communication with the private sector," the Moody's officer emphasized.





Conciliatory message





In this regard, Reusche remarked that he expects the Head of State will send a conciliatory message to the private sector, taking into account that the Executive Branch is aware of the fact that there is still a major weakness in the country's business confidence.









program is being implemented, there must be a highly conciliatory message to try to shore up business confidence and re-boost the economy's growth engine, especially after the surprising contraction of the economy (registered) in May," he underscored. "As discussed with MEF experts, they are aware that beyond the fact that the Con Punche Peru (Peru with Strength) program is being implemented, there must be a highly conciliatory message to try to shore up business confidence and re-boost the economy's growth engine, especially after the surprising contraction of the economy (registered) in May," he underscored.





Political context





Moreover, the Moody's representative affirmed that nowadays Peru coexists with a somewhat convulsed political environment, with a bit hectic social environment, which still impacts investment decisions.





(END) RGP/SDD/RMB/MVB

The Address to the Nation that the President of the Republic Dina Boluarte will give at Parliament on the occasion of National Holidays may be the first step to regain business confidence, Moody's Investors Service Vice-President Jaime Reusche said.Publicado: 27/7/2023
11:16 | Lima, Jul. 25.

Judge Juan Carlos Checkley ordered the seizure of four properties belonging to the former Head of State. They are located in Anguia district, Chota province, Peru's northern Andean Cajamarca region, and in the town of Tacabamba.





In the case of former Prime Minister Anibal Torres, nine assets are to be seized: eight properties are located in Lima's San Isidro and Cercado districts, plus one vehicle.




ASB Consultores LLC acquired a new position in DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,002 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $219,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of DTE. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new position in shares of DTE Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $451,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its stake in shares of DTE Energy by 38.1% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 4,051 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 1,118 shares during the last quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP raised its stake in shares of DTE Energy by 13.2% in the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 2,252 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the period. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY increased its holdings in DTE Energy by 14.3% in the 1st quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 18,927 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,073,000 after purchasing an additional 2,364 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of DTE Energy by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 5,213 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $571,000 after buying an additional 473 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.33% of the companys stock.

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DTE Energy Price Performance

DTE Energy stock traded down $0.37 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $115.50. 423,579 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,223,547. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The company has a market capitalization of $23.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.58, a PEG ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.60. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $103.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $79.63. DTE Energy has a 12-month low of $100.64 and a 12-month high of $136.77.

DTE Energy Cuts Dividend

DTE Energy ( NYSE:DTE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.38 by ($0.05). DTE Energy had a return on equity of 10.59% and a net margin of 6.15%. The company had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.79 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.31 EPS. Analysts forecast that DTE Energy will post 6.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 18th will be given a $0.952 dividend. This represents a $3.81 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 15th. DTE Energys payout ratio is 67.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on DTE. 888 restated a maintains rating on shares of DTE Energy in a report on Thursday, June 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on DTE Energy from $120.00 to $121.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Mizuho raised their price target on DTE Energy from $119.00 to $121.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. UBS Group upgraded DTE Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $129.00 to $124.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. Finally, Guggenheim lowered their price target on DTE Energy from $127.00 to $120.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $81.76.

Insider Buying and Selling at DTE Energy

In related news, VP Lisa A. Muschong sold 700 shares of DTE Energy stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.41, for a total value of $77,287.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 5,455 shares in the company, valued at $602,286.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, VP Lisa A. Muschong sold 700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.41, for a total value of $77,287.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 5,455 shares of the companys stock, valued at $602,286.55. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Joann Chavez sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.09, for a total transaction of $452,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 14,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,651,905.63. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.61% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About DTE Energy

(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.

Further Reading

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Aveo Capital Partners LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Alerian MLP ETF (NYSEARCA:AMLP  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 160,461 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 7,249 shares during the period. Aveo Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Alerian MLP ETF were worth $6,202,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. WealthTrust Axiom LLC raised its stake in shares of Alerian MLP ETF by 4.2% during the first quarter. WealthTrust Axiom LLC now owns 12,291 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $475,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC boosted its position in Alerian MLP ETF by 1.6% during the first quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 34,422 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,330,000 after purchasing an additional 534 shares in the last quarter. LVW Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alerian MLP ETF during the first quarter valued at $200,000. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF by 5.2% in the first quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 68,391 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,643,000 after buying an additional 3,381 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strategy Asset Managers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Alerian MLP ETF in the first quarter valued at $621,000.

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Alerian MLP ETF Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of AMLP traded down $0.28 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $41.05. The company had a trading volume of 767,737 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,303,204. Alerian MLP ETF has a 1-year low of $34.69 and a 1-year high of $42.47. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $39.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $39.16. The stock has a market cap of $6.86 billion, a PE ratio of 13.30 and a beta of 1.42.

Alerian MLP ETF Company Profile

ALERIAN MLP ETF seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (the Index). The Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the United States energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnership (MLP) asset class.

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Summit Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 1.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 40,714 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 674 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for about 1.5% of Summit Financial LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $16,737,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 35.9% during the 1st quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,022 shares of the companys stock worth $420,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Arkansas Financial Group Inc. raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Arkansas Financial Group Inc. now owns 46,954 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,302,000 after purchasing an additional 545 shares during the last quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 3.0% during the first quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 462,212 shares of the companys stock worth $190,006,000 after acquiring an additional 13,499 shares during the last quarter. Liberty Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the first quarter valued at about $43,065,000. Finally, Better Money Decisions LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 8.5% in the first quarter. Better Money Decisions LLC now owns 1,187 shares of the companys stock valued at $488,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Price Performance

IVV stock traded down $2.68 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $455.20. 2,820,667 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,136,127. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $437.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $417.06. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 52 week low of $349.53 and a 52 week high of $461.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $339.74 billion, a PE ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE:PBT  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, July 21st, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.0217 per share by the oil and gas producer on Monday, August 14th. This represents a $0.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th.

Permian Basin Royalty Trust has increased its dividend by an average of 40.2% annually over the last three years.

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Permian Basin Royalty Trust Price Performance

Shares of PBT stock traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $23.05. 82,517 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 158,178. The businesss fifty day moving average is $24.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $24.35. Permian Basin Royalty Trust has a 12-month low of $14.82 and a 12-month high of $27.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.67 and a beta of 0.86.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Permian Basin Royalty Trust ( NYSE:PBT Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter. Permian Basin Royalty Trust had a net margin of 98.10% and a return on equity of 18,908.15%. The firm had revenue of $5.22 million for the quarter.

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Permian Basin Royalty Trust in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Permian Basin Royalty Trust

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 16.9% during the first quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 14,207 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $346,000 after acquiring an additional 2,050 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 87.3% during the first quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,461 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 681 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Permian Basin Royalty Trust during the first quarter worth $232,000. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Permian Basin Royalty Trust by 12.8% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 25,454 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $621,000 after purchasing an additional 2,898 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Permian Basin Royalty Trust during the first quarter worth $876,000. 28.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Permian Basin Royalty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Permian Basin Royalty Trust, an express trust, holds overriding royalty interests in various oil and gas properties in the United States. The company owns a 75% net overriding royalty interest in the Waddell Ranch properties comprising Dune, Sand Hills (Judkins), Sand Hills (McKnight), Sand Hills (Tubb), University-Waddell (Devonian), and Waddell fields located in Crane County, Texas.

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YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. Yesterday, during the trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, the issue of the return of Azerbaijanis to Armenia was not discussed with the minister of foreign affairs of Armenia. Edmon Marukyan, Ambassador-at-large of Armenia, said in an interview with Public TV, referring to the statement of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after the tripartite meeting that Armenia and Azerbaijan are ready to provide guarantees to those who want to return.

"I must say that the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia does not correspond to the subject discussed, because no such issue was discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia had bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan, then a tripartite meeting was held, after which, in my opinion, he tried to make such a statement that would also include the narrative that Azerbaijan wanted. I think that it would be good if the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia referred to point 7 of the November 9 declaration, which was also signed by the President of Russia. For example, did the internally displaced return or did they not return? Has the commitment in this issue been fulfilled or not?" said Marukyan, assuring that Armenia is not negotiating on the issue of the return of Azerbaijanis, there is no such topic on the negotiation table, it is just propaganda spread by Azerbaijan.

According to him, if they reach the point that Azerbaijan will fulfill its commitment regarding the return of the internally displaced persons in line with the November 9 document, then a conversation can be opened about the return of Azerbaijanis, if Azerbaijan wishes. Marukyan also emphasized that Armenia has not undertaken any obligation regarding the return of Azerbaijanis, while Azerbaijan has an obligation to ensure the return of internally displaced persons from Nagorno Karabakh and neighboring regions. "When they fulfill their obligation, and if they want to talk about it, that conversation will be opened. And what is that conversation about? They say that Azerbaijanis left Armenia. But Armenians also left Azerbaijan. The Armenians left under threats of murder, terrorism, burning their houses and became refugees, while the Azerbaijanis left Armenia by receiving compensation for their houses," he said.
The City of London Investment Trust plc (LON:CTY  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Thursday, July 13th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 27th will be paid a dividend of GBX 5.05 ($0.06) per share on Thursday, August 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 1.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 27th. The official announcement can be accessed at this link.

The City of London Investment Trust Stock Down 0.2 %

CTY stock traded down GBX 1 ($0.01) during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting GBX 409.50 ($5.25). 499,651 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 974,199. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 402.13 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 413.71. The City of London Investment Trust has a 12-month low of GBX 366.50 ($4.70) and a 12-month high of GBX 432 ($5.54). The stock has a market capitalization of 2.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4,110.00 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.14.

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About The City of London Investment Trust

(Get Free Report)

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The City of London Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Henderson Investment Funds Limited. It is co-managed by Henderson Global Investors Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Riley Exploration Permian (NYSE:REPX  Free Report) had its price target lowered by Truist Financial from $60.00 to $53.00 in a research report report published on Monday, Benzinga reports. Truist Financial currently has a buy rating on the stock.

Riley Exploration Permian Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of Riley Exploration Permian stock opened at $35.99 on Monday. Riley Exploration Permian has a 52-week low of $15.91 and a 52-week high of $47.79. The company has a 50 day moving average of $36.01 and a 200 day moving average of $35.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market capitalization of $726.28 million, a P/E ratio of 6.03 and a beta of 1.36.

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Riley Exploration Permian (NYSE:REPX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.06). Riley Exploration Permian had a return on equity of 37.29% and a net margin of 48.84%. The firm had revenue of $67.01 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $62.45 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Riley Exploration Permian will post 7.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Riley Exploration Permian Dividend Announcement

Insider Buying and Selling at Riley Exploration Permian

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be issued a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 19th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.78%. Riley Exploration Permians payout ratio is 17.09%.

In other Riley Exploration Permian news, President Kevin Riley sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.11, for a total transaction of $105,330.00. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 190,899 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,702,463.89. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 3.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Copeland Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Riley Exploration Permian during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Riley Exploration Permian during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Ellevest Inc. increased its stake in shares of Riley Exploration Permian by 124.1% during the 4th quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 921 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 510 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Riley Exploration Permian by 109.4% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 710 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 371 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC increased its position in Riley Exploration Permian by 68.7% during the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,331 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 542 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.17% of the companys stock.

Riley Exploration Permian Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Riley Exploration Permian, Inc, an independent oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in Texas and New Mexico. The company's activities are primarily focused on the San Andres Formation, a shelf margin deposit on the Central Basin Platform and Northwest Shelf.

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WithSecure Oyj (OTCMKTS:FSOYF  Get Free Report) is one of 130 publicly-traded companies in the SoftwareInfrastructure industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare WithSecure Oyj to similar companies based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, risk, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for WithSecure Oyj and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score WithSecure Oyj 1 1 1 0 2.00 WithSecure Oyj Competitors 172 769 1219 6 2.49

As a group, SoftwareInfrastructure companies have a potential upside of 74.87%. Given WithSecure Oyjs rivals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe WithSecure Oyj has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Dividends

10.5% of WithSecure Oyj shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.8% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are owned by institutional investors. 32.4% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

WithSecure Oyj pays an annual dividend of C$0.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. WithSecure Oyj pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, SoftwareInfrastructure companies pay a dividend yield of 3.1% and pay out 5,752.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. WithSecure Oyj is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Profitability

This table compares WithSecure Oyj and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets WithSecure Oyj N/A N/A N/A WithSecure Oyj Competitors -47.10% -78.20% -11.12%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares WithSecure Oyj and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio WithSecure Oyj N/A N/A 15.50 WithSecure Oyj Competitors $176.44 million -$20.55 million -286.68

WithSecure Oyjs rivals have higher revenue, but lower earnings than WithSecure Oyj. WithSecure Oyj is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Summary

WithSecure Oyj rivals beat WithSecure Oyj on 7 of the 13 factors compared.

About WithSecure Oyj

(Get Free Report)

WithSecure Oyj operates in corporate security business worldwide. Its software and services include WithSecure Elements, a cloud based security platform to reduce risk, complexity, and inefficiency; WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection, a cloud-native AI-powered endpoint protection solution; WithSecure Business Suite for organization's security challenges; WithSecure Elements Endpoint Detection and Response; WithSecure Elements Vulnerability Management, a cloud-based vulnerability scanner that covers network, assets, deep web, and compliance; and WithSecure Elements Collaboration Protection; and WithSecure Cloud Protection for Salesforce. The company also provides consulting services, including security strategy and risk management, resilience development, and security assurance services; support services; security training services; and managed services, such as countercept managed detection and response, attack surface management, and cloud security posture management services; USB armory, a smallest secure computer; and Armory Drive, an encrypted storage solution. WithSecure Oyj was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.

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Kim Ok-sun's "bsp_ahs130" (2023), left, and "bsp_dnr937" (2023) from her "Brides, Sara" series / Courtesy of the artist



By Park Han-sol



In November 1910, the year Korea fell under Japanese colonial occupation, 23-year-old Choi Sara climbed aboard a ship en route to Hawaii. In her hand was a black-and-white photograph of a man, whom she had never spoken to or met in person.



The man in the picture was one of thousands of Korean immigrants who arrived in Honolulu years earlier as cheap labor to work on the sugarcane plantations. He was also Choi's husband-to-be.



The couple tied the knot shortly after her arrival. Choi thus became Korea's first "picture bride"  a term referring to women who married immigrant laborers in Hawaii in the early 20th century after the prospective brides and grooms saw each other only through photographs exchanged via a matchmaker.



From 1910 to 1924, more than 1,000 Korean picture brides left their homes to begin a new life in a foreign land they knew nothing about. Some did so out of familial obligation or economic concerns, but there were others who hoped to gain freedom denied to them in patriarchal, Neo-Confucian society.



Although their lives as the first-generation Korean immigrants in America were far from romantic, the women played a key role in building systemic communities among themselves and even raising money for independence fighters to help liberate their homeland from Japanese rule.



These young, unnamed women, "who had the courage to throw themselves into the unknown and start anew," were what inspired photographer Kim Ok-sun's latest project, "Brides, Sara" (2023), now on display at Sungkok Art Museum in central Seoul.





Kim Ok-sun's "bsp_wmm295" (2023) from her "Brides, Sara" series / Courtesy of the artist

But instead of simply reproducing the archival photographs from a century ago, Kim pays homage to the resilience and strength she saw in these spirited women through portraits of those whose lives today seem to resemble theirs in many ways  marriage migrants from Southeast and Central Asia and China living in Korea.



Rather than remaining in their home countries that may have limited opportunities for them in terms of work or education, these migrant women came to Korea in search of new lives and strove to carve out a place for themselves in society despite cultural barriers, the photographer explained in a recent interview with The Korea Times at the museum.



She added, "Their conscious life decisions reminded me of those of the Korean picture brides, and this realization is what helped me understand them in a new light, especially beyond the usual sociopolitical narrative revolving around their resettlement."



The sitters filmed in Kim's "Brides, Sara," originally hailing from China, Vietnam and Mongolia, have lived in the greater Seoul area and Incheon for as long as 20 years.



Donning the traditional attire of their homeland, they are posing with confidence against the classically-lit, retro-styled background in an old studio tucked away in Hwanghak-dong, central Seoul. The images' stylistic compositions are a visual nod to the vintage photographs of picture brides, who were seen dressed up in laundered "hanbok" (traditional Korean clothing) with accessories like a folding fan or a floral bouquet.



"These photos also serve as a visual reminder and proof that, like the countless faces of Koreans who were once clients of the old Seoul studio, marriage migrants are the faces of diversity that make up our society today," said the museum curator Jun Ji-hee.





Photographer Kim Ok-sun poses at Sungkok Art Museum in central Seoul, July 11, where her solo exhibition, "Flatness of Things," is held. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Photographic journey to document personal histories of migration, diaspora



For over two decades, the 56-year-old has given "a visual voice" to the marginalized communities in Korea, especially those of women, whose personal histories embody the ideas of diaspora, migration and "foreignness."



Her ongoing solo exhibition, entitled "Flatness of Things," traces this photographic pursuit in a nonlinear order. It puts her every major project on view, from the latest portrait series of marriage migrants to images of Korean nurses, who departed to West Germany en masse in the 1960s and 1970s after the two countries signed the 1963 labor recruitment agreement.



Photography, which she took up as a hobby at a college club, became her calling in the mid-1990s.



In her first project, "Woman in a Room" (1996-2001), the artist captured ordinary women in their 20s and 30s posing nude in their own spaces  as a testament to the rapidly liberalizing and globalizing Seoul following the 1988 Summer Olympics.



"I could witness in real time how women's increasingly raw and bold self-expression reflected the sweeping societal and economic shifts taking place in the country at the time," she said. "And as my friends began moving out of their family homes and getting a room of their own, I wanted to document their changing selves within that very space."



In her series, the background, therefore, had as much to say as the subjects themselves  a characteristic that would come to influence many of her subsequent projects.



"When I visited someone's home, it was fascinating to be able to identify their preferences, habits and cultural identity hinted through its interior. The room was more than just their living space; it was a materialization of their inner thoughts  like a space of their mind," she noted.





Kim Ok-sun's "Miryun and Stephan" (2002) from her "Happy Together" series / Courtesy of the artist



Then came the turning point in Kim's personal  and evidently, professional  life: her marriage to a German man and the couple's subsequent move from Seoul to Jeju Island.



"I was simply marrying the one I loved, but was shocked to find out how our union brought changes to my family's legal status and life afterward," she recalled.



In accordance with the Nationality Act at the time, the acquisition of Korean citizenship for foreign spouses of Korean nationals was patrilineal.



This meant that a foreign wife of a Korean man was automatically granted citizenship upon registering their marriage, while a foreign husband of a Korean woman had to apply for naturalization after meeting all residency requirements. It was thus necessary for the foreign husbands, including Kim's, to independently obtain a work visa and figure out a way to stay in Korea.



What was more, children born to a Korean mother and a non-Korean father were not automatically eligible for Korean citizenship. (Such gender-based discrimination was not addressed until the law underwent a comprehensive revision in 1998 to ensure fairer citizenship rights for international families.)





Kim Ok-sun's "Shihyun and Dan" (2004) from her "Happy Together" series / Courtesy of the artist



"So, even though I am a Korean citizen, if my husband's visa extension request were ever to be denied, both he and our daughter would have had to pack up and leave the country. My family was thus in a legally and emotionally precarious state at all times," the photographer said.



It was right then that a thought crossed her mind. Surely, there must be other women before her, whose families have been subject to a similar fate. How were they coping with such a living situation?



"I wanted to find out the answer to my question by meeting them and talking about our shared sense of frustration," she added.



Thus began her "Happy Together" series (2002-05), which primarily zoomed in on the lives of binational couples comprising a Korean wife and her foreign spouse on Jeju Island.



In all the photos, only the women are looking straight into the camera, while their husbands are absorbed in everyday activities  taking care of the baby or reading the paper, for example  with their gaze averted.



"I felt like these women, who were being treated differently from their Korean male counterparts, must have much to say about their situation. So, I framed the shot as if they are directly engaged in a conversation with the viewers," she said. "And by making them look in different directions, I also wanted to visualize how the two people living under the same roof had different cultural backgrounds and perspectives."





Kim Ok-sun's "The Performers" (2007) from her "Hamel's Boat" series / Courtesy of the artist





Kim Ok-sun's "The Elder Potter and Coon" (2008) from her "Hamel's Boat" series / Courtesy of the artist



As she continued to explore the ideas of migration and resettlement through such photographs, Kim eventually expanded her artistic focus to non-Korean residents from all walks of life who have come to live on Jeju  from martial artists to performers, Mormons and self-described "nomads."



She found that while most held day jobs as English teachers at schools or academies, they shared a desire to pursue their passions and a taste for adventure  in whatever form it takes.



Sherrin Hibbard, a former fisherwoman from Australia, is one, Kim recalled. After becoming the first foreign "haenyeo" (female diver) in Korea, she went on to complete an unprecedented 160-kilometer swim nearly all the way around the island for over a month in 2010 to raise awareness of its water pollution.



In one project, Kim likened these individuals, who have carved out a place for themselves on Jeju and contributed to its growing population diversity, to non-native plants like palm trees that have blended into scenes of everyday life on the island.





Kim Ok-sun's "Local_bupwhan2115" (2012), left, and "Untitled_hawon1695" (2013) from her "The Shining Things" series / Courtesy of the artist



One notable highlight of the exhibition at Sungkok Art Museum is Kim's "Berlin Portraits" (2018) a photographic series spotlighting women who traveled to Germany as temporary migrant nurses decades ago and settled down in the European nation. The project is a precursor to her portraits of marriage migrants in that the images reveal the diasporic women's often-overlooked tenacity and sense of agency that played a key part in their resettlement.



During the 1960s and 1970s, the Park Chung-hee government dispatched over 10,000 nurses (and nearly 8,000 mine workers) to West Germany to obtain much-needed foreign capital for the country that was still recovering from the 1950-53 Korean War.



While the discussion about these temporary labor migrants is often limited to their role played in Korea's "miraculous" economic rise, Kim's photos show that the women have many more stories to tell.



"They would tell me emphatically that they weren't just 'sent by' the Korean authorities," the photographer noted. "The government simply provided the channel. They were the ones who voluntarily decided to go to Germany after paying their own expenses."



There were various reasons behind this decision. Some wanted a chance to study abroad. Others wanted to escape from the country's patriarchal system. One former nurse recounted how her relative's defection to North Korea wreaked havoc on the reputation of the rest of her family members in the South, prompting her to seek out ways to be free from stigma.



"Whatever their goal was, these 20-somethings, who were all born around the time of the Korean War and spent their childhood in the battle-scarred nation, had that ambitious desire and determination to change their own lives. That was incredibly admirable," she added.





Kim Ok-sun's "BNP_8710CJ" (2018), left, and "BNP_8715EZ" (2018) from her "Berlin Portraits" series / Courtesy of the artist



What is even lesser known about these women's lives is the strides they made to resettle and redefine their identity as Korean Germans.



Upon their arrival, the nurses worked at a number of healthcare facilities based on temporary contracts. But in 1977, the German government began implementing their forced repatriation measures by denying their requests for work permit extensions. When one hospital in Munich collectively dismissed 17 nurses from Korea, hundreds decided to gather signatures and took to the streets to fight for their rights to extend their stay.



After they successfully gained support from the public, Munich was forced to scrap the order. The nurses were granted Permanent Residence Permits, which allowed them to reside in the country indefinitely without the need for periodic renewals.



"This was a milestone achievement made through the migrant workers' fight for their rights in Europe," Kim explained.



The photographer said she hopes to continue to train her lens on ordinary, nameless women of Korea, who are a living testament to the country's tumultuous modern history yet have long been written out of the official, state-level narratives.



"The people who have lived through this tremendously challenging period  from the country's liberation from Japanese rule to the Korean War, military dictatorship and democratization  are still alive. I want to hear their stories," she noted.



"Flatness of Things" runs through Aug. 13 at Sungkok Art Museum.




Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High around 80F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. The European Union has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to reopen the Lachin Corridor.

In a statement, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said that Azerbaijans readiness to supply goods via the city of Aghdam should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor.

The European Union is deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian situation affecting the local population in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The movement through the Lachin corridor remains obstructed for more than seven months, despite Orders by the International Court of Justice to reopen it.

Medical supplies and essential goods are in short supply or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee safety and freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor imminently and not to permit the crisis to escalate further.

We took note of the expressed readiness of the Azerbaijani authorities to also supply goods via the city of Aghdam. This should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor. The EU also notes that ICRC activities in the region have been heavily impacted and calls for their full resumption, including medical evacuations and humanitarian supplies. The EU stresses that humanitarian access must not be politicised by any actors.

The European Union, and in particular President of the European Council Charles Michel, has been heavily engaged in supporting the normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as in promoting a dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert/Khankendi. This also requires the genuine commitment of all sides to negotiated outcomes and a future built on common interests and mutual trust, the statement reads.

Earlier in July, when Azerbaijani authorities said they were willing to send what they described as aid to Nagorno-Karabakh through Aghdam, a group of protesters in Nagorno-Karabakh blocked the road and said that Azerbaijans announcement was actually an attempt to subjugate and blackmail them.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court  the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.
Winter has won the hearts of many with her new hairstyle, leading MYs to compliment her online.

Here's what people are saying about her new 'do!

aespa Winter Impresses With Brown Hair + MYs React on Her New Style

aespa's "baby rabbit" is gaining attention for her visuals!

On July 26, MYs opened an online discussion, where they talked about Winter's new hairstyle. The original poster uploaded several shots of Winter, who fashionably sported a tied-up brown hair, bias-wrecking everyone along the way.

Upon seeing her photos, fans immediately flocked to send their compliments to the lovely idol. They stated how much Winter looked good on her newest fancall event, and that she'll always be able to adapt to any hairstyle given to her, highlighting her versatility.

Others complimented her facial features, along with her iconic bob hairstyle during the Gucci Cruise 2024 Fashion Show.

Read their comments here:

"She is so freaking pretty."

"Winter's face is so my style right now."

"On the fancall yesterday, I really found her freaking pretty."

"Did she happen to change her hair? Winter looks so pretty with brown hair."

"I think her black hair suits her more."

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: aespa Karina, BLACKPINK Jennie, and More: Female Idols Brand Reputation Rankings for July 2021 Revealed

Apart from her current brown hairdo, fans also uploaded additional photos of the idol in different eras and styling. Winter's photos during "Black Mamba," and "Girls" were also mentioned by fans, who praised the idol for her previous looks.

"I feel like Winter is one of the most versatile idols when it comes to styling."

"Whenever Winter wears a different style, she gives off a different aura."

"Whether it's short hair, wavy or straight, she exudes a different image in a really good way. Her 'Black Mamba' look is my personal favorite."

"I love Winter's style in 'Girls' era though."

"I used to think that brown hair color is boring when I see it on other people. But Winter definitely changed that for me, and she looks good on it."

aespa Receives Gold Certifications for 'Black Mamba,' 'Next Level'

Meanwhile, aespa has received two gold certifications from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for their debut song "Black Mamba" and first comeback "Next Level," which both exceeded over 50 million streams.

The RIAJ infused a new system regarding music certifications in 2020, which involves online streaming. To add to its already existing certification system for both physical album shipments and digital download sales, RIAJ implemented that silver certifications are earned once songs attain 30 million streams, followed by gold at 50 million, and platinum at 100 million.

Do you have Winter as your bias in aespa? What do you think of her new hairstyle? Let us know in the comments below!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: aespa 'Next Level' Becomes the 2021 K-pop Song by a Girl Group with the Most Days on Worldwide iTunes Song Chart

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Riely Miller
Attorney General Jeff Landry answers questions April 26, 2023, at the PAR gubernatorial candidates forum held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge. (Photo by Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator)
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan continues to block a humanitarian aid convoy sent from Armenia from entering Nagorno-Karabakh through Lachin Corridor, which has been blockaded since December 2022.

The convoy carrying 360 tons of food and medication has reached the Kornidzor village of Syunik Province but is unable to enter Lachin Corridor.

An Armenian government official told reporters in Kornidzor that they have asked both the Russian peacekeepers and the Azeri authorities to allow the goods reach their destination, but theres been no response yet.

Its been nearly twenty hours that we are here in Kornidzor village. As you can see, there is no movement. This process requires patience and a certain sequence of steps. As of this moment we havent received any response, we are waiting for a response, said Vardan Sargsyan, a member of the government task force of Armenia in charge of managing the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Sargsyan said the Armenian authorities have contacted the Russian peacekeepers and the Azerbaijani side for letting the goods through. As I said, we have no response yet, he added.
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EU strengthens support to cross-border journalism with 14 million

Twelve consortia of news organisations have received a total EU support of 14 million for cross-border projects to strengthen the news media sector over the next two years.

Investigative journalism, community media, sign language journalism, podcasts and youth journalism are among the profiles of the twelve winning consortia, spread across the EU and other Creative Europe countries. The activities of the funded projects will include the development of common business and editorial standards, testing of new types of newsrooms and new formats, training programmes and cross-border productions. The project beneficiaries operate with full editorial independence.

These projects have been selected following the second yearly call for proposals for Journalism Partnerships under Creative Europe in 2022, as part of the NEWS initiative announced in the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan.

Each year, a new call for Journalism Partnerships is published under this initiative, which aims to foster cross-border collaboration among news media organisations across Europe.

The first of these annual calls, issued in 2021 and worth 8 million, was finalised and resulted in seven selected projects. The third and latest call for proposals for Journalism Partnerships, worth 10 million, was published in December 2022 and is currently under evaluation, with selected projects expected to start early 2024.

An overview of grants to news media is available here.

(For more information: Sonya Gospodinova  Tel.: +32 2 296 69 53; Thomas Regnier  Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99)

InvestEU : Le FEI et Banco Santander signent un accord afin de soutenir les petites entreprises a hauteur de 280 millions d'euros maximum

Le Fonds europeen d'investissement (FEI) et Banco Santander renforcent leur soutien aux petites et moyennes entreprises et aux petites entreprises a moyenne capitalisation au moyen d'un accord de garantie InvestEU d'un montant de 200 millions d'euros. Cet accord a ete rendu possible avec le soutien du programme InvestEU.

Les garanties prevues par l'accord permettront a Banco Santander de fournir 280 millions d'euros de nouveaux financements pour aider les entreprises a exploiter pleinement leur potentiel. La ligne de credit est liee a des produits de financement fournis par le Fonds InvestEU et couvrant deux domaines: (1) durabilite et, (2) innovation et numerisation.

Paolo Gentiloni, commissaire a l'economie, a declare :  Les petites et moyennes entreprises sont depuis longtemps une source essentielle de croissance en Europe. Je me rejouis que le programme InvestEU ait un impact considerable dans ce contexte. Cet accord aidera non seulement ces entreprises a creer des emplois, mais leur permettra egalement de jouer un role crucial en contribuant a une economie plus durable, plus innovante et plus numerique. Elle liberera tout le potentiel des entreprises espagnoles en matiere de croissance verte et d'emploi .

Le programme InvestEU fournit a l'UE un financement a long terme en mobilisant des fonds prives et publics a l'appui des priorites strategiques de l'UE. Dans le cadre du programme, le Fonds InvestEU est mis en uvre par l'intermediaire de partenaires financiers qui investiront dans des projets utilisant la garantie du budget de l'UE et mobiliseront ainsi au moins 372 milliards d'euros d'investissements supplementaires.

Un communique de presse est disponible en ligne.

(Pour plus d'informations : Veerle Nuyts  Tel. : + 32 2 299 63 02; Flora Matthaes  Tel. : + 32 2 298 39 51)

Agriculture : La Commission approuve quatre nouvelles indications geographiques francaises

Aujourd'hui, la Commission a approuve l'ajout de quatre produits francais de l'ile de Corse dans le registre des Indications Geographiques Protegees (IGP). Il s'agit de la  Pancetta de l'Ile de Beaute  /  Panzetta de l'Ile de Beaute  ; le  Saucisson sec de l'Ile de Beaute / Salciccia de l'Ile de Beaute  ; la  Bulagna de l'Ile de Beaute  ; et le  Figatelli de l'Ile de Beaute / Figatellu de l'Ile de Beaute .

La  Pancetta de l'Ile de Beaute  /  Panzetta de l'Ile de Beaute  est un produit de charcuterie seche de forme parallelepipedique dont la couenne est presente. La tranche quasi-rectangulaire laisse apparaitre plusieurs couches musculaires entrelardees de couches de gras. Le fumage lui confere une couleur typiquement ambree qui n'est pas forcement homogene sur tout le produit. La piece peut etre recouverte d'une fleur naturelle de couleur blanchatre ou verte a gris cendre.

Le  Saucisson sec de l'Ile de Beaute / Salciccia de l'Ile de Beaute  est un saucisson de forme plus ou moins cylindrique dont la tranche laisse apparaitre une farce composee de grains issus du gros hachage de viandes et de gras. Le fumage lui confere une couleur typiquement ambree a brune qui n'est pas forcement homogene sur tout le produit. Le boyau naturel peut etre recouvert d'une fleur naturelle de couleur blanchatre ou verte a gris cendre.

La  Bulagna de l'Ile de Beaute  est un produit de charcuterie seche en forme de triangle, de trapeze ou de goutte d'eau, dont la tranche est quasiment rectangulaire et laisse apparaitre plusieurs couches musculaires persillees de gras. La totalite de la couenne est presente. Le fumage lui confere une couleur typiquement ambree qui n'est pas forcement homogene sur tout le produit. Une fleur naturelle de couleur blanchatre ou verte a gris cendre peut apparaitre.

Le  Figatelli de l'Ile de Beaute  / Figatellu de l'Ile de Beaute  est une saucisse de foie crue a cuire en forme de  U  sous boyau naturel. La tranche laisse apparaitre une farce gros grains issus du gros hachage de la viande, du gras et du foie de porc. Le fumage lui confere une couleur typiquement ambree a brune qui n'est pas forcement homogene.

Ces nouvelles denominations seront ajoutees a la liste des 1 643 produits agricoles deja proteges. La liste de toutes les indications geographiques protegees se trouve dans la base de donnees eAmbrosia. Plus d'informations sont disponibles en ligne sur les systemes de qualite et sur notre portail GIView.

(Pour plus d'informations : Miriam Garcia Ferrer  Tel.: +32 2 299 90 75; Roberta Verbanac  Tel.: +32 2 298 24 98)

Agriculture: The Commission approves a new geographical indication from the United Kingdom - 'Gower Salt Marsh Lamb'

The Commission approved the addition of 'Gower Salt Marsh Lamb' as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from the United Kingdom.

Gower Salt Marsh Lamb' is prime lamb that is born, reared and slaughtered on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. It is the unique vegetation and environment of the salt marshes on the north Gower coastline, where the lambs graze, which gives the meat its distinctive characteristics.

This new denomination will be added to the list of 1,643 agricultural products already protected. The list of all protected geographical indications can be found in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available online at Quality Schemes and on our GIView portal.

(For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer  Tel.: +32 2 299 90 75; Roberta Verbanac  Tel.: +32 2 298 24 98)

Antitrust: Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive practices by Microsoft regarding Teams

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to assess whether Microsoft may have breached EU competition rules by tying or bundling its communication and collaboration product Teams to its popular suites for businesses Office 365 and Microsoft 365.

Microsoft includes Teams, a cloud-based communication and collaboration tool, in its well-entrenched cloud-based productivity suites for business customers Office 365 and Microsoft 365. The Commission is concerned that Microsoft may be abusing and defending its market position in productivity software by restricting competition in the European Economic Area (EEA') for communication and collaboration products.

In particular, the Commission is concerned that Microsoft may grant Teams a distribution advantage by not giving customers the choice on whether or not to include access to that product when they subscribe to their productivity suites and may have limited the interoperability between its productivity suites and competing offerings.

These practices may constitute anti-competitive tying or bundling and prevent suppliers of other communication and collaboration tools from competing, to the detriment of customers in the European Economic Area (EEA').

If proven, the behaviour under investigation may breach EU competition rules, which prohibit the abuse of a dominant position (Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU')). The Commission will carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of priority. The opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy said: "Remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams have become indispensable for many businesses in Europe. We must therefore ensure that the markets for these products remain competitive, and companies are free to choose the products that best meet their needs. This is why we are investigating whether Microsoft's tying of its productivity suites with Teams may be in breach of EU competition rules.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta  Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira  Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

State aid: Commission approves 40 million German support for on-shore LNG terminal in Brunsbuttel

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a 40 million German support measure for the construction and operation of a new land-based liquefied natural gas (LNG') terminal in Brunsbuttel, with an annual capacity of 10 billion cubic meters. The terminal comprises import, storage and distribution facilities, and it is planned to start operating by the end of 2026. The measure will contribute to the security and diversification of energy supplies in Germany and help end dependence on Russian fossil fuels in line with the REPowerEU Plan.

The beneficiaries of the measure are the German energy operator RWE and the Dutch energy network operator Gasunie. The company German LNG Terminal GmbH (GLNG') will build and operate the LNG terminal. GLNG will have three shareholders: (i) the German government through the investment and development bank KfW with a 50% stake; (ii) Gasunie with a 40% stake; and (iii) RWE with a 10% stake.

Under the measure, the aid will take the form of a preferential dividend distribution mechanism: KfW will give to its co-investors a share of the dividends paid by GLNG if the project's annual return is below a fixed percentage of the total capital invested by all shareholders, including KfW. The amount of aid disbursed under the measure will depend on the annual returns but is expected to amount to 40 million.

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, and the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (CEEAG'). On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: The new LNG terminal in Brunsbuttel will improve gas supply and infrastructure in Germany and thereby contribute to the achievement of the EU's goals in terms of security and diversification of energy supplies. The measure approved today has sufficient safeguards to limit any possible distortions to competition.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta  Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira  Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

State aid: Commission approves 28.8 million Austrian measure to support the modernisation of Sandoz's penicillin production in Tyrol

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a 28.8 million Austrian measure to support the modernisation of Sandoz GmbH (Sandoz') penicillin production site in Tyrol. The measure will help to maintain in the EU the last fully integrated production of amoxicillin, the most used penicillin type, contributing to the security of supply of essential and live-saving medicines. The measure will contribute to strengthening the continuity and security of supply of medicines in line with the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe.

Under the measure, the aid will take the form of a direct grant of 28.8 million to support the modernisation of Sandoz's amoxicillin production process. In particular, Sandoz will (i) further rationalise the production process of starting material from fungal cultures, and (ii) build a new plant for carrying out the enzymatic synthesis of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API').

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions. On this basis, the Commission approved the Austrian measure under EU State aid rules.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: Amoxicillin is an important antibiotic, for which we have seen repeated shortages across many Member States. This measure will ensure that a fully integrated production line of amoxicillin remains in the EU. This will help us secure the supply of this critical antibiotic. At the same time, the public support will be strictly limited to what is necessary.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta  Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira  Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

State aid: Commission approves 113 million Polish scheme to support pig producers in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved an approximately 113 million (PLN 500 million) Polish scheme to support the pig production sector in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies. The new Framework amends and prolongs in part the Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted on 23 March 2022 to enable Member States to support the economy in the context of the current geopolitical crisis, already amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022.

Under the scheme, the aid will consist in limited amounts of aid in the form of direct grants. The purpose of the measure is to support small and medium-sized companies active in the pig production sector that are currently facing liquidity shortages due to the cost increase of energy, fuel and other raw materials, and thus to ensure food security.

The Commission found that the Polish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed 250,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2023. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.

More information on the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's war against Ukraine and foster the transition towards a net-zero economy can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.108164 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta  Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira  Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Endeavour Energy by Macquarie and BCI

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Endeavour Energy by Macquarie Australian Infrastructure Management 1 Limited (Macquarie'), all of Australia, and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI') of Canada.

Endeavour Energy owns and operates an electricity distribution network located in New South Wales, Australia. Macquarie is a subsidiary of the Macquarie Group, a financial group active worldwide providing asset management and finance, banking, advisory and risk and capital solutions. BCI is a long-term investor across a range of asset classes.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that Endeavour Energy does not have any activities within the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11181.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta  Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira  Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Amara by Cinven

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Amara S.A. (Amara') of Spain by Cinven Capital Management (VII) General Partner Limited (Cinven') of Guernsey.

Amara is a provider of integrated solutions for businesses on decarbonisation, electrification and energy efficiency. Cinven is a private equity business that provides investment management and investment advisory services. It also controls a number of portfolio companies active across various sectors. The companies' activities overlap in particular in the supply of telecommunications and electricity equipment.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11156.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta  Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira  Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Liste des points prevus a l'ordre du jour des prochaines reunions de la Commission

Veuillez noter que ces informations sont donnees sous reserve de modifications.

Prochains evenements de la Commission europeenne

Eurostat: communiques de presse

Zarazeno ct 27.07.2023 12:07:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=MEX/23/4021&language=en lang en
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has facilitated the transfer of 11 patients from blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia for treatment. The patients were accompanied by their attendants, the Ministry of Healthcare of Nagorno-Karabakh said in a statement on Thursday.

The ICRC plans to transfer 13 other patients  with attendants - whove completed their treatment in Armenia back to Nagorno-Karabakh later today.

The Nagorno-Karabakh healthcare authorities warned that Azerbaijan is continuously banning the supply of essential medications and medical equipment by the ICRC to Nagorno-Karabakh.

23 children are hospitalized at the Arevik clinic in Nagorno Karabakh. 5 of them are in neonatal and intensive care. Meanwhile, 82 patients are hospitalized at the Republican Medical Center in Stepanakert. 7 of them are in intensive care (2 are critically ill).

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court  the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.


The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organized the Ella Odyssey, a familiarization tour of Nuwara Eliya and Ella for foreign heads of mission in Colombo, and nine heads of mission based in New Delhi who presented credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Ella Odyssey is part of Sri Lankas commemoration of 75 years of independence and 75 years of diplomacy  testament to the countrys enduring engagement with the international community.

This journey to the mesmerizing tea country in the mountains of Sri Lanka took place from 1 - 3 July 2023.

The foreign heads of mission undertook a journey on board the Viceroy Special - a vintage train reminiscent of the countrys colonial past. The diplomatic envoys forayed into the countrys cool highlands  past Kandy to Nuwara Eliya en route to Ella - to experience Sri Lankas verdant beauty, hospitality and adventure tucked away in the lush and misty mountainous landscapes in the countrys interior, passing along the way the gushing waters of St. Clairs Falls, the biodiverse Knuckles Range and Pattipola, home to Sri Lankas highest railway station. The passengers also witnessed a railway signaling routine from the bygone era, still meticulously adhered to on the countrys tracks - the Tyers Tablet System.

Those on board were able to feast their eyes on the changing panorama of the scenic route, including the engineering marvel that is the Nine-Arch Bridge in Ella, a railway viaduct that was built in the 20th century, and the turbanesque Demodara Loop.

Legendary Sri Lankan hospitality awaited the travellers at the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, a national heritage building, steeped in colonial history and grandeur. The Pedro Tea Estate welcomed the visitors to a tasting of one of the worlds finest beverages  Ceylon tea.

The heads of mission also had the opportunity to call on President Wickremesinghe and First Lady Maithree Wickramasinghe at the official residence of the President in Nuwara Eliya.

Costs associated with the tour were borne by participating foreign heads of mission, and through sponsorship by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

The excursion to the hill country commemorates 75 years of constructive partnership with the international community and highlighted the countrys treasure trove of diverse and exciting possibilities for the travel enthusiast. It also highlighted the countrys return to stability, its excellent connectivity and open and friendly people.



Read more: www.mfa.gov.lk

Ministry of Foreign affairs

Colombo

06 July 2023

video links to the Ella Odyssey - 75 Years of Diplomacy fam tour.

 Link (no subtitles) - https://we.tl/t-hUQ0snKPrn

 Link (with Sinhala subtitles) - https://we.tl/t-4W0NsRFN1y
YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. The forcibly displaced Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh who had to leave their homes as a result of the 2020 war have released a statement in response to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs statements made after his meeting with the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs in Moscow.

We, the NGOs representing the interests of several tens of thousands Armenians who were forcibly displaced from the Republic of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakhs Shushi, Martuni, Askeran, Hadrut, Martakert, Karvajar and Kashatagh regions and have become refugees, are perplexed and angered by the ideas voiced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after his meeting with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on July 26 in Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Minister is equalizing the Armenian refugees who escaped genocide in Azerbaijan's Armenian-populated regions and the Republic of Artsakh and the Azerbaijanis who left Armenia as a result of segregation of peoples.

We once again remind the Russian authorities that the Azerbaijanis who left Armenia had the chance to exchange their homes, transport their property and receive compensation from the Republic of Armenia.

Unlike the Azerbaijanis, the Armenian refugees barely survived genocide, while those who didnt manage or didnt want to leave their homes where gruesomely murdered in their homes or backyards, reads the statement.

The forcibly displaced Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh emphasized that their right to return is enshrined under clause 7 of the 2020 trilateral statement between the Prime Minister of Armenia, the Russian President and the Azerbaijani President, which says internally displaced persons and refugees shall return to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Pursuant to the abovementioned, we call on the international community, the UN to create a proper format for discussions on ensuring our return, and include representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. UN Peacekeepers should ensure our return, otherwise we cant have security guarantees. We are also convinced that in the current phase of the conflict, there is no alternative to direct negotiations between government officials of Artsakh and Azerbaijan republics, mediated by international guarantors. We call on the Russian Federation to stem its official stance from this starting point. We call on the Prime Minister of Armenia to raise our issue in all international formats. We call on the entire international community to support the protection of our legitimate rights, the statement concludes.
Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Mr. R.G.S Wijesekara presented his credentials to the Director General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the WTO on Wednesday, 27 July 2023 at the WTO Secretariat in Geneva.

During a brief meeting at the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Wijesekara conveyed the personal greetings of the Hon Minister of Trade Commerce & Food Security of Sri Lanka to the Director General. He also remarked on the ambitious regional trade reforms agenda of the Hon President that leads to better building block for our multilateral engagements. Ambassador Wijesekara also highlighted the need of 360 degree capacity building initiatives; including from the WTO for better integration of countries like Sri Lanka to the multilateral trading system.

Ambassador Wijesekara served as Director of Commerce at the Department of Commerce as well as a member of the Cabinet Appointed National Trade Negotiation Committee, prior to his assignment as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the WTO.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Geneva

27 July 2023
NewsVoir

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 27: The construction industry is a major player in India's economy, ranking third in size and second in employment generation after agriculture. However, it is in urgent need of a technological revolution. Mayank Kalra, Managing Director of fischer India, as an important subsidiary of a global leader in fixing and construction solutions, emphasizes the importance of technological innovations in transforming India's construction industry.

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Labour-intensive and inefficient practices have long plagued the Indian construction industry. To compete globally and meet the growing demand for construction, integrating technological innovations is crucial. Kalra highlights the numerous benefits that arise from incorporating technology into construction processes.

Improved efficiency is a key advantage of adopting technological innovations. Building Information Modelling (BIM), for example, minimizes time and material wastage, streamlining the construction process. Robotics automation enhances productivity by automating manual tasks.

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Safety is paramount in construction, and technological innovations play a vital role in enhancing safety standards. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) can be used for worker training and identifying potential hazards, reducing accidents and improving overall safety. These innovations also contribute to cost reduction by minimizing rework and ensuring smooth workflows.

However, the adoption of technological innovations in the construction industry faces challenges. The high implementation costs pose a significant hurdle, particularly for small and medium-sized construction companies. Additionally, the lack of skilled workers trained in utilizing these technologies is a challenge that needs to be addressed. Overcoming resistance to change within the industry is another obstacle to overcome.

fischer, a renowned pioneer in the construction industry, is actively revolutionizing the global construction sector by addressing challenges and enhancing efficiency, productivity, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Their range of digital solutions optimizes building planning, construction, and operation.

Ground-breaking innovation by fischer is the BauBot robot, an automated construction site assistant that creates precise drill holes and installs fischer fixing solutions. When combined with a digital building model, the BauBot transforms construction processes, increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and saving valuable time.

Construction Monitoring is another world-first by fischer, combining intelligent, connected fixing technology with cloud-based monitoring. By integrating sensor-integrated products like the SensorAnchor and SensorDisc, construction professionals can monitor prestressing forces in fastenings, ensuring the longevity, sustainability, and safety of structures.

fischer's BIM solutions merge digital and real elements, enabling customers to create digital twins of their projects and leverage tailored BIM engineering services along the full value chain. The company also provides digital tools like the FiXperience software and the fischer PRO app, facilitating precise product selection, efficient planning and design, and seamless project management.

With fischer's comprehensive services, India's construction industry can embrace technological advancements and evolve into a modern, efficient, and cost-effective sector.

Mayank Kalra, Managing Director of fischer India, emphasizes their commitment of revolutionizing India's construction industry through technological innovations. Embracing these innovations paves the way for a brighter future, with improved efficiency, enhanced safety, and overall contribution to the nation's growth.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 27 (ANI): Two workers were killed when a pillar fell on them at a construction site of Srinivasa Setu in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Wednesday, the police said.

According to officials, the incident took place during installation of pillar.

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The two deceased have been identified as Avijit from West Bengal and Barthomandal from Bihar.

East Circle Inspector (CI) Maheshwar Reddy said that a team of police reached the spot after receiving informaton about the incident.

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He said that the third phase of construction works was in progress as part of the regular schedule on Wednesday midnight.

"Two of the workers were working under a pillar of the bridge and it was being installed with heavy equipment and a carrier. The rope of the carrier got snapped and the pillar collapsed on the workers, and killed them on the spot, he said.

As per officials, the rescue operations were underway, and they were making efforts to remove the pillar with JCBs. Rescue teams are looking into whether any more casualties or injury to anyone occured in the incident, they added. (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 [India], July 27 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday was told that an accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) upon being produced before a magistrate cant be mandatorily remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) upto 15 days and can only be sent to judicial custody.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji and his wife, stated that on being produced before a magistrate court by the Enforcement Directorate, the accused cant be remanded to its (ED) custody.

Also Read | July Set to Be the Warmest on Record.

A bench of Justice AS Bopanna and Justice MM Sundresh was hearing pleas of Balaji and his wife challenging the Madras High Court's judgment order which held legal his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case.

Sibal pointed out the misuse and abuse of the anti-money laundering law by saying that there has been enough use and abuse of this (PMLA).

Also Read | Jharkhand: Gang of Thieves Decamp With Entire ATM Machine in Hazaribagh, Probe Underway.

Enough of this law has been used and abused and the government have been toppled in the name of, he added.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the ED asked Sibal to confine to the facts and not attribute motives and politicise it.

Kapil Sibal said that the government have been toppled and asked the Solicitor General to name the people who have been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act thereby suggesting that it was only the leaders of the opposition parties being targeted under the anti-money laundering law.

Sibal underlined that the ED officers were not police officers incharge of a police station and thus they were not vested with the powers that are available to police officers incharge of a police station under the code of Criminal Procedure.

Advocate Sibal will continue his arguments next on August 2.

The Madras High Court on July 14 held legal the EDs arrest of Balaji and subsequent judicial custody granted by a lower court on money laundering charges linked to the cash-for-jobs scam. The High Court order came on the habeas corpus petition filed by Megala, wife of Senthil Balaji.

The High Court found the habeas corpus plea not maintainable in law.

It further clarified that time spent by Balaji under medical treatment in a private hospital would be excluded from the period of custody allowed to the ED.

The ED had arrested Senthil Balaji last month in connection with the cash-for-jobs scam that occurred in the state's transport department, and he continues to be a Minister without portfolio.

The ED had earlier approached the apex court contending that the Madras High Court erred in entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed by Balaji's wife and allowing him to be moved to a private hospital in Chennai from the government hospital following his arrest by the ED.

After a division bench of the Madras High Court gave a split verdict on the habeas corpus plea filed by wife Balaji for his release in a case registered by ED, the Supreme Court asked the Chief Justice of the High Court to place the matter before the three-judge bench at the earliest.

The Minister for Electricity as well as Prohibition and Excise, Balaji, was arrested on June 14 and admitted to a government hospital in Chennai after he complained of chest pain. He was allowed by the Madras High Court on June 15 to be shifted to a private hospital of his choice.

He was later taken from the Tamil Nadu government Multi Super Speciality Hospital to Kauvery Hospital at Alwarpet. Doctors attending to him have recommended bypass surgery.

The interim order of the High Court was passed on a habeas corpus petition filed by the Ministers wife, who accused probe agency officials of not having followed due procedures, such as intimating the grounds of arrest, under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

His wife wanted the arrest itself to be declared illegal for the EDs failure to comply with the legal procedures.

The ED had arrested Balaji in connection with an Enforcement Case Information Register (ECIR) filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in 2021.

The ECIR was registered on the basis of three FIRs lodged against him by the local police in 2018 for his alleged involvement in a cash-for-job case when he was the Transport Minister in Jayalalithaas Cabinet in 2015.

The charges date back to his tenure as transport minister during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government from 2011 to 2015.

He joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in December 2018 and assumed office as the Electricity Minister after the party came to power in May 2021. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Indore, July 27: A 22-year-old B.Tech student has been stabbed to death in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city, police said on Thursday. Four persons, including a 19-year-old woman student, have been arrested in connection with the incident which took place on Wednesday in Vijay Nagar area, they said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhishek Anand said, "B.Tech student Prabhas alias Monu was stabbed to death in the early hours of Wednesday when he was going to visit the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain in a car along with his four friends." The accused have been identified as Tanya, Chhotu, Shobhit and Hrithik, he said. Five Slaps With Slippers and Rs 500 Fine, Village in Madhya Pradeshs Shahdol Makes Rule to Fight Cattle Problem, Villagers Call It Bizzare.

"Tanya (19) is originally from Khargone. She is in the first year of BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) course in Indore and is also working in a private company, the DCP said. The three other men accused have a past criminal record, according to the official. Tanya and her three accomplices, who were on a scooter, intercepted the car in which Prabhas was travelling with his friends, allegedly with the intention of fatally attacking two other car occupants, identified as Titu and Rachit, the official said. Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Government Official Swallows Rs 5,000 He Took as Bribe After Seeing Police in Katni, Video Goes Viral.

"While Titu and Rachit survived the knife attack, Prabhas, who was sitting on the back seat of the car, died due to a severe stab wound near his heart," the DCP said. Tanya, the main accused, had a friendship with Titu and Rachit, but they later had a rift due to some reason, he said. They were attacked due to this dispute, the official said.

(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 27 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held wide-ranging talks with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi, covering the entire expanse of bilateral cooperation including in the Indo-Pacific.

The talks took place hours after Hayashi arrived here on a two-day visit with an aim to review and bolster Indo-Japan strategic ties.

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"Warm welcome to FM Yoshimasa Hayashi of Japan on this New Delhi evening. The 15th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue will take stock and chart the way for our Special Strategic and Global Partnership," Jaishankar tweeted ahead of the talks.

This is Hayashi's second visit to India in the last five months.

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It is learnt that the two sides also deliberated on the situation in the Indo-Pacific.

In May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida held talks on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

The two leaders deliberated on ways to synergise efforts to combat pressing global challenges under India's G20 presidency and Japan's leadership of the G7 advanced economies.

(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 27 (PTI) The government on Thursday listed various "impediments" in holding elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies simultaneously and noted that such an exercise would result in huge saving to the public exchequer as well as political parties.

In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said asynchronous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, including by-elections, result in prolonged enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct with its concomitant adverse impact on developmental and welfare programmes.

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Simultaneous elections would result in huge saving to the public exchequer, avoidance of replication of effort on part of administrative and law and order machineries in holding repeated elections and bringing considerable savings to political parties and candidates in their election campaigns, he asserted.

He listed major "impediments/imperatives" for synchronisation of Lok Sabha and assembly elections, including bringing amendments in "not less than" five articles of the Constitution -- Article 83 relating to duration of Houses of Parliament, Article 85 relating to dissolution of Lok Sabha by the President, Article 172 relating to duration of the state legislatures, Article 174 relating to dissolution of state legislatures, and Article 356 relating to the imposition of President's Rule in states.

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He said there will be a need to obtain consensus of all political parties on the matter.

"Having regard to the federal structure of our system of governance, it is imperative that consensus of all state governments is also obtained," he said.

There will also be a need to acquire additional electronic voting machines (EVMs) and paper trail machines which would cost a "huge amount, might be in thousands of crores".

"Considering that life of machine is only 15 years, this would imply that machine would be used for about three or four times in its life span, entailing huge expenditure in its replacement after every fifteen years," he said.

Additional polling and security personnel would also be required, the minister noted.

Meghwal said the issue now stands referred to the Law Commission for further examination to work out practicable road map and framework for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, July 27: After over three decades, authorities allowed the 8th Muharram procession to pass through its traditional route on Thursday.

The administration has granted two-hour permission to the procession. It is to be carried out between 6 am to 8 am. Notably, the procession is being carried out on the traditional route of Shaheed Gunj to Dalgate, a route which was thrown out of bounds for the processions in the backdrop of the law and order situation since 1989.

The administration put all security arrangements in place to prevent any law and order situation during processions. "We sincerely wanted that the long pending request to carry the eighth procession through its traditional route be fulfilled. We have kept all the aspects in mind. Since tomorrow is a working day, there is huge traffic on the route. So prioritizing the convenience of people and their (Muslims) demands as well, the procession will be carried out between 6 am to 8 am", said Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Wednesday. Islamic New Year 2023 Date in India: Know Hijri New Year Significance and More About the Day That Marks the Beginning of Muharram.

Muharram Procession in Jammu and Kashmir:

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K | Muharram procession taken out through its historic route in the city. The procession was allowed from 6 am to 8 am today, by the Administration. pic.twitter.com/fqbq6uOGwP  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

Significantly, a day earlier, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar chaired a high-level meeting to discuss arrangements for Muharram. Security measures in terms of personnel deployment and technological enhancements, management of religious processions, crowd management, preventing any untoward incidents and maintaining a peaceful environment, and traffic management were discussed. Jammu and Kashmir: BSF Thwarts Major Narcotic Smuggling Bid Along International Border in Samba, Pakistani Intruder Shot Dead.

SSP Srinagar was also advised to use technology like drones to monitor crowd gathering. ADGP Kashmir also called upon all citizens to be vigilant, report any suspicious activities and cooperate with the authorities to make Muharram a safe and secure occasion for everyone. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, holds deep religious significance among Muslims.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, July 27: A leopard entered the sets of a Marathi TV serial "Sukh Mhanje Nakki Kay Asta" in Film City in Mumbai's Goregaon district, triggering panic and havoc. The Cine Workers Association has expressed anger over the incident, even as a video showing the large cat's entry into the film city is making the rounds on the internet. Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President, All Indian Cine Workers Association said that over 200 people were present at the spot when the wild cat entered the sets. Leopard Scare in Jharkhand: Panic Grips People As Wild Cats Turn Maneaters, Kill 5 People in 25 Days; Attendance in Schools Fall Marginally.

"More than 200 people were present at the set, someone could have lost his life. This has been the third or fourth such instance within the last 10 days. The government is not taking strong measures towards this," said Gupta. A viral video showed a wild cat walking up above one of the structures of the set while panic-stricken people running for safety. Some people even recorded the footage. Leopard in Pune: Three Leopards Stray Around House in Junnar, Video Stirs Panic.

Leopard Spotted in Mumbai

#WATCH | A leopard, along with its cub, entered the sets of a Marathi TV serial in Goregaon Film City, Mumbai yesterday. All Indian Cine Workers Association president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta says, "More than 200 people were present at the set, someone could have lost life. This pic.twitter.com/m1YgSXARl6  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

Leopard In Mumbai:

The incident took place at 4 pm on Wednesday. Gupta said that the government is not taking strong measures to check the leopard movement. Gupta added thousands of workers and artists will go on strike in the film city if the government does not take urgent steps for their security.
Aizawl, Jul 27 (PTI) More than 600 Meiteis have left Mizoram due to fear of tension after two tribal women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur surfaced online recently, a senior police officer said on Thursday.

Superintendent of Police, Crime Investigation Department, Special Branch, Vanlalfaka Ralte told PTI that the Metei people left the state for fear of being attacked after an ex-militant organisation issued an advisory after the viral video of two women paraded naked by a mob in Manipur.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Sub-Inspector Opens Fire on Senior Inside Civil Line Police Station in Rewa, Investigation Underway.

The SP said that the Meiteis also felt "insecure" due to the solidarity march organised by civil society groups on Tuesday.

According to Ralte, more than 600 Meiteis left for their home states till Tuesday.

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There is no report of any Meitei people leaving since Wednesday, he said.

However, a leader of the Meitei organisation claimed that the Meitei people continue to leave Mizoram till Thursday.

All Mizoram Manipuri Association (AMMA) vice president Rambir said that the Meitei people continue to leave Mizoram as they felt "insecure" due to the recent protest rally by a conglomerate of major civil society organisations across the state.

He claimed that more than 3,000 Meiteis, mostly teachers, students and workers, live in Mizoram.

On Tuesday, NGO Co-ordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil society organisations, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), organised massive protest rallies in different parts of the state expressing solidarity with the Kuki-Zo ethnic community in Manipur.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, his deputy Tawnluia, ministers and legislators cutting across party lines also took part in the protest rally in Aizawl.

Police said that there is no report of any untoward incident since the solidarity march.

Recently, Peace Accord MNF Returnees Association had served as an advisory to the Meiteis to leave Mizoram for their own safety as the Mizos became angry for atrocities meted out to the Zo ethnic people in the neighbouring state.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The European Union has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to reopen the Lachin Corridor.In a statement, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said that Azerbaijans readiness to supply goods via the city of Aghdam should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor.

July 27, 2023, 09:33 Borrell: Goods supply via Aghdam should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of Lachin corridor

STEPANAKERT, JULY 27, ARTSAKHPRES: "Medical supplies and essential goods are in short supply or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee safety and freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor imminently and not to permit the crisis to escalate further.

We took note of the expressed readiness of the Azerbaijani authorities to also supply goods via the city of Aghdam. This should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor. The EU also notes that ICRC activities in the region have been heavily impacted and calls for their full resumption, including medical evacuations and humanitarian supplies. The EU stresses that humanitarian access must not be politicised by any actors.

The European Union, and in particular President of the European Council Charles Michel, has been heavily engaged in supporting the normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as in promoting a dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert/Khankendi. This also requires the genuine commitment of all sides to negotiated outcomes and a future built on common interests and mutual trust," the statement says.
Sikar (Rajasthan) [India], July 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated a series of transformative development projects in Sikar, Rajasthan.

The event witnessed the presence of several esteemed dignitaries, including Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Mansukh Mandaviya, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kailash Choudhary.

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The projects unveiled encompassed diverse sectors, aimed at empowering farmers, bolstering agriculture, advancing medical infrastructure and preserving Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage.

The Prime Minister dedicated over 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK) to the nation.

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These Kendras are set to serve as comprehensive support centres for farmers, providing essential information, testing facilities and access to various government schemes.

PM Modi launched "Urea Gold," a novel variety of urea coated with Sulphur. This fertilizer will rectify soil sulphur deficiencies, optimize nitrogen usage in crops, and enhance crop quality.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the onboarding of 1600 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This platform will facilitate FPOs with digital marketing, and online payment options and catalyse rural logistics growth.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, the 14th instalment amounting to approximately Rs 17,000 crores was directly transferred to more than 8.5 crore beneficiaries, offering much-needed financial support to farmers.

The Prime Minister inaugurated five new medical colleges in Chittorgarh, Dholpur, Sirohi, Sikar, and Sri Ganganagar.

Foundation stones were laid for seven medical colleges in Baran, Bundi, Karauli, Jhunjhunu, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, and Tonk. These initiatives will significantly improve healthcare facilities and increase the number of MBBS seats in Rajasthan.

Six Eklavya Model Residential Schools were inaugurated in the districts of Udaipur, Banswara, Partapgarh, and Dungarpur, aimed at benefiting tribal communities residing in these areas.

The PM also inaugurated Kendriya Vidyalaya Tivri, Jodhpur, further strengthening the education infrastructure in the region.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to initiate these crucial development projects from the revered land of Shekhawati.

He highlighted the significance of PMKSKs, which will serve as a lifeline for farmers, providing access to essential agricultural resources and knowledge.

PM Modi assured the farmers that the government would continue working to reduce their expenses and support them during challenging times.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of rural development, stating that India's progress is intertwined with the development of its villages.

He reiterated the government's commitment to creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan and promoting education and medical facilities to uplift the lives of its citizens.

The initiatives unveiled in Sikar demonstrate the government's steadfast commitment to empowering farmers, advancing healthcare, and ensuring holistic development in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan is poised to witness a new era of prosperity, blending its rich cultural heritage with modern progress, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (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 27 (PTI) Punjab Police on Thursday busted an arms smuggling racket after arresting five people and recovered 24 illegal weapons from them, a senior official said.

The racket was busted by the Mohali police.

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"In a mega breakthrough, CIA unit of @sasnagarpolice busts one of the biggest arms smuggling rackets of North India. The arms smugglers used to supply weapons in #Punjab & #Haryana, Punjab's Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav said in a tweet.

"Identified 4 major Gangsters of Bambiha and Lawrence Gang and arrested 5 associates," Yadav said in a tweet.

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He said the kingpin of this racket -- Vikrant alias Vikki Thakur from Meerut -- used to supply illegal firearms to major gangs.

Yadav said 24 illegal weapons and 12 live cartridges have been recovered.

Police said further investigations were on.

(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 27 (ANI): The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 with voice vote, to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 20 and now will be sent to the Lower House.

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Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur termed piracy as a termite.

Terming piracy as a termite, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told the Upper House that the Government will not have revisional powers over the CBFCs decisions even after this Bill.

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The Bill aims to address the issue of film piracy by transmission of unauthorised copies on the internet.

It also intends to improve the procedure for certification of films for public exhibition by the Central Board of Film Certification and also aims to improve the categorisation of the certification of the films.

As per the Bill, it substitutes the U/A category with the following three categories based on age: (i) UA 7+, (ii) UA 13+, or (iii) UA 16+ and empowers the Board to sanction the film with a separate certificate for its exhibition on television and other media.

The Bill further proposes to replace the current 10 years validity period for film certification with perpetual validity and it also takes away the revisional power of central government in the light of Supreme Court judgement in Union of India vs KM Shankarappa. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Jul 27 (PTI) After a gap of more than three decades, the Shia community here on Thursday took out a Muharram procession on the Gurubazaar to Dalgate route, with hundreds participating in it.

The procession was taken out by members of the community after permission was granted by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.

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Mourners assembled at Gurubazaar around 5.30 am as authorities had granted a two-hour window -- from 6 am to 8 am -- for the procession on the route that passes through the busy Lal Chowk area. The procession did not take place after the outbreak of militancy in Kashmir in the 90s.

Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told reporters that adequate security arrangements were made for the march.

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"There was a demand from the Shia community for the past few years that this procession be allowed. After the government took a decision, we made adequate security arrangements for it," he told reporters.

This is the first time in more than 30 years that the procession on the 8th day of Muharram has been allowed on the route.

On Wednesday, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir V K Bhiduri had said that as the procession was taking place on a weekday, the timing was restricted to 6 am to 8 am so that people do not face any inconvenience.

"There was a long pending demand from our Shia brothers that the traditional procession...from Gurubazaar to Dalgate be allowed. It was not allowed for the past 32-33 years," he had said.

The administration's decision to allow the procession, is a "historic step", the official had said. He had also said that the peaceful culmination of the programme will help the administration take similar decisions on other issues.

"The success of tomorrow's procession will make it easy for taking decisions on issues as well. If anyone tries to create disturbance under this garb, they will be dealt with strictly," Bhiduri had said.

He had said the people of Kashmir have created an atmosphere that has helped the administration to take this decision.

(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 27: A team of opposition MPs belonging to I.N.D.I.A is slated to visit Manipur on July 29 and 30 amid their demand for a detailed discussion in Parliament on the situation in the state, which has seen ethnic violence. The visit comes even as the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has accepted the notice given by the opposition parties for no-confidence motion against the government. The opposition leaders have said that they decided to go for no-confidence motion to seek reply from the government and the Prime Minister on various issues including the situation in Manipur.

Opposition parties have been protesting in Rajya Sabha over their demand for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence and a statement from the Prime Minister. "A team of INDIA alliance MPs will visit Manipur on July 29, 30," an opposition leader said. 'Kala Kapda Kala Dhan, Nahi Sahega Hindustan': Piyush Goyal Slams Opposition MPs for Wearing Black Clothes in Rajya Sabha To Protest Over Manipur Violence (Watch Video).

Oppsition parties have been pressing for their demand since the beginning of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20. The government has said it is ready for debate on the issue but the opposition has inisisted on debate under adjournment motion. Monsoon Session: Opposition Leaders Arrive at Parliament Wearing Black Clothes, Meet to Press for PM Narendra Modi's Statement on Manipur Violence (Watch Video).

Both Houses of Parliament saw disruptions on Thursday also. Home Minister Amit Shah had visited Manipur and announced several steps to restore peace. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had visited the state in June. Twenty-six opposition parties had named their alliance as I.N.D.I.A during their meeting in Bengaluru earlier this month.
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) The Madras High Court's recent direction to the Union Ministry of Culture to remove an over 300-year-old legally protected tomb from the court complex has invited sharp criticism from a section of top archaeologists of the country.

The ASI is now preparing to file an appeal against the order in the division bench of the HC.

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The monument in question is a tomb built by Elihu Yale, the Governor of Madras from 1687 to 1692, in the memory of his son, David Yale and his friend Joseph Hynmer.

After his return to Britain, Elihu Yale contributed a substantial amount of his fortune which he had amassed in India to a "Collegiate School" which was later renamed Yale College and then to Yale University, as it is currently known, and is reckoned among the world's top educational institutions.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) declared the tomb a 'protected monument' for the first time in 1921 under the then Ancient monuments Preservation Act, 1904.

After Independence, it was carried over as a 'protected monument' under the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act, 1951.

The relocation of the tomb, located in the Madras Law College compound, has been proposed to pave the way for a multi-level parking to cater to the surge in number of vehicles occasioned by the increase in number of advocates, staff, litigants, government officials, etc.

The tomb comes in the way of development activities because according to the law, no construction activities can be carried out within the 100 metres of a protected monument.

The Madras HC, which passed the relocation order on a petition of an individual named B Manoharan, is of the view that the tomb has neither archaeological value or historical importance, nor an artistic masterpiece that warrants its maintenance as a protected monument.

The court thus held that the developmental activities necessitated in the current day scenario cannot be brushed aside for merely housing the cemetery of individuals, who have no historical significance, except for being the resting ground of the son of the then Governor of the East India Company.

During the hearing of the case, the ASI opposed the relocation on the ground that it is against Article 49 of the constitution which assigns a responsibility to states to protect every monument or place or object of artistic or historic interest.

Some renowned archaeologists have spoken against the order arguing the court doesn't have expertise to decide the artistic or the archaeological importance of a monument.

Dr M Nambirajan, Joint Director General (Retd), ASI, says the tomb is historically important as it was constructed by Ehilu Yale who founded the world famous Yale University and embodies in it the remnants of burial architecture of the British era of the late 17th century.

"Tombs of these times are usually simple and limited in ornamentation/decoration and are invariably inscribed. These tombs cannot be compared with elaborate architecture of places of worship, forts, Mughal tombs etc in deciding its historical, architectural or aesthetic importance /features," Dr Nambirajan said, adding, the matter should better be left to the Archaeological Officers, who are experts on these matters.

Dr GS Khwaja, another renowned archaeologist, said, "It is a very unfortunate order. The monument is protected under the act of parliament and the HC is not above the law. There is a laid down procedure under the act to remove the given protection to a monument and only a committee of experts with deep understanding of archaeology can take a call on it."

Archaeologists also say that one cannot pick and choose a monument for relocation as per its own need and convenience. Rather, it should be done in a comprehensive manner with the consultation of experts.

"A framework should be drawn and within a given time frame, all the monuments provided protection in the pre-independence era should be reviewed in the best interest of the infrastructural development that needs to be taken up in the fast developing economy of the country," former ASI director for monuments and world heritage N Taher said.

The experts also say that the Madras High Court should not have passed such a judgement in case where the High Court itself is a beneficiary.

"It is very sad that the Madras High Court, in order to create a car park for itself, has ordered the removal of a historical monument. The issue should have been referred to the Heritage Experts for their considered opinions rather," another well-known archaeologist, not wanting to be quoted said.

"The Supreme Court in the case of Rajeev Mankoti vs Secretary to the President has passed a detailed judgment, about the need to preserve, protect and maintain heritage for future generations, which the High Court at Madras appears to have overlooked completely," he added.

Dr Nambirajan also feels that there are some offending observations made on the attitude of the authorities by the HC and the order, if not challenged, may lead to complex situations in future in similar cases all over the country.

"Therefore, I believe and hope that the authorities take a considered decision to challenge this order before a Bench of the Hon'ble High Court," he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Barcelona, Jul 27 (AP) A former British rap artist and alleged jihadist has died in custody in Spain, the Interior Ministry said Thursday.

Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary was found dead in a Spanish prison Wednesday, the ministry said. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

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Abdel Bary was arrested in 2020, accused of heading a jihadist terror cell. He was facing up to 9 years in prison. A trial was set for sentencing July 14 and he was awaiting verdict.

Abdel Bary, 32, left London in 2013 to join an Al Qaeda faction and later ISIS militias in Syria. He made a name for himself on social media sites by showing himself clutching the severed head of one of his alleged victims.

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Before joining the Jihad, Abdel Bary performed as rapper lyricist under the name Jinn.

He was the son of an Egyptian operative of al-Qaeda who was convicted for events related to the 1998 bombings at US embassies in Africa that killed 224 people. Abdel Bary stopped making music not long after his father's extradition to the US on terror charges.

Spanish police arrested Abdel Bary and two other men in April 2020, shortly after they crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on a skiff from Algeria.

He was accused of leading a jihadist terror cell formed by him and the two other men, dedicated to committing internet banking scams and trafficking in cryptocurrencies to finance their terrorist activities.

Abdel Bary denied being a cell leader during the trial. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 27 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Sri Lanka this weekend, following his return from Papua New Guinea, reported Lankan news organization News First on Thursday citing French media.

According to the reports, Macron will meet Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit.

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It is going to be the first visit by a French President to Sri Lanka, also his visit will mark the first trip of a French President to countries of Pacific island nation.

Although, Macron's visit had not been officially announced. The French President will first travel to Vanuatu on July 27 before leaving for Papua New Guinea, reported News First.

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Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape invited President Macron during a meeting held in Port Moresby on June 5 with Walid Fouque, Special Advisor for Asia and the Pacific to President, according to Papua New Guinea Today.

Macron is scheduled to arrive in Port Moresby at 11 am on Friday, His visit includes a meeting with Governor-General Bob Dadae, and a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Marape, followed by a bilateral meeting and the signing of various agreements, reported Papua New Guinea Today.

Papua New Guinea Today operate out of Port Moresby Papua New Guinea and covers every aspect of news and information, from breaking national and international crises to in-depth features, sports, business and many more.

Macron's visit aims to strengthen the bilateral relations between France and Papua New Guinea.

Moreover, Macron is expected to return from Papua New Guinea on July 28 night to July 29 morning.

France is part of the group of countries that announced a common platform for talks among bilateral creditors to coordinate the restructuring of Sri Lanka's debt, News First reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tel Aviv [Israel], July 27 (ANI/TPS): Expanding Israeli relations in Africa, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Ivory Coast Foreign Minister Kandia Camara signed a framework agreement in the fields of agriculture, water and technology.

Cohen led a business delegation of a variety of Israeli companies in the fields of cyber, agriculture and energy to the Israel-Ivory Coast Economic Forum.

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Both of our countries face the threat of terrorism, especially the spread of Hezbollah, Irans terrorist arm, Cohen said.

In my talks with senior government officials in the Ivory Coast, we agreed to share Israeli knowledge on legal, financial and intelligence issues. We also operate in the field of international aid, with Israel providing The latest of her knowledge in the fields of agriculture for the benefit of the people of the Ivory Coast. The economic forum that I opened with the Israeli business delegation will greatly contribute to increasing trade between the two countries. (ANI/TPS)

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(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 27 (ANI): The Sindh Home Department issued a notification imposing the ban on the use of drone cameras in Muharram processions and other religious events citing security reasons, reported ARY News.

The notification said that a complete ban has been imposed on the use of drone cameras and permission will not be granted for any kind of coverage and recordings of the Muharram processions due to security reasons.

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Moreover, according to ARY News, the authorities will take legal action against the violators.

Earlier, the Punjab government on Wednesday asked for the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Rangers in the province to maintain law and order during Muharram.

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Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Interior decided to deploy the Pakistan Army Troops during the holy month of Muharram, ARY News reported.

Moreover, the Interior Ministry sent a circular to the provinces stating, Army troops being deployed countrywide under Article 245. The circular was shared with Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) government.

The military troops being deployed on the request of the provinces for maintenance of law and order, the ministry stated.

Furthermore, The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Sunday declared that mobile services will be temporarily banned till the 10th of Muharram (July 29) in Karachi.

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. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
If Azerbaijan blocks the Armenian humanitarian aid convoy from entering Lachin Corridor it would corroborate Armenias fears that Baku seeks to commit genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

July 27, 2023, 11:36 Azerbaijan corroborates fears of intention to commit genocide by blocking humanitarian convoy for Nagorno-Karabakh - Pashinyan

STEPANAKERT, JULY 27, ARTSAKHPRES-ARMENPRESS: Weve asked the Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh to accept the cargo and transport it to Nagorno-Karabakh, where theres an ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the nearly 8-months blockade of the Lachin Corridor. However, Azerbaijan is obstructing the access of the humanitarian goods into Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. This conduct is incomprehensible and unacceptable, Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting.

He denied Azerbaijani allegations on Armenia using the Lachin Corridor for military purposes to be an absurd claim, and said that these false accusations are simply a pretext for Azerbaijan to illegally block the Lachin Corridor.

The humanitarian convoy of 19 trucks sent to Nagorno-Karabakh carries 100 tons of flour, 80 tons of pasta, 60 tons of sugar, 40 tons of vegetable oil, 40 tons of powdered milk, 20 tons of salt, 12 tons of baby food and 9 tons of medication.

Furthermore, the diplomatic corps in Armenia were invited to review the cargo before it was sent. So why doesnt Azerbaijan allow the goods to enter Nagorno Karabakh? Perhaps because Azerbaijans true goal is to starve the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, subject them to genocide. However, regardless of our assessment, we are waiting for the response of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and official Bakus positive reaction, because the blocking of the humanitarian cargo would only confirm fears that Baku intends to commit genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, Pashinyan said.

Access of the humanitarian cargo into Nagorno Karabakh would contribute to the peace efforts in the region and would be a positive step on the path of establishing an atmosphere of trust, he added.
Beijing, Jul 27 (AP) Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in southwestern China for talks about joint projects, including the development of Indonesia's capital.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the governments of China and Indonesia signed several agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on exchanging knowledge and experience for the development of Nusantara.

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During their meeting in Chengdu, the two leaders also were discussing investments, cooperation in areas such as health, research and technology, and regional issues, including China's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to a statement from Widodo.

The Indo-Pacific is a strategic area that we must protect as a peaceful and stable area, said Indonesia's president, whose country is chairing the ASEAN this year.

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Widodo is on a three-day visit to China and also plans to meet with Chinese businesspeople to discuss possible investments in Indonesia, especially in the petrochemical, renewable energy and health sectors, the statement added.

He also is scheduled to attend the opening of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu.

Indonesia is, along with China, a member of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies. China is Indonesia's largest trade and investment partner.

Indonesia wants a bigger role as a supplier of nickel and other raw materials to China's fast-growing electric car brands. (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 27 (AP) Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are considering joining the US National Guard's security partnership program in a further expansion of American military ties across Europe after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The chief of the National Guard, Gen. Dan Hokanson, was expected to announce the discussions with each country, which have not previously been reported, in remarks at the National Press Club on Thursday. The Associated Press obtained an advance copy of Hokanson's speech.

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Interest by the three countries in the program is the latest indication of how Russia's war has led each of those nations to take steps that consider ending long-standing policies of military nonalignment.

Finland and Sweden were the most recent countries to seek NATO membership; Finland joined in April and Sweden is waiting for approval. Longtime-neutral Switzerland began considering easing export controls on sending weapons to active war zones earlier this year.

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The National Guard's State Partnership Program is a lesser-known but key military instrument for US troops to build relationships with foreign militaries by conducting regular training and education exchanges with young officers. It partners National Guard units with host nations.

The program can help foreign military better shape their own operations to reflect Western military organization and equipment. That is something seen as key to getting a host of Eastern European nations on NATO standards to ease how multinational armies could conduct operations.

The National Guard program began 30 years ago after the collapse of the Soviet Union as former Soviet states looked for ways to move away from their communist-styled military organization.

Ukraine was one of the first to join the National Guard program, partnering with California's National Guard. From the earliest days of Russia's invasion, Ukraine's air force has reached out for support to the California National Guard partners it trained with.

Sweden and neighbor Finland ended their policy of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Both applied for NATO membership, seeking protection under the organization's security umbrella.

Finland, which shares a more than 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) border with Russia, joined NATO in April. But Sweden, which has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, had previously been delayed due to objections from Turkey. But earlier this month, Turkey agreed to remove one of the last major roadblocks to Sweden's membership.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Turkey had agreed to support Sweden's NATO bid - by putting the issue to a vote in parliament -- in return for deeper cooperation on security issues and a promise from Sweden to revive Turkey's quest for European Union membership.

The war in Ukraine has also prompted Swiss government officials to grapple with their country's longtime conception of neutrality, which is enshrined in the constitution and prohibits exporting weaponry to active war zones.(AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Rhodes, Jul 27 (AP) A wildfire whipped on by strong winds triggered a series of massive explosions Thursday at an air force ammunition depot in central Greece, and F-16 fighter jets were being moved from a nearby air base as a precaution while firefighters worked to tame multiple blazes in the country.

The Greek air force said the military base was not under an immediate threat. The depot was evacuated before the explosions, and no injuries were reported, although continued blasts prevented firefighting teams from approaching the site.

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Fires have raged across parts of Greece during three successive Mediterranean heat waves in the past two weeks, leaving five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggering a huge weekend evacuation of tourists on the island of Rhodes.

The fire in the Volos area of central Greece's Magnissia region reached the ammunition storage facility about 6 kilometres 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.

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The large explosions shattered windows on houses in a surrounding area, but the Greek fire service said no injuries were reported in nearby villages, which also were evacuated as a precaution.

Fire Service spokesman Ioannis Artopios said 12 villages were ordered evacuated in the Volos-Nea Anchialos area.

Despite their superhuman efforts, our forces were unable to stop the blaze, he said.

Artopios said the Volos area blaze was the most dangerous of the 124 wildfires the fire service had to deal with Thursday.

The wildfire burned on three fronts and forced a section of Greece's busiest highway to close for several hours, while national rail services passing through the area were delayed.

State ERT television showed residents and visitors in the coastal village of Anchialos, some 4 kilometres from the blast site, being evacuated by sea, while others were leaving in cars and buses.

The mayor of the city of Volos, Achilleas Beos appealed to all remaining village residents to obey the evacuation order, saying some 80 per cent had left. The coast guard said dozens of residents were taken in small private boats to the city of Volos.

The Nea Anchialos air base is some 20 kilometres from the city, where the blasts were heard loudly. The air force said that while the facility was not immediately threatened, some of the F-16 fighters based there were taking off for other air bases as a precaution.

Water-dropping helicopters and a ground crew scrambled early Thursday to a separate wildfire in Kifissia, just north of Athens, which was quickly put out.

Greek firefighters also battled flames for a 10 successive day on Rhodes, where officials said the blazes were largely contained. Flare-ups were reported on the island of Evia.

The World Meteorological Organisation, a UN body, and a European Union climate change service reported Thursday that temperatures during the first three weeks of July set a new global heat record.

As Southern Europe fights extreme heat and wildfires, parts of central Europe have been hit with winter conditions. Subfreezing temperatures, frost and snow have been reported in the Tatra Mountains, which run through Poland and Slovakia.

In Italy, firefighters battled brush fires in the southern mainland regions of Calabria and Puglia, as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, helped by temperatures dropping some 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) into the low- and mid-30s C (high 80s F).

Sicily remained the focal point, with fires continuing to burn near the capital, Palermo.

Without doubt, we can see that all across the Mediterranean the climate crisis is here, and it's affecting us all more strongly than perhaps even scientists had warned us about, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday during a meeting with Greece's president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Wildfire carbon emissions for July in Greece were the highest by a huge margin  totaling over 1 metric megatons and doubling the previous record  since record-keeping started 20 years ago, according to the EU agency that analyses satellite data, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.

Unfortunately, it is not all that surprising, given the extreme conditions in the region, said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the agency. The observed intensity and estimated emissions show how unusual the scale of the fires has been for July relative to the last 20 years of data.

In Athens, senior members of the armed forces paid tribute to the two pilots killed when a firefighting plane crashed this week, at a ceremony held at the Defence Ministry.

Capt. Christos Moulas and Lt. Pericles Stephanidis died during a low-altitude water drop on the island of Evia. Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said they had shown self-denial in the line of duty.

Greece today is in mourning. Their memories will live on, Dendias said.

Funeral services for the two airmen were to be held in northern Greece later Thursday and on the island of Crete on Friday. ___

Gatopoulos reported from Athens. Associated Press writers Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy, and Venessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, July 27: The third meeting of the opposition parties of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will be held in Mumbai on August 25 and 26, sources said on Thursday. According to sources, the meeting will be held for two days in Mumbai which will be attended by all the 26 parties of INDIA bloc.

The second meeting of the opposition meeting took place in Karnatakas Bengaluru on July 17 and 18. The name INDIA was decided during its second meeting which was attended by 26 opposition parties. Opposition Meet Ends: 26-Party Front Vows to Put United Fight Against BJP Under INDIA Banner as Second Opposition Meeting Concludes.

The venue, Mumbai, for the third meeting was also decided during the same meeting in Bengaluru, which was also attended by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Next Opposition Meeting to be Held in Mumbai, Date Will be Announced Soon, Says Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The 26 opposition parties led by Congress have been trying to forge alliance ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections to take on the BJP. The first meeting was held in Bihars Patna on June 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2023 10:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday told the legislative assembly that the police are in touch with Twitter India to identify those behind a handle that posted derogatory remarks against Savitribai Phule.
Peshawar, July 27: In yet another cross-border love story, a Chinese woman has travelled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to meet a Pakistani man whom she befriended and fell in love with on social media, police said on Thursday. The woman, identified by the media as Gao Feng, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday by road from China via Gilgit on a three-month visit visa. The 21-year-old was picked up by her 18-year-old friend Javed, a resident of Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan, they said.

Javed took the woman to his maternal uncle's home in Samarbagh tehsil of Lower Dir District instead of his hometown due to the security situation in Bajaur District bordering Afghanistan. According to police, both were in contact through Snapchat for the last three years and the friendship developed into a love affair. Anju-Nasrullah Case: Married Indian Woman Goes on Sightseeing Trip in Pakistan With Her 'Facebook Friend'.

District Police Officer of Lower Dir District Ziauddin told the media that the Chinese woman has been provided full security in the Samarbagh area. However, she is not being provided free movement due to Muharram and security concerns in the area.

The travel documents of the woman are in order, police said, adding that she has not yet performed the 'nikah' with Javed. The news of the Chinese girl travelling to Pakistan for the pursuit of love came at a time when in a similar incident, a 34-year-old married Indian woman Anju from Rajasthan travelled to the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet her 29-year-old Pakistani friend Nasrulla whom she she met on Facebook. Anju later married Nasrulla after converting to Islam and now has a new name, Fatima. PUBG Love Story: Pakistani Woman, Her Indian Lover Urge Government To Get Them Married (Watch Video).

In another similar incident, Seema Ghulam Haider, a 30-year-old Pakistani mother of four, sneaked into India to live with Sachin Meena, a 22-year-old Hindu man she got in touch with while playing PUBG in 2019. Seema and Sachin live in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida, near Delhi, where he runs a provision store, according to Uttar Pradesh Police.
London, July 27: An Indian crewman was killed and at least 20 others injured when a fire broke out onboard a cargo ship carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles, off the Dutch coast. Several crew members jumped off to save themselves from the fire that erupted on Tuesday night on the 199-metre Panama-registered Fremantle Highway as it was en route from Germany to Egypt.

The Indian Embassy in the Netherlands said it was in touch with the victim's family and making efforts for his repatriation. "We are deeply saddened by the incident involving Ship Fremantle Highway in North Sea, resulting in the death of an Indian seafarer & injuries to the crew. Embassy of India is in touch with family of the deceased & is assisting in repatriation of the mortal remains," the Embassy tweeted on Wednesday. Panama Cargo Ship Fire: One Dead, Several Wounded as Blaze Erupts on Cargo Boat.

"Embassy is also in touch with the remaining 20 injured crew members, who are safe and receiving medical attention. All possible assistance is being extended in coordination with the Dutch authorities and the shipping company."

According to the Guardian, the ships owner said an electric car in the cargo was suspected as a possible cause for the blaze in the area, which has been declared a Unesco world heritage site and has a rich diversity of more than 10,000 aquatic and terrestrial species. Japan Boat Fire: 10 Rescued After Boat Catches Fire in Tokyo Bay.

After the fire, rescue ships sprung into action and sprayed water on to the burning vessel to cool it down. In addition, a salvage vessel was hooked on to stop the ship from drifting. A helicopter airlifted the remaining people from the 23-strong crew off the burning ship.

The injured crew were being treated for breathing problems, burns, and broken bones, the Guardian said quoting local Dutch authorities. The ship is still on fire. The recovery vessel Hunter has an emergency connection to the ship and is holding the ship in a controlled position. Multiple parties are working on an action plan to limit the damage as much as possible, the Coast Guard said in a post on Twitter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2023 03:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
On 26 July, the public security ministry (SSP) in Mexicos Guerrero state announced that three police officers had been killed in a clash with criminals in Eduardo Neri municipality.

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On 26 July, during video hearings with the Washington-based Organization of American States (OAS), Irma Elizabeth Palencia, the president of Guatemalas electoral authority (TSE), criticised recent police raids on the TSE ordered by the attorney general (AG)s office.

Analysis:

The recent raids on the TSE and on anti-corruption opposition party Movimiento Semilla (Semilla) were ordered by AG prosecutors to investigate claims of possible irregularities in the registration of Semilla members, which could potentially lead to the partys suspension before the 20 August presidential second round run-off. Semillas presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo finished second in the 25 June first round, securing a place in the run-off in what was a major upset and a threat to the discredited political establishment given his pledge to go after corruption. Yesterday Palencia said the police raids and other requests were arbitrary but probably licit. However, they formed part of a judicialisation of the electoral process that was not justifiable. Her comments come amid continued fears domestically and abroad that the discredited authorities are seeking to exclude Arevalo from the running.

Palencia added that the form and tone of how the raids were conducted was relevant. In the 24 July raid on the TSE, its employees were detained behind closed doors for over 10 hours by prosecutors and by armed police wearing ski masks. This was unjustifiable, she said, particularly since TSE staff had always done their best to answer requests and provide information

The TSE president said she was worried by the judicialisation of elements and conditions of the electoral process in ways that could affect or put at risk the second-round ballot and what might come after that.

Palencia noted that the legitimacy of the 25 June first round had been questioned by the losing parties but the integrity of the electoral system prevailed. First-round voting had been observed by three international electoral missions, including one from the OAS, which all found that the vote was legitimate.

Eladio Loizaga , the head of the OAS electoral mission to Guatemala, also condemned the raids on the TSE and on Semillas offices, saying they created obstacles for the democratic process at the expense of all citizens.

, the head of the OAS electoral mission to Guatemala, also condemned the raids on the TSE and on Semillas offices, saying they created obstacles for the democratic process at the expense of all citizens. Palencia also referred to existing legislation which outlaws the suspension of a political party in the midst of an electoral process. She called on the conservative Vamos government led by President Alejandro Giammattei to protect the work of the TSE.

to protect the work of the TSE. Separately, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said he was planning to visit Guatemala to oversee the teams monitoring the second-round ballot. He was cited as saying that he hoped to meet both run-off candidates, Arevalo and former first lady (2008-2012) Sandra Torres (Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza, UNE).

said he was planning to visit Guatemala to oversee the teams monitoring the second-round ballot. He was cited as saying that he hoped to meet both run-off candidates, Arevalo and former first lady (2008-2012) (Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza, UNE). The international community continues to closely follow events in Guatemala. On 24 July US Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols tweeted that he had spoken with Guatemalas foreign minister, Mario Bucaro, about the vital importance of allowing Guatemalas 2nd round election to proceed without interference or harassment of candidates and parties. The US has recently added to its list of Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors Guatemalan officials associated with efforts to remove Semilla from the race.

Looking Ahead: Tension remains high with continuing uncertainty over the run-off. Yesterday Arevalo pulled out of a video seminar organised by the Washington-based Adrienne Arsht Latin American Centre (part of the Atlantic Council), citing worries over possible arrests. Arevalo apologised to participants for pulling out, saying weve been told of the possibility of mass arrests, between 12 and 16 arrest warrants which are supposedly being prepared against members of our party.
On 26 July, tens of thousands of teachers staged a strike across Chile to demand better working conditions.

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Aliyevs deliberate ethnic cleansing campaign in Artsakh is unfolding before our eyes, US Congressman Frank Pallone wrote on his Twitter account

July 27, 2023, 14:40 Aliyevs deliberate ethnic cleansing campaign in Artsakh is unfolding before our eyes - Frank Pallone

STEPANAKERT, JULY 27, ARTSAKHPRESS:State Department and the international community must make it clear that its unacceptable and implement sanctions. Failure to reopen the border now will trigger an unfathomable humanitarian crisis, he wrote.

Azerbaijan has kept Nagorno Karabakh in blockade for more than six months already, depriving more than 120,000 people of basic necessities.

Armenia sent 400 tons of humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh on Wednesday, but the convoy is still in Armenias southern region of Syunik, waiting for an answer from Russian peacekeepers expected to further transport the aid to Nagorno Karabakh.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has described the attempt of sending aid to Artsakh as "provocation".
Hunter Biden's plea deal encountered complications during his first court appearance, leading him to plead "not guilty" to the charges.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Biden had failed to pay between $1.1 million and $1.5 million in federal taxes before the legal deadlines. He was initially expected to plead guilty to two tax charges, with prosecutors agreeing to recommend a probation sentence, CNN reports.

However, the original plea deal encountered issues. District Judge Maryellen Noreika expressed concerns about linking the tax plea agreement to resolving a separate felony gun charge.

The judge also questioned the constitutionality of the plea deal.

Amid negotiations, a revised agreement was reached. Biden agreed to plead guilty only to the two tax charges, with no connection to other charges.

Both sides agreed that this deal would not protect him from potential future charges.

Despite the changes, the judge remained unsatisfied and raised concerns about the possibility of constitutional issues. Ultimately, Hunter Biden entered a not-guilty plea, and the legal proceedings will continue as the investigation into his tax matters and other potential charges continues.

The court will further assess the case to ensure that due process is followed and constitutional rights are upheld.

READ NEXT: Hunter Biden Probe Hits Massive Snag

White House Delivers Statement Following Hunter Biden Plea Deal

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the developments in the Hunter Biden case during the daily briefing. She emphasized that Hunter is a private citizen and that the case is a personal matter for him, according to Fox News.

She also said that President Joe Biden and the first lady continue to support their son as he works to rebuild his life.

Jean-Pierre stated that the Justice Department handled the case independently, under the leadership of a prosecutor appointed by former President Trump.

She referred any further inquiries to the Department of Justice and Hunter Biden's legal team, who can address specific questions.

Hunter Biden Gets 'Sweetheart' Deal, According to Republicans

The collapse of the plea deal in the Hunter Biden case was an unexpected turn in the yearslong investigation.

The resolution, which had been extensively negotiated between the Justice Department prosecutors and Biden's attorneys, aimed to avoid a lengthy trial and the potential for distracting media coverage.

However, the politics surrounding the case remain contentious, with Republicans criticizing the plea deal and alleging that Hunter Biden received a "sweetheart deal," AP noted.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department continues to investigate former President Trump, the front-runner for the GOP's 2024 presidential primary, in various matters.

Trump faces legal challenges, including a state criminal case in New York and a federal indictment in Florida.

Recent developments suggest that new federal charges could be brought against him for his actions after the 2020 election.

Republicans argue that there is a double standard, where the president's son is perceived to have received leniency while Trump faces scrutiny and criticism.

Congressional Republicans are investigating various aspects of Hunter Biden's business dealings, including foreign payments.

In response to the collapse of the plea deal, House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed agreement, suggesting that it favored Hunter Biden unfairly.

"But let's be clear: Hunter's sweetheart plea deal belongs in the trash," he said.

READ MORE: Hunter Biden Net Worth

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WATCH: Hunter Biden pleads not guilty after plea deal falls apart - From CBS News
Fentanyl is affecting communities on both sides of the US-Mexico border as the drug trafficking problem seems to be worsening as more and more people overdose on the dangerous substance.

The fentanyl problem was not that big a couple of years ago, but as drug traffickers started mixing fentanyl into other drugs, many people, who did not know that the drugs they are taking is laced with fentanyl, started dying.

One of these is Hugo Arroyo, a fentanyl user who works with the Tijuana-based harm reduction group Prevencasa. He recently spoke with Al Jazeera News and stated that they are getting "three or four [cases] per day."

Overdoses from the substance seem to be down right now, but cross-border fentanyl trafficking remains a growing problem. This is backed by data from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the fiscal year 2023. Seizures of the substance have spiked around 50% as the agency seized over 9,500kg (21,000 pounds) of fentanyl at the San Diego-Tijuana ports of entry.

Over in the Mexico side, the Mexican Red Cross has also responded to reported overdoses. In the first half of 2023, the Mexican Red Cross responded to an average of nearly 70 overdoses a month in Tijuana alone. Most of those who overdosed were men between the ages of 19 and 41.

This is a lot bigger than the only 19 deaths from opioids reported by the Mexican Health Department in 2021. However, public health official Hugo Lopez-Gatell acknowledged that there may have been some underreporting happening as the Mexican government has not provided data on fentanyl for subsequent years.

Fentanyl Demand Spikes Along US-Mexico Border

In the US, prescriptions for opioid medications have spiked, bolstering demand for drugs north of the US-Mexico border. However, on the Mexico side, fentanyl gained traction when drug traffickers began mixing it with other drugs to create addiction and spur demand.

READ MORE: Mexico: Thousands of Tequila Bottles Filled With Liquid Meth Intercepted at Port

"The number of people using illegal fentanyl has increased a lot. It gives you a more intense rush, but it lasts less than heroin, and that is more addictive," Prevencasa medical coordinator Alejandro Gonzalez told Al Jazeera News. He did admit that his group has observed fatal overdoses now that there is more access to the anti-opioid medication, Naloxone.

These days, drug users in Mexico carry Naloxone as it has proven to be effective in reversing the effects of opioids, including overdoses.

US Says China Is Responsible For Spread of Fentanyl

As for one of the reasons that fentanyl is flooding across the US-Mexico border, Congress is blaming it on China. The US House of Representatives passed the "Stop Chinese Fentanyl" bill and redefined the country as a "foreign opioid trafficker." The bill seeks to hold China accountable for sending chemicals to Mexican drug traffickers who use the said chemicals to make fentanyl, according to the South China Morning Post.

Democratic Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer has previously expressed wanting to sanction China over the flow of fentanyl from Mexico, The Senate Democrat claimed that the drug comes from production sites in China "with the total acceptance and acquiescence of the Chinese government."

The opposition to Chinese fentanyl is bipartisan and Schumer stated that he hopes it will pass with strong bipartisan support.

READ MORE: El Chapo's Son, Member of Sinaloa Cartel, Arrested After Chaotic, Messy Chase in Mexico

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WATCH: Fentanyl (Full Episode) | Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller - National Geographic
New details have emerged on the Nashville school shooting after the autopsy report on the late school shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, have been revealed.

The report showed that the 28-year-old trans artist covered their clothes in handwritten messages before the fatal attack that killed three children and three adults, as well as herself.

According to Fox News, the report identified the late shooter as a trans male but listed them as biologically female. The autopsy report also stated that they were carrying a knife that was inscribed as "Aiden," which was their chosen name. Hale was killed by officers who responded to the attack that happened at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.

Unsurprisingly though, the shooter's cause of death was the gunshot wounds they sustained after being shot by police. Hale also suffered bruises and abrasions and "minor" blunt force trauma.

As for the handwritten notes, drawings, and numbers that the shooter placed all over his clothing, it is noted that they wore a plastic anklet inscribed with "508407." It is still unclear what was written on their clothes, though their manifesto and other writings have sparked debates on whether to release them.

Traumatized Parents Battle Local News and Politicians Over Audrey Elizabeth Hale Manifesto

Currently, there are no standards on deciding whether or not writings from mass shooters be made public. On one side, parents of the victims and traumatized survivors might not want to see such writings be made public and state that this is a matter of public interest. On the other hand, local news outlets, nonprofits, and a Republican lawmaker think that this is a matter of public interest so the writings must be released.

READ NEXT: Tennessee Drag Show Ban Is Unconstitutional, Rules Trump-Appointed Judge

The Associated Press pointed out that mass shooters such as Hale often release their writings online. After their attacks, there is often a race to suppress its spread. Experts often point out that such manifestos might inspire others to do the same. An example is the Texas Walmart Shooter which targeted Latinos in El Paso. He published his racist manifesto on an online messaging board five months after the New Zealand mass shooter posted on the same site about his Islamophobic manifesto.

Ultimately though, the decision to release such documents would be decided by a local police chief or sheriff, who in turn is governed by state-specific public records laws. As for the Nashville School Shooting, police stated that they will release Hale's writings but only after the investigation concludes.

Tennessee School Shooting Victims' Families Form Non-Profits To Address Gun and School Safety

Families from The Covenant School have now banded together and created two nonprofits in the wake of the Nashville School Shooting. These new non-profits will promote school safety and mental health resources and also push for legislative policy changes that would place certain limits on firearms. Experts believe this would be difficult in a deep-red state like Tennessee, yet they are still pushing for gun reforms.

"We can create brighter tomorrows for our state so no other community has to endure the suffering," said Nashville mom Sarah Shoop Neumann, whose son, Noah, survived the attack. The groups they formed are the latest in the ongoing tension in Tennessee as parents and ordinary citizens are pushing for gun safety regulations to be passed in the red state.

READ MORE: Tennessee Three Member Justin Pearson Also Reinstated Unanimously

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WATCH: Nashville shooting families ask for gun reform - Associated Press
The El Salvador congress passed new rules on Wednesday to expedite the judicial process for accused gang members through mass trials, AP reports.

These changes to the country's criminal code represent the latest measures in President Nayib Bukele's ongoing crackdown on street gangs, particularly Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), which he initiated last year in response to escalating violence.

During this anti-gang campaign, the government took unprecedented steps by declaring a "state of emergency," leading to the suspension of constitutional rights. As a result, a significant number of individuals, totaling 71,976, were detained under suspicion of gang affiliation.

Remarkably, this amounts to approximately 1% of the country's population.

However, this aggressive approach has raised concerns about potential human rights violations, as the detention facilities have become overcrowded, exacerbating the situation.

According to estimates by the human rights group Cristosal, only around 30% of those detained have clear ties to organized crime, further fueling criticism of the government's tactics.

Under the newly passed rules, courts can conduct trials for groups of defendants based on specific criteria, such as the geographical area they lived in and the particular "clique" or smaller group within a gang that controlled that territory.

READ NEXT: El Salvador Opens Mega Prison

El Salvador Has Arrested 71,900 Alleged Gang Members

El Salvador has been operating under a state of emergency for a lengthy period of 16 months, during which more than 71,900 individuals suspected to be members of gangs have been arrested.

Official data indicate that approximately 6,000 people have been released during this time, per Al Jazeera.

The measure to detain alleged gang members through the state of emergency was passed with significant support from legislators belonging to President Nayib Bukele's New Ideas party, which holds a majority in Congress.

The objective behind this move is to enhance order and efficiency in tackling the gang-related issues that the country has been facing. The measure received 67 votes in favor and only six against.

According to Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, the new rules now allow the prosecution of up to 900 defendants from the same group simultaneously.

This indicates a concerted effort to expedite the legal process and handle a large number of cases more efficiently.

Supporters of the state of emergency argue that it has yielded positive outcomes, citing a noticeable decline in homicides and crimes like extortion and drug dealing.

However, the policy has not been without its share of criticisms from both domestic and international human rights groups.

Critics have raised concerns over alleged human rights abuses, including reports of torture, deaths in custody, and arbitrary detentions, particularly among young men in poor neighborhoods.

Opposition Is Still Skeptical About the New Rules

Despite the lawmakers' assurance that individuals found not to have links to gangs should be released, opposition politicians and rights groups remain skeptical about the recent measure allowing group trials for accused gang members.

They argue that such trials risk depriving detainees of their right to due process and individual presumption of innocence, according to Reuters.

Manuel Melendez, a researcher on Salvadoran politics from Harvard University, pointed out the evolution of the government's stance: from initially claiming that innocent people weren't being arrested to admitting their detention but promising eventual release by the courts.

Ingrid Escobar, spokesperson for Humanitarian Legal Aid, a group helping Salvadoran detainees, expressed concerns that prisoners might face trials for crimes they did not commit.

She highlighted the risk faced by those living in neighborhoods stigmatized by gangs, even if they are not actual gang members.

The situation has drawn international attention and criticism.

During a hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on July 14, rights organizations denounced 174 deaths in state custody and documented over 6,400 human rights abuses during the state of emergency.

In response, the government and the attorney general's office have denied these allegations.

Lawmakers also approved a bill that raises the maximum sentence for gang leaders from 45 to 60 years, reflecting the government's continuing efforts to combat gang-related activities.

READ MORE: Ecuador President Declares State of Emergency

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WATCH: Inside El Salvador's gang crackdown - From BBC News
Former Trump attorney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani had admitted he lied about the elections. He is currently facing legal trouble over his claims that the 2020 elections were stolen and has now acknowledged that he made "false" statements regarding two Georgia election workers.

The former mayor claimed that the two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, engaged in voter fraud during the 2020 election. The two sued him for defamation but Giuliani argued that what he said was constitutionally protected speech. However, his recent admission changes things.

The court filing that featured Giuliani's concession stated that he admits or the purposes of the litigation, "to the extent the statements were statements of fact and otherwise actionable, such actionable factual statements were false."

In the two-page stipulation, the disgraced Donald Trump attorney admitted that "he does not dispute for purposes of this litigation, that the statements carry meaning that is defamatory per se," and stated that he will not contest the "factual elements of liability" raised by the two plaintiffs.

However, while he admitted to lying, Rudy Giuliani still argued that what he said was still constitutionally protected statements or opinions and he still maintained that he did not cause the two election workers any damage, according to CBS News.

The concession came as the former New York City mayor faced sanctions from US District Judge Beryl Howell over his discovery obligations for the case. The two plaintiffs may be awarded certain attorneys' fees and costs should the sanctions have been imposed.

Rudy Giuliani Admission To Lying About 2020 Elections May Not Save Him, Say Legal Experts

While Giuliani has since doubled down on not being liable despite admitting that he lied, legal experts are casting doubt on the former mayor's strategy, as Yahoo! News pointed out,

Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig stated that it was "remarkable" to see a defamation lawsuit defendant "admit 'yes, what I said was false'" but still deny any liability.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Is Diverting Campaign Donations From Supporters to His Legal Fees

She called his attacks on the two election workers "one of the most despicable, over-the-top lies" and added, "What he seems to be trying to do is limit this question to, 'Was it constitutionally protected speech?' You have a lot of range when it comes to First Amendment political speech, but I cannot conceive how you justify attacking innocent civilian poll workers falsely like this."

National security attorney Bradley Moss also thinks that the Giuliani strategy will ultimately fail, saying, "This is horribly written, contradicts itself, and will not suffice."

Donald Trump's 'Elite Strike Force' Now Facing Hard Times

Trump critics often joke that MAGA really means "Make Attorneys Get Attorneys," and this seems to hold true for the former president's lawyers who are facing legal troubles themselves over their actions while representing Donald Trump.

Aside from Giuliani, who is facing a slew of lawsuits and may possibly also be charged by Special Counsel Jack Smith over the January 6 investigation, other Trump lawyers have themselves also lawyered up. Sidney Powell, the infamous "Kraken" lawyer constantly claimed that the elections were stolen and is facing legal trouble over those claims herself. Meanwhile, Giuliani has his New York law license suspended and may find himself disbarred.

Meanwhile, Politico noted that another Trump lawyer, Jenna Ellis, was censured by a judge in Colorado over her false claims regarding the election while former Trump legal adviser John Eastman, may have his law license rebuked for helping plan the January 6 insurrection. He is also one of the possible defendants to be charged in Jack Smith's January 6 investigation.

READ MORE: Donald Trump's Fake Electors Take Immunity Deals

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WATCH: Rudy Giuliani admits he made 'false' statements about Georgia election workers - NEWS CENTER Maine
A shocking incident at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida, has led to a series of arrests, with the school's principal and other high-ranking officials facing charges for allegedly failing to report the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.

Darren Edgecomb, a Palm Beach Central High principal, along with two assistant principals, a teacher, and a behavior therapist, were arrested Monday on charges of failure to report sexual assault, according to NBC Miami.

The parents of the 15-year-old girl reported in August 2021 that their daughter had been sexually assaulted a few months prior.

Subsequently, the girl's father contacted the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, alleging negligence on the part of multiple school staffers in reporting the case, as required by Florida statutes, to the Department of Children and Families.

Despite evidence supporting the allegations against the suspect in the sexual assault, the investigation was closed in October 2021.

This decision came after the girl's parents chose not to pursue the case further, with the reports stating that they wanted to avoid prolonging the matter in the legal system to facilitate their daughter's progress in therapy and emotional well-being.

READ NEXT: Florida Teacher Investigated for Screening Disney Movie in Class

Palm Beach Central High Sexual Assault

The incident at Palm Beach Central High School involving the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl took a distressing turn when a student and friend of the victim wrote a letter expressing concern for the victim's well-being on June 16, 2021.

In the letter, the student brought attention to a matter they believed needed urgent intervention, stating that the victim had faced numerous issues with certain individuals and had been sexually assaulted by two of them, CBS 12 noted.

The student also witnessed these individuals disregarding the victim's objections. Furthermore, the letter mentioned that the victim was experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, and engaging in self-harm because of the traumatic experiences.

The affidavit revealed that the letter was presented to the Palm Beach Central High principal, Darren Edgecomb, and was seen by at least five other Florida high school officials: Assistant Principal Dan Snider, 49, Assistant Principal Nereyda Garcia, 37, Chorus Teacher Scott Houchins, 53, and School Behavioral Therapist Priscilla Carter

Subsequently, a meeting took place on August 19, 2021, involving Garcia, during which they admitted not reporting the assault.

Their rationale for not acting was that they believed the victim would eventually inform her parents about the incident, and the parents should report it.

Palm Beach Central High Principal Investigates, Decides Sexual Assault 'Didn't Happen'

According to a heavily redacted probable cause affidavit, the Florida principal conducted his investigation into the matter and concluded that the sexual assault did not happen, per SunSentinel.

Despite this conclusion, he claimed that he would remove the accused student from school activities, likening the punishment to that given for lesser offenses like vaping.

Tragically, the school staff were aware of the girl's assault and her subsequent suicidal thoughts.

However, the Florida high school officials failed to report this crucial information to Florida's Department of Children and Families, as mandated by the state's statutes.

The consequences of their negligence were severe, leading to significant trauma for the victim and a lack of trust in her educators, as outlined in the detectives' report.

In response to these distressing developments, the Palm Beach County School District spokesperson, Angela Cruz Ledford, stated that all staff members involved have been reassigned to positions that do not involve direct contact with students.

However, the statement did not specify these new roles or their remuneration. Moreover, it remains uncertain who will replace them at the high school and if there will be any disruptions to school operations.

The school district maintains that its policy aligns with the law, requiring all personnel to report any suspected abuse, regardless of where or when it occurred.

However, the affidavits paint a troubling picture of critical moments when the school staff failed as mandatory reporters, withholding vital information from the student's parents and choosing not to engage with witnesses of the assault.

READ MORE: Human Remains Found at Remote Campsite Identified

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WATCH: Palm Beach Central High School principal, 4 other staffers arrested - From WPTV News
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has facilitated the transfer of 11 patients from blockaded Artsakh to Armenia for treatment. The patients were accompanied by their attendants, the Ministry of Healthcare of Artsakh Republic said in a statement on Thursday.

July 27, 2023, 14:48 Red Cross evacuates 11 patients from blockaded Artsakh

STEPANAKERT, JULY 27, ARTSAKHPRESS: The ICRC plans to transfer 13 other patients with attendants whove completed their treatment in Armenia back to Artsakh Republic later today.

The Artsakh Healthcare Ministry said that Azerbaijan is continuously banning the supply of essential medications and medical equipment by the ICRC to Nagorno-Karabakh.

23 children are hospitalized at Stepanakert's Arevik Children's Hospital. 5 of them are in neonatal and intensive care. Meanwhile, 82 patients are hospitalized at the Republican Medical Center in Stepanakert. 7 of them are in intensive care (2 are critically ill).
Jackass star Bam Margera must stand trial on charges that he punched his brother during an altercation at their home near Philadelphia, a judge ruled Thursday while ordering him to get a drug and alcohol screening to remain free on bail.

Margera, 43, has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges, which include simple assault and making terroristic threats. He has been free on $50,000 bail and said Thursday that he has been in drug and alcohol treatment this year and living with former Los Angeles Lakers star Lamar Odom.

Im not trying to get him in trouble here. I just want him to get the help because I feel like this is our last chance, Margeras brother, Jess Margera, said in testifying about what he called two decades of troubling behavior by his brother, which he said escalated during a frightening and unpredictable two-week visit home in April.

He said that Bam  upset on a Sunday morning after seeing a text that suggested he needed mental health treatment  struck him in the nose and ear and ruptured his eardrum. Jess Margeras girlfriend called police after Bam kicked in her bedroom door, he said.

I dont know what were doing here, lawyer Michael van der Veen said. This is a disagreement between two brothers on a Sunday morning over coffee.

He argued that the brothers often perform such antics for the cameras. The Chester County magistrate rejected the argument, noting that no cameras were rolling at the time.

Prosecutors agreed to drop two of four counts of terroristic threats stemming from allegations that Bam Margera threatened to shoot various family members and left his brother a threatening note. Neither the brother nor prosecutors suggested that he had access to a gun.

By the end of the hearing  which was delayed for several hours by Bam Margeras delayed flight from California  both sides seemed most interested in ensuring that he remains in treatment.

We want to make sure youre safe, secure and alive, said Judge Albert Iacocca, who asked what had motivated him to go to treatment this year.

To see my son Phoenix, whos 5, Bam Margera said.

Margera, who also starred in the MTV reality series Viva La Bam, wrote on social media after his arrest that the allegations are not true, and the brothers threatened to sue each other over the conflict.

I dont care about the money, Jess Barbera said. My brothers a good dude when hes not messed up. I dont think he would hurt a fly. Its just when hes been up for days, its scary.

By MARYCLAIRE DALE

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Police in Pennsylvania officially ended their search efforts for a 9-month-old boy who was lost in a Bucks County flash flood on July 15.

The 9-month-old, Conrad, and his 2-year-old sister Matilda, were both swept away by flood waters while the South Carolina family was visiting friends and relatives in Pennsylvania.

According to a Facebook post by the Upper Makefield Township Police Department, their search efforts to find the missing boy included drones, boats, K9s, divers, sonar technology, air assets and hundreds of people.

Matildas body was found in the Delaware River about 30 miles from where she was initially carried away from.

As of July 26, the search for Conrad is over.

At this point, we have exhausted all means of attempting to locate Conrad. With broken hearts, we regretfully announce that the active search for Conrad has concluded. The family has been made aware of this development and they would like to express their deepest gratitude for all those involved in the search efforts to bring Conrad home and to all of you for all your outpouring of love, support, and kind words during this extremely difficult time, the Upper Makefield Township Police Department said in a Wednesday Facebook post.

Conrads mother, Katie Seley, died in the flooding as well, but Jim Sheils  the boys father  4-year-old brother Jack and grandmother Dahlia Galindez survived, according to WPVI.

Four other people drowned in the area due to the flood waters, 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.

READ MORE:

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Hampden Twp. set to begin pool renovations this fall
A heat advisory is in effect for the remaining weekdays this week.

To encourage residents to keep cool under the high temperature conditions, Easton and Phillipsburg announced ways to help residents cope.

The City of Easton is helping residents cool down during the upcoming heat wave by opening fire hydrants at 8 locations around town. They will operate from noon - 6 pm on Thursday 7/27 & Friday 7/28. pic.twitter.com/H99ZROJMDl  City of Easton PA Official (@cityofeastonpa) July 26, 2023

In Easton, city officials said fire hydrants will be open noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the following locations:

Wilkes-Barre and Mckeen streets

Milton and Reynolds streets

Charles and Kleinhans streets

11th and Butler streets

12th Street at Paxinosa School

Ninth and Jackson streets

11th and Ferry streets

Porter Street at March School

In Phillipsburg, the swimming pool at Walters Park will be free to all senior residents, the town says.

The senior center at 310 Firth St. and the Phillipsburg Free Public Library will both be open and offer an air-conditioned space to all residents. The senior center will operate from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the library will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Water will be provided at both locations, the town said in a post to Facebook.

Allentown is offering free admission to Mack Pool to city residents, who need to show ID. Regular pool rates apply to non-residents and at Cedar Beach. The pools are open noon-7 p.m.

The city has free spray parks open noon-7 p.m. at Bucky Boyle, Old Allentown Fairgrounds, or Valania Park.

Allentowns fire team will also have cooling stations set up noon-3 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Irving and Roosevelt parks.

Anyone, especially older adults, in need of air conditioning can visit the Allentown Public Library, open 8 a.m.-8 p.m., or the Lehigh Valley Active Life Center, open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Pennsylvania emergency management officials on Tuesday stressed the need to understand the spectrum of heat-related illnesses that can occur due to over exposure to high temperature conditions, including heat cramps (mildest), heat exhaustion and heat stroke (most severe).

Awareness allows you to prevent heat related illness and recognize early stages, intervene as early in the course as possible and help in an emergency, the officials said.

Friday will likely be the hottest day of the week across the region, and potentially of the year, the National Weather Service said. Heat index values that take into account humidity in addition to air temperature are forecast above 100 Thursday and Friday across the Lehigh Valley region and northwestern New Jersey.

Dangerous excessive heat expected Thu & Fri. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Drink plenty of water and wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Hot and humid conditions look to last through Sat, but by Sun, it appears we will see some relief. pic.twitter.com/atgmBDGCPE  NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 26, 2023

The normal high/low temperatures for the area around this time of year are typically 86/65.

Stay up-to-date with National Weather Service advisories for our region at weather.gov/phi, and visit lehighvalleylive.com/weather for your local forecast from AccuWeather, plus radar. Check airnow.gov for current air quality conditions in your area.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter.
Four Clonaslee people are preparing to put in eight days of hard work to help build a school in a poverty stricken South African shanty township.

John Joe Heaney, Ray and Elaine Delaney and Pat Carroll are heading out in November to volunteer for the Mellon Educate charity.

It is John Joes 12th trip, Rays fifth but the first time for nurse Elaine and Pat.

Ray was moved to volunteer after seeing the plight of townships while on his honeymoon with Elaine in South Africa over a decade ago.

My father used to do a lot of charity work and when this came up he was happy I was doing something too. John Joe came with me the first time and hes been going every year since. We do block laying, a bit of painting, its nearly as skilled labourers.

I havent gone in 10 years as our kids were small and Elaine wants to go with me for the first time, he explained.

Each volunteer has to raise 4,250 each which is used for building materials. They are opting to pay out of their own pockets for flights, costing about 1,000 each.

We dont want anyone to think its a holiday, Ray said.

He describes the poverty experienced in black townships that were created during the time of apartheid.

Below: the small houses built by the Mellon charity amidst shacks.

People live in old shacks. The food they have to eat is rough. The worst case I saw, a woman came and asked us if there was a bit of cement left to patch a hole in the bottom of her galvanise shack. She had a new baby and was up at night trying to keep the rats off the baby. They are as big as cats, Ray said.

The children come out of these little shacks absolutely shining ready for school. They wrap their uniforms in plastic to keep them clean and dry, he said.

At least when we go home we have built them some homes. This time its a school we are building, he said.

John Joe explains why the townships are still there so many years after the locals were forced out of their villages by racial segregation laws that are long overturned.

"It's just the poverty. The rich are getting richer using cheap labour. These people have nothing but they are so happy," he said.

He has gone every year since he began in 2012 with Ray.

"The feeling when you come home, you realise we have so much in Ireland and we don't realise it, Christmas really is not the problem people think it is.

"We're like a big family, I meet up with some of the volunteers during the year and we are all great friends. I could go to any county and practically be welcomed to stay in their houses. Everyone goes out to do the same thing, whether you're a solicitor or a bricklayer," he said.

He works in forestry and Ray in concrete.

"My wife encouraged me to start going, it was something I had talked about for years. For years we built houses and now the locals build them themselves with a fund from the South African Government. The Mellon charity supervises it.

"They've turned to building schools now. Mandela said 'education is the most powerful weapon in the world'. At home kids complain about having to go, over there children walk four miles and eat one meal of a bowl of rice and an apple. Things like that just hit you.

"Once you arrive and hit the ground, you're treated like a hero. Everyone is so thankful, they remember you, they ask after your family each year. When we finish we will have built an extension on the school, fixed the toilets and installed a new fence," he said.

He described the astonishing scale of the shantytown they will volunteer in, Khayelitsha outside Cape Town.

"It has over a million people, in a site about the size of from Tullamore to Portlaoise. Big trains take them in to work. There are shops but they only sell bare essentials. There is no space to grow food, no running water or sanitation. The rate of crime is very high. When we volunteer there are armed guards protecting us," he said.

The Mellon Educate Building Blitz has over the past 21 years transformed the lives of thousands of people in South African Townships by building and renovating 36 schools over 10 years, to date improving education for 50,000 children.

This year they join 300 volunteers who will work in two schools, building 18 classrooms, two kitchens and two playgrounds, from November 18 to 25.

First timers Elaine and Pat have to raise 4,750 each and returning volunteers Ray and John Joe 4,250 each.

The group are holding a Scrap Saturday collection day on Saturday, August 12 in Clonaslee Community Centre.

They are asking people to donate scrap metal, electrical equipment, batteries, as well as clean clothes, shoes, soft toys, bags, belts, household textiles and books.

It takes place from 10am to 4pm. Large items can be collected if they are not too far from Clonaslee.
Kildare County Council says it recognises the importance of Citizen Science projects in connecting people with science.

According to KCC theres a wealth of ongoing initiatives that support active participation in areas such as water, air, waste and biodiversity.

Some are undertaken by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Birdwatch Ireland or the Irish Wildlife Trust to gather data on species and habitats.

Cllr Vanessa Liston

Citizen science is research carried out by the public who volunteer to collect scientific date. This research often focuses on monitoring biodiversity, invasive species and climate.

KCC was responding to a call by independent councillor Vanessa Liston for a policy supporting and enabling CS.

She said this would enhance public engagement as well as collecting data relating to climate, environment, transport, planning and other policy development.

In a report to a KCC meeting official Marian Higgins said it is important that Kildare engage with existing CS initiatives ensuring their success through active contribution, learning, sharing and using the information that is gathered (and this utilises the existing and stablished infrastructure, expertise and funding without the need for duplication.

Read more Kildare news

Ms Higgins also said Kildare could emulate the CS model to work in place or alongside models to engage stakeholders in the development of policy.

This could be particularly beneficial where deficiencies in data or information are found that cannot be addressed by other sources.

She said KCC is open to including CS as an additional mechanism and methodology to gather local level information and encourage participation and engagement in policy
Russia is calling on the parties to the conflict in Niger to settle their dispute through dialogue, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a comment on Thursday, Tass informs.

July 27, 2023, 16:16 Russia urges conflicting parties in Niger to refrain from using force. Zakharova

STEPANAKERT, JULY 27, ARTSAKHPRESS: "We are calling on the conflicting parties to refrain from the use of force and resolve all controversies through a peaceful and constructive dialogue," the Russian diplomat said.

According to Zakharova, Russia expresses the hope that "this domestic political crisis will soon be resolved in the interests of civilian peace for the sake of the fraternal Nigerien people." "We expect the military to release President Mohamed Bazoum as soon as possible," she added.

No Russian citizens have been affected by the conflict in Niger, Zakharova stressed. "Nevertheless, the Russian Foreign Ministry advises Russian nationals against making non-essential trips to Niger until the situation fully returns to normal there," she said.
A motorist who was speeding on the N7 near Kill thought he could drive at any speed - like parts of the autobahn in Germany, Naas District Court heard.

Before the court was Andrei Mihai, 31, whose address was given as Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork.

He was prosecuted for dangerous driving near Kill on May 13, 2023, at 12.16am.

Gardai who were following him struggled to keep pace with the driver, Sgt Dave Hanrahan told the court, adding he was driving at 160 km/h.

He also said that the driver stopped in the outside lane causing a danger to traffic.

Solicitor Joe Coonan said the defendant thought he could drive like he was on the autobahn and had driven to collect a friend.

Mr Coonan said that as soon as he noticed the lights of the garda car he stopped.

Mr Coonan also said he was only in Ireland for a few weeks before the incident.

The defendant had a wife and child in Romania and was hoping to support them by making a good living and working hard.

He further said the defendant was cooperative and courteous to the gardai.

The defendant, who has no previous convictions, was fined 1,000 on a reduced charge of careless driving.

Read more Kildare news
By Eimear Dodd and Jessica Magee

A man who sexually assaulted nine different women in Dublin city during the month of August 2021 has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended.

Kevin Kletzander, of no fixed abode, grabbed womens crotches, hit a woman in the crotch with his fist and slapped a female garda on the buttocks during the various assaults, which took place in daylight in well-populated areas of the city centre.

The sentence was backdated to August 2021, meaning that Kletzander faces a maximum of 18 months imprisonment.

In her judgement at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today/yesterday (THURS), Judge Orla Crowe said the assaults were a gross intrusions of the bodily integrity and dignity of each woman.

Judge Crowe said it was humiliating, demeaning and shocking for the victims to have been violated in such an aggressive way when they were going about their day-to-day business during daylight hours in the city centre.

The judge noted that Kletzander suffered from considerable mental health difficulties and that the sentence had to be balanced with his need for rehabilitation and help.

Judge Crowe said Kletzander was fortunate to have loving parents who have stood by him.

The judge said victim impact statements submitted by some of the women show how deeply they were impacted and continue be affected by the assaults. The court heard that one woman could not socialise after the assault and remained deeply nervous and hyper aware of her surroundings.

At a previous hearing, the court heard Kletzander told gardai he was looking for love when they arrived at the Ilac Shopping Centre to arrest him following the final incidents on August 28, 2021.

Kletzander (32) pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault on August 5, 12, 27 and 28, 2021 at various locations in Dublin city, including the Ilac Shopping Centre, Aston Quay, Usher Island, Grafton Street and Store Street Garda Station. He has no previous convictions.

Detective Garda Mark Costello told Grainne O'Neill BL, prosecuting, that the first victim was on Grafton Street on August 5, 2021, at appropriately 8.40 am when she saw an odd man walking towards her. She noticed him and feared he wanted to steal her handbag. Instead, he put his arm under her skirt and grabbed her crotch area.

The woman screamed and Kletzander let go before walking off in another direction. She later saw him lying on the grass in St Stephen's Green and made a report to gardai.

On August 12, 2021, Kletzander sexually assaulted three women by grabbing their crotch areas in separate incidents at Stephen's Green, Aston Quay and Ushers Island. In a fourth incident on the same day, he ran at a woman who had gotten off a bus in the Ushers Island area and hit her in the crotch area with his fist.

Separately, a 32-year-old woman was in the Ilac Shopping Centre on the afternoon of August 27, 2021. She was watching her son play when she was grabbed on the buttocks from behind and pushed forward.

An investigating garda said Kletzander then walked several steps in front of this woman before turning back towards her. She used a buggy as a shield as she was concerned he was going to attack her again.

The woman screamed and Kletzander walked away. She was left in pain and shock following the incident.

The next day, another woman was walking into the Ilac Shopping Centre at 8.15 am when Kletzander, who was walking in the opposite direction, asked her for a blowjob. She was shocked and froze. Kletzander then grabbed the back of her neck and pushed her head towards his crotch area. She screamed, and he backed off.

A short time later, in the same area, Kletzander was sitting at the entrance to the shopping centre and shouted at a woman on a bike that he could see her vagina. She got off her bike, and he grabbed at her, putting his hand up her skirt, touching her crotch and stomach area.

The woman was very shocked and scared during the assault. A passer-by shouted at Kletzander and scared him off.

Kletzander was arrested shortly afterwards in the Ilac Centre before he sexually assaulted the female garda at Store Street Garda Station by slapping her once on the buttocks.

A compilation of CCTV was played to the court.

One victim impact statement was handed in but not read aloud.

When interviewed, Kletzander admitted being at St Stephen's Green but made no comment in relation to the other incidents. Det Gda Costello agreed with Ms O'Neill that Kletzander accepted what he had done, but the tenor of the conversation was that he didn't feel he had done anything wrong.

The investigating gardai agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that the injured parties were relieved by Kletzander's guilty pleas. The court heard that Kletzander had no inhibitions and carried out these actions in front of hundreds of people.

Kletzander has been in custody since August 2021 and has been living in hostel accommodation in recent years.

Mr Rea told the court his client has serious mental health issues, which have required periods of hospitalisation. Psychiatric and probation reports were handed to the court.

The court heard the psychiatric report states that Kletzander was feeling rejected by women and receiving messages in his mind, but agreed his behaviour was not appropriate or acceptable.

Kletzander was formerly a student at Trinity College but was unable to complete his studies due to his mental health issues. He is on a new medication regime and appears to be doing better.

Kletzander had started life and studies with such hopes, but they were to be dashed due to behavioural problems, Mr Rea said.

The defendant's older brother died last August, and his parents were in court to support him. The prison service has made arrangements for hostel accommodation in Dublin for Kletzander when he is eventually released. A letter from Focus Ireland was also handed to the court.

Linda Kletzander, mother of the accused, took to the stand and described the last few years since these incidents as a nightmare.

Mrs Kletzander said that before these incidents, her son was a perfectly intelligent brother and son and that they are prepared to pay to get him privately assessed by a psychologist.

She told the court that herself and her husband are not yet in a position to offer accommodation to their son on his release.

Judge Crowe ordered Kletzander to be of good behaviour for four and a half years and to abide by all directions of the Probation Service, particularly in regard to his own mental health treatment and his eventual rehousing and resettlement.
Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus, a member of the European Parliaments Agriculture Committee, has hit out at Brussels in its new attempts to force through the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.

The EU and the Mercosur bloc of South American economies now hope to finalise a trade deal this year.

The news follows remarks from both the president of the European Commission and the Brazilian president who have reaffirmed their commitment to ratify the EU-Mercosur trade deal as soon as possible.

The comments by European Commission and Brazilian president were made as the first summit between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries (EU-CELAC) began in Brussels.

MacManus said, The EU Mercosur free trade agreement is a betrayal of our farmers and the environment.

This agreement would allow for an additional 99,000 tonnes of beef from the South America trade association to enter the EU tariff-free. Any such deal would saturate our market at the expense of Irish farmers.

Outside of Europe, farmers are often held to much lower sustainability, regulatory and ethical standards, resulting in a cheaper and lower quality product that is sourced and produced unsustainably.

This free trade deal does nothing more than serve the interests of multinationals at the expense of the farmers, human rights and the rainforests.

In 2019, the deforestation was over 10,000km. Thats over half the size of my home province, Connacht.

Mercosur is one of those areas where the views of farmers and environmentalists are very clearly aligned which is always welcome when it does happen. I think mutual cooperation and understanding between both is a principle and a practice that needs to be pursued by all sides.

It makes very little sense to be burning down South American rainforests to create farmland to in turn ship thousands of tonnes of inferior meat thousands of miles to eventually undercut our own producers.

The only people this free trade agreement benefits in Europe at the end would be heavy industry, European car and machinery manufacturers.

Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens need to clarify where they stand on Mercosur and any free trade agreement that puts both our farmers and our environment in a weaker and more vulnerable position, he said.

They need follow Sinn Feins lead and commit to blocking such regressive free trade agreements, Mr MacManus concluded.
A LIMERICK criminal who helped the McCarthy-Dundon crime gang during the attempted murder of convicted drug dealer Christy Keane eight years ago has been jailed for six and-a-half years.

Noel Price, aged 45, of Kileely Road, Kileely has 90 previous convictions which include criminal damage, possession of drugs, burglary and assault.

The defendant previously received a 12-year sentence for arson in 2001 when he threw a petrol bomb at the front window of a property belonging to Christy Keane's sister.

He was also jailed for the unlawful seizure of a vehicle occupied by three young children. Two of the children fled from the car and it was only later that Price realised one of the young children was still in the vehicle.

The Special Criminal Court heard that he dropped the child off at the side of the road before he was apprehended by gardai. Price was jailed for five years for that offence.

Sentencing Price at the non-jury court this Thursday, presiding judge Mr Alexander Owens noted the defendant had lent himself to a criminal enterprise by going to Dublin with a very senior member of the organised crime group and then driving back to Limerick in convoy.

The judge added: "He [Price] could but not have known when he headed to Dublin and collected the car that it would be used in criminal activity. He knew all about the gang and the feud with the Keane-Collopy gang. The getting of the car had to be important, something important had to go down," he said.

Last month, Price pleaded guilty to a charge "that having knowledge of the existence of the McCarthy Dundon criminal organisation, he assisted in making available a vehicle to that criminal organisation with the intention of facilitating the commission by the aforesaid organisation of the attempted murder of Mr Christy Keane or being reckless as to same."

The offence, which comes under section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, was alleged to have occurred between June 27 and June 29, 2015, both dates inclusive.

Keane was shot a number of times as he parked his car on the grounds of the University of Limerick where he went for an early-morning gym session in June 2015.

He survived the shooting after making his escape via a nearby running track and was subsequently hospitalised in a critical condition.

Keane, a convicted drug dealer, was sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2000 for possession of 240,000 worth of cannabis.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Owens said as a result of a previous offence committed by Price in 2019 he was now in prison with an anticipated release date of August 2024.

The judge also referred to Price's previous convictions saying he had a very poor criminal record with "repeated recidivism".

He set the headline sentence at ten years' imprisonment. However, a reduction of 25% was applied to take into account his guilty plea and the unfortunate circumstances of his addictions resulting in a sentence of seven years and six months.

Taking proportionality into account and the fact Price had been in prison since 2020 the court suspended the final year.

Mr Justice Owens, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell, sentenced Price to seven years and six months imprisonment with the final year suspended.
THE MAYOR of Limerick City and County, Gerald Mitchell, held a two-hour meeting with An Taoiseach and Fine Gael Party Leader, Leo Varadkar, at Government Buildings where they discussed crucial issues affecting the people of Limerick and laid out their plans for the county.

Mayor Mitchell, who assumed office in June following a unanimous vote, highlighted some of his primary priorities for his term.

As the fifth Mitchell to be elected since his great grand uncle Thomas B Mitchell became the first chairman of Limerick County Council in 1899, he stated that the Mitchell motto down through the years has always been public service, not self service.

Now as Mayor of Limerick City and County, I will be prioritising Uisce Eireann to upgrade sewerage plants in the county, he added.

Many are not fit for purpose and, as a result, are automatically stifling growth in our towns and villages, including Hospital, where I am from.

He underscored the significance of Limerick's third-level institutions. and emphasised his commitment to investing in rural areas through Town and Village Schemes and Active Travel, acknowledging the progress so far while agreeing there is still much more to be done.

Taoiseach Varadkar, who attended with his senior ministers, expressed his satisfaction with their discussion.

The Taoiseach assured that he is committed to addressing the concerns raised by Mayor Mitchell, particularly the need for more funding for road maintenance, the Local Improvement Scheme, and increased support for solar panels and energy efficiency initiatives for farmers, schools, community buildings, and businesses.
DOZENS of complaints about animal welfare cases in Limerick have been made to The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

The organisation has received a high numbers of complaints in regards to animal welfare. In Limerick, 43 calls have been made to the ISPCA between January and May 2023.

If this continues, they expect to log a total of 123 calls in Limerick alone by the end of the year.

After a sharp increase in animal cruelty and the abandonment of pets, the organisation has called for the urgent assistance of the Irish public as funds are needed to take care of the animals.

CEO of the ISPCA, Dr Cyril Sullivan, said: We want to thank all those who contributed so far, it has made a big difference. The Irish public has donated over 100,000 so far in a true display of their care for animals. However, every animal matters and we still have a need to raise as much again to meet this crisis.

I know it is difficult and I know many people who want to contribute just havent gotten around to it. But the need is urgent.

He added: So many have already contributed, if you care and want to help, the time to do it is now, please join with the thousands of people who are responding with generosity. We can do this; we can overcome this crisis and change the lives of these animals. To do that we need that support now.

According to the organisation, the post-pandemic surge in cases has placed a significant financial burden and demand for space on the charity.

The ISPCA said that they remain committed to helping every animal in need and have not turned away any distressed or neglected animal needing rescue.

To accommodate the growing number of animals rescued, the ISPCAs facilities are at full capacity and they have been forced to install temporary facilities and utilise private kennels, leading to substantial, unforeseen costs.

For further information, visit www.ispca.ie/donate
GARDAI have confirmed they are investigating the theft of a personal item from a patient at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

The incident is said to have taken place in the Dooradoyle-based hospital last week, and the item has been confirmed by the injured party to be a mobile phone.

It has been confirmed by a garda spokesperson that a young male was apprehended and detained following the theft.

In a statement, they said: "One male youth aged in his teens was arrested in relation to this incident and has since been released pending referral to the Youth Diversion Programme."

The injured party, who spoke to the Limerick Leader about what occurred, said such incidents "should not be happening."

They added: "I was so traumatised, shocked and upset - I couldnt stop crying and didnt feel safe."

Having allegedly confronted the assailant, the mobile phone was returned.

The injured party added: "I do not want it to happen to some poor old lady that wouldn't be able to chase after him," they continued. "It's not right".

Having been contacted for comment, a spokesperson for UL Hospitals Group (ULHG) said: "Patient and staff safety is the paramount consideration in everything we do in our hospitals, and we have processes for responding to and managing incidents when there may be a risk to the safety of patients and staff."

The statement continued: "We regret when any patient is less than satisfied with their experience in UHL or any of our hospital sites, and we encourage anyone who has a negative experience to make an official complaint, in confidence, to Your Service Your Say at yoursay@hse.ie."
PLANS FOR a new greenway stretching from the outskirts of Limerick city to the Cork border have been approved by councillors.

The proposed greenway - for cyclists and pedestrians - is planned to be built between the village of Patrickswell and Charleville, just over the border in north Cork.

The project took a big step forward when, at the bi-monthly Limerick Council meeting, an agreement was struck to team up with County Cork's local authority to begin a process which will eventually see it constructed.

Its anticipated the public will be asked their thoughts on the greenway route before the end of the year.

Design work, the buying of land consultant employment and construction are all included in the agreement.

Deputy Mayor of Limerick Daniel McSweeney proposed the agreement be put in place, a resolution seconded by his Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Daniel Butler.

Councillor McSweeney, who lives in Patrickswell said: This is a welcome advancement for this greenway project, as it has been a long time on the way.

It is also imperative we also see the advancement of the Rathkeale to Limerick Greenway alongside this project which will link up with the Limerick Greenway and now the Charleville Greenway, added Cllr McSweeney.

One of the route options of the proposed greenway is for it to run along the route of the former Irish Rail line.

It could ultimately be extended to Cork city as part of the development of the N/M20 Limerick to Cork road.

It will be for Limerick Council to manage the development of the first section of it, said its chief executive Dr Pat Daly.

The overall route divided itself readily into three distinct geographical areas, namely Patrickswell to Charleville, Charleville to Mallow and Mallow to Cork with each area examined for its potential to deliver greenway and active travel infrastructure in support of the M20 project, Dr Daly wrote in a briefing note to councillors.

Locally, the greenway would run southwards from Patrickswell and take in Croom and Bruree before crossing the border into County Cork.

Councillors in north Cork have previously expressed fears that the development of a greenway into the Rebel County could come at the expense of the swift development of the M20 motorway plan, which, having been shelved during the recession, has been back on the agenda for a number of years.
Andrew Malkinson was finally declared a free man after his conviction for rape was overturned on Wednesday - Jordan Pettitt/PA

An innocent man who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit may have his prison accommodation and food costs deducted from any compensation he wins for his ordeal.

Andrew Malkinson, who is currently living on benefits, said he was enraged by the idea that he would essentially have to pay money for the torture he endured for almost two decades.

The 57-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of seven years after being found guilty of an attack on a woman in Salford, Greater Manchester, in 2003.

He continuously maintained his innocence and was finally declared a free man after his conviction was overturned by appeal court judges on Wednesday.

While Mr Malkinson would not have to reimburse the prison service directly if he wins compensation, he could be forced to sacrifice a chunk of any payment he does receive to account for costs he would have incurred on the outside had he not been imprisoned.

Sir Bob Neill, the justice committee chairman, said the Government should review the rules. The controversial guidance was confirmed by the House of Lords in 2007, when it was the UKs highest court.

While the Government makes the call on whether to grant compensation, it is then up to an independent assessor to determine how much is awarded, including any deductions for living costs.

Are you serious?

Speaking outside the High Court on Wednesday, Mr Malkinson said he had been kidnapped by the state and and called Greater Manchester Police liars.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said he was sickened by the idea he would have to pay for his kidnapping.

The idea of having to pay my torturers, when I heard about it, it just enraged me beyond... I almost couldnt cope with it, the idea. I thought thats so sick, he said. Proven innocents have to pay for their torture? What the hell? Are you serious?

Sir Bob said the rules governing deductions needed to be reviewed, adding: I think people will think back and say, ok, is it really fair?

Story continues

You can make a case about safeguarding taxpayers money, I understand that. But then you have to put the other side of the coin, well hang on, it was because of the states activity that this person was wrongly convicted, wrongly imprisoned as it turns out, should they actually then be having a deduction made from that?

The Ministry of Justice is not currently believed to be planning to change the rules.

It said deductions from compensation were sometimes made when there had been substantial savings made on living costs while a person was in custody.

At the time of Mr Malkinsons trial, there was no DNA evidence linking him to the crime, and the prosecution case against him was based only on identification evidence.

But a DNA sample, held by the forensic archive, was tested last October and found to link to another man, who has since been arrested. A decision on whether he will be charged is currently being awaited.
AROUND two thirds of the public want the government to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, new research shows.

A survey carried out by the independent polling organisation Ipsos found that 64% of respondents support the banning of disposable e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, while only 28% opposed the measure and 8% were unsure.

The results are published ahead of the Governments public consultation period on disposable e-vaping devices.

Welcoming the Ipsos research, Mark Murphy, Advocacy Manager, Environmental Health and Tobacco, with the Irish Heart Foundation said; It showed the public know disposable vapes are not only a health risk but also pose a threat to the environment.

Mark added only a comprehensive ban of all forms of disposable e-cigarettes could prevent another generation of young people from becoming nicotine addicts.

In 2019, 18.1% of teens admitted to using vapes but this number will have soared since the introduction of disposable vapes, he said.

Just over one thousand adults aged 15 and over took part in the Ipsos survey between July 3-15.

Of the 1,016 people questioned, 57% in the 15-24 age group supported a disposable vape ban, while half of the 24-35 cohort were in favour.

The majority of all other age groups who took part in the survey also agreed the sale of disposable vapes in Ireland should end.

In its submission to the Government, the Irish Heart Foundation said a Health Research Board study showed that teenagers who use vapes are between three and five times more likely to start smoking than those who dont.

A similar pattern was found by EU health researchers, the national stroke and heart charity said, who found that e-cigarettes were a gateway to smoking for young people.

Mark added that research carried out earlier this year by anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health revealed that 69% of the youngsters across the United Kingdom who vaped used disposable vapes which is up from just 7.7% in 202 saying; A similar pattern could easily emerge in this country.

The charitys submission also highlighted the risk to the environment from disposable vapes, which cannot be recycled and which contain plastic, copper and a lithium battery.

A clean-up operation on the River Bride, Co Cork, found 50 single-use discarded vapes in one afternoon.

Mark continued; There is simply no place for disposable vapes in Ireland, and we need to ban them now. They are fuelling teenage vaping and nicotine addiction while damaging our planet. These single-use vapes are designed as fashionable, trendy lifestyle products which make them highly appealing to young people. Moreover, their sleek design makes them easy to hide from parents and teachers.Ireland led the way with its workplace smoking ban, but we are fast losing ground again in the fight against tobacco addiction.We simply cannot allow another generation of young people to become addicted to nicotine.
Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd, which primarily manages cafe chain outlets under the Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) brand, is experiencing financial difficulties and is in the news for rumoured bankruptcy.

Since the death of VG Siddhartha, the founder of Coffee Day Enterprises, the company has encountered difficulties. Siddhartha committed suicide in 2019 while the company was drowning in debt.

Since then, a number of measures have been made by the group to control its debt and turn the company profitable. But Coffee Day's return to fame could be hampered by the rumoured bankruptcy procedures.

Lets take a look at some of the key reasons for how Coffee Day Enterprises' peak moments have turned challenging in the recent times;

Coffee Day Global NCLT episode

On Monday, July 24, according to a regulatory filing by Coffee Day Enterprises, parent company of Coffee Day Global, the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) passed an order over a plea brought by a financial creditor of the business who sought payment of 94 crore in unpaid debts.

"The application filed by one of the lenders against the material subsidiary Coffee Day Global before NCLT, Bengaluru, has been admitted (oral order) under Section 7 of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 for initiating CIRP for 94 crore," the regulatory filing stated.

IndusInd Bank petitioned the NCLT, according to a report by Economic Times, and as a result, the coffee chain is now subject to insolvency proceedings. Coffee Day Global is a subsidiary of Coffee Day Enterprises, which owns 82% of it.

Coffee Day Global is awaiting a formal order from the NCLT, according to the firm's exchange filing, and the material subsidiary has told the company that it will pursue the necessary legal action in this regard.

Skanda Legal and Tatva Legal are the respective legal representatives for the applicant and respondent, according to the official order issued by NCLT.

On Monday, following this news Coffee Day share price was among the major laggards in the bourses down over 19%.

"This challenging situation, while difficult in the short term, could potentially offer a lifeline to the company by enabling it to shed non-performing assets, restructure debt, and focus on profitable areas. The future of Cafe Coffee Day, thus, hinges on effective crisis navigation, with potential outcomes ranging from successful business revitalisation to eventual liquidation if a feasible resolution plan does not emerge from the proceedings," said Sonam Chandwani, Managing Partner KS Legal & Associates.

Coffee Day SEBI episode

The capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) assessed the company a fine of 26 crore in January 2023. The penalty was levied because the proceeds from subsidiaries was diverted to a business connected to the promoters. In its 43-page judgement, Sebi determined that funds worth 3,535 crore were diverted from seven subsidiaries of Coffee Day Enterprises to Mysore Amalgamated Coffee Estates Ltd, a company connected to Coffee Day Enterprises proprietors.

For the quarter that ended March 31 (Q4FY23) parent company, Coffee Day Enterprises net profit after taxes slumped 36% year-on-year (YoY) to 33 crores, and revenue jumped 42% on year to 240 crore. For FY23, the company reported a net loss after tax at 380 crores versus 121 crores YoY.

Coffee Day Q4 Results 2023

Coffee Day Enterprises, arm Coffee Day Global's net revenue for Q4FY23 grew 54% year-on-year to 230 crores. According to the company's exchange filing, average sales per day was 20,899 for Q4FY23, and same store sales growth was 27.3%. The cafe outlets counts during Q4FY23 was down from 495 a year ago to 469. However, in Q4FY23, the vending machines count increase to 49,895 from 45,217 a year ago.

Cafe coffee day : the brand that refuse to die | Mint Explains

Coffee Day Stock News

After Chairman V G Siddhartha, the company's founder, passed away in July 2019, Coffee Day Enterprises is in jeopardy. Through asset resolutions, it is reducing its obligations to a far less extent than when the problems first began.

Coffee Day Enterprises said in March 2020 that it had reached an agreement with Blackstone Group to sell its technology business park, and that it would be paying 1,644 crore to 13 lenders as a result.

Coffee Day share price has decreased by 66.5% since V G Siddhartha passed away on July 29, 2019.

On November 2, 2015, Coffee Day share price listed on the Indian stock exchange at a price of 271 per share, 26.35% below the issue price of 328. The company raised 1,150 crore from IPO.

Coffee Day audit lapses: NFRA slaps 1.10 cr fine, ban on 2 auditors, 1 audit firm

On Thursday, July 27, Coffee Day Enterprises share price closed flat at 33.30 on NSE.

AMALGAMATED More Information
When employees go on parental leave, companies often face a difficult question: What do you do with the workload those employees leave behind?

Typically, companies will divvy up the work among other team members, or hire an outside contractor. But now some companies are starting to think of the workload as an opportunity, rather than a burdena way to strengthen the quality of their workforce.

In some cases, for instance, companies are creating internal internships, giving an existing employee a chance to temporarily step into the role of the person going on leave to learn new skills or see what it is like to work in a different department. In other cases, they are covering parental leaves with so-called returnships, hiring people who are seeking to return to the workforce after taking career breaks to raise children.

Participants say it is a win-win all around. New parents can go on leave knowing their work will get done; interns and returners gain valuable experience to add to their resumes; and employers dont have to put projects on hold.

Organizations are realizing that having a broader, more intentional approach to coverage is critical for business success," says Leslie Forde, founder and CEO of Moms Hierarchy of Needs, a consulting firm that helps employers create caregiver-friendly workplaces. They realize that they need a deeper bench of talent."

Experiential training

Employers are changing how they handle parental leave for several reasons. First, many companies now offer paid leave to all new parentsnot just those who give birthcreating more gaps at work that need to be filled. An annual survey of human-resources professionals by the Society for Human Resource Management, for example, found that the percentage of employers offering paid maternity and paternity leave rose to 40% and 32%, respectively, in 2023, from 35% and 27% the year before.

Another reason: In a tight labor market where skilled employees can be hard to find, employers want to keep their workers happy by giving them chances to grow.

Creating opportunities like these are vital to building the workforce of the future, says Mary Rusterholz, chief people officer at the online marketing company Constant Contact. Experiential training is one of the things that companies have to get better and more creative about since it drives retention and loyalty," she says.

Marzena Stykowska, a client-success specialist at job board Indeed, was one of the first participants in an internal-internship program piloted by the operations unit in spring 2022 to cover parental leaves. She had long been interested in becoming a project manager, so when she received a companywide email announcing an internship opportunity in that role, Stykowska applied and was chosen.

She was one of 16 applicants vying for two internships slots, says Mimi Imler, a senior program manager on Indeeds operations team and Stykowskas direct manager.

Stykowska and Imler met weekly to discuss the work and any challenges that came up. She also was paired with a mentor who guided her through the job responsibilities and gradually handed them off to her. Among her projects: spearheading Indeeds efforts to help Ukrainian refugees get jobs by working with NGOs.

Indeed hired a contractor to cover Stykowskas work while she interned.

When the internship ended, Stykowska remained a client-success specialist but transferred to another department since it offered more project-management opportunities. She also received a one-time cash bonus as compensation for the internship and it was included in her performance review.

I didnt want to transition out of my role, but I wanted to test the waters and learn about a different department," says Stykowska, who interned from April through October in 2022. It was a perfect match for what I wanted to achieve."

Easing anxiety

While some people taking parental leave might be nervous about letting a colleagueoften someone lower on the corporate laddertake over their job for a time, employers say including the soon-to-be parent in the selection and preparation process helps alleviate those feelings.

UrbanSitter, a San Francisco-based company that helps people find child care, tutors and pet sitters online, says it gives the person going on leave a say in picking the intern who will cover for them while they are out. So does Indeed. Good people are hard to come by," says Lynn Perkins, UrbanSitters CEO. Its on us to make sure the employee going on leave knows he or she is wanted."

Alyssa Falbo, a customer-experience director at UrbanSitter, helped select Addie MacCracken, an associate,as the intern who would cover for her during her parental leave.

Before taking leave in March, Falbo flew from Denver to San Francisco to train MacCracken in person. Falbo acknowledged there was some anxiety associated with giving up control, but says good managers want their direct reports to be successful.

Its important to have the ability to step away and trust Addie," Falbo said via email, while on parental leave. I know that through her experience in my absence, well be a stronger unit together."

With Falbo now back at work, MacCracken reflected on the internship, saying that while it was challenging to take on new responsibilities, she gained valuable exposure to the executive team, visibility at company meetings and the chance to interact with clients. Those are all experiences she wouldnt have received so early in her career otherwise, she says.

As for Falbo, she says she returned to an orderly, calm environment. I was up-to-date on everything because we put a good system in place before I left, so I could see a play-by-play of all of the important moving parts that we managed while I was absent," she says.

Career revival

When Lucia Salazar began her job search after taking five years off from her job in business development and supply-chain management to have her daughter and son, she remembers doubting her professional skills.

Salazar was accepted into a program at reacHIRE, which works with employers to provide six-month returnships" for people seeking to revive their careers after being out of the workforce for a number of years. The program includes training to help returners gain confidence and update their skills. Salazar was hired by Schneider Electric to cover a six-month parental leave as a program manager.

The plan was for the Schneideremployee going on a leave to participate in Salazars training, but that employee went into labor early. Salazar worked through the challenge with the help of a reacHIRE mentor and weekly meetings with her direct manager.

Salazar recently signed on to be a full-time program manager within the same department when the returnship ends in July.

This experience allowed me the opportunity to come back [to work] and not have to start from the beginning, which is what I feared the most," Salazar says. We think of this as anopportunity for the employer to get to know us before hiring returners, but it was also an opportunity for me to get to know the culture of the company before I signed on for a full-time job."

Back at Indeed, Lisa Ramirez, the vice president of operations who spearheaded the internship program, is now experiencing it firsthand. Her chief of staff, Molly Muller, is on a six-month parental leave. Lindsey Payne, a data analyst, is the intern who has taken over for Muller.

Payne shadowed Muller for five weeks before she went on leave, joining her in meetings, getting copied on all emails and observing how Muller and Ramirez work together. Paynes data analyst co-workers were all given portions of her work while she interns.

Muller says knowing that her responsibilities were being covered allowed her to bond with the new baby without worrying about work. Still, there is a tiny part of her that acknowledges its scary.

There is always that human reaction to be fearful that they are taking your place," Muller says. But I also trust my company, our leadership and Lisa to know that I will have a place when I return. That lack of stress and the ability to know I can fully focus on my family is truly a gift."
Ajanta Pharma , a mid-size firm that is into specialty pharmaceutical formulation today reported its performance for the 1st quarter of the current financial year.

The company reported revenue from operations at Rs. 1,021 crore and EBITDA at Rs. 271 crore and Profit after tax(PAT) at Rs. 208 crore against Rs. 175 crore; up 19%; PAT at 20%.

The Board of Directors have approved 1st interim dividend of Rs. 315 cr. for the year FY 2024. It translated into Rs. 25 per share (1250%) for each Rs. 2 face value share. This total dividend of Rs. 25 per share includes a regular dividend of Rs. 10 per share, and an additional Rs. 15 per share, distributed as a special dividend on the commemoration of 50 years of the momentous journey of the company.

As part of its growth plans, Ajanta Pharma is looking to enhance its presence across select geographies with high growth potential in Asia and Africa.

In its Annual Report for 2022-23, the Mumbai-based drug maker stated that it intends to rely on its strengths to grow faster in countries where it has a presence with its range of branded generics.

"As we achieve formidable positions in many markets, our strategy now entails enhancing focus on select countries from our geographical presence, which promises high growth potential," Ajanta Pharma informed its shareholders.

These territories offer a large branded generics pharma market size, but the company's presence still remains small, it added.

"We plan to ramp up our presence in these markets and add value to the patients' choices through our differentiated product portfolio," the drug firm said.

The company's branded generics business accounted for 73 per cent of its revenues in FY 2023, with Indian, rest of Asia and Africa contributing 31 per cent, 26 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

Ajanta Pharma noted that in order to achieve its targets, it has enhanced capital allocation to branded generics businesses across India, the rest of Asia and Africa.

"Our strategic intent is reflected in our efforts during FY 2023 to increase our product filings by three times and enhance team size by 50 per cent in the rest of Asia and Africa markets," it stated.

The company will continue to work on this approach to achieve growth in the coming years, it added.

It also plans to enhance the productivity of existing 4,500 plus field teams spread across India and rest of the world markets by enabling them with more digital tools and helping them get the most out of the growing portfolio, the drug maker stated. Ajanta Pharma posted a revenue of 3,743 crore in FY23.
The European Union opened an antitrust investigation into whether Microsoft is abusing its dominant position by bundling its Teams videoconferencing app with its popular Office productivity software, marking the first formal EU probe of the software giant in more than a decade.

The blocs executive body, the European Commission, said it is concerned that Microsoft may be giving Teams an unfair advantage by not allowing customers to choose whether access to the product is included when they subscribe to the companys productivity software. Microsoft may also have limited interoperability between its productivity suites and other products that compete with Teams, the commission said.

Microsoft said it respects the European Commissions work on the case and takes its responsibilities very seriously. We will continue to cooperate with the commission and remain committed to finding solutions that will address its concerns," a spokesman said.

The investigation stems from a 2020 complaint lodged by business messaging app Slack Technologies, which alleged that Microsoft was forcing companies to install Teams and blocking its removal. Slack is now owned by the business-software company Salesforce.

German videoconferencing company Alfaview filed a similar complaint last week, saying Microsofts bundling practices give its Teams software a competitive advantage that is difficult to catch up without intervention by antitrust authorities."

Microsofts antitrust battles in both Washington and Brussels defined the early days of enforcement in the digital era. The U.S. government sued the company in the 1990s for allegedly using the dominance of its Windows software to squash competition in the market for internet browsers, in a case the two sides ultimately settled.

In Europe, antitrust complaints led to a long-running dispute with the regulator and a total of 2.2 billion, or about $ 2.45 billion, in fines against Microsoft between 2004 and 2013.

The new investigation into Microsofts bundling of its Teams software carries similarities to the companys earlier antitrust disputes. Competition watchdogs in the 1990s and 2000s focused on Microsofts tying of two other servicesthe companys Internet Explorer browser and its media playerwith its Windows operating system.

In more recent years, Microsoft has largely stayed out of the sights of Washington and Brussels regulators. Authorities on both sides of the Atlantic turned their scrutiny toward a new wave of tech giants, including Meta Platforms Facebook, Apple, Amazon.com and Alphabets Google, investigating them and others, mostly American firms, for a range of issues including tax, privacy and antitrust concerns.

Brusselsis also expanding its oversight of the tech industry more broadly, with new laws that will allow it to monitor some of the worlds biggest tech companies and enforce new competition and online content rules on a continuing basis.

Microsoft, though, hasnt been a significant target for antitrust authorities since its earlier battles, though it has faced scrutiny over its deal making. Microsoft recently secured regulatory approval for its proposed acquisition of games giant Activision Blizzard in the EU. That deal is still being scrutinized in the U.S. and the U.K.

Opening a formal investigation is a key step in European competition probes. The commission can file formal charges if it finds evidence of wrongdoing, or it can drop the case.

Workplace collaboration software such as Teams and Slack grew in importance during the Covid-19 pandemic when many people began working from home. Teams, which has functions including messaging, videoconferencing and file sharing, has more than 300 million monthly active users, the company said earlier this year.

Alfaview, the German videoconferencing company, said last week that it filed its complaint after Microsoft had told the commission it was willing to commit to certain changes to avoid a formal investigation. The commitments that Microsoft had offered were insufficient to address Alfaviews concerns, Alfaview said at the time.

A spokeswoman for the commission said it didnt receive any commitment proposal by Microsoft that would resolve our concerns." She also said that in any case, it is too early to discuss potential remedies before the commission has looked into the situation.

The commission must ensure that markets for remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams remain competitive, and companies are free to choose the products that best meet their needs," European competition chief Margrethe Vestager said.
New Delhi: AirAsia India on Thursday received approval from Indias civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to operate flights under the Air India Express brand, according to a company statement.

On 25 July, Mint reported that AirAsia India had sought the DGCAs nod to expedite the integration of the two airlines, including a rebranding from AirAsia India to Air India Express.

With the regulatory approval in place, Air India Express and AIX Connect flights can now be marketed, distributed and operated under a common brand name, Air India Express, which paves way for the proposed legal merger of the two.

AirAsia India said this strategic decision will lead to harmonization of customer touch points, products, and services for both airlines. The integration is also expected to streamline product and service standards, unlocking valuable synergy between the two airlines.

To fast-track the process, the airline is also sending 3-4 aircraft each month for updating the livery from AirAsia India to Air India Express. The full fleet transition for livery is expected to be completed by November-December.

Additionally, AirAsia India has also initiated the process of changing the International Air Transport Association (IATA) flight code for its flights from I5 to IX, the code associated with Air India Express. This process is expected to be completed by January.

The Tata Group had integrated the reservation system and customer interface of the two airlines in March, taking AirAsia India and Air India Express one step closer to form a single low-cost platform.The airlines migrated to a unified reservation system and website, besides adopting social media and customer support channels.

Recently, Air India Express also introduced AirAsias Gourmair in-flight dining menu with a wide range of hot meals, snacks and desserts. Earlier in July, Xpress Ahead priority services were extended as an ancillary the to guests of both airlines, offering priority check-in services for boarding and baggage. Both airlines will be combining a host of other ancillary add-on services and common sub-brands, the airline said. AirAsia India was launched in June 2014, and currently flies to 19 destinations in India.

Air India Express operates to 14 international destinations from 20 Indian cities.

AirAsia India was formed as a joint venture between Tata Sons, AirAsia and Telestra Tradeplace of Arun Bhatia, with equity stakes of 41.06%, 49%, and 9.94%, respectively. The Tata Group gradually increased its share in the airline to 51% by 2019. In December 2020, AirAsia Bhd said it would sell a 32.67% stake in AirAsia India to Tata Sons, including a provision to sell the remaining 16.33% stake. By the end of December 2020, Tata Sons held 83.67% stake in AirAsia India.

Currently, the airline is the fourth largest domestic airline with a share of 8% as of June, according to data by the aviation regulator.

With the integrated Air India Express, the Tata Group will also be able to position a uniform low-cost brand against Indias largest airline and low-cost carrier IndiGo and hence, an early transition is expected to reap operational efficiencies, save costs and boost revenue performance for the airline in the upcoming peak demand quarter of Oct-Dec, the second official added.

Under the strategy for the group airlines, the Tata group aims to operate full-service carrier Air India on metro-to-metro markets and high connectivity routes and consolidated Air India Express will focus on leisure oriented or price-sensitive markets.

The Tata Group is also awaiting approvals for the merger of Vistara with Air India - the integration process is likely to start before March 2024- that will operate the full-service airline.
Bharat Petroleum Corp is reportedly in talks with Russian oil major Rosneft to buy oil under a term deal as discounts on Russian oil are narrowing.

According to a report by Reuters, Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta, head of finance at BPCL said, Yes, there were discussions happening with Rosneft but not yet concluded".

BPCL is in talks to buy up to 6 million metric tons of Russian oil under a term deal with Rosneft, Reuters reported last month.

OMCs in India have been snapping up discounted Russian oil since the West imposed sanctions on Moscow after it invaded Ukraine. The discounts make Russian oil cheaper than similar grades from the Middle East.

However, the BPCl financial head said that the discounts on Russian oil are shrinking compared to previous quarters. Narrowing discounts amid tightening supply made Russian Urals oil prices for August loading jump above the $60 per barrel price cap.

He said, "If the crude discount comes down (further) then there is no good advantage or commercial advantage of taking Russian crude".

Indian refiners mostly buy Russian oil at or below the $60 per barrel price cap fixed by the European Union and the G7 nations to restrict Russia's oil revenue.

Gupta said so far his company has managed to settle payments for Russian oil, although it did face problems earlier when the cost crossed the price cap level.

"At least for the time being we are not foreseeing any problems because more banks are ready for settlement ... we have to wait and see in case of any purchases beyond the price cap if there are any issues or not," he said.

BPCL, the country's second-biggest state refiner, can use about 30%-40% of Russian oil for its three refineries with a combined capacity of 726,000 barrels per day.

The price of Russia's flagship Urals oil blend averaged $56 per barrel in the second quarter and traded almost 30% below the benchmark Brent blend , the Russian central bank said in its review on Tuesday.
Hon Hai Technology Group, better known as Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturing conglomerate, is reportedly planning to invest up to $200 million to set up a plant of electronic components in Tamil Nadu.

According to a report by the Reuters news agency, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII)'s CEO Brand Cheng and other company representatives met last week with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and other government officials to discuss the investment in the southern state.

Foxconn representatives shared a plan with state officials to initially invest $180 million to $200 million in the facility, Reuters said citing sources.

The Taiwan-based company aims to complete the plant by 2024, with further investments expected afterward. However, a final decision is yet to be made.

The Foxconn Industrial Internet makes communication, mobile network, and cloud computing equipment.

Foxconn already has a sprawling campus near Chennai where it assembles Apple's iPhones.

Last week, the Karnataka state government in south India said it held talks with FII, which had committed to invest $1.07 billion for a new plant.

Foxconn and Gujarat deal:

Foxconn is also in talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat as it eyes entry into India's semiconductor sector.

On Friday, PM Modi will inaugurate a conference in Gandhinagar wherein Foxconn Chairman Young Liu will also be present.

PM Modi will inaugurate Semicon India 2023 on 28 July.

The event comes just weeks after Foxconn backed out of a $19.5 billion chips joint venture with billionaire Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta., saying "the project was not moving fast enough". The Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant said it was working to apply separately for setting up a semiconductor unit in India.

India's dream to become semiconductor manufacturing hub:

India wants to establish itself as a semiconductor manufacturing hub, rivaling the likes of Taiwan, and the high demand for chips means the local market will be worth $80 billion by 2028, almost four times its $23 billion size now.

But Modi's plan has so far floundered. In 2021, his government announced a $10 billion scheme for domestic chip manufacturing, attracting interest from companies including Foxconn and local conglomerate Vedanta Ltd, but none of these proposals have materialised.
Major automakers in the US are forming a company to rival the electric vehicle charging network of Tesla and take advantage of the subisidies offered by the Biden administration. The joint venture by major automakers is planning to roll out 30,000 charging stations in North America starting with major highways and in cities.

Also Read| Driving Change: Tesla to rollout budget model for Asian markets

The seven collaborating companies include General Motors, Stellantis, Hyundai Motor and its Kia affiliate, Honda, BMW and Mercedes. These companies represent almost 50 percent of the vehicle sales in the US market - a possibility that could lead to antitrust concerns.

White House has welcomed the new initiative by top automakers with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying, We think this is an important step forward.It's creating new union jobs for installation and maintenance."

US has a total of 30,000 fast-charging machines and the Biden administration has set a target of hitting 500,000 chargers by 2030, an almost four-fold increase. Tesla accounts for over 60% of the US EV sales and is the largest network of fast chargers in the country with around 18,000 superchargers.

Tesla's lead in developing charging stations in the country has led to the company setting standards. For instance, GM, Mercedes and others will start using Tesla-developing charging technology from 2025. GM has earlier said that it could save around $4000 million if it gets access to Tesla's charging networks. However, other automakers like Stellantis, Hyundai, Honda and BMW have not commited to using Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) and plan to used a rival system known as Combined Charging System (CCS).

The new venture by top automakers will support both charging standards but it will compete against Tesla and other established charging companies like Vokswagen's Electrify American and EVGo.

(With inputs from Reuters)
New Delhi: The Indian government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed an agreement for a $295-million loan to upgrade around 265 km of state highways with climate and disaster resilient design and road safety elements in Bihar, the ministry of finance said.

The signatories to the agreement for enhancing connectivity and sustainability in Bihar Roads Project were Vumlunmang Vualnam, additional secretary, department of economic affairs, who signed on behalf of the Indian government, and Takeo Konishi, country director for ADB in India, who signed for ADB.

The project supports the Bihar governments programme to upgrade all state highways to standard two-lane widths and improve road safety. The improved roads will enhance connectivity in some of Bihar's poorest rural districts and promote access to health and education facilities, and markets to improve peoples lives.

Besides upgrading roads, the ADB project builds on earlier efforts to enhance the state road agencys management and implementation capacity, and will strengthen the systems for planning, road safety, and sustainability," said Konishi.

Among the initiatives to strengthen the state road agency, Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited, are developing a road asset management system which includes climate change and disaster risk information; establishing research laboratories in Bihar Road Research Institute to enable investigation of materials, including reusable and sustainable materials to alleviate the effects of climate change; conducting studies on congestion management and climate adaptation; and creating guidelines for gender-inclusive practices in road safety measures.

The project will also encourage womens participation by providing employment to female workers in construction works. Trainings in livelihood as well as awareness on road safety, health, hygiene, abuse and harassment will be offered to women from communities in the project areas," it said.

Since 2008, ADB has provided five loans totalling $1.63 billion to Bihar, for upgradation of about 1,696 km of state highways and construction of a new bridge over the Ganga.
Two Auburn museums will present a talk by "God's Free-Man" author Ted Freeman in August.

Freeman will discuss his recent book, which the museums described as "a deeply personal narrative that combines family and history" in a news release, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Cayuga Museum Carriage House Theater, 203 Genesee St., Auburn. The talk is presented by the Cayuga and Seward House museums.

In the book, Freeman challenges the notion that his ancestors Harry and Kate Freeman, who helped John Hardenbergh found Auburn in the 1790s, were his slaves. The author writes about his ancestors' role in settling the city and its African American community, as well as subsequent generations of his family and their impact on Auburn.

Freeman, of Orlando, Florida, is a past director of the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Auburn and was involved with the National Urban League movement for more than 45 years.

The talk will include a book signing as well. Admission is free and open to the public, but donations to the museums will be appreciated. A cash bar will be available, and the book will be available to buy.

Reservations are recommended and can be made at cayugamuseum.org/gods-free-man-book-talk or by contacting the Cayuga Museum at (315) 253-8051 or geoffrey@cayugamuseum.org.

Tobin: New book questions whether Auburn founder had slaves Our history is a work in progress. Historians are forever trying to get at the full, most representative story, which is often followed by the
New Delhi: Global coal consumption, which hit an all-time high in 2022, is expected to stay at those levels in 2023, driven by robust growth in Asias power generation and industrial sectors, despite declines in the United States and Europe, according to the latest market update from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

In 2022, coal consumption surged 3.3% to a staggering 8.3 billion tonne, setting a new all-time record. The IEAs mid-year coal market update predicts that 2023 will witness coal consumption hovering around this record level due to robust growth in Asia for power generation and industrial applications, offsetting declines in the United States and Europe.

Notably, the report highlights that small declines in coal-fired power generation in 2023 and 2024 are expected to be compensated by an increase in the industrial use of coal. However, variations in coal demand across geographic regions are evident. The major contributors to global coal consumption in 2023 are projected to be China, India, and Southeast Asian countries, together accounting for a staggering three-quarters of total coal consumption worldwide.

While the European Union saw minimal growth in coal demand in 2022, primarily due to a temporary surge in coal-fired power generation balanced by lower use in industry, the trend is expected to change this year. European coal consumption is predicted to witness a significant decline in 2023 as renewable energy sources expand and nuclear and hydropower recover from previous slumps. Similarly, the United States is also transitioning away from coal, largely influenced by lower natural gas prices.

The coal market has endured a turbulent few years, marked by the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, a strong post-pandemic rebound in 2021, and the upheaval caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, 2023 seems to be exhibiting more predictable and stable patterns in global coal demand. In the first half of 2023, global coal demand is estimated to have grown by approximately 1.5%, reaching a total of around 4.7 billion tonne. This growth is attributed to a 1% increase in power generation and a 2% rise in non-power industrial uses.

Regionally, the United States and the European Union experienced a faster-than-expected decline in coal demand during the first half of 2023, with declines of 24% and 16%, respectively. In contrast, China and India, being the two largest consumers, witnessed coal demand growth of over 5% during the same period, effectively offsetting declines seen in other parts of the world.

Coal is the largest single source of carbon emissions from the energy sector, and in Europe and the United States, the growth of clean energy has put coal use into structural decline," said IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security Keisuke Sadamori.

But demand remains stubbornly high in Asia, even as many of those economies have significantly ramped up renewable energy sources. We need greater policy efforts and investments  backed by stronger international cooperation  to drive a massive surge in clean energy and energy efficiency to reduce coal demand in economies where energy needs are growing fast."

The shift of coal demand towards Asia is evident as China and India collectively accounted for two-thirds of global consumption in 2021. In 2023, their share is expected to rise to nearly 70%. On the production side, China, India, and Indonesia are the top three coal producers, with all three achieving record production levels in 2022. In March 2023, both China and India achieved new milestones, setting monthly production records. However, the United States, which was once the worlds largest coal producer, has seen a significant decline in production since its peak in 2008.

After experiencing extreme volatility and high prices in the previous year, coal prices declined in the first half of 2023, reaching levels similar to those seen in the summer of 2021. This decrease was driven by abundant supply and lower natural gas prices. The shift in thermal coal pricing returned it to a position below coking coal, while the premium for Australian coal narrowed due to eased production disruptions caused by La Nina weather patterns. Russian coal found new markets after being barred in Europe, albeit often at discounted rates.

With the affordability of coal improving, some price-sensitive buyers have turned to imports. China witnessed a near-doubling of coal imports in the first half of 2023, and the global coal trade for the year is projected to grow by over 7%, outpacing overall demand growth and approaching the record levels seen in 2019. Seaborne coal trade in 2023 may even surpass the record of 1.3 billion tonnes set in 2019.
It is the first greenfield airport in the state and has been built at a cost of 1,405 crore, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said.

The facility, located in Hirasar village, around 30 km from Rajkot, is spread over an area of 1,025.50 hectares (2,534 acres), out of which the Airports Authority of India has constructed the airport in an area of 1,500 acres, it added.

According to the PMO, the new airport has an amalgamation of modern technology and sustainable features. The terminal building is GRIHA -4 compliant (green rating for integrated habitat assessment) and the new terminal building (NITB) is equipped with various sustainability features like double insulated roofing system, skylights, LED Lighting, low heat gain glazing, etc.

Rajkots cultural vibrancy has inspired the design of the terminal of the airport and it will depict art forms from Lippan art to Dandiya dance through its dynamic external facade and splendid interiors. The airport will be the epitome of the local architectural heritage and will reflect the cultural glory of art and dance forms of the Kathiawar region of Gujarat," it added.

The new airport in Rajkot will contribute not only towards the development of the local automobile industry of the city but will also encourage trade, tourism, education and industrial sectors throughout Gujarat.

The prime minister also inaugurated development projects worth over 860 crore. Sauni Yojana Link 3 Package 8 and 9 will help further strengthen irrigation facilities and provide drinking water benefits for the Saurashtra region.

Upgradation of Dwarka RWSS will help provide adequate and potable water to villages by pipeline. Other projects being taken up include the conservation, restoration and development of Uparkot Fort Phase I & II; construction of a water treatment plant; sewage treatment plant; flyover bridge, among others.
New Delhi: Biscuit brand Parle continues to be the most-chosen" in-home brand among fast moving consumer products for the record 11th year, according to the Kantar Brand Footprint India 2023 report released on Thursday.

Britannia leads the way in the most chosen out-of-home (OOH) brand category, a metric included in this years ranking.

Kantars report ranks the most chosen (in-home and out-of-home) FMCG brands based on consumer reach points (CRPs).

Brand Footprint follows CRP based ranking which considers the actual purchase made by the consumers and the frequency at which these purchases are made in a year. In other words, they measure the mass appeal of the brand and the feel towards the brandreflected in the number of times it is bought.

This years report splits the most chosen brands across in-home and the newly launched out-of-home (OOH) list for the first time. The OOH list has been introduced keeping in mind the evolution in the behaviour and preferences of the Indian consumer.

Overall, the report covers brands within categories of foods, home care, health and beauty, beverages, snacking and dairy measuring over 408 brands and 107 billion CRPs.

With a CRP score of 7449 million, Parle holds the top spot for a record 11th year in a row, followed by Britannia, Amul, Clinic Plus and Tata Consumer Products. Overall, consumer reach points have increased almost 50% in last five years.Four new brands: Balaji, Lux, Sunsilk, Nirma joined the billion CRP club in 2022. Over the last five years, the number of brands in the billion CRP club has increased from 16 to 28," Kantar said. Hindustan Unilevers Surf Excel and ITCs Sunfeast brand moved into the top 10 in the in-home brand list.

Meanwhile, Britannia leads the way in the OOH brand rankings with 498 million CRPs. It is followed by Haldirams, Cadbury, Balaji and Parle, all snacking brands.

The five most chosen OOH beverage brands in India are Frooti, Thums Up, Amul, Maaza, and Sprite.

As we see over the years, consumers are making increasing trips for purchase and that adds their options and in turn their choice. This is reflected in the constant increase in CRPS we observe. As purchases for out of home consumption are on the rise and seem to have different choice triggers, we found it necessary to introduce a ranking specifically for these categories, where there is a significant out of home component," K. Ramakrishnan, Managing Director- South Asia, Worldpanel Division at Kantar said.
After a strong wave of digitization brought about by the pandemic, can writing instruments such as pens still prove mightier than digital tools? The answer isnt straightforward, but the recent proposal for a 745-crore initial public offer (IPO) by leading pen manufacturer Flair Writing Industries has put the spotlight on the sectors prospects in todays times.

Various studies around the world have suggested better learning and stronger brain activity using traditional writing tools compared to smart digital writing devices. A 2014 study by US researchers Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer showed that longhand notes lead to better learning against typing out on a laptop.

Writing instruments have an estimated global market size of well over $15 billion, with India as one of the leaders. In the Indian stationery market, writing instruments grab the biggest pie, and within this, pens occupied the largest share (44%) in value terms in 2022-23, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed by Flair with the market regulator.

The pens market is primarily flooded by mass market products priced between 5 and 15. The higher-value category, priced above 100, had just 5-10% market share, the DRHP said.

A high concentration of organized players is expected to pen a new growth story in the next five years, possibly outpacing their unorganized counterparts. This better showing would be reflective of the market share gains of the organized players during the pandemic, which forced the closure of many unorganized players due to weak demand for products and limited access to capital, according to a CRISIL report cited by the DRHP.

Margins worry?

While this inspiring growth is a good augury, there may be some pockets of concern. A majority of players in this highly competitive industry operate in the mass market productstargeted at studentslimiting their ability to increase prices. Most of the organized brands have not been able to increase prices for almost a decade as unorganized players sell their pens at prices as low as 2-3, and there is hardly any brand differentiation," said an HDFC Securities research note on Linc Ltd, a key listed player in this space. This has adversely impacted margins. Between 2016-17 and 2018-19, Flairs operating profit margin declined nearly 400 basis points (bps), while it contracted 250 bps and 60 bps for Linc and DOMS, respectively, the DRHP showed. However, margins saw some improvements as the pandemic ebbed. Enhanced focus towards high-margin productsmid-premium and premium segmentsand a better product mix is expected to drive profitability in this space.

Innovate to differentiate

The market struggles suggest that manufacturers will need to continue innovating to stay on top of the digital competition. In the pre-pandemic period, between 2016-17 and 2019-20, the writing and creative instruments industry witnessed an annualized growth of 5.6% driven by product innovation, design modifications and brand development by leading players, the DRHP said. With a diversified range of products across various price points, Flair has a product portfolio of 699 different products as of 31 March 2023 and it also intends to expand its corporate gifting business. Lincs Pentonic brand, a minimalistic instrument launched in 2019, now contributes over 30% of the company's revenue. Going forward, catering to the changing consumer preferences and achieving environmental sustainability goals could be a recipe for innovation. Packaging also plays an important rolevisually appealing packaging designs also help brands stand out in a competitive market.

Global footprints

The Indian writing instruments industry is worth 10,000 crore, and is expected to grow nearly 8% annually. To grow, it will not only rely on the traditional manufacturer-distributor-retailer model but also have to expand global reach. Indias average annual exports of writing and creative instruments were nearly 1,800 crore in the last seven years, growing at around 9% annually, according to the DRHP. Three-fourths of these exports came from pens alone. Exports had a 20% revenue share for Flair in 2022-23, with the US, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Colombia and Japan contributing 61% to its export sales.

Chart 4:

Strategic expansion of exports is subject to hurdles from multiple economic and political barriers. But that said, a fast-growing student base and strong pockets of growth from the rural hinterland offer immense potential. The pen is definitely not going to meet its demise anytime soon.
Zeal Global Services Limited (ZGSL) is preparing to enter the SME IPO market with its planned initial public offering, which is an exciting event for investors. ZGSL, a leading participant in the Air Cargo Logistics industry, has advanced significantly in recent years, increasing its revenue significantly and forging solid commercial ties with both local and international clients.

Its IPO will take place on July 28, 2023. The IPO, which has a fixed price of 103 per share, aims to raise 36.46 crores on the NSE SME platform with a market lot of 1200 shares. Zeal Global Services IPO GMP is 5 as of today.

The company's fully devoted team, with over 5000 man-hours of GSSA industry expertise, is skilled at identifying critical procurement areas and providing competitive pricing solutions. Zeal Global Services takes pleasure in providing effective support for goods export, assuring a smooth and trouble-free process.

ZGSL's financial performance has been improving in recent years, as evidenced by rising total assets, total revenue, and profit after tax. The company's net worth, reserves, and surplus have all increased significantly, bolstering its financial position.

Zeal Global Services Limited (ZGSL) has experienced exceptional financial growth in recent years, with total assets increasing from 22.03 crores in March 2020 to 49.69 crores in January 2023, representing a stunning gain of nearly 125.99%. During the same time period, total revenue increased by approximately 23.91%, rising from 76.71 crores to 95.05 crores.

Furthermore, ZGSL's profit after tax increased dramatically, rising from 1.33 crores in March 2020 to 8.26 crores in January 2023, representing a stunning 519.50% increase. Their corrected financial information for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2023 shows an EPS of 8.46 per equity share and a P/E ratio of 12.18, demonstrating the company's reasonable valuation. These solid financial metrics highlight ZGSL's long-term potential for investors.

The IPO revenues will be used for operating capital, investments in subsidiaries, debt repayment, general business objectives, and issue expenses. Zeal Global Services intends to build on its solid basis and grow its international reach, serving clients in India, China, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Nikhil Bhatt and Dilip Davda, SEBI-registered market analysts, are bullish on ZGSL's anticipated revenue growth, particularly over the next three years. The logistics business, both domestically and globally, is rife with expansion potential, providing a vast runway for growth. Because the company has solid business relationships with prominent airlines and IATA agents, its standing stays strong, improving its potential for expansion.

With its IPO scheduled to begin soon, SEBI-registered professionals like as Nikhil Bhatt and Dilip Davda, as well as brokerage firm ProfitMart Securities, advise investors to SUBSCRIBE for long-term investment. ZGSL's optimistic outlook in India's logistics sector, combined with its solid business fundamentals, make it a company to consider for investors seeking long-term profits.
Federal Bank Ltd promoted, Fedbank Financial Services Ltd (Fedfina), has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to for an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Federal Bank arm Fedfina IPO comprises of fresh issue of equity shares up to the value of 750 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 70,323,408 equity shares by the promoters selling shareholders and promoter group make up the offer, which has a face value of 10 per equity share.

The Federal Bank, the promoter shareholder, may sell up to 16,497,973 equity shares, and True North Fund VI LLP, the other shareholder, may sell up to 53,825,435 equity shares, of the offer for sale up to 70,323,408 equity shares.

Yatharth Hospital IPO opens: GMP, subscription status, should you subscribe or not?

Federal Bank arm Fedfina is one of five NBFCs in India that have been supported by private banks. It concentrates on providing services to emerging sectors of self-employed people and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

According to DRHP, Federal Bank arm Fedfina intends to use the net proceeds from the fresh issue to increase its Tier-I capital base in order to satisfy future capital requirements brought on by the expansion of its operations and asset base. The fresh issue's proceeds will be utilised in part to cover the offer expenses.

ICICI Securities Ltd, BNP Paribas, Equirus Capital Private Ltd, and JM Financial Ltd are the Book Running Lead Managers (BRLM) to the issue, and Link Intime India Private Ltd is the registrar to the offer.

According to a research report by Crisil, as of March 31, 2023, Federal Bank arm Fedfina had the third-fastest AUM growth among NBFCs in its peer group in India, with a three-year CAGR of 33% between Fiscals 2020 and 2023.

Federal Bank arm FedFina filed DRHP for an IPO last year. However, the company pulled out of it as it found the market conditions unfavourable. Now the company is reconsidering capital raising options after the lapse of earlier received regulatory approval.

Yatharth Hospital IPO: Issue subscribed 1.76 times on day 2 so far; check detail

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HEFEI, ChinaMore than one in five young people in China are jobless. The government casts much of the blame on the job seekers themselves, insisting that their expectations have gotten too high.

Young people need to stiffen their spines and embrace hardship, says leader Xi Jinping, who labored in the countryside in Chinas Cultural Revolution. If they cant find jobs they want, they should work on factory lines or engage in poverty relief in rural China.

The governments guidance is ringing hollow with many young people. Growing up in a period of rising prosperity, they were told that China was strong, the West was declining and endless opportunities awaited them. Now, with the urban youth unemployment rate hitting a record of 21.3% in June, their employment frustrations are posing a new challenge to Xi and his vision for a more powerful China.

For the estimated 11.6 million college graduates in 2023, having heeded calls by the state to study hard, the prospect of resorting to the physical labor that many of their parents performed is distinctly unappealing.

Chinas State Council Information Office, which handles media inquiries for senior leaders, didnt respond to a request for comment.

In the city of Hefei, a hub of universities 250 miles west of Shanghai, 23-year-old Liu Xingyu chafes at the criticism by older people that Chinese youths are too picky.

Theyre not from our generation, and they dont understand us, so their opinions dont matter much to us," said Liu, who recently quit her first job out of college a few months after starting and joined the ranks of Chinas young unemployed.

Liu studied communications engineering at college because she saw it as a practical choice that would help her secure steady work. As graduation neared, the best she could find was a cellphone sales management training program at a shopping mall, earning the equivalent of $630 a month, about half the citys average income. When the company later offered her a full-time gig, she said, it wanted to cut her base salary by more than half, prompting her to quit.

The problem isnt that jobs dont exist in China. They do. With its shrinking population, China needs workers as much as ever. It is that Chinas weakened economy isnt producing enough of the high-skill, high-wage jobs that many college students have come to expect.

This is especially so after Xis targeting of the private sector in recent years with regulatory crackdowns on technology and other companies.

Disenchanted, many young people are opting out of the job market entirely, or lying flat," as many of them call it. Chinese media has recently featured articles about young drifters" who live hand-to-mouth and pick up odd jobs as they roam the country.

Many of those who still want to work have soured on the private sector, with surging numbers of people sitting for the countrys civil-service exam for a chance at a low-paid, but stable, role in Chinas bureaucracy.

The true level of Chinas unemployment rate for young people ages 16 to 24 may be even higher than indicated by official data. Zhang Dandan, a Peking University economist, estimated the real youth unemployment rate in March could have reached 46.5%, compared with the official figure that month of less than 20%, if the millions of people who arent participating in the workforce also were counted.

For now, the mood among the young unemployed is more apathy than anger, especially with many parents pitching in to cover their living costs.

Longer term, the risk is that millions of unemployed people will lose the ambition China needs to achieve Xis goal of rejuvenating the country as a great power, and will struggle on the fringes of society as potential threats to the Communist Party.

Without stable work, many Chinese are putting off getting married and having children, worsening the countrys demographic problems. Some scholars warn about the emergence of a class of new poor" in China who live off their parents, and could destabilize society.

Because the new poor have long been living in exclusion, oblivion and boredom, their main mental states have become irritable, antisocial and violent," said Sun Feng, a Tsinghua University sociologist, in a recent commentary on a prominent party website. These will be the primary factors that breed social instability."

Asked recently about the joblessness of young people, Chinas Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng said Xi attached considerable importance to the issue of unemployment. Huai said that conceptions of work were changing in China, with some young people seeking more flexibility.

But at the same time, we prefer a more positive view of employment, understanding society, dedicating youth and creating value through practice and employment," he said.

While Xi retains widespread popular support in China, some young peoples frustrations about his tight control on society and the economy burst into the open last November when street protests over the countrys Covid policies erupted in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities.

Job-market anxiety was evident in Hefei last week, where thousands of graduates flooded into a jobs fair organized by the local government. Companies advertised sought-after office roles such as in graphic design or account management. Images of Xi mingling with students flashed on a large screen overhead.

With so much competition, companies could be picky.

Dude, you might not be the right fit," the recruiter of a popular local restaurant chain told one young man, who then walked away.

Across town, a recruitment center that helps job seekers land factory work was practically deserted. Many young college graduates dont want to work on assembly lines, said Wu You, an employee of the recruitment center, even though such jobs can pay as much as or more than entry-level white-collar ones.

On social media, some college graduates have been posting photos of themselves lying face down in their graduation gowns to show their malaise. Others compare their situations to a well-known character from Chinese literature, Kong Yiji, a self-styled intellectual who resorts to petty theft after failing to secure work with the government.

Overall, Chinas official urban unemployment rate is just 5.2%. Young people are getting hit much harder for a mix of reasons tied to Chinas economic outlook and structural issues in the countrys labor market. Some of those problems have been exacerbated by government actions.

Chinas economy grew just 0.8% in the second quarter compared with the first three months of the year, an anemic rate that showed how the country, hamstrung by heavy borrowing and a property-market downturn, is struggling to regain momentum after the pandemic. Instead of investing in projects that would create new jobs for college graduates, many companies have been focused on paying down debt. The government has cracked down on sectors that were traditionally big employers of young people, such as technology and real estate.

Yet higher-education enrollment has continued to expand. In the past three years, more than 28 million college graduates entered the labor market, accounting for about two-thirds of the new urban labor supply.

That has created a mismatch between the jobs young people want and the ones available. Research by the online recruitment firm Zhilian Zhaopin found that a quarter of Chinese graduates this year were seeking work in the technology space, more than double the level of the next biggest category, even though some of Chinas biggest tech companies have had layoffs.

Meanwhile, the government has reported the greatest worker shortages in blue-collar jobs such as manufacturing and in low-paid service ones such as housekeeping, which college graduates are less willing to accept.

With relatively few jobs in higher paying fields, college students nearing graduation often find themselves competing against graduate studentsand companies tend to hire the latter, Zhilian Zhaopin found.

For those who do land jobs, the working environments can be grueling. Chinese tech companies are famous for pushing employees 12 hours a day, six days a week. At state-owned firms, some employees must study Xi Jinping Thought alongside their day jobs.

In Hefei, two recent graduates who snagged internships at a local bank said they are required to participate in group physical exercise each day and hand over their cellphones while at work.

At the jobs fair in Hefei, recent graduate Han Jiahao said he dreamed of working as a photographer and that many other young people like him sought greater independence in their work lives.

While stable work might be better for raising a family, he said, the relative autonomy of being a photographer was appealing because it would leave him less exhausted at the end of the day.

At the jobs fair, Han said, a teacher he consulted encouraged him to find a practical job first and then consider pivoting to photography later. University students typically prefer to be free," Han said.

Chinas government has said it is working to address youth unemployment. At an April meeting, the partys Politburo called on the country to expand job opportunities for college graduates. Local governments have rolled out programs such as providing subsidies for companies that hire recent graduates and special loans to help graduates start companies.

Those efforts dont address the underlying economic weaknesses preventing many companies from hiring more people. Although Beijing last week unveiled 31 guidelines aimed at bolstering the private sector, which could improve hiring, many analysts remain skeptical after seeing the tightened control of private enterprise during the first decade of Xis leadership.

Popular government slogans, such as get a job first, then find a career," run counter to what many parents want for their childrena more comfortable work life than they had.

The Chinese governments recent messaging, by contrast, extols the virtues of factory work and toiling in the countryside, and urges graduates to adopt what officials call the correct outlook" on jobs.

The more ambitious you are, the more down to earth you need to be," the Communist Partys Peoples Daily said earlier this month.

Liu, the 23-year-old woman who landed work in cellphone sales, said she initially viewed the job as providing stability, after having dealt with the uncertainty of the pandemic for three years.

After Covid hit, Liu recalled, classes moved online, and she was largely confined by school administrators to her dorm room, with three roommates. She struggled to focus and received average grades.

When it came time to graduate, Liu landed interviews for promising jobs at a state telecommunications company and the Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea Group. But neither job came through.

She accepted the cellphone sales training offer as a fallback. She was relieved to have a job, but also felt that her engineering studies were going to waste.

A lot of times I would find myself thinking, whats the point of going to college if Im going to end up doing this?" Liu said.

When the full-time job offer arrived, she balked at the base salary, which was less than half what she had been earning as a trainee. Slow sales meant that even after commissions, her total take-home pay likely would be less than she earned while in training, she said.

Dejected by the offer, Liu quit.

It was a joy when I left that job, not having to suffer in that position," she said.

Liu doesnt have any immediate plans to start working again. She said she planned to buy books to study for the civil-service exam instead.

Qianwei Zhang contributed to this article.

Write to Brian Spegele at Brian.Spegele@wsj.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated various development projects in the Sikar district of poll-bound Rajasthan. He said that the central government has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created new arrangements from seed to market for them.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony in Sikar, PM Modi said, Today the country's farmers have received 18,000 crores under the PM Kisan Samriddhi. Today, 1,25,000 PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) centers have started in the country."

The PMKSYs centers at the block and village level will benefit farmers... Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has also started for the farmers...New Urea gold has been started. Rajasthan's different areas have also received medical colleges and Eklavya model schools...," he said.

He also said that the BJP-led central government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea, according to a report published by the news agency PTI.

The power of the farmers and the hard work of the farmers extract gold from the soil. That's why our government is standing shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of the country," said PM Modi.

'After so many decades since independence, such a government has come to power, which understands the pain and sorrow of the farmer, understands the concern of the farmer, that's why decisions have been taken continuously in the interest of the farmers in the last nine years," he added.

PM Modi also asserted that creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan is the central government's priority.

He also mentioned Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's absence at the event and said that the chief minister has been ill for some time now, hence, he could not attend the event today.

CM Ashok Gehlot has been ill for some time now & has injured his leg. He was supposed to attend the program today, but could not due to his health conditions. I pray for his good health...," the Prime Minister added.

However, Gehlot earlier today accused the PM's office of removing his speech from the Modi event. Today you are visiting Rajasthan. Your office PMO has removed my pre-scheduled 3-minute address from the program, so I will not be able to welcome you through speech, so I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet," he tweeted.

Following this, PM Modi clarified that he has been invited to the event, but his office said Gehlot will not be able to join.

Ashok Gehlot ji, in accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join. During PM's previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programs with your presence," the PMO said.
As the viral video from Manipur has once again united the opposition, the centre is desperately trying to find ways to pacify the state violence by communicating with Kuki and Meitei community leaders.

On Wednesday, the central government's appointed IB official for the Northeast, Akshay Mishra, held talks with the leaders of Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the government, reported Indian Express. In another round of talks, the government talked with the representatives of the Coordinating Committee of Manipur Integrity (COCOMI).

Also Read: Manipur Violence: Shocked and terrified, US reacts to viral video incident

Amid growing dissent among opposition and neighbouring states, especially Mizoram, Manipur CM has given a clear statement suggesting Mizoram CM to Zoramthanga not to interfere in the internal matters of another state. Recently, Zoramthanga joined a rally taken out in solidarity with the Kuki tribe in ethnic violence-hit Manipur.

Also read: LS okays Forest bill amid Manipur row

Months-long inter-mediation by the central government between the two communities is now focused on bringing peace to the state. Before the May violence, centre was engaged in talks for a political solution. But the current series of conversations between the centre, and the two communities are mainly focused on finding a solution to the ongoing violence in the state, IE's Deptiman Tiwari reported citing sources.

Also read: BSF Jawan sexually assaults a woman in Manipur store, suspended

Impact of the current round of talks between the Centre and Meitei and Kuki community

Regular monitoring of violent incidents in the state reflects the impact of the current round of talks. There has been some reduction in the degree of violence in the state. However, some incidents of firing and arson are being reported almost every day in some areas, a Manipur security official told IE.

Also Read: Manipur news: As Centre prepares to face queries, looking at fake news that triggered sexual assault incidents

In a recent incident of violence, nearly 30 houses were gutted in fire by a mob set in Manipur's Moreh district on Wednesday. The abandoned houses were in the Moreh Bazar area close to the Myanmar border. The mob also partially burnt the Forest Guest House at Moreh. Afterwards, a gun battle also broke out between the attackers and the security forces. Days ago, two security force buses were set on fire in Kangpokpi district, the officials said.

Also read: Amit Shah writes to Opposition MPs on Parliament impasse, seeks cooperation to discuss Manipur

Political situation in Manipur is at stalemate

As efforts are going on to bring a solution to the violence in Manipur, the political solution to bridge the gap between Meitei and Kuki communities remains at a standstill.

After losing all hope from the state government, Kukis are demanding a separate administration, but the CM is inclined towards status quo ante, reported IE. Both situations can trigger another chain of violence in the state. Separate administration to Kukis will anger Meitei in the current situation, whereas, Kukis will not accept the status quo ante, a prominent political leader involved in the ongoing talks told IE.
A Hyderabad woman pursuing a master's degree in the US was found starving on the streets of Chicago. The student, who was studying at TRINE University in Detroit, Chicago but, lost her bags, certificates during a robbery and was then left to starve on the streets.

Her mother, Syeda Wahaj Fatima said, My daughter had gone to the US for her masters in 2021. She was doing well. However, we had no contact with her for the past 2 months. Later we came to know that she had lost her bags, certificates and everything and went into depression. Her health condition is also very bad. We hope that she comes back as soon as possible."

"Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi had taken admission into TRINE University, Detroit for her masters in August 2021. She was doing well there. However, she has not been in touch with the family for the past 2 months. Around 2-3 days, a few boys from Hyderabad spotted her outside a masjid in Chicago," Khan, while talking to ANI, said.

Victim's mother urges EAM Jaishankar to help

The victim's mother also wrote to the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging them to intervene and swiftly repatriate her daughter.

"This is to state that my daughter Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi resident of 41-48, Sadullal Nazar behind Eid Gah, Moula Ali, Medchal District, Telangana State went to pursue her Master's in Information Science from TRINE University, Detroit, USA during Aug 2021 and was studying and was in touch with us. Since the last two months, she was not in touch with me and recently through two Hyderabadi youths we came to know that my daughter is under deep depression and her entire belonging has been stolen due to which she is on verge of starvation and being spotted on roads of Chicago, USA," the letter read.

"It is requested to kindly ask the Embassy of India. Washington DC, USA and Indian Consulate in Chicago, USA to immediately interfere and bring back my daughter as soon as possible back to India. Necessary action taken in this regard may be informed," she added.

Amjed Ullah Khan, a spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), a party based in Telangana, who first brought the incident to limelight, said, "We are trying to send her parents to Chicago to take care of the girl. The parents do not have passports. We have appealed to IT Minister KTR (Telangana) to help in getting them passports and also a visa from the US Consulate in Hyderabad. Many individuals and organisations have come forward trip to the US."

"We also got a quick response from the government. We thank Jaishankar, EAM and Indian Consulate in Chicago and also all the organisations that have come forward to help them," Khan added.
Over the course of the last year, since I joined the Cayuga Economic Development Agency last July, there have been a number of changes and developments within our organization, Cayuga County and central New York. These developments include a change in CEDA staff, new project expansions, investments and grant awards whilst navigating turbulent market conditions. Given the incredible news that has arrived in our region, we are now, more than ever, engaged with our partners and the community to meet this moment in our countys history.

When it became public in October of Microns historic and generational investment, we immediately began working with our key partners to organize and strategize our collective efforts. Through Cayuga County, the city of Auburn, our agency partners and other local leaders, we have set up various committees to address key activities concerning workforce development, energy, housing and site selection, as led by a steering committee (stay tuned for a page on our website of these committees). While these efforts were initially set up to address Micron, all committee members have taken the position that this was the catalyst needed for our many partners to come together to formulate a more robust approach for the countys overall prosperity. Each committee is focused on ensuring that Cayuga County, its existing businesses and its residents benefit from our collective work. Legislative Chairman David Goulds leadership in driving the formation of these committees will have a lasting impact.

Outside of the efforts and interest surrounding Micron, Cayuga County has had its own exciting developments over the last year:

 To name a few, Cayuga Milk Ingredients intends a massive expansion project, which will invest over $180 million and employ over 90 new full-time positions. Part of making this project possible was the Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency, which was awarded an Economic Development Administration grant of over $1 million to fund a new sewer for the Aurelius Industrial Park. The project, having been worked on for some time, is looking to begin immediately. This is an exciting development to see come to fruition.

 Construction began last year for a multi-million dollar cancer treatment center, located in the city of Auburn, which will provide a much-needed service for our residents, also made possible through CCIDA.

 Combgrown Mead, which recently opened, provides a unique offering of mead beverages, and a great new attraction to our area, through assistance provided by the city of Auburn.

Other notable and transformative developments have included the New York Forward grant awarded to the village of Moravia, and the Restore New York grant awarded to the city of Auburn. Each of these awards highlights the incredible work of our agency partners and local leaders, as they continue a trend of revitalization and economic development. CEDA is proud to have played a role in helping to support these important projects and developments through the staffing we provide to the Auburn and Cayuga IDAs, coordinating support with our local partners for Cayuga County and the city of Auburn, marketing outreach, technical analysis and more.

CEDA itself has gone through changes in both staff and leadership over the last couple of years, bringing about some honest critique and feedback for our organization to consider. As our team has come together, we have placed a more dedicated focus on increasing engagement, visibility and communication with our stakeholders and the community at large. Staff have toured throughout the county to meet with local leaders and business owners to discuss CEDAs free and confidential services and spread awareness.

In March, we welcomed the return of our annual Economic Forecast Luncheon, with guest speaker and Auburn native William Fulton. This well-attended event discussed our accomplishments over 2022, ongoing challenges and opportunities within Cayuga County, and our goals moving forward.

In June, we launched a new initiative called "CEDA Sparks." This free and virtual series is designed to engage, educate and empower business owners and stakeholders, bringing relevant topics in bite-size pieces and in a recorded format to revisit at any time. Registration is easily done by visiting our website, and our next episode will take place via Zoom at 9:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11. The topic will be focused on NYSEG/RG&E commercial and industrial rebate programs. Our guest is Bob Haak, energy advisor with Franklin Energy, who will lead the discussion on eligible projects, guidelines, limitations and more.

These items are just some of the highlights of what has occurred over the last year. There are many more than these alone, and certainly more to come. As a lifelong resident of Cayuga County, I have been never been as optimistic for the future of our community as I am now. We are poised for incredible growth and renewal, not seen since the days of the Erie Canal. I look forward to what this next year will bring and what we can and will accomplish.
Niger soldiers have publicly announced a coup on national TV, declaring the dissolution of the constitution, suspension of institutions, and closure of borders. President Mohamed Bazoum is being held by the presidential guard since the coup's inception.

Addressing the public, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, with nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said on Wednesday, "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know.

They said "all institutions" in the country would be suspended, borders were closed, and a curfew had been imposed "until further notice", from 10 pm to 5 am.

"This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance."

"All external partners are asked not to interfere," he went on. "Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised." He added a night curfew would take effect from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice.

Abdramane claimed the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CLSP).

Army and national guard are ready to attack: Nigerian president's office

Meanwhile, the president's office said "elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper... (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard".

"The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition," the presidency said.

"The president and his family are well," it added.

Bazoum was elected in April 2021, taking the helm of a country burdened by poverty, chronic instability and plagued in recent years by jihadist insurgency.

In response, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed unwavering support to President Bazoum, emphasising his importance as a Western ally in combating Islamist militancy in West Africa.

Similarly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offered full support to President Bazoum in the midst of the political crisis. The situation has drawn international attention and concern for the stability of the West African nation.

(This is a developing news)
Rajasthan: PM Modi dedicates 1.25 lakh Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, says one-stop centres for farmers way for prosperity

2 min read

PM Modi launched the 14th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme and dedicated 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to farmers. The event focused on various initiatives including providing agri-inputs, testing facilities, and generating awareness about government schemes.

Premium PM Modi being presented a memento by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the inauguration of various projects, in Sikar on 27 July 27 in the presence of Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Union Minister Narendra Tomar. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched multiple initiatives and released the 14th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme in Sikar, Rajasthan on 27 July. PM dedicated 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to nation and said that these one-stop centres for farmers will pave way for their prosperity, reported PTI. The event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Union Agriculture Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya, and others. Crores of farmers from Rajasthan and across the country attended the event physically and virtually. However, before PM Modi's visit, controversy arose as Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed that his pre-planned three-minute speech was removed from the event. "So, I will not be able to welcome you through speech. Therefore, I am giving you a hearty welcome through this tweet," chief minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted. The PMO responded, stating that Gehlot was invited as per protocol, but his office declined the invitation.

"Govt has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years, and created new arrangements from seed to market for them," said PM Modi in Sikar event.

The event was attended by 732 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 75 ICAR Institutes, 75 State Agricultural Universities, 600 PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, 50,000 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, and 4 Lakh Common Service Centers (CSCs) from across the country.

The event focused on several key initiatives:

Dedicating 1,25,000 PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) to the nation:

These centres will cater to the needs of farmers by providing agri-inputs (such as fertilizers, seeds, implements), testing facilities, generating awareness about government schemes, and capacity building of retailersat block/district level outlets. PM said," Today the country's farmers have received 18,000 crores under the PM Kisan Samriddhi. Today, 1,25,000 PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) centres have started in the country."

Release of the 14th instalment of PM-KISAN:

The scheme, a flagship initiative of the Government of India, provides financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 per year to eligible farmers through direct benefit transfer. Over 8.5 crore farmers will receive around Rs. 17,000 crores in the 14th instalment.

Launch of Sulphur Coated Urea (Urea Gold):

This innovative fertilizer will address sulphur deficiencies in the soil, improve nitrogen use efficiency, and enhance crop quality. "New Urea gold has been started," PM stated.

Launch of 1,600 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) on ONDC:

ONDC will empower FPOs with digital marketing, online payments, and B2B and B2C transactions, promoting local value addition and rural logistics growth. PM said," The PMKSYs centres at the block & village level will benefit farmers... Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has also started for the farmers," reported India Today.

Inauguration 5 medical colleges in Rajasthan, lay foundation stone for 7 medical colleges

PM Modi inaugurated 5 medical colleges and laid the foundation stone for 7 more in Rajasthan.

Inauguration of 6 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and One Kendriya Vidyalaya:

PM Modi inaugurated 6 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and one Kendriya Vidyalaya at Tinwari in Jodhpur District of Rajasthan.

"I am fortunate to get the opportunity to inaugurate several developmental projects from Shekhawati, the land of brave hearts," said PM Modi in Sikar.
At least 42 tourists have been stranded at the Muthyala Dhara waterfalls in Mulugu district after an increase in water flow on Wednesday, as reported by the police.

The District Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police, have been deployed to the site to conduct rescue operations. The authorities have been in communication with the stranded tourists through mobile phones and have advised them to stay away from the water stream and conserve their mobile battery life. The Superintendent of Police for Mulugu, Gaush Alam, stated that all the tourists will be rescued by morning, and the rescue operation is currently underway.

Also read: Telangana rains: Red alert issued till 27 July; educational institutions to remain shut

The SP urged the stranded tourists not to attempt to cross the stream on their own as rescue teams will reach them soon. Instead, they have been advised to remain on higher ground and safeguard their mobile batteries. He urged the tourists to stay courageous and not to worry, as food items and other rescue equipment are being sent to them.

The rescue operation at Mutyala Dhara waterfall has been successfully concluded. A total of 80 stranded tourists have been rescued and accounted for. They have received necessary provisions like water and medical assistance. One boy had a minor scorpion bite, but he has already been treated. SP Mulugu confirmed that the health of 90% of the tourists is in good condition.
A flight in New York returned to the John F Kennedy airport , two hours after departing to unload a disruptive passenger, who reportedly called one of the cabin crew a waiter.

According to New York Post, the disruptive passenger is one Joel Ghansham, who was travelling business class on Flight 2557 was bound for Georgetown, Guyana.

The report states that Ghansham asked a flight attendant for help putting his luggage in the overhead cabin because he reportedly recently underwent spine surgery.

He said, No, I dont do that. He said, I dont get paid that kind of money but if you dont like it there is always another airline," Ghansham, who was seated in business class, told the outlet.

Another crew member then reportedly helped him with the luggage.

Ghansham further narrated that later during the flight, for beverage services, the same cabin crew had leaned back toward Ghansham.

He asked me if I wanted something to drink but I didnt respond because I didnt want to cause a scene, and he asked again and I said, No thank you, waiter," Ghansham a cultural activist told Stabroek News.

This is when a seemingly pride war broke out.

New York Post reports that the crew member responded that he was not a waiter and that he had the capability to turn the plane around.

Ghansham claimed in a YouTube interview that he told the flight attendant: You must be God, so you do it."

Moments later, the pilot announced that the plane was returning to JFK Airport, where the passenger said he was removed from the flight and interviewed by authorities before being allowed to leave.

In an email to The Post, an American Airlines representative described Ghansham as a disruptive passenger" who forced the flight to return to the city.

Safety and security are our top priorities, and we thank our customers for their understanding and our team members for their professionalism in managing a difficult situation," the spokesperson wrote.

But Ghansham took issue with the characterization.

There was not a disruption. I never got up. There was not an argument, there was not a confrontation, nobody touched each other. He was wearing a mask. He wasnt even loud. It was just his pride," he said in the video.

Two days after the flight, the airline offered Ghansham an apology and provided him with 10,000 free miles as compensation, Stabroek News reported.

We are writing to follow up with you about the delay of flight AA2557 on July 18, 2023. We recognize that many of our customers important plans were significantly affected, and for that, we are very sorry," a letter posted by the outlet reads.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a meeting with Russia's defence minister Sergei Shoigu, on Wednesday, during his rare visit to the isolated country. Both sides pledged to strengthen their ties, as reported by state media KCNA.

During the meeting, Shoigu presented Kim with a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, Kim expressed his gratitude to Putin for sending a military delegation led by Shoigu, and he emphasised that the meeting further solidified the "strategic and traditional DPRK (North Korea)-Russia relations."

This visit by Shoigu is significant as he arrived in North Korea along with a Chinese delegation, which included Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, celebrated in North Korea as "Victory Day." These delegations are the first prominent public visitors to North Korea since the start of the pandemic.

Also read: UN Command engages in talks with North Korea regarding detained US soldier: Report

During a banquet in Pyongyang, Shoigu praised the North Korean military as the "most powerful" in the world. This statement was made during his meeting with his North Korean counterpart, Kang Sun Nam, as reported by news agency Yonhap, citing the Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS).

Also read: Japan on alert as North Korea launches suspected ballistic missile

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a visit to a cemetery, just a day before the upcoming ceremony celebrations, that honours Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War, as reported by state media KCNA on Wednesday. During his visit, Kim Jong Un was accompanied by his influential sister, Kim Yo Jong. The timing of the visit holds significance as it occurred just before the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War truce on Thursday. In North Korea, this day is commemorated as "Victory Day" and is often marked with grand military parades.

On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery, as reported by KCNA. During his visit, he praised the soldiers buried there, hailing them as heroes who "inflicted defeat" on US imperialism. The term "Great Fatherland Liberation War" is a name used by North Korea to refer to the Korean War.

(With inputs from Reuters)
Indias presidential-style politics in a parliamentary system, as the scenario has been since the ascent of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, can present piquant situations. The odds of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government being ousted from power by a no-confidence vote in the Lok Sabha are negligible, given that BJP members make up more than half the Housethe safety markand can also count on allies to crush such a motion by a ratio of over 2:1. Yet, on Wednesday the Indian National Congress sought a floor test, citing violence in Manipur among other issues, and got the backing of parties that recently joined hands with it to form a front called the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) for general elections next year. A date will soon be fixed for a division of votes whose basic outcome holds no suspense. What may seem like a waste of legislative time in the face of so many long-pending bills, though, deserves a closer look in the broader context of our democracy. We have had full-majority BJP rule for nearly a decade; i.e., with no ally-placed restraints on its ideological agenda. Now as polls draw closer, clarity over who stands on which side of the aisle in Parliament would offer the electorate a political update that rhetoric-as-usual cannot match.

That making the Modi administration defend itself in the House might draw the Prime Minister out on the matter of Manipur is not devoid of merit as an opposition ploy. The state suffered an evident breakdown of law-and-order, and fixing such a failure of governance does call for national resolve. But the way various parties vote will be under watch. It will draw the battle-lines for 2024, when the rest of us will get our ballot say. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which is not one of INDIAs 26 constituents as a political combine, made a separate proposal for a no-confidence motion. Like many others, the BRS is a regional contender, focused only on Telangana. With a variety of regional players in the national fray, state-level rivalries inevitably influence electoral tie-ups, even causing some to swing back and forth between BJP- and Congress-led camps. Prominent members of the recently pitched INDIA tent have been part of BJP-led coalitions in the past. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) not only still exists, it sprang back into public view with a display of strengthand pep talk from Modijust as opposition unity took shape and gave itself a name. The new fronts acronym spelling India has drawn a dismissive response from the Prime Minister, who used East India Company as an example of how little names matter and drew a link between British rule and the Congress to allege an overlap in what they have subject the country to. On its part, the INDIA front is trying to shape itself as a shield for the Constitution.

We can expect a war of words to heat up as we rumble into election season. Going by the past record, loyalties could still shift. As seen before along the BJPs path to dominance, even post-poll camp jumping could happen, so adversarial line-ups of parties are always subject to change. Yet, a floor test at this juncture would force a reckoning across the spectrum, not just on the urgency at handof whether all Indians have equal Constitutional coverbut also over the countrys governance by the BJP in general if not the Prime Minister in particular. The BJP has long been a party with a difference," and what sets it apart has split Indian opinion sharply. The sooner our politicians bare their preferences, the better informed we would be.
Even as artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT are being launched on mobile devices, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is urging schools around the world to ban smartphones. UNESCO says these devices can  and do  distract students, lower their social interactions, and adversely affect learning. The move is likely to please teachers and parents but not digital-native students who were born into a world with the internet and smartphones.

Mere proximity to a mobile device was found to distract students and have a negative impact on learning in 14 countries, UNESCO said in a 435-page report released on Wednesday. It said that while large-scale international assessment data, such as that provided by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), suggest a negative link between excessive use of information and communications technology (ICT) and student performance, less than one in four schools have banned smartphones.

UNESCO acknowledges that distance-learning tools deployed via the Internet, television and even radio were crucial during the pandemic, and can also help differently abled children who may struggle in a traditional, in-person setting. But, it adds, these tools have many downsides too, which on the whole warrant a ban.

To begin with, smartphones can increase the digital divide in schools. UNESCO argues that while technology offers an "education lifeline for millions", it excludes many more. The report underscores that a third of pupils do not have effective access to distance learning since only 40% of primary schools worldwide currently have Internet access. The rapid shift to online learning during the pandemic, for instance, left out an estimated 500 million students worldwide, mostly from marginalised, rural communities.

A large number of schools in low- and middle-income countries, especially primary schools, do not even have electricity. UNESCO, which insists that the right to education is increasingly synonymous with the right to meaningful connectivity, says it would cost $1 billion a day to maintain connectivity for education in poor countries.

Second, the report argues that even if connectivity was universal, digital technology may not add real value in terms of effective learning, even as the risks of excessive screen time are becoming increasingly evident. Highlighting the distinction between basic mobile phones that are not internet-enabled, feature phones and smartphones, the report argues that extensive use of smartphones and computers can disrupt learning in the classroom and at home.

The decline in learning is mainly linked to increased distraction and time spent on non-academic activities during learning hours. Incoming notifications or even the mere proximity of a mobile device can be a distraction. The use of smartphones in classrooms causes students to engage in non-school-related activities, which affects recall and comprehension. The report cited a study that found that it can take students up to 20 minutes to refocus on what they were learning after engaging in a non-academic activity.

According to Manos Antoninis, the director of the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, people "don't necessarily need very sophisticated skills" to navigate the digital world. "Those who have the best reading skills are those least likely to be duped by a phishing email, for instance," he adds.

Third, despite the desire to make education a global common good, only one in seven countries legally guarantees the privacy of educational data even as the role of commercial and private interests in education continues to grow. Antoninis told UN News that only 16% of countries have laws that guarantee data privacy in the classroom.

Fourth, the report points out that "good, impartial evidence on the impact of education technology is in short supply", with education technology products changing every 36 months, on average, and most evidence coming from the richest countries such as the US and the UK. It also states that "exaggerated claims about technology go hand in hand with exaggerated estimates of its global market size".

The UNESCO report acknowledges that "some education technology can improve some types of learning in some contexts". It cites the examples of the National Academic Digital Library of Ethiopia, the National Digital Library of India, and the Teachers Portal in Bangladesh, which has over 600,000 users. The Indira Gandhi National Open University, the worlds largest university with over 3.3 million students, serves traditionally marginalised communities and uses a multi-instructional system that includes print and audiovisual materials, radio, television, web conferencing and instant messaging. In China, too, high-quality lesson recordings delivered to 100 million rural students improved learning outcomes by 32% and reduced urban-rural earning gaps by 38%.

But the report also insists that we should focus on learning outcomes, not digital inputs. In Peru, for instance, when over a million laptops were distributed without being incorporated into pedagogy, learning did not improve. In the US, too, analysis of over two million students found that learning gaps widened when instruction was exclusively remote. The report notes that even in the worlds richest countries, only about 10% of 15-year-old students use digital devices for more than an hour a week in mathematics and science.

Impact of generative AI

The UNESCO report acknowledges that the evolution of technology is putting a "strain on education systems to adapt" with digital literacy and critical thinking becoming increasingly important, particularly with the growth of generative AI. This new technology has the ability to learn the structure of almost any information  be it text, image or video  and generate new content based on prompts. Many schools have banned the use of ChatGPT as students were found to be using it to do their homework. However, the UNESCO report argues that more evidence is needed to understand whether these AI tools can change how students learn, "beyond the superficial level of obtaining answers and correcting mistakes".

According to the report, if written assignments no longer indicate mastery of certain skills, schools will have to develop new assessment methods. Likewise, if AI tutoring replaces at least some teaching tasks, teacher preparation and practices will need to shift accordingly.

To be sure, a UNESCO global survey in 2022 showed that 11 of 51 governments had developed and implemented AI curricula. France already has a strategy to develop AI research capacity, including through a talent attraction and support programme, while Indias National Strategy for AI includes education as one of five focus areas. Singapore's National AI Strategy and the EdTech Plan (2020-30) highlights the use of AI for personalising teaching. But the spread of generative AI also brings its share of risks.

In this context, the UNESCO report makes a strong case for teacher training, pointing out that only 50% of countries currently have standards for developing educators information and communication technology (ICT) skills, while even fewer have teacher-training programmes covering cybersecurity.

The report concludes that "the best interests of pupils should systematically take precedence over any other consideration", particularly commercial considerations. It says technology should always be seen as a means and never an end, and insists that "technology should be introduced into education on the basis of evidence showing that it would be appropriate, equitable, scalable and sustainable".
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav asserted that the newly formed opposition alliance named INDIA would not only defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh but also across the entire country. He claimed that the BJP was feeling anxious about the opposition alliance and even had objections to its name, INDIA.

Yadav stated that the BJP came to power in 2014, but it would be ousted in the 2024 elections, and the INDIA alliance would play a crucial role in achieving that. He emphasised that the alliance's name, INDIA, signifies the shared culture and message of brotherhood among its members.

The BJP came to power in 2014 and it will be sent packing in 2024. INDIA (alliance) will not just wipe out the BJP from the state but from the entire country," Yadav said.

"It is nervous about the alliance. They also have issues with the name INDIA," he added.

According to Akhilesh Yadav, the BJP is worried that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections would present a choice between those who want to safeguard India and its Constitution and those who want to undermine it. He accused the BJP of being scared, leading them to change their language.

Yadav also criticised the BJP's handling of the situation in Manipur, blaming the divisive policy of RSS and the vote bank politics of BJP for the ethnic violence in the state. He brought attention to a distressing incident in Manipur where two women were paraded naked on May 4, urging the BJP to address the issue instead of focusing on attacking the opposition alliance.

"If they don't talk about it, then I believe it was the BJP's plan to poison the society (in Manipur) to create divisions in it," he said.

Also read: Indian Mujahideen, PFI also has INDIA: PM Modi takes jibe at Opposition alliance

Akhilesh Yadav visited the families of kanwariyas who were electrocuted and killed in a road accident earlier this month. Yadav announced financial aid of 50,000 to the injured and 2 lakh to the family of the deceased. He called for additional assistance from the state government's budget allocated for the Kanwar Yatra.

Also read: Lok Sabha polls 2024: Who is likely to lead the opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A?

( With inputs from PTI)
Congress leader and former MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi on Thursday posted a sharp retort to the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) dispensation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue.

A day after Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani accused the Congress leader of setting "Manipur on fire,", Rahul Gandhi issued the video message claiming that PM Modi has got nothing to do with the violence-hit state because he is the Prime Minister of only a few selected people. On Wednesday union minister for Women and Child development Smriti Irani had in Rajya Sabha made a scathing accusation. Irani's alleged that opposition parties, including Gandhi had remained silent on crimes against women in non-BJP-ruled states. Irani didn't pull any punches, charging Gandhi with igniting Manipur's unrest. "When will you have the courage to tell us how women are raped in Congress-ruled states? When will you have the guts to tell how Rahul Gandhi put Manipur on fire? Do not cast aspersions on women ministers in this cabinet," she challenged amid loud cheers from her party's MPs. In a video message shared by Indian National Congress on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, "What is Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing for Manipur? Why is he not saying anything about Manipur? It is because Narendra Modi has nothing to do with Manipur. He knows that his own ideology has burned Manipur." Hitting out at PM Modi for not visiting the north eastern state, Rahul Gandhi said, Have you seen what happened in Manipur? And what is happening? You will be surprised that the Prime Minister has not said a word about Manipur. You would have thought that when a state of the country is burning, the Prime Minister of the country would say something. Many of you would have thought that the Prime Minister of the country would go to Imphal to at least talk to the people."

Accusing the BJP-RSS of only focusing on getting to power, Rahul said, "There is an ideological war going on between the RSS-BJP and the Congress. While the ideology of Congress is to protect the Constitution, unite the country and fight against social inequality, RSS-BJP wants that a few selected people should run this country and all the wealth of the country should be in their hands."

"BJP-RSS only wants power and can do anything to get power. For power, they will burn Manipur, they will burn the whole country. They don't care about the sorrow and pain of the country," he added.

Alleging BJP-RSS of "dividing India", the Congress leader said, "You have patriotism in your heart. When the country gets hurt, when any citizen of the country gets hurt, you also feel the pain. But the people of BJP-RSS are not feeling any pain, because they are doing the work of dividing India."

A group of MPs from the opposition alliance INDIA will visit Manipur on July 29 and 30 to assess the situation in the north eastern state which has been engulfed in ethnic violence since 3 May.

The delegation of more than 20 opposition MPs will visit Manipur this weekend and will take a first-hand account of the situation in the state, Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore told news agency PTI.
Narendra Modi has become the seventh incumbent Prime Minister in the country after Indira Gandhi to face a no-confidence motion ahead of the General election.

Yesterday, Lok Speaker Om Birla accepted the Opposition's no-confidence motion brought by Congress party MP Gaurav Gogoi against the Centre in order to persuade PM Modi, to make a statement in the House on the Manipur violence that has stalled the Parliament for five consecutive days.

It is the seventh instance wherein a no-confidence motion has been accepted within 12 months of the national election.

The previous six instances are: August 1966 against the Indira Gandhi government by HN Bahuguna; November 1966 against Indira Gandhi government by Umashankar Trivedi; July 1970 against Indira Gandhi government by Madhu Limaye; July 1979 against the Morarji Desai government by YB Chavan; August 2003 by Sonia Gandhi against the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government; and July 2018 against the Modi government by Srinivas Kesineni.

It must be noted that when the 1979 motion was moved, the scheduled general elections were still three years away but were eventually conducted in 1980 due to the premature collapse of the Janata Party coalition government.

Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister faced maximum no-confidence motions - 15. She survived each of the 15 floor tests.

Floor leaders of opposition parties to meet today:

Floor leaders of opposition parties will meet the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Thursday in Parliament to discuss important issues.

Meanwhile, all MPs of the I.N.D.I.An alliance will wear 'black' coloured clothes in Parliament as a mark of protest against the Manipur issue.

The Congress, as part of the newly formed I.N.D.I.A opposition alliance, along with Telangana's Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has filed two separate no-confidence motions against the government.

The decision to bring a no-confidence motion was taken at a meeting of opposition I.N.D.I.A alliance parties held on Tuesday.

According to the opposition parties, Centre has failed in its responsibility to restore normalcy in Manipur by taking necessary Constitutional measures, so INDIA has brought the No-Confidence Motion to fix accountability of the government in this matter.

The opposition MPs have been protesting in Parliament every day against the government for not allowing a discussion on the Manipur issue, as well as against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not making a statement in both houses on the violence-racked northeastern state.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On July 25, a fleet of brand-new Yueda Kia vehicles smoothly rolled into the port of Yancheng city, Jiangsu Province, where they will soon embark on a journey to 21 countries and regions, including the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Peru, and Brunei.

Export ship; photo credit: Yueda Kia

This remarkable export effort marks the 15th "overseas voyage" for Yueda Kia this year, as the company continues to solidify its position amidst the "dual circulation" strategy to set root in the Chinese and international markets, and accelerate its globalization initiatives.

Mr. Chen Fei, Manager of the Vehicle Export Division at Yueda Kia, expressed his excitement about this venture, revealing that a total of 3,600 vehicles will be exported this time, and the company's July monthly export volume has already exceeded 10,000 units so far. Notably, the Seltos, a global star product for Yueda Kia, contributed significantly to this feat, with over 6,000 units exported in a single month.

Expanding overseas exports stands as a crucial strategic move for Yueda Kia to improve factory utilization and enhance profitability. With a focus on the Seltos and the K5 export models, Yueda Kia is determined to expand its export market, targeting an additional 30 destination countries by year-end.

This ambitious endeavor aims to establish a presence for four export models, namely, the Rio, the KX1, the Seltos, and the K5, in 80 countries, achieving a monthly export volume of over 10,000 units and striving to surpass 100,000 units in total exports for the year. Looking ahead, Yueda Kia envisions elevating the export capacity of the Yancheng plant to over 250,000 units by 2029, solidifying its status as a veritable global export hub.
Members of the newly-named INDIA coalition are set to hold a third round of meetings in Mumbai at the end of August. The third meeting of the bloc will be hosted jointly by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP's Sharad Pawar faction, with support from the Congress. The Mumbai Summit -- as it is being called by INDIA bloc parties - is significant as discussions regarding seat sharing are likely to be taken up.

The Opposition bloc had announced its name after a meeting in Bengaluru earlier this month.

Members of the INDIA alliance had announced their name after a meeting in Bengaluru earlier this month. While its first meeting was hosted in Patna by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), the second occurred in Congress-ruled Karnataka. This is the first time that the opposition meeting will be held in a state where no member of the INDIA bloc is in power.

The INDIA alliance has led extensive protests before the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over the past week, calling for discussion on the Manipur crisis and other issues. Round-the-clock protests had also broken out over the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh from the Rajya Sabha. AAP lawmakers were persuaded to limit their agitation to daylight hours on Thursday, ending their daily protest when Parliament's proceedings conclude.

"Fellow MPs of team INDIA came along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at the protest site. INDIA has unanimously decided that the protest will continue, and start every day at 10 am and continue for the day till the Parliament proceedings continue," Singh later said in Hindi on Twitter.

(With inputs from agencie
The opposition a lliance under the banner of INDIA demanded the Lok Sabha Speaker to discuss the "No Confidence Motion" on Thursday and suspend all other business.

Noting that this demand is not from Congress alone but entire opposition alliance, Manish Tewari, a senior Congress party leader, said on Wednesday, although the rule 198-A of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha suggest that the Speaker has the discretion to allow discussion on the No Confidence Motion within 10 days, but the tradition is that once it is accepted by the Speaker, all other business is suspended and discussion is initiated immediately.

Tewari suggested adhering to tradition by suspending all other parliamentary business for a motion discussion today. He added that if 100 or more MPs support the motion, conducting any other business in the parliament would be inappropriate.

Not about numbers, but morality: Congress

On the argument the no trust motion is bound to fail as the opposition do not have the numbers, the Congress spokesperson retorted, It is not a matter of numbers, but of morality."

"There has been violence going on in Manipur for the last 83-84 days. The law and order has completely collapsed and there is absolute ethnic divide in the state," he said.

He noted that the situation is grim and it can only be answered by those at the apex level in the government.

Justifying their move, Tewari pointed out, the opposition has been demanding discussion under rule 184 and 267 in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively which the government has refused.

He said, "When the Prime Minister has admitted outside the parliament that Manipur incidents were shameful and every countryman was feeling ashamed of it, why cant he speak in parliament?"

He further said that the Prime Minister, being the head of the council of ministers and the first among equals, should answer the No Confidence Motion.

He pointed out, traditionally whenever such a motion has been brought in the Lok Sabha, it is the Prime Minister who has replied on it.

(With agency inputs)

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A day after Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi moved a no-confidence motion against PM Modi's government in the Lok Sabha, CPI MP Binoy Viswam opined that the motion would have been stronger and more effective if it included representation from other INDIA parties.

"Not only CPI, but many other parties raised objection in a responsible way. The Congress leadership understood it and they are so democratic that they agreed that it happened out of hurry," Binoy Viswam said while speaking to ANI. "The chapter is closed now. What is important is that the no-confidence motion is there in Parliament and it has the signature of sufficient number of MPs," the CPI MP said.

Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi also took a jibe at Congress party saying that it is typical of them to not to consult their alliance parties before taking a decision

He said like PM Modi predicted in 2019 and asked the opposition to prepare for a no-confidence motion in 2023, they came prepared but there was a little divide.

"Congress, as per its usual attitude, did not consult the other Opposition parties. First, there should be confidence among Opposition parties, among each other. After that, they can talk about people's confidence in PM Modi. There's no use of wearing black clothes. You will have to wear black clothes later too," Pralhad Joshi said.

Lok Sabha Speaker acknowledges no confidence motion

Earlier on Wednesday, I.N.D.I.A bloc rallied behind a no-confidence motion against the PM Modi government moved by the Congress in Lok Sabha. The Narendra Modi government, which enjoys the support of at least 332 MPs in the Lok Sabha, faces virtually no threat from this no-confidence motion.

"We have an absolute majority and will discuss this motion at an appropriate time," the Union Minister added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday accepted the no-confidence motion against the government moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on behalf of opposition parties of I.N.D.I.A alliance. After Gogoi moved the motion, the Speaker asked about the number of members supporting the motion. However, the Speaker is yet to decide on when the discussion will be held.

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Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and party's Bihar spokesperson Vinod Sharma resigned on Thursday from the saffron party citing disappointment over the BJP's handling of the Manipur crisis.

The politician said that Manipur-like incident has never happened anywhere else while adding that the "Prime Minister is still sleeping". Sharma was talking about the viral video which showed two Kuki Zo women being stripped and paraded naked by a mob of Meitei men in violence hit Manipur, that has garnered outrage throughout the nation. Sharma said that "with a heavy heart", he wrote to BJP chief JP Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Manipur video incident. "With a heavy heart, I wrote to JP Nadda and PM Modi that an incident like that in the Manipur video has never happened anywhere else. Still, the PM is sleeping, he doesn't have the courage to sack CM Biren Singh...", Sharma said.

He further said that he has raised his voice against the women atrocities and resigned from the party.

He further said, "BJP speaks about Nari Sakhti, Beti Bachao, Hindu Rashtra, Sanatana Dharm... Is this the Sanatana Dharma we're upholding? As a human being, I couldn't tolerate this and raised my voice against this injustice..."

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).

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will refer Manipur viral video case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the government sources said on Thursday.

A 26-second video from Manipur has triggered outrage in the whole country where two women were stripped naked, assaulted and paraded by a mob.

People familiar with the developments told news agency ANI that the Centre will also file an affidavit in Supreme Court requesting the trial of a viral video case to take place outside Manipur.

Only STs can buy lands in hilly areas. The majority Meitei community, which occupies the Imphal Valley and nearby areas, sought the ST status keeping in view their increasing population and increased requirement of land so that they could purchase lands in the hilly areas.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ideology has set Manipur ablaze. He also said that PM Modi has nothing to do with the violence-hit northeast state because he is only the Prime Minister of a few, not all.

You would be surprised why is the PM of the country not going to Manipur and speaking on it. It is because Narendra Modi is the PM of only a selected few, of RSS. He has nothing to do with Manipur. He knows that his ideology has set Manipur ablaze," Rahul Gandhi said in a video message. He also accused the BJP-RSS of only focusing on getting power. BJP-RSS only wants power and can do anything to get power. For power, they will burn Manipur, they will burn the whole country. They don't care about the sorrow and pain of the country," the senior Congress leader said.

He further stated that there is an ideological war going on between the RSS-BJP and Congress, defining Congress' ideology as the protection of the Constitution, while BJP with a capitalist mindset.

Whereas the ideology of Congress is to protect the constitution, unite the country and fight against social inequality. On the other hand, RSS-BJP wants that a few selected people should run this country and all the wealth of the country should be in their hands," Rahul Gandhi said in the video.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, ...The House is functioning. We are demanding that the PM come there and make a statement. But he is giving political speeches and campaigning in Rajasthan."

"When he can go there, can't he come to the House for half an hour and make a statement? It means that has no interest, no faith in democracy. He doesn't want to protect democracy and the Constitution. He is disrespecting the Parliament..." he asked.

Opposition parties have been protesting in Rajya Sabha over their demand for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence and a statement from the Prime Minister. A team of INDIA alliance MPs will visit Manipur on July 29, 30.

At least 150 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 organized in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday responded to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's claim that his speech had been canceled by Prime Minister's Office at an event in which PM Modi was present in Rajasthan's Sikar district.

In a tweet, PMO India wrote, Shri@ashokgehlot51Ji, In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join." During PM@narendramodis previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence. You are most welcome to join todays program. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued," it said. This came after Gehlot claimed that PMO has removed his pre-scheduled 3-minute address from the program, hence, he will not be able to welcome the Prime Minister through speech. CM Gehlot 'heartily' welcomed PM Modi to Rajasthan through his tweet. He further listed the demands he was scheduled to make through his speech in the program. Through this tweet, I am putting forward the demands I have made through my speech in this program. I hope that during this 7th Yatra being done in 6 months, you will complete these," Gehlot said.

Gehlot's first demand is that permanent recruitment in the army should be continued as before by withdrawing the Agniveer scheme. the permanent recruitment in the army should be continued as before by withdrawing the Agniveer scheme," Rajasthan CM's second demand read.

The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution for caste census. The Central Government should take a decision on this without any delay," Gehlot added.

His fourth demand read, The medical colleges being opened in our three districts are not getting any financial assistance from the central government. These are being built entirely with state funding. The central government should also give 60% funding to the medical colleges in these three tribal-dominated districts."

The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) should be given the status of a project of national importance," Gehlot further demanded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan and Gujarat on July 27-28. He will leave for Rajkot in Gujarat after his scheduled program in Sikar.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to poll-bound Rajasthan on Thursday, state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has posted a tweet wherein he accused the PM's office of removing his speech.

Gehlot in Hindi wrote "Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Today you are visiting Rajasthan. Your office PMO has removed my pre-scheduled 3-minute address from the program, so I will not be able to welcome you through speech, so I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet".

Further, Gehlot listed various demands that "I would have put forward through my speech at the programme" and hoped that the prime minister would fulfill them during his "seventh visit (to the state) in six months".

Gehlot demanded the withdrawal of the Agniveer scheme for recruitment in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The Rajasthan government has waived cooperative bank loans worth 15,000 crore for 21 lakh farmers. It has sent a one-time settlement proposal to the Centre to waive nationalised bank loans and offered to pay farmers' shares. This demand should be fulfilled, he said.

The chief minister also said the Rajasthan Assembly has passed a resolution for conducting a caste census and sent it to the central government.

The Centre should decide on this without any delay, he added.

Gehlot also demanded national project status for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).

Following Gehlot's tweet, Prime Minister Modi cleared the confusion and invited him to the event. The office account of PM Modi's office on Twitter wrote, " Ashok Gehlot ji, in accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join. During PM's previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence.

You are most welcome to join todays programme. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well.

Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued".
1 min read

Last week, SpaceX and Indonesia launched a satellite from the US to bring high-speed internet to remote areas in Indonesia. The satellite is scheduled to come online by 2024 and offer a connection speed of 150 gigabytes per second.

Billionaire Elon Musk's space exploration company SpaceX is poised to launch the world's largest commercial communications satellite tomorrow. A Falcon Heavy rocket will launch Maxar Technologies' largest ever satellite called Jupiter 3, according to Space.com. Approximately eight minutes after launch, Falcon Heavy's side boosters will return to Earth and land on Landing Zones 1 and 2. Earlier, the launch was scheduled to take place on 26 July. However, SpaceX said tha, Standing down from tonights Falcon Heavy launch of the Hughes Connects' JUPITER 3 mission due to a violation of abort criteria. Teams are resetting for a launch attempt tomorrow, July 27". The vehicle and payload are in good health, it added. In a tweet, SpaceX said, Falcon Heavy is vertical at Launch Complex 39A ahead of tonight's launch. The 99-minute window opens at 11.04 pm ET, and weather is 85% favourable for liftoff."

SpaceX Falcon Heavy" Here's all you need to know:

The Falcon Heavy slated to carry JUPITER 3 to orbit will liftoff from Launch Complex-39A, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Florida.

It is SpaceX's seventh launch for the triple-booster rocket.

The Jupiter 3 will join others in the Hughes Jupiter satellite fleet already in orbit, Space.com reported.

Jupiter 3's size will rival the wingspan of a commercial airliner, which can range from 130-160 feet.

The satellite will support services such as in-flight Wi-Fi and augment private Wi-Fi usage with other wireless technologies.

Last week, SpaceX and Indonesia launched a satellite from the United States aimed at bringing high-speed internet to remote areas across the island country. The European-built SATRIA-1 took off on 19 July from a Florida launch station, deployed by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo called it the country's "first government-owned multi-function satellite with the biggest capacity in Asia".

The device is scheduled to come online by 2024 and will offer a connection speed of 150 gigabytes per second -- three times the current speed of satellite internet in the archipelago.

In May, SpaceX sent two Saudi Arabia's astronauts, including the nations 1st woman in space, to International Space Station.

A SpaceX capsule docked with the ISS on 22 May as part of a private mission chartered by Axiom Space.

The Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) crew took off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre.
Elon Musk has taken over the @x Twitter account as part of the social networks ongoing rebrand after the after the previous owner of the account moved to a new one.

Gene X Hwang, a photographer in San Francisco, was behind the social networks @x" handle until Tuesday night when it was changed to the official account for X, Musks new name for Twitter. The single-letter username was registered to Gene X. Hwang, a San Francisco based photographer, was behind the social networks @x" handle for more than 16 years until Tuesday night when it was changed to the official account for X, Musks new name for Twitter. Hwang had said he had been willing to entertain a sale of the @x account, which was registered in 2007, but that he simply received an email on Tuesday saying that it was being taken over by the company, the Telegraph reported quoting Hwang as saying. Alls well that ends well," Hwang posted from a new account, @x12345678998765.

The reports say the X owner has taken over some other accounts without permission since he took over the platform in October 2022.

The worlds richest person took over the username @e shortly after acquiring the company for $44 billion, despite the original owner of the account being unwilling to part with it, reported Platformer editor Zoe Schiffer.

The report further say @e account remains inactive, featuring the name John Utah  the same as the protagonist of the 1991 film Point Break. The account follows just three accounts: Elon Musk, LAist and Nasa.

The social media platform X has also renamed its subscription service to @XBlue, and @TwitterSupport to @Support to ditch the Twitter branding.

The company also removed Twitter signage from its San Francisco headquarters on Monday and the website domain X.com is now redirected to Twitter.com, and also the platforms blue bird logos have been replaced with a crowd-sourced X logo.

According to some eminent trademark lawyers, the hasty switch from one brand to another may result in legal difficulties for Musk as the billionaire does not own the intellectual property rights for the letter X when it relates to social networking. Metas Mark Zuckerberg currently controlling the federal trademark for a blue-and-white letter X for social networking services".
Top chipmakers including Foxconn, AMD, Micron and IBM will attend the Semicon India conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event is being held in an effort to attract investment into India's chip industry and establish the country as a semiconductor manufacturing hub to rival countries like Taiwan and China.

"The event promises to be a catalyst for the semiconductor industry's progress through invaluable networking, technology demonstrations, and lucrative business prospects,", a release by the Gujarat government on the Semicon India event read.

"With a strong focus on innovation, participation and growth, the event holds immense significance in shaping the future of the semiconductor industry in both India and Gujarat," the release further noted.

The Semicon India event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 28 and will attended by delegates from 23 countries. The event will also witness stalls from Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat showcasing the steps taken by the two state governments to support semiconductor industry.

Speakers for the three-day Semicon India event include Foxconn Chairman Young Liu, Micron Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Mehrotra, and Advanced Micro Devices Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster.

The release by Gujarat government notes that Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, Lam Research, NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, Grantwood Technologies, Infineon Technologies, Applied Materials and other prominent players in the semiconductor sector will participate in the event.

Last month, US-based Micron Technology signed an MoU with the Gujarat government for setting up of the company's first factory in Gujarat and investment of around $825 million. Micron's first factory will be used for testing and packaging chips but not for manufacturing, reported Reuters.

In a bid to promote chip manufacturing in the country, the Union government had announced a $10 billion incentive scheme. The scheme attracted proposals from companies such as Foxconn and Vedanta, but none of these proposals have materialised so far.

(With inputs from agencies)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 25, Chinese chassis-by-wire tech developer Shanghai Trugo Technology Co. Ltd. (Trugo Tech) celebrated the beginning of operation at its intelligent chassis-by-wire manufacturing factory in Changshu Economic Technological Development Area, Changshu city, Jiangsu province, according to a post on the company's WeChat account.

Photo credit: Trugo Tech

With a total investment of 400 million yuan, Trugo Tech's intelligent manufacturing factory in Changshu city has completed the construction of its first-phase production line, which has been put into operation. Furthermore, the second-phase production line is set to be completed within this year, which will initiate mass production of brake-by-wire products. The factory is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of over 2 million units, generating an annual revenue of 1 billion yuan.

Covering an area of more than 10,000 square meters, the Changshu factory has multiple production lines for intelligent braking and brake-by-wire products, along with key components. The products incorporate sophisticated VDC vehicle kinematics algorithms and advanced VMC algorithms, enabling vehicles to meet the demands of higher safety redundancy, more precise active control, and comprehensive energy recovery in the fields of electrification and intelligence.

The company announced in February 2023 the completion of its Series A and A+ financing rounds with over 100 million yuan raised in total.

The two fresh rounds drew strategic investments from Zhengxuan Investment and Xiaomi Groups strategic investment arm, and also attracted investors like C&D Inc., UOB Venture Management, etc.

Proceeds from the new rounds will be mainly used for the expansion of the fully automatic production lines for ESC (electronic stability control) systems, the industrialization of EHBI (integrated-electro-hydraulic brake) systems, and the R&D of EMB (electro-mechanical brake) products.

Trugo Tech is dedicated to providing the Chinese automotive market with a complete set of core chassis-by-wire technologies and relevant solutions. Its main products include ESC, EHB, and EPB (electronic parking brake) systems.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
High school student who sat in Pences chair during Capitol riot is sentenced to 1 year in prison

A high school student who stormed the U.S. Capitol, assaulted a police officer and sat in a Senate floor chair reserved for the vice president has been sentenced to one year in prison
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.

Nissan considers exporting China-made cars to boost sales

Nissan Motor has lowered its sales expectations in China and is now considering the possibility of exporting China-made cars, according to Reuters. The CEO of Nissan Motor, Makoto Uchida, mentioned that the company hasn't yet finalized any export plans or target markets for Chinese-produced vehicles. However, Uchida emphasized the need for Nissan to explore new measures to support its operations in China, where last quarter's sales declined by 46% from a year ago. He stated, "In the future, we will change our operational approach in China."

Photo credit: Nissan

Toyota, XCMG cooperate in hydrogen energy field

Toyota Motor inked a strategic cooperation agreement with XCMG, a leading Chinese machinery maker based in Xuzhou city, Jiangsu Province. The agreement aims to promote joint innovation in cutting-edge technological research and applications, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and core components. The signing of the XCMG-Toyota strategic cooperation agreement will center around Xuzhou to establish a hydrogen vehicle and core components industry base.

VOYAH settles headquarters in Wuhan city

Dongfeng Motors premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH inked a strategic cooperation agreement with the authorities of Junshan New City on July 26 to establish its corporate headquarters in the "Valley of Cars" in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province. The move aims to foster growth and development for VOYAH within the automotive sector in Wuhan.

LiDAR maker tanway bags over 100 million yuan in Series A+ financing

Chinese LiDAR maker tanway recently announced the completion of its A+ funding round, raising over 100 million yuan.

NavInfo helps Qingdao city build smart transportation system

Recently, the construction of the smart city project co-built by Qingdao Huatong Group and NavInfo, named Smart Nanjing Road, in Qingdao has been completed.

Trugo Tech inaugurates intelligent chassis-by-wire manufacturing factory in Changsu city

On July 25, Chinese chassis-by-wire tech developer Shanghai Trugo Technology Co. Ltd. (Trugo Tech) celebrated the beginning of operation at its intelligent chassis-by-wire manufacturing factory in Changshu Economic Technological Development Area, Changshu city, Jiangsu province, according to a post on the company's WeChat account.

Geelys AEROFUGIA to supply Sino Jet with eVTOLs

On July 26, AEROFUGIA, an electric aviation technology company under Geely Technology Group, along with the leading investor Tsinghua Holdings Capital and other participating investors, celebrated the successful completion of its first strategic round of financing, according to a post on the companys WeChat account.

Geely RADAR exports first batch of vehicles overseas

On July 25, the ceremony for the export of the first batch of Geely RADAR brands overseas model was held at the smart factory in Zibo city, Shandong province, the automaker announced via its WeChat account.

Li Autos sleep assistant system patent granted

Beijing Chehejia Information Technology Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Chinese new energy vehicle startup Li Auto, has been granted a patent for its "Sleep Assistance System and Vehicle," according to the records of Chinas National Intellectual Property Administration.

Yueda Kia exports over 10,000 vehicles in July

On July 25, a fleet of brand-new Yueda Kia vehicles smoothly rolled into the port of Yancheng city, Jiangsu Province, where they will soon embark on a journey to 21 countries and regions, including the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Peru, and Brunei.

WeEn Semiconductors inaugurates first global module factory in Shanghai

On July 25, the grand opening ceremony of WeEn Semiconductors WeEn Jinshan Module Factory was held in the Shanghai Bay Areas High-tech Zone, marking the official commencement of operations for WeEn's first-ever global module factory.

Great Wall Motor begins blind pre-order of ORA Good Cat in Brazil

Recently, Great Wall Motor officially launched the ORA Good Cat in Brazil, the second new energy vehicle (NEV) model it put onto the Brazilian market, according to a press release GWM issued this week.

Chinas locally-made passenger vehicle retail sales likely to drop 4.8% YoY in July 2023: CPCA

China's domestic passenger vehicle ("PV") retail sales are anticipated to reach 1.73 million units in July 2023, which should decline 8.6% from the previous month, and also fell 4.8% from the previous year mainly due to the higher base resulting from the purchase tax incentives for year-ago period, according to the China Passenger Car Association ("CPCA").
Bord na Mona is seeking public feedback on a Draft Rehabilitation Plan for the rewetting of Mostrim Bog.

The work on the Edgeworthstown area bog is due to be carried our later this year as part of the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme (PCAS).

This scheme is to be implemented on 30,000 hectares of 80 bogs around Ireland. To date 38 bogs have been rewet since 2021, with a further 19 identified for rehabilitation in 2023.

The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications approved grant funding of 108 million in 2020 for this scheme and it is provided by the European Unions Recovery and Resilience Facility which is the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU.

The focus of the rehabilitation measures for Mostrim, like all the bogs, is creating suitable water-levels in Irish Peatlands. Water levels are brought to the surface of the bog to re-wet the peat, and accelerate the development of naturally functioning peatlands habitats, while turning these carbon sources into carbon sinks again.

A Draft Rehabilitation Plan and associated Map Book for the Mostrim Bog have been made available to assist the consultation process. The two documents are available on the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme website here: www.bnmpcas.ie/2023-bogs/.

As part of the Mountdillon Bog Group  Mostrim Bog will be permanently rehabilitated under licensing controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The scheme intends to deliver many benefits regarding climate actions. The benefits include, reducing the emissions of Green House Gas (GHG), improving the carbon storage potential within the left-over peat, and accelerating the development of carbon seizure by promoting the growth of peat-forming mosses (Sphagnum-rich vegetation).

The scheme and its benefits, if successful, will enrich the natural assets of Ireland. It will enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, boost the beneficial impact of ecosystems in our environment, increase water storage attenuation and enable the potential development of amenity around the peatlands.

If you would like to give your thoughts on the Mostrim Bog Draft Rehabilitation Plan, email pcasinfo@bnm.ie before Wednesday, 9 August 2023.

Note: The Peatlands Climate Action Scheme is also referred to as the Enhanced Decommissioning Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS)
Man Makes Off with Over $2,600 in Versace Sunglasses from Riverhead Business, Cops Say

By Chris Boyle Published: July 27 2023

A man stole eight pairs of Versace sunglass from Sunglass Hut, located at 1770 West Main St., Suite 503, Riverhead, on July 1 at approximately 2:40 p.m.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Riverhead Town Police detectives are seeking the publics help to identify and locate the man who stole merchandise from a Riverhead store this month.

A man stole eight pairs of Versace sunglass from Sunglass Hut, located at 1770 West Main St., Suite 503, Riverhead, on July 1 at approximately 2:40 p.m. The sunglasses were valued at $2,690.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 27 2023

Gerald Pierre sold rifles, pistols, and revolvers, many with large-capacity magazines.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Westbury man was sentenced today to eight years in prison for selling more than a dozen illegal firearms between October 2020 and January 2022.

Gerald Pierre, 40, pleaded guilty before Judge Howard Sturim on June 1, 2023, to Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree (a B violent felony) in satisfaction of the indictment. The defendant was sentenced today to eight years in prison and five years post release supervision.

This defendant sold an assortment of incredibly dangerous illegal semi-automatic rifles and assault weapons, including several large-capacity magazines, and then fled the county, said DA Donnelly. Through the diligent efforts of the Nassau County Police Department and my prosecutors, Pierre was apprehended in Philadelphia, extradited, and will now go to prison. We continue to make strides in getting illegal guns off our streets and we will not let up in our efforts.

DA Donnelly said, according to the charges, on nine separate dates between October 2020 and January 2022, the defendant sold a total of 14 illegal firearms, including semi-automatic rifles, assault weapons, revolvers, and pistols. Seven of those firearm sales took place in Westbury, one in Uniondale and another in Hempstead.

Nearly all the firearms were loaded or sold with accompanying ammunition, and many were sold with large-capacity magazines that could hold up to 60 rounds of ammunition.

In February 2022, the defendant fled Nassau County and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On January 10, 2023, the defendant was arrested by Amtrak Police near Philadelphia for an unrelated matter, and it was discovered that the defendant had an open arrest warrant in New York. The defendant was extradited to Nassau County on March 29, 2023.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 27 2023

Defendants Misappropriated Funds of Dozens of Clients, Some of Whom Are Elderly and Disabled.

A 16-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging investment advisers Adam Kaplan and his brother, Daniel Kaplan, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, investment advisor fraud, and money laundering in connection with several schemes to steal millions of dollars from their clients. The defendants were arrested today and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests and charges.

As alleged, the Kaplans engaged in years-long schemes violating the trust that their clients, some of them elderly and vulnerable, had placed in them to manage their money safely and honestly, stated United States Attorney Peace. The defendants lined their pockets at the victims expense, but with their lies and frauds exposed, they will be held to account for their conduct.

Mr. Peace thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission for their assistance with the case.

As alleged, the Kaplans engaged in multiple investment fraud schemes that victimized their clients, many of whom were elderly or disabled. This type of illegal activity is unfortunately all too common and even more egregious when vulnerable groups are targeted, stated FBI Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge Curtis. The FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who exploit their clients by misappropriating their funds for personal gain.

As set forth in the indictment and other public filings, between May 2018 and November 2022, Adam and Daniel Kaplan acted as investment advisors for hundreds of clients. The defendants used their positions of trust to misappropriate millions of dollars from their clients, some of whom were elderly and disabled. The defendants used various schemes to misappropriate the victims funds, including overbilling for advisory fees, siphoning money from bank accounts through fraudulent advisory fee charges and through purported investments defendants never intended to make. The defendants lied to their clients about the fraudulent charges, forged their clients signatures on documents, and made misrepresentations to financial institutions. In total, the defendants misappropriated at least $5 million, using the funds for personal expenses and to purchase luxury goods.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

If you were a client of Adam Kaplan or Daniel Kaplan and would like to file a complaint, please visit www.iC3.gov . Please reference Adam Kaplan or Daniel Kaplan in your complaint.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 25, the ceremony for the export of the first batch of Geely RADAR brands overseas model was held at the smart factory in Zibo city, Shandong province, the automaker announced via its WeChat account.

Photo credit: RADAR

According to the official images released by Geely, the exported model is the RADAR RD6, which has already been introduced to the domestic market. However, Geely has yet to disclose the specific destination of this export.

Photo credit: RADAR

The first mass-produced RADAR RD6 all-electric pickup rolled off the assembly line at the Zibo factory in September 2022. The model boasts a dual-screen setup composed of a 12.3-inch floating instrument panel and a 12.3-inch console-mounted display, as well as a 9-inch full-color HUD. The Galaxy OS intelligent connected system it carries supports OTA (over-the-air) upgrades and various smart function settings.

Photo credit: RADAR

In terms of range, the RADAR RD6 is paired with an 11kW high-power AC home charger, which takes only 7 hours to charge from 20% to full capacity. In fast-charging mode, the RD6 can achieve a range of 100km in just 10 minutes and be charged from 30% to 80% of its capacity in just 30 minutes.

Furthermore, the RADAR RD6 utilizes the M.A.P platform to create an innovative e-power system for outdoor use, which can be adapted to single or dual-motor drives, with a maximum power of 400 kW and a peak torque of 768 Nm. Products built on this platform can achieve a 0-100km/h acceleration in under 4 seconds. Additionally, it can accommodate a battery pack with up to 140kW of capacity, providing a range of over 800 km. The RD6 has a payload capacity of 800kg and a towing capacity of up to 3,000kg.

Regarding this overseas export, Geely expressed its intent to collaborate with local dealers and automotive groups to swiftly expand the brand image and market presence of RADAR in the foreign market. As the internationalization process accelerates, the brand will continuously broaden its overseas new energy product lineup.

Geely is also committed to establishing a comprehensive service system and supporting measures for new energy vehicles overseas, catering to the diverse needs of users in different countries and regions.

Currently, the RADAR RD6 is priced in the domestic market, starting from 145,800 yuan for the Chuangye Edition, 198,800 yuan for the Chuangke Edition, 228,800 yuan for the Yuexiang Edition, and 268,800 yuan for the Yueye Edition.
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Softwaregood software, at leastis in a continual state of evolution. Its one of the most impressive things about the current state of affairs in technology, even if its something most of us take for granted. Once upon a time, you bought a device, and how it was at that point was basically how it was for the rest of its lifetime.

But software can change and improve. Case in point: a recent story in the Wall Street Journal suggested that opinions on Apple Maps have changed in the decade since its tumultuous release. Once the (rightful) butt of jokes, its now become a respectable piece of mapping software in its own right, a worthy competitor to Google Maps.

And its not the only piece of Apple software to follow such a trajectory. The company has spent a lot of time working on several of the core apps across its platforms, trying to ensure that they provide a great experience. Are there third-party options that are equally good? Absolutely, and in some cases, better. Still, while Apple could have rested on its laurels with its built-in apps, getting them just to the point of good enough, there are plenty of places where it has added features and enhanced capabilities year after year. If you havent checked them out recently, here are three that may be worth another look.

Take note

Perhaps no app in Apples catalog has come as far as Notes. When it debuted with the original iPhone in 2007, Notes was the height of skeuomorphic design: a yellow-ruled notepad with just a single font option, the much-maligned Marker Felt.

Notes has evolved with a robust set of formatting tools. Foundry

But those days are long behind it. Notes has had a few major overhauls over the last 16 years, and along the way has become an incredibly capable app that rivals its more full-fledged text editors and word processing: improved formatting, tables, checklists, collaboration, password protection (including using Face ID or Touch ID), tags, smart folders, drawing, and handwriting recognition, just to name a few. Plus, on the Mac, you can use any font youve got installed. Even, yes, Marker Felt.

This years platform updates are also adding two features that take Notes even further. First, youll be able to link between notes (the easiest way to do so is to type >>, at which point youll get a drop-down menu of notes that you can search), which is helpful for cross-referencing. Second, you can embed full PDFs within a note and even mark them up in real-time, which is a particularly helpful feature if you happen to collaborate on those documents with co-workers or others.

Ive used Notes as my go-to brain dump for years now, simply by virtue of its solid syncing features. Ive got almost a thousand notes in there now, and I dont think Ill be slowing down any time soon.

Be kind, remind

The original Reminders app wasnot unlike Notesa bit sparse. Debuting in iOS 5 and macOS 10.8, it was a very simple and straightforward to-do app, underpowered compared to most of the existing options in the space. But the team building it (which, not coincidentally, is also the team responsible for Notes) has spent a lot of time beefing it up in recent years to the point where it respectably holds its own.

Like many of Apples built-in apps, Reminders works syncs across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Foundry

Ive tried a variety of different to-do apps over the years, but Reminders has ended up being the one that Ive stuck with, thanks not only to its existence across Apples platforms but also integrations with other apps and services. With the addition of features like tagging, list templates, pinned lists, smart lists, subtasks, and way, way more, Reminders has become a to-do app that can fit just about any need.

Im really looking forward to the latest updates to Reminders, though: this year itll get the ability to automatically categorize items on a grocery list (produce, bakery, butcher, etc.) as well as create your own categories of reminders. As someone whose household currently relies on AnyList for our grocery shopping, I think these latest additions might finally get me to the point of one to-do app to rule them all.

Pod people

Apples Podcasts app is hardly unpopular, but amongst certain groups of users, its definitely an also-ran. But Ive been using the Podcasts as my go-to podcast app for a long time and while it isnt perfect, Ive found it to do the job more than adequately.

The more recent versions might lack the whimsical reel-to-reel tape designs of the original app, but I appreciate its Up Next queue, ability to create stations of podcasts and quick access to chapter markers. Plus its got stellar CarPlay support and, obviously, the virtue of the built-in access to Apples podcast directory.

And upcoming updates like search filters, queue improvements, and the ability to display per-episode artwork look like theyre going to make the Podcasts user experience even richer. While apps like Overcast, Castro, and Pocket Casts have their stalwart fans, there are a lot of casual users for whom Podcasts simply works the way their brain does.
After a busy morning meeting the newly elected local authorities in Palma, King Felipe VI of Spain did not waste any time in getting out sailing in the Bay of Palma.

Early this afternoon, he boarded the Brujula de Amsterdam sailing yacht and sailed from Cala Pi to Andratx and back.

This morning, the new President of the Balearics, Marga Prohens, thanked King Felipe VI for choosing Mallorca for his holidays and expressed how proud the Government would be to be able to count on his presence on more occasions and not just in the summer.

This was the first meeting that the President of the Balearics has held with the monarch since she was sworn in as the new President of the Balearics.

During the meeting she said they debated and talked about the objectives of the new government, the challenges and projects for the next four years, as well as the first measures that have been taken.

Prohens also indicated that the King is a great connoisseur of the reality of the Balearics, as well as a great lover of the Islands.

During the meeting, very diverse issues were discussed, such as housing, the tourism model, sustainability, transport, the university, the lack of professionals, and innovation, among others.

The President also expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Government and all the citizens of the Balearics for the presence of the King and the Royal Family.

Queen Letizia and the rest of the royal family are expected to arrive in Palma on Sunday.
INDIAIMBesharam.com, an Indian sexual wellness brand, has announced its collaboration with bswish, a global adult toys brand, to offer its products in India.

"We are thrilled to bring bswish, a brand sharing our values and passion, to India to deliver the best of experiences for our customers," said Raj Armani, COO and founder of IMBesharam.com. "This partnership allows us to offer a more diverse and expansive product catalog and bring the latest and most innovative bswish products to our customers in India."

Customers can now explore and choose from a diverse range of bswish products, all available on IMBesharam.com's platform.

"We look forward to this partnership to empower customers in India to embrace their sexuality and discover new avenues of pleasure, discreetly and reliably.

"We're incredibly excited," said Ian Kulp, global sales and marketing director at bswish parent company Bonner Trading USA, Inc. "Our premium-quality, 100 percent body-safe products are a source of great pride. Over the years, and especially in the now,' we have been ardent advocates of normalizing self-pleasure and fostering positive attitudes towards sex. This partnership fuels our mission to introduce higher-quality sexual experiences to India and beyond, and we couldn't have found a more ideal partner for this endeavor."

For more information, visit IMBesharam.com.
The Quezon City government has launched a new program designed to encourage students to go into business.

Dubbed StartUp QC Business Plan Competition, the scheme aims to bolster the youths entrepreneurial spirit.

Through the Startup QC Business Plan Competition, our aim is to foster an innovative culture among our youth, enable them to broaden their perspectives, and open up opportunities for them to reach their full potential. I am confident that our QC students of today will become the future business leaders and technopreneurs of tomorrow, Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

The program is open to all students of legal age residing in the city, who are enrolled at any school, college, or university in the Philippines. Rio N. Araja

It is supported by national government agencies, such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry, alongside Launchgarage, a startup accelerator and tech innovation hub located in Quezon City.

Applicants are encouraged to submit imaginative business ideas that are focused on high development impact sectors such as agriculture (agritech), education (edtech), environment (greentech or cleantech), health (health tech) and government services (govtech) through https://qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph/.

Upon selection, qualified student applicants will undergo cadetship training sessions conducted by a pool of startup industry experts and members of the academe where they will learn about key topics such as design thinking, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and how to create a pitch deck.

After the cadetship, student finalists will have to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to P100,000.

Several educational institutions, including Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, Quezon City University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Thames International Business School, and the University of the Philippines Diliman, have endorsed the program.

Applications will close on Sept. 14.

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LAST STOP, KL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes (center) and other officials of Capital A Berhad on one of his last meetings in Kuala Lumpur before heading home to Manila on Thursday following his three-day state visit to Malaysia. Ver Noveno

Malaysian business leaders on Thursday pledged a total of $285 million in investments during a roundtable meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malaysia.

I had the benefit of meeting a number of Malaysian [business leaders] in the key sectors of agriculture, transportation, and technology, President Marcos said before leaving for Manila, where he was expected to arrive at 11 p.m.

The Malaysians expressed interest in investing in the food processing industry, multi-service digital platforms, aviation, aviation maintenance support services, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, and water and wastewater treatment in the country, he said.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said five companies that signed letters of intent with the Philippine government will help develop industries in the country and create more than 8,000 new jobs.

We are optimistic that these signed LOIs will materialize in the coming months, Pascual said.

One of the signed LOIs is with Malaysian dairy company Farm Fresh Berhad, which is keen on breeding cattle for milk production. The $20 million milk project is projected to start commercially by 2028 employing 200 workers.

Pascual said the new investments are on top of the ongoing construction of a 6,000-square-meter dairy processing facility in Pampanga with a lease contract for 200 to 400 hectares of contiguous farmlands suitable for raising 2,000 milking cows.

The President flew to Malaysia for a three-day state visit after receiving an invitation from the King of Malaysia.

Pascual joined the President in a series of meetings with Malaysian businesses during the trade mission, which is part of the Presidents state visit to Malaysia.

The President said the meetings proved that the two neighboring countries are on the right track in establishing each other as an ideal investment partner.

The investments that we have agreed on so far will inject a total of about $285 million, serving as a robust and affirmative indication of the ongoing trust and keen interest of businesses and investors in the Philippines, President Marcos said.

The Philippines is considered a conducive business environment for foreign investors as many see the country as one of the best-performing economies in the Asia Pacific region, he said.

Pascual lauded the Malaysian companies for their sustained interest and confidence in the Philippines and apprised them of the investment opportunities in the country.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday hailed the partnership established between the Philippines and Malaysia in the Halal industry, saying it would create more jobs and business opportunities for the people of both countries.

On Tuesday, the President announced in a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that they agreed to convene the next Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission meeting to discuss priority cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including in the Halal industry.

QUICK POWWOW. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. confers with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez during the roundtable meeting Thursday morning with heads of the Malaysian Chambers of Commerce and other leading business leaders of the country. Ver Noveno

The agreement between the Philippines and Malaysia to cooperate in this vital sector undoubtedly signifies a significant step towards the creation of more jobs, as well as livelihood and business prospects of our people, Romualdez said.

He noted that according to market research, the global halal food market size reached $ 2,221.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $4,177.3 billion by 2028.

The Halal industry holds immense potential. By working together, we can capitalize on the Halal markets vast opportunities, creating new avenues for trade, investment, and employment, Romualdez said.

Malaysia has offered its expertise to train Philippine personnel and officials in this sector, particularly those in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In 2022, Malaysia was the Philippines 10th major trading partner and 11th biggest export market.

Foreign direct investments (FDI) from Malaysia in 2022 showed a sharp 505 percent increase from 2021, accounting for a 17.8 percent share of the total FDI from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.

For the first quarter of this year, the Philippines outperformed its peers in the region by posting a 6.4 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2023, which is within the countrys 6 to 7 percent target for the year.

The Marcos administration is keen on building up the economy with initiatives focused on making it easier to do business here.

Earlier this month, Mr. Marcos issued Executive Order No. 18 establishing green lanes to expedite the processing permits and licenses of strategic investments.

Among the latest measures passed are the Retail Trade Liberalization Act amendments, the Foreign Investments Act, the Public Services Act amendments, and the Renewable Energy (RE) Act.

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President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Friday expressed doubts that a Senate resolution that aims to draw international attention to Chinas aggression in the West Philippines Sea would reach the United Nations (UN).

Before leaving Kuala Lumpur at the end of his three-day state visit to Malaysia, Mr. Marcos said the UN entertains governments; not parts of government, not the judiciary or the executive.

The senator (Risa Hontiveros) is free to file whatever resolution she wants, but I do not know how that would translate to any action that would reach the United Nations General Assembly, the President told reporters before heading to Manila, where he was expected to arrive late Thursday (see related story on A1  Editors).

This was as Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed confidence Thursday that the UN General Assembly will pass a resolution reaffirming the countrys sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), despite misgivings that such a move could weaken Manlas position if countries close to China vote against it.

Zubiri said he was unsure if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would keep the original wording of Senate Resolution 659 authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

That remains to be seen. We will meet with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Authority (NICA) to hear their concerns, he said.

Zubiri said he is also confident that they can word the resolution in such a way that the concerns of all members of the Senate are addressed.

Earlier, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said filing such a resolution before the UNGA could backfire and weaken the countrys position if not enough countries vote for it.

But Zubiri said a reaffirmation of the countrys claim to the WPS before the UNGA would solidify and rally international support against

Chinas military and political incursions into Philippine territory.

Although the senators differ on how to go about this, the Senate leader said they are united in the desire to condemn the harassment and bullying of Filipino fishermen and the Coast Guard in the WPS.

That said, the Senate is a deliberative body whose members are open to discussion and reasonable compromise, Zubiri said.

The ultimate aim is for the government to take concrete action before international fora and solicit multilateral cooperation, particularly with coastal states who share our interest in ensuring that the UNCLOS is respected, he said, referring to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

While joining his colleagues in the Senate in expressing outrage against Chinas harassment of Philippine vessels in the WPS, Cayetano urged them to tread carefully on the issue so as not to weaken the countrys position.

Cayetano made the call as the Senate tackled Hontiveros resolution, seeking to urge the government, through the DFA, to sponsor a resolution before the UNGA, calling on China to stop its harassment of Philippine vessels within the WPS.

Cayetano, who served as DFA Secretary, questioned the resolutions focus on China when Vietnam and Malaysia  both allies to the Philippines  also have a presence in several islands that are within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

He also noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the chief diplomat, has not yet stated what he wants to be taken up to the UN. We are not a rubber stamp, and yes, the Senate has its own mind.

But our Constitution said the President should act on this, he said.

He said it would embarrass the Senate if the President later orders the DFA not to file the resolution. Hontiveros said a UNGA resolution calling out Chinas aggression in the WPS would complement the Philippines victory against Beijing before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.

We should really press our case not just at the Hague but continuously in the court of international opinion and therefore also in any and all other international fora including the UN, Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros stand was supported by Zubiri and Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Raffy Tulfo. Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Sen.

Loren Legarda later registered their support in condemning Chinas incursions into the Philippines exclusive economic zone but sided with Cayetano in deferring the approval of Hontiveros resolution. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said there were other ways to address Chinas aggression in the West Philippine Sea without elevating it before the UN.

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Wellington, New ZealandUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that New Zealand would be welcome to engage in the AUKUS alliance, a landmark pact aimed at counterbalancing Chinas rise in the Pacific.

The doors very much open for New Zealand and other partners to engage as they see appropriate going forward, Blinken said as he visited Wellington, a trip aimed at shoring-up Washingtons alliances in the contested Pacific region.

AUKUS is a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States that includes ambitious plans to supply Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines.

New Zealand has been treading carefully around involvement, hoping to avoid angering its largest trading partner Beijing.

China vehemently opposes the pact, saying it ignores the concerns of the international community and plunges the region further down the path of error and danger.

But Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Wednesday he was open to conversations about limited participation.

New Zealand has ruled out any involvement in nuclear-related projects, so-called pillar one of the AUKUS deal.

Nuclear submarines are banned from entering New Zealands waters under a widely popular anti-nuclear policy adopted in the mid-1980s. AFP

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Roger Salloom will present his annual summer concert at Look Parks Pines Theater in Northampton on Aug. 16.

The show, which is free, will also feature Jamie Kent, a Western Massachusetts native who has found recent success in Nashville. This marks the 40th year of the concert, making it the longest-running free concert in the area.

Although no food trucks or restaurant facilities will be available, patrons can bring picnics, but no glass containers are allowed. The rain date for the show is Aug. 17. While there is no admission charge to the theater, parking costs $5.
A Suffolk County jury found a New Hampshire man guilty of first-degree murder in a shooting that happened on Fathers Day in 2021.

Ira Grayson, 37, of Manchester, N.H., didnt know his victim when he met Stacy Coleman, 33, of Dorchester. Bother were at a park on Danube Street in Dorchester. Coleman was there to celebrate Fathers Day with family, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys office.
WELLS, Nev.Madam Bella Cummins, owner of Bellas Hacienda Ranch, a licensed brothel located in Northeast Nevada, has recently enacted a policy that forbids the use of artificial intelligence in the establishment. Cummins firmly believes that the encroaching dominance of AI poses the single largest threat to full-service sex workers. The bordello owner pledges unwavering support to both her customers and courtesans, assuring them that the establishment will never employ A.I. in its services.

As A.I. continues to become more sophisticated, and more and more applications are developed that allow relationships with artificial companions, I feel that its time to take a stand and officially ban the technology in all aspects of my business, Cummins said.

Cummins, whose legal brothel employs a dozen sex workers at any given time, understands that conversing with an A.I. is increasingly becoming indistinguishable from human interaction. Moreover, A.I.-enhanced video and chat functionalities provide users with the ability to alter or counterfeit the identity of the individual featured in the video. The madam wants to assure her customers that all interactions with sex workers, whether occurring inside the establishment or remotely, will be exclusively human-to-human.

If a customer is communicating with a sex worker from Bellas Hacienda, whether its over email, chat, video, or via text message, they can be confident that the client is speaking to or receiving content from a living, breathing woman, Cummins said. My company will not employ A.I. shortcuts or technological trickery to generate business.

Cummins understands that A.I. will someday soon have a profound impact on the sex industry. With advancements in A.I., there will be a rise in the development of AI companions or virtual partners that can simulate conversation, companionship, and intimacy. These applications may potentially provide an alternative to human sex workers, offering a form of virtual companionship that fulfills certain emotional and physical needs. A.I. will also likely contribute to the development of advanced sex toys and robots that can mimic human-like movements, responses, and sensations. These devices can incorporate A.I. algorithms to adapt and respond to user interactions, potentially providing a realistic and satiating experience.

The legal brothel industry is on the verge of a looming conflict as it prepares to confront the rise of A.I. sexbots, pitting human sex workers against their simulated counterparts, Cummins said. I think its a war that human sex workers will win. I feel that there will never be a substitute for the genuine caress of a compassionate and empathetic woman, and that human touch will always be priced at a premium, regardless of the artificial options available.

While there is revenue to be garnered in A.I. sex, I must reject the temptation to explore any opportunities that A.I. offers. My industry has been referred to as the oldest profession. It is a time-tested and highly-profitable model that will always be a part of human culture. I need to trust my instincts and make it clear, right now, that I stand firmly against A.I. technology and that my establishment will only offer the finest sensual services human women can provide.

Madam Bella also founded the Onesta Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to support Nevada sex workers and advocate for prostitution legalization throughout the United States. More on the Onesta Foundation can be found at onestafoundation.org.
A Massachusetts resident was injured after being hit by a police cruiser in New Hampshire, according to police.

At around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, a pedestrian was hit by a Hampton Police Department cruiser on Ashworth Avenue near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Nudd Avenue, according to police.

The pedestrian was later identified by police as a Orlyn Medina Mercedes, 35, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Mercedes was taken to the hospital with injuries but officials have not provided any further updates. The police officer, who has not been identified, was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information pertaining to the crash was asked to contact Trooper Dodds at Tyler.M.Dodds@dos.nh.gov.
People who are in favor of rent control would waver in their support of the policy shift depending on how different phrases appear in a potential ballot question, according to a poll released Thursday that focused on a range of issues confronting Beacon Hill lawmakers, including gun reform, standardizing testing and raising the minimum wage.

Nearly 59 percent of people support a statewide rent control policy that prevents landlords from raising rents too much, compared to 26 percent who oppose it, the new poll from the right-leaning Fiscal Alliance Foundation found. About 15 percent were undecided or not sure.

But, Paul Craney, the spokesperson for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Foundation, described that query as a propaganda question crafted for rent control proponents.

The intention of asking that question is kind of see where their ceiling is at and then see how those people move from saying yes they support rent control, to having doubt, unsure, undecided or opposing subsequent questions, Craney said during a virtual press conference Thursday. It was intentionally put there on purpose just to see how people change their opinion when you ask a conceptual question.

The poll, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percent, queried 750 likely voters on July 21 to 22. The results were released less than a week before ballot question petition proposals must be filed on Aug. 2 with Attorney General Andrea Campbells office.

When asked about peoples support for allowing the government to control the rental rate, markedly fewer respondents remained in favor of the policy. Under that language, only 28 percent of people would support rent control, while 47 percent oppose it and 25 percent are undecided or unsure.

When asked about their stance on statewide rent control should it lead to less investment in maintenance and upkeep of current rental units, 27 percent of respondents would support the policy. Meanwhile, 41 percent opposed rent control in this question and 33 percent were undecided or unsure.

In another nuanced question, 31 percent of respondents would support rent control if it meant fewer new multi-family housing units being constructed. About 39 percent opposed rent control and 31 percent were undecided or unsure in this scenario.

The poll found that 47 percent of respondents support Boston Mayor Michelle Wus rent control proposal, compared to 29 percent who oppose it and 23 percent who were undecided or unsure. Beacon Hill lawmakers dont plan to hold a public hearing on her proposal for several months.

Gov. Maura Healey has not staked out a clear position on rent control, or rolled out omnibus legislation to attack the states housing affordability crisis. Ed Augustus, Healeys housing secretary in a recently created executive office, refrained from disclosing his rent control views during his swearing-in ceremony last month, saying he was open-minded and needed get up to speed on certain policy ideas.

Other topics polled

Among other topics, the poll also found a near tie among people who support or oppose raising the states $15 minimum wage to $20 per hour. Pollsters asked survey takers if they supported raising the state minimum wage by 33% to $20/hour and 43 percent said they supported that while 43 percent were opposed and 13 percent were undecided.

Nearly two-thirds of people support standardized testing in 10th grade as a graduation requirement and 25 percent oppose it. MCAS critics have filed language for a potential ballot question that would prevent schools from using MCAS or similar assessments to deny students their high school diplomas.

With state lawmakers taking a closer look at gun law changes, About one-third of respondents say Massachusetts gun laws are not strict enough, while another one-third say they are just right and 8 percent were undecided or not sure. Nearly 20 percent of respondents said the states gun laws are too strict.

In a hypothetical scenario included in the poll, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren would prevail in a Senate contest against former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.

Warren garnered 41 percent of the vote, compared to Polito at 29 percent and 30 percent who were not sure or undecided.

Warren is potentially vulnerable should the right candidate with the right message run against her, said Jim Eltringham of Advantage Inc., a polling company based in the Washington, D.C. area.

Its something that if I were in her camp, Id be a little concerned about, Eltringham said.

Choosing Polito, who was a Republican state rep before being elected statewide, was due to curiosity more than anything else, said Craney, who noted a poll earlier this year pitted Warren against former Gov. Charlie Baker.

We wanted to do another head-to-head with a notable member of the opposing party, Craney said.

About 53 percent of respondents gave Warren a strongly or somewhat favorable rating, with about 39 percent delivering a strongly or somewhat unfavorable opinion of the Cambridge Democrat. About 8 percent were not sure. The alliance called Warrens numbers soft for an incumbent seeking a third term.
A Massachusetts man was arrested Thursday and is facing charges in connection with the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the FBI.

Michael St. Pierre, 46, of Swansea, Massachusetts, has been charged with a felony offense of civil disorder. He also faces several misdemeanor offenses, including destruction of government property; knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; and committing an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

The FBI stated St. Pierre walked towards the Capitol grounds and could be be heard stating that the Capitol is where the meeting ground is. Hopefully theyll bust through, and Ill join them to rush the Capitol, to grab Nancy Pelosi by the hair and f**** twirl her around.

Once there, court documents state St. Pierre can be seen in videos throwing an object through open exterior doors of the U.S. Capitol.

Video footage also shows U.S. Capitol Police officers attempting to manage the crowd outside the doors and finally retreating to the interior entryway of the building as the crowd became more violent, the FBI said in a statement. Once the officers were inside, several protesters, including St. Pierre, threw objects at the doors that the officers were behind.

A Fall River detective and a FBI Special Agent interviewed St. Pierre at his home in Swansea on on Jan. 12, 2021, according to court documents.

Court documents state he admitted that he was at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and that he was the protester in the video who threw an object. He also told officials that the object was the top piece to a flagpole that had been provided to him by another protestor.

Video also shows St. Pierre encouraging others to help him as he joins a group pushing against a police line, according to the FBI. And in another video, the FBI said the Massachusetts man can be seen using a megaphone and saying, We need everybody. Lets get in the Capitol.

According to court documents, St. Pierre is a grocery store owner in Fall River. On Facebook, he is listed as the president of Fall River Snack Factory and more. The store offers quality driven. affordable snacks.

Multiple people from Massachusetts have been arrested and charged in connection with events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The FBI said more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested across the U.S., including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Read more: How a summer job and viral tweet led to an FBI arrest of Massachusetts man in US Capitol insurrection investigations

The investigation remains ongoing. The FBI is asking anyone with tips to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A pedestrian was hit and seriously injured by a vehicle in Malden on Thursday afternoon, according to Massachusetts State Police.

At 3:08 p.m., the Malden Police and Fire departments responded to a person whod been hit on Broadway at Eastern Avenue in the city, state police said.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately available, police said.

Members of the state polices Collision Analysis and Reconstruction section, along with the Crime Scene Services section, were responding to the scene to assist local police.
Across party lines, the majority of Bay State residents support school standardized tests, according to a new poll of likely general election voters released Thursday.

Nearly, 63% of respondents said they support a standardized testing requirement for 10th-grade students according to a new poll from the Fiscal Alliance Foundation, a non-profit polling organization.

The Foundation, which polled 750 likely voters from July 21 and 22, found nearly 57% of Democrats, 75% of Republicans and 65% of Independents were in support of exams like the MCAS.

The poll has a margin of error of 3.6% at a 95% confidence level, according to the poll.

We do polling across the country and theres a lot of concern about education and whether or not kids are learning, said Jim Eltringham, the Vice President of Advantage Inc., a polling company based in Washington, D.C. And so you see that a little bit in the fingerprints of these numbers here.

The report comes amidst a contentious debate over the administration of the MCAS exam. For the past year, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Commonwealths largest teachers union, has been calling for the eradication of the tests, citing their racial and economic inequities.

Just before, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to raise the MCAS standards for the class of 2026 in 2022, Max Page, the union president testified in front of the board, calling the proposal a fetishized approach to education.

The purpose of schools must be to nurture thinking, caring, active and committed adults  parents, community members, activists, citizens, Page said during the board hearing. The MTA president went on to further say that the standardized tests prove nothing more than the income of the school district and the community.

The union has gone as far as offering support to teachers who decline to administer the exams and providing guidance to parents on how to exempt their children from taking the MCAS.

Despite their attempts, a slew of other education groups dubbed the Voices for Academic Equity have countered back, with a report that highlights the benefits of the annual MCAS exam.

We maintain that MCAS, while in need of targeted revisions, is the primary means for providing students, families, educators and policymakers with the objective, valid, reliable, comparable information essential to determining gaps in outcomes, preparedness for college and career success, and where additional resources are most needed  especially for those who have been and continue to be systemically marginalized: students of color, those with disabilities, English Learners, and students from low-income families, the report, which was obtained by the Statehouse News Service, said.

Voters may see a ballot question regarding the elimination of the MCAS exam in 2024. Already, Page has said his union has complied polling data that supports their campaign against standardized testing. Data from Echo Cove Research, a research firm in Hamilton, Mass., shows that 73% of respondents were in support of eliminating the graduation requirement tied to the MCAS. The poll, which surveyed 800 voters from June 2 to 11, directly clashes with the polling data from the Fiscal Alliance Foundation.

Voters also seem extremely solidly behind the idea that students should be required to pass a standardized test in order to graduate high school, Paul Craney, President of the Fiscal Partners Chamber of Commerce, Inc. said in a statement. If the teachers unions want to pursue changes to this, they will need to convince voters from all major parties.
Accusations of rowdy late-night customers at a popular Marthas Vineyard doughnut shop has the shops owners on the defensive this week.

Business representatives for Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs, responded to a noise complaint during Tuesdays Select Board meeting.

Back Door Donuts attorney, Thomas Lesser and security officer Mark Doyle came forward to speak with the board about the crowd noise.

During the meeting they both explained how problems tend to surge during their later business hours from 7 p.m. to midnight, in their parking lot on Kennebec Avenue, where people buy the doughnuts.

Normally the lines are filled with the maximum amount of customers which is 28 people, according to Doyle.

In an effort to make the lines go by more quickly, Back Door Donuts has signs throughout the lines with a QR code so people can order online. The select board also suggested the bakery firmly directs customers to the front door when there are a lot of customers in the back parking lot.

According to the Marthas Vineyard Times, Lynn Vera, an Oak Bluffs resident and abutter to Back Door Donuts, has confronted the Select Board numerous times in the past few years, presenting what she says is evidence that Back Door Donuts has failed to abide by the towns regulations.

Vera has claimed that the bakery has caused late-night disturbances even after creating modifications to her home to keep the noise at bay, according to the Marthas Vineyard Times. Vera stated shes tried many times to come to terms with the business owners, to help find a solution.

The business publicly requested that people sign their online petition which has more than 8,000 signatures, and to post on social media with the hashtag #SaveBackDoorDonuts as a way to spread the word.

Back Door Donuts is more than just a bakery; its woven into the fabric of our island, read the petitions description. Generations have grown up savoring our delectable treats, and visitors from far and wide have made it a tradition to stop by and indulge in our mouthwatering creations.

Due to the noise complaints about the bakery, Select Board Chairperson Emma Green-Beach said that she will work more closely and more regularly with Back Door Donuts to create a safety plan.
Godzilla has visited Cape Cod at least 4,084 times since 2019.

But were not talking about the prehistoric reptilian fictional monster. This Godzilla is an 11 foot, female shark tagged off the coast of Cape Cod on Aug. 9, 2019.

She is one of many sharks the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has captured a photo of using a tagging and detection system. The conservancy takes photos of the sharks and shares them on their app Sharktivity.

The app works to raise awareness of white sharks by showing users locations of white shark sightings, according to the website. It is also sometimes used to let people know about beach closures due to nearby sharks. Although, they warn, it should not be used to determine if it is safe to swim. The only way to avoid sharks, the app warns, is to stay on shore.

There is a real public concern around beach safety, and we recognize the need to respond to that, said Nick Whitney, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium and chair of the Anderson Cabot Centers Fisheries Science and Emerging Technologies program. Thats why were excited to continue this partnership with the Conservancy to help provide accurate, timely information on shark sightings in the region.

From May to November, when white sharks flood the shores of Cape Cod to feed on the regions resurgent seal population, they head out on the water several times per week to identify and tag them. White sharks were once a rarity in Massachusetts waters, but are now a regular fixture of the coastline; it is Greg Skomals job to track them.

The work were doing is twofold. Were trying to estimate the population size of white sharks that visit this area each year, and weve had great success with that. And for the last several years weve also been tagging them to look at their movements over a broad and fine scale, he told MassLive in 2016. Where do they go when theyre here around Cape Cod? Where do they go when they leave Cape Cod?

See below for photos of sharks who have visited near Cape Cod.

Paulie, a great white shark, swimming off the coast of Cape Cod. (Photo courtesy of Atlantic White Shark Conservancy).

Paulie is 12 feet long. He was first tagged Aug. 6, 2021 and has since been detected more than 1,995 times.

Big Papi is 14 feet long. He was first tagged Sep. 9, 2016 and has since been detected 11,576 times. Photo by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

Big Papi is 14 feet long. He was first tagged Sep. 9, 2016 and has since been detected 11,576

Read more: A shark that often visits Cape Cod waters has a special meaning behind his name

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy last detected Amelia Finhart July 16.

Amelia Finhart is 10 feet in length. She was first tagged Aug. 17, 2021, and has since been detected more than 9,663 times.

Baby Chomp is 8 feet in length. She was first tagged Sep 27, 2019. Photo by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Baby Chomp is 8 feet in length. She was first tagged Sep 27, 2019, and has since been detected 8,354 times.

Sharkuterie was first tagged by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in 2021.

Sharkuterie is about 10 feet long and was first tagged by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on Aug. 25, 2021. She has been detected 4,868 times.

Read more: Video catches shark chasing stingray as swimmers flee Alabama beach

Harley Finn is about 9 feet long and was first tagged by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on Sept. 27, 2021. Photo by Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Harley Finn is about 9 feet long and was first tagged by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on Sept. 27, 2021. She has been detected 489 times.

Cow is 11 feet in length. He was first tagged Aug. 10, 2020, and has since been detected 12,596 times. Photo by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Cow is 11 feet in length. He was first tagged Aug. 10, 2020, and has since been detected 12,596 times.

Fruit Loops is 10 feet in length. He was first tagged Sept. 25, 2020. Photo by Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

Fruit Loops is 10 feet in length. He was first tagged Sept. 25, 2020, and has since been detected 1,890 times.

Mayo is 10 feet in length. Photo by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

Mayo is 10 feet in length. He was first tagged Oct. 10, 2018, and has since been detected 1,711 times.
SPRINGFIELD  A city man was sentenced to four months of home confinement for making numerous straw purchases of firearms for his father who had amassed an arsenal of guns at the family homestead.

Tyler Augusto, 24, an engineer with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, pleaded guilty in February to three criminal counts, including making false statements to acquire firearms.
A portion of Main Street will be closed Aug. 3 for the Massachusetts State Police graduation ceremony at the MassMutual Center, the Springfield Department of Public Works announced Thursday. The section of Main Street from State Street to Court Street and Bruce Landon Way, will be closed from around 7:00 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m.

Parking meters will be out of order for handicap use to the event, and officers will be stationed to assist in traffic control and hospitality at key points and intersections.

The public will still be able to access nearby businesses, public buildings and Court Square that day.

The ceremony to mark the graduation of the 88th Recruit Training Troop will take place at 10:30 a.m., with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. The event will be livestreamed on the Massachusetts State Polices Facebook page.
A tornado touched down in New Hampshire near the border of Massachusetts on Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, as almost all of Massachusetts is under a severe thunderstorm watch until Thursday night.

At 2:58 p.m., a confirmed tornado was located over Roxbury in New Hampshire, near Keene, and was moving east at 30 mph dropping quarter-sized hail.

The weather service warned of damaging flying debris and hail, and added that mobile homes would be damaged or destroyed from the weather.

Residents are also expecting damage for roofs, windows and vehicles, and are to watch for flash flooding with the torrential rain.

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! the weather service cautioned.

Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris, its warning read.

The tornado was on the move to Jeffrey and Harrisville in New Hampshire as of 3:05 p.m., was expected to be in Dublin by 3:10 p.m. and is expected to be in Hancock by 3:20 p.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch for Massachusetts was in effect until 8 p.m. and covers Berkshire, Franklin, Middlesex, Suffolk, Bristol, Hampden, Norfolk, Worcester, Essex, Hampshire and Plymouth counties.

Threats attached to this watch include tornadoes, hail and wind. Tornadoes are expected to be brief, forecasters said, though they are uncommonly experienced in Southern New England, and the potential for brief tornadoes and straight-line wind damage is a credible risk in environments like this one.
At about 8 a.m. Tuesday, the sun hadnt yet started to scorch the dry landscape in the shadow of Gray Mountain. Under a non-working windmill, Paul Lincoln crouched to examine hoof prints on the dusty earth.

Notice no two hoof prints are the same," he said. "Theyre like human palms. See that ridge that looks like an arrowhead? We call it that, the arrowhead. Its sacred to us. The horses are like thunder and lightning. They are sacred to us.

Lincoln is a former Navajo police officer who lives in Tuba City. Every morning in the summer he and his partner Glinda get in their truck, drive to Cameron to pick up a water trailer, and haul water to a series of tanks and troughs in Gray Mountain.

Those tanks are a critical water source for the nearby population of wild horses.

Gray Mountain is situated at a lower elevation than Flagstaff -- about 5,000 feet -- and in the past few weeks temperatures have climbed to a sweltering 109 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Lincoln. Horses come down from the mountain dragging their heads, he said, starving and dehydrated.

Its a desolate area. The vegetation is dry. Theres no water, no place to get out of the sun, he said, gesturing widely over the rocky soil to the open sky.

In the fall, the horses are largely self-sufficient, but Lincoln knows that under the summer sun, they need a little help.

Thats why in 2018 he decided to start hauling water and bringing hay to the foot of the windmill. Initially, Lincoln lived in Gray Mountain and noticed the horses were desperate for water. He started filling kiddie pools and water bottles, trying his best to bring some hydration to the herd.

That same year, close to 200 horses died of dehydration in the Gray Mountain area.

Posts on Facebook started to spread about the dire condition of the animals, mobilizing people such as Eileen Taggart and Beth Buchanen to help Lincoln in his simple cause of bringing life-saving water to wild horses.

I saw a post from another realtor named Billy McGraw that said these horses at Gray Mountain were starving and dehydrating. It was this amazing, emotional, really heartfelt post. There were people on the ground trying to help, Taggart said. I drove out and it was amazing. I met Paul and Glinda. Paul started making me laugh; I felt like Id known him my whole life. It was a magical thing for me. It was something that filled a need to be with nature and help my feeling of helplessness. I saw the horses and I knew we could help them.

Soon, a grassroots effort sprung up, and a new Facebook page called Gray Mountain Horse Heroes was published.

Meanwhile, the growing group of interested people connected with a Gilbert-based nonprofit that had helped equines in Arizona since 1995. Wildhorse Ranch Rescue, a 501(c)(3) organization, proved to be a valuable partner.

The nonprofit helped raise funds for Lincoln and his volunteers, first to purchase infrastructure -- water tanks and troughs -- then the water to fill it.

The tanks themselves hold about 1,100 gallons of water. It costs more than $750 a week to keep them full.

The way we framed this is the wild horses bring the gift of water to Gray Mountain for everyone, said Kimberly Meagher, the founder of Wilhorse Ranch Rescue.

The water can be used by wildlife, horses, cattle and local people who need it, Meagher said, so long as the horses themselves have a place to safely drink.

The spot beneath the windmill, where the tanks are located, is accessible via a mostly paved road, and its frequented by the areas equine population.

This is where it all began, Lincoln said. At the time the windmill wasnt running. Then, just last year we got it going through the Navajo tribe. It lasted for so long and then, after that, it just stopped pumping water. Im working on that, too. Were trying to get Navajo Nation to help us.

Via Facebook, Gray Mountain Horse Heroes has gained international attention.

According to Buchanan, donors from France, Canada, the UK, Australia and Italy have rallied to buy water and feed for the Gray Mountain horses. One generous horse lover in Texas helped raise $1,000 for the cause.

Guided by his heart for the areas wild horses, Lincoln came out regularly, keeping an eye on the herds well-being to get them through the grueling summers.

It just started out like that. Trying to help them out kind of gives me that inspiration, helping animals like people. Advocates. Mine is horses, Lincoln said.

Five years on, Lincoln said the horses recognize his truck and usually come down for a fresh drink and and Bermuda hay breakfast while hes on site.

I actually have been able to touch them. After a while they trust you, they know the vehicles and stuff like that, he said. They have character  I keep an eye on them, I look through the herd when they get here. Theres one foal Im looking at, he or she is really small, too.

The animals are not tame, but they are thirsty, now more than ever. Water in the area is scarce even during years with heavy monsoons. The sure-footed wild horses that cautiously come down from the mountain to drink have been leaving the tanks drained dry in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, Elise Wilson hauled water to Gray Mountain and loaded a few bales of hay in the bed of her pick-up truck for the animals. She donated the water she hauled herself, filling up at a water stand in Flagstaff.

I know its tough out here on the reservation for the horses and for the people. Most of us have horses, and our hearts are in this. We want to help as much as we can at least through the summer. Its where our hearts are, she said.

Sometimes horses dont make it through the harsh summers; foals in particular struggle to survive.

Im sure there are foals who didnt make it out there, Lincoln said. The foals, the strong ones, will make it out here [for water]."

Lincoln said hes found orphaned foals who stayed by the water tanks and didnt survive. But hes been instrumental in saving some.

Taking trips

Wildhorse Ranch takes in orphaned foals from Gray Mountain and uses donations to cover the cost of medical care. Volunteers are still needed to get the colts and fillies from Gray Mountain to the Valley to see the vet and find more permanent sanctuary.

One foal, lovingly named Ash, Lincoln found in dire straits. Wilson ended up loading the baby horse in the back seat of her car to take him to Wildhorse Ranch.

Ive been around horses forever and I never thought about putting one in my truck. When we came I had my horse trailer ready, but theres no way he would have made it in the trailer, Wilson said.

The drive takes about four hours under the best conditions, but Wilson said Ashs trip was especially eventful. On his journey, Wilson was passed by law enforcement officers engaged in hot pursuit with another vehicle. The high speed chase further delayed their journey.

Ultimately, Ash arrived in Gilbert and needed thousands of dollars' worth of veterinary care.

Baby Ash was in the hospital for 11 days. Hes a $7,000 baby horse, Meagher said.

Because Gray Mountain Horse Heroes work as an informal, grassroots group, they dont take donations directly. Instead, they receive dollars through Wildhorse Ranch. Donations are what supported baby Ash in his recovery.

When we go get babies up at Gray Mountain, it's Paul and Glinda who find them, keep them safe, give them milk. We couldnt do it without them, Meagher said.

Not long after Ash was found, another orphan was spotted in Gray Mountain. The high temperatures in Gilbert, along with the critical nature of the dark bay babys condition, meant he needed a foster in Flagstaff.

Enter recent California transplant and Gray Mountain Horse Hero volunteer Barbara Hill.

Hill took in the days-old colt. The first time he saw the veterinarian, he needed a name for record-keeping purposes. At the time Hill said she was chatting with the vets daughter about the animated movie "Spirit." In the film, which follows a wild horse on adventures from his birth, the horse is a buckskin.

Despite his darker coloring, the name stuck. Hill said shes realized the little guy has a lot of spirit.

Shes since decided to adopt him permanently.

The young horses that do end up in Gilbert are kept in a barn with commercial-grade misters, otherwise the heat would be too brutal to bear there, too.

Meagher said one day she hopes to have a fully air conditioned barn, but in the meantime every effort to save wild horses matters.

Whats really important for people to remember is that wild horses have a place in our society. Theyre important, theyre spiritual. Its important for them to be safe along with everyone else, Meagher said.

She believes the horses should be allowed to live in their family bands, with the exception of orphaned foals that wouldnt make it otherwise.

We believe theyre wild, we understand the population issues. We are in talks about doing birth control for the mares. Its not like we just think there should be 10 million horses at Gray Mountain, but there shouldnt be zero, Meagher said.

Thats why after five years, Lincoln and his partner still work hard to get the Gray Mountain herd through the summer.

A few paces from one of the 300-gallon water tanks the horses rely on, Lincoln has stacked stones in the shape of a turtle.

Every time he stops to water the horses, he takes an orange lid off of a tote on his water trailer and dips it carefully into the tank. Then, he carries the water to his turtle, and with a steady hand, gently pours water onto the backs of the rocks.

Its a prayer for rain, he explained.

Rain is always needed in Gray Mountain. When it rains, the horses dont have to rely on humans to bring in water. When it rains, there is relief.

When it doesnt, Lincoln is there, diligently caring for the animals he considers sacred.

Wildhorse Ranch accepts donations for the Water For Horses program and for veterinary care for the Gray Mountain Foals on its website at wildhorseranchrescue.com, and by mail at Wildhorse, ATTN: Gray Mountain Horse Heroes, PO Box 3080, Gilbert, AZ 85299.
Massachusetts could be hit with a double dose of extreme heat and severe thunderstorm conditions on Thursday.

This combination of risk factors has pushed forecasters with the National Weather Service to issue several hazardous outlook maps to give an idea of just how tumultuous conditions could get going into the afternoon.

Here are six maps to pay attention to as extreme weather is due to roll in Thursday afternoon.

Forecasters described the heat that is to be expected later Thursday to be dangerous, with heat indices could reach between 95 and 100 degrees. From Thursday into Friday, there is an elevated heat risk (indicated below in orange) thats expected to impact metropolitan areas, including Springfield, just around the southeastern parts of Worcester and throughout most of Eastern Massachusetts. This stretches through most of Rhode Island and Connecticut as well.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Areas in the map above in yellow can expect a limited heat risk, such as in places like Greenfield and Fitchburg, though both locations are under a heat advisory and are expected to hit high temperatures of 92 and 91, respectively, according to forecasters.

Cities like Boston and Hartford can expect a significant heat risk, as demonstrated above in red. Boston and Hartford could see temperatures reaching 94 degrees, forecasters said.

The heat advisory issued across most of the state went into effect at 11 a.m. on Thursday and will carry on until 8 p.m. Saturday, forecasters said.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Storm cells are expected to materialize over Western and Central Massachusetts at around 2 p.m., forecasters said. As these storms are expected to shift eastward, it is not clear yet how long storms will stay as cells, therefore extending the risk for brief tornadoes to develop. These storms could clash with another round of storms as they move to the east, potentially affecting the nighttime commute just north of Boston.

To emphasize, forecasters said, this is a severe weather setting which is uncommonly experienced in Southern New England, and the potential for brief tornadoes and straight-line wind damage is a credible risk in environments like this one. If you do have plans outdoors, its vital to keep an eye to the sky and to have multiple ways to receive later statements, and thats especially true in western interior sections of Massachusetts and Connecticut where the greatest potential for severe weather exists.

Read more: Agawam opens two cooling centers in response to heat

Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Excluding the Cape, there is an elevated risk for excessive rain across most of Massachusetts, according to the map above. Although rainfall totals in some areas are not expected to go past 1 inch, these thunderstorms may also produce heavy to excessive rains and given the saturated conditions in place, flooding will again be possible in some locations, forecasters said.

Rainfall is expected to be between locally heavy to torrential, forecasters said. According to the flood watch, rainfall rates could be between 1 and 2 inches.

Chances for excessive rain also extend down through most of Connecticut and Rhode Island, as seen above.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

The odds that Massachusetts could see flooding as a result of this extreme weather extends across almost the entire state, excluding the Cape as seen in the map above.

In a flood watch issued by the weather service, creeks and streams could see waters rise out of their banks.

Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas, the flood watch said. ...Strong thunderstorms today will be capable of producing heavy rainfall, combined with already saturated soil promotes a flash flood threat for the area.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

An elevated risk for lightning is also possible for much of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Along with the rain and the potential for damaging winds, forecasters said frequent cloud to ground lightning (is) the greatest (risk) with thunderstorms.

The elevated risk extends to all of Western and Central Massachusetts, stretching even towards parts of south Eastern Massachusetts including Plymouth and across the Cape in Provincetown. Communities such as New Bedford, Hyannis and Nantucket see a far more limited risk of lightning striking.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

The risk of hail is rather limited, but forecasters warn that it could be possible to see hail over much of Massachusetts and as south as Connecticut going into New York. All of Western Massachusetts and most of Central Massachusetts could see hail develop Thursday, as can Lawrence.

The rest of Eastern Massachusetts, including the Cape and Islands, are not expected to see any hail develop going into Friday.
An online fundraiser to support a late Worcester assistant principals family following her death is approaching its goal.

The GoFundMe page Lets Move Ahead with Meg was set up on Dec. 31, 2021, to support the family of North High School assistant principal Meghan Milonopoulos, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, the fundraiser description said.

As of Thursday, July 27, the GoFundMe so far received $172,025, close to its $175,000 goal.

Read more: GoFundMe raises money for funeral of former foster youth shot in Springfield

Milonopoulos, 41, of Holden, was unable to continue working and had three young children, ages from 7 years to just 5 months old, the description read. She was a member of the Educational Association of Worcester, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association, and a graduate of Wachusett Regional High School and Lynchburg University.

Her devastating medical diagnosis is putting strain on the entire family including her husband, who now has to manage a family and a job, the description continued. We are humbly asking for your financial support that Meghan will need in the immediate days ahead.

In an update written by Milonopoulos mother Mary Ellen Para on July 24, after throwing out the first pitch for the Worcester Red Sox on June 25, Meg was admitted to the hospital complaining of uncontrollable pain. Upon examination, it was discovered she had a broken pelvis and yet another intestinal blockage.

Read more: GoFundMe raises money for Peabody police officer Henry Breckenridge

The blockage was severe and surgery was not an option, Para wrote. After talking to doctors, hospice care was decided upon to offer Meghan the highest quality of life.

Once at home, Meg powered through and mustered the energy to attend July 4 fireworks, an endless parade of visitors, and even a joint birthday party for her son Mathaios and niece JoJo, Para wrote. Her brave and selfless fight came to an end midday Saturday, July 22, surrounded by her loving friends and family.

Her obituary read that when she was first diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, the raw wave of anger, fear, and grief that hit her was quickly surpassed by the desire to fight for what was most valuable-more time... Meghan was a private person, but as news of her diagnosis spread, the overwhelming support of friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and complete strangers gave her the strength and resolve to take her battle public.

Donations continued to build towards the fundraisers goal, with 2,019 financial contributions made. The highest donations came in 2022, including seven $2,000 donations, seven $1,000 donations and 22 $500 donations.

Prior to Milonopoulos death, commenter Jennifer Schneider shared that her grandmother had breast cancer in her 40s and ovarian cancer in her late 50s, and we lost her too young, she said.

My healing thoughts are sent to Meg and her family, and everyone else experiencing this terrible disease: cancer, Schneider wrote. Meg is just too kind and too young to be experiencing this, but is such a role model for all of us.

A wake for Milonopoulos will be held at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St. in Holden on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Holden Chapel on Friday at 10 a.m. Afterward, all who wish to honor her memory are welcome to join in a Celebration of Life at Seven Saws Brewery in Holden at 2:00 p.m., the obituary concluded.

In lieu of flowers, donations can also be made to a GoFundMe page for Milonopoulos children, with the same financial goal.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), remitted 1759 pints of blood to the Blood Transfusion Service during the MRA Blood Donation 2023. Since its inception in 2006, MRA has remitted more than 15 000 pints of blood that have been used in hospitals to save lives.

1184 pints were collected on Wednesday 05 July 2023 in three MRA Offices in Port-Louis, namely MRA Head Office at Ehram Court, Custom House in Mer Rouge and Belfort Tower, Dauphine Street. On Friday 07 July 2023, 575 pints were collected at the Integrated Customs Clearance Centre (ICCC), Le Chaland Road, Plaine Magnien and at the SSR International Airport, Plaisance.

The MRA Blood Donation was officially launched by Dr. the Honourable Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness, on Wednesday 05 July 2023 in the presence of Mr. Dhanraj Ramdin, Acting Director-General of MRA, members of the MRA Board, MRA Management Team members, Senior Officials from various Ministries, MRA personnel and blood donors.

In his keynote address, Dr. the Honourable Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness lauded this blood donation initiative, which allows the blood bank to maintain its stock levels. The selflessness and compassion demonstrated by blood donors is truly commendable, as they play an instrumental role in saving lives, said the Minister. He further explained that the donations will undoubtedly go a long way in providing critical support to patients undergoing surgery, battling lifethreatening illnesses, and facing medical emergencies in hospitals.

According to Dr. Jagutpal,

health is the basis of achieving social and economic development goals. Therefore, it is essential to have a healthy population.

During the launching ceremony of MRA Blood Donation 2023, the health minister also spoke about the risk of diabetes and hypertension in Mauritius and expressed his concern about the growing amount of prediabetes in the population as well as the prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes. The prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of severe health complications such as heart diseases, arterial injury, renal damage and impairment, eye problems and amputation. 30% of the Mauritian population has hypertension and 20% among them are diabetic. Thus, there is a need to double our efforts to prevent these diseases, since all this weighs heavily on the economy, he stressed.

MRA Blood Donation is an annual rendezvous that contributes to saving the lives of thousands of Mauritians. Some 150 pints of blood are required daily in our hospitals, hence the importance of organizing blood donations regularly, Mr. Dhanraj Ramdin, the Acting Director- General of MRA said in his address during the launching ceremony held at the Head Office of MRA.

He added that

blood is a gift of life that we can share, and it is our responsibility as citizens of Mauritius to contribute to this action, benevolently. Blood is a liquid that no laboratory in the world has been able to reproduce.

Mr. Ramdin also dwelt on financial assistance schemes. MRA has successfully implemented the Selfemployed Assistance Scheme and the Wage Assistance Scheme for which MRA disbursed around Rs 28 billion. The Negative Income Tax, the Special Allowance and the CSG Income Allowance, are the other schemes which demonstrate a steadfast commitment of MRA towards the most vulnerable in society. The Ag. Director-General rejoiced that MRA has taken proactive steps to put in place the necessary system for the implementation of the one-off Independence Allowance of Rs 20,000 for every Mauritian citizen reaching 18, and a monthly CSG Child Allowance of Rs 2, 000 for children less than 3 years old. He is confident that MRA will accomplish its tasks promptly and efficiently, in the days to come.

The organization of the MRA Blood Donation necessitated many weeks of preparation and collaboration between MRA and the Ministry of Health, through the National Blood Transfusion service (NBTS).

The Ministry of Agro-Industry, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Local Government have actively collaborated by supplying around 1500 plants (spice, medicinal and decorative) that were offered to the donor.

The Taxpayer Education and Communication Department (TECD) of the MRA capitalized on various promotional campaigns on local media outlets as well as the social media to successfully spread the message far and wide, educating the community on the importance of giving blood. A dedicated team of MRA Officers in TECD spearheaded the project, with effective coordination with the Organising Committee, canvassers and external stakeholders.

MRA extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers, donors, and partners who play a vital role in making this annual event a remarkable success. Their unwavering dedication and support have not only saved lives but also inspired many people to join the cause and become regular blood donors.

In the spirit of consolidating its partnership with the population of Mauritius, MRA will keep on organizing this noble activity every year for those the MRA serves.

Some 16 000 plants distributed to blood donors are blossoming with their fragrance all over the Island of Mauritius.
Multigate, a licensed Financial Services platform that provides access to a safe and secure treasury and liquidity management system, becomes the first pan-African financial services technology company to be certified by SWIFT as a Lite 2 Business Application Provider (L2BA).

In addition, the company has also obtained the highest level of compliance through three certifications: ISO 20000, 22301 & 27001. The certifications and SWIFT announcement further reinforce Multigates commitment to putting safety and security at the core of their operation and service delivery to their clients and partners.

In 2022, Multigate qualified as a SWIFT Compatible Application provider but has now obtained its L2BA certification. This further validates Multigates capacity to offer a globally recognised multi-bank connector solution that is standardised, safe, and secure for its clients and partners. This multi-bank connector platform enables their clients to aggregate all accounts for seamless transactions and avoids the complexities associated with managing multiple banking portals. This global certification also allows Multigate to connect seamlessly with banks across the SWIFT messaging network.

The qualification as a SWIFT L2BA certified provider further validates that our business application has met SWIFTs requirements and standards to offer our clients a bank-agnostic solution by leveraging on SWIFTS connectivity to thousands of financial institutions globally, said Eghosa Nehikare, Co-Founder and CEO Multigate. This partnership allows us to expand our services into other global markets as we now can partner with other financial services solution providers such as Fintechs, banks and existing ERP providers. It also assures our clients that our systems comply with SWIFTs global messaging standard.

The three ISO certifications demonstrate Multigates significant commitment and excellence in the organisations operations. The attainment of ISO 20000 signifies that the company adheres to international best practices in service management. ISO 22301 certification highlights Multigates commitment to maintaining business continuity even in the face of unexpected disruptions. The ISO 27001 certification exemplifies Multigates rigorous approach to information security management systems. The certificates enhance the companys reputation and instil trust in stakeholders, ensuring it operates at the highest level of professionalism and achieves its long-term objectives.

Eghosa Nehikare, Co-Founder and CEO of Multigate, also comments on the ISO Certification, Typically, companies work on achieving one or two at a time, but Multigates decided to invest in all three. The certificates showcase our willingness to invest upfront in the quality of service, ensuring our products are reliable, and our dedication to service management, business continuity, and information security. These certifications underline the companys commitment to delivering high-quality services, effectively managing risks, and safeguarding sensitive information.

Founded in 2017, Multigate seeks to address the treasury and cash management needs of African-focused organisations trading regionally and globally and is also focused on enabling seamless processes for the consolidation of accounts for local or international payouts from any bank. Multigate services are powered by fully automated and customisable solutions that help improve business efficiency, increase revenue, and deliver value to clients. Furthermore, it guarantees our clients standardised, safe and secure access to over 10,800 global institutions worldwide.
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  The federal government will forgive loans for thousands of Colorado students who attended a private career school that lost accreditation and advertised with misleading data on alumni job placement and earnings that was more rosy than realistic, federal and state officials announced Tuesday.

CollegeAmerica, owned by Salt Lake City-based Center for Excellence in Higher Education, Inc., had locations in Colorado and Arizona and offered associate degrees in business, computer technology and medical assisting, and bachelor's degrees in business and computer science. It closed in 2021.

In all, 7,400 former students enrolled at the three CollegeAmerica locations in Colorado between Jan. 1, 2006, and July 1, 2020, will have their federal student loans refunded and remaining balances forgiven after the school overstated  sometimes by double  the salaries that graduates could earn, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a news conference.

"They basically tried to get people to sign up for degree programs that they knew werent going to deliver the results that they were promising. The internal data they had showed that students werent making this money, they didnt get these jobs and they actually werent even getting the training they were promised, Weiser said.

Phone and email messages seeking comment from the parent company werent immediately returned Tuesday.

The federal student loan relief will total $130 million, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The relief won't apply to nonfederal loans and doesn't involve President Joe Biden's $400 billion plan to forgive student loans for millions of Americans, which the U.S. Supreme Court effectively killed with a ruling in June.

To have their loans forgiven, former students dont need to take any action, Federal Student Aid Chief Richard Cordray said in the news conference.

The Department of Education, Cordray said, verified Colorado attorney general's office findings from a decade of investigating the private career school. The school promised higher salaries than were realistic and knew that graduate job placement wasn't the 70% advertised but more like 40%, Cordray said.

These are only two of the substantial misrepresentations CollegeAmerica made, Cordray said.

In 2021, Center for Excellence in Higher Education, Inc., schools including CollegeAmerica lost their accreditation and soon after, stopped enrolling students. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is a nonprofit that evaluates private post-secondary schools, and grants the national accreditation necessary for such schools to receive federal funds.

Opponents of federal funding for proprietary schools  which often prioritize owner and shareholder interests over those of students  try to associate for profit with predatory in the public mind, according to a $500 million federal claims court lawsuit filed in December by Center for Excellence in Higher Education, Inc. against the Department of Education.

This class of professional critics moves seamlessly between government service, think tanks, and private entities and believes that the profit motive is inherently incompatible with higher education, the lawsuit states.

The Center for Excellence in Higher Education had four branches that are now closed: Stevens-Henager College, in Idaho; California College San Diego; CollegeAmerica Denver and CollegeAmerica Arizona.

CollegeAmerica Denver had locations in Denver, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs; CollegeAmerica Arizona's schools were in Flagstaff and Phoenix. A CollegeAmerica location in Cheyenne closed in 2017.

Total tuition costs at CollegeAmerica ranged from around $40,000 to complete an associate degree to $75,000 to earn a bachelor's, according to school catalogs online.
Las Vega (Nevada), United States // As per DelveInsights assessment, globally, about 15+ key pharma and biotech companies are working on 20+ pipeline drugs in the Narcolepsy therapeutics landscape based on different Routes of Administration (ROA), Mechanism of Action (MOA), and molecule types. Several of the therapies are in the advanced stages of clinical development and are expected to launch in the coming years.

Narcolepsy Pipeline Insight, 2023 report by DelveInsight provides a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing clinical development activities and growth prospects across the Narcolepsy Therapeutics Market.

The report provides a detailed description of the Narcolepsy drugs, including the mechanism of action, type, stage, route of administration, molecule type, clinical studies, inactive pipeline products, and NDA approvals (if any). The report also covers commercial and clinical activities of the pipeline products from the pre-clinical developmental phase to the marketed stage. Additionally, it presents the ongoing developments in the therapeutics segment, including collaborations, licensing, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), funding, designations, and other product-related details.

Narcolepsy Pipeline Analysis

The report provides insights into:

The report provides detailed insights into the key companies that are developing Narcolepsy therapies.

The report also evaluates different therapeutic candidates segmented into early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage of development for Narcolepsy treatment.

It analyzes the key companies involved in targeted therapeutics development with respective active and inactive (dormant or discontinued) projects.

It navigates the emerging Narcolepsy drugs under development based on the stage of development, route of administration, target receptor, monotherapy or combination therapy, a different mechanism of action, and molecular type.

Detailed analysis of collaborations (company-company collaborations and company-academia collaborations), licensing agreement, and financing details for future advancement in the Narcolepsy treatment market .

Request for Sample PDF to Learn More @ Narcolepsy Treatment Outlook and Future Perspectives

The Report Covers the Emerging Narcolepsy Therapies Under Different Phases of Clinical Development Like 

Late-stage products (Phase III)

Mid-stage products (Phase II)

Early-stage product (Phase I)

Pre-clinical and Discovery stage candidates

Discontinued & Inactive candidates

Route of Administration

Narcolepsy pipeline report provides the therapeutic assessment of the pipeline drugs by the Route of Administration. Products have been categorized under various ROAs such as

Oral

Parenteral

Intravenous

Subcutaneous

Topical

Molecule Type

Products have been categorized under various Molecule types such as

Monoclonal Antibody

Peptides

Polymer

Small molecule

Gene therapy

Learn How the Therapeutics Segment Will Evolve in the Upcoming Years @ Narcolepsy Clinical and Commercial Development Activities

Narcolepsy Therapeutics Analysis

Several major pharma and biotech companies are developing therapies for Narcolepsy. Currently, Avadel Pharmaceuticals is leading the therapeutics market with its Narcolepsy drug candidates in the most advanced stage of clinical development.

Narcolepsy Companies in the Therapeutics Market Include:

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Avadel Pharmaceuticals

Suven Life Sciences

Takeda

NLS Pharmaceutics

Vallon Pharmaceuticals

Alkermes

Centessa Pharmaceuticals

Ono Pharma

Harmony Biosciences

Reset Therapeutics

XWPharma

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals

Otsuka Pharmaceutical

ConSynance Therapeutics

Alkermes

KemPharm

And Many Others

Emerging and Marketed Narcolepsy Therapies Covered in the Report Include:

FT218: Avadel Pharmaceuticals

AXS-12: Axsome therapeutics

BTD-001: Balance Therapeutics

JZP-258: Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Xyrem: Jazz Pharmaceuticals

TS-091: Taisho Pharmaceutical

THN102: Theranexus

Pitolisant: Bioprojet Pharma

And Many More

Get an in-depth Assessment of the Therapies and Key Players @ Narcolepsy Emerging Therapies and Companies

Table of Content

Report Introduction Executive Summary Narcolepsy Current Treatment Patterns Narcolepsy  DelveInsights Analytical Perspective Therapeutic Assessment Narcolepsy Late-Stage Products (Phase-III) Narcolepsy Mid-Stage Products (Phase-II) Early Stage Products (Phase-I) Pre-clinical Products and Discovery Stage Products Inactive Products Dormant Products Narcolepsy Discontinued Products Narcolepsy Product Profiles Narcolepsy Companies Narcolepsy Drugs Dormant and Discontinued Products Narcolepsy Unmet Needs Narcolepsy Future Perspectives Narcolepsy Analyst Review Appendix Report Methodology

Get Detailed Insights About the Reports Offerings @ Narcolepsy Pipeline Insights

Related Report by DelveInsight:

Narcolepsy Market

Narcolepsy Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Narcolepsy market size, share, trends, and growth analysis in the seven major markets (i.e. the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom) and Japan. Some of the key companies such as Avadel Pharmaceuticals, Axsome therapeutics, Balance Therapeutics, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Taisho Pharmaceutical, Theranexus, Bioprojet Pharma others are actively work in the Narcolepsy Market.

Narcolepsy Epidemiology Forecast

Narcolepsy Epidemiology Forecast to 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted Narcolepsy epidemiology in the 7MM, i.e., the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom), and Japan.

Cataplexy Market

Cataplexy Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Cataplexy market size, share, trends, and growth analysis in the seven major markets (i.e. the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom) and Japan. Some of the key companies such as Avadel, Axome Therapeutics, and others are actively working in the Cataplexy Market.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) Market

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Excessive Daytime Sleepiness market size, share, trends, and growth analysis in the seven major markets (i.e. the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom) and Japan. Some of the key companies such as Balance Therapeutics, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Benevolent AI Bio, Avadel Pharmaceuticals, Axsome Therapeutics, and others are actively working in the market.

Sleep Tech Devices Market

The global sleep tech devices market was valued at USD 16,941.46 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 17.31% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2028 to reach USD 44,038.42 million by 2028. Some of the key companies such as Koninklijke Philips N.V, Huawei Device Co Ltd., ResMed, Xiaomi, Apple Inc., Emfit Corp., Masimo, Garmin Ltd., Compumedics Limited, NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION, Cadwell Industries Inc., Eight Sleep, Oura Health Oy, Sleep Shepherd LLC, Sleepace, Apollo Neuroscience Inc., Braebon Medical Corporation, Belun Technology, Nyxoah, Somnology, Inc., and others working in the Sleep Tech Devices Market.

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Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Market | Hepatic Impairment Market | Papilloma Market | Chronic Idiopathic Constipation Market | Hematuria Market | Optic Neuropathy Market | Urinary Incontinence Market | Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems Market | Open-Angle Glaucoma Market | Bronchial Hyperreactivity Market | Cytokine Release Syndrome Market | Dental Lasers Market | Down Syndrome Market | Extracorporeal Circulation System Market | Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Market | Germ Cell Tumor Market | India Healthcare Outlook | Indolent Lymphoma Market | Insulin Glargine Biosimilar | Lipodystrophy Market | Listeriosis Market | Liver Angiosarcoma Market | Mucopolysaccharidosis I Market | Nasolabial Fold Market | Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Market | Pachyonychia Congenita Market | Pegfilgrastim Biosimilar | Point of Care Glucose Testing Market | Singapore Healthcare Outlook | Substance (Drug) Abuse Market | Synchronous Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer (SEOC) Market | Trastuzumab Biosimilars | Urinary Tract Infection Devices Market | Varicose Veins Market | Vutrisiran Market

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by Ray Schultz , July 26, 2023

The American Journalism Project (AJP) today has appointed Jelani Cobb, dean and Henry R. Luce professor of journalism at Columbia Journalism School, to its board of directors.

Cobb will share his expertise as an award-winning journalist, academic, and advocate for a thriving local press.

The new board member has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 2012, contributing to the dialogue on race in America. He is also a political analyst for MSNBC.

In addition, Cobb has served as editor and co-editor on such volumes, The Matter of Black Lives, a collection of The New Yorkers writings on race, and The Essential Kerner Commission Report.

Founded in 2019, AJP is a philanthropy dedicated to local news. To date, it has raised $134 million to address the local news crisis, and has backed 41 nonprofit news organizations.

Local news is the cornerstone of our democracy; it plays an essential role in ensuring we have healthy, thriving and engaged communities, and we must advance it for the well-being of our nation, Cobb says. The American Journalism Project is on the front line of rebuilding local news, and Im excited and honored to play a role in its work.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, July 27, 2023





Wayfair, still lurching through a transformation effort that has involved painful staff cuts and retrenching, named Paul Toms as the new chief marketing officer.

Toms, who had been the Boston-based companys chief people officer, replaces Bob Sherwin, who is leaving the company. In an announcement to employees, Wayfair chief executive officer and co-founder Niraj Shah credited the departing Sherwin with building Wayfairs world-class full-funnel marketing engine, brand awareness and its still-new moves into physical retail.

Toms, a 15-year Wayfair veteran, previously ran marketing for the Joss & Main brand and helped to found Perigold, Wayfair's luxury brand. Hes also worked in pricing, supplier experience and business intelligence.

Earlier this year, the company laid off more than 1,700 employees, including 1,200 at its corporate headquarters. Thats about 10% of Wayfairs workforce. It also had significant layoffs in 2022 and slashed its ad budget, including spending on digital marketing tests. Wayfairs troubles are emblematic of other ecommerce and D2C companies, which have had to spend frantically to acquire customers and build innovative shopping technology.

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And as the economy softened early this year, the company saw sales decline even as it expanded promotional prices, cutting into profits.

Wayfair reported a 7% drop in revenues to $2.8 billion in its most recent quarterly results, with a 5% decline in U.S. sales. The number of active customers fell by nearly 15%. And losses increased to $355 million, up from $319 million in the first quarter of 2022.

In a webcast to discuss results with investors, the company says it spent about 12% of revenues on advertising and that fledgling retail media offers are growing nicely.

The results are better than expected, considering slowdowns in consumer spending. The results show a step in the right direction, and reflect a company taking significant action to reposition its business model, amid a decidedly fluid consumer backdrop, writes Brian Nagel, an analyst who follows Wayfair for Oppenheimer & Co.

He rates the company as likely to outperform its peers. In our view, underlying trends and operations of the company are gradually strengthening and should lend to significant profitability over time.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 27, 2023





Omnicom Media Group has acquired Brazils commerce and retail media agencies Outpromo and Global Shopper.

Outpromo was founded in Sao Paolo in 1999 as a shopper marketing agency. Now with 250 employees it has expanded its offering to include retail e-marketing, e-commerce, social commerce and retail media. Its clients are spread across the food and beverage, household products and skincare categories, among others.

advertisement advertisement Outpromo has worked with Omnicom agencies in Brazil since 2014 and shares clients like Adidas, Heineken, and P&G, among others.

Global Shoppers offer to brands includes commerce, innovation and digital transformation. From its Sao Paulo headquarters, Global Shoppers 50+ staff delivers always on experiences between brands and consumers. Clients span the food and beverage, health and beauty, footwear, and electronics categories.

Ricardo Franken, CEO of Outpromo, and Mauricio Gallian, CEO of Global Shopper, will retain a minority stake in the companies and will continue to serve in their current roles.

Omnicom Media Group CEO Florian Adamski stated, With Global Shopper and Outpromo now part of our group, OMG is gaining deep commerce and retail media expertise in Latin Americas largest market. Connecting this expertise with Omni Commerce will create end-to-end solutions that enable always-on insights, activation, optimization and attribution across the entire commerce landscape.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 27, 2023



L-R: Altman, Bannerman, Hickey Wavemaker announced that its Fast Growth, Consultancy and B2B Practices will be led by three Global Client Presidents, Alastair Bannerman, Anna Hickey and Alex Altman respectively.

The appointments are expanded remits for the three executives who will continue to lead their existing client accounts. They will also serve as point people between GroupM and WPP and their individual practices and clients.

advertisement advertisement The Fast Growth unit is a global operation designed to help brands scale their businesses. Back Market recently joined Wavemakers portfolio of Fast Growth clients which also includes Square, SeatGeek, Zwift, Coinbase and DoorDash.

The agencys Global Consultancy supports clients in adopting transformative growth solutions across its seven connected practices of Applied Innovation, Ecommerce, Content and Brand Experiences, Data Strategy, Measurement and Analytics, Addressable Solutions, and Tech Consulting. Together, the Consultancy helps global clients to test and learn their way to new growth such as rapidly accelerating in emerging retail media channels (Colgate-Palmolive), building addressable synthetic voice solutions (L'Oreal) and creating cookieless data solutions to unlock new growth audiences (Danone).
by Erik Oster , July 27, 2023

Frenchs is no newcomer to bringing its mustard flavor to unexpected places.

In years past, its celebrated National Mustard Day by injecting the flavor into such sweet treats as ice cream. This year, the yellow condiment gets the confectioners' treatment, with the brand teaming up with Mars Skittles brand to make Mustard Skittles a reality for National Mustard Day on Aug. 5.

From Mustard Ice Cream to last years viral Mustard Donuts, this year marks the fifth time Frenchs has gone all out with flavorful innovations to celebrate National Mustard Day, Valda Coryat, North America vice president of marketing for Frenchs parent company McCormick & Company, said in a statement, adding we knew we had to outdo ourselves.

Coming from the sweet side, Mars marketing director Ro Cheng said Skittles is always looking for opportunities to deliver unexpected ways for fans to experience the brand. That's why it decided to team up with Frenchs for the limited edition-treat that combines their tangy mustard flavor with our iconic chewy texture.

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Those looking to taste the mustard rainbow can visit Frenchs website and enter for a chance to win a candy pack through Aug. 5. Frenchs is also taking the National Mustard Day promotion on tour via its Mustard Mobile -- which the brand describes as a bright yellow custom-designed vintage bus complete with giant Mustard Skittles on top.

The bus will be making stops in Atlanta, Washington D.C. and New York City, where fans will have the opportunity to taste Mustard Skittles and snag some Frenchs National Mustard Day swag.

The unique flavor could come in handy for those who find themselves in a sad barbecue situation devoid of condiments, and likely would pair well with a pickle-flavored cocktail.
by Erik Oster , July 27, 2023



Today Nestle released its financial results for the first half of 2023, reporting organic growth of 8.7% -- including 10% organic growth in North America.

Those numbers exceeded analyst expectations for the companys organic growth in the first half of the year of 8.1%. Nestles stock price rose around 1.5% on the day from its closing price of $121.97 yesterday, as of publication time.

The company also became the latest CPG giant to adjust its full-year guidance on the strength of its financial performance in the first half, increasing its forecast organic sales growth to 7%-8%.

Coca-Cola reported an updated outlook increasing its anticipated growth for 2023 yesterday, while Pepsi announced a similar update earlier this month.

For the remainder of the year, we are confident that we will deliver a positive combination of volume and mix, an improvement in gross margin and a significant increase in marketing investments, Nestle CEO Mark Schneider said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

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At-home consumption post-COVID has now normalized, removing a growth drag on some of our categories, Schneider explained in the statement. Out-of-home channels continue to see strong growth momentum.

The company reported organic growth in ecommerce sales at 13.5% for the period.

It also noted that Purina PetCare was the strongest category contributor, with double-digit growth across its Friskies, Purina ONE, and Purina Pro Plan brands. The confectionary category also saw double-digit growth, with a strong sales performance from its Kit-Kat brand as a leading contributing factor.

The news follows Nestle reducing its ownership stake in D2C meal-delivery platform Freshly last month through a merger with food manufacturer Kettle Cuisine. It also follows some major personnel changes for the company, which appointed Anna Manz as its new chief financial officer in May, and hired Stephanie Pullings Hart as deputy head of operations, effective July 1, with plans to take over for head of operations Magdi Batato upon his retirement at the end of the year.
by Tanya Gazdik , July 27, 2023

Lexus is hitting the road with Beyonces concert tour alongside her BeyGOOD Foundation.

As the exclusive automotive partner of the U.S. leg of the tour, Lexus will support the superstars nonprofit with a donation to help small, minority-owned businesses.

Lexus will join BeyGOOD Foundation and its Black Parade Route to help small business owners impacted by economic inequities through a variety of grant opportunities and/or sustainability support services. Lexus donation expands the BeyGOOD commitment by providing an additional $10,000 each to two grant recipients in all tour cities.

The foundation launched the Black Parade Route in 2020 to promote Black-owned small businesses. The star committed $1 million to support small businesses in 10 cities in the U.S. as well as regions in the United Kingdom.

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Throughout the tour, luncheons will be held to celebrate grant recipients in Chicago, New York, Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston and New Orleans.

To reflect the rich futuristic feel of tour elements like costumes, Lexus crafted a one-of-a-kind LC 500 that includes a premium chrome-wrapped exterior and jewel accents on the mirrors, headlamp surrounds, wheel center caps and license plate frame.

The vehicle will accompany the tour in select cities and will be showcased at an interactive in-venue Lexus display that allows concertgoers to engage with the brand via a photobooth that includes virtual iconography from the tour set.
Japan's export restrictions on 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment took effect on July 23. Except for those bound for 42 countries and regions designated as friendly, exports of the 23 items will require individual approval from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Although the ordinance doesn't name any specific country as a regulatory target, the move is widely believed as an attempt to line with U.S. efforts to keep high-end semiconductors out of China's hands. In October last year, Washington introduced export controls on shipments of cutting-edge chips to China that could be used in military and artificial intelligence systems, and asked Japan and the Netherlands  two of the world's biggest suppliers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment  to follow suit. Japan's export curbs means the country is joining the US to kick China out from the global semiconductor industrial chain.

This chip crackdown on China will backfire.

To begin with, Japan cannot afford to lose the Chinese market. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, China holds the No.1 position in the semiconductor market, with sales of more than $180 billion last year  one-third of the global total. The Chinese mainland was the top destination for Japan's semiconductor equipment manufacturers in 2022, accounting for around a third of the country's total chip-making equipment exports, official data shows.

Losing access to the Chinese market could mean a heavy blow to Japanese chipmakers. With fewer profits to support their research and technology innovation, Japanese semiconductor firms will find their global competitiveness crippled in the long term. This is not good news for the future of the country's semiconductor industry.

In addition, endeavors to decouple the global semiconductor supply could trigger chipmakers  if they have to pick one between the two  to choose China over Japan. With advantages in upstream raw material products, China is irreplaceable in chip production. According to research firm Antaike, China produces over 90 percent of the world's gallium and 60 percent of the world's germanium  key materials in chip-making.

China's efforts to be self-reliant in the high-tech industry means picking China over Japan will be more likely. Despite Washington's attempt to stifle China's technological growth and kick the country out from the global semiconductor industrial chain, the Chinese government has been striving to break bottlenecks and expand its domestic market. China's National Integrated Circuit Industry Fund, for instance, has invested heavily in the country's semiconductor industry in recent years. Surpassing Japan and the US in chip making is an achievable goal for China.

In fact, calls by American tech giants for the Biden administration to refrain from restrictions on chip sales to China has already revealed the senselessness of the anti-Beijing curbs. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang warned in the Financial Times that a chip war with China risks "enormous damage." Japan should at least listen to these voices before blindly dancing to the US tune.

The semiconductor industrial chain embodies global collaborations that require contributions from all countries concerned. History has repeatedly proven that any attempt to decouple the global supply chain will lead to multiple lose-lose scenarios. In spite of China's strong opposition, Japan's insistence on export restrictions on 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is highly likely to invite countermeasures from Beijing. In the end, there would be no winner.

Regrettably, the need to court Washington and help sustain US hegemony apparently carries much more weight than its long-term domestic interests for the Japanese government. (Source: CGTN)
State Sen. Danielle Conrad (center) speaks at a rally of abortion rights earlier this year in the State Capitol Rotunda. Nebraskans, she said, don't want additional restrictions on abortion. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Nine state lawmakers urged Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers in a letter Wednesday to clarify his stance on reproductive health privacy and medical autonomy.

Their letter comes one month after Hilgers joined a group of state attorneys general to oppose a federal rule change that would expand protections for reproductive health information.

State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh, Megan Hunt, Danielle Conrad, Jen Day, John Cavanaugh, George Dungan, John Fredrickson, Carol Blood and Jane Raybould penned the letter, which said the state has an unfortunate history of prosecuting women and health care providers for pregnancy outcomes.

Citing recent abortion-related prosecutions in Norfolk and Hilgers efforts against the federal expansion of HIPAA privacy, the senators said they have grave and serious concerns about the role of law enforcement and prosecutors in investigating and charging women and providers for reproductive care.

The senators said they look forward to a prompt and clear response from Hilgers to the following questions:

Why is it important to have access to peoples medical records from other states?

Is it the attorney generals intention to prosecute individuals who receive care in states where it is legal?

Is it the attorney generals intention to prosecute individuals who aid others in seeking and receiving care in other states?

If these are not your intentions, please share clearly why it would be necessary to have access to this information without due process of a court order or subpoena, the group wrote Hilgers.

Criticism shaped by misleading rhetoric

A spokesperson for the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office confirmed Hilgers received the letter and said he will respond after reviewing it. The spokesperson pointed to a July 20 statement from the office that Hilgers signing of the Mississippi-led letter is being shaped by misleading rhetoric.

According to that statement, the proposed rule narrows exceptions of accessing information for law enforcement purposes that could make it harder  and in some cases impossible  to obtain evidence needed to hold bad actors accountable.

It states the rule could protect a sexual predator family member who assaults a minor child and, in an attempt to cover up the crime, obtains abortion services in another state. It also argues the protections could extend to a nurse or pharmacy tech who steals abortion pills and distributes them outside normal channels or an activist who provides harmful advice to women on self-help or back-alley abortion techniques.

The breadth of the Administrations proposed rule means it would likely be used as a shield by bad actors, the statement reads.

Federal efforts to expand privacy

Last month, Hilgers and nearly 20 state attorneys general in a letter encouraged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to drop a proposal to expand reproductive health privacy under HIPAAs Privacy Rule.

The attorneys said the Biden administration has pushed a false narrative that states are treating pregnant women as criminals and punishing medical personnel for providing lifesaving care.

Based on this lie, the Administration has sought to wrest control over abortion back from the people in defiance of the Constitution and Dobbs, the attorneys wrote, citing the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned constitutional protections for abortion.

The proposed modification would prohibit the use and disclosure of protected health information  including reproductive health  in criminal, civil or administrative investigations or proceedings against those who lawfully provided or assisted care.

This could include doctors, friends or family who help with care across state lines.

Information of care provided or assisted in unlawful settings could still be accessed under a court order, which led to the recent prosecution of a mother and daughter in Norfolk.

Norfolk mother and daughter

Last week, 18-year-old Celeste Burgess was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years of probation for burning and burying a fetus she aborted with her mothers help in the spring of 2022. Jessica Burgess helped her then-17-year-old daughter obtain the abortion pills and gave them to her daughter.

Celeste Burgess was into her third trimester, past the legal limit for an abortion in the state, which was at the time 20 weeks post-fertilization. She pleaded guilty to concealing or abandoning a dead body.

Jessica Burgess pleaded guilty earlier this month to providing an illegal abortion, false reporting and tampering with human skeletal remains. She faces sentencing later this year.

Norfolk police opened the investigation following a tip and secured a search warrant to obtain Facebook messages between the mother and daughter.

Some lawmakers and political observers have criticized the prosecutions of Jessica and Celeste Burgess for opening the window to more prosecutions of abortion-related care.

Currently, state law allows abortions up to 12 weeks gestational age after the Nebraska Legislature passed Legislative Bill 574 in the spring, halving the window of allowable abortions. All nine lawmakers who wrote to Hilgers opposed LB 574.

The ACLU of Nebraska, on behalf of Planned Parenthood, is challenging LB 574 in court. The judge overseeing the case is considering arguments regarding the law and could issue a ruling at any time following a hearing last week.

Criminal and civil immunity

The nine state lawmakers told Hilgers that politicians who seek to further restrict or ban abortion frequently claim that efforts to do so will not result in criminal prosecutions of women seeking abortion care or medical providers.

To make that assurance meaningful, the letter said, the senators asked Hilgers to support State Sen. Jen Days LB 391, which will carry over to the 2024 legislative session. The bill would provide criminal and civil immunity for pregnancy outcomes.

The Judiciary Committee considered the bill in a March 22 hearing but has not taken any action on it.

We look forward to your engagement to pass this legislation and help mitigate the chilling effect your advocacy, and the advocacy of other politicians, have had on Nebraskans seeking health care, the lawmakers wrote.
A group of Nebraska state senators asked Attorney General Mike Hilgers to clarify his position opposing an effort to block state officials from obtaining private health information about residents who seek abortions in other states.

Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh and eight other lawmakers said they were alarmed by Hilgers' involvement in the effort to stop the proposed rule change from the Biden administration from taking effect.

Hilgers was among 19 attorneys general  all Republicans  who signed a letter asking U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to withdraw the rule proposed in April.

Under the proposal, states could not access private health information about women who obtained abortions in other states where the procedure is legal "for criminal, civil, or administrative investigations or proceedings."

The attorneys general said the proposal could also extend to individuals, including minors, who seek gender-affirming care in other states.

Nebraska enacted a ban on abortions after 12 weeks this year as well as restrictions on certain medical procedures for transgender minors. A lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court is seeking to deem it unconstitutional.

In a statement last week, Hilgers said the Biden administration's proposed rule "is based on the false premise that states want to treat pregnant women as criminals and punish medical personnel who provide lifesaving care."

"Nothing in the proposed rule justifies upending settled law and creating a carve-out for abortion," the attorney general and former speaker of the Legislature said.

In their letter, the state senators asked Hilgers to provide clarification on his intentions opposing the rule.

They also said Nebraska "has an unfortunate history of prosecuting women and health care providers for pregnancy outcomes" and pointed to a recent case in Norfolk in which a 19-year-old was sentenced to 90 days in jail for disposing of a fetus after an abortion.

The woman's mother, Jessica Burgess, pleaded guilty to providing Celeste Burgess, then 17, with abortion pills, false reporting, and tampering with human skeletal remains. She will be sentenced in September.

"(T)his gives rise to serious concerns regarding the appropriate role of law enforcement and prosecutors in investigating and charging women and medical providers regarding reproductive healthcare, and we are seeking clarification on the intention behind your actions," the letter states.

Specifically, the letter asks Hilgers why he wants access to medical records from other states and if he plans to use those records to prosecute individuals who seek abortions where it is legal or those who aid others in seeking medical care outside of Nebraska.

"If these are not your intentions, please share clearly why it would be necessary to have access to this information without due process of a court order or subpoena," the senators said in their letter.

Along with Cavanaugh, the letter was signed by Sens. Megan Hunt, John Cavanaugh and John Fredrickson, all of Omaha; Danielle Conrad, George Dungan and Jane Raybould, all of Lincoln; Jen Day of Gretna; and Carol Blood of Bellevue. All are Democrats in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, except Hunt, who earlier this year changed her party affiliation to nonpartisan.

Photos: Last day of the 108th Nebraska Legislature
A doctor testified Thursday that Dalton Beals' death during basic training at U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in 2021 resulted from a fatal and preexisting heart condition. The doctor further testified that neither the heat or the negligence of his drill instructor were the cause. Under cross examination, the prosecution strongly questioned the doctor's testimony with the exchanges becoming testy at times.

Gerald Feigin, a New Jersey forensic pathologist, was called to testify in the defense of Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley, who is on trial for negligent homicide, dereliction of duty resulting in death, violation of the recruit training order, maltreatment of recruits and obstruction of justice in the June 4, 2021 death of 19-year-old Beals of New Jersey. Smiley has pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution rested its case Tuesday and defense counsel began with Feigin as their first witness.

Feigin's testified that Beals' manner of death was natural and the cause, cardiac arrhythmia brought on by heart disease.

Beals' alleged heart condition contradicted the conclusion of Dr. Ellen Riemer of the Medical University of South Carolina, a cardio and pulmonary specialist who performed the first autopsy for Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Earlier in the trial, she testified  on behalf of the prosecution  that Beals died of hyperthermia, which is a dangerously overheated body.

"You don't want to bad mouth another doctor, but I think in this case it's justified," Feigin said.

One by one, Feigin went through 134 slides of Beals' heart that were shown on a big screen and pointed out areas to the six-man, two-women jury of what he described as scar tissue. Scar tissue, Feigin said, prevents electricity from moving through the heart, causing it, in effect, to short out.

"You shouldn't have any scars in the heart," Feigin said. "Period."

The scarring of Beals's heart was unusual for a 19-year-old and one of the worst he'd seen in his career, he said, with the scarring showing he had heart disease. How Beals lived as long has he did "with a heart that bad," Feigin said, is a mystery. He described it as one of the worst he had seen in his career. With a heart like that, the only outward sign or symptom "is death," Feigin said.

"It could have happened anytime," Feigin said of Beals' death. "It just happened to happen during the Crucible."

Beals died during the Crucible, the final challenge recruits must meet before earning the title of U.S. Marine. It's a 54-hour event that tests physical stamina, mental toughness and the ability to think critically while under stress including hunger, sleep deprivation and exhaustion.

Lt. Col. Ian Germain of the prosecution sharply questioned Feigin.

Did he know if anybody was near Dalton Beals when he died? Feigin wasn't sure.

"You don't want to know if someone saw Dalton Beals die?" Germain asked.

It would not have mattered, Feigin said. Beals' death from severe cardiac issues was sudden and "one step below" a gunshot to the head, Germain testified. "The presenting sign is death," Feigin said.

Germain rattled off questions.

Did Feigin ask for any information about Beals' core body temperature? Did he ask for information about the conditions under which Beals died? Did he know Beals had fallen down and refused water? Did he know that Beals had attempted to hand canteens that were full of water to another recruit to fill up? Did he know he had left an area where Marines were staged in buddy pairs on his own?

Feigin replied "no" or that he had learned about details later from the defense.

Germain continued his questioning, asking about the progression of signs that Beals showed before he died and whether that was important to take into account in determining the cause of death? "Some of the time," Feigin said.

"Is it important that you not be wrong here?" Germain said to Feigin at one point.

Feigin conducted the second autopsy at the request of Beals family but it's the defense that called him to testify.

Germain also questioned whether there could be changes to the body, including scarring of the heart, after death. Feigin said he was confident the scarring did not occur after Beals died.

During the second day of the Crucible, about 90 minutes after Beals had completed one of the training events, which included a long hike, he was found unconscious on Page Field, a former airfield on the southeast corner of the depot. Efforts to revive him failed. He had been missing for an hour. The government charged Smiley, alleging he overworked the recruits in extreme heat and neglected to see the signs of Beat's heat-related illness and rebuffed recruits who tried to bring it to his attention.

On Tuesday, Smiley's defense asked Col. Adam J. Workman, the judge, to dismissed the charges, arguing the government had failed to prove the charges. Workman withheld judgment on that request. The defense was expected to resume its case on Wednesday.

___

(c)2023 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.)

Visit The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.) at www.islandpacket.com

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A T-38 Talon crash in November in Mississippi that caused a pilot to eject from the training jet was caused by a bird shattering the cockpit canopy, Air Force investigators detailed in an accident report.

The instructor pilot from Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, who was not named in the report, had to eject and landed in nearby trees, where he had non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft was valued at $8.5 million and was "completely destroyed," according to the report, which was released this month.

"The bird hit the cockpit canopy, shattering it upon impact," the report detailed. "Pieces of the shattered canopy were ingested into both engines. The left engine immediately failed, and shortly after stopped spinning or working altogether."

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Two T-38Cs took off Nov. 7, each with one person, an instructor, aboard. They were flying in a formation when one of the jets experienced the malfunction. The pilot was "highly experienced and capable," Col. Jeremy Bergin, then the Columbus Air Force Base vice wing commander, said at the time, and praised the airman for his quick thinking during the incident.

Investigators found the pilot "could not avoid the bird," according to the report. The pilots followed the proper mitigation techniques, and "the greatest risk for the training identified was a possible bird strike."

Bird strikes are not an uncommon occurrence, but are rarely fatal. Air Force Safety Center data shows that between fiscal years 2000 and 2020, the latest information available, there were 11 destroyed aircraft and four fatalities as a result of bird strikes.

The Air Force has been flying the T-38 since the 1960s. The two-seat, supersonic jet trainer is still used by the service, as well as by the Navy and NASA, to instruct pilots.

Since 1960, there have been 211 Class A mishaps, the term used by the military to describe the deadliest or costliest crashes, according to Air Force Safety Center data. There have been a total of 86 pilot deaths and 149 fatalities in the T-38's 63-year history.

The Air Force has been planning for several years to phase out the T-38 Talon.

In September 2018, the service gave Boeing Co. a $9.2 billion contract to build a replacement aircraft, with a working name of T-X. In 2019, the Air Force rebranded the T-X as the T-7A Red Hawk, named in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen.

While the first T-7A was originally expected to be delivered sometime in 2023, software issues and concerns connected to the ejection system have pushed the first deliveries into 2025. A full fleet now won't be available to airmen until 2027.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: Air Force Faces 2-Year Delay on New T-7 Training Jets as Old Aircraft Continue to Have Mishaps
KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraine has launched a major push to dislodge Russian forces from the country's southeast as part of its weekslong counteroffensive, committing thousands of troops to the battle, according to Western and Ukrainian officials and analysts.

The surge in troops and firepower has been centered on the region of Zaporizhzhia, a Western official said late Wednesday.

The official was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks at multiple points along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line as Ukraine deploys Western-supplied advanced weapons and Western-trained troops against the deeply entrenched Russian forces who invaded 17 months ago.

Ukrainian officials have been mostly silent about battlefield developments since they began early counteroffensive operations, though Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said troops are advancing toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhizhia region.

Though that movement could be a tactical feint, and both governments have used disinformation to gain battlefield advantages, such a maneuver would be in line with what some analysts had predicted.

They envisioned a counteroffensive that would try to punch through the land corridor between Russia and the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula, moving towards Melitopol, which is close to the coast of the Azov Sea.

That could split Russian forces into two halves and cut off supply lines to the units that are located further to the west.

The intense fighting is taking place in areas in the south and east of Ukraine, far from the capital Kyiv, and it was not possible to verify either sides claims.

The Institute of Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, reported that Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanized counteroffensive operation in western Zaporizhzhia region on Wednesday, adding that they appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions.

It cited Russian sources, including the Russian Ministry of Defense and several prominent Russian military bloggers.

U.S. officials, who have provided Kyiv with weapons and intelligence, declined to comment on the latest developments, though they have previously urged patience as Ukraine seeks to grind down the deep Russian defenses featuring minefields, trenches and anti-tank obstacles.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to Papua New Guinea that Kyivs effort to retake land seized by Russia since its February 2022 full-scale invasion would be tough and long, with successes and setbacks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an intense battle is taking place but declined to provide details.

We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine, Blinken said during a visit to New Zealand.

___

Aamer Madhani in Washington D.C., Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia and Nick Perry in Wellington, New Zealand contributed.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, state media said Thursday, illustrating North Koreas support for Russias war in Ukraine as the isolated country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The North Korean festivities were to be highlighted by a military parade Thursday evening in the capital, Pyongyang, where Kim  possibly in the presence of Shoigu and a visiting Chinese ruling party official  could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles designed to threaten neighboring rivals and the United States.

North Koreas state media had not confirmed plans for a military parade. But two South Korean government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide background information, said the parade likely started at around 8 p.m. (0700EST/1100 GMT) with warm-up events and was ongoing as of 9:50 p.m.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Kim and Shoigu talked Wednesday in Pyongyang and reached a consensus on unspecified matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment.

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the U.S.-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests. The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim.

During the meeting, Shoigu conveyed to Kim a warm and good letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said.

The meeting will help to further boost the strategic and tactical collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the field of national defense and security, KCNA said.

In a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic, North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to attend the events marking the armistice of July 27, 1953. While the truce left the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war, the North still sees it as a victory in the Grand Fatherland Liberation War.

KCNA said Kim also took Shoigu to an arms exhibition that showcased some of North Koreas newest weapons and briefed him on national plans to expand the countrys military capabilities. State media photos and video from the exhibition showed Kim and Shoigu walking near a row of large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.

Some of the weapons in the images appeared to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that the North has flight-tested in recent months as it pursues an arsenal that can pose a viable threat to the continental United States. Kim and Shoigu also walked past what were possibly new surveillance and attack drones that had not been publicly announced by the North.

Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean military was analyzing the military assets shown in the North Korean photos but did not share specific assessments.

When asked about the possibility that Shoigus visit was to discuss importing weapons from North Korea, John Kirby, the White Houses National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, didnt answer directly but said it was clear Putin is reaching out to other countries for support in fighting his war in Ukraine.

Mr. Putin knows hes having his own defense procurement problems, his own inventory problems, that his military remains on the back foot, and hes trying to shore that up, Kirby said.

Some experts say North Korea sees U.S. confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and insert itself into a united front against Washington. Both Moscow and Beijing have been derailing U.S. efforts to strengthen U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests since 2022.

The last time North Korea invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018, when it held a low-key event that excluded Kims ICBMs. North Korea at the time was initiating diplomacy with Seoul and Washington as Kim attempted to leverage his nuclear program for badly needed economic benefits.

Those efforts led to a summit between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump that June, but the diplomacy collapsed after their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since ramped up the development of the nuclear arms that he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival while berating gangster-like U.S. sanctions and pressure.

Beijings delegation to North Korea is headed by mid-level official Li Hongzhong, a politburo member of Chinas ruling Communist Party.

Kim met Li during an anniversary concert that began at midnight and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, KCNA said. During a separate reception hosted by senior North Korean officials, Li said in a speech that China was ready to promote the sound and stable development of relations with the North.

Analysts say Kim sharing the center stage with Shoigu and Li at a military parade would be a key accomplishment he could show to his domestic audience as well as a statement of defiance toward the United States.

On Wednesday, Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam that were aimed at strengthening cooperation between our defense departments, Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement.

KCNA reported that Kang while hosting a reception for Shoigu expressed support for the just struggle of the Russian army to defend the countrys sovereignty and security, in an apparent reference to Russias war on Ukraine. The agency said Shoigu during the event praised the North Korean Peoples Army under the leadership of Kim, saying it has become the strongest army in the world. Russian media reports did not include that comment.

The Korean War was triggered by a surprise North Korean attack on the South in June 1950. The North was supported by Chinese troops and the then-Soviet air force. South Korea, the United States, and troops from various nations under the direction of the United Nations fought to push back the invasion.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marked the armistice anniversary by visiting a cemetery in the port city of Busan that honors the U.N. troops who died during the war.

The Republic of Korea of today stands on the sacrifice, dedication and blood-drenched uniforms of U.N. soldiers, Yoon said in a speech, referring to South Koreas formal name.

In the face of growing North Korean threats, Yoon has pushed to expand South Koreas military exercises with the United States and is seeking stronger U.S. reassurances that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend the South in the event of a nuclear attack.
More than two-thirds of 114 Department of Veterans Affairs facilities received four- or five-star ratings, outperforming private hospitals by 26 percentage points, according to data released Wednesday.

It was the first quality assessment of VA hospitals by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. CMS publishes annual Overall Quality Star Ratings for hospitals in the U.S. based on mortality rates, patient safety, hospital readmissions, patient experience, and timely and effective care.

Among the 4,654 hospitals CMS assessed nationwide, roughly 10% received five-star ratings and 17% received four-star ratings. Nearly 19% got three stars, 14% received two stars and 5% received the lowest rating, one star. The remaining 34% were not rated -- the result of either not meeting the qualification thresholds or the level of metrics needed to assess them.

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Among VA hospitals, nearly 30% received five stars; 37% received four stars; 15% were given three stars; 11%, two stars; and 8%, or nine facilities, one star.

At least 23 Veterans Health Administration medical centers were not rated by CMS because they did not meet the criteria for inclusion. CMS does not rate facilities that have a low number of cases or incidents that are specific to its assessment criteria.

It also does not assess specialty hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and some inpatient care facilities, such as psychiatric hospitals.

The high number of four- and five-star marks for Veterans Health Administration hospitals follows another complimentary report released in June by CMS, in which 72% of VA facilities received four- or five-star ratings for patient experience. The measure, known as the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, is based on surveys and assesses patient satisfaction with their care.

VA officials said Tuesday that the department has worked with CMS for five years to be included in its annual ratings, participation they said would let veteran patients compare VA facilities with private-sector hospitals.

Gerard Cox, VA's assistant under secretary for health for quality and patient safety, said the department has been working since 2019 to become a "high reliability organization," meaning it has been focused on improving operations, promoting expertise and preventing failure.

He said the high ratings for both CMS databases may be connected to that focus.

"We're pleased to see that these CMS star ratings validate the impact of some of that work, but it also only energizes us further to make sure that we are providing the safest and most effective care to veterans," Cox said in a press call with reporters Tuesday.

Still, the VA had nine facilities that earned a one-star rating, signifying that they performed well below the average for specific measurements such as death rates for patients with heart failure, surgical complications and pneumonia, readmission rates for certain ailments, hospital acquired infections, patient satisfaction and more.

The facilities receiving the lowest rating were the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Bay Pines VA Health Care System and West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, Florida; New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System; Providence VA Medical Center, Rhode Island; Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Shreveport, Louisiana; and VA Caribbean Health Care System, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Among the criticisms of the rankings is that they don't take into account the socioeconomic status of patients or the surrounding community, which may not have access to routine health care and have worse health outcomes during treatment for acute and chronic conditions.

CMS also crunches the numbers in a way that may put smaller facilities or hospitals that have a low number of cases or incidents that meet its eligibility criteria at a disadvantage when it comes to the ratings.

Nonetheless, VA Under Secretary of Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said the department, which maintains an internal rating system of its own, has already identified and worked with many of the facilities that need help.

He added that, given that the CMS ratings were based on data from July 2018 to March 2022, those identified as low-performing facilities may already have improved.

"Those in the highest tier of need ended up receiving a lot of assistance and ultimately have gotten better, and [they] may be on the one-star list right now as a result of the data lag phenomenon," Elnahal said during the press conference Tuesday.

The VA hopes those improvements will be "reflected in future iterations of the star ratings," he added.

The VA maintained its own star ratings through late 2019, when it decided to drop them and focus on publishing data on wait times, patient satisfaction ratings, medical services and quality assessments.

After a series of articles was published in USA Today about the internal system, the VA went public with its star ratings but decided three years later that the system was of "little value in helping veterans make informed health decisions," then-VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement in December 2019.

"Star ratings were developed as an internal tool meant to compare one VA facility to another," Wilkie said at the time. "These ratings do not provide insight as to how our hospitals stack up against nearby non-VA facilities."

The CMS star ratings can be found on the Care Compare website.

In a statement released Wednesday, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said he is proud of the department's performance in the rankings.

"Whenever a veteran entrusts us with their care, they deserve to know that they're getting the very best," McDonough said in the statement. "That's what we strive for in every hospital across the nation, and we will never settle for anything less."

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs is holding in-person events in 27 states through the first part of August in hopes of receiving as many toxic exposure benefits claims as possible by Aug. 9.

Those who can't make it to an event in person may attend a virtual event Aug. 2. The department had already received, as of July 24, at least 772,461 claims from veterans, or the survivors of deceased veterans, for benefits under the PACT Act.

President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law in August of last year. It gives the potential to receive health care and compensation to millions of veterans exposed to radiation and toxic chemicals while in uniform, or their survivors, going back to the 1960s. The VA now assumes that certain medical conditions are service-connected if the veteran served in a certain place at a certain time.

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The VA wants as many potential beneficiaries as possible to file claims -- or formally declare their intent to do so -- by Aug. 9 in hopes of backdating their benefits all the way to the earliest possible date.

The "Summer VetFest" informational series consists of "casual summer gathering events" for "veterans, their families, veteran advocates, congressional offices and the VA Health Care System and benefits professionals," said Kenesha Britton, assistant deputy undersecretary in the VA's Office of Field Operations, on a call with reporters July 24 to promote the events.

"Some of these events will feature food and music as well as VA staff who are ready to help veterans apply or submit an intent to file," Britton said.

A veteran must be diagnosed with one of the presumptive conditions to be eligible for benefits. Benefits may be backdated by a year no matter when a veteran files, but Aug. 10, 2022, is the earliest effective date for living veterans.

An exception exists for veterans' survivors, VA officials told Military.com by email. Survivors may receive some compensation backdated prior to the signing of the law if the deceased veteran was denied benefits in the past and the VA determines that a presumptive condition would have qualified the veteran for benefits while still alive.

Britton said PACT Act beneficiaries "can then take those benefits and services and compensation to pay bills, to buy food, to do education ... so all those things and not just for one set of veterans but veterans over many years, many generations, many times of war."

Those veterans who don't think they have all the documentation they'll need to support their claim in time for the Aug. 9 deadline can still declare their intent to file by submitting a separate form by that date. If within 365 days they file their claim and qualify, they can then get the full benefits backdated to August 2022.

Veterans and survivors can file their PACT Act claim online at va.gov. Veterans service organizations and county-based veterans service officers may offer free help with filing.

Although the Aug. 9 deadline represents the last chance for veterans to get the maximum backdated benefit, there is no deadline to file a PACT Act claim. If a veteran is diagnosed with a presumptive condition in the future, their benefits could start as early as their date of diagnosis.

-- Amanda Miller can be reached at amanda.miller@monster.com.

Related: Get Maximum PACT Act Benefits: Aug. 9 Is the Deadline to Get Pay Backdated to 2022
In recent years, the development speed of intelligent driving technology has been increasing, disrupting traditional car control methods while also giving rise to many new opportunities, such as low-speed unmanned vehicles. Located in Hefei Zhongguancun Co-innovation Industrial Park, Hefei Seektop Automobile Technology Co., Ltd, founded in 2022, focuses on the design and production of low-speed intelligent wire-controlled chassis. Its innovation team is dedicated to building a smart driving business centred on the wire-controlled chassis. At present, the company has reached a number of project co-operation in the field of low-speed unmanned vehicles with JAC, BAIC and other companies. Among them, the unmanned logistics vehicle in cooperation with JAC is entering the testing stage. What is a wire-controlled chassis? "A wire-controlled chassis uses electrical signals to control an actuator to control the car." Meng Qi, the head of the company, introduced that the traditional way of operation is to control the car through the mechanical mechanism when the driver presses the brake, steps on the accelerator, shifts gears and turns the steering wheel, while the wire-controlled technology transfers the information with electrical signals, which is faster in response, more accurate and more energy-efficient. In addition, the wire-controlled chassis also has a high degree of integration, compact structure and lighter weight, etc., which can improve the endurance of new energy vehicles, so the wire-controlled chassis is the way to achieve high-level autonomous driving. "This chassis allows for three modes of manoeuvring. In addition to manual and remote control operation, it can also achieve autonomous driving." The company's technical director, Ding Huiming, explains, "The fixed chassis and customizable car shell make it easy to commercialise in vehicles with loads, enclosed and semi-enclosed scenarios. In the future, this will be a huge market." In 2022, the sales scale of China's low-speed unmanned vehicle industry was about 5.2 billion yuan, and the sales quantity of various types of low-speed unmanned vehicle products was about 20,000 units. From an overall perspective, China's low-speed unmanned driving industry is still in the early development stage. However, with the development of technology, the continuous improvement of policies and the maturity of the industrial chain, China's low-speed autonomous driving industry may soon enter a rapid development stage. According to the forecast, in 2025, the scale of China's low-speed unmanned driving industry is expected to exceed 30 billion yuan. Meng Qi describes, "The wire-controlled chassis is the cornerstone in all three phases of advanced assisted driving, autonomous driving and unmanned driving." The industry veteran who is a vehicle engineering major from Hefei University of Technology, told reporters that the company team's own research experience is relatively rich, and has been aimed at relatively mature field of low-speed commercialisation scenarios. The company has independently developed M2, M3 and M5 series products, which can be freely combined with hardware and software according to different scenarios, such as industrial parks, open roads, agriculture, teaching and research. Hefei Zhongguancun Co-innovation Industrial Park has gathered more than 70 enterprises in the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, and the government of Baohe District and the park have also paved the way for the enterprises to become bigger and stronger. Meng Qi cited an example, "A month ago, Baohe District held the 2023 project and capital matchmaking roadshow, many investment organisations got to know and understand Seektop, and this event won us a total intended investment of more than 30 million yuan." "As a newly established enterprise, we currently need to solidify our foundational technology, and continue to build our industry reputation to support the development of the intelligent driving industry." Meng Qi said. Source: Anhui News Edited and translated by Zheng Chen and Wang Xirui
WASHINGTON  Lawyers for Donald Trump met Thursday with members of special counsel Jack Smith's team ahead of a potential indictment over the former president's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The meeting included Trump lawyer John Lauro, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to describe a private gathering.

Trump himself confirmed the meeting in a post on his Truth Social network, writing, "My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country."

He added that "no indication of notice was given during the meeting."

Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, was informed earlier this month by Smith's office that he was a target of the Justice Department's investigation, suggesting that an indictment could be soon.

The investigation has focused on the turbulent two-month period after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss to Democrat Joe Biden and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot.

In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen  despite the fact that numerous federal and local officials, a long list of courts, top former campaign staffers and even his own attorney general have all said there is no evidence of the fraud he alleges.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment on Thursday's meeting. Lauro, Trump's lawyer, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Trump was charged by Smith's team last month with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, Mar-a-Lago, and concealing them from investigators. He was also indicted in New York in March on charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn actor. And prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are preparing to announce charging decisions in the coming weeks related to efforts to subvert the election in that state.

Photos: Donald Trump through the years Talking politics With Melania 'How to Get Rich' On the course At Doral Sarazen Cup With Serena USS Iowa Debating Jeb Bush In Biloxi Campaign rally Winning South Carolina She's with him Signing autographs Another debate Waving to supporters In Arizona The Trump family At the convention The nominee The ticket Showing her support In Mexico Debating Clinton Casting his vote Election Night In the Oval Office Mitt Romney The inauguration Thumbs up Taking the oath Waving goodbye Armed Forces Ball James Comey Trump to lay out his agenda to Congress Thanking school children Medal of Honor recipients Justice Anthony Kennedy swears in Neil Gorsuch Easter Egg Roll Super Bowl champs Little Sisters of the Poor Russian foreign minister, ambassador At the Western Wall Meeting the pope Wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington National champs Congressional shooting At the White House Congressional Picnic Go, Cubs, go Departing the White House USS Gerald R. Ford joins the Navy The eclipse 9/11 anniversary Trump addresses world leaders at U.N. General Assembly Las Vegas shooting Trump visits Puerto Rico Trump meets Kissinger With Trudeau Medal of Honor Happy Halloween National Christmas Tree Lighting Celebrating GOP tax plan March for Life State of the Union School shootings State dinner With Olympians Greeting a guest Freed Americans Historic summit With Kim Kardashian West In Washington Trump North Carolina Debating Joe Biden Election Night 2020 Jan. 6 Leaving the White House
With the trade deadline now just a few days away, teams are calling the Giants about their starting pitching, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. Theres nothing to indicate the club is motivated to move any of its starters, but its an interesting development nonetheless. Murray also lists the Giants as one of many clubs seeking bullpen upgrades.

The Giants are 56-47, just three games back of the Dodgers in the National League West and currently in possession of a Wild Card spot. That means they are more likely to do some buying than selling, but the interest in their starting pitching might be a function of the strange market this summer. Due to the expanded playoffs and some weak divisions, there are very few clearcut sellers. Its been speculated that we may see more trades between contenders this year, such as yesterdays deal that sent Amed Rosario to the Dodgers and Noah Syndergaard to the Guardians.

The Giants currently have a rotation that consists of Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and Ross Stripling. Webb and Cobb each have ERA under 3.50. DeSclafani is at 4.88 but with a low strand rate of 64.8%, leading to a 4.38 FIP and 4.35 SIERA. Wood is struggling this year with a 4.75 ERA but has been much better in the past. Stripling struggled earlier in the year but has a 3.91 ERA since coming off the IL in late June.

Contractually, Webb signed an extension in April and isnt going anywhere. But Wood is an impending free agent while Cobb is in the final guaranteed year of his deal, with a $10MM club option for 2024 with a $2MM buyout. DeSclafani and Stripling are under contract through 2024, with the latter having an opt-out opportunity at the end of this year.

Thats pushed Sean Manaea and Jakob Junis to long relief roles in the bullpen, both of whom have starting experience and would be good enough for rotation jobs on some clubs. Manaea has a 5.86 ERA this year but a 27.1% strikeout rate and 55.2% strand rate, leading to a 3.98 FIP and 3.74 SIERA. Junis is somewhat similar with a 4.79 ERA but 26.7% strikeout rate and .367 batting average on balls in play, leading to a 4.54 FIP and 3.37 SIERA. Junis is an impending free agent whereas Manaea can opt out of the one year left on his deal after this one.

On top of all those major league options, the club also has more starting pitching currently in Triple-A. Keaton Winn has a 4.47 ERA at Triple-A this year in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, as well as posting a 4.09 in his first 22 big league innings. Tristan Beck has a 4.32 ERA in Triple-A and 3.06 ERA in 50 major league innings. Sean Hjelle has a 7.79 ERA in the bigs this year but thats likely skewed by a .434 BABIP and 51.9% strand rate, leading to a 4.03 FIP and 4.39 SIERA. Kyle Harrison is not yet on the 40-man roster but hes one of the top pitching prospects in the league.

Given all of those options, and widespread interest in starting pitching around the league, its possible the club could line up a deal that sees them move a starter for help elsewhere on the roster. As Murray mentions, the club is looking for bullpen upgrades. Their relievers have a collective 3.75 ERA thats one of the 10 best in the league, but just about every contender looks for additions to their relief mix at this time of year.

The Giants are also known to be looking for middle infield help, with Thairo Estrada having recently suffered a fractured bone in his hand. MLBTRs Anthony Franco looked into some potential paths for them, which included some straightforward seller options like Paul DeJong of the Cardinals and Tim Anderson of the White Sox. Some of the infielders on contenders that could potentially be available are Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal of the Blue Jays, while the Orioles have Ramon Urias, Jorge Mateo and Adam Frazier. Both of those latter clubs are theoretical fits for starting pitching, which could perhaps lead to some interesting talks.

Again, theres nothing to suggest the Giants are actively pursuing this line of thinking, as Murray only reports that other clubs are inquiring about their depth. But its a logical part of the Giants roster for them to use to improve elsewhere. The trade deadline is August 1.
PONTIAC, MI -- Less than two months after a jury convicted Megan Imirowicz of killing her father, she is a free woman.

According to the Associated Press, Oakland County Judge Victoria Valentine sentenced Imirowicz Tuesday to one year in jail after the 19-year-old Groveland Township woman was convicted last month of unlawful possession or use of harmful devices/irritants causing death.

However, because Imirowicz has already served 506 days in jail during the court process, she is now free. Imirowicz was facing a potential sentence of life in prison

This was not the sentence we advocated for. However the judge ultimately decides what sentence will be imposed, David Williams, chief assistant prosecutor, told the Oakland Press.

Imirowicz was arrested in October 2021 after she threw lye -- a chemical used as a drain cleaner -- on her 64-year-old father while he was sleeping. The prosecution said Imirowicz was upset with her father because he was drunk and could not drive her to a hair appointment ahead of an 18th birthday party. The father survived the attack for five months, but ultimately died as a result of his injuries in March 2022.

Imirowicz was originally free on bond following her initial arrest, but after her father died, she was charged again and remained in jail.

During her court appearance Tuesday, Imirowicz accused the prosecution of creating an inaccurate image of her while also saying that her father was her hero and best friend.

The prosecution has tried to make me look like a monster but thats not me and never was, Imirowicz said, while also adding One of the biggest things overlooked in this case is that me and my siblings lost my dad, too. ... I am the best parts of him. Im his daughter. But without him I dont know who I am any more.

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PONTIAC, MI -- Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbleys private journal laid out his murderous plan, including to shoot pretty girls in the back of their heads.

The first victim has to be a pretty girl with a future so she can suffer just like me, he wrote in a 22-page journal discovered on the floor of the boys bathroom following the shooting. The first of his first four classmates he killed on Nov. 30, 2021 was 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, described by a teacher at her funeral as a beautiful flower.

The others slain teens were Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; and Justin Shilling, 17.

Crumbley, a 15-year-old sophomore at Oxford High School at the time of the shooting, now 17, wore an orange jail uniform with dark brown hair parted to the right side of his forehead at the hearing, held at the Oakland County Circuit Court. He stared through dark-rimmed glasses at fat binders filled with legal documents atop the defense table and Oakland County Sheriffs Office Detective Lt. Tim Willis recited his words.

I just saw a group of girls sitting down in the hallway, Crumbley wrote, according to Williss testimony. If I had my pistol on me, then I would not have hesitated to blow both of their brains out ...

I hope that every parent of kids I gratefully murdered will be so sad that they kill themselves, and I want all of America to see the darkness in me.

Crumbley is undergoing a Miller hearing to determine if he will be sentenced to die in prison. Its a special hearing required for all juveniles facing a mandatory life sentence, meant to give special consideration to the impact of their age and other factors.

The hearing began at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 27, and is expected to run through Friday with the possibility of a third date in August, should more time be required.

The cryptic, journaled words indicate Crumbley wanted to commit the largest school shooting in Michigan history.

Since school shootings in Michigan are rare, that means I will cause the largest shooting ever in the state, Willis read from the journal. I am not going to kill myself. I will surrender to police. I wish to hear the screams of the children as I shoot them.

Crumbleys words show he expected to spend his life in prison.

I will continue shooting people until police reach the building, Crumbley wrote in the journal. I will then surrender to them and plead guilty to life in prison.

Willis testified that much of the unstable teens words came true.

All I need is my 9mm pistol, which Im currently begging my dad for, the journal said.

When Crumbley pleaded guilty to 24 felony charges on Oct. 24, he admitted that he gave his father, 47-year-old James Crumbley, the money for the murder weapon and tagged along to the gun shop where it was purchased. Subsequent social media posts revealed the teens mother, 45-year-old Jennifer Crumbley, visited a shooting range with her son while he practiced shooting the gun she referred to as his early Christmas present.

Both parents currently reside in the same jail as their son. Theyve been jailed for nearly 600 days on $500,000 bonds, facing four counts each of involuntary manslaughter, accused of negligently facilitating their sons murderous plan and failing to head it off by getting him mental and emotional help.

Prosecutors must prove the teen shooter is irreparably corrupt to justify a life sentence without the chance of parole.

In addition to the shooting, early testimony at the Miller hearing referenced Crumbleys fascination with torturing animals, a trait shared with multiple serial killers throughout American history.

In one journal entry, the teen wrote about how he spent his time while his parents were out of town.

I murdered an entire family of five newborn baby birds, Crumbley wrote, according to Williss testimony. I drowned them and burned them alive. While (they) all scream. I cut one in half and stuck the head of its brother in its stomach. I have completely lost my (expletive). My grades are falling. My parents hate each other. We have no money. I have zero help for my mental problems and its causing me to shoot up the (expletive) school.

Crumbleys journal said he wanted to snap the beak off one baby bird, cut its head off, smash its brain and dice up its heart with a knife.

If I never would have thought of the brilliant idea of shooting up the school, then I probably would have become a serial killer, the journal said.

Im so (expletive) up, I like it, Crumbley wrote. Jeffrey Dahmer had a good idea, the only thing he did wrong was getting caught.

More on MLive:

Hearing to determine if Michigan school shooter will get life in prison viewable online

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Prosecutors say they have more evidence against Oxford High shooters parents

Oxford High shooters sporadic, disturbing behavior in jail spurs competency discussion

"
PONTIAC, MI -- The judge issued a warning.

This would be the appropriate time to step out if you do not wish to view this video, Oakland County Circuit Court Kwame L. Rowe cautioned the packed courtroom.

The head of 17-year old Ethan Crumbley slumped even further and his thick brown hair fell down his forehead concealing his eyes and prosecutors prepared to play silent footage of the Oxford High School murders that occurred about 12:51 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2021.

Video depicted the then-15-year-old sophomore emerging from the the bathroom. He twisted pieces of toilet paper to serve as makeshift earplugs and protect his hearing from booming gunfire, Oakland County Sheriffs Detective Lt. Tim Willis, the lead investigator, testified.

He slouches a lot, said Willis, but as soon as he comes out of the bathroom, hes standing as tall as Ive ever seen him walk around that school.

Crumbley turned left and opened fire while walking down the hallway. Some kids scattered. Others fell when bullets struck them over the next three minutes.

Media were instructed by the judge to not show images from the video.

In all, four classmates were killed: Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14 and Justin Shilling, 17. Six students and a teacher were struck with gunfire but survived. Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to 24 felonies, including four counts of first-degree murder, on Oct. 24.

The teen shooter, wearing an orange Oakland County Jail uniform and dark-rimmed glasses, appeared Thursday, July 27, at a hearing required before a juvenile murderer may be sentenced to life in prison without an opportunity for parole.

You see him go in the bathroom at 12:54 p.m., Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast said while questioning Willis. He ran out of targets, ran out of people to kill in the hallway at that point.

Back in the bathroom, Crumbley executed another student, Willis confirms.

The detective entered the high school minutes after the first of nearly 100 people called 911 to report the shooting. Willis described the scene as chaotic, bewildering and cloaked in sadness.

The surveillance footage showed some of the first arriving officers rushing through the halls, passing the young victims who were pleading for them to help, Willis testified.

The veteran police officers voice sometimes quivered. At time, he took long pauses between statements, seeming to collect himself.

I know those officers and the most difficult thing, something you arent prepared for, is, how do you push past a child that needs help, he said. That was the most difficult part, bypassing hurt children who needed help.

Though it sounds callous and awful to ignore pleading victims, Willis said police are trained to. You cant allow an active killer to keep killing, he said.

Keast recounts the mass shooting, reciting names of victims shot in the face, back, neck or legs.

Madison Baldwin came walking down the hallway and she was executed by the defendant, is that right, Keast asked. Another student was shot in the back of the head from 100 feet away, Keast said. While he was on the ground, he was shot again.

When police located Crumbley, he put his hands in the air and was quickly handcuffed and arrested.

Some family and friends in the courtroom dabbed their faces with tissue or wiped tears from their cheeks as the video played.

The Miller hearing to determine if Crumbley will die in prison is expected to run through Friday.

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Oxford High killer wanted to shoot pretty girls in back of their heads, his journal said

Oxford High shooters parents have been in jail 600 days. Is $500K bond excessive?

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PONTIAC, MI -- An Oakland County woman was sentenced to one-to-five years in prison Wednesday for her role in the death of a 22-year-old Michigan State University student who was killed on New Years Day.

Tubtim Sue Howson, 57, pleaded no contest last month to a charge of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death after she hit Benjamin Kable, of Shelby Township with her car in the early morning hours of Jan. 1. Howson then fled the scene of the accident and two days later booked a trip to her native Thailand.

On Feb. 1, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald charged Howson in the case and authorities in Thailand worked to return Howson to the U.S. During a press conference in Thailand, Howson said she originally thought she hit a deer, but then admitted she panicked when she saw Kables body.

I did not think I would run away, but I was very shocked. I tried to call the police but my hands were shaking. I could not do anything, Howson said.

When Howson was returned to the U.S. she was lodged at the Oakland County Jail and held on a $1 million bond. In June, Howson entered her no-contest plea, which is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such during sentencing. She was given credit for 160 days served.

Howson is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Thailand and has lived in Michigan for more than 20 years.

Losing a child is every parents worst nightmare. Todays sentence is an important step in holding the individual responsible for this unimaginable act, McDonald said. While todays sentence will not fill the void left behind, I hope that it brings the family, friends, and loved ones of Ben Kable some level of solace.

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Authorities in Red Lodge are on the hunt for a food-conditioned yearling black bear.

The bear has broken into two vehicles, entered a home and two garages, stolen a backpack and approached people.

The unnatural behavior is the result of the bear finding human or pet food, according to a Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks' statement. As a result, FWP wildlife staff is working to trap and euthanize the bear, given its likely irreversible food-conditioned behavior is a threat to human safety. The bear is one of several that have become habituated to human food sources, the agency added.

FWP officials remind the public  especially those living in areas with high bear populations  to remain vigilant to keep humans and bears safe.

A bears life is dominated by the search for food. Both black and grizzly bears are omnivores, and consume more than 200 different species of plants, animals and fungi. Their natural curiosity and quest for food, however, are also what leads to occasional negative bear-human interactions.

Preventing wildlife conflicts is easier than dealing with one. Residents living near dense bear populations should follow these guidelines and pass them along to neighbors to help prevent community bear conflicts:

 Store garbage in a bear-resistant container and/or inside a similarly resistant building until the day of garbage disposal.

 Avoid leaving attractants next to windows, doors outside walls, or inside vehicles.

 Do not leave out pet food, bird feeders (including hummingbird feeders), bird seed or barbecues.

 Secure vulnerable livestock (chickens, goats, sheep), compost piles and fruit-bearing plants with an electric fence.

For details on building an effective electric fence, visit: mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/wildlife-reports/bears/mfwp_electric-fencing-guide_v4.0.pdf

 Pick fruit from trees and bushes immediately once ripe.

 Keep doors to buildings and vehicles closed and locked.

 Report unnatural or bold bear behavior or bears feeding on human or pet foods to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: 406-850-1131 or the Red Lodge Police Department: 406-446-1234

For more information on staying safe in bear country, visit: fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware.
(This story was updated on Monday, July 31, to include a statement from the Ann Arbor School Board president.)

ANN ARBOR, MI - A parent is alleging in a lawsuit that her autistic son was physically and verbally abused by an Ann Arbor Public Schools bus aide, and the district did not review footage of the incident for five weeks, forcing the child to face his abuser.

The lawsuit was filed July 26 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by Jamie Nelson-Molnar. She alleges the school district, Carpenter Elementary School Principal Michael Johnson and Durham Transportation sent her child onto the bus where he was assaulted by bus aide Rochanda Jefferson.

The assault was hidden from her, as well as law enforcement and Child Protective Services, the suit alleges.

Nelson-Molnar believes Jefferson targeted her 7-year-old son because of his disability, believing she could discipline ordinary autistic behaviors out of him, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit alleges that surveillance footage of the abuse was immediately available to AAPS and Durham, but for reasons unknown, the footage was not reviewed for five weeks.

Defendants ignored and concealed reports of the abuse from other children on the bus based on stereotypes that children with disabilities are bad kids who are unreliable and poorly behaved, attorneys wrote in the lawsuit. AAPS, Johnson, and Durham placed every single child on the bus in danger each day Jefferson remained on the bus in December and January.

The lawsuit alleges that Nelson-Molnar, while unaware of the assaults, continued to tell the school that her son was coming home from school highly distressed and that something was wrong.

On Jan. 19, 2022, five weeks after the alleged first assault, the lawsuit states Johnson admitted to Nelson-Molnar that there had been two incidents on the bus. The lawsuit states AAPS, Johnson and Durham still resisted disclosing details and simply transferred Jefferson to another bus.

Nelson-Molnar only learned of the physical abuse through a teacher who broke ranks to tell the truth, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit states that Pittsfield Township Police Detective Kyle Erskine called Nelson-Molnar on March 15, 2022, to inform her that an incident regarding her son was reported to CPS and that assault charges would be referred to the prosecutors office, which criminally charged Jefferson with child abuse. On June 28, 2023, Jefferson was found guilty of child abuse in a bench trial, the lawsuit states.

Court records show Jefferson was convicted of fourth-degree assault on June 28 in Washtenaw Countys 14A District Court. A pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 10.

AAPS Spokesman Andrew Cluley said the district does not comment on pending litigation.

However, Ann Arbor School Board President Rima Mohammad did issue a statement on behalf of the board.

The board recently learned of the bus incident that occurred in December 2021 and we are deeply concerned and dismayed, the statement reads. Student safety is always our top priority in the AAPS, and we are very sorry to hear about how this incident has impacted the child and the family. As always, we will take all allegations seriously and address them promptly.

In a statement, Durham Transportation said it took prompt action by removing the former aide on the same day the incident was observed on the video.

Immediately after, we contacted both our customer and Child Protective Services, Durhams statement reads. The Ann Arbor Public Schools team and our team collaborated closely throughout, and we fully cooperated with local authorities throughout the process.

Video from the bus on Dec. 14, 2021, shows that during his ride home, the boy moved between different seats and crawled onto the floor while the bus was in motion. He swiped his arm at Jefferson, the lawsuit alleges, with Jefferson audibly responding Im gonna hit you back. . . . I whoop kids.

The boy ran for safety to the back of the bus and sat calmly for several minutes, the lawsuit alleges.

Jefferson proceeded to attempt to restrain the child with a star harness, which the lawsuit alleges violated his individualized education plan with the school district.

While the bus was stopped, the bus driver attempted to help carry the child from a seat in the back to his original seat at the front, where Jefferson had set up the harness, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit states Jefferson roughly took the boy from the bus driver, carrying the boy by his arms to the front of the bus. When the boy began to scream and tried to get away, Jefferson threw the boy into a STAR harness in the front row as the boy continued to scream for help and flailed his arms.

The lawsuit alleges Jefferson did not know how to operate the harness and only partially restrained him.

Video shows that, with the boy restrained in the harness as he continued to scream, Jefferson hit him forcefully and repeatedly, each time raising her right arm into the air before striking him, the lawsuit alleges.

The next day, on Dec. 15, 2021, multiple Carpenter students told AAPS staff they saw Jefferson hit the boy on the bus, the lawsuit alleges, reporting the incident to at least one teacher and one social worker.

On or about the same day, the social worker and/or other AAPS staff gave Johnson written reports about the assault and the interviews with children who witnessed it, the lawsuit states.

A report was filed with Child Protective Services for the incident by an unknown party, on or about Dec. 15, the lawsuit states. No one at AAPS notified Nelson-Molnar that multiple children had separately reported her son had been physically assaulted on the bus, the lawsuit states.

On Dec. 16, the boys teacher contacted Johnson about the assault reported by the students, expressing her sincere concerns that the bus aide was allowed to continue on the bus with Nelson-Molnars son and other children with disabilities, the lawsuit states.

On March 15, 2022, Pittsfield Township Police Detective Kyle Erskine called Nelson-Molnar, informing her that an incident regarding her son was reported to CPS and that assault charges would be referred to the prosecutors office. Officer Erskine said he could not disclose to Nelson-Molnar who reported the incident, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit alleges the boys constitutional rights to due process, bodily integrity and his numerous rights as a child with a disability were violated. Nelson-Molnar requests that the defendants provide medical treatment, educational intervention, repair their special education policies and pay monetary damages.

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FLINT, MI  A former Mt. Morris High School teacher is accused of smuggling fentanyl, a cell phone and other items into the Genesee County Jail during the course of a seven-month conspiracy, the sheriffs office announced this week.

Meredith Ann Leyrer, 54, is charged with delivering/manufacturing less than 50 grams of fentanyl  a 20-year felony  furnishing contraband to prisoners and furnishing a cell phone to a prisoner.
FLINT, MI -- The Genesee County Election Commission has approved recall language against 8th Ward Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer and rejected language targeting 1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays but neither effort appears to be over.

Moments after the commission voted 2-1 to approve the proposed petition language against Pfeiffer on Thursday, July 27, the first-term councilman said he 100 percent would appeal the decision in Genesee Circuit Court.

And a constituent of Mays who has twice attempted to remove him from office this summer, said Thursday that she will continue her efforts to recall him until she succeeds.

Its not true ..., Pfeiffer said of the language approved against him Thursday. That (language) is not a factual statement.

Recall language approved against Pfeiffer, filed by 8th Ward resident Joelana Freeman, is nearly identical to language that was also approved by the commission against three other Flint council members -- Ladel Lewis (Ward 1), Judy Priestley (Ward 4) and Eva Worthing (Ward 9).

It says the council members should be recalled for not having attended a special Saturday meeting to discuss Flints American Rescue Plan Act funding in May.

County Sheriff Chris Swanson voted not to approve the language filed against Pfeiffer, who said a portion of it described the meeting in question as having been properly noticed, which he contested.

Swanson served as one of three members of the Election Commission on Thursday because of the absence of county Treasurer Deb Cherry. County Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons and Probate Judge Jennie Barkey, the other members of the panel, voted to approve the language against Pfeiffer.

All three commission members rejected the petition language proposed against Mays.

The commission is charged with determining whether proposed recall language is clear and factual -- not whether it is true.

State law gives Pfeiffer 10 days to appeal the commissions decision in Circuit Court.

The recall attempt of Mays Thursday was the second such effort by 1st Ward resident Dionne Freeman.

She said after Thursdays meeting that she would file new language until shes authorized to start a recall attempt.

Freemans initial recall language recall drive against Mays said he should be recalled because he was charged with a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct.

The councilman had argued that language wasnt sufficiently clear for voters because he has been charged more than once with disorderly conduct. In the language rejected on Thursday, Freeman added the date of Mays conviction for disorderly conduct earlier this year.

Mays said Thursday that both sets of language filed against him were lacking.

I cant defend against general statements, he said. If she do get past step one, which she has had difficulty doing, well take it from there.

Freeman said she would be back before the commission.

Im not going to stop re-filing until its done, she said after the hearing. I guess Ill just have to go back to the drawing board, which I will.

Even if recall language is approved against an officeholder in Michigan, its a high hurdle to collect the signatures necessary to force a recall election.

In the case of a Flint City Council recall, petition circulators must collect the signatures of at least 25% of the number of votes cast in each ward for all candidates for the office of governor in the last gubernatorial election.

Michigan election law provides for a single special election if recall language is approved and if the petitioner collects the minimum number of valid signatures required.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter

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YALE, MI  The bologna festival is no joke.

While it may seem gimmicky, Yales 33rd Bologna Festival is a celebration of how the processed meat helped build the city into what it is today.

Once a go-to brown-bag school lunch option for thousands of Americans, the well-known bologna will be honored with a three-day celebration in Michigans Thumb this weekend.

Beginning Thursday, July 27, and running through Sunday, July 30, the festival aims to celebrate the meat that built Yale, otherwise known as Bolognaville, USA!

The Yale Bologna Festival has been an annual tradition for the 2,000-person community since 1989. T.J Minnie, a Yale resident in the 1900s, sold his first bologna in 1906 from a small shop on Main Street downtown, according to the events website.

Yales bologna history is carried on by C. Roys Processing, the home of Yale Bologna.

There is no gimmick, it is 100-percent beef, Festival Coordinator Cheryl Wadsworth said. Its just a way to celebrate the tradition of what our town was built on.

Festival happenings include petting zoos, face painting, exotic animal shows, hula hoop contests, parades and fireworks. Rosco the Clown will also be in attendance.

Contests include the outhouse races, horseshoe tournament, bologna ring toss and laser tag.

You can even stick around to see who is crowned as the next King and Queen of Bologna, or even the Bologna Baby (ages 0-3 are eligible), three titles that are assuredly sought out by processed meat enthusiasts.

As for food options, there will be plenty of bologna-adjacent dishes to try. Most of the festivals events are free to the public, Wadsworth said.

A full schedule of events is available on the event website at yalechamber.com.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  In 1966, former President Gerald R. Ford claimed to have seen a UFO.

At least thats what U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., said in his opening remarks Wednesday morning, July 26, during the highly-anticipated congressional hearing on UFOs. Grothman chaired the hearing.

The lack of transparency regarding (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) has fueled wild speculation and debate for decades, eroding public trust in the very institutions that are meant to serve and protect them -- as is evidenced by the large number of people that we have here, Grothman said Wednesday.

I also want to point out in 1966 President Gerald Ford claimed to have seen a UFO. And in 1969 in Georgia, Jimmy Carter claimed to have seen a UFO.

Related: Whistleblower tells Congress the US is concealing multi-decade program that captures UFOs

Carters sighting is well documented, but did Americas 38th president and Grand Rapids resident Ford ever claim to have seen one in 1966?

The short answer: Ford didnt.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library officials say the library was unable to locate any materials indicating Ford, who died in 2006, ever claimed to have seen a UFO.

The mix-up likely stems from Fords push in 1966 for an investigation into UFO incidents in Michigan and the U.S.

In March 1966, coming off the heels of UFO sightings earlier that month in Dexter and Hillsdale, Ford called on his colleagues in the U.S. House to hold a committee investigation into the UFO phenomena.

Ford, then the U.S. House minority leader, said there had been a rash of reported sightings in Southern Michigan and other parts of the country and that the American people were becoming alarmed by the stories, according to a March 25, 1966 press release from Fords office.

Ford called for multiple congressional hearings where witnesses from the government and those that claimed to have seen unknown craft could be questioned.

Ford said he wasnt satisfied with official explanations from U.S. Air Force consultant astrophysicist Dr. J. Allen Hynek that the Hillsdale and Dexter sightings could be dismissed, infamously, as swamp gas, or lights created by the combustion of gasses released by a swamp. Ford called Hyneks explanation flippant.

In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend that there be a committee investigation of the UFO phenomena, Ford said to the chairs of two congressional committees, according to a copy of the March 28, 1966, letter from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.

I think we owe it to the people to establish credibility regarding UFOs and to produce the greatest possible enlightenment on this subject.

While a full-blown congressional investigation like Ford requested was never launched into UFOs, what is regarded as the first public congressional hearing on the phenomena took place April 5, 1966.

Later that year, the Air Force also convened a panel of scientists to study the sightings.

So what happened in March 1966 in Dexter and Hillsdale?

One of the most famous Michigan sightings happened March 20, 1966, in Dexter Township about 12 miles northwest of Ann Arbor.

That night, Frank Manner was with his wife and son at their Dexter Township farmhouse when they saw lights in the sky and then an object descend, according to Ann Arbor News archives.

Manner and his son, Ronald, went out and searched for where the object had possibly landed. They told police they found the object in a nearby swamp and described it as being flat on the bottom and cone-shaped toward the top.

The object appeared to be brown with a quilted effect on the surface and had two lights on the outer edges glowing bluish-green. The color at times intensified and turned bright red. Several times the object brightly lit up.

As the pair watched, the small lights went out. In an instant, it appeared across the swamp about 500 yards away.

Deputies and local police had been alerted of the possible craft.

When deputies approached with flashlights and shone their beams on the object, the light emanating from the object became very bright and then went out.

We then heard the sound of a whistle -- something like a rifle bullet makes when it ricochets off something, Manner said. Then this object went up into the air, passed directly over us and disappeared.

Dexter police officer Robert Hunawill was parked at an intersection near the farmhouse when he reported seeing the object hover above his patrol car and make continued sweeps over the swamp where the first object had been reported to land.

Hunawill watched the object for about five to 10 minutes before seeing three other objects join it. The four objects formed pairs of two before all disappeared into the sky.

Two Washtenaw County sheriffs deputies, who had taken part in the swamp search and saw the objects brilliant white-red light, were later patrolling the area in their squad car when suddenly one of the objects appeared overhead.

From what we could see the object was as large as a small house, kind of pushed down flat, said Washtenaw County sheriffs deputy Stanley McFadden. It had red-green lights on it and movements which could not possibly be made by any aircraft Ive ever heard of.

Two Washtenaw County sheriffs detectives called to the area spotted an object in the sky on their return to headquarters. They pursued it until it disappeared.

A police officer in nearby Chelsea reported that night having pursued one of the objects in the sky but eventually lost sight of it.

Washtenaw County Sheriff Douglas J. Harvey reported his deputies found no evidence of a landing in the area.

If there actually is some type of flying object now making periodic visits, this theory of one coming down for a brief moment and the others hovering over the area for protection seems logical, Harvey said. Right now were not discounting anything.

Looking back at the incident 33 years later, in 1999, Harvey told the Ann Arbor News he still believes the Manner family, his deputies and local police saw something that night.

He didnt buy Hyneks swamp gas explanation.

In the week that followed the Dexter incident, a number of other sightings were reported, including one that happened March 21, 1966, in Hillsdale.

According to Ann Arbor News archives, more than 80 Hillsdale College women saw a strange, flying light over a swamp near their dormitory.

Students reported the light to Hillsdale County Civil Defense Director William Van Horn.

Van Horn said he watched the object through binoculars for more than an hour and saw it emitting wavering orange, red and white lights. The object hovered over the swamp less than 1,000 yards from the dorm.

Hynek said that sighting, too, was likely a product of swamp gas.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI The push to restore the aging Four Star Theater in Grand Rapids is gaining steam, project supporters said Wednesday as they highlighted an expected $1 million in funding for a new marquee, roof, lobby and more.

Standing inside the building, located on South Division Avenue in the Burton Heights Neighborhood, owner Marcus Ringnalda spoke about his goal of transforming the former 925-seat, single-screen theater into a world class, multi-use cultural arts center that focuses on community.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Snoop Dogg is rocking some new ice following his performance with Wiz Khalifa in downtown Grand Rapids earlier this week.

The renowned rappers spent time in the greater Grand Rapids area following Wiz Khalifas High School Reunion Tour stop at the Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, July 25.

During their stay, Snoop Dogg was gifted a $10,000 custom Chuck Taylors chain from Designers Diamonds Customs, 1030 28th St. in Wyoming, while Wiz Khalifa shopped at Street Chef Shaw for some Sawihili and Mexican cuisine after the show.

Demarcus Baty, the owner of Designers Diamonds Customs and Designers Dug Out Barbershop, said he knew Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa were touring through Michigan and was prepared to gift Snoop a custom piece.

The custom jewelry business specializes in unique grills, earrings, glasses, chains, and much more.

We know that you must give to receive, Baty told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Nobodys just going to jump out there and help you, you have to throw things out there.

Baty said this isnt the first time he has gifted custom jewelry to celebrities. He started out by approaching Detroit rapper and producer Trick Trick a few years ago with some diamond earrings.

And the rest was history.

From there, Baty kept in contact with the Motown artist, and pretty soon he was connecting with more artists touring through the Grand Rapids area.

Last year, Baty said he hooked Wiz Khalifa up with a $15,000-$20,000 17-carat KK chain as an homage to the rappers Khalifa Kush marijuana brand.

Its one thing to try to sell something to somebody, but its another thing when youre knocking on their door with a $10,000 item for free, he said. Sometimes when you are the millionaire and the money maker, people tend to forget about you because they say, What can we get him when he has everything?

This time around, Baty said he knew he wanted to put something together that really spoke to Snoop Dogg. He said he asked around Snoops team of people that know him well and quickly got to work.

Baty said that he decided to gift a $10,000 custom necklace that depicts Snoop Doggs favorite blue Chuck Taylors encrusted with natural blue diamonds and a solid 10-carat gold chain.

Just because of me being a fan of his, I know that he always wore his blue Chuck Taylors, he told MLive. When hes relaxing around the house or in laid-back mode, hes going to be in those Chucks. So we took an image off of Google and we turned it into gold and diamonds.

He said that for a custom piece, it usually takes about a month. His team finished it in 12 days, and Snoop Dogg couldnt have been more excited, he said.

Baty purchased tickets to the show and met up with the artist and producer backstage to surprise him with the custom piece, describing it as an awesome experience to watch come to life.

He was ecstatic when I gave it to him, he said. Im just excited and still shaken up. People were paying for meet and greets with Snoop just last week, so its a blessing just to be able to walk in there.

Designers Diamonds Customs in Wyoming gifted Snoop Dogg a $10,000 custom chain as an homage to his favorite blue Chuck Taylors he's worn for decades. (Photo provided to MLive by Riley Sanford)

After the concert, Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg had their sound engineer Bruce Andrews pick up some grub from a local food truck offering Swahili and Mexican cuisine, aiming to support more Black-owned businesses in the area.

Kirel Shaw, owner of Street Chef Shaw, said he was out and about with his friends at Garage Bar on Ottawa Avenue chatting about their business when Bruce Andrews approached them Monday night after overhearing Shaw talk about the food.

He said he would call some people and say when they wanted the food, Shaw told MLive. And then they called us Tuesday at 7:47 p.m. with four orders. So we hopped up, went to our commissary kitchen and did the orders for them.

Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and their team ordered East African chapattis, shredded chicken tikka, a side order of golden coconut curry rice and chicken quesadillas.

The East African chapattis, a common type of flatbread found across East Africa, are stuffed with your choice of protein, topped with Kachumbari and finished with house-made pomegranate garlic aioli. Shredded chicken tikka consists of chicken bursting with Indian spices, made with an overnight marinade and Habanero peppers.

After finishing the food, Shaw said he heard back from Andrews about how delicious the four dishes were.

Its surreal, he said. Its not something youd expect would ever happen to come into this. Its humbling and makes you take a step back and think about making the right decisions when you get to certain spots like this in your life.

For more information about the businesses, visit Designers Diamonds Customs Facebook page or Street Chef Shaws website.

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THREE RIVERS, MI -- For the second time this month, untreated wastewater was discharged into the St. Joseph River. Once again, health officials are warning people to avoid the river.

Officials at the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant notified the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency of an estimated 20,000 gallons of untreated wastewater discharged into the St. Joseph River, the Three Rivers Police Department said on Thursday, July 27.

People are advised to avoid any body contact with the St. Joseph River from the Broadway Street Bridge to the Withers Road Bridge. In other words, the affected area is between Three Rivers and Constantine.

After Constantine, the St. Joseph River flows through South Bend, Indiana, and then back into Michigan through St. Joseph and out into Lake Michigan.

The issue was identified at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, and resolved at 11:30 p.m. that day.

Wednesdays heavy rains overwhelmed the temporary pumps that are directing waste to the plant, the city said. The pumps are being used as the city continues to complete repairs to the system, which broke earlier this month.

RELATED: Kayakers floated among 500K gallons of sewage. The health warning came days later.

The no-contact advisory includes any type of body contact with the river for recreational activities such as tubing, kayaking, swimming, canoeing or fishing, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency said.

People should also keep animals out of the water.

The advisory is in effect until water samples from the river have been analyzed and demonstrate that coliform bacteria levels are back at normally expected amounts. Anyone having contact with the river after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday is advised to take a shower and wash any clothing that was in contact with the river. Pets should also be bathed if they were in contact with the water, health officials said.

Numerous infectious diseases are associated with contact with fecal coliform and this advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure to protect the publics health. If you have concerns about your health contact your provider, the city said.

For more information, visit www.bhsj.org, follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/BHSJCHA or Instagram www.instagram.com/bhsj_healthagency.

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VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI  A former police chief accused of dealing drugs is heading to a jury trial.

Now-retired Hartford Police Chief Tressa Beltran, 57, waived her right to a preliminary examination Wednesday, July 26, in Van Buren County District Court. Her case was bound over to Van Buren County Circuit Court.
GRANT, MI  The clock is ticking for Grant Public Schools to negotiate a new contract with Family Health Center, the districts school-based health provider, after the Grant school board abruptly voted to end its contract with the clinic in June.

Family Health Center, which operates the Child and Adolescent Health Center located inside Grant Middle School, will begin vacating the school premises in the next month if the district does not finalize a new contract by the first day of school on Aug. 28, company spokesperson Alan Neushwander told MLive.

Representatives from the school district and the health center are expected to meet for the first time Wednesday, Aug. 2, to begin contract negotiations.

In letter to the community this week, the Grant Board of Education said it ended the clinics contract due to multiple concerns with the agreement  although the July 23 letter did not identity any concerns. Board president Ken Thorne did not respond to calls or emails from MLive/Muskegon Chronicle about the specific concerns.

The health center was engulfed in controversy last fall because of a mural inside the center that included some LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) imagery, which was painted by a student who had won an art contest.

Related: After LGBTQ mural controversy, West Michigan school board in talks to keep district health center

Neushwander said the clinic has received zero communication from the board about any specific concerns the district had with the health center.

Family Health Care remains unaware of the concerns noted in the Grant Public Schools Board of Education letter to the community, the clinic said in a statement in response to this weeks letter. Despite the letter saying the school board chose to step back from the contract so that additional communication could occur, we have not had any communication that shares what those concerns may be or how they may be addressed.

At a June 19 board meeting, the Grant school board abruptly voted to end the clinics contract, in an agenda item that was added last-minute by trustee Rachal Gort. Superintendent Brett Zuver said the decision left him stunned, as there was no prior discussion about ending the health centers contract.

Three weeks later, the school board voted to renegotiate a new contract with Family Health Center. The boards July 10 vote did not guarantee Family Health Center would be able to stay, but stipulated that the district and health center would have to come up with terms agreeable to the board in order for the school board to agree to a new contract.

The school board has told Family Health Center that it must vacate the schools premises by Oct. 6 if the board does not approve a new contract agreement.

However, Neushwander said the clinic plans to begin vacating the school building by the start of school on Aug. 28, if the board does not come to an agreement by then. He said the health center is hopeful that the board can vote on a new contract at its next scheduled meeting, on Aug. 14.

At this point, they need to make a decision quickly so we can make our own transition plan, because we also have staff that are affected, he said. As an employer, we have to do whats right for our staff to ensure they have jobs, because its not fair to them.

Zuver and the Grant Public Schools attorney are set to meet with representatives from Family Health Center on Wednesday, Aug. 2, to start contract negotiations. Zuver told MLive he remains confident that the two parties will be able to come to an agreement.

We want to make this a win-win situation, he said. The biggest thing, always, is looking out for our students and our families. Thats remains that number one priority, always, is their safety and our ability to help them.

The superintendent said the school board has not had any public discussions about whether it would hire a new health care provider, if it doesnt reach an agreement with Family Health Center.

Family Health Center has been operating inside the school since 2010 under an agreement where Grant Public Schools provided the space for the health center, and the clinic covered all other operating costs for the center.

The Child and Adolescent Health Center, located in the middle school, is open to all children and teens, regardless of whether they are a Grant Public Schools student, Zuver said.

All services provided at the school-based clinic are provided with no out-of-pocket cost to families. The center offers everything from medical and dental care, to vision, hearing and mental health services, the superintendent said. The district enrolled 1,678 students last year.

Last year, the center served just under 700 students. Zuver said the center has made health care more accessible to hundreds of families in the area.

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Former Michigan Republican Party co-chair Meshawn Maddock pleaded not guilty this week to eight felony charges stemming from her participation in an alleged scheme to replace Michigans electoral college representatives with a slate of Republicans to subvert the 2020 election.

In a Tuesday hearing over Zoom, Maddock pleaded not guilty to all eight felony charges, according to court records.

Maddock is one 16 Republicans charged last week by Attorney General Dana Nessel, which allegedly sought to secure a second term for then-President Donald Trump.

More: 16 people face felonies in 2020 Michigan false electors scheme

The would-be electors, according to multiple accounts, met in the basement of then-Michigan Republican Party Headquarters on Dec. 14, 2020, and signed documents claiming to be the duly and qualified electors convening in Michigans Capitol to cast votes as required by Congress. Neither were true. After walking to the Capitol, Michigan State Police turned them away at the door.

Electoral college representatives votes are conveyed to Washington, DC, where the selection of the next president is finalized. Michigans constitution requires its electoral college votes to reflect the states popular vote. Then-candidate Joe Biden beat incumbent President Donald Trump in Michigan by more than 154,000 votes in the November 2020 election.

These false documents were then transmitted to the United States Senate and National Archives in a coordinated effort to award the states electoral votes to the candidate of their choosing, in place of the candidates actually elected by the people of Michigan, Nessels office said in a statement.

The felony charges surround forgery and election law forgery, meaning prosecutors will have to prove there was an intent to deceive or defraud another party. Mari-Ann Henry of Brighton was also arraigned July 25 and pleaded not guilty on all counts, according to court filings.

Related: An uphill battle: how a Hawaii election could complicate Michigans pro-Trump electors case

Maddock was co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 2021 to 2023, serving as No. 2 to chair Ron Weiser. Maddock has been known for her close ties to Trump and is supporting his run for a third presidential nomination.

The current party leadership has dismissed the charges as a politically-motivated stunt aimed at influencing the 2024 election, referring to Nessel as a tyrant for bringing charges. Nessel had first referred to her investigation into the scheme to the federal government, but when no charges emerged, reopened the case.

More: Michigan GOP, after a pause, excoriates Nessel over Trump elector charges

When government officials use their positions to target and oppress certain groups or individuals, it sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of our representative government and our civil liberties, party co-chair Malinda Pego said at a news conference last week. The weaponization of government power against citizens that only erodes trust in our legal system, but also threatens our fundamental rights and freedoms that we hold dear.

The pro-Trump slate of electors included other prominent Republicans, such as Kathy Berden, one of three Republican National Committee representatives for Michigan; Kent Vanderwood, the mayor of Wyoming; Stan Grot, Shelby Townships clerk and Marian Sheridan, the partys current grassroots vice-chair.

According to the Department of Attorney General, the individuals charged are:

Kathy Berden, 70, of Snover

William Choate, 72, of Cement City

Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc

Clifford Frost, 75, of Warren

Stanley Grot, 71, of Shelby Township

John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix

Mary-Ann Henry, 65, of Brighton

Timothy King, 56, of Ypsilanti

Michele Lundgren, 73, of Detroit

Meshawn Maddock, 55, of Milford

James Renner, 76, of Lansing

Mayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms

Rose Rook, 81, of Paw Paw

Marian Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield

Ken Thompson, 68, of Orleans

Kent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming

The remaining defendants face arraignment over the next two weeks. A preliminary examination in Maddocks case has been scheduled for Aug. 11.

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Legislation to make a state program assisting Michigans low-income households pay their utility bills permanent was one of many clean energy bills signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday, July 27.

Whitmer said in a statement the new laws are intended to build on her healthy climate plan, as well as help lower energy costs for Michigan residents and create good-paying jobs.

With these bills, we will help more communities unleash innovative clean energy resources, provide vital energy assistance to help families stay warm in winter, and create good-paying, high-skilled jobs right here in Michigan, Whitmer said. I look forward to working with the legislature this fall to cement Michigan as a national leader on climate and clean energy jobs.

Senate Bill 14 signed Thursday repeals a Michigan law that limits state regulators from making administrative rules stricter than their federal counterparts.

The law was among several passed at the end of former Republican Gov. Rick Snyders term that weakened or limited environmental protections, such as changing the definition of protected wetlands, increasing the allowable radioactivity of waste accepted at landfills, and curbing the states ability to use up-to-date toxicology when regulating pollution cleanups.

Related: Michigan a step closer to stricter environmental rules than feds

Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said Michigans environmental challenges are unique, and the state should be able to set best fit standards that protect our land, air, water and public health.

An additional bill package  House Bills 4317 and 4318  would, among other things, allow local governments to establish solar energy districts and grants these facilities certain tax exemptions. It outlines the needed requirements for facilities within these districts, such as the requirement that these facilities produce at least two megawatts of solar energy power, and also discusses the process for these projects to apply for a solar energy exemption certificate to receive payment in lieu of taxes.

Lastly, Senate Bills 302 and 303 would expand the eligibility of properties and projects for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing. The program allows local government units to work with contractors on projects to protect against environmental hazards. It has contributed to more than $332 million in energy savings for Michigan businesses over the last decade, according to the governors office.

Laura Sherman, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, said the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program will be able to provide business owners even more opportunities to utilize cost-effective financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

She added that, by providing solar facilities with an alternative tax option, local communities can better partner on projects with Michigan advanced energy businesses, providing more tax revenue certainty that supports local services such as police, fire and libraries.

Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer with the Michigan Environmental Council, said while these policies are a step in the right direction, more must be done.

Now is the time to get to work to on legislation that fully adopts the Governors MI Healthy Climate Plan, Jameson said.

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Michigans weekend forecast may be calling for clouds, but thats unlikely to keep residents home for the final days of July.

Those who choose to travel the state may experience construction-related traffic delays as another 40 new projects are slated to close lanes, and even full stretches of road, from Friday, July 28, through Sunday, July 30.

Construction projects will close parts of U.S. 23 in Washtenaw County, as well as I-94 in Macomb County, I-75 in Oakland County, U.S. 131 in Kent, and U.S. 31 in Grand Traverse County, according to the Department of Transportation.

All projects are weather dependent, and state officials remind drivers to follow posted signage.

Below are some of the road projects to be aware of this weekend. A complete list is available through MDoTs online map and construction list.

U.S. 23 in Washtenaw County

Demolition and rebuilding of the Stony Creek Road bridge in Washtenaw County begins this week, which may impact U.S. 23 traffic in the area.

Starting Friday evening and continuing through the weekend, U.S. 23 will be closed nightly from Arkona Road to Willis Road. Traffic will be detoured via Carpenter Road.

Stoney Creek Road will also be closed at U.S. 23 from 7 a.m. Friday through early November.

This weekends work is part of a $69 million project to improve U.S. 23 and Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12), including adding new lanes on U.S. 12 in both directions beginning just west of the Pittsfield Township police station and extending across U.S. 23 to Carpenter Road.

I-94 in Macomb County

A segment of I-94 in Macomb County is scheduled to close its right lane from 7 a.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday near New Haven. The closure on the highway will be between County Line Road and 23 Mile Road (M-29).

The highway will also have a double-lane closure for eastbound traffic between 12 Mile Road and I-94 from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

I-75 in Oakland County

A number of lane closures on I-75 are scheduled throughout the weekend in Oakland County.

One such project will close the left two lanes of the highway between Davisburg Road and M-15/Ortonville Road from 5 a.m. Saturday through noon Sunday. Then from 5 a.m. Saturday through early Monday morning, the right two lanes on the northbound side will be closed between Belford Road and Saginaw Road, and between M-15 and Rattalee Lake Road.

Additionally:

Double-lane closures throughout the weekend will impact northbound and southbound traffic from I-696 to 14 Mile Road.

A left-lane closure throughout the weekend will impact northbound traffic between 8 Mile Road and I-696.

The service drive from John R. Road to the I-75 entrance ramp and the I-75 ramp itself are scheduled to close from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

I-94 in Wayne County

Exit ramps from eastbound I-94 to northbound Gratiot Avenue (M-3) and Conner Street will be closed Saturday and Sunday with work scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

U.S. 31 in Grand Traverse County

Both directions of U.S. 31 between M-37 and Sullivan Road will have lane closures starting Friday and continuing into mid-September. Single-lane closures are scheduled between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily and will include both the right and left lanes.

U.S. 131 in Kent/Montcalm counties

Early morning drivers on U.S. 131 in West Michigan may experience intermittent closures between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Saturday. The work area is between 17 Mile Road and 22 Mile Road in Kent and Montcalm counties.

I-96 in Livingston County

The ramp from westbound I-96 to northbound U.S. 23 in Livingston County will be closed for construction from 6 a.m. Saturday through 5 a.m. Monday. Traffic will be detoured using Spencer Road and eastbound I-96 to get to northbound U.S. 23.

I-75 in Monroe County

Double-lane closures on I-75 in Monroe County may cause overnight traffic slowdowns Thursday and Friday evenings in Monroe County. The closures are scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday through midnight Friday, and 9 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday.

I-94 in Calhoun County

Road work in Calhoun County began requiring lane closures earlier this week and will continue over the next month. The intermittent single-lane closures are scheduled for overnight work between Old U.S. 27 and F Drive N in Albion.

Read more on MLive:

Lane closures on Fulton Street go into effect as road project continues

Human case of swine flu linked to Michigan county fair

Dark sky island: Beaver Islanders embrace Michigans darkest nights

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Health officials have identified the first human case of swine flu linked to this years Oakland County Fair.

The presumed positive test result came from a Lapeer County resident who was an exhibitor at the fair July 7-16 at Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg, according to the state health department. No further details about the person were provided.

A respiratory specimen will be sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to confirm its a positive case of the influenza A H3 variant.

Last week, state officials found several pigs at the fair tested positive for swine flu. While rare, swine flu can be spread from pigs to humans through respiratory droplets, and subsequently from human to human.

On Wednesday, July 26, the state reported the first human case stemming from the fair. Representatives of the Oakland County Health Division had been reaching out to exhibitors and their families to gauge if there had been any spread to people.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigans chief medical executive, said visitors of the fair should monitor for flu-like symptoms including fever, respiratory symptoms like cough and runny nose, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms can take up to 10 days to appear.

If you believe you may have the flu, contact your health care provider and stay home until you have recovered, Bagdasarian said.

Swine flu has not been shown to spread through eating properly handled and prepared pork or other pig products, according to the CDC.

Like other types of the flu, some cases can lead to severe illness. People who are at high risk of developing complications include children younger than 5, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

The annual flu shot does not prevent influenza A H3. However, there are antiviral drugs that are effective in treating infections and early treatment works best.

Health care providers in the area have been alerted to watch for people presenting with respiratory symptoms who report exposure to swine or who visited the fair.

Last year, the state identified a case of swine flu in a fairgoer who attended the Berrien County Youth Fair in Berrien Springs.

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In an effort to fortify the HR landscape and promote professional growth among Human Resource (HR) professionals, the CEO of SEDAT Consult, Mrs. Patricia Abena Kissi, alongside her dedicated team, recently paid a courtesy call on the esteemed President of the Kumasi Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM), Mr. Osei Afriyie.

The visit was aimed to underscore the significance of the upcoming SEDAT HR Conference scheduled to be held in Kumasi.

The meeting resonated with a shared commitment to enhancing the HR profession and empowering HR professionals to thrive amidst evolving industry dynamics. Both parties engaged in a fruitful discussion, emphasizing the essential role HR professionals play in the overall success of organizations and the broader community.

The President of CIHRM, in his address, highlighted the pressing need for HR professionals to advocate for and safeguard the integrity of their profession. Drawing parallels with other esteemed professions, he stressed that HR professionals should unite in protecting the sanctity and value of HR management, just as any other professional group would.

"HR Professionals must stand as the guardians of the HR profession. We should be relentless and assertive in ensuring ethical practices, upholding standards, and maintaining professional excellence. Like any other professionals, we must actively protect and defend the reputation of HR," expressed the President of CIHRM.

Undoubtedly, the upcoming SEDAT HR Conference in Kumasi on October 19 provides a valuable platform to advance these shared objectives. As an esteemed event in the HR community, the conference aims to foster innovation, embrace technological advancements, and explore future trends that shape the HR landscape. Through interactive workshops, engaging panel discussions, and insightful keynote addresses, the conference endeavours to equip HR professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to thrive in their roles.

With the theme "Transforming HR: Innovation, Technology, and Future Trends," the conference aims to provide an enriching and thought-provoking experience for all attendees.

Mrs. Patricia Abena Kissi echoed the sentiments of the CIHRM President, emphasizing that HR professionals must take full responsibility for their continuous professional development. "Investing in oneself is not a luxury but a necessity. The world of HR is dynamic and constantly evolving. HR professionals should actively engage in learning and growth opportunities to stay relevant and provide valuable contributions to their organizations," affirmed the CEO.

Both parties agreed that the SEDAT HR Conference serves as an avenue for HR professionals to enrich their knowledge, strengthen their networks, and nurture lasting professional relationships. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, the conference encourages HR professionals to embrace their role as strategic partners in organizational success.

The President of CIHRM expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming SEDAT HR Conference, while the CEO of SEDAT Consult pledged ongoing support for the advancement of the HR profession.

As the date for the conference draws near, the HR community in Kumasi eagerly anticipates an enlightening and transformative event. The collaboration between SEDAT Consult and CIHRM exemplifies the spirit of unity, determination, and continuous improvement that are the hallmarks of empowered HR professionals.

With unwavering commitment, HR professionals will surely ascend to greater heights, safeguarding their profession and pioneering the future of HR in a rapidly evolving world.
All is set for the Special Electoral College of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following the balloting for aspirants on Wednesday, July 26.

The 10 aspirants for the flagbearer election of the ruling party were invited to the party headquarters today for the balloting.

At the time of the draw, seven out of the 10 flagbearer hopefuls were available in person while the remaining three had their representatives present.

The exercise supervised by the Electoral Commission ended with Assin Central MP Ken Agyapong picking number 1.

He will be the first candidate on the ballot papers for the special delegates election followed by former Minister for Trade and Industries, Alan Kyerematen.

Meanwhile, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who is regarded by many as the frontrunner will be Number 10 on the ballot paper.

All 10 aspirants are now expected to intensify their campaign ahead of the special delegates congress on Saturday, August 26.

Below are the positions:

1. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong

2. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen

3. Joe Ghartey

4. Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku

5. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

6. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong

7. Francis Addai Nimo

8. Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku

9. Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko

10. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

After the special delegates congress, the top five aspirants will then battle it out for the flagbearer position in an election scheduled to be held on November 4.

The winner will replace President Akufo-Addo as leader of the NPP to lead the party into the 2024 General Election as the presidential candidate.
The Abuakwa Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District of the Ashanti Region on Tuesday July 25, 2023 sentenced an 18-year-old unemployed Philip Arhin to twenty years imprisonment for robbery.

The convict, Philip Arhin pleaded guilty to all two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery.

However, his accomplice Desmond Opoku 18 who pleaded not guilty was granted GHS 100,000 bail with three sureties to be justified.

The prosecutor Police Insp. Evans Ayibisa presented the facts of the case to the court presided over by Her Honour Maame Efuah Tordimah.

Facts

Insp. Evans Ayibisa revealed that, on July 15, 2023, the complainant reported that on the same day around 7:45pm, he and his wife went to church at Sepaase and whiles returning home around 11:45pm, the accused person armed with a cutlass and a pair of scissors respectively, attacked them on a section of Sepaase Adwafo road and robbed them of the items listed on the charge sheet.

According to the prosecution, on July 16, 2023 around 2:30pm, the complainant spotted Philip Arhin who was in possession of a Samsung J5 phone one of the phones robbed from them and sought the assistance of some town folks who arrested Philip Arhin and handed him over together with the exhibit to the Police.

Al in his investigation caution statement mentioned A2 as the source of the phone and denied his involvement in the alleged robbery. A1 led Police to the house of A2 for his arrest but did not find him in his house.

On 17/07/2023 at 8:30am, Police had information that A2 is on admission at Akropong Government Hospital as a result of a mob action he suffered from a robbery he embarked on at Mfensi.

Police acted on the information and went to the above Hospital and found A2 badly injured on admission receiving treatment. A2 was arrested and placed under guard and was later discharged to assist with investigation. A2 admitted the offence and in his investigation caution statement and mentioned A1 as his accomplice. The accused persons led Police to a bush at Adwafo where they discarded the complainants wife handbag.

The scene was carefully combed and the handbag was found containing the complainants ECOWAS card, wrist watch, a spectacle and an empty wallet. Investigation disclosed that on 15/07/2023 around 10:45pm, A1 armed with a cutlass and A2 armed with a pair of scissors conspired to lay in wait at Sepaase Basic school premises looking for a victim(s) to attack and rob. Whilst waiting for a victim, A1 signalled A2 that they have got a prey approaching.

They trailed the complainant and his wife to a section of the Adwafo road where they threatened to harm them and eventually succeeded in robbing them of the items listed on the charge sheet. The accused persons claimed they sold the other two phones to some passersby in town. After investigation, they were charged with the offences.
27.07.2023 LISTEN

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosome Freho in the Ashanti Region, Mr Kwasi Darko Boateng has donated one thousand bags of cement to some communities in the constituency.

The MP has also donated other building materials including roofing sheets, worth thousands of cedis to some communities in the area.

Hon Kwasi Darko Boateng during the presentation said it was part of efforts to support ongoing projects in the constituency.

Speaking to this reporter on Wednesday July 26, 2023, Mr Kwasi Darko Boateng disclosed that over 30 communities received the cement and building materials.

He added that the donation was done upon request from the constituents.

"There are hundreds of projects ongoing in our communities, some are school projects, Community Centres, and hospitals among others, and as their member of parliament, I pledged to support them with cement and other building materials when they sent me a request to support them.

"In fulfilling the promise, I donated over 1000 cement and other building materials to help complete the ongoing projects," he stated.

The MP said he remains committed to contributing towards the developmental projects in the constituency.

The Assembly Member for Mmrontuo Electoral Area, Hon Boakye Degraft Maxwell on behalf of the constituents expressed gratitude to the MP for the gesture.

He noted that the donation was timely as it will help most of the communities to complete some stalled projects.
27.07.2023 LISTEN

The Concern Youth of Asawase in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region have expressed frustration over what they described as continuous killing of youth in Zongo communities by some policemen across the country.

The group observed that, they find it bizarre and barbaric on the part of some police officers who find delight in the killing of youth in zongo communities.

The group in a press release on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 said they are serving a notice to the leadership of the Ghana Police Service and government that, they will no longer accept any unlawful killing of any Zongo youth.

The press release signed by Harris Umar, President of the Concern Youth of Asawase called on the government to stop the serial killing of youth in Zongo communities.

Their agitation follows the alleged killing of, one Yussif Salawudeen by some police officer at Asawase.

The group has urged the government to as a matter of urgency ensure that, justice is served in this particular instance.

Full Statement bellow.

CONCERN YOUTH OF ASAWASE

The constant killing of the Zongo youth is becoming the promotion of the barbaric act by the Police to continue to victimize the Zongo (YUSSIF SALAWUDEEN)

It is with great sorrow and anger that I address this press to vent our frustration and dissatisfaction over the continuous killing of the Zongo youth by the Police, whose mandate per the constitution of the Ghana is nothing more than the protection of lives and properties, thus, the maintenance of peace and order, however, we find it bizarre and barbaric on the part of some Policemen who find delight in cutting short the lives of our young and potential youth in the zongo community.

We are of the strong view that our approach as a society towards such unlawful killing of our youth in the Zongos maybe isn't serious enough to let the government know and understand how bitter and angry we are whenever our people are innocently killed by some irreplaceable policemen. Over the years, our Islamic clerics, Chiefs, CSO'S and politicians have championed a strong campaign against lawlessness amongst the Zongo communities, hence amplifying the need for the Zongo youth to be law abiding, however, it is beginning to look as though the Police is taken our compliance to the laws as our weakness to take undue advantage over us to kill and deprive the Zongo youth from getting the goals of their destination.

The pain and agony of the Zongo 7 still lingers in our hearts; we thought that was going to be the end of it, until it repeated itself in the Zongo of Ejura within the spin of 7 years, if the Police want to continue to kill us for the government instead of using the taxpayers money to develop the country and create job opportunities for the youth of Ghana to have hopes in their lives, rather than the constant using of the taxpayer's money to pay compensations as a result of the negligence and incompetence of some Police officers.

The CONCERN YOUTH OF ASAWASE are by this notice informing the IGP and the government that; no amount of money is enough to replace a life; this shouldn't be a norm, our innocent brother, YUSSIF SALAWUDEEN, popularly known among his peers as Shilah was a harmless, decent and hardworking young man with a proven good character known by all in the community; he is completely innocent of the purported suspicion by that team of unprofessional Police men who assaulted and brutalized him to death.

The autopsy report from the hospital has confirmed our brother YUSSIF SALAWUDEEN was beaten to death. So, this time the Police can't lie; however, we condemn the act of vandalism at the Police station by a section of the aggrieved youth due to the pain of losing a brother. Two wrongs have never made a right, we seek justice not by breaking the law and disturbing public peace but, rather seek Justice in the most civic and lawful means.

We are calling on the government to as a matter of urgency step in to ensure that justice is served our brother, and the Policemen who killed our brother are brought to book to face the full rigors of law. We the CONCERN YOUTH OF ASAWASE will not rest until justice is served. Enough is enough! Enough of the Kill and Pay by the Police and Government; Allow the Zongo Youth to Grow

Zongo deserves better.

Harris Umar

CONCERN YOUTH OF ASAWASE

President

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Jacob Agyenim Boateng
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)  An Arizona teenager who disappeared days before her 15th birthday nearly four years ago is safe after walking into a small-town police station in Montana this week, authorities announced Wednesday.

Alicia Navarro, now 18, showed up alone Sunday morning in Havre, Montana, a city of 9,200 people about 40 miles from the Canadian border and identified herself to authorities there as the missing teenager from Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix, according to authorities.

Alicia appeared to be fine and in good health, the Havre Police Department said in a statement.

Her disappearance in 2019 sparked a massive search that included the FBI. Glendale police spokesperson Jose Santiago said over the years, police had received thousands of tips.

Her mother, Jessica Nunez, raised concerns that Navarro, who was diagnosed as high-functioning on the autism spectrum, may have been lured away by someone she met online.

She is by all accounts safe, she is by all accounts healthy, and she is by all accounts happy, Santiago said at a news conference.

Investigators were trying to determine what happened to Navarro after her disappearance at age 14 on Sept. 15, 2019. Montana is more than 1,000 miles from Arizona.

Police Lt. Scott Waite said they were investigating all the possible scenarios that could have led to Navarros disappearance, including kidnapping.

As much as wed like to say this is the end, Waite said, we know this is only the beginning of where this investigation will go.

Police said Navarro told them she hadn't been harmed, wasn't being held and could come and go as she pleased. She does not face any criminal charges, they added.

In a short video clip that police said was taken shortly after Navarro arrived at the Montana police station this week, she can be heard telling authorities, No one hurt me. In another short video, Navarro thanked the police.

Thank you for offering help to me, she said.

When she disappeared from her home, Navarro left a signed note that read: I ran away. I will be back, I swear. Im sorry.

Waite described Navarro's reunion this week with her mother as emotionally overwhelming" and that Navarro said she was sorry for "what she has put her mother through.

Nunez confirmed that her daughter had been found but said she had no details.

I want to give glory to God for answering prayers and for this miracle, she said in a Facebook post.

For everyone who has missing loved ones, I want you to use this case as an example, she said. Miracles do exist. Never lose hope and always fight.
27.07.2023 LISTEN

The National Council of Parents Teachers Association of Ghana say governments decision to isolate parents from its policies in the education sector was not helping the country.

According to the association, some comments and posture of government create the impression that parents are not an important factor in the countrys education.

Secretary for the association Gapson Kofi Raphael in an interview with Captain Koda on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM's morning show "Nyansapo", on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 said parents are a key stakeholder in the delivery of quality education in Ghana.

"Ghana is operating open school system, where all stakeholders are needed to play their relevant roles to complement the efforts of the state machinery to ensure the school is strong and firm.

"A lot of infrastructures in many Schools across the country were built by parents, old students, philanthropists and other stakeholders whom we can all attest to the fact that their contributions to infrastructural development have gone a long way to improve education in Ghana.

Why is the government now trying to take parents out of the development of schools, trying to paint a picture that, parents are rather sabotaging government policies", he quizzed.

Mr Kofi Rafael has therefore called on the government to come out with a clear policy on how the parents can support the efforts of the state in providing quality education to Ghanaian children.
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has denied media reports claiming it has granted licences to several companies to exploit Ghanas lithium resources against the national interest.

The Ministry in a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 26, insisted that the issues which has been reported within the media is untrue.

It has thus urged the public to disregard same as it has the interests of the citizenry at the very core of its decisions.

The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to various publications in a section of the media, to the effect that the Government of President Akufo-Addo has granted licences to several companies to exploit Ghanas lithium resources against the national interest.

These stories are totally false. For the avoidance of doubt, no company has been granted a lease, licence and/or permit to exploit, mine and/or produce lithium in Ghana.

Various explorations for this mineral are currently ongoing, and the Ministry has submitted a policy proposal for the regulation, exploitation and management of Ghanas green minerals, including lithium, which is currently being scrutinised by Cabinet, excerpts of the release said.

It added that the Ggovernment is committed to ensuring that the exploitation of these minerals and others are done in a manner that accords with the national interest.

The overarching goal of the policy is to ensure that the exploitation of these critical minerals inure to the benefit of the people of Ghana, the true owners of these resources. When approved, it will form the basis for al agreements, leases, licences, and permits for the exploitation and utilisation of our green minerals.

As the Hon. Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has stated on a number of platforms, both local and international, Government is committed to ensuring that the exploitation of these minerals and others are done in a manner that accords with the national interest.

3news.com
Soldiers claimed to have overthrown the Niger government on Thursday following an apparent coup in the fragile state, after members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president's residence and offices in the capital Niamey on Wednesday, and after talks broke down "refused to release the president," a presidential source said.

"We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime" of President Bazoum, said Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane in a televised address, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers.

They said "all institutions" in the country would be suspended, borders were closed, and a curfew had been imposed "until further notice".

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union both decried what they called an "attempted coup d'etat".

A source close to Bazoum used the same term, saying the bid was "doomed to fail".

The head of ECOWAS said Benin President Patrice Talon was heading to Niger in a mediation bid, after the latest bout of turbulence to hit the region.

President Talon was expected to arrive in Niamey Thursday to speak with both sides to resolve the crisis, after a meeting in Abuja Wednesday with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Bazoum has already faced two attempted coups since taking office in April 2021. By Issouf SANOGO (AFP/File)

The Nigerian leader said President Talon would mediate with both the Presidential Guard and Bazoum with a view to finding an agreement.

One of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, Bazoum was elected in 2021, taking the helm of a country burdened by poverty and a history of chronic instability.

In a message on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, the president's office said "elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper... (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard".

"The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition," the presidency said.

"The president and his family are well," it added. The reason for the guards' anger was not disclosed.

'Madness'

UN chief Antonio Guterres was able to talk to the Niger president on Wednesday afternoon, his spokesman said, and "expressed his full support and solidarity".

The United States has demanded Bazoum's release, saying it was "deeply concerned".

Hours after his detention, Bazoum's supporters tried to approach the complex where he was being held, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.

Bazoum supporters tried to approach the complex where he was being held, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard. By - (AFP)

One person was hurt, but it was not immediately clear if he was injured by a bullet or from falling as the crowd scattered.

The parties of Niger's ruling coalition in Niamey denounced "a suicidal and anti-republican madness" in a statement, saying that "certain elements of the presidential guard sequestered the President" and his family, as well as the interior minister.

ECOWAS called for Bazoum's immediate and unconditional release, and warned all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.

The European Union said it "associates itself" with the ECOWAS statement and attacked "any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability" of Niger.

France -- Niger's former colonial power -- and neighbouring Algeria also issued condemnations, as did the World Bank which said it "strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force" or "destabilise" Niger.

Coup-prone

The landlocked Sahel state has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, and numerous other attempts.

Niger. By Valentin RAKOVSKY (AFP)

Bazoum, a former interior minister, was right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.

Their handover in April 2021, after elections won by Bazoum in a two-round contest against former president Mahamane Ousmane, marked Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence.

But reminders of the troubled past have never been far away.

An attempted coup took place just days before Bazoum's inauguration, according to a security source at the time.

Ally: A helicopter with France's anti-jihadist force in Niger. By BERTRAND GUAY (AFP)

Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader, an air force captain named Sani Gourouza, and former interior minister Ousmane Cisse.

Five people, including Gourouza, were jailed in February for 20 years while Cisse was acquitted.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March "while the president... was in Turkey", according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.

Poverty and jihadism

Niger is two-thirds desert and frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.

It has a surging population of 22.4 million, driven by a birthrate averaging seven children per woman.

Niger is struggling with two jihadist campaigns -- one in the southwest, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists from northeastern Nigeria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, stoking a humanitarian crisis and further straining the economy.

The poorly equipped military is receiving training and logistical support from the United States and France, which have bases there.

Niger last year became the hub of France's anti-jihadist Sahel operations.

The mission was reconfigured after French forces quit Mali and Burkina Faso after falling out with the ruling juntas in those countries.
An Accra circuit court has granted bail to a business to the tune of GH400,000.00 with four sureties, for allegedly defrauding a company of GH320,681.60.

Mr Elvis Owusu-Ansah, 41, allegedly failed to execute a contract for Modex Oil after collecting GH320,681.60 from the Chief Executive Officer of the company for the undertaking.

He was charged with defrauding by false pretence, fraudulent breach of trust and forgery of official documents. He pleaded not guilty.

Owusu-Ansahs accomplice, Madam Nancy Sawyer, 37, also pleaded not guilty to abetment of crime.

The Court presided over by Oheneba Kuffour, admitted the accused persons to GH400,000.00 bail each with four sureties each.

It directed that two of the sureties should be justified.

The case has been adjourned to August 22, 2023.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye told the court that the complainant Mr Kwabena Appiah is the CEO of Modex Oil, and Owusu-Ansah and Sawyer were Managing Director and Secretary of Oaksel Essentials Limited, respectively.

The prosecution said Owusu-Ansah was a resident of Awoshie, Accra.

It said in September 2021, Sawyer introduced Owusu-Ansah to Appiah as a sole proprietor who needed an infusion of capital into his firm, Syyno SAT Technologies.

The prosecution said the accused persons convinced Appiah to finance several supply contracts awarded to Owusu-Ansah by the University of Cape Coast.

It said that based on the representation made by the accused persons, Appiah did his due diligence at the University and confirmed the genuineness of the said contract.

Appiah then asked the accused persons to form a new company called Oaksel Essential Limited to execute the contract.

The prosecution said the complainant appointed an employee of his firm, Daniel Kanger, as his representative on the board of directors, as well as a shareholder in the newly formed company.

It said from September 15, 2021, to November 2021, Owusu-Ansah presented five separate genuine contracts awarded to Oaksel Essential Limited by the University to Appiah for the supply of Mac Book Pro, 55 Samsung television sets and other items totalling GH68,535.00.

The prosecution said Appiah paid for the total cost of the supply from his company's Ghana Commercial Bank account.

The university paid off all five contracts from December 2021 to April 2022.

It said Between November 2021 and April 2022, Owusu-Ansah succeeded in collecting a total of GH 320,618.80 from Appiah based on contracts supposedly signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong.

The prosecution said those contracts were for the supply of respirators, Cambria flat sheets, towels, pillows, bed sheets, dustbins, Lenovo laptops, Cisco products, APC batteries, Hewlett Packard scanners, appliances, Fridges, sponges, and Azar glue.

It said cheques were issued to Owusu-Ansah with respect to all the contracts he presented to Appiah.

The prosecution said investigations revealed that all the contract documents that Owusu-Ansah presented to Appiah between November 12, 2021, and April 29, 2022, were falsified.

Further investigation indicated that Owusu-Ansah had withdrawn the payments made by the University in respect of the first five genuine contracts for his personal use.

He failed to account for those funds.

The prosecution said the University confirmed to the police that the contracts presented to Appiah by Owusu-Ansah between November 12, 2021, and April 29, 2022, were all faked.

GNA
Human rights group Amnesty International has praised Ghana's decision to abolish the death penalty as a "huge win for human rights."

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Amnesty wrote, "The Parliament of Ghana has abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes. A huge win for human rights!!!"

The passage comes after Parliament voted on Tuesday, July 25, to remove capital punishment from the 1960 Criminal and Other Offences Act and the 1962 Armed Forces Act.

The amendment bill was sponsored by Madina MP Francis Xavier-Sosu. It replaces death penalty with life imprisonment.

Amnesty International has actively campaigned for worldwide abolition of capital punishment since 1977.

In November 2022, President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed to an Amnesty delegation the need to remove the death penalty from Ghana's laws.

While Ghana has handed down new death sentences in recent years, totalling 160 as of the end of 2022, no executions have taken place since 1993.

The bill now awaits President Akufo-Addo's assent to become law.

If signed, it would solidify Ghana's suspension of its executions and represent a major human rights victory for the country.
Voters in the flashpoint Central African Republic will cast their ballot Sunday on a controversial plan to change the constitution, opening the door to a third term by President Faustin Archange Touadera.

One of the poorest and most troubled countries in the world, the land-locked nation has been gripped by conflict and political turmoil for more than a decade.

Touadera was first elected in 2016 as the country, with French and UN help, emerged from a civil war that spiralled along sectarian lines following a coup.

Russian paramilitaries arrived in the CAR in 2018 to support the beleaguered armed forces and provide personal security for Touadera. By FLORENT VERGNES (AFP/File)

Violence persists today, albeit at lower levels, swathes of territory are controlled by rebel groups and Touadera himself remains in power with the support of Russian paramilitaries.

Touadera was re-elected in 2020 after a vote stained by accusations of fraud and low turnout -- less than one in three of the electorate cast its ballot, mainly because of intimidation in rebel-held areas.

The proposed constitutional change would raise the presidential term from five to seven years, and scrap its two-term limit.

Touadera's supporters say his tenure would be reset to zero, enabling him to run again for the presidency.

'Will of the people'

"This constitution stems from the public dialogue which was organised in March 2022 -- it stems from the will of the people," said Evariste Ngamana, deputy parliamentary speaker and spokesman for the pro-Touadera majority in parliament.

A third term? Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera. By LUDOVIC MARIN (AFP)

"The goal is to create institutional stability and the right conditions for development."

The main opposition parties and civil society groups are calling for a boycott of the poll, describing it as flawed by an incomplete electoral roll and electoral overseers who lack independence.

Troubled country: The CAR has enjoyed little stability since gaining independence from France in 1960. By (AFP)

"We are faced with a constitutional coup d'etat -- the goal of no-limit (presidential) terms is quite simply about having power for life," said Martin Ziguele, president of the Central African People's Liberation Movement (MLPC).

In Bangui, many people said the CAR should focus on addressing poverty, which afflicts nearly three-quarters of the population, on rooting out entrenched corruption and on ending violence.

"There are people who are dying, insurgencies, holdups, money being siphoned off. But the president has stopped thinking about this -- he just wants to get his third term," complained Fios Manda, a Bangui trader.

Muted protests

But open protests against the referendum have been low-key and Human Rights Watch (HRW) says opponents have been threatened or harassed.

On July 14, only around 500 people attended a protest rally, braving a ban by the authorities who described the initiative as "subversive".

Daniele Darlan, head of the CAR's top court, was forcibly retired after she blocked plans for a committee to draft a new constitution. By FLORENT VERGNES (AFP)

As for the judiciary, the Constitutional Court in September 2022 dealt a humiliating blow to Touadera, scrapping the establishment of a committee tasked with drafting the new constitution.

The court's president, Daniele Darlan, was then targeted in violent verbal attacks by Touadera supporters and in January this year was forcibly retired.

Around 1.9 million electors are eligible to take part in Sunday's vote.

But whether they will be able to is a question clouded, as before, by intimidation in rebel-held areas.

Touadera has said that Russia and Rwanda, which has also increased its influence in the CAR, would "support" security for the vote.

A Wagner-linked outlet said this month that several hundred Wagner fighters had arrived in the country to carry out this task.

Revising the constitution and justifying this to extend two-term presidential terms has become a growing trend in Africa.

With nearly 12,000 troops, the UN mission in the CAR is one of the biggest peacekeeping forces in the world. By Barbara DEBOUT (AFP)

It occurred in Guinea and Ivory Coast in 2020, and emerged as a possibility this year in Senegal, only for the incumbent, Macky Sall, to announce he would step down at the end of his second spell in office.

Last month Mali -- whose ruling military junta is also supported by Wagner -- pushed through a new constitution followed a controversial referendum.

It says the constitution will steer the country's return to civilian rule next year.
Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum on Thursday defiantly vowed to protect "hard-won" democratic gains after he was detained by elite troops who declared they had taken power in the troubled West African nation.

Bazoum was confined in Niamey on Wednesday by members of his presidential guard, who hours later announced that "all institutions" in the country would be suspended, the borders closed and a night-time curfew imposed.

Amid fierce condemnation from African and international organisations and Niger's Western allies, Bazoum has stood his ground.

"The hard-won gains will be safeguarded," Bazoum said on Twitter, which is being rebranded as 'X'.

"All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom would want this".

Niger Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou said the country's "legal and legitimate power" was the one exercised by its elected president.

He told the France24 TV channel that Bazoum was "in good health".

There had been a "coup bid" but "the whole of the army was not involved," he stressed.

"We ask all the fractious soldiers to return to their ranks," he said. "Everything can be achieved through dialogue but the institutions of the republic must function."

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, was heading to Niamey Thursday for mediation efforts, the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said.

Coup-prone

The landlocked Sahel state is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.

It has experienced four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous other attempts -- including two previously against Bazoum.

Bazoum, 63, is one of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, where a rampaging jihadist insurgency has triggered coups against elected presidents in Mali and Burkina Faso.

Their juntas, taking a nationalist stance, have forced out French troops and in the case of Mali have woven a close alliance with Russia.

Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president's residence and offices in the capital Niamey on Wednesday morning, and after talks broke down "refused to release the president," a presidential source said.

Bazoum's supporters hours later tried to approach the official complex, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.

One person was hurt, but it was not immediately clear if he was injured by a bullet or from falling as the crowd scattered.

The coup leaders appeared on television overnight, declaring they were suspending "all institutions" and imposing other measures "until further notice."

"We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime" of President Bazoum, said their leader, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, flanked by nine other uniformed soldiers.

"This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance."

Condemnation

The parties of Niger's ruling coalition in Niamey denounced "a suicidal and anti-republican madness," and condemnation poured in from regional and global leaders.

Supporters of Niger's President Bazoum gather in Nimaey to show their support for the detained leader. By - (AFP)

ECOWAS and the African Union each lashed what they called an "attempted coup d'etat".

The West African bloc called for Bazoum's immediate and unconditional release and warned all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.

The European Union said it "associates itself" with the ECOWAS statement and attacked "any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability" of Niger.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to Bazoum to offer Washington's support, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he "strongly condemns the unconstitutional change in government" in Niger.

Poverty and jihadism

Bazoum took office after elections two years ago, in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition since independence.

He was a former interior minister and right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.

Niger. By Valentin RAKOVSKY (AFP)

But an attempted coup took place just days before Bazoum's inauguration, according to a security source at the time.

Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader. Five people were jailed in February for 20 years.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March "while the president... was in Turkey", according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.

The nation of 22 million is two-thirds desert and frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.

Ally: A helicopter with France's anti-jihadist force in Niger. By BERTRAND GUAY (AFP)

Niger is also struggling with two jihadist campaigns -- one in the southwest, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists from northeastern Nigeria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, stoking a humanitarian crisis and further straining the economy.

burs-ach/ri/jmm
Former President John Dramani Mahama has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration must be blamed for the current economic predicament.

According to Mr. Mahama, in order to hide its mess the NPP is using propaganda to portray the National Democratic Congress (NDC) also as a failure like itself.

In an interview with Pan African TV, he said the development initiatives under his government were unrivalled.

All of us are the same is NPP propaganda. They are in their mess and they want to draw everybody else into their same mess. You have messed the country up, not all politicians are the same but they are happy to push that mantra and make it look like oh whether NDC comes or NPP comes you are better of staying with us.

That is the psychology of the propaganda they are doing, we are not the same. Our party (NDC) has a track record, we have given Ghanaians electricity than any party in the history of this country. Rawlings started the National Electrification programme and the Rural Electrification programme which has brought Ghana 80% electricity coverage amongst the top ten in Africa.

We started the digital revolution in this country, I was Minister of this Communications in this country when we divided post and telecommunications when we created Ghana Telecom, John Dramani Mahama stated.
Former deputy General Secretary for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen has shared his view on the repeal of the death penalty.

The Parliament of Ghana on Tuesday amended the Criminal Offenses Amendment Act, 2022, to substitute the death penalty with life imprisonment.

Speaking to Starr FM in an interview, Nana Obiri Boahen argued that the move is a recipe for chaos and should not have been taken.

According to him, this will lead to mob justices in the country and everybody must be ready for the consequences that will come.

When armed robber shoots your wife and you raise an alarm and luckily one of the armed robbers is arrested then you hand him over to the police who put him before court. He is convicted and just sentenced, come-on you are joking. It is a recipe for chaos now then all of us are going to encourage individuals when people are caught real handed committing a dastardly act we must also meet them with instant justice and that will be fair. Fair will be foul and foul will be fair, Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen said.

He continued, What about those who will be killed? We dont have laws for those who are murdered, those who will fall victim, we dont have laws protecting them. Look I dont need to argue over this, if they have repealed it fine the consequences all of us must be ready for that.

For Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu who championed the scrapping of the death penalty, it is in the good interest of the Ghanaian people.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the aide to Former President John Dramani Mahama has once more revisited the issue of the Dormaahene being dragged before the Judicial Council.

According to the aide to former President Mahama, there is nothing wrong with expressing one's unhappiness with an issue of national concern.

On July 27, she wrote in a tweet, "There is a clear distinction between insults and constructive criticisms."

It is not wrong for an individual, a citizen or judge, sitting or retired to criticize the judiciary. There is a clear distinction between insults and constructive criticisms. We appear to be unable to distinguish between constructive criticisms and barefaced insults, Joyce Bawah Mogtari stated.

Dormaahene speaking at the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Western North regional version of the Professor John Evans Atta Mills Commemorative Lecture in Sunyani appealed for the A-G to drop the criminal charges against James Gyakye Quayson, the Assin North MP.

He insisted that it was needless for Attorney General Godfred Dame to continue the case after the chiefs and people of the Assin North constituency re-elected Mr. Quayson.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu who doubles as the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs said the law has a provision that permitted the A-G to discontinue any case if citizens were not interested.

He said continuing with the criminal trial was an insult to Ghanaians and the people of Assin North.
The two-day Russia-Africa summit is to begin today, Thursday, in St. Petersburg. For Vladimir Putin, it will be a key moment as he attempts to build support in Africa while his international stature weakens. For African leaders, it could be a time to reinforce their own unity and speak with one voice.

Several African leaders are expected at the summit which takes place between Thursday and Friday in Vladimir Putin's native city.

The Kremlin said that 49 out of 54 African countries have confirmed their participation at the summit.

However, other sources say 38 have opted not to send their heads of state.

Second Africa-Russia summit

The summit is the second of its kind, after an inaugural summit held in 2019 in Sochi, in southern Russia.

"Today, Africa is asserting itself more confidently as one of the poles of the emerging multipolar world," Russian President Vladimir Putin said ahead of the event.

The Russian presidency accused Western countries of trying to deter participants.

"Almost all African states have been subjected to unprecedented pressure," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

Despite the alleged pressures exerted by the US and EU on African countries to keep away, many African leaders have already arrived for the conference.

They include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, one of Putin's allies in Africa.

The African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has also arrived in St. Petersburg on Tuesday for the summit, as well as Ethiopia's Prime minister Abiy Ahmed.

The transitional president of Mali, Assimi Goita, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki, and Sudan's delegation led by Malik Agar, deputy head of the country's Sovereign Council, also arrived earlier in the week.

A notable absense will be the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, who's been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

Russia and Ukrainian grain

Putin will discuss Ukraine with the leaders of African countries.

Dominating the agenda, however, is the recent end of the grain deal that had allowed Ukrainian grain exports to reach global markets, including Africa via the Black Sea.

Isolated on the international scene since launching the military campaign in Ukraine, Putin still has support in several African countries.

"Today the partnership is constructive, confident and turned towards the future," Putin wrote on the Kremlin website.

"On 28 July, Vladimir Putin is scheduled to have a working lunch with a group of leaders of African states on Ukraine issues," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin is expected to make a "big statement" at the summit that will address the issue of food and fertilisers, according to Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov. It is also expected to mention technolog and energy resources.

War and peace

For some experts, the summit will also serve as an opportunity for African nations to bury their divisions on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Senior lecturer in politics and international Relations in Leeds Beckett University, Olayinka Ajala, wrote in an article for The Conversation that to get anything tangible out of the summit, African leaders need to speak with one voice, on the Russia-Ukraine war and about the presence of Wagner group mercenaries on the continent.

On the first issue, Ukraine, African leaders have tried to weigh in on diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict.

Last month, a delegation of African leaders visited Moscow and Kyiv to urge both sides to cease hostilities, but the initiative had little effect.

Since the start of the Ukraine offensive, Russia has sought to strengthen diplomatic and security ties with Africa.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been on two tours of the continent this year to win over Africa leaders to Moscow's side.

He emphasised Russia's support against Western "imperialism".

When French President Emmanuel Macron accused Moscow of seeking the destabilisation" of Africa", Russia pointed to France's colonial past.

As for the Wagner mercenary group, while it has been a major player impacting security in Africa, its failed mutiny against Russia's military leadership last month has cast doubt on the future of the group's operations on the African continent.

Just this week, the NGO Human Rights Watch published a report on human rights' violation and the atrocious violence committed by Wagner in Mali.

Next month the BRICS summit is due to take place in Johannesburg in August.

Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant for his actions in Ukraine, will not be attending in person.

(with newswires)
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, says Ghana can not develop if the citizenry is morally undeveloped, apathetic, passive and insensitive.

 Neither Science or Technology can develop a country if its citizens are morally unsound.

Sheikh Shaibu said this at the 2023 National Development Conference by the Church of Pentecost (CoP) at Gomoa-Fetteh in the Central Region.

The two-day event, which is in partnership with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), is to discuss the need for a national moral vision for national development.

It brought together major development partners and stakeholders, including Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, former President John Dramani Mahama, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Ministers of State and the Chief Justice, Madam Getrude Araba Torkonoo.

It is on the theme : Moral Vision and National Development.

The Chief Imams Spokesperson said corruption was the country's most devastating challenge and wondered how it could develop when embezzlement of public funds had become a tradition and the society dominated by selfishness and greed.

He attributed the situation to the loss of moral authority, with growing tide of moral apathy and insensitivity among religious communities leading to the loss of moral direction.

Sheikh Shaibu said societies were governed by moral norms, therefore, the more moral norms were flouted with impunity, the lesser the rate of development.

He said the nation needed moral reorientation with the citizenry imbibed with human values that sustained civilisation and held communities together for centuries.

Sheikh Shaibu said the values included volunteerism, sacrifice, patriotism, integrity, faithfulness, love and sympathy and charged religious bodies to lead the path.

He said that was the only way to resolve the contradiction between a predominance of religiosity and endemic moral decadence. 

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost (CoP), said the country needed an environment that was hostile to corruption.

We must create an environment that is hostile to corruption of water bodies, beaches, immorality, false judgements, and favoritism

He said the way forward was a shared value on morality, because that was the only way politicians could lead with the next generation in mind, and not the next election.

Apostle Nyamekye said without that shared value, the nation would be lost, saying  a vision makes a person, but moral vision makes a nation.

He called for the projection of the National flag, stressing when pastors preach, let them think about the flag. When Parliament sits, let the members think about the flag, not NPP or NDC flags.

The Cop Chairman said the purpose of the Church was the transformation of the National flag and stated its readiness to promote a righteous Ghana.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a speech read on his behalf by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, said the Government had put measures in place to promote transparency and encourage morally upright behaviours.

He said the measures included digitilisation, which was making service delivery effective and transparent.

The President stated the commitment of the Government to protect the environment and fight corruption.

He said efforts were being made to improve the lots of the populace by returning the economy to the highway of growth.

Former President John Dramani Mahama said ethics had great impact on growth and development and that Ghana ought to maintain its high moral compass.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor said morality is humanity, and commended the CoP and the Ghana Journalists Association for organing the event.

Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, said Ghana can work again and charged leaders and the citizenry to put the country first in all endeavours.

We cannot and must not fail our people. Lets put Ghana first for rapid socio-economic development.

He called for a renewed commitment to moral and ethical values, with a call on leaders, especially those in political office, to show openness, accountability and good governance.

Lets uphold high standards of ethics and morality and demonstrate the three Cs -character, competence and care.

He charged the Church to lead the crusade for the change of the mind and heart of the citizenry for a prosperous Ghana.

Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, GJA President, said corruption, indiscipline, impunity and greed had seized the consciousness of the country.

He, therefore, called for a rigorous national development agenda to reshape the moral vision of the country.

GNA
President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Rev. Fr. Stephen Owusu Sekyere, has assured that they will do whatever they have to do in accordance with the schools rules and regulations to ensure discipline among students and curb bullying in schools.

He stated that schools have rules and regulations which are made known to the students during their orientation when they come to the schools.

We as CHASS members will do what we are supposed to do according to the school rules and regulations. I will also suggest that the media should have copies of the rules and regulations so that when someone complains to you that the child has been sanctioned, you can educate the person on the prescribed sanctions for the offenses committed by the student before even calling the headteacher he told Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Sunrise.

When students come to school, they go through orientation and we read everything to them and they sign to it. But when students go wrong and we apply the rules, then you see the headmaster being bashed as if he is the most wicked person in the whole world and you see parents in the media insulting and some family members coming to attack the teacher and the school he lamented.

In the case of the viral video in which a student of Adisadel College is being violently assaulted by another student in the dormitory, the CHASS President told 3FM that I see this to be bullying in the highest order and in a very sharp manner, this one calls for a dismissal instantly and then be reported to the police.

For CHASS we are so sad and we are really not happy about what happened in Adisadel College and we condemn it in all uncertain terms he bemoaned.

He admonished fellow head teachers to immediately report such instances to the police and then use the school internal systems to deal with it.

Rev Fr. Sekyere further urged school authorities to regularly counsel students and also remind them of the schools rules and regulations.

He mentioned that the Director General of Ghana Education Service (GES) has hinted that the new code of conduct for students would be made available to the schools very soon.

The CHASS President again expressed the need for all stakeholders to sit around the table to comprehensively discuss these issues to find how they can collectively and effectively solve the challenges of indiscipline and bullying in schools.

-3news.com
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour

27.07.2023 LISTEN

Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has instructed the Ghana Education Service (GES) and management of Adisadel College to submit to the ministry a disciplinary report on the viral bullying video by the close of work today.

The directive was issued during a meeting on Tuesday, July 25 with the management of Adisadel College and officials of the GES.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the minister also requested that the GES Counselling Unit provide psycho-social support to students as they prepare to take their WASSCE next week.

Rev. Fordjour urged the Central Regional Education Directorate and key Adisadel College staff to collaborate with security officials in the investigation.

A social media video, which went viral on Monday, stirred indignation, raising questions about the security of students in the nations educational institutions.

In the said video, an older-looking student is shown strangling another student before slamming the victims face into a metal bed in their dormitory.

The victim was later seen in the video with a swollen face and bruises, whilst some other students looked on, videotaping the incident.

As a result, both the abuser and the victim have been suspended by the schools management. While the abuser is a West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) candidate, the victim has also been suspended for failing to report the assault.

He is expected to write his examinations on campus under parental supervision.

Meanwhile, the GES has praised management of Adisadel College for taking a swift action to suspend the culprit pending further investigation.

The GES, also in a statement, indicated, however, that it was deeply concerned about the barbaric act and strongly condemned the act of violence at the school.

According to a statement signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Head of Public Relations, the GES reiterated, We applaud the school authorities for taking swift action to suspend the culprit pending further investigation.

The statement said the GES views acts of violence in schools as utterly unacceptable and detrimental to students overall well-being, and thus is steadfast in its commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students across the nation.

-DGN online
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday offered free grain to six poor African countries as he launched a summit with leaders from the continent days after withdrawing from the Ukraine grain export deal.

The two-day summit in Putin's native Saint Petersburg is being scrutinised as a test of his support in Africa, where he retains support despite international isolation sparked by his military intervention in Ukraine last year.

Russia last week refused to extend a deal under which Ukrainian grain exports passed through the Black Sea to reach global markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices.

In a keynote address at the summit, Putin promised to send grain to six African countries.

"In the coming months we will be able to ensure free supplies of 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea," Putin said.

Over a year, the grain deal allowed around 33 million tonnes of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, helping to stabilise global food prices and avert shortages.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed African leaders attending the summit to demand answers about the grain disruptions that have propelled poorer nations towards crisis.

The Kremlin accused Western countries of trying to pressure participants to the summit. By yegor aleyev (TASS Host Photo Agency/AFP)

"They know exactly who's to blame for this current situation," Blinken said of the leaders.

"My expectation would be that Russia will hear this clearly from our African partners," he said Thursday during a visit to New Zealand.

Seventeen African leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are expected at the Russia-Africa summit taking place on Thursday and Friday.

The Kremlin has accused Western countries of trying to prevent African states from participating in the summit.

The summit is the second of its kind after an inaugural one held in 2019 in Sochi, southern Russia.

'Find common ground'

On Friday, Putin is set to discuss Ukraine during a working lunch with a group of African heads of state, according to the Kremlin.

The situation in Niger, where President Mohamed Bazoum has been detained by soldiers following a coup bid, is "actively" discussed on the sidelines of the summit, the Kremlin spokesman said.

"It will likely be discussed in some way during the central events of the summit that will take place tomorrow. And today too," Dmitry Peskov added.

The summit will be an opportunity to exchange views on key issues, according to Vsevolod Sviridov of the Centre for African Studies at HSE University.

Since the coronavirus pandemic and the launch of the military offensive in Ukraine, "the framework in which Russia and Africa interact has seriously changed", Sviridov told AFP.

Seventeen African leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are expected at the Russia-Africa summit. By Stanislav KRASILNIKOV (TASS Host Photo Agency/AFP)

"It is necessary to find common ground, to explain to each other positions on topical issues, for example, the grain deal," he added.

Putin has already held talks Wednesday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, praising their joint energy projects.

Representatives of African states continued to arrive in the former imperial capital ahead of the summit, including delegations from Mozambique and Libya, Russian state news agency TASS said Thursday.

Since the start of the Ukraine offensive, Russia has sought to strengthen diplomatic and security ties with Africa.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been on two tours of the continent so far this year, trying to win over leaders to Moscow's side by emphasising Russia's stand against Western "imperialism".

Russia's Wagner mercenary group has been a major player in the security sphere in Africa but its failed mutiny against Russia's military leadership last month has cast doubt on the future of the group's operations on the continent.

The summit in Saint Petersburg comes a month ahead of a summit of leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) due to take place in Johannesburg.

South Africa has said that Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant for his actions in Ukraine, will not be attending in person.
27.07.2023 LISTEN

Students of Nuru Ameen Islamic School at Asawase in the Asokore Mampong Municipal in the Ashanti region have been sensitized on breast cancer.

They were also clinically screened for breast cancer, in an exercise aimed at creating breast cancer awareness among the school-going group.

The President of Breast Care International (BCI) Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai during the education made a pictorial presentation on the disease to buttress the existence of the disease.

The exercise was held at the Assembly Hall at the school premises on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, where they were educated on the causes, prevention and control of breast cancer.

Dr Wiafe Addai stated that the younger generation like secondary students needs to be aware of the disease and its negative consequences on their future.

She believed that if the young ones are well educated on the disease, they will be in a better and well-informed position to educate their family members on the disease.

As young generation you need to be educated on breast cancer to enable you have enough information about to help also educate your family members, she said.

Dr Wiafe Addai who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals took the gathering, mostly female students, on self-breast examination; an act of examining ones breast to find a lump.

Breast cancer is avoidable, curable and treatable if detected early. So anytime you notice any change in/on the breasts, you have to immediately report it to the hospital for medical checkup, she posited.

Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai also dispelled the misconception among the students that the disease is caused by witchcraft and therefore must be treatable spiritually.

She explained that the causative agents of the disease are yet to be established but taking precautions is a key in preventing the disease.

According to her certain lifestyles like smoking, bleaching, consuming too much fatty foods, alcoholic beverages among others may lead to contracting the disease.

The Assistance Headmaster (Academics) of Nuru Ameen Islamic School, Mrs Ama Nyarko Attafuah Quainoo, on behalf of the school expressed their gratitude to BCI.

She urged the students to take the education on breast cancer serious and advised them to propagate the knowledge acquired to their families to reduce the spread of the disease.
27.07.2023 LISTEN

The Deputy Director, Events and Programs for the Volta Regional Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Godwin Mawutor Wuankah has vowed to snatch the Ho West Parliamentary seat from Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra for the NPP in the 2024 general elections.

The Akome Electoral Area Coordinator of the NPP, an experienced entrepreneur and professional, serving as the Director of Accounts and Finance at Bizline Consult gave this assurance as he picked his nomination forms at the party's constituency office at Dzolokpuita in the Ho West Constituency on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

Mr. Godwin Mawutor Wuanka is the second to pick his nomination forms out of the expected four to contest the NPP primaries in the Ho West.

Speaking to the media, Godwin bemoaned the state of Ho West in terms of development.

"Ho West is a constituency that needs assistance and support but it will surprise you that the calibre of people who got the opportunity to transform the constituency that we have been looking forward to that can support Ho West in diverse but the value remains the same. The problem is the same, it means it not getting better but rather increasing for example youth unemployment is on the rise in the Constituency," he stated.

He believes it's the time for the youth to transform the Ho West hence his decision to pick nomination forms to contest the parliamentary primaries in the party and subsequently win to contest the parliamentary seat.

"We have had research conducted on the Ho West in terms of development so our target is not even on NPP aspirants. The target is NDC precisely EKB sixteen years, if you have skills and strategic plans for development you can use sixteen years even ten years is enough for it to manifest to transform Ho West but the value is the same," Mr Wuanka noted.

He is however promising an insurance policy that could cover the citizens of Ho West aimed at cutting down financial challenges and burdens the people of Ho West faces in times of emergencies.

"It will surprise you that people of Ho West borrowed money for even funerals, it is sad! but we are coming with an insurance policy, we will make sure we ensure every household or at least one person could benefit from each household in Ho West, the whole of Ghana last week per the insurance companies the policy was 1%. So I want to assure Ghana, the people of Ho West that when they vote me to represent them in parliament the Ho West insurance coverage will be up to 50% in my first term of office as an MP," he stated.

Mr. Wuanka again promised the establishment of a financial institution in the Ho West to aid and transform businesses in the constituency if he wins the Parliamentary sit on the ticket of the NPP in the Ho West.

"We are going to bring back financial institutions to Ho West even if not financial institution we shall bring back agency banking to aid small scale businesses to have easy access without travelling to Ho before they can do their banking transactions. Besides, we are going to create financial packages for businesses. We shall make sure we train them on entrepreneurship and then help them with mentoring programs and when they are investor ready we shall present them to the financial institution so they can build their businesses," he stated.

According to him, people in the Ho West Constituency will begin to rely on and feed themselves with their own farm produce from the Ho West when he becomes the MP for the constituency.

He disclosed that about two weeks ago he engaged some international organization to aid farmers in training and also provide insurance packages to farmers and buy crops from the farmers directly.
Obuasi is widely known for its historic rich mineral wealth. For more than a century, Obuasi has been a pillar driving the economy of Ghana. Yet, little is known of its Agricultural wealth and prowess.

Contrary to the popular perception that lands in Obuasi are losing its fertility to the effects of mining activities, Agricultural thrives in Obuasi.

According to the Municipal Chief Executive Hon Elijah Adansi-Bonah in his speech at the 2021 farmers day, Obuasi is not affected by the Dutch Disease since 52% of our people are into Agriculture whiles 29% of us are in the public service with only 19% of the people in the mining sector.

These statistics according to the MCE clearly state that agriculture is the mainstay of the people of Obuasi.

One man who stands out and clearly demonstrates the success and influence of farming in Obuasi on his life is 52-year-old Godfred Omega from Nhyiaeso.

Speaking to this reporter, Mr. Omega said she was going through hardships until he embraced farming.

Sharing his success story, Mr. Omega said life was unbearable for him and his family. He said after painstaking reflection on how to pick up the pieces and earn a living, he took to farming.

He said through farming, he has renovated his family's mud-house into a block building. "I am now the breadwinner of my family having employed all my siblings in my farm and pay them myself".

He said he has also acquired a fleet of vehicles and motorcycles for himself since he delved into farming.

Mr. Omega said he has 12-acres of maize, 1-acre of yam,2 cocoa farms, 6-acre of oil palm which he planted last year and 4-acres of oil palm which he planted this year. He again revealed that he has a large vegetable farm to his credit.

He attributed his success story to the healthy collaboration he enjoys with the extension officers from the Agric department in the Obuasi Municipality. He said that whiles the department offers him technical advice, they have also supported him with farm implements like cutlasses, wellington boots as well as DDT, Ammonia, seedlings and fertilizers.

"Since my 3-year association with the Agric department I have not encountered any challenge on my farm," he stated.

He admonished the people of Obuasi especially the youth to develop an interest in farming which he said has enormous benefits.
Three military officers and three civilians are facing trial for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rob a bullion van owned by Golden Team Mining Resources Limited, a mining company in Kumasi.

The six accused individuals are facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery.

According to the charge sheet, the driver of the mining company is accused of conspiring with the five others to carry out the robbery of the bullion van that transports gold from the company's location in Hwidiem, Ahafo region, to Kumasi. However, the mining company became aware of the planned robbery and promptly alerted the Ashanti regional police intelligence department and the Ahafo regional police command.

As a result, the driver was arrested, and subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of the five other suspects believed to be part of the operation. The three military officers are currently in custody under military command in Kumasi, while the three civilians are being held by the police.

During their court appearance at the Atasemanso circuit in Kumasi, the plea of the accused was not taken, and the prosecution requested additional time to conduct further investigations. Consequently, the case has been adjourned to August 21, 2023.

While the court granted bail to the accused persons, they have not yet met the bail conditions, which require each of them to provide One hundred thousand Ghana cedis and three sureties with a landed property to be justified.

Following the court proceedings, the lawyer representing Golden Team Mining Resources Limited called on the leadership of various security services in the country to take decisive measures to prevent instances where officers are allegedly involved in criminal activities.

Source: Classfmonline.com
27.07.2023 LISTEN

Mrs. Patricia Christabel Abena Adutwumwaa Kyerematen, the wife of NPP flagbearer aspirant Hon. John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has expressed her confidence in her husband's leadership qualities and believes he is the right candidate to lead Ghana towards transformation and progress.

In an interview with Peace FM News, Mrs. Kyerematen highlighted the need for a "calm, but firm and just leader" in the current times to address the developmental challenges facing the country after the tenure of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Contrary to the perception that Hon. Alan Kyerematen is "soft," Mrs. Kyerematen asserted that, exhibiting physical strength is not a prerequisite for effective leadership.

She firmly believes that her husband possesses the qualities needed to lead Ghana with wisdom and vision.

She expressed confidence in Hon. Alan Kyerematen's ability to defeat former President John Dramani Mahama in any general election, stating that he is the most suitable candidate amongst all the aspirants for the NPP flagbearership.

Mrs. Kyerematen emphasized the importance of her husband's Great Transformational Plan (GTP), which aims to accelerate growth and propel Ghana towards economic recovery.

She said, "He will thrive on his own records during his campaign, securing him the victory he deserves.

Describing her husband as a "unique person" and a "rare gem," Mrs. Kyerematen praised Alans commitment to unity and progress within the party.

She said, "Alan Kyeremateng has shown his unwavering commitment towards the unity and progress within the party which he has pledged to continue when given the nod to lead the party and the country at large.

Appealing to the delegates, Mrs. Kyerematen urged them to support her husband's bid for the NPP flagbearership position.

She believes that under his leadership, the party's grassroots would benefit from the fruits of their hard work and dedication over the years.

According to her, the slogan "Aduru Woso" signifies that "it is time for the grassroots to enjoy what they have toiled for over the years."

She added, that is the least he (Alan) can do to compensate them for their toils for the party.
FARGO  North Dakota lawmakers made sure binary triggers were legal in the state four years before a gunman who likely planned a mass shooting in Fargo used the device to kill a police officer.

The state Legislature codified the binary trigger into Century Code with overwhelming support in 2019. House Bill 1308 added language into law that stated a machine gun, submachine gun or fully automatic rifle, which is banned under North Dakota law, does not include a binary trigger that fires one round upon the pull of the trigger and one round upon release of the trigger.

The bill was proposed because some companies wanting to sell the trigger in North Dakota worried state law at the time banned the triggers, Rep. Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, said Feb. 18, 2019, as he carried the bill to the House floor.

There is one company that refuses to sell them to North Dakota because they think somebody might get good enough at pulling and releasing the binary trigger, causing it to fire five times in a second, then-Sen. Dwight Cook, R-Mandan, said March 29, 2019, as he carried the bill to the Senate.

Cooks 2019 words are similar to those spoken by North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley when he announced July 21, that 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat, of Fargo, retrofitted a long rifle with a binary trigger before opening fire on police on July 14. Officers were responding to a routine crash at 25th Street and Ninth Avenue South in Fargo when Barakat fatally shot Officer Jake Wallin.

A binary trigger allowed Barakat to rapidly shoot at law enforcement, Wrigley said during the Friday news conference. He called the trigger purposeless.

Some of my agents were commenting to me that if you get pretty good at that, and you get the rhythm of that, youve made your weapon into a fully operable machine gun, Wrigley said as he described using the trigger.

The attorney general declined to comment Monday when asked if he would seek legislation to ban the trigger. He said Friday that banning the trigger is a broader discussion down the road.

The North Dakota House passed House Bill 1308 in an 80-12 vote, while the state Senate approved it 42-3. No one spoke against the bill on the House and Senate floors.

Lefor and Cook both voted yes.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed the bill into law. His spokesman, Mike Nowatzki, noted the bill received bipartisan support.

While the governor isnt going to speculate on potential future legislation, he would, as always, seriously consider any recommendations from the law enforcement community, Nowatzki said in an email to The Forum.

The Legislature passed the law to clarify that binary triggers were legal in North Dakota, Lefor said Monday in an interview with The Forum. The current House majority leader said it would be difficult to make North Dakota an island that bans the binary trigger when federal law allows it through the Second Amendment.

This is something that has to be resolved on the federal level because it is legal federally, Lefor said.

Sen. Merrill Piepkorn, D-Fargo, who voted against House Bill 1308, told The Forum he didnt understand why legislators had to insert the language into law. He said he would be in favor of either rewriting the law to remove the term binary triggers or banning the device, though he would speak with concerned citizens and law enforcement to get a sense of what would be the best way to approach revising Century Code.

I would take a look at it, he said. I think the public has a deeper understanding about the effect of this type of weapon.

Trick shooting or target shooting

Rep. Matthew Ruby, R-Minot, introduced House Bill 1308 because a constituent requested it, according to testimony he gave to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The main issue is that certain manufacturers are worried the language may ban these triggers, while others are perfectly fine sending orders here, he said in a letter to the committee.

When asked what the biggest market for the trigger was, Ruby said, Mainly trick shooting or target shooting, according to testimony records. He also said he had one.

The other reason is you can hit some pretty good fire rates by training, Ruby told the Senate committee. The fastest revolver, with no attachments, is 8 rounds per second. You can get really fast if you train. That is usually your target shooters and competition shooters.

Barakat, who also injured two officers and a bystander in the shooting, practiced at a West Fargo gun range. He was practicing his shooting skills in the hours before the ambush, Wrigley said Friday.

The shooter also researched mass casualty events online, Wrigley said. The last website on Barakats search history was a story about thousands attending the Downtown Fargo Street Fair, leading authorities to believe he planned to shoot attendees.

Ruby told The Forum that the National Rifle Association was not involved in lobbying for the bill, adding he had no contact from the NRA. He said it was unfortunate that a bad actor used a weapon to ambush police in Fargo.

But the binary trigger didnt play a role in the shooting, Ruby said in an email. Forty rounds in two minutes is well below the fire rate of a binary trigger. The ambush setup is the reason his plan worked.

There were roughly two minutes between the start of the shooting and when Robinson fatally shot Barakat, Wrigley said. Barakat shot three officers in what Robinson described as automatic fire, Wrigley said.

Wrigley said the three officers were shot in just a few seconds.

North Dakota Century Code defines a machine gun as being able to fire five or more rounds in a second with one trigger pull, Lefor said on the House floor.

For a binary trigger to fire five rounds per second, it would require three trigger pulls, he said, adding it only meets one of the two criteria for the definition of a machine gun.

Wrigley on Friday disputed claims that the binary trigger didnt turn guns into a fully automatic weapon.

Its the functional equivalent of it, and weve outlawed that for decades, he said.

Ruby said he still backs his decision to support House Bill 1308. He said Wrigleys opinion that the trigger turned Barakats weapon into a machine gun is not backed by facts.

No, they should not be banned, Ruby said of binary triggers. The increase of fire rate is not even close to a machine gun.

Ruby said he believes there would have been more deaths if Barakat used a semiautomatic rifle instead of the binary trigger.

Federal or state issue?

Binary triggers are legal in most states, though at least 10 states have banned the device.

Addressing the issue is a challenge, Lefor told The Forum. He said his heart absolutely breaks for Wallin, the officers family and the Fargo community. He said he believes the change on binary triggers has to come from the federal level.

At the end of the day, you cant have a hodgepodge of state laws across the country, Lefor said.

Piepkorn said during a Senate committee hearing that the bill was introduced for one person. He was the only committee member of six on the Senate side to vote against a do pass recommendation.

I dont think it warrants a place in our Century Code, Piepkorn said, according to hearing minutes.

Lawmakers can take steps to prevent a mass shooting, or at least lessen the threat, without infringing upon peoples right to bear arms, Piepkorn told The Forum.

Its certainly not a hunters issue. Its something else, he said. I think that theres broad public support for us  taking a look at the law and seeing what we can do to lessen threats like this.
Niger's armed forces chief on Thursday declared his support for troops who announced they had seized power, despite a defiant stand by the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum.

In the latest turbulence to shake the coup-prone Sahel, Bazoum was confined on Wednesday by members of his presidential guard.

Hours later, their leaders, calling themselves the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), declared they had "decided to put an end to the regime," announcing that all institutions were being suspended, the borders closed and a night-time curfew imposed.

As African and international organisations condemned the declared takeover and allies France and the United States voiced their support for Niger's elected leader, Bazoum stood his ground.

"The hard-won gains will be safeguarded," he said on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X.

"All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom would want this."

Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou said Niger's "legal and legitimate power" was the one exercised by its elected president.

Bazoum's election in 2021 paved the way to Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence. By Issouf SANOGO (AFP)

There had been a "coup bid" but "the whole of the army was not involved," he told France24 television.

"We ask all the fractious soldiers to return to their ranks," he said. "Everything can be achieved through dialogue but the institutions of the republic must function."

But armed forces chief General Abdou Sidikou Issa dealt a hefty blow to those hopes.

"The military command... has decided to subscribe to the declaration made by the Defence and Security Forces... in order to avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces," he said in a statement.

Several hundred people, some of them holding Russian flags, took part in a show of support in Niamey for the coup leaders, AFP journalists saw.

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, was expected in the capital for mediation efforts, the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said.

Coup-prone

The landlocked state is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world, experiencing four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous other attempts -- including two previously against Bazoum.

The 63-year-old is one of a dwindling group of elected presidents and pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, where since 2020 a rampaging jihadist insurgency has triggered coups in Mali and Burkina Faso.

Their juntas have forced out French troops and in the case of Mali, the ruling military have woven a close alliance with Russia.

Disgruntled members of the Presidential Guard sealed off access to Bazoum's residence and offices on Wednesday morning, and after talks broke down "refused to release the president," a presidential source said.

Supporters of 's President Bazoum gathered in Niamey on Wednesday to show their support for the detained leader. By - (AFP)

Bazoum supporters hours later tried to approach the official complex, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.

The coup leaders -- 10 men in military uniform -- appeared on television overnight.

Their leader, an officer named Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, announced they were taking power following "the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance."

Condemnation

The parties in Niger's ruling coalition denounced "a suicidal and anti-republican madness," and condemnation poured in from regional and global leaders.

ECOWAS and the African Union each lashed what they called an "attempted coup d'etat".

Niger. By Valentin RAKOVSKY (AFP)

The West African bloc called for Bazoum's immediate and unconditional release and warned all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to Bazoum to offer Washington's support, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned "the unconstitutional change in government" in Niger

Russia, which has been isolated internationally since invading Ukraine in February 2022, joined the roll call of nations appealing for Bazoum's release.

It urged on "all parties to the conflict to refrain from the use of force and resolve all disputes through peaceful and constructive dialogue."

In Brussels, the European Union said Niger was "an essential partner... whose destabilisation would not serve the interest of anyone in the country, the region or beyond."

Poverty and jihadism

Bazoum took office after elections two years ago, in Niger's first-ever peaceful transition since independence.

Key ally: A French helicopter over the Niger desert. France has 1,500 troops in Niger, where it refocused its anti-jihadist mission in the Sahel after pulling out of Mali and Burkina Faso. By BERTRAND GUAY (AFP/File)

He was a former interior minister and right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.

But an attempted coup took place just days before Bazoum's inauguration, according to a security source at the time.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March "while the president... was in Turkey", according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made.

The nation of 22 million is two-thirds desert and frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.

Niger is also struggling with two jihadist campaigns -- one in the southwest, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists from northeastern Nigeria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, stoking a humanitarian crisis and further straining the economy.

burs-ach/ri/jmm
Types of emojis

27.07.2023 LISTEN

In the coming years, emojis may play a significant role in cases of serious crimes like human trafficking, child grooming, sexual abuse, murder, and more. It will not be surprising when people begin to institute actions of breach of promise to marry, breach of contract, defamation, negligence, etcetera as a result of a wrong use of social medial emojies- it is so imminent.

It appears the days when we use emojis to communicate for fun are a thing of the past as it could land you in the courtroom. The traditional ways and aids of interpretation of a contract documents are also no longer sacrosanct as the courts have started using emojis as aids to the interpretation of contract documents.

Though, the courts in the Gambia, Ghana, and other African countries are yet to be tested in this digital era, emojis are becoming an issue in the courts in advanced countries in both civil and criminal cases. The recent decision of the Canadian court that a thumbs-up emoji () sent as a text message can be interpreted as consent to a contract, even though novel, seeks to unveil a new aid to the interpretation of contracts.

In the same vein, an Israeli court has recently determined that an emoji can illustrate legal intent. It ordered damages to a landlord who claimed he replied to his detriment when he received a text with positive emojis and took down the ad for the property.

Another in the US happened when a teenager was arrested for terror threats after posting a status showing emojis of guns pointing at a police officer (amongst other things) and a 12-year-old was charged with computer harassment and threatening school staff after posting two messages that included gun, bomb and knife emojis with messages that read "Killing" and "meet me in the library Tuesday".

The work of Professor Goldman

In the aspect of the law and emojis, Professor Eric Goldman, an expert emoji professor of law at Santa Clara University School of Law. He has done extensive legal work and reasoning in this area of the law.

For instance, he explained that when issues arise in court that have to do with emojis, he examines the words, looks at the symbols included, and interprets them all together.

Also, in a criminal situation where someone criticizes the police and says, I really hate the police, that alone would not be actionable. But if it started to sound like a threat against the police officers and then it was coupled with emojis like the gun emoji, the bomb emoji, and the knife emoji, those emojis will be interpreted in the context of your words to determine whether or not you had made a threat to commit violence. So when you add the gun knives and bomb emojis to your disparagement of the police, that could add legal consequences that the words themselves wouldn't have had.

Another example could be that youre chatting with friends about a transaction. They might be offering to sell their car or TV set or some other item and they are suggesting whether or not you might be interested in buying it. If you give the emoji, the thumbs up saying that you're interested. Thats a legally binding contract. Youve committed to purchase it by how youve expressed your intent. The fact that it was done by an emoji versus saying yes or I agree to buying the product, or writing a signature on a piece of paper is immaterial. The symbol expressing your enthusiasm for the proposal can be enough to constitute a commitment that would be legally recognized.

So the question is whether we should continue using emojis even though they have legal consequences. Absolutely, according to Prof. Goldman. Emojis are fun, but he warned that we should treat them as a legally binding obligation.

Emojis statistics

Emojipedia.org reports that as of September 2020, there were 3,664 emojis in the Unicode Standard. Additional colorful and detailed images are released every year. The latest emoji release is Emoji 15.0. The next expected release is Emoji 15.1, currently scheduled for September 2023.

Prof. Goldman, studies also report that his caselaw tally shows 132 cases referencing emojis or emoticons in 2020, a 25% increase from 2019, which itself had seen a near doubling from 2018. Goldman says, The most common emoji case involves sexual predation of children. Other common cases include murder, discrimination, and harassment.

Emojis in the Courts: Lawyers, Judges argues over meaning

Though the cases we examine were not decided in our jurisdiction, we explore the common law perspective as they have a persuasive effect in the absence of any authority. In other jurisdictions, lawyers are arguing the meanings of emojis, and judges examine their legal impact, but based on the case. Our first case for analysis is Jesse R. Enjaian V. Mark S. Schlissel[2015], a University of Michigan student who sent a friend a text that said he wanted to make a classmate feel crappy and experience deep dark pits of depression. He claimed that his inclusion of the laughing emoticon :-D altered the texts meaning. The judge disagreed, ruling that the emoji does not materially alter the meaning of the text message.

The second case is Elonis v. United States[2015], where the U.S. Supreme Court, for instance, reversed Elonis's appeal due to the absence of intent to threaten and his right to freedom of speech. The Supreme Court reasoned that the placement of the one tongue sticking out emoji is not a threat.

In this case, Elonis divorced his wife and posted a series of lyrics and statements online that could be perceived as threatening toward his ex-wife, local law enforcement, an FBI agent, a kindergarten class, and other entities. One of the statements considered as a possible threat included Tell Riley he should dress up as Matricide for Halloween. I dont know what his costume would entail though. Maybe your head on a stick? :-P. Elonis was originally convicted on four of five counts of threats and was subsequently sentenced to 44 months in prison.

Also, in an Israeli small claims court case, Dahan v. Shakaroff [2016], a couple interested in an apartment sent the landlord a text that included the emojis of a smiley face, a comet, a champagne bottle, dancing Playboy bunnies, and a chipmunk. The court held that to be a valid acceptance on the part of the tenant.

In a recent case of Burrows v Houda [2020] NSWDC 485, proceedings were brought by Zali Burrows against Adam Houda concerning posts made on Twitter in July 2019 and May 2020 at the District Court of New South Wales. The court reasoned that the zipper-mouth emoji, by itself, could constitute a defamatory statement. Also in State v. DRC [2020], emojis helped keep a teen out of jail. Also in Johnson v. State, 2020, it was reasoned that a fire emoji didnt support an involuntary manslaughter prosecution.

Challenges to users understanding of Emojis

Emojis present several interpretive challenges as interpretations are context-dependent on multiple levels. Also, one of the biggest points of contention for emojis in court cases is that they render differently on varying platforms, depending on the type of phone you are using. Although the Unicode Consortium sets the standard for emojis, software makers, such as Apple and Google, then design versions for their platforms, opening up a path for inconsistencies and miscommunication. For instance, take the implementations of the dancer emoji: for Twitter and Apple, its a female flamenco dancer. But for Google, it was, until recently, a John Travolta lookalike dancing disco style. And now its a weird blobby thing. So if youre about to tell someone You look gorgeous, like a , make sure they arent reading it on a new Android phone.

Also a study by Miller et al.(2016) from the University of Minnesota, participants rated popular emoji characters on Android and iOS as positive or negative. In the case of the emoji called a grinning face with smiling eyes, some people interpreted the image as blissfully happy on Android, while it looked like it was ready to fight on iOS. Hence, no uniformity in their meaning by users.

Another study by Hillberg et al.(2018) found about 25% of participants were unaware the emojis they posted on Twitter could appear differently based on their followers devices. After being shown how one of their tweets was rendered across platforms, 20% said they would have edited or not sent the tweet.

Interpretive Issues with Emojis

We found that there is no standard test for interpreting emojis. For instance, the courts' understanding of emoji use is limited at best (see, for example, Warren v Peat [2017] FCCA 664 and R v Mella [2017] NSWDC 193).

Another is the Dahan case, the would-be renters and the landlord were introduced by a mutual friend, a type of social connection that may inspire more casual communications. Also, an emoji may mean one thing on Twitter, yet have an alternate meaning when it appears on Instagram.

Emojis can also have metaphorical meanings, as do the fire  and locked with key  emojis. Interpretations can vary by culture, region, or community.

In People v. Jamerson, 2019 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 940 (Cal. App. Ct. Feb. 6, 2019). The defendant is alleged to be a pimp. In this case, an expert witness detailed how a series of sent emojis, including a crown, high heels, and bags of money, provided evidence of prostitution, noting a crown often references a pimp in sex trafficking. This helps because the expert claims that the emojis have specific and non-intuitive meanings in the sex trafficking context that would not be clear to lay observers.

Here, the court doesnt need to know about the possible alternative meanings of the crown emoji; the court needs to know what the crown emoji means in the context of this thread between a putative pimp and a putative sex trafficking victim. For this type of inquiry, a community expert helps more than a linguistic expert says, Prof. Goldman.

In People v. Smith, 2019 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1691 (Cal. App. Ct. March 12, 2019). Prof. Goldman reasoned that: the court interprets the emojis. Its not that hard in context. Rat is a well-known euphemism for someone who makes disloyal information disclosures, and the gun emoji isnt subtle. Evaluating the emojis in this context doesnt require fancy judicial work. Instead, interpreting these emojis is part of a skill the court system has been refining for hundreds of years.

In Ghanam v. Does(2014), this is what the court says about emoticons: The third allegedly defamatory statement was posted by hatersrlosers in this thread and stated: They are only getting more garbage trucks because Gus needs more tires to sell to get more money for his pockets :P

This statement on its face cannot be taken seriously as asserting a fact. The use of the :P emoticon makes it patently clear that the commenter was making a joke. As noted earlier, a :P emoticon is used to represent a face with its tongue sticking out to denote a joke or sarcasm. Thus, a reasonable reader could not view the statement as defamatory.

In U.S. v. Christensen(2013), this is the courts entire discussion about emoticons: Christensen claims Neuhardt violated attorney-client privilege and the Sixth Amendment by offering, in an e-mail to the prosecutor accompanied by an emoticon, to stipulate that my client is guilty.:) No one took Neuhardts frivolous e-mail as an actual stipulation. Neither element of the Strickland test is met. This claim is denied.

In Re Nichol [2017] QSC 220 an unsent text message deemed to be a last will and testament included consideration of a smiley emoticon. The Court found this informality didnt prevent it from constituting a will.

The absence of an emoji was raised in a claim before the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal by a baggage handler who included the statement "We all support ISIS" in a Facebook post and claimed it was sarcastic (Singh v Aerocare Flight Support Pty Ltd [2016] FWC 6186).

Take Home

Remember that emoticons are a group of keyboard characters (such as :-)) that typically represents a facial expression or suggests an attitude or emotion and that is used especially in computerized communications (such as email). One the other hand, unlike emoticons, emoji are actual pictures, of everything from a set of painted nails () to a slightly whimsical ghost (). Once they form part of communication tools, they are legally binding.

Who Interprets Emojis? Emojis cannot be considered a universal language, if that is the case, we see how our lawyers and judges would argue and interpret emojis in our jurisdiction. The second issue to consider is that symbols vary by culture.

For instance, the thumbs-up gesture has been up for debate as offensive or vulgar in the Middle East, while its a sign of something good in other parts of the world. A smiley face emoji is taken as sarcasm in China. Neither court opinion displays the actual emojis at issue. We wait to see what happens in our jurisdiction.
Former CEO of defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has cautioned business owners about the potential pitfalls in accepting chieftaincy titles.

Speaking at the 25th-anniversary launch of Fairgreen Limited in Accra, Mr Amoabeng said accepting chieftaincy titles often come with huge financial and time commitments.

He pointed out that taking on such titles could lead to responsibilities such as funding durbars and providing financial support to the community, which could be financially draining.

"Don't accept chieftaincy titles. They will drain your finances and time. You will be responsible for the expenses of durbars, and you will have to provide financial support to the community.

These are the things that have set this country back, make sure you don't fall prey," he cautioned.

Mr Amoabeng also urged business owners to be cautious of allowing their families, politicians and church leaders to influence their employment practices.

He mentioned that family members would push for employment in their relatives' businesses, even if they lack the qualifications for the positions.

Mr Amoabeng said, Politicians and pastors are necessary evils because they can give you the right connections. However, they also need to milk you, and they can raise your company to a high status if you have the right relationships but be careful.

"When you start a business, you are under the radar and can be a bit protective. But as you grow, you come under pressure. I call this pressure 'dealing with the devil.'

You must deal with them. You can't avoid them. Family, friends, and relatives will ask why you are always employing strangers when your family members are available.

They want to kill the company. You need to be strong enough to fire them when they do something wrong. If you don't have the will to fire them, don't appoint them."

Mr Amoabeng expressed his hope that Fairgreen Limited, which has grown from humble beginnings in a garage to securing international contracts, will be sustained for a long time to come.

We all pray that this company, which started from a garage and has now taken international contracts, will be one of the very few Ghanaian companies that will live for 100 years, he said.
Two fishermen from Tema Manhean have been confirmed dead after an alleged encounter with the security of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) on the sea when they went for a fishing expedition on Thursday dawn.

The Tema Ghana News Agency team gathered that even though artisanal fishers are currently observing a closed season, which would end on July 31, 2023, the traditional council had some arrangement with the Ministry of Fisheries to allow a designated crew for the needed fish for the traditional customs towards the celebration of their annual Homowo festival.

Nii Odametey II, the Tema Awudum Chief Fisherman, explaining the issue to the GNA, said that as the Ga communities were in their festival period, they had an arrangement with the Ministry for such an expedition, adding that all the security agencies were aware as that was the normal practice since the closed season commenced four years ago.

Nii Odametey stated that the crew went fishing at about 00:00 hours on Thursday, adding, however, that at about 03:30 to 04:00 hours, they received a report that they were on duty when GPHA's security allegedly beat them, leading to the deaths of the two.

He added that the incident was reported to the police, and personnel visited the canoe beach to verify the death, after which the bodies were deposited at the International Maritime Hospital mortuary.

He expressed worry at the turn of events, as according to him, the security must know better since they have the clearance to fish for their festival.

Mr. Yasil Arafat Ali, the night security man in charge of the canoe beach, also told the GNA that the interactions with the fishermen when they returned from the fishing expedition revealed that 12 of them were on the boat when the incident happened.

Mr. Ali noted that at about 04:30 hours when the fishers returned, they indicated that after casting their net for some time on the upper part of the sea, they did not get the fish species they needed and therefore decided to head downwards to try their luck.

He added that they said they spotted the GPHA launch approaching them from upwards, and without any questions, they ran over their canoe with the launch, capsizing it.

This, they noted, placed them into the water, adding that after gaining their composure and turning off the canoe, they realized that the two deceased fishermen were in it.

Meanwhile, Mr. Isaac Tawiah, the Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the Fishing Harbour told the GNA that GPHA was investigating the incident to unravel the circumstances that led to it.

Hundreds of residents of Tema Newtown thronged the canoe beach in the early hours of Thursday to catch a glimpse of the dead bodies as they expressed sadness at the incident.

GNA
Prince Kofi Amoabeng, co-founder of the now-defunct UT Bank has cautioned business owners against giving room to pastors, politicians, traditional rulers and even family members to meddle in their businesses.

He describes them as huge obstacles to the success of their businesses.

Speaking during the 25th-anniversary launch of Fairgreen Limited in Accra on July 26 2023, Mr Amoabeng referred to them as "necessary evils" who can offer valuable connections but may also destroy the business.

"Politicians and pastors are necessary evils because they can give you the right connections. However, they also need to milk you, and they can raise your company to a high status if you have the right relationships. But be careful. Dont accept chieftaincy titles.

They will drain your finances and time, and you will be responsible for the expenses of durbars. These are the things that have set this country back. Make sure you dont fall prey to any of them, whether its the church, chiefs, politicians, or your own families.

You have to navigate carefully," he advised.

Mr Amoabeng urged business owners to distance themselves from these groups for the sake of their businesses.

He also advised businesses not to give way to family members seeking employment in their businesses, especially if they lack the qualifications for the job.

Mr Amoabeng emphasized that business owners need to be strong enough to make tough decisions, including firing family members if necessary.

"When you start a business, you are under the radar and can be a bit protective. But as you grow, you come under pressure. I call this pressure dealing with the devil. You must deal with them. You cant avoid them.

Family, friends, and relatives will ask why you are always employing strangers when your family members are available. They want to kill the company.

You need to be strong enough to fire them when they do something wrong. If you dont have the will to fire them, dont appoint them," he stressed.

Mr Amoabeng also advised Fairgreen Limited to create a working culture that avoids laziness, jealousy, and over-dependence on religion, which he considers detrimental to businesses.

He advised, You need to create a culture that is different from Ghanaian culture. Ghanaian culture is generally one of laziness, pulling people down, disrespect, jealousy, trying to shift blame and over-dependence on religion to the point that people dont come to work."

When you have a team, you must create a culture that will protect the company against these influences, he added.
The Ghana AIDS Commission has raised concerns about the impact of the gradual withdrawal of donor funding and the decrease in government funding on its operations.

Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director-General of the commission, highlighted this issue during a sitting of the Public Accounts Committee in Accra on Wednesday, July 26 2023.

According to Dr. Atuahene, the lack of donor funding is severely undermining the commission's ability to carry out its vital work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"Presently, we do not receive any funding from donors. This is severely undermining our operations, especially as government funding is also dwindling," Dr. Atuahene noted.

To address this funding shortfall, the Ghana AIDS Commission is actively seeking alternative sources of support.

Dr. Atuahene stated that the commission is exploring various partnerships and initiatives to generate funds for its operations.

"The Ghana AIDS Commission has the mandate to mobilize resources with support of the National HIV/AIDS Response as per the act that created the commission, Act 938.

And so what we are doing currently is to analyze the financial situation and look at the sustainability of the AIDS response.

We are working with our partners in coming up with a sustainability assessment and planning for the finances of the AIDS response," he explained.

He revealed that among the initiatives being pursued by the commission is the use of a USSD code *9898#, which has been made available to the general public.

This code he noted allows individuals to make contributions to support the commission in implementing the national AIDS response and filling the significant financial gap left by the lack of donor funding.

He said, We have also worked on a number of initiatives to actually reach out to the general public to support the commission in implementing the national AIDS response."

He continued, So we currently have the USSD code *9898# which we have put out for the general public to help the commission fill the huge financial gap.
The Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo has cautioned Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson for not showing up in court.

The Chief Justice described the attitude of the lawmaker as irregular, urging that it should be discouraged.

The 5-member panel of the Supreme Court dismissed Gyakye Quaysons application to halt his daily trial at the High Court.

Lawyers for Gyakye Quayson argued that the High Court refused a request for prosecutors to be compelled to provide certain documents they had failed to disclose during the trial.

The Assin North MP who was absent in court but was represented by his counsel did not please the panel.

He doesn't treat this court properly. He engages this court, and he refuses to appear. When you ask the court to exercise discretion, you must treat the court properly, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo noted.

3news.com
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern about the sources of income of some wealthy people in the country.

According to him, the country must stop celebrating wealthy people with dubious sources of income.

Why do we celebrate persons who today are wealthy with dubious sources of income and yet society is not concerned about what the source of income is, John Dramani Mahama said.

The former President said this while speaking at the 2023 Development Conference organized by the Church of Pentecost on Wednesday, July 26.

In his address, the 2024 Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prayed for the country to maintain its moral compass to foster national development and prosperity for all Ghanaians.

Ethics have a direct impact on national development and as a student of history I can say unequivocally that in history, all civilizations that have fallen have done so after they lost their moral and ethical compass.

Its our prayer that Ghana continues to maintain its moral compass in order that we can continue to ensure national development, prosperity, and dignity for our people, John Dramani Mahama prayed.

The National Development Conference was organised on the theme; "Moral Vision and National Development: the role of the Ghanaian politician".

The Conference brought together present and past leaders of the country including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor as well as other stakeholders to discuss the moral vision and development of the country.
Former Cocobod CEO, Stephen Opuni has, through his lawyers, filed a stay of proceedings motion at the Supreme Court in an attempt to set aside the adoption of former trier Justice Clemence Honyenuga's proceedings.

Justice Aboagye Tandoh, the third and current judge hearing the almost-six-year case of wilfully causing financial loss of GHS217 million brought against Dr Opuni and two others, adopted the proceedings in his ruling on 25 July 2023, after the Court of Appeal overturned a ruling to start the case de novo, by Justice Anokye Gyimah, the second judge, from whom he took over the matter.

Justice Gyimah has been transferred to a different jurisdiction in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.

He took over the case following the retirement of Justice Honyenuga, who presided over it from 2018 until his retirement in September 2022 and the exhaustion of a subsequent six-month extension of his mandate by then-Chief Justice Kwesi Anin-Yeboah.

On Thursday, 27 July 2023, Dr Opuni's counsel, led by Mr Samuel Codjoe, informed the court of the stay of proceedings process for which the Supreme Court has fixed 12 October 2023 for a determination.

The prosecution, led by State Attorney Evelyn Keelson, however, told the court they were unaware of the substitution and they have not been served with the process.

Also, Mr Benson Nutsukpui, lead counsel for the second and third accused (Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited) informed the court that his side has also not been served.

The judge acknowledged that, indeed, a process of that nature had been filed though the other parties have not been served.

He, thus, adjourned the case to 12 October 2023 for further direction to be provided.

Justice Tandoh also urged the first accused, Dr Opuni, to ensure the other parties were duly served with the process but his counsel said they do not have the obligation to do that.

On the day the judge adopted the precious proceedings when he sat on the case for the second time, he said he had gone through all the previous records on the case and was satisfied with the entirety of the records.

However, Mr Codjoe objected to the decision, arguing that his side was yet to receive those records of proceedings to go through.

He, therefore, prayed the court to revise its decision to afford them the opportunity to access the records so they could all be on the same page.

Counsel for second and third accused, Mr Nutsukpui, subscribed to that prayer, too.

He said he had applied for it but was yet to access it at the time.

However, Principal State Attorney, Stella Ohene Appiah, argued that the court did not have to wait for the other parties to adopt records of the previous proceedings because the Court of Appeal, in its decision dated 3 July 2023, was clear on what the High Court was supposed to do.

The court could not hear the substantive case scheduled for the sitting, which was the continuation of the cross-examination of the seventh defense witness, who, according to the counsel for the first accused, had travelled out of the jurisdiction for his son's graduation.

Justice Tandoh ordered the travel document of the witness by the close of day, Wednesday, 26 July 2023.

He, at that sitting, directed the parties to get the records of the previous proceedings before today (Thursday, 27 July 2023) and also make available a witness from the other defense side (witness for second and third accused) if the seventh defense witness is not available.

Source: classfmonline.com
On Wednesday, July 26 President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana was invited as the Guest of Honour to join the people of Liberia in celebrating their 176th Independence Day.

President Akufo-Addo conveyed warm congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana to Liberia for achieving this momentous milestone.

He commended Liberia for displaying remarkable resilience and unwavering determination in the face of numerous challenges and obstaclesa true exemplar for the entire West African region.

One distinctive point he highlighted was that Liberia holds the unique distinction of being the sole nation on the African continent that has never experienced foreign colonization. This noteworthy historical fact deserved high praise and acknowledgment.

Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo praised Liberia for its exemplary leadership since the implementation of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

He specifically commended the country for consistently organizing free, credible, and transparent elections.

The President expressed confidence that the upcoming presidential and legislative elections scheduled for October would uphold this honorable tradition.

Source: classfmonline.com
FARGO  Jake Wallin didnt want his family and fiancee coming to the ceremony in April of this year where he would receive his badge and be sworn in as a Fargo police Officer.

His father, Jeff Wallin, said his son was very protective of loved ones but decided to let them attend.

Even after receiving his badge, Jake Wallin still didnt want family telling anyone what he did for a living, with that protective force kicking in again.

Little did he know at the time that the event was a public event and it was all over the Fargo police website, said Jeff Wallin, prompting laughter from those listening.

It was one of several moments of levity during a public celebration of life service for Jake Wallin, 23, killed in the line of duty when a gunman opened fire on officers and a civilian as the officers processed the scene of a routine traffic crash on Friday, July 14.

The two-hour service on Wednesday at Scheels Arena in Fargo was attended by thousands of state and local uniformed law enforcement officers, deputies, firefighters, troopers, first responders and members of the public.

The stage was adorned with greenery and a smiling photo of Wallin front and center, with a live orchestra playing in the background.

A solemn procession of law enforcement professionals marched up the aisle and lined either side of the path, standing to attention as Wallins family and friends were escorted to the front of the proceedings.

He saved my life that day

Jeff Wallin, attending with his wife Amy, their other son Brady, Jake Wallins fiancee Winter Malone and the couples dog Thor, was one of several surprise speakers not previously announced.

They also included officers Tyler Hawes and Andrew Dotas appearing via video, both wearing We are Fargo PD T-shirts and speaking from their hospital beds as they continue to recover from their injuries suffered in the shooting.

The video brought a palpable sense of relief to the arena, to see the injured officers in such good spirits.

Hawes, wearing a black sling on his right arm, said Jake was a reliable and loyal person.

I could always count on the fact that he had my back. As a grown man, youre not supposed to have heroes but Jake Wallin will forever be my hero, he said.

Hawes passed along feelings of gratitude to the crowd.

I hate that he had to make the sacrifice, but he saved my life that day, Hawes said. Ill always be grateful that he went down fighting. He went down as the man that we know him as. And every day is a gift for me now.

Dotas said with Wallins attitude and positivity when approaching others, one would never know hed been on the job for only a few months.

I think the biggest takeaway that Im going to have from Jake is thats all it takes sometimes, you know, to connect with people, Dotas said.

Officer Zach Robinson, who shot 37-year-old gunman Mohamad Barakat dead that fateful day, also spoke on video, saying how proud he is of Jakes actions.

Robinson was training Wallin on the day of the shooting. In recently reviewed footage from Wallins body cam, he had unholstered his weapon and was a nanosecond away from firing a round at his attacker when he was shot, according to Attorney General Drew Wrigley.

During Wallins funeral procession last weekend, Robinson was touched to see crowds of people lining the streets of every small town between Fargo and Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, as the department brought the fallen officer back home to his family.

Wallins body, dressed in his Fargo police uniform, was cremated, according to a city of Fargo news release. His remains were buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa, Minnesota.

To the mourning family, Robinsons words were simple.

Thank you for raising such a good son, he said.

Leaders pay tribute

The service also featured tributes from North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Wrigley, Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski and Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney.

Burgum said Wallin was a shining example, and had checked many meaningful boxes in his too-short life.

Live to serve, check. Work with purpose, check. Make a difference, take the biggest check mark you can find and put it by Jake Wallins name, Burgum said, his voice choked with emotion.

Zibolski said the St. Michael, Minnesota, native had impeccable character and a strong moral compass. During interviews before his hiring, Wallin spoke of two instances that demonstrated those traits, the police chief added.

Working once as a delivery driver, he found a $100 bill on a driveway and promptly went to the homeowners door to return it. In another instance, a fellow driver was involved in a crash with a company vehicle and wasnt being forthcoming about what happened. Wallin reported the truth to his boss.

We need more Jakes in our department, Zibolski said. Our department is extremely proud of Jake, and all of our heroes. His memory will serve as an inspiration  and we will always remember his service and sacrifice.

Community comes together

Prior to the event, the parking lot at the Scheels Arena in Fargo filled slowly but surely as people filtered in to pay their respects.

Several members of the community lined the streets to watch the procession as it drove past, including Suzanne Hammer and April Schmidt, who both took the day off work.

Schmidt wore an American flag shawl to show support for Wallins family and the Fargo Police Department.

My cousin is new to the police department, so Im out here supporting her and the sacrifices the officers made to protect our community, Hammer said.

Nearby, a line of tow trucks from Aggressive Towing & Recovery were parked in the grass with lights flashing. The company wanted to show support without taking away from the procession, employee Ashley Miller said

We work hand-in-hand with a few of the local agencies (police departments), Miller said. We felt like it was our turn to come out and support, and show them that we have their back. Its our turn to take that role.

The procession passed around 12:10 p.m., and many people headed inside, but Jeremy Raso and Jennifer Raso chose to remain outside. Jeremy Raso regained his position walking up and down the sidewalk with a flag.

We didnt think our time could be spent more wisely than to pay respects and show our appreciation for the police officers who are serving, he said.

He will always be just Jake

Jeff Wallin said his son would not harbor any regrets about being at the scene of the shooting.

He was not in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was exactly where his heart and determination for his fellow man dictated, that he should be there at that moment, Jeff Wallin said.

He also spoke of his sons journey that led him to join the Fargo Police Department.

At first, Jake Wallin wasnt sure what he wanted to do when he graduated, his dad said. However, one day he announced that he wanted to join the military.

After he returned from a deployment to Afghanistan, he told his parents he was going to work toward a job at the Fargo Police Department.

Children should follow their dreams, Jeff Wallin said, and parents should support them no matter what.

To others, he was Officer Jake Wallin, his dad said. But to us, he will always be just Jake.

(Forum reporter Paige Naughton contributed to this story.)
The Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card (CGWiGC) has kicked against the commercialisation of Ghana Card acquisition in the country.

Ghanaians who could not register for the Card during the nationwide exercise are now required to pay GHS280 before being issued one.

To replace lost, missing, or damaged cards, one will have to pay GH110.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, July 27, Richard Kasu who is the convener of the Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card argued that the commercialisation of the acquisition of the Card is a tool to marginalise the majority of Ghanaians.

The group is of the view that in these current times where Ghanaians are faced with a lot of hardships, the ordinary Ghanaian will not get the opportunity to acquire a Card.

We consider the commercialization of the Ghana card acquisition selective and a tool of marginalizing majority of Ghanaians from its national use and benefits thereof.

In fact, what is more worrying is that Ghanaians who even make efforts to move to regional offices of NIA seeking to register are unable to register with several excuses from officials including network challenges and lack of printing cards among other flimsy excuses, Richard Kasu bemoaned during the press conference.

The Convener added that having taken cognizance of the numerous challenges regarding the acquisition of the Ghana Card, it is the view of CGWiGC that the Ghana Card must not be made as the sole source document for the voter registration card.

Below is a copy of the statement read by Richard Kasu:

PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE CONVENER OF COALITION OF GHANAIANS WITHOUT GHANA CARD (CGWiGC), RICHARD KASU ON NIAs SELECTIVE REGISTRATION OF GHANA CARD AT ACCRA INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTER ON THURSDAY, 27 TH JULY, 2023.

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press!

Let me welcome you on behalf of the Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card (CGWiGC) and to also thank you most sincerely for coming on such a short notice.

Before we speak to the substantive issues, we wish to provide brief background information on the Coalition. The Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card (CGWiGC) is an interventionist national advocacy group consisting of Ghanaian citizens, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Public Interest Groups, Students, Human Rights Advocates, and Academics among other identifiable groups with about 12,000 members and still counting. The Coalition is being used as a special purpose vehicle to advocate for Ghanaians without Ghana Card to get registered for the card and use same for the purposes for which the card has come into being.

Our VISION is a Ghana where there is justice, peace and respect for fundamental human rights as enshrined in the supreme constitution of the Republic and the MISSION is promoting participatory governance to addressing inequality, politics of exclusion, human right abuses, and electoral violence.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, this press briefing has been necessitated by two key issues including the NIAs selective registration of Ghana Card and the Electoral Commissions (EC) insistence on the use of Ghana Card as the sole source document for voter registration in Ghana.

To proceed, it is critically important to provide undeniable facts on the ECOWAS Card otherwise known as Ghana Card including some statistics on its registration.

ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card:

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in recognizing the need to facilitate free movement, and to restrict irregular border crossing in order to addressing security challenges, ECOWAS Member States at its Heads of State and Authority Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria in 2014 adopted the development of ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card to be used as a travel document within the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, it is therefore important to clear the misinformation on the minds of many Ghanaians regarding the Ghana card. For the records, the ECOWAS Card being issued to Ghanaians is an ECOWAS Identity Card for purposes of travelling and could not be mistaken for a Ghana National ID Card. The hard fact is our beloved nation Ghana, Do not have any Ghana Card. What we have is an ECOWAS travel card.

It is also important to note that per our constitutional arrangements and best practices, it is Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration mandated by law to issue travel certificates and not National Identification Authority (NIA).

Statistics on Ghana Card by NIA:

From available information on the official website of the National Identification Authority

(NIA), the following statistics gives a vivid account of data on Ghana Card as at 3RD MARCH, 2023;

Citizens Enrollment:

Total New Registrations: 17,385,548 Total Cards Printed: 16,753,909

Total Cards Issued: 16,111,846

Non-Citizens Enrollment:

Total New Registrations: 170,176

Card Replacement:

Total Number Of Cards Replaced: 244,331

NIAs selective registration of Ghana Card:

Friends of the Press, the Coalition has become aware of ongoing premium registration of Ghana Card at various regional offices of the National Identification Authority (NIA).

Our research revealed that, in a press release signed by one Dr. Abudu Abdul-Ganiyu Ag. Head, Corporate Affairs, the National Identification Authority (NIA) announced for the information of the general public that effective Monday, 19th December 2022; it will offer premium registration services at its Ashanti, Eastern, and Western Regional offices. According to him, these centers will operate in addition to the premium centers at the NIA Head Office and Calbank Head Office in Accra.

The said release indicated that the premium registration centers will offer the following feebased registration services:

First-time registration and issuance of a Ghana Card-Ghc 280; Replacement of lost, missing, or damaged cards-Ghc 110; Update of a personal record that requires the printing of a new card- Ghc 110.

We consider the commercialization of the Ghana card acquisition selective and a tool of marginalizing majority of Ghanaians from its national use and benefits thereof.

In fact, what is more worrying is that Ghanaians who even make efforts to move to regional offices of NIA seeking to register are unable to register with several excuses from officials including network challenges and lack of printing cards among other flimsy excuses.

The questions which obviously must be answered by the NIA are;

What becomes of the poor Ghanaian who does not have money to register for the card?

What becomes of the people leaving in the hitherlands and do not have access to regional capitals for the registration exercise?

ECs entrenched position to make Ghana Card sole document for voter registration:

The Coalition, having thoroughly interrogated the issues and reforms being contemplated by the EC including its insistence on the use of Ghana Card as sole document for voter registration, would like to reiterate its displeasure against the unpopular position by the EC.

We have taken note of the ongoing efforts by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to review the existing Constitutional Instrument (CI) particularly portions pertaining to registration of voters. As you may recall, Parliament on Friday, 31st March 2023, has by unanimous decision, rejected the Electoral Commissions (EC) Constitutional Instrument (CI), that sought to make the Ghana card sole registration document for voting.

Comparative Analysis Of 2020 Registered Voters Against Ghana Card Issued As At March, 2023:

Ladies and Gentlemen of Press, let us do some basic comparative analysis here;

The total number of registered voters in 2020 stood at 17,027,941 ( https://ec.gov.gh/ , Wikipedia, 2020 Ghanaian general election) .

The total number of Ghana Cards issued by the NIA as at March, 2023 is 16,753,909 ( https://nia.gov.gh/ )

Assuming without admitting that the 2020 registered voter population of 17,027,941 is to be reregistered onto a new voter register using ONLY Ghana card as a source document, (17,027,94116,753,909) a whopping 274,032 representing (1.6%) of potential voters shall be denied registration to participate in the elections for no fault of theirs.

As a coalition, championing participatory governance, we cannot seat unconcerned for any qualified single Ghanaian to be disenfranchised in any public elections. Ghana and for that matter Ghanaians must resist the oppressors rule to administer injustice by using a so called ECOWAS Card as the sole sourced document for registration of voters.

Never again should any state institution be used directly or indirectly to exclude citizens from their fundamental rights including the right to vote as guaranteed under the 1992 supreme constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Friends of the Press, in line with the above, the Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card is calling for the following reviews on behalf of the Ghanaian people;

That having taken cognizance of the numerous challenges regarding the acquisition of the Ghana Card, it must not be made as the sole source document for the voter registration card;

That the premium registration exercise ongoing by the NIA at a commercial value of Ghs280 should be stopped immediately due to the already burdened harsh economic challenges faced by Ghanaians;

That Government, NIA should make provisions to enable Ghanaians access Ghana card registration through a nationwide mass registration at various district levels and further decentralized the registration to electoral areas if possible;

That all-inclusive stakeholder discussions by NIA to make its services more progressive, accessible and affordable to all Ghanaians at all times;

That the Ghana Card is not wholly Ghanaian but appropriately called the ECOWAS Card hence cannot be adopted as the national identity card of Ghanaians;

Thank you for coming!

Long live Ghana!!

Long Live the Coalition!!!
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has expressed scepticism regarding the ongoing investigation into the theft case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah and her house helps.

In an interview on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia morning show monitored by ModernGhana News, Asiedu Nketia stated that President Akufo-Addo will as usual sweep this case under the carpet.

He further asserted that President Akufo-Addo has a history of clearing his appointees involved in corruption scandals, and he does not expect Cecilia Dapaah's situation to be any different.

He sarcastically referred to the President as "Mr. Lomotey the Clearing Agent," implying that Akufo-Addo has a tendency to shield his appointees from accountability.

"President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has over the years cleared his appointees who have been involved in one corruption case or the other, and I don't see this as any exception," Asiedu Nketia stated.

Cecilia Dapaah's case came to light when two of her house helps faced charges for allegedly stealing huge sums of money from her residence.

Despite the allegations, President Akufo-Addo, in a statement, praised Cecilia Dapaah's loyalty and contribution to the government.

"I am confident like you that at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours," the President's statement read.
The Minister of Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has said construction of a new National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) office is ongoing smoothly in the Ayirebi constituency.

According to the Ofoase-Ayirebi lawmaker, the move seeks to address health insurance issues.

He shared in a tweet on July 27, that the measures he is putting in place will improve access to health insurance cover.

In Ayirebi yesterday, I inspected work on the new NHIA office building under construction. The objective is to have our district health insurance issues attended to locally without having to report to another district. This is expected to improve access to Health Insurance Cover.

Contractor and workers assure us of speedy progress on this project. Many thanks for your support guys, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah stated.

In the Western North Region, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia opened a state-of-the-art District Hospital at Akontombra as part of the construction of medical facilities showcasing a commitment to providing healthcare in line with the Universal Health Coverage Policy.

According to Dr. Bawumia, the government is determined to do all it takes to provide the necessary infrastructure and logistics to ensure speedier and better access to healthcare for Ghanaians.

He said, The 42-bed Hospital is one of six medical facilities for which construction began three years ago.

The Vice President said a number of initiatives had been implemented in the healthcare sector over the past seven years, including Surveillance, Outbreak Response Management, and Analysis System (SORMAS) eHealth System, which has significantly improved disease control and outbreak management systems.
Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has said was never a collision between the Security Patrol Boat and any fishing boat as has been circulated in the media.

This comes on the back of reports that 2 fishermen had died while fishing after the closed season.

Their canoe is reported to have been crashed by the vessel of some naval officers who were on patrol at the time.

The naval officers are said to have accused the fishermen of being intruders, in the process the canoe of the fishermen overturned.

The incident is reported to have occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 27, 2023 resulting in the death of two fishermen.

Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Thursday, 27 July 2023, the GPHA revealed that at about 0030HRS on Wednesday, 26 July 2023, the Port Control Station received a distress call from MV. SEASPAN DUBAI, for assistance to ward off several fishing boats which had surrounded their vessel. The security patrol team which comprises of the Ghana Navy, Marine Police and GPHA Security timeously responded, cautioned, and asked the said fishing boats to leave.

It further revealed that at 0118HRS MT. MARINA M which was also at the anchorage, also called the Port Control Station for assistance to ward off a suspicious looking fishing boat with about nine occupants. The team again responded by cautioning and directing the boat and its occupants to row out.

However, on their way back, the Patrol Team chanced upon another set of fishermen who had cast their nets and were fishing within the terminal 3 basin, close to a container vessel. Their nets were therefore seized while the men were were cautioned and led out of the basin.

The GPHA noted that all patrol activities were halted at 0455HRS on Thursday 27 July 2023, without any incident of collision whatsoever.

The Fishing Harbour Police Unit, in a phone call announced the discovery of 2 dead bodies, which the fishermen had refused the police team to convey, with the assertion that, the 2 died as a result of a collision with a GPHA tugboat, an outright untruth.

It stressed that: Even though the fishermen are aware of the dangers of fishing within the port basin and anchorage, some continue to carry out these illegal activities at the peril of their own lives and that of vessels and cargo, but despite these, infractions, on occasions where it arrests fishermen and seize their nets, the Chief Fisherman and Elders are notified, and often the culprits are pardoned, and nets released without any fines.

It added that the GPHA is a responsible organisation involved in search and rescue missions and as such will not abandon victims of a collision even if it involved our own craft.

Source: classfmonline.com
Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, has raised concerns about the detrimental effects of the withdrawal of donor support and the decreasing allocation of government funds on the commission's critical operations.

Addressing the Public Accounts Committee during a sitting in Accra on Wednesday, 26 July 2023, Dr Atuahene highlighted the grave situation faced by the commission.

He revealed that the Ghana AIDS Commission presently receives no funding from donors, putting severe strain on their ability to effectively carry out their mandate in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Additionally, the dwindling financial support from the government has further compounded the challenges they are facing.

In response to the financial constraints, Dr Atuahene shared that the commission is actively seeking alternative strategies to generate funds and sustain its crucial work. One approach involves fostering partnerships and initiatives to mobilize resources and support the National HIV/AIDS Response, in accordance with the provisions of Act 938, which established the commission.

We are closely analyzing our financial situation and actively working with our partners to conduct a sustainability assessment for the AIDS response. Our goal is to devise a comprehensive plan for the financial future of the commission's initiatives, Dr Atuahene stated.

The Ghana AIDS Commission has launched various initiatives to appeal for support from the public. Among these initiatives is the introduction of a USSD code, *9898#, which provides an accessible platform for concerned citizens to contribute to the commission's efforts in bridging the significant financial gap.

The Ghana AIDS Commission plays a pivotal role in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing essential care and support to those affected. However, the recent reduction in donor funding and government allocation is posing a serious threat to their ability to deliver these crucial services effectively.

Stakeholders, including civil society organisations and concerned citizens, are closely monitoring the situation and have emphasized the importance of rallying support to ensure the Ghana AIDS Commission can continue its vital work in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in the country.

As the commission faces unprecedented financial challenges, collective efforts are needed to secure its sustainable future and safeguard the health and well-being of communities impacted by the epidemic.

Source: classfmonline.com
27.07.2023 LISTEN

The Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card (CGWiGC) has admonished the general public not to mistake Ghana Card to be a Ghana National Identity Card.

The coalition championing participatory governance says it cannot sit unconcerned for any qualified single Ghanaian to be disenfranchised in any public elections.

The reason CGWiGC wants Ghanaians to resist what it calls the oppressors' rule of administering injustice using a so-called ECOWAS Card as the sole-sourced document for the registration of voters.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, July 27, Convener of CGWiGC, Richard Kasu argued that all this while government has been lying to Ghanaians about the Ghana Card.

According to him, the Card is an ECOWAS Card that is meant for free travel through countries in the region.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in recognizing the need to facilitate free movement, and to restrict irregular border crossing in order to addressing security challenges, ECOWAS Member States at its Heads of State and Authority Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria in 2014 adopted the development of ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card to be used as a travel document within the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, it is therefore important to clear the misinformation on the minds of many Ghanaians regarding the Ghana card. For the records, the ECOWAS Card being issued to Ghanaians is an ECOWAS Identity Card for purposes of travelling and could not be mistaken for a Ghana National ID Card. The hard fact is our beloved nation Ghana, Do not have any Ghana Card. What we have is an ECOWAS travel card, Richard Kasu argued.

He added that it is also important to note that per constitutional arrangements and best practices, it is the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration mandated by law to issue travel certificates and not the National Identification Authority (NIA).

The Coalition is demanding that due to the numerous challenges regarding the acquisition of the Ghana Card, it must not be made the sole source document for the voter registration card.

The Coalition also wants NIA to make provisions to enable Ghanaians to access Ghana card registration through a nationwide mass registration at various district levels and further decentralized the registration to electoral areas if possible.

Below is the statement read at the press conference of CGWiGC today:

PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE CONVENER OF COALITION OF GHANAIANS WITHOUT GHANA CARD (CGWiGC), RICHARD KASU ON NIAs SELECTIVE REGISTRATION OF GHANA CARD AT ACCRA INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTER ON THURSDAY, 27 TH JULY, 2023.

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press!

Let me welcome you on behalf of the Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card (CGWiGC) and to also thank you most sincerely for coming on such a short notice.

Before we speak to the substantive issues, we wish to provide brief background information on the Coalition. The Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card (CGWiGC) is an interventionist national advocacy group consisting of Ghanaian citizens, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Public Interest Groups, Students, Human Rights Advocates, and Academics among other identifiable groups with about 12,000 members and still counting. The Coalition is being used as a special purpose vehicle to advocate for Ghanaians without Ghana Card to get registered for the card and use same for the purposes for which the card has come into being.

Our VISION is a Ghana where there is justice, peace and respect for fundamental human rights as enshrined in the supreme constitution of the Republic and the MISSION is promoting participatory governance to addressing inequality, politics of exclusion, human right abuses, and electoral violence.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, this press briefing has been necessitated by two key issues including the NIAs selective registration of Ghana Card and the Electoral Commissions (EC) insistence on the use of Ghana Card as the sole source document for voter registration in Ghana.

To proceed, it is critically important to provide undeniable facts on the ECOWAS Card otherwise known as Ghana Card including some statistics on its registration.

ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card:

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in recognizing the need to facilitate free movement, and to restrict irregular border crossing in order to addressing security challenges, ECOWAS Member States at its Heads of State and Authority Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria in 2014 adopted the development of ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card to be used as a travel document within the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, it is therefore important to clear the misinformation on the minds of many Ghanaians regarding the Ghana card. For the records, the ECOWAS Card being issued to Ghanaians is an ECOWAS Identity Card for purposes of travelling and could not be mistaken for a Ghana National ID Card. The hard fact is our beloved nation Ghana, Do not have any Ghana Card. What we have is an ECOWAS travel card.

It is also important to note that per our constitutional arrangements and best practices, it is Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration mandated by law to issue travel certificates and not National Identification Authority (NIA).

Statistics on Ghana Card by NIA:

From available information on the official website of the National Identification Authority

(NIA), the following statistics gives a vivid account of data on Ghana Card as at 3RD MARCH, 2023;

Citizens Enrollment:

Total New Registrations: 17,385,548 Total Cards Printed: 16,753,909

Total Cards Issued: 16,111,846

Non-Citizens Enrollment:

Total New Registrations: 170,176

Card Replacement:

Total Number Of Cards Replaced: 244,331

NIAs selective registration of Ghana Card:

Friends of the Press, the Coalition has become aware of ongoing premium registration of Ghana Card at various regional offices of the National Identification Authority (NIA).

Our research revealed that, in a press release signed by one Dr. Abudu Abdul-Ganiyu Ag. Head, Corporate Affairs, the National Identification Authority (NIA) announced for the information of the general public that effective Monday, 19th December 2022; it will offer premium registration services at its Ashanti, Eastern, and Western Regional offices. According to him, these centers will operate in addition to the premium centers at the NIA Head Office and Calbank Head Office in Accra.

The said release indicated that the premium registration centers will offer the following feebased registration services:

First-time registration and issuance of a Ghana Card-Ghc 280; Replacement of lost, missing, or damaged cards-Ghc 110; Update of a personal record that requires the printing of a new card- Ghc 110.

We consider the commercialization of the Ghana card acquisition selective and a tool of marginalizing majority of Ghanaians from its national use and benefits thereof.

In fact, what is more worrying is that Ghanaians who even make efforts to move to regional offices of NIA seeking to register are unable to register with several excuses from officials including network challenges and lack of printing cards among other flimsy excuses.

The questions which obviously must be answered by the NIA are;

What becomes of the poor Ghanaian who does not have money to register for the card?

What becomes of the people leaving in the hitherlands and do not have access to regional capitals for the registration exercise?

ECs entrenched position to make Ghana Card sole document for voter registration:

The Coalition, having thoroughly interrogated the issues and reforms being contemplated by the EC including its insistence on the use of Ghana Card as sole document for voter registration, would like to reiterate its displeasure against the unpopular position by the EC.

We have taken note of the ongoing efforts by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to review the existing Constitutional Instrument (CI) particularly portions pertaining to registration of voters. As you may recall, Parliament on Friday, 31st March 2023, has by unanimous decision, rejected the Electoral Commissions (EC) Constitutional Instrument (CI), that sought to make the Ghana card sole registration document for voting.

Comparative Analysis Of 2020 Registered Voters Against Ghana Card Issued As At March, 2023:

Ladies and Gentlemen of Press, let us do some basic comparative analysis here;

The total number of registered voters in 2020 stood at 17,027,941 ( https://ec.gov.gh/ , Wikipedia, 2020 Ghanaian general election) .

The total number of Ghana Cards issued by the NIA as at March, 2023 is 16,753,909 ( https://nia.gov.gh/ )

Assuming without admitting that the 2020 registered voter population of 17,027,941 is to be reregistered onto a new voter register using ONLY Ghana card as a source document, (17,027,94116,753,909) a whopping 274,032 representing (1.6%) of potential voters shall be denied registration to participate in the elections for no fault of theirs.

As a coalition, championing participatory governance, we cannot seat unconcerned for any qualified single Ghanaian to be disenfranchised in any public elections. Ghana and for that matter Ghanaians must resist the oppressors rule to administer injustice by using a so called ECOWAS Card as the sole sourced document for registration of voters.

Never again should any state institution be used directly or indirectly to exclude citizens from their fundamental rights including the right to vote as guaranteed under the 1992 supreme constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Friends of the Press, in line with the above, the Coalition of Ghanaians without Ghana Card is calling for the following reviews on behalf of the Ghanaian people;

That having taken cognizance of the numerous challenges regarding the acquisition of the Ghana Card, it must not be made as the sole source document for the voter registration card;

That the premium registration exercise ongoing by the NIA at a commercial value of Ghs280 should be stopped immediately due to the already burdened harsh economic challenges faced by Ghanaians;

That Government, NIA should make provisions to enable Ghanaians access Ghana card registration through a nationwide mass registration at various district levels and further decentralized the registration to electoral areas if possible;

That all-inclusive stakeholder discussions by NIA to make its services more progressive, accessible and affordable to all Ghanaians at all times;

That the Ghana Card is not wholly Ghanaian but appropriately called the ECOWAS Card hence cannot be adopted as the national identity card of Ghanaians;

Thank you for coming!

Long live Ghana!!

Long Live the Coalition!!!
Some rumours have emerged about why Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo appeared displeased when addressed by former President John Mahama at a recent event.

Visuals from the event sparked controversy, as some perceived the Chief Justice's demeanor as disrespectful toward Mahama.

This led to accusations that Madam Torkornoo harbours some dislikes for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.

However, former NDC Deputy General Secretary Samuel Koku Anyidoho has said it was because Mr. Mahama mispronounced the Chief Justice's surname.

Mr Anyidoho believes Mahama's alleged mispronunciation explains Torkornoo's stern reaction when addressed.

"Is the name not, Torkornoo? So if you pronounce it 'Torkeno' do you expect her to smile when you have pronounced her cherished surname wrongly?" Anyidoho tweeted on Thursday, July 27.

"Like e be me too, I go bore paaa. People dont joke with their names & a cardinal rule in public speaking, is to get names, right, he added

Meanwhile, the truth behind Chief Justice Torkornoo's expression remains unknown as to whether she was actually unhappy or not.
The Amansie West District Assembly in the Ashanti Region has officially launched a sustainable community mining scheme at Moseaso-Abransie, Yawkrom-Asamang, and Banko Camp to legitimise the operations of small-scale miners in the area.

The initiative which was championed by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Honourable Nii Larteh Ollenu, is geared towards the attainment of inclusive, responsible and sustainable mining amongst the miners.

Speaking at the commissioning on Wednesday, Honourable Ollenu expressed his elation about the fact that his years of persistent push for the proper regularisation of small-scale mining has finally come to fruition.

According to him, the project would create innumerable job opportunities for the indigenes, especially amongst the youth, owing to the abundance of gold in the area. Admitting the challenges that arise as a result of mining, he assured that the assembly had implemented measures to prevent any litigations or clashes.

"The reality is that this would eradicate the issue of joblessness amongst the youth because gold abound in the district. We are very much aware of the litigations that arise as a result of mining, so procedures have been laid down for regulating it," he noted.

Honourable Ollenu conveyed his profound gratitude to President Nana Akufo-Addo for his unflinching support of the community mining initiative.

He therefore assured the chiefs that the Amansie West District Assembly would also ensure that the project serves in the best interest of the district, the natives as well as the miners.

According to him, more than 100 indigenes participated in a training workshop which was recently organised by government for miners, leading to the creation of about 92 mining groups.

"The assembly would do whatever it can to make the communities, and the small-scale miners benefit from this."

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Mireku Duker - who represented the sector minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor - said the newly-built special structures is a testament to the readiness of the district to diligently mine.

He disclosed that more than 3,500 persons would get employed, adding that small-scale mining has employed more persons than one million people nationwide. He, however, cautioned against mining activities that deliberately destroy rivers and forests with impunity.

According to him, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has formed a military patrol team to ward off illegal miners from the Black Volta. The Deputy Minister appealed to mining companies to cede off some of their vast concessions for community mining.

"We should not tolerate the destruction of our water bodies by the activities of mining. Companies with several kilometres of concession should release cede off some for community mining," he stated.

Honorable Mireku Duker stated that as part of its corporate social responsibility, the small-scale mining sector must sponsor the construction of schools, toilet facilities, etc. for national development.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Moseaso-Abransie, Nana Darko Gyawu III, eulogised the Amansie West Zone of Small-scale Miners' Association for reclaiming vast acres of lands in the district deforested by the activities of illegal miners.

He stated that the group has filled abandoned mining pits and partnered with the Forestry Commission to plant trees. According to him, the miners must support their communities and also reclaim the lands after use.

He pleaded with the assembly to strictly apply the regulations governing the activities of the small-scale miners, and ensure that the companies pay tax to the assembly to develop the district.
The POS Foundation commends the Parliament of Ghana for voting to abolish the death penalty in Ghana by passing the Criminal Offenses (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

As the Conveners of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UN UPR) Civil Society Organizations Platform in Ghana and member of the Coalition Against the Death Penalty, POS hails Parliaments action as a great milestone for the State and a best practice for other abolitionist states in practice to emulate.

The UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was instituted in 2006 under Resolution 60/251 by the UN General Assembly. The UN UPR is a process which enables all 193 UN Member States to peer- review the Human Rights records of all other Member States towards the promotion and protection of Human Rights by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). Over the years, Civil Society Organizations, led by the POS Foundation, have submitted several shadow reports and proposed recommendations under different thematic areas to the UN HRC, which included the abolishment of the death penalty in Ghana. Ghanas human rights record has been reviewed in 2008, 2012, 2017 and 2023, respectively under the UPR Mechanism. In all four cycles, Ghana noted/rejected all recommendations received on the abolishment of the death penalty, as it was entrenched in the 1992 Constitution and needed a referendum in order to legally take it off the nations statutes, as the State claimed.

On January 24, 2023, 298 recommendations were received by Ghana from 111 countries/Member States, out of which 36 were on the Abolishment of the Death Penalty by France, Austria, Togo, Sierra Leonne, Switzerland and other UN Member States. Though Ghana noted/rejected these recommendations, through the efforts of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and private member initiative, the Parliament of Ghana has voted for the passage of the Criminal Offenses (Amendment) Bill, 2022for abolishment of the death penalty in Ghana. A Great milestone achieved towards the advancement of democracy, promotion and protection of human rights that is worth commending considering the tactful and strategic approach adapted in getting this through as Stakeholders of the State.

We would like to extend our utmost acclamations to all lawyers, CSOs and individual partners who supported in brainstorming strategies for alternative approaches when the State could not hold a referendum due to financial constraints. We also congratulate Ghanaians and the Parliament of Ghana for its efforts towards the abolishment and replacement of death penalty with life

imprisonment for criminal offenses except for high treason. The POS Foundation would like to make a clarion call to all UN Member States to emulate Ghanas example by fostering strategies in order to enforce the abolishment of the death penalty in their countries even when it has been noted/rejected in the past. We also encourage all the Member States to support the Global Campaign and help develop different strategies to abolish the death penalty worldwide.

Background

The Death Penalty, also known as Capital Punishment, dates back to colonial times and was subject to the laws and practices of the British Colonial Administration. The Criminal Code of 1960, now known as the Criminal Offenses and other Procedure Act, which was based on other colonial laws, continued to prescribe the death penalty for offenses like murder and treason.

The campaign towards abolishment became more relevant after the recommendation from the Constitutional Review Commission, after which the Coalition Against Death Penalty led by Amnesty International, of which POS Foundation is a member, took it up. After the 3rd UPR Cycle in 2017, Civil Society had a hard time getting the government to abolish the death penalty. Thus, Lawyer Martin Kpebu, through a research study he conducted proposed alternative approaches to the amendment of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act,1960 without necessarily carrying out a referendum. His research resulted in a 95% approach to abolishing the death penalty through a statutory amendment of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29). This means that the offense of high treason would need a referendum to ascertain the complete abolishing of the death penalty in Ghana. However, there has not been any high treason offenders on death row over the past few decades. Subsequent to the research, the coalition together with Lawyer Kpebu made presentations and briefings with various stakeholders including the Australian High Commission (in 2018, 2022 and 2023), CDD Ghana (in 2019), the Office of the President (in 2020) and the British High Commission (in 2023).

On the World Death Penalty Day in 2021, a presentation was held in Cape Coast where Hon. Francis Xavier Sosu pledged to utilize a Private Member Bill approach in the abolishment of the death penalty. He then drafted the bill in partnership with Amnesty International after which he organized a stakeholder conference in Parliament. Lawyer Sosu, who championed the Parliamentary process, together with Amnesty International and DPP, and Members of the Coalition have worked tirelessly since then for the Amendment of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29) and the abolishment of the death penalty in Ghana. The President has to assent to the Criminal Offenses (Amendment) Bill, 2022 to give effect to Parliaments action.

We would once again like to applaud all Member States of the UN under the Universal Periodic Review who made recommendations to this effect and supported the process, the UN Human Rights Council, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, the Australian and British High Commissions, the European Union, Lawyer Kpebu, Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu, Amnesty International, the Coalition Against Death Penalty, African Centre for International Law and Accountability and Parliament for this great success chalked. We also acknowledge the work of the media in the attainment of this achievement.

We look forward to further engagements with CSOs and other key partners and stakeholders as well as the media to foster the promotion and protection of human rights in Ghana.

Jonathan Osei Owusu

Executive Director -POS Foundation,

Conveners of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UN UPR) Civil Society Organizations

Platform in Ghana. [email protected] 0244175879
Mark your calendars for November 15th - 17th, 2023, as the Ghana Digital Innovation Week returns with amplified excitement and achievements. Following two years of over 6,000 attendees, 96 exhibitions, and 60 insightful sessions led by ecosystem actors, this highly anticipated event is ready for even more impact this year.

Ghana Digital Innovation Week (GDIW) is a nationwide series of events showcasing and celebrating milestones in Ghana's Digital Innovation Ecosystem. This platform allows various actors to learn, share ideas and create connections to enhance the progress of the landscape.

The event is co-created and co-owned by actors from the private sector, academia, policymakers, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organizations through the support of the Digital Transformation Centre, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is also held in collaboration with MASHAV, Israels Agency for International Development Cooperation through the Embassy of Israel in Ghana, The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization.

This year, GDIW will kick off with regional events in Tamale, Koforidua, and Kumasi, leading up to the three-day finale in Greater Accra. By involving participants from across the country, GDIW aims to promote discourse on enhancing digital literacy and adoption, particularly in remote areas.

Collaborations and synergies will be created as the three-day event will bring together digital policymakers, startups, corporates, intermediary organizations and grassroots across the country. The outcomes of this collaborative event will encompass networking opportunities, the creation and presentation of digital policies, and a heightened emphasis on digital transformation.

More than a festival, GDIW offers an immersive and impactful experience for all participants. At its core, the event aims to nurture the rapid growth of technology and innovation in Ghana. This years event will host over 30 sessions nationwide, featuring presentations and innovative displays from influential digital leaders and key players in the innovation ecosystem. With its diverse range of event options, there is something extraordinary for everyone to experience.

Join us at Ghana Digital Innovation Week 2023 and become an integral part of the digital revolution that is reshaping Ghana's future.
A slight cooldown is in store on the heels of a brief but uncomfortable heat wave in western and central North Dakota.

The temperature in Bismarck on Wednesday hit 101 degrees -- 15 degrees warmer than normal for July 26, according to National Weather Service data. It was 20 degrees warmer than it was on the same date last year.

No records were set in the region, but Williston hit 93 degrees, Dickinson and Minot 95, and Jamestown 98 -- all well above average.

The heat wave that moved in from the Southwest -- where it brought record-breaking, triple-digit temps to many areas -- is shifting to the east, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and AccuWeather. Record-breaking weather is expected on the East Coast late this week.

Highs in the Bismarck-Mandan area are forecast in the upper 70s on Friday, around 80 over the weekend, and in the 80s to start the next workweek. There are chances for showers and thunderstorms most days into early next week. Friday has the greatest chance for thunderstorms across much of the state, according to the weather service.

Drying out

While it's gotten hotter, it's also gotten drier in the region. Rainfall in the Bismarck, Minot and Dickinson areas this month is more than 1  inches below normal.

Drought continues to expand in North Dakota, according to this week's U.S. Drought Monitor map. Moderate drought now covers most of the northern third of the state along with the southeastern corner. Much of the rest of eastern North Dakota and also northwestern North Dakota is rated abnormally dry.

Nearly two-thirds of the state is in some form of drought, up from a little more than half last week.

The hot, dry weather has had a significant impact on soil moisture across North Dakota. Topsoil moisture supplies statewide are rated 48% adequate to surplus, down from 58% last week; 55% of subsoil moisture supplies are in those categories, down from 64% a week ago, according to the latest crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Pasture and range conditions in North Dakota remain rated mostly fair to good, and stockwater supplies are rated 85% adequate.

The wildfire danger in much of the western half of North Dakota on Thursday was rated "moderate," with the rest of the state rated "low," according to state Emergency Services. Those are the two weakest categories.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a partnership of the National Drought Mitigation Center, NOAA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Fall outlook

There are about eight more weeks of summer before fall officially begins on Saturday, Sept. 23.

AccuWeather this week released its fall forecast for the country.

"We look at other years and try to match up the current pattern or what we expect to happen over the next couple of months," Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said, adding that "A pattern change ... could produce a lot more cold across the north-central Plains states and getting back into the northern Rockies."

AccuWeather's outlook for October weather in North Dakota is temperatures 4-6 degrees below normal.

Even if snow falls in October, the opportunity for snow likely will decrease in November, according to Meteorologist Brian Lada. Temperatures across the Rockies and Plains might also rebound a bit in November, to slightly above the historical average, he said.

Lakes update

Hot summer weather contributes to blue-green algae in water bodies, which can produce toxins harmful to people and animals.

North Dakotas Department of Environmental Quality this week issued a blue-green algae warning for Froelich Dam in Sioux County. It's the first such warning issued this summer.

A warning means a blue-green algae bloom is present over a significant portion of the lake, and excessive toxin levels have been measured.

An advisory means a bloom is present in portions of a water body, and might be harmful. Advisories are in effect for Green Lake in McIntosh County, Homme Dam in Walsh County, Epping-Springbrook Dam in Williams County, Lake Darling in Renville County, Alkali Lake in Stutsman County, Lake LaMoure in LaMoure County, Harvey Dam in Wells County, West Lake (McKenna Lake) in Logan County, Bowman-Haley Dam in Bowman County, Harmon Lake in Morton County, Lake Tschida in Grant County, Jamestown Reservoir in Stutsman County and Silver Lake in Sargent County.

More information is at www.tinyurl.com/WMP-HABS.
27.07.2023 LISTEN

The Assembly member for Anyirawase Electoral Area in the Ho West District of the Volta Region, Hon.Christian Agbemenyale has called on government to connect Sekekorpe to the national grid.

He said the community has been in total darkness for decades posing a security threat to residents at night.

He noted that the lack of electricity power has affected the economic and social wellbeing of the people in the area.

The Local Government presentative further expressed wary over successive governments' inability to revamp the Anyirawase-Bame road which poses as a death trap to commuters.

The situation has caused frequent breakdowns of vehicles and miscarriages of pregnant women among other challenges confronting other commuters.

He added that the bumpy road had cost them much over the years, thus business transactions are negatively impacted as farmers and traders are cut off from markets to make earns-meet.

He continued that the road gets worse whenever it rains making it unmotorable for road users, compelling drivers to charge abnormal fares.

Hon.Christian Agbemenyale therefore appealed to the government and corporate organisations to come to their rescue.
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) have followed with keen interest, the recent news of the alleged theft of substantial amounts of money and personal effects belonging to Madam Cecelia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and the husband. The allegedly stolen sums of money  One Million Dollars (US$1 Million), Three Hundred Thousand Euros (300,000), and unspecified millions of Ghana Cedis  have sparked serious concerns about the source and intended use of these funds.

Much as we applaud the announced resignation of Honourable Cecilia Dapaah, it seems unconscionable to think of a public officer and a renowned political personality keeping such colossal amounts of money outside of the banking sector. Regrettable as the theft by workers of the Honourable Minister is, questions of the sources of the funds are legitimate and must be Investigated by the various competent authorities. This is why the news of Madam Cecilia Dapaahs swift arrest and subsequent investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) must be commended even as we ask for transparency in the investigation.

In addition to our call for a transparent and comprehensive investigations, we also call for an immediate passing of the Conduct of Public Officers Bill to strengthen Ghanas asset declaration regime. This Bill includes provisions on the amendments of the existing Asset Declaration Act to guarantee a robust Asset Declaration regime. The Conduct of Public Officers Bill has been in front of Cabinet for more than a year without no clear commitment to having it laid before parliament for consideration and passage. We are also calling for strengthening the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2003 (Act 646) to provide for the reverse burden of proof in addressing illicit enrichment.

We also call for immediate protection of the two house helps named in the story since they serve as prime witnesses to the unfolding case.

What this case brings to the fore is that, the time has come in Ghana for the government to enact laws that will strengthen the Criminal Offences, Act 1960 (Act 29) and other anti-corruption laws to include reverse burden of proof in addressing illicit enrichment.

We strongly urge the President to take a decisive action in addressing alleged corruption cases and back his rhetoric on fighting corruption in Ghana by expelling the popular perception of interference in corruption investigations, involving persons in his government.

Source: Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)
27.07.2023 LISTEN

The Guidance and Counselling Coordinator at Mawuli Senior High School in Ho, the Volta regional capital has called on all especially parents, teachers and the general public to play their roles in raising children for a better future.

Ms Ken Addom Mawuse Tina noted that in every child's development, indiscipline needs to be addressed from an early age.

In an engagement at an event dubbed "Mawuli Must Dance," an annual concert by the Mawuli School held over the weekend in the school aimed at promoting moral values among the students she asserted that indiscipline is not an inherited behaviour.

She noted that it is crucial to educate children about the importance of distinguishing right from wrong, with teachers playing a significant role in instilling discipline.

According to her, teachers are sometimes faced with some challenges in trying to instil discipline despite receiving the necessary training, many teachers encounter challenges in the quest to discharge their roles or mandates in their respective environment to shape students.

She further explained that in achieving this parents must have positive relationships with teachers, fostering a conducive learning environment which is beyond just providing learning tools and materials.

"Immorality is exhibited at every level or sector of life. Government, parents, teaches, and everyone has a role to play in the development of every student not just by providing their learning tools or materials."

Ms Ken charged parents to take delight in knowing the performance of their wards at school including their behaviours and their attitudes.

The school community must enforce strict adherence to rules and regulations. House mistresses, teachers, and school leaders must ensure that all students follow these guidelines, she said.

She admonished that fostering discipline and curbing immorality in schools is a collaborative effort that involves parents, teachers and the broader society.

"By nurturing a supportive environment and enforcing rules consistently, we can achieve the goal of holistic development for every student," she emphasised.
27.07.2023 LISTEN

Victims of Modern Slavery are not only illegal migrants used as slaves and sex workers in the Middle East, Europe and Americas. While African and Indian physicians have gained sympathy from the International Press in the United Kingdom, one of the most exploited legally, are the Care Workers. Modern Slavery gang masters have taken advantage of the shortage of health and care workers to channel Africans into the United Kingdom through relaxed legal means by unscrupulous agents inside and outside the U.K and USA.

One of the Care Workers was told her salary would be 29,000 British pounds. She was happy to leave her abusive husband in Africa. She took her three children and her mother to look after them while working. The promised salary was enough to rent an apartment for her and the family in the UK. She was forced to work 20 hours a day, sometimes 7 days a week.

This is in a country where the minimum wage was 10.42 pounds, she was paid 2 (two) pounds an hour! She could not afford an apartment. Of course, they became homeless while she was still working long hours. If the exploited family did not gain the attention of Human Rights and Authority, she would still be laboring in squalor in her dream Western world.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66260064.amp

Migration has become the leading cause of human displacement creating hard feelings and used to elect members by the extremist parties and world's religious Right across Europe and America. Political opportunists are seizing on hard sentiment locally against outsiders to push their agenda at home as our Youths flood abroad seeking greener pastures. Regardless of backlash against them, they brush it off as Salvation and send cute pictures back home.

Unfortunately, the hostilities Africans face outside their Continent is getting worse. Despite this, those outside the Continent rationalize and even glorify the problem they face using any token appointments, jobs and education to justify greener pastures. We flee African countries, blame the problems on those that have no choice but to stay put and make a living anyway they can. If you can do better, we will be at home fixing the problems.

Migration has turned us against one another locally and internationally. If you want peace and prosperity, charity begins at home. It is sheer false hope and aggrandizement to think life can only get better at the other side of the river. Despite the growing problems of Climate change and food distribution, there is more arable land at home. People have to till the ground to survive. We may be paid to do the hard work but that money can neither spring up from arable land or grow on trees.

What we do with whatever money we are paid abroad or locally is what makes the difference. Nobody pays you what you are worth anywhere, they pay you just enough to make sure you keep coming back for more, to render your services. They know you must buy food, finished goods and services. If you do not have the money in hand, banks and lending institutions are waiting to pay your masters off while you pay banks monthly for the rest of your lives.

One of the best illustrations are big corporations selling seeds to farmers they cannot reproduce. The more seeds the farmers buy, the more they owe. Using their land as collateral to borrow money ends in a vicious circle; losing their land and getting poorer than when they started. Big international corporations know the end game and work in connivance with the politicians that take their cuts upfront as kickbacks or political contributions.

This is the case in point for farmers going bankrupt after borrowing money from the banks to buy seeds. Genetically modified seeds that cannot replicate themselves are not the answer. We cannot depend on a few corporations making money for a few shareholders to feed the world. It has to be a cooperative farming process that turns Western Nigeria into Paradise for Africans and the rest of the world's adventurers looking for accommodation in the Region.

We have to wake up to those who tell us to bow our heads or close our eyes while they pray for the salvation of the country. The days God or Allah coming down with miracles are gone, Heaven only helps those that help themselves. Nigeria is not the only country where religion, especially foreign ones are used to perpetrate the worst form of man's inhumanity to man.

Politicians are using worse tactics than the Europeans of encouraging one ethnic group to dominate another. Vagabonds In Power are distracting us by creating problems within since the Curse Of Oil in Nigeria. The more foreign income made from Oil, the more environmental Degradation and less money to take care of the basic needs of the local people in particular not to mention the whole Country.

It is no longer the active participation of the colonial masters, even with the vestiges of slavery. Africans have come to believe that they are better off outside the Continent than they are inside and would sell their conscience and birthright to get out of their countries. We no longer think there is a future in African countries with the xenophobia and killing within each ethnic group to gain access to the National Cake.

It was bad enough when one ethnic group crossed the border to attack another. It is getting worse: we are killing one another within the same ethnic groups. When My People Are Killing My People in Warri, we thought it was madness for Ijaw, Urhobo and Itshekiri to get absorbed in inter tribal warfare. It has now spread beyond that in Southern and Northern Nigeria in disguise for enforcing ethnic and tribal loyalty.

Farouk Martins Aresa @oomoaresa
Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has expressed grave disappointment in Education Minister Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum over recent corruption scandals at the Ministry of Education.

Mr. Braimah who had earlier supported the Education Ministers appointment, says he is now disappointed.

In a tweet on Thursday, July 27, the MFWA director noted that the Minister sits idle while corruption happens at his ministry.

"I'm among those who hailed the appointment of Mr. Adutwum as the substantive Minister for Education. But over time, I have become grossly disappointed with his performance and the scandals under his watch. From School placement fraud to this one, he tweeted.

Mr Braimah's comments come after investigations by The Fourth Estate revealed that the Ministry of Education spent GH2 million on a COVID-19 tracker app in October 2021 that was never deployed or used.

The app was intended to track COVID-19 cases in junior and senior high schools across Ghana, even though the government had already launched a national COVID-19 tracker app in April 2020.

The education ministry's app was created under the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), a 5-year initiative funded by the World Bank, UK's Department for International Development and the Global Partnership for Education.

An audit by the Ghana Audit Service found that despite being designed and developed, the education ministry's app was never actually deployed.

The auditors said the waste of public funds on the unused app and related IT infrastructure worth GH16 million bought under GALOP "could result in waste of government scarce resources."

The report blamed the failure to deploy the tools on "lack of consultation and coordination between the procuring Agencies (Ministry of Education and Ghana Library Authority and the user Agency (Ghana Education Service)."

Meanwhile, under Dr Adutwum's administration, the Education Ministry has reportedly been embroiled in a school placement fraud scandal as revealed earlier by the Fourth Estate.
Paris says it's concerned by the military coup in Niger  its only remaining ally in the Sahel region. While a political vacuum could be dangerous, any potential impact on France's economic and military interests will take longer to emerge.

France has joined other Western and regional leaders in condemning the attempted coup, which began on Wednesday when Niger's presidential guard barricaded pro-western President Mohamed Bazoum in his residence.

Speaking for the soldiers, Colonel Amadou Abdramane said defence and security forces had decided to put an end to the regime due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.

France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has condemned any attempt at taking power through force, joining both Ecowas and the African Union in calling for a return to democratic order.

If the attempt to seize power succeeds, it will be the latest in a series of military takeovers in the Sahel region, including in neighbouring Mali in 2021 and Burkina Faso in 2022.

Both countries turned their backs on the west, and in particular former colonial power France.

France has lost its closest ally in the region, the only one to have been elected democratically, in 2020, says Emmanuel Dupuy, head of the IPSE think tank that specialises in security in Europe.

Since the first putsch in Mali in 2020, four of what remains of the G5 Sahel [ Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger ] are in the hands of the military, he says.

It is still not clear what triggered the rebellion in Niger.

Their grievances and demands are rather imprecise, Dupuy notes, though they would appear to be rooted in a recent moves to force out the head of the presidential guard, General Omar Tchiani.

Military interests

After France was forced to withdraw from Mali following a breakdown in relations between Paris and the military junta , it turned to Niger.

Bazoum welcomed some 1,500 French troops into Niger to continue the fight against the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region.

For now, Dupuy believes the coup is not a threat to French forces.

For the moment I can't see any impact at all on the continuation of the fight against armed terrorist groups, he says.

He explains: "The military that have taken power were security partners, whether for the US, Italy or [...] the French, whose operations there have been considerably reinforced following the forced departure of [French anti-jihadist mission] Barkhane from Mali last summer.

"There's been no act of hostility towards France."

In three statements issued by the coup leaders on Wednesday evening, and in speeches on national television, they said they did not want foreign interference.

There are concerns, however, over how the coup leaders see the future, and doubts remain about whether or not all of the armed forces back the overthrow.

There is disagreement within members of presidential guard, between soldiers, the national guard and special forces over whether or not to support the coup d'etat, Dupuy stresses.

Economic motives

France extracts uranium in the north of Niger, essential for running its vast network of nuclear power plants.

On France Info radio on Thursday, the head of Macron's Renaissance party, Sylvain Maillard, said France was following the situation in Niger very closely  not only in case it endangers the population, but also for its impact on France's economic interests.

As you well know, uranium is part of the equation, so we're watching what is happening very attentively, Maillard said.

Dupuy sees no cause for major concern in the immediate future.

Economic interests are not in danger. France will continue to get uranium in mines around Agadez, the Nigerien army will continue to ensure and protect the convoys of uranium, he says.

It's too early to evoke the fact that the military might apply any pressure [on France] from that point of view.

But uncertainty around the coup leaders' future plans leaves a political vacuum which, Dupuy says, is a potential cause for concern.

It could open the door for Moscow or Russian paramilitary organisation Wagner  so far absent from Niger  to intervene.
The Ashanti Regional National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) has demanded accountability from the previous 2021/2022 executive led by Samuel Afoakwa Boateng known publicly as Sam-Seth.

Through their lawyers, the secretariat has raised concerns regarding financial transactions and the lack of transparency exhibited by their predecessors and has given them an ultimatum to appear before the secretariat within 7 days.

Missing Equipment

The secretariat claims that an amount of GH13,100.00 was withdrawn from the accounts of NASPA, Ashanti Regional Secretariat at Kumawuman Rural Bank by the previous administration for the procurement of equipment.

This included a laptop, a printer, and other items, as mentioned in a memo. However, upon investigation, these items could not be traced at the NASPA Ashanti Regional Secretariat's office.

The secretariat is seeking clarification on the whereabouts of these missing items.

Misappropriation of Election Funds

The secretariat alleges that the previous administration collected funds from aspirants vying for various positions in the 2023 NASPA Ashanti Regional Elections. The total amount collected was GH12,500.00, with varying amounts taken from each candidate based on their position.

The collected funds were meant to be used for the smooth conduct of the elections. However, the elections did not materialize, and the secretariat claims that they had to utilize their funds to organize the event. They are demanding an explanation for the misappropriation of these election funds.

Unauthorized Withdrawal

The Ultimatum raises concerns about an unauthorized withdrawal of GH13,000.00 from the NASPA Ashanti Regional Secretariat accounts in December 2022. This withdrawal occurred after the immediate past Ashanti Regional Director left office.

The secretariat highlights that the withdrawal was made without proper authorization from higher authorities within the NASPA, such as the NASPA Executive Director of the regional NASPA.

They question the legitimacy of this withdrawal and seek clarification on the matter.

Conclusion

The demand for accountability from the 2021/2022 executive by the 2022/2023 regional NASPA executive highlights serious concerns regarding financial transactions and transparency within the organization.

The missing equipment, misappropriation of election funds, and unauthorized withdrawals raise questions about the previous administration's financial management.
The Head of the Human Trafficking Secretariat Unit at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection in Ghana (MOGCSP), Abena Annobea Asare has encouraged each member of the ECOWAS network of national focal institution for human trafficking to adopt innovation and technology in the fight against human trafficking.

This she insists will ensure they remain resolute in their commitment to implement the strategies and collaborations that have been outlined during the 15th Annual Review Meeting Of The Ecowas Regional Network Of National Focal Institutions Against Trafficking In Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+)

"Let us strengthen our capacity-building initiatives, foster cross-border cooperation, and enhance our communication networks to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to human trafficking," she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister of MOGCSP, Hon Francisca Oteng-Mensah at the closing ceremony of RNNI-TIP+ on Wednesday 26th July in Accra, Abena Annobea Asare called for unity among ECOWAS countries to defeat the perpetrators of the act and protect the victims.

"While much progress has been made over the years, we must acknowledge that there is still much work ahead of us. The fight against human trafficking requires a united front, cooperation, and sustained efforts at regional, national, and international levels," she said.

During the three-day event, participants from 15 African countries engaged in significant deliberations, shared experiences and outlined strategies to combat one of the gravest crimes affecting the region, human trafficking.

The conference also focused on the preparation for the commemoration of the World Day Against Human Trafficking which is slated on the 30th of July each year. This year's theme is "Reach Every Victim Of Trafficking, Leave No One Behind".

The year's celebration will be in Eastern Region where the community leaders, women, and children will be sensitized on human trafficking

She urged everyone to be vigilant because everybody can be trafficked.

Melita Gruevska Graham, Head of the Anti-Trafficking Programme at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) reiterated that the fight against human trafficking is a global issue and hence requires a collective responsibility.

She said the ICMPD is committed to supporting and working with the ECOWAS to fight this menace in the sub-region.
If the Cold War analogy does not apply, neither does the distant balance-of-power politics of 19th Century Europe. The global economy of the 21st Century is a tightly woven fabric. We are too interconnected to try to hold China at arms length, hoping to promote other powers in Asia at its expense. Nor would the other powers hold China at bay, initiating and terminating ties based on an old model of drawing-room diplomacy. The United States seeks constructive relations with all countries that do not threaten peace and security.

So if the templates of the past do not fit, how should we view China at the dawn of the 21st Century?

On both sides, there is a gulf in perceptions. The overwhelming priority of Chinas senior officials is to develop and modernize a China that still faces enormous internal challenges. While proud of their accomplishments, Chinas leaders recognize their countrys perceived weaknesses, its rural poverty, and the challenges of political and social change. Two-thirds of Chinas population  nearly 900 million people  are in poor rural areas, living mostly as subsistence farmers, and 200 million Chinese live on less than a dollar a day. In China, economic growth is seen as an internal imperative, not as a challenge to the United States.

Therefore, China clearly needs a benign international environment for its work at home. Of course, the Chinese expect to be treated with respect and will want to have their views and interests recognized. But China does not want a conflict with the United States.

Nevertheless, many Americans worry that the Chinese dragon will prove to be a fire-breather. There is a cauldron of anxiety about China.

The U.S. business community, which in the 1990s saw China as a land of opportunity, now has a more mixed assessment. Smaller companies worry about Chinese competition, rampant piracy, counterfeiting, and currency manipulation. Even larger U.S. businesses  once the backbone of support for economic engagement  are concerned that mercantilist Chinese policies will try to direct controlled markets instead of opening competitive markets. American workers wonder if they can compete.

China needs to recognize how its actions are perceived by others. Chinas involvement with troublesome states indicates at best a blindness to consequences and at worst something more ominous. Chinas actions  combined with a lack of transparency  can create risks. Uncertainties about how China will use its power will lead the United States  and others as well  to hedge relations with China. Many countries hope China will pursue a "Peaceful Rise," but none will bet their future on it.

For example, Chinas rapid military modernization and increases in capabilities raise questions about the purposes of this buildup and Chinas lack of transparency. The recent report by the U.S. Department of Defense on Chinas military posture was not confrontational, although Chinas reaction to it was. The U.S. report described facts, including what we know about Chinas military, and discussed alternative scenarios. If China wants to lessen anxieties, it should openly explain its defense spending, intentions, doctrine, and military exercises.

Views about China are also shaped by its growing economic footprint. China has gained much from its membership in an open, rules-based international economic system, and the U.S. market is particularly important for Chinas development strategy. Many gain from this trade, including millions of U.S. farmers and workers who produce the commodities, components, and capital goods that China is so voraciously consuming.

But no other country  certainly not those of the European Union or Japan  would accept a $162 billion bilateral trade deficit, contributing to a $665 billion global current account deficit. China  and others that sell to China  cannot take its access to the U.S. market for granted. Protectionist pressures are growing.

China has been more open than many developing countries, but there are increasing signs of mercantilism, with policies that seek to direct markets rather than opening them. The United States will not be able to sustain an open international economic system  or domestic U.S. support for such a system  without greater cooperation from China, as a stakeholder that shares responsibility on international economic issues.

For example, a responsible major global player shouldnt tolerate rampant theft of intellectual property and counterfeiting, both of which strike at the heart of Americas knowledge economy. Chinas pledges  including a statement just last week by President Hu in New York  to crack down on the criminals who ply this trade are welcome, but the results are not yet evident. China needs to fully live up to its commitments to markets where America has a strong competitive advantage, such as in services, agriculture, and certain manufactured goods. And while Chinas exchange rate policy offered stability in the past, times have changed. China may have a global current account surplus this year of nearly $150 billion, among the highest in the world. This suggests that Chinas recent policy adjustments are an initial step, but much more remains to be done to permit markets to adjust to imbalances. China also shares a strong interest with the United States in negotiating a successful WTO Doha agreement that opens markets and expands global growth.

Chinas economic growth is driving its thirst for energy. In response, China is acting as if it can somehow "lock up" energy supplies around the world. This is not a sensible path to achieving energy security. Moreover, a mercantilist strategy leads to partnerships with regimes that hurt Chinas reputation and lead others to question its intentions. In contrast, market strategies can lessen volatility, instability, and hoarding. China should work with the United States and others to develop diverse sources of energy, including through clean coal technology, nuclear, renewables, hydrogen, and biofuels. Our new Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate  as well as the bilateral dialogue conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and Chinas National Development and Reform Commission  offer practical mechanisms for this cooperation. We should also encourage the opening of oil and gas production in more places around the world. We can work on energy conservation and efficiency, including through standards for the many appliances made in China. Through the IEA we can strengthen the building and management of strategic reserves. We also have a common interest in secure transport routes and security in producing countries.

All nations conduct diplomacy to promote their national interests. Responsible stakeholders go further: They recognize that the international system sustains their peaceful prosperity, so they work to sustain that system. In its foreign policy, China has many opportunities to be a responsible stakeholder.

The most pressing opportunity is North Korea. Since hosting the Six-Party Talks at their inception in 2003, China has played a constructive role. This week we achieved a Joint Statement of Principles, with an agreement on the goal of "verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner." But the hard work of implementation lies ahead, and China should share our interest in effective and comprehensive compliance.

Moreover, the North Korea problem is about more than just the spread of dangerous weapons. Without broad economic and political reform, North Korea poses a threat to itself and others. It is time to move beyond the half century-old armistice on the Korean peninsula to a true peace, with regional security and development. A Korean peninsula without nuclear weapons opens the door to this future. Some 30 years ago America ended its war in Viet Nam. Today Viet Nam looks to the United States to help integrate it into the world market economic system so Viet Nam can improve the lives of its people. By contrast, North Korea, with a 50 year-old cold armistice, just falls further behind.

Beijing also has a strong interest in working with us to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles that can deliver them. The proliferation of danger will undermine the benign security environment and healthy international economy that China needs for its development.

Chinas actions on Irans nuclear program will reveal the seriousness of Chinas commitment to non-proliferation. And while we welcome Chinas efforts to police its own behavior through new export controls on sensitive technology, we still need to see tough legal punishments for violators.

China and the United States can do more together in the global fight against terrorism. Chinese citizens have been victims of terror attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan. China can help destroy the supply lines of global terrorism. We have made a good start by working together at the UN and searching for terrorist money in Chinese banks, but can expand our cooperation further.

China pledged $150 million in assistance to Afghanistan, and $25 million to Iraq. These pledges were welcome, and we look forward to their full implementation. China would build stronger ties with both through follow-on pledges. Other countries are assisting the new Iraqi government with major debt forgiveness, focusing attention on the $7 billion in Iraqi debt still held by Chinese state companies.

On my early morning runs in Khartoum, I saw Chinese doing tai chi exercises. I suspect they were in Sudan for the oil business. But China should take more than oil from Sudan  it should take some responsibility for resolving Sudans human crisis. It could work with the United States, the UN, and others to support the African Unions peacekeeping mission, to provide humanitarian relief to Darfur, and to promote a solution to Sudans conflicts.

In Asia, China is already playing a larger role. The United States respects Chinas interests in the region, and recognizes the useful role of multilateral diplomacy in Asia. But concerns will grow if China seeks to maneuver toward a predominance of power. Instead, we should work together with ASEAN, Japan, Australia, and others for regional security and prosperity through the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Chinas choices about Taiwan will send an important message, too. We have made clear that our "one China" policy remains based on the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. It is important for China to resolve its differences with Taiwan peacefully.

The United States, Japan, and China will need to cooperate effectively together on both regional and global challenges. Given Chinas terrible losses in World War II, I appreciate the sensitivity of historical issues with Japan. But as I have told my Chinese colleagues, I have observed some sizeable gaps in Chinas telling of history, too. When I visited the "918" museum at the site of the 1931 "Manchurian Incident," I noted that the chronological account jumped from 1941 to the Soviet offensive against Japan in August 1945, overlooking the United States involvement in the Pacific from 1941 to 1945! Perhaps we could start to ease some misapprehensions by opening a three-way dialogue among historians.

Clearly, there are many common interests and opportunities for cooperation. But some say Americas commitment to democracy will preclude long-term cooperation with China. Let me suggest why this need not be so.

Freedom lies at the heart of what America is as a nation, we stand for what President Bush calls the non-negotiable demands of human dignity. As I have seen over the 25 years since I lived in Hong Kong, Asians have also pressed for more freedom and built many more democracies. Indeed, President Hu and Premier Wen are talking about the importance of China strengthening the rule of law and developing democratic institutions.

We do not urge the cause of freedom to weaken China. To the contrary, President Bush has stressed that the terrible experience of 9/11 has driven home that in the absence of freedom, unhealthy societies will breed deadly cancers. In his Second Inaugural, President Bush recognized that democratic institutions must reflect the values and culture of diverse societies. As he said, "Our goal is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom, and make their own way."

Being born ethnically Chinese does not predispose people against democracy  just look at Taiwans vibrant politics. Japan and South Korea have successfully blended a Confucian heritage with modern democratic principles.

Closed politics cannot be a permanent feature of Chinese society. It is simply not sustainable  as economic growth continues, better-off Chinese will want a greater say in their future, and pressure builds for political reform:
Forza Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII  Free Report) by 20.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,187 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the period. Forza Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries were worth $453,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp purchased a new position in Huntington Ingalls Industries in the 1st quarter valued at $43,000. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. increased its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 2.5% during the first quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 2,392 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $495,000 after buying an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. raised its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 44,343 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $9,180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,581 shares during the last quarter. Investment Management Associates Inc. ADV boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 48.7% during the first quarter. Investment Management Associates Inc. ADV now owns 79,913 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $16,544,000 after acquiring an additional 26,159 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 6.3% during the first quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 2,972 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $615,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the period. 87.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.13, for a total value of $99,065.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 20,820 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,125,066.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Performance

Several analysts have recently issued reports on HII shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $238.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Huntington Ingalls Industries currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $245.86.

Shares of NYSE:HII traded down $5.31 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $229.15. The stock had a trading volume of 77,163 shares, compared to its average volume of 361,338. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.96. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $216.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $213.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.24 and a beta of 0.66. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a 1-year low of $188.51 and a 1-year high of $260.02.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The aerospace company reported $3.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.00 by $0.23. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 17.41% and a net margin of 5.27%. The firm had revenue of $2.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.60 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.50 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 14.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 26th were given a $1.24 dividend. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 25th. Huntington Ingalls Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.98%.

About Huntington Ingalls Industries

(Free Report)

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S.

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Greencoat Renewables PLC (LON:GRP  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, July 26th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, August 10th will be paid a dividend of 0.02 ($0.02) per share on Friday, September 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 1.53%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 10th. The official announcement can be seen at this link.

Greencoat Renewables Trading Up 1.1 %

Greencoat Renewables stock traded up GBX 0.01 ($0.00) during trading on Thursday, reaching GBX 1.06 ($0.01). The company had a trading volume of 844,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 388,022. Greencoat Renewables has a 12-month low of GBX 0.97 ($0.01) and a 12-month high of GBX 1.26 ($0.02). The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 1.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 1.08. The firm has a market capitalization of 12.04 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.04 and a beta of 0.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 65.97, a quick ratio of 15.30 and a current ratio of 0.25.

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Greencoat Renewables PLC invests in, acquires, operates, and manages wind farms in France, Finland, Sweden, and Spain. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 25 wind farms with an aggregate generating capacity of 800 megawatts. It also invests in solar generation assets. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Dublin, Ireland.

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Gryphon Financial Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 7.8% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 4,646 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 395 shares during the period. Gryphon Financial Partners LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $235,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DVN. Wahed Invest LLC increased its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 2.1% in the first quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 7,933 shares of the energy companys stock worth $469,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Devon Energy by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 18,931 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,164,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Devon Energy by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 9,782 shares of the energy companys stock worth $602,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Deane Retirement Strategies Inc. raised its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Deane Retirement Strategies Inc. now owns 48,249 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $2,968,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the period. Finally, Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 18.8% in the 4th quarter. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. now owns 1,140 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $70,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.00% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Devon Energy news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 8,292 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.97, for a total transaction of $414,351.24. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 218,418 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,914,347.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.63% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Devon Energy Price Performance

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $67.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Raymond James dropped their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $70.00 to $62.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $52.00 to $50.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $54.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Devon Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $65.84.

Devon Energy stock traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $52.97. 405,146 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,057,677. The company has a market cap of $34.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.80, a PEG ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 2.31. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $48.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of $53.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Devon Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $44.03 and a 12-month high of $78.82.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $3.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.82 billion. Devon Energy had a net margin of 31.39% and a return on equity of 47.42%. The businesss revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.88 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Devon Energy Co. will post 5.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Devon Energy Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.44%. Devon Energys payout ratio is 8.72%.

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DVN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Free Report).

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 10,000 

CIBC

  CBC   2022  4  4 

 (Robert Behan)  (Barbara Behan)  (TD Bank)  CIBC  10,000 

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Go Public  Payments Canada  Lynx  IBAN 

$10,000 wire transfer disappears after bank puts it in wrong account

CIBC says wrong information on form led to the error

It's advertised as a safe and reliable way to send money, but an Ontario couple says the $10,000 wire transfer they sent their adult son was deposited into a stranger's account, then disappeared.

Barbara and Robert Behan wanted to help their son and his young family finish the basement in their home, so they sent the cash as a Christmas gift.

The transfer was sent from the couple's TD Bank account in Penetanguishene, Ont., on Dec. 21, to a CIBC branch in Calgary where their son has been banking for decades. But the money never showed up in his account.

Weeks later, CIBC told the Behans the money was gone  deposited into someone else's account the day it was sent  and that the account holder had withdrawn all $10,000 the next day, then shut the account down.

"It's inconceivable. Apparently this person had the exact same account number as our son," Barbara said.

Got a story? Email Rosa and the Go Public team

"But they [CIBC] never matched the name of the account number to our son's name. They just put it into the wrong person's account. Nobody checked it."

CIBC says clients can have identical account numbers. It's another set of numbers  the five-digit transit numbers that identify a specific branch  that differentiates between accounts.

Some of the paperwork the Behans accumulated during the two months they were trying to get their money back. (Keith Burgess/CBC)

All of this could have been prevented if banks had a better system in place to make sure wire transfers end up in the right place, says banking expert Werner Antweiler.

"It really points to the [issues] with the current system," said Antweiler, an associate professor at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia.

"A simple mistake can get compounded very quickly because once the money has left an account, it is not easy, or it's often impossible, to retrieve it  so that's really imperative to get the transfer information right."

After two months of battling the banks, CIBC's ombudsman decided the bank was not at fault but offered the couple half of their money back as a goodwill gesture.

The bank returned the entire amount after Go Public contacted it.

WATCH | Wire transfer goes missing:

Couple loses $10K wire transfer after bank deposits it in wrong account | Go Public An Ontario couple says their $10,000 wire transfer was deposited in the wrong account and then disappeared. The case highlights a key problem with Canada's wire transfer system  a lack of built-in error detection.

'Many sleepless nights'

Until then, the Behans say they spent "many sleepless nights" wondering if they'd ever see their money again.

"I worried constantly. I said to all the bank managers and everybody we've been in touch with, 'If this was your $10,000, would you be so laid-back about it?' It's $10,000. It's not a $1.50. It's hard-earned money," Barbara said. The couple says they were bounced back and forth between the two banks, with neither taking responsibility.

TD told the couple the missing funds were CIBC's fault  because it put the money into someone else's account after TD had successfully transferred it.

CIBC's ombudsman blamed the Behans, telling them that, instead of providing the transit number for their son's Calgary branch, they should have given TD the one for the Burlington, Ont., location where he first opened his account decades ago.

The ombudsman also said the bank is attempting to recoup the money from the other account holder, "through legal action."

"We encourage clients to double-check this information when sending payments to ensure the funds are delivered to the intended recipient," wrote CIBC spokesperson Trish Tervit in an email to Go Public.

The couple says any problem should have been flagged and the money returned.

"It never should have reached the point that it did," Barbara said.

TD told the couple the missing funds were CIBC's fault  because it put the money into someone else's account after TD had successfully transferred it. (Colin Hall/CBC)

Prone to errors

Such errors are a direct result of Canada's flawed wire transfer system, says Antweiler  a system, called Lynx, that's prone to mistakes even though it was launched just last September. The majority of banks operating in Canada use Lynx, including CIBC, with a few exceptions.

"There are a great number of errors that happen when forms are filled out [and] the slightest error can lead to these kinds of situations where people are out of pocket, often quite deeply out of pocket," he said.

Lynx is only used in Canada. It's owned and operated by the non-profit Payments Canada, which is governed by organizations including the chartered banks and the Bank of Canada. It's in charge of almost all the systems (including debit, cheques and wire transfers  but not credit cards) used to make payments or otherwise send money.

More than 11 million transactions valued at $126 trillion were processed between financial institutions in 2021, including international payments, according to Payments Canada.

Lynx doesn't require banks to match the account number with the name of the account holder  and Antweiler says most banks don't  which increases the chance of errors like what happened to the Behans.

CIBC denied it was at fault, but eventually returned the Behans $10,000. (Colin Hall/CBC)

"We need to allow Canadians to transfer money more easily from bank to bank  a system that is not as error-prone, where if a few characters are wrong, the money ends up in the wrong place," he said.

Lynx replaced the Large Value Transfer System (LVTS) that had been in place for more than 20 years, according to the Payments Canada website. It calls Lynx "another milestone in payments innovation."

There is a solution, says Antweiler, pointing to other countries that use the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) system.

Unlike Lynx  which uses a three-digit bank code, a five-digit transit code and the account number  IBAN uses a lengthy alphanumeric code that allows its built-in error detection to flag problems, leaving little room for human error.

"That means if there's any error, like a number transposed or digit missing, [the transfer] would not work," Antweiler said.

As of January, 79 countries were using the IBAN system, including countries in the EU, Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean.

Banking expert Werner Antweiler says, despite being less than a year old, Canada's wire transfer system called Lynx is flawed. (University of British Columbia)

Go Public asked five of Canada's major banks, Finance Canada and Payments Canada for statistics on wire transfer errors, but none made the information available.

The Behans say a safer, more reliable system is needed.

"We discovered during this time that our banking system, our banks, do not talk to each other. They do not work together. They don't have the same wire transfer forms. They don't communicate back and forth," Robert said.

"The thing we are saying is, how are [the banks] going to correct it in the future so it doesn't happen to anybody else?"

Go Public asked Payments Canada about the problems with Lynx and if it's considering changing to the IBAN system, but it didn't answer the questions.
Shares of Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Hold from the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $18.57.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Infosys from $21.00 to $18.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Infosys in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. They issued an underweight rating and a $14.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup cut shares of Infosys from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Infosys in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Macquarie downgraded Infosys from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Sunday, April 16th.

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Infosys Stock Performance

Shares of INFY stock opened at $16.62 on Thursday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $15.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.86. The stock has a market cap of $68.75 billion, a PE ratio of 23.08, a PEG ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.98. Infosys has a 52-week low of $14.71 and a 52-week high of $20.60.

Infosys Increases Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Infosys

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a $0.2134 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.5%. This is a positive change from Infosyss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. Infosyss dividend payout ratio is currently 50.00%.

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Infosys by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 72,618,957 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,266,476,000 after buying an additional 4,557,724 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Infosys by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 22,616,779 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $394,437,000 after purchasing an additional 1,617,203 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Infosys by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 20,400,397 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $355,709,000 after purchasing an additional 1,722,731 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Infosys by 11.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,115,250 shares of the technology companys stock worth $298,490,000 after buying an additional 1,810,239 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its stake in Infosys by 7.5% in the first quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 12,111,902 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $211,232,000 after buying an additional 841,085 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 12.16% of the companys stock.

Infosys Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Infosys Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, technology, outsourcing, and next-generation digital services in North America, Europe, India, and internationally. It provides application management and application development services, independent validation solutions, product engineering and management, infrastructure management services, traditional enterprise application implementation, support, and integration services.

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Canaccord Genuity Group initiated coverage on shares of Metals Acquisition (NYSE:MTAL  Free Report) in a research report released on Tuesday morning, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $13.00 price objective on the stock.

Metals Acquisition Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MTAL traded down $0.13 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $10.14. 102 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 108,555. Metals Acquisition has a one year low of $8.49 and a one year high of $12.19. The companys 50 day moving average is $10.16 and its 200 day moving average is $10.16.

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Institutional Trading of Metals Acquisition

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Berkley W R Corp lifted its holdings in Metals Acquisition by 455.8% in the first quarter. Berkley W R Corp now owns 412,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,214,000 after acquiring an additional 338,121 shares during the period. Boothbay Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in Metals Acquisition during the first quarter worth approximately $2,724,000. Atlas Merchant Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Metals Acquisition in the first quarter valued at $2,555,000. Aristeia Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Metals Acquisition by 34.7% in the 4th quarter. Aristeia Capital LLC now owns 912,350 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,128,000 after purchasing an additional 235,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Metals Acquisition in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,992,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.94% of the companys stock.

About Metals Acquisition

Metals Acquisition Limited focuses on operating and acquiring metals and mining businesses. It operates the CSA copper mine in Cobar, Australia. Metals Acquisition Limited is headquartered in St. Helier, Jersey.

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Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $5.65 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.05 by $0.60, Briefing.com reports. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 36.20%. The company had revenue of $8.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.32 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.55 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Molina Healthcare updated its FY23 guidance to at least $20.75 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance to $20.75- EPS.

Molina Healthcare Stock Performance

NYSE MOH traded down $3.00 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $308.17. 371,995 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 524,309. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $290.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $288.62. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Molina Healthcare has a 1 year low of $256.19 and a 1 year high of $374.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.70.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on MOH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Molina Healthcare from $348.00 to $341.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $365.00 to $335.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Molina Healthcare in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. They issued an overweight rating and a $354.00 price target for the company. Finally, Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on shares of Molina Healthcare from $347.00 to $350.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Molina Healthcare presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $350.92.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Molina Healthcare

About Molina Healthcare

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in 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 buying an additional 1,001,372 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Molina Healthcare during the 4th quarter valued at about $214,801,000. Durable Capital Partners LP bought a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare during the first quarter valued at about $214,363,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Molina Healthcare by 151.6% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 893,693 shares of the companys stock worth $298,128,000 after acquiring an additional 538,493 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 25.6% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,457,008 shares of the companys stock valued at $819,633,000 after acquiring an additional 501,107 shares in the last quarter. 95.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

(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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Packaging Co. of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) VP Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 27,027 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.80, for a total transaction of $4,021,617.60. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 198,121 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,480,404.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Packaging Co. of America Price Performance

NYSE:PKG traded up $1.88 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $152.43. 916,951 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 709,753. The company has a quick ratio of 1.91, a current ratio of 3.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Packaging Co. of America has a 1 year low of $110.56 and a 1 year high of $155.40. The company has a market cap of $13.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.91 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $130.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $134.78.

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Packaging Co. of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The industrial products company reported $2.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.93 by $0.38. Packaging Co. of America had a net margin of 10.79% and a return on equity of 23.37%. The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.23 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Packaging Co. of America will post 7.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Packaging Co. of America Dividend Announcement

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.28%. Packaging Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.85%.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on PKG shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Packaging Co. of America from $122.00 to $137.00 in a report on Thursday. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Packaging Co. of America from $137.00 to $132.00 in a research report on Friday, June 30th. 22nd Century Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Packaging Co. of America in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Packaging Co. of America from $145.00 to $138.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Packaging Co. of America in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $131.50.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Packaging Co. of America

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PKG. IFM Investors Pty Ltd lifted its position in shares of Packaging Co. of America by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 18,514 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,447,000 after buying an additional 644 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC increased its stake in shares of Packaging Co. of America by 12.7% in the 2nd quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 2,913 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $385,000 after acquiring an additional 329 shares during the last quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Packaging Co. of America by 8,756.3% in the 2nd quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,417 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $187,000 after buying an additional 1,401 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its holdings in Packaging Co. of America by 87.4% in the 2nd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 13,382 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,769,000 after buying an additional 6,243 shares during the period. Finally, Manning & Napier Group LLC increased its stake in Packaging Co. of America by 10.4% during the second quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC now owns 40,175 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,310,000 after purchasing an additional 3,773 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.84% of the companys stock.

Packaging Co. of America Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Packaging Corporation of America manufactures and sells containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the United States. The company operates through Packaging and Paper segments. The Packaging segment offers various containerboard and corrugated packaging products, such as conventional shipping containers used to protect and transport manufactured goods; multi-color boxes and displays that help to merchandise the packaged product in retail locations; and honeycomb protective packaging products, as well as packaging for meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, processed food, beverages, and other industrial and consumer products.

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Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 169.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,157 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 728 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LPs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $1,976,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CMG. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 555,959 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $769,954,000 after purchasing an additional 14,505 shares in the last quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership grew its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 507,232 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $703,779,000 after acquiring an additional 2,012 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 480,237 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $666,324,000 after buying an additional 4,363 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8.3% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 402,002 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $557,774,000 after buying an additional 30,788 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Winslow Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8.9% in the 4th quarter. Winslow Capital Management LLC now owns 387,249 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $537,304,000 after purchasing an additional 31,604 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.91% of the companys stock.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

NYSE CMG opened at $2,085.72 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.42, a PEG ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.31. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a one year low of $1,344.05 and a one year high of $2,175.01. The businesss fifty day moving average is $2,075.44 and its 200-day moving average is $1,819.87.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The restaurant operator reported $12.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $12.25 by $0.40. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.01% and a net margin of 11.49%. The firm had revenue of $2.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $9.30 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 44.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director Robin S. Hickenlooper sold 74 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,056.73, for a total transaction of $152,198.02. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 853 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,754,390.69. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,077 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,055.00, for a total transaction of $2,213,235.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $47,978,085. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Robin S. Hickenlooper sold 74 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,056.73, for a total value of $152,198.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 853 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,754,390.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 9,528 shares of company stock worth $19,738,136. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on CMG. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,200.00 to $2,570.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 21st. Wedbush cut their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,300.00 to $2,200.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Loop Capital raised their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,700.00 to $1,850.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Credit Suisse Group boosted their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,050.00 to $2,200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-one have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,137.83.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

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EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Raymond James from $150.00 to $140.00 in a research note released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a strong-buy rating on the energy exploration companys stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on EOG. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on EOG Resources from $170.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on EOG Resources from $115.00 to $113.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on EOG Resources from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday. UBS Group initiated coverage on EOG Resources in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. They set a buy rating and a $152.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Scotiabank upgraded EOG Resources from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $150.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $145.32.

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EOG Resources Stock Performance

EOG stock traded down $0.84 during trading on Monday, hitting $128.48. 183,716 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,554,583. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $114.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $117.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.90. The company has a market cap of $75.14 billion, a PE ratio of 8.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.53. EOG Resources has a 1 year low of $97.39 and a 1 year high of $150.88.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.28 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.00 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 51.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that EOG Resources will post 10.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be issued a $0.825 dividend. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.57%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is currently 20.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling at EOG Resources

In other news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total value of $238,155.06. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total value of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at $4,409,796.82. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total value of $579,350.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of EOG Resources

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. grew its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 785.0% during the second quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 36,991 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $4,233,000 after purchasing an additional 32,811 shares in the last quarter. LGT Group Foundation grew its position in shares of EOG Resources by 2.7% in the second quarter. LGT Group Foundation now owns 84,618 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $9,684,000 after purchasing an additional 2,241 shares during the last quarter. Close Asset Management Ltd lifted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 5.1% during the second quarter. Close Asset Management Ltd now owns 107,829 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $12,343,000 after buying an additional 5,280 shares during the period. First Heartland Consultants Inc. raised its stake in EOG Resources by 159.4% during the second quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 5,447 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $623,000 after purchasing an additional 3,347 shares during the period. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co raised its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 7,564 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $866,000 after acquiring an additional 473 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.58% of the companys stock.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Finning International (TSE:FTT  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by equities researchers at Royal Bank of Canada from C$44.00 to C$51.00 in a report released on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price would suggest a potential upside of 14.74% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Raymond James boosted their target price on Finning International from C$42.00 to C$43.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Scotiabank upped their price target on Finning International from C$46.00 to C$50.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Finning International presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$45.00.

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Finning International Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of TSE:FTT traded down C$0.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting C$44.45. 166,320 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 354,875. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$39.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$36.77. The stock has a market cap of C$6.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.67. Finning International has a 12-month low of C$23.46 and a 12-month high of C$44.79. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.86.

About Finning International

Finning International ( TSE:FTT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported C$0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.71 by C$0.18. Finning International had a return on equity of 22.70% and a net margin of 5.61%. The firm had revenue of C$2.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$1.92 billion. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Finning International will post 3.8001761 earnings per share for the current year.

(Get Free Report)

Finning International Inc sells, services, and rents heavy equipment, engines, and related products in Canada, Chile, Bolivia, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers articulated trucks, asphalt pavers, backhoe loaders, cold planers, compactors, dozers, draglines, electric rope shovels, excavators, hydraulic mining shovels, material handlers, motor graders, off-highway trucks, pipelayers, road reclaimers, skid steer and compact track loaders, track loaders, underground-hard rock, wheel loaders, and wheel tractor-scrapers.

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Yara International ASA (OTCMKTS:YARIY  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Scotiabank cut their FY2024 earnings estimates for shares of Yara International ASA in a research note issued to investors on Monday, July 24th. Scotiabank analyst B. Isaacson now anticipates that the basic materials company will post earnings per share of $2.26 for the year, down from their prior estimate of $2.56. The consensus estimate for Yara International ASAs current full-year earnings is $1.64 per share.

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Yara International ASA (OTCMKTS:YARIY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The basic materials company reported ($0.18) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.38 by ($0.56). The business had revenue of $3.94 billion for the quarter. Yara International ASA had a return on equity of 13.68% and a net margin of 4.92%.

Yara International ASA Stock Down 0.9 %

Yara International ASA Increases Dividend

Shares of Yara International ASA stock traded down $0.18 on Tuesday, reaching $20.34. 20,244 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 31,410. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $18.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $20.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.08. The company has a market cap of $10.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.59 and a beta of 0.96. Yara International ASA has a 1-year low of $17.00 and a 1-year high of $23.95.

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 14th were paid a dividend of $2.1375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 13th. This represents a dividend yield of 13.28%. This is a positive change from Yara International ASAs previous dividend of $0.37. Yara International ASAs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 111.46%.

Yara International ASA Company Profile

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Yara International ASA provides crop nutrition and industrial solutions in Norway, European Union, Europe, Africa, Asia, North and Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. The company offers ammonium- and urea-based fertilizers; compound fertilizers that contain plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; coatings; biostimulants; organic-based fertilizers; green fertilizers are nitrate-based mineral fertilizers, as well as foliar and fertigation solutions; and nitrate, calcium nitrate, micronutrient, and fertigation fertilizers.

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Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.58, Briefing.com reports. The firm had revenue of $6.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.03 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 10.20% and a return on equity of 83.63%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.41 EPS. Sherwin-Williams updated its FY23 guidance to $9.30-9.70 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance to $9.30-$9.70 EPS.

Sherwin-Williams Price Performance

SHW traded down $3.83 during trading on Thursday, reaching $277.07. 1,889,708 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,509,167. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $248.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $235.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50, a current ratio of 1.00 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The company has a market capitalization of $71.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.10. Sherwin-Williams has a 1 year low of $195.24 and a 1 year high of $283.80.

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Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 18th will be given a dividend of $0.605 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 17th. This represents a $2.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.87%. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is 26.86%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sherwin-Williams

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SHW. Providence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 44,853.3% in the first quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 6,743 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 6,728 shares during the period. First Manhattan Co. raised its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 82.6% during the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 241 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 68.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 422 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in Sherwin-Williams by 25.3% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 471 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $118,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. Finally, Milestone Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Sherwin-Williams during the 1st quarter valued at $141,000. 75.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Several brokerages recently commented on SHW. Loop Capital lifted their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $295.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $275.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $240.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $280.56.

Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

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The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Americas Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners.

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Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) had its price target upped by Stifel Nicolaus from $71.00 to $77.00 in a report issued on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a buy rating on the energy companys stock.

DVN has been the subject of several other research reports. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $71.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $81.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Monday. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $67.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Devon Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the company from $63.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $71.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Devon Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $65.84.

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Devon Energy Trading Down 0.4 %

NYSE:DVN traded down $0.21 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $52.94. 765,544 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,060,824. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Devon Energy has a fifty-two week low of $44.03 and a fifty-two week high of $78.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.80, a PEG ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 2.31.

Devon Energy Cuts Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.07. Devon Energy had a net margin of 31.39% and a return on equity of 47.42%. The firm had revenue of $3.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.88 EPS. The companys revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Devon Energy will post 5.53 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.44%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.72%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Devon Energy news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 8,292 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.97, for a total value of $414,351.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 218,418 shares in the company, valued at $10,914,347.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.63% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Devon Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 9.2% during the second quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 142,774 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $6,902,000 after acquiring an additional 12,054 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its holdings in Devon Energy by 21.1% in the 2nd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 8,881 shares of the energy companys stock worth $429,000 after buying an additional 1,550 shares in the last quarter. Canal Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Devon Energy by 15.6% in the 2nd quarter. Canal Capital Management LLC now owns 102,605 shares of the energy companys stock worth $4,960,000 after buying an additional 13,828 shares in the last quarter. Oak Thistle LLC increased its holdings in Devon Energy by 165.9% in the 2nd quarter. Oak Thistle LLC now owns 10,581 shares of the energy companys stock worth $511,000 after buying an additional 6,601 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Manning & Napier Group LLC increased its holdings in Devon Energy by 30.6% in the 2nd quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC now owns 230,412 shares of the energy companys stock worth $11,138,000 after buying an additional 54,015 shares in the last quarter. 71.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Devon Energy Company Profile

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Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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The deepening of the partnership in China is in line with the group's "in China for China" strategy, said the Volkswagen Group. FRANKFURT, Germany, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Volkswagen Group, Germany's leading carmaker, said on Wednesday that it aims to strengthen cooperation with local Chinese partners to exploit the booming electric vehicle (EV) market. The company is acquiring a 4.99 percent stake in the Chinese electric vehicle startup XPeng by way of a capital increase worth around 700 million U.S. dollars. Simultaneously, the group's Audi brand has signed a strategic memorandum with its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC to further expand their existing cooperation. "The aim is to swiftly tap into new customer and market segments, thereby systematically leveraging the potential of China's dynamically growing e-mobility market," said the group in a press release. The deepening of the partnership in China is in line with the group's "in China for China" strategy, it added. According to a technological framework agreement with XPeng, two Volkswagen-branded electric models for the mid-sized segment will be rolled out in 2026 in China. Audi, on the other hand, will also expedite its efforts "to extend the portfolio of fully connected electric vehicles on offer in the premium segment swiftly and efficiently." Commenting on the move, Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Volkswagen Group China, said that "Local partnerships are an important building block in the Volkswagen Group's 'in China for China' strategy. We are now accelerating the expansion of our local electric portfolio and at the same time preparing for the next innovation step." The group decided to step up its efforts in China at a time when its sales slipped slightly by 2 percent in the Asian country during the first half of 2023. At a meeting of the company's managers held earlier this month, Thomas Schaefer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, warned that the coming weeks and months will be very tough.
The inmate was a Chinese male in his 50s charged with attempted murder. Although this person has been in jail for 10 months, he still has not gone to court yet. Therefore, he has not been sentenced. His lawyer suspected that the mate has mental illness, and requested a mental evaluation for him by a psychologist. He was of medium height and weight, and looked younger than his real age.

He grew up in an abusive family. His father, a submissive person in the community, treated his family awfully. Many times, his father beat his mother, broke dishes and cooking ware, cut open his mothers clothing, and even smashed furniture with an ax. After this kind of outburst, his father would move out and live by himself. However, after a while, his father always came back home, and the whole thing repeated again.

His father also was very stringent with him. The inmate mentioned that he and his older sister, his only sibling, rarely talked in the presence of his father, because his father considered children expressing their opinion in front of parents as a disrespect toward the parents. When his father was disappointed with him, he would slap him or pull his ear hard until his ear became red and swollen. As a result, the inmate wished his father never came back to home after his moving out, and even secretly wanted to kill his father. However, he was worried about the punishment of murdering his father, so he never turned his wish to action. After he got his associates degree, he moved out of his parents home, and lived by himself as soon as possible, because he wanted to escape from the oppressive environment of his original family.

However, he met a lot of obstacles in his work. He worked in the Bureau of statistics of his hometown. Although he had friends in school, he found that it was very difficult for him to make friends after he entered the society. According to him, his colleagues looked down on him, and his supervisor castigated him. He gave an example. When he took a driving class in his own time with his own money, and got his drivers license as the first person in his working place, his supervisor got angry, and criticized him in a conference of the whole bureau.

He was so miserable in the authoritarian environment that he quit his job in the Bureau and became an entrepreneur. However, he failed dreadfully. In addition, his wife opposed his quitting his job. She did not understand how he could give up a stable job and income to pursue his unrealistic idea of being an entrepreneur, which made her lose the feeling of stability and certainty of her life. He impulsively replied if this was how she felt, they should get a divorce. Then, they divorced.

At the age of 40, he got a chance to come to the USA. But his life was still tough. He had various jobs, such as waiter, delivery guy, temporary actor et al, and the longest jobs he had were sushi chef in different Chinese restaurants and card dealer in casinos. He moved more than 30 times and lived in more than half of the American States in the more than 10 years during which he was in the USA. The longest time he stayed in one apartment was about one year. The reason he moved so often is that he frequently changed his job, usually because the bosses complained that he was inefficient, but sometimes because he did not like the working place.

He had a severe gambling problem. He told the psychologist that he lost a total of about 250K dollars in casinos over the 10 years. Whenever he had more than 20K savings in his bank account, he would go to casinos gambling. When he had less than 5K, he would stop gambling and go back to work, and then the cycle repeats.

He also drinks. But he claimed that he did not drink that much, only about 4 drinks a week. He acknowledged that he had one romantic relationship in the USA. His partner was one of his coworkers in a Chinese restaurant, and they lived together for about half a year. Once he assumed he would become disfigured because he needed a plastic surgery to repair his forehead after a car accident, so he ended the relationship.

This person also admitted that he has hallucination and delusion. He sometimes heard the voices of his father, supervisor or colleagues who blamed him, criticized him or called him a loser. Occasionally, he believed a stranger with a frightening and ferocious face based on his judgment carrying a weapon, usually a gun or a knife, although he had never seen these weapons.

He claimed that his roommate, who was the victim of his attack, was an arrogant person with a frightening and ferocious face. This roommate profaned his mother, which was regarded as a more extreme offense to him than a profane to him because his mother is the person who cherished him the most in the world. Additionally, the inmate believed that his roommate had a weapon, so he shot him.

This inmate declared that he was lonely in the jail, because he is the only Chinese here and his English is not good enough to hold a conversation with other inmates or guards in the jail. But he is able to borrow Chinese fiction from the library in the jail, and he felt peace and calm when he read these books. Nevertheless, he was fine, and never thought about suicide or hurt other persons in jail because he felt that he still has responsibility of caring for his mother and son.

Having experienced so many setbacks in his life, he felt he had failed in all aspects of life and he concluded that there are three reasons for his failure: 1. Dismal original family, especially his abusive father. 2. No friends or relatives he could have a good conversation. 3. Nobody understood his singular character, even his ex-wife, which was greatly shaped by his miserable up-bring.

I thought even if this person has mild schizophrenia, he was not psychotic. He could have a logical conversation, although sometimes his answer was off target, especially why he was asked about the thoughts or reasons of his certain behaviors, like gambling and frequent moving. Also, sometimes his answer was not consistent. For example, when the psychologist asked him how long ago he began to hear voices, he first said it was after he came to the jail, then changed to about 1 and a half years ago, and then about 7 years.

This person is also impulsive and has difficulty controlling himself. He himself admitted that he was too impulsive when he decided to divorce his ex-wife. In addition, when he was asked what he would do when he felt depressed, his answer was drinking and gambling, which clearly showed his lack of self-control.

I thought his mental status should not completely exonerate him. Although he may benefit from a stay in a mental hospital, his condition may not reach the standard for a mandatory lock-down in a mental hospital, and it was difficult to imagine the prison will help with his mental illness. Besides, he definitely needed help with his addictive behavior.
Summit Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 5.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 36,913 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,064 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $2,306,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of KO. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Coca-Cola by 14.6% in the first quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC now owns 107,222 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,651,000 after acquiring an additional 13,627 shares during the last quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC grew its position in Coca-Cola by 4.0% in the first quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 6,671 shares of the companys stock valued at $414,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its position in Coca-Cola by 11.2% in the first quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 87,155 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,406,000 after acquiring an additional 8,807 shares during the last quarter. Liberty Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Coca-Cola in the first quarter valued at about $436,000. Finally, Bahl & Gaynor Inc. grew its position in Coca-Cola by 48.6% in the first quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 2,344,566 shares of the companys stock valued at $145,433,000 after acquiring an additional 767,226 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.61% of the companys stock.

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Coca-Cola Stock Down 0.8 %

NYSE KO traded down $0.53 on Thursday, reaching $62.52. The company had a trading volume of 7,475,429 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,501,192. The stock has a market capitalization of $270.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.43, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.54. The companys fifty day moving average is $60.92 and its 200 day moving average is $61.29. The Coca-Cola Company has a 52-week low of $54.01 and a 52-week high of $65.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34.

Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement

Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.74 billion. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 42.96% and a net margin of 22.69%. Coca-Colas quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.70 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.94%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.70%.

Insider Transactions at Coca-Cola

In related news, insider Henrique Braun sold 16,950 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.03, for a total transaction of $1,085,308.50. Following the sale, the insider now owns 26,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,682,196.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CMO Manuel Arroyo sold 734 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.40, for a total transaction of $46,535.60. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 114,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,264,372. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Henrique Braun sold 16,950 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.03, for a total value of $1,085,308.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 26,272 shares in the company, valued at $1,682,196.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 420,786 shares of company stock worth $26,886,224. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on KO shares. Wedbush boosted their price target on Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Coca-Cola from $69.00 to $70.00 in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Coca-Cola from $67.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Citigroup upped their target price on Coca-Cola from $71.00 to $74.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Coca-Cola from $61.00 to $63.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Coca-Cola has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $68.27.

About Coca-Cola

(Free Report)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores.

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TELUS International (Cda) (NYSE:TIXT  Get Free Report) had its price target cut by research analysts at Barclays from $15.00 to $11.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Barclayss target price points to a potential upside of 15.67% from the stocks previous close.

TIXT has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Citigroup downgraded TELUS International (Cda) from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $24.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Friday, July 14th. National Bank Financial cut TELUS International (Cda) from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $32.00 to $17.00 in a research note on Friday, July 14th. TheStreet lowered TELUS International (Cda) from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on TELUS International (Cda) from $24.00 to $19.00 in a report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of TELUS International (Cda) from $26.00 to $21.00 in a research note on Sunday, July 16th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $20.36.

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TELUS International (Cda) Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:TIXT traded down $0.22 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $9.51. The stock had a trading volume of 241,207 shares, compared to its average volume of 185,994. TELUS International has a fifty-two week low of $9.50 and a fifty-two week high of $31.52. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market cap of $694.99 million, a P/E ratio of 15.95, a PEG ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $14.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.59.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TELUS International (Cda)

TELUS International (Cda) ( NYSE:TIXT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $686.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $693.05 million. TELUS International (Cda) had a net margin of 6.38% and a return on equity of 17.21%. As a group, analysts anticipate that TELUS International will post 0.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. National Bank of Canada FI raised its position in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 251.8% during the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 152,834 shares of the companys stock worth $2,309,000 after acquiring an additional 109,395 shares in the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in TELUS International (Cda) during the second quarter valued at approximately $63,000. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co raised its position in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 17.7% during the 2nd quarter. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co now owns 73,700 shares of the companys stock worth $1,118,000 after purchasing an additional 11,075 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in TELUS International (Cda) by 203.3% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 500,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,124,000 after purchasing an additional 335,698 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its holdings in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 24.3% in the first quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 22,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $455,000 after purchasing an additional 4,400 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.30% of the companys stock.

TELUS International (Cda) Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TELUS International (Cda) Inc design, builds, and delivers digital solutions for customer experience (CX) in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, and the Central America. The company provides digital experience solutions, such as AI and bots, omnichannel CX, enterprise mobility solutions, cloud contact center, big data analytics, platform transformation, and UX/UI design; and customer experience solutions, including work anywhere/work from home, contact center outsourcing, technical support, sales growth and customer retention, healthcare/patient experience, and debt collection.

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Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from C$13.00 to C$14.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price would indicate a potential upside of 33.59% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on WCP. Raymond James lowered their price objective on Whitecap Resources from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. National Bankshares boosted their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$15.50 to C$16.50 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price objective on Whitecap Resources from C$15.00 to C$14.50 in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. ATB Capital decreased their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Desjardins cut their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$14.50 to C$12.75 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$14.50.

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Whitecap Resources Stock Performance

WCP stock traded up C$0.07 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting C$10.48. The stock had a trading volume of 1,095,981 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,969,856. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.28. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$9.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$10.21. Whitecap Resources has a 52 week low of C$8.00 and a 52 week high of C$11.52. The firm has a market capitalization of C$6.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.97, a P/E/G ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.89.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Whitecap Resources ( TSE:WCP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.33 by C$0.10. Whitecap Resources had a return on equity of 26.68% and a net margin of 33.46%. The firm had revenue of C$952.60 million for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Whitecap Resources will post 1.2758621 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Whitecap Resources news, Director Vineeta Maguire acquired 10,683 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 21st. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$9.36 per share, for a total transaction of C$99,992.88. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Whitecap Resources

(Get Free Report)

Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Whitecap Resources Inc is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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The process of budgeting in India is intertwined with politics and electioneering. Budgets in India have historically included announcements for specific voter groups. To use a borrowed phrase, an annual Budget, outlines the ruling partys fiscal planning, economic priorities and political game plan for the year ahead.



For political parties in India, the Budget is not only an economic but also a socioeconomic tool. Political business cycle theories postulate that opportunistic incumbent political parties attempt to manipulate policy instruments prior to elections in order to increase the probability of being reelected.



For this reason, budgets shed light on the focus voting segments and electoral strategies. Four big states are going to polls at the end of the year - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. Together, they also account for 82 Lok Sabha seats (15 percent of Lok Sabha strength).



Gehlots Education-Health-Energy Bets



Rajasthan governments spending as a proportion of total expenditure on health, education and energy sectors is higher than the all-India average. Ashok Gehlot has announced an increase in free medical cover under the Chiranjeevi yojana from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per family covering 1.35 crore beneficiaries.



The offer of subsidised gas cylinders at Rs 500 is another big gambit. Taking a leaf out of AAPs Delhi model, Gehlot has announced free electricity up to 100 units and waiving of fixed charges in electricity bills up to 200 units.



The governments provision of free education from 1st to 12th class in private schools under RTE for girl students and the implementation of a transport voucher scheme for students are big bang education reforms, by any measure.











Incidentally, Gehlots expenditure on agriculture is lower than all India average and no specific/new schemes have been launched for the farmers.



Shivraj Blunts Congress Promises



In Madhya Pradesh, everyones mama Shivraj Singh Chouhan is banking on farmers, youth and the poor to bail him out. The MP government pays Rs 6,000 to every farmer on top of the Rs 6,000 PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi from the central government.



For youth his government has launched an earn while you learn scheme besides laptops and scooties for meritorious students. The government has also launched Saral Bijli Bill Maafi Yojana to waive power bills of 80 lakh poor households (Rs 1,800 crore) to counter the 100 units free power guarantee of the Congress party.







Incidentally, the expenditure on rural / urban development and health sector in MP in the election year is slated to be lower than the all-India average.



Baghel Charms Farmers



Chhattisgarh, which is often called the rice bowl of India, due to thousands of varieties of paddy produced, is spending almost 3x of the national average on agriculture. The state pays Rs 660 per quintal bonus over and above the MSP of rice to 2.5 million farmers.







The Bhupesh Baghel government has recently announced an ambitious rural housing project Gramin Awas Nyay Yojana, which will be funded by the State and is meant to ease the process of receiving grants for eligible beneficiaries.



It has also promised a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 to educated unemployed youth. The highest allocation in the Rs 1,21,500 crore budget has gone to education at 16.1 percent. The state has also launched free treatment and diagnostics facilities in all government-run health facilities for its residents.



KCR Eyes Weaker Sections



The Telangana government's clear focus is on farmers, providing cheaper electricity to the poor, and welfare of SC/STs and minorities. KCR has also increased allocation to the Rythu Bandhu Scheme which, now at Rs 15,075 crore, provides annual income support of Rs 10,000 per acre to more than 70 lakh farmers.







The state has a free power scheme for farmers and SC/ST families up to 50 units and for small businesses up to 250 units. Spending on health and education is lower than national average indicating those facilities already in place are better than in Hindi speaking states.



Telangana has also allocated Rs 33,000 crore plus towards welfare of downtrodden, which is a staggering 34 percent higher than the previous year. The state also provides a one time capital assistance under the Dalit Bandhu scheme of Rs 10 lakh per SC family as a 100 percent grant/subsidy to establish a suitable income generating venture.







To sum up, state budgets project sectoral funding priorities which link to catchy schemes. It does give an undue advantage to governments in power, but these need not be a sureshot recipe for victory in the polls. For, there is usually a lag between fund allocation and implementation and even bigger questions about the efficacy of government funding.



Amitabh Tiwari is a former corporate and investment banker-turned political strategist and commentator. Twitter: @politicalbaaba. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.




Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on July 27 said that the ministry is currently evaluating 25 startups for availing government financial support under the semiconductor design subsidy scheme. Five startups have already availed the incentive, Chandrasekhar added.



The minister was speaking to mediapersons ahead of the beginning of the second edition of the annual SemiconIndia conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.



Chandrasekhar's statement and the annual semiconductor conference in Gandhinagar comes at a time when the Indian government wants to establish a thriving semiconductor manufacturing hub in the country, rivaling countries like Taiwan.



Major players such as Foxconn, Micron and AMD are set to attend the conference.



"In the design part of the semiconductor ecosystem, we are charging forward today with almost 30 startups. Five startups have been given direct government financial support and 25 more are being evaluated," Chandrasekhar told media persons.



The financial support to startups will be provided under the Design-Linked Incentive Scheme which was announced by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in 2021.



Under the scheme, financial incentives and design infrastructure support are set to be extended to domestic companies, startups and MSMEs across various stages of development and deployment of semiconductor design for integrated circuits (ICs), chipsets, system on chips (SoCs), systems & IP cores and semiconductor-linked design for over a period of 5 years.



Apart from that, while responding to a query on the development of electronics ancillary industries in the country, Chandrasekhar said that the government can come up with a PLI scheme if necessary.



"The necessary policy framework is already in place to create a vibrant component ecosystem. And if there is any need for the government to intervene and create more PLI type of schemes, we will do so.
Tata Group-owned Air India is planning to operate flights to more US cities, including Los Angeles, and is assessing various metrics, according to sources.



Currently, the airline operates non-stop flights to five American cities -- Washington, DC, New York, New Jersey, Chicago and San Francisco.



Los Angeles and Boston are among the cities being assessed as potential new destinations for long-haul flights from India, the sources said. At present, Air India has a code share partnership with United Airlines.



"We are planning to expand (our base) in the US and various cities are being assessed for potential new destinations. So, Boston is one of them, and Los Angeles too is among the cities that are being assessed," one of the sources said. "We are weighing other metrics as well," the source added.



Starting a new destination entails examining a lot of factors, including fleet size, pilot strength and traffic volume on the route, according to aviation industry experts. The source said current pilot strength, training of cabin crew and ground staff to be deployed at an airport at the new destination are among the factors that need to be considered.



A large number of Indian nationals or people of Indian-origin are living or working in the US, including students in various American universities. The US is also a tourism destination for many Indians. Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in January last year, is on the revival path, according to the airline.



In one of the largest aircraft orders by an airline, Air India in February this year announced it will buy 470 narrow-body and wide-body planes from Airbus and Boeing, with the total deal value estimated to be worth USD 80 billion. Air India will buy 250 aircraft, including 40 wide-body A350 planes, from European aviation major Airbus, and 220 planes from US aircraft maker Boeing under separate deals.



The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. Air India will require more than 6,500 pilots to operate 470 aircraft that are to be supplied by Airbus and Boeing in the coming years, industry sources said in February.



Recently, a senior Air India official said the privatisation of Air India has "enabled Indian aviation" to tap a very, very large segment of the market that had hitherto "remained untapped". "Privatisation has always been a difficult subject in India, more so when it comes to an asset like Air India, national carrier, and a lot of feelings are attached to it," he said.



"... everybody wants Air India to succeed and survive as a national carrier. Secondly, and most importantly it happened because it was Tata, and the kind of trust that the name evokes, made things easier," the official said.



Further, the official said that if there is trust in the brand or even as an individual, "you can go a long way, people will go out of their way to support you, do business with you, work with you".
Brookfield India Real Estate Trust has opened its issue to raise up to Rs 3,500 crore by selling units to institutional investors on a private placement basis to fund the acquisition of two assets in Gurugram and Mumbai. In a regulatory filing, Brookprop Management Services Pvt Ltd, which is a manager of Brookfield India REIT, informed that the issue committee of its board of directors approved the opening of the issue on July 27 for receiving bids.



The panel approved and adopted the preliminary placement document and the application form in connection with the issue. It also approved the floor price of Rs 265.79 per unit, the filing added. The filing did not mention the number of units offered for sale.



Last month, the unitholders approved the raising of funds through an institutional placement of units not exceeding Rs 3,500 crore in one or more tranches. The committee took note of the letter from BSREP II India Office Holdings II Pte Ltd (a member of the sponsor Group) expressing their support towards the closure of the acquisitions of Kairos Property Managers and Candor Gurgaon One Realty Projects.



The committee took note of the letter from BSREP II India Office Holdings II Pte Ltd (a member of the sponsor Group) expressing their support towards the closure of the acquisitions of Kairos Property Managers and Candor Gurgaon One Realty Projects. Pursuant to this, "Its affiliates are willing to subscribe to further units of Brookfield India REIT for an aggregate amount ranging from Rs 8,000 million (Rs 800 crore) to Rs 11,000 million (Rs 1100 crore).



In May, Brookfield India REIT and Singapores GIC announced an equal partnership to acquire two commercial properties in India for USD 1.4 billion or Rs 11,225 crore. The two assets in Mumbai and Gurugram have a built-up area of 6.5 million square feet and are owned by Brookfield Asset Managements private real estate funds.



The two properties are Brookfields Downtown Powai, which is a portfolio of nine commercial properties spread over three clusters having 2.7 million square feet of operational area and 0.1 million square feet of area under expansion, and Candor Techspace in Gurugram, which has over 3.7 million square feet of operational space.



Brookfield India REIT is among four listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) on the Indian stock exchanges. Its portfolio comprises five large campus-format office parks located in Mumbai, Gurugram, Noida, and Kolkata. The portfolio consists of 18.7 million square feet comprising 14.3 million square feet of completed area, 0.6 million square feet of under construction and 3.9 million square feet of future development.



REIT, a popular instrument globally, was introduced in India a few years ago to attract investment in the real estate sector by monetising rent-yielding assets. Rental income earned by REITs is distributed to unitholders. REITs help unlock the massive value of real estate assets and enable the participation of retail investors. Out of four listed REITs on Indian bourses, three are backed by office assets while one is backed by retail real estate assets.
Kolkata-headquartered RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, American investment firm Bain Capital and Indian specialty chemical maker Dorf Ketal are reportedly leading the race to acquire Aquapharm Chemicals at a valuation exceeding Rs 4,500 crore.



The Pune-based company makes water treatment chemicals. The promoters, the Mangwani family, would likely sell their entire stake, the Economic Times reported sources as saying.



Moneycontrol could not independently verify the development that comes at a time when global buyers are looking to diversify sourcing beyond China, with investors increasingly interested in the Indian chemicals sector.



Aquapharm has picked Stifel Financial Corp as the banker for the transaction.



Aquapharm, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Dorf Ketal and Stifel did not comment on the development, the report said.



"It's one of the truly international Indian chemical companies, so interest is high," a source was quoted as saying in the report.



Exports, primarily to Europe and North America, account for a significant portion of the company's business. It also has subsidiaries in the US, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and Hong Kong, the report added.



The company acquired US-based Aquapharm Chemicals LLC in 2018 and a year later, Unique Solutions for Chemical Industries Company in Saudi Arabia.



The Saudi unit deals with desalination plants and has major contracts with a local government agency.



Aquapharm's market leadership position in the phosphonates segment as well as its diversification into other products has worked in its favour, the report said.



"The group's longstanding presence has led to healthy relationships with domestic and overseas customers, including Procter and Gamble, Henkel AG, Ecolab Inc, Buckman Laboratories International Inc, and Unilever," the report cited Crisil Ratings as saying in 2022.



Chemicals manufactured by Aquapharm include phosphonates, polymers, biocides and pharmaceutical intermediaries, which are used in detergents, paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, water treatment and personal care goods among others.



Around 70,000 tonnes of phosphates and other speciality chemicals are manufactured annually at the companys two units in Maharashtra.
Music label Saregama posted a 3 percent increase in net profit at Rs 43.3 crore for the first quarter of the current financial year on strong content release in the music segment along with strengthening of live-events business. The company reported a profit after tax of Rs 41.9 crore in the year-ago quarter.



Revenue from operations stood at Rs 163.3 crore, up from Rs 166.1 crore in the year-ago period.



Saregama India's vice chairperson Avarna Jain said the company continues to invest in content that generates healthy returns and is diversifying the business to grow profitably.



Among the companys three segments  music licensing, music retail and films, events and series  music licensing is the biggest, contributing 61 percent to the overall revenue. Music retail (sale of Caravaan) and films, events and series account for 18 percent and 21 percent.



In the June quarter, the company released songs from Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan-starrer Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, which topped charts of streaming platforms like Spotify along with YouTube, Wynk radio.



"We also saw the release of the first song of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Other big album this quarter was Telugu movie Kushi whose first song topped charts in Telugu. Malayalam album Romancham was a big hit," the company said in a release.



In non-films, the company released songs like Rista Rista by Stebin Ben, Kya Hua Tera Wada by Sanam in Hindi, Murabba by Khesari Lal, Nach Re Patarki 3.0 by Arvind Akela Kalu in Bhojpuri and Bhulva Mangu Chu Tane by Rakesh Barot in Gujarati, among others.



During the quarter, the company released 250 plus original songs and premium recreations of songs across Hindi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi and Bengali languages.



The other highlight of the quarter was the use of the company's songs for Hindi film IB71, Tamil film Gullu Gullu, Malayalam film Enkilum Chandrike,

Assamese film Dr. Bezboruah and by brands like Mumbai Indians, Google, Uber, Spotify, etc in their ad films, the company said in its earnings release.



The music segment's revenue grew to Rs 149.1 crore in Q1 FY24 from Rs 127.4 crore in Q1 FY23.



The music segment revenue grew strongly due to new content continuing to contribute significantly to the revenue, the company said in its earnings presentation.



In the June quarter, the unit sales of wireless speakers Carvaan grew 52 percent year-on-year (YoY). Overall, the company sold 149,000 units in the June quarter compared to 98,000 during the year-ago period.



Revenue from operations stood at 163.3 crore as compared to Rs 166.1 crore a year ago.



Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was at Rs 62.3 crore, down from Rs 65 crore in Q1 FY23.
Apologizing for any "ruffled feathers" caused by the change in menu, a British Airways flight from Turks and Caicos to London fed passengers Kentucky Fried Chicken instead of the scheduled meals due to a problem with the service. The plane made a scheduled stop in the Bahamas on its way to Europe and attendants dashed out to get what they could from the terminal.

The airline did not respond to questions about what circumstances led to the lack of in-flight meal service. One social media post referenced an issue with refrigeration.

@aktivandrew, a user on Twitter that was recently rebranded to X, posted that "@British_Airways just landed @HeathrowAirport after a 12.5 hour flight BA252 from Turks and Caicos with no catering! BA had to serve @kfc at Nassau giving some lucky passengers 1 piece of chicken. The container with the plane catering wasn't chilled so all thrown away!!"

Another user, @Hanchell, posted a story about the incident from travel site One Mile At a Time, commenting, "It was the best KFC I've ever had."
India is on track to becoming a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain in the next decade with USD 10 billion of incentives and assistance provided to encourage local chip manufacturing, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Thursday.



The production-linked incentive scheme last year attracted firms like Vedanta and Taiwan's Foxconn, who promised multi-billion dollar investment in setting up units to manufacture chips, which are used in products ranging from mobile phones to cars.



Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said there is "not one person in the semiconductor global ecosystem" that does not see India as "a very credible, viable and fast charging destination for semiconductor investments and innovation".



He also said that India is on track for the next 10 years in the semiconductor space with USD 10 billion (about Rs 81,993 crore), compared to China's three decades of progress.



"We are on track to do in the next 10 years with these USD 10 billion, what countries like China took 25-30 years and could not succeed." He mentioned the ATMP project with Micron will create 5,000 jobs and 15,000 indirect roles in the semiconductor industry.



"Micron is a global leader in memory (solutions)," he said. "Sometimes there are people with either lack of understanding or ... deliberately will characterize the last 15 months of effort in different ways. But the India story on semiconductor... the vision of India being a semicon nation has started a few months ago for the first time after 70 years," he said.



The government is implementing a "comprehensive curriculum" in partnership with the industry for creating 85,000 globally skilled talent for VLSI (very large scale integration), with students from post-doctorate degrees, masters and undergraduate courses, he said.



"We have rebuilt the electronics ecosystem since 2014, exporting over one lakh crores and crossed almost eight lakh rows of total electronic production... and becoming an increasingly big presence in global value ... supply chains for electronics," the MoS said.



He also announced that the government is "charging forward" in the design part of the semiconductor ecosystem with 30 startups, among which five have received direct financial support from the government. Slamming the opposition, he said that India has missed the bus "repeatedly" on electronics and semiconductors.



"When Fairchild, the precursor to Intel, came to India in 1957 and wanted to set up a packaging unit, we chased them away. And that packaging unit went on to become ... one of Asia's largest packaging hubs in the world," he said. "In 1987, we were just two years behind the latest node in chips. And today we are 12 generations behind," he added.



He said that the government aims to cap USD 300 billion in the electronics industry by 2025-26, of which USD 110 billion for semiconductors by 2029.
Shares of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) dropped as much as 6.6 percent in the morning trade on July 27, as the government launches an offer for sale (OFS) to pare its stake by up to 5.36 percent. At 9.30 am, the stock was trading at Rs 129 on BSE, down 4 percent from its previous close. The stock hit a low of Rs 125.50 and fell as much as 6.6 percent in early trade. The OFS at Rs 119 a share is at more than 11 percent discount to the closing price of Rs 134.40 on July 26. The government is looking to raise around Rs 1,330 crore. The OFS will be open for non-retail and retail investors on July 27 and July 28, respectively. The government will divest 5.36 percent equity, including a green shoe option of 1.96 percent. The proposal is to offload 11.17 crore shares in the rail PSU. Catch all the market action on live blog RVNL works is the construction arm of the ministry of railways for project implementation and transportation infrastructure development. It recently bagged a Rs 808-crore contract from the National Highways Authority of India for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Chandikhole-Paradip Section in Odisha from four to eight lanes.

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With the formation of Bearish Engulfing kind of candlestick pattern on the monthly F&O expiry day, July 27, the bears got back in action mode and dragged the Nifty50 below 10-day EMA (exponential moving average) that had acted as a support for several sessions in the past, after the Federal Reserve hinted for one more rate hike in rest of calendar year.



As a result, the index may see further correction up to 19,500 or 20-day EMA and if the said levels get broken then there could be sharp correction in the beginning sessions of August series.



On July 27, the BSE Sensex dropped 440 points to 66,267, while the Nifty50 slipped 118 points to close at 19,660 despite uptrend in global peers, led by banking & financial services, auto, FMCG, oil & gas, and select IT stocks.



Going ahead, "the profit booking may extend a bit and the support level of 19,500 (20-EMA) is likely to get challenged in this scenario," said Rajesh Bhosale, Technical Analyst at Angel One.



He further said this average has proven to be a strong base during previous price corrections in May and June, resulting in significant positive momentum. Therefore, it holds pivotal importance for the upcoming sessions, as a break below it may lead to meaningful profit booking in days to come, he feels.



On the other hand, Thursdays supply zone around 19,850  19,880 is expected to act as a stiff resistance, and only a breakthrough would trigger an upside momentum.



Hence, Rajesh advised traders to wait for some consolidation or a decent price dip before considering aggressive long positions.



The daily as well as hourly momentum indicator has a negative crossover which is a sell signal.



Thus, "both price and momentum indicators are suggesting that there could be some weakness in the short term," said Jatin Gedia, technical research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.



The daily Bollinger bands are also contracting, which points towards consolidation in the short term. And thus, Jatin changes short-term stance from positive to sideways and the range of consolidation is likely to be 19,900 - 19,500.



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 and resistance levels on Nifty



The pivot point calculator suggests that the Nifty may get support at 19,610, followed by 19,547 and 19,446. In case of an upside, 19,811 can be the key resistance area followed by 19,874 and 19,974.



Nifty Bank



Bank Nifty is also likely to see further correction if it fails to hold on to 45,300 (20-day EMA) in coming sessions, whereas 46,000 is expected to remain key hurdle on the higher side.



The index was under pressure on the day of expiry of July derivative contracts, as it failed to sustain above 46,000 mark, and dropped 383 points to end at 45,679 on July 27. The index has formed Bearish Engulfing kind of candlestick pattern on the daily charts, which is a bearish reversal pattern.



"Bank Nifty also witnessed a correction from the resistance zone 46,300  46,400 where the previous swing highs were placed. The daily momentum indicator has triggered a fresh negative crossover which is a sell signal," said Gedia.



Thus, he feels until the Bank Nifty does not manage to sustain above 46,300  46,400 zone, one can expect it to slip down to 45,330  45,300 levels where support in the form of the 20-day moving average is placed.



The pivot point calculator indicates that the Bank Nifty is likely to take support at 45,571, followed by 45,396 and 45,114. In case of upside, the initial resistance zone can be 46,136, followed by 46,310 and 46,593.







Call options data



On the Options front, we have seen the maximum weekly Call open interest (OI) at 19,700 strike, with 97.84 lakh contracts, which can act as a key resistance for the Nifty. This is followed by 19,800 strike which has 92.57 lakh contacts, while 20,500 strike has 78.66 lakh contracts.



Meaningful Call writing was seen at 19,700 strike, which added 62.43 lakh contracts, followed by 19,600 and 20,400 strikes, which added 17.08 lakh and 7.78 lakh contracts, respectively.



The maximum Call unwinding was at 20,000 strike, which shed 66.16 lakh contracts, followed by 19,900 and 19,800 strikes, which shed 64.55 lakh and 37.68 lakh contracts, respectively.







Put option data



On the Put side, the maximum open interest was at 19,600 strike, with 98.76 lakh contracts. This can be an important support level for the Nifty50 in the coming sessions.



This is followed by 19,500 strike, comprising 69.84 lakh contracts, and 19,000 strike, with 50.68 lakh contracts.



The maximum Put writing was visible at 19,600 strike, which added 10.89 lakh contracts, followed by 20,500 strike, which added 4,400 contracts.



Meaningful Put unwinding was at 19,700 strike, which shed 63.66 lakh contracts, followed by 19,000 and 19,800 strikes, which shed 18.56 lakh contracts and 14.73 lakh contracts, respectively.







Stocks with high delivery percentage



A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. We saw the highest delivery in Dabur India, SRF, Tata Consultancy Services, Hindustan Unilever, and Petronet LNG among others.







Stocks with high rollovers



Here are the top 10 stocks which saw the highest rollovers on expiry day including Info Edge, Indus Towers, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, AU Small Finance Bank, and Grasim Industries with over 98 percent rollovers.







11 stocks see a long build-up



Syngene International, Birlasoft, Metropolis Healthcare, Exide Industries, and ACC were among the 11 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.







76 stocks see long unwinding



Based on the OI percentage, 76 stocks, including ONGC, RBL Bank, Sun TV Network, National Aluminium Company, and Vodafone Idea saw a long unwinding. A decline in OI and price indicates a long unwinding.







13 stocks see short build-up



We have seen a short build-up in 13 stocks, including Mahindra & Mahindra, Indraprastha Gas, Can Fin Homes, Bajaj Finance, and BPCL. An increase in OI along with a price fall indicates a build-up of short positions.







88 stocks see short-covering



Based on the OI percentage, we have seen 88 stocks on the short-covering list. These included Delta Corp, GMR Airports Infrastructure, REC, Larsen & Toubro, and Glenmark Pharma. 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 28 and July 29















Stocks in the news



Indus Towers: The telecom infrastructure provider recorded a massive a 182 percent year-on-year growth in profit at Rs 1,348 crore for quarter ended June FY24, driven by healthy operating performance. Revenue from operations for the quarter grew three percent to Rs 7,076 crore compared to year-ago period.



Bharat Electronics: The state-owned defence company reported a 23 percent year-on-year growth in standalone profit at Rs 530.84 crore for June FY24 quarter, driven by strong topline and operating performance with fall in input cost. Revenue from operations grew by 12.8 percent to Rs 3,510.8 crore compared to same period last year.



JK Lakshmi Cement: The flagship company of JK organisation registered a 30.65 percent on-year fall in consolidated profit at Rs 79.8 crore for the quarter ended June FY24, impacted by disappointing operating numbers. Revenue from operations grew by 4.6 percent to Rs 1,730.25 crore compared to year-ago period.



Indian Hotels: The country's largest hospitality company started off the year with profit at Rs 222 crore for June FY24 quarter, growing 31 percent over a year-ago period, with 17 percent on-year growth in revenue at Rs 1,516 crore.



Lupin: The pharma major received correspondence from the US FDA that it has now addressed the concerns raised in the warning letter for its facilities in Goa and Pithampur unit-2, Indore. This is after the satisfactory evaluation of the corrective actions taken by the company in response to the warning letter. The US FDA issued warning letter to the company in November 2017.



Trident: The textile company registered a 27.8 percent year-on-year decline in consolidated profit at Rs 93.4 crore for the quarter ended June FY24, impacted by lower topline and operating margin. Revenue from operations for the quarter at Rs 1,493.7 crore declined by 11 percent compared to corresponding period last fiscal, with fall in yarn, and paper & chemicals businesses.



Ajanta Pharma: The specialty pharmaceutical formulation company has registered a 19 percent year-on-year growth in profit at Rs 208 crore for the quarter ended June FY23, driven by healthy operating performance. Revenue from operations for the quarter increased by 7 percent on-year to Rs 1,021 crore, with US sales increasing by 19 percent, India sales growing 14 percent and Asia reporting 6 percent sales growth, but Africa sales fell 5 percent YoY.



Fund Flow







FII and DII data



Foreign institutional investors (FII) sold shares worth Rs 3,979.44 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DII) purchased shares worth Rs 2,528.15 crore on July 27, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) shows.



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.
India's Prime Minister's office (PMO) has launched a probe into potential dumping of Chinese stainless steel products into the country, Abhyuday Jindal, managing director of Jindal Stainless, said on Wednesday. "The Prime Minister's Office has taken up the mantle," Jindal told reporters, adding that the matter was likely being discussed internally. Stainless steel producers have petitioned the government to impose countervailing duty (CVD) on Chinese stainless steel products. "That is one ray of hope for us if PMO can intervene and take some action and give us some protection." The Prime Minister's Office did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comments. Jindal also said that Chinese stainless steel products have taken over around 30% of India's domestic market at 15-20% lower prices than local products. During April-May, stainless steel imports from China reached a three-year high at 107,000 metric tons. Earlier this month, Reuters had reported that India was likely to reject the call to impose CVD to protect steel consuming firms from higher prices.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on July 27 approved the appointment of NS Vishwanathan as non-executive (part-time) chairman of Axis Bank for three years, CNBCTV18 reported. "Subject to the approval of the shareholders of the bank and Reserve Bank of India, NS Vishwanathan's appointment will be effective from October 27, 2023 or the date of approval of his appointment by Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years," the bank said in the release. The lender in May had appointed Vishwanathan as an independent director. A month earlier, Vishwanathan was appointed as head of the advisory board at Razorpay. A career central banker, Vishwanathan joined the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1981 as a Direct Recruit Officer and rose through the rank and retired as Deputy Governor in March 2020.

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Almost every weekend, Dr Akash Sinha goes out on a house hunt around 8 a.m. Sinha, who moved to Bengaluru recently, is currently staying temporarily at his friend's place.



"I walk in the neighbourhoods of Koramangala looking for To let boards. However, rentals are soaring in most prime locations in Bengaluru, and it's almost difficult to find one today. In most nice neighbourhoods of Koramangala, the lowest rental I got was Rs 20,000 for a 1 BHK that was previously Rs 10,000-14,000," he said.



A typical house-hunting venture for Sinha takes about four to five hours and burns a lot of cash as he has to travel in autos or cabs to hop from one place to another.



However, Keerthi Gowda, a techie in Bengaluru, prefers to go around with brokers looking at prospective apartments. "Each ride is chargeable for about Rs 1,000-2,000 depending on the brokers. They show us around five to six listings for the above fees," she added.



With a severe mismatch in demand and supply of inventories in Bengaluru, rentals have shot through the roof -- with some places seeing about a 40 percent jump in rentals.



While the local brokers have started hiring field executives to look for available inventories in the city, others are now arranging "house hunt packages" for prospective tenants.



Tour for apartment hunt



Sunil Singh, founder of Realty Corps in Bengaluru, has been running an orientation programme for tenants looking for apartments in Bengaluru.



The package, which starts at Rs 10,000, is available with an array of vehicle choices, from hatchbacks to sedans. The tour includes a pick-up and drop-off at about five to six properties. "The package also includes a recreational tour across the prime locations in the areas, like malls, eateries, or specific client preferences like schools," Singh said.



For expats and corporates, the real estate company also has a pick-up service from the airport to hotels; however, it is at a higher price point. "The demand for available inventories has picked up across the city. Several locals have availed themselves of this service during their search for apartments," he added.



However, there is a serious dearth of inventories. So much so that the local brokers have started hiring field executives to scout for available inventories in the city. According to a broker, the job of the executive is to travel across designated locations during the day and list inventories by the evening.



Demand surging



With several companies resuming work-from-office, an influx of employees in the city coupled with unavailable inventories have left the real estate market in a frenzy.



A 2 BHK in a standalone building, earlier priced at a monthly rental of Rs 25,000, is now going for Rs 35,000-38,000 in Whitefield. For apartments in gated societies, local brokers say inventories are not available for less than Rs 50,000.



The going rate for 3 BHKs has crossed Rs 80,000 in prime areas such as Sarjapura in the southwest, Indiranagar, and the start-up hub of HSR Layout.



"Several tenants are being forced to move towards the suburbs like Begur or closer to places along Hosur Road where the rentals are still affordable," Singh said.



Today, a 2 BHK in Begur is available at a reasonable rate of Rs 15,000-20,000. However, brokers say its not long before they surge too.
RITES, formerly known as Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited, signed an MoU with the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) to identify mutual areas of interest in railway projects.



The MoU will identify mutual areas of collaboration for expanding IRFCs role in providing financial assistance to projects/institutions linked to the Railways.



RITES will assist IRFC in ascertaining the technical and financial viability of the projects, providing advisory and consultancy services.



Shelly Verma, CMD (Addl Charge) & Director (Finance) IRFC, said the partnership between IRFC and RITES will not only strengthen the financing ecosystem for railway infrastructure projects but also significantly advance the expansion and modernisation of the Indian Railways.



Shelly Verma said, "IRFC, along with RITES, will not only strengthen the financial ecosystem for Railway Infrastructure projects but also contribute to the overall growth and modernization of the Indian Railways. Partnering with a premium and established consultancy institution like RITES will enhance IRFC's appraisal and marketing capabilities in exploring funding opportunities in various sectors supporting Railway infrastructure."



At 13:39 hours, the shares of RITES were trading at Rs 477.55, down Rs 19.85, or 3.99 percent on the BSE.



Catch all market action on our Live Blog



On July 24, RITES emerged as the lowest bidder in the tenders for procurement of locomotives and wagons invited by CFM, Mozambique. The estimated value of the deal is approximately Rs 500 crore.



The company's board is scheduled to meet on July 28, to consider, approve and take on record standalone and consolidated unaudited financial results of the company for the quarter ended on June 30.



Shares of RITES touched a 52-week high of Rs 509.85 and a 52-week low of Rs 249.05 on July 26, 2023 and July 26, 2022, respectively.



Currently, the stock is trading 6.34 percent below its 52-week high and 91.75 percent above its 52-week low.



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.
Terror group Al-Qaida is "shaping" its regional affiliate in the Indian subcontinent to spread its operations into Jammu and Kashmir, Bangladesh and Myanmar, according to a UN report.



The 32nd report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the 1267 ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, released this week, noted that "one Member State assessed that Al-Qaida is shaping AQIS (Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent) to spread its operations into neighbouring Bangladesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Myanmar.



"That Member State also noted that certain limited elements of AQIS are ready to either join or collaborate with ISIL-K (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant- Khorasan)," it said.



The Al-Qaida core in Afghanistan remains stable at 30 to 60 members, while its fighters are estimated to be 400, reaching 2,000 with family members and supporters included, in the country. In the Indian Subcontinent, the Al-Qaida has approximately 200 fighters, with Osama Mehmood being the emir.



Some member states assessed Sayf al-Adl as most likely to succeed Aiman al-Zawahiri as Al Qaida chief and reportedly still in Iran, the report said. The member state assessed ISIL-K as the most serious terrorist threat in Afghanistan and the wider region, benefiting from increased operational capabilities inside Afghanistan. ISIL-K is estimated to have 4,000 to 6,000 members, including family members.



Sanaullah Ghafari is viewed as the most ambitious leader of ISIL-K and while one member state reported that Ghafari was killed in Afghanistan in June, the report noted that this remains to be confirmed. "ISIL-K is becoming more sophisticated in its attacks against both the Taliban and international targets. The group was focused on carrying out a strategy of high-profile attacks to undermine the Taliban's ability to provide security," it said.



"Overall, ISIL -K attacks demonstrated strong operational capability involving reconnoitre, coordination, communication, planning and execution. Furthermore, attacks against high-profile Taliban figures in Balkh, Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces raised ISIL-K morale and boosted recruitment," the report said.



The report further said that Afghanistan remained a place of global significance for terrorism, with approximately 20 terrorist groups operating in the country. One member state assessed that the goal of those terrorist groups is to spread their respective influence across the regions and to build theocratic quasi-state entities.



"The relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaida remains close and symbiotic. For the most part, Al-Qaida operates covertly in Afghanistan to help promote the narrative that the Taliban comply with agreements not to use Afghan soil for terrorist purposes," the report said. "Under the patronage of high-ranking officials of the de-facto Taliban authorities, Al-Qaida members infiltrate law enforcement agencies and public administration bodies, ensuring the security of Al-Qaida cells dispersed throughout the country," it said.



Noting that Al-Qaida's capability to conduct large-scale terror attacks remains reduced while its intent remains firm, it said, "The group uses Afghanistan as an ideological and logistical hub to mobilise and recruit new fighters while covertly rebuilding its external operations capability." It noted that Al-Qaida is in a reorganisation phase, establishing new training centres in Kunar and Nuristan provinces.



Member states assessed that the terror group would likely remain dormant in the short term while developing its operational capability and outreach. Al-Qaida leaders seek to strengthen cooperation with regional terrorist groups of non-Afghan origin located in Afghanistan, including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, ETIM/TIP (The East Turkestan Islamic Movement/ Turkestan Islamic Party) and Jamaat Ansarullah, intending to infiltrate and establish strongholds in countries in Central Asia.



"One Member State assessed that the mid-to-long-term prospects of Al-Qaida depend on the overall situation in Afghanistan. Should Afghanistan descend into chaos and insecurity, the base for Al-Qaida would likely strengthen. Should the country achieve stability, Al-Qaida would likely seek to shift the core to other theatres, such as Yemen or North Africa," it said.



According to the report, the member states expressed concern that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) could become a regional threat if it continues to have a safe operating base in Afghanistan. Some member states also registered concern that the TTP might provide an umbrella under which a range of foreign groups operate or even coalesce, avoiding attempts at control by the Taliban.



"One Member State noted the possibility of AQIS and TTP merging. It assessed AQIS to be providing guidance to TTP for conducting increased attacks within Pakistan. It was also reported that ETIM/TIP training camps in Kunar Province were being used for TTP fighters."
The Indian government will consider introducing a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for chemicals and petrochemicals to encourage domestic manufacturing of these products, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.



We are in favour of having India becoming a manufacturing hub and, of course, well consider the PLI also for chemicals and petrochemicals, Sitharaman said at the summit on Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs in India organised by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on July 27.



The minister said the chemicals and petrochemicals sector invariably raises a red flag on issues such as sustainability, carbon emissions, general pollution and groundwater contamination and it is important that the sector takes note of these concerns.



We should remember that India has set its sights on becoming energy independent by 2047 and achieving net zero [carbon emissions] by 2070," she said.



Sitharaman said net zero emissions cannot be achieved unless each and every sector  including chemicals and petrochemicals  contributes to the effort. She said India is very focussed on green growth and reducing carbon intensity.



With India expected to add 500 GW of non-fossil electricity generation capacity, she urged the industry not to rely on fossil fuels for their future ventures.



Exports, imports



The government has so far announced 14 PLI schemes  aimed at encouraging local manufacturing and cutting imports  for sectors including telecommunications, electronics, white goods, textiles and pharmaceuticals.



India's combined exports of chemical and petrochemicals rose 2 percent to $9 billion in FY23 (till September 2022), the minister said. Imports in this sector increased to $13.33 billion.



The finance minister said that the importance of the chemicals and petrochemicals sector can be gauged from the fact that it manufactures 80,000 products that directly impact many sectors including construction, packaging, textiles and agriculture.



Sitharaman acknowledged that the inverted duty structure on some products in the sector may be hurting some manufacturers. However, she said correcting an inversion on an item in one line may have a collateral effect on another line. An inverted duty structure is when tax on input products is higher than that on the final product.



While inversion of duty is a great concern for the industry and correction is definitely necessary, do look at it in a holistic fashion and I will welcome suggestions, she told the gathering.



Referring to specialty chemicals, the minister said it represents 22 percent of Indias overall chemicals and petrochemicals market and is valued at $32 billion.



She said the world is looking at an alternative destination for manufacturing in this sector and India stands a good chance. However, the Indian industry must focus on adopting sustainable processes and standards, without which it may be difficult to form joint ventures with global giants in this sector.



She urged the industry to look at sustainability and shift to technologies that help in achieving sustainability. Its important for the sector to have elements of recycling and reuse high on their agenda, apart from aspects such as efficient waste management, efficient waste generation, and reducing consumption of resources that generate high emissions.
I love this short film called "Microwave," created in 2000 by filmmaker Tan Pin Pin, who recently shared it on her social media with the caption:

Can't decide between Barbie x Oppenheimer? Watch them both in this 2 min video, no, the hair didn't burn.

The video shows a Barbie doll spinning around in a microwave as it slowly melts. The film becomes increasingly creepy as Barbie maintains her huge grin even while her legs and torso start bubbling and oozing all over the bottom of the oven. And it's super weird how her long blonde hair never burns.

The film is available on Vimeo, with the description:

Beta SP, 2000, silent, colour

Directed by Tan Pin Pin

Tan Pin Pin's website provides this bio:

Tan Pin Pin is an award-winning Singapore film director who has spent over two decades chronicling her country's history, memory and representation in thoughtful and self-reflexive works that have screened theatrically in Singapore and abroad. Her works have been invited to key film festivals: Berlinale, Busan, Hot Docs, SXSW, Visions du Reel and at the Flaherty Seminar. Nearer home, they have been presented at M+, Parasite, CUHK, Rumah Attap, Sa Sa Art Projects, on Singapore Airlines, Jakarta Biennale and on Netflix.
Parliament Monsoon Session LIVE: Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm amid demands for discussion on Manipur issue. Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha resumed at 2pm. A day after the Speaker accepted the no-confidence motion notice, all MPs belonging to Oppositions I.N.D.I.A bloc have decided to wear black clothes to the Parliament on Thursday, July 27 as a mark of protest against the government over the Manipur issue, various reports suggest.

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The Supreme Court on Thursday asked a petitioner, who has sought the constitution of an independent committee under a retired apex court judge to inquire into the incidents of sexual assault and violence in Manipur, to mention his plea for listing before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.



The matter was mentioned for listing before a bench of Justices S K Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia.



CJI Chandrachud is not holding court on Thursday.



Advocate Vishal Tiwari, who has filed the petition, told the bench that pending pleas raising the issue concerning Manipur violence are listed for hearing on Friday. He requested that his plea be also listed for a hearing on Friday along with the connected matter.



"Why one more (plea) is required for this purpose?" the bench said, adding, that the top court is already seized of the pleas on the issue.



"Everybody around the country wants to have a say in that," it observed, adding, "Mention tomorrow before the chief (CJI)." In his plea, Tiwari claimed that 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 plea 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 alleged.



The plea 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 alleged dereliction of duty and not complying with the 2013 verdict of the apex court in Lalita Kumari case.



In its judgment in the Lalita Kumari case, the apex court issued a set of guidelines to be followed by 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 the information reveals any cognisable offence, the apex court had said.



Tiwari has also sought the court's direction for a CBI probe into the violence in Manipur.



The apex court, on July 20, observed that it was "deeply disturbed" by the video of two women being paraded naked in strife-torn Manipur, saying that using women as instruments for perpetrating violence is "simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy".



Taking cognisance of the video, a bench headed by the CJI directed the Centre and Manipur government to take immediate remedial, rehabilitative and preventive steps and apprise it of the action taken.



At least 150 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.
Key industry executives have welcomed reports that the Centre is mulling over a proposal to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and is looking to regulate the sale and distribution of drugs online. The executives welcomed the move, saying the uncertainty around regulations and the functioning of e-pharmacies was posing challenges to the countrys fundraising ecosystem.



Speaking to Moneycontrol, Prashant Tandon, CEO, TATA1mg, said investors need clarity on how e-pharmacies will operate in future because uncertainty affects investment sentiments.



I feel that for a healthy investment appetite and the investor ecosystem to be active, a clear time-bound regulatory framework is always helpful. If regulation comes, investment will be better because people will know the rules, said Tandon, who is chair of the IAMAI Health tech committee.



Also read: Why DCGI served a show-cause notice on e-pharmacies



Established in 2004, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body representing the digital services industry. It counts over 500 Indian and multinational corporations as members.



His response came after the Union Government proposed to regulate, restrict or ban the online sale or distribution of any drug by notification, in the latest draft of the Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023, which Moneycontrol has seen.



The Central Government may, by notification, regulate, restrict or prohibit the sale, stocking, exhibiting or offer for sale or distribution of any drug, by online mode, it said.



Also read: Govt pharma body calls for banning e-pharmacies, alleges fake prescriptions by ghost doctors



The draft has not yet been cleared by the cabinet but is slated to be tabled in the monsoon session, a Health Ministry official told Moneycontrol.



Speaking on the sidelines of the first edition of the IAMAI Digital Health Summit, 2023, the TATA1mg CEO said that due to lack of clarity on different aspects of telemedicine and e-pharmacies, digital health has suffered in India.



This gap dissuades many investors and entrepreneurs, who feel that there is too much of an extra burden to prove. Its already hard enough to build a business and on top of that if you have regulatory and fundraising challenges, then the innovation ecosystem suffers, he added.



Also read: Prohibition on cards for online pharmacies, health ministry sets the ball rolling for regulation



Concurring with that assessment, a top official from a leading e-pharmacy chain, requesting anonymity, told Moneycontrol that the uncertainty over functioning of e-pharmacies was a challenge from an investment perspective.



The uncertainty is a dampener. Its really tough to convince someone to put in money because you dont know if there is a tomorrow, he added.



Backing the idea of regulating e-pharmacies and digital healthcare, Alexander Kuruvilla, co-chair, IAMAI HealthTech Committee, also the Chief Health Strategy Officer of Practo, an integrated health services company, said consumer interest has to be prioritised.



Be it the government or private players, there should be one lens to look at it, to see if the consumer is getting benefited or not. I think e-pharmacies and digital healthcare should be regulated, Kuruvilla said that in the absence of regulation, the industry had adopted self-governing documents to abide by the law.



Asked if e-pharmacy players were meeting with officials on the Bill, Tandon said the industry has been in touch with the government. The government has done the stakeholder consultation with us. The ministry and industry have been in touch and that will continue. If the draft bill comes out, we would want to engage with the ministry on this, he added.



Back story



Online pharmacies have been in the line of fire for allegedly violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 by dispensing medicines online.



The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), a pan India association of drug retailers, has been at the forefront of protests against online sales, calling for e-pharmacies to be banned for allegedly contravening drug laws.



These e-pharmacies engage in predatory pricing. The government has to take action against them. We have received complaints that drugs are given to patients without prescription, and that even Schedule H drugs are provided via online mode. It is wrong in every manner and the government has to act on it, said Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary, AIOCD.



In February, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) served a show cause notice to 20 e-pharmacies, including TATA1mg, Amazon, and Flipkart, for violating Indias drug laws.



We havent heard anything from the DCGI after we responded to the letter, Tandon said.
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It took eight years after the passage of the Information Technology (IT) Act for India to recognise cybersecurity as an agenda that needed legislation. The incoming Digital India Act (DIA), which promises to provide a safe and secure internet to Indians, is an opportunity to develop a future-ready cybersecurity framework.



In India, the current cybersecurity landscape is a mishmash of various agencies with the attendant gaps and inefficiencies. In 2008, when the IT Act was amended, the government introduced Sections 70A and 70B to establish two agencies  National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and the Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-In).



The Sprawl That Needed A Method



However, while the amended law was passed in 2008, NCIIPC was notified in 2014. Meanwhile, the government had already created another office under the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), called the National Cybersecurity Coordinator (NCSC), whose mandate has never been entirely clear.



Currently, NCIIPC comes under the Prime Ministers Office, as does the National Cybersecurity Coordinator, while CERT-In is under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.



The Ministry of Defence uses its own agency as do the three armed services, while the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has a body dedicated for coordinating response to cybercrimes called the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).



In addition, the sectoral Information Sharing and Analysis Centres (ISACs) never came about, thus losing an opportunity to create self-supporting communities of cybersecurity practitioners. In 2017, the Ministry of Finance floated a project for a financial sector CERT (CRT-Fin) with great fanfare, which no one hears anymore about.



Meanwhile, there are regular reports of government systems and large private sector companies falling prey to serious cyber incidents and data breaches.



Clearly, India needs a clearer delineation of roles with specific responsibilities, powers and most importantly, accountability, to address the rapidly growing threats emanating from cyberspace.



Break Down Silos, Share Responsibilities



Cybersecurity has essentially two major facets that need to be factored in. There are the users who could become victims of everyday cybersecurity threats or crimes. Then there is national security that needs the state to create a framework that can thwart major attacks.



Both are also deeply interlinked. The amended IT Act in 2008 created two broad categories  critical information infrastructure identified as those sectors on which an attack could have catastrophic consequences for Indias national and economic security.



In this category they added sectors such as banking and finance, transport, power, telecom, and government, among others. The rest come under CERT-In. However, both groups are mandated to report to CERT-In, and issues of coordination can crop up.



There are two other complexities. While in 2008, it made sense to identify two broad categories, globally distributed supply chains and the structure of the internet has blurred the categorisation.



Most importantly, the private sector plays a major role in cybersecurity at multiple levels. Many of designated critical sectors such as transport that covers airports and airlines, shipping, trains, and roadways are manned by private corporations. The increasing privatisation of many utility services in banking, power and others has led to expanding the threat landscape much beyond government entities.



Further, private companies are much better placed to detect cyber threats but only if they can collaborate with each other and work with the state to present a united front, without which they are vulnerable against dedicated nation-state adversaries and their private affiliates. Hence, they must be recognised and empowered through a structured mechanism, without which even a baseline level of trusted and safe internet will remain a mirage.



The Way Forward



While there can be interim fixes in the DIA to address Indias cybersecurity concerns, it is an area that will ultimately need a set of three separate laws.



First, a privacy law that recognises the privacy rights of residents, including governance of surveillance by the State, as emphasised by the nine-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court in the Puttaswamy case of August 2017.



Second, a data protection bill that creates the institutional framework for enforcing these rights against the state and the private players.



Third, a cybersecurity bill that tackles the hard problems of notifying standards for both government and private entities and creating a data sharing framework between institutions such as CERT, NCIIPC and government and private entities for presenting a collective defence approach against cyber-attacks.



The law needs to also facilitate the voluntary reporting of vulnerabilities by companies and individual information security professionals. Currently, only a few Indian agencies run such a programme, and most dont respond to cybersecurity researchers when they flag vulnerabilities or zero day attacks (hackers exploit a flaw before developers can address it).



This is a basic requirement for any nation keen to counter cybersecurity threats. Laws can however only go far unless the institutions that support them are given long-term budgetary support and managed by a professional cadre.



In Australia, the Cyber Security Centre has a board of advisers who help in formulating policies and strategies. Similarly, in the US, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) plays a leading role for the federal government, aided by the FBIs National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force and the National Security Agency.



The US also has the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that develops and updates cybersecurity frameworks, keeping in mind the latest threats and challenges. In the UK, a dedicated Cyber Defence Agency plays a leading role in protecting the countrys cyberspace. We need similar capabilities in India.



ReBIT, founded in 2016 in India, is another successful example of a public sector institution that has provided the technology muscle to the Reserve Bank of India to conduct deep audits which have increased the baseline capacity of the banking sector.



While the DIA is an opportunity to fix many gaps in Indias current cybersecurity posture, it ultimately needs a comprehensive triad of laws that can ensure privacy, data protection, and resilience.



The authors are co-founders of DeepStrat, a New Delhi-based think tank and strategic consultancy. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
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The Panorama newsletter is sent to Moneycontrol Pro subscribers on market days. It offers easy access to stories published on Moneycontrol Pro and gives a little extra by setting out a context or an event or trend that investors should keep track of.

The US market may be giving a difficult time to IT services companies, but pharmaceutical companies are seeing a gradual rebound in the market.

Take the case of Cipla and Dr Reddys Laboratories. Their June quarter results exceeded Street estimates, thanks to a healthy expansion in North America revenues. Importantly, managements of both companies expect the US business to maintain the positive momentum.

Cipla has raised the quarterly revenue outlook for the US base-business to $210-215 million from $190-195 million given in May. Dr Reddys, which reported a 25 percent sequential expansion in US sales, expects to maintain and grow revenues.

Their results and commentary have not only lifted shares of Cipla and Dr Reddys, but other pharma companies as well. The NSE pharma, healthcare indices were among leading gainers in Thursday trading. Sun Pharma, Aurobindo Pharma and Lupin, which have a sizeable US business, gained 2-5 percent.

The US drug market has seen a notable change in the past couple of months. The intensity of price erosion in the generic drug business has reduced. Drug shortages and supply chain readjustments are driving increased volume offtake by customers, said the managements of Cipla and Dr Reddys. Glenmark Life Sciences has also indicated improved demand and visibility for FY24.

More importantly, companies that are able to build a complex drug pipeline and can overcome regulatory hurdles are seeing good success in high value limited competition drugs. Generic Revlimid, used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, is contributing sizeable revenues to Dr Reddys. Similarly, Lanreotide injection, used in treating tumours, is aiding Ciplas US sales.

The improving outlook for the US business is driving earnings upgrades. Cipla expects better profit margins in FY24 compared to FY23. Jefferies India and Nuvama Institutional Equities have raised earnings estimates of both companies for FY24 and FY25.

(Ciplas) chronic portfolio continues to gain strength and the US base business has moved to a new orbit. This is supportive for medium-term earnings growth, which makes us constructive on the business, writes Anubhav Sahu in his Q1 results analysis. Do read.

The rebound in pharma shares is not being driven by the US alone. India, the other large market, is seeing a steady uptick. Companies are focusing on the branded generic drug business and licensed products to drive growth. While industry data points to subdued volume growth, as our Chart of the Day explains, easing raw material costs and sustained price hikes augur well for pharma companies.

Yet, the earnings outlook for large finished-dosage pharma companies are firmly anchored to the US market, the largest and most profitable drug market in the world. With the market seeing incremental improvement, investors have a solid reason to cheer.

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The Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created arrangements from seed to market for them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday and dedicated 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation.



Addressing a rally in this Rajasthan town, he described the Kendras as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity.



India, he said, could only develop when its villages do and his government was working to provide in villages every facility that is available in cities.



"Our government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea," Modi said.



Farmers in India, he elaborated, get a sack of urea for Rs 266. This is available in Pakistan for about Rs 800, for Rs 720 in Bangladesh and Rs 2,100 in China.



Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was supposed to attend the programme but could not due to problems in his feet, he said.



"He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health," the prime minister said about the Congress leader.



Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), however, said it was informed by Gehlot's office that he will not be able to attend the programme. It also said he was "most welcome" to join the programme.



Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects in Sikar on Thursday, according to an official statement.



The prime minister said at the rally that creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan is a government's priority.
In a gesture of protest against the government's handling of the violence in Manipur, opposition Members of Parliament showed their dissent by donning black attire during the session. They have persistently requested a statement from the Prime Minister regarding the Manipur issue to be presented in Parliament. (Image: PTI) The leaders of the alliance met in Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge's chamber in the Parliament before session. (Image: PTI) Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Goyal said those people who were wearing black clothes could not understand the "increasing power of the country". He also said their "past, present and future" were black. (Image: PTI) The opposition MPs have been protesting in Parliament every day over the Manipur Issue. (Image: PTI)

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Opposition alliance INDIA is likely to boycott a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Rajya Sabha to be held on Thursday morning to protest against the prime minister not making a statement on Manipur violence in Parliament, a senior leader said. The Rajya Sabha BAC has 11 members including the Vice President as its ex-officio chairman. Three MPs from the 26-member INDIA are on the BAC committee -- one each from Congress, RJD and TMC. Sources said the parties may send someone who is not a member as an "observer" to the meeting. However, it is not clear if such an "observer" will be allowed to attend the meeting. On July 20, several opposition leaders had walked out of a BAC meeting to protest against Modi not making a statement on the Manipur issue in Parliament and the Centre bringing a bill to replace an ordinance on the control of services in Delhi despite it being sub-judice. Leaders of the Congress and other opposition parties including the Left, TMC, DMK, RJD, NCP and AAP walked out of the meeting as their protest in writing was not lodged by the chairman. On Wednesday, the Congress moved a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha on behalf of the INDIA bloc to press Modi to speak on the months-long ethnic violence in Manipur in which over 160 people have been killed. (With PTI inputs)

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A Georgia high school student who broke into the U.S. Capitol, attacked a police officer, and sat in former Vice President Mike Pence's chair on the Senate floor was sentenced to just one year in prison today  a more lenient sentence than the judge had originally considered after factoring in the young man's age and remorse.

Bruno Joseph Cua, 18 years old at the time, had driven to Washington D.C. with his parents, according to AP News. After attending Donald Trump's Stop the Steal rally, he joined the riots, stormed the Capitol building armed with pepper spray and a baton, and kicked in Capitol doors as he tried to intimidate staffers. But now, at age 21 and facing prison time, his attitude before the sentencing turned to one of regret, expressing shame for his part in the "attack on democracy."

"Everything that day was just one terrible decision after another," he told U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss. And after receiving his one-year sentence (plus three years of supervised release), he said he was "scarred to my core."

From AP News:
Opposition parties will hold the next meeting of their 26-member INDIA coalition in Mumbai on August 25 and 26, sources said on Thursday. The third meeting of the bloc will be hosted jointly by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCPs Sharad Pawar faction, with support from the Congress, they said. This is the first time that the opposition meeting will be held in a state where no member of the INDIA bloc is in power. While the first meeting of opposition parties was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U) in Patna, the second was held in Bengaluru and hosted by the Congress. poThe Mumbai Summit  as it is being called by INDIA bloc parties  is significant as discussions regarding seat sharing are expected to be taken up.

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The choice of a leader for a caretaker administration in Pakistan until the year-end parliamentary election has sparked a major debate in the country. Breaking with tradition, the National Democratic Movement alliance headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif plans to nominate a politician close to him.



The term of the current Pakistani National Assembly (parliament) expires on August 14, but the term of the government ends on August 12. If the government stays until its term ends, elections have to be held within 60 days of the dissolution of the House. However, if the government seeks to dissolve it early, the election can be held within 90 days.



Caretaker head



In the past, eminent personalities such as a judge or economists were asked to head the caretaker administration to ensure a non-partisan approach and create a level playing field for all participants in the election.



There are indications that Sharif plans to bring finance minister Ishaq Dar as the caretaker leader. Dar is a close confidant of the Sharifs. If he heads the administration, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) that leads the alliance is likely to end up as the largest political party in the forthcoming election.



Though his name has been floated to test the waters, it has sparked strong opposition from within the PML and among other members of the ruling alliance.



Nawaz Sharif, the three-time former prime minister of Pakistan and PML supremo, met the leader of the other major coalition partnerPakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai to thrash out the issue.



The first consultation yielded no result. But another round of talks is being held to agree on a candidate to head the caretaker administration who will look after both their interests.



Nawaz Sharif factor



Nawaz Sharif was an extremely popular leader with a strong base in Punjabpolitically the most important province in Pakistan as it accounts for more than 50 percent of the 614 parliamentary seats, especially the crucial 342 seats in the lower house.



His government was dismissed after the Supreme Court convicted him on corruption charges in 2017. After spending a brief period in jail, Sharif was allowed to travel to London for treatment and he has lived there in self-exile since.



On June 27, a law was passed in Pakistan that will allow Sharif to seek a review of the earlier verdict against him. The move is widely seen as paving the way for his return before the parliamentary elections. Sharifs return will rejuvenate the PML cadre, though it is not clear how it will impact the electorate.



Imran Khan most popular



After Sharifs dismissal, the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party came to power with a strong mandate and the promise to build a new Pakistanfree of corruption and equal opportunity for all.



But after a severe economic crisis and his inability to renew US support for Pakistan, his backers in the army establishment who helped him to come to power lost confidence. Imran lashed out against the army and the US after his government lost a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and was dismissed.



He continued to draw large crowds at rallies and kept up his image of an honest politician, especially among the youth. But subsequently, a series of corruption cases were initiated against him.



On May 9, his supporters turned violent in the wake of his arrest and indulged in large-scale arson in major cities. In an unprecedented move, they also attacked army installations and vandalised dead soldiers statues.



This seemed to be the turning point in Imran Khans political career as he not only lost the sympathy of the people but provoked the army establishment to decimate his party and marginalise him politically.



Making Imran irrelevant



The army also joined in the effort of his political opponents to make Imran politically irrelevant in Pakistans politics. The army encouraged senior members of his party to leave and form a new outfit, like the Istehkam Pakistan Party that his erstwhile backer, sugar baron Jahangir Khan Tareen, floated in Lahore last month.



The international community led by the US, which kept a keen eye on Bangladesh to ensure free and fair parliamentary elections in January, have maintained a studied silence on the developments in Pakistan.



It appears the US administration will not be unhappy if Imran Khan is kept out of the political stage in Pakistan for some time.



Unfortunately, the elections, which are supposed to strengthen the democratic process and provide stability, may result in the country plunging deeper into chaos, Pakistani political commentator Zahid Hussain observed.



Keeping out Imran Khan, one of the most popular political leaders, from the forthcoming election in Pakistan does not bode well for the countrys future.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of not speaking in Parliament and instead making political speeches in Rajasthan. Kharge said people have now become aware and will fight "this kind of politics". "Today, people have become aware and they will fight and continue to do so...This means you do not want to talk in Parliament - the temple of democracy, and want to give a political speech in Rajasthan while opening new medical colleges," he told reporters outside Parliament, while attacking the prime minister for not speaking in Parliament on the Manipur violence. The opposition has been accusing the prime minister of not making a statement in Parliament on the northeastern state, which has seen violence since May 3. Both Houses of Parliament have not been able to transact any business amid the uproar caused by the opposition, demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on Manipur thereafter.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assailed the Opposition on Thursday for disrupting his statement in Rajya Sabha, saying they claim to be 'INDIA', the name of their alliance, but if they are not prepared to listen about India's national interests then what kind of India are they. Jaishankar spoke suo moto in the House to brief members about the successes of India's foreign policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits abroad amid continuous disruption by opposition members in the House. He said it was extremely unfortunate that the opposition had prioritised "partisan politics", describing it as a very state of affairs. It is not just a government's achievement but an achievement for the country, he said. Noting that India's president and prime minister have received the highest honours from other countries, he said, "If you cannot respect the president, cannot respect the vice president, cannot respect the prime minister, if you won't allow the foreign minister to make a statement in the House; then it's a very sorry state of affairs." In matters of national interests, politics should be set aside, he said.

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Business travel forms an important part of any worker's life. In some cases, an employee needs to travel more often than others due to specific demands which merits the travel.



However, a recent trend has indicated that there is a lack of equality in business travel and a key factor causing the trend is the employee's accent.



A report published on SAP Concur website stated that in a survey of 3,850 travellers done in 25 markets, 17 per cent of employees worldwide have not been able to travel because of their accent. Additionally, 23 per cent of employees working in the United States have expressed disparity in business travel due to their accents.



"There is no universally easy accent. English and Dutch are closely related ... native speakers of one of those languages usually will not have too much trouble understanding," Tracey Derwing, adjunct professor educational psychology at the University of Alberta, told CNBC.



She added that some reacted negatively to accents and companies did not wish to take a risk.



"Some people react negatively to accents  and employers know that.



"They may not want to risk sending someone who has an accent despite the fact that the employee is easy to understand and fully capable," Derwing said



The report also stated that 16 per cent employees globally felt that they did not receive sufficient business travel opportunities due to their physical appearance. 15 per cent employees around the world felt that they did not get enough business travel opportunities due to their ethnicity or race.



Also read: Upskilling helped 80% IT professionals future-proof their jobs, survey finds
A founder and CEO of a Bengaluru-based company has shared that he may have to move back to the US since he spent two months trying to register a company in the city, but in vain.



Brij Singh, who has been working in the technology and finance sector in India and the US for 18 years as per his Linkedin profile, said he loves Bengaluru but has been facing difficulties in getting his company registered in the city.



"Love Bangalore/India, but I have learnt more in the last 3 days in Bay Area (San Francisco) than I could in a month back home," Singh tweeted. "Spent two months just trying to register a company in India and its still not done."



Explaining the problem he has been facing, Singh, the founder and CEO of Snow Mountain AI, said, "The solution feedback loop from potential customers, investors, and even fellow founders is at a different level. The time may be coming for me to move back to the US. And I say this with a heavy heart."



Love Bangalore / India, but I have learnt more in last 3 days in Bay Area than I could in a month back home.

Spent 2 months just to try to register a co in India & its still not done.



Problem - solution feedback loop from potential customers, Investors & even fellow



 Brij Singh (@brijbhasin) July 27, 2023





The entrepreneur, however, added that he has not given up on Bengaluru yet. "Not giving up on anything. Just stating the facts," he wrote responding to a Twitter follower. "There are a lot of advantages in building from India for the world as well. One must learn to leverage whatever opportunities they can to execute and compete in a global market. That is the reality."



While some Twitter users urged Singh to fight on, a few others questioned the amount of time company registration was taking.



"What's the issue with registration? You know ROC has fixed timelines set for the application process? It cannot keep dragging it to two months. It has to be done within timelines or at least provide reasons why it cannot move forward (most probably name conflicts or registering names which have 'India' or some reserved word in it which requires payment in lakhs instead of regular fees)," user Shripad Krishna (@shripad_krishna) commented. "Apart from this, I see no issues that can arise with mere registration. If his CA cannot even get a simple company registration done even after two months I'll happily get it done in max 10 days for half the price he is paying his CA."



Another user Akshat Paul (@paulakshat) wrote, "Company registration is still faster like two weeks if you have a good vendor like Company 360 -- GST takes months because of multiple rejections and complicated forms -- of course, you need a good legal partner to solve this quickly. In case you still change your plan will love to connect you with the right partners to help your business thrive."



A third user pointed out that Singh's case is not the first of its kind.



"Indian founders and VCs are moving (and looking to move) to the US at an ever-increasing pace. 'Reverse brain drain' was a ZIRP phenomenon and is now dead. And as always, there's something special about San Francisco and the Bay," commented Anmol Anmol (@anmolm_).



Interestingly, when it comes to ease of doing business, Karnataka had topped the list last year, along with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu. As per the Ease of Doing Business ranking of states/union territories released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It was the states best performance after having ranked 17th earlier.



Read more: Bengaluru CEO shares struggle to evict defaulting tenant: 'Mom sold all real estate'
Former Bigg Boss OTT contestant Uorfi Javed surely knows how to make headlines almost every day. Her bold and controversial fashion sense has subjected her to brutal trolling and later, some recognition for her devil-may-care attitude. However, on a flight to Goa, a group of men allegedly misbehaved with the actor and eve-teased her. She was obviously shocked and took to Instagram to talk about the incident.



Taking to Instagram stories, Javed shared a video of the men that were involved aboard the IndiGo flight and wrote a note about the incident. The reality star said that she is a public figure but not a public property.







"While travelling from Mumbai to Goa on one of the flights yesterday. I had to go through harassment, the men in this video were saying nasty things, eve-teasing and calling names. When I confronted them, one of them said, their friends were drunk. Being drunk is no excuse to misbehave with women. Public figure YES. Public property NO, she wrote in the note.



Javed also spoke about the horrific incident with Hindustan Times and said, They were calling me names and passing comments like, Yeh toh nangi rehti hai. Arrey isne kapde pehne hain aaj. I kept calm because I didnt want to disturb the decorum of the flight. But, I lost it when one of the guys, from the very group that was misbehaving with me, asked for a selfie. And I was like how dare you when you were the one calling me names, she said.



While returning from Goa, she also got into an argument with a middle-aged man at the Mumbai airport who said, Aise kapde pehna allowed nahi hai India main (You are not allowed to wear such clothes in India).



Talking about that, she added, Mujhe iss sabse koi farak nahi padta. And I think more than me, the society should get affected by such incidents where men like these can tease girls, misbehave with them, and get away with it. Their excuse to it was that they were drunk. But if they are drinking, I should not be the one facing its aftermaths. Main uski saza kyu face karu. Also, they should not have been allowed to board the flight in the first place if they were drunk.



I am a soft target kyunki mere aage peeche koi nahi hai. I have no connection with the Bollywood. I have no godfather in this film industry. Thats the reality. There are people who would meet me nicely, but they are not friends. And its not even their fault. They dont owe me anything, she added further.
UltraTech Cement moved a writ petition in Delhi High Court on July 27 challenging the order of Competition Commission of India (CCI), which is said to allow Builders Association of India (BAI) to be made a party in the ongoing cement cartelisation case.



Justice Subramonium Prasad of Delhi High Court heard the case at length and reserved it for judgment. The judge informed the parties that an order in the case will be passed in the third week of August.



Appearing for cement major, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that CCI permitted BAI to be made party to the proceedings without hearing their objections. He argued that the order does not give any reasons as to why BAI is a necessary party to the proceedings. According to Singhvi, BAI will get access to UltraTech's confidential documents without their consent if they are made a party to the proceedings.



CCI argued that BAI will not get any access to UltraTech's confidential documents as they are not in CCI's 'confidentiality ring' in the said proceedings. According to CCI, the court will have to look into two aspects before adjudicating on an issue like this, one whether BAI is a necessary party and second, whether there is public interest involved in the case.



Thus, CCI justified making BAI a party to the proceedings. Senior advocate Percival Billimoria appeared for BAI and argued that they were made a party since the case involves larger interest and they are an important stakeholder in the same.



The anti-trust watchdog had on a previous occasion rejected BAI's request to be made a party in the proceedings. BAI challenged this order at Delhi High Court, the HC in September 2022 directed it to file a fresh application at the CCI.



Another cement cartel case



CCI initiated investigation against cement companies in 2019 after it received information from multiple sources regarding abnormal increase of

cement prices in India. The parties alleged that the cement companies were colluding to artificially increase the price.



This is the second time CCI is investigating cartelisation among cement companies. In 2012, he CCI imposed a total penalty of $1.1 billion on several cement companies for colluding to under-use their plants and create an artificial shortage of cement. An appeal against that decision is still pending.
A passenger travelling in a Vande Bharat Express in Madhya Pradesh reported finding a cockroach rolled into a roti that he was served by the IRCTC catering staff. Pictures shared by the man showed a small insect stuck to one of the rotis.



The passenger was travelling from Bhopal to Gwalior when the incident happened.



@IRCTCofficial found a cockroach in my food, in the vande bharat train. #Vandebharatexpress#VandeBharat #rkmp #Delhi @drmbct pic.twitter.com/Re9BkREHTl

 pundook (@subodhpahalajan) July 24, 2023





Responding to the tweet, the IRCTC asked for his PNR number and replied, "We did not intend for this unpleasant experience. Appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that such incidents will not repeat."



In related news, a Hyderabad man lost close to Rs 6,000 after he used the toilet inside a Vande Bharat Express train at the Rani Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal.



As per a report in India Today, Abdul Qadir was traveling to Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh with his wife and eight-year-old son. The family arrived in Bhopal and were about to take another train to Singrauli.



At the railway station, the man felt an urgent need to urinate but could not find a toilet nearby so he entered a Vande Bharat Express, which was Indore-bound, to use the toilet. But when he came out of the toilet, he found the doors to be locked. The train was leaving the station. The man tried to take help from the police and ticket collectors but was told that only the train driver could open the door. He was then fined Rs 1,020 for boarding the train without a ticket and was allowed to get off at Ujjain where he had to pay Rs 750 for a bus ticket to return to Bhopal and reunite with his family.



Read more: Clogged toilet: Man who bought Vande Bharat ticket claims another train arrived
As many as 8,330 Indian nationals are lodged in jails in foreign countries with 1,611 imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates alone, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. In a written reply in the Upper House, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said 1,461 Indian nationals were in prisons in Saudi Arabia followed by 1,222 in Nepal, 696 in Qatar, 446 in Kuwait, 341 in Malaysia, 308 in Pakistan, 294 in the US, 277 in Bahrain and 249 in the UK. He said 178 Indian nationals are languishing in jails in China, 157 in Italy and 139 in Oman. Indian nationals are lodged in prisons in 90 countries, according to the information shared by Muraleedharan with the Rajya Sabha. "The issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons is regularly pursued by Indian missions and posts abroad with the local authorities concerned, the minister said. He said due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries, the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. "As soon as the information about the detention or arrest of an Indian national is received by an Indian mission or post, it immediately gets in touch with the local foreign office and other local authorities concerned to get consular access to ascertain the facts of the case, confirm his or her nationality and ensure his or her welfare," Muraleedharan said.

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California's Assembly Bill 130 would establish a driver's license for e-bikes and set an age minimum of 12. Legislators are concerned that children who have never been exposed to traffic laws are taking e-bikes to the streets.

I see both sides living in one of Los Angeles' most bike-able and walkable areas, the Venice Beach boardwalk. There is a fantastic bike path (the Marvin Braude trail) slightly separated by a stretch of sand from the pedestrian free-for-all but cyclists, skateboarders, e-scooters, roller skaters and bladers, pedicabs and e-bikes fly through the crowd all day long. The thing is, age doesn't seem to be a limiting factor for ignorant behavior. A handwritten sign reminds drivers not to take their cars on the boardwalk at its northern terminus and has been there for a week or more. People are stupid.

E-bikes can also be too stealthy for people to determine quickly. I have a battery hidden in my downtube and a hub motor that looks like a part of the belt drive. I think this law is likely to be more a reason to harass black and brown children than it is for their safety.

I also think some of the faster, stronger, better e-bikes are electric motorcycles or e-motorscooters and could be regulated as such. Require a M2 Motorcycle Certificate and Insurance for stuff that goes beyond a determined speed, or can carry X amount of weight. They are likelier to have bad things happening with them; smaller bikes can be regulated like their pedal-powered precursors.

Electrek:
Airline executives are fuming about the prospect of grounding planes and trimming flight capacity amid a busy summer travel season after fresh problems arose with some of RTX's (RTX.N) Pratt & Whitney engines.



Pratt & Whitney's latest snag, revealed on Tuesday, will impact at least 1,200 of its Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines that power Airbus' (AIR.PA) popular A320neo jets and will need up to 60 days to inspect and fix after microscopic contaminants were found in a metal used in part of the engine core.



While few airlines commented publicly about the engine contamination issue, multiple senior airline executives privately said they were shocked, and one who asked not to be identified called it a "nasty surprise."



Carriers are already grappling with shortages of pilots, air traffic controllers and new planes, making it harder to add more flights. Some are leaning on bigger planes that can accommodate more passengers to get around operational challenges.



"On the face of it, this came at a really awkward time," said Addison Schonland, partner at consulting firm AirInsight.



RTX said it was looking to minimize the impact and support its customers, but airlines in the northern hemisphere are trying to optimize resources for the summer travel season, typically the industry's most profitable period.



Major customers that took delivery of affected A320neo jets include Spirit Airlines (SAVE.N), JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O), Hawaiian Airlines (HA.O) and Wizz Air (WIZZ.L), according to aviation data provider Cirium.



Those carriers also lack in-house aircraft repair and maintenance support systems, making them reliant on outside service providers. But with repair facilities already congested, the situation is far more pressing for them, Schonland said.



Hawaiian Airlines warned it might have to adjust its capacity, but said it was too early to assess the impact. The carrier said on Tuesday the impact would depend on availability of the parts that require replacement.

The limited availability of replacements for these engines had already limited Hawaiian's ability to make full use of its Airbus fleet. It had grounded some planes due to lack of engines.



The industry has struggled to build spare capacity amid a persistent shortage of labor after the pandemic and a faster-than-expected recovery in travel demand.



Before the revelation of contaminated metal parts in Pratt & Whitney's engines, Hawaiian had planned to have no more than two planes out of service for the next few months. Now it will likely take a few more quarters before its entire Airbus (AIR.PA) narrowbody fleet is available.



"What we are really looking forward to is full availability of our fleet ... and a much more predictable operation," Hawaiian CEO Peter Ingram said on the company's earnings call on Tuesday.



Spirit Airlines previously cut 2023 capacity estimates due to a lack of working GTF engines. The ultra-low-cost carrier has said constrained capacity at repair shops has led to a three-fold increase in turnaround times for engines.



The Florida-based company, due to report its quarterly earnings next week, did not respond to a request for comment. In April, however, it said engine-related issues were hurting operations.



Prior to the latest issue, Spirit's Chief Financial Officer Scott Haralson had called the whole situation "frustrating", as it was hurting the airline's profits.



JetBlue finds itself in a similar spot. A spokesperson said the New York-based carrier was working with Pratt to assess the impact of the latest problem.



The airline already cut 10% of its flights out of New York City this summer due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. In a regulatory filing, the company previously warned it was "vulnerable to significant problems" associated with Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines.



Hungary's Wizz Air said on Wednesday it expected first-half capacity to shrink by a "mid-single digit" percentage as 12 of its fleet's engines would be affected. But the low-cost carrier added that strong consumer travel demand could result in higher fares, leaving profitability intact.
Elon Musks grand vision is to turn Twitter into a one-stop shop for financial services. Its hardly the first time a tech giant has sought to muscle in on Jamie Dimons turf.



Facebook spent years investing in a project called Libra that was supposed to revolutionize cross-border payments, but regulatory scrutiny forced it to abandon the push. Google planned a digital financial offering and even lined up 11 banks as partners for the launch before it suddenly nixed the entire plan. Amazon.com Inc. considered offering checking accounts for consumers, yet that endeavor never became a reality.



Of course, Musk isnt like other tech executives. His business decisions dont tend to follow predictable paths  as evidenced by his many shocking moves at Twitter, including abandoning its iconic bird-based brand for the letter X. He also has experience in financial technology, having founded the firm now known as PayPal Holdings Inc.



But history suggests an uphill battle for Musk. The landscape is filled with US technology firms that tried to take on banking behemoths, only to scale back their ambitions in the face of competition and protracted approval processes.



Im not saying at all that he cant do it, Pranav Sood, executive general manager at cross-border payments platform Airwallex. But its something that takes time and its something that takes investment because you have to make sure that you do things right in order to stay compliant globally.



Musks envisioned X app  which will connect Twitters underlying infrastructure with X.com, a web address that now functions as a routing service to Twitter  is one that layers communication, multimedia and the ability to conduct your entire financial world.



In messages posted in support of Musks overhaul, Twitter Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino said X would include fintech features such as payments and banking. Twitter has already snagged money-transmitter licenses in four US states  Arizona, Michigan, Missouri and New Hampshire.



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



It was a vision Musk had tweeted himself in 2022 during his acquisition of the social-media site. His musings indicated he wanted Twitter to be more like Tencent Holdings Ltd.s WeChat, a messaging service turned super-app used daily by more than a billion people in China. Its also a fintech titan that allows users to send each other funds, pay for goods and services, and even borrow money.



Buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app



 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 4, 2022



It wouldnt be Musks first foray into payments. He moved to Silicon Valley during the dot-com boom, and founded a company  also once known as X.com  that eventually became PayPal. He made his first fortune when PayPal was sold to eBay Inc. As for banking, Musk has said he turned down several high-paid jobs on Wall Street to focus on technology  a decision thats worked out well for Musk, now the worlds richest person, with a net worth of $238.9 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.



But adding banking and payments features will require users to get comfortable with a company with a brand-new product name and its own set of financial woes after Musk saddled Twitter with high-cost debt.



WeChat, Alipay

Tech platforms around the world are looking for ways to better monetize their existing customer bases and product offerings, and have long sought the routine, loyal engagement consumers have with their banks and other financial-services providers. Plus, theyd love to replicate the traction that players such as WeChat and Ant Group Co.s Alipay have gained in China.



In recent years, US tech companies have invested in beefing up their payments and financial-services capabilities. In some cases, though, their progress has been stunted by push-back from lawmakers and regulators.



Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook debuted the Libra Association in 2019. The idea was that the company and its partners could use stablecoins to make it cheaper and easier to offer remittances to consumers. Almost immediately, politicians and regulators around the world called on Facebook to halt the project and key partners including Mastercard Inc. and Visa Inc. abandoned the association within months.



Alphabet Inc.s Google has tried  and struggled  to become a primary medium of commerce in the US, despite relative overseas success in countries such as India. Last year, the company shelved plans to add bank accounts to its payment app after it had tied up partners including Citigroup Inc. for months on the work.



And Amazon held early talks in 2018 with banks such as Dimons JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Capital One Financial Corp. to offer checking accounts, but that never resulted in any products.



Ambitions Abandoned

Even Musks former company has sought to become a WeChat-style super-app. Two years ago, when PayPal was worth more than Citigroup and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. combined, the company plotted an ambitious foray into new areas including stock trading and high-yield savings accounts as the firm sought to go beyond its roots as an iconic checkout button.



But, more recently, after the companys stock was battered amid a slowdown in spending on the firms payments platforms, PayPal has had to abandon those ambitions. These days, Chief Executive Officer Dan Schulman is once again focused on improving the checkout button rather than turning PayPal into a one-stop shop for its customers financial needs.



Our first and most important priority is continually to improve the branded checkout experience, Schulman told investors in May. This is at the core of what we do.



The transition to offering financial services isnt a straightforward one, given tough competition in the US banking market, intense regulatory scrutiny and a high level of stickiness among finance customers, said Jeff Tijssen, global head of fintech at consulting firm Bain & Co.



You will therefore need to think of a very compelling value proposition that is truly differentiating in order to stand out, he said.
Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday raised its full-year forecast for operating profit, on the back of higher prices that helped the luxury carmaker shrug off higher material costs and negative currency effects. The German automaker said it now expects earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) in 2023 to be on par with the 20.5 billion euros ($22.7 billion) made in 2022, having previously expected a slight decline. Frankfurt-listed shares in the company , which is scheduled to report full second-quarter results on Thursday, narrowed losses following the news to trade 0.4% lower. EBIT for the April-June quarter profit rose to 5 billion euros compared with a consensus of 4.7 billion euros, Mercedes-Benz said, also citing higher earnings from its Vans division. That segment is now expected to deliver an adjusted return on sales of 13% to 15% in 2023, up from 11% to 13% previously forecast, marking the second outlook upgrade in less than three months. The Vans division posted a preliminary adjusted return on sales of 15.5% in the quarter, driven by improved net pricing and increased unit sales, Mercedes-Benz said, adding its Cars division achieved an adjusted return on sales of 13.5%. Earlier this month, the company reported a 6% growth in its second-quarter vehicle sales as a result of high demand for all-electric and top-end vehicles.

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Private capital fundraising in Asia Pacific may hit a decade low this year, as investors shift away from China-focused funds, according to London-based research firm Preqin Ltd.



Funds raised in the region in the first half of 2023 accounted for 22% of last years total, Preqin analysts wrote in a quarterly report. Aggregate capital targeted by China-focused funds fell to $115.9 billion at the end of the second quarter, from $141.9 billion in the previous three months.



The dismal regional outlook for private capital, a relatively opaque part of the financing world, is another reminder of the wide-ranging repercussions of a slowing Chinese economy that has affected everything from commodities to stock listings. It also shows the broader impact of aggressive monetary tightening by major central banks, which has pushed up borrowing costs and heightened concerns about debt defaults and a global recession.







Nonetheless, we continue to view Chinas economy as holding the key to a full recovery in the region, with its broad range of investment opportunities and deep capital markets, and significant influence as the top trading partner for many APAC countries, the report said.



Japan was the regions outperformer, reflecting the strength of its stock market, Preqin said. Private equity deal-making topped the region for two consecutive quarters. The yens depreciation also helped boost the nations appeal to international investors, particularly those in real estate.



Private equity fundraising in Asia Pacific remained weak at $5.6 billion in the second quarter, although the figure was more than double the $2.7 billion raised in the previous three months.



The weak environment for private equity to cash in on their investments persisted in the region, despite an upswing in exit value to $8 billion from $5.6 billion in the first quarter. This is in line with the overall weaker deal environment and indicates a still-cautious general market sentiment, Preqin said.



Similarly, venture capital fundraising in Asia Pacific has declined more than in other regions, contracting to $4.5 billion in the second quarter, the lowest in at least five years. Most of this was due to China-focused funds, which raised $2.7 billion, marking a 54% drop from the prior quarter.



However, the outlook for venture capital funds is less dire, with interim closes by China-, India- and Singapore-focused funds reaching around $6 billion in total during the first half of this year, Preqin added.



Elsewhere, demand for private credit rebounded globally in the second quarter, with 34 new funds raising $71.2 billion, more than double the previous three months, according to Preqins data.
Volkswagen is partnering with Chinese EV startup Xpeng and joint venture partner SAIC to build new models and potentially co-create platforms, it said on Wednesday, as it attempts to use local expertise to protect market share.



The Volkswagen brand will partner with Xpeng Inc to produce two models targeting the middle-class segment which will carry the VW logo but feature Xpeng know-how on software and autonomous driving, a win for the EV startup that is less than a decade old.



The new models, to be rolled out from 2026, will plug a gap in Volkswagen's product lineup in China, where the market for so-called "new energy vehicles" has grown faster than expected and Volkswagen lags local competitors and Tesla (TSLA.O).



The carmaker is coming under heavy investor pressure over its China presence, both in terms of boosting EV sales and ensuring its slate is clean on labour rights issues in the Xinjiang region where it co-owns a plant with SAIC.



Volkswagen's China Chief Ralf Brandstaetter recently criticised the market in China for electric, plug-in and fuel cell vehicles as becoming too crowded and lacking funding for long-term development.



The carmaker said it will invest around $700 million in Xpeng and purchase a 4.99% stake in the company.



Brandstaetter has long said that Volkswagen's China strategy rests on collaborating with local actors, with Xpeng the latest in a string of partnerships with Chinese firms that have included battery-maker Gotion and technology firm Horizon Robotics.



For Xpeng, one of the smaller players in China's EV sector, the partnership offers leverage of Volkswagen's supply chain and sourcing capabilities as well as a boost to the reputation of its platform and technology, Daniel Roeska of Bernstein Research said in a note.



Volkswagen also announced plans further cooperation between its subsidiary Audi and Chinese heavyweight SAIC (600104.SS), but did not specify which models the two companies would develop together or when a joint platform could emerge.



The models would be in a segment Audi has yet to broach in China, the company said, as the premium brand plays catch-up in the Chinese electric vehicle market, where its performance has so far been weak.
The Clay County School district outside of Jacksonville, Florida has pulled a book from the beloved children's series Arthur by Marc Brown from its schools while the district decides whether or not to ban it. Because in MAGAland, reading Arthur's Birthday, a story about the bespectacled aardvark's birthday party that falls on the same day as his friend's  and which references the old-timey teen game Spin the Bottle  will lead to "damaged souls," according to the frightened parent who filed a complaint.

"PROTECT CHILDREN!! IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS 'SPIN THE BOTTLE' WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. THIS BOOK IS FOUND IN ALL/ALMOST ALL [DISTRICT SCHOOLS]!" said Florida man Bruce Friedman in all caps on the form.

"SPIN THE BOTTLE" is "NOT OKAY FOR K-5 KIDS!" he added. (See images of his complaint below, obtained from Clay County School District by the Daily Beast.)

This isn't Friedman's first complaint about a book that is threatening to possess his child  in fact, the crazed conservative has lodged at least seven others, and is concerned with over 3,600 books. From Daily Beast:

Friedman is the president of Florida's chapter of No Left Turn in Education, a group known for fear-mongering the teachings of Critical Race Theory. According to the group's website, its goal is to "use all forms of media to expose the radical indoctrination in K-12 education." At a Florida Department of Education meeting in December, Friedman bragged about creating a list of over 3,600 books that he felt contained "concerning content," Popular Information reported. In June 2022, Friedman's mic was cut off when he attempted to read a rape scene aloud during a school board meeting. Friedman declined an interview request with The Daily Beast on Thursday. "No thank you," he wrote in an email.  Reagan Miller, a member of Florida Freedom to Read Project, said she believes book banners are just trying to create "chaos in the education system" and make a boogeyman out of diversity, equity, and inclusion. "I think it's more to keep feeding a narrative," she told The Daily Beast, suggesting that even Barney & Friends could be the next target.

For now, the soul-sucking Arthur book is off the table for youngsters in Clay County, "Pending Oversight Committee Review."
Circleville, Ohio officer Ryan Speakman was fired "effectively immediately" Wednesday after the department completed its review of his use of force against an unarmed, kneeling black man with his hands in the air. Speakman set a dog on truck driver Jaddarius Rose, supposedly pulled over for a missing mud flap, despite other officers telling him not to.

"Officer Speakman did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers," police officials said.

Governor Mike DeWine blamed the dog.

The governor said he will propose to the state General Assembly that funding be added to the state budget to build a training facility for K-9 units across Ohio, saying, he wants the training to "be available to every single law enforcement agency in the state of Ohio no matter how big or how small."

Which is interesting because stories about this incident are taking on a stronger "cop press release" tone today, even with Speakman's firing. The angle is that the incident was a K9 training failure. One item from the AP plainly suggests the dog set itself on Rose and Speakman's failure was to "let" it do so. This exonerative circumlocution has wandered into simple falsehood, though, because on the footage you can see and hear Speakman command the dog to attack Rose when it fails to do so immediately after being unleashed.
July 27, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-180

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 27, 2023 at 13:15 UTC | Permalink

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A judging panel featuring 40 leading food writers, critics, chefs and hospitality-industry professionals across Aotearoa took part in collating this year's list, which will see a number of eateries given the prestigious 'hat' - an equivalent to the well-sought Michelin star rating restaurants use overseas.
The Houston Chronicle reports that two teachers at First Baptist Academy in Baytown, Texas, were fired after going to a drag show in Houston. A 19-year veteran of the school, Kristi Maris was told she had failed to "act in a godly and moral fashion at work, on Facebook and in my community," with the same consequence for a colleague not named in media reports.

Maris agreed to the clause but wasn't aware attending a drag show violated it, she told Lodhia. "They're entertainers. I would've never thought in a million years that this would happen. Never. We were in disbelief. We still are. We were heartbroken. We had relationships with parents and the kids, and I didn't even get to say goodbye to a lot of the kids," Maris told ABC 13. The veteran teacher said the firing clashes with her devout Christian beliefs. "For almost 20 years, I've taught children to love each other. I've talked to them and told them, 'You have to get along. God loves us all equally.' And that's the way we should be," Maris told ABC 13's Lodhia."We should love everybody, and that's what we've been teaching, but they're expecting us not to do that."

It would be cynical and false to say that this is just what Christianity is in America. But it's maybe what Christianity is at the sort of school whose sign is a canvas banner on a rope.
Timothy Shea, a Colorado businessman who helped run a "Build the Wall" donation fraud on MAGA's legion of credit-card waving suckers, was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison yesterday. He's the third man convicted in the scheme, after Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato.

The fundraising scheme started on GoFundMe, but it was impossible to directly transfer money to the federal government, and GoFundMe threatened to return the cash to donors unless a nonprofit entity was identified, according to court documents.

That's when Bannon and Badolato got involved, according to prosecutors, and all four men started a nonprofit entity called "We Build the Wall, Inc.," prosecutors said in a sentencing memo.

Promises were made that "100%" of the funds would be used in the effort to build a wall, and Kolfage promised to take no compensation, prosecutors wrote.

"Those representations were lies," the U.S. attorney's office said.

Kolfage took more than $350,000 for his personal use, and Shea kept more than $180,000, prosecutors said.
Author Nancy Bo Flood, left, poses with Anna Yamada, who became Floods good befriend in her days as an instructor at Northern Marianas College. This photo was taken recently when Flood was back on island as part of the Saipans Land and Sea: Battle Scars & Sites of Resilience program.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) addresses reporters following the Senate Republicans weekly policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., July 11, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo
US Secretary of State expresses concerns over China on visit to Tonga
US Senator Menendez says he has not changed opposition to Turkey F-16 sale
The A.B. Won Pat International Airport in Tiyan is shown June 9, 2023. On Tuesday, Guam Del. James Moylan announced the airport would be receiving $4 million to "modernize" its infrastructure.
Guam Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Joseph Sanchez, right, testifies during an oversight hearing July 18, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna. Seated to his left is Superintendent Kenneth Swanson. GDOE announced Wednesday that it has pushed back the first day of public school classes to Aug. 29.
Sen. William Parkinson speaks in opposition of Bill 79-37 during session Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna. Parkinson said his goal as a lawmaker was to make gun laws friendlier to potential firearm owners, and that the measure sent a strong message that the Legislature was anti-gun.
The United Auto Workers and the Detroit Three automakers have begun labor contract talks, and the outcome will impact the Buffalo Niagara regions economy.

The UAWs four-year contracts with General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis are set to expire Sept. 14. The union has raised the threat of striking if new deals arent reached.

GM has two manufacturing plants in the region, and Ford Motor Co. has one area plant. Heres how things are shaping up as negotiations unfold:

New union leadership

The automakers are bargaining with new union leaders this time. And those union leaders are taking a more-aggressive stance toward negotiations.

The UAW has undergone sweeping change in its leadership, with Shawn Fain winning election as the UAW International president. He campaigned as a reformer, following a series of corruption scandals that had rocked the unions upper ranks and led to multiple convictions.

As president, Fain has been outspoken and accessible, hosting town halls on Facebook Live and launching web pages to update members on the negotiations.

Fain and other UAW leaders set the tone by not participating in the traditional public handshake with the automakers CEOs to kick off negotiations.

Ill shake hands with the CEOs when they come to the table with a deal that reflects the needs of the workers who make this industry run, Fain said.

UAW officials instead shook hands with members outside three auto manufacturing plants.

GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra said at the start of the talks: We have a long history of negotiating fair contracts with the UAW that reward our employees and support the long-term success of our business. Our goal this time will be no different.

And Fords CEO, Jim Farley, said Ford was entering talks with the UAW ready and willing to work hard to reach a new deal. It should be about collaboration, not concessions; creative ideas, not confrontation. We have important work to do together with the UAW.

Economic impact

The UAW represents about 150,000 autoworkers at GM, Ford and Stellantis, the company that owns Chrysler.

Most people dont realize how big the auto industry is, said Art Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell Universitys School of Industrial and Labor Relations in Buffalo. It doesnt just impact the number of UAW members. You multiply that by 10 to include suppliers and other businesses connected to the industry.

In the Buffalo Niagara region, the union represents 730 workers at Fords stamping plant on Route 5. GMs Lockport plant has a total of 1,691 workers, and the Tonawanda plant has a total of 1,087. Union-represented workers account for the vast majority of the jobs at both locations.

The three plants employment has shrunk over time, but the factories remain cornerstones of the regions manufacturing sector. And those plants have endured even as some industry suppliers, such as Visteon Corp. and American Axle & Manufacturing, have shut their local operations, Wheaton said.

Key issues

Fain has called for reaching deals with the Detroit Three that enable members to share in the automakers prosperity, protect U.S. plants and ensure workers place in future manufacturing plans.

Its long past time for GM to pony up, end (pay) tiers, pay their employees competitive wages that keep up with the cost of living and provide everyone the ability to retire with dignity, he said after GM announced its second-quarter earnings on Tuesday.

Another key issue: how UAW members and existing plants figure into the automakers shift toward producing more electric vehicles. The automakers are directing some of that work, such as new battery production, to joint ventures.

Ford and its partner, SK On, will receive $9.2 billion in loans from the federal government to finance construction of three battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. The UAW blasted the loans as a giveaway to Ford to create 7,500 jobs with no consideration for wages, working conditions, union rights or retirement security.

Daniel Vicente, director of the UAWs Amherst-based Region 9, said the next contracts with the Detroit Three should acknowledge the role the UAW played in helping the automakers survive the Great Recession and its aftermath.

We want to come to an equitable agreement that treats these workers fairly, Vicente said. After the recession, we were asked to save these institutions of American manufacturing, and we acted in good faith and did that as the workers, as the UAW.

Now that were at a place where were out of the economic emergency and these companies are making record profits, its time these companies treat us like the essential workers that we are and get us back to a place where we can live quality, middle-class lives, he said.

Investment in EVs

Its vital for the regions auto industry plants to attract new investment, to keep their operations current and bring in new work as older products are phased out. Sometimes, plans for new investments are included in new labor agreements.

In 2019, Ford pledged to invest $60 million in the Route 5 stamping plant as part of the four-year tentative agreement that was ratified by members. The $60 million was among $6 billion Ford pledged to invest in 19 facilities.

The Hamburg stamping plant is a standalone operation; many other stamping plants are adjacent to a vehicle assembly plant. The Route 5 plant has a longstanding connection to Fords assembly plant in Oakville, Ont., which will undergo a $1.3 billion transformation to produce electric vehicles and battery packs.

GM in January 2022 announced it was investing $154 million in its Lockport components plant, adding 230 jobs. Part of the investment is being directed toward making components for electric motors.

Meanwhile, as GM moves toward producing an all-electric fleet by 2035 and away from vehicles using internal combustion engines, UAW members are wondering how the Tonawanda engine plant fits into GMs long-term future.

Ray Jensen, assistant director for Region 9, who has worked at the Tonawanda plant, said members are ready to produce whatever is needed.

Theyre not concerned about whether theyre going to build engines, drive shafts, computer boards, he said. Whatever it is, they will build it.

We just need to know where we fit into that EV puzzle, he said.

Strike threat

Fain has been clear about the potential for a strike at any or all of the Detroit Three automakers, if the union cant secure deals to members liking.

The Big Three is our strike target, Fain said in early July. And whether or not theres a strike, its up to Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

Four years ago, under different UAW leadership, the union went on strike against GM for 40 days. The walkout involved about 48,000 UAW members at GM facilities, including about 3,000 in the Buffalo Niagara region. (The UAW has not gone on strike at Ford since 1976.)

Vicente noted Fain has told the automakers that Sept. 14th is a deadline. Its not a reference point, its not a suggestion, its a deadline. And if our demands are not met by that deadline, then weve gotta do what we gotta do. But the decision of whether we walk or not is up to the auto companies.

Labor contracts and organizing campaigns are drawing more attention nationally. UPS and the Teamsters union just reached a tentative agreement on a five-year deal, in the face of the threat of a strike by 340,000 workers nationwide. Screenwriters and actors are on strike. Starbucks workers at stores around the country have held sporadic, short-term walkouts.

The UAW says it is prepared for a strike if it comes to that. The Detroit News reported the union has $825 million in its strike fund. Members would receive $500 a week, with payments available after the eighth day of a strike.

(The automakers) are going to hemorrhage a lot of money if they try to fight it through the strike for a long period of time, Wheaton said.
Zaldy Dandan is a recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.
URUMQI, July 26 (Xinhua) -- With a loud train whistle echoing through the air, a freight train loaded with more than 260 new energy vehicles (NEVs) slowly pulled out of the Horgos Port in northwest China, and prepared to head to Uzbekistan.

In the first half of this year, a total of 18,000 NEVs were exported through the Horgos Port in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, mostly via China-Europe freight trains, marking a 3.9-fold increase compared to the previous year, the Horgos Customs said.

"The China-Europe freight train has provided us with a new pathway for exporting automobiles," said Li Ruikang, manager of Sino-Worlink Special Cargo Railway Logistics Co., Ltd.

Li added that 25 percent of the vehicles exported by his company are through railway transportation, with the efficient customs clearance process being a crucial factor in their decision to utilize the China-Europe freight train.

Based on vehicle type, weight, dimensions and other details, relevant facilitation measures for customs clearance have been formulated by the Horgos Customs, significantly reducing clearance time and lowering costs for car manufacturers.

Currently, the majority of automobiles transported through the Horgos Port, one of China's closest ports to Central Asia and Europe by land transport, come from provincial-level regions such as Chongqing, Sichuan and Guangdong, destined for countries along the Belt and Road, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The China-Europe freight train service that started operations in 2011 has offered a secure and reliable channel between Asia and Europe, transporting a variety of goods ranging from IT products and automobiles to wines and coffee beans.

An increasing number of NEV exporters are turning to China-Europe freight train service due to its stable and smooth transportation environment, multiple routes and stops, said Lyu Wangsheng, an official from Horgos Customs.

In January, a freight train carrying 50 NEVs departed south China's Guangzhou metropolis for Europe. It's the first China-Europe freight train departing from Guangdong Province that is exclusively for Chinese-made NEVs.

Guangzhou Customs has opened a green channel for NEV exports to ensure smooth logistics and supply chains.

As global pressure to reduce carbon emissions and energy crises intensify, many countries are embracing policies that support the adoption of NEVs. Leveraging its industrial chain advantages, China's export of new energy vehicles has witnessed significant growth.

In the first half of 2023, China exported 534,000 NEVs, expanding 160 percent from a year earlier, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed.
Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to cut jobs at its Grand Island operations, as the life sciences company makes a broader push to reduce expenses by $450 million.

Were appropriately reducing headcount where that makes sense across the business, said Stephen Williamson, the life sciences companys chief financial officer, in a conference call this week.

Thermo Fisher would not say how many jobs it has cut from its Grand Island operations.

A year ago, Thermo Fisher hailed completion of a $76 million expansion of its Staley Road manufacturing plant. The expansion was expected to add 100 jobs to the existing workforce of 1,600.

The Grand Island facility makes ingredients used by the biologics and vaccine industries. Those customers products help treat diseases and illnesses including cancer, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Thermo Fisher also has a location on Whitehaven Road, at the former headquarters of CannonDesign.

But Thermo Fisher has been cutting jobs from its Grand Island workforce over the past several months. The company would not provide a current local employment figure.

There are times when we must adjust staffing levels to remain in line with macroeconomic conditions and current volume demands, the company said in a statement. In alignment with this ongoing effort, we have made the decision to adjust staffing levels at our Grand Island, N.Y., location.

Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher this week reported second-quarter profits of $1.36 billion, down 18.5% from a year earlier. Revenue dropped 3% on a year-over-year basis.

The macroeconomic environment became more challenging in the second quarter, said Marc Casper, Thermo Fishers chairman, president and CEO. Economic activity in China slowed, and across the economy more broadly, businesses became more cautious in their spend.

Thermo Fisher has lowered its guidance for its full-year revenue to a range of $43.4 billion to $44 billion, down from $45.3 billion.

Of the $450 million in expense reductions Thermo Fisher is targeting this year, $375 million of the total benefit is expected to come in the second half of the year, Williamson said.

Thermo Fisher has cut over 300 jobs in the San Diego area since the start of the year, and is eliminating 113 jobs as a result of closing a site in New Jersey.
Nigers president vows democracy will prevail after mutinous soldiers detain him and declare a coup View Photo

NIAMEY, Niger (AP)  Nigers president defiantly declared Thursday that democracy would prevail, a day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup because of the West African countrys deteriorating security situation.

While many people in the capital of Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country and which side the majority might support. A statement tweeted by the army commands account declared that it would back the coup to avoid a murderous confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath. It was not possible to confirm that the statement was genuine.

President Mohamed Bazoum  who was elected in 2021 in Nigers first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960  appeared to have the backing of several political parties. Bazoum is a key ally in the Wests efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africas Sahel region.

The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it, Bazoum tweeted early Thursday.

Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou issued a similar call on news network France 24, asking all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action.

He demanded the presidents unconditional release and said talks were ongoing.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who spoke to Bazoum by phone on Wednesday, told reporters Thursday that he was extremely worried about the situation in Niger and warned of the terrible effects on development and civilians due to successive unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel region.

The U.N. Security Council scheduled emergency closed consultations on the situation Friday at the request of its three African members, Ghana, Gabon and Mozambique.

The Economic Community of West African States sent Benin President Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts.

Russia and the West have been vying for influence in the fight against extremism in the region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighboring nations.

Bazoum is seen by many as the Wests last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Wagner appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

The U.S. is gravely concerned about the situation in Niger, said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel during a briefing with reporters Thursday.

We are monitoring the situation closely and continue to be in close touch with the embassy, Patel said.

Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties. American, French and Italian troops train the countrys soldiers, while France also conducts joint operations.

But the threat to Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger could also turn away from the West.

On Thursday, several hundred people gathered in the capital and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags. Later, they began throwing rocks at a passing politicians car.

If Mohamed Bazoum resigns from the presidency, Niger will probably move to the top of the list of countries where the Wagner Group will seek to expand, said Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at Dragonfly, a security and political risk consultancy.

Wagner already had its sights set on Niger, in part because its a large producer of uranium. But Bazoum posed an impediment because of his pro-French and pro-Western stance, said Baumgartner.

Wagners head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, weighed in on Thursday, describing the developments as part of Nigers fight against the colonizers.

It effectively means winning independence. The rest will depend on the people of Niger, on how efficient they could govern, Prigozhin, who led a brief mutiny against the Kremlin last month, said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department isnt aware of any signs that the Wagner Group was involved in the coup, Patel said. He declined to speculate, saying the situation continues to be quite fluid.

Former Wagner mercenary, Marat Gabidullin, told the AP that if Nigers new rulers wanted the groups help, theyd do the same job as in the Central African Republic, where its been operating for five years. Advocacy groups have accused Wagner of hijacking state resources and committing human rights atrocities in the Central African Republic and other countries where it operates.

Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Blinken said Thursday that he had spoken with the president, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the U.S. condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

If designated a coup by the United States, Niger could lose millions of dollars of military support and aid.

Alexander Thurston, assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, said the coup deals a blow to democratic culture in the Sahel.

Western governments are left without a strong partner in the region, and may shift even more towards attempting to contain the regions problems, rather than helping to solve them, Thurston said.

Members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoums house and detained him on Wednesday morning.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed all the borders.

Military experts say some of the people who appeared on state television were high-ranking officers, including Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, the head of Nigers special forces who has a strong relationship with the United States.

According to someone close to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation, the president has not and will not resign and is safe in his residence.

In a statement Wednesday, several political parties expressed their support for him, calling the coup suicidal and anti-republican madness.

The country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted, they said. Protesters also came out in support of Bazoum that day.

More than 4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and hundreds of thousands are internally displaced, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters after speaking to senior U.N. officials in Niger.

The international community denounced the coup in Niger, where there have been multiple coups since independence in 1960.

We firmly condemn the coup that took place in Niger against the countrys civilian democratic authorities, the French Foreign Ministry said Thursday. It called for the liberation of Bazoum and his family, and for their security to be ensured. It also called for the immediate restoration of the integrity of Nigers democratic institutions.

France has 2,500 troops in Niger and Chad, conducting anti-terror operations in the Sahel region

U.N. Human Rights chief Volker Turk called for Bazoums release and said all efforts must be undertaken to restore constitutional order and the rule of law.

Russia also called for the presidents release. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday in televised remarks that its necessary to restore the constitutional order in Niger. We believe that the coup is unconstitutional, and we always take a principled and clear position on that, he said.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Benin President Patrice Talon is not the head of ECOWAS. He was tapped as their mediator.

___

Associated Press reporters Tracy Brown and Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C.; John Leicester and Angela Charlton in Paris; Edith Lederer at the United Nations in New York; and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.

By SAM MEDNICK

Associated Press
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister to discuss military cooperation View Photo

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, state media said Thursday, illustrating Pyongyangs support for Russias war in Ukraine as the isolated country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The North Korean festivities were to be highlighted by a military parade Thursday night in the capital, Pyongyang, where Kim  possibly in the presence of Shoigu and a visiting Chinese ruling party official  could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles designed to threaten neighboring rivals and the United States.

North Koreas state media had not confirmed plans for a military parade. But two South Korean government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide background information, said the parade likely started around 8 p.m. with warm-up events and was still going nearly two hours later.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Kim and Shoigu talked Wednesday in Pyongyang and reached a consensus on unspecified matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment.

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the U.S.-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests. The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim.

During the meeting, Shoigu conveyed to Kim a warm and good letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said.

In the letter, released later by the Kremlin, Putin congratulated Kim on the anniversary of the defeat of the enemy in the Korean War and praised the contributions of military personnel from the Soviet Union, especially pilots, who fought on the Norths side.

Putin said that experience laid the foundation for good relations between Russia and North Korea in confronting the West, noting Pyongyangs support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.

In the face of modern threats and challenges, it is especially important to preserve and increase the glorious traditions of friendship, goodneighborliness and mutual assistance, the Russian leader said.

In a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic, North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to attend the events marking the armistice of July 27, 1953. While the truce left the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war, the North still sees it as a victory in the Grand Fatherland Liberation War.

KCNA said Kim took Shoigu to an arms exhibition that showcased some of North Koreas newest weapons and briefed him on national plans to expand the countrys military capabilities. State media photos and video showed Kim and Shoigu walking near a row of large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.

Some of the weapons appeared to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that the North has flight-tested in recent months as it pursues an arsenal that can pose a viable threat to the continental United States. Kim and Shoigu also walked past what were possibly new surveillance and attack drones that had not been publicly announced by the North.

Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the South Korean military was analyzing the military assets shown in the photos but did not share specific assessments.

When asked about the possibility that Shoigus visit was to discuss importing weapons from North Korea, John Kirby, the White Houses National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, didnt answer directly but said it was clear Putin is reaching out to other countries for support in his war in Ukraine.

Mr. Putin knows hes having his own defense procurement problems, his own inventory problems, that his military remains on the back foot, and hes trying to shore that up, Kirby said.

Some experts say North Korea sees U.S. confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and insert itself into a united front against Washington. Both Moscow and Beijing have blocked U.S. efforts to strengthen U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests since 2022.

The last time North Korea invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018, when it held a low-key event that excluded Kims ICBMs. North Korea at the time was initiating diplomacy with Seoul and Washington hoping to leverage its nuclear program for badly needed economic benefits.

Those efforts led to a summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump that June, but the diplomacy collapsed after their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since ramped up the development of nuclear arms that he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival, while berating gangster-like U.S. sanctions and pressure.

Beijings delegation to North Korea is headed by mid-level official Li Hongzhong, a politburo member of Chinas ruling Communist Party.

Kim met Li during an anniversary concert that began at midnight and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, KCNA said. During a separate reception hosted by senior North Korean officials, Li said in a speech that China was ready to promote the sound and stable development of relations with the North.

Analysts say Kim sharing the center stage with Shoigu and Li at a military parade would be a key accomplishment he could show to his domestic audience as well as a statement of defiance toward the United States.

The Korean War was triggered by a surprise North Korean attack on the South in June 1950. The North was supported by Chinese troops and the then-Soviet air force. South Korea, the United States, and troops from various nations under the direction of the United Nations fought to push back the invasion.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marked the armistice anniversary by visiting a cemetery in the port city of Busan that honors the U.N. troops who died during the war.

The Republic of Korea of today stands on the sacrifice, dedication and blood-drenched uniforms of U.N. soldiers, Yoon said in a speech, referring to South Koreas formal name.

In the face of growing North Korean threats, Yoon has pushed to expand South Koreas military exercises with the United States and is seeking stronger U.S. reassurances that it would use its nuclear capabilities to defend the South in the event of a nuclear attack.

By KIM TONG-HYUNG

Associated Press
Presidents of Indonesia and China meet to discuss joint projects and regional politics

Presidents of Indonesia and China meet to discuss joint projects and regional politics View Photo

BEIJING (AP)  Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in southwestern China for talks about joint projects that include Indonesias development of a new capital.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the governments of China and Indonesia signed several agreements, including to exchange knowledge and experience for the capital project. Indonesia plans to move its capital from the congested and polluted city of Jakarta on its main island of Java to Nusantara on Borneo island next year.

During their meeting in Chengdu, the two leaders also discussed investments, cooperation in areas such as health, research and technology, and regional issues, including Chinas relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to a statement from Widodo.

The Indo-Pacific is a strategic area that we must protect as a peaceful and stable area, said Indonesias president, whose country holds the chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

Widodo is on a three-day visit to China and also plans to meet with Chinese businesspeople to discuss possible investments in Indonesia, especially in the petrochemical, renewable energy and health sectors, the statement added.

He also is scheduled to attend the opening of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu.

Indonesia and China are members of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies. China is Indonesias largest trade and investment partner.

Indonesia wants a bigger role as a supplier of nickel and other raw materials to Chinas fast-growing electric car brands.

___

Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.
A car-carrying cargo ship burning near a Dutch bird habitat stokes environmental worries View Photo

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  A cargo ship packed with cars burned close to a world-renowned bird habitat off the Dutch coast Thursday as firefighters and salvage crews waited for the flames from a fire that started more than a day earlier to subside before attempting to board the vessel.

The Fremantle Highway was sailing from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore when it caught fire in the North Sea shortly before midnight Tuesday about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland, sparking fears of an environmental disaster.

One crew member died and others were injured early Wednesday. The entire crew, made up of 21 Indian nationals, has been evacuated from the ship. The cause of the fire hasnt been established.

The coast guard of the Netherlands said the situation at the moment is stable. The agency released a photo after a flyover Thursday that showed smoke still pouring from the ship and drifting low over the slate-gray sea.

The coast guard said late Thursday afternoon that crews were using the tide to turn the ship so it would drift east again with the support of a tugboat. The maneuver would allow the ship to continue floating between two shipping lanes and remain some 16 kilometers (10 miles) off the Dutch coast.

Because of the wind and current, it is not possible to keep the ship in one place, the agency said.

The Japanese-owned ship is close to a chain of islands and the World Heritage-listed Wadden Sea, an important habitat for migratory birds.

The Dutch coast guard said Wednesday that the vessel was carrying 2,857 cars, including 25 electric cars. Some reports Thursday suggested there might be more than that, but the coast guard said it could not provide confirmation.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has warned about the possible dangers of electric vehicle battery fires, The hazard stems from thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that causes uncontrolled battery temperature and pressure increases.

German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke said she couldnt rule out the possibility of the burning ship sinking.

A totally normal car transport by sea could turn into an environmental catastrophe of unknown proportions, Lemke said in a statement. This fills me with deep concern.

She said that if the ship sinks, large quantities of fuel and other environmentally harmful pollutants from the cargo ships load could contaminate the sensitive ecosystem of the North Sea extensively. The unique Wadden Sea National Park is in serious danger. That must be prevented with all our resources.

The burning vessel had been drifting west toward the island of Terschelling and slowly heading away from Borkum, the westernmost of the German East Frisian islands. Germany sent a ship that doused the sides of the Fremantle Highway with water on Wednesday to keep it as cool as possible.

The coast guard said that was no longer happening because unnecessary amounts of water must be prevented from getting on board. This endangers the stability of the ship. It said the fire was burning more intensely when the ship was cooled Wednesday.

The Netherlands on Wednesday sent a ship equipped with special booms to contain oil spills to the area as a precaution.

Infrastructure and Waterways Minister Mark Harbers said in a letter to lawmakers that if there is a leak, the current and anticipated wind and wave direction for the coming days are such that any contamination will spread to the north, and therefore not to the Wadden Islands.

The fire in the North Sea isnt the first to break out in a car-carrying cargo ship.

Earlier this month, it took firefighters nearly a week to extinguish a similar blaze in a car transport ship in Newark, New Jersey. Two firefighters were killed and five others were injured battling the flames.

In March 2022, a large cargo vessel carrying cars from Germany to the United States sank in the mid-Atlantic, 13 days after a fire broke out on board. The Felicity Ace sank about 400 kilometers (250 miles) off Portugals Azores Islands as it was being towed after a salvage team had put out the fire.

___

Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed.

By MIKE CORDER

Associated Press
A Niagara Falls man whos been behind bars 10 years for a robbery and an attempted robbery was denied a fair trial 11 years ago, a judge ruled Wednesday, overturning his conviction and releasing him from prison.

Evidence Niagara County prosecutors failed to share with Michael D. Agees defense attorneys before and after his trial, coupled with another mans subsequent admissions about the crimes, undermine confidence in the jurys 2012 verdict, the judge ruled.

Family members and friends gasped and cheered in a Lockport courtroom when State Supreme Court Justice Betty Calvo-Torres said she would not set bail for Agee, who walked out of the courtroom in shackles and still in custody, but smiling. Family and friends expected him to be released from Wyoming Correctional Facility in Attica within a day or so.

Calvo-Torres vacated Agees conviction and rejected a request from prosecutors to hold him on $50,000 bail.

Attorneys for Agee, 30, challenged his conviction, pointing to DNA evidence prosecutors received in 2013  after Agees conviction  but did not disclose. Prosecutors also failed to provide a police report that pointed to another possible suspect, which was not disclosed to Agees defense attorneys before or during his trial.

Isaiah Donmore, Agees cousin, was among a group of supporters in court to hear the judges decision. Agees mother died of cancer while he was incarcerated, and it took time for the small family to gather up the money to pay for a private investigator to work the case, Donmore said.

Im happy he got set free, he gets to live his life. He missed his prime time, his 20s, he said. Now, were just waiting on him to get out, go out to eat, celebrate, or whatever the case may be. Try to put a Band-Aid over the time.

Agee, who went to prison at age 20, was convicted in 2012 of attempting to rob Rizzos Used Furniture and Antiques on 18th Street in the Falls on Dec. 17, 2010. He was also convicted of robbing a food deliveryman at 16th Street and Cleveland Avenue on Dec. 19, 2010.

At a hearing in June, Darius M. Belton testified he was one of the robbers at Rizzos and he supplied a gun used in the deliveryman robbery. He also testified Agee did not participate in either crime.

Evidence presented to jurors at Agees trial was that investigators found DNA on a knife dropped by one of the assailants at Rizzos. The DNA evidence, at the time, was not linked to any individual.

Agees conviction was chiefly due to witness testimony identifying Agee. The judge agreed with Agees attorneys that, at the time of the robberies, Belton and Agee had similar physical appearances, and acknowledged in her ruling the potential for misidentification by witnesses.

Prosecutors received a lab report in 2013 that the DNA matched Belton, whose DNA was obtained in a homicide investigation. Belton pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2012 fatal shooting of his uncle on South Avenue in the Falls.

In the Agee case, there was also a police report detailing that a person found in possession of a cellphone stolen from the deliveryman told authorities she got the phone from Belton.

The Court finds that the cumulative effect of the Peoples failure to provide the defendant with the DNA report and the police report was that defendant was denied a fair trial, the judge said in a written decision. These items of evidence, coupled with the new testimony of Darius Belton, put the entire case in a different light as to undermine confidence in the verdict.

Agees lawyers obtained the police and DNA reports after private investigators Robert Rahn and Kim Anklin submitted Freedom of Information Law requests to the Niagara County District Attorneys Office in 2021.

In a written statement, District Attorney Brian Seaman said he believed his office made strong arguments why the jury verdict in this case should not have been disturbed.

Agee, who has already served more than 10 years of his 12-year sentence, could face a new trial.

We will now review the judges decision and the entire case file, considering all of our legal options, before deciding what step to take next, Seaman said.

Brian Shiffrin, who represented Agee, said his client wont stop until he is fully exonerated.

Justice delayed is, to a degree, justice denied, because even if Mr. Agee gets out today or tomorrow, he spent more than 10 years in, Schiffrin said. This should have happened a long time ago.

Crescendra Agee, Michaels aunt, said she hopes prosecutors face ramifications for their actions.

Im happy that hes coming home and I think the DAs Office needs to be held accountable for their wrongdoings, she said. Its 10 years of his life gone, and thats unfair. Its unfair.
Calaveras Community Foundation - Logo View Photo

Calaveras, CAThe Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) has set the deadline for its grant cycle for 2023. Aspiring applicants are urged to take prompt action, as completed grant applications must be submitted by July 31.

For those interested in applying, complete details, application guidelines, and fillable forms are readily available at the foundations official website: www.calaverascommunityfoundation.org.

Should you require any further assistance or have inquiries, reach out to the CCF office at (209) 736-1845 or contact them via email at info@calaverascommunityfoundation.org.

The application process kicked off on July 1, and all submissions must be sent exclusively via email to: info@calaverascommunityfoundation.org, ensuring they reach the foundation by Monday, July 31, 2023.
Kuwait executes 5 prisoners, including a man convicted in 2015 Islamic State-claimed mosque bombing View Photo

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Kuwait said Thursday it executed five prisoners, including an inmate convicted over the bombing of a Shiite mosque in 2015 that killed 27 people and was claimed by the Islamic State group.

The inmates were hanged at the Central Prison, Kuwaits Public Prosecution said in a statement. Prosecutors said the five include the man convicted in the mosque attack, Abdulrahman Sabah Idan, three people convicted of murder and a convicted drug dealer from Sri Lanka. One of the convicted murderers was Egyptian, another was Kuwaiti.

Idan, known as Saud, was a so-called Bidoon, a group largely made up of descendants of desert nomads considered stateless by the Kuwaiti government. During his trial, prosecutors described him as driving the Saudi suicide bomber to the Imam al-Sadiq Mosque in Kuwait City.

The 2015 bombing occurred during midday Friday prayers inside the mosque, one of Kuwaits oldest for Shiites. The Islamic State group, which at the time controlled large areas in both Syria and Iraq, claimed the attack, which also wounded over 220 people. The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates deserving of death.

It was the first militant attack in Kuwait in more than two decades. The attack was likely intended to foment unrest between Kuwaits Sunni and Shiite Muslim populations, but instead it was widely condemned and reawakened a sense of national solidarity not seen since Saddam Husseins 1990 invasion of the small, oil-rich country.

The extremist group no longer controls any territory following a grueling military campaign by an array of local and international forces, but continues to carry out sporadic attacks in Syria and Iraq. It also boasts affiliates in several Asian and African countries.

Kuwaits appeals and highest court upheld Idans death sentence prior to his execution. Five other suspects received death sentences in absentia. They have yet to be captured.

Executions are relatively rare in Kuwait, which put seven inmates to death last November. Before that, the last mass execution was in 2017, when Kuwait executed seven prisoners, including a ruling family member.

The executions last November, which coincided with a visit by a European Commission official, drew condemnation from the European Union and human rights groups, derailing discussions around exempting Kuwaiti travelers from having to obtain EU visas. The 27-member bloc and many rights groups view the death penalty as a form of cruel and unusual punishment that should be abolished.

The EU said it regrets the five executions that took place Thursday.

The European Union strongly opposes the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances, the bloc said in a statement. It is an inhumane punishment, which has been proven ineffective as a deterrent to crime and represents a denial of the fundamental right to life and human dignity.

Kuwait and other Gulf nations are known to carry out executions for murder as well as nonviolent drug-related crimes. Saudi Arabia executed 61 people in the first half of this year, according to the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, and 196 people in 2022, including 81 in one day.

Devin Kenney, a researcher for Amnesty International, which opposes the death penalty worldwide, said the number of executions in the Gulf has been trending upwards and called for them to be halted.

Killing people for killing people does not serve the purpose of preventing future killings or reducing the number of future killings, Kenney said.

By NICK EL HAJJ

Associated Press
Officials identify remains found at Indiana farm in 1983 as Chicago teen slain by late serial killer View Photo

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Human remains found buried in 1983 at an abandoned Indiana farm have been identified as those of a Chicago teenager who was a victim of the late serial killer Larry Eyler, authorities said Tuesday.

The remains, which were found near the remains of three young men Eyler also killed, are those of Keith Lavell Bibbs, who was 16 when he died, according to the Newton County Coroners Office and the DNA Doe Project.

Eyler confessed to at least 20 killings before dying in 1994 at an Illinois prison, where he was on death row for the 1984 murder of 15-year-old Danny Bridges of Chicago.

In 1990, Eyler confessed to killing a Black male in July 1983 at a Newton County farm and described that male as being in his late teens or early 20s, said Pam Lauritzen, spokeswoman for the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that works to identify cold case victims.

Bibbs, who was a Chicago resident, would have been 16 at the time of his death, she said.

The Newton County Coroners Office worked with the DNA Doe Project, Indiana State Police and the Identify Indiana Initiative to identify Bibbs nearly 40 years after his remains were discovered.

He is the last to be positively identified of the four victims found buried in shallow graves in October 1983 at the abandoned farm in Lake Village, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southeast of Chicago. All four had been drugged and murdered by Eyler, according to his confessions.

Newton County Coroner Scott McCord said he was working Tuesday on paperwork needed to get Bibbs remains sent to his relatives for burial. He said the family is requesting privacy while they grieve.

Everythings done except for getting him back home, he told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Its been a long road getting all those kids identified.

The DNA Doe Project said in a news release that Bibbs DNA was highly degraded and investigators spent more than two years repeatedly trying to create a workable DNA profile to compare to databases used for forensic cases. In January, the nonprofit said a team of investigative genetic genealogists had finally made progress unraveling Bibbs complex family tree, leading to his identification.

Two of Eylers four victims found buried at the farm were identified early in the investigation as Michael Bauer and John Bartlett. In April 2021, the coroners office announced that authorities had identified a third victim as John Ingram Brandenburg Jr. of Chicago, leaving only Bibbs body unidentified at that time.

In December 2021, authorities announced that the body of another of Eylers victims found at a different site in rural northwestern Indiana had been identified as 19-year-old William Joseph Lewis of Peru, Indiana.

Lewis body was also found in October 1983, but in a Jasper County field, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) southeast of Chicago. He was last seen alive in 1982 by his family at a friends funeral in Houston, Texas, officials said.

By RICK CALLAHAN

Associated Press
Union Pacific hires CEO favored by hedge fund as profit falls 15% last quarter on weakening demand View Photo

OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Union Pacific has hired the CEO candidate favored by a hedge fund thats been pressuring the railroad to improve amid disappointing results driven by weakening consumer demand and higher labor costs.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad said its former chief operating officer Jim Vena will take over as CEO next month. Soroban Capital Partners, a hedge fund that holds a $1.6 billion stake in Union Pacific, had been urging the railroad to hire Vena because of his expertise in streamlining operations.

The hedge fund said that UP lagged behind its peers during Lance Fritz 8-year tenure in all key measures. Soroban declined to comment on the hire Wednesday, but investors resoundingly endorsed it by sending Union Pacifics stock soaring more than 10% to $238 Wednesday.

I am excited about returning to Union Pacific and look forward to the journey to be the safest, most reliable and most efficient railroad in the industry, Vena said in a statement. Working closely with the entire team, my focus from day one will be to ensure the company delivers industry-leading customer and operating excellence, cultivates and empowers our employees, and cares for the communities in which we operate.

Fritz acknowledged that the railroad didnt deliver consistent and reliable service during his tenure, and that needs to be remedied. He said proving to Union Pacific customers they can count on good service will help the railroad attract new business and improve profits in the future. At times, UP has struggled to handle everything companies wanted to ship after cutting too deep during the pandemic. Regulators had to twice order the railroad to deliver emergency shipments to livestock producer Foster Farms to ensure that company wouldnt run out of feed for the millions of chickens it raises.

The rail industry has also been under pressure to improve safety ever since the fiery Norfolk Southern derailment in February prompted evacuations and sent a towering plume of black smoke over the town of East Palestine, Ohio. Lawmakers and regulators are considering imposing new rules on railroads.

Vena was brought in to Union Pacific in 2019 after more than 40 years at Canadian National to help the railroad change to a new operating model that relies on fewer, longer trains and significantly fewer employees and locomotives to move freight, but Vena left after less than two years on the job.

He knows us and hes laser-focused on running the safest, best-service railroad in the industry, Fritz said. And thats going to be thats going to be really valuable to us.

But rail unions have criticized UP and the other major freight railroads reliance on that precision scheduled railroading model that has become the industry standard. They say the deep workforce cuts that have accompanied that model have made railroads riskier because employees are spread too thin and under pressure to rush safety inspections and maintenance. Plus, the changes made it less desirable to work for the railroads with train crews on call 24-7 and increasing demands on all rail workers.

Union Pacific has made progress this year in addressing workers quality of life concerns by agreeing to provide paid sick time to all its workers and improve scheduling for engineers so they can reliably know ahead of time what days they will have off. The president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Eddie Hall, was operating UP trains during Venas previous stint with the railroad, and he said he hopes the new CEO is willing to temper his approach now.

We would like to see continued progress, including necessary changes to the precision scheduled railroading operating model, Hall said. Few people alive know more about PSR than Vena. He should be fully aware of its failings. If not, rest assured, we will make him aware.

UP didnt follow the lead of CSX, which looked outside the rail industry to hire its new CEO last year, and instead went with someone with deep experience running a railroad. Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau said the key is his knowledge of precision scheduled railroading and, you know, his ability to help improve productivity and efficiency overall for the railroad.

Union Pacific also promoted board member Mike McCarthy to chairman and named its chief human resources officer Beth Whited president Wednesday. It also added two new independent directors who both have experience has CEOs of other companies.

In addition to the hiring news, Union Pacific said its second-quarter profit declined 14.5% to $1.57 billion, or $2.57 per share, as it hauled 2% less freight and dealt with rising costs. H igher wages promised to workers in last years bitter contract fight and the cost of adding sick time were among the rising costs. A year ago Union Pacific made $1.835 billion, or $2.93 per share.

The railroads earnings fell short of the $2.74 per share that the analysts surveyed by FactSet Research were generally expecting.

The railroads 5% decline in revenue to $5.96 billion also disappointed. Analysts had been expecting $6.09 billion.

Union Pacific said weakening consumer demand and higher costs will make it hard to meet its previous goal of seeing the number of shipments it hauls grow more than industrial production. Volume will likely fall short of the current forecast for industrial production to grow by 0.1% this year.

Union Pacific is one of the nations largest railroads with a network of 32,400 miles (52,000 kilometers) of track in 23 Western states.

By JOSH FUNK

AP Business Writer
US Defense Secretary Austin meets with Papua New Guinea leaders about boosting security ties

US Defense Secretary Austin meets with Papua New Guinea leaders about boosting security ties View Photo

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Papua New Guinea leaders on Thursday to discuss developing the Pacific Island nations military strength and deepening security ties, as the United States competes with China for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Austin is the first U.S. defense secretary to visit the nation of 10 million people that was fiercely fought over during World War II and is gaining strategic importance in the U.S. struggle against Beijing.

The retired four-star general met with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape and discussed implementing the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the capital, Port Moresby, in May.

Blinken had stepped in for Joe Biden, who was to become the first U.S. president to visit Papua New Guinea but canceled to deal with the then-unresolved debt crisis in Washington, D.C.

Austin said the United States was not seeking permanent basing on Papua New Guinea but would help the country expand its military capability, modernize its forces and increase their interoperability with the U.S. military.

The Indo-Pacific is our priority theater and partnerships like ours are critical to keeping this vital region free and open, Austin told reporters in Port Moresby.

The United States has increased its diplomatic focus on the Pacific since China signed a security pact last year with Papua New Guineas neighbor, Solomon Islands.

Marape ruled out forging a bilateral security agreement with Beijing, saying Papua New Guineas relationship with China would remain economic.

The Chinese have not made any request to us for military relationships, Marape said.

Marape added that the Chinese government through its embassy in Papua New Guinea said it had no issue whatsoever with us signing the DCA with the U.S.A.

The signing of that agreement sparked student protests in Papua New Guineas second-largest city, Lae. Many in the Pacific are concerned about the increasing militarization of the region.

Marape said that U.S. Defense Department officials would visit Lae in September to plan upgrading infrastructure. Papua New Guinea wants fuel storage facilities and energy security to receive priority in a 15-year infrastructure plan.

Austin said Papua New Guinea would be provided with a U.S. Coast Guard cutter next month to help enforce maritime law.

Marape said his people were hypersensitive to the possibility the U.S. could wage war against China from Papua New Guinea. He added that the U.S. does not need Papua New Guinea to be a launching pad for any offense anywhere else in the world.

I want to give assurance to everyone here, including our friends from Asia, that this is not about setting up for war. Rather, its about setting up presence for nation-building in Papua New Guinea and this part of Planet Earth and in the Pacific, he added.

Austin and Blinken traveled to Brisbane, Australia, for annual bilateral talks on Friday and Saturday with their Australian counterparts.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would also meet the two Americans on Friday.

By ROD McGUIRK

Associated Press
Weather forecasters have issued a heat advisory for several Western New York counties on Friday, where it will feel like the mid to upper 90s thanks to high humidity.

The advisory runs from noon to 8 p.m. for Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties, as well as other counties in the vicinity of Lake Ontario.

High temperatures combined with elevated humidity will create "apparent temperatures" above 90 degrees across the region and other parts of the state, according to forecasters.

Meanwhile, a cold front is expected to generate some heavy rain and possibly strong gusty winds late Friday night and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Residents are urged to be alert for effects of heat stroke, which include hot, dry, red skin, along with a rapid pulse, rapid and shallow breath, loss of alertness and a body temperature above 105 degrees.

 Harold McNeil
MERIDEN  At Israel Putnam Elementary School, its not just teachers who are helping students develop and maintain their reading skills.

A group of four incoming sixth-graders are helping their younger peers as well.

Ana Arenas Pance and Maya Vargas, both 11, are among the four. They were students in Marcia Johnsons fifth-grade classroom at Nathan Hale Elementary School this past school year. Johnson is one of the teachers in the districts summer reading program at Israel Putnam.

As Arenas Pance explained it, she learned there was a summer school program from her sister. She asked Johnson about the program, learning it was intended to help support students who struggled with reading.

Johnson inquired with the programs co-directors to see if they needed volunteers. Heidi Driscoll, one of those co-directors, said yes.

And I came here, Arenas Pance said.

Johnson is a veteran city teacher of more than 30 years. She noted that the student volunteers assisting in this years summer reading program didnt need additional academic support. They simply wanted to continue coming into school.

Johnson said the group of students not only excels academically, they have good social skills as well. Johnson described them as motivated helpers and good role models for their younger peers.

All those girls were really awesome students, and responsible, said Johnson, emphasizing the importance of the social skills the students have.

We have so much teaching that has nothing to do with reading, writing and math, Johnson said.

Vargas described the experience volunteering with the summer program as fun. She said two of the volunteers are also her friends.

You dont get to see each other in the summer. So its fun to do this with each other, Vargas said.

The students will head off to different middle schools in the fall, Arenas Pance to Washington Middle School and Vargas to Edison.

Driscoll explained that before the COVID-19 pandemics arrival in the spring of 2020 prompted officials to close schools to in-person learning due to public health concerns, the summer reading program regularly had volunteers  as many as eight each summer. They often came from the citys middle schools and high schools.

Driscoll noted it was Johnson who reached out to her about whether they needed volunteers. Something she wanted the volunteers to know is that program educators expected them to work.

I wanted them to know theyre really here to help, she said. They, in turn, responded, providing a lot of support for the younger students.

So the volunteers helped younger students with independent reading and writing during the program. They also helped their peers line up after getting off their morning buses and led them into Israel Putnams cafeteria for breakfast. If a student needed to use the restroom, a volunteer helped guide them in the hallway. During a recent free book giveaway, volunteers helped distribute those books.

Student volunteers are great role models for kids, Driscoll said, adding that the younger students look up to their older peers and often want to emulate them, and that they often form bonds with each other.

Cynthia DeTullio, the programs other co-director, described the volunteers as dedicated, hardworking girls.

Theyre here every day, with a smile, DeTullio said. The younger kids love to see them.

She added that teachers appreciate the support as well.

The volunteers will receive special recognition from district officials during an event Thursday morning with schools Superintendent Mark D. Benigni.

mgagne@record-journal.com203-317-2231Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ
THINK tank, Institute for Security Studies Africa, says disputed polls are brewing in Zimbabwe as the current election regulatory framework falls short in conforming to the regional guidelines.

Zimbabwe heads into elections next month to elect members of the national assembly, councils, and the President.

Zanu PF leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa and CCCs Nelson Chamisa will be the main protagonists.

Mnangagwa and Chamisa were key players in the 2018 disputed polls that had to be settled in the Constitutional Court after the latter cried foul alleging rigging and electoral malpractice.

In a statement, ISS said current conditions in Zimbabwe paint a gloomy picture as far as the electoral playing field is concerned, predicting a recurrence of 2018.

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Zimbabwe is on course for another contested election. Current conditions dont conform with the Southern African Development Communitys election guidelines, nor do they provide an even electoral playing field. The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has perfected the use of non-violent coercion to intimidate people into acquiescence.

Over the past five years, the democratic space has narrowed as the law has been weaponized, opposition members and activists prosecuted, and COVID-19 regulations used to shut down civic and political activism, read the statement.

Zimbabwes build-up to elections has been characterised by barring of opposition rallies by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) while Zanu PF has enjoyed a free space.

ISS said the Mnangagwa regime has been using the law to thwart opposing voices further intimidating citizens.

CCC outgoing legislator Job Sikhala has been wallowing in prison for over a year on pre-trial detention after being denied bail several times.

Before the pandemic, between August 2018 and March 2020, doctors, teachers and civic activists protested against problems plaguing the country. Since then, there have been no significant protests or collective citizen voices on governance and livelihood issues, even as poverty rises.

Lawfare used during the Mnangagwa administration has produced a cowed citizenry. The arrests of leading civic and political activists and journalists demanding accountability and transparency have further dampened spirits. The recent passing of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act (Patriot Act) seals the sustained use of unjust laws to intimidate citizens, read the report further.

Furthermore, ISS contends that the participation of former Zanu PF commissar Saviour Kasukuwere will add another dimension that might result in a run-off.

In the current circumstances, the prospects of an election result being accepted by the major players seem remote. Chances of a second round of voting will increase if the former ZANU-PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, is allowed to participate. ZANU-PF is keen to prevent that, as the stakes would rise considerably in such a scenario, along with prospects for violence like in 2008.

And, as happened 15 years ago, even if the CCC is successful in the first round, it cannot guarantee that a legal transfer of power will follow. There is no neat conclusion for Zimbabwe in sight.

 NewZimbabwe

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Exiled former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has written to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi asking him to use his SADC position to help address alleged political challenges in Zimbabwe.

In his letter dated July 18, Kasukuwere accused Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwas government of abusing courts, blocking opposition rallies and enacting the Patriotic Act to restrict freedom of expression.

He asked President Tshisekedi to use his SADC chairmanship role to promote fair political conditions in Zimbabwe.

Kasukuwere claimed the Patriotic Act could be misused to target government critics, civic groups, opposition and media. He also cited the rejection of his own presidential bid as evidence of a partisan judiciary.

However, political analysts said Kasukuwere is just using whatever means possible to get back into power. They argued that if he really wanted to challenge Mnangagwa politically, he should return home rather than appealing to foreigners from exile.

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In a setback for her presidential ambitions, the High Court has dismissed an application filed by opposition Labour Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) leader Linda Masarira.

Masarira, 40, was challenging the decision of the Nomination Court to set aside her presidential nomination papers for the August 23 general elections.

Her nomination was rejected after she failed to pay the mandatory $20,000 nomination fees using the RTGS system due to limits within the banking system.

In her application, Masarira cited ZEC officials, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Nelson Chamisa of CCC and other presidential candidates including Saviour Kasukuwere and Lovemore Madhuku as respondents.

She demanded that ZEC include her name on the ballot as a presidential candidate and allow her to campaign.

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However, Justice Gladys Mhuri dismissed Masariras application after reading only the operative part of the judgment in court. The full judgment is yet to be released.

Masarira said: My application was dismissed with costs. We will only know the reasons when we get a copy of the full judgment. The way forward will be determined after reading the full judgment.

The presidential race features 12 candidates, including incumbent Mnangagwa and CCC leader Nelson Chamisa. Businesswoman Elisabeth Valerio is the only female candidate besides Masarira.

The ruling deals a blow to Masariras hopes of becoming Zimbabwes first female president. She now faces an uphill battle to be reinstated in time for the elections.

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WASHINGTON  Donald Trump wants to see President Joe Biden impeached, and the former president's allies in Congress and his 2024 GOP presidential rivals are eager to join that fight as his own legal challenges mount.

Trumps chief opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, this week said the House Republicans are absolutely within their rights to consider an impeachment inquiry against Biden. Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, also running for president, also said Republicans would be justified to do it." And House GOP leaders aligned with Trump are foreshadowing whats ahead.

House Republicans will leave no stone unturned, said Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the fourth-ranking House GOP leader and a top Trump ally, who is sometimes mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick.

This week, the prospect of impeaching Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden, emerged from the far corners of the GOP's right flank to the mainstream in the Republican Party.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced on Fox News that the House may open an impeachment inquiry into Biden, and expanded on his plans at a Tuesday press event at the Capitol.

Behind closed doors Wednesday, however, the Republican speaker told GOP colleagues its early in the impeachment process, and McCarthy acknowledged theres still much that is unknown about Joe Biden and whether he had any awareness or involvement in his sons business deals that would arise to an impeachable offense.

The speaker went through what we know and what we dont know, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a seasoned lawmaker and committee chairman.

Theres a lot we dont know  we dont know if any money went directly to President Biden or not, Cole said, explaining the message to the House GOP. Thats what they do the investigations about.

By putting Biden on notice that the House is considering an inquiry, the Republicans are elevating a once rare congressional check on executive power  the formal impeachment charges over high crimes and misdemeanors  into yet another tool being wielded in party politics.

It's a political escalation, urged on by Trump, after his own two impeachments. The prospect of a Biden impeachment inquiry also comes as Trump faces mounting legal cases, including a potential federal indictment in the investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith over his efforts to overturn the election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Trump is the only president in U.S. history who has been twice impeached  first in 2019 over his phone call urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dig up dirt on the Bidens or risk losing U.S. military aid, and again in 2021 in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters trying to overturn Bidens election.

Now, as the Republican party's frontrunner for the nomination to take on Biden in 2024, Trump has long seethed over his impeachments at the hands of House Democrats. McCarthy has suggested the Trump impeachments could be expunged, as proposed by Stefanik and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. But Trump wants Biden to face similar impeachment charges.

They impeach me over a perfect phone call, and they dont impeach Biden, Trump posted online in capital letters this week, calling the current president corrupt.

Last week, at a Fox News town hall in Iowa, Trump expressed similar complaints asking: Why arent they impeaching Biden? ... Why isnt he under impeachment?

House Republicans in various committees are probing the Bidens and suggesting the president may have been aware or involved in his son Hunter Bidens work, particularly when the younger Biden served on the board of the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma.

The Republicans in Congress point to testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who testified last week the Justice Department slow-walked their investigation into Bidens, a claim the agency rejects. The Republicans also publicly released what the FBI says is unverified information from a confidential informant alleging Burisma payments to the Bidens as bribes, though other documents show a top company official disputing any payments were made.

Hunter Biden had agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges of tax evasion stemming from a federal investigation, but the deal unraveled Wednesday when a judge raised questions about it.

Ive seen enough. We need a special counsel who has jurisdiction over any and all Biden family investigations, Chris Christie, another Trump rival in the 2024 race, said on social media.

The White House has refused to engage in questions about any House GOP impeachment inquiry against Biden.

Biden himself has repeatedly said that he does not talk with his son about his overseas business dealings.

Hunter Biden is a private citizen, and this was a personal matter for him," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday as Hunter Biden appeared in court. As we have said, the president, the first lady, they love their son, and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life.

Not all Republicans are on board with the House's plans to consider an impeachment inquiry, but those who object may face political retribution from Trump.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he understands House Republicans may be incentivized to launch an impeachment inquiry after Trump was impeached twice when Democrats had control of the chamber.

But the Kentucky Republican warned fellow Republicans of continuing down this path.

Impeachment ought to be rare rather than common, said McConnell, who has long endured Trumps ire and hasnt spoken to him since the month before the Capitol attack. I think this is not good for the country when we have repeated impeachment.
AT least 500 full-time jobs could be created in the first phase of construction after diversified local business, Kwandisa Group, secured partners to invest in a US$60 million cement plant in the Midlands province.

Three hundred more jobs could be added in the second phase.

The consortium of local investors deal is now subject to regulatory approval.

Kwandisa is a family owned business, which started in the 90s, and has grown into a diversified group with interests in various sectors, including agriculture, retail and manufacturing.

It established itself in the construction industry over the years, moving huge volumes of cement imports, predominantly from Zambia.

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It sees success as adopting and implementing policies that prioritise the communitys well-being, employees, and their families, as well as focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.

Kwandisa managing director, Clayton Musasiwa, said the deal would create at least 500 full-time employees in its first phase and add 300 more in the second phase.

We have been in the market for more than a year now and, finally, we are at a stage where everything is ready for conclusion, said Musasiwa.

Unfortunately, I cant give you more details as we are bound by non-disclosure agreements.

The past year has been very busy for us, with both local and foreign investors interested in the cement venture.

I am glad we have found a suitor and can now focus on delivery.

The companys Corporate Sustainability Report for last year showed that the organisation was supporting local communities.

For more than two decades, Kwandisa Group has been unwavering in its commitment to serve disadvantaged households in Mash Central and help underprivileged families from the Bindura area by providing them with mealie-meal from its subsidiary, Adult Milling Company.

This programme feeds over 1 000 families per annum, reads the report.

Musasiwa said the group also plans to invest U$250 000 to double capacity at Adult Milling Company by the end of this year.

Kwandisa believes success will be amplified as we adopt and implement policies that prioritise the well-being of people in our community, our employees and their families.

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Its troubling to see the press for the most part underplay the seriousness of the implosion of Hunter Bidens plea deal on tax evasion and gun possession charges. Yes, as Glenn Greenwald stressed in his System Update show last night, the two sides will probably find a way to cobble something together that the judge, here Maryellen Noreika, will be hard pressed not to accept. But the much bigger issue as Greenwald also stressed is that it is close to unheard of for a judge to reject a plea agreement. And as too many commentators have glossed over, this one was so irregular procedurally as to have the judge force the prosecution to admit it was unprecedented, and according to Noreika, potentially unconstitutional.

This development follows another incident in the Hunter case this week that is also so irregular that it may get the defense legal team sanctioned. Noreika filed an order demanding that Biden law firm Latham & Watkins explain in a hearing the action, alleged by one of Noreikas clerks, that a Latham & Watkins staffer contacted the court and misrepresented themselves as instead from the law firm that had filed an amicus motion on behalf of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. That brief asking the court to consider the information from IRS whistleblowers that showed that Biden the junior had gotten kid glove treatment. The Latham & Watkins staffer purportedly sought the removal of the filing from the docket.

Well return to the amicus motion later, but it is important to note that the media on a widespread basis has misleadingly referred to it as a document and not a bona fide filing. Worse some commentators have insinuated that it was improper for a Congressman to have made such a move. In fact, this document was a preliminary step to filing an amicus brief. while it may not be common on a search engine to find there is ample precedent for Congresscritters filing amicus briefs.

Yours truly is not an expert on procedure, but this amicus motion was filed just days before the Biden settlement hearing, and if the judge entertained the motion and allowed an amicus brief to be filed and considered by the judge, the hearing would have to have been pushed back. So claims that this move was to block the plea agreement are an overreach, although it would be accurate to say it was a gambit to delay and influence the deal.

Back to the plea deal. The 50,000 version is that the attempt to have a Schrodingers scheme collapsed. Team Biden not surprisingly wanted the agreement to draw a line under all potential actions against Hunter, including his failing to register as a foreign agent.

This is the a compact statement of the legal issues in play and why the judge rebelled. I have yet to find anything remotely like this in mainstream coverage:

Based on conversations with people who were in the courtroom today, and my experience as a former federal prosecutor, I think I know the full story of what happened with the Hunter Biden plea agreement blow-up this morning. Bear with me, because this is a little complicated:  Will Scharf (@willscharf) July 26, 2023

Contrast that, which makes clear how the prosecution and defense were conspiring to railroad the judge, with this bland and misleading recap from Vox, which attempt to paint Noreida as the bad guy (starting with curveball):

The first curveball came when Judge Maryellen Noreika surfaced a disagreement between the prosecution and defense over whether the plea deal would rule out charges against Hunter for acting as an unregistered foreign agent. When prosecutors said it would not, Hunters attorney Chris Clark then said the agreement was null and void, per the New York Times. After a court recess, the two sides worked out a deal, in which prosecutors would rule out further tax, gun, and drug charges against Hunter for the period of 2014 through 2019, per CNN. The deal was back on! But, Judge Noreika said, not so fast. She said she had concerns about the agreement, said it was unusual, and that she felt like she was being asked to rubber stamp it. So, she said, she would not accept it just yet. She wanted more clarity on what immunity would be offered to Hunter. The hearing adjourned without a final decision on the plea as she awaits more information. (For now, Hunter entered a plea of not guilty as a sort of placeholder, while attorneys for both sides work to prepare that information for the judge.)

By contrast, the Wall Street Journal includes remarks by the judge about how irregular the deal was, to the degree it could put her in an untenable position. Admittedly those statements are far down in a lengthy article but at least they are there:

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to tax charges on Wednesday, in a stunning reversal after a judge said she wasnt yet prepared to accept a deal he had reached with prosecutors to plead guilty. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika said she needed more information before deciding whether to sign off on it. These agreements are not straightforward and they contain atypical provisions, she said, adding: Im not in a position where I can decide to accept or reject a plea agreement and I need to defer it. Part of the turmoil began on Wednesday when prosecutor Leo Wise insisted that the investigation into Hunter Bidens activities remained ongoing and said in response to a question from the judge that he could face additional foreign-lobbying charges. In response, Hunter Bidens lawyer, Chris Clark, said he disagreed with that interpretation and believed the agreement foreclosed the possibility of additional charges, adding later: As far as Im concerned, the plea agreement is null and void. After the break, Hunter Bidens legal team said the agreement covered his liability related to tax offenses from 2014 through 2019, and covered drug and gun crimes. The judge asked Hunter Biden if he had been promised any other protections to entice him to plead guilty, and he said, No, your honor. Then the judge pressed both sides on provisions included in both prongs of the agreement, including why the tax deal was brought under a statute that removes the courts ability to vet it, while the gun deal includes a requirement that the court decide whether Hunter Biden has breached the deal. Judge Noreika said that could inappropriately put her in the position of making a decision normally left for prosecutors. I have concerns about the constitutionality of this provision, so I have concerns about the constitutionality of this agreement, she said. The judge gave the two sides 30 days to clarify her role and provide additional information. At that point, Hunter Biden could plead guilty and formalize the agreements he had negotiated.

The Washington Post newsletter does a pretty good job, without going into the fine points Will Scarf provided. From Amber Phillips Five Minute Fix via e-mail:

The plea deal initially did not protect Hunter Biden from prosecution for other potential charges in connection with a long-running government investigation of his business dealings. When the federal judge asked him whether he would plead guilty knowing he could still face additional charges, he said no. Prosecutors in the courtroom maintained this was part of the agreement all along. Then we misunderstood. Were ripping it up, Biden lawyer Chris Clark snapped at them, The Washington Post reports. The two sides then quickly reworked the deal to include immunity for certain tax, drug and gun charges between 2014 to 2019, essentially the main time period covered by the investigation. The judge then raised constitutional questions. She noted that the immunity provisions were tucked into the agreement involving the gun charge, which she does not actually have to approve. Thats because diversion agreements are forged between prosecutors and defense attorneys. Plea agreements, on the other hand, must be approved by a judge. But the diversion agreement includes language saying the judge could revive the gun charge if Hunter Biden violated the terms of the agreement. The judge said she did not think she has the power to do so.

Lets turn to the matter of the amicus brief (see the order at the end of the post). From Politico:

The judge who will review Hunter Bidens plea deal on Wednesday accused a member of Bidens legal team of misrepresenting herself in a phone call to the court  a bizarre episode that prompted the judge to threaten sanctions even as Bidens lawyers insisted it was all a misunderstanding. In a brief order Tuesday afternoon, U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika wrote that an employee at Latham & Watkins, a law firm representing the presidents son, had called the court clerks office and falsely claimed to work for a Republican lawyer in the hopes of persuading the clerk to remove documents that apparently contained Bidens personal tax information. Latham denied any misconduct, saying the firms employee identified herself as a Latham staffer and called from a law firm phone that typically displays LATHAM on the caller ID. The firm said there must have been an unfortunate and unintentional miscommunication between the employee and court staff. On the eve of that hearing, a dispute arose over Smiths amicus filing, which was signed and submitted to the court by Theodore Kittila, the managing partner of the Wilmington law firm Halloran Farkas + Kittila. Shortly after Kittila filed the brief, the clerks office informed the judge that a Latham employee, Jessica Bengels, had called the clerk and falsely claimed to work with Kittila. During the call, Bengels asked that Smiths filing be removed from the public docket due to sensitive information in it, the judge wrote in her order. It appears that the caller misrepresented her identity and who she worked for in an attempt to improperly convince the Clerks Office to remove the amicus materials from the docket, Noreika wrote, before ordering Bidens legal team to explain why Noreika should not issue formal sanctions for misrepresentations to the Court.

Perhaps I am unduly paranoid, but the Latham & Watkins story seems difficult to swallow. Hopefully lawyers would weigh in, but the substantive beef was the documents needed to be removed because they supposedly contained sensitive information like Social Security numbers. As an aside, Representative Jason Smith claims the information was already public.

However, I do not believe anyone other than the filer would have the legal standing to demand the entire motion be removed from the docket, which appears to have been the request here. The most I believe an outside party could have asked for is redaction of certain information, or perhaps sealing of certain pages. I also question whether that sort of request could be made by a third party verbally, as oppose to via a written document of some sort. In the order below, Judge Noreika says no redaction/sealing request was made in writing, strengthening the idea that Latham & Watkins behaved inappropriately.

In other words, if the judge has the outlines of what the Latham & Watkins clerk asked for right, this sounds very irregular even before getting the question of misrepresentation.

Regardless, pass the popcorn! Hunter continues to be quite the spectacle.

______

From CourtListener:
Yves here. Even though weve mentioned how Putin has clarified Russias stance with respect to Western Ukraine in Links, its such an important development that we felt the need to underscore it via a postin this case, by John Helmer, who was early to highlight its importance. Putin has clarified a new red line, that the Russia will not tolerate the West balkanizing Western Ukraine.

Many, including your humble blogger had previously assumed Russia would be open to a resolution of the problem of Western Ukraine that would amount to a partition. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, had cheekily published the map below in mid 2022:

There now seem to be at least two reasons why Russia is no longer keen about the idea. First is all the balkanizing countries, above all belligerent Poland, are members of NATO, so this solution would put NATO even closer to the Russian border. The second is that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko does not like the idea of Poland surrounding Western Belarus and explained his reasoning in a staged talk with Putin. Lukashenko said Belarus would intervene in the event of a Polish incursion into Ukraine and asked Russia to support him.

One presumes that the reversal on the partition idea means Russia now has a Plan B for Western Ukraine. But what might that be?

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

When the Ukrainian and NATO forces have lost their war in eastern Ukraine by Christmas, what will happen to the rump of western Ukraine?

The Russian warning, issued last Friday at the Security Council by President Vladimir Putin, is that the Russian Army will defend western Ukraine, known as Galicia, from any attempt at intervention by Polish forces under either a NATO peacekeeping formula, or a bilateral defence arrangement between the Kiev regime and Warsaw to slip Galicia under NATO Article Five protection.

Putins warning was concrete, explicit, geographically limited. It applied to the current western borders of the Ukraine, the eastern border of Poland, and the Polish-Belarus border. I would also like to remind you what Polands aggressive policy led to. It led to the national tragedy of 1939, when Polands Western allies threw it to the German wolf, the German military machine. Poland actually lost its independence and statehood, which were only restored thanks in a large measure to the Soviet Union. It was also thanks to the Soviet Union and thanks to Stalins position that Poland acquired substantial territory in the west, German territory. It is a fact that Polands western lands are a gift from Stalin. Have our Warsaw friends forgotten this? We will remind them.

The Warsaw friends werent the only audience Putin intended. His warning is also addressed to the Berlin friends, the Baltic friends, the Paris, Brussels, and Budapest friends, and of course, the Washington friends. In December 2021, they were offered the terms of mutual security and non-aggression in Europe in treaties for the US and NATO tabled by the Russian Foreign Ministry. They were dismissed in diplomatic negotiations lasting less than a month.

By Christmas of this year, as Putin has just pointed out, the Ukrainian army and the NATO forces will have expended their capacities to continue the fight. The whole world sees that the vaunted Western, supposedly invulnerable, military equipment is on fire, he added. What can happen next is an extremely dangerous game, and the authors of such plans should think about the consequences.

This is a warning that if the Poles move east, the Germans will be motivated to move east as well, in order to recover the Prussian territories Germany lost in its defeat and capitulation at the end of World War II. Hungary too will be motivated to change its northeastern border in order to rescue the ethnic Hungarian population of Transcarpathia in southwest Ukraine.

In short, Putin was announcing that Stalins gift, as he called it, was the stability of the post-1945 territorial settlement. Now, in defeating NATOs attempt to destroy the Russians east of Kiev, the Russians are warning afresh that if NATO attempts to change its defence lines west of Kiev, the Russian army will dictate an entirely new territorial settlement in which NATO will be an even bigger loser of military capacity and territorial extension than the non-aggression treaties of December 17, 2021, offered.

The 1990 promise of not one inch eastward for NATO is reversing by one thousand kilometres westward.

Chris Cook asks the questions. Listen to the discussion:

Source: https://gorilla-radio.com/

To visualise the geography in the discussion, here is a map of the post-World War II territorial settlement between Germany and Poland.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Here is a newly published Russian analysis of how the Putin warning should be interpreted, both historically and strategically, between the Dnieper and the Oder-Niesse lines.

The Revival of Russian identity and Polonization: Russia agrees to the partition of Ukraine by Albert Akopyan -- source: https://eadaily.com/

Since October 2022, Gorilla Radio has been banned from broadcasting by Radio CFUV 101.9 FM in Victoria, British Columbia. The Gorilla Radio transcripts are published on the blog. For Chris Cooks broadcast archive, click to open.
The Achilles heel of mail-in ballot fraud

The difference between the Republican ballot operation and that of the leftists is that the leftists manufacture ballots, whereas Republicans only collect them.

(Article by Jay Valentine republished from AmericanThinker.com)

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!

Read more at: AmericanThinker.com
The steadfast families of Continental Flight 3407 have done it again, joining with both Republicans and Democrats to push back on an effort to cut back on the 1,500-hour rule for training airline pilots.

Good for them all. Even better for those of us in the air  and on the ground.

The families lost loved ones in the Feb. 12, 2009, crash in Clarence that claimed 50 lives. Since then, they have not rested, traveling to Washington, D.C., to push through  and then to protect  air safety reforms.

Yet, from the start, some elected officials and industry leaders have tried to weaken those hard-won improvements. The families wouldnt have it. With help from the local congressional delegation and a critical endorsement from Miracle on the Hudson hero Chesley Sully Sullenberger, the law has survived.

It just did so again, with freshman Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy taking the lead on an amendment to a bill that would otherwise have weakened the 1,500-hour rule. With bipartisan help  from Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer  the important and effective standard was preserved.

It was a cagey strategy against longtime and powerful Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri who, like Langworthy, is a Republican. Graves is powerful. He chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and wanted to allow pilots to substitute 250 hours of flight simulator time for part of that experience requirement, up from the current 100 hours.

Langworthy is not yet powerful. But he is cagey.

Placing Langworthy as the lead of the amendment  it was originally seen as a Higgins effort  was smart politics. Together with Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Canandaigua Republican, the trio of House members vigorously pushed back on Graves attempt.

Schumer also threw himself into the House ring, in calls with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York City Democrat. Jeffries also voted for the Langworthy amendment and against the wishes of the top Democrat on the Transportation Committee.

The bipartisan fashion in which the amendment passed was remarkable on its own. The final vote on Langworthys amendment was 241-191 and included support from such political opposites as progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and conservative Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Now the matter moves to the Senate, where Schumer has shown unwavering support for the families and the law he helped pass. He will push back on changes suggested by two more conservative lawmakers.

The families and the entire Western New York delegation have done the work of the angels for those who count on returning safely to ground after their flights. They dare not lose focus.s your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Kennedy schools Dems on free speech

It was a strange experience watching the House hearing in which Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying.

(Article by Jeffrey Tucker republished from DailyReckoning.com)

The topic was censorship and how and to what extent federal government agencies under two administrations muscled social media companies to take down posts, ban users and throttle content. The majority made its case.

What was strange was the minority reaction throughout.

They tried to shut down RFK. They moved to go to executive session so that the public could not hear the proceedings. The effort failed. Then they shouted over his words when they were questioning him.

They wildly smeared him and defamed him. They even began with an attempt to block him from speaking at all, and eight Democrats voted to support that.

This was a hearing on censorship and they were trying to censor him. Just think about that for a second.

It only made the point.

Its in the First Amendment for a Reason

It became so awful that RFK was compelled to give a short tutorial on the importance of free speech as an essential right, without which all other rights and freedoms are in jeopardy. Even those words he could barely speak given the rancor in the room.

Its fair to say that free speech, even as a core principle, is in grave trouble. We cannot even get a consensus on the basics.

It seemed to viewers that RFK was the adult in the room. Put other ways, he was the preacher of fidelity in the brothel, the keeper of memory in a room full of amnesiacs, the practitioner of sanity in the sanatorium, or, as H.L. Mencken might have said, the hurler of a dead cat into the temple.

It was oddly strange to hear the voice of wise statesmen in that hothouse culture of infantile corruption: It reminded the public just how far things have fallen. Notably, it was he and not the people who wanted him gagged who was citing scientific papers.

The protests against his statements were shrill and shocking. They moved quickly from Censorship didnt happen to It was necessary and wonderful to We need more of it.

Reporting on the spectacle, The New York Times said these are thorny questions: Is misinformation protected by the First Amendment? When is it appropriate for the federal government to seek to tamp down the spread of falsehoods?

These are not thorny questions. The real issue concerns who is to be the arbiter of truth?

Attacks on Free Speech Arent New

Such attacks on free speech do have precedent in American history. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 led to a complete political upheaval that swept Thomas Jefferson into the White House. There were two additional bouts of censorship folly in the 20th century. Both followed great wars and an explosion in government size and reach.

The first came with the Red Scare (1917-1920) following the Great War (WWI). The Bolshevik Revolution and political instability in Europe led to a wild bout of political paranoia in the U.S. that the communists, anarchists and labor movement were plotting a takeover of the U.S. government. The result was an imposition of censorship along with strict laws concerning political loyalty.

The Espionage Act of 1917 was one result. It is still in force and being deployed today, most recently against former President Trump. Many states passed censorship laws. The feds deported many people suspected of sedition and treason. Suspected communists were hauled in front of Congress and grilled.

The second bout occurred after the Second World War with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and the Army-McCarthy hearings that led to blacklists and media smears of every sort.

The result was a chilling of free speech across American industry that hit media particularly hard. That incident later became legendary due to the exaggerations and disregard for the First Amendment.

COVID Put U.S. on War Footing

How does the COVID-era censorship fit into this historical context? Ive compared the wild COVID response to a wartime footing that caused as much trauma on the homeland as previous world wars.

Three years of research, documents and reporting have established that the lockdowns and all that followed were not directed by public health authorities. They were the veneer for the national security state, which took charge in the month of February 2020 and deployed the full takeover of both government and society in mid-March.

This is one reason that its been so difficult getting information on how and why all of this happened to us: Its been mostly classified under the guise of national security.

In other words, this was war and the nation was ruled for a time (and maybe still is) by what amounts to quasi-martial law. Indeed, it felt like that. No one knew for sure who was in charge and who was making all these wild decisions for our lives and work.

It was never clear what the penalties would be for noncompliance. The rules and edicts seemed arbitrary, having no real connection to the goal; indeed no one really knew what the goal was besides more and more control.

There was no real exit strategy or endgame.

Shut up! They Explained

As with the two previous bouts of censorship in the last century, there commenced a closure of public debate. It began almost immediately as the lockdowns edict were issued. They tightened over the months and years.

Elites sought to plug every leak in the official narrative through every means possible. They invaded every space. Those they could not get to (like Parler) were simply unplugged. Amazon rejected books. YouTube deleted millions of posts. Twitter was brutal, while once-friendly Facebook became the enforcer of regime propaganda.

The hunt for dissenters took strange forms. Those who held gatherings were shamed. People who did not socially distance were called disease spreaders. Walking outside without a mask one day, a man shouted out to me in anger that masks are socially recommended.

I kept turning that phrase around in my mind because it made no sense. The mask, no matter how obviously ineffective, was imposed as a tactic of humiliation and an exclusionary measure that targeted the incredulous. It was also a symbol: stop talking because your voice does not matter. Your speech will be muffled.

The vaccine of course came next: deployed as a tool to purge the military, public sector, academia, and the corporate world. The moment the New York Times reported that vaccine uptake was lower in states that supported Trump, the Biden administration had its talking points and agenda. The shot would be deployed to purge.

Indeed, five cities briefly segregated themselves to exclude the unvaccinated from public spaces. The continued spread of the virus itself was blamed on the noncompliant.

Those who decried the trajectory could hardly find a voice much less assemble a social network. The idea was to make us all feel isolated even if we might have been the overwhelming majority.

We just couldnt tell either way.

War and Censorship Go Hand in Hand

War and censorship go together because it is wartime that allows ruling elites to declare that ideas alone are dangerous to the goal of defeating the enemy. Loose lips sink ships is a clever phrase but it applies across the board in wartime.

The goal is always to whip up the public in a frenzy of hate against the foreign enemy (The Kaiser!) and ferret out the rebels, the traitors, the subversives, and promoters of unrest. There is a reason that the protestors on January 6 were called insurrectionists. It is because it happened in wartime.

The war, however, was of domestic origin and targeted at Americans themselves. Thats why the precedent of 20th century censorship holds in this case. The war on Covid was in many ways an action of the national security state, something akin to a military operation prompted and administered by intelligence services in close cooperation with the administrative state.

And they want to make the protocols that governed us over these years permanent. Already, European governments are issuing stay-at-home recommendations for the heat.

If you had told me that this was the essence of what was happening in 2020 or 2021, I would have rolled my eyes in disbelief. But all evidence Ive gathered since then has shown exactly that. In this case, the censorship was a predictable part of the mix.

The Red Scare mutated a century later to become the virus scare in which the real pathogen they tried to kill was your willingness to think for yourself.

Read more at: DailyReckoning.com
Miami Mayor Suarez under fire for receiving $500K campaign donation from fake flower shop with ties to China

Miami's Republican Mayor Francis Suarez has come under fire recently after receiving a potentially illegal $500,000 donation from an online flower shop allegedly tied to a man from China

In a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the nonpartisan nonprofit watchdog group the Campaign Legal Center alleged that an obscure online flower-bouquet company was used as a straw donor by a Chinese man from Guangzhou to illegally conceal the source of donations to a super PAC backing Suarez's bid to be the Republican Party's nominee for president. (Related: INFILTRATION ALERT: CCP-linked media company running influence campaign across US news websites.)

The online flower shop in question, PassionForest LLC, was founded just in 2021 and provided a $500,000 contribution to SOS America in October 2022 while it was operating under the name America For Everyone.

The Campaign Legal Center, in its 27-page complaint to the FEC, noted that PassionForest mostly operates out of China.

Specifically, a trademark application for PassionForest was filed in the United States just four days before the company was registered in Delaware in November 2021. The company is allegedly owned by a man named Rao Juhui, who listed an address in the Tianhe District of Guangzhou in China, "raising the specter that this straw donor scheme was used to conceal illegal foreign national contributions," noted the Campaign Legal Center. The associated Amazon account for PassionForest also lists a Chinese business address.

"PassionForest's only known activity was selling artificial flowers on Amazon.com, supporting the conclusion that it could not have made a $500,000 contribution without someone else  the true contributor  providing it with funds for that purpose," wrote the organization.

The Campaign Legal Center further pointed out that PassionForest's artificial flower business appears to have been shut down around the time of the contribution.

"When someone uses an entity like PassionForest LLC to make a major political contribution to a super PAC while hiding their identity from voters, it's a serious violation of the laws meant to ensure transparency and prevent corruption in our elections," warned Campaign Legal Center Director of Federal Campaign Finance Reform Saurav Ghosh.

SOS America claims investigation into $500K donation a "political attack" against Suarez

Federal regulations prohibit the use of straw donors and require full disclosure of the ultimate source behind any kind of political contribution. People and organizations found to be in violation of FEC rules can face civil fines and prohibitions on campaign activity. The FEC can further refer cases to the Department of Justice for criminal review.

Because PassionForest is actually based in China, the LLC would be considered a "foreign national" and thereby prohibited from donating to political campaigns under federal law.

The Campaign Legal Center noted that SOS America has already spent $3 million on Suarez's 2024 presidential campaign. Among other activities, the super PAC has used the money it has received to create an artificial chatbot with Suarez's voice and likeness to answer questions about the mayor and his presidential aspirations, along with other campaign stunts to promote the mayor's bid.

SOS America has recognized the $500,000 donation from PassionForest. In the memo field for reporting the contribution, the SOS America committee described the company as a "flower wholesaler" followed by a note in the miscellaneous box that the super PAC has asked for contributor info from PassionForest LLC.

SOS America PAC spokesperson Chapin Fay said the super PAC "has always held itself to the highest ethical and legal standards and conducts itself properly in every instance."

"No surprise liberal special interest groups and their allies are lobbing political attacks that are intended to undercut the only Hispanic Republican candidate," said the PAC in an article published on its website following the revelation that the donation is being investigated. "This is nothing more than a political attack and it will be seen for what it is."

Neither Suarez nor his campaign team has immediately responded to requests for comments regarding the donation. But it should be noted that Suarez has no official role within SOS America, due to a federal law requiring PACs to operate independently from official campaigns. Super PACs are also prohibited from directly coordinating their activities with candidates and contributing to their authorized campaigns.

This distance Suarez has from the group might be enough to provide him with plausible deniability and insulate him from any repercussions stemming from the donation.

Corruption.news has more stories about illegal contributions to political campaigns.

Watch this clip from the Next News Network reporting on Suarez's ignorance regarding the crisis befalling the Uyghur people in China.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

NEW DOMESTIC TERRORISTS: Chinese shock troops posing as tourists entering US through Mexican border could ignite WWIII from within our homeland.

DeSantis donors bankrolled Pelosi while bashing Trump and supporting Obama and Biden's Iran nuclear deal.

Political network set up by Koch brothers raises more than $70M to stop Trump from winning GOP presidential nomination.

Election interference? Leonardo DiCaprio testifies that China-linked financier tried to donate $30M to Obama's 2012 campaign.

The Dr. Hotze Report: CCP has infiltrated most sectors of American society, including government, media, business and schools, in preparation for an INVASION  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Bloomberg.com

MiamiNewTimes.com

MiamiHerald.com

Brighteon.com
Nearly half of people aged 25-34 believe that misgendering someone should be a CRIMINAL offense

A new survey conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for found that 44 percent of young people between the ages of 25 and 34 believe that it should be a criminal offense for someone to use "incorrect pronouns" in reference to a transgender.

Nearly half of the millennial demographic believes that "misgendering," as they also call it, should be a crime in the United States, while just 31 percent believe that misgendering should count as freedom of speech under the First Amendment.

One in four millennials indicated uncertainty as to whether or not misgendering should be a crime.

The 35-44 age group offered similar feedback with 38 percent of them saying they are in favor of criminalizing misgendering. Conversely, 35 percent of 35-44-year-olds say they are against making misgendering a criminal offense.

Just like the millennial demographic, roughly one in four, or 26 percent, of people aged 35-44 say they have no idea or no opinion as to whether or not using "incorrect pronouns" in reference to a transgender should constitute a crime.

(Related: The city of Dallas recently enacted a new policy making it a fire-able offense for city workers to misgender someone.)

Overall, just 19 percent of America supports making it a crime to misgender someone

The issue of misgendering is at the forefront of the national conversation as the culture war rages on between the angry LGBTs who want everyone to obey their every command, and normal society that just wants the groomers to keep their perversions to themselves.

Nearly half the country has banned the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children under the age of 18 while the other half is pushing to become a "sanctuary" for gender-confused children to flock for "gender-affirming care."

Much of Europe, including Norway and other left-leaning countries, has banned transgender mutilation procedures for children, but in the U.S. the leftist contingent is pushing to expand transgender mutilation procedures to even younger children than already qualify for them.

Federal courts in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Indiana blocked attempts by state legislatures to ban transgender mutilation "care." But Kentucky and Tennessee, along with 18 other states, have successfully banned it.

Among all age demographics, only 19 percent of Americans support the idea of criminalizing misgendering, while 65 percent say they are vehemently opposed to such laws ever taking effect.

Interestingly, among "Generation Z," which includes people between the ages of 18 and 24, there is much less support for making misgendering a crime than among millennials and middle-aged people. Just 33 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 believe that misgendering should be a crime, while 48 percent disagree with the notion.

If requested to do so, 37 percent of Generation Z indicated that they would respect the wishes of the transgender person and use the pronouns requested. Just 17 percent said that they would ignore such requests.

Twenty-eight percent said their response to such a question would depend on the person asking for it, meaning if they knew the transgender personally, then perhaps they would agree to use alternative pronouns. Seventeen percent said they were unsure what they would do in such a scenario.

"U.S. prisons are beyond overcrowded as it is," one commenter wrote about how the last thing the country needs is more people incarcerated.

"If this is really true, then parents should blame the schools for pressuring kids and others to believe misgendering is a crime," wrote another. "In America, the First Amendment is freedom of speech."

A third commenter pointed to social media as a major driving factor in this sentiment as "influencers" like tranny Dylan Mulvaney are confusing their followers with LGBT propaganda.

Gender politics is a cancer spreading throughout the West. Learn more at Gender.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Newstarget.com
Retired general insinuates in leaked footage that US is behind Nord Stream pipeline BOMBING

The U.S., not Russia or Ukraine, is allegedly responsible for the bombing of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines  according to a retired general

Retired Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal made this disclosure in a secretly recorded conversation obtained by Valuetainment Media. The four-star general led the Joint Special Operations Command in the mid-2000s, and was later known as the commanding officer of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. However, McChrystal was relieved of his duties as ISAF commander after his comments critical of the Obama administration came to light.

The conversation began with McChrystal discussing Russia and its President Vladimir Putin. He remarked: "There's no obvious better solution than Russia. I think Putin ought to go, but there's nobody that I'm aware of standing on the wings."

A man then asked the four-star general about his opinion of the bombing of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. The pipelines supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia to the rest of Europe were destroyed in September 2022. Multiple nations  including Russia, Ukraine, the U.S., the U.K. and Poland  were accused of orchestrating the attack.

McChrystal answered that he and his son, who worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), believe neither Moscow nor Kyiv was responsible for the attack as many had initially suspected. Instead, he proposed that the sabotage may have been orchestrated by nations with interest in LNG  Washington foremost among them.

"My son is the leader of the energy team at DIA," the general remarked. "He didn't think that the Russians did it. He didn't think that the Ukrainians did it either. There are people who benefited from it, and that was people who produced natural gas around the world."

"So if you really want to get conspiracies, the U.S. made more money off that deal than anybody else. That's because we were huge beneficiaries and we changed our policy. We started providing LNG overseas and, you know."

Hersh directly blames Biden for Nord Stream attack

While McChrystal's remarks insinuated Washington's involvement in the attack, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh directly pointed his fingers at U.S. President Joe Biden as the culprit.

Back in March, Hersh told the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. that Biden made the decision to blow up the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. According to the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, the chief executive was of the opinion that doing so would give him a better chance of securing a second term.

"He did it. I'm telling you, he did it," Hersh said. "The Biden game is to wait it out and never say yes." (Related: "I'm telling you, he did it": Seymour Hersh blames Biden for Nord Stream attack.)

According to the journalist, Biden made the decision in January 2022 to "see if we can find a way to blow up  those pipelines and put [the Russians] back in the dark ages." He continued: "I think Biden also saw beating up Russia as a ticket. [John F.] Kennedy is a classic example. Presidents always did well politically in wars."

A month before, Hersh published a report asserting that the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were destroyed by the U.S. as part of a covert operation. According to Hersh's sources for his February report, U.S. Navy divers planted the explosives on the pipelines in June 2022. The explosives, planted under the guise of the BALTOPS 2022 exercise conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), were detonated three months later in September 2022 with a remote signal sent by a sonar buoy.

One source told Hersh that the plotters knew that the covert operation was an "act of war." Some in the Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency even warned: "Don't do this. Its stupid and will be a political nightmare if it comes out."

Unfortunately, Biden didn't listen and continued on with his plan. Contrary to his claim, Russia wasn't sent back to the dark ages. Western Europe suffered the consequences instead, being cut off from cheaper and more reliable LNG from Russia.

Visit Conspiracy.news for more stories about the bombing of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines.

Watch this clip from "The PBD Podcast" about Gen. Stanley McChrystal's take on the Nord Stream bombing.

This video is from The Willow channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden admin responsible for blowing up Russia's Nordstream pipeline, explosive new report reveals.

ACT OF WAR: The U.S. military blew up Nord Stream pipelines, plunging western allies into energy collapse in effort to harm Russia.

Nord Stream pipeline SABOTAGE clearly orchestrated by ruthless Biden regime: Nuland, Biden and Sen. Johnson all demanded "ending it permanently" by any means necessary.

Sources include:

SGTReport.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

Summit.news

Brighteon.com
168-year-old Santa Barbara News-Press files for bankruptcy, fires all workers

The 168-year-old Santa Barbara News-Press, one of the oldest newspapers in California , has ceased publishing after its parent company filed for bankruptcy

This comes just months after the newspaper ceased all physical publication, becoming an online-only news publication in April. But its last digital edition was posted on Friday, July 22, following the revelation that owner Wendy McCaw had filed for bankruptcy. (Related: Birds of the same feather: Vice Media files for bankruptcy and sells off assets to left-wing billionaire George Soros.)

News-Press Managing Editor Dave Mason alerted staff about the closure on July 21 via email and informed them that all of their jobs are being eliminated.

"All of our jobs are eliminated, and the News-Press has stopped publishing," Mason wrote to his staff in the email. "They ran out of money to pay us. They will issue final paychecks when the bankruptcy is approved in court."

The Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings were initiated by Ampersand Publishing, the parent company of the Santa Barbara News-Press. According to the filings, the News-Press has assets of less than $50,000 and debts and estimated liabilities of between $1 million and $10 million. A meeting of creditors, which number between 200 and 999, is scheduled for Sept. 7. But the filing notes that "no property appears to be available to pay creditors."

News-Press bankruptcy comes after over a decade of decline and controversy

Former News-Press Editor Jerry Roberts, who quit the paper several years after its acquisition by McCaw over allegations of eroding journalist ethics under her ownership, said in an interview that the paper's closure "is not a big surprise."

"The paper's been on a downhill slide for a while," he noted. "But the fact that the community has lost its only paper is unspeakably sad."

Before its shuttering, the News-Press was the only major daily publication of Santa Barbara and its nearly 90,000 inhabitants. The paper was founded in 1855 and at its height, it had a daily circulation of over 45,000 and was published in print seven days a week. It even won a Pulitzer Prize in 1962 when editorial writer Thomas M. Storke won the award for a series of editorials about the John Birch Society.

The paper was subsequently acquired in 1985 by the New York Times and functioned with little to no controversy or any concern regarding its finances until it was famously sold in 2000 to McCaw, a resident of Santa Barbara and its current owner.

McCaw drew controversy in 2006 following the resignation of Roberts and five other notable employees over journalist ethics. In a documentary, Roberts claimed that McCaw's violation of journalist ethics has led to more than 70 News-Press employees resigning or being fired, along with thousands of people in the county voluntarily canceling their subscriptions.

News-Press bankruptcy highlights dire straits of US local media outlets

The News-Press' bankruptcy filing leaves Santa Barbara with only one remaining physical publication, the Santa Barbara Independent, an alternative weekly, as well as several online news sites.

But these other outlets collectively do not employ as many journalists as the News-Press did before its bankruptcy  nearly 50. Connor Sheets and James Rainey, writing for the Los Angeles Times, noted that this could mean "less scrutiny of public agencies, less coverage of breaking news and fewer enlightening features on local people and issues."

Tim Franklin, an expert on local news publications at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism noted that the News-Press' closure is just the latest example of a struggling news media landscape in the United States.

"We are losing on average two newspapers a week in the U.S.," said Franklin. "We're on pace to have lost about a third of all newspapers by 2025."

Media companies are having to compete with Google, Facebook and Amazon in exposure thanks to them soaking up much of the advertising market. Media outlets have also yet to figure out a profitable business model for local news.

"The local news crisis is happening in every corner of the country, including in affluent cities and suburbs [like Santa Barbara]," said Franklin.

Watch this video discussing the bankruptcy of the online publication Vice and its subsequent acquisition by George Soros.

This video is from the channel The Talking Hedge on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Tech companies laid off nearly 221,000 workers in 2023  already way ahead of last year's total.

BANKRUPTCY BOOM: US saw 70 major bankruptcies in just 4 months, the third worst start of year since 2000.

DEBT SENTENCE: Bankruptcy haunts corporate America as interest rates soar following end of easy money.

Corporate America experiencing BANKRUPTCY BOOM as recession looms.

Sources include:

News.Yahoo.com

APNews.com

SFGate.com

Brighteon.com
Papers, please! US citizens will need a VISA to travel to EU countries beginning in 2024

Spontaneous vacations in Europe for Americans will now become a thing of the past, as the European Union will now require visitors to get visas under a new scheme that begins in 2024.

According to the New York Post, Americans traveling to the continent will need to secure a pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) that comes with an $8 fee. Potential travelers will need to provide passports, anticipated trip details and other travel documentation. Personal information, education level, current occupation and any criminal convictions are to be disclosed likewise.

"While most applications are processed within minutes, some take longer to yield a decision," the Post said. Thus, the EU advises visitors to apply "well in advance" before securing tickets, lodging or a reservation at tourist spots.

A response from ETIAS is promised within four days, but could be extended by 14 to 30 days depending on the circumstance. Once the authorization is secured, it is valid for up to three years or until the expiration of the visitor's passport.

Thirty EU member states  including Spain, Germany, France and Greece  require ETIAS authorization before travelers can enter their nations. According to the EU's website, travelers with a valid authorization can fly to the 30 countries as often as they want "for short-term stays, normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period." (Related: Singapore now has the most powerful passport in the world  signifying the tiny nations healthy foreign relations and strong economy.)

"However, [the ETIAS authorization] does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions."

The Post remarked: "While the requirement was announced as going into effect in January 2024, experts doubt it will actually be implemented then, having already hit multiple delays." Originally intended to be launched in early February 2022, its launch date was pushed back multiple times. The January 2024 rollout of ETIAS followed the fourth delay that began in late February.

Greenberg: ETIAS requirement will become an "annoyance" to Americans

It is interesting to note that British nationals who are beneficiaries of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement are exempted from the ETIAS requirement. The EU noted that "they may reside on the territory of their EU host country and travel to other European countries requiring ETIAS, as long as they hold documents proving their status."

Regular Britons, just like Americans, "are required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorization if they travel to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short-term stay." Those who wish to stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period "must meet the entry requirements in accordance with national or EU migration law, such as holding a visa or residence permit."

Peter Greenberg, travel editor for CBS News, put in his two cents on the matter. According to him, U.S. airlines would face the pressure of making sure no passengers without approved visa board planes to the EU.

Greenberg warned that if the EU institutes ETIAS, "there is nothing to stop the Americans from instituting a visa charge for them to come into the United States. It doesn't prove anything other than more paperwork and more revenue that goes nowhere."

"It won't be complicated, it's just an annoyance. Most Americans  in fact, all Americans  are not used to doing this to go to Europe. So there's going to be lots of surprises at boarding gates, with people being denied boarding over the first couple of weeks if this goes into effect."

Visit Freedom.news for more stories about people's freedom to travel.

Watch this video explaining how the H-1B visa issued at home is designed to replace American tech workers.

This video is from the InfoWarSSideBand channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Here it comes: If you want to board a plane or travel internationally, you're going to have to have a COVID "vaccine passport."

G20 globalists push mandatory vaccine passports for all international travel despite fading COVID plandemic.

Indian-born CEOs flying back to homeland to evade potential charges linked to H-1B visa lottery fraud.

People traveling to Canada need negative COVID test or they'll be quarantined in government camp.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

Travel-Europe.Europa.eu 1

ETIAS.com

Travel-Europe.Europa.eu 2

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Worldcoin is here: Just get your eyes scanned by The Orb and your new World ID will be issued to you

Have you had your eyes scanned by The Orb yet? All it takes is just one trip, and once your biometric data is in the database you will receive some free money and a new digital identity that you will be able to use all over the Internet. Doesnt that sound grand? As you will see below, hundreds of thousands of people in Europe have already signed up. Those that have created Worldcoin intend for it to be a new identity and financial network that is owned by everyone on the entire planet. The following comes directly from the official Worldcoin website

(Article republished from TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com)

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 AI-funded UBI.

That initial paragraph certainly sounds wonderful.

But once you start digging a bit deeper you quickly discover the dystopian details of this scheme.

Once you sign up for Worldcoin, your new World ID will be issued to you. Ultimately, the goal is for the entire Internet to start using this new World ID system

Worldcoin consists of a privacy-preserving digital identity (World ID) and, where laws allow, a digital currency (WLD) received simply for being human. We hope that, where the rules are less clear, such as in the U.S., steps will be taken so more people can benefit from both.

Needless to say, just offering a World ID is not going to motivate a lot of people to embrace this new system.

So the founders are also offering free money to everyone that signs up where laws allow for such a thing.

Ultimately, the goal is to freely distribute tokens to all eight billion people on the planet

The goal is simple and modest: To create a system that will, eventually, freely distribute tokens to all eight billion people on the planet, as a form of universal basic income (UBI). But because the rise of AI will make it tricky to figure out who is human and whos a digital fake, Worldcoin first needs to create a system that lets people  all people, across the globe  prove that they are in fact human beings.

The idea of a universal basic income certainly appeals to a lot of people out there.

Especially the lazy ones.

But if you want your free money, you have got to visit The Orb.

The plan is for The Orb to eventually scan the eyeballs of every single person in the entire world. Here is more from the official Worldcoin website

You can now download World App, the first protocol-compatible wallet, and reserve your share. After visiting an Orb, a biometric verification device, you will receive a World ID. This lets you prove you are a real and unique person online while remaining completely private. As the global distribution of Orbs is ramping up, you can find the closest one and book time to be verified with World App and at worldcoin.org. Worldcoin is an attempt at global scale alignment, the journey will be challenging and the outcome is uncertain. But finding new ways to broadly share the coming technological prosperity is a critical challenge of our time. We hope youll join us.

I dont know about you, but I never plan to visit The Orb, and there is no way that I am ever going to allow these freaks to scan my eyeballs.

But it is imperative for all of us to understand that this is a very serious threat, because one of the guys heading up this project is also the CEO of the company that brought us ChatGPT

If Worldcoin was the brainchild of some random crypto bro, maybe it could be laughed away as a delusion of grandeur. But the project has real intellectual heft. It was co-founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI (creator of ChatGPT), whos arguably the most central player in the development of AI. Altman suspects that the world will change forever if  or when  AI becomes so advanced that it achieves AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, meaning it truly surpasses the abilities of humans.

Sam Altman is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

And now he is absolutely determined to get as many people into this new system as he possibly can.

According to Zero Hedge, hundreds of thousands of people in Europe have already had their eyeballs scanned and have been issued a World ID

If reports are to be believed, the uptake in Spain, where the scheme first became available a year ago, is better than elsewhere  150,000 participants in total, 20,000 new ones each day, and Barcelona is the place where a number of Orb scanners will be installed. Portugal is not far behind, with 120,000 participants, and Germany is said to also be warming up to the project, ever since it started expanding two months ago. All in all, some 2 million biometric credentials are now operated by Worldcoin.

It is quite interesting that Europeans are embracing Worldcoin so enthusiastically.

Whenever some new dystopian scheme comes along, Europe always seems to be the most fertile soil.

Why is that?

Whether this new scheme ultimately succeeds or fails, it appears to be inevitable that the powers that be will try to force digital identification upon all of us one way or another.

And whoever controls the global system of digital identification that ultimately prevails will have immense power over the entire planet.

We really are living in perilous times, and things will continue to get a lot more interesting in the months and years ahead.

So I hope that you are ready for what is coming, because our world is starting to change at a pace that is absolutely breathtaking.

Read more at: TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com
Covid jabs meet the scientific and clinical criteria of BIOWEAPONS, not vaccines

It cannot be stressed enough that there is zero evidence to suggest that Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "vaccines" arevaccines  and plenty of evidence to suggest that they are just bioweapons in disguise.

The Kingston Report put together an outline explaining why Chinese Virus injections meet none of the scientific and clinical criteria of a vaccine, and yet perfectly match the criteria of a bioweapon. Why are more people not talking about this?

The answer has to do with politics and Big Pharma's influence over "medicine" and "public health." The things that are true rarely make headlines, at least in the mainstream, which lies dominate the news cycle  and because of this, there would seem to be no limit to the number of new bioweapons the regime is planning to unleash.

(Related: U.S. investigators have confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 came from a classified bioweapons program at a lab in Wuhan, China.)

mRNA nanoparticle technologies must be STOPPED or else humanity is doomed

Sadly, most people still do not even realize that we are all under attack by powerful entities with the ability to disguise their bioweapons as "medicine." Even though millions upon millions of people are either seriously injured or dead because of the covid jab variety, many are still unable to put two and two together to realize what is really going on.

"You can't win a war if dont know what weapons are being used against you," reported The Kingston Report.

"The weapons causing the greatest amount of harm to American adults and children today are engineered nanoparticles, specifically COVID-19 nanoparticle injections that government agencies refer to as 'vaccines.'"

We know from what the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed as of late that covid was just the beginning. The WHO is deploying what is known as a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, that will allow for greater centralized control and influence during the next global event like covid  and yes, there will be more coming down the pike.

For now, it is the calm before the storm, so to speak, as the world gets back to new normal post-covid. There is a false sense of safety for the time being  a sense that the worst is behind us, and that the best is yet to come. It is all an illusion, though, as the globalists have a lot more in store for the human herd.

The Kingston Report is on a mission to at least get the covid jab bioweapons out of local communities by enabling law enforcement to remove them by force. The group that runs the page put together a DEMAND letter stating that every law enforcement authority in America has the authority right now to take action to remove these nanoparticle injections from their communities.

"It is well-established that the FDA clinical trials for the 'COVID-19 vaccines' (hereafter referred to as 'COVID-19 nanoparticle injections' or 'mRNA nanoparticle injections' or 'COVID-19 injections') were not designed to clinically and statistically demonstrate that the COVID-19 nanoparticle injections prevent infection, prevent transmission, or protect against disease, hospitalizations, and death," the letter states.

"FDA clinical trials, U.S. government data, and real-world evidence have demonstrated that mRNA nanoparticle injections cause clinically significant increases in mild-to-moderate disease, serious diseases, disabilities, hospitalizations, and death within days, weeks and / or months of receiving COVID-19 mRNA nanoparticle injections in formerly healthy infants, children, and adults."

Take some time to read through the letter in its entirety, and consider sending it to your local law enforcement agencies for their consideration.

The latest news about the newest biological weapons threats to come from the U.S. government can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

KarenKingston.substack.com

Newstarget.com
Hate speech censorship group partnered with White House funded by these 9 dark money sources

Censoring Americans is a costly endeavor, which is why the following nine "dark money" sources, most of them based out of the United Kingdom, are bankrolling The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) which, along with the Joe Biden White House, is pushing to erase free speech and the First Amendment.

The CCDH, by the way, infamously claimed that "just 12 anti-vaxxers are responsible for almost two-thirds of anti-vaccine content circulating on social media platforms." These include names like Dr. Joseph Mercola and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

On Oct. 4, 2021, the (1) Paul Hamlyn Foundation, a UK-based charity founded in 1972, gave the CCDH a 100,000 (about $130,000) grant earmarked for "Growing the digital presence and impact of Center for Countering Digital Hate."

A few weeks later on Oct. 20, 2021, the (2) Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, another UK-based charity, this one founded in 1961, awarded the CCDH with a 200,000 (about $258,000) grant earmarked "Towards core costs including the salary of the head of digital, to disrupt the spread of online hate and misinformation. On Jan. 30, 2023, the group earmarked another 13,333 (about $17,000) "Towards core costs as a Cost of Living Uplift."

On Dec. 11, 2020, the (3) Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, a UK-based grant-making trust set up in 1904 by Quaker businessman Joseph Rowntree, awarded the CCDH its oldest grant on record in the amount of 53,400 (about $69,000) under the title "Project Whistleblower: to create and operate a secure whistleblower portal to empower internal dissidents within social media companies."

The (4) Oak Foundation and its U.S. affiliate Oak Foundation USA procured the CCDH with a $100,000 grant earmarked with the following description: "To support Centre for Countering Digital Hate by shining a spotlight on digital misinformation platforms that are polluting the public discourse on issues such as climate action, women's rights, and racial equality."

The (5) Barrow Cadbury Trust, another Quaker-started UK charity, lists the CCDH on its "About Us" page as a funder, though the specifics of how much cash it has contributed over the years remains unknown.

(Related: In Ireland, it is now a crime to "misgender" someone  get caught, go to prison for five years.)

Why is the UK so focused on censoring Americans?

The (6) Laura Kinsella Foundation, a UK charity registered on Jan. 6, 2012, also lists the CCDH on its "About Us" page as a funder, but again, no details are listed as to the amounts of money that have been contributed.

The (7) Pears Foundation, a UK charity established in 1991 with a focus on "Israel-related projects" and "combating anti-Semitism," has contributed 150,000 (about $194,000) to the CCDH since 2019, with 50,000 being sent between 2019 and 2020, and the remaining 100,000 being sent between 2021 and 2022.

The (8) Hopewell Foundation, a non-profit group managed by Arabella Advisors, a Washington, D.C.-based philanthropy consulting firm, contributed $15,000 to the CCDH in 2021.

Finally, the (9) Unbound Philanthropy, a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2003 (unstaffed until 2008), lists the CCDH on its "About Us" page as being a recipient of grant money, but with no indication as to how much.

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. There are likely many more funding sources contributing dark money to the CCDH to keep it up and running and scouring the internet for free speech to abolish.

One wonders: why are these mostly UK-based entities so hellbent on censoring the online free speech of Americans? Obviously, there is some kind of globalist web of influence at work here that works across national borders to try to stamp out the First Amendment.

This is why Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) on July 18, 2021, declared the CCDH to be a "foreign dark money group"  because this is exactly what the CCDH is: a dark money group that exists in antithesis to the United States Constitution.

Want to keep up with the latest news about government censorship? Visit Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

GreenMedInfo.com

Newstarget.com
Hunter Bidens lawyers accused of impersonating federal prosecutors

Attorneys representing Hunter Biden are under scrutiny for potentially providing false information to the clerk in the criminal case involving the First Son, as reported by the UK's Daily Mail

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has taken action and demanded an explanation from Biden's lawyers by 9 p.m. of July 25, warning of potential sanctions if their conduct is deemed inappropriate, the outlet reported.

According to the allegations, an individual from the former law office of Hunter Biden's attorney, Chris Clark, reportedly contacted Delaware court clerk Sam Grimes. The said individual posed as someone from the office of Smith's attorney, Theodore Kittila.

The person in question allegedly requested the removal of the original filing, along with 448 pages of congressional testimony provided by two IRS investigators involved in the case, the Daily Mail noted further.

The documents were then taken down and sealed, prompting a second outraged letter from Kittila.

We promptly contacted the clerks office, and we were advised that someone contacted the court representing that they worked with my office and that they were asking the court to remove this from the docket, Kittila noted in a letter to Noreika.

According to a fiery email response, Clark denied the allegations and claimed that the clerk took the filing down on their own accord.

But Kittila provided evidence to support his claims, including a copy of an email from the Delaware clerk. In the email, he identified the individual in question as Jessica Bengels and even included her phone number.

She said she worked with Theodore Kittila and it was important the document was removed immediately, Grimes responded.

Ticked off by the purported dubious conduct, Noreika demanded an explanation from Hunter's lawyers on the afternoon of July 25.

It appears that the caller misrepresented her identity and who she worked for in an attempt to improperly convince the clerks office to remove the amicus materials from the docket, the order said.

Therefore, it is hereby ordered that, on or before 9 p.m. [of July 25, 2023], counsel for defendant shall show cause as to why sanctions should not be considered for misrepresentations to the court.

District judge ruins Hunter's cushy plea bargain

On July 26, the judge threw a wrench in the cushy plea bargain that Hunter Biden was counting on to keep him out of prison for a series of tax and gun violations.

"The judge overseeing a deal reached between federal prosecutors and Hunter Biden has reportedly thrown out the plea agreement over concerns that details of the ongoing investigation are not being considered in the prosecutions decision to spare the presidents son from jail time in exchange for pleading guilty to tax and gun charges," Trending Politics reported.

Kara Scannell from CNN reported that during the court session, Noreika directly inquired with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office in Delaware about the inclusion of evidence from an investigation into whether Hunter Biden should have registered as a foreign agent.

The investigation is related to his representation of overseas companies from which he received substantial sums of money, and alleged false reporting to the Internal Revenue Service. In response, representatives for U.S. Attorney David Weiss informed the judge that this specific aspect of their office's investigation would not be part of the plea deal, the outlet added.

If you can charge that, then what does this mean? asked Noreika, who concluded: Then there is no deal.

?BREAKING: Hunter Biden's plea deal just fell apart in court due to investigations that are still on going into potential FARA violations. pic.twitter.com/wn6qoXGMSD  Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 26, 2023

Fox News added: "Hunter Biden was also expected to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement regarding a separate felony charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance."

CNN noted further:

The judge called a second recess in the Hunter Biden plea proceedings as it appeared that the agreements the president's son had reached with prosecutors had begun to unravel.

The judge said she had "concerns" about the parties seemingly linking the tax plea agreement to the deal on the gun charge. During the proceedings, prosecutors confirmed that the investigation into President Joe Biden's son was ongoing.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

TrendingPolitics.com

CNN.com
Ive never sewn a hem or darned a stocking. But I know a stitch in time saves nine. And, Im old enough to have reaped much of what Ive sowed. On my playlist, theres another old saying that Billie Holiday made lyrical. She sang about how happiness is found in your own backyard. Sometimes Ill hum a few bars. And then 

 Im an 11-year-old boy, back in post-war Oklahoma City. Its early summer. Back-to-school sales are months away, tucked away and out of mind.

Weekdays, mothers turned their kids out the door after breakfast. We scattered everywhere, but not outside the range of our mothers call from the front porch.

Summer weekends were different. Sunday meant church  as usual. But Saturday meant ice cream. We dubbed it Summer Snow.

Saturdays, Mom, Dad, my big brother, Jay, and I gathered together to pay our weekly homage to summertime. Preparations started when my dad and I, first thing in the morning, went to the feed store to buy rock salt and crushed ice.

Actually, they began on Friday, with my mom at the stove. She stirred a few eggs in with milk and cream, then added some sugar and a pinch of salt. Just before it simmered, she turned off the burner, wiped her hands on her apron and eased the slurry into the refrigerator to chill overnight.

She knew the soft alchemy that resulted when heat and cold conjoined. Greek poets knew it, too. They called it Eros. For them it was the cold scorn that fuels hot desire and melts limbs. Mom was more down to earth. For her it was how the mixture bonds when cooked and chilled; how melting ice freezes it; and how summer snow dissolves on the tongue to cool off the edges of a hot day.

Its Saturday afternoon. Under the backyards maple tree, she shakes out a blanket. Cindy barks. The blanket pauses midair and flutters as it floats on down to settle on the ground, squarely.

The stage is set. Dads the director. Jay turns the crank. Im acolyte. I add ice and salt as needed. Each crank churns the mix. Each churn pumps the anticipation until a just-right stiff turn says done.

Mom says, Ill taste and see if its OK. Its OK, but not yet ready. She spoons the snowy slush into ice cube trays, takes them inside and puts them in the freezer to season.

We protest. Her response? Postponement spices the flavor and deepens the satisfaction. So we wait.

After dinner, after hamburgers and cola, after the dishes are washed, dried and put away, Mom takes out the slurry that is now chilled, churned, frozen and transfigured into a gift from the gods. The murmur of spoons scraping dishes closes the book on our weekly ritual.

Scents of shoe polish and shampoo replace the fading aroma of fried onions. Next: bedtime. Cindy waits while I slip under the sheets, then tucks herself into the crook of my knees. Even today, a spoonful of ice cream embodies those backyard memories. I savor it somewhat the way, Im told, a communicant savors the bread embodied by religious memory. And, though the alchemy remains confusing  hot and cold coalescing into summer snow  still theres something lyrical about it, something like a Billie Holiday song.
Jeff Dornik: Democrats have bought into the lie that censorship does not violate free speech  Brighteon.TV

The Democrats have bought into the lie that censorship does not violate free speech , according to podcaster Jeff Dornik.

"The everyday Democrat truly believes that censorship is the way to go, and they truly believe that it is not a violation of your First Amendment free speech rights," he told Ann Vandersteel during the June 20 episode of her Brighteon.TV program "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel."

"It's wild and crazy for those of us that are free speechers to think like how could they think this, but they bought into the lie. They bought into the propaganda that spreading disinformation, misinformation or whatever word that they want to throw out there that is actually a violation of your First Amendment rights."

Vandersteel read the Constitution's First Amendment, turning to Dornik about its meaning. The guest replied that it means the government cannot restrict the speech of every American.

The "Right Now" host agreed, adding that the First Amendment also bans the government from controlling the right of Americans to worship. According to Vandersteel, nothing has changed in the First Amendment for the past 250 years  except people's understanding of how it works.

Dornik, host of "The Jeff Dornik Show," commented that the government has completely flipped everything upside down.

Dornik: RFK Jr. being CENSORED by his fellow Dems

He expressed belief that the Democrats know what they are doing, pointing out the irony of the party's members in the House of Representatives introducing a motion to censor presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) from testifying. The candidate appeared before lawmakers during a July 20 hearing convened by the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. (Related: RFK Jr. warns during House hearing that TOTALITARIANISM begins with CENSORSHIP.)

RFK Jr. opened his testimony by holding up a letter penned by several Democratic representatives that sought to dis-invite him from testifying. The House Democrats were led by Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, New York Rep. Dan Goldman and California Rep. Judy Chu.

"This itself is evidence of the problem that this hearing was convened to address," RFK Jr. said while holding up the letter. "This is an attempt to censor a censorship hearing. Censorship is antithetical to [the Democratic] Party."

Dornik also expressed concern that RFK Jr. is being painted as antisemitic over his comment about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) being modified to target certain ethnicities  in particular White and Black people.

"They target Caucasians, black people, that's what they were doing in the genetics," the podcaster said. "Now, the thing that he specifically stated was that the people that are not predisposed to deal with COVID are going to be the Chinese, Asians, as well as Jewish people."

He pointed out they are now trying to twist RFK Jr.'s statement about what China was doing by portraying him as being antisemitic. According to Dornik, the problem that Americans will soon be facing is when anybody who talks about the COVID-19 or the vaccine supposedly against it is labeled as being antisemitic.

"That to me is their strategy here. They are painting RFK Jr. talking specifically about the bioweapons being antisemitic. Now, any of us who talk about them being bioweapons, they're now immediately going to relate us to Nazi Germany and antisemites themselves."

Follow Censorship.news for more news about the free speech rights of Americans being censored.

Watch the July 20 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" below. "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" airs weekdays at 8-8:30 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Censorship defenders finally admit they hate First Amendment, want free speech curtailed as policy of "national interest."

RFK JR: "There is no time in history where the people censoring speech were the good guys."

Rep. Mike Johnson: Biden administration, Big Tech, mainstream media colluded to censor content online.

Why today's elites literally can't stand free speech.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

NYPost.com
Dr. McCullough says Jamie Foxx contacted him post-COVID jab, urges actor to speak out publicly

It is clear from what has transpired and come to light that actor and comedian Jamie Foxx was, in fact, seriously injured by Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines." And Dr. Peter McCullough, the world's leading COVID expert and jab critic, wants Foxx to come clean publicly for the benefit of others.

Foxx developed a serious blood clot in his brain that, by all appearances, was caused by his having to get injected for covid as a condition of participating in Hollywood. (Related: Check out our earlier coverage about the events leading up to Foxx's coerced decision to get jabbed for covid in order to act in a movie.)

Hollywood journalist A.J. Benza famously came forward to state that Foxx allegedly suffered partial paralysis and blindness, along with other complications, as a direct result of his getting jabbed for the Fauci Flu.

"Jamie had a blood clot in his brain after he got the shot," Benza stated in an interview with Dr. Drew Pinsky. "He did not want the shot, but the movie he was on, he was pressured to get it."

Foxx says he isn't blind and didn't become paralyzed, but did go "to hell and back"

It took three months after the incident for Foxx to address it. After undergoing serious hospitalization for the adverse effects that the shots caused him, Foxx appeared on Instagram where he told his followers about what happened.

"I went through something that I thought I would never, ever go through," Foxx told his Instagram followers.

Foxx did not reveal any further details about his condition, nor did he connect the dots in a way that would allow his followers and the general public to put two and two together, which is important if we are ever going to get to the bottom of what Fauci Flu shots are doing to people's bodies.

"I just didn't want you to see me like that, man ... I didn't want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through," Foxx added.

Foxx did take the opportunity to address rumors that he had gone blind or become paralyzed, which he says are false.

"Some people said I was blind? But as you can see, the eyes are working. Said I was paralyzed? I'm not paralyzed. But I did go through ... I went to hell and back. And my road to recovery had some potholes as well."

"It's been tough, man. I was sick, man, but now I got my legs under me, so you're going to see me out."

Roughly a year ago, Foxx spoke directly with McCullough about the hell he went through, explaining that he had profound misgivings about getting the COVID jab. McCullough followed up that conversation with an article about how he hopes Foxx will come forward to tell all about the horrors he endured.

"As a public figure and practicing doctor, I get calls and questions from patients and family members every day all over the world," McCullough wrote. "Without engaging in a doctor-patient relationship in the clinic or hospital, I cannot make a diagnosis or give direct medical advice or care. However, I can help audiences develop an interpretive framework in public commentary."

"I was asked by Dan Ball on 'Real America' about the condition of beloved actor Jamie Foxx. I had met Foxx in 2021 and we had a personal conversation about the COVID-19 vaccines. While that remains confidential, I can tell you I am concerned that if indeed he has suffered a stroke or intracranial hemorrhage, the long-term prognosis may not be good."

The latest news about the mounting injury and death tolls from COVID injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NewsTarget.com
Russia terminates Black Sea grains deal amid escalating tension with Ukraine

Russia announced on July 17 its withdrawal from the United Nations-brokered grain export deal that allowed Ukraine to transport grain through the Black Sea.

The Black Sea grain export deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey between Russia and Ukraine in July 2022, allowed Ukraine to export hundreds of thousands of tons of food and help bring down global food prices.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that the termination of the deal stemmed from the failure to meet its demands to implement a parallel agreement easing rules for Russia's own grain and fertilizer exports. (Related: Russia halts Black Sea grain deal but denies its connection to Ukrainian sea drone attack.)

Peskov even made assurances that "as soon as the Russian part [of the deal] is fulfilled, the Russian side will immediately return to the implementation of this deal."

In response to the withdrawal of Russia, Ukraine's Defense Ministry warned that from midnight of July 20, it could target all shipping from Russian and Russian-occupied ports. It added that any ships navigating these ports "may be considered by Ukraine as such carrying military cargo with all the associated risks."

"The fate of the cruiser Moskva proves that the defense forces of Ukraine have the necessary means to repel Russian aggression at sea," the ministry said, alluding to the sinking of the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet last year.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Defense Ministry, appealed to the UN and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the grain deal even without Russia, calling on both to "ensure the work of the food corridor" and take charge of the "inspection of ships."

Termination of Black Sea grain deal likely a result of Ukraine escalating tensions with Russia

Moscow clarified that its decision to suspend recognition of the grain deal was decided even before Ukraine launched several attacks that the former considered as "terrorist acts." However, the Russian Defense Ministry has responded to Ukrainian provocations against Crimea by launching its own drone and cruise missile strikes on Ukrainian-held Black Sea ports in Odessa, Mykolaiv and other locations.

The ministry claimed that the strikes targeted facilities where terrorist acts against Russia were being prepared using uncrewed boats.

One of the attacks that Russia is reportedly responding to was the Ukrainian Security Service's deployment of maritime drones against the Kerch Strait Bridge, which connects Russian-occupied Crimea to the rest of Russia. That drone attack reportedly caused significant damage to the bridge, limiting Moscow's ability to connect with its troops in southern Ukraine.

Crimean authorities said that while the bridge was damaged, the railroad track running parallel to the bridge remains intact and is still transporting vital supplies to the people in the peninsula.

Peskov and other Russian government spokespeople continue to claim that Russia's suspension of the grain deal was not in any way influenced by the attacks.

The latest news about the war in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news.

Watch this video to learn more about the Ukrainian attack on the Crimean Bridge and its connection to the end of the grain deal.

More related stories:

The HYPOCRISY: West-leaning MSM was quick to denounce Russian attack on Ukraine ports involved in grain deal even when U.S. used the same port-blocking tactics during the Gulf War.

Russia halts participation in Ukraine grain deal following massive Ukrainian drone attack on Black Sea fleet.

Food supply woes persist: Grain shippers delay deliveries amid barge quagmire.

Fertilizer crisis poised to slash global grain production by 40%, warns UN.

Sources include:

TheNewAmerican.com

Reuters.com 1

Reuters.com 2
Statistician calls for Faucis covid origins paper to be RETRACTED after unearthed chat message to scientists engaged in gross misconduct

New evidence has emerged to show that Tony Fauci's "Proximal Origins" paper on the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) is fraudulent. And Nate Silver, a prominent statistician, wants it retracted.

The scientists who put the paper together, Silver says, completely ignored the lab leak theory even though they admittedly thought it was a possibility. All of this was revealed in a series of unearthed Slack messages from February 2020 about how making such an accusation against communist China would be too political.

Jamie Metzl, a member of the World Health Organization's (WHO) advisory committee, tweeted about the matter after releasing the messages on Twitter, which is now known as "X."

"There can be no doubt the Proximal Origin authors consciously and inappropriately downplayed the #COVID19 research-related origin hypothesis and coordinated efforts manipulating media coverage," Metzl tweeted. "They also interacted like noxious frat boys."

(Related: Since the plandemic began, there have been more than 300 scientific papers that were published and later retracted for fraud.)

One thing is for sure: covid was planned and wasn't an accident

The Slack messages in question are voluminous, and many of them are very technical and difficult for the average person to understand. There are a few incriminating gems, though, including one in which a scientist states that he "literally swivels day by day thinking it is a lab escape or natural."

This same scientist then wrote that, because of politics, it is best to just ignore the lab leak theory altogether in order to allow communist China to save face.

"Given the s*** show that would happen if anyone serious accused the Chinese of even accidental release, my feeling is that we should say that given there is no evidence of a specifically engineered virus, we cannot possibly distinguish between natural evolution and escape so we are content with ascribing it to natural processes," this person, named Andrew Rambaut, wrote in Slack.

Another scientist then agreed with Rambaut, though he lamented that politics has so infected the realm of science that a coverup was necessary to stick to the script that covid came from tainted bat soup at a Wuhan wet market.

This second scientist, named Kristian Andersen, went on in the exchange to state that he, too, believes covid could have been cooked up in a lab, though he rejects the notion that it is a bioweapon or even that it is the result of intentional engineering for research purposes.

Andersen then stated that he favors the "evolved in nature" theory of covid, though the jury is still out concerning it potentially having been cultured.

"This is a huge scandal," tweeted Silver about these revelations. "Scientists like #K_G_Andersen believed a lab leak was extremely plausible, if not likely, they concocted a plan to deceive the public about it, and they've been caught red-handed."

"There's not really any ambiguity here. They are unethical as it gets."

Amazingly, another scientist named Gigi Gronvall blasted Silver for writing all this, instead ordering him to forget about what happened in 2020 and focus on 2023 instead.

"People who are upset that the scientific evidence is not supporting their preferred theory are just trying to change the subject," Gronvall scoffed.

Silver responded to Gronvall by stating that the Proximal Origins paper's conclusions are patently false, and were merely the product of a politically driven sleight of hand.

"It had an enormous influence on the public debate," Silver further stated about the fraudulent paper and how it was used to tyrannize the world with lockdowns, mask mandates, and more.

"Quit hiding the ball."

Fauci is a criminal who belongs behind bars (or worse). Learn more at Treason.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheRightScoop.com

Newstarget.com
Study: Regular brushing and flossing can help support brain health and protect against dementia

According to research, having a nice smile and healthy gums can help support brain health.

Findings from a study published in the journal Neurology suggest that poor dental health is linked to hippocampal atrophy, or shrinkage of the hippocampus, which is a marker for Alzheimers disease.

Brain shrinkage linked to poor oral health

Study author Satoshi Yamaguchi, an associate professor at Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry in Sendai, Japan, explained that retaining more healthy teeth without periodontal disease may help support brain health.

Because periodontal disease is also associated with systemic inflammation and bacteria in the bloodstream, which may cause chronic disease, keeping your teeth, mouth and gums healthy can help boost your overall health.

Someone with poor oral hygiene can develop gingivitis, which is an inflammatory disease caused by an accumulation of plaque (bacteria) on your teeth that often results in bleeding gums.

When left untreated, gingivitis can cause periodontitis, which is a more serious infection that can lead to teeth loss.

Periodontitis is a type of gum disease that has been considered a potential risk factor for Alzheimers since 2015, when scientists from the University of Bristol reported that "periodontal pathogens are possible contributors to neural inflammation and SLOAD [sporadic late onset Alzheimers disease]."

In the Neurology study, researchers worked with 172 volunteers aged 55 years and over who had no cognitive decline at the start of the study.

The volunteers underwent dental exams and took memory tests. The research team also conducted brain scans to measure their hippocampus volume at the start of the study and four years later.

Results showed that both gum disease and number of teeth were linked to brain changes.

The volunteers with mild gum disease and fewer teeth had a faster rate of shrinkage in the left hippocampus. Among this group, having one less tooth increased brain shrinkage at a rate equivalent to at least a year of brain aging.

Among the volunteers with severe gum disease, having more teeth was linked to a faster rate of brain shrinkage, with one more tooth being equivalent to 1.3 years of brain aging.

In a news release, Yamaguchi explained that tooth loss and gum disease, which is "inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that can cause shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth," are very common and analyzing any possible links with dementia is crucial.

The Neurology study revealed that these conditions may have a role in the health of the brain region that controls thinking and memory, giving people another reason to maintain proper oral health.

Bacteria linked to gum disease can travel to the brain

In 2019, researchers from the University of Louisville found Porphyromonas gingivalis, a pathogen linked to chronic periodontitis, in the brains of patients with Alzheimers. Gingipains, the toxic proteases from P. gingivalis, were also found in the brains of patients with the brain disorder.

The researchers reported that gingipains are linked to two protein markers of Alzheimer's: Tau and ubiquitin. (Related: Maintaining good oral health key to preventing Alzheimers disease, reports study.)

In mice subjects, oral infection with P. gingivalis resulted in brain colonization of the pathogen and increased production of amyloid beta 1-42, which is found in amyloid plaques.

Findings from both in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that gingipains are neurotoxic and damaging to tau, which is essential for normal neuronal function.

Gingipain antigens were also detected in the brains of people with Alzheimers as well as in those with Alzheimers pathology who had not yet been diagnosed.

Based on these, the researchers believe that brain infection with P. gingivalis is not a result of poor dental care following the onset of dementia or a consequence of late-stage disease. Rather, it is an early event that can clarify the pathology observed in middle-aged people before cognitive decline.

Data also suggests that bacteria may access the brain from an infected oral cavity via infection of endothelial cells protecting the blood-brain barrier or infection of monocytes (white blood cells) that reach the brain.

After entering the brain, P. gingivalis may gradually spread over many years from neuron to neuron along anatomically connected pathways, like what has been demonstrated for vascular cell-to-cell transmission of P. gingivalis, explained the researchers.

Periodontal disease linked to Alzheimers disease

People diagnosed with Alzheimers usually have poor oral health, which has commonly been associated with declining self-care or neglect of oral health by caregivers.

Older studies also suggest that periodontal disease may be a contributing factor in the development of Alzheimer's.

One systematic review and meta-analysis that included 13 studies revealed that the risk of Alzheimers and mild cognitive impairment in those with severe periodontal disease was much higher compared to people without periodontal disease.

Gum disease is a "silent condition"

Data shows that among adults aged 30 or over, 46 percent have signs of gum disease, while nine percent of adults already have severe gum disease.

Unfortunately, many people are not aware they have it because gum disease is often a "silent" condition, meaning it often doesn't show signs and symptoms until it reaches more advanced stages.

In the initial stage of gingivitis, you may notice that your gums bleed when you are brushing your teeth, flossing, or eating hard food. Your gums may also appear red or swollen.

As the disease progresses, you will notice that your gums may pull away from your teeth, making your teeth appear longer. In some cases, your teeth may also become loose. You may also notice sores in your mouth, bad breath and pus between your gums and teeth.

Aside from cognitive decline, periodontitis has been linked to systemic diseases, such as:

Adverse pregnancy outcomes

Cancer

Diabetes

Heart disease

Nervous system diseases

Respiratory disease

Protecting oral health early on is crucial

Because deposits of amyloid beta in the brain may start one to two decades before cognitive decline and diagnosis of Alzheimers, and periodontal disease may also be persistent for at least 10 years to initiate Alzheimers, maintaining good oral health early on can help prevent the disease.

This is crucial not just for older adults, but also for middle-aged and younger adults, who can support their brain health by maintaining proper oral health.

Even in young, otherwise healthy, adults, episodic memory and learning rate is improved among people with good oral health compared to those with aggressive periodontal disease, which implies that damage to brain health may start early on.

Maintain proper oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing and tongue scraping. You should also use fluoride-free toothpaste.

Never go to bed at night without brushing your teeth and limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Watch the video below for tips on how natural toothsalt with neem can help maintain oral health.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Study: Poor oral health linked to rheumatoid arthritis.

Study: Tart cherries can help improve sustained attention and reduce mental fatigue.

Researchers share 3 key steps to ensure optimal brain health.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

Healthline.com

Brighteon.com
Study: TikTok trend of hotwiring certain car models linked to surge in car thefts in U.S. cities

TikTok, the controversial social media app with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is causing trouble among car owners.

A study by the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) on July 20 revealed how car thefts have increased by 33.5 percent across major cities because many thieves recklessly share how-to videos of hotwiring cars on TikTok. This adds up to 23,974 more stolen vehicles across the 32 cities studied, with cases more than doubling in Rochester, Cincinnati and other cities.

According to reports, thieves are hotwiring vulnerable Kia and Hyundai models using only a USB cable.

The "Kia Boyz"

Some car models sold by Hyundai and Kia in the U.S. did not come with engine immobilizers, a standard feature on most cars since the 1990s. This feature is essential to preventing a car engine from starting unless the key is present.

Groups of mostly juvenile offenders all over America, who call themselves the "Kia Boyz," are brashly posting videos of themselves using screwdrivers and cables to start cars and going on joyrides.

During the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, bored and tech-savvy teenagers started posting online videos showing how to steal Kias and Hyundais.

Car thefts have skyrocketed around the U.S. since then, with the social media challenge  where people film themselves doing something, then post the video online as "proof"  causing deadly car crashes, a class-action lawsuit and drops in the Kia's and Hyundai's stock prices.

Both carmakers have started offering software updates and recalling cars, but the damage was done.

In late 2021, the "Kia Boys" started going viral on TikTok. The teenagers were participating in a social media challenge that involved stealing Kias and Hyundais using a specific method and posting the results on different apps, such as TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.

By then, these teenagers have stolen tens of thousands of cars. The teens are mostly from Milwaukee and Columbus, Ohio, but as of writing the trend has spread nationwide.

The Kia Boys are not an official organization but are a general collective of teenagers who have used a specific hack to steal cars.

Ironically, many of these troublemakers are too young to have a driver's license. The boys don't steal the cars for money or to keep the cars but for fun and joy rides.

At least one arrest has been made in connection to "Kia Boyz" crimes.

In June 2022, Markell Hughes was arrested in Milwaukee after he crashed a stolen red Hyundai. Police were able to match the license plate of the car to one that had been reported stolen.

They also identified Hughes and the vehicle in a YouTube video called "Kia Boys Documentary (A Story of Teenage Car Theft)," which now has more than six million views.

The situation has gotten so out of hand that some insurers have refused to cover the vulnerable cars.

The following cities affected by the TikTok-inspired thefts have sued the carmakers for damages:

Baltimore

Cincinnati

Cleveland

Milwaukee

New York

Rochester

San Diego

Seattle

Rochester the worst hit city

CCJ researchers described the skyrocketing car theft rates as "particularly striking."

Rochester, the country's worst-hit city, saw car thefts increase by a shocking 355 percent in the first six months of 2023 against the same period last 2022.

Buffalo, Cincinnati, Chicago, Durham and Memphis saw theft rates more than double. Meanwhile, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Omaha and St. Louis also saw major upticks.

Researchers believe that the bulk of the increase could be due to the vulnerability of Kia and Hyundai models. They also noted that the rates "were already trending upward before these vehicles became popular targets."

Older models of the Toyota Prius and other hybrids have also been targeted, specifically because of the precious metals in their catalytic converters. These metals can sold for hundreds of dollars on the black market.

Back in May, both Kia and Hyundai agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit worth around $200 million over rampant car thefts of the Korean carmakers' vehicles. (Related: Car theft has been effectively decriminalized in London as less than 1% of London car thieves face any legal repercussions.)

The settlement covered an estimated nine million American owners and included up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses for those whose vehicles were stolen.

Hyundai and Kia announced that they would compensate owners "who incurred theft-related vehicle losses or damage in addition to reimbursement for insurance deductibles, increased insurance premiums, and other theft-related losses."

The agreement also included a software upgrade for the target vehicles or a reimbursement of up to $300 for anti-theft devices.

Rochester, the worst-hit city in 2023, joined the lawsuit in June.

At the time, police chief David Smith reported that car thieves had broken into 1,063 vehicles in 2023, compared to only 387 in the first four months of 2022. The reports included 403 Kias and 386 Hyundais.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans criticized the carmakers because they "knowingly made, distributed, and marketed these cars with serious security flaws." He added that the Korean carmakers "dragged their feet" when it came to protecting the cars.

But while car thefts are surging, CCJ researchers reported that other crimes are gradually declining from peaks reached during a surge amid the pandemic. For example, homicide and most other violent crimes decreased in cities in the first half of 2023.

Richard Rosenfeld, co-author of the study and professor emeritus at the University of Missouri  St. Louis, explained that the declines were "encouraging" but that violent criminals still kill thousands of victims every year.

The CCJ report assesses monthly crime rates for 10 violent, property and drug offenses in about three dozen cities, which include some of the country's largest.

But the researchers acknowledged that the information they have is patchy and that they are having a hard time painting a national picture of crime trends when the country lacks reliable official federal data on an issue that affects millions of citizens.

Watch the video below to know more about how TikTok is ruining your life.

This video is from the FreedomClan channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Car theft is effectively decriminalized in London.

UT Austin bans TikTok on campus, citing security concerns.

Data privacy concerns raised as analysis finds China-based developers were responsible for TikToks code.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ArsTechnica.com

Fox6Now.com

Brighteon.com
A specific plant was discovered to have moved, seemingly like a trip, million years ago.

An entry posted on Phys.Org stated that a group of the spurge, or Euphorbiaceae, had transferred and relocated from ancient South America to Australia, Asia and some parts of Africa. This latest conclusion was based on the fossils that were unearthed by scientists in Argentina.

Results of the study have shown that the spurge family's Macaranga-Mallotus clade (MMC) could have first appeared in the South America during the time when it was still part of Gondwana or the supercontinent that initially included South America, Antarctica, and Australia.

This species of spurge was believed by scientists to have Asian origins.

Findings of the study

Geosciences Professor Peter Wilf explained that the spurges could have tracked the moving continents from South America to Asia and even to the other side of the world. Wilf said that this specific group of spurge is common in tropical rainforests that are situated in Africa, South America and especially in Asia.

"You can't go much farther than that without leaving the planet. We've seen this pattern in many other plant groups we've found as fossils in South America like kauris, Asian chinkapin and yellowwood trees. Altogether it is the most dramatic evolutionary biogeography story I've ever seen," Wilf said in the Phys.Org report.

This could have been done by these spurges because they were capable of adapting to the evolutionary challenges in various environments.

According to research, the MMC is commonly seen along roadsides and in burned areas. The MMC's plants are often described as having "large, umbrella-like leaves that provide abundant shade, and they provide nutritious seeds for animal forage."

"The MMC is widely distributed, but prior to this research they've never been found growing naturally in the Americas," Wilf said.

This movement can actually tell something about environmental changes through the course of time, the plate tectonics as well as the biogeography.

Read Also: Scientists Shocked After Discovering A Well-Preserved Plant Fossil Deep Under Greenland Ice

Importance of studying plant fossils

An entry posted on Wildlife SOS noted that studying about the plant fossils has been useful as it was able to provide answers about the Earth's geological and ecological history. The history of the climate in one area could also be known through the help of studying the plant fossils.

In palaeobotany, one could learn about the types of vegetation that were found and had existed during a specific period of time.

This specific study also disclosed information and knowledge about past vegetation as well as the evolutionary history of plants. A specific and useful method to help in understanding the nature of past vegetation is through phytogeography or the study about the distribution of plants since prehistoric times.

Through this, the researchers can establish the correlation between the plant fossils and their surrounding environments and to interpret the past climate in a specific area.

This kind of findings on fossils can also serve as a warning that the natural world that we rely on is "extremely resilient but cannot keep up with us."

Related Article: Leaf Fossils in Borneo Reveals Rainforest Biodiversity in the Island 4 Million Years Ago

Related Video:
A developing tropical wave in the Bahamas can bring rainy conditions and thunderstorms in Florida and Southeast this week, according to the latest weather forecasts.

The early beginning of July recorded severe weather threats and brutal heat in the United States.

Hotter conditions were recorded in the Southwestern US and Florida.

In Florida, Nature World News (NWN) and The Guardian reported that ocean temperatures reached an unusual 101.19, causing concerns about the impact on coral reefs.

CNN recently reported that rising temperatures in Florida's Key coast could result in coral deaths. Experts have been monitoring the temperatures in Florida waters.

Hotter temperatures can cause coral bleaching that affects their overall health.

Meanwhile, Florida can expect stormy weather conditions that could bring rain and gusty thunderstorms.

Tropical waves and gusty thunderstorms in Florida

According to The Weather Channel's forecast, Florida could likely experience wet weather this week due to a developing tropical disturbance.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather's report showed that a developing tropical wave near the Northern Bahamas could bring thunderstorms by the end of the week.

The report added that the agency has been monitoring three tropical waves in the Atlantic basin.

There is a possibility that the disturbance could result in waterspouts and rip current conditions.

Furthermore, the forecast said the local thunderstorms could also impact parts of Georgia, Miami, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

While the weather could offer relief in Florida, residents should monitor the weather conditions for possible thunderstorms and slower commutes.

The forecast noted that more tropical waves could likely develop in August.

Also Read: US Weather Forecast: Isolated Tornadoes, Flash Flood Likely in Midwest, Plains

Staying safe from the stormy weather

As hurricane season begins, tropical disturbance development could emerge, causing strong winds and flooding downpours.

It is best that homeowners near flood-prone areas should keep updated with the weather conditions.

Last year, Hurricane Ian left devastating damage in Southwest Florida. It resulted in heavy flooding that destroyed many homes.

According to Fox Weather News, Lee County in Florida recorded the most fatalities from Hurricane Ian.

As a result, disaster preparedness is vital to prevent potential damages, injuries and deaths. Here are essential reminders to stay safe from powerful storms.

Stay alert and updated with weather news

The American Red Cross reported the importance of staying connected. Homeowners should keep updated with emergency alerts and news.

Keeping a battery-powered radio would be handy and helpful in power outages.

In addition, it is best to immediate evacuate if there are announcements. People should also monitor the rapid rising of floodwaters.

Meanwhile, homeowners should stay at home when the weather becomes severe.

Keeping emergency supplies

While no one expects severe weather or hurricane, homeowners should consider keeping emergency kits at home, with medicines, non-perishable goods and battery-powered radios.

Also Read: Hottest Spots in US: Severe Weather, Challenging Heat Dome to Hit Central US This Week

Did you know?

According to CBS News, Hurricane Camille was one of the strongest hurricanes in the US. The report said the hurricane developed over the Caribbean.

The hurricane hit parts of the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, leaving 256 deaths and $1.4 billion in damages.

Related Article: Florida Ocean Temperature Reaches Over 100 Degrees; Temp Likely to Become World Record

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Dogs are one of the most popular and diverse pets in the world, with hundreds of breeds that vary in size, shape, color, and temperament.

But what are the most common dog breeds in the UK, and how do they reflect the preferences and lifestyles of their owners?

A new study has used a large database of pet health records to answer these questions and to reveal some trends and challenges for dog health and welfare in the country.

A study of over 2 million dogs

An analysis of more than 2 million pet dogs living in the UK in 2019 has identified the most common overall breeds-topped by mixed breeds, Labrador retrievers, and Jack Russell terriers.

The study, published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, used data from VetCompass, a program that collects anonymized pet demographic and health information from over 30% of UK veterinary clinics, as per Phys.org.

The researchers, led by Dr. Dan O'Neill of the Royal Veterinary College, UK, examined the data from all 2,237,105 dogs under the care of UK veterinary clinics that participated in VetCompass in 2019.

They recorded the breed, sex, age, and body weight of each dog, as well as other physical characteristics such as skull shape and coat color.

The analysis revealed that 69.4% of the dogs were purebred, 6.7% were designer-crossbred (for instance, cockapoos or labradoodles), and 24% were mixed-breed.

The most common breeds overall were mixed-breed (24%), Labrador retriever (8.6%), and Jack Russell terrier (7.6%).

Among puppies less than one-year-old, the most common breeds were mixed-breed (22.3%), French bulldog (9.8%), and cockapoo (8.5%).

Male dogs were slightly more common than female dogs overall (51.5% versus 48.5%).

Also Read: Dogs are More Than Just Pets - Here's the Proof

Implications for dog health and welfare

The study also highlighted the popularity of breeds with physical features associated with increased health risks, as per WN.

For instance, 17.6% of the dogs in this study represented breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs, and English bulldogs with brachycephaly, a flattened skull shape that can cause breathing difficulties, eye problems, and dental issues.

The researchers warn that these breeds will likely face a future canine healthcare "crisis" in the UK as they continue to increase in number and age, exacerbating the adverse effects of their extreme body shapes.

They also suggested that some breeds may be prone to obesity due to their large body size or low activity levels.

The researchers call for more research on the genetic diversity, health status, and welfare needs of different dog breeds in the UK, as well as measures to reduce the demand for breeds with extreme physical characteristics.

They also recommended that prospective owners choose breeds that are less likely to have health issues related to their body shape or size.

Dr. Dan O'Neill added: "With 800 dog breeds available in the UK, this VetCompass study shows there are more than enough healthy breeds to choose from that do not suffer from extreme body shapes such as flat faces, skin folds or absent tails."

Related article: How to Choose a Comfortable and Colored Bed for Your Dog
News / National

by Staff reporter

A ZIMBABWEAN man, who raped his girlfriend's six-year-old daughter in South Africa, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday.Peter Kaundura, whose district of origin was not mentioned in court, had two years added to his sentence for crossing into that country without a passport.In a statement yesterday, the South African Police Services (Saps) welcomed the life sentence."The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the life and two years imprisonment sentence meted out to Peter Kaundura by the Naphuno Regional Court for rape of a six-year-old girl and illegal immigration on Tuesday July 25, 2023," Saps spokesperson for Limpopo province Malesela Ledwaba said.The court established that on Wednesday January 1, 2020 in Topanama village outside Lephepane, the accused, a live-in lover of the victim's mother, slipped into the child's room, where he was caught in the act."He was caught in the act by the uncle who came back to the house in the late hours. The matter was subsequently reported to the police and a case of rape was opened," Ledwaba said.Investigations commenced on March 17 the same year while Kaundura remained in custody until his conviction and sentence.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE European Union (EU) says it will deploy more than 150 observers to Zimbabwe's August 23 elections.Brussels revealed this yesterday as it deployed the first batch of 46 observers to the country's 10 provinces ahead of the harmonised polls.The EU election observer mission in Zimbabwe said its team was ready to cover the "hard-to-reach areas" to impartially assess the plebiscite's credibility, freeness and fairness.Addressing the observers in the capital yesterday before their deployment, EU mission deputy chief observer Beata Martin Rozumitowicz urged the observers to be independent and impartial in doing their work.Rozumitowicz told journalists at the same venue that they are maintaining a non-interference policy in the electoral process."We are deploying long-term observers to all 10 provinces of the country," she said."They will go throughout the country, not just in Harare, but all the way down to the village level and they will go to the hard-to-reach areas."In the course of their duty, EU observers will meet local electoral officials, candidates and representatives from political parties, as well as civil society and media."They will be impartial and they will not interfere in the electoral process in the course of their work."They will only use first-hand and verified observation in their reporting."The EU team is observing the elections for the second time since 2018."On the election day, the mission will be supplemented across the country by 44 short-term observers, a delegation from the European Parliament and a number of locally-recruited short-term observers, drawn from the diplomatic community. This will bring the number of European observers on polling day to over 150 from 27 EU member States as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland," the EU said in an statement released earlier yesterday.A core team of 11 analysts from the EU arrived in Harare on July 8.A final report, which will include a set of recommendations for future electoral processes, will be released at the completion of the observer mission.After the 2018 elections, the EU team made 23 recommendations, including 10 priority ones aimed at aligning the Electoral Act with the country's Constitution, strengthening the independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and improving information-sharing by the commission throughout the electoral process.Other recommendations included escalating voter registration as well as the transparency, verifiability and integrity of the results management process and mitigation of abuse of State resources, among others.In its follow-up mission to Zimbabwe last year, Elmar Brok, a former member of the EU Parliament and chief observer of the EU election observer mission to the 2018 general elections, said most recommendations were ignored.Rozumitowicz said the findings of the long-term observers would be analysed by its core team in the country."The chief observer of the EU election observer mission, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, will present the initial findings and conclusions of the mission two days after the elections. The mission will remain in Zimbabwe to observe the post-electoral environment and follow possible appeals and complaints," the EU said.Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the observers were welcome, adding that they should stick to their mandate."We are welcoming our observers," Mutsvangwa said."We don't expect them to be monitors, but to be observers."Zimbabwe's elections have been marred by violence, voter intimidation and allegations of rigging, leading to disputed results.
Jaison Wilson By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has permitted St Stephens College to give 85 per cent weightage to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and 15 per cent to interviews for admissions under the Christian minority quota.

For non-minority candidates, the College will adopt the marks secured in the CUET alone as the sole eligibility criteria, a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma said in a recent order.

The court also similarly permitted the Jesus and Mary College to hold interviews for the seats reserved for minority-category students.

The high court's direction, which came as an interim measure, was following the challenge of the two colleges against the decision of the Executive Council of Delhi University (DU) and a notification dated December 30, 2022, asking for 100 per cent weightage for CUET scores for minority quota admissions.



The 23-page order pointed out that in an earlier decision, the high court has already discussed the extent to which DU can regulate the admission of minority students and ruled that St Stephen's has the right to conduct interviews with 15 per cent weightage for minority students, but not for non-minority students.

"Despite this observation made by this Court in the aforesaid judgment, the Executive Committee in its meeting dated 08.12.2022 has decided that for the academic session 2023-24, admission to the Undergraduate Programmes shall solely be on the basis of CUET for minority seats also," said the bench, also comprising Justice Subramaniam Prasad.

Appeal on this order is pending before the Supreme Court for adjudication.

It was also referred that last year the high court had observed that Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India is not absolute and the State has the right to formulate regulations concerning the administration of a minority institution to the extent that it is for the furtherance of the interest of the minority community and is in a bid to prevent maladministration of the minority institution.

"However, it also recognises that it is for the minority institution to decide what would be best for the minority community, and for that purpose conducting an interview, which has been held to be free and transparent by the Supreme Court in St. Stephen's College v. University of Delhi, (1992) 1 SCC 558, cannot be said to be contrary to the interest of the minority institution," it read.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has permitted St Stephens College to give 85 per cent weightage to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and 15 per cent to interviews for admissions under the Christian minority quota. For non-minority candidates, the College will adopt the marks secured in the CUET alone as the sole eligibility criteria, a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma said in a recent order. The court also similarly permitted the Jesus and Mary College to hold interviews for the seats reserved for minority-category students.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The high court's direction, which came as an interim measure, was following the challenge of the two colleges against the decision of the Executive Council of Delhi University (DU) and a notification dated December 30, 2022, asking for 100 per cent weightage for CUET scores for minority quota admissions. The 23-page order pointed out that in an earlier decision, the high court has already discussed the extent to which DU can regulate the admission of minority students and ruled that St Stephen's has the right to conduct interviews with 15 per cent weightage for minority students, but not for non-minority students. "Despite this observation made by this Court in the aforesaid judgment, the Executive Committee in its meeting dated 08.12.2022 has decided that for the academic session 2023-24, admission to the Undergraduate Programmes shall solely be on the basis of CUET for minority seats also," said the bench, also comprising Justice Subramaniam Prasad. Appeal on this order is pending before the Supreme Court for adjudication. It was also referred that last year the high court had observed that Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India is not absolute and the State has the right to formulate regulations concerning the administration of a minority institution to the extent that it is for the furtherance of the interest of the minority community and is in a bid to prevent maladministration of the minority institution. "However, it also recognises that it is for the minority institution to decide what would be best for the minority community, and for that purpose conducting an interview, which has been held to be free and transparent by the Supreme Court in St. Stephen's College v. University of Delhi, (1992) 1 SCC 558, cannot be said to be contrary to the interest of the minority institution," it read.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: Five children have died of malnutrition at Ludbai village in Nakhatrana taluk of Kutch district in Gujarat. After the deaths, the village sarpanch organised a medical camp where 322 children were examined by a doctor and 39 of them were found malnourished.

Kutch districts District Development Officer Shailesh Prajapati, however, said, Not five, only two died due to malnutrition. One child died on May 15 in Ludbai village and in July, three children have died. Of the four, one child died due to low weight, one died due to fever and other reasons, while the remaining two died due to malnutrition. The health team is conducting a survey.

Jabbar Jat, sarpanch of Ludbai village, told this newspaper, A child in my village got sick while I was taking him to the hospital and he died on the way. Following this, I conducted an investigation and discovered that as many as five children aged 0-15 months died from malnutrition in the previous week (June 7-15). I also reported this issue to the Taluk and district levels, but the system took no action. Following that, I sought assistance from a non-governmental organisation.

A local Trust on July 23 held a paediatric diagnosis camp in the village and 322 children from the Ludbai village were tested, according to the sarpach. It was found that 39 children were malnourished and were in a serious state, he added. Dr Jayesh Kapadia, who examined the children, told local media that he discovered more than 22 malnourished children in one hour.

While on one hand, the government authorities admit that two kids have died of malnutrition in Kutch, on the other, Gujarats annual spending on childrens welfare is estimated at Rs 1,000 crore. The Gujarat government is running various programmes for childrens welfare. They include Chiranjeevi Yojana, Bal Bhog Yojana, Vitamin Yukt Poshan Aahar Yojana, Kanya Kelavani Yojana and Bal Sakha Centre, among others.

AHMEDABAD: Five children have died of malnutrition at Ludbai village in Nakhatrana taluk of Kutch district in Gujarat. After the deaths, the village sarpanch organised a medical camp where 322 children were examined by a doctor and 39 of them were found malnourished. Kutch districts District Development Officer Shailesh Prajapati, however, said, Not five, only two died due to malnutrition. One child died on May 15 in Ludbai village and in July, three children have died. Of the four, one child died due to low weight, one died due to fever and other reasons, while the remaining two died due to malnutrition. The health team is conducting a survey. Jabbar Jat, sarpanch of Ludbai village, told this newspaper, A child in my village got sick while I was taking him to the hospital and he died on the way. Following this, I conducted an investigation and discovered that as many as five children aged 0-15 months died from malnutrition in the previous week (June 7-15). I also reported this issue to the Taluk and district levels, but the system took no action. Following that, I sought assistance from a non-governmental organisation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A local Trust on July 23 held a paediatric diagnosis camp in the village and 322 children from the Ludbai village were tested, according to the sarpach. It was found that 39 children were malnourished and were in a serious state, he added. Dr Jayesh Kapadia, who examined the children, told local media that he discovered more than 22 malnourished children in one hour. While on one hand, the government authorities admit that two kids have died of malnutrition in Kutch, on the other, Gujarats annual spending on childrens welfare is estimated at Rs 1,000 crore. The Gujarat government is running various programmes for childrens welfare. They include Chiranjeevi Yojana, Bal Bhog Yojana, Vitamin Yukt Poshan Aahar Yojana, Kanya Kelavani Yojana and Bal Sakha Centre, among others.
Jitendra Choubey By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India faced significant economic loss due to flood, drought and heatwave-related disasters in 2022. A new report published by World Meteorological Organisation said India lost USD 4.2 billion due to disasters relating to floods followed by drought and heatwaves. The other Asian countries that faced significant losses were Pakistan and China. Much of the cost was attributable to agricultural losses.

According to the report The State of Climate in Asia 2022, Indias lower course of the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins had one of the regions largest precipitation deficits, triggering drought-like conditions. These basins support millions of peoples livelihoods through agrarian activities in India as well as Bangladesh.

However, in the meantime, Indias few regions received the highest daily precipitation totals in central India, the Western Ghats (India), and Khasi hills. The heavy rainfall lasting from May to September triggered multiple landslides and river overflows and floods, resulting in casualties and damage. Cumulatively, this flooding caused over 2000 deaths and affected 1.3 million people, and this disaster event caused the highest number of casualties of any disaster event in India in 2022.

After floods, lightning is another major cause of death in India. In 2022, thunderstorms and lightning claimed around 1200 lives in different parts of the country. On 1920 May, more than 34 people were killed in lightning strikes in Bihar. The report states that the mean temperature over Asia for 2022 has registered a second-record increase of 0.72 C. It was above the 19912020 average. The 19912020 average was itself 1.68 C, which was above the WMO 19611990 reference period for climate change. Furthermore, both Asian parts of the northwest Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are warming at a mean rate comparable to the global rate, which is estimated at 0.64 W/m2.

According to the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), in 2022, 81 natural hazard events were reported in Asia; of these, over 83% were flood and storm events. These events led to over 5000 fatalities, 90% of which were associated with flooding. Overall, natural hazard events directly impacted more than 50 million people and resulted in over US$ 36 billion in damages.

The report underlined that the major natural disasters of 2022 impacted areas in Asia across the development spectrum, from floods in India and Pakistan to drought in China to heatwaves in India, Japan and Pakistan.

NEW DELHI: India faced significant economic loss due to flood, drought and heatwave-related disasters in 2022. A new report published by World Meteorological Organisation said India lost USD 4.2 billion due to disasters relating to floods followed by drought and heatwaves. The other Asian countries that faced significant losses were Pakistan and China. Much of the cost was attributable to agricultural losses. According to the report The State of Climate in Asia 2022, Indias lower course of the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins had one of the regions largest precipitation deficits, triggering drought-like conditions. These basins support millions of peoples livelihoods through agrarian activities in India as well as Bangladesh. However, in the meantime, Indias few regions received the highest daily precipitation totals in central India, the Western Ghats (India), and Khasi hills. The heavy rainfall lasting from May to September triggered multiple landslides and river overflows and floods, resulting in casualties and damage. Cumulatively, this flooding caused over 2000 deaths and affected 1.3 million people, and this disaster event caused the highest number of casualties of any disaster event in India in 2022.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); After floods, lightning is another major cause of death in India. In 2022, thunderstorms and lightning claimed around 1200 lives in different parts of the country. On 1920 May, more than 34 people were killed in lightning strikes in Bihar. The report states that the mean temperature over Asia for 2022 has registered a second-record increase of 0.72 C. It was above the 19912020 average. The 19912020 average was itself 1.68 C, which was above the WMO 19611990 reference period for climate change. Furthermore, both Asian parts of the northwest Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are warming at a mean rate comparable to the global rate, which is estimated at 0.64 W/m2. According to the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), in 2022, 81 natural hazard events were reported in Asia; of these, over 83% were flood and storm events. These events led to over 5000 fatalities, 90% of which were associated with flooding. Overall, natural hazard events directly impacted more than 50 million people and resulted in over US$ 36 billion in damages. The report underlined that the major natural disasters of 2022 impacted areas in Asia across the development spectrum, from floods in India and Pakistan to drought in China to heatwaves in India, Japan and Pakistan.
Jaison Wilson By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhis Special Court on Wednesday sentenced former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda and his son Devender Darda to four years imprisonment in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh.

Special Judge Sanjay Bansal also ordered three years imprisonment for ex-Coal Secretary H C Gupta, two senior public servants  KS Kropha and KC Samria in the corruption case. JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltds Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal was also sentenced to four years imprisonment for the coal scam during the regime of Manmohan Singh led UPA government.

Special Judge Sanjay Bansal on July 13 held all of them guilty. The Court convicted them under offences under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Earlier, the court accepted the submissions made by senior Public Prosecutor A P Singh, that the CBI was able to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts. The court had said that Vijay Darda, the Chairman of Lokmat Group, had done so to get the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh allotted to JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd.

As per an earlier CBI statement, the coal scam is one of the biggest scams in the country and the impact of this scam is that companies are not coming forward to mine the coal blocks and despite it being available. Consequently, there is a shortage of coal. We are compelled to import coal from outside India.

CBI closure report

The court had on November 20, 2014 refused to accept a closure report submitted by the CBI in the case and directed the federal probe agency to investigate it afresh, stating that the ex- MP had misrepresented facts in letters written to the then PM Manmohan Singh, who held the coal portfolio

NEW DELHI: Delhis Special Court on Wednesday sentenced former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda and his son Devender Darda to four years imprisonment in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh. Special Judge Sanjay Bansal also ordered three years imprisonment for ex-Coal Secretary H C Gupta, two senior public servants  KS Kropha and KC Samria in the corruption case. JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltds Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal was also sentenced to four years imprisonment for the coal scam during the regime of Manmohan Singh led UPA government. Special Judge Sanjay Bansal on July 13 held all of them guilty. The Court convicted them under offences under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier, the court accepted the submissions made by senior Public Prosecutor A P Singh, that the CBI was able to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts. The court had said that Vijay Darda, the Chairman of Lokmat Group, had done so to get the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh allotted to JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd. As per an earlier CBI statement, the coal scam is one of the biggest scams in the country and the impact of this scam is that companies are not coming forward to mine the coal blocks and despite it being available. Consequently, there is a shortage of coal. We are compelled to import coal from outside India. CBI closure report The court had on November 20, 2014 refused to accept a closure report submitted by the CBI in the case and directed the federal probe agency to investigate it afresh, stating that the ex- MP had misrepresented facts in letters written to the then PM Manmohan Singh, who held the coal portfolio
By Online Desk

The Ministry of External Affairs has said that many Indian youths lured by fake job recruitment offers were trapped in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan told the Rajya Sabha that a total of 414 Indians were trapped by firms promising fake IT jobs in Myanmar and 292 of them have been repatriated to India.

The Indian mission in Cambodia also rescued over 180 Indian nationals trapped in similar scams and repatriated them to India.

"Since July 2022, our missions in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia have issued various detailed advisories, upon receiving information that Indian nationals were being entrapped in fake job rackets, to alert the job seekers, and advised them to verify all antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before accepting an employment offer and not be enticed and entrapped in fraudulent job offers in these countries," the minister said.

"The ministry in coordination with the Indian missions/posts abroad and offices of Protector of Emigrants in India takes quick and decisive action whenever instances of exploitation of job seekers by illegal agents come to notice. A list of 2,548 illegal agents has been notified on the eMigrate portal. This information is regularly updated based on complaints filed by aggrieved individuals," said Muraleedharan.

"Complaints against illegal agents and dubious IT firms luring Indian youths with false recruitment offers through various channels are regularly shared with the respective state governments for suitable action against the culprits under extant laws," added the minister, while responding to a question by MPs Pramod Tiwari, S Kalyanasundaram, M Mohamed Abdulla and Dr Kirodi Lal Meena.

Fifteen Indian nationals duped by fake job offers from crime syndicates in Myanmar were repatriated on Wednesday according to the Embassy of India in Yangon. Earlier, in March 2023, eight Indians who were victims of such syndicates were repatriated from the Southeast Asian country.

@IndiainMyanmar today repatriated 15 more Indian nationals who were victims of job offers of transnational crime syndicates in Myanmar. They left Yangon for Delhi from where they would go to their respective native places in India.@MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/NIZeKhauBI

 India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) July 26, 2023

The Ministry of External Affairs has said that many Indian youths lured by fake job recruitment offers were trapped in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan told the Rajya Sabha that a total of 414 Indians were trapped by firms promising fake IT jobs in Myanmar and 292 of them have been repatriated to India. The Indian mission in Cambodia also rescued over 180 Indian nationals trapped in similar scams and repatriated them to India.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Since July 2022, our missions in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia have issued various detailed advisories, upon receiving information that Indian nationals were being entrapped in fake job rackets, to alert the job seekers, and advised them to verify all antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before accepting an employment offer and not be enticed and entrapped in fraudulent job offers in these countries," the minister said. "The ministry in coordination with the Indian missions/posts abroad and offices of Protector of Emigrants in India takes quick and decisive action whenever instances of exploitation of job seekers by illegal agents come to notice. A list of 2,548 illegal agents has been notified on the eMigrate portal. This information is regularly updated based on complaints filed by aggrieved individuals," said Muraleedharan. "Complaints against illegal agents and dubious IT firms luring Indian youths with false recruitment offers through various channels are regularly shared with the respective state governments for suitable action against the culprits under extant laws," added the minister, while responding to a question by MPs Pramod Tiwari, S Kalyanasundaram, M Mohamed Abdulla and Dr Kirodi Lal Meena. Fifteen Indian nationals duped by fake job offers from crime syndicates in Myanmar were repatriated on Wednesday according to the Embassy of India in Yangon. Earlier, in March 2023, eight Indians who were victims of such syndicates were repatriated from the Southeast Asian country. @IndiainMyanmar today repatriated 15 more Indian nationals who were victims of job offers of transnational crime syndicates in Myanmar. They left Yangon for Delhi from where they would go to their respective native places in India.@MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/NIZeKhauBI  India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) July 26, 2023
Narendra Sethi By

Express News Service

DEHRADUN: Upset with the Uttarakhand governments proposal to set up a new township at Doiwala near Dehradun airport, thousands of farmers on Wednesday held a mahapanchayat in which they vowed not to allow the government to acquire their agricultural land under any circumstances for the proposed aero city.

The farmers mahapanchayat, which saw the participation of several political parties, was addressed by the Bharatiya Kisan Unions national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait who assured all support to them.

Speaking to this newspaper, Kisan Morcha convenor Tajendra Singh said, Apart from the IT cell, a legal cell was also formed under the supervision of advocate Manohar Singh Saini. The morcha will wait for a response to the memorandum submitted to the government through the SDM till July 27. After this, preparations will be made to start the movement from July 28.

Though we have received an assurance from Cabinet minister Premchand Agarwal that the land of the farmers will not be acquired for the project, they will remain apprehensive and the administration must give them a written assurance about this, he said.

Speaking to this newspaper, Uttrakhands finance and urban development minister Prem Chand Agarwal said, In June this year, the Union government has approved the establishment of two new townships for the state. As per its decision, one will be an industrial township in the Parag Farm area of Udham Singh Nagar, while the other will be an integrated township at Doiwala in Dehradun.

As of now, the government has no intention to acquire the farmers land. The farmers interest will be given top priority while bringing the new township into existence, he added. The state government had earlier sent a `1,100 crore proposal to the Central government, seeking support for the development of these two townships, one in Kumaon and the other in Garhwal.

The aim is to transform Parag Farm into a major industrial hub, attract an estimated investment of Rs 10,000 crore. The integrated aero city at Doiwala will take advantage of its proximity to Dehradun airport and its convenient location, Agarwal added.

In November, 2022, additional chief secretary Anand Bardhan had directed officials to identify the land required for the project and then carry out a feasibility study. The state will also study the concept in Delhi and base its plan on that. It is a major project, first-of-its-kind in the Himalayan state, he had said.

However, there is a lot of unrest among the general public and public meetings are being organised at many places to discuss the same. People alleged that the government wants to acquire the land of farmers in villages of Doiwala which will destroy the agricultural land, rendering people unemployed.

DEHRADUN: Upset with the Uttarakhand governments proposal to set up a new township at Doiwala near Dehradun airport, thousands of farmers on Wednesday held a mahapanchayat in which they vowed not to allow the government to acquire their agricultural land under any circumstances for the proposed aero city. The farmers mahapanchayat, which saw the participation of several political parties, was addressed by the Bharatiya Kisan Unions national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait who assured all support to them. Speaking to this newspaper, Kisan Morcha convenor Tajendra Singh said, Apart from the IT cell, a legal cell was also formed under the supervision of advocate Manohar Singh Saini. The morcha will wait for a response to the memorandum submitted to the government through the SDM till July 27. After this, preparations will be made to start the movement from July 28. Though we have received an assurance from Cabinet minister Premchand Agarwal that the land of the farmers will not be acquired for the project, they will remain apprehensive and the administration must give them a written assurance about this, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Speaking to this newspaper, Uttrakhands finance and urban development minister Prem Chand Agarwal said, In June this year, the Union government has approved the establishment of two new townships for the state. As per its decision, one will be an industrial township in the Parag Farm area of Udham Singh Nagar, while the other will be an integrated township at Doiwala in Dehradun. As of now, the government has no intention to acquire the farmers land. The farmers interest will be given top priority while bringing the new township into existence, he added. The state government had earlier sent a `1,100 crore proposal to the Central government, seeking support for the development of these two townships, one in Kumaon and the other in Garhwal. The aim is to transform Parag Farm into a major industrial hub, attract an estimated investment of Rs 10,000 crore. The integrated aero city at Doiwala will take advantage of its proximity to Dehradun airport and its convenient location, Agarwal added. In November, 2022, additional chief secretary Anand Bardhan had directed officials to identify the land required for the project and then carry out a feasibility study. The state will also study the concept in Delhi and base its plan on that. It is a major project, first-of-its-kind in the Himalayan state, he had said. However, there is a lot of unrest among the general public and public meetings are being organised at many places to discuss the same. People alleged that the government wants to acquire the land of farmers in villages of Doiwala which will destroy the agricultural land, rendering people unemployed.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: In the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur, at least one person was killed while three others were injured when two groups were engaged in a fierce gunfight for hours together on Thursday.

The incident was reported from Kangvai on the border of Meitei-majority Bishnupur district in the Imphal valley and Kuki-majority Churachandpur district in the hills. The violence erupted in the wee hours and continued till afternoon.

Houses were reportedly also torched. Their exact number could not be ascertained.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) issued a statement confirming the death of one person and injuries to three others, all from the Kuki-Zo community, in the incident.

The ITLF identified the deceased as Lunminthang (30) and the injured as Jangkholen Haokip (28), Kamminlal (32) and Thanjahao (34).

The organisation said the violence broke out around 4 am and it lasted for almost the whole day. Bombs were also used in the attack, the organisation alleged.

According to locals in the Bishnupur district, some people from the Imphal Valley also sustained injuries. It could not be officially confirmed.

During the gunbattle, mortar shells were also fired, the locals claimed.

I heard a loud sound this afternoon. I felt it was a bomb that exploded, a local from Moirang in Bishnupur district told this newspaper. Moirang is more than 5 km away from Kangvai.

The protestors in Imphal on Thursday slammed Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga for his alleged provocative remarks in connection with the Manipur violence.

The incident of Thursdays gunfight comes a day after a riotous mob torched some 30 abandoned houses of Meiteis in Moreh on the India-Myanmar border on Wednesday. The Meiteis living in Moreh had moved to the Imphal Valley after the violence in the state broke out on May 3.

In another incident, on Tuesday, a mob had set afire two Manipur-registered buses in Kangpokpi district.

GUWAHATI: In the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur, at least one person was killed while three others were injured when two groups were engaged in a fierce gunfight for hours together on Thursday. The incident was reported from Kangvai on the border of Meitei-majority Bishnupur district in the Imphal valley and Kuki-majority Churachandpur district in the hills. The violence erupted in the wee hours and continued till afternoon. Houses were reportedly also torched. Their exact number could not be ascertained.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) issued a statement confirming the death of one person and injuries to three others, all from the Kuki-Zo community, in the incident. The ITLF identified the deceased as Lunminthang (30) and the injured as Jangkholen Haokip (28), Kamminlal (32) and Thanjahao (34). The organisation said the violence broke out around 4 am and it lasted for almost the whole day. Bombs were also used in the attack, the organisation alleged. According to locals in the Bishnupur district, some people from the Imphal Valley also sustained injuries. It could not be officially confirmed. During the gunbattle, mortar shells were also fired, the locals claimed. I heard a loud sound this afternoon. I felt it was a bomb that exploded, a local from Moirang in Bishnupur district told this newspaper. Moirang is more than 5 km away from Kangvai. The protestors in Imphal on Thursday slammed Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga for his alleged provocative remarks in connection with the Manipur violence. The incident of Thursdays gunfight comes a day after a riotous mob torched some 30 abandoned houses of Meiteis in Moreh on the India-Myanmar border on Wednesday. The Meiteis living in Moreh had moved to the Imphal Valley after the violence in the state broke out on May 3. In another incident, on Tuesday, a mob had set afire two Manipur-registered buses in Kangpokpi district.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) working group, under the Indian Presidency, concluded the third and final meeting in Chennai on Wednesday with all member countries accepting the relevant action points under the five priority areas  global coverage of early warning systems, disaster and climate resilient infrastructure, financing framework for disaster risk reduction, disaster response system, and the ecosystem-based approach to disaster risk reduction.

The consensus among countries reaffirms their commitment towards Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework), to prevent new disaster risks and reduce the existing. Extensive negotiations during the two days of the meeting brought together G20 members, invited countries, besides international organisations and knowledge partners, said an outcome document released on Tuesday.

The members agreed on accelerating their efforts to enhance universal coverage of multi-hazard early warning systems and transforming them into early action. They will foster collaborations between different stakeholders to build capacities to support anticipatory action and promote pre-arranged financing so that early action saves lives and livelihoods.

Members also emphasized the need for investments in disaster and climate resilient infrastructure, with a focus on G20 principles for quality infrastructure investment. They recognised the need to strengthen public-private partnerships, blended finance mechanisms, and governance systems for resilient and interconnected infrastructure projects. They have made voluntary contributions to a compendium of good practices on disaster resilient infrastructure, in the spirit of collaboration and sharing of knowledge and expertise on infrastructure resilience among different stakeholders.

G20 stressed on the urgent need to increase financing for DRR and for better integration of DRR into public and private sector investment decisions. The G20 members agreed on strengthening existing comprehensive national financing strategies for DRR that strengthen synergies between disaster risk financing and DRR financing in a risk-layered approach. They also agreed to develop and promote the use of assessment tools to analyze and quantify the economic impact of disasters.

CHENNAI: The G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) working group, under the Indian Presidency, concluded the third and final meeting in Chennai on Wednesday with all member countries accepting the relevant action points under the five priority areas  global coverage of early warning systems, disaster and climate resilient infrastructure, financing framework for disaster risk reduction, disaster response system, and the ecosystem-based approach to disaster risk reduction. The consensus among countries reaffirms their commitment towards Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework), to prevent new disaster risks and reduce the existing. Extensive negotiations during the two days of the meeting brought together G20 members, invited countries, besides international organisations and knowledge partners, said an outcome document released on Tuesday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The members agreed on accelerating their efforts to enhance universal coverage of multi-hazard early warning systems and transforming them into early action. They will foster collaborations between different stakeholders to build capacities to support anticipatory action and promote pre-arranged financing so that early action saves lives and livelihoods. Members also emphasized the need for investments in disaster and climate resilient infrastructure, with a focus on G20 principles for quality infrastructure investment. They recognised the need to strengthen public-private partnerships, blended finance mechanisms, and governance systems for resilient and interconnected infrastructure projects. They have made voluntary contributions to a compendium of good practices on disaster resilient infrastructure, in the spirit of collaboration and sharing of knowledge and expertise on infrastructure resilience among different stakeholders. G20 stressed on the urgent need to increase financing for DRR and for better integration of DRR into public and private sector investment decisions. The G20 members agreed on strengthening existing comprehensive national financing strategies for DRR that strengthen synergies between disaster risk financing and DRR financing in a risk-layered approach. They also agreed to develop and promote the use of assessment tools to analyze and quantify the economic impact of disasters.
News / National

by Desmond Nleya

The High Court in Bulawayo has nullified the nomination of the 12 CCC candidates from contesting in the harmonised elections following a court appeal by ZANU PF.The CCC candidates and ZEC lost the court battle to ZANU PF who argued that ZEC acted outside law by accepting the papers of the candidates well after cut-off time.However, CCC immediately said they will appeal the judgment as ZANU PF was running scared."We will appeal against the Bulawayo Judgment. Citizens have the right to nominate candidates within the ambit of the law & to be represented by MPs that they choose in a free & fair election. The right to parliamentary representation of choice is sacred," said CCC spokesperson Fadzai Mahere.Meanwhile, the coming elections are already overburdened with court cases with the ruling of presidential aspirant Saviour Kasukuwere expected later this Thursday.With less than 4 weeks to go, it is yet to be seen how the electoral body will comply with the constitutional requirements of printing the ballot paper within 30 days of the election date.More to follow...
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In a strongly worded reply to Union Home Minister Amit Shahs letter seeking cooperation from Opposition parties in Parliament, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the governments attitude has been insensitive and arbitrary in the House.

There is a world of difference between the words and actions of the sentiments expressed in your letter. Contrary to the spirit of your letter, the attitude of the government has been insensitive and arbitrary in the House, said Kharge.

Taking strong exception to PM Modis comparison with the Opposition bloc to terrorist organisations, the Congress president said, The day Modi compares us with a terrorist organisation, the home minister writes a letter seeking cooperation from Opposition parties. The gap between the government and the Opposition existed for years, but now we see a gap in the government as well. PM calling INDIA directionless is unfortunate, said Kharge.

As the stalemate between the government and Opposition over Manipur issue continues in Parliament, Amit Shah on Tuesday wrote to leaders of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, seeking their cooperation in the discussion on the Manipur issue.

Sharing the letter on social media, Shah said that he has written to both leaders and appealed for their invaluable cooperation in the discussion of Manipur in Parliament. The government is ready to discuss the issue of Manipur and seeks cooperation from all the parties, rising above party lines. I hope that all the parties will cooperate in resolving this important issue, he said.

Kharge went on to say, It is easy to express feelings through letters but it is easier to win the confidence of the members of the Opposition present in the House by your conduct. Though the government says that it is ready for a discussion on Manipur in the Parliament, the Opposition parties are adamant on a statement from PM on the Manipur situation, followed by a discussion.

If the ruling party wants to run the proceedings of the house, it can be easily done by giving a chance to the opposition to speak. Similarly, the behaviour of the Leader of the House can be normal and positive rather than pre-determined-reaction driven. This will be helpful in the smooth running of the House, he said.

Members have been suspended for the entire session, making a mountain out of a molehill. The Opposition is giving notice every day for debate but the government is stalling it. When a member stands up to speak after taking the chairpersons permission, the House leader stops them. Still, Opposition assemble in the House with the hope that there will be discussion, Kharge said.

NEW DELHI: In a strongly worded reply to Union Home Minister Amit Shahs letter seeking cooperation from Opposition parties in Parliament, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the governments attitude has been insensitive and arbitrary in the House. There is a world of difference between the words and actions of the sentiments expressed in your letter. Contrary to the spirit of your letter, the attitude of the government has been insensitive and arbitrary in the House, said Kharge. Taking strong exception to PM Modis comparison with the Opposition bloc to terrorist organisations, the Congress president said, The day Modi compares us with a terrorist organisation, the home minister writes a letter seeking cooperation from Opposition parties. The gap between the government and the Opposition existed for years, but now we see a gap in the government as well. PM calling INDIA directionless is unfortunate, said Kharge.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As the stalemate between the government and Opposition over Manipur issue continues in Parliament, Amit Shah on Tuesday wrote to leaders of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, seeking their cooperation in the discussion on the Manipur issue. Sharing the letter on social media, Shah said that he has written to both leaders and appealed for their invaluable cooperation in the discussion of Manipur in Parliament. The government is ready to discuss the issue of Manipur and seeks cooperation from all the parties, rising above party lines. I hope that all the parties will cooperate in resolving this important issue, he said. Kharge went on to say, It is easy to express feelings through letters but it is easier to win the confidence of the members of the Opposition present in the House by your conduct. Though the government says that it is ready for a discussion on Manipur in the Parliament, the Opposition parties are adamant on a statement from PM on the Manipur situation, followed by a discussion. If the ruling party wants to run the proceedings of the house, it can be easily done by giving a chance to the opposition to speak. Similarly, the behaviour of the Leader of the House can be normal and positive rather than pre-determined-reaction driven. This will be helpful in the smooth running of the House, he said. Members have been suspended for the entire session, making a mountain out of a molehill. The Opposition is giving notice every day for debate but the government is stalling it. When a member stands up to speak after taking the chairpersons permission, the House leader stops them. Still, Opposition assemble in the House with the hope that there will be discussion, Kharge said.
SV Krishna Chaitanya By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: During the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), 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 in-person IRIS Steering Committee meeting 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 about the status of the IRIS programme, Indias role, new developments shaping up in disaster risk modelling and knowledge sharing between G20 nations.

Excerpts from the interview:

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 call 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 most vulnerable in the world and the damage potential is disproportionately higher compared to other countries.

Who are the members of the steering committee and what is the Indias role in making the island states disaster resilient?

The steering committee is headed by me. Others include representatives from Australia, UK, European Union, Mauritius, Fiji, Caribbean Development Bank, etc, and different donors. On Indias role, we will share our best practices and technological knowhow (for instance, early warning systems). The frequency of disasters is increasing, so we have to think about our own country as well as the welfare of others.

What is the Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Resilience Index (GIRI)? When will it be available to countries for 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 best science and tells future risks from six kinds of hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes and tsunami. 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 United Nations Development Programme. 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 talk about 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 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. The Statement of Intent was signed with Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA), which has a network of 180 members across 63 countries. Similar Statements of Intent are planned with universities in US, Canada and West Indies. Parallelly, dialogues are mooted with University of Mauritius, University of South Pacific and University of Samoa.

Any vulnerability studies specific to India?

We are doing several technical studies. We have done a study in Odisha, which is in final stages, looking at the power sector resilience. Studying if the transmission system, electric lines, would withstand the wind speeds in the changing cyclonic intensity and patterns. We actually issued an advisory to Gujarat government during the recent Biparjoy cyclone. We depend on coalition partners for understanding best practices and have made a compendium.

CHENNAI: During the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), 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 in-person IRIS Steering Committee meeting 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 about the status of the IRIS programme, Indias role, new developments shaping up in disaster risk modelling and knowledge sharing between G20 nations. Excerpts from the interview: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 call 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 most vulnerable in the world and the damage potential is disproportionately higher compared to other countries. Who are the members of the steering committee and what is the Indias role in making the island states disaster resilient? The steering committee is headed by me. Others include representatives from Australia, UK, European Union, Mauritius, Fiji, Caribbean Development Bank, etc, and different donors. On Indias role, we will share our best practices and technological knowhow (for instance, early warning systems). The frequency of disasters is increasing, so we have to think about our own country as well as the welfare of others. What is the Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Resilience Index (GIRI)? When will it be available to countries for 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 best science and tells future risks from six kinds of hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes and tsunami. 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 United Nations Development Programme. 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 talk about 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 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. The Statement of Intent was signed with Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA), which has a network of 180 members across 63 countries. Similar Statements of Intent are planned with universities in US, Canada and West Indies. Parallelly, dialogues are mooted with University of Mauritius, University of South Pacific and University of Samoa. Any vulnerability studies specific to India? We are doing several technical studies. We have done a study in Odisha, which is in final stages, looking at the power sector resilience. Studying if the transmission system, electric lines, would withstand the wind speeds in the changing cyclonic intensity and patterns. We actually issued an advisory to Gujarat government during the recent Biparjoy cyclone. We depend on coalition partners for understanding best practices and have made a compendium.
Jitendra Choubey By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the contentious Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 amid protests from environmental groups and dissent notes from the JPC members. While the bill empowers the government to build strategic linear projects for national importance or security on forest land within 100 km from the international border, critics say the amendments will impact the conservation of forests.

The latest bill amends the existing Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FCA), making the Union government the sole authority to govern the countrys forest. The amendments give the Centre blanket exemption to acquire forest land. The government will be able to take over forest land for tourism, zoo, roads, rail, and defence infrastructure. Earlier, forest clearance from the designated authority was mandatory to acquire forest land.

Environmental organisations and civil society groups have been opposing the move saying it will spell doom for the countrys forest resources and impact the livelihood of millions of people dependent on those resources.

The 31-member led joint parliamentary committee chaired by BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal had submitted its report on July 11, clearing all the amendments proposed by the environment ministry. Four Opposition MPs on the panel  Pradyut Bordoloi and Phulo Devi Netam (Congress), R Giri Rajan (DMK), and Jawahar Sircar and Sajda Ahmad (TMC)  expressed their dissent on the bill.

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the contentious Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 amid protests from environmental groups and dissent notes from the JPC members. While the bill empowers the government to build strategic linear projects for national importance or security on forest land within 100 km from the international border, critics say the amendments will impact the conservation of forests. The latest bill amends the existing Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FCA), making the Union government the sole authority to govern the countrys forest. The amendments give the Centre blanket exemption to acquire forest land. The government will be able to take over forest land for tourism, zoo, roads, rail, and defence infrastructure. Earlier, forest clearance from the designated authority was mandatory to acquire forest land. Environmental organisations and civil society groups have been opposing the move saying it will spell doom for the countrys forest resources and impact the livelihood of millions of people dependent on those resources. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The 31-member led joint parliamentary committee chaired by BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal had submitted its report on July 11, clearing all the amendments proposed by the environment ministry. Four Opposition MPs on the panel  Pradyut Bordoloi and Phulo Devi Netam (Congress), R Giri Rajan (DMK), and Jawahar Sircar and Sajda Ahmad (TMC)  expressed their dissent on the bill.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Holding Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh culpable for the ethnic violence in the state, the CPIM on Thursday accused him of Meitei chauvinism and branding the Kuki tribal minority as 'foreigners' and 'poppy cultivators'.

In the latest editorial in party mouthpiece People's Democracy, the CPIM has alleged Singh has been openly speaking out against the Kuki community.

It also highlighted remarks made by the CM where he allegedly echoed 'longstanding propaganda of the RSS about illegal immigrants flooding Assam and the North East.'

"It is the culpability of Biren Singh in brewing the ethnic violence, which Narendra Modi and the BJP want to conceal," the editorial alleged.

The central government has not intervened despite knowing that the chief minister and the state administration are compromised and are unable to act in a neutral fashion, the editorial charged.

"In many ways, Biren Singh has behaved in the same manner that Narendra Modi did as the chief minister of Gujarat during the 2002 violence. Modi knows very well what is the root cause of the current travails in Manipur, divisive Hindutva politics in an ethnically diverse and sensitive state. Modi also as an authoritarian leader does not think he is accountable to anyone, least of all parliament," the editorial said.

The Supreme Court had last year upheld a Special Investigation Team's (SIT) clean chit to 64 people including PM Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots case and dismissed a plea by deceased Congress leader Ehsan Jafri's wife Zakia Jafri.

Hitting out at the PM, the editorial said the cases of abuse of women in Manipur are unlike any other as in this instance a specific ethnic community is being targeted simply because they belong to that community.

The editorial alleged that it was only when the video showing two women being paraded naked by armed men went viral on social media on the eve of the parliament session that the prime minister 'was compelled to speak'.

"He did so outside parliament on the opening day expressing shock and sorrow at what was done to the two women. But he immediately sought to divert and trivialise the issue by talking about how such crimes against women must be firmly put down in states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Manipur.

"This was the cue for BJP leaders and the party's IT cell to take up the refrain of how women are being abused and assaulted in states run by the opposition parties like Rajasthan, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.

This stance of the prime minister and the BJP is a cynical manoeuvre to deny the gravity of the situation which has developed in Manipur," it said.

READ MORE: Anurag Thakur slams opposition for silence on crimes against women in non-BJP ruled states

NEW DELHI: Holding Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh culpable for the ethnic violence in the state, the CPIM on Thursday accused him of Meitei chauvinism and branding the Kuki tribal minority as 'foreigners' and 'poppy cultivators'. In the latest editorial in party mouthpiece People's Democracy, the CPIM has alleged Singh has been openly speaking out against the Kuki community. It also highlighted remarks made by the CM where he allegedly echoed 'longstanding propaganda of the RSS about illegal immigrants flooding Assam and the North East.'googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "It is the culpability of Biren Singh in brewing the ethnic violence, which Narendra Modi and the BJP want to conceal," the editorial alleged. The central government has not intervened despite knowing that the chief minister and the state administration are compromised and are unable to act in a neutral fashion, the editorial charged. "In many ways, Biren Singh has behaved in the same manner that Narendra Modi did as the chief minister of Gujarat during the 2002 violence. Modi knows very well what is the root cause of the current travails in Manipur, divisive Hindutva politics in an ethnically diverse and sensitive state. Modi also as an authoritarian leader does not think he is accountable to anyone, least of all parliament," the editorial said. The Supreme Court had last year upheld a Special Investigation Team's (SIT) clean chit to 64 people including PM Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots case and dismissed a plea by deceased Congress leader Ehsan Jafri's wife Zakia Jafri. Hitting out at the PM, the editorial said the cases of abuse of women in Manipur are unlike any other as in this instance a specific ethnic community is being targeted simply because they belong to that community. The editorial alleged that it was only when the video showing two women being paraded naked by armed men went viral on social media on the eve of the parliament session that the prime minister 'was compelled to speak'. "He did so outside parliament on the opening day expressing shock and sorrow at what was done to the two women. But he immediately sought to divert and trivialise the issue by talking about how such crimes against women must be firmly put down in states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Manipur. "This was the cue for BJP leaders and the party's IT cell to take up the refrain of how women are being abused and assaulted in states run by the opposition parties like Rajasthan, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. This stance of the prime minister and the BJP is a cynical manoeuvre to deny the gravity of the situation which has developed in Manipur," it said. READ MORE: Anurag Thakur slams opposition for silence on crimes against women in non-BJP ruled states
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: As the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 has been passed in the Lok Sabha, environmentalists say that around 39,063 hectares of forests under sacred groves across India  protected and managed by local communities though they are not notified as forests  are under threat.

Across the 690-km Aravalli range spread over 4 states, this bill will decimate 50,000 acres of such forested land since they have not yet been notified as deemed forests, they claim. For the last few days, environmentalists and climate action groups have been holding peaceful demonstrations in Delhi and across 16 states demanding that the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 should be scrapped.

A letter that was signed by over 400 researchers, ecologists and students outlining the various concerns regarding the bill was also sent to the Union environment minister a few days ago. Another letter by 100 former civil servants objecting to this bill too was ignored.

The way the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill 2023 has been passed in Lok Sabha has left people across the country shocked, said Neelam Ahluwalia, founder member, Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement.

First, the bill does not get referred to the Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Forest and Environment and goes to a special parliamentary committee whose majority members are from the ruling BJP party, she said.

Despite so many conservationists, people and tribal groups sending their objections to the JPC regarding this amendment bill, not one letter was changed in the bill. There was no debate in the Lok Sabha by members of Parliament on this bill which negatively affects our forests throughout the length and breadth of the country, Ahluwalia added.

Contradicts SC order

Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill-2023 that seeks to exempt land within 100 km of the countrys borders from the purview of conservation laws and permit setting up of zoos, safaris and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas

Bill has received widespread objections because it brings drastic changes to the definition of forest, its governance and development issues

Aamendment may contradict SC order in TN Godavarman case which held that forest includes recognised areas in govt records of any ownership, apart from literal meaning

The clause will threaten the vast stretches of forests across the country, which amount to at least 15 per cent of the unclassified forests, as per figures from a report by Delhi-based think tank Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy

CHANDIGARH: As the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 has been passed in the Lok Sabha, environmentalists say that around 39,063 hectares of forests under sacred groves across India  protected and managed by local communities though they are not notified as forests  are under threat. Across the 690-km Aravalli range spread over 4 states, this bill will decimate 50,000 acres of such forested land since they have not yet been notified as deemed forests, they claim. For the last few days, environmentalists and climate action groups have been holding peaceful demonstrations in Delhi and across 16 states demanding that the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 should be scrapped. A letter that was signed by over 400 researchers, ecologists and students outlining the various concerns regarding the bill was also sent to the Union environment minister a few days ago. Another letter by 100 former civil servants objecting to this bill too was ignored.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The way the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill 2023 has been passed in Lok Sabha has left people across the country shocked, said Neelam Ahluwalia, founder member, Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement. First, the bill does not get referred to the Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Forest and Environment and goes to a special parliamentary committee whose majority members are from the ruling BJP party, she said. Despite so many conservationists, people and tribal groups sending their objections to the JPC regarding this amendment bill, not one letter was changed in the bill. There was no debate in the Lok Sabha by members of Parliament on this bill which negatively affects our forests throughout the length and breadth of the country, Ahluwalia added. Contradicts SC order Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill-2023 that seeks to exempt land within 100 km of the countrys borders from the purview of conservation laws and permit setting up of zoos, safaris and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas Bill has received widespread objections because it brings drastic changes to the definition of forest, its governance and development issues Aamendment may contradict SC order in TN Godavarman case which held that forest includes recognised areas in govt records of any ownership, apart from literal meaning The clause will threaten the vast stretches of forests across the country, which amount to at least 15 per cent of the unclassified forests, as per figures from a report by Delhi-based think tank Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir has allowed the Shia community to take out the eighth Muharram procession in Srinagar after a gap of 33 years.

Kashmir divisional commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri confirmed the government decision. The procession can be taken out from the traditional route, from Guru Bazar to Dalgate in Srinagar, between 6 am and 8 am (on Thursday), he said.

Srinagar deputy commissioner Muhammad Aijaz Asad, while issuing a formal order, said the participants must not indulge in any anti-national, anti-establishment speeches, sloganeering or propaganda, and resort to no activity that shall in any way affect the communal and sectarian harmony or hurt religious, ethnic, cultural and regional sentiments.

No activity during the procession should be prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the State and should not disrespect any national symbol or emblem. They shall not hoist any flag with provocative slogans, texts or photos of terror outfits, logos of banned organisations at both national and international levels. The organisers shall not indulge in any activity that may lead to law and order problems, read the order.

Asad said the time window of two hours has been finalised in larger public interest as the procession route encompasses massive business and commercial establishments, movement of traffic and commuters.

J&K Shia Association president Imran Raza Ansari urged the Shia community to participate in the procession in a peaceful manner. We will take out the procession as per the timing given by the government, said another Shia leader, Aga Syed Mujtaba.

Long ban

This is the first time since 1989 that authorities have allowed the 8th Muharram procession of the Shia community in Srinagar. It, however, remains to be seen whether the 10th Muharram procession will also be allowed. The 8th and 10th Muharram processions were banned after the eruption of militancy in 1989.

SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir has allowed the Shia community to take out the eighth Muharram procession in Srinagar after a gap of 33 years. Kashmir divisional commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri confirmed the government decision. The procession can be taken out from the traditional route, from Guru Bazar to Dalgate in Srinagar, between 6 am and 8 am (on Thursday), he said. Srinagar deputy commissioner Muhammad Aijaz Asad, while issuing a formal order, said the participants must not indulge in any anti-national, anti-establishment speeches, sloganeering or propaganda, and resort to no activity that shall in any way affect the communal and sectarian harmony or hurt religious, ethnic, cultural and regional sentiments. No activity during the procession should be prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the State and should not disrespect any national symbol or emblem. They shall not hoist any flag with provocative slogans, texts or photos of terror outfits, logos of banned organisations at both national and international levels. The organisers shall not indulge in any activity that may lead to law and order problems, read the order.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Asad said the time window of two hours has been finalised in larger public interest as the procession route encompasses massive business and commercial establishments, movement of traffic and commuters. J&K Shia Association president Imran Raza Ansari urged the Shia community to participate in the procession in a peaceful manner. We will take out the procession as per the timing given by the government, said another Shia leader, Aga Syed Mujtaba. Long ban This is the first time since 1989 that authorities have allowed the 8th Muharram procession of the Shia community in Srinagar. It, however, remains to be seen whether the 10th Muharram procession will also be allowed. The 8th and 10th Muharram processions were banned after the eruption of militancy in 1989.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Opposition alliance INDIA on Thursday boycotted a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Rajya Sabha in protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement on Manipur violence in Parliament, a senior leader said.

The Rajya Sabha BAC has 11 members including the Vice President as its ex-officio chairman.

Three MPs from the 26-member opposition front INDIA are on the BAC committee, Jairam Ramesh (Congress), Misa Bharti (RJD), and Derek O'Brien (TMC). BRS's Keshav Rao also gave the meeting a miss.

This was the latest in a slew of meetings that members of the Opposition bloc either walked out of or boycotted over the last few weeks.

On Wednesday, Opposition members walked out of a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology headed by Shiv Sena (Shinde) MP Prataprao Jhadav opposing the adoption of a report on the new Personal Data Protection Bill.

They argued that the bill was never formally referred to the committee and that a report can't be framed on the basis of informal discussions.

The draft report was circulated on the eve of the meeting and the members argued that none of them were told that such a report was in the works.

Amid high drama, seven opposition MPs and eight MPs from BJP and allied parties engaged in a bitter exchange for nearly an hour.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey proposed a vote to break the deadlock, the point at which the opposition members, CPI-Marxist's John Brittas, Congress' Karti P Chidambaram, TMC MPs Jawahar Sircar and Mohua Moitra, among others, walked out. Brittas moved a dissent note too. The report was adopted in their absence.

On July 20 also, opposition leaders walked out of a BAC meeting in protest against Modi not making a statement on the Manipur issue in Parliament and the Centre bringing a bill to replace an ordinance on the control of services in Delhi despite it being sub-judice.

Leaders of the Congress and other opposition parties including the Left, TMC, DMK, RJD, NCP, and AAP walked out of the meeting as their protest in writing was not accepted by the chairman.

On Wednesday, the Congress moved a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha on behalf of the INDIA bloc to force Modi to speak on the ethnic violence in Manipur in which more than 160 people have been killed since May when it began.

NEW DELHI: Opposition alliance INDIA on Thursday boycotted a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Rajya Sabha in protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement on Manipur violence in Parliament, a senior leader said. The Rajya Sabha BAC has 11 members including the Vice President as its ex-officio chairman. Three MPs from the 26-member opposition front INDIA are on the BAC committee, Jairam Ramesh (Congress), Misa Bharti (RJD), and Derek O'Brien (TMC). BRS's Keshav Rao also gave the meeting a miss.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This was the latest in a slew of meetings that members of the Opposition bloc either walked out of or boycotted over the last few weeks. On Wednesday, Opposition members walked out of a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology headed by Shiv Sena (Shinde) MP Prataprao Jhadav opposing the adoption of a report on the new Personal Data Protection Bill. They argued that the bill was never formally referred to the committee and that a report can't be framed on the basis of informal discussions. The draft report was circulated on the eve of the meeting and the members argued that none of them were told that such a report was in the works. Amid high drama, seven opposition MPs and eight MPs from BJP and allied parties engaged in a bitter exchange for nearly an hour. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey proposed a vote to break the deadlock, the point at which the opposition members, CPI-Marxist's John Brittas, Congress' Karti P Chidambaram, TMC MPs Jawahar Sircar and Mohua Moitra, among others, walked out. Brittas moved a dissent note too. The report was adopted in their absence. On July 20 also, opposition leaders walked out of a BAC meeting in protest against Modi not making a statement on the Manipur issue in Parliament and the Centre bringing a bill to replace an ordinance on the control of services in Delhi despite it being sub-judice. Leaders of the Congress and other opposition parties including the Left, TMC, DMK, RJD, NCP, and AAP walked out of the meeting as their protest in writing was not accepted by the chairman. On Wednesday, the Congress moved a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha on behalf of the INDIA bloc to force Modi to speak on the ethnic violence in Manipur in which more than 160 people have been killed since May when it began.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

DELHI: The Upper House of Parliament on Thursday witnessed a very heated exchange of barbs between the members of the treasury bench ( ruling BJP) and INDIA, the new alliance of the Opposition parties, during the session.

Attending the session donning black colour dress, the Opposition members continued sloganeering against PM Narendra Modi for his reluctance in giving a statement on the Manipur issue. The Opposition members disrupted the speech of EAM S Jaishankar, who was informing the House about India's foreign policy and the outcomes of PM Modi's foreign visits.

Irked at the commotion created by the Opposition members, Harivarshan Narayan Singh, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha said that "EAM is delivering a historic speech on the country's foreign reputation and success."And you people must acknowledge all these instead of creating disruptions".

The members of the treasury bench also turned aggressive and started attacking the Opposition wearing black coloured dresses. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal turned lashed out at the opposition members for wearing black dresses saying their future in politics is also black.

Other members of the BJP started massive sloganeering against the Opposition citing "Kala kapra kala dhan nahi sahega Hindustan" (Black clothes and black money will not be tolerated by Hindustan). EAM S Jaishankar later slammed the Opposition outside the session adjournment. Slamming the Opposition, Jaishankar said that they claim to be INDIA but don't want to hear about the country's achievements and reputation in foreign countries.

Following the ruckus, the Chairman adjourned the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm.

DELHI: The Upper House of Parliament on Thursday witnessed a very heated exchange of barbs between the members of the treasury bench ( ruling BJP) and INDIA, the new alliance of the Opposition parties, during the session. Attending the session donning black colour dress, the Opposition members continued sloganeering against PM Narendra Modi for his reluctance in giving a statement on the Manipur issue. The Opposition members disrupted the speech of EAM S Jaishankar, who was informing the House about India's foreign policy and the outcomes of PM Modi's foreign visits. Irked at the commotion created by the Opposition members, Harivarshan Narayan Singh, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha said that "EAM is delivering a historic speech on the country's foreign reputation and success."And you people must acknowledge all these instead of creating disruptions".googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The members of the treasury bench also turned aggressive and started attacking the Opposition wearing black coloured dresses. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal turned lashed out at the opposition members for wearing black dresses saying their future in politics is also black. Other members of the BJP started massive sloganeering against the Opposition citing "Kala kapra kala dhan nahi sahega Hindustan" (Black clothes and black money will not be tolerated by Hindustan). EAM S Jaishankar later slammed the Opposition outside the session adjournment. Slamming the Opposition, Jaishankar said that they claim to be INDIA but don't want to hear about the country's achievements and reputation in foreign countries. Following the ruckus, the Chairman adjourned the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of not speaking in Parliament and instead making political speeches in Rajasthan.

Kharge said people have now become aware and will fight "this kind of politics."

"Today, people have become aware and they will fight and continue to do so...This means you do not want to talk in Parliament - the temple of democracy, and want to give a political speech in Rajasthan while opening new medical colleges," he told reporters outside Parliament while attacking the prime minister for not speaking in Parliament on the Manipur violence.

#WATCH | LoP in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge says, "...The House is functioning. We are demanding that the PM come there and make a statement. But he is giving political speeches and campaigning in Rajasthan. When he can go there, can't he come to the House for half an hour pic.twitter.com/2ROWDbwhkW  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

The opposition has been accusing the prime minister of not making a statement in Parliament on the northeastern state, which has seen violence since May 3.

Both Houses of Parliament have not been able to transact any business amid the uproar caused by the opposition, demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on Manipur thereafter.

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of not speaking in Parliament and instead making political speeches in Rajasthan. Kharge said people have now become aware and will fight "this kind of politics." "Today, people have become aware and they will fight and continue to do so...This means you do not want to talk in Parliament - the temple of democracy, and want to give a political speech in Rajasthan while opening new medical colleges," he told reporters outside Parliament while attacking the prime minister for not speaking in Parliament on the Manipur violence.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); #WATCH | LoP in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge says, "...The House is functioning. We are demanding that the PM come there and make a statement. But he is giving political speeches and campaigning in Rajasthan. When he can go there, can't he come to the House for half an hour pic.twitter.com/2ROWDbwhkW  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023 The opposition has been accusing the prime minister of not making a statement in Parliament on the northeastern state, which has seen violence since May 3. Both Houses of Parliament have not been able to transact any business amid the uproar caused by the opposition, demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on Manipur thereafter.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

CHINESE national Yan Yu's court appearances over fraud charges are reportedly haunting her image in the legal fraternity.Yan Yu, who is a partner in Brentwood chambers, has been allegedly using different names to swindle people of their properties.Yu and her late husband, Zhaosheng Wu, were accused of swindling a furniture company of shares worth US$500 000.They also faced other fraud charges.Her lawyer, Tendai Rusinahama, said the chargers were haunting her client."I am her lawyer (Yan Yu) and there has been no truth in any of the allegations. We believe this is a way to tarnish our client's image," said Rusinahama."Yes, we have the letter of the Chinese embassy in our files, we have been patient enough with such allegations and tried to explain."We have gone to the High Court and Supreme Court and all the judges have found out there was no wrongdoing."
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Both houses of the Parliament were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid protests from the Opposition over the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned after opposition members, several of them dressed in black, continued with their protests. As soon as the House met for the day and Speaker Om Birla started Question Hour, some opposition MPs trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans and holding placards. The MPs wore black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing a discussion on Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement in both Houses on the violence-racked northeastern state.

A visibly peeved Speaker reminded the protesting members that it was not appropriate for them to shout slogans and display placards, saying it is against the decorum of the House. "We have been elected and sent here by people to discuss their issues," he said and urged the members to have good discussions. The whole country is watching and there is a good tradition in the House, Birla said, adding that he will give time to discuss the issues.

Most of the opposition MPs wore black shirts, kurtas or jackets while those who did not were helped by other protesting MPs in tying black bands around their arms to protest against Manipur violence, an issue on which the House has witnessed repeated adjournments since the start of the Monsoon Session on July 20.

When Union minister Nitin Gadkari was replying to a question from the front row of the treasury bench, some protesting members displayed the placards standing near him. Only one question was taken up during the Question Hour and as the din continued, Birla adjourned the proceedings within seven minutes. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi wanted to address the House but the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.

On Wednesday, Birla admitted a no-confidence motion moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi against the Narendra Modi government, setting the stage for a showdown between the Opposition and treasury benches over Manipur and other issues.

Uproarious scenes at Rajya Sabha

Meanwhile, proceedings in the upper House were adjourned for the second time till 2 pm amid continuous sloganeering by members of both treasury benches and the opposition.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who was allowed by the chair to raise questions on the statement made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the latest developments in India's foreign policy, could not speak in the House due to the uproar.

Soon after the House met at 12 noon, after an initial adjournment, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar allowed Kharge to speak but treasury benches started raising slogans. The opposition members also countered them and raised slogans, which led to pandemonium in the House.

Slogans like "kaale kapde, kaala kaam, nahin sahega Hindustan" were heard in the House when the Leader of Opposition rose to speak. The reference was towards the opposition members who were wearing black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing them to raise the Manipur issue in the House.

After his appeals for order in the House failed, the chairman adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.

The Rajya Sabha proceedings were earlier adjourned briefly as opposition members raised slogans during Jaishankar's statement and when the Leader of the House spoke on the statement.

As the sloganeering continued, Kharge said, "I have not seen a ruling party obstructing an opposition leader. The government itself is obstructing..."

The Chairman said he expected the opposition to raise the issue on the External Affairs minister's statement after he allowed so by relaxing rule 251.

"You did not listen to the Foreign minister, who was listing out the historical achievements of the country," Dhankhar said, while pleading with the members to maintain order and then adjourned the House.

Earlier, Jaishankar made a statement on the latest developments related to India's foreign policy, during which the opposition members started raising slogans.

At one point, the treasury benches started shouting "Modi, Modi."

To counter them, the opposition members shouted "INDIA, INDIA."

NEW DELHI: Both houses of the Parliament were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid protests from the Opposition over the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned after opposition members, several of them dressed in black, continued with their protests. As soon as the House met for the day and Speaker Om Birla started Question Hour, some opposition MPs trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans and holding placards. The MPs wore black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing a discussion on Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement in both Houses on the violence-racked northeastern state. A visibly peeved Speaker reminded the protesting members that it was not appropriate for them to shout slogans and display placards, saying it is against the decorum of the House. "We have been elected and sent here by people to discuss their issues," he said and urged the members to have good discussions. The whole country is watching and there is a good tradition in the House, Birla said, adding that he will give time to discuss the issues.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Most of the opposition MPs wore black shirts, kurtas or jackets while those who did not were helped by other protesting MPs in tying black bands around their arms to protest against Manipur violence, an issue on which the House has witnessed repeated adjournments since the start of the Monsoon Session on July 20. When Union minister Nitin Gadkari was replying to a question from the front row of the treasury bench, some protesting members displayed the placards standing near him. Only one question was taken up during the Question Hour and as the din continued, Birla adjourned the proceedings within seven minutes. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi wanted to address the House but the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. On Wednesday, Birla admitted a no-confidence motion moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi against the Narendra Modi government, setting the stage for a showdown between the Opposition and treasury benches over Manipur and other issues. Uproarious scenes at Rajya Sabha Meanwhile, proceedings in the upper House were adjourned for the second time till 2 pm amid continuous sloganeering by members of both treasury benches and the opposition. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who was allowed by the chair to raise questions on the statement made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the latest developments in India's foreign policy, could not speak in the House due to the uproar. Soon after the House met at 12 noon, after an initial adjournment, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar allowed Kharge to speak but treasury benches started raising slogans. The opposition members also countered them and raised slogans, which led to pandemonium in the House. Slogans like "kaale kapde, kaala kaam, nahin sahega Hindustan" were heard in the House when the Leader of Opposition rose to speak. The reference was towards the opposition members who were wearing black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing them to raise the Manipur issue in the House. After his appeals for order in the House failed, the chairman adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. The Rajya Sabha proceedings were earlier adjourned briefly as opposition members raised slogans during Jaishankar's statement and when the Leader of the House spoke on the statement. As the sloganeering continued, Kharge said, "I have not seen a ruling party obstructing an opposition leader. The government itself is obstructing..." The Chairman said he expected the opposition to raise the issue on the External Affairs minister's statement after he allowed so by relaxing rule 251. "You did not listen to the Foreign minister, who was listing out the historical achievements of the country," Dhankhar said, while pleading with the members to maintain order and then adjourned the House. Earlier, Jaishankar made a statement on the latest developments related to India's foreign policy, during which the opposition members started raising slogans. At one point, the treasury benches started shouting "Modi, Modi." To counter them, the opposition members shouted "INDIA, INDIA."
By PTI

SIKAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at the Rajasthan government over sacked minister Rajendra Gudha's 'red diary', saying it is a fresh project of the Congress' 'jhooth ki dukan' which will defeat the party in elections in the state.

The 'red diary' was recently produced by Gudha in the state assembly.

He claimed the diary contained the details of the alleged irregular financial transactions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

The 'red diary' is a fresh project of the Congress' "jhooth ki dukan". It is said that the 'dark deeds' of the Congress are recorded in the diary, which will defeat the party in elections in the state, Modi said.

He also targeted the Gehlot government over various recruitment paper leaks in the state.

A paper leak industry is running in Rajasthan. The Congress government will have to be removed to fulfil the dreams of youths, he said.

There is only one slogan this time , 'Nahi Sahega Rajasthan'. Rajasthan will not tolerate atrocities on sisters and daughters. Today in Rajasthan, there is only one voice, one slogan, lotus will win, lotus will bloom, he added.

Earlier, Modi dedicated 1. 25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation and described them as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity.

He said the Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created arrangements from seed to market for them.

India, he said, could only develop when its villages do and his government was working to provide in villages every facility that is available in cities.

"Our government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea," Modi said. Farmers in India, he elaborated, get a sack of urea for Rs 266. This is available in Pakistan for about Rs 800, Rs 720 in Bangladesh and Rs 2,100 in China.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was supposed to attend the programme but could not due to problems with his feet, he said.

"He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health," the prime minister said about the Congress leader.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), however, said it was informed by Gehlot's office that he will not be able to attend the programme.

It also said he was 'most welcome' to join the programme.

Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects in Sikar on Thursday, according to an official statement.

The prime minister said at the rally that creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan is a government's priority.

SIKAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at the Rajasthan government over sacked minister Rajendra Gudha's 'red diary', saying it is a fresh project of the Congress' 'jhooth ki dukan' which will defeat the party in elections in the state. The 'red diary' was recently produced by Gudha in the state assembly. He claimed the diary contained the details of the alleged irregular financial transactions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The 'red diary' is a fresh project of the Congress' "jhooth ki dukan". It is said that the 'dark deeds' of the Congress are recorded in the diary, which will defeat the party in elections in the state, Modi said. He also targeted the Gehlot government over various recruitment paper leaks in the state. A paper leak industry is running in Rajasthan. The Congress government will have to be removed to fulfil the dreams of youths, he said. There is only one slogan this time , 'Nahi Sahega Rajasthan'. Rajasthan will not tolerate atrocities on sisters and daughters. Today in Rajasthan, there is only one voice, one slogan, lotus will win, lotus will bloom, he added. Earlier, Modi dedicated 1. 25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation and described them as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity. He said the Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created arrangements from seed to market for them. India, he said, could only develop when its villages do and his government was working to provide in villages every facility that is available in cities. "Our government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea," Modi said. Farmers in India, he elaborated, get a sack of urea for Rs 266. This is available in Pakistan for about Rs 800, Rs 720 in Bangladesh and Rs 2,100 in China. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was supposed to attend the programme but could not due to problems with his feet, he said. "He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health," the prime minister said about the Congress leader. Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), however, said it was informed by Gehlot's office that he will not be able to attend the programme. It also said he was 'most welcome' to join the programme.  @ashokgehlot51 ,                             @narendramodi                  pic.twitter.com/6MxBLmwcWq  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 27, 2023 Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects in Sikar on Thursday, according to an official statement. The prime minister said at the rally that creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan is a government's priority.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assailed the Opposition on Thursday for disrupting his statement in Rajya Sabha, saying they claim to be 'INDIA', the name of their alliance, but if they are not prepared to listen about India's national interests then what kind of India are they.

Jaishankar spoke suo moto in the House to brief members about the successes of India's foreign policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits abroad amid continuous disruption by opposition members in the House. He said it was extremely unfortunate that the opposition had prioritised "partisan politics", describing it as a very state of affairs.

ALSO READ | PM not speaking in Parliament but making political speeches in Rajasthan: Kharge

It is not just a government's achievement but an achievement for the country, he said.

Noting that India's president and prime minister have received the highest honours from other countries, he said, "If you cannot respect the president, cannot respect the vice president, cannot respect the prime minister, if you won't allow the foreign minister to make a statement in the House; then it's a very sorry state of affairs."

In matters of national interests, politics should be set aside, he said.

#WATCH | EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...I wanted to inform the House of the developments made in the past month. You saw a very successful visit of the PM to the US...I felt bad that the Opposition was not ready to listen. It seemed that they wanted to criticise any and every pic.twitter.com/wFNexGv6go  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assailed the Opposition on Thursday for disrupting his statement in Rajya Sabha, saying they claim to be 'INDIA', the name of their alliance, but if they are not prepared to listen about India's national interests then what kind of India are they. Jaishankar spoke suo moto in the House to brief members about the successes of India's foreign policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits abroad amid continuous disruption by opposition members in the House. He said it was extremely unfortunate that the opposition had prioritised "partisan politics", describing it as a very state of affairs. ALSO READ | PM not speaking in Parliament but making political speeches in Rajasthan: Khargegoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It is not just a government's achievement but an achievement for the country, he said. Noting that India's president and prime minister have received the highest honours from other countries, he said, "If you cannot respect the president, cannot respect the vice president, cannot respect the prime minister, if you won't allow the foreign minister to make a statement in the House; then it's a very sorry state of affairs." In matters of national interests, politics should be set aside, he said. #WATCH | EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...I wanted to inform the House of the developments made in the past month. You saw a very successful visit of the PM to the US...I felt bad that the Opposition was not ready to listen. It seemed that they wanted to criticise any and every pic.twitter.com/wFNexGv6go  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: A Manipur court acquitted all nine police personnel accused in the 2009 BT Road fake encounter case in Imphal due to lack of evidence.

The incident of firing had claimed the lives of a pregnant woman and an alleged former insurgent, Ch Sanjit Meitei. Five others were also injured.

The police had alleged Sanjit fired at police commandos while trying to escape a routine frisking operation on the busy street. When photographs of the incident appeared in a magazine, Sanjits mother Ch Taratombi lodged an FIR with the police alleging that he was killed in a fake encounter.

In an order issued on Wednesday, Session Judge, Imphal East, W Tonen Singh said the prosecution failed to prove that the photographs published by the magazine were genuine.

the prosecution has totally failed to prove the photographsas genuine by not producing the required Certificate provided under section 65B(4) of the Indian Evidence Act which is mandatory, the court said.

It said these were photostat copies of photographs and as such, not admissible under the law unless proved by producing primary evidence.

Whatever found in the depositions against all the accused persons cannot be taken as gospel truth in evidence, the court said, adding the prosecution also admitted that the accused persons were doing their duties as police officers, head constables, constables and riflemen.

there is no other convincing oral or documentary evidence in order to show all the accused persons acted in excess while discharging their official duties on the fateful day the court said.

Due to want of prosecution sanction under section 197 Cr.P.C. and due to the lack of Certificate required under section 65B (4) of the Indian Evidence Act, all the accused persons are hereby acquitted of the present case. Their bail bonds are hereby discharged from today, the court said in the order.

After the incident had triggered widespread protests, the state government transferred the case to CBI in 2010. The agency submitted a charge sheet in 2015 against the nine police personnel.

It was stated in the charge sheet that the accused persons accosted Sanjit with the common intention to cause his death, and led him to the store room of a pharmacy and shot him dead.

GUWAHATI: A Manipur court acquitted all nine police personnel accused in the 2009 BT Road fake encounter case in Imphal due to lack of evidence. The incident of firing had claimed the lives of a pregnant woman and an alleged former insurgent, Ch Sanjit Meitei. Five others were also injured. The police had alleged Sanjit fired at police commandos while trying to escape a routine frisking operation on the busy street. When photographs of the incident appeared in a magazine, Sanjits mother Ch Taratombi lodged an FIR with the police alleging that he was killed in a fake encounter. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In an order issued on Wednesday, Session Judge, Imphal East, W Tonen Singh said the prosecution failed to prove that the photographs published by the magazine were genuine. the prosecution has totally failed to prove the photographsas genuine by not producing the required Certificate provided under section 65B(4) of the Indian Evidence Act which is mandatory, the court said. It said these were photostat copies of photographs and as such, not admissible under the law unless proved by producing primary evidence. Whatever found in the depositions against all the accused persons cannot be taken as gospel truth in evidence, the court said, adding the prosecution also admitted that the accused persons were doing their duties as police officers, head constables, constables and riflemen. there is no other convincing oral or documentary evidence in order to show all the accused persons acted in excess while discharging their official duties on the fateful day the court said. Due to want of prosecution sanction under section 197 Cr.P.C. and due to the lack of Certificate required under section 65B (4) of the Indian Evidence Act, all the accused persons are hereby acquitted of the present case. Their bail bonds are hereby discharged from today, the court said in the order. After the incident had triggered widespread protests, the state government transferred the case to CBI in 2010. The agency submitted a charge sheet in 2015 against the nine police personnel. It was stated in the charge sheet that the accused persons accosted Sanjit with the common intention to cause his death, and led him to the store room of a pharmacy and shot him dead.
By PTI

MANGALURU: National Commission for Women (NCW) member Khushbu Sundar, who is in Udupi for an on-the-spot investigation into the alleged video shoot of a girl in the washroom of a college by fellow students, on Thursday urged the people not to rush in to give a communal angle to the incident.

Sundar, who reached the paramedical college this morning, accompanied by Udupi district Superintendent of Police Akshay Hakay Machhindra and other officials of the commission, is holding talks with the college management, the victim and the students involved in the incident as part of her enquiry.

College director Rashmi, academic co-ordinator Balakrishna, principal Rajeep Mondal, district legal service authority advocate Mary Shrestha and others are also taking part in the talks.

READ HERE | Voyeurism takes communal turn in Udupi

Talking to reporters after initial discussions with the Udupi district Deputy Commissioner Vidyakumari and Machhindra, the NCW member had on Wednesday said that no concrete evidence has been found even after extensive efforts as part of probe by the police.

The investigations are continuing and a comprehensive enquiry is needed.

The NCW and the police have found no evidence yet, she said, adding that until concrete evidence is found, a charge sheet cannot be filed.

Sundar said the police have sent the mobile phones of the three girls who allegedly shot the video for data retrieval.

The data should be sent to the FSL laboratory for a detailed report before filing a charge sheet, she said.

The NCW and the police are diligently doing their work and will conduct the investigation without acting as judges before getting any evidence.

The NCW is committed to protecting women and does not work with any communal angle in mind, she said.

Sundar said the commission's focus is on protecting women, irrespective of their community and urged the people to avoid giving this incident a communal angle.

The NCW member said she is committed to understand the case fully by engaging with the college administration, students and victims.

Meanwhile, activists of the ABVP on Thursday staged a protest near the war memorial at Ajjarkad in Udupi demanding an investigation into the washroom incident.

The protestors, who demanded justice to the victim student, had an altercation with the police force present there.

Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna was also present at the venue.

MANGALURU: National Commission for Women (NCW) member Khushbu Sundar, who is in Udupi for an on-the-spot investigation into the alleged video shoot of a girl in the washroom of a college by fellow students, on Thursday urged the people not to rush in to give a communal angle to the incident. Sundar, who reached the paramedical college this morning, accompanied by Udupi district Superintendent of Police Akshay Hakay Machhindra and other officials of the commission, is holding talks with the college management, the victim and the students involved in the incident as part of her enquiry. College director Rashmi, academic co-ordinator Balakrishna, principal Rajeep Mondal, district legal service authority advocate Mary Shrestha and others are also taking part in the talks.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); READ HERE | Voyeurism takes communal turn in Udupi Talking to reporters after initial discussions with the Udupi district Deputy Commissioner Vidyakumari and Machhindra, the NCW member had on Wednesday said that no concrete evidence has been found even after extensive efforts as part of probe by the police. The investigations are continuing and a comprehensive enquiry is needed. The NCW and the police have found no evidence yet, she said, adding that until concrete evidence is found, a charge sheet cannot be filed. Sundar said the police have sent the mobile phones of the three girls who allegedly shot the video for data retrieval. The data should be sent to the FSL laboratory for a detailed report before filing a charge sheet, she said. The NCW and the police are diligently doing their work and will conduct the investigation without acting as judges before getting any evidence. The NCW is committed to protecting women and does not work with any communal angle in mind, she said. Sundar said the commission's focus is on protecting women, irrespective of their community and urged the people to avoid giving this incident a communal angle. The NCW member said she is committed to understand the case fully by engaging with the college administration, students and victims. Meanwhile, activists of the ABVP on Thursday staged a protest near the war memorial at Ajjarkad in Udupi demanding an investigation into the washroom incident. The protestors, who demanded justice to the victim student, had an altercation with the police force present there. Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna was also present at the venue.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: In the wake of fresh disclosures related to the Panama Papers scandal, George Mathew, a chartered accountant from Kottayam, and his son Abishek Mathew were intercepted at Kochi airport by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) as part of an active investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The duo was intercepted on Tuesday morning just as they were about to leave for Dubai.

ED officials questioned Abishek at their office in Kochi on Tuesday, while George was issued a notice to appear for interrogation. However, he cited health issues for not appearing immediately. The ED will soon inform him of the new date for interrogation.

The Panama Papers scandal exposed an under-investigation law firm based in Panama called Mossack Fonseca. The firm outsourced its offshore transactions through shell companies, some of which were started by George. Between 2011 and 2018, George established offshore shell firms in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

Investigation against George and family under FEMA started last year

The ED discovered that some of the firms George established had addresses in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as well. The agency is also examining the financial transactions of George and his companies in India. The investigation against George and his family under FEMA began in 2022. George, who had been living abroad for over 20 years, had previously worked in Singapore and later shifted to the Middle East. He was questioned by the ED as part of the probe last year. However, after interrogation, he did not cooperate and left the country. George returned to Kochi recently to attend a family event.

To prevent him from leaving again, the ED issued a travel ban. Meanwhile, two other Keralites, Thomas Mathew P P from Alappuzha and Dinesh Parameswaran Nair from Pathanamthitta were also implicated in the 2016 Panama Papers leak. The leaked documents revealed that Dinesh was a director of a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, while Thomas was the director of a company registered in the Bahamas. The financial transactions of Dinesh and Thomas are also under the EDs scanner.

Who is George Mathew?

Native of Aymanam in Kottayam, George Mathew mostly stays in Dubai and Singapore

He is a well-known CA in Singapore and is a member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

During his visits to Kerala, George stays at an apartment in Kochi

He was among the three Keralites who figured in the Panama papers leak of 2016

In 2016, companies associated to him were based at British Virgin Islands namely Soul Rhythm International Ltd, Seabridge Group Holdings Ltd, Azaxel Asset Holdings Ltd, Hallwood Enterprises Ltd and Wonderful Solutions Corporation

KOCHI: In the wake of fresh disclosures related to the Panama Papers scandal, George Mathew, a chartered accountant from Kottayam, and his son Abishek Mathew were intercepted at Kochi airport by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) as part of an active investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The duo was intercepted on Tuesday morning just as they were about to leave for Dubai. ED officials questioned Abishek at their office in Kochi on Tuesday, while George was issued a notice to appear for interrogation. However, he cited health issues for not appearing immediately. The ED will soon inform him of the new date for interrogation. The Panama Papers scandal exposed an under-investigation law firm based in Panama called Mossack Fonseca. The firm outsourced its offshore transactions through shell companies, some of which were started by George. Between 2011 and 2018, George established offshore shell firms in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Investigation against George and family under FEMA started last year The ED discovered that some of the firms George established had addresses in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as well. The agency is also examining the financial transactions of George and his companies in India. The investigation against George and his family under FEMA began in 2022. George, who had been living abroad for over 20 years, had previously worked in Singapore and later shifted to the Middle East. He was questioned by the ED as part of the probe last year. However, after interrogation, he did not cooperate and left the country. George returned to Kochi recently to attend a family event. To prevent him from leaving again, the ED issued a travel ban. Meanwhile, two other Keralites, Thomas Mathew P P from Alappuzha and Dinesh Parameswaran Nair from Pathanamthitta were also implicated in the 2016 Panama Papers leak. The leaked documents revealed that Dinesh was a director of a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, while Thomas was the director of a company registered in the Bahamas. The financial transactions of Dinesh and Thomas are also under the EDs scanner. Who is George Mathew? Native of Aymanam in Kottayam, George Mathew mostly stays in Dubai and Singapore He is a well-known CA in Singapore and is a member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) During his visits to Kerala, George stays at an apartment in Kochi He was among the three Keralites who figured in the Panama papers leak of 2016 In 2016, companies associated to him were based at British Virgin Islands namely Soul Rhythm International Ltd, Seabridge Group Holdings Ltd, Azaxel Asset Holdings Ltd, Hallwood Enterprises Ltd and Wonderful Solutions Corporation
By Express News Service

KOCHI: A 19-year-old sailor of the Indian Navy was found hanging on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the early hours of Thursday. The deceased sailor is unmarried and a native of Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He joined the Indian Navy in 2021 and had been deployed on board INS Vikrant after the commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier.

The body of the sailor has been shifted to hospital for postmortem examination and the Harbour police have booked a case. Navy sources said a statutory Board of Inquiry has been constituted to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

Though the Indian Navy has promulgated a policy to address the increasing incidents of suicide among service personnel, there has been an increase in such incidents recently. The Ministry of Defence informed the Parliament on July 19, 2022, that a comprehensive policy to prevent suicides among serving Navy personnel was promulgated on April 12. The strategy is called Indian Navy Strategy for Mental Health Assistance Resilience and Training or - IN - SMART. A toll-free helpline has also been made available exclusively for Indian Navy personnel at INHS Asvini the flagship hospital of the Indian Navy.

During the past five years, 29 Navy personnel have died by suicide.

On July 6, 2021, a 19-year-old Navy sailor was found dead at the C2 watchtower at Katribargh at 3.30 am with a bullet injury. The bullet was discharged from his service rifle at point-blank range. The victim Thushar Attri was an unmarried sailor hailing from Tappal village, Jarailiya, Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

On June 21, 2022, a 44-year-old Navy officer was found dead at Naval hospital in Kochi. The deceased was Lieutenant Commander Santosh Kumar Patro, a native of Odisha. He was found dead hanging in the hospital bathroom. Roopa Ram, 25, an electrical artificer and a native of Rajasthan was found hanging inside a hanger at a naval aircraft yard at Kochi Naval base on June 22, 2016.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7)

KOCHI: A 19-year-old sailor of the Indian Navy was found hanging on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the early hours of Thursday. The deceased sailor is unmarried and a native of Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He joined the Indian Navy in 2021 and had been deployed on board INS Vikrant after the commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier. The body of the sailor has been shifted to hospital for postmortem examination and the Harbour police have booked a case. Navy sources said a statutory Board of Inquiry has been constituted to conduct an inquiry into the incident. Though the Indian Navy has promulgated a policy to address the increasing incidents of suicide among service personnel, there has been an increase in such incidents recently. The Ministry of Defence informed the Parliament on July 19, 2022, that a comprehensive policy to prevent suicides among serving Navy personnel was promulgated on April 12. The strategy is called Indian Navy Strategy for Mental Health Assistance Resilience and Training or - IN - SMART. A toll-free helpline has also been made available exclusively for Indian Navy personnel at INHS Asvini the flagship hospital of the Indian Navy.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); During the past five years, 29 Navy personnel have died by suicide. On July 6, 2021, a 19-year-old Navy sailor was found dead at the C2 watchtower at Katribargh at 3.30 am with a bullet injury. The bullet was discharged from his service rifle at point-blank range. The victim Thushar Attri was an unmarried sailor hailing from Tappal village, Jarailiya, Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh. On June 21, 2022, a 44-year-old Navy officer was found dead at Naval hospital in Kochi. The deceased was Lieutenant Commander Santosh Kumar Patro, a native of Odisha. He was found dead hanging in the hospital bathroom. Roopa Ram, 25, an electrical artificer and a native of Rajasthan was found hanging inside a hanger at a naval aircraft yard at Kochi Naval base on June 22, 2016. Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7)
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Tony Blair met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas here on Wednesday. Both the leaders discussed the economic development of Odisha and future perspectives at the meeting which lasted nearly an hour.

#WATCH | Former United Kingdom PM, Tony Blair met Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik today. Both leaders discussed the economic development and growth of Odisha and the future perspectives. pic.twitter.com/bTLBNpUj8A  ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2023

The Odisha government and the Tony Blair Institute of Global Change (TBI) had signed a memorandum of understanding on July 21. As per the understanding, TBI will provide free policy support and assistance in developing a comprehensive economic strategy for Odisha.

The chief minister appreciated the preliminary suggestions of TBI and expected the cooperation will help in securing a balanced industrial growth and resultant inclusive benefit for citizens. He thanked Blair for the support. The former UK PM also praised the chief minister for the states success in different sectors. He appreciated the 5T initiative for bringing transformative changes in governance.

It is a pleasure meeting former UK Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair. Had a meaningful discussion on economic development and growth of #Odisha & future perspectives. Thank Mr. Blair for extending policy support, assistance in developing a comprehensive economic strategy for pic.twitter.com/QdK6ElvscD  Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 26, 2023

BHUBANESWAR: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Tony Blair met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas here on Wednesday. Both the leaders discussed the economic development of Odisha and future perspectives at the meeting which lasted nearly an hour. #WATCH | Former United Kingdom PM, Tony Blair met Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik today. Both leaders discussed the economic development and growth of Odisha and the future perspectives. pic.twitter.com/bTLBNpUj8A  ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2023 The Odisha government and the Tony Blair Institute of Global Change (TBI) had signed a memorandum of understanding on July 21. As per the understanding, TBI will provide free policy support and assistance in developing a comprehensive economic strategy for Odisha.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The chief minister appreciated the preliminary suggestions of TBI and expected the cooperation will help in securing a balanced industrial growth and resultant inclusive benefit for citizens. He thanked Blair for the support. The former UK PM also praised the chief minister for the states success in different sectors. He appreciated the 5T initiative for bringing transformative changes in governance. It is a pleasure meeting former UK Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair. Had a meaningful discussion on economic development and growth of #Odisha & future perspectives. Thank Mr. Blair for extending policy support, assistance in developing a comprehensive economic strategy for pic.twitter.com/QdK6ElvscD  Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 26, 2023
By ANI

MADURAI: The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party is set to hold its first state conference after Edappadi Palaniswami was sworn in as general secretary of the party on August 20th in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

According to AIADMK leader R Kamaraj, this conference will be a turning point for the party and is expected to attract more than 20 lakh AIADMK workers.

Palaniswami will also decide on inviting alliance parties to the meeting. The conference is being held in a bid to confirm the return of the late former CM Jayalalithaas rule and galvanise party workers.

AIADMK leader R Kamaraj said on Wednesday said, "This conference will be a turning point for AIADMK. This conference is going to be held in a manner that confirms the return of the late former CM Jayalalithaa's rule."

"We expect more than 20 lakh AIADMK workers to attend this meeting. Edappadi K Palaniswami will also decide on inviting alliance parties for this meeting," he added.

Meanwhile, earlier on July 20, AIAMDK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami said that he believes that the NDA coalition will take home about 330 seats in the next parliamentary elections.

While speaking to the media about the NDA meeting in Delhi, Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami stated that the NDA operated admirably throughout the nine years that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country's administration and that it gave India international respect.

MADURAI: The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party is set to hold its first state conference after Edappadi Palaniswami was sworn in as general secretary of the party on August 20th in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. According to AIADMK leader R Kamaraj, this conference will be a turning point for the party and is expected to attract more than 20 lakh AIADMK workers. Palaniswami will also decide on inviting alliance parties to the meeting. The conference is being held in a bid to confirm the return of the late former CM Jayalalithaas rule and galvanise party workers.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); AIADMK leader R Kamaraj said on Wednesday said, "This conference will be a turning point for AIADMK. This conference is going to be held in a manner that confirms the return of the late former CM Jayalalithaa's rule." "We expect more than 20 lakh AIADMK workers to attend this meeting. Edappadi K Palaniswami will also decide on inviting alliance parties for this meeting," he added. Meanwhile, earlier on July 20, AIAMDK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami said that he believes that the NDA coalition will take home about 330 seats in the next parliamentary elections. While speaking to the media about the NDA meeting in Delhi, Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami stated that the NDA operated admirably throughout the nine years that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country's administration and that it gave India international respect.
By AFP

HARARE: Vladimir Putin gifted the president of Zimbabwe a helicopter, Harare said on Thursday, as the Russian leader courts the backing of African leaders in Saint Petersburg.

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa is among those attending a two-day Russia-Africa summit that is being scrutinised as a test of Putin's support in the continent after his invasion of Ukraine.

"His Excellency President Putin has given His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa a Presidential Helicopter," Zimbabwe's information ministry wrote on social media.

It posted photos of Mnangagwa walking down the blue aircraft's steps and sitting inside the cabin before a table with glasses of white wine and a bowl of fruit.

Today I met with President Putin at the Russia-Africa summit. We discussed the need for prosperity through peace as well as how our countries can work together to assure food security across the continent.

#Diplomacy #FoodSecurity pic.twitter.com/HCader9rtg  President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) July 27, 2023

"This bird will soon be gracing our skies," government spokesman Nick Mangwana added on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X.

Largely isolated on the global stage since the start of the Ukraine offensive, Russia has sought to strengthen diplomatic and security ties with Africa.

Zimbabwe is also an international outlier, its leadership the target of US and European sanctions over graft and rights abuses.

Mnangagwa, 80, who is seeking re-election in what analysts predict will be a tense ballot next month, has long blamed his country's dire economic straits on the punitive measures.

"The victims of sanctions must cooperate," Mnangagwa said standing in front of the helicopter in a video published by the information ministry. Moscow has also been targeted by western powers.

On Thursday Putin listed Zimbabwe among six poor African countries that will receive free grain from Russia, after the Kremlin withdrew from a deal allowing for Ukrainian grain exports to reach global markets through the Black Sea.

HARARE: Vladimir Putin gifted the president of Zimbabwe a helicopter, Harare said on Thursday, as the Russian leader courts the backing of African leaders in Saint Petersburg. Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa is among those attending a two-day Russia-Africa summit that is being scrutinised as a test of Putin's support in the continent after his invasion of Ukraine. "His Excellency President Putin has given His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa a Presidential Helicopter," Zimbabwe's information ministry wrote on social media.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It posted photos of Mnangagwa walking down the blue aircraft's steps and sitting inside the cabin before a table with glasses of white wine and a bowl of fruit. Today I met with President Putin at the Russia-Africa summit. We discussed the need for prosperity through peace as well as how our countries can work together to assure food security across the continent.#Diplomacy #FoodSecurity pic.twitter.com/HCader9rtg  President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) July 27, 2023 "This bird will soon be gracing our skies," government spokesman Nick Mangwana added on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X. Largely isolated on the global stage since the start of the Ukraine offensive, Russia has sought to strengthen diplomatic and security ties with Africa. Zimbabwe is also an international outlier, its leadership the target of US and European sanctions over graft and rights abuses. Mnangagwa, 80, who is seeking re-election in what analysts predict will be a tense ballot next month, has long blamed his country's dire economic straits on the punitive measures. "The victims of sanctions must cooperate," Mnangagwa said standing in front of the helicopter in a video published by the information ministry. Moscow has also been targeted by western powers. On Thursday Putin listed Zimbabwe among six poor African countries that will receive free grain from Russia, after the Kremlin withdrew from a deal allowing for Ukrainian grain exports to reach global markets through the Black Sea.
Bruno Barbey is a pioneer who broke with the black-and-white world of traditional photography. The Morroco-born French photographer was also one of the first photographers to record China in color back in the 1970s and 80s.

In 2019, the renowned photographer held a solo exhibition titled "Discovering China as It Is" in several Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing. With 49 pieces of work recording Barbey's journeys around China on display, the exhibition highlighted subjects such as the young and the old, life in cities and rural areas, and major historical events.

The tight bond between Barbey and China originated from a visit to Beijing with then-French President Georges Pompidou in 1973. From the first press of the shutter in this country, time and history were inextricably linked for him.

Many of the visual memories of China from the past three decades were marked by images shot in black and white, while the China that Bruno depicted was entirely in color. Over time, his work also served as a bridge linking the artistic connections between China and France.

At the age of 79, the humanistic photographer died in 2020.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

MTHWAKAZI Republic Party leader Mqondisi Moyo has blasted President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status to the founder of Zaoga Church who died on July 5 in South Africa.He said many are wondering why the conferment."He is the first Clergyman in the history of Zimbabwe to be declared a national hero. We want our people to know that Ezekiel Guti founded Zaoga on 12 May 1960. Nothing was wrong with founding his church which was to become the first Pentecostal church in Zimbabwe. The bad things about the founding of Zaoga were to manifest later," he said."Guti played a big role together with Mnangangwa and Robert Mugabe to ensure that Gukurahundi Genocide was to be implemented efficiently. Many people may not know his direct and indirect role, but we are revealing it today that as the then popular clergyman, he never raised a word to bring Zanu PF government to order by stopping the massacres of Mthwakazi people."He said instead, him and others from that region then, whatever happened in Matebeleland and Midlands never concerned them."It's Guti, Father Fidelis Mukonori of Roman Catholic Church who is a long time friend of Robert Mugabe and others selected clergyman who were top spiritual advisors of Zanu PF leadership during Gukurahundi and up to this day," he said."Sometime, a certain Zaoga Church preacher, in a 30 second captured video, preaching in front of Zaoga congregants is heard saying that if the history of Zimbabwe had to be rewritten, only three institutions mattered. The first, he said, says is Zaoga that was formed in 1960. The second is Zanu Pf founded in 1962 though we know Zanu was formed on August 8, 1963 at Enos Nkala's House in Highfield in Harare. (He probably knew that the idea of the party had been hatched in 1962, only to be materialised in 1963)."Moyo said he goes on to say the third important thing is Dynamos that was formed in 1963."I have heard many confused people especially from Mthwakazi saying let's not mix politics, Christianity/ Religion and sport," he said."Having said all this I think it's now clear to all and sundry why Guti has been declared a National hero to lie with other thieves, murderers, evil doers at the Harare National heroes acre. To us he was not a true clergyman," he said."Instead during the day he would be a man of cloth but at night, a murderer and a conduit of the 1979 Grandplan against Ndebele people. He hid behind the Christian faith. It is known that Zaoga has many branches in Matebeleland and Midlands, and this is as way to drum up support for Zanu PF."
By Express News Service

Indias outbound tourism is expected to reach $44.7 billion by 2032, a recently released report produced in association with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has revealed. Between June and August 2023, international leisure flight bookings from India have increased by 40 per cent in comparison with the same period the year before, the highest recorded level of outbound leisure flight bookings from India in the post-COVID-19 era.

Singapore has received the highest flight bookings from India, followed by San Francisco (USA), Melbourne (Australia), Toronto (Canada), and Bali (Indonesia). In the period considered, the USA, the UK and Canada were the most booked destinations. Bali and Singapore were the most popular choices in the Asian region.

Indias foreign exchange earnings from tourism during January- April this year were at $8.667 billion compared with $3.115 billion in the same period in 2022, data from the Ministry of Tourism has revealed. For perspective, India earned a total of $25.6 billion in foreign exchange from tourism in 2019, an increase of 8.3 per cent.

In 2022, India generated Asias highest outbound travel volume, exceeding those of China, South Korea, and Japan. Moreover, foreign tourist arrivals in India stood at 31.3 lakh between January and April, up from 11.7 lakh arrivals in the year-ago period, as per the ministry.

India saw about 21.9 per cent of foreign tourist arrivals from neighouring nation Bangladesh, followed by the USA, from where 16.3 per cent of total travelers came, another 10.3 per cent from the UK, five per cent from Canada, and 4.5 per cent from Australia.

Interestingly, Madurai, Bhubaneswar and Varanasi were the most searched domestic destinations for flights, while Auckland, Jeddah and Colombo came out as the most searched overseas destinations.

Travellers from India are also eyeing destinations such as Hong Kong and Tokyo in the Asian region, which reduce their flight budget by up to one-fourth.

Surge in international traffic

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has reported an 88 per cent increase in the flow of international passengers during the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period last year, indicating a robust recovery for the aviation sector. India has open sky arrangements with 23 countries, which has facilitated unlimited operations between India and these countries. Additionally, more than 1.23 crore people have travelled on Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (Udan) flights. A total of 148 airports, nine heliports and two water aerodromes have also been developed and operationalised to offer improved connectivity across the country.

Indias outbound tourism is expected to reach $44.7 billion by 2032, a recently released report produced in association with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has revealed. Between June and August 2023, international leisure flight bookings from India have increased by 40 per cent in comparison with the same period the year before, the highest recorded level of outbound leisure flight bookings from India in the post-COVID-19 era. Singapore has received the highest flight bookings from India, followed by San Francisco (USA), Melbourne (Australia), Toronto (Canada), and Bali (Indonesia). In the period considered, the USA, the UK and Canada were the most booked destinations. Bali and Singapore were the most popular choices in the Asian region. Indias foreign exchange earnings from tourism during January- April this year were at $8.667 billion compared with $3.115 billion in the same period in 2022, data from the Ministry of Tourism has revealed. For perspective, India earned a total of $25.6 billion in foreign exchange from tourism in 2019, an increase of 8.3 per cent.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In 2022, India generated Asias highest outbound travel volume, exceeding those of China, South Korea, and Japan. Moreover, foreign tourist arrivals in India stood at 31.3 lakh between January and April, up from 11.7 lakh arrivals in the year-ago period, as per the ministry. India saw about 21.9 per cent of foreign tourist arrivals from neighouring nation Bangladesh, followed by the USA, from where 16.3 per cent of total travelers came, another 10.3 per cent from the UK, five per cent from Canada, and 4.5 per cent from Australia. Interestingly, Madurai, Bhubaneswar and Varanasi were the most searched domestic destinations for flights, while Auckland, Jeddah and Colombo came out as the most searched overseas destinations. Travellers from India are also eyeing destinations such as Hong Kong and Tokyo in the Asian region, which reduce their flight budget by up to one-fourth. Surge in international traffic The Ministry of Civil Aviation has reported an 88 per cent increase in the flow of international passengers during the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period last year, indicating a robust recovery for the aviation sector. India has open sky arrangements with 23 countries, which has facilitated unlimited operations between India and these countries. Additionally, more than 1.23 crore people have travelled on Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (Udan) flights. A total of 148 airports, nine heliports and two water aerodromes have also been developed and operationalised to offer improved connectivity across the country.
Manu Vipin By

Express News Service

A surge in international travel soon after the COVID-19 pandemic has strained visa processing systems, resulting in a backlog of applications, longer wait times and even a high rejection rate.

While the Schengen visa allows Indians to travel to more European countries with a single visa, the rejection rate is also quite high. According to a recent report, Schengen authorities rejected a staggering number of Indian visa applications in 2022 and Indians ended up paying more than 87 crore for Schengen visas that were rejected. Out of the total 6,71,928 visa applications that were made, 1,21,188 visa applications from India were rejected, with the rejection rate standing at 18 per cent.

The Schengen visa fee per person was increased from 60 to 80 Euros in 2020. For children between six to 12 years, the visa fee stands at 40 Euros or equivalent. In addition to this, an additional amount will have to be paid to the VFS Global visa application centre for the administrative support they provide for the successful submission of applications to the Embassy/Consulate.

Albert Sundar Raj, Branch Manager, ITL Tours and Travels, says, In addition to the visa fee, an applicant has to pay a processing fee, which is between 11,000 and 18,000, depending on the country they are visiting. If it is a Schengen visa, it will be around INR 13,000. A processing fee for a normal UK Visa varies depending on how long you are planning to stay in the country. For six months the processing fee is 12,000 and for one year it is 40,000. And if you want a priority visa service you will have to shell out at least 90,000.

For every additional service like SMS alerts at various stages of the visa application process, you will have to pay 500 extra. All these charges are non-refundable. Albert further adds, A US Visa is a little more expensive and hard to get. You will have to pay a minimum of 18,000. And thats not all. Passengers end up losing more money since tickets and hotel confirmations have to be submitted with the application. When a passport with a visa is not received in time, people end up paying huge cancellation charges.

Going by volume, a different set of EU nations acts even more difficult than the others. Though Switzerlands overall rejection rate was significantly lower than the average at 13 per cent in 2022, the country rejected 13,984 of 1,06,025 visas. France rejected 27,681 of 1,38,643 (19.9 per cent) visas, and Spain declined 14,852 of 80,098 (or 18.5 per cent) visas.

Austria rejected 5,945 of 24,791 visas, with a 24 per cent rejection rate, while Greece rejected 9,118 of 27,457 (34.7 per cent), and Portugal turned down 1,593 of 5,326 visas (29.9 per cent). Sweden rejected 5,110 from 27,775 applications, with the rejection rate standing at 18.7 per cent.

Where India stands at the Schengen visa market

Algeria  Almost 50 per cent of visa applications were rejected from Algeria. With a total of 1,79,409 applications rejected, the rejection rate for Algerian applicants stood at 45.8 per cent.

India and Turkey followed next, with 1,21,188 and 1,20,876 visas getting rejected.

Closely followed by Morocco, Russia, and Tunisia.

Nigerias rejection rate was also quite high, at 45.1 per cent.



A surge in international travel soon after the COVID-19 pandemic has strained visa processing systems, resulting in a backlog of applications, longer wait times and even a high rejection rate. While the Schengen visa allows Indians to travel to more European countries with a single visa, the rejection rate is also quite high. According to a recent report, Schengen authorities rejected a staggering number of Indian visa applications in 2022 and Indians ended up paying more than 87 crore for Schengen visas that were rejected. Out of the total 6,71,928 visa applications that were made, 1,21,188 visa applications from India were rejected, with the rejection rate standing at 18 per cent. The Schengen visa fee per person was increased from 60 to 80 Euros in 2020. For children between six to 12 years, the visa fee stands at 40 Euros or equivalent. In addition to this, an additional amount will have to be paid to the VFS Global visa application centre for the administrative support they provide for the successful submission of applications to the Embassy/Consulate. Albert Sundar Raj, Branch Manager, ITL Tours and Travels, says, In addition to the visa fee, an applicant has to pay a processing fee, which is between 11,000 and 18,000, depending on the country they are visiting. If it is a Schengen visa, it will be around INR 13,000. A processing fee for a normal UK Visa varies depending on how long you are planning to stay in the country. For six months the processing fee is 12,000 and for one year it is 40,000. And if you want a priority visa service you will have to shell out at least 90,000. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); For every additional service like SMS alerts at various stages of the visa application process, you will have to pay 500 extra. All these charges are non-refundable. Albert further adds, A US Visa is a little more expensive and hard to get. You will have to pay a minimum of 18,000. And thats not all. Passengers end up losing more money since tickets and hotel confirmations have to be submitted with the application. When a passport with a visa is not received in time, people end up paying huge cancellation charges. Going by volume, a different set of EU nations acts even more difficult than the others. Though Switzerlands overall rejection rate was significantly lower than the average at 13 per cent in 2022, the country rejected 13,984 of 1,06,025 visas. France rejected 27,681 of 1,38,643 (19.9 per cent) visas, and Spain declined 14,852 of 80,098 (or 18.5 per cent) visas. Austria rejected 5,945 of 24,791 visas, with a 24 per cent rejection rate, while Greece rejected 9,118 of 27,457 (34.7 per cent), and Portugal turned down 1,593 of 5,326 visas (29.9 per cent). Sweden rejected 5,110 from 27,775 applications, with the rejection rate standing at 18.7 per cent. Where India stands at the Schengen visa market Algeria  Almost 50 per cent of visa applications were rejected from Algeria. With a total of 1,79,409 applications rejected, the rejection rate for Algerian applicants stood at 45.8 per cent. India and Turkey followed next, with 1,21,188 and 1,20,876 visas getting rejected. Closely followed by Morocco, Russia, and Tunisia. Nigerias rejection rate was also quite high, at 45.1 per cent.
Mamatas flagship programme erodes powers of panchayats

Kolkata, July 26 For the residents of West Bengal's Sundarbans region, climate change and poverty are two sides of the same coin. While Taposi Haldar, a resident of Damkal Kuimai village in South 24 Parganas district, has had her share of problems with these two, corruption has also had an impact on her.

Mamata's flagship programme erodes powers of panchayats

Taposi earns Rs 100 to 400 when she goes fishing once in four to five days. Her husband Sanat Haldar works in a potato godown in Jalpaiguri. Though her income is meagre, she was forced to cough up Rs 600 as a bribe to digitalise her ration card."Our panchayat member does not hear us. We expect good housing and construction of river embankments to prevent breaches during cyclones," says Taposi, a mother of four.The work on embankments were part of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, which became defunct in the state one-and-a-half years ago due to the Centre-state tussle. This has not only affected works, but also the livelihood of lakhs of MGNREGA workers.Hailing from Taposi's village, Sanatan Haldar (26) and his wife Joba Haldar (25) still await payment of dues for the work done under the scheme. Joba says they sustain by catching fish and crabs these days, while she also gets Rs 500 every month under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The government provides five kg ration rice for each family member."Everything happens as per the state government's wish now. Two months ago, the Duare Sarkar programme was held in Nagendrapur, our panchayat. Earlier, gram sansad used to meet and make decisions on local issues," says Sanatan.Under the Duare Sarkar (government at doorstep) outreach programme, camps are organised to deliver services and enlist beneficiaries under at least 11 welfare schemes run by the Mamata Banerjee government.Duare Sarkar outreach initiative gradually replaces gram sansad and gram unnayan samiti, the fulcrum of village development with local participation.The government staff would reach the gram panchayat/municipal ward to provide information on welfare schemes.Paray Samadhan, a community component of the programme, deals with the citizens' petitions seeking redressal of neighbourhood issues/needs.In a way, the programme limits the powers of panchayats and gives more control over affairs to the workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress."The government officials and Trinamool Congress workers visit villages under the programme. But people are still disappointed because their problems are not resolved. If only the government's attitude is positive will the lowest tier of Panchayati Raj Institutions work effectively," CPI-M's state committee member Meenakshi Mukherjee tells 101Reporters.Powers and duties"As the gram panchayats in the state (West Bengal) are quite large in size having a population of twenty to thirty thousand, they have been subdivided on ward basis amending the Gram Panchayat Act, and for each ward, constitution of gram sansad has been made mandatory. Gram sansad is a body constituted with all the voters in a constituency of the gram panchayat," says an explanatory write-up published in Odisha Review.The gram sansad meetings are instruments of direct participation of the people in the planning process as well as monitoring of elected representatives, it continues."Under the laws, the gram sansad is supposed to (i) guide and advise the gram panchayats with regard to schemes for economic development and social justice undertaken or proposed to be undertaken in its area; (ii) identify or lay down principles for identification of the beneficiaries for various poverty alleviation programmes; (iii) constitute beneficiary committees for ensuring active participation of the people in implementation, maintenance and equitable distribution of benefits of schemes in the area; (iv) mobilise mass participation for community welfare, and programmes for adult education, family planning and child welfare; and (v) record its objections to any action of the village council chief or any member of the village council for failure to implement development schemes properly or without active participation of the people of the area."The powers and duties of the gram panchayat include sanitation, drinking water supply, maintenance and repair of public streets, removal of encroachments, and organising voluntary labour for community works and works for uplifting its area.Gram unnayan samiti, on the other hand, assists gram sansad to prepare its five-year and annual plans, which will form the basis of the gram panchayat plan.Gram unnayan samiti is constituted in a special meeting of the gram sansad and will have the elected panchayat member, the candidate who finished second in polls, and representatives from other social spheres.As part of its work, the unnayan samiti identifies the needs of the sansad area through participatory methods and prepares budget.It helps the gram panchayat to make both assessment and realisation of tax, and prioritise the projects and schemes for implementation using the available resources and in consultation with the villagers.Promoting livelihood opportunities for all adult members of the sansad through proper and planned utilisation of available resources, including greater access to credit from financial institutions or gram sansad fund is another area of priority.Spreading awareness on livelihood, health, nutrition, education, gender and environment is another function. It also tries to mobilise people around the gram sansad for expansion of social opportunities and in the process link up the activities of the sansad with those of the gram panchayat concerned.Meetings, discussions on the back burnerThe gram sansad holds a meeting of the entire electorate of a constituency once in six months (first in November and second in May) to discuss local needs, new programmes, choose beneficiaries of existing programmes, review the past and proposed programmes, and inspect the accounts of expenditure and budgets of the panchayat.Each village within a gram panchayat will have its own gram sabha, which meets annually (in December, after the completion of gram sansad's half-yearly meeting) to review the proposed budget for the next year and performance of the previous year. The decisions of the gram sansad are discussed in the gram sabha."Both gram sansad and gram unnayan samiti have been rendered inactive after the Trinamool Congress government came into power. Their strength has been lost. In the Duare Sarkar programme, the Trinamool Congress leaders and bureaucrats aligned to the ruling party assume the duties of the panchayat," Anuradha Talwar, state committee member, Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity, tells 101Reporters.Sariful Malik from the Indian Secular Front is the newly elected panchayat member from Chalta Beria in Bhangar-2 block of South 24 Parganas."The Trinamool Congress workers stop opposition parties from contesting elections and do not give them a chance in matters related to the panchayat," he claims.Kankandighi panchayat chief Purnima Kar from the Trinamool Congress, however, claims that all the panchayat committees hold meetings in her place.Her husband Govindchandra Kar says gram sansad meets twice a year and decides on development schemes, including road construction and identification of beneficiaries for tubewells. Both claim the Opposition's views are heard and considered important while taking decisions.Nagendrapur and Kankandighi panchayats are adjacent to each other.One-tenth of the total members shall form a quorum for a gram sansad meeting, failing which an adjournment meeting can be held.The Mamata Banerjee-led government is accused of using this provision of the West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973, to run the show using government staff and thus override the powers of the local bodies.Conversations with people in rural parts of South and North Bengal make it clear that they still remember the gram sansad meetings."Democracy is dead, and the government is responsible for it. Neither gram sansad nor gram unnayan samiti meets," says Navo Kumar Laskar, an MGNREGA worker from Damkal-3 in South 24 Parganas district.Kolkata-based senior journalist Chandan Das explains further."If these forums function, issues will have to be discussed there. But this is not the Trinamool Congress culture. For the sake of showing off, they hold gram sansad meetings at some places. But even there, the Trinamool Congress workers rule the roost.""West Bengal does not need Duare Sarkar programmes. By attending them, you can only fill up forms for government schemes. You cannot register a complaint there. What we really need is elected panchayat representatives, to whom the public can complain or speak their minds," Das emphasises.Even the July 8 panchayat elections were announced hastily, a day after Rajiv Sinha -- he served as chief secretary for a year from September 2019 -- assumed the office of State Election Commissioner on June 7."The usual practice of holding an all-party meet before announcing election dates was given a miss. Unlike the four-phase polls of 2018, elections were scheduled in a single phase this time," says Mohammad Abdul Malik Mollah, the Indian Secular Front's district president for South 24 Parganas.Though panchayat elections have been regularly held in West Bengal since 1978, its fairness has always been under question.The Duare Sarkar initiative makes matters worse.(Rahul Singh is a West Bengal-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)IANS26 July 2023

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Israeli Supreme Court sets date to hear petitions against judicial reform

Tel Aviv, July 26: Israel's Supreme Court has decided to hear petitions filed against the "reasonableness law" that the Knesset enacted this week, with a court date set for September, according to the NGO Movement for Quality Government in Israel.

Israeli Supreme Court sets date to hear petitions against judicial reform

While scheduling a hearing, the court did not go as far as to issue an emergency injunction against the law, as several of the seven petitioners had requested."We are ready. We will appear at the Supreme Court to defend Israeli democracy and do everything we can to stop the judicial coup," the Movement for Quality Government's chairman Eliad Shraga told local media. "We will continue to protest and fight everywhere and from every podium until the threat is removed."Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government will have to file its response 10 days before the hearing, which is scheduled for after the court's summer recess.On Monday afternoon, all 64 members of Netanyahu's governing coalition voted into law a bill to restrict judges' use of the "reasonableness" standard. The amendment to Basic Law The Judiciary bars "reasonableness" as a justification for judges to reverse decisions made by the Cabinet, ministers and "other elected officials as set by law."The bill formally came into effect on Wednesday morning, the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee announced.Netanyahu has confirmed reports that the coalition would seek a broad agreement on the rest of the judicial reform package over the summer break, which starts on July 30."We all agree that Israel must remain a strong democracy, that it will continue to protect everyone's individual rights, that it will not become a halachic state," the prime minister said on Monday in an address to the nation, using the term for Jewish law.Separate from the petitions against the "reasonableness law," opposition leader Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid Party this week asked the court to order Justice Minister Yariv Levin to convene the Judicial Selection Committee, which is responsible for appointing new justices to the Supreme Court. Lapid's petition will also be heard in September, he said on Wednesday.The governing coalition's judicial reforms are deeply controversial. Other legislation advancing through the Knesset would primarily alter the way judges are appointed and removed, give the Knesset the ability to override certain High Court rulings, and change the way legal advisors are appointed to government ministries.Supporters of the legal overhaul say they want to end years of judicial overreach while opponents describe the proposals as anti-democratic.ANI26 July 2023

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Govt tables 3 bills in LS amid objections by Oppn

New Delhi, July 26: As many as three of the total of six bills introduced by the government in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, received objections from the Opposition members.A .

Govt tables 3 bills in LS amid objections by Oppn

When the Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai introduced the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed it.Tewari said that he was opposing the bill for want of legislative competence on three counts. First, it transgresses on the right to privacy, second, it transgresses on the right to the separation of powers, and third, it suffers from the malady of excessive delegation."These are my three fundamental objections (to the bill)," the Congress MP said.The bill was, however, introduced in the lower house.National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi opposed the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2023.Masoodi said that he opposed the bill on the grounds that the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act is a constitutionally suspect law, which is currently under judicial scrutiny."Judicial scrutiny is being done by the apex court... even hearing has commenced. So, this is against the Constitutional propriety and Constitutional morality. You cannot amend an Act that is under judicial scrutiny and is a Constitutionally suspect law. The Constitutionality of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act is being examined by the Supreme Court and day-to-day hearing is scheduled to begin from August 2. It is better to stop the introduction of this Bill."I oppose the introduction on the ground that it is a Constitutionally suspect law and the Constitution does not permit the introduction of the Bill. That is my objection to the introduction," he said.The bill, however, was introduced in Lok Sabha by Nityanand Rai.Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran objected to the introduction of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2023, on the ground that it is against the principle of federalism and favours privatising atomic minerals."I strongly oppose the introduction of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023. It is against the principle of federalism and it is for privatising the atomic minerals, mining and minerals separation, privatisation for big corporates. It will adversely affect the PSUs in the sector as it is for privatisation and for multinational corporations. It affects the security and safety of the nation. It is against the principle of federalism."It is in violation of the state government's authority to give mining leases for the minerals separation and mining license. Do not give permission because it is unconstitutional and encroaches upon the states' rights. I strongly oppose the introduction of this bill," Premachandran urged upon the Speaker Om Birla.Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, however, rejected Premachandran's objections, saying that no objection can be raised on the legislative competence of the Parliament in this subject matter as through the bill, the government only intends to make certain amendments in the parent Act of 1957.Joshi later introduced the bill.Apart from these three bills, the government also introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order, 1956.IANS27 July 2023

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Newly described fossil had armoured plates above its backbone

Washington, July 26: A new species of armoured reptile that lived close to the time of the emergence of dinosaurs has been described by researchers.

Newly described fossil had armoured plates above its backbone

The study was published in the journal, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.This archosaur fossil, which has bony plates on its backbone, shows that armour was a boomerang trait in the evolution of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. The group's ancestors had armour, but it was lost and later independently re-evolved numerous times in specialised dinosaurs like ankylosaurs and stegosaurs."We are just starting to understand that there were many dinosaur-like creatures across the planet well before dinosaurs evolved," said the study's lead author Sterling Nesbitt, associate professor of geosciences at Virginia Tech and a research associate in the American Museum of Natural History's Division of Paleontology. "Dinosaurs were latecomers to the Triassic reptile party. They showed up well after many dinosaur-looking reptiles were established across our planet."Archosaurs are reptiles that are divided into two major branches the bird line, which includes pterosaurs and dinosaurs, including living dinosaurs ; and the crocodilian line, including crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. The newly described archosaur species, named Mambachiton fiandohana, is the earliest diverging member of the bird line of archosaur evolution. The fossil, which is about 235 million years old, was found in 1997 in Madagascar by a team of researchers led by the Museum's Frick Curator of Fossil Mammals John Flynn, who worked at the Field Museum at the time, in close collaboration with scientists and students at the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar."This discovery documents the importance of the southern hemisphere fossil record in understanding this important period of the Triassic when dinosaurs were first appearing," Flynn said. "This time interval is really poorly known elsewhere in the world, showing the tremendous value of our quarter-century-long Madagascar-U.S. research and education partnership to advancing scientific knowledge."A four-legged, long-tailed precursor to dinosaurs and pterosaurs, Mambachiton is estimated to have been 4-6 feet long, weighing between 25-45 pounds . Unexpectedly, the species had an extensive series of bony plates called osteoderms covering its backbone. Although osteoderms are common in crocodilians and their relatives, they are rare in bird-line archosaurs, with the exception of dinosaurs like stegosaurs, ankylosaurs, titanosaur sauropods, and at least one theropod.Mambachiton shows definitively that the bird-line archosaur group was ancestrally armoured. This armour was lost in the evolution of dinosaurs and pterosaurs but then reappeared later several times, independently, in the dinosaur lineage."The loss and re-evolution of armour is an important aspect of the story of dinosaur evolution--freeing them from some of the biomechanical body constraints of the ancestral archosaurs and potentially contributing to some of the locomotor shifts as dinosaurs diversified into a dizzying array of different ecology and body forms," said co-author Christian Kammerer, a former Gerstner Scholar at the Museum and a research curator in palaeontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences."Mambachiton demonstrates that retention of ancestral features or acquisition of new traits depends on interactions within the ecosystem," said project co-leader Lovasoa Ranivoharimanana of the University of Antananarivo. "When a character is essential, it is retained, but when it is no longer useful, it disappears."ANI27 July 2023

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Qualcomms Snapdragon powers Samsungs new Galaxy lineup globally

New Delhi, July 26: Chip maker Qualcomm on Wednesday announced that its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy is powering Samsung's new cutting-edge foldable smartphones -- Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 -- and latest Galaxy Tab S9 Series globally.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon powers Samsung's new Galaxy lineup globally

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy defines a new standard for connected computing, including groundbreaking AI experiences, desktop-level gaming features, professional-grade photography, and more, for consumers around the world, according to the company."Samsung is important to our mission to deliver the world's best mobile experiences to consumers. They continue to set the pace for innovation and we couldn't be more thrilled to have Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy power the newest flagship Galaxy device lineup-the Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series," Alex Katouzian, senior vice president and general manager, mobile, compute, & XR businesses, Qualcomm Technologies, said in a statement.Moreover, the company said that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy will help define a new era of professional quality camera experiences.Snapdragon's Cognitive ISP will enable real-time Semantic Segmentation to enhance images, ultra low-light video capture, and multi-frame noise reduction."Samsung is proud to feature the latest flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy inside the Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold5, and Galaxy Tab S9 Series. We're excited to see how these devices will enable new possibilities for our users," Inkang Song, vice president and head of technology strategy team, Samsung Electronics, said in a statement.IANS27 July 2023

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Jio Financial Services, BlackRock agree to form joint venture to enter Indias asset management industry

New Delhi, July 26: Jio Financial Services Limited and BlackRock on Wednesday announced an agreement to form Jio BlackRock, a 50:50 joint venture that combines the respective strengths and trusted brands of BlackRock and JFS to deliver tech-enabled access to affordable, innovative investment solutions for millions of investors in India.A .

Jio Financial Services, BlackRock agree to form joint venture to enter India's asset management industry

Jio BlackRock brings BlackRock's deep expertise and talent in investment management, risk management, product excellence, access to technology, operations, scale, and intellectual capital around markets, while JFS contributes local market knowledge, digital infrastructure capabilities and robust execution capabilities.Together, the partnership will introduce a new player to the India market with a unique combination of scope, scale, and resources. JFS and BlackRock are targeting initial investment of $150 million each in the joint venture.Rachel Lord, Chair & Head of APAC, BlackRock, said "India represents an enormously important opportunity. The convergence of rising affluence, favourable demographics, and digital transformation across industries is reshaping the market in incredible ways."We are very excited to be partnering with JFS to revolutionise India's asset management industry and transform financial futures. Jio BlackRock will place the combined strength and scale of both of our companies in the hands of millions of investors in India."Speaking on this transaction, Hitesh Sethia, President and CEO, JFS, said "This is an exciting partnership between JFS and BlackRock, one of the largest and most respected asset management companies globally. The partnership will leverage BlackRock's deep expertise in investment and risk management along with the technology capability and deep market expertise of JFS to drive digital delivery of products."Jio BlackRock will be a truly transformational, customer centric and digital-first enterprise with the vision to democratise access to financial investment solutions and deliver financial well-being to the doorstep of every Indian."The joint venture will launch operations post receipt of regulatory and statutory approvals. The company will have its own management team.IANS27 July 2023

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Zim Afro T10: Innocent Kaia stars as Bulawayo Braves win thriller against Cape Town Samp Army

Harare, July 26: Innocent Kaia scored a brilliant unbeaten half-century to set the tone for the contest as Bulawayo Braves put on a fine performance on the sixth day of the inaugural Zim Afro T10, as they held their nerve and defeated the high-flying Cape Town Samp Army by 3 runs on Wednesday.

Zim Afro T10: Innocent Kaia stars as Bulawayo Braves win thriller against Cape Town Samp Army

Batting first, the Bulawayo Braves started well with Ryan Burl and Innocent Kaia looking good. The duo put on a quick 25-run stand for the opening wicket before Burl was dismissed for 19 off 9 deliveries.Skipper Sikandar Raza joined Kaia after that in the middle, and the duo added a stroke-filled 24 to the cause. Raza looked good and was settling in for the long haul, however, he could not convert his start and was castled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for 19 from 7 deliveries. Meanwhile, Kaia was making merry in the bright sunshine, much to the joy of the fans at the stadium.Ben McDermott departed for 7 and that brought Beau Webster in the middle, alongside Kaia, who raced to his half-century soon after. Kaia and Webster attacked with full gusto in the final overs and ensured the Braves would put on a solid 125/3 in their quota of 10 overs.In response, the Cape Town Samp Army openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Rahmanullah Gurbaz made a solid start. The duo have been in good form during the tournament and once again were doing their best to put on a show.The duo found the fence and went over it with ease, as they put on a 65-run opening stand, with the Afghanistan batter going great guns. Gurbaz smashed 45 from 18 deliveries, with 3 fours and 5 sixes before Taskin Ahmed had his number. Off the very next ball, Matthew Breetzke was caught behind, which put the brakes on the Samp Army.Marumani was joined by Bhanuka Rajapaksa and were tasked with taking the Samp Army home, in what was a tricky chase. The duo were being cautious, but not missing out on any chances to score. They mixed aggression with caution and midway through the 9th over, they reached the 100-run mark. Right after, Rajapaksa was stumped for 20, off Patrick Dooley, which brought the in-form Karim Janat to the middle.In the final over, with Marumani and Janat in the middle, the Samp Army needed 16 more to win. However, Marumani was dismissed for 39, and Janat (12*) and Sean Williams (1*) could not take the Samp Army over the line.Brief scoresBulawayo Braves 125/3 in 10 overs (Innocent Kaia 52*, Beau Webster 23*; Sheldon Cottrell 1-15, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1-26) beat Cape Town Samp Army 122/4 in 10 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 45, Tadiwanashe Marumani 39; Taskin Ahmed 2-25, Patrick Dooley 1/19) by 3 runs.IANS27 July 2023

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News / National

by Erick Matotoba

In a shocking turn of events, a Chiredzi man has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for the murder of his married lover. High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze delivered the verdict on Friday, marking the end of a trial that has captivated the nation.The convicted man, Alex Muchocha (47) of Farm 28, Hippo Valley in Chiredzi, was found guilty of killing Mercy Mukowa, a young woman aged between 18-21, on November 23, 2021, at Chiredzi Dumpsite. The brutal act saw Mercy stabbed multiple times, with fatal wounds inflicted on her thighs and stomach, leading to her death at the scene.What has left many puzzled is how Mercy managed to maintain relationships with both Muchocha and her husband, Peter Majoka (32), who resides separately at shacks in Chiredzi Dumpsite, without raising suspicions of infidelity.During the trial, Isabel Moyo of Mutendi, Mudisi, and Shumba represented Muchocha on a pro-deo basis. He pleaded for culpable homicide, claiming that he had no intention of killing Mercy. His defense argued that he was outraged after discovering that Mercy had stolen US$600 and a mobile phone and spent the money with her husband, Majoka.However, Justice Mawadze dismissed Muchocha's plea, stating that he was not a credible witness. The judge highlighted inconsistencies in Muchocha's testimony, pointing out that Mercy lived with Majoka and only spent a few days with Muchocha.Moreover, it was revealed that Muchocha used force to stab Mercy after the knife's blade separated from the handle, further indicating his violent intentions. Additionally, Muchocha failed to substantiate his claim that Mercy was involved with multiple men.During the proceedings, Muchocha did not show remorse for his actions and instead blamed Mercy for her adultery, which further incensed him. Majoka testified in court, revealing that Muchocha had once introduced himself as Mercy's uncle during a previous encounter, suggesting that he was aware of their relationship.Justice Mawadze emphasized that a defense of provocation was not applicable in this case and asserted that Muchocha had intended to kill Mercy. As a result, he was convicted of murder with actual intent. The judge made it clear that falling in love or emotions should not warrant a death penalty.The tragic incident occurred when Muchocha encountered Mercy and Majoka with another individual, Chipo Msipa, at Chiredzi Dumpsite. Armed with an okapi knife, Muchocha approached them cautiously. Majoka, sensing danger, fled to alert other residents of the dumpsite, leaving Mercy vulnerable.Tragically, Mercy could not escape, and Muchocha attacked her with a series of fatal stabbings. The following day, police apprehended Muchocha, leading to the trial that ultimately resulted in his conviction.The sentencing of Alex Muchocha has brought a sense of closure to the victim's family and the community, but it has also raised awareness of the importance of addressing domestic and relationship issues in a non-violent manner. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of resorting to violence to resolve conflicts and disputes.
UAE: Sharjah Police briefs Uzbek delegation on social support practices

Sharjah, July 26: Nozimakhon Davletova, Advisor for Social Affairs and Family Protection from the Presidency Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with her accompanying delegation, visited the Sharjah Police General Command.

UAE: Sharjah Police briefs Uzbek delegation on social support practices

The visit comes as part of the Uzbek delegation's official visit to the Sharjah Police to learn about the best practices implemented in the field of social support and family protection.The delegation was welcomed by Colonel Mohamed Al Ghazal, Acting Director of the Social Support Centre, along with several dignitaries and officials from the Ministry of Interior and the Centre. The delegation also included Zulfia Abdulrasulova, Head Expert of the Social Services Management and Monitoring at the National Agency for Social Protection, as well as several other guests and officials.The members of the delegation was given a briefing on the centre's tasks, its role in assisting family-related issues, and the essential services and initiatives it offers to assure community members' happiness. The delegation also learned about the legislations, policies, and laws that govern the center's operations and drive its vision and agenda aimed at protecting the family's foundations.The delegation also gained knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies that direct the center's activities and shape its mission and agenda.The delegation was also briefed on the types of reports handled by the centre and the methods of addressing them, aiming to achieve sustainable social development that ensures the protection of families and the community.ANI27 July 2023

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A 400 bee-boxes distributed to women beekeepers on Kargil Vijay Diwas in ArunachalA

Namsai, July 26: On the occasion of 'Kargil Vijay Diwas', the Khadi and Village Industries Commission remembered the valiant soldiers of the country by distributing 400 bee-boxes to the beekeepers of Arunachal Pradesh under the Honey Mission.

A 400 bee-boxes distributed to women beekeepers on Kargil Vijay Diwas in ArunachalA

Chairman Khadi and Village Industries Commission Manoj Kumar distributed 400 B-Boxes and B-Colonies to the 40 women beekeepers from Enthem village of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, located in the easternmost part of the country and bordering China, through a virtual medium from the western end of the country Mumbai.While addressing the beekeepers virtually Manoj Kumar first remembered the brave sons of Kargil war.He said that on one hand, the brave soldiers of the country are affianced in protecting our Mother India, and on the other hand, our beekeepers are giving India a new identity in the world by joining the local to global campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.He urged to the beekeepers to establish Arunachal Pradesh as the hub of organic honey production. There is a huge demand of pure honey at the international level.In the distribution program organized online, Chairman, KVIC interacted with the beneficiaries of 12 villages of Namsai district through virtually and appreciated them for joining the Honey Mission program of PM Narendra Modi.Sharing their views on this occasion, beneficiaries said that Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh is the only aspirational district in the state. Here the B-boxes provided by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission will provide a new means of livelihood to the tribal society which will increase their income.A beneficiary Semonti, shared her experience with Chairman KVIC and said that besides basic training of 5 days, she was also given significant information related to bee care and honey production. Likewise, Rupanti Gogoi shared that bees provide us honey as well as products like royal jelly, wax and pollen through which additional income of lakhs of rupees can be earned annually.Earlier, KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar also visited Arunachal's Tawang district in the second week of May to take the 'Self-reliant India' and 'Local to Global' campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the remote villages of North Eastern States. He participated in the PMEGP awareness camp here, besides visiting Khadi Eri Silk Training cum Production Center, Monpa Handmade Paper Making Unit, in addition to distribution of pickle making machine to 20 beneficiaries.He had also distributed 400 bee boxes and bee-colonies to 40 beekeepers in two different programmes during his visit to Meghalaya in the second week of July.ANI27 July 2023

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Biren Singh slams European Parliament, tells other NE states not to interfere in Manipurs internal issue

Imphal, July 26: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday criticised the European Parliament for taking up the issue of ongoing ethnic violence in the state and urged the neighbouring northeastern states not to poke their nose in the state's internal issue.

Biren Singh slams European Parliament, tells other NE states not to interfere in Manipur's 'internal issue'

Singh, speaking on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, said that the violence in Manipur is a plan of foreign forces, trying to grab the state's territory."The root cause is that the destruction of elements such as drugs smuggling, illegal poppy cultivation, trying to grab the power that were used disintegrate the unity of the state.The government has no grudge against the Kuki brothers and sisters," the Chief Minister said.Referring to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Singh said that Mizoram after a long struggle, became a state separated from Assam."But Manipur has been a nation for 2,000 years... an Independent Nation. We have faced many enemies from Burma, China and have stood strong. We must not forget and Zoramthanga must also not forget this. He might be expressing solidarity and went to the rally."Zoramthanga along with his ministers and Mizo National Front MLAs, on Tuesday took part in a 'Solidarity March', organised by the NGOs Coordination Committee in Mizoram to express solidarity with the violence hit Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur.The Manipur Chief Minister said that in the current situation, this is not a clash between Hindu and Christian, and there are plenty of churches untouched in Manipur.Without naming any one, the Manipur Chief Minister said that they have been crying and creating fabricated stories, acting up to be portrayed as a victim and brought up the issue in the European Parliament."The consequences won't be good. Even the European countries, what do they know about the ground realities? What did they know about Manipur? They destroyed India, they destroyed our state, they killed and looted our properties. The mentality that those who can speak English are intelligent is strongly condemnable."What I want to say to the people of Manipur is that the war that we are facing is a well planned war against the state government."They have written books and have demarcated even the Imphal valley. We were not aware of this. They even wrote books and charted out strategies which include the Imphal Valley."They even have the backing of terrorists from outside the country. The war that the people and the government are facing is not an ethnic war, the ethnic comes after the people of the communities where affected," Singh said.He further said "I don't listen to these dramas. I, Biren, fear none. Let them do whatever they like. But we will protect our nation and our people."We will stand for the integrity of the state until our blood runs dry," the Chief Minister said in Manipuri language and added that this is a message to those who want to disintegrate the state."We won't succumb to their threats. Separate administration ! Not when the blood still ran in my veins. The state government won't rest until we identify the illegal immigrants and take the necessary step against them," the Chief Minister stated.In the wake of violence over 12,000 displaced people of Kuki-Zo community have taken shelter in Mizoram from violence hit Manipur.The hill area of Manipur, adjoining Mizoram, is inhabited by the 'Zo' community who share the same culture, religion, tradition and ancestry.Ten tribal MLAs (seven of them belonging to the ruling BJP), have been demanding a separate administration (equivalent to separate state) in Manipur.sc/pghIANS27 July 2023

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Muharram procession allowed in Srinagar after 3 decades

Srinagar, July 26,: The J&K administration on Wednesday addressed the demand of Shia community by allowing the 8th Muharram procession on the traditional route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate in Srinagar after three decades, an official statement said.

Muharram procession allowed in Srinagar after 3 decades

"While taking the religious sentiments of Shia brethren into the consideration, the administration decided to allow the procession tomorrow (Thursday)," Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said."I congratulate Shia brethren and Kashmiri public who are known for their affection," he said, adding that it is due to their contribution to the present peaceful environment which made it convenient for administration to take this historic decision.The administration, after several round of talks with Shia Muslim community representatives of all groups and local committee of Gurubazar, has got assurances from all stakeholders that the sacred religious event would be conducted and culminated peacefully.Accordingly, all security arrangements would be put in place and general public, especially members of Shia community, are informed that no one shall be allowed to take out any other procession individually or collectively on the route except the one to be taken out from Gurubazar which has the permission from the administration.Any one violating the orders shall be very strictly dealt with as per law.The timing for the procession shall be from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. considering the working day on Thursday and to avoid hardship to general people.IANS27 July 2023

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Develop robust system for record preservation of employees in schools: Delhi HC

New Delhi, July 27: The Delhi High Court has said that educational institutions should establish a robust system for record preservation, and specifically asked the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to adopt modern practices like digitisation to achieve this objective.

Develop robust system for record preservation of employees in schools: Delhi HC

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula set aside the imposition of a Rs 2 lakh fine on the KVS by a single-judge bench.The case in question involved the dismissal of a teacher from a Kendriya Vidyalaya.The single-judge bench had criticised the organisation for lacking proper governance and not maintaining important employee-related documents. As a consequence of the negligence in preserving and producing the annual confidential report, the teacher was awarded Rs 2 lakh as costs.The court pointed out the importance of instilling efficiency and accountability in institutions like KVS.While it agreed with the single-judge bench's comments on the need for robust record-keeping systems in educational institutions, it deemed the imposed cost to be disproportionate to the circumstances in this particular case."Instead, it would be more equitable to address the need for better record-keeping by directing KVS to adopt better practices such as digitization etc., to ensure the proper preservation of records so that such incidents do not occur in future," the bench said.IANS27 July 2023

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IndiGo engages with Pratt & Whitney following engine recall

New Delhi, July 27: InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo airlines, on Wednesday said that it is in contact with engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney to thoroughly evaluate any potential implications on its fleet.

IndiGo engages with Pratt & Whitney following engine recall

This decision comes in response to a recent cautionary statement issued by the US engine manufacturer, which has also created apprehension among airlines worldwide."We are in receipt of the information from OEM Pratt and Whitney (P&W) regarding the outcome of the latest inspection of their engine. We are working closely with P&W to assess and minimise any potential impact to our fleet," said the spokesperson in a statement released on Wednesday.Pratt & Whitney, a renowned American aerospace manufacturer with a global presence, operates as a subsidiary of RTX Corporation. Recently, RTX Corp revealed the existence of a "rare condition" in powdered metal, impacting a significant portion of the more than 3,000 engines produced for the twin-engined Airbus A320neo between 2015 and 2021."Specifically, approximately 1,200 engines necessitate removal and inspection due to the possibility of micro cracks indicating fatigue. The issue stems from microscopic contaminants found in a specific metal used within the engine's high-pressure turbine discs, a critical part of the engine core," it had said on Tuesday."Out of the 1,200 engines requiring scrutiny, 200 must undergo inspections by mid-September due to their duration of service. The remaining engines will also undergo inspection within the coming year. This measure has been taken to ensure the safety and reliability of the engines and the aircraft they power," it added.IndiGo stands as the primary purchaser of A320 aircraft equipped with P&W engines, solidifying its position as the largest customer. As per sources, the airline currently operates 141 A320neo aircraft and 76 A321neo planes equipped with P&W engines.Last month, the airlines made a groundbreaking announcement regarding the placing of an order for a staggering 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, scheduled to be delivered between 2030 and 2035. The purchase agreement was finalised at the Paris Air Show 2023, with representatives from IndiGo and Airbus present. IndiGo had earlier confirmed that the engine selection and the precise mix of A320 and A321 aircraft will be determined in due course.IndiGo's order comprises a combination of A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR aircraft.IANS27 July 2023

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98 students of Centre-run HEIs committed suicide in last 5 year: Govt

New Delhi, July 27 : As many as 98 students, studying at higher education institutions (HEIs) run by the Central government, have committed suicide in the last five years.

98 students of Centre-run HEIs committed suicide in last 5 year: Govt

Subhas Sarkar, Union Minister of State for Education, provided the information in response to a written question in the Rajya Sabha.According to the information shared by the Union Ministry of Education, between 2019 and 2023, about 32,000 students studying at institutions like Central Universities, IITs, IIMs and NITs across the country have left their studies midway.So far, in 2023, 20 incidents of suicide by students have been reported in these higher education institutions. Of them, nine incidents were reported from Central universities while seven were from IITs.The minister, while sharing data, stated that the maximum number of suicides reported in the last four years were from engineering.According to the data, IITs had the highest number of suicides (39), followed by NITs (25), Central universities (25), IIMs (4), IISERs (3), and IIITs (2). Twenty of these suicides were reported so far in 2023, 24 in 2022, seven each in 2021 and 2020, 19 in 2019 and 21 in 2018.The data also revealed that two students from the SC and one from the OBC categories were among the seven suicide cases in IITs this year. Six of the nine cases in Central universities included members of the SC, ST, OBC, or minority communities."In order to alleviate academic stress, the ministry has taken various steps such as peer-assisted learning and the introduction of technical education in regional languages for students," the minister informed the House.Promoting courses in regional languages, the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has released the complete syllabus of 12 different technical courses in regional languages also, he added.IANS27 July 2023

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China, Russia to hold third joint naval patrol in West, North Pacific

Beijing, July 27: Following the Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercises in the Sea of Japan, China and Russia will soon launch their third joint naval patrol, which will feature both sides' warships sailing into West and North Pacific waters, the Global Times reported citing a press release from China's Ministry of National Defence.

China, Russia to hold third joint naval patrol in West, North Pacific

In accordance with an annual cooperation schedule between the Chinese and Russian militaries, the two countries' navies will hold a joint naval patrol in West and North Pacific waters, China's Ministry of National Defense said in a press release on Wednesday.This is the third time the two nations have conducted a combined naval patrol. In 2021, Chinese and Russian navy formed a joint flotilla and sailed through the Sea of Japan, the West Pacific, and the East China Sea in seven days, completing a full circumnavigation of Japan. This marked the beginning of the first joint patrol., the Global Times reported.The other came after the Russia-led Vostok-2022 strategic drills in 2022, which saw the two countries' vessels reaching the Bering Sea in addition to the West Pacific.China and Russia wrapped up the four-day Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercises in the Sea of Japan on Sunday.It was expected that a joint naval and air patrol would follow the exercise, which practised anti-sea mine, anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine operations under the theme of safeguarding strategic maritime routes.According to the experts, the joint naval patrol could start from the Sea of Japan, stretch into the Pacific Ocean and even reach the Bering Sea, the Global Times reported.Australia is currently hosting the Talisman Sabre 2023 military exercise, which features 13 countries including the US, Australia, the UK, Canada and Japan. Top US naval official Carlos Del Toro pointed to China as a focus of the drill.ANI27 July 2023

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Kim Jong-un greets Russian, Chinese delegates on armistice anniversary

Seoul, July 27: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has met official Russian and Chinese delegations that are visiting Pyongyang to attend celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the 1950-53 Korean War, Pyongyang's state media said on Thursday.

Kim Jong-un greets Russian, Chinese delegates on armistice anniversary

The Russian delegation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and China's party-government delegation, led by Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong, arrived in Pyongyang this week to attend events marking the landmark anniversary on July 27, which the North refers to as Victory Day, reports Yonhap News Agency.The visits by the delegations from the two countries, which share strong ties with the North, marked a rare invitation of foreign guests given that the reclusive state has maintained strict border restrictions since the Covid-19 breakout.According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim and Shoigu on Wednesday visited the "Weaponry Exhibition-2023" event showcasing new weapons and equipment.During their visit, Kim introduced weapons the North has produced under its national defense development plan and shared his views on the "worldwide trend of weaponry development and its strategy" and security agenda facing the two countries.Photos released by state media showed various weapons on display, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) as well as unmanned aircraft that appeared to be modeled after the US surveillance aircraft Global Hawk.Kim and Shoigu held a separate meeting the same day, where they discussed defense issues in a "cordial atmosphere overflowing with militant friendship".The KCNA said the two sides "reached a consensus" on their views on the topics discussed.North Korea has been strengthening its ties with Russia despite international condemnation of Moscow's ongoing war against Ukraine.The KCNA also reported that Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin.At midnight, the North Korean leader attended a performance ceremony marking Victory Day with the Chinese and Russian delegations.Prior to the event, Kim met separately with the Chinese guests that arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday.During the meeting, Li gave Kim a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, the KCNA said, without providing details.The North is expected to hold a large-scale military parade to mark the July 27 anniversary.IANS27 July 2023

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82 stranded tourists in Telangana forest rescued

Hyderabad, July 27: Eighty-two tourists, who were stranded in a forest Telangana's Mulugu district amid heavy rain, were rescued on Thursday, officials said.

82 stranded tourists in Telangana forest rescued

The tourists had gone to see the Mutyam Dhara waterfall and were stranded as overflowing water cut off the passage way on Wednesday.They were rescued early Thursday morning by personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and district police.Superintendent of Police Ghouse Alam said the joint rescue operation was launched after the Dial-100 helpline received a phone call from one of the touists, stating that they were stranded in the dense forest.In a similar incident, some people are also stranded in Bhupalpalli amid heavy rains.Director General of Police Anjani Kumar said police teams were trying to reach the critical areas."The SP and other officers are in touch with the stranded people. All are safe. Rescue and Relief operations are on the way," the DGP tweeted."These are testing times for all of us, and the enthusiasm of Police Constable officers led by seniors is praiseworthy. Senior officers from Multi Zone, IG C. S. Reddy and IG Shahnawaz, are also in the field, guiding and coordinating with SPs and other departments."IANS27 July 2023

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News / National

by Staff reporter

The constant subjugation of the opposition parties by Zanu-PF over the years has created an uneven political ground in the country, Dr Ibbo Mandaza has stated.The publisher and political analyst was speaking on This Morning on Asakhe a CITE Twitter Spaces programme, Tuesday.Dr Mandaza said since 1980, under the leadership of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the same used to happen and most of the elections that followed thereafter were marred with violence."1980 was the first time for us to vote notwithstanding the security situation during the ceasefire. I came back around that time. Subsequent elections were marred by violence. I985, the one party-state spectre was all over the place. ZAPU was under siege, infact I would say that from independence, the tendency of the Zanu-PF state was to regard every opposition as enemy-whether it was ZAPU under Joshua Nkomo, ZUM under Edgar Tekere, MDC under Morgan Tsvangirai," he said."The tendency of the Zanu-PF state was to regard every opposition as enemy. This has been done to other opposition parties. Now the tendency has been unfortunately one of regarding the opposition s enemy to be vanquished, not to be tolerated at all. I would say that most elections have been marked by that type of siege mentality where there is the ruling party, the state sought to vanquish the opposition."Dr Mandaza said similar tendencies are being witnessed of late as rallies are being banned and opposition parties are not being given enough publicity on state media platforms."If you are to look at 2023, the opposition, the rallies are being banned and there is hardly any mention of them in the state media, there is generally a kind of bare tolerance especially now that observers have arrived there is a tendency to try and create an even playfield," he said.Dr Mandaza described such conduct of the ruling party as a sign of desperation and fear to lose the election."This election has been the most desperate on the part of the ruling party, especially it's presidential candidate. The manner in which money has been thrown around since December, the extent to which freebies are being distributed at rallies, I have never seen such desperation from a presidential candidate like I have seen now," he said."I think in the past Mugabe knew that his boys and girls were at work in rigging as he did but I think this time around Mnangagwa is not sure his boys and girls are in one mind so that has added to the desperation."
Doctors at BLK-Max Hospital successfully treated 67-year-old suffering from high-risk heart ailment and kidney cancer

NewsVoir, New Delhi, July 27: Doctors at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital successfully treated and gave a new lease of life to 67-year-old woman suffering from kidney cancer and blockages in major arteries in heart through two major surgeries within 2 days.

Doctors at BLK-Max Hospital successfully treated 67-year-old suffering from high-risk heart ailment and kidney cancer

Led by a team of medical experts, including Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas, Vice Chairman, Oncology, Dr. Ramji Mehrotra, Chief, Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery and Dr. Vikas Thakran, Senior Consultant & Unit Head - Interventional Cardiology at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, multi-disciplinary surgeries were performed, resulting in an optimal clinical outcome that defied all odds.The patient was suffering from kidney cancer. She came to BLK-Max Hospital for the treatment. During evaluation, it was found that patient had class III angina, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Her coronary angiography showed significant triple vessel disease needing prior treatment to mitigate the increased risk of major cardiac events during cancer surgery.The medical team collaboratively discussed and devised a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure the best outcome for the patient. The challenge was that the patient required complete revascularisation with four stents, necessitating dual antiplatelet therapy . Delaying the nephrectomy surgery risked kidney cancer progression while performing it with single antiplatelet therapy was suboptimal.The surgical plan involved coronary artery bypass surgery using bilateral mammary artery grafts and a robotic right radical nephrectomy the next day. Performing nephrectomy on a patient who had undergone major coronary bypass surgery posed significant challenges due to the risk of intra-operative bleeding.Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas, Vice Chairman, Oncology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, "The utilisation of robotic surgery proved advantageous, allowing for a minimally invasive approach and precise vascular control. This approach reduced bleeding, magnified 3D visualization, and adherence to oncological principles. The safe robotic procedure enabled the early initiation of anticoagulants, crucial for post-coronary bypass care, leading to a rapid recovery and early ambulation. The patient's progress was remarkable, and she was discharged on the 6th post-operative day."Dr. Ramji Mehrotra, Chief, Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital said, "Embracing a comprehensive and collaborative approach our surgical strategy encompassed the utilisation of bilateral mammary artery grafts for coronary artery bypass surgery. By meticulously considering the challenges at hand, we aimed to optimise patient care through the exploration of safe myocardial revascularization with total arterial bypass, thereby striving for superior long-term outcomes. The arterial grafts have more chances of remaining patent even without blood thinners."Dr. Vikas Thakran, Senior Consultant & Unit Head, Interventional Cardiology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, highlighted the significance of the multidisciplinary approach, stating, "Non-cardiac surgery after myocardial revascularisation is a challenging scenario, often requiring a delay of several months. However, in this case, where delaying the oncological surgery was not an option, we employed a multi-disciplinary approach to address the underlying coronary artery disease simultaneously."This successful outcome exemplifies the power of a coordinated multidisciplinary approach, where experts from different medical specialties collaborate to mitigate risks and deliver optimal patient care.Max Healthcare Institute Limited is one of India's largest hospital chains in fiscal 2023. It is committed to the highest standards of medical and service excellence, patient care, scientific and medical education.MHIL has a major concentration in North India consisting of a network of 17 healthcare facilities. Out of the total network, eight hospitals and four medical centres are located in Delhi and the NCR, and the others are located in the cities of Mumbai, Mohali, Bathinda, and Dehradun. The Max network includes all the hospitals and medical centres owned and operated by the Company and its subsidiaries, partner healthcare facilities, and managed healthcare facilities. These include state-of-the-art tertiary and quaternary care hospitals at Saket, Patparganj, Vaishali, Rajendra Place, and Shalimar Bagh in Delhi NCR and one each in Mumbai, Mohali, Bathinda, and Dehradun, secondary care hospital in Gurgaon and Day Care Centres at Noida, Lajpat Nagar and Panchsheel Park in Delhi NCR and one in Mohali, Punjab. The hospitals in Mohali and Bathinda are under PPP arrangement with the Government of Punjab.In addition to its core hospital business, MHIL has two SBUs - Max@Home and Max Lab. Max@Home is a platform that provides health and wellness services at home and Max Lab offers diagnostic services to patients outside its network.ANI27 July 2023

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Bo Goldman, screenwriter for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, passes away at 90

Los Angeles, July 27: Bo Goldman, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter, who co-wrote 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and 'Melvin and Howard', died in Helendale, California. He was 90.

Bo Goldman, screenwriter for 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', passes away at 90

Director Todd Field, his son-in-law, confirmed the death, but did not give a cause, reports 'Deadline'.Goldman's career took off when director Milos Forman read his first screenplay and invited him to adapt Ken Kesey's 'Cuckoo's Nest' novel for film.The resulting script shared screenwriting credit with Lawrence Hauben and won the Oscar for Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material. The film was also named Best Picture, and earned Oscars for Forman, lead actor Jack Nicholson, and Louise Fletcher, who played Nurse Ratched.As per 'Deadline', in 1980, 'Melvin and Howard' won Goldman his second Oscar, this time for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Goldman later worked with director Martin Brest on two other acclaimed films, 'Scent of a Woman' (1992) and 'Meet Joe Black' (1998).Born in New York City, Goldman attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1953. While writing for the college newspaper as Bob Goldman, a typesetter accidentally left off the second "b" in his name. Goldman liked the mistake so much he later legally changed his name to Bo.Three years in the Army followed college, and he then became an assistant to Jule Styne, the composer. He earned a Broadway credit in 1959 as one of the lyricists for 'First Impressions', a musical based on Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' that Styne's company produced.'Deadline' further states that he continued working in television, but found sustained success elusive.Goldman used the late 1960s and early 1970s to write his first screenplay, 'Shoot the Moon', based on his observations of his contemporaries' marriages in crisis. Forman read it and that led to the 'Cuckoo's Nest' assignment.Goldman's other screenwriting credits include 'The Flamingo Kid' (1984), 'Little Nikita' (1988), and 'City Hall' (1996).Goldman is survived by son Justin Ashforth; four daughters, Mia Goldman, Amy Goldman, Diana Rathbun and Serena Rathbun; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His wife and another son predeceased him. No memorial plans have been revealed.aa/svnIANS27 July 2023

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Telangana administration on high alert due to incessant rains

Hyderabad, July 27: The Telangana government has put the entire state administration on high alert in view of the incessant rains that have been lashing the state during the last couple of days.

Telangana administration on high alert due to incessant rains

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari said that as per the directions of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the flood situation in the state is being constantly monitored with the senior officials along with district collectors and superintendents of the police.The NDRF, SDRF and Fire Service teams have been put on readiness to take up any rescue and relief measures in case of any emergency. A special control room ( 7997950008, 7997959782, 040-23450779) to monitor the flood situation has been set up in the state secretariat.Three Senior Officials have been appointed in the control room and the situation is being constantly monitored, the Chief Secretary said. Similarly, control rooms have been set up in all the collector offices of the districts.Two NDRF teams in Bhadradri Kothagudem and Hyderabad districts have been kept in readiness while one NDRF team each has been put in place in Mulugu and Warangal districts.Several districts in the state, particularly from North Telangana have been experiencing continuous downpours from Wednesday night. Rainfall ranging from 30 to 40 cm has been recorded in these districts.Moranchavagu in Moranchapalli village of Bhupalpalli district has been in spate and as a result the entire village is submerged. She said the district administration has shifted the villagers of Moranchapalli village to a safer location. One NDRF team is being despatched to Moranchapalli village, while steps are being taken to send one helicopter to the village. Collector and SP of Bhupalpally district are constantly in touch with the villagers and personally monitoring the situation.In another incident, 80 tourists stranded near Muthyaladhara in Mulugu district were rescued late Wednesday night. Children of a residential school in Mulugu district headquarters were being shifted to other schools as waterlogging was reported in the residential school.As several colonies in Warangal and Hanumakonda town are under water due to heavy rains, the district administration is taking steps to evacuate the colony residents and shift them to safer places.Meanwhile, the Godavari river is flowing dangerously at Bhadrachalam and as such a second danger alert has been issued. As there is every likelihood of the flood water reaching the third danger alert mark, steps are being taken to shift people living in low-lying areas to relief camps.As there is a lot of outflow from the Kadem project, measures are being taken to shift the people living in the catchment areas to safer places. As the ponds, canals and tanks are up to the brim in several parts of the state, various measures have been taken to prevent any untoward incident. The Chief Secretary advised the people not to venture out near the causeways and other vulnerable areas.The Chief Secretary informed that the flood situation in the state is being constantly monitored with the collectors and SPs of the districts through teleconference on an hourly basis. Senior officials and various heads of departments are also constantly monitoring the situation from the Secretariat, she added.IANS27 July 2023

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North-Korea: Kim Jong-un welcomes Russian, Chinese delegations on occasion of armistice anniversary

Pyongyang, July 27: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un greeted the Russian and Chinese delegations on Thursday in Pyongyang, who have reached here to attend celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the 1950-53 Korean War, Yonhap reported quoting North Korean state media said on Thursday.

North-Korea: Kim Jong-un welcomes Russian, Chinese delegations on occasion of armistice anniversary

Russia's military delegation, led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and China's party-government delegation, led by Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong, arrived in Pyongyang this week to attend events marking the landmark anniversary on July 27, which the North refers to as Victory Day, Yonhap News Agency reported.Yonhap News Agency brings South Korean news through newspapers, broadcasters, government agencies, businesses and Internet portals on a real-time basis.The visits by the delegations from the two countries marked a rare invitation of foreign guests given that the reclusive state has maintained strict border restrictions since the COVID-19 breakout.On Wednesday, Kim and Shoigu visited the "Weaponry Exhibition-2023" event showcasing new weapons and equipment, accompanied by key Pyongyang officials, according to the North Korean Central News Agency .During their visit, Kim introduced weapons the North has produced under its national defence development plan and shared his views on the "worldwide trend of weaponry development and its strategy" and the security agenda facing the two countries.According to the KCNA, Kim expressed his views on "the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries" from "the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists."Photos released by state media showed various weapons on display, including intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as unmanned aircraft that appeared to be modelled after the US surveillance aircraft Global Hawk.Kim and Shoigu held a separate meeting the same day, where they discussed defence issues in a "cordial atmosphere overflowing with militant friendship." The KCNA said the two sides "reached a consensus" on their views on the topics discussed.The meeting has raised speculation that the two sides may have discussed the provision of North Korean weapons to Russia.North Korea has been strengthening its ties with Russia despite international condemnation of Moscow's war with Ukraine, amid allegations that Pyongyang has provided arms to Moscow for use in the war.The KCNA also reported that Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin.It added the meeting served as an occasion to further strengthen their bilateral ties amid "the ever-changing regional and international security environment."At midnight, the North Korean leader attended a performance ceremony marking Victory Day with the Chinese and Russian delegations.Prior to the event, Kim met separately with the Chinese guests that arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday.During the meeting, Li gave Kim a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, the KCNA said, without providing details.Upon receiving the letter, Kim said the Beijing delegation's visit reflects Xi's "will to attach great importance to the DPRK-China friendship" and vowed to bolster ties with the "fraternal Chinese people."Observers said North Korea apparently aims to use its celebrations to publicly show off its close ties with China and Russia in the face of strengthened defence cooperation among South Korea, the US and Japan against Pyongyang's provocations.The China and Russian delegations' visit came at the time amid simmering tensions between North Korea and South Korea and its US ally.The US and South Korea have condemned Pyongyang's missile test several times, and on several occasions, Washington and Seoul have deployed military assets like nuclear-capable submarines and bombers.The tensions increased as last week US soldier Pvt Travis King illegally entered North Korea after crossing its border with South Korea, where he was assigned to US Forces Korea and had been on the Joint Security Area tour as a civilian.King was facing disciplinary action and was meant to go back to the US. He is believed to be the first US soldier to cross into North Korea since 1982.On July 17, the United Nations Command deputy commander, Gen Andrew Harrison, said a "conversation has commenced" with North Korea over King. But Pyongyang does not seem to be responding to Washington directly, reported CNN.Despite economic hardships and global criticism of its nuclear and missile development programs, the North has also continued to pursue its military ambitions, firing a Hwasong-18 ICBM in the latest provocation this month.ANI27 July 2023

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Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa to reach India on July 27A

New Delhi, July 27: Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa will be arriving in New Delhi on Thursday evening on a two-day visit to India, the Ministry of External Affairs press release said on Thursday.

Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa to reach India on July 27A

He would reach the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday evening and later in the evening will hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House.On Friday, he will attend the India- Japan Forum at Imperial Hotel in New Delhi.He will depart for his country on Friday late evening.Yoshimasa will travel to India as part of his visit to Southwest Asia and Africa to bolster relations with a group of nations known as the Global South, NHK World-Japan reported.Speaking to reporters in Tokyo earlier this week, Yoshimasa said he will visit India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia through August 4. During his visit, he plans to hold meetings with foreign ministers of those countries and other senior officials, according to the NHK World-Japan report.Yoshimasa highlighted the importance of listening to the views of the Global South and responding to the needs of the group.Hayashi visited Delhi in March this year to attend the Quad Foreign Minister's meeting.Yoshimasa's visit is part of a push to realize Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's "free and open Indo-Pacific" and maintain the international order based on the rule of law, NHK World-Japan reported. Speaking in Delhi in March this year, Kishida emphasised that India is "indispensable" in Tokyo's plan for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific".Earlier this May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the full range of relations between India and Japan during his bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Hiroshima. The two leaders also discussed the focus areas of India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency towards making the planet better.The two leaders also discussed deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, according to the statement. The leaders agreed on ways to further strengthen the bilateral Special Strategic and Global Partnership.PM Modi tweeted, "Had an excellent meeting with PM @kishida230this morning. We reviewed the full range of India-Japan relations and also discussed the focus areas of India's G-20 Presidency and Japan's G-7 Presidency towards making our planet better."India and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1952. India, Japan, Australia, US are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue , commonly known as the Quad.ANI27 July 2023

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40 crore pilgrims expected to attend 2025 Maha Kumbh

Prayagraj, July 27: Some 40 crore pilgrims are set to attend the 2025 Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, compared to the 25 crore footfall in 2019.

40 crore pilgrims expected to attend 2025 Maha Kumbh

The 2013 Maha Kumbh was spread over an area of 1,600 hectares which increased to 3,200 hectares in 2019.The 2025 congregation will be spread over 5,000 hectares.Mela Adhikari, Vijay Kiran Anand, told reporters "Maha Kumbh will be divided into 25 sectors, with a police station in each sector. And there will be more than 100 police outposts."In comparison to this, the 2019 was spread in 20 sectors.Likewise, the number of pontoon bridges too will be more in 2025. In 2019, authorities had made 22 pontoon bridges across the rivers Ganga and Yamuna whereas in 2025, the number will increase to 27, said Anand.Each of the 25 sectors of the vast mela area will have one fire station each.The official further informed that the devotees coming to Maha Kumbh will have a stretch of 10 km to bathe during the 44-day mela.There will also be several parking lots across the city and near the mela area."Arrangements will be made near the mela area and also in outskirts of the city, to accommodate around four lakhs vehicles in a day," said the official.Likewise, there will be multiple entry and exits for the vast mela area."There will be theme-based gates for different sectors and areas of the mela so that if anyone wants to meet their relative or someone else, he or she can inform about their whereabouts on the basis of the theme of the respective gate."Maha Kumbh 2025 will start from Paush Purnima (January 13) after which Makar Sankranti will be on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on January 29, Basant Panchami on February 3, Maghi Purnima on February 12 and Maha Shivratri on February 26.The three Shahi Snan (royal bathing days) by the 13 Akharas of the country will take place on January 14 (MakarSankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya) and February 3 (Basant Panchami).IANS27 July 2023

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Broadway in Bombay: 'West Side Story' musical to make India debut at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre

Mumbai, July 27: There's great news for Indians who love watching Broadway shows.

Broadway in Bombay: 'West Side Story' musical to make India debut at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre

One of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time, 'West Side Story', is all set to make its grand India debut at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre .Directed by Broadway luminary Lonny Price, this modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' will be staged at The Grand Theatre - the Cultural Centre's world-class performing arts space - between August 16 and August 27.Excited to bring 'West Side Story' to India, founder of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Nita Ambani said, "We are delighted to bring yet another iconic Broadway musical 'West Side Story' to India for the very first time. This carries forward our vision of showcasing the best of India to the world and bringing the best of the world to India. At the heart of this theatrical is the emotion of love - a force that transcends boundaries and binds cultures. I thank all the friends of NMACC for their wholehearted support to our Centre; and invite them to join us in this celebration of love through art and music."'West Side Story' narrates the story of two young, star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, in the throes of life-changing events that play out on the streets of 1950's New York.In this vibrant and passionate retelling, trouble brews on Upper West Side as rival gangs Jets and Sharks battle for dominance of the neighbourhood, even as the protagonists - whose kin are sworn enemies - find themselves irrevocably in love.Driven by ancient feuds, electric rhythms, a cinematic period setting and the tragic obstacles of destiny, this is a timeless tale that is bound to enthrall.Celebrated for the immortal melodies of Leonard Bernstein, outstanding choreography of Jerome Robbins, playwrighting by the famous Arthur Laurents and the evocative words of multi-award-winning lyricist Stephen Sondheim, this rendition of 'West Side Story' is the only touring production to feature the original Broadway choreography.The theatrical's incredibly talented choreographer Julio Monge also served as a consultant for Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning movie adaptation, which was released in 2021.Director Lonny Price, who transports the audience to the New York of the 1950s with his fresh new production, said, "We wanted to rejuvenate this 'classic on stage'. To do a traditional production of it, and a truthful one, using the means available today, but staying as close to the original as possible. West Side Story is a timeless masterpiece, perfect in every way. All of our effort was to portray the story as truthfully and as authentically as possible.""Without doubt, India is the land of epic love stories, a truly wonderful and magical place. We hope that the Indian audience will embrace our West Side Story and are very much looking forward to our time at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre," Producer Martin Flohr added.Earlier this year, the NMACC brought 'The Sound of Music' Broadway to India.So, Mumbaikars what are you waiting for? Check the schedule and grab the tickets for the 'West Side Story' musical show as soon as possible.ANI27 July 2023

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TECNO takes on the LED trend with Nothing but an RGB Spin

New Delhi, July 27: It's almost been two weeks with brands revealing their upcoming phone flaunting LED light design patterns over social media. That has stirred quite a discussion around who's doing better?A .

TECNO takes on the LED trend with Nothing but an RGB Spin

TECNO too caught the attention of the consumers when it dropped its latest teaser for the POVA 5 Pro 5G donning a multi-coloured LED light back panel and is set to give a tough competition to Nothing Phone (2).Even though the light design resembles to the Nothing Phone, TECNO has an advantage over here as, unlike Nothing's single white LED light, POVA 5 Pro seems to support RGB colours at the back.As per the teasers circulated on the internet, the brand has named light design as Arc interface and the same offers multiple functionalities with respect to incoming calls, music, and more.Earlier in June 2022, the company launched POVA 3 with a single RGB LED light strip at the back panel, which received much praise among users.Taking the innovation one step ahead, the company is ready to announce its POVA 5 Pro 5G with the Arc Interface multi-coloured back panel, expected to launch in August 2023 on Amazon.TECNO is known for launching best-in-segment features at competitive pricing. Considering the disruptive pricing of its Phantom V Fold, making it the most affordable fold phone in India, it is expected that POVA 5 Pro 5G will be launched at an aggressive pricing too.Looking at the teasers, POVA 5 Pro 5G seems to be positioned towards fuelling the aspirations of GenZ and seeing the consistent innovation from TECNO, the smartphone likely feature some best-in-segment attributes coupled with a premium 3D textured design.The exact specs are not known as of now but considering the specs of the previous POVA series smartphone, it is expected that the phone will boast a powerful processor, a big battery, and fast charging speed.Video Link for Music Functionality https//we.tl/t-eXY7Uku52gAmazon link https//www.amazon.in/l/88139339031IANS27 July 2023

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Sri Lanka High Commissioner thanks PM Modi for financial assistance during economic crisis

New Delhi, July 27: The Sri Lankan High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda said on Wednesday that the Sri Lankan President thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for the financial assistance rendered during the recent economic crisis which served as the lifeline towards laying the critical initial steps towards economic stabilization, a press statement by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner said on Thursday.

Sri Lanka High Commissioner thanks PM Modi for financial assistance during economic crisis

He also stated that the future India-Sri Lanka cooperation would mainly focus on connectivity and investment which will be founded on a vibrant economic integration strategy.Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda attended a closed-door panel discussion organized by the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi on 'Economic Recovery of Sri Lanka and Visit of the President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe to India' as the lead speaker on Wednesday.High Commissioner Moragoda went on to elaborate on the significance of India-Sir Lanka relations and the special status it has reached in the recent past. Commenting on the recent visit of the President of Sri Lanka to New Delhi, High Commissioner stated that the visit not only further strengthened the existing bilateral relationship, but laid a solid foundation towards a vibrant India-Sri Lanka economic partnership.Further, the High Commissioner also explained the broader contours mentioned in the joint vision statement along with the importance of MoUs that were signed and underlined the necessity of both countries working towards reaping mutual benefits founded on the key pillars of connectivity and integration, which are expected to be implemented through five key enablers stated in the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision. Ambassador Ashok Kantha, former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Ambassador Mohan Kumar, Professor, and Dean of the Office of International Affairs and Global Initiatives, Jindal University also shared their views on the theme along with High Commissioner Moragoda. The ICWA was established in 1943 by a group of eminent intellectuals led by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and H.N. Kunzru. Its principal objective was to create an Indian perspective on international relations and act as a repository of knowledge and thinking on foreign policy issues. The ICWA is funded by the Ministry of External Affairs and enjoys full autonomy.Ambassador Vijay Thakur Singh, Director General - ICWA, former Indian diplomats, officials of the ICWA, and members of the leading New Delhi-based Think Tanks were also present at the event along with scholars and research personalities.ANI27 July 2023

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Authorities taking action to bring perpetrators to justice, restore peace in Manipur: MEA

New Delhi, July 27: The Ministry of External Affairs, while reacting to the US State Department's statement on the Manipur viral video, said that "authorities are taking action to bring perpetrators to justice and restore peace in Manipur.".

Authorities taking action to bring perpetrators to justice, restore peace in Manipur: MEA

MEA Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi while addressing a media briefing on Thursday has said that there the authorities, in the case of viral video incident and others, are taking action."As you are aware, this is a matter on which our authorities, particularly the viral video and that incident, as you mentioned, but other incidents also on which our authorities are taking action to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace and normalcy in Manipur," he said while replying on the US State Department's statement."We have seen those comments by the US State Department on July 25, which also acknowledge the same," he added.In connection with a viral video which showed two women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur, Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson of US State Department said, "We were shocked and horrified by the video of this extreme attack on two women in Manipur. We convey our profound sympathies to the survivors of this act of gender-based violence and support the Indian Government's efforts to seek justice for them.""We encourage a peaceful and inclusive resolution to Manipur violence and encourage authorities to respond to the humanitarian needs and protect the lives and property of all groups."Police said that total of six arrests have been made so far in the incident which occured on May 4,2023.Further in the briefing, when asked about the reports of an Indian man reaching Pakistan after being swept away in the Sutlej River, Bagchi said, "We have seen the reports and are gathering more details about it."ANI27 July 2023

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Las Vegas police say that Aces guard Riquna Williams was arrested on Tuesday and charged with nine counts stemming from a domestic violence investigation.

According to Clark County, Nevada court records obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Williams was charged with three felony counts of strangulation, one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, one felony count of coercion. She was also booked on four misdemeanor counts of domestic battery.

During her initial court appearance on Wednesday, Williams was released on her own recognizance and is mandated to undergo alcohol monitoring and mental health counseling. Williams' next court appearance is set for Aug. 2.

The Aces released a statement saying Williams is "precluded from participating in team activities."

A statement from the Las Vegas Aces. pic.twitter.com/JGx4mPpuNU  Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 26, 2023

In 2019, Williams, while with the Los Angeles Sparks, was suspended for 10 games after police said she struck an ex-girlfriend after forcing her way into a Florida residence by hitting the door with a skateboard. She was charged two felony counts of burglary and aggravated assault. Those charges were dismissed in February 2020.

The 33-year-old Williams, who was a WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year in 2013, has not played this year because of a lower back injury. She has averaged 10.5 points in her 10 WNBA seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Riquna Williams, Aces guard, arrested on domestic battery charges
Govt to consider production-linked incentive scheme for chemicals, petrochemicals sector: Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, July 27: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, on Thursday emphasized the immense potential of the Indian chemical and petrochemicals sector at the 3rd edition of the 'Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs in India' Summit on the theme 'Sustainability and Circularity' in New Delhi.

Govt to consider production-linked incentive scheme for chemicals, petrochemicals sector: Nirmala Sitharaman

Sitharaman highlighted its impact on various other industries within the economy, as it manufactures a staggering 80,000 products, including those in agriculture, infrastructure, textiles, and packaging.In a bid to transform India into a prominent manufacturing hub, she revealed that the government will consider the introduction of a Production-Linked Incentive scheme for the chemicals and petrochemicals sector.Nirmala Sitharaman outlined the ambitious goals set by the Indian government, stating, "India has set its sight on becoming energy independent by 2047 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070."The Finance Minister also stressed the importance of transitioning to a circular economy, encouraging the industry to work together with the government to make the sector more sustainable.She acknowledged the significant potential in the speciality chemicals market, projected to grow at a 12 per cent CAGR, driven by India's process engineering capabilities, low-cost manufacturing, and abundant manpower.Bhagwanth Khuba, the Minister of State for Chemicals & Petrochemicals and New & Renewable Energy, said, "Today the market size of the sector is around USD 190 billion and is likely to reach USD 300 billion by 2025 and USD 1 trillion by 2040 with huge opportunities."He mentioned ongoing initiatives such as setting up chemical parks and promoting skill development.Pratap Keshari Deb, the Minister of Industries, MSME and Energy of Odisha said, "We are growing domestically at 8 per cent in the chemicals sector and to sustain this growth over the next 10 years we would need 40 per cent growth in the capacity."The summit also saw contributions from industry leaders, including Deepak C Mehta, Chairman of FICCI National Chemical Committee and CMD of Deepak Nitrite Ltd, and Prabh Das, Chairman of FICCI Petrochemicals Committee and MD & CEO of HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd.Arun Baroka, the Secretary of the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals said, "Changing industry landscape is driving the Indian chemical and Petrochemicals industry towards the next wave of growth with newer opportunities".India's chemicals and petrochemicals sector is poised to play a vital role in achieving the country's energy independence and net-zero carbon emission goals while contributing significantly to its economic growth.ANI27 July 2023

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Urvashis 700th film Appatha, heist drama Choona, and more on OTT

New Delhi, July 27: With OTT platforms dishing up an overflowing platter of options, it's hard to put together a must-watch list, especially if it's limited to five. Here are the five new titles that have caught the attention of IANS:.

Urvashi's 700th film 'Appatha', heist drama 'Choona', and more on OTT

From an investigative crime drama to a gripping thriller, to a love story, IANS has put together a slate that should grab the interest of diverse audiences, spanning interests and languages.This week's must-watch array of multi-genre content includes Urvashi's 700th movie 'Appatha' to Vijay Varma and Shweta Tripathi's investigative drama 'Kaalkoot'. We also have Tamil political thriller 'Maamannan' to 'Choona', a thrilling heist drama loaded with perfect comic punches.And, don't forget Raveena Tandon and Milind Soman's 'One Friday Night', which explores the complexities of relationships.KaalkootThe investigative drama stars Vijay Varma and Shweta Tripathi Sharma, along with Yashpal Sharma, Gopal Datt and Seema Biswas. Directed by Sumit Saxena, 'Kaalkoot' delves deep into the dark realities of patriarchy and systemic oppression.An intense crime series set against the backdrop of a horrifying acid attack case, the story revolves around Ravi Tripathi (Vijay), a sub-inspector in the town of Thana Sarsi. Initially lacking interest in his job, Ravi's perspective changes when he discovers that the victim of the brutal attack, Parul (Shweta), is the same girl his mother wanted him to marry.Driven by a newfound purpose, Ravi takes it upon himself to investigate the crime and find the person responsible. Along the way, he confronts gender biases, toxic masculinity, and societal expectations that hinder his pursuit of justice.Directed by Sumit Saxena, it is streaming on Jio Cinema from July 27.One Friday NightStarring the talented trio of Raveena Tandon, Milind Soman, and Vidhi Chitalia, 'One Friday Night' is a gripping thriller that promises an evening of romance, betrayal and suspense!This riveting drama explores the complexities of relationships, secrets, and the unexpected turns life can take. It centres around Ram, an affluent man who finds himself entangled in an affair with Niru, a woman half his age. Their secret rendezvous in a clandestine love nest takes an unforeseen turn when a life-altering accident leaves Ram severely injured, and in dire need of medical attention.With no other options available, Niru is forced to make a fateful decision -- to reach out to Ram's unsuspecting wife, Lata. What happens thereafter is a total rollercoaster.Presented by Jio Studios, produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Manish Trehan, the film is directed by Manish Gupta. It is slated for a digital premiere on July 28 on JioCinema.AppathaStarring the legendary South Indian actress Urvashi (it's her 700th film), and directed by Priyadarshan, 'Appatha' skillfully weaves together elements of humour and genuine emotions.The Tamil movie takes viewers into the world of Kannamma, also known as Appatha, who has spent all her life in the village of Kaayilanpatti. She raises her son after losing her husband, makes a name for herself with her business, but all along, she stays away from her one fear -- dogs.Watch as she reconnects with her estranged son, who brought her to the city only for her to realise that she needs to keep an eye on the family dog Zeus when they go on a vacation. The duo goes from trying to stay away from each other to nearly becoming inseparable.It will start streaming on JioCinema on July 29.MaamannanA Tamil political thriller written and directed by Mari Selvaraj, the film boasts of an ensemble cast that includes Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who's also the producer, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh.Maamannan (played by Vadivelu) is an MLA belonging to the oppressed community, who rose up the ranks from being a party cadre in Salem, Tamil Nadu. His son, Athiveeran 'Veera' (Stalin), a practitioner of the martial art Adimurai, is estranged from his father owing to a casteist attack by the local dominant community members during his childhood, which left him emotionally and physically scarred.Rathnavelu (Fahadh) is the district secretary in the party of which Maamannan is a member, and belongs to the dominant community. Rathnavelu and Maamannan are always at loggerheads due to the former's brash and aggressive attitude.One day, after an altercation and noticing the disrespect to his father Sundaram (played by Azhagam Perumal), by his colleagues and other party members, Rathnavelu lashes out at them, which instigates Maamannan and Veera to turn from pawns to players.What follows is how Veera and Maamannan tackle the obstacles rolled out by Rathnavelu to establish his control over local politics. And this clash of personalities is intertwined with notions of social equality.The film was released on June 29 and it started streaming on Netflix on July 27.ChoonaStarring Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Chandan Roy, Namit Das, Gyanendra Tripathi, Atul Srivastava, Monika Panwar and Niharika Lyra Dutt, this thrilling heist drama is written and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra.When an astrologer, a highly skilled, shape-shifting informer, a 'gully ka gunda', a demoted police officer, a once-successful contractor, and a resourceful mediator, Bishnu, plan a heist to take down their one common enemy Shukla, the calm is whitewashed and chaos is liberally laid out for one and all.They plan to loot Rs 600 crore, no less, and that too from the lion's lair! The party office of Shukla is guarded by armed men, over a hundred physically fit workers, and is secured by CCTV cameras at every corner. With such a huge amount at stake, this extraordinary heist will need more than just brains and brawns to succeed.Can these ordinary men successfully pull off an extraordinary feat and 'lagao choona' to Shukla?With a comic seasoning of astrological reasoning in its narrative and a exciting visual experience, 'Choona' is set to take the viewers on an entertaining, fun-filled ride.It will start streaming on August 3 on Netflix.IANS27 July 2023

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15th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue to chart the way for Global Partnership: Jaishankar

New Delhi, July 27: Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on Thursday held delegation level talks with Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi and said that the strategic dialogue will chart the way for Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two nations.

15th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue to chart the way for Global Partnership: Jaishankar

The 15th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue was held at the Hyderabad House in the national capital."Warm welcome to FM Yoshimasa Hayashi of Japan on this New Delhi evening.The 15th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue will take stock and chart the way for our Special Strategic and Global Partnership," tweeted Jaishankar.Japanese FM arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day.https//twitter.com/ANI/status/1684571602288275458On Friday, the Japanese Foreign Minister will attend the India- Japan Forum at Imperial Hotel in New Delhi.Hayashi will depart for his country on Friday late evening.He is in India as part of his visit to Southwest Asia and Africa to bolster relations with a group of nations known as the Global South, NHK World-Japan reported.Speaking to reporters in Tokyo earlier this week, Yoshimasa Hayashi said he will visit India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia through August 4. During his visit, he plans to hold meetings with foreign ministers of those countries and other senior officials, according to the NHK World-Japan report.He also highlighted the importance of listening to the views of the Global South and responding to the needs of the group.This is his second visit to India this year.Earlier in March this year, Hayashi visited Delhi to attend the Quad Foreign Minister's meeting.This visit is part of a push to realise Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's "free and open Indo-Pacific" and maintain the international order based on the rule of law, NHK World-Japan reported.Speaking in Delhi in March this year, Kishida emphasised that India is "indispensable" in Tokyo's plan for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific".Earlier this May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the full range of relations between India and Japan during his bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Hiroshima. The two leaders also discussed the focus areas of India's G20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency towards making the planet better.The two leaders also discussed deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, according to the statement. The leaders agreed on ways to further strengthen the bilateral Special Strategic and Global Partnership."Had an excellent meeting with PM @kishida230this morning. We reviewed the full range of India-Japan relations and also discussed the focus areas of India's G-20 Presidency and Japan's G7 Presidency towards making our planet better," PM Modi had said in a tweet.India and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1952. India, Japan, Australia, US are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad.ANI28 July 2023

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Israel, Ivory Coast sign framework agreements

Tel Aviv, July 27: Expanding Israeli relations in Africa, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Ivory Coast Foreign Minister Kandia Camara signed a framework agreement in the fields of agriculture, water and technology.

Israel, Ivory Coast sign framework agreements

Cohen led a business delegation of a variety of Israeli companies in the fields of cyber, agriculture and energy to the Israel-Ivory Coast Economic Forum."Both of our countries face the threat of terrorism, especially the spread of Hezbollah, Iran's terrorist arm," Cohen said."In my talks with senior government officials in the Ivory Coast, we agreed to share Israeli knowledge on legal, financial and intelligence issues. We also operate in the field of international aid, with Israel providing The latest of her knowledge in the fields of agriculture for the benefit of the people of the Ivory Coast. The economic forum that I opened with the Israeli business delegation will greatly contribute to increasing trade between the two countries."ANI28 July 2023

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Things have not gone well for Putin since the pantomime coup attempt by the Wagner group last month (via REUTERS)

The attacks on the Black Sea ports of Ukraine are a crude bid to shut down grain and maize exports, a mainstay of the Ukrainian economy and a mainstay of food aid to Egypt, north Africa and beyond. The blitz followed Russias withdrawal from the international agreement to ship Ukrainian produce, under supervision and inspection.

Ending the shipping deal was followed by a threat to attack any ships headed for Ukraines ports, on the excuse they might be carrying arms. This implies Putins forces are now prepared to attack any foreign freighter in international waters.

The Black Sea is now one of the two or three hotspots in the 520-day war in Ukraine  a flashpoint which carries a real threat of the conflict widening dramatically.

The display of brute force on civilian targets seems a bad miscalculation  the bid for a short-term gain leading to a cascade of deep and enduring loss. A leaked memorandum from a Kremlin source suggests that Putin was aiming to squeeze the grain shipments, so sanctions on Russias own exports from the Black Sea  for fertilizer products especially  would be eased. This would be accompanied by Russia being allowed back into the Swift international banking mechanism.

This week Putin hosts a conference with African governments but only 21 leaders have shown up  in 2019 that figure was 43

In trying to bomb Ukraines grain trade out of existence  Ukraine once accounted for 10 per cent of global trade in wheat and maize  the Kremlin has contrived to upset and annoy its prime clientele of the nations of Africa.

This week, Putin hosts his two-day conference with African governments in St Petersburg, where grain exports, aid and arms shipments are sure to be discussed. In 2019, some 43 heads of African governments attended the first of these conferences. This time round, only 21 leaders have shown up  with some governments merely sending a minister or ambassador  while five have declined altogether. The Kremlin now complains this is deliberate sabotage by the US and French governments.

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It is a visible sign of Putins waning international pulling power. Its very important for Putin, a senior British official explains, and the outcome this weekend will have real significance.

Things have not gone well for Putin since the pantomime coup de main attempt by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner group last month. At first Prigozhin was denounced as a traitor, only for things to be patched up and the former hot dog salesman and his gang to be allowed to go to Belarus. Wagner is simply too valuable for Russias foreign adventures to be dumped altogether.

By coincidence, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee reported this week that the UK Government should buck up and proscribe Wagner as a criminal and terrorist organisation.

In Ukraine itself, across some 800 miles of front, the battle goes on with neither side seeming to have the upper hand. This has led to criticism of the so-called summer offensive. Progress has been slow, and the battles extremely bloody. The Russian belts of minefields, tank traps, ditches and fortifications have been all but impenetrable, and neither side has managed to attain air superiority over the front line. Its a game of cat and mouse of drones electronic surveillance, laser targeting, signals denial, a mixture of the duels of artillery and infantry of the 20th-century European wars and the novel technology of the 21st-century battlescape, cyber, direct energy weapons, robotics and digital fire plans.

The aim is to dislodge and disrupt Russian forces, to make them fall back from key points like Bakhmut and Adiivka. Once they are forced to fall back, they are in trouble  their own minefields and defences become obstacles for them, comments a senior UK official.

Yet through this there is a slender thread of hope for peace. Neither side could manage another gruelling winter campaign like the last. Informal probes for talks have been reported from Copenhagen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and South East Asia. President Zelensky is tapping heritage funds in Norway and Saudi Arabia and the G7 for a dramatic reconstruction plan  aiming at a virtual rebrand, rebirth and relaunch of Ukraine, says one observer.

Real talking is likely to break out at the UN General Assembly this September. The governments in Kyiv and Moscow saying they wont talk  at least not officially. Yet investors for the new Ukraine, including British banks, are starting to queue up. Ukraine is going to survive in one form or another, and it is joining the West, a British official told me this week. Its likely that some in the Kremlin have come to the same conclusion.

Robert Fox is defence editor
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 83F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm this evening, then some lingering showers still possible overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a Farmers for Trump campaign event at the MidAmerica Center on July 7, 2023, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The event was Trump's largest in Iowa since a visit to Davenport in March.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a Farmers for Trump campaign event at the MidAmerica Center on July 7, 2023, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The event was Trump's largest in Iowa since a visit to Davenport in March.

Anti-Trump Republican groups, including one whose efforts in 2020 helped Democrat Joe Biden win over a critical slice of GOP support, have taken to Iowa television to paint the coup-attempting former president as a certain loser in 2024  making a case that Trumps rivals are largely failing to make for themselves.

Were doing our part. The candidates arent doing their part to make the affirmative case of why they should be the nominee, said Sarah Longwell, who runs the Republican Accountability PAC and its affiliated non-profit.

Longwells group began running ads on Iowa broadcast TV channels this week, the start of what will be a $1.5 million series. The first one features a woman who says she loved Trumps presidency but fears that he simply cannot win in 2024.

Donald Trump has way too much political baggage. Theres so many indictments against him, two-time Trump voter Fran says in the 30-second spot. The next Republican candidate has got to be somebody that can convince swing voters, independents, to vote for them because Donald Trump cant.

The Republican Accountability PAC joins the Win it Back PAC, closely tied to the Club for Growth, which began running ads in Iowa and South Carolina earlier this month. According to Federal Election Commission filings, the group has already spent over $2 million, including $1.6 million for TV ad placement and $400,000 for field operations  direct voter engagement.

We need somebody who can freakin win, says the narrator of its single ad so far, who says that he likes Trump and all he accomplished but that he cannot vote for him again.

Both groups are attempting to lay the groundwork for Trumps defeat not by arguing that his actions leading up to and on the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol make him an unacceptable choice in a democracy but by predicting that Republicans will lose the November election if Trump is their nominee.

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Longwell says she wishes more Republicans were open to a moral argument against Trump but says they simply are not, and it is, therefore, necessary to meet voters where they are.

The regular approach on ads, just beating up on Trump, didnt work with swing voters, she said, which is why the $27 million in ads by her previous group, Republican Voters Against Trump, in 2020 featured testimonials by former Trump supporters explaining why after four years of his chaos and dishonesty, they were going to vote for Biden.

Voters would watch them and say: Yes, thats how I feel, she said.

David Kochel, a longtime Republican consultant in Iowa working with the Club for Growth group, said its striking that candidates are failing to make this argument against Trump themselves on the airwaves, let alone on the stump. Candidates havent figured out how to deal with the Donald, he said.

Rick Wilson, a founder of the most ubiquitous anti-Trump group, the Lincoln Project, said that he wishes Longwell and the Club for Growth success in stopping Trump in the primaries, but he does not think it will work. He is focused, again, on beating Trump in the general election.

If we cant persuade a Republican voter to convert and vote for Biden, we try to persuade them to simply not vote in the presidential, he said. If your underlying predicate is that Trump will win the nomination, as we believe, you fight one battle. If your underlying predicate is that there will be some Republican champion on the white horse who will ride out of nowhere and save you from Trump, you do other things.

Longwell, who has done dozens of focus groups of Trump voters, said its not a certainty that Trump will win the nomination because only about 30% of GOP primary voters are dedicated to voting for Trump and nobody else, while another 30% would be fine with Trump if they thought he could win, and another 30% would prefer to move on from Trump. She said the never Trump group gets the remaining 10%.

As to someone else defeating Trump, she allowed, that would actually require the other candidates  beyond former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has limited appeal in todays Republican Party  to actually use Trumps vulnerabilities against him.

As long as these guys take every indictment as an opportunity to defend Trump and attack the Deep State, they will continue to be bit players, she said. It defies logic.

Most Republican voters, she said, based on her analysis of the party, would prefer to have someone who can win and allow them to maintain their identity as Republicans.

And that, Wilson said, is where Longwell and others attempting the soft sell to move the party beyond Trump are missing the key problem. There is no party, only Zuul, he said. Republican voters dont want an alternative. They want Trump back.

Related...
Kundalini yoga, a form of yoga that focuses on breathing, meditation, and mental visualization, appeared beneficial for older women who had risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and concerns about episodes of memory decline, according to a UCLA Health study.

Researchers at UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, using a type of MRI that measures activity in regions and subregions of the brain, found that Kundalini yoga, which combines movement and meditation and focuses on breathing, mantra recitation and mental visualization, increased connectivity in an area of the brain that can be impacted by stress and is associated with memory decline. Results appear early online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Led by psychiatrist Dr. Helen Lavretsky, UCLA researchers studied the effects of yoga compared to the gold-standard approach of memory enhancement training (MET) on connectivity in subregions of the hippocampus, a critical area of the brain for learning and memory. MET is derived from techniques that use verbal and visual association and practical strategies to improve memory.

Kundalini yoga training appears to better target stress-related hippocampal connectivity, whereas MET may better target sensory-integration subregions of the hippocampus, supporting better memory reliability." Dr. Helen Lavretsky, Director of the Late-Life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program

"The key takeaway is that this study adds to the literature supporting the benefits of yoga for brain health, especially for women who have greater perceived stress and subjective memory impairment," she said. "This gentle form of yoga, which focuses more on breathing and mental engagement than on movement, like other forms of yoga, is ideal for older adults who may have some physical limitations."

The study included 22 participants who were part of a larger randomized controlled trial studying yoga's effects on Alzheimer's risk. Mean age among the 11 yoga participants was about 61; it was about 65 in the MET group. All had a self-reported decline in memory function during the previous year and one or more cardiovascular risk factors, which can also increase risk for Alzheimer's disease. These included plaque buildup in arteries, recent heart attack, diabetes, and treatment for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Both the yoga and MET groups had a 60-minute, in-person training session each week for 12 weeks. The programs also included daily homework or practice sessions. The Kundalini yoga (KY) training was supported with at-home practice of another brief meditative form of yoga, Kirtan Kriya (KK). These types of yoga engage a variety of senses simultaneously and have a chanting component that may improve respiratory, cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system functions, according to previous studies.

Lavretsky and her team have previously reported that Kundalini and Kirtan Kriya yoga had beneficial effects on depression, resilience and executive functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. They also found that yoga had a more robust neuroprotective effect on right hippocampal volume  which may suggest improved memory function  than MET in older women with subjective memory decline and cardiovascular risk factors.

The new study used specialized functional MRI to establish resting-state connectivity of the hippocampus. This imaging, considered more sensitive to cognitive changes than hippocampal volumes, enabled the researchers to evaluate subregions of the hippocampus, comparing the effects of yoga versus memory training.

Based on their findings, the yoga "training may better target hippocampal subregion connectivity impacted by stress, which may aid in processing information, including facial information, into memory," the authors said. Additionally, "the observed greater increased connectivity between anterior and posterior hippocampal subregions with KY+KK training than with MET may suggest superior long-term neuroprotective benefits in terms of vulnerable hippocampal connections critical to episodic memory with KY+KK training."

The hippocampus must integrate information from various senses, and MET appears better than yoga in assisting in this function. "The various mnemonic strategies in MET, including verbal, visual, and spatial associative techniques, generally aim to enhance multimodal sensory integration into memory processes. Thus, MET may show superiority to KY+KK in terms of hippocampal sensory-integration important to memory," which could support better memory reliability, the study said.

While the small study suggests these forms of yoga may be of particular benefit to women who report experiencing stress and have additional risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, the authors say future, large-scale studies that have a placebo group or control arm will be needed to clarify the beneficial effects of both yoga and MET on hippocampal connectivity and memory.

The article is published as a pre-print and will appear in the Aug. 29, 2023, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, volume 95, issue 1. JAD, published by IOS Press, is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer's disease.
Over the last decade, advances in 3D printing have unlocked new possibilities for bioengineers to build heart tissues and structures. Their goals include creating better in vitro platforms for discovering new therapeutics for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for about one in every five deaths nationally, and using 3D-printed cardiac tissues to evaluate which treatments might work best in individual patients. A more distant aim is to fabricate implantable tissues that can heal or replace faulty or diseased structures inside a patient's heart.

In a paper published in Nature Materials, researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) report the development of a new hydrogel ink infused with gelatin fibers that enables 3D printing of a functional heart ventricle that mimics beating like a human heart. They discovered the fiber-infused gel (FIG) ink allows heart muscle cells printed in the shape of a ventricle to align and beat in coordination like a human heart chamber.

People have been trying to replicate organ structures and functions to test drug safety and efficacy as a way of predicting what might happen in the clinical setting." Suji Choi, research associate at SEAS and first author on the paper

But until now, 3D printing techniques alone have not been able to achieve physiologically-relevant alignment of cardiomyocytes, the cells responsible for transmitting electrical signals in a coordinated fashion to contract heart muscle.

"We started this project to address some of the inadequacies in 3D printing of biological tissues," says Kevin "Kit" Parker, Tarr Family Professor of Bioengineering and Applied Physics and head of the Disease Biophysics Group at SEAS, and senior author.

The innovation lies in the addition of fibers within a printable ink. "FIG ink is capable of flowing through the printing nozzle but, once the structure is printed, it maintains its 3D shape," says Choi. "Because of those properties, I found it's possible to print a ventricle-like structure and other complex 3D shapes without using extra support materials or scaffolds."

To create the FIG ink, Choi leveraged a rotary jet spinning technique developed by Parker's lab that fabricates microfiber materials using an approach similar to the way cotton candy is spun. Postdoctoral researcher Luke MacQueen, a co-author on the paper, proposed the idea that fibers created by the rotary jet spinning technique could be added to an ink and 3D printed.

"When Luke developed this concept, the vision was to broaden the range of spatial scales that could be printed with 3D printers by dropping the bottom out of the lower limits, taking it down to the nanometer scale," Parker says. "The advantage of producing the fibers with rotary jet spinning rather than electrospinning"  a more conventional method for generating ultrathin fibers  "is that we can use proteins that would otherwise be degraded by the electrical fields in electrospinning."

Using the rotary jet to spin gelatin fibers, Choi produced a sheet of material with a similar appearance to cotton. Next, she used sonification  sound waves  to break that sheet into fibers about 80 to 100 micrometers long and about 5 to 10 micrometers in diameter. Then, she dispersed those fibers into a hydrogel ink.

"This concept is broadly applicable  we can use our fiber-spinning technique to reliably produce fibers in the lengths and shapes we want," Choi says. The most difficult aspect was troubleshooting the desired ratio between fibers and hydrogel in the ink to maintain fiber alignment and the overall integrity of the 3D-printed structure.

As Choi printed 2D and 3D structures using FIG ink, the cardiomyocytes lined up in tandem with the direction of the fibers inside the ink. By controlling the printing direction, Choi could therefore control how the heart muscle cells would align.

When she applied electrical stimulation to 3D-printed structures made with FIG ink, she found it triggered a coordinated wave of contractions in alignment with the direction of those fibers. In a ventricle-shaped structure, "it was very exciting to see the chamber actually pumping in a similar way to how real heart ventricles pump," Choi says.

As she experimented with more printing directions and ink formulas, she found she could generate even stronger contractions within ventricle-like shapes.

"Compared to the real heart, our ventricle model is simplified and miniaturized," she says. The team is now working toward building more life-like heart tissues with thicker muscle walls that can pump fluid more strongly. Despite not being as strong as real heart tissue, the 3D-printed ventricle could pump 5-20 times more fluid volume than previous 3D-printed heart chambers.

The team says the technique can also be used to build heart valves, dual-chambered miniature hearts, and more.

"FIGs are but one tool we have developed for additive manufacturing," Parker says. "We have other methods in development as we continue our quest to build human tissues for regenerative therapeutics. The goal is not to be tool driven  we are tool agnostic in our search for a better way to build biology."

Additional authors include Keel Yong Lee, Sean L. Kim, Huibin Chang, John F. Zimmerman, Qianru Jin, Michael M. Peters, Herdeline Ann M. Ardona, Xujie Liu, Ann-Caroline Heiler, Rudy Gabardi, Collin Richardson, William T. Pu, and Andreas Bausch.

This work was sponsored by SEAS; the National Science Foundation through the Harvard University Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (DMR-1420570, DMR-2011754); the National Institutes of Health and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UH3HL141798, 225 UG3TR003279); the Harvard University Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS), a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure Network (NNCI) which is supported by the National Science Foundation (ECCS-2025158, S10OD023519); and the American Chemical Society's Irving S. Sigal Postdoctoral Fellowships.
In a recent pre-print study posted to the medRxiv* server, a team of researchers assessed medical students' understanding, perceptions, and educational preferences related to artificial intelligence (AI) to equip them with knowledge and skills for ethical and effective AI utilization in medicine.

Study: Medical Students Attitudes toward AI in Medicine and their Expectations for Medical Education. Image Credit: PopTika/Shutterstock.com

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Background

AI is now widely used in the field of medicine. AI uses algorithms and software to analyze digital information to diagnose and suggest therapies.

AI also plays a vital role in evaluating diagnostic images such as skin images and computed tomography (CT) scans and hence can act as a decision-support system for doctors while diagnosing diseases.

AI can also be helpful in various other medical fields like drug designing and personalization of treatment. However, there is limited knowledge about the level of understanding among prospective medical doctors regarding AI and its applications in medicine.

About the study

The authors of the present study conducted an online survey in which medical students were asked about their knowledge of associating AI with medicine. The questionnaire related to the survey was sent to medical students of a German university via e-mail on November 2022.

The students voluntarily participated and provided written informed consent, for which they were not given any compensation or rewards. The students took around 10 minutes to complete the survey in which they were first asked about their knowledge of employing AI in medical field and their understanding of AI in general.

The participants were then provided with a neutral definition of AI in medicine so that the participants could have basic knowledge about the topic.

Next, by using a combination of Likert Scales and semantic differential scales, the researchers collected valuable data on how participants perceived AI's reliability, technical competence, credibility, trustworthiness in the medical context, intelligence, and anthropomorphism.

These assessments helped in understanding the attitudes and beliefs of the participants towards AI, providing valuable insights into the human-AI interaction and acceptance within the studied context.

The selected scales were based on previous research methodologies, ensuring the study's validity and comparability with existing literature.

Finally, the participants were asked to share their views about including AI in university courses and about the particular aspects that should be incorporated into medical education.

Study results

The results showed that out of 84 individuals who initiated the survey, 26 discontinued, leaving 58 medical students (average age 24.51 years, standard deviation [SD]=3.56 years) who completed it.

A significant 94.83% of the participants were cognizant of AI's role in medicine, demonstrating a sound understanding of AI by identifying algorithms (58.62%), machine learning (48.28%), and neural networks (8.62%) as key components. They primarily associated AI's medical application with diagnostics (86.21%) and surgeries (27.59%).

Participants perceived AI in medicine as trustworthy (M=3.58; SD=0.71), fairly reliable (M=3.30; SD=0.69), and technically proficient (M=3.26; SD=0.71), but less credible (M=2.34; SD=0.71). They also considered AI to be intelligent (M=3.75; SD=0.66), but lacked anthropomorphic (M=1.99; SD=0.64) attributes.

Their experience with AI was moderate (M=2.85; SD=1.41), as was their exposure to AI in an educational (M=2.67; SD=1.47) or medical context (M=2.69; SD=1.43).

However, they expressed strong interest in AI's medical potential (M=4.52; SD=0.71), a desire to know more about AI in general (M=4.38; SD=0.83), and a wish for more extensive AI coverage in medical education (M=4.17; SD=0.92).

A substantial 86.21% of participants agreed that basic AI knowledge should be incorporated into medical studies. They particularly endorsed teaching about AI's operation modes (77.59%), ethics (75.86%), application areas (75.86%), reliability (94.83%), and potential risks (89.66%). However, they were less supportive of future developments (46.55%) and teaching legal aspects (46.55%).

Participants highlighted potential AI issues in medicine, including ethical concerns (53.45%), control loss (43.10%), and possible reliability issues (34.48%).

Conclusions

To summarize, the results of this study suggested that the participants had a strong interest in the application of AI in the field of medicine and had expressed their desire to learn more about it during their academic careers.

Therefore, it is now essential for medical schools to include AI education in their curricula as it will help students to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively and ethically utilize AI in their future practice.

Further, to address the potential risks associated with AI in medicine, it is important to teach the importance of human oversight and ways to monitor and fix errors in AI algorithms, ensuring that the final decisions are made by human medical practitioners.

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
QUT researchers have developed a new approach for designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins which can be used in a multitude of biotechnological, biomedical and bioengineering applications.

The research team demonstrated that this novel approach allows them to design and build faster and more accurate diagnostic tests for detecting diseases, monitoring water quality and detecting environmental pollutants.

Professor Kirill Alexandrov, of the QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science, lead scientist on the CSIRO-QUT Synthetic Biology Alliance and a researcher with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, said that the new technique published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology demonstrated that protein switches could be engineered in a predictable way.

Professor Alexandrov said currently available 'point of care' diagnostic tests which provided immediate results, such as blood glucose, pregnancy, and COVID test kits, used protein-sensing systems to detect the presence of sugar, pregnancy hormones, and COVID proteins.

These, however, represent only a tiny fraction of what is needed in patient-focused healthcare model. However, developing new sensing systems is a challenging and time-consuming trial-and-error process. The new 'protein nano-switch' method can massively accelerate development of similar diagnostics by decreasing the time and increasing the success rate. It uses proteins modified to behave like ON/OFF switches in response to specific targets. The advantage of our approach is that the system is modular, similar to building with Lego bricks, so you can replace parts easily to target something else  another drug or a medical biomarker, for example." Professor Kirill Alexandrov, QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science

Professor Alexandrov said the method offered the possibility of building many different diagnostic and analytic tests, with a wide range of possible applications including diagnostics in human and animal health, testing kits for water contamination, and detecting rare earth metals in samples to direct mining efforts.

The multidisciplinary research team included scientists from QUT and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, consisting of lead researcher Professor Kirill Alexandrov, Dr Zhong Guo, Cagla Ergun Ayva, Patricia Walden and Adjunct Professor Claudia Vickers.

The QUT team collaborated with leading electrochemists Evgeny Katz and Oleh Smutok from Clarkson University, in New York, and chemical pathologist Dr Jacobus Ungerer from Queensland Health.

To demonstrate the technology, the team focused on a cancer chemotherapy drug that is toxic and requires constant measurement to ensure patient welfare.

"Too little of the drug won't kill the cancer, but too much could kill the patient," Professor Alexandrov said.

The sensor the team designed for the drug uses a color change to identify and quantify the drug.

Professor Alexandrov said the next step was the for the sensor to be tested in Queensland Health laboratories for approval for use in clinical setting.

Professor Kirill Alexandrov.

"It's really exciting, because it's the first time an artificially designed protein biosensor may be actually suitable for a real-life diagnostic application" Professor Alexandrov said.

Dr Ungerer said the protein-engineering technology developed by the research team provided a novel means to create laboratory tests.

"This has the potential to improve and expand laboratory testing, which will result in substantial health and economic benefits," Dr Ungerer said.

Dr Guo said these advancements were made possible by an international and interdisciplinary team and excellent teamwork.

Professor Alexandrov said that the next step was to take this approach and standardize and scale it, to then start building more sophisticated sub-systems. He said there are two future directions for the work.

"One is to develop computer models that allow us to design and build the switches even more rapidly and precisely," he said.

"The other is to demonstrate the scale and potential of the technology by building many switches for different diagnostic applications."

Professor Alexandrov said the team were currently modifying existing proteins, but in the future, they could use the same principles to develop components that did not exist and would be designed from scratch.

"The new technique provides scientists unprecedented control over construction of protein-based sensing systems," he said.

The article "Development of epistatic YES and protein logic gates and their assembly into signaling cascades" is published in Nature Nanotechnology.
Increased skin cancer screening in individuals with skin of color is not sufficient to address racial disparities in melanoma survival rates, according to a new JAMA Dermatology study by UPMC and University of Pittsburgh researchers.

Melanoma causes the most deaths of any skin cancer, but is usually treatable if caught early. Although the disease is most common in white individuals, survival odds are worse in people with darker skin tones.

In this study, we asked whether screening could address this disparity by helping detect melanoma early. Our findings suggest that regular skin checks are not the answer, but that doesn't mean that we should be offering less care or that our work is done. We need to investigate other approaches to improve outcomes for melanoma in patients with skin of color." Laura Ferris, MD, PhD, Study Senior Author and Dermatologist and Professor of Dermatology, Pitt School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Ferris and her team analyzed data from 60,680 patients who self-reported as Hispanic, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian, Black or Pacific Islander. 12,738 were screened for skin cancer, and 47,942 were not screened.

During the 5-year study period, only eight melanomas were detected in this population, and just one of these was identified during a screening visit. Four were identified by health care professionals during other types of visits and three were detected by the patient or a family member.

The results suggest that to detect one melanoma case in racial and ethnic minority populations, more than 12,000 screenings need to be done. For comparison, the number needed to screen in white patients is 373, the researchers found in an earlier study.

"This is an almost unfathomable number of doctor's visits to find one melanoma," said Ferris. "Rather than screening everyone, educating physicians about presentation of melanoma in skin of color, educating the public about their risk of melanoma and making sure that people have access to a dermatogist when they have a suspicious lesion could be more effective in improving early detection."

While people often think of melanomas as being sun-induced, not all forms of the disease are caused by sun exposure. Certain types of melanomas can arise on the palms of the hand, soles of the feet and places that are always covered by clothes, and these tend to be more common in people with darker skin.

"UV exposure is the biggest modifiable risk factor for melanoma, so sun protection is incredibly important, but it's not the only factor," said Ferris. "If you have a suspicious lesion somewhere that is always covered by a shirt, it could still be melanoma. We encourage patients to seek care regardless of their perceived risk."

Beyond early detection, better treatments for melanoma could also help address disparities in survival rates, Ferris said. Most of the current therapies for the disease were tested in non-diverse, mostly white populations, so it's important that future clinical trials include diverse participants.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today, Chief Executive John Lee met Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and spoke to leaders of local commercial and industrial sectors.

During his meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will further strengthen co-operation and exchanges with Malaysia in such areas as commerce and trade, investment, innovation and technology as well as culture and tourism. He also thanked Malaysia for supporting Hong Kongs accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Mr Lee also welcomed the Malaysia Government's extension of the visa-free entry period for Hong Kong SAR passport holders to a maximum of 90 days. With greater facilitation offered to Hong Kong SAR passport holders, he anticipates that this arrangement will further boost the connections and mutual benefits between the two places.

The Chief Executive then attended a luncheon hosted by Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, where he expressed gratitude to Mr Ouyang and the embassy for the thoughtful arrangements for this visit and support to the Hong Kong SAR Governments efforts to strive for early accession to RCEP.

Mr Lee and the Hong Kong SAR delegation attended a banquet in the evening with members of the National Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia. Addressing the event, he highlighted the immense potential for strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Malaysia, adding that the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Jakarta will continue to work closely with the chamber and the local business community to enhance bilateral relationships.

The Chief Executive will continue his visit in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
Air India is all geared up to revamp its freight and cargo operations with an impressive plan to enhance its cargo-handling capacity.

Wide-body aircraft from aviation giants Airbus and Boeing will soon be delivered to the Tata group airline, providing a huge boost. A whopping 70 wide-body planes, including 34 A350-1000s, six A350-900s, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and ten Boeing 777Xs, are part of the massive 470-plane order.

Air India aims to increase its annual cargo carrying capacity by a staggering 300 percent, reaching a massive 2 million tonnes within the next five years, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. This significant boost in capacity aligns with the Indian Governments ambitious plan to grow the air cargo industry to an impressive 10 million tonnes by 2030.

The wide-body aircraft, with their non-stop connectivity to key export markets worldwide, are set to play a pivotal role in expanding Air Indias cargo operations. This strategic move is in line with the Indian governments push to further develop the air cargo and logistics industry in the country.

Boeings commercial market outlook indicates that Indias air cargo growth is projected to experience an average annual increase of 6.3 percent, primarily driven by the manufacturing and e-commerce sectors. In the fiscal year 2022-23, Indian airports handled a total of 3.2 million tonnes of cargo, with domestic cargo registering a remarkable 10 percent year-on-year growth while international freight saw a decline of 5 percent, as per the data from the Airports Authority of India.

Air India is actively working on multiple initiatives across operational and logistics domains to play a significant role in the air cargo segment. Collaborating with its joint venture partner SATS, the airline is dedicated to investing substantial capital expenditure in developing airport and logistics infrastructure. Additionally, Air India is exploring possibilities to enhance freighter capacity through collaborations with other partners.

At present, Air India operates cargo services to over 40 international and 38 domestic destinations. In a bid to further enhance customer service and operational efficiency, the airline is set to launch three 247 control centers for seamless integration and improved customer interface.

To expand its reach and strengthen partnerships, Air India is actively focusing on bolstering interline partnerships and trucking network connections. It has already established partnerships with offline trucking points worldwide to expand its base and enhance trans-shipment efficiency and volumes at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

With the adoption of advanced technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, Air India aims to optimize productivity in cargo operations. The airline has introduced short-term changes to its existing IT cargo system to enhance efficiency, enabling electronic data interchange, seamless connectivity with trade partners, and real-time updates on flight and shipment status.

With these ambitious plans and strategic initiatives, Air India is poised to achieve significant growth in its cargo operations, strengthening its position on the global stage.

Short-term changes are underway in its existing IT cargo system to enhance efficiency in areas such as electronic data interchange, seamless connectivity with trade partners, and real-time updates on flight and shipment status. With these transformative steps, Air India is all set to embark on a thrilling journey towards becoming a dominant force in the global air cargo industry.
The Reserve Bank has permitted 20 banks operating in the country to open 92 Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) of partner banks from 22 countries as part of efforts to promote bilateral trade in local currencies, the government said on Wednesday.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash also informed that an MoU has been signed between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of UAE on July 15.

This would enable exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their respective domestic currencies enabling the development of a bilateral foreign exchange market.

As on July 23, 20 banks in India have been permitted to open SRVAs of partner banks from 22 countries, including Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Guyana and Israel.

Other countries are Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel said Indias exports rose by 36.6 per cent during the last five years from USD 330.07 billion in 2018-19 to USD 450.95 billion in 2022-23.

Indias imports rose by 38.8 per cent during the last five years from USD 514.07 billion in 2018-19 to USD 714.04 billion in 2022-23.

She also informed that most of the goods imported from China are capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials and are used for meeting the demand of fast expanding sectors like electronics, telecom and power in India.
As many as 34,035 students have dropped out of various top-ranking higher education institutions in the country, with Other Backward Classes (OBC) topping the list at 25%, followed by Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the Union education ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

According to data shared by Minister of State (MoS) Subhas Sarkar in response to a question in the upper House of Parliament, the maximum number of dropouts is in Postgraduate and PhD programmes.

ALSO READ | Shashvat Nakrani To Azhar Iqubal, Famous IIT Dropouts Who Made It Big

The main reasons are offers for career placements in public sector enterprises and personal preference for better opportunities elsewhere. The dropping out in undergraduate programmes is attributed to withdrawal due to filling wrong choices, poor performance, personal and medical reasons, said Sarkar, in his written reply.

He further said that institutions have initiated a number of corrective measures to minimize the number of dropouts, which include appointment of advisors to monitor the academic progress of students, provision of additional classes for academically weak students, peer-assisted learning, counselling to de-stress students, psychological motivation and extracurricular activities.

AT IITs

At premier tech institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), a total of 8,139 students dropped out in the 2019-2023 period. The number of dropouts has been the highest in 2020-21, when educational institutions were forced to shut down and shift classes in online mode amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of dropouts in 2021 was 2,411, while it was 2,152 in 2020. This figure stood at 1,746 in 2022 and 320 (till June) this year. The pre-pandemic year, 2019, saw 1,510 students dropping out.

The matter of high dropout rate at IITs was also discussed during the IIT-Council meeting held at Bhubaneswar this April, where IIT-Kharagpur was asked to compile the number of students dropping out across 23 IITs and submit a report.

AT IIMs, NITs, IISERs & IIITs

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) saw 858 students dropping out during this period.

ALSO READ | No Data on Student Suicides in Educational Institutions, NEET Centres: Government Informs Parliament

The number of students dropping out at the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) was 5623, central universities (17,454), IISER (1,046) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT) (803).

At NITs, the number of students from minorities dropping out has been consistently high since 2019, data showed.

There are 45 central universities in the country under the purview of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, often referred to as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, was a Former President, renowned Indian scientist, engineer, and statesman who had a lasting impression on both his country and the rest of the world as a whole. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and climbed from humble beginnings to become one of Indias most adored and revered individuals. He was given the moniker Missile Man of India" due to his exceptional career trajectory, and as the 11th President of India, he continued to motivate his fellow citizens with his vision for a prosperous and self-sufficient India.

Kalam spent nearly forty years of his life working for the DRDO and tragically passed away on July 27, 2015, while giving a speech in Shillong, as a result of a heart attack.

Educational Background

Kalam was the youngest of four siblings and hailed from a poor Tamil Muslim household. His mother, Ashiamma, was a homemaker, while his father, Jainulabdeen, was a boat owner. APJ Abdul Kalams academic journey began in Rameswaram, where he received his early education. He completed his schooling at the Schwartz Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram. Despite his familys limited financial standing, Kalam excelled in his education due to his desire to gain knowledge. He was a voracious reader and was always curious about what was going on in the world at large.

Once he had finished his schooling, Kalam joined Saint Josephs College in Tiruchirappalli to pursue a degree in physics. In 1954, after finishing his undergraduate education, he enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) to study aerospace engineering. Kalam demonstrated his intelligence and intellect while he was a student at MIT, which drew the attention of both his teachers and peers.

Kalam at DRDO

After earning his degree from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Kalam joined the Defence Research and Development Organisations Aeronautical Development Establishment as a scientist. Kalam was transferred to ISRO in 1969, where he oversaw the launch of Indias first satellite vehicle.

The DRDO programme Kalam designed in 1982 resulted in a number of effective missiles, earning him the moniker Missile Man." One of these accomplishments was Agni, Indias first intermediate-range ballistic missile, which was launched in 1989 and used elements of the SLV-III.His achievements in science and space exploration are unparalleled, thus explaining precisely why he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the most prestigious Bharat Ratna in 1997.

Abdul Kalam served as Indias President from July 25, 2002 until July 25, 2007. He was affectionately known as the Peoples President, and he actively devoted himself to the betterment of the younger generation. His presidency was a result of a landslide win in the 2002 presidential election, in which he won by a sizable majority.
Sarah Nicole Landry dazzles in blue swimsuit inspired by Kaitlyn Bristowe on Iceland vacation via Instagram/ @thebirdspapaya

Sarah Nicole Landry is having a "full circle moment."

On Wednesday, the body positivity advocate  better known as The Birds Papaya  shared a series of cheeky snaps and clips from her recent trip to Iceland, swimming in a lagoon.

The footage featured Landry posing in an icy blue, backless one-piece swimsuit from the Canadian brand Londre Bodywear.

"Iceland," she captioned the post alongside two Icelandic flag emojis.

The influencer also took to her Instagram story with a five-year-old photo of former Canadian "Bachelor" star Kaitlyn Bristowe, wearing a similar swimsuit during her own Iceland trip.

The photo inspired Landry to visit Iceland herself, and led her to discover the sustainable fashion brand, she said.

"For real, I've been wanting to go to Iceland since I saw this photo from Kaitlyn Bristowe five years ago," she penned alongside the photo. "I think it's also how I discovered Londre Bodywear, which is exactly why I wore Londre to the lagoon. Full circle moment."

Sarah Nicole Landry gave a shout-out to Kaitlyn Bristowe for inspiring Iceland holiday and helping her discover sustainable Canadian fashion brand Londre Bodywear. (Instagram/@thebirdspapaya)

In the comments of Landry's grid post, fans praised her look and applauded her for checking off a five-year goal.

"The way your bathing suit matches the aesthetic," one fan shared.

"So exciting! its been on my bucket list for years," someone else wrote.

Another commenter penned: "I can't believe you literally manifested this moment from five years ago! So amazing  and the suit looks beautiful on you!"

"That is the most gorgeous colour of water Ive ever seen! Your swimsuit is the perfect match," added another.

Last week, Landry showed love to another colour on Instagram: pink.

The mom-of-four shared a vibrant series of photos of herself wearing pink outfits, inspired by the success of the "Barbie" movie.

Story continues

The film, released July 21, has been praised for its empowering themes that challenge traditional gender norms and celebrate womanhood  including its stereotypes.

"So many of us have been mocked and criticized for the love of this colour, or maybe some are finding joy in it for the first time," Landry penned.

"So in a moment, it's having its moment #ThanksBarbie," she concluded. "We celebrate you: pink."

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The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has made a major leap forward in the field of executive management education by launching a new degree in Sales & Marketing Leadership. The programme, developed in partnership with Imarticus Learning, seeks to provide seasoned professionals with the knowledge they need to succeed in their line of work.

The senior management programme has been tailored for graduates with at least five years of sales and marketing-related job experience. The curriculum, led by Prof. Rajeev Kumra, programme director and dean of the IIML Noida campus, digs into industry-specific barriers and empowers participants to maximise financial resources while sharpening their managerial skills. This hands-on method teaches individuals how to deal with real-world situations with competence and confidence.

One of the special characteristics of this programme is the involvement of seasoned CXOs who lead masterclasses and provide students with insights into the real-world challenges they encounter in their chosen field of work. This exposure not only improves the educational process but also creates opportunities for beneficial networking. Students may network within their sector while remaining updated about future employment opportunities by establishing contacts with industry experts.

Prof. Nishant Uppal, Chairperson of the Management Development Programme (MDP) at IIM Lucknow, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, Imarticus Learning embodies the technological sophistication that characterises modern education systems. We are delighted to contribute to crafting a course that has the potential to reform the field completely."

The programme acquires further value with the reputed faculty and extensive courses from IIM Lucknow, providing students with an excellent learning opportunity. For further hands-on learning in sales and marketing, the programme also uses the REVMANEX Sales Excellence Simulation, created by renowned professor Jean-Claude Larreche.

This course is the third programme with IIM Lucknow, and it exemplifies the ideals appreciated by modern educational institutions. It makes use of cutting-edge didactic teaching techniques including gamification and industry-specific simulations," stated Nikhil Barshikar, the founder of Imarticus Learning.
In a significant move following the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, IIT Bombay has introduced a valuable option for its students. Recognizing the diverse needs and aspirations of its student body, the institute has now established an early leave provision for those facing challenges in completing the full four-year Bachelor of Technology (BTech) curriculum.

Under this new initiative, students who successfully fulfill 60 per cent of the total credit requirements will be eligible to obtain a BSc (engineering) degree in three years. This alternative degree will grant them the opportunity to participate in placement activities as well. The decision aims to support students who might be encountering difficulties in their studies or who are eager to explore alternative paths while still offering them a recognized qualification.

Also read| IIT Bombay Names Main Building After Alumnus & Infosys Co-Founder Nandan Nilekani

According to a report in Times of India, 15 students have already taken use of the early exit option, which is in line with the NEPs suggestion that educational programmes include numerous entries and exit points. While JEE (Advanced) is used to determine admission to IITs, lateral entry is not currently possible.

If students prefer to leave after the first, second, or third year, the NEP suggests a certificate, diploma, or degree. Students have to roughly complete 60 per cent of the total credits allotted to the course to get the BSc (engineering) degree, the dean, Avinash Mahajan said.

He added, We would like the students to complete the course, while attesting that the institute had not anticipated providing an every-year leave option.

IIT Bombay is boosting the intake for numerous minor courses in order to increase flexibility and foster different learning. This change allows students to investigate subjects outside of their specialisation. While the branch change option is no longer available after the first year, the institute has established a wide choice of minor programmes as electives to enhance adaptability.

Meanwhile, the deputy director of IIT Bombay, S Sudarshan asserted the institute is committed to providing a diverse range of courses across disciplines. IIT Bombay has established new courses, such as the School of Management and the School for Entrepreneurship, in compliance with the NEP. The institute is also forming alliances with overseas universities to enable internationalisation and worldwide exposure for its students.
The Telangana government has declared a holiday for schools, colleges, and all educational institutions across the state tomorrow, July 28, amid heavy rains and waterlogging. A red alert has been issued for eight districts. Government has decided to extend holiday for all educational institutions (govt, aided and private) in the state on 28.07.2023 (Friday) keeping in view incessant rains and adverse weather conditions.," reads the official notice by the education department.

Schools in Telangana will also remain closed on July 29 due to Muharram. The state education minister, Sabita Indra Reddy had earlier declared a two-day holiday on July 26 and 27 for all educational institutions in the state, both private and public, due to the ongoing heavy rains, after approval by chief minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. This announcement was made by the directorate of school education in Telangana and Hyderabad. The instructions stated, immediate orders are to be issued in this regard."

The Telangana government has now also put the entire state administration on high alert. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari said that as per the directions of CM KCR, the flood situation in the state is being constantly monitored by senior officials along with district collectors and superintendents of the police, reported IANS. Several districts in the state, particularly North Telangana have been experiencing continuous rains since Wednesday night. Rainfall ranging from 30 to 40 cm has been recorded in the districts here.

The state government had earlier issued orders to change the school timings in Telangana. As per the orders, schools will start at 9.30 am. Primary schools will function till 4.15 pm. Upper primary and high schools will function till 4.45 pm. The decision was taken because of the heavy rains. These new timings were applicable to all schools in the state except the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, which were instructed to follow the usual academic calendar.
The Joint Entrance Examination Council Uttar Pradesh (JEECUP) will release the admit cards for the Uttar Pradesh Joint Entrance Examination (Polytechnic). Candidates who registered can download the card from the official website, jeecup.admissions.nic.in. Earlier, the UPJEE admit cards were scheduled to release on July 16. The UPJEE entrance examination will be conducted in the first week of August.

JEECUP UPJEE 2023: How to download

Step 1- Visit the official website jeecup.admissions.nic.in.

Step 2- Under the latest announcement or new updates check the link to download the admit card

Step 3- Select the link and enter your login credentials like application number or date of birth.

Step 4- Verify the details before submitting.

Step 5- Click on the submit option

Step 6- Your UPJEE 2023 admit card will be displaced on your electronic device.

It is advised to the candidates to once check the admit card carefully like name, parents name, address, phone number and papers opted for. Incase of any discrepancies, it is advised to immediately contact the Joint Entrance Examination Council Uttar Pradesh for resolving the issue.

JEECUP UPJEE 2023: Exam Pattern

The polytechnic examination will be held online in the multiple-choice questions (MCQ) format for 150 minutes. The question paper will be in both English and Hindi languages. While four marks will be awarded for every right answer, one mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.

The JEECUP will release the UPJEE 2023 provisional answer key after the exam concludes following which candidates will be allowed to challenge it. The results will be based on the final answer key. Those who pass the UPJEE 2023 must participate in an online counselling session where they must freeze or float their choice of stream or college. A student is required to pay the seat acceptance fee after being offered a seat.

Candidates who clear the exam will get admission in all the state-based aided and private polytechnic institutions, affiliated with Technical Education Council, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow.
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.

The government tabled a bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday to replace the Delhi services ordinance that called for the creation of authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in the national capital.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill was tabled by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai amid protests by opposition MPs, who stormed the well and tore papers questioning the introduction of the bill.

The government had listed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill among the 31 Bills that will be taken up for discussion in 17 sittings during Parliaments monsoon session.

The Union cabinet approved the bill last week which will strengthen the Central governments control over the national capital. The Opposition has been protesting on the issue since the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

About Delhi Ordinance and Why it was Introduced

It all started in May, when the Supreme Court ruled that the government in Delhi could make laws and administer civil services in the state. The top court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government of the Union Territory.

Before the May 11 verdict, the transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor.

A week later, on May 19, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 that sought to create an authority for transfer and disciplinary proceedings against bureaucrats from the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) cadre.

An ordinance is promulgated by the President on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet when Parliament is not in session. It is mandatory for Parliament to adopt a law to replace the ordinance within six weeks of the commencement of the next session.

Through the ordinance, that amended the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act 1991 (GNCTD Act), the government aimed to return to its original position which it had taken on May 21, 2015 through a Home Ministry notification.

The aim of the ordinance is to provide for a comprehensive scheme of administration of services which balances the local and domestic interests of the people of Delhi with the democratic will of the entire nation reflected through the President of India.

The central government, right from the first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, has been promulgating ordinances to override judgements of the apex court.

Prior to this, the Centre brought two ordinances that can facilitate the extension of the tenure of the Directors of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) up to five years.

Matter in the Supreme Court

Delhi government challenged the centres Ordinance in the Supreme Court, which referred the Delhi governments plea to a five-judge Constitution Bench last week.

The apex court said the Constitution Bench will examine whether Parliament can abrogate the constitutional principles of governance" for the Delhi government by making a law to take away its control over services.

Did you know that the introduction of the Delhi Ordinance in the Rajya Sabha is impermissible?I explain the three reasons and more in this conversation. pic.twitter.com/Jf9N9gJCBR  Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) July 23, 2023

Meanwhile, AAP MP Raghav Chadha has wrote to Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urging him not to allow the bill in the Upper House. Chadha called the Bill unconstitutional" and urged the chairman to direct the BJP-led Centre to withdraw it and save the Constitution".

Political Slugfest

The ordinance, which would be replaced by a bill, started a conflict between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and the Centre. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reached out to opposition parties to gain support against the ordinance. Kejriwal is trying to stop the Centres bid to replace it through a bill in the Parliament.

Thank u Kharge ji for standing wid the people of Delhi. This ordinance is anti-India and anti-national and ought to be fought tooth and nail https://t.co/SlMIsrW8KN Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 17, 2023

So far, AAP has got the support of Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, RJD and KCR-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi.

Some parties that are expected to support the NDA over the bill is YSR Congress. Other parties that have not yet decided their support include JD(S), BJD, BSP and TDP.
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.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023, which seeks to amend the Forest (Conservation) Act, in the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament.

The bill seeks to amend the pivotal 1980 conservation law which ensures that the forest land is not used for non-forestry purposes. The legislation exempts certain types of land from the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act like forest land along the international border, a rail line or a public road and to be diverted for strategic projects, amenities and setting up of zoos, safaris and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas.

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill-2023 was passed after a brief debate which was responded to by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

All About the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill

The Bill primarily amends the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which regulates the extraction of forest resources including timber and minerals and makes the forest land applicable to other use. These include land notified as a forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or in government records after the 1980 Act came into effect.

However, the main highlight of the act is that it exempts certain types of land from the purview of the Forest Conservation act.

To be specific, the bill exempt land within 100 km of the countrys borders from the purview of conservation laws and can be used for national security projects, small roadside amenities, and public roads leading to a habitation.

The bill also allows setting up of zoos, safaris and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas apart from activities like check posts, fencing, and bridges.

What it Means for Strategic Projects?

The draft seeks to exempts forest land within 100 kms of Indias national borders from the purview of the conservation laws to fast-track construction of strategic and security-related projects.

Simply put, the land situated within 100 km along the international borders, Line of Control, or Line of Actual Control, can be used for construction of strategic linear projects for national importance or security.

The government further said that the legislation would enable the strategic and security related projects of national importance to be fast-tracked ensuring development of vital security infrastructures near the border areas.

Similarly, small establishments, habitations on the side of roads and railways will also be connected to main arterial roads and other public utilities, a government statement said.

The bill exempts land up to 10 hectares, proposed to be used for constructing security related infrastructure, or land proposed to be used for constructing defence related projects, camp for paramilitary forces, or public utility projects as specified by central government not exceeding five hectares in a left-wing extremism affected area.

The bill also seeks to empower the central government to specify, by order, the terms and conditions subject to which any survey, such as, reconnaissance, prospecting, investigation or exploration including seismic survey, shall not be treated as non-forest purpose.

Implications for forest-cover

The Bill will affect forests as huge tracts of forest areas in the Himalayas and those previously protected under conservation laws could be exposed to man-made projects.

A group of over 100 former civil servants, members of the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG), said that the bill threatens green cover as the country already lost almost 90,000 hectares of forest land between 2018-19 and 2022-23 after it was diverted for non-forest use.

They also pointed out that the country lost 4.2 million hectares of forest land during 1950-1980s due to diversion for non-forestry purposes.
The US is concealing a longstanding program that retrieves and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects, a former Air Force intelligence officer testified Wednesday to Congress. The Pentagon has denied his claims.

Retired Maj. David Gruschs highly anticipated testimony before a House Oversight subcommittee was Congress latest foray into the world of UAPs  or unidentified aerial phenomena," which is the official term the US government uses instead of UFOs. While the study of mysterious aircraft or objects often evokes talk of aliens and little green men, Democrats and Republicans in recent years have pushed for more research as a national security matter due to concerns that sightings observed by pilots may be tied to US adversaries.

What Did Grusch Say at the Hearing?

Five memorable points from the hearing, as per an NBC News report.

Government Possession of UAPs: The hearing featured the compelling testimony of former U.S. intelligence official David Grusch, who asserted with certainty that the federal government is absolutely" in possession of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). To support his claim, Grusch cited interviews with 40 witnesses he conducted over a span of four years. As someone who led Defense Department efforts to analyze reported UAP sightings, he revealed being informed about a multidecade" Pentagon program dedicated to the collection and reconstruction of crashed UAPs. The existence of such a covert program raises questions about the governments knowledge and handling of unexplained aerial encounters.

Nonhuman Biologics at Crash Sites: In his testimony, Grusch added a new dimension to the discussion by mentioning that he has interviewed individuals who have personally recovered nonhuman biologics" from crash sites of unidentified aerial objects. Striving to avoid the sensationalism often associated with the term alien" or extraterrestrial," Grusch preferred to refer to these discoveries as nonhuman" in nature. This revelation added intrigue to the ongoing investigations into the origin and nature of UAPs, as it suggests the possibility of encountering lifeforms beyond our known terrestrial realm.

Call for Transparency: The UFO hearing brought to the forefront the need for greater transparency regarding UAPs. Some lawmakers and witnesses emphasized the importance of establishing clear channels of communication to share UAP information with both the public and the military. The lack of a comprehensive reporting process for UAP sightings, especially for pilots, was a point of concern, as per the report. Witnesses, including former Navy pilot Ryan Graves, stressed the significance of providing a safe and transparent mechanism for pilots to report UAP encounters without fear of professional repercussions. Calls for more openness and transparency within the government resonated with lawmakers and the public alike.

Stigma Silencing Witnesses: During the hearing, witnesses and lawmakers delved into the challenges of reporting UFO sightings due to the stigma associated with the topic. Pilot witnesses, in particular, expressed concern over potential professional repercussions" for reporting UAP encounters. This fear was compounded by recent government claims that questioned the credibility of eyewitness testimony. The discussion shed light on the cultural and institutional hurdles that may discourage witnesses from coming forward with their experiences.

Unexplained Technology: One of the most captivating testimonies came from former Navy commander David Fravor, who shared a riveting account of encountering a mysterious Tic-Tac-shaped object in 2004. According to Fravor, the unidentified aircraft displayed technology far superior to anything known to human capabilities. The object defied conventional explanation, as it exhibited no visible rotors, wings, or exhaust. The enigmatic nature of this encounter left Fravor and his fellow pilots in awe and perplexed about the objects capabilities.

What are UAPs and What Has Grusch Been Claiming?

The term Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena" is now used to replace UFO or UAP. According to investigative journalist Leslie Kean, who authored the book UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record," a UAP can often be identified, as per a report by Discover Magazine. She states that about 90 to 95 percent of reported UAPs or UFOs have plausible explanations, such as weather balloons, flares, planes flying in formation, secret military aircraft, and various natural phenomena like birds reflecting the sun, meteors, or ice crystals.

David Grusch, a former intelligence official who oversaw the examination of unexplained anomalous phenomena (UAP) in a US Department of Defense agency, made headlines globally when he claimed that the US had been gathering unidentified non-human aircraft for an extended period, according to a report by the Guardian.

Grusch, a military veteran who previously served in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Reconnaissance Office, came forward as a whistleblower and shared this information with various media outlets, discussing the unidentified crafts.

These are retrieving non-human origin technical vehicles, call it a spacecraft if you will, non-human exotic origin vehicles that have either landed or crashed, Grusch told NewsNation.

According to The Debrief,Grusch held the position of senior technical adviser for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) analysis at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. During this time, he possessed Top Secret/Secret Compartmented Information clearance. Additionally, he served as a senior intelligence officer in the National Reconnaissance Office, accumulating a total of 14 years of experience in intelligence-related roles.

While working on the UAP task force, Grusch claims that he was denied access to a materials recovery program that involved tangible evidence of the crafts, as per a report by Independent.

I thought it was totally nuts and I thought at first I was being deceived, it was a ruse, Grusch told NewsNation. People started to confide in me. Approach me. I have plenty of senior, former intelligence officers that came to me, many of which I knew almost my whole career, that confided in me that they were part of a program.

According to Gruschs statements to The Debrief, he claims to have prepared numerous briefings on UFOs for Congress. However, last year, he made the decision to disclose hours of classified information and data regarding the materials recovery program. Grusch asserts that the materials recovery program was intentionally shielded from proper congressional oversight, the Independent report said.

A declassified version of the document, shared with The Debrief, states that Mr. Grusch possesses firsthand knowledge that UAP-related information is being concealed or withheld from Congress with the intention of obstructing legitimate congressional oversight of the UAP program.

As per the complaint, in July 2021, Grusch confidentially provided classified information to the Department of Defense Inspector General concerning the withheld information. However, he believes that his identity was disclosed. Presently, Grusch is filing a whistleblower complaint, alleging that he has faced retaliation for disclosing confidential information.

Associated Press contributed to this report
Pawan Kalyan, power star of the Telugu film industry, is set to make a comeback with the movie Bro" after a year-long hiatus. During the pre-release event of Bro," he made notable remarks about the need for inclusivity in the Tamil film industry.

Remarking on the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) allegedly issuing guidelines that only Tamil artists can work in Tamil films, he said such exclusivity could limit the growth of the Tamil film industry and stressed the importance of embracing talents from all regions to make exceptional films, as per a report by Indian Express.

The Telugu industry thrives because it encourages talents from other regions, like Sujith Vaassudev from Malayalam, Urvashi Rautela from the North, and Neeta Lulla whose family migrated to India from Pakistan during the Partition (all these technicians worked on Bro). A film becomes exceptional when it combines talents from various languages. Restricting it to our language and people will cause the industry to shrink. I urge the influential members of the Tamil industry to abandon such thinking and create globally renowned films like RRR, he said, as per the report.

What are the Alleged Guidelines?

As per reports, the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) had allegedly sparked controversy by implementing a new set of guidelines for the Tamil film industry, Kollywood. As per the alleged new rules, only Tamil artists would be allowed to work in Tamil films, and filming must exclusively take place within Tamil Nadu.

The purpose of these guidelines, as reported by Manorama Online, is to ensure better employability for FEFSI members within the industry. FEFSI has also made it mandatory for film shoots to avoid locations in other states or foreign countries unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, directors are required to take responsibility for any story copyright issues if they have written the story themselves. Violations of these rules will lead to disciplinary action, as per the report.

Industry experts and cinema viewers had expressed strong opposition to these regulations. Industry tracker Sreedhar Pillai deemed the FEFSI demands unreasonable, and a netizen humorously pointed out on Twitter that the guidelines forgot to add one more point: restricting Tamil movies release only to Tamil Nadu.

What Did FEFSI Say in Response?

FEFSI is an organization representing technicians from 23 different unions in the Tamil film industry, boasting around 25,000 members, according to reports.

In response to the reports about FEFSIs new guidelines, the general secretary of FEFSI, Swaminathan, denied the existence of such guidelines. He categorically dismissed the reports as rumours that are baseless and unfounded." According to Swaminathan, FEFSI does not possess the authority to ban actors from working in Tamil films, making the alleged guidelines non-existent and invalid, as reported by Deccan Chronicle.

Non-southern Actors Who Made it Big

Several actors from different parts of India have achieved great success and popularity in the South Indian film industry, as per reports. One of the most iconic names is Rajinikanth, who hails from Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka. He was named after the great Maratha Empire king, Shivaji Maharaj. At home, he was brought up speaking Marathi, while outside the household, he communicated in Kannada. Rajinikanth is considered a legendary actor and has achieved superstar status in Tamil cinema, earning a massive fan following across the country.

M.G. Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, was a legendary actor and politician who achieved immense success in Indias southern film industry. Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in 1917, MGRs family later moved to Tamil Nadu, India. He started his acting career in the late 1930s and rose to fame in Tamil cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. With his charismatic screen presence, powerful performances, and strong social messages in his films, MGR became a beloved figure among the masses. He was a prominent actor, producer, and director, and his films enjoyed widespread popularity, making him a cultural icon in the South Indian film industry.

While primarily associated with Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan has also made an impact in the Tamil film industry. His role in the Tamil film Iruvar," directed by Mani Ratnam, earned critical acclaim and showcased his acting prowess in the South Indian cinema.

The Bollywood diva Rekha has also made her presence felt in the South Indian film industry, particularly in Telugu films, where she has acted in several successful ventures, earning appreciation for her performances.

Pooja Hegde, a Mumbai native, has made a successful transition to the South Indian film industry, particularly in Telugu and Tamil films. With notable roles in films like Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava" and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo," she has garnered significant popularity in the South.

Similarly, Kajal Aggarwal, also from Mumbai, has become a leading actress in Tamil and Telugu films. With her impressive acting skills and captivating screen presence, she has won the hearts of the South Indian audience.

Taapsee Pannu, originally from Delhi, started her career in South Indian cinema, working in Tamil and Telugu films before achieving fame in Bollywood. Her performances in the South paved the way for a successful journey in the Hindi film industry.
Watery discharge, irritation, itching, swelling of the lids, redness and pain in the eyes  these are the top complaints of the majority of patients visiting emergency departments of hospitals and eye clinics in northern India.

Blame the heavy monsoon and humid weather conditions. Doctors are calling the surge in eye infections an epidemic, which is likely to peak in the next few days or possibly in the next one week.

Indias largest public hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, is recording more than 100 cases of conjunctivitis every day. Similarly, on Monday (July 24), the Holy Family multi-specialty hospital in the national capital recorded 40 to 42 cases of conjunctivitis out of almost 72 patients who walked into its ophthalmic out-patient department (OPD).

In early July, we started seeing almost 60 patients with conjunctivitis each day; this number rose to 80. Now, we are noticing almost 100 patients with the same diagnosis every day, Dr JS Titiyal, the chief of Dr RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, told News18.

Right now, the cases are surging and it may exceed 100. It could be labelled as an epidemic of conjunctivitis, the doctor added.

Dr Titiyal said this year, the cases were slightly more than previous years, which could be due to heavy rains and flooding. This epidemic is expected to hit the peak soon and cases will start going down by the first week of August, he added.

Echoing a similar trend, Sumit Ray, medical director at Holy Family Hospital, said, At least half of the patients in our ophthalmic OPD are coming in with similar complaints. Every second patient is diagnosed with conjunctivitis.

In eye care chains, too, there is a similar trend. Our outpatient department (OPD) is observing an average of 10 to 15 conjunctivitis patients daily, said Dr Sanjiv Gupta, director, New Delhi-based iCare Centre.

Why there is a surge in infection cases

Experts said the increase in cases can be linked to the higher and early rainfall this year as compared to the last two to three years. Additionally, in the previous years, people were taking more precautions due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that could have helped in reducing the spread of conjunctivitis.

According to Dr Nilesh Giri, consultant ophthalmologist and eye surgeon at Surya Mother and Child Super Specialty Hospital in Pune, the current outbreak is primarily caused by the adenovirus, which is a common virus responsible for conjunctivitis.

Adenoviral conjunctivitis is a self-limiting condition, and no specific antiviral medications are effective against it, Dr Giri said.

Ray further said while the viral infection of the eyes settles on its own in a few days, sometimes, secondary bacterial infection can also occur. In such cases, doctors advise the use of antibiotic eye drops, he added.

While such infections are contagious and can swiftly travel from one person to another, people generally take five to six days to recover. In some cases, where infections are topped up by bacteria or other complications, it takes around two weeks to get well, said Dr Titiyal.

How to exercise caution?

Experts said conjunctivitis is typically self-resolving and rarely causes permanent damage to the eye. But, in some cases, the cornea can be affected and needs treatment.

Doctors advise avoiding touching eyes along with maintaining hand hygiene. Refrain from sharing towels to minimise the risk of transmission and use medications as prescribed by your doctor and avoid self-medication with over-the-counter drugs, said Dr Gupta.

Especially for girls and women, doctors suggest that they should avoid sharing eye cosmetics, such as mascara, to prevent contamination. Also, if you are suffering from conjunctivitis, avoid using contact lenses until the issue has resolved while the use of protective goggles is also suggested.

Further, caution should be exercised when using over-the-counter medications containing high-dose steroids. These medicines may interfere with the delicate development of the eyes, potentially causing complications like corneal opacity and loss of corneal transparency, said Dr Giri.
A Delhi court has acquitted a former JNU student accused of raping a fellow student in 2016, giving him the benefit of the doubt. Assistant Sessions Judge Pawan Kumar was hearing a case registered at Vasant Kunj police station against the man, who was accused of raping the woman in a hostel room at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on the intervening night of August 20 and 21, 2016.

According to the prosecution, the accused and the victim were pursuing higher studies at JNU and they were residents of different hostels. The court is of the considered view that the benefit of the doubt goes in favour of the accused and therefore, the accused stands acquitted of the offences for which he has been facing the trial, ASJ Kumar said in a judgment passed on July 21.

The court observed that unfortunately the testimony of the prosecutrix failed to meet the test of the sterling quality and the reasons.

Noting the backdrop of the alleged incident that it occurred in the hostel room after midnight and continued till 2.30 am while the student union elections were scheduled the next month and all parties were about to declare their candidates, the court said some suspicion arose on the prosecutrixs failure to explain why she had not raised alarm at the very first opportunity.

It said there were more doubts on the prosecutions version that the prosecutrix escaped from the room when the accused went to the bathroom without bolting the room from outside.

The prosecutrix did not raise any alarm and seek help from any other resident of the hostel while she was running away from the room, the court said, adding that there is no explanation as to the fact that no resident heard the accused screaming while he was chasing the prosecutrix. The court said her deposition was contradicted by an independent witness, the security guard.

The security guard denied the presence of the accused at the gate, who, as stated by the prosecutrix, came there while chasing her. There is no explanation as to why the accused left the prosecutrix all alone at the gate and returned back to his room for taking the key and she did not call the police even at the exit gate in the presence of the guard, it said.

The court said one of the person from whom the prosecutrix sought help was not examined and her statement in the Medico-Legal Case (MLC) about taking a bath and changing clothes in another hostel room was not corroborated. No explanation is forthcoming from the prosecution that no police call was made by the prosecutrix in the safe environment with her friends, it said.

Also, the court said there was no medical evidence to corroborate her testimony and that no injuries were mentioned in the MLC. Noting a later report dated August 25 by a doctor mentioning injuries, the court said it was not free from doubts and appeared to be an afterthought.

There are no biological traces on the medical exhibits of the accused and the prosecutrix and the exhibits which were collected from the crime scene. The crime scene was not disturbed and the same is proved to be intact, the court said.

It said in a criminal trial, the onus remains on the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond all reasonable doubts and the benefit of the doubt, if any, must necessarily go in favour of the accused.
Cyber Intelligence

Higher Ed Sees Massive Spike in Encrypted Threats and CryptoJacking in First Half of 2023

Higher education institutions in the United States are experiencing a massive spike in encrypted threats and cryptojacking so far this year, even as ransomware and unencrypted malware attacks have slowed, according to SonicWalls 2023 Mid-Year Cyber Threat Report.

Overall intrusion attempts were up during the first half of 2023 compared to a year ago, with cryptojacking volume breaking all previous records, SonicWall said, as threat actors shifted away from traditional ransomware attacks in favor of a stealthier means of malicious activities.

In the first six months of 2023, SonicWall threat researchers recorded 3.7 trillion overall intrusion attempts globally, a 21% increase over the same period a year prior.

The data, though, reveals two divergent trends, the report said: An increase in low-severity intrusion attempts such as pings and other generally benign actions, and a decrease in medium- and high-severity intrusions. These attempts, also referred to as malicious intrusions, fell 7% in the first half of 2023, to 5.3 billion.

Intrusion attempts targeting education fell by 59% from a year ago, yet a third of education organizations experienced an intrusion attempt each month in the first half of this year  making education the second-most-targeted industry overall.

The data suggests that threat actors are targeting the education sector at an unprecedented rate  more than any other recorded vertical, SonicWall said.

Overall, the United States saw a 49% drop in ransomware attacks during the first six months of 2023, compared to the same period a year earlier.

Higher ed saw ransomware attacks rise by just 6% year-over-year, a slower pace than recently recorded spurts; SonicWall said every sector except government and higher education experienced fewer ransomware attacks so far this year.

Malware attacks targeting higher ed fell by 42% from January through June, compared to the same period in 2022, SonicWall said. IoT malware, on the other hand, fell slightly overall and decreased by 73% in the education sector, the report said.

Malware is increasingly being delivered through encrypted means, SonicWall said.

Encrypted threats targeting higher ed jumped to 88,178 incidents, a 997% increase from the same time period in 2022. A corresponding increase in percentage of customers targeted was also observed: about 9.4% of education customers saw an attack in the first six months of 2023, compared with 8.9% a year before.

Cryptojacking is rising exponentially, SonicWall reported, as threat actors seem to be opting for less-threatening ways to earn revenue from their cyber crimes.

In 2022, cryptojacking surpassed 100 million for the first time ever, according to SonicWall. In the first six months of 2023, attack volumes have not only eclipsed that milestone, theyve more than tripled it, rising 399% to more than 332 million hits  compared to just 66.7 million during the first half of last year.

Cryptojacking attacks targeting higher ed rose by 480% to about 354K hits in the first half of this year, the biggest jump of all sectors, according to the report. Meanwhile, K12 schools were targeted by cryptojacking more than 51 million times during the same period, SonicWall said.

New Cryptojacking Trends

Cybercriminals continue to shift away from the quick payout of ransomware in favor of the slower, behind-the-scenes approach of stealing compute power to mine digital currency, SonicWall said. To help their chances of success, these cybercriminals constantly shift their tools, tactics and procedures.

Following are some of the biggest developments in cryptojacking observed by SonicWall in the first half of 2023, verbatim from the report:

Threat actors are quickly shifting from targeting endpoints to targeting cloud services, including one leveraging Kubernetes clusters to mine Dero.

MacOS endpoints have also been in the crosshairs, with cracked versions of FinalCutPro being used to distribute HonkBox cryptojacking malware.

Oracle WebLogic servers are the target of a new crypter known as ScrubCrypt, designed to evade Windows Defender protections.

SonicWall has continued to observe attackers skipping cryptojacking altogether in favor of stealing crypto directly: In late March, we observed a new variant of AsyncRAT designed to steal Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether.

Download the full report at SonicWall.com/threatreport.
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, which aims to give a further boost to ease of living and ease of doing business. While the bill was in the draft stage, there was a lot of thought that went into its name. Several options were considered, but it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who came up with the name Jan Vishwas, top sources told Network 18.

The idea of the government was that we have faith in our citizens and they will be compliant with the laws, a top official involved with the legislation told News18.

ALSO READ | Opinion | Could The Jan Vishwas Bill Decriminalise Business Compliance?

The bill, when passed, proposes to amend 183 provisions to be decriminalized in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries/Departments.

It was first brought to the Lok Sabha during last years winter session and was then referred to a joint committee of Parliament for scrutiny. After a thorough examination by the committee, which discussed the bill threadbare, the Parliamentary panel submitted its report in the last budget session of Parliament in both the houses. The bill was brought to Parliament, after its approval by the Modi cabinet in the ongoing monsoon session for passage.

SAILENT FEATURES

The decriminalization of the 183 provisions is proposed to be achieved in the following manner:

(i) Both imprisonment and/or fine are proposed to be removed in some provisions.

(ii) Imprisonment is proposed to be removed and fine retained in few provisions.

(iii) Imprisonment is proposed to be removed and fine enhanced in few provisions.

(iv) Imprisonment and fine are proposed to be converted to penalty in some provisions.

(v) Compounding of offences is proposed to be introduced in few provisions.

For effective implementation of the above, the bill proposes measures such as:

(a) Pragmatic revision of fines and penalties commensurate to the offence committed

(b) Establishment of Adjudicating Officers

(c) Establishment of Appellate Authorities

(d) Periodic increase in quantum of fine and penalties

It is also ensured that degree and nature of punishment is commensurate with the severity of the offence.

THE BENEFITS OF THE AMENDMENTS
The Centre on Thursday told Parliament that it is up to the Uttarakhand state government to take action on the recommendations of the Mishra Committee report, which had warned about the Joshimath disaster 47 years ago and suggested remedial measures.

The pilgrim town in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand has been gradually sinking for decades, however, a major calamity struck early this year, when wide cracks appeared in hundreds of houses, forcing local authorities to order evacuation.

ALSO READ | Did You Know Sinking Joshimath is Built on Old Landslide? Shocking Facts, 50-yr-old Alert Explained

Thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes as water began gushing out of crevices on roads and buildings.

1976 MISHRA COMMITTEE REPORT

The 1976 Mishra committee constituted by then Uttar Pradesh government had warned of landslide and localised subsidence of Joshimath. The 18-member committee had suggested various long-term and short-term measures in accordance with the expertise and resources available with the member organizations during the time.

Action on the recommendation of the Mishra Committee is required to be taken up by the Government of Uttarakhand, said Minister of State Ashiwini Kumar Choubey, responding to a question on the action taken after the Joshimath crisis. The statement comes at a time when incessant rain has led to more cracks in the disaster-hit town.

As per the National Policy on Disaster Management, the primary responsibility of disaster management, including disbursal of relief and rehabilitation of the people affected due to the disaster also rests with the State Government. The Central Government provides necessary financial and logistics support as per the established procedure, he told the Rajya Sabha.

The Himalayan town is situated on a previous landslide debris that has low bearing capacity. Researchers have shown how excessive blasting has made the slopes weak and unstable.

STAY ON ALL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

The minister said that all construction activities have been stayed by the State Government in the entire Joshimath area, including Tapovan- Vishnugad power project and Helong Marwari Bypass Road, following the land subsidence incident.

The situation is being continuously monitored at various levels in the State and Central Government. Further, the Central and State Governments are working in close coordination with all agencies concerned for mitigating the effect of land subsidence in Joshimath area, he added.

ALSO READ | Joshimath Sinking: Anatomy of a Himalayan Disaster in the Making

Replying to the question on the number of projects sanctioned in the region in the past decade and whether any impact assessment was conducted before sanctioning such projects, the minister said that as per the records, in the past decade, the Environment Ministry has granted environmental clearances to Vishnugad Pipalkote Hydroelectric Project (444 MW installed capacity), Aerial Passenger Ropeway from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib (Phase-l) and Sanitary Landfill at Joshimath tehsil in Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, by following due procedure and incorporating requisite environmental safeguards.

He added that the Central Government had framed a detailed procedure for assessment of environmental and social impacts for developmental projects, which is prescribed in the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, and is amended from time to time.

Environmental clearances are issued only after detailed study and analysis of developmental projects as per the notification and subject to compliance of necessary environmental safeguards. Project specific conditions related to safety measures such as installation of early warning telemetric system, implementation of emergency preparedness plan, disaster management plan, dam break analysis, catchment area treatment plan, stabilization of muck disposal sites, rim plantation, pasture development, nursery development, etc. are also prescribed in the environmental clearances to hydroelectric projects, he added.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday said it has arrested a man in Pune for allegedly giving shelter to the two terror suspects held last week by the city police by subletting a flat where he was a tenant.

The ATS also said that it recovered black explosive" powder, laptops, parts of drones, books written in Arabic, among other things from the two terror suspects, in addition to a tent that the duo had allegedly procured to stay in the forest areas in Punes adjoining districts.

The ATS took over the probe into the case from the Pune police recently.

The two terror suspects, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for their alleged involvement in a terror-related case in Rajasthan, was nabbed from the Kothrud area of Pune city in the wee hours of July 18.

A court in Pune later remanded the duo  Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan (23) and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki (24)  in police custody till July 25, which was extended till August 5.

A man identified as Abdul Qadir Dastgir Pathan was arrested on Wednesday for giving shelter to Khan and Saki in Pune," the ATS said.

On Thursday, he was produced in a special court, which remanded in the ATS custody till August 5.

Seeking the custody of Qadir, the ATS told the court that he had sublet his rented flat in Kondhwa to these two accused.

After hearing the arguments, the court remanded Qadir in the ATS custody till August 5, observing that the case was of serious nature.

The ATS also detained a man from coastal Ratnagiri district, but it was not clear whether he is the same person held for giving shelter to the terror suspects.

The two arrested terror suspects hail from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh and are graphic designers. Both carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, the police said.

They fled Ratlam after coming to know that their names cropped up in the investigation in the terror case in which some suspected members of the Al-Sufa outfit were apprehended by the Rajasthan police from the Madhya Pradesh town, the police said.

They landed in Mumbai, where they stayed in the Bhendi Bazaar area for two to three days and then came to Punes Kondhwa area. The duo took up jobs with the help of a local resident, the sources said.

They befriended a third person, a resident of Jharkhand, who managed to escape when the police nabbed the duo, they said.

In Kondhwa, the accused duo happened to meet Qadir and told him that they have come to Pune in search of a job as their financial condition was weak, the sources said.

Qadir, who himself was involved in graphic designing work, provided them job and sublet the place, he had taken on rent, to them as an accommodation, they said.

The ATS said that they recovered a tent, which the two terror suspects had procured to live in the jungle areas.

Several items, such as laptops, tablets, weighing machines, parts of drones, maps, electric circuits, a soldering gun, black powder, and books written in Arabic, were also recovered from the duo, it said.

During the analysis of the black powder, it came to light that it was an explosive substance," it said.

The ATS also added that they also recovered a tent, which they had procured to live in jungle areas.

Sources said that the two terror suspects were exploring possible hideouts in the jungle areas surrounding the Pune district in a bid to escape the eyes of the investigation agencies.

After taking over the investigation in the case, the ATS has slapped stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the suspects as the seized items suggest that the duo had received training on making bombs and posed a threat to the unity and security of the nation, they said.

The ATS also said in its statement that multiple teams were working to trace the third suspect, who managed to escape during the operation on July 18.

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Amidst ruckus in the parliament over the Manipur violence, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala slammed the ruling BJP and said,Why is it that the word Manipur is inimical to the BJP and the Modi government? Is Manipur not part of India?

Lok Sabha was adjourned today amid sloganeering by opposition MPs on the Manipur issue.
Inaugurating a new convention centre at the redeveloped India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) complex in Pragati Maidan on Wednesday, Prime Minster Narendra Modi gave a glimpse into the upcoming Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum, tipped to be one of the worlds largest when completed.

The new museum, which will replace the national museum, will have multiple thematic segments telling the story of India spanning over 5,000 years. It will be spread over 1.17 lakh square metres covering the North and South Blocks, and will have 950 rooms. The South Block houses the PMO, Defence Ministry and External Affairs Ministry, while the North Block has Finance Ministry and Home Ministry among others.

The old museum, officials said, will become part of Kartavya Path, which was previously called Rajpath.

According to Culture Ministry sources, the concept for the new museum aims to make it more interactive along the lines of other famous museums like the British Museum. It is likely to include audio visual elements and virtual walkthroughs.

The new museum was also part of the joint statement during PM Modis recent visit to France.

Cooperation in the field of museums and heritage: As nations endowed with rich culture and history, India and France will intensify their joint work to showcase their heritage and pass it on to future generations. India and France welcome the signing of the Letter of Intent for the National Museum of India project, the statement had said.

France will offer India the benefit of its experience of major cultural projects, particularly the Grand Louvre. The retro-fitting of a Heritage Building to provision for display, storage and exhibition of archaeological antiquities, paintings, numismatics, decorative arts, etc. is exemplified by the Grand Louvre and would be an appropriate case study for the National Museum of lndia Project.

The PM had launched a virtual walkthrough of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum in May this year.

The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum will have eight thematic segments and it will showcase the rich civilisational culture of India spanning over 5,000 years, officials had said.

These segments broadly include, ancient Indian knowledge, ancient to medieval, medieval, medieval to transition phase, modern India, colonial rule when the Dutch, the British, the Portuguese and others came to India, the freedom struggle and finally the 100 years from 1947 onwards, when we got Independence, and the vision ahead, a PTI report had quoted a senior official as saying.

Mauryan to Gupta empires, Vijayanagara empire, Mughal empire, and rule of several other dynasties were mentioned in the walkthrough.

Ancient artefacts and other rich collections of the National Museum here are planned to be shifted to the buildings of the North and South Blocks as part of the project, a senior official had earlier said.

The foundation of the current museum building was laid by prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on May 12, 1955.

The first phase of the National Museum building was formally inaugurated by then Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on December 18, 1960. The second phase was completed in 1989.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Rajasthan and Gujarat over the course of two days, July 27 - July 28. He is set to lay the foundation stone and dedicate several development projects to the nation in Rajasthans Sikar and he will also inaugurate the greenfield airport in Rajkot, Gujarat.

PM Modi will inaugurate Semicon India 2023 in Gandhinagar. A government release said, the exhibition of the event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on July 25, and the programme will run from July 25-30.

The event will also be attended by Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, S Jaishankar and Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Track Latest Updates

-I Try to Repay Debt I Owe to Rajkot: PM Modi

PM Modi said Rajkot is recognized as the growth engine of Saurashtra. I always try to repay the debt that I owe to Rajkot. We came with a guarantee of Sushasan and we are fulfilling it. Both the neo-middle class and middle class are the governments priority. The expansion of air services has given new heights to Indias aviation sector. Ease of living and quality of life is among the top priorities for the government, he said.

- Gujarat Becoming Mini Japan, Says PM Modi

PM Modi said, When I was the Gujarat CM, I said that Gujarat is becoming mini Japan but at that time so many people made fun of me, but today, you (people) have accomplished it"

-Milk at Rs 300 per litre, Pulses at Rs 500 per kg: PM Slams UPA Regime Over Inflation

PM Modi said if the previous government was in power then people would be getting milk at Rs 300 per litre and pulses at Rs 500 per kg. We have been making efforts to contain inflation and will continue to do, he said.

-PM Modi Attacks INDIA Alliance

PM Modi said the group of parvarvaadi and corrupt people have changed the name of their group but intentions remain the same.

When the country is progressing, some people are having a problem. Those people dont have anything to do with the aspirations and expectations of the people. They are irritated when they see the dreams of people have come true. Thats why you have these parvarvaadi and corrupt people who have changed the name of their group. Faces, sins, habits, all are the same but the groups name has been changed," he said.

- PM Modi inaugurated multiple development works in Rajkot.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates various development projects, at Race Course Ground in Rajkot pic.twitter.com/RKlBUfCAD3 ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

- PM Modi inaugurates Rajkot International Airport in Gujarat. He inspected the newly constructed airport.

- PM Modi Brings Out New Slogan, Says Corruption, Quit India, Appeasement, Quit India

PM Modi said that like Mahatma Gandhi said Quit India during the Independence movement, todays mantra is Corruption, Quit India", Parivarvaad, Quit India", and Appeasement, Quit India", adding that only this mantra will turn work in turning the tables on INDIA alliance.

- Changing Names, A New Strategy of the Oppn: PM Modi

Changing names is the new strategy employed by the Opposition, said Prime Minister Modi.

He said that now they have changed their names from UPA to INDIA, a long name which aims at making people forget their deeds. He said East India Company, the Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), all had India in their names. He took a swipe at how SIMI changed its name to Popular Front of India (PFI).

People might change names, but their deeds remain the same, the PM said.

- PM Modi Says Removing Congress is Only Solution Saving Rajasthans Youths

The Prime Minister said that the capable and smart youths of Rajasthan are being ruined by the Congress government, in the context of paper leak udyog. He added that officials of the state government itself are being named as the Paper leak mafia. We have to remove Congress, to save the youths of the Rajasthan," he added.

- Congress Is Synonymous to Loot ki Dukaan, Jhoot la Bazaar, Says PM Modi

Taking a jibe at the Congress government, PM Modi said that Loot ki dukaan, Jhoot ka bazaar is synonymous to them, adding that they wasted money and water.

He said that the newest product of this dukaan (shop) is Rajasthans red diary, adding that, this diary has records of Congress black deeds and if it comes out in the public, then several congress leaders will be exposed.

He said that the BJP government ensured that every house gets tap water for which the Jal Jeevan Mission was started. He said that water connection has reached over nine crore new families.

He said that Rajasthan is way behind in the Har Ghar Jal Yojana.

- BJP Govt Gave Twice the Funds to Rajasthan in Comparison to Congress

He said that be it tax benefits or central government grants, the BJP government has sent way more funds than the Congress government.

Previously, he said, the Congress government had sent merely Rs 1 lakh crore as central government grant whereas the BJP sent out about Rs 4 lakh crore.

- PM Modi Thanks Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot; Wishes Him Well

Mentioning the absence of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot from the event, PM Modi said that the former could not attend due to some issue in his legs. Prime Minister wished the CM well and thanked him for all his work in the state.

- Medical Education Will be Possible in National Language, Says PM Modi

PM Modi said that earlier Rajasthan had only ten medical colleges in total, but now it has 35 medical colleges. He said that now people wont have to travel to Jaipur or Delhi for treatments.

He added that the government has made provisions for medical education to be in the national language. He said that not knowing English would no more be an obstacle for anyone who wants to become a doctor.

- Over Rs 2,60,000 Crore Directly Transferred to Farmers Accounts

PM Modi said that with the 14th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), a total of over Rs 2,60,000 crore has been directly transferred to the farmers accounts.

Today, 1,25,000 PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) centres have started in the country," he said, adding that the PMKSKs will help the nations farmers get all the advance information about agriculture.

- PM Modi Reaches Rajasthans Sikar; Inaugurates Development Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Sikar, Rajasthan and inaugurated several development projects today.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates various development projects in Sikar, Rajasthan. pic.twitter.com/hvD4apMMYb ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

Exciting Initiatives in Rajasthan

A statement released by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said that the PM will lay the foundation stone and devote several various development projects to the nation in a public programme in Rajasthans Sikar on Thursday morning.

In the state which will be going to Assembly polls later this year, he will also be launching a new variety of Urea which is coated with sulphur, namely Urea Gold. During this launch, the PM will dedicate one lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PKSMKs) to the country.

The PMO release said that Urea Gold will be a solution to sulphur deficiencies in the soil, adding that the fertiliser is better efficient and economical. This sulphur coated urea will also improve the efficiency of nitrogen use in plants, crop quality, and reduce fertiliser consumption.

PM Modi will also launch the entry of 1,500 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This will help fulfil the goal to empower FPOs with access to digital marketing, online transactions, Business-to-business (B2B) and Business-to-customer (B2C) transactions. The ONDC will also help activate the growth of logistics in rural areas.

The 14th instalment amount of Rs 17,000 crores under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) programme will also be released through direct transfers to more than 8.5 crore beneficiaries.

PM Modi will inaugurate five new medical colleges across Rajasthan, namely at Chittorgarh, Dholpur, Sirohi, Sikar and Sri Ganganagar. Further adding to Rajasthans public health system, he will lay the foundation stone for seven new medical colleges at Baran, Bundi, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, and Tonk.

In the education sector, he will be the inaugurating six new Eklavya Model Residential schools in Udaipur, Partapgarh, Banswara, and Dungarpur districts. The tribal population in these districts will also benefit from these schools. Kendriya Vidyalaya Tivri in Jodhpur will also be launched by the PM at the event.

PM Modi Gujarat Visit Itinerary

Following the events in Rajasthan, PM Modi will reach Gujarats Rajkot where he will inaugurate the states first Greenfield International Airport. He will be taking a walkthrough of the greenfield airport, which has been developed at a cost of over Rs 1,400 crores and a total land area of over 2,500 acres.

Later, he will be starting off several developmental projects at the Race Course Ground in Rajkot. The projects he will launch are worth over Rs 860 crore.

On July 28, he will inaugurate Semicon India 2023 at Mahatma Mandir in the state capital, Gandhinagar. He also will be addressing a public gathering afterwards.

The theme of the Semicon India 2023 conference is Catalysing Indias Semiconductor Ecosystem, which aims at bringing together several global leaders from industry, academia and research institutions.

The PMO release said that the conference will showcase the nations semiconductor strategy and policy which is key to turn India into a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and developing technology.

The event will be witness to participation from companies such as Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, Lam Research, NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, Grantwood Technologies, Infineon Technologies, Applied Materials, and other prominent players in the sector.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a discussion on border issues between the two countries. The two leaders also talked about stabilising bilateral issues, during their meeting at the G20 Summit last year in Indonesias Bali.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the two leaders exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilize our bilateral relations".

During the Bali G20 Summit last year, Prime Minister and President Xi Jinping, at the conclusion of the dinner hosted by the Indonesian President, exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilize our bilateral relations. I think Foreign Secretary did mention maybe he didnt mention the second part of it. He did talk about exchanging courtesies and I think there was a general discussion or spoke of the need to stabilize our bilateral relationship or relations," Bagchi said.

#WATCH | MEA Spox Arindam Bagchi says, During the Bali G20 Summit last year, Prime Minister and President Xi Jinping, at the conclusion of the dinner hosted by the Indonesian President, exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilize our bilateral relations I think pic.twitter.com/Z3FVhPVrL9 ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

The statement comes two days after the Chinese foreign ministry, after a meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Johannesburg, claimed that Xi and Modi had reached an important consensus" on stabilising bilateral ties during their interaction on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in November 2022.

Earlier, it was reported that PM Modi and the Chinese Premier only exchanged greetings. Prime Minister Modi had met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bali during the G20 Summit in November last year.

This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the Galwan Valley clash between the troops from both sides in 2020 sparked bilateral tensions.
A horrifying incident has come to light where a 34-year-old woman was allegedly raped at knifepoint in the presence of her husband. The man had defaulted on a small personal loan.

The accused, Imtiaz Shaikh, 47, had reportedly given an interest-free loan of Rs 40,000 to the victims husband in Hadapsar in February this year. However, when the couple failed to repay the loan, Shaikh resorted to abusive threats.

In a distressing turn of events, Shaikh lured the couple to an isolated spot in the Hadapsar government colony in February and demanded the outstanding money, which they were unable to pay. It was at this moment that he allegedly brandished a knife, terrorizing the husband and subjecting the woman to a brutal sexual assault, all while recording the horrifying incident on his phone.

Subsequently, the accused continued to torment the woman by demanding sexual favors, and when she refused, he callously posted the video on various social media platforms.

Finally, gathering courage, the victim approached the Hadapsar Police Station and lodged a formal complaint on Tuesday, as reported by Police Inspector Ravindra Shelake, reported news agency IANS.

We tracked down the accused and arrested him yesterday He was produced before the court which has given him a two-day remand till tomorrow (Thursday) and further investigations are on, Shelake told IANS.

Police are also trying to ascertain if the accused had trapped any other victims and exploited them in a similar manner, even as the incident sent shockwaves in the city.
After hoodwinking cops for over a month, a man, who is an absconding rape accused, was nabbed by Mumbai Police after he withdrew some money from an ATM in Gujarats Valsad district.

Mumbai resident Issaq Merchant is accused of raping a woman who he met on social media on the pretext of marriage. As per the complaint, the two were living together and the accused sexually exploited the woman for 7-8 years.

Merchant, a building works contractor, was already married but the woman did not have any information in this regard. He promised her a job and also that he would marry her after starting a new business, India Today reported.

The woman approached the police when she insisted on marriage but Merchant asked her to leave the house. The accused also fled the city.

Merchant also switched off his phone that made things difficult for the police in the beginning. But a police team started looking out for him and visited his wifes house at Nargol village in Gujarat.

Meanwhile, the police got the information about Merchant making a withdrawal. After some leads, the police team reached the lodge where he was staying but he had already checked out.

The police got the major breakthrough when Merchant turned on his phone. He turned on his phone, using a different number and the police got a vital clue. This time he had left for Vapi and we checked the lodges there, where he was hiding. We arrested him from there," a police official from Azad Maidan told India Today.

The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the law including rape and is in judicial custody.
In a recent observation, Justice Sanjay Kumar Diwedi, presiding over a single-judge bench of the Jharkhand High Court, remarked that although section 498A of the Indian Penal Code was introduced to address cruelty inflicted by husbands or their relatives, it is now being misused.

Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code was inserted in the statute with the laudable object of punishing cruelty at the hands of husband or his relatives; however, nowadays, the said section is being misused which has been observed by several High Courts and the Honble Supreme Court, the court observed.

The HC was considering a plea filed by a husband and his relatives, seeking the quashing of criminal proceedings initiated against them. The Chief Judicial Magistrate had also taken cognisance of the case.

According to the complainant, her husbands behaviour changed after several years of peaceful married life. He began quarrelling with her on trivial matters and, at times, resorted to physical assault, using fists and slaps.

Allegedly, the reason behind her husbands behaviour became evident when he demanded a sum of Rs 5 lakh for her living in his house. In response, the complainants family paid Rs 2.5 lakh to the husband along with 25 bhori (about 291.5 g) of gold ornaments.

Furthermore, it was alleged that the husbands relatives instigated him to demand the amount from her family. In the event of refusal to pay, they even advised him to initiate divorce proceedings against her through legal means.

Advocate Rajesh Kumar, representing the petitioners, argued that initially, cognisance was taken only against the husband. However, a revision application was filed before the sessions court, and the case was subsequently remanded back to the trial court for fresh consideration. He further pointed out that the relatives involved were the brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of the complainant, residing in Lucknow.

Kumar asserted that the allegations against the petitioners were general and omnibus, and the court took cognisance only after the case was remanded back by the sessions judge.

On the other hand, Advocate Lalan Kumar Singh, representing the wife, argued that there were direct allegations against the petitioners, and the trial court did err in taking cognisance only against the husband. He contended that there was no illegality in the order taking cognisance against the petitioners.

While referring to different judgements of the Supreme Court the bench observed, The above mentioned cases clearly demonstrate that the Court at numerous instances expressed concern over the misuse of section 498A of the Indian Penal Code and increase of tendency of implicating relatives of the husband in matrimonial dispute without analysing the long term ramification of a trial on a complaint, the bench observed.

The high court while quashing the order taking cognisance against the relatives observed that there were general and omnibus allegations against the petitioners.

It appears that the petitioners who happened to be brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, there are general and omnibus allegations against them and the learned court has taken cognisance after remand of the matter by the learned sessions judge and the learned sessions judge has also observed that prima facie case is made out against the petitioner and the learned court was not having any option and he has taken cognisance against the petitioner, the bench noted.

The HC clarified that it has not interfered with the complaint case as well as the order taking cognisance so far as the husband of the complainant is concerned and trial against the husband will proceed, in accordance with the law.
It was July 2004 when the Thangjam Manorama case shook Manipur and the country as security forces were accused of raping and killing the 32-year-old in the state.

As demonstrations broke out across Manipur, 12 women decided to march naked against security personnel in a novel protest that not only grabbed international headlines but also became one of the most stark reminders of women bearing the brunt of conflict.

Nineteen years later, Manipur is once again in the throes of violence. As India watched in horror the viral video of two Kuki women being paraded naked and raped, the women protesters of 2004 said they were shocked by the brutality.

Gyaneswari was 54 years old when she protested against the forces. Now in her 70s, she terms the current situation in Manipur a war. I am shocked to see the video. Our protest that time was for the protection of women. Today, I feel shocked and sad. Strong punishment should be given to the perpetrators.

Ramani, 95, had spearheaded the movement to seek justice for Manorama and admits that women on both sides of the conflict are being targeted. 19 years ago, we stood for womens rights. We feel shocked. We would request the government to look into all women-related complaints.

Though the women are unable to take to the streets anymore due to their age, they vociferously condemned the video and attacks on women.

We feel bad. Strict punishment will surely teach them a lesson. We fought then and will fight now too. It does not matter whether the women are Kukis or not. The government must step in, 72-year-old Nangbi told News18.

For these 12 women, all of whom belong to Meitei community, gender remains the biggest factor that unites them. As they requested mobs to stop targeting women, the 12 original protesters of Manipur hope to keep the fight alive for their sisters.
Its not just farmers in Telangana and Maharashtra, but around 15 tomato growers in Karnataka have turned crorepatis after prices of the kitchen staple soared to an all-time high. Karnatakas Kolar tomato market is the second biggest in the country after Nashik. The district cultivates close to 20,000 hectares of tomatoes with an annual yield of over 12 lakh tonnes annually.

The farmers who are striking it rich with this little red gold as they refer to the crop now have had earnings of Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore and above if they own 8 acres and more of land since the time the tomato prices soared.

A crate of 15 kilograms of tomatoes is still selling at between Rs 500 to Rs 2,000, which makes the staple cost close to 20 rupees apiece since the shortage began in mid-June. The initial dearth was due to the white fly and leaf curl disease, but incessant rains have further affected the produce, said a farmer who spoke to News18 over the phone.

Tomato cultivation is an unpredictable business for farmers, as many have to take loans from banks to buy seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and other equipment to ensure a good crop. Fluctuations in the prices are common, but such a sharp spike in the graph has never been seen before, said officials from Karnatakas APMC.

On the face of it, farmers seem to be minting money of late, but it is worth considering that they have been facing severe losses over the past three years, explain agriculturists in the Chikkaballapur region.

In the past financial year, a farmer would get just about Rs 250 to Rs 400 per crate (15 kg), which is around Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg of the highest quality," said Prateek K, a farmer from Chikkaballapur. The smaller and lower quality Goli tomatoes go as low as Rs 100 per crate. An average farmer invests more than Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakh for a yield and his returns are almost nil."

Just like Mahipal Reddy, a tomato grower from Telangana, who raked in Rs 1.8 crore from his sales, another farmer from the Pune district of Maharashtra, Ishwar Gayakar, declared that he had earned Rs 2.8 crore after he sold around 4,000 crates of the crop.

CMR Srinath owns one of the largest mandis or markets in Kolar and speaks about how farmers have finally been getting some returns for their produce after suffering severe losses in the past few years.

A trader-farmer from Mandya, who did not wish to be named, spoke of how there have been instances where a couple of farmers have made close to Rs 4 crore by selling their high-quality tomatoes that are in big demand in states like Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

Though much of the top-quality produce is also exported to countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia, the growing demand and shortage in stocks have forced farmers to sell in the Indian markets first. We got close to Rs 1.6 crore from sales since June this year, he said.

Another farmer-trader from Kolar, Saddam Hussein, added that it takes close to Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh to cultivate one acre of land and many of the growers have taken loans.

Those who have borrowed over Rs 20 lakh are looking to repay their loans with the returns they have been getting from the sale of tomatoes. It is also a fact that the farmers are slightly wary of putting out details of their produce in public for fear of looters who have attacked tomato trucks and markets, he said.

Another Kolar-based farmer, Chandru, who lost more than half of his tomato yield to the leaf curl virus has had some good luck. His brothers farm of around 9 acres had a good yield and was not affected much as they used the required insecticide to curb the problem. They made close to Rs 98 lakh in the last two months.

We managed to earn close to Rs 10 to 15 lakh per acre. After deducting the money on various farming-related expenses and repaying a major part of our loans, we are left with around Rs 25 lakh as profit, he explained.

Vijaylakshmi, Kolar APMC secretary, told News18 that the rains have further reduced the incoming loads of tomatoes, which has driven the prices higher.

This situation of high prices may continue for another two months as the tomatoes that are coming into the APMC market now have black spots as the fruit has begun to rot due to moisture from the heavy rains," she said.
With the debut of Coke Studio Bharat & Coke Studio Tamil in India this year, Coke Studio, a music platform with diverse musical genres in numerous languages, continues to celebrate brilliant & up-and-coming musicians. Coke Studio Bharat is spearheading a creative season with an amalgamation of over 50 artists from all over the country who have come together to create over 10 unique tracks honouring the roots of Bharat after receiving an incredible response to the debut.

Their fifth song has just been released and Kya Karie Korimol is the name of the Kashmiri song. The Kashmiri song, which also displays Kashmirs rich cultural past and weaves a message of love and caring into its lyrics, narrates the tale of a bride and her father as they prepare for the wedding feast. The song honours the new brides feelings as they are woven into the celebrations of a Kashmiri wedding, along with pride, tradition, Tehzeeb, and wazwaan, a special time when love, food, family, and friends are all present.It includes joint artwork created by Noor Mohammad, Aashima Mahajan, and the brilliant artist Mohammad Muneem, well known by his stage name Alif.

Exceprts from the interview:

I want to start by congratulating Kya Karie Korimol. Can you describe the factors that led to the creation of this song? Was it influenced by a father-daughter duo you have really seen in person?

Alif: Thank you! Grateful for the love its gotten. The story transcends everything when it is told in an honest and authentic way. Coke Studio has been a great platform in creating music and being an amazing storyteller that resonates with multiple audiences and communities. They have done great in the sub continent to document flavors of artists. When Coke Studio Bharat approached us, we wanted to share a story that all of us connected with. Amit Gadgil (bass), Aman Moroney (electric guitars, piano), Karan Chitra Deshmukh (drums and dabuka) Tanmay (Acoustic Guitar).

Aashima: Thank you so much and I think the vision of the song was mainly Alifs. So, I think he can answer this question better.

Everyone in the nation, regardless of where they are from, but notably the Kashmiris, has shown their love for the song. How do you think your songs have helped Kashmiri music gain the respect it deserves? What are your views?

Alif: Like I said, the story transcends everything when its told in an honest way. Just grateful we get to be ourselves. And everything else is humbling.

Aashima: We are absolutely grateful that the emotion that we wanted to transcend in the audience has reached them in exactly the same way and in fact we have received immense love, which is overwhelming. But, the song was not made keeping in mind any language. It is a father - daughter relationship across the nation. Har jagah jab beti ki shaadi hoti hai tab pita ko kaise lagta hai, yeh common emotion hai jo pure bharat mein hai. Aise koi language ko maddenazar rakhe nahi kiya gaya tha. I am glad that so many people of Jammu and Kashmir are resonating to the song, celebrating and they are feeling powerful with the song. It just makes you happy when you are making someone feel powerful, feel strong, feel pride in their culture.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coke Studio Bharat (@cokestudiobharat)

3. You have eloquently portrayed the particular nature of a father-daughter relationship using the lyrics of a song. Are there any specific lines in this song that have a special importance for you and that you would want to share?

Alif: Dakiya Badal Gaya chithiyoun ko Kya pata. And if I share what it means to me the thrill of what it means to you will go. So different perspectives are required.

Aashima: So the few lines that I sing are the only lines in Hindi. So bahut sare logo ko samajh aata hai woh bhasha jo kashmiri nahi samjhte. Toh usmai meri ek favorite line hai aur bahut saare logo ne ispe baat bhi ki hai. *Aashima sings a line* Daakiya badal gaya chittiyon ko kya pata. This line hits differently. Every person who has left their home has resonated to this line. There are so many people I am on a US show trip with right now. So this is one of my favorite lines in the whole song.

4. Your songs folk sounds are their heart, and they have always spoken so beautifully about Kashmiri customs and cultures. Have you been successful in expressing what you wished to express through your lyrics, and how do you feel that you have brought Kashmiri music into the mainstream as a composer? What were the points that you made when crafting this lovely song?

Alif: I dont believe we have a specific genre. The language we write in is Urdu Hindustani & Kashmiri. The sounds are different be it Alladin or Lalnawath or Katyu. Each song has a different sound of what it is. The song was initially released as a single in 2018 and in coke studio bharat we got to extend the story and experiment.

Aashima: I think this question is absolutely for Alif and I feel that he has brought Kashmiri music as a composer on radar. People are loving it. I have Tamilians and marathi people around me. He has been dancing to the song and playing around with the song. He is a musician himself, like the whole family are musicians and this two year old kid is enjoying Kya Karie Korimol. He loves the transition then it comes to the Wanvun. He listens to the song 5 times before he goes to his play school in the morning. You have been honest to your music and that is why it is reaching two year old kids also. So this is absolutely a great achievement I feel. So happy to be a part of this

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coke Studio Bharat (@cokestudiobharat)

5. The popular trends can occasionally be used to characterize the Indian music industry. How valuable do different voices then become?

Alif: The way music is consumed all over the world has changed because of the internet. People are consuming all kinds of music across the world because there are so many different voices and it finds its way to peoples hearts and lives. Sometimes slow, sometimes quick. Many times anything new takes a little time for people to absorb. E.g we go to a restaurant we mostly order a dish that we have tasted before and hardly order something we havent tasted or which feels different. Similarly in music popular trends are the dishes that feel nice because people know how it tastes. Which is great even I do the same. However, unlike in restaurants and with dishes one can be a little braver and explore to listen to different artists and consume different art forms as it will only help us develop & find out what we connect with more or otherwise.

Aashima: India is a land of varied cultures, languages, traditions and different kinds of music and when it comes to becoming a voice for Indian music industry kya trend kar raha aajkal and you know itta range and itta diversity hai humare paas songs ka and kashmiri folk song becoming one of that trend is a very precious feeling and I feel this also worldwise when I see some people from North America, South africa enjoying Kya karie korimol and listening to the whole song in loop, it just makes me feel that thats how we are representing our nation to the outside world. We have so many flavors of songs, this is one of our flavors and we are happy and ecstatic that its one of the trending songs right now and its becoming one of the voices of the world. The main theme of Coke Studio Bharat this time is #ApnaSunao and humne apna sunaya hai aur woh logo tak ache tarike se pahuch raha hai. So thats the main thing I want to say, that it is reaching people in a very beautiful way.

6. Finally, who are your music idols and what is next in line for you?

Alif: There are so many amazing artists who have inspired me, cant name just a few. Next in line is what has been happening all along, that is to stay inspired to keep doing what we do. And finding strength to be ourselves. With regards to releases we just put out a single Siyah | FItna Fitoor

Aashima: So my music idols range from Jessye Norman in Oprah 2, Kishori Amonkar in Indian classical music, so there is a wide variety because I have been trained in western classical music in AR Rahman music school so I had a diversity of music. There are a few idols like Jessye Norman, Kishori Amonkar, Parveen Sultana, Kaushiki Chakraborty in India and in classical music. I am introducing my own album. I hope you all will shower blessings on that also. I am working on my own music album right now and you will be hearing a few of the songs this year itself.
AR Rahman, the Academy Award-winning musician, recently uploaded a jaw-dropping picture on social media. The photograph was taken at the famous Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California, USA, and featured the legendary Indian actor, Kamal Haasan. In the picture, Kamal Haasan was immersed in watching Marlon Brandos remarkable performance in the all-time classic The Godfather.

The photograph captured an iconic moment in which Kamal Haasan can be seen admiring Brando in his element on the big screen. The scene in question was the famous negotiation scene in which Brandos character says, If you consider a million dollars in cash just finance. The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, has been a cult favourite since it was released in 1972.

Furthermore, they both reminisced about Isaipuyals 2009 Oscar-winning scenes for Slumdog Millionaire on the digital screen. AR Rahman, who was evidently awe-struck by the encounter, expressed his delight in the Instagram caption. He wrote, One G.O.A.T watching another G.O.A.T at the Academymuseum (sic).

He referred to Kamal Haasan and Marlon Brando as the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time), referring to their unmatched talents and contributions to the world of cinema. The post received over 1.5 lakh likes and countless comments of gratitude from admirers. A user wrote, And another G.O.A.T posting it hinting at AR Rehman being the greatest of all time himself.

Many users in the comment section referred to AR Rahman as G.O.A.T with another user saying, And another GOAT is clicking the golden moment.

Meanwhile, a user praised Kamal Hassan and said, The GOD FATHER of Indian cinema.

Users also poured in the Goat and respect gesture emojis in the comments section.

The latest picture made it evident that both AR Rahman and Kamal Haasan were in America. According to several media sources, Kamal Haasan is in there for his upcoming film Indian 2. He is accompanied by Shankar, the films director, and Ravi Varman, the films cinematographer. To investigate the usage of de-ageing technologies, the team is meeting with experts from Lola Visual Effects, a well-known Hollywood company. The goal is said to make Kamal Haasans character appear younger in some scenes in the film.
Just weeks after accusing director Anil Sharma of non-payment of dues during Gadar 2, Ameesha Patel now claims she shares a father-daughter relationship with him. The actress reprises her role of Sakeena alongside Sunny Deols Tara Singh in the second instalment thats inching closer to its release. On Wednesday, the cast of Gadar 2 assembled at the trailer launch of the film, wherein Ameesha Patel shared insights about the bitter-sweet bond she shares with filmmaker Anil Sharma. She jokingly revealed about fighting and blocking each on social media before coming back for more.

Labelling it a father-daughter relationship, Ameesha said, We fight, we block each other on WhatsApp, social media. But we are back. Thats our relationship. Thats what we share," as per ETimes. The statement came just days after she posted a happy photo alongside the filmmaker. Donning a white sweatshirt matched with pink tracks, Ameesha was seen having a good laugh as the camera captures the candid moment. At the time, the actress shared that she has known and respected Anil Sharma for over 24 years.

Spent the entire day today with Anil Sharma at his office, a director who I have known and respected for 24 years and counting now! Enjoyed seeing Khairiyat song with him and the entire team," she captioned the photo.

Take a look at it here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9)

Surprisingly, the photo came after Ameesha Patel accused Anil Sharma of not providing proper remuneration to makeup artists, technicians, and costume designers connected with Gadar 2. In a series of tweets, she shed light on unpaid dues be it food, transportation, or accommodation before adding it was Zee Studios that stepped in to resolve the issue.

There were certain queries that many technicians like makeup artists, costume designers, and others, etc did not receive their rightful remuneration and dues from Anil Sharma Productions! Yes, they did not! But Zee Studios stepped in and made sure all dues were settled as they are a very professional company," she wrote.

In a subsequent tweet, she added, Yes from accommodation, to transport to Chandigarh airport on the final day to food bills were left unpaid and cars were not provided to certain cast and crew members leaving them stranded! But yet again Zee Studios stepped in and corrected these issues caused by Anil Sharma Productions."

Yes from accommodation, to transport to Chandigarh airport on the final day to food bills were left unpaid and cars were not provided to certain cast and crew members leaving them stranded ! But yet again @zeestudios stepped in and corrected these issues caused by ANIL SHARMA ameesha patel (@ameesha_patel) June 30, 2023

Set in 1971, Gadar 2 will chronicle Tara Singh going back to Pakistan to bring back his son. The second instalment is scheduled to release on August 11.
Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is all set to release in theatres this Friday, July 28. While the lead pair of the film is Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, the supporting cast has a bunch of veteran stars. Dharmendra is one of them. The 87-year-old star, with his appearance in Karan Johars directorial comeback, has proved that age is no barrier. Notably, Dharmendra is not the only senior actor who continues to impress audiences with his acting prowess. From Amitabh Bachchan to Dimple Kapadia, several senior stars of Bollywood continue to give tough competition to the youth and charge crores of money for even supporting roles in the film.

Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has an acting career spanning over five decades. The 80-year-old stalwart was last seen in the 2022-release Uunchai. Last year itself, the actor enjoyed three theatrical releases including Uunchai, Goodbye, and Brahmastra. Next, Amitabh Bachchan will be seen in Project K, co-starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone. Reportedly, the actor takes Rs. 7-10 crore for each film.

Neena Gupta

Neena Gupta, 64, has wowed fans with her brilliant performances in films and a bunch of web series. The actress, who gets Rs 1.5 to 2 crore for a film, ruled the theatres as well as OTT platforms. She was featured in Goodbye, Uunchai, and Vadh along with web shows: Masaba Masaba 2, and Panchayat 2. She will be next seen in MetroIn Dino, alongside Anupam Kher and Pankaj Tripathi.

Dimple Kapadia

Be it a fierce officer (in Pathan) or a cool dude mother (in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar), Dimple Kapadias fan base continues to grow to date. The 66-year-old was last seen in the web show Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo.

Anupam Kher

Anupam Kher has acted in over 500 films. The actor, 68, charges Rs. 3-5 crores per film. Anupam was last seen in the spy thriller IB 71. His upcoming projects include The Vaccine War and Kangana Ranauts Emergency. The actor will also portray Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on-screen.

Anil Kapoor

Does Anil Kapoor even look 66? The actor has not only impressed fans with his acting chops but also with his fitness. He was recently hailed for his work in The Night Manager  Seasons 1 and 2. Anil Kapoor will reportedly next appear in Sandeep Reddy Vangas Animal.
Kriti Sanon is celebrating her 33rd birthday today, July 27. On a special day, the actress added another feather to her hat. Kriti has launched her skincare brand Hyphen. Alongside the announcement video, she wrote, Turning my obsession with skincare into passion and then into a dream - a dream of getting a lot of amazing ingredients to make power-packed products that work.

Did you know Kriti Sanons estimated net worth is up to $9 million, nearly Rs 74 crore? Hyphen is not the first entrepreneurial venture of the actress. Kriti has previously invested in and also owns a couple of brands across different segments. This includes her apparel line Ms Taken which was launched in 2016 and offers clothing for youth (both casual and semi-formal).

Earlier this year, Kriti launched a fitness app The Tribe, which is known for its virtual and in-studio training workshops. It also offers nutrition plans to its users. Last, but not least, the newly-launched production company, Blue Butterfly Films, is co-owned by her sister Nupur Sanon.

Apart from the films and a string of businesses, the actress has also collaborated with several brands for endorsements and advertising campaigns. Kriti has collaborated with top brands like Fossil, Joy, Titan, and Coca-Cola as well as a range of apparel and beauty products.

Kriti Sanon owns a house in the Juhu neighbourhood in Mumbai. She also has an envious car collection, including SUV Audi Q7, a BMW 3-Series, and a Mercedes-Benz E-class.

The actress made her Bollywood debut in 2014 with Heropanti, co-starring Tiger Shroff. In her acting career spanning nearly a decade, Kriti has a bunch of hit films in her kitty including Bareilly ki Barfi, Luka Chuppi, and Houseful 4 among others.

She was hailed for her impeccable performance in the 2021 film Mimi. Kriti was last seen in Adipurush alongside Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan.

Next up in line, the actress has The Crew, co-starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh.
Mahesh Bhatt refused to comment about Pooja Bhatt in Bigg Boss OTT 2 when he was recently spotted. The director was seen earlier this week attending the premiere of his daughter, actress Alia Bhatts film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. He was joined by Soni Razdan. The paparazzi caught up with him after the premiere wrapped and tried to get a byte from him about Poojas game in Bigg Boss OTT 2. However, Mahesh wanted the spotlight to be on Alia.

As reported by India Today, a paparazzo asked Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja accha khel rahi hai?" To which he replied, Kaun?" The paparazzo clarified that he was talking about Pooja Bhatt. Mahesh ignored the question and went on to cheer for Alia instead. Main abhi Alia Bhatt ka fan hu (I am a fan of Alia Bhatt right now)," he said.

When the paparazzi asked him to share his review of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, he replied, Bohut kamaal ki (It was amazing)."

Although Mahesh chose to not discuss Poojas Bigg Boss OTT 2 performance, Alia named her as her favourite contestant on the show. Alia also named Elvish Yadav and Manisha Rani as her favourite contestants on the show. Recently during the promotion of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Alia described Elvish as a rocky personality" while also highlighted that she loves his sense of humor . When it came to Manisha, Alia affectionately dubbed her the Rani of the show" for her captivating presence that made her stand out among the contestants. However, it was Pooja who earned a special place in Alias heart, as she fondly referred to her as the Rani of her ghar and parivaar (home and family).

Meanwhile, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is slated to release on Friday, July 28. While Alia plays Rani, Ranveer Singh plays the role of Rocky. The film is directed by Karan Johar.
Actor Nargis Fakhri, best known for her performance in the 2011 film Rockstar, recently shared that she had never met director Imtiaz Ali and co-star Ranbir Kapoor earlier. The New Yorker revealed how she was surprisingly cast in the Indian film, after meeting Imtiaz in Prague. She also said that she didnt know who Ranbir Kapoor was before they worked together on the hit film.

In an interview with Mashable Middle East, Nargis said that she had shot a jewellery advertisement which ended up on Indian billboards, without her knowledge. Someone from Imtiazs team then reached out to her, not knowing that the model was not based in India. However, they insisted that she meet the director on his trip to Prague.

Nargis said, She told me, The director will be in Prague, and hed still like to meet you. I was like, Oh, what the hell, let me go meet this person. If hes weird Ill kick him in the balls and Ill run. I had my New York out. Im not afraid, Im ready to fight people. You learn that when youre six, in the hood."

I go, and this strange man with big curly hair, very nice, good aura. So obviously, my instinct kicks in to judge the character. Good person, very nice, felt safe, told me the most beautiful story Ive ever heard in my life. I literally saw the whole movie in my head when he was telling me the story," she added.

Nargis continued, And he said, If you come to India, we can help teach you the language. I said I dont know, because obviously thats a huge thing to do, I dont know anybody, I dont know what Ill do there. But after a couple of weeks, they asked again, and I said okay fine, Ill just go and try. You only live once in life, you have to take a chance."

Nargis also talked about working with Ranbir Kapoor, Obviously, working with Ranbir was a blessing, in hindsight. But, at the time, I didnt know who he was. I was like, Whos this dorky guy? But hes very cool, and it was so much fun to work with so many people. But I had no idea who they were, which is probably great. Because I just enjoyed them for who they are. I wasnt nervous, because I didnt know who they were, and when you dont know, you dont care."

Rockstar was a big hit and still remains a fan favourite. The film also starred Aditi Rao Hydari, Piyush Mishra and Kumud Mishra.
American comedian Pete Davidson finds himself on an 18-month diversion programme after facing charges of reckless driving in connection with the Beverly Hills car crash that occurred earlier this year. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office has confirmed to PEOPLE that as part of the programme, Davidson will be required to complete 50 hours of community service.

The diversion programme also mandates that Davidson attend 12 hours of traffic school and participate in educational visits to either a morgue or hospital in addition to community service. Furthermore, the LA County District Attorneys Office has emphasised that Davidson must make restitution and diligently follow all rules throughout this time.

Notably, Davidson has the option to fulfil his community service in New York at the New York City Fire Department, where his father, Scott, had served as a firefighter. Davidsons father tragically lost his life in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In a statement to the news outlet, the New York City Fire Department expressed their warm welcome to Davidson, acknowledging his connection as the son of a 9/11 hero and stating that they would be delighted to provide him with the opportunity to complete his required community service within their department.

The incident in question occurred in March while Davidson was driving with his girlfriend, Chase Sui Wonders. Their Mercedes reportedly veered off the road, hitting a fire hydrant and crashing into a house in a Los Angeles suburb.

TMZ reports suggest that in June Davidson was charged with one count of misdemeanour reckless driving, as was confirmed to PA by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). At the time, the LACDA asserted that Davidsons reckless driving was the cause of the serious collision with the house. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the collision.

This recent development follows reports that Davidson sought in-patient therapy in a Pennsylvania facility to address his struggles with borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Saturday Night Live alum has been a vocal advocate for mental health treatment. A close source to Davidson told PEOPLE that he is receiving unwavering support from his friends and family during this challenging time.
BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday raised its emergency response for typhoons and flooding to Level III as Typhoon Doksuri is forecast to make landfall in south China on Friday.

Four teams have been sent to the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi to assist in local flood and typhoon prevention efforts, according to the headquarters.

China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most urgent response.

Doksuri is expected to enter the northeastern part of the South China Sea between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, and make landfall between Fuqing City in Fujian Province and Huilai County in Guangdong Province, according to the headquarters.

The typhoon is forecast to travel deep inland and move northward, which could affect provincial regions such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Tianjin and Beijing, the headquarters said, adding that the country faces a severe situation in coping with the typhoon and flooding.

All local governments are required to make detailed emergency response plans, strengthen weak links related to geographical disasters, waterlogging and small reservoirs, call back ships from the sea, and evacuate residents from dangerous areas, according to the headquarters.

The Ministry of Emergency Management said it has optimized and coordinated emergency response forces across different regions, with over 4,000 personnel and five helicopters on standby.

The National Meteorological Center on Wednesday morning issued a red alert for Typhoon Doksuri, the most severe warning in its four-tier warning system, as the typhoon is expected to bring gales and heavy rains to eastern and southern parts of the country.

The typhoon, observed over the ocean about 290 kilometers south of Eluanbi at the southernmost tip of China's Taiwan at 2 p.m. Wednesday, is expected to move northwest at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. The maximum wind speed near Doksuri's eye could reach super typhoon levels of 55 meters per second, according to the center.
Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt have wrapped the pre-release promotions of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and are gearing for the films release now. The film, which marks Karan Johars directorial comeback, is all set to hit the cinemas tomorrow, July 28. On Thursday evening, Ranveer and Alia returned to Mumbai after their final leg of pre-release promotions. The actors had returned from Chandigarh.

In a video shared by a paparazzo, Ranveer and Alia were spotted at the Mumbai airport. Despite the heavy rains, the actors posed for the cameras. Ranveer and Alia twinned in an all-black outfit. Alia also had the words, What Jhuka???" on the tee. As they made their way to their respective cars, Ranveer was seen giving Alia a warm hug as they parted ways at the airport.

Watch the video below:

Alia and Ranveer reunite for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani four years after they were seen in Gully Boy. Directed by Karan Johar, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani sees the duo in a different avatar. The film also stars veteran actors such as Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan.

The trailer of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was released a few weeks ago. The trailer was released earlier this month and it revealed that Rocky (Ranveer Singh) is a loud and flamboyant Punjabi boy who falls in love with a well-educated and beautiful Rani (Alia Bhatt). Coming from different backgrounds, the couple decides to live with each others families before they tie the knot. While Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt lead the show, Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan appear to play Ranveers Punjabi parents while Shabana Azmi plays a member of Alias family in the movie.

The celeb reviews arrived earlier this week and they praised the film.
Filmmaker Karan Johars upcoming directorial Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is all set to hit the theatres this Friday (July 28). It has emerged as one of the most highly anticipated films of the year with its music, nostalgic quotient and costumes grabbing the attention of many. The trailer generated quite a buzz among fans too. However, Johars portrayal of a Bengali family seemed to have irked a few who took to social media to express their opinions. One particular scene that has come under scrutiny is where Ranveer Singhs Rocky mistakes a portrait of Ranbindranath Tagore as Ranis dadaji.

In an exclusive chat with News18, Bangla actor Churni Ganguly, who plays Ranis mother in the film, defends the cliches pertaining to a Bengali household portrayed in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Reacting to the scene in question, she states, There are certain events that have gradually crept into the Bengali system but if you want to project a family as quintessentially Bengali, you need to include these things. I think that things like Ranveers character addressing Rabindranath Tagore as dadaji worked well for us. Portraits of Tagore are something you see in many Bengali houses.

She goes on to add, When youve to project a Bengali family, you need to refer to certain stereotypes. These arent even stereotypes. According to me, its all essentially very Bengali. We still dont wear lehengas at our weddings; weve still stuck to our sarees.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani marks Gangulys Bollywood debut and the first collaboration between her and Johar. Sharing her experience of working with him, she tells us, The one thing that I found out was that Karan isnt one of those people who sits at the monitor and directs his actors. He was a very active director on the floor. When we exchanged numbers, he told me that if theres anything about the character that I needed to discuss be it any questions or the prep, I should talk to him immediately.

Ganguly also lauds the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) and Student Of The Year (2012) maker for being open to his actors inputs as she says, I even suggested some changes in the dialogues and he incorporated them and was very open to suggestions. What has further stayed back with her is the fact that he conveys the essence of the scenes to his actors in a rather unique way. When we were on the floor, he enacted scenes for us. I told him that he should have become an actor because he acts so well. He was always eager to perform. That was a running joke on the set. It was a very good experience and we enjoyed the shoot, Ganguly recalls.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani also provided her with the opportunity to share screen space with veteran actors, Jaya Bachchan and Dharmendra. Ive scenes with Jaya ji and Dharam ji too. Jaya ji was very proud of the fact that we were a part of the project, she shares. Speaking about how she bonded with Bachchan, Ganguly says, When we first met on the sets, she told everyone to be aware of us because were well-known in Bengal (laughs)! We did strike up a conversation about Kolkata and her experiences in the city.

And what about Dharmendra? Dharam ji was also very warm towards me. He held my hand and said that Ive a great personality. He told me that he has a lot of friends from Bengal and that hes very attached to them. He recited some beautiful shaayaris that he had written. He still remembered them. He has such a wonderful memory! states Ganguly.
Shiv Thakare, who recently appeared on Roadies 19, often grabs the headlines for a rumoured relationship. After his breakup with Veena Jagtap, his name was linked to Bigg Boss OTT 2 contestant Akanksha Puri. But this time the actor is in the news after he expressed his desire to date one of the top Bollywood actresses.

The Bigg Boss 16 winner, in an interview, said that he likes Alia Bhatt. This is not the first time when he has talked about liking the Highway actress. Previously, when he was inside the Bigg Boss house during season 16, he was talking to Nimrat Kaur Ahluwalia. He said that his favourite actress is Alia Bhatt and Nimrat too expressed her love for the actress.

Now, in a recent interview, he said that he wants to go out on a date with the Bajirao Mastani actress, Deepika Padukone. He said, Although I like Alia Bhatt, I would like to go on a date with Deepika Padukone. He also revealed where exactly he wanted to take her. He replied, There is a cafe in the Eiffel Tower of Paris where I would like to go on a date with her. The Eiffel Tower is tall and Deepika is tall so I would like to go there".

The actor gushed about the Pathaan actress and talked about her aura. He said that if one wants to become an actress, one should take notes from Deepika Padukone. I met her at an event. She has a different aura", he stated. He further shared the incident and said, Deepika entered the hall. She didnt make any sound. When she entered quietly, everyones heads and eyes turned to her. He also added that it was the Piku actresss saree, her presence and her aura that drew everyones attention.

On the work front, Shiv Thakare is known for his stint at MTV Roadies in 2017 and later appeared in MTVs The Anti-Social Network. He shot to fame after he participated in Bigg Boss Marathi 2 and won the show. In 2020, he was seen in Roadies again, but this time as a judge in the audition rounds. In 2022, he appeared in the Salman Khan hosted Bigg Boss 16. He was last seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 13.
Sunny Deol has prompted a controversy with his statement on India-Pakistan at the trailer launch of his upcoming movie Gadar 2. The actor and BJP MP from Punjabs Gurdaspur on Wednesday blamed the political game for the hatred between India and Pakistan. Sunnys statement has caused an uproar on social media, with netizens criticising him for his diplomatic stand. There is love on both sides (India-Pakistan). It is the political game that creates all this hatred. And you will see the same in this film as well that the people do not want us to fight with each other," Sunny had said at the trailer launch.

However, netizens arent very happy with his statement. One user said, Tara Singh ne sara boycott apne upar le liye." Another one said, Haha. Sunny Deol must have the common sense that people on this side will not take this comment lightly. They will boycott the movie. And people on that side dont have the money to buy tickets to his movie, anyway." A third user wrote, The Shameful statement came out on #KargilVijayDiwas by so-called Patriot at the promotion event of Gadar 2."

The Shameful Statement came out on #KargilVijayDiwas by So called Patriot at the promotion event of #Gadar2What's wrong if @GemsOfBollywood speaks against Bollywood then, who doesn't care about anyone's sentiments ? https://t.co/mdqQquFXMb  Vinay Tiwari (@VinayTiwari_) July 26, 2023

What is this Aman ki Asha BS this guy is peddling? Wasn't Gadar all about Pak bashing?#selfgoal https://t.co/mtVP8LcN7v Ashima Sharda (@ShardaAshima) July 26, 2023

Haha. Sunny Deol must have the common sense that people on this side will not take this comment lightly. They will boycott the movie. And people on that side don't have the money to buy tickets to his movie, anyway. In short, LLG! https://t.co/DyO23fjpy0 Bokya (@bowcja) July 27, 2023

Meanwhile, the makers of Gadar 2 unveiled its dramatic trailer on Wednesday at a mega event. The film, which has been generating immense buzz among fans, is just a few weeks away from its theatrical release on August 11. The trailer shows that Sunny and Ameesha Patel are returning as Tara Singh and Sakeena. However, in a shocking turn of events, their son Charan Jeet (Utkarsh Sharma) lands in Pakistan and is tortured. This time, Tara will return to Pakistan to save his son. The promo promises action, drama and the iconic screams by Tara Singh. The trailer also hints at a nod to the famous handpump scene.

Gadar 2 is set to clash with Akshay Kumars OMG 2 on August 11.
Fans of Sushmita Sen were concerned about the actors health when she revealed getting an angioplasty done post having a heart attack, earlier this year. The actor, who is well into her recovery, has finished filming the third season of her popular web series, Aarya. In an Instagram live on Wednesday, she gave the worried fans an update on her health and also spoke about Aarya 3.

When asked about her health, Sushmita said, My health is fabulous by gods grace I have been eating well." The actor was on her way home from an event with her daughter Alisah. The actor also shared some details about the upcoming season of Aarya. She shared that she had shot some action scenes post her recovery.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47)

I am waiting for Aarya 3. I think its going to be very lovely this time. There is a lot that has gone into it so many things to tell you when we finally discuss Aarya about all the stuff that we did, pre health scare and all the action we did post. I hope you like it," Sushmita said. She later posted the live on Instagram and wrote that she is grateful for all the goodness her fans bring to her life.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47)

Sushmita wrapped Aarya 3 last month and shared a behind-the-scenes video from the set with co-star Sikandar Kher and director Ram Madhvani. She captioned the video, And its a wrap!!!!! #Aarya3 Heres to @amitamadhvani @madhvaniram #kapilsharma #Shradha @disneyplushotstar @officialrmfilms @endemolshineind & the MOST AMAZING CAST & CREW EVER!!! Thank you #aaryafamily. Warmest hug ever Daulat @sikandarkher. I love you guys!!! #duggadugga."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47)

Sushmita has recently returned from a holiday in Paris and Switzerland with Alisah. She shared a video of the two on Instagram, dancing in front of the Eiffel Tower. She captioned the post, #magicalalisah. My Shonas first trip to Paris, France before she leaves to study abroad. How time fliesI will forever cherish our dance."
Tamannaah Bhatia is capturing the hearts of her fans with her dance moves in the song Kaavaalaa from the movie Jailer. The film features superstar Rajinikanth in the lead while Tamannaah is seen sharing the screen with him. The songs music video is becoming increasingly popular online and the makers of the film released the Hindi version of the song - Tu Aa Dilbara on Thursday where the Lust Stories 2 actor was present.

Donning a chic white top with cargo pants, braving the monsoon showers in Mumbai, Tamannah interacted with the media where she explained about the popularity of the song. While shooting for the song, I knew that it had the best team including director Nelson, Jani master who was our choreographer and for me it was a magical moment for me to have Rajini sir on the sets and dancing with him. We knew that we had a good song but didnt expect it to become so big. Usually, people make reels on songs, but this time around I had the urge to make a reel on Kaavaalaa and it just went viral like wildfire. My notification hasnt stopped since the time I posted it."

The action thriller, which is scheduled to release on August 10, also features Mohanlal, Ramya Krishnan, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff among others. Talking about being a part of an ensemble, Tamannah says that in the end, she feels that the content should be good. I have been a part of many ensembles in the past. For me what matters is whether the script will be able to connect with the audience. I dont think any male actor would have been able to do Kaavaalaa, so everyone has their parts defined and it is not possible for male or female actors. Jailer is a perfect example of an ensemble," she said.

She adds, Jailer is not a pan-India film and that hasnt been the intention. We have made rooted true to its region film. It is a massy entertainer with probably the biggest superstar the country has. Rajinikanth is like a demi-god for many people across the country. We have made a film which will be able to connect with the audience. Kaavaalaa is a Tamil song but has a Telugu title and today we are launching the Hindi version of it because we are sure that our content will travel across languages."

In the past few months, the Bahubali actor has had multiple releases including Jee Karda, Lust Stories-2 and Babli Bouncer and all of them have been appreciated by the audience. The actor says that she is just there at the right place and at the right time, Luck favours the ones who work hard and are brave, so I am just being brave with my choices and I just feel blessed that things are working in my favour. In the past few months, there have been multiple releases where I have played a variety of characters and everything has been appreciated by the audience."
Now that a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government has been admitted for debate by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, the stage is set for a high-stakes debate between the government and Opposition benches on the Manipur question.

The public vitriol in Delhi has so far been focused on the question of whether a debate on Manipur should have been preceded by a prior statement by the Prime Minister on the floor of the House or not  as evidenced by the public exchange of letters between Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. That demand, which the Congress and Opposition parties have insisted on, led to the no-confidence motion being a clever go-around to force the issue.

With the BJP-led state government of N Biren Singh eliciting little confidence in its ability to calm the ground situation so far, allegations of bias by Kuki groups and the Union Home Ministry being directly involved in the security operations, the Opposition feels it has the ammunition to put the government on the defensive. The Modi government, on the other hand, will be looking to turn the tables as the battle lines are being drawn for Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Maintaining public order is a core requirement of the State. In that sense, the governments response and the semantics of this debate matter. Yet, beyond the optics, Manipur is too serious a matter to be left to politics as usual or small brownie points that either side hope to gain from this debate.

First, the Lok Sabha numbers are such that the outcome of this debate - the 28th no-confidence motion in independent India and the second one for the Modi government after it defeated a previous such motion in 2018  may not be in doubt. In the 543-member Lok Sabha (with an effective strength of 537), the NDA has 332 members (301 from BJP). The newly formed opposition block, I.N.D.I.A, has a strength of 142 seats. Several other parties (totaling up to 33) are as yet undecided.

Yet, the debate will be keenly watched for its battle of perceptions on several counts. Beyond finger-pointing, it must lead to a solution and a national consensus on the pathway to normalcy in Manipur. The facts are clear:

Over 50,000 people displaced by the conflict are currently housed in 349 relief camps in the state.

Over 6,000 FIRs have now been filed and each day brings news of more atrocities beyond the viral videos that shook the nations conscience.

The writ of the state has been directly challenged in the state with reports of over 4,000 weapons being looted from security forces by armed groups. Only 18 % of these have so far been surrendered. This has been exacerbated by incidents where locals have held up ration convoys for security forces or when the Army was forced to release 12 militants in Imphal district due to 1,500 strong mob led by women.

India has long dealt with secessionist insurgencies in the region but the nature of the current strife is different. The Meiti-Kuki divide has led to ethnic violence that is unprecedented in the state. The perception of a chief minister who is perceived to be biased and is yet to visit Kuki areas has not helped in calming social tensions.

The violence now threatens to spread to other states which are now host to refugees from Manipur. A possible backlash against Meitis in Mizoram has just been averted after the Zoramthanga government moved quickly on threats.

The longer the strife continues in the border state, the more it harms not just Manipur, but the larger Northeast narrative (and the Look East initiative) and the wider Indian growth story itself.

The Northeast has often suffered in the past from what has been called the tyranny of distance from New Delhi. But now that the Manipur crisis is at the centre of the no-confidence motion in Parliament, it must lead to concrete steps to end the violence, full accountability of state actors with clear action plans and a return of confidence in Manipur.

Nalin Mehta, an author and academic, is the Dean of School of Modern Media at UPES University in Dehradun, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University Singapore, and Group Consulting Editor, Network 18. He is the author of The New BJP: Modi and the Making of the Worlds Largest Political Party. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Kriti Sanon just unleashed the fashion beast with herjaw-dropping gownand cape combo! Believe it or not, this head-turner was crafted from a stunning black saree - now that's what we call a fashion experiment done right! With daring cut-outs at the torso and a thigh-high slit, the drama was served on a silver platter! The floor-sweeping cape added the perfect touch of elegance. And let's not forget those killer details - a neat braid, dangler earrings, and a finger accessory that screamed tradition. Hats off to Monisha Jaising for curating this gorgeous number. (Image: Instagram)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the Congress government will not be able to provide development this year, owing to the financial constraints caused by the five guarantees.

According to a Deccan Herald report, he aimed to make the displeased legislators of the party understand the financial restrictions due to the five guarantees. We have had to set aside Rs 40,000 crore this year (for the five guarantees). This year, we cant provide development," said Shivakumar.

The minister for water resources and Bengaluru city development said that an explanation of the situation will be given to the MLAs on Thursday at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting.

Shivakumar was answering a question on MLAs trying to express their dissatisfaction over the development works being delayed and ministers being out of reach, reports.

The state government cannot give funds for development in irrigation and public works as well, he said, adding that still the expectations are high.

Shivakumar had said that the MLAs have been asked to wait till the CLP meeting. In context to this matter, he said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also asked his Cabinet members to be patient.

Earlier in July, the CM presented the new budget for the financial year of 2023-24, where Rs 35,000 crore were designated for the partys five guarantees - Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Shakti, Anna Bhagya and Yuva Nidhi. This resulted in a revenue deficit of Rs 12,522 crores with an increase in the borrowings.

Taking a swipe at the former BJP government he said that the previous government led to bankruptcy, floated excess tenders and emptied the states treasure. We had to keep our promise of implementing the guarantees. In the first year itself, weve kept our word," reports quoted Shivakumar as saying.

According to reports, the deputy CM had also asked the MLAs to hold their requests for grants for a year. The MLAs ask for grants are for projects that come under the range of Rs 10 crore to Rs 300 crore, which is also why they have been asked to hold for a year, said Shivakumar.
After meeting 39 National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties on the completion of 25 years of the alliance on July 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now meet 430 NDA MPs from July 31 to August 10 in Delhi. The meetings assume significance in the backdrop of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

ALSO READ | PM Modi Says NDAs Vote Share Will Rise More Than 50% in 2024 Polls, Slams Oppns INDIA Coalition

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has divided the 430 MPs into 11 clusters.

DATES FOR N-E CLUSTER YET TO BE FINALISED

On the first day (July 31), PM Modi will hold two meetings for 83 MPs from two clusters  Uttar Pradeshs western UP, Braj, Kanpur and Bundelkhand; and West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. The first meeting will be at 6.30 pm, and another at 7.30 pm. In the first meeting, BJP chief JP Nadda and Union minister Nitin Gadkari will be present with PM Modi and the second will see the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. These meetings will be organised by Union ministers Sanjeev Balyan, BL Varma, Dharmendra Pradhan and Shantanu Thakur.

The third and fourth cluster meetings will be on August 2, involving 96 MPs from UPs Kashi, Gorakhpur and Awadh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep. Union ministers Anupriya Patel, Mahendra Nath Pandey, Prahalad Joshi and V Muraleedharan will be the host ministers.

On August 3, the fifth and sixth cluster of 63 MPs from Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will meet PM Modi, with Union ministers Nityanand Rai and Anurag Thakur and Ajay Bhatt as the host ministers.

Another two clusters of 76 MPs from Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Goa will meet the PM on August 8.

Also, 81 MPs from Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, where Assembly elections are slated to take place by the end of this year, along with Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu cluster, will meet on August 9.

The date for the remaining 31 MPs from the Northeast cluster is yet to be finalised.

STRENGTHENING THE WEAK CONSTITUENCIES FOR 50% VOTE SHARE

As per sources, it will also be a dinner meeting with the Prime Minister for the NDA MPs from both the houses of Parliament and is in continuation with the last meeting with the NDA allies in Delhi on July 18.

ALSO READ | Not Seat-Sharing Model, INDIA Needs a Counter Modi Model for 2024 as PM Predicts Over 50 Vote Share for NDA

The MPs are expected to talk about the works in their constituencies, status of central government schemes and the help they need to strengthen their connect with people on ground in their areas. This entire exercise has the involvement of 21 Union ministers as host ministers, who will oversee all preparations for these cluster meetings, along with in-charge MPs of clusters and 52 BJP office-bearers.

This the first time that the NDA MPs are meeting the PM region-wise and will hold discussions in the run-up to the crucial Lok Sabha general elections. The BJP is strategising with its allies to secure 50% vote share in the Lok Sabha elections. This exercise will also help the party work closely on the 160 constituencies identified as weak.
The success of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme  one of the five guarantees rolled out by the Congress-led Karnataka sarkar  can be measured by the number of applications received by the government. According to the statistics shared by the government with News18, the latest tally of the number of applications is 62,01,530 within just six days of the official launch by chief minister Siddaramaiah.

The Gruha Lakshmi scheme is a financial assistance initiative for women in Karnataka, under which the women heads of households will receive an assistance of Rs 24,000 annually. A total of 1.28 crore women beneficiaries across APL and BPL families will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000.

The beneficiaries will start receiving the allowance after August 16 directly into their accounts," Siddaramaiah said during the official launch of the scheme.

Good response

We are getting a very good response from women, and with just a few days of the launch, we are expecting to cross more than 70 lakh beneficiaries of the total 1.28 crore women beneficiaries across the state by this week," said a senior official from the department.

According to the numbers shared by the Women and Child Development department through different data sources like the government-run Seva Sindhu application, chatbots, Mobile One, another mobile-based application by the state government, etc, it receives between 5-10 lakh applications per day.

We are properly vetting all the documents and ensuring that they are valid so that maximum women are benefited," the official added.

The apps via which the Gruha Lakshmi applications are being accepted are government-run Seva Sindhu and Mobile One and a private app Step and Stone.

News18 has learnt that the maximum number of applicants prefer to use the Step and Stone (SNS) app  over four lakh a day  compared to Seva Sindhu or Mobile One.

Can use money for medicines and groceries

Pushpa Subbaraju lives with her two sons and their families. Being the senior-most woman head of the family, she applied under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. She still awaits a response despite repeated visits to the closest Bangalore One  a single-window government service. Women can use the help of the officials at Bangalore One to log in their details on the Seva Sindhu portal.

Subbaraju works as a nanny and prepares meals for the family she is employed with.

This money will help me with my diabetes medication and I dont have to depend on my son for it," she told News18. I travel by bus every day. I also save a bit of money now as the bus ride is also free. I had voted for another party, but now I am impressed with the way Siddaramaiah has kept his promise," she added.

Shobha Vishwanath, who works in the housekeeping industry, applied for the benefit under the scheme. Though she initially faced hurdles as the Bangalore One portal faced server shutdowns or technical failures, she has now successfully registered.

I am looking forward to the allowance as every penny counts for us. The Rs 2,000 benefit will help my family cover expenses like groceries and the school fees of my children," she said, showing the acknowledgment on her smartphone.

However, Anjaneyamma is not as lucky. She was told that she could get her application form filled and submitted by a group of volunteers at the government primary school.

They asked for all my documentation. I gave them my Aadhaar card, voter ID card, ration card, and a copy of my OTP which came on my phone. They charged me Rs 500 for that and till today, I have no idea where my application is. My friend who applied has got an acknowledgment but she went to a Bapuji Seva Kendra in her village," she said.

Beware of frauds, says WCD minister

The Women and Child Development Ministry has been made aware of the fraudulent activities by touts and cybercriminals who floated fake apps to deceive the applicants and extort money.

Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar has said the strictest punishment will be meted out to those caught indulging in such fraud and criminal cases will be filed against them.

Seeking money as a fee for registration under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme is an offence as it is a scheme to benefit people and there is no room for fraudulent behaviour. If anyone is seen being negligent towards the implementation of the scheme, they will also be pulled up," the minister said after her department withdrew login IDs from three centers in Belgavi where there were complaints of seeking money for registration under the scheme.

Karnataka, which is seen as the IT hub of the country, had to battle with cybercriminals even before the launch of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. In June, several fake apps on the scheme emerged on Google Play Store, which had many registering unknowingly.

The department had to conduct a special drive to convince people that the official app was to be launched and it would be through government portals.

We sent out several requests warning people about fake apps and advising them to be cautious," said a senior WCD official.

Earlier this month, while presenting the state budget for this fiscal year, Siddaramaiah allocated an amount of Rs 24,166 crore for the Gruha Lakshmi scheme.

The five poll guarantees will cost the government approximately Rs 52,000 crore annually and are expected to benefit 1.3 crore families," the Karnataka chief minister said on the floor of the assembly.

Interestingly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while attending the opposition parties meet in Bengaluru, mentioned that the success and efficient implementation of the scheme in Karnataka has now put pressure on states like hers where they are still in the process of implementing it.

The Trinamool Congress has a replica scheme in Bengal called the Laxmir Bhandar scheme which promises a direct transfer of Rs 5,000 monthly to the female head of every household. This was also part of their election campaign during the assembly elections in Goa.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has reacted sharply to his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga participating in a rally organised in capital Aizawl to express solidarity with the Kuki minority community in ethnic violence-torn Manipur. In an exclusive interview to News18, Biren Singh said he had conveyed his disappointment at Zoramthangas gesture to a Mizoram minister.

It is very unfortunate. The rally organised by the people is democracy. But the involvement of the CM in that particular rally, thats unfortunate. I respect him (Zoramthanga) as a senior, but he has gone beyond ethics. A CM should not interfere in other states affairs. That goes for me too. I cannot interfere in or comment on something happening in Assam or Mirozram without the chief ministers consent. That is the protocol, Biren Singh told News18.

Zoramthanga, deputy chief minister Tawnluia, ministers, and MLAs of Mizoram, cutting across party lines, took part in the massive protest rally in Aizawl on Tuesday. Thousands of common people joined them in the peaceful protest with placards and posters, decrying the violence in the neighbouring state.

The protesters also adopted resolutions, urging the Centre to compensate the victims of the ethnic clash and ensure stringent punishment to those involved in parading the two women naked.

Mizos of Mizoram share ethnic ties with Kukis of Manipur, Kuki-Chins of Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and Chins of Myanmar. They are collectively identified as Zos.

Biren Singh told News18 that he had conveyed his message to a minister in Zoramthangas cabinet.

Asked about the serious issue of civilians building bunkers and erecting check-posts, Singh said: The central and state forces have jointly destroyed many bunkers. We will not allow any kind of bunkers in hills or in the Valley.

On the current situation in the state, the CM said Manipur is moving towards peace and normalcy.

Peace is almost returning. Last 10-20 days, no untoward incident has taken place Some groups are always trying to keep Manipur on the boil. But we the people, we the government, are trying to restore normalcy. But almost 80-90% normalcy has returned. And I am trying my best with the blessings of PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and other central leaders to have reconciliation talks with communities.

A viral video from May 4 of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur renewed the national attention on Manipur, where violence broke out nearly three months ago, killing over 160 people since then, and injuring hundreds.

The violence erupted on May 3 after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53% of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40% and reside mainly in the hill districts.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP has urged the central government to bring a law that would declare live-in relationships illegal in the light of crimes against women by their live-in partners.

Stating that marriage and family ties are a cultural heritage in India, Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Pratap Singh said Indias religious scriptures and customs do not grant recognition to live-ins.

The MP mentioned the matter during Special Mentions in the Lower House of Parliament and cited the recent case of murder of one Saraswati Vaidya in Mumbai, allegedly by her live-in partner, Indian Express reported.

#WATCH | All over the world, 35% of murders of women are happening because of live-in relationships. In 1978, the court said that in India, live-in relationship is unethical but not illegal, in a way court recognised it and this led to an increase in live-in relationships, court pic.twitter.com/sLbe8BdtLy ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

As per the BJP MP, around 38% of all murders of women in the world are by their intimate partners according to the World Health Organization.

The court said that Indian society considers it unethical but its not illegal. I believe if this is unethical, then it should be illegal, too. The government should take cognizance of this and bring a law so that this subculture can be stopped and women can be protected, he said.

Singh said, Society must decide, what kind of nation they need, should we move forward with our cultural heritage or do we need to make our nation America or Mexico."

Who is Saraswati Vaidya?

Saraswati Vaidya was allegedly murdered by her live-in partner Manoj Sane (56) at their Mira Road residence in Mumbai earlier this year. Her found was found in several pieces.

Sane had cut Vaidyas body into small parts with an electric tree cutter and boiled parts of it in a pressure cooker and roasted them on gas" to dispose them of easily.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday appeared to question the need for a visit of the National Commission for Women member Khushbu Sundar to Udupi to inquire into an alleged washroom filming case" at a paramedical college at a time when the NCW has not gone" to Manipur, where two women were molested and paraded naked recently.

Is this incident in Udupi of that magnitude," he asked while talking to reporters in Bengaluru.

Let them come, I dont say  who has to come, who has to see  all that. Manipur incidentI dont know what to call it, and there the commission has not gone. Is this incident in Udupi of that magnitude?" Parameshwara said in response to a question regarding the NCWs visit.

I dont say  you dont come. Why should you come  I dont say that. Im not the person to say that. Let them come, but you should also say what you found. Was there any video of this incident or anything?" NCW member Sundar arrived in Udupi on Wednesday evening to enquire into the alleged filming of a girl on a mobile phone by other female students in the washroom of a paramedical college in the city.

The Manipur incident to which Parameshwara was referring to is regarding the video showing two women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men on May 4 in Kangpokpi district that surfaced on July 19 and was condemned countrywide.

Responding to a question on the delay in filing FIR in connection with the Udupi College case, the minister said, Police were waiting for someone to give the complaint. Naturally, they did not want to take it to that level. Now suo motu they had to do it because there was so much attraction this (issue) had created." Parameshwara had on Wednesday dubbed the filming of a girl student in the restroom by fellow female students in a Udupi college as a small incident blown out of proportion".

Clarifying his a small issue remark, he said the intention was not to neglect the case, but what he meant was that the issue should have been left to the college principal to handle, who after analysing the details would have escalated to the parents and police, rather than outsiders giving different twists to the issue.

I and you have studied in colleges and stayed in hostels, and there would have been certain incidents between friends and it would have been left there itself and not escalated. I had said this too might be of a similar nature," he said. The issue should have been left to the college principal, who has already suspended the students.
There were no police personnel present in the ladies' compartment when a woman was sexually assaulted in a moving local train in Mumbai last month, Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the state assembly on Thursday.

Local patrolling is operational in ladies' compartments between 9 pm to 6 am. At other times, police are deployed at the railway platforms, Fadnavis said in a written reply to a query by Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik.

As the incident happened between 7.30 and 8.30 am, no action has been initiated against any police personnel, Fadnavis said.

The incident happened on June 14 and the accused was arrested the same day, Fadnavis said. The process to file a chargesheet against him is on, the minister said.

A labourer was arrested for sexually assaulting the woman. The arrest was made eight hours after the assault which happened between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Masjid Bunder stations.

When the woman raised an alarm as the Masjid Bunder station approached, the man got off the train and fled.

The Government Railway Police said the 20-year-old woman stays in Girgaum and was on her way to appear for an examination at Belapur.

She boarded the ladies compartment of the train which was empty. As the train began moving, the man boarded the train and seeing the woman alone, he approached and sexually assaulted her, police said.
Photographs capturing a crow hovering over the head of AAP MP Raghav Chadha as he spoke on the phone outside Parliament sparked a war of words between the party and the BJP on Wednesday.

A total of three pictures captured the moment a crow flew over Raghavs head and pecked at him as he came out of the House after attending Rajya Sabha proceedings. The AAP MP was visibly shocked by the crows actions and bent down in response.

The Delhi BJP shared the pictures and tweeted using the popular Hindi catchphrase Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate (one who lies will be pecked by a crow), stating, Today we witnessed how a crow bit a liar, something we had only heard about until now."

Delhi BJP leader Tejinder Pal Singh Bagga, in a sarcastic remark, said, Deeply saddened by the news of attack by crow on Honorable MP @raghav_chadha ji. Hope you are in good health."

Raghav Chadhas Ramayana Response

Quote tweeting the Delhi BJPs post calling him a liar, Chadha used the popular couplet Ramchandra keh gaye Siya se aisa kalyug aayega, hans chugega daana dunka kauwa moti khayega (Lord Ram had told Sita there will such an age of darkness when geese will eat grains and crows pearls) and said: Had only heard till now but saw today."

       ,            ,     https://t.co/skKUCm4Kbs  Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) July 26, 2023

In another tweet targeting him, the Delhi BJP shared a video of Chadha from a press conference. In the video, he is heard saying that the AAP is a hardcore honest party and Arvind Kejriwal is hardcore honest.

Tagging Chadha, the BJP said, @Raghav_chadha Why do you lie so much?"

Meanwhile, Chadha criticised the BJP for rejecting his question on the Manipur violence in the Rajya Sabha. He claimed that the governments response exposes their indifference towards the issue.

My question was rejected on the ground that it is not primarily the concern of the Government of India and it is on a a matter which is under adjudication by a court of law. This exposes the real face of BJP. Is Manipur not a responsibility of Central Government?" he asked.

He also raised concerns about discussing sub judice matters, referring to the governments approach in handling the Delhi ordinance issue.

The Opposition has been demanding answers from the prime minister in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Manipur violence, seeking a discussion in Parliament under rule 267.

(With inputs from PTI)
Amid the war between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar for control over the Nationalist Congress Party, the Election Commission of India has asked both factions of the NCP to submit their responses by August 17 to stake a claim for the party, sources told CNN-News18.

A mail was sent to both factions (Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar) to give out their responses with regard to the proceedings before the EC under Section 15 of the Symbols Act.

Section 15 of the Symbols Act deals with the Power of Commission in relation to splinter groups or rival sections of a recognised political party.

Earlier this month, the NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999, witnessed a split with Ajit Pawar, claiming the support of over 40 MLAs and joining the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government in Maharashtra. Nine NCP MLAs, including Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as ministers in the Maharashtra government at a surprise cabinet expansion on Sunday. Ajit Pawar, with senior party leaders Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Dilip Walse Patil by his side, asserted to be the real NCP.

Ajit Pawar Staking Claim to NCP Symbol: Sharad Pawar Group Says Will Reply to ECs Letter

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP on Thursday said the Election Commission has sent a letter seeking their response to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ajit Pawars faction staking claim to the party name and symbol, and they will reply accordingly.

However, NCP leader Praful Patel, from the Ajit Pawar faction, declined to comment on the matter.

The Ajit Pawar faction had also staked claim to the party symbol, informing the Election Commission (EC) that he was elected NCP chief through a resolution dated June 30, 2023 signed by an overwhelming majority" of members of the party, both from the legislative and organisational wing.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP factions national spokesperson Clyde Crasto on Thursday said the EC has sent a letter seeking their response on the Ajit Pawars faction staking claim to the party name and symbol.

We will respond accordingly," Crasto said.

(With PTI inputs)
India is currently heading in the right direction after missing several opportunities in the past, said Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday, talking about the second edition of the global summit, Semicon India, which will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from July 28-30.

Over 200 top delegates and leading semiconductor companies around the world are attending the summit, even as, Indian startups, semiconductor talent and capabilities will be on display.

He said: Indias story of semiconductors, the vision of India being a semiconductor nation, started 19 months ago for the first time. We are on track to do it in the next 10 years with this $10 billion, what countries like China did with $200 billion dollars and took 25-30 years, but could not succeed.

Chandrasekhar then highlighted that in 1960, during the semiconductor revolution, Fairchild Semiconductor considered building a fab in India, but bureaucratic lethargy chased them away to Malaysia. Two years later, BELs lab for silicon and germanium transistors couldnt compete with cheaper ICs from China, Taiwan and South Korea, leading to multiple unit shutdowns.

Indias VLSI facility Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) perished as a mysterious fire in 1989 halted production until 1997. Then in 2005, a multinational semiconductor player attempted to start operation in the southern part of the country, but it did not work out and the project moved to China, resulting in the loss of a semiconductor facility and 4,000 jobs.

In 2006, after the UPA government failed to formulate a credible policy for semiconductors, India missed out on a multibillion-dollar chip plant by Intel. Craig Barrett, then chair of Intel, stated that the Indian governments slow response caused them to miss the window to commit their manufacturing capacity.

However, the minister also noted that experts predicted the semiconductor industry to contribute 6.3% of Indias GDP by 2010, but again because of lack of policy Indias chance of achieving self-sufficiency in semiconductor production was lost.

In 2011, the government invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) for a semiconductor fab, but it resulted in a failed attempt as the government did not take further action. Two years later, the World Semiconductor Council (WSC) urged then PM Manmohan Singh to make India a driver of high-tech exports and manufacturing, including semiconductors. But no action was taken at that moment. In the same year, the Fab City, which was launched with fanfare, remained a pipedream.

Chandrasekhar said: It is very important to note that in 1987, India was just two years behind the latest chip manufacturing technology. Today, we are 12 generations behind.

However, he then highlighted the milestones achieved by the current government which include approving the Semiconductor India Program 2021 and launching of Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) program aiming to develop next-generation processors.

Additionally, he said that under SemiconIndia futureDESIGN Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme over 30 semiconductor design startups have been set up in India, five startups have already received financial support and another 25 are being evaluated for their next-gen products.

The minister also highlighted the recent projects and commitments made by Micron Technologies, Applied Materials and Lam Research, as well as several proposals in ATMP and fabs, which are being evaluated by India Semiconductor Mission, decisions being made to modernize the SCL facility in Mohali and set up a global standard India Semiconductor Research Center (ISRC).

He said, This is the report card of what has been done in the last 19 months of this government versus in 60-70 years of what had happened."
When the monsoon session of parliament was about to begin, there were talks about which bills will be presented in parliament by the ministries of communications and information technology. Since the session has started already, it is time to see the status report of those most talked-about legislations.

First is the Digital India Act (DIA), which is considered to be the successor of the 22-year-old IT Act. Considering the continuously evolving tech space, the central government has come up with the DIA that has gone through pre-consultation and the draft of the Act is just getting ready for further consultation.

From the Centres perspective, the point behind making this Act is to make future-ready legislation, of course to a possible extent. The government has chosen extensive consultation to move forward, along with making sure that the core of such legislation should be based on principles, as the landscape and the challenges of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence are rapidly changing. So, the government is trying to make an Act that can be evolved with time and need of the hour.

Another important bill, which was expected to come during the ongoing parliamentary session, is the Telecommunication Bill but is unlikely to be tabled in the monsoon session. Communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in May that the bill, a draft version of which was given for public comment late last year, should ideally be finalised by July as the government had already held consultations with a wide range of stakeholders.

This bill will replace the existing legal framework governing telecommunications in India, comprising the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1950. The focus is to update existing telecom laws and make legislations for the era of 4G, 5G, internet of things (IoT), Industry 4.0, M2M communications, mobile edge computing among others.

According to officials, however, there is still a need for more evaluation and the government doesnt want to rush it. Additionally, since the telecom bill is yet to receive cabinet approval, it may not be submitted in this parliament session.

But, in the monsoon session, the IT ministry is hoping to have the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill introduced and passed, which has already received approval from the cabinet in July. This bill is important since it deals with personal data-related matters. The government is hopeful that once this bill is passed in parliament, it will create a deep behavioural change in all those digital platforms that deal with personal data of Indian citizens.

This bill is prepared to protect citizens data, while not making it harder for companies to function in India. Despite some concerns raised after the draft was released, most stakeholders have welcomed the bill and said it is a well-constructed legislation that addresses all the objectives as well as praised it for its strong protections for individual privacy rights.
WhatsApp is one of the most used instant messaging applications in the world. This Meta-owned platform often brings interesting features and updates to make the app more user-friendly. Now, a new report suggests that WhatsApp is releasing a redesigned search bar on its platform.

WhatsApp is continuing to explore new ways to improve the interface following the rules of Material Design 3. After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.16.5 update from the Google Play Store, some selected beta testers might experience a new redesigned interface for the search bar," said WABetaInfo, a website that tracks WhatsApp.

As per the report, the search bar has undergone a redesign. This aligns with the principles of Material Design 3, which mandate a complete overhaul of the interface for the search bar. Furthermore, the newly redesigned interface is now also available for other search bars within the app, such as the one in the settings screen and while searching for messages in a conversation.

In addition to the redesigned search bar, theres another interesting update in this version. Some lucky beta testers have noticed a new white colour for items placed within the top app bar. The report said that the redesigned search bar is available to some lucky beta testers that install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.

In related news, WhatsApp is also rolling out a feature that allows users to create a new group while forwarding messages. A new create group icon may appear within the forwarding screen and it allows users to quickly create a group. By selecting the option, users can add participants to the group and the message will be forwarded automatically. To check if this feature is available for your account, try forwarding a message and see if the new icon appears on the forwarding screen, indicating that the feature is already enabled for you.
Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer has received an overwhelming response from audiences globally. The biopic of J Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, has garnered praise for its near-perfect execution and detailing in the storytelling. The film creates a visual experience that transports you to the 1940s, making it a more riveting watch. If you also loved the films visual experience, theres no way you could miss this interesting story shared by a Twitter user who happens to be a faculty at the University of California, Berkeley. Recalling an incident during the films shoot at the varsity, Gasper Begus revealed that he walked onto Oppenheimers set. Looking at the cars and people dressed in 1940s clothes, he first assumed it to be a fashion by a student group only to be shouted at by the films crew.

I was innocently walking on campus one day when I see a bunch of cool cars and a few people dressed in the 40s clothes. I thought a cool student group has a fashion show or something (Berkeley has awesome student groups). Until someone starts yelling at me that I should get out of the way. Turns out I was in the middle of the @OppenheimerFilm movie scene," he wrote.

I was innocently walking on campus one day when I see a bunch of cool cars and a few people dressed in the 40s clothes. I thought a cool student group has a fashion show or something (Berkeley has awesome student groups) Until someone starts yelling at me that I should get out pic.twitter.com/pLSG0CjauC  Gasper Begus (@begusgasper) July 25, 2023

Soon after the post surfaced online, Twitter users flooded the reply section with reactions. A user suggested that more should be made on scientists as campuses are an incredible backdrop. They should make more films about scientists. campuses are incredible backdrops & science is dope," she wrote.

they should make more films about scientistscampuses are incredible backdrops & science is dope  alyce  (@alyce_ge) July 26, 2023

Another person regretted not responding to the casting calls for the film. They posted casting calls for extras on Craigslist here in Santa Fe. I regret not responding!" he wrote.

They posted casting calls for extras on Craigslist here in Santa Fe. I regret not responding! Krista Rockne (@NoHotSauce2Hot) July 25, 2023

But not everyone missed the casting call. At Princeton, they were asking for extras, so we all stood in line. Turned out it was for A Beautiful Mind when there were only guys. I waited for a couple of hours," a user wrote.

At Princeton, they were asking for extras, so we all stood in line. Turned out it was for A Beautiful Mind when there were only guys. I waited for a couple hours.   melrocks (@melrocks9) July 26, 2023

A user could not stop appreciating the cars in the photo.

Amazing cars, Tesla Art Deco an idea @elonmusk GHM 28k  (@070guy) July 26, 2023

Director Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer features Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh in pivotal roles.
Over the past few weeks, Conjunctivitis cases have been on a rise in the country. Watery discharge, irritation, swelling of the lids, redness and pain in the eyes  these are few symptoms of the majority of patients visiting emergency departments due to this eye disease. Most of the cases are from the national capital and surrounding areas, which have experienced relentless rainfall. Dr. JS Titiyal, Chief of RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, Delhi, while speaking to ANI said, We are getting at least 100 cases of conjunctivitis per day. There is usually a seasonal increase in conjunctivitis cases, which coincides with the flu season. The conjunctivitis cases are mostly caused by viruses."

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While many people are worried and trying to cope up with the disease. People on social media are taking a respite by sharing memes on various social media platforms. From sharing hilarious images to Bollywood related visuals, memers took full advantage of this moment.

Here, have a look for yourself:

Goldi brar takes full responsibility of Conjunctivitis in India pic.twitter.com/gYkqJuh28F Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88) July 27, 2023

When I see someone staring at me who has conjunctivitis. #EyeFlu pic.twitter.com/6uiedA46i6 Harshhh! (@Harsh_humour) July 27, 2023

Also Read: Brazilian Woman Falls in Love With Man Who Mugged Her, Bizarre Love Story is Now Viral

As a result of this significant rise in Conjunctivitis cases, schools in Delhi NCR have issued an advisory addressed to students, parents, and teachers. The advisory asks parents to refrain from sending their children to school if they are unwell and advises seeking medical consultation from a doctor rather than resorting to self-medication.

It also focuses on the importance of practicing good hygiene habits, including regular handwashing, covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, and avoiding sharing food.
Nearly a third of the worlds population, some 2.3 billion people, still cook using open fires or basic stoves that damage their health and the environment, a study said Wednesday. The International Energy Agency and the African Development Bank Group, which jointly produced the report, called for spending $8 billion per year to ensure every household worldwide has access to clean cooking by 2030. The lack of access to clean cooking negatively impacts public health, perpetuates deforestation, and increases greenhouse gas emissions," said President Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank Group.

The report estimates that collection of wood and charcoal for cooking results in the loss of areas of forest the size of Ireland each year.

Exposure to smoke from smoke from charcoal, firewood, coal, agricultural waste and animal dung burned to prepare meals causes 3.7 million premature deaths, ranking it the third largest cause of premature death globally.

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The report said the worst impacts from the lack of clean cooking fall on women, who are typically responsible for collecting fuel and thus keeps them away from education or employment.

While China, India and Indonesia have halved the number of their citizens who lack access to clean cooking since 2010, the situation has worsened in Africa and current policies wont resolve the problem in the next three decades, according to the report.

The IEA and African Development Bank Group said the $8 billion in annual investments is less than one percent of what governments spent last year on fuel subsidies.

Solving access to clean cooking does not require a technological breakthrough," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

It comes down to political will from governments, development banks and other entities seeking to eradicate poverty and gender inequality."
For the longest times, the existence of aliens has been a major point of discussion. There have been many studies and research that determine that aliens do exist. Now, in another significant development, it has come forward that the US government is in possession of UFOs and non-human bodies. The claims were made by a former US intelligence officer, David Grusch, on Wednesday. The statement by Grusch was made under oath in front of a House oversight committee in Washington. Ever since this revelation was made, the term UFO has been trending on Twitter.

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On being asked if the US government has the pilots of crashed crafts, Grusch said, Biologics came with some of these recoveries, yeah." He further mentioned that these biologics were non-human." Also, the assessment was made by people who have direct knowledge" on the issue.

Grusch also mentioned to the lawmakers that non-human biologics had been recovered by the government. However, he had himself never seen an alien body. He further claimed that he has not seen the alleged alien craft himself and his claims are based on extensive interviews with high-level intelligence officials.

It all started in June when Grusch claimed that the government was hiding evidence of extraterrestrials from the US Congress. It was only after these allegations that the Republican-led oversight committee launched an investigation.

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Meanwhile, earlier, an Italian researcher claimed that he has evidence of the worlds first-ever UFO crash. Rather than landing in America, the man claims the aliens arrived in Italy. Roberto Pinotti in a conversation with Daily Mail shared that the first aliens did not make their way out of the wreckage at Roswell. They were certainly not hidden away at Area 51. Pinotti has been researching a supposed UFO crash that happened in the 1930s in Italy. He has been doing this research since 1996.
Meet Tam, a beloved dog in an animal refuge in Morocco, who has multiple feline friends. Tam, who has been a member of Sara Morocco for about nine years, is known for his beautiful bond with other residents of the shelter. Veterinarians have determined the pooch is blind and suffers from Ehler-Danlos syndrome. A medical condition related to inherited disorders affecting the connective tissues that provide strength and elasticity to the body. Though the pooch struggles with the medical issue, the feline residents have accepted Tam warmly. Footage showing the animals inseparable bond has now gone viral on Reddit, leaving social media users sobbing.

In the clip, Tam appears to be relaxing on the grounds of the refuge shelter, while a cat can be seen propped on its hind legs massaging the dog. The feline continues to caress Tam before it moves closer to reciprocate the kind gesture with what seems to be a friendly peck. The animals do not stop their amiable exchange throughout the 10-second-long video which claims the cats in the shelter frequently give Tam such moments of care.

Every day we witness beautiful connections between our residents. Tam, a beloved member of Sara Morocco for 9 long years. He is a blind dog with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. They graciously gift him with moments of gentle care and unwavering affection," read the caption of the video.

Take a look at it here:

As soon as the visuals surfaced online, it prompted animal lovers to sob over the animals affectionate banter. A Redditor who melted after watching the clip commented, Ah heck, this got me to tear up." Another wrote, Geez How precious just doesnt seem adequate." Meanwhile, many were elated to know the dogs receiving the gentle love it deserves. A user said, Wow this is beautiful. You can tell the cats love him."

Notably, a majority of people were also unaware that dogs can test positive for EDS too. I had no idea dogs can get EDS. Thats sad to hear, thankful this doggo is getting tender love and caring," said a Redditor. One more declared, This cat has a heart of gold." If the clip is anything to go by, it seems Tam is quite appreciative of the gentle caresses he frequently receives.
Nigers President Mohamed Bazoum has been detained by elite troops, who declared they now hold power in the unstable west African nation.

Western allies and international organisations have stood by Bazoum, but the chief of Nigers army voiced backing Thursday for the coup plotters.

Here is what we know about the crisis in Niger:

- The coup attempt -

A group of soldiers, most of them unknown to the public, claimed on national TV to have overthrown Nigers government following an apparent coup, deposing democratically-elected Bazoum who came to power in 2021.

Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said all institutions" in the country would be suspended, borders closed and a curfew imposed.

This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance," he said.

The announcement came after a day of tension and confusion on Wednesday amid what the government said was just a fit of temper" by elements of the Presidential Guard.

A crowd that gathered outside the presidential palace to protest against the takeover was dispersed.

On Thursday, several hundred people, some holding Russian flags, took part in a show of support in Niamey for the coup leaders, AFP journalists saw.

Youths from the gathering travelled several kilometres (miles) to the headquarters of Bazoums PNDS party and attacked it, setting fire to some cars.

- President defiant -

Bazoum, after speaking with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, that the hard-won gains" of democracy would be safeguarded.

Niger Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou said Bazoum was in good health", and that the countrys legal and legitimate power" was the one exercised by its elected president.

He called on all the fractious soldiers to return to their ranks".

But the head of Nigers armed forces on Thursday said he endorsed a declaration by the coup plotters.

The military command of the Nigerien armed forces has decided to subscribe to the declaration by the defence and security forces in order to avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces," said a statement signed by armed forces chief General Abdou Sidikou Issa.

- Rare Western ally in Sahel -

Events in Niger have been worrying for Western governments, and especially France which stands to lose one of its last remaining allies in the Sahel, a turbulent region suffering from jihadist attacks linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

France maintains 1,500 soldiers in Niger, which has 26 million inhabitants, after ending its anti-jihadist Barkhane operation and quitting Mali under pressure from the government.

A successful coup in Niger would be a terrible blow to the region. In objective terms, Bazoum  who was democratically elected  was doing a lot of things right to save his country, and he was an ideal security partner for the West for that reason," Michael Shurkin, a senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, said on Wednesday.

He also warned of any move the possible new masters of Niger could make to get closer to Russia, just as President Vladimir Putin hosts a Russia-Africa summit.

Niger can ill afford to alienate its Western partners, and god forbid they invite in Russia, which we can count on to make all of Nigers problems worse," Shurkin said on LinkedIn.

Neighbouring Benins president Patrice Talon was expected in Niamey for mediation efforts, said the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
A day after questioning former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, the countrys Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday summoned him for August 1 over charges of jeopardising national security by exposing a controversial diplomatic communication commonly known as cypher. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief used a cable sent by the countrys embassy in Washington in March last year to blame the United States for orchestrating his ouster from power a month later.

CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed details of the summons issued to Imran Khan. Here are extracts from it:

The Joint Enquiry Team is conducting the subject Enquiry on the direction of the Federal Cabinet regarding the charges of prejudicing the national security and interest of the State by directly revealing, without proper authorization, the classified information by the former Prime Minister, Mr. lmran Khan, his political associates, and the then Secretary to the Prime Minister through Cypher telegram, its subsequent misuse, and unauthorised retention. As per the information/ evidence available with the Joint Enquiry Team, you being the former Prime Minister of Pakistan is cognizant of facts pertaining to this probe. You have joined enquiry proceedings on 25-07-2023 and recorded your statement. On examination of your statement, available record and statements of others, there are some follow up questions/ issues which require to be explained in order to firm up findings of the JET. Therefore, you are once again noticed to appear (in person), on Tuesday, 01 August 2023, at 12:00 hours, at FIA headquarters G-9/4, Islamabad without fail, before the Joint Enquiry Team and bring along all information/ documents (believed to be within your custody/ domain) with respect to the Cypher telegram. You may be required to answer such questions as may be put to you, pertaining to the probe, truthfully and honestly. You are further requested to bring along any/ all-documentary evidence in support of your claim pertaining to the aforementioned matter. A failure to comply with this legal notice may entail that you have nothing to say in your defence and ex-parte action will be initiated on the basis of evidence available on record.

Last week, Imrans former principal secretary Azam Khan recorded" a statement, terming the US cypher a conspiracy" used by the ex-PM to manipulate for creating a narrative against establishment and opposition".

In response to the development, Imran termed Azam an honest man" and said he would not accept the statement until he heard the bureaucrat say it himself.
Eight people were killed and 11 injured in a series of silo explosions at the site of an agricultural cooperative in Brazils southern Parana state, authorities said Thursday.

Another person was still missing after the incident Wednesday on the premises of the C. Vale agroindustrial company in the municipality of Palotina, the state government said in a statement.

An initial toll late Wednesday had listed two dead and two injured.

There was an explosion in one of the silos that triggered a second and a third," Parana fire brigade spokesman Tiago Zajac told AFP.

Video distributed on social and traditional media showed a vast column of white smoke coming from the site, and Palotina residents reported feeling a tremor as windows in several homes were blown out.

C. Vale, a major producer of soybeans, wheat and corn, in a statement confirmed that a large-scale accident hit our central grain reception unit in Palotina due to causes yet to be determined."

Several dozen firefighters were deployed overnight to the municipality of about 30,000 inhabitants to respond to the blast.

Company boss Alfredo Lang said in a video he was appalled by the tragedy" and added a technical team was working on determining the causes.
The Indian Mission in the Netherlands expressed sorrow over the death of an Indian seafarer in a fire that erupted on a car carrier ship off the Dutch coast in the North Sea on Wednesday. The freight ship, Fremantle Highway, carrying 3,000 cars, was engulfed in an uncontrollable blaze, and the Dutch coast guard is making efforts to prevent the vessel from sinking near a vital habitat for migratory birds.

The Indian embassy said they are in contact with the deceased seafarers family and providing support in repatriating the mortal remains. The embassy is also assisting the other injured crew members, coordinating with the Dutch authorities and the shipping company for their medical needs.

We are deeply saddened by the incident involving Ship Fremantle Highway in North Sea, resulting in the death of an Indian seafarer and injuries to the crew. Embassy of India is in touch with family of the deceased and is assisting in repatriation of the mortal remains, the Indian mission tweeted.

Embassy is also in touch with the remaining 20 injured crew members, who are safe and receiving medical attention. All possible assistance is being extended in coordination with the Dutch authorities and the shipping company, it added.

We are deeply saddened by the incident involving Ship Fremantle Highway in North Sea, resulting in the death of an Indian seafarer & injuries to the crew. Embassy of India is in touch with family of the deceased & is assisting in repatriation of the mortal remains @MEAIndia IndiainNetherlands (@IndinNederlands) July 26, 2023

The fire broke out 27 kilometers north of Ameland while the Fremantle Highway was en route from Bremerhaven to Singapore, according to AP. Emergency services managed to rescue 23 crew members, some injured, while attempting to extinguish the flames. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Securing the ship is challenging due to unpredictable weather and vessel damage, prompting preparations for all possible scenarios, including potential sinking.

Despite numerous monitoring vessels, firefighters struggle to suppress the fire and smoke billows from the ship. The vessels location near popular Dutch and German tourist islands in the shallow Wadden Sea necessitates careful containment to protect its UNESCO World Heritage status, crucial for migratory birds.

With 2,857 cars on board, including 25 electric cars, firefighting efforts become complex. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has granted permission for ship salvage, ensuring navigable North Sea shipping lanes for other vessels.

German authorities are on high alert, assisting in containing oil spills. Meanwhile, a towing ship remains connected to the freighter to stabilize its position. Efforts to control the fire and minimize damage continue, though uncertainties surround the vessels future.

(With AP inputs)
In the latest cabinet reshuffle, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Anita Anand, of Indian origin, to the position of treasury board president. She has been promoted from her previous role as the defence minister in the Canadian government. In a series of tweets, Anita thanked Trudeau, saying that she is excited to take on the role of President of the Treasury Board.

Im excited to take on the role of President of the Treasury Board. Canadians elected us to deliver economic growth and to make life more affordable  and this job is at the heart of that agenda. Its an honour to be a part of our governments economic team," the former defence minister said in a tweet.

With my background in governance & capital markets, I will work hard to ensure that we make smart, responsible investments to build an economy that works for all Canadians. And, I look forward to working closely with our professional public service to deliver results for Canada," she added.

Im excited to take on the role of President of the Treasury Board. Canadians elected us to deliver economic growth and to make life more affordable  and this job is at the heart of that agenda. Its an honour to be a part of our governments economic team. pic.twitter.com/VVjFEtoLDQ Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) July 26, 2023

Anita Anand was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Oakville in 2019. She has previously served as Minister of National Defence and as Minister of Public Services and Procurement. The Indian-origin leader has also worked as a scholar, lawyer, and researcher. She has been a legal academic, including as a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto.

The latest changes in the Cabinet came as part of a larger reshuffle in the government. In a statement, the Canadian Prime Ministers Office said the new Ministry, adding to a strong core economic team, is ready to deliver on what matters most to Canadians
An Iranian chess player who moved to Spain in January after she competed without a hijab and had an arrest warrant issued against her at home has been granted Spanish citizenship, Spain said on Wednesday.

In an interview with Reuters earlier this year, Iranian chess player Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, better known as Sara Khadem, said she had no regrets about her actions. She risked arrest in Iran for playing chess without her hijab now she has been granted Spanish citizenship.

We always have to predict what is going to happen next, but for what happened in Almaty I didnt really predict anything. It didnt go as I expected."

During a tournament in Kazakhstan last year, Iranian chess player Sara Khadem removed her headscarf which is mandatory under Irans strict Islamic dress codes Iran responded by issuing an arrest warrant against her

She then moved to Spain where she has been granted citizenship under special circumstances. When all the things happened in Iran I thought that if I go to a tournament and I have to play with a headscarf I prefer not have to go at all. So I decided to to it this time without the headscarf."

I was told to record some video saying that I regret what I did. You know it has happened to others before as well. For me it was like I had to say that I was under pressure doing it and I didnt send a video. They told me if I didnt do that you cant go back, but I didnt want to do it, so thats when I realized maybe its not possible to go back.

Laws enforcing mandatory hijab-wearing became a flashpoint during the unrest that swept Iran in 2022 after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality police

The way they are ruling the country is very strict way and you dont see very much democracy happening in the country and there is lots of mismanagement going on and there is lots of corruption. Unfortunately this is what they have done to the country that is rich in many aspects."
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced new imperialism" in the Pacific during a landmark visit to the region on Thursday, warning of a threat to the sovereignty of smaller states.

There is in the Indo-Pacific and particularly in Oceania new imperialism appearing, and a power logic that is threatening the sovereignty of several states  the smallest, often the most fragile," he said in Vanuatu.

Macron  on the first visit by a sitting French leader to an independent Pacific state  sought to underscore Frances importance in a region over which China and the United States are competing for military, economic and diplomatic influence.

Our Indo-Pacific strategy is above all to defend through partnerships the independence and sovereignty of all states in the region that are ready to work with us," Macron said.

France has 1.6 million citizens in the Asia-Pacific across seven overseas territories, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and an exclusive economic zone spanning nine million square kilometres (3.5 million square miles).

As the United States and its allies seek to counter Chinas growing sway in the region, France offered an alternative", a presidential advisor said, with plans for expanded aid and development to confront natural catastrophes.
An Indian woman, who had gone missing in Ladakhs Kargil district, was found dead in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) on Wednesday. According to the Dawn newspaper, the body of the 28-year-old woman was retrieved from the Kargil River and buried in the GBs Kharmang district. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district, Muhammad Jaffar, later confirmed the news.

Earlier this month, the Ladakh Police had issued a lookout notice for Belqees Banoo, a resident of Akchamal, Kargil who had been reported missing since the morning of July 15.

A pamphlet featuring her image was circulated by the Kargil police station. The pamphlet was also sent to the Gilgit-Baltistan administration for the recovery of the body. The pamphlet, which identified the woman as Belqees, stated that she was five feet tall and clad in green clothes along with a red sweater.

Pending DNA testing for identity confirmation, her body may be returned to India after coordination between foreign ministries, according to the Pakistani newspaper.

A funeral prayer, along with a burial was held as per Islamic rituals. Local leaders said that due to the closure of the old Skardu-Kargil road, people in the surrounding areas of the Line of Control faced severe difficulties in such situations.

They called for the re-establishment of historical routes to facilitate locals in both countries, the report said.
President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger is facing a perilous situation as an apparent coup unfolded in the West African nation on Wednesday. The development came after a day of uncertainty as members of Nigers presidential guard surrounded the palace and sealed off access to his residence and offices in the capital city of Niamey.

Despite attempts at negotiation, talks broke down, and the soldiers adamantly refused to release" the countrys leader, leaving the nations political landscape in turmoil.

Why did Niger soldiers announce a coup?

In a late-night televised address, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said the soldiers have decided to put an end to the regime" of President Bazoum.

He said the deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance, were among the main reason for overthrowing the current government.

The group, which is calling itself National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, said it remained committed to its engagements with the international and national community.

Who is President Mohamed Bazoum?

Mohamed Bazoum, once seen as a pro-Western, democratically elected leader, faced a coup as soldiers claimed to have overthrown his government. Born in 1960 in Diffa, Bazoum was a founding member of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism.

He served as a key ally to former President Mahamadou Issoufou before winning the 2021 presidential election. The security crisis in Niger has led to coup threats, with previous attempts foiled by authorities.

What is the current situation in Niger?

After announcing the armed mutiny, the soldiers said all institutions" in the country would be suspended, borders were closed and a curfew imposed until further notice" from 10 pm to 5 am. They also urged external partners not to interfere.

There was no immediate indication of whether the mutiny was supported by other parts of the military. It was unclear where the president was at the time of the announcement or if he had resigned.

How the international community reacted?

US State Secretary Antony Blinken called for the immediate release" of Bazoum, stating that the United States resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president.

We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. Were actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully," Blinken said on a visit to New Zealand.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the unconstitutional change in government" in Niger. Guterres is deeply disturbed" by the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by members of the Presidential Guard, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Guterres called for an immediate end to all actions undermining democratic principles in Niger.

(With agency inputs)
In yet another cross-border love story, a Chinese woman has travelled to Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to marry the man whom she befriended and fell in love with on social media, police said on Thursday.

The woman, identified as Gao Feng, arrived in Islamabad last week by road from China via Gilgit on a three-month visit visa. The 21-year-old was picked up by her 18-year-old friend Javed, a resident of Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan, they said.

Javed took the woman to his maternal uncles home in Samarbagh tehsil of Lower Dir District instead of his hometown due to the security situation in Bajaur District bordering Afghanistan.

According to police, both were in contact through Snapchat for the last three years and the friendship developed into a love affair.

Gao married Javed on Wednesday after converting to Islam and her new name is Kiswa, the mans maternal cousin Izzatullah Khan told .
Multiple people were reportedly injured in a stabbing incident in New York Citys West Village on Thursday morning. According to reports, the incident took place outside the famous Magnolia Bakery on the corner of W11th Street and Bleecker Street on the west side of Manhattan.

It is not immediately clear how many people were injured in the stabbing, but their injuries were believed to be non-life threatening.

Police detained a suspect shortly after releasing a description of him as an African American male in a navy shirt and gold chain, as described by the witnesses. The identity of the suspect is not clear at the moment. More details are awaited.

West Village is one of Manhattans most expensive neighbourhoods and is home to many celebrities and millionaires.
The Ohio police officer who was caught on video releasing a police dog on a Black truck driver who was surrendering with his hands up has been fired. The Circleville Police Department said in a statement that "Officer Ryan Speakman's 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," NBC News reports. Speakman, who joined the force in February 2020, "has been terminated from the department, effective immediately," the statement said.

In footage of the incident, which followed a lengthy chase, state troopers can be heard urging the officer not to set the dog on the suspect, with one warning Steadman, "Do not release the dog with his hands up." But the K9 was released, and it attacked Rose, who was treated for dog bites, the AP reports. Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that the incident "should be a lesson, a wake-up call to everyone, that police training in the state of Ohio is not equal," per CBS. Circleville police said that despite DeWine's remarks on training, the department meets or exceeds all state laws and standards for police training for its canine teams.

Rose, a 23-year-old Nashville, Tennessee, resident, was charged with failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer. He was released on bail on July 7. According to an Ohio State Highway Patrol incident report, Circleville police assisted the pursuit after Rose, whose truck was missing a mudflap, failed to stop for an inspection. In 911 calls released by the Ross County Sheriff's Office, Rose told the dispatcher that he drove away from the traffic stop because he didn't know why officers had their guns drawn, CNN reports. "I don't know why they're trying to kill me," Rose said. "I do not feel safe with stopping." (Read more police dogs stories.)
Humanity has long pined for the power to stay young. Folklore is full of heroes seeking springs of immortality or a fountain of youth, but these fantasies are not confined to the pages of literature.

In modern life, our lust for youth takes the form of everything from Botox to cryonics. In our anti-aging pursuits, we are inadvertently relegating our elders to a second-class status and ignoring the many benefits of honoring the elderly among us. The 2020 National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 82 percent of adults aged 5080 experience ageism in their day-to-day lives. The World Health Organization reports that up to a third of older citizens report feeling lonely.

Prejudice against aging doesnt just hurt feelings or harm social relationships. Ageism can also lead to worse outcomes in both mental and physical health conditions, even leading to shorter life expectancy. Cultural disdain for aging harms individuals, families, and society as a whole.

The Christian faith calls for another way. Throughout the Bible, God casts a vision for including the elderly in all aspects of community life. Experts in elder care are finding that the biblical vision not only benefits the elderly, but young people as well.

It goes both ways, says David Phillips, CEO of Ebenezer Senior Citizen's Home in Israel. Listening to the elderly serves them in a spiritual way. And the young listeners can learn from them.

Learning to Listen

More than one in three American adults aged 5080 report feeling a lack of companionship. As their ability to be productive diminishes, the world often leaves them behind. But the scriptural vision for the elderly is not one that reduces humans to their utility but to their essence as image bearers of God.

In other words, the reason people matter is not because they have something to contribute. They matter because they are created to reflect God in the world.

Proverbs 16:31 says that gray hair is a crown of splendor. Behind those gray hairs are decades of stories and experiences, the telling of which can be mutually beneficial. Take Larissa Suabashi, a resident at Ebenezer, for example. A Holocaust survivor, Subashi has stories that are heartbreaking and harrowing. But she also tells stories of hope and plays the violin in a way that brings Gods beauty to mind.

For the elderly, telling stories about their lives is linked to improvements in overall well-being, higher quality of life, and reduction of loneliness. Young people who learn to ask good questions and listen patiently to the stories of the elderly benefit from building intergenerational social connections and have the opportunity to play a role in preserving history and culture.

In America, perhaps working toward well-being could be as simple as driving an elderly neighbor to a doctors appointment, mowing a lawn, or running a few errands. It may look like occasional evenings around the dinner table, in which stories are repeated as memory fails. In many ways, caring for the elderly is simply loving our neighbors as we love ourselves: paying attention to them and acting on their behalf.

When encouraging volunteers at Ebenezer Senior Citizens Home in Haifa, Israel, Phillips emphasizes the power of listening. Many of the residents have experienced severe trauma in their lives, and telling stories to a listening ear is a powerful processing tool.

We still have eight Holocaust survivors, explains Phillips. And we have a second generation of traumatized people of the Holocaust.

Phillips says that listening brings back the central vision of dignity for the people telling their stories. Those stories do not end with pain and traumamany of Ebenezers residents have also shared their personal histories as accomplished artists and musicians. In sharing those passions, they have found new purpose in the twilight years of their lifelike Subashi, or Juan Onasiss who draws and paints stunning pieces despite a disability, or Antoinette Bermond, who has published two books since entering the Ebenezer Home.

Working Toward Well-Being

As we seek ways to honor the elderly, it is likely needs will arise. Maybe they can no longer maintain yardwork or housekeeping. Perhaps a trip to the grocery store feels daunting. Christians can find meaningful, tangible opportunities for offering help and support to our elderly neighbors.

Phillips points to Exodus 22:2223, in which God says, Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.

Phillips, who has been known to enter homes filled with filth, and even dumpsters, to rescue people in need, thinks of it like this: When we accept someone into Ebenezer, sometimes I see widows who have nothing. They have nothing left. We take them in, andits about doing the will of God and what he intended for his people.

At Ebenezer, the opportunity to work toward well-being covers all aspects of lifefrom the physical and mental to the emotional and relational. As the only senior home run by and for Chrstians in Israel, Ebenezer houses both Jewish and Arab people. Their backgrounds are filled with memories of strife between the two ethnic groups. And yet, Phillips says that at Ebenezer, there is a peace agreement in the blood of Christ between Arab and Jewish believers.

Faithful to the Forgotten

In Pauls letters to Timothy, we read an invitation for young people to treat their elders with kindness, respect, and dignity. While honoring the elderly with our time may not seem intuitive or take priority in our busy lives, Gods heart is that Christians honor all of humanity. Creating community among those with strength and those with wisdom is a beautiful picture of heaven on earth.

Ebenezer Senior Citizens Home is a shining example of this type of care. To hear more stories of Ebenezer's work and to contribute to their vital care for seniors, sign up for their newsletter.
Moldova's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that it has informed Russia that 45 of its embassy positions in Chisinau will be cut due to "unfriendly actions" against Moldova, as relations between the two countries deteriorate further amid Russia's war in neighboring Ukraine, the AP reports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the decision was based on "numerous unfriendly actions" toward Moldova, "which are not related to the diplomatic mandate, as well as attempts to destabilize" the country, which borders both Ukraine and Romania.

The move to reduce the number of diplomats and technical or administrative staff comes days after two local media outlets, Insider and Jurnal TV, published a joint investigation alleging that dozens of satellite dishes and antennas installed on Russia's embassy rooftop could be used for spying. Russia's ambassador to Moldova was summoned on Wednesday following the report, and Moscow has until Aug. 15 to comply with the decision, the ministry said. In all, 22 diplomats and 23 administrative staff will be affected.

Moldova's government spokesperson, Daniel Voda, said on Wednesday in a press briefing that limiting the number of accredited Russian diplomats in Moldova creates "a situation in which fewer individuals have the chance to destabilize our country." "In circumstances where employees are not involved in promoting bilateral relations, it becomes obvious that their diplomatic and administrative-technical representation is excessive," he said. In a press briefing Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the move "another step in the destruction of bilateral relations," and said the "unjustified and unfriendly actions ... will not go unanswered." (Read more Moldova stories.)
With actors and writers on strike together for the first time since 1960, a job listing from Netflix is raising eyebrows. The company is offering up to $900,000 for an artificial intelligence-related job that involves increasing the "leverage of our machine learning platform," the Guardian reports. The streaming service is also offering up to $650,000 for an AI director at its gaming studio. The use of AI is one of the main issues unions have cited, with SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland saying studios have proposed that background actors be scanned in return for one day's pay, allowing companies to own their likeness and use it in perpetuity "with no consent and no compensation."

The union says 87% of its actors make less than $26,000 per year. It's not clear whether the $900,000 job will involve the creation of content, Mashable reports. Netflix already uses AI to generate customer recommendations, among other things, though it also used AI to generate backgrounds in anime short The Dog and the Boyand it plays a central role in Spanish reality series Deep Fake Love, in which people are shown deepfaked videos depicting their partners cheating on them. Actor Rob Delaney, who appeared in a Black Mirror episode about an actress battling a studio using her image against her will, tells the Intercept that it's "ghoulish" to pay so much for an AI role when so many actors are struggling.

"Having been poor and rich in this business, I can assure you there's enough money to go around; it's just about priorities," Delaney says. Studios including Disney are also hiring for AI roles. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios and streaming services, has said it's ready to agree to union demands for informed consent and fair compensation when an actor's likeness is recreated by AI, but "there's likely some disagreement regarding exactly what 'informed consent' and 'fair compensation' entail," Mashable notes. (Read more Netflix stories.)
Things just ramped up in southeastern Ukraine. That's where the nation's forces are now launching a major push to repel Russian invaders as part of its counteroffensive, which began in early June. Pentagon officials tell the New York Times that the action is centering on the Zaporizhzhia region, where thousands of Ukrainian troops held in reserve are now flooding in, many with Western gear and training. The ultimate goal: to head in the direction of the cities of Melitopol and Berdyansk, near the Sea of Azov, and cut off the land bridge between Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia also controls.

At the very least, Ukrainian forces want to get close enough so that Ukrainian artillery is within striking distance of Crimea. It's an effort that Ukrainian officials have told DC could take one to three weeks, though Ukrainian troops along the southern front conceded to the Times on Wednesday that their movement has been slow going, hampered by minefields and pushback from Russian forces. Still, Ukrainian forces "appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions," the US nonprofit Institute for the Study of War says, citing Russia's Defense Ministry and Russian military bloggers, per the AP.

Russian forces, for their part, are concentrating "on preventing the further advance of Ukrainian troops," including via "blistering artillery and aerial bombardments," reports the Times. "This is the big test," a senior Pentagon official says of the latest counteroffensive phase, which the AP notes likely took months to prepare for. US officials are staying relatively mum about the latest developments, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledging an "intense battle" but without much more detail.

"We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine," he said. No matter which way the tides turn, it will be a hard-fought battle. "This offensive will be slow, it'll be difficult, and it'll come at a high cost," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley said last week, per Politico. (Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
When archaeologists came across a a 2,000-year-old grave on an island off the coast of Britain in 1999, they were confused. Inside lay a sword and shield, typically buried with men, and a brooch and mirror, typically buried with women, reports the Guardian . DNA testing failed to tell archaeologists what they were looking at; the body was too decomposed. In fact, just 150 grams of bone and tooth fragments were recovered, according to Historic England . But a quarter century after the discovery, experts say they're confident in saying this was the grave of a high-status female warrior, thanks to advances in biomolecular analysis techniques at the University of California-Davis.

Archaeologists extracted traces of proteins from tooth enamel, which showed with a 96% probability that the person was female, according to a study published Thursday in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Glendon Parker, a professor of environmental toxicology at UC Davis, explains tooth enamel is "the hardest and most durable substance in the human body" and "contains a protein with links to either the X or Y chromosome, which means it can be used to determine sex," per NBC News. "This protein survives well compared to DNA," Parker adds in a release. The finding suggests women took an active role in warfare on Bryher, part of the Isles of Scilly, from 100BC to 50BC, the time period to which the grave has been dated.

It's possible female involvement in warfare was "more common in Iron Age society than we've previously thought," says Sarah Stark, a skeletal biologist at Historic England, which funded the study. It may have even laid the foundation for Iceni warrior queen Boudicca's uprising against the Roman colonization of Britain in AD60, Stark says. She notes the items in the grave suggest the woman buried "may have played a commanding role in local warfare, organizing or leading raids on rival groups." The release notes mirrors could have been used for signaling during raids and "as a tool to communicate with the supernatural world to ensure the success of a raid or 'cleanse' warriors on their return." (Graves of ancient warrior women have also been found in Russia and Sweden.)
UPDATE

Jul 28, 2023 4:26 AM CDT

Singapore executed a woman Friday for the first time since 2004. Saridewi Djamani, 45, was convicted five years ago of trafficking just over an ounce of heroin, though she testified that she had been stocking up for personal use, the BBC reports. The hanging was the 15th drug-related execution in the city-state since they resumed in March last year. The execution was protested by rights groups including the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, CNN reports. "The government of Singapore violates human belief in redemption and the capacity for rehabilitation by insisting instead on taking drastic and irreversible action," says Celia Oullette, the group's founder. The Transformative Justice Collective group says there is one other woman on Singapore's death row.

Jul 27, 2023 12:14 PM CDT

For nearly two decades, no woman has been put to death in Singapore, but that looks like it's about to change. Human rights advocates say that on Friday, 45-year-old Saridewi Djamani is set to be hanged there, after her conviction and sentencing in 2018 for trafficking just over an ounce of heroin, reports the AP. The last woman to be executed on the island nation was Yen May Woen, 36, in 2004, also for drug trafficking. The news agency notes that both locals and visitors to Singapore face a mandatory death penalty sentence if they're convicted of trafficking more than 15 grams of heroin (about 0.53 ounces) or 500 grams (almost 18 ounces) of cannabis.
An 11-year-old Florida girl has been arrested over a false kidnapping reportand she told officers it was part of a YouTube challenge. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office says the girl texted 911 at 9:45am Wednesday and claimed that a friend had been snatched by an armed man in a van, reports ABC News . She also claimed she was in pursuit in a Jeep. After police finally determined it was a hoax, the girl was taken into custody and hit with a felony "false police report" charge as well as a misdemeanor charge she misused 911, per the Daytona Beach News-Journal . She was taken into custody and sent to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Daytona Beach.

This wasn't a momentary ruse followed by a hang-up, but a 90-minute-long charade that involved police choppers and the girl texting details all along, say police. Eventually, once it was clear there was no kidnapping, police reverse-dialed the girl's phone number and arrived at her home. In bodycam video of her arrest, a deputy is heard saying, "You're going to take this as a lesson at 11 years old: When you do something stupid in the future, you're going to enjoy those cuffs." The crying girl said she thought the prank might be "funny" and that she was responding to "a YouTube challenge." Sheriff Mike Chitwood said police have to investigate every call like this, and "today it wasted valuable resources that might have helped someone else who legitimately needed our help," per Fox 35 Orlando.

Young people ending up in handcuffs after attempting online challenges found on TikTok or YouTube isn't all that new. USA Today reported in 2021 on arrests for a TikTok challenge, "devious licks," that had young people vandalizing school equipment. In June 2023, teens in Western Massachusetts were arrested after taking part in a TIkTok challenge that demonstrated how to steal Hyundais. As for the Florida 11-year-old, she may be done with online challenges, telling arresting officers, "I'm not going to do this again." (Read more crime stories.)
Lawyers for Donald Trump met with prosecutors from the office of special counsel Jack Smith on Thursday, but NBC News reports they will not have good news to deliver to the former president. His attorneys were told to expect an indictment over Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to the outlet. That wouldn't be a huge surprise: Trump himself announced last week that he had received a letter from the Justice Department informing him that he could face related federal charges. However, the former president disputed the NBC report, writing on Truth Social that his lawyers had a "productive meeting" at which they explained "in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country."

"No indication of notice was given during the meeting," he added. "Do not trust the Fake News on anything!" As the Washington Post notes, it's not unusual in such high-profile cases for attorneys to request a last-minute meeting with prosecutors to make their case against an indictment. It was not clear if Smith himself participated in the meeting with Trump attorneys Todd Blanche and the newly hired John Lauro, per the New York Times. As for the timing of a possible indictment, it could come quickly. The grand jury in the case was meeting on Thursday at a federal courthouse in DC, and a member of Smith's prosecutorial team was seen there as well, per the Post.

Among other things, Smith's team has been investigating events leading to the Capitol riot, as well as allegations that Trump and his allies raised funds from donors on false claims of election fraud. Trump has been separately indicted over the handling of classified documents as well as hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels. He also faces possible charges of election interference in Georgia. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
It's time to make some noise for this year's community band! All instrumentalists should be prepared to take his or her instruments out of their cases in time for the Columbus Days performance to be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 10 in Frankfort Square.

Columbus Music Company Owner Mike Moser stated the community band is a long-standing tradition in Columbus, noting it dates as far back as 1899, but only became a consistent and reoccurring tradition in 1982. The idea sprang up as a way to commemorate and add to the Columbus Days celebration.

Rehearsals for the band begin at 7 p.m. Monday, July 31, at the Family Life Center, 1470 23rd Ave., and continue Aug. 3 and Aug. 7. Returning to direct the band for the 36th year is Doug Phillips who stated the band will perform music in conjunction with this Columbus Days theme "Lights, Camera, Action!"

"We play a lot of traditional music such as marches or patriotic music," Phillips. "It will all be music people are familiar with and have heard before."

Moser also said the band typically plays around 20 songs, and this year will perform a few new arrangements including "God Bless the USA," "Armed Forces on Parade" and songs from "The Greatest Showman."

Anyone interested in joining the band can do so, said Phillips, by simply showing up to the band's first rehearsal.

"In the past, we have had junior high students and even people in their 80s play," Phillips said. "The main thing is being able to play an instrument and read music, so don't worry about being perfect, just come and enjoy yourself."

Before joining the band as director, Phillips played in the community band as a baritone horn.

"The band almost disappeared years ago when the previous director stepped down," Phillips said. "I was asked if I was interested and said yes because I wanted to keep the band alive. I've taught bands all my life, and I really enjoy it."

Joining Phillips in the task of coordinating the community band is Guest Director Dr. Krista Vazquez Connelly. Connelly is excited for this year's performance and considers her role as guest director "an honor." She intends to also play trumpet in the band.

"My hope is to make some good music this summer and provide an enjoyable experience for both those playing and attending," Connelly said.

Connelly, who moved to Columbus last year, works as an instrumental music instructor at the Central Community College, where she teaches a crowd similar to the community band.

"The community band is not too far off from what I do all year," Connelly said. "At the college, I teach a multi-generational band with community members who just wanted to continue playing music through a college class. So, I have a lot of experience with groups such as the community band."

Instrumentalist or not, the community band provides the opportunity for all to enjoy music and kick-off Columbus Days; Phillips is hopeful for this year's group and performance.

"We encourage people to come to the concert and even consider joining the band. We would love to have them. The bigger the group the better we sound, and we want to add people all the time."
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the initiatives implemented by the concerned authorities to ensure the success of Ashura Commemoration, in accordance with the Bahraini societys specific features, based on authentic all-inclusive identity, coexistence, compassion and cohesion.

HM the King was speaking as he received, in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HMs Personal Representative and Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Royal Court Minister, HMs Advisors and a number of officials at the Safriya Palace yesterday.

The meeting focused on local issues and topics. His Majesty expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the Ministry of the Interior and the statements made by heads of Maatams (community centres) that reflect national responsibility and awareness to ensure the success of the important event.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture will continue promoting sustainable urban development in Bahrain to improve the environment by increasing the green area and expanding afforestation projects in various streets, intersections, and municipal projects.

This was emphasised by Minister Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak as he unveiled plans to double the number of road trees from 1.8 million now to about 3.6 million by 2035 as part of the kingdoms commitments within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The minister made the statements while inspecting the afforestation and beautification works being carried out along the sides and middle of the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway. Trees are being planted at a 14-km distance, starting from the upper bridge intersections of the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway and the Shaikh Khalifa Highway, until the Zallaq intersection.

Al Mubarak indicated that under the project, nearly 11,720 shade trees, including neem, hibiscus, ficus, eucalyptus, and cassia, will be planted, noting that those types of plants are suitable for the environment of the Kingdom and approved in the strategy of the afforestation campaign, as they are characterised by their resistance to weather conditions such as high heat and drought and bear the salinity of high and rocky soils.

He said that 45% of the project, which began in February 2023 and will continue until February 2014, has been completed. The minister highlighted the Ministrys strategy aimed at beautifying the main streets and intersections by planting trees and expanding green spaces across various governorates to give an aesthetic aspect to the streets and increase the green area, which would contribute to preserving the environment and increasing the biological diversity of local plants.
For Schuyler Resident Kathy Davis, retirement was not as exciting as she'd hoped. When she remembered a good cause she'd worked with in Arizona, she started what would become an initiative that has helped hundreds of mothers across the state.

In just shy of eight months, Baby Shower in a Box has reached communities across Nebraska, providing mothers who are homeless or transitioning in or our of homelessness with some basics for a new baby, such as diapers, blankets, a toy and a soft book.

(Weve been) all over the state of Nebraska from Scottsbluff all the way to Aurora, all the way from both ends, Davis said. It makes me happy.

Davis mission finds its origins with an organization Davis worked with called Save The Family in Arizona and a later mission trip to Hawaii.

We did some baby showers for the for people that were coming out of homelessness, then when I did a mission for my church in Hawaii there was a lot of homeless people there because of the weather being so nice, Davis said.

The baby showers, Davis noted, were helpful but they weren't as mobile as she'd have liked. Moving the items into a carriable box that could be relayed through charitable organizations made distribution easier.

Having a heart for helping others, she decided to make her idea into a reality and start helping mothers again by packing supplies into boxes for these mothers.

Somebody said you should call it Baby Shower in a Box, Davis said. I originally started donating to abuse centers and homeless centers and then the Sixpence program saw one of my posts that I donated to a homeless center in Fremont.

The director loved what she was doing, so she started donating the boxes to Sixpence to find people who need them. When its possible, Davis said, she likes to have the recipients get a photo with the box to send to her. Since Nov. 1, her charity has sent out 186 boxes in Nebraska.

Early on in the process, Davis spoke to her friend CJ Max, who had dabbled in the world of corporate paperwork and 501(c)(3) registration when she was looking at starting her own business. Max helped Davis get recognized as a non-profit for the sake of helping with donations, taxes and potentially grants in the future.

She told me about how she was doing Baby Shower in a Box and I was like Thats such a great idea, have you thought about making it legal, doing a non-profit? Max said. So Im kind of the one who talked her into making it official, now were trying to figure out grants, getting that whole world figured out.

People have helped in many ways, Davis said, through her Amazon baby registry, sewing quilts for the boxes, donating through CashApp and Venmo. With her birthday coming up, her charity is also an option for Facebooks birthday donation posts.

Max said that fright now one of their biggest areas of need is writing grants. The pair have no experience and don't even know where to start looking for someone who does. The need for supplies is high and they are only a two-person team. Even with all the help they get, there are still people who need their help that they arent reaching.

What were hoping is itll get our name out there more because we need donations so bad and the need is so high, Max said. Were hoping that gets our name out there, helps us bring in donations and we find the grant funding or someone that can help us with that.

On July 20, Baby Shower in a Box joined the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce to help expand their area of coverage and possibilities for supporters and grant writers.

Those interested in contributing to Baby Shower in a Box can reach Davis at 480-907-5566.
TORONTO, July 26, 2023 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines is inaugurating service between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) today. The route marks Porter's first Western Canada destination from Ottawa.

The new route begins with one daily roundtrip flight operated with Porter's state-of-the-art 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. It offers a variety of connections to Eastern Canada via Ottawa.

Porter inaugurates its first Western Canada route between Ottawa and Vancouver (CNW Group/Porter Airlines Inc.)

"The Ottawa-Vancouver route is an important part of our expansion as we build a coast-to-coast network that offers travellers our unique approach to economy air travel," said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "Travellers can connect through our well-established Eastern Canada network and enjoy Porter's elevated economy experience each step of the way."

All passengers will experience Porter's genuine hospitality and elevated onboard service, including free, fast WiFi, a selection of premium snacks and free beer and wine served in real glassware. Priority check-in, extra legroom seats, premium pre-mixed cocktails, and fresh, healthy meals are also available with the all-inclusive PorterReserve fares or purchased a la carte with PorterClassic fares.

"We are excited to see Porter Airlines' growth continuing with this service from YVR to YOW as part of its service to Vancouver," said Russell Atkinson, Director, Air Service Development at Vancouver Airport Authority. "This new route to Ottawa provides an additional option and flexibility for passengers looking to access Ottawa and beyond into eastern Canada."

"West coast! We are thrilled that non-stop service to Vancouver is now a reality and know that Ottawa-Gatineau travellers are too. Porter's growth at YOW is exceptional; by the end of this summer, they will be offering non-stop flights to 11 destinations, spanning Western Canada, the U.S. and the Atlantic," said Mark Laroche, President and CEO, Ottawa International Airport Authority. "The airline's commitment to establishing Ottawa as its jet maintenance base, which is currently in construction, is a testament to YOW's importance as a key hub for coast-to-coast connectivity."

Alongside the previously-announced Ottawa-Edmonton service beginning in September, Porter operates 11 non-stop routes out of Ottawa. Detailed schedules and Porter Escapes vacation packages can be found on www.flyporter.com .

About Porter

Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter's fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline in the World Airline Star Rating. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Porter Airlines Inc.

For further information: Media Contact: [email protected]
I think the new regular pressure room temperature superconducting work will prove to be the start of the field of quantum well superconductors. NOTE: The South Korean paper still needs to be replicated and confirmed. Extraordinary claims need a lot of verification and study. The work can be mistaken or wrong.

Other researcher are within days of replication or replication problems.

Meissner effect or bust. Day 1. Made good progress on the list of to-dos. I'm doing this all after-hours, so it's been a long day. Since we're gated by the delivery of the PbO + Pb(SO4), which should be tomorrow, we're working on infrastructure first. pic.twitter.com/CLHlL5DOul  Andrew McCalip (@andrewmccalip) July 27, 2023

Getting the DAQ set up. Will do multi channel thermocouple probes in furnace to ensure best control. We verified 930C with our small 6"x6"x6" furnace. All data logged to Influx so we can verify ramp rates. pic.twitter.com/aXamVKXLJE  Andrew McCalip (@andrewmccalip) July 27, 2023

Getting the DAQ set up. Will do multi channel thermocouple probes in furnace to ensure best control. We verified 930C with our small 6"x6"x6" furnace. All data logged to Influx so we can verify ramp rates. pic.twitter.com/aXamVKXLJE  Andrew McCalip (@andrewmccalip) July 27, 2023

Meissner effect or bust: day 1.5 Unbelievable outpouring of support. The most positive trend Ive ever seen on Twitter. It feels like the entire world is shouting, GO! Sigma package arrived! First thermal synth (PbO + PbSO4) might start tonight. Potential partnerships with pic.twitter.com/rvglyHlKUl  Andrew McCalip (@andrewmccalip) July 27, 2023

There is an assessment by PHD Chemist Derek Lowe at the journal Science.

Lets look at whats being claimed, and how strong the evidence seems to be. The authors describe a lead-based copper-doped material, LK-99, which is made by first preparing a well-characterized mineral (lanarkite, Pb2(SO4)O) from lead oxide and lead sulfate. Separately, copper phosphide (Cu3P), another well-characterized compound, is also freshly prepared from elemental copper and phosphorus. These two substances are ground together in a 1:1 ratio and the mixture is sealed in a vacuum-evacuated quartz tube and heated to 925C, forming LK-99, which is Pb10-xCux(PO4)6O, a dark polycrystalline material. The structure is very similar to lead apatite, a well-characterized phosphate mineral, but its crystallographic unit cell is slightly smaller due to the substitution of particular lead atoms in its lattice by copper ones.

The authors believe that the modified/strained structure of their material creates a large number of quantum wells between particular lead atoms and the adjacent oxygens of the phosphate groups bound to them, in effect making a two-dimensional electron gas. They propose that electron tunneling between these quantum wells, which are between 3.7 and 6.5 Angstroms apart, is the superconducting mechanism. The authors are making a detailed mechanistic claim that is subject to experimental proof.

They demonstrate the behaviors that a superconductor should have, such as the Meissner effect (expulsion of a magnetic field), sudden resistivity changes at a critical temperature (bizarrely high though that is in this case), current-voltage (I-V) plots at different temperatures and under different magnetic field strengths, etc. If these data reproduce, the superconductivity of this material seems beyond doubt.

Comment from Joe Ecks, who has been working on superconductors at superconductors.org:

The resistance measurements they report, in the range of 10^-6 to 10^-9 cm, remind me of ultra-conductors. Ultra-conductors are polymers that have extremely low resistance  but NOT zero ohms. The critical current the Koreans report is also not typical of a true superconductor. They report a Jc of around 250 ma (1/4 amp) at room temperature. This is not compelling evidence of true RTSC.

My comment: The thin film does meet the superconductor resistance threshold. They need to do more work to perfect the bulk material. One possible work around later will be to stack layers of thin film. The low critical current means we need to find other materials that leverage quantum wells in a more robust way if the experiment and theories are correct.

Different Researchers With Allegations of Research Malfeasance

Ranga Dias is a different researcher who has nothing to do with the South Koreans and they have entirely different materials.

Nature  Evidence of near-ambient superconductivity in a N-doped lutetium hydride. Ranga P. Dias et al Ranga work requires diamond anvils for the pressure. Even his near ambient superconductivity is at 10,000 times regular pressure. 10 times more than the Marianas trench.

Nanjing University tried to make Rangas material but did not see the superconductivity.

Different American researchers were given some of the material made by Rangas lab and they confirmed the superconductivity. They published a preprint on arxiv.

Ranga had to withdraw a 2021 paper but did not admit any malfeasance.




A former National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Yekini Nabena, has warned of an imminent collapse of the party.





Nabena said APC might collapse because the leaders have failed to get it right.





He spoke as intrigues continue over who succeeds Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of the party.





Speaking with newsmen, Nabena said the faulty foundation of the party was responsible for the infighting.





According to Nabena: From day one, the foundation of APC is totally wrong and that is why they are still fighting.





This is what they will do till the party collapses if they dont do the right thing.





They have to go back to the roots, there was no election and what they had was a selection. Even the party members now dont know the constitution of the party, they dont have the idea of what the party is built on.





Its like people are seated at home and you just call them to come and take positions, they cant get it right because they dont know what the party is all about.





Nabena said APCs issues would be over when the party returns to its root and allow members vote for the leaders of their choice.





He added: Like Adamu, people stepped down for him and he was told to refund money that came into the party, but he didnt do it.





The party has its chairman, Secretary, Auditor, and Treasurer; so, these are the people in charge of the account. They should audit the account and tell the public what the party has. APC made so much money during the primaries from sale of forms, where is the money?





They did not refund the money to those who stepped down. Like I said, the party will continue to fight until they do the right thing.





Recently, Adamu had resigned from his position as the APC National Chairman.





Feelers have it that President Bola Tinubu is tilting towards former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje as Adamus replacement.





Protesting against the choice of Ganduje, a former APC Vice Chairman of APC (North West), Salihu Mohammed Lukman resigned on Wednesday.




Rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called for the arrest of a former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo.





Adeyanju said Dokubo should be arrested for threatening Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State and for being a threat to national security.





He made the call in a petition to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday.





The petition reads partly: The extant viral clip of Dokubo Asari threatening Governor Fubara should be abhorrently intolerable. A sitting governor is equivalent to the will of the people.





Dokubo and his gun wielding thugs front themselves who are not effectively restricted by the constitution or bound by the rule of law.





Therefore, sir, I submit that Dokubo Asari be arrested effective and immediately for threat to national security and utter disregard for the rule of law.
One of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses made an appearance in Gretna Wednesday evening, and a crowd lined up to see him.

Nine-year-old Brook Kirchofer couldnt have been happier meeting him  unless she got to take Lester the horse home.

Awesome is how Brook described her encounter with the horse, which dwarfed the girl.

Lester is 6-foot-1 at the shoulder  18.1 hands in cowboy talk.

The Gretna Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, with Anheuser-Busch providing the horse and free beer.

Lester arrived in a red 48-foot air-ride trailer. He and another horse, Red, will make other appearances in the area this week.

Appearances will include Thursday at the Saunders County Fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday at the U-Stop on 84th Street in Lincoln from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday at the Hy-Vee Shadow Lake in Papillion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

According to a press release, the horses are in Omaha to celebrate the work of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and families of first responders with scholarships.

The company released limited-edition Folds of Honor aluminum bottles with a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold benefiting the Folds of Honor scholarship. Consumers can show their support by purchasing a bottle, available wherever Budweiser is sold in Omaha.

Carrie Reitmeier, community engagement coordinator for the Gretna chamber, said the beer company offered to bring the Clydesdales to town free of charge.

She said that despite the national kerfuffle over Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney, she had no hesitation about having a horse kick off Gretna Days.

Something fun for the community, she said. An experience that many people dont have, to get to see the size and beauty of a Clydesdale horse. So, nope. Not at all.

Anheuser-Busch has suffered a social-media pounding and a Bud Light boycott over its marketing relationship with Mulvaney, a transgender female internet influencer.

In April, Mulvaney posted about a personalized gift can of Bud Light the company had sent to the TikTok personality.

Some conservatives decried the companys marketing move as woke, an affront to women and to the beers middle-America fans. The company was apparently aiming to connect with a new generation of beer lovers, but it triggered a boycott and declining sales.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that in May, Modelo Especial had overtaken Bud Light as the top-selling beer in the United States.

Bud Light announced in June the brands biggest summer campaign ever with a new Easy to Summer commercial. The brand also launched a national summer music tour.

Anheuser-Busch also released a commercial featuring a Clydesdale horse in rural scenes, small towns, country roads and by the Lincoln Memorial. The commercial ends with the horse rearing in front of what appears to be the Grand Canyon.

A narrator says, Remember, this is a story bigger than beer. This is the story of the American spirit.

Lester and Red are staying at a private ranch in the Elkhorn area, said Andrew Lacrosse, one of the Anheuser-Busch horse handlers. After their swing through Nebraska, their next stop is Des Moines, he said.

Photos: Gretna East ready to welcome students Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19. Gretna East High School Gretna East High School provided news media with a sneak peek of the building Wednesday, July 19.




A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by the Department of State Services, DSS, seeking an order to extend the detention of the embattled Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.





According to Channels Television, the request was discreetly filed by the DSSs legal team on Wednesday based on an alleged new evidence it had obtained.





The application was dismissed by Justice Hamza Muazu who cited an abuse of court process and the lack of jurisdiction.





The request by the DSS followed Emefieles re-arrest by the agency from the court premises in Lagos, after the court had ordered his remand in a Correctional Centre while awaiting the fulfilment of his bail conditions.





The DSSs counsel, Victor Ejelonu, chose to withdraw the matter after the judge raised questions about the courts jurisdiction, given the exclusive rights of the Magistrate Court to grant detention orders under sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.




The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the coup detat in Niger.





A statement posted on the website of the ECOWAS Commission said the bloc received the news of the military incursion with shock and consternation.





ECOWAS condemns, in the strongest terms, the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition, the commission said.





It said it would hold all those involved in the plot responsible for the security and safety of the president, his family, members of the government, and the general public.





The commission added that the international community would do the same.





A group of soldiers who appeared on the West African nations national television late on Wednesday said the Niger President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power.





The soldiers made the assertion hours after the presidential guard had the president under house arrest in the presidential palace, a move typical of military coups.





The group, which calls itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, announced, on state television, that they had overthrown the Bazoum government because of the countrys deteriorating security situation.





The group, however, said it remained committed to its engagements with the international and national communities.





Based on media reports, the soldiers have suspended all institutions and have put security forces in charge of the situation.





They urged external partners not to interfere.




A suspect identified as Ogeneochuko David was apprehended on Ibom Airs flight Q1300 for allegedly stealing another passengers laptop from his bag in the overhead cabin during the flight from Lagos to Abuja on July 26, 2023.





Ibom Airs General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Thursday.





The statement explained that the owner of the laptop, suspecting the movement of David in the aircraft, decided to check where his laptop was kept and quickly raised an alarm when he realised that it was no longer there.





According to the statement: A search was immediately instituted, which led to about a half-hour delay, and the laptop was found with Mr David. He was immediately offloaded and handed over to the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) for further investigation, who then handed him over to the police for further investigation. The police have since confirmed that the suspect is a member of a large syndicate specialising in stealing onboard aircraft.





Essienette also recalled how one Kingsley Chinsunum was alleged to have stolen the sum of N100,000 from a wallet kept inside a bag in the overhead cabin and how one Mr Adebayi Adelugba, staged the stealing of his own checked-in bag and declared it missing with the intent of suing the airline for negligence but was caught through CCTV footage.





In line with our corporate policy, Ibom Air has zero tolerance for this sort of criminal activity on board our flights and will prosecute any offenders to the full extent of the law, she warned.




The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero has called on governments at all levels to enact new laws for mandatory drug tests on anyone vying for public office in the country.





The Emir made the call while speaking at a one-day symposium on drug abuse and moral decadence held at the New Education Theater at Northwest University.





The emir emphasized the governments need to combat drug abuse, including substances like zakami, gadagi, and Tramol, among others.





He expressed dismay at the rampant cases of drug abuse involving holders of public offices in the country.





Governments at all levels should enact new laws against drug abuse and subject anyone vying for public office to mandatory drug tests the emir stated.





Meanwhile, the emir has called on the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC to as a matter of urgency deploy more personnel to curb reckless driving in the Kano metropolis.





He made the call when he received the newly introduced Sector Commander of Kano State, Ibrahim Sallau Abdullahi, at his palace on Wednesday.





He urged the residents to strictly adhere to rules and regulations, thus bolstering safety and protecting lives and properties.
Nigers President Mohamed Bazoum took to social media on Thursday with a defiant vow to protect hard-won democratic gains a day after he was toppled in a military coup.





The countrys foreign minister Hassoumi Massoudou also issued a rallying cry on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, for all democrats and patriots to make the coup fail.





Their statements followed a late-night address on Wednesday by soldiers on national television announcing that Bazoum had been removed from power and all republic institutions suspended, marking the seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020.





Earlier on Wednesday members of the presidential guard had cut off the presidential palace in the capital Niamey and blocked Bazoum inside.





This sparked regional and international concern about instability in a country that is a pivotal ally for Western powers helping fight an insurgency in the Sahel region.





Bazoum was still being held inside the presidential palace on Thursday morning, Massoudou said in an interview with French broadcaster France 24. The ministers whereabouts were unclear.





Niamey was quiet on Thursday morning as citizens awoke to closed borders and a nationwide curfew imposed by the military.





Several Bazoum supporters had gathered in the city as events unfolded on Wednesday, voicing their opposition to a change of power, a Reuters reporter said. They were later dispersed.





It is not yet clear who has taken command. General Omar Tchiani heads the presidential guard, but the televised statement was read by an air force member named Colonel Amadou Abdramane.





Seated in an office rather than in the television studio and flanked by nine other officers in fatigues, Abdramane said defence and security forces had acted in response to deteriorating security and bad governance.





Land-locked Niger, a former French colony, is one of several West African states battling jihadist militants that have waged a violent insurgency across the region over the past decade.





Frustrations over state failures to prevent violent attacks on towns and villages partly spurred two coups in Mali and two in Burkina Faso since 2020.





Nigers role had become increasingly important for Western powers helping fight the jihadists since relations with Burkina Faso and Malis military governments soured, prompting foreign troop withdrawals.
National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, at exactly noon yesterday, made good its threat as members complied with the indefinite strike order issued by the National Executive Council, NEC, on Tuesday night.





NARD embarked on the strike, despite the intervention of speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night, urging him to wade into the matter, with a view to addressing the issues at stake.





Although the Federal Government said it was already looking into the demands of the striking resident doctors towards effecting a speedy resolution, NARD said the government was yet to call them for a meeting, insisting that governments response would determine how long the strike would last.





As of 12:30 pm when newsmen visited some of the affected tertiary health institutions in Lagos yesterday, the doctors had left their consulting rooms, as only consultants and student doctors were attending to a few patients that were caught unawares by the industrial action.





However, the effect of the strike cannot be determined at press time as many of the patients who were present at the various hospitals may have been attended to as the strike began at noon yesterday.





While most of the patients who spoke to newsmen said they had already been attended to before 12 noon, others bemoaned the fact that they were not able to beat the time of the strike and were asked to come back next time.





Confirming the situation at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, ARD-LASUTH, Dr Salmon Abeeb, said their members had complied with the directive of the national body.

We are not working at LASUTH. However, our consultants and the medical students are there working.





The NARD President is currently in LASUTH. We are hosting the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, programme, so all doctors in Nigeria are in LASUTH.





He said NARD was open for discussion. In Lagos, we are yet to meet the governor of the state as NARD is open for discussion. We are open to meet with anybody who can assist in getting the issue resolved on time.





We know the peculiarities and the dangers in the declaration of strike. But, I am sorry that this is the only language government understands.





Giving an update on the strike, the National President of NARD, Dr Emeka Orji, said the government was yet to invite them to a meeting.





We have always said that the issues about which we talk are germane and they can be resolved in a matter of days, he said.





Orji, who denied report that President Bola Tinubu had begged them not to embark on strike, saying there was no evidence to support that.





He said to call off the strike, the government should at least attend to three of their major demands, including immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement of all the doctors and nurses that have left as a result of brain drain.





Also yesterday, speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night, urged the president to wade into the matter, with a view to addressing the issues at stake.





Earlier on Monday, Abbas had met with the national leadership of the NARD in a bid to stop the strike.





During the meeting, the speaker appealed for a two-week reprieve to enable the House leadership resolve the issues raised.





He constituted an ad hoc committee, chaired by the Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, with a directive to meet with all stakeholders and resolve the matter immediately.





The panel has the immediate past chairman of the 9th House Committee on Healthcare Services, Tanko Sununu (APC, Kebbi), as the deputy chairman, while all medical practitioners in the House were co-opted into the ad hoc committee.









Were looking into doctors demands  FG





Meanwhile, the Federal Government said yesterday it was looking into the demands of the striking resident doctors.





The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Daju Kachollom, said there was ongoing consultation between the striking doctors and government.





Though she expressed surprise that the doctors declared an industrial dispute when consultations had been taken to a higher level, Kachollom assured that no efforts would be spared to ensure amicable resolution of all the contentious issues.





She said the resident doctors ought to have allowed the ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government to reach an agreed conclusion before taking a decision on strike.





Kachollom explained that the transition into the new government of President Bola Tinubu has delayed the process of negotiations.





She said: Its rather unfortunate that NARD is on strike because we have been having consultations since May to be precise on the demands they raised and we have met quite a number of times and governments have assured them that the issues raised are being looked into.





There was a transition and we all know that in a transition, there is a process and until the process is completed, there is nothing we can do. Unfortunately, they decided to go on strike, we have actually taken the consultation to the highest level on the issues raised.





The government has assured them and continues to assure them that the demands raised will be looked into.





On the way forward, Kachollom said: Were still going to engage them further beyond where we have because we have been engaging and Im sure the president of NARD cannot say that we have not been engaging them, I will just say (they have) to believe in what government is doing.




The Kwara State Police Command has advised the people of the state, especially people of diverse religious beliefs, to exercise restraint in expressing grievances over religious issues whenever they arise.





This advice, according to the police command, becomes necessary in view of recent happenings between some Islamic clerics and some traditional worshippers, popularly called Isese in the Ilorin metropolis.





A statement by the spokesman of the command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, in Ilorin on Thursday, said, There are lots of inciting videos circulating on different social media platforms from both religious bodies threatening fire and brimstone if one thing or the order was not done, bringing into doubt the belief that Kwara is a state of harmony.





In order to douse the tension, the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State, Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, invited the two groups to a meeting where both parties were given the opportunity to air their grievances and a middle-of-the ground agreement was reached.





Consequently, both parties were advised to maintain the peace while a lasting solution to the crisis was enabled, the statement added.





The CP also advised the parties to warn their followers posting inciting videos on social media platforms to desist forthwith, noting that Kwara State is a state of harmony, and as such, all hands must be on deck to ensure that every effort must be made to make the state remain so.





To this end, teams of policemen have been deployed to extensively patrol the city and arrest anyone found undermining the efforts of the security agencies to secure the state.





The command emphasised that while the right to freedom of religion as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution is sacred, respect for the culture and tradition of the people in a particular community is also important.
The coalition of #EndSARS protesters and supporters, yesterday, accused Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State of misinforming the public on the mass burial for EndSARS protesters, insisting that the state government was insincere about the killings that occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate in October 2020.

In a statement by the Coalition of #EndSARS Frontliners, the group called for the suspension of the planned mass burial of 103 bodies immediately.





The Coalition of #EndSARS Protesters and Supporters, national and globally, are horrified by the planned mass burial of 103 protesters and civilians, who tragically lost their lives in the October 2020 state-sponsored violence and murder at the Lekki Toll Gate, and the callous and insincere statement by the Lagos State Government in response to the leaked memo approving the contract for the mass burial.





The Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government continues to misinform the global community in an attempt to manipulate public perception and evade justice and accountability.





Between October 21 and 23, 2020, Sanwo-Olu contradicted himself three times. First, he said, Nobody died at Lekki Toll Gate; the next day, One person died and it was from blunt trauma to the head; and on the 3rd day, he said, Two deaths have now been confirmed among the protesters in Lekki.





#EndSARS protesters and investigative journalists are convinced that many people died at Lekki Toll Gate. The report of the Judicial Panel set up by Mr. Sanwo-Olu, established there was a massacre at Lekki Toll Gate, and pages 297 and 298 of the report named nine people that were killed, with four more missing, but presumed dead.





Therefore, to state that no one died at Lekki Toll Gate or that only two persons were confirmed dead is a wicked and brazen lie.





In addition, the panel found that the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian military and the police were culpable in the massacre of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate. The report noted that the military and the police shot at peaceful protesters on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate. The military, on the invitation of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Sanwo-Olu, took away the bodies and corpses of the dead protesters in their vans, in an attempt to cover up and clean up the crime scene, the group stated.





The group, however, insisted that The government must stop using deceitful tactics and face the reality that their actions led to the death of defenceless Nigerians.





We demand the Lagos State government suspend the planned mass burial of 103 bodies in TOS Funeral Services immediately. It should implement the recommendations of the Judicial Panel of Inquirys White Paper. It should also establish a one-month notice for citizens to access the 103 bodies, in the hopes of identifying their loved ones.





The state government must conduct a DNA mapping of all 103 bodies using a reputable private organisation. It should pay compensation and provide therapy for the trauma they have caused families over the last three years.





As #EndSARS protesters worldwide, we will not be silenced or deterred by the governments failed attempts to discredit our actions. We will not rest and will continue to peacefully protest until justice prevails.




Simon Ekpa, a popular Biafra agitator and Separatist, has asked Enugu traders to open business shops.





Ekpa, the Finland-based lawyer and Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government, disclosed this on Thursday in a public notice sighted by newsmen.





It was reported that three persons were killed and others injured when traders took to the streets Wednesday morning, protesting the sealing of their shops by the state government for not opening for business on Monday.





Consequently, Ekpa asked protesting traders in Enugu to provide details of those killed and injured for immediate medical intervention.





We call on Biafra traders in Enugu to make available, send the details of all injured traders and those that lost their lives to the Nigerian government during the protest; their loved ones and their families should send contact details to Biafra government info@biafrarepublicgov.org for immediate intervention by the government of Biafra.





Those injured will be provided with immediate medical treatment, while the Biafra government will contact the family of those that lost their loved ones, and the government plan will not be made public.





We call on Biafrans to open their shops, businesses and also supply us with helpful information about the killers and those locking their shops, he stated.





He added that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state will face the consequence of human rights abuses.




Ohanaeze Ndigbo has suggested eight ways Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State can end the sit-at-home order in the State.





Ohanaeze spoke while condemning the killing of traders protesting the sealing of their shops in Enugu State.





The Igbo group also demanded unconditional reopening of all the shops sealed by the State Government.





Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze faction, urged Mba to engage residents of the State in a fruitful discussion.





In a statement he signed, Isiguzoro urged the Governor to dialogue with residents, address their grievances, engage the youths, create awareness, and empower the residents.





According to Isiguzoro: Ohanaeze Ndigbo is willing to assist Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State in finding ways to end the sit-at-home order and civil disobedience without casualties or penalties on the residents.





A close-door meeting with critical stakeholders, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, can indeed be a constructive step towards resolving the issue.





Drawing from the experience of Ohanaeze Ndigbos assistance to the Abia State Government from June 2016- May 2023, in minimizing the effects of sit-at-home and addressing the activities of Biafra agitators, the following approaches can be considered:





Dialogue and engagement: The Enugu State government should engage in meaningful dialogue with relevant stakeholders to understand their concerns and work towards finding mutually acceptable solutions. Open communication channels can help build trust and confidence among the residents.





Addressing grievances: The government should address the grievances of the traders whose shops were sealed. Ohanaeze Ndigbo demands the unconditional reopening of the all sealed Enugu shops and Governor Mbah should provide compensation or assistance to affected traders, as it can help restore their confidence in the governments intentions.





Youth engagement: Engaging the youth in meaningful activities, such as skills training, entrepreneurship programs, and educational opportunities, can help divert their energy towards more productive endeavors. Providing platforms for youth voices to be heard and addressing their concerns can also contribute to reducing the appeal of civil disobedience.





Empowerment initiatives: Implementing empowerment initiatives targeted at vulnerable communities can help address the underlying socio-economic issues that contribute to civil unrest. This can include providing access to basic amenities, creating employment opportunities, and promoting inclusive policies.





Public education and awareness: Launching public education campaigns to raise awareness about the negative consequences of civil disobedience and the importance of peaceful coexistence can help change public perceptions. This can be done through various media platforms, community gatherings, and educational institutions.





It is important for Governor Peter Mba to actively involve Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other critical stakeholders in the decision-making process. By working together, engaging in dialogue, and implementing targeted interventions; it is possible to find sustainable solutions that promote peace, unity, and the well-being of the Enugu residents.
FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Faces Tightened Bail Conditions and Possible Jail in Trial

Source: YouTube / ABC News

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is facing tightened bail conditions and the possibility of jail time as he awaits trial over the collapse of his exchange.

At a recent hearing, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan imposed a "gag order" on Bankman-Fried, restricting his ability to communicate publicly, Reuters reported Thursday.

The decision came after prosecutors argued that he crossed a line by sharing personal writings of his former romantic partner Caroline Ellison with a reporter, potentially tampering with a witness.

The hearing, held in Manhattan federal court, saw prosecutors request that Bankman-Fried be detained immediately, citing his actions as a second instance of witness tampering.

It is the governments view that no set of release conditions can secure the safety of the community, Danielle Sassoon, an assistant US attorney, said.

"It appears to be undisputed the defendant provided the documents quoted [in the New York Times]  to discredit [Ellison]."

However, Bankman-Fried's lawyer, Mark Cohen, argued that his client was merely trying to protect his reputation by communicating with journalists.

He also expressed concerns about the impact of jail time on Bankman-Fried's ability to prepare for the upcoming trial scheduled for October 2.

The judge decided to impose the gag order but gave both sides until August 3 to present their arguments on whether jail time is necessary for Bankman-Fried.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to cover losses at his crypto hedge fund, Alameda Research.

Three former members of his inner circle, including Caroline Ellison, have pleaded guilty to fraud charges and are cooperating with prosecutors. Ellison is expected to testify against Bankman-Fried.

Bankman-Fried Shares Ellison's Writings With Reporters

The New York Times recently published an article containing excerpts from Ellison's personal Google documents before FTX's collapse.

In the documents, she expressed dissatisfaction with her job and the end of her personal relationship with Bankman-Fried.

Prosecutor Sassoon argued that this incident was just the latest in Bankman-Fried's campaign to discredit and blame Ellison.

She revealed that Bankman-Fried had sent over 100 emails and had over 100 phone calls with a Times reporter who wrote the article.

Sassoon further expressed concerns about what Bankman-Fried might have revealed to author Michael Lewis, who plans to publish a book about FTX around the time of the trial.

Meanwhile, in a court filing later in the day, prosecutors announced that they would no longer include a charge accusing Bankman-Fried of violating US campaign finance laws in the upcoming trial.

The charge was dropped after The Bahamas did not include it in its extradition treaty, according to a court filing late Wednesday.

The new scrutiny against Bankman-Fried comes as recent court revelations have exposed a web of deceit surrounding his family.

For one, it was revealed that Samuel Bankman, Bankman-Fried's father, who has been using the $10 million gifted to him by his son, which was allegedly looted from FTX customers, to pay for his legal defense.
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, in Abuja appealed to the organised labour to avail him more time to consider their grievances before embarking on any nationwide strike.





This is just as indication emerged that the Federal Government may enforce the court order restraining the organised labour from embarking on a strike over the withdrawal of fuel subsidy in May should the Nigeria Labour Congress make good its threat on August 2.





The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed Tinubus plea to State House Correspondents after leading some officers of the House to brief the President on the outcome of their engagement with the National Association of Resident Doctors, which has declared a nationwide strike.





At about the same time, following the threat by labour, the Federal Government on Wednesday evening held an emergency meeting with the organised labour comprising of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.





But briefing reporters, Abbas said Tinubu appealed that being new in office, he needs time to evaluate the issues raised by workers over which as he is yet to be briefed.





Abbas said, What he (Tinubu) said is that hes just coming on board. We should ask them and beg them to please give him a little more time.





The things that they mentioned, he is completely unaware of them, he is yet to be briefed about all those issues.

But from what he heard from me, he also advised that we should channel some of those issues to the Chief of Staff to look at them one after the other. I believe the next coming days, some concerted actions will be taken.





The Speaker explained that the House leadership invited NARD following their intention to go on strike, saying that the lawmakers succeeded in persuading the union to shelve the plan.





Sequel to the meeting we had with them, there were series of conditions that they gave, that we felt we need to share with the President, he revealed.





Asked what the House was doing to restrain the Nigeria Labour Congress from proceeding with the August 2 protests, Abbas said, In the same manner, the same way, we will also invite them to come and sit so that we hear their grievances and then we follow the same pattern of engaging and persuading them to give us a little time so that we can be able to meet their expectations.





Meanwhile, the House leaderships meeting with the President was held as leaders of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria met with the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives set up by the Federal Government.





However, the meeting failed to convince the labour leaders to shelve their plan as they insisted on proceeding with the protest slated for August 2.





Wednesdays meeting, which took place in the office of the Presidents Chief of Staff, was attended by labour delegations led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo.





It was in continuation of the June 19 meeting over the initial increase of the petrol pump price to N520 per litre.





Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ajaero said, We are going ahead with the protest because we have to be emphatic on what we put in our communique, to say we are commencing protests from August 2.





On his part, the TUC President, Osifo, said both sides listened to the presentations from the Steering Committee secretariat and labour made its input afterwards.





He said, Some of the things they presented, we did not agree with them. So, the areas we did not agree on, we also made our inputs known because when you come to such a meeting, it is for the government or its representatives to do a presentation.





But its left for us to either agree or disagree. So, during the meeting, we gave them sufficient feedback. And they also agreed to go and look at those feedbacks and get back to us on Friday.





However, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said the discussions achieved some progress in negotiations.





She explained: Weve agreed to continue to make progress. It was a very productive meeting.

The focus was really around how we fast track a lot of the interventions that will bring relief, particularly around CNG, mass transportation, cleaner energy, transportation and reduce the impact of the cost of transportation.





On why the rollout of palliatives is being delayed, she said, We have to get it right. We must do this well, and we keep our promises. So, its important that whatever is announced gets done.





Verheijen said the President was working assiduously to address the issues as quickly as he can.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government may enforce the court order restraining the organised labour from embarking on a strike over the withdrawal of fuel subsidy in May should the NLC make good its threat on August 2.





The congress on Wednesday announced plans to commence a seven-day warning strike with effect from Wednesday but findings indicate that the FG may initiate contempt proceedings against the labour leaders if it went ahead with its threat.





A senior official stated that the government would ensure compliance with the court order.

We will file contempt charges against the labour leaders if they go ahead to disobey a subsisting court order by going on strike, the official stated.





In the aftermath of the fuel subsidy withdrawal which led to a spike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit from N140 to N540 per litre and the attendant increase in prices of goods and services, the NLC and the TUC had mobilised their members for a nationwide industrial action on June 7.





But the FG on June 5, secured an order from the National Industrial Court barring the unions from embarking on their planned strike to protest the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.





On June 20 when the case came up, Justice Olufunke Anuwe reiterated that her order restraining the NLC and TUC from going on a strike remained in force. The judge, as a result, ordered the parties to maintain the status quo and adjourned the matter till July 20, for a hearing.





NLC insists





However, the NLC on Wednesday said it would mobilise a nationwide strike on August 2, should the government fail to meet all its demands namely the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies such as the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit; increase in public schools fees; increase in Value Added Tax among others.





The congress decided after a meeting of its Central Working Committee on Tuesday night in Abuja.





The labour congress in a statement jointly signed by Ajaero and Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, faulted the Tinubu administration over unfriendly policies while adding that the administration has continued to treat Nigerians as slaves.





The NLC noted that Nigerians lost their peace of mind following the Subsidy is gone comment made by the President during his May 29,2023 inaugural address.





On its next steps, the NLC noted that it had received pressure from Nigerians who have been calling on it to lead a national strike.





The Congress also explained that it had reached a breaking point hence it would give the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum within which to meet all our demands and to embark on a nationwide action beginning Wednesday, August 2, 2023, to compel the government to reverse its anti-poor and anti-workers policies.





In a telephone interview, with newsmen, the Assistant General Secretary of NLC, Chris Onyeka, said, The seven-day ultimatum given by Nigeria Labour Congress to the Federal government is a protest and also a strike. We cant be protesting, and we are working.
More than a month after advocates successfully lobbied for the implementation of a right-to-counsel program for Jersey City tenants, their main opponents  the landlords  are pushing back in court.

The landlord group Jersey City Property Owners Association (JCPOA) filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Jersey City in Hudson County Superior Court to halt implementation of the new program, which was created to provide free legal representation for tenants fighting eviction cases.
A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for making videos in which he was sexually assaulting a child, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Christian Importuna, 27, of Englishtown, pleaded guilty to a single count of production of child pornography in December 2022.

Importuna first appeared on law enforcements radar on March 24, 2020, when he attempted to trade child pornography materials with an undercover agent, officials said.

Investigators later learned that he produced at least two videos that depicted him sexually assaulting a child under the age of 12, according to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court last year.

Authorities linked the videos to Importuna when they discovered they were sent from his business address in Englishtown. Physical identifiers in the recordings were also linked to him, prosecutors said.

In addition to his prison sentence, Importuna is subject to supervised release for life and has been ordered to pay $28,000 in restitution.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
A New Jersey man has been sentenced to a year-and-a-half in federal prison for trying to smuggle people from Mexico across the U.S.-Canada border into North Dakota.

Jose Gonzalez-Resendiz, 41, was sentenced Monday, becoming the third man sentenced in the scheme. On July 13, Armando De Dios-Carrillo received a two-year sentence, and Victor Manuel Perez-Aguilera was sentenced to 18 months. All three men pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to transport people into the U.S. illegally.

Prosecutors say the conspiracy involved smuggling a group of people from Mexico across the border from Canada into North Dakota in March, with plans to eventually move them to other U.S. locations. In exchange, the smugglers would be paid thousands of dollars by each person.
A 62-year-old New Jersey woman posed as a doctor by presenting herself as a family member who has a medical license, authorities said.

Maria F. Macburnie treated patients and prescribed medicine, including controlled dangerous substances, to patients while working out of Shore Medical Associates on Route 37 in Toms River, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said.

Macburnie, of Toms River, was charged with practicing medicine by an unlicensed person, forgery, health care claims fraud and three counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

She wrote multiple prescriptions under the name of Dr. Fe Almazon-Condit and submitted multiple insurance claims and bills for services while the latter was unable to see patients, the prosecutors office said.

Macburnie, who also goes by the name Marife L. Macburnie, has been held at the Ocean County jail since being taken into custody Wednesday.

A recording said the office is permanently closed when NJ Advance Media phoned Shore Medical Associates on Thursday afternoon. A phone number listed for Macburnie was not in service.

A spokesman for the prosecutors office said he had no additional information about where Almazon-Condit was when Macburnie ran the alleged scam.

Attorney information for Macburnie wasnt immediately available.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Travis King is a U.S. military member who crossed the Demilitarized Zone into North Korea on July 18, 2023, almost 50 years since the signing of the armistice on July 27, 1953. He did so without authorization and in direct violation of international law. He is currently detained by North Korean authorities, who have not made any official statement about his status or condition. The U.S. government has expressed its concerns and urged Pyongyang to release him. However, I believe that the U.S. should not try to bring Travis King back to America.

Trying to bring Travis King back to America could endanger his life and the lives of other Americans in North Korea. The Pyongyang government is known for its harsh treatment of foreign detainees, especially those who are accused of espionage or hostile acts against the regime. There have been cases of American citizens who died or suffered serious injuries while in North Korean custody, such as Otto Warmbier and Robert Park.
By Rebecca Cypess, Jorge Marcone and Mary Nucci

As temperatures soar worldwide, we are proud that New Jersey is the first state to require K12 public school students to learn about climate change in all their classes. But the requirement has left many people scratching their heads: why teach climate change in language arts class, let alone music or drama?
A Paterson man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following a shooting in Passaic Countys largest city on the Fourth of July, authorities said.

Anderson Martinez, 26, was arrested at approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and three other related weapons charges, the Passaic County Prosecutors Office said Thursday.

Martinez was wanted in connection with a shooting that injured two people on Independence Day, the prosecutors office said.

Police were notified that at approximately 11:34 p.m. on July 4 that two Paterson residents, ages 19 and 20, with gunshot wounds arrived at Saint Josephs University Medical Center in Paterson in a private vehicle.

An investigation revealed the victims were struck by gunfire earlier that day in the area of Essex and Madison streets in Paterson, officials said. A potential crime scene was located in the area.

The state intends to file a motion in court to keep Martinez in jail pending trial, officials said.

Additional details about the shooting and attorney information for Martinez were not immediately available.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Passaic County Prosecutors Office tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org. Those with information call also call the Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342. All calls are confidential.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for 15 counties. Winds could hit 60 to 70 mph.

Dangerous, oppressive heat with heat indexes soaring above 100 degrees arrives today in New Jersey along with the statewide threat of severe thunderstorms that could include drenching rain and wind gusts up to 70 mph.

The National Weather Service says strong storms could develop anytime between 2 and 10 p.m., with possible flash flooding and a lesser threat of hail.

Up to 2 inches of rain is possible with any storms that do develop having the capability to drop a good amount of rainfall quickly, the weather service said in its morning forecast discussion.

As is often the case with summer storms, forecasters cant be certain exactly where or when they will develop. Nearly the entire state is under a slight risk of severe weather, the second level on the five-tier scale. The storms are expected to be gone by late Thursday.

Strong storms could drop heavy rain on New Jersey on Thursday afternoon and evening with flooding and wind gusts of up to 70 mph among the threats.National Weather Service

Ahead of the storms, Thursday will be the first of the two hottest days of the summer with heat indexes above 100 degree expected through Friday. Overnight lows will fall only into the 70s.

Excessive heat warnings have been issued for much of the state.

In Bergen, Essex, Hudson, eastern Passaic and Union counties, the warning runs from 11 a.m Thursday until 9 p.m. Friday. Maximum heat indexes on Friday afternoon could hit 105 in those counties.

The heat index will be around or above 100 across New Jersey on Thursday afternoon.National Weather Service

Most other New Jersey counties will be under a heat advisory on Thursday and a more severe excessive heat warning on Friday.

The heat index  hot how it feels due to a combination of warm temps and humidity  will be as high as 108 degrees in inland areas on Friday as temps climb to the mid to upper 90s.

The heat index in New Jersey on Friday is expected to climb as high as 108, according to the National Weather Service.National Weather Service

A heat advisory could also be issued Saturday as temps will again top out in the 90s, forecasters say.

Theres also a threat of severe thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and evening, according to AccuWeather.com.

Another round of severe thunderstorms could hit New Jersey Saturday afternoon and evening as high temperatures continue into the weekend.

Sunday should bring some slightly cooler temps as highs should only reach the low to mid 80s.

The high in Trenton was 87 on Wednesday and is expected to reach 97 on Thursday and 99 on Friday. The highest temperature this month in the capital city was 93 on July 5. The July 27 record is 99, set in 1892.

In Newark, the weather service is calling for a high of 98 on Thursday and Friday after a high of 92 on Wednesday. The daily record for July 27  set in 2005  is 99.

The weather service says Atlantic City will make it to 90 each of the next two days, well short of the July 27 record of 96 established in 2011. Wednesdays high was 85  about average for late July.

Current weather radar

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
NEW YORK  Aaron Judge made his return to New York on Wednesday night.

Whether hell make his return to the Yankees from the injured list on Friday remains to be seen.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed after Wednesdays win over the Mets that Judge has traveled back to New York after his brief trip to the clubs facility down in Tampa. He spent a few days playing in some simulated games, stocking up on live at-bats as he works his way back from a torn ligament in his right big toe.

Earlier in the afternoon, the New York Post reported that the Yankees were planning to activate Judge from the IL on Friday, the beginning of a big series against the division-rival Orioles, but Boone shot it down. A high-ranking club official also confirmed to NJ Advance Media that no firm date has been set for Judges return.

That same uncertainty regarding the plan for Judge lingered into Wednesday evening.

I dont know yet, said Boone during his postgame presser, asked if Judge will be on his lineup card in Baltimore on Friday. He came back here. Hes back in New York. Well kind of see where were at tomorrow.

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

Boone went on to explain that hes unsure about Judges next steps. A meeting with trainers will help decide if Judge needs to go on a rehab assignment, if he can stick with controlled workouts or if hes ready to suit up in a game for the first time since he hurt his foot on June 3.

Short of Judge suffering some sort of setback, the pain that hes feeling in his toe and foot isnt going to change. He admitted last week that he wont be pain-free. Right now hes on a mission to manage that discomfort as he begins putting more weight and stress on that area, both with explosive swings in the batters box and quick movements on defense in the outfield.

That in mind, there are no doubts that Judge is lobbying to be reinstated as quickly as possible. He has great numbers in Baltimore and the Yankees could use his bat for this weekends series. If its not going to get any worse or better and hes clearing every hurdle in his sim games, there could be a sense of urgency here.

Theres also a possibility that Judge takes a few more days to see more live pitching and build up before his first game in almost two months. No sense in rushing back if the training staff deems that Judge is at risk of doing further damage  same goes if Judge doesnt think his swing is ready to face (and excel against) live pitching.

If Judge is activated for Friday nights series opener in Baltimore, the Yankees need to make a corresponding move. While they could option infielder Oswald Peraza to Triple-A, designating Billy McKinney for assignment feels like the likeliest scenario. Its either McKinney, Greg Allen, Isiah Kiner-Falefa or Jake Bauers.

Kiner-Falefa is hitting .321 in his last 22 games, Bauers has the most thump of that group and hits from the left side while Allen is a valuable bench piece with a surplus of speed. McKinney is batting .162 (6-for-37) in his last 18 games.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com.
Hong Kong: CE meets Malaysian PM

Arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today, Chief Executive John Lee met Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and spoke to leaders of local commercial and industrial sectors.

During his meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will further strengthen co-operation and exchanges with Malaysia in such areas as commerce and trade, investment, innovation and technology as well as culture and tourism. He also thanked Malaysia for supporting Hong Kongs accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Mr Lee also welcomed the Malaysia Government's extension of the visa-free entry period for Hong Kong SAR passport holders to a maximum of 90 days. With greater facilitation offered to Hong Kong SAR passport holders, he anticipates that this arrangement will further boost the connections and mutual benefits between the two places.

The Chief Executive then attended a luncheon hosted by Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, where he expressed gratitude to Mr Ouyang and the embassy for the thoughtful arrangements for this visit and support to the Hong Kong SAR Governments efforts to strive for early accession to RCEP.

Mr Lee and the Hong Kong SAR delegation attended a banquet in the evening with members of the National Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia. Addressing the event, he highlighted the immense potential for strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Malaysia, adding that the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Jakarta will continue to work closely with the chamber and the local business community to enhance bilateral relationships.

The Chief Executive will continue his visit in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Discovery could spur super-high-yield crops, reduce reliance on food imports

Chinese crop scientists have pinpointed a pair of genes that have played an outsized role in impeding two distant relatives in the rice family from crossbreeding.

The discovery has laid the groundwork for creating next-generation, super-high-yield rice crops and has provided a boon to China's efforts to curb its reliance on food imports, experts said.

The finding, they added, also marks a major breakthrough in humanity's protracted struggle to overcome reproductive isolation, an evolutionary phenomenon that has hindered efforts to pool well-performing genes through hybridization.

Discoveries yielded during the 13 years of research, which was led by Wan Jianmin of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, were published in an article on the website of scientific journal Cell late on Wednesday.

Researchers from the CAAS and Nanjing Agricultural University in Jiangsu province found that the two neighboring genes on the No 12 chromosome of rice dictate the fertility of hybrid rice pollen by affecting the energy-producing mitochondria in the cell.

A media release by the CAAS said the research was the first of its kind to explain rice hybrid sterility at the molecular level and described it as groundbreaking.

Wan, also a Chinese Academy of Engineering academician, said the discoveries can help fast-track the hybridizing effort targeting two rice varieties widely grown in the country: the less glutinous-tasting variety of hsien rice, and the keng rice strain, which is widely planted in colder provinces in the north.

"The end product is expected to raise rice output by 15 percent compared with the existing high-yield species," he told a news conference in Beijing held earlier on Wednesday to brief reporters about the major findings.

He estimated that with the aid of the latest findings, next-generation hybrid rice can be promoted on a large scale in about a decade.

Chong Kang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a top plant biologist, hailed the research as a milestone in crop breeding and said the findings will prove useful in the molecular design for super hybrid rice.

Earlier breeding efforts were mostly empirical, and in comparison, the most cutting-edge breeding technologies aim to "customize a molecule as if it were a manufactured product" to achieve the desired outcome.

China is a front-runner in hybrid rice breeding.

A breakthrough by late crop scientist Yuan Longping in the 1970s greatly boosted the yield of rice production in China and beyond, and earned him the title "father of hybrid rice".

Wan's research is part of broader efforts to hybridize more distant rice varieties to further bolster the yield of a food crop that is consumed as staple food by more than half of the world's population, as crossbreeding less-related varieties can normally produce higher-yielding offspring.

Wang Chaolong, a rice scientist involved in the research, said efforts to hybridize closer rice strains  such as the two substrains belonging to the hsien rice strain, which Yuan achieved  and to advance their yields have languished in recent years.

"In comparison, to hybridize the more distant hsien and keng rice varieties appears to be the most promising way to push up productivity in a short time frame," he said at the news conference.

The research has epitomized China's ramped-up efforts in recent years to bolster its food security through technologies.

At the annual Central Rural Work Conference in December, the central authorities elevated the importance of seed and breeding technology on a par with the traditionally important work of farmland preservation.

While addressing the news conference, Wu Kongming, president of the CAAS, said technologies are playing greater roles in farming, and expertise over genes are "chips in the agricultural field".

"We crop scientists must shoulder the responsibility to enhance independence in the area of agricultural technologies and set our sights on the frontier of the world's technological innovations," he said.

Customs data showed that China imported about 147 million metric tons of grain last year, accounting for 19 percent of its total food consumption that year.

Wang, the rice scientist, said China's food output must increase by 20 percent by 2030 to meet its rising food demand.
A convertible crib was among the latest recalls in the last week, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Pottery Barn Kids is recalling its Penny convertible cribs because the end panel can become loose, exposing sharp edges and posing a laceration hazard to children. The company has received two reports of the panels separating from the crib, though no injuries have been reported.

The recall involves the crib with model number 2850473 that was sold online at the companys website from September 2022 to April 2023.

Consumers should stop using the cribs and contact the company at 855-801-9300 to schedule delivery and installation of new end panels for the crib and removal of the old panels, or for a full refund.

Soojimus is recalling its Cupkin double-walled stainless steel childrens cups because the cups contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. No illnesses have been reported.

The cups were sold in 8 ounces and 12 ounces and in 12 different colors. They were sold online at Amazon and at Cupkin from January 2018 to March 2023.

Consumers should stop using the cups and contact the company at 888-721-0096 for a full refund.

Wild Country is recalling its Superlight Rocks cable wire chocks used for climbing because corrosion can occur when exposed to seaside conditions, which will weaken the cable chocks and can pose a fall hazard to climbers. No incidents have been reported.

The recall involves the set one to six with model number 40-RSL that were sold at REI, MEC and other specialty outdoor stores, as well as online at Wild Country, Back Country and Camp Saver from January 2017 to February 2023.

Consumers should stop using the product and contact the company at 844-412-7013 to coordinate free shipment for a free replacement.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that Rich Products is recalling 15 cases of Members Mark breaded mozzarella sticks because they may contain undeclared egg and soy.

The product was distributed to Sams Club retail stores in certain states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. No illnesses have been reported.

The FDA said the recall was initiated after the company discovered that an incorrect raw material was used during the manufacturing process, which introduced egg and soy to the product.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Trader Joes reported on its own website that it is recalling its almond windmill cookies and dark chocolate chunk and almond cookies because they may contain rocks.

The company said the recall affects the windmill cookies with a sell by date of Oct. 2 and Oct. 19 to Oct. 21, as well as the chocolate and almond cookies with a sell by date of Oct. 17 to Oct. 21.

Those who purchased the cookies should discard them or return them to any Trader Joes for a full refund.
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A new book has tales to tell about Virginia inns and hotels that may be popular haunts in a literal sense.

Haunted Inns and Hotels of Virginia includes several locations that will be familiar to Charlottesville-area readers, including Inn at Court Square, Hollymead Inn in Albemarle County, Lafayette Inn in Stanardsville, Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, Dunnlora Inn in Mineral and Mark Addy Inn in Nellysford.

For author Susan Schwartz, sharing stories about visitors and former owners who dont move on boosts history and tourism  and taps into a human fascination with what really happens after we check out of this life.

I think, for me, something happens in these places that cant be explained, said Schwartz. Her first nonfiction book, published in 2019, is Haunted Charlottesville and Surrounding Counties.

Im a skeptic still, but Ive seen things I just cant explain. For me, its a chance to see beyond that veil and see if theres something on the other side.

Illustrating her books can be a challenge. Schwartz said that a reader complained that there werent enough ghost pictures in Haunted Charlottesville and Surrounding Counties.

I have to be the first one to tell you that they arent always going to cooperate with you, Schwartz said. When people tell me that, I say, Its not an exact science. I get what I get. Its my intention for people who read the book to go to these places and see for themselves.

Some of the haunted inns seem to be sites for unfinished business. At Williamsburgs Kings Arms Tavern, employees say one ghost will come out after the people have cleaned to make sure it has been done properly, Schwartz said.

At Hollymead Inn, formerly known as Silver Thatch Inn, Hessian troops who were detained as prisoners of war can be heard  and occasionally seen  walking loudly across the floor. A bloodstain on a floor at the Lafayette Inn reportedly reappears every time it is scrubbed clean. A long-gone former porter named John gets the credit for a variety of unsettling sounds at the Inn at Court Square, especially involving a wall sconce that since has been removed.

Famous figures are reported to remain in residence at some landmarks, including beer magnate Adolph Coors at the Cavalier Hotel and possibly Thomas Jefferson at Williamsburgs Market Square Tavern.

I was fascinated by how Thomas Jefferson had a connection with many places from the Charlottesville book, Schwartz wrote in an email. I found him several times while researching the Haunted Hotel book as well  Market Square Tavern & Kitchen, Kings Arms Tavern, Black Horse Inn, Mark Addy Inn, Omni Homestead Resort, Natural Bridge Hotel. He spent time in many of these locations.

I mentioned the Black Horse Inn, as they had a room called The Jeffersonian, which had all sorts of Jefferson collectibles throughout the room. It just shows us that there is an interconnectedness between all of us in some strange way.

Choosing locations for her book involved a lot of research and seeing whats out there, Schwartz said. People will walk up to you and say, Have you heard about this place? Have you heard about that place?

Schwartz said that although some of her best leads come from locals who share their stories of haunted landmarks, many enticing ghost stories dont make it into print.

Many innkeepers happily shared additional stories and provided historical context. Other current owners of lodgings with ghostly reputations declined when Schwartz asked to include their properties in the book. For some, its not the image or vibe their clientele would embrace. For others, being listed simply could bring more foot traffic than staff members can juggle with serving their guests.

I always honor whatever they want, she said. Ive discovered that once you do something like this and say, Hey, this is haunted, it brings out all the ghosthunters in Virginia.

Schwartz said she has experienced several of the phenomena herself. At the Exchange Hotel in Orange County and a private residence in Blackstone, which she included in Haunted Charlottesville, I have been pushed down steps and poked a lot  not scary per se, but just startling when it happens, Schwartz wrote in an email.
In the coming days or weeks Mayor LaToya Cantrell appears all but certain to nominate acting New Orleans Police Department Chief Michelle Woodfork to be the departments permanent superintendent. That will come after a laughable national search produced several unimpressive alternatives, most of whom were fired from their previous jobs or otherwise left in disgrace.

In our view, the fix is in. On top of that, Cantrell is playing a dangerous game of chicken with the City Council. A recent City Charter change gives the council the authority to vet and confirm or reject the mayors nominee.

Cantrell seems to think the council doesnt have the spine to independently vet  and possibly reject  her choice.

Meanwhile, Council President JP Morrell, Vice President Helena Moreno and Budget Chair Joe Giarrusso have made clear they won't automatically approve Cantrells pick. However, three votes do not a majority make on the seven-member council.

Woodfork would be a historic pick, to be sure. Its well past time that a Black woman led NOPD. Shes also generally well liked by the departments command structure, has the mayors ear and has spent decades in New Orleans as a working police and supervisor.

Moreover, compared to the other finalists, Woodfork has fewer, shall we say, egregious marks against her. She hasnt, for instance, killed anyone after getting off a party bus, like one of her fellow finalists.

But that doesnt mean Woodforks record is exemplary. In fact, shes faced multiple disciplinary actions, according to WWL-TV. She was suspended three times for lying to investigators about personal relationships with other NOPD officers and had domestic abuse complaints filed against her. In 2005, she was subject to demotion for lying to investigators and being negligent in her duties.

More recently, Woodfork has served as point person for NOPD recruitment. By any reasonable measure, that effort has been a failure. Despite clear evidence to the contrary, NOPD and Cantrell have propped up strawmen as excuses for NOPDs imploding manpower numbers.

The administrations excuses range from public hostility toward police to a lack of new squad cars. Meanwhile, Woodfork and Cantrell have ignored what departing officers repeatedly cite as their reasons for leaving: corruption, cronyism and nepotism.

The failures of Woodforks recruitment efforts arent just a matter of public safety. Theyre also starting to cost the city significant sums of money. As the public learned earlier in July, NOPDs staffing level has shrunk to the point that beginning this month, the city will be fined tens of thousands of dollars a month by the Municipal Police Employee Retirement System.

NOPD and the Cantrell administration have known for months, if not years, that the fines were coming, yet they hid that fact from the City Council and the public until recently.

Most concerning, however, is the fact that Woodfork has engaged in what can only be described as intimidation tactics against a critic of a political ally of the mayor. In 2021, Belden Noonie Man Batiste and then-Council Member Jay Banks were embroiled in a political dispute, which culminated in five NOPD officers  three captains and two sergeants  showing up at Batistes home ostensibly to deliver a summons.

Woodfork was among the unusually large contingent of rank who went to Batistes home that day. Everything about it reeked of intimidation.

While Woodfork and other officers were cleared of wrongdoing, their show of force sent a clear message to Batiste and the public: Dont get too vocal against certain people.

This raises a reasonable concern about Woodfork, should she become chief. Would she use the vast power of the NOPD to silence critics of NOPD, Cantrell or their allies?

Voters gave the council confirmation authority not because they enjoy watching performative hearings. They voted for it to provide a check against abuses of executive power and to make sure city agencies are led by the best possible candidates.

Whether Woodforks overall record outweighs her past indiscretions remains to be seen.

Ultimately, the council must ensure the vetting of Cantrells nominee  whether its Woodfork or another finalist  reveals everything we need to know about NOPDs next chief.
Chick-fil-A, the fast-food franchise with a following so devout that the line of cars to enter its parking lot often winds down the street, wants to build its sixth restaurant in Metairie at the intersection of Airline Drive and Severn Avenue, according to public records.

Jefferson Parish planners dont like the initial proposal, however. They say the property owners want to sacrifice some landscaping, trees and buffer strips for paved parking and two drive-thru lanes, and to erect twice as many signs as allowed by law for the site.

A separate analysis could come Thursday from the Planning Advisory Board, in advance of a final decision later by the Parish Council.
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks before a meeting with state, and local law enforcement leaders to discuss efforts to fight against violent crime at the New Orleans FBI Division office in New Orleans, La. Thursday, May 5, 2022. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
Eleven people are without a home after a fire broke out late Tuesday afternoon at a multistory apartment complex on Commonwealth Drive.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene just four minutes after receiving the dispatch call, authorities told The Daily Progress. They said they found the apartment building engulfed in flames, with fire already breaking through the roof.

Six units were affected. No cause for the blaze has been identified yet, Albemarle County spokeswoman Abbey Stumpf said Wednesday.

Police officers were able to arrive moments before fire units on the scene Tuesday and assisted with evacuating residents, the county said. Through their combined efforts, all the residents who were at home during the incident were able to escape to safety without harm.

During the rescue operation, however, one cat was lost.

The Red Cross is providing assistance to the 11 displaced residents.

Stumpf said this event is a reminder for people to make plans to be prepared in event of an emergency.

Every time there is a devastating house fire and people lose all of their possessions, it reminds us in the community the impact that can have, Stumpf said. Make sure that you have a meet-up spot with your family, you know how to get out when you need to, and that you check those smoke alarms.
Two hundred years ago, it was tobacco. The long, flat-bottomed batteau invented to transport the crop down the James River turned Scottsville into one of the biggest port cities in the early 19th-century Virginia.

Now, with a 530-person population and a one-block downtown, Scottsville might not look like much to someone passing through. But on the towns very own stretch of the James River still float the batteaux, although carrying very different cargo.

The James River Batteau Company offers both midday and sunset cruises in its batteau, paired with charcuterie boards, local history lessons and live music. Since co-owners Will Smith and Will Cash founded the tour company at springs start last year, theyve been booked just under capacity with tourists from Charlottesville, Richmond, Washington and beyond.

Where I really think the future of tourism in Albemarle County and Charlottesville is the merger of the raw beauty of this area with its unique history, Smith told The Daily Progress on a recent Thursday evening drifting down the James. This is a story of a small town thats got a lot to offer, and were bringing the towns history and heritage to life.

Bringing history to life

That history begins with European immigrants in the 18th century trying to make their fortunes in tobacco. Settlements expanded from the already-saturated Tidewater into the Piedmont, where space and rich soil for tobacco were abundant.

The problem is, weve moved out to the middle of nowhere, which is what Scottsville would have been by then, Smith said. Some people suggest that Scottsville is still in the middle of nowhere, depending on what your perspective is.

Settlers of the Piedmont got creative with how to transport the cash crop back to Richmond for export: At first, it was by rolling giant barrels of tobacco one by one down the roads. When that proved detrimental to the quality of the crop, they turned to the river.

Construction of the batteaus predecessor, the double dugout canoe, demanded all the old-growth trees in the area be cut down. That deforestation led to Scottsvilles biggest flood to date. Far surpassing the size of a flood today, which might submerge a parking lot and give Scottsvillians a day of fishing from the railroad tracks, the 1771 disaster destroyed all of the canoes in one night.

But theres good news, Smith said, as his modern-day batteau-goers sat, transfixed at his storytelling. Amherst County, Virginia, has a long history of producing ingenious young men  you have three of them on board with you today.

Those three young men  not to be confused with Smith, Cash and Luke Johnston onboard  would go on to invent the design for the batteau. Steering the boat from its rear sweep at the stern, Smith pointed out the vessels key features: a flat bottom, pointed ends and accompanying long cedar poles, which Cash and Johnston used to propel the craft forward.

The batteaux would go on to revolutionize the tobacco industry and river commerce, bringing wealth, whiskey and the windows of Monticello to the James upriver cities. In the modern day, the cargo looks different: up to twelve tourists, buckets of ice for bring-your-own beverages, dripping candles and charcuterie boards.

Modern-day beginnings

Smith, Cash and Johnston have known each other their whole lives. Smith and Johnston were next-door neighbors in grammar school, and all three were friends in high school. Smiths start with batteaux began even earlier, when his father built the familys first batteau the very year Smith was born.

I dont think he ever thought it was going to be a career path, Smith said. His father, an industrial arts teacher, built the boat with his students and, in 1987, began participating in the James River Batteau Festival, an annual celebration of batteaux and batteau history. As many as 25 boats travel the 120 miles from Lynchburg to Richmond over eight days, during which the batteaumen share food, songs and stories  and sleep in tents on their boats.

Smith grew up watching his dad at the festival and learning to love batteaux for himself.

You could imagine as a kid this is like a playground, especially at night out here when the lightning bugs are dancing around in the trees, Smith said. His first batteau after graduating high school was a sinking mess, but Smith and his friends took it out to the festival anyway, spending entire nights bailing it out.

Were all 18, 19, and testosterone is pouring out of the boat in every direction, Smith said. What has gone from this slightly Lord of the Flies-on-the-James-River experience has turned into my high school friends reunion.

Smith, Cash and Johnston have been part of the Batteau Festival for 17 years. After that first sinking batteau they built the Harvest Moon, one of the two boats now used for the tour company.

Weve kind of been scheming on it forever, Cash said, referring to the company. Working in hospitality and tourism gave Cash and Smith the experience to finally make it happen in 2022. They scoured the internet and Virginias historical societies to prepare a story for the tours, which last April through October.

Smith and Cash built their second batteau after the first season proved successful, drawing tourists including Richmonder Lisa Freiman and her out-of-state family from New Haven, Connecticut. In a staycation of sorts, Freiman wanted to explore the local area and its history.

I didnt even know Scottsville existed, Freiman said.

Putting Scottsville on the map

Smith said the company is profitable and is booked roughly 85% most days with visitors from Charlottesville, Richmond, Washington and even farther afield. Its nothing compared to the booming wine country in the surrounding area or the theater and book festivals in downtown Charlottesville, but the tour company is driving business at other spots in Scottsville, such as the local brewery and restaurants.

People are coming to Scottsville, a place theyve never heard of or seen, Cash said. Then they leave our tours and go spend money in town.

Laura Mays, a local business owner in Scottsville, echoed Cashs sentiments. Scottsville has always been a river economy, but tourism has picked up in the past decade through word of mouth and day-trip advertising from the Chamber of Commerce, she told The Daily Progress.

Theres a lot that goes on here, said Mays, who has lived in Scottsville her whole life. Its a quiet, small town that appeals to people from the busier areas.

Former Mayor Nancy Gill said she has met tourists visiting from across the country and even abroad. One man hailing from Ireland stopped in Scottsville on a bike trip from Boston to Miami. After Gill introduced him to some locals, he stayed in town for another week.

Im hoping that as we move forward, we maintain that small-town quality that makes this place a very interesting and somewhat magical place for people to visit, Gill told The Daily Progress. But at the same time, we need to be very thoughtful about growth.

What Im seeing, and I think its very healthy, is businesses more or less promoting tourism through what they do, Gill said. Having done the batteau tour multiple times herself, Gill said the James River Batteau Company has hit upon a winning business.

Smith and Cash arent the only ones tapping into the James River for recreation. On any given day there are plenty of kayakers, fishers and tubers floating in its waters. The batteaumen scheduled their cruises around the busiest times on the river, learning quickly that Kid Rock blasting on a Saturday afternoon would kill the tranquil experience they were trying to create.

This areas got lots of outdoor recreation potential, but its also got lots of really unique history, Smith said. So were trying to bridge some of that, tell a story while keeping people outside.

First full-time batteaumen in 150 years

As part of that story, Smith and Cash pay homage to the original batteaumen, who were often enslaved Black people and freedmen.

Tobacco would turn Virginia into a powerhouse of early America, and these mens role in that often goes untold, Smith said.

The work of batteaumen was difficult, with long hours in the hot sun spent poling their boats through shallow, snagging parts of the river. It took up to a week to transport thousands of pounds of tobacco to Richmond, and multiple weeks to travel back upriver.

But as many batteaux would make the journey at the same time, there are stories of a community forming on the James  a community Smith and Cash have also found growing up around batteaux.

A lot of our good friends, we might not be home for Christmas, but we would always be home for the Batteau Festival, Smith said.

Now, theyve opened up that community to the public, and theyre not done yet. The company is planning a farm to batteau experience later this year, where theyll cook over a wood fire built right in the boat itself, much like batteaumen used to do.

As ever, the local history will remain an integral part of their tours. While not in any textbooks he has read, Smith said he believes the regions settlement cannot be understood without first understanding the early economy and batteaux.

Then theres the pure serenity of the cruises, an appeal for even those who dont care for the history. Easy conversation over Smiths guitar, the occasional sighting of a black bear swimming along or a bobcat chasing a fawn into the river water, the smooth white oak of the batteau. The speckled river rippling in the path of the boat, propelled by Cash and Johnston, their beige Crocs flexing on the boards.

The quiet, open feeling as the light fades and the batteaux head upriver, right into the sunset.
The news that Devon and Cornwalls chief constable Will Kerr has been suspended by the two counties police commissioner for alleged misconduct is a setback for a highly-decorated police officer.

An expert in organised crime and terrorism, Mr Kerr has been a police officer for more than 30 years and recently became a member of an international policing group dealing in complex global politics as well as overseeing his westcountry beat.

He was awarded the OBE in 2015 while serving as assistant chief constable in Northern Ireland. On the last day of 2022 he received the Kings Policing Medal in the new year honours list.

Todays bombshell came in a short statement from the office of police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez, which said Ms Hernandez had suspended the chief constable following allegations of misconduct.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which will investigate the matter.

No details have been given on the reasons for the suspension, and Ms Hernandez office has not elaborated on the contents of the short statement. The chief constable has not commented on the suspension.

Ms Hernandez statement said the suspension had been made in accordance with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which gives a commissioner the power to appoint, suspend or ask a chief constable to resign or retire.

Acting chief constable Jim Colwell said: I understand our communities will be concerned and I am keen to reassure the public that we will maintain our focus on delivering the best possible service to our communities.

We have thousands of dedicated and professional officers, staff and volunteers within our force and strong leadership throughout which, when pulled together, mean we can continue to make improvements at pace to provide our communities with the highest levels of service they deserve.

Public trust and confidence are at the very heart of our ability to police effectively and we are incredibly proud that in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly we have the support of our communities.

I will be stepping into the role of acting chief constable on an interim basis to ensure consistency of leadership and service delivery of policing across the peninsula. This now remains a matter for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the IOPC to investigate.

Mr Kerr joined the Devon and Cornwall force as Chief Constable just eight months ago, having most recently been deputy chief constable for Police Scotland, with responsibility for local policing provision throughout that nation.

He also oversaw both the criminal justice portfolio, and the partnership, prevention and community wellbeing portfolio, a command of more than 16,500 officers and staff.

He was elected to one of the three European delegate posts for the executive committee of Interpol in November 2021, a position he had been due to hold until November next year. It is not clear how this influential post, involving complex global politics in an organisation consisting of 195 member countries, will be affected by todays announcement.

Mr Kerr spent more than 27 years in the Police Service of Northern Ireland where he rose to the rank of assistant chief constable for crime and operations, leading on serious crime and counter terrorism.

While in Belfast he was responsible for policing all major events in the city and was the strategic commander for the parading season in Northern Ireland. The Devon and Cornwall police website says he is a very experienced firearms commander and has significant investigative expertise in serious and organised crime, and counter terrorism.

In 2017 and 2018 he was director of vulnerabilities command in the National Crime Agency, co-ordinating the UKs response to child sexual abuse, modern slavery, human trafficking and organised immigration crime.
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The man accused of driving up and shooting a young man on the Corner in Charlottesville near the University of Virginia in December  what a prosecutor described as a wanton and debilitating attack  has pleaded guilty to malicious wounding and other charges.

Anthony Marcus Paige made the pleas Tuesday in Charlottesville Circuit Court before Judge Claude Worrell.

I accept your pleas, said Worrell, noting that he could sentence the 29-year-old to up to 40 years in prison. I find you guilty as charged.

The additional charges are using a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharging a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school.

Prosecutor Nina-Alice Antony showed the court a surveillance video that captured what happened between 2:17 and 2:18 a.m. on Dec. 18.

Two cars pause outside of Boylan Heights and Christians Pizza during what was said to be an argument between two groups on 14th Street. The two cars proceed up the block to the vicinity of a convenience store. Paige and a woman identified as 30-year-old Staunton resident Mariah Shavone Smith emerge from the lead car.

Paige approaches and chest bumps a young man later identified as 24-year-old Airrick Salisbury, an employee at the University of Virginias Runk Dining Hall.

A friend of Salisburys extends an arm to keep Paige away, and Salisbury walks up the street with his arms at his side. Suddenly, Paige attacks Salisbury with a salvo of punches, and Smith also starts punching Salisbury.

As Salisbury begins turning the tide on Paige by grabbing his legs and upending him, the video shows that Paige has already withdrawn a handgun from a pocket. As Paige lands on his back, he fires point-blank into Salisburys chest.

While Paige begins returning to his vehicle, the blue lights of a pair of police cars can already be seen under the railroad bridge at the foot of 14th Street. Nonetheless, Smith inexplicably delivers four punches and then four kicks to the head of the gravely injured Salisbury.

He spent several weeks in intensive care, Antony told the court. He is still recovering to this day.

Antony said that Salisbury has endured numerous life-saving surgeries, including one that took place just a day before the hearing.

Paiges attorney David Heilberg said that Paige has suffered from a history of trauma, including an attack that required more than 90 stitches to his face. Heilberg went on to note that his client had both a legal and moral right to carry a firearm  particularly after the the weeks-earlier murder of his brother  and he has been diagnosed in the jail with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Heilberg gave no clue about his clients motive in attacking a stranger. Nor did he name Paiges brother, but courtgoers identified him as 31-year-old Davonn Jamar Wilson, who was slain Oct. 23 on the Downtown Mall in a hail of gunfire that began inside Lucky Blues restaurant.

Judge Worrell has ordered a presentencing report and a victim-impact statement. He set the sentencing for Oct. 10.

After Tuesdays hearing, Salisburys mother indicated that she was too distraught to comment.

Moments prior to Paiges plea, his co-defendant in the case, Smith, appeared in court for what the prosecutor indicated would be a guilty plea. However, on a joint motion from both the prosecution and defense, her case was pushed back to Aug. 31. Her attack on Salisbury resulted in a malicious wounding charge, a felony that can bring a maximum 20-year term.
Art Barn School of Art will host a guest artist workshop this fall to teach landscape painting.

The art school at 695 N. 400 East in Valparaiso will host Mark Vander Vinne, who will teach his "Painting the Artistic Landscape" class.

The three-day workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 13 through Oct. 15. Intended for all levels of painters, it will teach how to create compelling landscapes with oil paint and other artistic media.

Vander Vinne's work is on display in the lobby of the Art Barn through Sept. 22. He's a celebrated Northwest Indiana landscape painter who draws inspiration from nature and whose work is influenced by tonalism and impression and contains elements of illustration and abstraction. His work evokes moods with light and color, capturing the changing weather, seasons and light throughout the year.

He's a member of the American Impressionist Society, Indiana Plein Air Painters Association and the Hoosier Salon.

"When I begin painting, I first seek out the abstract shapes within the scene," said Vander Vinne. "Using these shapes, I can craft a composition that capture the viewer's attention."

Registration is open through Sept. 29. It costs $375, including lunch.

"Art Barns relaxing, retreat atmosphere and small class sizes allow adult participants to fully immerse themselves in an intensive work environment. Workshops include lectures, demonstrations, instruction and work time," the Art Barn School of Art said in a press release. "Guest Artist Workshops are designed to help adult students improve specific skills in an immersive group environment and to provide the opportunity for networking with other artists from the community and other areas of the country. Additionally, the workshops provide access to experienced teaching artists with international reputations to the local community."

For more information, visit www.artbarnschool.org, email info@artbarnschool.org or call 219-462-9009.
A biographer of the acclaimed photographer Vivian Maier will give a talk about the undiscovered nanny who was posthumously heralded as a genius at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts this weekend.

Pamela Bannos will give an author talk at 5 p.m. Sunday at the arts center at 101 W. 2nd St. in Michigan City in conjunction with its blockbuster summer exhibit of Maier's internationally renowned work.

She wrote the book "Vivian Maier: A Photographers Life and Afterlife."

"Bannos richly detailed and meticulously researched study contrasts Maiers life with the mythology that strangers have created around her absence," the Lubeznik Center for the Arts said in a press release. "The myth of Maier as the 'nanny savant' has eclipsed her true achievements, skills and intentions. She was not a nanny who moonlighted as a photographer; she was a photographer who supported herself as a nanny."

She will sign copies of her book, which the Lubeznik will sell in the LCA Gallery Shop after her talk.

"Bannos is an artist and researcher who utilizes methods that highlight the forgotten and overlooked, exploring the links between visual representation, urban space, history and collective memory," the Lubeznik Center for the Arts said in a press release. "Her practice splits its focus between photographic works and research projects that result in site-specific, web-based, written and audio works. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including in solo exhibitions at the Photographers' Gallery in London, England and the Edwynn Houk Gallery in New York."

Bannos teaches at Northwestern University. She's chronicled the life and work of Maier, whose candid street photography has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.

"A discerning amateur photographer, Maier took thousands of pictures throughout her life, refining her craft through her explorations around Chicago, her home base from 1956 on. She died in 2009 before her lifes work was shared with the world," the Lubeznik Center for the Arts said in a press release. "She left behind hundreds of prints, 100,000 negatives and about a thousand rolls of undeveloped film, which were discovered when a collector purchased the contents of her storage lockers. There is no proof she ever made a concerted effort to show her workgifting us the mystery of an elusive woman behind the camera."

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit lubeznikcenter.org.
ArcelorMittal reported a profit of nearly $1.9 billion in the second quarter, or $2.21 per share.

That's up from $1.1 billion in the first quarter, or $1.28 per share.

The Luxembourg-based steelmaker, whose North American operations are headquartered in Schererville, increased earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, to $2.6 billion in the second quarter, up from $1.8 billion in the first quarter.

We have delivered a strong set of financials in the first half of the year, which reflect the improved market conditions and also the positive impact of recent strategic acquisitions. Both ArcelorMittal Pecem in Brazil and ArcelorMittal Texas HBI in the United States are making a valuable contribution, generating above expected EBITDA," CEO Aditya Mittal said. "Meanwhile, organic growth projects that will enhance our ability to produce higher added-value products in high-growth markets, as well as investments in our lower-carbon supply chains, are starting to demonstrate their potential."

The steelmaker, which also operates ArcelorMittal Global R&D in East Chicago's Indiana Harbor neighborhood, earned EBITDA of $183 per ton in the second quarter, up from EBITDA of $126 a ton in the first quarter as a result of rising prices.

The company, which sold off its Region mills to Cleveland-Cliffs a few years ago, generated $1 billion in fresh cash flow during the quarter.

We are making further strategic progress on our decarbonization agenda. Encouragingly, we have now received funding approval from the European Commission for our transformation projects in Belgium, Spain and France. This is an important milestone and we are now engaged in discussions with governments on the cost and availability of the clean energy needed to make these projects viable," Mittal said. "On the technology front, we are encouraged by the progress in direct electrolysis which has enabled us to commit to building the worlds first low-temperature iron electrolysis pilot plant. We continue to see growing demand from customers for our XCarb products and earlier this week the design for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic torch was unveiled, which is being made with our reduced-carbon steel. The torch has a beautiful, intricate design and reflects the admirable ambition of Paris 2024 to halve the carbon footprint compared with previous games."

ArcelorMittal ended the quarter with net debt of $4.5 billion or $700 million lower than the end of the first quarter. That's despite an ongoing stock buyback of $200 million in shares and awarding another $200 million in dividends to shareholders.

Looking ahead, the company is in a good position and focused on delivering further strategic progress in the second half," Mittal said.
CROWN POINT  A Chicago woman faces three neglect charges after police found her inebriated with her three children during a traffic stop, charges state.

Court records indicate that 34-year-old Brittaney Wald was charged on Friday with three counts of neglect of a dependent, which is a level six felony. If convicted on all three counts, shed face up to seven and a half years in prison.

Charging documents allege that on June 24, officers pulled over a white Ford Flex because the vehicle was swerving backwards on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near the 6-mile-marker in Gary.

When police spoke to the vehicles occupants, they found Wald and a relative who was driving the car arguing with each other. Officers wrote in the probable cause affidavit that they asked both females to stop arguing in front of the kids, and they did, but they continued to begin arguing on and off.

Wald had her three children in the car with her, who are respectively 12 years old, 3 years old and 6 months old. The affidavit said that none of the children were wearing shoes and the younger kids only had diapers on.

Wald told police that they were driving from Chicago to Michigan because she had lost her housing, charges state.

Walds eyes were very glossy and bloodshot, and when she spoke with (police), her speech was very slurred, and she was not making logical statements but would not finish a sentence and would often repeat the same things over and over, charging documents state.

When officers spoke to the car's driver, she told them that Wald had taken drugs when she was in Chicago and she was not in the right state of mind, according to the probable-cause affidavit.

Police also wrote in the affidavit Wald smelled of alcohol and when they asked her to comply with a drug test she told them no and said that she did not want them to see what would be on it at that time.

The children were taken into custody by the Department of Child Protective Services on the scene, according to charging documents.

Court records indicate that Wald bailed out of the Lake County Jail on July 26 and her next court appearance is set for Aug. 2 in Judge Gina Joness courtroom.
PORTAGE  Portage police are crediting fellow officers in Hammond and license plate recognition systems for enabling them to nab a man believed responsible for a robbery Monday at the local Horizon Bank on Willowcreek Road.

David E.M. Gant, of Portage, was taken into custody around 12:38 p.m. Wednesday by Hammond police at the Days Inn and Suites by Wyndham at 4000 Calumet Ave., Portage Police Lt. Rob Maynard said.

Gant had quickly been identified as a suspect in the robbery after officers reviewed surveillance video footage and recognized him from a previous incident, Maynard said.

His vehicle had been picked up by a license plate recognition system in Portage shortly after the robbery and later by a similar system in Hammond.

Portage police shared what they knew about the robbery with surrounding departments and Hammond officers located Gant's vehicle Tuesday outside the hotel in their jurisdiction, Maynard said. Hammond officers took Gant into custody Wednesday.

Portage police detectives travelled to Hammond Wednesday and took custody of Gant, Maynard said. Gant is being held without bond at the Porter County Jail and faces a felony count of robbery.

"We extend our thanks and appreciation to the Hammond Police Department for dedicating numerous hours toward locating Mr. Gant and taking him into custody," Maynard said.

Portage police said they had been called out around 2:25 p.m. Monday to the Horizon Bank at 2650 Willowcreek Road in response to a panic alarm.

Police discovered the bank had been robbed by a man who presented the teller with a note demanding money.

"No direct threats were made, and no weapons were displayed or implied during this incident," police said.

The suspect, later identified as Gant, fled the bank with money and was not immediately apprehended.

Gant is scheduled to make an initial appearance on the robbery charge Friday morning before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer.
MICHIGAN CITY  Police say speed appears to have played a role in a fatal motorcycle crash Wednesday night along Woodlawn Avenue in the area of Hitchcock Street.

Michigan City police said they and other emergency responders were called to the site around 10 p.m. and found a man dead next to his crashed motorcycle.

Man arrested in wake of Portage bank robbery; department cooperation, technology credited "We extend our thanks and appreciation to the Hammond Police Department for dedicating numerous hours toward locating Mr. Gant and taking him into custody," Portage police said.

"A preliminary investigation revealed that the operator of the motorcycle was traveling westbound on Woodlawn Avenue at a high rate of speed approaching the curve to the west of Hitchcock Street," Michigan City Police Lt. Steve Westphal said.

"The operator applied the brakes causing the rear tire of the motorcycle to lock up, making the motorcycle skid," Westphal said. "The motorcycle then fell on its side, sliding approximately 160ft before hitting a utility pole located off of the roadway."

The identity of the deceased driver is being withheld at this time until proper notifications are made, police said.

"Police are awaiting the results of toxicology tests to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a factor," according to Westphal.

Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact Cpl. Brian Wright at 219-874-3221, extension 1008 or at bwright@emichigancity.com.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into LaPorte County Jail William Conner Robin Hensley Benjamin Soulcheck Daniel Jones Kyle Knoll Kellen Wilson Joshua Shepherd Melissa Chambers Lucas Bradford Lakisha Walker Jaqwaun Summers Delancy Brown Caitrin Demask Arthur Smith Josiah Hostetler Corey Newsome Brian Hoops James Blackwell Jovanny Orduna
New parents and caregivers can get free car seats at an upcoming event.

Franciscan Health and Geminus Regional Health Systems will give away car seats at a car seat safety clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 4. Eligible parents and caregivers can get free car seats and learn how to use car seats properly and safely at the Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program parking lot on Ogden Street just west of Hohman Avenue in Hammond.

"Car seats will be available free of charge to qualifying Indiana residents thanks to a generous grant from Geminus Regional Health Systems. The seats will be installed by a certified technician while supplies last," Franciscan Health said in a news release. "Caregivers must bring children to the event to allow the technicians to create a safe, proper fit."

The federal government estimates car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between 1 and 13 years old. As many as 40% of fatal crashes involved cars seats that were used incorrectly, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Car seats save an estimated 325 children under 5 years old every year.

The hope is to save lives by helping put a dent in the 46% of cases where car seats are used incorrectly.

"The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends all drivers who transport young children in passenger vehicles have their car seats checked by a certified technician," Franciscan Health said in a news release.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 219-852-7875 or visit www.franciscanhealth.org.
MERRILLVILLE  Kosta Nuses was sworn in as Merrillvilles police chief during the Tuesday's Town Council meeting.

He succeeds Wiley Luther Cuttino as Merrillvilles top cop. Since January, Nuses served as the towns interim police chief while the Town Council searched for a new chief. Nuses was selected from a field of multiple candidates.

Im going to do my best to make everybody here proud and serve the public the best I can, said Nuses, a 1995 Merrillville High School graduate. Im a Merrillville resident, and I take great pleasure in serving the public here.

Merrillville officers, Merrillville clergy, the Merrillville Police Commission, and local police chiefs stood in support of Nuses as he was sworn in.

Crown Point Police Chief Ryan Patrick, Schererville Police Chief Pete Sormaz, Lake County Police Chief Vince Balbo, and Gary Police Chief Anthony Titus participated in the ceremony.

Nuses, who has served the Merrillville Police Department since 2005, said his department is working on a variety of objectives to enhance safety in the town.

That includes studying traffic patterns to develop a creative and proactive approach to address speeding and reckless driving. Nuses said data collected from digital speed limit signs in town and crash statistics will be used in the analysis.

He said the Police Department is also collaborating with the Parks Department to use mobile cameras to monitor parks and prevent mischief and vandalism at the facilities. Nuses is also working with the town attorney and other Merrillville officials to update and create new ordinances.

In addition to Nuses, Brycen Nylin was sworn in as Merrillvilles newest officer. Nylin will attend the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy before he begins patrolling streets.
VALPARAISO  Valparaiso will be getting a new Assistant Chief of Police this fall.

Detective Sgt. Mark LaMotte will take over as assistant chief on Oct. 2, when current Assistant Chief Michael DeHaven retires.

LaMotte has been with the Valparaiso Police Department for over a decade. He graduated from the Indiana University Police Academy while majoring in business and minoring in criminal justice. He is currently working towards a Masters degree in Business Administration at Valparaiso University, he is a graduate of Northwestern Universitys School of Police Staff and Command, and he served in the Indiana Army National Guard for three years.

Were grateful to have someone with Mark LaMottes qualifications and commitment to serve our community. We are confident that he is an excellent choice for our next assistant chief, Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy said in a city news release.

Outgoing assistant chief DeHaven is retiring after almost 30 years with the department. His law enforcement career began in the Hendricks County Sheriffs Department; he joined the Valparaiso Police Department in 1996. He served as corporal, detective corporal, detective sergeant and as captain of patrol before becoming assistant chief of police in 2017.

Mark is going to make a fantastic Assistant Chief of Police. With the team Mayor Murphy and Chief Andrew McIntyre have assembled to lead the police department, the city will be in safe hands for years to come, DeHaven said in the news release.

McIntyre was named chief in January after his predecessor, Jeff Balon, was elected Porter County sheriff. McIntyre joined the Valparaiso force in 2009.

GALLERY: New solar panels at Valparaiso City Hall Valparaiso unveils new solar panels Valparaiso unveils new solar panels Valparaiso unveils new solar panels Valparaiso unveils new solar panels Valparaiso unveils new solar panels Valparaiso unveils new solar panels Valparaiso unveils new solar panels Valparaiso unveils new solar panels
Jake Fahlfeder was expected at his mothers place on July 18. He never showed.

Virginia has more than 350 open missing persons cases, according to the most recent information updated by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Now Jake Fahlfeder of Greene County is one of those cases, and his family is asking for the publics assistance finding him.

This is completely out of the norm for him, and we are just asking people to please, please check cameras, dash cams, ring doorbells, anything, trail cams, anything that you can think of if youre in that area, to check and see if you see him, Kayla Fahlfeder told The Daily Progress.

Jake Fahlfeder, 31, was last seen around 7 p.m. on July 18 in Ruckersville, according to the Greene County Sheriffs Office. Since then, he has not returned home or shown up to his workplace in Arlington, police said.

What happened was on Tuesday night, he went out to get cigarettes and he was supposed to be coming back to the house to hang out with my mom, Kayla Fahlfeder, sister of Jake Fahlfeder, said. My mom showered, and I guess she fell asleep. When she woke up, he hadnt come back and she sent him a text message saying, Oh that Sheetz must have been in California, or something like that. You know, joking about how long it took him to go get cigarettes.

Jake Fahlfeder didnt talk to his mother every day, according to his sister. It got worrisome when others reached out asking about him two days after he was supposed to come home and he hadnt shown up for work.

It wasnt unheard of for her [Fahlfeders mother] to not get a message from him every day, and on Thursday his boss and his friend called my mom and said, Jake never showed up for work. Have you seen him? Do you know where hes at? We cant get a hold of him. And that made my mom panic, so she of course started calling him, his phone was going straight to voicemail. And thats when she made the missing persons report, Kayla Fahlfeder said.

The search for Jake Fahlfeder has now entered its second week.

The likelihood that a persons life is in danger significantly increases after the first 72 hours, according to criminologists. After that time, witnesses memories begin to fade.

His family received an update about his car being found near Lake Gordonsville, Bowlers Mill Lake and a tip that he may have been spotted at a gas station, according to his sister.

The most recent thing that weve gotten is that they did search the lake near where his car was found and they didnt find him, she said. There was no signs of him, no signs of his wallet or keys. And the tip that we had gotten that he might have possibly been seen at a gas station, close to where his car was found  we got the security footage from there, and unfortunately, he was not on the security footage, so we dont believe that it was him.

The sheriffs office has still been unable to locate Fahlfeder, but it continues to search the area, officials told The Daily Progress. Multiple jurisdictions are pulling resources together, including drone, dive and canine teams, in an effort to find him, those officials added.

This isnt something that Jake has ever done, Kayla Fahlfeder said. Hes never packed up his things, or not packed up his things, and just disappeared. Hes never gone this long without talking to someone whether it be his friends, his family, somebody.
Last week, Florida approved an overhaul of its African American history standards, including guidance that middle schoolers should be instructed that slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

Outrage ensued, including from Vice President Kamala Harris, who blasted the standards, saying, They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us.

Shes right. But I think the project underway in Florida is far larger and far more consequential than many comprehend. The insult to Black people  and to the country  is incidental.

In the same way that Donald Trump made his bones as Americas white nationalist in chief, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is trying to make his as the countrys chief Christian nationalist, a subset of white supremacy that holds that God has ordained America as a Christian nation and that its ideals must be protected from the encroachment of pluralism  racial, religious or otherwise.
A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected a bid by a Yemeni prisoner at Guantanamo Bay to have a new military jury reconsider his life sentence for conspiring to commit war crimes as a propaganda chief for Al Qaeda and an aide to Osama bin Laden.

Earlier appeals struck down two of the three crimes for which Ali Hamza al-Bahlul was convicted in 2008. His lawyer, Michel Paradis, had argued that a new sentencing jury should be assembled at the base to hear evidence and arguments on whether his remaining conspiracy conviction deserved a lesser sentence.

Mr. Paradis also sought reconsideration of the sentence because, a year after Mr. Bahluls trial, Guantanamos military commission system was overhauled to explicitly prohibit the use of evidence obtained by the use of torture or by cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said that the sentence should stand and that the prisoners lawyers brought up the question of torture too late in the appellate process.
The Transportation Department announced on Wednesday that it had finalized new regulations to require more commercial aircraft to have accessible bathrooms, a long-awaited step to address complaints from disabled travelers about the difficulties of flying.

Under the regulations, new single-aisle planes with at least 125 seats will eventually be required to have at least one lavatory large enough for a disabled passenger and an attendant to enter and move around in. Twin-aisle planes are already required to have an accessible lavatory.

Traveling can be stressful enough without worrying about being able to access a restroom, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. Yet today, millions of wheelchair users are forced to choose between dehydrating themselves before boarding a plane or avoiding air travel altogether.

The finalized regulations came out of a lengthy effort by the Transportation Department, dating back to the Obama administration, to develop new rules intended to improve air travel for people with disabilities. In 2016, an advisory committee established by the department called for accessible bathrooms on new, larger single-aisle planes, and the department proposed new regulations last year to carry out that recommendation.
A federal judge on Wednesday put on hold a proposed plea deal between Hunter Biden and the Justice Department that would have settled tax and gun charges against the presidents son, stunning the courtroom and raising legal and constitutional questions about the agreement.

After moments of high drama in which the deal appeared headed toward collapse, the judge, Maryellen Noreika of the Federal District Court in Wilmington, Del., sent the two sides back to try to work out modifications that would address her concerns and salvage the basic contours of the agreement.

Under the proposed deal, Mr. Biden would have pleaded guilty to two tax misdemeanors and averted prosecution on a gun charge by enrolling in a two-year diversion program for nonviolent offenders.

Prosecutors and Mr. Bidens team had both started the day confident that the proceeding would go smoothly and the judge would sign off on the deal immediately. As he entered the courtroom, Mr. Biden drew a deep breath and plunged forward to greet the prosecutors who investigated him for five years with handshakes and a smile.
Military officers in the West African nation of Niger ousted the countrys president on Wednesday, they said in an address on national television, throwing into uncertainty the future of one of the Wests few reliable partners in a region marred by coups and widespread insecurity.

Army officials representing different branches of Nigers military, which has received support from the United States and France, among others, said they had put an end to the regime of President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, following a day of stalled negotiations where members of the presidential guard held him hostage in the presidential palace.

The officers removed Mr. Bazoum due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance, Col. Amadou Abdramane, an official of the Nigerien air force, said in a statement read on television. The statement also said the officers were closing the countrys borders.
Ukraine has launched the main thrust of its counteroffensive, throwing in thousands of troops held in reserve, many of them Western-trained and equipped, two Pentagon officials said on Wednesday, hours after Russian officials reported major Ukrainian attacks in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

A spokesman for Russias Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, said the Ukrainians had mounted a massive assault with three battalions, reinforced with tanks, south of the town of Orikhiv, and then another a few miles farther south near the village of Robotyne, according to the state news agency Tass. Both were repelled, the ministry said.

Other American officials cautioned that the latest Ukrainian attack might be preparatory operations for the main thrust or perhaps just reinforcements to replenish war-weary units.

The challenge for the Ukrainians, since they began their counteroffensive in early June, has been to blast open a gap in the deep Russian defense network, and then try to pour through a much larger force.
The exhibition of the work of the Norwegian painter and printmaker Edvard Munch at the Clark Art Institute here is fun. Serious fun. High fun, if you will. But fun nonetheless. The thrilling kind that comes from seeing a major modern painter in a new, broader, enlivening light. This is the achievement of the Clarks sumptuous, revisionary Edvard Munch: Trembling Earth.

The artist gleaned from the 47 paintings and almost as many prints in this exhibition is not just the godfather of figurative Expressionism  despite the shows rather hammy title. Nor is he the neurotic, alcoholic painter of The Scream of 1893  a revolutionary artwork and by now, a fixture of popular culture. And he is not the Munch who has typically been seen as an ingenious, innovative printmaker, but who lost his edge as a painter and went into decline after he recovered from a nervous breakdown.

It had come in 1908 after Munch had spent 15 years establishing his career in Berlin. He checked himself into a clinic in Copenhagen for several months after which he returned to Norway, leading a supposedly reclusive existence for the remaining three and a half decades of his life. (Even though he traveled almost as much around Europe as before.) This attitude has led to an embarrassing dearth of Munch paintings in American museums  rarely more than one, if any  but never mind.

This show, the first of its kind in the United States, takes a fresh approach by concentrating on Munchs use of landscape  both as primary subject and as background  and the role of nature as the visual, emotional and philosophical wellspring for his work. And without much fuss, it gives equal space to Munch early and late, reducing their differences with a new sense of consistency based, oddly, on restlessness itself. Munch refused to stay put; his constant motion can bring to mind that of the great peripatetic postwar German artist Sigmar Polke.
Jeffrey Gibson, a multimedia artist who challenges the absence of Native American practices in visual culture, will represent the United States at the next edition of the Venice Biennale.

He is one of the first Indigenous artists to represent the country at the Biennale, according to organizers with the State Department who selected Gibson for what is generally considered the art worlds version of the Olympics.

The artists Hudson Valley studio is working on a multimedia installation and performances that will open in April 2024 and be titled the space in which to place me, referring to a poem by Layli Long Soldier, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation.

Gibson, who is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, said he wanted to build an art world that extended beyond mere representation for minorities and toward deeper opportunities for groups to create their own spaces and narratives.
In the middle of the exhibition Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life, currently showing at Tate Modern, in London, sits a pair of maquettes that encapsulate the artists differences.

When the Dutchman Mondrian arrived in New York in 1940, fleeing first the Nazi occupation of Paris and then the London Blitz, his reputation as one of Europes most celebrated artists preceded him. At Tate Modern, a diorama of his studio on East 59th Street from that period shows the stark white two-room apartment covered in configurations of primary-colored cardboard rectangles, like test studies for his geometric paintings.

A neighboring model offers a different kind of architecture for the cohabitation of art and life: The Temple, envisioned by the Swedish artist and mystic Hilma af Klint. An impenetrable ten-sided monolith, the never-realized structure was to be made of alabaster, with an astronomical tower and a spiraling internal staircase. Its interior, which was to house 193 paintings transmitted to af Klint by her High Masters (spirit guides communed with in seances), can only be imagined.
This summer, the centerpiece within the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, known as Mass MoCA, is not a painting or a giant metal sculpture, but a pink roller coaster designed by the artist EJ Hill. The installation has been on view since the fall, inviting audiences to hop inside the single-rider cart and whiz through a curvy 260-foot track. Merging delight with terror, the roller coaster is a metaphor; the artist wanted participants to experience the same lows and highs that he experiences as a queer Black man in the U.S.

I feel like I understand bodily threat in a very real way, Hill told The Times in a recent interview. Every day when I leave my place the threat to my bodily existence is palpable.

The artist is known for performances that have tested his endurance and emotions, including a 2018 installation for an exhibition at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles where he stood silent for three days on a podium overlooking turf and a fabricated racetrack  a sendup of the hypervisibility and stress that some people of color feel in elite institutions.

Beyond the exhibition, Mass MoCA has a few other shows worth exploring, including works by Carrie Schneider and Daniel Giordano.
The 44th Summer Interior Tour of Historic Homes is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29.

Six historic homes will be open for touring, as well as the Monteith House, the Albany Regional Museum and several other historic buildings. An added bonus this time around will be a chance to tour the St. Marys Catholic Church Museum, and to get a look inside the Cumberland Church to check on the progress of its renovation, including new paint colors.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at monteithhouse.org through Friday, July 28. To receive your copy of the tour map and wristband, bring your e-ticket to the Albany Visitors Association office, 110 Third Ave. SE, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on tour day. Limited in-person sales also will be available on tour day at the AVA, for cash or check only.

Well-behaved children under 12 are admitted free with an adult who has purchased a ticket. Visitors are asked not to touch items in the homes and not to take photos or video while inside.

The Albany Vintage Trolley and a horse-drawn wagon also will be available for visitors to ride. Refreshments will be served at the Albany Regional Museum.

Proceeds from Albanys Interior Tour of Historic Homes will benefit the Monteith House Museum.

For more information, visit albanyvisitors.com, or call 541-928-0911.
Growing up in New Orleans, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah was raised at the corner of two traditions. He learned to play the trumpet at the elbow of his uncle and mentor, the saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., whose career took off after a stint in Art Blakeys band. Harrison was a true-blue jazz musician, and Adjuah  who was born, and first introduced to the listening public as, Christian Scott  seemed destined to become one, too.

But their family was also prominent in New Orleanss tradition of Black masking Indians, rooted in the citys history of Black and Indigenous resistance in the 18th and 19th centuries, when Africans fleeing slavery often joined with Native Americans in maroon communities. While professional musicians laid down the roots of American jazz in the late 1800s  mixing African styles with European repertoire at parades and society functions  groups of so-called Mardi Gras Indians dressed in bright regalia performed songs with a more unbroken connection to West and Central Africa, and little relationship to a commercial audience. To this day, Black masking Indians sing those old songs on Mardi Gras Day.

Adjuah now carries that history. He has become a big chief of a Black Indian group, the Xodokan Nation, just as his uncle and grandfather were before him. On July 1, in a ceremony at historic Congo Square, the Ashe Cultural Arts Center named Adjuah the Grand Griot of New Orleans.

Adjuah has worked for years to convince the world that hes not a jazz musician at all: The words racist history is now widely acknowledged; he says stretch music is a more appropriate catchall for the alloy of African influences, Black American improvisation, hip-hop, indie rock and more that he has been polishing for the past two decades. But it has always been tough to hear the music he makes with his bands, and not think immediately about where it fits in the cosmology of (what most of us know as) contemporary jazz.
On March 9, Sinead OConnor stood onstage at the Vicar Street concert venue in Dublin. Her presence was greeted by a prolonged standing ovation. OConnor was at the RTE Choice Music Prize, an evening celebrating the best Irish albums of the past year. A new award had been invented for the occasion: classic Irish album, and OConnor was there to accept it for her 1990 record, I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got.

It was the day after my 40th birthday. Untethered by this life landmark, I felt strangely grounded by her presence: Sinead is here, all is well in the world. Soaking in the noise of the audience cheering her on, she smiled, almost bashful, before dedicating the award to refugees in Ireland.

OConnor had a tendency to show up at necessary moments. This time, her reappearance was a relief, because everyone in the crowd was worried about her. Her son, Shane, took his own life in 2022. He was 17. She was no stranger to articulating her personal struggles: the abuse she suffered as a child, the impact of a news media that sometimes hounded her, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and PTSD.
Sometimes a toilet is more than just a toilet.

The final season premiere of the docu-essay series How To With John Wilson opens, like many of its episodes, with a problem. Wilson, whose self-help ruminations began airing on HBO in 2020, has a home plumbing emergency that sends him on a search for New York Citys elusive public bathrooms.

But the episode, How to Find a Public Restroom, is about more than the lengths New Yorkers will go to for relief. Wilson visits the Hole (a neighborhood on the Brooklyn-Queens border where many homes are too far below sea level to connect to the sewer system) and also interviews a doctor who injects the wealthy with Botox to address Hamptons bladder (the agony of holding it in on a long ride to the beach).

It goes on. Wilson talks to cabdrivers who resort to peeing in empty water bottles for lack of accessible facilities. He gets scolded by police for filming at the Vessel, the Ozymandian monument to upscale real-estate development at Hudson Yards. Eventually, he befriends a woman whose trailer has a functioning loo and hitches a ride with her to Burning Man.

You think I am giving away the entire episode. There is much more. Wilson builds out his story like a complex system of plumbing. And as you wend your way through the U-bends and elbow pipes, it becomes a rich, scattershot-but-purposeful reflection on class, privatization, vulnerability, the public commons and  youll have to trust me on this one  apocalypse preparation.
In the past six years, Riley Sager has published seven novels  all of them best sellers except his first, Final Girls, which won a 2018 International Thriller Writers Award. The Pennsylvania native reliably produces one book a year on a strict schedule that sounded remarkably uncomplicated (if dizzying) when he described it in a phone interview.

I usually start on Jan. 2 and keep writing until June, Sager said. Then comes a month of publicity and touring for the book he wrote the year before, followed by a scramble in July and August to complete his manuscript in progress with enough time left for revising and polishing before the end of the year. Simple, right?

Thankfully for those of us who see the similarities between writing and having a cavity filled, Sager admitted that his seventh book did not go according to plan. In fact, it was a bit of a slog. I was racked with self-doubt, he said. I always have some impostor syndrome going on at all times, but in the case of The Only One Left, it just got so complicated narratively that I was lost and in the weeds.
A new review of historical documents has led Citigroup to acknowledge that slavery and slave labor most likely enriched the banks and other companies that eventually formed the present-day financial giant.

The benefits were likely to have come to Citis predecessors through financial transactions and relationships with individuals and entities located or operating in the United States before 1866, the banks public affairs head, Edward Skyler, wrote in a blog post on Thursday.

Mr. Skyler said the review also reaffirmed our previous research in that it did not identify any records showing that Citi or a predecessor institution directly purchased, sold or held enslaved persons.

Citi hired an independent historical research firm to carry out the review as part of a racial equity pledge it made in 2020 after George Floyd, a Black man, was murdered by a white Minneapolis police officer. In the weeks after Mr. Floyds murder, American companies and the public grappled with a fresh reminder of the vast injustices that Black Americans had been experiencing since the United States began taking shape as a country.
Public needs, however, have only increased. Minnesota, along with recovering from a hiring freeze early in the pandemic, has passed larger budgets and new laws  regulating cannabis sales, for example  that have added hundreds of positions across several agencies. At the same time, the federal infrastructure bill is supercharging demand for people to manage construction projects.

Thats a victory for labor unions, which typically push for more hiring, higher wages and better benefits. But it doesnt help them much if positions stay empty. A survey of local government human resource officers, released in June by the nonprofit research organization Mission Square, found that more than half the respondents had to reopen recruitment processes very often or frequently for lack of enough applications. In Minnesota, the vacancy rate for state government jobs rose to 11.5 percent in the 2023 fiscal year from 7.5 percent in 2019.

Thats why the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, known as AFSCME, decided it needed to pitch in on a function usually reserved for human resources departments: getting people in the door. The union has started a national campaign to generate buzz around frontline positions, while locals are contacting community organizations and even families of union members to spotlight opportunities.

Our employers are feeling the heat, said Lee Saunders, the unions president. They understand that services are not being provided at the level that they should be provided. Its a team effort as far as bringing fresh blood into the public service.

That was the point of the hiring fair in Minneapolis. Seventy-five job seekers filtered through, often looking for more stable or higher-paying positions than the ones they held, usually referred by a friend or relative in the union.
There are also signs of unease within Israel over moving from one fossil fuel to another.

Gas is taking us toward less pollution than coal, but it is not getting us out of pollution completely, and it is not getting us to cleaner energy, said Yael Cohen Paran, a former Israeli lawmaker, in an interview at a beach resort where the Leviathan platform was visible in the distance.

Environmentalists say that the dominance of gas in powering the Israeli economy and the influence of the petroleum industry mean that insufficient resources are going into developing clean energy.

We are hostages in a way, said Elad Hochman, executive director of Green Course, an advocacy group.

As for Chevron, though it does not disclose financial results from its Israeli operations, its executives say it is a profitable business that can be a springboard for expansion.

It is a very nice, attractive position, Mr. Neff, the Chevron president, said, adding that the company has the opportunity to grow our business substantially in the next few years.

Gabby Sobelman contributed reporting.
Federal prosecutors pursuing the criminal case against the cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried said on Wednesday that they were dropping a charge that he violated campaign finance rules.

Mr. Bankman-Fried was charged with fraud and campaign finance violations in December after the sudden collapse of his company, the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. He was quickly extradited to the United States from the Bahamas, where FTX was based.

But in a court filing on Wednesday night, the prosecutors said the Bahamas had informed them that the nations government had not intended to extradite Mr. Bankman-Fried on the campaign finance charge.

In keeping with its treaty obligations to the Bahamas, the government does not intend to proceed to trial on the campaign contributions count, the prosecutors filing said.
Why It Matters

Shells performance, which came in below analysts forecasts, shows that the petroleum industry may have reached a certain equilibrium after an extended period of volatility stemming from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. If so, large, petroleum-dominated companies like Shell remain very profitable even in a lower price environment.

Shell also continues to reward shareholders. The company raised its dividend 15 percent for the quarter, to about 33 cents a share. Shell also announced $3 billion in share buybacks, a slight decrease from $3.6 billion in the previous quarter.

Background

The energy industry has demonstrated resilience in the last few years despite a very volatile environment. Energy companies have compensated for a sharp reduction of natural gas flows from Russia to Europe by bringing supplies from elsewhere, especially the United States. The global oil trade has also so far adjusted fairly smoothly to Western sanctions on Russian crude and refined products.

Those adjustments, along with muted demand growth in China, the worlds largest importer of energy commodities, have allowed prices to ease despite efforts to curb supplies by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Brent crude, the international benchmark, sold for an average of about $78 a barrel in the second quarter  a 31 percent drop from a year earlier. Natural gas prices in Europe were 65 percent lower.

Whats Next

On a call with journalists, Wael Sawan, Shells chief executive, indicated that he thought there was a good chance that Europe could come through the next winter, a time when gas consumption typically soars, in decent shape.

We are going into this European winter in a good place, he said, with storage levels of the fuel high and the capacity for renewable energy growing.

However, Europe remains heavily dependent on imported gas, and Mr. Sawan said price pressures in the market over the winter could depend on outside factors such as the strength of demand in China and the weather. Last winter, Europe benefited from mild temperatures and reduced demand for energy in China.

Mr. Sawan, who became chief executive at the beginning of the year, has brought a skeptical approach to the companys many businesses, including some of those Shell entered under his predecessor, Ben van Beurden.

In the transition to lower-carbon energy, he is trying to focus on areas that he thinks fit well with Shells traditional strengths, like electric vehicle charging stations and biofuels. He said on Thursday that he did not think the company had what he called a big differentiated advantage in generating electricity with wind and solar energy. Shell plans to sell some electric power businesses, including an energy retailer in Britain, and it seems likely that others could go on the block.
Still, scientists will need to investigate further to fully understand the alarming extent to which the entire surface of the planet has, on average, been hotter than usual this summer, said Emily Becker, a climate scientist at the University of Miami.

Fossil-fuel emissions, which cause heat to build up near Earths surface, are certainly playing a role. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have pumped 1.6 trillion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This has caused the world to be about 1.2 degrees Celsius, or 2.2 Fahrenheit, warmer than it was in the second half of the 19th century.

But the way this extra heat is distributed around the globe is still shaped by a complex brew of factors spanning land, sea and air, plus a certain amount of random chance. Which is why untangling the specific factors behind this summers severe heat will take time, Dr. Becker said. Theres going to need to be quite a lot of research to understand it, and understand if were going to be seeing this again next year or 10 years from now.

One factor that probably hasnt been very important so far this summer, at least not in North America, is El Nino, Dr. Becker said. The cyclical phenomenon emerges when the surface of the central tropical Pacific is hotter than normal. Its arrival, which this year occurred in late spring, triggers a cascade of changes to wind patterns and rainfall around the globe. But its most immediate effects are felt in the tropical and far western Pacific, in places like Indonesia.
The city of Albany is on the hook for $3,900 for violating its wastewater permit by not treating sewage to safe levels.

Albany failed to perform required monitoring and exceeded pollution limits in its wastewater effluent, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

By exceeding effluent limits, you created a risk of harm to water quality and aquatic life, a DEQ penalty notice to Albany states.

The penalty notice, dated June 27, cites that the citys permit requires monitoring so DEQ and the public can determine whether the city stays under with pollution limits and operates in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment.

In calculating the fine, the DEQ accounted for significant prior enforcement actions and negligent conduct.

Albany appealed the penalty July 19 and requested a contested case hearing and informal discussions. The city denies it was negligent, claiming steps were taken to avoid exceedances during high-flow events, including:

Increasing chlorine when heavy rain is forecast.

Repairing and replacing equipment.

Looking into potential problems in the piping system.

The city also disputes whether the DEQ fine was properly calculated, citing a discrepancy between the penalty narrative and the formula used to determine the fine amount.

In single sample analysis of 12 individual dates ranging from March 2017 to December 2022, DEQ found Albanys wastewater effluent overran E. coli bacteria limits by as much as nearly six times whats allowed and possibly more.

For example, E. coli concentrations surpassed monitoring capacity over a three-day period in December 2019.

In its appeal, the city argues that the three-day violation should be counted as a single occurrence at the facility, adding that heavy rainfall and high influent flows contributed to reduced treatment efficiency. It also disputes a November 2022 sample, saying resampling was within limits.

The March 2017 sample was also disputed, with the city claiming the occurrence is barred from consideration by the statute of limitations.

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Albany also overshot the monthly geometric mean limit on E. Coli bacteria concentration in December 2022, the penalty notice states, and the city failed to monitor its treatment plant influent pH  a daily requirement  20 times between June and July 2022.

The DEQ also documented three instances in 2021 in which the city exceeded limits on total suspended solids, which are solids in water that could be removed by filtering. Excessive quantities of solids can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems.

A prohibition on discharging raw sewage was also violated when Albany dumped 100,000 gallons of untreated sewage from manholes located in Simpson and Bowman Parks into the Willamette River in April.

At the time, officials said the cause was a power outage that shut down treatment operations at the Albany-Millersburg Water Reclamation Facility and associated sewage lift stations, according to a news release from the city.

Two weeks before that discharge, Albany reported an estimated 13,000 of raw sewage was spilled into Waverly Lake. That overflow was caused by construction on a project meant to make spills less frequent in the future, the city said.

In March 2022, Albany agreed to a $125,000 settlement with the environmental advocacy nonprofit Willamette Riverkeeper regarding a federal lawsuit filed in 2020. It followed a sewage spill originating from Albany in 2019, exposing 150 participants in the group's Paddle Oregon event to raw sewage in the summer of 2019.

The money is slated for projects that increase clean water and healthy habitat in the North Santiam watershed, the South Santiam watershed and the Calapooia watershed. The settlement also required the city to draft a stormwater management plan by Oct. 1 of this year.
On a video call in mid-June, a dozen women from across the country  many of them seated at sewing machines and enveloped by clouds of white tulle  debated the pros and cons of working in the busy world of bridal alterations.

They were discussing issues like: How do you handle a demanding mother of the bride? How do you display exceptional alterations on social media when they are best seen in person? Some women said they preferred to work in-house at a bridal shop, where they could have a steady stream of clients and backup for when things went wrong. Other women said they liked working as independent tailors because their schedules could be flexible and there was no profit-sharing.

Moderating the lively conversation was Melissa Oddo, an independent seamstress based in central Connecticut. In 2019, she founded Stitched Collective, an organization that hosts in-person events for seamstresses nationwide. The group also offers monthly video calls to discuss business planning and various aspects of the craft, such as hemming and fixing damaged embroidery.

The collective seeks to debunk misconceptions about being a tailor, demonstrate the viability of this industry as a long-term career path and bring a new generation of young people into the trade, according to its website. A central conundrum framed the call: How can bridal seamstresses in the United States navigate the overwhelming amount of business being sent their way in 2023?
In the 1950s, Clive McCay of Cornell University and his colleagues used parabiosis to explore aging. They joined young and old rats, stitching together their flanks so that the capillaries in their skin merged. Later, Dr. McCay and his colleagues examined the cartilage in the old rats and concluded it looked younger.

In the early 2000s, parabiosis went through a renaissance. Researchers used 21st century techniques to study what happened when animals of different ages shared the same bloodstream. They found the muscles and brains of old mice were rejuvenated, while younger mice showed signs of accelerated aging.

Some doctors jumped on these preliminary results and started offering injections of blood plasma from young people as a way to treat dementia and other diseases of old age. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning against such treatments in 2019, cautioning that they have no proven clinical benefits for the uses for which these clinics are advertising them and are potentially harmful.

For several years, Dr. White and his colleagues have been tweaking parabiosis procedures in mice to better understand the anti-aging effects. The scientists joined an old and young mouse together for about three months  twice as long as typical parabiosis experiments  before carefully detaching them. After the animals recovered, the scientists observed the animals to see how much longer they lived.

The researchers not only found that the old mice lived longer, but also that the course of their aging appeared to change.
Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.

Talk to enough reporters and you will eventually hear the Story of Their Best Dateline.

For the uninitiated, datelines are the announcements at the beginning of an article that tell the reader, in all capital letters, when and where a journalist reported from. Once ubiquitous, and adorned with an actual date (hence the name), datelines have slowly disappeared at many news outlets; The New York Times recently announced that it would no longer affix them to digital articles in favor of a more plain-spoken approach and a broader description of the reporting effort. (Articles in the print edition of The Times still carry the traditional datelines in capital letters.)

OK, fine. But as a journalist who has reported all over the United States for the last three decades, I have always loved a dateline. I have savored and even sought out exotically named locations over the years. ON SADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN, Calif., was a good one, for the tale of a Sierra Nevada fire lookout; ABOARD THE PLASTIKI was another, for an article about a catamaran made out of two-liter plastic bottles that somehow made it to Sydney, Australia, from San Francisco.

So when I began reporting on another stunt this month  a plan, by a British endurance athlete, to swim the entire 315-mile length of the Hudson River  I knew immediately where I wanted to go: Lake Tear of the Clouds, a small, elegantly named lake that is the source of the river, located high in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The swimmer, Lewis Pugh, plans to begin his monthlong trek there on Aug. 13. And I wanted to see what he would see when he started downstream toward his final destination at New York Citys harbor.

The lake in question is south of Lake Placid, which seemed ideal for me: about a 2.5-hour drive from my home in Albany. Id simply drive up and take a look.
McCrae dropped out of high school and got an equivalency diploma. By 19, he was on his own, married, father of a daughter, but without a clear path forward, only a clear ambition to write poetry. Through that period, he kept to a strict regimen of reading 200 pages a day  eight books at once in rotation, 25 pages from each  absorbing writing from every era, understanding that, beyond his need to make it, he knew nothing about poetry. What he did know, having been an excellent skateboarder, was that if you wanted to land a reverse ollie, you needed your 10,000 hours to get there. He entered community college at 21; after transferring twice, he graduated from a good local college, Linfield, at 26, with an acceptance letter from the premier M.F.A. program in the world, the Iowa Writers Workshop. Graduating in 2004, he went straight to Harvard Law School, to get a J.D., thinking that he would briefly support himself as a lawyer. McCrae didnt like law school but completed it, and as he was doing so, because he could take courses elsewhere at the university, he applied for a place in the poetry workshop of a poet he had been reading for years, Jorie Graham.

It seemed at the start that he didnt know if he should be there, if he wanted to be there, Graham wrote to me. But, as we say, he had an ear. He wrote a slightly conventional poem, and his heart was tight, and his natural voice was through clenched teeth. I felt anger on his page, repressed anger. I felt he had been beaten down by some great force  some injustice beyond the injustice of being Black in America. But I could not break through to it.

At some point he came to me in my office with a strange draft where a few lines broke apart at what would have been prosodical caesuras, and as we spoke, he shared a great personal grief and burden. And  I remember this vividly  I looked back and forth from his broad open suddenly vulnerable face to the lines broken open by a kind of stuttering breath, or a breath taken to squelch a sob, and I thought: Here it is, here we go, his ear is released.

The next week he had a handful of poems in that form. The form worked because it correlated to the griefs he was undergoing.

Since 2009, McCrae has published 13 books of poetry, hundreds of pages of supremely accomplished verse. He has written, autobiographically, on the dissolution of marriage and the challenges of fatherhood; on the reality of racism as he has encountered it and as American history has fostered it; and on sin and its purgation and transcendence, not in some abstract mode but from a decidedly Christian perspective (McCrae is a practicing Episcopalian). But these are just themes; every poet has them, and they say nothing about what might make verse notable, durable. It is McCraes own deep knowledge, and use, of the history of poetic form that has marked his work and made it, identifiably, his own. McCrae has written scores of sonnets with the forms standard 70 beats and its characteristic meter of iambic pentameter, and yet a reader encountering these poems for the first time on the page, where they do not look like sonnets  the lines are ruptured, gapped, slashed, broken at the wrong places  would be hard-pressed to see a sonnets shape hiding there in plain sight. But as you not so much push through them as are pulled along by the currents in them, a freight of feeling accumulates and, by the end of his best poems, detonates in final lines that are often so aggressively felt that you hardly notice the rigor of the meter that has gotten you there.
One morning in the 1950s, Jon H. Elses father pointed toward Nevada from their home in Sacramento. There was this orange glow that suddenly rose up in the sky, and then shrank back down, Else recalled.

It was, hundreds of miles away, an atomic weapon test: a symbol of the world that was created when a team of Americans led by the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer exploded the first nuclear bomb a decade earlier on July 16, 1945.

Growing up in the nuclear age left an impression on Else, now 78.

He was later a series producer of the award-winning Eyes on the Prize, a program on the civil rights movement, and directed documentaries about the Great Depression and Wagners Ring cycle. But before all that, in 1981, he made a documentary about Oppenheimer, the scientist whose bony visage graced the covers of midcentury magazines, and the bomb. It was called The Day After Trinity, a reference to that inaugural detonation.

Decades later, viewers are flocking to Elses film, a nominee for the Academy Award for best documentary feature, as a companion to Christopher Nolans biopic Oppenheimer, which grossed more than $100 million domestically in its opening week this month.
Julian Barry, whose scripts for a Broadway play and a Hollywood movie about Lenny Bruce, both titled Lenny, became definitive portraits of the comedian as a truth teller who drove himself mad in a righteous struggle against American hypocrisy, was found dead on Tuesday morning at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 92.

His daughter Julia Barry said he had died overnight in his sleep. He had been receiving medical treatment for congestive heart failure and, in recent weeks, for late-stage kidney disease.

Like Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon, Mr. Bruce died young (he was 40) and became a figure of continually renewed pop-culture lore. His comedy career and his criminal prosecutions on drug and obscenity charges inspired museum exhibitions, one-man theatrical performances and biographies. From 2017 until this year, a fictionalized version of Mr. Bruce was a recurring character on the Amazon Prime television show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
From here unfolds a slow-burn saga of murder and vengeance that draws inspiration from Deliverance and its crisis of masculinity  though The Beasts, a piece of art-house social-realism as well as a nail-biter, isnt big on explicit violence. Tensions build as Antoine butts heads with the brothers at the local watering hole, the divide between outsiders and locals accentuated by their language barrier (Antoines Spanish is shaky). The brothers are definitely crooks, yet the script by Isabel Pena and Sorogoyen captures an unexpectedly complex balance of power. Xan and Lorenzo may be two, but theyre like scrawny hyenas next to Antoines mammoth frame.

A second-act twist shifts the story to Olgas perspective. The sharp social commentary peters out in place of hackneyed parent-child friction when the couples daughter, Marie (Marie Colomb), pays an extended visit. The stately Fois carries the film as it devolves into a restrained drama about familial loyalty and womanly fortitude, its change of gears not entirely clicking into place.

The Beasts

Not rated. In Spanish, Galician and French, with subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 17 minutes. In theaters.
In a city that calls itself a union town, its about time to have labor stories out there, she said. Theres nothing on the landscape that tells the stories of working people as working people.

Trasciattis group, the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, has arranged to place steel panels on the facade of the building in Greenwich Village where the fire broke out. One set of panels will bear the 146 names. Another will carry a history of the tragedy  one that had enduring consequences for workers rights and organized labors power.

The design, chosen in a competition 10 years ago, is the work of Richard Joon Yoo and Uri Wegman. Yoo said in 2015 that what made the memorial unique was that it was about the past, but also so much about the present. Around the time of the contest, 112 workers died in a factory fire in Bangladesh where jeans, lingerie and sweaters were made for retailers like Walmart and Sears. Months later, the collapse of a clothing factory in the same country killed 1,100 workers.

Most victims of the Triangle fire were young immigrant women who clocked long hours  as many as 84 hours a week for as little as $7. They were all but locked in, literally: Stairway doors had been locked because the owners fretted that the women might steal material. One of the owners said later the annual loss per worker totaled $10 or $15 or $12 or $8, something like that.

The fire, and images of bodies on the sidewalk, shook the city in a profound way. The social reformer Frances Perkins remembered the mood in New York afterwards as one of guilt, as though we had all done something wrong, the writer and historian Kevin Baker noted in 2003.
Today, many universities have consciously or unconsciously abandoned that mission and replaced it with the pursuit of diversity, equity and inclusion. Many D.E.I. programs seem to be predicated on a view radically different from the liberal tradition: namely, that the university is not merely a home for the discovery of knowledge, but also a vehicle for activism, liberation and social change.

The criticism of such programs might begin with a simple question: Even on its own terms, does D.E.I. actually work? And the answer, according to the best available evidence, appears to be no. Researchers at Harvard and Tel Aviv University studied 30 years of diversity training data from more than 800 U.S. companies and concluded that mandatory diversity training programs had practically no effect on employee attitudes  and sometimes activated bias and feelings of racial hostility. There is no reason to believe that similar programs on university campuses have better outcomes.

In fact, there is much greater cause for concern with D.E.I. in academia. While many corporations understandably discourage internal debate about political issues unrelated to their business interests, universities are supposed to provide a forum for a wide range of views and perspectives, in the interest of reasoning toward truth. D.E.I. programs as currently carried out are antithetical to this pursuit. In practice, they often restrict the range of discourse, push a narrow political ideology on the campus community and micromanage the language that professors, administrators and students should use.

For City Journal, the magazine of the Manhattan Institute, I recently conducted investigative reporting for a series on the ideological nature of the way D.E.I. was practiced in Floridas public universities. My intention was to go beyond the euphemisms and expose the specific content of these programs, which, I believed, would shock the conscience of voters across the political spectrum. These programs have become commonplace not only in official diversity and inclusion programs, but also throughout administrative and academic departments. The University of Florida, for example, managed more than 1,000 separate D.E.I. initiatives, which included, as part of a professional development conference, a presentation featuring material that declared the United States was rooted in white supremacy and included mantras from Racists Anonymous.

The University of Central Florida, in its Inclusive Faculty Hiring guide, described merit in faculty hiring as a narrative myth and advised employees to avoid using it in job descriptions and hiring materials. The guide also advocated explicit quotas of minoritized groups in its hiring practices. Florida International Universitys Office of Social Justice and Inclusion effectively served as a recruiting ground for political activism, encouraging students to participate in grass roots campaigns  mostly modeled on left-wing movements. In one training session, Black Lives Matter was held up as an exemplary movement and students were prepared for the possibility of violent confrontation with the police.
What is the teenagers version of the incident? I have only an account purported to be from one of the young men and his mother, who anonymously offered a different version of events. According to this account, as told to one website, the teenagers were holding on to Citi Bikes that they had docked briefly  to avoid the rate increases that set in after 45 minutes of use  before taking them out again. The young man says Comrie asked two other boys in the group if she could take a bike, citing her pregnancy, and they both declined. He says she then asked him, and he apologized but explained he needed the bike to get home; he says she then tried to take the bike from under him.

The Citi Bike receipts he apparently offered to one website show he took the bike out at 7:25 p.m.

Having examined both sets of receipts, Im inclined to believe Comrie. After all, why would she check out a bike at 7:24 p.m., immediately change her mind and return it one minute later  and then change her mind again and pick a fight with a group of teenagers to get that bike back? Its possible, but it seems unlikely. An alternative is that she checked out the bike and that it was forced back into the lock against her will, then checked out by the teenager a minute later  which would be consistent with her narrative.

Again, no one who wasnt there knows for sure what happened. And Im aware that had I spoken with the teenagers, they may have presented me with facts Im unaware of. It is entirely possible that Ive missed something. Whatever took place between her and the teenagers, a few minutes afterward, the teenager got the bike he wanted and Comrie, by her own account, took out another e-bike that had been returned during the fracas. No police were involved. The two parties havent spoken to or seen each other since.

What I do know for sure is that nothing in this episode justifies what has happened to Comrie since the video went viral and the incident took on a life of its own.

And theres something else I know for sure: Once publicly labeled a Karen, Comrie was placed in a no-win situation. There is no doubt that the violent history of white people making false accusations against Black people should give anyone pause when making an accusation against a group of Black teenagers.
Despite this, the work of water safety has largely been left to nonprofit groups, which, no matter how dedicated, cannot reach every American. Congress and the White House could act together to fix this and save lives. Requiring a federal agency to oversee drowning prevention policy and build a better public health surveillance system around drowning deaths, both recommendations in the plan, would be a good start. But the transformative move would be to build far more public pools across the United States.

Too few public pools

There are more than 10 million private swimming pools in the United States, according to a C.D.C. estimate, compared with just 309,000 public ones. That figure includes pools that belong to condo complexes, hotels and schools, so the number of pools truly accessible to the public is even smaller. The biggest reason so many Americans cant swim is that they have too few places to learn to do so.

By many available measures, public pools can be the safest places to swim. They are more likely to be better maintained and importantly, staffed by lifeguards. Many provide free or low-cost swim lessons, something millions of Americans couldnt otherwise afford. They give kids a safe place to play. They offer the promise of a safe dip to anyone who wants one and to many who have nowhere else to go.

Yet the United States hasnt made a serious investment in public pools since the Great Depression, when scores of grand public pools were erected in many parts of the country under President Franklin Roosevelts New Deal programs, according to Jeff Wiltse, the author of Contested Waters, a book about the history of swimming pools.

Then the expansion stopped. In the 1960s, many towns across the South filled or destroyed their public pools rather than allow Black Americans to swim in them. Northern cities, strapped for resources amid suburbanization and white flight, struggled to maintain their pools. This is how public investment in pools withered, one more ghastly sacrifice America has laid at the altar of anti-Black racism and twisted fears about miscegenation.
Its important to distinguish between corporate rebranding  changing the official name of a company  and changing the names of the companys products. Google renamed itself Alphabet, presumably to convey to investors its aspiration to be more than a search engine, but the search engine itself is still named Google. Philip Morris renamed itself Altria, presumably in part to diminish its perceived association with lung cancer, but its customers still smoke Marlboros.

Changing product names is more problematic, because it risks losing customer loyalty, so it tends to happen only when theres a real problem with the existing name. It was definitely a good idea to change the name of Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda to 7Up. Its actually remarkable that it took PepsiCo so long to realize that in an America that has changed (for the better), the Aunt Jemima brand name had to go. But absent such good reasons, sensible businesses keep the brand names their customers keep buying.

So what was wrong with Twitter as a brand name? Nothing, as far as I can tell. It was friendly-sounding and a bit funny, and resonated with the role of the platform as a place for people to chatter about a variety of subjects. The Twitter logo was also fine  distinctive, instantly recognizable and without any obvious negative connotations.

But Musk has nonetheless ditched all of that in favor of X, a harsh-sounding name with no relationship to what the platform does.

Furthermore, the new logo  a slightly embellished version of the letter X  is problematic in several ways. It probably cant be trademarked, because its more or less indistinguishable from a lowercase x in an existing font. Many TAFKAT users say that theyre embarrassed by the logo, which makes them feel as if theyre visiting a porn site. My reaction was a bit different. To me, and Im sure others, the new logo has the vibes of an authoritarian political symbol, like the Z emblem of Russians invading Ukraine  or some other historical symbols Im sure you can think of.
For the hundreds of thousands of Israeli democracy defenders who tried to block Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus judicial coup on Monday, the stripping of the Israeli Supreme Courts key powers to curb the executive branch surely feels like a stinging defeat. I get it, but dont totally despair. Help may be on the way from talks between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Yes, you read that right.

When I interviewed President Biden in the Oval Office last week, my column focused on his urging Netanyahu not to ram through the judicial overhaul without even a semblance of national consensus. But thats not all we talked about. The president is wrestling with whether to pursue the possibility of a U.S.-Saudi mutual security pact that would involve Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel, provided that Israel make concessions to the Palestinians that would preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.

After discussions in the past few days among Biden; his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan; Secretary of State Antony Blinken; and Brett McGurk, the top White House official handling Middle East policy, Biden has dispatched Sullivan and McGurk to Saudi Arabia, where they arrived Thursday morning, to explore the possibility of some kind of U.S.-Saudi-Israeli-Palestinian understanding.

The president still has not made up his mind whether to proceed, but he gave a green light for his team to probe with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to see if some kind of deal is possible and at what price. Closing such a multinational deal would be time-consuming, difficult and complex, even if Biden decides to take it to the next level right away. But the exploratory talks are moving ahead now  faster than I thought  and theyre important for two reasons.
Its a similar story with immigration. The agriculture minister, a longtime ally of Ms. Melonis who is also her brother-in-law, has taken the lead in appealing for resistance to ethnic replacement. Hardly averse to the slogan  she used it to successfully oppose a 2017 bill that would have granted citizenship to children born in Italy to noncitizen parents  Ms. Meloni has avoided employing the phrase herself since taking office. But her call for births, not migrants expresses the same sentiment, and aggressive opposition to migration has been the centerpiece of her administration. A law passed in April forces asylum seekers to live in state-run migrant centers while their claims are considered  a process that can last up to two years  all without legal advice or Italian-language classes. In recent weeks, Ms. Meloni spearheaded a European Union deal with Tunisia, whose authoritarian regime promotes the great replacement conspiracy theory, to curb migration in exchange for financial support.

As Amnesty International reports, outsourcing repression is not unique to this government: Past administrations built a similar relationship with Libya, and under Italian pressure, a new European Union migration pact strengthens the right of member states to expel asylum seekers. But in Italy, the line is hardening. In June, the authorities impounded two migrant rescue ships that were accused of flouting a new law designed to limit their activities. Legislation passed in February forbids vessels organized by NGOs from conducting multiple rescues, despite repeated cases of the Italian authorities failing to respond to distress calls from imperiled ships. The death toll of people drowning while trying to cross the Mediterranean usually surpasses 2,000 a year. The moves of the Meloni government ensure that people will keep dying.

Journalists, too, are under pressure. Sitting ministers have threatened  and in some cases pursued  a raft of libel suits against the Italian press in an apparent bid to intimidate critics. The public broadcaster RAI is also under threat, and not just because its mission for the next five years includes promoting birthrates. After its chief executive and leading presenters resigned, citing political pressure from the new government, it now resembles tele-Meloni, with rampant handpicking of personnel. The new director general, Giampaolo Rossi, is a pro-Meloni hard-liner who previously distinguished himself as an organizer of an annual Brothers of Italy festival. In the aftermath of his appointment, news outlets published scores of his anti-immigration social media posts and an interview with a neofascist journal in which he condemned the antifascist caricature hanging over public life.

This is not his concern alone. Burying the antifascist legacy of the wartime Resistance matters deeply to the Brothers of Italy, a party rooted in its fascist forefathers great defeat in 1945. As prime minister, Ms. Meloni has referred to Italys postwar antifascist culture as a repressive ideology, responsible even for the murder of right-wing militants in the political violence of the 1970s. Its not just history to be rewritten. The postwar Constitution, drawn up by the Resistance-era parties, is also ripe for revision: The Brothers of Italy aims to create a directly elected head of government and a strong executive freer of constraint. No matter its novelty, Ms. Melonis administration has every chance of imposing enduring changes in the political order.

For all its Mussolinian roots, this government is no return to the past. Instead, in galvanizing the political right behind a resentful identity politics, it risks becoming something else entirely: Europes future. Conservatives in Britain echo Ms. Melonis obsession with favoring birthrates over migration; French anti-immigrant politicians like Eric Zemmour cite Italy as a model of how to unite the forces of the right; and even in Germany, the Christian Democrats long refusal to consider pacts with the Alternative for Germany is under strain.
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The patients had generally two kinds of questions about what went on at the clinic. The first kind of questions were about the system.

How could this huge system fail in such a way that this could happen? The fact that somebody was able to walk out with bags of fentanyl in their purse and no one batted an eye. How does that even happen?

You wonder what each person, the doctor or the nurse in the room, what their experience of this was? What were they thinking?

But most of the patients never got to ask those questions. Staffers were told not to talk with patients about what happened with the fentanyl. And for some of the patients, it was hard to bring up to.

Why do they not care that there were numerous women who were in excruciating pain? And they didnt care. I get stuck there.

So not really knowing what to ask or who to ask even. Like it thinking about it now, it feels like it would have been gossiping. But its not gossiping really to say to your care team, this happened. Are you making sure this isnt going to happen to me again?

But then you also  I think for me, it was also not understanding where the failure in the system was.

And then going in and seeing my nurse team, and also empathizing with them and thinking, like did this is going on? Whats your perception of this? And what was your experience of this? But knowing that Im sure they were very sternly told not to talk to anybody about any of this.

So theres maybe one or two other people around waiting for appointments or waiting in line. But thinking like  kind of resisting the urge to say, were you part of this? Did this happen to you? Like did you have a procedure without fentanyl?

I remember going into the clinic. I never spoke with anyone about it. And I remember that. I remember that feeling of going into the clinic and kind of looking around. And first of all, sitting in the waiting room, which of course, was not very full because of COVID.

It was hard to find staffers who were willing to speak about what happened at the clinic. Some of the reticence had to do with the fact that theres an ongoing lawsuit. Six months after Donna was sentenced, several patients filed a complaint against Yale.

The staffers I spoke to did care, and yet this happened. How? From Serial Productions and The New York Times, Im Susan Burton, and this is The Retrievals. This is episode four, The Clinic.

And this is really unbelievable. The women say they were given saline instead of fentanyl during 

We have another big story were following right now. Seven women have filed a lawsuit against Yale University Medical School.

Over the next few months after that, more and more patients joined.

Well, first on Fox 61 tonight, dozens more women are coming forward to sue Yale University nearly a year after a former Yale nurse was sentenced for tampering with fentanyl vials at a fertility clinic.

But patients and their lawyers believe that she began doing it before then when the clinic was located in New Haven proper. About half the patients in the lawsuit say they experienced severe pain before June 2020. Some as far back as 2017. Heres Lynn, a special ed teacher who had, maybe you remember this number from the first episode, eight painful retrievals at the clinic.

Now, there are almost 70 patients in the lawsuit in all. But the lawsuit says about how long Donna was doing this is a lot longer than what she says about how long she was doing it. Donna told investigators that she started stealing fentanyl and replacing it with saline in June 2020 when the clinic was located in a suburb of New Haven.

When I did find out the dates that she had admitted to, I was angry. I am confident that this was happening while they were still in the New Haven office. And again, its too coincidental that I experienced this excruciating pain. I know with my heart that she was doing this in New Haven and affected a lot more women than during that five-month period that she admitted to.

One of the lawyers who represents Lynn and other patients is named Josh Koskoff. Hes well known for his suit against the gun manufacturer in the Sandy Hook school shooting and the related case against Alex Jones. Early on, when Josh started getting calls from a lot of patients who said this had happened to them before June 2020, he felt like he should share that information. He contacted the US Attorneys office and 

Again, Donna did not respond to my request to speak for this story. 200 patients may have been affected during the five-month period Donna admits to stealing fentanyl. If she started earlier, she could have affected 100 more.

I think more importantly is what I did was I also notified Yale. Once we started to hear from a lot of women outside this time period, I thought, well, Yale deemed it appropriate to notify the women that they knew might have been exposed in the six-month period. So surely, they would want to notify  it would be important for them to know that I believe this is going on for longer. And I notified them and asked them what they were going to do about it. I shared that information. And to my knowledge, they didnt act.

When I presented this to Yale they responded that the Department of Justice had conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that this took place specifically from June through October 2020. Yale declined to make anyone in a position of oversight available for an interview with me. But I did talk to staffers, people who worked at the clinic alongside Donna.

You wont be hearing from them on tape. None of them wanted to be identified for fear of being retaliated against or losing a job. I dont think its going to come as a surprise that I didnt talk to any doctors who were like, yeah, for months, patient after patient was screaming and cursing me out. And looking back, I guess I should have done something about that.

If there is such a callous doctor, they did not respond to me. The people I talked to were talking to me because they were troubled by what had gone on at the clinic. Some of them had left. But this wasnt about a vendetta, as one staffer put it to me. This was about telling what happened to prevent it from happening again.

I wish I could write about the staffers, like Ive written about the women as a cohort with a shared experience and also as individuals whose identity shaped the way they made sense of it. But I cant offer details about anyone I spoke to. This makes the way I approach the story of the clinic a little more forensic, a little more procedural, a little more like a case study in drug diversion, which is what stealing drugs in a medical setting is called. And this clinic could be a case study in how that happens and how it is missed.

Im going to start the story in an office the clinic occupied for years, an office in an older building in a medical complex off I-95. The Long Wharf exit. And Im going to start in the retrieval room with the drugs they use there, fentanyl and midazolam.

These drugs are one of the first things most staffers I talked wanted to make sure I understood. Theres a lot of variation in the way patients responded to these drugs. Some were out of it. Some were alert, even giddy, singing along to the pop songs, playing at a low volume on the radio.

And for some patients, the drugs were not effective enough. Even the maximum dose of fentanyl was not enough to manage their pain. Even when that fentanyl was actually fentanyl, the highest dose might not be enough for a bunch of reasons, like existing tolerance to narcotics, challenging anatomy. Sometimes a patient would be in so much pain that she would be kicking and screaming.

How often would something like that happen? One or two times a year was when answer I got. Another person said even less. So that kind of extreme response was unusual, but not unknown. But these drugs didnt treat pain 100 percent for all patients. With the medication approach that was used at Long Wharf, one staffer told me, this procedure can hurt.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Maybe 25 years ago, moderate sedation, like this fentanyl and midazolam combo, used to be standard retrievals. But its not anymore. Today, whats more common is deeper sedation with propofol administered by an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. At Long Wharf, a fertility nurse gave the drugs. And there was a limit to how much they were allowed to administer.

When I told one fertility doctor from another clinic what Yale had used at Long Wharf she said, Im shocked they do that with fentanyl and midazolam. In my opinion, that is not enough for this procedure. She wondered if it was a money saving thing.

But another doctor, whod done hundreds of retrievals with fentanyl and midazolam back in the day and sometimes still does, said in her experience, this combination was absolutely fine. That as long as it was working properly. There wasnt anything wrong with using it.

And staffers at Long Wharf said that retrievals were generally fine. But they wanted deeper sedation. The bottom line is that you want patients to be comfortable for their own sake, and because comfort is necessary for safety. Theres a long needle inside the pelvic cavity. Sudden movement presents a risk.

I wondered why Long Wharf didnt have deeper sedation. Staffers had different and often vague understandings of the reason. Something about the oxygen access, one staffer said. But whatever the practical reason for not getting better anesthesia was, there was also a cultural one.

Theres a ton of just inertia in trying to get things done at Yale, the staffer said. And I think if someone in a position of administrative leadership decides that something is not that important, then it just doesnt happen.

So this is the baseline. This is the context. For years and years, Yale is giving these drugs that offer a relatively light level of sedation for this procedure. Patient response to these drugs varies. Some pain has been normalized.

One of the things I wanted to know from staffers was if there was a point when theyd started seeing more pain than usual. Nobody could identify an exact date. But some people did remember something changing before June 2020, the date Donna confessed to.

As one staffer put it, I remember a shift in feeling like we were doing things reasonably well and pretty much achieving our goals of minimizing pain. And then gradually, it didnt seem like we were. A nurse recalled, I remember distinctly times a patient would say, oh, my God, I feel everything.

I looked at the physician and said, I gave the max. What can I give? Whether it was water, I dont know. In hindsight, it makes you think it had been water. Not everyone was seeing this.

Retrievals were divided up among a lot of different doctors and nurses at the clinic. Often, doctors werent even doing retrievals on their own patients. But staffers who did register that something seemed off started coming up with theories to explain it, stories, the way everyone here did.

One theory was just the basic, we need better anesthesia. Another, there was a new manager, and there was a lot of frustration with her. Nurses were leaving the clinic, and those who remained were spread thin.

Could that have something to do with it? But also, and this was the theory I heard most consistently, maybe it was because of this one doctor, someone who didnt have great hands, as one staffer put it to me, or a great bedside manner. One staffer told me that all of the nurses were talking about how, in retrievals, this doctor would be like, if you dont stop yelling, Im just going to leave.

Another recalled of this doctor that, quote, their response was more often kind of an impatient. I cant do this unless you stop moving, kind of almost scolding the patients for the discomfort that they were having. During this time, a doctor from Yales family planning service was invited to the clinic to speak to staffers about how to be more gentle during procedures.

Some staffers were offended by the idea that they needed a refresher course. One said, we had this very sort of condescending talk about how to treat our patients and how to be empathic and responsive. I mean, the whole thing was just like, what is happening here? Are we all being subject to this insulting training because of one person?

One theory that none of the staffers I talked to had was that a colleague was stealing drugs. Thats usually how it works with diversion. People dont suspect their coworkers. But increased complaints of pain are a known sign of drug diversion.

And leadership is responsible for seeing the big picture. And if a manager was aware enough of pain to invite someone to speak on it, they should have investigated all possible reasons for the pain, including the drug supply.

Probably, the most basic step in preventing diversion is how you handle and store the drugs in the first place.

At Long Wharf, these systems were not great. For one, the Long Wharf clinic didnt have a Pyxis, a kind of secure vending machine for drugs that records each transaction. A machine is not a solution for poor oversight, and not every outpatient setting has one of these machines.

But two patients who worked as nurses were shocked that the clinic didnt have a Pyxis. I cant even take something as simple as a Tylenol out of the Pyxis without somebody wanting to know which patient it went to, when it was given, how much was given, one of them told me.

A staffer at the Yale clinic told me that when they wandered to a manager why they didnt have a Pyxis, they were told Yale didnt want to buy one because it was too expensive.

The way drugs are procured is supposed to be tightly regulated too. Because obviously, thats a point where they could be pocketed. At Long Wharf, at least some of the clinics drugs came from Walgreens, including fentanyl, like it was somebodys job to run out to Walgreens and pick up fentanyl. It sounds weird, and it was, even to people who worked at the clinic.

Staffers told me that when Donna had this job, she had often been insistent in trying to get doctors to sign the prescriptions she needed for the drugstore. One staffer remembered, shed be very, very, very aggressive. Another said that Donna was constantly harassing fellows to write scripts for patients that were going to be done the following week.

At the time, both of these staffers attributed this to a kind of mania for organization, but both also clocked it as odd. It was, OK, shes like super efficient, one of them said. Shes trying to get her job done so she can go home to her kids, take her kids to their activities.

In early 2020, the clinic moved out of the Long Wharf office to a newly renovated building in Orange. Almost immediately, the pandemic started. One patient remembers shaking her doctors hand on like March 8, and the handshake already feeling a little strange. The clinic shut down for a while. And by the time things started up again, it was June 2020, the month that Donna says she started stealing fentanyl.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

At the new building, there were new drugs. Now, patients were offered deeper sedation. Anesthesiologists came to the clinic for most retrievals, adding powerful sedatives like propofol into the mix with fentanyl and midazolam. Some staffers noticed a difference right away. The patients were more deeply asleep, one of them said to me.

It was more like a full on surgery. By comparison, they looked tremendously comfortable. But propofol, isnt a pain drug. It just kind of knocks you out. And to the fertility doctors, that deeper sedation likely masked the fact that some patients werent getting fentanyl.

So in the procedure room, some patients appeared comfortable. But in the recovery room, some of them came to in severe pain. At home, some continued to feel severe pain. And that part didnt make sense to several doctors I spoke to, people not from Yale.

Fentanyl is short acting. Maybe it would cover pain for up to a half hour after the procedure ends. But thats probably it. So how to explain the severe pain patients felt hours later or the next day? People I talked to didnt doubt the patients were in severe pain. They just didnt know where it was coming from.

But any patient in severe pain after an egg retrieval should not have been discharged, doctors said. Its just not supposed to hurt that much. And severe pain is a sign that something might be really wrong.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

When Donna got to Orange, she basically took over the drugs. In March 2020, two months before she says she started stealing fentanyl, she completed an application with the DEA that allowed her to sign controlled substance orders. She was in charge of ordering drugs for the clinic.

The room where the drugs were stored was sometimes unlocked, and Donna was able to enter without swiping her access card. Obviously, things went wrong with this setup. And even more things went wrong with this setup than were reflected in Donnas criminal case.

Days after the loose cap was first discovered, the DEA investigated the clinic. Their audit found that a lot of drugs went missing under Donnas watch. 6 percent of the ketamine, 24 percent percent of the midazolam, 35 percent of the fentanyl. This is in addition to vials she tampered with.

These are hundreds of other missing vials that just who knows what happened to them. Its possible that this was just very bad record keeping. The records from this time are messy, handwritten logs. But was Donna also stealing the midazolam and the ketamine? It is speculation to ask, but it is also weird not to ask, given that she was stealing the fentanyl.

No matter what happened with those drugs, these are serious discrepancies. Yale agreed to pay the DEA $308,000 fine to settle these and other violations of the Controlled Substances Act. So thats accountability on a regulatory level.

On a personnel level, just who was or was not looking at those logs? Who was managing Donna? A staffer I spoke to emphasized the lack of oversight during this time. The nurse manager was new, and it was summer 2020, the pandemic.

The clinic was operating with a skeleton crew, is how this staffer described it. A lot was happening on Telemedicine. In retrospect, it was ripe for abuse, the staffer said.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The pandemic made it easier for Donna to hide what she was doing. But there is one thing that would have been very hard for her to disguise, how did nobody notice that shed tampered with the vials, especially the caps? People I talked to who work with fentanyl vials were just kind of blown away by that.

The caps on these vials pop off, and it would be impossible to reseal them the way they came. Of course, ultimately, an anesthesiologist did notice a loose cap. And now, the problem wasnt that the fentanyl diversion was hidden. The problem was with how it would be addressed.

The loose cap was discovered on a Friday. And the following week, the news was shared, fentanyl was missing. It was almost immediately clear that Donna was under suspicion. Poor Donna, one staffer remembers a manager saying.

The staffer thought, poor Donna. Poor patients. Lawyers advised staffers not to talk about this even among themselves. It was all basically about protecting Yale, one staffer remembered. Nobody cared about anything that we went through as providers.

No one cared what patients went through. It was all just sort of minimizing this as much as quickly as possible. The staffers I talked to emphasized that what they went through was nothing compared to what the patients went through. But they had also been betrayed by Donna.

And now, they had to wrestle with the repercussions of that, what cues they might have missed, what it meant to have caused pain to their patients, or to not have recognized the pain they were in, or the reason for it. Obviously, they were going to talk about it with one another. I mean, there was constant talking, one staffer said. That just wasnt realistic. Im sorry. Its crazy. We cant keep working and not vent and provide support to each other.

Six weeks after the loose camp was discovered, Yale sent out that letter that infuriated patients, staffers too. I found that letter so offensive, said one of them. The letter was an official story, Yale told about these events. And the staffer and some of the patients had the same reaction to this story. As it was told in the letter and would be told later, the story evaded. It blame shifted. It focused attention onto a person and away from the institution.
The algorithms powering Facebook and Instagram, which drive what billions of people see on the social networks, have been in the cross hairs of lawmakers, activists and regulators for years. Many have called for the algorithms to be abolished to stem the spread of viral misinformation and to prevent the inflammation of political divisions.

But four new studies published on Thursday  including one that examined the data of 208 million Americans who used Facebook in the 2020 presidential election  complicate that narrative.

In the papers, researchers from the University of Texas, New York University, Princeton and other institutions found that removing some key functions of the social platforms algorithms had no measurable effects on peoples political beliefs. In one experiment on Facebooks algorithm, peoples knowledge of political news declined when their ability to reshare posts was removed, the researchers said.

At the same time, the consumption of political news on Facebook and Instagram was highly segregated by ideology, according to another study. More than 97 percent of the links to news stories rated as false by fact checkers on the apps during the 2020 election drew more conservative readers than liberal readers, the research found.
Eric Ting and Caleb Hammons will join Cynthia Flowers as the next directors of Soho Rep, the Lower Manhattan theater announced on Thursday.

They will replace Sarah Benson and Meropi Peponides, who had directed the Off Off Broadway company with Cynthia Flowers since 2019 under its shared leadership model. (Both women, who departed in June, have said they wanted to focus more on their own creative output.)

The spirit of the theater centers risk and experimentation, said Ting, 50, who made his New York City directorial debut with the Jackie Sibblies Drury play We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915 at Soho Rep in 2012 before becoming the artistic director at the East Bay theater company Cal Shakes, a position he held until 2022. Theres a boldness to the work and a kind of artistic rigor that Ive never found anywhere else.

The size of the organization  with a 65-seat theater that has long been a home for experimental, formally inventive work  was part of the appeal for Hammons, who comes to the theater from the Fisher Center at Bard, an incubator for commercially promising new work in the Hudson Valley. (He has been the director of artistic planning and producing since 2020, after joining the organization as senior producer in 2013.)
It has been well established that legacies have an advantage in elite college admissions. But the new data was the first to quantify it by analyzing internal admissions records. The researchers  Professor Friedman and the economists Raj Chetty and David J. Deming of Harvard  also analyzed comprehensive data of where students applied and attended, whether they received a Pell grant for low-income students and what their SAT scores were, as well as their parents income tax records, from 1999 to 2015.

They used more recent data, including the income tax records of graduates of the dozen top colleges in the study, to analyze their post-college outcomes. They estimated that legacy students were no more likely than other graduates to make it into the top 1 percent of earners, attend an elite graduate school or work at a prestigious firm. If anything, they were slightly less likely to do so.

This isnt about unqualified students getting in, said Michael Hurwitz, who leads policy research at the College Board and has done research on legacy admissions that found similar patterns. But when youre picking a class out of a group of 10 times more qualified students than you can possibly admit, then a modest thumb on the scale translates into a fairly large statistical advantage.

The additional boost legacies receive in admissions has recently been questioned by members of Congress in both parties, and President Biden. The Supreme Court raised the issue when it ruled last month that race-based affirmative action was unconstitutional.

This preferential treatment has nothing to do with an applicants merit, wrote Lawyers for Civil Rights, which filed the complaint with the Education Department. Instead, it is an unfair and unearned benefit that is conferred solely based on the family that the applicant is born into. This custom, pattern and practice is exclusionary and discriminatory. It severely disadvantages and harms applicants of color.
Thats in addition to at least 36 migrants who were flown to Sacramento last month, a plan that California officials believe was organized by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida in what appeared to be a similar attempt at making a political statement.

Some of the migrants who have been transported to California in recent weeks wanted to come, to reunite with relatives. But not all of them seemed entirely willing to head west, or were aware of exactly what was happening, according to Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, which has been helping the arriving migrants.

Cabrera said some passengers on the buses were as young as 6 months old, some were older adults and some had made the 30-hour-plus ride without any food.

Sadly, the politics of a few are endangering many, Cabrera told me.

The sending of migrants to blue states from red ones has become familiar in recent months.

Last fall, DeSantis directed two planeloads of South American migrants from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard, the Democratic-leaning island in Massachusetts. The same Florida program appears to have solicited asylum seekers in Texas and sent them without apparent notice to Sacramento in June. (This month, Democratic leaders in California and Texas urged the Justice Department to investigate the program.)
South African smartphone subscribers experience the fastest and most consistent connectivity services in Africa, according to industry bench markers Opensignal.

Opensignal analysed 15 African countries for its research: South Africa, Morroco, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Angola, Ethiopia and Sudan.

It detailed that South Africans are connected to 4G and 5G services for the highest proportion of time with the fastest download speeds at 27.3Mbps  16.8% faster than second place Morocco. Egypt and Kenya are in third place, with download rates between 16.2Mbps and 16.3Mbps.

Meanwhile, Moroccans have the fastest upload speed recording up to 7.5Mbps. The North African nation also has the best games experience and voice app quality.

Sudan was the worst in both download and upload speeds with scores of 5.7Mbps and 2Mbps respectively.

In several African markets over 40% of smartphones rely on mobile services only and not WiFi. For example, Ghana has 60% of users being mobile signal only. This showcases the lack of fixed infrastructure in Africa and its mobile-first character.

However, 3G is still commonplace in some African markets with smartphone users in Angola and Ethiopia spending just under half (40%) of their time connected on 3G. In contrast, users in Uganda, Ghana and Sudan spend more than 30% on 3G.

Network quality is affected by limited spectrum bandwidth, heavy reliance on 3G and low maximum data transfer rates can adversely affect the quality of the overall mobile network experience in African markets. Currently, certain African markets are seeing backlash for poor quality of service.

Opensignal added 2G continues to be notable in some African markets. Smartphone users spend over 5% of their time connected to 2G in Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.

The rate is up to 2% in the more advanced markets of South Africa and Morocco. However, Morocco, Sudan, Angola and Cameroon spend the highest proportion of time with no signal among African markets ranging from 3.3% to 4.9%.
A Kentucky man who used a flagpole to batter a door near the House chamber during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was found guilty in federal court in Washington on Wednesday on nine counts, including civil disorder and disruption of an official proceeding, prosecutors said.

Chad Barrett Jones, 45, of Mount Washington, Ky., was part of a standoff in the Speakers Lobby that ended in the death of Ashli Babbitt, 35, an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police lieutenant as rioters tried to breach the House chamber, prosecutors said. During the encounter, which was captured on video from multiple angles, rioters came close enough to lock eyes with lawmakers, separated only by a few officers and antique wood-and-glass doors.

Judge Richard J. Leon of the Federal District Court in Washington found Mr. Jones guilty after a bench trial on two felony and seven misdemeanor charges, including the destruction of government property. The judge denied the governments request to treat the flagpole that Mr. Jones was carrying as a dangerous weapon, reducing four of the six felony counts that he had initially faced to misdemeanors.

We were disappointed in the verdict, but we understand and respect the judges decision, William Brennan, a lawyer for Mr. Jones, said in an interview.
New York Citys power company asked customers to cut back on electricity use Thursday afternoon, and Philadelphia declared a health emergency as the dangerous heat that has scorched other parts of the country for more than a month spread to the nations most populous region.

Soaring temperatures and a blanket of oppressive humidity prompted widespread warnings in New England and the Mid-Atlantic States. The heat will probably peak in the region on Friday, forecasters said, before easing over the weekend  a respite not seen in other, longer-suffering parts of the country.

About 118 million Americans, more than a third of the population, were expected to be in the danger zone on Friday, with the heat index  a measure that combines temperature and humidity  rising into the 100s, according to a New York Times analysis of National Weather Service and U.S. Census Bureau data. Thats among the largest proportions of the U.S. population to be threatened at the same time by extreme heat so far this year.
After the Supreme Courts rejection of affirmative action at American colleges and universities, another admissions practice has come under scrutiny: preferences for relatives of alumni. Known as legacy admissions, the practice tends to favor wealthy white applicants over others, including Black, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American students.

Some colleges and universities have already dropped the practice, including Wesleyan, Amherst, Johns Hopkins and Carnegie Mellon. On Tuesday, the Education Department opened a civil rights investigation into Harvard Universitys legacy admissions policy.

Proponents argue that admitting legacy students helps build community and can boost donations, benefiting the institution and all its students. Critics maintain that it reinforces privilege and quashes diversity.
These children were released to sponsors by the H.H.S. shelter system, which is supposed to pair children with responsible adults. As more and more minors began entering the country after President Biden took office, his administration ramped up pressure on the agency to place the children more quickly. It rolled back protections that had been in place for years, including some background checks, and Mr. Becerra urged staff members to move with the speed of a Henry Ford assembly line.

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce questioned Mr. Becerra for three hours about the rising number of children falling prey to exploitation.

Lawmakers also pressed him on instances of retaliation against whistle-blowers. Workers said they had tried to warn Mr. Becerra and the White House that migrant children were being sent to unsafe homes, only to be punished for speaking out. One worker said her building access was revoked during her lunch break after she raised alarms about a 14-year-old whose sponsor made him work off a debt.

Thanks to The New York Times, we know that reports reached your desk that children were at risk, said the committee chair, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington. The American people must know how you could possibly have ignored these warning signs.

Mr. Becerra told lawmakers that his department was increasing its services for children. This is real, its repulsive and its unacceptable, he said.
If the teenager who killed four students at his Michigan high school and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder had been a few years older, there would be no question: He would be going to prison for the rest of his life.

But because he was 15 when he opened fire in 2021 in the hallways of Oxford High School, his fate is less certain.

In a hearing that started on Thursday, a state judge heard arguments on whether the gunman, Ethan Crumbley, should be eligible for a sentence that could allow him to one day leave prison. Though most adults convicted of first-degree murder in Michigan must be sentenced to life in prison without parole, the most serious penalty available under state law, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 2012 requires judges to consider giving juvenile defendants a chance for eventual release.

The hearing, which is expected to stretch into Friday and possibly next week, could provide the fullest airing yet of the evidence in a mass killing that renewed long-festering questions about gun control, school safety and parental responsibility. And Thursdays session offered a preview of prosecutors separate cases against the gunmans parents, who are charged with involuntary manslaughter and accused of missing chances to intervene before the shooting. The parents have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
On the day his presidential campaign said it had laid off more than a third of its staff to address worries about unsustainable spending, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida began his morning by boarding a private jet to Chattanooga, Tenn.

The choice was a routine one  Mr. DeSantis and his wife, Casey, havent regularly flown commercial for years  but also symbolic to close observers of his struggling presidential campaign. As Mr. DeSantis promises a reset, setting out on Thursday on a bus tour in Iowa to show off a leaner, hungrier operation, several donors and allies remained skeptical about whether the governor could right the ship.

Their bleak outlook reflects a deep mistrust plaguing the highest levels of the DeSantis campaign, as well as its supporters and the well-funded super PAC, Never Back Down, bolstering his presidential ambitions.

Publicly, the parties are projecting a stoic sunniness about Mr. DeSantis, even as he has sunk dangerously close to third place in some recent polls. They have said they are moving into an insurgent phase in which the candidate will be everywhere  on national and local media, and especially in Iowa.
But some things didnt appear to change much, even as his campaign has promised a reset.

Mr. DeSantis began his speech with his stalwart opening line: We have a very simple task ahead of us as Americans, and that is to send Joe Biden back to his basement in Delaware, he said without irony from the hotels crowded basement, aptly called the Elbow Room.

And while Mr. DeSantiss stump speech in Chariton, Iowa, was shorter and more focused on what his priorities would be as president (the economy, immigration, challenging the federal government bureaucracy), he barely talked about the state or the town he was in.

In response to its struggles, Mr. DeSantiss campaign has said it will change its approach by spending less, presenting itself as an underdog against the front-runner, former President Donald J. Trump, and sharpening its message, according to talking points distributed to supporters. The bus tour on Thursday through several counties south of Des Moines was Mr. DeSantiss first appearance in an early voting state since the layoffs.

By many measures, his presidential bid appears to be in crisis. His fund-raising did not meet internal expectations for the second quarter. He still trails Mr. Trump in national polls by more than 30 percentage points. And in the most alarming sign of all, his campaign confirmed this week that it had laid off more than a third of its staff just months after joining the race. With all of this bad news, the campaign has shifted to a more guerrilla-style approach.

He made several more stops in Iowa on Thursday, including at a county fair, and he held a town hall at a distillery in the evening.
Only three months into Justice Ketanji Brown Jacksons first Supreme Court term, she announced a book deal negotiated by the same powerhouse lawyer who represented the Obamas and James Patterson.

The deal was worth about $3 million, according to people familiar with the agreement, and made Justice Jackson the latest Supreme Court justice to parlay her fame into a big book contract.

Justice Neil M. Gorsuch had made $650,000 for a book of essays and personal reflections on the role of judges, while Justice Amy Coney Barrett received a $2 million advance for her forthcoming book about keeping personal feelings out of judicial rulings. Those newer justices joined two of their more senior colleagues, Justices Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor, in securing payments that eclipse their government salaries.

In recent months reports by ProPublica, The New York Times and others have highlighted a lack of transparency at the Supreme Court, as well as the absence of a binding ethics code for the justices. The reports have centered on Justice Thomass travels and relationships with wealthy benefactors, in addition to a luxury fishing trip by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. with a Republican megadonor and the lucrative legal recruiting work of the wife of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
The former presidents legal team  including Todd Blanche and a newly hired lawyer, John Lauro  has been on high alert since last week, when prosecutors working for the special counsel sent Mr. Trump a so-called target letter in the election interference case. It was the clearest signal that charges could be coming.

The letter described three potential counts that Mr. Trump could face: conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding and a Reconstruction-era civil rights charge that makes it a crime to threaten or intimidate anyone in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege provided by the Constitution or by federal law.

Another team of lawyers working at the time for Mr. Trump had a similar meeting with officials at the Justice Department last month, days before prosecutors led by Mr. Smith filed an indictment in Florida charging the former president with illegally holding onto highly sensitive classified documents after leaving the White House.

The indictment in the Florida case, which is set to go to trial in May, also accused Mr. Trump of conspiring with one of his personal aides, Walt Nauta, to obstruct the governments repeated attempts to retrieve the classified documents. That case expanded on Thursday, as prosecutors unsealed conspiracy charges against another Trump employee, Carlos De Oliveira, and added three major new charges against the former president.

If Mr. Trump is charged in connection with his efforts to reverse his election loss, it would be an extraordinary moment in which a former president  and current presidential candidate  stood accused of using the powers of his own government to remain in office against the will of the voters.
The Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily cleared the way for construction of a 300-mile pipeline capable of carrying two billion cubic feet of natural gas daily from northern West Virginia to southern Virginia.

In lifting a stay on the pipeline, the court issued a brief order that gave no reasons, which is typical when the justices act on emergency applications. The order was provisional, and the case will move forward in the lower courts.

The Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has cost more than $6 billion, has been the subject of years of legal challenges from environmental groups and is nearing completion.

A provision concerning the pipeline was tucked into legislation enacted in June to raise the debt limit. The provision, championed by Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, barred most legal challenges to the construction and said challenges to the provision itself must be brought in a federal appeals court in Washington.
Authorities in yet another West African country are responding to consumer dissatisfaction over mobile operator prices and quality of service (QoS). This time its happening in Cameroon, whose mobile operators have been instructed to modify off-net and on-net prices within two months.

This comes as a result of subscriber protests earlier this year about the quality of telecom services in the country. As we reported at the time, subscribers coordinated protests during which they switched on aeroplane mode at specific times simultaneously.

Consumer dissatisfaction led to a crisis meeting with the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom, at which all operators promised to enhance their services and laid out plans to do so. Operators at the time had two weeks to compensate subscribers for any lost data due to network outages. In addition, in May CamTel, MTN, Orange and Viettel were fined just under US$10 million for poor quality of service.

News service ITWeb Africa says that Libom has now ordered price adjustments for postpaid, prepaid and promotional offer subscriptions. She has also said that the operators would be subject to sanctions for non-compliance. The countrys telecoms regulator has been given a year to monitor changes.

Regional QoS issues have been very much in the news recently in West Africa. We reported yesterday that the four main mobile operators in the Nigerien market had been fined by the regulatory authority, ARCEP for failing to meet their QoS commitments. In Burkina Faso, meanwhile, pricing and quality issues have led to a call for a boycott campaign against the countrys three main operators.
Nearly a year after 11 people were murdered in the Pittsburgh synagogue where he worshiped, Stephen Cohen wrote a letter to the U.S. attorney general. The Justice Department had not yet declared its intent to seek a death sentence in the case, and Mr. Cohen, the co-president of New Light, one of the three congregations that met in the Tree of Life synagogue, wanted to weigh in.

In consideration of the significant injury to our congregation, he wrote, I request that the parties agree to a plea deal in which the perpetrator would accept a sentence of life imprisonment.

The issue for Mr. Cohen was that pursing a death sentence, rather than taking a plea, would mean a trial and an excruciating revival of the trauma that his fellow congregants had been struggling to overcome. Weeks later, the Justice Department announced it would seek the death penalty, and the trial that has unfolded in a federal courthouse over the past three months has been even more harrowing than he anticipated.

But his view of the issue has changed. I was wrong, he said last week. Whether he gets put to death or not, I leave in the hands of 12 men and women who will make that decision, and God bless them for whatever decision they make. But we have the facts now.
After a days of uncertainty in Niger, the commander of the countrys presidential guard claimed the leadership of the West African country Friday in a televised address after ousting Mohamed Bazoum, the countrys democratically elected president.

Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who goes by the first name, Omar, said on state television Friday, We have decided to intervene and seize our responsibilities in asserting power over the country.

His address came after anti-coup demonstrators had clashed with security forces in Niamey, the capital, and the military putschists subsequently declared a nationwide curfew, announcing that they would also shutter the countrys borders.

Heres what to know about the takeover.

What happened in Niger?

Members of the countrys Presidential Guard encircled the presidents palace in Niamey on Wednesday morning and held Mr. Bazoum hostage. For hours, an anxious country waited to see whether the crisis would be resolved quietly, with little clear information about either the rebels identities or whether the president was safe.
Hours after soldiers seized power in the West African nation of Niger, the countrys ousted president sounded a defiant note on Thursday morning, vowing to protect his hard won democratic gains, even as he was being held hostage in the presidential palace by his own guards.

But his army chief poured cold water on such hopes, saying in a statement that the army was backing the mutineers to avoid bloodshed and prevent infighting among the security forces.

The military command was supporting the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum to avoid a deadly confrontation between the different forces which could provoke a blood bath and impinge on the security of the population, Gen. Abdou Sikikou Issa, the army chief, said in the statement.
The Korean War broke out when a Soviet-backed, Communist North invaded the pro-American southern territory of the Korean Peninsula in 1950, leading to one of the most harrowing conflicts of the 20th century and setting the tone of the Cold War in Asia.

Despite American officials who initially described the Communist invaders as little more than bandits, the war dragged on for three disastrous years. Troops from both sides massacred civilians. Rival villagers slaughtered each other. The American-led United Nations forces suffered a crushing defeat when the North Koreans swept down the peninsula in 1950, occupying Seoul, the South Korean capital, before they were pushed back to the north.

Between 2 million and 3 million people  including 36,500 American troops  were estimated to have been killed. Chinas intervention on the Norths behalf led to a stalemate between the two sides, and the fighting was halted roughly along the 38th Parallel after a truce was signed on July 27, 1953. But with no formal peace treaty ever established, the two Koreas technically remain at war.

Hostilities between the North and South have escalated in recent years. Kim Jong-un, the Norths dynastic ruler, has threatened to use nuclear weapons should fighting begin again.
On the 70th anniversary of the armistice that halted the Korean War, one American received a special honor in South Korea: former President Harry S. Truman, in whose memory a new, nearly 14-foot-tall statue was unveiled on Thursday.

Although not all South Koreans were happy to see another monument for the war or a new edifice to an American leader built on their soil, conservatives wanted to celebrate Truman, who perhaps affected the fate of South Korea more than any other U.S. president. When North Korea invaded the South in 1950, Truman sent American troops and engineered a United Nations resolution to support the South with Allied forces.

South Korea celebrates the armistice anniversary as a victory for the free world that helped the nation become one of Asias richest economies, while North Korea remains a hunger-stricken, nuclear-armed international pariah.

The Americans choice to have such a decisive leader as President Truman in the White House when North Korea invaded saved South Korea and the free world, said Cho Gab-je, a prominent conservative journalist and publisher who led the campaign to build a Truman statue.
North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, vowed to expand military cooperation with Moscow in its confrontation with the United States as the Russian defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, led a delegation to Pyongyang, the North Korean state news media reported on Thursday.

During a meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Kim and Mr. Shoigu discussed increasing strategic and tactical collaboration and cooperation in national security to cope with the ever-changing regional and international security environment, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency said on Thursday.

The news agency did not directly mention Russias war in Ukraine. But in a separate meeting with Mr. Shoigu on Wednesday, Mr. Kims defense minister, Kang Sun Nam, identified the United States as a common enemy of their two countries.

The present conflicting international military and political situation requires the armies of the two countries to resolutely stand against the United States and further strengthen their mutual cooperation and collaboration, Mr. Kang was quoted as saying.
Not long ago, Giorgia Meloni rose in Italian politics campaigning against migrants and the European Union while seeking alliances with supporters of Donald J. Trump. Now prime minister of Italy, she would seem to have little in common with President Biden, who once compared the hard-right philosophy she shared with Mr. Trump to semi-fascism.

But when Ms. Meloni visits Mr. Biden at the White House on Thursday, far from being a collision of worldviews, the meeting will, perhaps surprisingly, mark how much the two leaders are in sync on major international issues, such as support for Ukraine, suspicion of China and the need to strengthen NATO.

There are still real fault lines between them, such as gay rights, which, along with migration, originally made Mr. Biden nervous about Ms. Meloni. But the meeting will amount to a recognition of what many analysts see as her shift to the center since she won elections and became prime minister last fall.

In Europes pitched debate about whether it is better to keep marginalizing far-right forces or bring them into the fold, Ms. Meloni, analysts say, has emerged as Exhibit A in favor of the normalizing powers of governing.
Unverified photographs began circulating on social media Thursday suggesting that Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the Russian mercenary boss who led a short-lived mutiny in June, was meeting with African officials in St. Petersburg, where some of the continents top leaders have converged for a summit with President Vladimir V. Putin.

The whereabouts and status of Mr. Prigozhin, a caterer turned warlord, have been the subject of continuing questions since he tried to topple the Russian defense leadership last month, posing the biggest security threat to Mr. Putins government in decades.

Questions also have persisted about what will become of Mr. Prigozhins operations in Africa, where his Wagner forces are active in a number of countries, including the Central African Republic and Mali.

The unverified images suggested not only that Mr. Prigozhin was moving freely in Russia but that he also had access to figures attending a major diplomatic event, suggesting the Kremlin may be endeavoring to harness his contacts and political good will in Africa despite the mutiny.
The six countries that Russian President Vladimir V. Putin chose to provide with free grain reflect Russias foreign policy priorities in Africa, despite Mr. Putins claim to be sending food for purely charitable motives.

On Thursday, Mr. Putin announced at a meeting with African leaders that, over the next few months, Russia would deliver 25,000 to 50,000 tons of free grain each to Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia and Zimbabwe.

Five of those countries voted against Russia at the United Nations in February in supporting a resolution that called for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Two of them, Mali and the Central African Republic, have relied on Russias Wagner mercenaries to prop up their authoritarian governments and are now being rewarded for their loyalty to Moscow. In a third, Burkina Faso, Russia and the Wagner mercenaries are trying to expand their foothold.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia pledged on Thursday to ship free grain to at least six African countries over the next four months, scrambling to shore up Moscows image on the continent in the wake of the Kremlins refusal to extend a deal that had protected Ukrainian grain exports that help feed millions of people around the world.

Mr. Putin, speaking at a summit for African countries in St. Petersburg that drew far fewer African leaders than its 2019 iteration, insisted in a keynote speech that Western hypocrisy rather than Russias invasion of Ukraine was to blame for disruptions in the global food supply.

Nothing happened of what was discussed and promised to us, Mr. Putin said, repeating his assertion that the West had failed to fulfill its end of the grain deal and had done nothing to clear the way for Russian food and fertilizer exports.

He added that those casting Russia as an unreliable food supplier were telling lies, which he said had been the practice of some Western states for decades, if not centuries.
Internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX has announced plans to establish a joint venture company called PT DE-CIX Indonesia, together with PT IDMarco Digital Solusi, a subsidiary of the Salim Group, a major Indonesian conglomerate.

As a first step, the new company will establish a distributed internet exchange across multiple data centres in Jakarta using the DE-CIX Apollon platform, which was created to manage the continuous and enormous increase in customers and data traffic at DE-CIX's interconnection platforms.

DE-CIX Jakarta will be connected to the existing DE-CIX ecosystem in Southeast Asia, now covering six metro markets: Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Brunei and Manila.

DE-CIX says this means customers at any of the exchanges will be able to access networks at any of the other IXs in the region, offering a seamless connection, top-quality interconnection services for wholesale and enterprise requirements, and the most cost-effective way to peer across Southeast Asia.

The IX will be directly connected to DE-CIX Singapore, thus incorporating DE-CIX Jakarta into the companys Southeast Asian interconnection ecosystem. DE-CIX Jakarta will combine both local and regional interconnection, including cloud exchange capabilities, which will, DE-CIX says, lead to a better user experience for Indonesian end-users, along with a wide array of cloud interconnection services tailored for enterprises.

The platform includes advanced security features such as DE-CIXs blackholing services and in-depth statistical data that allows participants to better understand their own traffic patterns, as well as a self-service portal and API for the easy management and automation of interconnection services.

Indonesia, with the largest population and the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, is the next logical step for DE-CIX in the region, explains Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX. Our integrated solution supports the ongoing transformation of content and traffic localisation in the ASEAN region. Mega-hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong will continue to be important; however, we expect to see the main growth in markets such as Jakarta.
Officials permitted his former business partner, Petr Aven, a monthly allowance of 60,000. The majority went to a security company owned by Mr. Avens financial manager, who has been under investigation for potentially helping Mr. Aven evade sanctions, court records show. It is unclear what checks the government carried out before approving the transactions.

Mr. Fridman and Mr. Aven are described by the British government as pro-Kremlin oligarchs who are closely associated with the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, an allegation they both deny and are challenging in court. We are politically neutral businessmen. That is all, said Mr. Aven, reached by phone in the Hamptons.

The former business partners are among several Russians who have had sanctions imposed in public since the war, only to see those restrictions eased in secret. The British Treasury granted at least 82 licenses last year and many more applications are pending, according to official figures seen by The New York Times.

Law enforcement agents, who deal with potential criminal breaches of the financial blacklist, have at times been frustrated with those decisions and by a licensing system that they see as undermining the sanctions. Treasury officials allowed Mr. Aven, for example, to spend more than 1 million while technically cut off from the British economy. At the same time, law enforcement officers investigated him for possible sanctions evasion and raided his countryside mansion last year.
Battles raged in southern Ukraine on Thursday, as Kyivs stepped-up offensive against the Russian occupation made small gains, according to Russian, Ukrainian and Western analysts and officials, but the scope of the assaults and their toll remained unclear.

A day after U.S. officials said the main thrust of Ukraines counteroffensive appeared to have begun, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said, We confirm that hostilities have intensified and in a significant way.

But there was minimal, and sometimes contradictory, information about how many troops and armored vehicles Ukraine had committed so far to its attempt to punch holes through Russias daunting defensive network. Crucially, it was also unclear what kind of losses either side was suffering, in soldiers and weaponry.

What is clear is that Ukraine has significantly ratcheted up its seven-week-old counteroffensive, along two southward thrusts apparently aimed at cities in the Zaporizhzhia region: Melitopol, near the Sea of Azov, and Berdiansk, to the east, on the Azov coast. In both cases, the Ukrainians have advanced only a few miles so far and have dozens of miles to go.
The Ukrainian military said on Thursday that its forces were pushing in two directions in southern Ukraine, aiming to rip through Moscows heavily fortified defensive lines, as President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia acknowledged a major uptick in attacks but claimed Russian lines were holding.

We confirm that hostilities have intensified and in a significant way, Mr. Putin said at a summit of African leaders in St. Petersburg, Russia.

It was the first time the Russian president had made direct comments about what U.S. officials have described as the start of Ukraines main thrust in its counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region, involving thousands of soldiers newly outfitted with Western arms.

In the past, Mr. Putin rarely talked about the nitty-gritty details of military maneuvers on the battlefield, but in recent weeks he has sought to portray himself as well-informed about real-time events during Ukraines push to recapture territory.
Ive said from day one that Netanyahus plan is to fire the attorney general, or to create a situation where she cant operate independently, said Gilad Kariv, an opposition lawmaker, in a phone interview. This piece of legislation, which was only removed because its a very sensitive week, is part of that plan.

Although the Likud leadership disowned the bill and its lead proponent pulled it back, its introduction by about a third of its legislators in Parliament, raised questions about the partys intent. The partys leaders said the detailed bill had been in the works for weeks, but said it was advanced without their blessing.

But to Mr. Netanyahus opponents, the bill revealed what they have long feared: that key figures in the ruling coalition have plans to disrupt his prosecution and ensure he can remain in power.

The reaction the bill received from opponents of the government underlined why there was such opposition to the enactment on Monday of legislation that reduces the Supreme Courts ability to block government decisions  one piece of a proposed broader judicial overhaul. The opposition said that by diminishing the courts power, the government would be freer to enact future legislation that targets gatekeepers like the attorney general.

In their proposal to dilute the attorney generals role, the Likud lawmakers said the change was needed to prevent a conflict of interest: As well as being Israels top prosecutor, the attorney general must also provide legal advice to the government. That means that the same senior official can prosecute ministers in the courtroom while advising them at the cabinet table  an awkward and untenable dynamic, the lawmakers wrote.
Dark matter is invisible to normal means of detection, neither emitting or reflecting light. But its existence can be traced through its gravitational influence on other, more detectable objects. Map its influence and you can map its existence.

By tracing the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man who probably did more than anyone to usher in the age of atomic warfare, Christopher Nolans film Oppenheimer reveals the dark matter of human complicity that made the bomb possible  and makes the audience feel implicated, too.

That feeling, I think, helps explain why so many viewers report being profoundly disturbed by the films ending. Its not that it reveals something new about the atomic age; anyone who sees this movie is probably aware of the horrors of nuclear war. Rather, Oppenheimer draws attention to something far more unsettling: a truth about what drives the systems we live in and the terrible dangers that come from those systems spinning out of control.

And while most Hollywood blockbusters imply a vast difference between the heroes onscreen and the ordinary people in the audience, Oppenheimer does the opposite by inviting the audience to judge themselves alongside those onscreen. (Spoilers for Oppenheimer will follow).
A pyramid-shaped peak in Antarcticas Ellsworth Mountain range has been fueling all sorts of conspiracy theories involving aliens and ancient civilizations for at least seven years.

Satellite images of a pyramid-shaped mountain peak in Antarctica first appeared on the internet in 2016. Measuring 2 kilometers square in each direction at its base, a design reminiscent of Egyptian pyramids, the geological structure instantly became the inspiration to all sorts of online conspiracy theories. Some claimed that it had been built by an ancient civilization 10,000 years ago when Antarctica was warm, while others said that it was the work of aliens. But while its true that a naturally-occurring pyramid of that size seems unlikely, geologists would tell you that this is actually just that, a mountain that happens to look like a pyramid.

Pyramid shapes are not impossible  many peaks partially look like pyramids, but they only have one to two faces like that, rarely four, Irvine geology professor Eric Rignot told LiveScience. This is just a mountain that looks like a pyramid.

The geologist went on to explain that pyramids are actually a common feature of glaciated areas known as a pyramidal peaked mountain, and that they are so-shaped by the convergence of glaciers on the sides of an existing landmass.

Its not a complicated shape, so its not a special coincidence either, Dr Mitch Darcy, a geologist at the German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, recently confirmed. By definition, it is a nunatak, which is simply a peak of rock sticking out above a glacier or an ice sheet. This one has the shape of a pyramid, but that doesnt make it a human construction.

Good luck using science to debunk online conspiracy theories, though! A story involving the mysterious pyramid of the South Pole went viral recently, using the same images that originally drew attention seven years ago. Forget the fact that there are other similarly-shaped mountains out there, like Mount Bulandstindur in Iceland, and Bordoyarnes Mountain on the Faroe Islands, theres just no competing with truthers!
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.
Tipperary Dail Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the decision by the Government to increase the amount paid to Carers and the inclusion of time spent travelling as part of their work.

However, he has cautioned against any move to cut the number of Home Support Hours allocated to those receiving care, describing this as a retrograde decision.

For the first time, Carers will be paid at least the National Living Wage of 13.10 per hour. This is something I welcome and have called for on several occasions. It is a decision that should have been made long before now, due to the invaluable service that Carers provide to the elderly and those with disabilities.

By making the announcement on Friday on increasing the level of payment to Home Carers, the Government is hoping that more people will train to work as Carers or return to work in this sector. That would be a positive development he says.

However, combining this positive move with one that involves reducing the number of hours that a Home Care recipient receives is like giving with one hand and taking back with the other. There has already been a nationwide call to have Home Care hours increased, doing the opposite is not the way forward for Home Care in Ireland he says.

The reality is that the number of Care Hours needs to be increased to allow carers to spend more time with those they care for and to allow those being cared for an enhanced level of both physical and emotional support, says Deputy Lowry.

The purpose of Home Care is to meet the needs of the patient. It is already the case that patients availing of a Home Care Package already get a very limited number of hours per day. During this short time, a carer is obliged to tend to all their needs. For many patients, this may be the only human contact they have throughout the day as family members and neighbours may be unable to call due to work and family commitments.

Reducing the number of hours a patient will receive is not in keeping with the ethos of providing care.

In order for the Home Care system to move closer towards meeting patient needs the hours should, in fact, be increased. By increasing these hours it would mean that a patient could remain in their home for longer, rather than moving to a medical or care setting. Not alone would this increases the quality of life for the patient, but it is also more cost-effective from a healthcare perspective.

Last month Deputy Lowry and the members of the Regional Group of TDs brought a Motion before the Dail highlighting the critical state of Home Care and Home Help Services across the country. The Motion received undivided support.

In his presentation at that time Deputy Lowry said that a complete and fully functioning Home Help and Home Care System for elderly people is not simply needed, but should, in fact, be a fundamental part of the overall health care provision in this country.

I continue to stand over this statement he says, and I will emphasise it again in advance of the Budget when the Dail resumes. Ensuring that a full and proper level of care can be provided to a person receiving Home Care is of paramount importance and not something that can be compromised in any way he concludes.
Nokia equipped Mobifone with analytics tools to cut the Vietnamese operators overall energy consumption by 14%.

In a statement from Nokia, Mobifone deputy manager of the technology department Vu Tuan Trung said: MobiFone supports sustainable practices to bring down our carbon emissions without compromising on performance or the customer experience. We are thrilled by the results of this trial with Nokia Digital Design and look forward to working with our longstanding partner, Nokia to reduce the energy consumption in other parts of our network.

The Finnish vendor detailed the operator trialled its Digital Design service which used data from Mobifones network and enabled it to implement power reduction in 88% of 4G radio cells.

To achieve the result, Nokia helped MobiFone transition from traditional network-wide or cluster-wide power settings to cell-level settings, which helped them find an optimal radio link and power balance with overall lower transmit power.

Radio Access Network accounts for around 80% of energy consumption said Nokia, and reducing the RAN is a key way to reduce overall energy needs for all service providers.
Bengaluru Foodies Brace for 10% Price Hike On Food Items From August 1

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In response to the recent surge in vegetable, food grain, milk, and other essential commodity prices, hoteliers in Bengaluru have decided to increase food prices by 10% starting from August 1. This decision comes as many restaurants and eateries have already raised their food item prices by 5-10%.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association (BBHA) explained that while food prices in hotels and restaurants are typically increased annually in April, they delayed the hike this year due to elections and other ongoing matters. However, with the sharp rise in ingredient costs, they have now formally agreed to implement the 10% price increase.

BBHA President PC Rao stated that hostels that have already raised their prices will not be affected by this second increase, and the 10% hike will only apply to those hotels that hadn't raised prices earlier this year.

The decision to raise food prices comes in the wake of recent price hikes in tomatoes, chillies, and other vegetables, which compelled hotels to take such action. The rise in milk prices was also a factor influencing the decision, particularly after the announcement that Nandini milk could become more expensive by Rs 3 per litre.

Bikes, Auto Rickshaws Banned On Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway From August 1?

Across various cities in the country, vegetable prices have witnessed significant increases in recent times. For instance, vegetable prices in Patna rose sharply from early May, with cauliflower and cabbage prices reaching Rs 60 per kg. Similarly, potato and onion prices surged from Rs 20/kg in early May to Rs 30/kg in July.

Other cities also experienced a surge in vegetable prices, with West Bengal witnessing a 30-35% increase. Tomato prices were around Rs 130-150/kg, and green chillies were selling between Rs 300-350/kg. In Odisha, tomato prices reached Rs 140-160/kg, green chillies were priced at Rs 200/kg, and ginger at Rs 300/kg.

Even in Delhi's Safal store, tomato prices exceeded Rs 129 per kg, and in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, they went up to Rs 150/kg. The overall trend of rising vegetable prices has put pressure on the hospitality industry, leading to the decision to increase food prices in Bengaluru.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 11:07 [IST]
Karnataka: Muslim Girl Stopped From Boarding Govt Bus For Not Wearing Burqa

Bengaluru

oi-Prakash KL

A Muslim girl in Karnataka was stopped from boarding a government in Karnataka. The reason is she was not wearing a burqa, Times Now reported.

The moral-policing incident occurred in Kalaburagi when the girl try to board the KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation). The conductor asked the girl whether she was a Muslim girl. On saying 'yes', he refused to get on the bus as she was not wearing a burqa.

"Are you Muslim? And why are you not wearing burqa?" he asked the girl, as per the report. The incident was caught on camera and the clip has gone viral.

However, a teacher came to the girl's rescue and had a heated argument with the conductor for refusing to allow the minor girl to board the bus.

The incident, which occurred in Kamalapura Bus stand in Kalaburagi, was caught on camera and the clip has gone viral. Despite the teacher's intervention, the bus conductor did not allow the girl to board the bus.

 Is Mohabbat Ki Dukkan Sarkar Khangress declared Karnataka a Islamic State? 



A Muslim Girl Says "They asked are you a Muslim? I said Yes, then they asked my name, I said my name and then they said if you don't wear Burqa you can't get on the bus".



Journalist "Then what else pic.twitter.com/CiCFOqoZnO  Arun Pudur (@arunpudur) July 27, 2023

"They asked me if I'm a Muslim, and further asked my name which I refused to disclose. They told me that I'm a Muslim and I should wear a burqa. Further shouted that I cannot board the bus." the student who was not allowed to get into the bus, said.

While the students were on their way back to their village in Basavakalyan, the bus conductor acted inappropriately towards one of the girls.

The students were heading to their village in Basavakalyan. An FIR has been filed in the incident and KsRTc has initiated an enquiry into the issue.
10th & 12th not needed.8th pass is enough..Incredible idea of Tamil Nadu government

Chennai

oi-Oneindia English Desk

If you are someone who didn't write 12th exam or if you are 12th fail, do not worry about waiting for another year to write the exam or about wasting a year, Tamil Nadu government has a better idea from its idea bundle. To get rid of fear and to move forward in life, a counselling camp is being held to guide the school dropouts. For pursuing vocational education, it is not mandatory to complete 12th standard. Career guidance cells in Tamil Nadu are functioning to make the students aware of this fact and also to make opportunities for the school dropouts to pursue vocational studies.

Hema Rupa is a student who completed only 10th standard and joined polytechnic college based on the advice of the government career guidance cells. Now she is studying in Central Polytechnic College in Tharamani, Chennai which will help her in developing skills needed for employment. Pon Jothi is a student in the same college and she said, "Our college consists of advanced lab facilities which is helpful in gaining direct experience by applying the theory part practically. The satisfaction of learning thoroughly and the guarantee of placement made by the college administration gives us hope."

Another student from the same college Yash Ahmad said, "My travel from Tiruvottiyur to Tharamani is taken care of by the Tamil Nadu government in the form of provision of free bus passes which eliminates the financial constraints of students. Apart from this, college is also providing incentives and scholarships."

Tamil Nadu government, in a way of getting rid of financial constraints of students provides free books, uniforms etc. As per career counsellors, the students of Central Polytechnic College have the boon of studying without any hardships and getting placed in the campus interview with a quality job in their hands.

Venkatesh who completed 12th standard and joined the college said, "I am a Mechanical Engineering student, joined in the second year because of my completion of 12th standard. I opted for this college because it offers a variety of disciplines like EEE, ECE, Mechanical and even fisheries which increases the opportunities for employment in MNCs. I vouch for this college which helps students in developing same level of skill sets as any other engineering college students."

About the vocational courses, the Senior Technical officer of Central Polytechnic College said, "The maximum qualification needed to join a polytechnic college is 10th standard. Students who haven't passed 10th standard can opt for ITI (Industrial Training Institute) courses. Not graduating high school is not a big deal anymore, students can carry forward their life without having to fear about the future. Polytechnic and ITI courses also give great opportunities for employment. So, use this rare and wonderful opportunity given to you by the Tamil Nadu government and reach great heights in life."

A single decision today will change the course of your life. Aim high and reach high!!!!

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 17:45 [IST]
'Vow Of Silence' Over Ethnic Violence In Manipur: Opposition Invokes Atal Bihari Vajpayee To Attack PM Modi

At Rajasthan Rally, PM Modi Accuses Congress of Hiding Dark Secrets in 'Red Diary'

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an attack on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the controversial 'red diary' case.

During a public rally in Rajasthan's Sikar, PM Modi said,"The red diary will unveil the Congress's dark secrets," as he spoke about the upcoming elections, asserting that the alleged red diary would lead to the party's defeat in the state polls.

Referring to the 'Lal diary,' PM Modi accused the Congress of running a business of lies and claimed that the diary contained records of the party's unethical actions.

He further criticized the Ashok Gehlot government for hindering development in Rajasthan.

PM Modi said, "Today in Rajasthan, there is only one voice, one slogan - lotus will win, lotus will bloom," referring to the symbol of the BJP.

PM Modi Takes a Dig at Gehlot in Rajasthan, Says He Could Not Attend Event Due To 'Leg Injury'

He accused the Congress government of neglecting the water crisis in the state and emphasized that this time, the slogan would be "Nahi Sahega Rajasthan" (Rajasthan will not tolerate) in response to any mistreatment of women.

Recently, former minister and Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha stirred controversy when he claimed that he had protected Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot from trouble but was dismissed without being given a chance to explain himself.

Gudha also made allegations about a "red diary" that he had obtained during an ED and IT department raid against Congress leader Dharmendra Rathore, following the chief minister's instructions.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 14:06 [IST]
Objecting to such visit will not change reality: India to China on Shah's visit to Arunachal

Conjunctivitis Outbreak In Arunachal: Schools In Several Districts Closed Temporarily

India

oi-PTI

As conjunctivitis cases are surging in Arunachal Pradesh, with children being the most affected, several district administrations have ordered a temporary suspension of school activities to curb the spread of the disease, officials said on Thursday.

After the state capital Itanagar and Kanubari sub-division of Longding district, Namsai and East Siang administrations have ordered the closure of schools for a few days to arrest the outbreak of the eye infection, they said. All private and government schools in East Siang will remain temporarily closed till August 2, while activities in such educational institutes in Namsai have been suspended till July 31, an official said.

The decision was taken after a comprehensive survey, conducted by the district surveillance units, revealed that conjunctivitis cases are on the rise, he said. The authorities have decided to close schools temporarily as a necessary precautionary measure to contain the spread of the infection among students.

East Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu has stressed on the importance of maintaining hygiene practices to curb the infection. He urged people to diligently follow the guidelines and advisories issued by the district medical officer to safeguard their health and well-being. Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, can spread effortlessly through direct or indirect contact with eye secretions, contaminated objects, or respiratory droplets from infected individuals.

The Namsai administration also decided to temporarily close schools as a preventive measure to break the chain of transmission among children, a district official said. The district administration has directed school-going children and other infected people to self-isolate and quarantine themselves to avoid any further transmission.

Delhi Records 100 Daily Cases of Conjunctivitis, Experts Stress Hygiene, Precautions

More than 100 conjunctivitis cases have been reported from various schools in Lower Dibang Valley, and the number is on the rise, a district official said.

All schools of the district have also been directed to follow the public health advisory issued by the Roing hospital to prevent the spread of the viral infection, he said. It advised people to follow frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the eyes, sharing personal items and isolating the infected.

The Tirap administration, in association with the district health society, conducted a survey and an awareness programme on acute conjunctivitis at Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Girls' School, Khonsa on Wednesday. Tirap Deputy Commissioner Hento Karga advised the students and teaching staff to maintain hygiene to curb the spread of the infection. He said closing down schools will not be a solution because it will affect academic programmes. "Rather, we all should try individually to break the chain of the infection by maintaining social distance and hygiene," he added.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 11:36 [IST]
Focus On Poll Guarantees, Can't Push Development This Year: DK Shivakumar

India

oi-PTI

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said the Congress government in the state cannot provide for development this year because of financial constraints caused by the implementation of the five poll guarantees.

Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, said efforts will be made to ensure that the party legislators, who have huge expectations, understand the situation and remain patient.

Some Congress MLAs are said to be miffed and have complained to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party leadership that they have not been able to get work done in their constituencies, and that transfers (of government servants) as requested has not happened. They have expressed unhappiness regarding ministers, as well, and have alleged that they are not cooperating.

Karnataka Rains: IMD Issues Orange Alert In Coastal, Malnad Region

However, Shivakumar and the Chief Minister have ruled out any disgruntlement within the ruling Congress.

"It is true that MLAs asked for a meeting (of the legislature party) to discuss certain issues, we too want to discuss with them on certain financial issues, because we will have to keep aside Rs 40,000 crore (for implementing guarantees)," Mr Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "We will not be able to provide for development this year. We will not be able to provide -- in the irrigation department or PWD department, but there is a huge expectation (from MLAs). We have asked them to wait. We will explain the situation to them in the legislature party meeting." Shivakumar said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also said this during the preparation of the budget, and he had also asked the ministers to have patience.

How Congress 5 Poll Guarantees Will Benefit Women, Middle Class

"The previous government had created bankruptcy, they had called for more tenders and emptied the exchequer. As we (Congress) have ensured that we fulfill our promises by implementing the guarantees in the first year itself. All of them (MLAs) should remain patient," he said, adding that emergency works will surely be taken up.

The Congress legislature party is scheduled to meet here on Thursday evening.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 10:35 [IST]
Seema Haider-Sachin Meena's Family Puts Up Notice Asking Media To Leave Them Alone

UP Minors Forced To Drink Urine, Tortured With Chillies On Suspicion of Theft

Headmaster Found Sleeping Naked In UP School, Suspended

India

oi-Moumi Majumdar

A government primary school headmaster was found sleeping naked in a drunken state in front of the students. The incident happened on Thursday in the Visheshwarganj area of Uttar Pradesh.

A video clip has also been circulating online, and the accused person's name is identified as Durga Prasad Jaiswal. He was the head of the Shivpur Bairagi Primary School in Visheshwarganj block in Uttar Pradesh.

After the incident, many parents and villagers claimed that Durga Prasad often used to behave weirdly, and for such embarrassing acts, girls stopped attending schools, PTI reported.

" title="Mumbai Rains: Holidays Declared For Schools, Colleges On Thursday" />Mumbai Rains: Holidays Declared For Schools, Colleges On Thursday

Meanwhile, the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) ordered a suspension of Durga Prasad Jaiswal on July 24. A departmental inquiry is also in progress, and FIR can be registered if required.

BSA Avyakt Ram Tiwari also informed that they received a complaint against Durga Prasad, who got suspended on July 24 after a preliminary inquiry conducted by the block education officer. Whereas a police official confirmed that there is no arrest yet, after the departmental probe, it will be decided if any FIR registration is required or not.
Heavy Rains Continue To Lash Telangana; State Govt Puts Administration On Alert

India

oi-PTI

Telangana Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari on Thursday said the administration has been put on alert as heavy rains continued to lash the state.

The downpour led to inundation of low-lying areas and damage to roads at several places in the state with rivulets and other water bodies overflowing.

In the temple town of Bhadrachalam, water level in Godavari river stood at 49.80 ft at 1 PM and the second flood warning was in force (third and final flood warning level is 53 ft), official sources said.

As there is every likelihood of the flood water reaching third danger mark, steps are being taken to shift people living in low lying areas to relief camps, an official release said.

In the wake of heavy rains, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao directed Education Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy to declare holiday for all educational institutions in the state on Friday. As per directions of the Chief Minister, the flood situation in the state is being constantly monitored with senior officials along with district collectors and superintendents of police, the Chief Secretary said.

Heavy Rain To Lash Gujarat For Next 24 Hours; Orange Alert Issued

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Service teams are ready to take up any rescue and relief measures in case of any emergency, the official release said.

A special control room to monitor the flood situation has been set up in the Secretariat. Three senior officials have been appointed in the control room and the situation is being constantly monitored, the Chief Secretary said. Similarly, control rooms have been set up in all the Collector's offices of the districts. Two NDRF teams each have been kept in readiness in Kothagudem and Hyderabad districts, while one NDRF team each has been stationed in Mulugu and Warangal districts.

Several districts in the state, particularly in North Telangana, have been experiencing continuous downpour since last night. Rainfall ranging from 30 to 40 cm has been recorded in these districts, the release said. Moranchavagu (a rivulet) at Moranchapalli village in Bhupalpalli district has been in spate and as a result, the entire village was submerged. The district administration has shifted the villagers of Moranchapalli to a safer location. One NDRF team is being dispatched to Moranchapalli village, while steps are being taken to send a helicopter to the village. The Collector and SP of Bhupalpalli district are constantly in touch with the villagers of Moranchapalli and they are monitoring the situation, it said.

As several residential colonies in Warangal are under water due to heavy rains, the district administration is taking steps to evacuate the residents and shift them to safer places. As ponds, canals and tanks are full to the brim in several parts of the state, various measures have been taken to prevent any untoward incident, the release said.

The Chief Secretary advised the people not to venture out near the causeways and other vulnerable areas.

As there is a lot of outflow from the Kadem project in Nirmal district, measures are being taken to shift the people living in the catchment areas to safer places. While full water level of Kadem project is 700 ft, it stood at 702 ft in the morning hours, but the water level is declining as outflow of water is more than the inflow, official sources said.

Weather Alert: IMD Predicts Intense Rainfall In THESE States Until July 28

Meanwhile, in its special report issued at 1 PM, the Met Centre of IMD here said heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain (exceptionally heavy greater than 24 cm) is very likely to occur at isolated places in Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak and other districts from 1300 hours of July 27 to 0830 hours on July 28.

Heavy rain is very likely to occur at various places in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad and other districts during the same period.

In Hyderabad, heavy to very heavy rain and at times intense spells are very likely to occur in the city during the same period, it said.

From 8.30 AM on July 28 to 8.30 AM on July 29, heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur in Adilabad, Nirmal and Nizamabad districts.

Light to moderate rain and at times intense spells are very likely to occur in Hyderabad during the same period, the report said. In its daily weather report for Telangana (at 8.30 AM on July 27), the Met Centre said exceptional heavy rainfall occurred at many places in Hanmakonda and at a few places Mulugu, Jayashankar Bhupalpally districts and at Isolated places in Jangaon, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Karimnagar, Warangal districts of Telangana.

According to the report, Chityal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district received 62 cm rainfall, followed by Regonda (47), Ghanpurjskb (46), both in the same district. Parkal in Hanumakonda district received 46 cm of rainfall.

More than 20 cm of rainfall occurred at several other places in different districts, it said.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 15:39 [IST]
India Deserves Right To Suitably Respond: New Delhi Slams Beijing Over Stapled Visas

India

pti-PTI

India on Thursday described as "unacceptable" China issuing stapled visas to some sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that it reserves the right to "suitably respond" to such actions.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has already lodged its "strong protest" with the Chinese side on the matter. Bagchi said it has come to the government's notice that stapled visas were issued to some Indian citizens who were to represent the country at an international sporting event in China.

"This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions," Bagchi said. He said this at a media briefing when asked whether a number of sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh were issued stapled visas.

Conjunctivitis Outbreak In Arunachal: Schools In Several Districts Closed Temporarily

"Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports," Bagchi said.
INDIA MPs to Visit Manipur To Address The Ongoing Violence

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

Almost after a month of ethnic clashes in Manipur between the Meitis and Kukis, INDIA MPs are all set to visit the state on Saturday and Sunday to address the fire-like situation. The violence that has perturbed the normal lives in the state has put the BJP-led government and chief minister N Biren Singh in trouble for its failure to stop the violence.

Exactly a month before, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the victims of the violence on June 29 and 30. And now INDIA MPs are planning to visit the society as well as civil society groups.

Earlier today, INDIA members attended Parliament in black attires, to protest prime minister Narendra Modi's silence on the Manipur issue, and continued to demand a statement from him. The government, on the other hand, again stressed it was ready for a discussion, accusing the opposition of running from debate.

Till now, PM Modi has addressed the issue only once. On July 20, the first day of the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, he spoke to the media ahead of the commencement of the proceedings. The opposition, on the other hand, says that the PM spoke outside the House, and that too for just 36 seconds.

Meanwhile, chief minister N Biren Singh refused to resign from his services after being accused by the opposition. He said he would not resign until the Centre would ask him to step down.

Clashes in Manipur started on May 3 followed by a 'Tribal Solidarity March' that was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. But the violence took a major turn when two women from the Kuki community were abducted, raped, and brutally murdered.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 18:43 [IST]
Internet Ban Forces Kuki Tribe to Print Own Newspaper, Keeps Community Informed

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Kuki tribe in Manipur has published its own newspaper in response to the partial internet shutdown imposed by the state government. The newspaper, called "Zalen Awgin" (The Voice of the Revolution), is being printed and distributed in the Kuki-inhabited areas of the state, according to report.

In response to the partial internet shutdown imposed by the Manipur government, the residents of the state have been grappling with a significant information and communication gap. While broadband services continue to function, mobile data internet services remain suspended, resulting in disconnection between the authorities and the public.

The adverse effects of this internet ban have been felt throughout the state, making it challenging for people to access essential services online. However, in the hills of Manipur, the resourceful Kuki tribe has devised a creative solution to keep their community informed amidst the communication restrictions.

Manipur Mob Torches Houses In Moreh, Buses Used By Security Forces

Volunteers from the Kuki tribe have taken the initiative to publish their own newspaper, serving as a vital medium to disseminate important messages during these trying times. A recent visit by India Today to Kangpokpi town in Manipur revealed how the Kuki INPI volunteers have established information centers and commenced printing their very own newspaper.

Haopu, the assistant editor of the newspaper, has been diligently crafting the publication using available materials and information from diverse sources. Every day, they print and distribute 1000 copies of the newspaper across the town, ensuring crucial news reaches the people.

The newspaper, aptly named "Zalen Awgin" (the voice of the revolution), reaches all the villages and contains vital information about the current issues in Manipur. It provides updates on protests, clashes, and the plans of action by the Kuki apex leadership amidst the ongoing conflict.

Playing a crucial role in this endeavor, Monnem, a dedicated distributor, ensures that the community newspaper reaches every corner of the town. Despite limited internet access, they manage to collect national news and political developments, which is particularly beneficial for the students from the Kuki tribe, helping them stay informed about crucial incidents.

Whatever Miserable Things That They Could Do To Me, They Did: Manipur Rape Victim

The northeastern state of Manipur has been marred by ethnic violence for nearly three months, leading to the loss of over 160 lives and injuries to hundreds. The violence erupted on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Tensions escalated further when a video surfaced on May 4, showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a mob from the opposing side. The situation remains tense, and the Kuki tribe's efforts to keep their community updated through their newspaper have become even more crucial during these challenging times.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 9:27 [IST]
Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP to Support NDA On Delhi Services Control Bill

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has announced its decision to back the Narendra Modi government in its endeavor to bring the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace an ordinance granting control of Delhi's bureaucratic machinery to the Centre.

While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have been approaching representatives of various parties to garner opposition against the bill, citing concerns that it undermines the elected Delhi government, YSR Congress Party leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy conveyed his party's support to his MPs last weekend.

"We have decided to back the bill," stated the party's parliamentary party leader, Vijaysai Reddy. Responding to the AAP's appeal for states to unite in defense of federalism, Reddy clarified that they would have supported the AAP if Delhi had been a full-fledged state. However, as Delhi is not a full state and certain areas remain under the jurisdiction of the central government, they have chosen to support the bill.

Certain YSR Congress MPs, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the party was uncomfortable being aligned with the Congress. Party chief YS Jagan Reddy was a former Congress leader, and after the death of his father, YS Rajsekhara Reddy, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, he had a falling out with the Congress over his father's legacy and other issues, leading to him forming the YSR Congress Party.

Hyderabad: Patancheru MLA's Son Passes Away at 34

With YSRCP's decision to back the bill, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appears to have a comfortable majority in the Rajya Sabha. Among the 237 members of Parliament with voting rights, the NDA holds 123 votes, while the opposition alliance is expected to receive 108 votes. This includes 92 MPs from the BJP, as well as allies like the AIADMK and other smaller parties. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), with its nine MPs, is yet to finalize its stance on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Rashtra Samit (BRS) has issued a whip to its 7 MPs, directing them to vote against the bill when it comes up in Parliament next week. The BRS whip requires all MPs to be present in the House during the voting process.

The bill, which aims to replace the ordinance issued by the President on May 19, allows the Centre to retain control over the bureaucracy in Delhi, effectively overturning a Supreme Court judgment that had granted control of the bureaucracy in the capital to the elected government, except in areas related to police, public order, and land. The government has listed the bill as a top priority and anticipates its passage in the upcoming week.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 13:19 [IST]
Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray Challenges BJP To Finish Him

India

pti-PTI

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray dared the Bharatiya Janata Party to finish him and asserted he had the blessings of his late father Bal Thackeray and the people.

In an interview to party mouthpiece Saamana's executive editor Sanjay Raut, Thackeray wanted to know how the BJP could take credit for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya when it was not ready to take responsibility for the demolition of the Babri Masjid there in 1992.

In the second part of the interview, which was published in Saamana on Thursday, the former Maharashtra chief minister said it was the Supreme Court, which resolved the Ram temple issue.

"If you want to finish me then do that. Let us see. I have the blessings of my father and the people, said Thackeray attacking the BJP. Thackeray also asserted that his country is his family, underlining that "this is Hindutva". Thackeray said he disagreed rpt disagreed with rebel Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar should retire due to his age.

Fadnavis Gave Up Chance To Install BJP Mayor In BMC In 2017 For Shiv Sena's Sake: CM Shinde

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief asserted that such statements went against the tradition of Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif and Dilip Walse Patil, had joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also claimed his father and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray had saved Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought to know if this (attacking him) was how one repaid a favour.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) routinely claims it was Bal Thackeray who saved Modi from being removed as Gujarat chief minister after the 2002 riots there by speaking to then deputy prime minister and BJP stalwart LK Advani.
NCW Not Visited Manipur, Is Udupi Case Of That Magnitude? Karnataka Home Minister

India

pti-PTI

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday appeared to question the need for a visit of the National Commission for Women member Khushbu Sundar to Udupi to inquire into alleged "washroom filming case" at a paramedical college at a time when the NCW has "not gone" to Manipur, where two women were molested and paraded naked recently. "Is this incident in Udupi of that magnitude," he asked while talking to reporters here.

"Let them come, I don't say -- who has to come, who has to see -- all that. Manipur incident...I don't know what to call it, and there the commission has not gone. Is this incident in Udupi of that magnitude?" Parameshwara said in response to a question regarding the NCW's visit.

"I don't say -- you don't come. Why should you come -- I don't say that. I'm not the person to say that. Let them come, but you should also say what you found. Was there any video of this incident or anything?"

NCW member Sundar arrived in Udupi on Wednesday evening to enquire into the alleged filming of a girl on a mobile phone by other female students in the washroom of a paramedical college in the city.

Udupi Restroom Video: FIR Filed Against 3 Muslim Students, College Administration

The Manipur incident to which Parameshwara was referring to is regarding the video showing two women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men on May 4 in Kangpokpi district that surfaced on July 19 and was condemned countrywide.

Responding to a question on the delay in filing FIR in connection with the Udupi college case, the minister said, "Police were waiting for someone to give the complaint. Naturally they did not want to take it to that level. Now suo motu they had to do it, because there was so much attraction this (issue) had created."

Parameshwara had on Wednesday dubbed the filming of a girl student in the restroom by fellow female students in a Udupi college as "a small incident blown out of proportion".

Clarifying his a small issue remark, he said the intention was not to neglect the case, but what he meant was that the issue should have been left to the college principal to handle, who after analysing the details would have escalated to the parents and police, rather than outsiders giving different twists to the issue.

"I and you have studied in colleges and stayed in hostels, and there would have been certain incidents between friends and it would have been left there itself and not escalated. I had said this too might be of a similar nature," he said. The issue should have been left to the college principal, who has already suspended the students.
Next Opposition Parties Meeting In Mumbai On August 25-26

India

oi-Prakash KL

By Pti

Opposition parties will hold the next meeting of their 26-member INDIA coalition in Mumbai on August 25 and 26, sources said on Thursday.

The third meeting of the bloc will be hosted jointly by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP's Sharad Pawar faction, with support from the Congress, they said.

This is the first time that the opposition meeting will be held in a state where no member of the INDIA bloc is in power.

While the first meeting of opposition parties was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) in Patna, the second was held in Bengaluru and hosted by the Congress.

The Mumbai Summit - as it is being called by INDIA bloc parties - is significant as discussions regarding seat sharing are expected to be taken up.

The sources said an 11-member coordination committee has already been finalised. It will have one member each from the Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, JD(U), RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Samajwadi Party and the CPI(M). The other smaller parties in the coalition will not get a berth in the committee.

The coalition is also likely to announce the composition of committees for communication, 2024 general election campaign and another panel to coordinate joint protests and rallies in the run-up to the polls.

A joint secretariat for better coordination among the parties will also be announced soon, the sources said.

During the meeting, the parties are expected to iron out their differences as much as possible, especially in states where they are in a direct poll battle.

Resolving the leadership issue in their alliance is among the several challenges before the bloc.

The differences among parties such as the Congress and the Left in Kerala, the Left and TMC in West Bengal, the AAP and the Congress in Punjab and Delhi, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and and the PDP and the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir are issues that remain unresolved.

With the opposition alliance seeking a one-on-one contest against the BJP in all parliamentary seats to prevent a division of votes, the crucial issue of selecting candidates is likely to be an uphill task.
PM Modi Not Speaking In Parliament But Making Political Speeches In Rajasthan: Kharge

India

oi-PTI

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of not speaking in Parliament and instead making political speeches in Rajasthan. Kharge said people have now become aware and will fight ''this kind of politics''.

''Today, people have become aware and they will fight and continue to do so...This means you do not want to talk in Parliament - the temple of democracy, and want to give a political speech in Rajasthan while opening new medical colleges,'' he told reporters outside Parliament, while attacking the prime minister for not speaking in Parliament on the Manipur violence.

The opposition has been accusing the prime minister of not making a statement in Parliament on the northeastern state, which has seen violence since May 3.

Kharge Writes Back To Shah, Says Words, Govt's Actions Contrary To Each Other

Both Houses of Parliament have not been able to transact any business amid the uproar caused by the opposition, demanding a statement from the prime minister and a discussion on Manipur thereafter.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 13:24 [IST]
PM Modi, Prez Xi Join Hands To Stabilise Indo-China Relations

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

With an aim to restore peace and tranquility along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) on the eastern sector of the India-China boundary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping exchanged courtesies at the dinner hosted by Indonesian President.

PM Modi and President Xi discussed the need to stabilise bilateral ties at a brief encounter on the margins of last year's G20 Summit in Indonesia.

"During the Bali G20 Summit last year, Prime Minister and President Xi Jinping, at the conclusion of the dinner hosted by the Indonesian president, exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilise our bilateral relations," Spokesperson from the External Affairs Ministry Arindam Bagchi said in response to questions at a regular media briefing.

Bagchi also acknowledged that foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, during a media briefing held in Bali, Indonesia, at the conclusion of last year's G20 Summit, had spoken only about exchanging courtesies.

"With regard to the question relating to the handshake between the prime minister and President Xi Jinping, I will only say that Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping, who were both attending the G20 dinner...hosted by the Indonesian President, exchanged courtesies at the conclusion of the dinner," Kwatra had said at the briefing in Bali.

The border row and a brutal clash at Galwan Valley in June 2020, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, have turned the India-China relations into a bitter state. The two sides are yet to resolve several friction points in the Ladakh sector despite more than two dozen rounds of diplomatic and military talks.

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Story first published: Friday, July 28, 2023, 0:06 [IST]
PM Modi Takes a Dig at Gehlot in Rajasthan, Says He Could Not Attend Event Due To 'Leg Injury'

India

oi-PTI

The Centre has taken decisions in the interest of farmers for nine years and created arrangements from seed to market for them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday and dedicated 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to the nation.

Addressing a rally in this Rajasthan town, he described the Kendras as one-stop centres for farmers that would pave the way for their prosperity. India, he said, could only develop when its villages do and his government was working to provide in villages every facility that is available in cities.

''Our government will not allow farmers to suffer due to the price of urea,'' Modi said.

Farmers in India, he elaborated, get a sack of urea for Rs 266. This is available in Pakistan for about Rs 800, for Rs 720 in Bangladesh and Rs 2,100 in China.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was supposed to attend the programme but could not due to problems in his feet, he said. ''He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health,'' the prime minister said about the Congress leader.

Twitter Faceoff: Gehlot Claims His Speech Dropped From PM Modi Event In Rajasthan; PMO Responds

Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), however, said it was informed by Gehlot's office that he will not be able to attend the programme. It also said he was ''most welcome'' to join the programme.

Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects in Sikar on Thursday, according to an official statement.

The prime minister said at the rally that creating modern infrastructure in Rajasthan is a government's priority.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 13:50 [IST]
Will He Or Won't He? Uncertainty Over Rahul Gandhi's No Confidence Debate Speech

Rahul Gandhi Backfires Smriti Irani On "Set Manipur On Fire" Charge

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a dig at BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for being "power-hungry" a day after Union Minister Smriti Irani accuse opposition parties including Rahul Gandhi of remaining silent on crimes against women in non-BJP-ruled states.

Rahul Gandhi in a virtual conference stated, "The BJP-RSS only want power and can do anything to get power. For power, they will burn Manipur, they will burn the entire country. They don't care about the sorrow and pain of the country."

He even slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the three-month-long ethnic clashes in Manipur and pinning the strife on the ruling party's ideology.

"Why is he not speaking anything about Manipur? This is because Narendra Modi ji has nothing to do with Manipur. They know that their ideology has burnt Manipur," Rahul Gandhi was spotted saying in a video that went viral on social media.

Earlier Smriti Irani charged the opposition in Rajya Sabha, including Rahul Gandhi of remaining silent on crimes against women in non-BJP-ruled states.

"When will you have the courage to tell us how women are raped in Congress-ruled states? When will you have the guts to tell how Rahul Gandhi put Manipur on fire? Do not cast aspersions on women ministers in this cabinet," Irani charged the opposition in Rajya Sabha amid loud cheers from her party's MPs.

This verbal spat in the Rajya Sabha is the latest followed by heated exchanges since last Thursday. Amidst the tumult, both ruling and opposition members have submitted numerous adjournment notices supporting their respective demands.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 20:43 [IST]
Ram Mandir Trust Invites PM Modi For Idol Consecration

India

oi-PTI

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has sent a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the consecration of the idol of Lord Rama in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple January next year, a trust member said on Thursday.

The trust will extend invitations to around 10,000 guests for the ceremony. The Trust has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi writing him a letter recently and dates between 15 January to 24 January have been given, but the exact date will be decided by the Prime Minister himself, general secretary of Ram Mandir Trust Champat Rai told PTI. The letter sent to the PM is signed by the president of temple trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

If the Prime Minister attends the ceremony then the country's image will boost worldwide, he said. In August 2020, Modi had performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of the Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya.

On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court settled the fractious issue going back more than a century and backed the construction of a Ram temple by a trust at the disputed site. Keeping in view the expected attendance, the security agencies have started to design a foolproof and guests-friendly security system for the ceremony.

Ram Mandir May Open for Devotees on Jan 24 Next Year

Apart from the VIPs, the Ayodhya administration is expecting a heavy inflow of common devotees to the temple on the day of the ceremony.

Agencies want to restrict the inflow of devotees on ceremony day as it may disturb the security, a senior official said.

Meanwhile, the trust has increased the numbers of labourers and technicians engaged in the construction of the Ram temple to meet the December deadline, as announced by the trust earlier.

Earlier, 550 workers were working on the construction of the Ram temple, but in the last few weeks the trust has increased this number to around 1,600. The work which used to be done in an 18-hour shift earlier, is now apace round-the-clock. The trust has fixed a deadline to complete the ground floor work by December so that the temple can be opened for devotees by January 2024, Rai said. In preparation for the ceremony, plants and flowers worth Rs 22 crores will be planted on the routes leading to the Ram Janambhoomi temple.

Ayodhya: Hanuman Garhi seers invites Rahul Gandhi to stay in temple

The state forest department has undertaken the work to enhance the beauty of Ram Path, Dharm Path and Bhakti Path by planting various types of ornamental plants, besides seasonal flowers, he said. Ayodhya Commissioner Gaurav Dayal told PTI that about 4,750 saplings would be planted in a chainage of 500-500 metres along the footpaths on both sides of the Rampath, in decorative pattern of Tabebuia argentea (yellow colour), Tabebuia rosea (pink), Tabebuia argentea (yellow colour), Gulmohar (red) and Chorisia speciosa (pink). The Commissioner said the temple will bring to the city the tag a global tourist destination.

The process of beautification of Dharmapath, Panch Kosi, Chaudah Kosi parikrama routes has started, he said.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 15:28 [IST]
Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation

Congress Has Blood On Its Hands In Northeast: Himanta On Manipur Violence

The Man Who Captured Manipur Parade Incident On Cam Arrested

India

oi-Prakash KL

The cops have arrested the person who recorded the parade of two women in Manipur on May 4, according to ANI.

The authorities have also seized the mobile phone which was used to capture the mob sexually assaulting and parading two women.

The officials are hoping that the recovery of the mobile will establish the sequence of events, including the leakage of the video.

Meanwhile, the CBI is set to probe the case of sexual assault on two women who were stripped and paraded by a mob in Manipur, a top government functionary told PTI on Thursday.

The Centre is expected to seek the Supreme Court's approval to conduct the trial outside Manipur. Additionally, an official revealed that the Union Home Ministry is actively engaging with both Meitei and Kuki groups, and significant progress has been made in the talks aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.

Additionally, an official revealed that the Union Home Ministry is actively engaging with both Meitei and Kuki groups, and significant progress has been made in the talks aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.

On July 19, the video hit the internet in which two women were sexually assaulted and paraded by a mob. However, the incident occurred on May 4.

The video ignited widespread outrage across the nation and has now become a major political issue, setting the ruling BJP and the opposition bloc INDIA on opposing sides. The opposition has utilized this incident as an opportunity to criticize the Modi government, and it has been a dominant topic during the Monsoon session of Parliament that commenced on July 20.

While the BJP has strongly condemned the incident, they have also raised questions about the timing of the video's release which was out just a day before the start of the Monsoon session.
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?

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Meta's Threads was a social media app that was launched in July 2023 as a rival to Twitter. The app was designed to be a more personal and intimate way for users to connect with their friends and family. Threads allowed users to share photos, videos, and text in a more ephemeral way than other social media platforms.

Threads was initially met with a lot of excitement. The app quickly reached 100 million users in just five days, making it one of the fastest-growing social media platforms in history. However, Threads' popularity quickly declined after that. By the end of its first month, the app had lost half of its users. And by the end of its first year, Threads had only a few million active users.

There are a number of reasons why Threads may have failed to live up to its initial promise. First, the app was not very different from other social media platforms. It offered the same basic features as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. As a result, there was no real reason for users to switch to Threads.

Second, Threads was not very well-integrated with other Meta products. Users could not easily share their Threads posts to Facebook or Instagram. This made it difficult for users to build a following on Threads.

This YouTuber Becomes First Threads User To Hit 1 Million Followers

Third, Threads was not very well-marketed. Meta did not do a good job of promoting the app to its existing users. As a result, many people were unaware of Threads even existed.

In the end, Threads was a victim of its own hype. The app was launched with a lot of fanfare, but it simply did not live up to expectations.

It must be also noted that Elon Musk's legal team has threatened to sue Meta for allegedly stealing trade secrets by hiring away former Twitter workers. The team sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, accusing the company of hiring dozens of former Twitter employees who had access to the company's "trade secrets and other highly confidential information."

The letter also alleges that Meta used this information to develop its own social media app, Threads. Threads is a rival to Twitter that allows users to share photos, videos, and text in a more ephemeral way than other social media platforms.

Threads users spending less time on the app

After its initial launch on July 6, Threads garnered significant global interest, but this enthusiasm quickly waned, and its popularity dropped back to the same level as July 5, within just one week.

Can You Delete Threads Profile Without Deleting Instagram Account?

Similarweb, a tracking company, also presented parallel findings, indicating a substantial decline of over 51 percent in active Android users, reducing from 40 million to 23.6 million by July 14. Moreover, the time spent on the app experienced an even more significant decrease, with users spending only three to six minutes daily on Threads.

Netizens also took to micro-blogging platform to express that the Instagram's new Twitter competitor Threads is already losing steam.

Threads already a flop? pic.twitter.com/0J1nH8cy3I  Morning Brew  (@MorningBrew) July 19, 2023

All the threads users who "left Twitter" coming back now that the app was a massive flop



You mean to tell me the app that was basically Facebook express wasn't more fun than Facebook? Strange I never would've guessed  pic.twitter.com/enwDApNFLY  LoRenzo (@OcDarkKnight) July 19, 2023

Does anyone actually actively use the Threads app? Biggest flop since James Harden's Flopping!#Sixers #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/bCMFJIXWdv  Mitch Kofsky (@MitchKofsky) July 26, 2023

Threads will go down as the biggest social media flop in history the Instagram crowd dont exactly have much interesting to say   D96 Mens Club (@D96_MensClub) July 25, 2023

Meta gotta get threads together fast like it has like 10% of Twitters flop era functionality. The X/Xeet rebrand is definitely a choice  Liv (@itstilliv) July 24, 2023

There are a number of possible explanations for the decline in Threads' popularity. Only time will tell whether Threads can recover from its current decline. However, the early signs are not encouraging.
Woman Accuses Manchester Police of Sexual Assault Inside The Jail

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

A 38-year-old woman who was detained for 40 hours for overconsumption of cocaine in 2021 alleged that she has been drugged and sexually assaulted by Manchester Police.

Zayna Iman was arrested by police officers in connection with overconsumption of cocaine on February 5 2021. Reportedly Iman was arrested at 1.53 am and body-cam footage from an officer shows she was taken into a police van six minutes later.

According to a media report, a nearby CCTV camera captured a police officer entering the van through a side door, but there is no body-cam footage of the journey until 3:26 am.

Imam claims, "My jeans are taken down, my underwear is cut off - knickers and the bra, as well as the top. They then put oversized custody shorts, with a belt on, and leave me face-down in the cell. Still unconscious, with no top on and no blanket given.

Iman obtained the footage using a subject access request and shared it with the former chief superintendent of GMP, Martin Harding, who said the strip search was unjustified.

Meanwhile, Policing minister Chris Philp said he was concerned by the allegations and would be raising them with GMP and the police watchdog.

"It does sound deeply troubling and it does need properly and thoroughly investigating. I'm going to make sure the IOPC [the Independent Office for Police Conduct) are aware of this and draw this case to their attention."

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, GMP's deputy chief constable, Terry Woods said he was highly concerned about

allegations against Greater Manchester Police which were aired in a television report. And hence, decided to make another referral to the IOPC in order to assure Iman and the public that all of her allegations will be rigorously and independently reviewed.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 23:06 [IST]
Love Across Borders: Polish Woman Flies To India To Wed Boyfriend From Jharkhand

Cash Payment, Fake Name: Details Of Sachin, Seema Haider's Stay in Room No. 204 Of Kathmandu Hotel Revealed

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Woman Raped By Moneylender After Her Husband Fails To Repay Loan In Pune

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A 47-year-old moneylender in Maharashtra's Pune city allegedly raped a woman after her husband failed to repay the loan taken from him, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred in February of this year, and the suspect has since been apprehended, as confirmed by an official from Hadapsar police station.

According to the police, the victim's husband had borrowed money from the accused but was unable to repay it as agreed. In response, the moneylender allegedly threatened the victim's husband at knifepoint and then proceeded to rape the woman in his presence.

Furthermore, the accused captured the heinous act on a mobile phone and shamefully shared the video on a social media platform, according to the official.

Manipur Violence: Mother Of Rape-Murder Victim Makes A Shocking Claim

"We have arrested the accused, and the investigation is ongoing," the official stated.

The police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 13:58 [IST]
Yug Yugeen Bharat Museum: India Set to House World's Largest Museum; Details Inside

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new convention centre at the redeveloped India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) complex in Pragati Maidan on Wednesday, providing a glimpse into the upcoming Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum, which is poised to become one of the world's largest museums upon completion.

The upcoming museum will replace the existing national museum and will feature various thematic segments narrating India's historical journey spanning over 5,000 years. It will sprawl over 1.17 lakh square meters, encompassing both the North and South Blocks, with a total of 950 rooms. Currently, the South Block houses key government offices like the PMO, Defence Ministry, and External Affairs Ministry, while the North Block accommodates the Finance Ministry and Home Ministry, among others.

Officials revealed that the old museum will be incorporated into the Kartavya Path, formerly known as Rajpath.

The concept for the new museum aims to make it highly interactive, taking inspiration from renowned institutions like the British Museum. It is likely to incorporate audio-visual elements and virtual walkthroughs to enhance the visitor experience.

The project has received recognition at an international level, with a joint statement during PM Modi's visit to France highlighting cooperation in the field of museums and heritage. France has offered its experience, particularly from the Grand Louvre, for the retro-fitting of a heritage building to facilitate the display, storage, and exhibition of archaeological antiquities, paintings, numismatics, decorative arts, and more.

PM Modi To Inaugurate 'World-Class ITPO Complex At Pragati Maidan Today

The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum will be divided into eight thematic segments, showcasing India's rich civilizational culture through various historical periods, including ancient, medieval, modern India, colonial rule, the freedom struggle, and the post-independence era.

The museum will house artifacts and collections from the current National Museum, which will be shifted to the buildings of the North and South Blocks as part of this ambitious project.

The foundation stone of the present museum building was laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on May 12, 1955, and the first phase was formally inaugurated by then Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on December 18, 1960, with the second phase completed in 1989.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 14:23 [IST]
Now, Chinese Woman Falls In Love With Pakistani, Goes To Islamabad To Meet Him

International

oi-Prakash KL

A Chinese woman has now travelled to Pakistan to meet her boyfriend whom she friended and fell in love with on social media. This is the third such cross-border love story to come to light in the recent past.

First, it was a Pakistani woman called Seema Haider who escaped from her country and entered India via Nepal illegally to stay with her Indian boyfriend Sachin Meena. They got in touch through PUBG game during the pandemic.

The second case is Indian woman Anju going to Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend Nasrullah. There were reports that they had tied the knot, but the rumoured couple has denied it.

Let Anju Die There: Father Of Indian Woman After She Went To Pakistan To Meet Her FB Friend

In yet another cross-border story, now the Chinese woman, identified by the media as Gao Feng, has gone to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to meet her Pakistani lover.

The 21-year-old woman arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday by road from China via Gilgit on a three-month visit visa and she was picked up by her 18-year-old friend Javed, a resident of Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan, PTI reported citing Pakistani officials.

She has gone to Javed's maternal uncle's home in Samarbagh tehsil of Lower Dir District instead of his hometown due to the security situation in Bajaur District bordering Afghanistan.

They got connected through Snapchat three years ago and their friendship blossomed into love.

No Plans for Marriage, Will Return Soon: Indian Woman Clarifies Her Visit to Pakistan

According to District Police Officer Ziauddin of Lower Dir District, the Chinese woman in the Samarbagh area is under full security protection. However, her movement is restricted at the moment due to both the Muharram observances and prevailing security concerns in the region.

The police have verified that the woman's travel documents are in order. It's worth noting that she has not undergone the 'nikah' (marriage) ceremony with Javed as of now.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 17:18 [IST]
US Is Concealing 'Multi-Decade' Programme That Captures UFOs: Ex-intel Officer David Grusch

International

oi-PTI

The US is concealing a longstanding programme that retrieves and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects, a former Air Force intelligence officer testified Wednesday to Congress.

The Pentagon has denied his claims.

Retired Maj. David Grusch's highly anticipated testimony before a House Oversight subcommittee was Congress' latest foray into the world of UAPs - or "unidentified aerial phenomena," which is the official term the US government uses instead of UFOs.

While the study of mysterious aircraft or objects often evokes talk of aliens and "little green men," Democrats and Republicans in recent years have pushed for more research as a national security matter due to concerns that sightings observed by pilots may be tied to US adversaries.

US Expresses Concerns Over Manipur Incident, Calls It Brutal

Grusch said he was asked in 2019 by the head of a government task force on UAPs to identify all highly classified programs relating to the task force's mission. At the time, Grusch was detailed to the National Reconnaissance Office, the agency that operates US spy satellites.

"I was informed in the course of my official duties of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program to which I was denied access," he said.

Asked whether the US government had information about extraterrestrial life, Grusch said the US likely has been aware of "non-human" activity since the 1930s.

The Pentagon has denied Grusch's claims of a coverup. In a statement, Defence Department spokeswoman Sue Gough said investigators have 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." The statement did not address UFOs that are not suspected of being extraterrestrial objects.

Grusch says he became a government whistleblower after his discovery and has faced retaliation for coming forward. He declined to be more specific about the retaliatory tactics, citing an ongoing investigation.

"It was very brutal and very unfortunate, some of the tactics they used to hurt me both professionally and personally," he said.

Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., chaired the panel's hearing and joked to a packed audience, "Welcome to the most exciting subcommittee in Congress this week." But members of both parties asked Grusch about his study of UFOs and the consequences he faced.

"I take it that you're arguing what we need is real transparency and reporting systems so we can get some clarity on what's going on out there," said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.

US Returns 105 Antiquities To India Days After PM Modi's Visit

Some lawmakers criticized the Pentagon for not providing more details in a classified briefing or releasing images that could be shown to the public. In previous hearings, Pentagon officials showed a video taken from an F-18 military plane that showed an image of one balloon-like shape.

Pentagon officials in December said they had received "several hundreds" of new reports since launching a renewed effort to investigate reports of UFOs.

At that point, "we have not seen anything, and we're still very early on, that would lead us to believe that any of the objects that we have seen are of alien origin," said Ronald Moultrie, the undersecretary of defence for intelligence and security. "Any unauthorised system in our airspace we deem as a threat to safety."

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Story first published: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 9:06 [IST]
NSW police are under growing pressure to bring an end to the gang wars before an innocent person is killed.
After burning an early review, the DRS was in favour of Australia after Ben Duckett tickled a ball down leg side.
President Zelenskyy praised Ukrainian troops for their progress in the counteroffensive against Moscow. Meanwhile, in a historic shift, the US moves to cooperate with the ICC to investigate Russia. DW has the latest.
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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convened the meeting following a request...
The search for greener pastures is beneficial for progress: the mobility of workforce is one example. The healthcare sector like several other professions often has high staff turnover as employees like nurses seek better opportunities elsewhere. Hospitals in Kerala are no stranger to this phenomenon.

Numerous nurses working with hospitals in Kerala often find placements in new lands after working there for a couple of years. These new opportunities open up the doors to better pay, dignity, and living standards.

Such migration has left many hospitals back home in a quandary as they have to deal with inadequate nursing staff.

Here's one such example: A patient awaiting surgery at a prominent private hospital in Kochi could not get a room. The hospital had enough vacant rooms, but could not allot one to him due to a shortage of nurses. This case best exemplifies how the migration of nurses affects hospitals in Kerala.

In several major private hospitals in Kerala, resignation letters and requests for experience certificates often outnumber job applications as more than 100 nurses quit every month. Nurses working in the private sector normally seek greener pastures after completing a year.

The Government General Hospital in Ernakulam recently held an interview to recruit nurses on a temporary basis. The hospital invited applications multiple times, and yet, the number of candidates who turned up was less than its requirement.

Earlier, private hospitals used to receive at least 100 applications for 10 vacancies of nurses. The situation has now changed. They receive merely seven to eight applications.

This paints the stark reality of the shortage of nurses the healthcare sector has been facing. To overcome the shortage, several hospitals are now employing other staff members to take care of tasks that do not need nursing proficiency!

"It is true that the private hospitals in the state are facing a shortage of nurses. We have demanded the government to approve new nursing colleges and add more seats in existing ones. However, the government has not taken any favourable steps," said Hussain Koya Thangal, President, Kerala Private Hospital Association.

Nursing courses, not jobs, sought-after

In fact, there is no dearth of qualified nursing professionals as thousands of local students opt for nursing courses within Kerala and other Indian states. More than 25,000 Keralites with fresh nursing degrees or diplomas from colleges and schools in Kerala and outside are joining the existing pool of qualified personnel every year.

Institutes in Kerala alone contribute 6,718 BSc Nursing graduates and 3,972 others with diplomas in General Nursing and Midwifery annually to the Indian health sector.

A majority of students in the hundreds of nursing colleges in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and other states, too, are from Kerala.

BSc Nursing has the largest demand in Kerala after the conventional arts and science graduation courses. Even those with high marks in Plus-Two have no guarantee that they will get admission to this course.

However, the case is different with MSc Nursing; very few pursue the course. In Kerala, 725 seats are available for MSc Nursing, but many nursing colleges are struggling to retain the course. For instance only three students joined MSc Nursing course in a college in central Kerala when it has 14 seats for it.

New trend: Study abroad

Nowadays, even students aspiring to join a nursing course, if given a choice or if they can pay, would pursue it abroad.

Kerala is witnessing a new trend as several students pursue nursing courses overseas since they have a better chance of landing a job after completing the course. Additionally, they need not waste time in getting registered in a foreign country after completing the course in Kerala. Though pursuing nursing in a foreign country is expensive, the students are not worried. They are confident of getting a job there.

Further, the difficulty in getting admission to BSc Nursing in Kerala also fuels the migration. NoRKA's 'Triple Win-Trainee' scheme, floated in association with the Government of Germany, helps students study and find employment in this European country.

"Pursuing a nursing course in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the US would help in getting registration there without other verifications. Since many countries are facing a shortage of nurses, they are open to teaching our students and providing them with jobs," said Denny Thomas Vattakunnel, Chairman and MD, Santa Monica Study Abroad.

Quit Kerala or quit India?

'Malayala Manorama' enquired with several Keralite nurses now based abroad about the factors that had led them to migrate. Their responses were almost similar.

They raised the low salaries in Kerala as the main reason. However, it is not the only one. There are many: Lack of dignity of labour, living standards, and so on.

Neethu Shibu of Ochira in Kollam district worked as a nurse on a contract basis at government-run public health centres for several years. She is now with the NHS Trust Hospital in the United Kingdom.

"A nurse appointed on a temporary basis in a government hospital in Kerala draws Rs 17,000 a month. The salary barely meets the daily commute and other expenses. The only solace is that we get an experience certificate. I have also worked in a private hospital for six months without pay," said Neethu sharing the dilemma of nurses forced to work without salary.

A large number of nurses are still working in the private sector in Kerala for a pittance. They are all seeking overseas employment opportunities.

Wanted: Respect and recognition

Another push factor for native nurses is the lack of respect and recognition. Neither the healthcare sector nor the general society grants them the recognition they deserve.

"Doctors and nurses go to work in their cars in foreign countries. In Kerala hospitals have earmarked specific parking spaces for doctors. Have you ever seen such exclusive spaces for nurses? Asked Renu Susan Thomas, State Treasurer, Trained Nurses Association of India.

Several countries utilise the services of nurse practitioners (also known as Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) to ensure better healthcare at the grassroots level. Kerala is not even considering the possibility of having such nurse practitioners.

Nurse practitioners are mid-level practitioners equipped to assess patient needs, recommend and interpret laboratory test results, diagnose disease, and prescribe medications and treatment protocols.

A recommendation to establish a Nursing Directorate in Kerala for policy planning and framing is in the cold storage after it ran into opposition. A fund of Rs 1 crore allotted for the purpose remains unutilised.

The issues nurses face in the private sector, too, are left unaddressed.

"A Nursing Directorate should be established to ensure that nurses get more consideration and to solve their issues. Though attempts were made to set up the directorate, opposition from several quarters stalled its progress. Nurses in the private sector are getting no consideration now," stated P Ushadevi, President, Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council.

Study bares known facts

The World Health Organisation and Health Systems Research India Initiative studied the overseas migration of Kerala nurses in 2022. Its major findings point to the pitiable state of affairs that force nurses to leave the State.

Less pay in hospitals, lack of recognition in society and lack of opportunities to gain advanced professional knowledge like Nurse Practitioners are factors that drive local nurses out of the country. Meanwhile, better living conditions in foreign countries, opportunity to relocate the family abroad, citizenship and option to settle down permanently in the US or European nations, free education for children, free medical care, and pension benefits available in a new land are attractions for migration.

The aforementioned study recommended a slew of measures like the following to improve the job prospects of nurses in Kerala.

 Introduce licence verifications like Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as in Western countries.

 Introduce Communicative English in the curriculum from the beginning of the course, and encourage students to employ it in their daily lives.

 Provide an option to study German, Japanese, and Dutch languages as electives along with the course.

 Ensure the coordination of agencies recruiting nurses for foreign clients

 Initiate steps to prevent illegal recruitment by private agencies.

 Prepare data on nurses going abroad.

The conclusion

Equipping nurses in Kerala to tap the opportunities available in foreign countries is the need of the hour. Experts recommend the introduction of practical training and English proficiency courses in the existing curriculum. Simultaneously, nurses should be encouraged to take up employment in Kerala. Their service conditions should also be revised in tune with the times.

This is the fifth of the series on opportunities for nurses abroad. Read : Part 1 - Opportunities galore as Kerala nurses head to Europe

Part 2 - Numerous opportunities for nurses abroad but how to avoid pitfalls in recruitment!

Part 3 - Avail ODEPC, NORKA services for nursing opportunities abroad

Part 4 - Note these tips if you are planning a nursing career abroad

(The series concludes here)
May 10, 2023, Colorado Springs, CO - It's such a heartwarming sight to watch an adult with special needs learn something new. They project so much joy and the smiles on their faces show their newfound confidence and self-esteem. Love Your Neighbor, a Colorado Springs non-profit organization dedicated to serving the community by providing bunk beds for foster care kids has collaborated with Special Kids Special Families Adult 
A woman is dead after a shooting in Southeast Portland Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Officers responding to a shooting call in the 5500 block of Southeast 111th Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. found the woman, police said in a statement. The suspect or suspects had already left the scene.

No arrests have been made.

Police closed 111th Avenue between Steele Street and Foster Road, and Harold Street between 109th and 115th avenues, for the initial phase of the investigation.

The Portland Police Bureau asks anyone who might have information to contact Det. Shaye Samora at Shaye.Samora@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0768, or Det. Tony Harris at Tony.Harris@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0441.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
The Crook County School Board is considering a controversial conservative school administrator and former Republican candidate for governor as its interim superintendent for the 2023-2024 school year.

Superintendent Sara Johnson resigned in June, saying her views didnt match the now majority-conservative school boards. This came after a right-wing slate of candidates displaced several longtime incumbents on the board in the May election.

Among the three superintendent candidates for an interim replacement superintendent is former gubernatorial candidate and controversial forrmer Alsea School District Superintendent Marc Thielman.

Thielman, 52, said he wants to bring unity and consistency to the Crook County district.

If you meet every child at the door, and you get to know each one as an individual, and you seek to meet their needs, thats the highest value in terms of school culture that you can create, Thielman told The Bulletin on Wednesday.

Crook County Assistant Superintendent Joel Hoff, who has been with the district in various roles for 10 years, and North Wasco County School District high school principal Kurtis Evans are also being considered. The three candidates were interviewed by the school board in closed meetings this week.

Thielman has a controversial history as the 11-year superintendent of the Alsea School District, where he implemented a policy to make wearing masks optional in late January 2022, a month before the state COVID-19 mask mandate ended. Two former districts employees also filed formal complaints against the district, claiming Thielman exhibited inappropriate and sexually harassing behavior.

Thielman has experience in building maintenance and said making sure all buildings are well-maintained is one of his goals for Crook County schools. He is currently working in fleet services for a friend, and said hes enjoying working on machines.

He wants to make sure the public knows how the districts finances stand. He said he also wants to make sure the public sees board members deliberating on issues at meetings.

Though he hopes to be hired in Crook County, Thielman said he would be interested in getting back into politics one day.

He added that it would be the boards decision if he could be involved in politics while interim superintendent.

During his gubernatorial race, Thielman was endorsed by Parents Rights in Education, Unmask Our Kids Oregon, state Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, and the Oregon Firearms Federation, among others.

Thielman resigned from the Alsea district in February 2022 to focus on his campaign. He received 7.9% of the vote in the Republican primary election in May, losing to Christine Drazan.

He is currently also trying to get two potential measures onto the ballot to publicly fund private schools and allow parents to choose any public school in the state for their children regardless of where they live. Proponents of both measures are currently collecting signatures.

Thielman said he was partly inspired to apply for the position because of the support he received from Crook County.

As issues came up over masking and people were following my saga in Alsea, that support continued long after the primary election, and it continues today, said Thielman. You got that kinda support from people that believe in you, you want to honor that, so I threw my name in the hat.

-- Noemi Arellano-Summer, The Bulletin; narellanosummer@bendbulletin.com; 541-383-0325
Jeffrey Gibson, an acclaimed artist whose works include a thought-provoking 2022-2023 exhibition at the Portland Art Museum, has been chosen to represent the United States in the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024. The U.S. Pavilion will be presented by the Portland Art Museum and New Mexicos SITE Santa Fe, and is co-commissioned by Kathleen Ash-Milby, Curator of Native American Art at the Portland Art Museum; Louis Grachos, Phillips Executive Director of SITE Santa Fe; and Abigail Winograd, an independent curator.

Gibson, 51, is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and is of Cherokee descent. He will be the first Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. as a solo artist in the history of the Biennale, which was established in 1895.

The exhibition is also the first to be co-commissioned and co-curated by a Native American curator. Ash-Milby, who is co-curating with Winograd, is a member of the Navajo Nation.

Gibsons heritage isnt the only factor that makes his inclusion in the 2024 Biennale significant, Ash-Milby said. He was the right artist for this honor, and at the same time, this is a very big deal in that for the first time the United States is choosing a Native person to represent them in this very important venue.

Artist Jeffrey Gibson

The Venice Biennale is a globally prestigious cultural event, often called The Olympics of the Art World. The Biennale is notable for its international scope, which, every two years, showcases a broad spectrum of artists whose works are displayed in national pavilions.

The United States Pavilion opened in 1930, and is managed by the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, which works with the U.S. Department of State and curators to install U.S. exhibitions in the pavilion.

Kathleen Ash-Milby is Curator of Native American Art at the Portland Art Museum.

Were all thrilled, Ash-Milby, 53, said of the Biennale honor. While she and Gibson have known each other for years, many Portlanders may have gotten their first look at the artists work with Jeffrey Gibson: They Come From Fire, a site-specific installation that was at the Portland Art Museum from October 2022 through early 2023.

That show reflected aspects of Gibsons work, including his interest in examining issues and concerns surrounding Indigenous, LGBTQ+ and other traditionally marginalized communities.

Without going into specifics about just what he will be creating for the Biennale, which opens in April 2024, and runs through November 2024, Gibson said the U.S. Pavilions 1930s history had him thinking a lot about how the position of Native and Indigenous people in the U.S. and globally have shifted since that time.

The "Jeffrey Gibson: They Come From Fire" installation that opened at the Portland Art Museum in October 2022 included a large wall of photographs of local community members. Beth Nakamura/StaffThe Oregonian

Gibsons work is also known for its vibrant blend of color, and imaginative applications of media including painting, sculpture, video, beadwork, text and more.

Materials he uses are often considered Native American, Gibson said. But they really are global materials, such as beads that were produced in Venice. Theres a history of Native influence going back and forth between Native America and the rest of the world thats always been of interest to me. Im hoping people will be able to see themselves in the work, because if we stop and think, we have to acknowledge how many different cultural influences there are in our lives.

In his art, Gibson said, My goal is for people to engage. Gibson said he seeks to provide so much information in the artwork that people will be pulled in, and be able to go as deep as they want to go.

Gibson, whose work is included in the permanent collections of such institutions as the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Gallery of Canada, spoke to Ash-Milby about applying to be in the Biennale last fall.

The two had made an earlier visit to the Biennale, Ash-Milby said, and We talked about him representing the United States in Venice. So, its always been a dream.

Last fall, Gibson said he thought he was ready to apply, and he told Ash-Milby he wanted her to be involved, along with Louis Grachos, with whom Gibson had worked on a project at the SITE Santa Fe contemporary art space, and Abigail Winograd, an independent curator Gibson with whom Gibson had also worked.

While the Biennale selection comes with a grant, Ash-Milby said the team would still need to do additional fundraising for the project.

For now, Ash-Milby said, shes excited to focus on Gibson and the Biennale. His work is about acknowledging the past, but also looking forward to the future. Hes very inclusive in his work, and its often focused on bringing in community as participants, as he did here in Portland. He wants everyone to feel welcome in the space hes creating.

The role of the Portland Art Museum in the world-renowned Biennale will also reflect well on the Rose City institution and the West Coast in general, Ash-Milby said.

I think its going to be really great for the region.

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Not long after Guy Fieri and the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew visited a Bend Indian food cart as part of an episode, the Mayor of Flavortown is back in Oregon to showcase another Central Oregon spot.

(No cable? Watch Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives live with a free trial on Philo, or stream it on demand shortly after it airs. You can also watch it on Fubo, which offers a free trial.)

In the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Friday, July 28, the Food Network star is set to stop in at a variety of destinations. The episode is titled Top-Notch Toppings, and heres how the synopsis describes it: In Cincinnati, a spot is piling up chili; in Bend, Ore., a vegan joint is getting creative with tostadas; in Venice, Calif., a pizza stop is frying up their pie.

While some of those seem like they might be a quick way to develop a sudden urge for Pepto Bismol, the Oregon culinary visit sounds pretty promising. The official description doesnt say where Fieri is heading, but a bit of online digging suggests he and the Triple D crew will make a trip to A Broken Angel.

Whats A Broken Angel all about? According to their website, its a New American Vegan food cart and sustainable catering company. In more detail, the website says, We believe that serving delicious food free of animal products and as organic and locally sourced as possible is the most sustainable and compassionate act we can take for people, animals, and the environment. This philosophy of kindness toward all animals and the earth infuses everything we do: from food cart and catering to the use of reclaimed and/or compostable materials.

That doesnt sound like an obvious sort of choice for Fieris show, which often features Fieri and diners chowing down on fare that looks a tad less health-conscious. But, since A Broken Angels Instagram page says theyre having a July 28 #DDD Watch Party, it seems pretty obvious that the vegan food cart is indeed where Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives will be.

In addition to the July 7 episode that included a stop at Anitas Kitchen Gourmet Indian Food, in Bend, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives has visited such Oregon eateries as Portlands Chins Kitchen, Guero, Seasons & Regions, and Bend spots such as Dump City Dumplings, Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails, Rockin Daves Bagel Bistro, and more.

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives airs at 9 p.m. Friday, July 28, on Food Network.

More of our coverage:

Guy Fieris Northwest-focused All-American Road Trip earns Daytime Emmy Award nomination

Guy Fieri visits Jim Belushis Oregon cannabis farm, the coast, and more NW stops in Food Network series

Guys All-American Road Trip Episode 2: Guy Fieri and friends eat crab, and rainy day chili

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
A 36-year-old Washington man was arrested in Portland this week on federal charges of civil disorder, accused of pushing against a police line to force his way into the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.

Benjamin John Silva of Yacolt made his first appearance in federal court in Portland on Tuesday afternoon. Hes also accused of entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct, engaging in physical violence and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds.
A Washington County sheriffs deputy remains in critical condition at a North Portland hospital after being shot multiple times while trying to serve an eviction notice at a Tualatin apartment complex Wednesday morning.

The Beaverton Police Department did not identify the injured deputy, who was flown by helicopter to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center to undergo surgery Wednesday.
Four women murdered. A presumed criminal released early from prison without adequate vetting. (DA didnt review commutation request for Oregon man now linked to deaths of 4 women, July 20). Its no surprise that former Gov. Kate Brown could not be reached for comment. Likely she knows her good intentions, aimed at the criminal, backfired on the victims. It is yet another item explaining why polls found Brown was the least popular governor in the country.

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidts spokesperson did not reply to a request to interview Schmidt. His tenure has been mired in blunders. Much of the news about him leaves a lot to be desired. Schmidts intentions were good, and I voted for him in 2020, but it is time for a DA change.

I see that Lewis & Clark Law School professor Aliza Kaplan believes the commutations played no role in the deaths, because even without a commutation, the convict would have been released before the murders. Instead, she blames law enforcement. This is senseless, in my opinion. Had the presumed criminal stayed in jail for one more year, one or more of the four murders could have been avoided. The other attorney quoted, Monique DeSpain, had it right. The convict wasnt ready for release. Kaplan, Brown and Schmidt should have learned from DeSpains common sense approach.

In this case, maybe the road to hell was paved with incompetence.

Simon Kipersztok, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Sign up for Reckons latest weekly newsletter covering the three topics never to be discussed at the dinner table. Enter your email to subscribe to Matter of Faith.

In the world of faith, sex and politics, things have always been spicy but the heat is really about to turn up (literally and figuratively) as the 2024 election approaches.

Im all about observing what we have and where we are so we know who we want to be and where we want to go. Thats the whole reason I got into journalism (especially journalism about these three topics). Knowledge is power, so dont let the wolves pull the wool over your eyes, as my grandmother once told me.

Over the last year, Ive written about some of the latest analysis and data on the state of religion in America and the numbers tell an interesting story about our culture. Im not applying any good or bad meaning to these numbers, and I dont think you should either.

Theres much more to be said about Christian Nationalism, but so many folks have already said a lot. Ive had the privilege of talking to many of those people. Here are four Reckon stories you need to read about Christian Nationalism before you get swept into the election news cycle:

If youre new to this whole conversation about racism, purity culture and how all that is also involved in politics, start here. Its important to understand what were talking about when we say White Christian Nationalism.

Whether or not you watched the Shiny, Happy People documentary on Prime Video, youve probably heard of Hobby Lobby. If you havent shopped at Hobby Lobby, theres a good chance you have been exposed to Bill Gothards teachings.

Young latinos are leaving the Catholic Church and religion altogether  and theres a host of reasons why. Latinos who leave Catholicism for another religion are most likely to identify with evangelical or protestant Christianity.

One of the most noted trends in religious affiliation in America has been the shift from Christianity to no religion or nothing in particular, as some studies have described this group thats changing the religious landscape.

Further reading:

If you want more of the latest on the state of religion in America, subscribe to Matter of Faith for a weekly look at the world of faith, sex and politics.

In the meantime, read these articles about the future of religion and the 2024 election:
Ambassadors of EU member states have decided to suspend work on an important element of the migration pact proposed by the European Commission (EC) Poland's EU affairs minister told Polish Radio.

The European Commission has proposed a migrant relocation programme, under which EU members will have to accept an initial quota of 30,000 migrants from countries bearing the brunt of migration from the Middle East and Africa, such as Greece and Italy, or pay about EUR 22,000 per every migrant they refuse to admit.

Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek, the EU affairs minister, confirmed to the public broadcaster Polish Radio on Thursday that a few more countries, apart from Poland and Hungary, on Wednesday blocked the negotiations on the crisis management regulation, which is the most important element of the pact on migration and asylum as it concerns mandatory relocation.

According to the latest news, among these countries are Germany and the Netherlands.

Szynkowski vel Sek said that "indeed, yesterday the Permanent Representatives Committee decided to suspend work on an important element of the migration pact."

"Work on this act is postponed until at least September," he said, making a reservation that the information was preliminary.

According to him, this confirms that "the doubts raised by Poland regarding the migration pact and the solutions contained there are being increasingly heard by other countries."

"It is absolutely not a breakthrough, but it is a glimmer of hope," he said.

Poland and Hungary were the only countries to vote against a migration deal, approved by ministers of EU member states in early June.

In reaction to the initial approval, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, said that the issue of relocation of migrants in the European Union must be submitted to a referendum in Poland. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has confirmed the intention to hold the referendum together with the parliamentary elections in the autumn. (PAP)

jk/jd
Essity to Close Tissue Mill, Converting and Distribution Operations in Upper State New York

Essity's South Glens Falls paper mill ceased papermaking operations on July 20. Layoffs of employees will begin on or around Oct. 20. Essity's South Glens Falls paper mill ceased papermaking operations on July 20. Layoffs of employees will begin on or around Oct. 20.

July 26, 2023 - Essity on July 20 announced a decision to close its tissue manufacturing operations in New York state and consolidate production at its other U.S. sites. This closure will include the South Glens Falls paper mill, Greenwich converting facility and Saratoga warehouse/distribution center.

"It is never easy to decide to close a manufacturing operation," said Michael Olive, plant director for Essity's sites in New York state. "Our operations in upstate New York have had a long, productive history and have always benefited from the extraordinary commitment of our employees. This decision is in no way a reflection on the skills, capabilities or dedication of our employees here. We are grateful for their decades of service and the support we have always received from the surrounding community."

The South Glens Falls paper mill will cease papermaking operations immediately, while the Greenwich converting facility and Saratoga Springs warehouse/distribution center will remain open and continue to operate as long as needed to ensure a smooth transition for customers.

There are approximately 300 employees across the three locations. Layoffs of employees at the South Glens Falls location will begin on or around Oct. 20, 2023. Layoffs at the Greenwich and Saratoga Springs locations will begin at later dates. All employees will receive at least 90 days' notice of the date of their layoff. In addition, Essity will provide impacted employees with a severance package and an opportunity to apply for and transfer to other Essity manufacturing facilities.

In a statement, the company explained, "In recent years, Essity has launched successful, high-demand innovations under the Tork brand, such as Tork PeakServe. Essity will continue focusing on manufacturing and selling these value-adding proprietary products while sunsetting products that are not as relevant in today's market. This action will support the growth of Tork-branded products and innovative solutions, positively impacting Essity's ability to continually reinvest in North America."

Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Essity is a global producer of consumer tissue, professional and personal hygiene and health products.

SOURCE: Essity
Photo: (Photo : Manuel Velasquez / Getty Images)

The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College in Mexico has taken a significant turn as the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) unveils its latest findings.

The multinational panel, appointed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights nine years ago, presented its sixth and final report at a press conference. The report sheds light on the disturbing collusion among Mexican security forces, raising questions about the fate of the missing students.

GIEI Investigators Point to Collusion in the Disappearance of 43 Missing Students

According to NBC News, the case of the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College first came to the world's attention in 2014, when they vanished without a trace from the city of Iguala, Guerrero.

Despite a prolonged investigation and numerous conflicting narratives, the truth behind their disappearance has remained elusive, leaving their families and the international community in anguish.

At the recent press conference, members of the GIEI disclosed startling evidence suggesting that Mexican security forces at the local, state, and federal levels may have played a sinister role in the students' disappearance.

Carlos Beristain, a panel member, asserted that there are indications of collaboration among these forces, "all collaborating to make them disappear."

According to the GIEI's comprehensive report, authorities were well aware of the students' abduction and may have been complicit in their disappearance. It revealed that the army, navy, police, and intelligence agencies had real-time information about the students' whereabouts during the crucial hours after their disappearance.

The report also exposed over 500 calls related to the incident recorded at a government security surveillance center, further implicating the security forces.

Mexican Military Accused of Obstruction

According to CTV News, reported that the GIEI's investigation faced numerous challenges, with authorities often withholding crucial information. The panel accused the Mexican military of "obstruction of justice" for providing false or incomplete information, hindering the progress of the investigation.

Furthermore, discrepancies were found in the army's reporting of the discovery of the body of Julio Cesar Mondragon, one of the missing students, raising suspicions about the veracity of their statements.

These findings have cast doubt on the previous official account, put forward during the administration of former President Enrique Pena Nieto, which claimed that corrupt police in league with a local drug gang were responsible for the kidnapping, killing, and burning of the students.

The GIEI report, however, has discredited this narrative, shedding light on the inconsistencies in the official version.

Read Also: Summer Lunch Participation Plunges: 2.4 Million Kids Miss Out on Free Meals in 2022

Continuing the Search for Justice

Despite the conclusion of the GIEI's investigation, the Mexican government remains committed to seeking justice for the disappeared students.

The New York Times reported that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed to continue the case, even forming a "truth commission" upon taking office in 2018 to investigate further.

The President announced that over 120 to 130 people, ranging from high-ranking officials to civilians, have been arrested in connection with the case.

As the world watches closely, the families of the missing students, human rights activists, and concerned citizens anxiously await the truth to emerge.

The search for justice and accountability continues as the heartrending mystery of the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College persists, leaving an indelible mark on Mexico's human rights landscape.

Related Article: Jill Biden's Milestone Trip: U.S. Returns to UNESCO, Reaffirms Global Commitments
Photo: (Photo : Simon Hurry on Unsplash)

As the scorching heatwave continues to grip much of the country, an alarming milestone has been reached in Florida's waters. On Monday, a buoy off the coast of Florida recorded an astonishing water temperature of 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit, sending shockwaves through the scientific community.

According to NBC News, this extraordinary reading comes hot on the heels of a previous record set on Sunday, when the same buoy in Manatee Bay registered a temperature of 100.2 degrees. To put this into perspective, the average temperature of a hot tub typically ranges from 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Record-Shattering Heat: Florida Buoy Registers Scorching 100.2 Degrees Fahrenheit

While such readings might have been dismissed as potential outliers or sensor errors, additional buoys in the vicinity also recorded unusually high water temperatures. Murray Key buoy recorded 99.3 degrees, while Johnson Key buoy registered 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

What's particularly concerning is that experts have been closely monitoring the water temperatures, which have remained exceptionally warm, ranging from 92 to 97 degrees, since early July.

The underlying cause of this unusual weather pattern for the summer months in the region is a stagnant setup driven by a powerful high-pressure system, leading to prolonged periods of above-average and, in some cases, record-breaking air temperatures.

This weather pattern has also resulted in weaker-than-average trade winds. Normally, southeast winds and sea breezes help moderate sea surface temperatures in south Florida. However, during this period, the winds have been weak and originating from the west, allowing the sea surface temperatures to rise significantly.

Several factors have contributed to spiking the water temperatures above 100 degrees:

Air temperatures reaching the mid-to-upper 90s. Weak winds are blowing at speeds of less than 10 mph across the region. Intense sunlight directly hits shallow waters, which heat up faster than deeper waters. Silty waters cause the water to appear darker, leading to increased absorption of sunlight and consequently more heating. This can be likened to comparing clear water to murky water, with darker colors absorbing and retaining more heat.

The water temperatures recorded on Sunday and Monday are approaching world-record territory for the hottest sea surface temperatures. Although official world water temperature records are not formally kept, the current recorded highest temperature is 99.7 degrees Fahrenheit in Kuwait Bay. However, the temperatures recorded off Florida would require an extensive verification process due to factors like proximity to land and the presence of silty water.

Read Also: Texas Heatwave Triggers Surge in Heat-Related Emergencies: ER Visits and EMS Calls Soar, Warns CDC

Marine Ecosystems at Risk: Florida's Coral Reefs Face Threat from Extreme Heat

Disturbingly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that ocean warming since 1991 has doubled the projected size of the marine heatwave expected to occur in September 2023.

Based on an experimental forecast issued in June, it is estimated that 50 percent of the global oceans could experience heatwave conditions by September. Additionally, according to the forecast models, only 25% of the world's oceans would experience heatwaves in September without the effects of global warming on the oceans over the previous three decades.

These record-breaking water temperatures have significant implications for marine ecosystems, including Florida's coral reefs, which are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature. As scientists continue to closely monitor the situation, efforts to mitigate the effects of this extreme heat on marine life are of utmost importance.

In conclusion, the boiling milestone of 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit in Florida's waters serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing climate crisis and highlights the urgent need for collective action to address the escalating challenges posed by extreme weather events.

Related Article: Extreme Heat and Air Pollution Double Risk of Fatal Heart Attacks
Photo: (Photo : Edward Cisneros on Unsplash)

Once considered a taboo topic, menopause is gradually finding its place in public discussions, including workplace conversations that acknowledge and support women experiencing this natural life phase. As menopause breaks free from societal stigmas, the question arises: What specific support should employers provide to their female employees during this transformative time in their lives?

For working women in the perimenopausal or menopausal phase, managing symptoms while on the job can be a challenging experience. According to CNN, the physical and emotional changes that accompany menopause may impact work performance and well-being. Consequently, it becomes crucial for employers to offer targeted support that addresses the unique needs of women going through this phase.

Confidential Dialogues: Respecting Privacy in Menopause Discussions

As we strive to understand the kind of support that can make a meaningful difference, we invite working women to share their experiences. If you are currently navigating menopause in the workplace, we want to hear your stories about managing symptoms and whether you feel adequately supported by your employer's general health and wellness benefits. Moreover, we are curious to know if you believe there is a need for additional benefits tailored specifically to your needs during this significant life transition.

At the heart of this endeavor is a call for transparency and open dialogue. We understand the importance of respecting individual privacy, and any information you share will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Nothing will be included in any future articles without prior consent, which will involve reaching out to you and conducting an interview to ensure your story is portrayed accurately and sensitively.

According to WHO, menopause is an unavoidable and natural part of a woman's life, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. The hormonal changes associated with menopause can give rise to various physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can affect personal life as well as professional performance, making it crucial for employers to create a supportive environment.

Read Also: TikTok Mom Going Through Menopause Gets Pregnant Two Times

Supportive Initiatives: Workshops and Training for Menopause Awareness

While many workplaces already offer general health and wellness benefits, it is essential to explore the potential for additional provisions that specifically cater to the needs of menopausal women. Flexible work hours, access to quiet and private spaces for relaxation, and temperature-controlled work environments are examples of simple yet impactful adjustments that can significantly improve the menopause experience at work.

By encouraging open communication and understanding, employers can foster a workplace culture that values the well-being of all employees. Initiatives like educational workshops on menopause awareness and sensitivity training for managers can contribute to a more empathetic work environment.

Menopause does not have a one-size-fits-all solution, as each woman's experience is unique. Thus, a comprehensive approach is necessary, taking into account the diverse needs of women during this life phase. It is crucial for employers to proactively reach out to their employees, encouraging conversations about menopause and its impact on their well-being and work lives.

Moreover, menopause support should extend beyond medical benefits and include emotional and mental health resources. Employee assistance programs, access to counseling services, and support groups can play a significant role in helping women navigate the challenges of menopause with confidence and grace.

Menopause is no longer a hushed subject, and workplaces must adapt to this changing landscape. Employers have a vital role in fostering a supportive environment that empowers women during this significant life transition. By providing tailored support and open dialogue, workplaces can help women embrace menopause with confidence, ensuring that it becomes a phase of empowerment and growth, both personally and professionally.

Read Also: Survival Tips for Moms Showing Signs of Perimenopause
Photo: (Photo : ARUN SANKAR / Getty Images)

In the midst of an ongoing controversy over the treatment of migrant children at the US border, the Labor Department has made a troubling announcement.

Child labor cases have seen a shocking 44% surge in recent months, raising concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable young individuals.

As the nation grapples with the issue of migrant children and their living conditions, this alarming rise in child labor cases highlights the need for urgent action and comprehensive reforms.

Labor Department's Contradictory Reports on Child Labor

According to NBC News, the Labor Department recently released a report indicating a troubling 44% increase in child labor cases over the past six months.

These cases span various sectors, from agriculture to manufacturing, revealing the challenges faced by young individuals who are pushed into the workforce without adequate protection and education.

According to senior Labor Department officials, their crackdown on child labor has shown some success.

They reported that since October, investigators have discovered more than 4,400 children employed in violation of child labor laws, representing a 44% increase from October 1, 2021, to July 20, 2022.

The department attributes this rise in enforcement to its recent emphasis on enforcing child labor laws.

Alongside the increased enforcement, Labor officials also noted an 87% increase in company fines during the same period, amounting to $6.6 million.

Interestingly, the announcement of the surge in child labor cases coincided with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra facing criticism from both parties on Capitol Hill regarding reports of underage migrants working dangerous jobs.

The Labor Department's revelation adds further urgency to the debate on how children are treated when discharged from the agency's custody.

During a recent hearing on immigrant child labor, Rep. Anna Eshoo from California expressed dissatisfaction with Becerra's agency's response to their inquiries about how carefully the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) vets sponsors offering to host unaccompanied migrant minors.

She questioned why, despite ORR's claim of meeting statutory requirements, there has been such a significant rise in the exploitation of these children.

Read Also: 43 Missing Students in Mexico: GIEI Findings Point to Collusion Among Security Forces

Child Labor Affecting Migrant Children

Recent reports from Business & Human Rights have shed light on concerning practices involving migrant children, primarily from Central America, who have allegedly been subjected to exploitative working conditions in various industries.

These children are under the care of sponsors assigned by the US Department of Health and Human Services, but investigations reveal that many of them are working long hours, including overnight shifts, in hazardous environments.

Some of the industries implicated in these child labor allegations include food processing factories for companies such as Ben & Jerry's, Fruit of the Loom, General Mills, JBS Foods, and J. Crew, as well as retail giants like PepsiCo, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market.

While sponsors are expected to send these unaccompanied minors to school, a significant number of them are reportedly ending up working full time instead.

As recently reported by USA Today, a tragic incident that recently came to light involved a 16-year-old boy who lost his life while working at a Mississippi chicken processing plant.

The teen, part of the sanitation crew at the Mar-Jac Poultry factory in Hattiesburg, was fatally injured when he became entangled in machinery while performing cleaning duties.

Hattiesburg police launched an investigation into the boy's death, raising questions about the company's hiring practices and the identification of the staffing agency involved.

Mar-Jac Poultry stated that the worker's age and identity were misrepresented on the paperwork, and they were unaware of his status as a minor until after the tragic incident.

They emphasized that they would never knowingly endanger any employee, especially a minor.

Unfortunately, this accident marks the third fatality at the facility since 2020, raising further concerns about workplace safety and child labor violations.

The incident at the Mar-Jac plant highlights a broader issue, with the US Department of Labor reporting an apparent rise in child labor violations.

The exploitation of migrant children and their involvement in dangerous and adult labor-intensive jobs call for urgent attention and action from both federal authorities and the companies involved.

These distressing findings underscore the need for stronger enforcement of child labor laws and better oversight of the working conditions faced by migrant children in the United States.

Related Article: Texas Faces Legal Battle Over Controversial Book Ratings Law Targeting 'Offensive' Material
Photo: (Photo : JEFF DEAN / Getty Images)

In a tragic incident, a toddler was fatally shot by their 5-year-old brother in Indiana. The heartbreaking event has led to legal repercussions for the parents, who now face charges of neglect and drug possession.

The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the devastating incident that claimed the life of a 16-month-old toddler, leaving her family and the community in mourning.

The charges were revealed on Tuesday against Deonta Jermaine Johnson, aged 27, and Shatia Tiara Welch, aged 24, residents of Lafayette. Their arrests took place in LaPorte the day prior, as reported by various news outlets.

The tragic incident involving the shooting of Isiah Johnson took place on March 28 at the Romney Meadows apartments in Lafayette, which is approximately 60 miles north of Indianapolis.

Toddler Fatally Shot by 5-Year-Old Brother in Indiana

The unfortunate incident occurred in the quiet town of Indiana when a 5-year-old boy accidentally discharged a firearm, resulting in the death of his 16-month-old sibling.

According to CBS, Johnson, the father of the 16-month-old toddler Isiah Johnson, who tragically lost his life in the March 28 shooting, was present in the apartment at the time of the incident.

According to court documents, Johnson was asleep on the couch when the 5-year-old boy, not the older child, gained access to a handgun, resulting in the fatal shot to Isiah's head, as stated by prosecutors.

Throughout the investigation, Johnson initially denied the presence of a gun in the apartment, but eventually disclosed that Welch, the mother, owned a handgun that was kept in the home.

Contrary to Johnson, Welch was not at home during the shooting, as revealed by court documents. When she returned, she informed the officers that she possessed a firearm, which she kept in a lockbox under her bed.

Officers reported that Welch claimed to have two sets of keys for her gun safe, but one set had been lost a few days before the incident, according to an affidavit.

Welch asserted that her 5-year-old son was unaware of the purpose of the keys and had no knowledge of the gun's storage location. She emphasized that the child was not allowed to play with or construct toy guns, though he was familiar with firearms from television. It was disclosed that the boy occasionally played under her bed.

During the investigation, surveillance footage was reviewed, capturing Johnson leaving the apartment and heading to a parked car approximately two minutes before the police responded to the 911 call.

According to Mirror, the video depicted him placing an item inside the vehicle, and upon inspection, officers discovered approximately 400 grams of marijuana in the car. Consequently, Johnson also faces an obstruction of justice charge for his alleged actions related to this matter.

Toxicology results revealed that the toddler had marijuana in his blood, while his brother, the 5-year-old, tested positive for cocaine, according to statements made by prosecutors.

Read Also: 43 Missing Students in Mexico: GIEI Findings Point to Collusion Among Security Forces

Parents Face Legal Consequences

Following the heartbreaking incident, law enforcement swiftly conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the toddler's death.

According to NBC News, during the apartment search, authorities discovered approximately 93 fentanyl pills, accessible to the 5-year-old boy, as per official reports. Additionally, a metal grinder containing marijuana residue was found in the dining room.

According to an affidavit, when questioned about Johnson's connection to drug-related activities, Welch asserted that she refrains from involvement in Johnson's affairs.

Authorities discovered evidence of neglectful actions leading up to the tragedy, suggesting that the parents failed to provide adequate supervision and secure access to the firearm.

Additionally, during their investigation, law enforcement found illegal drugs in the home, leading to drug possession charges against the parents. The negligence and recklessness exhibited by the parents have had significant legal consequences.

In the wake of this devastating incident, Indiana residents are coming together to advocate for more robust measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety education and the importance of keeping firearms securely stored away from children's access.

Related Article: Texas Faces Legal Battle Over Controversial Book Ratings Law Targeting 'Offensive' Material
Photo: (Photo : Karollyne Videira Hubert on Unsplash )

Michigan made a significant stride in protecting LGBTQ minors as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation on Wednesday banning the discredited practice of conversion therapy, according to ABC. This action positions Michigan as the 22nd state in the US to prohibit any form of therapy aimed at altering a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Conversion therapy, widely condemned for its lack of scientific basis and harmful effects, purports to change LGBTQ individuals to conform to heterosexuality or traditional gender norms. However, the new legislation explicitly excludes counseling or support provided to individuals undergoing gender transitions.

Protecting LGBTQ Minors: Governor Whitmer Signs Landmark Legislation Against Conversion Therapy

Governor Whitmer, whose child is LGBTQ, stressed the importance of banning this "horrific practice" to create an environment where individuals can embrace their authentic selves. In 2021, she signed an executive directive prohibiting state and federal funds from being used for conversion therapy with minors.

The advocacy group The Trevor Project reports that approximately 15% of LGBTQ minors in Michigan experienced threats or exposure to conversion therapy in 2022. LGBTQ rights advocates have long decried this practice, pointing to research that links conversion therapy to an increased risk of suicide and depression among its victims.

According to NBC News, the ban received approval from the Michigan Senate last month in a 21-15 vote, with one Republican joining Democrats in support. The state House had previously passed the legislation. Some opposing Republicans expressed concerns about potential interference with the work of mental health professionals.

Defending the rights of Michigan's LGBTQ community has been a priority for Democrats since gaining control of the state government earlier this year. In March, lawmakers amended the state's civil rights act to protect LGBTQ individuals and permanently outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Efforts to ban conversion therapy have been underway in other states as well. Minnesota, where Democrats also assumed control recently, passed a comparable ban on conversion therapy in April. Meanwhile, in Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs issued an executive order last month prohibiting state agencies from funding or supporting conversion therapy.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) declared a state of emergency for the LGBTQ community in May due to an "unprecedented and dangerous" surge in discriminatory legislation across state legislatures. This marked the first time in the HRC's 43-year history that such an emergency declaration has been made.

With the banning of conversion therapy in Michigan, LGBTQ youth in the state can find solace in knowing that the harmful practice is no longer legally sanctioned. The measure is seen as a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and accepting environment for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Read Also: North Carolina Governor Stands Against Anti-LGBTQ Legislation, Vetoes Trio of Bills

Growing Movement: States Nationwide Take Action to Prohibit Harmful Conversion Therapy

Major medical and psychological associations, such as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association, have widely discredited conversion therapy. Critics argue that it not only lacks a scientific basis but also poses serious risks to the mental and emotional well-being of those subjected to it. The practice often stigmatizes and denigrates LGBTQ individuals, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and causing feelings of shame and self-loathing.

Research has shown that LGBTQ youth who undergo conversion therapy are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Banning this practice is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable LGBTQ minors, who are often at higher risk of facing discrimination and prejudice.

The Trevor Project, a leading LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization, reports that LGBTQ youth from highly rejecting families are more than eight times more likely to attempt suicide than those from supportive families. By prohibiting conversion therapy, Michigan sends a powerful message of support and acceptance to its LGBTQ youth population, promoting mental health and well-being.

While the ban on conversion therapy is a significant step forward, advocates recognize that there is still much work to be done to protect LGBTQ individuals from discrimination and prejudice. The fight for equality and acceptance continues, and Michigan's decision to ban conversion therapy serves as a beacon of hope for the future.

In conclusion, Michigan's ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors marks a critical victory in the fight against this harmful and ineffective practice. By enacting this legislation, the state takes a stand for LGBTQ rights and sends a clear message that all individuals should be respected and accepted for who they are.

As the 22nd state to outlaw conversion therapy, Michigan joins a growing movement to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangers of this discredited practice. While challenges may remain, this momentous step towards equality and inclusivity brings hope for a brighter and more accepting future for all LGBTQ individuals in Michigan and beyond.

Related Article: Increasing Anti-LGBTQ Legislation Triggers Human Rights Campaign To Declare State of Emergency
Photo: (Photo : Christoph Peich on Unsplash)

In South Carolina, a store owner is facing a murder charge after fatally shooting a Black 14-year-old, whom he had falsely accused of stealing water. The tragic incident occurred on May 28, sending shockwaves of grief through the African American community in Richland County, where nearly half the population is Black.

The store owner, Rick Chow, and his son had pursued the teenager, Cyrus Carmack-Belton, in a chase that extended about 500 feet past their family's Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia. Now, as investigators seek to uncover the truth behind the killing, a search warrant for Chow's business records has become a point of contention.

Prosecutors believe that the search could yield crucial information about the store's operations, particularly how Chow handled shoplifters and whether Carmack-Belton was treated differently. They seek to examine computers and other electronic devices to find the store's employee manual and other documents that may reveal patterns of behavior.

Community Outrage: African American Community Grieves Over Fatal Shooting

Chow's defense attorney, Jack Swerling, however, argues that investigators have already received what they wanted from the family without a warrant. He contends that they are now trying to access items they are not legally entitled to, such as checks, bank accounts, and other business-related information.

At a recent emergency hearing, Judge Robert Hood temporarily halted state agents from executing the search warrant and stated that he would deliver a ruling early next month. The decision will likely have significant implications for the murder case and the pursuit of justice for Cyrus Carmack-Belton.

The tragic incident unfolded when Chow falsely accused the teenager of stealing four bottles of water. Surveillance video, however, showed that Carmack-Belton had only picked up and put down the bottles. Ignoring this fact, Chow and his son chased the teen after he left the store. Chow claimed that he fired a shot after his son informed him that Carmack-Belton possessed a gun, despite there being no evidence that the teen ever directed the firearm at them.

According to NBC News, the fatal shot struck Carmack-Belton in the back, prompting authorities to charge Chow with murder. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott decried the use of lethal force against an unarmed individual, stating, "You don't shoot somebody in the back that is not a threat to you."

Prosecutor April Sampson contends that Chow and his son treated the teenager differently from the moment he entered the store, deviating from the policies laid out for employees. According to her, the crime began with this unequal treatment.

Chow's lawyer argues that investigators already possess the store's only employee manual, which is only a three-page document and does not specify policies for dealing with shoplifters. He also notes that, as owners, the Chows have the authority to set store policy but are not necessarily obligated to follow it.

Read Also: Mohammed Almaru Charged With Murder After Beating Teen Daughter Mia Maro to Death in Chicago

A Case in the Spotlight: Controversial Shooting Sparks National Attention

Despite the arguments presented, Judge Hood expressed skepticism about the validity of the search warrant's grounds and whether it could lead to conclusive proof of a crime. He remarked that challenging the credibility of witnesses is not a sufficient reason to issue a search warrant.

The incident sparked protests outside Chow's store, with demands for justice and accusations of mistreatment of Black customers. Police records revealed that Chow had previously fired at shoplifters on two occasions in the past eight years, but no charges were filed as authorities considered his actions to be acts of self-defense.

After the protests, Chow's store fell victim to vandalism and burglary, with cigarettes and beer being stolen. The case has since become a focal point of scrutiny, shedding light on issues of racial bias and the use of deadly force.

As the legal battle unfolds, the search for truth and justice continues for the community mourning the loss of Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The outcome of the search warrant's validity may have significant consequences for the case and may determine the path towards accountability and closure.

Related Article: Teenage Perpetrators of Marine Assault to Face Accountability, Official Asserts
This week begins a four-part series of stories surrounding Alabamas most legendary colorful governor, James E. Big Jim Folsom.

Big Jim Folsom was the epitome of unbridled candidness. Late in his second term, he had been on a week-long trip to the port city of Mobile with his buddies, but he had to come back to Montgomery to give a speech to the national convention of American Textile Manufacturers Association. It was a large and distinguished crowd of executives from all over the country and they were meeting in Alabama, so the governor was to give them his official welcoming speech.

While Big Jim was vacationing in Mobile, someone in his office had written him a nice speech. Big Jim had never seen the speech prior to getting up to address the audience. He started reading the speech and it sounded somewhat dry and full of statistics. Big Jim dutifully continued reading, We want to welcome yall to Alabama. Alabama is truly a textile state. Weve got 200,000 people employed in the textile industry, and it means $40 million to our economy. We produce 4 million articles a week. At that point, Big Jim looked up from reading and said, Ill be doggone, I didnt know that.

An all-time favorite Big Jim story happened in the mid-1950s during his second term as governor, at the annual Southern Governors Conference. The assembled governors and other dignitaries were scheduled to be guests at a nearby U.S. Naval station to witness an air show. Big Jim had a reputation for enjoying libations. The governors were scheduled to gather at the waterfront at 6 a.m., and many doubted Big Jim would make it at that hour since he would have partied most of the night before. That was indeed the case, but nevertheless he arrived at the pier on time. It was obvious that he had not slept, he was still wearing the same suit and tie, he was unshaven, and his hair was askew, but he was raring to go.

The governors, dignitaries, and aides were motored in small boats out to a huge aircraft carrier, which then sailed 125 to 200 miles offshore for a state-of-the-art air show previously seen only by high-ranking naval officers and cabinet members. The sky was perfect, the sea was calm; it was a beautiful day. The crowd gathered on the flight deck. An admiral gave a glowing speech about the naval aviation and how important and accident-free it had become. The admiral introduced the pilot, and then some enlisted men went through the crowd handing out earmuff devices to protect the observers hearing from the sound of the jet. Big Jim may have looked a little funnier than the rest of the governors in his earmuffs because of his size and dishevelment. He was six-feet, nine-inches tall.

The airshow began. The jet got louder and louder as it whined down the airstrip and made a perfect takeoff. Then suddenly there was total silence. The jet flamed out, the engine quit running, the plane crashed into the water and was lost in the ocean. There was complete bedlam aboard the carrier. Sirens went off, divers prepared to enter the water and emergency helicopters prepared for takeoff. Then miraculously word came that the pilot had bailed out of the plane before it sank and was not injured. He was shaken up and wet, but alive.

The crowd gave a rousing cheer of relief that the pilots life had been spared. By this time everyone had taken off their earmuffs except Big Jim, who was still standing on the deck with his earmuffs on and his mouth wide open in amazement. Folsom had been watching the scene in absolute astonishment. He could not believe his bloodshot eyes. Finally, he could contain himself no longer. Because he was still wearing his earmuffs, he did not realize how loud he was talking and in a voice you could hear for miles, Big Jim boomed, Admiral, if that aint a show, Ill kiss your ass.

See you next week.
Photo: (Photo : Scott Eisen / Getty Images)

Harvard University's longstanding practice of legacy admissions has come under scrutiny as the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights launches an investigation.

The inquiry was initiated just a month after the Supreme Court's pivotal 6-3 decision in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard, which struck down race-based affirmative action for colleges and universities.

The Department of Education's investigation aims to determine whether Harvard's admission policy unfairly favors legacy applicants, potentially violating civil rights regulations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Allegations of Preferential Treatment Spark Civil Rights Complaint

According to Quartz, lawyers for Civil Rights lodged a complaint against Harvard earlier this month, raising concerns that the university may be giving preferential treatment to children of wealthy donors and alumni through its legacy admissions program. The complaint alleges that nearly 70% of Harvard's donor-related and legacy applicants are white and enjoy a substantial advantage in the admissions process due to their status.

According to the complaint, donor-related applicants are nearly 7 times more likely to be admitted, while legacies are nearly 6 times more likely to secure admission compared to non-donor-related applicants. Furthermore, the complaint contends that 28% of Harvard's 2019 graduating class were legacies, highlighting the potential impact on diversity and access for deserving applicants from underrepresented backgrounds.

The adverse impact is experienced by well-qualified and highly deserving applicants from diverse backgrounds, as their admissions opportunities are compromised in favor of predominantly white applicants who gain advantages through Harvard's legacy and donor preferences.

ABC reported that Nicole Rura, a spokeswoman for Harvard, stated that the university is currently reviewing "aspects" of its admissions policies following the Supreme Court's decision. This review involves a comprehensive examination of various data and information, as well as insights gathered from Harvard's decade-long efforts to foster a diverse intellectual community essential to their pursuit of academic excellence.

Rura emphasized that the university's administration is committed to intensifying their efforts to encourage applications from students of diverse backgrounds, striving to open doors of opportunity for all.

Read Also: Texas Faces Legal Battle Over Controversial Book Ratings Law Targeting 'Offensive' Material

Legacy Admissions Under National Scrutiny

In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling, which emphasized the inadmissibility of considering applicants' affiliations with racial groups in admissions, Wesleyan University's President, Michael Roth, announced the discontinuation of legacy admissions for the school.

Roth highlighted the need for universities to reconsider the use of affiliations with alumni groups in their admissions processes, echoing sentiments expressed by President Joe Biden, who previously criticized legacy admissions for expanding privilege rather than fostering equal opportunities.

The NAACP also joined the call, urging universities to abandon legacy admissions to level the playing field for all applicants, arguing that such practices unfairly favor white applicants.

According to NBC News, the July 3 complaint, drawing on data released by Harvard after the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action, pointed out that legacy and donor-related applicants who are predominantly white are six times more likely to be admitted, effectively limiting spots for highly qualified applicants of color.

If Harvard were to eliminate legacy and donor preferences, the complaint contends that more students from underrepresented backgrounds would have the opportunity to secure admission based solely on their merits, potentially enhancing diversity within the university's student body.

Related Article: Labor Department Announces 44% Surge in Child Labor Cases Amidst Migrant Children Controversy
Photo: (Photo : Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Glendale, Arizona After a long and mysterious four-year disappearance, 14-year-old Alicia Navarro, who went missing from Glendale, Arizona, has been located in a small town in Montana.

The joyous news was announced by the Glendale Police Department on Wednesday, marking an end to the agonizing search for the missing teenager.

Alicia was found safe, healthy, and happy, bringing immense relief to her family, friends, and the community.

Missing Glendale Teen Wants To Reunite With Her Mother

Alicia Navarro, who vanished without a trace four years ago, just before her 15th birthday, has finally been reunited with her family.

The Glendale Police Department made the joyous announcement during a press conference, stating that Alicia had been discovered alone at a local police department in a small Montana town.

According to NBC News, Glendale police spokesperson Jose Santiago, reports indicate that Alicia Navarro is in a safe, healthy, and content state.

During a press conference, Santiago informed reporters that Alicia voluntarily presented herself at a police department, confirming her identity and seeking assistance to remove her name from the missing juvenile list.

She identified herself as the missing teenage girl, leading to an immediate verification process to ensure her identity.

The case attracted significant attention, with the Glendale Police Department, the FBI, and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children joining forces to find the young girl.

Over the years, thousands of tips poured in from various sources, both inside and outside the country, but there was no concrete evidence of her whereabouts or abduction.

Nunez partnered with private investigative agencies, utilized billboards, appeared on television programs, and utilized social media platforms to raise awareness about her daughter's disappearance.

The community rallied behind her, showing unwavering support and hope for Alicia's safe return.

The Mystery Unfolds

Alicia's sudden disappearance left a void in her family's lives as they struggled to comprehend the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

According to the New York Post, the 14-year-old girl left a handwritten note in her bedroom before she disappeared, stating that she ran away but would come back.

However, the note did not provide any clarity about where she was headed or who she was with, leaving her loved ones desperate for answers.

Nunez had suspected that Alicia might have been abducted by someone she met while gaming online, as Alicia had been an avid gamer since the age of 11.

The cautious teenager mostly kept to herself, but she had a small group of friends she'd known since kindergarten.

Nunez expressed her surprise at the idea that someone could have lured her daughter, believing that Alicia's cautious nature would have prevented her from falling for any deceit so easily.

Read Also: Jill Biden's Milestone Trip: U.S. Returns to UNESCO, Reaffirms Global Commitments

Continued Search for Answers

While Alicia's safe return has brought immense relief to her family and the Glendale community, the investigation continues to shed light on the circumstances that led to her disappearance.

According to USA Today, Glendale Police will continue their efforts to understand what transpired over the past four years and where Alicia has been all this time.

The authorities will also delve into her online activity and connections to ascertain if she was indeed in contact with any suspicious individuals.

At this point, Alicia herself has expressed her desire to move forward with her life and rebuild her relationship with her mother.

She is apologetic for the pain she caused her family during her absence, and she hopes to establish a meaningful connection with her mother once again.

The circumstances leading up to her disappearance remain unclear, and it remains to be seen whether she was alone during her time away or if she had any assistance.

Alicia's safe return after such a prolonged and distressing period brings renewed hope to families of missing persons everywhere.

For now, the focus remains on allowing the teenager and her family the privacy and space they need to process this miraculous reunion and move forward with their lives.

Related Article: Indiana Toddler Fatally Shot by 5-Year-Old Brother: Parents Face Neglect, Drug Possession Charges
At a glance Expert's Rating Pros 25GB for free

Affordable pay plans

Super fast downloads from anywhere in the world

Make money hosting a storage node Cons Could use better help

Requires third-party client software for automated backups. Our Verdict For techies, this distributed, object-storage service is a no-brainer. You can even make money by sharing local disk space as a Storj node. For the average user its a great deal, but implementing automated backups requires third-party software.

Storj offers the most storage for free of any online cloud backup service were aware of. A whopping 25GB, or five times the usual freebie average. It also remains affordable at the next higher tier$4 monthly per TB. Thats $48 a year$22 cheaper than the OneDrive I use now, although the latter includes Microsoft Office.

The downside for the average user is that you must use third-party clients to automate backupsStorj doesnt provide one. A major upside is that Storj will pay you if you host a Storj storage node on your local storage.

And if youre into nerding out, its also an international distributed-object data system that delivers roughly the same download speeds no matter where you are in the world. If download speed is important to you, then Storj is king of the hill.

Further reading: See our roundup of the best online backup services to learn about competing products. We also maintain a guide to the best Windows backup software.

Storj design and pricing

In terms of data organization and language Storj is very Amazon S3-like, employing buckets. These are akin to root folders, with bucket encompassing projects roughly approximating volumes.

Alas, as mentioned, Storj doesnt provide a graphic backup client for its services. It instead relies upon its UpLink CLI (Command Line Interface), a somewhat limited Web interface, or an access utility such as Cyberduck or S3Drive to facilitate manual operations.

For automation, youll need a third-party backup client such as Duplicati (free), which supports Storjs own protocols. Others such as Arq 7, NovaBackup, and SynBackPro utilize Storjs S3 compatibility to the same end.

Storj divides your online storage in to projects, then buckets, then folders and files.

Additionally, many NAS boxes, including my QNAP TS-253, allow you to define an S3-compatible destination for backups. From my inquiries for this article, it also seems that S3-compatibility is in the works for a number of other backup clients such as my favorite, R-Drive Image.

Fair warning: You must configure the link between the client and Storj, and its not dead simple. It requires generating access info from Storj (its very secure with encryption keys required), entering it into your app, etc. If you follow the online docs to the letter, you should be fine.

I also found the help rather scattershot in quality, sometimes out of date given I was using Windows 11, and  once or twice  incorrect.

Storj may not be dead easy, but its certainly affordable!

As noted, Storj employs a distributed object model that utilizes storage nodes across the world. All parity and location info, however, is stored and maintained on Storjs own servers. If you balked at that across the world bit, Storj provides geo-fencing that will limit data to the U.S. or the EU.

If you have enough always-available storage and a fast connection, you can also make money with Storj, as shown below.

If you have 500GB of storage to spare, you can host a Storj node and get paid for it.

Hosting a storage node is not for the average user simply looking to back up, but hey, its a revenue stream thats there if you need it. Albeit one paid in Storj tokens. These may then be converted to standard currency, so dont misunderstand my meaning.

Storj performance

For every 1GB you backup, you actually transfer 2.76GB because of parity required for geographically wide distribution. The parity info doesnt count towards your storage cap, but it does mean longer uploads.

That said, from here in San Francisco with using my 5Mbps Comcast uplink, uploading data from a Mac using the Chrome browser, as well as Cyberduck wasnt all that bad: 690KBps, which is actually higher than the theoretical 600KBps my connection should be capable off. However, because of the larger amount of data involved, total upload times were at best,on par with other services Ive tested, at around 2.65GB (actual data) per hour.

Downloads on the other hand, were ludicrously fast compared to what Ive seen elsewhereclose to the 30MBps my plan allows. That, folks, is fast. By way of comparison, I get 20MBps from Dropbox and only 5MBps with OneDrive. There might be something to this distributed data deal after all, though I havent tried it from elsewhere in the world.

The response of the HTML interface was smooth and flawlessno glitches of any kind. However, I do have one web gripethe inability to download an entire bucket, folder, or seemingly a group of files using your browser. Use Cyberduck instead and throw those devs a buck or three for a nice job.

Great but not for everyone

I really love Storj and the distributed data concept, but its not a particularly good fit for less tech-savvy users due to the lack of a backup or even sync clienthence the 4 stars. That said, the pricing is enticing, as is the scintillating download performance if youre willing to adapt. And for some, its a fantastic way to generate some extra revenue utilizing your excess storage. For those users, its a 4.5 easy.

Look for an upcoming review of DriveX, an online storage vendor that utilizes Storjs technology and services.
Ashiokai Akrong, Vodafone Ghanas Human Resources Director, has highlighted the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within organisations, a concept she referred to as intrapreneurship.



She made these comments while delivering a compelling keynote address at the What I Wish I Knew (WIWIK) 2023 conference at the University of Ghana Business School. The conference, themed Thriving in Uncertainty, brought together a diverse group of speakers, including Capt.



Prince Kofi Amoabeng (retd), President of UT Holdings, Daniel McKorley, Chief Executive Officer of the McDan Group of Companies and Carol Jarvis, Professor in Knowledge Exchange & Innovation at the Bristol Business School, UK.



In her address, Ashiokai emphasised the need for organisations to create an environment that encourages innovation and does not punish failure, as failure often accompanies innovation.



Employees need to understand an organisations strategy and values to align their innovative ideas with the organisations goals, she said. An open culture that promotes trust is crucial for this understanding and alignment.



Ashiokai also underscored the importance of integrity and trust in business, introducing the concept of the say-do ratio, which refers to the consistency between what one promises and what one delivers. High integrity and trust are crucial for maintaining a good say-do ratio, she noted.



Drawing from her personal experience, Ashiokai, an alumnus of the University of Ghana Business School, encouraged individuals to gain experience and not rush the journey to finding their career path. You have to take those jobs on the way to building your career, she advised. Sometimes we're in such in a hurry to make that money right now, but the experience is just as important.



Ashiokais insights into fostering an intrapreneurial spirit within organisations were a key highlight of the WIWIK 2023 conference, contributing to the rich discourse on thriving in uncertain times.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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More than 40 people have died in Algeria, Italy and Greece as Mediterranean wildfires threaten villages and holiday resorts, and thousands have been evacuated.



The entire island of Rhodes has been put into a state of emergency, as fires also rage on Corfu and Evia.

The current long heatwave shows no let-up - temperatures are expected to rise above 44C (111F) in parts of Greece.



Fires in Sicily and Puglia have forced thousands of people to flee.



High winds and tinder-dry vegetation mean firefighters are struggling in many areas to douse the flames and create firebreaks.



The heaviest death toll so far is in Algeria, where the 34 victims included 10 soldiers surrounded by flames during an evacuation in the coastal province of Bejaia, east of Algiers. Bejaia is the worst-hit area, accounting for 23 of the deaths, local media report.



Algerian authorities said 80% of the blazes had been put out since Sunday, but a massive firefighting effort continues, involving about 8,000 personnel, hundreds of fire engines and some aircraft.



Fires have also raged in neighbouring Tunisia, where 300 people had to be evacuated from the coastal village of Melloula.



In Greece, the Civil Protection Ministry warned of an "extreme danger" of fire in six of the country's 13 regions on Wednesday.



A team of climate scientists - the World Weather Attribution group - said this month's intense heatwave in Southern Europe, North America and China would have been virtually impossible without human-induced climate change.



Read Full Story .... HERE >>> :









Source: BBC









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Ghanas 1992 Constitution requires that with the approval of Parliament, the President should assign Regional Ministers for each of the sixteen (16) regions. As representatives of the President, the Regional Ministers are responsible for overseeing the coordination and direction of the administration of their respective regions.



In constituting his cabinet and Regional Ministers for his second term in office, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed sixteen (16) Regional Ministers who were on March 12, 2021, unanimously approved by Parliament as recommended by the Appointments Committee of the House. They were subsequently sworn-in by the President.



They are Hon. Henry Quartey, Greater Accra, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong, Eastern, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western, Mr. Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern, Mr. Joshua Gmayenaam Makubu, Oti, Mr. Saeed Muhazu Jibril, Savannah, and Mr. Stephen Yakubu, Upper East.



The rest are Mr. George Boakye, Ahafo, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti, Ms. Justina Owusu, Banahene-Bono, Mr. Kwasi Adu-Gyan, Bono East, Justina Marigold Assan, Central, Mr. Yidana Zakaria, North East; Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, Upper West, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta, and Mr. Richard Obeng, Western North.



SURVEY



Gina Media Consult conducted a survey between October 2021 and September 2022 to ascertain the Regional Ministers performance. Respondents for the survey included Teachers, Media, Traditional Leaders, Social Commentators, Youth Groups, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Politicians, Clergy, Assemblymembers, Students, Traders, Farmers, and Commercial Drivers.



DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS



The sample size was 8000 and, in each region, a total of 500 respondents were interviewed one on one. Eighty (80) percent of the respondents were between the ages of 18 and 70. The respondents were randomly selected nationwide.



The measuring tool focused on the Regional Ministers administrative expertise, their accessibility, punctuality at public events, relationship with traditional leaders, relationship with development partners, relationship with NPP regional and constituency executives as well as other political parties and their relationship with the media.



RATINGS



In the phase of the public opinions. the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa emerged as the Overall Best, while the Savannah Regional Minister, Mr. Saeed Muhazu Jibril, appeared as the Worst Regional Minister during the period under study.



Dr Archibald Yao Letsa occupied the 1st position with 75.8 percentage of the overall total score, followed by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Henry Quartey 2nd with 73.8 percent, Central Regional Minister, Ms. Justina Marigold Assan, 3rd with 71.6 percent, Mr. Seth Acheampong, Eastern, 4th with 68.4 percent, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, Western, 5th with 66.7 percent, Mr. George Boakye, Ahafo 6th with 64.4 percent.



Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti, was placed 7th with 62.8 percent, Ms. Justina Owusu-Banahene, Bono, 8th with 58.7 percent, Mr. Adu Gyan, Bono East, 9th with 56.5 percent, Mr. Yidana Zakaria-North East; 10th with 55.9 percent, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih-Upper West, 11th with, 53.3 percent, Mr. Richard Obeng, Western North, 12th with 50.7 percent, Mr. Joshua Makubu, Oti 13th with 50.7 percent, Mr. Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern, 14th with 48.5 percent, Mr. Stephen Yakubu, Upper East, 15th 48.1 percent, and Mr. Saeed Muhazu Jibril Savannah, 16th with 47.1 percent.



COMMENDATIONS



The respondents commended the Volta Regional Coordinating Council led by Dr Archibald Yao for supervising and monitoring development projects in transforming the lives of the people there. He was also credited for operating an open-door administration, connecting with traditional leaders, development partners, other political parties leadership, the media and being punctual at public events.



On the other hand, the Savannah Regional Minister, Mr. Saeed Muhazu Jibril fell short of the benchmark used for the assessments.



He was accused of bad interpersonal relationship, lacking focus, poor relationship with the media, poor relationship with political leaders in the region, and not being accessible.



CONCLUSION/EXPECTATIONS



The respondents expected more from the Regional Ministers given the fact that President Nana Addo in his second term abandoned the principle of appointing Deputy Regional Ministers. The Respondents urged President Nana Addo to change the nonperforming Regional Ministers.







Source: Gina Media Consult Contact ([email protected])









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Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has touted the significance of the digitalisation drive he has been championing under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.



Speaking at a maiden edition of the Nation Development Conference by the Church of Pentecost, which was on the need to build moral values to propel Ghanas development, Dr Bawumia said that the Akufo-Addo government is not only talking about Ghanaians having moral values but has put systems in place to check bad behaviour.



He cited the example of how the digitalisation of the operation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) helped stop the stealing of state funds at the company.



We noticed some very, very interesting piece of data which speaks to the problems of ECG. We look at the data and for a period of four years or so the revenue of ECG was virtually constant. We said this cannot be possible. How can you get more customers and revenue was virtually the same?



They didnt even take their time to change the value, so we sent in a team to look at the architecture of revenue collection at ECG and digitalise the process. They were collecting GH450 million a month.



When we sent in the team, there was subrogate, a malware was introduced into the system by people working right there and we then brought in a whole new architecture. And after the completion of this digitalisation process, GH450 million a month increased into GH1.2 billion every month, he narrated.



He added that similar successes have been chalked at revenue collection agencies including the Passport Office, where revenue has been increased from GH1million to GH64 million a year.



The maiden conference, which is being held in partnership with the Ghana Journalists Association, is on the theme: Moral Vision and National Development and it is aimed at discussing the need for a national moral vision with a concerted effort for national development.



It was graced by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as well as former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama.



Also present at the opening of the National Development Congress 2023 which would last till Thursday, July 27, 2023, were government functionaries including the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta; the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng; Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.



Members of Parliament, including Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, as well as Members of the Council of State were there in their numbers. Members of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, representatives of the various churches in Ghana as well as of the National Chief Imam were present.







































Source: ghanaweb.com









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The development and consolidation of mutually beneficial relations with African countries is one of the Russian Federation's priorities. The relationship between the two parties goes back to the time of the Soviet Union, which has always supported Africans in defending their independence and sovereignty.



Today, Russia has contributed much to its allies on the African continent, which was monopolized by the West and imposed its monopoly by coercion on its colonies throughout the era of occupation that has passed and the neocolonialism in the era of independence acquired for the countries of this continent. Now is the time for Africa, through its cooperation with Russia, to invest these resources for the benefit of the peoples of this continent, and to ensure their dignity, prosperity and future.



In this matter of cooperation and solidarity, Russia and Russian companies continue to fulfill their obligations in full, despite what Western media say about Russia's shrinking influence due to the Wagner PMC mutiny.



The West would like to see both Russia and PMC Wagner weakened so that France, the US, the UK and other Western countries have no more competitors in Africa. However, both Russia and PMC Wagner continue to fully fulfill their obligations.



Russia has affirmed her continuing support and agreement with African countries, and Russia will not allow the return of Western anti-African influence and will also strive to deepen her cooperation with African countries.



Perhaps the West thinks that the Russian-Western war in Ukraine complicates Russia's fulfillment of its duties towards its friends in Africa, but the situation in Russia is stable and reliable. Africa can count on Russia and fulfill the obligations of Russia and other Russian players such as PMC Wagner.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The town of Walewale in the North-East Region of Ghana has been the site of a groundbreaking project aimed at empowering female students with crucial digital skills.



The ICT for Girls initiative is led by Vodafone employees through the companys Employee Volunteer Programme and a dedicated team of local stakeholders. It aims to narrow the gender gap in technology education and open up new opportunities for female students at the Walewale Model Girls Junior High School (JHS) school and, potentially, other schools in the West Mamprusi Municipality.



A Digital Divide: Girls Left Behind in ICT Education



Gender disparities in STEM education have long been a global issue, with girls often lagging behind boys in acquiring the skills to excel in the digital realm. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), this divide is not due to innate discrepancies in aptitude but rather a lack of resources, affordability, and gender-biased sociocultural norms.



Walewale Model Girls JHS was a prime example of this disparity. Despite being one of the best government schools in the West Mamprusi Municipality, it had struggled to provide quality ICT education because of inadequate resources. The school previously lacked a computer lab or library for computing literature, making practical ICT lessons nearly impossible.



A Community Effort: Collaboration for Change



The ICT for Girls project has been a collaborative effort, bringing together local stakeholders such as the headteacher of Walewale Model Girls JHS, Ms. Salaam Habibatu, Municipal Director of Education Mr. Adama Akanguti, Vodafone Ghana Foundation, and the Vodafone Ghana ICT for Girls team. Their shared goal: to transform the lives of young girls in the region through the power of technology.



The Vodafone Ghana Foundation sponsored and financed the project under its Kindred programme, a staff volunteer initiative focused on addressing community challenges. Vodafone Ghana staff also contributed to the projects funding.



Ms. Salaam Habibatu expressed her enthusiasm for the project: This initiative has given our students the opportunity to gain invaluable digital skills, opening doors to new possibilities and empowering them to become active participants in the digital world.



To achieve this, the project renovated and equipped a state-of-the-art computer lab with proper flooring, air conditioning, and painting. The project also provided a whiteboard for lessons and desktop computers.



The Ripple Effect: Unlocking Opportunities for Young Women



By providing access to quality ICT education, the project has the potential to greatly impact the lives of the students in Walewale Model Girls JHS, and potentially more girls in the municipality. With digital skills becoming increasingly important in a wide range of careers, this initiative could set these young women on the path to economic independence and inspire a new generation of tech innovators. As part of the project, the female students at the school had the opportunity to participate in Vodafone Ghanas Code-Like-A-Girl programme, a free coding initiative for girls between the ages of 7 and 18 that aims to address this issue and empower more girls to pursue STEM education and careers.



Speaking on the project, the Legal and External Affairs Director of Vodafone Ghana, Preba Greenstreet, said, We are committed to doing all we can to close the STEM gender gap. Projects like these are one of the ways we reaffirm our commitment to that objective. This project illustrates our commitment to creating lasting change through technology for young women in Ghana and beyond.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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OZARK-In a seven-word decision issued Thursday afternoon 33rd Judicial Circuit Judge Bill Filmore denied a man convicted of two capital murders request for a new trial. Defendants motion for new trial is denied, the decision, typed in capital letters, read.

Filmores ruling comes after a July 17 hearing during which attorneys for Coley Lewis McCraney asked for a new trial for the man who has been sentenced to life in prison without parole following his April conviction in the murder of two Dothan teenagers 24 years ago.

McCraney, 49, was convicted in April of capital murder in connection with the 1999 shooting deaths of Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley in Ozark. A six man, six woman jury deliberated some 15 minutes following a nine-day trial in the Dale County Courthouse before finding McCraney guilty of two counts of capital murder-vehicle, one count of capital murder-rape, and capital murder of two or more persons. Prosecutors Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Assistant Attorney General Jimmy Thomas, and Dale County Assistant District Attorney Emmett Massey had sought the death penalty.

McCraney has been transferred to state prison after having been held in Dale County Jail without bond since his March 17, 2019, arrest in the deaths of the girls, whose bodies were found in the trunk of Beasleys car parked on Herring Avenue in Ozark, said Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum.

The teens were last heard from on the evening of July 31, 1999, when Hawlett called her mother from Ozark to let her know they were on their way home after getting lost on the way to a party. Some two decades later, McCraney was identified as a suspect after DNA from the crime scene was identified through genetic genealogy testing.

McCraneys attorneys David Harrison and Andrew Scarborough sought a new trial claiming jury misconduct, alleging that throughout the trial, at least two jurors posted about the trial on social media, and one juror was seen looking at their smartwatch. Both actions are violations of the ground rules Filmore set out for jurors at the beginning of the trial.

Harrison and Scarborough initially asked that jurors be brought back for questioning but the judge denied that request. During the July 17 hearing, the attorneys said that the request to question the jurors was not to determine what specific conversations they had in the deliberation process but to determine their use of social media during deliberations.

Harrison cited the question jurors had for the judge during their deliberations. He said it was clear by that particular question that the juror had done outside research because the issue addressed had not been addressed in court. Harrison reminded the court that the judges response to the jurors question was to remind jurors that they were only to be considering issues that had been brought up in court.

Massey and Thomas refuted defense claims of jury misconduct. They said that the posts cited by the defense would have occurred outside of times that the court was in session and that even if the jurors posted during the trial, those posts were unrelated to the case.

For jurors to be in the deliberation room making posts on Facebook is complete violation of those instructions from the judge, Harrison said. It offense me personally and should offend everyone in this courtroom. The jury is making a decision on the fate of a mans life and they are in there on their social media.
The paramount chief of Krachi Traditional Area, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, has heaped praises on the leadership style of Hon Alan Kyerematen, currently on a campaign trail in the Oti Region.



The Krachiwura stated that, the former Trade and Industry Minister who is in the region as part of meetings with NPP delegates throughout the country, is a well known figure within the political space of the nation and must be honored for the respectful and decent way he goes about his campaign.



He assured Hon Kyerematen of his prayers and support in the NPP presidential primaries and promised to help him even more when the NPP delegates select him to lead the party into the 2024 general election.



As part of his message to the delegates, Alan Cash, as he he is popularly known, stated that changing governments every eight years impedes the progress of the nation as new governments, in many cases instances, discontinue projects started by their predecessors for new ones, thereby putting to waste the huge sums of money already spent on the abandoned project.



The lead presidential candidate, asked the delegates to vote for him to break the Eight as he was the best suited to beat NDC and their candidate.



He said, as his track record shows, he will help to create jobs and wealth by revolutionarizing agricultural production and establishing factories throughout the country to better the lot of the people, including the youth in the region.



Alan was accompanied by Hon. John Peter Amewu, Hon Carlos Ahenkora, Hon Bright Baliggi, Hon Catherine Afeku, Hon Yaw Buaben Asamoa, Hon Abubakar Boniface, and a host of others.



His recent tour shook the political space with delegates massively endorsing his candidature at every stop.













Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Dan Botwe, has expressed the governments desire to revisit the unfinished agenda towards legal reforms to facilitate the election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs).



He said the political decentralisation reform with proposed amendment of Articles 243 and 55(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which was cancelled in 2019 due to inadequate stakeholders understanding and consensus, would help to decentralise the structure of governance in the country so that government would be brought closer to the people when repealed.



Mr Botwe made the assertion last Saturday at the 6th Graduation ceremony of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) at Ogbojo in Accra.



Other reforms

Mr Botwe, who also serves as Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere in the Eastern Region, said there were other ongoing reforms in decentralisation which included the requirements for digitalisation of property taxation, saying the success of Ghanas decentralisation programme hinged on the capacity levels of local government functionaries and employees.



It is the intention of the Ministry to revisit the unfinished agenda towards legal reforms to facilitate the election of MMDCEs and I have accordingly requested the Institute to create platforms for series of breakfast meetings with varied stakeholders to understand their positions on these major constitutional reforms to deepen local democracy and inclusive governance and further aggregate these positions for the consideration of the President.



Infrastructure

On infrastructure, he said the Government of Ghana, through the district assemblies common fund (DACF) was determined to find innovative ways of addressing the ILGS infrastructure deficit so as to make it stay relevant and competitive.



He mentioned that physical infrastructure at both the Accra and Tamale campuses of the Institute were being expanded with the completion of the first phase being 160-bedroom executive hostel and 200- seater multi-purpose conference room facility at the Accra campus while 80-bedroom executive hostel, a 400-seater conference room facility and the renovation of existing facilities were ongoing at the Tamale campus.



Commendation

He commended the leadership of the ILGS for rolling out cutting-edge graduate programmes to build the capacity of local government practitioners over the years.





Mr Botwe continued: The transformation of the Institute is remarkable and I want to believe that government will consider your request for a Presidential Charter when submitted through the appropriate channel and time.



Addressing the guests, Prof. Nicholas Awortwi, Director of the ILGS, touched on the successes recorded over the years including the introduction of new academic programmes, both in the masters and bachelors degrees, support to policy and programme informed reforms, infrastructure overhaul and financial discipline.



Graduation

A total of 111 students graduated from the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) last Saturday at Ogbojo in Accra.



The students, made up of 83 males and 28 females, were awarded Master of Science in Local Government Financial Management, Master of Science in Local Economic Development, Master of Science Environmental Science, Policy and Management and Master of Science in Local Government Administration and Organisation.



The 6th Graduation, which also marked the 20th Anniversary of the Institute, was held on the theme: Building back better through capacity development for effective decentralisation, local governance, digitisation and economic transformation.









Source: graphiconline.com









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All the 10 Presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are to sign an undertaking not to contest as independent presidential candidates or as candidate on the ticket of any other political party if they fail to get the nod from the delegates in the partys presidential primary.



They are also to sign an undertaking with the party to commit themselves to support whoever is eventually elected as the partys presidential candidate after the election or selection process.



This was contained in rules and regulations issued by the National Council of NPP yesterday to guide apirants during, before and after its upcoming presidential and parliamentary primaries in Accra.



Per this arrangement, the party reserves the right to restrain any candidate should he decide otherwise.



Aspirants

The 10 aspirants who have been approved by the National Council of the party for the special delegates conference (Special Electoral College) 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.



The Special Electoral College scheduled for August 26, 2023, which would be held at each of the 16 Regional capitals, is to shortlist five out of the 10 aspirants for the November 4, 2023 National Congress to elect a presidential candidate to contest on the ticket of the party for the 2024 general election.



A statement signed and issued by the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong Kodua, said the decision was taken at the councils meeting held last Thursday.



In addition, the National Council of the party directed regional and constituency party executives who wished to contest in the partys parliamentary primary in constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) to resign from their respective positions not later than September 20, 2023.



It said Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in constituencies where the party has sitting MPs were also not eligible to contest in the parliamentary primary for those constituencies.



Unity

The National Council of the NPP is concerned about the utterances of some of the partys presidential hopefuls and their supporters, which it said did not augur well for the unity and cohesion of the party.



The council, by this statement, reinforces compliance with the Code of Conduct for Presidential and parliamentary Elections of the party.



It cautioned against such development, stressing that 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 stated.



It urged all the presidential aspirants to engage in issues-based campaign and desist from levelling unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks and vilifications of their opponents



It also cautioned against any activity that would polarise the party along tribal, religious and other factional lines.



All aspiring Presidential candidates shall impress upon their supporters not to engage in any of the activities stated above, he added.



Album/Register

According to the council, the photo album and register used to elect the constituency executives between April 22, 2022, and May 2, 2023, would be the same album that would be made available to the Electoral Commission for the conduct of the presidential primary.



Also a delegate who wants to appoint a proxy has been given three weeks to apply to the National Secretariat before the conduct of the presidential primary, it said.

















Source: graphiconline.com









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Atik Mohammed has rebuked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over his statement in response to the resignation letter by Hon. Cecilia Dapaah.



Hon. Cecilia Dapaah, on Saturday, July 22, announced her resignation as Sanitation Minister after a theft case involving her house helps.



Two of her house helps stole her 1 million dollars, 300,000 Euros and millions of cedis she had kept in her home.



The former Minister caused the arrest and prosecution of her house helps but she has received a backlash after the news broke out.



Accepting Cecilia Dapaah's resignation, President Akufo-Addo 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. "I am confident, like you, that, at the end of the day, your integrity and, whilst in office, will be fully established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavors."



But Atik has expressed utter disappointment in the President for expressing confidence Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah's integrity.



"Before the case could even start, already, there is a judgement and I think that is unacceptable," he stated while making his submissions on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
National Chairman of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has disclosed that the case involving the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah is much ado about nothing.



According to him, it will end up like any other corruption case that has riddled the Akufo-Addo government.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that "President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has over the years cleared his appointees who have been involved in one corruption case or the other and I don't see this as any exception."



"Mr Lomotey the Clearing Agent will as usual clear Cecilia Dapaah from the harbour of corruption," he said.



President Akufo-Addo in a statement applauded 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.



"I am confident like you that at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be established. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours."



Watch Video Below





The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah on Saturday afternoon resigned from her position.In a resignation letter dated, Saturday, July 22, 2023 and addressed to the President, she wrote:I write to inform you that I wish to resign from my position as Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources.It has been a great privilege and honour for me to have been given the opportunity to serve in your government and an even greater honour to have worked to try and bring your great vision for our country to fruition.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.I intend to cooperate fully with all state agencies to enable them fully establish the facts, I have no doubt whatsoever that at the end of the processes, it will be fully established that I have conducted myself with integrity during my period in public service and I will be fully exonerated from all the allegations that have filled the public domain in the past 24 hours.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Lancaster County man was arrested this week after police say he recorded himself having sex with dogs in his care.

Uriah P. Groff, 22, had the videos saved on his cellphone when investigators searched the device on Monday, Pennsylvania State Police said. Groff was arrested Wednesday, the same day investigators searched his home on Upper Valley Road in Sadsbury Township.

The Pennsylvania Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) assisted in the investigation and rescued multiple dogs from Groffs home on Wednesday, state police said. The dogs are awaiting a veterinary examination.

Groff was charged with having sexual intercourse with animals and aggravated cruelty to animals.

Online court records show Groff was unable to post $50,000 bail and is being held at Lancaster County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7 in front of Magisterial District Judge Raymond Sheller.

READ MORE: Coroner called to scene of central Pa. crash

People hurt in shooting at Sheetz in Cumberland County
People from an array of social service organizations have mobilized to help long-term residents at Cherokee Campground in Cumberland County who are being abruptly displaced, including some who are disabled and some at risk of homelessness.

They met with people in need of help this week and passed out contact information so others can reach them.
The 193rd Special Operations Wing in Lower Swatara Township today celebrated the start of a new mission thanks to the arrival of a sophisticated aircraft.

The newly-built MC-130J Commando II from manufacturer Lockheed Martin is now based at the Air National Guard facility near Harrisburg International Airport.

The Special Operations Wing is the only Air National Guard unit to receive the aircraft, which is revered as a workhorse that performs many different missions well.

The Commando II flies clandestine  or low visibility  single or multi-ship, low-level infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or air land and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft.

The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce the probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats.

Military officials call the aircrafts arrival here monumental.

The Commando II mission will ensure the 193rd SOW remains not only relevant, but also at the forefront of the battlespace for years to come, said Col. Edward Fink, 193rd SOW commander.

Col. Jaime Ramirez, 193rd Special Operations Maintenance Group commander, noted the Commando II changes the Special Operation Wings mission to an Air Force Special Operations Command.

The wing had operated the EC-130J Commando Solo for decades as part of the only airborne Military Information Support Operations broadcasting platform in the U.S. military.

The wings mission conversion is unprecedented, in that it was able to maintain full operating capabilities of the outgoing aircraft while simultaneously preparing for the arriving mission, Ramirez said.

The new aircraft made a ceremonial flyover of the airfield at HIA and then, after landing, parked about 30 feet from one of the SOWs hangers. After shut down, dignitaries disembarked from the Commando II to make remarks during the arrival ceremony.

Guest speakers included, in order, Col. Edward Fink, Commander of the 193rd SOW; Bill Bassett, Lockheed Martin Director of Special Missions Programs; Brig. Gen. Michael Regan, Deputy Adjutant General - Air, Pennsylvania National Guard; Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, Director, Air National Guard.

Today is a great day for Pennsylvania, our Air Force and the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Brig. Gen. Regan said. But an aircraft is just an aircraft until our highly trained Airmen climb in. Thats what turns it into a weapons system. This is the right time and the right place for this mission.

Led by the efforts of Lt. Col. Benton Jackson, unit conversion officer, the wing has been preparing for its mission conversion since 2021. Jackson believes the hard work of 193rd SOW Airmen and the support of the community led to the completion of this first step.

Seeing the Commando II on our flight line is a tangible symbol of the progress weve made as a wing in bringing this versatile mission to central Pennsylvania, Jackson said. Its an exciting time to be a part of this team, and I have the utmost confidence we have the right culture and people to continue with a successful mission conversion.

The wing commemorated the ending of the EC-130J Commando Solo mission at the Community Days Air Show last fall at the Lancaster Airport. Over the course of the next year, the EC-130Js will be converted to C-130Js and gradually redistributed to other major commands and joint partners.

MC-130J Commando II Fact Sheet:
A Westmoreland County man has been charged in connection with the homicide of a 22-year-old woman in 2007.

Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli and state police said that Charles Ream of Latrobe has been charged with criminal homicide, burglary, robbery and theft in connection with the death of Samantha Lang.

Lang was found brutally murdered in March of 2007 in her Derry Township home, Ziccarelli said in a news release. At the time, investigators said a rear door was forced open and the house was ransacked.

The DA said that Ream was interviewed early on in the investigation and had purchased heroin off of Samantha Lang the day before her body was discovered.

Through a search of her cell phone records, state troopers discovered the last contact Samantha had with anyone was the same day she sold heroin to Charles Ream.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported that Ream, 53, is being held without bail. The newspaper also reported that the autopsy in the criminal complaint indicated that Langs throat had been slit and she had been beaten.

The DA said informants had told state police, as recently as this month, that Ream had relayed information about the killing of Lang and alleged it transpired over drugs and a possible foiled drug deal.

Ziccarelli said the the state police Criminal Investigation Section was focusing on Langs case this year.

This was a collaborative effort among our dedicated Assistant District Attorneys and investigators from Pennsylvania State Police who never gave up on this case and I commend them for their diligence.

I cannot imagine the pain, anguish and grief the Lang family has suffered after all of this time. After 16 years, the perseverance and commitment shown to this investigation led to this arrest today and we hope it begins to bring justice and some relief to Samantha Langs family.

WTAE reported that Ream is being held in Westmoreland County Prison. A preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 9.

READ MORE: Man wanted for stealing credit cards from central Pa. gym, spending $6500: police
The Rockaway Township School District will pay $9.1 million to settle the civil lawsuit brought by the parents of Mallory Grossman, the 12-year-old middle schooler who died by suicide in 2017 following repeated cyberbullying by other students.

The familys lawyer, Bruce Nagel, announced the settlement Wednesday, saying the district agreed to it on Tuesday.
Alabamas Secretary of State Wes Allen spent time in the Wiregrass Thursday and spoke to the Houston County Republican Women about some of the issues hes been working on solving.

Its cool to be here; we have some great Americans in this area who believe in our country, Allen said. Im glad I came to share some thoughts and answer a few questions from the public.

Allen, a Troy native and former probate judge in Pike County, was sworn into office on Jan. 16 after serving in the states House of Representatives.

Since that day, Allen has worked to combat business and election fraud. On the business front, Allens office is working closely with the Alabama Securities Commission and the Attorney General to alert the public about any scams that may be out there.

We want to fight fraud, Allen said. We were dealing with a UCC scam in which a fraudulent mailer was going out under my name and trying to cheat people out of money by telling them they would help their UCC. With the work of the AG and the Securities Commission, we were able to get the word out about this, and hopefully, nobody will lose a small portion of money to this fraudulent scam.

While on the campaign trail, Allen visited every corner of the state, and it became clear that Alabamians want safe and fair elections, he said.

I heard loud and clear that the citizens of this state want elections of integrity, Allen said. They want ones that we can depend on, so we dont see the chaos and confusion that happened around the country in 2020. Thank goodness it didnt happen in Alabama, and were going to keep pushing so nothing can go wrong with our election system.

After Allen met with Rep. Paul Lee and other members of the Republican caucus in a legislative session, a bill was passed that made it a state law to require paper ballots for every election.

Originally, using paper ballots was an administrative code and not a state law. Allen said since it is now a state law, the ballots can be referenced in case something goes wrong on Election Night.

This is important because now we got the receipts, Allen said. If anyone has questions, they can go back and look at the ballots.

Another item in the administrative code had to do with the tabulators and how they didnt need to be connected to the internet. Allen wanted to make this a state law, and the bill managed to get down to the House, where it was passed and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey.

Allen believes these steps will help ,keep Election Night from becoming Election Month.

Weve got a great system in Alabama, and Im very proud of it, Allen said. Youre going to know who wins and loses in Alabama on Election Night. Its not going to take us weeks to count ballots.

Allen is grateful for the continued support and looks forward to the states future.

Weve got a great state full of great people, Allen said. Weve got a bright future, and were going to make sure we represent the people of Alabamas values.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.  Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin left his start Wednesday against the Miami Marlins after four innings because of left knee discomfort.

Eflin, who signed a $40 million, three-year contract during the offseason that was the largest deal for a free agent in Tampa Bay history, was bidding to become the American Leagues first 12-game winner. Instead, the Rays lost 7-1.

Manager Kevin Cash said Eflin was hurt while attempting to field Garrett Hampsons bunt single leading off the fourth.

He went to cover the bunt and it just kind of grabbed him, Cash said. I think his cleat got caught a little bit. Dont know much more.

The 29-year-old has a history of knee problems and will undergo testing.

See how sore he is coming into tomorrows off day, Cash said. Im happy that he said something  said look its sore. The last thing we want him to do, with a guy thats had some knee issues in the past, is to go out there and try to compete when its hurting.

Eflin began last season in the Philadelphia Phillies rotation but made his last start on June 25 and was sidelined by right knee soreness. He returned on Sept. 14 and made seven appearances out of the bullpen with a 1.17 ERA, then had a 3.38 ERA over 10 2/3 innings in 10 postseason relief outings.

Eflins 2021 season was cut short by a torn patellar tendon in his right knee that required surgery. He had surgery on both knees in 2016.

Tampa Bay has starting pitchers Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery), Drew Rasmussen (elbow ligament internal brace surgery), Josh Fleming (left elbow inflammation) and Shane Baz (Tommy John surgey) on the injured list.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

More:

Sosa tie-breaking homer in 7th lifts Phillies to 6-4 win over Orioles

MLB pitcher announces he is stepping away to be by wifes side as she battles breast cancer
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) until 11 p.m. Thursday across almost all of central and eastern Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania counties in the watch area include Adams, Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Somerset and York.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV until 11 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/5OHyui5Wnh  NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) July 27, 2023

The large watch area, which extends into New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia, forecasts the potential for hail, winds gusting to 70 miles per hour and frequent lightning.

Storm probabilities are around 40 percent.

Meanwhile, temperatures across the region range from the high 80s into the low 90s, with high humidity.

Per the NWS, heres the forecast through Sunday for Harrisburg and vicinity:

This Afternoon

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 108. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Dr. Fred Sharpe waits for the right opportunity to make strategic cuts to gear using specialized cutting equipment.

NOAA Fisheries whale experts were on the water near Juneau most of Monday, July 17, disentangling a well-known humpback whale calf from a crab pot line.

Biologist John Moran, Auke Bay Laboratories, discovered the entanglement while he was out on the water conducting research last Monday morning. Marine mammal experts Suzie Teerlink and David Gann from the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Office and Fred Sharpe with the Alaska Whale Foundation were shuttled out by a local whale-watching company to join Moran near Favorite Reef to further assist.

"This whale is this year's calf of a well-known...
This Pivot Shadowcat was bedecked in Race Face components, including ARC 31 carbon wheels, Era carbon cranks, and Atlas pedals. The purple machine is being raffled off by Pivot, Fox, and Race Face, with all proceeds going to IMBA USA and IMBA Canada.

A colorful collection of Race Face's Chester and Atlas pedals.

POC's Consort Dungarees would have come in handy during yesterday's cold, wet, and sloppy conditions. The grey color seems more appropriate for splashing through the mud than the lighter brown pair that Henry Quinney loves to model.

This SCOR 4060 was custom painted by Tony Baumann, aka Made Rad by Tony.

Outdoor Research is stepping into the mountain bike world with their Freewheel collection, which includes a hip pack, gloves, jerseys, shorts, and a half-zip hoodie. The Seattle-based brand has been making outdoor clothing for 40 years, so they have plenty of experience to draw from.

TRP had a hands-on display that allowed visitors to try out the shifting of their new 12-speed drivetrain, which we rode in Taiwan earlier this year.

There's never a shortage of bright colors over at Industry Nine.

Industry Nine launched their new carbon wheel lineup today, with options for everything from XC riding to e-biking.

Trek had a variety of possible ways to build up a Fuel EX on display. This one's the North Shore Special, with a 160mm RockShoz Zeb, RockShox Super Deluxe Coil shock, SRAM's new GX Transmission, and We Are One carbon wheels.

The 'Neopolitan' edition of the carbon Devinci Troy.

From this... To this...



To this. Devinci were exhibiting the various steps that go into creating their Canadian made aluminum frames.

The limited edition paint job on the new carbon Norco Fluid is sure to turn heads.

There are tiny versions of the Fluid too, for tiny riders.

Now that's a properly aggressive tread pattern. Too bad it's only for dirt bikes - that's Maxxis' new MaxxCross MX IH tire.

The externally mounted prototype version of Canyon's KIS steering stabilizer makes it easier to visualize how the system works - the springs apply tension when the bars are turned, which is designed to counter wheel flop. Seb Stott checked out the system earlier this year - you can read his thoughts here

That's either a very tiny truck or a very big shoe.

Five Ten's new Trailcross collection has a casual look, but they're still equipped with a sticky Stealth rubber sole. The lower two shoes are the flat pedal versions, and the clipless model is at the top.

After two days of much-needed rain the clouds parted and the sun returned to Whistler as the second half of Crankworx 2023 began. The number of exhibitors continues to grow, and there were plenty of shiny new bikes and components for riders to ogle when they weren't riding (or waiting in a lift line).
In an era where cybercrime is on the rise, businesses are facing an unprecedented threat to their clients private information.

As the Australian Cyber Security Commission reports a significant increase in cybercrime incidents, it is crucial for organisations, both big and small, to take proactive steps to safeguard sensitive data.

However, with changing and confusing legislation, businesses are overwhelmed, uninformed and need help figuring out where to start.

Staying informed on the latest data protection legislation and taking your data management out of the too-hard basket is absolutely pivotal as cyber attacks continue to escalate across the globe.

The Escalating Threat Landscape

The alarming surge in cybercrime incidents, as highlighted by the Australian Cyber Security Commission, serves as a wake-up call for businesses of all sizes.

For Australias 2.5 million small businesses, the threat of cyber-attacks may seem distant or insignificant compared to their larger counterparts.

However, statistics from the National Cyber Security Alliance paint a grim picture, revealing that 60 per cent of small to medium companies shut down within six months of suffering a cyber attack.

These incidents not only lead to financial losses but also erode customer trust and brand reputation, making the urgency to address this issue paramount.

The Power of Knowledge

RIMPAs new Australian Records Retention Manual is a groundbreaking initiative set to empower businesses with essential information on the latest data protection legislation and best practices.

In a time of misinformation and uncertainty, this database will act as a reliable source, equipping organisations with the knowledge needed to ensure compliance and avoid severe penalties associated with mishandling private information.

Many businesses are unwittingly violating the law by failing to dispose of personal data within specified timeframes.

The new tool will act as a guiding light, enabling organisations to stay informed and maintain legal compliance in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

By embracing this tool, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to data protection, bolstering trust among their clientele and prospects alike.

The Nexus of Information Security and Marketing

Beyond legal implications, information security is becoming a critical marketing issue for businesses. In a world where data breaches are common headlines, consumers are increasingly discerning about the organisations they entrust with their private information.

A single breach can cause irreparable damage to a companys reputation and deter potential clients from engaging with the brand.

The launch of RIMPAs new tool marks a pivotal moment for businesses in Australia, providing them with an invaluable resource to protect their clients private information effectively.

The rising cybercrime statistics necessitate immediate action, regardless of a companys size or industry.

The time to act is now; let us embrace innovative solutions and collectively fortify the digital defences of our businesses.

Together, we can foster a safer online environment for all stakeholders and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding what matters most  our clients trust.

Only through collective efforts and proactive measures can we steer away from becoming mere statistics in the face of cyber attacks and, instead, emerge as champions of information security in the digital age.

Anne Cornish, CEO Records and Information Practitioners Alliance (RIMPA)

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Hands of the Week: A Look Back at Gut-Punch Pots from 2023 PokerNews Cup at Golden Nugget

July 27, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S.

The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) wasn't the only game in town over the summer. From June 29-July 3, the $1,100 buy-in, $1,000,000 GTD PokerNews Cup Mystery Bounty proved to be a tremendous hit as 2,331 entrants completely obliterated the $1 million guaranteed prize pool by more than doubling it at $2,261,070, the largest prize pool in Golden Nugget history.

The PokerNews Live Reporting Team has been busy capturing all the action in our live updates, and theyve witnessed some hands go down that proved to be either entertaining, game-changing or just flat out brutal.

This article is brought to you by Global Poker. Global Poker offers fun and exciting social casino games, including traditional poker games, table games, and other slot machine options. It's legal and free to play almost everywhere in the US and Canada. Play now and discover the world's best social casino!

Hudson Flops a Boat and Loses

Oliver Bunting

On Day 1a of the tournament, it was Level 8 (500/1,000/1,000) when reporter Calum Grant caught a big hand. The under-the-gun player opened before Spencer Hudson jammed for around 26,500 on his direct left. Oliver Bunting called off his 22,000 stack from middle position, which prompted the original raiser to fold.

Oliver Bunting: AA

Spencer Hudson: JJ

Bunting was way ahead with his rockets until Hudson made a full house on the KKJ flop to become the huge favorite. The 6 turn changed nothing. However, the K river improved Bunting to a superior full house while counterfeiting Hudson. Bunting collected the pot after the wild runout to leave his opponent on crumbs.

It wouldn't be the last time a flopped boat proved no good in the tournament.

Flopped Boats are Cursed in PokerNews Cup

Harrison Ashdown

In Level 4 (200/400/400) on Day 1b, Grant saw Gloria Vallejo open to 1,100 from middle position and was called by Harrison Ashdown from the big blind.

The A44 flop checked through to the 8 turn. Ashdown bet 1,400 and was called.

Sparks then began to ignite on the 9 river. Ashdown checked and Vallejo fired out 3,500. Ashdown made it 20,000 and then faced a jam for 32,900.

Ashdown went deep into the tank, listing the hands that beat him as well as the hands that he beat.

He began counting out his stack and called.

Vallejo tabled 99 for a rivered full house of nines full of fours. Ashdown looked sickened as he had the A4 for fours full of aces, and sent his hand into the muck.

The hand is similar to a pot played between Spencer Hudson and Oliver Bunting yesterday. Hudson's flopped jacks full of kings against Bunting's aces. However, a third king on the river gave Bunting a superior full house.

Check out the Golden Nugget Poker Room review here on PokerNews!

Zolnai Makes Incredible Hero Call in Biggest Pot of the Day

Peter Zolnai

On Day 2, it was Level 23 (15,000/30,000/30,000) when Peter Zolnai opened to 45,000 from early position and called when Lucas Sfez three-bet to 140,000.

Zolnai opted to lead for 40,000 on the 732 flop and called again when Sfex made it 150,000.

Zolnai continued to fire for 100,000 and called once more when Sfez raised too 390,000 on the 6 turn.

Zolnai then slowed down on the K river and checked. Sfez emptied the clip for 530,000 total. Zolnai covered him but went deep into the tank.

Several minutes passed by before the clock was called, but as soon as the TD approached the table, Zolnai committed his stack.

Sfez sheepishly showed J10 for complete air. Zolnai had just a pair of fives with his 55 and scooped in the biggest pot of the day.

Sorrentino Doubles Through Kennedy with Quads

Raffaele Sorrentino

Also on Day 2 in the same level, reporter Liam Gannon saw Anthony Kennedy raise to 60,000 from early position and Raffaele Sorrentino called from the cutoff.

The flop came 752 and Kennedy continued for 50,000, which Sorrentino called.

On the turn 2, Kennedy continued once more for 145,000 and Sorrentino went into the tank before putting in the call.

On the 4 river, Kennedy moved all in for 750,000 effective and Sorrentino called immediately.

Raffaele Sorrentino: 22

Anthony Kennedy: 44

Kennedy had boated up on the river to make fours full of twos, but he was drawing dead after Sorrentino had turned quad twos, allowing him to take down a massive pot against the Day 1a leader.

See all the winners from the 2023 Grand Poker Series here!

Double Elimination at Final Three Tables

Andreas Chalkiadakis

On Day 2 in Level 28 (50,000/100,000/100,000), just 27 players remained when Gannon caught a monster of a hand. It began when Tim Garles raised to 200,000 from early position and Nikolaos Angelou three-bet to 450,000. Andreas Chalkiadakis moved all in for 775,000, Forrest Raleigh moved all in having all players covered, Garles folded and Angelou called to put himself at risk for 1,900,000.

Andreas Chalkiadakis: AQ

Nikolaos Angelou: QQ

Forrest Raleigh: JJ

The flop of 6103 saw Chalkiadakis excitedly walked over to his rail as he had flopped a flush leaving both of his opponents drawing very thin. The turn peeled off a J leaving Angelou drawing dead to the main pot and only one out to survive while Raleigh found a myriad of outs to scoop both. The river 3 was one of those outs and Raleigh knocked out two players in one hand with his rivered full house.

Kelly Spikes a River Ace to Survive

Johnny Kelly

On Day 3 at the final table, it was Level 32 (150,000/300,000/300,000) when Johnny Kelly, the eventual champion, won a game-changing hand that helped propel him to victory. As Gannon reported, Vid Zagar raised to 600,000 in middle position and Kelly moved all in for 3,325,000, which saw action fold back around to Zagar who went into the tank before deciding to call.

Johnny Kelley: AA

Vid Zagar: 1010

One ten had already been tossed in the muck as had an ace. The board ran out 10Q34A and the English rail went wild as Kelly spiked his one-outer on the river to survive.

Johnny Kelly is the 2023 PokerNews Cup champion!

Poker's "Coming Home" as Brit Johnny Kelly Wins 2023 PokerNews Cup ($176,540)

Check out our guide to the Best Online Casinos around the world. For US players, online real money casino is available in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey and West Virginia. If you're looking to start playing Online Casino right now, then we recommend FanDuel Casino. If youre in a State where real money online casino isnt an option, then you still have the chance to play via Social Casino sites such as Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots.

Sharelines There were some thrilling hands from this summer's 2023 PokerNews Cup Mystery Bounty at @GNLVpoker.
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Stefanie Lambert said that she had been notified that she has been indicted for her role in the theft of and breaking into Michigan voting machines after the 2020 election.

Bridge Michigan reported:

My attorney has been informed that I have been indicted by DJ Hilson, the special prosecutor in Michigan, working at the request of (Attorney General) Dana Nessel, Stefanie Lambert said Wednesday on a conservative podcast, where she bashed the pending criminal action.

Im not losing any sleep over this, continued Lambert, a metro Detroit attorney who has worked for 2020 election deniers across the country. I know that Ive done absolutely nothing illegal. My clients have not done anything illegal.

Lamberts claim has not been independently confirmed, but it makes sense given that the Michigan Supreme Court ruled a couple of weeks ago in a case that opened the door for those who stole and tampered with voting machines to face felony charges.

As the nation waits for Trump to face felony criminal charges for his plot to overturn the election, it is important to remember that what happened in 2020 was a Republican Party plot. Sixteen fake electors face felony charges in Michigan. While Donald Trump was at the head of the table leading those who were trying to overturn the election, the scheme did not begin and end with Trump and his campaign. The 2020 election plot was a fundamental corruption that turned a political party into a criminal enterprise in an effort to undermine democracy and keep a defeated president in power.
Charlie's Fish Market is older than all of us. Opened in 1909 in The Alley and moved to Richland Avenue in 1985, it remains in the hands of the family who started it. They sell raw fish for home cooking. Read moreTaste of the Town: Charlie's Fish Market is an eatery with a unique personality
Authorities seize 19 kg of gold smuggled from Cambodia to Vietnam

Packages of gold smuggled from Cambodia to An Giang Province are seized by police, July 25, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Dong Phuong

Police have tracked down a group of people smuggling gold from Cambodia to Vietnam via the border in An Giang Province.

An Giang police said they conducted a raid late Tuesday night and caught a group of people entering the province's Long Binh District illegally from Cambodia on a boat.

People boarding the boat escaped after they were detected, leaving several packages on board, in which police found 19 kg of gold.

The next day, two men aged 60 and 22 turned themselves in and admitted they had smuggled gold from Cambodia to Vietnam to sell at local shops in An Giang.

Police are expanding their investigation of the case.

The CambodiaVietnam border runs 1,158 km in length.
Two members of Aiken County's Congressional delegation recently partnered with two of the more liberal members of Congress to introduce bills regulating Big Tech and combatting South Asian heart disease.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., introduced the Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act on Wednesday.

ProgressivePunch, a nonpartisan group that ranks senators from a "progressive perspective," ranks Warren the second-most progressive senator behind Ed Markey, also D-Mass.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican who represents Aiken and Barnwell counties and Columbia suburbs, and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., introduced the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act on Thursday.

Jayapal chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is the most left-leaning part of the Democratic Party. Progressive Punch ranks her the 18th-most progressive House member.

The Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act would establish a commission, similar to the Federal Communications Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to oversee "Big Tech" companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon.

Graham said he has been working for years to empower consumers against Big Tech. He said he's heard too many stories from families who say they feel helpless against Big Tech.

"Stories about children being bullied to the point of committing suicide. Human trafficking. Exploitation of minors. All the while the social media platforms look the other way," Graham said. "Today, we take the first step and provide consumers with the tools they need to begin leveling the playing field."

He said the commission would give consumers a voice against Big Tech and that the commission would have the power to punish Big Tech when appropriate. He said the commission would be the first step in a long journey to protecting Americans from the massive power these companies currently wield.

The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act would authorize Heath and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to make grants available to states to promote awareness of the increasing prevalence of heart disease in South Asian communities.

The New York Times reports South Asians  Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and Nepalis  have a heart disease risk four times higher than the general populations.

The Census Bureau places all Asians, including South Asians, into one group for demographic purposes. According to the bureau, 1.75 percent of Aiken is Asian.

Wilson said heart disease disproportionately affects certain populations such as the South Asian community, and the bill would expand research and education to benefit those communities.

"I am grateful that this bipartisan bill passed the house in multiple previous Congresses, and I look forward to its final passage into law, Wilson said.

U.S. Sen. Corey Booker, D-N.J., is expected to introduce a similar bill in the Senate later in the year.
The knife recovered Thursday may have been used in the sprawling fight at Aiken High School, and four more students have been charged, officials announced Monday. Read moreKnife found at Aiken High School may have been used in fight, district says
Twenty-two attorneys general are urging a federal judge in Charleston to reject a proposed $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially dangerous chemicals, saying it lets the manufacturer off too easily.

The deal that 3M Co. announced in June doesn't give individual water suppliers enough time to determine how much money they would get and whether it would cover their costs of removing the compounds, according to the law enforcement officials representing 19 states, Washington, D.C., and two territories.

In some cases, the agreement could shift liability from the company to providers, they said.

"While I appreciate the effort that went into it, the proposed settlement in its current form does not adequately account for the pernicious damage that 3M has done in so many of our communities," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leader of the multistate coalition.

3M spokesman Sean Lynch said the agreement "will benefit U.S.-based public water systems nationwide that provide drinking water to a vast majority of Americans" without further litigation.

"It is not unusual for there to be objections regarding significant settlement agreements," Lynch said. "We will continue to work cooperatively to address questions about the terms of the resolution."

The company manufactures per- and polyfluorinated substances  a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware, as well as some firefighting foams.

Described as "forever chemicals" because they don't degrade naturally in the environment, the so-called PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.

3M has said it plans to stop making them by the end of 2025.

The company's settlement stemmed from a case that was scheduled to go to trial in Charleston last month. It was filed by a city in Florida over chemicals in a firefighting foam that seeped into and contaminated its water system after being sprayed on the ground.

About 300 communities have sued 3M and other companies over water pollution from the compounds and thousands of others could end up filing claims. A number of states, airports, firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have filed complaints, including Charleston International.

Many of them have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Charleston, where the proposed 3M settlement was filed last month.

At a hearing this month before Judge Richard Gergel, it was widely agreed that the money likely won't be enough to pay all claims. Also, an attorney who was explaining the deal to the court said lawsuits brought by individual states "are excluded" from the settlement except in specific cases.

Law firms representing the water providers did not respond Wednesday or Thursday to requests for comments.

3M has said its settlement could reach as high as $12.5 billion, depending on how many systems detect the chemicals in their water during testing the Environmental Protection Agency has ordered over the next three years.

In addition to California, the states asking Gergel to reject the deal are Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. Also opposed were Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

In a court filing, the attorneys general said it would force nearly all public water providers nationwide to participate unless they withdraw individually  even those that haven't filed lawsuits or tested for the chemicals.

"Troublingly, they would have to make their opt-out decisions without knowing how much they would actually receive and, in many cases, before knowing the extent of contamination in their water supplies and the cost of remediating it," the coalition said in a statement.

A provision in the proposed deal would shift liability from 3M to water suppliers that don't opt out, the statement said. That could enable the company to seek compensation from providers if sued over cancer or other illnesses in PFAS-affected communities, it said.

"As such, the proposed settlement is worth far less than the advertised $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion," the attorneys general said.

The attorneys general did not take a position on a separate $1.18 billion deal to resolve firefighting-foam contamination cases against three other manufacturers: DuPont de Nemours Inc. and spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc. Their proposal also was filed in Charleston.

A 60-day public comment period started this month to gather feedback about the offers. Gergel plans to hold a "fairness hearing" this fall to review the pros and cons and determine whether to approve or reject the settlements.

In any event, the litigation is far from over. Gergel must still deal with thousands of other cases that allege health and property damage claims from the use of forever chemicals.

"This is just a small piece," he said at a July 14 hearing.
Sometimes, a piece of cloth contains more than the intertwining threads of its weave.

It is a ruffling flag of status, spun from silk and fashioned to sartorial perfection. It is a canvas of personal expression, rich with messages when other media have proven elusive. It is a keeper of stories that may otherwise have been lost to time.

And in these parts, tug at that thread, and you might unravel a dense mesh of meaning involving power and place.

Long before the current Barbie hullabaloo, one Charleston woman indulged her own penchant for pink. Eliza Lucas Pinckney was an enterprising local aristocrat who leveraged the value of homegrown fabrics in revolutionary ways.

Originally from Antigua, Eliza Lucas attended finishing school in London before her family moved to Charleston, where she married Charles Pinckney. Throughout her life she cultivated interests in patriot causes and botany, which she channeled into entrepreneurial pursuits involving silk and indigo, by way of enslaved labor.

She has quite a complex, multifaceted legacy and we want to consider all of it, said Virginia Theerman, curator of historic textiles at Charleston Museum. On a May afternoon, she was giving the lowdown on one dress that had crossed the ocean and aimed to fill coffers, too.

In the dimly lit museum gallery, the elegant pink Robe a la Francaise" lay serenely, mellowed by time to a salmon hue. The so-dubbed Eliza Lucas Pinckney gown had been taken out for a skinny minute, laid flat so as not to combat gravity, as part of the museums 250th anniversary celebration.

The gown was donated by the family in 1840 and conserved in 2016 by Loreen Finkelstein with funds raised by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is a rare relic of a fleeting local notion  that the Carolinas could get into the silkworm business, borrowing methodologies from Chinas powerhouse industry, and creating conditions to forge a similarly global market.

Pinckney reasoned those little critters could spin the trappings of aristocracy. Undaunted by her gender, she determined she was just the one to get them spinning. For a truncated and surely frustrating interlude, Pinckney was fixed on the fabrication of Carolina silk, bringing over mulberry trees and silkworms, which tended to languish outside of their native Asia.

Even so, she created sufficient silk for at least three gowns. When she went to England in 1753 with her husband to advance his political career, she brought Carolina silk along to make dresses, including one she gifted to a prominent member of the court.

The gown in the Charleston Museum collection was likely not made of that scant Carolina silk (though there is one at the Smithsonian that was). It was her cultivation of indigo, the famed blue dye from plants harvested by enslaved workers on her land, which ultimately proved profitable.

Women at work

In South Carolina, as around the world, women have long played a seminal role in the textile realm, weaving and spinning, sewing and dyeing. Their textiles are tailored into courtly confections, sculpted with corsets fluffed up with petticoats  or perhaps they are of more modest material, transformed by needle and thread.

But it was Pinckneys gender that distinguished her pursuits. In a time when women rarely wore the proverbial pants in the family, she set out to sell the materials to make those trousers and more.

Why not, after all? In Lorri Glovers book The Improbable Life of Eliza Lucas Pinckney, she shares how a friend once asked Pinckney to guess the sex of a comet soaring above them, to which she responded, If it is any mortal transformed in this glorious luminary, why not a woman?

There was similar industry elsewhere on plantations throughout the South. The craft and creativity of enslaved women supplanted such resources, fashioning stray yards with stitched patterns. At the Smithsonian National Museum of African History and Culture, an intricately quilted skirt is one such example.

Local threads

Fast forward two centuries, and women in Charleston are still lending to the legacy, while also lending a global sensibility in ways that empower one another. Consider Mimi Striplin, owner of The Tiny Tassel.

A Spartanburg native, she has lived in Charleston for 13 years. She founded The Tiny Tassel in 2015, eventually opening its flagship store at 46 Spring St. Her website proudly touts the business as Black-and Asian-owned, referring to the company as woman- and global majority-led, valuing diversity, creativity and individuality.

Her mother and business partner, Keiko Striplin, brings with her a fashion design background with more than 20 years as a small-business owner.

She showed how important great tailoring was, and how it cultivated confidence in each person that left with a well-fitting garment," said Mimi Striplin.

Throughout the store, flounces of eye-popping cotton, beaded bags, as well as tassel-accented earrings and bracelets, enliven racks and shelves. Among them is the signature hot pink of her stores logo, a color that is currently splashing movie theater lines and social media streams dazzled over the blockbuster Barbie film release.

For Striplin, the color is a way of life for the company. It exudes joy, femininity and the fact that we are here to take up space. We think of pink as a neutral, a statement and everything in between.

Striplin finds meaning in showing up in the world as a proud Black and Asian woman-owned business. From design to finished products, we're so encouraged that we get to support so many women through our work, she said.

Among the designs is the new Charleston Toile, designed by Keiko Striplin, with the flora and architectural finery of the city launching the line in navy blue to reference the history of indigo.

The color itself evokes such a regal feel, but as we know, indigo has a deep history in Charleston that is oftentimes forgotten, said Mimi Striplin, who worked with Keiko on it for over a year, selecting a handful of classic Charleston staples: her favorite pink door on Tradd Street, the tallest church steeple (St. Matthews Church) and Denmark Vesey to share a bit of Black history.

For Mimi Striplin, the decision to create the Charleston Toile represented a beautiful blend her cultures and the way to tell that story.

Being Black and Japanese, there's a lot of thought that went into the history of toile and what it represents for us as a brand, she said. With every product that we sell, whether it's our exclusive design or from a fellow female-founded brand, we always want to tell our story, and our new Charleston Toile does just that.

That story resonates with customers as well, having cultivated a community of those who are very conscious of who they spend their money with and where. We've created a safe, and very colorful, space that encourages them to show up as their authentic selves, she said.

A global spin

This past March, Festival Hall in downtown Charleston flowed with a vivid, animated phalanx of shiny, coiffed women. Admiring one anothers globally-sourced garbs, they were politely awaiting entrance to The Fringe Revolution, the sold-out fundraising event for The Ibu Movement. Inside the fringe-festooned room, artisans from around the world, and prominent spokeswomen like Ali MacGraw, smiled at the crowed.

The evening benefits the nonprofit foundation that is the vision of Charleston-based Susan Hull Walker, who infused the event with fringe to allude to how women are often relegated to the fringe of society.

A textile expert and weaver who trained at Savannah College of Art and Design  and a Harvard-educated former minister, too  Walker has ingeniously woven her passions into an enterprise folding in women artisans around the world. These encompass 100 collaborations spanning 40 countries.

Since I also had studied world religions and knew sacred texts, I had always wondered what a sacred text would be by a woman, she said, wondering if the values would have been expressed differently. Her aha moment came with the realization that women, for much of history, were not reading or writing; they were involved with the very labor-intensive process of weaving and spinning and dyeing.

That is where they put their stories, their values, their lives. Textiles, I concluded, were a womens text, she said.

Scouring every part of the world, Walker identifies artisans who are experts in the handiwork of their own culture. They are mainly women, and from their far-flung locales, they weave, spin, sew and bead. Think ikat from Uzbekistan, beadwork from Kenya and cana flecha fibers of Colombia.

The Ibu Movement then sells these fastidiously crafted pieces online, as well as through a King Street boutique. Proceeds are focused on elevating women, mainly by helping them tap into their own skills and expertise with textiles to make a living wage.

Walker lights up when sharing bits of cultural anthropology. For instance, traditionally women spun in many cultures but were taken off the spindle when heading into marriage and childbearing years, due to the dangers of the dyes. Hence the word spinster.

Walker marvels over the way that textiles have offered women the world over a voice, a means of communication even in places where reading and writing were verboten.

The ability for those skills to empower has largely slipped by male-dominated households, eclipsed by the delight of a new source of income. Partners are now able to educate their children, to serve as role models for them and to even pursue prominent roles in their communities, with some running for office. One community at a time, The Ibu Movement offers an example of a new paradigm, one in which women have more agency.

Seeing women realizing their own worth, their own self-respect and being paid for it is very gratifying to me, said Walker, who has witnessed many of her artisan partners rise up out of poverty and discover their own voices and confidence  and tell their own stories.

Walker was moved to shine light on women by observing how her mothers sewing efforts were undervalued. She would go and sew these couture-worthy clothes for me and for her and never be paid for them and really never be recognized for the gifts that she had, she said. So for me to be able to work with women and see them paid and recognized for the skills that they've always had is, in a way, bringing my mother out of the basement and bringing my father down from the top floor to look at her and see the value.

The medium and the message

If apparel is wearable art, textiles today are also a potent local canvas.

Fiber artist Torreah Cookie Washington often creates works that tell lesser-known stories about Black women and men. Recently she curated an exhibition of Black mermaids at City Gallery.

While Washington applauds Disney for its casting in the recent new version of The Little Mermaid, she points out its patriarchal underpinnings, with the mermaid chucking it all for life with a man.

Telling the story of Black mermaids has been venerated for more than 4,000 years, 2,000 more than Christ, she said. I thought that was important and empowering  and for little Black girls to know that the story of us did not start on some plantation in Mississippi or South Carolina . Were not coming up from slavery, were coming down from being worshiped as goddesses.

Such power also drew Washington a few years back to another potent piece of local cloth, Ashleys Sack, which is now on permanent loan in the International African American Museum in Charleston.

A modest cloth sack tells the story of an enslaved Charleston woman named Rose. She once filled it with whatever she could find to give to her 9-year-old daughter Ashley, who had been sold to another enslaver. The two never saw each other again.

The sack remained in Ashleys family, eventually embroidered by descendent Ruth Middleton in 1921, with needle and thread sharing how Rose told Ashley when giving it to her, It be filled with my Love always.

Sometimes because of poverty, thats all we have, said Washington. She likens it to the quilts handed down in her own family and how they tell the story of her family.

Thats the way you share, when you dont have any more to share.
In the latest episode of the Charleston's Menu podcast, Parker Milner and Robert Moss discuss some of what they've been working on before diving into restaurant reviews and how the landscape has changed over the years.

Moss, The Post and Courier's contributing food critic, recently wrote reviews of Italian hot spot Sorelle as well as El Molino, which serves up tacos, tortas and more.

Charleston's Menu is a podcast discussing dining, restaurants and all the food that lands on Parker and Robert's plate across South Carolina.

Are there any stories you'd like to hear on the show? Contact us at understandsc@postandcourier.com.

This episode was hosted by Parker Milner, Robert Moss

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Listen on Spotify.

Related reading:

Previous Charleston's Menu episodes

The story behind Little Miss Ha
COLUMBIA  Kim Moore, the new superintendent of the Richland Two school district, recognizes that her district and the students it serves are facing challenges.

For students, it's mental health, safety and academic requirements, she said in a June 26 interview with The Post and Courier. For the northeast Richland district as a whole, the main challenge is recruiting and retaining the staff who make the school system run, Moore said.

Navigating those challenges is now Moore's responsibility, after the Richland Two Board of Trustees selected her in June to fill the six-month vacancy atop the 28,500-student district. She's focused on putting systems in place that will "create those conditions for success" for students, as she describes it.

The district will pay Moore $230,000 per year for that job, according to her employment contract. That's about $25,000 less than the $254,681 annual salary her predecessor, Baron Davis, was making before his sudden resignation in January.

Moore's contract lasts through June 2026 with an automatic extension clause tacking on a potential additional year. It also includes a $950-a-month automobile allowance and a $20,000 relocation reimbursement.

Should the board decide to cut ties with her early, which it can do unilaterally with a five-member supermajority vote, she'd be entitled to severance pay worth either 12 months of her salary or the contract's balance, whichever is less.

Moore's start in Richland Two follows a period of strained relations between the board and former superintendent Davis, who resigned in January after his main supporters on the board either lost reelection or declined to run.
LEXINGTON  In the aftermath of failed plans for a resort and living community on Lake Murray, at least one legislator is discussing early steps to tweak laws governing annexations. The hope is to remove ambiguity and prevent squabbles over a property's eligibility for annexation, like the fight that helped sink Lexington's plans for the lake.

With a vision for a large lakeside development, the 24,000-resident town of Lexington, 15 miles southwest of Columbia, took initial steps in May to annex a property just south of the Lake Murray Dam. But pushback followed from some residents in the adjacent community. Some critics questioned whether the move was legal, given that the property only abuts the town limits by water through Lake Murray.

A week after these concerns surfaced at a joint meeting of the town and county councils, landowners withdrew their request for annexation and the town's plans fell through, at least for development of that specific parcel.

Clear as Lake Murray mud

Whether Lexington's attempt to annex property across Lake Murray was legal remains unclear, said Rep. Chris Wooten, R-Lexington. And it likely will remain unclear under existing law, but the fiasco brought to light the need for some revisions to South Carolina's annexation rules, he said.

"If you're standing on one tip of the horseshoe and the other tip of the horseshoe is what you want to annex and only thing between us is that body of water," Wooten said, "what stops the person from reaching all the way across that mile and a half stretch of the lake to do the same thing? That's what is worries me more."

In the week since, Wooten said he is in early talks on how to tighten up state law to avoid future confusion.

Lexington took initial steps to annex the 93.5 acres parcel in May, with plans to build a conference center on 5 acres of donated land. Private homes, a marina, retail businesses, restaurants and Lake Murray's first two hotels would have been privately developed on the rest of the land.
Charleston Southern University's fourth president will be B. Keith Faulkner, who's currently the president and dean of Appalachian School of Law in Virginia.

Faulkner takes the helm after the university's previous president, Dondi Costin, was named president of Virginias Liberty University in March. Faulkner is a 1998 alumnus of Charleston Southern and has 20 years of experience in higher education.

More Coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Courier's Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab.

He previously served as dean for the Liberty University School of Law, where he doubled enrollment in five years and helped the school reach a 95 percent bar passage rate, according to a Charleston Southern statement announcing his appointment. Before Liberty, he served as dean of Campbell University in North Carolina's Lundy-Fetterman School of Business and interim dean for the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

Prior to his work in higher education, Faulkner practiced law in North Carolina in insurance defense, criminal defense, estate planning, family law, and real estate litigation and transactions. He served in the U.S. Navy as a submariner and nuclear power plant operator and technician between 1989 and 1997  including during his time as a Charleston Southern student.

Faulkner cited his Navy service coupled with his experience at Charleston Southern as a nontraditional student as what drew him to serve others through law and later higher education.

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In the statement, Faulkner said hes eager to return to his alma mater.

The responsibility of leading is one that I take with great seriousness and humility, he said. I am a good listener, and I am anxious to hear from our alumni about how they believe that we can improve CSU together.

Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now

The search for the universitys next president was led by the CarterBaldwin firm, which also selected Costin for the university five years ago. Judy Hetz, Charleston Southerns trustee board chair, said selecting an individual with a history of demonstrating Christian faith through leadership was a primary requirement in the search. Charleston Southern, one of the largest private universities in South Carolina, is affiliated with the Southern Baptist church.

Faulkner is a prime example of the quality of Christian education that Charleston Southern provides students, Hetz said. Graduates leave CSU with the skills needed to pursue successful careers and live lives of integrity as they serve their fellow man, displaying Christs love in the workplace, community, and home."

Faulkner will begin in early October.
The welcome that tourists do not receive in Vietnam

A group of foreign tourists at Phu Bai International Airport in the central Thua Thien-Hue Province, April, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh

A common point among some of the popular tourism destinations I have been to is that the people there are friendly and enthusiastic and offer proper services.

Earlier this year I went on my first trip to France. It was late at night when the plane landed in the capital. The first thing I saw was a huge sign saying, "Paris vous aime" (Paris loves you).

Throughout the Charles de Gaulle airport were countless such welcoming signs.

I traveled with my daughter and we were the only Vietnamese on that flight.

When it was our turn to go through immigration, the French customs officer, a young man, smiled, glanced at my passport and said "Xin chao, ban co khoe khong?" meaning "Hello, how are you?" in Vietnamese.

We were surprised and uncertain for a moment if the French officer had just greeted us in Vietnamese.

He didn't ask any more questions or for any more documents. He quickly stamped the papers to let us go.

How much ever our fatigue from the long flight, it disappeared in a flash at this Vietnamese greeting in France and made us feel happy and welcome.

Another time in Osaka, Japan, a customs officer in her 40s glanced my passport quickly, stamped it, returned it to me with both hands, and clearly explained the information on the seal.

Then she stood up and bowed to me before sitting again to continue working. I was extremely surprised at being greeted with such politeness.

Then I went to an information desk to ask for directions and a map.

The employee there also bowed, quickly asked me what I needed, and then gave not only a map but also several guide books and leaflets, three packs of tissues and two small tubes of facial cleansers, all free of charge for tourists.

When I went to South Korea, I was even more surprised by how professionally people there marketed their tourism.

As soon as we arrived in Seoul, at the information counter of the main metro station, I was trying to find some English travel documents when suddenly my companion saw a map and thick travel guidebook in Vietnamese along with versions in many other languages, all for free.

Visitors from various places can confidently travel around Korea because they have all the information they need in their mother tongue.

The use of many languages is so common in Korea that some stores even put up a sign outside saying "Today we serve in English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese..." It means they hire staff fluent in those languages to greet guests who cannot speak Korean.

In other countries we learned more "secrets" about how to attract and retain visitors.

When we arrived in Myanmars ancient capital of Bagan, it was midnight. At the entrance to this world famous archaeological site was a ticket booth where visitors only had to pay around US$15 for three days of comfortable travel.

Bagan is large and magnificent, and few tourists stay for only one day, and so the three-day ticket is quite reasonable and reduces the hassle of having to buy a ticket every time for visitors. Now they also issue electronic tickets and so a lot of paperwork is reduced.

One great thing we discovered during our few days in Bagan was that there were no taxis or petrol motorbikes. The tranquil old city was quiet, fresh and pleasant without the noise of engine and dust.

Visitors could walk, but most of them rented bicycles or electric scooters for a couple dollars a day. The few days in Bagan were serene and as if we were lost in another world, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Surely the city knew the needs of tourists, because you could find a clay pot containing water every 200 m. All were placed under trees and on clean high shelves with two or three aluminium cups attached to them. There were few people, but every pot was always full of cool, clear water for tourists.

When I went to Thailand for the first time, I was surprised to see at the airport a long table with some typical local fruits for visitors to try.

At the airport were free maps and travel books in various languages, lots of separate counters for short tours, long tours, art shows, currency exchange, cafes and restaurants, etc.

During all these trips, we almost never encountered crimes like fraud, overpriced services, or robbery. We enjoyed a lot of free services, especially basic ones like toilets and drinking water.

Of course, every time I traveled back to Hanoi from abroad, a sense of love and familiarity would well up. But it would often dissipate quickly when I reached immigration.

Most of the time I see an empty Noi Bai Airport. There are almost no shops in the international terminal. I have searched for years but not found an information counter providing maps or guidebooks, selling tours or providing other services.

It was not until June this year that I saw a "Welcome" sign there for the first time in my life along with a small fake peach blossom tree.

The only mode of public transport to the city from the airport is bus, and it only works for those who are familiar with the bus stops. There are no electronic boards on the bus, and there are no information in any other language except Vietnamese. Visitors cannot buy a day pass or day tour, for long popular in other countries. There are also very few places that sell tickets online.

Clean public toilets and free drinking water are not easy for visitors to find either.

The world has been ahead of Vietnam for many years, especially in tourism, and we should see that as an advantage and learn from them, even the smallest of things.

No solution will work for the tourism industry if visitors do not feel they are welcomed to or cared for in Vietnam.
Growing up as a son of two immigrant parents, Allen Gomez had his sights set on becoming a doctor after noticing the lack of quality health care in his father's home country.

At 7 years old, Gomez moved to Ecuador for a few years. During that time, he broke his hand and was told it would take four days for a surgeon to reach him. That early experience was the catalyst for his desire to work in medicine.

Gomez's time at West Ashley High School was dominated by Advanced Placement classes and dual enrollment. But the cost of higher education was a hurdle he couldn't overcome by studying harder or performing better. That's when the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund stepped in.

The privately funded scholarship program, founded by philanthropists Ben and Kelly Navarro, supports students from 11 counties in the state. But during a July 27 press conference, the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund announced it is aiming to expand its reach to all 46 counties in South Carolina with the Mission 46 initiative.

The fund is looking for donors to help make that goal happen.

"In the next decade, we can change the future of South Carolina, and tomorrow we can change students' lives who are in desperate need of the scholarship," said Josh Bell, executive director of the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund. "We're thrilled to help get the word out and find new partners to make this possible."

The need-based scholarship helps South Carolina students in select counties who graduate from a public high school and receive the Federal Pell Grant and either the South Carolina LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. The student must attend an eligible South Carolina college or university as a full-time student.

"If you meet those criteria, you get the award. It's really that simple," Bell said.

The scholarship pays for students' remaining tuition up to $10,000 each year after state and federal scholarships are applied.

Over the past three years, more than 500 students have received the scholarship. If it expands to all counties in the state, the potential impact is more than 2,000 students.

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The scholarship fund is backed by private donors, including the Navarros, Dave Proctor of Jasper County, the Darla Moore Foundation that supports the Pee Dee region, and anonymous donors.

Harry Lesesne, executive director of the Darla Moore Foundation, said it's a big commitment for a donor to support a program that accepts every eligible student, but it's one that Darla Moore and the foundation is willing to make.

"We want to have an impact on this big problem of student debt," Lesesne said. "In order to make short-term, fast impact on students today, for a donor, this is the way to do it."

Lesesne said every dollar that donors invest goes directly to the students, while the overhead costs to run the scholarship fund are covered by the Navarros. The Mission 46 expansion project has a projected cost of $42 million.

For Gomez, who is entering his junior year at Clemson University, without the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, he would already have $20,000 in debt that would amount to $40,000 at the end of his undergraduate studies. He said his parents always encouraged him to go to college, but there was the looming question of how tuition would be paid.

Now, Gomez said his parents are proud that he is pursuing his dreams and their sacrifices are paying off.

"Both of my parents had incredible dreams when they arrived in this country, and I think that I'm living out those dreams thanks, in large part, to the Meeting Street Scholarship," Gomez said.

Gomez is set to tackle physical chemistry, population genetics and molecular biochemistry when he's back on campus this fall.
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
GEORGETOWN  Steve Williams' latest book required a different approach than the others he's penned in his career, but the story drew on a subject he knows well  Harriet Tubman's ties to Georgetown.

The 69-year-old Georgetown author, historian and former educator recently finished his first childrens book, Harriet Tubman's and John Bowley's Most Excellent Adventure, which tells the story of how James Bowley was freed by the Underground Railroad icon with the help of his father John Bowley.

We need heroes, Williams said. "People need to know whats possible. We have to see ourselves long before it comes to fruition. I want readers to visualize themselves and they can do that by using John Bowley or Harriet Tubman. They dont have to be people in movies or television. They can be someone from history.

Williams has written multiple books over the years, including As I Travel Along: The Story of Harriet Tubman and James Bowley, Ebony Effects: 150 Unknown Facts about Blacks in Georgetown, S.C, 24 Extraordinary People Who Made a Difference and The Lost History of the Howard School.

Earlier this year, the S.C. Press Association award-winning columnist finished The Overcomers, a collection of 32 columns in which Williams highlighted those who have persevered through abuse, discrimination, disease and loss.

But Williams said his childrens book, which took about three months to complete, is probably some of the most fun hes had in his decades-long writing career because the roughly 30 pages are filled with vibrant images and related art.

The book is geared to young readers with limited sentences and large font, but Williams said it can even help adults learn how important Tubman was to the states third-oldest city.

Williams said he didn't know about Tubman's local ties until he began doing research for his previous books. He credits Tubman biographer Kate Clifford Lawson with opening his eyes to that part of history.

Six years ago, I did not know any of this and very few other people did either, Williams said. We did not know here in Georgetown the connection between Harriet Tubman and James Bowley. That connection was not known or I would have written about it a long time ago.

A legendary abolitionist, Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland but escaped and dedicated herself to helping friends and family find freedom. She became one of the conductors on the Underground Railroad, guiding enslaved people to the North.

While local historians said they cant find evidence of Tubman  who died in 1913  coming to Georgetown, her connection runs deep through James Bowley, who was born into slavery but later freed by his great-aunt Tubman and educated in Philadelphia.

Bowley moved to Georgetown in 1867 and soon after served as a state representative, lawyer, commissioner of Georgetown County schools, publisher, teacher, probate judge and a University of South Carolina trustee. He also received fundraising help from Tubman equivalent to $10,000 in todays currency. His former King Street home is denoted by a historical marker.

Williams said readers of the childrens book are introduced to the true story of how Tubman and John Bowley came up with a plan to free his wife Kessiah and their children off of an auction block in Maryland.

Tubman's influence on Georgetown will be celebrated next month when a sculpture of her by renowned North Carolina-based artist Wesley Wofford arrives. The Journey to Freedom, a 9-foot bronze monument of the historical figure and a child, will be unveiled in Joseph H. Rainey Park in Georgetown on Aug. 5.

The book is my personal contribution to the celebration, Williams said. "I petitioned Wofford to allow me to use the picture of the sculpture on the front of the book and he graciously said yes. He is also connecting me and the book to some of the other places around the country that celebrate Tubman.

Williams said he will be at the Rice Museum on Front Street on Aug. 19 for a signing and to lead a discussion about the book. There, attendees can learn tidbits about Bowley and Tubman not listed in the book's pages.

Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce President Marilyn Hemingway said Tubman played an important role in Georgetown's history.

"Shes an icon," she said. "And thats something that all of our children can look up to and celebrate."

To purchase the book locally, contact Williams at 864-346-0749. The book may also be purchased on Amazon.
GREENVILLE  Less than a month after the June opening of the new Green Line Extension of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail network, the city of Greenville posted a video highlighting the trailside business boom brought about by new customers arriving by bike. To those who have been watchi Read moreCommentary: Prisma Swamp Rabbit Trail network is also an economic engine
GREENVILLE  A national online eyewear retailer plans to open a brick-and-mortar store in a prominent space in downtown Greenville set for renovation.

Warby Parker will move into the storefront at 2 N. Main St., the store announced. Its the second store in South Carolina, after the first in Charleston.

The retailer, which sells eyeglasses, contacts and sunglasses, will occupy part of a building thats set for renovation to better integrate it with Greenvilles popular downtown strip.

The building, which has 100,000 square feet of commercial lab space, will be rebranded as the anchor to what the city calls its new innovation district.

In 2021, Greenville-based cancer diagnostics company Kiyatec moved into the building, which is at the intersection of Main and Washington streets. About a year later, the citys Design Review Board approved the changes to the exterior.

The building once housed a JCPenney in the 1940s and then in 1997 became home for a technology and communications company, according to the city planning staff report for the project. Its currently a stucco and masonry facade of dark gray and mauve.

The renovations will separate the building to look like three distinct facades: two along North Main Street, where the Warby Parker store will be, and a third on East Washington Street.

The building's owner, North Main Labs, said it intends to make the building more visually interesting and relate it to the surrounding, smaller buildings.
What powerful stories has Charleston told in the past and what story are we shaping for the future? As we continue to create this city, how do we true up our story? Read moreAging for Amateurs: IAAM invites us to look inward on what Charleston means to its residents
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
SUMMERVILLE  To many residents, the real beginning of the town starts at 500 N. Main St.

It cant be denied, there is a shift from new Summerville to old Summerville once you reach that building. It changes from the newer and commercial to the older and historic parts of the town  the parts residents consider the small-town charm.

Right now, that address houses the Dorchester County Human Services Building. Before that, it was the Dorchester County Hospital, built in the late 1930s.

A number of residents hold the building close to their hearts; some were born there and some appreciate it for the historical value. Others appreciate the property itself for the Veterans Memorial that stands in front of the building. Its why theyre fighting so hard against the county as it is looking to sell the property for redevelopment.

An ongoing topic of conversation since April, the possibility of redeveloping the property at 500 N. Main St. has stirred up controversy among Summerville residents.

History of the building

Dr. Ed West, a historian with the Summerville Museum and a retired pediatrician at the former North Trident Regional Hospital, shared the history of the property with The Post and Courier.

Before it was a hospital, West said, the St. Barnabas Mission occupied the property of 500 N. Main St. Catherine Kitty Springs, a woman of color and successful milliner, donated the land in 1883 to build a school and chapel for disadvantaged children. The Samuel Prioleau Infirmary was also built on the property.

In the 54 years before the old hospital was built, the chapel was relocated for preservation purposes and the infirmary burned down. The Summerville Infirmary was built in its place, and only served White people. The Arthur B. Lee Hospital opened not long after to serve people of color right next door  where the Wells Fargo is today.

The Dorchester County Hospital replaced both infirmaries once it opened, serving everyone, according to West.

The hospital was constructed in 1937 and was built as a Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works building under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

It was constructed with bricks made in Summerville, which adds to its historical value, said Heyward Hutson, president of the Summerville Preservation Society.

It closed in 1975 when the North Trident Regional Hospital opened  now the Trident Medical Center across from Charleston Southern University. 500 N. Main St. reopened in 1977 as the Dorchester County Human Services Building.

West said he believes it's the lands history that makes it matter.

The building is part of the history, and it has a place in the story, West said. But the story goes beyond the building.

Selling 500 N. Main St.

This isnt the first time the county has talked about selling the property.

County Council members held discussions about selling the building in 2012, but they were halted after the Town Council voted to give 500 N. Main St. the designation of being in the towns Historic District following protests from residents who wanted to preserve the building.

Daniel Prentice, Dorchester County chief financial officer, previously told The Post and Courier that they revived conversations about it in 2019 as part of a strategic planning initiative.

He added that the topic has been discussed in joint meetings with the Summerville Board of Architectural Review  which will get the final say on whether the old hospital building should be demolished  and the Planning Commission. They have also held meetings with various groups such as Town Council, the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce and Summerville DREAM to gauge public opinion.

Part of why the county wants to sell the property is the cost of upkeep on the building. Prentice said that over the past four or five years, the county has spent roughly $1 million on maintenance and repairs.

There are several current issues with the building as is, Prentice said, ranging from termite damage to crumbling bricks to falling gypsum board from the ceiling in hallways. Some parts of the building, like the Health Department, are outdated and in need of renovations, he added.

While the property of 500 N. Main St. is in the towns Historic District, it doesnt necessarily mean that its protected from demolition. According to Summervilles Historic District design guidelines  which the towns Board of Architectural Review follows  demolition is strongly discouraged but can be approved in certain situations.

Some of those situations include: if retaining the property would cause financial hardship to the owner, if retaining the property would not be in the best interest of the majority of the community or if the property itself is a deterrent to a major improvement program that would benefit the town.

If a property in the Historic District is to be demolished, there are a few guidelines one must follow: establishing a permanent record of the property prior to demolition, identifying salvageable building materials, protecting historic site features, ensuring the safety of adjacent properties and historic resources, and making sure the site is properly maintained until its reused.

What the community thinks

Summerville, located in a rapidly growing area of the Lowcountry, has seen a boom in population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town grew from 43,492 to 50,915 people between 2010 and 2020.

The residents at the heart of this "Flowertown in the Pines" seem to be split on what to do with the 500 N. Main property.

When the county earlier this year brought up the idea of selling the property, people immediately protested, with several individuals attending both County Council and Town Council meetings to voice their concerns.

Hutson has been a vocal opponent of redeveloping the old hospital building. He said the property marks the beginning of when people start to see the Summerville charm, as its the gateway to the towns Historic District.

Theres a whole lot of good thats associated with that property. Its representative of what a lot of good people have given to this community, Hutson said. I dont think you can recklessly wipe all that away.

The Dorchester County Republican Party passed a resolution opposing the redevelopment and asking the county to not sell the property. It was a narrow victory, however, with a 30-25 vote.

Barbara Mojonnier, who sponsored the resolution, said she has multiple concerns with the potential redevelopment, like the traffic it would bring and losing the historical value the building has. She added that demolishing the old hospital would set a precedent for other properties in the Historic District.

Once you start selling historic properties, tearing them down, is anything sacred? Mojonnier said. You dont want to set this precedent for tearing down historic buildings that have meaning and set the tone of the town.

While there is opposition, there is also support.

At a May County Council meeting, Summerville resident Christopher McClure spoke in favor of redevelopment, bringing forward a petition with 19 signatures of people who felt the same.

Resident Stephanie Boehm said she considers the old hospital building to be where Summerville starts, but she worries about how much its costing the county to maintain the building as it is. She added that it may be cheaper to demolish the building and start over rather than continue maintenance. But she thinks a developer could use the bones of the building for something else and incorporate the towns history into it, as with a boutique hotel.

Steven Wright, chairman of the Dorchester County Republican Party, said he personally opposed the resolution Mojonnier sponsored, believing that the party shouldnt weigh in on public policy matters when the focus should be on electing Republicans to public office. He added that he trusts County Councils judgment and that theyll do whats best for the county as a whole.

Other residents, like Rick Brisson, hope for a mix of both preservation and redevelopment. He said he thinks a compromise can be made to appease both those who want the old hospital preserved and those who wish for redevelopment.

While the redevelopment plans arent finalized  the county hasnt even sold the building yet  County Council added some stipulations at a May meeting, including the requirement that the future developer preserve the Veterans Memorial in front of the building.

While preserving the memorial has been agreed upon, what do do with it has yet to be decided.

Although the council hasnt made a final decision  whether it be relocating it to a more prominent spot or leaving it on the property to expand and become a civic park  County Council Chairman Todd Friddle said whatever happens with the Veterans Memorial will be at least comparable to the Veterans Memorial in St. George.

Most residents seem to be in agreement with keeping the Veterans Memorial where it is, whether the property is redeveloped or not.

Danny Garnette, a veteran, said its important to him for the memorial to remain where it is.

Others, like Pete Knight, said while hes in favor of keeping the memorial where it is, he would be open to its relocation, and that it might be for the best in the long term if its moved somewhere else.

The next scheduled Town Council meeting is Aug. 10.
As a medical educator, Im always thinking about how to mitigate the physician shortage crisis in South Carolina. A recent commentary in The Post and Courier has prompted me to offer some clarification and context around this crisis and how we can better address it. Read moreCommentary: SC needs more doctors. Here's what MUSC is doing about it.
Russian tourists take a nap at Layan beach in Phuket, Thailand, December 25, 2022. Photo by Reuters

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set a target of receiving 2 million Russian visitors next year, double this years target, driven by the increase in regular flights.

Prior to the war with Ukraine, Russian tourists typically picked up European destinations for their summer holidays but now they travel to Thailand all year round, Khanittha Phanworawat, director of TAT's Moscow office, told Bangkok Post.

Thailand remained the leading destination for Russians, most of whom opt for longer lengths of stay with high spending, she said.

So far this year, Thailand has received more than 840,000 Russian visitors, putting it the top five biggest feeder tourism markets.

Thailand eyes 1 million Russian tourists this year.

The resumption of flights between Thailand and Europe, including Russia, is estimated to have reached around 70% of pre-pandemic levels during this year's peak season.

Thailand started seeing an influx of Russian visitors in the final months of 2022 as they flocked there to escape their winter.

Southeast Asias second largest economy has welcomed 12.46 million foreign tourists this year with Malaysia, China and Russia the top three sources, according to government figures.
S.C. school districts have been a hotbed of problems, and not just school boards that are far too fond of paying good superintendents to go away and then either denying they did that or refusing to say why.

Weve had a school district that allowed an alleged embezzler to resign rather than being fired, a district that secretly provided free housing for a superintendent, a superintendent who was covering up missed deadlines while working simultaneously as a consultant for another district, a superintendent who told an employee shed slit her throat at a staff meeting if she talked to the school board and one who traveled on district time to paid out-of-state speaking engagements, in violation of the state ethics law.

Then of course there are the multitudinous school board members who are more interested in providing jobs and business opportunities for their friends and family than in educating the children in their communities.

In that context, the scandal in Richland District Two was tame: Oh, there were allegations of financial mismanagement, as youd expect in a community as divided as this one had become, but they were vague and frankly not credible. Instead, the furor was mostly over a dysfunctional school board whose members couldnt get along and were creating problems in what had long been one of the states best districts.

Still, there was enough smoke that one of the first things Gov. Henry McMaster did after he signed a new law last spring giving the inspector general the authority to investigate school districts was to sic him on Richland Two.

It turned out to be a great opportunity for Inspector General Brian Lamkin to try out his authority in an area of government with which he had little familiarity, and for school districts to see what to expect from the first real oversight they've ever had. And by all indications, this trial run seems to have gone well  and demonstrated the potential the new law has to identify opportunities for fraud and bad financial management before they turn into major scandals that cause lasting damage.

Nine months after Mr. Lamkin released a report that turned up several mundane but important policy shortcomings and a number of titillating details about a school board filled with elected officials who demeaned and threatened each other during meetings, hes praising the districts progress in addressing the problems.

Of course its the voters job to deal with school board members who arent fit for public office, and all four of the seven members whose terms ended last year either lost their reelection bids or else didnt seek reelection.

Making sure school districts follow smart policies to detect waste, fraud and abuse is the responsibility of  well, its still not clear whose responsibility that is. But its now Mr. Lamkins to find potential problems when asked to do so, and he told The Post and Couriers Ian Grenier he was pleased with the response he got when he met with a committee the board created to address the audit, and when he conducted a follow-up conversation six months later.

Theyre trying to work through the process, to try and identify the best way forward to do those things, he said. But as far as Im concerned, they were doing what they need(ed) to do in addressing the issues.

The districts new superintendent  its not clear whether there was anything wrong with the one the new school board paid $615,000 to go away or if that was just another power play  reports that changes to board policies, internal procedures and staffing have addressed 89% of Mr. Lamkins recommendations. The other changes are just taking longer.

The district made significant improvements to how it pays for everything from board members travel expenses to background checks on new employees, to reduce the potential for abuse. The 2023-24 budget includes new funding to hire an internal auditor, and in May, the district got state approval of a new procurement code, bringing it in line with state requirements. For the most part the problems arent the sorts of things parents suspected but rather the things Mr. Lamkin routinely looks at when hes reviewing any type of governmental entity.

Theyre also the sorts of things that could stand review in many and probably most school districts. Other school districts would do well to read Mr. Larkins report on Richland Two, see how their own policies measure up and then start implementing fixes where they fall short. Local legislators, school officials and the governor need to keep their eyes open for signs of problems and use this important new tool when they see them. The governor and lawmakers also need to keep an eye on the inspector generals workload, and step in to further increase his staff and resources when it gets too heavy.

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FLORENCE  Racial Justice Network CEO James Johnson said he plans to take complaints of racism and discrimination against Florence County School District 1 to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Johnson, parents and students discussed racial injustice at South Florence High School and Florence County School District 1 at a July 27 press conference on the lawn of Wesley United Methodist Church.

The press conference was hastily moved to the church after Florence County School District Superintendent Richard O'Malley told Johnson and others they didn't have permission to be on school property.

After a heated discussion between Johnson and O'Malley, Florence County Sheriff's Office deputies convinced the group to leave school property. The deputies were part of O'Malley's entourage as he asked the group to move on.

You are in for a fight, Johnson told O'Malley.

OMalley declined to provide comment to The Post and Courier.

The Racial Justice Network is a civil rights group with multiple chapters in South Carolina. A Florence chapter consisting of 30 people, Johnson said, will be formed in about two weeks.

Lanika Williams' children graduated from South Florence High School in the 2022-23 school year.

She said they experienced discrimination, refusal and denial of accommodations, infliction of trauma and educator misconduct.

Ive been to numerous board meetings and asked, begged, Dr. OMalley to assist at the problem that was going on, Williams said.

Williams said she hasn't received any response to her requests from O'Malley or the school board over the past three years.

One of her children, Jazmyn Rowell, said she was hyped for her senior year. She said she heard multiple racist comments from school staff, followed with a laugh. She also said she had multiple accommodations relating to her post-traumatic stress disorder denied to her; she has had PTSD since witnessing the death of a friend who was killed by a stray bullet.

These accommodations included knowing when fire or active shooter drills were scheduled and intermittent homebound instruction. The homebound instruction would allow Rowell to do half her work at school and half her work at home.

Intermittent homebound instruction is meant for students who cannot consistently be at school due to medical reasons.

Williams said Rowell had a complete breakdown when a drill occurred.

It made me genuinely hate coming to school every day, Rowell said. I wish I had a better senior year.

Another of Williams children, Damonni Clayton, said she started her senior year of high school a week late and hadnt had her high school transcript updated until two days ago. She said her and her sister hadnt been on campus since their freshman year. The two are now graduates.

We were better off being homeschooled, Clayton said.

Williams pulled her kids out of school and had them homeschooled in 2020 due to the issues.

Latoya Rich has two sons in the district.

She said one of her sons got to class late and left class to get a pass. She said her son wasnt let back into the class and that a camera feed shows the teacher stepping up to him when the teacher came out of the classroom.

She said her son had to go to an administrative hearing and had a charge on his record due to the incident.

When it came time for registration this year, I really dreaded to register them, Rich said.

Florence School District 1 has numerous pending cases against it in the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Specific details on all of those complaints was not immediately available July 27.

Two pending cases involve disability harassment. The first one was filed in 2017, and the second in 2019.

The Office of Civil Rights also has a pending Title VI-Racial Harassment case against the district that was filed in 2020.

There are three pending Title VI-Discipline cases filed against the district. Those were filed in 2017, 2022 and 2023.

Title VI in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal funds.

The 2022 case was filed by the Florence branch of the NAACP in relation to the districts Zero Tolerance policy regarding violence in the district.

Any student involved in a physical fight can be immediately expelled under the policy. The Florence branch of the NAACP asked the Department of Education to investigate.

The policy was adopted in 2021.

Johnson said he expected to be in touch with the Department of Justice by next week.

A superintendent not to respond on the issues of racism and what they're doing to the kids here, Johnson said. He don't need to be in that position. He needs to be gone.

G. E. Hinson and Chris Day contributed to this report.
KINGSTREE  Williamsburg County residents will see their tax bills increase for the first time in 16 years.

Williamsburg County approved its approximately $26 million budget at its July 18 meeting.

The Post and Courier received exact numbers July 25 due to the county manually updating the budget to reflect the tax increase it passed.

The budget is estimated to put more than $150,000 into the countys reserves, where the county didn't have any money. It also will pay off $1.7 million of debt.

The tax hike added $735,000 to the budget. The increase will cost owners of a $100,000 house an additional $28 annually and business owners with commercial property worth $100,000 an additional $42 a year.

Shoring up the budget also took some cutting. One-time disbursements during the holiday seasons and some raises for county employees were halved. The summer internship program, which had been around for years, was cut entirely.

Additionally, county employees must take four furlough days during the budget year to reduce county expenses.

It's not something I'm crazy about, but we had to pass a balanced budget, County Supervisor Kelvin Washington said.

Washington committed to taking double the furlough days employees would take during the meeting when the budget was passed.

It also was recommended that council members take the same number of furlough days as county employees. Elected officials must request furlough days in order to take them.

I still believe that we should lead by example, and not have our employees do something that we're not willing to do, Washington said. I challenge all of my elected colleagues to do at least the same number of days our employees have to take if it comes to that.

The County Council rejected the county budget during its meeting on July 13 because of the tax increase.

During a council meeting in June, consultants helping the county make its audit and budget detailed the difficulties of putting both together.

The countys accounting was described as not very high quality by W. Chris Clark, owner Of Paragon Advisory Services LLC, the external partner helping to put together the county's audit. He said there were "material and significant errors" he was having to fix.

Clark said he had almost no confidence in the quality of financial information the council received due to lack of training for finance staffers and turnover in the finance office.

Washington gave the council finance reports once a month to show cash on hand.

Johnette Connelley served as the chief financial officer for Berkeley County for 10 years. She started working on the county's budget in January. Connelley told the council the same budget had been used for years in the system. Some information in the budget is inaccurate, she said.

The use of two separate systems for accounting also meant Connelley couldn't look at past budgets for comparison's sake. The systems were used mainly to pay bills. Connelley couldn't compare year-to-date costs with the budget for that year. Some transactions werent posted in the system at the time they were made.

The county signed a contract to use two different programs for its accounting, and the two did not interface well, Washington said. This made it more difficult to make and prepare for the audit. This resulted in the county doing double work, moving information between the two.

The contracts were signed under a previous administration. Washington began as county supervisor this year.

The council attended a budget workshop July 17 to come up with an acceptable tax increase and budget.

Washington proposed more than $4 million in cuts during the workshop and a tax hike that wouldve generated an additional $800,000 in revenue. It would have allowed the county to put $250,000 in its fund balance.

Connelley said during the workshop the county will know more about how its revenues look when taxes come in January.

"There were a lot of unknowns trying to put this budget together. Change in software, a loss of trend data to start with  This budget is still not perfect," Connelley said.

Councilman Eddie Woods Jr. said some employees could be laid off and services cut due to the lower tax increase. Woods voted against the budget alongside two other council members. Weve sacrificed so much tonight, Woods said.
GREENVILLE  The main super PAC promoting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president has knocked on more than 1 million doors, a striking number that illustrates how the outside group is mobilizing an army of organizers to try and boost DeSantis early and often in influential primary and caucus states.

Officials with the pro-DeSantis political action committee, called Never Back Down, confirmed the figure first to The Post and Courier.

The million mark is the result of a massive, $100 million effort by Never Back Down to boost DeSantis and identify potential voters as paid canvassers go door-to-door. The count comes from the combined door-knocking efforts happening across seven states, including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, which typically vote first in the GOP nominating calendar.

Never Back Down also confirmed when and where the moment happened: July 23 in Greenville, South Carolina, home to the first-in-the-South primary.

Paid canvassers here went door-to-door last Sunday in what felt like 91-degree heat as they pitched DeSantis one household at a time in a state viewed as a pivotal early battleground in the Republican presidential primary.

"There arent many paid or unpaid activities that are more impactful than a conversation with somebody at their home. We take it very serious," super PAC senior adviser David Polyansky said. "We train people to have long conversations with folks and not just go in and drop a piece of literature, but to really engage and have a thoughtful, meaningful contact."

The group estimates that, as of July 26, its canvassers have knocked on 390,946 doors in South Carolina. In Iowa, which holds its first-in-the-nation caucuses, the total is 211,240.

The door-knocking efforts began in Iowa on May 6, meaning it took 11 weeks and one day to reach the million mark. In South Carolina, canvassers started knocking on June 3.

But in South Carolina, even more investment here is afoot. Polyansky confirmed Never Back Down has 21 paid staffers on the ground in the Palmetto State, as well as offices in Greenville, West Columbia and Charleston. A fourth in Myrtle Beach will be the next to open.

The DeSantis' allied super PAC said they have built the largest ground game in a state that is also home to two Republican presidential candidates: former Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

"We're really trying to be everywhere and force the competition to try to keep up," Polyansky said, adding, "I think anybody will have a hard time getting the quality and quantity of people weve got, and the level of activity and connections were making across the state."

A super PAC aligned with Scott has announced that it, too, has launched a door-knocking effort.

Matt Moore, state chair of the Trust in the Mission (TIM) PAC, told The Post and Courier that the group has an experienced team of full-time staff as well as roughly two dozen canvassers working across South Carolina.

"In just a few weeks, we have knocked on thousands of doors and will keep spreading Sen. Scott's positive, winning message," Moore said.

DeSantis allies declined to share specifics when asked where the group is targeting its door-knocking in South Carolina, saying it relies on a robust data operation to determine their outreach efforts. But online job listings show hiring efforts are underway in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville  three metro areas in three disparate regions of the state.

"You'll be a foot soldier for our movement," the listings say, along with the promise to pay between $20 to $22 an hour for the work.

Even with its big budget and a robust organizing operation, door-knocking is as much about timing as it is the message, said Alex Stroman, a former executive director of the state GOP.

"Any time that you're making voter contacts is good, but the most important thing is that it needs to be done at the proper time when voters are paying attention," Stroman said, suggesting that a door-to-door effort timed around the first GOP debate on Aug. 23 would make sense.

He continued, "Early and often is a tactic, but I think it's probably a little bit too early. Then again, if you have the resources to continue reaching out to these voters, then maybe it's a smart idea."

Gibbs Knotts, a political scientist at the College of Charleston, said door-knocking traditionally is deployed closer to Election Day as a tool to boost turnout. While he cautioned that persuasion is difficult to accomplish in door-knocking, Knotts said there could be a rationale for the early door-to-door investment in a crowded Republican primary.

"In a primary, you might not be as familiar with all the candidates, and I think there is more of an opportunity there. Youre probably more in shopping mode, whereas I dont know how many people are shopping in a general election," Knotts said.

Typically, presidential campaigns lead field operations like this and rely on volunteers to connect directly with voters, but super PACs this cycle are taking on an even greater role in the GOP primary, from spending millions on mailers, TV ads and door-knocking efforts such as this.

There have been public blunders, too, like when a Ring doorbell video surfaced and showed a canvasser for Never Back Down making lewd comments while knocking on doors in Charleston.

A senior adviser for the super PAC confirmed the canvasser has been fired, and called what happened an unfortunate incident.

The DeSantis allies see their large-scale field program as the centerpiece in a multi-pronged effort to overtake former President Donald Trump, who holds a substantial edge over DeSantis in GOP primary polls.

But despite the investment, a new poll released over the weekend by FOX Business showed DeSantis is trailing both Trump and Haley in South Carolina.

After the online publication of this story, the Trump campaign released a scathing statement on Never Back Down's door-knocking effort, saying, in part, that "all Ron DeSanctimonious has to show for it are cratering poll numbers and an up-close view of third place."

Polyansky predicted that national polls will largely ebb and flow in the coming months, with a trio of candidates rising and falling, with the exception of two: Trump and DeSantis.

"And so the question here is whos got the ability to capture the momentum in January, February and turn it into magic? Thats what excites me most about our millionth door, and the 380,000-plus that weve knocked here in South Carolina, he said.

Then he made another prediction: "All the political labor and investment and love that were putting into this state is going to pay off when it matters the most."

The South Carolina GOP presidential primary is tentatively set for Feb. 24, pending approval from national Republicans.
CLOVER  A Charlotte-area food truck staple will open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Clover.

The popular wood-fire pizza spot, King of Fire, has become a well-known roving eatery with seven trucks that serve York County and Charlotte.

Chef Siler Chapman, who has appeared on the Food Network and will run the business with his wife, Amber, hopes to open the Clover restaurant around January. The business will seat about 100 people with 20 employees and wide range of pizza styles, including Grandmas, Detroit and New York.

King of Fire becomes the most recent addition to one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. Thanks to its proximity to Charlotte and access to Lake Wylie, from 2020 to 2022, the population of Clover rose from 6,675 to 7,405 people. In the nearby, unincorporated Lake Wylie, the population has tripled from 2000 to 2020 and, for a 16-month period, the York County Council even placed a moratorium on new subdivisions and apartments.

Despite the growth, downtown Clover has struggled to retain downtown businesses, with multiple vacancies. Before Clover resident Justin McFalls bought the future King of Fire location, he said the owners had to block off the windows because so many pigeons camped inside. Downtown Clover is starting to change, where, in recent months, a new farm-to-table restaurant, Clover Harvest, recently began serving customers and a cafe is slated to open.

McFalls, a plumber who invests in real estate, recently bought four buildings in downtown Clover, with plans to revitalize them into apartments and businesses. Many of them, including the future King of Fire location, which was built in 1886, are decades old. He said he intends to purchase two more buildings with hopes of energizing downtown.

Our town is a ghost town at night and on the weekends," McFalls said. "It shouldn't be that way. Because you go to Belmont, Rock Hill even and even Gastonia, the old parts of their town are alive and do really well. And I just want to see that in my town."

At first, he was hesitant about bringing another pizza shop to a town with five pizza shops. Then he tried the King of Fire pizza and learned more about its history.

Chapman has worked in the pizza industry since 2001 in various forms, including Sis Pizzeria in Fort Mill. His pizza, and pizza acrobatic skills, have earned him appearances on the Food Network, The Ellen Degeneres Show and Good Morning America. He competes in pizza-making competitions across the world, and recently returned from Naples, Italy, where he placed fifth in a contest for his New York-style honey pizza, he said.

In 2018, Chapman opened King of Fire as a catering company. Over the years, it expanded into the food truck business. But with the food trucks, Chapman can only offer wood-fired oven pizza.

The new restaurant will allow him to serve a variety of styles of pizza, Stromboli, wine and cocktails. They plan to create an industrial upscale restaurant that reflects the history of the 140-year-old building.

Chapman's vision for the restaurant squashed McFalls' worries about the additional pizza place.

Over the years, Chapman said he has received many offers to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant. But he turned them down, waiting for the right opportunity.

About two weeks ago, McCants approached Chapman with a pitch to bring King of Fire to Clover. This time, Chapman didnt hesitate.

Clover has so much potential, he said. "The growth is coming.

He wanted to locate in a smaller town, where he would know the customers and interact with the town.

Being in a smaller town really allows us to have a nice footprint and help the community, he said.

After announcing their plans at The Vault Bottle Shop in downtown Clover on June 26, the two parties will move toward finalizing their design plan. Once approved by the Town of Clover, they expect to begin construction in three to four months.
Volunteer firefighters try to extinguish fires at a peatland forest in Pulang Pisau regency near Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia, September 13, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Willy Kurniawan

Southeast Asian nations are gearing up to tackle the threat of a tougher-than-usual "haze" season together, as the El Nino climate phenomenon raises the risk of soaring temperatures.

Ministers and officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Singapore last month, where they vowed to ramp up monitoring of wildfires and efforts to prevent air pollution, and finalize a new plan to boost cooperation.

During the dry season in Indonesia - usually starting in August - slash-and-burn clearance of forest and peat land to expand palm oil, farming and pulp and paper production covers much of Southeast Asia in a choking haze for months most years.

Yet environmentalists are concerned that this haze season could be the worst in years, after the World Meteorological Organization warned that temperatures are expected to surge across large parts of the world following the emergence of El Nino in the tropical Pacific for the first time since 2016.

"The prediction is that we are due for a strong El Nino," said Helena Varkkey, an associate professor of environmental politics and governance at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. "Fires, once they occur, will likely be sustained over long periods and move across national boundaries."

After a few haze-free years - due to the Covid-19 pandemic and wet weather - a new regional roadmap to address the issue will prove vital ahead of the upcoming season, Varkkey said.

"It's important to focus on data standardization, sharing and use - (of) air quality indexes, hotspot data - to support cross-border coordination," she added.

With the prospect of prolonged hot and dry weather raising the risk of widespread haze and air pollution if the burning of forests and peatland is uncontrolled, ASEAN is seeking to avoid a repeat of recent haze crises like those in 2019 and 2015.

In 2015, between June and October, about 2.6 million hectares (6.4 million acres) of land burned in Indonesia, mainly on Sumatra and Borneo islands, according to a 2016 World Bank report. The fires cost the country about $16 billion, it found.

A Harvard University study linked the 2015 haze to more than 100,000 premature deaths in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

During previous haze seasons, Southeast Asian nations often failed to work together, experts said, with governments publicly blaming each other and taking little cross-border action, while any ASEAN policies were seen as too weak to make a real impact.

Mushtaq Memon, coordinator of chemicals and pollution action for Asia-Pacific at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), said the ASEAN haze-free roadmap will likely be adopted in August and set out a strategy for the rest of the decade.

It will improve implementation and science-based targets, beef up local action and empower communities, and include a new sub-regional strategy, he said, without giving further details.

"Strengthening institutions and coordination with ASEAN member states and other institutions is a must," Memon said.

"At the national level, monitoring the onset of forest fires, open burning or peatland fires is critical, as well as ensuring immediate, on-the-ground actions to prevent spreading of these fires," he added.

Indonesia's peatlands focus to help stop fires

When Indonesia faced regional pressure during the 2015 haze crisis, its focus changed from containing fires to prevention.

After visiting some of the areas worst-hit by forest fires, Indonesian President Joko Widodo introduced a raft of measures that forestry experts say have helped cut the number of blazes.

These include a temporary ban on new palm oil plantations, making permanent a moratorium on new conversion permits for primary forest and peatlands, setting up a Peatland Restoration Agency, and a promise to return more land to Indigenous peoples.

Indonesia's environment and forestry ministry has implemented a comprehensive approach since 2015 that includes early warning systems and peatland restoration, according to Mirey Atallah, head of UNEP's nature-for-climate branch.

The main focus has been on building up the capacities of groups working on fire protection - be they government, private sector, NGOs or local communities, Atallah said.

Indonesia's policies also have an emphasis on the restoration of peatlands - valuable ecosystems that serve as a critical line of defense against fires, she added.

Ancient peaty soil is particularly flammable when dry, often causing fires to spread beyond their intended areas.

"By re-wetting and rehabilitating degraded peatlands ... (Indonesia) aims to restore their natural functions and reduce the vulnerability to fire outbreaks," Atallah said.

Peatland restoration also helps preserve biodiversity and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, she added.

However, green groups say Indonesia lacks transparency when it comes to forest management and tackling fires.

Alex Helan, a researcher at the Rainforest Action Network, a U.S.-based nonprofit, said plantation firms generally want drier conditions as wet peatland is bad for productivity, so they have an incentive to create drier, fire-prone environments.

"New areas of peatlands are still being opened up so the situation could get much worse," said Helan.

"A clear prohibition on new development on peatlands would be an important step forward."

ASEAN spirit of trust needed to tackle forest fires

Support from the government, companies and green groups for local communities in fire prevention and monitoring efforts has also been central to reducing fires, said Abdul Halik, a conservation strategist for Asia-Pacific at the Rainforest Trust, a U.S.-based nonprofit.

These groups need to continue to act together in mitigating the haze risk this year, said Halik, adding that investing in more early warning systems would be beneficial.

At a national level, Southeast Asian governments are already taking steps to mitigate the haze risks.

Singapore is stockpiling face masks, readying air-conditioned public spaces - especially for the vulnerable and elderly - and ensuring schools and nursing homes have air purifiers and enough medical supplies.

Malaysia is considering making it mandatory for domestic plantation companies with operations in Indonesia to report on how they are working on forest fire prevention.

Meanwhile, senior Indonesian government officials have told local media that improvements in water reserves and cloud-seeding to trigger rain will reduce the risks of forest fires.

Annisa Rahmawati, a board member at Indonesian conservation group Satya Bumi, said there is still much to do - and stressed that it is not only the responsibility of the government.

"All the people should support the efforts of peatlands and forest protection," she said.

Like other conservationists, Rahmawati called for greater collaboration and trust within ASEAN and a strengthening of domestic laws across the region to create a real deterrent.

While law enforcement and prosecution over forest fires has improved in Indonesia, the process still lacks transparency and often companies have failed to pay fines, she said.

"There is no haze without fire ... (but) it shouldn't only be about fire and putting out fires - we need to address the root of the problem," Rahmawati added.
The story that has consumed the United Kingdom over the last week or two is the cancellation of Nigel Farage by Coutts, an exclusive private bank owned by National Westminster Bank, commonly known as NatWest. Farage, as you may remember, was a driving force behind Brexit, and Britains establishment has never forgiven him. Coutts precipitously fired Farage as a client and canceled his accounts.

Later, Coutts lied about the incident, claiming that Farage was canceled because he didnt have enough money to qualify for their services. That turned out to be false.

There have been many articles about the controversy in the British press, but todays article in the Wall Street Journal is a good place to catch up:

Farage said Coutts, famed for banking the late Queen Elizabeth II, ditched him because of his pro-Brexit and anti-woke views. During a charity dinner, [Alison Rose, chief executive of NatWest] sat next to the BBCs business editor and told him that Farage was axed because he wasnt a profitable customer. The journalist wrote a story the next day and later said he had relied on a trusted and senior source. Farage ultimately landed a sucker punch. He acquired a 40-page document from Coutts that included a list of his political views that the bank felt created significant reputational risks of being associated with him. The document described Farages views as xenophobic and racist and said he was considered by many to be a disingenuous grifter, charges Farage has denied.

As the story has continued to escalate, Rose herself has now resigned from NatWest. BBC has apologized for its incorrect report.

An email laying out the decisionsent this March and included in the document published by Faragepointed to controversial public statements which were felt to conflict with the banks purpose. The bank sensed the danger from axing the Brexit cheerleader in Britains febrile media environment: it could face negative coverage if Farage decided to go public, the file said. Tories joined Farage to speak out about the risk that banks could cut off customers for having antiestablishment or strong conservative views. David Davis, a former cabinet minister, called the decision to close Farages account thinly veiled political discrimination.

One of the problems with the reputational risk rationale is that it is always a one-way street. I dont know who provides banking services to Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who is a notorious socialist and anti-Semite, but Ive never heard of a company declining to do business with him because of potential damage to the companys reputation. And it should be remembered that on Brexit, the issue that enrages liberals like those at Coutts, Farage represented the majority of U.K. voters, while the liberal banking executives are enforcing the will of the minority.

Farage, meanwhile, has gone on offense, demanding that the entire NatWest board of directors resign. And he pledges to help others who have been hurt by left-wing prejudice in the banking industry.

For now, what we can say for sure is that cancel culture has sustained a welcome setback.
I did a lot of digging to report on the case of Alexis Saborit, the illegal alien who beheaded America Thayer in Shakopee, Minnesota on July 28, 2021. I focused on Saborits status as an illegal immigrant because the Star Tribune has kept this aspect of the case a deep secret. (By contrast, Crime Watch MN/Alpha News has led with it.)

America was murdered in broad daylight in Shakopee. At the time of her murder America was working at the MyPillow showroom in Shakopee, a block or so from the Amazon fulfillment center. Everyone who knew her liked her.

I went out to Shakopee the Sunday afternoon following her murder to visit the scene of the crime. A makeshift memorial had been assembled at the southwest corner of the busy intersection where America was murdered. I snapped the photo below.

Saborit was charged with first-degree murder. Following a bench trial, Scott County District Judge Caroline Lennon found Saborit guilty. The May 11 Star Tribune story by Paul Walsh on Saborits conviction again overlooked this aspect of the case.

In June Judge Lennon held a second-phase trial on the question of Saborits mental illness defense. On July 17 Judge Lennon found Saborit NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF MENTAL ILLNESS (emphasis in original). Her 10-page findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order are posted online here. Saborit is to be remitted to the custody of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. This represents a bitter conclusion to the proceedings.

None of the stories reporting Judge Lennons order includes comment from Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar. I emailed him for comment and spoke to him by phone when he returned my call yesterday morning. At my request Mr. Hocevar emailed me a summary of the points he made in our conversation:

Scott, as we discussed I was not overly surprised by Judge Lennons order finding Saborit mentally ill. She had two experts who wrote lengthy analyses as to why their findings were he was mentally ill at the time of the murder. This office has petitioned to have Saborit committed as mentally ill and dangerous and I have a high confidence level that will be accomplished. Saborit is not out wandering the streets due to the judges order. He is still in custody in our jail and once he is found mentally ill and dangerous, he will be committed to a secure mental facility.

I do not find Judge Lennons findings persuasive. She herself acknowledges that they are subject to argument. See, for example, Findings page 9 at paragraph 13. Saborit appears to have known what he did was wrong. See Findings pages 9-10 at paragraph 15.

Saborit will not be punished for the appalling murder he committed. He is subject to release when the professionals say his illness has resolved or is under control. His civil commitment is cold comfort, to say the least.

I mentioned to Mr. Hocevar that I had reported Saborits illegal status around the time of Americas murder in 2021. He said he was surprised that this element of the case had received so little attention.

I reported Saborits status as an illegal alien here (August 3, 2021) with a statement from ICE and followed up here (August 5, 2021) with a summary of the case to that date. Please note that the August 5 post embeds a copy of the criminal complaint in the arson case pending against Saborit at the time he beheaded America.

To reiterate my previous reporting, these are the immigration-related facts. ICE gave me the dates of the events. I have drawn inferences regarding the asylum issue based on the facts set forth and on responses to my questions withholding information because it is deemed confidential.

 Saborit entered the US in 2007 at the El Paso port of entry.

 I infer that Saborit sought asylum. His case was set for hearing.

 Saborit failed to appear for his hearing in 2009.

 An immigration judge entered a deportation order against Saborit in absentia.

 Saborit subsequently sought a rehearing. His immigration case was reopened and reheard.

 The rehearing resulted in a second deportation order in 2012.

 ICE attempted to remove Saborit to Cuba based on the 2012 final order of removal. ICE was unable to obtain the necessary travel documents from Cuba.

 As a result, and following a review of his custody, he was released on an order of supervision in 2012.

 The Supreme Court decision in Zadvydas v. Davis (2001) limits the length of time that ICE can detain noncitizens who are subject to a deportation order. The ruling generally precludes the agency from holding noncitizens with final orders of removal for more than six months if their actual removal cannot occur in the reasonably foreseeable future. This is often due to a foreign governments refusal to accept the repatriation of its nationals.

 On January 25, 2019, the Trump administrations Department of Homeland Security announced the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the Remain in Mexico program. The policy allowed US border officers to return non-Mexican asylum seekers to locations in Mexico as their claims were adjudicated in US immigration courts.

 The Remain in Mexico program sought to address the perversity at the heart of the immigration aspect of the Saborit case.

 On June 1, 2021, the Biden administrations DHS formally ended the Remain in Mexico program. The program was ended by this memo.

 Insofar as I can tell, the Star Tribune has never mentioned Saborits immigration status.

 When Saborit beheaded America he was on his way to a hearing in the arson case. In other posts on the Saborit case I reported in some detail on the November 2020 arson case charging three felonies against Saborit. The following bullet points link to my other 2021 posts on the Saborit case.

 The lonesome death of America Thayer (July 31, 2021).

 America Thayer, RIP (August 2, 2021).

 From the Saborit file (August 3, 2021).

 From the Saborit file: His lawyer returns my call (August 3, 2021).

 From the Saborit file: The murder charge (August 6, 2021).

 From the Saborit file: Finale (May 15, 2023, noting Saborits conviction of first-degree murder by Judge Lennon).

I draw two conclusions from my reporting on Saborit: (1) He should not have been in the United States, and (2) he should not have remained at large in Minnesota.

The resolution of Saborits immigration status dates back to the Obama administration. The Saborit case illustrates the need for the reforms implemented by the Trump administration. By the same token, the case illustrates the willful destructiveness of the Biden administrations humane open borders program.
I recall Daniel Oliver telling the story of being appointed chairman of the Federal Trade Commission by President Reagan, and immediately downsizing the FTC staff and curtailing its harassment of business. Sure enough, the Washington Post ran a front page news story a few weeks later about how Oliver had brought the FTC to a standstill. Dan said, It was my proudest moment. Reagan appointees called up from other agencies asking, How did you do it?'

This comes to mind in watching the reaction to Gov. Ron DeSantis responding to a question about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by saying okay, if youre president, sic him on the FDA if hed be willing to serve, or sic him on CDC.

The critics pounced, for the sensible reason that RFK Jr has taken many crackpot positions, but if you want to hobble the FDA and CDC, RFK Jr might be the right person to do it. Remember what FDR said when he appointed RFK Jrs grandfather to be head of the Securities and Exchange Commission: It takes a thief to catch a thief. At the SEC Joe Kennedy immediately banned many of the stock market practices that he had exploited to get rich. Maybe RFK Jr is the perfect person to reduce the CDCs politicization. Its almost fun to contemplate an RFK Jr nomination to something just to watch Democrats squirm about opposing someone from the Democrats royal family.

Anyway, it is worth taking in DeSantiss complete answer, which is being reported almost nowhere:

Travis: If Trump picked RFK Jr. as a potential vice-presidential candidate  crazy idea? If you were president, if you were the nominee, would you consider RFK Jr. as a running mate, or DeSantis: Heres the issue. Like, Im aligned with him on Fauci and the corruption in the health bureaucracies 100 percent. And I think hes also said some other thing that I agree with, too. But at the end of the day, hes more liberal, very liberal on some [issues]. He used to say, I dont know if he still believes this, that if you deny climate change, you should go to jail. Things like that. So its like, conservative voters, you know, they would want those positions flushed out. He opposed the affirmative-action ruling, to say you cant racially discriminate, on that he would have wanted that to remain. So, I just think that at the end of the day, you need somebody that is going to reflect the values of the broad coalition. Yes, the medical stuff, Im very good on that. So that does appeal to me. But theres a whole host of other things that hed probably be out of step with. And so on that regard, its like, okay, if youre president, sic him on the FDA if hed be willing to serve, or sic him on CDC. But in terms of being veep, theres 70 percent of the issues he may be adverse to our base on. That just creates an issue.

The complete answer gives a rather different impression, no?

ChaserDeSantis yesterday speaking at the annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council:
Few saw it coming.

News of the collapse of Hunter Bidens sweetheart deal sent shockwaves throughout Washington on Wednesday. U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreikas refusal to sign off on the plea agreement was the worst possible outcome for the Biden family, but it was a great outcome for the rule of law in America.

This morning, Hunter was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of tax evasion and to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement on a felony charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

But Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected the plea agreement. It was a travesty that fell apart immediately under scrutiny. Of course, it didnt help their cause when a lawyer associated with Hunters legal team called the court clerk on Tuesday to block an amicus brief filed earlier in the day by an attorney for the House Ways and Means Committee. When this dirty trick was discovered, Judge Noreika demanded that Hunters attorneys provide an explanation by 9 p.m. Their reply? It had all been a misunderstanding. Scott covered this story here.

Fox News reported that she questioned the constitutionalityspecifically the diversion clause and the immunity Hunter Biden would receive.

Hours later, Hunter pleaded not guilty to all charges and left the courthouse.

This stunning turn of events has great implications for the 2024 presidential race. Although Democrats insist this case is only about Hunter, any honest person knows it is a case about President Joe Biden and his role in the familys alleged foreign influence peddling business.

Although many have trivialized the investigations conducted by House Republicans over the past six months, the reality is that their work has turned up some pretty damning evidence of the Biden familys pay-to-pay scheme, including Joe Bidens knowledge of, likely involvement in and possible financial benefit from them, as well as the DOJs and FBIs mishandling of the case.

House GOP investigators have exposed bank records showing millions of dollars flowing into the accounts of nine Biden family members, including a grandchild, from foreign sources. The funds were transferred via a network of up to 20 shell corporations set up by Hunter and his associates. And they have many more records to comb through.

Two days after the announcement of Hunters plea deal, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) released the transcribed interviews of two highly credible IRS whistleblowers who worked on Hunters case. The testimonies of IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley Jr., who ran the investigation, and Special Agent Joseph Ziegler, a 13-year veteran of the IRS who was part of his team, bolstered the widely-held belief that Hunter received a sweetheart deal from the DOJ.

Shapley claimed that DOJ officials intentionally slow-walked the investigation, allowing the statutes of limitations on several charges to lapse. As he put it, Whatever the motivations, at every stage decisions were made that had the effect of benefiting the subject of the investigation.

He testified that Assistant U.S. Attorney in Delaware Lesley Wolf, tipped off Hunter Bidens attorneys ahead of a planned search of a storage unit in Virginia where Hunter Biden had transferred his business records.

Im barely scratching the surface of their testimony. Suffice it to say that it was extensive and it was devastating.

Some of us are anxiously waiting to hear what Devon Archer, Hunters longtime friend and business partner, might reveal at his scheduled transcribed interview before the House Oversight Committee on Monday. As I mentioned in a recent post, Archer has postponed his appearance three times so far and I have to wonder if he was trying to avoid testifying before Hunter signed his plea deal.

According to what sources have told the New York Posts Miranda Devine, Archer is expected to tell lawmakers that Joe Biden appeared either in person or by speakerphone at numerous meetings with their business partners, including Burisma founder Mykola Zlochevsky. Although the two are said to be estranged, Archer may still have preferred to delay his testimony until Hunter had resolved his case with the Department of Justice.

The House Republicans have been pursuing this case with a zeal I didnt know they had in them. And their efforts are bearing fruit.

This is a mess. And its about to get a lot messier for both Hunter and Scranton Joe.

Good.
Betsy Woodruff Swan and Josh Gerstein have a good narrative account of the theatrical farce that went down before Judge Noreika at the hearing on the Hunter Biden plea agreement. With a few pointed questions from Judge Noreika the plea agreement went down like Joe Biden tripping over a bag of sand.

Ms. Swan photographed the bare-bones plea agreement and posted it online. A sealed attachment A is not included. The gun-charge diversion must be treated elsewhere. I trust someone will have a transcript of the hearing prepared and made available before too long.

I tried to explain what happened yesterday in Speaking of phony baloney. Judge Noreika wasnt buying the baloney she was being served. Andrew McCarthy explains the farce  explains what I was trying to say  in his New York Post column The fix was in for Hunter Biden  until a hero judge stepped up.

We will recall what was revealed the day the deal died  or, rather, was tripped up: the charade of an independent investigation and prosecution of Hunter Biden by the Biden administration Department of Justice, the rank corruption of the Department of Justice, and the incessant lying related thereto. Like the Terminator, however, the Biden Department of Justice and the lawyers for Hunter Biden will be back.

RCPs Philip Wegmann notes the shift in the White House line the Biden family business. Wegmann himself elicited Karine Jean-Pierres reiteration of the new line at yesterdays White House press briefing (video below). KJP asserts that it was ever thus.

Like me, Wegmann traces the shift to Ian Sams June 23 statement. Wegmann also traces the Sams formulation back to the 2020 campaign, but Joe Bidens abandonment of his frequently proclaimed ignorance of Hunters business is a recent development, as Wegmann also notes. I cautiously predict that there will be more shifts to come.

NOTE: The Washington Free Beacon has compiled the useful video montage below.
Federal Judge Maryellen Noreika is suddenly in the spotlight. Today she refused to approve Hunter Bidens plea agreement, as we have discussed in several previous posts. Liberals immediately denounced Judge Noreika as a Trump appointee. All of which raises the question: who is she?

A useful source of information is the form she filled out when she was nominated to the federal bench in late 2017. This is a standard questionnaire that is responded to by all federal judicial nominees. It covers her education, her experience, and potential conflicts of interest, among other things.

Noreika graduated from Lehigh University, got a masters degree in biology from Columbia, and her law degree, magna cum laude, from Pittsburgh University, where she was a member of the Law Review.

Her career in private practice was with the Morris, Nichols law firm in Wilmington, Delaware. Morris, Nichols is a good, medium-sized firm. She did intellectual property litigation, mostly patent lawsuits. Her list of significant cases is relatively impressive. She tried a good number of cases by todays standards, some of which involved significant patent issues. Prior to becoming a judge, she had no experience with criminal law.

Delaware is a small state, but because so many companies are incorporated there, its federal district court is an important venue and a good one for an ambitious litigator. Years ago, I had a very substantial case venued in that court, as do many lawyers from around the country. I infer from Noreikas form that she is smart and a capable lawyer.

With regard to conflicts of interest, Noreika disclosed that her brother, Keith Noreika, was then the Acting Comptroller of the Currency. Keith Noreika is a very accomplished man, a graduate of Wharton and Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review, an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Virginia law schools, and a partner in Simpson, Thatcher, a substantial Wall Street law firm. Perhaps most significantly, he was a member of the incoming Trump administrations transition team at the Treasury Department. He is a recognized expert on banking and bank regulation, and a Republican.

Wikipedia thinks that Maryellen Noreika is a Democrat, and that could be true, although I havent seen an explanation for that characterization. In any event, she was vetted and approved by Delawares two Democratic senators, a traditional part of the process of becoming a district court judge.

My impression is that Judge Noreika is smart and confident. Unlike some judges these days, she didnt get her first glimpse of a courtroom from the bench, and she is accustomed to high-stakes litigation. All of which suggests that she is a good person to preside over the Hunter Biden prosecution. Until now, that investigation and prosecutionreal or fauxhas taken place among Washington insiders, behind closed doors. No one seriously doubts that Hunter has gotten kid gloves treatment from the prosecutors. As events now begin to unroll within public view, my sense is that Maryellen Noreika is well above the average we might expect as a presiding judge.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 21:30:26

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Independent research shows lack of information and high prices are the main barriers for consumers to make more sustainable purchasesBusinesses can play a significant role in making it easier for consumers to make consciously sustainable choices and earn more trust from consumersAlibaba Group's latest ESG report reveals that over 180 million consumers participated in carbon emission reduction through its carbon ledger platformHANGZHOU, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / A vast majority (73%) of consumers want to live more sustainable lifestyles, particularly among those living in emerging Asian markets (87%), but inconvenience and high costs are cited as main stumbling blocks to the adoption of sustainable lifestyles, finds the latest independent research commissioned by Alibaba Group.The research, titled "The Sustainability Trends Report 2023", polled more than 14,000 consumers from 14 markets across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It finds that convenience (53%) and affordability (33%) are critical for driving behavioral changes on consumer sustainability and businesses can make it easier for consumers to make sustainably conscious choices.But consumers are cynical (38%) towards the underlying motivation of businesses' "sustainable" products, with only 15% saying that they completely trust claims around sustainability of products. Businesses need to work harder to build trust among those consumers, especially among people living in European markets."As a digital platform company, Alibaba is uniquely positioned and committed to addressing the say-do' gap challenge; by reducing the inconvenience obstacle, adding more sustainable choices, and optimizing supply chains to keep costs reasonable for consumers. Sustainable consumption is crucial for the environment, and in the meantime it provides a great opportunity for businesses, as well as the digital economy as a whole, to have a long-lasting development into a sustainable future for all," said Liu Wei, Alibaba Group ESG Strategy Lead.Alibaba published its latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report in late July where for the first time it disclosed its Scope 3+ decarbonization progress since it pioneered the concept in 2021 for a wider pledge of carbon emission reduction across its ecosystem.Alibaba's carbon ledger platform has seen a total number of 187 million consumers participating in carbon emission reduction activities in the 12 months leading to March 31, 2023 with 1.91 million products from 409 brands offered on Tmall and Taobao through its low-carbon friendly products program as of March 2023, its latest ESG report revealed.Consumers from the emerging Asian markets are the most willing to learn how to make more sustainable purchase onlineConsumers globally are embracing more sustainable lifestyles, but there are variations across regions in the level of engagement and how they want to live and shop more sustainably.The research finds around three in four consumers (76%) would welcome more information about how to be more sustainable. The proportion is highest in the Philippines (93%), Indonesia (91%), and UAE (90%).Over half (58%) of consumers say they've already engaged with sustainable practices and they feel they are already personally doing a great deal. There's also a general openness towards learning about sustainable online practices, with an average of 73% saying that they would welcome more information about how to make purchases online that are more sustainable.Respondents from emerging Asian markets (88%) show higher willingness to learn how they can make purchases online that are more sustainable compared with developed Asian markets (66%) and Europe (66%). The sustainable online shopping behaviors also differ across regions, with emerging Asian markets (47%) more inclined to choosing sustainable packaging whereas those in Europe (47%) tend to recycle more.Half of the consumers would only go sustainable if it's convenient; with a third believing sustainability is not affordableLack of information on how products are sustainable (48%) and the prices of sustainable products being too high (45%) are cited as the main barriers for consumers to make more sustainable purchases.Over half of the consumers (53%) surveyed say they would only make sustainable choices if they were convenient, which is especially the case in Asian markets (61%) compared to European markets (36%). A third (33%) say living sustainably is not affordable, with Thailand (84%) leading the pack, followed by UAE (41%) and Spain (37%).Amid the shifting consumer sentiments, businesses can play a significant role in making it easier for consumers to make sustainable conscious choices, the report finds. Making sustainable products more affordable (61%), making fewer products using single-use plastics and packaging (55%) and a wider selection of sustainable products and services (47%) are the top three ways consumers say businesses can do to promote consumer sustainability.But businesses need to work harder to build trust among consumers on their sustainability claims, especially among those living in European markets, said the research. 23% of consumers say they "do not trust very much" the claims around sustainability of products from businesses, with the highest proportion in France (31%), Spain (31%) Germany (30%) and the U.K. (30%).Nearly two in five consumers (38%) are cynical towards the underlying motivations of businesses' sustainable products, with Thailand (56%), France (48%) and Singapore (47%) as the top three markets where consumers say sustainable products are just a way for companies to sell their products at a higher price."We believe companies can better earn trust from consumers by addressing their own say-do' gap, such as being more transparent and committed with their sustainability claims, and backing their sustainable practices with data. This will also lead to greater empathy towards consumers along our common journey of sustainability," Liu Wei added.About the survey:"The Sustainability Trends Report 2023" was conducted by Yonder Consulting, a UK-based consulting firm, with advisory and analysis support by Hong Kong-based sustainability consultancy, The Purpose Business, between January 26 to February 14, 2023, based on feedback from 14,125 consumers to an online survey.Respondents of the survey are located in fourteen markets across Asia, Europe and the Middle East including: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, U.K., Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Japan,
The United States has made clear it is prepared to engage in nuclear negotiations with the DPRK without any preconditions. But as Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the recent Aspen Security Forum, Heres the response we got: one missile launch after another.

Since the start of 2022, the DPRK has launched an estimated 100 missiles, in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. In response to the DPRKs provocations and intransigence, the United States, has not stood still, said Secretary Blinken:

The partnership, the alliance that we have with Japan and with South Korea has grown even stronger, even deeper, and weve taken further steps to make sure that we could defend ourselves, defend our allies and partners, deter any aggression coming from North Korea.

That deepening trilateral relationship was in evidence in June at the meeting in Singapore of the three countries defense ministers, where they pledged to address their concerns over the DPRKs weapons of mass destruction and missile programs through concerted trilateral cooperation, and to cooperate closelyto achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Strengthened cooperation was on display as well in the arrival of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine in South Korea on July 24, just days after the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine made port in the country for the first time in decades. In addition, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea are in discussions about sharing early missile warning data and are making plans for more regularized military exercises together.

So, in effect, said Secretary Blinken, the response that North Korea has elicited with these repeated provocations has only been to solidify the work that the United States, [South] Korea and Japan are doing together to make sure we can defend ourselves.

Another avenue the United States is pursuing, he noted, is trying to persuade the PRC to help bring North Korea to the negotiating table to advance a shared vision for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

What Ive shared with Chinese counterparts is this: We believe that you have unique influence, and we hope that you will use it to get better cooperation from North Korea, he said.

If the PRC is unable or unwilling to help, Secretary Blinken said, the United States will continue to strengthen our own defenses, and those of South Korea and Japan.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 08:20:21

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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Bambuser AB (STO:BUSER)(FRA:5JL) Bambuser reports Q2 2023 ARR of SEK 126 million, representing a year over year decline of 2% at constant exchange rates ("CER"). The Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow continues to improve. The cash balance closed at SEK 324 million, sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow.The Adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 13%p. year over year. The free cash flow margin also improved by 47%p. year over year. The Company has taken further efficiency measures, resulting in annual cost savings of c. SEK 32 million with full effect expected in the third quarter.Bambuser signed several new contracts with enterprise customers across all markets in the quarter, including Lego and KOSE. The Company further renewed and expanded several contracts, including John Lewis, Clarins, Macy's, and YOOX Net-a-Porter.Q2 2023 Key highlightsSolid ARR traction with our biggest customers and continuous positive year over year momentum in profitability and cash flow.ARR of SEK 126.0 million, -2% y/y at constant exchange rates ("CER").Net Sales of SEK 49.0 million (49.7) with SaaS revenue growth of +5% y/y.Adjusted EBITDA of SEK -32.8 million (-44.6), representing a -59% margin and a 13%p. margin improvement vs. Q2 2022Free Cash Flow of SEK -26.0 million (-49.5), representing a -53% FCF margin and a 47%p. margin improvement vs. Q2 2022.End of quarter Cash Balance of SEK 324.0 million (442.7), which is sufficient to take Bambuser to positive cash flow.The full Q2 2023 report is published at https://ir.bambuser.com/report-archive About BambuserBambuser is the world's leading Video Commerce company with the largest customer base in its industry. More than 350 brands from 40+ countries leverage Bambuser's best-in-class solutions.Bambuser is truly global with headquarters in Stockholm and offices in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Turku. Our rapidly growing team speaks more than 30 languages and 62% of our senior management is female.Founded in 2007 as a livestreaming pioneer, Bambuser pivoted to Live Shopping in 2019, leveraging our legacy as industry-leaders in video-first technology.Contact informationCorporate Communications, Bambuser AB+46 8 400 160 00 | ir@ bambuser.com Certified AdviserErik Penser Bank ABThis information is information that Bambuser AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 2023-07-27 08:00 CEST.AttachmentsQ22023 InterimReport V03 FINALSOURCE: Bambuser AB
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-28 00:30:21

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP:Do you, or did you, own securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)?Did you purchase your securities between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Bausch Health Companies Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights? Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. ("Bausch" or the "Company") (NYSE: BHC) between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 25, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Among other things, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: 1) the B+L spinoff would not result in two strong separate companies; 2) without B+L, Bausch was left overly leveraged and without the cashflow generated by B+L; and 3) distribution of the B+L spinoff shares would not occur as represented.On May 4, 2023, Bausch announced negative earnings results for its first quarter of 2023, which indicated further delay of the B+L share distribution. According to analysts, the probability of a distribution was now less than 50% and, without any mention of it from management, the likelihood of it occurring in the near term was low.On this news, Bausch's stock price fell $1.51 per share, or over 20%, to close at $5.89 per share on May 4, 2023.If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 07:45:37

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Do you, or did you, own shares of Baxter International, Inc. (NYSE: BAX)?Did you purchase your shares between May 25, 2022 and February 8, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Baxter International, Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights?NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Baxter International, Inc. ("Baxter" or the "Company") (NYSE:BAX) between May 25, 2022 and February 8, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Baxter securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Baxter International, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 11, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.According to the Complaint, Baxter is a multi-national healthcare company, primarily focusing on products designed to treat kidney disease and other chronic and acute medical conditions. During the Class Period, Defendants allegedly misrepresented and concealed the true nature and severity of supply chain problems the Company was encountering and the impact they were having on Baxter's current and expected earnings.On February 9, 2023, before market hours, Baxter issued a press release to report on its Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2002 earnings results. The press release revealed that despite Baxter's assurances during the Class Period, the problems with the Company's supply chain and its effect on its operations were not under control, it did not meet its earnings guidance for the year, and Baxter would lower its earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2023.On this news, Baxter's stock price fell $5.54 per share, or over 12%, to close at $40.14 per share on February 9, 2023.If you purchased or acquired Baxter securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Baxter International, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Whole Foods Market FoundationsSmallholder farmers around the world face layers upon layers of obstacles in selling their harvests: they tend to lack savings, have few options for financing, maintain inadequate farming tools and infrastructure, and can't access reliable and fairly priced markets, which often favor large-scale or industrial farms. While the definition of smallholder farmers includes those with access to up to 24 acres, Whole Planet Foundation mostly funds those farming on less than five.Acceso's farmer first' model is removing these obstacles by linking small-scale farmers to high value domestic and international markets. By providing farmers with crop market analyses, financial advice, weather data, training in good agricultural practices, and farming inputs, farmers improve their productivity and profits. In fact, results from a 2021 Acceso study found that many of their smallholder farmers' incomes increase by more than 250%.Their pioneering 'seed to market' approach builds the whole supply chain between smallholder farmers and formal markets, helping members to build the operational infrastructure needed to get their produce to market, and then selling it for them. Thus, Acceso provides smallholders with a one-stop-shop' to remove production and sales barriers. At the same time, Acceso's services benefit large buyers like Subway and major grocery stores, who buy from Acceso to ensure a single, transparent, and reliable system to source high quality produce from smallholders at scale.Acceso's partnership with Whole Planet Foundation and Kasperick Foundation finances farmers taking loans to produce one or several of over 50 crops including tomatoes, beans, onions, and more. Loan recipients receive a combination of seed, seedlings, fertilizer, micro-tunnels, or compost on credit.Whole Planet Foundation met several clients taking their first loans with Acceso, when we visited in May 2023.Carlos began selling tomatoes when his brother lent him his greenhouse when he emigrated from El Salvador. He didn't have any experience with this variety but has been able to pick it up quickly with the guidance of an Acceso Technician, who provides technical assistance and supports Carlos while he pays back his loan, by selling his harvest to Acceso.Gloribel, 21 years old, took her first ever loan, for $360. She learned about Acceso from her uncle, who'd taught her basic farming techniques as a teenager, when she worked on his small farm. She and her family do not have much land but with her Acceso greenhouse and seeds, she is able to generate more income.In the years to come, Acceso anticipates working with thousands more like Carlos and Gloribel. In fact, in May 2022, Acceso signed a $15 million agreement with USAID to expand across El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Whole Planet Foundation and Kasperick Foundation are proud to be early supporters of Acceso, which is revolutionizing smallholder access to formal markets.Learn more at wholeplanetfoundation.org Gloribel holding two tomatoesView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whole Foods Market Foundations on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Whole Foods Market FoundationsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whole-foods-market-foundations Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Whole Foods Market Foundations
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RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ( www.ktmc.com) is currently investigating potential violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of investors of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) ("Discover Financial").On July 19, 2023, Discover Financial disclosed in a statement that the company had misclassified some of its credit cards. Specifically, Discover Financial revealed that it misclassified certain credit card accounts into its highest pricing tier, starting in 2007, meaning merchants were charged more than they should have been to accept the cards for payment. Discover Financial indicated the company is discussing the matter with regulators and warned it could face future regulatory actions. Discover Financial also disclosed that it received a proposed consent order from the FDIC for a consumer compliance issue which is different than the misclassification matter.Following this news, Discover Financial's stock price declined over 14%, to close at $102.83 on July 20, 2023.If you are a Discover Financial investor and would like to learn more about our investigation, please CLICK HERE to fill out our online form or contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP: Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or E-mail at info@ ktmc.com . You can also click on the following link or paste it in your browser: https://www.ktmc.com/discover-financial-services-investigation-2023?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=dfs&mktm=r Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country involving securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of state and federal law. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world. The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars). For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
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PLAINFIELD, IN / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $170,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations providing support for those impacted by devastating storms that moved across Indiana in late June and early July."When disaster strikes, nonprofit organizations play a vital role in helping families and communities get back on their feet," said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. "We know that the road to recovery will be a long one for those in hard-hit areas, and we're committed to supporting our customers and communities in the days and weeks ahead as they rebuild." The grants will support a wide array of assistance programs for individuals and families in need, as well as ongoing restoration efforts including clearing debris and fixing damaged infrastructure."The storms that moved through our area earlier this month created hardships for many of our neighbors," said Randy Rogers, president and CEO of United Way of Monroe County. "United Way's primary role in times of disaster is in long-term recovery. With the support of Duke Energy, we are stepping up to deliver critical relief and assistance to those who need it most." The following organizations will receive grants:American Red Cross of Indiana (Statewide) - $50,000The American Red Cross of Indiana delivered immediate relief to communities impacted by the storms, including standing up respite centers, which offered a break from the heat as well as a place for residents to charge their phones and devices and obtain water and snacks.Salvation Army Indiana Division (Statewide) - $50,000The grant funds will be used to provide families with practical items like food, supplies and housing, in addition to emotional support to help navigate through the effects of the storm.United Way of Monroe County (Monroe County) - $30,000United Way of Monroe County is standing up a program to provide basic needs support for local residents impacted by the storms. The organization will work with partner agencies to distribute resources to underserved residents, as well as provide support for services at area nonprofits.Clay County Emergency Food Pantry (Clay County) - $10,000The grant funds will be used to supply food for local residents in need.Putnam County Community Foundation (Putnam County) - $10,000The grant funds will support the creation of a countywide emergency food fund, as well as efforts to repair damage to local parks and replace trees that were harmed or destroyed by the storms.Rediscover Clinton (Vermillion County) - $10,000Following storm damage in Clinton, funds will go toward efforts to maintain a vibrant, healthy community - including beautification work and community events.Terre Haute Parks Department (Vigo County) - $10,000The grant funds will be used to restore the Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park, which was severely damaged by the storms. In addition, the funding will be used to support countywide park restoration and cleanup efforts.Duke Energy FoundationThe Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana and is funded by Duke Energy shareholders. More information about the Foundation can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation Duke Energy IndianaDuke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 890,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier.Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com . The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht24-Hour: 800.559.3853View original content hereView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Duke EnergyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Duke Energy
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / For the first two quarters of 2023, Entergy has awarded $6.4 million in shareholder contributions to 467 nonprofit organizations across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. With support from local community partners, these grants helped strengthen communities by supporting education and workforce development, poverty solutions and environmental programs."Giving back is central to Entergy's mission. Our shareholders exemplify this commitment through their generous contributions," said Patty Riddlebarger, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Entergy. "With the support of our partners, we continue to make significant strides in creating sustainable value that leaves a lasting impact throughout our communities." For more than 100 years, Entergy has powered life in our communities through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. These shareholder investments showcase the power of collective impact across sectors and Entergy's role as an industry-wide model for how thoughtful partnerships can help create and sustain thriving communities.Select year-to-date grants include:$1.2 million in utility bill payment assistance to nonprofit partners who administer Entergy's The Power to Care program. The Power to Care is an Entergy program that helps older adults and people with disabilities keep their lights on when they are facing a financial difficulty. Entergy collects the funds through shareholder, customer and employee donations, and partners with local nonprofits who then distribute the funds to qualifying customers.$874,000 in employee-matching contributions to United Way organizations located in communities served by Entergy. United Way works to create strong, equitable communities where everyone can achieve their full potential. That's why they are one of our most important community partners.$250,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Entergy's contribution is earmarked to provide relief for communities that may be impacted by storms and other disasters during the 2023 storm season. Since 2015, Entergy shareholders have committed more than $2.2 million to our communities through grants to local chapters of the American Red Cross and through the company's support of its Disaster Responder Program.$250,000 to Jobs for America's Graduates. JAG provides underserved students in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi with wraparound supportive services to help ensure they graduate from high school on time and are equipped with the necessary skills to be successful in college or their career. This support is part of Entergy's school-to-career readiness workforce development initiative, which supports programs that focus on increasing high school graduation rates and ensuring students are career or college ready when they graduate.All funding is provided by shareholder contributions and does not impact customer bills.For more information about the Entergy Charitable Foundation grants, including application, deadline and eligibility details, visit entergy.com/csr/giving About EntergyEntergy (NYSE:ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLifeView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Entergy CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Entergy Corporation
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In a world where style and substance unite, an extraordinary phenomenon is unfolding; the convergence of design and destiny. Enter TBo, the trailblazing maverick of the men's underwear industry. With a masterstroke of innovation, TBo disrupts the status quo, granting the wearers themselves the keys to unparalleled control over design and production.ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Hold on to your underwear, folks, because TBo is shaking up the fashion game as the trailblazing pioneer of consumer-led brands. We're talking about a brand that doesn't just preach about listening to customers, but actually practices what it preaches by co-creating limited-edition underwear ranges monthly.Picture this: it all started in 2017 when two minds, Roy Bernheim and Allan Perrottet, joined forces in the picturesque city of Zurich, Switzerland. Little did they know, they were about to revolutionize the way we think about men's underwear.TBo poses a triple threat to any other men's underwear brand out there: firstly, manufacturing from one of the most sustainable fabrics out there (Bamboo) and devoting much of their time to being as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. Secondly, staying ahead of the trend by utilizing the whopping 400,000-strong Tribe of devoted fans' input with the co-creation process, and lastly, bringing the traditional Swiss quality to men's underwear.Fast forward to today, and TBo's innovative and sustainable creations are making waves in more than 120 countries worldwide. That's right, they've got people from all corners of the globe clamoring for their stylish undergarments.But how does the co-creation process work?! It all begins with the community taking the lead. The TBo tribe pitches a groundbreaking new idea and the TBo team springs into action to see whether there is a desire for the idea to become a reality. Thereafter, a survey takes center stage, allowing the tribe to shape their design dreams into reality.Every idea and survey response is meticulously studied, leading to the birth of a remarkable prototype. Once the prototypes are to a satisfactory level, people can start sending in their pre-orders. TBo eagerly awaits the tribe's enthusiastic response in this phase. It determines the quantity needed to fulfill the demand within the community in order to avoid over-stock and wastage.Finally, the magic of co-creation is unleashed as the products leap into production and get delivered to consumers. The end result is a fully co-created product by the community, for the community.So, if you're tired of the same old humdrum brands dictating what you should wear, it's time to jump on the TBo bandwagon. Because when it comes to fashion, TBo proves that the power lies in the hands of its customers. Join the Tribe and embrace a brand that not only listens but also delivers on your wildest bodywear dreams. TBo Bodywear, where fashion meets democracy in the comfiest way possible.Find the GalleryClick here to see the latest co-created men's underwear.For all requests, please contact TBo:Sumarie Engelbrecht | sumarie.engelbrecht@tbo.clothing SOURCE: TBo c/o ComOn Enterprise
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 21:30:21

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AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The pandemic didn't just change people -- it changed the way individuals began to think about investing. People are not interested in waiting decades to see potential returns and Lifestyle Investor Company, Justin Donald agrees. More than ever, individuals and couples want to enjoy their investments today, not tomorrow. They want to make their money work for them today so they can live purpose-filled lifestyles. These desires are attainable through the application of lifestyle investing.What is lifestyle investing? At its core, lifestyle investing is a process whereby people use their financial assets to create passive income streams. However, these income streams aren't traditional passive income streams that may take decades to pay off. The streams are engineered deals that restore an individual's original principal investment within a shorter timeframe.When handled prudently and using proven systems, lifestyle investing can enable investors to lead more thought provoking and meaningful lives. Many lifestyle investing advocates quit their jobs. Others launch companies without worrying about putting their families in financial peril. Simple, no, but some individuals who have worked hard on their lifestyle investing have made these investments work for them and many have even become devoted philanthropists.Of course, switching to a lifestyle investing mindset can seem daunting and maybe a little confusing. Most professionals have been taught that it's unreasonable to believe they can stop working in their 20s or 30s. Would they like to leave the rat race grind? Absolutely. Are they confident they can get there on their own? No. That's where learning the benefits of mentors will help. One mentor is a lifestyle investing company, aptly named The Lifestyle Investor, and they are poised to help.Changing People's Relationship with and Understanding of MoneyBuilt around the bestselling book, The Lifestyle Investor, by lifestyle investing leader, Justin Donald. The Lifestyle Investor offers advice, education, mentorship, and more. The goal of this business is to bring lifestyle investing to anyone who's eager for a better life and willing to do the work. As Donald explains, "People shouldn't be trapped in lives that feel uncertain or leave them exhausted - and directionless." Some people allow their fear to hold them back from diving into lifestyle investing. Donald understands this natural reaction but cautions against becoming too inflexible when it comes to considering innovative investments. "Most of us want certainty, security, and predictability in our lives," he admits. "But that might mean you become a cog in someone else's wheel. Be open to adapting and embracing opportunities that come your way so that you can influence your life." How, though, does The Lifestyle Investor Company help investors transition into being able to live their dream lives? The company's formula for exceeding investors' expectations is a strategic, well-organized one. Investors who excel typically move through several steps to become proficient at lifestyle investing. You will be taught how to recognize an opportunity when you see one and be able to search out possibilities for yourself.1. Learning the language and philosophy of lifestyle investing.Steep learning curves are common among those who enter into the lifestyle investing mix. The Lifestyle Investor realizes that the learning curve is not linear, which is why the business offers a host of refund-protected resources to aspiring investors. These resources include Donald's book, information-packed courses, video training, a podcast, and more. Together, the tools help demystify some of the most hard-to-grasp elements of lifestyle investing.Digging into the specifics of lifestyle investing gives them a broader view of how the system's structure can work. It also improves success rates among first-type lifestyle investors because it stresses the importance of due diligence. This system isn't a "get rich quickly" model. It's a "get rich wisely" process. And this type of investing-work is governed by rules such as not paying for something with anything other than your lifestyle investment money. Knowing the rules and why they're in place makes all the difference.2. Creating a personalized three-stage plan.The Lifestyle Investor emphasizes the need for all investors to take lifestyle investing in stages. By ramping up the trajectory, steadily, they can avoid making errors. Typically, the ramp-up happens in three stages. The first stage is uncovering the mindset that holds you back and how to see the lifestyle investing opportunities that will cover an individual's basic necessities. Having all necessities met through passive income relieves the investor of the paycheck-to-paycheck economic, familial, and mental burden.The next stage goes a bit further, to use lifestyle investments to pay for all bills, including ones that aren't necessities. Essentially, this step ensures any known financial obligation can and will be met through an influx of passive cash. At this point, investors can move into the third stage, which is setting up other investments to pay for desired, extras. In this context, "desires" could be any big dream from a vacation home to an early retirement. Not surprisingly, investors who get to stage three frequently end up with the ability to quit their jobs.3. Studying use cases for lifestyle investing.There's no need to reinvent the wheel, and people who've achieved their dreams with The Lifestyle Investor are happy to share their stories. This means newer investors can read those narratives and use them to develop their own style of lifestyle investing strategies. It's much easier to wrap your mind around how to create positive cash flow with real-world narratives.Consider Sam Parr's lifestyle investing journey, which included entrepreneurship without sacrifice. Parr leaned into real estate investing to funnel capital into his dream ventures. Now, he doesn't have to look around for cash to launch an up-and-coming business. Or take the road to wealth traveled by Taylor Welch who swears by surrounding himself with smart people - and you can listen to their recommendations. Welch has redefined the term "scaling" to include non-economic factors so scaling doesn't become a personal net loss. As a result, he's an inspiration to others and never lets deals get in the way of satisfaction or health. These, and other stories, showcase the diversity of lifestyle investing, as well as its transformative effect.4. Making strategic lifetime connections.One thing remains constant amon
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 20:15:52

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Texas-Based Chain Tops Competition in the Baked Goods Business GroupKATY, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Kolache Factory, a unique and fast-growing national pastry chain based in Katy, Texas, ranks No. 1 in the Baked Goods category as Entrepreneur recognizes the company as one of the Best of the Best Franchises in 2023.The ranking, featured in the July/August issue of Entrepreneur magazine and on Entrepreneur.com , highlights the standout brands from the publication's 2023 Franchise 500 ranking that ranked at the top of their industry categories. This is the second year in a row Kolache Factory sits at the top of the Baked Goods category. The brand also ranks 459 on the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list."Not only is being recognized as a Best of the Best Franchise by Entrepreneur a tremendous honor, but we are absolutely thrilled to secure the number one spot in our category for the second year in a row," says Dawn Nielsen, Chief Operating Officer at Kolache Factory. "Entrepreneur carefully evaluates numerous factors to determine the strength and performance of franchises for these highly competitive lists. This achievement is a resounding testament to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of the exceptional individuals within our system." The Kolache Factory is built around the kolache, a Czechoslovakian pastry filled with fruits, meats, and cheeses. The first location opened more than 40 years ago in Houston. In 2000, the brand opened its first franchise and currently has 30 franchise locations in addition to its 30 corporate stores across nine states.Entrepreneur's Best of the Best Franchises ranking is based on information submitted for its annual Franchise 500 and is part of the brand's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace. The franchises selected as 2023's Best of the Best are ranked not only in the increasingly competitive Franchise 500 list this year but also at the top of their respective industry categories, based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. There are 152 categories represented this year, a testament to the ever-growing diversity of industries represented in the franchise world."Everyone wants to join a winning team, and that's why we love making this annual Best of the Best Franchises list," says Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine. "The companies on this list exemplify what it takes to thrive in franchising: They are innovative and nimble but also stable and growing. They are truly the best of the best." To learn more about Kolache Factory franchise opportunities, visit www.kolachefactory.com/franchise For more information on a Kolache Factory near you, visit www.kolachefactory.com About the Kolache FactoryKolache Factory was founded in 1982 in Houston, Texas, by John and Jerri Banks, who identified a need for a fresh, high-quality breakfast that could be eaten "on the run." The Bankses encouraged consumers to try the high-quality, fresh pastries filled with fruits, meat, and cheeses, and soon they were in high demand for business meetings, family breakfasts, on-the-go lunches, and afternoon snacks. Kolache Factory has been recognized as one of the Top 5 Drive-Thrus in America by Food Network, one of the fastest-growing companies in Houston, and one of the top 50 foodservice bakeries in the United States by Modern Baking magazine. In addition, Entrepreneur magazine named it among the top 200+ food-based franchises in 2021 and the #1 Baked Goods franchise in 2022 and 2023. Kolache Factory is privately owned and operated and headquartered in Katy, Texas. For more information, please visit https://kolachefactory.com/ Media Contact:Jennifer Williams 919.459.3592jwilliams@919 marketing.com SOURCE: Kolache Factory
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U.S. Naval Forces Central Command noted that since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels, presenting a clear threat to regional maritime security."
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 22:15:30

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / New Holland, a CNH Industrial brand, volunteered at the 27th Renewal & Remembrance on July 17, 2023, hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).The event paid tribute to military veterans and honored historic landmarks around the nation's capital. Hundreds of volunteers from across the U.S. traveled to Washington, D.C., including New Holland Construction, to take part in the annual event to conduct landscaping enhancing projects for these important sites."The Renewal & Remembrance is a special event for our company, New Holland team members and industry. We get to be a part of preserving the history and memory of those who protected and served our country," said Tyler Mills, head of New Holland Construction North America. "This day of service is a testament to our commitment to upholding the beauty of our nation alongside our colleagues in the professional landscaping segment." In partnership with the National Park Service, 26 New Holland Construction and CNH Industrial volunteers worked to complete projects at the Washington Monument. This year's initiatives included laying grass seed around the Washington Monument to restore the grounds from the foot traffic of nearly 36 million tourists and residents each year. Additionally, the volunteers planted flowers and spread wood chips to enhance the monument's surroundings.New Holland has a connection to Renewal & Remembrance through the CNH Industrial Veterans Employee Resource Group and Vets for CNH Industrial. These groups are dedicated to supporting service members as they transition to civilian careers. Part of these initiatives include veteran resource support, recognition and programs that connect veterans across CNH Industrial. Renewal & Remembrance is another opportunity for New Holland's veteran volunteers to ensure future generations can appreciate national landmarks and United States history for years to come.In partnership with the National Park Service, 26 New Holland Construction and CNH Industrial volunteers worked to complete projects at the Washington Monument.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: CNH IndustrialWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: CNH Industrial
Renowned Physician-Pharmacist Dr. Anita Gupta joins Erez Capital, Bringing Healthcare Innovation Expertise on Board.

PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 10:45:54

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BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 27, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Erez Capital is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Anita Gupta to its esteemed team of Venture Partners. Dr. Gupta, a global leader in healthcare innovation, is renowned for her ground-breaking contributions to the medical field and her exceptional expertise in anesthesiology and pain management.With an illustrious career and a portfolio of remarkable accomplishments, Dr. Anita Gupta has made a significant impact on healthcare innovation and patient advocacy. As a World Economic Forum Member Expert, she has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Women of Influence in healthcare by Fierce Healthcare. Her educational background includes prestigious institutions such as Princeton and Harvard Business School, further solidifying her position as an award-winning executive and an exceptional leader in her field.Throughout her career, Dr. Gupta's dedication to healthcare innovation has led her to spearhead pioneering initiatives in the United States. Notably, her advocacy at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) resulted in the expansion of naloxone for frontline use in combatting overdoses, addressing the drug crisis head-on. Dr. Gupta's vigilance also played a crucial role in identifying and mitigating the impact of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, in the Philadelphia drug trade.In recognition of her exceptional expertise, Dr. Anita Gupta has been appointed as a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Global Forum on Innovation. Her distinguished title of Distinguished Fellow member at the National Academies of Practice further emphasizes her impact in the medical community.Dr. Gupta's remarkable contributions have not gone unnoticed, earning her features in renowned publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, CNN, MSNBC, The Huffington Post, and the Milken Power of Ideas. Her leadership and expertise have been acknowledged through numerous prestigious awards, including the Patient Advocacy Award by the National Academies, being named one of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Leaders by PharmaVoice, and being recognized as one of the Top 10 Healthcare Business Leaders in Philadelphia. Additionally, Dr. Gupta has been honored as one of the Top 10 Emerging Leaders by Pharmaceutical Executives and as a Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Scholar, among other esteemed accolades.Dr. Anita Gupta's addition to Erez Capital reinforces the firm's commitment to collaborating with top-tier professionals and industry leaders to foster innovation and make a lasting impact in the healthcare sector.About Erez Capital: https://ErezCapital.io Erez Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm in Boston, investing in seed-stage startup companies at the forefront of digital transformation.Contact:Noah Ente, Erez CapitalNoah@ erezcapital.io
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 07:45:27

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP:Do you, or did you, own shares of SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S)?Did you purchase your shares between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in SentinelOne, Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights?Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of SentinelOne, Inc. ("SentinelOne" or the "Company") (NYSE: S) between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 7, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants failed to disclose that: (1) the Company lacked effective internal controls over accounting and financial reporting; (2) as a result, the Company's ARR was overstated; and (3) as a result, the Company's guidance was overstated.On June 1, 2023, after the market closed, SentinelOne published a press release titled "SentinelOne Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results." Therein, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracies, which we further describe in our letter to shareholders, we made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR." The Company also revised its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance downward to a range of $590 million to $600 million from a range of $631 million to $640 million. In a shareholder letter published the same day, SentinelOne further explained that "we . . . discovered historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected" and that "[w]e are applying a comparable estimated adjustment to the remaining quarters in fiscal year 23, which we believe is a reasonable approximation of the impact in those periods." On this news, SentinelOne's stock price fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023.If you purchased or acquired SentinelOne securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit SentinelOne, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 17:16:02

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Sparta Commercial Services, Inc. (OTC PINK:SRCO or "Sparta"), announces its intention to concentrate on developing high-growth prospects, while maintaining its core group of established goods and services.. Sparta withdrew from the CBD marketplace in order to focus on strengthening its position in the industry, and to secure a brighter future for its clients and stakeholders.Sparta's commitment to its customers and to its broad range of product offerings demonstrates an ability to adapt to a dynamic market. The company continues to offer lease finance programs to municipalities and non-profit organizations, in addition to other pioneering innovative solutions. By expanding into lucrative markets and exploring exciting new ventures, Sparta Commercial Services is attempting to pave the way for growth and to establish a foothold in promising sectors.The dynamic subsidiaries of Sparta include iMobile Solutions, Agoge Global USA, and New World Health Brands, all of which continually expand their reach by introducing innovative products and services such as SpartaPayIQ and ZooZilo, a recently launched eCommerce site.To more effectively meet the challenges of global commerce, Sparta has engaged Agoge Global USA in a joint collaboration with the WeDev Group of Brazil, which has finished initial testing, and has commenced validating transactions of increased frequency and scale. The Company has increased this process from four to six-digit transactions.Anthony Havens, Sparta's CEO, states "By streamlining our operations and capitalizing on key opportunities, we are well-positioned to enhance our value proposition and deliver even greater benefits to our customers and shareholders." About Sparta Commercial Services, Inc.Sparta Commercial Services, Inc. ( www.spartacommercial.com) , is the parent company of ecommerce subsidiary iMobile Solutions, Inc., the provider of comprehensive vehicle title history reports sold worldwide to dealers, insurance companies, credit unions and consumers. Sparta, via its iMobileApp product ( www.imobileapp.com) , has also become a leader in developing and servicing custom mobile apps for a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, liquor stores, racetracks, and clubs; as well as vehicle dealerships, such as Harley-Davidson and John Deere. Other mobile communications products offered by Sparta include website design, development, hosting and SEO services, and a text messaging and alert service. Sparta's Municipal Leasing Division ( www.spartamunicipal.com) offers and administers a specialized municipal leasing program for local and state agencies with jurisdictions seeking a better way to finance their growing essential equipment needs, such as police motorcycles and cruisers, EMS equipment and busses, and any type of essential equipment a municipality requires. Sparta's ecommerce subsidiary New World Health Brands, Inc. ( www.newworldhealthbrands.com) , offers premium wellness supplements that deliver the most nutrients in amounts designed to provide one's best overall health. Additionally, Sparta manages SpartaPayIQ ( www.SpartaPayIQ.com) , a payment gateway that allows businesses to accept cryptocurrencies. Through Sparta's new division Agoge Global USA, Inc. ( www.agogeglobalusa.com) , is able to seamlessly facilitate cross-border payments between exporters and importers through its partnership with WeDev Group of Brazil.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are valid only as of today and we disclaim any obligation to update this information. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, competition, financing and commercial agreements and strategic alliances, seasonality, potential fluctuations in operating results and rate of growth, management of potential growth, system interruption, consumer and industry trends, limited operating history, and government regulation. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. Further information regarding these and other risks is described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available on its website at: http://www.sec.gov Company Contact:Sandra L. AhmanCorporate SecretarySparta Commercial Services, Inc.sandy@ spartacommercial.com 800-882-0778SOURCE: Sparta Commercial Services, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 17:15:58

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Antea GroupAlarmingly, most of the world's population live in water insecure countries today. - United Nations Global Water Security 2023 AssessmentAs summer marches across the northern hemisphere, the impact of climate change is being felt around the globe. From Asia to Europe and across the United States to the islands of Hawaii, communities and businesses are enduring costly repercussions due to record-breaking heat waves and prolonged droughts, resulting in significant personal and financial losses.Agriculture and manufacturing are the two sectors most impacted by water scarcity, however it also poses a threat to industries like renewable energy that must replace lost hydropower with alternative sources. Water scarcity has ripple effects on all sectors of the economy, to the point that global investors are sounding the alarm and urging business leaders to take serious action on water conservation.Let's look more closely at what individual businesses can do to assess their risks and enact practical solutions in the face of increasing water scarcity.What Is Water Scarcity?Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient, clean water resources to meet the needs of a population. According to the United Nations 2023 Global Water Security Assessment, 72% of the world's population is water insecure.Rapid population growth puts strain on existing water supplies, increasing the demand for water in agriculture, industry, and domestic use. Additionally, ineffective water management practices, such as over-extraction from groundwater sources and inadequate infrastructure, exacerbate the problem. Pollution from industrial and agricultural activities further diminishes the availability of clean water for consumption.Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have a significant impact on water availability and quality. Droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall patterns disrupt water cycles, affecting both surface and groundwater sources. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of these events are likely to increase, intensifying water scarcity issues and impacting ecosystems, food security, and public health.Water Scarcity and Business PracticesWater scarcity poses significant challenges to businesses across various sectors, impacting their operations and overall sustainability. Inefficient water management can also lead to legal, regulatory and reputational issues. Understanding and addressing the impact of water scarcity is crucial for businesses to remain competitive and resilient in an increasingly water-stressed world.In regions prone to water scarcity, agricultural businesses may face reduced crop yields, affecting both their profitability and the availability of raw materials for other industries. Manufacturing companies heavily reliant on water-intensive processes may encounter production disruptions and higher operational costs due to limited water availability. Additionally, businesses that rely on clean water for their products, such as beverages and personal care items, may face reputational risks if they fail to demonstrate responsible water stewardship.Water Risk AssessmentAt its core, a water risk assessment involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of water-related risks that a business may face. This assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential challenges and vulnerabilities that arise from water scarcity, quality degradation, regulatory changes, and community concerns. Conducting a water risk assessment enables businesses to identify potential geographic hotspots and prioritize areas for action.According to our Water Risk Assessment Methodology, these assessments are conducted with three primary goals in mind:To identify potential key risks to protect operations in the short to medium term.To help inform business objectives and decisions in the medium to long term, such as acquisitions or expansions.To begin water stewardship strategy development.How water risk assessments workBefore conducting a water risk assessment, it is important to determine the boundaries of the assessment, such as local facilities, regional infrastructure, or global operations.From there, the targeted location is assessed for specific components. These include things like evaluating water availability and quality, assessing regulatory and legal requirements, examining the socio-economic impact of water scarcity, and considering stakeholder engagement and community concerns. Additionally, businesses may also analyze their water use and efficiency, supply chain dependencies, and potential financial implications associated with water-related risks.By considering these components, businesses gain a comprehensive understanding of their water risks and can develop effective strategies to address them.Business benefits of conducting a water risk assessmentLet's explore the business benefits of a water risk assessment:Identifying and mitigating risks: This enables businesses to develop effective strategies to mitigate risks, implement preventive measures, and develop contingency plans. Taking a proactive approach means businesses can minimize disruptions to their operations and safeguard their long-term viability.Enhancing resilience and adaptability: This ensures that businesses can continue to operate effectively even in the face of water scarcity, regulatory changes, or other water-related challenges. Enhancing resiliency not only protects the business but also provides a competitive advantage in an increasingly water-stressed world.Demonstrating sustainability and responsibility: Conducting a water risk assessment demonstrates a company's commitment to sustainability and responsible water management. Stakeholders, including customers, investors, and communities, increasingly expect businesses to take proactive steps to address environmental challenges.Identifying opportunities for innovation and efficiency: By evaluating water usage patterns, supply chain dependencies, and potential financial implications, businesses can identify areas where they can improve efficiency and reduce water consumption.Meeting legal and regulatory requirements: Water risk assessments help businesses stay compliant with legal and regulatory requirements related to water management. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in legal and financial consequences and potential operational disruptions.Practical Solutions for Reducing Water RiskThere are several practical solutions that businesses can employ to ensure water security and reduce water risk. Here are some key strategies:Using water
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-27 15:01:02

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The Company Continues Its Growth to Eliminate Preventable Injuries and Deaths in the Construction and Military IndustriesBROOMFIELD, CO / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Vita Inclinata, a leading provider of intelligent lifting technology for industrial construction and aerospace industries, is thrilled to announce the addition of two highly experienced and respected professionals to its Board of Directors. The appointment of Ken Sunshine and Dave Antoniuk brings a wealth of industry expertise and strategic insight to the organization, reinforcing Vita Inclinata's commitment to driving innovation and achieving new heights in the field.Board of Directors - VitaKen Sunshine joins Vita Inclinata's Board of Directors with a remarkable background in the aerospace industry, having served in executive roles and mentorship at Virgin Galactic (CFO), Aurora Flight Sciences (CFO), and SpaceFund (Member of Investment Committee), among others. With his extensive capital markets experience, including IPOs, private placements, asset-backed debt, and bank lines of credit, Sunshine brings a deep understanding of financial strategies and market dynamics. His invaluable insights will fuel Vita Inclinata's growth and development, empowering the company to pursue strategic initiatives and secure sustainable funding opportunities.Accompanying Ken Sunshine's appointment is Dave Antoniuk, a seasoned executive with an extensive background in the construction and industrial manufacturing industry. Antoniuk has held executive leadership positions at renowned companies such as The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (CFO), Gardner Denver (VP), Pirelli Cables, and Davis-Standard Corp (CFO), amassing a wealth of experience in driving operational excellence and spearheading successful initiatives. Antoniuk's deep understanding of the construction sector and industrial manufacturing will play a pivotal role in guiding Vita Inclinata's strategic direction, as the company seeks to expand its portfolio and establish itself as a leader in its target markets."We are thrilled to welcome Ken Sunshine and Dave Antoniuk to the Board of Directors," said Derek Sikora, CTO of Vita Inclinata. "Their unparalleled expertise, industry knowledge, and leadership capabilities will undoubtedly elevate our organization to new heights." The addition of these new board members marks a significant milestone for Vita Inclinata, as their expertise will help shape the company's strategic initiatives and strengthen its position in both sides of the business, including Vita Industrial and Vita Aerospace. With their distinguished careers in executive leadership roles, they bring a wealth of knowledge in driving organizational growth, optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation."With Ken and Dave on the team, we are poised to continue driving innovation, accelerating growth, and solidifying our position as a leader in the industrial construction and aerospace industries globally," said Caleb Carr, CEO and co-founder of Vita Inclinata.The addition of these two esteemed board members to Vita Inclinata's leadership team underscores the company's commitment to attracting top-tier talent and leveraging industry expertise to deliver solutions that can make an impact in two challenging industries.About Vita IndustrialVita Inclinata Technologies is an advanced technology, manufacturing and training company that creates patented intelligent lifting systems, significantly enhancing the safety, capability and profitability of industrial construction and search-and-rescue hoist operations. To learn more, visit vitaindustrial.co and vitaaerospace.co Contact InformationKim PetersonPR720.431.7300SOURCE: Vita Inclinata
Leading professional services firm, PwC Nigeria, has underscored the transformative opportunity for Nigerias oil and gas downstream sector following the removal of fuel subsidy.

The organisation provided that insight at a press conference held Wednesday in Lagos to discuss the outlook for the downstream sector post-subsidy era.

Commenting, Pedro Omontuemhen, Partner & Africa Oil and Gas Leader, PwC Nigeria, who was represented by Cyril Azobu, Partner & Mining Leader, noted that the policy allows companies to confront market dynamics.

As the subsidy era comes to an end, Nigerias oil and gas downstream sector faces a transformative opportunity, the official said.

The subsidy shielded companies from the reality of their profits. Now, companies will confront the true market dynamics.

In addition to navigating risks from global economic shifts, fluctuating energy prices, Nigerias macroeconomic conditions and forex regime, companies must embrace operational excellence to stay competitive.

President Bola Tinubu had, in May, announced the end of the subsidy regime amid fiscal constraints and poor revenues. He added that the subsidy payments were unsustainable and had to be scrapped.

While discussing the opportunities the policy presented, the firm also made several recommendations which players in the sector should consider, especially around reviewing their strategies.

Akinyemi Akingbade, Partner, Energy, Utilities & Resources, PwC Nigeria, who gave the lead presentation at the session, said the downstream sector would evolve rapidly post-subsidy removal.

We anticipate a consolidation of players in the sector as size and economies of scale will play a major role in shaping competition in the market, he noted.

As the sector becomes more competitive, companies would need to review their supply chain management, leverage digital technology and have a sound risk management system to manage cost and deliver value to their stakeholders.

For growth and sustainability, they should invest in other energy options, e.g. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and auto Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as the world embraces low carbon energy.

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The coup in Niger has succeeded with soldiers announcing on national TV a dissolution of the constitution, Aljazeera reported.

With this, Niger becomes the sixth country in the West Africa subregion to experience a coup since August 2020.

Led by Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, the soldiers announced they had carried out a coup and closed all West African borders.

In a statement broadcast on national television and quoted by Aljazeera, Mr Abdramane said that the defence and security forces  have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with.

PREMIUM TIMES, on Wednesday, reported the attempted coup in Niger where the presidential palace was blocked by soldiers with President Mohammed Bazoum believed to be held inside the palace.

World leaders including Nigerias President Bola Tinubu have condemned the coup and noted that it will not be tolerated.

The US, France, UN, ECOWAS and African Union also condemned the coup calling for a return to status quo. There have also been protests by citizens of Niger who are against the coup.

READ ALSO: Nigeria talks tough as soldiers attempt coup in Niger

On Wednesday, ECOWAS, led by Mr Tinubu, sent the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, to Niger to mediate in the crisis.

Mr Talon had briefly met with Mr Tinubu in Abuja before leaving for Niger.

It was not clear at the time of this report if Mr Talon had met the coup leaders or ousted President Mohammed Bazoum

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The raging storm in the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) may not abate yet as its National Vice Chairman (North-west), Salihu Lukman, resigned on Wednesday.

Mr Lukman announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the Acting National Chairman of the party, Abubakar Kyari.

His resignation came the same day the APC chairpersons in the seven states of the North-west zone endorsed a former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, for the position of the national chairman of the party.

Mr Lukman, a former director general of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), the umbrella body of all APC governors, said in the letter of resignation that the atmosphere in the party is completely at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party.

I hereby kindly resign my position as National Vice Chairman, North-west of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC). My resignation is with immediate effect, which becomes necessary given my conviction that the atmosphere in the party is completely at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party.

Rather than remaining in the leadership of the party and becoming a source of distraction for leaders and especially for the young government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is better to excuse myself and take time off from politics.

I will, however, retain my membership of the party in the hope that our leaders, especially President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will retract from acts that will be unjust and illegal, which is crucial to any claim of being democratic or progressive whether as politicians or as patriotic Nigerians.

I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to our leaders in Kaduna, especially Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, for finding me worthy of nomination to serve at the highest level of the partys leadership. I do hope all our leaders will appreciate that I am left with no option in the circumstance. I wish the party and all our leaders, especially President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu all the best and will continue to give my modest support towards the success of the party from the background, the letter read.

Battle with Adamu, Omisore

The former vice chairman was at the forefront of the movement that dislodged the former National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and the National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore.

He had repeatedly accused the former leaders of mismanaging the party.

He departed from the NWC eight days after the duo were forced out of their positions.

Opposing Ganduje

Also, Mr Lukman is opposed to replacing Mr Adamu with Mr Ganduje.

He had openly criticised the choice of the former Kano governor and instead expressed support for retaining the chairmanship in North-central.

Mr Adamu is from the North-central, while Mr Ganduje is from the North-west, the same region that produced the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau. Mr Barau hails from Kano as Mr Ganduje.

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The federal government has assured that it would address the concerns of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to avert its impending strike.

Tolu Verhejin, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu, stated this in an interview with State House correspondents after a meeting with the leaders of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday.

The meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was a continuation of the previous one convened in June to find ways to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

The NLC had reportedly planned to embark on strike on 2 August to protest the hike in the price of fuel occasioned by the subsidy removal and the anti-poor policies of the federal government.

It was quite productive today.It involves labour and some parts of government; its a steering committee. Its a wide group of people, a wide group of stakeholders representing the interests of Nigerians. And weve agreed to continue to make progress, it was a very productive meeting, the focus was really around how we fast-track a lot of the interventions that will bring relief, particularly around CNG, mass transportation, cleaner energy, transportation, and reduce the impact of the cost of transportation, the increased cost of transportation.

So weve made good progress. And were going to continue to do so and so that we can start rolling out these opportunities and this relief and measures as quickly as possible.

We are making progress; were trying to address the issues that will prevent a strike. So that is essentially why I feel like we made very good progress today and will continue to do so, Ms Verhejin said.

Delay in Palliatives

The presidential aide also explained that the delay in rolling out the palliatives to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy was informed by the need to get it right.

She said Mr Tinubu is working assiduously to address all the issues involved.

We have to get it right. Its important that we do this well, and we keep our promises. So its important that whatever is announced actually gets done because we dont want to make big announcements that will continue to lose peoples trust. Its important that we build trust, and that most of the announcements and the plans that we roll out are credible and impactful.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working assiduously to address all of these issues. And as quickly as he can, hes very empathetic, he is concerned about it, as youve seen all of us working round the clock here to make sure that we are able to announce these measures as quickly as possible. Its a whole package of issues that were rolling out as quickly as possible, Ms Verheijin stated.

Also speaking, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, said Wednesdays meeting was a continuation of an earlier one convened based on the increase in the pump price of petrol.

Mr Ajaero said, Well, the outcome is very brief. We met based on the N520 increase and the committee that was set based on that, and we agreed to work to realise the objectives set during that moment.

I wouldnt know; we are going ahead with the protest because we have to be emphatic on what we put in our communique, to say were commencing protests from the 2nd (August).

This meeting has no relationship with.remember, and I want you to be careful about it. There is N520 increment, which gave birth to this meeting. Nobody is discussing about 617 as of now, and this meeting didnt have the competence to address that. Is that clear? There are two issues. Does that make sense?

TUC President Festus Osifo, on his part, insisted that the government must address the plight of Nigerians.

He said, Some of the things they presented we did not agree with. So the areas we did not agree with. We also made our impute known because when you come to such a meeting, it is for the government or its representatives to do a presentation.

But its left for us to either agree or disagree. So during the meeting, we gave them sufficient feedback. And they also agreed to go and look at the feedbacks and get back to us on Friday.

What we want the government to do is to address the plight of Nigerians. Nigerians are suffering, just as we said in our press conference a few days ago, that Nigerians are suffering, that things are hard, that things are difficult, because things are difficult today in Nigeria, you must roll up programs that will ameliorate the suffering because, at the end of the day, it is about Nigerians because government exists to take care of the downtrodden, majorly.

So all we are saying is that the government must as a matter of urgency, because we dont have, we dont have that time anymore. So as a matter of urgency must roll out various programs that will create alternatives to PMS and also palliatives. So these are the two areas of focus, alternative to PMS, that is about the CNG and also the palliatives that must be brought out to ameliorate these sufferings Nigerians are passing through.

Mr Osifo said the meeting would continue on Friday.

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ELKO  State Sen. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, said the 2023 session of the Nevada Legislature was the ugliest session we have had, but he and other legislators and city and county officials said there were bright spots, such as the bill that will provide money for a new school at Owyhee.

Ive never seen a session so partisan, said Goicoechea, who is termed-out from running again for the Nevada Senate and said he was ready to walk away, although he will still be in office and helping people until November 2023.

The Democrats outnumbered Republicans, but Gov. Joe Lombardo is a Republican, and he vetoed 75 bills from the session.

Goicoechea said one of the good things to come out of the session was more money to pay state workers, especially with the difficulties recruiting state troopers.

When a snowplow driver qualifies for food stamps, thats not right, Goicoechea said July 19 at a legislative update gathering sponsored by the Elko County Republican Party at the countys Nannini Administrative Building.

Goicoechea had five of his bills signed into law after the 2023 session, but 14 bills failed.

Owyhee school bill

State Sen. Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, who represents a corner of Elko County since redistricting, said the bill that provides $64.5 million toward construction of a new school at Owyhee and creates grant money for rural schools will have local taxpayer dollars because the $64.5 million will be federal money already in the state coffers.

He said the bill, AB519, is very positive for Elko County and for the schoolchildren at Owyhee.

His wife, Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen, R-Sparks, whose district now includes Midas, Tuscarora, and Owyhee, originally proposed a bill for a direct appropriation for the Owyhee school, but the chairwoman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee came up with a bill that included options for all rural schools.

The bill sponsored by Daniele Monroe-Moreno, D-North Las Vegas, provided the $64.5 million for a new Owyhee school but also established a $25 million grant fund for schools, another $25 million grant fund for tribes and specifically requires Elko County to provide 1 cent to 25 cents of tax dollars to a special school fund. Other counties can raise taxes, too, under the bill.

Elko County School District Superintendent Clayton Anderson said at the July 19 legislative update that AB519s creation of a grant fund would allow the school district to apply for matching grants for school projects other than Owyhee.

He also told school trustees on July 18 that school administrators are moving forward with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe at Owyhee on the school project, and they will try to be as ready as possible when he receives state guidance on the $64.5 million appropriation for the school. The money will come to the school district.

Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne said at the update event that the county will need to go through the ordinance process to create the fund and determine whether to impose a new tax or shuffle current taxes to meet AB519s requirements.

Anderson said there were about 50 bills that affected education, and one of those provided $251 million statewide for salary increases for teachers and staff. He wasnt sure yet how much ECSD will receive, however.

Airport bill

Assemblyman Bert , R-Elko, who was born in 1948, said he was probably the oldest freshman ever in the Nevada Legislature.

Regarding the airport legislation, had sponsored an air services bill to provide help for rural airports, such as the Elko Regional Airport, but he said the Nevada League of Cities also had an airport bill.

Rolled together, the bill initially had $12 million allotted for rural airports, but the final bill that passed only provides $2 million over two years.

Elko Mayor Reece Keener said we were just crestfallen that the $10 million was lost for airports. He said the money could potentially have helped Elko obtain flights to Reno or Las Vegas.

Elko Regional Airport Manager Jim Foster said with passage of AB58, rural airports are already planning to take $900,000, and its super important that rural airports can handle planes that could include those fighting wildfires.

All is not lost, he said.

He also said the bill revises the Nevada Air Service Development Commission, and the process is under way to appoint people to that commission.

The bill states that the commission will now include one member from the Nevada Commission on Tourism, one from the Nevada Aviation Association, one from the Nevada League of Cities, one aviation representative from a county with a 700,000 or more population (Clark), one from the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, one from Nevada Association of Counties and one from the Nevada Resort Association.

Prevailing wage

Another bill that worried local officials because of building projects planned, such as the recreation and events center in Elko, initially required public and quasi-public, nonprofit projects to pay prevailing wage, but SB226 language was changed before final passage.

It ended up not being too awful bad, Osborne said.

The original bill could have forced nonprofit organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club that is spearheading the recreation and events center project with Elko and the county, to pay prevailing wage if the project includes public money or land donations.

Keener said costs for the project with the prevailing wage requirement would have affected the feasibility of the project.

Elko Policy Chief Ty Trouten and Elko County Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza looked at bills affecting law enforcement.

Trouten said SB225 did us a big favor by stating that if a police officers certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy they cant work in the state, and he said AB51 now gives officers seven days to track down a suspected domestic violence offender rather than 24 hours.

He also pointed to bills like SB61 that mean children no longer have carte blanche to drain their parents bank accounts even though a senior citizen adds a childs name to an account, and police can now tow cars for reckless driving.

Narvaiza said the sheriffs office is way ahead of a new bill that requires jail inmates to have a way to contact families. He said the jail has tablets, and those tablets connected to the internet are monitored by the manufacturer, so inmates cant abuse the privilege.

He also said under new legislation, his office may have to put a voting machine in the jail for elections, and Elko County Clerk Kris Jakeman said she may have to add polling places at Duck Valley and the tribal colonies unless the colonies opt out.

She said there werent as many election-related changes in the 2023 session, however.

Rural perspective

GOP Chairman Lee Hoffman said the legislative update was not intended to be partisan, but informational in nature.

Afterward, he told the Elko Daily he thought the event had a really good response from the elected officials that the party reached out to, and their comments were well received by the crowd.

I think really one of the main messages that comes from an event like that is, with the redistricting that occurred and the demographics that are in place and the legislature that is in place  the rural counties dont have much influence.

Hoffman said there are fewer Republican lawmakers and typically they cant even get their bills heard in committee because the legislature is so partisan. There doesnt seem to be a lot of collaboration.

The GOP chairman said he believes there were more than 1,000 registered lobbyists at this session.

It seems like the whole lobbying industry has sort of taken over the legislatures, Hoffman said, and that Democrats are taking directions from the top in terms of some of these positions they are taking.
The Chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Muheeba Dankaka, and some of its commissioners were, on Wednesday, engaged in accusations and counter-accusations of impropriety and nepotism at the resumed hearing of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating job racketeering at federal establishments.

The committee is investigating ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), parastatals, and tertiary institutions on personnel recruitment, employment racketeering, and the mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the drama that unfolded at the hearing on Tuesday when some commissioners of the FCC accused Mrs Dankaka of lying to the House about having a doctors appointment to avoid appearing before the committee.

The committee then directed the chairperson and all the commissioners to appear before it on Wednesday.

At the resumption of the hearing, some commissioners accused Mrs Dankaka of running a racketeering ring and disregarding the Act establishing the commission.

Moses Anaughe, the commissioner representing Delta State, accused the chairperson of using agents to sell employment slots. He claimed that she sometimes demands 10 per cent of the total vacancies in MDAs.

Dr Dankaka will request the chief executives to come to her office and discuss 10 per cent. She does collect 10 per cent from all MDAs of all the employment she is signing. All those 10 per cent she is collecting, those are the slots that she employs agents that are selling.

I have two employment letters here of her children in juicy agencies where the annual salary is N6.1 million; the other is N8.2 million. I have the appointment letters here.

I just also want to inform this committee if she finds any agency doing employment that is paying more than these MDAs, she will move them to that MDA. She moves them from MDA to MDA, he said.

Mr Anaughe added that She has a lot of agents selling slots for her. After selling, they have a central pool where they remit all the monies, whereby they will withdraw and collect USSD and give it to her. I have all the account details here. In my submission, we have a lot of things to reveal.

Abdulrazak Adeoye, the commissioner representing Osun State, accused Mrs Dankaka of removing peoples names from the payroll and replacing them with others.

She surreptitiously removed the names of Nigerians from the payroll of FCC and replaced them without the knowledge of most commissioners, he said.

Similarly, Mamman Alakaye, the commissioner from Nasarawa State, also tendered some documents to the committee, purported to be employment involving Mrs Dankakas son.

Mr Chairman, I want to tender a document to support what my colleagues have said so far. For example, her son was employed at NCC, which I am aware of. Just last week, she transferred him from NCC to Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. He did his documentation with IPPIS just this week. I have the document to tender, he said.

Rich before joining government Dankaka

Mrs Dankaka, while responding to the allegations against her, said she had already made money before joining the government, adding that it was a case of corruption fighting back.

She said the commission was a marketplace for selling jobs before she joined in 2021.

I now believe the adage that says when you fight corruption, corruption will fight back.

I did not come to this place (FCC) to make money but to serve my fathers land.

I swear with Almighty God, apart from the oath, I can take an oath with the Quran. Before I came here, I had made my name. I had made my money.

Before I got to this place (FCC), they were selling slots. The place was like a marketplace. You can find out from people that live in Abuja if I am lying, she said.

In his ruling, the Chairman of the Committee, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), said it is committed to getting to the root of the matter.

The committee will deep-rootedly investigate. We shall do justice where justice is supposed to be needed, he said, adding that the lawmakers had taken cognisance  of the submissions made by commissioners.

Mr Gagdi also asked the FCC chairperson to bring the payroll of the commission.

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Two traders from Ogbete Market, Enugu State, were shot dead on Wednesday while they were protesting the sealing of their shops by the state government.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the state government, on Monday, sealed two commercial banks and 107 shops for observing last Mondays sit-at-home order in the state.

The sit-at-home was declared by a faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The government, on Tuesday, announced that all the sealed shops and banks would remain closed for one week and would only be considered for reopening if the owners produce tax clearance certificates and other relevant documents.

Protests, killings

Frustrated, the traders, on Wednesday, protested the governments action, calling for the reversal of the decision.

Several video clips which showed the traders protesting have been trending on social media.

In one of the clips seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the traders were chanting No more Peter Mbah, We no go gree, among others.

The traders brandished sticks and waved placards with various inscriptions, such as Dont seal our shops again, as they walked through the streets.

One of the protesting traders, who asked not to be named, told PREMIUM TIMES on telephone that two persons were shot during the protest while others sustained gunshot injuries.

A combined team of police and military shot at us during the protest, (they) killed two persons, he said.

He added that the shooting occurred at different locations during the protest, just as he accused Governor Peter Mbah of mobilising security agencies against the protesting traders.

Two video clips showing the bodies of a yet-to-be-identified young man and a lady  allegedly, the traders shot during the protest  have been circulating on Facebook.

A check on the video clips showed that they were recorded on Wednesday, the day of the protest in the state.

There are speculations that three persons, not two, were killed during the protest, but PREMIUM TIMES could not verify this.

The police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to calls seeking to confirm the killing of the traders.

As of the time of filing this report, he was yet to respond to text and WhatsApp messages seeking his comments

Protest was hijacked  Police

However, the police spokesperson would later in a statement on Wednesday, say the protesters were initially peaceful, and that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums who made it violent.

Traders in the market and citizens alike have pleaded with the traders to remain law-abiding, peaceful and cooperative, while using approved channels to express their grievances, Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, said.

The police spokesperson said the commissioner of police in the state had ordered an investigation into the incident.

Mr Ndukwe was, however, silent on the killing of the traders. He simply said the details of the incident, especially reports of casualties would be communicated as soon as possible.

Background

Governor Mbah, in June, banned the Monday sit-at-home in the state, explaining that the civil action was killing the spirit of entrepreneurship, commerce and creativity of the Igbo people in the region.

The governor had, earlier this month, ordered all public servants and political office holders in the state to begin reporting to their place of work on Monday or face sanctions.

Within the same week, he threatened to shut schools and markets that observe the civil action in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES, however, reports that the civil action has continued to hold in the state despite the ban by the governor.

Apparently angered by the continued observance of the illegal order, the governor, in mid-July, threatened that, from Monday, 24 July, he would begin shutting shops whose owners fail to open for business on Mondays.

Although IPOB, August 2021, introduced a sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-east to protest the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the separatist group would later suspend the order.

The group said that the order would instead be enforced whenever Mr Kanu, who is facing terrorism trial, appears in court.

A leader of Autopilot, a faction of the IPOB, Simon Ekpa, has, however, continued to declare sit-at-home orders in the region despite the exercise being suspended by the IPOB faction led by Mr Kanu.

Residents of the five South-east states  Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra  have been attacked by gunmen enforcing the civil order for stepping out on Mondays and other days in violation of the order.

IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday, constituted the standing committees of the House.

Mr Abbas, however, increased the number of the committees to 134 committees from 110 constituted by his predecessor, Femi Gbajabiamila.

This means he created 24 new committees in the 360-member House.

Among those named as committee heads are former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase, Yusuf Gagdi and Musa Betara, all of who aspired to the speakership seat against Mr Abbas some months ago. Messrs Gagdi and Betara later withdrew from the race.

Mr Wase (APC, Plateau) got the chairmanship of the less fancied committee on Federal Character, while Mr Betara (APC, Borno) was appointed the chairman of the committee on Federal Capital Territory.

Mr Gagdi retained the headship of the committee on the Navy, which he headed under Mr Gbajabiamila.

Mr Abbas named Abubakar Bichi (APC, Kano) as the committee chairman on Appropriations, and he is to be deputised by Idu Igariwey (PDP, Ebonyi).

President Bola Tinubus political ally, James Faleke (APC, Lagos), retained the finance committee chairmanship, which he headed in the ninth session under Mr Gbajabiamila. Ditto for his deputy, Abdullahi Saidu (APC, Niger).

Mr Faleke, who hails from Kogi State, was the secretary of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation until some months back.

Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) is to chair the committee on Public Accounts, while Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) retained the committee on defence.

The former Leader of the House, Alhassan Doguwa (APC, Kano), is the new committee chairman on petroleum (Upstream).

Party distribution

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) got the highest number of chairmanship positions, with 80 lawmakers drawn from the ruling party.

Also, 39 PDP lawmakers will chair committees, while six chairmen are members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and six from the Labour Party (LP).

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Peoples Party (YPP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) got one committee chairman each.

No juicy committee

Before announcing the committee heads, Mr Abbas appealed to the lawmakers to accept the appointments as a fair and just list. He stated that there is nothing like juicy committees or grade one committees.

My dear Colleagues, you would recall that the leadership of the House has consistently assured members of its resolve to be fair to all, irrespective of political leanings and affiliations.

There are no grade A nor the so-called juicy committees as some erroneously often think. Every committee of the House enjoys equal status, powers and privileges as mere working groups to discharge the mandate given to us by our constituents, the Speaker said.

Following the announcement, the House was adjourned for its annual recess till September.

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The House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to suspend the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing, the company behind the Oando Retail brand in West African countries.

This call was a sequel to deliberation on a motion tagged Need to Investigate the Irregularities and Alleged Corruption in the Nigerian Energy Security Provider, NNPC Retail Limited and the Acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing, moved by Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo) and six others on Thursday during plenary.

The suspension directive comes against the backdrop of the secret deals surrounding the acquisition of the company.

Opaque Deals

Last October, NNPC Limited acquired OVH downstream business to add over 380 filling stations to its portfolio.

But in June, PREMIUM TIMES investigation on the acquisition exposed the secret deals and the complicated ownership structure that left managerial control of NNPC Retail in the hands of OVH Energy Marketing.

The report also exposed how OVH Energy Marketing only has 94 stations and how over 100 stations were leased.

In addition, the report highlighted how Huub Stoksman, an expatriate and former Chief Executive Officer of OVH Energy, emerged as the new Managing Director of NNPC Retaila development that further compounded the structure of NNPC Retail.

PREMIUM TIMES also found that the acquisition of OVH Energy had turned NNPC Retail into a toxic workspace, with officials of the former taking over the latters running.

But despite a Freedom Of Information request, NNPCL kept details of the acquisition under wraps, with many alleging shadiness.

The motion

Moving the motion on Thursday, Ms Onuoha highlighted some of the findings of the report by PREMIUM TIMES, particularly the issues around ownership structure.

She stated that the appointment of the management of OVH as head of NNPC Retail presents a conflict of interest.

If a firm buys more than 50 per cent of a target companys shares, it effectively gains control of that company, but in this case, it appears that the NNPC has taken over OVH Energy, but in operational terms, it is OVH Energy that has taken over the affairs of NNPC Retail, Ms Onuoha said.

Ms Onuoha faulted the opacity in the acquisition deal and called for scrutiny of the assets and liabilities of OVH before the transaction.

She stated that OVH marketing overvalued its assets to sweeten the deal with NNPC Limited.

Before the acquisition, OVH Energy claimed to have about 380 company-owned stations, a jetty (ASPM) WITH240,000 MT, Eight (8) LPG plants, three Lubricants blending plants, three aviation and fuel depots and 12 warehouses, whereas they had owned only 72 stations as others were leased or owned by third parties, all eight LPG plants were leased, 12 lubricant warehouses listed were leased, she said.

Following the presentation of her motion, the House resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the deal.

Furthermore, the yet-to-be-constituted Committee will investigate the proposed relocation of the NNPC Retail Head office from Abuja to Lagos.

The motion was taken unanimously when the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, put it to vote.

The House mandated the committee to report back within four weeks.

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Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has spoken on the alleged attack on residents of the state by security agencies, after gunmen killed two police officers in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the officers were killed when the gunmen attacked the convoy of the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment in Abia, Chimezie Ukaegbu, on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred at the popular SAMECK Junction around Ariaria International Market in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday evening by his media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Mr Otti condemned the attack and killing of the officers by the gunmen, describing it as cruel, unjust and highly provocative.

Meanwhile, some security agencies, mainly police, were said to have returned and attacked some residents of Aba, after the two officers were killed by the gunmen.

A video clip which showed some armed men in police and military uniforms chasing the residents has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups.

The security agencies also reportedly destroyed properties and brutalised some residents during the attack.

Gov Otti kicks

The governor, in the statement, condemned the reprisal by the officers, stressing that such attack was lawless and counterproductive, since such victims have not been proven to be directly or indirectly involved in the killing of the two officers.

The governor on getting to know about todays (Wednesday) reprisal immediately got the police authorities to withdraw the officers from the affected areas which paved the way for the return of peace and normalcy in the area, the statement read in part.

Mr Otti assured that his government would do everything within its powers to ensure that the killers of the officers and their sponsors are brought to justice and that those police officers who took laws into their hands by brutalising innocent citizens and destroying peoples properties will be punished.

The governor also promised to render adequate compensation to the families of the slain officers and to innocent residents who were brutalised and their properties destroyed.

The security agencies have already swung into action to fish out the criminals in the state after investigation revealed the possible cause of the attack on the officers, he said.

He urged residents of the state to go about their legitimate businesses without fear, assuring that his government would continue to place priority on their welfare and security.

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A Nigerian passenger has been arrested for allegedly stealing a laptop inside Ibom Air aircraft.

The incident happened on Wednesday, 26 July, in Lagos during boarding of Ibom Air flight Q1300 to Abuja, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the airline.

The statement, signed by the Ibom Air spokesperson, Aniekan Essienette, identified the suspect as David Ogeneochuko.

Ms Essienette said the suspect, Mr Ogeneochuko, stole the laptop from another passengers bag in the overhead cabin.

She narrated how the alleged theft occurred.

The owner of the laptop, who suspected the movement of the said Mr David (Ogeneochuko) within the aircraft, decided to check where his laptop was kept and immediately realised the item was no longer there. He raised the alarm by notifying the crew members accordingly.

A search was immediately instituted, which led to about half an hour delay, and the laptop was found with Mr David. He was immediately offloaded and handed over to the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) for further investigation, who then handed him over to the Police for further investigation.

The police have since confirmed that the suspect is a member of a large syndicate specialising in stealing onboard aircraft, the statement said.

Ibom Air said the passenger who owned the laptop voluntarily stepped down from the flight in order to help in the investigation.

Ibom Air has zero tolerance for crime on board its flight, the airline said, adding that it would prosecute any offenders to the full extent of the law.

It would be recalled that one Kingsley Chinsunum was alleged to have stolen the sum of one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000.00) from a wallet kept inside a bag in the overhead bin, while on board Ibom Air flight 4150 at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal two Ikeja, on the 31st of May 2023. He has since been charged to Court and is presently facing trial at the Ikeja Magisterial District.

Not too long ago, a passenger, one Mr Adebayi Adelugba, staged the stealing of his own checked-in bag and declared it missing, accusing the airline of negligence amidst threats of litigation, but for CCTV footage which caught him in the act.

He was convicted of the crime of threat against Ibom Air, disturbance of public peace, and lies at the Ogba Magistrate court in Lagos, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two weeks imprisonment and a fine, the airline said, while urging passengers on board its aircraft to be extra vigilant and report suspicious activities to crew members.

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The House of Representatives has urged the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to provide adequate security for government officials and infrastructure in flash points in South-east Nigeria and other parts of the country.

The resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance by Emeka Nnamani (LP-Abia) at the plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

In his motion, Mr Nnamani noted that the violent attack by hoodlums in the South-east had assumed a very dangerous trend.

Mr Nnamani said there has been an increase in the attacks on highly placed Nigerians, and that if such a trend was not tackled quickly it could result in threat to governments and their officials, and others.

He said the government should provide police protection around government officials, adding that security was usually inadequate especially at flash points of insecurity in Nigeria.

The lawmaker recalled how gunmen in the South-east had attacked two senators, Ifeanyi Uba and Rochas Okorocha, and the former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim.

He informed the House about the killing of two police officers in Abia State when gunmen attacked the convoy of the Commissioner for Trade Commerce and Industry in the state, Chimezie Ukaegbu.

The gunmen had set ablaze a vehicle belonging to Abia State Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Industry.

Mr Nnamani said after the killing of their officers, the police and some soldiers went on a reprisal, attacking innocent residents of Aba which resulted in the shutting down of a market.

The lawmaker called on the IGP and Chief of Army staff to urgently call their officers to order so as to prevent the situation from degenerating.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the IGP and the Chief of Army Staff to call their officers to order and adopt a better police, army-civil relationship with their host communities.

The House also urged the police to set up an investigative team to bring to book those responsible for the killing of the officers.

The House urged the security agencies to restore peace and order in Aba.

(NAN)

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The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has restated the determination of the Bola Tinubu administration to revive the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, particularly by engaging with key stakeholders in the industry.

Mr Shettima stated this on Thursday at a meeting with the management of Russian Aluminium Company  UC RUSAL and other stakeholders in the project on the sideline of the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russi

The meeting with the stakeholders was in furtherance of the efforts by the Federal Government to reactivate production lines at ALSCON by re-engaging with UC RUSAL and other partners in the resuscitation of the plant.

Speaking after a presentation by the UC RUSAL management, Vice President Shettima noted the enormous benefits for the economy in many aspects, such as in the area of energy transition and job creation both directly and indirectly, and its impact on the development of small businesses is also huge.

The sooner we get this plant back to production, the better for everyone. We need to walk the talk; the Nigerian people deserve better, he said.

The vice president urged all the stakeholders to expedite work on the plan of action to restart production at the company.

Other officials at the meeting were Nigerias Ambassador to Russia, Shehu Abdullahi; Nigerias Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tugar; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gabriel Aduda; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mary Ogbe; and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, among others.

Earlier, Mr Shettima joined other African leaders at the RussiaAfrica Economic and Humanitarian Forum declared open by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Putin noted in his opening remarks that the potential for trade and economic cooperation between Russia and African countries is much higher than the trade turnover of USD 18 billion seen in 2022.

He restated his countrys commitment to food security in Africa and beyond, stressing that Russia will continue to work towards shaping a more equitable global food distribution system.

He added that Russia will increase its support for Africa which accounts for 65 per cent of the worlds arable land and around 10 per cent of domestic renewable freshwater sources, noting that its huge potential for the further development of agriculture.

Mr Shettima is also attending a State banquet hosted by Mr Putin for the visiting heads of delegation at St. Petersburgs ExpoForum.

Olusola Abiola

Director Information

Office of the Vice President

27th July 2023

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Former Governor Abdullahi Gandujes bid for the national chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) got a boost on Wednesday with his endorsement by the chairmen of the party in the seven North-west states.

The endorsement was contained in a statement jointly signed by the seven chairmen.

They are Isa Acida of Sokoto, Tukur Danfulani (Zamfara), Abubakar Kana (Kebbi) and Abubakar Gumel (Jigawa).

Others are Muhammed Ali (Katsina), Abdullahi Abbas (Kano) and Emmanuel Jekada (Kaduna).

Mr Ganduje was governor of Kano State between 2015 and 2023.

The party leaders stated that the decision to back Mr Ganduje was reached on Tuesday at a meeting held in Kaduna State.

The chairmen stated that the decision was in recognition of the role the former Kano governor played during the last presidential election.

This decision followed the immense contributions made to the party by the two terms governor of the second most populous state in the nation. Kano, especially at the 2023 general election which saw the emergence of our most enviable President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as President, the statement said.

Mr Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, has been reported as a preferred candidate by President Bola Tinubu as the Chairman of the APC.

If he eventally emerges, the former governor will succeed Abdullahi Adamu who resigned last week.

The APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, has since taken over the leadership of the party on acting basis.

Iyiola Omisore, who also resigned as the partys national secretary, was also replaced with his deputy, Festus Fuantar.

Both Messrs Adamu and Omisore were elected in March 2022.

The ruling party has yet to fix a date for its convention to pick the replacement for the two former leaders who visited Mr Tinubu on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa.

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To end the second day of the West African Journalism Innovation Conference (WAJIC 2023), experts have again appraised accountability journalism and media sustainability.

For years, the discussions around sustainable revenue models in the media have dominated conversations, and it was no different at WAJIC 2023.

During a panel session moderated by PREMIUM TIMES EditorinChief Muskilu Mojeed, experts, including publishers and media managers, said funding an accountability platform that holds power to account is a difficult path to tread.

The panellists included Frank Aigbogun, the Publisher of Business Day; Okewale Sonaiya, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Women Radio; and Fran Scarlett, Principal of Scarlett Ink Media.

Others are; Rosemary Egabor-Afolahan, Head of Commercial, News Central TV; Mohammed Ali, Deputy Director, News Operation, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); and Deji Adekunle, Programme Director, Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF).

Funding challenge

Mr Mojeed shared his experience on how an accountability platform he worked for between 2008 and 2011, Next234, went defunct.

Managing PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Mojeed said there are instances where a story about an advertiser or their ally would lead to the withdrawal of an advertisement partnership.

There have been times when we sign business partnerships with people, and then we write about them the next day, and they call off the advertising, he said. So, that has happened over and over again.

Another panellist, Ms Egabor-Afolahan of News Central TV, narrated how a 24-hour television she worked for went defunct in two years due to its insistence on practising accountability journalism.

Mrs Sonaiya said accountability journalism is expensive and dying, adding that it needs to be saved urgently.

Accountability journalism, in my opinion, is dying, she said. It is suffering, and I hope somebody somewhere will be able to invest and put in money for us to support people who go out to do the work.

Articulating problems

On his part, Mr Adekunle said the inability of media owners to articulate the problems remains the crux of the issue.

He said many founders do not, at inception, understand the challenge before them, not to talk of how to solve them.

Many people say there is a dearth of reporting in an area, and then they get a team together some people are so passionate they start doing it themselves, and they start reporting, he said. However, by the time they want to expand on that and pay the salary, it becomes a problem.

He said platforms need to start looking at journalism first of all as a media product.

He added that journalism has been slow to innovate around the information echo system it found itself.

If we articulate and spell out all our risks, do our source analysis, and we look at the environment, we would know that some people will take advertising from us, they will criticise the work we do, and that some people will even use the same media to combat the accountability work that we do. These are clear and real risks that we know and have to prepare for, he said.

According to him, the eco-system is constantly changing from the monopoly of publishing to the internet age and now to artificial intelligence.

He said: You have to continue to change, roll out products, build your audiences and tackle your revenue deliberately. Whether it is donor-funded or advertising. You have to create your way of tackling the problem in front of you as a media organisation.

Long-term over short-term gains

Ms Afolahan, however, explained that investors need to see investing in the media as a long-term investment that needs constant funding before yielding a return on investments (ROI).

They (media investors) need to understand that if you are going to do this, they need to understand that its going to take a long time for you to break even. Not to even talk about making a profit. Its going to take about 10 years, she said.

According to her, having investors who understand the ecosystem would reduce the rate at which media startups go defunct due to a lack of funding.

I think one of the solutions is that we need more media investors that understand the media, that understand accountability journalism. And then if theyre coming to invest in your business, they know that it is long term, so that after two to three years, people like us that are heads of commercials are not hitting our heads on the wall because we need to give them a return on investment, she added.

Also speaking, Mr Aigbogun said media platforms need good managers who would adopt good business models to sustain the revenue base of the organisations.

I dont think it is good to think or suggest that a bank should be better managed than any media organisation, he said. They both demand and deserve top-level management. You need to have good management and a good business modelYou need to be sure that your organisation is being managed properly.

He added that media platforms need to look inward beyond advertisement and philanthropist funding, which he said is unsustainable.

He suggests that media platforms include reader-centric revenues to their revenue based either as an alternative or as complementary to their existing revenues.

Even if you were to concentrate on philanthropist funding, my experience has been that many of the foundations dont fund you forever, he said.

WAJIC 2023

The maiden edition of the West African Journalism Innovation Conference (WAJIC 2023) was held for three days, from 24 to 26 July. It began with an Art Exhibition and Fundraiser for Journalists Psychosocial Support #Safe4Press.

The second and third day features multiple panel sessions with speakers worldwide.

The conference also drew over 400 in-person participants from different West African countries.

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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ELKO  Children who wandered into an abandoned mine shaft north of Winnemucca found dynamite and blasting caps inside.

The Elko Bomb Squad was called to Paradise Valley to dispose of the explosives on Wednesday.

In coordination with the Bureau of Land Management and the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office, the Elko Bomb Squad entered the abandoned mine and safely disposed of the dynamite as well as blasting caps that were strewn along the ground, stated the Elko Police Department.

The Elko Bomb Squad is one of four bomb squads in the state and is responsible for responding to explosive hazards in Elko, Humboldt, Eureka, White Pine and Lander County.

Police said the entrance to the mine is being sealed off by the BLM.

As a reminder it is never safe to wander into abandoned mine shafts. As well as the possibility of old explosives being inside, there is the ever present possibility of a cave in, bad air, fall hazards, and the possibility of contracting hantavirus from the rodents that frequent those areas, police said.

According to the Nevada Division of Minerals an estimated 300,000 abandoned mine features exist in the state, and about 50,000 of them likely present physical safety hazards.
Malis 18 June referendum has returned a yes vote of 96.91 per cent to approve the new constitution, which was drafted by a commission created by decree in June 2022.

The adoption of this new constitution marks a key stage in the timeline agreed by the transitional authorities and the Economic Community of West African States for returning power to an elected civilian government. This follows two unsuccessful attempts by former presidents Amadou Toure (in 2012) and Ibrahim Keita (2017) to revise the old constitution of 1992. The transitional authorities had agreed to draw up the draft constitution on the recommendation of the national conference  Assises nationales de la refondation  in December 2021.

However, the very idea of amending the constitution during the transitional period was contested from the start by numerous stakeholders in Mali. United by the February 20 Call to Save Mali, 12 political parties and several civil society organisations took the view that the unelected president of the transition, Colonel Assimi Goita, had no mandate to amend the current constitution, or to provide the country with a new one.

Imam Mahmoud Dickos Coordination of Movements, Associations and Sympathizers and the Malian League of Imams and Scholars for Islamic Solidarity also opposed the draft constitution. It enshrined the principle of the secular state as opposed to their preferred expression of multi-faith state.

The main challenge of the referendum  and the first electoral test for the military  was the voter turnout. While confirmed at 38.23 per cent by the Constitutional Court, it had initially been estimated at 28 per cent by the Election Observation Mission in Mali. Both turnout rates nonetheless suggest that the engagement the authorities had hoped for didnt materialise.

In addition, voting could not take place in certain parts of the country, particularly in Kidal, the stronghold of former rebels of the Coordination of Azawad Movements. Opposed to this constitutional reform, signatory groups of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali officially rejected the draft basic law, saying that essential points of this agreement were not considered.

The integrity of the ballot was also contested. According to various independent observers, voting was marred by incidents in several central and northern areas. In the south, political movements and civil society organisations within the United Front Against the Referendum complained of fraud. The political party PARENA rejected the results, and several appeals were lodged with the Constitutional Court responsible for announcing the official results.

The new constitution, which is the transitional governments masterpiece for the refoundation of the Malian state, is therefore being collectively resisted by the political opposition (including the signatory armed groups), political party coalitions, civil society organisations and religious movements. This further splits political cohesion around the transition.

Furthermore, the referendums provisional results came at a pivotal time for Malis political and security situation, with the governments 16 June decision to withdraw its consent for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. The opposition of signatory groups and certain political parties to the withdrawal of the mission also highlights that the decision-making process did not consider all stakeholders opinions. Ten years since the start of the political and security crisis, Mali remains divided over solutions to it.

Encouraged by the provisional results, President Goita carried out a partial ministerial reshuffle on 1 July. As pillars of the transition, all military personnel and allies have remained in the new government team. However, representatives of traditional political parties, and most ministers affiliated with Prime Minister Choguel Maigas June 5 Movement, were not reappointed. Yet, the political lessons of the referendum and its outcome called for greater political compromise and inclusivity.

This situation, which lacks consensus, could be a source of heightened political tension between now and the end of the transition, which is scheduled for March 2024.

Confirmation of the yes victory and promulgation of the new constitution may be followed by protests, notably from the United Front Against the Referendum. On 26 June, this group  made up of the leadership of the February 20 Call to Save Mali group, the Convergence for the Development of Mali and the Alliance for Solidarity in Mali-Convergence of Patriotic Forces  called for the provisional results to be annulled.

The main traditional political parties  Alliance for Democracy in Mali, Rally for Mali and Union for the Republic and Democracy  which, to date, have supported the transition so as not to jeopardise their chances in the March 2024 presidential election, could also take the path of contesting the result.

To mitigate the risk of political crisis at this decisive period in the transition, the authorities should prioritise governance thats as inclusive as possible, in partnership with the countrys various factions in politics and civil society. A calm political climate is needed in order to keep to the timetable both for a return to constitutional order and to create the conditions for stability in Mali in the medium and long term.

The transitional government should therefore take advantage of the next eight months to build a constructive dialogue with all these stakeholders. And to initiate, on a consensual basis, the structural reforms in economic and political governance that the Malian people have asked for in consultative processes for years. In this context, the challenges associated with holding the referendum highlight the need for continued improvement of the electoral process.

This is the only way to guarantee the legitimacy of the outcomes of the current transition and the sustainability of the various reforms implemented under it.

Hassane Kone, Senior Researcher and Djiby Sow, Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Regional Office for West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin

This article is published with the support of the Irish, Danish and Dutch governments and the Bosch Foundation.

(This article was published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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The Tunisian coast guard recovered 901 bodies of drowned migrants off its coast from January 1 to July 20 this year, Reuters reported on Wednesday, quoting the countrys interior minister, Kamel Feki.

Mr Feki told parliament that among 901 bodies found were 36 Tunisians and 267 foreign migrants, while the identities of the rest were unknown.

This marks an unprecedented number of victims off the countrys coasts, he said.

The North African country is facing a record wave of migration this year and frequent catastrophes of the sinking of boats of migrants  most from sub-Saharan Africa, Syria, and Sudan  trying to reach Italy.

The coast guard previously said it had stopped hundreds of boats heading for Italy this year and detained more than 3,000 people.

Tunisian authorities are struggling to contain the surge, and some morgues are running out of space to bury the victims, according to Al Jazeera.

This sharp increase in Tunisia is in part due to a crackdown on departures by authorities in neighbouring Libya.

Most of the boats carrying migrants depart from the coast of the southern city of Sfax.

Thousands of undocumented migrants have flocked to the coastal city of Sfax in recent months with the goal of setting off for Europe in boats run by human traffickers, leading to an unprecedented migration crisis for Tunisia, Reuters reported.

Some 75,065 boat migrants had reached Italy by 14 July against 31,920 in the same period last year, official data showed. More than half left Tunisia.

Earlier this month, the European Union and Tunisia signed a treaty that includes combating human traffickers and tightening sea borders during a sharp increase in boats leaving the North African nation for Europe.

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The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed her readiness to partner with the United Nations and its sister agencies to address various areas of concern, including the role of women in public life, increased participation in the economy, ending gender-based violence, child labour and the scourge of out-of-school children.

Mrs Tinubu disclosed this when the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, and his team paid her a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Schmale promised, on behalf of his organisation, to collaborate with the office of the First Lady, knowing her antecedents, especially in women and children.

He said the UN is aware of President Bola Tinubus stand on improving the economic situation in the country, and the UN is in support of this.

He said, One issue is the role of women in public life, and we are very keen on it as you. We offer our support significantly in increasing the number of women in public life in Nigeria.

Secondly, it is our understanding that the president has made the economy an important stone. Again, we know that women play a crucial role in the economy, considering food and security as a national emergency.

We are ready to explore what more we can do to support the government and Your Excellency, in increasing the role of women in the economy and revitalising the economy.

Mr Schmale said the UN would support the first lady in ensuring that issues like polio, out-of-school children, child labour and violence against women are brought to a minimal level.

The third issue is violence; former President Muhammadu Buhari had, three years ago, declared violence against women and children a national emergency. Again, we are offering support to the UN family in overcoming this emergency.

Finally, there are issues around children that we think are of particular importance, the issue of school children out of learning environment and the issue of over 15 million children under the age of 14 in child labour in Nigeria obviously needs attention.

In her response, Mrs Tinubu said her office was ready to accept the UN offer, saying all the organisation stated are areas she remains passionate about and they are of importance to her.

She said her national programme, Renewed Hope Initiative, is also considering all the issues.

Women need to make more sacrifice

Meanwhile, the first lady has urged women to stop looking down on themselves and improve themselves.

Mrs Tinubu said women must be more involved in decision-making positions like legislative arms because if laws are not changed, this would be the same game continuously.

She said, We are the ones that need to stand up to help ourselves, asking, Are the women ready to sacrifice?

Education is very vital, and I dont believe that a woman cannot get all that she wants once she is educated, but our focus on education is for all, both boys and girls and even less privileged women, she said.

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Lai Mohammed, Nigerias immediate past minister of information, culture and tourism, has been appointed Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili.

A statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that the announcement of Mr Mohammeds appointment was made during the opening session of the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) currently underway in Mauritius.

Mr Mohammed brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new task having consistently played instrumental roles in the affairs of the world tourism body for the past seven years.

He led the organisation of the 61st UNWTO CAF Meetings in Nigeria in 2018 and the maiden UNWTO Global Conference on Linking Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries in Lagos last year.

He is expected to help Mr Pololikashvili pursue his objective of making Africa a key region for the global tourism economy through his Agenda for Africa programme.

Accepting the new role, Mr Mohammed expressed his gratitude, saying that he was inspired by the confidence reposed in him by the secretary-general.

I stand before you, deeply touched and inspired by your generous words of confidence and trust.

With so much gratitude for the confidence placed in me by the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr Zurab Pololikashivili and with an unswerving resolve to honour that trust, I humbly accept the appointment as the Special Advisor on Tourism to the Secretary General of this great Organisation.

This would mark the first time that I would be attending a function of the UNWTO as a private individual having, for the past seven years, served as the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I wish to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to all the leaders of the member states, particularly those from the Africa region, for their support and friendship, he said.

Mr Mohammed added: I am deeply honoured to become the first Nigerian to serve in this capacity.

Nigeria is dynamic and diverse in terms of natural and human resources in the areas of tourism, culture, creative industries, technology, and other aspects of our national economy.

Having come so far and rising still, Nigeria in particular, and the African region, in general, is living and shaping the full range of achievements and challenges of our current times.

It is, therefore, inspiring to take on more responsibilities that will guide the development of tourism in a more responsible and sustainable manner.

The mandate of the Special Advisor cuts across several responsibilities ranging from assisting in developing a strategy for restarting sustainable and safe tourism post-COVID-19 and advising the UNWTO secretary-general on issues related to information and culture.

The former minister is also expected to prepare relevant reports and research documents in line with UNWTOs principles and accompany the secretary-general on his official visits.

He is also expected to offer advice to him during such visits and propose relevant public relations actions in line with the world tourism bodys priorities.

Mr Mohammed was chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu when the latter was governor of Lagos State. He subsequently served as the spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) before he was appointed minister.

(NAN)

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The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has admitted as exhibits documents and video clips presented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in their petition being heard by the tribunal in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The petitioners are challenging the return of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the 18 March election.

The exhibits tendered by Mr Adebutus counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), on Wednesday included alleged record of jail booking, an incident report of the Florida Metropolitan Police in the United States and pictures of an alleged ballot box snatcher during the election.

The court also permitted the petitioner to play the video record showing ballot papers, boxes and other election materials being burnt allegedly on election day in Ogun State.

Mr Uche had called as witness the youth leader of the PDP in the state, Oyejide Sunkanmi, to give evidence on Wednesday..

Mr Oyejide, in his witness statement on oath, said the alleged jail booking record and incident report from the Florida Metropolitan Police concerned Mr Abiodun.

It would be recalled that the party had,during the campaigns, alleged that Mr Abiodun was jailed in 1986 for credit card fraud in Florida, USA. The governor had dismissed the allegation.

The tribunal also admitted in evidence a preloaded top up credit card allegedly used for vote buying during the election by the APC.

In a related development, he federal government had on July 10 charged Mr Adebutu himself and nine others before the state high court for allegedly buying votes during the election. The charges arose from a petition to the police by the APC in Ogun State, over which the police said Mr Adebutu declined their invitation for a statement..

On Wednesday at the tribunal, counsel to INEC, Remi Olatubora (SAN); counsel to Mr Abiodun, Taiwo Osipitan (SAN); and APC counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), reserved their objections to the admissibility of the documents till their final written addresses.

However, the three respondents objected to the admissibility of the video evidence.

Mr Osipitan, in his objection, described the video evidence as hearsay.

But Mr Uche said the tribunal needed to admit the document before it could determine whether it is hearsay or not.

After over an hour of argument by the lawyers over the admissibility of the video evidence, the court had adjourned till Thursday for a ruling on the issue.

At the resumed sitting on Thursday morning, the panel ruled to admit the video evidence.

The petitioners counsel then prayed the court to allow their witness to play the video as demonstrative evidence in the court.

Despite the objections of Messr Olatubora and Osipitan, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Hamidu Kunaza, ruled that the video be played.

The petitioners have so far called 91 witnesses even as the sitting continued as of the time of filing this report on Thursday.

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has alerted the public of an attempt to discredit the 71-year-old examination body.

It said an allegation that it was frustrating efforts to investigate its results or certificates presented for elections by politicians is unfounded.

In a statement by its acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC said it is guided by the principles of professionalism, and vowed not to be intimidated into doing the unethical.

WAEC alleged that there had been publications in the media against it and that some of its unnamed officials have been accused of taking bribes to obstruct investigations into results or certificates presented by politicians.

Meanwhile, a recent report by Sahara Reporters had alleged unnamed WAEC officials in Nigeria and Ghana of sabotaging the International Police (INTERPOLs) efforts at investigating the WAEC records of the new Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.

The reports went on to say that WAEC has been complicit in denying all litigants access to examination records in proof of their cases in court, Mrs Adesina said in a statement, adding: The reports also bogusly claimed that an investigative agency had gone to Ghana and completed investigations while efforts to do so in Nigeria were blocked by some WAEC officials.

WAEC reacts

WAEC denied the allegations and described them as baseless, mischievous, and malicious, even as it argued that it has been subpoenaed on several occasions by law courts and that it has always responded and provided all requested documents.

WAEC is a legal entity that can sue and be sued. It is a law-abiding organisation with absolute respect for the judiciary. WAEC has been subpoenaed on several occasions to appear in court to confirm the authenticity of WAEC results, certificates, or documents tendered by some litigants, and we have always done so, he said.

The statement further added that WAEC offices in Ghana and Nigeria operate independently.

The statement further said: WAEC Ghana has nothing to do with the results of Nigerian candidates, just as Nigeria does not have anything to do with the results of Ghanaian candidates, even though we administer the same international examinations.

Therefore, saying that some investigating agency had gone to Ghana and had concluded investigations on a matter, only to be blocked on the same matter in Nigeria, is a lie from the pit of hell. How can the Ghana office, or even the headquarters, speak on a matter they know nothing about? No member country has other member countries results, records, and documents.

Respect for law

She said WAEC will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and security agencies whenever it is called upon to provide documents and records to aid their investigations on matters.

We do not respond to enquiries by private individuals, non-government agencies, and law firms not authorised by courts. Bona-fide candidates requests are also attended to, she added.

Mrs Adesina added that the body has the legal right to ask for a variation of court orders when it considers particular demands impossible. We speak no more on that, but WAEC has and will always explain why such requests cannot be granted to petitioners, she said.

Clarification

She also clarified the difference between certificates and results.

According to her the result is the grades of a candidate, while the certificate is a statement containing the same records but in a given format.

She said a candidate can have a result without a certificate due to loss, destruction or theft. But a candidate can never have a certificate without a result, she added.

Some people tend to separate results from certificates, whereas they bear the same records and convey the same information, she said. A certificate represents a candidates result in a given format.

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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Former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of the All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, says it is against the constitution of the party for President Bola Tinubu to nominate anyone to replace the former Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.

Mr Lukman, who resigned from the National Working Committee on Wednesday, said section 31.5 of the APC Constitution provides the process for replacing a member of NWC.

This was contained in a statement he issued on Thursday and titled: Resignation from APC NWC: Explanatory Note.

Leadership vacuum in APC

Mr Adamu and the former National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, resigned from the NWC in an abrupt manner last week. Currently, the former Deputy Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, who is a ministerial nominee, is functioning as the national chairman in an acting capacity.

Similarly, former Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter from Plateau State, is serving as national secretary in an acting capacity.

There have speculations that Mr Tinubu has hand-picked the former Governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje, as national chairman and Bashir Ajibola as national secretary.

Mr Gandujes bid for the chairmanship got a boost on Wednesday with his endorsement by the APC Chairmen in the seven North-west states.

Nasarawa State, not Tinubu can replace Adamu

Citing section 31.5 of the APC Constitution, Mr Lukman said the Nasarawa State Executive Committee is the body empowered by the constitution to nominate Mr Adamus replacement.

The former national chairman hails from Nasarawa State and was its governor between 1999 and 2007.

No section of the APC constitution gives anyone, including President Asiwaju Tinubu the power to act in any contrary way. Therefore, if this provision of the APC constitution is to be respected, Nasarawa State Executive Committee of the APC, which is where Sen. Adamu comes from should have the right to propose a replacement, which should be endorsed by the State Congress and the Zonal Executive Committee, he said.

In the event of vacancy, the office shall be filled as follows: i. In the case of a National/Zonal Officer, the State Executive Committee shall propose a replacement to the State Congress and Zonal Executive Committee for endorsement. Thereafter, the name shall be sent to the National Working Committee, which shall forward same to the National Executive Committee for approval, the section reads.

Mr Lukman added that the leadership of the party often looks at the implementation of opinion of the president irrespective of the legal constraints and moral burden.

The dominant view among leaders is that once President Asiwaju Tinubu has decided on an issue, we should just simply work for its success even with all the legal and moral questions, he said.

He added that If Osun State is debating possible replacement of Sen. Omisore for the position of National Secretary of APC in line with provisions of our partys constitution, why is Nasarawa State not treated in the same way? Why the double standards? I wish I can pretend to be dumb and blind on these issues.

Ganduje lacks the moral capacity to be chairman

Mr Lukman also faulted the moral credibility of Mr Ganduje to assume the leadership of the party.

He stated that the former Kano governor wont make the top five list of possible candidates from the North-west.

Sincerely, it simply means that we dont attach any importance to the party if with all the corruption allegations against Dr Ganduje, we find him about the only one in the North-west to be recommended.

Perhaps, it needs to be stated without fear of any contradiction, if leaders of the North-west are asked to nominate five people for consideration to serve in the capacity of National Chairman of APC, I am confident, Dr. Ganduje will not be one of the five nominees.

Mr Ganduje served as the governor of Kano State from 2015 to 2023, and he is considered one of the strongest supporters of Mr Tinubu.

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The Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has ordered security agencies in the state to crush the activities of a gang of miscreants, which calls itself Marlians.

The gang has been accused of terrorising residents of the state.

The majority of the gangs members are young men. They operate primarily in the capital of the state, Maiduguri, and Jere, a nearby town.

The governor in an emergency security meeting held over the menace of the gang, on Wednesday, said the gang has to be crushed with immediate effect.

Residents have accused the gang of extortion, robbery, and dealing in illicit drugs. Members of the gang have also been accused of attacking and killing security operatives in the state.

I have summoned this emergency security council meeting to address the emerging security threat that is bedevilling the Maiduguri metropolis and parts of the Jere local government area.

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There is a need for additional implementable strategies to guarantee the needed peace and security.

Intelligence reports before my office from different sources have indicated increasing activities of youth gangsterism operating in some parts of the state capital and Jere local government.

The syndicate specialized not only in phone snatching in broad daylight, robbery, and possession of locally made weapons but has now graduated into the killing of innocent lives, including security operatives.

I want to assure the general public that the Government of Borno State, under my leadership, will not allow such a matter to deteriorate, the governor assured the residents.

I have received assurances from the security operatives of their commitment to tame such dastardly acts and our administration is ever committed to dealing with such matters within the shortest possible time, Mr Zulum said.

Also, the spokesperson of the police in the state, Sani Shatambaya, told PREMIUM TIMES that the police arrested more than 78 suspected criminals for various offences following an upsurge in criminal activities.

The police said they have embarked on proactive crime prevention strategies and community engagement to checkmate youths involvement in violent crimes and other anti-social activities.

Joint raids were carried out at vulnerable points and hotspots including uncompleted buildings within the metropolis.

Neighborhood around Yannono, Abuja Sheraton, Njimtilo, Bayan Quarters, Galadima, Kasuwan Shanu, Santiago, Bayan Texaco, Koren Tanki, Tashan Bama, London Ciki, Tudun Wada, Tashan Kano, and Borno Express.

78 suspects were arrested including a wanted criminal involved in a suspected case of culpable homicide which was reported on 13th May, 2023 at Dala Bulumkutu area, Mr Shatambaya said.

He said among the suspects arrested was a syndicate that specialises in shop breaking and theft, handset snatching, and culpable homicide.

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The High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday struck out an application filed by the State Security Service (SSS) to secure an order to detain the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, for 14 more days.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SSS had told the court in the application that the agency had uncovered fresh evidence that warrants the request for the order.

SSS had quietly filed the application marked FCT/HC/M/12105/2023, on Wednesday, to enlongate Mr Emefieles detention.

It was filed in a desperate bid by the SSS to legitimise its disobedience to an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos granting bail to Mr Emefiele earlier on Tuesday.

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The Federal High Court in Lagos had, on Tuesday, granted bail to Mr Emefiele after he pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition filed against him by the SSS.

It also ordered the federal prisons in Lagos to take custody of the embattled banker pending when he would meet his bail conditions.

But in violation of the court order, SSS operatives scuttled an attempt by prison officials to take custody of the defendant on the court premises, leading to a clash between the officers of the two federal agencies.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the conduct of agents of the bodies involved in the clash and called for a probe with the a view of punishing the erring officers.

Application

Hamza Muazu, an FCT High Court judge, heard SSS fresh application on Thursday.

Mr Muazu struck out the application for being an abuse of court processes and for want of jurisdiction.

When the judge questioned SSS lawyer, Victor Ejelonu, on the courts jurisdiction in view of the provisions of Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which vests exclusive rights on the Magistrates Court to grant detention orders, the counsel withdrew the prayer.

Mr Emefiele, was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum by the Federal High Court in Lagos State.

SSS vs Emefiele

The SSS has now held Mr Emefiele for 47 days after arresting him in Lagos on 10 June, a day after President Bola Tinubus ordered his suspension from office.

But he was not charged until about 35 days after his arrest and until after a court in Abuja gave the SSS an ultimatum to either release or prosecute him.

The agency filed charges of illegal possession of firearms against Mr Emefiele on the same day the court gave its order.

This set off a wave of disappointment among Nigerians who had heard the agency months earlier sensationally accuse the suspended CBN governor of much weightier terrorism and economic offences.

It finally arraigned him on the downgraded allegations of possession of firearms at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday.

But Mr Emefiele, who pleaded not guilty, was immediately re-arrested by the SSS in violation of the courts order that ordered prison authorities to take him pending when he would meet his bail conditions.

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An embattled former senator, Adamu Bulkachuwa, who is facing investigations over his confession of influencing his wifes decisions while she was serving as the President of the Court of Appeal, has said his political enemies were colluding with law enforcement agencies to harass him.

Mr Bulkachuwa said this in his filings in a suit he filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop the law enforcement agencies from probing him.

Mr Bulkachuwa filed the suit earlier this month at the Federal High Court in Abuja after receiving an invitation from the anti-corruption agency, ICPC, three days before he was expected to appear before the investigative team of the anti-corruption agency.

He alleged in his filings he submitted to support the suit that the defendants, particularly the ICPC, had joined his political opponents to adopt and propagate the unintended inference from the said inchoate valedictory speech made on the floor of the Senate.

The defendants, particularly the (ICPC or any other law enforcement agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do not have the powers to invite/discipline me (as serving member of the Senate at the time of my utterance in reference) questioning/interview on any matter that occurred on the floor of the house of Senate without the prior approval of the Senate Committee saddled with the investigation the actions of a member, a supporting affidavit in filed in support of the suit read in part.

The former senator, 83, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senator between June 2019 and June 2023, boasted about how he, on different occasions, influenced the decisions of his wife, Zainab Bulkachuwa, to the advantage of his colleagues in the Senate.

Mrs Bulkachuwa was the President of the Court of Appeal from 2014 to 2020, when she retired from the court after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Mr Bulkachuwa had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the National Assembly Clerk, the State Security Service (SSS), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

The former lawmaker, who represented Bauchi North senatorial district in the immediate-past 9th National Assembly, had shocked many when he admitted to trampling on his wifes freedom and independence while she served as President of the Court of Appeal.

The plaintiff asked the court to declare that he is covered, privileged and protected by the parliamentary immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 and freedom of speech and expression made thereto is privileged.

He also prayed the court to declare that without exhausting the internal disciplinary mechanism, recommendations and approval of the 9th House of Senate, no other law enforcement agent of the Federal Government, including the defendants can invite any member of the Senate for questioning/interview and or for any disciplinary purposes in relation to the plaintiffs privileged inchoate expression/statement/speeches made on the floor of the Nigeria House of Senate at the valedictory session.

Legislative immunity

In his supporting affidavit filed to back his suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/895/2023, he cited the 15 June letter of invitation sent to him by the ICPC over his comment on the floor of the Senate.

He said many had misinterpreted his remarks to mean that he had influenced his wifes handling of some case while she was the President of the Court of Appeal.

He argued that, as a serving senator when he made the comment, he was, by law, immune to arrest or detention over any of his conduct, action or speech on the floor of the Senate.

He also said he was freely expressing himself on the floor of the upper legislative chamber when the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, interjected and prevented him from completely expressing his thought.

He said he was neither questioned nor disciplined by the Senate for any wrongdoing.

Mr Bulkachuwa stated that he was surprised to receive an invitation from the ICPC, asking him to report for an interview on 22 June for interrogation over his comment on the floor of the Senate.

He argued that, by law, it was only the Senate in session (committee of the whole) or any of its sub-committees that had the disciplinary power to invite him to answer any question or questions relating to his conduct or utterances on the floor of the upper chamber.

The National Assembly is an independent arm of government with its own regulatory power and every Senator, including the plaintiff, have the parliamentary immunity to boldly express themselves on the floor of the Senate without any fear of sanctions from the executive arm of government, for and on behalf of their constituents.

Hence, the immunity conferred on members to allow or grant lawmakers the freedom of speech they required and confidence why on the floor of the Senate.

He argued that no civil or criminal proceedings can lie against a serving member of the Senate on account of the speech/utterances made on the floor of the Senate unless and until the Senate exhausts its disciplinary powers over such a member.

He said that because he was a politician, the defendants jointly and severally, might have decided to join his political foes to question and discipline him for his statement, made on the floor of the Senate.

He, therefore, prayed the court to, among others, declare that the he was covered and protected by the Parliamentary Immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017.

Mr Bulkachuwa also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and other agencies of the federal government from further inviting and or compelling him to appear before them for interviews or questioning in respect of his inchoate utterances on the floor of the 9th Senate.

Hearing

At a hearing on Thursday, Mr Bulkachuwas lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, urged the court to grant all the prayers sought.

The Clerk of the National Assembly had backed Mr Bulkachuwa in a counter-affidavit, saying he enjoyed immunity from any form of proceedings in respect of words spoken or written at the plenary session.

But lawyer to the AGF, Oyin Koleoso, faulted the plaintiffs argument, contending that he no longer had any immunity from arrest and prosecution because he had ceased to be a senator.

Mr Koleoso urged the court to dismiss the suit.

O. A. Aderounmu, who appeared for the State Security Service (SSS), and ICPCs lawyer, U. M. Narimir, also urged the court to dismiss the case.

The judge, Mr Ekwo, adjourned the matter until 25 October for judgement.

(NAN)

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The 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Monday to Tuesday is undoubtedly a preparatory gathering for the BRICS Summit to be hosted by South Africa next month.

It provided developing countries with a platform to share their experiences, wisdom and practices on cybersecurity so as to better coordinate their efforts to improve good governance in cyberspace. That is becoming an urgent task given the developed countries' increasingly obvious intention of taking advantage of their strengths in technology, finance and infrastructure to turn the internet from a public good to a leverage they can use to protect hegemony and vested interests, instigate divisions and confrontation, and incite coups and unrest.

As reflected by remarks of the participants at the meeting, cybersecurity is a common challenge developing countries face, and thanks to the high penetration of the internet, cybersecurity should be regarded as a key foundation of national security, as important as food and energy security. As such, they have reached a consensus that they have to strengthen strategic communication and make clear the direction of cooperation to safeguard their common interests.

To that end, the four-point proposal China's senior diplomat Wang Yi put forward at the meeting deserves the attention of all parties, including the developed countries. As Wang urged, countries should practice genuine multilateralism, support the United Nations in playing a central role in global cyberspace governance, fully heed the legitimate concerns of developing countries, establish fair and reasonable international rules, and establish a democratic and transparent internet governance system.

To safeguard cybersecurity, the international community should respect each country's independent choice of cyber development path and management model, practice the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate the peaceful use of cyberspace, firmly resist an arms race in cyberspace, and oppose attempts to use cyberspace for instigating "color revolutions".

Particularly, the use of information and communication technology should be effectively regulated and joint efforts should be made to combat cybercrimes, promote digital connectivity, narrow the digital divide, strengthen international cooperation in technological innovation, and promote the economic and social development of all countries.

The vitality of cyberspace stems from connectivity and openness. As Wang pointed out, cyberspace should be a "big stage" on which a hundred flowers bloom, rather than a "new battlefield" between the two sides of a digital iron curtain.

The proposals are a practical blueprint for addressing the challenges of cybersecurity.
The Senate says it will commence the screening of the ministerial nominees on Monday.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed this while addressing journalists shortly after the plenary on Thursday.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday forwarded a list of 28 ministerial nominees to the upper chamber for screening and possible confirmation.

Mr Adaramodu said the nominees will undergo intense screening from the lawmakers.

The Senate spokesperson noted that the two months vacation of the senate that ought to have commenced on Thursday (today) had been suspended for the screening of the ministerial nominees.

We have suspended all rules and laws. We were supposed to go for our vacation today but it has been suspended for this screening, he said.

Mr Adaramodu said the nominees will be strictly scrutinised based on their backgrounds and their achievements.

This time, screening will be very thorough. It is not going to be a situation where the screening will be anyhow. We are going to know the background of the nominees and we are not going to disappoint Nigerians.

It is not going to be a shallow screening. You must have the character, you must have the face, you must have the behaviour to be among the cabin crew that is going to fly Nigeria.

This time around, Nigeria is going to be better. Whoever gets to the floor of the Senate will be screened. We will not manufacture any questions, he said.

Call for information

Mr Adaramodu also called on Nigerians to make information available to the Senate if they notice that anyone included on the list is found to be corrupt.

He said if information is made available to the senate, questions will be asked based on the allegations.

Anybody who has anything against those names that have been called should send questions that will be asked. As nominees you have to explain yourself, we will not manufacture questions.

Nominees have been sent to us, we are not going to preempt anything. There will be reports from the security agencies.

If any nominees come in and there is a red flag on the nominees, we are going to face the red flag. It is not going to be a closed-door screening. What I want you to know is that we will not disappoint Nigerians, we are going to do a thorough job, Mr Adaramodu stated.

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Journalism experts across West African countries, on Tuesday and Wednesday, converged in Abuja to discuss the issues at the intersection of journalism and technological innovation models in the region.

The participants also highlighted the various concerns in media growth and development in West Africa and solutions that could enhance sustainability in the media ecosystem.

The experts spoke at the inaugural West Africa Journalism Innovation Conference (WAJIC) organised by the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in Abuja, Nigerias capital city.

The conference, themed Accountability Journalism: Innovation for a sustainable future, was attended by over 300 journalists, tech experts, media professionals, academics, entrepreneurs and policymakers across West Africa.

The gathering also exposed media practitioners to business models they can adopt without compromising the core ethics of journalism amidst the rapidly evolving trends of news dissemination in the digital age.

According to the organisers, WAJIC23 was also put together to highlight the importance of accountability journalism and foster collaboration between journalists, media organisations, tech companies/professionals and academics. It was also designed to promote journalism innovation, ethical reporting, media literacy and capacity-building opportunities for journalists within the West African region.

The Conference

In his remarks, PREMIUM TIMES Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of CJID, Dapo Olorunyomi, hinted that the conference was organised against the urgent need to innovate and address sustainability issues in the media amid revenue challenges.

Our historical duty today is to reinvent journalism to better serve the purpose of our democracy and the liberty of citizens, he said.

But Mr Olorunyomi noted that journalism is troubled in the region because its business model is in crisis, and there is an erosion of trust on the part of the audience. He said the conference is a perfect ground for innovation on how the media outlets produce and distribute content and how it finances journalism.

Innovation is a pathway to the challenges of renewal we seek, and if we ever make West Africa a space and zone of good governance, tolerance and livable, our journalism must wake up to the test of an effective response to realities of fragile states, the epidemic of corruption, information and climate crises, complexities of technology and the absence of sub-national mechanisms of accountability like professional media at state and local council levels, Mr Olorunyomi said.

In his keynote address, Richard Gingras, Vice President of News at Google, urged journalists to be more constructive and creative while reporting to sustain the relevance of the media.

The Reuters Institute tells us that less than 10 per cent of our society regularly consume what we call serious news. Google tells us that less than 2 per cent of search curves are about matters of serious news, he said.

Mr Gingras emphasised that there is a great opportunity and business value in enriching the fabric of a community by addressing the overall needs of that community through reporting.

I fear we dont use such approaches. If we dont use such approaches, the bridge, the divides in our societies, the important accountability journalism we do produce will not be heard beyond the depth of our own silos, he added.

In his remarks, the Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima, said the organisation supported the conference because it believes in the initiative of the organisers, adding that many media houses collapsed due to dwindling resources and revenue.

We know that money from some sources is very corrupt, so the media needs multiple sources of revenue to keep afloat. We support accountability journalism, which must be financed by multiple sources of revenue. Independent media is critical for democracy to survive; the reason is also why we support independent media, he said.

Technology and innovation are critical to catching up with what is happening around the world. I am hoping it will be a yearly event, and we would always be there to give support because independent media is in our interest, else we may find it difficult to operate.

Challenges & recommendations

A workshop moderated by Williette James from the Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone had the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, Umaru Pate; a professor from the University of Ghana, Audrey Gadzekpo; and Tunde Akanni from the Lagos State University as panellists.

During the session titled, Innovative Trends in Journalism Practice- what are the Research Gaps?, discussants emphasised that the emergence of innovative technologies over the years has led to the transformation of news formats, from print through to broadcast and digital media.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence(AI) tools poses significant challenges to the media ecosystems as media practitioners are struggling to explore the benefits of these technologies to remain afloat.

In his intervention, Mr Pate said technology is central to the continuous evolution of media formats in the region and worldwide.

Central to all of this is technology. This means technology is the enabler. As technology changes, many things will become, and many more formats of information dissemination will be coming, he said.

The Vice-Chancellor said that newsrooms are far ahead of the classrooms, so graduates from schools are finding it difficult to be integrated into the mainstream media.

Having realised all the challenges brought by the emergence of the internet, Mr Pate said universities in Nigeria had discovered the need to change their curriculum and teaching approaches to enable them to train students who are abreast of developments in the media landscape.

He said the coming of the internet had raised significant concerns about funding, technology, content, credibility, press freedom and safety.

What type of research do we need to do in our environment to ensure our media organisations survive?, he queried, adding that the new curriculum in schools came up with the issue of media economics and monitoring.

On her part, Mrs Gadzekpo said media practitioners must think of audiences when conceptualising these innovations, adding that there is a need to consider the audience when talking about research agenda in the media.

While referring to local language news delivery in Ghana, she said research has shown that audiences thought about local language delivery differently from how they perceive news delivery in English.

In his intervention, Mr Akanni said the entire media system in Nigeria is undergoing many changes and that the government, in recent times, is working to see how it can regulate and censor the media space in the country.

While comparing Ghanas usage of local languages in news dissemination with Nigeria, the Lagos State University scholar said Ghana is doing better. Most media houses in Nigeria would rather deploy more sophisticated tools to ensure adequate pronunciation of English words, limiting their reach to specific audiences.

The experts agreed that there is a need to conduct adequate research to show how media organisations can use technology to improve their work.

Mrs Gadzekpo said many media organisations dont invest in their journalists to learn how to use technology effectively.

She hinted that there is a need to provide mentorship for students in tertiary institutions and empower them to research innovative ways to adopt technologies across media outlets.

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Children of former governors serving in the House of Representatives have been named as heads of major standing committees of the lower chamber.

Bello el-Rufai, the son of Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State; Olumide Osoba, the son of Segun Osoba, the former Governor of Ogun State and Suenu Ibori, daughter of James Ibori, former governor of Delta State were among the 134 chairpersons of committees announced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday.

Others are Adegboyega Adefarati, the son of Adebayo Adefarati, a former governor of Ondo State and Olamiju Akala, the son of Alao Akala, a former governor of Oyo State.

The junior El-Rufai, a first-timer who represents the Kaduna North Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, was appointed to serve as the chairman of the House Committee on Banking Regulation.

His father served as the Kaduna governor from 2015 to 2023 and was on Thursday nominated to serve as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Abbas appointed Ms Ibori as the new Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Despite Mr Iboris conviction and jail time in the United Kingdom, Mr Ibori still controls a large part of the political structure in Delta State.

And lately, Mr Ibori appears to be back in the power corridor as he is a frequent guest of President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

Mr Adefarati, who represents the Akoko South-East/South-West Federal Constituency, is the chairperson of the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity.

He served as commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in Ondo State. The senior Adefarati served as the governor of Ondo State from 1999 to 2003. He died in 2007 while preparing to run for president.

Olumide Osoba is the chair of the House Committee on Justice. Although, unlike other children of former governors, the junior Osoba is a ranking member, having served in the Ninth House.

He represents the Obafemi/Owode Federal Constituency of Ogun State. In the last assembly, he served as the committee chairman on Youths and Sports. His father served as the governor of Ogun State, first from 1992 to 1993 and later from 1999 to 2003.

Olamiju Akala, though a first-timer, is the chairman House Committee on Youths in Parliament. He represents the Ogbomosho Federal Constituency of Oyo State.

His father served as the governor of Oyo State from 2006 to 2011. The senior Akala died in January last year.

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Have lessons been learnt? Maybe yes and no. This is because some Nigerians who are feeding fat on sharp practices see nothing wrong with electoral fraud. For them, the end justifies the means. Perhaps we do not realise that the young are watching what is happening on the political scene. When a nation leaves behind a legacy of lies, cover up, it is my turn and do-or-die politics, it not only destroys its soul but the fabric that holds it together as well.

Despite its huge potential, an estimated 60% youth population comprising those who are under 25 years  the youngest in Africa, a growing creative industry that attracts global audiences, academics who are breaking new grounds in research across the world and the finest clerics in global reckoning, Nigeria seems to be sliding into becoming a nation of no consequence. Perhaps the only consequence is the scandalous political elite that mentors the young in inglorious legacies  declaring losers as winners and winners as losers.

A good way to begin is the shambolic 25 February presidential election that went down in history as the worst in the nations 62 years of existence. The recent European Union (EU) report testifies to this fact. Unlike previous elections, Nigerians had resolved to change the status quo. In part, the passage of the Not too young to run bill into law and reliance on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS). This inspired young voters who came out en masse to exercise their franchise, and to decide their future.

This was further boosted by warm assurances from the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Festus Okoye, and INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. With local funding at a budget of 355 billion to improve technology in voting, plus an international support of 39 million from the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), $50 million technical assistance from the US government, and pledges by the electoral umpire that it will deliver on credible elections, even the worst pessimist was not left in doubt that the 2023 elections would be the most free, fair, and creditable polls in Nigerias nationhood.

To the dismay of local and international observers, civil society organisations (CSOs), the media and the Nigerian electorate, who defied time and circumstances to vote, the presidential election did not go as promised. While the National Assembly and House of Representatives elections were transmitted to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) without qualms, most results of the presidential election were not. Instead, funny photos were uploaded. Meanwhile, manual results were announced at the National Collation Centre, Abuja. Even when objections were raised that the results were not tallying, the INEC boss continued.

When Nigerians demanded to know what happened, the electoral body started speaking from different parts of the mouth  the long and short of the story was that they experienced some glitches while attempting to upload results on IREV. How and why the so-called infectious glitch like cancer only chose the presidential election for permanent damage and left the previous ones held on the same day remains a mystery, akin to African voodoo. In the dead of the night results were announced and the mood across the nation was: Really, is this possible in the 21st century? Well, a president has been sworn in and the matter is in court. Most Nigerians who are students of history are doubtful that anything good will come out of it.

Have lessons been learnt? Maybe yes and no. This is because some Nigerians who are feeding fat on sharp practices see nothing wrong with electoral fraud. For them, the end justifies the means. Perhaps we do not realise that the young are watching what is happening on the political scene. When a nation leaves behind a legacy of lies, cover up, it is my turn and do-or-die politics, it not only destroys its soul but the fabric that holds it together as well. It is heart-rending to imagine that academics who expel students for malpractices are the very ones to turn a blind eye to electoral malfeasance or even perpetuate it; surprisingly, when good educational policies are not implemented resulting in ASUU strikes, they end up blaming the same politicians whom they rigged into public office.

For example, in March, an ex-JAMB registrar was on trial for fresh charges of N5 billion fraud brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). In April 2022, a witness of the anti-graft agency testified that the accused allegedly set up a radio station with N15 million diverted from JAMB. In February 2018, it was reported that a snake swallowed N36 million in the vault of the JAMB office, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Sadly, these acts of hubris impact negatively on the young. A clear example is the case of Mmesoma Ejikeme, who allegedly manually inflated her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result from 249 to 362, using the score to attract a N3 million scholarship from Innoson Motors. The teen attracted huge social media accolades. In fact, the Anambra State government was set to honour her before the matter was exposed.

In a statement which berated the action, JAMB disclosed that: Mmesoma had actually scored 249 and not the 362 she claimed. The examination body also submitted that, She had manipulated her UTME result to deceive the public to fraudulently obtain a scholarship and other recognitions. Meanwhile, Nkechinyere Umeh, 16, was declared the top scorer by the board during its 2023 policy meeting, which was held in Abuja on Saturday, 24 June, with an aggregate score of 360. Ejikemes manipulation could pass for Yakubus super-story, with the latter being a prototype for the JAMB fraud.

At the heart of nation building is ensuring strong institutions, with forthright individuals driving them. South Africas Nelson Mandela, Tanzanias Julius Nyerere and most recently, John Magufuli, typify African leaders who have left heroic examples for the teaming youth across the continent. Since the future of any nation is its youth population, it behooves on African leaders to avoid scandalising the youth simply because they want power at all costs. Young girls have the likes of late Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Dora Akunyili, as well as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Amina Jane Mohammed to learn from.

Personages like Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Idi Amin and Mobutu Sese Seko have come and gone, yet their legacies are left in the museum of wasteful tragedy. I think that the greatest power is that of influence, and this can be achieved without political power. As such, let the old bequeath wisdom and good morals to the young, as the latter drive innovation and industry. The child who ignores good examples and finds justification in the bad attitude of some old crook ends up as a dwarf of history.

Justine John Dyikuk, a Catholic priest, is a lecturer of Mass Communication, University of Jos, Nigeria; Senior Fellow, International Religious Freedom Policy, Religious Freedom Institute (RFI), Washington DC; and PhD Candidate, University of Strathclyde Glasgow, United Kingdom.

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The BRICS platform, which began life as a dialogue mechanism for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has evolved into a key platform for cooperation among the world's developing countries and emerging markets.

Because of opposition from Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron will not take part in the bloc's upcoming summit in South Africa, to be held in Johannesburg from Aug 22 to 24. But the fact that the French leader sought an invitation to attend the summit reflects the growing stature of BRICS.

That explains why so many developing countries are seeking to join the group. So far more than 40 countries including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Iran have expressed an interest in joining, with 22 of them having already formally applied to do so.

Together, the five current BRICS members already account for 40 percent of the world's population and just over one-fourth of the global GDP. They are helping to drive the development of the Global South through the New Development Bank that BRICS created in 2015 to meet the specific funding needs of developing countries. The bank, which provides development funding without any political strings attached, has so far approved more than $30 billion in loans for infrastructure projects in developing countries.

Since its first summit in 2009, BRICS has been committed to upholding multilateralism, reforming the global governance system and amplifying the voice of the developing countries in the international arena. This, in addition to its pledge that it will remain open and inclusive, and strive for win-win results, has made the group an ideal development partner for countries that have been marginalized or left behind by the West-dominated world economic order.

A highlight of this year's summit is that the heads of state of all African countries have been invited to the meeting. This unprecedented move indicates that BRICS has now become a constructive force for reshaping the existing global order. "Our continent was pillaged and ravaged and exploited by other continents and we therefore want to build the solidarity in BRICS to advance the interests  of the continent as a whole," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said. His country now holds the BRICS chair.

Indeed, "BRICS is no longer an 'alternative', it is an established feature of the global landscape", as Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said.

It is to be hoped that the upcoming summit will further contribute to building a fairer and more open global development architecture to the benefit of all developing nations.
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA, HKEX: 2391), a global IoT developer service provider, today shared its extensive cybersecurity approaches at a cyber norms forum hosted by the Research Center for Global Cyberspace Governance (RCGCG) with the aim of securing rapidly advancing tech frontiers.

With the theme "Cyber Norms: Legal, Policy & Industry Perspectives", the event assembled a team of cyberspace and international relations experts from institutions, organizations and companies such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.-China Business Council, Hathaway Global Strategies LLC and Tuya Smart. The attendees discussed the current cybersecurity landscape, norms for emerging technologies and how the private sector can best combat cyber risks.

The experts acknowledged the existing fragmentation in the cyber norm ecosystem. However, rather than viewing it as detrimental, participants saw this as an opportunity to broaden the base of stakeholders and deepen understanding of normative expectations within relevant communities.

"The forum plays a vital role in promoting international cooperation in developing cyber norms," said Professor Lu Chuanying, Secretary General of RCGCG. "It's vital to bring together diverse perspectives, particularly in the face of rising geopolitical tensions that spike cybersecurity risks."

Private-sector representatives at the event echoed this sentiment, recognizing collaboration is critical, and the time is now to enhance cyber norms and remove obstacles that are stifling mutual confidence.

Tuya Smart outlined its holistic approach to cybersecurity leadership at the forum. The company was recognized as an exemplar for its cybersecurity best practices in the 2022 Global IoT Security White Paper, jointly prepared by RCGCG and ioXt, the global standard for IoT security. (The paper is available at https://www.ioxtalliance.org/content-and-resources)

As a showcase of key initiatives, Tuya displayed a range of actions from acquiring international third-party security certifications, to the formation of the Tuya Security Team, and the establishment of six data centers globally which can provide rapid response and stability for customers around the world.

Tuya said it fully embraces and supports the 12 initiatives to safeguard global IoT security proposed by RCGCG and ioXt, and national-level security standards, such as the U.S. cybersecurity labeling program and China's Global Initiative on Data Security. These crucial standards act as a bulwark against the fragmentation of IoT cybersecurity standards and help differentiate trustworthy products in the marketplace.

"As the digital realm expands and new technologies increase connectivity, IoT security is becoming more critical," said Jemma Shi, Tuya Privacy and Compliance Director. "Committed to boosting IoT security and improving user experience for smart device consumers, Tuya adds value to the collective goal of fortifying cyber defense. Our commitment to high security standards has been recognized internationally, and we're looking to work with partners worldwide to build a safe, open and resilient IoT ecosystem."

As demand for data privacy and transparency continues to rise, Tuya's emphasis on compliance and security is more vital than ever.

On the global compliance front, Tuya has proven its maturity in cybersecurity and data protection through Ernst & Young's SOC 2 Audit program. In meeting regional standards, Tuya has earned TrustArc's validations for GDPR and CCPA compliance. In terms of product safety, Tuya has demonstrated commitment by securing TUV SUD's EN 303645 and NIST IR 8259A certifications.

Discussions at the forum also touched on concerns about potential data sharing by Chinese companies with Chinese authorities. Professor Lu pointed to China's Global Initiative on Data Security, which highlights China's commitment to respecting the data sovereignty, jurisdiction, and governance of other countries, and not asking companies to transfer data obtained overseas in violation of other countries' laws.

"The creation of global data security rules rests on the involvement of all stakeholders," Professor Lu noted. "Such rules should reflect the wishes of all nations and respect the interests of all parties. Only then can we build a fair and secure digital ecosystem."

SOURCE Tuya Smart
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

AES Argentina Generacion S.A.

Offer to Exchange Any and All of its Outstanding

7.750% Senior Notes due 2024

(CUSIP Nos.: 00107V AA1 and P1000C AA2; ISIN Nos. US00107VAA17 and USP1000CAA29)

On July 13, 2023, AES Argentina Generacion S.A. (" AES Argentina " or the " Company ") announced the commencement of its offer to exchange (the " Exchange Offer ") any and all of its outstanding 7.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the " Old Notes ") for newly issued 9.50% Notes due 2027 (the " New Notes ") and cash consideration, as applicable, each upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the exchange offer memorandum (the " Exchange Offer Memorandum "), dated July 13, 2023 and the related eligibility letter (the " Eligibility Letter " and, together with the Exchange Offer Memorandum, the " Exchange Offer Documents "). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Exchange Offer Documents.

AES Argentina announces that it is extending the period to be eligible to receive the Early Exchange Consideration in respect of the exchange offer from July 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time (the " Original Early Expiration Date ") to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on August 10, 2023. The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on August 10, 2023.

Morrow Sodali International LLC, acting as information and exchange agent for the Exchange Offer (the " Information and Exchange Agent "), advised AES Argentina that as of the Original Early Expiration Date, (i) U.S.$35,184,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing approximately 12.82% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding, have been tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Exchange Offer under Option A, and (ii) U.S.$93,915,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing approximately 34.21% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding, have been tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Exchange Offer under Option B, totaling a participation of U.S.$129,099,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing approximately 47.03% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding.

Based on the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer as of the Original Early Expiration Date, Eligible Holders that tendered their Old Notes under Option A at or prior to the Early Participation Date would receive (assuming no additional participation) approximately 73% and 27% of the Early A Consideration in cash and New Notes, respectively. The Exchange Consideration will be determined following the expiration of the Exchange Offer.

AES Argentina also announces that the Withdrawal Date expired on July 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time. The Old Notes validly tendered in the Exchange Offer may no longer be withdrawn, and any Old Notes tendered on or after the date hereof and prior to the Expiration Date may not be withdrawn.

The other terms of the Exchange Offer remain unchanged (including the Withdrawal Date). The terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer are described in the Exchange Offer Memorandum and in AES Argentina's Press Release dated July 13, 2023, as amended by this announcement. AES Argentina's obligations to accept any Old Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and to pay the Exchange Consideration for them are set forth in the Exchange Offer Memorandum, as amended by this announcement. The Exchange Offer is made by, and pursuant to the terms of, the Exchange Offer Memorandum, and the information in this announcement is qualified by reference to the Exchange Offer Memorandum.

Unless the Exchange Offer is extended, the settlement date for the Exchange Offer is expected to be August 16, 2023, in compliance with Argentine Central Bank's requirements to access the foreign exchange market (the " Settlement Date ").

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 ").

Questions or requests for assistance related to the Exchange Offer or for additional copies of the Exchange Offer Documents may be directed to the Information and Exchange Agent 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/AES.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC are acting as dealer managers (the " Dealer Managers ") for the Exchange Offer. Banco Santander Argentina S.A., Banco Itau Argentina S.A., Itau Valores S.A. and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Argentina) S.A.U. 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 waived prior to the Expiration Date or Settlement Date, as the case may be, terminated, at any time and for any reason. We reserve the right to amend, at any time, the terms of the Exchange Offer (including, without limitation, the conditions thereto) 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. We expect to issue our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2023, on or about August 8, 2023, which we expect to incorporate into the Exchange Offer Memorandum by means of a supplement thereto.

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, AES Argentina will pay a processing fee to brokers in Argentina acting on behalf of certain Eligible Holders. In Argentina, the processing fee will be payable to direct participants in Caja de Valores S.A.'s ("Caja de Valores") depositary system acting on behalf of beneficial owners of Old Notes in Argentina who are individuals tendering, through Caja de Valores, Old Notes for exchange in the Exchange Offer with respect to individual tenders of up to U.S.$250,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes per each Eligible Holder that are accepted for exchange and will be in an amount equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of such tendered Old Notes that are accepted for exchange. This processing fee will be payable in Argentine pesos at the Communication "A" 3500 exchange rate published by the BCRA on the Argentine business day prior to the Settlement Date. No such fee shall be payable to brokers outside of Argentina.

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 is:

INFORMATION AND EXCHANGE AGENT

Morrow Sodali International LLC

Offer Website: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/AES

E-mail: mailto:[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 HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 452 Fifth Avenue,

New York, New York 10018 Attention: Global Liability Management Group U.S. Toll-Free: (888) HSBC-4LM Collect: (212) 525-5552 J.P. Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179 Attn: Latin America Debt Capital Markets U.S. Toll-free: +1 (866) 846-2874 Collect: +1 (212) 834-7279 Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue

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/AES until the consummation or termination of the Exchange Offer.

SOURCE AES Argentina Generacion S.A.
- AIM Is First Japanese Company to Establish Joint Research Agreement in Field of Endoscopic AI -

TOKYO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AI Medical Service Inc. (hereinafter AIM), a medical start-up specializing in the development of diagnostic endoscopic AI, has signed a joint research agreement with Stanford University School of Medicine (hereinafter Stanford Medicine), one of the world's top medical research institutes, and will begin research activities in August 2023. AIM is the first Japanese company to sign a joint research agreement with Stanford Medicine in the field of endoscopic AI.

Content and Objective of Joint Research

AIM is now working toward receiving regulatory approval in Japan for its endoscopic AI product designed to identify early-stage gastric cancer. Its collaboration with Stanford Medicine will facilitate joint research designed to verify the applicability of Japanese endoscopic AI in the United States.

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide, and approximately 26,000 cases of gastric cancer are newly diagnosed in the United States each year.

Stanford Medicine is located in the center of America's West Coast, a diverse region where 58% of the population belongs to various minority groups. Gastric cancer is noteworthy for its high prevalence among Asian communities. Stanford Medicine established CARE (Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education) in 2018 with the mission to improve health outcomes among members of the Asian community through increased knowledge and education.

Comment from Dr. Joo Ha Hwang, Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology & Hepatology) and, by courtesy, of Surgery

Photo1:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107153/202307247386/_prw_PI1fl_d5AIhRHb.jpg

"We are excited to collaborate with AI Medical Service Inc. in evaluating their AI platform for detecting early gastric cancer. This is an important issue in the United States because the incidence of early gastric cancer is relatively high in several immigrant populations, especially East Asians; however, the detection of early gastric cancer remains low because lesions are often subtle and difficult to identify. We look forward to evaluating this technology in clinical studies at Stanford Medicine where we have a diverse population of ethnicities who are considered to be at higher risk for gastric cancer."

About AI Medical Service Inc.

AI Medical Service (AIM) is a Tokyo-based med-tech company established with the mission to "Save Lives All Over the World." Japan leads the world in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment, providing firms and researchers with access to large amounts of high-quality data. AIM is the leading player in the field of endoscopic AI, engaging in joint research with more than 100 medical institutions. By bringing endoscopic AI to the real-world clinical setting as soon as possible, AIM aims to reduce the number of missed cancer diagnoses and save lives around the world.

For more company information, please visit:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202307247386-O2-9IDB3I69.pdf

About CEO of AI Medical Service Inc., Dr. Tomohiro TADA, M.D., Ph.D.

Photo2:

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107153/202307247386/_prw_PI2fl_Dg6FLFei.jpg

Dr. Tomohiro TADA is the CEO of AI Medical Service Inc., the chairperson of Tada Tomohiro The Institute of Gastroenterology & Proctology as well as Visiting Lecturer, Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo Hospital. Dr. TADA received his M.D. in 1996 and Ph.D. in 2005 from the University of Tokyo. He trained in colorectal surgery at the University of Tokyo Hospital.

For related press release, please visit:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202307247386-O1-6CC385B4.pdf

SOURCE AI Medical Service Inc.
A preview of future car interior material from Alcantara and a new ALPINA concept seat were shown at the German award program's Summer Fest

ALSFELD, Germany, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcantara previewed its collection of future automotive interior material and displayed a bright orange car seat developed with ALPINA at the German Car of the Year's Summer Fest in Alsfeld.

More than 150 journalists, industry analysts and auto-company executives attended the mid-July program at Hotel Villa Raab. The three-day event featured technical presentations, product displays and more than 50 new-model test-drive vehicles, including a number of cars equipped with Alcantara.

Alcantara Chairman Andrea Boragno (left) shown at the German Car of the Year Summer Fest with Andreas Bovensiepen, ALPINAs CEO.

Alcantara Chairman Andrea Boragno noted that brighter colors are becoming the auto industry's new black. Although vibrant colors have been featured on limited edition and sportier bespoke models in the past, a trend toward generally brighter, more striking interior and exterior colors is starting to emerge.

Alcantara, a leading "Made in Italy" luxury brand, is an official German Car of the Year partner with ZF, Bridgestone, KST and Aitastic. In the field of sustainability, Alcantara has been Carbon Neutral since 2009 with carbon neutrality certification based on the offset of greenhouse gas emissions through carbon credits derived from certified and verified offsetting projects.

For further information:

www.alcantara.com

twitter.com/alcantaraspa

facebook.com/alcantara.company

youtube.com/alcantaracompany

instagram.com/alcantara_company/

SOURCE Alcantara S.p.A.
BEIJING, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) ("Autohome" or the "Company"), the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023.

Second Quarter 2023 Highlights[1]

Net Revenues in the second quarter of 2023 were RMB1,833.0 million ( US$252.8 million ), compared to RMB1,733.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

in the second quarter of 2023 were ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Net Income attributable to Autohome in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB504 .7 million ( US$69.6 million ), compared to RMB435 .0 million in the corresponding period of 2022, and net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB491.2 million ( US$67.7 million ), compared to RMB423 .4 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

in the second quarter of 2023 was .7 million ( ), compared to .0 million in the corresponding period of 2022, and in the second quarter of 2023 was ( ), compared to .4 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) [2] in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB569.5 million ( US$78.5 million ), compared to RMB472.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

in the second quarter of 2023 was ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Share Repurchase: As of July 21, 2023 , the Company had repurchased 4,697,330 American depositary shares ("ADSs") for a total cost of approximately US$141.0 million .

Mr. Quan Long, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Autohome, stated, "During the second quarter of 2023, we actively advanced our C-end strategy, making steady progress across content optimization and business diversification while expanding our traffic through multiple channels. In mid-June, we debuted China's first mobile exhibition truck featuring a large-scale holographic display, providing consumers in lower- tier cities with more comprehensive information on new energy vehicles ("NEVs") and enabling NEV brands to expand their reach into these markets, in line with the government's policy to support NEV consumption in rural areas. We also unveiled our first Autohome Energy Space franchise store in Haikou, Hainan Province, marking the beginning of this new retail franchise model's expansion nationwide. Moreover, we accelerated the application of AI technology in all business scenarios, enabling our partners to reduce costs and increase efficiency. We developed two decision-making assistant products based on a GPT model, providing both users and customers with more efficient services. Looking ahead, we are confident that with long-term accumulation of cutting-edge technology and growing brand advantages as well as our comprehensive innovation incubation system, Autohome is well positioned to seize the opportunities across the industry and achieve diversified business growth."

Mr. Craig Yan Zeng, Chief Financial Officer of Autohome, added, "Our financial and operational performance continued to recover steadily with a 6% year-over-year increase in total revenues in the second quarter of 2023, led by strong growth in our online marketplace and others business. Notably, revenues from both TTP Car, Inc. and data products delivered double-digit growth year-over-year, and revenue from NEV brands maintained its robust growth momentum. Meanwhile, in June 2023, our mobile DAUs grew by 31.7% year-over-year to reach 62.71 million, according to QuestMobile, demonstrating our sustained leadership in the automotive media vertical. We have also made significant progress in the development of new models and products, further reinforcing our market leadership in key areas. As we move forward, we will remain committed to the two major industry trends of NEVs and artificial intelligence, constantly innovating to bring superior products and services to users and customers, and ultimately delivering long-term value to all shareholders."

Unaudited Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues in the second quarter of 2023 were RMB1,833.0 million (US$252.8 million), compared to RMB1,733.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Media services revenues were RMB532.0 million ( US$73.4 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB530.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

revenues were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Leads generation services revenues were RMB759.6 million ( US$104.8 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB752.8 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

revenues were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Online marketplace and others revenues were RMB541.4 million ( US$74.7 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB449.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to greater contributions from TTP Car, Inc. and data products.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB330.2 million (US$45.5 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB278.9 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to a rise in operational costs. Share-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB1.8 million (US$0.2 million), compared to RMB1.3 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB1,228.1 million (US$169.4 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB1,227.5 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB824.1 million ( US$113.6 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB738.7 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to the escalation in marketing and promotional spending. Share-based compensation expense included in sales and marketing expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB12.3 million ( US$1 .7 million), compared to RMB5.4 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

expenses were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to the escalation in marketing and promotional spending. Share-based compensation expense included in sales and marketing expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was ( .7 million), compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. General and administrative expenses were RMB91.0 million ( US$12.5 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB126.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction of expected credit losses. Share-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB8.9 million ( US$1.2 million ), compared to RMB10 .1 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

expenses were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction of expected credit losses. Share-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB8.9 million ( ), compared to .1 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Product development expenses were RMB313.0 million ( US$43 .2 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB362.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in personnel-related expenses. Share-based compensation expense included in product development expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB18.7 million ( US$2.6 million ), compared to RMB11.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Operating Profit

Operating profit was RMB341.5 million (US$47.1 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB301.3 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Income Tax Expense

There was an income tax expense of RMB35.8 million (US$4.9 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB34.1 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Net Income Attributable to Autohome

Net income attributable to Autohome was RMB504.7 million (US$69.6 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB435.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Net Income Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders and Earnings per Share/ADS

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB491.2 million (US$67.7 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB423.4 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") were RMB1.00 (US$0.14) and RMB1.00 (US$0.14), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to basic and diluted EPS of RMB0.85 and RMB0.84, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022. Basic and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB3.99 (US$0.55) and RMB3.98 (US$0.55), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB3.38 and RMB3.38, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022.

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) and Non-GAAP EPS/ADS

Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) was RMB569.5 million (US$78.5 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB472.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS were RMB1.16 (US$0.16) and RMB1.15 (US$0.16), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS of RMB0.94 and RMB0.94, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022. Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB4.62 (US$0.64) and RMB4.61 (US$0.64), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB3.77 and RMB3.77, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB23.34 billion (US$3.22 billion). Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB522.0 million (US$72.0 million).

Employees

The Company had 5,500 employees as of June 30, 2023, including 2,177 employees from TTP Car, Inc.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 27, 2023 (8:00 PM Beijing Time on the same day).

Please register in advance of the conference call using the registration link provided below. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which will be used to join the conference call.

Registration Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI7e7200be351a4ab986e67e0b2faeb302

Please use the conference access information to join the call ten minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at https://ir.autohome.com.cn and a replay of the webcast will be available following the session.

About Autohome

Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) is the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China. Its mission is to relentlessly reduce auto industry decision-making and transaction costs driven by advanced technology. Autohome provides occupationally generated content, professionally generated content, user-generated content, and AI-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive automobile listing information to automobile consumers, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle. The ability to reach a large and engaged user base of automobile consumers has made Autohome a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct their advertising campaigns. Further, the Company's dealer subscription and advertising services allow dealers to market their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to potentially millions of internet users in China and generating sales leads for them. The Company offers sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to assist automakers and dealers with improving their efficiency and facilitating transactions. Autohome operates its "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, to facilitate transactions for automakers and dealers. Further, through its websites and mobile applications, it also provides other value-added services, including auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services. For further information, please visit https://www.autohome.com.cn/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, Autohome's business outlook, Autohome's strategic and operational plans and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Autohome may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Autohome's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Autohome's goals and strategies; Autohome's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online automobile advertising market in China; Autohome's ability to attract and retain users and advertisers and further enhance its brand recognition; Autohome's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; competition in the online automobile advertising industry; relevant government policies and regulatory environment of China; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Autohome's filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Autohome does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement net income presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome, Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS and earnings per ADS, Adjusted net margin and Adjusted EBITDA as non-GAAP financial measures. We define Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome as net income attributable to Autohome excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition, investment loss/(gain) relating to non-operating impact of a write-down of the initial investment in a financial product, and loss/(gain) pickup of equity method investments, and impairment of long-term investments, with all the reconciliation items adjusted for related income tax effects. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ADSs. We define Adjusted net margin as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by total net revenues. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Autohome before income tax expense, depreciation expenses of property and equipment, amortization expenses of intangible assets and share-based compensation expenses. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance, in addition to net income prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand our operating and financial performance, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess our core operating results, as they exclude certain non-cash charges or items that are non-operating in nature. The use of the above non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations as they excluded certain items that have been and will continue to be incurred in the future, but such items should be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Autohome Inc.

Investor Relations

Sterling Song

Investor Relations Director

Tel: +86-10-5985-7483

E-mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA (Amount in thousands, except per share / per ADS data)



For three months ended June 30,

For six months ended June 30,



2022

2023

2022

2023



RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Net revenues:























Media services 530,561

532,005

73,367

797,363

893,473

123,216

Leads generation services 752,813

759,635

104,758

1,461,017

1,440,269

198,622

Online marketplace and others 449,619

541,394

74,662

945,905

1,032,921

142,446

Total net revenues 1,732,993

1,833,034

252,787

3,204,285

3,366,663

464,284

Cost of revenues (278,864)

(330,227)

(45,540)

(533,881)

(670,441)

(92,458)

Gross profit 1,454,129

1,502,807

207,247

2,670,404

2,696,222

371,826



























Operating expenses:























Sales and marketing expenses (738,729)

(824,081)

(113,646)

(1,330,983)

(1,347,197)

(185,787)

General and administrative

expenses (126,616)

(90,979)

(12,547)

(263,178)

(240,135)

(33,116)

Product development

expenses (362,194)

(313,010)

(43,166)

(717,441)

(637,376)

(87,898)

Total operating expenses (1,227,539)

(1,228,070)

(169,359)

(2,311,602)

(2,224,708)

(306,801)

Other operating income, net 74,661

66,772

9,208

183,685

133,160

18,364

Operating profit 301,251

341,509

47,096

542,487

604,674

83,389

Interest and investment income,

net 149,398

202,813

27,969

240,166

427,828

59,000

Gain/(loss) from equity method

investments 5,882

(1,690)

(233)

(20,347)

(33,125)

(4,568)

Income before income taxes 456,531

542,632

74,832

762,306

999,377

137,821

Income tax expense (34,108)

(35,796)

(4,936)

(42,148)

(90,477)

(12,477)

Net income 422,423

506,836

69,896

720,158

908,900

125,344

Net (income)/loss attributable to

noncontrolling interests 12,593

(2,102)

(290)

33,106

1,336

184

Net income attributable to

Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528

Accretion of mezzanine equity (33,383)

(38,686)

(5,335)

(64,259)

(75,185)

(10,368)

Accretion attributable to

noncontrolling interests 21,743

25,164

3,470

41,861

48,913

6,745

Net income attributable to

ordinary shareholders 423,376

491,212

67,741

730,866

883,964

121,905



























Earnings per share for

ordinary shares























Basic 0.85

1.00

0.14

1.45

1.79

0.25

Diluted 0.84

1.00

0.14

1.45

1.79

0.25

Earnings per ADS attributable

to ordinary shareholders

(one ADS equals for four

ordinary shares)























Basic 3.38

3.99

0.55

5.82

7.17

0.99

Diluted 3.38

3.98

0.55

5.81

7.15

0.99



























Weighted average shares used to compute

earnings per share attributable to ordinary

shareholders:















































Basic 500,676,420

492,534,428

492,534,428

502,552,188

492,927,049

492,927,049

Diluted 501,112,704

493,624,704

493,624,704

502,882,428

494,261,429

494,261,429





































AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP RESULTS (Amount in thousands, except per share / per ADS data)































For three months ended June 30,

For six months ended June 30,





2022

2023

2022

2023





RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$



Net income attributable to

Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528



Plus: income tax expense 35,448

37,136

5,121

44,829

93,157

12,847



Plus: depreciation of property and

equipment 57,596

42,259

5,828

114,824

90,197

12,439



Plus: amortization of intangible

assets 10,837

10,798

1,489

21,674

21,638

2,984



EBITDA 538,897

594,927

82,044

934,591

1,115,228

153,798



Plus: share-based compensation

expenses 28,396

41,628

5,741

69,257

87,813

12,110



Adjusted EBITDA 567,293

636,555

87,785

1,003,848

1,203,041

165,908































Net income attributable to

Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528



Plus: amortization of intangible assets

resulting from business acquisition 10,722

10,722

1,479

21,444

21,444

2,957



Plus: share-based compensation

expenses 28,396

41,628

5,741

69,257

87,813

12,110



Plus: investment loss arising from one

of financial products[3] 4,021

14,532

2,004

58,441

8,719

1,202



Plus: loss/(gain) on equity method

investments, net (5,882)

1,690

233

20,347

33,125

4,568



Plus: impairment of long-term investments 1,696

-

-

1,696

-

-



Plus: tax effects of the adjustments (1,746)

(3,840)

(530)

(14,693)

(8,360)

(1,153)



Adjusted net income attributable

to Autohome 472,223

569,466

78,533

909,756

1,052,977

145,212































Net income attributable

to Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528



Net margin 25.1 %

27.5 %

27.5 %

23.5 %

27.0 %

27.0 %



Adjusted net income attributable

to Autohome 472,223

569,466

78,533

909,756

1,052,977

145,212



Adjusted net margin 27.2 %

31.1 %

31.1 %

28.4 %

31.3 %

31.3 %































Non-GAAP earnings per share

























Basic 0.94

1.16

0.16

1.81

2.14

0.30



Diluted 0.94

1.15

0.16

1.81

2.13

0.29



Non-GAAP earnings per ADS (one

ADS equals for four ordinary

shares)

























Basic 3.77

4.62

0.64

7.24

8.54

1.18



Diluted 3.77

4.61

0.64

7.24

8.52

1.18































Weighted average shares used to

compute non-GAAP earnings

per share:

























Basic 500,676,420

492,534,428

492,534,428

502,552,188

492,927,049

492,927,049



Diluted 501,112,704

493,624,704

493,624,704

502,882,428

494,261,429

494,261,429































AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Amount in thousands, except as noted)



As of December 31,

As of June 30,

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

US$ ASSETS









Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents 2,801,299

2,939,867

405,426 Restricted cash 9,175

787

109 Short-term investments 19,279,592

20,395,204

2,812,627 Accounts receivable, net 1,927,699

1,499,340

206,768 Amounts due from related parties, current 49,644

26,305

3,628 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 357,522

517,270

71,335 Total current assets 24,424,931

25,378,773

3,499,893 Non-current assets









Restricted cash, non-current 5,000

5,000

690 Property and equipment, net 255,298

195,193

26,918 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 4,220,305

4,181,109

576,601 Long-term investments 419,208

386,083

53,243 Deferred tax assets 265,606

265,070

36,555 Amounts due from related parties, non-current 9,419

17,797

2,454 Other non-current assets 116,052

198,241

27,339 Total non-current assets 5,290,888

5,248,493

723,800 Total assets 29,715,819

30,627,266

4,223,693











LIABILITIES AND EQUITY









Current liabilities









Accrued expenses and other payables 2,537,281

2,250,807

310,401 Advance from customers 96,047

108,454

14,956 Deferred revenue 1,147,131

1,788,235

246,609 Income tax payable 251,121

257,487

35,509 Amounts due to related parties 27,096

22,673

3,127 Total current liabilities 4,058,676

4,427,656

610,602 Non-current liabilities









Other liabilities 50,591

98,209

13,544 Deferred tax liabilities 517,926

502,941

69,359 Total non-current liabilities 568,517

601,150

82,903 Total liabilities 4,627,193

5,028,806

693,505











MEZZANINE EQUITY









Convertible redeemable noncontrolling interests 1,605,639

1,680,824

231,796











EQUITY









Total Autohome shareholders' equity 23,888,842

24,373,717

3,361,288 Noncontrolling interests (405,855)

(456,081)

(62,896) Total equity 23,482,987

23,917,636

3,298,392 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity 29,715,819

30,627,266

4,223,693

[1] The reporting currency of the Company is Renminbi ("RMB"). For the convenience of readers, certain amounts throughout the release are presented in US dollars ("US$"). Unless otherwise noted, all conversions from RMB to US$ are translated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB7.2513 on June 30, 2023 in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at such rate. [2] For more information on this and other non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the tables captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of Non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release. [3] It represented the loss of an investment with fair value below its initial investment, which was recognized at "interest and investment income, net". The impact was considered to be not directly related to the Company's operating activities.

SOURCE Autohome Inc.
Avocado pulls back the curtain on the Guatemalan farm where they source their GOLS-certified organic latex.

LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent video produced by Business Insider, as part of their "So Expensive" series, they pull back the curtain on Avocado's GOLS-certified organic latex (CU 863637) . The show traveled to the organic latex farm in Southern Guatemala, which Avocado co-owns, to show every step of the labor-intensive process of collecting sap and processing the material into durable, supportive mattresses.

Avocado's GOLS-certified organic latex farm in Southern Guatemala.

"At Avocado, we believe in transparency," said John Davies, Avocado Senior Director of Brand Editorial and Sustainability. "We're proud to share the sustainable process behind our GOLS-certified organic latex  and why the material makes for a superior mattress."

The Business Insider video asks: how does tree sap become a bed? The video shows farmers making small grooves in the rubber trees to collect the renewable sap. The milky white liquid accumulates in buckets, which farmers take to a processing facility that whips the liquid into supportive, sustainable mattress cores.

The farm in Southern Guatemala, called Grupo Fortaleza, is dedicated to sustainable latex and adheres to the strict human rights standards developed by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The video also explains the benefits of these certifications.

"Products that carry the label must be made from 95 percent or more certified organic latex," explains the narrator. "These certifications add value to the product."

The video already has more than 3.3 million views and 1,000 comments.

"Gotta be honest, this is the first product that the price is understandable," says one viewer. "Mattresses can last over a decade if treated right so I'm willing to spend money on a good one."

"It's not all that expensive considering how it is made and it being 100% natural," says another.

Avocado uses GOLS-certified organic latex in all of its mattresses, including its top-rated Green Mattress. As part of Avocado's commitment to 1% For the Planet, Avocado donates 1% of all its revenue to vetted nonprofits. And as a Climate Neutral certified brand, Avocado reduces its footprint, offsets all of its scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and advocates for legislation that will help fight the climate crisis.

From the beginning, Avocado just wanted a new kind of mattress. One that was greener  better for people and the planet  affordable, and comfortable. It was a simple idea rooted in a much bigger vision. Six years later, Avocado continues to expand  from bedding, to furniture, to bath, skin + body, and responsible loungewear. As the company grows, Avocado continues to redefine what it means to be a sustainable, ethical brand. The company is a Certified B Corporation, a Climate Neutral Certified business, and a member of 1% For the Planet, remaining true to its original purpose: to be one of the most sustainable companies on Earth. Learn more at AvocadoGreenMattress.com.

For more information, please contact Jessica Hann at [email protected] .

SOURCE Avocado Green Mattress
NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP:

Do you, or did you, own securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC)?





Did you purchase your securities between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023 , inclusive?





Did you lose money in your investment in Bausch Health Companies Inc.?





Do you want to discuss your rights?

Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. ("Bausch" or the "Company") (NYSE: BHC) between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").

If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

According to the Complaint, Bausch, the successor entity of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., is a pharmaceutical company known for its majority ownership of Bausch + Lomb Corporation ("B+L"). B+L operates a successful eye health business consisting of Bausch + Lomb Vision Care, Surgical and Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals products.

On August 6, 2020, Bausch announced plans to spin-off B+L into its own publicly tradeable entity. Defendants at the time said that the benefits of the spinoff included "improved strategic focus and enhanced financial transparency." Joseph Papa, Bausch's former CEO, described the spinoff as "unlock[ing] what we see as unrecognized value in Bausch Health shares."

Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Among other things, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: 1) the B+L spinoff would not result in two strong separate companies; 2) without B+L, Bausch was left overly leveraged and without the cashflow generated by B+L; and 3) distribution of the B+L spinoff shares would not occur as represented; 4)

On May 4, 2023, Bausch announced negative earnings results for its first quarter of 2023, which indicated further delay of the B+L share distribution. According to analysts, the probability of a distribution was now less than 50% and, without any mention of it from management, the likelihood of it occurring in the near term was low.

On this news, Bausch's stock price fell $1.51 per share, or over 20%, to close at $5.89 per share on May 4, 2023.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 25, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(212) 951-2030

[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP
The first-of-its-kind assembly in Africa will take place in Rwanda

WATERLOO, Ontario, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) announced today that it will participate in Cybertech Africa, in Rwanda. The first-of-its kind event in the region will convene government officials and technology leaders to advance cybersecurity in Africa and will be held from August 1-2. At Cybertech Africa, BlackBerry will meet with African government officials and enterprise leaders to help navigate the increasingly complex cyber landscape and drive the fostering of cybersecurity innovation and public-private partnerships.

"We look forward to joining governments and enterprises from across Africa to advance crucial conversations about cybersecurity in the region," said Neelam Sandhu, Chief Elite Customer Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Sustainability, at BlackBerry. "As cyberattacks continue to rise across Africa, cybersecurity has become a critical priority for the region. Africa's digital transformation, which Rwanda is at the forefront of, requires robust cybersecurity as its springboard. Furthermore, collaboration between the private and public sectors is key to strengthen collective resilience in this digital era."

BlackBerry, a world leader in cybersecurity and the pioneer of artificial intelligence (AI) powered cybersecurity, is trusted by governments and enterprises to protect their digital operations. BlackBerry software connects and protects over half a billion endpoints today, with the company's customers spanning sectors to include 17 of the G20 governments, the automotive industry, medical device manufacturers, the world's largest banks, and more.

"Cybertech Africa is an opportunity for us to bring together key players that are critical to advancing cybersecurity in the region," said H.E. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation in the Government of Rwanda. "BlackBerry's participation in Cybertech Africa underscores the critical role technology companies and cutting-edge technologies serve in Africa's efforts to enhance our collective cybersecurity and drive economic growth."

Africa, a valued partner of BlackBerry since the company sparked a mobile-first revolution, is pivotal to the world's digital future and cyber resilience. Rwanda, one of the most innovative countries in Africa, plays a key role in the region's digital transformation and cybersecurity ecosystem. Its forward-looking digital policies include a National AI Policy, developed by the Ministry of ICT. Rwanda has among the highest GDP growth in Africa, reaching an all-time high of $13 billion in 2022.

BlackBerry is committed to partnering with governments and enterprises worldwide, leveraging its leadership in Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity software, to build a sustainable world.

To learn more about Cybertech Africa, visit africa.cybertechconference.com.

To learn more about BlackBerry, visit BlackBerry.com.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 235M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety, and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint management, endpoint security, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust.

For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.

Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY, EMBLEM Design and CYLANCE are trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, used under license, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services.

Media Contacts:

BlackBerry Media Relations

+1 (519) 597-7273

[email protected]





SOURCE BlackBerry Limited


Rice exports report good growth. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

From the beginning of the year to July 15, the whole country exported more than 4.48 million tons of rice, with a turnover of nearly USD2.4 billion, up more than 17% in volume and up 28% in value from the same period last year.

The turnover growth was higher than the volume growth, so the average value of each ton of rice exported this year was also higher than the same period in 2022. Specifically, from the beginning of the year to July 15, the average value reached more than USD530 per ton, compared with nearly USD490 per ton from the same period last year.

The three largest export markets of Vietnam are in Asia, including the Philippines, China and Indonesia, with exports in the first 6 months of 1,698,593 tons worth USD857.7 million; 677,387 tons worth USD390.6 million; and 492,801 tons worth USD244 million, respectively.

Export activities to 3 main markets all had positive growth compared to the same period last year.

The Vietnam Food Association said that this year rice exports meet the most favorable conditions. In particular, production increased a great deal when the rice variety structure had many changes and high yield. Import demand in old markets such as the Philippines, China and Malaysia have all increased sharply. Along with that, rice exports to new markets such as Indonesia and a few African countries increased sharply. In addition, Vietnamese fragrant rice has further promoted trade in markets and increasingly has its own position, which has helped the export make more achievements.

Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that despite the difficulties of commodity exports in general, many products still achieved high results, including rice exports.

With the situation of rice exports in the world at present and in the last 6 months of the year, along with rising rice prices, the export target of about 7.2 million tons of rice to obtain more than USD4 billion is within reach. This will be the historical record of Vietnam's rice exports.

Although the situation of rice export is facing many advantages, the country is to ensure food security.

Recently, the Import-Export Department asked the Vietnam Food Association to coordinate to ensure a balance between exports and domestic consumption, contributing to stabilizing rice prices in the domestic market.

In Vietnam's rice export market development strategy to 2030 approved at the end of May 2023, the country is to reduce the export volume to only 4 million tons by 2030 with a turnover of only USD2.26 billion, accepting the average export growth rate in the period of 2023 - 2025 to decrease by about 2.4% and the period of 2026 - 2030 to decrease by about 3.6%./.
Bluecrux and One Network extend their current collaboration into a formal alliance to better serve the market and build the value chains of tomorrow

DALLAS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- One Network Enterprises (ONE), the leading global provider of intelligent control towers and the Digital Supply Chain Network, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Bluecrux, a leading value chain consulting and technology company. This alliance will strengthen both organizations' abilities to transform today's supply chains into smart, efficient, fully integrated, near-autonomous value chains.

Bluecrux will bolster its value chain transformation services by offering additional services built upon One Networks' Digital Supply Chain Network technology to further enhance its supply chain customers' journey toward realizing true end-to-end supply chain ecosystems. The immediate focus will be on the Life Sciences & CPG industries, in which the two companies already have a lot of shared customers. The addition of One Network to Bluecrux's suite of services will help supply chain leaders transform their operations into a competitive advantage for their company, with analyses, recommendations, and prescriptions that achieve business-changing outcomes.

"Whether you look at things from the business or the technology side, both need to work together to overcome complexity and transform today's supply chains into tomorrow's value chains," said Koen Jaspers, CEO of Bluecrux. "We are very excited to be partnering with One Network to deliver the next generation of multi-enterprise collaboration and network technology to the world's most innovative organizations."

"Combining One Network's unique capabilities with Bluecrux's leading value chain consulting and technology services will unlock enormous business value for customers. Together, we'll be able to extend and provide new services to customers, providing unparalleled real time visibility and cost-optimized prescriptive decision-making for customers," said Greg Brady, Founder and Chairman of One Network Enterprises. "We are excited to collaborate with Bluecrux in this exciting and critical alliance."

Bluecrux is a member of the ONE Alliance Ecosystem - Through the ONE Alliance Ecosystem, One Network clients have access to a network of best-of-breed providers offering complementary services, accelerating the delivery of breakthrough client results.

About One Network Enterprises

One Network is the leader in supply chain control towers and provider of the Digital Supply Chain Network. It is the only solution that gives supply chain managers and executives end-to-end visibility and control with one data model and one truth, from raw material to last mile delivery. Powered by NEO, One Network's machine learning and intelligent agent technology, it enables seamless planning and execution, across inbound supply, outbound order fulfillment, and logistics, matching demand with available supply in real-time. Lead your industry by providing the highest service levels and product quality at the lowest possible cost. Visit: www.onenetwork.com.

About Bluecrux

Bluecrux is a leading value chain consulting and technology company. Its experts and software solutions help to transform today's supply chains into smart, efficient, and fully integrated value chains. Bluecrux believes that only true collaboration leads to innovation, by converging at the intersection of its knowledge and its customers' ambition and linking expertise with technology and problems with solutions.

Bluecrux is a community, a movement that's built at this intersection, which Bluecrux calls "the Cutting X": it's where supply chains evolve, and value chains are forged.

Bluecrux's client portfolio includes some of the world's largest companies, including Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Roche, Bridgestone, AkzoNobel, Beiersdorf, Oatly, and many more. Its desire to work closely with them is also reflected in Bluecrux's global presence, with offices both in Europe and the US. To discover more, please visit www.bluecrux.com.

For further information on this topic, please contact:

Michelle Gaubert

Global AR & PR Director | One Network

[email protected]

+1 (510) 316-0590

Natalie Mas

Head of Brand Marketing | Bluecrux

[email protected]

+32 474 80 57 00

SOURCE One Network Enterprises
Funding Through Newly Established Credit Facility Sets the Stage for Acceleration of Fintech's Growth

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakout Capital, a leading fintech company simplifying access to capital for small businesses, announced today the completion of a $45 million credit facility in which Synovus Bank will provide the senior credit facility and an Austin, Texas-based credit fund, will provide the subordinate credit facility. Under the terms of the agreement, Breakout may now obtain funding through Synovus by accessing $35 million of committed capacity with an additional $10 million uncommitted.

"We are incredibly excited to have Synovus, a highly respected banking partner, on board to support our mission to fuel the growth of small business," said McLean Wilson, CEO & President of Breakout Capital. This substantial facility will enable Breakout to meet the growing demand from small businesses seeking affordable and flexible capital. As the small business lending landscape continues to evolve, Breakout's commitment to product diversity, from working capital term loans to invoice factoring, reflects the company's dedication to catering to a wider range of clients, including those with unique financial needs, while also empowering its strategic partner network with a more reliable funding outlet. This approach not only strengthens Breakout's position as a leader in the industry but also nurtures expansion and growth across the entire small business lending community.

"This transaction expands our on-balance sheet funding capacity and provides valuable runway for future loan growth," said Wilson. "More importantly, it enhances our flexibility in providing best-in-class terms, prioritizing the needs of our clients. We could not be more pleased with their ability to think creatively to structure a transaction that supports our business model and look forward to building a lasting partnership together."

Steven Safirstein, Director of Asset-Based Lending at Synovus Bank, Specialty Finance Division, said, "We are thrilled to partner with the Breakout team in their efforts to empower American entrepreneurship by providing access to capital. This transaction provides flexible capital that will help Breakout execute on its strategic growth plans."

About Breakout Capital, LLC

Breakout Capital, headquartered in Charleston, SC, with offices in McLean, VA, is one of the fastest growing fintech companies in the nation, offering transparent and innovative small business lending solutions. As a strong advocate for small business growth, Breakout is dedicated to increased transparency and the adoption of best practices within the alternative capital industry.

Since 2015, Breakout has provided nearly $500 million in funding to small businesses in every corner of the U.S. They are a proud member of the International Factoring Association (IFA), the world's largest association for Factors, Asset Based Lenders, PO Finance and commercial finance companies which provides education and training to the small business lending community. To learn more, visit breakoutfinance.com, or its social media pages on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Synovus Bank

Synovus Bank, a Georgia-chartered, FDIC-insured bank, provides commercial and consumer banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services, including private banking, treasury management, wealth management, mortgage services, premium finance, asset-based lending, structured lending, capital markets and international banking. Synovus has branches in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Synovus is a Great Place to Work-Certified Company and is on the web at synovus.com , and on Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn and Instagram .

SOURCE Breakout Capital
LONDON, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past 25 years, Carl J Cox has been an executive leader and board member with multiple organizations with operations across four continents. His inspirational work has now led to him being named 'Growth Strategy CEO of the Year USA' in the 2023 Business Worldwide Magazine CEO Awards.

The awards seek to identify and hour the most inspirational business leaders around the world, from a broad range of sectors. Unlike many other corporate awards programs, the emphasis is not on the overall success of organisations, but on the unique individuals who lead them. The intention is to give outstanding business leaders the recognition they deserve, while inspiring others to achieve similar successes.

Oregon based Carl J Cox has built his career creating strategic plans that have helped organisations see sustainable growth from between 2x and 7x. His CV includes some of the world's biggest organisations across a range of industries including manufacturing, automation, and software, but the majority of his career has been spent supporting smaller businesses achieve outstanding growth.

Not only does his work show business leaders how to scale, Carl also teaches how to achieve a healthy work/life balance. His initiative 40 Strategy shows entrepreneurs how to get more family time and working hours, while still bringing in unprecedented profits. He and the team at 40 Strategy work closely with business leaders to help them tackle core issues low motivation, overwork, burnout and failure to delegate, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to scale up to $40M and beyond.

The tried and tested formula has transformed stressed CEOs experiencing severe burnout into healthy, happy leaders whose lives no longer revolve around work.

Between now and 2030, 40 Strategy plans to positively impact over a million people, ten thousand organisations indirectly and one hundred organisations directly. Carl J Cox has authored a book entitled Lost at CEO: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Strategy, which will be available soon, and he is also host of the popular business podcast Measure Success, which can be subscribed to here.

Further information about 40 Strategy can be found at https://40strategy.com/.

More information about the 2023 Business Worldwide CEO Awards can be found at https://www.bwmonline.com/awards

About Business Worldwide Magazine

Business Worldwide Magazine is the leading source of business and dealmaker intelligence throughout the world. Our quarterly magazine and online news portal enable an established audience of corporate dealmakers to track the latest news, stories and developments affecting the international markets, corporate finance, business strategy and changes in legislation. This readership includes of CEO/CFO - Banks, Corporate Lawyers, and Venture Capital/Private Equity Companies to name a few.

Contact

David Jones

Awards Department

E: [email protected]

www.bwmonline.com

T: +44 2079935951

SOURCE Business Worldwide Magazine
Canada Goose Generations expansion comes as brand reports nearly 45% YOY reduction in carbon footprint

TORONTO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Canada Goose launched its recommerce platform  Canada Goose Generations  in Canada. Putting the company's purpose to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm into action, Generations invites consumers to trade in and purchase pre-loved Canada Goose outerwear and apparel directly from the performance luxury brand. Generations directly supports Canada Goose's Sustainable Impact Strategy, helping achieve its annual warranty waste goal, which is outlined in the company's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, also released today.

Canada Goose (CNW Group/Canada Goose) Canada Goose (CNW Group/Canada Goose)

Canada Goose is celebrated for its uncompromised Canadian craftsmanship, manufacturing function-first products that withstand the elements and the test of time. This latest sustainable endeavour, which debuted in the United States earlier this year, tangibly gives new life to its products and keeps quality pieces in circulation for decades. Consumers trade in their Canada Goose products via Generations' online portal. Once they're sent in, assessed, and authenticated, consumers will then receive a Canada Goose gift card. Powered by Trove, the industry leader in branded resale, Generations offers an assortment of renowned styles, iconic heritage pieces, coveted collaborations, and exclusive vintage items pulled from its 65+ year archive.

"Canada Goose Generations is a perfect expression of what luxury means today and defines a more sustainable tomorrow," said Carrie Baker, President of Canada Goose. "Meticulously crafted in Canada with the best materials, our products are uniquely positioned to be re-discovered and loved for a second, third and fourth time. Bringing Generations to our home market presents a meaningful opportunity for us to connect and reconnect with long-time customers in an exciting new way."

This year's ESG Report is an important milestone in Canada Goose's sustainability journey, reaching goals in advance of their target year, making significant strides in evolving its business and operations, and beginning to set its sights beyond 2025. Highlights from the ESG Report include:

MANUFACTURING & OPERATIONS

Canada Goose reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by nearly 45% year-over-year by investing in global renewable energy credits that address wind, hydroelectricity and solar power, and retrofitting its manufacturing plants.

As it looks ahead, Canada Goose is measuring its scope 3 emissions and planning to set targets by the end of its current fiscal year, FY 2024.

Canada Goose achieved its goal to divert 100% of its annual warranty waste through Canada Goose Generations, the Canada Goose Resource Centre Program and the Canada Goose Response Program.

MATERIALS

Canada Goose transitioned over 75% of its materials to Preferred Fibres and Materials (PFMs). PFMs include those that are recycled, organic, natural, bio-degradable and plant-based.

Canada Goose is committed to eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from all of its products. The company has accomplished its goal to purchase PFAS free Arctic Tech  its proprietary fabric, used in the majority of parka styles  months ahead of schedule and with that phase completed, announced new goals:

By Spring 2024, all products made in Canada will be free of PFAS.

will be free of PFAS.

By Fall 2024, all products made in Europe , including rainwear, knitwear and apparel, will be free of PFAS.

, including rainwear, knitwear and apparel, will be free of PFAS. Almost 90% of Canada Goose's packaging has been transitioned to more sustainable solutions.

"This ESG Report focuses on key issues in our industry and around the world  from material innovation to reducing our carbon footprint to our Human Rights policy," said Gavin Thompson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Citizenship, Canada Goose. "We continue to actively transform our business, while remaining true to our purpose to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm. I'm proud of our employees and thankful to our partners, who join us in our commitment to this purpose."

Generations and the annual ESG Report are part of the company's purpose platform, HUMANATURE, which unites its sustainability and values-based initiatives. To learn more about HUMANATURE, visit CanadaGoose.com/sustainability.

About Canada Goose

Founded in 1957 in a small warehouse in Toronto, Canada, Canada Goose (NYSE: GOOS, TSX: GOOS) is a lifestyle brand and a leading manufacturer of performance luxury apparel. Every collection is informed by the rugged demands of the Arctic, ensuring a legacy of functionality is embedded in every product from parkas and rainwear to apparel and accessories. Canada Goose is inspired by relentless innovation and uncompromised craftsmanship, recognized as a leader for its Made in Canada commitment. In 2020, Canada Goose announced HUMANATURE, its purpose platform that unites its sustainability and values-based initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm. Canada Goose also owns Baffin, a Canadian designer and manufacturer of performance outdoor and industrial footwear. Visit www.canadagoose.com for more information.

About Trove

Trove is the market leader in branded resale and trade-in for world-class brands and retailers such as Canada Goose, lululemon, Patagonia, REI, Levi's, Arc'teryx, Allbirds, and more. Through its proprietary Recommerce Operating System, Trove is accelerating the shift toward more sustainable business models, foundational for circularity. Over the last decade, Trove has equipped leading brands with technology and operations to create and scale branded resale programs by enabling customer trade-in of items, single-SKU identification and condition grading, site build and maintenance, and customer data collection, analytics and reporting. A Certified B Corporation, Trove is pioneering a new era of retail essential to a more sustainable future. To learn more, visit Trove.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "could," "may," "will," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "goal," "project," and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements address various matters and are necessarily based on a number of opinions, estimates and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date of this press release. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to (i) our sustainable impact strategy and vision; (ii) the goals underlying our strategy and our plans to advance such goals; (iii) our plans to manage our environmental impact, including our greenhouse gas emission target, our pledge to convert to Preferred Fibres and Materials and eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from our products, our pledge to convert to sustainable packaging and our commitment to reducing carbon emissions; and (v) the estimated timing to achieve environmental, energy and waste reduction targets.

Each forward-looking statement contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statement. Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, among others, the impact on our operations of the current global economic conditions and their evolution, and are discussed under "Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Factors Affecting our Performance" in our Management's Discussion and Analysis as well as under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended April 2, 2023. You are also encouraged to read our filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov, and our filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties. We caution investors not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release when making an investment decision in our securities. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of these statements.

SOURCE Canada Goose
NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carmine's jarred tomato basil sauce was recently awarded "Best tomato sauce of 2023" from People Magazine's 2023 " Best Supermarket Foods of the Year " awards. The publication praised the sauce's perfect balance of freshness and sweetness. The coveted list, published annually, highlights the finest culinary retail products, drawing from a testing pool of 487 tested items. Carmine's was listed among household names like Heinz ketchup and Kerrygold butter.

Carmine's award-winning Tomato Basil Sauce

The Tomato and Basil sauce is cooked in small batches and made from 100% Italian plum tomatoes, distinctively sweeter and less acidic than other tomatoes. It is gluten-free, kosher, and containing no added sugar or preservatives, the tomato basil sauce is the same quality restaurant-goers know and love.

Carmine's originally began selling sauces during the pandemic in an effort to raise money for their employees; the sauces sold so well that Carmine's decided to begin distribution to meet demand. The pandemic posed an opportunity for CEO Jeffrey Bank and the Carmine's team to take on a project that was on their radar for years. With their iconic Times Square restaurant closed for nearly a year, and disruptions across all of their other locations in NYC's Upper West Side, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, NJ and the Bahamas, it finally gave the team time to focus on bringing their sauces to retail sale. A result of a pandemic pivot, fans can now enjoy Carmine's delicious dishes at home.

The sauce is a delicious start to any family pasta meal, sweet and smooth, filled with fresh aromatic basil. It can now be purchased in over 500 grocery stores and is available at all Carmine's locations as well as online . Photos are available upon request.

Feeding families for more than 30 years, Carmine's is iconic for delicious Southern Italian dishes including Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lasagna, Chicken Parmigiana, and Penne Alla Vodka. Family-style "wow-factor" portions make every meal feel like an Italian-American wedding feast. With locations in NYC, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Atlantic City, NJ and the Bahamas, Carmine's serves more than three million guests a year. Their Times Square, NYC location has held the title of number one top-grossing independent restaurant in the United States for the last eight years.

Media Contact:

Steven Hall

6462286369

[email protected]

SOURCE Carmine's NYC
AND RAISES FULL-YEAR 2023 REVENUE GUIDANCE

SECOND-QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

TOTAL REVENUE UP 10.1%; SAME-UNIT REVENUE UP 4.1%

GAAP EPS DOWN 11.7%; ADJUSTED EPS DOWN 12.7%

NET INCOME DOWN 14.1%; ADJUSTED EBITDA DOWN 2.3%

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

TOTAL REVENUE UP 13.2%; SAME-UNIT REVENUE UP 7.2%

GAAP EPS UP 16.5%; ADJUSTED EPS UP 11.0%

NET INCOME UP 11.9%; ADJUSTED EBITDA UP 12.9%

CLEVELAND, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CBIZ, Inc., (NYSE: CBZ) ("CBIZ" or the "Company"), a leading provider of financial, insurance and advisory services, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.

For the 2023 second quarter, CBIZ recorded revenue of $398.5 million, an increase of $36.6 million, or 10.1%, compared with $362.0 million reported for the same period in 2022. Acquired operations, net of divestitures, contributed $21.6 million, or 6.0%, to revenue growth. Same-unit revenue increased by $15.0 million, or 4.1%, for the quarter, compared with the same period a year ago. Net income was $26.9 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared with $31.3 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, CBIZ recorded revenue of $853.1 million, an increase of $99.4 million, or 13.2%, over the $753.7 million recorded for the same period in 2022. Acquisitions, net of divestitures, contributed $45.5 million, or 6.0%, to revenue growth in the six months ended June 30, 2023. Same-unit revenue increased by $53.9 million, or 7.2%, compared with the same period a year ago. Net income was $100.0 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with $89.4 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago.

Excluding non-recurring transaction and first-year integration expenses related to the acquisition of Marks Paneth in January 2022, and expenses related to the acquisition of Somerset in February 2023, Adjusted net income was $27.6 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared with Adjusted net income of $32.7 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.55, a decrease of 12.7% compared with Adjusted earnings per share of $0.63 for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $54.4 million, down 2.3% compared with $55.7 million for the same period in 2022.

Adjusted net income was $102.0 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with $95.3 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for the six months was $167.8 million, compared with $148.6 million for the same period in 2022.

Schedules reconciling Adjusted net income, Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the tables included in this release.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 1.0 million shares of its common stock on the open market. The balance outstanding on the Company's unsecured credit facility on June 30, 2023, was $410.6 million with $177.5 million of unused borrowing capacity.

Jerry Grisko, CBIZ President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Following an exceptionally strong first quarter, our core businesses continued to perform well during the second quarter, and demand for our financial services, including accounting, tax and our advisory services, as well as our benefits and insurance offerings, remains strong. Our second-quarter results came in much as we expected with the exception of two areas that are largely beyond our control  contract delays in our Government Health Care consulting business and changes to tax filing deadlines in California. Based on our year-to-date performance and current outlook for the remainder of the year, we are pleased to raise revenue guidance and reaffirm our EPS guidance for the full year."

"So far this year, we've completed three strategic acquisitions and two tuck-in transactions that together are expected to add approximately $68 million in annualized revenue. Our most recent transactions include one in the highly in-demand cyber and information security space to expand our advisory services, and another that bolsters our retirement and investment solutions service offerings, and our overall M&A pipeline continues to remain active."

2023 Outlook

The Company increased its revenue growth expectations to within a range of 10% to 12% over the prior year, up from previous guidance of within a range of 8% to 10%.

The Company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 28%. The increased rate, up from 25.5% in 2022, will impact diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.08 .

. The Company expects a weighted average fully diluted share count of approximately 50.5 to 51.0 million shares.

The Company expects GAAP fully diluted earnings per share to grow within a range of 15% to 17%, to $2.31 to $2.36 per share, over the $2.01 per share reported for 2022.

to per share, over the per share reported for 2022. The Company expects Adjusted fully diluted earnings per share to grow within a range of 11% to 13%, to $2.36 to $2.41 per share over the Adjusted earnings per share, of $2.13 per share reported for 2022.

Conference Call

CBIZ will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. (ET) today to discuss its results. The call will be webcast and an archived replay will be available at https://cbiz.gcs-web.com/investor-overview . Participants may register at https://dpregister.com/sreg/10180368/f9d02de210 .

About CBIZ

CBIZ is a leading provider of financial, insurance and advisory services to businesses throughout the United States. Financial services include accounting, tax, government health care consulting, transaction advisory, risk advisory, and valuation services. Insurance services include employee benefits consulting, retirement plan consulting, property and casualty insurance, payroll, and human capital consulting. With more than 120 offices in 33 states, CBIZ is one of the largest accounting and insurance brokerage providers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.cbiz.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that the anticipated benefits and perceived advantages of an acquisition may not be achieved; the impact of COVID-19 or governmental rules related to public health issues on the Company's business, operations and clients; the Company's ability to adequately manage and sustain its growth; the Company's dependence on the trend of outsourcing business services; the Company's dependence on the services of its CEO, other key employees, producers and service personnel; the effects of any potential cyber-attacks; competitive pricing pressures; general business and economic conditions; and changes in governmental laws or regulation affecting the Company's clients, business, business services operations, or business models. A more detailed description of such risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

CBIZ, INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2022 (In thousands, except percentages and per share data)





Three Months Ended June 30,



2023

%

2022

% Revenue

$ 398,502

100.0 %

$ 361,952

100.0 % Operating expenses (1)

343,987

86.3

289,736

80.0 Gross margin

54,515

13.7

72,216

20.0 Corporate general and administrative expenses (1)

15,793

4.0

10,926

3.0 Operating income

38,722

9.7

61,290

17.0 Other income (expense):















Interest expense

(5,534)

(1.4)

(1,645)

(0.5) Gain on sale of operations, net





135

 Other income (expense), net (1) (2)

5,421

1.4

(15,903)

(4.4) Total other expense, net

(113)



(17,413)

(4.9) Income before income tax expense

38,609

9.7

43,877

12.1 Income tax expense

11,746





12,622



Net income

$ 26,863

6.7 %

$ 31,255

8.6 %

















Diluted earnings per share

$ 0.53





$ 0.60





















Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

50,385





52,531



Other data:















Adjusted EBITDA (3)

$ 54,435





$ 55,727



Adjusted EPS (3)

$ 0.55





$ 0.63









(1) CBIZ sponsors a deferred compensation plan, under which a CBIZ employee's compensation deferral is held in a rabbi trust

and invested accordingly as directed by the employee. Income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan are

included in "Operating expenses" and "Corporate general and administrative expenses," and are directly offset by deferred

compensation gains or losses in "Other income (expense), net." The deferred compensation plan has no impact on "Income

before income tax expense."



Income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022 are as

follows (in thousands):













Three Months Ended June 30,





2023 % of Revenue 2022 % of Revenue



Operating expenses (income) $ 5,102 1.3 % $ (13,338) (3.7) %



Corporate general and administrative expenses (income) 631 0.1 % (1,811) (0.5) %



Other income (expense), net 5,733 1.4 % (15,149) (4.1) %

















Excluding the impact of the above-mentioned income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan, the operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022 are as follows (in thousands):









Three Months Ended June 30,





2023 2022





As Reported Deferred Compensation Plan Adjusted % of Revenue As Reported Deferred Compensation Plan Adjusted % of Revenue



Gross margin $ 54,515 $ 5,102 $ 59,617 15.0 % $ 72,216 $ (13,338) $ 58,878 16.3 %



Operating income 38,722 5,733 44,455 11.2 % 61,290 (15,149) 46,141 12.7 %



Other income (expense), net 5,421 (5,733) (312) (0.1) % (15,903) 15,149 (754) (0.2) %



Income before income tax expense 38,609  38,609 9.7 % 43,877  43,877 12.1 %









(2) Included in "Other income (expense), net" for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, is expense of $0.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively, related to net changes in the fair value of contingent consideration related to CBIZ's prior acquisitions.





(3) Refer to the financial highlights tables for a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and for additional information as to the usefulness of the Non-GAAP financial measures to shareholders and investors.

CBIZ, INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2022 (In thousands, except percentages and per share data)



Six Months Ended June 30,

2023 % 2022 % Revenue $ 853,108 100.0 % $ 753,674 100.0 % Operating expenses (1) 684,998 80.3 580,035 77.0 Gross margin 168,110 19.7 173,639 23.0 Corporate general and administrative expenses (1) 31,391 3.7 27,235 3.6 Operating income 136,719 16.0 146,404 19.4 Other income (expense):







Interest expense (9,175) (1.1) (2,904) (0.4) Gain on sale of operations, net 99  135  Other income (expense), net (1) (2) 10,533 1.2 (22,310) (3.0) Total other income (expense), net 1,457 0.1 (25,079) (3.4) Income before income tax expense 138,176 16.1 121,325 16.0 Income tax expense 38,153

31,943

Net Income 100,023 11.7 89,382 11.9









Diluted earnings per share $ 1.98

$ 1.70











Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 50,639

52,736

Other data:







Adjusted EBITDA (3) $ 167,783

$ 148,620

Adjusted EPS (3) $ 2.01

$ 1.81







(1) CBIZ sponsors a deferred compensation plan, under which a CBIZ employee's compensation deferral is held in a rabbi trust

and invested accordingly as directed by the employee. Income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan are

included in "Operating expenses" and "Corporate general and administrative expenses," and are directly offset by deferred

compensation gains or losses in "Other income (expense), net." The deferred compensation plan has no impact on "Income

before income tax expense."



Income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022 are as

follows (in thousands):













Six Months Ended June 30,





2023 % of Revenue 2022 % of Revenue



Operating expenses (income) $ 9,862 1.2 % $ (19,005) (2.5) %



Corporate general and administrative expenses (income) 1,273 0.1 % (2,622) (0.3) %



Other income (expense), net 11,135 1.3 % (21,627) (2.9) %

















Excluding the impact of the above-mentioned income and expenses related to the deferred compensation plan, the operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022 are as follows (in thousands):





Six Months Ended June 30,







2023





2022

As Deferred Compensation

% of As Deferred Compensation

% of Reported Plan Adjusted Revenue Reported Plan Adjusted Revenue



Gross margin $168,110 $ 9,862 $177,972 20.9 % $173,639 $ (19,005) $154,634 20.5 %



Operating income 136,719 11,135 147,854 17.3 % 146,404 (21,627) 124,777 16.6 %



Other income (expense), net 10,533 (11,135) (602) (0.1) % (22,310) 21,627 (683) (0.1) %



Income before income tax expense 138,176  138,176 16.1 % 121,325  121,325 16.0 %





(2) Included in "Other income (expense), net" for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, is expense of $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to net changes in the fair value of contingent consideration related to CBIZ's prior acquisitions.

(3) Refer to the financial highlights tables for a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable

GAAP financial measure, and for additional information as to the usefulness of the Non-GAAP financial measures to shareholders and investors.

CBIZ, INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands) SELECT SEGMENT DATA



Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,

2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenue







Financial Services $ 290,930 $ 259,308 $ 634,016 $ 548,054 Benefits and Insurance Services 95,838 91,708 195,892 184,194 National Practices 11,734 10,936 23,200 21,426 Total $ 398,502 $ 361,952 $ 853,108 $ 753,674

Gross Margin Financial Services $ 47,485 $ 49,665 $ 146,128 $ 128,611 Benefits and Insurance Services 17,464 16,688 40,595 36,517 National Practices 1,189 1,037 2,072 1,951 Operating expenses - unallocated (1):







Other expense (6,521) (8,512) (10,823) (12,445) Deferred compensation (5,102) 13,338 (9,862) 19,005 Total $ 54,515 $ 72,216 $ 168,110 $ 173,639





(1) Represents operating expenses not directly allocated to individual businesses, including stock-based compensation, consolidation and integration charges, and certain advertising expenses. "Operating expenses - unallocated" also includes gains or losses attributable to the assets held in a rabbi trust associated with the Company's deferred compensation plan. These gains or losses do not impact "Income before income tax expense" as they are directly offset by the same adjustment to "Other income (expense), net" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Net gains/losses recognized from adjustments to the fair value of the assets held in the rabbi trust are recorded as compensation expense (income) in "Operating expenses" and "Corporate, general and administrative expenses," and offset in "Other income (expense), net."

CBIZ, INC. SELECT CASH FLOW DATA (UNAUDITED) (In thousands)



Six Months Ended June 30,

2023 2022 Net income $ 100,023 $ 89,382 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:



Depreciation and amortization expense 17,831 16,465 Gain on sale of operations, net (99) (135) Bad debt expense, net of recoveries 805 1,263 Adjustments to contingent earnout liability, net 1,445 1,478 Stock-based compensation expense 6,619 6,428 Other noncash adjustments 4,671 4,890 Net income, after adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities 131,295 119,771 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures (101,566) (91,263) Net cash provided by operating activities 29,729 28,508 Net cash used in investing activities (65,617) (89,756) Net cash provided by financing activities 21,793 91,655 Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (14,095) 30,407 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year $ 160,145 $ 150,474 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 146,050 $ 180,881





Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the consolidated balance sheet: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,692 $ 3,881 Restricted cash 52,314 42,188 Cash equivalents included in funds held for clients 90,044 134,812 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 146,050 $ 180,881

CBIZ, INC. SELECT FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands)







June 30, 2023

December 31, 2022

Cash and cash equivalents 3,692 4,697

Restricted cash 52,314 28,487

Accounts receivable, net 456,397 334,498

Current assets before funds held for clients 554,814 397,113

Funds held for clients 131,374 171,313

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 1,014,673 951,702









Total assets 2,088,755 1,879,124









Current liabilities before client fund obligations 367,908 338,940

Client fund obligations 133,069 173,467

Total long-term debt, net 408,790 263,654









Total liabilities 1,312,712 1,165,672









Treasury stock (882,088) (824,778)









Total stockholders' equity 776,043 713,452









Debt to equity 52.7 % 37.0 %

Days sales outstanding (DSO) (1) 89 74









Shares outstanding 49,822 50,180

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 50,164 51,502

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 50,639 52,388



(1) DSO is provided for continuing operations and represents accounts receivable, net, at the end of the period, divided by trailing twelve month daily revenue. The Company has included DSO data because such data is commonly used as a performance measure by analysts and investors and as a measure of the Company's ability to collect on receivables in a timely manner. DSO should not be regarded as an alternative or replacement to any measurement of performance under GAAP. DSO on June 30, 2022 was 88.

CBIZ, INC. GAAP RECONCILIATION Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") to Adjusted Net Income, EPS and EBITDA ( 1 ) (In thousands, except per share data)



Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

Amounts EPS

Amounts EPS Net income $ 26,863 $ 0.53

$ 31,255 $ 0.60 Adjustments:









Integration & retention costs related to acquisitions (2) 865 0.03

2,048 0.04 Facility optimization costs (3) 221 

  Income tax effect related to adjustments (330) (0.01)

(589) (0.01) Adjusted net income $ 27,619 $ 0.55

$ 32,714 $ 0.63 Interest expense $ 5,534



$ 1,645

Income tax expense 11,746



12,622

Gain on sale of operations, net 



(135)

Tax effect related to the adjustments above 330



589

Depreciation 3,116



2,828

Amortization 6,090



5,464

Adjusted EBITDA $ 54,435



$ 55,727





Six Months Ended June 30,

2023

Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

Amounts

EPS

Amounts

EPS Net income $ 100,023

$ 1.98

$ 89,382

$ 1.70 Adjustments:













Transaction costs related to acquisitions (2) 611

0.01

1,329

0.03 Integration & retention costs related to acquisitions (2) 1,868

0.04

6,732

0.13 Facility optimization costs (3) 221





 Income tax effect related to adjustments (746)

(0.02)

(2,122)

(0.05) Adjusted net income $ 101,977

$ 2.01

$ 95,321

$ 1.81 Interest expense $ 9,175





$ 2,904



Income tax expense 38,153





31,943



Gain on sale of operations, net (99)





(135)



Tax effect related to the adjustments above 746





2,122



Depreciation 6,091





5,607



Amortization 11,740





10,858



Adjusted EBITDA $ 167,783





$ 148,620





(1) CBIZ reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. This table reconciles Adjusted net income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, "Net income" and "Diluted earnings per share." Adjusted net income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA are not defined by GAAP and should not be regarded as an alternative or replacement to any measurement of performance under GAAP. Adjusted net income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes significant non-operating related gains and losses, are used by the Company for its shareholders and debt holders as a performance measure to evaluate, assess and benchmark the Company's operational results.

(2) These costs include, but are not limited to, certain consulting, technology, personnel, as well as other first year operating and general administrative costs that are non-recurring in nature. Amounts reported in 2023 related to the costs incurred related to the Somerset acquisition and those reported in 2022 related to the Marks Paneth acquisition.

(3) These costs related to incremental non-recurring lease expense incurred as a result of CBIZ's real estate optimization efforts.

CBIZ, INC. GAAP RECONCILIATION Full Year 2023 Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") to Adjusted Net Income, EPS and EBITDA Guidance (Amount in millions, except per share data)





Full Year 2023 Guidance

Low High

Amount Per Share Amount Per Share Net income $ 121.1 $ 2.31 $ 123.2 $ 2.36 Transaction and integration costs related to Somerset (1) 3.6 0.07 3.6 0.07 Income tax effect related to adjustments (1.0) $ (0.02) (1.0) $ (0.02) Adjusted net income $ 123.7 $ 2.36 $ 125.8 $ 2.41









Interest expense $ 20.8

$ 20.8

Income tax expense 47.2

47.2

Tax effect related to the adjustments above 1.0

1.0

Depreciation and amortization 35.9

35.9

Adjusted EBITDA $ 228.6

$ 230.7











GAAP diluted EPS for 2022

$ 2.01

$ 2.01 Adjusted diluted EPS for 2022 (2)

$ 2.13

$ 2.13 GAAP diluted EPS range

15 %

17 % Adjusted diluted EPS range

11 %

13 % GAAP Net income for 2022 $ 105.4

$ 105.4

GAAP Net income range 15 %

17 %



(1) Includes estimated integration costs related to the Somerset acquisition. Such costs include, but are not limited to, certain consulting, technology, personnel, as well as other first year operating and general administrative costs that are non-recurring in nature. (2) A reconciliation between net income and adjusted net income and a reconciliation between GAAP diluted EPS and Adjusted diluted EPS for fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 are presented as follows:



Year Ended December 31, 2022

In millions

EPS

Net income $ 105.4 $

2.01 Adjustments:







Gain on sale of assets, net (2.4)



(0.05) Transaction costs related to Marks Paneth 1.3



0.03 Integration and retention costs related to Marks Paneth 9.2



0.18 Income tax effect related to adjustments (2.1)



(0.04) Adjusted net income $ 111.4 $

2.13

SOURCE CBIZ, Inc.
Former Comecer exec succeeds current Chief Executive Officer and founder Massimo Bocchi to lead the next phase of commercial expansion

BOLOGNA, Italy, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CellPly, the pioneer in multiparametric single-cell analysis and automated potency testing for cell therapy, today announced the appointment of Emiliano Spagnolo to the role of CEO, starting from July 14, 2023. Spagnolo joins CellPly after 15 years at Comecer Group, a company commercializing automated solutions for pharmaceutical products manufacturing, including Advanced Therapeutics Medicinal Products (ATMP), where he drove above-market growth for multiple business lines. Spagnolo succeeds current CellPly CEO and founder Massimo Bocchi, who will be moving into a Chief Strategy Officer role with the company.

Emiliano Spagnolo, CellPly CEO

"Having spent the last 15 years growing the Comecer Group from a family-owned company to a multinational group, I'm excited by the tremendous potential in CellPly capabilities and the VivaCyte Platform to accelerate our understanding of cancer and to enable novel cell and gene therapy development with biopharma partners," said Emiliano Spagnolo, CEO of CellPly.

"The 9 years I spent leading CellPly have been an incredible journey, I am thankful to the investors who believed in our initial idea leaving me the opportunity to guide an extraordinary team in making this idea an actual product," said Massimo Bocchi, Cellply founder and Chief Strategy Officer. "Emiliano shares our vision about the opportunity to revolutionize the development of cell therapies and immunotherapies by characterizing the immune system function at the single-cell level. He also recognizes the uniqueness of the world-class technical team that throughout the years developed a game-changer technology with passion, motivated by the ambition to support the development of life-saving therapies. Emiliano will bring Cellply to the next level by combining this technical expertise with the commercial and operational growth that the company needs to be a key player in a global market," added Bocchi.

Before joining CellPly, Spagnolo led the commercial organization at Comecer and the opening of subsidiaries in India, China, Emirates and USA. He also led the transition of Comecer into ATS Automation Group having the opportunity to be part of strategic teams managing M&A operations and company integrations.

"We are excited to get Emiliano on board with us," said Alessia Zanelli, Chair of the Board at CellPly. "We are all looking forward for extraordinary results during the coming years of Cellply thanks to his experience together with the rest of the entire team at Cellply," added Zanelli.

About Cellply

CellPly is a life-science company developing analytical tools aiming at unraveling the complexity of the immune system and enabling rapid and effective development of next-generation immunotherapies and cell-based therapies. Our unique solution combines a proprietary microfluidic technology to capture functional and phenotypic information from thousands of single cells, with the highly automated VivaCyte analytical instrument, integrating robotic solutions and AI for image analysis. Our goal is to make in-depth analysis applicable across the therapy development cycle, from discovery, to process development and quality control.

Contacts

[email protected]

Follow us

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cellply

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cellply

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2161312/Emiliano_Spagnolo_CellPly_CEO.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2161695/Cellply_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Cellply
Download hi-res pics HERE

LOS ANGLES, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cher and New Zealand's renowned gelato artisan, Gianpaolo Grazioli (Giapo), announce the release of " Cherlato " a new mobile gelato truck scheduled to arrive on the streets of Los Angeles for its debut weekend, beginning July 28.

Cherlato Gelato Truck

The Cherlato gelato truck will carry Giapo's famous gelato made fresh daily with seasonal ingredients, beautifully presented in bold and playful flavors and optional toppings. Inspired names include: 'Snap Out of It! Kefir & Cardamom', 'Breakfast at Cher's Coffee & Donuts', 'Chocolate XO Cher', 'Stracciatella Giapo's Way', 'LA, I Love you' (V)  and 'SoCal's Coldest Avocado on Toast', a delectable treat featuring avocado and breadcrumbs.

Brought together by a mutual love of authentic, fresh and artful gelato, Cher and Giapo are committed to bringing a unique and celebratory experience to every customer.

"It's the gelato that gets you out of bed at midnight," commented Cher. "It's no secret that I absolutely love ice cream and gelato. When I tasted Giapo's gelato while on tour in Auckland, New Zealand, it was the best I'd ever had. When I returned to his store the next day he had each flavor prepared for me to taste. I loved them all. Giapo is truly the Michaelangelo of gelato."

"It's been a long five year process getting my favorite gelato home to L.A., but I can say it's well worth it," Cher concluded.

Added Giapo, the mastermind behind Cherlato's whimsical creations, "Celebrating the harmony between the art of gelato and respect for nature, Cherlato is our passion realized. Cher and I share a mutual commitment to quality and authenticity. I couldn't be more thrilled to partner with her in bringing the unparalleled taste of freshly made, locally-sourced, artisan gelato to Los Angeles. It is fun and delicious just the way we like it. We are proud to work with fresh, premium sustainable ingredients."

The Cherlato truck will change locations daily. Gelato lovers can track the Cherlato truck on its website: www.cherlato.com or follow Cherlato's L.A. adventures on social media @cherlato_gelato or use the truck's hashtag #Cherlato.

ABOUT CHERLATO:

Cher and renowned gelato artisan, Giapo Grazioli offer an authentic take on traditional Italian gelato. Cherlato is a novel taste experience on wheels. This Los Angeles-based gelato truck is committed to delivering the freshest, daily-made, artisan gelato using locally-sourced, regenerative ingredients. Some of Cherlato's ingredient partners include: Alexandre Family Farm, Alana's Coffee Roasters, Kimball Avocados, Malibu Mylk, Arnett Farms, Bill's Bees Honey and Watkins Organic Mexican Vanilla. Featuring iconic recipes and novel concoctions inspired by Los Angeles culture, every spoonful from Cherlato serves the spirit of innovation and quality and the art of gelato in its finest form.

Media Contacts:

For Cherlato Inquiries:

Cherlato Press Team

310.694.0895

[email protected]

For Cher Inquiries:

Liz Rosenberg

[email protected].com

SOURCE Cherlato
SINGAPORE, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 25th World Congress of Dermatology Singapore 2023 (WCD 2023), the largest and most influential global event in the field of dermatology, has been held in Singapore recently. Among the esteemed attendees is Ma Shuai, a Chinese beauty influencer who is a signing expert of Dandelion Digital and a top beauty influencer on Douyin (Douyin ID: PgyMa), the Chinese version of TikTok. Renowned brands such as La Mer, Estee Lauder, SK-II, and Darphin have extended their invitations to Ma Shuai, allowing him to experience the latest skincare technologies from around the world and engage in meaningful discussions on skincare issues and solutions for Asian women with the brand's research and development teams and industry experts.

The WCD is the world's largest dermatology conference, representing the latest research and development in skin science. Themed "Dermatology Beyond Borders," the WCD 2023 brings together over 10,000 delegates from more than 180 countries and regions, offering a platform for leading dermatologists, scholars, industry leaders, and international businesses to showcase the latest research and direction in dermatology.

Throughout the six-day event, Ma Shuai shared his experiences and insights from the congress on his social media platforms, providing his followers with up-to-date information on the latest skincare technologies, bridging the gap between the cutting-edge skincare technologies presented at the WCD and ordinary consumers. He also brings the intelligence and strengths of Chinese enterprises and brands in the global dermatology field.

Ma Shuai's invitation to the congress is a testament to his influential role in connecting brands with a vast consumer base. As a pioneer in the beauty sector, Ma Shuai is the first person in China to live stream counters of international cosmetic and beauty brands in department stores and shopping malls. He also led the innovation of "the gift box", a new offering that contains a brand's different products in small packs or bottles, allowing his followers to try almost the entire product range of a brand at the price of one lipstick. His commitment to providing consumers with effective skincare solutions has garnered him a following of 2.35 million high-net-worth individuals on Douyin.

Adding to his innovative approaches, Ma Shuai's unique "Super PPT" live-streaming model has helped brands to establish a solid presence in consumers' minds. Through his live streaming, brands can efficiently reach the core user group on Douyin, expanding their sales radius and driving sales.

Furthermore, the Ma Shuai live-streaming room now has also become a window for many international brands to build brand awareness, establish brand mindshare, and convey brand culture. This May, Ma Shuai was invited to the Cannes Film Festival by the French cosmetics brand JEAN D'ESTREES, where he conducted several live-streaming shows and delivered the brand's core message from where the brand originated to Chinese consumers. During his visit to France, Ma Shuai also visited Sephora's headquarters and the laboratories and manufacturing plant of Clarins and expressed his desire to introduce more Chinese consumers to the charm of French brands through his live-streaming shows.

Looking ahead, Ma Shuai is poised to become an even more influential figure in the global beauty and personal care market. By continuing to recommend high-quality beauty and personal care products to a wide range of consumers, Ma Shuai solidifies his role as a bridge for international beauty brands entering the Chinese market.

SOURCE Dandelion Digital
Banking newborn stem cells an option for couples choosing gestational carrier

TRUMBULL, Conn., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CooperSurgical, a global leader in fertility and women's health, announced that Chrissy Teigen, mom, New York Times best-selling cookbook author, television host and entrepreneur, selected Cord Blood Registry (CBR) to bank the umbilical cord blood and cord tissue of her newborn, Wren Alexander Stephens, who was born via gestational carrier in June.

"Expectant parents may be confused if they can preserve their newborn's stem cells when they are using a surrogate or gestational carrier. The process of collecting and storing cord blood and cord tissue is no different for parents who are growing their families through use of a gestational carrier versus a pregnancy carried by the intended parent," stated board-certified OB/GYN and CBR spokesperson, Dr. Christine Sterling. "As Chrissy's example demonstrates, the option to bank cord blood and tissue is still very much available to parents who build their families in a wide variety of ways."

CBR and Teigen launched an educational campaign earlier this year to raise awareness about the potential benefits of banking newborn stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue. CBR is the largest family newborn stem cell preservation company in the world, helping parents store newborn stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue for their children. CBR is the #1 choice for parents1 and the most recommended cord blood preservation company by OB/GYNs.2

"CBR is dedicated to educating families about the life-saving potential of newborn stem cells, helping to provide them with access to current treatments and future clinical therapies," stated Holly Sheffield, President, CooperSurgical. "We are delighted that our campaign is educating more families that newborn stem cell preservation is a viable option when using a gestational carrier, and we are proud to continue working with Chrissy over the next several months."

For more information about CBR and the benefits of cord blood banking, please visit www.cordblood.com/chrissy.

About CBR by CooperSurgical

Cord Blood Registry (CBR) is the largest family newborn stem cell preservation company in the world, helping parents store stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue for their children. Founded in 1994, CBR is the #1 choice for parents1 and most recommended by OB/GYNs for newborn stem cell preservation.2 The company has released over 700 samples intended for use in transplant medicine and regulated investigational regenerative medicine applications. CBR is here to help expand the possibilities of what newborn stem cell therapies can do for families and give parents the confidence to Bank on CBR. More information can be found at www.cordblood.com.

About CooperSurgical

CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most in life. CooperSurgical is at the forefront of delivering innovative assisted reproductive technology and genomic solutions that enhance the work of ART professionals to the benefit of families. We currently offer over 600 clinically relevant medical devices to women's healthcare providers, including testing and treatment options.

CooperSurgical is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CooperCompanies (NYSE: COO). CooperSurgical, headquartered in Trumbull, CT, produces and markets a wide array of products and services for use by women's health care clinicians. More information can be found at www.coopersurgical.com.

About CooperCompanies

CooperCompanies ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE: COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., Cooper has a workforce of more than 15,000 with products sold in over 130 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.

Disclaimer:

The use of cord blood is determined by the treating physician and is influenced by many factors, including the patient's medical condition, the characteristics of the sample, and whether the cord blood should come from the patient or an appropriately matched donor. Cord blood has established uses in transplant medicine; however, its use in regenerative medicine is still being researched. There is no guarantee that potential medical applications being studied in the laboratory or clinical trials will become available.

Cord tissue use is still in early research stages, and there is no guarantee that treatments using cord tissue will be available in the future. Cord tissue is stored whole. Additional processing prior to use will be required to extract and prepare any of the multiple cell types from cryopreserved cord tissue. Cbr Systems, Inc.'s activities for New York State residents are limited to collection of umbilical cord tissue and long-term storage of umbilical cordderived stem cells. Cbr Systems, Inc.'s possession of a New York State license for such collection and long-term storage does not indicate approval or endorsement of possible future uses or future suitability of these cells.

References:

Internal source. Data on file. Blind survey, Egg Strategy, 10/19, funded by CBR.

Contact:

CooperSurgical

EvolveMKD

[email protected]

SOURCE CooperSurgical
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

CHENGDU, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively.

Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 26, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 25, 2023. Xi inspected southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. He visited the site of a section of an ancient road system known as "Shudao" in Guangyuan City and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. Xi learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, the progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Editor: WRX
JACKSON, Mich., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CMS Energy announced today reported earnings per share of $0.67 for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $0.50 per share for the same quarter in 2022. The company's adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2023 were $0.75, compared to $0.53 per share for the same quarter in 2022. For the first six months of the year, the company reported $1.36 per share compared to $1.71 per share for the same timeframe in 2022. On an adjusted earnings per share basis year to date, the company reported $1.45 per share in 2023, compared to $1.73 per share in 2022.

CMS Energy reaffirmed its 2023 adjusted earnings guidance of $3.06 to $3.12* per share (*See below for important information about non-GAAP measures) and reaffirmed long-term adjusted EPS growth of 6 to 8 percent, with continued confidence toward the high end of the adjusted EPS growth range.

"CMS Energy has continued to deliver on our triple bottom line of people, planet, and prosperity. In addition to our strong financial performance this quarter, we closed our Karn coal plants, which supports our net zero carbon goal by 2040, while protecting the environment for Michigan residents. We also recently purchased the Covert natural gas plant which is adding reliable and affordable energy to meet our customers' needs," said Garrick Rochow, President and CEO of CMS Energy and Consumers Energy.

CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan-based energy provider featuring Consumers Energy as its primary business. It also owns and operates independent power generation businesses.

CMS Energy will hold a webcast to discuss its 2023 second quarter results and provide a business and financial outlook on Thursday, July 27 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). To participate in the webcast, go to CMS Energy's homepage (cmsenergy.com) and select "Events and Presentations."

Important information for investors about non-GAAP measures and other disclosures.

This news release contains non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (non-GAAP) measures, such as adjusted earnings. All references to net income refer to net income available to common stockholders and references to earnings per share are on a diluted basis. Adjustments could include items such as discontinued operations, asset sales, impairments, restructuring costs, business optimization initiative, changes in accounting principles, voluntary separation program, changes in federal tax policy, regulatory items from prior years, unrealized gains or losses from mark-to-market adjustments recognized in net income related to NorthStar Clean Energy's interest expense, or other items. Management views adjusted earnings as a key measure of the company's present operating financial performance and uses adjusted earnings for external communications with analysts and investors. Internally, the company uses adjusted earnings to measure and assess performance. Because the company is not able to estimate the impact of specific line items, which have the potential to significantly impact, favorably or unfavorably, the company's reported earnings in future periods, the company is not providing reported earnings guidance nor is it providing a reconciliation for the comparable future period earnings. The company's adjusted earnings should be considered supplemental information to assist in understanding our business results, rather than as a substitute for the reported earnings.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements." The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's results to differ materially. All forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of the risk and other factors detailed from time to time in CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Investors and others should note that CMS Energy routinely posts important information on its website and considers the Investor Relations section, www.cmsenergy.com/investor-relations, a channel of distribution.

For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our website at cmsenergy.com.

To sign up for email alert notifications, please visit the Investor Relations section of our website.

CMS ENERGY CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)





In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts



Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended



6/30/23

6/30/22

6/30/23

6/30/22

























Operating revenue $ 1,555

$ 1,920

$ 3,839

$ 4,294

























Operating expenses

1,311



1,681



3,281



3,599

























Operating Income

244



239



558



695

























Other income

146



43



202



91

























Interest charges

160



126



307



250

























Income Before Income Taxes

230



156



453



536

























Income tax expense

41



14



70



53

























Income From Continuing Operations

189



142



383



483

























Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

1



-



1



4

























Net Income

190



142



384



487

























Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

(8)



(6)



(18)



(14)

























Net Income Attributable to CMS Energy

198



148



402



501

























Preferred stock dividends

3



3



5



5

























Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 195

$ 145

$ 397

$ 496

























Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share





















Income from continuing operations per average common share

available to common stockholders





















$ 0.67

$ 0.50

$ 1.36

$ 1.70 Income from discontinued operations per average common share

available to common stockholders























-



-



-



0.01 Diluted earnings per average common share $ 0.67

$ 0.50

$ 1.36

$ 1.71



























CMS ENERGY CORPORATION Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)





In Millions



As of



6/30/23

12/31/22 Assets













Current assets













Cash and cash equivalents

$ 389



$ 164 Restricted cash and cash equivalents



17





18 Other current assets



2,197





3,251 Total current assets



2,603





3,433 Non-current assets













Plant, property, and equipment



24,264





22,713 Other non-current assets



5,398





5,207 Total Assets

$ 32,265



$ 31,353

















Liabilities and Equity













Current liabilities (1)

$ 1,605



$ 1,866 Non-current liabilities (1)



7,832





7,583 Capitalization













Debt and finance leases (excluding securitization debt) (2)



14,966





14,139 Preferred stock and securities



224





224 Noncontrolling interests



561





580 Common stockholders' equity



6,921





6,791 Total capitalization (excluding securitization debt)



22,672





21,734 Securitization debt (2)



156





170 Total Liabilities and Equity

$ 32,265



$ 31,353

















(1) Excludes debt and finance leases.

















(2) Includes current and non-current portions.

















CMS ENERGY CORPORATION Summarized Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)





















In Millions



Six Months Ended



6/30/23

6/30/22

















Beginning of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Restricted Amounts

$ 182



$ 476

















Net cash provided by operating activities



1,705





1,059 Net cash used in investing activities



(2,079)





(1,139) Cash flows from operating and investing activities



(374)





(80) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities



598





(300)

















Total Cash Flows

$ 224



$ (380)

















End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, Including Restricted Amounts

$ 406



$ 96



















CMS ENERGY CORPORATION Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income (Unaudited)





In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts



Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended



6/30/23

6/30/22

6/30/23

6/30/22

























Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 195

$ 145

$ 397

$ 496 Reconciling items:





















Disposal of discontinued operations gain

(1)



*



(1)



(5) Tax impact

*



(*)



*



1 Other exclusions from adjusted earnings**

2



(*)



5



(1) Tax impact

(*)



*



(1)



* Voluntary separation program

28



11



28



11 Tax impact

(7)



(3)



(7)



(3)

























Adjusted net income  non-GAAP $ 217

$ 153

$ 421

$ 499

























Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted

291.3



290.1



291.2



290.0

























Diluted Earnings Per Average Common Share





















Reported net income per share $ 0.67

$ 0.50

$ 1.36

$ 1.71 Reconciling items:





















Disposal of discontinued operations gain

(*)



*



(*)



(0.01) Tax impact

*



(*)



*



* Other exclusions from adjusted earnings**

0.01



(*)



0.02



(*) Tax impact

(*)



*



(*)



* Voluntary separation program

0.09



0.04



0.09



0.04 Tax impact

(0.02)



(0.01)



(0.02)



(0.01)

























Adjusted net income per share  non-GAAP $ 0.75

$ 0.53

$ 1.45

$ 1.73





















































* Less than $0.5 million or $0.01 per share.





















** Includes restructuring costs, business optimization initiative, and unrealized gains or losses from mark-to-market adjustments, recognized in net income related to NorthStar Clean Energy's interest expense.

























Management views adjusted (non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) earnings as a key measure of the Company's present operating financial performance and uses adjusted earnings for external communications with analysts and investors. Internally, the Company uses adjusted earnings to measure and assess performance. Adjustments could include items such as discontinued operations, asset sales, impairments, restructuring costs, business optimization initiative, changes in accounting principles, voluntary separation program, changes in federal tax policy, regulatory items from prior years, unrealized gains or losses from mark-to-market adjustments, recognized in net income related to NorthStar Clean Energy's interest expense, or other items. The adjusted earnings should be considered supplemental information to assist in understanding our business results, rather than as a substitute for reported earnings.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy

SOURCE CMS Energy
MARLTON, N.J, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Between 8 to 11 million consumers are being notified that their Social Security numbers, protected health information and other personally identifiable information were compromised when hackers accessed a MOVEit server belonging to Maximus, Inc. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are investigating claims on behalf of anyone affected by the Maximus breach, hoping to fully inform them of the risks they face in the wake of the breach as well as their legal rights.

The sensitive personal data of 8 to 11 million consumers has been compromised. Now, their full names, Social Security numbers, protected health information, and other confidential information may be in the hands of criminals, putting them at a greater risk of identity theft and other frauds.

On July 26, 2023, Maximus, Inc. filed an 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission describing a data breach affecting consumers nationwide. Maximus explained that the incident affected individuals who participated in various government programs. According to the notice, the data breach affected between 8 and 11 million people.

Maximus notes that the incident stemmed from a vulnerability in the MOVEit file-sharing application. Evidently, on May 31, 2023, the creator of MOVEit announced that the software suffered from a critical vulnerability allowing unauthorized actors to access MOVEit servers, including one belonging to Maximus.

The list of information that was exposed includes:

Full names,

Social Security numbers,

Protected health information ("PHI"), and

Other personally identifiable information.

If you receive a data breach notice from Maximus, you could now be at risk of identity theftand the devastating financial and legal consequences that go along with it.

What Should You Do if You Receive a Maximus Data Breach Letter?

Individuals who receive a data breach letter from Maximus should take steps to protect themselves. (See our Guide for Victims of Data Breach for more details at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/consumer-privacy-data-breach-lawyers/if-your-information-has-been-compromised-in-a-data-breach/ .)

Maximus notes that it is providing affected consumers with free credit monitoring and identity restoration services. Anyone in receipt of a Maximus data breach letter should sign up for these services immediately; however, even credit monitoring and identity restoration services are insufficient to protect against the risk of identity theft.

Additionally, victims should consider contacting a data breach attorney immediately, as anyone who receives a data breach letter from Maximus may be entitled to financial compensation.

If you wish to discuss this data security incident, or if you have any questions regarding your rights following the Maximus data breach, please contact Console & Associates, P.C. at (866) 778-5500. Interested parties and potential plaintiffs can also learn more about this data breach and potential lawsuit at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/maximus-data-breach-investigation/ .

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Console & Associates, P.C.

866-778-5500

[email protected]

SOURCE Console & Associates, P.C.
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 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Global Market Report 2023, the global construction market will grow from $14503.87 billion in 2022 to $15461.84 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 6%. The construction industry worth is then expected to reach $19519.26 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 6%. Going forward, rising urbanization, increasing population growth, the growing government support, and industrialization will drive the construction market.

Learn More On The Construction Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-global-market-report

Top three technologies that companies are adopting to capitalize on the construction industry opportunities are:

1. Construction Robotics

Construction market companies are using robotics for increasing productivity, to get work done quicker, cheaper and with more precise detail. For instance, as of June 2021, more than four out of five (81%) of the world's construction companies say they are planning to introduce robots into their operations during the coming decade, partly in response to a growing skills crisis being experienced by 91% of them.

2. Augmented Reality

Companies in the construction market are using augmented reality for increasing efficiency, improving safety, streamline collaboration, manage costs and overall boost project confidence. For example, AR can layer certain details and elements onto a building plan so stakeholders can get a better understanding of the project. AR can also be used to showcase 3D models and even provide tours, giving clients a solid idea of what a building would look like before it's built.

3. Rise In 3D Construction Printing

Construction companies are using 3D construction printing for creating construction components or to 'print' entire buildings. For instance, in May 2023, COBOD, a Denmark-based 3D construction printing solutions offering company, recently announced the construction of Europe's largest 3D printed building in Germany. This project is being spearheaded by KRAUSGRUPPE, a Heidelberg-based project developer, builder, investor, real estate manager and broker. It measures approximately 54m long, 11m wide and 9m tall. The construction process began on March 31st, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2023. It will function as an IT server hotel and will be one of the most technologically advanced and innovative structures in the region.

Request A Free Sample Of The Construction Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=3598&type=smp

As per the construction industry overview, the Asia Pacific construction market was valued at $5,876.7 billion in 2022.

The market in Asia-Pacific is highly competitive, with major construction companies concentrated in China. The construction market in the region is mainly supported by government investment in housing and transport infrastructure. For example, in April 2023, the Chinese Government increased the spending on large construction and infrastructure projects by US$1.8 trillion year-on-year, to help regional economies recover from the pandemic. The investment will focus on high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy, as China looks to increase its technological self-sufficiency and energy security. The central province of Henan will increase spending on industrial transformation projects by nearly 50%, to US$290 billion.

View More Similar Market Reports:

Construction Machinery Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-machinery-global-market-report

Construction Chemicals Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-chemicals-global-market-report

Construction Elastomers Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/construction-elastomers-global-market-report

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SOURCE The Business Research Company
Some Antifreeze Solutions Found to be CombustibleMajor Code Change Requires an Update to Systems, States Performance Systems Integration

PORTLAND, Ore., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- There is a major NFPA code update that may require a change to your antifreeze system. Antifreeze solutions installed prior to September 30, 2012 (and sometimes even after that date) were found to be potentially combustible, serving as fuel to a fire and in extreme cases resulting in flash fires or explosions upon deployment.

Current Code Requirements

The current code requires that all antifreeze systems must use non-combustible UL-listed solutions. Any antifreeze system found to have a combustible non-UL listed solution installed must be fully flushed and the antifreeze replaced with a non-combustible UL listed solution. All antifreeze systems must also display proper signage with details about the solution installed.

How to Keep Your System Code Compliant

At your next annual antifreeze inspection or upon request, work with your Fire & Life Safety service provider to verify that your system has proper signage and contains a non-combustible UL-listed solution.

If your system meets code, no further action is required. If your system does not meet code, the team at Performance Systems Integration (PSI) can provide you a quote to:

Drain your system.

Refill it with a non-combustible UL-listed solution.

Attach required signage.

To learn more prior to your next inspection and partner with us to create a proactive solution, please feel free to email PSI or call our office at 855-723-3774.

About Performance Systems Integration

PSI is committed to delivering high-quality customer service through its "single-point-of-management" compliance services for all fire and life safety installations and inspections in the Pacific Northwest and the Northern California regions. PSI also operates cylinder requalification, cylinder maintenance, and fire equipment parts distribution businesses under the Fire King brand.

With over 20 years of fire and life safety industry experience, its highly qualified technicians are carefully factory-trained and NICET-certified to deliver the highest level of services. Beyond compliance, PSI's mission is to help save lives by providing meaningful fire and life safety protection and training.

SOURCE Performance Systems Integration
DUBLIN, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Microfinance: Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Microfinance Market Expected to Reach $488.9 Billion by 2030

In the post-COVID-19 business landscape, the global microfinance market, which was valued at US$187.3 billion in 2022, is projected to expand significantly and attain a size of US$488.9 billion by 2030. This growth represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.7% during the analysis period spanning from 2022 to 2030. Among the segments analyzed in the report, the banking sector is expected to perform particularly well, with a projected CAGR of 13.5% and an estimated value of US$285.2 billion by the end of the analysis period.

Europe's Microfinance Market Valued at $13.4 Billion, while Asia-Pacific Expected to Experience a 14.3% CAGR

The microfinance market in Europe is estimated to be worth US$13.4 billion in 2022. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to see remarkable growth, with a projected market size of US$236.4 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 14.3% from 2022 to 2030. Within Europe, Germany's microfinance market is anticipated to grow at a rate of approximately 3.1% CAGR. On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific market will be primarily driven by countries such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, leading to a projected value of US$236.4 billion by 2030.



Select Competitors (Total 186 Featured) -

Citigroup, Inc.

Axis Bank Ltd.

Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.

Banco Do Brasil

BNP Paribas SA

DCB Bank Ltd.

Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd.

Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Indusind Bank Ltd.

Equity Group Holdings Plc

BlueOrchard Finance S A

Accion International

China Zheshang Bank Company Limited

ACLEDA Bank

FlexiGroup ( New Zealand ) Limited

MARKET OVERVIEW

The COVID-19 pandemic and the looming global recession have significantly impacted the global market, creating new challenges for the economy in 2022 & 2023.

Despite the challenges, the microfinance industry has shown resilience, with potential to break the cycle of poverty and provide access to the unbanked population.

The industry has witnessed significant growth in active borrowers and has played a vital role in impact investments and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Digitalization, mobile payments, and new technologies are driving the growth of the microfinance market, transforming the industry's landscape.

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS

The global microfinance industry has several key competitors with varying market presence, including strong, active, niche, and trivial players in 2022.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Microenterprises have emerged as vital drivers of growth for microfinance institutions (MFIs), promoting economic progress.

Financial inclusion efforts to address the large unbanked population have stimulated the microfinance industry's growth, with a focus on reaching rural borrowers.

Digitalization and mobile payments have played a significant role in expanding the reach of microfinance, especially in rural areas.

Advanced technologies such as AI and blockchain are democratizing access to credit, while microinsurance products are providing insurance coverage to low-income customers.

The microfinance industry is also addressing climate change risks and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Collaboration between microfinance providers and fintechs is on the rise, while for-profit MFIs and hybrid models draw both opportunities and criticism.

GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

CHINA

Microfinance plays a critical role in enabling financial inclusion in China , with both banks and non-banks offering micro-loans to various end-users.

EUROPE

Microfinance in Europe has a significant presence, with banks and non-banks contributing to annual lending for small enterprises, self-employed individuals, and microenterprises.

ASIA-PACIFIC

In Asia-Pacific , countries like Bangladesh , India , Indonesia , Vietnam , and others are witnessing notable growth in microfinance, focusing on financial inclusion and small enterprises' support.

LATIN AMERICA

Latin America's microfinance market has strong and active competitors, contributing to lending for small enterprises, self-employed individuals, and microenterprises.

REST OF WORLD

The rest of the World sees various microfinance institutions, both banks and non-banks, offering loans to support small enterprises, self-employed individuals, and microenterprises.

CONCLUSION

The microfinance industry continues to show resilience amidst global challenges, playing a vital role in economic progress, financial inclusion, and poverty alleviation.

Advancements in technology and strategic collaborations are driving market growth, providing hope for a brighter and more inclusive future for the industry.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ac8fug

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
MADRID, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The renowned Dominican rum brand Ron Barcelo - mostly owned by the Spanish spirits company Grupo Varma-, has achieved a significant milestone by maintaining its leadership within the spirits market in Spain during 2022. For the second year in a row, its flagship brand, Barcelo Anejo, was positioned as the absolute leader in volume and value in the category.

Barcelo Anejo sales leader in 2022 (PRNewsfoto/Ron Barcelo (Grupo Varma))

According to International Wine & Spirits Research (IWSR), during 2022 Varma sold 1,310,900 8.4-litre cases of Barcelo Anejo, with an estimated value over 224 million euros. Carlos Peralta, General Director of Varma's spirits business area, expressed his excitement in this outstanding achievement: "In 2022, Varma has identified new opportunities and channels, intensifying our work in the on-trade, off-premise and e-commerce channels. Despite the uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, we have surpassed 1.3 million cases, further consolidating Ron Barcelo's leadership in the sector".

Ron Barcelo's continued success is due to its commitment to quality, excellence, environment, and innovation. With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, the brand has perfected its production process and is the only Dominican rum made from 100% sugar cane juice. Ron Barcelo is as well a Carbon Neutral company, certified in 2019 by the SGS Group for both the life cycle of their products and the organization. In addition, with the achievement of this milestone, it has become the first rum in the world to boast Carbon Neutral and ISO14067 certification, as well as the first to hold the Bilan Carbone licence.

Varma's route to market is one of the most powerful and versatile in the Spanish market with an unparalleled access to more than 25,000 premium on-trade outlets. With more than 250 employees, Grupo Varma is one of the leading spirits distributors in Spain with a complete portfolio that includes owned and third represented brands such as Ron Barcelo, Fireball, White Claw, Hendrick's Gin, Glenfiddich, Bollinger, The Balvenie, Emperador, Harveys or Beluga.

An unwavering commitment to quality and a passion for excellence have led Ron Barcelo and Varma to consolidate their position as the undisputed leaders in the spirits market in Spain. Looking to the future, the brand remains committed to innovation and consumer satisfaction, ensuring that every drop of Ron Barcelo reflects the splendor and tradition of the Dominican Republic.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2164017/Ron_Barcelo___Grupo_Varma.jpg

SOURCE Ron Barcelo (Grupo Varma)
ORANGE, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. William Adelman has joined Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) as the new medical director of the CHOC Primary Care Network. He brings more than 20 years of experience in adolescent medicine to the role.

Dr. William Adelman has joined Childrens Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) as the new medical director of the CHOC Primary Care Network.

Most recently, Dr. Adelman served as the executive director, student health and counseling at the University of Pennsylvania, where he helped advance a transformative initiative to integrate physical and behavioral health services for more than 26,000 students. Previously, he was the director of adolescent medicine at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Prior to joining the public sector, he was the chief of adolescent and young adult medicine and chief of pediatric primary care services at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; the deputy commander to clinical services at Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic; and the adolescent medicine consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General.

A published author on a variety of adolescent health topics, Dr. Adelman has served on numerous national committees dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of teens and young adults. He has earned numerous awards and is a retired U.S. Army Colonel.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Adelman to CHOC. His impressive experience in adolescent medicine, medical leadership and improvement science will help us continue to grow and enhance the pediatric and adolescent primary care services we provide across Southern California," said Dr Charles Golden, assistant chief medical officer, CHOC.

Dr. Adelman received his medical degree from Tufts University and did his post-graduate training at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Capital Consortium in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed his adolescent medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

About CHOC: Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), a nationally recognized pediatric healthcare system based in Orange County, California, is committed to being a leading destination for children's health by providing exceptional and innovative care. CHOC's community includes two state-of-the-art hospitals in Orange and Mission Viejo and a regional network of primary and specialty care clinics serving children and families across four counties. CHOC offers several clinical programs of excellence providing the highest levels of care for the most serious pediatric illnesses and injuries, physical and mental. CHOC's research and innovation institutes are focused on translating real patient needs into real-world treatments so every child can live the healthiest and happiest life possible.

MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE CHOC
The Gourmet Snack Company Brings One-Of-A-Kind Soft Pretzel Experience to Whole Foods Market Shoppers Across the Country

BOSTON, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern Standard Provisions, the Boston-based artisanal snack food brand, is excited to announce its handcrafted artisanal soft pretzels are now available in the freezer section at Whole Foods Market stores across the nation. Eastern Standard Provisions brings their one-of-a-kind soft pretzel experience to Whole Foods Market customers with the launch of five soft pretzel products.

Eastern Standard Provisions brings their one-of-a-kind soft pretzel experience to Whole Foods Market customers with the launch of five soft pretzel products.

"We are thrilled to launch our artisanal soft pretzels in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide," said Bill Deacon, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Standard Provisions. "Eastern Standard Provisions is passionate about using the highest quality ingredients to create the best-tasting snacks. Our soft pretzels have a unique light, airy brioche interior and traditional Bavarian crustand we can't wait for Whole Foods Market shoppers to 'love every bite.'"

Eastern Standard Provisions has built a strong reputation for its premium handcrafted soft pretzels, known for their exceptional taste, texture and quality. With their commitment to using high-quality ingredients with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and a one-of-a-kind brioche-like inside with traditional Bavarian style crust, the company has gained a loyal following among snack enthusiasts. Eastern Standard Provisions has received over 35,000 five-star reviews and even landed a coveted spot on Oprah Winfrey's list of Oprah's Favorite Things. Alongside its newest product, Gluten Free One-Timer Soft Pretzel Bites, a selection of four of the brand's best-selling items are now available at Whole Foods Market: Wheelhouse Signature Soft Pretzels, One-Timer Soft Pretzel Bites with Signature Salts, Turnbuckle Soft Pretzel Sticks with Signature Salts, and Turnbuckle Soft Pretzel Sticks with White Cheddar Cheese Sauce.

"Eastern Standard Provisions first entered Whole Foods Market as a Local Supplier in select stores and found a welcome audience among shoppers looking for an authentic, artisanal soft pretzel that delivered on taste, flavor and texture," said Chris Manca, Principal Category Merchant for Whole Foods Market. "We're excited to expand Eastern Standard Provisions nationally, and the five frozen soft pretzel items include two first-to-market productsGluten Free One-Timer Soft Pretzel Bites and Turnbuckle Soft Pretzel Sticks with White Cheddar Cheese Sauceoffering Whole Foods Market customers delicious, new, quick-prep options for snacking and entertaining with family and friends."

For more information on Eastern Standard Provisions and their range of gourmet snacks, visit www.esprovisions.com. Eastern Standard Provisions is available for purchase nationally in Whole Foods Market stores starting in July 2023.

About Eastern Standard Provisions:

Eastern Standard Provisions Company is a Boston-based artisanal food company that is fiercely passionate about elevating the snack food experience. Recommended by customers with over 35,000 five-star reviews, and honored by Oprah Winfrey in 2019 and again in 2021 on her exclusive "Favorite Things" list, Eastern Standard Provisions sells its handcrafted artisanal soft pretzels, Liege Belgian waffles, artfully blended sauces, gourmet flavored toppings and curated gift boxes nationwide. For more information, visit www.esprovisions.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Taylor Engert

914-582-7203

[email protected]

www.startrco.com

SOURCE Eastern Standard Provisions
DUBLIN, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Digital Utility Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report analyzes different ongoing technologies and their feasibility at present. It segments the digital utility market by technology type, network type and end-use industries and it also surveys the regional market development of digital utilities. Furthermore, the report segments the regional markets by major countries, such as the U.S., China, Germany, India and others, where the opportunities for advanced technologies are lucrative.

In this report, 2022 is used as the market's base year; estimated values are provided for 2023; and the market values are forecast from 2023 to 2028. All market values are provided in billions of dollars, and market shares and CAGRs are provided in percentages.



Digitization has long been the prominent strategy pursued by major utility companies, and it has significantly contributed to reshaping and reinventing their organizations. The digital utility market is expected to grow due to the growing investments being made in adopting smart grids and the rising consumption of electricity.

Also, increasing renewable power generation and growing investment prospects in advanced metering infrastructure are some of the prominent factors contributing to the growing digital utility market. Increased focus towards adoption of technologies by utilities has become a crucial strategy for businesses. It involves the implementation of cloud and big data analytics to IoT and automation. In sum, digital tech is shaping the future of the utility sector and posing new opportunities for achieving new revenue streams.



The demand for electricity is increasing at a faster pace every year. To cope with the increasing demand, energy and utility companies are upgrading to Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS). Such systems require highly accurate data, which is not available with existing operations. Thus, it has become evident that utilities need to adopt digitization technologies to help them run their businesses more effectively and efficiently.



Also, AI-powered solutions are being used in the energy and utilities industries to monitor and track assets such as on-site equipment, end-user equipment and personnel, and mobile devices for effective asset management. These monitoring and advanced analytics capabilities can detect or even predict faults and schedule maintenance to reduce equipment downtime. Data management and accuracy are critical to optimizing processes, as this can ultimately lead to cost savings. The energy and utility sectors are, therefore, adopting new technologies to collect and analyze data from multiple touchpoints in order to streamline operations.



Customer satisfaction is one of the primary goals of digital transformation. Personalized interactions through the online portal, mobile app and customer service team allow end users to access and transact directly with the utility. This gives customers direct access to all their account information and thereby builds loyalty.



In sum, the increasing adoption of technology for growing business opportunities is strengthening the demand for advanced technologies such as edge computing, digital twins, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial intelligence (AI), Enterprise risk management (ERM) and Cloud Distribution Software, among others. Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) can supercharge the efficiency and resilience of a utility's core business, and other technologies can lead to entirely new value-added services and business models for utilities.

Companies Mentioned

ABB Ltd.

Accenture plc

Capgemini Se

Cisco Systems Inc.

Cognizant

E.On Se

Eaton Corp. plc

General Electric

Infosys Ltd.

International Business Machines Corp.

Microsoft Corp.

Oracle Corp.

SAP Se

Siemens AG

Wipro Ltd.

Report Includes

51 data tables and 44 additional tables

A brief overview and up-to-date analysis of the global digital utility market

Analyses of the global market trends, with historical revenue (sales figures) for 2022, estimates for 2023, forecasts for 2024 and 2026, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2028

Understanding of the current and upcoming market potential for the digital utility industry, and areas of focus to forecast this market into various segments and sub-segments

Estimation of actual market size and revenue forecast for digital utility market in USD billion values, and corresponding market share analysis based on technology, network type, end-use industry, and region

Discussion of major growth drivers, industry-specific challenges, regulatory aspects, and technology advancement that will shape the market for digital utility technologies as a basis for projecting demand in the next few years (2023-2028)

Country specific data and market value analysis for the U.S., Canada , Mexico , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , the UK, Japan , China , India , Australia , South Korea , the Middle East and Africa , among others

, , , , , , the UK, , , , , , the and , among others Analysis of market opportunities with a holistic review of the Porter's five forces analysis and PESTLE analysis considering both micro- and macro environmental factors prevailing in the market

A relevant patent analysis on the digital utility market with emphasis on R&D investments, emerging technologies, and new developments in the marketplace

Latest information on the recent mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, collaborations, and other strategic alliances in global digital utility marketplace

Identification of the major stakeholders and analysis of the competitive landscape based on recent developments and segmental revenues

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights

Chapter 3 Market Overview

Chapter 4 Market Dynamics

Overview

Market Drivers

Market Restraints

Challenges in Digital Transformation

Current Market Trends

Market Opportunities

Chapter 5 Market Breakdown by Technology

Overview

Hardware

Integrated Solutions

Chapter 6 Market Breakdown by Network Type

Overview

Generation

Transmission and Distribution

Retail

Chapter 7 Market Breakdown by End-Use Sector

Overview

Residential

Industrial

Commercial

Chapter 8 Market Breakdown by Region

Chapter 9 ESG Development

Chapter 10 Emerging Technologies and Developments

Chapter 11 Patent Analysis

Chapter 12 M&A and Funding Outlook

Chapter 13 Competitive Intelligence

Chapter 14 Company Profiles

Chapter 15 Appendix: Acronyms



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8gaalg

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month: Elo GPS Is Safeguarding Vehicles Nationwide

IRVINE, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, Elo GPS, a leading vehicle theft recovery system, continues to make significant strides in protecting vehicles and providing invaluable peace of mind to owners across the nation.

As the issue of vehicle theft gains attention during this important month of awareness, Elo GPS remains steadfast in its commitment to provide law enforcement agencies and vehicle owners with unparalleled support in the swift recovery of stolen vehicles.

In Seattle, a suspected AirBnB Burglar was apprehended due to data provided by the vehicle owners Elo GPS account. Tweet this Customer locates vehicle using the Elo GPS mobile app. Customer receives a vehicle movement alert from the Elo GPS mobile app.

In one terrifying incident in Wichita Falls, after being robbed at gunpoint in her own driveway, a Wichita Falls woman found herself unable to remember her license plate number but was able to log into her Elo GPS account to share the vehicle's real-time location with the Wichita Falls Police Department.

The Elo GPS App keeps drivers connected to their car in real-time, so they're always aware of where and how their car is being driven. Officers used this information to swiftly recover the vehicle and arrest the suspect.

In another incident in Seattle this month, a suspected AirBnB Burglar was apprehended due to the data provided by the vehicle owner's Elo GPS account. The suspect was able to break-in to a second story AirBnB being rented by three women, ages 18-23, sneaking past the building's ring cameras undetected. Personal items were taken including electronics, jewelry, and a victim's car keys, and with them, her car. Police were able to keep track of every turn the suspect made through the vehicle owner's Elo GPS account to corner the suspect and bring them into custody.

Elo GPS is designed to keep vehicle owners constantly connected to their cars in real-time, providing them with crucial information about the vehicle's whereabouts and usage plus early theft detection alerts for unauthorized movement. When shared with law enforcement agencies, this location data enables them to respond quickly and efficiently, resulting in an average recovery time of just under four hours for vehicles with Elo GPS systems.

Recent statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) have underscored the need for robust vehicle theft prevention and recovery solutions. Vehicle thefts nationwide have shockingly surpassed one million for the first time since 2008. And with only 13.8% of vehicle theft cases solved, a theft prevention and recovery system is more important than ever.

Elo GPS, provided by Connected Dealer Services, offers a 24/7 Stolen Recovery Hotline with expert recovery specialists on standby to guide customers through the stressful reporting and recovery process and help coordinate with law enforcement on their behalf.

Thieves continually look for new ways to steal vehicles, as evidenced by the Hyundai/KIA TikTok Challenge . And today, with a vehicle stolen every 36 seconds , more law enforcement agencies encourage consumers to install theft recovery devices.

The Arlington Texas Police Department says , "[vehicle theft] is a serious crime because it usually leads to somebody evading in the car ...You can purchase an alarm system or look at GPS tracking that are both affordable options to keep an eye on your car."

Beyond just recovery, Elo GPS significantly reduces the likelihood of costly damages that may not be covered by insurance, as it expedites the recovery process, minimizing the time the stolen vehicle spends in the hands of criminals and increasing the changes of recovering the vehicle without major damages.

To learn more about the benefits of Elo GPS and how it can safeguard your vehicle, contact your nearest dealer or visit our website at www.elogps.com.

About Elo GPS:

Elo GPS by Connected Dealer Services is a cutting-edge vehicle theft recovery system that leverages advanced GPS technology to empower vehicle owners and aid law enforcement agencies in recovering stolen vehicles. With a mission to protect vehicles and provide peace of mind, Elo GPS continues to be at the forefront of safeguarding the nation's automobiles.

SOURCE Elo GPS

Related Links

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Workers operate equipment at a workshop of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers test corn harvesters at a workshop of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers assemble corn harvesters at a workshop of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers work on the production line of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers drive tractors down the production line at a workshop of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

An unmanned farm machine performs baling operations in a demonstration field of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, June 17, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

A worker prints codes on seed packages at a packing workshop of Shouguang Vegetable Seeds Group in Shouguang City of Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Technicians work in a seed breeding laboratory of Shouguang Vegetable Seeds Group in Shouguang City of Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers assemble a corn harvester at a workshop of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers work on the production line of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers assemble tractor parts at a workshop of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Workers assemble tractors at a workshop of Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

A farmer works at a demonstration park for standardized vegetable production in Shouguang City of Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, July 26, 2023.

In recent years, Weifang City has taken multiple measures to promote high-quality development of modern agriculture. These measures include building demonstration parks for standardized vegetable production, establishing innovative laboratories, and promoting a premium and intelligent agricultural machinery industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Editor: WRX
Firm surpasses $1.2 billion in assets under management; changes name to Energize Capital to reflect go-forward investment strategy

CHICAGO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Energize Capital (formerly Energize Ventures), a leading climate software investor, today announced the close of its second growth fund, bringing the firm's total capital commitments for its growth equity platform to $300 million. This close brings Energize's assets under management to $1.2 billion, surpassing $860 million in total committed capital from LPs. To reflect this extension of strategy into growth equity and to position itself for future growth, the firm has changed its name to Energize Capital. Under the expanded strategy, the investment firm will continue to support enduring climate software businesses as they scale amidst significant economic tailwinds.

Image courtesy of Energize Capital

The official close of Energize's growth platform comes at a time when growth capital is in high demand  especially for the climate market. According to CTVC data, more than 2,000 early-stage[1] climate companies received institutional funding in the last 24 months. If even just 10% of those companies reach the growth stage, that means roughly 200 climate companies will be looking to raise growth capital in the next 24 months  but growth capital providers are in short supply. According to Pitchbook[2], the demand-supply ratio of late-stage funding is at a decade high, with just $1 of funding available for every $3.24 demanded.

"As the market for climate software matures and companies grow into billion-dollar valuations, growth equity investors have access to an abundant pipeline of enduring businesses in climate for the first time," said John Tough, managing partner of Energize Capital. "At Energize, we intend to be the go-to partner for entrepreneurs as they scale  from venture capital to growth equity and beyond."

"Our belief when founding Energize was that access to Invenergy, its entrepreneurial culture, assets and people create a strategic advantage for an investment platform in the rapidly scaling energy transition space," said Michael Polsky, chair of Energize's investment committee and CEO of Invenergy, the leading sustainable energy and infrastructure developer and an anchor investor in Energize. "The expansion of Energize's strategy validates this approach, and we look forward to continued partnership in this next phase of growth."

Energize's expertise is scaling asset-light digital climate solutions that enable the new energy economy. With its new growth equity strategy, Energize can continue providing capital and operational support to enduring late-stage climate software companies. To date, Energize has made seven investments out of its growth funds, including a recently announced investment in PVcase's $100 million round, as well as follow-on investments in its venture capital portfolio companies Sitetracker, DroneDeploy, and Aurora Solar, which is one of the most valuable climate software companies today.

"When Energize was founded in 2016, our guiding thesis was that the transition to a sustainable economy represents a generational transfer of capital, and that it would require digital technologies to enable and accelerate scale," said Tough. "Seven years later, our ambition remains unchanged, but the opportunity for climate software has skyrocketed beyond expectations. For example, our portfolio's software revenue has grown from $100 million to nearly $400 million over the past three years. Unveiling our growth strategy and announcing the shift to Energize Capital represents our commitment to scale our strategy to grow with our entrepreneurs and the maturity of the space."

Across its four funds spanning venture capital and growth equity, Energize is backed by a diverse set of LPs representing strategic, institutional, impact and family office investors. In addition to Invenergy, Energize LPs include CDPQ, CAPROCK, Credit Suisse, HASI, Xcel Energy, and other institutional capital providers.

To date, Energize has invested in 26 climate software companies accelerating the transition to sustainable energy through its venture capital and growth equity strategies. Energize closed its first $165 million venture fund in 2018, followed by a $330 million vehicle in 2021. In 2022, the firm added 12 new team members and deployed $260 million across its portfolio.

About Energize Capital

Energize Capital is a leading climate software investor focused on scaling sustainable innovation. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, to date Energize has funded 26 companies and deployed more than half a billion through its venture capital and growth equity strategies. Anchored by founding partner Invenergy, the firm is backed by strategic, institutional, and impact LPs including CDPQ, Credit Suisse, SE Ventures (corporate venture arm of Schneider Electric), GE Renewable Energy, Xcel Energy, Caterpillar, HASI and more. For more information on Energize, please visit www.energizecap.com.

Media Contact

Kelly Lassing, Head of Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

[1] Seed through Series B

[2] Pitchbook-NVCA Venture Monitor Q1 2023

SOURCE Energize Capital
DUBLIN, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Elevator and Escalator Market - Market Size & Growth Forecast 2023-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe elevator and escalator market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.75% from 2022-2029.

The key European elevator and escalator market players are KONE, Otis, TK Elevator, Schindler, Hyundai Elevator, Mitsubishi Electric, Orona, and Hitachi. KONE is collaborating with Louvre Hotels Group, the second-largest hotel group in Europe and a subsidiary of Jin Jiang International, to equip the first smart hotel in Europe with the Smart Inside label in Lyon, France.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS



Aging building stock in the EU and a rising service market ensure significant prospects for the Europe elevator and escalator market.

About 63% of Germany's present building was constructed before 1979, and all these buildings might require upgradation or remodeling. Since most of them are older buildings, elevators are not installed in most of the buildings. Such factors will create an opportunity for the vertical transport industry and contribute to the Europe elevator and escalator market.

Installing a Microlift, also commonly known as a dumbwaiter or a kitchen lift, can make even the smallest team super-efficient, especially for food orders that need to stay warm and be delivered quickly. Staff shortages and the need to balance have created the demand for microlifts in the U.K.

The USD 220.3 million loans will support KONE's research and development for more energy-efficient elevators, escalators, auto walks, automatic doors, intelligent technologies, and solutions for people flow. The project will increase the European Union industry's technology leadership and competitiveness.

The USD 220.3 million loans signed today between the EIB and Finland Based KONE Corporation will support research and development in innovation. This will improve the safety and functional performance of KONE's product range while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint of KONE's solutions by improving the energy efficiency of the products and services and, consequently, of the buildings where they will be used.

Residential and Affordable Housing Construction in EU to Hike Elevator Demand



Germany's residential program aims to complete the extensive renovation of 40,000 homes by 2026, as stated in its 2021-2026 National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).



The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) of Greece, which aims to use funds totaling USD 31 billion in grants and loans, includes investment projects for urban regeneration and restoration programs to improve the energy efficiency of residential structures.

Further, around USD 21.5 million were provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), as of September 2020, for the rehabilitation and building of 250 social and affordable housing units in Szczecin, Poland. The primary goal was to contribute to an urban regeneration and energy-efficiency program for a historic city.



Airport Expansion and Major Railway Projects in Pipeline to Boost Demand for Escalator New Installations in the Europe Elevator and Escalator Market

In 2022, the German government planned to invest more in rail infrastructure than the road. USD 32.1 billion is being invested by Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony & Schleswig-Holstein, and Deutsche Bahn (DB) in modernizing the rail network until 2030.

The Heathrow Airport Expansion project, an investment of USD 36.6 billion, which is USD 17 billion for the third runway at Longford TW6, will be constructed by 2050.

According to Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking's Amended Annual Work Program 2022-2024, eight new projects totaling USD 14.3 million will get funding under the 2022 Call for Proposals for rail research and innovation activities. The co-funding from Europe for rail might reach USD 12.8 million.

Innsbruck Airport Redevelopment with an investment of USD 167 million comprises revamping the Innsbruck Airport in Tirol, Austria. Construction work commenced in 2021 and is estimated to complete by 2028.

Elevators Over Their Average Life Expectancy to Create Demand for Maintenance and Upgradation of Components in Europe

Two thousand seven hundred ninety organizations received a service adequacy certificate (HYB) from the Turkish Standards Institute for elevator repair and services in 2019. According to the "Industry Registry Law," there are 335 component manufacturers and 2,749 elevator assembly and elevator component manufacturing businesses with industrial registration in Turkey.

According to INE (National Institute of Statistics), 24.58% accounts for approximately 1 million people who have difficulty functioning due to disability in areas of the portal, stairs, elevators, patio, garage, etc., in a building in Spain. For disabled individuals, FEEDA (Federacion Empresarial Espanola De Ascensores) has increased awareness of the significance of accessibility and safety in elevators. Creating a virtual button panel that ensures complete accessibility in the lifting environment is the biggest accomplishment in terms of accessibility.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Key Vendors

Otis

TK Elevator

Schindler

KONE

Mitsubishi Electric

Fujitec

Hyundai Elevator

Hitachi

Orona Elevators

Other Prominent Vendors

Titan Elevators

KOHLER Elevator GmbH

KLEEMANN

Alimak

Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd.

GMV Lifts

Cibes Lift Group

Excelsior Elevator

Wittur Elevator Components

Doppler Lifts

AKE Elevators and Escalators

Ascensores Carbonell

SJEC

Morris Vermaport Limited

Pickering Lifts

ELEVATOR MARKET SEGMENTATION

Machine Type

Hydraulic and Pneumatic

Machine Room Traction

Machine Room Less Traction

Others

Climbing

Elevators

Industrial Elevators

Carriage Type

Passenger

Freight

Capacity

2-15 Persons

16-24 Persons

25-33 Persons

34 Persons and Above

End-User

Commercial

Residential

Industrial

Others

Public Transit

Institutional

Infrastructural

Escalator Market Segmentation by

Product Type

Parallel

Multi Parallel

Walkway

Crisscross

End-User

Public Transit

Commercial

Others

Institutional Sector

Infrastructure

Industrial

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tpxqig

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Fertilizer Spreader Market - Regional Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Europe fertilizer spreader market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.11% from 2022-2028.

Europe, with its vast population of over 749 million food consumers, places great importance on the agriculture sector as a driving force for economic development. Ensuring food self-sufficiency remains a critical agenda for the prosperity of any economy.

Within this context, the Europe fertilizer spreader industry features major vendors like AGCO Corporation, Deere & Co., CNH Industrial, Kubota, and Adams Fertilizer Equipment, alongside numerous local and international players contributing to a cohesive market.

However, the evolving economic landscape demands constant advances and upgrades in agricultural equipment, pressuring vendors to enhance their value proposition and establish a strong business presence. To further strengthen the agriculture sector, governments in countries like Germany, France, Italy, and others are working towards doubling the quantity and revenues from agricultural product exports by 2030.

Notably, the Europe fertilizer spreader market experienced a 3.4% growth in 2022 compared to the previous year, driven by favorable climatic conditions that bolstered crop production and fertilizer spreader sales. With various government schemes and initiatives facilitating credit and improving agriculture-related operations, the overall value chain of the market is poised for further growth.

The focus on export-centric production and the promotion of high-quality products will continue to drive sales of new fertilizer spreaders and agricultural equipment to meet the demands of farming activities.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS



Increased Food Consumption & Population Growth

The rise in population increases the demand for sustainable agriculture practices. This can increase the productivity of lands and mitigate the effects of climate and chemical impact on agriculture.

Deploying fertilizer spreaders in agriculture remains a key factor supporting sustainable agriculture. Fertilizer spreaders are widely used to spread fertilizers on large fields in less time. The fertilizer spreaders, the muscle of modern agriculture, are expected to play a vital part in European food production during the forecast period.

Lack of Skilled Farm Labor

The lack or unavailability of unskilled labor drives farmers and farm owners to invest in fertilizer spreaders to fulfill the otherwise manually completed tasks, such as preparing the soil for planting and fertilizer spreading.

Western European countries need more skilled labor as they have higher levels of mechanization. Labor during the harvesting phase is necessary to complete tasks performed using combined harvesters and balers. Landowners in Germany and some other European countries, generally farmers, employ labor to carry out tedious tasks. A labor shortage is witnessed in the agriculture sector due to several reasons.

Lack of incentives, migration toward other sectors for employment, and hazardous working conditions in this industry are some reasons. One of the major socio-demographic features that drive the Europe fertilizer spreader market is that, on average, farmers are in the older age group, which leads them to rely on fertilizer spreaders.

SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS



INSIGHTS BY MOUNTING TYPE

In 2022, the mounted fertilizer spreader segment recorded high growth in the Europe fertilizer spreader market. The primary factor for the steady growth of the mounted type of fertilizer spreader is the low cost and efficiency. The sales of trailed fertilizer spreaders are expected to remain steady during the forecast period, as farm sales are likely to remain the same in the coming years.

INSIGHTS BY THE FERTILIZER TYPE

The Europe fertilizer spreader market by fertilizer type is categorized into solid and liquid. The solid fertilizer spreader segment generated the highest sales in almost all the countries of Europe. Due to the expansion of hydroponic system field areas, the availability of fertilizers at reduced prices, and the rise in mechanization, which has led to a rise in the adoption of technologies in fertilizer spreaders.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Russia was the largest fertilizer spreader market in Europe in terms of unit sales, accounting for a share of over 29% share in 2022.

Low prices of commodities such as wheat at the global level have put pressure on farmers to invest in new machinery. As a result, the fertilizer spreader market in Russia took a hit in 2020. However, ambitious plans of the Russian government are putting the fertilizer spreader industry back on track.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market Opportunities & Trends

Development of Smart & Autonomous Spreaders

Increased Food Consumption & Population Growth

Market Growth Enablers

Fiscal Support to Farmers Through Loans & Subsidies

Increased Farm Mechanization

Lack of Skilled Farm Labor

Market Restraints

Lack of Awareness of Latest Developments in Agricultural Technologies

Lack of Educated Farmers in Emerging Countries

Resource Scarcity of Small- & Medium-Scale Farmers

Climate Change Adversely Impacting Agricultural Activities

Volatility in Raw Material Costs

Benefits of Using Fertilizer Spreaders

Increased Production Output

Fill the Gap in Manual Labor

Increased Attention to Accuracy

Increased Precision Farming

Type-Approval (Mother) Regulations in Europe

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Company Profiles

AGCO Corporation

CNH Industrial

Deere & Company

Kuhn Group

AMAZONEN-WERKE H. DREYER SE & CO. KG

Other Prominent Vendors

Adams Fertilizer Equipment

Eurospand Cavallo

CEA AGRIMIX

Montag Mfg

Salford Group

Cleris

Takakita

Enorossi

Vervaet

Kuxmann

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ogx1im

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SOURCE Research and Markets
SHANGHAI, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FinVolution Group ("FinVolution," or the "Company") (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech platform, today announced that its Indonesian financial application, AdaKami, has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with PT Bank Seabank Indonesia ("SeaBank"), a digital bank dedicated to bettering the lives of consumers and small businesses in the region with technology. Under the terms of the agreement, SeaBank will provide AdaKami with a funding facility of approximately 300 billion Rupiah (US$20.0 million) to enhance AdaKami's integrated API services for direct transactions, expanding FinVolution's international service offerings and advancing the Company's mission of connecting underserved borrowers with financial institutions.

Building upon FinVolution's cutting-edge technologies and extensive experience in the region, AdaKami's various partnerships with leading Indonesian banks have flourished, boosting the platform's service efficiency and user connectivity while also promoting financial inclusion in the region. AdaKami's latest strategic collaboration with SeaBank will enable customers to seamlessly conduct real-time funding transactions through API, supplying individuals and small businesses with direct access to fintech solutions that contribute to Indonesian economic development.

Mr. Tiezheng Li, President and Chief Executive Officer of FinVolution Group, commented, "Driven by our Local Focus, Global Outlook strategy, FinVolution is proud to support Indonesia's economic growth through technology. AdaKami's partnership with SeaBank will empower underserved customers throughout the country with faster, simpler and more direct banking services. With FinVolution's commitment to financial inclusion firmly in mind, we will continue to invent and deploy creative technologies, expanding our customer base and elevating user experience while improving efficiency across our operations. We are confident that as we forge new partnerships and deliver enhanced financial solutions to more customers, we will replicate our domestic success in international markets, propelling the rapid growth of the fintech industry in Southeast Asia and beyond."

About FinVolution Group

FinVolution Group is a leading fintech platform in China and internationally connecting underserved borrowers with financial institutions. Established in 2007, the Company is a pioneer in China's online consumer finance industry and has developed innovative technologies and has accumulated in-depth experience in the core areas of credit risk assessment, fraud detection, big data and artificial intelligence. The Company's platform, empowered by proprietary cutting-edge technologies, features a highly automated loan transaction process, which enables a superior user experience. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had over 164.5 million cumulative registered users.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.finvgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "confident" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the Company's ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors on its marketplace, its ability to increase the volume of loans facilitated through the Company's marketplace, its ability to introduce new loan products and platform enhancements, its ability to compete effectively, laws, regulations and governmental policies relating to the online consumer finance industry in China, general economic conditions in China, and the Company's ability to meet the standards necessary to maintain the listing of its ADSs on the NYSE, including its ability to cure any non-compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and FinVolution does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

FinVolution Group

Head of Investor Relations

Jimmy Tan, IRC

Tel: +86 (21) 8030 3200 Ext. 8601

Email: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677

Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE FinVolution Group
Company to continue delivering U.S. visa support services in South America

FALLS CHURCH, Va., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), announced today that it was awarded two recompete task orders totaling $320 million by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs to support visa applications and processing in South America. Awarded under the Global Support Strategy for Overseas Consular Support Services 2.0 contract, both task orders have base periods of two years with four two-year option periods.

Under the Andean South America task order, valued at $200 million, GDIT will deliver consular support services in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. A second task order providing services in Brazil is valued at $120 million. For both task orders, GDIT will provide digital capabilities to support visa applicants, including appointment scheduling, biometric enrollment, fee collection and data analytics.

"Every year, millions of people from South America seek to travel to the United States, and the demand for visa and other consular services is growing at an unprecedented pace," said Paul Nedzbala, GDIT senior vice president for the federal civilian division. "To ensure that travelers have a seamless experience, we will continue to reimagine how consular services are delivered by implementing agile, innovative and secure digital solutions."

The Andean South America and Brazil task orders extend GDIT's global consular services support for the State Department. The company provides visa services to the bureau in more than 50 countries and securely manages more than 100,000 digital interactions each day.

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $39.4 billion in revenue in 2022. More information about General Dynamics Information Technology is available at www.gdit.com. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Information Technology
DUBLIN, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Mycorrhiza-Based Biofertilizer Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023-2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The mycorrhiza-based biofertilizer market is projected to register a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period.

The rapidly increasing organic food market is driving its growth, creating a high demand for mycorrhiza-based biofertilizers. With increased consumer awareness of growing health risks, increasing residues, food contamination, and other environmental issues, consumers prefer chemical-free food products. Thus, biofertilizers and organic fertilizers increased owing to organic farming.

For instance, according to FiBL, the global market for organic food showed its highest growth in 2020, exceeding USD 147.38 billion, a total increase of USD 17.19 billion. The US organic food sales soared to a new high in 2020, jumping to USD 56.5 billion.

Governments of different countries are providing various schemes to encourage manufacturers of biofertilizers and are taking several initiatives to shift from conventional to organic farming practices.

These factors are driving the usage of mycorrhiza biofertilizers. Increased food demand and the need for sustainable agricultural development, impressive efficacy in the growth of essential crops, and depleting phosphorous levels in soils are the factors driving the market. This led mycorrhiza manufacturers to meet the demand-supply gap for these biofertilizers since there is a growing trend toward organic products.

For instance, in 2020, the Indian government introduced many schemes encouraging the vital usage of mycorrhiza-based biofertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers, including many districts in India. Under the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), financial assistance of 50% subsidy of USD 4.09 (INR 300) per hectare is being provided for different components such as biofertilizers the supply of rhizobium culture, the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, and mycorrhiza.

Mycorrhiza-Based Biofertilizer Market Trends

Depleting Phosphorous Levels in the Soil

Phosphorus is a macronutrient that plays many crucial roles in plants. It is a vital component of nucleic acids, thereby playing a critical role in plant reproduction, of which grain production is essential. The soluble phosphate concentration in most soil solutions is deficient, and phosphorus is relatively immobile in the soil.

Adding to this, the overuse of agricultural land by continuous cropping and frequent droughts led to further depletion of phosphorous levels in many regions worldwide. Given the rising global demand for food and the current rate of phosphorus extraction brought by increasing use and decreasing worldwide supply, there is a dire need for a sustainable alternative.

Microorganisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi that can significantly enhance phosphorus uptake are an efficient approach to overcoming the phosphate crisis. For instance, in India, a major agricultural country, phosphorus deficiency is widespread in all significant rice ecosystems. Large-scale use of mycorrhiza-based biofertilizers for rice production resulted in yield increases of around 10% and a significant reduction in chemical fertilizer use. A study by Triticeae Research Institute in Wenjiang, China, in 2020 stated there is a more substantial variation in phenotypic and genetic variation in Chinese wheat cultivars owing to phosphorus deficiency in the soil.

North America Dominates the Market

The North American region is projected to dominate the market owing to the increasing demand for organic products, rising awareness of biofertilizers among the farmers, and greater adoption of advanced irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation for fertilization. Increasing preference for organic food demands, higher crop productivity, superior quality, and higher acceptability of precision farming practices are important trends fueling the increased application of mycorrhizae-based biofertilizers in the US agricultural industry.

FiBL & IFOAM Organics International (2022) stated organic retail sales in the region occupied 44.5% of the global organic retail sales and were the most significant market, USD 56.08 billion. According to tracking data from USDA, the value of US organic exports nearly doubled between 2011 and 2019, increasing from just over USD 400 million in 2011 to almost USD 700 million in 2019.

Canada and Mexico are the United States' largest export partners, with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the EU, and United Arab Emirates all making key countries for US organic exports. As the nation's only organic-focused trade association, (OTA) has been the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) go-to partner for promoting organic products internationally for nearly 20 years. In 2022, USDA awarded OTA USD 906,379 in market access program (MAP) funds supporting the association's international promotion efforts.

Mycorrhiza-Based Biofertilizer Market Competitor Analysis

The mycorrhiza-based biofertilizer market is fragmented, with many regional players occupying shares to compete. Valent Biosciences LLC, Novozymes A/S, UPL Limited, Premier Tech Ltd, and Groundwork BioAg are some of the major players in the market. Companies are adopting various strategies, such as product launches, partnerships, and acquisitions, to gain a larger market share. Investment in R&D and introducing new products is a primary strategy adopted by all major companies involved in the market studied. Apart from product launches, companies are entering into partnerships and agreements to increase their customer base and develop R&D capabilities.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Novozymes A/S

UPL Limited

Premier Tech Ltd

Groundwork BioAg

Plant Health Care PLC

Valent Biosciences

Atens

Vegalab SA

Lallemand Inc.

Agrinos

AgriLife

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qqnu3n

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A latest research report [115+] pages with 360-Degree visibility, titled "Transplant Monitoring Kits Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Product Type (Reagents & Consumables, Instruments, and Software & Services); By Technology; By Transplant; By Application; By End User; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023-2032" published by Polaris Market Research in its research repository.

"According to research report, the global transplant monitoring kits market size/share was valued at USD 5,064.56 Million in 2022 and is expected to touch USD 7,723.22 Million By 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period."

What is Transplant Monitoring Kits? How Big is Transplant Monitoring Kits Market Size & Share?

Overview

A transplant monitoring kit is a medical diagnostic tool to monitor the health and status of transplanted tissues or organs. After receiving a transplant, healthcare providers must keep a check on the receiver's immune response to make sure that the organ are functioning as intended. Transplant monitoring kits monitor several variables to identify and diagnose problems of organ infection, rejection, or other issues. These kits often encompass biomarker assays that provide information on specific indicators regarding transplant health.

Reagents & consumables, instruments, and software & services are the three most common transplant monitoring product types. Among these, reagents & consumables are one of the most vital components of transplant monitoring kits that must be replenished for every monitoring session. Growing advancement in reagents used in the industry is helping the transplant monitoring kits market to grow at a significant rate.

Request Sample Copy of Transplant Monitoring Kits Market Research Report @ https://polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/transplant-monitoring-kits-market/request-for-sample

(The sample of this report is readily available on request. The report sample contains a brief introduction to the research report, Table of Contents, Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis and our research methodology.)

Our Sample Report May Includes:

2032 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis.

115+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research).

Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request.

2023 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends.

Includes Updated List of table & figures.

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis.

Some of the Top Market Players Covered Are:

CareDx

Biogenuix Medsystems

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Eurofins Scientific

JETA Molecular

ELITech

QIAGEN

Hologic

Natera

Roche

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Genome Diagnostics

Sanbio

For Additional Information on Key Players, Request to Download Sample Pages Here: https://polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/transplant-monitoring-kits-market/request-for-sample

OR

Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC: https://polarismarketresearch.com/buy/2608/2

Prominent Growth Driving Factors

Development of innovative business strategies : Business development strategies such as mergers, partnerships, and acquisitions generate market value. Several businesses' rise in market strategies to increase revenue is favorably impacting the transplant monitoring kits market size.

: Business development strategies such as mergers, partnerships, and acquisitions generate market value. Several businesses' rise in market strategies to increase revenue is favorably impacting the transplant monitoring kits market size. Soaring rate of organ transplantation : An escalating transplantation rate necessitates more transplant procedures. With increased transplantation rates, effective monitoring kits become highly important to ensure transplanted organs' optimal health and longevity. The growing rate of organ transplantation is another factor contributing to the market's growth.

: An escalating transplantation rate necessitates more transplant procedures. With increased transplantation rates, effective monitoring kits become highly important to ensure transplanted organs' optimal health and longevity. The growing rate of organ transplantation is another factor contributing to the market's growth. Rising adoption of telemedicine : Healthcare providers are increasingly relying on telemedicine to provide supportive care to remote patients. The shift towards telemedicine has generated opportunities for the development and utilization of remote monitoring kits and other related technologies.

: Healthcare providers are increasingly relying on telemedicine to provide supportive care to remote patients. The shift towards telemedicine has generated opportunities for the development and utilization of remote monitoring kits and other related technologies. Increased investments from industry leaders: Several transplant monitoring kits market key players are investing millions of dollars to develop innovative diagnostic treatment procedures for transplant recipients. Growing investments from several industry participants drive the market's growth worldwide.

Recent Trends Influencing the Market

Thermo Fisher Scientific partners with TIC: Leading scientific instrumentation supplier Thermo Fisher Scientific signed a partnership deal with the Terasaki Innovation Centre (TIC) in October 2020. The new partnership aims at promoting the development of novel treatment solutions for transplant recipients.

Introduction of a new reagent by Fujirebio Holdings: In April 2022, medical equipment manufacturing company Fujirebio Holdings introduced the in-virto diagnostic "Lumipulse Presto iTACT Tacrolimus". The reagent is used in the fully automated immunoassay instrument "Lumipulse L2400", which administrates tacrolimus to patients undergoing organ transplant treatments.

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Segmental Analysis

The molecular assay technology segment dominated the market in 2022

Based on technology, the molecular assay technology segment accounted for the highest transplant monitoring kits market share in 2022. The technology enables the identification of specific genetic markets that can be utilized for customized medicine approaches. It usually uses non-invasive techniques to assess the vitals of transplant patients and provides high sensitivity in detecting specific biomarkers.

The reagent and consumables segment witnessed the largest share in 2022

By product type, the reagent and consumables segment accounted for the highest share of the transplant monitoring kits market sales in 2022. This is because reagents and consumables are important elements of transplant monitoring kits that must be refilled for every monitoring season. Besides, they have applications in several transplant monitoring tests and assays. As a result, reagents and consumables are gaining significant traction in the industry.

The soft tissue segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR

Soft tissue transplantation procedures like corneal transplants and skin grafts are used to enhance aesthetics and deal with the issue of tissue loss in several medical complications. There has been a spur in the demand for soft tissue segment owing to factors like rising trauma issues and age-related degenerative disorders. With the rising requirement for soft tissue transplants, the demand for efficient transplant monitoring kits is expected to grow.

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Transplant Monitoring Kits Market: Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2032 USD 7,723.22 Million Market size value in 2023 USD 5,273.73 Million Expected CAGR Growth 4.3% from 2023  2032 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 - 2032 Top Market Players CareDx Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, QIAGEN, Hologic, Eurofins Scientific, JETA Molecular, ELITech Group, Natera Inc., Roche Ltd., Biocare Health Resources Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Biogenuix Medsystems, Genome Diagnostics, and Sanbio Segments Covered By Product Type, By Technology, By Transplant, By Application, By End user, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options

Geographic Overview

North America accounted for the largest market share in 2022

North America witnessed the largest market share in 2022. The region's transplant monitoring kits market growth can be attributed to several factors, including rising innovation in transplant kits, growing awareness regarding organ transplantation, and an increase in regional R&D initiatives. For instance, the American Organ Transplant System and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have collaborated to develop an AI-driven algorithm framework to increase equity in organ transplantation. As a result, North America is the dominant region in the market.

Europe is projected to witness significant growth over the forecast period

The market for transplant monitoring kits is anticipated to experience significant growth over the forecast period. This is largely due to the presence of a robust healthcare infrastructure in several European nations. Besides, the healthcare sector is one of the top priorities for major European countries like the EU and Germany. As a result, the transplant monitoring kits market demand is increasing in the region.

Browse the Detail Report "Transplant Monitoring Kits Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Product Type (Reagents & Consumables, Instruments, and Software & Services); By Technology; By Transplant; By Application; By End User; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023-2032" with in-depth TOC: https://polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/transplant-monitoring-kits-market

For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: [email protected]

Recent Developments

In March 2023 , New York's federally designated organ procurement organization LiveOnNY announced its collaboration with digital healthcare supply chain company MediGO to use their proprietary technology to keep a tab on organs as they travel across the nation. The new collaboration aims at increasing openness as organs move nationwide.

The Report Answers Questions Such As

How much is the transplant monitoring kits market worth?

At what CAGR is the market expected to grow over the forecast period?

Which region offers the most lucrative growth opportunities for the market?

What are the key trends influencing the market?

What are the challenges and opportunities in the transplant monitoring kits market?

How is the market for transplant monitoring kits segmented?

What is the competitive landscape in the industry?

Polaris Market Research has segmented the Transplant Monitoring Kits market report based on product type, technology, transplant, application, end user, and region:

By Product Type Outlook

Reagents & Consumables

Instruments

Software & Services

By Technology Outlook

Molecular Assay Technologies

PCR-Based Molecular Assays

Sequencing-based Molecular Assays

Sanger Sequencing

Next-generation Sequencing

Other Sequencing-based Molecular Assays

Non-molecular Assay Technologies

By Transplant Type Outlook

Solid Organ

Stem Cell

Soft Tissue

By Application Outlook

Diagnostic Applications

Pre-transplantation Diagnostics

Post-transplantation Diagnostics

Research Applications

By End Use Outlook

Independent Reference Laboratories

Hospitals & Transplant Centres

Research Laboratories & Academic Institutes

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada )

(U.S., ) Europe ( France , Germany , UK, Italy , Netherlands , Spain , Russia )

( , , UK, , , , ) Asia Pacific ( Japan , China , India , Malaysia , Indonesia . South Korea )

( , , , , . ) Latin America ( Brazil , Mexico , Argentina )

( , , ) Middle East & Africa ( Saudi Arabia , UAE, Israel , South Africa )

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SOURCE Polaris Market Research
Leader in custom window treatments to offer premium consultation services to expanding Florida market

BRADENTON, Fla., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of Gotcha Covered of Bradenton, their newest location in Florida. The center is owned and operated by Carlos Cruz and Vicky Palomo.

Gotcha Covered of Bradenton is owned and operated by Carlos Cruz and Vicky Palomo.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new location will provide the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more. The center will serve the Bradenton, Sarasota, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Homes Beach and Bradenton Beach communities.

"Gotcha Covered has a strong presence in Florida, and this new location in Bradenton only extends our reach in the state," said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. "Carlos and Vicky are extremely passionate about their business, and we know they will be excellent representatives of our brand and a great asset to the Bradenton community."

Cruz and Palomo bring extensive medical experience to the Gotcha Covered family. Cruz was a surgeon and Palomo was a medical doctor with a master's in clinical nutrition.

Despite having successful careers, the two decided to join Gotcha Covered because of the opportunity to "grow and live the dream."

"We couldn't have picked a better franchise to join," said Palomo. "Carlos loves the administration part of the business, and I love working in interior design. So, this ended up being a perfect fit. Owning a Gotcha Covered means everything to us. It means we get to be our own boss, manage our own schedule and grow in a safe environment. We love it."

Cruz and Palomo love that they get to be a part of the Bradenton community and help their neighbors find the perfect window treatments for their homes.

Adding 40 new franchise locations in 2022, Gotcha Covered currently has over 155 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Bradenton, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/bradenton/.

About Gotcha Covered

Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer's specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has over 155 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

SOURCE Gotcha Covered
DALLAS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The plaintiffs' trial lawyers at Dallas' Hamilton Wingo are welcoming experienced attorney Guillermo Flores to bolster the firm's work for individuals and families in all types of cases involving serious injuries and wrongful death.

Mr. Flores joins the firm with experience in more than 20 trials based on his prior work with insurance defense firms and the Bexar County District Attorney's Office in San Antonio.

"Guillermo is a stellar attorney whose knowledge of the insurance industry will be a huge asset as we help clients with their own policies while going up against insurance companies on the other side," says Hamilton Wingo's Chris Hamilton. "Everyone here is excited that he is joining our team."

Mr. Flores, who is fluent in both English and Spanish, is a trusted communicator who keeps clients informed about their cases every step of the way while protecting their interests in courts throughout North Texas and across the state.

Like all the attorneys at Hamilton Wingo, he represents people in cases involving all types of injuries caused by auto accidents, dangerous workplaces, unsafe construction sites, industrial catastrophes, and many other areas.

Mr. Flores is highly skilled in all areas of trial preparation and presentation, including case analysis, venue research, strategic motion preparation, discovery requests, and many other areas.

In addition to Texas state courts, Mr. Flores is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas. He is a graduate of St. Mary's University School of Law and the Monterrey Institute of Technology.

Hamilton Wingo is one of Dallas' premier trial law firms, having won billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in the past decade alone. The firm's skilled attorneys represent people from all walks of life in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases involving automobile, airline, and other transportation incidents, workplace safety issues, dram shop liability, dangerous products, industrial catastrophes, medical malpractice, premises liability, utility accidents, and water contamination in addition to high-stakes business litigation. To learn more about the firm, visit www.hamiltonwingo.com.

For more information, please contact Bruce Vincent at 214-763-6226 or [email protected].

SOURCE Hamilton Wingo, LLP
The state-of-the-art facility produces HARIBO Goldbears and continues HARIBO's mission of inspiring childlike happiness for millions of fans

ROSEMONT, Ill., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HARIBO has officially begun gummi production at its first-ever North American manufacturing facility, located in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. The brand-new, state-of-the-art factory was created to meet the growing demand by American consumers of the beloved gummi brand, which produces over 25 varieties of gummi treats for the U.S. and more than 1,200 types globally.

HARIBO Goldbears Wild Berry HARIBO of America Manufacturing, LLC

Currently, the 500,000-square-foot factory is focused on producing HARIBO's iconic Goldbears, with plans to expand production in the future. The facility currently employs nearly 200 Associates and produces hundreds of tons of Goldbears.

The Pleasant Prairie facility marks HARIBO's 16th factory and supports the global company's production of over 160 million Goldbears every day. The facility is a multi-phase project and this first phase includes the production facility, an administrative building and a warehouse. Future phases are in development and will include new technology, capacity and hundreds of new Associates to bring HARIBO's mission of childlike happiness to life. HARIBO's top priority is the safety of its Associates, consumers and partners, so in order to abide by food safety regulations and protect all stakeholders, the brand does not offer factory tours at this time.

"I started my career with HARIBO more than 20 years ago, and I'm so proud to be part of the team that made the dream of a U.S. factory come true," said Hakan Zor, chief production officer, HARIBO of America. "Our Associates worked tirelessly to ensure every step was taken with care, with the best quality equipment, technology and ingredients on the market. The HARIBO brand has limitless potential and producing in the U.S. is an exciting next chapter of our story."

HARIBO chose Pleasant Prairie, Wis., located in Kenosha County, as its U.S. manufacturing location because of its shared values of quality, trust and independence, coupled with the work ethic of the region and warm welcome from the community. The factory has already brought hundreds of career opportunities to the community, with hundreds more slated as the facility continues to expand over the next several years to diversify production. Aligned with the brand's commitments to community giving, HARIBO works closely with the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, as well as with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Carthage College and Gateway Technical College, to provide scholarship and internship opportunities.

"At HARIBO we think in generations. We are in the U.S. for the long-term and are honored to be part of the Pleasant Prairie community," said Wes Saber, chief financial officer, HARIBO of America. "One of our core values is trust, and it was important for us to give back to the people of Pleasant Prairie who have welcomed us so warmly. We believe everyone deserves access to quality, affordable education so our partnerships reflect that. We're committed to creating learning and career opportunities that will drive economic development and wellness for Southeast Wisconsin."

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH

At the same time, the brand continues to bring excitement with innovation. As the classic Goldbears roll off the line in Pleasant Prairie, HARIBO's newest treat, produced in Germany, will join them in stores nationwide just in time for summer: Wild Berry Goldbears.

Wild Berry Goldbears are inspired by consumers' love of fruity flavors. They're the same Goldbears shapes that fans know and love, but with bursts of berry flavors: Blueberry, Wild Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry and Wildberry.

"HARIBO fans tell us they love our texture and flavor combinations, and Wild Berry Goldbears are a nod to that for a perfect summer treat," said Rick LaBerge, chief commercial officer, HARIBO of America. "HARIBO has been the world's #1 gummi brand for over a century because we stay true to our heritage while also driving to innovate, and that's all inspired by our consumers. Right now as we're starting production in the U.S. we're focused on classic Goldbears, and we're excited to produce more of our gummi varieties including innovative new treats like Wild Berry Goldbears in the future."

HARIBO is proud to celebrate this new facility and to continue producing the world's most iconic, high quality gummi treats that inspire childlike happiness (and countless smiles) every day.

ABOUT HARIBO

HARIBO is the world's leading manufacturer of gummi products, most famous for our classic Goldbears. Globally, the business employs nearly 7,000 Associates and operates 16 production sites in 11 countries. A family-owned business with a century-long heritage, our founder, Hans Riegel, built HARIBO on a foundation of quality and inspiring moments of childlike happiness through our products. Established in 1920, HARIBO is the acronym that comprises our founder's name and the city in which the company was born (Bonn, Germany): HAns RIegel BOnn. We pride ourselves on making playful gummies that are meant to be shared so our inner-child can always experience joy through sweet treats. HARIBO global headquarters is in Grafschaft, Germany and its U.S. headquarters operates out of Rosemont, Ill. For more information, visit www.haribo.com .

Contact: Lauren Triffler

Head of Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE HARIBO
Seasonal customer favorite returns; sourced directly from local farms in Hatch, New Mexico

CINCINNATI, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today shared that seasonal customer favorite, fresh Private Selection Hatch Chiles, are now available for a limited time at Kroger Family of Stores nationwide. Grown on local farms in the Hatch Valley of southwestern New Mexico's Rio Grande region, Hatch Chiles are picked, packed and shipped in a single day, hitting shelves in as little as 24-hours after harvest.

"We're going to farming communities like Hatch, New Mexico, to bring customers the freshest, most unique produce across the U.S. and support local growers," said Dan De La Rosa, group vice president of Fresh Merchandising for Kroger. "We are incredibly proud to offer customers products that are at their peak freshness, sourced directly from the fields of farmers who enable us to feed families across America."

The soil, weather and altitude of Hatch, New Mexico, contribute to bountiful crops producing thousands of acres of delectable chiles. To qualify as an authentic Hatch Chile, the vegetable must be grown in the Hatch Valley and labeled a New Mexico Certified Chile.

"The relationship we have with Kroger is very special for us," said Chris Franzoy, fourth-generation Hatch Chile farmer and President of Young Guns Produce. "This is something we depend on as a company, as a family and as a community because it creates so many jobs, and that is extremely important, especially in a small town like Hatch, New Mexico."

To celebrate the Hatch Chile season, Kroger is hosting more than 4,000 live store roasting events.

Hatch roasting tips:

Hatch Chiles are typically enjoyed roasted to bring out peak flavor. To roast chiles at home, the retailer recommends following these simple instructions:

Grill: Place the chiles directly onto a hot grill. When the bottoms begin to turn black, charred or blistered, use tongs to turn the chiles over and repeat on the other side.

Place the chiles directly onto a hot grill. When the bottoms begin to turn black, charred or blistered, use tongs to turn the chiles over and repeat on the other side. Stovetop : Hold chiles over your stove's gas flame with a long fork or tongs while roasting on all sides.

: Hold chiles over your stove's gas flame with a long fork or tongs while roasting on all sides. Oven: Place chiles under the broiler. When they blacken, turn chiles over and roast the other side.

After roasting is complete, place the chiles in a paper or plastic bag, seal tightly and allow chiles to sit for approximately 10 minutes to cool. Once cool, remove skins and enjoy right away or freeze to enjoy in your favorite recipes all year long.

For customers seeking even more Hatch Chile inspiration, try these recipes for Hatch Chile Cheeseburgers, Chicken Wings, Salsa Verde and Macaroni and Cheese.

Hatch products to try:

Private Selection Roasted Green Tomato & Hatch Chile Salsa

Private Selection Hatch Microwaveable Potatoes

Simple Truth Plant Based Hatch Queso Cashew Dip

Lite House Hatch Chile Ranch

Fresh Hatch Chiles and Hatch Chile products can be purchased shopping in-store, through Kroger Pickup or delivered using Boost by Kroger Plus, the delivery membership that can save customers up to $1,000 per year on fuel and grocery delivery. Eligible customers can now try the Boost membership with a free 30-day trial and subscribe on a monthly basis for as little as $7.99 a month. New members who enroll in a new annual membership from July 19 through August 8, will automatically receive 1,000 bonus Fuel Points.

Media assets available for download here.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names , serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
Q2 revenue reached 15.6213 trillion won and operating profit 472.6 billion won

and operating profit Shipbuilding, construction equipment and electric power device units achieving solid earnings

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering's revenue at 5.4536 trillion won , up 30.2% YoY

, up 30.2% YoY H2 earnings expected to stay stable following acceleration of profit improvement in shipbuilding unit and improved oil refining market

SEOUL, South Korea, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai, the world's largest shipbuilder and heavy industries conglomerate, released its 2023 Q2 financial results.

HD Hyundai reported a revenue of 15.6213 trillion won and operating profit of 472.6 billion won for the April-June period. The shipbuilding unit successfully marked a turnaround and other major businesses, including construction equipment and electric power devices, continued its robust earning trajectory. The oil refining unit saw a decrease in both revenue and operating profit due to the weakening market. As for the entire first half of the year, HD Hyundai reached 30.8953 trillion won in revenue and 1.006 trillion won in operating profit.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), the intermediate holding company of HD Hyundai, posted a revenue of 5.4536 trillion won, up 30.2% YoY, with the increase in shipbuilding volume and marine engines supply. It saw its operating profit amounted to 71.2 billion won, returning to profit. Operating profit is projected to further go up as profitability improvement will be reflected in the latter half of this year, resulting from increase in vessel prices.

HD Hyundai Oilbank, HD Hyundai's oil refining unit, reaped 6.9725 trillion won in revenue and 36.1 billion won in operating profit. Product and raw material related inventory lost value due to the drop in global oil prices, and profitability lowered as complex refining margins went down due to continued tightening in reaction to global recession along with limited recovery in demand as a result of economic stagnancy indicators pointing towards China. As global oil prices and complex refining margins have recently staged a rebound, the operating profit of the second half year is expected to gradually improve.

HD Hyundai XiteSolution, HD Hyundai's construction equipment unit, recorded 2.4072 trillion won in revenue and 270.9 billion won in operating profit. Revenue rose 13.7% YoY with an increase in demand following increased infrastructure investment in North American and European markets and expanded market shares in Indian and Southeast Asian markets. Its operating profit surged by 141.4% as a result of a rise in selling prices and improved global shipping.

HD Hyundai Electric saw its revenue at 642.5 billion won, up 19% YoY, with a steady growth across entire product groups as the market picks up, which increased demand for global electric power devices. In addition, its operating profit grew 116.2% YoY to reach 58.8 billion won as a result of its strategy to selectively take transformers orders and improved cost-to-sales ratio of rotating machines and switchgears.

HD Hyundai Global Service recorded 364.4 billion won in revenue and 54.8 billion won in operating profit driven by a sustained increase in highly-profitable ship parts and services and the eco-friendly ship retrofitting business. In particular, the sustainable ship rebuilding business is expected to show noticeable performance as there is growing demand for the reliquefaction reconstruction system of LNG carriers, for which HD Hyundai has recently won an order, and the LNG Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU).

HD Hyundai Energy Solution posted 151.1 billion won in revenue, 7.9 billion won in operating profit, and HD Hyundai Robotics 49.3 billion won in revenue and 2.9 billion won in operating profit, turning to profit.

"HD Hyundai is expected to continue this stable profit momentum across the entire business units based on acceleration of profit improvement in shipbuilding, recovery of oil refining markets and solid performance of construction equipment and electric power businesses," said an HD Hyundai representative. "We will lead the market by consistently developing sustainable and digital technologies and maintain steady performances by utilizing sales strategies that center on profitability."

 HD Hyundai 2023 Q2 Financial Results



2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2022 Q2 Performance QoQ Revenue 15.6213 trillion won 2.3 % 15.2740 trillion won 15.7540 trillion won Operating profit 472.6 billion won -11.4 % 533.4 billion won 1.2359 trillion won Net profit 186.3 billion won 53.6 % 121.3 billion won 957.4 billion won

 HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering 2023 Q2 Financial Results



2023 Q2 2023 Q1 2022 Q2 Performance QoQ Revenue 5.4536 trillion won 12.6 % 4.8424 trillion won 4.1886 trillion won Operating profit 71.2 billion won Turnaround -19 billion won -265.1 billion won Net profit 39.4 billion won Turnaround -151.8 billion won -105.6 billion won

About HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai is the world's largest shipbuilding and heavy industries conglomerate. HD Hyundai started as a shipbuilder in 1972 in a small fishing village in Ulsan, the southeast of South Korea. On the foundation of solid leadership in the shipbuilding industry, it is now progressing to become the most innovative solution provider in the heavy industry and energy sectors, ranging from shipbuilding, offshore engineering and construction equipment to the refinery, petrochemical, and smart energy management businesses. Marking its 50th anniversary, the group was renamed to HD Hyundai to change the paradigm of traditional shipbuilding industry and emphasize its presence in other industries.

Media Contact

Haeri Na ([email protected])

SOURCE HD Hyundai
"Always Learning. Always Leading."

EFFINGHAM, Ill., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Heartland Dental, the nation's leading dental support organization (DSO) proudly introduced today Heartland Dental University (HDU), its groundbreaking educational flagship. Built upon a steadfast dedication to excellence in education spanning 25 years, and as a part of its non-clinical administrative support, HDU provides a comprehensive platform for continuous learning. This innovative endeavor encompasses offerings of leadership training, business acumen and clinical education, all guided by the motivating principle of "Always Learning. Always Leading." With HDU, individuals are empowered to unlock their full potential and achieve remarkable growth in both their personal and professional lives.

"HDU both honors Heartland Dental's rich educational history and serves as a catalyst for further progress. And as the field of dentistry continues to evolve, we are also evolving in our support role. Enhancing the tools, resources, and educational opportunities for our supported network will help them, in turn, continue to deliver the best possible patient care," stated Pat Bauer, Heartland Dental President and Chief Executive Officer. "With HDU we are ensuring that Heartland supported doctors, hygienists, and team members are empowered with the opportunities to build themselves to meet the shifting demands of the dental industry."

HDU will serve as an invaluable resource for the dental community, offering access to advanced, practical, and innovative technical skills while also helping to foster leadership and business acumen. It includes access to new academies tailored to the unique development needs of supported doctors, hygienists, dental assistants, business assistants, and support office team members. These academies provide access to a wide range of proprietary live, virtual, on-demand, and workshop opportunities, as well as classes led by external partners and industry leaders. By catering to the specific requirements of each role, HDU is able to offer targeted support that enhances expertise and assist with fostering professional excellence.

"World-class education is not just a component of our support model and culture at Heartland Dental, it is the very essence that drives us forward," shared Rick Workman, DMD, Founder and Executive Chairman of Heartland Dental. "I believe the purpose of education is results producing action, and we continue to challenge ourselves to provide the educational opportunities that do just that. With HDU we combine powerful data and insights with an interactive platform to unlock everyone's full potential, offering a bright future for all."

Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc., said the Company's commitment to providing quality dental solutions extends to helping educate healthcare providers about the latest developments in dental technology: "At Henry Schein, our commitment to advancing dental education aligns perfectly with HDU's mission striving for constant improvement and growth. We are excited to play a vital role in supporting this transformative educational initiative."

Heartland Dental has always recognized the value to its support network of investing in development and has consistently provided continuing education opportunities to supported doctors, their teams, and business and office professionals. The company understands that education plays a crucial role in fostering exceptional patient care.

"HDU represents an exciting milestone in our commitment to supporting the growth and success of our supported clinicians and their teams," said Anna Singh, DMD, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Heartland Dental. "With this comprehensive educational platform, we are providing everyone in the Heartland Dental support family with opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills. HDU is a testament to our dedication to empowering our community to reach new heights and achieve extraordinary results in their careers and patient care."

Learn more at heartland.com/HDU.

About Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization providing non-clinical, administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 2,700 doctors in over 1,700 locations across 38 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com.

Media Contact

Jessica Thompson, Vice President of Communications & Content

[email protected]

SOURCE Heartland Dental
NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Commercial Industrial (HCI), a leading investment platform specializing in asset-based capital solutions, is proud to announce exciting organizational changes aimed at bolstering its commercial and industrial investment capabilities. Leveraging Hilco Global's extensive asset valuation expertise and operational proficiency, HCI is set to deliver exceptional value to middle-market industrial businesses across North America.

Steven Tanzi, Chief Executive Officer - Hilco Commercial Industrial

HCI's restructured team is driven by a clear investment focus, targeting key areas including Going Concern Acquisitions, Elongated Wind-downs, Special Situations Lending, and Asset Monetization/M&A Facilitation. With a renewed commitment to specific industries where their expertise can make a profound impact, HCI is poised to excel in Pulp, Paper, and Packaging, Oil and Gas, Automotive and Mobility, Chemicals, Steel and Metal Production, Generation and Utilities, Heavy and Light Industrial, Food and Beverage, and Transportation and Distribution sectors.

Under the leadership of the HCI executive team, HCI is well-positioned to seize complex and multi-asset commercial and industrial investment opportunities. The executive team comprises:

Leadership

Steven Tanzi

Chief Executive Officer

Hilco Commercial Industrial

847.504.2468

[email protected]

Rob Wilson

Chief Financial Officer

Hilco Commercial Industrial

847.849.2962

[email protected]

Brent Bonham

Executive Vice President

Hilco Commercial Industrial

616.328.6890

[email protected]

In addition to the executive team, HCI boasts a talented group of professionals specializing in New Business and Execution, who will play pivotal roles in driving the company's vision forward:

New Business

Thomas J. Boniface

Senior Vice President

Hilco Commercial Industrial

847.418.2091

[email protected]

Heather Morgan

Senior Vice President

Hilco Commercial Industrial

760.390.8266

[email protected]

Execution

John Sharpe

Executive Vice President

Hilco Commercial Industrial

847.504.2468

[email protected]

Mallory Rittgarn

Senior Vice President

Hilco Commercial Industrial

630.788.7711

[email protected]

Daniel Pravich

Senior Associate

Hilco Commercial Industrial

331.465.4648

[email protected]

Mimoza Rroji and Kirstin Clar assist the HCI Team in the Financial Close process and Back Office Support.

"With our vast experience spanning virtually every industry and asset class, Hilco Commercial Industrial is uniquely positioned to understand the complex needs of our partners," says Steven Tanzi, CEO of Hilco Commercial Industrial. "With our dedicated team and the comprehensive resources of the Hilco Global platform, we are committed to delivering strategic investments that drive growth and maximize value while empowering commercial and industrial businesses with our innovative investment solutions. These solutions could include becoming an important part of the Hilco family of portfolio companies, providing capital through a special situation financing solution or a monetization event helping to navigate through challenging waters and providing liquidity."

With these strategic changes, HCI is well-equipped to navigate an exciting journey throughout the remainder of 2023.

About Hilco Commercial Industrial:

Hilco Commercial Industrial (HCI) (www.HilcoCI.com) is the preeminent global authority on providing clients with highly customized acquisition, disposition, and advisory solutions with respect to commercial and industrial assets, as well as providing bespoke capital solutions. Based upon a thorough understanding of its clients' assets and the intricacies of the business operations that utilize those assets, HCI has established a dependable reputation for delivering results to companies at every stage of their life cycles.

Hilco Commercial Industrial is part of Northbrook, Illinois based Hilco Global (www.hilcoglobal.com), the world's leading authority on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization, advisory, and capital solutions to an international marketplace. Hilco Global operates more than twenty specialized business units offering services that include asset valuation and appraisal, retail and industrial inventory acquisition and disposition, real estate and strategic capital equity investments.

SOURCE Hilco Commercial Industrial
New effort to connect adults 50-70+ with employment, mentoring, entrepreneurship opportunities so they remain engaged in community  that's critical for economy and healthcare systems as percentage of older adults is forecast to skyrocket by 2030

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Like many other states, New Mexico's older population is expected to dramatically increase as a percentage of the state's overall population by 2030. That's why CNM Ingenuity, an economic development arm of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), has acquired New Mexico-New Elder World (NM-NEW), a non-profit organization that proactively engages New Mexico residents who are age 50-to 70-plus through work, mentoring and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Keeping older New Mexicans engaged in the community and economy will be increasingly important for the New Mexico economy due to drastic shifts in the state's age demographics. In 2010, New Mexico ranked No. 39 in the country for the percentage of residents age 65-plus. In 2030, New Mexico's 65-plus population is expected to rank No. 4 in the country due to a variety of factors. By 2030, 28 percent of New Mexico's population is expected to be 60-plus, making the role of NM-NEW critical for the state. In Bernalillo County, home to Albuquerque, the 60-plus age group is forecasted to be over 40 percent.

"It can be easy to see problems when it comes to a large aging population, but we see an opportunity," says Kyle Lee, CEO of CNM Ingenuity. "There are not as many people who want to retire in the traditional sense, and by acquiring NM-NEW we hope to provide New Mexicans with new and meaningful ways to engage with the community."

NM-NEW was founded in October 2020 by Paula Getz, a New Mexico native who had a successful career in the tech industry. When it was time to retire, she wasn't ready to stop sharing her knowledge with young entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses.

"After spending 40 years in tech, I developed a wealth of skills that can be incredibly useful to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, municipalities and nonprofits in New Mexico," she explains. "I was ready to retire, but I also wanted to find a way for myself, and other older adults, to share what we know, so we started NM-NEW. By creating a way to easily engage that population, they can not only give back to New Mexico but will also stay happier and healthier."

CNM and CNM Ingenuity have already been engaging with older adults through other programs, including entrepreneurial programs. With the acquisition of NM-NEW, CNM Ingenuity will increase the momentum and engagement with older adults interested in entrepreneurship. The average age of a small business founder in the U.S. is 42. And data shows businesses started by 50-and-over founders are 1.8 times more likely to achieve high growth compared to businesses founded by an entrepreneur in their 30s.

Proactive engagement with older adults will not only have a positive impact on this population's mental and physical health, but will also have a positive impact on the state's economy by helping reduce New Mexico's labor shortage and taking strain off the healthcare system.

This acquisition will also help CNM and CNM Ingenuity to hire high-quality, experienced instructors who want to share their expertise with students. The older adult population can also become students themselves as they look to reskill or upskill to pursue their next endeavor.

"Our learners need instructors who have both professional and life experience, and there is no better place to find that than in the older population," Lee explains. "The union of NM-NEW and CNM Ingenuity is truly a win-win for those who want to continue to share what they know and for our learners who need that knowledge."

Over the next five years, the plan is for NM-NEW to become a driving force in the community, like many other CNM Ingenuity programs have become in meeting the needs of the workforce. A community college managing a program like this for older adults will also be of interest as a potential model for other regions and states facing similar challenges.

SOURCE Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)
CHICAGO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hybrid Power Solutions Market is projected to reach USD 4.0 billion in 2028 from USD 2.4 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 10.4% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Hybrid power solutions are essential because they provide a reliable and stable energy supply by harnessing the benefits of both renewable sources and conventional energy, ensuring energy security, reducing environmental impact by reduction in carbon emissions, and supporting sustainable development across various sectors.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Hybrid Power Solutions Market"

150 - Tables

50 - Figures

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Hybrid Power Solutions Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 4.0 billion in 2028 Growth Rate 10.4% of CAGR Largest Market North America Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered System Type, Grid Connectivity, Power Rating, End User Industry, and Region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Reduction of carbon emissions Key Market Drivers Growth in hybrid power generation in off-grid locations

The Industrial, by end user, is expected to grow be the largest segment during the forecast period.

Based on end user, the Hybrid Power Solutions Market has been split into residential, commercial, and industrials. The industrial segment is anticipated to be the largest during the forecast period. Industrial segment is growing in Hybrid Power Solutions Market due to the increased emphasis on meeting emission reduction targets and achieving environmental sustainability. Industrial facilities, characterized by higher energy demands and carbon footprints, find hybrid power solutions particularly compelling in aligning with their sustainability objectives and reducing environmental impact.

The 100kW-1MW segment, by capacity segment, is expected to grow at the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period.

This report segments the Hybrid Power Solutions Market based on capacity into three segments: upto 100kW, 100kW-1MW, and above 1MW. The 100kW-1MW segment is expected to be the second-fastest growing segment during the forecast period. The 100kW-1MW segment is growing more in the commercial sector due to its suitable power capacity for various operations and equipment, cost-effectiveness, and technological advancements, making it a preferred choice for businesses.

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Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest region in the Hybrid Power Solutions Industry

Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest Hybrid Power Solutions Market during the forecast period. The region's increasing focus on renewable energy, coupled with supportive government policies and incentives, has driven the development of significant solar-wind projects in the region, specifically India. These large-scale projects contribute to the rapid expansion of the Hybrid Power Solutions Market in the Asia Pacific, attracting investments, fostering innovation, and establishing the region as a key player in the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions.

Key Market Players:

Some of the major players in the Hybrid Power Solutions Companies are General Electric (US), Vertiv Group Corp. (US), Vestas (Denmark), Wartsila (Finland), and SMA Solar Technology AG (Germany). The major strategies adopted by these players include sales contract, product launches, investments, collaborations, partnerships, and expansions.

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Recent Developments

In July 2023 , General Electric Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fortune Electric Co., Ltd. to manufacture its Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) in Taiwan . This MoU enhances General Electric Company's market position in Taiwan by the introduction of its energy storage portfolio in the country.

, General Electric Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fortune Electric Co., Ltd. to manufacture its Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) in . This MoU enhances General Electric Company's market position in by the introduction of its energy storage portfolio in the country. In November 2023 , Siemens Energy was awarded the project to construct a hybrid power plant in French Guiana , located near Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in northeast South America . The plant will utilize solar power exclusively to generate climate-neutral electricity, ensuring a continuous supply to approximately 10,000 households. In addition, Siemens Energy will provide operation and maintenance services for a period of 25 years, including remote control capabilities for the plant.

, Siemens Energy was awarded the project to construct a hybrid power plant in , located near Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in northeast . The plant will utilize solar power exclusively to generate climate-neutral electricity, ensuring a continuous supply to approximately 10,000 households. In addition, Siemens Energy will provide operation and maintenance services for a period of 25 years, including remote control capabilities for the plant. In December 2020 , Vestas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) finalized their agreement to expand their partnership in sustainable energy. As part of the agreement, Vestas has acquired MHI's shares in the MHI Vestas Offshore Wind (MVOW) joint venture, while MHI has acquired a 2.5% stake in Vestas and will be nominated to a seat on Vestas' board of directors.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Distributed Energy Resource Management System Market - Global Forecast to 2026

Thermal Energy Storage Market - Global Forecast to 2025

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The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
New publication gives an overview of key players in the current market research software and technology landscape, covering multiple sectors within the market research and insights industry

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infotools , a global leader in market research analysis and reporting solutions, has released a new paper in its Space to Think series, Insights and Innovation: The market research software and technology landscape . The paper provides a concise, digestible overview of various sectors within today's ResTech landscape, including listings for leading companies in specific categories, links to further information, and an analysis on the future evolution of the sector, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Infotools

"For over 33 years, Infotools has been helping shape the market research technology ecosystem and that history gives us a unique perspective," said John Bird of Infotools. "This, and all the fascinating industry leaders we've had the privilege of speaking with on our market research podcast , compelled us to publish our Space to Think series. In this latest paper, we are able to feed our passion for the ResTech sector, where many exciting things are happening as the experimentation and implementation of new technologies continues to accelerate across the board."

Inside Insights and Innovation: The market research software and technology landscape , readers will find:

A high-level examination of specific ResTech categories, including listings for key players who provide: business intelligence platforms; market research sample; data collection/survey platforms; data analytics, visualization, and sharing technology.

Integrated links to more in-depth information from ranking, membership and listing sites, such as Capterra, ESOMAR and Greenbook, for the ResTech companies included in the paper.

An analysis of the future of the ResTech space, including overcoming technology adoption barriers and finding a balance as the use of AI accelerates across industry segments.

Infotools' Space to Think series is designed to help inform insights professionals about key themes and trends in the market research industry, especially for those looking to replace or upgrade their market research software and technology. Other publications in the series include: The buyer's guide to market research analysis and reporting software and The inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility handbook . This new paper furthers Infotools' vision for helping researchers get the most out of their data by giving industry professionals a reference tool to learn about innovation and new technology in the ResTech space.

About Infotools

Established in 1990, and with a presence in the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, Infotools was founded on the belief that curious minds shape the future. Through its powerful investigation and reporting platform Harmoni, the company gives organizations the ability to ingest complex market research and consumer data; produce meaningful insights through iterative analysis; represent significant findings with beautiful visualizations; and influence key stakeholders with compelling dashboards. Infotools works with some of the world's best-known brands, including Coca-Cola, Shell, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelez. Visit infotools.com, check out the podcast at https://pod.co/now-thats-significant , or follow them on Twitter @infotools.

SOURCE Infotools
HOUSTON, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inhance Technologies (Inhance) today expressed its support for the principles called for by Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) and House colleagues in a July 25 letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan regarding the agency's regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

"Inhance recognizes the critical importance of increased transparency, reliance on sound science, complete evidence, independent experts and a rigorous, comprehensive and peer-reviewed risk assessment in connection with EPA's evaluation of PFAS," said Chief Executive Officer Andrew Thompson.

Last year, Inhance submitted Significant New Use Notices (SNUNs) to EPA in connection with its fluorination technology. In accord with Congresswoman McClellan, Inhance agrees that EPA's review of its SNUNs should: (1) include input from leading PFAS experts across the agency; (2) rely upon a data-driven approach that ensures relevant data and analyses are fully considered by the agency; and (3) transparently assess any risks of potential PFAS exposures.

"This approach will ensure that any measures requested by EPA are driven by sound science," added Thompson. "We welcome the opportunity to make our quantitative risk assessment, which EPA has acknowledged as robust, thorough and conducted by a highly qualified third-party, available for independent and peer review."

When Inhance first became aware of the potential for fluorination to unintentionally form miniscule quantities of certain PFAS impurities, the Company researched and developed treatment modifications to reduce these impurities in most instances to undetectable levels in the plastic packaging articles it fluorinates. Overall, Inhance's treatment modifications have reduced unintentional formation of these impurities by more than 90%.

To the extent any PFAS remains present, independent testing has verified that in treating 25 million pounds of plastic packaging articles annually, Inhance's fluorination process forms less than 15 grams  equivalent to the weight of a few grapes  of PFAS impurities. That amount represents less than 0.00000002% of the approximately 85,000 tons of PFAS generated domestically by other industries every year. Nonetheless, Inhance continues to conduct research and identify additional treatment modifications to further reduce and eliminate PFAS impurities from the fluorination process.

The third-party risk assessment demonstrated that this miniscule generation of PFAS impurities in the fluorination process does not pose an unreasonable risk to humans or the environment.

About Inhance Technologies

Inhance has served customers with its fluorination technology for 40 years, and is committed to continuing safe operations that are protective of its workers, local communities, the public and the environment.

Treating more than 200 million articles a year, Inhance's fluorination technology plays a critical role in many domestic supply chains, totaling tens of billions of dollars of economic activity annually and supporting thousands of jobs across dozens of states. The barrier protection Inhance imparts allows plastic containers to resist the transmission of their contents through the walls of the container, providing a host of human health, safety and environmental benefits.

In many instances, Inhance's fluorination treatment is necessary to meet regulatory requirements and protect human health and the environment, including for the transportation and storage of petroleum-based products (preventing more than 50 million gallons of evaporative emissions of gasoline annually) and pesticides in plastic containers. Sectors that heavily rely on Inhance's fluorination technology include crop protection (e.g., soybeans, cotton and corn), fuel systems and healthcare (e.g., rigid cold chain packaging that ensures the safe transportation of vaccines and vital biologic medicines).

CONTACT: Momotaz Rahman, Marketing Director, mrahman@inhancetechnologies.com

SOURCE Inhance Technologies
NEW BERLIN, Wis., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin ("RMHC Eastern Wisconsin"), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the families of children undergoing medical treatment, has been selected as the beneficiary of a charitable initiative by International Monetary Systems (IMS), a leading national trading network with its headquarters in New Berlin.

As part of their community outreach efforts, IMS encourages its Wisconsin clients to support RMHC Eastern Wisconsin. The organization actively participates in the IMS network, which spans 16 offices nationwide and facilitates over $225 million in trade volume annually.

Using a barter system, IMS enables businesses to exchange goods and services with other IMS members and receive "trade dollars" in return, which are then deposited into internal accounts. These trade dollars can be used to purchase various items and services within the network, offering businesses an opportunity to save cash and explore new customer avenues.

IMS has embarked on a campaign urging its 2,000 Wisconsin clients to make a donation in trade dollars to RMHC Eastern Wisconsin. By providing resources to cover everyday expenses such as professional services, office equipment, and printing, this initiative allows RMHC Eastern Wisconsin to allocate more financial support to its core mission of providing a "home away from home" for families with sick or injured children who are receiving care at Children's Wisconsin.

"We are grateful for our partnership with IMS Barter. Through their clients' barter dollar donation program, we are able to source a variety of products and services that help us support our mission to keep families together and promote the health and well-being of children," said Laurie Bertrand, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin.

IMS members contributed $29,000 at this event in 2022 and has set a goal to surpass this figure at an upcoming client appreciation event on August 10th at Helfaer Field, situated next to American Family Field. The event will feature a client-staff softball game, and for every home run hit during the contest, IMS will match the donations.

John Strabley, CEO of International Monetary Systems, emphasized the alignment between RMHC Eastern Wisconsin's focus on children and families and IMS's commitment to serving as stewards to both businesses and the community. He stated, "IMS Barter was founded on the principles of fostering growth and lowering business expenses. RMHC Eastern Wisconsin plays a vital role in providing comfortable and supportive accommodations, allowing families to stay close to their hospitalized child without incurring excessive expenses, and we are honored to sponsor their efforts and collaborate to improve the experiences of families going through a difficult time."

Opened in 1984 as the first Ronald McDonald House in Wisconsin, RHMC of Eastern Wisconsin is dedicated to supporting families of children undergoing treatment at Children's Wisconsin. More than just a place to stay, they offer families therapeutic programming, comprehensive meal programs, comfortable community spaces and much more.

More information about RHMC of Eastern Wisconsin is available at www.rmhc-easternwi.org, by calling 414-475-5333, or following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RMHCMilwaukee

About International Monetary Systems

Founded in 1985, International Monetary Systems (IMS) serves 21,000 cardholders in 52 North American markets. Based in New Berlin, Wisconsin, IMS is the largest barter company in the world. The IMS network allows companies to create cost savings and connect to new customers by incorporating barter opportunities in their business models. Further information can be obtained at the company's website at: www.IMSBarter.com.

SOURCE International Monetary Systems
SHANGRAO, China, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, today announced it has achieved the highest "AAA" category ranking in PV Tech's Q2 ModuleTech bankability report. This prestigious recognition underscores the company's exceptional performance in manufacturing and financial indicators, as well as its leadership in N-type TOPCon technology.

On July 14th, 2023, JinkoSolar's subsidiary Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. published estimates of certain preliminary unaudited financial results for the first half of 2023. The preliminary unaudited net income attributable to the shareholders of Jiangxi Jinko is estimated to be in the range from RMB3.66 billion to RMB4.06 billion, increasing by from 304.38% to 348.58% year over year, and demonstrating solid profitability growth quarter over quarter. In the first quarter of 2023, JinkoSolar delivered 13.04GW of solar modules. With this remarkable performance, JinkoSolar has solidified its No.1 shipment position as a leading solar module supplier globally, with a cumulative module shipment of 150GW by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

JinkoSolar has made significant strides in large-scale production of N-type TOPCon modules, with mass-produced N-type cell efficiency exceeding 25.4%. It expects mass-produced N-type cell efficiency to reach 25.8% and N-type cell capacity to account for over 70% of its solar cell capacity by the end of 2023.

By the end of the first quarter of 2023, JinkoSolar's accumulated N-type module shipments exceeded 16 GW, providing support for hundreds of projects globally over the past year. The proportion of N-type modules shipments in its total module shipments is expected to reach about 60% in 2023, as the Company expects strong demand for high-efficiency products from a growing number of markets and customers.

Mr. Kangping Chen, CEO of Jinko Solar Co., Ltd., commented, "As a leading solar module manufacturer, we are honored to be recognized by PV Tech as the most bankable solar brand among customers, investors, and banks worldwide. This serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to research, rigorous quality control, and technological innovation. We will continue to elevate the quality, reliability, and long-term performance of our PV modules to create greater value and returns for our shareholders."

About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and other countries and regions.

JinkoSolar had 14 productions facilities globally, 24 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Indonesia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and global sales teams in China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Vietnam and India, as of March 31, 2023.

To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "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, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company's operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Stella Wang

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

Tel: +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
SAINT PAUL, Minn., July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson//Becker, PLLC is a nationwide product liability law firm with extensive experience representing clients injured by defective products. The firm has represented over 700 individuals injured by exploding pressure cookers.

Johnson//Becker filed a lawsuit against Zavor alleging that the company's product, "Zavor Versa Express Pressure Cooker" caused plaintiff Claudia Castrillon's injuries.

The Complaint alleges that in August 2019, Ms. Castrillon suffered serious burn injuries as a result of the pressure cooker's lid being able to be removed while still under pressure. According to the Complaint, Zavor's pressure cooker has defects that allows the lid to be removed while the unit is still under pressure, despite Zavor's claims that its pressure cookers are "safe." If the pressure cooker lid is removed while there is built-up pressure, heat, and steam still inside, the pressure would cause the scalding hot contents to be ejected into the surrounding area and onto bystanders.

The Complaint also alleges that Zavor "ignored and/or concealed its knowledge of these defects" from the plaintiffs and the public to continue generating a profit.

Questions About a Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.

If you or a loved one were injured by an exploding pressure cooker, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are accepting new pressure cooker lawsuits across the country, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.

We offer a Free Case Evaluation. To learn more about Johnson//Becker's product liability cases, or to arrange a free, no obligation case review, please visit Johnson//Becker at https://www.johnsonbecker.com/product-liability/pressure-cooker-lawsuit/ or contact Johnson//Becker directly at (800) 279-6386.

SOURCE Johnson // Becker, PLLC
Leads Philanthropic Services Team to Grow Endowed Charitable Funds for Broward

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelly Marmol has been named Vice President of Philanthropic Services at Community Foundation of Broward. Her focus is on forging partnerships with individuals, families and organizations to create and expand charitable funds at the Community Foundation.

PHOTO CAPTION: Kelly Marmol, Vice President of Philanthropic Services (Photo courtesy Community Foundation of Broward)

Marmol brings more than 20 years of financial services and nonprofit development experience to her new role. After a decade working as a financial advisor, her passion for helping others led to a career fostering philanthropy to education, social and economic mobility, the environment and health care.

Prior to joining the Community Foundation, she held senior development positions at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami in South Florida, as well as Methodist Children's Home Society and Oakland University, both located in suburban Detroit, Michigan. She was responsible for fundraising to support youth enrichment, student success and life-changing research projects.

"Kelly's experience, leadership skills and gracious personality are a natural fit to help grow the Community Foundation's impact for the community we love," said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. "We are extremely pleased to have her leading our philanthropic services team."

At the Community Foundation, Marmol leads outreach to local philanthropists who want to invest in their community. She and her team collaborate with Broward's professional advisors to craft philanthropy plans to achieve their clients' charitable goals. She also guides the BE BOLD Leadership Campaign, launched in 2018 to build an endowment able to serve Broward's fast-growing needs, today and for generations to come.

"I'm honored to join the Community Foundation's talented team and to collaborate with philanthropists dedicated to making Broward a better place to call home," she said. "It's thrilling to be a part of local philanthropy that helps people and transforms our community."

Kelly takes the reins of the Philanthropic Services Team from Nancy Thies, who continues as Philanthropic Services Executive tackling special initiatives, including building support for the Community Foundation's Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Honored in 2022 as Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Nancy Thies chose to take on a new role at the Community Foundation so she can spend more time with her family. Under her guidance, Community Foundation of Broward has raised more than $325 million in new and planned gifts. She also helped the Community Foundation add 29 new Community Builders, philanthropists who create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more.

For more information about Community Foundation of Broward, please email Kirk Englehardt, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Community Foundation ([email protected]) or call 954-761-9503, ext. 103. Contact Kelly Marmol at [email protected] or 954-761-9503, ext. 155.

About Community Foundation of Broward:

Founded in 1984, Community Foundation of Broward (CFB) helps families, individuals, and corporations create personalized charitable Funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 489 charitable Funds represent more than $269 million in assets, distributing $145 million in grants over the past 37 years. CFB provides bold leadership on community solutions and fosters philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter  which empowers visionaries, innovators and doers to create the change they want to see in the community  and BE BOLD. www.cfbroward.org.

Media Contact:

Kirk Englehardt

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Community Foundation of Broward

[email protected]

(M) 786-562-4282 (O) 954-761-9503 x105

SOURCE Community Foundation of Broward
Retailer opens new spoke serving Mt. Zion, Northern Kentucky area

INDEPENDENCE, Ky., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the official opening of a new spoke in Independence, Kentucky. This facility opening means customers can tap into Kroger's incredible selection of fresh items, unique Our Brands products and favorite national brands, as well as individualized offers for the products most important to their families  all delivered directly to their door by a friendly, professional associate.

Kroger Delivery Expands in Kentucky

"We are thrilled to expand our offerings to Northern Kentucky and connect more customers to the Kroger Delivery shopping experience, which brings thousands of digital coupons, valuable fuel points and the freshest products including Our Brands, directly to customers' doors," said Rebekah Manis, Senior Director, Kroger Delivery Fulfillment Centers. "Our customers are actively looking for ways to save, and Kroger Delivery offers a fresh, affordable and personalized shopping experience with zero-compromise on affordability, selection and convenience. Whether they are using the Kroger app or browsing our weekly ad at Kroger.com, customers can enjoy fresh, high-quality, affordable groceries delivered by best-in-class uniformed drivers."

The spoke facility is located in Independence, Kentucky and will work in conjunction with the Monroe, Ohio fulfillment center. All orders are picked at the products' peak freshness within the Monroe facility. Associates carefully assemble orders and place them in climate-controlled vehicles to travel to Independence. Once the orders arrive, they are checked and placed on refrigerated delivery trucks that deliver directly to customers' doors, ensuring cold and frozen products remain at the perfect temperature from the supplier to the customer's refrigerator. The facility will employ nearly 100 associates and currently employs more than 70. Learn more about pursuing a career at Kroger here.

"Kroger is a major employer in Northern Kentucky, and we welcome the nearly 100 new jobs the company will add at its facility in Boone County," said Gary Moore, Judge/Executive, Boone County. "As the fastest-growing county in the Cincinnati MSA, we know demand is increasing for home deliveries to customers here and throughout Northern Kentucky."

"Kroger is a valued corporate citizen in the Cincinnati region," said Lee Crume, CEO, BE NKY Growth Partnership "We welcome the extension of their delivery service capabilities in Northern Kentucky that will serve the tristate, providing customers with fresh, high-quality products quickly."

"Investments like this are taking Kentucky to the next level. As we look to expand our economic opportunity, corporate citizens like Kroger are essential to making the Commonwealth a better place to live, work, and do business," said Ashli Watts, President and CEO, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. "We want to thank them for their continued dedication to advancing Kentucky."

Northern Kentucky customers can get more value when purchasing their favorite items using Boost by Kroger Plus, the annual grocery delivery membership that recently announced its special anniversary promotion, offering new members who enroll in the Boost by Kroger Plus membership from July 19 through August 8, will automatically receive 1,000 bonus Fuel Points. Eligible customers can try the Boost membership with a free 30-day trial and subscribe for as little as $7.99 a month.

The Northern Kentucky location marks the company's second Kentucky spoke location. It's Louisville, Kentucky spoke launched in May of 2022.

Kroger Delivery Explained

The expansion to the Kentucky area represents an extension of a collaboration between Kroger and Ocado Group, a world leader in technology for grocery e-commerce. In 2018, the companies announced a collaboration to establish a delivery network that combines artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and automation in a bold new way, bringing first-of-its-kind technology to America.

Automated hub sites power this best-in-class customer experience. At each hub, bots navigate 3D grids filled with fresh, shelf-stable and household products to fulfill customers' orders. The system uses advanced AI to determine the packing process, ensuring products are packed accurately and correctly (with heaviest items on the bottom) and the fewest number of bags are used to reduce waste. Once the orders are assembled, associates provide important quality checks.

Products move from a climate-controlled fulfillment center directly into customized refrigerated delivery vans to ensure each item stays at the right temperature throughout the delivery process. With each Kroger Delivery van holding up to 20 orders, friendly drivers are then deployed to deliver orders in the most efficient manner possible, accounting for weather and road conditions. Drivers are also happy to accept any plastic bags or plastic film a customer may have, returning it to the facility where it will be recycled by a third-party vendor. Vans may travel up to 90 minutes with orders from the hub and spoke facilities to make deliveries. Associates at the spoke facility will deliver orders within their service area, adding ZIP codes as demand grows.

Kroger currently operates customer fulfillment centers in Monroe, OH, Groveland, FL, Forest Park, GA (Atlanta), Pleasant Prairie, WI, Dallas, TX, Romulus, MI (Detroit), Aurora, CO and Frederick, MD, with additional customer fulfillment centers slated for California, Phoenix, AZ, Cleveland, OH, Charlotte, NC, as well as South Florida and the Northeast.

Media Assets

To download Kroger Delivery photography and video, visit here .



About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names . We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site .





About Ocado Group

Ocado Group is a UK based technology company admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange (Ticker OCDO). It provides end-to-end online grocery fulfillment solutions to some of the world's largest grocery retailers and holds a 50% share of Ocado Retail Ltd in the UK in a Joint Venture with Marks & Spencer. Ocado has spent two decades innovating for grocery online, investing in a wide technology estate that includes robotics, AI & machine learning, simulation, forecasting, and edge intelligence.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
Majority Opposes Urging Ukraine to Enter Peace Negotiations Before Russia Commits to Withdraw Forces

COLLEGE PARK, Md., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A bipartisan majority of seven-in-ten voters favor the US continuing to provide significant military aid to Ukraine to help in their ongoing war with Russia, according to an in-depth study by the Program for Public Consultation together with the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy.

Program for Public Consultation, University of Maryland Center for International and Security Studies, University of Maryland

Continuing to provide military aid to Ukraine, including military equipment, ammunition, training and intelligence, was favored by 69%, including 55% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats and 58% of independents. The sample was large enough to enable analysis of attitudes in very Republican and very Democratic districts based on Cook PVI ratings. In both very red and very blue congressional districts, equally large majorities (71%) favored continuing military aid.

The public consultation survey of 2,445 registered voters ensured that respondents understood the issues by first providing a briefing on the history of Ukraine-Russia relations, the events and circumstances leading up to the 2022 invasion, and the current state of the war. They were presented several proposals in detail, and evaluated arguments for and against each before making their final recommendation. The content was reviewed by experts from each side of the debates, to ensure that the briefing was accurate and balanced and that the arguments presented were the strongest ones being made.

Ukraine's stance has been that it will not start negotiations until Russia first commits to withdraw all its forces from Ukraine. Some Members of Congress and foreign policy leaders have proposed that the US pressure Ukraine to start peace negotiations without this precondition.

When informed about the situation and asked whether the US should "encourage" Ukraine to enter into negotiations, "whether or not Russia first commits to withdraw from all of Ukraine," 56% said the US should not, including 68% of Democrats and 53% of Independents, but less than half of Republicans (47%).

Recently the Biden administration shifted its position on US fighter jets, allowing NATO allies to send US-made jets to Ukraine, with the US training Ukrainian pilots to operate these jets. A bipartisan majority of 73% approved of this move, including 63% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 64% of independents.

"Overwhelming bipartisan majorities of Americans agree that it is critical for the US to help uphold the international law against cross-border aggression, even in the face of the risk of escalating to nuclear war," commented Steven Kull, director of PPC. "While Republicans and independents are responsive to the arguments that the Europeans should take care of the problem, and that the nuclear risks are high, in the end they come out in favor of US involvement."

Respondents were also asked about the US providing humanitarian aid, including food, shelter and funds for critical infrastructure repair. A bipartisan eight-in-ten were in favor, including 92% of Democrats, 72% of Republicans and 73% of independents.

The survey was fielded online June 15-28, 2023 with a probability-based national sample of 2,445 registered voters provided by Nielsen Scarborough from its larger sample, which is recruited by telephone and mail from a random sample of households. The margin of error is +/- 2%.

CONTACT: JP Thomas; [email protected]; 617-899-8570

SOURCE Program for Public Consultation
NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Lumen Technologies Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) resulting from allegations that Lumen Inc. may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Lumen securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17730 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 July 12, 2023, before the market opened, The Wall Street Journal released an article entitled "What AT&T and Verizon Knew About Toxic Lead Cables" which also discussed Lumen and how its workers had been exposed to lead.

On this news, the price of Lumen stock fell by $0.03 per share, or 1.45%, to close at $2.04 on July 12, 2023.

Then, on July 26, 2023, after the market closed, The Wall Street Journal released an article entitled "Justice Department and EPA Probe Telecom Companies Over Lead Cables." The article stated, in pertinent part, "The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency are investigating the potential health and environmental risks stemming from a sprawling network of toxic lead-sheathed telecom cables across the U.S." It highlighted how the EPA had said it takes "the issues raised in the articles very seriously and will move expeditiously under our statutory authorities to protect the public from legacy pollution."

On this news, Lumen stock declined in intraday trading on July 27, 2023.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the 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.
Fund to focus on its pioneering 'asset-centric' investment model, backing visionary biopharma entrepreneurs and drug hunters along the full drug development spectrum

LONDON, GENEVA, ST HELIER, Jersey, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicxi, a leading European life sciences investment firm, today announces its $400 million Medicxi IV fund. The new fund will continue to support drug hunters with clear product visions to deliver transformative therapies for patients.

Medicxi's investments have resulted in the development of several marketed and late-stage development drugs, including Daratumumab (Genmab/Johnson & Johnson), Blincyto (Amgen), Alunbrig (Takeda), Voquezna (Phathom Pharmaceuticals) and obicetripib (New Amsterdam Pharma). A number of Medicxi assets have been acquired by global pharmaceutical companies, including Villaris Therapeutics (Incyte), MiroBio (Gilead Sciences) and Versanis Bio (Eli Lilly) within the last twelve months.

Medicxi's longstanding success has been built on its uniquely strong ties to pharmaceutical companies and its extensive team of world class subject matter experts, drug hunters and developers, who act as partners for the innovators in which they are investing.

Francesco De Rubertis, Co-founder and Partner at Medicxi, said: "Our mission is to support the innovative genius of entrepreneurs by providing the critical capital, expertise and experience that form the all-important 'bridge' to pharma. This new fund consolidates Medicxi's position as a key operating platform for scientific entrepreneurs and drug hunters and is deliberately sized for our investment model. We are grateful to our LPs who are once again supporting us by backing Medicxi's unique asset-centric strategy and our proprietary platform for value creation."

Nick Williams, Partner at Medicxi, commented: "Behind every practice-changing medicine lies a product and a vision for how best to match pharmacology to disease. We are excited to continue developing the best of these visions into valuable products sought after by leading global pharmaceutical companies."

Giovanni Mariggi, Partner at Medicxi, added: "With Medicxi IV we will continue to work with leading scientists and clinicians to create asset-focused companies based on deep domain expertise. Together with our extensive network of drug developers, we will accelerate the development of novel therapies for patients."

Notes to Editors

About Medicxi

Medicxi is a healthcare-focused investment firm with the mission to create and invest in companies across the full drug development continuum. It is one of the largest platforms in Europe for scientific entrepreneurs and drug hunters with a core team of 35 dedicated investment and drug development professionals. Medicxi invests in early and late-stage therapeutics with a product vision that can fulfil a clear unmet medical need. For more information, please visit: https://www.medicxi.com

SOURCE Medicxi
American Association for Justice Bestows Honor for Commitment to Justice In Truck Accident Litigation

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan Auto Law truck accident lawyer Steven M. Gursten received the prestigious Hall of Fame Award from the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group at its Annual Convention in Philadelphia, PA, on July 17, 2023.

Gursten is only the third lawyer in the history of the Trucking Litigation Group to be awarded this honor.

Michigan Auto Law attorney Steven M. Gursten, recipient of the Hall of Fame Award from the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group.

The AAJ's Hall of Fame Award is bestowed upon only elite truck accident attorneys of integrity and character whose litigation and advocacy in the courtroom has significantly advanced the rights of the wrongfully injured and whose careers have "made a significant and positive impact on the civil justice system.

"I am honored to receive the Hall of Fame Award," said Gursten. "It's gratifying to be recognized by all of my peers - the very best truck accident lawyers in the country - for this Hall of Fame Award. It is a recognition that comes from thousands of hours of hard work helping people secure justice after having their lives shattered by negligent trucking companies. Our mission continues to make the trucking industry safer, promote safer roads, and save lives."

Gursten has an unmatched record of success recovering the highest recorded jury verdicts and settlements in truck accident cases in Michigan, according to year-end compilations of settlements and trial verdicts by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. These include a $34.5 million settlement that was also the largest-reported tractor-trailer crash settlement in the U.S. that year and also was the largest truck settlement ever by any Michigan truck accident lawyer. Gursten has handled hundreds of truck accident injury cases.

Steve is Past-President of the American Association for Justice's Trucking Litigation Group. At legal seminars in over 26 states, Gursten has taught truck accident litigation to thousands of lawyers. Michigan Lawyers Weekly newspaper has honored him as a "Leader in the Law" for his work in making trucking companies more safe.

Michigan Auto Law is the state's largest law firm specializing exclusively in truck accident and car accident cases and auto No-Fault litigation. Representing clients throughout the state, the lawyers at Michigan Auto Law has consistently won the state's largest auto accident verdicts and settlements on behalf of its clients. Click here to learn more about Michigan Auto Law.

SOURCE Michigan Auto Law
GUANGZHOU, China, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO; HKEX: 9896) ("MINISO", "MINISO Group" or the "Company"), a global value retailer offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products, today announced that the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") has approved and adopted a dividend policy of the Company (the "Dividend Policy") on July 27, 2023, which aims to provide foreseeable returns to the shareholders of the Company. The Dividend Policy will be effective from July 27, 2023.

Pursuant to the Dividend Policy, subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, in principle, it is targeting an annual dividend no less than 50% of its annual adjusted net profit[1], a non-IFRS measure, which is defined as profit for the period excluding equity-settled share-based payment expenses, subject to certain factors set out below.

Mr. Guofu Ye, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of MINISO, commented, "After 10 years of solid execution, with a focus on organic growth and expanding profitability and cash flows, we are pleased to add another dimension to our capital allocation strategy, the Board's decision to initiate a dividend policy represents a milestone moment for MINISO that bolsters our commitment to simultaneously invest in long-term growth and return value to our shareholders."

On August 19, 2021, the Board declared a cash dividend in the amount of US$0.156 per ADS, or US$0.039 per Share, payable as of the close of business on September 9, 2021 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 31, 2021. The aggregate amount of cash dividends paid was approximately RMB304.7 million, which was funded by surplus cash on the Company's balance sheet. On August 17, 2022, the Board declared a cash dividend in the amount of US$0.172 per ADS, or US$0.043 per Share, payable as of the close of business on September 9, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 31, 2022. The aggregate amount of cash dividends paid was approximately RMB360.8 million, which was funded by surplus cash on the Company's balance sheet.

Under the laws of the Cayman Islands and subject to the applicable provisions of the laws of the People's Republic of China, the Board has the discretion to declare and distribute any dividends. The Board will take into account the Company's actual and expected operations and profitability conditions, capital requirements and surplus, overall financial position, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant in evaluating the decision and the exact amount of dividends for distribution.

The Dividend Policy shall in no way constitute a legally binding commitment by the Company in respect of its future dividends and/or in no way obligate the Company to declare a dividend at any time or from time to time. There can be no assurance that dividends will be paid in any particular amount for any given year.

About MINISO Group

MINISO Group is a global value retailer offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products. The Company serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores, and promotes a relaxing, treasure-hunting and engaging shopping experience full of delightful surprises that appeals to all demographics. Aesthetically pleasing design, quality and affordability are at the core of every product in MINISO's wide product portfolio, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products with these qualities. Since the opening of its first store in China in 2013, the Company has built its flagship brand "MINISO" as a globally recognized retail brand and established a massive store network worldwide. For more information, please visit https://ir.miniso.com/.

Non-IFRS Financial Measure

In evaluating the business, MINISO considers and uses adjusted net profit as supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of the non-IFRS financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. MINISO defines adjusted net profit as profit for the period excluding equity-settled share-based payment expenses.

MINISO presents the non-IFRS financial measure because it is used by the management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. The non-IFRS financial measure enables the management to assess its operating results without considering the impacts of the aforementioned non-cash and other adjustment items that MINISO does not consider to be indicative of its operating performance in the future. Accordingly, MINISO believes that the use of the non-IFRS financial measure provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results in the same manner as the management and board of directors.

The non-IFRS financial measure is not defined under IFRS and is not presented in accordance with IFRS. The non-IFRS financial measure has limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using the non-IFRS financial measure is that it does not reflect all items of income and expense that affect MINISO's operations. Further, the non-IFRS financial measure may differ from the non-IFRS information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

The non-IFRS financial measure should not be considered in isolation or construed as alternative to profit, as applicable, or any other measures of performance or as indicator of MINISO's operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review MINISO's historical non-IFRS financial measures in light of the most directly comparable IFRS measures. The non-IFRS financial measure presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting the usefulness of such measures when analyzing MINISO's data comparatively. MINISO encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. Among other things, the quotations from management in this announcement, as well as MINISO's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. MINISO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about MINISO's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: MINISO's mission, goals and strategies; future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; the expected growth of the retail market and the market of branded variety retail of lifestyle products in China and globally; expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of MINISO's products; expectations regarding MINISO's relationships with consumers, suppliers, MINISO Retail Partners, local distributors, and other business partners; competition in the industry; proposed use of proceeds; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to MINISO's business and the industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in MINISO's filings with the SEC and the HKEX. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and MINISO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Raine Hu

MINISO Group Holding Limited

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86 (20) 3622 8788 Ext.8039

Eric Yuan

Christensen Advisory

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86 1380 111 0739

[1] See the sections titled "Non-IFRS Financial Measure" in this press release for more information.

SOURCE MINISO Group Holding Limited
Groundbreaking program intends to expand college access in all 46 South Carolina counties

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An ambitious initiative aims to eliminate the financial barrier to college for bright, under-resourced South Carolina students, improving both the trajectory of their lives and the communities where they reside.

Mission 46 is the trailblazing campaign to offer college scholarships to high-achieving students with financial need who live in one of the state's 46 counties. Every dollar raised by the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund , the nonprofit behind Mission 46, will go directly to student scholarships. The success of the three-year old Meeting Street Scholarship Fund has been remarkable, with $21.6 million committed in scholarships for 540 students to date, that it now plans to expand statewide.

"We want our state's students to know their future is bright, and with hard work, a college education is within their reach," said Ben Navarro, a businessman and philanthropist who founded the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund. "We're passionate about making a four-year degree accessible and affordable to all South Carolina students, and Mission 46 is how we create opportunities and change lives  both for current students and for generations to come."

Mission 46 means making the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund accessible to students across the state. Expanding to 35 additional counties and serving more students will require the support of more donors. Until now, the fund has been backed primarily by the Navarro family, as well as the Darla Moore Foundation.

"We are seeking more visionary partners to join us in supporting Mission 46," said Darla Moore, a nationally recognized business leader and philanthropist. "The return on this investment is tangible and powerful. Our best and brightest deserve the chance to go to college without debilitating debt, and we are more committed than ever to giving those students that opportunity."

New donors, including retired businessman Dave Proctor, have provided more support, enabling the expansion to additional counties for 2023 high school graduates. Administrative costs to operate the fund are fully covered by the Navarros' Beemok Family Foundation.

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund helps make college dreams a reality for public school students with a strong record of academic achievement and a demonstrated financial need. The scholarship uses simple criteria to determine student eligibility, the South Carolina LIFE Scholarship for academic achievement and federal Pell Grant for demonstrated financial need, and that leverages the power of both existing programs.

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund provides awards to cover the remaining costs after all other scholarships and need-based grants, but it's given prior to the use of student loans. Up to $10,000 per year is given per student for in-state tuition, fees, housing or food costs. Every qualified student who applies for the scholarship will receive one; there is no limit to the number of scholarships granted.

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is available to public school students in 11 counties: Barnwell, Charleston, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg.

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is one of the largest privately funded scholarship programs in the nation. A total of 261 outstanding students will attend one of 17 eligible in-state colleges this year with its assistance. Those colleges have a 50 percent or higher graduation rate, ensuring the greatest likelihood for successful completion of a degree.

Local and state leaders applauded Mission 46 for its inspired approach to enhancing the state's educational landscape.

"Mission 46 is much more than a scholarship; this is about transforming the future of South Carolina," said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. "By investing in these students, we are helping to build a stronger generation of leaders in every corner of our state. We must ensure that achieving a college degree is accessible and affordable to South Carolina students, and we are fully supportive of private partners, such as the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, that are working tirelessly to send more high achieving students with a demonstrated financial need to college."

Other supporters of Mission 46 include Sen. Sean Bennett (R-Dorchester County).

"More students graduating with college degrees is critical to a better future for all of South Carolina," Bennett said. "We've got to do our part at the state level to ensure the total price tag of college is reasonable and  more importantly - that all South Carolina college degrees deliver value to students. We are grateful to the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund for helping to generously cover some of that cost for students who need it most. Mission 46 will help more South Carolina students focus on how to earn a degree rather than worry about how to pay for it."

Sen. Gerald Malloy (D-Darlington County) also stands in support of Mission 46.

"This will allow thousands of hard-working, deserving students to earn a college diploma and pursue their dreams," Malloy said. "Our school districts must do all they can to prepare more young people to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity."

More graduates from South Carolina colleges would result in significant benefits for the state as a whole. Research has shown that graduates of state colleges generally stay an average of 330 miles from their alma mater; 40 percent are within 50 miles.

Additionally, college graduates are more likely to be employed and have higher earnings than those without a college degree. Research also indicates college graduates are more likely to be upwardly mobile , married, not living in their parents' homes and to be satisfied with their jobs.

Josh Bell, executive director of the fund, said he looks forward to broadening efforts in partnership with donors to support the state's rural and often-forgotten communities.

"Hard-working students across South Carolina dream of going to college, and Mission 46 will equip more of them with the financial resources they need to make those dreams a reality," Bell said.

To donate to Mission 46 and the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, go to meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org/mission-46.

For updates, news, and more, sign up for the Progress Report newsletter and follow the nonprofit on TikTok , Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Editor's Note: Please find images here .

SOURCE Meeting Street Scholarship Fund
Through the Company's partnership with Banesco, one of the largest banks in Venezuela, consumers in the country can now receive money directly to their Banesco bank account in near real-time

Venezuela is one of the Company's largest and fastest growing receive markets as Venezuelan families continue to migrate to countries around the world at rapid speeds

DALLAS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MoneyGram International, Inc. ("MoneyGram" or the "Company"), a leading global financial technology company that connects the world's communities, today announced a new account deposit service for consumers in Venezuela. Through the Company's partnership with Banesco, one of the largest banks in Venezuela, consumers in the country can now receive money directly to their Banesco bank account in near real-time.

MoneyGram Continues to Scale Digital Receive Network with New Account Deposit Service in Venezuela

"We're proud to have built one of the largest and most reliable digital receive networks in the world, providing our customers access to over 5 billion bank accounts and mobile wallets globally," said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chief Executive Officer. "As consumer preference continues to shift online, one of our key strategic priorities is the global expansion of digital receive options. The introduction of this new account deposit service in Venezuela  one of the fastest growing receive markets in the world  is especially exciting as it creates immense value for a customer base that truly relies on our services."

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), over 7 million Venezuelans have migrated from the country since 2015. The IMF predicts 1.4 million more people will leave the country by 2025, which would bring the total number of Venezuelan migrants to over 25% of the country's population ten years prior. Many of these migrants have settled across countries in Latin America, North America and Europe, and according to recent MoneyGram consumer survey data, they often prioritize sending money back home to support their loved ones.

"We are thrilled to now offer this new account deposit service in partnership with MoneyGram. Today, as remittances act as a source of income for many households in Venezuela, we recognize the increased importance for safe and secure cross-border money transfers," said Juan Carlos Fonfria, Banesco Vice President of Products, Services and Payment Methods. "By partnering with a trusted organization like MoneyGram with a strong presence across the countries housing Venezuelan migrants, this service will enable direct transfers between Venezuelan families separated around the world."

This service is now live for consumers in Venezuela.

About MoneyGram

MoneyGram International, Inc. is a global financial technology company that enables consumers and businesses to move and manage money in nearly every country around the world. Through its expansive set of fintech offerings, MoneyGram provides millions of consumers annually the ability to seamlessly send money home to family and friends and buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies on its industry-leading app. The Company's innovative cross-border platform enables its customers to send funds directly into bank accounts and mobile wallets or cash-in and cash-out more than 135 currencies and numerous cryptocurrencies through one of the largest cash distribution networks in the world. Modern, mobile and API-driven, MoneyGram's white-labeled remittance service also provides some of the world's top brands and organizations the ability to disburse funds directly to their consumer clients. Based in Dallas and known for its strong corporate culture globally, MoneyGram has been named a recipient of the Top Workplaces USA award for two consecutive years, an honor based entirely on employee feedback.

MoneyGram Media Contact

Sydney Schoolfield

[email protected]

SOURCE MoneyGram
Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov said that over the past nine days of Russian attacks, 26 port infrastructure facilities and five civilian ships have been damaged and partially destroyed.

"We jointly condemned Russia's exit under the Grain Initiative and targeted missile and drone attacks on the port infrastructure of southern Ukraine. In the last nine days alone, as a result of Russian attacks, 26 port infrastructure facilities and five civilian ships were damaged and partially destroyed," he said on Facebook on Wednesday in the evening following the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

In addition, according to Kubrakov, the Russians restrict navigation in the area of the temporarily occupied Crimea and near the territorial waters of Bulgaria.

"With this, Russia is actually blocking the movement of ships in the direction of the seaports of Ukraine," he said.

"We must act quickly and decisively. We must not allow the blockade of the Black Sea by Russian troops. This can lead not only to losses in the Ukrainian economy, but also to a serious food crisis in the world, in particular, in such humanitarianly sensitive regions as Africa and Asia," Kubrakov said.

The minister said ways to counter the attacks of the aggressor country and obstruct the free trade navigation of Russia are already being discussed.

He also expressed gratitude to the allies from the Alliance for the decision to strengthen their intelligence activities in the Black Sea.

"We hope that this will help stabilize the security situation and create conditions for the resumption of the normal operation of Ukrainian ports," the minister said.
CHONGQING, China, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The tradition of steeping green plums in alcohol can be traced back to ancient China, becoming popular among the general public during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Today, this tradition has transcended time and seas, reaching the shores of Vancouver, Canada, where MEIJIAN has created a cultural sensation from the East.

On July 19th, MEIJIAN hosted a plum liqueur tasting event in Vancouver, British Columbia. Nearly 30 domestic and international liquor experts, mixologists, and industry opinion leaders gathered to raise their glasses to this oriental delightthe Green Plum Liqueur.

Crossing the Pacific Ocean

Eastern green plums conquer the taste buds of the West

At the tasting event, guests sampled the MEIJIAN Green Plum Liqueur and Smoked Plum Liqueur. The products received rave reviews. The unique aroma of Chinese plum liqueur attracted praise from numerous liquor enthusiasts overseas.

"The distinctive fragrance of green plums blossoms in the mouth, and the smoked flavor adapts perfectly to the discerning palates of foreign friends who enjoy peat tastes. From a professional perspective, the liquor body of MEIJIAN is extremely versatile, able to be paired with different meats, seafood and more," said professional sommelier Kyle Gartlan-Close. MEIJIAN Green Plum Liqueur has pushed the boundaries of Chinese plum liqueur flavors to the extreme and become a shining symbol of Chinese plum liqueur overseas.

To preserve the unique taste of Chinese plum liqueur, MEIJIAN established four major green plum growing bases in China, conducting physical and chemical research on nearly 200 native green plum varieties and over 1,700 flavor tests.

Today, carrying the essence of Chinese fine liqueur, MEIJIAN has crossed thousands of miles to reach North America, bringing green plums nurtured in misty mountains to the dining tables of overseas friends and the Chinese diaspora.

MEIJIAN has made its way into 20 countries

MEIJIAN Green Plum Liqueur gains popularity in overseas market

In fact, On April 20th this year, as the only invited Chinese liquor brand, MEIJIAN made its appearance at the UN Chinese Language Day, serving as a bridge to promote Chinese history, culture, and national spirit. It paved the way for Chinese plum liqueur brands to expand onto the broader international stage.

According to statistics, since MEIJIAN's official launch in 2019, it has frequently appeared in dining and liquor markets in nearly 20 countries and regions, including Germany, France, the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore, receiving praise from consumers both domestically and abroad.

MEIJIAN Green Plum Liqueur carries China's philosophy of drinking and the essence of its landscapes to the Western world, undeniably becoming an international brand within the Chinese green plum liqueur industry.

"The taste of MEIJIAN liqueur gives me confidence in its journey around the world. It can be paired with so many types of food. Vancouver, Canada has many excellent Cantonese restaurants, and I believe they should consider featuring MEIJIAN on their tables. It will be an exquisite culinary experience." commented Mark Hicken, a wine consultant and blogger.

SOURCE MEIJIAN
Philippines Becomes Second Country after Malaysia to Adopt Ztrade, the Cross-Border Trade Application on Zetrix Layer 1 Blockchain

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MY E.G. Services Berhad ("MYEG" or "the Group") has entered into a collaboration and secured regulatory approval to deploy its blockchain-based customs clearance and processing services for trade flows between the Philippines and China.

The Group, together with its Philippines-incorporated companies, signed agreements for a collaboration with Philippines Bureau of Customs ("BOC") and with Cargo Data Exchange Center Inc. ("CDEC"), paving the way for the Philippines to adopt the digital solution known as Ztrade  a first of its kind Web3 + Artificial Intelligence (AI) link between China and its trading partners  which runs on MYEG's innovative Zetrix layer-1 blockchain platform.

Under the collaboration, MYEG will provide the Ztrade solution in the Philippines including ground installation, training, and assistance with customisation requirements while CDEC, which is a value-added service provider of trade and logistics solutions for the BOC will support the integration of Ztrade to its platform to ensure a seamless experience for users. The agreements remain in effect unless mutually terminated.

This groundbreaking initiative by MYEG follows the signing in March of a partnership between the Group and East Logistic-Link Co., Ltd, a wholly-owned agency of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China ("GACC"), to jointly provide a full suite of cross-border trade facilitation services on the Zetrix blockchain platform.

This includes the lodgment of certificates of origin as well as potentially other certificates relevant to cross-border trade like food safety, quarantine, and bill of lading, thus enabling all data to be available accurately in near real-time, hence, increasing the efficiency of tariff computation and customs clearance, especially for trade within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ("RCEP").

Leveraging Web3 technologies of blockchain smart contracts and AI, the Ztrade service can overcome the prevailing limitations of conventional technology architecture in providing a reliable and automated method of securely and effectively digitalising trade clearance processing whilst removing the cumbersome retro-verification currently practiced, thus making it hassle-free, seamless, faster and simpler overall.

Malaysia, through the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), had in April announced its support for the adoption of a blockchain-based single window system for the mutual recognition of digital certificates of origin to improve trade facilitation and reduce technical barriers for more efficient and secure processing of goods originating from Malaysia to China.

TS Wong, Group Managing Director of MYEG, said: "At MYEG, we are pleased that the advantages of deploying a Web3 + AI-based solution i.e. Ztrade in offering faster, secure, more intelligent and more cost-effective processing of cross-border trades are now also being recognised in the Philippines, besides in Malaysia and China. We look forward to expanding this service to other nations as we continue pursuing our objective of deploying this pioneering solution, which leverages the power of Web3 and AI technology, across Association of Southeast Asian Nations ("ASEAN") and the RCEP region."

Meanwhile, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said: "This Platform is a blockchain-based application that will enable the verification of Certificates of Origin for exports to China and vice-versa, using express clearance and tariff exemptions under the RCEP and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). The proposed use of the Zetrix Platform shall be at no cost to the Philippine Government and is expected to facilitate greater trade through seamless yet highly secure transactions between countries."

CDEC President Jason Gaw Cheng added: "At CDEC, we are proud to be the partner of MYEG in launching the Zetrix Platform, which will increase the global trade competitiveness of the Philippines and improve ease of doing business for our traders and logistics service providers".

The roll-out of Ztrade in the Philippines also marks the broadening of MYEG's presence as a key enabler of government digitalisation in the archipelago. Since commencing operations in 2017, the Group has gone on to establish itself as a leading provider of e-government services in the Philippines.

Today, the Group provides a variety of services for a wide-range of government agencies including the National Bureau of Investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Landbank of the Philippines, PhilHealth, Philippines Economic Zone Authority and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

About Zetrix

Zetrix is a layer-1 public blockchain that facilitates smart contracts and delivers privacy, security and scalability. Zetrix's cryptographic infrastructure can be introduced to multiple industries to connect governments, businesses and their citizens to a global blockchain-based economy.

Developed by MY E.G. Services Bhd, the cross-border and cross-chain integration with China enables Zetrix to serve as a blockchain gateway that facilitates global trade by deploying critical building blocks for Web3 services such as Blockchain-based Identifiers (BID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC).

About MY E.G. Services Bhd ("MYEG")

MYEG is Malaysia's premier digital services company. Having commenced operations in 2000 as the flagship e-government services provider, MYEG continues to play a leading role in driving technological change in the region, bringing a diverse and complete range of innovations spanning the online delivery of major government services to a variety of commercial offerings in the areas of immigration, automotive, healthcare and financial services, among others.

Committed to staying firmly at the forefront of the region's digital revolution, MYEG has embraced the potential of blockchain technology to enhance all aspects of life and is actively pioneering its adoption across its main markets. MYEG has operations in key regional markets such as the Philippines and Indonesia.

SOURCE Zetrix
FULTON, Md., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- N2K Cyber, previously The CyberWire Network, and Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 announced today the launch of their new bi-weekly segment, Threat Vector, on the CyberWire Daily podcast. The segment, hosted by David Moulton, Director Thought Leadership Unit 42, will feature insights from Unit 42 threat intelligence experts, incident responders, and proactive security consultants. By joining the industry's leading daily cybersecurity podcast, Unit 42 Threat Vector will unravel the complex and constantly evolving cybersecurity threat landscape through discussions, expert interviews, and insightful analysis.

Unit 42 Threat Vector is the compass in the world of cyberthreats. Follow the CyberWire Daily Podcast to hear about Unit 42's unique threat intelligence insights, new threat actor TTPs, real-world case studies, and learn how the team works together to discover these threats. Unit 42 will equip listeners with the knowledge and insight to proactively prepare and stay ahead in the ever-evolving threat landscape.

"We are thrilled to announce this collaboration between N2K Cyber and Unit 42," said Wendi Whitmore, SVP and head of Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks. "This new segment will allow you to meet Unit 42's incredible team of cybersecurity experts and learn more about what we're seeing on a daily basis. I'm also thrilled to amplify our research and insights to provide organizations the tools to prepare for, and stay ahead of, the threats impacting their business."

"Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 is an icon in the world of cybersecurity threat intelligence and it's exciting to be collaborating closely with our long-time partner on this new podcast segment," said Peter Kilpe, Chief Executive Officer of N2K Networks. "Bringing their intelligence-driven insights to our flagship CyberWire Daily on a regular schedule will be of incredible value to the security leaders, analysts, and operators that are tuning in every day."

The first segment launches today with new segments airing every two weeks on Thursdays. To hear the latest Unit 42 Threat Vector segment, listen and subscribe to the CyberWire Daily podcast wherever you get your favorite shows or visit the N2K Cyber website for more information.

About Unit 42

Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 brings together world-renowned threat researchers, elite incident responders, and expert security consultants to create an intelligence-driven, response-ready organization that's passionate about helping you proactively manage cyber risk. Together, our team serves as your trusted advisor to help assess and test your security controls against the right threats, transform your security strategy with a threat-informed approach and respond to incidents in record time so that you get back to business faster. Visit paloaltonetworks.com/unit42 .

About N2K Networks

N2K is a strategic workforce intelligence company, creating a world where workforce knowledge and skills can change as fast as technology. Our flagship podcast, the CyberWire Daily, is part of the daily intelligence routine of many of the most influential leaders and operators in the public and private sector, as well as the critical security teams supporting the Fortune 500 and many of the world's preeminent intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The CyberWire Daily separates the signal from the noise, along with the rest of the N2K Cyber library of industry intelligence. Or, to learn more about N2K's workforce intelligence enterprise capabilities that help organizations build and maintain high-performance teams, visit n2k.com .

SOURCE N2K Networks
The Product of More Than 18 Months of Research and Development is New Kitchen Essential That Invigorates a Broad Spectrum of Dishes

NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The rich, vibrant flavors of China are now available to home chefs and food lovers throughout the country with the launch of CY Eats MaLa Chili Oil, an authentic, handcrafted, small-batch produced, mouthwatering multifaceted condiment that enlivens and enhances most any dish. The creation of food influencer Christine Yi and professional chef James Tracey (a.k.a. Yi's fiance), the new oil  named after Yi's Instagram persona, @CY_Eats  is a complex, smoky and potent product made from a proprietary blend of Sichuan chili flakes, peppercorns, spices, ginger, garlic, scallions, soy sauce and citrus.

For those that need an extra kick, CY Eats offers a spicy version CY Eats Mala Chili Oil Spices Up Any Dish

The genesis of CY Eats MaLa Chili Oil lies in Yi's frequent travels to China during her previous career in finance. Enamored with the depths of flavors of the chili oils she experienced there, she searched for something equivalent in the US to no avail. Eventually, she was determined to make her own and embarked on months of experimentation that never yielded an oil on par with the Chinese iterations. During the pandemic, however, she was finally able to enlist the help of Tracey, who like many chefs suddenly had unexpected time on his hands. Together, they continued the trial-and-error process before achieving their eureka moment of perfect potency and flavor.

Yi and Tracey's initial goal had been to make the chili oil for their home kitchen use and as gifts for friends. However, Yi's chronicling of their efforts on her Instagram and use in recipes on her site generated a compelling demand. She started selling it on CYEats.com and Tracey began using it for his celebrated Szechuan Chili Fried Chicken at Monterey, one of the hottest new Manhattan restaurants of 2022.

Available in two varieties - CY Eats Original MaLa Chili Oil ($12.00 per 4 oz jar, $22.00 per 9.5 oz jar) and CY Eats Spicy MaLa Chili Oil ($12.50 per 4 oz jar), which offers the same intricate flavors as the Original with the added punch of green Sichuan peppercorns and crushed Xiao Mi La chili peppers, they can be ordered for nationwide shipment via www.cyeats.com. It is also available at select retail establishments in New York City, including the Tin Building by Jean-Georges and Pearl River Mart Foods in Chelsea Market

For more information about CY Eats MaLa Chili Oil and to make a purchase, please visit www.cyeats.com.

About CY Eats

CY Eats is a gourmet food venture founded by Christine Yi, a world traveler, active amputee, and food-obsessed influencer with over 250,000 Instagram followers, and her partner James Tracey, a nationally lauded chef currently heading Monterey and Isabelle's Osteria in NYC. CY Eats represents their joint culinary journey and passion for bringing authentic flavors to the American palate.

Media Contact:

Lanny Grossman

646-833-8106

[email protected]

SOURCE CY Eats
Prioritizing Privacy: NTT subsidiary, NTT sonority, introduces ground-breaking, true wireless on-ear speakers featuring proprietary Personalized Sound Zone technology that eliminates sound leakage while letting ambient sounds in for utmost situational awareness

NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT sonority, Japan's leading audio brand, today announced the launch of its revolutionary new earphones, the nwm MBE001 True Wireless On-Ear Speakers . Featuring the company's proprietary Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ) Technology, the nwm MBE001 earphones allow users to enjoy quality audio with utmost privacy, situational awareness, and comfort.

NTT sonority Launches Next Generation of Open-Ear Wireless Earphones Only the Wearer Can Hear

PSZ Technology minimizes audio leakage by containing sound to the ear, enabling wearers to use the earphones in public spaces without disturbing others in their surroundings  or having prying ears listening in. This provides users with the ultimate private acoustic space and balanced sound experience while also allowing them to retain surrounding audio such as car traffic and other people.

"We are committed to pushing the boundaries of audio technology and delivering innovative products that enhance our customers' audio experiences and overall lifestyle," said Hiroshi Sakai, CEO of NTT sonority. "Our relentless pursuit of balance between sound pressure, quality, ergonomics, and aesthetics has led to the industry-disrupting, cutting-edge design of our new nwm MBE001 wireless on-ear speakers. With them, you're in tune with your world by being in control of your sound."

Earphones have become an essential part of our daily lives. The global earphone and headphone market is expected to grow to USD $126 billion by 2030. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including rising customer expectations for increased audio quality, the expansion of the music industry, the growth of mobile technologies, and the increasing penetration of the internet.

NTT sonority is a Japanese audio brand that is a subsidiary of NTT, the third-largest company in Japan and the world's fourth-largest telecom. The company is also committed to leveraging the latest audio technology to deliver crystal-clear audio. Best of all, PSZ Technology creates a private acoustic space around the ear, allowing users to enjoy audio without disturbing others.

In addition to PSZ Technology, the nwm MBE001 earphones offer a number of other features that make them the perfect choice for users who want the best possible audio experience. These features include:

Balanced listening comfort: The earphones do not block the ears, allowing users to hear ambient sounds and even their own voice clearly.

Superior sound quality: Advanced sound technology allows users to experience crystal-clear audio and immersive bass.

Seamless wireless connectivity: The latest Bluetooth technology provides hassle-free pairing and a reliable, uninterrupted wireless connection.

Customizable sound via a dedicated app: The nwm Connect app allows users to select their favorite preset and enjoy the sound that best fits their environment.

Ultra-comfort for extended wear: The earphones are also ultra-light, weighing only 9g (without cables), ensuring users can avoid fatigue from extended use.

Extended battery life: The earphones boast an impressive battery life of up to 6 hours on a single charge*, ensuring they are always ready whenever needed.

Intuitive button controls: Effortlessly control your audio experience with touch-sensitive buttons built into the wearable device.

The nwm MBE001 True Wireless On-Ear Speakers are available now for purchase on Amazon.com for $178.

*Battery recharging time and usable battery time may vary depending on ambient temperature and frequency of use.

About nwm

NTT sonority's New Wave Maker (nwm) audio brand was created in November 2022 with the goal of creating an optimal audio experience. The company aims to expand its audio solutions to address future ways of working and living by creating not just a sense of immersion, but the comfort of being connected. Learn more at us.nwm.global .

About NTT sonority:

NTT sonority is an audio engineering-focused subsidiary of NTT, one of the largest telecom providers in the world and one of the largest businesses in Japan. The companys mission is to foster connection through sound, by letting people choose what they want to hear, and what they want others to hear. The companys core R&D in sound physics and related hardware powers ground-breaking consumer product lines as well as B2B use cases with wide societal impact. Learn more at https://ntt-sonority.com/en.

Press Contact:

Lynn Munroe

845-548-1211

SOURCE NTT sonority
PEORIA, Ill., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has approved a Certificate of Exemption (COE) application by OSF HealthCare for a change in ownership of the St. Margaret's Health  Peru hospital.

The hospital in Peru, Illinois, will in the future operate as a second campus of OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, a 99-bed hospital in Ottawa, Illinois. The Peru location at 925 West St., is expected to open with emergency care and other inpatient services following completion of the sale of assets from St. Margaret's Health to OSF, and after all regulatory approvals are received and necessary on-site preparations are completed.

"We are excited to move forward with our preparation to open this new OSF campus as quickly as possible," said August Querciagrossa, CEO, Western Region, OSF HealthCare. "Our goal is to preserve and sustain access to high quality, local health care for the residents of the Illinois Valley."

OSF HealthCare has hired more than 320 former employees of St. Margaret's Health and more than 50 providers including physicians and advanced medical providers.

"Our Ministry is pleased to welcome so many former St. Margaret's Health employees as new OSF Mission Partners," says Querciagrossa. "They know these communities so well and will help OSF going forward in continuing to serve the Illinois Valley with the greatest care and love."

OSF HealthCare has also acquired the former Midtown Plaza complex, Midtown Health Center and Granville Clinic. These sites opened July 10 and include OSF PromptCare, OSF Medical Group  Primary Care locations, OSF Occupational Health and OSF Rehabilitation.

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. In 2020, OSF OnCall was established, a digital health operating unit, including a hospital-at-home, which delivers care and services when, where and how patients prefer to receive them. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org/.

Contact: Paul Arco, Media Relations Coordinator, OSF HealthCare

SOURCE OSF HealthCare
INDIANAPOLIS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Thrift, CEO of Thompson Thrift, a full service nationally recognized real estate company, was recognized for the second consecutive year in the Indiana Business Journal's Top 250 list. The list honors the most influential and impactful leaders who are making an undeniable difference on the state of Indiana. Honorees range from top executives at publicly traded or privately held companies to up-and-comers across business, philanthropy, the arts, government and not-for-profits.

"It is a humbling honor to be selected again this year as an influential Hoosier," said Paul Thrift, CEO of Thompson Thrift. "Recognition like this wouldn't be possible if not for our team members joining me in embodying our core values of excellence, service and leadership that make a positive impact in the communities we serve."

Since Thrift co-founded the company in 1986 with John Thompson, Thompson Thrift has grown from a locally focused development and construction company into a full-service, integrated enterprise with 575 team members. The company has successfully developed more than $4 billion in real estate developments in 21 states, and is engaged in all aspects of acquisition, development, construction, leasing, and management of quality multifamily, mixed-use, industrial and commercial projects across the country.

The company's latest Indiana project is the $550 million Fishers District expansion, a mixed-use development where the company's commercial, residential and construction business units are partnering to bring first-class developments to communities in Indiana. Thompson Thrift has also broken ground on six new residential communities in Florida, Colorado and Arizona this year.

Thrift was born and raised in Terre Haute and graduated from Indiana State University. A lifelong learner who takes great pride in the opportunity to mentor tomorrow's leaders, Thrift has served and chaired a variety of business, civic, and non-profit organizations across the state, including the National Association of Home Builders Multifamily Leadership Board, the National Multifamily Housing Council, International Cooperating Ministries, and Indiana State Chamber.

At a corporate level, Thompson Thrift's philanthropic arm, TT Serve, partners with more than 35 local and national organizations with a key focus on community revitalization, youth and education, and seeks to aid those in need in international communities.

Thompson Thrift earned national recognition this year with both a Top Workplaces USA award as well as a National Apartment Association (NAA) Excellence Awards in the #NAAGives category. Additionally, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce recognized Thompson Thrift with a 2020 Monumental Award for the first phase of Fishers District.

The Indiana 250 was developed and published by IBJ Media, the parent company of three news brandsIndianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and Indiana Lawyer. The list was compiled by the executives, editors and newsroom staff at IBJ Media's three news brands after a monthslong process that included reviewing nominations, researching Indiana organizations and talking with community leaders across the state.

About Thompson Thrift Real Estate Company

Thompson Thrift is an integrated full-service real estate company with offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana; Denver; Houston and Phoenix. Three business units drive Thompson Thrift's successThompson Thrift Residential which is focused on upscale Class A multifamily communities and luxury leased homes, Thompson Thrift Commercial which is focused on ground-up commercial development, and Thompson Thrift Construction, a full-service construction company. Through these business units, Thompson Thrift is engaged in all aspects of development, construction, leasing, and management of quality commercial real estate projects across the country. The company earned national recognition as a winner of a 2023 Top Workplaces USA award, the latest accolade that reflects the company's ongoing commitment to excellence in the community and workplace. For more information, please visit www.thompsonthrift.com.

Contact:

Jennifer Franklin

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1385

jennifer@spotlightmarcom.com

SOURCE Thompson Thrift
First light field-enabled surgical technology company secures additional institutional capital to drive adoption of its AI-driven platform

SEATTLE, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Proprio , a Seattle-based surgical technology company, today announced that it has secured $43 million in Series B funding from new and existing investors. The capital fuels commercialization to address significant demand for Proprio's AI-driven surgical navigation platform in the US and overseas.

Proprio's flagship surgical navigation platform, Paradigm, achieved a significant milestone this year by obtaining 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Paradigm harnesses the power of light field technology and artificial intelligence to generate a real-time 3D visualization of surgery. Paradigm provides surgeons with Volumetric Intelligence, which uniquely combines medical images with live data from Paradigm's sensor suite.

The Paradigm system delivers many advantages for surgeons and patients. It eliminates the need for intraoperative scans, reducing radiation exposure to the patient and surgical staff. This saves up to 30 minutes per procedure, increasing the availability of care to patients. By quickly registering imaging data to the anatomy within surgical workflows, Paradigm delivers a high degree of accuracy and enables surgeons to maintain focus on the patient.

Proprio's live, 3D, multi-modal data represents a significant upgrade over current static approaches to surgical navigation and the company plans to apply its technology to many surgical specialties beyond its first targets in spine procedures. Proprio's Paradigm system is capable of collecting a tremendous amount of surgical data that can be utilized for the development of many applications beyond status quo approaches to surgery.

"We are just beginning to reveal the potential applications of Proprio's technology and data," said Gabriel Jones, CEO and co-founder of Proprio. "This investment arrives at a pivotal moment, as we perform our first-in-human cases and bring Paradigm to patients around the world. Together, these milestones are a testament to the unparalleled capabilities of the Proprio Paradigm and its potential to revolutionize surgery."

"For some time, we have been searching for a company that has the potential to disrupt traditional medical device businesses at scale with data. Proprio represents that kind of opportunity and we are honored to join the investment group," said Alf Grunwald, Executive Advisor of Bird B. AG, a global investment partnership with significant surgical software and medical device investments in both public and private markets.

To learn more about Proprio, visit: https://www.propriovision.com/ .

ABOUT PROPRIO

Proprio is a leading surgical technology company creating The New Way of Seeing in surgery. Using advancements in light field computer vision and AI, the Proprio Paradigm system synthesizes data from multiple inputs for navigating anatomy and surgical environments in 3D. Proprio's mission is to dramatically improve clinical and economic outcomes by leveraging advanced AI and data collection capabilities with the potential to provide predictive intelligence in surgery. Proprio is backed by leading healthcare and technology investors, including DCVC, BOLD Capital Partners, Bird B. AG, Cota Capital, Intel and HTC.

SOURCE Proprio
Leading Algae Supplements Company Adds Seasoned Industry Executive

HOUSTON, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualitas Health, LLC (dba iwi life) announced the appointment of Thomas Dimke as CEO. Dimke joins iwi life from SFI Health, a global premium natural healthcare products company where he served as General Manager for the Americas.

Dimke's strong healthcare and supplements background aligns with that of iwi life CFO, Mike Youngmark, who recently joined the company from Vital Proteins, where he held various senior finance and commercialization roles.

Thomas Dimke, CEO, iwi life

Dimke shared, "iwi life is a high growth brand with so much to offer consumers and health care professionals from both a clinical and sustainability perspective. You don't see brands like this with such a depth of internal scientific expertise producing their own core ingredient. The opportunity to join a company focused on the health and well-being of customers and the planet is tremendously worthwhile. I cannot wait to spend time at our farm."

Prior to Dimke's position at SFI Health, he held roles as President of Union Springs Healthcare, Corporate Vice President at Omnicare, Senior Vice President of Global Commercial Services at inVentiv Health, and senior positions at Cardinal Health, Kenexa, Innovex and Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals.

Youngmark shared, "I'm excited to welcome Tom to the team. He has a unique set of skills, and a great understanding of the health and wellness fields. He's a great addition to help us bring the right clinically validated products to the Omega-3 and protein markets in the right way."

Dimke holds a Master of Science degree from Saint Michael's College in Vermont, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont.

About iwi life

iwi life is an award-winning natural products leader dedicated to unlocking the nutritional superpower of algae to benefit consumer health and planetary sustainability. The company owns their own algae farm in Texas and holds several patents related to their proprietary strain of algae, Nannochloropsis. They have a partner farm in New Mexico that is the largest outdoor algae farm in North America. They developed a proprietary platform to launch scientifically formulated health and nutrition products that are algae based, vegan and sustainable. For more information about their supplements, their algae farming or retail partners, visit iwilife.com .

Media Contact: Nancy Eichler

Qualitas Health dba iwi life

[email protected]

1-855-494-5433

SOURCE Qualitas Health (dba iwi life)
PERTH Australia and ZURICH, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian rail consultancy RSA and digital supply chain innovator Nexxiot partner to provide Asset Intelligence and essential digital services to Australian clients.

Rail Systems Australia (RSA) and Nexxiot partner to bring the benefits of digitalization to Australian Rail Freight Tweet this Australian rail consultancy RSA and digital supply chain innovator Nexxiot partner to provide Asset Intelligence and essential digital services to Australian clients.

Australian industries like mining, manufacturing and agriculture rely on a robust rail network with high reliability and efficiency. Rail freight is estimated to contribute around $6 billion to the Australian economy annually and employs more than 20,000 workers. In a country where inland environmental conditions are harsh, and rail infrastructure is often remote, it's especially important to maximize fleet availability. Rail operators aim to reduce bottlenecks and avoid breakdowns or derailments that cause unacceptable downtime and customer losses.

Nexxiot technology enables the monitoring of operations including railcar maintenance and fleet utilization while also providing services for shippers and cargo owners. Nexxiot has equipped the fleets of major rail operators in Europe and the USA, where clients are already deriving value from reliable data and sophisticated analytics.

Nexxiot's unique combination of IoT hardware, software and AI powered services enable rail operators to increase fleet availability and provide full visibility to stakeholders. The goal is to reduce operating costs and increase service quality for more efficient, sustainable, safe, and compliant transportation of freight.

The ATEX certified Globehopper gateway enables operators to access location and other essential parameters. For example, it reports total mileage combined with impact events incurred during transportation. In addition, other services can easily be expanded by adding various sensors to address even more use cases. The Vector sensor monitors the status of hatches, doors, and handbrakes. The temperature sensor reports the temperature of sensitive cargo such as petrochemicals in tank railcars and the Loadtracker monitors the load status of the railcar and detects loading events.

Nexxiot CEO, Stefan Kalmund, said "There are vital rail links in Australia that are vulnerable to disruption and delays. Costs can quickly spiral into the millions, especially around mining operations. The safety of both railcars and goods improve as knowledge increases about the rolling stock. Nexxiot addresses use cases in fleet availability, deployment, maintenance, security, safety, and cargo handling. It is our goal to remove uncertainty from the global supply chain. The partnership with RSA accelerates this by delivering new data and value to the Australian market."

RSA CEO, Tom Warner, said "We are determined to offer our clients the very best innovations from around the world. We have been looking for the right partner for rail asset digitalization for some time. We believe Nexxiot offers the most trusted, interoperable, and future-proof technology to reduce risk for rail operators and shippers. It helps them to control costs and enable safer operations."

About RSA

Rail Systems Australia (RSA) is an Australian rail consultancy providing the rail industry with engineering solutions for conventional and advanced signalling, communications systems, and asset management.

From concept through to maintenance, RSA is a systems integrator of technology change, providing rail operators and their partners with trusted advice. The company is committed to helping the rail industry deliver the safest, most economical and most environmentally sustainable transport systems in Australia.

Technological advancements ascribed to the fourth industrial revolution present unparalleled digitalization opportunities for the Australian rail and freight industry. By proudly partnering with Nexxiot, RSA is poised to deliver associated benefits to Australian clients and partners.

Backed by a proud record of delivery, RSA operates four offices across Australia with headquarters located in Perth, Western Australia.

More information about RSA is available at: www.railsystemsaustralia.com.au https://railsystemsaustralia.com.au/

About Nexxiot:

Nexxiot's mission is to remove uncertainty in the global supply chain, empowering clients to achieve their growth and sustainability goals.

Nexxiot provides real-time Asset Intelligence for railcars and shipping containers through its highly reliable hardware, software, and analytics. The technology automatically detects location, shocks, movements, modalities, border crossings, and more. These capabilities enable users to monitor the condition of an asset, automate business processes, and provide new services to stakeholders.

Nexxiot has one of the largest device fleets installed globally, with more than one million assets equipped for clients, including Hapag-Lloyd, Knorr-Bremse, VTG, Ermewa, Deutsche Bahn, SBB, Railpulse members, and others.

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Nexxiot has more than 150 engineers and industry experts, serving clients from its offices in Germany, Sweden, and North America.

For more information on Nexxiot, visit www.nexxiot.com

SOURCE Nexxiot
TEMPE, Ariz., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockford Fosgate (www.rockfordfosgate.com), the industry leader in high-performance audio, has partnered with the City of Sturgis for the ninth consecutive year as the "Official Motorcycle Audio Sponsor" of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally being held August 5th  13th and will also be an official sponsor of the "20th Anniversary Mayor's Ride," held during the Motorcycle Rally.

Rockford Fosgate has partnered with the City of Sturgis. Tweet this Rockford Fosgate at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Rockford's booth on Lazelle Street will act as homebase for Rockford Fosgate activities during the Rally From 9:00am  6:00pm daily, Rockford experts will be giving on-bike demonstrations of their latest aftermarket audio systems, purpose built for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including the all new PMX-HD14 source unit just announced July 26th. Aftermarket systems will be available for purchase at the booth along with installation services from certified technicians during the Rally. Visitors who would like to learn more about "Harley-Davidson Audio Powered by Rockford Fosgate" can talk with Rockford staff and experience motorcycles factory equipped with these purposefully designed systems.

On Tuesday, August 8th, Rockford Fosgate will present the All-Out Bagger Show from 11:00am  4:00pm in the Harley-Davidson's Outlaw Square, Deadwood, South Dakota. Our host for the event will again be Jeff G. Holt, editorial director of V-Twin Visionary. Those registering for the event will compete for top awards as well as a cash REWARD of $1000. Registration for the show is on-site in Deadwood at Harley-Davidson's Outlaw Square beginning at 11:00am on Tuesday, August 8th .

Rockford Fosgate team members will also be on-hand from July 29th at Black Hills Harley-Davidson through August 12th (8am  6pm daily) where bikers can also purchase Rockford Fosgate audio systems and have them installed on-site.

Click here for information on the Mayor's Ride and Click here for details on Rockford's sponsorship of the Rally. For more about Rockford Fosgate rockfordfosgate.com.

About Rockford Corporation

Setting the standard for excellence in the audio industry, Rockford Corporation markets high-performance audio systems under the brand Rockford Fosgate for the mobile, motorsport, and marine audio aftermarket and OEM market. Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Rockford Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: PATK).

SOURCE Rockford Corporation
Blue Zones initiative includes assessment and plan to help residents live better and longer lives

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sacramento County Public Health has joined forces with Blue Zones, the global leader in longevity research and community well-being transformation, to launch Blue Zones Activate in Sacramento County. The initiative uses an evidence-based approach to make healthy choices easier in all the places people spend the most time. The effort will begin with an in-depth assessment of the County to determine how to make it a dementia-friendly community and a healthier place to live, work, and thrive.

Blue Zones is the proven innovator for improving the well-being of large populations, with remarkable success in businesses, cities, and states across America.

"Sacramento County is steadfast in its mission to enhance the health and well-being of all residents, irrespective of zip code, so that they can live a happy, healthy and long life," said Rich Desmond, Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. "Under Governor Newsom's unwavering commitment and leadership in Alzheimer's prevention, we have been presented with remarkable opportunities, including our partnership with Blue Zones for the Alzheimer's Innovation and Well-Being Initiative. The collaboration between Blue Zones, the State, and our County is a source of genuine excitement, as we confront the sobering reality that Alzheimer's disease continues to claim the lives of too many older adults in Sacramento County."

The launch of Blue Zones Activate in Sacramento County is the result of the Governor's Task Force on Alzheimer's Prevention, Preparedness and the Path Forward. Launched in 2019 by Governor Newsom and chaired by Former First Lady of California Maria Shriver, the task force delivered groundbreaking recommendations on preparing California for an aging state and offered long-term Alzheimer's and dementia related solutions.

"As one of the most diverse regions in California, Sacramento County is the perfect place to break ground on this life-altering initiative," said Maria Shriver, Former First Lady of California and Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Alzheimer's Prevention, Preparedness and the Path Forward. "Thank you to Governor Newsom and state leaders for their enduring dedication to reshape the way we care for individuals with dementia and create a future where everyone can age with dignity."

Dan Buettner, Blue Zones founder and National Geographic Explorer and Fellow, said, "Some of the original blue zones suffer one-fifth the rate of dementia as we do in the United States. In Sacramento, we'll be deploying the same Blue Zones approach we've used to raise life expectancy. This time, however, we'll be customizing it to also drive down the rate of Alzheimer's disease."

Counties and cities that are prepared to step up to the challenge would follow Blue Zones' environmental approach to transform their communities into dementia-friendly environments that support a healthy lifestyle that can prevent, reduce, and sometimes even reverse the damaging effects of dementia. Long-term, place-based initiatives by Blue Zones in communities across the country have already resulted in widespread population well-being improvement, including double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and millions of dollars in healthcare cost savings.

Sacramento County is the first community in California to use the Blue Zones model to create a dementia-friendly community that supports well-being of all residents.

The Blue Zones Approach

Blue Zones employs a proven solution in collaboration with communities to help people live better and longer lives. The company's work is based on research and principles developed by founder Dan Buettner, who identified the cultures of the world  or blue zones  with the healthiest, longest-living populations.

The Blue Zones approach focuses on the single largest determinant of health: where people live. Instead of focusing on just individual behavior change, Blue Zones helps communities make permanent changes to systems and surroundings so it's easier for residents to eat wisely, move naturally, and connect more with others as they move throughout their day. By improving the Life Radius  the area close to home where most Americans spend 90% of their lives  Blue Zones transformations have been able to dramatically improve overall population health and well-being, raise employee and student productivity, and boost economic vitality and development.

Ben Leedle, Blue Zones CEO and Co-founder of Blue Zones Project, said: "We've been applying the Blue Zones model across the country to create communities that foster individual and population well-being to improve health and happiness, reduce healthcare costs, and create positive long-term economic impact. I'm excited about our commitment to apply our solution to the rising problem of Alzheimer's disease and believe that applying policy and place-based initiatives has the great potential to positively impact cognitive health and reduce the risk of this devastating disease."

For more information on Blue Zones Activate or to learn how to get involved, visit bluezones.com/activate-sacramento .

About Blue Zones

Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live better, longer. The company's work is rooted in explorations and research done by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner in Blue Zones regions around the world, where people live extraordinarily long and/or happy lives. The original research and findings were released in Buettner's bestselling books The Blue Zones Solution, The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones, Thrive, and Blue Zones Kitchenall published by National Geographic books. Using original Blue Zones research, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to our human-made surroundings. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit bluezones.com .

About Sacramento County Public Health

The mission of Sacramento County Public Health is to promote, protect, and assure conditions for optimal health and public safety for residents and communities of Sacramento County through leadership, collaboration, prevention, and response. Sacramento County Public Health provides health education and primary prevention services and is a central part of a comprehensive network of public health services responsible for providing accurate health information to the local communities. Public Health monitors the health status of Sacramento's residents, sets health priorities, and evaluates the effectiveness of health initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.scph.com .

Contacts:

Samantha Mott

[email protected]

916-642-5508

Naomi Imatome-Yun

[email protected]

917.952.8534

SOURCE Blue Zones
MONTREAL, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Dollarama Inc. (TSX: DOL) ("Dollarama" or the "Corporation") announced today that GRI Investments Inc., a private corporation controlled by the Rossy family, The Rossy Foundation, and Neil Rossy, have agreed to sell respectively 507,785, 754,078 and 394,637 common shares of Dollarama in block trades to a financial institution, representing an aggregate of 1,656,500 common shares of Dollarama.

Once the trades are settled, GRI Investments Inc. will hold 2,031,136 common shares, The Rossy Foundation will hold 3,016,311 common shares, and Neil Rossy will hold personally 1,578,546 common shares, representing, in aggregate, 6,625,993 common shares or approximately 2.3% of the Corporation's total number of common shares issued and outstanding.

Proceeds from the sale of shares by The Rossy Foundation will be used to fund existing commitments to charitable organizations. The decision by GRI Investments Inc. and Neil Rossy to sell a portion of their holdings in Dollarama was made for financial diversification purposes. Trades are expected to close on or about July 31, 2023.

About Dollarama

Dollarama is a recognized Canadian value retailer offering a broad assortment of consumable products, general merchandise and seasonal items both in-store and online. Our 1,507 locations across Canada provide customers with compelling value in convenient locations, including metropolitan areas, mid-sized cities and small towns. Select products are also available, by the full case only, through our online store at www.dollarama.com . Our quality merchandise is sold at select fixed price points up to $5.00.

Dollarama also owns a 50.1% interest in Dollarcity, a growing Latin American value retailer. Dollarcity offers a broad assortment of consumable products, general merchandise and seasonal items at select, fixed price points up to US$4.00 (or the equivalent in local currency) in 448 conveniently located stores in El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia and Peru.

About The Rossy Foundation

The Rossy Foundation is a Montreal-based private foundation that was established in 2004. Its mission is to contribute to civil society and to improve the lives of Canadians with a focus on cancer care, mental health, civic engagement, education and the arts. It is committed to supporting the vibrancy of Montreal and also funds charitable organizations across Canada and internationally within its areas of focus.

www.dollarama.com

SOURCE Dollarama Inc.
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, July 27, unions representing over 4,500 San Jose city employees announced they will begin conducting in-person voting on August 1st to authorize a strike. Voting yes will allow the leadership of IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101 to call a citywide strike should City Administrators fail to fix the recruitment and retention crisis impacting city libraries, the airport, affordable housing, emergency response times, and more.

The elected bargaining teams of IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101 are unanimously recommending that members vote yes to authorize a strike. Voting will be held in-person at City worksites.

"I'm voting 'YES' to strike because I care deeply about my San Jose community. The recruitment and retention issues cannot be ignored any longer. We know that the City has the resources to do better for residents," John Tran, Airport Operations Supervisor at San Jose Mineta International Airport, and IFPTE Local 21 member.

"This strike authorization vote is a clear message that we will hold our council members and the Mayor accountable. We reject a future where the City fails to deliver services due to understaffing," said Rachel Atkins, Vet Technician at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, and MEF-AFSCME Local 101 Member.

Contracts representing over 4,500 city workers expired on June 30 after both unions' bargaining teams spent months negotiating with the City. Workers are calling for an agreement that will restore the City of San Jose as a competitive employer of choice and alleviate the urgent staffing crisis that undermines the delivery of high-quality public services to residents.

BACKGROUND : For more information, visit StaffUpSanJose.org .

SOURCE IFPTE Local 21
The interactive three-day event will feature top REVOLT shows, live performances, brand activations, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and more

ATLANTA, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, REVOLT , America's fastest-growing Black-owned multimedia empire, is thrilled to announce a first-of-its-kind event that reimagines the intersection of culture and creativity, REVOLT WORLD. Set to take place in Atlanta from Friday, September 22nd  Sunday, September 24th at Pangaea Studios, REVOLT WORLD presented by Walmart will include exciting performances and discussions from cultural leaders aimed to empower the Black community.

This year, We Are Hip Hop will not only represent the theme but also serve as a unifying declaration that personifies REVOLT's position as a cultural authority and leading multimedia network. This theme also pays homage to the global impact of Hip Hop, with a celebration of its 50th anniversary.

"We are excited to introduce this first-of-its-kind event in REVOLT WORLD that reimagines and builds on the success of our annual Summit to deliver an immersive experience that showcases the expansive impact of REVOLT and the global influence of Hip Hop across every category of contemporary culture," said Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT. "As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of REVOLT and 50 years of Hip Hop, REVOLT World will continue carrying out our mission of becoming the biggest driver of culture globally and creating spaces that are transformative to our audience."

REVOLT WORLD will mark a historic milestone for the company as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and brings together influential changemakers to explore the depths of Black culture and creativity on a global scale. In addition to a full slate of programming and experiences, the REVOLT World campus will consist of several curated spaces for attendees including a gaming house, wellness space, creator studio, podcast village, insights lab, and career center.

In addition to delivering impactful content, REVOLT's core mission has always been to serve as a catalyst for the Black community. Carrying out this commitment, REVOLT WORLD will empower emerging Black leaders with access to unparalleled tools, knowledge, and life-changing opportunities. Specially curated to create lasting impacts, REVOLT WORLD will go beyond the role of a traditional event to provide attendees with unparalleled pathways to success. As the presenting sponsor, Walmart is working alongside REVOLT to support rising Black changemakers in their journeys.

"At Walmart, we believe everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential, and we are honored to partner with REVOLT in empowering the next generation of Black creators and culture builders," said Allison Rand, Associate Director of Brand Experiences and Talent Partnerships at Walmart. "By supporting REVOLT WORLD, we have the privilege of investing in these individuals who are paving the way for a brighter future, where innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship can flourish."

During the three-day experience, attendees will immerse themselves in the world of Hip Hop through REVOLT's lens while engaging in impactful networking opportunities and activations. Attendees will additionally be able to explore interactive touchpoints such as panels and conversations, day parties, an introduction to the company's commerce experience, REVOLT World Market, the Short & Fresh Film Festival, and more.

REVOLT WORLD will be supported by notable sponsors such as Walmart and PepsiCo who will assist in bringing exciting, curated activations and offerings to life for event attendees.

For more information about REVOLT WORLD and updates on the talent lineup, activations, programming, and presale tickets, please visit https://www.revolt.tv/.

ABOUT REVOLT

REVOLT is the leading Black-owned and operated multimedia platform servicing content 24/7 across digital, linear, and live media channels. The platform produces rich content and original material with the biggest names in Hip-Hop, along with reports of breaking news, current events, trends, and announcements within the Black cultural movement and Hip-Hop world. REVOLT takes pride in its diversity, both in its mindset and its company makeup, further instilling its dedication to culture within its staff and audiences. Founded by Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2013, REVOLT attracts over 50 million millennials and Gen Z audiences through their disruptive, authentic material across all platforms. In 2021, REVOLT launched a brand new digital mobile app where users can view extended releases, live updates from relevant news, exclusive specials and much more.

For more information on REVOLT's linear content, please visit https://www.revolt.tv/ and visit www.revolt.tv/providers for local broadcast listings.

5W Public Relations

[email protected]

(212) 999-5585

SOURCE REVOLT
NEWTON, Mass., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta), the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S., today announced the appointment of Jeff Knowlton as Chief Information Officer.

Jeff Knowlton, CIO at Sonesta

"We welcome Jeff to Sonesta and look forward to leveraging his 25 years of experience leading IT teams and successfully implementing strategic initiatives within the hospitality industry," said John Murray, President and CEO at Sonesta. "As an accomplished technology executive, Jeff has the comprehensive experience that we believe will fuel Sonesta's growth and drive innovation in our business."

Mr. Knowlton most recently served as Vice President of Information Technology at Pursuit Collection, a Denver-based hospitality and attractions company, where he built the IT department to support the company's growth. Prior to Pursuit Collection, Mr. Knowlton was Vice President of Property Technology at Sage Hospitality, a hospitality management and investment company, where he played a vital role in developing and implementing the company's IT strategy for both hotels and restaurants. Earlier in his career, Mr. Knowlton held a series of progressively senior IT roles at Vail Resorts and Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

"I am excited to join Sonesta during this period of tremendous growth," said Jeff Knowlton, newly appointed CIO at Sonesta. "I look forward to supporting Sonesta's continued growth by leveraging technology to contribute to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests and great value for our owners."

About Sonesta

Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company according to Smith Travel Research (STR) with approximately 1,200 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 17 brands in eight countries. Sonesta owns, manages and/or franchises under The Royal Sonesta; The James; Classico  A Sonesta Collection; Sonesta Hotels & Resorts; MOD  A Sonesta Collection; Sonesta Select; Sonesta Essential; Sonesta ES Suites; Sonesta Simply Suites and Sonesta Cruise Collection operating in Egypt, also; Sonesta Posadas del Inca; Red Lion Hotels & Suites; Signature Inn; GuestHouse Extended Stay; Knight's Inn; Americas Best Value Inn and Canadas Best Value Inn. For more information about Sonesta and its locations call 1.800.SONESTA or visit Sonesta.com or Redlion.com.

Media Contact:

Lorie Juliano | Head of Communications | Sonesta International Hotels | [email protected]

SOURCE Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
DALLAS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that its Mechanics and Related Employees, represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), voted in favor of a new collective bargaining agreement. It is the seventh contract ratified by Southwest Airlines and its union partners since October 2022.

"Our Mechanics and Related Employees bring their technical expertise in many areas and do a great job maintaining Southwest's fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft," said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. "This contract provides them with industry-competitive compensation while continuing to support the needs of our operation."

"We are proud of both negotiating committees who worked hard during these negotiations to reach a deal," said Bret Oestreich, AMFA National President. "This agreement represents a return to our mutually beneficial relationship of years past with Southwest Airlines. We are proud that we were able to negotiate an agreement that shows our members that they're appreciated and respected, while being recognized for their professionalism and hard work."

"The new industry-leading agreement provides wage increases that rightfully compensate our Members for their Boeing 737 knowledge and skill sets. With the wage increases in this contract extension, Southwest will be able to attract and retain the professional, talented workforce it needs while allowing the company to grow and prosper," Oestreich said.

This agreement covers Southwest's 2,870 Mechanics and Related Employees, which includes the Company's Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Aircraft Inspectors, Maintenance Controllers, Training Instructors, and Ground Support Equipment Technicians, and becomes amendable on August 16, 2027.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 71,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 126 million Customers carried in 2022. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a four-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.

1U.S. Dept. of Transportation most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded

2Fulltime-equivalent active Employees

31973-2019 annual profitability

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.
Board Of Directors Approves Quarterly Cash Dividend Increase To $0.81 Per Share

NEW BRITAIN, Conn., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK), a worldwide leader in tools and outdoor, announced today that its Board of Directors approved a $0.01 increase of its quarterly cash dividend to $0.81 per common share. The dividend is payable on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Stanley Black & Decker's President and CEO, Donald Allan, Jr., commented, "We are pleased to announce this dividend increase as our long-standing commitment to rewarding shareholders through growing cash dividends is a key element of our overall shareholder value proposition. This increase also demonstrates our confidence in the Company's transformation focused on accelerating long-term organic growth and margin expansion as well as generating significant free cash flow to enhance shareholder return."

About Stanley Black & Decker

Headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in tools and outdoor operating manufacturing facilities worldwide. Guided by its purpose  for those who make the world  the company's more than 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company's iconic brands include DEWALT, BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, CUB CADET, HUSTLER and TROY-BILT. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future operating and financial performance. For these purposes, forward-looking statements are statements that address activities, events, conditions or developments that Stanley Black & Decker expects or anticipates may occur in the future, including expectations around its ongoing transformation and future results of operation and financial position. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations of future events. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For important information about the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from the assumptions, expectations, and projections expressed in any forward-looking statements, review Stanley Black & Decker's most recently filed reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, including under the heading "Risk Factors," as well as our other reports filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Stanley Black & Decker does not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

Stanley Black & Decker Investor Contacts

Dennis Lange

Vice President, Investor Relations

[email protected]

(860) 827-3833

Cort Kaufman

Senior Director, Investor Relations

[email protected]

(860) 515-2741

Christina Francis

Director, Investor Relations

[email protected]

(860) 438-3470

SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker
DUBLIN, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Taiwan Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Taiwan data center market is poised for remarkable growth, projected to surge from $1.42 billion in 2022 to $3.21 billion by 2028, at a substantial CAGR of 14.57%.

This comprehensive report delves into the dynamic landscape of the Taiwan data center industry, offering detailed analyses of existing and upcoming facilities, as well as investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. The market sizing and investment estimation for various segments further enrich the analysis.

As one of the emerging markets in the APAC region, Taiwan benefits from its strategic proximity to mainland China, robust submarine cable connectivity, accelerating digitalization growth, adoption of advanced technologies, and the establishment of industrial parks. Moreover, the government's emphasis on adopting sustainable energy sources to combat emissions and meet the country's rising power demand further propels the industry forward.

Dominated by local telecom operators like Chunghwa Telecom and Chief Telecom, the market also attracts new investors such as Vantage Data Centers, Empyrion DC, and SC Zeus Data Centers, adding to the market's competitiveness in terms of colocation space supply.

With global cloud service providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure investing to expand their presence in the country, the Taiwan data center market is poised for an exciting phase of growth and increased opportunities in the near future

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and Taiwan colocation market revenue.

colocation market revenue. An assessment of the data center investment in Taiwan by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across states in the country.

A detailed study of the existing Taiwan data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about industry size during the forecast period.

data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about industry size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Taiwan

Facilities Covered (Existing): 7

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 4

Coverage: 6+ Cities

Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)

Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data center colocation market in Taiwan

Market Revenue & Forecast (2022-2028)

Retail vs. Wholesale Colocation Market

Retail and Wholesale Colocation Pricing

The Taiwan market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

IT Infrastructure Providers

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Extreme Networks

Fujitsu

Hitachi Vantara

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

IBM

Juniper Networks

MiTAC Holdings

Pure Storage

Lenovo

NetApp

Quanta Cloud Technology

Super Micro Computer

Wiwynn

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

AECOM

CTCI

Data Knit

DLB Associates

MAA Group

M+W Group (Exyte)

Pacific Engineers and Constructors (PECL)

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Airedale

Alfa Laval

ATEN

Caterpillar

Cummins

Delta Electronics

EAE

Eaton

Green Revolution Cooling

HITEC Power Protection

Johnson Controls

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Rittal

Schneider Electric

Socomec

Siemens

STULZ

TECO Electric & Machinery

Trane

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Acer e-Enabling Data Center

Chief Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom

Far EasTone Telecommunications

NTT Communications

Taiwan Mobile

New Entrants

Empyrion DC

SC Zeus Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity)

Taipei

Other Cities

List of Upcoming Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

REPORT COVERAGE:

IT Infrastructure

Servers

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Building & Engineering Design

Fire Detection & Suppression Systems

Physical Security

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

Tier Standard

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lr7t1h

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20 projects will receive funding for the creation or expansion of Makerspaces throughout Maryland

COLUMBIA, Md., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced the awardees for the first round of the new Maryland Makerspace Initiative Program ("Makerspace Program"). Funding will be awarded to 20 projects spanning 11 counties and Baltimore City.

20 projects will receive funding for the creation or expansion of Makerspaces throughout Maryland Tweet this Makerspace image

"TEDCO is always working to support and grow businesses in Maryland. This includes creating and supporting opportunities for entrepreneurs to learn, grow, create and innovate," said Terry Rauh, TEDCO's chief finance and operations officer. "That is why we are excited to announce the 2023 Maryland Makerspace Initiative Program financial assistance grantsthese spaces are designed to provide entrepreneurs with resources to help grow their businesses, such as technologies to support prototyping and product creation as well as training and educational opportunities."

What is the Makerspace Program?

Created through legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly, the Makerspace Program provides grants up to $100,000 and technical assistance for qualified entities looking to establish a new Makerspace, expand an existing Makerspace, or develop Makerspace programming. The goal is to grow a state-wide community of Makerspaces that provides entrepreneurs with access to tools, technologies and knowledge to support their growth and development as well as expand workforce training.

The 20 awardees of the 2023 Makerspace Program include:

Allegany College of Maryland

of Baltimore Jewelry Center

Baltimore Underground Science Space

Carroll County Public Library

Chesapeake Arts Center

College of Southern Maryland Foundation

Foundation DMV Petri Dish

Fashion Heritage Needle Trades Foundation

Frederick County Office of Economic Development

Howard County Library System

Makerspace of Annapolis

Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Inc.

Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory

Morgan State University

PaxSpace, Inc. (won twice for different Makerspace projects)

Rockville Science Center

Salisbury University

Station North Tool Library, Inc.

Washington College

For more information about the Maryland Makerspace Initiative project visit https://www.tedcomd.com/makerspace. Qualified entities may apply or reapply for financial assistance when the application process reopens in Spring 2024.

About TEDCO

TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.

Media Contact

Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, [email protected]

SOURCE TEDCO
Several Long-Time Owners Sign on to Add Additional Units, Showing Commitment to Unleashed Brands' Vision

DALLAS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Several long-time franchisees with The Little Gym International, part of youth enrichment platform Unleashed Brands, are continuing to re-invest in the brand by signing new agreements that will expand their footprint and add more gyms to their local markets. The Little Gym is the world's premier enrichment and physical development center for children ages four months through age 12 and is part of Unleashed Brands, which also includes Urban Air Adventure Park, Snapology, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and XP League.

The Little Gym has nearly 400 locations across 31 countries and since January 2022, has signed 70 new domestic franchise agreements  20 percent of those with existing franchisees who want to expand with the 45+ year-old company.

Some current owners who are choosing to expand their franchise portfolios include:

Amy Reid , a franchisee in the Boston, MA market who opened her first The Little Gym in 2015 in West Boylston with her husband, Dennis. The couple opened their second gym in October 2022 in Westborough, MA and have since signed a franchise agreement to open a third in Leominster, MA.

a franchisee in the market who opened her first The Little Gym in 2015 in with her husband, Dennis. The couple opened their second gym in in and have since signed a franchise agreement to open a third in Danielle Sporcic and Lori Testa , two New Jersey franchisees who are teaming up to grow their footprint within the state. Sporcic has owned and operated a gym in Jersey City, NJ since 2018 and Testa in Montclair, NJ . The duo has recently signed an agreement to debut a new gym together in Morris County, NJ .

and two franchisees who are teaming up to grow their footprint within the state. Sporcic has owned and operated a gym in since 2018 and Testa in . The duo has recently signed an agreement to debut a new gym together in . Celeste Jauregui, who started as a gym director and then purchased an existing gym in 2022 in Morgan Hill, CA has signed on to expand her footprint by opening a new gym in Hollister, CA.

who started as a gym director and then purchased an existing gym in 2022 in has signed on to expand her footprint by opening a new gym in Carolyn Huggins, who joined The Little Gym in 2022 with her first gym in Prairie Village, KS recently signed a new agreement to open a second gym in Overland Park, KS.

"We love growing with our franchisees and it's exciting to see several of our long-time, successful franchisees continue to re-invest in our brand and in the vision we have set out for the future," said Nancy Bigley, Brand President of The Little Gym International. "Our franchisees recognize the ability to build wealth for their families while providing a space in their communities for kids to socialize, play and grow."

Since joining Unleashed Brands in 2021, The Little Gym has made several enhancements to increase learning and fun for families and help owners more effectually run their businesses. Notable changes include aligning the curriculum with the American Academy of Pediatrics standards, rolling out a revamped gym design and improving business intelligence tools and data dashboards help owners better understand opportunities within their business.

The Little Gym teaches kids social and physical skills appropriate to each stage of childhood by creating opportunities to experience achievement and build self-confidence. At the core of the international franchise's mission is becoming the foundation of a child's development that will set them up for success. Through three-dimensional learning including physical activities, cognitive skills and social and emotional learning, the core teaching methods create opportunities for children to experience achievement and build self-confidence.

For more information on franchising with The Little Gym, visit https://www.thelittlegymfranchise.com/.

About The Little Gym International

The Little Gym International is an internationally recognized program that helps children build the developmental skills and confidence needed at each stage of childhood. The very first location was established in 1976 by Robin Wes, an innovative educator with a genuine love for children. The Little Gym International headquartered in Bedford, TX, was formed in 1992 to franchise The Little Gym concept. Today, The Little Gym International has nearly 400 locations in over 31 countries including the U.S., Canada, China, the United Kingdom, Thailand and more. For more information, visit The Little Gym at www.TheLittleGym.com.

About Unleashed Brands

Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, Snapology, The Little Gym, XP League, Class 101, and Premier Martial Arts and was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable brands that help kids learn, play and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform and know-how for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every kid by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them become who they are destined to be. For more information, please visit www.unleashedbrands.com.

SOURCE The Little Gym International, Inc.
With its AI capabilities, GUS opens doors for individuals from all walks of life to bring their creative visions to life Tweet this

GUS is an AI-powered designer integrated into the Universe iOS App, designed to unlock the latent creativity of users by providing a "Designer in your Pocket" experience. By engaging users in a conversational dialogue, GUS understands their website requirements, goals, and desired aesthetics to generate a completely customized webpage. With the help of the Universe GRID editor, users can further refine and personalize their site, add more pages, and publish their creation to a custom domain.

"When we set out to develop what would ultimately become Universe, our mission was clear  to empower anyone to build the internet," said Joseph Cohen, CEO and founder of Universe. "Generative AI lets us do this at an entirely new level: just tell GUS what's in your mind and it'll build it for you. Now, everyone on our iOS app can try the GUS beta. We hope we can give everyone the confidence and design supportfrom tattoo artists to general contractors to students to pragmatists to visionariesto claim their corner of the internet with the computer they already carry around in their pocket every day."

One of Universe's users, Savannah Mercado (@savsiridescentcrochet on Instagram), expressed her delight with GUS, saying, "My brother recommended using ChatGPT for website design, but it wasn't as helpful as I hoped. GUS, on the other hand, builds a website exactly as described  displaying designs and fonts in a way that truly reflects your vision without you having to do all the work."

The GUS Beta is currently available to all users who update their Universe app on iOS. Those interested can download the app at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/universe-website-builder/id1211437633 . Additionally, Universe plans to introduce the GUS experience to the web at web.univer.se in the near future, providing users without an iPhone or those who prefer desktop or laptop access with an opportunity to explore GUS.

Universe continues to champion inclusivity and accessibility in web design, and GUS marks a significant milestone in this journey. With its AI-powered capabilities, GUS opens doors for individuals from all walks of life to bring their creative visions to life on the digital canvas.

About Universe

For more information on Universe and the GUS Beta, visit http://univer.se .

Universe is dedicated to making the internet a more electric and inclusive space, and has been at the forefront of driving innovation in website building. Creators have used Universe to launch more than 1 million sites through its GRID system, which simplifies the process into easily manageable building blocks. The company's commitment to empowering creators and visionaries has garnered support from Google Ventures, Addition, General Catalyst, and Y Combinator. Notably, Universe was honored with the 2023 Apple Design Award for inclusivity, just one year after being recognized as one of The Information's 50 Most Promising Startups in 2022. CEO and Founder Joseph Cohen was recognized as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30, as well.

SOURCE Universe
VEIR also raises $24.9 million in series A-2 funding

WOBURN, Mass., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VEIR, a clean technology company, today announced it has completed and energized a 100-foot overhead superconductor power line with a novel cooling approach that will help meet the global need for new power transmission. This technical milestone coincides with the company securing an additional $24.9 million in series A-2 funding from investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, The Engine Fund, Congruent Ventures, Fine Structure Ventures, Galvanize Climate Solutions, and VXI Capital.

A significant expansion of energy transmission is critical to addressing the urgent and worsening global climate crisis. In fact, major studies indicate that the United States must double or triple the transmission capacity needed to connect more renewable energy to the electric grid and combat climate change.

VEIR's technology provides a solution to help modernize the electric power grid, a critical need in meeting global clean energy goals. As new transmission lines become necessary, VEIR's new superconductors will increase transmission of 5-10x more energy than the current grid, using existing rights of way and easing siting and permitting reviews for developers.

"As we work to rapidly accelerate transmission capacity and curb global greenhouse gas emissions, this outdoor demonstration validates our technology's ability to deliver more energy in a more efficient manner," said Tim Heidel, CEO of VEIR. "The fresh capital we've raised will help us to continue to move our technology to market at a time when it's more important than ever in meeting the world's pressing energy demands."

VEIR's end-to-end, low voltage, single phase outdoor demonstration follows its indoor demonstration last year that carried 4,000 Amperes of electrical current, a first ever for an overhead superconducting power line.

Other applications of superconductor technology use underground closed loop systems with mechanical refrigeration stations, an approach that hampers broadscale, long-distance grid deployment. VEIR's innovation in how superconducting materials are cooled will allow superconductors to be installed overhead for the first time, thus making the technology commercially viable in broad market applications.

VEIR's outdoor demonstration uses its proprietary technology to cool the superconducting line with liquid nitrogen, transmitting electricity with negligible losses that enable the lines to operate at levels of electrical current that are much higher than conventional lines. Because of that, VEIR lines can add much-needed capacity to the grid without triggering as many or as onerous and time-consuming siting and permitting requirements as conventional lines.

VEIR closed Series A funding of $10 million in March 2021 with investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures, The Engine, and Congruent Ventures. To date, VEIR has raised $36.7 million in private capital to bring its technology to the commercial market. VEIR's series A-2 fundraise enables VEIR to rapidly develop full product specifications for each of the subsystems of the VEIR solution. Such activities will culminate in an AC overhead VEIR solution that meets all the many standards required by the electric utility industry.

"Transmission constraints represent the single largest barrier to the US's ability to meet its electrification goals," said Michael Kearney, Partner at The Engine Fund. "VEIR offers a far more cost-effective solution for developers and utilities, while ultimately reducing costs for consumers. Its overhead superconducting power line technology will modernize the existing electric grid by enabling capacity expansion within existing rights of way. With this capital, the team can launch full speed toward scaling product development toward commercialization."

"Galvanize and VEIR share a mission to rapidly accelerate solutions to mitigate and adapt to global climate change," said Veery Maxwell, Partner and Co-Head, Innovation & Expansion at Galvanize Climate Solutions. "Galvanize is excited to partner with VEIR to quickly add the transmission capacity necessary for the clean energy transition by redefining what high-capacity transmission looks like."

In October 2022, VEIR and National Grid, an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company with operations in the US and the UK, announced a five-year collaboration agreement to advance VEIR's superconductor transmission solution. National Grid will help VEIR develop the solution at a utility scale, with testing expected at National Grid's facilities in Millbury, Mass. and the UK.

VEIR, Inc. (www.VEIR.com) was founded in 2020.

ABOUT VEIR

VEIR is an early stage energy technology company working to develop the next generation of efficient, reliable electric transmission of renewable energy. Backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and other leading investors, the company's technology is designed to help meet our planet's clean energy goals and satisfy growing energy demands by efficiently delivering up to 10 times the amount of electricity from renewable sources as traditional transmission.

CONTACT: Emalie Gainey, [email protected], 508.737.1851

SOURCE VEIR
Forty-one summer interns rank among the highest-recorded to support U.S. operations

ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WACKER is a technological leader in the chemical industry and manufactures products in key global sectors, including silicone, polymer, biosolutions, and polysilicon markets. The company has nearly 16,000 employees globally, and roughly 10 percent of its workforce is based in North and Central America. WACKER welcomed 41 interns this summer, among the highest in recent years, to gain experience in various business functions.

According to National Today, National Intern Day was created by WayUp, a U.S.-based job site for college students and recent graduates to apply for internships and employment opportunities. National Intern Day was created in 2017 to raise awareness of the challenges and inequalities that entry-level candidates and interns face in the workforce and to build an understanding of how internships are essential for acquiring valuable experience and exposure.

We attract talented team members and offer them opportunities to help transform our industry and business. Tweet this

WACKER Chemical Corporation has integrated interns into its workforce for many years. They are often trusted with responsibilities such as supporting technical projects, helping with critical tasks at manufacturing sites, and assisting with company-specific programs that help the organization achieve its goals.

"We are proud to have interns who express a sincere desire to invest their time, talents, and energy to learn from experts in scientific, technical, and commercial areas of our company," said David Wilhoit, president & CEO of WACKER Chemical Corporation. "WACKER's strategic expansion and focus on the future means well-paying, stable jobs that offer strong career growth and long-term potential for new hires and early-career professionals from high-school to Ph.D.-level graduates."

This year's interns represented a wide array of geographically and ideologically diverse public and private institutions of higher learning to support WACKER's operations in Chino, Calif.; Calvert City, Ky.; Adrian and Ann Arbor, Mich.; Allentown, Pa.; and Charleston, Tenn. They supported projects across multiple departments, including analytical services, chemistry, corporate communications, compliance, engineering, environmental science, health and safety, human resources, infrastructure, and manufacturing operations. These aspiring novices received mentoring from experienced team members, contributed innovative ideas, and supported projects that reflected WACKER'S values and principles that enhanced their learning about our company, industry, and business opportunities by working on meaningful projects and assignments.

Internship hiring increased more than 9 percent for the 2022-2023 academic year. The gain underscores the value employers place on their internship programs and their commitment to them, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

"At WACKER, we recruit widely and equitably to attract the best talent to bring forth innovative ideas that challenge the status quo to help transform our industry and business. We eagerly offer opportunities to help shape the next generation of industry leaders," said Maria Berg, vice president of Human Resources at WACKER Chemical Corporation. "We are thrilled to welcome this year's class of motivated, forward-thinking students. We look forward to getting to know them and helping them to leverage their unique background, diverse skillset, and fresh perspective to promote their growth and development. And, hopefully, we can inspire their interest in contributing to the long-term success of our organization."

Among this year's summer interns supporting WACKER's operations in Charleston, Tenn., is Ayomide "Sam" Oke, a Purdue University engineering student. "I most enjoy the engineering adventures that unfold daily during my internship opportunity at Wacker's Infrastructure department," said Oke. "It's like being part of a team that turns mundane projects into remarkable feats and transforming piles of blueprints into real-life masterpieces."

Eligibility requirements for the internship program vary by job function. However, generally, students have a 3.0 GPA or higher, are actively enrolled in a bachelor's degree program or higher and have proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. In addition to internships, WACKER offers programs in some locations for students who want to work while completing high school.

To learn more about opportunities with WACKER Chemical Corporation, please visit our website. Also, we welcome you to share your internship experience using #2023WACKERVALUESINTERNS

About WACKER Chemical Corporation

WACKER is a global chemical R&D and manufacturing company whose solutions make a better world for generations. Focus industries include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, construction, automotive, and food/nutrition. WACKER is a pioneer in silicone, polymer, and biotechnology solutions and the leading provider of polysilicon for semiconductor and solar applications.

For more information:

James Barnes

Communications Manager, Public Relations

WACKER-Charleston

(734) 546-4951

[email protected]

Editor's Notes: Interviews, photos, and Broll are available upon request.

SOURCE Wacker Chemical Corporation
NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wacoal, the nation's leading designer intimate apparel brand, is thrilled to announce the launch of the revolutionary Shape Revelation Collection. Wacoal continues to build upon their commitment to delivering the perfect fit for every body. Shape Revelation offers a first-of-its-kind assortment of bras and shapewear with innovative features crafted to address the specific needs of three breast shapes and two body shapes.

Over the past five years, there has been an abundance of messaging in the intimates category surrounding inclusivity, which has focused on a single style offered in a range of sizes and colors. This approach never benefits the customer it only simplifies manufacturing. "At Wacoal, we are stripping back what inclusive means and getting to its core. To be inclusive, you need to honor differences," says Miryha Fantegrossi, SVP of Merchandising and Design. She continues, "bras designed in easy stretchy fabrics that can cover everybody don't support anybody properly. All aspects of a bra must work in harmony with a woman's breast shape, to truly enhance how she looks and feels. This requires a deep knowledge of construction, patternmaking and the female form. Our NYC-based design team has those skills and has put them to the test in creating the Shape Revelation Collection."

In 2021 Wacoal disrupted the intimates industry with mybraFit, a digital tool that determines bra size within minutes and delivers a personalized recommendation of Wacoal bras. Today, they are taking this concept of "Size + Shape = Your Best Bra Fit" one step further with the introduction of the Shape Revelation Collection, which makes it easy to shop by breast shape and body type, enabling women to experience a close-to-custom fit. "For the launch, we focused on the three most prevalent breast shapes. Our vision is to expand as we see consumer interest," says Miryha Fantegrossi.

The Shape Revelation Collection includes three bras and five shapewear pieces:

The Pendulous Underwire Bra features cups with a bonded panel that wraps around the sides and bottom to provide ultimate lift and all the support you need for your shape.

The Uneven Underwire Bra features adjustable front straps that allow you to align your breast tissue as needed for even support.

The Shallow Top T-Shirt Bra features cups with a custom-shaped pad that restores volume.

The Hourglass Hi-Waist Thigh Shaper, Shaping Brief, and Low Back Thigh Shaper are cinched at the waist with more room in the hips and bottom.

The Straight Hi-Waist Thigh Shaper and Shaping Brief are designed to be slimmer at the hips and have more room at the waist to fit a straighter frame.

Shape Revelation Collection will be available for purchase starting July 27 online at wacoal-america.com and in Wacoal retail stores located in The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey and King of Prussia in Pennsylvania.

PRESS CONTACT

FACTORY PR

[email protected]

212.941.9394

ABOUT WACOAL

Wacoal is the leading lingerie brand that women trust for fit, quality, and comfort. Wacoal pioneered the art of bra fitting, and today, their Fit Experts help women find the sizes that make them look and feel their best. Never satisfied with the status quo, their designers keep a finger on the pulse of the fashion industry. They are always looking for new and better ways to deliver bras that meet the expectations of modern women for comfort, quality, and performance. Shop www.wacoal-america.com or follow Wacoal on social for the latest updates: Facebook @Wacoal, Instagram @WacoalAmerica, and TikTok @WacoalAmerica.

SOURCE Wacoal
Mangia DC Food Tours Recognized as a Top 10 Best Food Tour in the Nation by USA Today

WASHINGTON , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mangia DC Food Tours, a leading culinary experience provider in the District of Columbia, proudly announces its recognition as one of the Top 10 Best Food Tours in the nation by USA Today. This esteemed honor not only celebrates the exceptional experiences offered by Mangia DC Food Tours but, more importantly, highlights Washington, D.C. as an epicenter of culinary gems and a diverse, culinary destination. Being included among the nation's top food tours signifies Washington, D.C.'s vibrant culinary scene and the city's status as a top culinary destination. It is a testament to the city's culinary prowess and the countless talented chefs, diverse eateries, and cultural flavors that make up the fabric of our nation's capital.

Left - Salah Czapary, Director of Nightlife and Culture of Mayor Bowser's Office. Middle - David Saxe CEO - Chief Eating Officer of Mangia DC Food Tours. Right - Jackie Reyes-Yanes Director of Community Affairs of Mayor Bowser's Office

"Our team is humbled and honored to be recognized as one of the Top 10 Best Food Tours in the nation by USA Today," said David Saxe, CEO, and Chief Eating Officer of Mangia DC. "We take great pride in our role of showcasing the hidden culinary gems and curating immersive food experiences for locals, private groups, and travelers. It is a privilege to support our team of passionate locals who have played an instrumental role in putting D.C. on the map as a culinary destination worth celebrating!"

Mangia DC Food Tours also recognizes the immense support and dedication of Mayor Muriel Bowser and her team in fostering a vibrant and diverse culinary landscape in Washington, D.C. The Mayor's commitment to promoting local businesses and celebrating the city's cultural heritage has been instrumental in creating an environment where culinary entrepreneurs thrive, and culinary traditions are honored. Salah Czapary, the Director of Mayor Bowser's Office of Nightlife and Culture, said, "We are incredibly proud of Mangia DC Food Tours. This award only confirms what we already know, that D.C. is not only our Nation's Capital but also a culinary capital. I look forward to seeing how Mangia DC Food Tours continues to expose residents and visitors alike to the diverse array of culinary options and traditions DC has to offer."

Mangia DC Food Tours proudly brings home a win for Washington, D.C., putting our nation's capital on the map as a renowned culinary destination.

ABOUT MANGIA DC FOOD TOURS

Mangia (pronounced "mahn-jah," which means "TO EAT!" in Italian) DC Food Tours is a premier culinary experience provider in Washington, D.C., dedicated to celebrating the city's vibrant culinary scene and diverse flavors. Through immersive guided food tours, cooking classes, and workshops, both in person and remotely, Mangia DC Food Tours creates immersive experiences that bring people together to foster meaningful connections. Clients include locals, travelers, corporations, and government entities. Mangia DC Food Tours showcases local eateries, hidden gems, and cultural traditions, inviting locals and visitors to indulge in the rich culinary scene that defines our nation's capital.

For more information, please visit MangiaDC.com or email [email protected].

SOURCE Mangia DC Food Tours
WELL Health announced that it has re-branded CRH Medical Corporation as WELL Health USA .

. WELL Health USA's goal is to mirror WELL's mission of tech enabling care providers in the United States while digitizing and modernizing healthcare businesses.

goal is to mirror WELL's mission of tech enabling care providers in while digitizing and modernizing healthcare businesses. In addition, WELL Health USA will leverage its deep US based healthcare expertise and structural advantages to create a whole new category of shared services that will benefit and deliver improved integration with WELL's US based lines of business.

will leverage its deep US based healthcare expertise and structural advantages to create a whole new category of shared services that will benefit and deliver improved integration with WELL's US based lines of business. The combined WELL Health USA business is a multi-disciplinary healthcare business spanning primary and specialized care with online and offline operations at scale with operating run-rate revenues of approximately CAD$500 million . WELL Health USA is a highly profitable and rapidly growing business.

VANCOUVER, BC, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - WELL Health Technologies Corp. (TSX: WELL) (OTCQX: WHTCF) (the "Company" or "WELL")  a practitioner focused digital health company that is positively impacting health outcomes by leveraging technology to empower healthcare practitioners and their patients globally, is pleased to announce the formation of its new WELL Health USA business unit, a re-branding of what was previously CRH Medical Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of WELL.

Hamed Shahbazi, Founder and CEO of WELL commented, "This is an important and exciting move for our company as we are building on the successful acquisition of CRH more than two years ago which has not only become a much more digitally enabled healthcare enterprise, but it has also become the center of gravity in WELL's US based business. It is very clear to us that we have significant opportunities to not only grow our business in the US but also leverage our deep US based experience and capabilities for the benefit of other WELL lines of business."

WELL Health USA will be run by the current CEO of CRH Medical, Jay Kreger. Mr. Kreger originally joined CRH as President of its Anesthesia division in 2016, whereupon he developed an anesthesia management team necessary to grow and sustain our best-in-class anesthesia service and ensured a seamless integration of newly acquired practices onto the CRH Anesthesia platform. He was appointed CEO in January 2022. Prior to joining CRH, Mr. Kreger was the VP of Development for the Ambulatory Surgery Division of HCA, where he was responsible for expanding HCA's network to over 130 ASCs through acquisitions and partnerships. Previously, he served in several capacities at Surgical Care Affiliates  namely, in Development and Operations Leadership roles.

Jay Kreger, CEO of WELL Health USA commented, "The CRH management team has deep expertise and over 100 years in combined experience in allocating capital, integrating, and growing healthcare businesses and working inside some of the largest and most prominent healthcare companies in the United States. That expertise has allowed us to execute on WELL's goals and objectives. With this move, we are now empowered to leverage our capabilities and deepen integration opportunities between our US lines of business. A great example of this is our recent acquisition of Radar Healthcare providers, which provides best-in-class provider recruitment. This is an excellent opportunity for us to evolve Radar to support other US based lines of business."

The new WELL Health USA business unit reflects WELL's Canadian tech-enabled healthcare business quite well as it is also a multi-disciplinary tech-enabled care delivery business that spans across both primary and specialized care providing both online and in-clinic operations at scale. The platform also has exposure to and deep expertise in several exciting growth areas such as behavioral health and women's reproductive and sexual health. This integrated operating platform will support approximately 3,000 healthcare providers across 300+ clinics1, ASCs and hospitals, who provide services to over 2 million patients annually. This business unit encompasses U.S. based companies and brands including CRH Anesthesia, CRH O'Regan System, Radar Healthcare Providers, Circle Medical and Wisp. This single business unit will help WELL better assist and continue to grow market share through a unique and unified platform offering.

As part of its mission, WELL Health USA will roll out and offer 'shared services' to other US based operating units. Such shared services may include, but not be limited to: Insurance, Billing, Credentialing, Payor Contracting/Strategies, Procurement, Legal, Human Resources/HRIS and Payroll, Benefits, Learning, Recruitment, etc. focusing on the synergies and cost-effective benefits that become available with organizational scale. WELL Health USA will also continue to work with the rest of the WELL Health organization to ensure that shared services offered via WELL's Canadian headquarters such as cybersecurity, IT and digital marketing can be more efficiently rolled out and utilized as required.

You can learn more about WELL Health USA at usa.well.company.

Footnotes: 1. The figure of 300+ clinics includes mostly ASCs where WELL/CRH supports care delivery but doesn't own and operate the facilities themselves.

WELL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

Per: "Hamed Shahbazi"

Hamed Shahbazi

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director

About WELL Health Technologies Corp.

WELL's mission is to tech-enable healthcare providers. We do this by developing the best technologies, services, and support available, which ensures healthcare providers are empowered to positively impact patient outcomes. WELL's comprehensive healthcare and digital platform includes extensive front and back-office management software applications that help physicians run and secure their practices. WELL's solutions enable more than 28,000 healthcare providers between the US and Canada and power the largest owned and operated healthcare ecosystem in Canada with more than 130 clinics supporting primary care, specialized care and diagnostic services. In the United States WELL's solutions are focused on specialized markets such as the gastrointestinal market, women's health, primary care, and mental health. WELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WELL" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "WHTCF". To learn more about the Company, please visit: www.well.company

SOURCE WELL Health Technologies Corp.
SINGAPORE, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yanolja Cloud, a leading global provider of AI-based SaaS solutions for the hospitality and leisure industries in over 170 countries, is delighted to announce its acceptance into the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate program, a co-sell program for organizations that provide software solutions that run on or integrate with AWS.

Yanolja Cloud Joins AWS ISV Accelerate Program to Boost Growth and Accelerate Innovation in the Hospitality Industry.

In 2022, Yanolja Cloud attained the AWS Travel and Hospitality Competency, which recognizes the company for delivering product innovation in the travel, accommodation, leisure, food and beverage, and residence industries. One such innovation is an integrated IoT and AI-based hotel solution, which records guest preferences for lighting, room temperature, and amenities, to help improve the guest experience.

The AWS ISV Accelerate Program enables Yanolja Cloud to build new business models and accelerate sales cycles by working closely with the AWS Sales organization.

Yanolja Cloud, with its vast portfolio of member companies such as eZee, Yanolja Cloud Korea, and SanhaIT, is poised to leverage the co-sell support and benefits provided by the AWS ISV Accelerate program. Member companies can now look forward to enhancing their software solutions, refining their business strategies, and expanding their market reach with AWS, driving innovation, delivering exceptional value, and transforming the hospitality and leisure industries globally.

"We are thrilled to be selected for the AWS ISV Accelerate program," said Andrew Kim, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Yanolja Cloud. "This collaboration with AWS will enhance our technical capabilities, refine our business strategies, and accelerate our growth trajectory. With the program's comprehensive support, we are confident in our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that will revolutionize the hospitality industry."

For more information about Yanolja Cloud and its AI-based SaaS solutions for the hospitality and leisure industries, please visit yanoljacloud.com.

About Yanolja Cloud

Yanolja Cloud is a leading global provider of AI-based SaaS solutions for the hospitality and leisure industries. The company offers a comprehensive suite of solutions including property management, distribution solutions, an automated IoT Hub, and AI services. With a strong focus on digital transformation, Yanolja Cloud empowers properties within accommodations, food and beverage, residential, golf, and other leisure facilities to streamline operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. Yanolja Cloud is part of Yanolja, South Korea's #1 travel app, and serves over 80,000 solution licenses in 170+ countries, supporting businesses in more than 60 languages.

SOURCE Yanolja Cloud
Death toll in a missile attack on the night of July 23 increased to two people, the body of a woman was found, according to the Telegram channel of Odesa City Council "Odesa. Officially."

"It became known about another victim of a missile attack on July 23. The body of a woman was found in an uninhabited annex near a destroyed private house on Parkova Street. The identity of the deceased is being established," the council said on Thursday.

As reported, on the night of July 23, Russia 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. Earlier it was known about one killede and 21 injured. Among the victims were four children.

The Transfiguration Cathedral has been destroyed, buildings in the historical center of Odesa have been damaged. As a result of a night missile attack in Odesa, 28 architectural monuments have been damaged.
Bad weather has resulted in the shutdown of interstate interconnection lines with Moldova and Poland, transmission system operator Ukrenergo's trunk lines in Poltava, Lviv, Odesa, and Kyiv regions, and an autotransformer at a 330 kV substation in Zhytomyr region, the Energy Ministry said.

"In total, 260,000 consumers in the country were left without power in more than 700 settlements of Vinnytsia, Volyn, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Khmelnytsky, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions," the Ministry of Energy said on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

They clarified that Kyiv region suffered the most from bad weather, where 239 settlements with almost 98,000 consumers were de-energized.

Due to the shelling of the Russian Federation, part of the consumers in Zaporizhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv regions remain without electricity. Another 27 settlements or 7,500 consumers were left without electricity in Zaporizhia region due to technological violations.

Also 13 settlements in Donetsk region and a coal mine were de-energized, whose workers were successfully brought to the surface.

"Repair crews work where safety conditions allow. In total, over 40,000 consumers were supplied by power engineers per day," the Ministry of Energy noted.

According to its daily update, it was possible to power another 100 consumers in Kherson, de-energized due to the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. Thus, 11,500 consumers remain without electricity, which is 3,500 less than since the explosion.

The Ministry of Energy also reported an accident in Kyiv region, where, when examining the lines, the body of a person who was energized by 10 kW and electrocuted was found. The circumstances of death are being investigated.

In general, there is no shortage in the energy system, as the ministry assures, the electricity produced is quite enough to cover consumption.
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Athens, July 27 : Three people have died in wildfires that continued to rage across Greece.

A woman was found dead in a trailer near Volos where a major wildfire broke out on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Greek national broadcaster ERT. Her husband was seriously injured.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old shepherd was found dead a few kilometres away, according to the report. He had rushed with his brother to move their animals to safety.

The body of a man was also found a few hours earlier near the seaside resort of Karystos on Evia island. A water-dropping aircraft had crashed there on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot.

Although formal identification is still pending, relatives of a 41-year-old shepherd who has been missing since Sunday after also going out to move his animals to safety believe it is his body, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

A total of 594 wildfires have broken out across Greece in the past 10 days, including 61 on Wednesday. The fire near Volos is among the most challenging, said Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias.

Settlements have been evacuated as temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius and strong winds have created fronts extending several kilometres, he added.

AMNA reported that firefighters are battling flames near Volos industrial area, where factories have also been evacuated, as well as close to settlements of high archaeological value.

They are also fighting rekindled fire fronts on the islands of Corfu and Rhodes, the Fire Service said.

A state of emergency was declared on Wednesday for the island of Rhodes, as wildfires burned for the ninth consecutive day. However, the state of emergency does not imply that Rhodes is not safe for visitors, rather it relates to the compensation process for the damage caused by the fires.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou held a series of telephone conversations with her counterparts from Italy, Portugal, Malta and Bulgaria on Wednesday. She has suggested a joint initiative among southern European countries, to deal with the climate crisis, her office announced.
New Delhi, July 27 : As many as 98 students, studying at higher education institutions (HEIs) run by the Central government, have committed suicide in the last five years.

Subhas Sarkar, Union Minister of State for Education, provided the information in response to a written question in the Rajya Sabha.

According to the information shared by the Union Ministry of Education, between 2019 and 2023, about 32,000 students studying at institutions like Central Universities, IITs, IIMs and NITs across the country have left their studies midway.

So far, in 2023, 20 incidents of suicide by students have been reported in these higher education institutions. Of them, nine incidents were reported from Central universities while seven were from IITs.

The minister, while sharing data, stated that the maximum number of suicides reported in the last four years were from engineering.

According to the data, IITs had the highest number of suicides (39), followed by NITs (25), Central universities (25), IIMs (4), IISERs (3), and IIITs (2). Twenty of these suicides were reported so far in 2023, 24 in 2022, seven each in 2021 and 2020, 19 in 2019 and 21 in 2018.

The data also revealed that two students from the SC and one from the OBC categories were among the seven suicide cases in IITs this year. Six of the nine cases in Central universities included members of the SC, ST, OBC, or minority communities.

"In order to alleviate academic stress, the ministry has taken various steps such as peer-assisted learning and the introduction of technical education in regional languages for students," the minister informed the House.

Promoting courses in regional languages, the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has released the complete syllabus of 12 different technical courses in regional languages also, he added.
Ottawa, July 27 : Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced major changes to his cabinet, introducing new ministers of defence and public safety.

According to the announcement on Wednesday, the cabinet retains 38 ministers, in addition to the Prime Minister.

A total of 23 ministers were tasked with new roles, including Bill Blair as Minister of National Defence, Dominic LeBlanc as Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Sean Fraser as Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Xinhua news agency reported.

The shuffle dropped seven ministers and promoted seven new faces. Eight ministers remain in their portfolio which include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry FranAois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly.

The new cabinet is ready to deliver on what matters most to Canadians including making life more affordable for the middle class and growing the economy, Trudeau said.

Local media reported that it meant to reset the minority Liberal agenda after eight years in power and the prime minister is hoping with these changes to lock in the team he will lead into the next election, currently slated for 2025.
New Delhi, July 27 : Jim Skea of the UK is the newly elected Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body assessing climate change science.

With nearly 40 years of climate science experience and expertise, Skea will lead the IPCC through its seventh assessment cycle.

Skea was elected by 90 votes to 69 in a run-off with Thelma Krug, the IPCC said in a statement.

"Climate change is an existential threat to our planet. My ambition is to lead an IPCC that is truly representative and inclusive, an IPCC looking to the future while exploiting the opportunities that we have in the present. An IPCC where everyone feels valued and heard," said Skea in his address to the delegates attending the IPCC elections.

"In this, I will pursue three priorities -- improving inclusiveness and diversity, shielding scientific integrity and policy relevance of IPCC assessment reports, and making the effective use of the best available science on climate change. My actions as the Chair of the IPCC will ensure that these ambitions are realised," he added.

The election took place at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya, where the IPCC is holding its 59th session.

Elections for other positions in the IPCC Bureau, including the Co-Chairs of the IPCC Working Groups, will take place from July 26-28.

Four candidates ran for the Chair of the IPCC. These were the first elections in the history of the IPCC with women candidates running for this position.

Skea, 69, is Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College in London. During the IPCCas just completed sixth assessment cycle, Skea was the Co-Chair of Working Group III, assessing the mitigation of climate change.

Most of his career, spreading over decades, has been dedicated to ensuring that the challenges of climate change are understood, and actions to avert them are taken.

Responding to the election of the new IPCC Chair, Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network International, told IANS: "As the world grapples with life-threatening heatwaves, devastating floods, and catastrophic wildfires intensified by global warming, the newly appointed IPCC chair, Jim Skea, assumes a critical role. His mission extends beyond merely placing science at the heart of climate action; it involves infusing a deep sense of urgency within the global community about the imperative to act quickly and decisively."

aThe role of scientists in this global crisis now surpasses the conventional confines of research and analysis. They are being called upon to serve as forceful advocates for practical solutions, actively championing measures based on equity and justice that will effectively tackle the escalating climate change crisis," she added.
Pre-booking for 'Make in India' foldables begins in India with cool pricing, attractive offers. Image Source: IANS News

Seoul, July 27 : Samsung on Thursday announced the availability of its next generation of 'Make in India' foldables, Galaxy Watch and new tablets in the country that will go on pre-booking from July 27 (12 noon onwards) across all leading online and offline retail stores with some attractive offers.

While Galaxy Z Flip5 (8GB+256GB) will be available for Rs 99,999 and 8GB+512GB variant for Rs 109,999, Galaxy Z Fold5 (12GB+256GB) will cost Rs 154,999, the 12GB+512GB model will come for Rs 164,999 and the 12GB+1TB variant will be available for Rs 184,999.

Customers pre-booking and buying the devices between July 27 and August 17 will get offers up to Rs 20,000 on Z Flip5 and Rs 23,000 on Z Fold5, according to the company.

"Our fifth generation of foldable smartphones - Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 - will see higher adoption from tech-savvy consumers in India. As part of our Powering Digital India initiative, these phones will be manufactured at our Noida factory," JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung SWA, told reporters here.

"We are confident that Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 will help us consolidate our smartphone leadership in the country," he added.

Galaxy Z Flip5 comes with a new Flex Window that is best suited for content creation, while Galaxy Z Fold5 takes seamless multitasking to an all-new level, delivering unrivalled foldable experiences to customers.

Meanwhile, Indian consumers can also pre-book all-new Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic from July 27.

Galaxy Watch6 starts from Rs 29,999 while Galaxy Watch6 Classic begins from Rs 36,999 with attractive offers.

Consumers can also avail exciting pre-book benefits and can own the all-new Galaxy Watch6 series starting at Rs 19,999.

Samsung Tab S9 Ultra (512 GB) will be available from Rs 119,999 while the 256GB variant will come for Rs 108,999. Tab S9+ in 256 GB variant will cost Rs 90,999 while Tab S9 (256 GB) will be available for Rs 83,999 with some amazing offers.

According to Samsung, consumers buying Galaxy Z Flip5 through Samsung.com will get the option of choosing from three exclusive colours -- Gray, Green and Blue.

Those buying Galaxy Z Fold5 from Samsung.com will get the option of one exclusive colour - Platinum.

Customers pre-booking Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 during the "Samsung Live" event starting at 12 p.m. on Thursday (July 27) will get an additional exclusive gift of a Silicone Case with a Ring worth Rs 4,199 on purchase of Z Flip5 and Standing Case with Strap worth Rs 6,299 on purchase of Galaxy Z Fold5.
Lucknow, July 27 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a supplementary prosecution complaint against former BSP MLC from Saharanpur, Mohammed Haji Iqbal.

A prosecution complaint by the ED is like a charge sheet filed by the police.

The ED, based on a CBI FIR, had lodged a case under the PMLA Act against Iqbal on June 12, 2019.

ED probe revealed that by way of BSS Associates Private Limited property, Iqbal acquired proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 54. 21 crore.

The probe agency prayed for confiscation of Iqbal's land situated in Dehradun in the special court.

The ED investigation conducted against Iqbal led to identification of immovable properties (seven sugar mills).

"The tainted money generated through illegal mining activities was laundered through various legal entities, under the control of Iqbal and his family members, which were incorporated or acquired off the shelf through various persons including self-acknowledged entry operators," an agency spokesman said.

These entities through a set of fictitious and sham transactions under the control of Iqbal and others were used as a front for converting tainted money to acquire assets.

In this process, Iqbal, through controlled shell companies, indulged in commission of offences like cheating under the Companies Act.

Charges of criminal conspiracy with forgery for the purpose of cheating have been invoked against Iqbal controlled companies, the ED said.

In 2021, the ED had attached seven sugar mills owned by former MLC valuing about Rs 1,097 crore underthe PMLA Act.

In 2019, the CBI had also booked the sons of the former MLC, Wajid and Javed, in connection with the sale of 21 state-owned sugar mills in 2011-12 by the former Mayawati regime causing a loss of Rs 1,800 crore to state exchequer.

Iqbal, currently elusive, carries a reward of Rs 1 lakh on any information leading to his arrest by the Uttar Pradesh Police and is named in 35 cases.

Four of his five sons are in jail.
Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine for six months of 2023, as a result of searches and inspections within 59 registered criminal proceedings, seized from illegal circulation inventory items related to the illegal circulation of vodka products and alcohol in the amount of more than UAH 650 million, the Economic Security Bureau press service reported.

According to the report, according to the results of pretrial investigations, 17 people have already been declared suspected in criminal proceedings, nine proceedings have been sent to court and eight sentences have been passed.

According to the Bureau, within criminal proceedings, five lines for production of alcoholic beverages in Chernihiv, Odesa, Poltava, Volyn and Vinnytsia regions, as well as 375 tonnes of alcohol-containing products, and over 150,000 excise tax stamps with signs of forgery have been seized.

For comparison, for entire 2022, about 109 tonnes of alcohol-containing products and two lines for bottling alcoholic beverages were seized, the Bureau specified.

According to law enforcement agencies, in Dnipropetrovsk region, detectives exposed the persons who organized illegal production of a liquid with a characteristic smell of alcohol on an industrial scale. Every day, about 15-20 tonnes of alcohol was produced here, which was pumped through an underground pipeline with a length of about 1 km to the alcohol storage. About 107 tonnes of liquid with a characteristic smell of alcohol were seized in the amount of more than UAH 10 million. The amount of damage from non-payment of excise tax and VAT is about UAH 4 billion.

In Kyiv region, officers searched the warehouse, production and administrative premises of a sugar factory, where they identified and seized about 170 tonnes of anhydrous alcohol, sold under the guise of a component of gasoline and bioethanol, worth more than UAH 67.5 million.

In Kirovohrad region, at one of the factories, detectives seized more than 100,000 bottles of alcoholic beverages of various brands, more than 25,000 liters of liquid with a characteristic smell of alcohol, and 126,000 excise tax stamps with signs of forgery in the amount of about UAH 20 million.

In two cases, detectives recorded the absence of a permanent employee of the regulatory authority at the tax post.

In addition, the employees sent letters of recommendation to the National Center for Operational and Technical Management of Telecommunications Networks of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection to block 75 illegal websites that sell illegally manufactured products.

As part of the Economic Security Bureau Main Detective Unit, relevant working groups have been created in certain areas to counter the illegal import, production and trade of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and fuel.

As reported, since the beginning of the year, based on the results of combating illicit trafficking in tobacco products, the Economic Security Bureau has seized equipment and products worth UAH 750 million.
Lucknow, July 27 : When a prisoner comes out of a jail in Uttar Pradesh, he will no longer be dependent on his family for survival and will be able to fend for himself.

The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission and Prison Administration and Reform Services have joined hands to train prisoners across the state in various skills to make them self-reliant.

Director, Skill Development Mission, Andra Vamsi said: "We have partnered with the prison department for training of prisoners in eight sectors including making of apparels, carpets, electrical works, construction and plumbing.

"We have already trained at least 1,129 prisoners in 11 jails of the state. Efforts are on to train the inmates of other jails. We have registered 3,914 prisoners from remaining jails."

Vamsi said only those prisoners should be named for training who have at least three months left for release so that they can be acquainted with the entire syllabus.

"The enrolment target has been accomplished in 25 districts out of 68. These districts include Baghpat, Ballia, Barabanki, Bhadohi, Bareilly, Bulandshahr, Etah, Farrukhabad, Firozabad, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Jaunpur, Lalitpur, Mahoba, Mainpuri, Mau, Moradabad, Pilibhit, Pratapgarh, Rampur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sitapur, Unnao and Varanasi," he added.

DG, Prisons, S.N. Sabat said a special drive will be organised from July 31 to August 2, in coordination with the post offices of the districts concerned, to provide Aadhaar cards to prisoners.

A virtual meeting of jail superintendents, district coordinators, UPSDM and MIS managers was held and were instructed to meet training providers, district coordinators and MIS managers to remove bottlenecks.
Srinagar, July 27 : Scores of Shia Muslim mourners participated in the 8th Muharram procession in J&K's Srinagar city on Thursday as authorities allowed this procession after 34 years.

Mourners took the 8th Muharram procession from Guru Bazaar (Shaheedgunj) to Dalgate area of uptown Srinagar.

Authorities had made special arrangements for Thursday's procession by arranging refreshments, medical camps and traffic regulations to ensure that the procession passed peacefully.

During the last 34 years authorities had not allowed this procession fearing sectarian violence and mischief by anti-national elements.

Senior Shia Muslim leader and former minister, Imran Raza Ansari was instrumental in persuading the authorities to allow this year's 8th Muharram procession.

Imran had made a fervent appeal to the members of the Shia Muslim community to join Thursday's procession and ensure that the same passed off peacefully.

High alert was maintained by the security forces all along the procession route and other sensitive places in the city.

The procession started at 6 a.m. and ended peacefully at 8 a.m.

- - IANS
London, July 27 : Immigration lawyers in the UK are briefing clients on how to lie to the authorities to win the right to stay in Britain and are charging 10,000 pounds to make false asylum claims, according to a Daily Mail investigation.

V.P. Lingajothy, a lawyer who came to the UK from Sri Lanka in 1983, asked an undercover Mail reporter to pretend that he is a pro-Khalistani who was ill-treated and tortured in India to get asylum in the UK.

The undercover reporter posed as a farmer from the Punjab who just landed in the UK on a small boat.

"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. That's why you couldn't marry and you were frustrated, you wanted to commit suicide," the Daily Mail quoted Lingajothy as saying.

The lawyer asked for 10,000 pounds to invent a back story to use in the asylum application, which included claims of sexual torture, beatings, slave labour, false imprisonment and death threats that left the migrant suicidal and forced him to escape to the UK.

He even promised a doctoras report to support the story and produced anti-depressants to be given to the Home Office as "evidence" of psychological trauma, the Mail reported.

At another firm, where the undercover reporter went, the lawyer said he would have to "create the evidence" to make it appear the migrant had a genuine fear of "persecution and assassination" if he returned home.

A third lawyer said he would use it to make it appear the undercover reporter feared for his life in India, which would include reasons like anti-government political allegiances, a love affair with someone from the wrong caste or being gay.

According to the report, up to 40 solicitorsa firms are being monitored by the authorities amid suspected asylum claim "abuses" and allegations of "carbon copy" applications from different people represented by the same firms.

With a multi-million-pound property empire, most like Lingajothy enjoy the trappings of a successful lawyer.

In response to the report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak andChancellor Alex Chalk said the "appalling" conduct by the law firms must be met with the "full force of sanctions".

--IANS

mi/ksk
Seoul, July 27 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has met official Russian and Chinese delegations that are visiting Pyongyang to attend celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the 1950-53 Korean War, Pyongyang's state media said on Thursday.

The Russian delegation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and China's party-government delegation, led by Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong, arrived in Pyongyang this week to attend events marking the landmark anniversary on July 27, which the North refers to as Victory Day, reports Yonhap News Agency.

The visits by the delegations from the two countries, which share strong ties with the North, marked a rare invitation of foreign guests given that the reclusive state has maintained strict border restrictions since the Covid-19 breakout.

According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim and Shoigu on Wednesday visited the "Weaponry Exhibition-2023" event showcasing new weapons and equipment.

During their visit, Kim introduced weapons the North has produced under its national defense development plan and shared his views on the "worldwide trend of weaponry development and its strategy" and security agenda facing the two countries.

Photos released by state media showed various weapons on display, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) as well as unmanned aircraft that appeared to be modeled after the US surveillance aircraft Global Hawk.

Kim and Shoigu held a separate meeting the same day, where they discussed defense issues in a "cordial atmosphere overflowing with militant friendship".

The KCNA said the two sides "reached a consensus" on their views on the topics discussed.

North Korea has been strengthening its ties with Russia despite international condemnation of Moscow's ongoing war against Ukraine.

The KCNA also reported that Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At midnight, the North Korean leader attended a performance ceremony marking Victory Day with the Chinese and Russian delegations.

Prior to the event, Kim met separately with the Chinese guests that arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Li gave Kim a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, the KCNA said, without providing details.

The North is expected to hold a large-scale military parade to mark the July 27 anniversary.
New Delhi, July 27 : The total number of climate change court cases has more than doubled since 2017 and is growing worldwide, a new report has revealed.

The report, Global Climate Litigation Report: 2023 Status Review, published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University ,show that climate litigation is becoming an integral part of securing climate action and justice.

It is based on a review of cases focused on climate change law, policy or science collected up to December 31, 2022 by the Sabin Center's US and Global Climate Change Litigation Databases.

It was published a day ahead of the first anniversary of the UN General Assembly's declaration of access to a clean and healthy environment as a universal human right.

"Climate policies are far behind what is needed to keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold, with extreme weather events and searing heat already baking our planet," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

"People are increasingly turning to courts to combat the climate crisis, holding governments and the private sector accountable and making litigation a key mechanism for securing climate action and promoting climate justice."

The report provides an overview of key climate litigation cases from the past two years, including historic breakthroughs.

As climate litigation increases in frequency and volume, the body of legal precedent grows, forming an increasingly well-defined field of law.

The total number of climate change cases has more than doubled since a first report on the issue, from 884 in 2017 to 2,180 in 2022.

While most cases have been brought in the US, climate litigation is taking root all over the world, with about 17 per cent of cases now being reported in developing countries, including Small Island Developing States.

These legal actions were brought in 65 bodies worldwide: in international, regional, and national courts, tribunals, quasi-judicial bodies, and other adjudicatory bodies, including special procedures of the UN and arbitration tribunals.

"There is a distressingly growing gap between the level of greenhouse gas reductions the world needs to achieve in order to meet its temperature targets, and the actions that governments are actually taking to lower emissions. This inevitably will lead more people to resort to the courts. The report will be an invaluable resource for everyone who wants to achieve the best possible outcome in judicial forums, and to understand what is and is not possible there," said Michael Gerrard, Sabin Center's Faculty Director.

The report demonstrates how the voices of vulnerable groups are being heard globally: 34 cases have been brought by and on behalf of children and youth under 25 years old, including by girls as young as seven and nine years of age in Pakistan and India respectively, while in Switzerland, plaintiffs are making their case based on the disproportionate impact of climate change on senior women.

Notable cases have challenged government decisions based on a project's inconsistency with the goals of the Paris Agreement or a country's net-zero commitments.

Growing awareness of climate change in recent years has also spurred action against corporations -- these include cases seeking to hold fossil fuel companies and other greenhouse gas emitters responsible for climate harm.

According to the report, most ongoing climate litigation falls into one or more of six categories: First, cases relying on human rights enshrined in international law and national constitutions; Second, challenges to domestic non-enforcement of climate-related laws and policies; Third, litigants seeking to keep fossil fuels in the ground; Fourth, advocates for greater climate disclosures and an end to greenwashing; Fifth, claims addressing corporate liability and responsibility for climate harms; and Sixth, claims addressing failures to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The report demonstrates how courts are finding strong human rights linkages to climate change. This is leading to greater protections for the most vulnerable groups in society, as well as increased accountability, transparency and justice, compelling governments and corporations to pursue more ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.

In the future, the report predicts a rise in the number of cases dealing with climate migration, cases brought by Indigenous peoples, local communities and other groups disproportionately affected by climate change, and cases addressing liability following extreme weather events.

The report also anticipates challenges in applying the science of climate attribution as well as a rise in "backlash" cases against litigants which aim to dismantle regulations that promote climate action.
San Francisco, July 27 : Social discussion platform Reddit is testing an 'Official' label for profiles, in order to reduce impersonation.

"We're beginning early testing of placing a visual indicator on certain profiles to provide proof of authenticity, reduce impersonation, and increase transparency across the platform," a Reddit admin (employee) wrote in a post.

The feature is currently only available to a very small number of profiles that belong to organisations.

These profiles will have an Official label appear next to their username wherever it shows up across the platform.

The new label is designed to help mods and users quickly identify the organisations, and allows them to trust that these users are who they say they are.

The label is a visual indicator of an authenticated profile, and it does not unlock any special privileges or protection.

"Weare actively working with a group of moderators to get feedback on this, and as this is an early test, the learnings we gain will inform next steps for this roll-out. Weall continue to keep you updated," the admin said.

The admin further mentioned that Automod will now run before post and comment reply notifications are sent out.

This includes both push notifications and email notifications.

The change will be fully rolled out in the next few weeks, and is designed to improve the user experience on the platform.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, u/venkman01 from the Reddit product team had

said that the platform is sunsetting its coins-- including Community coins for moderators-- and awards-- including Medals, Premium Awards and Community Awards) systems.

Users will now no longer be able to purchase new coins, but all awards and

existing coins will continue to be available until September 12, 2023.

u/venkman01 also said that Reddit Premium is "not going away."

However, after September 12, the company will discontinue the monthly coin

drip and Premium Awards. Other current Premium perks will still exist, including the ad-free experience.
Niamey, July 27 : Soldiers in Niger announced a coup on national TV, adding that President Mohamed Bazoum was being held hostage with his wife at his residence in the capital Niamey after negotiations with the head of the presidential guard stalled.

Soldiers from the presidential guard in the West African nation reportedly barricaded Bazoum in his presidential palace on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know. This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance."

He also said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders, adding that the heads of Ministries would take care of day-to-day business, the BBC reported.

"All external partners are asked not to interfere... Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised," Col Maj Abdramane said, adding that a night curfew has been imposed from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. until further notice.

He said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

Meanwhile,Niger's presidential complex is currently sealed off.

A statement on the presidency's social media channels said that Bazoum is "doing well" and the army and national guard were "ready to attack the elements of the GP (Presidential Guard) involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses", CNN reported.

The country's Interior Minister, Hamadou Souley, was also arrested by the presidential guard on Wednesday morning local time and is being held along with Bazoum.

Hundreds of protesters later gathered in Niamey in support of Bazoum.

Presidential guards to fired "warning shots" to block their advance when protesters were about 300 meters from the presidential palace, CNN reported.

Up to 400 protesters were seen later on Wednesday, some holding photos of Bazoum and signs saying: "No to the destabilisation of the republic's institutions."

After the soldiers' TV announcement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum, the BBC reported.

He told a news conference in New Zealand that "what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution".

The situation has triggered widespread condemnation.

In a short statement released by his spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the coup attempt.

"The Secretary-General is following closely the situation in Niger. He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger," according to the statement.

The UN chief "calls on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order. The UN stands by the Government and the people of Niger".

While the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned "any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability of Niger", the French Foreign Minister said it "is closely monitoring the development of the situation".

White House officials said they "strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government".

Niger's neighboring nations of Mali and Burkina Faso have both experienced military coups in the past few years, in the wake of growing jihadi insurgencies which have destabilised the entire region.

Bazoum was elected in 2021 and Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960.
Jaipur, July 27 : Congress leader and former state minister Dharmendra Rathore, who is being accused of hiding critical information on financial transactions by sacked Congress minister Rajendra Gudha, has finally opened up and said that Gudha did visit his house during raids, but never discussed about the 'red diary' with him.

In fact, he said that he writes a regular diary but on Gandhi Diary.

He said, "It is well known that the BJP tried to topple the government in Rajasthan on the lines of Madhya Pradesh. Part of this conspiracy includes the central agencies' raids on the houses of Congress leaders, all establishments and even the Chief Minister's brother.

"I remember Rajendra Gudha had come to my house during that incident. But since this incident, he never discussed any red diary with me. I probably always use Gandhi Diary and write my daily routine in it. The people of the Income Tax Department had taken three diaries from my house which are the Gandhi diaries. These are also recorded in his records," said Rathore.

"I have had family relations with Gudha for a long time. The intensity of our relationship was such that about 10 years ago he stayed in my house. At that time many people from his constituency came and criticized him and said that he should not be kept in the house because he is a very unreliable person. But due to my personal relations, I did not pay heed to those things.

"Being a Congress worker, I always helped people. He joined Congress along with other BSP MLAs in 2009 and 2019. Even then he kept in touch with me and despite knowing his background, I supported him in the interest of the party. For almost one year, Rajendra Gudha was making statements against the Congress leaders, moving away from the party line.

"I tried to convince them not to do this, but then I could not understand what conspiracy is going on inside and with which Congress and BJP leaders he was in contact. Surprisingly, today Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is praising Rajendra Gudha, had defended him even when he had called Gudha ji "bin pande ka lota (rolling stone) a few days ago," he said.

"From Delhi to Jaipur, the BJP is conspiring to reduce the seriousness of the Manipur issue by making false allegations against the Rajasthan government. Under the same conspiracy, this high voltage drama has been created by making Rajendra Gudha a pawn. Just three days before the Prime Minister's visit to Rajasthan, the statements made by Rajendra Gudha and BJP leaders inside and outside the Assembly are a part of this conspiracy," he added.
New Delhi, July 27 : Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his third term remark saying that Modi is "hungry" to come back to power again in 2024.

"Yesterday, Prime Minister made a remark that in 2024 , he will again come to power. How can the Prime Minister be so insensitive? A part of the country is burning. But, Modi ji is hungry to come back to power again," Singh who has been sitting on protest against his suspension in the Parliament premises since Monday, said in a video, in an apparent reference to the Manipur situation.

He said, "We(Opposition INDIA) have been demanding that Prime Minister come to the House and give a statement on Manipur. There are incidents of atrocities against women. People are living in relief camps (in Manipur). I appeal to the people of the country to think how can a person, who is thinking about returning to power in 2024 when a part of the country is burning, be your protector."

"Let us wake Modi government. Ask questions on Manipur. Peace should be

restored in Manipur at any cost," Singh 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.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a programme

here, assured that India will be among top three economies of the world in his third term, in an apparent reference that his government will return to power again in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"I assure the country that on the basis of the track record, in the third term, India's name will be among the top three economies of the world. This is Modi's guarantee," the Prime Minister said.

"In our third term, the country's development journey will accelerate further and the citizens would see their dreams come true," he added.
Gehlot, PMO slug it out on social media as CM alleges speech cut out during PM's Raj event. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : A political slugfest between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and PMO broke out on Thursday on social media, with Gehlot contending that his speech slot during the prime minister's event in Sikar later in the day has been struck down.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate several projects in Rajasthan's Sikar on Thursday, including 12 medical colleges.

Rajasthan goes to polls in December this year.

The PMO on its part claimed in a tweet that this was done after receiving a message from the chief minister's office about his inability to attend the event.

The PMO, however, requested Gehlot to attend the event, if he doesn't have any physical discomfort owing to an injury, saying further that his name was there on the plaque of development works, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to inaugurate.

Gehlot on his part in a detailed tweet in Hindi, said that since his speech slot has been removed from the programme list, he would welcome the prime minister to the state through his tweet.

The chief minister said all the development works which the prime minister are going to inaugurate today, including the 12 medical colleges, have been completed in partnership between the Centre and the state government.

In fact, almost 50 per cent funds for the medical colleges have been given by the state, Gehlot said.

The chief minister said that since he won't get a chance to speak at the event, he listed out all the state specific requests, which he hoped would be fulfilled by the prime minister during his seventh visit to the state in six months.

"Shri @ashokgehlot51 Ji,

In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But, your office said you will not be able to join. During PM @narendramodi's previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence," the PMO tweeted.

"You are most welcome to join today's programme. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued," it said further in response to Gehlot's tweet.

--IANSans/dpb
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Brazilian President Lula da Silva to gather the leaders of Latin American countries to hear his message.

In an interview with Globo News published on Thursday, Zelenskyy said he would accept the Brazilian president's invitation to come to Brazil, but suggested that Lula act as a regional leader, suggesting that the Brazilian president gather leaders to hear Ukraine's message.

"Latin America is very important to me, Brazil and other countries too. Yes, I wanted to go to Brazil. If I receive an invitation, I will go. And if Lula helps me further, because it's far away and we don't have time, if he manages to get other leaders of Latin America together, we can all meet in Brazil or somewhere else. It will also greatly help the whole world to have peace. And Ukraine will be heard and supported by the continent," Zelenskyy said.

"I need specific things. First, it brings Latin America closer and gives us the opportunity to meet and talk. This is political support. Secondly, I know that Lula and Brazilian society support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and we need this support," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that Brazil would also be able to contribute to the resolution of the Black Sea Grain Deal, from which Russia recently withdrew, and the sending of major humanitarian aid.

However, the president said he did not expect military support. "I'm not going to ask Lulu to give me a weapon. Why? I know he won't give it to me," he said.
Kolkata, July 27 : The West Bengal government will soon impose a complete ban on keeping Indian species of birds as pets at home.

According to state Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick, the ban might be imposed as early as August.

"The law will impose a total ban on keeping any sort of Indian species of birds as pets. Violating that will be considered as a punishable offense and will strict action will be taken by competent authorities," Mullick said.

However, he added, that slight relaxations will be given in case of keeping foreign species of birds as pets.

"But in that matter also, there will be lots of restrictions, like foreign species of birds can be kept as pets for breeding purposes only and the owners will have procured a license for the same. This licence will be granted against the payment of a registration fee of Rs 15,000," the Minister added.

Mullick further said that there will berestrictions for maintenance of the foreign species.

"The owners will not be allowed to exhibit them in public and will not be able to sell them in the open market Before taking legal actions against those who are already having Indian species of birds as pets, my department will be undertaking a thorough campaign programme, so that they become aware of what to do and what not to."

An official from the state Forest Department said that under the Indian law,keeping Indian birds as pets is barred in the entire country.

"But very few people are aware of this law. Among many households, birds especially parrots, are kept as pets. But it is high time that the government acts strictly on this issue and hence this new state law is being brought," he added.
New Delhi, July 27 : Several Opposition MPs on Thursday moved notices in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the Manipur violence.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore gave adjournment motion notice in the Lower

House for a discussion on the issue.

In the Upper House, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, Rashtriya Janata Dal

(RJD)'s Manoj Kumar Jha and AAP's Raghav Chadha gave suspension of

business notice.

This morning, AAP MP Sanjay Singh slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in the Northeastern state.

"Yesterday, the Prime Minister made a remark that in 2024, he will return to power. How can the Prime Minister be so insensitive? A part of the country is burning. But, Modi ji is hungry to come back to power again," Singh, who has been sitting in protest against his suspension in the Parliament premises since Monday, said in a video, in an apparent reference to the Manipur situation.

He said, "We(Opposition INDIA) have been demanding that the Prime Minister

come to the House and give an exhaustive statement on Manipur. There are incidents of atrocities against women. People are staying in relief camps in the state. Let us wake up the Modi government and ask questions on Manipur. Peace

should be restored in Manipur at any cost."

Notably, 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.

The Congress and other Opposition parties have been blaming Chief Minister

N. Biren Singh for the current crisis in the Northeastern state and demanding

his dismissal.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has announced the start of international flights from the Kushinagar airport by Deepawali. Image Source: IANS News

Hyderabad, July 27 : Doha-Nagpur flight of Qatar Airways landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here early Thursday after the flight was diverted to Hyderabad due to bad weather conditions at Nagpur.

RGIA sources told IANS that flight QR590 Doha-Nagpur with 99 passengers landed at 3.29 a.m.

The flight was scheduled to land at Nagpur at 2.50 a.m. but due to poor visibility at Nagpur airport because of heavy rain, it was diverted to Hyderabad.

The airline made arrangements for the passengers' accommodation at a hotel. It was making alternate arrangements for their travel to Nagpur.

--IANS

ms/dpb
BRUSSELS, July 1, 2019 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for the special summit of the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, on June 30, 2019. Leaders of the European Union's 28 member states started gathering on Sunday afternoon . Image Source: IANS News

Colombo, July 27 : French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Colombo on Friday, marking the first ever French presidential visit to Sri Lanka.

Macron will meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe for bilateral discussions during his visit, the President's Media Division said in a statement.

"The two leaders will discuss shared regional and global challenges. This historic visit is the first by a French President to Sri Lanka," it added.
Kolkata, July 27 : Sujay Krishna Bhadra, the prime accused in the multi-crore school recruitment case in West Bengal, might require a bypass surgery after getting a stent implant, further complicating the ongoing investigations into the case, sources said.

Bhadra, also known as 'Kalighater Kaku', is currentlyadmitted at the SSKM Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata.

The sources said that the requirement of a bypass surgery due to additional cardiac complications.

A decision on this is yet to be takenm considering the critical complication.

The development has caused concerns among the central probe agencies, especially the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as it is scheduled to file a fresh charge sheet at a special PMLA in Kolkata this week.

The charge sheet will elaborate on the funds channelised by Bhadra in the scam either via hawala route or by artificially pumping up the share price of the companies linked to him.

The sources said that the money recovered by the ED in connection to the case has already crossed Rs 146 crore.

The details of the recovered amount, either in the form of cash or through confiscation of property and assets, are also likely to be mentioned in the fresh charge sheet.

Bhadra was recently released on parole to perform the last rights of his late wife.

He returned to the Presidency Central Correctional Home on July 17 following the completion of his parole period.

Bhadra was hospitalised the same after he became critically ill.
New Delhi, July 27 : Opposition leaders from 17 parties all dressed in black clothes on Thursday held a meeting in the chamber of Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out a strategy over their demand for a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a discussion over the situation in Manipur.

In a tweet, Congress from its official Twitter handle said, "The Modi government does not want a discussion on Manipur and the Prime Minister is keeping mum on the issue. INDIA wants that there should be a discussion on Manipur and the Prime Minister should give a detailed statement on it. On this issue, a meeting of opposition parties was held in the chamber of Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha."

According to party leaders, 17 INDIA party leaders joined the meeting. Besides Congress, leaders from Trinamool Congress, DMK, CPI(M), RJD, SP, JD(U), NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), AAP, CPI, IUML, RLD, KC (M), JMM, RSP and VCK attended the meeting.

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has been demanding a statement from the Prime Minister in both Houses of Parliament and also a discussion over the Manipur situation.

On Wednesday, the Opposition also moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha against the Modi government.

Ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 this year and since then hundreds of people have lost their lives while thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.

The Congress had earlier demanded for imposition of the President's Rule in the state and also immediate removal of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for failing miserably to control the law and order situation.

The Parliament's Monsoon Session has witnessed stormy sessions over the Opposition demand for a discussion on Manipur and even AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was suspended for remainder of the Session for his unruly behaviour while demanding for a discussion on the Manipur violence.
New bacterial strains found on ISS may help grow plants in space. Image Source: IANS News

Washington, July 27 : NASA briefly lost contact with the International Space Station (ISS) after a power outage at the space agency mission control centre in Houston, the media reported.

While temporary losses in communications have occurred before, due to systems upgrades on the ground or missed contact with satellites, this outage marked the first time that NASA had to rely on backup control hardware at Johnson Space Center's Building 30, CNN reported.

According to ISS Programme Manager Joel Montalbano, the outage occurred on Tuesday morning and lasted about 90 minutes.

But NASA was able to communicate with the astronauts aboard ISS via Russian systems within 20 minutes after the outage began, he was quoted as saying.

The outage also caused no danger for the crew.

"It wasn't an issue on board. It was purely a ground problem," he said. He explained that the outage happened due to a pre-planned upgrade to the power systems that triggered some "reconfiguration".

"We knew this (the upgrade work) was going on," Montalbano said.

"In preparation for that we have the backup command and control system that we would use if we have to close the centre for a weather emergency."

In about an hour and a half NASA could transition to using the backup system -- designed for use during hurricane season or in the event of a weather outage, Montalbano said.

He noted that the outage, which impacted only the first floor of the mission control building, affected the key communications providing hardware, including voice contact and telemetry, or data about the space station's pressure levels, power and position.

It did not affect flight controllers, or the rotating crew of NASA employees who constantly monitor the ISS from consoles in the main mission control room.

Montalbano said that NASA would work to "better understand what happened and then take some lessons learned", the report said.
Mumbai, July 27 : Actress Ameesha Patel, who had accused filmmaker Anil Sharma of non-payment of dues during 'Gadar 2', claimed that she shared a father-daughter relationship with him.

Ameesha is all set to reprise the role of Sakeena in 'Gadar 2', where Sunny Deol will once again play Tara Singh.

On Wednesday, the cast of 'Gadar 2' launched the trailer of the much-awaited film.

Ameesha shared her thoughts about the "bitter-sweet" relationship with filmmaker Anil Sharma.

Dressed in her character, Ameesha took the mic and spoke about her fighting and her bond with Anil as she said that they block each other on social media. "We fight, we block each other on WhatsApp, social media. But we are back. That's our relationship. That's what we share," Ameesha said, when asked about the bond she shared with Anil.

Ameesha had accused Anil Sharma of not providing proper remuneration to make-up artists, technicians, and costume designers connected with 'Gadar 2'.

Earlier, the actress had tweeted, "Another concern of fans has been about certain incidents regarding Anil Sharma Productions to have taken place in regards to the final schedule of Gadar 2 that took place end May in Chandigarh".

She continued in her tweets. "There were certain queries that many technicians like makeup artists, costume designers and others etc. did not receive their rightful remuneration and dues from Anil Sharma Productions!! Yes, they did not!! But @ZeeStudios_ stepped in and made sure all dues were settled as they are a very professional company". "Yes from accommodation, to transport to Chandigarh airport on the final day to food bills were left unpaid and cars were not provided to certain cast and crew members leaving them stranded! But yet again @zeestudios stepped in and corrected these issues caused by Anil Sharma Productions", she added.

'Gadar 2' is set in 1971, and sees Tara Singh returning to Lahore, Pakistan in the midst of an anti-India "Crush India" campaign, to bring back his son Charanjeet.

Co-produced by Anil and Zee Studios, 'Gadar 2', which comes as sequel to 'Gadar' after two deacdes, is slated for August 11 release.
Bo Goldman, screenwriter for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, passes away at 90. Image Source: IANS News

Los Angeles, July 27 : Bo Goldman, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter, who co-wrote 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1975) and 'Melvin and Howard' (1980), died in Helendale, California. He was 90.

Director Todd Field, his son-in-law, confirmed the death, but did not give a cause, reports 'Deadline'.

Goldman's career took off when director Milos Forman read his first screenplay and invited him to adapt Ken Kesey's 'Cuckoo's Nest' novel for film.

The resulting script shared screenwriting credit with Lawrence Hauben and won the Oscar for Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material. The film was also named Best Picture, and earned Oscars for Forman, lead actor Jack Nicholson, and Louise Fletcher, who played Nurse Ratched.

As per 'Deadline', in 1980, 'Melvin and Howard' won Goldman his second Oscar, this time for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Goldman later worked with director Martin Brest on two other acclaimed films, 'Scent of a Woman' (1992) and 'Meet Joe Black' (1998).

Born in New York City, Goldman attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1953. While writing for the college newspaper as Bob Goldman, a typesetter accidentally left off the second "b" in his name. Goldman liked the mistake so much he later legally changed his name to Bo.

Three years in the Army followed college, and he then became an assistant to Jule Styne, the composer. He earned a Broadway credit in 1959 as one of the lyricists for 'First Impressions', a musical based on Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' that Styne's company produced.

'Deadline' further states that he continued working in television, but found sustained success elusive.

Goldman used the late 1960s and early 1970s to write his first screenplay, 'Shoot the Moon', based on his observations of his contemporaries' marriages in crisis. Forman read it and that led to the 'Cuckoo's Nest' assignment.

Goldman's other screenwriting credits include 'The Flamingo Kid' (1984), 'Little Nikita' (1988), and 'City Hall' (1996).

Goldman is survived by son Justin Ashforth; four daughters, Mia Goldman, Amy Goldman, Diana Rathbun and Serena Rathbun; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His wife and another son predeceased him. No memorial plans have been revealed.
Toronto, July 27 : Indo-Canadian candidate Shuvaloy Majumdar has secured a seat in the House of Commons following a by-election victory in Calgary Heritage, a federal electoral district in Alberta province.

The prestigious seat, which was held by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper until his retirement, was left vacant after MP Bob Benzen quit last year.

Majumdar, 43, secured the seat for the Conservative Party with 15,803 votes, while Liberal candidate Elliot Weinstein came in second with 3,463 votes, the Global News reported.

After the results, Weinstein took to Twitter to congratulate Majumdar on his victory and said: "I know you will represent me and all the constituents of Calgary Heritage with honour and respect. I wish you good luck, and I look forward to working together for the betterment of our community".

In response, Majumdar said that it was an honour to share ballot with Weinstein.

"Our democracy is enriched by the participation of strong candidates. Thank you @elliot4heritage for bringing forward your vision for Calgary Heritage in this by-election. It was an honour to share a ballot with you and I look forward to representing all of our great community."

Majumdar is a former policy adviser to Harper and former Conservative Foreign Minister John Baird. He currently works with Harperas international consulting firm.

After Conservative MPs Tim Uppal and Jasraj Singh Hallan, Majumdar has become the third Conservative MP of South Asian origin.

Born and raised in Calgary, Majumdar, son of Indian-origin immigrants, has served in leadership roles promoting democratic reform in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2002, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for his impact in fighting human trafficking.

This year, he was conferred with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for advancing Canadian interests abroad in a disrupted world.

According to his website, his experience led him to work with Harper in government and business over the last 12 years, and before that as foreign policy advisor to both him and Baird.

"He is determined to make Pierre the next Prime Minister of Canada, and serve as a strong voice for Calgarians and Albertans," the website bio reads.

--IANS

mi/ksk
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine terminated the powers of MP Yuriy Aristov ahead of schedule.

Relevant decision was supported by 320 parliamentarians at the plenary session on Thursday, co-chair of the European Solidarity faction Iryna Heraschenko said.

"The Verkhovna Rada terminated the deputy powers of MP Aristov. Some 320 MPs voted 'for," she said in her Telegram channel.

As reported in the media, Aristov was spotted in the middle of July at the five-star Waldorf Astoria Maldives hotel, located on the private island of Ithaafushi (Maldives). In particular, the journalists of Slidstvo.Info publication received confirmation from the resort workers that Aristov was indeed their guest.

Aristov in 2019 was elected as MP of the ninth convocation from the Servant of the People party (number 42 on the list as a non-partisan), a member of the faction of the same name in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. From August 29, 2019, he headed the parliamentary budget committee, but in December 2022, Aristov was elected deputy chairman of the committee on national security, defense and intelligence.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 27 : Kerala Congress president K. Sudhakaran on Thursday alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan got the CM's post by "mercilessly haunting and hunting" Oommen Chandy, and demanded an apology for the ruthless acts of the CPI(M).

Asserting that he is forced to come out with facts on how Vijayan and his party attacked Chandy physically and emotionally, Sudhakaran said, "The other day the CPI(M) leaders said they have never haunted Chandy. Vijayan became Chief Minister by using the Solar scam at the campaign in 2016 and 2021. It was a shameless act by Vijayan when he decided to take a letter from the Solar Scam accused (Saritha Nair) and handed it over to the CBI. But Chandy was unfazed and came out clean."

Vijayan was sure that Chandy would be arrested. "Chandy remained calm and said since he has done no wrong he will not seek anticipatory bail and that happened as he was cleared of all charges, " he added.

"No one will ever forget the rather uncouth behaviour of former CPI(M) Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan when in the floor of the Assembly he levelled absolutely baseless allegations against Chandy's family, by reading it out from a piece of paper," said Sudhakaran.

Then Vijayan turned to the Titanium, Pattoor Land deal and even the Palm Oil cases and tried to arraign Chandy, but here too Chandy came out unscathed. Then the CPI(M) party workers stoned Chandy when he was the Chief Minister and on a visit to Vijayan's home town. But he forgave them, he stated.

Then in the Bar scam case, despite having no role, Chandy came under duress from Vijayan and others and at the end of it, the CPI(M) took the Kerala Congress ( Mani) party against whom they for long was attacking their leader K.M.Mani, into their fold and it turned out to be the last nail in the coffin of political morality, said Sudhakaran.

"No one has forgotten the callous and stupid leveling of allegations of Vijayan when he said in the Rs 2,400 crores proposed Vizhinjam Port project, there was a Rs 6,000 crores corruption. And when Vijayan assumed office, he went forward with the project," the Congress leader alleged.

It's high time that he apologises for the cruel act of hunting and haunting Chandy, an angry Sudhakaran asserted.
New York, July 27 : A form of yoga that focuses on breathing, meditation, and mental visualisation appeared beneficial for older women who had risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and concerns about episodes of memory decline, claimed a small study.

Using a type of MRI that measures activity in regions and subregions of the brain, researchers at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that Kundalini yoga increases activity in a region of the brain impacted by stress and associated with memory decline.

In the study, appearing early online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers studied the effects of yoga compared to the gold-standard approach of memory enhancement training (MET) on connectivity in subregions of the hippocampus, a critical area of the brain for learning and memory. MET is derived from techniques that use verbal and visual association and practical strategies to improve memory.

"Kundalini yoga training appears to better target stress-related hippocampal connectivity, whereas MET may better target sensory-integration subregions of the hippocampus, supporting better memory reliability," said psychiatrist Dr. Helen Lavretsky, director of the Late-Life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Programme at UCLA.

The study included 22 participants who were part of a larger randomised controlled trial studying yoga's effects on Alzheimer's risk. Mean age among the 11 yoga participants was about 61, it was about 65 in the MET group. All had a self-reported decline in memory function during the previous year and one or more cardiovascular risk factors, which can also increase risk for Alzheimer's disease.

These included plaque buildup in arteries, recent heart attack, diabetes, and treatment for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Both the yoga and MET groups had a 60-minute, in-person training session each week for 12 weeks. The Kundalini yoga training was supported with at-home practice of another brief meditative form of yoga Kirtan Kriya.

Based on their findings, the yoga "training may better target hippocampal subregion connectivity impacted by stress, which may aid in processing information, including facial information, into memory," the authors said.

"The key takeaway is that this study adds to the literature supporting the benefits of yoga for brain health, especially for women who have greater perceived stress and subjective memory impairment," Lavretsky said.

"This gentle form of yoga, which focuses more on breathing and mental engagement than on movement, like other forms of yoga, is ideal for older adults who may have some physical limitations."

While the small study suggests these forms of yoga may be of particular benefit to women who report experiencing stress and have additional risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, the authors say future, large-scale studies that have a placebo group or control arm will be needed to clarify the beneficial effects of both yoga and MET on hippocampal connectivity and memory.
Why do PM lie so much, Cong on govt saying no new IITs, IIMs opened in last 5 years. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : Congress on Thursday slammed the Centre over its reply in Parliament that no new Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) have been opened in the last five years, asking why does Prime Minister Narendra Modi lie so much?.

Taking a swipe at the government, the Congress tweeted, "PM Modi said in the US - Today a new IIT and a new IIM are being built in India every year. Now the government has told the Rajya Sabha that not a single new IIT and IIM has been built in the last 5 years. Why does PM Modi lie so much?"

The Congress's remarks came after Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that at present, there are 23 IITs and 20 IIMs functioning in the country.

"No New IIT or IIM has been opened in the last five years," Sarkar said in

a reply to a question.
Kolkata, July 27 : Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday approached the Supreme Court against an earlier order of the Calcutta High Court to remove a shield to file FIRs against him without prior court permission.

The apex court is likely to hear the matter on August 4.

On July 20, the high court's division-bench of Justices Indra Prasanna Mukerji and iswaroop Chowdhury removed the shield which granted to him by a single- judge bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha.

Soon after the shield was removed, the state police filed an FIR against Adhikari on charges of instigating violence in the recently-held panchayat polls.

The FIR was connected to an incident where ballot boxes and according to the police, the incident was prompted by Adhikari.

The police showcased a video where Adhikari was seen at a campaign programme asking voters to throw away ballot boxes in ponds if there is any incident of rigging and false voting.

The division bench has however, maintained that that in case of any coercive action like arrest the police will have to take permission from the court.

"Police can take action after examining the complaints filed and then file FIRs. However, the FIRs should not be filed just for the sake of harassment," Justice Mukerji observed.

As per the order in case of any complaint against Adhikari, the investigating police officials will examine the complaint and prepare a detailed report on it.

That report will have to be forwarded to the office of the state director general of police and the latter will again submit that report to the court.

Adhikari can then be arrested only if the court gives permission for the same.
Udupi : , July 27 (IANS) National Commission for Women (NCW) member Khusbu Sundar said on Thursday that the Karnataka Police have acted as per law in connection with the case of video recording of a Hindu girl while using the restroom by Muslim girls at the Nethra Jyothi Para-Medical College in Udupi.

Speaking to media after holding a meeting with the Udupi District Superintendent of Police Hakay Akshay Machhindra, Khusbu maintained that it is a sensitive matter and it should not be politicised. "I have got the information from the police. The investigation is not over and it is going to take a long time," she said.

"It can't be decided in just one day. The police have taken action as per law. The college management had held a press conference and informed the police of the deletion of the video. The police had lodged a complaint then," she stated.

"Those who speak about the issue must understand the law and should not spread rumors. The protection of girls is important to us. Those girls belong to our families. The solving of the issue is important. I am not here for religious or political reasons. Attempts will be made to solve the issue as a parent," Khushbu stated.

"The political leaders and political parties should not use this episode for political gains. The students are assets and the future of the country. They should be protected and all of us should behave responsibly. I am not here to blame anyone or come here as a politician. I am here as a member of NCW," Khushbu maintained.

She further stated that she will meet the victim and accused girls and get information on why the video recording was done, whether it was done as per the instructions of other persons or was it a prank?

"Presently, due to social media, everyone is trying to become a judge and investigation officer. No one should do this. Rumours should not be spread and let the law take its own course,"she maintained.

Khushbu, who is also a famous actress and politician, had arrived in Udupi on Wednesday to look into the case which had taken communal and political turn.

The BJP has announced state-wide agitation on Thursday demanding legal action against three Muslim girls for filming the Hindu girls in the washroom. The leaders of BJP had claimed that it was an organised crime against Hindu girls. They had attacked the Congress government for carrying out politics of appeasement by trying to hush up the case.

The Karnataka Police are also accused of harassing woman activist Rashmi Samanth for raising her voice regarding the issue. The para-medical college had maintained that the victim was not willing to lodge the complaint against the Muslim girls. The police had maintained that they could not take up the case as there was lack of evidence.

However, after coming under pressure as the development turned out to be a national news, the police had lodged a suo moto case regarding the case and initiated the probe.
New Delhi, July 27 : Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday met suspended AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in Parliament saying that he supports all those who want a detailed discussion on Manipur violence and also a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament.

Akhilesh Yadav, along with his wife and party MP Dimple Yadav, arrived in Parliament and met Singh and suspended Congress MP Rajni Patil.

Speaking to the media, Yadav said, "I support all those MPs who want a discussion on Manipur, the Prime Minister should speak on it."

Taking a swipe at the BJP leaders, he said that the BJP leaders and its people, who speak on every issue and make everyone listen through several mediums, must also speak on the Manipur incident. "Who won't feel ashamed?" he asked.

"He (Modi) keeps on saying that he will take India to new heights but should such treatment be meted out to women in the country, which has been seen by the entire world? Safety and respect of our mother and sisters is paramount even if our economy does not reach anywhere," Akhilesh Yadav added.

Singh was suspended for the remainder of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday for his unruly behaviour while he was demanding for a detailed discussion on Manipur along with the Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha.

Following his suspension from the Monsoon Session, Singh has been sitting on protest in the Parliament premises and is being joined by the leaders of the opposition parties.
Bhopal, July 27 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced to include the particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) Baiga among the most backward tribes in the state.

Baiga also have sub-castes like - Bijhwar, Narotia, Bharotiya, Nahar, Rai maina and Kath maina.

The largest number of Baiga tribes are found in Mandla, Balaghat, Singrauli and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh.

According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, at least seven tribes communities ( Abujh Maria, Baiga, Bharia, Birhor, Hill Korba, Kamar and Saharia ) in Madhya Pradesh have been categorised under the PVTG.

"Particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) Baiga of Singrauli district would be included among the most backward tribes," CM Chouhan said.

He also announced to upgrade the existing 'Charan Paduka Yojana' scheme, which was introduced ahead of the assembly polls in 2018 under which, the government provides slippers, saris and water bottles to 15 lakh tendu leaf pluckers of the state.Now, the government has decided to provide umbrellas to them and for this purpose, an amount of Rs 200 each would be given to each beneficiary.

"I used to feel bad when my sisters used to go barefoot in the forests to pluck tendu leaves and thorn pricked their feet. If the Chief Minister is their brother, why should his sisters walk barefoot? Keeping this in mind, we have upgraded the Mukhyamantri Charan Paduka Yojana. Now, we have decided that umbrellas will also be given to the tendu leaf collectors. For this, an amount of Rs 200 each is being sent to their accounts," Chouhan said.

The Chief Minister made some tendu patta collectors wear slippers with his own hands.

He said, "The double-engine governments are constantly working for the service and welfare of the poor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is providing free food grains, housing, health and all necessary services to the poor. Poor people, who are landless, are being given pattas under the Mukhyamantri Awasiya Bhu-Adhikar Yojana in the state."

--IANS

pd/svn
Bengaluru, July 27 : Taking objection to National Commission for Women (NCW) member Khushbu Sundar's visit to Karnataka to probe the case of camera in the girls' restroom at a college in Udupi city, state Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara said on Thursday that the NCW has not gone to Manipur, but have come here.

Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said that the Karnataka Police have told them that they will verify the facts of the case, and he had also instructed the same to them. "I have not stated that recording of the video by the girlsa is a child's play," he stated.

His statement that those kinds of incidents were reported earlier as well had triggered a controversy.

"Some incidents happen between friends. They will end there itself. The Principal of the college has taken action. They have suspended the students. Initiating additional action with regards to the case is left to them and we can't interfere," he explained.

They (college management) will lodge a police complaint. The police have lodged a suo moto case in this regard already and the investigation by the police will bring out the truth, he said.

The BJP has announced statewide agitation on Thursday demanding legal action against three Muslim girls for filming the Hindu girls in the washroom. The leaders of BJP had claimed that it is an organised crime against Hindu girls. The party attacked the Congress government for carrying out politics of appeasement by trying to hush up the case.

The Karnataka Police were also accused of harassing woman activist Rashmi Samanth for raising her voice regarding the issue.

The para-medical college had maintained that the victim was not willing to lodge the complaint against the Muslim girls. The police had earlier maintained that they could not take up the case as there was lack of evidence.

However, after coming under pressure as the development turned out to be a national news, the police had lodged a suo moto case regarding the case and initiated the probe.
Patna, July 27 : A day after police firing in Bihar's Katihar's district left two dead and one injured, the victims' families held the district administration for the incident.

"Were the victims who died in police firing were terrorists,?" they asked the state government.

Monu Kumar, the brother of one of the deceased Sonu Kumar, said: "My brother

was not a terrorist but he was killed in a police firing. He sustained a gunshot injury on his forehead. In his dying statement, he said that police had opened fire on him and others from a close range."

"When stone pelting started at the office of the electricity department, I was present there. I work as a service agent in the electricity office and my brother came to rescue me. I was struck in the office following stone pelting. The police initially resorted to lathi charge and then fired in the air. They finally fired on the protesters leaving two dead and oneinjured. My brother Sonu Kumar is one of them,"

Monu said.

Another woman who lost his brother said: "Nitish Kumar should tell whether my brother was a terrorist? I will approach the Prime Minister to get justice. The district police and officers are responsible for it. Will not let anyone go scot-free."

Following the incident of Barsoi in Katihar district, not only BJP but the leaders of Mahagathbandhan are also asking questions from the state government.

Sakaeel Ahmed Khan, the Congress MLA from Katihar and CLP leader said: "The

district police have fired at point blank range. When the agitation started, why was the district administration not prepared for it? The people living there are facing a harrowing time due to erratic power supply. The heat and humidity is high in the region and you are firing at them. This a failure of district intelligence, police and civil administration. I demand that the government provide adequate compensation to the victims' families."

Mahboob Alam, the MLA of CPIML said: "It is a failure of the state government. It is responsible for firing on innocent people. Why weren't the district police not prepared to control large crowds? The police fired at an innocent boy who was running to save himself. He sustained a head injury. Who fired those shots? It should be

investigated thoroughly. I condemn this incident in the strongest possible

manner."
Addis Ababa, July 27 : The number of people entering Ethiopia from the violence-hit Sudan is nearing 70,000, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

The IOM said in its latest situation update that the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee to neighboring countries, reports Xinhua news agency.

Figures from the UN migration agency indicate that as of July 23, more than 69,000 people have arrived in Ethiopia through multiple border crossing points in the East African country's Amhara, Benishangul Gumz and Gambella regions.

The IOM said onward transportation is one of the key needs and gaps, which is further compounded by heavy rains that have made the conditions and terrains very difficult for aid workers to provide timely support.

Amid the continued number of people crossing into Ethiopia, the IOM stressed that inadequate access to life-saving services including food, non-food items, water and sanitation, as well as health services, has remained a challenge.

Earlier this week, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairssaid among the total arrivals, the number of Ethiopian returnees account for about 49 per cent while Sudanese nationals make up 30 per cent.

Brutal fighting erupted in Khartoum on April 15 and swiftly escalated in different parts of the country.

The ongoing fighting is pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group.

Both sides have accused each other of initiating the conflict.

Deep differences had emerged between the SAF and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter's integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022.

The conflict has so far killed more than 3,000 people and injured over 6,000 others.
Five residents of Vinnytsia region were injured by falling pieces of the Russian Kalibr missiles that were shot down by the air defense system on Wednesday, Head of Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration Serhiy Borzov has said.

"Yesterday, at around 14:00, two Kalibr missiles were shot down in a Vinnytsia suburb. Five people were injured by falling pieces. All of them received necessary medical aid. There is no threat to their life," he said on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

Household and technical premises were damage. The extent of damage is yet to be evaluated.
Hyderabad, July 27 : The Telangana government has put the entire state administration on high alert in view of the incessant rains that have been lashing the state during the last couple of days.

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari said that as per the directions of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the flood situation in the state is being constantly monitored with the senior officials along with district collectors and superintendents of the police.

The NDRF, SDRF and Fire Service teams have been put on readiness to take up any rescue and relief measures in case of any emergency. A special control room ( 7997950008, 7997959782, 040-23450779) to monitor the flood situation has been set up in the state secretariat.

Three Senior Officials have been appointed in the control room and the situation is being constantly monitored, the Chief Secretary said. Similarly, control rooms have been set up in all the collector offices of the districts.

Two NDRF teams in Bhadradri Kothagudem and Hyderabad districts have been kept in readiness while one NDRF team each has been put in place in Mulugu and Warangal districts.

Several districts in the state, particularly from North Telangana have been experiencing continuous downpours from Wednesday night. Rainfall ranging from 30 to 40 cm has been recorded in these districts.

Moranchavagu in Moranchapalli village of Bhupalpalli district has been in spate and as a result the entire village is submerged. She said the district administration has shifted the villagers of Moranchapalli village to a safer location. One NDRF team is being despatched to Moranchapalli village, while steps are being taken to send one helicopter to the village. Collector and SP of Bhupalpally district are constantly in touch with the villagers and personally monitoring the situation.

In another incident, 80 tourists stranded near Muthyaladhara in Mulugu district were rescued late Wednesday night. Children of a residential school in Mulugu district headquarters were being shifted to other schools as waterlogging was reported in the residential school.

As several colonies in Warangal and Hanumakonda town are under water due to heavy rains, the district administration is taking steps to evacuate the colony residents and shift them to safer places.

Meanwhile, the Godavari river is flowing dangerously at Bhadrachalam and as such a second danger alert has been issued. As there is every likelihood of the flood water reaching the third danger alert mark, steps are being taken to shift people living in low-lying areas to relief camps.

As there is a lot of outflow from the Kadem project, measures are being taken to shift the people living in the catchment areas to safer places. As the ponds, canals and tanks are up to the brim in several parts of the state, various measures have been taken to prevent any untoward incident. The Chief Secretary advised the people not to venture out near the causeways and other vulnerable areas.

The Chief Secretary informed that the flood situation in the state is being constantly monitored with the collectors and SPs of the districts through teleconference on an hourly basis. Senior officials and various heads of departments are also constantly monitoring the situation from the Secretariat, she added.
Bhubaneswar, July 27 : US-based Silicon Power Group has proposed to set up a 150 mm silicon carbide manufacturing facility in Odisha with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.

The investment will be made by the group's Indian Subsidiary, RiR Power Electronics, Odisha Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said on Thursday.

Harshad Mehta, promoter of the group and an electronics and semiconductor industry veteran with four decades of leadership experience, has submitted a letter of intent to the delegation of Odisha government, which is on an official tour to the US, it said.

Started in 1994 by Mehta and headquartered in the US, Silicon Power is a major technology developer and solutions provider in the design, development, manufacturing and testing of high-power semiconductor devices and utility-applicable systems.

This will be a first-of-its-kind manufacturing facility in Odisha and will serve as a testament to the efforts the government of Odisha has put-in to develop a semiconductor ecosystem in the state.

A company team, led by Mehta will visit Odisha within one month, and the company has committed to start operations in the next 18 to 24 months, the CMO said.

During a comprehensive and wide-ranging discussion with the company team, the Odisha delegation gave a presentation highlighting Odisha's industrial ecosystem and the generous package of incentives available under different policies, including in the upcoming semiconductor manufacturing and fabless policy which was recently approved by the cabinet.

After holding discussion with the team, the company submitted an LoI to set up the manufacturing facility in the state. It will bolster the industrial landscape and create significant employment opportunities in the state, the state government said.

The US firm operates in India through its subsidiary, RiR Power Electronics, which serves customers in a range of fields, including industrial, electric utility, railways, renewables, and defence.
Chikkamagaluru : , July 27 (IANS) A minor girl student was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a government-run hostel in Koppa town of this district on Thursday.

According to police, 14-year-old Amulya, a resident of Narve village in Koppa taluk, was found hanging from the washroom door in the government-run Morarji hostel.

The parents of the deceased ninth grade student have alleged foul play in the incident.

Statements of hostel mates and friends of Amulya are being recorded with regard to the incident.

More details are yet to emerge in the case.
Hooligans will be dealt with batons and bullets: Bihar minister on death of youths in police 'action'. Image Source: IANS News

Patna, July 27 : A day after two youths were killed, allegedly in police action on protesters in Katihar district, Bihar Power Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav on Thursday said that if people would indulge in hooliganism, the police would resort to batons and bullets.

"In monsoon season, rain and lightning are regular feature. Hence, power supply needs to be cut off to prevent any untoward incident. As power supply was disrupted in the area, some youths started pelting stones on the electricity office. They have broken the gate and dismantled the office properties. The district police eventually took action against them. The state government has given a probe order and DM and SP of the district are investigating the incident," Yadav said.

"The youths were violent. They pelted stones. What would police do in such a situation? They would resort to batons and bullets," Yadav said.

Miffed with erratic power supply in Barsoi block in the district, youths pelted stones on the electricity office on Wednesday. In retaliation, the police initiated lathicharge, fired some rounds in the air to disperse them but failed and then opened fire in which three persons sustained gunshot injuries and two of them died on the spot.
Oppn MPs are dressed in black to protest BJP govt's failures in Manipur: Raghav Chadha. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday once again hit out at the BJP over its "failure" in curbing the Manipur violence .

He said that the state, which is an integral part of India, is facing a turmoil, while the Modi government is consistently failing to fulfill its constitutional obligations to restore peace.

On Thursday, the MPs belonging to the INDIA alliance made a powerful statement by wearing black clothes in Parliament to condemn the atrocities and brutality faced by the people of Manipur.

Chadha emphasised that the gesture was a symbolic protest to show solidarity with the people of Manipur during this distressing time.

He further added that the aim is to convey to the government that silence on the suffering of Manipur's people is unacceptable, and they must take decisive action.

Chadha said that it was the central government's responsibility to intervene and protect Manipur as mandated by the Indian constitution, specifically referring to articles 355 and 356.

He called for the immediate dissolution of the state government and the removal of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
Story of infamous outlaw Veerappan to be showcased in 'The Hunt for Veerappan'. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, July 27 : A biographical true crime docu-series on India's infamous outlaw titled 'The Hunt for Veerappan' will be premiering on OTT on August 4.

Many aspects of Veerappan's life that have remained hidden in the dark forests of South India will now be showcased on the series.

Directed by first-time docu director Selvamani Selvaraj, the series is produced by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan, along with Kimberley Hassett, and will drop on Netflix.

Selvamani said: "For years, we had heard tales about Veerappan's notoriety, yet no one truly knows what made him the dreaded criminal that he became and still be known as the Robin Hood for a section of the society. In this docu-series, through meticulous research, we have been able to dig deep into his complexities, unearthing untold stories and unexplored facets of his life."

Helmed by Bakshi, one of the producers behind the International Emmy award-winning series 'Delhi Crime' and 'Hassett', who is the co-producer of 'Bikram: Yogi', 'Guru', 'Predator'.

It will premiere exclusively on Netflix on August 4.

The series delves into the unseen and unheard, presenting firsthand accounts from individuals close to Veerappan and those who tirelessly sought to capture him. From shedding light on the authorities' struggle to apprehend him to providing a political and social commentary that reveals the politics of disparity, the docu-series unravels his captivating tale and the disorder that ensued.

Apoorva Bakshi of Awedacious Originals said: "Veerappan was the most infamous outlaw in the 1990s India, and his story is still relevant today for its profound historical and cultural significance. We strived to uncover his unique psyche beyond the physical image many know, through the accounts of those who have labored tirelessly with and against him."

"Our continued association with Netflix has enabled us to deliver an authentic, thought-provoking and seminal show giving viewers a comprehensive understanding of the man and his life," he added.

Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India said: "We are committed to telling the most compelling untold stories from India in many diverse formats. Our next offering, 'The Hunt for Veerappan' is a docu-series about the most notorious and dreaded bandits of India. This is an important story that Selva, Apoorva and Monisha have brought to life with a great amount of passion and rigour to uncover facts and truths about Veerappanas life."

The four-part docu-series will take viewers through the hunt in Tamil and English. It will also be available in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam, ensuring that audiences across different regions can join in the pulse-pounding chase and experience the untold story of Veerappan in their own language.
Madrid, July 27 : Hundreds of residents, as well as 100 children attending a summer camp, have been evacuated after a wildfire began on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain, which is currently raging.

The regional government confirmed that the fire has burned around 200 hectares, while around 100 firefighters from the Canary Islands group have been mobilised, along with nine aircraft and helicopters, reports Xinhua news agency.

Spanish Civil Guards evacuated residents from the Pico de Nieves region of the island, as well as 240 inhabitants in the municipality of Cuevas Blancas.

Three roads in the area have also been closed to traffic.

This week's blaze is the second major wildfire to affect the Canary Islands recently, coming just a week after another wildfire burned 3,500 hectares on the nearby island of La Palma.
San Francisco, July 27 : As Twitter is being rebranded to X, the company has updated its Android app by replacing it with the new logo and name.

"The X app is the trusted digital town square for everyone," the company said in the app's description.

With X, users can "post content for the world to see and join public conversations" and "stay up to date on breaking news", it added.

Users can also go live with Spaces for audio or stream live video, and communicate privately with Direct Messages. Moreover, they can subscribe to Blue subscription to expand their reach, get a blue checkmark, and more

"Earn a living creating exclusive content for your paid subscribers and share in the ad revenue generated in replies to your posts," the platform said.

It also mentioned that users can upload and watch videos up to 3 hours in length, and much more.

However, it remains unknown when the company will rebrand its iOS application.

Twitter owner Elon Musk had started hinting at the rebranding on Sunday with a series of tweets, starting with one that said, "soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds".

On Monday, the X logo replaced the Twitter blue bird on the platform's web version.

Musk also changed the company's official account's name to 'X' on the platform along with its picture.

On Tuesday, he clarified that "Twitter was acquired by X Corp both to ensure freedom of speech and as an accelerant for X, the everything app. This is not simply a company renaming itself, but doing the same thing".

"The Twitter name made sense when it was just 140 character messages going back and forth -- like birds tweeting -- but now you can post almost anything, including several hours of video."

He further said that in the coming months, the company will also add comprehensive communications and the ability to conduct the "entire financial world."

Earlier this week, workers were seen removing letters from the iconic vertical sign at Twitter's headquarters.

However, the work was halted by the police.

--IANS

aj/ksk
Lucknow, July 27 : The personal data and contact details of the students sought by the Union ministry of education, has not been welcomed by principals and parents.

According to an official, "To ensure there is no duplicity in students' records, the Union ministry of education has asked all private, government and aided schools to update student database on the centralised portal Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+)."

The UDISE+ portal is collecting students' data from all the schools through a survey to use it as a parameter for policy making, distribution of grants (for government schools) and performance indicator for different national and international-level surveys, the official added.

This data includes extremely personal information regarding students, the principals said.

The principal of a prominent English medium school sought consent from parents before sharing any such personal information with a third party.

In a bulk message sent to parents, the principal said the DIOS (district inspector of schools) has requested all schools in the district to submit data for each student on the UDISE+ Plus (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) portal.

"This data includes extremely personal information regarding our students, parents' names, permanent address, contact numbers, personal email IDs Aadhaar numbers, various medical tests/ mental health details of our girls and other such information. Hence, parents' consent is a must," said the principal of an all-girls' school.

The parent of a student in a co-educational school said, "It is not right to ask for personal details. I hope parents of all boys and girls say no to the above form."

The schools have asked parents to submit the form before 6 p.m. on Friday (July 28). The school shared a link with the parents to fill the form. It is mandatory for all parents to fill the form, the principal said in her message to all the parents.

Anil Agarwal, president of Unaided Private Schools Association, UP, said, "We really do not know for what purpose personal details need to be uploaded on the government portal. We tried to reach out to a number of government officials. Nobody has an answer to it."

While it is mandatory to update information related to the schools' infrastructure, teachers, enrollments, etc., the new module for students was introduced from this session.

Schools are required to submit information regarding every individual student, including their subjects, educational performance, social demographics and body mass index, along with the strengths and weaknesses of the student, the official said.

--IANSamita/dpb
July 27 : Filmmaker Anil Sharma says finding a replacement for Amrish Puri Saab in Gadar 2 was an impossible task, as the legendary actor cannot be replaced.

Anil Sharma was interacting with Newshelpline on the sidelines of Gadar -2 trailer launch in Mumbai.

Late actor Amrish Puri played the role of main antagonist in Gadar-1, and his role has its own cult following.

Talking about finding a worthy replacement for the legendary actor in Gadar-2, filmmaker Anil Sharma said, Finding a replacement for Amrish Puri Saab is impossible, I miss him a lot, had he been alive he would certainly be a part of this movie. Over time there were only two questions that the whole country has ever asked me, first who will be the villain of this movie, and second what kind of music will the movie have, will it match the music of Gadar -1 or not.

The prep was done, the movie started rolling and we were still trying to find our villain, and trust me I tried everywhere, down south, Bollywood, and out of the country, we did so many screen-tests, but to no avail. We were concerned until someone showed me a video of Manish Wadhawa, and after a screen-test and many meetings, we kind of took a sigh of relief added Anil.

Gadar-2 stars Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Utkarsh Sharma, Manish Wadhwa, Simrat Kaur, Luv Sinha and more. The film is penned by Shakitmaan Talwar.

Set in 1971, against the Crush India Movement, Sunny as Tara, returns to Lahore to get his son Jeete (Utkarsh) back. The film is slated for 11th August 2023 release.
Board Chairman of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytsky has said that the population of Ukraine should prepare or, if possible, buy power generators for the winter season, "just in case."

"Prepare [power generators] for the winter season! If possible, buy some stand-alone power sources  it is a good idea. Let them be just in case," he said at a press conference in Kharkiv on Thursday.

Kudrytsky said that it is impossible to forecast a possibility of blackouts or power outages as it depends first of all on the character and successfulness of the Russian aggressor's attacks. He stressed that the preparations for winter are very important.

"We do not know what the enemy is preparing for us this winter. What we can do is to prepare. There are three participants of the battle: the AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine], the power engineers and the citizens of Ukraine," he said.

The official also stressed that the consumers can significantly help to prepare the energy system for the heating season.

"Ukrainians are one of the nations with the largest stock of power generators, and now we should become one of the most energy saving nations. This is also a requirement of the time, a matter of stable operation of the energy system," he said.

Kudrytsky said that it is necessary to use electricity effectively, especially during the house of a maximum load on the energy system in the evening.

"This does not mean that you should refuse from using electricity. This means that you should get used to effective consumption of energy resources," he said.
Damascus, July 27 : Firefighters are battling numerous wildfires amid a scorching heat wave in Syria's northwestern province of Latakia and have managed to control most of them, said officials.

Latakia Governor Amer Ismail Hilal said that firefighters have been trying to control new blazes in the area for two days as flames have burned large swathes of agricultural and forest areas, reports Xinhua news agency.

About 70 per cent of regional fires were controlled, the Civil Defense Commander in Latakia told local media.

He noted that the fires randomly broke out in areas not connected to each other.

The current fires in Latakia started on Tuesday in a forest region.

Strong winds and the difficult-to-reach mountainous terrain contributed to the rapid spread of fire.

According to Bassem Douba, director of agriculture and agrarian reform in Latakia, preliminary estimation indicated that over 5 square km were completely burnt.

An investigation into the cause of the fires and a final estimation of their damage are underway, said officials.
New Delhi, July 27 : Jaypee Infratech resolution under IBC has netted the highest realisation as a percentage of admitted claims at 88 per cent among the top ten cases.

Jaypee Infratech insolvency commenced in 2017 and concluded in 2023 with the NCLT order gave a realisation of Rs 20,363 crore.

In the list of top 10 companies on the basis of total admitted claims resolution plan approved till March 2023, Essar Steel resolution in 2017 and concluded in 2019 remains the highest at Rs 42,231 crore or 77.40 per cent in terms of total realisation of the admitted claim, as per a compilation by IBC Laws.

Dewan Housing Finance resolution which commenced in 2019 and concluded in 2021 had a realisation of Rs 37,167 crore or 42.60 per cent of admitted claims.

Bhushan Steel resolution which commenced in 2017 and concluded in 2018 had a realisation of Rs 36,771 crore or 63 per cent of admitted claims.

Bhushan Power and Steel resolution which commenced in 2017 and concluded in 2019 netted a realisation of Rs 19,894 crore or 41 oer cent of claims.

Aircel insolvency process started in 2018 and concluded in 2020 realised Rs 6,677 crore or only 18 per cent of the admitted claims.

Electrosteel Steels resolution started in 2017 and concluded in 2018 gave a realisation of Rs 5,320 crore or 38 per cent of the admitted claims.

Alok Industries resolution commenced in 2017 and concluded in 2019 gave a realisation of Rs 5,115 crore or 16 per cent of admitted claims.

Reliance Infratel resolution commenced in 2018 and concluded in 2020 which gave a realisation of Rs 4267 crore or 10 per cent of admitted claims.

Ruchi Soya insolvency started in 2017 and concluded in 2019 with a realisation of Rs 4,223 crore or 34 per cent of admitted claims.

Amtek Auto insolvency commenced in 2017 and concluded in 2020 and netted Rs 2,618 crore or 20 per cent of admitted claims.

Essar Power MP insolvency started in 2020 and concluded in 2021 with a realisation of Rs 2,500 crore or 19 per cent of admitted claims.

Reliance Naval and Engineering insolvency started in 2020 and concluded in 2022 with a realisation of Rs 2,043 crore or 15 per cent of admitted claims.

Jet Airways resolution commenced in 2019 and concluded in 2021 with a realisation of Rs 1,133 crore or 7 per cent of admitted claims.

Lanco Thermal Power insolvency commenced in 2019 and concluded in 2021 with a realisation of Rs 136 crore or 0.41 per cent of admitted claims.
New Delhi, July 27 : A 17-year-old teenager was stabbed to death by two of his neighbours in Delhi's Narela area on Thursday amid a dispute which had been going on between the three of them for the past one year, a police official said.

The official said the two accused, who are brothers of which one is a minor, have been apprehended.

At 2.14 a.m., a PCR call informed the police that a person had been stabbed on his neck and stomach.

A police team which was immediately rushed to the spot, found a person lying in a pool of blood.

Upon inquiry, the person was identified as Rahul, a resident of Swatantra Nagar in Narela.

"He was immediately rushed to the SRHC hospital where the doctor declared him brought dead due to the stab injuries," Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer north) Ravi Kumar Singh said.

During preliminary probe, it was revealed that the two accused -- Deepak (22) and his17-year-old brother had an argument with Rahul.

"The accused and victim are neighbours and stay in the same building of the locality. They had an ongoing dispute of a general nature for the last one year. Last (Wednesday) night, as the argument aggravated, the minor accused caught hold of Rahul while Deepak stabbed him with a knife, as revealed by the witnesses.

"The weapon of the offense was seized, and both the accused were apprehended. An FIR under section 302 and 34 of the IPC has been registered at Narela police station," the DCP added.

--IANS

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Jairam Ramesh accuses Piyush Goyal of inciting party MPs to block Kharge, says all limits of decency crossed. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday alleged that Leader of House in the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal instigated party MPs to obstruct Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge from demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the Manipur violence in the House.

In a tweet, Ramesh, who is also Congress general secretary communication in charge said, "BJP continues to cross all limits of decency and decorum in Parliament. Today morning no less than the Leader of the House Piyush Goyal actively instigated BJP MPs, who then obstructed Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge-ji from speaking in the Rajya Sabha to raise INDIA's demands for Prime Minister's statement on Manipur and for a discussion on it thereafter."

His remarks came after Goyal in the Upper House said that those wearing black clothes can't understand the growth of a country and its reputation across the globe.

"The past of these people was black and their future is also black. I hope their lives are enlightened," Goyal added.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed adjournments after uproar over the Opposition MPs demanding for a detailed discussion on Manipur and a statement by the Prime Minister in the House.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media outside Parliament, Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister was running away from giving a statement on the Manipur issue.

He said, "People of this country are aware of the political scenario in this country and they will fight against injustice. The Prime Minister is running away from making any statement in the Parliament, which is the temple of democracy and giving political statements in Rajasthan by opening the medical college."

The Opposition MPs then staged a protest and raised slogans against the government outside Parliament along with suspended AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have witnessed disruptions in the Monsoon session over the Opposition's demand for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence, where ethnic clashes erupted on May 3.

Hundreds of people have died and thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps in Manipur.
Islamabad, July 27 : As Pakistan moves towards bringing in a caretaker setup to see through the process of a political power transition in the wake of the general elections, former Prime Minister Imran Khan seems to be running out of options to tackle and delay his legal battles.

Currently, hundreds of cases, including treason, corruption, exposing state secrets and contempt, are registered against Khan, forcing him to spend hours with his legal team to find ways to get relief from the courts.

For months now,Khan and his legal team have been trying to tackle the legal hearings either by questioning the legality of the cases, getting bails or by becoming part of the proceedings.

However, these tactics are also proving to be futile, especially in cases with serious repercussions and outcomes, which may result in arrest, political disqualification and in some cases, even capital punishment.

Some of the major cases that might put the former premier's political career to rest are the Toshakhana, Al- Qadir Trust Fund and the Cipher probe.

In the Toshakhana (gift depository) case, Khan is accused of illegally selling the gifts he received as Prime Minister from various diplomats and heads of state of countries.

He is accused of using his office to have less than market price evaluated and then selling them off to international market vendors on a much higher price, before settling a percentage of the evaluated cost.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had issued a landmark verdict into the Toshakhana reference, disqualifying Khan from holding public office for at least five years.

The case was filed in August 2022 by the country's ruling coalition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

In the Al-Qadir Trust Fund case, Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are accused of obtaining land worth billions of rupees from business tycoon Malik Riaz to build an educational institute named Al-Qadir University.

A backdoor illegal deal with Riaz has caused a loss of more than $239 million to the national exchequer, in a quid pro quid arrangement with the real estate businessman.

In December 2019, Riaz had agreed to hand over assets, including properties worth $239 million, to the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) in an investigation related to "dirty money".

Later, Riaz made arrangements with Khan through closed-door meetings to route the money back to his account by using government's channels and offered the then sitting premier to use that money to buy land and build the Al-Qadir Trust University near Mianwali, Punjab.

Moreover, Riaz allegedly also gave diamonds to Khan's wife and also bought acres of land as a return to the former premier's support.

Khan and Bushra Bibi are the trustees of Al-Qadir trust.

The case puts Khan in trouble for using his public office and powers to favour Riaz and route the money back into his account.

It was in this reference that Khan was disqualified by the ECP.

Later, he challenged the case in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) through different petitions, challenging the legality behind ECP's verdict against him.

However, it is a fact that Khan has been deliberately keeping himself away from the investigation into the case being done by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), resulting in issuance of his arrest warrants for failure to cooperate in the investigation "willfully and intentionally".

This has forced Khan to appear before NAB and the Islamabad High Court.

Legal experts say that Khan's intent to delay the case through non-appearance seems to indicate that his legal team may not have enough evidence to prove his innocence.

Khan claims that the case is political motivated and is intended to remove him from political race.

The third crucial case is of Cipher, the famous paper flash that Khan did during a public rally in Islamabad, claiming that he has possession of a diplomatic wire in his hand, which indicated of a US-led conspiracy of a regime change by ousting him off power.

Khan slammed the country's military establishment and his opposition political parties for committing treason by conspiring with the US to oust him, a campaigned narrative through public gatherings.

However, after months, he took a U-turn from his position and stated that US had nothing to do with the conspiracy and the country's military establishment and the PDM did that it.

However, his claim that of possessing the diplomatic cipher, shared by Pakistan's then US Ambassador and its public flashing on a paper, has attracted serious legal implications for Khan as a diplomatic cipher is something that holds sensitive information and its leak is considered punishable under country's Secret Act and treason.

Legal experts say that there is a political motive behind all these cases against Khan.

The government wants to ensure that he is disqualified and removed from the political race for the next political government.

On the other hand, Khan wants to ensure that he delays the cases as much as possible and see through the general elections before any verdict is announced against him.

But with the military establishment and the ruling coalition government standing against Khan, the legal rope seems to be tightening and may well bring about the end game to his political career.
New Delhi, July 27 : Two men, including a passerby, sustained bullet injuries after a man opened fire in southeast Delhi's Nizamuddin area, police said on Thursday.

The injured have been identified as Md. Kamal (35), a resident of Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Raju (45), a resident of Alvi Chowk in the Nizamuddin area. Both are now out of danger.

Providing details about the incident, a senior police official said on Wednesday around 11:00 p.m., a police control room call was received informing that a man fired three rounds at another man near Kit Care Restaurant.

"On receipt of this call, a police team immediately rushed to the spot, where they learned that the injured had already been shifted to the hospital. The Investigating Officer collected the medical legal certificates (MLC) of Kamal from AIIMS Trauma Centre and MLC of Raju from Safdarjung Hospital. Both the patients had sustained gunshot injuries," said the official.

The statement of an eyewitness was recorded, who stated that on Wednesday, he along with his friend Alam was going towards Alvi Chowk and when they reached near Kit Care Restaurant, a man dressed in black came from behind and suddenly fired 3-4 rounds, targeting Kamal, and then fled from the spot.

"A passerby also got injured due to the gunshots. Meanwhile, the eyewitness heard some people shouting that one Kabeer had fired on Kamal. The eyewitness took both the injured persons to the hospital by hiring an auto-rickshaw," said the official.

"A case of attempted murder, read with 25/27 Arms Act, has been registered, and the investigation is in progress to ascertain the motive behind the crime and to apprehend the culprit," the official added.
London, July 27 : An Indian crewman was killed and at least 20 others injured when a fire broke out onboard a cargo ship carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles, off the Dutch coast.

Several crew members jumped off to save themselves from the fire that erupted on Tuesday night on the 199-metre Panama-registered Fremantle Highway as it was en route from Germany to Egypt.

The Indian Embassy in the Netherlands said it was in touch with the victim's family and making efforts for his repatriation.

"We are deeply saddened by the incident involving Ship 'Fremantle Highway' in North Sea, resulting in the death of an Indian seafarer & injuries to the crew. Embassy of India is in touch with family of the deceased & is assisting in repatriation of the mortal remains," the Embassy tweeted on Wednesday.

"Embassy is also in touch with the remaining 20 injured crew members, who are safe and receiving medical attention. All possible assistance is being extended in coordination with the Dutch authorities and the shipping company."

According to the Guardian, the ship's owner said an electric car in the cargo was suspected as a possible cause for the blaze in the area, which has been declared a Unesco world heritage site and has a rich diversity of more than 10,000 aquatic and terrestrial species.

After the fire, rescue ships sprung into action and sprayed water on to the burning vessel to cool it down.

In addition, a salvage vessel was hooked on to stop the ship from drifting.

A helicopter airlifted the remaining people from the 23-strong crew off the burning ship.

The injured crew were being treated for breathing problems, burns, and broken bones, the Guardian said quoting local Dutch authorities.

"The ship is still on fire. The recovery vessel Hunter has an emergency connection to the ship and is holding the ship in a controlled position. Multiple parties are working on an action plan to limit the damage as much as possible," the Coast Guard said in a post on Twitter.

--IANS

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Geneva, July 27 : A staggering 92 million children in Europe and Central Asia, comprising half of the region's young population, face heightened exposure to the frequent heat waves, twice the global average, the Unicef said in a new policy brief published on Thursday.

Countries in these parts of the world are feeling the heat of the climate crisis, and children's health and well-being are suffering the most, Xinhua news agency quoted Regina De Dominicis, the Unicef regional director for Europe and Central Asia, as saying in the brief.

"This is expected to rise to all children in 2050. The multitude of negative implications on the current and future health of such a significant proportion of the region's children must be a catalyst for governments to urgently invest in mitigation and adaptation measures," she said.

The brief highlights that children are exceptionally susceptible to the repercussions of heat waves, with their core temperatures rising significantly higher and faster than adults, placing them at serious risk of illnesses, including heatstroke.

Furthermore, heat waves also affect children's education by hampering their ability to concentrate and learn, said the report.

In recent years, heat waves in Europe and Central Asia have become more frequent with no signs of abating, and the frequency is set to increase even further over the coming years.

Under the most conservative estimates of a global temperature increase at 1.7 degrees Celsius, the report warned that a concerning future awaits children in Europe and Central Asia.

By the year 2050, every child in the region is predicted to experience high heat wave frequency.

Disturbingly, approximately 81 per cent of these children will be subjected to prolonged periods of intense heat waves, while 28 per cent will encounter even more severe heatwave conditions, according to the brief.

To protect children, Unicef has outlined six recommendations for governments across Europe and Central Asia, including incorporating heatwave mitigation and adaptation into climate-related commitments, disaster risk reduction, disaster risk management policies, and keeping children at the center of all plans.

Governments should also invest in primary health care to support prevention, early action, diagnosis, and treatment of heat-related illness among children, including training community health workers and teachers, the UN agency said.

They can further invest in national climate early warning systems, carry out local environmental assessments, and support emergency preparedness and resilience-building initiatives, it added.
San Francisco, July 27 : Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced a wide range of healthcare-related applications and services that include generative artificial intelligence (AI) resources designed to assist clinicians in transcribing and evaluating their conversations with patients.

The company launched AWS HealthScribe, a new HIPAA-eligible service empowering healthcare software vendors to build clinical applications that automatically generate preliminary clinical notes by analysing patient-clinician conversations.

With AWS HealthScribe, users can provide a robust suite of AI-powered features designed to accelerate clinical documentation in their clinical application, according to the company.

Healthcare application builders can integrate AWS HealthScribe in their clinical application to provide key highlights of the patient visit to the medical practitioner.

"By consolidating these capabilities, AWS HealthScribe reduces the need for training, optimising, and integrating separate AI services and building custom models, allowing for faster implementation. Customers can focus on delivering value to their end users without worrying about optimising individual AI components," AWS said in a blogpost on Wednesday.

Moreover, the company mentioned that 3M Health Information Systems (HIS), Babylon Health and ScribeEMR are among the companies already using HealthScribe. "Machine learning on AWS enables 3M HIS to transform clinician workflows and laborious processes to help health care organizations streamline clinical documentation and billing," said Garri Garrison, President, 3M HIS.

AWS HealthScribe is available in preview in the US. Amazon has also announced AWS HealthImaging, a service designed to make it easier to store, transform, and analyse medical imaging data "at a petabyte scale".

Customers can use HealthImaging to run medical imaging apps from a single copy of each medical image in the AWS cloud.

It also supports dynamic pricing for active and archive data, as well as "subsecond" image access latencies from AWS' Frequent Access or Archive Instant Access storage tiers.
Patna, July 27 : In a bid to continue the illicit relationship with his sister-in-law, a man in Bihar's Bhojpur district gave hormonal injections to his wife for nearly four years, a police official said.

Due to continuous hormonal injection, the 25-year-old woman's body grew way beyond her age with abnormal hair growth on her face.

According to the police, an FIR has been registered in Udwantnagar police station on the direction of Buxar SP who was approached by the woman's parents who lived in a village under Brahampur police station in Buxar district.

The woman got married to a native of a village that comes under the limit of Udwant Nagar police station in Bhojpur district in 2018.

As per the complaint, the man has an illicit relationship with his sister-in-law and started to assault his new wife soon after their marriage.

Later, he started injecting hormonal injections into her body leading to complications. When the torture continued unabated, the woman complained to her parents but the accused confined her in a relative's house in Patna's Bihta block.

As per the victim's brother, for the past eight months, the accused had not given any information about his sister.

After a frantic search, he managed to locate the place in Bihta and rescued his sister and admitted her to PMCH in a very bad state.

"We have registered an FIR on the direction of senior officers of Buxar and Bhojpur district and rescued the woman and handed over to her family members. The investigation is currently underway," said Baijnath Chaudhary, SHO of Udwant Nagar police station Bhojpur.

IANS

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Taking into account materials of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), a court has ruled to seize the property of the family of former Head of Odesa Regional Army Recruitment and Social Support Center Yevhen Borysov, his relatives made an attempt to remove a Porsche car from the country.

"Taking into account materials of the SBI, a court ruled to seize the property, money and bank accounts of former Head of Odesa Regional Army Recruitment and Social Support Center Yevhen Borysov and his family members," the SBI said on its website on Thursday.

The seized property includes land plots with a total area of more than 2 hectares in Odesa region, two houses in Odesa with a total area of more than 420 square meters, a household in Odesa with an area of 78.5 hectares, two apartments and one third of apartment in Odesa, cars Toyota Land Cruiser 2023, Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 2022, Mercedes-Benz EQV 2022, Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 2021, Porsche Macan GTS 2016, and Audi A6 1999.

"At the same time, trying to hinder further legal proceedings, Borysov's relatives tried to remove part of the property abroad. The car Porsche Macan GTS 2016 was stopped at the Palanka-Mayaky-Udobne checkpoint while trying to cross the border," the SBI said.

The car was registered for Borysov's daughter-in-law and is an evidence in the case against the former military commissar.

"The investigation has reasons to assume that the car was purchased illegally. The car was seized," the Bureau said.

Criminal proceedings were launched against Borysov on several articles on illegal enrichment. The SBI detained the former military commissar.

The SBI said that during the pre-trial investigation, a huge body of evidence was collected, however, media reports were also studied for a full and impartial investigation. The materials of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention will also be examined, which also revealed signs of illegal enrichment by the former Odessa military commissar for more than UAH 188 million.
Jaipur, July 27 : : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that Lal Diary, the latest product of the loot shop, will wrap up the Congress in the forthcoming elections. He was speaking in Sikar during his tour of Rajasthan.

He said that earlier the process of development in Rajasthan by the Central government was going on continuously, but ever since the Congress government has been formed here the work of creating hurdles in the development work is going on. The Congress government means a shop of loot and market of lies. The latest product of this loot shop is Lal Diary. Modi said that no matter how much force is used, but the Lal Diary is going to wrap up the entire Congress in this election. Congress leaders are being silenced in the name of Lal Diary. In a democracy, the government has to give an account of its work, but the one who only sleeps for four years, how will it give an account of his work? These people have ruined the governance every day in mutual tussles and fight for supremacy. Modi alleged that it is said that the black deeds of the Congress government are recorded in the Lal Diary. People are saying that if the pages of the diary are opened, new facts will come out. Sikar is known as the city of education, but here the people of the ruling party are running the paper leak industry. They have played with the dreams of youth, that's why the Congress will have to be removed, he added.

Raising questions on the law and order situation in Rajasthan, Modi said that even our Teej festivals are under threat here. He also commented on INDIA, the new name announced by the Opposition alliance, and said that SIMI too had India in it but it was a terrorist organisation.

Modi released Rs 17000 crore as Kisan Samman Nidhi in the accounts of farmers in Sikar. He inaugurated five medical colleges in the state and also laid the foundation stone of seven new medical colleges. He reached the meeting place at Sanwali Circle of Sikar where BJP state president CP Joshi welcomed him on the stage. The PM started his address with Shyam Baba's slogan. He said, "This land of Khatu gives hope to the whole country." He added that we have done the work of changing the traditions of slavery with full confidence. Efforts have been made to give the country's heritage and Indian ideas their proper place.

Modi also listed the achievements of his government. He said that the poor have pucca houses and low cost treatment facilities, in the last 9 years we have made plans keeping in mind the future of the coming generations. Today, the respect for Indian talent is continuously increasing in every country and every sector. That's why in the last nine years, a huge focus of the government has been on skill development.

Modi put an end to the ongoing Twitter war between the PMO and CM Ashok Gehlot by saying said that Gehlot could not attend the program due to a leg injury. He said, "CM Ashok Gehlot has been ill for some time and has injured his leg. He was supposed to attend the program today, but could not due to his health."

-- IANS

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New Delhi, July 27 : Union Minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal on Thursday assailed the opposition leaders for wearing black clothes, saying that like their attire their future is also black.

Opposition MPs reached Parliament wearing black clothes to protest against the Manipur unrest. They are also demanding a discussion on the issue and a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Goyal said, "I think those who are wearing black clothes cannot understand the growing power of the country. Their present, past and future are dark. Their hearts are black, and this time they are also wearing black."

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a statement on India's foreign policy and its growing influence in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. However during this time, the opposition MPs kept raising slogans for a discussion on Manipur issue in the House.

Regarding Jaishankar's address, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien said the priorities of PM Narendra Modi's minister and government are clear after reading out an endless 30-minute statement on foreign affairs in Parliament. He said that for the Prime Minister, tourism is more important than the sufferings of the people in Manipur.

The opposition parties, including the Congress, have demanded that the Manipur violence issue should be discussed in detail under rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha. They say that the Prime Minister should make a statement in Parliament on the issue of Manipur violence and then that statement should be discussed.

On the other hand, the government has given its approval for the short duration discussion. Regarding the aforementioned demand, there is a continuous confrontation between the opposition and the ruling party in the Parliament.

Amidst this situation, the opposition MPs decided to wear black clothes in Parliament in protest over the Manipur issue.
San Francisco, July 27 : Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is rolling out new safety tools for when users receive messages from unknown phone numbers, on Android beta.

The app will now show a new screen the first time beta users receive a message from an unknown phone number, reports WABetaInfo.

With the new safety tools screen, the company intends to tell users what they can do when they receive messages from unknown numbers.

The screen provides users with quick options to block unknown contacts or report them to the moderation team.

It also gives users information about how to stay safe in chat by checking the profile name, the profile photo and the country code of the phone number.

"In case you receive a message from an unknown phone number, the sender

won't be notified that you've read their messages until you choose to reply or add the contact to the address book, providing you with added privacy and control over your interactions," the report said.

The new safety tools are available to some beta testers that install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update, and are expected to roll out to more users over the coming days.

Earlier this week, the messaging platform was rolling out a feature on Android beta, which allows users to create new groups while forwarding messages.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the platform was working on an animated avatar feature for Android beta, to help improve users' interactions.

 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.16.6: what's new?



WhatsApp is rolling out safety tools when receiving messages from unknown phone numbers. This feature is available to some beta testers!https://t.co/N7lkOUD7Ud pic.twitter.com/R0xg22486I  WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 27, 2023

The animated avatars will likely bring more life and personality to stickers, allowing for a more expressive communication experience.

Meanwhile, last month, it was reported that the Meta-owned platform was rolling out a feature on Android beta, which allows users to send high-quality videos.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Los Angeles, July 27 : Actor Hugh Grant's portrayal of an Oompa Loompa in the upcoming film 'Wonka' has been one of the movie trailer's biggest highlights, though it's also had its new share of controversy as certain dwarf actors have attacked the casting choice, stating that studios are closing their doors for dwarf actors.

Famous British dwarf actor George Coppen who has been seen in projects such as 'The School of Good and Evil' and 'Willow' told BBC in an interview, "A lot of people, myself included, argue that dwarfs should be offered everyday roles in dramas and soaps, but we aren't getting offered those roles."

"One door is being closed, but they have forgotten to open the next one." He further added, "They've enlarged his head so his head looks bigger. (I thought) what the hell have you done to him?", as reported by 'The Hollywood Reporter'.

In the movie trailer, Wonka meets Grant's Oompa Loompa, who is inside a glass jar, and upon witnessing the small humans for the first time, he says "So you're the funny little man who's been following me?"

The Oompa Loompa then proceeds to reply, "I will have you know that I am a perfectly respectful size for an Oompa-Loompa." In the film, the Oompa Loompa played by Grant is 20 inches tall, while the average height of an adult with dwarfism is 58 inches.

In an earlier interview with 'The Hollywood Reporter', director Paul King had said that Hugh Grant was the perfect candidate to play an Oompa Loompa, as the characters are noted for their morbid and sarcastic sense of humour, and he needed somebody to embody that.

He said: "I was really just thinking about that character; somebody who could be a real s***, and then  ah! Hugh! Because he's the funniest, most sarcastic s*** I've ever met."

'Wonka' acts as a prelude to Roald Dahl's famous novel 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and tells the story of how the eccentric and sketchy chocolatier Willy Wonka became the massive candy titan he is in the book.

As such, the movie is an origin story about Willy Wonka where 'Dune' actor Timothee Chalamet will play the titular role of a younger version of Willy Wonka, which will cover his childhood, love of chocolates and making them an how he meets the mischievous Oompa Loompas.
Cipla clarifies on reports of promoters looking to sell part stake. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : Cipla has clarified that the company is not aware of any event that requires disclosure under Listing Regulations.

"The Company will make appropriate disclosure in compliance with the Listing Regulations as and when any such requirement arises," the company said in a filing.

The clarification came regarding reports that Cipla promoters are looking to sell a part stake in the promoter shareholding to private equity investors.

Cipla was up 9.62 per cent in trade on Thursday at Rs 1171 on BSE.

Param Desai - Research Analyst, Prabhudas Lilladher said Cipla's Q1FY24 EBITDA was 13 per cent above our estimates, aided by higher GMs (64.3 per cent) and US sales of US$222mn.

"We continue to remain positive on growth across key segments including India and US given 1) strong traction in respiratory and other portfolio, 2) potential growth of +10 per cent in domestic formulations and 3) sustainability of current US revs, backed by prospective key launches over FY25," he said.
Bengaluru, July 27 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on Manipur violence, saying that he knows that his ideology has "burned" the northeastern state.

He also hit out at the RSS and the BJP accusing them of only wanting to grab power without bothering about the pain and sufferings of the people.

While addressing the Indian Youth Congress's (IYC) National Youth Convention titled 'Behtar Bharat Ki Buniyaad' via video conferencing in Bengaluru from Kerala, the former Lok Sabha MP said, "All of you have seen what has happened in Manipur and what is happening there. And you will be surprised that the Prime Minister has not said a word about Manipur."

The Congress leader said that the Prime Minister of the country must speak

when a state is burning.

"You must have felt that the Prime Minister should have visited Imphal and met people there. If there was any other Prime Minister from earlier times, they would have spoken to the people for sure," he said.

Slamming the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi said, "All of you are surprised why the Prime Minister is not visiting Manipur or speaking about it. It's because he is the Prime Minister of a select few and the RSS."

"He knows that his ideology has burned Manipur. But the pain and sorrow of the people of Manipur and the scar on the women of Manipur does not move Modi," he added.

Attacking the BJP and the RSS, the Congress leader said that both of them want to grab power and are not bothered about the pain and sufferings of the people.

He said there is a fight of ideology going on in the country. "On one hand there is RSS and BJP's ideology and on the other is Congress' ideology. There are parties in Opposition, but the fight is between the ideology of the Congress and of the BJP and the RSS.

"Congress's ideology is of taking all together, spread love and fight against the unequal social system whereas BJP and RSS want select people to run the government with all the wealth confined to very few, and all the institutions remain in control of few people whether its judiciary, election commission, schools, colleges or Army," he said.

The Congress leader said that the institutions and the country belong to every individual of every caste, religion and everyone should be protected and

there should be brotherhood.

"The BJP and the RSS want power. For power they can do anything. They can burn any state whether it is Manipur and others like UP, Haryana and Punjab because they need power. They don't get affected by the pain and they only need power and this is the fight," he said.

When the former Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Wayanad joined the youth convention in Bengaluru via video conferencing, the workers raised slogans calling him the next Prime Minister of India.

The Congress leader is currently in Kerala Arya Vaidya Shala for his knee treatment.

Gandhi had also visited Manipur last month for two days and met the victim families and the people taking refuge in the relief camps. He also met the Governor and appealed for peace in the northeastern state.

The Congress and other opposition parties have been demanding a statement

from the Prime Minister over the situation in Manipur in both houses of Parliament and a detailed discussion over the issue in the state.

Notably, ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 and since then hundreds of people have died while thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.
Guwahati, July 27 : Police on Thursday said that the brother and mother of prime accused Najibur Rahman has been detained in the triple murder case.

Ankita Ghosh, the sole survivor of the family, claimed that she complained to the police last year about an attack where the mother of the prime accused pulled her hair and the older brother kicked her in the stomach. However, she alleged that the police did nothing at the time.

The police detained the brother, Hizbul Rahman, who had been evading arrest since the incident, and his mother, Saleha Begum, for questioning after Ankita made the explosive remark in front of media.

Superintendent of Police in Golaghat district, Pushkin Jain told reporters: "We have been investigating every possible angle related to the murder. The brother and mother of the prime accused are being interrogated. If required, we shall arrest them."

He said that the prime accused Najibur Rahman has confessed his crime before the police, but since the statement at police custody is not admissible at the Court, the police have been collecting proof to present a strong case against the accused.

Meanwhile, the police team took Rahman to the house of deceased Sanghamitra Ghosh and her parents and the crime scene was re-created.

There were allegations that the prime accused used to consume narcotic substances and whether the drug nexus played any role in the triple murder.

Jain said, "We have been investigating that side also."

Earlier this week, Najibur Rahman who was married to Sanghamitra Ghosh, resident of Hindi School Road locality in Golaghat town killed his wife and parents of her -- Sanjeev Ghosh and Junu Ghosh.

Ankita Ghosh, sister of Sanghamitra Ghosh alleged that she did a video call to her sister on Monday evening when she saw that Rahman was trying to attack the family with a machete.

She informed the neighbours and when they went to the house, they discovered that Ghosh and her parents were lying in blood.

The accused, Najibur Rahman fled with the infant boy of Sanghamitra. However, a few hours later he surrendered to Golaghat police station with the infant.
New Delhi, July 27 : It's almost been two weeks with brands revealing their upcoming phone flaunting LED light design patterns over social media. That has stirred quite a discussion around who's doing better? TECNO too caught the attention of the consumers when it dropped its latest teaser for the POVA 5 Pro 5G donning a multi-coloured LED light back panel and is set to give a tough competition to Nothing Phone (2).

Even though the light design resembles to the Nothing Phone, TECNO has an advantage over here as, unlike Nothing's single white LED light, POVA 5 Pro seems to support RGB colours at the back.

As per the teasers circulated on the internet, the brand has named light design as Arc interface and the same offers multiple functionalities with respect to incoming calls, music, and more.

Earlier in June 2022, the company launched POVA 3 with a single RGB LED light strip at the back panel, which received much praise among users.

Taking the innovation one step ahead, the company is ready to announce its POVA 5 Pro 5G with the Arc Interface multi-coloured back panel, expected to launch in August 2023 on Amazon.

TECNO is known for launching best-in-segment features at competitive pricing. Considering the disruptive pricing of its Phantom V Fold, making it the most affordable fold phone in India, it is expected that POVA 5 Pro 5G will be launched at an aggressive pricing too.

Looking at the teasers, POVA 5 Pro 5G seems to be positioned towards fuelling the aspirations of GenZ and seeing the consistent innovation from TECNO, the smartphone likely feature some best-in-segment attributes coupled with a premium 3D textured design.

The exact specs are not known as of now but considering the specs of the previous POVA series smartphone, it is expected that the phone will boast a powerful processor, a big battery, and fast charging speed.

Video Link for Music Functionality: https://we.tl/t-eXY7Uku52g

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.in/l/88139339031
Patna, July 27 : Soon after Bihar Power Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said people indulging in violence will face batons and bullets, former minister and BJP MLA Niraj Kumar Singh 'Bablu' on Thursday sought an FIR under Section 302 (murder) against the former.

Bablu said that BJP workers will take to the streets and see how "police of Nitish Kumar are killing people".

"The law and order situation has crumbled in the state. The police of Nitish Kumar are busy extorting levies on liquor and sand. They do not dare to fire on criminals but they do initiate lathi charge on common people and open firing on them as well," Bablu said.

"Erratic power supply is an open secret in Bihar. The situation is worse in the district where Bijendra Yadav comes from. People are miffed with erratic power supply and wrong billing but when they raise their voices, police fires on them," Bablu said.

"I demand an FIR against the state government and the minister under IPC section of 302 (murder). The Bihar power minister is talking like a cruel person. He said that those who would do unruliness would face batons and bullets," Bablu said.

"The innocent people were protesting and police fired on them. They were not criminals or terrorists. They were common people," Bablu said.
NIA cracks down on newly floated outfits of banned terrorist organisations in J&K. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested one more accused for promoting violent activities of the proscribed terrorist outfit ISIS.

NIA official identified the accused as Adnanali Sarkar (43). The central agency arrested Sarkar following raids in Kondhwa, Pune.

"Several incriminating materials, such as electronic gadgets and several documents related to the ISIS, during searches at Sarkar's Kondhwa house were seized. The material exposed the accused allegiance with the ISIS and his role in promoting the outfit's violent agenda by motivating and recruiting vulnerable youth," the official said.

NIA said that the accused had hatched a conspiracy to further ISIS terrorist activities in the country.

The agency said that Sarkar was trying to disturb the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of the country, and wage a war against the Government of India as part of the ISIS conspiracy through the organisation's like 'Maharashtra ISIS module'.

NIA had registered the case on June 28.

On July 3, the NIA had arrested four accused: Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Mumbai, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba from Pune, and Sharjeel Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala from Thane after extensive searches in Mumbai, Thane and Pune.

NIA said that they will continue to probe the Maharashtra ISIS module case to unravel all the full contours of the conspiracy.
To south of Bakhmut, Ukrainian soldiers gradually moving forward, repelling enemy attacks to its north - Maliar

In Bakhmut direction south of Bakhmut, Ukrainian soldiers are gradually moving forward, several enemy attacks have been repelled in Kupyansk and Lymany directions, said Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Maliar.

"Fighting continues in the area of Klischiyivka, Kurdiumivka, Andriyivka. The fights are quite tough. The enemy is firing intensely. To the north of Bakhmut, we are repelling enemy attacks," Maliar wrote on the Telegram channel.

She noted that the enemy is attacking in Kupyansk direction, trying to dislodge the Ukrainian forces from the dominant heights.

"Today, our defenders have repulsed several assaults without losing positions," the Defense Ministry noted.

Several enemy attacks in the area of Serebryansky Forest were also repelled in Lymany direction today, the deputy minister said.
Mumbai, July 27 : Actress Sushmita Sen, who has returned from her European vacation, recently took to her Instagram and conducted a live session where she spoke about her health.

The actress had earlier suffered a heart attack during the filming of the third season of her hit streaming show 'Aarya'.

During the live session, a fan inquired about her health to which she replied as, "My health is fabulousa I have been eating well."

Her followers were also excited to get some updates about her upcoming project, 'Aarya 3' in which she avenges the murder of her husband by the durglords. Although she did not reveal anything major about the show's third season as she is bound by a contract, she expressed that she has a lot to share about all the work they did before the health scare happened and all the action they shot after her recovery.

"I am waiting for 'Aarya 3'. I think it's going to be very lovely this time. There is a lot that has gone into it, so many things to tell you when we finally discuss 'Aarya' about all the stuff that we did, pre-health scare and all the action we did post. I hope you like it," she said.

Sushmita Sen captioned the post, "#instalive #justbeing I missed you guys!!!! Love you for all the goodness you bring to my lifeaALWAYS!!! #yourstruly #duggadugga."

Fans were shocked when they learned about the actress's heart attack earlier. The actress had revealed about the heart attack in an Instagram post a few months ago.

The actress had shared a picture with her father and wrote: "Keep your heart happy and courageous, and it'll stand by you when you need it the most Shona (Wise words by my father @sensubir). I suffered a heart attack a couple of days back. Angioplasty done, stent in place, and most importantly, my cardiologist reconfirmed 'I do have a big heart' (sic)."

"Lots of people to thank for their timely aid & constructive actionawill do so in another post! This post is just to keep you (my well wishers & loved ones) informed of the good news athat all is well & I am ready for some life again!!! I love you guys beyond!!!! #godisgreat #duggadugga", she wrote in her caption.
Jaipur, July 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attacked the Opposition alliance 'INDIA', alleging that India name is also there in East India Company and Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as well.

Attacking 'INDIA' during a rally, Modi said, aThe Congress and its allies tried to change their name. If a generation or a company gets defamed, immediately the company's people start their work by installing a new board. Congress and its allied parties are copying such fraud companies and have changed the name from UPA to I.N.D.I.A. The name was changed so that they could hide the betrayal of the farmers in the name of loan waiver and can hide the matter of kneeling down in front of terrorism."

"Just as Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan 'Quit India' for the British in the freedom struggle, similarly slogans like Corruption Quit India, Terrorism Quit India, Familyism Quit India are needed to make a prosperous India," said Modi.

He further said that India name is also there in East India Company.

aThe name India was not used to show devotion to India, but with the intention of looting India. Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was formed during Congress regime, India was also there in it, but the aim was terrorism. This name was changed to Popular Front of India. New name, same old job. Had it cared about India, it would not have asked foreigners to interfere in India," said Modi.

Attacking Congress on the recent episode of Lal Diary as narrated by its sacked minister Rajendra Gudha, the Prime Minister said, "The Congress government means shop of loot and market of lies. The new product of 'loot ki dukaan' is Lal Diary."

Modi further said that ever since the Congress government was formed in Rajasthan, the work of creating hurdles in development is going on.

Commenting on paper leak, he said, aSikar is known as the city of education, but here only the people of the ruling party are running the paper leak industry. They have played with the dreams of youth, that's why Congress will have to be removed."

"There is also a threat to our festivals in Rajasthan. When the stone pelting starts, when the curfew will be imposed, cannot be known. The fearless accused of gangrape make the video viral. From small girls to the teachers who teach in the school, none are safe here. Instead of taking action, Congress leaders are accusing the victim women of lying," said Modi.

Earlier, in a programme held in Sikar, Modi released Rs 17,000 crore as the 14th installment of the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. An installment of Rs 2000 was transferred to the accounts of around 9 crore farmers. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was also supposed to attend this programme, but he skipped it.

The Central government also launched Urea Gold for the farmers. Modi said that the sack of urea which the farmers of the country are getting for Rs 266, is available in Pakistan for Rs 800. It is available in the neighboring country China for Rs 2,100 and in America for Rs 3,000.
New Delhi, July 27 : The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to extend, till September 15, the tenure of the present ED Director Sanjay Mishra, who was due to demit office on July 31 in accordance with its recent judgement.

"In ordinary circumstances we would not have accepted such an application...taking into consideration larger public interest, we permit the ED Director to continue till September 15, 2023," a special bench of Justices B.R. Gavai, Vikram Nath, and Sanjay Karol ordered.

However, the bench clarified that it will not entertain any further application by the Centre seeking extension of tenure of the present ED Director. It said that Mishra will cease to hold the post from the midnight of September 15/16, 2023.

At the outset of the hearing, the bench asked whether the ED does not have any other competent officer to deal with the FATF review.

"Are you not giving a picture that your entire department is full of incompetent officers? You have only one officer? Is it not demoralising the entire force?" queried the special bench.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, repeatedly urged before the court that any change in leadership at the ED would adversely impact India's national interests in view of the ongoing FATF Review which is at a critical stage.

"Circumstances are unusual. From November 3, FATF will visit India. This is a peer review of the past 5 years. This isn't an annual exercise. Continuity will help the country," he said.

"It is not that one person is indispensable. It's just that continuity will help give a better presentation to the international body. We need continuity to put forth that before the international body," he added.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body which has developed its recommendations to prevent and combat money laundering and terror financing. Around 200 countries, including India, have committed to implement these standards. The FATF conducts peer reviews of all its member countries on a regular basis to assess levels of implementation of the FATF recommendations and provide an in-depth description and analysis of each country's system for preventing criminal abuse of the financial system.

On the other hand, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi opposed the application for extension, saying that Centre is making an attempt to get a review of the judgment rendered by the apex court.

Senior advocate Anoop G. Chaudhari, representing original writ petitioners, argued that in relation to FAFT, the main authority is Union Revenue Secretary and application filed by the Centre is "misconceived" and "deserves to be rejected".

Advocate Prashant Bhushan went on to say that the Centre's application is a "gross abuse of process of court" and a review application has been filed in guise of an application seeking extension.

In its order delivered in open court, the bench allowed the Union government's request "in view of the larger public interest", but granted an extension only till September 15, while the application moved by the Centre has requested extension up to October 15.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court agreed to constitute a special bench to hear the Centre's application on July 27 after Mehta sought an urgent listing of the matter.

In a judgement on July 11, the Supreme Court dubbed the extension of Mishra as "illegal" for violating the mandate of the top court's judgment in 2021. However, the top court had allowed him to continue in the post till July 31 taking into consideration the concerns expressed by the Union government with regard to the FATF review and taking into consideration that the process of fresh appointment would take some time.

The court had held that the extension granted to Mishra was contrary to an earlier 2021 judgment rendered by a division bench of the Supreme Court in this regard.

Mishra was first appointed as ED Director for a two-year term in November 2018. His term expired in November 2020. In May 2020, he had reached the retirement age of 60.

However, on November 13, 2020, the Central government issued an office order stating that the President had modified the 2018 order to the effect that a time of 'two years' was changed to a period of 'three years.' This was challenged before the Supreme Court by the NGO Common Cause.

The Supreme Court in a September 2021 verdict approved the modification, but ruled against granting more extensions to Mishra. After the court's decision in 2021, the Central government brought in an ordinance amending the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act, giving itself the power to extend the tenure of the ED Director by up to five years, and the law in this regard was subsequently passed by the Parliament.

"Challenge to CVC Act and Delhi Special Police Establishment Act is dismissed to that extent. Extension granted to Sanjay Kumar Mishra after Supreme Court verdict is illegal. However, he is permitted to hold office till July 31, 2023," the court had ordered on July 11.
37 fliers placed on 'no fly list' this year so far, 63 in 2022: Govt. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : A recent incident of hoax threat at the Delhi Airport has prompted a thorough investigation by the Delhi Police.

On the night between July 24 and July 25, an unidentified individual made a threatening call to the police, claiming that a flight crash was imminent on July 25.

In response, the police registered a case under the relevant sections of the law and initiated a probe.

The caller, speaking in Hindi, said, "Kal ek flight crash ho jayegi" (a flight will crash tomorrow). However, on July 25, no such incident occurred, leading the police to conclude that the call was indeed a hoax.

First Information Report (FIR) filed in connection with the incident indicated that the alleged caller deliberately created fear and nuisance among the public by giving false and misleading information, causing unnecessary panic.

The police quickly delved into the matter after receiving the PCR call, which was forwarded to the investigators for further examination.

"The subsequent enquiry revealed that the mobile number used to make the threatening call was registered under the name of one Abhinandan Kumar, a resident of Gaya in Bihar," as per FIR accessed by IANS.

Moreover, I J James, the shift in-charge of DIAL Security and Vigilance at Terminal-3, IGI Airport, filed a complaint that they received information from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Delhi about the threat conveyed through the Delhi Police, warning of an imminent air crash at the IGI Airport on July 25.

"Further in the above pretext a complaint was also received from I J James, shift in-charge, DIAL Security and Vigilance, Terminal-3, IGI Airport, wherein it is reported that they received an information from ATC, Delhi that an information was received through Delhi Police that tomorrow there will be one air crash at IGI Airport," the FIR read.

"The caller created nuisance, fear in public by giving false information/call, for wrongful restraints to the public," it added.

"From enquiry conducted so far, from the contents of the PCR Call and circumstances it revealed that offence is made out and a case under 182, 341, 505(1) (B) and 507 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at IGI police station," a senior police official said.
New Delhi, July 27 : Extremely heavy rainfall is likely to continue over Telangana, Vidarbha, Konkan, Goa and ghat areas of central Maharashtra on Thursday while a decrease in rainfall activity over south peninsular India and increase in rainfall activity over East India will take place from Saturday, the IMD said, In a bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that northwest India is expected to experience light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall over Uttarakhand from Thursday to July 31.

"Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and west Uttar Pradesh are likely to witness such rainfall from Thursday to Saturday, while east Uttar Pradesh will experience it from Friday to July 31. Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir will also receive rainfall on Thursday and Friday, with isolated very heavy rainfall expected in Himachal Pradesh and west Rajasthan on Thursday," it said.

In central India, light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is anticipated from Thursday to Saturday, with isolated heavy rainfall. Vidarbha will likely experience isolated extremely heavy falls on Thursday, and Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha will have isolated very heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

The weather agency further predicted that west India is expected to receive light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall from Thursday to Saturday.

"Konkan, Goa, and ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra will likely experience isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period, while Gujarat and Marathwada will receive rainfall on Thursday and Friday. Konkan, Goa and ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra may also see isolated extremely heavy rainfall on Thursday, with Mumbai city and adjoining areas likely to receive very heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday," said the IMD.

South India is expected to have light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall from Thursday to Friday, it said.

"Telangana, coastal Karnataka, and north interior Karnataka will likely experience isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on these dates, and Rayalaseema and south interior Karnataka on Thursday. Telangana might witness isolated extremely heavy rainfall on Thursday," said the IMD.

It also predicted that east India is expected to have light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall over Odisha from till July 31.

"Sub-Himalaya West Bengal & Sikkim will likely receive rainfall from Thursday to Saturday, Jharkhand from Saturday to July 31, and Bihar on July 30 and 31," it said.

Northeast India is anticipated to experience light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall from Thursday to July 31. "Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya may witness isolated very heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday," it added.

--IANS

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San Francisco, July 27 : Elon Musk's rebranding of Twitter as 'X' has resulted in the microblogging platform being temporarily blocked in Indonesia, owing to the country's strict laws prohibiting online pornography and gambling.

According to Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Informatics, the domain had previously been used by sites that did not adhere to the country's strict laws against "negative" content such as pornography and gambling, reports Al Jazeera.

Director General of Information and Public Communication at the ministry, Usman Kansong, stated that the government has been in touch with X to gain clarity on the nature of the website.

"Earlier today, we spoke with representatives from Twitter and they will send a letter to us to say that X.com will be used by Twitter," Kansong was quoted as saying.

Due to the recent move, Indonesians are currently unable to access the platform, which is said to have approximately 24 million users in a population of 270 million people, the report said.

In 2022, Indonesian authorities threatened to block websites such as Netflix, Google, Instagram, and Facebook if they did not remove "content deemed unlawful, or that disturbs public order". Netflix and TikTok were previously banned in the country, in 2016 and 2018, for "inappropriate content".

Musk announced the sudden switch as part of a larger plan to transform Twitter into a "super app" similar to China's WeChat. In theory, X can be used for payments, messaging, and other non-social tasks. Meanwhile, Musk has had a long history with the letter and brand "X". The most well-known example is SpaceX, another company in which he serves as CEO. Then there's xAI, Musk's AI-focused venture, and X Corp, his corporate shell firm. He even named his son "X A A-Xii". Musk bought back the X.com domain in 2017 after being the original owner since 1999.

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 27 : : The monsoon session of the West Bengal assembly on Thursday afternoon witnessed ruckus as the BJP legislators protested and walked out of the house following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on Nandigram assembly constituency in which Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari won following an alleged rigging.

The Chief Minister made the remarks while participating in a debate on the adjournment motion by BJP on the recent violence in the recently concluded panchayat polls.

"Have you forgotten about the Nandigram polls? How results changed after power cut during the counting? Have you forgotten that? Why are you becoming so sensitive?" the Chief Minister questioned the Leader of Opposition.

Adhikari won 2021 elections from Nandigram assembly constituency defeating Mamata Banerjee, who later got elected from a by-election from Bhawanipur assembly constituency in Kolkata. Since then, Leader of Opposition has ridiculed the Chief Minister about her defeat.

Following Chief Minister's remarks, BJP started protesting within the house and later staged a walkout holding black flags.

Later BJP legislator Ambika Roy said that the Chief Minister raised the Nandigram issue to divert attention from the main point of the adjournment motion which was violence in the recently concluded panchayat polls.

"This is for the first time since the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls that adjournment motions was moved on behalf of the party came for discussions. That's why the Chief Minister raised the Nandigram issue to divert attention from the panchayat poll violence," he said.

However, in the midst of protests by the BJP legislators, the chief minister stuck to her stand and continued with her speech.

"I too have the right to say and question how the results at Nandigram changed after the power cut. Why are you all shying away now," the Chief Minister said.
New Delhi, July 27 : Acrimonious scenes were witnessed in the Lok Sabha, which almost boiled over to a confrontation between Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday.

During heated exchanges, the Commerce Minister even taunted the opposition members for wearing black clothes, which they wore as a mark of protest against the Manipur violence.

The drama began during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's suo moto statement on India's foreign policy, which got drowned amid vociferous sloganeering and protests by the Congress-led opposition, who stood in the well of the House wearing black clothes, seeking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence and response on Manipur.

During the course of Jaishankar's elaborate statement, when he referred to Prime Minister Modi's US visit, BJP members started chanting "Modi! Modi!"

The opposition members in retaliation started shouting "India! India!"

After Jaishankar's statement, Kirit Solanki, who was in the Chair, asked the protesting opposition members to return to their seats so that he can allow them to speak.

When Chowdhury started speaking, while referring to a 1978 no-confidence motion, Goyal objected immediately and instructed the BJP members not to allow him to speak, in retaliation to the opposition creating a ruckus when Jaishankar was speaking.

As BJP members started shouting, all the opposition members returned to the well of the House and began shouting back.

Solanki, amidst all the bedlam, said that Speaker Om Birla has given the permission for the no-confidence motion and has assured that after speaking to all the floor leaders, he will grant time and date for discussion on it. He asked the opposition members not to throw papers in the well.

Chowdhury said that he only wanted to be given time to speak. However Solanki asked the Commerce Minister to pilot the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2023.

Goyal said that before he speaks on the bill, he wants to say a few words on the opposition's conduct. Taunting them for wearing black clothes, he alleged said that what was there in their minds, was visible in the colour of their clothes. He repeatedly referred to the word "black", however most of his comments were later expunged by the Speaker's office. Once the bill was passed after a short discussion, the House was adjourned for the day.

When Goyal was replying to the discussion on the bill, opposition members started shouting slogans, saying "Piyush Goyal go back, go back!" Incidentally Goyal was replying from a back bench instead of his seat in the front rows, apparently to avoid not being heard in the chaos.

Later, Chowdhury told IANS that he "was only trying to say in the House that as per rules, when the no-confidence motion has been accepted, no substantive motion of policy matter should be brought before the House by the government".

He added that the protests by the opposition members will continue .
Chandigarh, July 27 : As the ongoing anti-drug campaign, Punjab Police on Thursday achieved major success after at least 67 villages and 20 wards of Sangrur district have passed a resolution to oppose and socially boycott drug sellers and make their villages drug-free.

This achievement came amidst the series of Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) focused on drug trafficking, anti-social elements, and criminals being conducted by the police to make the state a drug-free and crime-free state.

On Wednesday, residents of two notorious areas in Sri Muktsar Sahib district, including Midda village and Mohalla Chhajghar of Malout, pledged to stay away from drugs.

On day four, the CASO was conducted in two districts of Patiala range -- Sangrur and Barnala -- on the directions of Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.

The entire operation was conducted under the overall supervision of Inspector General of Police, Patiala range, Mukhwinder Singh Chhina and SSPs were directed to meticulously plan this operation and deploy maximum police force.

While congratulating the Sangrur Police team for achieving this milestone, Special DGP, Law and Order, Arpit Shukla exhorted the public to come forward to eradicate the menace of drugs from the state to transform it into the aRangla Punjaba.

He said the police have not been leaving any stone unturned to nab the drug smugglers to break the drug supply, but the public support is a must to cut the demand.

Divulging more details, the Special DGP said the police teams have arrested 11 anti-social elements after registering eight FIRs during the operation.

Apart from this, the police teams have also rounded up 60 suspicious persons for questioning, he added.

The Special DGP said the strong force of 1,200 plus police personnel under the supervision of SSP Sangrur Surendra Lamba and SSP Barnala Sandeep Kumar Malik carried out CASO in drug hotspots identified in their respective districts.

Meanwhile, IGP Chhina has specially invited 10 such panchayats for a meeting to appreciate their efforts in the fight against drugs. He urged more people to join hands with the Punjab Police to wipe out drugs from the state.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 27 : Google on Thursday announced to invite applications for the eighth batch of its startup accelerator programme in India that aims to nurture startups looking to leverage the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

"We are excited to invite AI-first startups from India between Seed to Series A stage to apply for the eighth cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator: India programme," Google said.

Google for Startups Accelerator (GFSA) is a three-month, equity-free programme that brings the best of Google's programmes, products, people, and technology to Indian tech startups leveraging AI/ML.

For the next batch, Google is looking for Indian AI-first startups working across different sectors to solve complex problems and tackle the toughest challenges in their industry. Applications for the programme are open until August 22.

Startups based in India working across different sectors using AI in their core solution or product, including generative AI are eligible to apply.

They should preferably be between Seed to Series A stages, according to Google.

The selected startups will receive hands-on mentorship, in addition to training on product, design, growth and leadership development.

The programme will conclude with a Demo Day to grow visibility within the ecosystem and founders can continue to receive support after the programme wraps through the Google for Startups alumni network.

In June 2023, the tech giant kick-started the seventh class with 20 Seed to Series A startups.

The batch is currently underway, and the startups are engaging with mentors and Google teams to address their technical, product, and business challenges.
During a working trip to Mykolaiv region on the Day of the Medical Worker, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited medical institutions in Mykolaiv and Ochakiv.

"In the surgical department of the hospital in the regional center, the head of state talked with children who are being treated after mine-explosive injuries that they received during the shelling of the region by Russian occupiers," the presidential press service reports.

Zelenskyy talked with medical workers and congratulated them on their professional holiday.

As the President noted, the state should value doctors even more and improve the conditions of their important work.

"I know in what security conditions you work. I want to thank you for your great work, for bringing children back to life, in particular from other regions that are our future," he said.

The President also presented state awards to the military and civilians. In particular, military doctors received the Order "For Courage" of the III degree and the Order of Danylo Halytsky.

In Ochakiv, Zelenskyy visited a stabilization medical center where defenders of Ukraine, wounded on the front line, receive assistance.

The President got acquainted with medical equipment and the work of the medical and nursing team. The Head of State inspected the equipment of the wards, the dental office, the laboratory and the surgical department of the first-aid post.

In Ochakiv, Zelenskyy also presented military doctors with the Order "For Courage" of the III degree, the Order of Danylo Halytsky, medals "For Military Service to Ukraine" and "For Life Saved."
Bhubaneswar, July 27 : In a major crackdown in the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) question paper leak case, the Odisha Police have arrested eight more persons including the mastermind in the case, Balasore SP Sagarika Nath said on Thursday.

So far, 17 persons including the mastermind have been arrested in the question paper leak case, she said.

The OSSC had conducted the main written examination for recruitment of 1008 JE (civil) Group-B posts in different offices of the government of Odisha 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.

Briefing media persons in Balasore, the SP said that the question paper was leaked from the printing press, which is located outside Odisha. A worker of the printing press has handed over the question paper to the mastermind, who intimated his close associates in Bihar about the question paper.

"After knowing that the question paper is from Odisha, they expanded their network to Odisha and were able to identify the candidates. They made a deal with the candidates to provide them the question paper on July 15 night or July 16 morning. In return, the candidates will have to pay 50 percent of the amount if the question paper is found to be genuine and remaining 50 percent after selection," Nath said.

The mastermind was earlier arrested by Delhi crime branch in a similar case registered against leakage of question paper for recruitment of SI and ASI conducted by central SSC during 2013-14. They were also involved in similar cases in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, she informed.

There was continuous communication between the mastermind and the printing press staff, whose brother belonged to the native place of the mastermind.

On July 11, the employee informed the mastermind about the availability of the OSSC question paper. On the next day, the main accused travelled to the place where the printing press is located and collected the question paper. Then, committed the crime, Nath said.

The mastermind of this crime, Vishal Kumar got selected into the Comptroller and Auditor General services through the Central Staff Selection Commission's (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination of 2013. He joined as a divisional accountant in the accountant general's office, Patna in 2016.

Prior to this job, he was in the post of tax assistant in income tax department, Durgapur, West Bengal from mid-2014 to 2016.

The modus operandi of the racket is trying to get their hands on the question paper after the final copy is printed and before it is sent to the respective examination centres by the printing press. They then take away the original certificates of the candidates and provide them with the leaked question paper. After the exams were over, if the questions matched, the candidates were asked to pay half the amount instantly and the other half after the results were declared.

However, in this case, the initial investigation revealed that there was no transaction between the accused and the candidates, as at the time of the raid the examination was not conducted.
Mumbai, July 27 : Actor Parth Samthaan, who was recently seen in the streaming series 'Social Currency', is set to make his Bollywood debut with the upcoming romantic comedy film 'Ghudchadi' for which he recently dubbed his dialogues in a Mumbai studio.

The actor, who is known for his work in 'Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan' and 'Yeh Hai Aashiqui', will be sharing the screen with veteran actors like Aruna Irani, Sanjay Dutt, and Raveena Tandon in his Bollywood debut.

The movie has been written and directed by the talented debutant director Binoy Gandhi.

As he took to the dubbing studio, the film marked the final phase of its post-production.

" 'Ghudchadi' has been an incredible journey for me," he shared.

"Working alongside such experienced actors and a fantastic team has been a dream come true."

Parth plays the lead role of a charming young man. His character's journey from confusion to clarity and the series of hilarious escapades.

The actor said: "I fell in love with the script the moment I read it. It's a romantic comedy with a heart, and I believe the audience will connect with the story and the characters."

Stepping into the world of cinema from television, Parth acknowledged the support he received from his co-stars, especially the industry veterans.

"Aruna Ji, Sanjay Sir, and Raveena Ma'am have been like mentors to me on set. Their guidance and encouragement have boosted my confidence as an actor," he expressed with heartfelt gratitude.

During the dubbing session, Parth also shared a personal mantra that helped him through the highs and lows of his burgeoning career.

He shared that one has to believe in themselves, trust their instincts, and give their best shot in everything they do.

'Ghudchadi' is produced by Binoy Gandhi, Bhushan Kumar, Nidhi Dutta, Krishan Kumar.
Bhopal, July 27 : A sub-inspector rank police officer opened fire on his senior colleague in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh.

The incident occurred inside the Civil Line police station on Thursday.

As per the official report, sub-inspector B R Singh entered into inspector Jitendra Sharma's cabin and all of sudden opened fire on him. Sharma is posted as in-charge of Civil Line police station.

The shocking incident has brought Rewa district police on their toes as they are yet to ascertain what led junior to open fire on his senior. The reason behind the incident was not immediately known.

Sharma was rushed to a private hospital, said the police official, but did not provide further details.

Asked what led to the firing incident, Rewa Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Singh said he will provide details later.

Sources told IANS that inspector Sharma has sustained bullet injuries on his neck and was recuperating at a private hospital in Rewa.
Kolkata, July 27 : : Calcutta High Court division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya on Wednesday ordered West Bengal Police and West Bengal Pollution Control Board to check the sound pollution as result of unabated drum beating on the occasion of Muharram.

The bench also directed the state police to issue a public notice.

As per the order, the authorities must mention the deadline about drum beating or use of sound-boxes. The court gave the order on a petition filed by an individual complaining of sound-related population on the occasion of Muharram every year.

The bench also ordered that use of microphones or sound-boxes, and during the deadline period, should have sound-limiters. The state government's counsel argued that there will be extreme difficulty in implementing the order within such a short notice.

However, the division bench did not accept the argument and also did not accept the state government's argument that drum beating was an inseparable part of the festival.

"Unabated beating of drums is impermissible since it is contrary to the existing laws. So the police will have to issue a public notice regulating the timing of drum beating," the Chief Justice observed.

He also emphasised on the state government maintaining a balance between "right to enjoyment of religion" and the "right to life". The Muharram festival this year will be celebrated on July 29.

The division bench also took note of the submission by the state government counsel that the drum beating on the occasion happens between 6 A.M. and 10 P.M. The bench observed that even 8 A.M was too early considering the interests of school, children, aged and ill persons.

"At the same time, it cannot be permitted after 7 A.M," the Chief Justice observed.

He also observed that despite having strong sound pollution laws, often the competent authorities have failed to implement them.
Mumbai, July 27 : Shiv Sena (UBT) President and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reiterated that the national Opposition alliance INDIA is not a crusade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but a fight against dictatorship to save Indian democracy.

He pointed out that in Maharashtra, there was the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) experiment of three parties, but now it has widened and transformed with INDIA, where the Congress is the biggest party and many others have joined the effort.

"It is not just a question of these parties' survival but that of democracy and independence of all institutions. The prime focus is on Opposition unity and a unified goal to save the country's democracy and its Independence without projecting any particular leader to drive it," said Thackeray.

He said that all the Opposition leaders are grounded and nobody is 'dreaming' of leadership as the focus is on the country's future.

"These things happen suddenly, like how the former PM Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, or P. V. Narasimha Rao was elevated as the PM. Did anyone think this would happen so abruptly? Rao not only became the PM but I feel he successfully ran a minority government and was among the best performing PMs. Or how Indira Gandhi was defeated by a simple leader like Raj Narain after the Emergency?" said Thackeray.

"Today, all are aware of the dangers confronting the country and nobody has shown the 'greed to lead', as they believe in the formula that if the country is stable all will be stable," he added.

Referring to his interactions with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Thackeray said he was pleasantly surprised by the experience.

"I have never met Rahul Gandhi like this beforea till now, what was done by those people was creating misunderstandings a" 'they are like this, they are like that or they are anti-Hindu'. I found Rahul Gandhi to be very sensible, he listens and also keeps his opinions on any issue before everyone, he speaks simply on whatever he feels. If this continues in the same vein, then I don't think there will be any hindrance to him in future," said Thackeray, dropping broad hints at Rahul Gandhias role in the coming times.

Thackeray added that he was not bothered about the BJP, but the practices it had started which could prove fatal for the country a" "whoever you vote for the government will be mine".

"This will make things very difficulta the manner in which the Maharashtra government was formeda the 'Khokha' (slang for Crore Rupees) regime. They will hijack governments, tomorrow they will bring guns and anybody will become the PM or the CM," cautioned Thackeray.

Accordingly, he said that after the Bengaluru national opposition conclave, the 'war of 2024' has been launched by INDIA to safeguard Bharat.

Turning 63 on Thursday, Thackeray's comments came in the second party of his birthday interviews to the Saamana Group, with a volley of questions fired by the Executive Editor and MP Sanjay Raut, even as the ruling BJP's top leaders slammed him for his views.
New Delhi, July 27 : The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which will replace the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, is likely to be introduced in Lok Sabha on July 31.

Highly placed sources confirmed that the proposed legislation is likely to be brought to the Lower House on July 31.

According to sources, the controversial legislation, which empowers the Delhi Lt. Governor to have a final say in recommendations regarding transfer and posting of Delhi government officials, had been cleared by the Union Cabinet on July 25.

Earlier, the president had promulgated the controversial ordinance on May 19 this year, leading to a flashpoint between Delhi government and the Centre.

As per the ordinance, a new statutory authority would be created, known as the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA), to be headed by Delhi chief minister along with the chief secretary and the principal (home).

This proposed body will make recommendations to the lieutenant governor on transfers and postings of Delhi government officials.

However, the catch here is that all decisions under this body will be decided through majority votes.

In other words, the chief minister's decision can be overruled by the two bureaucrats present in the body.

In addition to this, if the lieutenant governor differs with the panel's recommendations, then it can be referred back to the panel and if, even then, the differences remain, then the lieutenant governor's decision would be final.

The AAP-led Delhi government has been vehemently opposing the ordinance, as it is contrary to the verdict given by the Supreme Court, which had vested the Delhi government with the power to decide on the transfer and posting of its officials.

Now, with the government ready to bring a bill replacing the ordinance in Parliament, the AAP has been speaking to like-minded parties, seeking their support against the legislation.
Myths and Facts associated with transmission of Hepatitis virus. (Photo Courtesy: Instagram). Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : While early diagnosis is key for better treatment outcomes for hepatitis patients, the often silent and vague symptoms makes detection a challenge, said doctors ahead of World Hepatitis Day on Friday.

World Hepatitis Day is celebrated every year on July 28 to create awareness and the theme this year is 'One life, one liver'.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory viral infection that primarily affects the liver with potential to lead to severe complications such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

It is classified into 5 main types -- A, B, C, D and E with different modes of transmission, preventive measures, and treatment.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, hepatitis B affects nearly 40 million individuals in India, while hepatitis C infection impacts between 6 to 12 million people.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Consultant - Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery at Narayana Superspeciality Hospital Gurugram, highlighted the challenges of early hepatitis detection due to silent and vague symptoms.

"Fatigue, mild fever, muscle pain, loss of appetite, nausea, dark urine, and abdominal discomfort are common signs that are often mistaken for flu.

"To ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, blood tests to check liver enzymes, viral antibodies, and genetic components are conducted, followed by ultrasounds and liver biopsies to assess liver damage. Hepatitis can manifest as either acute or chronic, and chronic cases can be effectively treated with a combination of injectable, oral, and antiviral medications," he said.

Hepatitis transmission majorly occurs through unsafe injection practices, contact with infected body fluids, drug use, and sexual contact. Early diagnosis of hepatitis can prevent serious damage to the liver. Timely treatment can improve the quality of life by reducing fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and other symptoms resulting in overall well-being, the doctors said.

"In case of Hepatitis B, which cannot be treated completely, early treatment can at least delay the progression of hepatitis and liver damage. Early diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis can not only benefit the patient but also alleviate the risk of other people getting infected," Dr. Rajnish Monga, Chief of Gastroenterology, Paras Health, Gurugram, told IANS.

"Special attention is required for hepatitis C, as it significantly impacts liver function and is prevalent worldwide, affecting over 12 million people in India primarily between the ages of 30 to 60 years," said Dr. Naveen Kumar, Senior Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.

Further, the health experts said that the prevalence of contaminated water sources and improper sanitation during monsoon also contributes to hepatitis transmission.

"Heavy rains can lead to the mixing of sewage with drinking water supplies, facilitating the spread of hepatitis-causing viruses. Raising awareness about the importance of vaccination and early detection is crucial for better control and management of this infectious disease, ultimately safeguarding public health and well-being," said Dr Ankur Jain, Senior Consultant - Gastroenterology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.

"During the monsoons, acute hepatitis A and hepatitis E are commonly observed and lead to an increased surge of acute viral hepatitis in the months between June and September," Dr Ajay Bhalla, Director - Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital Noida, told IANS.

Hepatitis E virus is notably considered a significant cause of epidemic hepatitis, particularly in areas with compromised sanitation and hygiene. Proper waste disposal, access to safe drinking water, and hygiene practices play pivotal roles in reducing the transmission of hepatitis-causing viruses.

--IANS

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Rajkot, July 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated an international airport near the city of Rajkot in Gujarat.

The airport has been constructed at an expenditure of Rs 1,405 crore and is situated in Hirasar village, about 30 km from Rajkot.

The airport spans over an expanse of 1,025.50 hectares (2,534 acres), with 1,500 acres being allocated for the airport's construction by the Airports Authority of India.

The Prime Minister said that the Central government has continued its efforts in last 9-years to ameliorate the living conditions of every social class and region.

He emphasised on the commitment of 'Sushasan' or good governance and underlined the considerable strides made in poverty reduction, referring to a recent report that revealed 13.5 crore citizens rising above the poverty line in the past half-decade, creating a burgeoning neo-middle class.

Prime Minister also said that the government is commitment to enhance connectivity. He said that while only 4 Indian cities had metro networks in 2014, now over 20 cities have the metro connectivity.

"Growth in the number of airports from 70 in 2014 to more than twice that number now and modern trains like Vande Bharat are operating across 25 routes," the PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that enhancing ease of living and quality of life are high on the government's agenda and also acknowledged the numerous challenges previously faced by the public, including long queues at hospitals and utility payment centers, difficulties with insurance and pension, and complexities in filing tax returns.

These issues, he said, have been addressed by the Digital India initiative, which has simplified mobile banking, tax filing, and other services.

The new Hirasar International Airport, featuring a 3,040 metre-long and 45-meter-wide runway is capable of accommodating 14 aircraft simultaneously.

It was first conceptualised in 2017 when the Prime Minister conducted the ground-breaking ceremony.
Ahmedabad, July 27 : The past seven days have thrown a harsh spotlight on road safety in Gujarat with three high-profile cases of rash driving, all involving excessive speed in Ahmedabad.

First, Tathya Patel, the youth driving a Jaguar allegedly mowed down nine pedestrians on the ISKCON flyover on June 20.

Patel has also been accused of slamming the same Jaguar into a temple pillar in Vansajada village in Gandhinagar on earlier on January 1.

The police station subsequently booked Patel under sections 279 (rash driving) and 427 (committing mischief causing monetary loss) of the Indian Penal Code, and under provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.

Next, Ahmedabad Police apprehended Kamlesh Tulsibhai Bishnoi, a resident of the city's CTM area.

Bishnoi, 40, was charged under section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act and section 66(1)(b) of the Prohibition Act for drunk driving without a valid permit.

According to police, Bishnoi, clearly under the influence of alcohol, was dangerously maneuvering his BMW car, prompting local residents to detain him before the authorities arrived.

The third instance involved a distressing video that circulated online on July 26, showing police brutally beating two men pleading for mercy.

It was later revealed that the two men had been arrested for alleged rash driving while under the influence of alcohol in Ahmedabad.

The most prominent among them was Kedar Dave, 25, who, along with three friends, was allegedly drinking in his car before it overturned in Ahmedabad's Maninagar.

These incidents occurred in the wake of a horrific accident on Sarkhej-Gandhinagar (SG) Highway on July 20, when a luxury car plowed into a group of onlookers at a crash site, killing nine.

The Gujarat High Court has since criticised the traffic police for weak enforcement of road laws, granting them until August 9 to take effective action.

Deaths on SG Highway, Ahmedabad

The 'notorious' SG Highway, known for its high accident rate, has claimed 23 lives in the first seven months of this year alone.

Data from SG Traffic-1 Police Station shows an increase in traffic crimes from 11 incidents in 2022, resulting in one death and 10 injuries, to 19 incidents this year (up to July 20) leading to 11 deaths and eight injuries.

Likewise, SG Traffic-2 Police Station reported a rise from 36 accidents in 2022, causing nine deaths and 27 injuries, to 26 incidents in 2023 (up to July 20), causing 12 deaths and 14 injuries.

Ahmedabad Police's safety drive

In the aftermath of the tragic ISKCON bridge accident that resulted in the loss of nine lives, Ahmedabad's City Police Commissioner initiated a special enforcement drive.

This involved the setting up of barricades and checkpoints in the vicinity of every police station across the city.

The action was taken in response to the Gujarat High Court's stern criticism of the Ahmedabad traffic police for their apparent lack of resolve and courage in enforcing traffic regulations.
New Delhi, July 27 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday met a delegation from the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), which highlighted its investment plans in India on the long run.

"Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman met a delegation from Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) @cppinvestments comprising of their global senior leadership," the Finance Ministry said in a tweet.

The delegation was led by John Graham, President and CEO of the CPPIB.

"During the interaction, the CPPIB delegation briefed Smt. @nsitharaman regarding their global engagement and outlook, the current details of engagement with India as well their plans for #investment going forward," the ministry said in another tweet.

"Mr. Graham appreciated the host of reforms undertaken by the government over the years to facilitate long-term #PrivateInvestment in India. During the interaction FM Smt. @nsitharaman outlined various #investment opportunities across sectors that CPPIB may like to consider," the ministry added.

--IANS

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Law enforcement officers informed MP Yuriy Aristov of suspicion in connection with the introduction of deliberately false statements in official documents, the press service of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) reports.

"The staff of the SBI found that the MP had deliberately entered false information in official documents about the duration of his stay abroad, the purpose of the business trip, the country of residence and the time of return to Ukraine. This was done for the recreation of the MP with his family in one of the hotels in the territory of the Republic of Maldives," the Telegram channel says.

According to the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine, in mid-July 2023, the deputy was in one of the hotels on the island of Ithaafushi in the Maldives.

"According to the investigation, in July of this year, the deputy went on a working visit to a neighboring European country for three days. There, on July 10, he remotely took sick days in one of the private medical institutions in Kyiv until July 19, 2023 inclusively. At the same time, false information was entered into the electronic health system, since the medical examination was not actually carried out. It was also found out that the deputy, along with his family - his wife and children - was on the territory of the Maldives Republic, in the Waldorf Astoria Maldives hotel complex until July 22," the Telegram channel says.

During the searches in the apartment of the deputy, the SBU found the passport of the MP, which contains notes about leaving for the Maldives.

An investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime.

Based on the collected evidence, the Prosecutor General notified the deputy of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (official forgery).

The Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) also informs that "the issue of electing a preventive measure to the deputy is being resolved."

As reported in the media, Aristov was spotted in mid-July at the five-star Waldorf Astoria Maldives Hotel, located on the private island of Ithaafushi (Maldives). In particular, the journalists of the publication Investigation.Info received confirmation from the resort's employees that he was indeed their guest.

At a meeting on Thursday, July 27, the Verkhovna Rada prematurely terminated Aristov's powers. The corresponding decision was supported by 320 parliamentarians.

In 2019, Aristov was elected the deputy of the 9th convocation from the Servant of the People party (number 42 on the list as non-factional), a member of the faction of the same name in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Since August 29, 2019, he headed the parliamentary committee on budget issues, but in December 2022 he was elected deputy chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.
Nitish-Tejashwi cannot rule Bihar with bullets and baton, says BJP. Image Source: IANS News

Patna, July 27 : Bihar Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha on Thursday said that the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has imposed an undeclared emergency in the state of Bihar.

"In a bid to hide failure, the state government has suspended the internet services in Darbhanga. This is not the first time when internet services have been snapped in Bihar. During Ram Navami this year, internet services were snapped in Bihar Sheriff and Sasaram.

"Our former MLA Jawahar Prasad Kushwaha was also arrested. It is like an undeclared emergency situation in Bihar. The state government is trying to create fear among the public," Sinha said.

He said that there was only one incident that took place in Manipur but such incidents are taking place every day in Bihar.

"The incident of Begusarai was one such example. But the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will not talk about it," Sinha said.

Sinha, who was leading a four member team, visited some villages falling under Kamtaul and Mabbi police stations in Darbhanga district.

He had gone to these places to assess the situation arising due to communal tension.

Keeping in view the communal tension, the Bihar Home Department has suspended internet services till July 30 in the district.
Shimla, July 27 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Thursday said the state government has received approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for the establishment of a large zoo in Kangra district.

The proposal for the zoo underwent an evaluation during the 108th technical committee meeting of the Central Zoo Authority in June, and it granted approval for its establishment, he said.

Sukhu said the government in collaboration with wildlife experts and conservationists has worked on the proposal, ensuring it adheres to the highest standards of animal welfare, safety, and environmental sustainability.

"The zoo is expected to boost tourism, create employment opportunities, and will contribute to the socio-economic development of the state and is envisioned to be a world-class facility that will house a diverse range of animal species native to Himachal Pradesh and nearby regions," he said, as per an official statement.

Meanwhile, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Rajiv Kumar, said the establishment of zoo at Bankhandi in Kangra was a milestone as envisioned by the Chief Minister to attract visitors and was a step ahead to make Kangra the stateas aTourism Capitala.

The Wildlife Wing of the state Forest Department will work towards fulfilling the necessary conditions outlined by the Central Zoo Authority.

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 27 : The counsel of Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in a special court of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) argued that the multi-crore school recruitment scam case is equivalent to the German Holocaust where millions of Europeans Jews perished.

ED counsel also opposed the bail plea of former state education minister and the Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee.

"Just as millions of European Jews were killed in the German Holocaust, similarly the entire education system in the state was slaughtered by Partha Chatterjee. He had many associates in this ploy. There are many pockets in the state where there are no private schools and the education system there is standing on the pillar of state- run schools. By appointing ineligible teachers in such schools, he had played with the future of the next generation," the ED counsel argued.

The central agency counsel substantiated five points while opposing the bail plea of Chatterjee. To establish the influential theory, he cited the event of Chatterjee repeatedly trying to call up the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after his arrest in July last year by the ED sleuths.

"In the arrest memo he was cited as a relative of the Chief Minister. This could not have been possible unless he was an extremely influential person," the ED counsel argued.

"After his arrest he was admitted to the state-run SSKM Medical College & Hospital for his treatment. But later he was examined at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, which declared him as totally fit. He posed to be ill to avoid custody. Had he not been influential, he could not have got admitted at SSKM," the ED counsel argued further.

He also referred to the event of Chatterjee continuing to sport a ring on his finger while in judicial custody for several days which is totally against the jail manuals.

"Finally, the police arrange for a special vehicle while he was being brought to the court from judicial custody every time, whereas the other inmates are being brought in prison-vans. This proves how influential he is," the ED counsel argued.
Bengaluru, July 27 : World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 every year. Hepatitis is the most common problem affecting the liver and the day is observed to create awareness among people about the disease which can result in liver failure and even death.

Dr Sandeep R Sharma, Consultant -Interventional and medical gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi states, There are various causes for hepatitis including infections, mostly viral, alcohol, metabolic disorders and in some cases even autoimmunity.

Viral hepatitis such as hepatitis A and E can be more common during the monsoon months in Bengaluru. Each case of hepatitis needs thorough evaluation to establish its etiology and to reliably achieve targeted therapy. Certain causes may lead to long standing or chronic hepatitis, which need periodic monitoring and treatment. It is advised not to neglect any kind of hepatitis and stay away from complementary/alternative medicines which can further harm liver health and worsen the hepatitis, sometimes leading to liver failure and even death.

Dr. Chandrika Kambam, Medical Director, Even Healthcare, stated, "In Karnataka, around 10,000 cases are reported annually. In a study conducted in central Karnataka, hepatitis B was present in 2.12 per cent of people who came to donate blood, and it was discovered for the first time.

"What is even more shocking is reading about the study done among healthcare workers in coastal Karnataka, where they found 16 per cent of the participants, mostly nurses and housekeeping workers, were unvaccinated. It is very important for us to spread awareness about the disease, the way it spreads, and precautions we can take. Most importantly, we should vaccinate the high-risk population against Hepatitis B and ensure Hepatitis B and A become part of childhood immunization."

In India, the incidence ranges widely from the general population to high-risk groups. Hepatitis A was found to range from 2.1 per cent to 52.5 per cent. Hepatitis B was found in a wide range of individuals, ranging from 0.87 per cent to 21.4 per cent of the population.

Hepatitis C was found to range from 0.57 per cent to 53.7 per cent, Dr. Chandrika explains.

Dr. Basant Mahadevappa, HPB and Liver Transplant Surgeon, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, said "World Hepatitis Day is an annual global event observed on July 28, uniting people around the world to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and its impact on public health. The theme for this year's World Hepatitis Day is "We're not waiting", which serves as a rallying call for everyone to take immediate action in the battle against viral hepatitis.

"This powerful theme emphasizes the urgency of taking action and collectively working towards eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat. Through this theme, individuals, communities, and organizations are encouraged to be proactive in their efforts to prevent new infections, increase testing and diagnosis, and ensure access to life-saving treatments for those affected by hepatitis. Screening at risk population, expecting mothers, early newborn vaccination are vital in preventing long term complications. Together, we can accelerate progress towards a world free from the burden of viral hepatitis."

Dr. Swathi G, Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology, CARE Hospitals, Hi-Tec City, Hyderabad, Hepatitis, explained that the disease is a stealthy intruder into the liver, conceals its presence with deceptive subtlety, posing a significant threat to public health in India.

Understanding its symptoms and ensuring timely treatment is crucial to combat this silent enemy and pave the way towards a healthier nation. Fatigue, jaundice, loss of appetite, dark urine, and abdominal pain are among the tell-tale signs that must not be overlooked.

In some instances, acute hepatitis may transition into a chronic condition, laying the foundation for long-term liver damage, says Dr.Swathi.

To conquer this silent foe, a comprehensive approach is needed. Raising awareness about hepatitis symptoms, transmission, and prevention through educational campaigns can empower communities to take proactive measures. Expanding healthcare infrastructure to increase access to testing and treatment is imperative, along with driving down the costs of medications to ensure affordability for all. In the journey towards combating hepatitis in India, early detection, prompt treatment, and a united effort are the keys to unlocking a future where the liver's resilience remains intact, and the nation stands fortified against this stealthy adversary, she says.
Sukma, July 27 : A female employee's husband, who allegedly raped a six-year-old girl student in the hostel of a residential school in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, has been arrested, police said.

The incident took place on the intervening night of July 22 and 23.

Sukma's Superintendent of Police, Kiran Chavan, said, "The girl was raped in a Porta Cabin school hostel in the district. The police started searching for the accused and after investigation; the husband of the class IV employee of the residential school, Raju was arrested."

It may be noted that the girl students reside in the hostel of the Porta Cabin residential school in Sukma district.

The girls ate food and slept at night. An unknown young man came in the night and raped the girl. When the girl students woke up, the accused ran away. Later, the family members of the girl came to the hostel and took her home with them.

After the matter reached the police, they started searching for the accused.

There are many CCTV cameras installed in the hostel where the girl students live, but all are switched off. Due to this, the police had to struggle a lot to find the accused. Finally, the police managed to arrest the culprit, and the girl student has identified the accused.
Seoul, July 27 : South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) on Thursday imposed a fine of 3.6 million won ($2,829) on OpenAI, the operator of the generative chatbot ChatGPT, for exposing personal information of its 687 citizens.

According to OpenAI, a now-patched bug in an open-source library on ChatGPT created a caching issue in March. It caused an unintentional visibility of payment information of ChatGPT Plus subscribers during a nine-hour window, including first and last names, email addresses, the last four digits of credit card numbers and credit card expiration dates, Yonhap reported.

A total of 687 users in South Korea have been confirmed to be among those affected by the exposure.

The PIPC said it has fined OpenAI for breaching its duty to report a leakage to authorities within 24 hours of finding it. But the privacy watchdog concluded the company cannot be held responsible for lax personal information protection measures.

The watchdog has also recommended OpenAI take measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident, comply with South Korea's personal information protection law and cooperate actively with the commission's prior inspection activities, it said.
Manipur Assembly session likely to be held from July-end or early August. Image Source: IANS News

Imphal, July 26 : The Manipur government, responding to the demands of opposition parties and various civil society organisations, on Thursday decided to convene the state Assembly session this month end or from early August.

Addressing reporters after a cabinet meeting, Manipur Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan Singh said that the business of the proposed Assembly session is yet to be decided.

Political circles said that it is obvious that the ongoing ethnic violence and related issues would be discussed in the session.

Meanwhile on reports of a section of the media that the Manipur government did not take care of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, who was brutally assaulted by a mob in Imphal on May 4, Singh said that after his medical treatment in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal for few days, the state government has arranged air ambulance to shift the legislator to Delhias Apollo Hospital for better medical care.

Singh, who is also the Manipur government spokesman, said that Valte, who belongs to the Kuki-Zomi tribal community, is in stable condition and discharged from hospital.

The minister while talking with the media denied that the mob gave him electric shocks as reported in a section of the media.

A former Tribal Affairs minister, the three-time tribal MLA is bedridden now, can barely speak, and needs help to do the most basic tasks including bathing, eating, and going to the washroom.

Valte was attacked on May 4, a day after the ethnic violence broke out, when he was on his way to his residence after participating in a meeting called by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The MLAas personal car was stopped by the mob and the 56-years-old tribal leader brutally assaulted.

--IANS

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Air India Express flight IX 343 Kozhikode Dubai is now airborne at 1.40 PM. Captain Michale Saldanha on command with First Officer Akhilesh Kumar.. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday gave its go ahead to the Tata Group's initiative to merge the budget airline AIX Connect (previously known as AirAsia India) with Air India Express, a senior DGCA official confirmed to IANS.

This marks a crucial step before the planned legal merger of the two entities can take place.

"The airline has now received regulatory approvals to operate its flights under the aAir India Expressa branding. This development marks a significant fast-tracking of the integration efforts, including harmonisation of customer touch points, products, and services across both airlines," the airline said in a statement.

"The approval from the regulator allows both Air India Express Ltd (AIXL) and AIX Connect (AIXC) flights to be marketed, distributed and operated under a common brand name 'Air India Express', prior to the subsequent scheduled legal merger of the two entities," it said.

"The proposal to synergise the consumer offerings under a unified and renewed brand within the next few months demonstrates the commitment to a superlative customer promise, streamlining product and service standards and unlocking synergies between the two companies," it further said.

Earlier this month, 'Xpress Aheada priority services were extended as an ancillary add-on to guests of both airlines, offering priority check-in, boarding and baggage. Both airlines will also be synergising a host of other ancillary add-on services and common sub-brands.

AIXL currently operates flights from 20 Indian cities to 14 regional international destinations, while AIXC serves 19 domestic destinations, complementing each other's networks to provide more extensive travel options for passengers.
New Delhi, July 27 : New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) members on Thursday passed a condemnation motion during the council meeting against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

NDMC member Kuljeet Singh Chahal said that it was the first time in the history of NDMC that the council meeting was postponed due to a lack of response to the questions raised by NDMC and public interests before Kejriwal.

"The condemnation motion was moved by all the members of the Council at the meeting as Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, serves as the Chairman of the Apex Committee on Flood Control (Apex Committee) for the preparation of the monsoon season. However, he has failed to convene any meeting, resulting in waterlogging issues in Delhi and the NDMC area," Chahal said.

Meanwhile, the AAP said that BJP has nothing to do except engage in politics.

"Everyone knows how the BJP has looted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in last 15 years. Ironically, they are now blaming others, like a thief scolding a cop. All the scams and corrupt practices during BJP's tenure will be investigated, and many of their leaders will end up in jail," AAP said.

Chahal said that during Wednesday's council meeting, when the Chief Minister was asked about these issues concerning NDMC and the general public's interest, he ran away without providing any answers.

Chahal also said that NDMC was ready to welcome the delegates of the G-20 Summit, and as such, the reconstruction of 41 roads of NDMC and the upgrading of some roads, which were damaged due to waterlogging and rain in the New Delhi area, were underway.

Chahal said that there were about 50 parking lots and unauthorised sites in NDMC that could not be re-tendered. He blamed Kejriwal and a few NDMC officials for this situation.
New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Amid uncertainty in the business climate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, young startups in India are finding it hard to draw the much required funding even as investors become extra cautious, industry insiders said on Wednesda. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 27 : A Bengaluru-based tech startup founder and CEO has said that he may have to move back to the US after struggling for two months to register a company in the city.

Brij Singh, who has worked in the technology and finance sectors in India and the US for 18 years, as per his LinkedIn profile, said he loves Bengaluru but has had difficulty getting his company registered there.

"Love Bangalore / India, but I have learnt more in last 3 days in Bay Area than I could in a month back home. Spent 2 months just to try to register a co in India & it's still not done," he tweeted.

Singh, the founder and CEO of Snow Mountain AI, further explained the issue he had faced, saying: "The solution feedback loop from potential customers, investors, and even fellow founders is at a different level. The time may be coming for me to move back to the US. And I say this with a heavy heart."

Moreover, in response to a user who encouraged him not to give up, the CEO said: "Not giving up on anything. Just stating the facts.

"There are lots of advantages in building from India for the world as well. One must learn to leverage whatever opportunities they can to execute and compete in a global market. That is the reality," he added.

Several Twitter users encouraged Singh to fight on, while others questioned the length of time it took to register a company.

"Why would it take 2 months? I formed my LLP in a week. You have an issue of bad CA. Quite frankly you can register a company yourself and don't even need a CA. Takes a couple of days max," a user commented.

"Company registration is still faster like two weeks if you have a good vendor like Company 360 -- GST takes months because of multiple rejections and complicated forms -- of course, you need a good legal partner to solve this quickly. In case you still change your plan will love to connect you with the right partners to help your business thrive," another user said.
On the morning of July 27, employees of Poltava municipal enterprise Decorative Cultures dismantled a bust monument to Soviet army General Nikolai Vatutin, located on the street of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, and a bust monument to the Russian poet and writer Alexander Pushkin, located in the Berezovy Square in Poltava.

As reported on the official website of Poltava City Council and the executive Committee, the dismantled monuments will be temporarily stored on the territory of the municipal enterprise Decorative Cultures. Their further fate is not reported.

Deputies of Poltava City Council supported the decisions on the dismantling of monuments at the session on April 7 by 26 votes out of 28 present.
Hyderabad, July 27 : Every year, July 28 is observed as World Hepatitis Day, to help create awareness in people about the effects of hepatitis that can cause liver inflammation, liver cancer and major liver related diseases.

This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) World Hepatitis Day theme is "One Life, One Liver", which focuses on creating awareness in the public for prevention of liver cancer, early detection and available facilities for prescribed treatment, stressing authorities to quicken the necessary steps to eradicate the viral infection to meet the 2030 global health targets.

Viral hepatitis is a global health problem that caused 1.34 million deaths in 2015, which is higher than the deaths caused by tuberculosis and HIV.

Hepatitis B and C are solely responsible for 96 per cent of hepatitis mortality.

According to Dr. Chalapathi Rao Achanta, Clinical Director and Chief of Department (Gastroenterology), Interventional Endoscopy and Liver Transplantation, KIMS ICON a" Vizag, "our liver silently performs more than 500 vital functions every day to keep you alive. But, the symptoms of viral hepatitis seem to be seen only in the advanced stage."

There are many different types of Hepatitis viruses (A to E), but B and E are the most concerning types that caused more than 8,000 new infections everyday which are undetectable.

In India, more than 40 million people are chronically affected with Hepatitis B and 6-12 million people are infected with Hepatitis C.

HAV is the most common type of hepatitis that is observed in children, which made it a public health problem.

India is currently in the category of intermediate zone (4 per cent).

Hepatitis B positivity in the population ranges from 1.1 per cent to 12.2 per cent, with a prevalence of 3-4 per cent.

On the other hand, Hepatitis C antibody prevalence is estimated inbetween 0.09 per cent to 15 per cent.

Some regional level studies show that 6-12 million people in India have Hepatitis C.

Dr. Lingaiah Miryala, MBBS, MD(Internal Medicine), Consultant General Physician, Amor Hospitals said, "Hepatitis C virus is passed on to a baby during childbirth. About 4 per cent women pass it during childbirth."

Hepatitis C symptoms are observed very late until it's reached the advanced stage.

However, some symptoms may include fatigue, itching, nausea, muscle weakness, stomach pain and jaundice. These symptoms are non specific, which makes it difficult to diagnose Hepatitis C. Diagnosis of Hepatitis C can be done using blood tests for antibodies.

Women with Hepatitis C are recommend testing the baby when they are atleast 18 months old.

Treatment options will help people clear the virus. Medications are very beneficial. For anyone with liver damage, doctors will recommend them to avoid usage of alcohol, drugs or tobacco. The general medications are also also reviewed.

By not sharing needles, glucose monitors and drug related

equipment Hepatitis C can be prevented.

Following safety precautions such as sterilization, disposing all sharp objects and preventing blood-to-blood transfers helps.

According to V. Pavan Kumar, Consultant Surgical Gastroenterology, SLG Hospitals, Bachupally: "There's no cure to hepatitis once it occurs and it can ultimately lead to liver cancer. Even if you are cured, Hepatitis C can come back again. Research shows that 75 per cent of new Hepatitis C infections are being shares from injections during drug equipment. Thus you can still get Hepatitis after it's cured. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can spread very easily.

"Hepatitis A goes away easily on it's own and does not cause

any long term liver damage. People living with Hepatitis B might need a liver transplant if their liver begins to fail, which occurs in diseases not being monitored or diagnosed properly. It is the only curative option for patients with complications from HBV."

Anuj Patel, Laparoscopic, UGI & Bariatric surgeon, Century Hospital said: "Hepatitis C liver transplant to patients who are non infected is novel. Previously, only patients with HCV-positive livers received HCV livers. This is a much needed donor pool where the wait time is much shorter and an average patient is willing to accept the liver. There is almost two times chance of getting liver transplant compared with the national average.

"This study is part of an effort to reduce waitlist mortality by studying the extended criteria of organ transplant options. Hospitals across India are keen to expand the donor pool. This approach along with transplanting livers from donation after cardiac death donors and other extended criteria donors has shortened the waitlist times, increasing transplant rates."
United Nations, July 27 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed to G20 leaders who will meet at a summit in New Delhi to act urgently on climate change because its outcome will impact further efforts.

Calling the September summit headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "critical opportunity", he said: "Particularly G20 countries -- responsible for 80 per cent of global emissions a" must step up for climate action and climate justice."

The success of the UN climate change meeting known as the Conference of Parties (COP) in December in Dubai will depend on the outcome of the G20 meeting, he said while speaking to reporters.

"The G20as success is a basic precondition for the success of the COP, because nobody else can compensate if those members of the G20 do not seriously engage in a dramatic reduction of that emissions," he said.

While smaller developing countries like the small island countries are trying to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, "They are not the problem; the problem are developed countries and the emerging economies that meet in the G20", he said.

"Climate change is here," he said as the message was brought home to the UN headquarters by New York declaring an extreme heat advisory for the city.

"Extreme weather is becoming the new normal," he warned.

"All countries must respond and protect their people from the searing heat, fatal floods, storms, droughts, and raging fires that result," he said.

"We must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition" to fight climate change.

India suffered through an extreme heat wave in the past three months with parts of the country hitting 47 degrees Celsius.

While he attributed 80 per cent of the greenhouse emissions collectively to the G20 nations, Guterres also spoke of the differences among countries, which would apply to countries in the group.

"Those countries on the frontlines -- who have done the least to cause the crisis and have the least resources to deal with it -- must have the support they need to do so," he said.

"It is time for a global surge in adaptation investment to save millions of lives from climate carnage," he added. He said that the developed countries should stand by their commitments to give $100 billion a year to help developing countries deal with climate change and noted that only Germany and Canada have contributed their share.

Guterres, who has launched a war on fossil fuels, called for ending financing of projects using them and said investments should be directed to renewable energy projects. aMany banks, investors and other financial actors continue to reward polluters and incentivise wrecking the planet," he said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Mumbai, July 27 : The Maharashtra government on Thursday assured stringent action against those who have spread defamatory content on the legendary social reformer Savitribai Jyotirao Phule via social media.

Responding to questions by Nationalist Congress Party leader Dr Jitendra Awhad, Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat and state party President Nana Patole, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned that "nobody will be spared" in this matter.

He said that the government has already corresponded with Twitter India seeking information about the user from whose handle the slurs on Savitribai Phule (1831-1897) were circulated.

As soon as the information is received from Twitter India, the person concerned will be booked and arrested, the members were informed.

Fadnavis reiterated that Savitribai Phule enjoys a revered place among all, the government's sentiments were the same as the Opposition and hence such insults will never be tolerated.

Not satisfied with the government's reply, there was a huge ruckus with the angry Opposition members accusing they were not allowed to speak and staged a walkout from the house.

In May, the NCP had protested strongly against certain websites which had posted derogatory articles pertaining to Savitribai Phule.
Patna, July 27 : A school principal was detained in Bihar's Begusarai district for allegedly thrashing at least 10 students after they accidentally caused damage to a chair while playing, the police said.

The principal, Ram Kumar, lost his cool after he noticed the broken chair. He went to the classroom and allegedly beat up the students.

Two of the girls sustained head injuries.

The incident happened at Akbarpur Chalis Middle School in Shamho block in Begusarai district.

A large number of local residents later assembled at the school and protested against the principal who was eventually taken into custody by the police.

After a while, a police team reached the school, and with the help of villagers, the students were admitted to Shamho primary health center.

"A total of 12 students were admitted in the hospital and treatment of 7 students is still underway. Two of them came to an unconscious stage. We have given them treatment. Five of them were discharged after primary treatment," said Nishant Kumar, incharge of Primary Health Care at Shamho block.

The family members of the students demanded strict action against Ram Kumar.
New Delhi, July 27 : The government on Thursday said that the development of Kargil airport has incurred an expenditure of Rs 0.30 crore by June 30 this year.

The total sanctioned budget for the airport is Rs 9.20 crore.

The government said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation had launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on October 21, 2016, to stimulate regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable for the masses.

In a written reply to questions in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Gen (retd) V K Singh, an expenditure of Rs. 0.30 crore has been incurred by June 30, 2023 on the development of Kargil airport out of the total sanctioned budget of Rs. 9.20 crore.

He said that the Kargil airport is owned by the Indian Air Force and has been identified for development under the UDAN scheme.

"In the year 2021, a multi-disciplinary team from the Airports Authority of India, Indian Air Force, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) visited sites at Turtuk (Nubra valley), Diskit (Nubra Tehsil), Nyoma, Padum/Zanskar, Wakha, and Kargil to examine the feasibility of these sites for the construction of airstrips," the minister said.

"However, none of the sites were found suitable for the construction of airstrips as none of them meet the International Civil Aviation Organization provisions or DGCA guidelines for designing the Runway and instrument approach and landing considering normal air operations," the minister added.

The minister said that the UDAN routes connecting Kargil Airport with Srinagar and Jammu have been awarded to Spicejet Ltd. under UDAN 4.2 round of bidding.

"The routes Thoise (Nubra) - Srinagar - Thoise and Thoise - Chandigarh - Thoise were awarded to Spicejet Ltd. for the operation of UDAN flights during UDAN-4.1 round of bidding. However, the selected airline operator later surrendered these routes. If any airline submits a valid bid for the operation of UDAN flights from Thoise (Nubra) in the forthcoming rounds of bidding, the same shall be considered as per the provisions of the scheme document," the minister added.

The Minister of State was responding to questions raised by Jamyang Tsering Namgya, BJP MP Lok Sabha, who inquired about the details of the status of the upgradation of the existing airport in Kargil district, Union Territory of Ladakh.

"Whether the government proposes to construct new airports in Kargil district at Wakha, Padum in Zanskar subdivision, and other parts of Ladakh, and if so, the details thereof? If not, the reasons therefor? Whether the government has planned to operate civil flights in Kargil district and Nubra valley of Leh District, and if so, the details thereof? If not, the reasons therefor?" Namgya's questions reads.
Hyderabad, July 27 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Telangana scheduled on July 29 has been postponed in view of heavy rains and floods in the state.

Shah was scheduled to attend a couple of programmes in Hyderabad on Saturday. He was to meet social influencers at a programme to be held in Film Nagar.

The senior BJP leader was also scheduled to meet state BJP leaders in connection with the party's preparations for upcoming Assembly elections.

This was to be Amit Shah's first meeting to the state after the change of leadership in the state.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy was recently appointed as the new BJP state president.

Bandi Sanjay Kumar was removed from the post of the president after a section of leaders unhappy with his style of functioning complained to the central leadership.

This is the second time Amit Shah's visit to Telangana has been postponed in two months.

He was earlier scheduled to visit the state on June 15.

He was scheduled to address a public meeting in Khammam.

However, due to severe cyclonic conditions on the West Coast, especially in the three states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan, Shah's visit was postponed.

He was personally monitoring rescue operations.
New Delhi, July 27 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday slammed the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "muzzling the voice of Opposition" and "promoting politics of hate in the country".

The Chief Minister, who joined the protesting opposition MPs against the suspension of AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, said unfortunately the ruling alliance doesnat allow the members to raise the issues of public concern.

"If exercising his democratic right any MP comes in the well of the House, he is unlawfully suspended, which is very shameful," he said, adding that this dictatorial way of suppressing the voice of elected representatives of the people that too in this atemple of democracya is unwarranted and undesirable.

The Chief Minister said "silencing the Opposition for political gains is not a new thing in this dictatorial regime".

He said in the last nine years the opposition has been completely ignored by the ruling alliance by using various tools. "The bills are passed amid ruckus created in the august house without even bothering to get the consent of all the members," he said, adding that "this is a blot of the entire democracy".

The Chief Minister said all MPs having a conscience are with Sanjay Singh and are staging a protest here.

"The Prime Minister loves to talk in his aMann ki Baata but he is never ready to listen to what the people of the country have to say," he said, adding that "the wise and democracy loving people of the country will never accept this and will teach a befitting lesson to the BJP and its allies for this sin".

The Chief Minister said Modi and company are jeopardising the democracy in the country. He said that "if the country is to be run by 30 people including Prime Minister, Home Minister and their 28 Governors, then why should huge money be wasted on conducting elections".

"This is a dangerous trend in the democracy which needs to be checked immediately".

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 27 : Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police on Thursday arrested a man involved in a fraudulent scheme to obtain multiple mortgages on a property and secure a loan of Rs two crores from Allahabad Bank using forged documents as collateral.

The accused, identified as Mohd. Saleem Khan, was also declared a non-performing asset (NPA) by Allahabad Bank after he ceased making loan installments.

The investigation into the matter began following a complaint filed by Dharam Pal Lamba, Chief Manager of Allahabad Bank's Karol Bagh Branch, who pointed fingers at Khan and an accomplice named Deepa Batra.

According to the complaint, Khan, who acted as the proprietor of S.K. Enterprises, had acquired a credit facility of Rs. Two crore from the bank. To secure this credit, he offered a property located in Old Rajinder Nagar, registered in the name of Deepa Batra, as collateral.

Subsequently, the account was declared an NPA on December 27, 2017. During further scrutiny, the bank discovered that the title deed submitted by Khan was forged and fabricated, and shockingly, the same property was already mortgaged with another bank.

Upon closer examination by the police, it was revealed that the accused had initially paid the loan's EMIs but later stopped the payments, leading to the account's NPA status.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Vikram K Porwal said that the accused had availed credit facility and used a property in the name of his co-accused as collateral.

"He submitted a forged sale deed to the bank, not knowing that the property was already mortgaged with another bank," said the DCP.

The police conducted multiple raids in various locations within Delhi-NCR and the accused rented residence, but he managed to evade capture. However, through a combination of technical surveillance and human intelligence, the police discovered that Khan was expected to visit the Tis Hazari Courts to consult with his counsel.

"Acting on this information, the EOW apprehended Khan outside the court on Tuesday," said the DCP.
Gandhinagar, July 27 : The Gujarat government on Thursday announced a major reshuffle in the state police department.

Shamsher Singh, a 1991-batch IPS officer and the Commissioner of Police in Vadodara, has been transferred and promoted to the post of Director General of Police (Law and Order), Gandhinagar.

The vacant position is to be filled by Narasimha N. Komar, another IPS officer of 1996-batch.

In Ahmedabad, Gyanender Singh Malik, an IPS officer of the 1993-batch, will assume the post of Commissioner of Police, after being previously assigned as the Additional Director General of Police.

Neeraj Gotru, also a 1993 -batch IPS officer and the Director of Civil Defence and Commandant General, Home Guards, Ahmedabad, has been transferred and appointed to the position of Additional Director General of Police (Training), Gandhinagar.

R.B. Brahmbhatt, a 1995-batch IPS officer, will move from his current position as Additional Director General of Police, CID (Crime & Railways), Gandhinagar, to take up the post of Additional Director General of Police, CID (Intelligence), Gandhinagar.

This position was previously held by Anupam Singh Gahlaut, a 1997-batch IPS officer.

Narasimha N. Komar will be taking over as Additional Director General of Police (Admin.), Gandhinagar.

Furthermore, he will hold additional charges of the vacant posts of Additional Director General of Police (Inquiry) and Additional Director General of Police (Armed Unit), both in Gandhinagar. The post of Additional Director General of Police, CID (Crime & Railways), Gandhinagar will be filled by S. Pandia Rajkumar, previously the Additional Director General of Police (Railways), Ahmedabad.

In Vadodara, Anupam Singh Gahlaut has been named the new Commissioner of Police. Piyush Purusottamdas Patel, an IPS officer of 1998-batch and previously Additional Director General of Police in the Surat range, has been transferred and is currently waiting for his new posting.

Additional announcements include the appointment of Brajesh Kumar Jha as Joint Commissioner of Police, Sector-2, Ahmedabad City, Wabang Jamir as Joint Commissioner of Police, Sector-1, Surat City, and Abhay Chudasama as the Principal of the State Police Academy, Karai, Gandhinagar.

The reshuffle also saw changes for V. Chandrasekar, M.A. Chavada, D.H.Parmar, Prem Vir Singh, M.S.Bharada, H.R.Chaudhary, Nilesh Bhikhabhai Jajadia, Chirag Mohanlal Koradia, and P.L.Mal, who will assume new positions as part of the changes.
Patna, July 27 : A day after two people were killed in police firing in Katihar during a protest, Bihar ADGP, Law and Order, Jitendra Singh Gangwar on Thursday sought a report on the incident from the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.

The senior police officer has directed the officials to submit a detailed report, seeking to know how the incident happened.

Gangwar said that two persons -- Sonu Shah and Mohammad Khurshid -- were killed in the police firing in Barsoi block on Wednesday. One person was also injured in that incident.

Two persons were killed and another injured as police opened fire when a protest demonstration turned violent in Biharas Katihar district on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at Barsoi block when local villagers were staging a dharna at the block office with a demand to provide uninterrupted power supply in the region.

The area is facing electricity scarcity for the last few weeks and this is badly affecting their farming and irrigation. The villagers have claimed that the absence of rain led to a drought-like situation and they may face heavy loss if plantation of paddy does not take place at time.

"We have asked the DM and SP to submit reports about how the incident had taken place there on such a large scale. Preventive action has been initiated here. Two companies of armed security forces were deployed in the affected area," Gangwar said.

"The postmortem of the deceased was done and the bodies were given to the families. We have also done the videography of the postmortem," Gangwar said.

He also said that nine police personnel and seven officials of the electricity department were also injured in this clash.

Meanwhile, Sudhakar Singh, the former agriculture minister of Bihar and RJD MLA, said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is responsible for the katihar police firing claiming two lives and one injured.

"Firing on farmers and unarmed protestors is a heinous crime which is intolerable. The authority should register FIR under IPC sections of 302 against the officers who fired on innocent people. CM Nitish Kumar is also the home minister of Bihar. If he does not take action, it would mean he is responsible for firing," Singh said.
The Verkhovna Rada intends to resume electronic declaration for state and local government officials.

Some 299 MPs voted at the first reading for relevant bill No. 9534 on amendments to some laws on determining the procedure for submitting declarations of persons authorized to perform the functions of the state or local self-government under martial law at a plenary session on Thursday, a member of the Holos faction Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on his Telegram channel.

As Zhelezniak previously reported, one of the innovations of the bill (except for the resumption of declarations) is the provision of declarations not only for this year, but also for all previous ones.

According to the draft law, the subjects of declaration performing tasks in the interests of national security or located in the territories affected by the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, submit declarations within 90 days from the date of: determining the date of the end of hostilities; the end of occupation for the temporarily occupied territories in which the person is located; return to the point of permanent deployment or place of permanent work (except rotation); termination or cancellation of martial law.

The above-mentioned provisions of the draft law concern only the subjects of declaration who exercise official powers in the territories where active hostilities are conducted; who are in temporarily occupied territories. This norm also applies to persons from among the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations directly involved in hostilities; from among the employees of the bodies authorized to carry out intelligence and/or counterintelligence activities, directly involved in conducting intelligence activities. In addition, these provisions apply to persons sent to other States to participate in international peace and security operations.

In addition, the bill proposes to resume special checks for persons applying for public positions [such checks were suspended for the period of martial law]. The bill also obliges to conduct special checks and in relation to officials appointed to their posts without them.

The bill also provides for the publicity of the register of declarations. According to the provisions of the draft law, until the termination or cancellation of martial law, declarations will be displayed in the Unified State Register of Declarations in the public domain, but without the registration number of the taxpayer's registration card or passport number of a citizen of Ukraine, place of residence, date of birth of individuals, location of objects listed in the declaration, account number in a bank or other financial institution. There will also be no information in the public domain about the localities where the objects indicated in the declaration are located, or where the declarant's place of actual residence, registered place of residence, surnames, first names, patronymics of all other persons specified in the declaration (except for the subject of declaration) is located.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada cancelled electronic declaration submission for officials in the spring of 2022 for the duration of martial law in connection with the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine.

The adoption of the law on the resumption of declaration is necessary for Ukraine to start negotiations on joining the European Union.
Hyderabad, July 27 : Ten persons were washed away in separate incidents in Telangana as heavy rains and flash floods wreaked havoc in the state's northern districts, inundating more than 100 villages.

Lakes, tanks, streams and canals were overflowing due to unprecedented rainfall in parts of Mulugu and Jayashankar Bhupalapally districts.

Breach of some lakes led to submergence of villages and snapping of links to the outside world. People from villages to towns faced the rain fury while road and rail transport was affected.

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari said 10,696 people from 108 villages were shifted to safer places. She said 600 people from Morampalli village of Bhupalpally district and 19 workers stranded in a sand quarry near Gopalpur of Manthani in Peddapalli district were rescued and shifted to safer locations.

Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with the help of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police rescued people stranded in Morampalli village in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.

Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) rescued six people stranded atop a JCB in flooded Morampalli village. The IAF said despite inclement weather, it will continue the rescue effort.

Director General of Fire Services and National Disaster Nagi Reddy said 70 people were rescued from different places. He said boats were pressed into service to rescue people from inundated areas in Warangal town.

NDRF personnel saved seven persons stranded in Munneru river in Khammam while the efforts were on to save five others.

Transport Minister P. Ajay Kumar was monitoring rescue operations by the NDRF teams which were called from Vijayawada and Rajahmundry.

The Chief Secretary said that an NDRF team is being sent immediately to Khammam town and a helicopter to Burgampahad as per the orders given by the Chief Minister.

Undivided Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Khammam districts received massive rainfall since Wednesday night. Electricity supply was snapped to several villages.

Laxmidevipeta in Mulugu district recorded the highest-ever rainfall in the state during the last 24 hours period that ended Thursday morning. The village in Venkatapur mandal received rainfall of 64.98 cm.

Officials said the previous highest was 51.75 cm at Wazeed in the same district on July 19, 2013.

Three persons were washed away in floods in Mulugu district. The incident occurred when water from a breached tank entered Burugupeta village in Venkatapuram mandal. Three members of a family including two women were washed away. The body of Saraiah (60) was found while search was on for two others.

Two brothers were washed away in Mahabubabad district. Body of a youth was found while search was on for the second person.

Two persons were washed away with a car in a stream in Hanamkonda district. The incident occurred near Nagaram in Parkala mandal. At Kannaram village in the same district, a youth on a motorbike was washed away while crossing a swollen stream.

A person was killed due to tree fall in Ravulapalli village in Jayashankar Bhupalapally district.

In another incident in Sangareddy district, a man was washed away in a lake. Villagers retrieved his body.

Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary directed the District Collectors to carry out intensive relief and rehabilitation programmes in the areas affected by heavy rains. She held a teleconference with the Collectors and took stock of the relief and rehabilitation measures taken in the districts hit by heavy rains and floods.

DGP Anjani Kumar, Special Chief Secretary, Finance, Ramakrishna Rao, Special Chief Secretary, Irrigation, Rajat Kumar, Secretary, Disaster Management, Rahul Bojja, DG Fire Services Department and other senior officials participated in this teleconference.

She stated that relief programmes should be undertaken in flood-prone areas as well as railway stations and bus stands where passengers are stuck and the required blankets, bed sheets and additional medicines will be sent to the districts.

She complimented the District Collectors for having worked together with the district administration so far to prevent loss of life and property even as heavy rains have been lashing the state for the past few days. She asked the officials to work as a team in the days to come.

District Collectors, CPs/SPs have been ordered to stay in the district headquarters and monitor the situation from time to time. She said that people should be made aware of the precautionary measures to be taken due to heavy rains and floods. All primary health centers, community health centers, district hospitals and private hospitals in the districts should be kept open 24 hours a day, she said.
New Delhi, July 28 : Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on Thursday held a meeting at the police headquarters with representatives from various law enforcement agencies to discuss preparations for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

The meeting aimed to address several key issues related to security and coordination during the national event.

Officials from neighboring states, including Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, and Jammu and Kashmir, along with senior officers from agencies such as the NIA, the NCB, the IB, NATGRID, and Delhi Police, attended the meeting.

Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa said that one of the primary topics of discussion was intelligence sharing concerning potential terrorist threats, along with measures to counter them, such as border checking and verification of suspicious individuals.

During the session, special attention was given to the movement of paragliders, drones, and other aerial objects in open areas, and the officials stressed the importance of obtaining advance information regarding any suspicious elements or vehicles.

Additionally, incidents related to the activities of interstate criminal gangs operating in the National Capital Region and the illegal supply of firearms and narcotics were thoroughly discussed.

Regarding the Independence Day Celebrations, the officials addressed traffic restrictions and measures to prevent unauthorised intrusions at borders. The representatives from other states were urged to cooperate closely to ensure the effective implementation of these security measures, especially given the upcoming G-20 Summit.

Delving into security concerns, the CP emphasized the need to trace and verify recently released criminals, particularly those with terrorist or radical backgrounds. Close monitoring of these persons was highlighted, and interactions with jail inmates were flagged as essential points of interest.

The meeting also stressed the priority of preventing firearm smuggling, calling for comprehensive briefings and alertness among ground-level staff. Swift information sharing was emphasised to enable timely actions.

Commending the cooperation extended by the neighboring state police forces, the Commissioner hoped for further improvement in collaboration.

"With the G-20 Summit approaching, the officials were briefed about the necessary arrangements and potential demonstrations by various organisations. Officials were also urged to assess their resources and requirements well in advance to avoid last-minute complications. The importance of timely information sharing was underscored, as it is crucial for coordinated and effective action," said Nalwa.

--IANS

ssh/vd
Ranchi, July 27 : The Jharkhand Assembly has decided that from now onwards the drafts of bills to be introduced and passed in the House will be prepared only in Hindi.

The draft of the Bill will be sent to the Jharkhand Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan for approval only in Hindi.

In the last two years, several bills passed by the State Assembly were returned by the Governor on the grounds that their Hindi and English drafts either contained errors or lacked uniformity.

The Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato says that if the Raj Bhavan or the state government feels the need then they can get the bills passed in Hindi translated to English.

Bills being returned from the Raj Bhavan only because of an error in translation from Hindi to English cost the State Assembly a lot of time in the process of getting them re-passed.

In 2021, the Jharkhand government had passed the Anti-Mob Lynching Act bill in the House wherein a provision was made for life imprisonment to the culprits of mob lynching. This bill was returned by the Governor because of the differences between the Hindi and English versions of the bill.

Even after two-and-a-half years, this bill could not be passed again. It is now all set to be reintroduced in the Monsoon session of the State Assembly starting on July 28.

Similarly, the Pandit Raghunath Murmu Tribal University Bill was returned by the Governor due to difference in Hindi and English drafts, following which the Jharkhand government had to pass it again.

Apart from this, the Jharkhand State Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2022, and the Settlement of Dues of Jharkhand Taxation Acts Bill were also returned for the same reason.

Earlier this month, the Raj Bhavan, while returning the bill related to the establishment of a private university, questioned the difference in its Hindi and English drafts.
Damascus, July 28 : Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad has said that sanctions imposed by the West have thrown the Syrian people into humanitarian suffering, media reported.

The Syrian Minister made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of a number of UN agencies and international humanitarian organisations in Syria, during which he expounded on the severe humanitarian hardships faced by the Syrian people, said the report on Thursday.

When touching upon the issues of Syrian refugees, Mekdad briefed on the Syrian government's efforts to facilitate their safe and dignified return, the report added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.
Tehran, July 28 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov discussed bilateral ties and regional issues in a phone call, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

The two Ministers expressed satisfaction with the "positive" developments in bilateral relations and highlighted the necessity of resolving regional issues through cooperation among the region's countries and players, Xinhua news agency reported.

Amir-Abdollahian said on Thursday that cooperation between the two countries is on a "constructive and positive" path, mentioning a successful meeting between the two sides earlier this month, where agreements on joint rail and road projects were reached.

The Iranian top diplomat condemned the recent desecration of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark, adding that an online ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will be held on Monday to discuss the issue.

Bayramov, for his part, praised the "important" visit by Amir-Abdollahian to the Azerbaijani capital of Baku earlier this month and thanked Iran for its "constructive" stance on the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The phone call came amid a recent thaw in relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, following a period of tension over a number of issues, including the military ties between Israel and Azerbaijan.
Damascus, July 28 : Atleast six people and 46 others were injured in an explosion in a suburb south of the Syrian capital of Damascus, according to state media.

The incident occurred on al-Sudan Street in the al-Sayeda Zainab suburb, where an explosive device planted in a motorcycle near a taxicab was remotely detonated, the state-run Syrian TV reported.

Syrian Health Minister Hassan Al-Ghabbash said that 20 of the wounded had minor injuries and were treated on the scene, while the rest were taken to hospitals, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that 11 ambulances rushed to the site following the explosion.

The al-Sayeda Zainab suburb is a predominantly Shia area where Muslim Shia, mainly from Iran, usually visit to perform pilgrimage to holy Shia shrines. The Lebanese Hezbollah group has a presence there as well.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, reported that the explosive device exploded near a military outpost used by Iran-backed fighters.

It is the second explosion in the area within 48 hours.

On July 25, a booby-trapped motorcycle blast wounded two people, as reported by the observatory.

Since the Army drove out the rebel group from the Eastern Ghouta countryside in May 2018, Damascus has remained relatively peaceful.

However, sporadic explosions continue to occur, targeting seemingly random locations.
Colombo, July 28 : Sri Lanka has lifted ban on five out of 11 Islamic groups that were proscribed under the terrorism law in connection with the Easter attack more than four years ago.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Defence Minister issued an extraordinary gazette lifting the ban issued under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) by the former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The ban has been issued under the section "Proscription of Extremist Organisations" under the PTA on April 13, 2021, a week before the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday attack.

The Sri Lanka President repealed the ban on the United Thawheed Jamma'ath (UTJ), Ceylon

Thawheed Jamma'ath (CTJ), Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamma'ath (SLTJ), All Ceylon Thawheed

Jamma'ath (ACTJ) and the Jamiyathul Ansaari Sunnathul Mohomadiya (JASM).

President Gotabaya had banned the organisation amid the pressure by Catholic Church and

the people demanding action against the first-ever coordinated suicide bomb attacks on April 19, 2019, at three churches and three start-class hotels in the capital Colombo.

The attacks killed nearly 270 people, including foreigners, and injured more than 500.

Organisations banned included those linked to the main suicide bomber, who killed himself

along with eight others. They had pledged allegiance to the then ISIL leader, Abu Bakr al-

Baghdadi.

The inquiry into the attacks revealed that India's intelligence services had alerted Sri Lankan

intelligence leaders with details on the attack more than two weeks prior to the attacks but Sri

Lankan counterparts had failed to act on them.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court found former President Maithripala Sirisena and four other senior

defence officials guilty for their negligence to prevent the attacks.

Former police head Pujith Jayasundera and the then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were indicted over the attacks but they were acquitted at the end of the trial.
Chandigarh, July 28 : The Punjab Police have claimed that it has busted the biggest arms smuggling racket in north India which the smugglers used to supply weapons to Haryana and Punjab.

A total of four major gangsters associated with the Bambiha and Lawrence Bishnoi gang were identified and five others were arrested.

The Police said it had recovered 24 illegal weapons and 12 cartridges.

"In a mega breakthrough, CIA unit of @sasnagarpolice busts one of the biggest arms smuggling rackets of north India. The arms smugglers used to supply weapons in Punjab and Haryana, identified four major gangsters of Bambiha & Lawrence gang and arrested five associates," tweeted Punjab Police DGP.

According to the DGP, the kingpin of this racket was Vikrant alias Vikki Thakur, a resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He used to supply arms to major gangs.
Jerusalem, July 28 : The Israeli military has said that its Flotilla 13 naval commando unit has concluded a joint exercise with the US Armed Forces.

During the drill, dubbed 'Juniper Spartan', the forces held several maritime security training scenarios, according to a statement released by the Israeli military on Thursday.

Israel frequently collaborates with the US Armed Forces in joint drills, which the Israeli Army said would "lead the two sides to mutual learning, the strengthening of professional ties, and professional improvements".

The recent exercise was "yet another sign of the deep and operational cooperation between the Israel Defense Forces and the US Armed Forces," the statement said as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

The drill was carried out amid heightened tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians, growing Israeli concerns over Iran's activities in the Middle East, and internal turmoil triggered by a contentious government plan to overhaul the country's legal system.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kiev, July 28 : Andriy Pyshnyy, Chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), said that Ukraine will require at least $37 billion in external financing next year due to high expenditures on defence.

"International support will remain very important for maintaining macrofinancial stability in the coming years," Pyshnyy was quoted as saying by the bank's press service on Thursday.

The official stressed the need for Ukraine to continue its cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and other foreign partners to obtain the aid, Xinhua news agency reported.

Pyshnyy informed that since the beginning of this year, Ukraine received about $27 billion in international assistance, which allowed it to boost foreign reserves to an all-time high of $39 billion at the end of June.

At the end of this year, international assistance for Ukraine is expected to reach $42 billion, Pyshnyy said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Cargo transit through Azerbaijan will swiftly progress, said Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmedov at the 7th International "Issyk-Kul 2023" Economic Forum, which was held in the city of Cholpon-Ata of the Kyrgyz Republic, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.

The delegation of Azerbaijan led by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Ahmedov in the forum was welcomed by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Japarov.

During the meeting, Ahmedov emphasized that Azerbaijan is not only on a strategic path to ensure regional and global collaboration, peace, and dialogue, but also that, being at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it participates in a variety of initiatives and projects with regional partners aimed at boosting transportation connectivity and enhancing regional and continental trade. In addition, Azerbaijan is an important link in a number of projects, such as the international North-South and East-West transport corridors, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and many other projects.

"We are seeing an annual increase in cargo transportation through Azerbaijan's territory on various routes." The increase would reach 75% by the end of 2022. "We anticipate a rapid increase in cargo transportation through our country's territory," Ahmedov added.

Participants at the forum were briefed about the current work to extend the capacity of the Baku International Sea Trade Port as well as the development of the Lachin Airport, which will become Azerbaijan's ninth international airport and the third in the freed areas.

All of these initiatives contribute to a significant increase in Azerbaijan's transit potential, which will effectively address the problem of increasing traffic volumes while also ensuring the smooth operation of international transport routes.

It was observed that Azerbaijan's strategy for rebuilding the Great Silk Road and developing the Middle Corridor is extremely consistent with China's concept for implementing the "One Belt, One Road" project. Azerbaijan was among the first countries to embrace the Chinese effort.

The deputy prime minister also emphasized Azerbaijan's critical role in securing Europe's energy security. In this perspective, the Southern Gas Corridor, which connects the Caspian area to Europe, makes an important contribution to the global energy security system.

Ahmedov said that Azerbaijan has significant potential for the development of alternative energy, and President Ilham Aliyev has set the task for the government to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the country's energy system to 30 percent by 2030. A number of major projects are already being implemented in this direction with the world's leading companies.

The Azerbaijani PM also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its success in the field of socio-economic development. It was noted that important state programs are being effectively implemented in Kyrgyzstan, the welfare of the people is improving, and the investment attractiveness of the country is growing.
San Juan Airport, San Juan, Dominican Republic [ SJM / MDSJ ]

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L to R: Scott Sheehan; MO MEA President Brian Hartman; NC MEA President Johnathan Hamiel; Franklin Willis, CMA Foundation; and AL MEA President Rob Lyda. Photo: Ashlee Wilcox Photography. NAfME remains one of the most consistent and impactful champions of both student and teacher voices across the United States.

In collaboration with the CMA Foundation, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) announces the 2023 recipients of the State Music Education Association Advocacy Grant Awards. These grants support the work of NAfME state music education associations (MEAs) by augmenting existing advocacy initiatives and creating new advocacy opportunities.

NAfME is pleased to partner with the Country Music Association Foundation to honor three outstanding MEAs for their work in advocacy, stated NAfME President Scott R. Sheehan. On behalf of the National Executive Board, we offer our deepest congratulations and thanks to the Alabama MEA, Missouri MEA, and the North Carolina MEA. Collectively, they are putting a spotlight on ways to engage music educators and collegiate students in the important work of advocating for our most disadvantaged and historically underrepresented students. The funding provided by the CMA Foundation will have a great impact on the efforts of these three associations to support new music educators entering the field. They are also supporting the creation of culturally responsive policies and resources that can later be shared with members across the entire country. We are pleased to honor AMEA, MMEA, and NCMEA for their transformative work and look forward to seeing the results of their efforts in the years to come.

Learn about the three MEAs selected this year for grants to aid their advocacy efforts:

*Alabama: The Alabama Music Educators Association was awarded funds to provide mentoring, professional development, and advocacy training for collegiate members at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and beginning or early career music educators.

*Missouri: The Missouri Music Educators Association was awarded funds to create a series of short videos tailored to educate music educators on how to effectively advocate for policies and programs that are culturally proficient and responsive to the needs of their students.

*North Carolina: The North Carolina Music Educators Association was awarded funds to develop a professional learning community with online modules and in-person training to support the unique opportunities and challenges for rural educators.

NAfME remains one of the most consistent and impactful champions of both student and teacher voices across the United States, said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. As another organization committed to furthering music education, we understand the need for state advocacy resources at the state level and recognize the role the State Advocacy grant plays in amplifying and extending these efforts. We could not be prouder to continue to support this work.

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About the CMA Foundation

Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining high-quality music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), invests various resources across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations.

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. The only association that addresses all aspects of music education, NAfME, together with its affiliated state music education associations, advocates at the national, state, and local levels and provides resources and opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Founded in 1907 and representing more than 53,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme).
Dimiour Secures Fast100 Award! Sidd Ahmed stated that this success represents a remarkable bounce-back moment deserving of celebration, attributing Dimiour's triumph to his unwavering belief in his employees.

Dimiour, a VDart Group Company, a global leader in mobility and digital technology solutions for various industries, including automotive, manufacturing, energy, utilities, and healthcare, has been named one of the Fastest 100 growing companies by the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC).

To be considered for this prestigious award, companies needed to demonstrate progressive operations with verifiable revenue and employment growth over the past three years, along with a profit margin ranging from $15 million to $500 million. Dimiour had previously received the Fast award in 2022, an achievement credited to their solid global team spanning ten countries.

Expressing his excitement about this milestone, Sidd Ahmed, the President, and CEO of Dimiour, stated in an interview that this success represents a remarkable bounce-back moment deserving of celebration. He acknowledged that the company faced initial setbacks but attributed Dimiour's triumph to his unwavering belief in his employees.

For eligibility, companies must be headquartered in the US and owned and operated by Asian American citizens, with gross annual revenue exceeding $1 million. An ACG Committee of volunteers conducted in-person interviews with all qualified applicants.

The Fast 50/100 award aims to acknowledge and celebrate the nation's fastest-growing businesses, with competition based on the percentage growth of annual revenue. Susan Au Allen, the National President and CEO of USPAACC, described the award program as an opportunity to highlight the remarkable achievements of Asian American-owned businesses, recognizing their contributions to the economy as engines of growth, innovation, and ingenuity.

Sidd Ahmed emphasized that receiving the Fast Award serves as a benchmark for Dimiour's standing compared to other industry firms. He expressed that this recognition provides valuable insights into their position in the marketplace and instills a sense of pride among the team members.

About Dimiour:

Dimiour is an award-winning (2021 & 2022 Toyota IT Diverse Supplier of the Year and Atlanta Business Chronicles 2021 & 2022 Pace Setter) global technology & business consulting services organization that pairs people, technology, and expertise to create solutions for tomorrows problems. The companys solutions power next-generation Mobility, Connected Services, IoT, Cloud, and Security consulting and services. Led by a solid global team located across ten countries, including the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Belgium, UK, Japan, Australia & India, the company provides solution expertise for custom turn-key projects for the design and implementation of future concepts and cutting-edge technologies, delivering frictionless customer experience, creating better business value. The company partners with its clients in ideation, strategy, prototyping, testing, product launch, and steady-state support. It has deep expertise in emerging technologies such as blockchain, IoT, UI/UX, AR/VR, Cloud, Data Science and Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, NLP, Identity and Access Management (IAM), and Intelligent automation. Learn more: http://www.Dimiour.io.
Dr. Alice Hammel addresses the 2023 NAfME National Leadership Assembly attendees. Photo:  Ashlee Wilcox Photography, LLC Her focus of providing students with differing abilities a voice and place in music education has made Alice a leading authority in this area, and her transformative work is held in the highest regard.

In June, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) honored Dr. Alice Hammel, professor of music education at James Madison University and professor of music theory at Virginia Commonwealth University, as the 2023 Lowell Mason Fellow. This distinction is one of music educations most important honors, designed to recognize the accomplishments of music educators, music education advocates, political leaders, industry professionals, and others who have contributed to music education in their unique way. Dr. Hammel was recognized as the 2023 Lowell Mason Fellow during the NAfME National Leadership Assembly in Washington, DC, attended by music educators and association leadership from around the country.

It was truly my honor as National President to recognize the outstanding achievements of one of our most esteemed colleagues during our National Leadership Assembly celebration, said Scott R. Sheehan, NAfME President and Board Chair. Alice Hammel has served as a leader in our profession in many capacities, and her stalwart dedication as educator, advocate, musician, and colleague has had a tremendous impact across the entire country. Her focus of providing students with differing abilities a voice and place in music education has made Alice a leading authority in this area, and her transformative work is held in the highest regard. She is among Americas finest music educators and is most deserving of this recognition and honor. On behalf of the National Executive Board, we offer our sincere congratulations to Alice Hammel for all she has done and continues to do for all students and for music education.

Alice Hammel is the current president of the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA). In addition to being a member of the faculty at James Madison University, she has many years of experience teaching instrumental and choral music in public and private schools. Dr. Hammel also teaches online courses through many institutions throughout the United States and has maintained a large, independent flute studio for more than 35 years.

Dr. Hammel travels widely to universities during the school year to serve as in-residence scholar in the area of students with special needs. During the summer months she teaches in graduate programs for music educators, and her expertise in those teaching situations ranges from musicianship, pedagogy, and teaching students who learn differently. She is the co-author of four texts: A Label-Free Approach (third edition), Teaching Music to Students with Autism (second edition), Winding It Back: Teaching to Individual Differences in Music Classroom and Ensemble Settings, and Teaching Music to Students with Differences and Disabilities: A Practical Resource (second edition) available through Oxford University Press. Dr. Hammel is also a contributing author to a variety of NAfME resources and has published widely in music, arts, special, and general education journals.

Dr. Hammel has presented multiple workshops through the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and serves on the committee for the Kennedy Center National Forum: Examining the Intersection of Arts Education and Special Education, as well as serving on their planning committee for their annual national conference.

Alice has provided workshops, presentations, and residencies for school districts, universities, and conferences in at least 33 U.S. states and three countries, and these always leave the participants awakened, inspired, and in some cases, fundamentally changed, noted Dr. Bruce Hammel, Associate Professor of Music, Virginia Commonwealth University. Countless times I have witnessed people approach Alice at conferences around the country thanking her for her help and expertise. They frequently share stories of breakthroughs they have experienced with their students following one of her presentations.

Dr. Hammels lifelong interest in ensuring the needs of all students are met in the music classroom has improved the field through her scholarly pursuits and teaching efforts, added Annamarie Bollino, who is Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts, Stafford County Public Schools, Virginia; chair of the NAfME Council of Music Program Leaders; and VMEA Immediate Past-President. Her practice is grounded in the steadfast belief that all students have gifts to be celebrated in the music classroom, and she shares that belief, along with useful, research-based strategies, to support the work of teachers in the field.

First and foremost, Alice Hammel is a teachers teacher and an award-winning music educator, stated Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy, Director of Choral Activities, Associate Professor of Choirs, Conducting, Choral Music Education, James Madison University. The November 2017 VMEA Conference saw the institution of the Dr. Alice M. Hammel Inclusion in Music Education Award from James Madison University, for which she was the first recipient. This award was specifically instituted to both honor Dr. Hammels lifetime work for students with special needs, as well as highlight the need for all teachers to be more expert in terms of inclusion in music education settings for all learning populations. . . . Admired and loved, Alice Hammels capacities to vision, to create, to inspire, to pioneer the new, to champion the rights of all students to learn, and to create learning communities where, every day, all students are both safe and challenged are some of her strongest and most enduring qualities.

She is internationally renowned as a steadfast champion of students with differences and disabilities, shared Dr. Berta Yee, music educator in Halifax County Public Schools. In her roles as author, researcher, and clinician, Dr. Hammel has generously shared her insights, expertise, and advocacy.

The prestigious Lowell Mason Fellows award is named for educator, musician, and composer of more than 1,600 hymn tunes, Lowell Mason, who is considered to be the father of public school music education in the United States. He has been credited with introducing music instruction to American public schools in the 19th century, and with establishing teacher training in music education. In 2002, the importance of his contributions to music education inspired NAfME to create the Lowell Mason Fellows award.

Lowell Mason Fellow designations also provide an opportunity to support the efforts of NAfME through the donation made in the honorees name. This donation goes to NAfME to support future generations of music educators through the organizations programs. Individuals or groups (corporations, universities, foundations, student organizations, etc.) may fund designations.

Read more about the Lowell Mason Fellows distinction and past recipients of the honor on this page.

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The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. The only association that addresses all aspects of music education, NAfME, together with its affiliated state music education associations, advocates at the national, state, and local levels and provides resources and opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Founded in 1907 and representing more than 53,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme).
Gervasios Italian Family Restaurant opens in Chesterfield. "We love being in the heart of the Chesterfield community and being immersed in the local neighborhood," Mazzone said.

Renaissance Properties proudly welcomes Gervasio's Italian Family Restaurant to The Shops at Old York Village. Located at 95 Saddle Way, Units 400 and 500, Gervasio's is a culinary gem that not only offers delectable Italian cuisine, but like the center its located within also serves as a bridge between generations. Gervasios takes a cherished family legacy of beloved Italian recipes and moves it forward in a new center uniquely designed to highlight the charm and appeal of traditional architectural features.

Gervasio's Family Restaurant has a rich history dating back to 1969 when it was first established by Tony Gervasio. Born and raised in Chambersburg as one of 13 siblings, Tony immersed himself in the art of the Trenton Tomato Pie under the guidance of Guiseppe "Joe" Papa of Papa's Tomato Pies. In 1956, Tony opened his first restaurant, and in 1969, he and his wife Marie founded Gervasio's Family Restaurant, where they successfully served the community until its closure in 2004. Tony's passion for bringing people together through classic family recipes and Italian traditions made every customer feel like family.

Today, Gervasio's legacy lives on through Mark Mazzone, Tony Gervasio's grandson and the Chef/Owner of the newly opened Gervasio's Italian Family Restaurant in Chesterfield. Having grown up in Hamilton, NJ, Mazzone spent his childhood immersed in the family business, learning the art of pizza making, and developing a deep passion for food. With a resume that includes working at renowned establishments like Wolfgang Puck and Di Bruno Bros, Mazzone brings a wealth of culinary experience and a commitment to preserving the Gervasio's tradition.

What sets Gervasios apart from the rest is its strong connection the past, not just through the family recipes but also through its architectural aesthetic. The Shops at Old York Village, with its neotraditional design, perfectly complements the essence of Gervasios Italian Family Restaurant. The center artfully blends contemporary architecture with elements borrowed from the past, creating a space that celebrates the cherished traditions of bygone eras.

By choosing The Shops at Old York Village as the home for Gervasios Italian Family Restaurant, Mark Mazzone has found the perfect setting to honor his familys cherished recipes and business principles, said Robert Adinolfi, Chief Operating Officer at Renaissance Properties. Theres a perfect synergy with Gervasios and The Shops at Old York Village that has been created at the intersection of the past and present.

With 2,481 sq. ft. of stunning space from Renaissance Properties, Gervasio's Italian Family Restaurant serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of family-owned businesses. Employing a dedicated staff of 35, Gervasio's offers classic family recipes passed down through generations, along with new and unique dishes that reflect Mazzones culinary expertise.

The menu showcases beloved favorites like original Trenton tomato pies and slices, as well as mouthwatering cheesesteaks, chicken cutlet sandwiches, and an array of delectable entrees including chicken cacciatore, veal parmesan, and salmon puttanesca, said Mazzone.

One of the many reasons Mazzone chose Chesterfield as the location for Gervasio's Italian Family Restaurant is the warm embrace of the local community.

"We love being in the heart of the Chesterfield community and being immersed in the local neighborhood," Mazzone said. The support and camaraderie among fellow small business owners at The Shops at Old York Village further solidify Gervasio's place within this vibrant development.

Mazzone expresses his gratitude to Renaissance Properties, stating, "We have a great ongoing relationship with Renaissance Properties, including individuals in every role. They made the process of opening a small business very easy and were willing to work with us to ensure all our needs were met to run the most effective business possible."

Gervasio's Italian Family Restaurant officially opened its doors on May 5th, welcoming guests to experience the authentic flavors and warm hospitality that have been the hallmark of the Gervasio family for decades. Mark Mazzone and his wife Amber look forward to serving the community and continuing the cherished traditions established by Tony Gervasio.

For more information about Gervasio's Italian Family Restaurant, visit https://gervasiositalianfamilyrestaurant.com.

To inquire about placing your business at The Shops at Old York Village, please visit https://www.fennelly.com/properties/90-105-saddle-way/.

Renaissance Properties

Since its creation more than 30 years ago, Renaissance Properties has evolved from a small real estate brokerage company to a multi-faceted real estate development firm and home builder with over 1,000 new homes and nearly 800,000 square feet of commercial space to its credit. The dedicated team at Renaissance Properties works tirelessly to ensure quality, integrity and customer satisfaction in all its endeavors. With distinctive designs and accommodating layouts, new home buyers and tenants alike are delighted with the product offered by Renaissance Properties. To learn more, visit https://www.renaissanceprop.com/.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Infusion of Care, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Infusion of Care, Inc., alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against Infusion of Care, Inc. is currently pending in the Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01330377-CU-OE-CXC. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Infusion of Care, Inc. allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, and (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections  226, 226.7, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

Additionally, Infusion of Care, Inc. allegedly failed to reimburse employees for required business expenses. California Labor Code  2802 expressly states that "an employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties..." During employment, Plaintiff and other California Class Members were allegedly required to use their personal cellular phones as a result of and in furtherance of their job duties.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Infusion of Care, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County, and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

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Granata familys philanthropic gift, which establishes a new endowed fund at AHN, will support the networks Peritoneal Surgery Program Im grateful I was able to locate Dr. Bartlett and will forever be indebted to his life-saving work. My intention with this pledge is to create future opportunities for others in similar situations to ensure they can continue living far beyond their diagnosis.

The family of Robert J. Granata, a cancer survivor and Michigan entrepreneur, has donated $1 million to support research carried out at Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institutes (AHNCI) Peritoneal Surgery Program.

The Granata familys planned gift serves as a gesture of his gratitude for the innovative and life-saving work offered by clinicians at AHNCI, specifically David Bartlett, MD, chair of the AHNCI and an internationally recognized cancer specialist with expertise in peritoneal surgery.

In 2014, Mr. Granata was told he only had three months to live following the diagnosis of a rare and aggressive stage 4 appendiceal cancer. Doctors had discovered that his appendiceal cancer had advanced throughout his abdominal tissues, colon, and abdominal lymph nodes.

Mr. Granata sought out Dr. Bartlett, a pioneer in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), who performed two life-saving surgeries on him.

The HIPEC procedure is preceded by a major debulking surgery to remove all visible tumors and cancer within the abdomen. Next, the abdominal cavity is bathed with a heated chemotherapy solution to kill off remaining microscopic cancer cells  the chemotherapy solution is heated to between 107 and 109 degrees, which is hot enough to destroy cancer cells, but not healthy tissue.

In all, the HIPEC surgery can last 8-12 hours. Few surgeons in the world have Dr. Bartletts level of experience and expertise with the procedure, which is why patients from around the country and world come to AHN. Mr. Granata lives in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.

Compared to standard chemo, surgery plus HIPEC significantly improves survival from many cancers, said Dr. Bartlett. About 10 to 15 percent of patients are cancer-free long-term.

Since undergoing treatment at AHN in 2019, Mr. Granata has had no evidence of cancer in his body and in gratitude he has spearheaded several philanthropic efforts to support the growth of the AHN Peritoneal Surgery Program and to advance Dr. Bartletts research aimed at the development of new therapies and helping patients avoid invasive surgical treatment.

In addition to his previous gifts to the Bartlett Cancer Research Fund, the Granata family has pledged to posthumously donate a $1 million legacy gift to sustain and advance the Peritoneal Surgery Program for AHNCI, and create hope for patients in the future.

Upon receiving my diagnosis in 2014, I was determined to do whatever I needed to in order to continue living, shared Mr. Granata. Im grateful I was able to locate Dr. Bartlett and will forever be indebted to his life-saving work. My intention with this pledge is to create future opportunities for others in similar situations to ensure they can continue living far beyond their diagnosis.

The new $1 million gift will formally establish the Granata Family Endowed Fund in Innovative Cancer Research at AHN. The Granata familys hope with this new fund is that it will become a catalyst for additional major philanthropic funding to support this critical area of research.

In addition to his philanthropic gifts to AHN, Mr. Granata has launched an international Patient Ambassador Team comprised of patients treated by Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Patrick Wagner, an AHN surgical oncologist who specializes in abdominal tumors.

Cancer patients from across the world have traveled to AHNCI facilities in Pittsburgh and Erie to receive innovative and life-saving care from AHNs skilled oncologists. Under Mr. Granatas direction, many of these patients have come together to help shape and expand a Global Referral Program and make AHNCI an international destination center for the treatment of complex cancers and ensure that patients who need this specialty treatment are aware of where they can find it.

Our goal is to offer patients the latest therapeutic innovations and advanced treatment regimens to fight even the most aggressive cancers, and Mr. Granatas outcome has been exceptional, said Dr. Bartlett. His incredible generosity and ongoing work with our team will create a remarkable legacy that spurs the development of additional cancer treatment breakthroughs in the future, enabling us to bring even greater hope to others facing similar rare cancer diagnoses.

Mr. Granata also initiated a pilot project to redesign patient gowns to create more privacy, comfort, and functionality for patients in both the outpatient and inpatient settings, inspired by his experience with months-long stays in the hospital following his HIPEC procedures. In conjunction with AHNCI, Mr. Granata has led several focus groups and surveys with stakeholders, including patients and caregivers, to gather input to create a more functional dignity gown that allows for more privacy for the patient.

To learn more about the AHN Cancer Institute, visit https://www.ahn.org/services/cancer.

About the Allegheny Health Network  and the AHN Cancer Institute

Allegheny Health Network is a western Pennsylvania-based integrated healthcare system that serves patients from across a five-state region that includes western Pennsylvania and the adjacent regions of Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The Networks Cancer Institute employs more than 200 physicians and 500 oncology professionals who provide a complete spectrum of oncology care at 24 affiliated oncology clinics, including access to state-of-the-art technologies and new therapies being explored in hundreds of clinical cancer trials. The Cancer Institute has the only cancer program in the Pittsburgh region accredited as an Integrated Network Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and its radiation oncology program is the largest in the country accredited by the American Society for Radiation Oncology. AHN Cancer Institute is a Quality Oncology Practice Initiative certified practice, and is accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer.
NextDayFrames announces a give-back program built around programs in Uganda to help empower millions living in poverty. The brand donates one-third of proceeds to charities through its partnership with AsOne, with over $222,000 given to date. The purpose-driven brand and its customers are making a sustainable change by empowering people in need through education, job opportunities and building relationships allowing them to prosper.

The picture frame company makes all frames in-house, printing, framing and shipping out every purchase the next day. Customers upload photos and select their frame preferences from a wide range of styles for a single print or a gallery wall. Its mission has grown from putting a smile on customers faces to that of Ugandans helped by the company.

We wanted to help however we could, said Founder Jennifer Ray. We have been blessed with the gift of entrepreneurship, so we built the brand around the giveback program, so that we can do our part to help make the world a better place.

Founded by Keith and Jennifer Ray, the brands motivation to make the world a better place began when the family traveled to Uganda and saw that most people there live on less than $3 a day. Roughly the size of Oregon, the African country has 10 times more people and a disproportionate amount of poverty. They learned that 86% of the worlds population lives in third-world countries like this. The couple and their young boys say they were blown away by the level of poverty they witnessed, such as no electricity and running water. It is then that the Rays found their lifes mission.

The couple returned to the U.S. and knew they had the means to do good. Their journey has been successful thanks to its customers whose frame purchases makes the give-back program possible. The life-changing impact can be seen in people such as Ugandan Mama Vero, whose home was rebuilt after a devastating flood, fully funded by NextDayFrames customers.

For more information, visit http://www.NextDayFrames.com.

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About NextDay Frames:

NextDayFrames was created out of a need for an easy way to fill walls with memories that make us smile. We make it easy to frame your favorite moments and transform your home. At NextDayFrames, we believe every great memory deserves to be showcased, whether it's a candid shot of your toddler or an epic photo from your vacation. We make it easy and affordable to frame the memories.
Metaverse Japan Under the theme of "Embrace Technology. New Work. New World," Metaverse Japan Summit 2023 shows you how AI and Metaverse will change our world and the future of your work.

transcosmos inc. hereby announces that the company has joined Metaverse Japan (Presidents: Shinko Osada, Kuniyoshi Mabuchi) to help the development of the metaverse. As a member, transcosmos will take the stage as a speaker at the Metaverse Japan Summit 2023 scheduled to be held in Shibuya Stream Hall on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Under the theme "Management Strategy powered by the Metaverse - Metaverse Business in the Real World -," transcosmos will hold a joint session with Urth inc., and the lawyer Kenshiro Michishita.

1. About Metaverse Japan

Being a hub to share the latest information and worldview widely, going beyond and across industries and companies, Metaverse Japan will underpin the discussion on a whole new concept - the metaverse. Our goal is to make Japan showcase its soft power in the global market and user communities by unlocking Japan's intellectual properties, creativity of artists, and the power of emerging entrepreneurs in the age of the metaverse through a range of activities. With the aim of contributing to a wider society as a new social enabler, we will create more opportunities for people to reach their full potential and demonstrate it in society while respecting diversity. As of June 30, 2023, we have as many as 161 member companies and organizations (51 Gold members, 63 Silver members, 43 supporting members and 4 alliance partners). Under the theme of applying the metaverse in the real world, we will deliver businesses that bring greater value to our society more than ever.

Name: Metaverse Japan

Date of Foundation: March 14, 2022

Location: Share Lounge, DAIKANYAMA TSUTAYA BOOKS, 17-5, Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan

Website: https://metaverse-japan.org/

2. About Metaverse Japan Summit 2023

Under the theme of "Embrace Technology. New Work. New World," the event shows you how AI and Metaverse will change our world and the future of your work.

Name: Metaverse Japan Summit 2023

Sponsor: Metaverse Japan

Cosponsor: Future Design Shibuya

Special event cosponsor: TOKYU CORPORATION

Supporter: Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Digital Agency

Date: Thursday, July 13, 2023

Time: 13:00 to 19:00 (venue opens at 12:30)

Venue: Shibuya Stream Hall (3-21-3, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002

Program: Main stage sessions, side-stage sessions, sponsor booth

Admission Fees: Members: Free of charge

Non-members: Offline ticket \10,000/Online ticket \3,000

URL (no translation available): https://mvjsummit.com/mvjs202307/

3. transcosmos joint session

Date and Time: 14:40 to 15:00, Thursday July 13, 2023

Venue: 4F STAGE (Interactive Stage)*No livestreaming available.

Theme: Management Strategy powered by the Metaverse - Metaverse Business in the Real World -

Metaverse has the potential to spark a paradigm shift in society and industries. In this new area where various companies are driving initiatives, Japan has been pushing forward digital transformation and already applying the metaverse in the real world. For everyone who aims to be a global player from Japan with the power of the metaverse, we will talk about business management using the metaverse, and how we can apply the metaverse in business in the real world.

Speakers (in no particular order, honorific titles omitted):

Jin Mitsuda (Deputy Department Manager, Metaverse Promotion Department & Department Manager, Marketing Strategy Department, CX Business Headquarters, transcosmos inc.)

Hiroki Tanaka (Chief Executive Officer, Urth inc./Doctoral Program, Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University)

Kenshiro Michishita (Lawyer and Representative, SAKURA Law Office/advisory board member of the Public-Private Cooperation Council for Addressing New Legal Issues Concerning Contents In the Metaverse, the Secretariat of Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, the Cabinet Office/advisory board member of the Virtual City Consortium/advisor of the Metaverse Japan)

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 171 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The reintegration of Armenian residents of Karabakh into Azerbaijani society was discussed at the "Dialogue with Tofik Abbasov" program on the Baku Network expert platform, Trend reports.

The guest of the program, Director of the Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies Igor Korotchenko, said that the best guarantor of the security of the Armenian residents of Karabakh is President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a personality who is responsible for his own words and has international authority.

"Azerbaijan is not just one of many countries; rather, it is a state that won the second Karabakh war and heads the Non-Aligned Movement, and during the years of Azerbaijan's chairmanship in this movement, this organization has reached completely new frontiers. Azerbaijan is the guarantor of the EU's energy security. This is a country that is looking to the future. If the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, with his experience, his intelligence, and his strategic goal-setting, says that it will be so, then it will be so," he said.

Korotchenko noted that the Karabakh Economic Region is an integral part of Azerbaijan, and as President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly said, Baku considers Armenians living in Karabakh citizens of Azerbaijan.

"In general, Azerbaijan's approach is distinguished not only by pragmatism but also by humanism and, at the same time, by the desire to do everything so that these pages of the bloody history that has lasted for 30 years are turned over. Azerbaijan won the second Karabakh war, defeating Armenia and forcing it to surrender. And then Azerbaijan behaved very nobly. It stretched out its hand and said that foremost, the country wants to sign a peace treaty with Armenia based on the five basic principles proposed by President Ilham Aliyev in order for interstate relations to be based on new realities, according to which two countries, Azerbaijan and Armenia, will clearly assume obligations," he said.

"After the delimitation and demarcation of the state border take place, all issues will be resolved. Baku said that despite the insinuations about "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide", it is ready to carry out the peaceful integration of the Armenian residents of Karabakh. Moreover, Baku appointed a special commissioner who met with Armenian representatives and said that Azerbaijan is ready to discuss. After that, a new step was taken when representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh were invited to Baku in order to start concrete negotiations on peaceful integration," he added.

Korotchenko believes that a detailed roadmap for the integration of the Armenian residents of Karabakh should be developed.

"The basic principle, if we are talking about how to carry out reintegration and establish peace, is the complete withdrawal of Armenian armed formations from the territory of Karabakh," he added.

Touching upon the issue of the refusal of the Armenian side to use the Aghdam-Khankendi road for humanitarian supplies, Korotchenko stressed that this is exactly the Armenian genocide, which suits the "leadership" of the separatists in Khankendi.

"Here it is, the Armenian genocide, which the Armenians themselves arrange against their fellow people. Because if there is a famine on the territory, as they claimalthough I am more than sure that all these video frames are productions, we know perfectly well how all this is done, but neverthelessthere is an option to supply any goods, equipment, or food through Aghdam. But they deliberately do not do this because this is the way to reintegration. Reintegration into Azerbaijani society is the path of the Armenian residents of Karabakh to a bright future," he said.
O'Leary Roofing The program will be an innovative addition to Viewpoint, a show dedicated to sharing inspiring stories and valuable information across various industries.

Viewpoint, the premier television program hosted by renowned actor Dennis Quaid, is delighted to announce a groundbreaking partnership with O'Leary Roofing, a leading roofing contractor based in Pennsylvania. Together, they are set to launch a captivating short-form educational segment titled "Modern Roofing Solutions," aimed at empowering consumers with vital insights into the key factors to consider when selecting a roofing contractor.

The program will be an innovative addition to Viewpoint, a show dedicated to sharing inspiring stories and valuable information across various industries. In this new segment, viewers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the crucial aspects to ponder when undertaking roofing projects, all brought to life by the expertise of industry professionals.

The segment will feature interviews and expert opinions from seasoned roofing specialists at O'Leary Roofing, who will impart their extensive knowledge and experience to educate viewers on making informed decisions when choosing a roofing contractor. These experts will delve into various topics, including:

Accreditation and Licensing: Unraveling the importance of hiring a roofing contractor with the necessary certifications, licenses, and insurance to ensure a professional and reliable service.

Experience and Track Record: Shedding light on the significance of considering a contractor's track record and portfolio to gauge their capabilities and previous successes.

Materials and Technology: Exploring the latest advancements in roofing materials and technologies, empowering consumers to opt for sustainable and efficient solutions.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Understanding the value of customer feedback and testimonials in assessing the quality of service provided by a roofing contractor.

Warranties and Guarantees: Informing viewers about the different types of warranties and guarantees that trustworthy contractors offer to ensure long-term protection and satisfaction.

O'Leary Roofing is a leading roofing contractor based in Pennsylvania, renowned for their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. With a team of skilled professionals, O'Leary Roofing provides a wide range of roofing solutions for both residential and light commercial properties. The "Modern Roofing Solutions" segment will be produced later in 2023 for distribution by the end of the year. Viewers can expect an engaging and informative experience that will help them navigate the complex process of selecting a roofing contractor with confidence.

About Viewpoint: Viewpoint is an acclaimed television program hosted by Dennis Quaid, dedicated to sharing remarkable stories and educational content across various industries. The show showcases inspiring individuals and organizations while offering valuable insights to viewers.

About O'Leary Roofing: O'Leary Roofing is a leading roofing contractor based in Pennsylvania, renowned for its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. With a team of skilled professionals, O'Leary Roofing provides a wide range of roofing solutions for residential and commercial properties. For more information visit: https://olearyroof.com/
Above: Gopniks acceptance video for the award, recorded with the assistance of her grandchild. See the complete video.

APS Immediate Past-President Alison Gopnik, a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has received the 2024 David E. Rumelhart Prize in Cognitive Science from the Cognitive Science Society.

Announced July 27 at the societys annual conference in Sydney, Australia, the award is named after David Rumelhart, an APS charter member known for his many contributions to the formal analysis of human cognition. It comes with a $100,000 cash prize and is awarded annually to an individual or collaborative team making a significant contemporary contribution to the theoretical foundations of human cognition.

The prize consists of a hand-crafted bronze medal, a certificate, a citation of the awardees contribution, and a monetary award of $100,000. View a slideshow about the making of the bronze medallion: https://cognitivesciencesociety.org/making-of-the-rumelhart-prize/.

Alison Gopnik has made enormous impact across the cognitive sciences, the Cognitive Science Society said on its website. Beyond her notable contributions within psychology, she has published within philosophy and linguistics, her work has had an impact in education, she is gaining recognition in animal behavior and anthropology, and she has informed artificial intelligence. Her contributions are not only deep but broad, showcasing how the disciplines of cognitive science can work together to give us a more complete picture of intelligence and the mind.

That broad recognition is particularly meaningful to Gopnik, she told APS in an email, because the awards history is an important reminder that many of the central ideas of contemporary AI originally came from work in scientific psychology. She noted that Rumelhart himself developed the neural network techniques that are core to modern machine learning, and that past winners of the prize, including Geoffrey Hinton and Judea Pearl, also won the A.M. Turing Award in computer science for their discoveries involving artificial intelligence.

We often divide up psychological and cognitive sciences based on the kind of subjects we study, she explained. On that basis, Im a psychologist who studies childrenand proud of it. But the reason I study children is to try to make very general discoveries about how the mind worksin fact, how any mind, human or artificial could work.

Moreover, Gopnik added, The motivation for my work has always been to pull together ideas from different disciplines. I started in philosophy, had my first job in a linguistics department, and am currently part of The Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab. So the interdisciplinary nature of the award feels very much like a recognition of what is most important to me.

Gopnik, whose term as APS President ended May 31, is the second APS leader to receive the Rumelhart Prize in recent years, following 2021 recipient Susan Goldin-Meadow.

Gopnik reflected on the significance of the award to psychological science and the work of APS more broadly. In addition to Rumelharts involvement in APSs founding, There is an interesting list of joint winners of the APS William James Fellow Award and the Rumelhart Prize, including Susan Carey, Susan Goldin-Meadow, and Lila Gleitman, she said. The study of cognition in scientific psychology is one of the core domains in cognitive science. It is also striking that, like me, past joint James and Rumelhart winners have used studies of children to understand basic theoretical foundations of cognitive science.

Read all of Alison Gopniks Observer columns as APS President. Learn more about the David E. Rumelhart Prize.
Manga isnt typically the main draw at San Diego Comic-Con, held July 19-23 this year, especially since publishers have shifted energiesand marketing budgetsto Anime Expo, which was held two weeks prior in Los Angeles. But this year, manga got marquee billing. Two superstar comics creators from Japan were headliners at the show: Vinland Saga creator Makoto Yukimura and horror manga master Junji Ito.

While it wasnt Itos inaugural appearance at a North American fan event, it was a rare one, and it marked his first time gracing the halls of SDCC. Viz Media rolled out the red carpet with an exhibit of more than 100 examples of his original manga pages and color illustrations on display at the Marriott Marquis Hotel and at the Viz booth. There was a constant line to view the gallery room of framed pieces, which included many iconic scenes from Uzumaki, Gyo, and Itos latest release, Soichi: Junji Ito Story Collection.

Kodanshas booth similarly featured original full-color sketches and replica pages from Vinland Saga, Yukimuras epic tale of Vikings and a cross-Atlantic journey, along with a preview of the upcoming release of the Vinland Saga Deluxe Edition, an oversized 3-in-1 volume hardcover with embossed faux-leather covers that will hit shelves in December 2023.

Both creators were featured at hugely popular panels and autograph sessions, where they charmed fans with insights into their creative process. Yukimura garnered lots of laughs when he told the crowd at his spotlight panel, This is a secret, but Im not all that into Vikings! I had a vision to tell a story about violence and peace. But stories set in historical Japan, China, Rome have all been done before.

Vinland Saga is historical fiction, and Yukimura openly acknowledged the challenge of drawing problematic episodes of the past. The story has reached the point where [protagonist] Thorfinn has met the natives of Vinland. I cant hide the fact that this is based on history, and something very unfortunate is about to happen, he said. Im debating how to deal with the conflict between the Vikings and the Mikmaq people, and make it into something more hopeful.

Meanwhile, Ito opined on why horror has become trendy. The main draw of horror is about the unknown, he explained. With horror, youre faced with the unknown, but youre given some kind of resolution in the end. Its part of the human psychological need to know the answers.

At the Manga Publishers Roundtable on Thursday, manga and webtoon publishers debated another unknown: how the market will evolve in 2023 and beyond. While the dramatic growth of manga sales across 2020-2022 plateaued in 2023, the good news is we're still trending higher than 2020 sales, said Kevin Hamric, v-p of publishing sales at Viz. If that continues for the rest of the year, which we predict it will, it will be the third largest year in the history since weve been keeping the records of sales.

Michael Gombos, senior director of licensed publications at Dark Horse, added: This is our third year running for setting sales records at Dark Horse. Manga is a very small part of our total titles publishedabout one to one and a half percent, but in 2021, it was 66% of our gross trade publishing revenue. In 2022, that's dipped to a paltry 52%.

Other trends to watch include the growth of full-color webtoons in print. Jamie Kim, business development lead from Manta, announced a deal with Penguin Random Houses Inklore imprint to publish both the novel and graphic novel version of fantasy romance Under the Oak Tree. Bobbie Chase, executive editor of Webtoon Unscrolled, revealed that the publisher is increasing its yearly output to 24 titles per year going forwardup from earlier projections of 15 per yearacross YA and Adult categories, thanks to "strong sales and Amazon #1 statuses.

Whats interesting to me is that compared to the 2000s, readers seem to be more omnivorous now, observed Ben Applegate, director of publisher services at Penguin Random House. It just doesn't seem like this generation of readers cares that much about whether manga is only comics produced in Japan for a Japanese audience. For example, Kodansha announced that theyll be simultaneously publishing a new manga series in North America first, before it debuts in Japan: Blood Blade by Oma Sei, a fantasy-action series about Dracula being reborn as a sword-wielding teen girl and her encounters with other re-imagined characters inspired by classic horror movies like Frankenstein and The Island of Dr. Moreau.

There are more creators around the world making what they call manga for global audiences, said Applegate. And readers seem really excited.

This article has been updated for clarity.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The presented approach towards the situation in the region by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel is regrettable, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada said, Trend reports.

Hajizada made the remark, commenting on the July 26 statement by Borrell about the situation in the region.

"Azerbaijan highly appreciates the support of the European Union to establish peace and stability in the region, as well as the peace negotiations with Armenia, he said in his recent statement, based on the propaganda and political manipulations spread by Armenia. Nevertheless, the presented approach towards the situation in the region by High Representative Josep Borrel in his July 26 statement, based on the propaganda and political manipulations spread by Armenia, is regrettable," he noted.

According to the spokesperson, ignoring the grievances of Azerbaijan regarding the incomplete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan [contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], which continue to be a threat to Azerbaijan's national security, territorial integrity, and sovereignty after the second Karabakh war, illegal activities of Armenia via the Lachin-Khankendi road, transportation of ammunition and landmines to the territories of Azerbaijan, as well as the transfer of the natural resources of Azerbaijan to Armenia, and presenting the legitimate acts of Azerbaijan as the closure of the Lachin-Khankendi road is fundamentally wrong.

"Similarly, it must be made clear that the blatant misinterpretation of the relevant decisions of the International Court of Justice will not yield results. The July 6 decision of the Court, confirming the right of Azerbaijan to control its borders and proving the baseless nature of Armenia's request for the removal of the Lachin border checkpoint, once more demonstrated that the protection of its own security by Azerbaijan is legitimate," Hajizada also said.

He reminded us that despite the protests since December of last year against the illegal acts of Armenia, hundreds of vehicles, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles, have passed through the Lachin-Khankendi road daily, and a well-regulated and transparent daily passage in both directions through the Lachin border checkpoint was ensured even after its installation.

"Moreover, despite the armed attack on the checkpoint on June 15, smuggling attempts, and the provocation by the dispatch of convoys under the disguise of "humanitarian aid" on July 26, Azerbaijan continues its cooperation with the ICRC, provides the passage of Armenian residents for medical purposes, and facilitates the transport of medical supplies by the ICRC," the official also noted. "Coming to the transportation of large amounts of cargo to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan made a proposal to utilize "Aghdam-Khankendi" and other alternative routes, taking into account threats originating from Armenia."

Despite the fact that this proposal of Azerbaijan is being supported by international partners, including the European Union and the ICRC, the obstacles and prevention of transportation of goods by blocking the roads by Armenia and those who present themselves as representatives of the Armenian residents are clear proof that the speculations on the "tense humanitarian situation" are nothing but political manipulation, Hajizada pointed out.

"Azerbaijan, besides being committed to its international obligations, will resolutely prevent attempts to legitimize illegal activity on its territories," he added.

The peaceful protest on the Lachin-Khankendi road against the illegal exploitation of Azerbaijan's mineral resources in the area of Russian peacekeepers' temporary deployment has been going on since December 12, 2022.

In order to prevent the transportation of manpower, ammunition, mines, as well as other military equipment from Armenia for illegal Armenian armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan (which weren't withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war), and as an adequate response to the unilateral establishment of a checkpoint by Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan on April 22 at the entrance to the Lachin-Khankendi road contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, on April 23 at 12:00 (GMT+4), the units of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan set up a border checkpoint in its sovereign territories, on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road.

On June 15, 2023, as a result of opening fire from the territory of Armenia, a serviceman of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan, Elshan Rustamov, who served at the Lachin checkpoint, was injured.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The Western Azerbaijan Community has appealed to the European Union (EU) on the situation arisen as a result of prevention of supply for Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region from other regions of the country by separatist regime in Karabakh, Trend reports.

"As the organization uniting the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia and advocating for their rights, the Western Azerbaijan Community applauds the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan to reintegrate Armenians living in the Karabakh region," said the community.

"By demonstrating an inclusive and tolerant society, Azerbaijan sets a precedent for reconciliation and the restoration of the rights for the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia. The hope is that Armenia would recognize this example and take steps towards fostering understanding, dialogue, and the safe repatriation of Azerbaijanis forcibly uprooted from their homes in Armenia," the appeal noted.

The appeal further said that regrettably, Armenia has not reciprocated with similar goodwill - not only Armenia persistently obstructs the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from its territory, it also continues to fuel tensions by actively encouraging separatism among Armenians residing in Azerbaijan.

"Armenia's actions, including the presence of military personnel in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and financial support to the illegal entity in Khankendi, only serve to exacerbate the situation and undermine regional stability. These actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and the fundamental rights of the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia."

"In particular, the Western Azerbaijan Community is deeply concerned about Armenia's and the illegal regimes ongoing attempts to create artificial humanitarian crisis by obstructing supplies to Karabakh Armenians from other parts of Azerbaijan and demanding exclusive supply routes to Khankendi without any border or customs control," the appeal said. "The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns these manipulative tactics, as they not only hinder the process of reconciliation but also exploit the genuine needs of inhabitants for political gain."

"Furthermore, we express our deep regret and strong disapproval of the European Union's involvement in the situation. The presence of the EU mission alongside the convoy attempting to break into Azerbaijan without the consent of the Azerbaijani government undermines the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and sends a wrong signal to Armenia," the appeal pointed out.

The community reminded that the mandate of the EU's mission in Armenia does not include involvement in Armenias actions aimed at violating Azerbaijans sovereignty.

"The mandate of the mission, which is deployed in the areas formerly inhabited by Azerbaijanis, is to assess the impact of the conflict on the Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia, and facilitate confidence-building measures that would enable their safe and dignified return to their homes. If the EU genuinely upholds human rights, it should not get involved in Armenias blackmailing tactics, but support our right to return," the appeal noted.

"We demand that the Government of Armenia immediately ceases its infringement upon Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Armenia must end its malign activities aimed at preventing the reintegration of Armenian inhabitants of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. We also renew our urging on the Government of Armenia to respect human rights, enable our safe and dignified return and engage in dialogue with us to that end," the appeal said.
Raven Gates / Instagram

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/26/2023



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Raven Gates and Adam Gottschalk have revealed their newborn baby's gender and name.Raven took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 25, to announce that she gave birth to another son and his name is Max Asa Gottschalk."We welcomed our 2nd son on my 32nd birthday -- July 23, 2023," Raven captioned a slideshow of photos and videos of the new baby and Raven and Adam's time in the hospital."Max Asa Gottschalk weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce, 20 in long & was born at 8:10 am."Raven went on to share her "prayer" for her sons."[I've been praying] that they have an unbreakable bond & each having their own separate God Given gifts to give to the world," Raven wrote."If the last few days are any indication of what the future holds, then my prayers have already been answered (not pictured is Boaz getting his sniffs in!)."The Bachelor alum then thanked everyone for their "DMs of prayers and well wishes!""Trying my best to reply to all of you. Thank you for letting me share my family with you -- you are my family as well!" Raven concluded.Adam commented on the post, "You did so well babe! I'm beyond proud of you and ready to tackle 2 under 2 with you. Love you."Raven's name and gender reveal came a couple of days after she announced she had welcomed Baby No. 2 via c-section on Sunday, July 23.Before Raven was discharged from the hospital, she explained why she and Adam hadn't unveiled their baby's moniker yet via Instagram Stories."Adam and I are still debating names. We were so set on this particular name & then... We saw the baby & it just didn't fit!!" Raven explained on Monday, July 24Raven admitted she and her husband were "up late" going "back and forth" about a name they thought "works better."The Bachelor alum shared, "It's hard when you have the name set on something particular & it just doesn't fit the baby!""The good news is Adam and I are on the same page," she continued. "Not really a debate of the names between us -- just making sure we're going through all of the option."Raven also previously revealed how her second baby's name was going to be "a game-time decision." Max joins Raven and The Bachelorette alum's first-born son, Gates Zev Gottschalk, who is 18-months-old.The couple announced they were expecting Baby No. 2 back in January."Baby #2 due in July! Any tips on two under 2? Pray for us!... especially Adam," Raven wrote on Instagram, along with crying-laughing emoticons.On July 13, Raven shared her conflicting emotions about giving Gates -- who was born in January 2022 after a "traumatic" c-section for Raven -- a sibling."As time ticks down as Gates's last few days as the only child I have been having a lot of mixed emotions! I thought I would share some negative & positive ones!" Raven began."Negative Thoughts: Its unfair to this baby that I won't get the one-on-one time like I did with Gates. It's unfair to Gates that I now won't always be one-on-one with him. I won't be able to carry Gates after this c-section. He's too little to understand. Will he start to resent me?"Raven, however, went on to share her positive thoughts as well."Positive Thoughts: When I close my eyes I dream about seeing my 2nd baby's face & my heart could burst. I cry at the thought of holding both of my children on my lap. I'm so blessed to be able to have children. Thank you, God. Gates is going to be the best big brother. He is strong, fearless, and will lead the way for so many adventures to come for the both of them."The Bachelor alum concluded, "With conflicting emotions of mommy guilt and extreme happiness... I hope both of my children know. I love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."Before Max's birth, Raven and Adam also enjoyed a babymoon to Italy.Raven and Adam fell in love on 's fourth season in 2017, and then they got engaged in June 2019.After getting engaged, Raven and Adam initially scheduled their wedding for May 30, 2020, but they had to postpone the wedding multiple times due to the coronavirus pandemic.Raven and Adam claimed they had cases of "major baby fever" shortly after tying the knot on April 16, 2021 in Dallas, TX."I think we agreed [that] we'd like two or three [kids]," Raven told Us Weekly in June 2021. "But Adam has said, you know, we'll see how I do with two and then go from there."Raven then publicly announced she was pregnant for the first time in July 2021.Raven wrote on Instagram at the time, "OVER THE MOON EXCITED TO SHARE THE NEWS! Our Honeymoon baby will be here in January! I've loved you before you were in my womb!"And Adam simultaneously wrote on his own page, "Beyond excited to announce our little baby into this world. Your Mom has already started to like Daddy's food groups and I think that's a great start. Cheers to fatherhood. Coming soon... January 2022."The pair then shared in October 2021 how they were expecting a son with a cute "little pumpkin" picture on social media.A few months after Gates was born, Raven shared on the "Click Bait with Bachelor Nation" podcast in May 2022 how she and Adam attend therapy and "don't want divorce" to ever be an option for them.She then told fans in a December 2022 Instagram Q&A session that she knew Adam was The One when she visited him in Dallas, TX, and they talked about their future together, which made her feel safe and protected.Prior to appearing on , Raven competed to win Nick Viall 's heart on The Bachelor's 21st season and finished as the runner-up.For Adam's part, he competed for Rachel Lindsay 's heart on The Bachelorette's thirteenth season in Spring 2017 before his BIP stint on Season 4.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
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Tata Motors, the market leader in electric four-wheeler space, has sought incentives for its Tiago EV under the governments production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, group chief financial officer P B Balaji said on Tuesday.

The Mumbai-headquartered firm has applied for all variants of the Tiago, which recently hit a sales milestone of 10,000 units.

The Automotive Research Association of India certification is done.

"We are now in the process of filing paperwork and we expect to get an approval from the government in the next one or two months, Balaji told reporters.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have to take an eligibility certificate from the association, a testing agency under the ministry of heavy industries, to claim incentives under the PLI scheme that was launched to promote domestic production.

Mahindra and Mahindra had recently received an eligibility certificate from the association for its electric three-wheeler.

The Rs 25,938-crore PLI scheme started in September 2021.

OEMs were to be given incentives from April 2022 on the sales value of advanced automotive technology (AAT) products (vehicles and components) made in India if they met the minimum 50 per cent domestic value addition (DVA) criterion.

The government, however, came up with a set of standard operating procedures in April 2023.

Rising EV input costs

Balaji said the prices of lithium cells used in electric vehicles have increased since June last year but there has been some stabilisation since March.

We are expecting reduction to happen as the year progresses, as more supplies come up, and there is some softening of demand, in China for example, he added.

Tata Motors has taken several rounds of price hikes for its passenger vehicles range: In April and July 2022 and in February, May, and July 2023. The total quantum of cumulative price hikes is around 3.4 per cent.

Balaji said that multiple factors, such as the brand, innovation and cost-saving programmes, shape the pricing decision.

The Tata Motors brand has strengthened and the companys ability to get better pricing in the market has improved compared to the past, Balaji added.

We are balancing between growth, appropriate profitability and the level of competitiveness that we need to be in this business, he said, adding that no immediate price hikes are planned.
Gold jewellery retailers: Kalyan Jewellers, Titan, PC Jewellers, Thangamayil Jewellery, and Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri have rallied 21-72% so far since April as compared to a 13% gain in Sensex.

Harshita Singh reports.

Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters

Stocks of gold jewellery retailers have been able to retain their sheen in 2023 despite volatile gold prices.

Kalyan Jewellers, Titan, PC Jewellers, Thangamayil Jewellery, and Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri (TBZ) have rallied 21-72 per cent so far since April as compared to a 13 per cent gain in the benchmark Sensex index.

The rally gained steam on the back of golds 6 per cent fall from its all-time high and strong consumer buying, recently reflected in the pre-quarterly sales update from industry leaders Titan Company and Kalyan Jewellers.

The uptrend in the stocks thus will continue in the medium-to-long term as jewellery buying is expected to only improve from hereon in the run-up to the Diwali festivities, analysts note.

Demand momentum for the next 2-3 months may be muted and the stocks can remain sideways.

"But for the remaining quarters, Diwali buying will drive a strong uptick and shares such as Kalyan, TBZ and Senco Gold will be good medium to long term-bets, which can give returns of 25-30 per cent, said Jateen Trivedi, vice president-research at LKP Securities.

For the latest quarter, Titan reported 21 per cent year-on-year (YoY) sales growth in its jewellery division led by higher buyer growth over average ticket size, supported by robust Akshaya Tritiya sales in April and wedding purchases in June.

Kalyan Jewellers 31 per cent yearly consolidated sales growth was also above expectations.

The firm launched 12 stores in the quarter and plans to add 20 more before Diwali.

The company added it is gearing up with fresh collections and campaigns for the upcoming festive and wedding season starting with Onam towards the end of Q1.

In a recent note, analysts at HSBC said the company can deliver strong double-digit growth in coming quarters and improve its return on equity led by rising scale on asset-light expansion, which will help further re-rating for the stock following the sharp rally recently. It raised the price target on the stock from Rs 150 to Rs 200.

Meanwhile, V K Vijaykumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services, is bullish on Titan.

Titan has delivered excellent returns in the long term, it is an expensive stock but it has been always expensive.

"Investors can expect very good returns from the scrip in the long run.

Motilal Oswal Financial Services too has a buy rating on Titan with a target price of Rs 3,325, an upside of around 10 per cent over Mondays (July 17) closing price.

Titan has compounded earnings by 20 per cent for an elongated period and has ample opportunities for growth, given its sub-10 per cent share in the jewellery market and the ongoing challenges faced by its unorganized and organized peers.

"The medium-t.o-long-term earnings growth potential is unparalleled, the brokerage said recently.

That apart, the strong conviction of investors in the space has also been indicated by the recent bumper listing of jewellery retailer Senco Gold, which was listed at a 36 per cent premium on the bourses recently.

Analysts are positive on the company from a long-term perspective given its strong brand recall, cheaper valuations and strong market presence, especially in the East India region.

The company has strong business model with good return profile, which is expected to further improve in the coming years based on the shift happening from unbranded to branded players in the key markets, said Sharekhan in a note.

Overall, as rate hike fears are likely to keep gold prices in check going ahead, this will lend a bullish outlook to the stocks, analysts note.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients.

Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
Higher discounts on crude oil offered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to wean India away from Russian crude may soon see Indian refiners ramping up purchases from the Gulf nation, officials at multiple refiners said.

Photograph: Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters

They also pointed to the recent agreement on trade settlement in national currencies signed between India and the UAE as a reason for this.

While discussions are underway, the UAE has offered discounts on crude, which will be more than that of the current level of Russian discounts.

"There have been periodic talks on the issue but the pace has intensified in recent months as discounts from Russia have reduced, an official said.

Crude imports into the country touched a record high of $16.8 billion in 2022-23 (FY23), up from $12.3 billion in the previous year.

But this made the Emirates only the fourth-largest source of crude for India in FY23.

It knocked down one spot from FY22 due to the emergence of Russian Urals grade crude in the Indian market.

Last month, Business Standard had reported that the government anticipated that West Asian sellers such as Iraq and the UAE were keenly watching the situation and may raise their level of discounts.

Last year, Baghdad had undercut Russia from June, by supplying a range of crudes that on average cost $9 a barrel less than Russian oil.

The extremely price-sensitive market, therefore, had shifted heavily in favour of Iraq.

Currently, the price of Russian Urals grade crude is trading close to the $60 limit, beyond which sanctions take hold.

Since April, the majority of Russian oil sold to India has been on the Dubai benchmark, with an average discount level of $8-10 per barrel.

Industry insiders said Moscow won't change terms by a wide margin at a time when it is pressed for cash.

But the level of discounts has continuously shrunk in 2023 as China snapped up large volumes of Russian crude.

Discounts on Russian oil are still continuing but the levels have dropped.

"Refiners would look at favourable terms wherever they exist. Right now, that is the West Asian countries, a senior official with a major refiner said.

Currency arrangement

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to settle trade in local currency.

This enables the use of the rupee and UAEs dirham for cross-border transactions.

Crude oil forms the single-largest component of Indias $84-billion bilateral trade with the UAE.

As a result, the government has nudged refiners to expedite more purchases from the country, sources said.

The UAE is Indias third-largest trading partner globally, after the United States and China.

The country has also become Indias second-largest source of imports after the pandemic.
Diversified business conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) has picked up a 3.53 per cent stake in private sector lender RBL Bank for Rs. 417 crore.

We may consider further investment, subject to pricing, regulatory approvals, and required procedures. However, in no circumstance will it exceed 9.9 per cent, M&M said in an exchange notification on Wednesday.

Shares of RBL Bank jumped 7.1 per cent to settle at Rs. 238.8 apiece on the BSE on Wednesday, close to their 52-week high of Rs. 242.1.

The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBIs) norms cap non-promoter shareholding, (except supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or government) either natural persons or non-financial institutions, in a bank at 10 per cent.

However, non-promoters need prior approval from the regulator to increase stake to 5 per cent or more.

Moreover, business houses that have more than 40 per cent of their income or revenue from non-financial activities are not allowed to become a bank.

The rationale behind M&Ms investment in RBL Bank is not known.

An email sent to an M&M spokesperson in this regard did not elicit a response.

RBL Bank, too, did not respond to queries on M&Ms move to acquire a stake in the bank.

The Mahindra group is in the financial services sector primarily through its arm Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services  a non-banking finance company.

RBL Bank came under the regulatory glare about a year and half ago after the then MD & CEO Vishwavir Ahujas term was not extended.

Ahuja was credited for turning a sleepy Kolhapur-based Ratnakar Bank into a new-age, tech-driven private sector bank.

Ahuja stepped down in December 2021 and Rajeev Ahuja was appointed interim CEO.

In June 2022, R Subramaniakumar, a veteran banker with 40 years of experience, took charge as its MD and CEO. Subramaniakumar was the MD & CEO of Indian Overseas Bank earlier.

Subramaniakumar steadied the ship as the bank went on to deliver strong profitability.

In the first quarter of FY24, RBL Bank reported 43 per cent growth in its net profit at Rs 288 crore.

The loan book of the bank grew 21 per cent year-on-year to Rs 73,987 crore as on June 30 while deposits grew by 8 per cent to Rs 85,636 crore.
Unless the anarchy in Manipur is brought under control quickly, we are sowing the seeds of a flare up in the entire North East and the end of our dream of checking China in South East Asia, warns Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

IMAGE: The home of one of the accused in the Manipur video case being burnt down in Kangpokpi district. Photograph: ANI Photo

On March 1, 1966, the Mizo rebels struck at 0230 am with clockwork precision at 33 posts in Mizoram.

The operation, code named 'Op Jericho', was executed after a careful preparation of over three months.

The Manipur violence and resultant anarchy, that is yet to be brought under control even after three months, is possibly the biggest challenge faced by the Indian State after those fateful events of March 1966.

The Government of India's response to the Mizo rebellion was swift and brutal.Indian Air Force fighter aircraft were used to strafe rebel held villages.

In less than a month's time, Aizawl, the capital, was secured.

The guerrilla war, that began in 1966, only ended after 20 years in 1986.

But 2023 is NOT 1966. The events in 1966 hardly made it to the national headlines, except for a brief period.

The North East was treated as another secessionist problem and the armed forces had reasonable freedom to operate and control the armed resistance in Nagaland and elsewhere in the region.

Today the North East is no longer isolated from the rest of the country.

With improved communication and people's movement, the region has begun to be part of the national mainstream.

Instead of being seen as a 'security problem', the North East is seen as a vital strategic bridge to South East Asia (ASEAN) and a counter to the Chinese belt and road initiative.

The North East has around 25 Lok Sabha seats. In a tight contest in the 2024 general elections, these 25 seats, currently held mostly by the BJP-led NDA, may well prove crucial at the national level.

The uncontrolled anarchy witnessed by Manipur for the last three months poses a direct threat to Indian strategic interests in South East Asia since Manipur and the Imphal-Moreh route is the best option to establish a land link with Myanmar and South East Asia beyond.

The geography of the North East is such that neither Nagaland nor Mizoram can provide easy road access (and later rail) to Myanmar.

The current conflict is not between Christians and Hindus, though Kukis are Christians and Meiteis Hindu.

It is also not about secession as both the sides carry the Indian Tricolour.

But it is no longer limited to Manipur as it has began to have repercussions in the neighbouring states.

Unless brought under control quickly, it has the potential to engulf the entire North East in a series of retaliations.

The immediate trigger for the inter-tribal killings was the Manipur high court hearings on Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community. A demand that has a 40-year history.

The valley dwelling Meiteis see this as legitimate.

The opposition to this potential move, voiced by the Kuki tribals, is equally valid as they fear threat to their land and culture through the dominance of the numerically strong and aggressive Meiteis.

This in a nutshell is the background to the current events. But this was neither new, nor unexpected.

What caused the mayhem is the partisan role played by the state administration and police, who openly sided with the Meiteis.

In every such situation, it is expected that the central government plays a neutral and fair role.

In this instance the central government, its agencies and paramilitary forces have failed in this role.

Incompetent and ignorant bureaucrats and politicians have brought about anarchy in the state.

More and more, the Manipur situation seems to resemble the 1990 genocide of the Kashmiri Pandits in the Srinagar valley.

Only the names are different, but the actors are the same, an aggressive dominant majority, partisan state apparatus and mute central government.

In the entire troubled history of the North East, the kind of anarchy that is seen in Manipur has never been experienced.

History is being repeated, but in a very different way.

The troubles in Manipur resembles the Bodoland movement in Assam and Gorkhaland agitation in Darjeeling.

The crux of matter is that the hill tribes in Manipur do not want to be part of the state.

The dominant Meitei community refuses to recognise this truth and continues to cling to the notion of an 'united Manipur'.

The Meiteis are living in the past and their historical memories of domination of the hill areas are colouring their judgement.

In the entire North East, peace has only been possible when the tribals got their own administrative units, all once upon a time part of Assam.

If Assam can be divided, why not Manipur is the question.

If the Meiteis give it cool thought, the Imphal valley with its riches and newly established rail, road and air links, can progress tremendously.

The demand of Meiteis for being classified as a Scheduled Tribe is justifiable.

It can be tweaked in such a way that they get the benefits at the central level at par with the other tribals in the North East, but not within North East tribal zones. This can be a win- win situation for all.

Like in case of J&K, it is time the artificial entity of Manipur is trifurcated with the Tangkhul dominated areas and Kuki areas are either given a separate autonomous status or merged with Nagaland/Mizoram.

Detailed negotiations need to be carried out with all the stake holders. One thing is certain, political status quo is unsustainable.

To bring the situation under control, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act needs to be promulgated. The major task is to recover the looted arms and ammunition.

After giving suitable warning, anyone in possession of looted weapons needs to be punished.

The police forces who stood idly by while the mobs looted the arms and ammunition need to be dismissed from service and punished for dereliction of duty.

Unless anarchy in Manipur is brought under control quickly, we are sowing the seeds of a flare up in the entire North East and the end of our dream of checking China in South East Asia.

Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) is a military historian who has studied counterinsurgency in Kashmir, North East, Northern Ireland, South Africa and Sri Lanka. His earlier columns can be read here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'It's unfortunate that the prime minister prioritises his ego over the atrocities that women and tribals have had to suffer in Manipur.'

Photograph: Press Information Bureau IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi broke his long silence on the Manipur crisis before Parliament convened for the Monsoon session on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Congress Lok Sabha MP from Kaliabor, Assam, Gaurav Gogoi, who moved the no-confidence motion against the Narendra D Modi government, tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com why he was chosen to move the motion, the significance of the move and how the Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance -- the alliance formed by 26 Opposition parties recently and named I.N.D.IA. -- through this no-confidence motion plans to highlight the plight of the people of Manipur and help improve the situation in the state riven by ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kukis.

Why were you chosen to move the no-confidence motion against the Modi government on the issue of Manipur? Is it because you are from the North East?

From the beginning we wanted all parties in the I.N.D.IA. alliance (to move a no-confidence motion against the government). You have to understand why we have to move the no-confidence motion. It is because the prime minister continued to ignore the need for a debate in Parliament.

Even yesterday (July 25, 2023), in the letter written by the Union home minister, he completely ignored the fact that the chief demand of the I.N.D.IA. parties was that the prime minister make a statement.

And since the last two days they started passing bills (without taking cognisance of our demand) and clearly the situation was escalated by the lack of outreach from the ruling party (the Bharatiya Janata Party).

I.N.D.IA. then decided that we have to bring the no-confidence motion (against the government) because it is the absence of leadership of the prime minister which has escalated the situation to such a level in Manipur that now the conflict is slowly spreading to other parts of the North East including Assam and Mizoram.

When we stood up in Parliament, parties that make up I.N.D.IA. stood up in solidarity to give the message that India (the country) stands with the North East and we will all speak on the motion.

When we were submitting this motion from the Congress, the CPP (Congress Parliamentary Party) Chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) had instructed that even while introducing the motion, the North East should be represented.

Now that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has admitted the no confidence motion, what will be the strategy adopted by I.N.D.IA. during the motion? How will you corner the prime minister or the government?

We are waiting for the Speaker to announce the date (when the no-confidence motion will be tabled in the Lok Sabha). We are yet to receive any information as to when the debate will take place.

We understand the Speaker has admitted it, but it is unfortunate that bills have been passed while the vote of no-confidence motion was being accepted.

It is incumbent upon the government to initiate the debate over the vote of no confidence as soon as possible.

Why do you think Prime Minister Modi is hesitant to address Parliament about Manipur?

There's a pattern at play that we have seen in the past. The prime minister wishes to take credit for any success achieved by his party. But when there are serious failures and loopholes he outsources those responsibilities and failures to his ministers, to his Cabinet, to his chief ministers; it's unfortunate that the prime minister prioritises his own image over the humanitarian situation that is unfolding in Manipur, prioritising his ego over the atrocities that women and tribals have had to suffer in Manipur.

Would I.N.D.IA. -- all the 26 Opposition parties -- chalk out a cohesive plan of action when the motion comes up for debate in the Lok Sabha?

Let the motion be taken up for debate. We are still waiting. Obviously, every day we are in consultation. This motion has also come up as a result of the deliberations that have taken place among I.N.D.IA. parties' strategic meetings.

While you may corner the prime minister and the government over the violence and ethnic cleansing in Manipur will it in any way help resolve the crisis in the state or help build bridges between the Meiteis and the Kukis and others in Manipur?

What purpose will this no-confidence serve?

The aim of the I.N.D.IA. parties while moving this vote of no-confidence is not about numbers, but sending a message of peace and solidarity with the people of Manipur at the time of their grief and suffering.

We want to reach out to them like Rahul Gandhi did when he visited the state. Our party wants to highlight the sufferings and injustice done to the people of Manipur through a debate.

We want to send a message that the prime minister may have forgotten to visit Manipur or speak about the people of Manipur and the injustices against them, but we have not forgotten them.

We stand with them. We are for Manipur. I.N.D.IA. wants justice for Manipur.

IMAGE: MPs (Gaurav Gogoi is standing fifth from right in white) of the Opposition parties alliance, I.N.D.IA., protest on the Parliament premises demanding Modi's statement on the Manipur ethnic violence in both Houses during the ongoing monsoon session. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

Will the Opposition come out with a plan, with a formula that will help the Meiteis and Kukis cohabit as peacefully together as they once cohabited?

Shouldn't the entire country's focus be that because as you pointed out this problem is now spreading to Mizoram and Assam?

Given the inter-ethnic relationship that various tribes share with each other across the north east, would you think the entire north east could get engulfed in the Manipur problem?

That is why from Day One we've been saying that we have to win the trust of the people of Manipur and the entire north east. People have lost their faith in the state government. Even the MLAs belonging to the BJP (in Manipur) have stated that there's a complete failure of the law and order machinery in the state.

That's why we feel that removing the chief minister (N Biren Singh) is an important step because he is a key stakeholder. It is his presence in the peace committee formed by the home minister (Amit A Shah) that has led to the failure of the peace committee. And there have been no meaningful dialogues.

We are for a meaningful resolution. We are for a dialogue to emerge from among the different communities, whether they are Meitei, Kuki or Naga or whether tribals and communities belonging to other parts of the north east. But for this dialogue to have taken place, the prime minister has to take the initiative.

In the past in India, whenever there has been a conflict, a prime minister, no matter which party he belongs to, has always taken leadership and tried to resolve the issue.

For the first time we are seeing a prime minister being so indifferent, visiting all parts of the world and all parts of India, choosing to remain silent for close to 80 days of what was unfolding in Manipur.

Only after a video became viral and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (Dr Dhananjay Yeshwant Chandrachud) made an observation that the prime minister chose to make a remark, but still forgot to include all the forms of atrocities that have taken place in (on the people of) Manipur and failed to appeal for peace and calm.

Was a no-confidence motion the only way for the Opposition to get the prime minister to speak in Parliament? Could it have been done in a better way? Because moving a no-confidence motion gives a sense of animosity.

Could there have been any other way to get the prime minister to speak?

As I said from Day One, the aim of I.N.D.IA. is to send a message of solidarity and that we want the voices and concerns of the people of Manipur to be heard and justice given to them without any discrimination.

People of Manipur have a lot of apprehensions and questions as to why a prime minister who has changed chief ministers in election going states -- Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Tripura -- is persisting with a chief minister under whose tenure more than 5,000 sophisticated weapons were looted from police stations by ordinary people and under whose reign so many Manipur people have been killed in violence?

Why is the prime minister continuing to support (such a chief minister)?

These are questions that only the prime minister can answer. Instead of talking about addressing the concerns of Manipur, he's talking about East India Company, Indian Mujahideen.

Instead of dealing it as a matter of national security, he is dealing with the issue most frivolously.

It's a question of preserving our national integrity and returning to the brotherhood that existed prior to this conflict. It is incumbent upon the prime minister, as the guardian of the people, to take cognisance and be more visible.

Home Minister Amit A Shah was willing to address the issue in the Lok Sabha. Why wasn't he allowed to make a statement on Manipur on behalf of the government? Why did the Opposition insist on Rule 267?

The home minister's intervention in Manipur has itself not yielded any results. His peace committee has failed. So, the situation calls for the prime minister to respond.

If the prime minister does not speak on such an issue inside Parliament, then when will he speak?

Is he there to only seek votes? Is he not there to resolve conflicts?
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Deputy Minister Araz Azimov held a briefing for the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the MFA told Trend.

The participants were informed about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, about the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, during the briefing.

Araz Azimov highlighted that after the second Karabakh war, Azerbaijan took a peaceful initiative, declared its readiness to normalize relations with Armenia on a bilateral basis in accordance with the norms and principles of international law, the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.

Azerbaijans position has been clear to everyone from day one, and three directions of the process were discussed at the negotiating table: signing a peace treaty, delineating borders and decisions on opening regional partnerships.

He also noted that the most striking manifestation of Azerbaijan's peaceful intentions today is large-scale reconstruction and construction work carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, as well as airports built in areas near the borders of the two countries.

It was brought to the attention of the briefing participants that in response to this, Armenia committed military provocations in the territories of Azerbaijan, where Armenian residents live, and used radio interference to obstruct the operation of airports, which clearly shows the true intentions of this country.

In addition, Azimov added that despite the clear position put forward by Azerbaijan regarding the peace agenda, the presentation of unreasonable demands by Armenia that do not correspond to any norms of international law and logic, and attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan are unacceptable.

Despite the fact that the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan officially issued a statement recognizing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Armenia still attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of the country. In particular, the steps taken to slow down the normalization and peace process, the creation of new crises and discussions lead not to peace, but to dangerous goals and the agenda of Armenia.

Azimov, speaking about the situation with the Lachin road, stressed that, firstly, this road is an integral part of the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, and in this particular case, Azerbaijan has established a border checkpoint on its territory so that its citizens can use it. In addition, this right is also enshrined in the final decision of the International Court of Justice.

Moreover, the Armenian side, which did not accept this, opened fire at the Azerbaijani border guard, continued to abuse the Lachin road, and it is the Armenian side that imposes restrictions on its use.

Azimov drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan has created conditions for the use of the road by the Armenian residents of Karabakh for medical purposes, and it is proposed to use the Aghdam-Khankendi road for the supply of more products, which can contribute to their reintegration into Azerbaijani society. Armenia, on one hand, prevents the use of these opportunities by the Armenian residents of Karabakh, and on the other hand, demonstratively interferes in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan allegedly for the purpose of "humanitarian assistance", misleading the international community.

Furthermore, Azimov noted that if the Armenian side really supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, it should not object to the transportation of goods along the Aghdam-Khankendi road and hinder the reintegration process.

The deputy minister stressed the importance of the responsibility that falls on the international community, that before making statements, succumbing to the manipulation of the Armenian side, it is necessary to think about what these statements will serve, as well as to avoid steps that contradict the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including the use of incorrect terminology.

Gratitude was expressed to the countries that supported the organization of peace talks, and the importance of explaining to Armenia by the international community that it should be committed to a constructive dialogue was also noted.

The briefing continued with a Q&A session.
'The gun is like family. Nothing can be more important, more respectable and more dear to an artillery man.'

IMAGE: Army's multi barrelled rocket launcher fires a rocket towards Tiger Hill in Drass, July 3, 1999 during the Kargil War. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/Reuters

Major General Ajay Pal Singh, VSM, retired is a Kargil war veteran who commanded a battery of six 130 mm Medium guns during the war.

A proud artillery man, the officer who served the Indian Army for over three decades, looks back at those two months of the war - and the pivotal role played by the artillery in securing a hard fought victory.

"Whenever a gun passes in front of us and we are in uniform, we salute the gun. We don't put our foot on the gun platform. Every morning, we touch and salute the gun, he tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in the concluding segment of two-part interview.

Part 1 of the Interview: 'We Pounded Pakistani Positions Day And Night'

What are your foremost memories when you look back now at those days when you and your men fought the Kargil War?

I will begin with an incident that took place before the war: We were deployed in the Gurez sector at a height of 14,000 feet. It was the month of November. We had to come down with our guns and it was snowing. There was at least two to three feet snow.

A tractor or a vehicle is used to tow the gun back to a safe place where it can be placed under a shed so that it is not adversely impacted by the snow.

Since it was impossible for a vehicle to move in that snow, we hit upon an innovative idea. We asked for a road roller from people who were building roads in the border area. Their road roller had anti-skid chain tyres. We gave them some diesel and moved one gun per day to a place around 4 kms away.

It was a very difficult task because we were on the edge of a deep crevasse, about 500 feet down. A wrong move could result in the gun hurtling down, hence we moved it very slowly - at less than 0.5 kilometres per hour. Nobody climbed the gun and we all moved on foot.

It took us six days to move six guns down, but we did it safely. Nobody was injured and we could restore the guns into their sheds.

This happened before the war in November 1998.

The second incident that I remember is when a driver and subedar were returning after delivering ammunition on to a gun. The jeep fell off at a sharp curve, crashed 500-600 feet down and broke into pieces.

We lost a very good junior commissioned officer and that incident has remained in my memory. A memorial has been built and anyone who passes by, pays their respect.

These soldiers will remain in our hearts throughout our lives. We respect their memory and their loss impacts us emotionally.

IMAGE: Soldiers carry shells near a 155mm artillery gun stationed in Drass sector, July 14, 1999. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/Reuters

Can you explain the impact and effectiveness of your guns during the war? How do they compare with the Bofors which played a pivotal role in Kargil?

A battery of six guns [130 mm Medium Guns] covers an area of 250x250 metres of the enemy. It had a devastating effect because it can destroy men and material that are in that range.

The guns were fired day and night and were always functional. We demolished enemy posts with our artillery shells with devastating effect.

Our battery of guns occupied an area of 300x 300 meters and Bofors occupies around 500x500 meters. Gun to gun distance is not more than 20 to 30 meters or maybe 40-50 meters maximum.

The Bofors is more technology savvy. My gun may have been of older vintage, but its demonstration effect was much more than the Bofors.

When the ceasefire was announced, came down to our permanent locations, but our guns remained deployed.

IMAGE: Major General Ajay Pal Singh, VSM (retd). Photograph: Kind courtesy Major General Ajay Pal Singh

What is the relationship that men of the artillery have with their guns? Your guns must be very dear to you, isn't it?

I agree completely. We consider our guns as our colours. Whenever a gun passes in front of us and we are in uniform, we salute the gun. We don't put our foot on the gun platform. Every morning, we touch and salute the gun.

The gun is like a family to us and we always keep it functional. Nothing can be more important, more respectable and more dear to an artillery man.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'Every Congressman in Rajasthan is in Ashok Gehlot's pocket.'

IMAGE: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot holds an informal discussion with ministers. Photograph: ANI Photo

Rajendra Singh Gudha lost his ministership in a jiffy after a brief speech in the Rajasthan assembly in which he highlighted crimes against women in the state.

His comment came at the most inappropriate time for the Congress party which was targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party over the video showing two Manipuri women being paraded naked and abused.

The MLA from Udaipurwati in Jhunjhunu district was summarily dropped from the government as well as thrown out of the Congress party.

Ever since his ouster, Gudha has been brandishing a red diary which he says contains secrets damaging to the Congress, and even made an attempt to show it off in the state assembly on Monday, July 24, 2023, when he was manhandled by Congress MLAs who tried to snatch it from him.

This showed that he was right about the diary, Gudha told Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com in the first of a two-part interview.

You said the contents of the red diary were just a trailer against the Ashok Gehlot government and you will later screen a film on his doings.

Four months ago, a case was filed against me in Rajasthan and this at a time when I was a minister in the government.

A lady had come to me and said her daughter was getting married and a man who had taken Rs 384,000 from her was not returning her the money. She wanted the money back for her daughter's marriage and this man was not returning the money. She said if she did not get the money she would commit suicide.

I felt she was needy and I had seen a case earlier where a lady committed suicide because she could not raise money for her daughter's marriage. I compensated Rs 384,000 from my own pocket to this needy lady.

I then called that man who owned the money to this lady and said he should return the money. Now, this man filed a case against me as if I was extorting money from him.

I was being pressurised that I will be sent to jail in this case.

This was the internal politics in the Congress party.

Is it not a fact that you quit the BSP and became a confidant of Gehlot and later on in the power struggle within the Congress you switched loyalties to Sachin Pilot, which created a rift between Gehlot and you?

I was Ashok Gehlot's confidant. I have fought for him on the front foot, but now he does not need me. He is done with me. I was used and thrown in the dustbin by him.

He is chief minister of the state, home minister of the state, finance minister of the state and he runs the state.

Every Congressman in Rajasthan is in Ashok Gehlot's pocket.

Ashok Gehlot is the Congress and the Congress is Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan.

Did Gehlot tell you to go to Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation's Dharmendra Rathore's home and get that red diary from him when there was an income-tax raid on his house?

Yes, I did.

Gehlot told me to go and collect that red diary for him at that time.

99 out of 100 Congress MLAs will tell you this fact.

You can do your own personal investigation and find out the truth. I am not lying. This is public knowledge.

But you never revealed what was in the diary, why?

You can now guess why they snatched away the diary from me. Every Congress leader in Rajasthan wants that red diary.

Ramesh Meena from the BSP was your junior who also switched loyalties to the Congress, but he was made a cabinet minister while you were given a junior post. Is that the reason you were unhappy with Gehlot and decided to speak out against him?

No, this issue did not matter. You cannot keep everyone happy in politics.

Did your proximity to Sachin Pilot cost you?

Sachin Pilot is close to Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. He is Rajesh Pilot's son.

Another Congress politician, Divya Maderna, speaks often against the Congress and no action was ever taken against her because she is the daughter of Mahipal Maderna and is from the Jat community.

I do not have such a family background in politics, so I have to struggle more. These things count in politics.

Do you plan to join the BJP now?

I am not going anywhere. I am with the people of my constituency. I am roaming now in my constituency and will decide my next step in politics as the people tell me.

Do you feel you should have never made this 14-second statement?

I did not commit such a big crime. They could have asked me to resign. I would have done that.

Is it such a big crime to speak?

You compared Rajasthan to Manipur where women were disrobed, paraded naked, then raped. And it looked like you spoke on behalf of the BJP.

I have always contested elections against the BJP and won.

The Congress has no presence in my constituency and is always in the third or fourth position.

I have given six MLAs (from BSP) to the Congress from my side after the last assembly elections.

I have voted for them in the Rajya Sabha elections and Presidential elections.

And now they are saying I am doing all this at the behest of the BJP!

During the tenure of the last BJP government in Rajasthan I was put in jail for 38 days in a false case of obstructing traffic during a protest.

The Congress cannot speak against Sachin Pilot so they are targeting me.
A political activist in Bihar on Thursday put up a poster announcing his resignation from 'all posts in the Bharatiya Janata Party' in protest against the ethnic strife in Manipur.

IMAGE: Vinod Sharma. Photograph: ANI

Vinod Sharma, who identified himself as a spokesman cum media panelist of the BJP, also shared with the press copies of his resignation letter addressed to the party's national president J P Nadda.

However, state BJP spokesperson Arvind Kumar Singh asserted that Sharma, who had joined BJP four years ago, 'never became an active member'.

"Anybody can become a primary member of the party by giving a missed call. Only those are considered active members who go a step further and deposit the membership fee. I challenge Sharma to show his membership slip," Singh told PTI.

He pointed out that Sharma's name did not figure in the party's authorised list of spokespersons and media panelists.

Interestingly, Sharma was last in the news in the thick of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when he had announced his resignation from the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's stance on Pulwama terror strike.

On Thursday, Sharma said that Manipur-like incident has never happened anywhere else while adding that the 'prime minister is still sleeping'.

Sharma said that 'with a heavy heart', he wrote to BJP chief J P Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Manipur video incident.

"With a heavy heart, I wrote to JP Nadda and PM Modi that an incident like that in the Manipur video has never happened anywhere else. Still, the PM is sleeping, he doesn't have the courage to sack CM Biren Singh...," Sharma told ANI.

He further said that he has raised his voice against the women atrocities and resigned from the party.

He said, "BJP speaks about Nari Sakhti, Beti Bachao, Hindu Rashtra, Sanatana Dharm... Is this the Sanatana Dharma we're upholding? As a human being, I couldn't tolerate this and raised my voice against this injustice..."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United chuckled at the development.

"The resignation of senior spokesman Vinod Sharma shows cracks appearing in the BJP's rank and file as a result of the Narendra Modi government's mishandling of the Manipur issue," JD-U state unit chief Umesh Singh Kushwaha said in a statement.

-- with ANI inputs
NSG commandos and ordinary folk visited the International Police Expo 2023 and India Homeland Security Expo at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

The expo features new technologies, cyber security solutions, digital investigation tools, and advanced forensic equipment.

Glimpses from the expo:

IMAGE: Lady visitors test weapons at the expo, here and below. Photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: A National Security Guard commando inspects a weapon at the expo.

IMAGE: Visitors admire weapons at the expo.

IMAGE: Army officers inquire about the durability of a military uniform on display.

IMAGE: Visitors check out a drone at the expo.

IMAGE: Visitors sit inside a tank.

IMAGE: An interesting view of the expo.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
When the Kargil war broke out in 1999, Kanta Devi's desperate pleas to her son Grenadier Udhaymaan Singh to return home were met with disappointment until he told her, "Dushman ki goli peeth pe nai, chhati pe khaani hai (I would rather take enemy bullets in the chest than the back)."

IMAGE: Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, hugs Grenadier Udayman Singh's mother . Photograph: ANI Photo

"I could not say anything after that and it was the last time I heard from him," Kanta Devi told PTI as she broke down into tears.

Singh, a native of Jammu, was commissioned into 18 Grenadiers at the age of 18. During the Kargil war, 18 Grenadiers were tasked with recapturing the Tiger Hill with two other battalions.

The battalion launched an attack and came under intense fire from the enemy after reaching the hill top. Singh died in the gun battle and was awarded a Sena Medal posthumously.

Kanta Devi, who was visiting the Lamochen View Point here to attend an event to commemorate the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas, said she has preserved her son's bullet-riddled wallet.

"It has bloodstains on it and contains some crumpled currency notes. When I die, I want it to be consigned to the flames with me. There is no bigger pain for a mother than to see her son die. He was supposed to be the one to light my funeral pyre," said an inconsolable Kanta Devi.

"But his words and dedication towards the nation make me proud," she said.

During his year-long service, whenever Singh visited home, his family would distribute sweets in their neighbourhood.

"Somehow, I always felt that I needed to celebrate his return. A mother's heart just knows. When he went back the last time, I knew he wasn't coming back," Kanta Devi said.

The Indian Army had launched a fierce counterassault, Operation Vijay, to push back Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh in 1999.

The Kargil War saw Indian soldiers fight in the most challenging terrain under harsh weather conditions leading to the defeat of the enemy in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 every year to mark India's victory over Pakistan.
A woman from Telangana who is currently in the United States pursuing MS was found in an awful condition. Her mother wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking his help to bring her back home.

In a letter that was posted on the Twitter page of Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader Khaleequr Rahman, the woman said her daughter Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi went to the USA to pursue MS from TRINE University, Detroit in August 2021.

"Since last two months she was not in touch with me and recently through two Hyderabadi youths, we came to know that my daughter is in deep depression and her entire belongings have been stolen due to which she is on the verge of starvation and was spotted on roads of Chicago, USA," the mother said in her letter.

Rahman in an update on his Twitter page said he was able to get in touch with one Mukarram, who is a social worker in Chicago. He and his family met Zaidi and she is currently undergoing treatment in hospital.

He further said he was informed that she was depressed and in a mentally unstable condition due to the financial situation she got into as she couldn't get a job in the US.

She needs to get out of the depression in order to travel back to India, Rahman said quoting Mukarram.

The BRS leader said he would request Jaishankar to help Zaidi's mother travel to the USA.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday exchanged jibes over the red diary that a sacked state minister claims records financial misdeeds of the CM and his colleagues.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets while being garlanded by BJP national vice president Vasundhara Raje and others during a public meeting, in Sikar on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing a rally in Sikar, Modi called the diary a product of the loot ki dukan run by the Congress.

After the event, Gehlot accused the prime minister of real loot for selling the red (cooking gas) cylinder for Rs 1,150, complaining also about the price of red tomatoes .

Modi's Rajasthan visit his seventh this year in the Congress-run poll-bound state comes amid the red diary row, which recently led to pushing and shoving in the state assembly.

Congress MLA Rajendra Gudha had tried to table the diary in the assembly, a day after he was sacked as a minister for criticising his own government's record on law and order.

Before Thursday's Sikar event, where the PM launched several development projects, the chief minister went on Twitter to accuse the Prime Minister's Office of cancelling his address, a charge promptly challenged by the PMO.

At the rally, Modi invoked the Rajasthan row and said the diary will lead to the Congress defeat in the Assembly elections.

The red diary' is a fresh product of the 'loot ki dukan' of the Congress. It is said that the dark deeds of the Congress are recorded in the diary, which will defeat the party in the elections in the state, Modi said.

Shortly after the rally, Gehlot said at a 'Labharthi Samvad' an interaction at his home with a group of beneficiaries of state government schemes -- said no such red diary existed.

Targeting Modi, he said, "The real loot is done by you by selling the red cylinder for Rs 1,150, the red tomatoes are sold for Rs 150. People are left red-faced in anger because their income is hit due to the burden of inflation."

Gehlot said the PM should have talked about bringing relief to these people.

He asked why the prime minister could not get information about the diary when agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, the Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation are at his disposal.

The CM said a hype over a red diary was deliberately created and the ex-minister used as a tool .

He referred to the symbolic red diaries being waved in the House by the Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs as well.

"Fifty or 60 diaries were waved inside the assembly. Yesterday, I heard they were waved in Parliament as well. Why is Modi so scared?" he said.

Ex-minister Gudha had claimed that Gehlot had asked him to retrieve a red diary from the home of Congress leader Dharmendra Rathore during a raid there by the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department in 2020.

The chief minister also targeted the Centre over violence in Manipur, comparing a sexual assault caught on tape to Delhi's Nirbhaya rape-and-murder case.

Gehlot watched the inauguration of projects which was followed by a rally by the PM at a venue nearby -- from his home as he had injured his feet in a mishap some days back.

He had wanted to address it through video conferencing, but the PMO suggested that he would be breaking protocol.

In response to Gehlot's tweet complaining that his address was dropped from the programme, the PMO said, 'Shri @ashokgehlot51 Ji, In accordance with protocol, you have been duly invited and your speech was also slotted. But your office said you will not be able to join. You are most welcome to join today's programme.'

'During PM Modi's previous visits as well you have always been invited and you have also graced those programmes with your presence. Your name is very much there on the plaque of the development works as well. Unless you have any physical discomfort owing to your recent injury, your presence will be deeply valued,' it added.

At the event, Modi said the chief minister could not attend because of problem with his feet. I pray for his good health.

Gehlot replied later that he was grateful for the concern shown by the PM but maintained that the PMO had suddenly cancelled his address.
Opposition parties will hold the next meeting of their 26-member INDIA coalition in Mumbai on August 25 and 26, sources said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Opposition parties (INDIA) alliance MPs protest in front of Gandhi statue, demanding PM Narendra Modi's statement on Manipur ethnic violence in both houses, during the ongoing Monsoon Session, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

The third meeting of the bloc will be hosted jointly by the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and the Nationalist Congress Party's Sharad Pawar faction, with support from the Congress, they said.

This is the first time that the opposition meeting will be held in a state where no member of the INDIA bloc is in power.

While the first meeting of opposition parties was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United in Patna, the second was held in Bengaluru and hosted by the Congress.

The Mumbai Summit -- as it is being called by INDIA bloc parties -- is significant as discussions regarding seat sharing are expected to be taken up.

The sources said an 11-member coordination committee has already been finalised.

It will have one member each from the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Aam Aadmi Party, the Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the Samajwadi Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

The other smaller parties in the coalition will not get a berth in the committee.

The coalition is also likely to announce the composition of committees for communication, 2024 general election campaign and another panel to coordinate joint protests and rallies in the run-up to the polls.

A joint secretariat for better coordination among the parties will also be announced soon, the sources said.

During the meeting, the parties are expected to iron out their differences as much as possible, especially in states where they are in a direct poll battle.

Resolving the leadership issue in their alliance is among the several challenges before the bloc.

The differences among parties such as the Congress and the Left in Kerala, the Left and the TMC in West Bengal, the AAP and the Congress in Punjab and Delhi, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and and the People's Democratic Party and the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir are issues that remain unresolved.

With the opposition alliance seeking a one-on-one contest against the BJP in all parliamentary seats to prevent a division of votes, the crucial issue of selecting candidates is likely to be an uphill task.
The all-party meeting aimed at reconciliation and conferring full powers to Sri Lanka's provincial councils will be reconvened in a month after initial deliberations on Wednesday failed to yield any agreements, party officials said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe addresses the all-party conference at the presidential secretariat, Colombo, July 26, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy, Presidents Media Division of Sri Lanka on Twitter

The all-party meeting was called by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss the government's National Reconciliation Programme and the way forward.

MA Sumanthiran, a member of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), tweeted that the Sri Lankan President's position yesterday was contrary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wish for full implementation of the India-backed 13A.

Before his recent visit to New Delhi, Wickremesinghe at a meeting with the Tamil parties represented in the north and east provinces had agreed to the full implementation of the 13th Amendment (13A) to the Sri Lankan constitution with all-party consensus without the police powers being granted to the provinces.

The 13A was India's pioneering move in 1987 to try and bring a settlement to the issue of political autonomy to the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

It created nine provinces as devolved units with a temporary merger of the northern and eastern provinces.

Sumanthiran said that Prime Minister Modi told Wickremesinghe to hold the stalled provincial council elections but the president had other ideas.

But yesterday we were told to choose one or the other, Sumanthiran tweeted. He was referring to Wickremesinghe's position that it was the political parties who must by consensus decide if the India-backed 13A should be fully implemented or scrapped altogether.

Prime Minister Modi during his talks with Wickremesinghe in New Delhi had expressed hope that the Sri Lankan leader would be committed to implementing the 13A and holding the provincial council elections. He urged to ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamils.

Suren Raghavan, a Tamil and a minister of state in the Wickremesinghe government, said the Tamils remained divided on the issue.

Some of them wanted provincial elections to happen soon," Raghavan said.

The elections for the nine provinces have been on hold since 2018 following a move to introduce electoral reforms.

Even some of the Sinhala majority parties had insisted on holding elections before the full implementation of 13A to empower the councils.

Wickremesinghe has come under fire from the majority Sinhala community parties for bringing forward the issue of devolution at a time when the country was grappling with its worst-ever economic crisis.

They say the president's action was a political stunt to woo the Tamils ahead of the next presidential election due in the last quarter of 2024.

Sri Lanka has had a long history of failed negotiations to end the Tamil claim of discrimination by allowing some form of political autonomy.

The Tamils put forward their demand for autonomy after gaining independence from Britain in 1948, which from the mid-70s turned into a bloody armed conflict.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ran a military campaign for a separate Tamil homeland in the Northern and Eastern provinces of the island nation for nearly 30 years before its collapse in 2009 after the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

According to Sri Lankan government figures, over 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts, including the three-decade brutal war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east, which claimed at least 100,000 lives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had exchanged courtesies and spoke on the need to stabilise the bilateral relations at a dinner during the G20 summit in Bali last year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Xi Jinping, general secretary of China's Communist party, at the G20 summit at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park in Badung, Bali, Indonesia. Photograph: PTI Photo

Two days ago, the Chinese foreign ministry following a meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Johannesburg claimed that Xi and Modi had reached an 'important consensus' on stabilising bilateral ties at the interaction on the margins of the G20 Summit last November.

"During the Bali G20 summit last year, the prime minister and President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of that dinner hosted by the Indonesian President exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilise our bilateral relations," Bagchi said.

"As you are aware, we have steadfastly maintained the key to resolution of the whole issue is to resolve the situation along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) on the Western sector of India-China boundary and to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas," he added.

His comments came when asked about China's claim of the consensus reached at the interaction between the two top leaders in Bali.

Following the brief interaction between Modi and Xi in Bali, the MEA had said they exchanged courtesies.

It was their first such exchanges in public view since the India-China border standoff began in May 2020.

Doval met Wang on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs' meeting in Johannesburg on July 24.

In its statement on the meeting, the MEA said Doval conveyed that the situation along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 had 'eroded strategic trust' and the public and political basis of the relationship.

It said the NSA emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral ties.

'The two sides agreed that the India-China bilateral relationship is significant not only for the two countries but also for the region and world,' the MEA said on Tuesday.

The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year standoff in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.

The government refers to eastern Ladakh as Western sector.

The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

Asked whether the Chinese president would attend the G20 summit in Delhi, Bagchi said India is making all efforts and preparations for its success with the participation of all invited leaders.

On India's proposal to make the African Union a permanent member of the G20, he said: "We hope this does happen."

At the same time, he added that it would be premature to say anything specific on the matter.

Asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin's reported comments supporting the proposal, Bagchi said he has not seen the remarks.

But said: "If Russia has supported (the proposal), it is good."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. If Armenia is interested in peace and stability, it should support the use of the Aghdam-Khankendi road, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Trend reports.

The statement came in response to the recent saying of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about an attempt to send cargos to the territory of Azerbaijan.

"Sending convoys under the guise of "humanitarian cargo" to the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan without the consent of the Azerbaijani side is another provocation against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. It is unacceptable that this provocation be encouraged at the level of the Armenian state and the Prime Minister," said the statement.

"The Armenian side, instead of accusing Azerbaijan of attempting the so-called "genocide", must apologize for the forced deportation of Azerbaijanis from the territory of Armenia, the mass death of people during eviction from their homes, genocide as a result of aggression and occupation of Azerbaijani territories, crimes against humanity, the policy of ethnic cleansing and others perfect deeds," said the ministry.

The ministry added that Armenia must refrain from provocative steps, support the proposal of the Azerbaijani side to use the Agdam-Khankendi road and other alternative ways to meet the needs of the Armenian residents of Karabakh.

"The Armenian side also should not interfere with Azerbaijan's efforts to reintegrate the Armenian residents of Karabakh," the Foreign Ministry said.
More than 600 Meiteis have left Mizoram due to fear of tension after a video two tribal women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur surfaced online recently, a senior police officer said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga along with civil society organisations takes part in a demonstration to express solidarity with the Zo people in ethnic strife-torn Manipur, Aizawl, July 25, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Superintendent of police, crime investigation department, special branch, Vanlalfaka Ralte told PTI that the Metei people left the state for fear of being attacked after an ex-militant organisation issued an advisory after the viral video of two women paraded naked by a mob in Manipur.

The SP said that the Meiteis also felt "insecure" due to the solidarity march organised by civil society groups on Tuesday.

According to Ralte, more than 600 Meiteis left for their home states till Tuesday.

There is no report of any Meitei people leaving since Wednesday, he said.

However, a leader of the Meitei organisation claimed that the Meitei people continue to leave Mizoram till Thursday.

All Mizoram Manipuri Association (AMMA) vice president Rambir said that the Meitei people continue to leave Mizoram as they felt "insecure" due to the recent protest rally by a conglomerate of major civil society organisations across the state.

He claimed that more than 3,000 Meiteis, mostly teachers, students and workers, live in Mizoram.

On Tuesday, NGO Co-ordination Committee, a conglomerate of five major civil society organisations, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), organised massive protest rallies in different parts of the state expressing solidarity with the Kuki-Zo ethnic community in Manipur.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, his deputy Tawnluia, ministers and legislators cutting across party lines also took part in the protest rally in Aizawl.

The police said that there is no report of any untoward incident since the solidarity march.

Recently, Peace Accord MNF Returnees Association had served as an advisory to the Meiteis to leave Mizoram for their own safety as the Mizos became angry for atrocities meted out to the Zo ethnic people in the neighbouring state.
A group of MPs from the opposition alliance INDIA will visit Manipur on July 29 and 30 to assess the situation in the northeastern state which has been engulfed in ethnic violence since May 3.

IMAGE: Opposition MPs wear black clothes to mark a protest against the Manipur violence and demanding discussion over it at the Parliament premises during the monsoon session, in New Delhi on July 27, 2023. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

The delegation of more than 20 opposition MPs will visit Manipur this weekend and will take a first-hand account of the situation in the state, Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore told PTI.

Sources said that one MP each from the INDIA bloc parties or their representatives are expected to be part of the delegation.

The delegation will visit both the valley and the hill regions of the state and meet different communities there. They will also visit some relief camps.

Trinamool Congress's Sushmita Dev, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Mahua Maji and Nationalist Congress Party's Vandana Chavan are likely to be part of the delegation.

Earlier, the opposition bloc had wanted a delegation of chief ministers to visit the state but the idea was dropped due to logistical issues, sources said.

The opposition bloc had been demanding that a delegation of their leaders be allowed to visit the state but till now they had been denied permission in view of the situation there.

However, earlier two delegations -- one from the Left and another from TMC - visited the state.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also visited a few places in Manipur earlier.

The opposition has been demanding a statement from the prime minister in Parliament on the situation in ethnic strife-torn Manipur followed by a full-fledged discussion on it.

The northeastern state of Manipur has been engulfed in ethnic violence since May 3, in which more than 160 people have lost their lives.
Opposition alliance INDIA on Thursday boycotted a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Rajya Sabha to protest Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement on Manipur violence in Parliament, a senior leader said.

IMAGE: Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha underway during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

The Rajya Sabha BAC has 11 members, including the Vice-President who is its ex officio chairman.

Three MPs from the 26-member opposition front INDIA are on the BAC committee -- Jairam Ramesh (Congress), Misa Bharti (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and Derek O'Brien (Trinamool Congress).

They and Bharat Rashtra Samiti's Keshav Rao gave the meeting a miss.

This was the latest in a slew of meetings that members of the opposition bloc either walked out of or boycotted over the last few weeks.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday met some leaders of political parties as he worked on deciding the date on which the debate on the no-confidence motion will be held.

Parliamentary sources said a decision will be taken later.

On Wednesday and Thursday, some opposition members in the Lok Sabha objected to the government bringing bills on substantive policy matters at a time when a no-confidence motion is already admitted.

The Chair had said the speaker has to decide the date of the debate within 10 days and had rejected their objections.

On Wednesday, opposition members walked out of a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology headed by Shiv Sena (Shinde) MP Prataprao Jhadav opposing the adoption of a report on the new Personal Data Protection Bill.

They argued that the bill was never formally referred to the committee and that a report cannot be framed based on informal discussions.

The draft report was circulated on the eve of the meeting and the members argued that none of them were told that such a report was in the works. Amid high drama, seven opposition MPs and eight MPs from the Bharatiya Janata Party and allied parties engaged in a bitter exchange for nearly an hour.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey proposed a vote to break the deadlock, the point at which opposition members -- Communist Party of India-Marxist's John Brittas, Congress' Karti P Chidambaram, Trinamool Congress MPs Jawahar Sircar and Mohua Moitra, among others -- walked out.

Brittas moved a dissent note too. The report was adopted in their absence.

On July 20, opposition leaders walked out of a BAC meeting in protest against Modi not making a statement on the Manipur issue in Parliament and the Centre bringing a bill to replace an ordinance on the control of services in Delhi despite it being sub-judice.

Leaders of the Congress and other opposition parties including the Left, the TMC, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Nationalist Congress Party, and the Aam Aadmi Party walked out of the meeting as their protest in writing was not accepted by the chairman.

On Wednesday, the Congress moved a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha on behalf of the INDIA alliance to force PM Modi to speak on the ethnic violence in Manipur in which more than 160 people have been killed since May.
India on Thursday described as "unacceptable" China issuing stapled visas to some sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that it reserves the right to "suitably respond" to such actions.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has lodged its "strong protest" with the Chinese side on the matter and there should be no discrimination on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens.

People familiar with the matter said the visit of a 12-member team of Wushu players to China's Chengdu to compete at the World University Games was called off on Wednesday night as three players from Arunachal Pradesh in the group were given stapled visas.

The decision to put on hold the team's travel was taken after the government examined the matter.

"It has come to our notice that stapled visas were issued to some of our citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China," Bagchi said.

"This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions," he said.

Bagchi said this at a media briefing while responding to a question on the matter.

"Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports," he said.

While other members of the team received normal visas, the players from Arunachal Pradesh were given stapled visas, the people cited above said.

In the past too, there were instances of China issuing stapled visas to Indians from Arunachal Pradesh that drew sharp reactions from New Delhi.

China has been laying claims over Arunachal Pradesh saying it is part of Southern Tibet.

In April, India outright rejected China's renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of India and assigning "invented" names does not alter this reality.
Protests continued in Manipur and elsewhere in the nation over the continued violence in the north east state.

In Imphal, Manipur's capital, Meitei anger was directed at Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who protestors alleged was interfering in the internal affairs of the state.

In other cities in Union, the protests were over the sexual assault on women and calling for an immediate halt to the ongoing ethnic violence.

IMAGE: Protesters burn an effigy of Mizoram CM Zoramthanga in Imphal. All photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Manipur students burn an effigy of Zoramthanga in Imphal.

IMAGE: The anti-Zoramthanga protests continue, here and below.

IMAGE: Members of the Alliance of Feminist Collectives stage a candle march in Guwahati here and below, over the sexual assault against women and the violence in Manipur.

IMAGE: Women stage a silent protest in Kolkata, here and below, over the violence against women in Manipur.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com and Anant Salvi/ Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
The productivity of the Budget session was abysmal.

The Lok Sabha functioned for 33% of its scheduled time (46 hours); the Rajya Sabha 24% (32 hours).

IMAGE: Proceedings of the Lok Sabha underway during the Monsoon session of Parliament, July 26, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo/Sansad TV

The Monsoon session of Parliament will have 17 sittings until August 11.

But even a smooth run across sittings cannot prevent the current 17th Lok Sabha from earning the ignominy of being the shortest full-term since 1952.

Until the Budget session that concluded in April, the 17th Lok Sabha had functioned for 230 sitting days.

Of all the Lok Sabha sessions that completed the full five-year term, the 16th Lok Sabha had the lowest number of sitting days (331).

One more year and two more sessions remain in this Lok Sabha, with 58 average sitting days a year.

Among the proposed Bills for introduction, the most contentious would be the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill to replace the ordinance that gave the Centre powers over bureaucracy under the Delhi government, which it brought after an adverse May 11 Supreme Court order.

The Aam Aadmi Party, with 10 MPs in the Upper House, is set to protest the ordinance. At its parliamentary strategy meeting, the Congress decided it would oppose the Bill.

The BJP lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha. It could get embarrassing for regional parties, especially those that have bailed the BJP out in the Upper House in four years, such as the Biju Janata Dal, to vote in favour of the Bill.

The government has listed 21 new Bills to introduce in the monsoon session.

It might also take up half a dozen pending Bills.

But the productivity of the Budget session was abysmal.

According to PRS Legislative Research, the Lok Sabha functioned for 33 per cent of its scheduled time (46 hours); the Rajya Sabha 24 per cent (32 hours).

The second part of the session was as low as 5 per cent for the Lok Sabha and 6 per cent for the Rajya Sabha.

The tentative legislative business to be taken up by Parliament during the session will include the following:

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill to replace the Centre's ordinance

The Drugs, Medical Devices, and Cosmetics Bill to ensure the quality and efficacy of drugs and medical devices

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill to decriminalise minor offences by amending 183 provisions

The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill for introducing exploration licences and delisting some minerals from the list of atomic minerals

A Bill to establish a National Co-operative University

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill aimed at rationalising prohibited area around monuments

A Bill for setting up a National Dental Commission and repealing the Dentists Act, 1948

A Bill to set up a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission and repeal the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023, to make the registration process people-friendly

Three Bills related to OBCs, STs, and SCs in Jammu & Kashmir

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill to check film piracy and introduce age-based categories of certification

A Bill to establish a National Research Foundation and repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008

Some of the pending Bills likely to be taken up are:

The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, for which a joint committee will submit its report

The Mediation Bill, 2021

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Almost 24 years after Captain Vikram Batra died fighting Pakistani forces, his battle cry yeh dil mange more still echoes from the peaks of Kargil, says his twin brother Vishal for whom a return to the mountains is akin to a pilgrimage.

IMAGE: A statue of Captain Vikram Batra. Photograph: Kind courtesy @vishalbatra1974/Twitter

Vishal Batra, who was in Drass to attend the 24th Kargil Diwas event, also said he was thankful to the people for their love and affection towards his brother, fondly called the "Lion of Kargil" for his supreme sacrifice in the 1999 war.

"It is always a proud and nostalgic feeling whenever I visit these mighty peaks to see the valour displayed by our young officers and soldiers. It feels exactly the same as it did back then -- yeh dil mange more...we can still hear him (Capt Vikram) say that," he told PTI.

He said he is filled with pride to see the kind of love he receives from people throughout the country.

"But on a personal level it has been a difficult healing journeyMy family has still not made peace with it even after these many years, Vishal Batra said.

Captain Vikram Batra died fighting Pakistani forces during the Kargil war in 1999 at the age of 24. He was given the highest wartime gallantry award 'Param Vir Chakra' posthumously.

Due to his exemplary feat, Captain Vikram was awarded with many titles.

He came to be fondly called the "Tiger of Drass", the "Lion of Kargil", the "Kargil Hero", and so on. His bravery, zeal and determination had set a standard for everyone fighting the war. Yeh dil mange more was Batra's victory slogan.

Vishal Batra, who flaunts a tattoo of yeh dil mange more on his right arm, said visiting the war memorial is like visiting a shrine for him.

"The kind of love I receive not only from the officers but also from families of other martyrs, it just fills me with different emotions. I can feel him here, he still is, said Vishal, who works in a bank.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra starrer Bollywood movie Shershah, which was released in 2021, is based on Capt Vikram Batra's story.

The Indian Army had launched a fierce counter-assault, 'Operation Vijay', to push back Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh in 1999.

The Kargil War saw soldiers of the Indian armed forces fight in the most challenging terrain under harsh weather conditions, defeating the enemy in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the war.

"When you go home, tell them of us, they gave their today for our tomorrowPaid homage to dear twin who would always be love for me (our Shershaah Captain Vikram batra PVC) and other bravados on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Beneath the earth at the war memorial, the young warriors sleep, Vishal Batra wrote in a social media post.
The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party has decided to support the Narendra Modi government in Parliament and vote against the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

IMAGE: YSRCP MP V Vijaysai Reddy in Rajya Sabha. Photograph: SansadTV/ANI Photo

The 26-party Opposition alliance has moved a notice of no-confidence in Lok Sabha demanding the prime minister speak on the Manipur situation inside the House. While the notice has been admitted, no decision on a date has yet been taken.

"How does bringing a no-confidence motion help the country? Trying to weaken the Central government at this time of disturbance in Manipur and two hostile neighbours is not in the national interest," YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader Vijayasai Reddy said.

"It is the time to work together not against each other. The YSRC Party shall support the government and vote against the motion," he said.

YSR Congress Party has 22 members in the Lok Sabha and nine in the Rajya Sabha.

YSR Congress functionaries said that the party will vote in favour of the government in the Rajya Sabha when it takes up the bill to replace the Delhi Services ordinance next week.

The party's support will be crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance to ensure the smooth passage of the bill in the Upper House.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 83F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz reaffirmed Turkiye's commitment to furthering cooperation with Azerbaijan across all sectors, Trend reports.

Yilmaz took to his Twitter page to share that they had a meeting with the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, Mikayil Jabbarov, and his accompanying delegation at the Presidential Complex. He emphasized their determination to continue enhancing cooperation with Azerbaijan in various areas.

By December 2022, Azerbaijan had invested approximately $20 billion in the Turkish economy, while Turkiye reciprocated by investing about $14 billion in the Azerbaijani economy.

During the first half of 2023, the trade turnover between the two countries reached $3.9 billion, reflecting a substantial year-on-year increase of 34.82 percent.
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How do you like your eggs? Tristan Roberts, a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, writes from Halifax and corresponds with readers at tristan@tristanroberts.org.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The leaders of the inter-parliamentary connexions working groups of the Milli Majlis (parliament) of Azerbaijan issued an address to overseas parliaments on July 27, Trend reports.

The appeal states that recent information circulating about the alleged lack of food and medicines for Armenian residents in areas temporarily deployed with Russian peacekeeping forces in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is a political manipulation aimed at deceiving the international community and undermining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The working group leaders emphasize that the blocking of the Aghdam-Khankendi road, proposed by Azerbaijan for the transportation of humanitarian goods to Khankendi and surrounding villages, reveals the true intentions of the forces behind this campaign. The intentions are to hinder the reintegration of Armenian residents of Karabakh into Azerbaijani society or delay this process as much as possible.

The message to overseas parliaments underscores that the Armenian leadership has repeatedly acknowledged Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory, eliminating the need to import food and other products from Armenia for ethnic Armenians. As for the Lachin road, it falls within sovereign Azerbaijani territory, and thus, Azerbaijan established a border crossing point for its citizens. This right is enshrined in the final judgment of the International Court of Justice. Armenia, unable to accept this, resorted to firing at Azerbaijani border guards, provocations against our state's flag, and misuse of the Lachin road, which triggered restrictions on the use of this road.

If Armenia genuinely supports Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, it should not object to cargo transportation via the Aghdam-Khankendi road and should refrain from obstructing the reintegration process.

The appeal concludes with a call for the international community to demonstrate a responsible approach to the matters mentioned above, refrain from succumbing to Armenian manipulations, and instead encourage Armenia to engage in constructive dialogue.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. France's silence on Armenian provocations highlights the flaws in its policy, said Aykhan Hajizada, the Spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Trend reports.

Hajizada made this statement in response to the comments made by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs concerning the Lachin road.

"The French side's silence on Armenian provocations and its biased calls against Azerbaijan expose the misguided nature of France's policy.

We urge caution against being misled by Armenian manipulations and making biased statements without considering their implications. Such statements, directed against Azerbaijan, do not contribute to peace and stability in the region," he added.

In order to prevent the transportation of manpower, ammunition, mines, as well as other military equipment from Armenia for illegal Armenian armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan (which weren't withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020), and as an adequate response to the unilateral establishment of a border checkpoint by Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan on April 22 at the entrance to the Lachin-Khankendi road contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, on April 23 at 12:00 (GMT+4), the units of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan set up a border checkpoint in its sovereign territories, on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived Thursday in China and planned to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a state news agency reported.

Widodo was due to attend the opening of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu in southwestern China, the Xinhua News Agency said. It said the two leaders would meet but gave no details of what they might discuss.

Indonesia is, along with China, a member of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies.

Indonesia wants a bigger role as a supplier of nickel and other raw materials to China's fast-growing electric car brands.
Deadly fires raging in Greece and other European countries advanced on Wednesday, destroying homes and threatening nature reserves during a third successive wave of extreme temperatures.

The summer wildfires have struck countries across the region, prompting the European Union to expand its support, sending two Spanish firefighting planes to Tunisia after wildfires in neighbouring Algeria left at least 34 people dead in recent days.

Greece More wildfires broke out Wednesday in the central mainland, with the most serious near the city of Volos, where outlying villages and a nearby industrial zone were ordered evacuated. The fire service said there were no immediate reports of people trapped in factory buildings.

It said two people were found dead following fires in the surrounding area  an older woman burnt to death in a caravan and a shepherd who had gone to save his flock. Volos residents were urged to stay indoors due to the smoke inhalation hazard.

Further south, a wildfire triggered a precautionary evacuation order for some outskirts of the town of Lamia.

New evacuations were ordered overnight on the islands of Corfu, Evia and Rhodes, where thousands of tourists were moved to safety over the weekend.

Authorities said the charred remains of a missing farmer were found in southern Evia  a discovery made following the death of two Greek firefighting pilots, in a crash during a low-altitude water drop.

The heat wave in Greece has pushed temperatures back above 40 C (104 F) while strong winds hampered firefighting efforts. The fire on Rhodes has damaged an inland nature reserve.

Rhodes resident Philippos Karageorgiou lamented how the blazes destroyed "forest areas with virgin forest of several years ... from herbs to anything you can imagine, and Rhodes was famous for all of these. Algeria Following three days of destruction, most major fires in Algeria have been contained or put out, thanks to a huge mobilization of aerial and ground resources as well as falling temperatures, authorities said.

The death toll stood at 34, including 10 soldiers assisting an evacuation. The coastal and densely-forested Bejaia area was hardest hit.

Critics say the government's efforts to prepare for the wildfires were insufficient following two deadly fire seasons.

Fires in August 2022 claimed 37 lives in the northeastern Taraf region. July 2021 saw the most significant damage in recent years, with at least 90 deaths in the northern Tizi-Ouzou region, 33 of them soldiers.

Italy The bodies of two older people were found in a home that had been consumed by flames near the Palermo airport, on the island of Sicily, which had been closed temporarily because of the encroaching flames, according to Italian news reports.

Firefighters battled wildfires across southern Italy as searing temperatures continued to scorch Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria, where dozens of fires broke out and multiple evacuations were ordered.

Freak storms in the north of the country also left two people dead on Tuesday from falling trees.

Croatia A wildfire was burning several kilometres away from the famous walled town of Dubrovnik, in the country's south along the Adriatic Sea coast, where water-dropping planes and more than 100 firefighters held back the blaze before it reached houses overnight.

The medieval stone city is a protected heritage site and Croatia's best-known tourism destination.

It's been a long night, but we managed to stave off the part (of the fire) that is important because of the houses, firefighting unit commander Stjepan Simovic said. We must be careful because the wind has started to pick up and the fire can grow again. Portugal More than 500 firefighters continued to combat a blaze close to Lisbon, Portugal. The fire forced the evacuation of 90 people from their homes along with 800 farm animals.

The blaze near the coastal town of Cascais, 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Lisbon, was brought under control early Wednesday, helped by cooler temperatures. Firefighters remained in the area to watch for any further flare-ups as temperatures and winds rose again Wednesday. Fears rose that it might spread deep into the nearby Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. No injuries were reported.

Turkiye A hospital and a dozen homes were evacuated as a precaution in the coastal town of Kemer, where firefighters for a third day battled a blaze raging through woodland. At least 10 planes, 22 helicopters and hundreds of firefighters were deployed.

Five helicopters with night-vision capabilities worked through the night, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Authorities said residential areas were not under threat in Kemer in the Mediterranean coastal province of Antalya.

Water-dropping planes, helicopters and firefighters were also deployed to a forest blaze Wednesday near the district of Beykoz, in Istanbul, where temperatures reached 43 C (109.4). The cause of the wildfire on the Asian side of the city wasn't immediately known and it wasn't clear if residential areas were under threat.

Teams were also battling two fires near the towns of Kinik and Odemis in the western coastal province of Izmir, Anadolu said. At least three villages near Kinik were evacuated as a precaution.

Spain Officials said that sparks from a brush cutter set off a wildfire on Gran Canaria island off the northwest coast of Africa. The fire in the la Caldera de Los Marteles volcanic area started when a worker using the cutter was clearing land with two others, island president Antonio Morales told reporters.

The three workers tried in vain to extinguish the ensuing fire before calling emergency services. Some nine water-carrying helicopters were being used by firefighters and Morales said they hoped to have the blaze under control later in the day. About 300 hectares (740 acres) of the mountain area has been burnt.

Tunisia Tunisia's interior minister, Kamel Fekih, said Wednesday that the wildfires that broke out in the country in recent days are now under control, signaling an end to the immediate danger.

He said a few fire pockets" in the northwestern areas of Malouleh and Ain Sobh are currently being addressed but "no longer pose any danger. Earlier in the week, a school principal in the northwestern town of Nefza died of asphyxiation because of heavy smoke from the flames.
Singapore executed a man Wednesday for drug trafficking and is set to hang a woman Friday  the first in 19 years  prompting renewed calls for a halt to capital punishment.

Mohammed Aziz Hussain, 56, was hanged at Singapore's Changi Prison and has been buried, said activist Kirsten Han of Transformative Justice Collective, which advocates for abolishing the death penalty in Singapore. A citizen of the city-state, he was sentenced to death in 2018 for trafficking around 50 grams (1.75 ounces) of heroin, Han said.

Saridewi Djamani, a 45-year-old Singaporean woman, is due to be hanged Friday after she was convicted and sentenced in 2018 for trafficking around 30 grams (1.05 ounces) of heroin, the group and other human rights organizations said. Han said the last woman known to have been hanged in Singapore was 36-year-old hairdresser Yen May Woen, also for drug trafficking, in 2004.

Singaporean authorities must immediately stop these blatant violations of the right to life in their obsessive enforcement of misguided drug policies, Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary-general of the International Federation of Human Rights, said in a statement.

If Djamani's is executed as planned, Singapore will have executed 15 people for drug offences since it resumed hangings in March 2022, an average of one execution every month, Transformative Justice Collective, Amnesty International and seven other groups said in a joint statement.

Anyone  citizens and foreigners alike  convicted of trafficking more than 500 grams (17.64 ounces) of cannabis and 15 grams (0.53 ounces) of heroin faces the mandatory death penalty.

Human rights groups, British business mogul Richard Branson and the United Nations have urged Singapore to halt executions for drug-related offenses as increasing evidence shows the death penalty is ineffective as a deterrent. But Singapore authorities insist that all prisoners get due process of law and that capital punishment remains key to helping halt both drug demand and supply.

The joint statement by Transformative Justice Collective and other groups noted that Law Minister K. Shanmugam reportedly acknowledged in a 2022 interview that Singapores harsh policy on drugs has not led to the arrest of the so-called drug kingpins.

Instead of disrupting drug cartels  the government of Singapore deliberately retains capital drug laws that, in practice, operate to punish low-level traffickers and couriers, who are typically recruited from marginalised groups with intersecting vulnerabilities, the statement said.

The groups said Singapore is out of step with the global trend of more countries moving away from capital punishment. Neighboring Thailand has legalized cannabis while Malaysia ended the mandatory death penalty for serious crimes this year. The groups urged Singapore to halt all executions and instead pursue effective measures to humanely address drug trafficking in the country.
Within days of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) orchestrating a sham election last Sunday, at which it pocketed almost all parliamentary seats and consolidated its authoritarian rule, it quickly moved on to what the bogus ballot was supposed to achieve: an apparent vote of public confidence in the countrys new leaders.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that he will resign next month, after 38 years in power, and hand over the premiership to his eldest son, Hun Manet. That coronation will become official when parliament reconvenes on August 22, at which point a much wider "generational succession" will also take place. Most other aging party grandees will also resign, gifting their ministries to their children as an inheritance. According to leaked lists of nominees, almost the entire cabinet

Tea Seiha, the provincial governor of Siem Reap, is expected to succeed his father as defense minister. Credit: Fresh News

All eyes are now on the once-in-a-generation succession that will likely see Prime Minister Hun Sen next month hand over the premiership to his eldest son, Hun Manet, while other ruling party grandees will also gift their ministries to their children as an inheritance. According to leaked lists of nominees, almost the entire cabinet will be replaced next month, mostly by the children of the current elite.

To name but a few: Hun Manet, 45, will become prime minister. Siem Reap provincial governor Tea Seiha, 43, will take over as defense minister from his father Tea Banh. Sar Sokha, 43, a ministry of education secretary of state, will inherit the interior ministry from his dad Sar Kheng.

Cham Nimol, 43, a commerce ministry secretary of state could become the next commerce minister, a position her father Cham Prasidh held for decades. The children of Sok An and Chea Sim, two late party grandees, will get into the cabinet. Supreme Court chief Dith Munthys son, Dith Tina, 44, is already there, made agriculture minister last year. Say Samal, 43, the son of Senate President Say Chhum, has been environment minister since 2013. For good measure, another of Hun Sens sons, Hun Many, 40, will become Minister for Civil Service.

Generational change

As the names and ages suggest (and that list isnt exhaustive), this will be a sweeping generational change for Cambodia. Yet, give eye to three individuals who are neither princelings nor all that young. One of the few cabinet ministers expected to stay put is Aun Pornmoniroth, 57, the trusted finance minister since 2013. Indeed, hes also expected to be the only deputy prime minister who will keep that post.

Back in 2020, the ruling party reportedly kicked around the idea that Pornmoniroth could be a transition prime minister, taking over from Hun Sen and ruling for a few years so that the inexperienced Hun Manet could gain some first-hand ministerial know-how. But that Singapore Model  so-called because thats what state founder Lee Kuan Yew handled succession in 1990  appeared to fall out of favor, presumably because Hun Sen got his way and convinced the other party grandees that their families wealth and patronage networks would remain intact if everyones children rose through the ranks at the same time. Nonetheless, it at least showed that Pornmoniroth was a trusted, albeit neutral, technocrat. Indeed he is. In recent years, Pornmoniroths finance ministry has consolidated its power over the rest of the ministries, especially when it comes to budgets. Hes now the keeper of the state coffers.

Cambodia's Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth speaks after a signing ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Aug. 23, 2017. Credit: Reuters

Whos set to take over as the new foreign minister? That would be Sok Chenda Sophea, 66, the head of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, a government body charged with overseeing foreign investments. So we might get an economics-minded person in the foreign ministry. A graduate of the University of Aix en Provence in France, Chenda Sophea is competent on the world stage and well-liked by international development agencies. Consider him a World Economic Forum-type of minister.

The talk in Phnom Penh is that Chenda Sophea will repivot the foreign ministry away from its focus on geopolitics, namely how Cambodia maneuvers in America and Chinas New Cold War, towards a more neutral focus on simply attracting foreign investment and diversifying trade links. That, of course, means maintaining close ties with Beijing, by far the principal investor. But it also means healthier relations with the West, the main purchasers of Cambodian-made goods.

In 2017, when Cambodias relations with the West really began to deteriorate, trade with the United States was worth $3.4 billion. It was up to $12.6 billion last year. Its well known that certain officials in the economic ministries are peeved by Hun Sen and cos constant talk about Western interference and the unwillingness to make good on claims of wanting rapprochement with the West.

Trusted officers

Last is Vongsey Vissoth, 58, currently a permanent secretary of state at the finance ministry (so Pornmoniroths key ally) and the minister attached to the Prime Ministers office, who is tipped to become the next Minister for the Council of Ministers, effectively the cabinet organizer. For a decade, that post was dominated by the late Sok An, the so-called minister with many arms because of his control of so many portfolios. Vissoth could play a similar role, especially as Hun Sens go-between with the cabinet, considering that the outgoing prime minister has no intentions of leaving politics; hell still have a say in most issues from his position as ruling party president.

Despite their kids taking over, Hun Sen will still dictate party politics, especially over his Dauphin, while Tea Banh and Sar Kheng will watch over their sons in the defense and interior ministries, respectively. But it looks likely that this trifecta of experienced, middle-aged, economics-minded ministers will be the political managers; the trusted Chief Operating Officers to the retiring CEOs.

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto [left] exchanges a document with Sok Chenda Sophea, secretary general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, after a signing ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 14, 2016. Credit: Heng Sinith/AP

Will that create tensions? Possibly. Its foreseeable that some of the princelings will want more independence than theyll get. Perhaps dynastic egos will come into play. Maybe itll dawn on them that theyre beholden to their fathers patronage. But one imagines that this will be limited by the other ministries being dependent on Pornmoniroth and Vissoth (whose current job put him in charge of the governments fiscal policies and budgets) for finances.

Expect financial prudence as a political tactic. They'll also control the provincial purse strings. The trifecta will be trusted to keep the princelings in line and the government on track, particularly if they are to steer a refocus towards growing the economy, not play-acting at geopolitics and intra-party tussles.

The new cabinet will have little wiggle room in other areas, too. The government has already laid out a rigorous masterplan (the Pentagon Strategy) that aims to make Cambodia a high-income economy by 2050. As such, the departments know what theyre supposed to be working towards regardless of whether theres a new, youthful commerce or industry minister. Itll be the trifectas task to shepherd the new administration through this transition.

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.
For China, tight ties with Cambodia ensure that Beijing has a solid supporter in ASEAN.

Hun Manet [left], son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen [center], shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an official visit to Beijing, Feb. 10, 2023.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has assured Chinese Premier Li Qiang that Cambodia will continue its close relationship with Beijing after control of the government is handed over to Hun Sens eldest son next month.

Please, Your Excellency, be assured that the new governments policy toward China based on [our] mutual traditional friendship, trust and win-win cooperation will not be changed, the prime minister wrote in a letter dated Wednesday.

Hun Sen announced his resignation after close to 40 years in power, saying at a news conference on Wednesday that a new Hun Manet-led government would be formed on Aug. 22, after the National Election Committee officially reports the results from last Sundays election.

Preliminary results show Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party winning 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly. The election included the 45-year-old Hun Manet as a first-time candidate for parliament from Phnom Penh.

The tightly controlled vote was condemned by the United States, France, Australia and others 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.

This combination photo shows the extent of work thats been done at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia between Aug. 18, 2021 [top] and July 13, 2023. The United States believes the base is intended for Chinese military use. Credit: AFP/Blacksky Technology Inc.





For China, close ties with Cambodia ensure that Beijing has a supporter in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Time and again, Cambodia has undermined ASEAN unity on the disputed South China Sea over which Beijing has made sweeping claims of sovereignty, angering competing claimants.

Power projection

China and Cambodia began developing the Ream Naval Base, in Sihanoukville province on the Gulf of Thailand, with Beijings funding in June 2021. Cambodian officials said this week that renovation work has almost been completed, according to Voice of America.

The base would help Beijing boost its power projection in Southeast Asia and the Taiwan Strait. It would be Chinas first naval staging facility in the region and the second in the world after a base in Djibouti.

Phnom Penh has repeatedly denied that China is being given exclusive military access to the base, saying that would contradict Cambodias constitution.

Hun Manets government will need Chinese support to maintain power, while Vietnam may be reluctant to have close relations, even with its historical ties to the CPP, for fear of indirect economic sanctions from the United States, Finland-based political analyst Kim Sok told Radio Free Asia.

China needs the Hun family government to achieve its long-term interests  the completion of the Chinese-related Ream Naval Base, he said.

Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen [left] links arms with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi as they walk after a meeting in Phnom Penh, Aug. 3, 2022. Credit: Kok KY/Cambodias Government Cabinet





In February, Hun Sen flew to Beijing for an official visit with Hun Manet and another son, 40-year-old lawmaker Hun Many.

The prime minister met with President Xi Jinping and then-Premier Li Keqiang and signed 12 agreements with the Chinese government, including the building of schools in Kratie province, a US$44 million grant for the removal of unexploded ordnance and the construction of a reservoir in Kampong Thom province.

A report by the Ministry of Economy showed that China held more than US$4 billion of Cambodias nearly US$10 billion in foreign debt at the end of 2022s second quarter.

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed.
Their concerns about relaxing arms-export controls come as the US secretaries of state and defense visit Australia.

Premature exemptions for Australia to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations risks compromising our national security, says Rep. Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

A key part of the AUKUS security pact aiming to create a seamless defense industry across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States appears at risk after congressional Democrats raised doubts about Canberras ability to protect U.S. military designs from China.

The concerns were raised during a session of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, just days before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrive in Brisbane, Australia, for talks with their Australian counterparts.

Democrats including Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the partys ranking member on the committee, said that they opposed two bills introduced by the Republican majority to exempt Australia and the United Kingdom from the Arms Export Control Act of 1976.

The law created the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, which forces foreign entities, except for those in Canada, to apply for licenses when importing sensitive U.S. defense technology.

Meeks argued that Australia and the United Kingdom could seek exemptions from the State Department under the standing law, and said a blanket exemption would circumvent important checks.

Prematurely lifting them risks compromising our national security by allowing unfettered transfers of our most sensitive defense technology including to private-sector foreign firms, which risk exposure to or theft by our most capable adversaries, especially China, he said.

The former committee chair pointed to Australian intelligence chief Mike Burgesss comments earlier this year that more Australians are being targeted by foreign spies, due in part to the AUKUS pact.

The U.K. faces similar intelligence threats, he said.

Roadblocks

Experts in Australia have warned that the U.S. arms-control laws are a roadblock to the so-called pillar 2 of the AUKUS pact, which aims to create a seamless defense industry across the three countries and could be hampered by bureaucracy without a blanket exemption.

Those concerns have been echoed by top Australian officials.

Australias ambassador in Washington, Kevin Rudd, told a forum in Washington last month that the so-called pillar 2 of AUKUS could be even more revolutionary than the submarine project in itself but said it had a complex process ahead of it to get through Congress.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak [second right] walks during a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden [second left] and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese [left] at Point Loma naval base in San Diego, Calif., on March 13, 2023, as part of AUKUS. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via AP)

On Wednesday, Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas who has served as chairman of the committee since the start of this year, said providing Australia and the United Kingdom similar exemptions as those given to Canada would cut red tape with minimal risks.

This licensing exemption will add more submarine capabilities to the South China Sea as we see a more aggressive China on the march, he said. It also removes restrictions on innovation, and collaborating on quantum computing, autonomous vehicles and long range weapons.

McCaul argued the 1976 law was outdated and from a time when the U.S. dominated defense innovation in defense technology, which he said was no longer. He noted the United States had never denied a sale or license to Australia after the lengthy approval process.

Times have changed, McCaul said, and we now need to rely on our allies and partners, many of which out-innovate us in key areas.

Five Eyes partner

Wearing a koala pin on her lapel, Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from California who introduced the bill for the exemption for Australia, said she could not understand the Democrats' reluctance.

Kim, who titled the bill the Keeping Our Allies Leading in Advancement Act, or KOALA Act, said Australia had already proven itself a trusted partner as part of the Five Eyes intelligence pact that also includes Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Australia is one of our closest allies and is one of our Five Eyes partners. We let the Australians have access to some of the most sensitive intelligence we have, Kim said. So why shouldnt we expedite collaboration with them on sensitive technologies?

Rep. Young Kim says Australia has already proven itself a trusted partner of the United States as part of the Five Eyes intelligence pact. (Ken Cedeno/Pool via AP file photo)

It was disingenuous, the second-term lawmaker added, to grant them access to some of our most sensitive intelligence but say were concerned that the Australians will let this technology fall into the hands of the CCP, referring to the Communist Party of China.

Kim also tabled a July 24 letter in favor of an expedited AUKUS process that she said was signed by a number of Obama administration officials including former director of national intelligence James Clapper and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

McCaul summarized the letter as making the case Australia has sufficient safeguards in place already as a Five Eyes member, and dismissed the argument that Canberra and London can apply for Canada-like exemptions from the U.S. State Department.

State will not issue the exemption, he said. State has shown it will never certify Australia or the U.K. for an exemption, because it does not want to give up its bureaucratic power over licensing.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the issue but pointed to May 24 testimony to the committee by Jessica Lewis, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, in which she suggested bulk approvals of AUKUS-related exemption requests.

Every transfer between AUKUS partners will not be subject to case-by-case review, but will be pre-approved if the case meets certain criteria laid out by the State Department, Lewis said at the time.

Charles Edel, the Australia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Radio Free Asia he believed changes to the law were needed that protect U.S. defense secrets while also allowing Australian, American and British companies to collaborate easily.

He said the speed of the current approval process was the issue.

"The question surrounding export controls, Edel said, is not whether they work to exempt Australia and the United Kingdom from [licensing] key technologies, but whether they work fast enough or with enough certainty for businesses to make investments at scale.

Changes in legislation are needed to ensure that the U.S. can collaborate with our closest allies, while ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect our sensitive technology.

Submarine deal safe

One rare area of agreement between Democrats and Republicans was on the deal to sell Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia by the end of the decade.

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Missouri departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Sept. 1, 2021. (Amanda R. Gray/U.S. Navy via AP)

There was bipartisan support for the AUKUS Submarine Transfer Authorization Act, which forms the substance of pillar 1 of AUKUS for the United States and United Kingdom to help Australia obtain, and then build and maintain, its own fleet of nuclear submarines, starting with the purchase of three from U.S. shipyards.

The deal has proven controversial in Australia due to its price, which will run into the hundreds of billions of dollars, as well as in the United States, due to the huge submarine backlog at shipyards.

But Meeks of the Democratic Party said the Biden administration was committed to ensuring there are no adverse impacts on our navy or shipbuilding capacity, while McCaul said the sale to Australia would help to stimulate investment in our defense industrial base.

Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Republican from Michigan, added that passage of the bill would lead to $3 billion of investments from the Australians into the submarine base, which would help ease the production and maintenance backlog that plagues our submarine forces.

He said there should be no doubts that the submarines will be delivered to Australia on time, even if U.S. shipyards were now only building approximately 1.3 Virginia-class submarines each year.

Currently, the indications that industrial industry can deliver two Virginia-classes by the late 2020s are promising, Huizenga said, and I have complete faith that they will hit that mark with our support coming out of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Lily Wong and Chan Kok-hin, former members of Law's now-disbanded party, allegedly helped to fund his activism.

Hong Kong activist Nathan Law attends a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese embassy in London on June 4, 2023, to mark the anniversary of China's 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Credit: Kin Cheung/AP

National security police in Hong Kong on Thursday arrested two more people on suspicion of funding overseas activists via an app designed to promote pro-democracy businesses.

Lily Wong and Chan Kok-hin, both former members of Nathan Law's now-defunct political party Demosisto, were arrested under a national security law that bans public dissent and peaceful opposition, bringing the total number of arrests linked to the Mee app to seven, rights groups and police said.

"The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force this morning (July 27) arrested a 29-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman for suspected 'conspiracy to collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security'," the police said in a statement without naming Wong or Chan.

The pair also stand accused of 'conspiracy to commit an act or acts with seditious intent' under a colonial-era sedition clause in the city's Crimes Ordinance.

"Investigation revealed that the two arrested persons were suspected of having connection with the group of persons arrested on July 5. They are being detained for further enquiries," the police said, adding that more arrests could follow.

The U.S.-based campaign group Hong Kong Democracy Council said via its account on X, formerly known as Twitter, that seven people with links to the Mee app have now been arrested, on suspicion of helping fund exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law's overseas activities.

The London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch commented on its X account: "Concerning to see yet more arrests in #HongKong today, with another 2 ex-Demosisto members detained by the National Security Police."

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.

Bounties for wanted list figures

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.

Since then, police have also detained several family members of the "wanted activists," including relatives of Nathan Law, Elmer Yuen, Mung Siu-tat and Dennis Kwok.

The Mee app was set up to benefit companies in the "yellow economic circle," who were supportive of the demands of the 2019 protest movement, which included fully democratic elections.

The color yellow has been associated with the pro-democracy movement since the 2014 umbrella movement, while pro-government and pro-police views are described as "blue."

But since Beijing  which blames the 2019 protests on "hostile foreign forces" seeking to foment a "color revolution" in the city  imposed the national security law, such businesses have been seen as subversive.

In January, national security police arrested six people at a Lunar New Year market for selling "seditious publications" inciting people to overthrow the government, in a reference to pro-democracy movement memorabilia.

Herbert Chow, who owned the now-shuttered children's clothing chain Chickeeduck, said his "yellow" credentials had massively boosted interest in his high-end products. Credit: Kin Cheung/AP file photo

Herbert Chow, who was forced to shut down his children's clothing chain Chickeeduck after it was raided by national security police in May 2021 for displaying a statue of a protester, said his "yellow" credentials had massively boosted interest in his high-end products, but that he was unable to keep going due to mounting political pressure exerted via his commercial landlords.

"Back in 2019, when I put a Goddess of Democracy statue in [one of my stores], its rental contract was terminated early despite having just been renewed," Chow told RFA Cantonese in a recent interview.

"The big landlords don't support you ... because you're only paying H.K.$100,000/month in rent for the store, but you're bringing them a whole load of trouble, to the point where they're getting phone calls from [Beijing's] Central Liaison Office," he said.

Businesses targeted

Smaller "yellow" businesses are also being targeted, as the authorities vow to crack down on "soft confrontation" now that thousands of protesters have already been prosecuted for their role in the 2019 movement, sometimes for just being in the area or carrying clothing or equipment associated with the movement.

Former pro-democracy District Council member Derek Chu, who has a long history of social activism, said these pop-up stalls and smaller shops are fast disappearing, and that his landlord recently terminated the lease of his small "yellow circle" shop.

"It's still powerful to use consumer power to win recognition and support these businesses, but the impact is much smaller now," Chu said.

"People start to ask themselves why they have to work so hard when they are making less as a boss [of such businesses] than they would working a part-time job," he said.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
Visitors stand in front of a giant screen displaying Chinese President Xi Jinping next to a flag of the Communist Party of China, at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, in 2022.

Majorities of people across the world view China in an increasingly negative light but believe the countrys technological achievements are beyond those of other wealthy countries, according to a new survey.

The survey, released Thursday by the Pew Research Center, also found middle-income countries the least likely to view Chinas foreign policy negatively, with only neighboring India among eight such surveyed countries where a majority hold unfavorable views.

In total, 27,285 people in 24 countries were surveyed about China, Pew said, with the results showing a median of 67% of adults express unfavorable views of the country and 28% have a favorable opinion.

Most people also think China does not take into account the interests of other countries in its foreign policy (76%) and a median of 57% say China interferes in the affairs of other nations a great deal or fair amount, the Pew survey said. Meanwhile, it said, a median of 71% think China does not contribute to global peace and stability.

However, the negative views were strongest in high-income countries, with overall views somewhat rosier  even if not entirely positive  in middle-income countries like Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa.

India stands out as the only middle-income country in which a majority has unfavorable views of China, Pew said, noting that two-thirds there hold negative views. And in three middle-income countries  Kenya, Mexico and Nigeria  a majority even gives China a positive rating.

But even in these countries, the trend was mostly negative for China, with more people viewing China negatively than in Pews 2019 survey. In India, for instance, the figure jumped from 46% to 67%. In Brazil, it went from 27% to 48%, and in Mexico it jumped from 22% to 33%.

In Indonesia, though, negative views of China dropped from 36% to 25%. Nigeria was steady with relatively few negative views, at 15%.

Technological advancement

Despite the widely negative views of the country, though, Chinas technological progress is viewed in a largely positive light.

Pew found a median of 51% of people across the 24 surveyed countries viewed Chinas technology as above average compared to other wealthy countries, and 19% saw it as the best in the world.

In fact, outside of South Korea, nearly half or more in every country say Chinese technological advancements are the best in the world or above average relative to other wealthy nations, the report said, with about four-in-10 in middle-income countries saying its the best.

A cargo ship is seen at Lianyungang port in China's eastern Jiangsu province, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. More people in this years Pew survey saw the United States, not China, as the worlds pre-eminent economic power. (AFP)

Pew also noted it asked people in middle-income countries, many of which are increasingly reliant on Chinese companies like Huawei for components of their 4G and 5G systems, about their views on the quality of Chinese-made cell phones, tablets and computers.

Across these eight countries, there is a relatively widespread sense that these products are well-made, the report said. Middle-income publics are more divided when it comes to their cost: A median of 50% describe them as inexpensive, while 44% call them costly.

On the privacy of such Chinese-made devices, it said people around the world were divided: a median of 45% said they felt their data was safe on such devices, and a median of 40% said it felt unsafe.

Declining views of Chinas economy

Views of Chinas economic strength have also fallen around the world since Pews last round of surveys, which took place before COVID-19 and the near implosion of Chinese property firms like Evergrande.

The report notes that in 2020 in Canada, for instance, 47% of people viewed China as the worlds preeminent economic power, compared to 36% who said that about the United States. But this year, more people in Canada pointed to the United States (44%) than China (40%).

A similar trend took place around the world, with Australia one of the few places where more people are more likely to see China as the leading economy. Yet even there, the share fell from 55% to 50%, with those pointing to the United States growing from 34% to 39%.

Some of the worst falls occurred in Europe.

In Germany, the 55% majority who saw China as the worlds leading economic power in Pews 2020 surveys declined to 43% this year, with the United States rising in peoples estimations from 17% to 34%.

In the United Kingdom, opinion is now split, with competing 40% blocs pointing to both the United States and China as the leader. But in 2020, 47% singled out China, compared to just 37% for the United States.

Chinas image as an economic superpower is stronger in high-income countries than middle-income ones, the Pew report notes, identifying Italy as the only high-income country where a majority (55%) put China ahead, with only 31% giving that mantle to the United States.
The proposal will be studied, the Philippine military chief said.

Chinese Navy personnel stand guard as the Chinese naval training ship Qi Jiguang docks at the Port of Manila for a four-day goodwill visit, June 14, 2023.

The Philippines will weigh a proposal from China for joint military exercises, the Filipino armed forces chief said about the prospect of drills between the two countries with a longstanding territorial dispute.

The idea of conducting unprecedented exercises with China was initially floated during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte, the previous Philippine president, but that never materialized.

During his term (2016-22), Duterte drew his country closer to Beijing and away from the United States, Manilas traditional defense ally.

The Chinese ambassador broached the latest proposal, which was informal in nature, at an embassy gathering on Wednesday night, Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

They offered that prospect, but we have to study [it] further, he told reporters on Wednesday, without expanding on the matter.

He, however, did reply no, when asked whether the prospective drills would take place in the disputed South China Sea, as is the case with joint Philippines-U.S. exercises.

The Philippines has no accord with China that is similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) it has with the U.S., which would be necessary for conducting bilateral drills.

BenarNews contacted the Chinese Embassy in Manila for comment but did not immediately hear back.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

In July 2016, an international arbitration court ruled in favor of the Philippines, and threw out Chinas expansive claims in a legal case arising from their territorial dispute. Beijing has refused to acknowledge that ruling.

In recent years, China has increasingly intruded into the Philippines South China Sea waters to stake its claims, leading to tense interactions between the two countries.

The Philippine government has filed 99 notes verbales, or diplomatic protests, against China since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office last year.

Still, Brawner said, the Philippine military would seek to be friends to all, enemy to none following Marcos directive.

So we will naturally toe the line. That is what we are going to do, we [will] try to establish relations with armies, with armed forces around the world and this is one way for us to actually prevent war, Brawner said.

Earlier this week, Marcos talked at length about protecting the Philippines sovereignty in his State of the Nation Address. He said the Philippines would always follow international law  a veiled reference to Beijing.

Last month, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said there would be nothing wrong if the Philippine and Chinese forces held military exercises if these were for confidence-building and trust training.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. During a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, dismissed claims about the humanitarian situation around the Lachin road as nothing but political manipulation, Trend reports.

Minister Bayramov also highlighted the steps taken by Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period. He emphasized the importance of the Armenian side ending provocations in the region and respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

In order to prevent the transportation of manpower, ammunition, mines, as well as other military equipment from Armenia for illegal Armenian armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan (which weren't withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020), and as an adequate response to the unilateral establishment of a border checkpoint by Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan on April 22 at the entrance to the Lachin-Khankendi road contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, on April 23 at 12:00 (GMT+4), the units of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan set up a border checkpoint in its sovereign territories, on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road.
Qin is being airbrushed from party annals in a way that echoes the most turbulent era in Communist Party history.

Then-Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a joint news conference with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra, not pictured, following their meeting in Beijing, China, on May 23, 2023.

UPDATED AT 12:29 PM ET on 07-27-2023.

No sooner had former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang been replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi on Tuesday, after a mystery disappearance of a month, than he began to be erased, in a move evocative of the Mao Zedong era.

During the Mao era, senior officials who fell out of favor and later purged were frequently excised from the annals of party missives  and party history.

The same fate appears to have befallen Qin Gang, leaving the world to scratch its head and wonder why China, as opaque as ever, is not telling.

At the very least the erasures undermine the official explanation in weeks past that Qins absence was due to ill health.

Almost as soon as foreign policy chief Wang Yi was announced to be taking over Qins position  in a move many China watchers consider to be transitional  Qin, who had been catapulted into the role of foreign minister as a Xi Jinping favorite and had only served for seven months  was scrubbed from the foreign ministrys web pages.

Even foreign ministry news releases have been removed  replaced with a message that reads, The page you are visiting does not exist or has been deleted.

A search for Qin Gang on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website comes up with no results. Credit: Screenshot/mfa.gov.cn





The page for the foreign minister on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website continues to be blank, in what Han Yang, who formerly worked for Chinas foreign ministry and is now a political commentator in Australia, said on X (formerly Twitter) is possibly because Wang Yi has yet to be sworn in.

All references to Qin and his activities as foreign minister have been removed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, but he continues to be listed elsewhere as a state councilor and references to his tenure as ambassador to the U.S. continue to exist.

Some analysts think that this is a sign that he still has some measure of protection; others say its likely Qin is being purged but the process is incomplete, and he may forfeit his state councilor role in future too.

Qin is also still listed as a member of the Communist Partys elite Central Committee.

The relevant information on appointments and dismissals has been released in a timely manner from the Chinese side, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing on Thursday, according to a Reuters transcript. We are always opposed to malicious hype surrounding this matter.

Her comment, however, was not included in the official transcript of the briefing on the ministrys website.

But Yang noted, Let me remind everyone that in Bo Xilais case [President Xi Jinpings high-flying, populist rival who fell from grace after his wife poisoned a British businessman], he was initially removed from Chongqing party post in exactly the same manner, a short statement without giving reasons, while maintaining his Politburo position. 4 weeks later the announcement came for his investigation.

People from the outside are totally in the dark and the episode illustrates that Chinese politics is becoming increasingly unpredictable and volatile, though under a calm surface, Ho-fung Hung, an expert in Chinese politics at Johns Hopkins University, told AFP.

Meanwhile, in related news, and a reminder of the risks of Chinas high-wire politics, the former Communist Party chief of Hangzhou  home to Jack Mas Alibaba  was given life behind bars in the form of a deferred death sentence for corruption.

Zhou Jiangyong was convicted of accepting CNY182 million (U.S.$25 million) in bribes and has been deprived of his political rights and had all of his assets confiscated.

One winner

Amid a week of political hijinks and skullduggery, one political player has made his way to the top as anticipated.

Pan Gongsheng, a Chinese Communist Party technocrat experienced in commercial banking and financial regulation, was appointed the governor of the Peoples Bank of China. Pan holds a PhD in economics from China and received some training from Cambridge University and Harvard University.

The position of governor of the central bank is an important one in Chinas financial system, but the governors powers are curtailed by the party compared to central bankers elsewhere. President Xi himself demands a role in all key economic decisions, for example.

Then-People's Bank of China Vice Governor Pan Gongsheng speaks at a news conference in Beijing, China March 3, 2023. Credit: Reuters

Pan managed the worlds largest foreign exchange reserves for seven years  as Administrator of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, managing Chinas foreign reserves of around U.S.$3.2 trillion.

Hes also credited with arresting a slide in the value of the yuan in 2016.

He replaces Yi Gang, who had been PBOC governor since 2018, after replacing Zhou Xiaochuan, the PBOCs longest serving governor, having served in the role for 15 years.

Pan has a PhD in economics from Chinas Renmin University, was a visiting scholar at Cambridge and also studied at Harvard.

He was anticipated to be made governor ahead of Tuesdays announcement and he will have his work cut out for him.

The value of Chinas currency has been sliding this year as the economy faces unprecedented headwinds in the form of youth unemployment and lackluster consumer and private sector confidence, leading to obvious concern emanating from Beijing that what is now a malaise could become something worse.

Edited by Mike Firn.

This story has been updated to include a comment from China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
China has become an 'increasingly important buttress for Russia in its war effort,' the report says.

Men move bags of goods for export in front of a trading center that houses shops and offices with Russian goods and services, in Beijing, April 1, 2022.

UPDATED at 4:00 p.m. EST on 07-27-2023

Beijing has become an even more critical economic partner for Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine, a new report by the U.S. intelligence community says, with China buying more Russian oil and gas than before and helping the country skirt U.S. sanctions.

Released Thursday by the office of Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, the report says Beijing has pursued economic support mechanisms for Russia that mitigate both the impact of Western sanctions and export controls meant to financially strangle Moscow.

The PRC has increased its importation of Russian energy exports, including oil and gas supplies rerouted from Europe, it says, calling China an increasingly important buttress for Russia in its war effort and saying it is probably supplying Moscow with key technology.

Beijing has also significantly increased the use of its currency, the yuan, and its financial infrastructure in commercial interactions with Russia, allowing Russian entities to conduct financial transactions unfettered of Western interdiction, the nine-page report says.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 16, 2022. Last year, China and Russia declared a no-limits friendship. (Sergei Bobylev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

It says that China has since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine become Russias most important trading partner, although as of April 2023 it had not fully replaced Western trade volumes before the war.

Cheap energy

China has benefitted from the arrangement, the report notes, and it has not necessarily been driven by a desire to support Moscow, despite the two countries burgeoning no-limits friendship declared last year.

Instead, the buying was spurred by steep discounts on oil in the wake of the G-7s $60 price cap on Russian oil, it says, with the high volume of trade nevertheless providing Moscow much-needed revenue to fund its war effort, as Western sanctions squeeze its economy.

Overall Russian imports from China increased 13 percent year-on-year in 2022, the report says, while exports to China increased 43 percent to hit $114 billion, causing total bilateral trade to hit a record high.

In terms of Russian crude oil, the report says China last year overtook India as Moscows largest buyer, with Chinese imports peaking at 2 million barrels per day in May 2022, shortly after the war began.

Russia also sold twice as much liquefied gas to China in 2022 compared to 2021, and the two countries had agreed to construct a second Siberian pipeline to support surging natural gas exports.

Microchip exports from China to Russia, meanwhile, increased by 19 percent, the report says. But it notes that China is currently still unable to make advanced chips that are competitive with U.S. and Western options when it comes to military purposes, with the chips often failing.

That has led Russia to look elsewhere.

An oil tanker is moored at the Sheskharis complex, one of the largest facilities for oil and petroleum products in southern Russia, in Novorossiysk, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP)

More than a year into the invasion, the report notes, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of U.S.-made or U.S.-branded semiconductors are flowing into Russia despite sanctions and export controls, even as official global exports of microchips to Russia and Belarus fell 54%.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said trade between China and Russia was legitimate economic activity and said it should be left free from disruption or coercion.

On the Ukraine issue, China upholds an objective and just position, actively promotes talks for peace and has played a constructive part in facilitating a political settlement of the crisis, Liu told Radio Free Asia.

China does not sell weapons to parties involved in the Ukraine crisis and prudently handles the export of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations, the spokesperson said. China-Russia economic and trade cooperation is completely above-board.

Weapons transfers

The report does not accuse China of supplying Russia with weapons for its war effort, which U.S. officials have said would be a red line.

Politico on Monday published a story detailing apparent sales of military hardware from Chinese firms to Russia, but State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the report had not been verified and appeared to downplay sales by private companies.

We would obviously have to conduct our own assessment before making any kind of determination about whether an activity was a sanctions violation or whether we need to impose additional sanctions in response to some activity that weve seen, Miller said.

The United States would very much oppose any action on the government side  the Chinese Government transferring lethal assistance to Russia, he said, but still had concerns about weapons transfers on the private sector side from China to Russia.

Updated to include comments from China's embassy in Washington.
Lee Meng-chu promised state security police he would delay his homecoming until after Taiwan's presidential poll.

Lee Meng-chu, shown in this 2019 photo, "disappeared" in Shenzhen, China, in 2019 after taking photos of a gathering of armed police and sending them back to contacts in Taiwan. Credit: Pingtung County Fangliao Township Office via AP

Taiwan businessman Lee Meng-chu, also known as Morrison Lee, has been allowed to leave China for Japan after serving nearly two years in prison for "spying," on condition that he doesn't go home to Taiwan until after the 2024 presidential elections in January, Radio Free Asia has learned.

Lee told RFA that he was a political hostage targeted due to anger in Beijing over Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's vocal support for the Hong Kong protest movement, and her government's criticism of the Hong Kong authorities' response.

He remained under restrictions last year despite having been released at the end of a one-year-10-month prison sentence for "espionage," prompting calls for his freedom to be fully restored.

Lee, who "disappeared" in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen in August 2019 after taking photos of a gathering of armed police and sending them back to contacts in Taiwan, said he had promised the state security police he would stay in Japan instead.

He flew out of Beijing on July 24, despite expressing concern in a brief video statement before traveling to the airport that he could be stopped at the border.

Lee told Radio Free Asia from Japan that he had gone along with everything the state security police asked of him.

"They were worried I might influence the presidential elections," Lee told Radio Free Asia in a recent interview. "I think if my case is a little sensitive, it's better not to annoy them for now."

He said he had made the promise after being called to a meeting with China's state security police prior to the lifting of the restrictions.

"I was very scared," he said. "They are under a lot of pressure right now, and if I wasnt careful, they could try to ... offload that pressure [onto me]."

'This should never have happened to me

Lee didn't specify what kind of retaliation the police could engage in now that he has left the country, but China's "long-arm" law enforcement has been expanding around the world in recent years, and can include targeting loved ones and business associates in China.

Now he is in Japan, Lee feels relieved, "but I still feel that this should never have happened to me."

"I also know why it did -- I was carrying the burden of cross-straits relations at the time."

Lee, a former worker in Taiwan's Hsinchu Science Park, had originally only planned to stay for one day in Shenzhen when he landed there on Aug. 20, 2019, at the height of the Hong Kong protest movement.

"I went to Shenzhen on a business trip, and planned to stay for one day," he said. "After my meeting, I took the samples and left."

On his way out, Lee happened to take photos of the People's Armed Police, who appeared to be gathering in the same hotel.

Lee said he was utterly unprepared for what followed.

"I lost my freedom without any psychological preparation, that was the hardest part, mentally," he said. "I'm not like some of those former democracy activists in China or even Taiwan [under the authoritarian rule of the Kuomintang]."

"They may have been prepared for what happened, but I was completely innocent, and totally unprepared," said Lee, who now suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome linked to his experience.

During his sentence, the pandemic hit, and ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping plunged the country's 1.4 billion population into three years of grueling lockdowns, mass testing, compulsory quarantine camps and constant digital surveillance.

Taiwan warns travelers

Lee has spent time since his release traveling around China, where he has now visited around 100 cities, taking photographs.

"I didn't go to Xinjiang," he said. "I wanted to, but my mainland compatriots told me that it is much more sensitive there, and that I too was in a sensitive situation."

"But I almost got as far as Xinjiang, because I traveled through Guazhou in [the western province of] Gansu," he said.

Overall, Lee got the impression that there is far more going on in China than meets the eye of a casual observer, and plans to publish a book based on his travels there.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council issued a news release on Thursday warning the democratic island's 23 million residents to take care when considering travel to China.

Warning of "frequent violations of personal freedom and safety, as well as unfriendly treatment by the other side," the Council said the risk of arbitrary detention and interrogation was high.

"Just a few days ago, a university lecturer invited to China on an academic exchange was detained by airport personnel and interrogated for four hours," the statement said, adding that the authorities had taken his phone and laptop for unknown purposes. "He was eventually allowed to enter the country, but the experience was a huge physical and mental shock to him."

The statement called on the Chinese authorities "to immediately stop the vile and unreasonable detention of our people who have been invited for exchanges."

Last month, the Council warned Taiwanese traveling to Hong Kong to avoid carrying electronic tealights, wearing T-shirts referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre or possessing news materials relating to the city's 2019 mass protest movement.

To avoid running afoul of a national security law imposed on the city by Beijing to clamp down on several waves of popular protest in recent years, Taiwanese traveling to Hong Kong have also been warned to avoid "seditious" publications referencing the protests, banned slogans and even songs linked to the movement.

The national security law  imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020  ushered in a citywide crackdown on public dissent and criticism of the authorities that has seen senior journalists, pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai and 47 former lawmakers and democracy activists charged with offenses from "collusion with a foreign power" to "subversion."



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
Indonesia is among the top ten countries to bring such litigation.

An activist holds a banner as police officers in protective suits look on during a climate protest in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 5, 2021.

The number of climate change-related court cases has more than doubled in five years and is growing globally, as impacts range from droughts and heat waves to water shortages, a new U.N. report said.

In 2017, there were 884 legal actions, whereas the number had risen to 2,180 last year, said the 2023 Global Climate Litigation Report, published Thursday by the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

These lawsuits were initiated across 65 different entities worldwide, brought in front of international, regional, and national courts, tribunals, quasi-judicial bodies, and other adjudicatory institutions. The figure also includes special procedures of the United Nations and arbitration tribunals.

With extreme heat baking Europe to Asia to North America and the likelihood of disasters rising, more people are increasingly turning to the courts to find solutions, advance climate action, and hold governments and the private sector accountable, Andy Raine, the head of international environmental law at UNEP, said in an online press conference.

Such litigation could serve as a vital tool in delivering climate justice, he added.

The reports findings are based on a review of cases focused on climate change law, policy or science. It comes just a day before the first anniversary of the U.N. General Assemblys declaration of access to a clean and healthy environment as a universal human right.

A lawyer for the association Senior Women for Climate Protection Jessica Simor prepares to address the court at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France March 29, 2023. Credit: Reuters







Several legal cases have arisen challenging government decisions that conflict with the objectives of the Paris Agreement or a nations net-zero commitments, while the increasing awareness of climate change has also prompted legal action against corporations, aiming to hold fossil fuel companies and other greenhouse gas emitters accountable for contributing to climate damage.

The report says courts are finding strong human rights linkages to climate change, leading to greater protection for the most vulnerable groups in society, compelling governments and corporations to pursue more ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.

Indonesia leads cases in Asia

Although the United States leads the charts with 1,522 cases. About 17% of lawsuits have been filed in developing countries, including Small Island Developing States.

In the Asia-Pacific, Indonesia saw the most lawsuits with 12 cases, most of them brought by the government against palm oil, mining and logging companies for destroying peatland ecosystems, according to the report.

There were 11 legal actions filed in India, while China, the worlds top greenhouse gas emitter, had only two. The report did not say what those cases were.

In China, we have just started to see some litigation. I think its a little more challenging, said Maria Antonia Tigre, a senior global climate change litigation fellow at the Sabin Center.

There are no cases against governments, for example. They are usually corporate cases, also related to specific projects mostly.

Raine, who recently met a few Chinese judges, said there seems to be some willingness in the judiciary to allow climate litigation in the future and a commitment to develop specialized capacity around environmental cases.

Recently, the country amended its domestic public interest environmental modification legal framework, which does allow the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate, which is part of the government that can bring cases against the government, to bring cases and also to allow NGOs to bring cases under certain circumstances, he told RFA.

Thursdays report said there were also at least 34 instances where cases have been brought by or on behalf of children and youth under 25 years old, with some involving girls as young as seven and nine years old in Pakistan and India, respectively.

The report also mentioned the determination made by the Commission on Human Rights National Inquiry on Climate Change in the Philippines that 47 prominent oil and gas companies bear a corporate responsibility to conduct human rights due diligence and offer remediation measures.

In March 2023, the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu won a major victory when it convinced the United Nations General Assembly to pass a resolution aiming to request an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding the responsibilities of nations concerning climate change for both current and future generations.

The report predicts an increase in climate migration cases, as well as lawsuits addressing liability issues in the aftermath of extreme weather events and backlash cases as companies seek to protect fossil fuel operations against such climate litigation.

Edited by Mike Firn.
Savang Phaleuth was arrested in April when he tried to visit his hometown in Laos.

Savang Phaleuth, a human rights activist and member of the Free Laos group, is seen in this June 2022 photo.

Laos has released a Thailand-based rights activist whom authorities arrested in April when he returned to Laos to visit family, sources with knowledge of his case told Radio Free Asia.

Savang Phaleuth had been working in Thailand for years and was a member of the Thailand-based Free Laos group. On April 20, he attempted to travel to his hometown in Laos Savannakhet province but he was arrested for his political campaign work, RFA previously reported.

He was released last month, a source who requested anonymity for safety reasons told RFAs Lao Service.

At the present time, Mr. Savang has been released, the source said. He returned to live with his family in Thailand.

A Lao official said that Savang was arrested because he has two nationalities and carries two passports, and was a member of an anti-Lao government organization in Thailand.

Other members of the Free Laos group told RFA that it was not likely that authorities arrested Savang for having dual nationality. It is more likely that there were political charges, they said.

Savang was not the first Thailand-based activist to be arrested when returning to Laos. In 2017, Somphone Pimmasone, Lodkham Thammavong, and Soukane Chaithad, were arrested when they entered Laos.

They were charged with criticizing the Lao government online while working abroad and for taking part in a protest outside the Lao embassy in Thailand. The three were handed prison terms described by rights groups as harsh at a secret trial in April of that year.

In another case, democracy activist Od Sayavong vanished under mysterious circumstances in Bangkok in 2019 after posting a video clip online criticizing the government.

Listed as a person of concern by the UNHCR because of his advocacy for democracy and human rights, his whereabouts remain unknown.

Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Edited by Eugene Whong.
Phyo Hein Htut faces up to five years in prison for his role in a plot to attack Myanmars ambassador to the UN.

Phyo Hein Htut, convicted of conspiracy to assault a foreign official, in an undated photo.

A Burmese national who took part in a plot to attack Myanmars permanent representative to the United Nations has been convicted in the United States of conspiracy to assault a foreign official.

Phyo Hein Htut was found guilty on July 24 after an eight-day trial and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2024, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the southern district of New York said in a statement. He faces up to five years in prison.

Phyo Hein Htut, who resides in New York, had volunteered to be on a security team for Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun. But he was secretly feeding information about the ambassador, the mission and its personnel to an arms dealer in Thailand who sold weapons to the Myanmar military as part of a plot to harm the ambassador, according to the statement.

Kyaw Moe Tun has been a key critic of Myanmars military junta, which seized control of the Southeast Asia country from the elected civilian-led government in a February 2021 coup.

He was appointed to his post before the coup. The junta has demanded that he step down as ambassador, but he has refused to do so.

From about February 2021 through early August, Phyo Hein Htut conspired to injure or kill the ambassador by accepting money from the arms dealer sent to him to hire attackers in an attempt to force Kay Moe Tun to step down from his post, the statement said.

The fact that they tried to assassinate the courageous Myanmar ambassador who stood up for the people at the United Nations was the lack of rule of law and violence has reached outside of Myanmar to the U.S., said Kyaw Zaw, spokesman for the Presidents Office of Myanmars shadow National Unity Government.



Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmars permanent representative to the United Nations, has been a key critic of the military junta. Credit: Brendan McDermid/Reuters file photo

Billy Ford, a program officer for the Burma team at the U.S. Institute of Peace, said the incident was a clear indication that the Myanmar military is a criminal organization willing to do anything to sustain its power  even attempting to assassinate a sitting U.N. ambassador.

Since it illegally took power more than two years ago, the military has repeatedly committed crimes and atrocities, including air strikes on civilians and this assassination attempt, with impunity, he said.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, told Radio Free Asia that the evidence against Phyo Hein Htut was overwhelming enough to result in a unanimous jury verdict against him.

His heinous efforts to organize an attack on U.S. soil against the U.N. ambassador deserves the maximum possible punishment as a deterrent to others who would think about undertaking such actions, he said.

U.S. authorities revealed the plot to kill the ambassador on Aug. 6, 2021, after they arrested, Phyo Hein Htut, then 28, and Burmese national Ye Hein Zaw, then 20, who was said to have been an intermediary who sent money from an arms dealer in Thailand to bankroll the attack.

Authorities charged both men with conspiracy to assault and make a violent attack upon a foreign official.

In December 2021, Ye Hein Zaw pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy, RFA reported.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Matt Reed.
Locals say the mine was left behind after a junta raid.

Four children died when a landmine exploded as they played in a field in Myanmars central Bago region, residents told RFA Thursday.

They said the mine went off in Phyu townships In Pin Thar village on Tuesday, killing five-year-olds Poe La Pyae, Wa Than Moe and Nga Pauk, and 12-year-old Aye Chan Maung.

Six-year-old Htein Lin and 50-year-old Min Naing were injured in the blast.

Right at the top of In Pin Thar village, there is a small library, said a resident who didnt want to be named for fear of junta reprisals.

The children were hit while they were playing behind the wall where there are bushes and a drinking water pot.

The local said junta troops often enter In Pin Thar village which is about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) from their base in Hpa Yar La Har village

He said the landmine was planted and left behind when the junta troops were last in the village, but RFA has not been able to confirm this independently.

RFAs calls to the Bago region junta spokesperson, Tin Oo, went unanswered Thursday.

Myanmars youngsters continue to be the victims of indiscriminate shelling and landmine blasts.

On July 22, three people, including a 12-year-old child, were critically injured when a junta shell exploded in a village in Bago regions Kyauktaga township, according to locals.

The fighting is also leading to an increasing number of internally displaced people. Nearly 100,000 residents of eastern Bago have fled their homes since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup, according to the United Nations Office for the Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday during a visit to Papua New Guinea that Washington was not seeking a permanent military base in the Pacific island nation under a new defense deal.

The United States and Papua New Guinea signed a defense cooperation agreement in May that gives the U.S. military unimpeded access to develop and deploy forces from six ports and airports, including the Lombrum Naval Base.

The deal has been criticized by some in the Pacific nation for being overly accommodative to American interests and possibly upsetting for China, a major trading partner. But Austin on Thursday stressed U.S. commitment to the sovereignty and autonomy of Papua New Guinea.

I just want to be clear, we are not seeking a permanent base in PNG, Austin said during a joint press conference with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.

Our goal is to strengthen PNGs ability to defend itself and protect its interests.

The agreement, signed on May 22, is part of Washingtons efforts to counter Beijings growing influence in the Pacific.

China, over several decades, has become a substantial source of trade, infrastructure and aid for developing Pacific island countries as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and build its own set of global institutions.

Last year, China signed a security pact with Solomon Islands, alarming the U.S. and its allies such as Australia and underlining the heightened geopolitical competition in the region.

Marape on Thursday said the defense cooperation agreement, which is yet to be ratified by Parliament, formalized the ad-hoc relationship that Papua New Guinea already had with the U.S. military.

Papua New Guinea was building its defense capabilities to keep the country safe, including from illegal fishing and transnational crime, not for joint war preparation.

I want to give assurance to everybody here that this is not about setting out for war, but setting a presence for nation building in PNG and this part of the Pacific, he said.

Austin is on his way to Brisbane, Australia where he and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet their Australian counterparts for the annual AustraliaU.S. Ministerial Consultations.

Door open to AUKUS

Blinken on Wednesday visited the tiny Pacific kingdom of Tonga, where the U.S. opened a new embassy in May, and touched down for a series of meetings in New Zealand on Thursday.

At a press conference in Wellington, Blinken said that the door is very much open for New Zealand to engage with the second pillar of the AUKUS security pact between the U.S., Britain and Australia.

New Zealand is a deeply trusted partner  We've long worked together on the most important national security issues. And so as we further develop AUKUS, as I said, the door is open to engagement.

One of the primary goals of AUKUS is a plan for the Australians to acquire nuclear-powered submarines to help America police the Indo-Pacific super region.

The second pillar focuses on cooperation in advanced military technology.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the country is exploring the full extent of pillar two opportunities under AUKUS, but stressed that Wellington was not prepared to compromise or change our nuclear-free position.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) is briefed by Maori elder Kura Moeahu before a Maori welcoming ceremony at Parliament in Wellington on July 27, 2023. [AFP]

The U.S., United Kingdom and France carried out more than 300 nuclear detonations in the Pacific from 1946 to 1966 as part of their weapons programs.

The testing hardened public opinion against nuclear weapons in New Zealand, which banned visits by nuclear-propelled warships in the mid-1980s and later passed legislation making the country a nuclear-free zone.

New Zealands refusal to allow the port call of USS Buchanan in 1985, after the ship would not confirm if it had no nuclear weapons onboard, resulted in Washington downgrading its diplomatic relationship with Wellington. The U.S. suspended its security guarantee under the trilateral ANZUS treaty, effectively freezing New Zealand out.

Diplomatic ties between the two nations have found common ground in regional security interests in recent years, especially over Chinas growing assertiveness.

When asked about Chinas police and security agreements with Solomon Islands, Mahuta on Thursday said that New Zealand respected Honiaras sovereignty, but the lack of openness and transparency surrounding them had raised concerns.

We will continue to push on the Solomon Islands [Prime Minister Manasseh] Sogavare to make clear what the full extent of those arrangements are so we can assess what that means for our region, she said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
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."
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Azerbaijan has refused to allow through the Lachin Corridor a convoy of trucks that Armenia said were delivering emergency food aid to the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh, has been blocked by Baku for more than seven months.

The Armenian government said on July 25 that it will try to send 360 tons of flour, cooking oil, sugar, and other basic foodstuffs to Nagorno-Karabakh to alleviate severe food shortages there caused by the blockade.

Armenian officials expressed hope that Russian peacekeepers would escort the relief supplies.

Nineteen Armenian trucks reached the entrance to the Lachin Corridor late in the afternoon on July 26 but remained stranded there in the following hours, with Baku refusing to let them though an Azerbaijani checkpoint set up there in April.

In a statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemned the aid convoy as a "provocation" and said it was an attack on Azerbaijans territorial integrity.

A senior aide to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Yerevan should renounce "territorial claims" to his country.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian defended the attempted delivery of the humanitarian aid.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to the situation that Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are currently facing," Pashinian wrote on Twitter.

"The 360 tons of vitally important foodstuff sent to Nagorno-Karabakh [are] exclusively for humanitarian purposes."

Tensions have been high over the situation on the Lachin Corridor.

Azerbaijan earlier this month suspended traffic through a checkpoint on the corridor pending an investigation after it said "various types of contraband" had been discovered in the Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia.

The suspension of traffic heightened concerns over a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Both Armenia and separatist authorities in the enclave have said that Azerbaijan has blockaded the territory since December, resulting in shortages of food, medicines, and energy.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian-populated mountainous enclave that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The most recent war lasted six weeks in late 2020 and left 7,000 soldiers on both sides.

As a result of the war, Azerbaijan regained control over a part of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. The war ended with a Russian-brokered cease-fire under which Moscow deployed about 2,000 troops to serve as peacekeepers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The revenues of the State Social Protection Fund (SSPF) under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan amounted to 3.2 billion manat ($1.8 billion) in the first half of 2023, Chairman of the Board of the State Social Protection Fund of Azerbaijan Himalay Mamishov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during a press conference on the work done in the first half of 2023.

"This is by 16.6 percent or by 465 million manat ($273.5 million) more compared to the same period last year," he said.

The Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan considered making changes to the revenues and expenses of the State Social Welfare Fund in June 2023.

According to the changes, the revenues and expenditures of the budget of the SSPF for 2023 amounted to 6.2 billion manat ($3.6 billion) with an increase of 4 million manat or $2.3 million (0.1 percent).
An Armenian convoy of trucks heading to the Nagorno-Karabakh region was stopped at an Azerbaijani checkpoint on July 27. The Armenian government says the trucks are carrying emergency food aid to the breakaway territory. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has called the convoy a "provocation." Observers from the EU Mission in Armenia drove past the convoy to monitor the situation. Please note there is no sound on this video.
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."
Temperatures in Iran are hitting record highs, rivers and lakes are drying up, and prolonged droughts are becoming the norm, highlighting a water crisis that is turning much of the countrys territory to dust.



The desertification of Iran is occurring at a staggering pace, with officials last month warning that more than 1 million hectares of the countrys territory -- roughly equivalent to the size of Qom Province or Lebanon -- is essentially becoming uninhabitable every year.



The situation has Tehran scrambling to gain control of the situation in a country where up to 90 percent of the land is arid or semi-arid. But the clock is ticking to stave off what even officials have acknowledged could lead to an existential crisis and the mass exodus of civilians.



The warning signs were on full display this month. Temperatures in southwestern Iran hit a staggering 66.7 degrees Celsius (152 degrees Fahrenheit), higher than what is considered tolerable for human life.



Iranian scientists warned that the water levels of Lake Urmia, which is in severe danger of drying up, are the lowest recorded in 60 years. And in what has become routine, advisories were issued about the threat of suffocating dust storms.



As elsewhere in the world where temperatures are soaring, global climate change gets much of the blame. But the thermometer only tells part of the story on an issue Iran has been wrestling with for years.

Exacerbated by decades of [international] isolation, mismanagement of local resources, rapid population growth, improper spatial distribution, and the consequences of a prolonged drought, Irans water crisis has entered a critical phase, environmental expert Shirin Hakim told RFE/RL in written comments.



Water scarcity, and Tehrans failed efforts to remedy it, is well documented. The problem has led to grand dam-building and water-intensive irrigation projects that have contributed to the drying up of rivers and underground water reservoirs. Clashes with neighboring states and anti-government protests in hard-hit areas of Iran have erupted over scant water resources. And the degradation of soil has contributed to the increase of dust and sandstorms that have helped make Irans air pollution among the worst in the world.

The accompanying loss of arable land has also harmed agricultural production, threatening livelihoods and leading to internal migration from the countryside to urban areas, which in turn could unleash a raft of related problems.



Over time, the increased pressure on urban areas due to these migration patterns can strain infrastructure, natural resources, and create socioeconomic challenges, said Hakim, a senior fellow at the Berlin-based Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG) and fellow at the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center.



Mass Exodus?



Irans population has more than doubled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, rising from about 35 million to almost 88 million, with about 70 percent of the population residing in cities. Tehran alone, Hakim said, has seen an average influx of a quarter of a million people per year for the previous two decades.



But as water scarcity and desertification make more and more territory unlivable, there are fears that a huge segment of the population might eventually have no option but to flee the country entirely in the face of what is arguably Irans most pressing policy challenge.



In 2015, Isa Kalantari, a former agriculture minister who at the time was serving as a presidential water and environment adviser, infamously predicted that, unless Iran changed its approach on water use, Approximately 50 million people, 70 percent of Iranians, will have no choice but to leave the country.

In July 2018, a month that saw violent protests over water shortages in the southwestern city of Khorramshahr as the country faced its driest summer in 50 years, then-Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli described the water situation as a huge social crisis. Fazli said water scarcity could fuel migration and significantly change the face of Iran within five years, eventually leading to disaster.



That deadline has passed, but the dire predictions and failed policies continue.



Iran is currently ranked by the World Resources Institute as one of the most water-stressed nations in the world, based on the impact on countries agricultural and industrial sectors, and routinely has been listed among the countries where water scarcity could lead to conflict.



That prospect became a reality earlier this year when Iran and Afghanistan engaged in deadly cross-border shelling. The clashes came after Tehran demanded that its neighbor release more upstream water to feed Irans endangered southeastern wetlands.

Internally, the threat of renewed anti-government protests over the lack of fresh water like those seen in the southwestern Khuzestan Province in 2021 highlight the ongoing challenge to Irans clerical leadership.



The UN Convention to Combat Desertification specifically addresses land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry subhumid areas. But those are not the only territories under threat in Iran.
YEREVAN -- The ethnic Armenian leader of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutiunian, has issued an urgent appeal to the international community, asking for immediate action to lift a de facto blockade imposed by Azerbaijan and prevent what he called "the genocide of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh."

Both Armenia and separatist authorities in the enclave have said that Azerbaijan has blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh since December, resulting in shortages of food, medicine, and energy.

Yerevan and international aid groups have warned that a dire humanitarian situation has been unfolding in the breakaway Azerbaijani region with convoys of food and medicine blocked.



"With this urgent address I am signaling that right now the people of the Republic of Artsakh" -- ethnic Armenians' name for Nagorno-Karabakh -- "are being subjected to genocide and face a real threat of destruction and deprivation of their homeland," Harutiunian said in a video address published late on August 8.

WATCH: Armenian police detained more than a dozen protesters outside a government building in Yerevan on August 8 after they demanded authorities take steps to unblock the Lachin Corridor.



He said a humanitarian crisis had been created by what he described as a 240-day blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, charging that "in a situation like this manifestation of inaction or indifference is nothing but acquiescence in the crime of genocide."



Tensions escalated after Azerbaijan last month completely 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. Access was previously blocked amid a series of protests and accusations emerging from Baku.



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 that 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 on August 8 visited the site in Armenia's southern Syunik Province where a 19-truck convoy of humanitarian aid has been stranded for two weeks.



"The international community must take effective personal and collective steps in order not to allow Azerbaijan to fill the history of mankind with another page of mass famine and genocide," said Harutiunian, the heavily ethnic Armenian region's de facto president.



He said Stepanakert called on Armenia to "immediately submit to the UN Security Council for discussion the humanitarian disaster that has emerged as a result of Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the illegal blockade" of Nagorno-Karabakh, and he urged Yerevan to be careful in its public statements and assessments of the situation.



He urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "to show moral and political responsibility and leadership, involving the entire UN system" on the issue.



Baku routinely brushes aside accusations of ethnic cleansing against Karabakh Armenians.



In 2020, Azerbaijan regained control of territories held by ethnic Armenian forces outside the borders of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as a chunk of the former autonomous oblast itself.



Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly warned the local population to integrate into Azerbaijan or leave.



The United States and the European Union have urged Azerbaijan to allow humanitarian supplies to reach Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin Corridor.



A group of UN experts issued a statement on August 7, expressing alarm over the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, which they said had led to a dire humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.



"By lifting the blockade, the [Azerbaijani] authorities can alleviate the suffering of thousands of people in Nagorno-Karabakh and allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population," the experts said. "It is essential to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals during this critical time."



They also called on Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in the region to protect the corridor under the terms of the cease-fire agreement.



Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry criticized the UN experts for what it described as their biased statement that it claimed had been influenced by "Armenia's manipulations."
KHORTYTSIA ISLAND, Ukraine -- The mighty Dnieper River flowed steadily past this ancient island for decades -- until the breach of a major dam downstream sucked the water away last month, exposing flats of mud and shells littered by remnants of the past, both recent and distant.

The destruction of the Russian-held Kakhovka dam on June 6 led to massive flooding downriver and drained an enormous reservoir upriver almost dry, causing a humanitarian and ecological disaster across a large swath of southern Ukraine.



The breach may have slowed a Ukrainian counteroffensive against invading Russian forces by preventing a possible assault on their positions on the eastern bank of the Dnieper. Kyiv has blamed the destruction of the dam on Russia, which has controlled the structure for some 16 months, and journalistic investigations suggest that Russia blew it up from the inside.

The receding water has also uncovered what is sometimes called the "Cossack Atlantis" -- lands that had been home to Zaporizhian Cossacks, steppe warriors who had formed a polity known as the Zaporizhian Sich between the 16th and 18th centuries, long before the area was inundated when the Soviet Union built the Kakhovka dam in 1956.



'Archaeological Boom'



The Kakhovka dam was part of a system of dams, reservoirs, and hydroelectric power plants built by the Soviet Union along the Dnieper to prevent uncontrolled flooding, improve transportation on the river that bisects Ukraine, and produce energy. Multiple villages, churches, and historical sites were sunk completely under water due to its construction.

Carried out mostly during the Cold War, the project involved a dose of military planning, because blowing up the dams could create a difficult barrier for a potential invading force at any given moment. It had happened twice during World War II: In 1941, the Soviet Union blew up the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station in Zaporizhzhya to slow the Nazi advance; the Germans rebuilt it and blew it up again in 1943 in a bid to stop the Soviet counteroffensive.

Following the June 6 breach, after the water receded as much as 4 meters, fortune-seekers known as "black archaeologists" or "diggers" -- people illegally collecting artifacts, usually to sell them -- found a skull with a Nazi helmet and other items from the last armed conflict to have swept over the region until February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an unprovoked assault that unleashed the biggest war in Europe since 1945.



The remnants of a temporary bridge built in 1944 emerged from the water in the city of Zaporizhzhya.



The drying up of the Kakhovka reservoir could bring an "archaeological boom" in the future, Oleh Tuboltsev, a researcher at the Khortytsia National Reserve and founder of the New Archaeological School in Zaporizhzhya, told RFE/RL. For now, most of the newly exposed territory is unavailable to researchers because Russian forces occupy most of the reservoir's left or eastern bank -- but new findings are made every day.

The Ukrainian government has already approved a resolution on a project to rebuild the Kakhovka dam -- a step necessary for feeding the region with water but possible only if Russian troops retreat. Archeologists say they have no time to lose and argue that scientific research needs to be included in the project.

One of the most spectacular findings so far is an approximately 500 years old 7-meter-long wooden boat. It was painstakingly removed from the river with the help of maritime archaeologists who traveled to Zaporizhzhya during a break from their duty as soldiers at the front, Tuboltsev said.



For centuries the Dnieper River was the central element of the trade that connected Scandinavia, Kyivan Rus, and the Eastern Roman Empire. In early modern and modern times, Ukraine's biggest river defined much of its history due to its economic and military significance.



Khortytsia, the biggest island on the river, was historically located beneath the Dnieper Rapids that allowed for river crossings and above the so-called Velykiy Luh, or Great Meadow, which offered a hospitable microclimate in an otherwise dry steppe environment. It played an important role for successive peoples inhabiting it over the past five millennia.

Since the breach, archaeologists working on the island have found ceramics from the Bronze Age and the era of the ancient Greeks, most likely brought here from Crimea, artifacts related to Kyivan Rus and Crimean Tatar trading, and parts of ships and weapons from the times of Cossacks and the Russian Empire, Anatoliy Volkov, a researcher at the Khortytsia National Reserve, told RFE/RL.



Cossacks Reconsidered



The receding water in the reservoir -- a long, broad stretch of the Dnieper -- uncovered the territory of Velykiy Luh, where the Zaporizhian Cossacks built at least eight fortified settlements, called siches, from the mid-16th century until the late 18th century. But until the fighting is over in the region, Volkov said, those and other promising archaeological sites -- such as Tatar settlements and Scythian kurgans, or burial mounds -- won't be available for research.



It was in this historically important region where the Khmelnytsky Uprising against the Polish domination began in 1648, and many believe it was here where Cossacks wrote their notorious letter refusing loyalty to the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed IV -- a scene depicted by the 19th-century painter Ilya Repin.

The legacy of Zaporizhian Sich, a proto-state organized as a military democracy and created by Cossacks who were fighting against Crimean Tatars, Ottoman Turks, Poles, and Russians, has been increasingly important for the Ukrainian national identity, Mykola Svydran, a historian working at the Museum of Zaporizhian Cossacks, told RFE/RL.



The construction of the museum was possible due to looser policies during the period known as the thaw, under Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, but its directors later faced criticism from Soviet authorities over allegations of nationalism.



Today, Russia's aggression against Ukraine is changing the popular perception of the Zaporizhian Cossacks, which before the war was largely shaped by Russian historiography, Svydran said. "Instead of viewing them as defenders of Orthodoxy, we now understand the deep links they had with Polish and Tatar culture and see them primarily as forefathers of Ukrainian independence."



The Zaporizhian Sich was disbanded by Russian Empress Catherine the Great in 1775, and its territory was incorporated into the Russian province of Novorossiya. From then on, Cossacks, who lost their autonomy, took part in Russia's wars, most importantly against the Ottoman Empire.

The 18th-century conquest of the Azov Sea coast and Crimea has been repeatedly used by Russian propagandists and President Vladimir Putin to justify the Russian seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and parts of the Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions -- none of which Russian forces fully controls -- in September 2022.



The archaeologists and historians working at Khortytsia Island have found and restored some Cossack ships that were used in those campaigns. Andriy Denysenko, a researcher and restorer working on the preservation of the wooden structures, showed RFE/RL a 10-ton cannon from the 18th century -- the biggest model in the Russian Empire at that time -- found by his colleagues under the sand at the bottom of the river.



"They are pounding our city with missiles, and we are restoring the historical Dnieper flotilla," he said.

Wartime Archaeology



The city of Zaporizhzhya, just 35 kilometers from the front line, has been slammed by missiles and drones since the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion 17 months ago. Dozens of people have been killed in the attacks, and numerous buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Khortytsia Island has been hit by 21 missiles, according to employees of the national reserve.

Most of the Zaporizhzhya region still remains under Russian occupation despite grinding battles ongoing around the towns of Orikhiv and Hulyaypole. Ukrainian investigative authorities have opened 2,430 criminal proceedings involving suspected war crimes by Russia and its soldiers against Ukraine, its military, and civilians.



Russia has built an extensive system of fortifications and land mines on the occupied territory that is slowing Ukraine's effort to reconquer it. According to Tuboltsev, who studied satellite photos, this network is "much bigger than in 1943" and hundreds of archaeological sites, including "almost all the big Scythian kurgans," were destroyed during its construction.

The destruction of Ukraines cultural heritage by Russia goes far beyond that. According to the Ukrainian Culture Ministry, nearly 40 museums in Ukraine have been looted since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and thousands of treasures have been plundered.

Among them is a 1,500-year-old tiara -- one of the world's most valuable artifacts from the fifth-century rule of Attila the Hun -- that was stolen from a museum in the Russian-held southern city of Melitopol along with among 1,700 other artifacts. As many as 2,000 items have been looted from a museum in Mariupol, which Russian forces captured in May 2022 after months of brutal attacks that obliterated much of the Azov Sea coast city.

When Russia launched the full-scale invasion, Tuboltsev, who is now 55, did not abandon his labors. Fearing that "decades of work were at risk," he said, he decided to complete a catalog of archaeological artifacts found in the region. The son of a Russian engineer and, according to his Ukrainian passport, an ethnic Russian, he decided to fully switch to speaking Ukrainian, including in his private life.

Many of his students joined the military, and some colleagues are under occupation. He said that he has corrected fire for the Ukrainian military multiple times in two occupied cities and a village, drawing on his back-of-the-hand familiarity with the regional geography and ties within the occupied communities.



"Before the invasion, there was a lot of pro-Russian sentiment in the region," Tuboltsev said. "But for all the progressive circles in Zaporizhzhya it has been clear for many years that the future belongs to Ukraine, its language, and its culture."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has restored the licenses of 32 local insurance intermediaries out of 184, Trend reports.

According to the CBA, the licenses of three insurance brokers (individuals), one legal entity and 28 individuals (insurance agents) have been restored.

The decision was made on July 26 in accordance with the law "On Insurance Activity" in connection with the elimination by insurance intermediaries of the circumstances due to which the licenses were suspended.

In addition, prior to that, the Central Bank suspended 184 licenses issued to eight insurance brokers (individuals), 155 individuals and 21 legal entities for three months. The licenses were suspended due to late submission of quarterly reports.
IndiGo Flight

DGCA's Uncompromising Stance Sends Strong Message to Airlines on Safety Compliance

NEW-DELHI: In a significant move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulatory body, has taken stern action against IndiGo Airlines' pilot and co-pilot, canceling their licenses for three months and one month, respectively. The decision came in response to a tail strike incident that occurred during the landing of an IndiGo flight in Ahmedabad on 15th June.

A tail strike refers to the situation where the rear of an aircraft makes contact with the runway during take-off or landing. Following the unfortunate incident in Ahmedabad, IndiGo promptly ordered an investigation into the matter. The flight, designated as 6E6595, had originated from Bangalore and was en route to Ahmedabad.

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While the landing caused a tail strike, fortunately, no passengers sustained injuries during the occurrence. The aircraft was immediately grounded in Ahmedabad for a comprehensive evaluation and necessary repairs.

As a consequence of the incident, the DGCA directed the de-rostering of both the pilot and co-pilot involved. The regulatory authority further took the decision to suspend the pilot's license for three months and the co-pilot's license for one month. Notably, this was not an isolated incident for the airline. Prior to the Ahmedabad tail strike, a similar event took place at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on 11th June 2023. On this occasion, an Airbus A321 aircraft operated by IndiGo was arriving from Kolkata when the rear portion of the plane made contact with the ground during landing. As a result, the DGCA ordered IndiGo's cockpit crew not to operate flights in response to this occurrence as well.

In another unfortunate instance, an IndiGo flight in Nagpur also experienced a tail strike during landing, adding to the airline's list of concerning incidents. The DGCA's decisive action reflects the seriousness with which aviation safety is treated in India. With the cancellation of licenses, it serves as a stern reminder to all airlines and pilots to prioritize adherence to safety protocols and guidelines to prevent any mishaps. IndiGo Airlines has expressed its commitment to conducting a thorough investigation into both tail strike incidents.
SGPC

SGPC's Notice to PTC Signals Strong Measures to Ensure Financial Compliance

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken action against PTC (Punjabi Television Channel) for unpaid rooms rent amounting to Rs. 24.90 lakhs. A notice has been served to PTC, requesting the deposit of the balance amount for rooms utilized by the channel's staff.

PTC, known for its live broadcasts of Gurbani, has received the notice from SGPC concerning the outstanding amount of Rs. 24.90 lakhs. Reportedly, the channel's staff has been occupying rooms numbered 91 and 93 in Sri Guru Arjan Dev Saran, located within the revered premises of Sri Harmandir Sahib, for the past 11 years without clearing their rent dues.

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Additionally, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami has addressed another concern regarding the extended stay of a radio staff member from Canada, who has been residing in the inn for the last two decades. He has asked the radio management to make arrangements for settling the unpaid rent, amounting to lakhs of rupees, for the designated rooms in the inn.

Advocate Dhami, while shedding light on the matter, revealed that SGPC is in the process of sending out further notices to recover unpaid rents and other outstanding dues from various shops and establishments within Gurdwara sahbans under its jurisdiction.The response from PTC regarding the notice is yet to be received, and further developments on the matter are awaited.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Azerbaijan and Turkiye discussed the expansion of economic cooperation, Trend reports.

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov stated on Twitter that the Azerbaijani team met with Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and discussed a variety of subjects.

"As part of our business trip to Turkiye, we discussed with the brotherly country's Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, joint initiatives aimed at expanding economic partnership between our countries, the contribution of preferential trade to strengthening trade relations, the activities of Turkish companies in our liberated territories, cooperation in the fields of transport and tourism, as well as standardization systems and technical regulations."

Furthermore, non-oil products worth $800 million were shipped from Azerbaijan to Turkey in 2022, and $2.8 billion from Turkey to Azerbaijan.

In addition, Turkiye imported mainly cotton, cotton yarn, aluminum products and fertilizers from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan imported mainly machinery, household appliances, power tools, iron, steel, medical and pharmaceutical products and furniture from Turkiye.
Finland's consumer confidence stayed unchanged for the second straight month and was negative in July, survey figures from Statistics Finland showed on Thursday.



Separate data from the Confederation of Finnish Industries revealed that industrial sentiment continued its falling trend at the start of the third quarter.



The consumer confidence index came in at -8.8 in July, the same as in the previous two months.



Further, the latest score was also well below the long-term average of -2.2, the agency said.



The data was collected from 1,025 people between July 1 and 18.

Consumers' expectations concerning their own and Finland's economies over the next year were still subdued in July. Expectations remained almost unchanged for a month but clearly improved from a year ago.

Purchasing intentions were generally very low, as households still regarded the time as very unfavorable for buying durable goods.

The survey showed that inflation expectations in one year's time were nearly unchanged and high in July.

The industrial confidence index worsened to a 37-month low of -20 in July from -17 in June, the Confederation of Finnish Industries said.



Production is expected to decrease in the coming months, and order backlogs have continued to fall.



The construction confidence indicator weakened to -34 in July from -26 in the prior month.



In retail trade, morale declined to -15, while the confidence indicator for the construction sector was 0 in July.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
President Joe Biden has announced the nomination of Gen. David Allvin as the new Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

Gen. Allvin currently serves as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and is a senior member of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Military Staff Committee.

After assuming charge as Vice Chief of Staff in November 2020, Gen. Allvin has been assisting the Air Force Chief of Staff with organizing, training and equipping 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces.

Prior to his current assignment, Allvin was Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, J-5, Joint Staff, providing military advice to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.

The nomination of Gen. Allvin was submitted to the Senate Tuesday amid the holdup on military promotions in the Upper House.

The four-star General will assume charge as the top ranking officer in the U.S. Air Force once the Senate approves Biden's nomination.

If confirmed, Allvin would replace Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., who is set to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

An U.S. Air Force Academy graduate of 1986, Gen. Allvin has more than three decades of career experience holding key responsibilities in the U.S. and abroad.

Gen. Allvin has commanded at the squadron and wing levels, including the 97th Air Mobility Wing. He has also served as Commanding General, NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan; Commander, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing - Afghanistan; Commander, 618th Air and Space Operations Center; Director, Strategy, Concepts and Assessments; Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; and as Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, Headquarters U.S. European Command.

59-year-old Gen. Allvin is a command pilot with more than 4,600 hours of flying experience, including 800 flight test hours in more than 30 aircraft and 100 combat hours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Updated Force Gurkha will comply with the stricter BS6 Phase II emission norms and also get several new features

For ultimate off-roading fun, Force Gurkha is one of the best 44 options available in the country. It competes against the likes of Mahindra Thar and recently launched Maruti Suzuki Jimny. Force Motors is currently working to upgrade the Gurkha to comply with the stricter emission norms. Along with that, Gurkha is also expected to get a range of cosmetic and functional updates. The updated version could be launched by August-end 2023.

Force Gurkha expected updates

On the outside, Force Gurkha will be getting grills to protect the headlights, fog lights and turn indicators. While being functionally relevant, these grills will also improve the vehicles overall look and feel. Gurkha has a rugged profile and the grille treatment will surely complement its styling. Other exterior features will remain the same as the current model.

Some of the key highlights include an all-metal body, LED headlamps with unmatched illumination, prominent front bumper, air intake snorkel, squared wheel arches, thick body cladding and large passenger windows. Colour options offered with the current model will be continued. It includes Red, Green, White, Orange and Black. Force Gurkha can be accessorized with options such as windscreen bar, roof carrier, rear ladder, roof rails and alloy wheels shod with all-terrain tyres.

Inside, Force Gurkha will be getting updates such as internally adjustable ORVMs. These can be folded from inside. Other updates include front seat armrests, a larger and improved head unit and a new fully digital instrument cluster. The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will be integrated into the instrument cluster. Features that will be carried forward include the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 4 speakers, USB ports, Bluetooth music and calling, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HVAC, 12 V socket and central locking.

Force Gurkha performance, off-roading capabilities

Powering Force Gurkha is a 2.6-litre diesel motor that churns out 91 hp of peak power and 250 Nm of max torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. It is unlikely that performance numbers will be changed with the updated version. Compliance with the stricter emission norms will be achieved largely by using an improved exhaust system. It is said that Force Motors is currently working on upgraded NOX sensors to be used with Gurkha. The updated version is expected to get an improved suspension and 44 setup as well.

Even in its current form, Force Gurkha has some serious off-roading capabilities. For example, Gurkha is the only vehicle in its category to offer mechanically actuated differential locks on both axles. The 44 High and 44 Low levers are conveniently located in the central console.

Gurkha has 700 mm of water wading capability, made possible with the air intake snorkel. Another key feature is gradeability of 35. Such features are difficult to find with rival offerings. These significantly enhance Gurkhas capabilities across a wide variety of terrains and environments. Thanks to new features, a price hike can be expected with 2023 Force Gurkha.

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Bajaj Auto had the Pulsar as its most sold model in domestic markets while it was the Boxer that captured buyers attention in export market

Bajaj Auto ended June 2023 with total two wheeler sales (domestic + exports) at 2,81,585 units. This was a YoY de-growth from 3,07,084 units sold in June 2022 relating to a volume decline by 25,499 units. While the company has posted increased sales in domestic markets with almost all models showing off a YoY growth, exports have fallen significantly with every model in the company lineup ending in the red.

Total sales (domestic + exports) had stood at 2,97,733 units in May 2023. Bajaj Auto 2 wheeler sales in domestic markets stood at 1,60,410 units in June 2023 up 29.66 percent as against 1,23,719 units sold in June 2022. This was a volume growth of 36,691 units.

Bajaj Auto Domestic Sales June 2023

The domestic sales list was headed by Bajaj Pulsar with 1,07,208 units sold in the past month, up 28.05 percent from 83,723 units sold in June 2022. Currently commanding a 66.83 percent share on this list, the Pulsar was also at No. 3 on the list of top 10 best-selling motorcycles in June 2023 after the Hero Splendor and Honda Shine.

In the Pulsar lineup, it was the Pulsar 125cc that garnered the most attention with 67,134 units sold last month, up 30.22 percent from 51,554 units sold in June 2022. Pulsar 150cc sales however dipped 2.05 percent to 16,628 units while Pulsar 200 and 250cc saw increased demand with 16,296 units and 7,150 units sold respectively.

Platina sales also increased 31.80 percent to 36,550 units in June 2023 from 27,732 units sold in the same month last year to command a 22.79 percent share on the company list. Sales increased by 186.76 percent YoY for Bajaj Chetak e-scooter to 7,080 units, up from 2,469 units sold in June 2022. CT sales also improved in domestic markets by 163.57 percent to 6,360 units in June 2023 from 2,413 units sold in June 2022 with 4,608 units of the 110cc variant and 1,752 units of CT125cc sold during the month.

Bajaj Avenger sales dipped 70.07 percent YoY to 2,076 units, down from 6,936 units sold in June 2022 while Dominar sales improved by 154.71 percent to 1,136 units last month. Dominar 250cc and 500cc each had 509 units and 627 units sold respectively.

Bajaj Auto Exports Led by Boxer in June 2023

With every model in the company lineup posting YoY de-growth, exports of Bajaj Auto stood at 1,21,175 units in June 2023. This was a YoY de-growth of 33.92 percent when compared to 1,83,365 units sold in June 2022 relating to a 62,190 unit dip in volumes.

Bajaj Boxer commanded the list with 71,021 units shipped in June 2023, down 24.42 percent from 93,962 units exported in June 2022. The Boxer commanded a 58.61 percent share in the export list. Maximum demand was seen for the Boxer 110cc with 56,960 units shipped last month while there were also 7,587 units of the Boxer 125cc and 6,474 units of Boxer 150cc exported in June 2023. Pulsar exports dipped by 37.50 percent YoY to 25,130 units from 40,205 units exported in June 2022. This included 17,566 units of Pulsar 200cc, 3,270 units of Pulsar 250cc, 2,902 units of Pulsar 125cc and 1,392 units of Pulsar 150cc.

Even as Bajaj CT exports dipped 47.55 percent YoY to 13,191 units from 25,152 units sold in June 2023, it saw increased demand for its 150cc model, exports of which improved 300 percent to 1,152 units in June 2023 from 288 units shipped in June 2022. Exports also fell for the Discover (5,024 units) and Dominar (4,736 units), Dominar 250cc saw increased demand by 9.94 percent to 2,190 units in June 2023 from 1,992 units sold in June 2022. Exports of Platina (1,809 units) and Avenger (264 units) fell 17.40 percent and 65.63 percent respectively.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Azerbaijan and Turkiye explored the business cooperation possibilities, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov's tweet.

According to Jabbarov, the role of the Azerbaijani-Turkish union in strengthening economic relations will increase.

During meeting with the Head of the Turkish Presidency's Finance Office Goksel Asan, the officials exchanged views on the significance of the Azerbaijani-Turkish union in strengthening economic relations between the countries, and promoting mutual investments.

As of December 2022, Azerbaijan invested about $20 billion in the Turkish economy, and Turkiye - about $14 billion in the Azerbaijani economy.

In the first half of 2023, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $3.9 billion (a year-on-year increase of 34.82 percent).
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Fallbrook luthier John S. Kinnard works on construction of a unique custom ukuelele that is one of six being built by craftsman around the world with the same wood from the same tree for a unique sound experiment.

For hundreds of years, scientists and musicologist have puzzled over the secret behind the one-of-a-kind sound produced by 17th-century Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesu violins. Was it the maker? Was it the varnish, the glue or the chemicals used in the building process? Or was it the wood itself?

This summer, six ukulele builders from around the world  including Fallbrooks John S. Kinnard  are doing their own scientific experiment for fun and charity. Using the same sheets of wood from the same two old-growth trees, the men will build six identically sized tenor ukuleles.

In November, they will all be played by the same musician at the Luthiers for a Cause gathering in Hawaii to determine whether the builders individual craftsmanship influences the sound or whether its all in the wood.

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Kinnard, 66, has been building guitars and, more recently, ukuleles for nearly five decades. He has his own ideas about creating the best sound, and it doesnt involve him or the wood.

I say its the nut behind the wheel. A good musician can play a cigar box, he said.

The ukulele-building project was conceived as a what if? over drinks last November at a Ukulele Guild of Hawaii show in Oahu. Eddie Monnier, founder of Luthiers for a Cause, posed the question of what would happen if a half-dozen of the worlds best luthiers put their skills into the project using the same exact wood.

The end goal is to auction all six instruments to raise as much as $25,000 for the Ukulele Kids Club, a Florida-based nonprofit that provides free ukuleles and music instruction to children facing long-term hospitalization.

The six luthiers chosen for the project are among the worlds best-known ukulele-makers. They include Steve Grimes of Hawaii, Beau Hannam of Colorado, Jay Lichty of North Carolina, Jake Maclay of West Virginia and Joji Yoshida of Okinawa, Japan.

Kinnard only began making ukuleles five years ago, but the craftsmanship of his instruments, which sell for up to $5,000 apiece, has created a 10-month customer backlog.

Kinnard grew up in Vista, the son of a Marine. After finishing high school in 1968, he moved into a Christian commune in Encinitas. There he developed a passion for guitar and lute music and began tinkering in the communes workshop, where he built a rough-hewn lute from wood he salvaged at Swamis Beach.

It would take nearly 10 years of trial, error and self-tutoring to build a guitar Kinnard was proud of. Over the years, he ran a music store and guitar studio in Fresno, worked as a goldsmith, jeweler and gem-cutter at shops in Fallbrook and spent three years building instruments for Taylor Guitars.

Eventually he made a name for himself as the luthier for DelleArte brand Gypsy jazz guitars. When his work for that company dried up during the recession, Kinnard retreated to his Fallbrook studio. He did the occasional project on special order but generally laid low by choice.

I liked building instruments but I didnt like the business side of things. I hate the traveling, he said.

Then five years ago he met Kevin Beddoe at a music jam in Temecula. The retired industrial instrument salesman from Carlsbad was both a music enthusiast and an amateur woodworker whod built two sailboats in his younger years.

When Beddoe found out that Kinnard had a few leftover koa wood ukuleles hed built years before for a Japanese distributor, he bought one and a friendship blossomed.

Beddoe, 63, talked Kinnard into taking him on as a student, so he could build ukuleles for his three children. Then the more they talked, the more Beddoe realized that Kinnards talent was going to waste because he hated sales and marketing.

So, in April 2013 the two men joined forces to create KinnardUkes. Beddoe and his wife, Deb, own the business that sells and distributes as many ukuleles as Kinnard wants to build. These days, thats about 30 a year.

KInnard works six days a week in his sawdust-laden north Fallbrook studio building the finely crafted instruments and the Beddoes travel the world promoting the instruments to ukulele clubs from Mexico to the Czech Republic. The men both describe the partnership as a win-win.

It takes about five weeks to build, finish and set up a Kinnard ukulele and they sell for $1,750 to $5,000 apiece. Theyre played by amateur and professional musicians around the world, including Hawaiian ukulele master Kimo Hussey.

Beddoe said that Kinnards many years as a jeweler and gem-cutter have given him a precision that few other ukulele makers in the world can match.

John is known for his attention to detail and how clean he builds, Beddoe said. When you look inside places that people dont normally see, you dont see any glue or tool marks. Thats the hallmark of a John S. Kinnard instrument.

During the 20th century, ukuleles were cheap and mass-produced, but in recent years theyve gained new respect among both musicians and luthiers. The popularity of ukuele-scored songs by the late Israel Iz Kamakawiwoole, as well as the use of ukuleles by artists like Pearl Jam and Jake Shimabukuro, helped fuel the surge.

The Luthiers for a Cause project not only raises money for charity but helps promote the work of instrument-makers who are collectively pushing the instrument in new directions. Kinnards ukuleles, for example, are tuned differently to have a deeper, richer sound that especially appeals to guitarists.

The six ukuleles will be made with wood from two trees famous for the beauty and musical resonance in instruments.

The ukuleles back, sides and front rosette (the design around the sound hole) will be made with wood from The Tree, a famed 100-foot Honduran mahogany that was cut down in 1965. The tree fell into a ravine and couldnt be harvested for its wood for 18 years, during which it dried and seasoned to produce a unique quality that has made it coveted by instrument makers around the world.

The ukuleles top, or front piece, will be made from Lucky Strike redwood, another famous tree that fell during a storm in the early 1990s. It, too, fell over a ravine and air-dried for many years before harvest. Its straight, close grain and its stiffness produce a clear, warm sound in instruments.

Kinnards ukulele will also feature an ebony neck, and his signature Z-shaped head (where the strings are connected to tuning pegs).

He said hes enjoying the project and looks forward to hearing how it and the other five ukuleles sound when theyre played in November by Kimo Hussey.

Kinnard is also a painting hobbyist, but he said making instruments is a unique and fulfilling form of artistry.

Its creative, thats what I love about it, Kinnard said. The fact that this is going to go out in the world and make music is special. You can create art when you paint a painting, but when you create something like this, it can go on and be a living work of art.

Luthier John S. Kinnard of Fallbrook, right, strums one of his ukuleles along with Carlsbad resident Kevin Beddoe, who owns KinnardUkes and distributes the custom-made instruments around the world. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune)

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Turkiye is one of the main trading partners of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said at a meeting with Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat, the press service of Azerbaijani Economy Ministry told Trend.

According to Jabbarov, fraternal and allied ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye foster economic cooperation development and accelerated implementation of joint projects.

"The agreement on preferential trade between the countries and the Protocol on amendments to this document give an additional impetus to the strengthening of trade and economic cooperation," Jabbarov said. "The fraternal states carry out successful investment cooperation, trade turnover in the non-oil sector is growing. Large-scale projects implemented with the participation of Azerbaijan and Turkiye contribute to the diversification of regional cooperation and change the situation in the region."

Bolat emphasized friendly and fraternal relations, as well as strategic partnership between the countries with common values, raised the issue of strengthening the dialogue between business circles and stressed the importance of unleashing the full economic potential.

The parties also discussed initiatives to expand economic partnership and opportunities of cooperation in the fields of transport and tourism, as well as standardization systems and technical regulations.

Besides, during meeting with the Head of the Turkish Presidency's Finance Office Goksel Asan, Jabbarov discussed the significance of the Azerbaijani-Turkish union for economic partnership, promoting mutual investments and business cooperation opportunities.

The minister also pointed out the successful development of trade and economic cooperation, as well as the global and regional projects implemented with the participation of both countries.

Cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, finance, insurance, transport and energy contribute to the diversification of the economies of Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

The parties stressed that joint activities and close cooperation of business circles will contribute to the further deepening of relations and increase in trade turnover and investment.

As of December 2022, Azerbaijan invested about $20 billion in the Turkish economy, and Turkiye - about $14 billion in the Azerbaijani economy.

In the first half of 2023, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $3.9 billion (a year-on-year increase of 34.82 percent).
Transparent and flexible displays, which have received a lot of attention in various fields including automobile displays, bio-healthcare, military, and fashion, are in fact known to break easily when experiencing small deformations. To solve this problem, active research is being conducted on many transparent and flexible conductive materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, silver nanowires, and conductive polymers.

On June 13, a joint research team led by Professor Kyung Cheol Choi from the KAIST School of Electrical Engineering and Dr. Yonghee Lee from the National Nano Fab Center (NNFC) announced the successful development of a water-resistant, transparent, and flexible OLED using MXene nanotechnology. The material can emit and transmit light even when exposed to water.

MXene is a 2D material with high electrical conductivity and optical transmittance, and it can be produced on a large scale through solution processes. However, despite these attractive properties, MXene's applications were limited as a long-term electrical device due to its electrical properties being degraded easily by atmospheric moisture and water. The material was therefore unable to be systemized into the form of a matrix that can display information.

Professor Choi's research team used an encapsulation tactic that can protect materials from oxidation caused by moisture and oxygen to develop a MXene-based OLED with a long lifespan and high stability against external environmental factors. The research team first focused on analyzing the degradation mechanism of MXene's electrical conductivity, and then concentrated on designing an encapsulation membrane. The team blocked moisture and provided flexibility through residual stress offset, ultimately producing a double-layered encapsulation membrane. In addition, a thin plastic film with a thickness of a few micrometers was attached to the top layer to allow washing in water without degradation.

Through this study, the research team developed a MXene-based red(R)/green(G)/blue(B) OLED that emits a brightness of over 1,000 cd/m2 that is detectable by the naked eye even under sunlight, thereby meeting the conditions for outdoor displays. As for the red MXene-based OLED, the researchers confirmed a standby storage life of 2,000 hours (under 70% luminescence), a standby operation life of 1,500 hours (under 60% luminescence), and a flexibility withstanding 1,000 cycles under a low curvature of under 1.5mm. In addition, they showed that its performance was maintained even after six hours of immersion under water (under 80% luminescence). Furthermore, a patterning technique was used to produce the MXene-based OLED in the form of a passive matrix, and the team demonstrated its use as a transparent display by displaying letters and shapes.

Ph.D. candidate So Yeong Jeong, who led this study, said, "To improve the reliability of MXene OLED, we focused on producing an adequate encapsulation structure and a suitable process design." She added, "By producing a matrix-type MXene OLED and displaying simple letters and shapes, we have laid the foundations for MXene's application in the field of transparent displays."

Professor Choi said, "This research will become the guideline for applying MXene in electrical devices, but we expect for it to also be applied in other fields that require flexible and transparent displays like automobiles, fashion, and functional clothing. And to widen the gap with China's OLED technology, these new OLED convergence technologies must continue to be developed."

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea. It was published as a front cover story of ACS Nano under the title, "Highly Air-Stable, Flexible, and Water-Resistive 2D Titanium Carbide MXene-Based RGB Organic Light-Emitting Diode Displays for Transparent Free-Form Electronics" on June 13.
Did an ancient island facilitate migration amongst 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 Galapagos of Asia

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.

Inconsistencies

Largely flat, with the highest point stood at 110 metres, 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 1.25-0.4 million years ago, during which the sea levels fluctuated, repeatedly submerging the Miyako Islands.

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Molecular phylogenetic analysis estimates that the Miyako keelback snake became an independent species around 3.7 -- 1.8 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 26,800 -- 8,700 years ago.

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.

"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."
About 15 years ago, researchers reported that the timing of spring in high-Arctic Greenland had advanced at some of the fastest rates of change ever seen anywhere in the world. But, according to new evidence reported in the journal Current Biology on July 26, that earlier pattern has since been completely erased. Instead of coming earlier and earlier, it seems the timing of Arctic spring is now driven by tremendous climate variability with drastic differences from one year to the next.

"As scientists we are obliged to revisit previous work to see whether the knowledge obtained at that time still holds," says Niels Martin Schmidt of Aarhus University in Denmark. "We looked at previously reported extreme rates of phenological advancements in the Arctic and found that directional advancement is no longer the prevailing pattern. Actually, the previously observed trend has disappeared completely and has been replaced by extreme year-to-year variation in the onset of spring."

Global changes in climate are expected to take place faster in the Arctic than in places at lower latitudes. To follow those trends, researchers at Zackenberg in Northeast Greenland launched an ecosystem-wide monitoring program in 1996. Among a suite of ecosystem variables, the program also tracks the timing of spring based on flowering plants, arthropod emergence, and bird nesting.

When the first 10 years of data were analyzed for 1996-2005, the findings showed a clear pattern of advancement across plants and animals included in the study. For instance, they saw some arthropods emerging up to 4 weeks earlier. In the new study, Schmidt and his colleagues wanted to see how these trends look now that they have 15 additional years of data available.

After analyzing the phenological data from 1996-2020, they report little evidence of directional change in the timing of events even as climate change continues. The researchers attribute this shift to a high degree of climate variability from year to year.

"That the extreme rates of phenological advancement we reported back in 2007 would not have continued unabated was not surprising to us," Schmidt said. "However, that we see such a consistent shift from directional to extreme variability across so many different organisms and that the entire ecosystem now seems driven by variation in climatic conditions, was surprising."

Schmidt says that the previous pattern showed steadily rising temperatures and declining snow cover. Now, what they see is a lot messier. Temperature increases have stalled while snow cover fluctuates dramatically from year to year.

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"Some years have almost no snow in spring, whereas others have snow on the ground way into the summer season," he says. "This leaves us with a generally warmer but much more unpredictable spring climate -- and this is where the second contributor to the observed phenological shift kicks in. Some species appear unable to take advantage of the warmer conditions in spring and appear to have reached the limits of their phenological plasticity."

Plants and animals have some flexibility that allows them to track the climatic conditions in their environment, he explains. Arctic species in particular appear to have a high degree of phenological plasticity. Even so, the new evidence suggests that some species are already being pushed about as far as they can go. For instance, they don't flower as early in warm summers as one might expect. As the Arctic continues to warm, the researchers predict that a growing number of species will become "increasingly out of sync with the climatic conditions."

The new findings highlight the unfortunate reality that the lack in directional change does not mean that the climate is stable. In this case, quite the opposite is true. The climate pattern shows wide variation that may be pushing organisms and whole ecosystems to their limits. The researchers will continue to explore species-specific responses to the shifting climate pattern and its effects on essential interactions, such as pollination. They hope to learn how the responses of an individual species will cascade through the community. The findings are a reminder of the importance of long-term study.

"These insights can only be obtained because of sustained, ecosystem-wide, long-term monitoring with rigorous field sampling across more than 25 years at a very remote corner of the world," Schmidt says. "Continued long-term monitoring is key to understand ecosystems and to detect changes in dynamics."

This work was supported by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the Kvantum Institute at the University of Oulu, Academy of Finland, the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, and the European Research Council.
Rochester Institute of Technology's Joel Kastner, a professor in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science and School of Physics and Astronomy, and a team of researchers with the European Southern Observatory (ESO) have discovered new evidence of how planets as massive as Jupiter can form, using images from the ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

The combination of VLT and ALMA imaging have yielded detections of dusty clumps close to the young star V960 Mon that could collapse to create giant planets. The work is based on an infrared image obtained with the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet Research (SPHERE) instrument on ESO's VLT and a radio-wavelength image with ALMA that together reveal, in fascinating detail, the material around the star.

This young star attracted astronomers' attention when it suddenly increased its brightness more than 20 times in 2014. SPHERE observations taken shortly after the onset of this brightness "outburst" revealed that the material orbiting V960 Mon is assembling together in a series of intricate spiral arms extending over distances bigger than the entire solar system.

Kastner worked on the SPHERE imaging project with former RIT student David Principe '14 Ph.D. (astrophysical sciences and technology), who is now at the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"The two of us put SPHERE observing proposals together to look at these outbursting objects," said Kastner. "We were hoping to see structure around them that is lit up by the outbursts, but we really weren't sure what kind of structure we might see. We thought we might be able to see the dusty material around the star that is feeding the star and maybe forming planets, and this was a great case where both appear to have been detected."

Astronomers believe that giant planets form either by "core accretion,"' when dust grains slowly coagulate to form a massive core that sweeps up gas, or by "gravitational instability," when large fragments of the material around a star quickly contract and collapse. While researchers have previously found evidence for the first of these scenarios, support for the latter has been scant. The images from VLT now show a real observation of gravitational instability happening at planetary scales.

"It's a confirmation that one of the basic ideas of how planets form works," said Kastner. "It's a pretty good demonstration of what has been shown in very detailed simulations of discs around young stars to determine if they are making planets."

The research team presented its findings in the July 25 issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Authors span across the globe while the VLT and ALMA are located in Chile's Atacama Desert.

The ESO enables scientists worldwide to discover the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all. Established as an intergovernmental organization in 1962, today ESO is supported by 16 member states (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom), along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a strategic partner.

ALMA is an international astronomy facility in partnership with the ESO, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded by ESO on behalf of its member states, by NSF in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in Taiwan, and by NINS in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI).
Press Release

July 26, 2023 Villanueva seeks creation of Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones The Senate adopted a resolution which seeks to create a special Senate committee that will tackle proposed measures relating to maritime zones, baselines and archipelagic sea lanes and other matters incidental thereto to ensure protection of Philippine territory, food security, environmental protection, among others. According to Adopted Senate Resolution No. 76 filed by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones "shall have jurisdiction to study, hear, and report out all matters relating to baselines, maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes and other matters incidental thereto." "As the Chairperson of the Committee on Rules, we must see to it that the Senate will act urgently to heed the call of the President and in the exercise of our constitutional and civic duty to defend our national territory," Villanueva said. In his Second State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. vowed to "protect our sovereign rights and preserve our territorial integrity, in defense of a rules-based international order." "In the past Congresses, the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) has identified the Maritime Zones bills and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes bills as part of its Common Legislative Agenda," the resolution states. Currently, these bills are included in the priority measures identified in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. "We live in such a critical time when our country continues to be vulnerable to unlawful activities that threaten our territory and even the lives and livelihood of our people," the Majority Leader said. Villanueva added that despite the enactment of the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law, there are still legal gaps which require further legislation or comprehensive measures that shall clearly establish and govern the Philippine maritime zones to the full geographical extent allowed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. The creation of the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime Zones is pursuant to Rule 10, Section 14 of the Rules of the Senate which states that "whenever necessary, a special committee shall be organized, the membership and jurisdiction of which shall be determined by the Senate President." Other Special Committees created by the Senate are the Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation led by Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and the Special Committee on the Rehabilitation of the Manila Central Post Office led by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Iran's export of non-oil products to Georgia increased by 31 percent in value and 30.6 percent in volume, during the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through June 21, 2023), compared to the same period last year, Trend reports.

As indicated in the data of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), Iran exported nearly 111,000 tons of non-oil products to Georgia worth approximately $47.9 million in 3 months.

Meanwhile, in the same period last year, Iran's non-oil exports to Georgia stood at 84,900 tons worth $36.5 million.

Over 3 months, Iran mainly exported agricultural products, steel, various types of pipes, mining minerals, glassware, petrochemical products, etc. to Georgia.

Alone in the 3rd month of the current Iranian year (May 22 through June 21, 2023), Iran exported about 43,400 tons of non-oil products to Georgia worth $19.7 million.

Overall, Iran exported 35.5 million tons of non-oil products worth $12.5 billion within the first three months of the current Iranian year.

This is a decrease of 8.84 percent in value, while an increase of 24.4 percent in volume compared to the same period last year.

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Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Azerbaijan has the resources and the required infrastructure base to develop a green hydrogen industry for export to Europe, Charles Ellinas, nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center told Trend.

"Europe is committed to achieving very ambitious climate targets by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050. This requires increasing supplies of green energy to replace fossil fuel consumption. The IEA identified Azerbaijan as one of the countries with significant renewable energy potential, both for domestic use but also for export. The country has the resources and the required infrastructure base to develop a green hydrogen industry for export to Europe. Given Europe's limited domestic potential to meet its targets for green hydrogen, it will require imports, offering Azerbaijan an excellent opportunity to take advantage," he said.

Ellinas pointed out that what has huge potential is the replacement of domestic gas consumption by renewables, freeing gas for export.

"By doing that Azerbaijan can free enough gas to export as much as 20bcm gas to Europe. Expanding TAP capacity to accommodate these increased quantities of gas will require European gas importers to enter into long-term gas supply contracts. Until last years that appeared to be a challenge because of EU policies, such as REPowerEU, casting doubts about the longer-term gas demand in Europe. However, there is now a growing realization that Europe will need gas for a long-time to come, with an increasing number of European companies entering into long-term LNG supply contracts with Qatar and US supplier. Azerbaijan must take advantage of this, guaranteeing increased and secure gas supplies to Europe. Given that most of the required infrastructure is in place, Southern Gas Corridor/TAP, an expansion project is easier and speedier to implement - the only requirement is securing long-term gas supply contracts to underpin the expansion," the expert added.

According to the analysis of the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program of the World Bank Group, the technical potential of Azerbaijan's offshore wind potential is estimated at 157 GW, which is a huge figure compared to the current total installed capacity of about 8 GW.

The Offshore Wind Power Roadmap published by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy, the World Bank and IFC shows that Azerbaijan has the potential to install offshore wind farms with a total installed capacity of 7 GW by 2040. This can provide over 69,000 person-years of full employment and up to $7 billion in local gross value added.

Besides, a study conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) confirmed the feasibility of producing green hydrogen in Azerbaijan.

Agreements with companies such as Masdar, ACWA Power, bp, as well as a contract with the Australian company Fortescue Future Industries for 12 GW, are of strategic importance in terms of increasing the supply of energy resources to Europe.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Afton Shavers.

A meeting of Genesee County's health equity council.

Susan Salhaney.

Charles Wilson.
A press is best for some work. This is the press room with shelves holding cans of ink and reams of paper.

Computer programs are used for design, layout, sizing, and choice of colors.

A commercial laser printer helps get jobs done quickly.

Before the digital age print shops often were messy places permeated by the smell of ink and fluids used to clean presses and printing plates. Now the shops can be tidy like RJs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The price of Azeri LT CIF Augusta brand totaled $87.76 per barrel on July 26, increasing $0.88 compared to the previous price, Trend reports, referring to the source from the country's oil and gas market.

The price of Azeri LT FOB Ceyhan brand amounted to $86.66 per barrel, up by $0.95 compared to the previous price.

Azerbaijan also sells its URALS oil from the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, delivering it through the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline. The price of URALS with shipment from the port equaled $67.91 per barrel, up by $0.89 as compared to the previous price.

Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of Brent Dated oil produced in the North Sea jumped by $0.88 from the previous day on July 26 to $83.82 per barrel.

(1 USD = 1.7 AZN on July 27, 2023)
Housing

spotlight

Advocates for the unhoused allege SF is still conducting forbidden sweeps

Craig Lee / The Examiner Javier Bremond, human rights organizer for the Coalition on Homelessness: The people who are unhoused know that these operations are just to move them across the block. Craig Lee/The Examiner Javier Bremond, human rights organizer for the Coalition on Homelessness: The people who are unhoused know that these operations are just to move them across the block.

Homeless advocates have alleged that San Francisco officials continue to allow street sweeps of unhoused people despite an injunction filed last year designed to end them.

The Coalition on Homelessness filed a brief Tuesday accusing The City of sending law enforcement to move unhoused people after U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu ordered The City in December to stop enforcing laws targeting homeless people including bans on camping or sitting on public property.

Tuesdays brief called upon the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to verify whether The City is sending law enforcement to these calls in lieu of service workers, a violation of the injunction that The City denies.

The City has gone to great lengths to comply with the injunction and remains committed to a services-first approach to addressing homelessness, said City Attorney David Chiu in a July 7 statement.

This is just the latest move in Coalition on Homelessness v. City and County of San Francisco, a monthslong legal battle between homeless advocates and city officials over how to keep San Franciscos streets clean and drug-free.

The coalition maintains that San Francisco is criminalizing unhoused people with tactics that forced them to move without offering actual housing solutions.

We see the shadow law enforcement has really been destructive, said Zal Shroff, the interim legal director for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the firms representing the coalition. Its traumatizing for unhoused people, but it also does nothing to solve the homelessness crisis.

When police arrive at these calls, unhoused people are sometimes forcibly displaced and their belongings destroyed, the nonprofits brief said. Additionally, law enforcement does not provide alternative housing options, the coalition alleged.

John Do, the senior staff attorney for the Racial and Economic Justice Program at the ACLU of Northern California and one of the groups representing the Coalition, said this policy is not only ineffective, it also violates the U.S. Constitution.

To arrest, cite or threaten and harass folks for being outside violates the Eighth Amendment, he said. And similarly with regards to individuals belongings, people, no matter who they are, have a right to have belongings.

We think its an unconstitutional violation of due process on the Fourth Amendment for San Francisco to take your belongings and put them in a dump truck, which is essentially what San Francisco does on almost daily basis, said Do.

But in the months since Ryus emergency order, The City has continued operating under the same procedures, said Shroff and Do, and their team filed a new motion in late May. But Chiu filed a brief earlier this month rebutting the advocates motion and several of their claims.

We submitted an extraordinary amount of evidence that shows plaintiffs allegations fall apart under closer examination, said Jen Kwart, the communications director for the City Attorneys Office on Wednesday.

Their characterization of law enforcement presence at encampment resolutions is inaccurate and unfair,

she said. We look forward to discussing these matters with the Court.

But Shroff maintains that The City has acknowledged its practice of sending police officers to handle homelessness complaints.

They admitted they sent police to those interactions, that police were not trained on the injunction, and that they dont record those interactions on their body cams, he said. So we have no ability to see what is happening on the ground when police respond to unhoused folks.

Javier Bremond, the human rights organizer for the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, says he has witnessed some of these sweeps. Its not just the police who show up, he said  so do the San Francisco Fire Department and the Department of Public Works.

Its not helpful, he said. Its more like something folks have just gotten used to.

The people who are unhoused know that these operations are just to move them across the block and not really clean up the places that [the Department of Public Works is] saying theyre going to clean up, he said. They just want them to move, for a little bit, to satisfy whoever called them in.

While unhoused people are being forced to relocate, their belongings  which can include medications or health records  are sometimes removed by the Department of Public Works, Bremond said.

But the main issue is still the lack of alternative housing and shelter options available to unhoused people in San Francisco, Shroff said. And while The City has told Shroff and his team that many experiencing homelessness refuse these options, he claims that this isnt the case.

What we see from their records of what they call shelter refusals is they have no awareness of what shelter is even available to folks, said Shroff. And yet theyve marked people as a shelter refusal even sometimes when they actually said they were interested in shelter, but for whatever reason, that particular shelter wasnt available to them because of a disability, for example, or because theyre a family and cant go into a single shelter bed without their partner or their children.

There are other reasons people might be reluctant to go to a shelter, Bremond said.We have people who have had bad experiences at certain shelters that so many that people get referred to, he said, such as domestic abuse victims being referred to a site where their abusers are staying or being offered a top bunk when theyre in a wheelchair.

The latest brief attempts to address these alleged record gaps by calling for a monitor to verify if The City is actually complying with the December order.

A monitor or special master, said Shroff, is a person both parties can agree on that might have experience in this area, such as a judge, an attorney or someone whos worked in city government.

They basically have broad authority to assess whether or not theres been compliance with the court order, said Shroff. So they have powers that the court will define of what can they review, what records can they seek, what questions can they ask.

A decision will likely be made after a hearing Aug. 10 in which both sides will be heard by a judge, who will determine whether or not a monitor is needed.

While its unclear what decision will be made, some of the concerns raised about The Citys compliance have come from the court itself, about what training people are being given to ensure theyre complying with the order, Do said.

I think the court will be will be certainly interested in hearing our even more voluminous and most recent documentation that we have of instances of violations of the court order and just the overall lack of accountability, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Spanish Enagas company has completed the purchase of additional share of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Trend reports.

The company said on July 25, 2023, the purchase of an additional 4 oercent of TAP was closed, for an amount of 168 million euros. The total stake in TAP is 20 percent.

In January this year Enagas has agreed with the Swiss company Axpo to purchase a 4 percent stake in Trans Adriatic Pipeline for 168 million euros, percentage that is added to the 16 percent that the company already owns in TAP. With this operation, Enagas reinforces the fulfilment of the objective announced in the presentation of its 2022-2030 Strategic Plan to contribute to reinforcing the security of energy supply and decarbonization in Europe.

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.

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
In the six months to 30 June, adjusted operating profit rose to 2.1bn from 1.3bn in the same period a year earlier, while earnings per share rose to 25.8p from 11p. The group made a statutory operating profit of 6.5bn, versus a 1.1bn loss a year earlier.

Adjusted operating profits at British Gas Energy rocketed 889% to 969m amid changes to the energy price cap, which meant it was able to recover more costs.

"The increase was mainly due to one-off factors relating to the default standard variable tariff (SVT) cap which we would not expect in a normal reporting period. In total, the positive impact of recovery of prior period costs through price cap allowances in H1 2023 was approximately 500m," Centrica said.

The company proposed an interim dividend of 1.33p a share, up from 1p. It also said it was planning to extend its existing share buyback programme by 450m to 1bn, to be completed in the next 12 months.
RS Group reported a softening in first quarter revenue in an update on Thursday when compared to initial expectations, while also announcing the appointment of its new chief financial officer.

The FTSE 100 company put the softer revenue down to a number of factors, including softening purchasing managers index (PMI) data, a weak electronics market, and tough comparatives from the prior year.

Total revenue for the quarter declined by 2%, with 6% added frim the acquisitions of Risoul and Domnick Hunter.

Like-for-like revenue, excluding the impact of the acquisitions, saw a more substantial decline of 7%.

The firm said the dip in like-for-like revenue was mainly influenced by deteriorating PMI data, indicating a more challenging business landscape.

Additionally, ongoing challenges in the electronics market and the weakening industrial sector further contributed to the decline.

Regional performance during the first quarter saw trading in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and the Americas coming in slightly softer than anticipated, while the Asia-Pacific region experienced volatility.

The company said the strategic repositioning of OKdo during the prior financial year also had an impact on first-quarter like-for-like revenue, reducing group revenue by over 1%.

Furthermore, the absence of favourable tailwinds from the previous year, such as constrained supply - particularly for electronics products - and customer inventory builds, which were now unwinding, also affected revenue comparisons.

In terms of product categories, industrial product ranges, which account for about 78% of the group's revenue, remained relatively flat.

On the other hand, the electronics products range experienced a significant decline of 24%.

To address the challenges and explore growth opportunities, RS Group completed the acquisition of Distrelec for 313m at the end of June.

The board said the acquisition was expected to expand its presence in continental Europe, and present significant synergy potential.

Trading for the quarter was marginally softer than anticipated, reflecting the more difficult macroeconomic backdrop and tough comparatives, said chief executive officer Simon Pryce.

We are reacting well in this more challenging trading environment with greater focus and by managing our cost base effectively whilst continuing to make strategic investments for the future.

I am confident in the RS strategy and scale of opportunity as we continue to position the group to deliver long-term and through-cycle value creation for our stakeholders.

In a separate announcement, RS also confirmed the appointment of Kate Ringrose as its new CFO and executive director on Thursday.

It said Ringrose would bring a wealth of experience with her, having served in various capacities at FTSE 100 energy giant Centrica for 18 years.

She most recently held the position of group CFO at Centrica, and boasted a background as a Chartered Accountant, having trained with KPMG in South Africa.

Kate Ringrose was scheduled to assume her new responsibilities with RS Group on 2 October.

Kate will be a great addition to the executive team and I am looking forward to working with her to accelerate delivery of the exciting RS strategy, Simon Pryce added.

Kate has a proven track record as a FTSE 100 CFO, and experience in helping to lead high performance organisations that improve business resilience, drive operational excellence and deliver accelerated strategic growth.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
SEQRITE, a leading enterprise cybersecurity solutions provider, unveiled the latest version, 8.2, of their flagship product, End Point Security (EPS). Leveraging the state-of-the-art Endpoint Threat Hunting technology and a range of advanced features, including Application Control Safelist, Automated IoC search, Real-time IoC blocking, Rapid query to Endpoints, and Google & YouTube Access Control, EPS v8.2 sets a new standard in endpoint protection.

With an aim to empower organizations against evolving cyber threats, EPS v8.2 features the Application Control Safelist, a robust security tool that follows the principles of the Zero Trust Methodology. Safelist enhances overall security posture by allowing network administrators to define specific application permissions based on the Operating System, including default OS settings and SEQRITE applications. This level of customization ensures that only authorized applications can run on the system, minimizing the risk of potential security breaches. Notably, this feature enables administrators to record and review application access without immediate blocking. This valuable insight helps identify potential security risks while ensuring operational continuity.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Sanjay Katkar, Joint Managing Director, Quick Heal Technologies Limited, said, As attack surfaces are widening, the launch of SEQRITE EPS v8.2 marks a significant milestone for both SEQRITE and its customers. With state-of-the-art endpoint threat detection and protection mechanisms, coupled with intuitive management features, v8.2 empowers organizations to proactively defend against sophisticated cyberattacks. Our relentless pursuit of excellence and customer satisfaction has driven us to create a comprehensive solution that not only meets but exceeds the industry's highest standards. With this launch, we reaffirm our dedication to empowering enterprises with the tools they need to thrive securely in the digital age.

Apart from Application Control Safelist, EPS v8.2 comes loaded with several other advanced features that offer comprehensive security from cyber threats. One of them is the Google & YouTube Access Controller, which enhances web security by enabling administrators to exercise control over Google & YouTube access based on chosen account domains and Video Content Categories. While this feature can block personal access, it permits corporate access to these websites.

Moreover, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) in v8.2 also includes Rapid Query to Endpoints for real-time information gathering, Automated IoC Search that integrates with the MISP server for Threat Feeds, and Real-time IoC (Indicator of Compromise) Blocking for continuous investigation and blocking of malicious content. Equipped with Endpoint Threat Hunting technology, it allows administrators to proactively search for files, matching malicious hashes across endpoints. This feature detects hidden attacks based on user-provided hashes, empowering administrators to hunt down threats before they cause harm. Device Control with USB Tethering, Temporary Device Access Duration Improvement, Roaming for Linux Endpoints, easy migration from EPS v7.6, and Server Deployment over Ubuntu 22 are other key enhancements in this version.

SEQRITE continues to provide innovative cybersecurity solutions that empower organizations to protect their critical assets in an ever-evolving threat landscape. With EPS v8.2, SEQRITE further strengthens its legacy of leading the way in comprehensive cyber protection.
WIKA India (WIKA Instruments India Pvt. Ltd)a wholly-owned subsidiary of WIKA Global (WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, Germany), has recently inaugurated its Force Measurement Production Unit in Pune. With this, the company has taken another major leap toward its successful future growth in the country. The Force Measurement Production Unit will play a pivotal role in the future technological advancements in WIKAs products. It is one of the major investments made by WIKA India in recent years to strengthen its position in the market and align itself with its aim to double the companys turnover by 2025.

WIKAs Force Measurement Production Unit brings together the companys expertise to create customized force measurement solutions for the industry. The unit is a major step in the companys mission to bring high-quality products to the market in the shortest possible time. Our key strength lies in our global presence. We continuously aim to strengthen our global operations to provide optimum local services to our customers and are proud to have the strength of a big company with the flexibility of a local business. Our product range caters to every industry need and India is an important center for our global operations and growth. Pune is where our India story began and it is a proud moment to see the successful expansion of the operations here, said Mr. Alexander Wiegand, Chairman and CEO, WIKA Group.

WIKA Group's growth strategy places India at its core, driving our vision and expansion plans. In line with our unwavering commitment to advancing our operations and fostering excellence, we proudly unveil the advanced Force Measurement Production Unit in Pune, a symbol of our commitment to innovation, quality, and technology. With firm dedication, we empower growth and propel towards unparalleled achievements. Together, we look forward to embarking on an exciting journey of progress, innovation, and mutual prosperity., said Mr. Andreas Keiger, Executive Vice President - EMEA/India, WIKA Group. Force measurement devices find critical applications in various industries including automotive, oil and gas and medical equipment, among others. WIKA India has a wide range of force measurement devices, which includes tension and compression force transducers, shear and bending beams, shackle load cells, ring force transducers, load pins, tension links, wire rope force transducers and strain transducers.

Establishing a Force Measurement production unit has always been an integral part of our vision for the growth of WIKA in India. Round-the-clock dedication by the team towards the project has made it such a success. The Unit will play a vital role in catering to the robust demand for test and measurement equipment arising in India. The unit makes WIKA future-ready to meet the requirements of the market, said Gaurav Bawa, Senior Vice President, WIKA India, who was recently awarded the Most Dynamic CEOs to Watch in 2023 by CEO Review Magazine in recognition of his outstanding professional Achievement and Inspiring Social Contributions.

WIKA India has manufacturing plants in four states Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The inception of WIKA India began in Pune in 1997 with the establishment of WIKA Instrument. Along with its first calibration facility, the Pune operation is also home to the companys unit for level, calibration and SF6 gas. The addition of the Force Measurement Production Unit is a value addition to the entire operation.
Payments and banking platform for businesses, Razorpay, has unveiled a groundbreaking solution for small and mid-size exporters with the launch of its MoneySaver Export Account. This specialized facility allows exporters to open an account in any country from a selection of more than 160 countries. By receiving payments locally via the Razorpay platform, exporters can now save significantly on high transfer costs, chargebacks, and payment failures.

The launch of the MoneySaver Export Account comes at a crucial time, with India witnessing a notable surge in exports. Markets such as the US, Middle East, Canada, and Europe have seen exports amounting to $63 billion, showcasing an impressive 8 percent growth from the previous year, as highlighted by Razorpay.

Currently, exporters frequently utilize international bank transfers, which account for more than 50 percent of their cross-border payments. The conventional method of receiving payments in their Indian bank accounts results in multiple charges, including SWIFT charges of $13 on every $200 remitted. Razorpays innovative offering addresses this challenge and aims to transform the traditional remittance systems, streamlining tedious paperwork, non-transparent fees, and time-consuming onboarding processes.

Indias annual exports contribute to a significant $750 billion, and even a small fraction of payments conducted through bank transfers can accumulate staggering SWIFT charges, amounting to approximately $5 billion. Razorpays MoneySaver Export Account addresses this pressing need for a more efficient and cost-effective remittance solution.

Exporters can easily open and access the account through the Razorpay dashboard, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. The account is compliant with OPGSP (Online Payment Gateway Service Provider) standards, providing an added layer of security and ensuring each payment on the Razorpay platform is backed with a single-click electronic Foreign Inward Remittance Statement.

Rahul Kothari, Chief Business Officer at Razorpay, expressed his enthusiasm for the early adoption of the MoneySaver Export offering, with over 10,000 exporters already benefiting from this innovative solution. He stated, This reinforces our belief that the market seeks a solution that simplifies international bank transfers without the hassle of maintaining multiple accounts in different countries.

With the launch of the MoneySaver Export Account, Razorpay is set to empower and transform the export landscape for small and mid-size businesses, providing them with a competitive edge in the global market.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Boston Market is facing a batch of lawsuits after employees in several of the fast-food chains 310 locations have accused the company of either delaying paychecks or not paying them at all, according to a recent report. And while Staten Islands two Boston Market outposts are not involved in the class action complaint, there are indications that local workers are battling similar wage issues here too.

Sorry Guests. We are closed until employees receive paychecks. Thank you for understanding, read a sign that was photographed on the door of the Forest Avenue store and posted to the Staten Island Food Facebook page on June 21.

An anonymous tipster also contacted the Advance/SILive.com to report that workers at the Port Richmond store hadnt received wages in more than five weeks.

They show up for work for every shift, they do their work, and they dont get paid, the tipster said.

An employee who answered the phone at the location said the paycheck problem was a known issue, but couldnt elaborate while she was on the clock. Conversely, a staffer at the Greenridge Plaza Boston Market said everyone there is getting paid.

Meanwhile, employees in other parts of the country are taking legal action. Workers across 11 corporate Boston Market locations in Massachusetts banded together to file a suit last week, Restaurant Business Online reported. Together, they allege that the company either delayed their pay or didnt pay wages altogether for each of the past four pay periods dating to May 29.

The fast-casual chain is facing several more lawsuits from vendors and landlords, all of which are hoping to resolve some past-due bills, according to a report.

US Foods, the giant Illinois-based distributor, filed a lawsuit against the fast-casual chain this week, arguing that it has reneged on nearly $11 million worth of unpaid bills dating back two years, Restaurant Business Online noted. That is not the only distributor taking issue with the chain: Fort Worth, Tex.-based Ben E. Keith is suing Boston Market over $1 million worth of unpaid bills.

Several landlords have also sued the chain, the publication reported, including the companys former owner, McDonalds, which sued Boston Market for the second time this week over issues related to a pair of locations on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Originally called Boston Chicken, the restaurant was founded in 1985 and expanded rapidly in the 1990s. The company exclusively sold rotisserie chicken and sides for years before expanding its menu to include turkey, sandwiches, salads and more. McDonalds purchased Boston Market in 2000, but sold it in 2007 to Sun Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts.

The company has struggled significantly since then, Restaurant Business Online reported, noting that the corporation closed 45 locations in 2019.

Boston Market did not respond to several requests for comment about its current situation.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 27. The value of Kazakhstan's imports of machinery and transport equipment from the EU increased 2.13 times in 2022 compared to 2021, Trend reports.

According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, in 2022, Kazakhstan imported machinery and transport equipment worth 5.2 million euros from the EU, while in 2021, this figure stood at 2.4 million euros.

For over the past 10 years, the lowest value of imported machinery and transport goods by Kazakhstan was recorded in 2017, when Kazakh imports from the EU amounted to just 2.1 billion euros.

Meanwhile, the EU also increased its imports of machinery and transport equipment from Kazakhstan last year. As such, Kazakhstan exported to the EU goods worth 73.7 million euros in 2022, which is 21.2 percent more than 60.6 million euros in 2021.

Overall, the EU is Kazakhstans biggest trading partner. In 2022, the trade turnover between the EU and Kazakhstan reached 40.2 billion euros, a 74 percent increase compared to 2021. The EU is also one of the largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan, with the investment value reaching $12.5 billion in 2022 (a 23 percent increase year-on-year).
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Sitting shirtless in a hospital bed under the supervision of police, Staten Island murder defendant Frank Rivera was arraigned Thursday via teleconference by a judge in Criminal Court.

Rivera, 58, of Stapleton, was arrested Tuesday on murder charges in the fatal stabbing of 38-year-old Jonathan Winokur inside a residence in Mariners Harbor.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A federal judge has cast doubt on a 1994 murder case for which a Staten Island man has long professed his innocence.

Foster Thompson, 56, is serving a max sentence of life in prison for second degree murder in what prosecutors describe as a home invasion and drug robbery-turned-homicide that occurred 31 years ago inside a troubled New Brighton apartment building.

Authorities alleged Thompson  who was hanging out on Jersey Street on the night in question  carried out the robbery plot with a man named Gilbert Franklin, of West Brighton, who was convicted in the case but ultimately tried separately.

In 2020, Thompsons attorney filed a writ of Habeas Corpus in Brooklyn Federal Court arguing his client should be freed from the custody of Sing Sing Correctional Facility based on the alleged misdeeds of law enforcement and unjust courtroom procedures in prosecuting the case.

The petition requests the court ordered release of the person imprisoned, or a change in the conditions of incarceration because the defendant is being held in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

A ruling from Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Edward R. Korman on the matter was pending, as of Wednesday. The judge could also order another hearing.

In his review of the case, Korman at times used strong language questioning the verdict in Thompsons case and urged both sides to connect again to consider whether it should stand.

Still, the Richmond County District Attorneys Office (RCDA), after spending a year re-examining evidence, maintains its stance that the conviction should stand.

The RCDA appeals bureau, along with the New York State Attorney Generals Office, are representing Sing Sing Correctional Facility in the latest court filing.

THOMPSONS CASE FOR RELEASE

In addition to conflicting witness accounts surrounding the murder of Cynthia Browning and the shooting of a second male victim, a video confession from a man who since relocated to Jamaica indicates it may have been he and a since deceased co-conspirator who carried out the botched drug heist.

That information was corroborated by newly-obtained testimony from an accomplice who ... further exculpated [Thompson], states Manhattan-based defense attorney Abe George in the 2020 civil court filing that seeks the immediate release of his client from state custody.

Additionally [my client] contends that the state courts unreasonably deprived him of an opportunity to call and cross-examine witnesses who could have provided further proof of his innocence.

George also highlights what he says were unlawful procedures by the court and prosecution that nullify the conviction, including insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution and what he calls an error by a trial court in denying a hearing for juror misconduct.

In their near decade-long effort to exonerate Thompson, the defense has also pointed to a red sweatshirt discovered by police at the time of the shooting. The item was documented as possible evidence but never turned over to the defense.

There also was a corroborating story from a witness about seeing a man named Tony that night at the apartment building wearing a red sweatshirt, however, her story never made it to the witness stand.

According to prosecutors the womans statements were inconsequential.

She saw someone named Tony an hour before the murder in the hallway and then 20 minutes after that saw that person on the street, which doesnt exculpate Thompson, stated Litsky in court documents.

Attorney Mark Macron prosecuted the Thompson case in 1994 and maintains the defendant's guilt. Above, Macron gives a concession speech in the 2013 City Council North Shore race. (Staten Island Advance) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

FEDERAL JUDGE RAISES CONCERNS

Judge Korman, during a hearing in April, said some of the details in the case were concerning.

First, he questioned the truth of statements made by the surviving victim in the case, Alton Staley, who testified during the trial that he recognized Thompson as one of the gunmen. When the first officers arrived at the crime scene in 1992, Staley, who was shot, was found in possession of several vials of crack and a loaded gun.

There were conflicting statements at the time from both Staley and one of the first responding officers as to whether Staley actually identified Thompson to police at the scene and/or whether he said anything at all after being wounded.

During the trial, it was noted Staley had the drugs and pistol when police arrived and that initially he was placed under arrest. So the critical question, said Korman at the April hearing, became whether Staley had received immunity from the District Attorneys Office in exchange for his testimony.

Staley stated on the stand there was no offer made and the charges mysteriously went away. Korman said in looking back at the case he does not believe those statements to be true.

Anybody who knows how the system works knows that no competent D.A. would have let him testify before the grand jury without an understanding of A) what he was going to say, and B) that he would get in return for his testimony transactional immunity.

Im just bothered by the fact that essentially what we have here is testimony that was not true ... and without Staleys testimony, theres no case here.

In a written response defending the conviction by Assistant District Attorney Thomas Litsky, chief of the RCDA appeals bureau, he noted the trial court at the time found that putting a person into the grand jury and getting immunity as an operation of law was not a deal.

Litsky continued that during opening arguments of that trial, the defense suggested evidence would show that Staley had possession of a hundred crack vials and could have been charged and got breaks all over the place.

The people objected, and so the court subsequently instructed the jury: Members of the Jury, Mr. Staley testified in the Grand Jury. He testified in the Grand Jury with respect to his possession of a weapon and automatically, not by anything the District Attorney arranged, the law automatically gives anybody who goes to a Grand Jury immunity except for perjury.

A view of 151 Jersey Street in New Brighton, where the 1994 murder in question played out just before 2 a.m. on July 4. (Google maps) Google maps

JUDGE TAKES AIM AT FORMER ADA

Judge Korman also took aim at then-Assistant District Attorney Mark Macron, who was lead prosecutor in the case.

Decades after the murder trial, as questions re-emerged about the case, Macron was representing Staley as his defense attorney.

And then, you have Macron, whose conduct is at issue, showing up representing Staley and not making Staley available to be interviewed, and objecting to his testimony, the judge said. This is very troubling. It should bother a responsible district attorney.

And I think, you know, one of the things I was going to suggest is that you go back to [District Attorney Michael E. McMahon] and tell him that this case should be reviewed because it, I mean, [Thompson] already has done a staggering amount of time here.

George said he doubted McMahons office would at this point shift their position on the case.

One of Mr. Macrons supervisors is still in the office as a high level executive District Attorney, he submitted. Theres nothing Mr. Litsky is going to say that will make these folks change their mind. Theyre dug in that Foster Thompson committed the crimes that he did.

A lengthy re-investigation by the Staten Island District Attorneys office into the newly revealed statements and court filings found there to be insufficient evidence to set aside the jurys verdict.

Foster Thompson, 56, with his family during a visit at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.

NO WRONGDOING BY MACRON, ADA SAYS

Litsky defended Macron in his response to the court by first referring to a 2020 response from a court of appeals on Staten Island in which Justice Alexander Jeong denied a re-trial in the case.

That ruling stated, in part: Petitioner fails to specify how Mr. Macron interfered with the defenses attempts to interview Staley in preparation of the post-judgment motion, and petitioners claim does not provide a basis for relief as Mr. Macrons current representation could not have affected the prior prosecution.

Litsky continued in his own words.

Although the District Attorneys Office is not privy to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Macrons representation of Mr. Staley, I am informed by Mr. Macron that at some point he spoke with either the petitioners counsel or a defense investigator, and simply advised that Mr. Staley did not want to speak to him.

The people go on to cite New York Rules of Professional Conduct that stated: A lawyer shall not communicate or cause another to communicate about the subject of the representation with a party the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer, when you can contact others who are or were represented by counsel.



RELATED COVERAGE: Foster Thompson Case

>>An unsolved murder with a similar M.O. is lawyers new twist in bid to clear S.I. man of 92 slaying

>>Judge denies retrial for Staten Island man claiming innocence in 92 slaying

>>Private eye describes video confession in hearing on 1992 murder conviction

>>Exclusive: What prison is like for a man hoping judge will toss 94 slay conviction
You may know the best place to get ice cream in your town, but what about the ultimate scoop shop in all of America? One viral content creator set to find out this summer and made the most delicious discovery in upstate New York.

Cohen Thompson, a Texas A&M student and his band of college buddies, set out on a challenge to find the best ice cream in the nation. They took their over 800k cumulative social media followers across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok along for the journey through 48 states in 48 days, documenting every frosty bite.

One ice cream shop reigned supreme, thanks to its fresh ingredients and unique flavors.

The Spotted Duck Creamery in Penn Yan was crowned the best ice cream in the lower 48 states. Thompson traveled back to the Finger Lakes to present the honor to owner Sam Solomon, with one catch.

The award came with the offer to pit their freshly made flavors against ice cream in either Alaska or Hawaii. Solomon accepted the challenge on camera and agreed to go head-to-head with the Aloha state.

According to the Finger Lakes Times, when Thompson asked for suggestions of where to get the best ice cream in New York, Spotted Duck fans commented in droves.

Solomon told the publication that he credits their sweet success to fresh and locally sourced ingredients from the mint picked the day its mixed in, milk from the cows down the road, and eggs produced from the Ancona ducks on the premises among other homegrown supplies.

Originally started by Daniel and Elizabeth Hoover, the shop was sold to Solomon three seasons ago. At the time Solomon had a wood-fired pizza truck on the premises. He continues to be dedicated to using only real local ingredients in what he calls honest desserts.

Ice cream maker and flavor magician Pamela Cecere comes up with their newest tastes, like the Pamity Coffee, a take on her favorite creamy latte with a dash of cardamom. The recipe includes beans roasted in Penn Yan by Amity Coffee just up the road.

She is diligently working on a new palate-pleasing flavor, though the release date is not finalized yet.

If youre someone who has a hard time picking out which flavor of ice cream you want, the creamery offers a scoop flight called the Full House, which delivers one scoop of 12 different ice creams, with the menu changing seasonally.

The Spotted Duck Creamery was previously named the Judges Choice for best ice cream in upstate New York by NYUp.com.

Watch Solomon accept the award and the next challenge put forth by Thompson:
The Rockaway Township School District in New Jersey will pay $9.1 million to settle the civil lawsuit brought by the parents of Mallory Grossman, the 12-year-old middle schooler who died by suicide in 2017 following repeated cyberbullying by other students.

The familys lawyer, Bruce Nagel, announced the settlement Wednesday, saying the district agreed to it on Tuesday.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Islands 2023 Police Officer of the Year ceremony at Arianas South in Richmond Valley Wednesday afternoon honored heroic and eagle-eyed police work across the borough last year.

Police officers and detectives received commendations for arrests that broke up crime patterns, a raid that left NYPD department members in the line of fire and other acts of courage that served as the pinnacle of police work on the borough.

Twelve monthly and four quarterly awards were issued to officers and detectives who exhibited exemplary work in 2022. Then, the department presented its top honor of the afternoon  its designation of top police officer and detective of the year. The ceremony was presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Advance/SILive.com.

We all know very well that, unfortunately, some pay the supreme sacrifice to protect this city and protect Staten Island, said Borough President Vito Fossella. And we all know that when you walk out the door with your gun and your shield, you pray to God that you can come home to kiss your kids tonight.

But, today we take a few minutes to honor 12 distinct groups and some detectives for going above and beyond, Fossella continued. So, to all of you whove gone above and beyond, and frankly all of you who took an oath to protect me, my family and everybody across Staten Island, I say, God bless you.

Linda Baran, President and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, said it was a privilege and an honor to recognize the best of the NYPD at the annual ceremony.

We want to thank you for all you do, said Baran.

The event was attended by borough and NYPD officials, including First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella, a North Shore resident and the former commanding officer of the 120th Precinct in St. George.

Be proud of yourselves, be proud that you live here and you work here, said Kinsella. What you do makes this city safe. Do not let anyone tell you any different. You make this city safe. You make our borough safe.

NYPD Patrol Borough Staten Island Chief Joseph Gulotta recognized the immense sacrifice of the families of department members.

We put our hearts and soul into this job every day, said NYPD Patrol Borough Staten Island Chief Joseph Gulotta. It takes a toll on our families, it takes a toll on us.

Here are the honorees:

DETECTIVE OF THE YEAR

Narcotics Borough Staten Island Det. Michael Forster, Det. Christian Cataldo, Det. Richard DAmbrosio, Det. Matthew Reich and Det. Dominick Libretti received detective of the year honors for executing a narcotics search warrant in New Springville on January 20, 2022, that left Libretti with a gunshot wound.

Despite being shot in the leg by the armed suspect, Libretti held up a ballistics shield to protect his fellow officers from being shot, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported. Forster then immediately rendered aid to his fellow cop.

The detective team recovered a 9MM Beretta handgun, a loaded, defaced 9MM Glock, a loaded, defaced Citadel 12-gauge shotgun and $86,000. The alleged perpetrator was indicted on four counts of attempted murder of a police officer and is awaiting trial.

POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Police Officer Mickel Hanna and Police Officer Louis Iorio, both of the 123rd Precinct, acted heroically during a chaotic encounter in Times Square on Dec. 31, 2022, when an individual wielding a machete attacked officers.

The harrowing incident left Iorio with a large laceration to the face. Hanna, said a report, shot the attacker in the shoulder after he and his colleagues were assaulted.

JANUARY OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Sgt. Michael Lassen and Police Officers Mohammad Hamdan and Christian Pinez of the NYPDs 120th Precinct in St. George were honored with January officer of the month for their recovery of a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and an arrest for criminal possession of a loaded firearm on Jan. 27, 2022.

FEBRUARY OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Police Officers Joseph Wall and James Troianiello of the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp on Feb. 28, 2022, successfully identified an individual for an attempted car jacking with a firearm, earning them the honor of February officer of the month.

MARCH OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Sgt. Anthony Largo and Police Officers Michael Camerada and Dominic Darrigo, stationed at the 121st Precinct in Graniteville, apprehended four perpetrators and recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automoatic firearm on March 9, 2022. Largo, Camerada and Darrigo were awarded March officer of the month.

APRIL OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Police Officer Nicholas Volpe, of the 122nd Precinct, was given April officer of the month for his April 8, 2022, response to an emotionally disturbed person and the recovery of a loaded firearm incident.

MAY OFFICER OF THE MONTH

NYPD 120th Precinct Police officer Kevin Young and Police Officer Robert Leibowitz were awarded May officer of the month after they rescued an emotionally distirubed individual on May 10, 2022.

JUNE OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Police Officer Marissa Pascone, a member of the 123rd Precinct in Tottenville, arrested a perpetrator on June 28, 2022, who stole a vehicle while in possession of a loaded firearm, earning her June officer of the month honors.

JULY OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Det. John Murphy, of the 121st Precinct, successfully apprehended an individual for possessing a loaded firearm on July 8, 2022.

AUGUST OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Police Officer John Latanzio, 123rd Precinct, earned August officer of the month for arresting an individual on Aug. 22, 2022, in possession of a loaded semi-automatic handgun.

SEPTEMBER OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Police Officers Jennifer Castillo and Michele Flynn of the 123rd Precinct were both honored for arresting two individuals and recovering a large knife and a semi-automatic handgun on Sept. 14, 2022.

OCTOBER OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Sgt. Moshin Moshin, Det. Mohammad Hamdan and Police Officer Joshua Christian of the 120th Precinct arrested two individuals with loaded firearms on Oct. 20, 2022, earning them that months distinction.

NOVEMBER OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Police Officer Thomas Lawson of the 121st Precinct was honored for a pair of arrests on Nov. 11, 2022, and Nov 28, 2022  one involving an individual wanted for robbery and another for a perpetrator in possession of a firearm.

DECEMBER OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Hanna and Iorio both received the December officer of the month honor in addition to their yearly award.

DETECTIVE OF THE FIRST QUARTER

Forster, Cataldo, DAmbrosio, Reich and Libretti received the detective of the first quarter award in addition to their annual honor.

DETECTIVE OF THE SECOND QUARTER

Det. Joseph Quirk, of the 120th Precinct Detective Squad, and Det. Omar Delcid, of the Staten Island Homicide Squad, were assigned to the homicide investigation of a person shot on May 9, 2022, who was found unresponsive on the ground in Stapleton with a gunshot wound to the lower back.

Quirk and Delcid conducted an extensive video and witness canvass, resulting in multiple sources of evidence and the identification of a witness who told detectives he heard two gunshots before seeing two men run into a BMW and flee the scene.

The vehicle was traced through video evidence and two suspects were later apprehended by the United States Marshals Task Force on Aug. 4, 2022. The pair were questioned by Quirk and Delcid, and the alleged perpetrators are currently awaiting trial on an indictment of second-degree murder.

Quirk and Delcid were awarded detective of the second quarter.

DETECTIVE OF THE THIRD QUARTER

Det. Richard Browne and Det. Kevin McGinn of the Violent Crime Squad received confidential information about a group of gang members operating on the North Shore of Staten Island.

Browne identified leaders of the operation and a string of crimes, including conspiracy to commit acts of violence. Three search warrants were executed because of the sharp detective work, which netted crack, cocaine and other narcotics paraphernalia.

The primary perpetrators in the investigation were arrested and arraigned in court, but Browne and McGinn only escalated the scale of their work, later conducting a wire tap investigation that aimed to dismantle a criminal network selling controlled substances.

Four more search warrants were gained through the detectives work, leading to the indictment of 17 defendants. Three firearms were also recovered, with two of those matching ballistics from a previous gang-motivated shooting.

Nine of the 17 defendants have pled guilty in their cases. The other eight defendants are awaiting trial.

DETECTIVE OF THE FOURTH QUARTER

Det. Alexis Castillo, of the 121st Precinct Detective Squad, and Det. Donald Maid, of the Staten Island Homicide Squad, were assigned on Nov. 22, 2022, to a suspicious death, and through a wide-spanning video canvass discovered a scene several blocks away from the original crime scene that contained burned personal property belonging to the victim.

After the death was determined to be a homicide through multiple stab wounds to the body, a primary suspect was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on Dec. 3, 2022, after Castillo obtained a full confession. A second confession was obtained, resulting in another arrest and second-degree murder charge.








The assaults occurred during the 1990s when Hill was an active member of the Jehovahs Witnesses community.



The 52-year-old defendant entered his guilty plea in Berks County Court to two counts of rape, both felonies of the first degree. While the sentencing has been deferred, Hill will undergo evaluation by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, tasked with determining whether he meets the criteria for a sexually violent predator.



Attorney General Henry addressed the media, stating, Through this guilty plea, the defendant admitted that he used his good standing within his religious community to access potential victims, gain their trust, and then sexually assault them. These crimes are abhorrent, and we are wholeheartedly committed to holding those accountable who hurt children. To any victims who have not yet disclosed their stories to law enforcement, I want you to know that if you speak up, our office will listen.



The investigation into the Jehovahs Witnesses child sexual assault cases began in 2022. Utilizing the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, investigators managed to secure presentments and charges against a total of 14 men alleged to have committed similar offenses while members of Jehovahs Witnesses congregations across the state.



To support victims and family members affected by these distressing incidents, the Office of the Attorney General has established a dedicated hotline. Those seeking to provide information to investigators can call the hotline at 888-538-8541.



The details of Jesse Hills case revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse. He allegedly used his milling business as a guise to lure young boys from his Jehovahs Witnesses congregation to his property for parties. Offering alcohol, marijuana, and pornography, Hill relied on his family's esteemed name within the religious community to gain the childrens trust. Subsequently, at his residence, he exposed himself to the vulnerable children, subjected them to groping, and coerced them into performing sexual acts.



Chief Deputy Attorney General Christopher Jones spearheaded the prosecution of this distressing case, vowing to bring justice to the victims and their families.



As the legal proceedings continue, authorities hope that this guilty plea will encourage other victims of similar abuses within religious communities to come forward and share their stories, helping to ensure that those responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable for their crimes.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Wednesday that Jesse Hill, a former member of Jehovahs Witnesses from Berks County, who now resides in Georgia, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the sexual assault and exploitation of two minors.
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The man who became the face of the coronavirus response in the United States says Australias willingness to accept science and resist conspiracy theories will help the country stave off future pandemics, but is concerned growing animosity and threats towards scientists will stifle the next generation of experts inspired by the events of the past three years.

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Dr Anthony Fauci also said the responsible use of artificial intelligence would help scientists anticipate future variants of COVID-19 and predict other problem diseases before they reach pandemic level.

Anthony Fauci has taken up a university teaching role and is writing his memoir after retiring from his role as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Credit: Washington Post

Obviously, there are books now being written about the dangers of artificial intelligence, he said. But I think if you look at it under a controlled situation, there are many, many advantages for artificial intelligence in every aspect of medicine and health, from reading X-rays to skin biopsies to  responding to the next pandemic.

Fauci retired from public service in December after spending 54 years with the National Institutes of Health and 38 years as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.
A new chemotherapy drug has been approved for use in up to 70 per cent of breast cancer cases across Australia, giving hope to patients who were previously excluded from the treatment.

Amy Johnston, 55, is one patient now using Trodelvy after first being diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer in January 2018.

Amy made it to India on her dream trip in 2023.

She had been to the doctors about a distinctive mass in her breast in September 2017 and had a mammogram, but had been told it was all clear.

In 2018, she went back to the doctor because the mass was uncomfortable. An ultrasound, biopsy and further mammogram revealed the mass was cancerous and metastatic, meaning it had spread to other areas of her body including her spine, pelvis and liver.
Brice then claimed the man had punched her in the face moments before their arrival, and police said she had a large bruise swelling on her cheek.

The police had been called by her partner and the father of the child, also a drug user, who was concerned she could not care for him properly.

Sarah Joanne Brice, 34, is accused of recklessness causing her son to have meth in his body. Credit: Facebook

During a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Perth District Court heard Sarah Joanne Brice, 34, was found by police on the driveway of her Caversham home in January 2021 visibly on drugs and holding her baby.

A drug-addicted mother is facing jail time after her 12-week-old baby was found with life-threatening levels of methamphetamine and cannabis in his system.

Police tried to assess the baby, whom they claimed was unresponsive, but Brice was reluctant to let them look at him.

Police ultimately intervened and the child was taken first to Midlands St John of God Hospital and then Perth Childrens Hospital, where an assessment revealed the baby had soft tissue injuries to his head and skull and had extremely life-threatening levels of methamphetamine and cannabis in his system.

Medical experts later discussed how the drugs got into the babys system, with one saying it could have been via breastfeeding with another arguing it would have been impossible to ingest so much in that way.

Passive smoking was also touted as an explanation, but experts ultimately disagreed that it was not possible to ingest that much drugs in that manner.

Despite pleading guilty to a charge of having care or control of a child engaged in conduct that was reckless and may have resulted in that child suffering, Brices defence team told the court the mother was adamant she had not used drugs on the day the police arrived and that she did not use drugs while breastfeeding her son.
Australias largest oil and gas company Woodside is threatening to sue two climate protesters for financial loss after one allegedly released a stench gas inside its Perth headquarters, forcing the evacuation of all staff.

Kristen Morrissey, a member of the Disrupt Burrup Hub protest group, is accused of releasing a stink bomb at the base of Woodsides 32-storey office in Perth on June 1, which was followed by an evacuation of about 1500 workers.

Disrupt Burrup Hub protester Kristen Morrissey outside Woodsides headquarters on June 1. Credit: Jesinta Burton

Four weeks later, lawyers for Woodside sent letters to Morrissey and another Disrupt Burrup Hub protester, Joana Partyka, who was not at Woodsides premises on June 1, threatening to sue both women.

The letter from Allens partners Philip Blaxill and Richard Lilly to Partyka demanded she hand over documents that could identify others involved in planning the incident, so they could also be sued.
A Perth father has been found guilty of killing his newborn daughter after medical experts testified she was likely vigorously shaken, causing a catastrophic brain injury.

Juan Visagie, 28, had been on trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, charged with the manslaughter of his baby, Aleaha, who died in December 2020.

Juan Daniel Visagie. Credit: Facebook

Visagie had argued his daughter suffered her injuries after the pair fell asleep on the couch in their Gosnells home and rolled off his chest onto the hard floor, however the jury did not buy his version of events after the young father changed his story to police several times during the investigation.

He was found guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday afternoon, with his former partner and Aleahas mother Maddison Sammut sobbing after the outcome was read aloud.
Business leaders have warned cancelling the Sydney Metro West rail megaproject would damage the states economic reputation, likening it to the Victorian governments decision to can the Commonwealth Games.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey flagged any decision on the $25 billion, 24-kilometre line from the CBD to Westmead would be kicked out past the September budget, potentially until the middle of next year.

Daniel Mookhey has flagged a decision on the future of the Metro West could be deferred until next year. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Speaking as part of a NSW Property Council panel discussion on Thursday, executive chairman of student accommodation firm Scape, Craig Carracher, said jettisoning the project would affect land prices while causing business to reconsider NSW as an investment destination.

Its a bit like Dan Andrews in the Commonwealth Games. Theyre stimulants. People make massive investments, we make decisions and they pull back, Carracher, who is also an Australian Olympic Committee director said.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size We are social creatures with our own special quirks and habits. Explainers unpack the rules we live by (and sometimes break). See all stories . Fly Qantas in the next few months and you might find yourself corralled into an experiment. Until now, Australian domestic airlines have largely used similar commonsense methods of getting passengers onto their planes  boarding from the back to the front, or in one random go or simultaneously from the back and front doors. All tend to result in shuffling queues. Yet research studies and computer simulations have consistently shown there are better ways. So Qantas is now trialling a system  initially out of Brisbane  that, while not new to flyers overseas, is quite a departure from what were used to domestically. It promises to cut down queuing and speed up aircraft turnarounds  time spent at the gate  and, we can only hope, make it more likely the planes will depart on time. In June, nearly a third of Qantas and Virgin flights were late getting off the ground. So what is the Brisbane experiment? Why are boarding procedures so critical? Why do passengers stand to queue at the gate even before it opens? And what does Albert Einstein have to do with it? Credit: Getty Images, Fairfax What problem is Qantas trying to solve? The quicker you get everybody on board, the better it is both for passengers  who can get to their seats and finally relax  and the airline, which wants its planes in the air making money and not stuck at the gate. Studies suggest even shaving a minute from the turnaround time  that eon spent refuelling, loading, cleaning and boarding  can save, or make, airlines millions of dollars a year. Meanwhile, departure delays obviously annoy passengers and can cost airlines money, especially if they occur early in the day and cascade onwards in a blitz of ruined schedules and missed connections. Arrivals and departures are scheduled months in advance, explains Cheng-Lung Wu, an associate professor at UNSW Aviation who specialises in airline operations management. The challenge is that if the aircraft arrives late and you dont have too much flexibility buffer time within the turnaround time, then the aircraft is almost guaranteed to leave late, which creates a domino effect for all the flights conducted by this aircraft.

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None of Australias domestic airlines have covered themselves in glory this year: according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, the number of on-time arrivals and departures for June across Qantas, Jetstar, Rex, Skytrans and Virgin were significantly lower than the long-term average performance. Qantas-only departures were 66.1 per cent on time (within 15 minutes of schedule) for June, slightly worse than Virgin-only departures at 67.9 per cent. Qantas aims for an 80 per cent on-time departure rate, not 100 per cent. Why? Several factors can impact on-time performance, including things that are and are not in the airlines control, says Mike Stengel of the US-based aerospace consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory. Weather, maintenance, catering, crew availability, the availability of the inbound aircraft, baggage handling, et cetera. The list is endless. Achieving a perfect record is virtually impossible, he says. Many airlines wont even prioritise on-time departures as a metric and instead more heavily focus on achieving on-time arrivals because they can pad their schedules and try to make up time in the air if a flight leaves late. Strong westerlies in Sydney can mean the only runway available is the main east-west one rather than the pair of north-south runways, which can lead to delays across the country. Overall, the Qantas network (including Qantas Link) did better than the Virgin network (including Virgins regional airline), but at 71.4 per cent for on-time departures was still way down on the long-term all-airline average of 82.5 per cent. Qantas says ground crew shortages were a factor along with the weather on 19 days out of 30 at major airports. Yes: wind matters. Since its far better for planes to take off and land into a headwind rather than a crosswind, it can impact which runways can be used. While relatively rare, strong westerlies in Sydney can mean the only runway available is the single east-west one rather than the pair of north-south runways, which can cause congestion that leads to delays across the country as planes depart Sydney late. Its tough running an airline, acknowledges Doug Drury, a former paratrooper who is now professor of aviation at Central Queensland University. In the post-COVID world, we are demanding more and more service and quality, and sometimes we get it and sometimes we dont. Incidentally, spare a thought for passengers on the Darwin to Melbourne route, the worst for on-time departures with barely a quarter of flights leaving on time. So how does the Brisbane experiment work? Currently, Qantas passengers line up in two queues: one for priority and one for everybody else, loading up to a total of 178 passengers on its domestic workhorse, the Boeing B737-800. The usual routine is to board premium first, then families and those with special needs, then the back 10 rows, then everybody else.

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In the trial, on some flights, passengers are instead boarding the plane in waves. Priority folk still board as they please, but economy passengers are allocated a seat number and a boarding group, or zone, which is marked on their boarding passes, and are directed to embark in groups by either the front door or the back door according to their seat location. The idea is to fill the plane from the middle, near the wings, first, followed by those sitting closer to the nose and tail. Boarding passes showing a zoned process for getting on flights, currently being trialled in Brisbane. The plan is to minimise the disruption to boarding passengers caused by those ahead of them wrestling with bags and settling into their seats. If the back door is not available due to, say, bad weather, passengers will still be grouped into zones and will board from the rear seats first. Qantas is also trialling new gate signs and using three queues instead of two: one for priority, one for aerobridge boarding through the front door, and one that snakes you downstairs towards the stairs for the rear door. The trials main hurdles will likely be explaining the new system to bewildered flyers and the unknowns introduced by human error, particularly those people who buck the system. Even if you use a zone concept  you board zone one, you board zone two and then move to zone three  you still have some passengers who arrive late, says Wu, who teaches and consults with airlines on scheduling and passenger behaviour. You also need to get passengers used to it too  customers dont always follow the rules. Credit: What does Virgin do? Virgin changes its system depending on airport facilities and weather, using aerobridge only, stairs only or a combination of both. Priority and assisted boarding passengers get on first, then it will typically send, say, rows 15 to 30 to board by the back stairs and rows 1 to 14 to the front door. Of course, punctuality is not contingent only on boarding processes. The airline says last year it simplified its gate procedures and found an extra two minutes in the turnaround, allowing passengers to come on board 22 minutes before departure instead of 20 minutes previously  a little extra wiggle room. Again, every minute counts. Rex does something similar. Jetstar, meanwhile, recently introduced new cut-off times for check-in, bag drop and boarding in an attempt to improve its punctuality rate.

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So, what is the best way to get passengers aboard? The new Qantas zone system is widely used on international and domestic flights overseas. But numerous studies generated by enthusiastic mathematicians and physicists have suggested there might be even better ways. Among the more wacky are variations on the outside-in WILMA method, which seats window passengers first, then middle-seat passengers, then those on the aisle. Lufthansa is a convert, switching in 2019 to a WILMA-style plan so you can board your aircraft more quickly and in a more relaxed manner. They varied it slightly to seat window and middle-seat passengers at the same time as their companions, so friends and families were not broken up unnecessarily  a tweak that recognised not only the technical aspect of boarding, but the social aspect too. A team of researchers used the basis of Einsteins general theory of relativity to show that you get a faster load if you board slower passengers ahead of faster ones. Theres the Steffen method, named for astrophysicist Jason Steffen, who worked on a seating scheme in his spare time after wondering why planes took so long to load (his usual field, these days, is planets that orbit distant stars; hes been a member of the science team for NASAs Kepler mission since 2008). Steffen showed, using modelling and an actual experiment in a mock 757, that systematically staggering the movement of passengers so they dont share the same aisle space at the same time is probably the most effective way of boarding a plane. The catch is its complexity, requiring the airline to board just handfuls of passengers at any one time so they dont get in each others way  sending, say, only 16A, 14A and 12A followed by 15A, 13A and 11A. Loading In 2019, a team of researchers used the basis of Einsteins general theory of relativity to show, counterintuitively, that you get a faster load if you board slower passengers ahead of faster ones. The ability of a passenger to delay other passengers depends on their queue positions and row designations, the authors wrote of their study, a cosmopolitan alliance between the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Riga Technical University and Ben-Gurion University. The duration of the boarding process can be calculated based on a representation of the one-dimensional queue of passengers attempting to reach their seats in a two-dimensional space-time diagram, they explained. This is equivalent to the causal relationship between two events in space-time, whereas two passengers are time-like separated if one is blocking the other and space-like if both can be seated simultaneously. A follow-up study suggested, more plainly, that airlines should board those passengers with the bulkiest hand luggage first.

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Then theres Americas Southwest Airlines, which has famously resisted having any assigned seating at all. Instead, passengers are allocated a position in the boarding queue on check-in, line up in numerical order, then scramble to find a seat. (Its not a complete Squid Game: families and priority boarders get special dispensation, and you can purchase an upgrade.) Bottom line, suggests Massoud Bazargan, a professor at Floridas EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University: There is no unique or optimal boarding strategy. It depends very much on airline policies. Chiefly, whether they charge for checked baggage. Qantas does not, but the practice is commonplace in the United States and has made a mess of the best-laid boarding plans. We did a study a few years ago and mathematically derived a model that resulted in the least aisle or seat passenger interference. We did this for [the low-cost carrier] AirTran Airways in the US and it was working fine until the airlines came up with this grand idea that they can make money off bags, says Bazargan. Now everybody wastes time and blocks the aisle trying to squash their enormous carry-on into the overhead lockers. Its not entirely the passengers fault, though, says Drury. Theres also that aspect of, if I check my bag, will it actually make it? So people end up carrying on everything that they would normally check in. Credit: Why, given we have allocated seats in Australia, do people queue at the gate before it even opens? It appears to be part psychology and part an entirely rational fear that you wont be able to find a spot for your carry-on bag. The mental aspect, explains Drury, begins long before you even reach the queue, which is merely the last step in what is usually a stressful, anxiety-inducing process to get there in the first place. The airport journey begins before we even leave the house, he says. If youre travelling with family, and youve got kids, or your spouse doesnt want to get there an hour early because its a waste of time, then you know youre pushing it. So the stress starts to build the minute you start closing your bags and getting dressed and ready for the flight. And if theres any delays or an accident or anything that you didnt figure into the equation, well then that slows the process down. So by the time you get to the airport, youre pretty much in a lather if youre running late.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Princeton University Art Museum is hosting the multidisciplinary artist Deborah Jack for a hybrid poetry reading and artist talk on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 5:30 PM.

Jack will present selections from her poetry collection Skin (2006), along with newer works that will be placed in context with her visual art on view in Traces on the Landscape, said the museum at the US Ivy League school.

The public invitation program is both in-person at the Princeton University Art Museum on 11 Hulfish Street, Princeton, New Jersey, and live-streamed by registration at the museums website, with a reception to follow, said the organizer.

The Princeton event follows Jacks highly successful exhibits earlier this year in Chicago, including at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

The Traces on the Landscape exhibition of Jacks work will run at the Princeton Museum until August 6, 2023. Thursdays poetry reading and artist talk will take audiences Across Jacks practice, representations of the tumultuous sea and landscape of her home island of St. Maarten, said the museum.

Jacks representations of sea and landscape are linked to keepers of the collective memories of silenced ancestors and witnesses to the cyclical trauma, rebirth, and renewal of the African Diaspora, according to the event description.

Drisana Deborah Jack is a leading St. Martin poet and has emerged as the islands most critically reviewed visual artist, said Jacqueline Sample, Jacks publisher at House of Nehesi
PHILIPSBURG:--- When asked to explain her statement, MP Wescot mentioned the veiled threat she received, Are you sure you want to do this? Its going to get nasty! A clear reference to the DPs announced return to the political field.

We see this threat manifesting itself from many angles. Some of it for money, some for sensation, and yet others from an angle of plain and self-consuming hatred.

With respect to MP Brison's latest disgraceful assault on one of St. Maartens senior politicians and former Prime Minister, the DP stated:

This is the latest convoluted diatribe coming from a member of parliament to whom this NA-led government should be forever grateful, a fact that the member of parliament makes sure he cashes in on big time. So we hope everyone will understand, the vengeance with which the MP attacks anything and anybody who dares question HIS government.

MP Brisons previous outbursts and other futile attempts to pull us down with him did not get him enough traction, so he is at it again. It is attention of course what the MP in his recent diatribe is fervently hoping for.

MP Wescot: People are divided on whether I shouldve responded to MP Brison and how. Truth be told, neither the messenger nor the message is in principle deserving of my response or my attention.

A messenger who by his own admission, is not always in control of his erratic behavior, MP Wescot stated as she sketched the following interesting analysis.

For arguments sake, lets look at the government signatures over the past 20+ years.

2000-2009 DP stamp

2009-2010 NA stamp

2010-2012 UP stamp

2012-2013 NA stamp

2013-2014 UP stamp

2014-2015 UP stamp

2015-2017 NA stamp

2017-2018 UP stamp

2018-2019 UD stamp

2019- NA stamp

Now compare that with how our island is faring and has been faring. Compare that with how St. Maarten people acted and are acting towards each other and ask yourself why.

MP Wescot: Going against my own grain somewhat, I ask my colleague Brison: If you believe your own story, what is your problem with Sarah A. Wescot-Williams or the DP? Why even waste your energy, when after all, your bogus and orchestrated poll shows us getting 1 seat, doesnt it? So why dont you focus on who might be a challenge to you?.

In essence, the question to you, Sir, is: Why Sarah? The DP would like to know.

And lest we forget, this is coming from someone, who confiscated a political party after playing the victim card with other political parties.

In a twisted sense, even that DP made possible, by legislating political parties, the DP added.

Lets put some perspective to the diatribe of MP Brison.

The Legacy allows the MP to hold the position he holds. How he handles this position is of course not for DPs account, as he -through whatever means- got elected, like every other single member of parliament.

The MP is attempting to spin a narrative, and as with everything else, if you tell a lie often enough, you start to believe it yourself.

MP Wescot: More than 30 years in the political minefield of St. Maarten to be female, sane, and standing, knocks and bruises notwithstanding, is a feat.

I was forewarned and with that warning, came the gentle request, maybe, just maybe you dont want or need this?

Is it because I am one of the few left standing who can see through the facades put on by the members of the longest-serving government?

How often was this government on the brink of collapse and what and who saved the day?

How often did coalition members threaten the government to get their way and how often did ministers capitulate under this pressure?

How come the MP selectively chose his topics, leaving other topics untouched? All of this in the hope that St. Maarten has forgotten and will forgive?

Would we not have been eons further, had this government not had to reluctantly and fighting it all the way, return -tail between legs- to the Dutch Trust Fund, a program negotiated by a DP-supported government?

Would we not have been eons further, had not the airport project been brutalized because of politics? Would we not be eons further, had the social partners and vital stakeholders not been excluded from vital discussions? Would we not be eons further, had not the government acted in a divide-and-rule manner?

How many of our people have not been and continue to be victimized under the watchful eye of the current administration? How many of our legit organizations have not been sidelined by the same? How many cries of the public have not been left unanswered?

After 32 years and still standing, you learn patience.

While I have a few law courses under the belt, I by no means pretend to know better than the judge himself what a verdict means. I cant wait to see if the finance minister will follow the suggestion of his coalition leader and contest the Bearing Point judgment.Patience!

So when we wish to perpetuate the DP legacy spin, unfortunately, we have to admit that that legacy has been grossly mismanaged by many of those who followed.

One thing no one can say about my country. That is that we do not forgive! And if you can play the victim card good enough, we will allow you to do it all over again.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 27. FlyArystan, Kazakhstan's first low-cost air carrier, has launched direct flights between Astana and China's Urumqi, Trend reports.

According to the company, starting from September 21, the flights between Astana and Urumqi will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. The flights will be carried out by Airbus A320/neo aircraft.

The flight from Astana to Urumqi is scheduled to depart at 07:15 (GMT+6) and arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport at 11:40 (GMT+8). The estimated flight duration is 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, flights in the opposite direction, from Urumqi to Astana, are scheduled to depart at 12:40 (GMT+8) and arrive at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport at 13:20 (GMT+6).

FlyArystan is the first low-cost airline in Kazakhstan, whose fleet consists of 14 Airbus A320 aircraft.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 27. The transportation sector in Tajikistan has been on the rise, regarding both cargo and passenger turnover, Trend reports.

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) data said the cargo transportation in Tajikistan increased 7.8 percent year-on-year, while passenger transportation surge by 50 percent in the reporting month.

Furthermore, EDBs economists noted that the economy of Tajikistan continues to grow, primarily driven by strong domestic demand.

In May 2023, the turnover of retail trade increased by 14.8 percent year-on-year, while the volume of investments grew by 29.1 percent.

All major production sectors have made positive contributions to the overall economic dynamics: agriculture increased output by 12.6 percent year-on-year, industry by 22.8 percent.

Based on these trends, the EDB forecasted that the country's GDP will increase by 7.9 percent in 2023, compared to 2022.

However, there is a slowdown expected, compared to this year's first quarter's growth rate of 8.2 percent, due to a reduction in remittances flowing into Tajikistan amid the depreciation of the Russian ruble.

According to the Ministry of Transport of the country, passenger transportation in Tajikistan amounted to 218.3 million people from January through March 2023, which is 11.3 percent more than for the same period last year.

Meanwhile, cargo transportation by all means of transport reached 23.3 million tons, which is an increase of 10.8 percent year-on-year.
P rofits at the UKs biggest energy supplier British Gas ballooned to a record of almost 1 billion in the first half of the year at a time when millions of families were struggling to pay their bills.

British Gass owner, energy giant Centrica, said the near tenfold increase in profits to 969 million in the six months to June was mainly due to oneoff factors linked to the operation of Ofgems price cap.

The company said it had made around 500 million in extra profits through a mechanism under the price cap that allows it to recover costs at a time of increasing and volatile wholesale prices from 2021 onwards.

The company said: This meant all suppliers had to purchase a portion of their electricity and gas at levels above the price cap. Allowances to recover this cost were introduced into the price cap from April 2022, with recovery continuing into H1 2023.

Other factors boosting British Gas Energy profits included effective risk management and higher unit margins.

Nevertheless the huge returns during an acute energy crisis is likely to further enrage consumer groups and charities that have accused major suppliers of profiteering at the expense of customers.

Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at comparison site Uswitch.com, said the scale of the profits meant that the price cap needs to be overhauled.

He said: The strong supplier profits now possible under the energy price cap  as part of the current regulatory environment  are driving increasingly fewer incentives for suppliers to innovate and offer cheaper, competitive deals that could bring prices down.

British Gas supplies energy to around 7.5 million households and 529,000 small businesses. Ofgem set the price cap for the average household on standard variable tariffs at a record 4,279 a year from January 1 after wholesale prices spiked last autumn in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

However, a Government price guarantee put in place by Liz Truss when she was Prime Minister meant that a typical annual bill was no more than @JonPrynn 2,500, still hugely higher than historic levels. Centrica said it had doubled the level of support offered to vulnerable customers to 100 million.

Group profits were also elevated by one-off factors with an operating loss of 1.1 billion last year turned into a profit of 6.64 billion this time.

Underlying operating profits were up from 1.34 billion to 2.08 billion. The interim divided was raised by a third to 1.33p and the share buyback programme is being boosted by 450 million to 1 billion.

CEO Chris OShea said:Nothing is more important than delivering for our customers  its why we are here. Todays results allow us to increase our customer support package to more than 100 million, and our new green investment strategy will see us invest several billion pounds in the energy transition
B anking and fossil fuels are among seven sectors which will be given extra guidance on sharing their net zero plans.

The Government has committed to introducing new rules requiring large UK businesses to publicly share their net-zero progress.

The Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT), a group of experts launched by the Treasury last year, will publish a framework which businesses can use to ensure they share their climate plans in line with emerging standards.

The framework builds on the global reporting standards recently published by the International Sustainability Standards Board, aimed at clamping down on corporate greenwashing.

UK listed companies must lead the way in developing credible, consistent, robust climate transition plans

The TPT, which is made up of a mixture of climate experts, financial leaders, NGOs and public sector leaders, said on Thursday that seven sectors in the UK will also be given deep dive guidance to help them use the framework to publicly share their transition plans.

These include banking, oil and gas, asset management, asset owners, electric utilities and power generators, food and agriculture, and metals and mining.

TPT said the sectors will be given the extra guidance, to be published in early 2024, because of their emissions impact, investment gaps and the quality of existing guidance.

It also said more general guidance covering about 40 sectors will also be published early next year.

Amanda Blanc, chief executive of Aviva and co-chairwoman of the TPT, said: We believe the UK can and should take action to become the worlds most climate-ready developed economy by 2030.

Whilst we are in no doubt that tackling climate change will require significant investment against a challenging economic backdrop, we also know that failing to act will cost much more.

There is growing international momentum around private sector transition plans, both from industry and policymakers

UK listed companies must lead the way in developing credible, consistent, robust climate transition plans.

Baroness Penn, Treasury Lords Minister and co-chairwoman of the TPT, said: There is growing international momentum around private sector transition plans, both from industry and policymakers.

Over the last six months alone, G7 leaders have come out in support of private sector transition plans, various international regulatory networks have started work on transition planning, and a rising number of entities have published their first transition plan.

The TPT was launched last April after then-chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged at Cop26 that big emitters would face new requirements about sharing their net-zero plans and progress from 2023.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will consult on a new regulation in the coming months that covers listed companies and financial firms and will draw on the existing TPT framework to create the regulation.

In addition the Government pledged that it would consult on extending the requirement to large private companies, which is not regulated by the FCA so will require an amendment to the Companies Act, in its Green Finance Strategy published in March.

A draft version of the framework, which was published in November last year, proposes that companies publish one transition plan in 2023 and then an update in 2026, with further information included in financial reporting in the interim years.

It says transition plans should include high-level ambitions to mitigate emissions as well as a list of actions to be taken in the short, medium and long-term.
Press Release

July 27, 2023 PALACE-BACKED TAX MEASURES MAY FACE ROUGH SAILING IN THE SENATE, CHIZ SAYS Approval of President Marcos tax proposals will not be a "slam dunk" in the Senate, and may even be blocked, if they will cause misery to an already overtaxed people, Sen. Chiz Escudero warned today. And if the administration team that will be selling the tax proposals "is the same crew that did a poor job in explaining the Maharlika Investment Fund" then, the revenue measures may be doomed, he pointed out. "At this time, selling taxes to Filipinos is like asking an Eskimo to buy a freezer," Escudero declared. "One, we have become an e-commerce republic. So, expect a massive pushback when you start taxing any good added on the cart," the senator from Bicol said, referring to a Palace-backed bill that will slap taxes on online purchases. He further identified the plan to raise motor vehicle registration fees "as one that will also face roadblocks as car owners are already taxed twice daily at the pump when gas has a VAT on top of the excise tax." "Tapos nandyan pa ang toll, the price motorists pay for government's failure to fix public roads," he added. Escudero said in pushing these measures in the time of "high prices and low wages," the Marcos administration will be putting "its huge political capital on the line." What would help, he said, is good messaging that will win over the people that while these proposals are painful, they are needed. "Kaya dapat ang ipapadalang mga taong magbebenta ng isang mahirap lunukin na produkto ay 'yung hindi mahina sa pagpapaliwanag," he stressed. Escudero, however, pointed out that "as courtesy to the President, I am going to listen to the proposals, study its merits, because in the Senate, every idea must be given its day."
O ngoing actor and writer strikes in the US could begin to affect the production of ITV shows, the director of ITV Studios has said.

Julian Bellamy said ITV is in a good position to manage the ramifications of the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) and Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike action which has recently caused an industry-wide shutdown with both actors and writers on the picket line.

During an ITV interim results press conference on Thursday, Mr Bellamy confirmed the US strikes are not expected to affect ITVs financial results for 2023.

He said: Just to be clear, we are talking about our US scripted business, not the rest of the UK Studio distribution.

Saying that, if the strike goes into the autumn, it will potentially start impacting when we start production.

In that context, it is one of the great strengths of the studio, were very diversified in terms of genre and geography, so we are in a good position to manage it.

The broadcasters US scripted shows include Franklin starring British actor Eddie Marsan, Good Witch with James Denton and Snowpiercer with Jennifer Connelly.

When asked if ITV could charge a premium to sell content to US broadcasters if they face a shortage of shows, Mr Bellamy began by saying the broadcaster hoped for a swift resolution after US union Sag-Aftra failed to agree new contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) a fortnight ago.

He continued: We have a very strong UK and national pipeline and we do have a distribution arm with a catalogue of 90,000 hours so were in a good position to take advantage of any opportunities that there are.

We've had no problems sponsoring any of our shows...every single one of the shows in the autumn has got a sponsor

ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall said: What we will be doing is talking to people to see if we can help at all fill their schedules, we will not be charging a premium for that, we should be offering our content (and they can take) what they can from our catalogue if they require it.

The ITV boss also spoke about the overarching advertising downturn for broadcasters, which has caused Channel 4 to reshuffle its programme schedule.

This is the worst advertising recession since the global financial crisis, Dame Carolyn said.

She continued: Were already talking to advertisers about the Christmas campaign and I think that shows there is no change in the way they view what theyre going to do over Christmas, all conversations about advertising are positive and quite constructive, they havent got their head in their hands.

Theyre being cautious because the outlook has been cautious.

Weve had no problems sponsoring any of our showsevery single one of the shows in the autumn has got a sponsor.

Dame Carolyn said it is impossible to have visibility over the next business quarter  We just cant tell you its okay because we dont know that yet.

She added: If you talk to any media owner, theyre all going to say they cant look that far out.
U ntil yesterday, youd have been forgiven for thinking the outcome of the Coutts-Nigel Farage debacle was a lecture on customer service. City minister Andrew Griffith summoned our banks for a little chat, as if they were naughty school children whod written swear words on the board.

Theyve done far worse, of course, prompting Dame Alison Rose to resign her position at NatWest after lying to the BBC and writing the driest apology letter in human history. The Government has had to announce reforms, designed to give customers greater protections and force banks to explain why theyre shutting us down now with three months notice. Though theyll no longer be able to say were debanking you because your opinions are vile, I suspect theyll find another way to say the same thing.

Among all the absurdities of the Coutts-Farage case, perhaps the most disquieting is the complete lack of evidence in the 40-page dossier the bank compiled to justify itself. The former Ukip leader is a racist and a xenophobe, it claimed, a grifter who may have ties with Russia. None of which, oddly, could be named.

Whats happening with Coutts is, I hope, bigger than a state-sponsored reprimand and more so the start of a long overdue reckoning of corporate hypocrisy. The kind that celebrates diversity and laments the class system while courting the royal family. It looks like the tide is beginning to turn on this vile culture of virtue-signalling.

Whats happening with Coutts is, I hope, bigger than a state-sponsored reprimand, more the start of an overdue reckoning

No one is fooled anymore by Shells Twitter feed, which makes it look as if it were a renewable energy company, waxing lyrical about wind turbines while pumping tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.

Or Calvin Klein, which once ran an underwear campaign with a cast of morally righteous celebrities, too busy saying it couldnt be limited by other peoples labels to recognise the labels on its boxers were stitched in Ethiopian sweatshops.

For too long, firms have been able to wrap their capitalist pursuits in do-gooder rhetoric, promising clients that investing with them will help solve world hunger. Anyone who doesnt align with their values, seemingly lifted from the Tumblr account of a social justice warrior at an Ivy League college, must be demonstrably and universally ostracised.

Whats the criteria for this moral misalignment? Nowadays, being Russian  even with British citizenship  is enough. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine Ive been turned down by all manner of businesses and institutions, who applaud their anti-Russian sentiment as a symbol of moral rectitude after spending decades prostrating for the attention of Russian money.

It all began when the London Coliseum, home of the English National Opera, refused to host the Evening Standard Theatre Awards last year after it had done so in 2018, and again in 2019. It was a classy move, cancelling a 66-year-old celebration of London theatre after the West End had spent two years on its knees due to Covid, all because the ENO thought my family name was tainted.

Its not enough that I called for the war in Ukraine to end in the first week I need a new surname, a new passport and a new accent

Thousands of jobs had been lost, alongside hundreds of millions in lost revenue. But the ENO was so blinded by Russophobia it failed the very community that is its lifeblood. In a similarly short-sighted move, the insurer on Directors & Officers at the Evening Standard refused to renew our cover, apparently blind to the fact that behind my name are hundreds of employees who depend on the business staying afloat. We were forced to cover on worse terms and with certain exclusions with an unlisted insurer for an extra 100,000.

Its not enough that I called for the war to end in the first week of the invasion, on the front page of the free London paper I rescued from financial ruin. I need a new surname, a new passport, and a new speech therapist to train the Ruski accent out of me.

Businesses that were once so far up my backside you couldnt see their legs are so deluded they feel they can now pass judgement on me based purely on hearsay. It only takes five minutes of due diligence to dispel the moral panic inspired by xenophobic headlines, in The Guardian and the like, which over three years has weaved a fictitious Bond villain-like storyline from pure innuendo. Its been astonishing to see how far its willing to go to damage a competitor, and I wonder, at what point does this smear campaign become illegal? For companies to then base snap judgments on unsubstantiated claims isnt just bad business, but deeply unethical.

I recently contacted the financial advisory firm Abrdn, which escalated the matter to the head of financial crime. Financial crime, no less! The business does not have the appetite, I heard, to engage me as a client.

I also tried to instruct a law firm, Winckworth Sherwood, to help me write my will. It acted as if Id asked it to draft a contract for world domination, escalated the request to its management board, and refused.

The media has misrepresented my family to such preposterous extent our name is now seen as a liability. And Russophobia has become an easy way for companies to signal their virtue. Neither is this confined to those in positions of privilege. Since the start of the war, Russians rich and poor have both been treated as pariahs.

Most ludicrous of all is the Royal Horticultural Society, which had previously bent over backwards for me to attend events and enjoyed the support of the Evening Standard. This year, it refused to give me passes to the press launch of the Hampton Court Flower Show.

All it took was an inept head of comms whining down the phone line and goaded by bad press.

Much like those in the Coutts dossier, his arguments were hollow and confused  a lengthy, drawn-out euphemism that basically meant I dont like you.

But business isnt about being everyones cup of tea. Corporations arent NGOs and they certainly arent churches. In fact theyre one of the few places where having different values simply doesnt matter.

Farage banking with Coutts did not make Coutts racist, any more than Grace Jones starring in A View to a Kill made it a good film. We live in a society terrified of guilt by association and often too quick to judge those we deem to be tainted. Lets hope, beyond banking reforms, that we grow out of such stupidity.

Evgeny Lebedev is the proprietor of the Evening Standard
T he attacks on the Black Sea ports of Ukraine are a crude bid to shut down grain and maize exports, a mainstay of the Ukrainian economy and a mainstay of food aid to Egypt, north Africa and beyond. The blitz followed Russias withdrawal from the international agreement to ship Ukrainian produce, under supervision and inspection.

Ending the shipping deal was followed by a threat to attack any ships headed for Ukraines ports, on the excuse they might be carrying arms. This implies Putins forces are now prepared to attack any foreign freighter in international waters.

The Black Sea is now one of the two or three hotspots in the 520-day war in Ukraine  a flashpoint which carries a real threat of the conflict widening dramatically.

The display of brute force on civilian targets seems a bad miscalculation  the bid for a short-term gain leading to a cascade of deep and enduring loss. A leaked memorandum from a Kremlin source suggests that Putin was aiming to squeeze the grain shipments, so sanctions on Russias own exports from the Black Sea  for fertilizer products especially  would be eased. This would be accompanied by Russia being allowed back into the Swift international banking mechanism.

This week Putin hosts a conference with African governments but only 21 leaders have shown up  in 2019 that figure was 43

In trying to bomb Ukraines grain trade out of existence  Ukraine once accounted for 10 per cent of global trade in wheat and maize  the Kremlin has contrived to upset and annoy its prime clientele of the nations of Africa.

This week, Putin hosts his two-day conference with African governments in St Petersburg, where grain exports, aid and arms shipments are sure to be discussed. In 2019, some 43 heads of African governments attended the first of these conferences. This time round, only 21 leaders have shown up  with some governments merely sending a minister or ambassador  while five have declined altogether. The Kremlin now complains this is deliberate sabotage by the US and French governments.

It is a visible sign of Putins waning international pulling power. Its very important for Putin, a senior British official explains, and the outcome this weekend will have real significance.

Things have not gone well for Putin since the pantomime coup de main attempt by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner group last month. At first Prigozhin was denounced as a traitor, only for things to be patched up and the former hot dog salesman and his gang to be allowed to go to Belarus. Wagner is simply too valuable for Russias foreign adventures to be dumped altogether.

By coincidence, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee reported this week that the UK Government should buck up and proscribe Wagner as a criminal and terrorist organisation.

In Ukraine itself, across some 800 miles of front, the battle goes on with neither side seeming to have the upper hand. This has led to criticism of the so-called summer offensive. Progress has been slow, and the battles extremely bloody. The Russian belts of minefields, tank traps, ditches and fortifications have been all but impenetrable, and neither side has managed to attain air superiority over the front line. Its a game of cat and mouse of drones electronic surveillance, laser targeting, signals denial, a mixture of the duels of artillery and infantry of the 20th-century European wars and the novel technology of the 21st-century battlescape, cyber, direct energy weapons, robotics and digital fire plans.

The aim is to dislodge and disrupt Russian forces, to make them fall back from key points like Bakhmut and Adiivka. Once they are forced to fall back, they are in trouble  their own minefields and defences become obstacles for them, comments a senior UK official.

Yet through this there is a slender thread of hope for peace. Neither side could manage another gruelling winter campaign like the last. Informal probes for talks have been reported from Copenhagen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and South East Asia. President Zelensky is tapping heritage funds in Norway and Saudi Arabia and the G7 for a dramatic reconstruction plan  aiming at a virtual rebrand, rebirth and relaunch of Ukraine, says one observer.

Real talking is likely to break out at the UN General Assembly this September. The governments in Kyiv and Moscow saying they wont talk  at least not officially. Yet investors for the new Ukraine, including British banks, are starting to queue up. Ukraine is going to survive in one form or another, and it is joining the West, a British official told me this week. Its likely that some in the Kremlin have come to the same conclusion.

Robert Fox is defence editor
A ctor Theo James has called on support for refugees living in Jordan saying that those struggling to survive appear to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

The White Lotus star, who is a supporter of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, recently travelled to the Middle Eastern country to meet refugees and displaced people, many of whom fled the Syrian crisis 12 years ago.

Reflecting on what he learnt about the long-term impact of displacement, James said: The scars of war are not always visible, but there is also an enormous sustained impact.

For many, despair is setting in as they have lost their jobs and cannot provide for their families; others have taken on extremely high debts and face the threat of being evicted.

It is as if they were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. All this while trying to cope with the trauma of war and loss.

The actor also feels a personal connection to the refugee cause because his grandfather sought refuge in Syria during the Second World War when he worked for the UN in Greece but was forced to flee from Athens to Damascus.

It highlights that anyone can become a refugee at any time, and without the solidarity of the Syrian people my family would not have found safety, he added.

The scars of war are not always visible, but there is also an enormous sustained impact

Jordan has the second-highest share of refugees per capita worldwide and hosts more than 650,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR, the agency said.

The country relies on sustained funding to help support refugees but the UNHCR has said it is struggling to fund its activities in Syria.

The agency warns this could affect refugee children who are at heightened risk of missing out on school and good nutrition, and may face child abuse, violence, neglect, child marriage and child labour.

UNHCR has called for donations to help support countries like Jordan which are hosting vast numbers of refugees from Syria and other areas.
Review at a glance









I ts the middle of the day. In a storage unit-come-media studio on Londons outskirts, Laura Whitmore is watching two people having sex. Very energetic sex.

Feels wrong looking directly at it, she says. I cant believe I stood there and watched that.

All in the name of research. For in Whitmores new ITVX series, Laura Whitmore Investigates, shes turning her camera on some pretty eye-opening subjects  namely, rough sex, incels and cyber-stalking, and what they say about modern society.

With an episode dedicated to each subject, its a deep dive into some of the most upsetting stuff on the internet. And as you might expect, its a harrowing watch  not least because of the way these trends disproportionately affect women. In a world where Andrew Tates videos are watched by primary school-age pupils, and the Fifty Shades Defence is used by men to justify killing their partners during sex (arguing the death was as a sex game gone wrong), violence against women seems to be everywhere.

The last couple of years have been the scariest time that I can remember to be a woman, Whitmore says. I myself have never been more afraid of walking home alone. What were shown here makes it hard to disagree.

Laura Whitmore Investigates ITVX - Rough Sex

Its tricky to pinpoint the most shocking part of the first two episodes. Is it watching blurred porn of women being strangled, listening to their wheezing gasps over Whitmores laptop speakers? Or is it Whitmores conversation with the family of Chloe Miazek, who was strangled during sex with a man she met on a night out in Edinburgh? The perpetrator denied murder and was allowed to plead guilty to culpable homicide (the Scottish equivalent of manslaughter), while Miazek was pillioried in the media. Seeing Whitmore and Chloes father cry together brought tears to my eyes; as did Whitmores confession that she called her own father afterwards: I just felt like I wanted to call my own dad after that... this is hard.

Though at this point shes probably better known for her stint on Love Island (the famous water bottle does actually make an appearance here) than for hard-hitting journalism, Whitmore is an engaging host: a sympathetic and determined interviewer, who seems genuinely fascinated by the subjects shes tackling. As she says, I want to understand. Why do you think like this, why do you believe this? Why do you hate us?

Shes also game for anything. Over the course of two episodes, we watch her take part in a spanking class, attend a studio for adult content creators (hence the graphic sex) and interview not one, but three incels. These interviews are tense (as Whitmore herself admits, shes nervous about doing them) but provide nuanced and chilling insights about the community shes investigating. One appears in a skull mask to chat about women, and ends up admitting he was neglected during his childhood; one lives with his sister and confesses he only told his family the truth about the videos he posted three, four days ago. They were OK, they were chill, he adds. They sort of understood it. Really?

Watching Whitmore grill these people is a fascinating exercise, not least her last interviewee, who explains what it means to be in a relationship after having spent years hating women for rejecting him. Even though you [now] have this intimacy, it doesnt fix all the things that are still wrong with your life, he says, adding the main reason he agreed to the interview was to show his fellow incels that things can turn around. It can get dark, but it will get light again.

Laura Whitmore Investigates on ITVX: this look at incel culture is a warning shot across our bows

These people do, in the main, come across as genuinely lonely (suicide, we learn, is a massive problem among these men), but its hard to deny the correlation between the rise of incel culture  a culture that glorifies mass shooters like Elliot Rodger  and incidents of violence against women.

Over the course of the first two episodes, Whitmore jets back and forth between the UK and America, splicing her interviews together with TV footage and clips of her sharing what shes learned along the way. This, bizarrely, takes the form of her talking into a microphone while sitting at a kitchen table, as if shes recording a podcast.

That slightly weird niggle aside, this is an effective, and worrying, examination of whats lurking in the substrata of the internet. And it feels like a warning shot across the bows: this problem isnt going away any time soon, and its increasingly bleeding into the real world.

As Whitmore says, we need to be shouting about this. We need to be talking about this, because it isnt just a dark corner of the internet, its real life. Powerful stuff: TV like this should be required viewing for everybody.

Laura Whitmore Investigates is streaming now on ITVX
S adie Sink is freckle-faced and glowing in her luxury New York hotel-suite when I speak to her over Zoom, having recently returned from Croatia where - for the past few months - shes been shooting the rock opera musical ODessa. Hot off the heels from appearing in Oscar-nominated The Whale with Brendan Fraser, 2023 has been a busy but beautiful year for the young star.

A lot is up in the air in the industry right now, and lots needs to be resolved before filming can continue to happen, she says. With the finale season of Stranger Things on hiatus, the young star is taking on more and more challenges beginning with the world of beauty.

This autumn the actress joins forces with Armani Beauty as their newest global ambassador, embodying the brands makeup collection and starring in the latest Si Eau De Parfum Intense fragrance campaign alongside Cate Blanchett .

I am very excited to be working with the brand at this point in my life as I step into adulthood, she tells me, despite only turning 21 in April. With a spirited exuberance that is wrapped up in a toothy smile, it is clear to see she is a natural fit for the iconic brand. I feel very adult, very mature and sophisticated whenever Im wearing Armani clothes or beauty, theres definitely always a level of elegance there.

Playful at heart, Sink is keen to experiment with fragrance and beauty when taking on different roles. Its so nice to have a separation between yourself and the character and leave behind your own personal fragrance and take on a new scent,she says. I think scent has the power to play a huge part in getting into character and its something that Ive only recently thought about implementing in the future.

Here she teaches ES Magazine a few of her essential beauty lessons.

Sadie Sink photographed by T-Bone Fletcher for ES Magazine / T-Bone Fletcher for ES Magazine

1) Fragrance is nostalgic

I guess my first and forever scent memory is probably my mom. Whatever she wears or however she just naturally smells evokes so much comfort and memory. My favourite scent is very specific, but when my little sister was born, just because it was such an exciting moment to become a big sister. That one Ill always remember.

2) Less is generally more

When it comes to makeup, I would say for my everyday life the one thing that I tend to use every single day is a brow gel of some kind or a brow pencil. Ive never really played a character thats had a very specific beauty look. Its always just kind of been very natural.

3) SPF is for every day (not just the sunny ones)

I couldnt live without sunscreen. Skin care and makeup products kind of come and go, but sunscreen is forever.

4) Be yourself

I would probably say I feel most myself either when Im on set in a working environment, I think thats kind of like when youre in the zone and you feel most fulfilled and most like yourself for me. Or probably more realistically I would say when Im just alone in my room watching YouTube videos or RuPauls Drag Race, thats where Im in my element even more so.

5) Look to your favourite characters for style inspo

With fashion, I find myself kind of taking on the style of a character during a shoot or afterwards. I really felt it with Max during season 3 for some reason and her style there, I definitely felt like I was kind of taking it on just playing with colours more and even kind of taking some inspiration from the 80s. That definitely kind of led into my real life, but also because that shoot was maybe two years long. So to a certain point, if youre wearing a characters clothes for so long, its going to rub off on you in one way or another.

6) Balance work with play

Coming off of a big project. Its hard to get back into a normal routine and normal sleeping hours. But it does feel nice when I do. Im really bad at not working, but for the rest of the summer Ill probably stay in New York. Go visit a friend in California, those are my plans.

7) Invest in your skin

I would say my favourite skincare product is May Lindstroms The Blue Cocoon. I love this. Ive used this product for maybe four-five years or something. Its pricey. Definitely. I really dont like to splurge on skin care, but this is the one that I just have and each bottle lasts a year so its worth it. But this is like my kind of holy grail skin care product that I swear by.

8) Dont underestimate the power of a manicure

One thing that I dont do that I really should is forgetting to get my nails done. I have something this weekend and I need to get my nails done for it. I should start making that my routine and new ritual.

9) Major life experiences are the ultimate beauty flex

I remember my first big red carpet was for season 2 premiere of Stranger Things, which was my first season. That was pretty memorable, just because of how scary and exciting it was because the season was coming out and it just felt like such a big kind of turning point in my life.

Si Eau De Parfum Intense, available from 6th September at Boots.
N ews that Walthamstow, Leytonstone and the surrounding areas are now red-hot property postcodes will come as no surprise to hard-pressed locals.

The reality is that our corner of the capital has been sizzling for quite some time with many attracted to an area brimming with culture and green spaces. The result has been property prices, both sales and rental, rocketing.

To give you an idea of the scale of the problem, in 1997 the average Waltham Forest property was 3.7 times the typical local wage, about average for England and Wales.

The most recent Office for National Statistics data last year shows that figure had risen to 16.5 times, more than double that of the rest of the country, at eight times. Those multiples, if not quite as stark, will be familiar to many Londoners.

In 2010, the average property cost 220,000. In March this year, it had risen to 508,474. Even with the market cooling, it isnt going back to affordable levels any time soon. This has a huge impact. Communities are being broken up as younger generations are forced to move far from their family homes.

How has this come to pass? Well, it has been a slow-motion disaster 40 years in the making. Right to Buy saw social housing sold off with little or no thought of how to replace it or with what.

Today, you need only look at empty inner-city classrooms to see the chilling effect of that short-termist policy, with families no longer able to live in the places where they grew up.

Once again, it has been up to local councils to fill the gap left by central government inaction. While Waltham Forest achieved the highest proportion (35 per cent) of affordable housing of any borough in London from 2011 to 2022, we know that many of these homes arent actually affordable to a lot of people.

Last year we built 190 council homes. This is the second highest number of any local authority. The low figures across London reveal how few council homes are being built and how the housing crisis can only keep getting worse without action.

Because of development in Waltham Forest, we have secured homes for 1,500 households on the councils waiting list over the past 10 years. We know more can be done, which is why we set up an independent housing commission to make recommendations to provide practical and realistic suggestions to todays housing problems.

Waltham Forest received 39 million in the Governments levelling-up funding on top of the 533 million capital investment already planned over the next five years. By leveraging investment we are helping to build the infrastructure and create the growth and jobs that will help build the homes our city desperately needs.

Increasing council housing does not only help those who live in it. It also takes pressure out of the private rental market by decreasing competition, more effectively using public money by building homes rather than paying private landlords via housing benefits, and even stabilising house prices by taking some the heat out of the starter homes market with shared ownership schemes.

Councillor Ahsan Khan is deputy leader and the cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Waltham Forest council
At the Paris haute couture shows earlier this month, amid the goddess gowns and warrior armour, the plumes of feathers and sculptural silhouettes, an arresting moment of reality: Kaia Gerber in jeans, opening Valentinos 76-look spectacle at Chateau de Chantilly.

Except, well, not really. These werent just jeans, nor were they made for anything approaching your, or my, reality. Rather, Valentinos take on the trusty wardrobe staple was painstakingly crafted from silk gazar and embroidered with micro glass beads in a trompe loeil effect to resemble denim. A few exits later came some actual denim; albeit rare vintage Levis 501 XX Big E jeans with gilded arabesque applique. Valentinos Pierpaolo Piccioli wasnt the only one to give the ultimate everyman uniform a 1% of the 1% treatment.

At Balenciaga, they were hand-painted canvas; at Jean Paul Gaultier, in a collection guest-designed by Paco Rabannes Julien Dossena, more trompe loeil beading. Its official: this is the era of jet-set jeans.

Kaia Gerber opens the Valentino Haute Couture AW23 show / Valentino Haute Couture AW23

Couture might offer the purest, most expensive version of the trend, but its bigger than that. When Vetements released its posh upcycled pairs in 2015, the 900 price tag was flabbergasting. Now, 1,000+ jeans are if not ubiquitous, increasingly common. See Alaias superflares (1,150), Schiaparellis gold-buttoned bootcuts (1,950) and Celines buckled waist Dylan jeans (890). Meanwhile Chanels pre-collection logo printed and embroidered pair (2,590) prove to be just as covetable as everything else in the maisons arsenal.

Obviously, on planet A-list where concerns like rent do not exist, the trend is in full flow. This week Rihanna  heavily pregnant and a woman who has rewritten the supposed rules of maternity dressing  went for dinner at Santa Monicas Giorgio Baldi wearing a kimono printed with $100 bills. But the item that really screamed money to those who know? Her baggy Balenciaga scribble jeans (pretty much sold out, but you can find similar for 1,390 at Mytheresa right now).

Beyonce in her 1,280 Vetements jeans / @beyonce

Elsewhere, Beyonces version of dressing down means, at least according to a recent Instagram pic, a Jay-Z tour tee and baggy Vetements jeans (available on Farfetch for 1,280). Sam Smith bucked the Barbie pink memo at the films London premiere, instead also opting for ultra-baggy, light-wash Vetements denim and a similarly outsized sweater.

Arguably the item to define the current season is Bottega Venetas printed nubuck leather jeans which sent the fashion set gaga. Theyll set you back 4,660. Never mind if youre Kendall Jenner and Repossi creative director Gaia Repossi, both of whom are fans. Another member of the Bottega fan club? Margot Robbie, who was spotted wearing them in both Sydney and Seoul airports. Us mortals might baulk at the thought of denim, or in this case denim doppelgangers, for a flight  but clearly this Barbie isnt affected by mini wine spillages, or swollen legs, at 30,000ft.

Margot Robbies leather Bottega Veneta jeans are her go-to travelling slacks / Bottega Veneta

In April, I was taken with the jazzy, embellished chocolate brown jeans from British Vogue fashion director Julia Sarr-Jamoiss Frame capsule collection. Dont mind if I do, I thought, and went to add to basket. The price tag? 11,480. Oof! Sadly I stepped away, but others didnt. At the time of writing, theyve almost sold out. Embroidered with 50,000 Swarovski crystals, each pair took 120 hours to make. These jeans are a piece of art, one-of-a-kind, which makes them more desirable, says Frames co-founder Erik Torstensson.

But why the popularity? And why now, specifically, given what is euphemistically referred to as the current climate (translation: economic shitshow)? The loosening of dress codes for one thing.

Frame x Julia Sarr-Jamois collaborated to make an eye-watering 11,480 pair of jeans / Frame x Julia Sarr-Jamois

Jeans, like track pants, have gone from rebel to establishment, meaning youll get mileage out of them way beyond casual Fridays. Denim, and the modern freedom to wear jeans in all of lifes instances, means this age-old fabric sits as the blueprint of the undone aesthetic. Embracing the effortlessly chic nature of throwing on a pair of jeans and leaning into a quieter and discrete approach to style. Customers are willing to pay more for luxury pieces that they can appreciate in their everyday, says Torstensson.

Heather Gramston, Browns senior head of mens & womens buying, agrees: Its presence on recent runways has challenged traditional ways to wear it and taken the jean from a more casual wardrobe staple to a must-have investment worthy piece. Put like that, it seems almost savvy. Surely its better to drop a ton of cash on something youre going to wear every day than a va-va-voom dress with limited opportunities. Use the cost per wear metric and suddenly youre looking at something that, if not sensible, is at least a (slightly) more reasonable proposition than it first appears.

There is something tantalising too about the soft power of jet set jeans. Theres a confidence required to wear something that doesnt scream expense. Unpopular opinion: jeans arent as easy as people like to make out. Shopping for them is fraught. And your jeans will tell you long before your partner if youve overdone it on holiday. A great pair of vintage 501s you picked up in a thrift shop is nice in theory, but holding out for them is futile. Expensive jeans arent necessarily better jeans, but designers can work sorcery with cut and silhouette.

Alexa Chung proves the power of styling at Wimbledon this summer / PA

Our customer loves great quality and they rely on us to curate an edit of luxury, well cut and brilliant quality denim that is flattering. They are definitely willing to invest a little bit more if the fit, fabrication and sizing is perfect, says Lianne Wiggins, head of womenswear at Matches. Nevertheless, for most of us, four- or five-figure jeans remain a ridiculous foible of the ultra-moneyed. But should you want to tap into the look, there are some hacks to consider.

I would suggest investing in a raw denim jean for a luxury look, these are durable and will last longer than denim which is stretchy and notoriously have a higher plastic composition, says Torstensson. It is really important to invest in denim with a really good recovery in the fabric, otherwise it can stretch the more you wear and may not be as flattering as when you first tried them on, says Wiggins. For Gramston, its all about accessorising, the key to elevating a product is often in the styling, she advises. See Alexa Chung at Wimbledon, giving her jeans a bit of Centre Court swish courtesy of a Polo Ralph Lauren shirt, nonchalantly tied sweater and patent mules. Or look at Kim Kardashian wearing jeans and a white tee in Miami with the Beckhams last week. She popped on a hot pink Chanel belt-bag with them, however, for a dash of Kardashian swagger.

My advice? I cannot emphasise this enough, get them tailored to fit (Northwest Londoners, I highly recommend the very talented Dharmesh Parmar at Hampstead Atelier, in South End Green). And try swapping blue for white. After all, what could be more jetset than jeans that have clearly never been near the Tube?

The top five jet set jeans:

Vetements

Vetements

Vetements, 1,280, farfetch.com

Alaia

Alaia

Alaia,  970, mytheresa.com

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli, 1950, schiaparelli.com

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

Balenciaga, 1390, mytheresa.com

Celine

Celine

Celine, 890, celine.com
A retired British miner may be able to leave prison this week as Cypriot judges prepare to sentence him for the manslaughter of his terminally ill wife.

David Hunter, 76, will be sentenced in a hearing expected to last at least two days from Thursday after being cleared of the more serious charge of premeditated murder.

His legal team will be arguing he should be given a suspended sentence and that there is no point in keeping him in prison any longer.

The pensioner, from Ashington, Northumberland, had been on trial for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.

Hunter, who has been in custody for 19 months, told the court she cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer.

The couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said the family was apprehensive ahead of the sentencing hearing.

She told the PA news agency: We are hoping for time served or a suspended sentence but are very aware that theres a chance hell remain in custody. Were not counting our chickens.

Ms Cawthorne said her father had been quietly relieved since last weeks verdict, but was not especially hopeful about his sentence.

She added: He doesnt want to allow himself to get his hopes up.

Hes grateful that the judges seem to have understood what they went through and believe that he acted out of love.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, told PA: In this case we are putting forward case law from across common law jurisdictions such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, given that no cases such as this have ever been dealt with in Cyprus.

In these jurisdictions, the courts have found that suspended sentences are appropriate where the facts are similar to those in Davids case.

Last week the court found in Davids favour on all matters including that Janice had requested that he help her die, that he had acted because of his love for her, and that he then tried to end his own life.

We will be submitting to the court that a suspended sentence is appropriate in this case, given the type of offence, Davids age, the fact that he has spent 19 months in custody, and his previous good character.

There is no point in keeping David in prison any longer.

In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that he would never in a million years have taken his wifes life unless she had asked him to.

He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend.

Hunter showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wifes wish after she became hysterical.
T he number of rape charges and convictions being achieved in court have been overstated in Crown Prosecution Service figures, the countrys top prosecutor has admitted.

Max Hill KC said that one reason was that offenders initially charged with rape but convicted instead of sexual assault had been included in the rape conviction total. He said that other cases where an initial rape charge had later been dropped had also been included in the charging statistics. He accepted that the cause of problem was a flagging system used to identify rape and other sensitive cases.

Mr Hill, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the CPS would now be displaying caveats about the impact of flagging on its figures more prominently throughout its statistical publications, but admitted that further work needed to be done to improve the statistics being presented to the public. The admission by Mr Hill came in response to a letter to him from the head of the Office for Statistics Regulation, Ed Humpherson, raising concerns about the CPS rape statistics.

Mr Humpherson said he was worried the flagging system may lead to inflated figures for the number or charges and conviction data for rape and that this should be made clearer with a prominent caveat alongside the data.

No estimate of how much the CPS figures for rape charges and convictions have been overstated is included in either letter.

Official figures published by the Ministry of Justice earlier this month in an update on its Rape Review reform plans showed there were 459 adult rape convictions in 2022.

That was up by three per cent on the 2021 total, but still only a fraction of the 68,948 rape offences that separate Office for National Statistics figures show were reported to police in the 12 months to the end of March this year.
A man has been arrested after allegedly punching a police officer in the face while armed with a knife in south London.

Police said the suspect was detained at 9am on Thursday following the incident on the Aylesbury estate in Walworth.

The suspect returned to his address where he stayed for some time before being arrested by officers.

The officer sustained a face injury, police said.

No other injuries were reported and enquiries continue.

The suspect was taken to hospital for assessment.
T he gun-obsessed man who shot dead Sergeant Matt Ratana while handcuffed inside a police station custody cell has been sentenced to a whole life prison term for the murder.

Louis De Zoysa, 25, fired the antique pistol at 54-year-old custody sergeant Ratana as he was preparing to search him in the course of an arrest.

Metropolitan Police officers who first detained De Zoysa in the street found ammunition and cannabis, but failed to spot the gun loaded with six bullets which was tucked under his arm.

In the custody suite at Croydon, Sergeant Ratana, a New Zealand native, was struck in the chest by one of the shots, fired by De Zoysa despite him being handcuffed with his arms behind his back at the time.

At Northampton crown court on Thursday, Mr Justice Johnson condemned De Zoysa to die in prison as he imposed a whole life prison term - an exceptional sentence reserved for the most serious crimes including the murder of a police officer in the execution of his duty.

You acted in cold blood, said the judge. Your act was controlled, it was deliberate.

You intended to kill Sgt Ratana, you deliberately aimed the gun at his chest at near point-blank range.

Even as he fell, you aimed and fired a second shot at him.

The judge said De Zoysa had lied to officers during his original arrest, telling them the bullets that had been found were fakes and insisting he did not have anything on him that could cause harm.

Paying tribute to Sgt Ratana, the judge said his family was rightly immensely proud of a dedicated police officer: He devoted his life to public service, he put himself in the way of danger to protect the public and to protect and safeguard those who came into custody.

Louis De Zoysa (Metropolitan Police/PA) / PA Media

Sgt Ratanas partner Su Bushby delivered an emotional impact statement in court, reliving the shocking moment she was told he had been shot dead.

I remember falling to the floor, screaming and crying uncontrollably, she said.

Ms Bushby said she was denied the chance to hold Sgt Ratana one last time at the hospital because of the horrific circumstances surrounding his death  I kept kissing his forehead, tears streaming down my face, and telling him to wake up.

I could now see for myself this was true, my pain was indescribable, seeing Matt was dead and he had been killed.

Ms Bushby said she saw De Zoysa for the first time in November last year: It was extremely difficult to face him, she said.

I remember thinking how unfair it was  here was the man who had ended Matts life. The man who shot him gets to remain on this earth and Matt doesnt.

She added: At this moment, the nightmare continues. At this moment in time, I cant forgive him for what he has done  the person who shot Matt and ripped my life apart.

Louis De Zoysa has been sentenced (Met Police/PA) / PA Media

Sgt Ratanas family described the shooting as senseless, cowardly and cruel, and his estranged son Luke, a fellow police officer, told the court he feels robbed of the chance to make amends with his father.

You have taken that opportunity away from me, he said to De Zoysa.

He was among several members of Sgt Ratanas family who praised the officers who were present on the day of the shooting.

They will carry an unwarranted sense of guilt with them, he said. They did nothing wrong that night.

De Zoysa fought the murder charge at trial, arguing the shooting was not deliberate and instead the result of an autistic meltdown, but he was convicted by a jury.

A former engineering student at UCL who went on to become an HMRC data analyst, De Zoysa had become obsessed with guns prior to the murder of Sgt Ratana on September 25, 2020.

Metropolitan Police

After the shooting, police found a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun, and a dummy launcher at his rented property. Sgt Ratana was struck in the chest by one of three shots fired by De Zoysa as he moved in to carry out a further search, while the killer fired a fourth shot into his own neck during the ensuing struggle with officers.

De Zoysa suffered a stroke causing brain damage, and coupled with his autism led to a significantly altered court process to enable a trial to take place.

The case was shifted from the Old Bailey to Northampton to be closer to the secure hospital where De Zoysa is receiving treatment, he used a whiteboard and marker pen to communicate at times, and a simplified list of questions was drawn up so that he could give his evidence.

De Zoysa had bought the gun online  legally due to its antique status  he drilled down bullets to fit in the chamber.

He was stopped by police in London Road, Norbury, south London, in the early hours of September 25, 2020, when drugs and ammunition were found and he was taken into custody.

Louis De Zoysa being put into a police van (Met Police/PA) / PA Wire

When he reached the custody centre in Croydon, De Zoysa was handcuffed and CCTV footage showed Sgt Ratana telling him he was about to be searched as part of the booking-in process.

Shocking footage  released by the Met Police  shows De Zoysa suddenly stretching his arms around his body, moments before the shooting.

Officers wrestled him to the ground once the shots had been fired, and Sgt Ratana was rushed to hospital.

Louis De Zoysa pulled the trigger on purpose twice when he was pointing the gun at Sgt Ratana, said prosecutor Duncan Penny KC.

The police officers did not find that Louis De Zoysa was carrying a loaded revolver in a holster.

The gun and holster were probably concealed under one of his armpits.

Describing the incident in the holding cell, the prosecutor said: Louis De Zoysa was still handcuffed. He was able to point the gun at Sergeant Ratana. He deliberately shot Sergeant Ratana once to the chest, at very close range. He did not give a warning.

Louis De Zoysa bought the antique gun online which he used to shoot Sgt Matt Ratana / MPS

During the trial, it was revealed De Zoysa had suffered violence at home from his father and he had taken to smoking cannabis in his youth.

In mitigation, De Zoysas lawyer Imran Khan KC said the killer is a troubled man whose upbringing and medical difficulties had contributed to the murder.

He is not an evil man, not a wicked man, he is not a monster, he said.
A teenager has been charged with the murder of Milton Hurlington, who was fatally stabbed in Wembley 10 days ago.

Wael Farroukh, 18, of Llanover Road, Wembley was charged with Mr Hurlingtons murder on Thursday, along with possession of an offensive weapon.

He was due to appear in custody at Willesden Magistrates Court the same day.

Eight other people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, which Scotland Yard said remains ongoing.

Police, paramedics, and an air ambulance were scrambled to The Dene in Wembley around 9.50pm on July 17, to reports a man had been stabbed.

Mr Hurlington is believed to have been attacked in King Edward VII Park, before staggering to The Dene where paramedics tried to save his life.

The 42-year-old died at the scene despite their efforts.

A post-mortem examination established his cause of death as blood loss following a stab wound to the arm.

DCI Linda Bradley previously said: 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.

I remain keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary in the park and surrounding areas on Monday, July 17 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 significant 20,000 reward is being offered by the independent charity Crimestoppers, for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mr Hurlingtons murder.

DCI Bradley said: 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.

Anyone with any information that could help the investigation should call police on 101 and give reference 8258/17JUL23.
A merican XL bully dog attacks are on the rise but the fashionable breed should not be banned, a canine expert has said, as latest figures show 42 banned dogs have been seized in London this year.

Metropolitan Police have seized 42 dogs suspected to be banned breeds under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and have destroyed 63 dogs so far in 2023, the Standard can reveal.

A total of 342 dog seizure forms have been submitted to the Met this year.

The majority of destroyed dogs were disclaimed by the owner to the police, and are not suitable for rehoming, the force said, following incidents such as an inter-family dog bite inside a private household.

The Met could not confirm how many of the seized or destroyed dogs were American XL bullys, because the breed is not currently banned in the UK.

There are four banned breeds - Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentinos and Fila Brasileiro.

But a string of deadly attacks on children and other dogs has led campaigners and MPs, including senior Tory MP Sir John Hayes last month, to call for the American XL bully to be added to the list.

Dog expert witness Jeffrey Turner, who assesses dogs and identifies banned breeds for police and courts, told the Standard that attacks involving American XL bullys have increased in the past year.

The one that seems to be standing out at the moment against any other sort of dogs are the XL bullys, he said.

[But] I dont think the Government would add any more dogs to the [banned] list. There have been calls in the past for the Staffordshire terrier to be entered onto it and the like.

What the Government thinks is possibly that there is sufficient legislation in place to deal with dogs thathave been dangerous or people perceive them to be dangerous. There is already legislation in place for that.

A girl, 7, was reportedly mauled by an XL bully in a Liverpool park last Monday. In west London last month, an XL bully killed a chihuahua in Crane Park and was handed over to police to be assessed for rehousing.

Chihuahua Yoda was killed by an American XL bully in June / Gina Frost

Mr Turner said he assessed an XL bully that attacked a child, and was called to work on an incident in London where an XL bully attacked a smaller dog before jumping on its owner.

It literally picked the dog up like a toy and shook it. It was a really small dog and the owner was present and the owner wasnt injured in any way, he told the Standard.

Even when the XL was jumping up and she was holding the dog in her hands, it was out of control but on that occasion there was no danger to the public.

American XL bully dogs, derived from the pit bull terrier, are known for their large and powerful stature.

Males can weigh between 70 and 130 pounds (31-58kg) with heights between 19 to 23 inches.

But Mr Turner said the breed is not necessarily dangerous or aggressive.

There are times when they can be dangerous, but they are not dangerous dogs, he said.

Theyre powerful, it doesnt make them aggressive. Its a case of their size.

Ive had no problems with any of them on the assessments - but they are big powerful dogs. I think theyre just the fashionable dog at the moment.

He added: XL bullys are the trend at the moment, they are the ones people have got to have.

He said although attacks involving the breed are on the rise, they do not make up the majority of dog attacks, which also involve German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Cocker Spaniels.

Mr Turner said the breed is often misunderstood and their owners stereotyped.

The unfortunate thing is, so many people are stereotyping, thinking people who own them are drug dealers. From the ones Ive dealt with, not one of them has been a drug dealer.

Theyve been domestic dogs, and thats it. So theyve not been trained to be aggressive or anything else.

He urged owners of American XL bullys to train their dogs properly.

There are some people that unfortunately try to treat dogs as humans and there is a difference.

Treat them as dogs, domesticated dogs who enjoy human interaction. We can enjoy their interaction but boundaries have got to be put in place.
A Greenwich shisha bar could lose its licence amid claims it is frequented by gun-carrying gangsters.

The Hayatt Lounge in Charlton was hauled before Greenwich Council on Wednesday after several fights at the venue, including an incident on June 18 where a woman was hit over the head with a used bottle of Hennessys brandy and then slashed in the face.

At a hearing, the Met pressed the council to revoke the restaurants licence, raising fears that armed gang members were also frequenting the venue.

The force claimed it had recent and reliable intelligence that gangsters were paying door staff to turn a blind eye to members carrying firearms.

PC Mark Evans said that officers were highly concerned gang members were able to conduct criminality within the venue, such as drug dealing, without being reported.

Unknown gang members attending will often be in possession of firearms for their protection owing to rival gang members being present, he alleged in a written witness statement.

Unknown gang members will pay door staff at the premises to facilitate those carrying firearms into the premises.

He said he was unable to name the alleged gangs publicly.

Among fights at the lounge were an out of control brawl on June 10, in which two groups of men used shisha pipes, plates and bowls as weapons, councillors were told.

In another incident days later, a drunken patron allegedly hit another woman outside the venue, pulled off her wig, and also bit her on the breast.

James Rankin, counsel for the Met Police, said police believed that the venue had attempted to mislead over a lack of internal CCTV over the June 18 glassing, by saying the CCTVs hard drive had overheated in hot weather.

This was vehemently denied by Hayatt Lounge, which described it as a misunderstanding and said that CCTV was available to view.

In response to the allegations, general manager Gemma Creamer described the fights as isolated and rare incidents.

She pointed to a raft of new safety measures the venue says it has introduced in response, such as a detector arch at the venues entrance and new age limits for customers.

Of alleged gang activity, she said: Most of us will all be aware that violence and gangs in London is a prominent thing taking place on a consistent basis.

Im not going to stand here and say that we dont have any individuals wanting to cause fights, maybe being involved in fights, known to certain individuals.

But what I can say is that as a business we do all we can to prioritise the safety of our customers and we do all that we can to ensure that the premises are safe, from when they come in to when they leave.

The venue argued that it should be allowed to continue operating with additional conditions.

It said that closure or suspension would negatively impact the 60 people employed by Hayatt.

A decision on the venues licence will be made within five working days.
C outts chief executive Peter Flavel, the boss of the private bank which closed Nigel Farages account, will step down immediately, NatWest Group has said.

It follows the departure of NatWest CEO Dame Alison Rose, early on Wednesday, after she admitted a serious error of judgment when she discussed Mr Farages relationship with private bank Coutts, owned by the NatWest Group, with BBC business editor Simon Jack, at a charity dinner.

In a statement, on Thursday, Paul Thwaite, the NatWest Group CEO said he had agreed with Peter Flavel that he will step down as Coutts CEO and CEO of our Wealth Businesses by mutual consent with immediate effect.

Whilst I will be personally sorry to lose Peter as a colleague, I believe this is the right decision for Coutts and the wider Group.

Mr Flavel said he was exceptionally proud of my seven years at Coutts and wanted to thank the team that have built it into such a high performing business.

In the handling of Mr Farages case we have fallen below the banks high standards of personal service. As CEO of Coutts it is right that I bear ultimate responsibility for this, which is why I am stepping down.

Mr Flavel is expected to be replaced by Mohammad Kamal Syed, who is currently the head of asset management at the bank, on an interim basis until a permanent successor is found.

Last week, Mr Farage presented evidence, in the form of a 40-page dossier, that his account at Coutts had been closed partly due to his political views conflicting with the banks values.

The evidence obtained from the bank through a data request contradicted a BBC News story, which initially claimed that the account closure was motivated by commercial reasons only, citing Mr Farages failure to meet a 1 million borrowing requirement.

The BBC and its business editor Simon Jack apologised, saying the reporting had been based on information from a trusted and senior source but turned out to be incomplete and inaccurate.

Mr Farage, a key architect of Brexit which many experts say has dealt a multi-billion-pound blow to Britain, had called for a wider shake-up of the NatWest board, including for its chairman Sir Howard Davies to quit, after it had voiced full confidence in Dame Alison on Tuesday evening.

He said on Wednesday: Anybody on that board that backed that statement that was put out at 17.42 yesterday  a totally unsustainable statement  should be gone.
M illions of Britons fear that climate change is now a serious global threat which has spiralled out of control, a new poll revealed on Thursday.

The Ipsos survey for The Standard showed one in four adults in the country, or nearly 13 million, hold this bleak view as destructive wild fires rage in southern Europe and north Africa, violent downpours flooded Berlin, a super typhoon hit the Philippines, and cacti collapsed in Arizona where Phoenix has boiled in temperatures above 43 degrees C for nearly a month.

A further 52 per cent believe that climate change is a serious global threat but that there is still time to deal with it.

Scientists say the suffocating heatwaves blighting Europe and parts of America would have been virtually impossible without human-induced climate change.

They are also warning that the world is running out of time to stop a catastrophic rise in temperatures, of two degrees above pre-industrial levels, with some seas now heating up at an alarming rate.

The extreme weather has blown holes in arguments made by climate change deniers, with very high temperatures in Greece, Portugal and Italy, as well as parts of the US.

The poll found that less than one in ten (nine per cent) now think that climate change is a global threat but not one of the most serious.

Five per cent say it is not a very serious global threat, and seven per cent not a global threat at all.

A stagnant atmosphere, warmed by carbon dioxide and other gases, made the European heat wave 2.5 degrees Celsius hotter, the one in the US and Mexico 3.6 two degrees Celsius warmer and one in China one degree Celsius toastier, according to researchers at World Weather Attribution.

The Ipsos survey showed that nearly half of adults in Britain, 47 per cent, blame the recent hot weather in parts of Europe partly on climate change due to human activity and partly on natural weather processes.

Just over a third, 35 per cent, say it is being mainly caused by climate change as a result of human activity.

While 16 per cent put it down to being mainly caused by natural weather processes.

Gideon Skinner, Head of Political Research at Ipsos UK, said: It may not be quite as high up the publics agenda as the cost of living or the NHS, but this data shows that most Britons are still worried about the threat climate change poses to the world.

Concern is shared across all ages, and among 2019 voters of all parties - although more intensely among Labour than Conservative ones.

He added: People on balance believe the costs of inaction will outweigh the costs of measures to reduce climate change, and are looking for action from government as well as individuals and businesses.

However at the moment they dont think Rishi Sunaks government is doing a very good job on it - although there isnt a lot of confidence that a Labour government would do a better job either.

Climate change experts are warning that last years hot, dry summer that saw 40C temperatures recorded in the UK for the first time ever with wildfires, including in London, was a sign of things to come.

Met Office records dating back to 1884 put 2022 as the hottest year in the UK and it warned that as long as people continue to emit greenhouse gases unchecked the Earth will continue to heat up.

Professor Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said: If you look at future climate projections, we are on a path to go for hotter, drier summers.

However, the Government and Labour are now believed to be considering scaling back on green commitments, possibly spooked by the voter backlash, in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, against the extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to Outer London.

The Met Office report, which tracks the progress of the UKs changing climate each year, noted that temperatures are rising above 36C more frequently than in the past.

Between 1961-1990 the highest temperature recorded was 31.3C; between 1991-2020 it was 33.5C; between 2013-2022 it was 35.7C and in 2022 it was 40.3C.

Just over three quarters of adults, 77 per cent, say they are concerned about climate change, slightly down on the 84 per cent last July when Britain was hit by a heatwave.

Forty-one per cent say they are very concerned and 36 per cent fairly concerned.

Two thirds say Britain is starting to feel the effects of climate change, again down from the 72 per cent a year ago when the country was sweltering in the heat.

Six in ten say the current Government has done a bad job in dealing with global warming, up four points on July 2022, with 26 per cent taking the opposite view.

While 28 per cent say Labour would do a better job addressing climate change, 15 per cent a worse one, and 48 per cent about the same.

* Ipsos interviewed 1,065 adults in Britain by phone between July 19 and 23. Data are weighted.
A n inner city London Co-op store was looted three times in just one day, the firm has revealed, as it lay bare a huge rise in crime affecting its shops.

The first six months of this year saw more than 175,000 incidents of antisocial behaviour and crimes including shoplifting at its branches - equating to almost 1,000 a day.

Co-op says such incidents have increased by more than a third in the past year.

It warned this level of out-of-control crime is unsustainable and could see some communities become a no-go area for local stores.

Co-op has called on police forces and crime commissioners to target prolific offenders and local organised criminal gangs, with many said to operate without fear of being caught.

A Freedom of Information request by Co-op showed that police failed to respond in 71 per cent of serious retail crimes reported.

The Co-op also revealed that front-line store workers have seen physical assaults increase year-on-year by almost a third and, anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse by a fifth.

Matt Hood, Co-op Food managing director, said: We know retail crime is driven by repeat and prolific offenders and, organised criminal gangs.

It is an ongoing challenge for all retailers, and in the worst instances can even be described as looting.

I have seen some horrific incidents of brazen and violent theft in our stores, where my store colleagues feel scared and threatened.

I see first-hand how this criminal behaviour also erodes the very fabric of our communities  its hard to over-emphasise how important urgent change is.

Co-op has invested significantly in keeping colleagues and stores safe, but we need the police to play their part.

Too often, forces fail to respond to desperate calls by our store teams, and criminals are operating in communities without any fear of consequences.

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive, James Lowman, said: Our members are at the sharp end, seeing crime in their communities get steadily worse.

Shop theft is rising because repeat offenders and organised criminals are targeting local shops to steal goods to resell.

This organised criminal activity exploits vulnerable people by getting them to steal to order in exchange for their next fix, funds the illegal drug trade, and harms businesses that provide essential services to communities.

The police have to face up to theft, violence and anti-social behaviour in and around local shops.

Cracking down on the criminals who account for the majority of this crime against our members would be the most effective way to make our communities safer.

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shop workers union Usdaw said: Evidence is mounting that retail crime is on the increase.

This is very concerning for our members in retail, because shoplifting is not a victimless crime.

Theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers and, as the Co-op rightly says, it is often linked to organised crime gangs.

Last week the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents around 70 per cent of the UK retail industry, wrote to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan calling for more to be done to protect shop staff and crack down on thieves, amid a marked rise in retail thefts.

BRC research revealed theft from the capitals retail premises soared by 13 per cent last year, compared to the previous year.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Theft is down 20% compared to pre pandemic levels. However, we recognise the impact that theft can have on retailers which is why we are supporting police by providing funding for crime prevention means.

The governments anti-social behaviour action plan, which is backed by 160 million of funding will make our communities safer by ensuring perpetrators face swift and visible justice, tougher punishments and introduce early interventions to reduce this behaviour.
T he Government has been urged to regulate e-bike and e-scooter batteries in the same way as fireworks amid a surge in fires related to the vehicles batteries.

The report, by charity Electrical Safety First (ESF), recommends the UK force manufacturers to have their batteries approved by an accredited third party, such as a test lab.

Once approved, the products would then be supplied with a certificate proving they meet safety standards.

If implemented, the UK would follow New York Citys lead, after it introduced the requirement following a series of fatal fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

It comes after a flat fire caused by an e-bike that had been left charging overnight killed a mother and two young children in Cambridge earlier this month.

Meanwhile London Fire Brigade has been called to an average of one e-bike or e-scooter fire every two days so far this year. In 2022, the brigade attended a total of 116.

In one blaze, which broke out on New Years Day, a 21-year-old named Sofia Duarte lost her life. Miss Duarte was in a flat in Old Kent Road when a converted e-bike in the property failed catastrophically, bursting into flames in the entrance hall and preventing her from getting out.

The new ESF report warns that without better regulation now, e-bikes and e-scooters risk an outright ban in future.

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, said that a fire caused by a battery bursting into flames is unique and requires special measures.

The huge amount of energy that is released over time when a battery bursts into flames is unlike other fires  in a matter of minutes a room can be decimated, she said.

This unique type of fire requires special measures to tackle the increasing problem.

She warned that substandard e-bike and e-scooter batteries are claiming lives.

Substandard versions of these products are claiming lives, our recommendations are a first-of-their-kind to look at real solutions to tackling these fires and ensuring only safe products end up in peoples homes.

Nothing is more precious than life and we want to ensure we do all we can to keep substandard batteries off the market.

She added that the public should buy their scooters only from a reputable retailer.

Once in peoples homes they are incredibly difficult to get out. Our recommendation would help to ensure that there are stricter rules around new e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries entering the market and to get on top of this problem once and for all, she said.

We would urge people to only buy their e-bike or e-scooter from a reputable retailer and to use a compatible charger with the device to reduce the risk of a ferocious fire.

London Fire Brigade also urges people to reduce the risk of a lithium battery catching fire by charging batteries safely, learning and spotting the warning signs that a battery is dangerous, and only having bicycles converted to e-bikes by a professional.

The brigade warns the batteries within them can cause incredibly ferocious blazes.

Lithium battery fires can spread quickly out of control, and within minutes have started a large fire, says advice on its website. When these batteries are charged in communal areas or escape routes, a fire breaking out can quickly block peoples ability to escape.

More more information and safety tips, visit the LFB website.
A harpist, who reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and completed her Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt for the highest altitude harp performance, said it was an unforgettable experience.

Siobhan Brady hiked more than 19,000ft to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in an attempt to beat her previous feat in 2018 where she performed for 18 minutes at Singla Pass, India, at more than 16,000ft.

The 24-year-old from Limerick, Ireland, played her concert called the Highest Harp Concert for 20 minutes performing a selection of songs including the traditional Tanzanian jig which translates as Thank You Tanzania from Swahili.

Ms Brady also performed her rendition of Ed Sheerans Little Bird, which has a special connection to Caroline Heffernan, a patient advocate at Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Ireland, the charity which funds raised from the hike  more than 42,000 euros so far  will go to.

Little Bird pays homage to Triona Priestley, a woman who died from CF in 2014, whose mother Ms Heffernan met.

The harpist was accompanied by Ms Heffernan, who has CF, and read the poem The Prophets Are Weeping by Irish President Michael D Higgins while on Mount Kilimanjaro.

At the Barufa Camp where Ms Brady was stationed after the performance she spoke of her unforgettable experience and was happy to see her dream become a reality.

We are elated beyond words and immensely proud of the incredible team and support that made this ambition dreamed up a few years ago, somehow become a reality, she said.

The final hours before reaching the summit were a real test of resilience, however, we somehow made it through and found the perfect moment for the concert with only the clouds below us.

Its been an unforgettable experience, rewarding and challenging in equal measure, and I know I speak for all of the team when I thank everyone who sent in messages from far and wide.

The constant encouragement and support made some of the steps forward all that bit easier.

Philip Watt, chief executive of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, congratulated Ms Brady and her team and said he was proud of their successful ascent up the highest mountain in Africa.

We know this has been a supreme effort for all the team and with many months of planning, including for our colleague Caroline Heffernan who has cystic fibrosis, he said.

We are very respectful of the fact that Kilimanjaro is not only the highest mountain in Africa but is also a sacred mountain for many in Tanzania and we pay tribute to the many who assisted the team in reaching the summit and pray for their safe return.

Many congratulations to Siobhan Brady and her team for this fundraising initiative and for topping her own world record in playing the highest harp at such a high altitude and many thanks to the leader of the climb, Pat Falvey, the renowned Irish climber.

He also wished Ms Brady a safe descent and is looking forward to welcoming the team back to Dublin adding that the funds raised during this challenge will support the key work of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

Ms Brady and her team of 19 underwent two years of training on Irish peaks and at Mount Teide in Tenerife to prepare for her GWR attempt.

They were joined by Irish mountaineer Pat Falvey, who helped the team navigate their way up the summit along with an African-based team of around 60 people.

Ms Brady was presented with an Irish flag from the Irish ambassador for Tanzania, Mary ONeill, to take to the summit and she wished her well before her ascent up the mountain.

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving said she is immensely proud of Ms Brady for completing her incredible feat.

We at JustGiving are immensely proud of Siobhan, Caroline and the Highest Harps team on the completion of their monumental fundraising challenge, she said.

It is truly incredible. Weve followed their journey every step of the way and have been in complete awe of the commitment and strength theyve shown throughout.

Congratulations to the whole team on conquering this incredible feat and raising a fantastic amount of money for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

The fundraising link can be accessed here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Highest-Harp
T he Duke of Sussex is due to discover whether his legal challenge over allegations of unlawful information gathering against a tabloid publisher can continue to a High Court trial.

Harry, 38, alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN) titles The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World and has launched a claim for damages.

At a hearing in April, NGN asked Mr Justice Fancourt to throw out the dukes case, arguing it was brought too late because he should have known sooner he had a potential claim.

The judge is expected to deliver his decision on whether the dukes claims can go to trial at 10am on Thursday.

The ruling is also due to cover whether the duke can rely on an alleged secret agreement between the royal family and senior executives working for media mogul Rupert Murdoch as part of his claim.

Harrys lawyers previously argued that NGNs challenge to his claim is an attempt to go behind the alleged secret agreement, between the royal family as an institution and the publisher, which the duke was told of in 2012.

But NGN, which denies any unlawful activity took place at The Sun, disputes such an agreement was in place.

At a hearing in London earlier this month, lawyers for the duke said there is evidence to support the existence of the agreement, including emails between senior executives at the Rupert Murdoch-owned parent companies of NGN and palace staff in 2017 and 2018.

David Sherborne, for Harry, also said in written arguments the fact the Prince of Wales settled a claim against NGN for a very large sum of money in 2020 also supports the contention that there was a secret agreement in place.

But Anthony Hudson KC, for NGN, told the court the bid to alter the dukes claim is a radical intended revision of his case and he is trying to ride two horses galloping in completely different directions and hedge his bets.

Mr Hudson said the alleged agreement was such a secret agreement that no-one apart from the claimant knows anything about it, and even the claimant knows very little about it.

The barrister also said there was an extraordinary delay between Harry launching his claim against NGN in 2019 and first raising the issue of the secret agreement following the publishers strike-out bid.

Mr Justice Fancourt ruled in May that a claim by actor Hugh Grant over alleged unlawful information gathering  other than allegations of phone hacking  can go ahead to be tried next January.

Grant, 62, is suing NGN in relation to The Sun only, having previously settled a claim with the publisher in 2012 relating to the News Of The World.

NGN has previously settled a number of claims since the phone-hacking scandal broke in relation to the News of the World, which closed in 2011, but has consistently denied unlawful information gathering took place at The Sun.

Harry has been involved in six legal battles at the High Court in recent months.

His civil litigation has seen him bring claims against three major newspaper publishers over allegations of unlawful information gathering, as well as legal challenges against the Home Office in relation to his personal security.
T he hot, dry summer that saw 40C temperatures recorded in the UK for the first time ever with wildfires destroying houses and trees withering in the heat was a sign of things to come for the UKs climate, scientists have said.

Not only was 2022 the hottest year in the UK on the Met Office records which began in 1884 but also on the Central England Temperature record  the longest-running series in the world  that stretches back to 1659.

These milestones for the UK climate show the direction of travel over the coming decades, the Met Office said, adding that as long as people continue to emit greenhouse gases unchecked, the Earth will continue to heat up.

Mike Kendon, a climate scientist at the Met Office and lead author of its new report, called State Of The UK Climate 2022, described the 40C mark as a real moment of climate history.

He said: This was a rare event in the context of the current climate but our extremes of temperature are changing faster than our mean temperature and we know that climate change increases the frequency, duration and spatial extent of heatwaves.

On our current emissions trajectory, 2022 would be considered a cool year by the standards of 2100, Mr Kendon added.

Professor Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said: If you look at future climate projections, we are on a path to go for hotter, drier summers.

So 2022 for me was very much a sign of things to come in future years with our changing climate.

The Met Office report, which tracks the progress of the UKs changing climate each year, noted that temperatures are rising above 36C more frequently than in the past.

Between 19611990 the highest temperature recorded was 31.3C; between 1991-2020 it was 33.5; between 20132022 it was 35.7C and in 2022 it was 40.3C.

Data from a citizen science project called Natures Calendar was also included to track how plants and animals are responding to the changing seasons.

Fritha West, a research scientist with the Woodland Trust and one of the reports authors, said 2022 had a mild February and a warm October which meant an early spring and late autumn.

Leaves were on the trees for 16 days longer than the 1999-2021 average and some flowers and insects emerged days earlier than usual.

Last year was also a relatively dry year, though not as extreme as 1976, and while summers are getting hotter and drier, the year-long climate trends show the UK is getting wetter generally.

Five of the 10 wettest years in the UK since 1836 have occurred in the 21st century and the UK saw its wettest February, April, June, November and December on record in the years after 2009.

Sea levels are also continuing to rise due to the melting ice sheets in the polar regions with long-term trends showing the rate has doubled in recent years compared to the 20th century, said report author Dr Svetlana Jevrejeva of the National Oceanography Centre.

The UKs top political parties have openly talked about watering down their environmental policies after the narrow victory of the Conservatives in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, which many put down to opposition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion plans.

Dr Jevrejeva said in response: It is important which path we choose and which scenario we follow, but sea level will rise for the next few hundred years in any case.

It just depends on what kind of rate of sea-level rise we will see, because heat is already in the ocean and ice sheets have already started to lose ice mass and the glaciers are disappearing.

To get to equilibrium point it will take a few hundred years. We try to communicate our science and to make clear our understanding of what could happen. Thats our role and thats what we do.
J apans population fell by around 800,000 people last year, with a decline recorded in all 47 prefectures for the first time.

According to data released by the Japanese government in July, the countrys population fell for the 14th year in 2022.

However, the number of foreign nationals in the country increased by around 10 per cent, with around three million foreign residents from overseas now calling Japan home.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that Japan is on the brink of not being able to maintain social functions.

He said: In thinking of the sustainability and inclusiveness of our nations economy and society, we place child-rearing support as our most important policy. Japan simply cannot wait any longer in solving the problem of its low birth rate.

Why is Japans birth rate falling?

A number of factors have been blamed for the ongoing issues Japan has faced.

According to research from financial experts Jefferies, the countrys economy has stalled since the early 1990s, meaning frustratingly low wages and little upward mobility.

Japan has a high cost of living, limited space, and lack of childcare support in cities, which makes it difficult to raise children, meaning fewer couples are having kids. Urban couples are also often far from extended family in other regions, who could help provide support.

The average real annual household income declined from 6.59 million yen (40,300) in 1995 to 5.64 million yen (34,489) in 2020, according to 2021 data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

What countries have a falling birth rate?

Most recent statistics show that Japan is not alone in reporting a plummeting number of births. Official world population statistics show that South Korea has a falling birth rate, with just 6.89 births per 1,000 people. Andorra also has a plummeting number, at 6.91 births per 1,000, with Puerto Rico (7.90) and Portugal (8.02) also appearing on the list. The birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a population over a specific period of time (typically a year.)

What other factors are considered in stats for population figures?

Experts also look at the stats for a countrys fertility rate. The fertilty rate measures the average number of children that women of childbearing age give birth to in a given country. Fertility rate and birth rate are often used together to help determine a countrys replacement rate, which determines if the number of new citizens born each year is higher or lower than the number of citizens who pass away each year. Population growth or shrinkage can have a significant impact on a countrys development and economic stability.

South Korea, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Malta, and Singapore all have lower fertility rates.

Many countries are now offering incentives to people to have babies / Nikolay Doychinov / AFP via Getty Images

What measures have these countries taken?

Countries are trying to make having babies seem more appealing to prospective parents in a bid to increase their birth rates.

In South Korea, almost $121 billion (99 billion) has been pumped into measures to increase the rate, establishing public daycare centres, free nurseries, as well as subsidised childcare for a childs first year in education.

In October 2019, the government announced an expansion to existing parental-leave policies and parents with children below the age of eight are now allowed to spend one less hour at work each day. Cash subsidies for parents with young children have even been expanded to include the richest 10 per cent of the population.

In Singapore, parents are encouraged to have babies with cash bonuses.

The countrys National Population and Talent Division has cited the fact that Singaporeans are increasingly prioritising other goals, such as furthering their education, building their careers, and travel, over having children, to explain why birth rates are falling.

The current rate stands at 1.26 children per woman and, to reverse the trend, billions have been spent on enhanced parental-leave programmes, tax rebates for more children, as well as benefits for working mothers whose parents look after their grandchildren.

To make it easier for grandparents to get involved, the government offers a generous Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) of $30,000 (25,000) for families purchasing somewhere to live with or near (within 4km) their parents or children.

There is also a baby bonus cash gift of $8,000 (7,000) for the first and second child and $10,000 (8,500) for every subsequent birth. Singapore publicises policies like these on www.heybaby.sg and there are even promotional campaigns at rail stations offering fertility information painted on the concourse featuring slogans like, The earlier you plan, the easier it is to conceive.
A retired British miner found guilty of the manslaughter of his terminally-ill wife will have to wait until next week to find out his fate, as his sentencing has been adjourned.

David Hunter killed his spouse of 52 years, Janice, to liberate her from her suffering, a court in Cyprus has heard.

Janice, 74, died of asphyxiation at the couples home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.

Hunter, 76, from Ashington, Northumberland, was cleared of the more serious charge of premeditated murder last week, but found guilty of manslaughter.

As he arrived at a sentencing hearing on Thursday, it was hoped by his legal team he may have been able to leave prison this week.

His defence team argued that he should be given a suspended sentence, which would allow him to leave prison having already spent 19 months in custody.

But after hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence, the judge at Paphos District Court said Hunter will not be sentenced until Monday.

In mitigation, his defence lawyer, Ritsa Pekri, said his motive was to liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions.

The court heard it was Mrs Hunters wish to die and that her husband had only feelings of love for her.

There was no personal benefit for him, Ms Pekri added.

She described Hunter as a quiet, family man that has never troubled the authorities and said witnesses spoke of him looking after his wife during a difficult time of her life.

The defence team said there have been no similar cases in Cyprus and so they had instead drawn from similar cases in New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

We believe the suitable decision drawn from these cases is a suspended sentence, Ms Pekri said.

State prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou argued that the Hunters case was not one of euthanasia.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, said: We gave lengthy written submissions which include case law from across common law countries such as Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Australia.

This is important as Cyprus has never sentenced a case such as this before.

Cases from those jurisdictions show that a suspended sentence can be given in these circumstances.

We will be asking the court to give David a suspended sentence. He has spent the equivalent of almost two-and-a-half years in custody and no proper purpose would be served by him spending more time in prison.

Hunter told his trial, which lasted for more than a year, that his wife cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer.

He broke down in tears as he said he would never in a million years have taken Mrs Hunters life unless she had asked him to.

He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became hysterical.
P owerful typhoon Doksuri is heading towards China after laying waste to Taiwan and the northern Philippines with heavy rain and winds.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in China on Friday morning, prompting authorities to shut schools and offices in advance.

It comes after the extreme gusts caused a ferry to capsize in waters near the capital of Manila, killing at least 25 people.

Doksuri weakened during its transit over the Phillippines but will bring sustained winds of 155kph and gusts of up to 190kph to the Chinese mainland, according to Taiwans Central Weather Bureau.

Fifteen provinces and city-level administrative units across China have already been affected by severe weather including thunderstorms and gales, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Authorities in the coastal Chinese city of Shantou, which lies between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, announced that schools and offices would be shut on Friday. Three coastal cities in Fujian have already urged locals to stay inside.

Beijing has already launched emergency flood control operations in several cities in the countrys southwest after torrential rain in the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan.

The typhoon swept through northern Philippine provinces with ferocious wind and rain on Wednesday, leaving at least nine people dead, including four members of a family whose house was buried in a landslide, and displacing thousands of villagers.

Authorities expect the death toll to rise as more provincial reports come in.

At least 25 people were confirmed dead after the MBCA Princess Aya sank just 45 metres from the shore of Binangonan town in Rizal province, east of Manila. Passengers alarmed by strong winds are said to have rushed to one side of the boat, causing it to overturn.

They went to the port side of the motor banca, causing the boat to tilt and capsize, coastguard spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo told a Manila radio station.

A man stands on the capsized passenger boat in Binangonan, Rizal province, Philippines / via REUTERS

All domestic flights and ferries in Taiwan were suspended as a result of the storm on Thursday, while more than 100 international flights were cancelled and delayed.

The typhoon caused power outages and 49,000 households in southern Taiwan, though electricity has since been restored.

Strong winds also forced authorities in the port city of Kaohsiung to evacuate 300 residents living in a mountainous region, according to the Central News Agency.

The Taiwan Strait is one of the worlds busiest routes for international trade and the typhoon has caused major disruptions to shipping and flights.

The China Meteorological Administration forecast that Doksuri would be weaker than 2016's Typhoon Meranti, the strongest storm to hit China's coast since 1949 which killed at least 11 people.

Countries across the world are currently experiencing an extended bout of extreme weather. Wildfires on the Greek islands of Rhodes and Corfu have forced the evacuation of thousands of tourists.

On July 16, China reported a record temperature of 52.2C in the Sanbao township in the countrys north-western Xinjiang region.

And in South Korea, torrential rains left 40 people dead earlier this month as river levees collapsed causing flash floods.
B ritain backed a regional diplomatic scramble underway on Thursday to defuse tensions in Niger, as the West African countrys deposed president vowed to resist a military takeover.

Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office minister for Africa, slammed the coup and said the government was closely monitoring the situation as the US urged its citizens to avoid affected areas.

The UK condemns in the strongest possible terms any attempt to undermine stability and democracy in Niger, Mr Mitchell said.

The UK joins the African Union and Economic Community of West African States in their calls to end the unacceptable events seen today, and to ensure the full and swift restoration of Nigers democratically elected institutions, he said.

A group of soldiers appeared on the former French colonys national television on Wednesday night to declare they had removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power, and he was being held in the presidential palace.

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nations borders.

In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, said alongside nine other uniformed soldiers: We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know.

This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance.

However, Mr Bazoum gained access to social media on Thursday and declared that Nigers "hard-won gains will be safeguarded", condemning the wider regions seventh coup since 2020.

The country's foreign minister Hassoumi Massoudou also tweeted an appeal for "all democrats and patriots" to ensure the coup fails.

Land-locked Niger has become a key ally for Western powers against Islamist insurgencies in the region, but military efforts have been undermined by coups in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.

Niger is also an EU ally in the fight against illegal migration from sub-Saharan Africa, which is fuelling Britains small boats crisis.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres both said they had spoken to Mr Bazoum and offered their full support to his government.

The US condemns efforts to subvert Nigers constitutional order by force, and underscores that our partnership depends on the continuation of democratic governance, Mr Blinken said, as European governments also denounced the takeover.
K im Jong Un has exhibited North Koreas banned ballisitc missiles to Russias defence minister as the two countries pledged to boost ties, state media have reported.

The Russian minister, Sergei Shoigu, arrived in North Korea this week along with Chinese delegates for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, celebrated in North Korea as Victory Day.

The missiles have been banned under UN Security Council resolutions adopted with Russian and Chinese support, but were put on display for a show of solidarity between the three countries.

Mr Shoigu is making the first visit by a Russian defence minister to North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union.

The arrival of the Russian and Chinese delegations in North Korea marks its first major opening up to the world since the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean media reported.

(Kim) expressed his views on the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries from the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists and to realize international justice and peace, North Korean media said.

He repeatedly expressed a belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country, it said.

KCNA did not refer to the war in Ukraine but North Koreas defence minister, Kang Sun Nam, was reported as saying North Korea fully supported Russias battle for justice and to protect its sovereignty.

Mr Kim led Mr Shoigu on a tour of an exhibition of new weapons and military equipment, KCNA said.

Kim Jong Un with Sergei Shoigu / KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image

State media photographs showed Mr Kim and his guests at a display of some of the Norths ballistic missiles in multi-axle transporter launchers. Another image showed what analysts said appeared to be a new drone.

Mr Kim also met Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong for talks and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean media reported.

The visit by Lis delegation showed Xis commitment to attach great importance to the DPRK-China friendship, Mr Kim was quoted as saying by the Norths KCNA state news agency, referring to the North the initial of its official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

The Russian visit raises the prospect of more open support for North Korea, especially with Russia isolated by the West over is invasion of Ukraine, analysts said.

While Russia has kept its official military cooperation with the North Korea limited, any veritable rupture in the so-called post-Cold War order may see Russia more willing to openly violate sanctions, especially given their relatively lax attitude to the shifts in North Koreas nuclear status last year, Anthony Rinna, a specialist in Korea-Russia relations at the Sino-NK think tank, told Reuters.

Last year, North Korea rolled out a new, expansive nuclear law declaring its status as a nuclear-armed state irreversible.

This month, it threatened nuclear retaliation over a show of force by the United States, saying the deployment of strategic military assets near the Korean peninsula could meet criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.
V ladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukrainian attacks had intensified in recent days amid reports that Kyiv had started a full counter-offensive.

However, despite numerous reports of advances by Kyiv forces, even if limited, the Russian president sought to argue that Ukraine had not seen successes on any part of the frontline.

He made the comments speaking to Russian TV on the margins of a Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg.

Earlier, Ukraine vowed to see if Putins forces can stand the heat of its mounting operations as military experts documented signs of a growing counter-offensive against the invaders in the war-torn countrys south east.

In London, the Ministry of Defence said in its latest intelligence update that Ukrainian forces continue major offensive operations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast (province), while Pentagon officials in Washington said Kyiv was throwing thousands of troops into the fray, many of them Western-trained and equipped.

Ukraine has benefited from billions in supplies from its allies, led by the US and Britain, although a leaked German army assessment this week complained that its forces were ignoring some Western military tenets and so the offensive was taking longer than hoped.

But British armed forces minister James Heappey denied that Ukraines long-awaited push had stalled in the teeth of powerful Russian defences including extensive landmines.

Ukraine is meeting our expectations at the moment, he told the Telegraph in South Korea, where he was marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice that froze the Korean War into a decades-long standoff between the communist North and Western-backed South.

They are broadly delivering the plan that they worked out with us, and the Americans and others, over the last winter, Heappey added.

Ukraines defence ministry tweeted photos of soldiers in a fiery landscape with the caption: Hot days of war. Summer in Zaporizhzhia region. Lets see if occupiers can stand the heat.

President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the city of Dnipro, north of Zaporizhzhia, where many wounded Ukrainian soldiers are receiving treatment after being evacuated from the front lines.

Writing on the Telegram messaging app, Zelensky said that he had discussed with top commanders and senior government officials the situation on the battlefield, supplies of munitions to troops and how to strengthen air defences.

The Institute for the Study of War said Kyiv had launched a significant mechanised counter-offensive operation in the west of Zaporizhia province, which lies in Ukraines south east.

The Washington-based think tank said the Ukrainian troops appeared to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions south of Orikhiv

It added: Russian sources, including the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and several prominent milbloggers, claimed that Ukrainian forces launched an intense frontal assault towards Robotyne (10km - six miles - south of Orikhiv) and broke through Russian defensive positions northeast of the settlement.

The ISW explained further that geolocated footage indicated that Ukrainian forces likely advanced to within 2.5km (1.5 miles) directly east of Robotyne during the attack before Russian forces used standard doctrinal elastic defence tactics and partially pushed back Ukrainian units.

It also stated: Russian sources provided a wide range of diverging claims as to the scale of both the attack and resulting Ukrainian losses, indicating that the actual results and Ukrainian losses remain unclear.

The think tank highlighted that Western and Ukrainian officials suggested that the attacks towards Robotyne were an inflection in Ukraines counter-offensive effort.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported two Pentagon officials saying that Ukraine had launched the main thrust of its summer counter-offensive, deploying thousands of troops held in reserve.

These reports came hours after Russian officials told of major Ukrainian attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The Defence Ministry in Moscow said the Ukrainians had mounted a massive assault with three battalions, backed up with tanks, south of the town of Orikhiv, and then another a few miles farther south near the village of Robotyne, according to the state news agency Tass.

It claimed Ukrainian forces were pushed back.

Other US officials played down the suggestion that the main counter-offensive had been launched, suggesting it may be preparatory operations, according to the New York Times.

The ISW added: Todays actions around Robotyne are likely the start of any main thrust Ukrainian forces might be launching, if the US officials are correct, rather than the sum of such a thrust.

It suggested the Ukrainian military chiefs may have decided to step up the counter-offensive amid disarray among Putins defence top brass, with the sacking or sidelining of some commanders, and after Kyiv forces have been making gradual territorial gains.

But there were also reports that Russian units have seized more land in some areas.
P rofessor Brian Cox has said extraordinary claims about the existence of aliens were made in a US senate hearing, but were not backed up by extraordinary evidence.

US lawmakers heard first-hand accounts of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings from former members of the military on Wednesday in a hearing to explore what the US Government knows about the existence of UFOs.

Retired Major David Grusch told Congress the US is concealing a long-standing programme that retrieves and reverse-engineers UFOs and that the US likely has been aware of non-human activity since the 1930s.

The Pentagon has denied Mr Gruschs claims of a cover-up.

On Thursday, Cox, a professor of particle physics at the University of Manchester and a broadcaster, tweeted: I keep being asked what I make of the UFO thing in Congress yesterday, so here it is.

I watched a few clips and saw some people who seemed to believe stuff saying extraordinary things without presenting extraordinary evidence.

Cox said he has nothing more to say than it would be great if true.

The 55-year-old added: It would take a bit of the pressure off our civilisation if we werent the only means within the Milky Way by which the Universe understands itself.

Sadly, as of today, I still feel that pressure, so can we perhaps focus on not messing our world up rather than hoping that, to paraphrase Sagan, someone will float down to save us from ourselves.
A new Unesco report calls for a global ban on smartphones in schools, arguing that they distract pupils, raise privacy concerns, and lead to cyberbullying, all without offering substantial benefits to learners.

The report  Technology in education  A tool on whose terms?  is based on the analysis of 200 education systems around the world.

The digital revolution holds immeasurable potential but, just as warnings have been voiced for how it should be regulated in society, similar attention must be paid to the way it is used in education, said Audrey Azoulay, Unescos director general.

Its use must be for enhanced learning experiences and for the wellbeing of students and teachers, not to their detriment. Keep the needs of the learner first and support teachers. Online connections are no substitute for human interaction.

The points raised in the report are all widely rehearsed  not just in schools, but in general use. Mobile phone use can be distracting and addictive, to the degree that both Apple and Google have screen-time features for limiting usage. Data collection from mobile phones is also a serious concern, and campaigners have long warned about the dangers of social media on young peoples mental health .

But in the past, these points have been countered by the potential benefits of the technology for students. And here the report suggests that  beyond offering assistance to those with disabilities  these dont justify the costs. Indeed, the report cautions that some of the evidence highlighting technologys benefit to education is funded by those selling digital-learning products.

We need to teach children to live both with and without technology; to take what they need from the abundance of information, but to ignore what is not necessary; to let technology support, but never supplant human interactions in teaching and learning, argued Manos Antoninis, director of the Global Education Monitoring report.

The report estimates that around a quarter of countries already ban smartphone use in schools. This includes France, which instituted a ban five years ago, and it will soon be joined by the Netherlands, where restrictions will be introduced from 2024.

The UK is currently in the three-quarters of countries that dont have formal bans, with the Department for Education allowing headteachers to set policy on a local level .

There was a sign this was going to change in 2021, when then education secretary Gavin Williamson wrote of his support for a ban of smartphones in schools .

This may now be revisited. Current education secretary Nick Gibb said the Government would look very carefully at the UN report, to see whether there are lessons we can learn.
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An ex-Air Force intelligence officer says the US government is 'hiding crucial information' about UFOs.

Congress held a landmark panel on Wednesday, in the most serious acknowledgement yet that mysterious sightings deserve scrutiny at the highest levels of government.

Over the course of two hours, three retired military veterans gave testimony, where they shared their alleged accounts of encounters with objects that defied physics.

Slack, the workplace messaging service, experienced an outage on Thursday morning that impacted millions.

It happened at 1030am and affected all versions of the software including desktop and mobile.

The Met Office says last years heatwave could be considered a cool year by the end of the century - largely due to climate change.

2022 was the warmest year in UK records which date back to 1884.

And the rest

Scientists unravel a mystery which could lead to future diamond finds, swan numbers on the Thames drop by 40% in a year, and a Twitter user gives up their @X username so it can be the platform's official account.

Listen above, and find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts.
Bucharest is home to a variety of birds - pigeons, sparrows, crows, seagulls, blackbirds, song thrushes or cuckoos are the most common winged inhabitants that can be seen in parks and residential areas, but the diversity of bird species cradled by the city is far wider, standing at over 200.

According to biologist Dani Dragan, a member of the Romanian Ornithological Society, the methodical monitoring of the situation of Bucharest's bird species began in 2016. Also around that time, the number of observers began to increase, contributing to the creation of a database. There are no changes as regards the sedentary species, however, as far as migratory birds are concerned, an interesting newcomer or never seen before species appears in the city every year, Dani Dragan says.

"Both species of cormorant - the great cormorant, and the little cormorant - are present in Bucharest. There are common terns, white-winged terns, all kinds of ducks. Even geese appear in winter, mostly in transit. They sleep on the lakes near the city. As for raptors, we can mention the falcon, the red kite, which is present all the year round in the city, the Eurasian hobby - a nesting species that appears during the breeding season. But accipiters can also be seen: the sparrowhawk, the Levant sparrowhawk or even the goshawk," the representative of the Romanian Ornithological Society explains.

The nocturnal species include the classic owls and long-eared owls. During the spring or summer nights, some Bucharesters can hear a constant, "very strange" beeping, without knowing that this is the cry of the scops owl.

The Vacaresti Park hosts the greatest diversity of bird species, providing a lush, open and diverse habitat: wetland, reeds, trees, bushes. Other areas richly populated by various birds are Tineretului Park and Lacul Morii (the Mill Lake).

More than 180 species of birds have been spotted so far in the Vacaresti Park, a number "far from insignificant", considering that it stands at approximately half of the number of species that can be encountered in the Danube Delta, says biologist Eugenia Petrescu, representative of the Vacaresti Natural Park Administration.

According to Petrescu, the park hosts a large variety of cormorants, alongside ducks: the common pochard, the garganey, the mallard, the common teal, the mottled duck, but also the gray heron, the red heron, the night heron and the little bittern.

The egrets (large and small) are more elusive, but they too can be observed by those who wait patiently. Eugenia Petrescu recommends visitors to bring binoculars to be able to watch them from a distance, so as not to stress them out. Using the camera flash is also not recommended because it scares the birds.

The red-backed shrike, "a very funny bird" displaying a more accentuated sexual dimorphism, is another inhabitant of the Vacaresti Park. It can be recognized by the black stripe on its head, which gives it the appearance of a pirate. There is also the penduline tit, which deserves to be mentioned because it is practically the bird that crafts the most beautiful nest using small pieces of willow and fuzz-covered willow fruits. It builds this beautiful and fluffy nest and hangs it from a willow branch. This is the reason why it is also called the purse-building tit, Petrescu explains.

There is no shortage of predatory species either, such as the western marsh harrier or the common kestrel, which swoop towards a fixed point after spotting their prey and pouncing on it. Also to be seen are woodpeckers, seagulls, common coots, common moorhens, swans, grebes, as well as cuckoos.

"As long as there is a great bird diversity in the city, it means that their life quality is better. (...) We must offer them nesting and feeding structures, that is, we should coexist. Upon planning to develop a city, we should take this into account, because both us and nature then stand to gain," advises Dani Dragan. AGERPRES
Economy Minister, US Ambassador say Romania has competitive advantages able to turn it into regional leader

The importance of exploiting Romania's potential in terms of its natural resources was discussed on Thursday at a meeting between Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Stefan-Radu Oprea and Ambassador of the United States of America Kathleen Kavalec, as there are premises to convert Romania into a catalyst for the development of small modular reactors (SMR) in this area of Europe, told Agerpres.

According to a press release of the Ministry, the meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the good friendly relations between the two countries, while expressing a firm commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership in order to promote economic prosperity.

" 'Romania has a number of competitive advantages that can make it a market leader in the region'. Based on this statement, agreed by both parties, the discussions focused on the importance of exploiting the potential of our country, from the perspective of the natural resources we have, including the prerequisites to turn Romania into a catalyst for the development of small modular reactors (SMR) in this area of Europe," the press release reads.

In the continuation of the dialogue, the increasing interest of American companies in investing in Romania was underlined, with the defence industry, especially the aeronautical industry, being in the forefront. In this regard, Kathleen Kavalec announced the organisation, at the end of the year, of an economic mission to Romania, which will be attended by US companies willing to explore business opportunities.

The initiative of the Embassy of the United States of America to Romania was welcomed by Minister Stefan-Radu Oprea, who pledged his support in organising the event. Moreover, taking into account Romania's potential to become a logistical hub for the United States of America in the reconstruction process of Ukraine, as well as the opportunities at the Black Sea, the Romanian dignitary said that he will continue to meet with US investors who have chosen to expand their business in Romania, while also considering the possibility of an official visit overseas for the same purpose.

Among other topics addressed during the discussion there were Romania's projects for the digitisation of its activities, with emphasis on the simplification of administrative procedures in order to obtain efficient results, as well as the accession of our country to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, a process that benefits from the support of the United States of America.

In conclusion, Minister Stefan-Radu Oprea presented the US Ambassador with a symbolic gift - the book "Parents and Children," authored by Sofia Nadejde, regarded as a "soldier of women's emancipation."
EUR 400 million European funds to be used to reimburse expenses incurred by Ukrainian refugees

The Romanian government on Thursday approved an ordinance under which 400 million euros worth of European funds will be used to reimburse expenses run by Romania to support Ukrainian citizens refugees in the country, told Agerpres.

The ordinance supplements government's emergency ordinance 113/2022 on measures necessary for the implementation of the European Aid Fund intended for the most disadvantaged people, the reimbursement of expenses related to the support of refugees from Ukraine, as well as the awarding of grants from non-refundable external funds for investment in the retooling of SMEs, while amending and supplementing government emergency ordinance 166/2022 on support to categories of vulnerable people for energy price compensation, partially supported by non-reimbursable external funds.

Under the new ordinance, the government approved the addition to the financial allocation that can be reimbursed on a unit cost basis under Operational Programme Human Capital 2014-2020 of EUR 400 million in EU contribution, so that "the budgetary impact on the national budget is significantly reduced."

The addition is made based on estimated savings at the level of completed and/or ongoing projects at the level of the Operational Programme Human Capital.

Another new source of funding is introduced under the ordinance, namely Operational Programme Administrative Capacity for the programming period 2014-2020.

From the total amount, the Interior Ministry will get EUR 118,427,000, including EUR 100 million in contribution from the European Union.

The expenses are reimbursed from non-repayable European funds under Operational Programme Human Capital 2014-2020, after the launch of the call for projects by the management authority of the operational programme and the conclusion of a financing agreement between the Ministry of European Investment and Projects (MIPE) and the Interior Ministry (MAI).
Gov't borrows RON 798.8 million on Thursday off banks

The Ministry of Finance (MF) on Thursday borrowed RON 798.8 million off banks in an issue of benchmark bonds of a residual maturity of 63 months and an average yield of 6.59% per annum, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR), told Agerpres.

The nominal value of Thursday's issue was RON 500 million, and the banks offered RON 934.8 million.

An additional auction is scheduled for Friday to borrow another RON 75 million at the yield set on Thursday for the bonds.

MP has planned for July 2023 to borrow RON 4 billion off commercial banks, to which RON 600 million lei 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.
Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu had a meeting with representatives of the Romanian Police and Border Police management, whom he asked to step up actions for the combat of organized crime, as he stressed the need for an effective response to crime rings, the Ministry of the Interior informed on Thursday.

"In addition, the minister requested maximum attention for the prevention and combat of acts of violence, with an emphasis on increasing street safety. Also, he drew attention to the fact that police must show professionalism and solicitude in their relationship with the citizen, as the public trust level in the Interior Ministry is a confirmation of the way the personnel fulfill their job obligations," the cited source said.

The minister praised the activity of the Romanian Police and the Border Police and insisted on "intensifying efforts to boost the citizens' safety". He pointed out that the integrity of police personnel is "essential" for the fulfillment of institutional goals, "the only possible approach being zero tolerance for any kind of slippage".

The leadership of the Interior Ministry outlined the main action priorities for the next period: combating drug and human trafficking, road traffic safety, scaling up border security measures, as well as intensifying cooperation with European agencies and neighboring states for synchronized action in the combat of illegal migration and for ensuring the smooth traffic flow through the border crossing points. AGERPRES
JusMin Gorghiu reacts to the acquittal of former tortioners of disident Gheorghe Ursu: It's a sad day!

The Minister of Justice, Alina Gorghiu, stated on Thursday, after the judges definitively acquitted former Securitate officers Marin Pirvulescu and Vasile Hodis, accused of torturing dissident Gheorghe Ursu, that for her this is a sad day and that she would not have wanted to witness the validation of "any form of repression and torture."

"Without interfering with the result of the analysis at the level of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice and distinct from my duties as Minister of Justice, I can say that today is a sad day for me! I would have liked, as a simple citizen of our country, for which the dictatorship will remain a very bad memory, which has crushed destinies, not to witness the validation of any form of repression, torture, the legitimization of the instruments of force, which throw fundamental rights and freedoms into obscurity," Gorghiu said in a message on Facebook, told Agerpres.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice on Thursday ordered the definitive acquittal of former Security officers Marin Pirvulescu and Vasile Hodis, accused of torturing dissident Gheorghe Ursu.

Gheorghe Ursu, a construction engineer, poet and writer, was investigated by the Securitate in the 80s, after he sent letters to "Free Europe" [Europa Libera] and because he kept a diary in which he wrote down the horrors of the communist leadership.

The prosecutors claim that, between January and November 1985, the dissident engineer Gheorghe Ursu was the subject of informative and judicial investigation for acts or facts considered hostile to the communist regime, being arrested on September 21, 1985. He died on November 17, 1985.

The military prosecutors established that Marin Pirvulescu and Vasile Hodis exercised repressive and systematic actions (surveillance, informational surveillance, searches, systematic hearings, acts of physical and mental violence) on Gheorghe Ursu, actions that "resulted in the production of physical suffering or serious mental disorders and were likely to seriously affect his fundamental rights and freedoms, mainly the right to life."

The dissident's son, Andrei Ursu, claims that Mihai Pirvulescu was the one who first investigated Gheorghe Ursu in a state of freedom. Because the latter refused to denounce his friends, including the well-known writers Nina Cassian, Geo Bogza, Radu Cosasu, the Securitatea decided "to continue the investigations under arrest," "following that the nature of the relations" with these friends to also be clarified during the detention time.

In order to try to avoid a case of political persecution that would have been internationally unfavourable to the Ceausescu regime, the political police staged a common law case against Gheorghe Ursu for the possession of 17 US dollars, for which they arrested him on September 21, 1985. He was imprisoned in a cell with two common law prisoners, Marian Clita and Gheorghe Radu, who received an order from the guards to exercise acts of violence on him.

Gheorghe Ursu died as a result of the beatings he received from Marin Pirvulescu and other Securitate officers, but also as a result of aggressions from common law prisoners.

So far, three people have been convicted in this case: reserve colonel Tudor Stanica, the head of the Bucharest Militia back then, reserve colonel Mihai Creanga, his deputy, and Marin Clita, the dissident's cellmate.

Tudor Stanica did not serve a single day in prison citing medical reasons, Mihai Creanga escaped after ten years, and common law prisoner Marin Clita was released from prison after nine years for good behaviour. Currently, Clita is back in prison, serving a 14-year sentence he received in Denmark, accused of killing a stewardess in a hotel room in Copenhagen.
Labour Minister, European officials discuss public pension system and public sector pay reform

Labour Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu on Thursday had a first working meeting in videocall format with Celine Gauer, Director General of the European Commission's SG Recover, and with the technical team of Directorate-General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) and Secretariat-General Recovery & Resilience Task Force (SG RECOVER), the discussions focusing on the continuation of the reforms of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and those targeting the public pension system and the salary system in the public sector, told Agerpres.

"During the meeting, the commitment to continue the reforms in line with the provisions of the PNRR was made and the current state of play of the two most important reforms currently under the portfolio of the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity [MMSS] was presented, namely the reform of the public pension system and the reform of the public sector salary system. As regards the reform of the public pension system, the short and medium-term work trajectory was agreed, namely the planning of the next bilateral technical meetings between the MMSS and the European Commission to agree on the best variant of the reform, so that we can focus on the small pensions in Romania, increasing their adequacy, but without losing sight of the need to ensure financial sustainability," the Labour Minister wrote on Facebook.

Regarding the reform of the public sector salary system, Bucura-Oprescu said that a commitment has been made to complete consultations with all occupational families in a tripartite manner (MMSS, trade unions, relevant ministries) so that we can then work together with the World Bank on various reform scenarios, so that we can find the best option to reduce inequalities in the system and ensure the sustainability of expenditure.

"The European Commission has appreciated the efforts the MMSS is making to ensure a genuine social dialogue, fully recognising the need to conduct this process with maximum responsibility. The conclusion of the meeting expressed by both parties was related to the need to ensure a constant dialogue with the European Commission services, so as to ensure that the milestones be met on time, in line with the commitments made to European partners, and that the reforms made contribute genuinely to increasing the quality of life of Romanian citizens," the Labour Minister wrote on the social media page.
The leadership of the Ministry of National Defense gives maximum priority to the motivation of the Romanian Army personnel, minister Angel Tilvar said on Thursday, at the graduation ceremony of the Ferdinand I Military Technical Academy.

"We give maximum priority to the identification of measures to increase the degree of motivation of the Romanian Army personnel, whether we are talking about the financial side or the equipment and working conditions. We need these measures to improve staff retention and, in this context, we cannot avoid the fact that many of you, young engineers, are assailed by offers and temptations from fields other than the military. At the same time, we need to increase the attractiveness of the military profession, in all its dimensions, for young people who have the potential to pursue a career in the army," Tilvar said, according to a statement sent to AGERPRES by MApN.

Minister Tilvar spoke to the young people about their future responsibilities.

"You will be in charge of managing the state-of-the-art technological heritage of the Romanian Army, in which we are investing important resources," the minister pointed out.

The class of 2023 consists of 269 future engineers (187 boys and 82 girls), prepared for the entire Defense and National Security System, as follows: 188 for MApN, 33 for Internal Affairs Ministry (MAI), four for Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE), four for Guard and Protection Service (SPP), 30 for Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) and 10 for Special Telecommunications Service (STS). Of these, 263 passed the license exam in the July 2023 session and received the first rank of officer in Thursday's ceremony.
Mircea Geoana: Romania has indisputable multiregional vocation, insufficiently capitalized on

Romania has an indisputable multi-regional vocation, which is insufficiently capitalized on at the moment, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mircea Geoana told Thursday's event "Building Romania 2030: A vision for sustainable development", organized at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, told Agerpres.

He spoke of the current security context.

"Romania must take advantage of this great transformation. The war and its global reverberation must not be a new historical burden, but must become - as our forefathers did many times throughout modern history of Romania - opportunities to be reaped and lessons to be learned. If viewed intelligently, these risks that are real can and must become opportunities. Emergencies change, trade changes its routes, markets move, labor force migrates, investments are transferred in strategic places. Romania is such a strategic place. The use of Romania as a strategic place has never been at a higher level than now," Mircea Geoana said.

He spoke of the potential of our country to become "a future multiregional political, economic, military and technological power, to be a first-rate actor covering the extended Black Sea, Eastern Europe, Central and South-Eastern Europe, from The Caspian Sea in the Mediterranean and on the entire new Eastern Flank of NATO".

In order to achieve this goal, Geoana pointed out, "Romania must innovate first of all at the political level".

"We have resources in the economy, we have intellectual resources, we have human resources. Politics is the problem. And the idea that the status quo can take you far is a huge strategic error for Romania. We must have the courage to innovate in politics. We must build, I know how difficult it is and I have done some politics in my life - a new selection in the structures that administer the state, based on merit, intellectual power, solid education. Our political class must understand that governance cannot progress without experts, without intelligence, qualified people, without creativity. We must assume the co-opting civilian minds in the national project, drawing talents and experienced thinking in the governance process", added the Deputy Secretary General of NATO.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening democracy.

"We have to strengthen our democracy, because we are in NATO, we are in the European Union (...), Romanian democracy today is still weak, it is still fragile. And because it is fragile, it generates chronic weakness of the state administration, of the political class and together they do not allow Romania to reach its potential (...) We cannot come to the elections once every four or five years to say that we have a truly, deeply, democratic country", Mircea Geoana said.
In H1 2023, more than 30.2 million people, Romanian and foreign citizens passed through Romania's border crossing points - 14.7 million into and 15.5 million out the country - up more than 18% y-o-y, the Border Police General Inspectorate (IGPF) reported on Thursday.

In 2023, there will be significant increases in traffic through the crossing points at the level of all border segments - approximately 48% at the border with Serbia, 34.8% at the border with Ukraine and 28.1% at the airports.

There were approximately eight million vehicles, an annual increase of 13% over 2022 - 7.1 million vehicles.

As far as criminal offences go, border police officers detected 5,604 of them, most of which were attempted/illegal border crossing (2,167), violations of intellectual property rights (629), fake and counterfeiting (598), migrant trafficking (357), smuggling and customs fraud (236), as well as fish poaching (439).

At the same time, fines were issued to 5,267 people to the tune of RON 4,881,659, most of them at the border with Moldova - 30% of all.

In the same period of time, 3,675 foreign nationals were denied entry as a result of failing to meet the legal conditions for entering the country, and one of the main reasons why this measure was taken was that they did not have the necessary documentation to justify the purpose and conditions of stay.

Nationwide in H1 2023, the border police found 1,296 foreign citizens attempting to enter Romania illegally, a decrease from H1 2022, when 2,134 such cases were reported.

At the same time, 6,950 foreign nationals were found on the way out of Romania - most of them coming from Bangladesh, Syria, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Egypt, and Afghanistan - who tried to illegally cross the border into neighbouring countries, with the most being recorded at the border with Hungary (6,754), more than three times than in H1 2022. Most of them acted organised in groups of migrants with support from traffickers, and they were people who entered Romania legally on work or study visas.

As regards the fight against trans-frontier crime in H1 2023, 236 instances of smuggling and customs fraud were reported and 57 crimes of an economic or financial nature that led to assets worth almost RON 209.2 million being impounded.

The border police confiscated more than 2,621,518 packs of cigarettes of a value of RON 46,894,520, nearly 5,564 kg of tobacco and 9,698 kg of hookah tobacco. As against H1 2022, there is an increase of approximately 1.7 times in the number of impounded packs of cigarettes, with the people involved in the illegal cigarette trafficking coming from Bulgaria, India, Turkey, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine and Romania.

Counterfeit goods bearing protected international trademarks were also discovered, with 629 such instances reported , almost 202.4% more than in H1 2022.

As regards stolen motor vehicles, the border police found 120 means of transport - 103 cars, 6 trucks, 6 minibuses, 3 motorcycles and 2 trailers - which is almost 52% up from H1 2022. The people involved in the thefts came from Bulgaria, Iran, Libya, Latvia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine.

As far as illegal trafficking of weapons and ammunition is concerned, in H1 2023 1,221 weapons were discovered - 1,202 gas pistols, four hunting rifles, one military pistol, seven air guns and seven other weapons - 2,034 cartridges, 35,632 firework devices , 9.6 kg of explosive materials, a grenade and 55 components for weapons. The people who committed crimes under the weapons and ammunition regulations came from Ukraine, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, France, Israel, Italy, Moldova, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the US and Romania.

In H1 2023, 5.26 kg of cocaine, 3.5 kg of heroin, 1.63 kg of cannabis, as well as other narcotics, anabolic steroids and psychotropic drugs were also found.

With regard to illegal waste shipments, significant quantities of waste were stopped upon entering Romania, namely several shipments of over 2,773 tonnes consisting of metals, textiles/clothing, glass, plastic, cardboard and paper, furniture, batteries, car components, etc. AGERPRES
PM Ciolacu: Gov't gives equal importance to stability, predictability and ensuring competitive business conditions

The Government gives equal importance to stability and predictability, transparency and ensuring competitive business conditions, important factors for the development and modernization of Romania, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu conveyed to the representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania - AmCham Romania, during a meeting that took place on Thursday at the Victoria Palace, told Agerpres.

"The Romanian Government focuses its actions on investments, reforms and improving the quality of people's lives, objectives that the business environment also has. We give due importance to stability and predictability, transparency and ensuring competitive business conditions, factors important for the development and modernization of Romania. In terms of foreign policy, a major objective of Romania is the accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which will also stimulate the modernization process of the country and contribute to the achievement of high standards in terms of conduct ethics, promoting transparency and a healthy business environment," stated Prime Minister Ciolacu, quoted in a Government press release.

In this context, the Prime Minister congratulated the AmCham Romania delegation for the 30th anniversary of its establishment, a period in which this organization contributed to the development of the economic dimension of the Romanian-American relationship and to the consolidation of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States of America.

At the same time, the head of the Executive welcomed the interest of American companies in making new investments in Romania and emphasized the Government's interest in deepening cooperation in areas such as energy, defense, cybersecurity, digitization, the pharmaceutical field or the financial-banking sector.

In this context, the Prime Minister encouraged representatives of American companies to participate in the Business Forum of the Three Great Initiative, organized by the Government of Romania, on September 7, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Three Great Initiative, held in Bucharest.

Last but not least, the Prime Minister thanked the representatives of AmCham Romania for the support given to Romania for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program of the United States of America.
PNL's Muraru: I call on state institutions to identify an extraordinary remedy in Gheorghe Ursu case

National Liberal Party (PNL) MP Alexandru Muraru calls on state institutions to identify an extraordinary remedy in the Gheorghe Ursu case, told Agerpres.

"I appeal to the Romanian state institutions, to the Public Prosecutor's Office, to the Prosecutor's Office near the High Court of Cassation and Justice to identify an extraordinary remedy (appeal in cassation) and to reverse a decision that seriously harms our ideal of believing in justice and freedom," Muraru wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

He maintains that "the astonishing decision of the Supreme Court judges in the case of the acquittal of the Securitate (political police during the communist dictatorship regime) officers who investigated Gheorghe Ursu is incomprehensible and annihilates any hope that Romania could still do justice in the case of his murder."

The Liberal MP states that the acquittal of Securitate officers Marin Parvulescu and Vasile Hodis is "confusing and frightening and represents, without any doubt, a perpetual institutional failure, bordering on collusion with factual resignation."

He brings to mind that in 2021 he met Andrei Ursu, son of Gheorghe Ursu.

"It is important to speak out about today's decision of some magistrates because the Gheorghe Ursu's murder is not just another file from the archives of communism that awaits its turn at the bar of justice, but represents, if you will, the overall picture of Romanian justice, of all the Securitate trials that began 33 years ago and were sent on an arduous road of delays, deadlocks and last court decisions that tergiversated the historical truth," says Muraru.

The PNL deputy underlines that "any attempt to accept this decision means relativising the memory of the victims of communism and covering up the horrors of a dictatorial regime for whose eradication rivers of blood were spilled."

Muraru calls on the Romanian state institutions to identify any extraordinary remedy in the Gheorghe Ursu case, stressing that it is in the interest of the rule of law, Romania's image and trust in justice to correct an error that should not represent the judicial system as a whole.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice ordered on Thursday the final acquittal of former Securitate officers Marin Pirvulescu and Vasile Hodis, accused of torturing dissident Gheorghe Ursu, for the crime of inhuman treatment.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Iran is focused on two major concerns relating to its nuclear program, said member of National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iranian Parliament Abbas Golru, Trend reports.

The MP stated that these two concerns are the advancement of Iran's nuclear program and the continuing of dialogue to build global confidence in Iran's nuclear program.

Golru went on to say that the Iranian parliament has authorized a strategic action plan to lift sanctions relating to Iran's nuclear program. This strategy includes the development of Iran's nuclear program.

"Along with all of this, Iran has taken steps toward conducting indirect discussions with the US and direct discussions with European countries (the UK, France, and Germany)." This demonstrates that Iran is committed to bringing the negotiations to a close," he said.

According to Golru, the Iranian parliament backs the Iranian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the negotiation team, and hopes that the goals will be accomplished within the framework of Iran's national interests.

The Iranian parliament agreed in late 2020 to undertake a strategic plan to combat sanctions, citing the failure to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between Iran and six countries, as well as the application of sanctions on Iran. According to an Iranian parliament ruling, as of February 23, Iran delayed the implementation of further steps and an additional protocol stipulated in the nuclear deal. As a result, the IAEA's control mechanism was reduced by 20-30%. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, 1,000 units of IR2M centrifuges have been installed.

According to the Iranian side, the International Atomic Energy Agency has mentioned two subjects for collaboration with Iran. The first is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and the second is the safeguards rules. As a result, the International Atomic Energy Agency has authority over all of Iran's activities.

On May 8, 2018, the United States announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Germany), as well as the imposition of additional sanctions against Iran beginning in November 2018.

The sanctions have had an impact on Iranian oil exports, as well as over 700 institutions, enterprises, and individuals. Iranian assets in other countries have been frozen as a result of the sanctions.

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Romania has highlighted, from a strategic perspective, the importance of the Black Sea region, in the current security context, Defence minister Angel Tilvar said in an interview for public broadcaster TVR Info.

He provided a non-committal answer when asked whether our country offered military aid to Ukraine.

"I think that, militarily, Romania, from a strategic perspective, has highlighted the importance of the Black Sea, in Vilnius [at the NATO Summit - ed.n], but not solely, in other formats as well, with everything that this means from a military standpoint, namely the fact that we are in a position to provide air policing, the fact that we are in a position to share with our other allies the level of know-how regarding the situation in the Black Sea. Let's not forget that Romania, having a special relationship with Moldova, is also interested in the security of this country," said the minister.

Angel Tilvar said that, as regards the support of Ukraine, the officials in our country have used the term "multidimensional support".

"I made clarifications at the right time regarding the way in which we provided support, in terms of their non-lethal equipment needs. For the rest, please allow me to be discreet regarding the provision [of military equipment - ed.n.]," minster Tilvar pointed out.

He specified that "careful communication" is needed in the military field.AGERPRES
The immigration police picked up six men from the Henri Coanda-Otopeni International Airport, who were transferred from Austria and Germany based on the Dublin Regulation, the General Inspectorate for Immigration informs in a statement sent to AGERPRES on Thursday.

Five of the foreigners were introduced to an accommodation center in Otopeni, to be removed from the territory of our country, and the sixth requested the international protection of the Romanian state.

The six, aged between 22 and 47, come from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Turkey and are suspected of fraudulently crossing the state border.

Upon leaving the country, foreigners will be banned from entering the territory of the member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation for a period of 5 years.

Also, the immigration police detected a 28-year-old woman from the Republic of Moldova, who was in illegal situations. From the checks, it emerged that she entered Romania legally, for the purpose of employment, but at the time of detection, it was found that the purpose for which she received the right of residence was not respected. As a result, the immigration police took the measure of revoking her visa, a return decision was issued in the woman's name with a period of voluntary departure of 15 days, and upon leaving the country, the measure of banning entry into the territory of the EU states will be instituted for a 6-month period.
The High Court of Cassation and Justice ordered on Thursday the final acquittal of former (secret police) Securitate officers Marin Pirvulescu and Vasile Hodis, accused of torturing dissident Gheorghe Ursu, for the crime of inhuman treatment.

The Supreme Court rejected as unfounded the appeals filed by prosecutors and Andrei Ursu, Gheorghe Ursu's son, and upheld the acquittal decision handed down in October 2019 by the Bucharest Court of Appeal.

Marin Pirvulescu and Vasile Hodis were sent to trial by prosecutors for crimes against humanity, but Judge Mihaela Nita of the Bucharest Court of Appeal changed the classification of the deeds to the crime of inhuman treatment, on the grounds that the Criminal Code of 1968 is the more favourable law.

In the same case, Tudor Postelnicu (deceased), former head of the State Securitate Department, was acquitted of complicity in inhuman treatment.

Construction engineer, poet and writer Gheorghe Ursu was brutally investigated by Securitate in the 80s, for sending letters to Radio Free Europe and for keeping a diary in which he wrote down the horrors of the communist leadership.

According to the prosecutors, between January and November 1985, dissident Gheorghe Ursu was the subject of informative and judicial investigation for acts or activities considered hostile to the communist regime. He was arrested on September 21, 1985 and died on November 17, 1985 in the Jilava Penitentiary Hospital.

The military prosecutors established that Marin Parvulescu and Vasile Hodis carried out repressive and systematic actions (stakeout, surveillance, searches, systematic hearings, acts of physical and mental violence) on Gheorghe Ursu, actions which "resulted in serious physical or mental suffering and were likely to cause serious harm to his fundamental rights and freedoms, in particular the right to life".

The dissident's son, Andrei Ursu, maintains that it was Mihai Pirvulescu who first investigated Gheorghe Ursu while in liberty. Because the latter refused to denounce his friends, including well-known writers Nina Cassian, Geo Bogza and Radu Cosasu, the Securitate decided to "continue the investigations under arrest", "following which the nature of his relations with them will be clarified".

In an attempt to avoid a case of political persecution that would have been unfavourable to the Ceausescu regime at international level, the Securitate framed Gheorghe Ursu for possession of 17 US dollars, for which they arrested him on 21 September 1985. He was locked in a cell with two common law prisoners, Marian Clita and Gheorghe Radu, who were ordered by the Securitate to use violence against him.

Engineer Gheorghe Ursu died as a result of beatings by Marin Pirvulescu and other Securitate officers, as well as assaults by common law prisoners.

So far, three people have been convicted in this case: Colonel (r) Tudor Stanica, then head of the Militia (the police force of Communist Romania - ed.n.) in Bucharest, his deputy Colonel (r) Mihai Creanga, and Marin Clita, the dissident's cellmate.

Tudor Stanica did not serve a single day in prison for medical reasons, Mihai Creanga escaped after ten years and common law prisoner Marin Clita was released after nine years for good behaviour. Clita is currently back in prison, serving a 14-year sentence in Denmark for murdering a stewardess in a Copenhagen hotel room.AGERPRES
Its been just over a month since the fatal implosion of the submersible Titan, which lost five people on a voyage to see the Titanic. Yet, author Susan Casey says she wishes she could take a trip to the deep sea every day.

Its the soul and heart of the Earth, she says. It changes your perspective on the planet we live on. Its pure awe.

Casey, who has made three trips in submersibles, will show slides and talk about the adventures while promoting her new book, The Underworld, Aug. 2 in St. Louis.

But while discussing the book from her New York home in the Hudson Valley, she was asked to explain why anyone would lock themselves in a submersible after the Titan tragedy.

Casey is forthright about its problems, saying the Titan was made of the wrong materials and constructed improperly.

Scientists have long known that a submersible needs to be a sphere so ocean pressure on it is even, she says. The Titan was a cylinder. Casey uses the analogy of stepping on a tin can vs a steel ball: Which one would be crushed?

The deep ocean exerts 6,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. It doesnt negotiate, Casey says. OceanGate, owner of the Titan, paid the ultimate price for not paying attention to the rules.

One of the men killed in the Titan implosion had been warned repeatedly not to risk the voyage. But French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet was obsessed with the Titanic and had been on expeditions that recovered some of its artifacts, Casey says.

He developed an almost mystical connection with the people who had perished on the Titanic. I dont think he could stay away, and the Titan was the only ride in town.

She also says that although there are submarine accidents, submersibles had not had a fatal accident like the Titans in 50 years.

Actually, few research submersibles go to the oceans abyssal zone, where Casey has traveled. The abyssal zone is 13,000 to 20,000 feet beneath the surface (the Titanic wreckage lies about 12,500 feet underwater) and makes up much of the oceans seafloor. Deep ocean trenches are in the hadal zone  named for Hades  and can be 36,000 feet deep.

Caseys The Underworld examines the history of exploration, what we know about the deep sea and why we should be eager to learn more.

Its 95% of the biosphere of the Earth, she says. Just because we cant see it on a day-to-day basis, doesnt mean its not integral to everything that happens above, where we live. Its the engine that runs the climate.

When samples from the abyss are brought to the surface, the vast majority of life forms are not only new species (to humans), but also can be new branches on the tree of life, she says.

Its a magical realm we dont know, Casey says. Lets find out whats down there.

She cites glass sponges that conduct light more effectively than fiber optic cables and corals that are thousands of years old. Creatures glow with bioluminescence, emitting light shows similar to meteor showers or fireworks.

The deep ocean is like having rooms with treasures in them and you never open the doors.

Although U.S. space scientists often complain they are underfunded, space receives 150 times the amount the government spends on ocean exploration, Casey says.Its imperitive that we understand the ocean, she says.

Literal sunken treasures are also unexplored. UNESCO estimates that 3 million shipwrecks have yet to be found. One that Casey writes about is the San Jose, a Spanish vessel that went down off the coast of Colombia some 300 years ago. Its cargo is thought to be worth billions of dollars today, but cost and political disputes mean it has not been brought up.

One excavation Casey adamently opposes is deep-sea mining by companies that want to extract minerals for profit. She finds it hard to discuss the disaster she says such mining would cause the ocean, stirring up deep clear water and choking animals and an environment humans know little about.

Casey, who has also written ocean books about great white sharks, dolphins and giant waves, knows that few of her readers may actually witness for themselves the deep ocean.

But she hopes to act as a proxy witness to the abyss. I want to take readers along, she says.

The Earth is one magical interconnected and biological system, and the deep sea is the motherboard.

What Susan Casey  When 7 a.m. Aug. 2  Where Grants View library, 9700 Musick Road  How much Free  More info slcl.org
ST. LOUIS  The summer of 1877 simmered in the fourth year of a depression. When the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad cut pay another 10 percent, outraged depot workers in Martinsburg, W.Va., stopped the trains.

Their wildcat strike spread quickly along other railroads, turning violent in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. It reached the bustling yards of East St. Louis on Sunday, July 22.

E.L. Jones, track superintendent on the Eads Bridge, told workers to man the switches. Strike leader Jack Benson stepped forward and said, "We allow no men to work for wages."

They stopped all freight, allowing only passenger and mail trains, which the railroads soon halted on their own. Strikers marched across the bridge to St. Louis in a prairie fire of resistance.

At the outdoor Lucas Market, at present-day Tucker Boulevard and Olive Street, the small socialist Workingmen's Party hustled together a rally Monday night. Thousands of sympathetic workers turned out for fiery speeches in English and German. That Wednesday, they marched through the city with a band that played the "Marseillaise," anthem of the French Revolution. They encircled the Four Courts Building, at Tucker and Clark Street, where nervous police manned cannon inside the gallows yard.

Marchers inspired spontaneous walkouts at foundries, stove works, canneries and barrel factories. Deckhands and roustabouts abandoned steamboats. Newsboys quit selling papers. Union Depot, the city's train station, "was like a banquet hall deserted," the Post-Dispatch noted. Or so it was until strikers from Harrison Wire Co. marched through with a banner, "No Monopoly!"

The protest blossomed into a general strike, paralyzing the city's industry and commerce. Some historians say it was the biggest of its sort ever in America.

Emboldened workers and terrified businessmen sent delegations to Mayor Henry Overstolz, who quickly sided with the established order. City leaders put together a posse, led by former Union and Confederate generals and armed with rifles from the state armory.

Strike headquarters moved to Schuler's Hall, near Broadway and Biddle streets, north of today's Edward Jones Dome. At 3 p.m. on Friday, July 27, Overstolz led 600 armed civilians to the hall. A vanguard of police rushed in, rounding up 75 strikers while others fled through windows. Not a shot was fired. Next morning, federal troops took over the East St. Louis yards.

Two weeks later, a judge released nine strike leaders because prosecutors couldn't produce witnesses. But the strikers had already drifted back to work.

Schuler's Hall was demolished in 1956 to make way for Interstate 70.
ST. LOUIS  The Loop Trolley is suspending operations until further notice due to extreme heat.

Cars on the trolley are not air-conditioned, and temperatures in the St. Louis region are expected to be near 100 degrees for the next several days.

The trolley will be closed for at least the rest of this week, and after that reopening will depend on temperatures and heat index.

It is expected to be closed tomorrow as well. After that, it will depend on the temperatures and the heat index.

Once it's back in service, the Loop Trolley will update its website and Facebook page.
ST. LOUIS  The news director at St. Louis Public Radio will step down this week, after five months in the position.

News Director Ashley Lisenby resigned for personal reasons, said Steve Walentik, a spokesperson for the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The radio station is licensed to the University of Missouri and operates as part of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Lisenby was selected for the position in February. Friday will be her last day.

In an email Wednesday, Lisenby declined to comment on the decision.

In a statement, the university said Lisenby brought training resources to the stations newsroom. She started a monthly editors column, and contributed to strategic planning work.

The station hopes to make an announcement about interim leadership plans by the end of the week.

Before she was selected for the news director position at St. Louis Public Radio, Lisenby was a news producer and editor for NPRs Weekend Edition. Before that, she was a senior news producer and editor for WAMU in Washington, D.C. She reported for St. Louis Public Radio, covering race, identity and culture.

She also held reporting roles at the Post-Dispatch and The Associated Press.
ST. LOUIS  More than 23,000 Missourians in June lost health insurance coverage through Medicaid because they could not be located or did not return necessary paperwork, according to the first numbers released Thursday since the three-year pause on verifying eligibility was lifted.

Nearly half of those  almost 11,000  were children, the data shows.

States were barred from kicking anyone off Medicaid since the COVID-19 public health emergency was declared in March 2020. That pause on verifying eligibility was lifted April 1.

Missouri began its renewal process in June, starting with those whose annual renewals were due by the end of that month.

When the pandemic started, about 900,000 Missourians received Medicaid, which is government-funded and provides health coverage to low-income adults, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities.

That number grew to more than 1.6 million as verification was paused, and Missouri also expanded the Medicaid program to cover more adults in 2021. Expansion has added nearly 337,000 participants, data shows.

The Missouri Family Support Division is in charge of the verification process. The division was able to determine whether some participants are still eligible using enrollment databases for other federal assistance programs.

Of the nearly 117,000 Missourians whose Medicaid renewals were due in June, nearly 38,000 were automatically renewed this way.

The division has taken aggressive steps to raise public awareness and implement technology solutions to enhance their ability to electronically determine eligibility of Medicaid participants, said Caitlyn Whaley, spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Staff also continues to explore and implement additional technology to increase the number of automatic renewals, Whaley said.

When the division needs to contact participants to get more information, that is where the challenges occur.

While the state was able to reach and approve more than 12,000 participants, data shows that 23,341 Missourians lost coverage in June because of procedural reasons  meaning they didnt return their renewal form or submit necessary documentation by the renewal deadline at the end of the month. Of those, 10,747 were children.

Another more than 34,000 are pending  they still have coverage but require further analysis to determine if they are still eligible. Nearly 22,000 of those are children.

In addition to the 23,341 who lost coverage, nearly 9,200 participants were determined to be no longer eligible because of increased income or other change in their status, bringing the total number of Missourians dropped from coverage to more than 32,500.

Individuals determined as no longer eligible get referred to the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which provides premium and cost-sharing subsidies for health coverage.

Early data from other states also shows that many people are losing coverage for procedural reasons, and many who are dropped have been children.

According to KFF Health News, which has been tracking the latest data across the U.S., nearly 3.8 million people have lost Medicaid coverage since the renewal process began, based on data released so far by 37 states and the District of Columbia.

About 73% lost coverage for procedural reasons, the data shows.

In a normal year, about 17 million Americans lose their Medicaid coverage, many of whom are eligible but get caught in red tape. The federal government has projected that about 15 million people will lose coverage this year, including nearly 7 million people who are actually eligible.

This is despite federal officials working closely with states on ways to keep people covered, such as using federal databases to automatically renew qualified participants, outreach efforts and troubleshooting any problems that arise.

Our priority and commitment is to do everything within our power to help keep people covered for the coverage that they are eligible before, said Daniel Tsai, director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services at the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service,

Tsai said in a July 20 press conference that the initial numbers are raising alarm.

In particular, were very concerned that the majority of people that have lost coverage, have lost coverage for what we call procedural reasons, meaning the state has not been able to identify that someone is eligible (because) individuals have not responded, and that could be due to lack of awareness, wrong addresses, or people not getting a Medicaid renewal form in the mail, he said.

Tsai has urged state and local officials and organizations to step up their education efforts after initial feedback shows many people are in the dark.

All the survey information, focus groups, interviews, discussions with on-the-ground stakeholders that weve had indicate that most Medicaid enrollees are not aware that Medicaid eligibility checks have restarted, he said.

Family Support Division Director Kim Evans has said staff prepared by checking U.S. Postal Service data for any address changes and working with managed care companies to gather email addresses and phone numbers.

They created a new customer online portal, where participants can create an account to check when their renewal date is and respond to any requests for information. They created radio and digital ads and sent targeted emails, Evans said.

They have also been working with health advocates and local organizations to get the word out about the renewal process, she added. Materials such as flyers and social media posts are available for any organization who wants to share them, and staff will help tailor the message to specific audiences.

Officials with Affinia Heathcare, which provides primary and dental care to Medicaid and uninsured patients in the St. Louis area, say they have been working on informing clients since January about the renewal process.

Efforts include canvassing neighborhoods, hosting events at their clinics and participating in area health fairs, said LaDon Meriweather, the outreach director for Affinia.

We will set up a table basically anywhere we are allowed to set up a table and partner with any organization that is willing to let us come in, Meriweather said. Partners have included homeless shelters, libraries and schools.

Sunni Johnson, a health application coordinator, for Affinia, says staff members have called hundreds of patients directly, reminding them that a renewal form will be coming and to update their address with the state social services department.

Each month more than 100,000 Missourians will be up for Medicaid renewal. Nearly 37,000 renewal forms were mailed to those whose renewal deadline is the end of July, a department spokeswoman said.

Forms are sent about a month before their annual renewal date.

Information must be sent back by the deadline on the form. Individuals can also submit the information by using the new customer portal, calling 1-855-373-4636, uploading to myDSSupload.mo.gov or visiting a local resource center, which can be found at myDSS.mo.gov/renew.

All participants will get a letter in the mail before their renewal date, informing them that their coverage is either renewed, modified or that more information is needed.

If individuals who are eligible return the needed information within 90 days of losing coverage, their Medicaid will be reinstated and cover any lapse.

Updated at 4:47 p.m.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Azerbaijan and Turkiye will jointly improve the Kaan aircraft, Trend reports.

The IDEF-23 International Defense Industry Fair is expected to host the signing of an agreement "On cooperation on the development of Kaan national combat aircraft" with the participation of Turkish Defense Industry Agency President Haluk Gorgun, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

The Kaan aircraft was developed by TAI with the aim of replacing the F-16 and F-35 aircraft bought from the US.

The first test flight of the national aircraft took place on March 16, 2023, and was successfully completed.

On May 1, during a "Century of the Future" event organized by TAI in Ankara, Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the Turkish-made combat aircraft will be called "Kaan".

The IDEF-23 is being held on July 2528 in Istanbul.
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, unveiled a bill Thursday aimed at limiting the use of solitary confinement in prisons, a practice she called depraved and sadistic.

The End Solitary Confinement Act would largely prohibit the use of solitary confinement in federal prisons, including immigration detention facilities, while incentivizing state and local correctional facilities to stop using the practice.

It is indisputable that solitary confinement is torture, Bush said during a virtual news conference. It doesnt matter what its called, whether its administrative segregation, restrictive housing or anything else. It leads to self-mutilation, to suicide, heart disease, anxiety, depression, psychosis, mental and physical deterioration and a significantly heightened risk of death.

Bush also pointed out that its use disproportionately impacts people of color and other vulnerable groups including youth and LGBTQ+ prisoners.

According to a report released in May, prisoners in Missouri are placed in solitary confinement, also known as restrictive housing or administrative segregation, at higher rates than the national average.

Bushs proposal allows for some exceptions including using solitary confinement for short-term, emergency de-escalation. It would also create due process protections such as access to representation and an oversight mechanism including mandatory reporting.

State and local facilities that do not implement changes to their use of solitary confinement could be at risk of losing 10% in funding from the federal Justice Assistance Grant program.

Bush said the measure will save lives.

We are, as a nation, we are facilitating the torture of own community members and were doing it on a massive scale, she said. And by inflicting this violence, we are only planting seeds for more of it.

Nationally, more than 122,000 people were in restrictive housing for 22 hours or more on a given day in mid-2019, a report put together by Solitary Watch, a nonprofit watchdog group, found.

Across the U.S., about 6% to 7% of prisoners were in restrictive housing in state and federal prisons. In Missouri, though, that figure was 11.9% or 3,356 prisoners.

Last month, a transgender woman sued the Missouri Department of Corrections after she was kept in solitary confinement for more than six years. The woman alleged that she was put there as a result of a corrections policy that discriminates against people with HIV.

Bush joins New York Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Adriano Espaillat, California Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib and New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, all Democrats, in sponsoring the bill. The measure likely faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House.

The news conference, which was conducted on the meeting app Zoom, was twice interrupted by hackers who played inappropriate videos.

Whoever the haters are out there with the Zoom bombs, you must know that this is an important issue, Kamlager-Dove said.

She went on to say she considers solitary confinement to be torture.

We shouldnt be doing it, Kamlager-Dove said. If we cant find other ways to help people correct behavior or adjust or practice self-reflection, then shame on us for not being as sophisticated and humane and compassionate as we claim we want to be.

The legislation has been endorsed by 150 organizations, its sponsors said.

Locally, Decarcerate KC, a group working to reduce the use of incarceration, said it supports the bill.

(Solitary confinement) takes away sunlight, right? It takes away exercise, it takes away not just the ability to socialize, which is like really important, but to actually preserve your body right? organizer Dylan Pyles said. And so to me, it seems completely overdue. I dont think that solitary has ever been a remotely justifiable practice. But Im glad that were finally doing something on a federal level.

Pyles added that the measure represents a step toward larger reimagining of how we treat people who have committed harm in society, which we think is really important for the overall kind of like reevaluation of what prisons and jails actually do or dont do for people.
JEFFERSON CITY  Nearly six months after announcing an investigation into the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said this week his probe was ongoing.

Bailey on Feb. 9 confirmed his office had been investigating the center after Jamie Reed, a former case manager there, contacted the attorney general and alleged children received puberty blockers and hormone therapies without proper screening or parental consent.

Reed also provided the attorney general with documentary evidence that the Center has been unlawfully billing state taxpayers to fund these actions, and also signed a sworn affidavit on Feb. 7, according to a news release sent out at the time.

The Republican attorney general said his office had received disturbing allegations that individuals have been harming hundreds of children each year, including by using experimental drugs on them. He went on to say his office was thoroughly investigating.

Bailey said the Division of Professional Registration, which disciplines medical professionals, and the Department of Social Services, which administers the states Medicaid funds, would join his investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, Caitlin Whaley, spokeswoman for the Department of Social Services, said in an email Thursday.

And at the Missouri attorney generals office, an office spokeswoman had no news to share.

Our investigation into the pediatric transgender center continues, said Madeline Sieren, spokeswoman for Bailey, in an email on Wednesday. Due to the fact that it is ongoing, I am going to wait to comment on our findings until the investigation is complete.

After Bailey initiated his investigation, Missouri lawmakers, lifted by Reeds allegations, approved limits on transgender care for minors, which Republican Gov. Mike Parson signed in June.

Opponents of the law filed a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court this week in an attempt to block the measure from taking effect Aug. 28.

After announcing his probe on Feb. 9, Bailey the next day called on the president of St. Louis Childrens Hospital and the chancellor of Washington University to issue a moratorium on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for children pending his investigation.

When the clinic rejected Baileys plea, on Feb. 17 he pledged that no stone would go unturned in his effort to root out any case of child abuse that occurred within that clinic.

If even 10% of the allegations in the affidavit are true, weve got a serious issue, Bailey said in a statement.

Since announcing his investigation into the St. Louis clinic, the scope of Baileys probe has appeared to expand. On April 13, he said in a statement, My office has uncovered a clandestine network of clinics across the state who are harming children by ignoring the science.

Planned Parenthood, which provides gender-affirming care to teens 16 or older, sued the Missouri attorney general March 31 in an effort to quash a subpoena issued to the organization.

There has been no recent action in the case, filed in St. Louis Circuit Court.

Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City filed a similar lawsuit against the Missouri attorney general in April. That case was still pending Thursday.

Bailey filed regulations with the secretary of state in April to greatly limit transgender health care for transgender minors and adults through a list of rules including a therapy requirement that created an 18-month waiting period for care.

Bailey withdrew the regulations in May after a St. Louis County judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the rules until July.

Meanwhile, Washington University conducted its own investigation, releasing the results in April and concluding that Reeds claims were unfounded.

The review affirmed that physicians and staff at the Center follow appropriate policies and procedures and treat patients according to the accepted standards of care, the university said in a statement.

In her affidavit, Reed described hormone treatment for gender-questioning adolescents at the clinic as inevitable, characterizing it as the prevailing narrative of immediate cross-sex hormones for all by the prescribing physicians.

The universitys review found that fewer than half of its adolescent patients, 531, received cross hormones, which allow them to develop secondary sex characteristics of the gender with which they identify, such as breasts and wider hips for girls and deeper voices and broader shoulders for boys.

An additional 67 patients were prescribed puberty blockers, which pause the physical changes of puberty, but not cross-sex hormones. The rest, 567, were not prescribed puberty blockers or hormones.

A spokeswoman for Washington University did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday about the continuing investigation, or how it planned to comply with the new state law prohibiting new adolescent patients from receiving puberty blockers or hormone therapy for four years, beginning Aug. 28.

Reed, who is lesbian, said in June that she had been working to build a coalition of LGBT people to share concerns about the medical model of care for trans and gender diverse young people in North America.

We also are appalled at the attacks on free speech being pushed out by LGBT organizations claiming to speak for this community, Reed said.
ST. LOUIS  A city appeals board on Thursday rejected plans to reopen a controversial downtown homeless shelter as a kind of church for the poor, with at least one member saying it wasnt clear the new use would truly differ from the old one.

Its a shelter, said Gene Cullman, chairman of the Board of Building Appeals.

Officials with New Life Evangelistic Center, led by the Rev. Larry Rice, had cast their new plans for 1411 Locust Street as a clean break from the old days.

They spent decades packing their building with hundreds of people per night. But about a decade ago, a surge of investment in and around the Washington Avenue loft district had new residents and young professionals surrounding the shelter, squaring up a clash.

Developers and neighbors took their case to City Hall, accusing New Life of fostering loitering, public urination and drug dealing. And in 2017, City Hall shut it down, citing code violations.

But last year, Rice said he wanted to reopen the building to serve people during the day with worship space, a food pantry and counseling. He and other New Life officials promised that closing time would be well before bedtime, and were careful to avoid calling it a shelter of any kind.

The city issued a permit for renovations aimed at bringing the building up to code and preparing it for reopening.

But some neighbors, led by longtime downtown resident and advocate Matt OLeary, challenged the permit. They told the appeals board that even with the renovations, the building wouldnt be up to code. They said that if the city allowed Rice to reopen at all, the old shelter would surely reopen.

And a visit to the building this week raised eyebrows: Rows of bunk beds could still be found on the upper floors, six years after the city closed the shelter. Rice said that would be sealed off before reopening.

But at Thursdays meeting, board members unanimously sided with the neighbors. Cullman, the chairman, said it was clear to him that New Life wanted to open a daytime homeless shelter. And he said theyd yet to show they could keep order among all the people they would attract.

It seems like thats an attractive nuisance, he said.

In an interview after the meeting, Rice criticized the decision as bigotry against the citys homeless.

Pure discrimination is what it is, he said.

The building, he said, could be a place for people to go to get out of the summer heat, and to get help for what ails them.

He said New Life now plans to ask federal courts to allow it to reopen on religious freedom grounds.
JACKSON, Miss.  The death of a 16-year-old in a Mississippi poultry plant earlier this month offered another reminder that children remain vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace in the United States, senior Labor Department officials said Wednesday.

Duvan Perez became the third teenager to die in an industrial accident this summer. Those deaths occurred amid a push by lawmakers in some states to loosen child labor regulations in order to meet growing demands for workers, though none of the deaths occurred in states where new laws have been enacted.

Perez was working on a sanitation crew at Mar-Jac Poultry on July 14 when he became entangled in a conveyor belt he was cleaning, according to records obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday. Before authorities arrived at the meat processing plant, Perezs coworkers had tried to extract him from the equipment, which stretched to the plants ceiling. Police found the teenager dead, and Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict said in a text message that Perez died from traumatic asphyxia and blunt force trauma.

In a statement, Mar-Jac Poultry blamed an unnamed staffing company for hiring Perez to work at the plant and said Perezs paperwork appeared to misrepresent his age.

We are devastated at the loss of life, and deeply regret that an underage individual was hired without our knowledge. The company is undertaking a thorough audit with the staffing companies to ensure that this kind of error never happens again, the statement said.

Michael Schuls, 16, died in early July after he became entangled in a wood-stacking machine at the northern Wisconsin sawmill where he worked. Will Hampton, also 16, died in June when he was pinned between a semi-truck and its trailer at a landfill in Lees Summit, Missouri.

State and federal child labor laws prohibit minors from working in meat processing plants. The hazards were highlighted over the past year by one of the worst child labor cases in the departments history. In that case, children as young as 13 were found cleaning dangerous equipment like skull splitters and bone saws in slaughterhouses across the country while working for a Wisconsin-based cleaning contractor. Several of them suffered chemical burns while working overnight shifts and attending school during the day.

Packers Sanitation Services Inc. agreed to pay $1.5 million and reform its hiring practices after investigators found more than 100 children working for the company at meatpacking plants in eight states.

That case and the overall increase in child labor violations in recent years prompted officials to launch a broad effort to investigate such cases more vigorously. Those efforts include training workers from other departments to spot child labor concerns as they work with refugees and other groups while ensuring that the Labor Department is communicating with the Justice Department about potential criminal prosecutions. Labor Department officials discussed the issue generally in a background briefing but declined to comment on specific cases criminal investigators are reviewing.

Nadia Marin-Molina, workers rights program coordinator at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said the Mississippi incident is a microcosm of the dangers faced by workers at similar facilities around the country that rely on low-wage labor.

This is not the first death at this facility, and its also emblematic of conditions at other poultry plants. These conditions are widespread, she said. You cant understand or even investigate what happened here without understanding the level of fear that exists in the communities around these plants and among the workers who are there.

Perez is the third employee in the past three years to be killed on the job at the Hattiesburg plant. Over that period, there was also an amputation at the plant. OSHA previously cited Mar-Jac Poultry in 2020 and 2021 for four safety violations in three separate incidents.

The Labor Departments Wage and Hours Division, which enforces child labor laws, is investigating the employers of all three child workers who died this summer. Officials have said that child labor violations have increased nearly 70% nationwide since 2018.

Senior Labor Department officials on Wednesday touted the results of their expanded enforcement efforts, saying the department has completed 765 child labor investigations and identified 4,474 children employed in violation of federal child labor laws since the current fiscal year began on Oct. 1.

Most of those cases involved routine violations like teens working more hours than allowed rather than children working in dangerous environments like meatpacking plants. However, two teens were also found working in a Minnesota meat processing plant run by Monogram Foods earlier this year.

The number of children flagged for working illegally was up from the 3,876 illegally employed minors that investigators found in the entire 2022 fiscal year. The Labor Department has also increased its use of monetary penalties, fining employers roughly $6.6 million since October, up from nearly $4.4 million in 2022.

Most recently, the department announced Tuesday that it had fined McDonalds franchises in Louisiana and Texas for employing teen workers for longer hours than allowed by law and letting 14- and 15-year-olds operate manual deep fryers and trash compactors. Such work is prohibited for employees under age 16.

More than 700 other child labor investigations are ongoing.

These are work environments that are unfit for adults, much less for minors, said Wendy Cervantes, director of immigration and immigrant families at the Center for Law and Social Policy. Duvans tragic story is unfortunately too common, and too many kids like him are continuing to work in inappropriate settings across the country in direct violation of our child labor laws.

Teen employment rates typically peak in July, according to federal labor statistics, when many students are working summer jobs. A vast majority of child labor violations do not involve hazardous occupations and instead pertain to issues such as the hours that minors are allowed to work, which are more limited during the school year.

Lawmakers in several states have pushed in recent years to let children work in more hazardous occupations and for longer hours. The proposals from mostly Republican authors are intended to address worker shortages and include allowing 14-year-olds to serve alcohol, letting 14- and 15-year-olds work past 9 p.m. during the school year and removing age-verification requirements when hiring children.

Labor Department officials said Wednesday that new laws enacted by states cannot legally violate minimum federal standards.

Goldberg reported from Jackson, Mississippi. Venhuizen reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press writer Josh Funk contributed from Omaha, Nebraska.
WASHINGTON  President Harry Truman went around a stalemated Congress 75 years ago and issued an executive order to desegregate the military, offering a crucial victory for the Civil Rights Movement.

On Thursday night, amid a looming congressional battle over diversity efforts in the military, President Joe Biden will make a speech about the impact of the executive order and the work he believes are necessary to eliminate barriers for service members of color.

While more than 40% of active duty service members are people of color, Biden said they are underrepresented in military leadership, face bias in the military justice system and are more likely to be dishonorably discharged.

Let us continue to break down barriers so that all qualified service members, no matter their race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious background, are treated with dignity and respect, can reach their full potential and have their contributions valued,  Biden said in a written statement Wednesday. On this day, the 75th Anniversary of the Executive Order that forever strengthened our military, we must remain unflagging in our effort to complete the work that lies ahead.

Bidens speech comes in the middle of what is a three day Truman Civil Rights Symposium in Washington sponsored by the Truman Library Institute.

Alex Burden, the executive director of the Truman Library Institute said Trumans decision to desegregate the military is not particularly well known  the story about the presidential order was published on page A5 of the Post-Dispatch on July 27, 1948  and that he hopes to raise awareness about the importance of the orders desegregating the military and federal government.

In the greater flow of the civil rights movement, this was a hugely important step, Burden said. History is not just these isolated incidents that take place periodically. Theres an ebb and a flood. Theres a continuity and a connectivity to civil rights history in particular and there had really been no significant actions in terms of civil rights since reconstruction.

The symposium began Wednesday night with an opening reception and conversation between Rep. Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat; Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress; and Judge Richard Gergel, a District Court Judge for the District of South Carolina about post-World War II violence against Black Americans and how it influenced the executive order between.

There are sessions for the rest of the week on Black Americans in the armed forces, the implementation of the executive order, how desegregation affected individual service members and the effort to create equal opportunity in the military.

It comes as the Biden administration has faced push back from conservatives in Congress who are eager to push back against some of the militarys diversity initiatives. In the House, far-right members were able to secure amendments in the chambers version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act to peel abortion rights, transgender health care and diversity initiatives for service members.

In the Senate, where the bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support, Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, secured amendments challenging the department of defenses diversity efforts, including an audit of their diversity, equity and inclusion office.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat who is attending the speech, said recognizing the history is important in a moment when the political culture wars threaten to derail what used to be an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill. He voted against the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act, saying it eliminated efforts to fight racism and extremism in the military.

My father and his two brothers all benefited from the G.I. Bill, Cleaver said. When (Truman) desegregated the military, as you may know, many of the advisers said no, and yet he did it. And then here we are now in 2023 almost re-litigating the same issues.
To say I was shocked to read that the Francis Howell school district rescinded their resolution and policy on anti-discriminatory practices is a complete understatement. I began to wonder if I was in some foreign country, that actually would probably not even be doing this. ("Francis Howell school board to revoke anti-racism resolution," July 21, 2023.) What a despicable, horrifying example and precedent to set.

Having a progressive policy of treating others as equals, being inclusive and diverse, treating others as you would want to be treated, regardless of if they do not look, act, or talk like you, has been, I thought, the gold standard for moral judgment for years. I lived through the times of the race riots, of Dr. Martin Luther King fighting for equal human rights in a peaceful manner, freedom riders who rode buses to Selma, Alabama, and Mississippi, where buses got torched and people were dragged out of buses and murdered.

I thought we had left most of this behind us. I thought we were progressing towards systemic equality for all: all races, colors, creed, religions and sexual orientations.

I feel this rescinding of this vital, sensible, "golden rule" of trying to make equal rights and fair treatment an everyday motto is not only morally and ethically wrong, it sends a very bad message to students: "You don't have to be nice to people who look and sound different then you. You don't have to be respectful to people who don't look and sound just like you. It's OK to bully or be mean to people who don't look and sound like you."

And all of these messages are condoned by the school board and other adults in the school district.

Shame on the school board for this horrible, disrespectful regression in race relations and cultural diversity, tolerance and acceptance of others as human beings.

Children and teens, do not listen to this message. Find it in your heart and your moral sense to continue with the fight for equality, dignity and respect for every human being in this country. We are our brothers' keepers. We truly are of one family  the human family.

Jerry S. Hutter  Florissant
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  Prosecutors began making their case Thursday for a life sentence for a Michigan teenager who killed four students at his high school in 2021, introducing dark journal entries, chilling video and testimony from a wounded staff member who dropped to the floor to block her door.

He was aiming to kill me," said Molly Darnell, who was one of seven people wounded that day.

Ethan Crumbley, 17, has pleaded guilty to murder, terrorism and other crimes at Oxford High School. But a no-parole sentence for minors isnt automatic after a series of decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and Michigan's top court.

Oakland County Judge Kwame Rowe must consider many factors. Crumbleys lawyers argue that he should be released at some point, saying the violence was the climax of the teens untreated mental illness and abhorrent family life.

But in her opening remarks, prosecutor Karen McDonald said Crumbley was an offender like no other, torturing and killing birds months earlier, meticulously planning the shooting and willing to surrender to spend his life behind bars.

We must tell the truth. Our witnesses must tell the truth, and they must tell all of it, McDonald told the judge in support of a life sentence.

At Oxford High, Darnell worked with teachers on their lesson plans. She didn't know Crumbley, who was 15 at the time.

She recalled seeing an unusual rush of students outside her office at lunch.

I'm like, OK, it could be a prank. Is there something happening in the parking lot? Darnell recalled. That's when an announcement came on that we were headed into lockdown. It was not a drill. There were doors slamming and the sound of pops.

She said she suddenly locked eyes with a boy in baggy clothes raising a gun toward her.

I heard three very loud (shots), physically loud. I could feel them, said Darnell, who was struck in the upper left arm. I kind of jumped to the right and felt my left shoulder move back. It felt like someone had burned me with hot water.

She said she dropped to her knees to install a portable door lock and moved a cabinet in place for protection.

At that point I had sent my husband a text message, Darnell said. I said, I love you. Active shooter. He said, Just get safe.

She made a tourniquet with her sweater to stop the bleeding and called her husband to say she had been shot. Darnell did not return to her job when the school reopened a few months later.

It was just too hard to be there, she said.

There was a tense moment during cross-examination when a lawyer for Crumbley asked Darnell whether she knew anything about the teen's mental health or background.

Do you know how hard it is to heal from something like this? she replied. Learning what happened is not part of my healing process.

Earlier, relatives of the victims quietly wept as video of the shooting, recorded on school security cameras, was played in court. Crumbley, meanwhile, looked down.

Lt. Timothy Willis said a 22-page handwritten journal was found in a bathroom stall, apparently left behind by Crumbley before he emerged in a hallway with a gun.

I wish to hear the screams of the children as I shoot them, he wrote.

Crumbley also made a video on the eve of the shooting, rambling about the state of education and politics as well as God and the devil. He said he would kill the next day.

I'm sorry the families have to go through this, Crumbley said.

His lawyers introduced passages from his journal to try to show that Crumbley was deeply disturbed and in poor mental health.

I can feel the evil around me and even dogs sense it. ... I dont want to be evil, he wrote.

Crumbleys lawyers plan to offer testimony from an expert in child brain development and another who has spent time with the teen and performed psychological tests.

Crumbley is not one of those rare individuals who is irreparably corrupt and cant be rehabilitated, attorney Paulette Michel Loftin said in her opening statement.

He could be given a minimum sentence somewhere from 25 years to 40 years. He would then be eligible for parole, though the parole board has much discretion to keep a prisoner in custody.

On the day of the shooting, Crumbley and his parents met with school staff after a teacher was troubled by drawings that included a bloody body and a gun pointing at the words, The thoughts wont stop. Help me.

Crumbley was allowed to stay in school, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Detroit, though his backpack was not checked for weapons.

His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are separately charged with involuntary manslaughter. They're accused of buying a gun for their son and ignoring his mental health needs.
The growing use of small, armed USVs as cheap cruise missiles created the need for equally inexpensive systems to deal with this threat. One Israeli firm responded with the Hopper RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapons Station) and MHR (Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar). Both these systems are already available separately, but putting them together as an AUD (Anti UAV Defense) was a novel approach to a growing problem. Hopper RCWS uses a 5.56 or 7.62 machine-gun to fire on targets detected and tracked by the MHR. Recent tests showed the system to be quite effective against small low altitude and relatively slow UAVs capable of carrying explosives.

Ukraine recently received a novel new AUD system called Vampire. This system is palletized, with all components secured on a shipping pallet that can be mounted on a light truck. Vampire consists of a telescoping mast mounting an electro-optical/infrared modular sensor ball and laser designator, a generator for power and Fletcher launcher that carries four APKWS 70mm laser guided rockets. These weigh only 15 kg (32 pounds) each and have a range of about a thousand meters when fired from the ground. Vampire can be used to detect and fire APKWS laser guided rockets at air and even ground targets. Any UAV, cruise missile or helicopter within range is vulnerable. Vampire is designed to be reconfigured, which is the kind of system Ukrainians prefer. The Fletcher launcher is designed to use the new, longer range APKWS rockets that gain additional range by having a larger rocket motor which makes the APKWS longer. Ukrainians are expected to modify Vampire to better suit their needs or simply to obtain longer range while carrying more rockets ready to fire.

Ukraine has also received many man-portable (size and weight of a large rifle) AUDs that use electronic jamming. Ukraine has been using DroneGun for over a year. KVS G-6, a more recent example of this type of AUD, recently appeared in Ukraine and was developed and manufactured in Ukraine. The Ukraine War has created a market for AUDs and manufacturers have responded.

Israel has long been the leader in combat proven AUD systems. One example is Skylock, which proved itself against Iranian UAVs used during the early 2021 Hamas/Israel ten-day war with Israel. This brief conflict provided ample opportunities to test new Israeli AUD systems. Israel is a leader in the development of AUDs, mainly because it faces attacks from the widest variety of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) types, and the most attacks using UAVs.

In preparation for a large-scale use of different type UAVs against Israel from Iran backed Hamas in the south or Hezbollah (Lebanon) and Iran (Syria), Israel had developed numerous ways to detect and destroy or disable hostile UAVs. During this 2021 ten-day war Israel detected and defeated six Hamas UAV attacks. There may have been other Hamas UAVs launched that never got near the border because of UAV malfunctions or operator error. The six UAVs that were a threat were all detected and taken down via missiles, usually from Iron Dome but one was by an air-to-air missile, and at least one UAV was disabled using a technology that Israel would not discuss. This was probably one of the electronic AUD systems, which Israeli tech companies have developed over the last few years.

One of the new (to large-scale combat) Israeli systems receives data from multiple sensors (radars or electronic detection systems) and, in real time, creates a single database/map display of all enemy systems detected. One feature of this systems software is an accurate estimate of where UAVs were launched from. This provides an opportunity to attack the UAV operator or launch site. This system caused more losses to Hamas rocket launching teams, who thought the Israelis were just getting lucky. Hamas soon realized that luck had nothing to do with it. Israel has often sought to come up with defenses against new enemy weapons or tactics with a multi-system solution. Nowhere has this been more evident than when it comes to the growing threat from armed UAVs.

For over a decade, many if not most new AUD systems have come from Israel. Many specialize in the use of multiple sensors and systems to detect and disable UAVs. The best and most recent example of this is Skylock, an AUD system using multiple sensors and EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment, plus a short-range laser, to detect, identify and jam or take over unidentified UAVs trying to enter military bases, airports, or industrial facilities. Skylock uses a combination of radar, electro-optical (visual) and electronic signal monitoring sensors capable of detecting the smallest UAVs, especially quad-copters, approaching a restricted area. Another Israeli approach is to use an interceptor UAV that can drop a net on a UAV but the preferred method is to jam the UAV control signals or, if possible, seize control and land it.

A growing number of AUDs are built to deal with any small UAV. One of the more effective, and expensive of these AUDs is the Israeli Drone Dome system. These cost $3.4 million each and consist of a 360-degree radar system, an electro-optical day/night surveillance unit and a wideband (most frequencies drones use) detector. With all this Drone Dome can reliably detect any small quadcopter or fixed-wing UAV within 3,500 meters. Most quadcopters and UAVs encountered are larger and can be detected out to ten kilometers. Once spotted, Drone Dome can use a focused jamming signal that will disrupt any radio control signals and force the drone to crash or operate erratically. Drone Dome has an optional laser gun that can be aimed by Drone Dome to destroy the drone at ranges up to 2,000 meters. In a combat zone, you can also employ machine-guns to bring down the drone. Many buyers do not purchase the laser option and depend on Drone Dome being able to reliably detect all manner of small quadcopters from several manufacturers.

What made Skylock and Drone Dome different was their heavy use of electronic sensors to detect and jam the control signals used by UAVs, leaving the laser as a last resort. Several such AUD systems are already in service and effective because they are good at detecting UAVs electronically, and either jamming those control signals or taking over the control signals and capturing (by making it land) the UAV. American troops in Iraq and Syria were asking for AUD systems that use lasers, plus better UAV detection systems as well those with jammers to disable UAVs. There is also a need for AUDs that can detect and destroy UAVs that do not use control signals and basically go on pre-programmed missions. This can be to take photos or deliver a small explosive. Usually, it is to take photos and return. Drone Dome is one of several AUD systems equipped to detect and locate UAVs operating in pre-programmed mode and destroy or disable them quietly with a vehicle-mounted laser.

AUDs like Drone Dome also use one or more radar systems and one or more sensor systems for detecting UAV control signals or visual images that pattern recognition software can quickly identify. While commercial UAVs are more common, the basic design principles have not changed. AUDs are constantly evolving to better detect and disable or destroy unwanted UAVs. The best ones are recent models that tend to be very expensive and used only for extreme situations, like UAV defense in combat zones. Airports, especially the larger ones, are going to have to join the military in buying the latest AUDs, which at least lowers the AUD price and inspires even faster innovation and development.
In early July, Russia carried out a brief pre-dawn test of its ability to turn Internet access for Russians into a Sovereign Internet that is not connected to the worldwide Internet. That means Russians can only use the Internet within Russian and must use Russian based websites and network services, like search, messaging and social media. There are versions of all these services based in Russian as well as internationally popular versions like Google, Wikipedia, Twitter and Facebook.

The Sovereign Internet test revealed some problems, like interference with large scale Internet-based communications systems created for the Nationwide Railroad Network and other nationwide communications systems that also require some access to international systems. A long-term implementation of Russias Sovereign Internet would disrupt some portions of the Russian economy that depend on constant communication with foreign firms.

The Sovereign Internet is meant to be used for short periods. There are other uses of the Sovereign Internet that include remaining connected to neighboring nations like Iran (which is also developing a Sovereign Internet) and China, which already has one. Internet pioneers predicted that some countries would seek to develop a Sovereign Internet in order to exercise government control over the Internet. This was something that early Internet developers feared would happen because the international free exchange of information was a threat to the power of totalitarian government. The totalitarians were expected to eventually strike back and now they have.
A Greek holiday is the perfect setting for this diving timepiece

Breitling unveiled its new-generation Superocean collection last year and we did a Team Test with it at the time with the whole WorldTempus crew, who really appreciated the new design. So, when it came to planning our WorldTempus on Tour Greek Edition, it was again on the top of our list for watches that we wanted to try in the water. So, a quick call with the lovely people at Breitling and the latest Superocean 36 mm stainless steel model, with a bright turquoise dial and matching rubber strap, arrived at the office, ready for a WorldTempus adventure.

The Original Superocean

The collection dates back to the 1960s and 70s when diving was a new sport that was taking the world by storm. The original collection was predominantly a tool watch that was designed to accompany divers during their exploits under the water. Breitlings designers at the time eliminated any superfluous features that didnt support the lifesaving needs of divers underwater. It came with chunky numerals for heightened readability, no seconds (as divers didnt need them), and an unusual minutes chronograph that made a tour of the dial every hour and gave the watch its nickname Slow Motion.

Breitling Superocean 36mm  Breitling

Back to Slow Motion

The new version retraces the pared-down aesthetic of the original Slow Motion but adds modern features, colours, and style so it can become more than just a dive watch. It comes with a scratchproof inlaid unidirectional ceramic bezel, a high contrast dial ring, broad hands and indexes coated with SuperLumiNova, and the seconds are back (they do prove quite handy, after all)! The functionality remains with a timepiece that is shock, sand, and saltwater resistant. The watch is powered by the Breitling automatic Calibre 17 and comes with a 38-hour power reserve, COSC certification, and a two-year warranty.

At the time of its launch, Breitling CEO Georges Kern said: Theres a certain sameness to the look of most dive watches, but the Slow Motion always stood out from the crowd. We are so pleased to introduce our modern take on this classic, the all-new Superocean.

Breitling Superocean 36mm  Christopher Shand for WorldTempus

This Superocean model comes in a 36mm stainless steel case that is water resistant to 300 metres. It has a bright turquoise dial and matching coloured rubber strap, which is perfect to match the hues of the Aegean Sea. Other details include the Slow Motions distinctive square minutes hand, which was on the original version, along with the high contrast minutes scale. Breitling enthusiasts will surely also remember the little circular dot window at 6 oclock that displayed different colours depending on whether the minutes-based chronograph was engaged, paused, or turned off. In this new Superocean, a circle near the tip of the seconds hand is a reminder of this much-loved feature.

The Superocean 36 mm was the perfect timepiece for sailing around the Greek islands, and even though we didnt get a chance to scuba dive this trip, the timepiece was totally in its element, as were all the ladies on the WorldTempus team who got to wear it!
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Illumina:

Originally published on Illumina News Center

Nothing about Budi Hermawan's experience with tuberculosis (TB) has been easy. In 2003, he had a cough. He didn't think much of it, but as his symptoms worsened, he visited a doctor near his home in Bogor, Indonesia. He was diagnosed with TB and given medication, but eventually, he stopped taking the drugs.

Hermawan did not understand the disease or how important it was to continue his medicines. A few months later, his symptoms returned. He went back to the doctor, who strongly urged him to take all his medications. He did, but his disease continued to worsen.

"It was a long process, and I only had limited information," says Hermawan. "It also affected my psychological and economic situation, as I was not able to work properly or be productive due to the disease."

Finally, in 2010, his TB had worsened to the point where he was considering having a lung removed. This was an expensive proposition, and he had little money. Hermawan consulted with his family, and he took two months to raise the funds before he returned to the hospital. That delay proved fortuitous-a new treatment was now available and meant he would no longer need surgery.

The hospital tested Hermawan's sputum (saliva and mucus) for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), a strain of the disease that is able to resist two of the most powerful anti-TB drugs, rifampicin and isoniazid. In those days, fast molecular tests were not available, and it took three months to get the results. Hermawan had to wear a mask the whole time to protect his family. Eventually, his results came back positive, and he was told to start treatment.

At the time, only one facility, Persahabatan Hospital in Jakarta, provided the treatment. Either he would have to commute via bus, train, and taxi four hours each day, or he would have to move to the capital.

For nearly two years, Hermawan took about 30 tablets a day, received daily injections, and went in for monthly exams. For the first four months, he moved to Jakarta to protect his family; then, once he was negative for TB, he moved back to Bogor-but the treatment continued for 17 months.

"It is extraordinary because the treatment is 21 months long and patients have to reconcile with the situation," says Hermawan, whose story is unfortunately not uncommon. MDR-TB is more difficult and takes longer to treat than drug-susceptible TB. "Family support is very important, as well as support from fellow survivors."

Supporting TB education and treatment

Hermawan's experience inspired him to help others, and he joined a number of drug-resistant TB support groups, including Jakarta MDR-TB Fighters. Now he leads POP-TB Indonesia, which provides advocacy, education, and patient support.

This work is informed by his experiences. Hermawan thinks about the three-month period when he was waiting to learn whether he had MDR-TB and was a danger to his family and community.

Things are a bit better now. Some Indonesian clinics have adopted molecular tests, which can process results in as little as two hours. And on July 25, following the results of a Unitaid-FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics) trial, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its endorsement of next-generation sequencing for diagnostic testing of drug-resistant TB. This further expands drug resistant testing capability to get patients to the correct course of treatment faster. But even with this fast technology, infrastructure issues can slow the process.

"Theoretically, the results come out in two hours, but on the ground, the results come out in two weeks or even a month," Hermawan says. "The human resource factor is very influential; they are not ready. There are conditions where the equipment is available but damaged. This is a challenge we face on the ground."

And for patients, there are many layers to the experience: the social stigma, the difficulty accessing effective therapies, the economic hardships associated with the disease and even the treatments.

"We work to educate and motivate fellow survivors," says Hermawan. "We can also advocate for patients because we have legal representatives. Currently, we have 36 representatives for POP-TB. Regarding mental health, we have 14 mental health responders for the hotline, and we also collaborate with psychologists."

Hermawan used to meet individually with MDR-TB patients, but he realized that approach was unsustainable-there are just too many. He now leverages POP-TB's resources to provide that necessary support, though he does occasionally intervene in person.

"There was a patient, a few months ago, who called me and told me she had nothing to eat," he says. "This is terrible. TB medication must be accompanied by good nutrition. I ordered food for her and her family and the next morning my team and I found her. Her house was uninhabitable. I advocated for her, and she is being rehabilitated by philanthropic organizations. Before that she missed treatments; after she was never absent, and now she is cured."

There's a lot more work to be done. TB is the second-leading infectious disease killer worldwide, behind COVID-19. In 2022, WHO reported that globally, the number of adults and children receiving treatment for MDR- and rifampicin-resistant TB fell 43% short and 15% short, respectively, of United Nations five-year targets set in 2018. Hermawan is grateful to Illumina and other companies for their support, while noting that resources remain scarce and patients rely on POP-TB and other organizations to help them successfully complete their treatments.

"We have to convey information to the patient," he says. "Sometimes, doctors will declare the patient cured, but they still have to continue treatment even though the microscope has no longer found germs. They have to continue in case there are dormant germs, and we help them understand this process so they are eventually cured."

To read about tuberculosis surveillance, click here.

To read about a Mumbai lab using genomics for tuberculosis surveillance, click here.

To read about fighting drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa, click here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Illumina on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Illumina

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/illumina

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Illumina

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HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Dril-Quip, Inc. (NYSE: DRQ), (the "Company" or "Dril-Quip") announced today that it will release its second quarter 2023 earnings results on July 31, 2023, after the close of the U.S. financial markets.

Management will host a conference call and a webcast to discuss the financial results on August 1, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time / 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time. The presentation is open to all interested parties and may include forward-looking information.

To access the call, please dial in approximately ten minutes before the start of the call.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Date / Time: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 a.m. CDT Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2968/48569 U.S. Toll-Free Dial-In: 888-506-0062 International Dial-In: 973-528-0011 Conference ID: 605971

For those unable to participate in the live call, an audio replay will be available following the call through midnight Tuesday, August 15, 2023. To access the replay, please call 877-481-4010 or 919-882-2331 (International) and enter confirmation code 48569. A replay of the webcast will also be archived shortly after the call and can be accessed on the Company's website.

About Dril-Quip

Dril-Quip is a developer, manufacturer and provider of highly engineered equipment, service and innovative technologies for use in the energy industry.

Investor Relations Contact

Erin Fazio, Director of Corporate Finance

[email protected]

SOURCE: Dril-Quip, Inc.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Edison International:

To transform the electric power industry toward a clean energy future, we're unlocking the power of our people - developing the best and most diverse talent and providing them with an equitable, healthy workplace that enables everyone to thrive.

At Edison International, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are foundational for our success. We understand that our ability to safely deliver reliable, affordable and clean energy to our customers depends on a healthy culture in which everyone can do their best work because they are valued for their perspectives and unique differences. Building on momentum from commitments and progress in recent years, we continue to measure impact and refine key programs to further integrate DEI within our company culture and business objectives - recognizing this requires investment and commitment at all levels.

Among our progress and achievements, we:

Developed DEI Action Plans for each Edison International and SCE Organizational Unit (OU) to increase accountability for DEI in all areas of the company and to align and integrate DEI into all OU business goals

Expanded our Talent Development Accelerator program to include a more diverse group of employees

Advanced diversity in our talent pipeline through our Lineworker Scholarship program and expanded the program to attract a more diverse talent pool

As outlined in Pathway 2045, SCE's blueprint to helping California achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, decarbonizing the electric sector will provide a remarkable transformation for the environment, the economy and people. However, this clean energy transition will be successful only if we make it equitable for everyone. We believe this transition can create a future with socioeconomic benefits for all, and we are working to ensure that such a transition is just and inclusive. Edison International's efforts include philanthropy, volunteering, board service, scholarship programs and community partnerships.

We continue to support organizations and initiatives that share our dedication to expanding educational and vocational opportunities and driving growth in economically disadvantaged communities. For example, we partner with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit that makes renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underrepresented communities. Our recent grants of $225,000 will support clean energy projects throughout SCE's service area including the Central Valley, Greater Los Angeles and Inland Empire and provide hands-on solar installation experience for local workers.

We are proud to share Edison International's achievements and progress in this 2022 DEI Report - a true demonstration of the power of our people, coming together to drive real change and deliver meaningful results.

Pedro J. Pizarro,

President & Chief Executive Officer, Edison International

Steve Powell,

President & Chief Executive Officer, SCE

Natalie K. Schilling,

Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Edison International and SCE

View the full Edison International 2022 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Edison International on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Edison International

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/edison-international

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Edison International

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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / For the first two quarters of 2023, Entergy has awarded $6.4 million in shareholder contributions to 467 nonprofit organizations across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. With support from local community partners, these grants helped strengthen communities by supporting education and workforce development, poverty solutions and environmental programs.

"Giving back is central to Entergy's mission. Our shareholders exemplify this commitment through their generous contributions," said Patty Riddlebarger, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Entergy. "With the support of our partners, we continue to make significant strides in creating sustainable value that leaves a lasting impact throughout our communities."

For more than 100 years, Entergy has powered life in our communities through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. These shareholder investments showcase the power of collective impact across sectors and Entergy's role as an industry-wide model for how thoughtful partnerships can help create and sustain thriving communities.

Select year-to-date grants include:

$1.2 million in utility bill payment assistance to nonprofit partners who administer Entergy's The Power to Care program. The Power to Care is an Entergy program that helps older adults and people with disabilities keep their lights on when they are facing a financial difficulty. Entergy collects the funds through shareholder, customer and employee donations, and partners with local nonprofits who then distribute the funds to qualifying customers.

The Power to Care is an Entergy program that helps older adults and people with disabilities keep their lights on when they are facing a financial difficulty. Entergy collects the funds through shareholder, customer and employee donations, and partners with local nonprofits who then distribute the funds to qualifying customers. $874,000 in employee-matching contributions to United Way organizations located in communities served by Entergy. United Way works to create strong, equitable communities where everyone can achieve their full potential. That's why they are one of our most important community partners.

located in communities served by Entergy. United Way works to create strong, equitable communities where everyone can achieve their full potential. That's why they are one of our most important community partners. $250,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Entergy's contribution is earmarked to provide relief for communities that may be impacted by storms and other disasters during the 2023 storm season. Since 2015, Entergy shareholders have committed more than $2.2 million to our communities through grants to local chapters of the American Red Cross and through the company's support of its Disaster Responder Program.

Entergy's contribution is earmarked to provide relief for communities that may be impacted by storms and other disasters during the 2023 storm season. Since 2015, Entergy shareholders have committed more than $2.2 million to our communities through grants to local chapters of the American Red Cross and through the company's support of its Disaster Responder Program. $250,000 to Jobs for America's Graduates. JAG provides underserved students in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi with wraparound supportive services to help ensure they graduate from high school on time and are equipped with the necessary skills to be successful in college or their career. This support is part of Entergy's school-to-career readiness workforce development initiative, which supports programs that focus on increasing high school graduation rates and ensuring students are career or college ready when they graduate.

All funding is provided by shareholder contributions and does not impact customer bills.

For more information about the Entergy Charitable Foundation grants, including application, deadline and eligibility details, visit entergy.com/csr/giving.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

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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OMO-103 in Phase 1b clinical trial

BARCELONA, SPAIN / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Peptomyc S.L., a biotech company specialized in the development of protein therapeutics for cancer treatment, announces that it has received full study approval for its new Phase 1b clinical trial, which will evaluate the combination of the first-in-class MYC inhibitor, OMO103, together with the standard of care (SoC) regimen Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel in metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients in first line. PDAC is the most common form of pancreatic cancer. Currently, it is the fourth highest cause of cancer mortality worldwide and its incidence is rising steeply. Current therapies offer limited chance of a lasting cure and the five-year survival rate is one of the lowest among the most commonly occurring cancers.





Peptomyc logo

Peptomyc logo





MYC is an oncoprotein deregulated in most -if not all- types of cancers. It is activated in many PDAC cases, where it contributes to aggressiveness of the disease and resistance to treatments. The company recently completed a FIH Phase 1 study of OMO103 in all-comers solid tumor patients, demonstrating excellent safety and promising anti-tumor activity.

Manuela Niewel, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of the company, leading Peptomyc's clinical development, regulatory and medical affairs activities, says: "I am excited to be able to start our new Phase 1b study in PDAC patients. With OMO-103, we hope to address this devastating disease and one of the highest unmet medical needs in the oncology field".

This Phase 1b combination study will be conducted in four sites in Spain. The lead PI will be Dr. Teresa Macarulla at the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology in Barcelona, and she will collaborate with Dr. Andres Muoz at the Hospital Gregorio Maranon in Madrid, Dr. Mariona Calvo at the ICO-Hospitalet in Barcelona, and Dr. Roberto Pazo at the Hospital Miguel Servet in Zaragoza. The study is planned to start in Q3/2023.

About Peptomyc

Peptomyc (www.peptomyc.com) is a spin-off from VHIO - the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology - and ICREA - the Catalan Institute of Research and Advanced Studies - founded in December 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. The company is focused on the development of innovative cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) targeting the Myc oncoprotein for cancer treatment and based on Dr. Soucek's scientific research in Omomyc (the best direct Myc inhibitor known to date) over the last twenty years. It is the first company to have successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial with a direct MYC inhibitor.

Contact Information

Laura Soucek

CEO

[email protected]

+34695207869

SOURCE: Peptomyc SL

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Owens Corning

Originally published in Owens Corning's 2022 Sustainability Report

As planning began on an expansion to our facility in Hllekis, Sweden, it was discovered that the area was a habitat for a wide variety of species, including frogs, newts, salamanders, and snakes. A new habitat has been constructed to protect these species, and Veronica Sjodin has been a key figure in this process. Veronica has been an environmental specialist with Owens Corning for five years, and she has seen biodiversity emerge as an important topic at her facility and throughout the company as a whole. She shares her perspectives on this biodiversity initiative, and how they connect to Owens Corning's overall approach to sustainability.

"For many companies, protecting biodiversity is a result of the work they're doing. Owens Corning has set it as a specific topic, and I think that's quite unique."

On partnering with other organizations to protect biodiversity

We are members of a local organization that protects biosphere areas, and we have been talking with them about how to proceed with the habitat. We are also talking about whether we can do anything more when it has been built. We want to let people know about the frog ponds, so we hope the organization can use this as an example when they are out talking in schools. As kids learn about this habitat, maybe it could be a place to go for excursions to learn more about the frogs and other species. I think many families would like to come see if they can see salamanders and other species in their habitat.

On her personal connection with the natural world

I spend a lot of time in nature. I practice orienteering, where you go running in the forest, looking at a map to find the checkpoints. I live quite close to the Hallekis factory, which is such a beautiful nature area. I think we need to have biodiversity and to allow nature to evolve as it wants to and not trying to steer it as much as we do. I do believe that we need to think about biodiversity more. In Europe, there is some discussion around biodiversity, but I don't think that companies are talking much about it and what impact they can have.

On the steps individuals and companies can take to safeguard species

I think climate change will affect biodiversity quite a lot. I think whatever you can do, even if it's just one small thing, can make a difference. I think we all need to take it step by step, and then expand our efforts to reduce our impact. I think we need to do this both as individuals and as a company. The environmental goals that Owens Corning has set will reduce our impact on the climate. I come from the Insulation business, and we have products that also reduce climate effects. We are in a good position as a company because we do things that contribute to the environment in a good way.

Read more

Photo courtesy of Veronica Sjodin.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Owens Corning on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Owens Corning

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/owens-corning

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Owens Corning

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Glidewell Receives PDAC-Approval for Silent Nite Sleep Appliance, Making It the Second Silent Nite Appliance Eligible for Medicare Reimbursement Using Code E0486

NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / Glidewell announced today that its signature mandibular advancement device (MAD), the Silent Nite Sleep Appliance, is now eligible for Medicare reimbursement under code E0486. This new benefit makes treatment more accessible to patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by repeated obstruction of the upper airway.

The Glidewell Silent Nite Sleep Appliance Is Now PDAC-Approved for Medicare (E0486)

Glidewell Receives PDAC-Approval for Silent Nite Sleep Appliance, Making It the Second Silent Nite Appliance Eligible for Medicare Reimbursement Using Code E0486





In the U.S., more than 60 million people are enrolled in Medicare,1 and many Medicare recipients may suffer from OSA. Research suggests that more than half (56%) of people aged 65 or older have a high risk of OSA.2 This condition is associated with wide-ranging adverse effects, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, depression, metabolic syndrome, motor vehicle accidents and diminished quality of life.3

Introduced in 1996, the Silent Nite Sleep Appliance treats snoring and OSA by gently shifting the lower jaw forward in a therapeutic position during sleep, which activates the airway muscles and ligaments to prevent the airway from collapsing. The appliance is flexible, thin and designed to be comfortable for all-night wear.

"We're thrilled that the Silent Nite Sleep Appliance is now available to treat Medicare-enrolled patients diagnosed with OSA," said Glidewell Founder and President Jim Glidewell, CDT. "It's a tribute to our world-class R&D and preventive care teams, who continue to steadily advance the dental sleep medicine landscape. We're committed to making oral appliance therapy more practical for clinicians - so they can improve the lives of their patients."

Clinicians in this space desire appliances that are effective, affordable and PDAC-approved. The Silent Nite appliance encompasses 27 years of clinical success, and it's Glidewell's most affordable sleep appliance.

Key features of the Silent Nite MAD:

PDAC (Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding) contractor-verified for Medicare reimbursement: Code E0486

Fast turnaround time of only three days in the lab

Backed by a three-year warranty

Low cost increases access to care

Each case includes extra connectors, in various sizes, and an AM Aligner to aid patients in exercising and realigning the jaw after nighttime mandibular advancement

This is the second PDAC-approved option in the Silent Nite portfolio. In 2022, the Silent Nite with Glidewell Hinge" was introduced as part of Glidewell's family of sleep solutions. The company currently offers accredited continuing education courses to help dentists successfully integrate dental sleep medicine into their practice.

To learn more about the Silent Nite appliance or to receive information about the Glidewell Clinical Twinpak", which provides significant savings on a duplicate MAD to ensure uninterrupted treatment, call 800-407-3326 or visit glidewell.com/silent-nite.

References:

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [Internet]. Baltimore (MD): U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS releases latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); 2021 Dec 21 [cited 2023 Jul 20]. Available from: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/news-alert/cms-releases-latest-enrollment-figures-medicare-medicaid-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip .

2. Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, University of Michigan [Internet]. Ann Arbor (MI): Regents of the University of Michigan. OSA in older adults: often present, seldom investigated; 2018 May 10 [cited 2023 Jul 20]. Available from: https://ihpi.umich.edu/news/osa-older-adults-often-present-seldom-investigated .

3. Braley TJ, Dunietz GL, Chervin RD, Lisabeth LD, Skolarus LE, Burke JF. Recognition and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in older Americans. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018 Jul;66(7):1296-1302.

AM Aligner is a registered trademark of Airway Technologies, LLC.

Contact Information

Eldon Thompson

Sr. Director of Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE: Glidewell

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ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The Home Depot:

Originally published on Built From Scratch

Today, The Home Depot released its 2023 ESG Report. The report provides details on the company's progress on its environmental, social and governance (ESG) pillars: Focus on our People, Operate Sustainably and Strengthen our Communities. This year, the company achieved several of its ESG goals and set new ones to benefit its associates, customers, communities and the planet.

"Since the company's inception, we have invested in running a responsible, sustainable company because it makes our business stronger, more agile, and more resilient," said Ted Decker, chair, president and CEO of The Home Depot. "That has always encouraged good business practices and enabled us to consistently deliver industry-leading results."

In 2022, the company reduced its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by approximately 92,000 metric tons, equivalent to taking more than 20,000 cars off the road for a year. Recently, the company submitted new carbon reduction goals to the Science Based Target initiative for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 "Use of Products Sold" emissions.

The Home Depot's greatest environmental impact comes from the products it sells. By the end of fiscal year 2028, the company expects more than 85% of U.S. and Canadian sales in outdoor power equipment, specifically push lawn mowers and handheld outdoor equipment like leaf blowers and trimmers, will run on rechargeable battery technology instead of gas. Additionally, The Home Depot announced new goals related to helping customers save energy costs and reducing water usage through its products sold by 2026.

In a continued effort to create the best associate experience in retail, the company focuses on associate engagement, compensation, safety and training. Continuing its commitment to associate development, the company plans to provide 10 million hours to frontline associates for skill development and 2.5 million hours of training to leaders by 2028.

Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has contributed more than $450 million to veteran causes, and Team Depot has volunteered 1.4 million service hours to veteran causes. In 2022, The Home Depot Foundation granted $82 million, continuing to prioritize taking care of the communities where it operates, focusing on veteran causes, skilled trades training and disaster relief. By 2028, The Home Depot Foundation plans to invest $50 million to train skilled tradespeople, including veterans, to help close the skilled labor gap.

Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! Subscribe to our bi-weekly news update and get the top Built from Scratch stories delivered straight to your inbox.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Home Depot on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: The Home Depot

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/home-depot

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: The Home Depot

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 27, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with BIGG Digital Assets, Grounded Lithium, Deep-South Resources, Nextech3D.ai and Hank Payments discussing their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

BIGG Digital Assets Corporate Update

For the full interview with Mark Binns and to learn about BIGG Digital Assets, click here.

Grounded Lithium Announces Robust Investment Metrics in Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Kindersley Lithium Project

Grounded Lithium Corp. ("GLC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of our preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") on the first phase 11,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate ("LHM") production from the Kindersley Lithium Project ("KLP").

For the full interview with Gregg Smith and to learn about Grounded Lithium, click here.

Deep-South Resources (TSXV:DSM) announces assay results from Haib Copper Project

Deep-South Resources Inc. ("Deep-South" or "theCompany") (TSX-V:DSM) announces the third batch of assay results from its drilling program interrupted in June 2021 at its Haib Copper project in southern Namibia.

For the full interview with Pierre Lveille and to learn about Deep-South Resources, click here.

Nextech3D.ai (CSE:NTAR)(OTCQX:NEXCF) Announces $2.2Million Expansion Contract From Its Largest Enterprise Customer Driving A Surge In 3D-Modeling Demand in Q3

Nextech3D.AI (formerly Nextech AR Solutions Corp) (OTCQX:EXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2), a leading Generative AI-Powered 3D modeling supplier for major e-commerce brands such as Amazon, P&G, Kohls, and Dyson, has announced a significant increase in demand from its largest customer - Amazon.

For the full interview with Evan Gappelberg and to learn about Nextech3D.AI, click here.

Hank Payments (TSXV:HANK) Launches First College on Its Education Platform Ahead Of Schedule

Hank Payments Corp. (TSXV:HANK) ("Hank" or the "Company"), is a North American leader in consumer Fintech Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") in the Banking-as-a-Service ("BaaS") market segment.

For the full interview with Michael Hilmer and to learn about Hank Payments, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

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themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

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OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioTalent Canada has been named a 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727381457/en/

Now in its second year, the annual 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer award recognizes companies whose diversity, equity and inclusion programs foster change in the workplace. Canadian HR Reporter has been covering the workplace for 25 years. Published by Thomson Reuters, it is the leading source of human resources and workplace information in Canada.

This recognition is for BioTalent Canadas implementation of inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) practices within its own organization and the bio-economy as a whole. Other recipients of this years award include FuelPositive, Iversoft, Dejero, and SAP Canada, among others.

Canadian HR Reporter invited organizations to fill out an employer form that required them to explain their diversity and inclusion initiatives. BioTalent Canada was also required to complete an application so that Canadian HR Reporter could evaluate its workplace. Employers apply to be considered for the recognition by completing an initial form. The competition is open, and any Canadian organization can apply for recognition on an annual basis. Questions asked in the application process included whether employees felt they belonged at the company, if employers offer a good training program for diversity, and whether the work environment was one where an employee would recommend to a friend or colleague who belongs to an underrepresented group.

BioTalent Canada ultimately achieved a greater than 80% average satisfaction rating from employees and was named a 5-Star Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer for 2023.

This recognition is a great honour, says Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. Diversity remains a key priority for all of us and the entire bio-economy and we reflect these values in our workplace culture.

As a national non-profit focused on building Canadas bio-economy, BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science through various resources that support employers in developing robust talent management strategies, including their Building Workplace Resiliency resources, launched earlier this year to develop resiliency within an organization and promote a strong talent pipeline through principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility leadership (IDEAL).

At BioTalent Canada, a 2023 employee engagement survey indicated 84% of employees feel the organization is an inclusive workplace where people of all different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs are treated fairly. In the same survey, 95% of staff felt BioTalent Canada is dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion.

For the organization to promote these best practices to the industry, BioTalent Canada strives to champion IDEA principles within their team first. This includes, among other initiatives: IDEA training, internal recognition and celebration focused on IDEA, and establishing an Inclusion Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

Internal workplace surveys show that employees at BioTalent Canada are highly engaged and committed, and the organization has won several awards and recognitions, including being named one of Canadas Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023 by Great Place to Work Canada.

We take equity, diversity and inclusion extremely seriously, says Henderson. IDEA helps to ensure our sector contributes to an inclusive society, and that drives innovation.

Currently, 33% of BioTalent Canadas staff is a visible minority and 42% of employees are new immigrants to Canada. Furthermore, 36% of the staff speaks a first language other than English or French. In all, 25 different languages are spoken at BioTalent Canada.

Last year BioTalent Canada launched the IDEAL Bioscience Employer Recognition Program to recognize organizations in Canadas bio-economy who are leading the way in embodying the diverse and inclusive corporate principles needed to promote growth and success in the sector.

To learn more about the IDEAL Bioscience Employer Recognition Program, please visit biotalent.ca/IDEALEmployer.

Rob Henderson is available for comment to the media.

About BioTalent Canada:

BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science. Trusted as the go-to source for labour market intelligence, BioTalent Canada guides bio-economy stakeholders with evidence-based data and industry-driven standards. BioTalent Canada is focused on igniting the industrys brainpower, bridging the gap between job-ready talent and employers, and ensuring the long-term agility, resiliency, and sustainability of one of Canadas most vital sectors.

Recently named a Great Place to Work and Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023, by Great Place to Work Canada, as well as being listed as a Best Workplace by HRD Canada for 2023, BioTalent Canada practices the same industry standards it recommends to stakeholders. These distinctions were awarded to BioTalent Canada following a thorough and independent survey analysis conducted by Great Place to Work.

For more information, please visit biotalent.ca.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727381457/en/

Media Inquiries:

Siobhan Williams

Vice-President Marketing and Communications

BioTalent Canada

613-235-1402 ext. 229

[email protected]

Source: BioTalent Canada
Are you looking for a refreshing change or an adrenaline rush? Whether your maritime encounters are with stylish beachgoers, dolphins or creatures of the deep, the watch industry has you covered

Some are content to enjoy the ocean from the safety of the beach, while others prefer the thrill of extreme adventure. However, when it comes to watches and water, theres no room for frivolity. The slightest hint of moisture can cause untold damage, clouding displays and wreaking havoc on delicate mechanisms. The ocean places watchmakers under considerable pressure (quite literally!) but they invariably rise to the challenge. Originally, diving watches were primarily intended for military use, but today they continue to smash records while sporting stylish, vibrant designs. Lets dive in!

Making a splash  and a difference

Our oceans can always use a helping hand. Since 2013, Carl F. Bucherer has chosen to support the Manta Trust, a charity dedicated to the conservation of manta rays. The brand financed the Manta Trust Far North Maldives Research Expedition in its entirety  a crucial initiative to catalogue and understand the species. The Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta proudly displays the silhouette of this enigmatic winged fish, both on the dial and engraved on the case back. With a 44mm diameter and a helium valve, this model withstands depths of up to 500m. A portion of its sale price is donated to the Manta Trust.

Patravi ScubaTec Black Manta Special Edition  Carl F. Bucherer

Bubble art

While Corums Bubble is not technically a diving watch, its striking design featuring an oversized sapphire dome was inspired by Severin Wundermans admiration for the Rolex Deep Sea Special. Attached to the exterior of the bathyscaphe Trieste back in 1960, this concept watch endured the tremendous pressure at a depth of 10,916 metres below sea level. The Bubble collection, meanwhile, certainly sets a high bar for creativity. The one-of-a-kind Bubble 47 Central Tourbillon X Label Noir, crafted from titanium, also boasts impressive water resistance (up to 100m). Time to pop the champagne!

Bubble 47 Central Tourbillon X Label Noir  Corum

The patina of adventure

Exuding an air of literary intrigue and exploration, the Doxa SUB 300 T Clive Cussler appears to have emerged straight from the Black Pearl. With its aged appearance and unique dial featuring an antique compass, this distinctive timepiece pays homage to author Clive Cussler, a Doxa enthusiast who made the protagonist of his novels, Dirk Pitt, wear Doxa watches. Cussler also established the NUMA (National Underwater and Marine Agency), which has discovered around 20 shipwrecks.

SUB 300 T Clive Cussler  Doxa

Breathless Excitement!

Maurice Lacroix immerses us in the world of free diving with the new Pontos S Diver. To put it to the test, the brand enlisted the help of Lidija Lijic, a world champion freediver who holds the record with a dive time of 5 minutes and 43 seconds. Drawing inspiration from the original 2013 Pontos S Diver, this latest iteration features an internal rotating bezel to track time spent underwater, adjustable via the crown positioned at 2 oclock. Its a surefire hit both above and below the water (withstanding pressures up to 30 ATM  300m). The bronze version, with its alluring tan beautifully paired with a deep blue grained dial, is particularly captivating.

Pontos S Diver  Maurice Lacroix

Master of the waves

Like Poseidon being pulled through the waves by his two seahorses (the iconic image of the Seamaster collection), Omega has mastered the waves. The Seamaster, originally launched back in 1948, has been released in Summer Blue to mark the collections 75th anniversary  a tribute to precision and the oceans varying shades of blue, which are reflected across the 7 models in the collection. The most extreme, the Seamaster Ultra Deep 6000M, fearlessly ventures into the abyss, with its dial depicting the ocean floor at its deepest point.

Seamaster Ultra Deep 6000M  Omega

Luxury for professionals

In 1996, professional diver Frank Huygue founded Ralf Tech. The WRV and WRX models feature a mechanical movement with an oscillating weight whose energy is stored in a miniature battery, creating a unique hybrid calibre that brought Ralf Tech to the attention of Lexus, with the Lexus RZ model. This divers watch in black holds the ISO 6425 diving watch certification, with a water resistance of up to 300m. If youre tempted to get hold of one, be prepared to dress to impress, as its exclusively available at Lexus dealerships.

Ralf Tech x Lexus  Ralf Tech

Deep dive

As a historical expert in marine chronometers, Ulysse Nardin advocates for the oceans, its natural domain. The Diver Net Azure embodies this commitment, as well as the manufacturers relentless pursuit of innovation. To produce the watch, the brand collaborated with several start-ups. Crafted from recycled materials, the Diver Net Azure features a case made of carbonium (recycled carbon), Nylo (recycled fishing nets), and 95% recycled steel. With its touches of blue and depth rating of 300m, the Diver Net Azure reflects the breathtaking beauty of the deep.
DISTRIBUTED-WORK-MODEL/SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) announced that Neha Narula, Director of the Digital Currency Initiative at the MIT Media Lab, has joined its Board of Directors.

I've long admired Block's focus on building simple, cohesive products that empower people and communities to participate in the financial system, said Neha Narula. We share core values around the power of open source software and the ability for open protocols to transform the way people move money. I'm honored and excited to join Block's board of directors and contribute to the company's purpose of economic empowerment.

Nehas expertise in Bitcoin and open source technology is a great addition to our Board, said Jack Dorsey, Block Head and Chairman. Nehas passion for building intuitive, scaled systems to move money across the Internet efficiently fits into our companys purpose, and were excited to have her join our team.

Neha has served as a Director of the Digital Currency Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab since January 2017. Prior to joining MIT, Neha was a senior software engineer at Google.

Neha currently serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of New Yorks Innovation Advisory Council.

Neha holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Dartmouth College and a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT.

Blocks Board of Directors also includes Jack Dorsey, Roelof Botha, Amy Brooks, Shawn JAY-Z Carter, Paul Deighton, Randy Garutti, Jim McKelvey, Mary Meeker, Sharon Rothstein, Larry Summers, and Darren Walker.

About Block

Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) is a global technology company with a focus on financial services. Made up of Square, Cash App, Spiral, TIDAL, and TBD, we build tools to help more people access the economy. Square helps sellers run and grow their businesses with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions, business software, and banking services. With Cash App, anyone can easily send, spend, or invest their money in stocks or Bitcoin. Spiral builds and funds free, open-source Bitcoin projects. Artists use TIDAL to help them succeed as entrepreneurs and connect more deeply with fans. TBD is building an open developer platform to make it easier to access Bitcoin and other blockchain technologies without having to go through an institution.

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Media Contact

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact

[email protected]

Source: Block, Inc.
LIMA, Peru--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (Buenaventura or the Company) (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Perus largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, today announced results for the second quarter (2Q23) and six-month period ended June 30, 2023 (6M23). All figures have been prepared in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) on a non-GAAP basis and are stated in U.S. dollars (US$). Buenaventura has provided accumulated six-month results to reflect the provisional pricing effect on the first six months of 2023.

Second Quarter and Six-Month 2023 Highlights:

2Q23 EBITDA from direct operations was US$ 17.1 million, compared to US$ -12.9 million reported in 2Q22. 6M23 EBITDA from direct operations reached US$ 68.7 million, compared to US$ 74.0 million reported in 6M22. 2022 EBITDA does not include US$ 300 million resulting from the sale of Buenaventura's stake in Yanacocha.

2Q23 net loss reached US$ 5.4 million, compared to a US$ 44.6 million net loss for the same period in 2022. 6M23 net income was US$ 67.5 million, compared to US$ 570.1 million net income for the 6M22. The 6M22 result includes a US$ 480 million net income from discontinued operations, primarily due to the reclassification of Buenaventura's interest in Yanacocha.

The Company recorded a US$ 9.8 million provisional price adjustment for the accumulated first six months of 2023. This is comprised of US$ -13.7 million in fair value of accounts receivables and US$ +3.9 million in adjustments to prior period liquidations. This compares to a US$ 35.1 million loss for the accumulated first six months of 2022.

Buenaventura's 6M23 consolidated copper production increased 23% YoY. Zinc production decreased by 68% YoY, lead decreased by 60% YoY, silver decreased by 28% YoY, and gold decreased by 11% YoY.

El Brocal's underground mine production increased to 9,300 tpd during 2Q23, compared to 8,150 tpd in 2Q22. The El Brocal ramp-up remains on target to reach 10,000 tpd by year-end 2023.

Buenaventura's cash position reached US$ 202.4 million and net debt decreased to US$ 520.9 million with an average maturity of 2.9 years by quarters end, June 30, 2023.

2Q23 capital expenditures were US$ 49.7 million, compared to US$ 36.1 million for the same period in 2022. 6M23 capital expenditures reached US$ 85.9 million, compared to US$ 56.0 million in 6M22, and includes US$ 24.0 million related to the San Gabriel Project and US$ 19.2 million related to the Yumpag Project.

Buenaventura looks forward to permitting approval of Uchucchacua, Yumpag, El Brocal and Coimolache. The company continues to work with the Peruvian environmental authority (SENACE) on its final review. We expect permits for Uchucchacua and Yumpag to be approved during 3Q23.

Cerro Verde paid a total dividend of US$ 250 million on April 28, 2023. Buenaventura received US$ 49.0 million relative to its stake in Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde will pay a second dividend on August 3, 2023, from which Buenaventura will receive an additional US$ 49.0 million.

Financial Highlights (in millions of US$, except EPS figures):

2Q23 2Q22 Var 6M23 6M22 Var Total Revenues 173.3 150.1 15% 358.8 383.0 -6% Operating Income -22.0 -64.2 -66% -9.5 -32.0 N.A. EBITDA Direct Operations (1) 17.1 -12.9 N.A. 68.7 74.0 -7% EBITDA Including Affiliates (1) 87.4 57.8 51% 265.7 291.5 -9% Net Income (2) -6.7 -36.3 -81% 57.7 568.2 -90% EPS (3) -0.03 -0.14 -81% 0.23 2.24 -90%

(1) Does not include US$ 300 million from the sale of Buenaventuras stake in Yanacocha. (2) Net Income attributable to owners of the parent (3) As of June 30, 2023, Buenaventura had a weighted average number of shares outstanding of 253,986,867.

For a full version of Compania de Minas Buenaventura Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Release, please visit: https://www.buenaventura.com/en/inversionistas/reportes-trimestrales/2023

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

Compania de Minas Buenaventura will host a conference call on Thursday, July 27, 2023, to discuss these results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 10:00 a.m. Peru Time

To participate in the conference call, please dial:

Toll-Free US:

1-844-481-2914

Toll International:

1-412-317-0697

Passcode:

Ask to be joined into the Compania de Minas Buenaventuras call.

Webcast:

https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=Bsgl7GLh

If you would prefer to receive a call rather than dial in, please register via the following link. Please use this option 10-15 minutes prior to the conference call start time:

Call Me Link: https://hd.choruscall.com/?callme=true&passcode=&info=company-email&r=true&b=16

Passcode: 8818009

Participants who do not wish to be interrupted to have their information gathered may have Chorus Call dial out to them by clicking on the above link, filling in the information, and pressing the green phone button at the bottom. The phone number provided will be automatically called and connected to the conference without any interruption to the participant. (Please note: Participants will be joined directly to the conference and will hear hold music until the call begins. No confirmation message will be played when joined.)

Company Description

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Perus largest, publicly traded precious and base metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the exploration, mining development, processing and trade of gold, silver and other base metals via wholly-owned mines and through its participation in joint venture projects. Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, La Zanja*, El Brocal and Coimolache).

The Company owns 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer (a partnership with Freeport-McMorRan Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation).

For a printed version of the Companys 2022 Form 20-F, please contact the investor relations contacts on page 1 of this report or download the PDF format file from the Companys web site at www.buenaventura.com.

(*) Operations wholly owned by Buenaventura

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and related conference call contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements including statements related to the Companys ability to manage its business and liquidity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Companys results of operations, including net revenues, earnings and cash flows, the Companys ability to reduce costs and capital spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic if needed, the Companys balance sheet, liquidity and inventory position throughout and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Companys prospects for financial performance, growth and achievement of its long-term growth algorithm following the COVID-19 pandemic, future dividends and share repurchases.

This press release may also contain forward-looking information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning the Companys, Cerro Verdes costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver, copper and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production, subsidiaries plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic, social and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Companys view with respect to the Companys, Cerro Verdes future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Press Release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726901525/en/

Contacts in Lima:

Daniel Dominguez, Chief Financial Officer

(511) 419 2540



Gabriel Salas, Head of Investor Relations

(511) 419 2591 / [email protected]

Contact in NY:

Barbara Cano

(646) 452-2334 / [email protected]

Company Website: http://www.buenaventura.com

Source: Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
LIMA, Peru--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (Buenaventura or the Company) (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Perus largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, will host its Analyst and Investor Day ("Buenaventura Day") on Monday, December 4, 2023 in New York, NY.

This event, held for equity analysts and institutional investors, will feature presentations by Mr. Leandro Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, as well as other members of the senior management team.

The event will begin with breakfast at 9:30 am ET followed by presentations starting at 10:00 am. Buenaventura Day is open to the investment community and pre-registration is required. Confirmation and additional event details will be provided to registered attendees.

Financial analysts and institutional investors who are interested in attending the event in person should contact Cinthya Werner at +1 (646) 940 8843 or email [email protected].

Company Description

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Perus largest, publicly traded precious and base metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the exploration, mining development, processing and trade of gold, silver and other base metals via wholly-owned mines and through its participation in joint venture projects. Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, La Zanja*, El Brocal and Coimolache).

The Company owns 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer (a partnership with Freeport-McMorRan Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation).

For a printed version of the Companys 2022 Form 20-F, please contact the investor relations contacts on page 1 of this report or download the PDF format file from the Companys web site at www.buenaventura.com.

(*) Operations wholly owned by Buenaventura

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and related conference call contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements including statements related to the Companys ability to manage its business and liquidity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Companys results of operations, including net revenues, earnings and cash flows, the Companys ability to reduce costs and capital spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic if needed, the Companys balance sheet, liquidity and inventory position throughout and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Companys prospects for financial performance, growth and achievement of its long-term growth algorithm following the COVID-19 pandemic, future dividends and share repurchases.

This press release may also contain forward-looking information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning the Companys, Cerro Verdes costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver, copper and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production, subsidiaries plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic, social and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Companys view with respect to the Companys, Cerro Verdes future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Press Release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727070470/en/

Contacts in Lima:

Daniel Dominguez, Chief Financial Officer

(511) 419 2540

Gabriel Salas, Head of Investor Relations

(511) 419 2591 / [email protected]

Website: www.buenaventura.com

Contacts in NY:

Barbara Cano

(646) 452 2334

[email protected]

Source: Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading IT systems integrator, CDI (Computer Design & Integration), has again achieved one of Microsoft's highest levels of partner recognition, the Modernize Endpoints Advanced Specialization. This additional specialization confirms CDI's deep expertise, extensive experience, and proven success in implementing comprehensive Microsoft Modern Endpoint Management solutions designed specifically for today's increasingly hybrid workforce.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727791570/en/

Achieving this specialization required meeting some of the highest standards for service delivery and support, including an active Solutions Partner for Modern Work Designation, a minimum growth of 5,000 monthly active users (MAU) of Microsoft Intune in a trailing 12-month period, and requisite certifications held by the team. CDI also demonstrated its proficiency through highly effective and successful programs to deploy Modernize Endpoints solutions for their clients.

This achievement is a testament to the stringent standards maintained by CDI, including robust customer adoption, a high number of certified professionals, and proven project success, amongst others.

"We are thrilled to earn this advanced specialization," said Chuck Kiessling, Director, Microsoft & Cloud Solutions, CDI. "Our team's dedication and abilities within the entire suite of Microsoft solutions have been changing the way our clients do business. We look forward to continually providing the best-in-class solutions to meet the dynamic needs of our clients."

This specialization extends CDIs portfolio of Microsoft competencies and services, including Azure Infrastructure and Digital & App Innovation, Dynamics, M365, Office 365, SharePoint, Teams, and more, thereby providing a holistic range of solutions and services to its clients.

The CDI Microsoft team recently attended Microsoft Inspire 2023 and will be hosting a live recap on the CDIs LinkedIn page on Friday, July 28 at 12 p.m. EST, click here to register.

For more insights into the CDI + Microsoft partnership, visit cdillc.com/microsoft.

About CDI (Computer Design & Integration LLC):

CDI is a fearless force in the global technology landscape. Headquartered in New York City, weve expanded our network across the United States, Europe, and Asia, proving our expertise is as boundless as our reach. As pioneers in hybrid IT solutions, we merge innovation with unwavering commitment, providing top-tier technology to businesses of all sizes while transforming complex challenges into digital solutions.

Take a closer look at the world of CDI by visiting us at cdillc.com or sending us an email at [email protected]. Join the ranks of IT trailblazers and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for the latest IT news and solutions.

CDI  were not just predicting the future of IT, were creating it.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727791570/en/

Media:

Nick Sero

CDI LLC

[email protected]

551-722-5262

Source: Computer Design & Integration LLC
Successful Partnership Leads to Investment That Can Enable My Diabetes Tutor to Rapidly Scale

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CharmHealth, a leading provider of healthcare technology solutions, and Bioverge, a leading Silicon Valley venture firm and investment platform specializing in emerging healthcare technology, today announced that they have invested in My Diabetes Tutor, a startup that aims to make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes. The seed round will be used for technology build-out, sales and marketing to help My Diabetes Tutor scale to reach the 37 million Americans with diabetes, the additional 96 million who have prediabetes, and their families.

My Diabetes Tutor leverages technology to address the pressing issue of limited access and availability for payers and providers, effectively reducing the cost of diabetes care while improving patient care. Their program provides exceptional diabetes education that complements the current treatment regimen. Enrolling in their program is effortless, and service delivery is seamless, ensuring a stress-free journey with positive outcome for patients, as evidenced by a reduction in measurable HbA1c levels. My Diabetes Tutor was built to help people control their diabetes and, in turn, control diabetes-related complications like kidney disease, heart disease, stroke and more. At a time when 62% of non-metropolitan counties do not have any access to diabetes education programs according to the CDC, My Diabetes Tutor presents a viable solution, particularly for rural areas where diabetes rates are 17% higher than in urban areas.

CharmHealth discovered My Diabetes Tutor during the CharmHealth 2021 Innovation Challenge, in which My Diabetes Tutor was a finalist. After the Innovation Challenge, My Diabetes Tutor and CharmHealth partnered to help My Diabetes Tutor reach more affected parties across the country. My Diabetes Tutor adopted the CharmHealth platform to overcome key challenges with outstanding results. With CharmHealth, My Diabetes Tutors practice grew by more than 250% and grew its referral network by 40% over 12 months, while users saw a 15% improvement in their A1C.

We knew My Diabetes Tutor had developed an outstanding, much-needed diabetes solution through the Innovation Challenge, but it was really due to our partnership that we saw just how much the company could influence the future of diabetes care, said Pramila Srinivasan, Ph.D., CEO of CharmHealth. With this investment from CharmHealth and Bioverge, we believe My Diabetes Tutor will provide easy access to education to millions of patients, changing their lives for the better. This is precisely why we started the Innovation Challenge  to drive impact.

This years Innovation Challenge invites proposals designed to address the biggest issues faced by healthcare providers, patients and organizations. Finalists will present at Pitch Days, held at Asilomar Conference Center in Monterey, California, on Sept. 2-3, 2023.

We took a chance participating in the CharmHealth Innovation Challenge, and it was so well worth it, said Dr. Prem Sahasranam, founder and CEO of My Diabetes Tutor. Through the knowledge exchange and relationships formed and through our partnership with CharmHealth, we have been able to substantially grow our business and, more importantly, help patients manage their diabetes. Now with this investment from CharmHealth and Bioverge, we can build on our success, accelerate our plans, and drive care improvements at scale.

For more information about the CharmHealth Innovation Challenge, including guidelines, eligibility criteria, and important dates, please visit the challenge website at https://charmhealthchallenge.com/ or contact [email protected].

About CharmHealth

CharmHealth is a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions that empower healthcare organizations to deliver efficient, high-quality care. With a focus on interoperability, patient engagement, and streamlined workflows, CharmHealth offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare. CharmHealth was named the Best E-prescribing Software for Small to Midsized Practices in 2023 by Forbes. For more information on CharmHealth, visit www.charmhealth.com. To get breaking news, follow the company on Twitter @charmhealth and Facebook at www.facebook.com/charmhealth.

About Bioverge

Bioverge is an investment platform specializing in innovative healthcare startups. Their highly curated investment opportunities include emerging healthcare companies, operating at the convergence of biology and technology. Founded in 2016, it is an investment platform that funds visionary entrepreneurs with the aim of transforming healthcare and bringing science fiction to life. Visit www.Bioverge.com.

About My Diabetes Tutor

My Diabetes Tutor exists to make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes. They provide education to people with diabetes in the comfort of their home or wherever is most convenient. Their vision is to make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes by helping them learn how to manage the disease. My Diabetes Tutor has national accreditation by the American Association of Diabetes Educators which demonstrates that their program meets standards for quality. For more information, visit www.mydiabetestutor.com/.

All brand names and solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Tags: CharmHealth, Bioverge, My Diabetes Tutor, diabetes, diabetes education, Innovation Challenge, Pramila Srinivasan, AI, artificial intelligence, generative AI, digital health, healthcare, health care, healthcare innovation, healthcare technology, healthcare startup, venture capital, healthcare investment, telehealth, telemedicine, disease management, mHealth, insurtech, funding

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727903906/en/

Dottie ORourke, for CharmHealth

TECHMarket Communications

650-344-1260

[email protected]

Source: CharmHealth
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Elevated Spirits Company is pleased to announce that Cierto Tequila was awarded eight (8) medals, including Gold, at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge (ISC). This marks the fourth consecutive year in which Cierto has taken home a Gold medal at the ISC. With these new honors, Cierto has won seven hundred thirty-one (731) international medals and awards.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727134164/en/

Cierto Tequila Awarded Eight Medals at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge (Graphic: Business Wire)

About Cierto Tequila and Elevated Spirits Company

The Elevated Spirits Company is the producer of Cierto Tequila  authentic, 100% natural, additive-free, luxury tequila made in Jalisco, Mexico. Cierto means True, the perfect word to describe this remarkable award-winning family of tequilas  patiently crafted expressions of pure Highlands agave, harvested by fourth and fifth generation agaveros at peak maturity. The Elevated Spirits portfolio includes the Cierto Private Collection Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and Extra Anejo, as well as the Cierto Reserve Collection Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and Extra Anejo. Due to their character, complexity and luxuriously smooth taste, these eight agave expressions are widely acknowledged by tequila connoisseurs as The Worlds Finest Tequila and some of the best tequilas ever made. Cierto recently became the first tequila brand to surpass 700 international medals and awards, making it The Most Awarded Tequila in History.

For press or other inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About International Spirits Challenge

The International Spirits Challenge (ISC) is one of the most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competitions in the world. Now in its 28th year, the ISC is a premier event for evaluating outstanding quality spirits from across the globe. The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to encourage the high caliber of spirits entered into the competition each year. Receiving thousands of entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide, the ISC is a truly global competition. It is supported by many of the world's leading spirits producers as an international standard for quality and excellence.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727134164/en/

[email protected]

Source: Elevated Spirits Company
As a welcome relief to global economic pressures, this partnership enables insurers to leverage data to streamline operations, reduce losses, and maximize profits

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Insurity, a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs, today announced a new partnership with Concirrus, the leading AI insurtech helping commercial insurers to accelerate digital strategies for marine insurers. Concirrus' big data and machine learning capabilities, integrated with Insurity's global marine cargo platform, enables marine insurers to differentiate themselves through more competitive pricing while optimizing the balance between profitability and customer satisfaction.

Based in London, Concirrus is the market leader in helping commercial insurers accelerate digital strategies using AI. Its global base of customers includes underwriters, P&I clubs, and brokers, who use its solutions to improve pricing decisions and automate underwriting operations. Across customer deployments, Concirrus has seen an average improvement of 7% on combined ratios derived from intelligent risk pricing and selection, combined with enhancements afforded by a more efficient and data-driven underwriting process.

Through this partnership, Insurity's Marine Suite solution will integrate with Concirrus' advanced analytics tools, enabling insurers to unlock the knowledge in the Insurity solution and create innovative pricing models. By leveraging Insurity's customer claim and shipment data, Concirrus will develop predictive models that adapt to the world's supply chain dynamics. Insurity will provide an out-of-the-box connection to Concirrus applications, ensuring insurers can access and utilize these data-driven insights for informed decision-making.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Insurity to deliver advanced analytics and a contemporary operating platform," said Andrew Yeoman, Chief Executive Officer at Concirrus. "We operate in an environment where customers value integrated solutions that genuinely bring the best of all worlds. Insurity has the market-leading platform for declaration management and certificate issuance, and by bringing our capabilities together, Insurity customers benefit from a compelling analytics solution that 'unlocks' insights to drive efficiencies, reduce losses, and boost profits."

"The logistics industry generates massive volumes of data related to global shipments, creating an urgent need to revolutionize pricing strategies and cargo risk management," said Sylvester Mathis, Chief Insurance Officer at Insurity. "Harnessing the power of this data and extracting valuable insights has become pivotal for our marine cargo customers. This partnership enables Insurity to provide modern, predictive analytics to our customer base without the expense of building and maintaining the models themselves."

To learn more about Insurity's partnership with Concirrus, please contact Elizabeth Hutchinson at [email protected] or Lucy Spruce at [email protected].

About Insurity

Insurity is a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs. Insurity is trusted by 22 of the top 25 P&C carriers and 7 of the top 10 MGAs in the US and has over 400 cloud-based deployments. Through its best-in-class digital platform, unrivaled industry experience, and the industry's most robust analytics offerings, Insurity is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value, empowering customers to focus on their core businesses, optimize their operations, and provide superior policyholder experiences. Insurity is a portfolio company of GI Partners and TA Associates. For more information, visit www.insurity.com.

About Concirrus

Concirrus was founded on a passion to harness data and technology to drive improvements in loss ratios and increase operating efficiency for specialty and commercial insurance. Specifically built for insurance by leading insurance practitioners and technologists, our suite of analytics and digital capabilities are empowering the market. Today, Concirrus is helping commercial insurance clients to accelerate their digital strategies. Our highly configurable datasets, AI analytics, cutting-edge risk modelling and cloud-based architectural solutions, allow clients to build enterprise-grade solutions that deliver ongoing value. For more information, visit www.concirrus.ai

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727829049/en/

For press enquiries

Liz Churchman

EC-PR

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 07966 820320

Source: Insurity
NORFOLK, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ReAlta Life Sciences (ReAlta), Inc., a company addressing life-threatening rare diseases through harnessing the power of the immune system, was pleased to welcome Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va) for an in-depth visit and tour of our Norfolk-based research and development facilities on July 24, 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727405779/en/

Congressman Bobby Scott visiting with ReAlta CEO Dr. Ulrich Thienel and staff. (Photo: Business Wire)

Congressman Scott, a long-standing advocate for healthcare innovation and economic development, took a keen interest in learning about the work done at ReAlta. During the visit, Congressman Scott toured ReAltas research laboratory, during which he observed first-hand the advanced research conducted by ReAlta scientists to develop innovative new EPICC peptides and translate research insights into new therapies for the clinic. The Congressman also met with members of ReAltas management team to discuss the companys long-term growth strategies, ongoing clinical trials, and the potential impact of the companys research on the lives of patients with acute inflammatory diseases such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, graft-versus-host disease, and acute pulmonary exacerbations.

"We were honored to host Congressman Scott and appreciated his interest in our work and the potential impact it could have on the health and well-being of our community and beyond," said Ulrich Thienel, MD, PhD, CEO of ReAlta Life Sciences. "These kinds of visits from our lawmakers not only affirm the significance of our scientific endeavors but also underline the importance of the biotech sector in our national economy and healthcare infrastructure."

Thank you to Dr. Thienel and the entire team at ReAlta Life Sciences for hosting me for a tour and briefing, said Congressman Bobby Scott. Hampton Roads is home to many critical public and private assets advancing important scientific and medical research. I enjoyed learning more about ReAltas work and research to help patients facing life-threatening medical conditions.

ReAlta is grateful to Congressman Scott for his visit and his ongoing support for biotechnology research and innovation in Virginia. The company looks forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in the fight against life-threatening rare diseases.

About ReAlta Life Sciences

ReAlta Life Sciences, Inc. is a mid-stage clinical biotech company dedicated to harnessing the power of the immune system to address life threatening rare diseases. The Companys EPICC peptides are based on research into the human astrovirus, HAstV-1, which causes a non-inflammatory, self-limiting gastroenteritis unique among viruses by inhibiting components of the innate immune system. ReAltas therapeutic peptides leverage these virus-derived mechanisms to rebalance complement and inflammatory processes in the body. The companys pipeline is led by RLS-0071, which has received IND clearance, and Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency, and Fast Track Designation for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates. The company launched in 2018 and is located in Norfolk, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.realtalifesciences.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727405779/en/

Media and Investor Contact:

John Rickman

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Source: ReAlta Life Sciences, Inc.
VIENNA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The third instalment of the Animalis Edition at the 2023 - 2024 World Branding Awards welcomed pet and animal brands from around the world, celebrating their achievements as National, Regional, and Global Winners.

Held at the prestigious Hofburg Palace in Vienna, the awards ceremony was hosted by Howard Nightingall and welcomed winners across various categories, such as pet food, retail, wellness, aquatic products, and more.

The Animalis Edition of the Awards are an acknowledgement to the tireless effort of the teams that build and maintain their brand presence in an ever changing market. As winners, these brands have established strong brand recall, top-of-mind awareness, and trust among their consumers, said Richard Rowles, Chairman of the World Branding Forum.

Over 100,000 consumers participated in a global online survey and nominated more than 1,500 brands. Of these, only 100 of the best brands from 30 countries were named as winners.

Buddy Brands, Coo & Riku, Dymax, FRONTLINE, Hikari, Kaniva, and Taiyo were amongst the brands announced as winners. To win the World Branding Awards is no easy accolade, and cements their position as the top in their industry.

Winners from Indonesia include CP, Canibite, Purina, and Groovypet. Other National tier winners include Coo & Riku (Japan), DeliBest (Switzerland), Global Pet Foods (Canada), Halti (United Kingdom), Heads Up For Tails (India), Kelly & Cos (Thailand), NurturePro (Singapore), TopBreed (The Philippines), and VanCat (Turkey).

As the 2023 - 2024 World Branding Awards Animalis Edition draws to a close, the eagerly anticipated Global Edition of the World Branding Awards will return to the stage in November in Kensington Palace, London.

For more information, visit awards.brandingforum.org.

ABOUT WORLD BRANDING AWARDS

The World Branding Awards is the premier awards of the World Branding Forum, a registered non-profit organisation. The awards recognise the achievements of some of the worlds best brands.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbrandingforum/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldBranding

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldbranding/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/world-branding-forum

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727664425/en/

[email protected]

Source: World Branding Awards
Oklahomas largest public school system selects PowerSchools LearningNav, ContentNav, and Connected Intelligence K-12 products to provide data-driven and standards-aligned personalized learning pathways for students

FOLSOM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PowerSchool (NYSE: PWSC), the leading provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education in North America, today announced Epic Charter Schools (Epic) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma selected PowerSchool LearningNav and PowerSchool ContentNav, part of the Personalized Learning Cloud, and Connected Intelligence K-12 by PowerSchool to support its efforts in creating more personalized, data-driven instruction for students. Alongside Epics existing PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS), PowerSchool Student Analytics, PowerSchool Schoology Learning, PowerSchool Enrollment, PowerSchool Ecollect Forms, PowerSchool Performance Matters, and PowerSchool Special Programs products, these new tools will provide Epic staff with additional data-driven insights and capabilities to create more personalized learning opportunities for students.

We believe adding PowerSchool's ContentNav, LearningNav, and Connected Intelligence K-12 products into our operations will help give time back to our educators so they can focus on what they do best  delivering quality instruction to our students, said Beth Powell-Wehling, Executive Director of Educational Technology, Epic Charter Schools. Were excited our educators will soon have access to PowerSchools robust repository of learning materials within ContentNav and the successful learning outcomes it will help generate.

Unveiled earlier this year as new additions to PowerSchools technology portfolio, LearningNav and ContentNav are designed to support educators by creating tailored learning curriculums for students. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology, LearningNav helps educators create and assign personalized learning pathways for students. Specifically, it helps educators create multiple choice questions personalized to each student's competency level to assist in instruction and measure progress against learning goals. Once implemented into Epic's operations, LearningNav will help educators track students progress throughout their personalized curriculum in real-time, including key learning milestone achievements or new challenge areas.

ContentNav is PowerSchools content and learning objective repository. As the database driving LearningNavs AI-based recommendations, ContentNav features high-quality, pre-approved content such as district-created materials, curated partnership content, and open education resources.

Once fully implemented, Epic will have access to ContentNavs full repository of district-approved, standards-aligned content  including materials from newly announced content partners:

Propello: Digital standards-aligned curriculum, labs, assignments, and assessments  with built-in language translations, leveled text, and more  that educators can personalize to meet the learning needs of each student.

Move This World: Exclusively designed social and emotional curriculum for schools and districts.

Learning Hub: Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies content in short bite-size lessons that span K-12 and are aligned to each individual states standards.

As the first fully managed data as a service (DaaS) platform for K-12 education, Connected Intelligence K-12 will help Epics data modernization initiatives districtwide. Through the platforms ability to create robust data ecosystems with stringent data security, governance, and privacy protocols, Connected Intelligence K-12 will help eliminate data silos by aggregating disparate data sources  including SIS, learning management system (LMS), HR, and finance data  into PowerSchools fully managed, secure platform. Connected Intelligence K-12 will also enable Epic to house all of their historical data from any source system.

Epic is a free, public, online charter school for grades Pre-K-12th. Epic serves over 40,000 students across 77 Oklahoma counties and is fully accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Epics One-on-One program provides blended-learning instruction to students, featuring multiple curriculum options and face-to-face interaction with an Oklahoma Certified Teacher. In addition to Epics One-on-One program, Epic Blended Learning Centers provide students with dedicated hubs for accessing online curriculum, opportunities to participate in supervised learning activities, and offer food services under one roof.

To learn more about PowerSchools LearningNav, ContentNav, and Unified Classroom products, visit https://www.powerschool.com/classroom/. For more information on Connected Intelligence, visit https://www.powerschool.com/connected-intelligence-k-12/.

About PowerSchool

PowerSchool (NYSE: PWSC) is the leading provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education in North America. Its mission is to power the education ecosystem with unified technology that helps educators and students realize their full potential, in their way. PowerSchool connects students, teachers, administrators, and parents, with the shared goal of improving student outcomes. From the office to the classroom to the home, it helps schools and districts efficiently manage state reporting and related compliance, special education, finance, human resources, talent, registration, attendance, funding, learning, instruction, grading, assessments and analytics in one unified platform. PowerSchool supports over 50 million students globally and more than 15,000 customers, including more than 90 of the top 100 districts by student enrollment in the United States, and sells solutions in more than 90 countries. Visit www.powerschool.com to learn more.

 PowerSchool. PowerSchool and other PowerSchool marks are trademarks of PowerSchool Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

PWSC-C

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726187456/en/

WE Communications for PowerSchool

[email protected]

(503) 443-7155

Source: PowerSchool Holdings, Inc.
In London at the Royal Courts of Justice in the district of Southerk, a jury acquitted Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey. The star was acquitted of nine counts of sexual assault, solicitation of sexual acts without consent and solicitation of sexual intercourse with penetration.

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The trial took place on Wednesday, July 26, reports BBC. The Oscars winner after the jury's decision could not hold back tears - he did not plead guilty to any of the charges.

The last session was held just on the birthday of the actor, he turned 64 years old.

"I think many of you may realize that after what happened today, I have a lot to process. But I would like to say that I am extremely grateful to the judges for taking the time to scrutinize all the evidence and all the facts before making their decision. I am humbled by the current outcome," he said.

The court hearing concerned the pre-molestation of four men. The crimes, according to the complainants, were allegedly committed by Kevin Spacey in the UK between 2011 and 2013, when he worked as artistic director of The Old Vic theater.

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The names of the complainants against the actor are unknown: under the law, they are entitled to lifelong anonymity.

One of the men said Spacey repeatedly grabbed his groin in the early 2000s, once while he was driving. A second claimed the actor grabbed him twice by the groin at a party in 2005 and also allegedly made sexually aggressive comments.

A third man claimed he ended up in Spacey's apartment where he passed out and woke up to the actor performing oral sex on him. A fourth man claimed Spacey kissed him on the neck at his residence, grabbed his penis and said "be cool, be cool."

The actor denied almost all of the allegations, but admitted that he had an intimate relationship with one of the complainants, but it was a consensual relationship. Spacey said he doesn't consider intimate touching a crime.

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"Yes, I like to flirt. It didn't involve any violence, aggression or pain. It was gentle and, in my opinion, romantic. But it didn't go further than flirting as he made it clear that he didn't want it," the actor said.

One of the first Kevin Spacey was accused by actor Anthony Rapp in 2017, claiming alleged harassment in 1986 when he was 14 years old. Spacey himself said he did not remember such an incident, but apologized and admitted that he was bisexual.

After that, law enforcement received several more allegations of misconduct by Spacey. Among the complainants were an anonymous person and a bartender. They said that when they were 17 and 18 years old, Spacey allegedly harassed them as well.

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And because of the sex scandal, the actor was forced to pause his career. Because of this, he paid 31 million dollars to Netflix, because the series "House of Cards" was also put on pause, and this led to huge losses to the company.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the former lawyer of the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump Rudy Giuliani was accused of sexual harassment, as well as their continued, "alcohol-soaked conversations containing sexist, racist and anti-Semitic remarks". The 78-year-old lawyer was sued by businesswoman and PR expert Noelle Dunphy.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber . Don't fall for fakes!
Aaron Juda elevated to Chief Strategy Officer and President of Consumer Banking

Chief Administrative Officer Leanne Ladd expands responsibilities

Chris Lynch appointed as new Chief Financial Officer

CHEVY CHASE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forbright Bank, a nationwide full-service bank helping accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy, today announced that Aaron Juda has been promoted to Chief Strategy Officer and President of Consumer Banking, Leanne Ladd will expand her responsibilities as Chief Administrative Officer, and Chris Lynch joined as the Chief Financial Officer of Forbright Bank and Forbright, Inc., the holding company of Forbright Bank.

Were thrilled to announce Aaron and Leannes expanded responsibilities and welcome Chris to Forbright, said Don Cole, Chief Executive Officer at Forbright Bank. Their knowledge of the financial landscape and understanding of our business will further strengthen Forbrights position as a leader in sustainable finance and a trusted partner for our clients and customers.

Mr. Juda will maintain his role as Chief Strategy Officer in addition to becoming President of Consumer Banking at Forbright. As part of his new expanded responsibilities, Mr. Juda will oversee Forbrights Digital Banking Division along with Energy Loan Network, LLC, a subsidiary of Forbright Bank. Mr. Juda has played a central role in Forbrights most important strategic initiatives over the past two years including the Banks successful launch of its first national digital deposit product, a substantial capital raise, and the enhancement of Forbrights sustainable finance initiatives. Prior to Forbright, Mr. Juda was an investment banker at Barclays and a management consultant at Accenture Strategy.

Ms. Ladd will expand her responsibilities as Chief Administrative Officer to oversee Forbrights Information Technology and branch deposit operations. Ms. Ladd has helped lead critical initiatives at Forbright including rebranding and mission aligning Forbright to decarbonization, standing up the Banks digital banking systems, and launching an inaugural green bond. Prior to Forbright Bank, Ms. Ladd served as a Vice President at Congressional Bank and Pacific Western Bank.

Mr. Lynch joins Forbright after having served for almost a decade as Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President of Finance at Pacific Western Bank. During his tenure, Mr. Lynch managed the financial and capital forecasting, capital stress testing, tax, and insurance functions. Prior to Pacific Western Bank, he held executive roles including Senior Vice President of Finance at CapitalSource and Chief Financial Officer at Walker & Dunlop. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lynch worked in investment banking at Merrill Lynch, and in treasury and finance positions at Marriott International.

All three Forbright executives will work out of the Banks headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD.

About Forbright Bank:

Forbright Bank (www.forbrightbank.com), Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, is a full-service bank taking action to decarbonize the economy. Headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Forbright is committed to accelerating the transition to a sustainable, clean energy economy by financing the companies, investors, and innovators driving that change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727651840/en/

Ben Wakana, Forbright Bank, [email protected]

Source: Forbright Bank
VIENNA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The third instalment of the Animalis Edition at the 2023 - 2024 World Branding Awards welcomed pet and animal brands from around the world, celebrating their achievements as National, Regional, and Global Winners.

Held at the prestigious Hofburg Palace in Vienna, the awards ceremony was hosted by Howard Nightingall and welcomed winners across various categories, such as pet food, retail, wellness, aquatic products, and more.

The Animalis Edition of the Awards are an acknowledgement to the tireless effort of the teams that build and maintain their brand presence in an ever changing market. As winners, these brands have established strong brand recall, top-of-mind awareness, and trust among their consumers. said Richard Rowles, Chairman of the World Branding Forum.

Over 100,000 consumers participated in a global online survey and nominated more than 1,500 brands. Of these, only 100 of the best brands from 30 countries were named as winners.

Buddy Brands, Coo & Riku, Dymax, FRONTLINE, Hikari, Kaniva, and Taiyo were amongst the brands announced as winners. To win the World Branding Awards is no easy accolade, and cements their position as the top in their industry.

Winners from the USA include Fluval, Exo-Terra, KONG, GIVEPET, Earthbath, Nutri-Vet, Pet Assure, Hydra, Buddy Brands, FURminator, Animal Planet, Whiskas, Pedigree, PURINA Friskies, Himalayan Dog Chew, Rocco & Roxie, and Arm & Hammer. Other National tier winners include Coo & Riku (Japan), DeliBest (Switzerland), Global Pet Foods (Canada), Halti (United Kingdom), Heads Up For Tails (India), Kelly & Cos (Thailand), NurturePro (Singapore), TopBreed (The Philippines), and VanCat (Turkey).

As the 2023 - 2024 World Branding Awards Animalis Edition draws to a close, the eagerly anticipated Global Edition of the World Branding Awards will return to the stage in November in Kensington Palace, London.

For more information, visit awards.brandingforum.org.

ABOUT WORLD BRANDING AWARDS

The World Branding Awards is the premier awards of the World Branding Forum, a registered non-profit organisation. The awards recognise the achievements of some of the worlds best brands.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbrandingforum/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldBranding

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldbranding/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/world-branding-forum

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727396073/en/

[email protected]

Source: World Branding Awards
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cutting-edge neuromodulation research being conducted by the SpineX team is once again being recognized by the worlds leading scientists, with the publication this month of two more peer-reviewed publications, both in Frontiers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727598285/en/

SpineX technology has been proven to treat the root cause of CP through spinal cord neuromodulation. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Frontiers is a leading journal in its field, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research in rehabilitation from biological, clinical, and socio-humanistic perspectives. Its publications investigate new ways to optimize the functioning and wellbeing of people who experience disability, focusing on rehabilitation as the health strategy of the 21st century.

Having our research validated by our peers and published in Frontiers is an honor, and also a testament to the innovation driving this work, says SpineX CEO Parag Gad. Thanks to this research, we can now confidently say that consistent, ongoing noninvasive spinal cord neuromodulation results in demonstrable improvement of sensorimotor function in children with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common of all childhood disabilities, with about 500,000 children and over 250,000 adults in the United States living with the disease. Its caused by abnormal neural connectivity between the brain and spinal cord, and affects motor function, impeding the ability to move voluntarily, and causing inability or difficulty walking and other day-to-day challenges.

SpineX is applying its novel, patented neuromodulation technology that acts as a hearing aid for the spine; amplifying the correct neural signals in order to help the patient better control muscle movement. The company has been conducting clinical trials of its non-invasive therapy platforms which have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of children living with CP. As demonstrated in recent publications, the companys proprietary SCiP device targets the abnormal connectivity between brain and spinal cord, thereby treating the root causes of CP. SpineX plans on conducting a multisite trial starting in 2024 following which it will approach the US FDA for regulatory approval.

Our experience with SCiP has been a true game-changer for our child, says Jessica and Van Oldham, whose nine-year old daughter Annika lives with CP. When she started her first series of therapy sessions, we saw almost immediate results. She went from using a walker or crutches almost exclusively to standing up straighter and using just one crutch/walking stick. She has also begun to walk independently in our home.

Annika received SCiP over two near-consecutive therapy sessions, one of 16 weeks and the other of 10 weeks duration. The therapy is non-invasive and pain-free, making it ideal for treating children and adults.

In addition to advancing SCIP therapy for CP, SpineX has pioneered SCONE therapy. An experimental medical device that treats urinary incontinence in adults, SCONE allows people living with neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or stroke to live their lives on their own terms. Neuromodulation continues to bring dramatic, tangible results for patients afflicted with different debilitating chronic illnesses.

As parents of a child with CP its a bit like fitting together a puzzle, says Annikas mother, Jess. This is a very large piece of the puzzle; we saw more positive change in our daughter over the two courses of SCiP therapy than we did in the first seven years of her life. She says she feels more aligned and is literally taking bigger steps all the time.

About SpineX Inc.

SpineX Inc., a clinical stage bioelectric MedTech company developing Noninvasive Spinal Neuromodulation devices as a platform technology. SCONE and SCiP are two FDA-designated Breakthrough Devices being developed by SpineX for the treatment of adults with Neurogenic Bladder and Children with Cerebral Palsy respectively. To learn more about SpineX, visit www.spinex.co or follow @spinex_inc on social media.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727598285/en/

Parag Gad, CEO

[email protected]

Source: SpineX Inc.
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Q2 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: QTWO), a leading provider of digital banking and lending solutions, will attend the following conferences during the third quarter of 2023.

KeyBanc Tech Leadership Forum, August 7, 2023

Needham Digital Transformation 1x1 Conference, August 17, 2023

About Q2 Holdings, Inc.

Q2 is a leading provider of digital banking and lending solutions to banks, credit unions, alternative finance companies, and fintechs in the U.S. and internationally. Q2 enables its financial institutions and fintech companies to provide comprehensive, secure, data-driven digital client engagement solutionsfrom consumers to small businesses and corporate clients. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Q2 has offices throughout the world and is publicly traded on the NYSE under the stock symbol QTWO. To learn more, please visit Q2.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Formerly Twitter) to stay up-to-date.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727660763/en/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jean Kondo

Q2 Holdings, Inc.

510-823-4728

[email protected]



INVESTOR CONTACT:

Josh Yankovich

Q2 Holdings, Inc.

512-682-4463

[email protected]

Source: Q2 Holdings, Inc.
Program helps scholars transition to new work environments to continue their pursuits in science

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Scholars from Afghanistan and Ukraine find new homes in the U.S. and Japan to continue scientific interests with support from The Kavli Foundation. The Kavli Scholars Program aids individuals seeking new work environments due to extreme circumstances that interrupt their scientific research. Interruptions include civil unrest, geopolitical strife, climate change catastrophes, natural disasters, and other factors that disrupt daily life and severely impact societies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727004080/en/

This is an ongoing challenge that affects many scholars worldwide, remarked Kavli Foundation President Cynthia Friend. Scholars transitioning to a new work environment can have a life-changing impact, and fortunately we can help this talent continue their important research and their contributions to science globally.

The inaugural program welcomes two remarkable Kavli Scholars, Abraham Amiri and Kateryna Vovk.

Amiri is a science communicator and studying to be an astronomer. He fled Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, when he came under threat due to his national visibility in Afghan science outreach. Spending many months in a refugee camp awaiting official paperwork, Amiri sought opportunities to further his education and his pursuits in science. He was accepted by UCLA to pursue a masters degree in planetary science. His university sponsor and advisor is David Jewitt, a 2012 Kavli Prize Laureate in Astrophysics, and professor of astronomy in UCLAs Earth, Planetary, and Space Science Department.

I fled Afghanistan in 2021 due to the fear of persecution, imprisonment or death by the Taliban, stated Amiri. I really wanted to continue promoting science and communicating science with the public, and to pursue a masters in astronomy. I didnt know if it was possible. Thanks to my current advisor, David Jewitt, Kathie Bailey, while she was working with the National Academy of Sciences before joining The Kavli Foundation as Director of The Kavli Prize, and now Kavlis financial support, I can continue my passion.

Vovk is a Ukrainian astrophysicist, currently living in Japan. Shortly after the war in Ukraine broke out, Vovks grant funding was canceled, and she became detached from her science community and research. She sought opportunities to continue her study of active galactic nuclei. Jia Liu, a professor at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, encouraged Vovk to apply for the Kavli Scholars program. She is sponsored by University of Tokyo professors John Silverman and Jia Liu.

My environment changed suddenly, and I was detached completely from the science community I had been working with, unable to continue my research on host galaxies and black holes, shared Vovk. Dr. Jia Liu of Kavli IPMU at University of Tokyo learned of my situation and invited me to work with her and her colleagues, with support from The Kavli Foundation. This made me feel whole again.

The Kavli Foundations new program provides bridge support for scholars in partnership with its Kavli Institutes and other affiliates, including Kavli Prize Laureates. Kavli Scholars are selected based on their need and promise for transitioning to new work environments and must perform work in the foundations areas of interest, including astrophysics, theoretical physics, nanoscience, and neuroscience, and be hosted by a Kavli affiliate.

About The Kavli Foundation

The Kavli Foundation is dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of humanity. The foundations mission is to stimulate basic research in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics; strengthen the relationship between science and society; and honor scientific discoveries with The Kavli Prize. Learn more at kavlifoundation.org and follow @kavlifoundation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727004080/en/

[email protected]

310-739-2859

Source: The Kavli Foundation
WESTLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation at its meeting today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share. The dividend is payable August 25, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 11, 2023.

In addition, the Board of Directors also declared dividends on the following series of outstanding preferred stock, payable September 1, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 17, 2023:

Preferred Stock Series Dividend Per

Share Dividend Per

Depositary Share 5.95% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D Dividend Period: June 1, 2023-August 31, 2023 $14.88 $0.372000 5.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series G Dividend Period: June 1, 2023-August 31, 2023 $1,343.75 $13.437500 4.000% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series H Dividend Period: June 1, 2023-August 31, 2023 $1,000.00 $10.000000 4.000% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series I Dividend Period: June 1, 2023-August 31, 2023 $1,000.00 $10.000000 4.450% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J Dividend Period: June 1, 2023-August 31, 2023 $11.13 $0.278250 5.000% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series K Dividend Period: June 1, 2023-August 31, 2023 $1,250.00 $12.500000

About Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with 34.4 million active brokerage accounts, 2.4 million corporate retirement plan participants, 1.8 million banking accounts, and $8.02 trillion in client assets. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiaries, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., TD Ameritrade, Inc., and TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc., (member SIPC, www.sipc.org), and their affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services; referrals to independent, fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its primary banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank, SSB (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services and products. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com.

TD Ameritrade, Inc. and TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727863923/en/

MEDIA:

Mayura Hooper

Charles Schwab

Phone: 415-667-1525

INVESTORS/ANALYSTS:

Jeff Edwards

Charles Schwab

Phone: 415-667-1524

Source: The Charles Schwab Corporation
AWS customers can now meet data residency requirements quickly with Skyflows global network of data privacy vaults.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Skyflow, the data privacy vault company, is announcing that it has joined the AWS Partner Network and is now available through AWS Marketplace. AWS Marketplace enables customers to easily discover, procure, and deploy solutions that run on AWS, like Skyflow. This signals a deepening relationship between the two companies and makes it easier than ever for AWS global customer base to isolate, protect, and govern sensitive customer data with Skyflow.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727977763/en/

Skyflow Launches On AWS Marketplace (Graphic: Business Wire)

Skyflows comprehensive data privacy platform offers robust and scalable features, including polymorphic encryption and tokenization, and fine-grained access controls, which help ensure data remains secure throughout its lifecycle. With its unique zero-trust vault architecture, Skyflow enables businesses to protect sensitive data without compromising its utility, supporting a wide range of use cases across industries such as healthcare, finance, and e-commerce.

Meet data residency requirements quickly without adding new instances

Skyflow customers can host data privacy vaults anywhere in the world where AWS operates, storing sensitive customer data locally. This enables companies to meet multiple data residency and compliance requirements as well as future-proof against legislative changes, without the heavy cost of replicating infrastructure.

De-identify customer data for privacy-safe analytics

Skyflow integrates seamlessly with AWS analytics pipelines. This makes it easy to isolate sensitive data at the point of ingestion and store it in Skyflow Data Privacy Vault, while de-identified data is sent onto the analytics pipeline. With Skyflow, teams can leverage sensitive data for critical business workflows like transaction processing, ID verification, and analytics, all without breaking customer privacy.

Build and use LLMs safely and securely

Skyflow LLM Privacy Vault provides enterprises with complete data protection throughout the entire lifecycle of LLMs, including robust features such as:

Data Privacy and Security: Skyflow LLM Privacy Vault establishes a secure environment for sensitive data, protecting it from unauthorized access, breaches, and data leaks.

Skyflow LLM Privacy Vault establishes a secure environment for sensitive data, protecting it from unauthorized access, breaches, and data leaks. Granular Data Control: Organizations can maintain strict control over sensitive data, ensuring that only authorized individuals or entities can access specific data sets or functionalities within LLM systems.

Organizations can maintain strict control over sensitive data, ensuring that only authorized individuals or entities can access specific data sets or functionalities within LLM systems. Privacy-Preserving AI: Sensitive data is redacted and anonymized during data collection, model training, and interactions, enabling organizations to maximize AI capabilities without compromising privacy.

Our collaboration with AWS is driven by a mutual investment in data privacy. Now, its easier than ever to integrate Skyflow with existing AWS infrastructure so teams can spend less time troubleshooting patchwork security solutions and more time trusting that their sensitive customer data is isolated, protected, and secure in Skyflows global network of data privacy vaults, said Anshu Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Skyflow.

Find out more about Skyflow and AWS on our website here.

About Skyflow

Skyflow is a data privacy vault company built to radically simplify how companies isolate, protect and govern their customers most sensitive data. With its global network of data privacy vaults, Skyflow helps companies meet complex data localization requirements. Skyflow customers span verticals like fintech, retail, travel, and healthcare. Skyflow is headquartered in Palo Alto, California and was founded in 2019. For more information, visit www.skyflow.com or follow on Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727977763/en/

Ali Rae Hunt

[email protected]

Source: Skyflow
Second Quarter 2023 Summary Results and Highlights

Net income of $12.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted Class A share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023; Adjusted pro forma net income of $11.3 million, or $0.25 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023

Adjusted EBITDA of $26.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, reflecting a 7% sequential and 27% year-over-year increase

Grew total contribution margin per frac crew followed by 26% sequentially, driven by increased deployments of Solaris new top fill technology and AutoBlend units across multiple basins

Paid a regular quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share on June 16, 2023, which represented Solaris 19th consecutive quarterly dividend

Repurchased 1.4 million Class A common stock shares (3.0% of total outstanding shares) during the quarter; approximately $24 million remains available under the $50 million share repurchase authorization announced in the first quarter of 2023

$148 million cumulatively returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks since 2018

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE: SOI) (Solaris or the Company), today announced second quarter 2023 results, with revenues of $77.2 million, net income of $12.2 million, adjusted pro forma net income of $11.3 million, or $0.25 per fully diluted share and Adjusted EBITDA of $26.8 million.

Our strong second quarter results are a testament to the Solaris teams continued execution on our strategy of growing earnings per frac crew followed. We grew profitability by deploying more top fill and AutoBlend systems and improving ancillary trucking services margin despite the softening in drilling and completion activity, Solaris Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Zartler commented.

Since we began returning cash to shareholders in 2018, we have cumulatively returned $148 million through dividends and share repurchases. We expect to generate meaningful cash flow as our budgeted growth capital spending slows, allowing us to continue executing on our enhanced shareholder return framework.

Second Quarter 2023 Financial Review

Solaris reported net income of $12.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted Class A share, for second quarter 2023, compared to first quarter 2023 net income of $11.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted Class A share, and second quarter 2022 net income of $8.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted Class A share. Adjusted pro forma net income for second quarter 2023 was $11.3 million, or $0.25 per fully diluted share, compared to first quarter 2023 adjusted pro forma net income of $11.0 million, or $0.24 per fully diluted share, and second quarter 2022 adjusted pro forma net income of $9.4 million, or $0.20 per fully diluted share.

Revenues were $77.2 million for second quarter 2023, which were down 7% sequentially and down 11% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA for second quarter 2023 was $26.8 million, which was up 7% from first quarter 2023 and up 27% from second quarter 2022. The sequential decrease in revenue was driven by decreases in industry frac activity and ancillary trucking services revenues, which was offset by additional top fill and AutoBlend systems. The sequential increase in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by increases in new technology deployments and ancillary trucking services margin.

During the second quarter of 2023, Solaris earned revenue on 108 fully utilized systems, which includes sand systems, top fill systems and AutoBlend systems. Total fully utilized systems were down 8% sequentially from 118 in the first quarter of 2023.

Capital Expenditures, Free Cash Flow and Liquidity

Capital expenditures in the second quarter 2023 were approximately $21 million, which is primarily related to manufacturing of top fill systems. Solaris is maintaining its capital expenditure guidance for full year 2023 of $65 million to $75 million, which includes $15 million for maintenance capital. The Company expects capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2023 to be approximately $15 million, including maintenance capital expenditures.

Free cash flow (defined as net cash provided by operating activities less investment in property, plant and equipment) during second quarter 2023 was positive $7 million, including a working capital source of $3 million and capital expenditures of $21 million. Distributable cash flow (defined as Adjusted EBITDA less maintenance capital expenditures) was approximately $22 million for the second quarter 2023, which was approximately flat sequentially and up 10% year over year, and covered quarterly dividend distributions of approximately $5 million by approximately four times.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had approximately $9 million of cash on the balance sheet. The Company had $43 million in borrowings outstanding on the credit facility and $41 million of liquidity as of the end of second quarter 2023.

Shareholder Returns

On May 16, 2023, the Companys Board of Directors approved a cash dividend to $0.11 per share of Class A common stock, which was paid on June 16, 2023 to holders of record as of June 6, 2023. A distribution of $0.11 per unit was also approved for holders of units in Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, LLC (Solaris LLC).

During the second quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased 1.4 million Class A common stock shares, or 3.0% of the Companys total outstanding shares, for approximately $11 million, leaving approximately $24 million in the Companys stock repurchase authorization. Since initiating the repurchase authorization in the first quarter of 2023, Solaris has repurchased a total of 3.1 million Class A common shares, or 6.5% of the Companys total outstanding shares.

Since initiating the dividend in December 2018, the Company has paid 19 consecutive quarterly dividends and repurchased approximately 12% of total outstanding shares, representing approximately $148 million in cash cumulatively returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases since December 2018.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2023 results on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time). To join the conference call from within the United States, participants may dial (844) 413-3978. To join the conference call from outside of the United States, participants may dial (412) 317-6594. When instructed, please ask the operator to be joined to the Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc. call. Participants are encouraged to log in to the webcast or dial in to the conference call approximately ten minutes prior to the start time. To listen via live webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at http://www.solarisoilfield.com.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately seven days. It can be accessed by dialing (877) 344-7529 within the United States or (412) 317-0088 outside of the United States. The conference call replay access code is 6293931. The replay will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the Companys website shortly after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately seven days.

About Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to financial results determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), this news release presents non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA, provide useful information to investors regarding the Companys financial condition and results of operations because they reflect the core operating results of our businesses and help facilitate comparisons of operating performance across periods. Although management believes the aforementioned non-GAAP financial measures are good tools for internal use and the investment community in evaluating Solaris overall financial performance, the foregoing non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included in the accompanying financial tables.

About Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc.

Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE: SOI) provides mobile equipment that drives supply chain and execution efficiencies in the completion of oil and natural gas wells. Solaris patented equipment and systems are deployed across oil and natural gas basins in the United States. Additional information is available on our website, www.solarisoilfield.com.

Website Disclosure

We use our website (www.solarisoilfield.com) as a routine channel of distribution of company information, including news releases, analyst presentations, and supplemental financial information, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions (the SEC) Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website in addition to following press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Additionally, we provide notifications of news or announcements on our investor relations website. Investors and others can receive notifications of new information posted on our investor relations website in real time by signing up for email alerts.

None of the information provided on our website, in our press releases, public conference calls and webcasts, or through social media channels is incorporated by reference into, or deemed to be a part of, this press release or will be incorporated by reference into any report or document we file with the SEC unless we expressly incorporate any such information by reference, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, the various risks and uncertainties associated with the extraordinary market environment and impacts resulting from the volatility in global oil markets and the COVID-19 pandemic, expected capital expenditures and the impact of such expenditures on performance, management changes, current and potential future long-term contracts and our future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the factors discussed or referenced in our filings made from time to time with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SOLARIS OILFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2023 2022 Revenue 69,925 81,130 77,828 147,753 132,966 Revenue - related parties 7,277 5,581 4,894 12,171 10,660 Total revenue 77,202 86,711 82,722 159,924 143,626 Operating costs and expenses: Cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) 45,652 61,237 53,223 98,875 98,908 Depreciation and amortization 9,071 7,132 8,417 17,488 14,061 Property tax contingency (1)  3,072   3,072 Selling, general and administrative 6,825 6,062 6,538 13,363 11,273 Other operating income (2) (125 ) (1,114 ) (338 ) (463 ) (1,423 ) Total operating costs and expenses 61,423 76,389 67,840 129,263 125,891 Operating income 15,779 10,322 14,882 30,661 17,735 Interest expense, net (879 ) (88 ) (459 ) (1,338 ) (167 ) Total other expense (879 ) (88 ) (459 ) (1,338 ) (167 ) Income before income tax expense 14,900 10,234 14,423 29,323 17,568 Provision for income taxes 2,659 1,945 2,486 5,145 3,557 Net income 12,241 8,289 11,937 24,178 14,011 Less: net income related to non-controlling interests (4,709 ) (2,836 ) (4,368 ) (9,077 ) (5,056 ) Net income attributable to Solaris $ 7,532 $ 5,453 $ 7,569 $ 15,101 $ 8,955 Earnings per share of Class A common stock - basic $ 0.24 $ 0.16 $ 0.23 $ 0.47 $ 0.27 Earnings per share of Class A common stock - diluted $ 0.24 $ 0.16 $ 0.23 $ 0.47 $ 0.27 Basic weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding 29,542 31,432 31,214 30,373 31,337 Diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding 29,542 31,432 31,214 30,373 31,337

1) Property tax contingency represents a reserve related to an unfavorable Texas District Court ruling related to prior period property taxes. The ruling is currently under appeal and we anticipate a ruling to be delivered sometime in the second half of 2023. 2) Other income includes accrued excise tax on share repurchases, the sale or disposal of assets, insurance gains, credit losses or recoveries, severance costs, and other settlements.

SOLARIS OILFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) June 30, December 31, 2023 2022 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,371 $ 8,835 Accounts receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $355 and $385, respectively 56,103 64,543 Accounts receivable - related party 6,788 4,925 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,671 5,151 Inventories 8,520 5,289 Total current assets 86,453 88,743 Property, plant and equipment, net 325,441 298,160 Non-current inventories 2,097 1,569 Operating lease right-of-use assets 4,844 4,033 Goodwill 13,004 13,004 Intangible assets, net 1,066 1,429 Deferred tax assets 51,099 55,370 Other assets 326 268 Total assets $ 484,330 $ 462,576 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 29,209 $ 25,934 Accrued liabilities 17,024 25,252 Current portion of payables related to Tax Receivable Agreement  1,092 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 1,106 917 Current portion of finance lease liabilities 2,373 1,924 Other current liabilities 1,237 790 Total current liabilities 50,949 55,909 Operating lease liabilities, net of current 6,687 6,212 Borrowings under the credit agreement 43,000 8,000 Finance lease liabilities, net of current 3,582 3,429 Payables related to Tax Receivable Agreement 71,530 71,530 Other long-term liabilities 126 367 Total liabilities 175,874 145,447 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding   Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 600,000 shares authorized, 28,968 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and 31,641 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 290 317 Class B common stock, $0.00 par value, 180,000 shares authorized, 13,674 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and 13,674 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022   Additional paid-in capital 186,647 202,551 Retained earnings 15,233 12,847 Total stockholders' equity attributable to Solaris and members' equity 202,170 215,715 Non-controlling interest 106,286 101,414 Total stockholders' equity 308,456 317,129 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 484,330 $ 462,576

SOLARIS OILFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended

June 30, Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 24,178 $ 14,011 $ 12,241 Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 17,488 14,061 9,071 Property tax contingency  3,072  (Gain) loss on disposal of asset (18 ) (39 ) 4 Stock-based compensation 3,904 3,112 1,924 Amortization of debt issuance costs 71 98 40 Allowance for credit losses (2 ) (388 ) (2 ) Change in payables related to Tax Receivable Agreement  (654 )  Deferred income tax expense 4,853 3,101 2,524 Other (162 ) (178 ) (172 ) Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 8,442 (33,008 ) 12,023 Accounts receivable - related party (1,863 ) (338 ) (2,949 ) Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,143 5,098 238 Inventories (5,801 ) (3,457 ) (1,730 ) Accounts payable 3,047 7,902 1,005 Accrued liabilities (8,728 ) 10,001 (5,606 ) Payments pursuant to tax receivable agreement (1,092 )   Net cash provided by operating activities 45,460 22,394 28,611 Cash flows from investing activities: Investment in property, plant and equipment (40,130 ) (32,326 ) (21,181 ) Cash received from insurance proceeds 69 860 69 Proceeds from disposal of assets 165 57 42 Net cash used in investing activities (39,896 ) (31,409 ) (21,070 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Share repurchases (25,757 )  (11,330 ) Distribution to unitholders (includes distribution of $3.0 million at $0.11/unit and $2.9 million at $0.105/unit, respectively) (3,489 ) (2,892 ) (1,504 ) Dividend paid to Class A common stock shareholders (7,044 ) (6,885 ) (3,388 ) Borrowings under the credit agreement 35,000  17,000 Payments under finance leases (1,326 ) (567 ) (588 ) Payments under insurance premium financing (966 ) (422 ) (425 ) Payments related to debt issuance costs (91 ) (358 ) (91 ) Payments for shares withheld for taxes from RSU vesting and cancelled (1,355 ) (1,007 ) (19 ) Net cash used in financing activities (5,028 ) (12,131 ) (345 ) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 536 (21,146 ) 7,196 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 8,835 36,497 2,175 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 9,371 $ 15,351 $ 9,371 Non-cash activities Investing: Capitalized depreciation in property, plant and equipment 202 289 73 Capitalized stock based compensation 296 207 122 Property and equipment additions incurred but not paid at period-end 3,402 6,490 3,402 Property, plant and equipment additions transferred from inventory 2,042 1,058 464 Additions to fixed assets through finance leases 1,926 2,267 993 Financing: Insurance premium financing 697 1,331 697 Cash paid for: Interest 1,028 37 693 Income taxes 198 370 197

SOLARIS OILFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION AND CALCULATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL MEASURES (In thousands) (Unaudited) EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We define EBITDA as net income, plus (i) depreciation and amortization expense, (ii) interest expense and (iii) income tax expense, including franchise taxes. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus (i) stock-based compensation expense and (ii) certain non-cash items and extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains, losses or expenses. We believe that our presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to net income presented in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility. The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods indicated.

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2023 2022 Net income $ 12,241 $ 8,289 $ 11,937 $ 24,178 $ 14,011 Depreciation and amortization 9,071 7,132 8,417 17,488 14,061 Interest expense, net 879 88 459 1,338 167 Income taxes (1) 2,659 1,945 2,486 5,145 3,557 EBITDA $ 24,850 $ 17,454 $ 23,299 $ 48,149 $ 31,796 Property tax contingency (2)  3,072   3,072 Stock-based compensation expense (3) 1,924 1,519 1,980 3,904 3,112 (Gain) loss on disposal of assets 4  (361 ) (357 )  Change in payables related to Tax Receivable Agreement (4)  (654 )   (654 ) Other (5) 47 (327 ) 200 247 (522 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 26,825 $ 21,064 $ 25,118 $ 51,943 $ 36,804

1) Federal and state income taxes. 2) Property tax contingency represents a reserve related to an unfavorable Texas District Court ruling related to prior period property taxes. The ruling is currently under appeal and we anticipate a ruling to be delivered sometime in the second half of 2023. 3) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards, including performance-based restricted stock. 4) Reduction in liability due to state tax rate change. 5) Other includes accrued excise tax on share repurchases, gains on insurance claims, credit losses or recoveries and other settlements.

ADJUSTED PRO FORMA NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED PRO FORMA EARNINGS PER FULLY DILUTED SHARE

Adjusted pro forma net income represents net income attributable to Solaris assuming the full exchange of all outstanding membership interests in Solaris LLC not held by Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc. for shares of Class A common stock, adjusted for certain non-recurring items that the Company doesn't believe directly reflect its core operations and may not be indicative of ongoing business operations. Adjusted pro forma earnings per fully diluted share is calculated by dividing adjusted pro forma net income by the weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding, assuming the full exchange of all outstanding units of Solaris LLC (Solaris LLC Units), after giving effect to the dilutive effect of outstanding equity-based awards.

When used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, adjusted pro forma net income and adjusted pro forma earnings per fully diluted share are supplemental measures of operating performance that the Company believes are useful measures to evaluate performance period over period and relative to its competitors. By assuming the full exchange of all outstanding Solaris LLC Units, the Company believes these measures facilitate comparisons with other companies that have different organizational and tax structures, as well as comparisons period over period because it eliminates the effect of any changes in net income attributable to Solaris as a result of increases in its ownership of Solaris LLC, which are unrelated to the Company's operating performance, and excludes items that are non-recurring or may not be indicative of ongoing operating performance.

Adjusted pro forma net income and adjusted pro forma earnings per fully diluted share are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies due to different methods of calculation. Presentation of adjusted pro forma net income and adjusted pro forma earnings per fully diluted share should not be considered alternatives to net income and earnings per share, as determined under GAAP. While these measures are useful in evaluating the Company's performance, it does not account for the earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest holders and therefore does not provide a complete understanding of the net income attributable to Solaris. Adjusted pro forma net income and adjusted pro forma earnings per fully diluted share should be evaluated in conjunction with GAAP financial results. A reconciliation of adjusted pro forma net income to net income attributable to Solaris, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, and the computation of adjusted pro forma earnings per fully diluted share are set forth below.

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2023 2022 Numerator: Net income attributable to Solaris $ 7,532 $ 5,453 $ 7,569 $ 15,101 $ 8,955 Adjustments: Reallocation of net income attributable to non-controlling interests from the assumed exchange of LLC Interests (1) 4,709 2,836 4,368 9,077 5,056 (Gain) loss on disposal of assets 4  (361 ) (357 )  Property tax contingency (2)  3,072   3,072 Change in payables related to Tax Receivable Agreement (3)  (654 )   (654 ) Other (4) 47 (327 ) 200 247 (522 ) Incremental income tax expense (983 ) (1,006 ) (779 ) (1,763 ) (1,708 ) Adjusted pro forma net income $ 11,309 $ 9,374 $ 10,997 $ 22,305 $ 14,199 Denominator: Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding 29,542 31,432 31,214 30,373 31,337 Adjustments: Assumed exchange of Solaris LLC units for shares of Class A common stock (1) 15,365 15,132 15,224 15,294 14,964 Adjusted pro forma fully weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - diluted 44,907 46,564 46,438 45,667 46,301 Adjusted pro forma earnings per share - diluted $ 0.25 $ 0.20 $ 0.24 $ 0.49 $ 0.31

(1) Assumes the exchange of all outstanding Solaris LLC Units for shares of Class A common stock at the beginning of the relevant reporting period, resulting in the elimination of the non-controlling interest and recognition of the net income attributable to non-controlling interests. (2) Property tax contingency represents a reserve related to an unfavorable Texas District Court ruling related to prior period property taxes. The ruling is currently under appeal and we anticipate a ruling to be delivered sometime in the second half of 2023. (3) Reduction in liability due to state tax rate change. (4) Other includes accrued excise tax on share repurchases, gains on insurance claims, credit losses or recoveries and other settlements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727129753/en/

Yvonne Fletcher

Senior Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations

(281) 501-3070

[email protected]

Source: Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc.
Hybrid service to provide digital asset custody, management, and advisory to financial advisors and wealth managers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Standard Custody & Trust Company, a NYDFS chartered company providing institutional-grade custody, escrow, and settlement services for digital assets, announced a groundbreaking partnership with L1 Advisors, a pioneering onchain wealth management platform for financial advisors and their clients. This partnership signifies an industry-first product offering for registered investment advisors, wealth managers, and family offices.

The collaboration ushers in a new era of digital asset management, providing financial advisors with a hybrid approach to digital asset custody, management, and advisory for the first time. This innovative approach combines the security and convenience of qualified custody with the portability and self-sovereignty of self-custody.

The newly bundled product offering enables advisors to offer both discretionary and non-discretionary advice, facilitating a more personalized approach to digital asset advisory. Thats the case for Nick Rygiel, the owner and Financial Advisor at Ironclad Financial, who started using both platforms in his practice. I'm excited to leverage the L1 Advisors and Standard Custody product integration. This innovative alliance lets us offer a unique hybrid service that transforms how our clients manage their digital wealth.

Through the L1 platform, advisors can now monitor assets in qualified custody or in clients' self-custodied wallets, granting unprecedented access to a broader view of client portfolios. This adaptability ensures that the advisory services can be tailored to suit operational and compliance needs, creating a unique edge for advisors in the emerging landscape of digital assets.

Jack McDonald, CEO of PolySign, the parent company of Standard Custody & Trust, acknowledged the strategic importance of this partnership: L1 Advisors has solved an important challenge within the wealth management space, and we are proud to be partnering with them to help bring a more robust solution to the market via our next-generation digital asset regulated custodian. Standard Custodys conflict-free model perfectly aligns with the ethos of private wealth, and our combined offering gives clients the most secure, qualified custodial services they deserve.

Echoing the same sentiment, Miguel Kudry, CEO of L1 Advisors, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: "This seamless blend of qualified custody and self-custody is an industry first and gives advisors and their clients the assurance they have been looking for so long to advise on digital assets. The future of onchain wealth management is a hybrid of self-custody and qualified custody, and we are excited to partner with Standard Custody to make that vision a reality."

This collaboration signals a milestone in the evolution of digital assets management and advisory, and both Standard Custody and L1 Advisors look forward to shaping the future of wealth management.

About Standard Custody & Trust Co

Standard Custody & Trust Company is an institutional-grade custody and settlement platform for digital assets. Standard was founded and designed by leading technologists and innovators from pioneering cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology companies blended with traditional capital markets expertise. A subsidiary of PolySign, Inc., Standards platform offers novel blockchain technology that provides end-to-end encryption and distributed trust protocols for securing secret keys. Standards integrated escrow trading platform enables investors to buy and sell digital assets directly from custody, eliminating the risk of external transfers and inefficient transactions between different providers. Standard embodies high standards for regulatory and compliance excellence, empowering financial institutions to leverage their digital asset positions with confidence in best-in-class security protocols. For more information, please visit standardcustody.com.

About L1 Advisors

L1 Advisors is an onchain wealth management platform providing financial advisors, RIAs, and wealth managers with a secure and efficient way to provide advice on self-custodied assets. The platform empowers clients to maintain custody of their assets while receiving advice and transaction recommendations directly on decentralized-finance protocols. For more information, visit l1advisors.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726207775/en/

Melanie Budden

The Realization Group on behalf of Standard Custody/PolySign

[email protected]

Tel +44 7974 937970



Miguel Kudry

CEO at L1 Advisors

[email protected]

Source: Standard Custody
QUZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On July 25, 2023, an activity for unveiling the international expression of Quzhou spirit in the new era was held in its namesake city in eastern Chinas Zhejiang Province. During the event, the official translations of the 12-character Quzhou spirit in the new era, namely Uprightness and Courteousness, Openness and Confidence, Innovation and Excellence, were unveiled. Cash prizes up to 20,000 yuan were awarded to the winners of the international expression contest.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727208184/en/

An English translation salon for the international expression of Quzhou spirit in the new era was held on May 17, 2023. (Photo: Business Wire)

The global contest was launched in May 2023, drawing 9,651 entries from 56 countries and regions, thanks to extensive media coverage from outlets such as Peoples Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and China Central Television. Influential communication channels, including the Twitter account of the State Council Information Office of China, the main Facebook account of China.org.cn, and eZhejiang, the official English website of Zhejiang Province also followed the event as it unfolded, with relevant content garnering more than 35 million clicks.

Huang Yulong, President of the Academy of Translation and Interpretation of China International Communications Group, commented, promoting a citys spirit in its development is essential to our countrys social development now, adding that every city must address the question of how to become more international in its development. He also said that the contest, which garnered entries from speakers of the five UNs official languages besides Chinese, presented up-to-date content in innovative forms through diverse channels. It offers a strong boost to the citys reputation and global presence. I believe it will bring a new look to Quzhou and serve as a model for other cities in China.

Wan Shaohua, a spokesperson for Quzhou spirit in the new era, was deeply moved by the videos submitted by Quzhou residents and overseas friends from Egypt, Australia, France, Belarus, Bolivia, and other countries. He said that the contest brought southern Confucianism to more places and helped Chinese culture go global.

Noelia Gutierrez Maldonado, a university teacher in China who was named a finalist of the Spanish translation, shared how she was inspired by the culture and history of Quzhou, and reflected that its heritage and values convinced her that Quzhou will play an important role in the exchange and mutual learning among civilizations along the Belt and Road.

Quzhou spirit in the new era is rooted in its history and culture and passed down through continuous hard work, and represents the future. It is not only an iconic symbol of Quzhous culture, but also showcases its visionary pursuits. It can be said that the Quzhou spirit possesses both a Chinese vision and an international horizon. A representative from the Publicity Department of the CPC Quzhou Municipal Committee said that the spirits international horizon, mindset, ideas, and standards are all integral to the citys development, adding that in the future, Quzhou will undoubtedly explore more diverse ways to gain global recognition, and become a place where diverse civilizations around the world converge.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727208184/en/

Hong Yanhui

Tel: (0086) 570-3076191

Email: [email protected]

Source: The City of Quzhou
Press Release

July 27, 2023 Bong Go backs Malacanang's healthcare, poverty alleviation plans; reminds concerned agencies to deliver on the President's commitments "Always po ako, pro-poor programs at dapat po ay walang magutom na Pilipino." Emphasizing his enduring commitment to pro-poor initiatives, healthcare system improvements, and the welfare of medical frontliners, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his support and satisfaction with the plans and programs that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. unveiled during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA). In an interview on July 26, after assisting fire victims in Paranaque City, Go emphasized that while the first SONA outlined the administration's plans, the second showcased its various accomplishments during its first year in office. "Alam n'yo po, sa una niyang SONA, mga plano po 'yun dahil first month pa po niya sa opisina. It's more of a plan, ano ba ang roadmap na plano niyang gawin bilang presidente," he said. "Ito naman po, this time, it's different. This time, nakita na natin ang mga various accomplishments in one year ng kanyang panunungkulan," Go explained. In his address, Marcos outlined various programs aimed at uplifting the country's poor, a cause that Go has also committed to pursue. "Always po ako, pro-poor programs at dapat po ay walang magutom na Pilipino. 'Yan po ang pakiusap ko parati sa executive," said Go. "Kung meron kayong isusulong na batas, suportado ko po ito basta po makakatulong sa mahihirap po at hindi mapunta sa korapsyon ang pera," he stated. On the health programs and initiatives announced during the SONA, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, commended the administration's ongoing efforts to improve the country's healthcare system. He specifically lauded Marcos' plans on improving the country's preparedness for future pandemics, citing the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Natutuwa po ako na meron pong mga plano ang ating administrasyon, si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, kung paano mas mapa-improve ang ating healthcare system," said Go. "Alam n'yo, mas mabuti tayong handa sa anumang pandemyang darating sa buhay natin dahil nabigla talaga tayo noong 2020, so the more we should invest sa ating mga healthcare facilities, sa ating healthcare system," Go expressed. In relation to this, Go has been pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 195, or the creation of a Center for Disease Control. This proposed legislation aims to create a central hub for disease prevention, surveillance, and control, addressing both infectious and non-communicable diseases. Go also filed SBN 196, which seeks the establishment of a Virology Science and Technology Institute. The institute is envisioned to enhance the country's capacity to study, detect, and combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Go also emphasized the importance of the establishment of Super Health Centers in providing primary care in grassroots communities, facilitating early disease detection, and helping decongest hospitals. He explained that these centers could provide check-ups, laboratory tests, and x-rays, and could serve as birthing facilities, preventing the need for hospital transfers. "Early detection, ibig sabihin para hindi na lumala ang sakit at hindi na dalhin sa ospital. At it will help decongest 'yung hospital," said Go. Go likewise highlighted the Regional Specialty Centers bill which he sponsored and co-authored in the Senate. The centers, designed as part of a multi-year plan, aim to provide specialized healthcare services such as heart, neonatal, orthopedic, and transplant care, thereby eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances to receive such treatments. "Natutuwa rin po ako na itong bill na isinulong ko, ako po ang author at sponsor sa Senado, sa tulong po ng mga kasamahan ko sa Senado, ito pong Regional Specialty Center na magtatatag po ng mga specialty center sa buong Pilipinas," Go shared. Once signed into law by the President, this legislation will facilitate the establishment of specialty centers in Department of Health (DOH) regional hospitals throughout the country. Go also noted the continuing operations of 158 Malasakit Centers across the country, a welcome development for poor and indigent patients in need of access to medical and financial assistance from the government in public hospitals. The Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, these centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH. Go also reminded the Department of Budget and Management as well as the DOH to deliver on the promise of the President to release the risk allowances of medical frontliners, which has yet to be paid out. "Napakaliit nito na halaga kumpara po sa sakripisyo na ginawa nila, ginawa ng mga medical frontliners sa panahon ng pandemya," he said.
Timely screening for cervical cancer allows women to stop the progression of the disease and improve quality and length of life. Until now, the World Health Organization has recommended screening for women between the ages of 21 and 65. But new research by American scientists published in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention journal confirms that women over 65 need screening as well as they have the highest risk of advanced cancer.

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New scientific findings from the University of California, Davis

According to clinical data, nearly 70% of disease occurrence is associated with infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). When oncogenic types of HPV are detected, there is a high risk of developing cervical cancer. All types of screening tests are effective in detecting precancerous conditions. That is why women are recommended to have them every 3-5 years.

Until now, screening has been recommended for women under the age of 65. American researchers studied data from 21,442 female patients over the age of 21 with a primary diagnosis of cervical cancer between 2009 and 2018. The fact that 17% of the women were over the age of 65 was the main concern of the researchers.

The researchers found that 71% of patients among women over 65 had late-stage cancer compared to only 48% of women under 65.

ADVERTISIMENT

Are WHO recommendations wrong?

It should be noted that there are strong international recommendations based on evidence that women over 65 may not need routine cervical cancer screening, says Maury Markman, MD, medical oncologist at Cancer Treatment Center of America.

"When these statements were made, it was always clear that this was for those women who had decades of routine screening from a young age. If all screenings were negative, then perhaps they could stop after 65. But this does not apply to women who have not been screened properly!" states Dr. Markman.

The doctor recommends that women over the age of 65 who have not had a proper test should be screened for cervical cancer, as this is the age at which there is a high risk of cancer in its advanced stages.

American oncologists consider the new study important and more relevant to global medical practice than ever. Dr. Markman urges doctors to examine patients over 65 more closely. He also admits that it is time to change the WHO international recommendations on cervical cancer screening.
HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Peter ODonoghue, former Chief Technology Officer of Leidos Civil Group, has been appointed Chief Technology Officer at Tyto Athene, LLC, a federal systems integrator headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, where he will lead the companys strategy, execution, and oversight of the technology solutions organization.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727633962/en/

Peter ODonoghue, CTO of Tyto Athene LLC (Photo: Business Wire)

With over two decades of technology industry experience, O'Donoghue has an impressive track record of success in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IT modernization, and was recently recognized by WashingtonExec as one of the Top Cloud Executives To Watch in 2023. I am delighted to be here at this pivotal time to provide leadership in driving Tytos technical go-to-market strategy as we position for growth and differentiation, said Peter ODonoghue. Given our experience, talent and investments, Im confident that we are uniquely poised to meet our customers emerging digital modernization, ubiquitous connectivity and zero trust needs.

Peter will act as both a collaborative business partner and a change agent with the executive leadership team, ensuring the right blend of investment and partnering, to build differentiated solutions that support Tytos customers wherever they may be on their digital modernization journey.

"We are excited to welcome Peter as our new CTO," said Chris Mielhammer, CEO of Tyto Athene. "We have made significant investments this year to accelerate our growth. Peters proven abilities to drive growth through technology insertion, innovation and collaboration is an integral component to Tytos success.

About Tyto Athene:

At Tyto Athene, we harness the power of technology to provide solutions that shape the future.

With over 50 years of experience providing mission-focused digital transformation, our team of experts offers a broad range of expertise in four major technology domains: Network Modernization, Hybrid Cloud, Cyber Security, and Enterprise IT. We connect people with technologies to seamlessly integrate and manage systems to provide the greatest value to Defense, National Security, Intelligence, Space, and Public Safety for the people who matter the most.

To learn more about our mission, visit us at: www.gotyto.com

Or follow us on Facebook: /TytoAthene, Twitter at @TytoAthene, and LinkedIn at @gotyto

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727633962/en/

Tyto Athene

Danielle Manson

(703) 885-7830

[email protected]

Source: Tyto Athene
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the delivery of nine autonomous drones donated by Skydio, a leading U.S. drone manufacturer, to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. The Skydio 2+ drones have 4K cameras that will be used to take photo and video content to document war crimes. These will aid the Office of the Prosecutor General to document the more than 115,000 instances of destroyed civilian infrastructure, and evidence of human rights abuses on frontline communities and liberated territories. These drones are critical for the Prosecutor Generals team, as it pursues justice for survivors of war crimes and human rights abuses committed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

In addition to facilitating this donation by Skydio, a U.S. private sector company, USAID supports broader efforts to pursue accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses. Two USAID-supported Ukrainian human rights coalitions have documented more than 40,000 incidents of Russias war crimes since February 24, 2022. USAID also participates in joint war crimes documentation visits with Ukraines Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights.

USAIDs facilitation of drones donated by Skydio is the latest partnership with the U.S. private sector to support Ukraine. USAID has delivered Starlink data terminals donated by SpaceX, as well as laptops and software for Ukraines schoolchildren and teachers, donated by HP, Inc., JP.IK, and Microsoft. USAID also partners with the private sector to support Ukrainian grain production and export through the AGRI-Ukraine initiative launched in July 2022.

In Odesa last week, Administrator Samantha Power announced an additional $250 million in USAID support for AGRI-Ukraine, bringing the USAID contribution to $350 million, and leveraged an additional $250 million for the Initiative, including from fellow donors, the private sector, and foundations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727156012/en/

Lauren Ames

[email protected]

Source: Skydio
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- West Potomac Capital LLC (WPC) plans to launch a social impact private credit investment fund, WPC Financials Impact Fund I LP (Fund) in the second half of 2023. The Fund will be led by Trevor Montano, WPC Founder, Managing Member, and former Chief Investment Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury who has a decade of experience investing in, and managing capital allocated to, mission-driven financial institutions.

The Fund targets a fundraise of $250 million and aims to invest directly in, and alongside:

Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) including U.S. Banks and Credit Unions

Women-Owned Depository Institutions (WDIs)

U.S. Department of the Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) including U.S. Banks, Credit Unions and Loan Funds

Low-Income Designated Credit Unions (LICUs)

WPC also has a deposit placement strategy to assist corporations, financial institutions, philanthropic organizations, and others in placing deposits with mission-driven financial institutions. WPC intends to provide credit underwriting and monitoring as well as impact reporting on such deposits utilizing proprietary credit underwriting models and an impact management and measurement framework internally developed specifically for U.S.-based mission-driven financial institutions.

We are extremely excited to bring these new and innovative impact investing products to market in support of mission-driven financial institutions across America, said West Potomac Capital LLC founder Trevor Montano. It has been wonderful to see the significant increase in commitments related to social equity over the past few years and we intend to work with great organizations such as the Economic Opportunity Coalition and signatories to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys Project REACh: Removing Barriers to Financial Inclusion, and many others to help support and direct such commitments to highly impactful opportunities.

OMelveny & Myers LLP is serving as lead private fund counsel and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is serving as financial institution regulatory counsel to the Fund.

Potential capital partners, depositors and mission-driven financial institutions interested in learning more, please email [email protected].

About West Potomac Capital LLC

West Potomac Capital LLC is a minority-owned alternative asset management firm headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area. As of September 30, 2022, WPC had approximately $2.5 billion in regulatory assets under management focused on the financial services sector and mission-driven financial institutions. WPC was founded in 2020 by Trevor Montano, a former financial institutions investment banker and former Chief Investment Officer for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. More at www.westpotomaccap.com.

Disclaimer: This press release does not constitute an offering of interests in the Fund, which will be made only to qualified investors pursuant to the Funds offering documents. Nothing contained in this press release should be relied upon as a promise or representation as to the future performance of the Fund. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy of statements, estimates, targets, and/or projections herein, nor as to the ultimate success of the Fund or the external conditions and circumstances under which the Fund will operate. Prospective investors must not rely upon any matters in this release. The activities undertaken by the Fund may differ from those described above due to unexpected external circumstances or otherwise. Moreover, past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Certain statements made in this release are "forward looking statements". These forward-looking statements are not predictions of future performance, conditions or results, and are inherently uncertain and subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside the Funds and its advisors control. There is no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727921288/en/

Trevor Montano

[email protected]

Source: West Potomac Capital LLC (WPC)
Lippincott Nursing Drug Handbook mobile app is regularly updated and includes NCLEX assessments

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wolters Kluwer Health and Unbound Medicine today announced the launch of a brand new mobile app version of the original and best-selling drug guide for nursesLippincotts Nursing Drug Handbook. The application transforms 100% of the print edition content into an end-to-end digital platform with the latest updates from the FDA.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727459874/en/

The original and best-selling drug guide for nursesLippincotts Nursing Drug Handbook is now available via mobile app (Photo: Business Wire)

Same great contentand more

As new and different versions of popular medications continue to be approved, it is important for nurses at all levels to understand the key information on what is given to patients. The new app equips them with data on more than 3,800 generic, brand-name, and combination drugs, integrated images for more than 400 of the most-prescribed pills and tablets with drug monographs. Lippincotts Nursing Drug Handbook app is regularly updated so it always delivers the most current nursing-focused content. Going beyond the traditional print edition, this version also includes 300 pharmacology NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) questions for nursing students, helping them prepare to pass the NCLEX while on the go.

With 12-hour shifts the norm, and barely any time at an actual workstation or desk, nurses want to spend their time caring for patients and understanding their whole healthwhether that is through interactions with the patient, their family members or care team colleagues, said Julie Stegman, Vice President and Segment Leader, Health Learning & Practice at Wolters Kluwer, Health. This mobile app gives nurses anytime/anywhere access to the latest drug information so they can focus on patient care and reduce the chance of medication errors.

Putting patient safety at the forefront

The Nursing Drug Handbook app helps nurses provide optimal care by presenting patient safety information and medication administration alerts that highlight important considerations for safe nursing practices. The content is clearly written, well-organized and updated with the latest drug monographs which includes generic and trade names, drug classes, pregnancy risk category, controlled substance schedule, boxed warnings, indications and dosages, dose adjustments, adverse effects, drug interactions, nursing considerations, and patient teaching. Additionally, there are several features to further clarify critical drug information including robust appendices, abbreviation guides, and a helpful Anatomy of a Drug Monograph.

Combining trusted drug content of Lippincotts Nursing Drug Handbook with the expertise our team has delivered through innovative mobile and web solutions, made this an excellent collaboration, says Bill Detmer, MD, MSc, Chief Executive Officer, Unbound Medicine. Nurses play such a critical role on the front lines of medicine and this new app will help answer clinical questions at the point of need, helping keep both nurses and patients safe.

New users will receive a free trial upon downloading the Nursing Drug Handbook App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Wolters Kluwer Health provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. The division of Wolters Kluwer supports clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software, and services for professionals in healthcare, tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, legal and regulatory, and corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2022 annual revenues of 5.5 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

For more information about our solutions, visit https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/health and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727459874/en/

Media

Josh DeStefano

Manager, External Communications

Wolters Kluwer Health

+1 (917) 408-5125

[email protected]

Source: Wolters Kluwer Health
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) today announced the following leadership appointments, effective September 1, 2023:

Manish Sharma, Accentures Chief Operating Officer, will become Chief Executive Officer  North America. Sharma succeeds Jimmy Etheredge, who is retiring after an outstanding nearly-38-year career with Accenture. Etheredge will step down as of August 31 and become an advisor for a transition period.

John Walsh, Accentures Chief Strategic Accounts & Global Sales Officer, will become Accentures Chief Operating Officer.

Steve Ferneyhough, Accentures Lead  Sales, Europe, will become Chief Strategic Accounts & Global Sales Officer.

Paul Daugherty, Accentures Group Chief Executive  Technology & Chief Technology Officer, will become Chief Technology & Innovation Officer.

Karthik Narain, Accentures Lead  Accenture Cloud First, Data & AI, will become Group Chief Executive  Technology.

In their new roles, Sharma, Walsh, Ferneyhough, Daugherty and Narain will serve as members of Accentures Global Management Committee.

As Chief Executive Officer  North America, Sharma will be responsible for Accentures largest geographic market, which generated $29B in revenues in FY22, and will be responsible for delivering on the promise of technology and human ingenuity for Accentures clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities.

Sharma, who joined Accenture in 1995 in its strategy practice, currently serves as the companys Chief Operating Officer, and before that, was Group Chief Executive  Operations, for which North America was the largest market. He has a proven track record of creating business value for global clients, enabled by tech, data and AI, and has personally engaged with some of the companys largest clients, including many in North America.

Sharma also led the development of the companys SynOps platform, which digitizes and transforms critical enterprise functions, from finance and accounting to marketing and sales to supply chain.

Manish has worked around the globe and across industries to help clients reinvent to create new value, enabled by technology, data and AI, said Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture. And in his roles as our COO and as the Group Chief Executive  Operations, he has personally helped lead significant parts of Accentures own reinvention. He is committed to our people and to helping our clients and Accenture excel at this time of exponential change.

Etheredge has served as Chief Executive Officer  North America since 2019, helping to steer the organization and its clients through the pandemic while positioning Accenture as a leader in enterprise reinvention.

As CEO of North America, Jimmy achieved the greatest expansion of North America in our history by creating value for our clients as their reinvention partner of choice, said Sweet. Throughout, Jimmy has been focused on our people, including diversity, mental health and creating more opportunities. I am incredibly grateful for our close partnership over the years and for Jimmys dedication to Accenture, our clients and our people. Jimmy is a true steward of Accenture and we wish him the best.

John Walsh, who is Accentures Chief Strategic Accounts & Global Sales Officer, will become Accentures Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Walsh will be responsible for leading the companys business operations, executing Accentures business strategy, and chairing the Capital Committee & Corporate Investment Committee to execute on the companys growth strategy, protect its infrastructure and ensure operational excellence, which includes the ongoing digital transformation of Accenture.

In his current role, Walsh led the creation of a world-class tech-, data- and AI-enabled global sales organization, combining a growth mindset with operational rigor, and has worked side by side with client teams as an executive sponsor for many of the companys most significant clients. Walsh brings deep knowledge of and experience in technology and how technology creates business value through his prior leadership of Accentures Communications, Media & Technology business.

John brings a deep understanding of our clients, a track record of operational rigor and tech-enabled transformation, and a strong background in technology and our partner ecosystem, said Sweet. John will continue to help ensure we are delivering 360-degree value to our clients consistently around the world while helping us be our own best credential of a tech-, data- and AI-enabled organization that is safe and resilient.

Steve Ferneyhough, Accentures Lead  Sales, Europe, will become Chief Strategic Accounts & Global Sales Officer. In his new role, Ferneyhough will build on the strong foundation of the companys world-class global sales organization, continuing to drive growth and meet the needs of our clients. In his current role, Ferneyhough delivers large-scale transformational partnerships, industry-based solutions and campaigns that deliver value for our clients across Europe.

Steve brings deep global sales experience to this critical role, said Sweet. Through his 33-year career, Steve has helped shape and deliver digital transformations for clients in virtually every industry around the world, and he will continue to drive innovation in how we meet our clients most important needs.

Technology and Innovation Leadership Changes

In order to capture, even faster, the opportunities from the ongoing exponential changes in technologyincluding generative AIand accelerate innovation across its clients, the company also announced the appointments of Paul Daugherty and Karthik Narain to new leadership roles, effective September 1, 2023.

Daugherty, who is currently Accentures Group Chief Executive  Technology & Chief Technology Officer, will become Chief Technology & Innovation Officer. This new role will focus on defining and executing the companys technology strategy and accelerating innovation capabilities at a time when clients need more innovation than ever before.

Over the last four years, Daugherty has led Accenture Technology through its highest growth in Accenture history. He is a visionary technologist who has led the development of the annual Accenture Technology Vision report for more than a decade. He has co-authored two highly acclaimed books on AI: Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI (Harvard Business Review Press, 2018), a management playbook for the business of artificial intelligence, and Radically Human: How New Technology is Transforming Business and Shaping Our Future (Harvard Business Review Press, 2022).

For our clients, all strategies continue to lead to technology, particularly cloud, data, AI and security, said Sweet. Paul has delivered immense value helping to build the digital cores of our clients and the highest growth in our history. As a recognized, iconic leader in the marketplace with deep relationships across the ecosystem, the impact Paul can have in bringing that depth of experience to focus on the future waves of growth and to accelerate innovation for our clients is immense.

Narain, who is Accentures Lead  Accenture Cloud First, Data & AI, will become Group Chief Executive  Technology and will lead Accentures Technology service, which includes Cloud First, Data & AI, enterprise and industry platforms, Security, and ecosystem and advanced technology centers. In his current role, he has helped clients move, shape and operate their businesses in the cloud and unlock the power of data and AI. Since the formation of Cloud First in 2020, cloud has become one of Accentures top growth drivers, and the company has nearly tripled the number of cloud-certified employees under Narains leadership. Narain joined Accenture in 2015 and led Technology for its Communications Media and Technology industry segment and Technology in North America. Over his 24-year career he has led many strategic and innovative programs across a variety of industry sectors, including Financial Services, High Tech and Software and Platforms.

Karthiks experience leading Cloud First and his track record of more than two decades of deep technology experience makes him an ideal fit for his new role, said Sweet. He brings strong C-suite relationships across our clients and ecosystem partners, helping them to use tech, data and AI to reinvent their businesses.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, should, likely, anticipates, aspires, expects, intends, plans, projects, believes, estimates, positioned, outlook, goal, target and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: Accentures results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the companys clients businesses and levels of business activity; Accentures business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the companys services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the companys results of operations; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the companys business, the utilization rate of the companys professionals and the companys results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accentures ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; Accentures environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments and disclosures may expose it to reputational risks and legal liability; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the companys results of operations could be adversely affected; Accentures profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accentures level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the companys effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accentures results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accentures geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accentures business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accentures global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accentures work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accentures services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the Risk Factors heading in Accenture plcs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the timing and amount of costs related to Accentures business optimization actions and the nature and extent of benefits realized from such actions are subject to uncertainties and other factors, including local country consultation processes and regulations, and may differ from its current expectations and estimates. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accentures expectations.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the worlds leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen servicescreating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent and innovation led company with 732,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the worlds leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Accenture Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients succeed and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727478836/en/

Rachel Frey



Accenture



+1 917 452 4421



[email protected]

Source: Accenture
Barnes Aerospace is pleased to announce an agreement to partner with Blue Raven Solutions. The two businesses entered a U.S. military Aftermarket distribution agreement for Barnes Aerospace products. This agreement helps Barnes Aerospace grow its U.S. military Aftermarket business through Blue Raven Solutions tech-enabled, scalable supply chain solutions across various platforms that support the warfighter, the nation, and commercial customers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Barnes Aerospace appointed Blue Raven Solutions as an exclusive distributor of Barnes Aerospace products directly to the DLA Aviation, DLA Land and Maritime, DLA Troop Support divisions, and all other U.S. military agencies for Aftermarket sales. Barnes Aerospace will maintain its existing contracts and relationships with the OEM customers and, indirectly, the U.S. military agencies.

"Barnes Aerospace is honored to announce an agreement to partner with Blue Raven Solutions, said Ian Reason, Senior Vice President, Barnes and President, Barnes Aerospace. Their proven legacy of driving supply chain transformation through intelligent systems to ensure customers are always ready will help Barnes Aerospace make more of its products and services available to the U.S. military aftermarket. We are grateful and proud of Blue Raven Solutions choice to partner with Barnes Aerospace and their confidence in our ability to grow this market better together."

By leveraging Blue Raven Solutions strong heritage in the Military Aftermarket and intelligent systems, Barnes Aerospace is well-positioned to meet the demanding requirements of the U.S. Military Aftermarket.

About Barnes Aerospace

Barnes Aerospace, a business of Barnes, manufactures and maintains highly engineered parts for the aerospace and related industries globally. With elevated experience, Barnes Aerospace has a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement and the relentless pursuit of next. Barnes Aerospace offers strict compliance with customer, regulatory, and third-party standards (e.g., ISO, AS, NADCAP) for the Commercial Aerospace, Defense/Military, Energy, and Space industries where quality is crucial.

For more information, please visit www.barnesaero.com.

About Barnes Group

Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B) pioneers technologies to help change the world. Leveraging world-class manufacturing capabilities and market-leading engineering, we develop advanced processes, automation solutions and applied technologies for industries ranging from medical and personal care to mobility, packaging and aerospace. Customers benefit from our integrated hardware and software capabilities focused on improving the processing, control, service and sustainability of engineered plastics, factory automation technologies and precision components.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE) today announced the promotion of two accomplished leaders to senior executive roles.

Chad Doellinger has been promoted to General Counsel. Mr. Doellinger was a senior member of the CBRE legal group from May 2020 to April 2023, before being promoted to Chief Transformation Officer earlier this year. He previously served as Legal Chief Operations Officer and Deputy General Counsel overseeing litigation, intellectual property and other areas. His prior experience includes serving as Head of Complex Litigation for Walmart.

The company has decided to move the General Counsel role to Dallas. Larry Midler, CBREs current General Counsel, decided to step down rather than relocate to Dallas. He will remain with the company in a consulting capacity through mid-2024.

Banke Odunaike has been promoted to Chief Culture Officer, a new position. In her new role, Ms. Odunaike will support the effort to advance CBREs already-strong culture with an initial focus on oversight of four areas: i) Ethics & Compliance ii) Diversity across multiple dimensions globally, iii) senior leadership talent identification and development, and iv) succession planning, working in partnership with the CBRE People team on the latter two activities. Ms. Odunaike has been a member of CBREs legal group since 2017, rising to the top position overseeing all legal matters across EMEA and APAC for the Advisory Services business segment.

Mr. Doellinger and Ms. Odunaike have joined the CBRE Executive Committee, which is comprised of CBRE CEO Bob Sulentic and a group of eight senior executives who report directly to him.

Chad and Banke are rising leaders who enhance our executive leadership team, Mr. Sulentic said. Chad is an innovative strategic thinker, and we will benefit significantly from his counsel and leadership. Banke is an accomplished executive who brings an important international perspective to her new responsibilities.

Larry has been an exceptional General Counsel and colleague who leaves a deep and lasting imprint on CBRE, Mr. Sulentic added. I thank him for the insight and pragmatic counsel he has provided me and the company over the years and know he will meet with great success in his future pursuits.
Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell four Manhattan retail properties located at 510 Fifth Avenue, 148  150 Spring Street, 443 Broadway and 692 Broadway and that it has sold The Armory Show in New York for a combined sales price of $124.4 million.

The sale of the four retail properties is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter.

The combined impact of the two transactions will be an approximately $20 million gain, which will be recognized in the third quarter.

Vornado Realty Trust is a fully-integrated equity real estate investment trust.
FILE PHOTO: A logo is seen on the grill of an E-transit concept vehicle during a press event at the Ford Halewood transmissions plant in Liverpool, Britain, December 1, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

By Joseph White, Paul Lienert and Nathan Gomes

(Reuters) -Ford Motor Chief Executive Jim Farley on Thursday outlined a significant change in the automaker's product strategy, slowing the ramp-up of money-losing EVs, shifting investment to Ford's commercial vehicle unit and citing plans to quadruple sales of gas electric hybrids over the next five years.

He described the company's high-margin Ford Pro commercial business as a "powerhouse" and said the company now expects to launch more gas-electric hybrids.

Ford plans to quadruple sales of gas-electric hybrids in the next five years, as it struggles to reduce the cost of its money-losing first-generation battery electric vehicles, executives said.

The company raised its annual pretax profit expectation, while forecasting a full-year loss of $4.5 billion on its Model e unit - 50% higher than projected earlier this year.

Ford lost more than $32,000 on average on EVs delivered by Model e during the second quarter.

Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said it was not fair to focus on the loss per vehicle, given the company's upfront investment to launch the first-generation EVs.

Wells Fargo analyst Colin Langan, in an investor note on Thursday, said Ford's new full-year pretax earnings guidance "implies a notable step down" in second-half earnings, to an implied $4.3 billion, compared with $7.2 billion in the first half.

Lawler said Ford's challenge in selling EVs is not consumer interest, but high prices.

"We're not shying away from our EV plans," Lawler said. "This is not going to be a straight line. There's going to be some bumpiness as we move along."

Ford said it will take longer to accelerate EV production to an annualized rate of 600,000 vehicles. Previously the company had said it would hit that rate late this year. Now it is aiming to reach that pace in 2024.

The automaker's Ford Pro commercial vehicle business is now returning pretax margins that are nearly twice as high as those for the full company.

Ford Pro out-earned the Ford Blue combustion vehicle unit in the second quarter, with $2.4 billion in pretax profit, with a 15.3% EBIT margin.

On the strength of its combustion pickups and SUVs, Ford Blue had $2.3 billion in pretax profit, with an EBIT margin of 9.2%.

Ford expects profits in both units to help offset higher than expected losses at Ford Model e. Ford Pro and Ford Blue each are projected to earn about $8 billion in EBIT for the full year.

The company now expects pretax profit for the year to come in between $11 billion and $12 billion, compared with its prior forecast of $9 billion to $11 billion.

Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes rose slightly to $3.8 billion in the quarter, from $3.7 billion a year earlier. Adjusted EBIT margin dropped to 8.4% from 9.3% last year.

Revenue rose to $45 billion, from the year-ago $40.2 billion.

Ford shares were down more than 1% in after-hours trading on Thursday after closing the regular session up 0.4% at $13.73.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru, and Joe White, Ben Klayman and Paul Lienert in DetroitEditing by Arun Koyyur, Anna Driver and Matthew Lewis)
Four GOP U.S. senators, Wednesday, challenged a decision made by the Biden administration to exempt "Buy America" rules for government-backed electric vehicle charging stations.

Congress has set aside $7.5B to fund electric vehicle charging stations.

Senators Marco Rubio, Roger Marshall, Rick Scott, and Kevin Cramer argued that the Federal Highway Administration's permission to bypass U.S. content requisites for materials such as steel, iron, and construction resources would cause U.S. taxpayers to inadvertently fund Chinese-manufactured products.

"This undermines American companies and allows foreign competitors, notably China, to gain influence over our energy infrastructure," stated Rubio.

According to the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the federally funded EV stations must source a minimum of 55% of their building materials, including iron and steel, from domestic suppliers and should be completely manufactured within the U.S.

Key components of EV chargers, such as the internal framework, heating and cooling fans, and power transformers necessitate the use of iron and steel. Chargers that incorporate cabinets to encase the product require an even larger proportion of steel, which in certain instances can account for up to 50% of the total charger costs.

State governments and corporations have cautioned that the worldwide demand for EV chargers is putting pressure on the supply chain, complicating, or even ruling out adherence to made-in-America norms while accelerating the construction of new charging stations.

Zhang Xiang, a research fellow at the Research Center of Automobile Industry Innovation of the North China University of Technology believes that "Protectionism will only hinder the development of the NEV sector in the US, leading to safety problems and a poorer user experience."

According to Zhang, charging station suppliers in the US have a significant gap compared with those in China, facing issues such as obsolete technology, a late start, and high costs.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
The EU has lifted sanctions against former Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka and his son Artem. Pshonka won the relevant case in the European Court of Justice.

ADVERTISIMENT

The sanctions were recognized as unjustified. Therefore, the EU Council's decision of March 3, 2022 was annulled. This is stated in the decision of the Court of Justice of the EU officially published in Czech and French.

The decision of March 3, 2022 concerned the extension of sanctions against Pshonka. The restrictions against him were first imposed in the EU in 2014. At that time, Pshonka and his son were listed as persons criminally prosecuted in Ukraine for embezzlement of public funds. The court also ordered the EU Council to pay the costs.

"The decision of the Council (CFSP) 2022/376 of 3 March 2022 on restrictive measures directed against certain persons, organizations and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine is revoked in the part that the name of Viktor Pavlovich Pshonka was left in the list of persons, organizations and bodies against whom these restrictive measures are applied," journalists quote the court decision. The ruling also concerns Artem Pshonka.

ADVERTISIMENT

The EU Court of Justice said that it was unclear whether the EU had made sure that the Ukrainian judicial administration respected the right to defense in local criminal proceedings. As a result, the court questioned whether the sanctions were based on a sufficiently "firm factual basis."

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, earlier Pshonka's lawyer said that the recognition of sanctions unreasonable can be the basis for suing the Ukrainian authorities for recovery of material damage, as well as for bringing the initiators of sanctions to criminal responsibility. The former prosecutor-general will also be able to demand compensation from the European Commission, his defense said.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
KIRKLAND, Wash., July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To meet the increasing demand for legacy SLC parallel NAND flash memory products in the automotive, industrial, communications, and consumer electronics markets, Alliance Memory today introduced the new AS9F series of 1.8V and 3.3V devices with densities from 1Gb to 8Gb and fast block erase times down to 3 ms typical.

While new designs are migrating toward serial NAND flash for mass storage, many of our customers existing designs still require parallel NAND flash solutions, which are becoming increasingly difficult to find, said David Bagby, president and CEO of Alliance Memory. With our AS9F series, were perfectly positioned to provide our customers with a reliable source for these cost-effective solutions moving forward, saving them the expense of redesigns.

Compliant with the ONFI 1.0 specification and offering an x8 I/O interface, the memory solutions released today are ideal for use in chipsets for Wi-Fi routers, DSL and cable modems, set-top boxes, digital TVs, artificial intelligence (AI) speakers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and more. Divided into blocks that can be erased independently, AS9F series products allow valid data to be preserved in these applications while old data is erased.

Delivering reliable, long-term performance, the parallel NAND flash devices feature 100,000 program/erase cycles  with 4-bit ECC per 528 bytes  and 10-year data retention. Offered in the 9.0 mm by 11.0 mm by 1.0 mm 63-ball FBGA package, the RoHS-compliant solutions are available in industrial (-40C to +85C) and automotive (-40C to +105C) temperature ranges.

Device Specification Table:

Part # Density Bus Width Vcc Package Temperature AS9F31G08SA-25BIN 1Gb x8 3.3V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +85C AS9F32G08SA-25BIN 2Gb x8 3.3V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +85C AS9F34G08SA-25BIN 4Gb x8 3.3V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +85C AS9F14G08SA-45BIN 4Gb x8 1.8V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +85C AS9F38G08SA-25BIN 8Gb (DDP) x8 3.3V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +85C AS9F18G08SA-45BIN 8Gb (DDP) x8 1.8V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +85C AS9F14G08SA-45BAN 4Gb x8 1.8V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +105C AS9F18G08SA-45BAN 8Gb (DDP) x8 1.8V 63-ball FBGA -40C to +105C

Samples and production quantities of the 1.8V and 3.3V SLC parallel NAND flash memory products are available now, with lead times of 12 weeks.

About Alliance Memory Inc.Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 16GB. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com.

Editor resources:

Link to product image:https://www.flickr.com/photos/alliancememory/albums/72177720310028232

Link to detailed product info:https://www.alliancememory.com/datasheets/parallel-nand-flash/

Agency Contact:Bob DeckerRedpines+1 415 409 0233[email protected]

Source: Alliance Memory, Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the Company or Atico) (TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF) announces its operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2023 from its El Roble mine. Production for the quarter totaled 2.80 million pounds of copper and 2,294 ounces of gold in concentrates, a decrease of 22% for copper and 18% for gold, over the same period in 2022.



The El Roble mine continued to show improvement for the period in terms of both processed tones and increase in head grades over the previous quarter. The processing plant is again reaching steady state levels of 900 tonnes per day while the mine continues to transition back into higher grade areas. We anticipate further improvement in overall production results and metal output for the second half of the year, said Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO. For the remainder of the year we will continue our strong focus towards mine vicinity exploration at the El Roble mine, looking to build on the success of the recent drill results in the historic areas of the deposit.

Second Quarter Operational Highlights

Production of 2.80 million pounds of copper contained in concentrates; a decrease of 22% over Q2 2022.

Production of 2,294 ounces of gold contained in concentrates; a decrease of 18% over Q2 2022.

Average processed tonnes per day of 800, a decrease of 10% over Q2 2022.

Copper head grade of 2.04%, a decrease of 36% over Q2 2022.

Gold head grade of 1.78 grams per tonne; a decrease of 28% over Q2 2022.

Copper and gold recovery of 91.1% and 58.7%; no significant change for copper and a decrease of 7% gold over Q2 2022.

Second Quarter Operational Details

Q2 2023 Total Q2 2022 Total % Change Production (Contained in Concentrates) Copper (000s pounds) 2,804 3,591 -22% Gold (ounces) 2,294 2,811 -18% Mine Tonnes of ore mined 72,340 61,667 17% Mill Tonnes processed 68,471 56,172 22% Tonnes processed per day 800 889 -10% Copper grade (%) 2.04 3.17 -36% Gold grade (g/t) 1.78 2.47 -28% Recoveries Copper (%) 91.1 91.4 Nil Gold (%) 58.7 62.9 -7% Concentrates Copper and Gold Concentrates (dmt) 6,784 8,278 -18% Payable copper produced (000s lbs) 2,639 3,411 -23%

Note: Metal production figures are subject to adjustments based on final settlement. The reported results are preliminary in nature and are awaiting independent lab verification.

Concentrate Inventory

The number of shipments the Company can export in any given quarter depends on several variables some of which the Company does not control, hence there may be an inherent variability in tonnes shipped quarter to quarter.

Q2 2023 Total Amounts in dry metric tonnes Opening inventory 6,647 Production 6,784 Sales (6,597 ) Number of shipments 1 Adjustment 20 Closing inventory 6,854

Note: Concentrate figures are subject to adjustments based on final settlement.

El Roble Mine

The El Roble mine is a high grade, underground copper and gold mine with nominal processing plant capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day, located in the Department of Choco in Colombia. Its commercial product is a copper-gold concentrate.

Since obtaining control of the mine on November 22, 2013, Atico has upgraded the operation from a historical nominal capacity of 400 tonnes per day.

El Roble has Proven and Probable reserves of 1.00 million tonnes grading 3.02% copper and 1.76 g/t gold, at a cut-off grade of 1.3% copper equivalent as of September 30th, 2020. Mineralization is open at depth and along strike and the Company plans to further test the limits of the deposit.

On the larger land package, the Company has identified a prospective stratigraphic contact between volcanic rocks and black and grey pelagic sediments and cherts that has been traced by Atico geologists for ten kilometers. This contact has been determined to be an important control on VMS mineralization on which Atico has identified numerous target areas prospective for VMS type mineralization occurrence, which is the focus of the current surface drill program at El Roble.

Qualified Person

Mr. Thomas Kelly (SME Registered Member 1696580), advisor to the Company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 standards, is responsible for ensuring that the technical information contained in this news release is an accurate summary of the original reports and data provided to or developed by Atico.

About Atico Mining Corporation

Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fernando E. Ganoza

CEO

Atico Mining Corporation

Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF

Investor Relations

Igor Dutina

Tel: +1.604.633.9022

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.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered 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 in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This announcement includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation the use of net proceeds, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs; the need to obtain additional financing to maintain its interest in and/or explore and develop the Companys mineral projects; uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Companys mineral projects; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading Risk Factors in the prospectus of the Company dated March 2, 2012 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com
METTAWA, Ill., July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), today, released its second quarter 2023 financial results. A complete and full-text financial results press release is available on the Companys website at https://ir.brunswick.com . The results will also be available on the SECs website with the Form 8-K filing of the release at http://goo.gl/wJQN1 .

The Company will hold a conference call at 10 a.m. CDT/ 11 a.m. EDT, today, July 27, 2023, hosted by David M. Foulkes, chief executive officer, Ryan M. Gwillim, executive vice president and chief financial officer and Neha Clark, senior vice president, enterprise finance. A copy of the presentation to be used on this call will be available when the results are released as noted above.

Security analysts and investors wishing to participate via telephone should call 877-900-9524 (No Password Needed). Callers outside of North America should call 412-902-0029 (No Password Needed) to be connected. These numbers can be accessed 15 minutes before the call begins, as well as during the call.

To listen via the Internet, go to www.brunswick.com/investors . Please go to the website at least 15 minutes before the call to register, download and install any needed audio software.

A replay of the conference call will be available through 1pm CDT August 3, 2023, by calling 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415 (Access ID: 13739782). The replay also will be available at www.brunswick.com/investors .

About Brunswick Corporation:

Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) is the global leader in marine recreation, delivering innovation that transforms experiences on the water and beyond. Our unique, technology-driven solutions are informed and inspired by deep consumer insights and powered by our belief that Next Never Rests. Brunswick is dedicated to industry leadership, to being the best and most trusted partner to our many customers, and to building synergies and ecosystems that enable us to challenge convention and define the future. Brunswick is home to more than 60 industry-leading brands. In the category of Marine Propulsion, these brands include, Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing and MerCruiser. Brunswicks comprehensive collection of parts, accessories, distribution, and technology brands includes Mercury Engine Parts & Accessories, BLA and Land N Sea. Our Navico Group and its industry-leading technology brands consist of Lowrance, Simrad, B&G, Mastervolt, RELiON, Attwood and Whale. Our Boat brands are some of the best known in the world, including Boston Whaler, Lund, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Harris Pontoons, Princecraft and Quicksilver. In addition, our service, digital and shared-access businesses include Freedom Boat Club, Boateka and a range of financing, insurance, and extended warranty businesses. While focused primarily on the marine industry, Brunswick also successfully leverages its portfolio of advanced technologies to deliver an exceptional suite of solutions in mobile and industrial applications. Headquartered in Mettawa, IL, Brunswick has approximately 19,000 employees operating in 27 countries. In 2022, Brunswick was named by Forbes as a Worlds Best Employer and as one of Americas Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek, both for the third consecutive year. For more information, visit www.Brunswick.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about Brunswicks business and by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Words such as may, could, should, expect, "anticipate," "project," "position," intend, target, plan, seek, estimate, believe, predict, outlook, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this news release. These risks include, but are not limited to: the effect of adverse general economic conditions, including the amount of disposable income consumers have available for discretionary spending; changes in currency exchange rates; fiscal and monetary policy changes; higher energy and fuel costs; competitive pricing pressures; adverse capital market conditions; actual or anticipated increases in costs, disruptions of supply, or defects in raw materials, parts, or components we purchase from third parties; supplier manufacturing constraints, increased demand for shipping carriers, and transportation disruptions; managing our manufacturing footprint; international business risks, geopolitical tensions or conflicts, sanctions, embargoes, or other regulations; public health emergencies or pandemics, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; adverse weather conditions, climate change events and other catastrophic event risks; our ability to develop new and innovative products and services at a competitive price; loss of key customers; our ability to meet demand in a rapidly changing environment; absorbing fixed costs in production; risks associated with joint ventures that do not operate solely for our benefit; our ability to integrate acquisitions, including Navico, and the risk for associated disruption to our business; our ability to successfully implement our strategic plan and growth initiatives; attracting and retaining skilled labor, implementing succession plans for key leadership, and executing organizational and leadership changes; our ability to identify, complete, and integrate targeted acquisitions; the risk that restructuring or strategic divestitures will not provide business benefits; maintaining effective distribution; dealers and customers being able to access adequate financing; requirements for us to repurchase inventory; inventory reductions by dealers, retailers, or independent boat builders; risks related to the Freedom Boat Club franchise business model; outages, breaches, or other cybersecurity events regarding our technology systems, which have affected and could further affect manufacturing and business operations and could result in lost or stolen information and associated remediation costs; our ability to protect our brands and intellectual property; changes to U.S. trade policy and tariffs; any impairment to the value of goodwill and other assets; product liability, warranty, and other claims risks; legal, environmental, and other regulatory compliance, including increased costs, fines, and reputational risks; changes in income tax legislation or enforcement; managing our share repurchases; and risks associated with certain divisive shareholder activist actions.

Additional risk factors are included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022 and in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Brunswick does not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release.
LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This summer, agency for premium brands, Team One along with award-winning wine brand Chateau Ste. Michelle (CSM) are issuing a call to action to concertgoers across the country, urging them to unplug from technology and enjoy the moment. Tapping into the brands multi-year partnership and role as the official wine sponsor for Live Nation, the new campaign Raise a Glass; Not Your Phone aims to inspire the next-gen wine drinkers best music moments this summer.

The campaign idea was driven by insights showing that when viewing an event through your phone, your brain isnt capturing the moment and is wasting the experience. With 66% of Americans considering themselves addicted to technology, the campaign serves as a call to action to concertgoers encouraging them to enjoy the best music moments this summer through their eyes and ears and not their phone.

This new nationwide campaign features Rollingstone.com and music venue takeovers, pop-up concerts, swag, and more. This work will be seen at summer concert venues, including 46 amphitheaters and 32 clubs and theaters from Gov Ball to III Points Music festival in Miami. The campaign will also be front and center at CSMs own concert series, At the Chateau held on their winery grounds in Woodinville, Washington.

To help bring to life the visual identity of the campaign, Team One tapped up-and-coming illustrator Helen Li, known for her bright, playful images inspired by a mix of music and pop culture. For the visual assets, Li, CSM and Team One leaned into a friendly and open feel for the design, showcasing different concertgoers with not a phone in sight.

Guillermo Sanchez, Chateau Ste Michelles Senior Vice President of Marketing said, music is in our DNA. We wanted to share that love of music with the fans so at our concerts this summer, and across Live Nation shows, we encourage people to live in the moment, not through their phones. This year CSM is embedded in the music culture  through our actions, not ads.

Weve all done it, captured a show on our phones only to realize later that we sacrificed a great concert for a really bad video, said Renee Welch, Mgmt Director of Strategy at Team One. What we heard from our target was that sharing (social) moments has actually gotten in the way of them truly being in the moment. That was a powerful insight that CSM wanted to do something about.

Collaborating with a contemporary artist like Helen, we were able to develop a visual language that feels right for the brand and truly fresh for the wine category, said Jason Stinsmuehlen, Team Ones Executive Creative Director. This campaign has been so much fun and were actually just getting started.

This work continues to roll out this summer with more in store from the partnership between CSM and Live Nation extending over the next three years.

About Team OneTeam One is Publicis Groupes fully integrated media, digital and communications agency dedicated to helping premium brands thrive in the modern media landscape. With 450 employees, Team One has six North American offices, including its Los Angeles headquarters, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Boise. Team One clients include Lexus and the Lexus Dealer Association, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Barclays Bank, Marriott International, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, KB Home, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., Simplot, and Cathay Pacific Airlines. Adding a 2023 Bronze Effie to the list of accolades, Team One continues to be recognized for its industry-leading work and unique culture that encourages innovation at all levels. To learn more about the agencys work, team, and innovation ethos, visit TeamOne-USA.com.

Contact:Melanie Capruso[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c257fe5-37ec-4388-a5c4-f807caf7b975

Chateau Ste. Michelle's New Campaign Encourages Concertgoers to "Raise a Glass; Not Your Phone" Art by Helen Li leans into a friendly and open feel, showcasing different concertgoers with not a phone in sight.

Source: Team One
The scholarship will cover 100% of Aik Homs tuition and books for four years at the university.

Aurora, Colo., July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aik Hom, an Aurora Public Schools (APS) alumnus, has been named the 2023 Golden Eagle Scholar. As the recipient, Hom will receive a four-year scholarship to attend Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), a fully online university, as part of a program created in partnership with APS to provide 100% tuition coverage exclusively to APS seniors.

Pursuing a degree in computer science, Hom will begin classes August 14. Hom graduated from Hinkley High School in May 2023, along with an associates degree from the Community College of Aurora.

Receiving the Golden Eagle Scholarship means a lot to me because it is like an open door, a new chapter that opened up for me, said Hom. Before receiving this scholarship, I believed that I may not be able to continue to my four-year degree. I am truly honored to be accepted. A full ride to be able to complete my degree, through remote, asynchronous learning, allows for an even further flexible schedule. I am looking forward to learning at my own pace and to be able to still have an outside life, allowing the ability to explore other ventures whilst still getting my education and making my parents proud.

The Golden Eagle Scholarship allows APS graduates the opportunity to earn a bachelors degree debt-free and accelerate them toward achieving their career goals. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, demonstration of financial need, community engagement and work experience, plus a statement of goals. The Golden Eagle Scholarship includes a minimum $7,500 annual award each year for four years, which, coupled with a generous tuition discount issued by CSU Global to all APS students, will cover costs of tuition and books as Hom completes his degree.

Now in its fifth year, this scholarship gives students in our community the pathway to earning a bachelors degree who may not otherwise have the opportunity, said CSU Global President Becky Takeda-Tinker. We are proud to partner with Aurora Public Schools to provide their deserving students with this award, and we are dedicated to working collaboratively with PK-12 school systems across Colorado to strengthen education opportunities towards upwards mobility in our state.

CSU Global Senior Enrollment Counselor Susan Smith assists the Golden Eagle Scholars with enrollment each year and has been preparing Hom to begin classes this fall.

It is an honor to work with these students and aid them in their personal and professional journey, said Smith. It is our goal to help the next generation of leaders advance in their careers. We are honored to welcome Aik to the CSU Global community and look forward to watching him pursue his aspirations.

###

About Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) offers career-relevant bachelors and masters degree programs for working adults and nontraditional learners. As the first 100% online, institutionally accredited public university in the United States, CSU Global is focused on student success as its number one priority. Embracing the land grant heritage as part of the Colorado State University System, CSU Global sets the standard for quality and innovation in higher education through its expert faculty who are recognized as industry leaders and trained in working with adults in an online learning environment. CSU Global offers accelerated eight-week courses that start every four weeks. Visit CSUGlobal.edu to learn more.

About Aurora Public Schools

Aurora Public Schools is the fifth largest school district in Colorado. APS serves approximately 40,000 students and includes over 60 schools. It is one of the most diverse districts in the state with students from more than 130 countries who speak over 160 languages. Over the past several years, APS has made noteworthy improvements in graduation rates, dropout rates and overall student growth and achievement. In fact, since 2013, APS graduation rates have increased by almost 25%. During that same period of time, its dropout rate has sharply declined from 4.8% to 1.6%. APS 2026 is the district's strategic plan, which includes four strategic goals: 1) Every student will have a plan for their future, 2) Every student will have a set of skills to implement their plan, 3) Every student will have credentials that open doors and 4) Every student will identify and connect with a community of support. It is the district's vision that every student shapes a successful future.
BARCELONA, Spain, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restb.ai, a global leader in computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the real estate industry, today announced its selection as a 2023 Inman Innovator Award Finalist in the category honoring top Technology firms.

As a global firm now blanketing nearly the entire US MLS industry with advanced computer vision technology, it is especially rewarding because of the stellar reputation of these awards as they are to the real estate industry what the Oscars are to the movie business, said Xavi Hernando, Restb.ai CEO and co-founder. Simply being nominated is a top honor and a powerful endorsement of our team and technology, he said.

Since 1998, the Inman Innovator Awards have honored companies, individuals and new technology that increases productivity, efficiency and transparency for consumers and real estate professionals alike.

According to Inman News, Inman Innovators include entrepreneurs pushing the old ways aside, data scientists discovering new ways to examine behavior, marketers reimagining how to showcase properties, teams reinventing how to communicate with clients, companies building advanced technologies and brokerages and teams creating groundbreaking business models.

Finalists for the Inman Innovator Awards were selected from among nearly 300 nominations. Winners will be honored at the upcoming Inman Connect Las Vegas on Thursday, August 10. The full list of finalists can be found on Inman's website.

About Restb.aiRestb.ai, the leader in AI and computer vision for real estate, provides image recognition and data enrichment solutions for many of the industrys top brands and leading innovators. Its advanced AI-powered technology automatically analyzes property imagery to unlock visual insights at scale that empowers real estate companies with relevant and actionable property intelligence. Restb.ai is like having a real estate expert instantly research and provide a deep insight into each of the 1 million property photos uploaded daily.

For more information on Restb.ai, visit its website. For Restb.ai-related media inquiries, please reach out to Maya Makarem at [email protected] or [email protected] or Kevin Hawkins at 1-206-866-1220 or [email protected].

Media contacts:Kevin Hawkins 1+ (206) 866-1220[email protected] orMaya Makarem [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81d63b85-b098-4708-9418-111417c9fcc8

Xavi Hernando, CEO and Co-founder, Restb.ai Xavi Hernando, CEO and Co-founder at Restb.ai, a global leader in computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the real estate industry and based in Barcelona, Spain with US operations in Arizona and Texas.

Source: Restb.ai
Vancouver, B.C, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CryptoBlox Technologies Inc. (the Company or CryptoBlox) (CSE: BLOX), is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated July 25, 2023, through the partnership between the Companys wholly owned subsidiary, Red Water Acquisition Corp. (Redwater), and Lavrium LLC (Lavrium), Lavrium will be applying their AI energy efficiency optimization algorithms to Redwaters mining operations.

As the cryptocurrency mining industry faces increasing pressure to maximize energy efficiency, Lavrium's cutting-edge AI algorithms offer an effective solution. By analyzing data such as transaction volumes, power usage effectiveness (PUE), and hash rates, Lavrium's algorithms can predict optimal mining periods based on historical and real-time data. The Company hopes that this novel approach will allow Redwater to maximize their return on energy investment while significantly reducing operational costs.

One of the key advantages of Lavrium's algorithms is their adaptability through machine learning. As the algorithms continuously learn and refine their predictions, they improve energy efficiency over time, resulting in more economical and environmentally friendly mining operations. The Company hopes this will not only enhances Redwater's profitability but also contribute to a sustainable energy future.

"Lavrium's revolutionary AI energy efficiency optimization algorithms could prove to be a game-changer for the cryptocurrency mining industry. We are excited to partner with Lavrium to transform our mining operations and increase our efficiency," commented CryptoBlox Interim CEO, Taryn Stemp.

The integration of Lavrium's advanced AI technology into Redwater's mining operations is expected to drive significant improvements in energy efficiency and overall profitability. The implementation of these algorithms will be facilitated by True North Data Systems, a renowned data center solutions provider working in collaboration with Redwater.

On behalf of the Company,

Taryn Stemp,Interim Chief Executive Officer

About CryptoBlox Technologies Inc.

CryptoBlox Technologies Inc. is a blockchain technology company with diversified portfolio of fintech blockchain services, blockchain battery technologies and applications, and crypto mining facilities under development. The Companys acquisition of Redwater marks a significant milestone in its plan to meet the fast-growing demand for cost-effective cryptocurrency infrastructure in North America. By integrating its mining facilities into power generation facilities in Alberta, and using state-of-the-art operations techniques, the Company will be positioned to achieve a high degree of financial optionality and long-term operational certainty that can deliver some of the cleanest and lowest-cost mining operations in the world. The Company recently acquired a 100% interest in Redwater Acquisition Corp. which is a company specializing in air-cooled data centers and advanced heat recapture products. Committed to environmental sustainability, Redwater Acquisition Corp aims to revolutionize the crypto mining sector through innovative technologies that enhance efficiency and reduce the industry's carbon footprint.

For further information about the Company, please visit https://www.cryptoblox.ca or call 236-259- 0279.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about managements view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward- looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: the future plans and operations of the Company and Redwater; Redwaters partnership with Lavrium and the benefits thereof, including to the cost-effectiveness of Redwaters mining operations; the effectiveness of Lavriums AI algorithms and their impact on Redwaters efficiency and profitability and the sustainability of its operations. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements, or otherwise.

The CSE (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Source: Cryptoblox Technologies Inc.
Contacts Media Contact Investor Relations Amsterdam +31 20 721 4133 Brussels +31 20 721 4133 +33 1 70 48 24 17 Dublin +33 1 70 48 24 45 Lisbon +351 91 777 68 97 Milan +39 02 72 42 62 12 Oslo +47 41 69 59 10 Paris +33 1 70 48 24 45

Euronext announces launch of a share repurchase programme of 200 million

Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris  27 July 2023  Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure, today announced a share repurchase programme (the Programme) for a maximum amount of 200 million.

This Programme is enabled by Euronexts strong cash generation capabilities and demonstrates Euronexts rigorous capital allocation strategy1. The Programme will not impact the deleveraging path of Euronext, nor its rating. The Programme will also be compatible with preserving the Group financial flexibility to capture market opportunities and its existing dividend policy of a pay-out of 50% of reported net income.

The Programme will be implemented as follows:

Purpose: the purpose of the Programme is to reduce the share capital of Euronext. All shares repurchased as part of the Programme will be cancelled;

Maximum amount allocated: 200 million;

Duration: the targeted period for the share repurchase programme is from 31 July 2023 for a maximum duration of a year, to be implemented on Euronext Paris;

Framework: Euronext aims to repurchase approximately 3.0% of its ordinary shares, as authorised by the General Meeting on 17 May 2023 to a limit of 10.0%.

Euronext has entered into a non-discretionary arrangement with a financial intermediary to conduct the repurchase.

The Programme will be executed in compliance with applicable rules and regulations, including the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, and based on the authority granted by the annual general meeting of shareholders on 17 May 2023. Euronext will provide regular updates on the progress of the programme, in line with applicable regulations, at:

euronext.com/en/investor-relations/capital-and-shareholding/share-buyback-program

About Euronext

Euronext is the leading pan-European market infrastructure, connecting European economies to global capital markets, to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth. It operates regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. With more than 1,900 listed issuers and around 6.5 trillion in market capitalisation as of end June 2023, it has an unmatched blue-chip franchise and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets, one of Europes leading electronic fixed income trading markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. The Group provides a multi-asset clearing house through Euronext Clearing, and custody and settlement services through Euronext Securities central securities depositories in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, it also operates a number of junior markets, simplifying access to listing for SMEs.

For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/euronext) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/euronext).

Disclaimer

This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided as is, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronexts subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

 2023, Euronext N.V. - All rights reserved.

The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the "Purpose"). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at [email protected].

1 Including proceeds from potential asset disposal

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NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, July 31, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the voice in President Bidens Cabinet for Americas 33 million small businesses, will visit New York City to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the SBA. Administrator Guzman will visit with local small business owners to highlight how President Bidens Investing in America agenda has led to record job growth and a historic small business boom, with entrepreneurs applying to start 12.2 million new small businesses during President Bidens first 30 months in office. Administrator Guzman will end her day with a visit to the New York Stock Exchange, where she will ring the closing bell at 4 p.m. ET to mark the SBAs anniversary and celebrate the immense possibility of American entrepreneurship with former SBA-assisted small businesses that have since grown to successful publicly traded companies.

Established by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1953, via the Small Business Act, the SBA has since provided billions of dollars in support to small business owners. After seven decades of helping American entrepreneurs achieve their small business dreams, the SBA continues to assist millions of small business owners every year through resources and strategic guidance, helping them build meaningful lifelong connections and sustain their local economies.All times are local; specific location information will be provided upon successful RSVP.

Monday, July 31, 2023

Small Business Visits

WHO: SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman WHEN: Afternoon. Additional details to come.WHERE: New York City. RSVP HERE for specific addresses and times.

NYSE Closing Bell Ringing

WHO: SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman WHEN: 4 p.m. ETWHERE: Live-streamed on The Bell | NYSE.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Kirk McElwain U.S. Small Business Administration 202-205-6175 [email protected]

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
New York, NY, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OMAC, the leading industry association for machine automation and control, in collaboration with ei3, releases a new guide on industrial data sharing titled "Practical Considerations for Data Governance". The guide unveiled at the 27th Annual ARC Industry Leadership Forum provides expert insights and actionable recommendations to help organizations establish effective data governance and sharing practices.

The document covers several critical topics, including the importance of data governance, the need for a common language to facilitate data exchange across systems, and the various applications that use plant floor data. It examines the key components for plant floor data, the significance of data governance standards and organizations in manufacturing, and establishes a structure for data access and integration from multiple sources.

Spencer Cramer, OMACs Chairman, and the Founder and CEO of ei3, emphasized the critical need for organizations to collect data and transform it into actionable insights to optimize production and efficiency in the constantly evolving manufacturing landscape. "We are excited to launch this guide and provide the industry with a resource that outlines practical considerations for facilitating data sharing within and across organizations to improve processes, save costs, and mitigate errors," he said.

Spencer will discuss the key concepts and best practice recommendations of the Manufacturing Data Governance Guide when he delivers a presentation at an upcoming forum session titled The Power of Data Governance on Packaging Linesat the Pack Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept 12 at 11:30 AM. The presentation aims to showcase the usefulness of IIoT data in ways that can help manufacturers and machine builders enhance efficiency, quality, and security.

Mark Fondl, OMACs Digital Transformation Workgroup Leader and Vice President of Product Management at ei3, explained that plant floor data can be valuable for different user groups, and data scientists can help maximize its potential. He added, To efficiently use plant floor data, an assessment should be made, and a team should be created to ensure all stakeholders are coordinated. The data governance policy should include both IT and OT, and guidelines should be provided for internal and external companies. The plan should be adaptable to changing capabilities to ensure its long-term success.

Visit www.ei3.com/omac-data-governance/ to download the guide and unlock the full potential of plant floor data.

About ei3 Corporation

ei3 offers a suite of no-code IIoT apps and AI-based solutions for the industrial manufacturing sector. With a focus on enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings, ei3 enables businesses to achieve predictive outcomes. Printing, Plastics, Packaging, and Commercial Real Estate are some of the companys key market segments. ei3 is headquartered in New York with offices in Montreal, Tokyo, and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.ei3.com.

About OMAC

The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC) helps manufacturers and suppliers work together to identify new and innovative ways to increase the effectiveness of their production operations. OMAC brings together leading End-User Manufacturers, OEM Machine Builders, System Integrators, Technology Providers, and Non-Profit/Government Agency organizations to address issues that confront global manufacturing today. OMACs two working groups, Packaging and Manufacturing, lead the way in producing industry consensus guidelines that help manufacturers reduce their delivery times, be more efficient with available resources, and increase profitability. More information is available at www.omac.org.

Richa Patel ei3 [email protected]

Source: ei3
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has called on Russia to comply with international conventions and stop threats to merchant shipping in the Black Sea. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

ADVERTISIMENT

"The 129th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, which met in London, welcomed Ukraine's efforts to ensure freedom and safety of navigation in the northwestern Black Sea and prevent a global food crisis. The IMO Council expressed its deep disappointment with the suspension of the Grain Initiative and the Initiative and reiterated its demands that Russia immediately cease its military aggression and threats to merchant shipping," the statement said.

The IMO Council also warned the aggressor state against any actions that threaten global food security, as well as the supply of food, medicines and essential goods to Ukraine.

"Food for millions of people should not be a weapon in the hands of the aggressor state against the whole world. Neither the world nor Ukraine should and will depend on Russia's desire to participate or not to participate in the Grain Initiative. Together with our partners, we are looking for solutions to continue agricultural exports and restore free trade shipping. The Council of the International Maritime Organisation recognises Ukraine's right to free trade navigation. A right guaranteed to us by the international law of the sea. The IMO has called on Russia to also fulfil its obligations under maritime conventions," commented Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

ADVERTISIMENT

Earlier, the NBU said that the suspension of the Grain Initiative and, as a result, the complete blocking of sea routes would have negative consequences for Ukrainian exports and could increase pressure on the hryvnia exchange rate.

For its part, the Ukrainian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce ICC Ukraine said that unblocking seaports and expanding the range of exports would provide Ukraine with at least $20 billion a year and a significant increase in GDP. In addition, it will help Ukrainian industries restore and increase production, as well as reduce pressure on the hryvnia exchange rate and inflation.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Catalyst Accelerator is thrilled to announce the selection of six exceptional, US-based companies for their 12th cohort focused on AI/ML for Space and Maritime Applications.

The Catalyst Accelerator, powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), exists to empower nontraditional technology companies to accelerate their involvement in the national defense ecosystem by providing connections, mentorship, and business development in a collaborative setting for a lasting national impact. According to the Presidential Executive Order 13859; Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Continued American leadership in AI is of paramount importance to maintaining the economic and national security of the United States and to shaping the global evolution of AI in a manner consistent with our Nation's values, policies, and priorities.

The AI/ML for Space and Maritime Applications cohort (#CAAML) is the first joint Accelerator between the US Space Force and US Navy. The #CAAML cohort will launch on August 22nd and will end on November 17th. Throughout the program, the companies will be splitting their time between Colorado Springs, Colorado and College Park, Maryland to allow for equal exposure to the Space Force and Naval ecosystems. Each company will also collaborate with subject matter experts from both the Space Force and Naval sectors, work with government and commercial Sherpas, and complete an intensive customer discovery process. The cohort will culminate in two Demo Days (Nov 9  Colorado Springs, Nov 16  College Park) where they will pitch their technology to Government and Industry partners as well as investors assessing the potential of cohort company technologies.

We are incredibly excited about our first joint Accelerator between the Space Force and Navy! We look forward to the collaboration between the Forces and the small businesses who specialize in AI/ML. Hearing use cases from industry and government, then discovering how our companies might solve some of the challenges presented, is one of the most exhilarating parts of the Accelerator, explained Shae Thomas, Program Facilitator for the Catalyst Accelerator.

The Catalyst Accelerator team, with technical advisement from Government, Industry, and Academia, underwent a rigorous selection process in order to carefully select the companies for the #CAAML cohort. The following startups were chosen based on their demonstrated potential and innovative capability solutions:

Data2 (Data Squared) (Wilmington, Delaware) At Data Squared USA Inc, our mission is to revolutionize data analysis through cutting-edge technology and expertise in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLM). By unlocking valuable insights from millions of unstructured data sources through the application of knowledge graphs, we build ontologies that empower organizations to make informed decisions that go beyond traditional quantitative analysis. Our focus lies in developing efficient Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) pipelines and providing novel solutions that leverage the potential of unstructured data for impactful outcomes.

https://data2.ai

Duality Systems (Monument, Colorado) Duality Systems focuses on business optimization in four core areas supported by PhD-level expertise: Operations Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Decision and Risk Analysis. Our scheduling product, Balance Scheduler, uses AI-based algorithms to produce efficiencies of scale, provide better solutions that can ingest more variables and potential outcomes near-instantly, and drive a far better user and organizational experience. It can be applied to personnel, operations, and logistics. It creates the conditions for more informed decisions, larger decision windows, and efficient long term strategic planning as well as shaping long-term risk mitigation and decision support strategies within the most complex environments.

https://www.dualitysys.com

Exosite (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Exosite provides off the shelf products and services to Industrial OEMs and other organizations that benefit from collecting data from equipment, analyzing that data, and taking action based upon the data. Exosite has worked with hundreds of customers since its founding in 2009 with a current focus on organizations providing maintenance and services to high value equipment. Exosites software offers a low code experience, is highly configurable, and offers flexible integrations with 3rd party systems without requiring software development expertise.

https://www.exosite.com

Precursor SPC (Seattle, Washington) Precursor SPCs vision is to ensure continuous global superiority in space operations through accurate and timely information advantage, distribution, and execution. Precursor is developing a first-of-a-kind AI/ML Space Weather Nowcasting and Forecasting platform, the only solution available today that provides real-time high resolution 4D representation of the actual Space environment and delivers on-demand actionable Space Weather information for military, civilian and commercial operations. Precursors Nowcasting refers to forecasting current and near-future events based on real-time rather than historical data or physics-based models. Precursors Nowcasting is based on a high-fidelity representation of the actual Space environment and is the foundation for Forecasting. Precursors real-time Space Weather Nowcasting and Forecasting delivers unmatched capabilities for public safety and national security Use Cases.

https://www.precursor-spc.com

R-DEX Systems, Inc. (Woodstock, Georgia) R-DEX Systems, Inc. develops and deploys cutting edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and advanced sensor solutions for mission critical systems. Our vision is to bring AI out of experimental settings and into operational environments. As a leading innovator of advanced AI systems for the Department of Defense, R-DEX has built efficient AI and machine learning operational pipelines and services to support the development and deployment of trusted and generalizable AI technologies. This has resulted in a portfolio of AI products that span multiple sensor modalities for a wide range of applications in Aided/Automatic Target Recognition (Ai/ATR), Electronic Warfare (EW), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), radar, wireless communications, and autonomous systems.

https://r-dex.com

RS21 (Albuquerque, New Mexico) RS21 is a data science company that uses AI, data engineering, design, and software development to create AI/ML solutions for NNSA, DHS, and DOD. Our team brings deep expertise in predictive model development, risk and threat modeling, natural language processing, and data governance and standards. RS21 has built a proven AI-powered tool that performs fault detection and prediction to safeguard critical equipment and the important functions they perform.

https://rs21.io

The Catalyst Accelerator is proud to play a pivotal role in driving technological advancements and fostering innovation in the space and maritime sectors. By bringing together talented startups and industry leaders, the Accelerator aims to fast-track the development and deployment of AI/ML technologies that will shape the future of these industries.

About Catalyst Accelerator

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate and United States Space Forces Catalyst Accelerator is a NewSpace-focused defense and national security industry accelerator, headquartered on the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. CCTI is a collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business, entrepreneurs, startups, government, academia, and investors intersect with Colorados aerospace and defense industry to create community, spark innovation, and stimulate business growth. The Catalyst Accelerator is a collaborative program hosted by Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI, a Colorado 501(c)3) in partnership with the United States Space Force, and the Air Force Research Laboratory to provide a robust, mentor-driven curriculum for accelerator teams.

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KiMar Gartman Catalyst Accelerator Program Director 701-500-5469 [email protected]

Source: Catalyst Accelerator
 Last patient dosed in SPL026-SSRI drug interaction study with data readout anticipated in Q3 2023

 Potential for an expedited route to an international, multi-site Phase II study with SPL028 in 2024, based on clinical findings across SPL026 and SPL028 programs to date

 SPL026 Phase IIa clinical trial results well-received at several international scientific conferences

 Anticipated cash runway to at least Q4 2024 following recent operational restructuring

LONDON, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Small Pharma Inc. (TSXV: DMT) (OTCQB: DMTTF) (the Company or Small Pharma), a biotechnology company focused on short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health conditions, has today published its financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended May 31, 2023. A complete copy of the results and the corresponding managements discussion and analysis can be found under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all currency references are in Canadian dollars.

Financial Highlights (including post-period events):

Cash on hand as of May 31, 2023 was approximately $13.2 million.

Cash used in operating activities was $5.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2023. Two of the Companys Phase I studies recently completed dosing. These exploratory studies are aimed at informing the development path of the Companys key clinical programs. The Company recently conducted an operational restructuring. This is expected to deliver a reduction in cash burn for upcoming quarters, which is anticipated to provide a cash runway extension until at least Q4 2024.

Operating expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2023 were $5.7 million.

Recent Business and R&D Highlights:

SPL026: First-Generation N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) AssetSmall Pharma has advanced its SPL026 clinical program, with ongoing exploratory studies to evaluate additional formulations and treatment populations.

Intravenous ( IV ) SPL026 drug interaction study: The last patient has been dosed in the Companys Phase Ib drug interaction study assessing the potential interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and SPL026 in patients with Major Depressive Disorder ( MDD ). This open-label study is investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics ( PK ), pharmacodynamics ( PD ), as well as exploratory efficacy of SPL026, alone or in combination with SSRIs. Results from the study are expected in Q3 2023.

) SPL026 drug interaction study: The last patient has been dosed in the Companys Phase Ib drug interaction study assessing the potential interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( ) and SPL026 in patients with Major Depressive Disorder ( ). This open-label study is investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics ( ), pharmacodynamics ( ), as well as exploratory efficacy of SPL026, alone or in combination with SSRIs. Results from the study are expected in Q3 2023. IV/Intramuscular ( IM ) SPL026 Phase I: Results from this study, which compared the safety, tolerability, PK and PD profiles of IV and IM SPL026 administration in 14 healthy volunteers demonstrated that: SPL026, when administered via the IM route, was well tolerated with no safety concerns reported from participants in the trial. The IM drug profile delivered a mean PK half-life of approximately 40 minutes and a mean psychedelic experience duration of approximately 45 minutes. This met the target treatment length, demonstrating the potential for IM administration as a convenient route for patients and physicians.

) SPL026 Phase I: Results from this study, which compared the safety, tolerability, PK and PD profiles of IV and IM SPL026 administration in 14 healthy volunteers demonstrated that: The Company anticipates that upcoming data from its active SPL026 and SPL028 trials will be informative to SPL026s progress. As such, the SPL026 development path will be determined upon the completion of the active Phase I trials.

SPL028: Proprietary Second-Generation Deuterated DMT Asset SPL028 is the Companys novel deuterated DMT compound targeting an extended DMT psychedelic experience. It offers a unique short-duration DMT drug profile that could provide optimized dose formulations for different administration routes and distinct therapeutic benefits for patients.

SPL028 is currently dosing in an ongoing Phase I study in healthy volunteers. It is a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study evaluating the safety, tolerability, PK and PD of both IV and IM administration of SPL028.

Preliminary findings from the first two cohorts of the study demonstrate that IV SPL028 elicits a psychedelic experience of

The Company anticipates that the combined data from the SPL026 and SPL028 programs could enable an expedited path to initiating a multi-jurisdiction, multi-site Phase II study for SPL028 in 2024. Accordingly, the Companys protocol for the SPL028 Phase I program includes the option of initiating a Phase Ib patient study evaluating the efficacy and safety of injectable SPL028 in depression.

Determination of the optimal development route for SPL028, including the target depression patient population, will be reviewed following the conclusion of the ongoing Phase I studies.

SPL028 has a multi-layered intellectual property (IP) portfolio that has matured significantly in 2023 and includes Composition of Matter protection in multiple jurisdictions and protection surrounding related deuterated compounds.

Intellectual Property Portfolio Progress

Significant progress has been made in advancing the Companys IP portfolio with 26 patents granted and 95 patent applications pending across the Companys four key areas of patent protection. These include: Composition of Matter, covering novel drug substances; Medical Use, covering therapeutic compositions and medical uses thereof; Drug Product, covering pharmaceutical formulations; and Synthetic Route, covering the novel and efficient synthesis of high purity drug substance at scale.

Corporate Activity

The team presented clinical and preclinical data on SPL026 and SPL028 at a number of key scientific and industry events including the 34th CINP World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology in Montreal, Canada; the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver; and the British Association for Psychopharmacology 2023 Summer Meeting.

The Company hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with key opinion leaders in psychiatry in March 2023. Dr. Carol Routledge was joined by Jerry Rosenbaum, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and David Erritzoe, MD, PhD, Imperial College London to discuss the potential of short-duration psychedelics as a treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. A replay of the roundtable discussion can be accessed here.

George Tziras, CEO of Small Pharma, said: Our exploratory SPL026 and SPL028 Phase I studies, which are aimed at expanding patient access to DMT-based treatments, are almost complete. This will enable us to make a data-driven decision on the optimal development path for our clinical programs. We were very pleased that the results from the IV/IM study indicate the potential for IM as a convenient alternative route of treatment administration with a favorable safety profile. We also look forward to sharing the results of the SPL026-SSRI drug interaction study soon, which could further expand access to DMT-based treatments in the future given the large population of patients who currently take SSRI medication.

About Small PharmaSmall Pharma is a biotechnology company progressing a pipeline of short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for the treatment of mental health conditions. Small Pharma has a portfolio of clinical-stage DMT-based assets, SPL026 and SPL028. The Company was granted an Innovation Passport designation for SPL026 from the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (the MHRA) and has a pipeline of proprietary preclinical assets.

Contact Information:Small Pharma Inc. & Investor Relations:George Tziras, Chief Executive OfficerEmail: [email protected]Tel: +44 (0)7720 326 847

Media Relations:Jenny Maguire, Head of External AffairsEmail: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking information (forward-looking information) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information 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 information.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the SPL026 clinical trials and studies to evaluate additional formulations and treatment populations, including anticipated results from such studies and the Companys decisions related to SPL026s development path for key clinical programs upon completion of the active Phase I trials; the expected timeline for data readout of the IV SPL026 drug interaction study; statements related to the SPL028 clinical trials and studies, including the Companys decisions related to SPL028s optimal development route following conclusion of the ongoing Phase I studies; the potential for SPL028 to provide optimized dose formulations for different administration routes and distinct therapeutic benefits for patients; the potential for the Company to pursue an expedited path to initiating a multi-jurisdiction, multi-site Phase II study for SPL028 in 2024 based on combined SPL026 and SPL028 study results; the Companys expectation to generate material cost savings as a result of an operational restructuring in order reduce its historical cash burn; the ability for the operational efficiencies to extend the runway of the Companys current resources to at least Q4 2024; the potential for IM administration to provide an alternative safe and convenient route of treatment administration; the ability to further expand access to DMT-based treatments in the future; and the Companys ability to provide short-duration psychedelic-assisted therapies for the treatment of mental health conditions.

In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information 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 information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: compliance with extensive government regulations; domestic and foreign laws and regulations adversely affecting the Companys business and results of operations; the impact of pandemics or other future disruptions; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

Small Pharma makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about its proposed products. The MHRA or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding DMT-assisted therapies and other next generation psychoactive compounds. The efficacy of such therapies has not been confirmed by MHRA-approved research. There is no assurance that such DMT-assisted therapies and other psychoactive compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential therapies do not imply that Small Pharma verified such in clinical trials or that Small Pharma will complete such trials. If Small Pharma cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Small Pharmas performance and operations.

The TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. 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.

Source: Small Pharma Inc.
WASHINGTON and OTTAWA, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is proud to announce 16 new SFI Community Grants to support meaningful initiatives in communities across the United States and Canada while progressing SFIs mission of advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaboration.

SFI Community Grants are awarded for collaborative community-based projects, activities, and events that connect communities to forests. Since the SFI Community Grant Program started in 2010, SFI has awarded 118 grants totaling more than $1 million invested to foster community-building projects. The 16 new grants of the 2023 program represent a record-breaking number of projects supported and more than $215,000 in total funding announced.

SFI is excited to invest in so many initiatives that promote collaboration and connect communities to forests, and Im so proud to see the growth in this program, said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI. This years SFI Community Grant Program allow us to live our mission to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaboration. We work with many diverse partners and communities that are key to our success.

These new grants will engage communities across North America to explore and connect with forests through the following:

Innovation in the application of the SFI Forest Management Standard and the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard, including conservation of biological diversity and fire resilience,

Connecting communities to forests through the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard and greener built environments,

Education and training to support sustainable forest management and Indigenous relationship building,

Building a diverse and resilient workforce through environmental education, forest literacy and career pathways in collaboration.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry will create a printed field guide and online fact sheets to help SFI-certified organizations in the state meet SFI standards as part of the Promoting Pennsylvanias Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value project.

The Georgia SFI Implementation Committee will leverage ongoing biodiversity conservation analysis to deliver recommendations for conservation measures that will benefit Georgias highest-priority forests with exceptional conservation value. Learn more about the project Influencing Biological Diversity Conservation in Georgia with Digital Outreach.

Dovetail Partners will develop and promote a five-minute professional video to educate and empower landowners to strengthen collaboration for active forest management with the Supporting Personal Choices in Caring for the Land to Increase Fire Resilience and Awareness in Northern Minnesota project.

The Alabama SFI Implementation Committee is creating opportunities for collaborative educational work on species biodiversity to meet the requirements of the SFI Forest Management Standard through their project Enhancing Forest Species Biodiversity Through Collaborative Education.

The University of Georgia Research Foundation will deliver a two-day workshop for a range of experienced people interested in urban forestry, as well as underrepresented groups and students, with the Brainstorming Implementation of the New SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard project.

The City of Surrey in British Columbia will develop a roadmap for its application for certification to the new SFI standard. Learn more about how the project is developing a Roadmap for the City of Surrey to Certify to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard.

The University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design will explore the feasibility of the universitys St. George campus becoming certified and how certification could be scaled up to include the universitys other campuses as part of efforts Assessing Certifying a U of T Campus to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard.

The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and the University of Miami School of Architecture are helping students to learn about and experience the various phases of sustainable timber production and manufacturing as part of their project: Helping Underrepresented Architecture Students Become Leaders and Sustainable Forestry Advocates.

The Georgia Forestry Foundation will build the Phoenix, an educational mass timber display at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, to increase momentum for a thriving mass timber industry in Georgia. Learn more about the project Introducing Millions to Mass Timber and Helping Georgias Mass Timber Industry Thrive.

The CCI Group of Companies will collaborate with Tsuutina Nation members in Alberta to develop professional forestry skills, acquire equipment, employ forestry crews, and mitigate wildfire risk to homes, community assets, and infrastructure. Learn more about the project Providing Tangible, Transferable, Future-Facing Economic and Skills Development Opportunities for the Tsuutina Nation.

The 2024 Regenerate Youth Forest Leadership Summit, from the Inside Education Society of Alberta, will take a three-day deep dive exploring forest science, technology, innovation, and careers. Staff from SFI and PLT Canada will participate in the summit Supporting Underserved Youth in Rural, Urban, and Indigenous High Schools.

The Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will develop a demonstration forest showcasing sustainable forest management practices that align with SFIs mission and vision. Educators visiting the demonstration forest will participate in PLT activities. Learn more about the project Showcasing Sustainable Forest Management and Indigenous Awareness in a Demonstration Forest.

The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment is increasing awareness of forestry career opportunities in the forest and conservation sector through a train-the-trainer model that focuses on a new one-of-a-kind resourcethe PLT-MANRRS Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers. Learn more about how the project is Creating an Environment for Students from Diverse Backgrounds to Thrive in Natural Resources.

Trees for Tomorrow will bring wood, paper, and forest management professionals together to support a workforce development program for high school students at an environmental education center using PLT resources as part of a Natural Resources Careers Exploration Week for Wisconsin High School Students.

Colorados Cal-Wood Education Center will host summer camps for Latino youth and multi-generational family groups to be immersed in activities and outdoor education in the mountain forest. PLT will help supply educational materials for the Latino Youth and Families Head to the Mountains for Forestry Education project.

The Howl Experience, through the Canadian Rockies Youth Network, will host a four-day Canadian Rockies Youth Summit for Alberta and British Columbia youth, featuring workshops for youth to form connections to the land, explore nature, and pursue green careers by drawing on PLT Canada resources. Learn more about how the project will be Connecting Youth in the Canadian Rockies to Discuss and Act on Environmental Issues.

About the Sustainable Forestry Initiative

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. We are an independent, non profit organization that leverages four interconnected pillars of work: standards, conservation, community, and education. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. Collaborating with our network, we leverage SFI-certified forests and products as powerful tools to help solve sustainability challenges such as climate action, conservation of biodiversity, education of future generations, and sustainable economic development. Learn more: forests.org

Media Contact

Christine LeducVice-President, CommunicationsSustainable Forestry Initiative[email protected] 249-361-5173

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49676b03-4c8d-4e97-8d7f-d911a719d72e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3a32af97-3698-4067-8950-ca0424dd00f7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b8738b78-1fe9-4b3c-ba55-663944e32ea9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/004d45e3-e3ac-47ef-9eca-0d2ab35e4a04

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2897474-ce6d-45d1-bdd4-8c774959e2e1

2023 SFI Community Grants by sector 2023 SFI Community Grants by sector 2023 SFI Community Grants: Innovation in application 2023 SFI Community Grants: Innovation in the application of the SFI Forest Management Standard and the SFI Fibre Sourcing Standard, including conservation of biological diversity and resilience 2023 SFI Community Grants: Connecting Communities 2023 SFI Community Grants: Connecting communities to forests through the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard and greener built environments 2023 SFI Community Grants: Education and Training 2023 SFI Community Grants: Education and training to support sustainable forest management and Indigenous relationship building 2023 SFI Community Grants: Building diverse workforce 2023 SFI Community Grants: Building a diverse and resilient workforce through environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways

Source: Sustainable Forestry Initiative
SINGAPORE, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verde AgriTech Ltd (TSX: NPK) ("Verde or the Company) is pleased to announce that it is in advanced negotiations to sell carbon credits to major international corporations that are established purchasers of permanent carbon offset. Currently, carbon credits for permanent carbon offset similar to Verdes are being sold at prices up to US$500 per tonne.1 The Company is able to generate up to 300,000 tonnes of carbon credit annually via its existing production facilities.

Verdes silicate rock is rich in the mineral glauconite (the Rock), which once processed and applied to the soil removes carbon dioxide ("CO2") from the air through a process called Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW).2 ERW permanently locks CO2 into the new mineral structure.3 In 2022 the carbon credit markets totalled US$ 909 billion in transactions.4

The Company is fully permitted and equipped to mine and process up to 2.8 million tonnes per year of Rock. To build its mines, Verde acquired farmland that had previously been deforested to open area for pastureland, as its mining progresses Verde fully recovers the land back to original native forests. To date, the Company has planted over 30,000 native and endangered trees.

Verde expects to close its first sales of carbon credit in Q3 2023.

About Verde AgriTech

Verde is an agricultural technology Company that produces potash fertilizers. Our purpose is to improve the health of all people and the planet. Rooting our solutions in nature, we make agriculture healthier, more productive, and profitable.

Verde is a fully integrated Company: it mines and processes its main feedstock from its 100% owned mineral properties, then sells and distributes the Product.

Verdes focus on research and development has resulted in one patent and eight patents pending. Among its proprietary technologies are Cambridge Tech, 3D Alliance, MicroS Technology, N Keeper, and Bio Revolution.5 Currently, the Company is fully licensed to produce up to 2.8 million tonnes per year of its multinutrient potassium fertilizers K Forte and BAKS, sold internationally as Super Greensand. In 2022, it became Brazil's largest potash producer by capacity.6 Verde has a combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 1.47 billion tonnes at 9.28% K2O and an inferred mineral resource of 1.85 billion tonnes at 8.60% K2O (using a 7.5% K2O cut-off grade).7 This amounts to 295.70 million tonnes of potash in K2O. For context, in 2021 Brazils total consumption of potash in K2O was 6.57 million8.

Brazil ranks second in global potash demand and is its single largest importer, currently depending on external sources for over 97% of its potash needs. In 2022, potash accounted for approximately 3% of all Brazilian imports by dollar value.9

Corporate Presentation

For further information on the Company, please view shareholders deck:

https://verde.docsend.com/view/3tv6fma5vq3wsxmn

Investors Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the Companys updates at: https://bit.ly/InvestorsNL-April2023

http://cloud.marketing.verde.ag/InvestorsSubscription

The last edition of the newsletter can be accessed at:

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements

All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resources estimates reported by the Company were estimated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards (May 10, 2014). These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

This document contains "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. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

(i) the estimated amount and grade of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves;

(ii) the PFS representing a viable development option for the Project;

(iii) estimates of the capital costs of constructing mine facilities and bringing a mine into production, of sustaining capital and the duration of financing payback periods;

(iv) the estimated amount of future production, both produced and sold;

(v) timing of disclosure for the PFS and recommendations from the Special Committee;

(vi) the Companys competitive position in Brazil and demand for potash; and,

(vii) estimates of operating costs and total costs, net cash flow, net present value and economic returns from an operating mine.

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" 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) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are based on Verde's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but generally these assumptions include, but are not limited to:

(i) the presence of and continuity of resources and reserves at the Project at estimated grades;

(ii) the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock conforming to sampled results; including the quantities of water and the quality of the water that must be diverted or treated during mining operations;

(iii) the capacities and durability of various machinery and equipment;

(iv) the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times;

(v) currency exchange rates;

(vi) Super Greensand and K Forte sales prices, market size and exchange rate assumed;

(vii) appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in the economic analysis;

(viii) tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation;

(ix) the availability of acceptable financing under assumed structure and costs;

(x) anticipated mining losses and dilution;

(xi) reasonable contingency requirements;

(xii) success in realizing proposed operations;

(xiii) receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals on acceptable terms; and

(xiv) the fulfilment of environmental assessment commitments and arrangements with local communities.

Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward looking statements, such as statements of net present value and internal rates of return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable over the relevant period.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates expressed above do not occur as forecast, but specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the material identified as Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; the geotechnical characteristics of the rock mined or through which infrastructure is built differing from that predicted, the quantity of water that will need to be diverted or treated during mining operations being different from what is expected to be encountered during mining operations or post closure, or the rate of flow of the water being different; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to fluctuations in the Brazilian Real relative to the Canadian dollar; increases in the estimated capital and operating costs or unanticipated costs; difficulties attracting the necessary work force; increases in financing costs or adverse changes to the terms of available financing, if any; tax rates or royalties being greater than assumed; changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating to receipt of regulatory approvals; delays in stakeholder negotiations; changes in regulations applying to the development, operation, and closure of mining operations from what currently exists; the effects of competition in the markets in which Verde operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in Verde's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) for the year ended December 31, 2021. Verde cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive.

When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Verde, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Verde does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Verde or on our behalf, except as required by law.

For additional information please contact:

Cristiano Veloso, Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +55 (31) 3245 0205; Email: [email protected]

www.verde.ag | www.investor.verde.ag

_________________________________

1 https://www.qcintel.com/carbon/article/enhanced-rock-weathering-credits-offered-at-up-to-536-t-14332.html2 See Verdes Products Remove Carbon Dioxide From the Air, Verde AgriTech. Available at: https://investor.verde.ag/verdes-products-remove-carbon-dioxide-from-the-air/3 See e.g. Criteria for High-Quality Carbon Dioxide Removal (microsoft.com), page 36.4 Global carbon markets value hit record $909 bln last year, VERMA, S.; CHESTNEY, N. Reuters, 2023. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/global-carbon-markets-value-hit-record-909-bln-last-year-2023-02-07/5 Learn more about our technologies: https://verde.docsend.com/view/yvthnpuv8jx6g4r9 6 See the release at: https://investor.verde.ag/verde-starts-ramp-up-of-plant-2s-second-stage-to-reach-production-of-2-4mtpy/7 As per the National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects within Canada (NI 43 -101), filed on SEDAR in 2017. See the Pre-Feasibility Study at: https://investor.verde.ag/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NI-43-101-Pre-Feasibility-Technical-Report-Cerrado-Verde-Project.pdf 8 Source: Brazilian Fertilizer Mixers Association (from "Associacao Misturadores de Adubo do Brasil", in Portuguese).9 Source: Brazilian Comex Stat, available at: http://comexstat.mdic.gov.br/en/geral

Source: Verde AgriTech Ltd
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to announce the appointment of independent director, Hugh Agro, to the Companys board of Directors.

Mr. Agro, B.Sc., MBA, P.Eng.(non-practising) has over 35 years of leadership and business experience in the mining industry. Since 2017, Mr. Agro has served as President & CEO and Director of Revival Gold Inc., a U.S. focused gold exploration and development company. Prior to Revival Gold Inc., Mr. Agro co-founded Carbon Arc Capital Investments Inc., a private-equity backed investor in mining and metals and served as Executive Vice President, Strategic Development with Kinross Gold Corporation. At Kinross, Mr. Agro was a member of the Executive Leadership Team and responsible for strategic and operational leadership of Kinross growth initiatives including corporate development, global exploration and commercial activities in Russia. Previously, Mr. Agro held senior executive positions with Placer Dome and in investment banking with Deutsche Banks Global Metals and Mining Group. Mr. Agro has served on the Board and Audit Committees of Victoria Gold Corp., Chantrell Ventures and Americas Silver Corp. and currently serves as a Director of Fort Berens Estate Winery Ltd., an award-winning winery located in British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Agro holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from Queens University (1989) and MBA Finance from UBC & London Business School (1997).

The appointment of Mr. Agro follows the resignation of Mr. Rob van Egmond from its Board of Directors effective 26, 2023. The Company would like to thank Mr. van Egmond for his contributions to the Companys success to date.

Shane Williams, President and CEO comments, We are delighted to welcome Hugh Agro to the West Red Lake Gold team. His qualifications and skillset expand the Board's expertise as he brings a wealth of experience in executive leadership, strategy, technical expertise and finance. He will be a significant contributor to the expansion and development of West Red Lake Golds future.

The Company has granted 400,000 stock options to Mr. Agro, which vest over a three year period with 25% vesting in 3 months from the grant date and 25% vesting on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant date at an exercise price of $0.69 and will be exercisable for a 5 year period expiring July 26, 2028.

In addition, 100,000 DSUs have been granted to Mr. Agro which will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date of July 26, 2023.

Further to its news release of July 6, 2023, the Company is pleased to announce that due to excess demand, it has increased its non-brokered flow-through private placement financing to $7,000,000 by the issuance of up to 10,000,000 flow-through shares at $0.70 per flow-through share (the Offering). The Offering is subject to TSXV approval. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering for the exploration and advancement of its properties in Red Lake, Ontario.

ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 Km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 Km2 including three past producing gold mines - Rowan, Mount Jamie and Red Summit.

ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

Shane Williams

Shane Williams President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Amandip Singh, VP Corporate DevelopmentTel: 416-203-9181Email: [email protected] or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

Source: West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd
CN-2 well now on production

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Arrow Exploration Corp. (AIM: AXL) (TSXV: AXL) ("Arrow" or the "Company"), the high-growth operator with a portfolio of assets across key Colombian hydrocarbon basins, is pleased to provide an update on the operational activity at the Carrizales Norte ("CN") field on the Tapir Block in the Llanos Basin of Colombia where Arrow holds a 50% beneficial interest.

CN-2 Well

The CN-2 well was spud on June 15, 2023, and reached target depth on June 23, 2023. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 9,474 feet (8,582 feet true vertical depth) and encountered multiple hydrocarbon-bearing intervals.

Arrow has completed testing the CN-2 well in the Ubaque formation which has approximately 60 feet of net oil pay. The pay zone is a clean sandstone exhibiting consistent 26% porosity, four Darcy permeability and high resistivities from top of sand to base of sand. An electric submersible pump (ESP) was inserted in the well after perforating.

The logs responses from the Ubaque formation are very similar in both CN-1 and CN-2 wells. Due to this, the Company made the decision to proceed directly to the perforation and well production of the Ubaque in CN-2. Company drilling targets and recompletion opportunities in the future.

Specific data for the initial production from the Ubaque formation are as follows:

The well initiated production with a flow rate of 1,012 barrels of fluid per day.

After 31 hours of production, the water cut stabilized at 3%.

Measured oil from the Ubaque formation shows an API gravity of 13.6.

To efficiently manage the reservoir, the ESP is currently running at 30 Hz, minimum optimum pump frequency, and a 128/128 choke size is being used. The CN-2 well is currently on production, producing from the Ubaque formation at 680 BOPD gross (340 BOPD net). Build-up analysis indicates the well can produce at 1,400 BOPD gross at a consistent producible rate. However, Management's intention is to produce the well conservatively, at current rates, to ensure the highest estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). This provides significant operational flexibility.

The CN-2 well also tested the C7 formation where early water production resulted in the Company making the decision to move immediately to the Ubaque formation where more economic results were encountered.

Initial production results are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery.

Forward Work Program

The CN-3 well was spud on July 20, 2023, and is continuing to be drilled as per schedule. After the CN-3 well, Arrow plans to move the rig to the RCE field to further exploit the multi-zone RCE structure with two dedicated Gacheta wells and the follow up to the RCE-6 C7 producer. The drilling rig will then return to the CN field to drill additional Ubaque wells that include second and tertiary formations in the borehole.

The 134 km2 3-D seismic survey at the West Tapir project has been successfully shot and processed. Interpretation is ongoing on this high-resolution data set. Multiple prospects have initially been identified with further interpretation to be finalized over the next 60 days.

Marshall Abbott, CEO of Arrow commented:

"Production from the CN-2 well provides additional evidence that the CN field is a material discovery for Arrow. Further to the thick pay zones encountered in the Ubaque formation, additional pay zones currently behind pipe provide further opportunities for production and reserve increases."

"The Company is looking forward to the CN-3 well results which will help determine the size of the pools in the field and the potential reserves additions. Multiple development locations are anticipated based on current results. Arrow plans to undertake a third-party reserve evaluation of the CN field once the current three well drilling program is complete."

"As with the RCE field, the Company plans to limit production at the CN field by controlling pump speed and choking wells back to efficiently manage the reservoir and discourage premature water production. Arrow believes this is in the best long-term interest of the reservoir and will result in maximum recovery for both fields."

"There is strong momentum at Arrow, as we continue with our fully funded, low risk drilling program across our extensive portfolio with the spudding of two wells at the RCE structure targeting the Gacheta formation to follow drilling at CN-3. Alongside this we are encouraged by the initial interpretation of the Tapir 3D seismic and look forward to providing further updates in due course."

For further Information, contact:

Arrow Exploration

Marshall Abbott, CEO

+1 403 651 5995



Joe McFarlane, CFO

+1 403 818 1033



Brookline Public Relations, Inc.



Shauna MacDonald

+1 403 538 5645



Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker)



Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor

James Asensio

Gordon Hamilton

+44 (0)20 7523 8000



Auctus Advisors (Joint Broker)



Jonathan Wright

Rupert Holdsworth Hunt

+44 (0)7711 627449



Camarco (Financial PR)



Georgia Edmonds

Rebecca Waterworth

Kirsty Duff

+44 (0)20 3781 8331

About Arrow Exploration Corp.

Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are underexploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Company's business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombia's most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. By way of a private commercial contract with the recognized interest holder before Ecopetrol S.A., Arrow is entitled to receive 50% of the production from the Tapir block. The formal assignment to the Company is subject to Ecopetrol's consent. Arrow's seasoned team is led by a hands-on executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and on TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AXL".

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "continue", "expect", "opportunity", "plan", "potential" and "will" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation, Arrow's evaluation of the impacts of COVID-19, the potential of Arrow's Colombian and/or Canadian assets (or any of them individually), the prices of oil and/or natural gas, and Arrow's business plan to expand oil and gas production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations, and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

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.

Glossary

API: A specific gravity scale developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for measuring the relative density of various petroleum liquids, expressed in degrees.

BOPD: barrels of oil per day

boe/d: barrels of oil equivalent per day

Qualified Person's Statement

The technical information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Grant Carnie, senior non-executive director of Arrow Exploration Corp. Mr. Carnie is a member of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Engineers, holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Alberta and has over 35 years' experience in the oil and gas industry.

This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK version of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").

NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175028
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Arrow Exploration Corp. (AIM: AXL) (TSXV: AXL) ("Arrow" or the "Company"), the high-growth operator with a portfolio of assets across key Colombian hydrocarbon basins, is pleased to announce that Mr. Ian Langley had accepted a position on the Board of Directors which will become effective on 1 August 2023.

Mr. Langley brings to the Board more than 35 years of experience as both an executive and director in various businesses in the UK and abroad. Mr. Langley attended the PACE Program at Manchester Business School and completed the Certificate and Diploma in Industrial Management courses at Wolverhampton University. Prior to this he completed a four-year engineering apprenticeship with British Rail Engineering Limited ("BREL"). From there Mr. Langley founded, ran and directed numerous private equity backed companies including Airswift, where Mr. Langley currently sits as the Chairman of the Board, and EPI Group where Mr. Langley sits as a non-Executive Chairman. Currently, Mr. Langley also sits as the non-Executive Director of the Berry Group and Boston Energy Ltd.

Mr. Langley has received industry recognition in these roles and won awards for his work including the BVCA Management Team of the Year, Sunday Times Fast Track, Top Track and Buyout. Track, EY EofY nominations and others.

Marshall Abbott, CEO of Arrow commented:

"From a business and finance perspective, Mr. Langley brings to Arrow both broad, practical experience with a variety of public and private companies, and an in-depth expertise in financial regulations and processes. He is highly respected in his field, and we look forward to working with him in meeting our corporate strategic goals."

Further information in relation to the Director appointment

Ian Michael Langley (aged 61) has confirmed that, other than the information disclosed below, there are no matters to be disclosed under Rule 17 and paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules.

As at the date of appointment, Ian Langley does not hold any Common Shares of Arrow.

Current Directorships

AIRSWIFT GLOBAL LIMITED (13357471) - Appointed June 2016

AIR ENERGI NEWCO LIMITED (09890678) - Appointed Jan 2016

AIRSWIFT HOLDINGS LIMITED (09913704) - Appointed Jan 2016

BERRY RECRUITMENT GROUP LTD. (09200786) - Appointed Sept 2014

EPI GLOBAL LTD (08938405) - Appointed June 2014

E P I LIMITED (04458520) - Appointed June 2014

EPI AMERICAS LTD (08966711) - Appointed June 2014

EPI GROUP HOLDINGS LTD (08960180) - Appointed June 2014

AIR ENERGI GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED (08166518) - Appointed Oct 2012

BERRY RECRUITMENT LIMITED (07036111) - Appointed Oct 2009

Previous Directorships

THE BLACK DRESS COMPANY (UK) LIMITED (03879220) - Mar 14 to July 2022 (Dissolved)

WOVEN RUGS LIMITED (09124470) - Mar 2015 to Jul 2021

POCKIT LIMITED (07157877) - May 2014 to Oct 2019

AIR RESOURCES LIMITED (01427732) - Oct 1991 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI INVESTMENTS LIMITED (06849405) - July 2009 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI GROUP INVESTMENTS LIMITED (08167461) - Oct 2012 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI HOLDINGS LIMITED (06849455) - Jul 2009 to Apr 2016

AIR ENERGI GROUP LIMITED (05509548) - Aug 2005 to Apr 2016

BELLEVUE RESOURCES LIMITED (03566040) - June 1998 to Apr 2016

MARCHFIELD HOLDINGS LIMITED (03353386) - Jul 1997 to Apr 2016

Mr. Ian Langley was a director of The Black Dress Company (UK) Limited from March 2014 to July 2022. The Black Dress Company (UK) Limited entered into a creditors' voluntary liquidation on 21 July 2020, with the Company subsequently dissolved on 29 July 2022. At the time of the dissolution the Statement of Affairs showed 574k of claims to unsecured creditors that were not paid, as well as 658k of outstanding creditors that had not filed claims / were not paid out.

There is no further information which is required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of Mr. Langley.

For further Information, contact:

Arrow Exploration



Marshall Abbott, CEO

+1 403 651 5995



Joe McFarlane, CFO

+1 403 818 1033



Brookline Public Relations, Inc.



Shauna MacDonald

+1 403 538 5645



Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker)



Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor

James Asensio

Gordon Hamilton



+44 (0)20 7523 8000



Auctus Advisors (Joint Broker)



Jonathan Wright

Rupert Holdsworth Hunt



+44 (0)7711 627449



Camarco (Financial PR)



Georgia Edmonds

Rebecca Waterworth

Billy Clegg



+44 (0)20 3781 8331

About Arrow Exploration Corp.

Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are underexploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Company's business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombia's most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. Arrow's 50% interest in the Tapir Block is contingent on the assignment by Ecopetrol SA of such interest to Arrow. Arrow's seasoned team is led by a hands-on executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and on TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AXL".

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "continue", "expect", "opportunity", "plan", "potential" and "will" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation, Arrow's evaluation of the impacts of COVID-19, the potential of Arrow's Colombian and/or Canadian assets (or any of them individually), the prices of oil and/or natural gas, and Arrow's business plan to expand oil and gas production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations, and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

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 RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Charty, a new all-in-one platform for traders and investors, today announced its launch. The platform features a social trading community, an interactive trading academy, verified professional traders, and easy-to-use trading tools.





Charty Launches all-in-one Social Learning Platform

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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We built Charty because the trading industry needed it, said Matt James, co-founder of Charty. "There are so many different trading products and services out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Charty aims to bring everything you need to trade into one place."

Charty's built-in social trading community allows users to connect with other traders from all over the world. Users can share ideas, learn from each other, collaborate on trading strategies, and even chat to Charty's verified trading mentors at any time. The platform also features an interactive trading academy that offers courses from basic trading concepts to advanced trading strategies.

"We've partnered with top traders from all over the world to create the ultimate academy and community for traders worldwide," said Elliot Russell, co-founder of Charty. "As investors ourselves, the solution was simple. To build a centralized hub for all things trading and investing," Russell added.

In addition to the social trading community and trading academy, Charty also offers a suite of trading tools. These tools include a risk-size trade calculator, an economic calendar, and an AI trading assistant.

"We've made it our mission to make trading simple and easily accessible," said James. "Charty aims to be the top platform for traders of any level of experience."

About Charty

Charty is designed as the all-in-one platform for aspiring traders and investors that want to learn how to trade or improve trading skills.

The world is seeing a growing demand for educational resources and tools that can help people learn how to trade and invest. Charty is well-positioned to meet this demand, as it offers a comprehensive suite of features that aims to help traders and investors of all levels potentially improve investing skills, among a community of others looking to do the same.



Charty is available complimentary to join. The platform is set to launch on July 28th, 2023.

Learn more at https://www.Charty.app.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Media Contact:



Elliot Russell

[email protected]

Website: https://www.Charty.app

Social media: https://www.Instagram.com/Charty.app

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174956
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Glow LifeTech Corp. (CSE: GLOW) (OTC Pink: GLWLF) (FSE: 9DO) ("Glow" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of multiple in-house cannabis consumer brands powered by its portfolio of proprietary ingredient technologies. The Company expects to commercially deploy its innovative technology and products into the Canadian cannabis market as early as Q3 2023.

"By launching our own in-house CPG brands and products, we are able to expedite the route to market for our proprietary ingredients and ensure an optimal consumer experience, all while demonstrating the success of our technologies in one the largest cannabis markets in the world," said Rob Carducci, Chief Commercial Officer, Glow LifeTech. "We have multiple avenues for value creation and CPG products unlock a new vehicle to build the B2B business, by showcasing our technology in real-world settings and adding additional brand and formulation IP that can be licensed around the world."

"Glow has developed a portfolio of cutting-edge ingredient technologies, in both liquid and powder formats, that gives us incredible flexibility in formulating market-leading cannabis-infused products," said Tom Glawdel, Chief Operating Officer, Glow LifeTech. "We expect the remainder of 2023 to be an impactful time for Glow, as we have a clear path to getting our innovative products onto the marketplace for consumers to start experiencing."

Versatile Technology Platform



Glow has built a versatile technology platform that allows the Company to support a variety of innovative product formats including drops, sprays, capsules, drink mixes, gummies, infused-foods, and more. The Company recently announced it has developed a proprietary, water-soluble cannabis powder technology, which expands the Company's technology portfolio to both liquid and powder cannabinoid ingredients (see July 6, 2023 release), building on its existing liquid MyCell Technology. Glow's portfolio of water-soluble cannabis ingredients including THC, CBD, CBN and CBG, are designed for optimized absorption, great taste, rapid onset and a more consistent and predictable cannabis experience.



Multiple Growth Vectors

Launching its own in-house brands demonstrates how having a flexible technology platform and control over its own proprietary ingredients and brands, provides the Company optionality for multiple revenue streams which could include:

In-house brands: Fully-owned CPG brands and products to capture greater margin

Technology/IP licensing: licensing delivery technologies, formulations or brands around the world in legal markets.

Ingredients sales: B2B sales of proprietary ingredients for use in infused products

Development partnerships: projects creating novel formulations and products for strategic partners

Asset-light Operations, Built to Scale

The Company has built an efficient, asset-light cannabis production operation with a factor-in-factory manufacturing partnership in Toronto, Canada, that is designed to scale and minimize operating costs. With the processing facility built and equipment commissioned, it will house all of Glow's cannabis-related R&D activities, serving as the Company's cannabis production centre of excellence to develop technologies and products for the global market. This single licensed production location provides the Company the necessary production capacity to produce a diverse portfolio of cannabis products to service the Canadian market nationally, across both adult-use and medical cannabis markets.

Glow's goal is to create novel technologies, ingredients and products that offer a competitive advantage to its proprietary brands. Additionally, the company seeks to forge licensing and manufacturing partnerships with strategic allies as part of its vision for global expansion.

SUBSCRIBE: For more information on Glow or to subscribe to the Company's mail list visit: https://www.glowlifetech.com/news

About Glow LifeTech Corp.

Glow LifeTech is a Canadian-based biotechnology company focused on producing nutraceutical and cannabinoid-based products with dramatically enhanced bioavailability, absorption and effectiveness. Glow has rights to the groundbreaking, plant-based MyCell Technology delivery system, which transforms poorly absorbed natural compounds into enhanced water-compatible concentrates that unlock the full healing potential of the valuable compounds.

Website: www.glowlifetech.com

Contact:

James Van Staveren

Glow LifeTech Corp.

TF. 855-442-GLOW (4569)

ir@glowlifetech.com

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the technology described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175178
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: GUN) ("Gunpoint" or the "Company") is pleased to report the initial drilling results by Newcrest Mining Ltd. ("Newcrest") on the Appaloosa portion of Gunpoint's 100% owned Talapoosa gold-silver project in central Nevada. Newcrest Resources Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newcrest, has entered into an option and earn-in agreement with the Company (previously announced on September 28, 2022) to earn up to 75% in Gunpoint's Appaloosa property ("Appaloosa") for cash payments totaling US$5 million, incurring US$35 million in exploration expenditures and delineating a minimum 1.0 million-ounce gold indicated mineral resource.

Newcrest began drilling the Central Target area at Appaloosa in late April 2023. To date, Newcrest has provided data on six diamond drill holes, totaling 1900 meters including partial assay results. Drilling at the Central Target area has returned halo intercepts of gold, silver, and pathfinder elements consistent with the peripheral and upper zones of a low sulfidation epithermal gold-silver system.

Four drill holes intercepted significant thicknesses indicating a shallow dipping, oxidized mineral zone at the contact of two volcanic units suggesting lateral fluid migration. Lateral fluid migration is generally distal mineralization to the main feeder zones within a hydrothermal system. Significant assay intervals reported are apparent widths. True thickness of the mineralized intervals has not been determined, as the geometry of the mineralization to date is not understood.

At a 0.2 g/t gold cut off, the four holes returned:

APP-0001 28.97 meters @ 0.47 g/t gold, 7.9 g/t silver

APP-0002 12.38 meters @ 0.47 g/t gold, 2.6 g/t silver

APP-0003 19.0 meters @ 0.41 g/t gold

APP-0004 26.94 meters @ 0.59 g/t gold, 12 g/t silver

Evidence for a deep high-grade zone is supported by 0.3 meters of 7.9 g/t gold and 30 g/t silver intersected on hole APP-0004 starting at 323.6 meters. Drilling to discover the more developed parts of the epithermal system is ongoing.

Summary of Newcrest's Drill Results is highlighted below:

Hole ID Hole Type Easting

(m) Northing (m) RL

(m) Total Depth (m) Azimuth Dip From

(m) To

(m) Interval (m) Au

(ppm) Ag

(ppm) Cut off (Au ppm) APP-0001** DD 303100 4372308 1916 250 180 -45 103.33 132.3 28.97 0.47 7.9 0.2 Incl. 108.25 109.76 1.51 1.3 28 1.0 Incl. 114 115.4 1.4 1.3 17 1.0 APP-0002** DD 303100 4372308 1916 310 180 -70 104.62 117 12.38 0.47 2.6 0.2 Incl. 114.4 116 1.6 1.3 17 1.0 APP-0003** DD 303100 4372308 1916 275 360 -45 63.3 65.1 1.8 0.32 5.3 0.2 and 133.5 152.5 19 0.41 - 0.2 Incl. 151 152.5 1.5 1.0 - 1.0 APP-0004** DD 303070 4372485 1944 403 180 -50 168.16 195.1 26.94 0.59 12 0.2 Incl. 178.55 183.5 4.95 1.2 14 1.0 and 323.6 323.9 0.3 7.9 30 1.0 and 336.38 336.9 0.52 1.6 1.6 0.2 APP-0005** DD 303100 4372050 1884 310 360 -45 251 252.5 2.5 0.44 1.9 0.2 APP-0006** DD 302923 4372495 1940 405 180 -75 190 194 4.0 0.35 19 0.2 and 208 209.5 1.5 1.9 2.5 0.2

**partial intercept, assays pending.

Geophysics conducted over the property identified a northeast trending structural corridor intersecting the seven-kilometer-long Appaloosa trend. These northeast trending structural sets could represent subtle but important mineralizing conduits, particularly at the intersection with the Appaloosa Trend and will be systematically tested. Newcrest has moved the drill rig to the Antennas Target area located one kilometer northwest of the Central Target for the next fence of drill holes.

P. Randy Reifel, President of Gunpoint states: "We are very encouraged with Newcrest's initial drilling results at Appaloosa. The geological, geochemical, and geophysical results have delineated a large mineralized hydrothermal gold-bearing system within a seven-kilometer-long corridor. In addition to seeking high-grade epithermal gold mineralization at depth, the first holes have identified a shallow, potentially broad zone of oxide mineralization. Exciting early days for Appaloosa with the initial results showing promise of multiple target opportunities for future exploration."

Figure 1



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Figure 2



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QA/QC

Sampling, sample preparation and quality control protocols are considered appropriate for the material being sampled.

Cut core HQ samples. Half cut core samples were collected in Protexo cloth bags together with pre-numbered sample tags and grouped into shipping bins for dispatch to the laboratory by dedicated transport. Sample lengths ranged from 0.30m to 2.0m. Sample sizes are considered appropriate for the style of mineralization.

Sample series were verified for completeness at the Reno facility by Newcrest geologists prior to laboratory dispatch.

All drill samples were freighted by road to Bureau Veritas prep facility via laboratory in-house transport.

Sample preparation was conducted at Bureau Veritas facilities in Sparks, Nevada. Geochemical analyses were carried out at the independent ISO 17025:2017 accredited Bureau Veritas laboratories in Vancouver, B.C. Samples were dried at 60 C, and crushed to 70% passing 2 mm, and split to obtain a 250g sub-sample (method PRP70-250), which was pulverised to produce a pulped product with the minimum standard of 85% passing 75m (method PUL85).

Duplicate sample data are available from crush and pulp samples at a rate of approximately 1:50, which is acceptable for the material sampled and style of mineralisation. Observed duplicate variability in high grade samples is addressed with follow-up screen fire assay consisting of 1 kg of coarse reject from original sample.

Assaying of drill core was conducted at Bureau Veritas in North Vancouver. All samples were analysed for 59 elements using a 4-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS determination (method MA250). Gold analyses were determined by 30g fire assay with ICP-ME finish (method FA330) which is considered to provide a total assay for gold. Gravimetric analyses are automatically carried out for gold assays > 10 ppm and silver analyses >200 using 30 g pulps (method FA550).

Sampling and assaying quality control procedures consisted of inclusion of certified reference material (CRMs), coarse residue and pulp duplicates with each batch (at least 1:20).

Assays of quality control samples were compared with reference samples in MX Deposit and verified as acceptable prior to formal use of data from analysed batches.

Laboratory quality duplicates including replicates and preparation duplicates are captured in MX Deposit and assessed.

Analysis of the available quality control sample assay results indicates that an acceptable level of accuracy and precision has been achieved. The database contains no analytical data that has been numerically manipulated.

The assaying techniques and quality control protocols used are considered appropriate for the data to be used for reporting exploration drilling results.

Core sampling intervals are defined by the geologist during logging then assigned pre-printed sample identification numbers prior to core photography, cutting, and sampling. Pre-printed sample identification tags are affixed in the core box corresponding to each sampled interval and a duplicate sample tag placed in a pre-labelled bag containing the sampled core for assay.

All sampling and assay information are maintained in MX Deposit.

Sample submission forms providing the sample identification number accompany each submission to the laboratory. Assay results from the laboratory with corresponding sample identification are loaded directly into MX deposit.

No adjustments are made to assay data. Drilling intersects mineralisation at various angles. No twinned holes have been undertaken.

There are no currently known drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data.

All collar coordinates are provided in the North American Datum (NAD83 Zone 11N).

Surface drill collar locations are monumented with a stamped brass tag. Collar coordinates were surveyed with a Trimble DA2 GPS to 0.10m accuracy. Azimuth and inclination of the drillholes are surveyed with a TN14 Gyro-Compass at the collar, and a Reflex EZ Sprint Gyro every 30.48m (100ft) down hole.

About Gunpoint Exploration Ltd.

Gunpoint owns Talapoosa, an open pit, high grade gold-silver project in Nevada. Talapoosa has a mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") by Tetra Tech WEI Inc., with a measured and indicated mineral resource of 1.0 million ounces of gold and 13.6 million ounces of silver at an average grade of 1.11 g/t and 14.97 g/t, respectively (effective March 1, 2013). Inferred mineral resources add an additional 233,500 ounces of gold at 0.72 g/t and 2.2 million ounces of silver at 6.65 g/t. For further information, see "Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Talapoosa Project, Nevada" with an effective date of April 12, 2013 available under the Company's profile on SEDAR.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charlie Ronkos, Director of the Company, a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

For more information on Gunpoint, please visit our website at www.gunpointexploration.com or contact Randy Reifel, President, at (604) 731-2219.

GUNPOINT EXPLORATION LTD.

"P. Randy Reifel"

President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking Information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation, ongoing drilling to discover the more developed parts of the epithermal system; the geological, geochemical, and geophysical results delineating a large mineralized hydrothermal gold-bearing system within a seven-kilometer-long corridor; the first holes having identified a shallow, potentially broad zone of oxide mineralization; initial results showing promise of multiple target opportunities for future exploration work, and the estimated mineral resources at the Company's Talapoosa project. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth in the section entitled "Risk and Uncertainties" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2023 available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175102
The successful attacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the positions of the Russian invaders in the occupied Crimea frightened the Russians so much that they suddenly remembered their native beaches en masse. There was a stir in Anapa. A stampede of thousands of holidaymakers formed on the shore, and three beaches cannot accommodate them.

ADVERTISIMENT

Some people have to swim to relieve the coastline. Photos and videos were posted online (to see the photos, scroll to the bottom of the page).

An overview of Anapa's beaches - Miracleon, Aquamarine and Pearl - was filmed by tourists who managed to get through the crush. Judging by the footage, there is nowhere for an apple to fall on the shore.

The Russians who were more fortunate took up sunbeds. Other "lucky" people spread towels on the sand. However, most people have to rest standing up or swimming to avoid crowds.

ADVERTISIMENT

The video shows tourists shouting and arguing, unable to enjoy their holidays in such chaos. The author of one of the videos said that he was "scared to imagine what would happen if everyone got out of the sea".

It is impossible to move around the water without disturbing other people. Russians huddle together to be able to sit down.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote that Turkey plans to ban "all inclusive", which provides free food, drinks and other services along with hotel accommodation. Read about the reason for this decision here.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Durham, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - The International Society of Automation (ISA) - the leading professional society for automation - has announced the recipients of its 2023 scholarships. Thirty-two students from six countries have been awarded a total of 100,500 USD to support tuition and research activities.

ISA scholarships are awarded to college or university students who demonstrate outstanding potential for long-range contribution to the fields of automation, instrumentation, systems and control. The scholarship awards support tuition and related expenses and research activities and initiatives. ISA awards scholarships through named endowments as well as through specific technical divisions. More information about the program is available at www.isa.org/scholarships.

"On behalf of the entire Society, I would like to congratulate our slate of scholarship recipients," said Claire Fallon, ISA Executive Director. "Our vision is to 'create a better world through automation,' and supporting the next generation of automation professionals is critical as ISA works to advance its mission. We are proud to be able to award so many students this year, and look forward to seeing their many contributions to our field in the future."

The 2023 ISA scholarship recipients are:

Adnan Amir

Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering - Mumbai, MH, IND

Ali Khan

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology - Pune, MH, IND

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Anisha Jain

Cummin's College of Engineering for Women - Pune, MH, IND

Anway Prasad Shirgaonkar

Northeastern University - Boston, MA, USA

Aerospace and Test Measurement Division Scholarship

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Anwesha Sen

Cummin's College of Engineering for Women - Pune, MH, IND

Arisa Chue

Stanford University - Stanford, CA, USA

Atharva Jaid

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology - Pune, MH, IND

Huston Scholarship

Atharwa Kharkar

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology - Pune, MH, IND

Water and Wastewater Industries Division Scholarship

Daniel Barron

The University of Texas at San Antonio - San Antonio, TX, USA

Wilbanks Scholarship

Girish Raut

Northeastern University - Boston, MA, USA

Process Measurement and Control Division

Haben Gebrekidan

Syracuse University - Syracuse, NY, USA

Huston Scholarship

Aerospace and Test Measurement Division Scholarship

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Indraja Patil

Cummin's College of Engineering for Women - Pune, MH, IND

Kadeem Miller

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology - Edmonton, AB, Canada

Katherine Hoven

Texas A&M University - College Station, TX, USA

Water and Wastewater Industries Division Scholarship

Kaushal Atul Sorte

Northeastern University - Boston, MA, USA

Konkana Dutta

Cummin's College of Engineering for Women - Pune, MH, IND

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Manikandan Pandiyan

University of Michigan Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Chemical and Petroleum Industries Division Scholarship

Mason Jacques

University of New Hampshire - Durham, NH, USA

Power Industry Division Scholarship

Nicole Mera

Universidad de las Americas - Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador

Power Industry Division Scholarship

Prapti Bordoloi

Institute of Technology, Nirma University - Ahmedabad, GJ, IND

Rohit Gavali

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology - Pune, MH, IND

Aerospace and Test Measurement Division Scholarship

Chemical and Petroleum Industries Division Scholarship

Saeed Ansari Rad

The University of British Columbia - Kelowna, BC, CAN

Huston Scholarship

Sanchit Mhadgut

Vivekanand Education Society's Institute of Technology - Mumbai, MH, IND

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Sheri Wood

Western Michigan University - Kalamazoo, MI, USA

Pulp and Paper Industry Division

Shruti Rane

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology - Pune, MH, IND

Huston Scholarship

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Siddarth Bangera

Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering - Mumbai, MH, IND

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Similoluwa Oluwaferanmi Orisaya-Taiwo

University of Salerno - Fisciano, Salerno, Italy

Food and Pharmaceutical Industries Division Scholarship

Somya Gupta

Silver Oak University - Ahmedabad, GJ, IND

Huston Scholarship

Food and Pharmaceutical Industries Division Scholarship

Sujal Vasoya

Dharmsinh Desai University - Nadiad, GJ, IND

Huston Scholarship

Aerospace and Test Measurement Division

Swapnil Mane

University of Bristol - Bristol, Avon, UK

Huston Scholarship

Yutika Chougule

Northeastern University - Boston, MA, USA

Process Measurement and Control Division Scholarship

Zihan Zhang

Georgia Institute of Technology - Atlanta, GA, USA

Huston Scholarship

Aerospace and Test Measurement Division Scholarship

About ISA

The International Society of Automation (ISA) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1945 to create a better world through automation. ISA's mission is to empower the global automation community through standards and knowledge sharing. ISA develops widely used global standards and conformity assessment programs; certifies professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its members and customers around the world. Learn more at www.isa.org.

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Media contact:

Morgan Foor,

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175044
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - K2 Gold Corp.(TSXV:KTO) (FSE:23K) (OTCQB: KTGDF) ("K2" or the "Company")announces a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to C$1,200,000 consisting of National charity flow-through shares (the "Charity FT Shares") offered at a price of $0.16 per Charity FT share.

K2 intends to use the gross proceeds of the Offering for a reverse circulation drill program at the Company's Wels Gold Project in Yukon, anticipated to begin at the beginning of September.

The Offering is expected to close on or about August 15, 2023, and is subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the conditional listing approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Company may pay finders' fees under the offering in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada expiring four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering.

The Charity FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act")). An amount equal to the gross proceeds from the issuance of the Charity FT Shares will be used to incur eligible resource exploration expenses which will qualify as (i) "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Tax Act). Qualifying Expenditures in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the Charity FT Shares will be incurred (or deemed to be incurred) by the Company on or before December 31, 2024 and will be renounced by the Company to the initial purchasers of the Charity FT Shares with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023.

Members of the Company's management team may participate in the Offering including subscriptions from related parties of the Company as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The participation of management in the Offering is exempt from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to exemptions contained in sections 5.5(c) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any 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.

About K2 Gold

K2 is a proud member of Discovery Group and currently has projects in Southwest USA and the Yukon.

The Si2 Gold Project is located in Esmeralda County, Nevada, approximately 60km northwest of Tonopah, Nevada, and 20km northwest of Allegiant Gold's Eastside deposit (1.4Moz Au, 8.8 Moz Ag). The project is road accessible and consists of 118 BLM lode claims covering 986 Ha, under option from Orogen Royalties Inc. (TSXV: OGN). The claims cover an 8 km2 area of steam heated alunite-kaolinite-buddingtonite alteration within a sequence of felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks with brecciation and strongly anomalous mercury. The alteration is interpreted to represent a high-level setting within a low-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver system. In this type of geologic setting there is typically minimal anomalous gold mineralization at surface, however, gold grades may increase at depth along controlling structures at critical locations in the hydrothermal system (i.e., boiling zones). The Si2 Gold Project was initially identified by the same exploration team that identified AngloGold Ashanti's Silicon project near Beatty, Nevada, and was staked based on its strong geological similarities to Silicon.

K2 is currently permitted, and planning to drill the Wels Project which is located in Western Yukon late summer 2023. The property lies approximately 40km east of the community of Beaver Creek and 60km south of Newmont Goldcorp's 4Moz Coffee deposit, within the traditional territory of White River First Nation. The land position consists of 350 contiguous Quartz Claims covering 7,200 hectares. Wels is underlain by metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the White River Formation that have been intruded by a series of Triassic gabbroic sills and Cretaceous granitic plugs. This package has been cut by a series of WNW trending high-angle structures that host alteration and gold mineralization. Mineralization is noted in all rock types observed on the property to date and is associated with quartz veining, brecciation, and sericite alteration with anomalous As, Sb, and, locally, visible gold. Five discrete mineralized trends are currently known, with only one trend drilled to date, delivering encouraging assay results of 2.37 g/t Au over 28.5m and 10.38 g/t Au over 6.0m. All mineralized trends remain open along strike and approximately 80% of the property is currently unexplored.

The Mojave project is a 5,830-hectare oxide gold project with base metal targets located in California. Multiple previously recognized surface gold targets have been successfully drilled in the past, most notably by Newmont and BHP. Since acquiring the property, K2 has completed geochemical and geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, LiDAR, a WorldView 3 alteration survey, and successfully completed a 17-hole RC drill program focused on the Dragonfly and Newmont Zones. Highlights from K2's drilling program include 6.68 g/t Au over 45.72m from surface at the Dragonfly Zone, and 1.69 g/t Au over 41.15m from 44.20m depth at the Newmont Zone.

K2 is committed to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety, diversity, inclusion, and community and indigenous engagement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Anthony Margarit

President and CEO

For further information about K2 Gold Corporation or this news release, please visit our website at k2gold.com, contact our office at 778-266-1456, or by email at [email protected].

K2 Gold Corporation is a member of Discovery Group based in Vancouver, Canada. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the Offering and other project opportunities. 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," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to complete the Offering and the size of the Offering, the tax treatment of the FT Shares; the timing of the renouncement of the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, 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 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175014
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Origen Resources Inc.(CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA)(the "Company" or "Origen")is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Cubitt to its Board of Directors. With a 30-year track record in the natural resource industry, Mr. Cubitt brings extensive experience as a founder, sell-side dealer, and buy-side institutional investor. He holds executive and board positions in both private and publicly-traded companies, most recently as CEO and then non-executive director of Solis Minerals Ltd. Previously, Mr. Cubitt served as the director of investments for Vertus Investment Advisory and co-founded Ascenta Asset Management, where he held the position of managing director.

Gary Schellenberg, President and CEO of Origen, stated, "Mr. Cubitt's diverse and complimentary skill set adds significant value to our team and we extend a warm welcome as he joins Origen."

Jason Cubitt responded, "Gary has created a first-class portfolio of projects in Origen, including two lithium projects that represent the state-of-the-art in extending known lithium districts. I look forward to working with the team to bring these assets greater investor attention."

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,

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/175088
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Sanu Gold Corporation (CSE: SANU) (OTCQB: SNGCF) ("Sanu Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of the inaugural drill program (the "Program") on the Company's flagship Bantabaye gold exploration permit ("Bantabaye" or the "Permit") in Guinea, West Africa. The Permit, which lies on the western margin of Guinea's prolific Siguiri Basin, is located approximately 50 km1 south of the multi-million once Lefa Gold Mine and 80 km north of the multi-million ounce Bankan Gold Project.

Martin Pawlitschek, President and CEO, commented: "In this first round of drilling at Bantabaye, Sanu conducted a preliminary test on four of ten high-priority target areas, focusing on several zones along a multi-kilometre long mineralized fault system crossing the northern block of the permit. We intersected broad zones of near-surface gold mineralization in three of the four target areas tested, including a high-grade discovery at Target 2, which is open in all directions. A grade of 11.4 g/t Au over 15 m from the first fence of holes ever drilled at Bantabaye is a spectacular result and we look forward to continuing to test and expand this exciting discovery."

"West Africa is the number one gold mining region in the world, and Guinea is a vastly underexplored portion of the region. In the twelve months since Sanu has been listed, we have made near-surface, high-grade gold discoveries in our inaugural drill programs on two separate permits, Bantabaye and Daina. This is an enviable discovery rate, and validates both our exploration methodology and the potential on our extensive landholdings in Guinea. We look forward to continuing to discover and delineate new gold deposits in this highly prospective region," Mr. Pawlitschek continued.

Program Highlights:

Phase One drilling at Bantabaye included 3,198 m 1 in 28 RC 1 drill holes at four target areas, with results from the final six holes reported herein,

Target 2 high-grade gold discovery: 11.4 g/t Au 1 over 15 m, including 41.2 g/t Au over 4 m ; this discovery is open in all directions ,

Targets 3 and 7: broad intervals of gold mineralization intersected at both target areas ,

Gold mineralization at Targets 2, 3 and 7 intersected over a 1.5 km extent of the 4 km long Tinkisso Fault, a key locus for mineralization in this large, structurally-hosted gold system,

Excellent potential for additional mineralization between and along strike from Targets 2, 3 and 7 ,

Strong similarities between the geology and alteration at Bantabaye and recent major gold discoveries in the region.





Figure 1. Bantabaye North map showing geological and structural features, artisanal workings, drill hole collars and highlighted assays results from RC drilling, past auger drilling and working pit sampling.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8941/175030_f32f5eb6d4b2889c_01full.jpg

Gold mineralization at Bantabaye is closely associated with secondary structures, including the Tinkisso Fault, adjacent to the Bantabaye Thrust Fault (Figure 1). The Company has traced mineralization approximately 1.5 km eastward along this trend from the Target 2 discovery to Targets 3 and 7. The mineralization is hosted in a felsic intrusive unit and with secondary structures along the Tinkisso Fault and a splay where the Tinkisso Fault converges with the Bantabaye Thrust Fault. This is a major fault system in the northern portion of the Permit, with the Bantabaye Thrust Fault extending over a 6 km extent and the secondary Tinkisso Fault extending over 4 km. The Program has tested approximately 1.5 km of the Tinkisso Fault, with the remaining 2.5 km untested.

Target 2

A total of 626 m was drilled in six RC holes on two 50 m spaced lines at Target 2, with the objective of testing the downdip extension of high grade gold in rock chip samples collected from artisanal workings (Figures 1 and 2, Table 1: see May 17, 2023 and June 5, 2023 Sanu news releases). Gold mineralization at Target 2 is associated with a strongly silicified and hydrothermally altered felsic intrusive at the sheared contact with a foliated mafic unit. The altered felsic intrusive contains quartz vein stockwork and breccia, along with pervasive disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite. Key alteration associated with the gold mineralization is silicification and associated pyrite and arsenopyrite. Gold mineralization at Target 2 is hosted in oxidized rock at surface and in near-surface intercepts, and in unoxidized rock in the deeper holes drilled to date. Oxidation extends to a vertical depth of approximately 25 m in this area of the Permit.

Drilling has delineated a gold mineralized structure at Target 2, with assays from the eastern line returning high-grade gold intercepts of 11.4 g/t Au over 15 m in BANT-RC-002 and 2.0 g/t Au over 12 m in BANT-RC-003 (Table 1, Figure 2: Section 1).





Figure 2: Target 2 Sections 1 and 2, showing geology and structural interpretation, artisanal workings, RC drill hole traces and highlighted assays results from RC drill holes BANT-RC-001 to -006.



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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8941/175030_f32f5eb6d4b2889c_002full.jpg

Both the felsic intrusive and mafic unit, as well as the higher-grade mineralization below the sheared felsic intrusive contact, are extensively mined by artisanal workers, with free gold recovered from both oxidized and unoxidized rock. On the western line targeted by RC holes BANT-RC-005 and BANT-RC-006, the higher-grade gold mineralization has been mined out, with assays reported herein of 0.90 g/t Au over 17 m, including 2.57 g/t Au over 2 m and 2.78 g/t Au over 1 m in BANT-RC-006 (Table 1, Figure 2: Section 2). Where the higher-grade intervals were expected based on the results from holes on Section 1, the contractor reported drilling through a void.

The mineralized structure strikes west-northwest and dips moderately to the south-southwest at Target 2. This discovery is open in all directions and systematic follow-up drilling is being planned.

Target 3

A total of 869 m in seven RC holes has been drilled at Target 3 to test the northwest striking, southwest dipping Tinkisso Fault along a 300 m long by 150 m wide zone of artisanal workings. This includes six holes previously released (see June 5, 2023 Sanu news release) and one new hole (BANT-RC-028), which contained no significant gold mineralization (Table 1).

Hole BANT-RC-028 was drilled to test the downdip extent of previously released hole BANT-RC-009, which intersected 1.44 g/t Au over 13 m hosted with saprolitized felsic intrusive in the hangingwall of the Tinkisso Fault. Additional holes along the trend are required to determine the down-plunge orientation of the mineralization.





Figure 3: Target 3 Section 3 showing geology and structural interpretation, artisanal workings, RC drill hole traces and highlighted assays results from RC drill holes BANT-RC-007 to -009 and 028.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8941/175030_f32f5eb6d4b2889c_003full.jpg

Gold mineralization at Target 3 is associated with a strongly hydrothermally altered felsic intrusive in the hangingwall of the Tinkisso Fault at the sheared contact between a volcaniclastic sequence and felsic intrusive (Figure 3). The Tinkisso Fault is a northwest striking, shallowly southwest dipping, splay of the Bantabaye Thrust Fault, with a well-developed shear fabric. Gold mineralization is associated with quartz vein stockwork and breccia, as well as boxwork after sulfide within the felsic rock. Drilling revealed that Target 3 is situated within an area of deep oxidation, with saprolite extending up to 150 m vertical depth, suggesting intensive deep fracturing and hydrothermal alteration during deformation, following by deep weathering of the rocks. Interpretation of the drilling completed to date and structural mapping indicates that gold mineralization is open to the southeast along the Tinkisso Fault in the Target 8 area, which has not yet been drill tested (Figure 1).

Extensive artisanal workings at Target 3 include several parallel, north-south trending lines of shafts with depths of up to 80 m reported by local artisanal miners. These shafts targeting saprolite-hosted high-grade gold mineralization, from which abundant free gold has been recovered. Some of the holes were drilled in a NW direction to test for NS oriented structures indicated by the orientation of workings.

Target 7

A total of 1603 m in 14 RC holes has been drilled at Target 7 to test high grade gold in rock chip samples from artisanal workings over a 400 m long by 150 m wide area associated with strong gold in termite mound anomalies and high-grade gold mineralization in rock chip samples collected from artisanal workings. This includes nine previously released holes in three fences of three hole each drilled to the west-northwest (BANT-RC-013 to -022; see June 5, 2023 news release) and five new holes (BANT-RC-023 to -027) drilled to the north-northeast with an aim to better sample the orientation of high-grade mineralization targeted by artisanal miners in this area.





Figure 4: Target 7 Section 4 showing geology and structural interpretation, artisanal workings, RC drill hole traces and highlighted assays results from RC drill holes.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Highlights from the new north-northeast oriented drilling includes:

0.91 g/t Au over 9 m, including 1.55 g/t Au over 1 m and 2.11 g/t AU over 2 m (BANT-RC-023),

0.44 g/t Au over 9 m (BANT-RC-025),

0.63 g/t Au over 4 m, including 1.1 g/t Au over 1 m (BANT-RC-026), and

0.44 g/t Au over 8 m (BANT-RC-027).

Highlights from the previously released west-northwest oriented drilling includes:

0.87 g/t Au over 13 m, including 1.65 g/t Au over 3 m and further downhole 3.47 g/t Au over 13 m (BANT-RC-022),

0.55 g/t Au over 13 m, including. 1.2 g/t Au over 1 m (BANT-RC-015),

0.52 g/t Au over 13 m and further downhole 0.42 g/t Au over 4 m (BANT-RC-018), and

0.73 g/t Au over 4 m, and further downhole 1.03 g/t Au over 6 m (BANT-RC-017).





Figure 5: Target 7 mineralization: A) outcrop of oxidized felsic intrusive with quartz veining and boxwork after sulphide; B) free gold panned from surface workings.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The initial drill holes targeted the north-northeast trend observed from the extensive gold in termite mound anomalies at Target 7, supported by north-northeast trending lines of artisanal shafts and initial structural measurements. Updated detailed geological and structural mapping of outcrops and artisanal workings and results from the RC drilling demonstrate that the gold mineralization is associated with northwest striking and shallowly southeast dipping felsic intrusive rock that extends for over 500 m along strike and 150 m in width. At surface, the felsic intrusive is extensively altered and sheared with local stockwork of quartz veinlets, breccia development and boxwork after sulphide minerals. These zones of strong alteration are extensively mined by artisanal workers, reportedly down to depths of up to 80 m and deeply weathered to at least 100 m, where abundant free gold is recovered (Figure 5).

Drilling to date at Target 7 has not intersected the high grade mineralization exploited by artisanal miners and it is suspected that the relatively shallow drilling completed to date has been exclusively within areas where the high grade mineralization has been mined out (Figure 4).

Interpretation of geological and structural data, gold mineralization intercepted in RC and auger drill holes and in artisanal workings demonstrates that the felsic intrusive at Targets 2 and 3 extends through Targets 7 and 8 and forms a prominent northwest striking and shallowly southwest dipping gold bearing structure that extends over a 5 km strike extent (Figure 1).

The three holes drilled in the north of Target 7 were drilled on a northwest azimuth, testing positive rock chip samples that were interpreted to connect to the north-south trending vein sets. However, no significant values were return from these holes.

Target 4

One RC hole with a length of 100 m was drilled at Target 4 to begin to test this strong gold in termite mound anomaly along the Bantabaye Thrust Fault. RC drill hole BANT-RC-020 returned 0.3 g/t Au over 1 m. This hole was drilled into volcaniclastic strata, but did not intercept the targeted felsic intrusive. Additional planned holes were not drilled at Target 4 in the Program as other target areas were prioritized for drilling prior to the planned break for the wet season that commenced in June.

Additional field mapping and sampling is planned to better refine future drilling at this target.

Discussion and Next Steps

The inaugural drill program at Bantabaye delivered a new discovery at Target 2, along with highly encouraging gold grades and widths from Targets 3 and 7. At all three target areas, gold mineralization was hosted within a sheared felsic unit.

There is a high variation of depth of oxidation along the structure ranging from 25 m to over 150 m from surface, related to structural deformation and associated alteration and mineralization.

Drilling to date has been shallow and limited, leaving areas for immediate follow up, with the highest priority around the Target 2 discovery. In addition, the entire Bantabaye Thrust Fault - Tinkisso Fault system requires additional surface work and step out drilling. Further detailed work is also required to examine the potential for additional mineralization in laterite-covered areas between the currently identified targets.

The Company is working towards a near term follow-up drill program, subject to access, logistics and availability of equipment during the wet season. In addition, infill geochemical sampling, mapping and potentially geophysical surveys are considered to further delineate targets.

Table 1: Bantabaye Phase One RC drill hole drill intercepts (Targets 2, 3, 4 and 7).

Target 2

Hole ID X-UTM Y-UTM Length Azimuth Dip News Release Intercept Interval From (m) (o) (o) (g/t Au) (m) (m) BANT-RC-001 358,08 1,253,118 56 30 -60 0.8 4 12 May 17, 2023 including









1.4 1 13

&









1.3 1 15

BANT-RC-002 358,068 1,253,066 90 30 -60 11.4 15 35 May 17, 2023 including









41.2 4 36

including









114 1 38

&









0.5 12 56

including









1.6 1 56

BANT-RC-003 358,039 1,253,018 150 30 -60 2.0 12 83 May 17, 2023 including









6.8 1 83

&









5.0 1 94

&









0.7 1 104

BANT-RC-004 358 039 1 253 018 150 030 -60 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-005 358 018 1 253 099 100 030 -60 0.7 3 11 June 5, 2023 including









1.26 1 11

BANT-RC-006 357 988 1 253 048 150 030 -60 0.56 2 56 June 5, 2023











0.90 17 63

including









2.57 2 64

&









2.78 1 72

Target 3 BANT-RC-007 358 972 1 253 256 105 010 -60 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-008 358 970 1 253 211 106 010 -60 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-009 358 970 1 253 211 106 010 -60 1.44 13 23 June 5, 2023 including









5.10 1 28

&









4.90 1 32

BANT-RC-010 359 024 1 253 244 106 010 -60 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-011 359 015 1 253 192 116 010 -60 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-012 359 013 1 253 141 165 010 -60 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-028 358 961 1 253 107 120 010 -55 NSV



Current Target 4 BANT-RC-020 359 874 1 253 165 100 300 -55 0.30 1 1 June 5, 2023 Target 7 BANT-RC-013 359 270 1 253 165 110 300 -55 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-014 359 316 1 253 132 131 300 -55 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-015 359 196 1 253 092 105 300 -55 0.55 13 2 June 5, 2023 including









1.2 1 12

BANT-RC-016 359 236 1 253 067 100 300 -55 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-017 359 284 1 253 044 101 300 -55 0.73 4 1 June 5, 2023











1.3 6 6

BANT-RC-018 359 300 1 252 979 106 300 -55 0.52 13 1 June 5, 2023











0.42 4 22

BANT-RC-019 359 348 1 252 957 105 300 -55 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-021 359 355 1 253 093 171 300 -55 NSV



June 5, 2023 BANT-RC-022 359 376 1 252 899 71 300 -55 0.87 13 1 June 5, 2023 including









1.65 3 6













3.47 1 56

BANT-RC-023 359 183 1 252 986 90 030 -55 0.91 9 3 Current including









1.55 1 4













2.11 2 7

BANT-RC-024 359 285 1 252 905 125 030 -55 NSV



Current BANT-RC-025 359 336 1 252 898 125 030 -55 0.44 9 15 Current BANT-RC-026 359 264 1 252 968 138 030 -55 0.63 4 21 Current including









1.1 1 22

BANT-RC-027 359 330 1 252 971 125 030 -55 0.44 8 15 Current



Notes: The Company does not have sufficient information to make a determination of the true widths of the drill hole intersections reported in this release. Drillhole intercepts are calculated using a minimum downhole length of e1 m, a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t gold, and may include up to 3 m of internal dilution within the intercept. Only intercepts e1 m are reported. Sample intervals are comprised of RC drill chips, which are sampled at regular 1 m intervals. Assays are reported uncut. Grid coordinates are UTM WGS84 Zone 29N. Results for holes BANT-RC-001 to BANT-RC-0022 previously released.

Structural Setting

The geological and structural interpretation with first phase drilling completed demonstrates that the Bantabaye Thrust Fault is a deep-seated fault that put a sedimentary sequence to the north and a volcaniclastic unit to the south in structural contact (Figure 1). Movement along this system was likely accommodated by the formation of a subsidiary northwest-striking and southwest dipping splay fault system that branched off and formed an acute angle to the main thrust. Structural mapping shows that the splays are developed on the southern side of the primary structure. A significant splay for hosting gold mineralization is the Tinkisso Fault, which extends over 4 km and hosts mafic and felsic intrusive rocks that may be syntectonic in origin and emplaced during the deformation and opening of the splays. The Bantabaye Thrust Fault may have served as a primary conduit for the hydrothermal mineralizing fluids. During tectonic movement along the thrust, hydrothermal fluids may have been pumped into the splay fault systems where interaction between the hydrothermal mineralizing fluids and the host intrusive rock led to the deposition of gold mineralization.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Sampling was completed following industry best practices, conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologists and the chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. An appropriate number and type of certified reference materials (standards) and blanks totaling 5% of the total number of samples shipped to the laboratory was inserted approximately every 20th sample to ensure an effective QA/QC program was carried out. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. Samples from Target 2 were analyzed using ''Fire Assay FA450'' at the Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories in Bamako, Mali ("BVML"). BVML is an internationally recognized and commercially certified laboratory and is independent of Sanu Gold. Samples From Targets 3, 4 and 7 were analyzed using Fire Assay FAA505 at the SGS Laboratory in Bamako, Mali ("SGS"). SGS is an internationally recognized and commercially certified laboratory and is independent of Sanu Gold.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Serigne Dieng, Ph.D., M.Sc., a Member (MAIG) of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), Exploration Manager of the Company and a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Sanu Gold

Located within Guinea's Siguiri Basin, a world class gold district that is host to several operating mines and major new discoveries, Sanu Gold is exploring three high quality gold exploration permits. The Company is targeting multi-million ounce gold deposits and has discovered high grade gold mineralization in the inaugural drill programs at both Bantabaye and Daina. Sanu is operated by a highly experienced team, with successful records of discovery, resource development and mine permitting in West Africa.

Martin Pawlitschek

President & CEO, Sanu Gold Corp.

For further information regarding Sanu Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.sanugoldcorp.com or contact:

Fiona Childe, Ph.D. P.Geo

VP, Corporate Development & Communications

Sanu Gold Corp.

+1 647-473-7268

[email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "indicates", "opportunity", "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Sanu Gold believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's plans for exploration on its properties and ability to execute on plans, ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, ability to maintain its material property agreements, mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of gold and other metals, changes in general economic conditions and local risks in the jurisdiction (Guinea) in which it operates, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the potential for new discoveries, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

_________________________

1 kilometres ("km"), metres ("m"), reverse circulation ("RC"), grams of gold per tonne ("g/t Au).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175030
Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Brent Seaman of Naples, Florida, and various entities he managed for fraudulently raising approximately $35 million from at least 60 investors through an unregistered securities offering. Many of these investors were elderly, retired, and connected to a Naples church where Seaman was an active member.

The SECs complaint alleges that, from approximately June 2019 until September 2022, Seaman told investors he would use their money to invest in technology companies and to trade currencies and commodities. Seaman falsely promised annual returns ranging between 18 and 48 percent and described the investments as safe and the returns as guaranteed. The complaint further alleges that Seaman solicited investors by touting his proven success investing in currencies when, in reality, he was losing millions of dollars of investors money and his currency trading was always unprofitable. Seaman also allegedly misappropriatedmillions of dollars for himself, in part to purchase luxury automobiles and to pay for trips on private planes. Finally, Seaman allegedly made Ponzi-like payments to investors because he did not generate profits in connection with his trading sufficient to pay investors their required monthly distributions.

As alleged in our complaint, Seaman targeted church members with false claims of success, said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SECs Miami Regional Office. This action reflects a deep commitment to pursue those who prey on vulnerable investors.

The SECs complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, charges Seaman, Accanito Holdings, LLC, Accanito Equity, LLC, Accanito Equity II, LLC, Accanito Equity III, LLC, and Accanito Equity IV, LLC with violating the registration provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933. The complaint also charges Seaman, the Accanito LLCs, and two related entities, Accanito Capital Group and Surge LLC, with violating the antifraud provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Finally, the complaint charges Seaman with violating the broker-dealer registration provisions of Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint names as relief defendants, and seeks disgorgement with prejudgment interest from, Seamans wife, Jana Seaman, and two affiliated entities, Valo Holdings Group, LLC and Surge Capital Ventures, LLC, that allegedly together received millions in investor proceeds.

All fraud defendants have consented to a bifurcated settlement, without admitting or denying the Commissions allegations and subject to court approval, under which they will be enjoined from violating the charged provisions of the federal securities laws and Seaman will be barred from serving as an officer or director of any SEC-reporting company. Seaman also agreed to settle follow-on administrative proceedings pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act based on the anticipated entry of a permanent injunction against him. Additionally, the defendants agree that the court will determine whether it is appropriate to order them to pay disgorgement with prejudgment interest and a civil penalty. Relief defendant Jana Seaman has agreed to pay $757,154 in disgorgement and interest. Relief defendant Valo Holdings Group has agreed to pay $668,240 in disgorgement and interest.

The SECs investigation was part of the Miami Regional Offices Fraud Against Minority Groups Initiative and was conducted by Andre Zamorano, Alise Johnson, and Mark Dee in the Miami Regional Office and supervised by Thierry Olivier Desmet, Fernando Torres, and Glenn S. Gordon. The SECs litigation will be led by Alise Johnson under the supervision of Teresa J. Verges.

The SEC encourages investors to check the backgrounds of people selling investments by using the SECsInvestor.govto identify quickly whether they are registered professionals and confirm their identity. For more information about affinity frauds, visit https://www.sec.gov/resources-investors/investor-alerts-bulletins/affinity-fraud.
Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - An innovative start-up transforms the hospitality industry by redefining tipping in the digital age.

Tova, a trailblazing start-up dedicated to changing the tipping culture in a cashless age, is excited to announce the formal launch of its revolutionary Tipping Rewards Program. By offering a creative response to the problems encountered in the digital age, this ground-breaking project is poised to transform how service sector employees are rewarded.





Tova



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Service employees often see a drop in gratuities in today's cashless world, which has a substantial influence on their lives. Tova is committed to reviving tipping as a crucial source of income for these industrious people since the company is painfully aware of this problem. Tova's purpose is furthered with the launch of the Tipping Rewards Program, which makes sure that service employees are not only appropriately paid but also commended and awarded for their great performance.

For both clients and service sector employees, the Tipping Rewards Program has been painstakingly crafted to provide a smooth and user-friendly experience. Customers may easily reward worthy employees for the great service they have gotten by simply scanning a special QR code with their cellphones. By removing the bother of managing cash tips, Tova's ground-breaking platform gives consumers a simple and practical method to express their gratitude.

The main characteristics of Tova's tipping rewards program are:

1. Acknowledgement and Rewards: Customers have the chance to review and comment on their service experiences via the program. Exceptional service providers will be eligible for special prizes, such as bonuses, recognition badges, and even chances for professional development, if they continually obtain favorable reviews and high ratings. As a result, service staff is encouraged to provide great customer service, generating a pleasant workplace culture, and enhancing worker retention.

2. Support from Major Hotel Chains: Major hotel chains around the country have already shown a lot of support for Tova's Tipping Rewards Program. Hotels have seen a significant rise in the typical tip amount offered to their workers by strategically distributing Tova's QR codes around their premises. The program's success serves as evidence of its capacity to establish a win-win scenario that benefits both clients and service sector employees.

Aloysha Mahboub, CEO of Tova, expressed her excitement about launching the Tipping Rewards Program and bringing tipping into the modern era, "We want to make sure that service employees get the credit and pay they deserve while giving clients a simple and satisfying tipping experience. The service sector as a whole will likely undergo a revolution as a result of this initiative, in our opinion."

Regarding Tova

A revolutionary startup called Tova is working to transform tipping in a cashless age. Tova intends to revitalize tipping as an essential source of revenue for employees in the service sector by providing a user-friendly platform for digital gratuities and launching the Tipping Rewards Program. Tova is leading the way in revolutionizing the tipping environment and boosting the entire experience for both consumers and service staff, with partnerships formed across major hotel chains in the United States.

Company Name - Tova

Mail - [email protected]

City - Los Angeles, CA 90066

Country - USA

Website - https://usetova.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175094
Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - In a groundbreaking move, Valeri Chekheria, Advisor to the Minister of Economy of Georgia and CEO of Adjara Group, has emerged as the first strategic investor in KING Pay's seed round, solidifying his belief in the transformative potential of the crypto payment ecosystem.





GonzoSOL (left) and Valeri Chekheria (right)

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With a remarkable investment of $200,000 and a commitment to acquire an impressive 300 million $KING Coins, Chekheria's involvement goes beyond financial backing; it is a testament to his strategic alignment with KING Pay's vision of revolutionizing the world of crypto payments.

KING Pay aims to redefine the landscape of digital transactions. With Chekheria's extensive network and influential position in key sectors such as hospitality, gambling, and major businesses, KING Pay's mission gains momentum, poised to infiltrate diverse industries.

As an advisor to Georgia's Minister of Economy, Valeri brings invaluable insights into the economic and fiscal landscape, bolstering KING Pay's journey to reshape the payment framework.

GonzoSOL, the Founder of KING Pay, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Valeri Chekheria as a strategic investor. His leadership, expertise, network, and dedication to innovation align perfectly with our mission to transform crypto payments."

With Chekheria's association, KING Pay fortifies its position in the crypto space, positioning itself for broader horizons. As the seed round progresses, anticipation builds within the industry, as stakeholders eagerly await further updates and potential collaborations.

This strategic partnership promises a bright future for crypto payments, as two formidable forces join hands. The industry watches with anticipation as KING Pay and Valeri Chekheria embark on a promising journey, reshaping the future of digital transactions.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Spulis Rudolfs

Public Relations

[email protected]

+852 6331 6832

Follow us on social media:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kingcoinsol

Discord: www.discord.gg/kingcoinsol

Website: www.king-coin.io

About KING Coin:

KING Coin is a community-driven cryptocurrency integrated into the KING Pay ecosystem. It aims to revolutionize the crypto payments landscape by providing a seamless and efficient payment solution for various industries, bridging the gap between traditional finance and the world of cryptocurrencies. With a strong and engaged community, KING Coin is set to become a leader in the crypto payments sector, driving the widespread adoption of digital payments.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175097
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - XAU Resources Inc. (TSXV: GIG) ("XAU Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the shareholders approved all matters put forth for approval at the annual shareholders' meeting held on July 26, 2023 (the "Meeting"). The shareholders re-elected Gairat Gary Bay, Peter Hambro, Nataliya Hearn, Dan Hrushewsky and Danile Spethmann to the board of directors (the "Board") and re-appointed RSM Canada LLP to be the auditors of the Company. The shareholders also approved the Company's stock option plan (the "Option Plan"), including certain amendments to comply with the new TSX Venture Exchange Policy 4.4. The Option Plan now requires disinterested shareholder approval to extend the term of options issued to insiders. For complete details about the Option Plan and further information about the Meeting, please see the Management Information Circular filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

About XAU Resources Inc.

XAU Resources is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company that has the 152.25 km2 Noseno land package in the Trans-Guyana gold belt. The property is in the same greenstone terrane that hosts the largest gold deposits in Guyana, the Aurora Mine and the Toroparu Project. Limited modern exploration has been undertaken on the property although the property has a 100-year history of small scale hard rock and placer mining. The property lies 210 km west of the capital, Georgetown and 75 km south of the regional supply centre at Port Kaituma (inland port).

For further information contact:

Gary Bay

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 647-339-4301

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/175108
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2023) - Xebra Brands Ltd. (CSE: XBRA) (OTCQB: XBRAF) (FSE: 9YC)("Xebra"), is providing an update to its previously disclosed management cease trade order ("MCTO"), announced on June 29, 2023, in respect of the audited annual financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis for the year ended February 28, 2023, including the CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "Annual Financial Filings") that were not filed by the required filing deadline of June 28, 2023 (the "Filing Deadline").

As previously disclosed, the Annual Financial Filings were not filed by the Filing Deadline due to the fact that there have been delays associated with the recent changes of management.

The Company is working expeditiously on the steps required to complete the Annual Financial Filings and expects to be able to file the Annual Financial Filings no later than August 4, 2023. The Company will provide updates as further information relating to the Annual Financial Filings becomes available.

Until the Annual Financial Filings are filed, the MCTO will be in effect. Additionally, the Company will issue bi-weekly default status reports in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders. The Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines during the period it remains in default of the filing requirements. The Company confirms that there have been no material business developments or other material information relating to its affairs as of the date of this news release that have not been generally disclosed.

About Xebra Brands Ltd.

Xebra Brands is an international cannabis cultivation and product company, with global brands and intellectual property. Our focus includes beverages, wellness and leisure. Xebra Brands is an absolute first mover in the Mexican cannabis sector with the first ever granted authorization to a corporation by the COFEPRIS. In Canada, Xebra Brands retails its unique Vicious Citrus THC/CBN Lemonades.

On Behalf of Xebra Brands Ltd.

"Jay Garnett"

Chief Executive Officer

For further information please contact:

Tel: (833) XEBRA 88

Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Information

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes, but is not limited to, business goals and objectives of the Company; statements and information regarding the timing for the filings of the Annual Filings; the Company's ability to be a first mover in a country, or to obtain or retain government licenses, permits, or authorizations in general, or specifically in Mexico, Canada or elsewhere, including cannabis authorizations from the Mexican Health Regulatory Agency (COFEPRIS); the Company's ability to satisfy the conditions of authorizations granted by COFEPRIS; any continuing uniqueness of any of the Company's products; and other forward-looking information concerning the intentions, plans and future actions of the parties to the transactions described herein and the terms thereon.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the reliance of the Company on its auditors and management with respect to the Annual Filings; Such factors include, but are not limited to, the inability of the Company to retain the authorizations granted by COFEPRIS; the inability to generate sufficient revenues or to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plan; changes in government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in various countries; risks associated with agriculture and cultivation activities generally, including inclement weather, access to supply of seeds, poor crop yields, and spoilage; compliance with import and export laws of various countries; significant fluctuations in cannabis prices and transportation costs; the risk of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; inability to identify, negotiate and complete potential acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures for any reason; the ability to retain key employees; dependence on third parties for services and supplies; non-performance by contractual counter-parties; general economic conditions; the continued growth in global demand for cannabis products and the continued increase in jurisdictions legalizing cannabis; the timely receipt of regulatory approvals for license applications on terms satisfactory to the Company; and other related risks as more fully set out in the registration statement of Company and other documents disclosed under the Company's filings at www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, there is no assurance that the Company will: be a low-cost producer or exporter; obtain a dominant market position in any jurisdiction; or have products that will be unique.

The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, the timing thereof and related matters. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175189
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 26, 2023) - York Harbour Metals Inc. (TSXV: YORK) (OTC Pink: YORKF) (FSE: 5DE0) (the "Company" or "York"), is pleased to announce that the Company held its annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") today, pursuant to which the following matters were voted upon and approved by the shareholders of the Company:

the approval of the statutory plan of arrangement (the " Arrangement ") pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) whereby the Company will spin-out all of the issued and outstanding shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary Phoenix Gold Resources (Holdings) Ltd. (" Spinco ") which owns the Company's non-core assets, the Plumas and Eldorado Projects (collectively known as the " Phoenix Gold Project ");

the election of six members to the board of directors of the Company;

the appointment of MS Partners LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizing the directors of the Company to fix their remuneration;

the approval of the Company's restricted share unit plan (the " RSU Plan "); and

the approval of the Company's 10% rolling stock option plan (the "Option Plan"), all as more particularly described in the Company's management information circular dated June 21, 2023 (the "Circular")

The previous 10% rolling stock option plan of the Company was approved by the Company's shareholders on April 14, 2022 and the Option Plan was re-approved as the current stock option plan in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") by the board of directors effective June 12, 2023, subject to approval of the shareholders and the Exchange. The maximum number of common shares which may be issued under the Option Plan is 10% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares (the "Shares") as of the date of grant. The maximum number of restricted share units ("RSUs") that may be granted under the RSU Plan shall not exceed 6,852,894 Shares, and each RSU entitles the holder, subject to vesting of at least one year from the date of grant and any such other conditions as the directors may determine, to receive one Share. The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to insiders of the Company (as a group) under the Option Plan and RSU Plan shall together collectively not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding number of Shares. A copy of each of the Option Plan and the RSU Plan was appended to the Circular and is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR.

Subject to the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia and final TSX Venture Exchange approval, the board will set the effective date of the Arrangement, following which, shareholders of the Company will ultimately own shares in two reporting companies: Spinco, which will focus on the development of the Phoenix Gold Project, and York, which will continue to focus on the development of the York Harbour Copper-Zinc-Silver Project and the Bottom Brook Rare Earth Elements Project, both located in western Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

About York Harbour Metals

York Harbour Metals Inc. (TSXV: YORK) (OTC Pink: YORKF) (FSE: 5DE0) is an exploration and development company focused on two high-grade projects in Newfoundland and Labrador. The York Harbour Copper-Zinc-Silver Project is located approximately 27 km from Corner Brook in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Company intends to continue drilling the 11 known mineralized zones and explore new massive sulphide targets.

Recently, the Company announced the acquisition of a high-grade Rare Earth Elements ("REE") project also located in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Bottom Brook Critical Metals Project, covering 15,150 hectares, is located next to the Trans Canada Highway and is just 27 km from the deep-water port at Turf Point. York Harbour intends to actively identify diamond drill targets through property-wide prospecting, focused soil sampling, and geological mapping. A substantial drill program is scheduled for this year.

For further details on York Harbour Metals, please reach out via email to [email protected] or call +1-778-302-2257. You may also visit the Company's website at www.yorkharbourmetals.com for past news releases, media interviews and opinion-editorial pieces by management.

On Behalf of The Board of Directors,

"Signed"

Bruce Durham

CEO, President, and Director

Telephone: 778-302-2257 | Email: [email protected]

Website: www.yorkharbourmetals.com

1518 - 800 Pender Street W, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2V6

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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements herein include but are not limited to statements relating to the prospects for development of the Company's mineral properties, and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/175082
The war has turned Ukraine into a kind of superlaboratory for the invention and development of innovative drones, attracting investment from prominent businessmen, including ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt. More than 200 Ukrainian UAV companies are now working side by side with military units on the front lines to refine drones to improve their ability to destroy and spy on the enemy.

ADVERTISIMENT

About this writes the publication The Washington Post. It is noted that more and more Ukrainian military drone development companies are introducing artificial intelligence technology.

New AI software in drones takes into account electronic obstacles, which Russia now often uses, stabilizing the drone and keeping it on pre-selected targets. AI capabilities help the UAV accomplish its mission even if its target is moving, a significant improvement over existing drones.

"It's a 24/7 technology race. The challenge is that every product in every category has to change daily to gain an advantage," said Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation.

ADVERTISIMENT

Fedorov is in charge of Ukraine's Drone Army program, which aims to maximize Ukraine's use of reconnaissance and attack drones to offset Russia's significant air superiority.

Last year, the program helped private companies train more than 10,000 drone operators, with plans to train the same number of operators over the next six months.

The process of signing contracts for drone procurement between companies and the Ministry of Defense has also been accelerated - the process has been reduced from two years to two months.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has shared Russian jamming technologies with drone manufacturing companies, allowing them to test their products against the most advanced electronic warfare equipment. Such a privilege is not available to the majority of international drone manufacturing companies.

ADVERTISIMENT

Military drone manufacturers also receive constant feedback from the front lines, allowing them to make immediate adjustments to reduce vulnerabilities and improve the effectiveness of UAVs.

Fedorov noted that Ukraine estimates that Russia destroys about 1,000 Ukrainian drones every month. This pushes the search for ways to increase UAV production.

As the publication notes, the types of drones being developed in Ukraine are very diverse. Improvements in speed, range, payload and other capabilities have an immediate impact on the battlefield, allowing Ukraine to destroy Russian equipment, blow up observation posts and destroy the Crimean bridge.

ADVERTISIMENT

The inexpensive UAVs, which Ukraine produces by the thousands each month, can carry bombs but are vulnerable to Russian jamming. However, a new artificial intelligence-based targeting system allows UAVs to stay focused on the target, even if the vehicle loses contact with the human operator due to obstacles or the presence of a large physical object, such as a hill. Rostislav Olenchin, co-founder of Twist Robotics, said.

"Once the target is fixed, the drone is controlled by this system," Olenchin explained. The drone's sensors recognize the physical features of the target and adjust the flight path accordingly.

ADVERTISIMENT

Former Google executive Eric Schmidt, who advised the Pentagon on artificial intelligence technologies, is positive about the Ukrainian drone market and, along with other investors, has invested $10 million in Ukrainian startup gas pedal D3, which invests in drones and other defense technologies.

"Ukraine is constantly ahead of the enemy in innovation," Schmidt emphasized.

Eric Schmidt welcomed Ukrainian advances in drone technology, including artificial intelligence software and UAVs operating without GPS navigation. He is convinced that drones in the future will play a crucial role on land, in the air and at sea in clearing fields and forming "ruthless swarms of kamikaze drones equipped with artificial intelligence."

ADVERTISIMENT

"The future of warfare will be dictated and led by drones," Schmidt said.

According to people familiar with the matter, Schmidt is interested in investing millions of dollars in Ukraine to expand drone production, the publication notes.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries presented its Rotem kamikaze drones. These drones can accelerate up to 370 km / h and attack targets with an accuracy of 1 meter.

Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 27, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - - The latest research by Kincentric, a Spencer Stuart company focused on improving leadership impact by unlocking the power of people and teams, identifies a number of compelling business outcomes that can be achieved when organizations deliver a consistent and cohesive employee experience (EX) across the organization. The Global Employee Experience Trends 2023 Report reveals that employee engagement has plateaued over the last five years, and CEOs and CHROs must now shift their approach to EX if they want to accelerate business outcomes through their people.

The study, backed by extensive data from over nine million respondents across 2500 organizations, 162 countries and 62 industries, emphasizes the need for leaders to act on employee experience more holistically, with consistency of experience emerging as a key factor in driving business impact. In addition to consistency, which is achieved when multiple core experience elements create similar positive perceptions across employees, the report also outlines the importance of the alignment of EX to culture and business strategy, as well as endorsement by the C-suite. The data indicates that leading organizations are enjoying notable advantages in terms of employee engagement, retention, financial performance and customer satisfaction as a result of this groundbreaking new approach.

Key findings of the research include:

- Ratings of customer satisfaction and financial performance are over 2X higher when the work experience is consistent, yet almost one third (29%) of employees have a highly inconsistent experience, with significant negative impact on engagement and business outcomes.

- Employee engagement is 5.5X higher when EX is aligned to culture and strategy, yet only 36% of organizations have indicators that all three elements are truly aligned.

- Nearly half (49%) of employees feel their employers are failing to provide the employee experience they were promised.

- Senior leaders have 6X the impact on the consistency of EX compared to managers, demonstrating their critical role in bringing this to life.

In addition, Kincentric's 2023 report indicates employees have increased expectations regarding their day-to-day work experience, and while employees have expressed more positivity around things such as long-term career aspirations and virtual work arrangements, there has been a decline in measures around inspirational leadership, organizational values and support and connection.

According to Jeff Jolton, Managing Director of Research and Insights at Kincentric, leaders looking to drive exceptional business results should focus on the transformative power of a consistent and cohesive EX, instead of solely measuring employee engagement as an outcome. "Organizations must take a fresh, holistic and highly intentional approach to drive greater consistency in their EX - which is not about providing the same experience for everyone, but instead, striving to ensure employees have the same positive perception of the work experience." Jolton says. "The reality is that the majority of organizations globally are not providing the level of consistency required to translate EX into critical business outcomes and are missing a huge opportunity to unlock the full potential of their people and create competitive advantage."

Click HERE to learn more or to review the study highlights and full research report. https://www.kincentric.com/insights/global-employee-experience-trends-2023

About Kincentric

Kincentric, a Spencer Stuart company, helps organizations unlock the power of people and teams to ignite change and drive better business results. With decades of experience and specialist expertise in areas such as culture, employee engagement, leadership assessment and development, HR and talent advisory, and diversity, equity and inclusion, we use data-driven insights to architect solutions that add value, enhance agility and increase organizational effectiveness. For more information, visit kincentric.com.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Continuing to Empower Young Scientists

SHANGHAI , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, 2023 Amgen Scholar Program (ASP) was opened in China , partnering with Tsinghua University, one of China's top academic institutions and influential universities. 24 undergraduates were selected as Amgen Scholars from across the globe to participate in this program with one-third of the chosen scholars coming from international universities this year. They will have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge scientific research with world class scientists in state-of-the-art research laboratories. It is the largest in-person summer camp ASP held since the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The ASP is an international program initiated and funded by the Amgen Foundation, aiming to inspire the next generation of scientific talent by providing funding to students with a keen interest in life sciences and biotechnology, enabling them to undertake scientific research projects for a period of 8-10 weeks across the globe. The ASP has been partnering with Tsinghua University in China since 2019.

Amgen Scholars at the Tsinghua University consists of eight weeks of intensive research program in a wide range of fields in biomedical sciences. Scholars will join a faculty's laboratory and involve in one or more specific research projects. Each Scholar will have a faculty member as his/her mentor. In addition, a postdoc, a technician or a graduate student will be assigned to train and assist the student in the lab. As a member of the lab, the Scholar will have the opportunity to participate in a series of academic activities, such as weekly lab meetings, group discussions, presentation training, and campus-wide seminars of interests. In addition, other non-academic gathering will be organized, such as networking events, Chinese and Beijing culture exploration, etc.

Irene Hsu , VP & GM, Amgen China, said, "As Amgen's principal channel for corporate philanthropy, the Amgen Foundation plays a key role in Amgen's commitment to improving the lives of others. It seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators, and invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. We are glad to continue the ASP with Tsinghua University, a beacon of academic excellence and progressive thinking, providing this invaluable opportunity for selected Scholars to engage in cutting-edge scientific research with world class scientists in state-of-the-art research laboratories. We believe this long-term investment is valuable to society and the development of life sciences."

"The ASP has entered the fifth year in China since it was launched in China for the first time in 2019. It is a great honor that Tsinghua University could be the first and currently only host institution of the program in China and provide our young talents with access to scientific research continuously. All 24 of Amgen Scholars were selected from renowned institutions across the globe, bringing with rich cultural backgrounds, diverse perspectives, and a strong pursuit of knowledge. We expected that the series of academic activities during ASP summer camp will inspire these young scientific talents and unlock their potential in their studies and research work in the future." says Ligong Chen , Associate Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University Program Director, Tsinghua Amgen Scholars Program.

Made possible through a 17-year commitment of more than $70 million from the Amgen Foundation, the ASP allows undergraduates from across the globe to participate in cutting-edge research opportunities at world-class institutions. 24 premier educational and research institutions across the U.S. , Europe , Asia , Australia and Canada currently host the summer program. Four distinguished hosts from Asia include: The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, National University of Singapore, and Tsinghua University.

About Amgen Foundation

The Amgen Foundation is deeply committed to reimagining and expanding access to science education. Since 1991, we have contributed more than $425 million to nonprofit organizations across the globe, including $250 million to science education. Our work is aligned with Amgen's Environmental, Social and Governance strategy.

The Amgen Foundation brings the excitement of discovery to the scientists of tomorrow through its signature programs, including LabXchange, Amgen Scholars, and the Amgen Biotech Experience.

For more information, visit www.AmgenFoundation.org.

About Amgen

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing, and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

About Amgen China

Amgen entered China in 2012 on a mission to serve patients by using science and biotechnology to improve health for Chinese patients and societies. With its headquarters in Shanghai , Amgen China is present in more than 100 cities across the country. In China , Amgen strives to bring innovative therapies to patients in a bid to address the huge unmet needs in in our priority therapeutic areas including cardiovascular disease, bone health, inflammation, and hematology/oncology.

For more information, visit http://www.amgen.cn and follow us on Amgen China Corporate WeChat account "Amgen".

About Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University has developed at a breathtaking pace into a comprehensive research university. At present, the university has 21 schools and 59 departments with faculties in science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education and art.

With the motto of "Self-discipline and Social Commitment" and the spirit of "Actions Speak Louder Than Words", Tsinghua University is dedicated to the well-being of Chinese society and to world development. As one of China's most prestigious and influential universities, Tsinghua is committed to cultivating global citizens who will thrive in today's world and become tomorrow's leaders. Through the pursuit of education and research at the highest level of excellence, Tsinghua is developing innovative solutions that will help solve pressing problems in China and the world.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2023-tsinghua-amgen-scholars-program-kicks-off-301887286.html

SOURCE Amgen China
BEIJING, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) ("Autohome" or the "Company"), the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China , today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023 .

Second Quarter 2023 Highlights[1]

Net Revenues in the second quarter of 2023 were RMB1,833.0 million ( US$252.8 million ), compared to RMB1,733.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

in the second quarter of 2023 were ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Net Income attributable to Autohome in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB504 .7 million ( US$69.6 million ), compared to RMB435 .0 million in the corresponding period of 2022, and net income attributable to ordinary shareholders in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB491.2 million ( US$67.7 million ), compared to RMB423 .4 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

in the second quarter of 2023 was .7 million ( ), compared to .0 million in the corresponding period of 2022, and in the second quarter of 2023 was ( ), compared to .4 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) [2] in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB569.5 million ( US$78.5 million ), compared to RMB472.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

in the second quarter of 2023 was ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Share Repurchase: As of July 21, 2023 , the Company had repurchased 4,697,330 American depositary shares ("ADSs") for a total cost of approximately US$141.0 million .

Mr. Quan Long , Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Autohome, stated, "During the second quarter of 2023, we actively advanced our C-end strategy, making steady progress across content optimization and business diversification while expanding our traffic through multiple channels. In mid-June, we debuted China's first mobile exhibition truck featuring a large-scale holographic display, providing consumers in lower- tier cities with more comprehensive information on new energy vehicles ("NEVs") and enabling NEV brands to expand their reach into these markets, in line with the government's policy to support NEV consumption in rural areas. We also unveiled our first Autohome Energy Space franchise store in Haikou , Hainan Province , marking the beginning of this new retail franchise model's expansion nationwide. Moreover, we accelerated the application of AI technology in all business scenarios, enabling our partners to reduce costs and increase efficiency. We developed two decision-making assistant products based on a GPT model, providing both users and customers with more efficient services. Looking ahead, we are confident that with long-term accumulation of cutting-edge technology and growing brand advantages as well as our comprehensive innovation incubation system, Autohome is well positioned to seize the opportunities across the industry and achieve diversified business growth."

Mr. Craig Yan Zeng , Chief Financial Officer of Autohome, added, "Our financial and operational performance continued to recover steadily with a 6% year-over-year increase in total revenues in the second quarter of 2023, led by strong growth in our online marketplace and others business. Notably, revenues from both TTP Car, Inc. and data products delivered double-digit growth year-over-year, and revenue from NEV brands maintained its robust growth momentum. Meanwhile, in June 2023 , our mobile DAUs grew by 31.7% year-over-year to reach 62.71 million, according to QuestMobile, demonstrating our sustained leadership in the automotive media vertical. We have also made significant progress in the development of new models and products, further reinforcing our market leadership in key areas. As we move forward, we will remain committed to the two major industry trends of NEVs and artificial intelligence, constantly innovating to bring superior products and services to users and customers, and ultimately delivering long-term value to all shareholders."

Unaudited Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues in the second quarter of 2023 were RMB1,833.0 million ( US$252.8 million ), compared to RMB1,733.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Media services revenues were RMB532.0 million ( US$73.4 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB530.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

revenues were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Leads generation services revenues were RMB759.6 million ( US$104.8 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB752.8 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

revenues were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. Online marketplace and others revenues were RMB541.4 million ( US$74.7 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB449.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to greater contributions from TTP Car, Inc. and data products.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB330.2 million ( US$45.5 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB278.9 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to a rise in operational costs. Share-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB1.8 million ( US$0.2 million ), compared to RMB1.3 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB1,228.1 million ( US$169.4 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB1,227.5 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB824.1 million ( US$113.6 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB738.7 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to the escalation in marketing and promotional spending. Share-based compensation expense included in sales and marketing expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB12.3 million ( US$1 .7 million), compared to RMB5.4 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

expenses were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to the escalation in marketing and promotional spending. Share-based compensation expense included in sales and marketing expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was ( .7 million), compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. General and administrative expenses were RMB91.0 million ( US$12.5 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB126.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction of expected credit losses. Share-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB8.9 million ( US$1.2 million ), compared to RMB10 .1 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

expenses were ( ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to in the corresponding period of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction of expected credit losses. Share-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB8.9 million ( ), compared to .1 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Product development expenses were RMB313.0 million ( US$43 .2 million) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB362.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in personnel-related expenses. Share-based compensation expense included in product development expenses in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB18.7 million ( US$2.6 million ), compared to RMB11.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Operating Profit

Operating profit was RMB341.5 million ( US$47.1 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB301.3 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Income Tax Expense

There was an income tax expense of RMB35.8 million ( US$4.9 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB34.1 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Net Income Attributable to Autohome

Net income attributable to Autohome was RMB504.7 million ( US$69.6 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB435.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022.

Net Income Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders and Earnings per Share/ADS

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB491.2 million ( US$67.7 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB423.4 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") were RMB1.00 ( US$0.14 ) and RMB1.00 ( US$0.14 ), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to basic and diluted EPS of RMB0.85 and RMB0.84 , respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022. Basic and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB3.99 ( US$0.55 ) and RMB3.98 ( US$0.55 ), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB3.38 and RMB3.38 , respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022.

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) and Non-GAAP EPS/ADS

Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome (Non-GAAP) was RMB569.5 million ( US$78.5 million ) in the second quarter of 2023, compared to RMB472.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS were RMB1.16 ( US$0.16 ) and RMB1.15 ( US$0.16 ), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS of RMB0.94 and RMB0.94 , respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022. Non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS were RMB4.62 ( US$0.64 ) and RMB4.61 ( US$0.64 ), respectively, in the second quarter of 2023, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB3.77 and RMB3.77 , respectively, in the corresponding period of 2022.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of June 30, 2023 , the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB23.34 billion ( US$3.22 billion ). Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2023 was RMB522.0 million ( US$72.0 million ).

Employees

The Company had 5,500 employees as of June 30, 2023 , including 2,177 employees from TTP Car, Inc.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 27, 2023 ( 8:00 PM Beijing Time on the same day).

Please register in advance of the conference call using the registration link provided below. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which will be used to join the conference call.

Registration Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI7e7200be351a4ab986e67e0b2faeb302

Please use the conference access information to join the call ten minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at https://ir.autohome.com.cn and a replay of the webcast will be available following the session.

About Autohome

Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) is the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China. Its mission is to relentlessly reduce auto industry decision-making and transaction costs driven by advanced technology. Autohome provides occupationally generated content, professionally generated content, user-generated content, and AI-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive automobile listing information to automobile consumers, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle. The ability to reach a large and engaged user base of automobile consumers has made Autohome a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct their advertising campaigns. Further, the Company's dealer subscription and advertising services allow dealers to market their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to potentially millions of internet users in China and generating sales leads for them. The Company offers sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to assist automakers and dealers with improving their efficiency and facilitating transactions. Autohome operates its " Autohome Mall ," a full-service online transaction platform, to facilitate transactions for automakers and dealers. Further, through its websites and mobile applications, it also provides other value-added services, including auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services. For further information, please visit https://www.autohome.com.cn/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, Autohome's business outlook, Autohome's strategic and operational plans and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Autohome may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Autohome's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Autohome's goals and strategies; Autohome's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online automobile advertising market in China ; Autohome's ability to attract and retain users and advertisers and further enhance its brand recognition; Autohome's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; competition in the online automobile advertising industry; relevant government policies and regulatory environment of China ; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Autohome's filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Autohome does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement net income presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome, Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS and earnings per ADS, Adjusted net margin and Adjusted EBITDA as non-GAAP financial measures. We define Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome as net income attributable to Autohome excluding share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition, investment loss/(gain) relating to non-operating impact of a write-down of the initial investment in a financial product, and loss/(gain) pickup of equity method investments, and impairment of long-term investments, with all the reconciliation items adjusted for related income tax effects. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares. We define non-GAAP basic and diluted earnings per ADS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ADSs. We define Adjusted net margin as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome divided by total net revenues. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Autohome before income tax expense, depreciation expenses of property and equipment, amortization expenses of intangible assets and share-based compensation expenses. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance, in addition to net income prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand our operating and financial performance, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess our core operating results, as they exclude certain non-cash charges or items that are non-operating in nature. The use of the above non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations as they excluded certain items that have been and will continue to be incurred in the future, but such items should be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China :

Autohome Inc.

Investor Relations

Sterling Song

Investor Relations Director

Tel: +86-10-5985-7483

E-mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA (Amount in thousands, except per share / per ADS data)



For three months ended June 30 ,

For six months ended June 30 ,



2022

2023

2022

2023



RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Net revenues:























Media services 530,561

532,005

73,367

797,363

893,473

123,216

Leads generation services 752,813

759,635

104,758

1,461,017

1,440,269

198,622

Online marketplace and others 449,619

541,394

74,662

945,905

1,032,921

142,446

Total net revenues 1,732,993

1,833,034

252,787

3,204,285

3,366,663

464,284

Cost of revenues (278,864)

(330,227)

(45,540)

(533,881)

(670,441)

(92,458)

Gross profit 1,454,129

1,502,807

207,247

2,670,404

2,696,222

371,826



























Operating expenses:























Sales and marketing expenses (738,729)

(824,081)

(113,646)

(1,330,983)

(1,347,197)

(185,787)

General and administrative

expenses (126,616)

(90,979)

(12,547)

(263,178)

(240,135)

(33,116)

Product development

expenses (362,194)

(313,010)

(43,166)

(717,441)

(637,376)

(87,898)

Total operating expenses (1,227,539)

(1,228,070)

(169,359)

(2,311,602)

(2,224,708)

(306,801)

Other operating income, net 74,661

66,772

9,208

183,685

133,160

18,364

Operating profit 301,251

341,509

47,096

542,487

604,674

83,389

Interest and investment income,

net 149,398

202,813

27,969

240,166

427,828

59,000

Gain/(loss) from equity method

investments 5,882

(1,690)

(233)

(20,347)

(33,125)

(4,568)

Income before income taxes 456,531

542,632

74,832

762,306

999,377

137,821

Income tax expense (34,108)

(35,796)

(4,936)

(42,148)

(90,477)

(12,477)

Net income 422,423

506,836

69,896

720,158

908,900

125,344

Net (income)/loss attributable to

noncontrolling interests 12,593

(2,102)

(290)

33,106

1,336

184

Net income attributable to

Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528

Accretion of mezzanine equity (33,383)

(38,686)

(5,335)

(64,259)

(75,185)

(10,368)

Accretion attributable to

noncontrolling interests 21,743

25,164

3,470

41,861

48,913

6,745

Net income attributable to

ordinary shareholders 423,376

491,212

67,741

730,866

883,964

121,905



























Earnings per share for

ordinary shares























Basic 0.85

1.00

0.14

1.45

1.79

0.25

Diluted 0.84

1.00

0.14

1.45

1.79

0.25

Earnings per ADS attributable

to ordinary shareholders

(one ADS equals for four

ordinary shares)























Basic 3.38

3.99

0.55

5.82

7.17

0.99

Diluted 3.38

3.98

0.55

5.81

7.15

0.99



























Weighted average shares used to compute

earnings per share attributable to ordinary

shareholders:















































Basic 500,676,420

492,534,428

492,534,428

502,552,188

492,927,049

492,927,049

Diluted 501,112,704

493,624,704

493,624,704

502,882,428

494,261,429

494,261,429





































AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP RESULTS (Amount in thousands, except per share / per ADS data)































For three months ended June 30 ,

For six months ended June 30 ,





2022

2023

2022

2023





RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$



Net income attributable to

Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528



Plus: income tax expense 35,448

37,136

5,121

44,829

93,157

12,847



Plus: depreciation of property and

equipment 57,596

42,259

5,828

114,824

90,197

12,439



Plus: amortization of intangible

assets 10,837

10,798

1,489

21,674

21,638

2,984



EBITDA 538,897

594,927

82,044

934,591

1,115,228

153,798



Plus: share-based compensation

expenses 28,396

41,628

5,741

69,257

87,813

12,110



Adjusted EBITDA 567,293

636,555

87,785

1,003,848

1,203,041

165,908































Net income attributable to

Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528



Plus: amortization of intangible assets

resulting from business acquisition 10,722

10,722

1,479

21,444

21,444

2,957



Plus: share-based compensation

expenses 28,396

41,628

5,741

69,257

87,813

12,110



Plus: investment loss arising from one

of financial products[3] 4,021

14,532

2,004

58,441

8,719

1,202



Plus: loss/(gain) on equity method

investments, net (5,882)

1,690

233

20,347

33,125

4,568



Plus: impairment of long-term investments 1,696

-

-

1,696

-

-



Plus: tax effects of the adjustments (1,746)

(3,840)

(530)

(14,693)

(8,360)

(1,153)



Adjusted net income attributable

to Autohome 472,223

569,466

78,533

909,756

1,052,977

145,212































Net income attributable

to Autohome 435,016

504,734

69,606

753,264

910,236

125,528



Net margin 25.1 %

27.5 %

27.5 %

23.5 %

27.0 %

27.0 %



Adjusted net income attributable

to Autohome 472,223

569,466

78,533

909,756

1,052,977

145,212



Adjusted net margin 27.2 %

31.1 %

31.1 %

28.4 %

31.3 %

31.3 %































Non-GAAP earnings per share

























Basic 0.94

1.16

0.16

1.81

2.14

0.30



Diluted 0.94

1.15

0.16

1.81

2.13

0.29



Non-GAAP earnings per ADS (one

ADS equals for four ordinary

shares)

























Basic 3.77

4.62

0.64

7.24

8.54

1.18



Diluted 3.77

4.61

0.64

7.24

8.52

1.18































Weighted average shares used to

compute non-GAAP earnings

per share:

























Basic 500,676,420

492,534,428

492,534,428

502,552,188

492,927,049

492,927,049



Diluted 501,112,704

493,624,704

493,624,704

502,882,428

494,261,429

494,261,429































AUTOHOME INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Amount in thousands, except as noted)



As of December 31 ,

As of June 30,

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

US$ ASSETS









Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents 2,801,299

2,939,867

405,426 Restricted cash 9,175

787

109 Short-term investments 19,279,592

20,395,204

2,812,627 Accounts receivable, net 1,927,699

1,499,340

206,768 Amounts due from related parties, current 49,644

26,305

3,628 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 357,522

517,270

71,335 Total current assets 24,424,931

25,378,773

3,499,893 Non-current assets









Restricted cash, non-current 5,000

5,000

690 Property and equipment, net 255,298

195,193

26,918 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 4,220,305

4,181,109

576,601 Long-term investments 419,208

386,083

53,243 Deferred tax assets 265,606

265,070

36,555 Amounts due from related parties, non-current 9,419

17,797

2,454 Other non-current assets 116,052

198,241

27,339 Total non-current assets 5,290,888

5,248,493

723,800 Total assets 29,715,819

30,627,266

4,223,693











LIABILITIES AND EQUITY









Current liabilities









Accrued expenses and other payables 2,537,281

2,250,807

310,401 Advance from customers 96,047

108,454

14,956 Deferred revenue 1,147,131

1,788,235

246,609 Income tax payable 251,121

257,487

35,509 Amounts due to related parties 27,096

22,673

3,127 Total current liabilities 4,058,676

4,427,656

610,602 Non-current liabilities









Other liabilities 50,591

98,209

13,544 Deferred tax liabilities 517,926

502,941

69,359 Total non-current liabilities 568,517

601,150

82,903 Total liabilities 4,627,193

5,028,806

693,505











MEZZANINE EQUITY









Convertible redeemable noncontrolling interests 1,605,639

1,680,824

231,796











EQUITY









Total Autohome shareholders' equity 23,888,842

24,373,717

3,361,288 Noncontrolling interests (405,855)

(456,081)

(62,896) Total equity 23,482,987

23,917,636

3,298,392 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity 29,715,819

30,627,266

4,223,693

[1] The reporting currency of the Company is Renminbi ("RMB"). For the convenience of readers, certain amounts throughout the release are presented in US dollars ("US$"). Unless otherwise noted, all conversions from RMB to US$ are translated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB7.2513 on June 30, 2023 in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at such rate. [2] For more information on this and other non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the tables captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of Non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release. [3] It represented the loss of an investment with fair value below its initial investment, which was recognized at "interest and investment income, net". The impact was considered to be not directly related to the Company's operating activities.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autohome-inc-announces-unaudited-2023-second-quarter-and-interim-financial-results-301887184.html

SOURCE Autohome Inc.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America today commented on the revised results of the Federal Reserve's 2023 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR).

Based on the revised 2023 CCAR results, Bank of America's Stress Capital Buffer will be 2.5%, which is the minimum requirement. As a result, Bank of America's minimum Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio requirement will be 9.5%, effective October 1, 2023 . At June 30, 2023 , Bank of America's CET1 ratio was 11.6% with $190 billion of CET1 capital. As previously announced, on January 1, 2024 , Bank of America's minimum CET1 requirement will increase 50 basis points, aligned with planned growth in the global systemically important bank surcharge.

Earlier this month, the company's board of directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.24 per share payable on September 29, 2023 , to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2023 , a 9 percent increase from the second quarter common stock dividend of $0.22 per share. As of June 30, 2023 , the company had $14.1 billion remaining in a previously communicated $25 billion share repurchase program authorized in October 2021 .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the current expectations, plans or forecasts of Bank of America based on available information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements often use words like "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "intends," "plans," "predict," "goal" and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "might," "should," "would" and "could." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Bank of America undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made.

Forward-looking statements represent Bank of America's current expectations, plans or forecasts of its future results, revenues, expenses, dividends, efficiency ratio, capital measures, and future business and economic conditions more generally, and other future matters. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are often beyond Bank of America's control. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider all of the precautionary statements, uncertainties and risks discussed in Bank of America's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in Bank of America's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 20, 2021 , announcing Bank of America's common stock repurchase program, under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Bank of America's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 , and in any of Bank of America's other subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States , serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States , its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, and register for news email alerts.

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire , Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum , Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Bill Halldin , Bank of America

Phone: 1.916.724.0093

[email protected]

Christopher P. Feeney , Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.386.6794

[email protected]

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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
Jury Awards Mancha Law and Carlson Law Firm Client Largest Sexual Assault Verdict in Texas and US History

AUSTIN, Texas , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 20 , Judge Nadine Nieto of the 285th District Court signed and entered final judgment on a $325,000,000 sexual assault jury verdict. It is the largest sexual assault verdict in Texas history and the largest in a case against solely the assailant in US history.

The historic verdict stems from a lawsuit against a successful businessman who repeatedly sexually assaulted his grandchild between the ages of 5-8 years old. Upon conviction for the child's sexual assault, the abuser was sentenced to prison. The child was ultimately diagnosed with an incurable STD.

Attorney Jacob Mancha of Mancha Law , with support from The Carlson Law Firm , represented the child in front of a civil jury. The assailant elected to represent himself pro-se (without a lawyer) advancing, among other arguments, alternative theories on how the child contracted the STD and even brought a surprise character witness - a minister - to defend his case. The witness had ties to land owned by the assailant

Mancha exposed the nature of the witness's relationship and true motives, along with obvious flaws in the assailant's contentions. He further argued to the jury that they were the voice of the conscience of their community who, through their verdict, express their community's attitudes. The jury saw through the assailant's tactics and awarded the historic verdict sending a message to all would-be assailants.

Initially, Mancha requested $125 million in pain and suffering along with another $125 million in punitive - punishment - damages on behalf of the survivor. However, the jury awarded $75 million more in punishment damages than the original request.

"The jury refused the $125,000,000 punitive damages I proposed and returned $200,000,000 to 'send a message,'" Mancha said. "The money is important because the biggest thing I learned in taking this case is that many survivors are not torn apart, they move forward. The same is true of their families. They retain hope and aspirations for the future. They simply have hurdles, but they move forward. A scholarship trust and more serves a great purpose because it moves them forward, and the community moves with them."

It's significant to note that the victim may never see the full $325 million , but her abuser was a successful businessman with significant assets.

"This verdict allows us to seize assets we know of and look for more," Mancha said.

Ultimately, the jury thanked Mancha and The Carlson Law Firm support staff for allowing them to be on the jury and serve justice.

About Mancha Law

Mancha Law is a boutique law firm in Austin, Texas specializing in assaults, birth injuries resulting in cerebral palsy, and motor vehicle collisions - including trucking collisions - involving spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. We offer tailored individualized representation to a select number of clients throughout the state of Texas and consistently yield industry-leading outcomes.

About The Carlson Law Firm

The Carlson Law Firm is a national personal injury law firm with 16 locations in Texas and one in Los Angeles . We are committed to providing exceptional legal services. Our firm handles a variety of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, auto collisions, trucking crashes, human trafficking, sexual assault and rape, motorcycle injuries and workplace injuries, as well as medical malpractice, defective products, dangerous drugs, nursing home neglect, offshore injuries, wrongful death and much more.

Media Contact:

Kazia Conway

[email protected]

254-526-5688

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bexar-county-jury-sends-message-with-325m-verdict-for-sexual-assault-301887470.html

SOURCE The Carlson Law Firm
PROVIDENCE, R.I. , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic (CEHC) is thrilled to announce the promotion of Morgan Leonard to the position of Executive Director. Formerly serving as the Director of Clinic Operations, Morgan's dedication, exceptional leadership, strong fundraising skills, compassion, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to providing accessible healthcare services have made her an invaluable asset to the clinic.

Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic holds a steadfast commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality medical care.

CEHC has been a beacon of hope for Rhode Island's vulnerable populations since its inception in 2008, serving more than 4,000 uninsured Rhode Islanders. The clinic's steadfast commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality medical care has earned it widespread recognition and support.

Morgan Leonard has been an instrumental force behind CEHC's growth and success. Her relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare operations has not only positively impacted the clinic's efficiency but has also garnered the trust and respect of her colleagues and patients alike.

"As we celebrate Morgan Leonard's promotion to Executive Director, we also celebrate the unwavering spirit of our clinic in transforming lives through accessible healthcare," said Annie De Groot , MD, one of the Founders of the clinic and former Volunteer Medical and Executive Director of CEHC. "Morgan's exceptional leadership, dedication, and compassionate approach make her the ideal person to drive our mission forward and address the evolving healthcare needs of our community."

Morgan Leonard's ascension to Executive Director comes at a crucial juncture when healthcare disparities have been exacerbated by rising healthcare costs.

"I am truly honored and excited to lead Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic," expressed Morgan Leonard . "CEHC has played a pivotal role in transforming lives and fostering healthier communities. I am eager to further advance our mission."

With Morgan Leonard at the helm, CEHC is poised to chart a path towards a brighter, healthier future for uninsured Rhode Islanders. The clinic is confident that her visionary leadership will fortify CEHC's standing as a vital community institution, fostering hope and well-being for countless individuals and families.

About Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic:

Founded in 2007 and operating in Providence by 2008, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic is a non-profit, volunteer-driven free clinic that serves uninsured Rhode Island adults. Located on the West Side of Providence in the Valley neighborhood, the clinic's mission is to be a "place to be healthy", providing comprehensive medical services with compassion, dignity, and respect to those in need.

Media Contact:

Julia Testa , Special Projects Director, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic

[email protected]

401-347-9093

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SOURCE Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic
SHANGHAI , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FinVolution Group ("FinVolution," or the "Company") (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech platform, today announced that its Indonesian financial application, AdaKami, has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with PT Bank Seabank Indonesia ("SeaBank"), a digital bank dedicated to bettering the lives of consumers and small businesses in the region with technology. Under the terms of the agreement, SeaBank will provide AdaKami with a funding facility of approximately 300 billion Rupiah ( US$20.0 million ) to enhance AdaKami's integrated API services for direct transactions, expanding FinVolution's international service offerings and advancing the Company's mission of connecting underserved borrowers with financial institutions.

Building upon FinVolution's cutting-edge technologies and extensive experience in the region, AdaKami's various partnerships with leading Indonesian banks have flourished, boosting the platform's service efficiency and user connectivity while also promoting financial inclusion in the region. AdaKami's latest strategic collaboration with SeaBank will enable customers to seamlessly conduct real-time funding transactions through API, supplying individuals and small businesses with direct access to fintech solutions that contribute to Indonesian economic development.

Mr. Tiezheng Li , President and Chief Executive Officer of FinVolution Group, commented, "Driven by our Local Focus, Global Outlook strategy, FinVolution is proud to support Indonesia's economic growth through technology. AdaKami's partnership with SeaBank will empower underserved customers throughout the country with faster, simpler and more direct banking services. With FinVolution's commitment to financial inclusion firmly in mind, we will continue to invent and deploy creative technologies, expanding our customer base and elevating user experience while improving efficiency across our operations. We are confident that as we forge new partnerships and deliver enhanced financial solutions to more customers, we will replicate our domestic success in international markets, propelling the rapid growth of the fintech industry in Southeast Asia and beyond."

About FinVolution Group

FinVolution Group is a leading fintech platform in China and internationally connecting underserved borrowers with financial institutions. Established in 2007, the Company is a pioneer in China's online consumer finance industry and has developed innovative technologies and has accumulated in-depth experience in the core areas of credit risk assessment, fraud detection, big data and artificial intelligence. The Company's platform, empowered by proprietary cutting-edge technologies, features a highly automated loan transaction process, which enables a superior user experience. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had over 164.5 million cumulative registered users.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.finvgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "confident" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the Company's ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors on its marketplace, its ability to increase the volume of loans facilitated through the Company's marketplace, its ability to introduce new loan products and platform enhancements, its ability to compete effectively, laws, regulations and governmental policies relating to the online consumer finance industry in China , general economic conditions in China , and the Company's ability to meet the standards necessary to maintain the listing of its ADSs on the NYSE, including its ability to cure any non-compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and FinVolution does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China :

FinVolution Group

Head of Investor Relations

Jimmy Tan , IRC

Tel: +86 (21) 8030 3200 Ext. 8601

Email: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677

Email: [email protected]

In the United States :

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/finvolution-subsidiary-adakami-cooperates-with-pt-bank-seabank-indonesia-to-propel-growth-in-indonesia-301887103.html

SOURCE FinVolution Group
MEXICO CITY , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Comercial Chedraui, S.A.B. de C.V. reports its 2023 second quarter results. All figures in this report are shown in nominal terms and reported in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Quarter Highlights:

+ 10.5% SSS in Mexico vs ANTAD's + 8.1% increase

+ 3.2% SSS increase in the US

+ 8.8% consolidated EBITDA increase

EBITDA margin increases:

+63 bps Consolidated



+44 bps Retail Mexico



+76 bps Retail US

Consolidated Net Income +23.3% in the quarter

Net debt to EBITDA leverage ratio: 0.12x

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 2023

The following chart summarizes the Income Statement in million pesos for the second quarter of 2023. The margin for each figure represents its ratio to net sales and the comparison to the same period in 2022.

MXN in millions











Q2'22 % NS

Q2'23 % NS Var % Net Sales 63,817 100.0 %

64,577 100.0 % 1.2 % Gross Profit 14,655 23.0 %

15,058 23.3 % 2.8 % Operating Income 3,445 5.4 %

3,851 6.0 % 11.8 % EBITDA 5,347 8.4 %

5,817 9.0 % 8.8 % Net Income 1,510 2.4 %

1,862 2.9 % 23.3 %

Antonio Chedraui, Grupo Comercial Chedraui's CEO, remarked:

"Our operations in Mexico and the United States continue to demonstrate our company's robust fundamentals and the confidence that our customers have in Grupo Chedraui. In Mexico , we improved profitability, grew faster than the overall market and were recognized by the administration for our successful pricing strategy. In the United States , our business demonstrated continued resilience which allowed us to expand EBITDA margin through effective division integration. As we enter the second half of the year, we see consumption trends exceeding expectations and we remain confident in continued solid results. We remain dedicated to creating value for Chedraui, its employees, customers, and shareholders."

To access the full document, please click here.

Conference Call Information

Date

Friday, July 28th 2023

12:30 pm (EST)

10:30 am ( Mexico City )

Dial-in US (toll-free): +1 877 407 3982

Dial-in Mexico : 01 800 522 0034

Dial-in International: +1 201 493 6780

https://callme.viavid.com/viavid/?callme=true&passcode=13731734&h=true&info=company&r=true&B=6

Webcast

https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1624899&tp_key=a50072163e

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grupo-comercial-chedraui-sab-de-cv-second-quarter-2023-results-301887896.html

SOURCE Grupo Comercial Chedraui, S.A.B. de C.V.
NEW BERLIN, Wis., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin ("RMHC Eastern Wisconsin"), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the families of children undergoing medical treatment, has been selected as the beneficiary of a charitable initiative by International Monetary Systems (IMS), a leading national trading network with its headquarters in New Berlin .

As part of their community outreach efforts, IMS encourages its Wisconsin clients to support RMHC Eastern Wisconsin. The organization actively participates in the IMS network, which spans 16 offices nationwide and facilitates over $225 million in trade volume annually.

Using a barter system, IMS enables businesses to exchange goods and services with other IMS members and receive "trade dollars" in return, which are then deposited into internal accounts. These trade dollars can be used to purchase various items and services within the network, offering businesses an opportunity to save cash and explore new customer avenues.

IMS has embarked on a campaign urging its 2,000 Wisconsin clients to make a donation in trade dollars to RMHC Eastern Wisconsin. By providing resources to cover everyday expenses such as professional services, office equipment, and printing, this initiative allows RMHC Eastern Wisconsin to allocate more financial support to its core mission of providing a "home away from home" for families with sick or injured children who are receiving care at Children's Wisconsin .

"We are grateful for our partnership with IMS Barter. Through their clients' barter dollar donation program, we are able to source a variety of products and services that help us support our mission to keep families together and promote the health and well-being of children," said Laurie Bertrand , President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin .

IMS members contributed $29,000 at this event in 2022 and has set a goal to surpass this figure at an upcoming client appreciation event on August 10th at Helfaer Field, situated next to American Family Field. The event will feature a client-staff softball game, and for every home run hit during the contest, IMS will match the donations.

John Strabley , CEO of International Monetary Systems, emphasized the alignment between RMHC Eastern Wisconsin's focus on children and families and IMS's commitment to serving as stewards to both businesses and the community. He stated, "IMS Barter was founded on the principles of fostering growth and lowering business expenses. RMHC Eastern Wisconsin plays a vital role in providing comfortable and supportive accommodations, allowing families to stay close to their hospitalized child without incurring excessive expenses, and we are honored to sponsor their efforts and collaborate to improve the experiences of families going through a difficult time."

Opened in 1984 as the first Ronald McDonald House in Wisconsin , RHMC of Eastern Wisconsin is dedicated to supporting families of children undergoing treatment at Children's Wisconsin. More than just a place to stay, they offer families therapeutic programming, comprehensive meal programs, comfortable community spaces and much more.

More information about RHMC of Eastern Wisconsin is available at www.rmhc-easternwi.org, by calling 414-475-5333, or following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RMHCMilwaukee

About International Monetary Systems

Founded in 1985, International Monetary Systems (IMS) serves 21,000 cardholders in 52 North American markets. Based in New Berlin, Wisconsin , IMS is the largest barter company in the world. The IMS network allows companies to create cost savings and connect to new customers by incorporating barter opportunities in their business models. Further information can be obtained at the company's website at: www.IMSBarter.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-monetary-systems-designates-ronald-mcdonald-house-charities-of-eastern-wisconsin-as-recipient-of-client-donations-301887551.html

SOURCE International Monetary Systems
Color-changing indicator simplifies the decontamination process

ALEXANDRIA, Va. , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MellingMedical is continuing the expansion of its medical surgical portfolio by adding SafeTag, a dynamic visual indicator that improves adherence to the decontamination process by changing color over a predetermined period of time, mitigating the risk of biofilm formation, and reducing threat of infection to patients. Thankfully, MellingMedical's status as a CVE-Verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) provides an expeditious pathway for products like SafeTag to reach military veterans and other patients in the federal healthcare system.

SafeTag's infection control indicator will make a difference in the lives of patients in the federal healthcare system.

"Infection control is a key metric for any healthcare facility and this technology can be a difference maker for a wide array of hospitals," said Chris Melling , founder and CEO of MellingMedical. "We love the idea of getting this product into facilities where it can make a difference in the lives of patients, especially military veterans in VA facilities."

SafeTag is a visual indicator that simplifies the decontamination process by changing color over a predetermined period of time. This inventive solution simplifies manual processes, freeing up time for healthcare workers to focus on providing the best possible care to their patients. Designed to enable better decision making within infection control and eliminate costly errors, SafeTag simplifies the endoscope decontamination process, making it easier for healthcare workers to adhere to regulations and guidelines to avoid patient infection.

"SafeTag was created in response to the ongoing intensification of infection control procedures, designed to reduce the burden on healthcare workers and improve safety," said Jamie Hodgson , CEO at Insignia. "SafeTag's intuitive ease of use should speed adoption in the places it's most needed, at the patient bedside where guesswork is not an option. Knowing MellingMedical can help us deliver this to federal healthcare facilities across the U.S. makes our partnership a top priority."

About MellingMedical

MellingMedical, a CVE-Verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), holds a Medical Equipment and Surgical Federal Supply Schedule (Med/Surg), as well as a Pharmaceutical Schedule, and currently serves more than 165 VA Medical Centers and 300 VA Outpatient clinics, all seven (7) VA CMOPs, 95 DoD Medical Facilities and Health and Human Services (HHS), including Indian Health Services (IHS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). MellingMedical provides access to innovative and cost-effective healthcare solutions in ophthalmology, optometry, urology, pharmaceuticals, dental, ENT/neurology and wound care. To learn more, visit MellingMedical.com.

About Insignia Technologies, Ltd.

Insignia Technologies harnesses its patented intelligent pigments to produce simple, cost-effective color-changing labels for a range of processes. Driven by their desire to unburden healthcare workers who, despite their desire to improve patient care, are often hindered by admin and unreliable processes, Insignia is looking to transform and enhance the way protocols are devised and adhered to. For more information, please visit buysafetag.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mellingmedical-adds-safetag-to-medsurg-offerings-301887578.html

SOURCE MellingMedical
Teenage rebellion against parents is a phenomenon known since ancient times. It was explained by various reasons, but with the development of medical technology, scientists began to study it at such deep levels as the brain reaction. And they have come to some very interesting conclusions.

ADVERTISIMENT

One such study was reported by Science News. In the work, scientists found out how the child's perception of the mother's voice changes with age.

As one of the paper's authors, neuroscientist Daniel Abrams of Stanford University School of Medicine, told one of the authors, the findings may seem ridiculously obvious to parents of teenagers. Abrams is raising two teenage sons himself. But until now, however, the assumptions of experienced parents have not yet been instrumentally tested at this level. Meanwhile, as children grow up and expand their social connections beyond their family, their brains are radically rewired.

Abrams and colleagues scanned children ages 7 to 16 while these children listened to the voices of their mothers and female strangers. For the purity of the experiment, these voices did not utter genuine words, but rather similar sets of sounds stripped of meaning: "tibudishelt," "kebudishelt," and "pibudishelt." While listening, different parts of the brain were activated in the test children. But the activation was different for different ages.

ADVERTISIMENT

It turned out that children aged 7-12 years reacted to their mother's voice with stronger arousal in the parts responsible for reward and attention. The voice of a stranger did not make such an impression on them. In older children, on the other hand, the opposite was true.

"Just as a child tunes in to mom, teenagers have a whole different class of sounds and voices that they need to tune in to," Abrams explained the phenomenon. Around the age of 13-14 years, the human brain begins to react sharper to the voice of another woman's voice, and mom begins, as they call it, to pass by the ears.

But scientists have explained this is not that the corresponding parts of the brain of the child stops responding to mom. It's just that unfamiliar voices begin to be more useful and worthy of attention as a young person's social connections expand.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to Abrams, this is a natural and even correct process. Exploring new people and situations is a hallmark of adolescence. "What we see here is just a pure reflection of that phenomenon," the scientist said.

The study echoes findings from a study published in 2011 by biological anthropologist Leslie Seltzer of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and colleagues. They found that in girls who in a state of stress hear the voice of mom on the phone, the level of stress hormones drops. Text messages, on the other hand, did not produce this response in them.

The results of the study, which Abrams and colleagues published in June in the Journal of Neuroscience, reasonably support the idea that the brain changes to reflect new needs that come with time and experience. For example, Seltzer said, as a child grows up, survival depends less and less on maternal support and more and more on belonging to a group, particularly a peer group.

ADVERTISIMENT

It remains unstated how universal this neural shift is. According to Seltzer, the mother-child relationship, parenting style, and even experiences of neglect and abuse can influence the results.

Earlier OBOZREVATEL told how scientists explained where the attraction of people for each other comes from.

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Prioritizing Privacy: NTT subsidiary, NTT sonority, introduces ground-breaking, true wireless on-ear speakers featuring proprietary Personalized Sound Zone technology that eliminates sound leakage while letting ambient sounds in for utmost situational awareness

NEW YORK , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT sonority, Japan's leading audio brand, today announced the launch of its revolutionary new earphones, the nwm MBE001 True Wireless On-Ear Speakers . Featuring the company's proprietary Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ) Technology, the nwm MBE001 earphones allow users to enjoy quality audio with utmost privacy, situational awareness, and comfort.

PSZ Technology minimizes audio leakage by containing sound to the ear, enabling wearers to use the earphones in public spaces without disturbing others in their surroundings  or having prying ears listening in. This provides users with the ultimate private acoustic space and balanced sound experience while also allowing them to retain surrounding audio such as car traffic and other people.

"We are committed to pushing the boundaries of audio technology and delivering innovative products that enhance our customers' audio experiences and overall lifestyle," said Hiroshi Sakai , CEO of NTT sonority. "Our relentless pursuit of balance between sound pressure, quality, ergonomics, and aesthetics has led to the industry-disrupting, cutting-edge design of our new nwm MBE001 wireless on-ear speakers. With them, you're in tune with your world by being in control of your sound."

Earphones have become an essential part of our daily lives. The global earphone and headphone market is expected to grow to USD $126 billion by 2030. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including rising customer expectations for increased audio quality, the expansion of the music industry, the growth of mobile technologies, and the increasing penetration of the internet.

NTT sonority is a Japanese audio brand that is a subsidiary of NTT, the third-largest company in Japan and the world's fourth-largest telecom. The company is also committed to leveraging the latest audio technology to deliver crystal-clear audio. Best of all, PSZ Technology creates a private acoustic space around the ear, allowing users to enjoy audio without disturbing others.

In addition to PSZ Technology, the nwm MBE001 earphones offer a number of other features that make them the perfect choice for users who want the best possible audio experience. These features include:

Balanced listening comfort: The earphones do not block the ears, allowing users to hear ambient sounds and even their own voice clearly.

Superior sound quality: Advanced sound technology allows users to experience crystal-clear audio and immersive bass.

Seamless wireless connectivity: The latest Bluetooth technology provides hassle-free pairing and a reliable, uninterrupted wireless connection.

Customizable sound via a dedicated app: The nwm Connect app allows users to select their favorite preset and enjoy the sound that best fits their environment.

Ultra-comfort for extended wear: The earphones are also ultra-light, weighing only 9g (without cables), ensuring users can avoid fatigue from extended use.

Extended battery life: The earphones boast an impressive battery life of up to 6 hours on a single charge*, ensuring they are always ready whenever needed.

Intuitive button controls: Effortlessly control your audio experience with touch-sensitive buttons built into the wearable device.

The nwm MBE001 True Wireless On-Ear Speakers are available now for purchase on Amazon.com for $178 .

*Battery recharging time and usable battery time may vary depending on ambient temperature and frequency of use.

About nwm

NTT sonority's New Wave Maker (nwm) audio brand was created in November 2022 with the goal of creating an optimal audio experience. The company aims to expand its audio solutions to address future ways of working and living by creating not just a sense of immersion, but the comfort of being connected. Learn more at us.nwm.global .

About NTT sonority

NTT sonority is an audio engineering-focused subsidiary of NTT, which is a leading global technology company providing services in over 190 countries and regions to consumers and business as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. The company's mission is to foster connection through sound, by letting people choose what they want to hear, and what they want others to hear. The company's core R&D in sound physics and related hardware powers ground-breaking consumer product lines as well as B2B use cases with wide societal impact. Learn more at https://ntt-sonority.com/en.

Press Contact:

Lynn Munroe

845-548-1211

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SOURCE NTT sonority
CHICAGO , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paessler AG, best known for the technology monitoring software Paessler PRTG, has been acknowledged by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, in its 2023 Partner Program Guide. This annual guide provides a conclusive list of the most distinguished partner programs from leading technology companies that provide products and services through the IT Channel.

Given the importance of IT vendor channel programs, each year CRN develops its Partner Program Guide to provide the channel community with a detailed look at the partner programs offered by IT manufacturers, software developers, service companies, and distributors. Vendors are evaluated based on program requirements and offerings such as partner training and education, pre- and post-sales support, marketing programs and resources, technical support, and communication.

"Paessler has enhanced our partner program to address the evolving needs of our North American partners so they can become more successful in using PRTG to create even deeper breadth to their managed services portfolios," said Peter Campisi , regional manager, channel sales, North America . "Our advanced trainings help them to earn implementation certifications to help increase their margins and deepen their relationships with their end users, while our marketing support helps them better support their messaging to drive interest and new business."

"In today's world, the need for innovation is greater than ever," said Blaine Raddon , CEO of The Channel Company. "Solution providers seek vendors that can keep pace with their developing business and evolving client needs. CRN's 2023 Partner Program Guide delivers deep insight into the strengths of each program, spotlighting the vendors dedicated to supporting their partner community and pushing positive change throughout the IT channel."

The 2023 Partner Program Guide can be found online at www.CRN.com/PPG.

To learn more about Paessler's channel partner program, contact [email protected].

ABOUT PAESSLER AG

Paessler believes monitoring plays a vital part in reducing humankind's consumption of resources. Monitoring data helps its customers save resources, from optimizing their IT, OT, and IoT infrastructures to reducing energy consumption or emissions  for our future and our environment. That is why Paessler offers monitoring solutions for businesses across all industries and all sizes, from SMBs to large enterprises. Paessler works with renowned partners, and together they tackle the monitoring challenges of an ever-changing world.

Since 1997, when Paessler first introduced PRTG Network Monitor, it has combined its in-depth monitoring knowledge with an innovative spirit. Today, more than 500,000 users in over 170 countries rely on PRTG and other Paessler solutions to monitor their complex IT, OT, and IoT infrastructures. Paessler's products empower its customers to monitor everything and thus help them optimize their resources.

Learn more about Paessler and its products at www.paessler.com.

ABOUT THE CHANNEL COMPANY

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by nearly 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

 2023. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Paessler AG - The Monitoring Experts
Patient Square founds EMPIRIC Institute, chaired by Dr. Baggett , to research, measure and enhance patient impact

MENLO PARK, Calif. , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Patient Square Capital ("Patient Square"), a leading health care investment firm, today announced the formation of the EMPIRIC Institute ("EMPIRIC") and the appointment of physician and health care leader Kelvin A. Baggett , M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., as Managing Director, Head of Patient Impact and Chair of the EMPIRIC Institute.

For Patient Square, patient impact is the improvement in health and quality of life conveyed by health care products and services. The EMPIRIC ("Excellence in Medicine, Patient Impact Research, Innovation and Care) Institute will focus on researching, measuring, and enhancing patient impact within current and prospective Patient Square portfolio companies. The EMPIRIC Institute will be fully integrated into the firm's investment process as a part of its Transformation and Growth Team. Its capabilities will include medical leadership, health economics and outcomes research, clinical and scientific process improvement, quality management, and statistical research and data analysis.

Dr. Baggett is a nationally recognized health care leader with over 20 years of academic and industry experience as a physician, clinical leader, operator, and advisor. Previously, he served as Chief Impact Officer and Executive Vice President at McKesson Corporation, Senior Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer for Tenet Healthcare Corporation, and Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Strategies Group at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). He is a member of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Advisory Board, serves on the board of DUMAC Inc., which manages Duke University's Endowment, pension fund and other assets, and is a Board Member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Throughout the course of 2023, utilizing an internally developed evidence-based methodology, the EMPIRIC Institute team has quantified its initial baseline measurement of patient impact across the Patient Square portfolio. Its patient impact measurement encompasses health utility of individual therapies or interventions, magnitude of potential patient reach, and duration of health benefits conveyed. This baseline then allows the longitudinal tracking over time of patient impact across the portfolio. The capabilities of the EMPIRIC Institute and the measurement techniques built will also serve as due diligence inputs to investment decision making.

"We chose to name ourselves Patient Square to acknowledge our commitment to our investors in the form of patience and hard work and to the patients treated directly or indirectly by the companies into which we invest. We want to walk the walk and not simply talk the talk, and the only way to do so with respect to patient centricity and impact is a rigorous approach to measurement and a clear presentation of the results. We are delighted to have Dr. Baggett join us to bring seriousness and purpose to this effort," said Jim Momtazee , Managing Partner of Patient Square.

Karr Narula , Founding Partner of Patient Square and Head of its Transformation and Growth Team commented, "In the health care industry, we believe firmly that patient impact is a leading indicator of strong business performance. The EMPIRIC Institute forges new ways to measure, and new capabilities to influence, patient impact for the benefit of patients and the companies that serve them." Mr. Narula added, "We are immensely fortunate to have a physician leader like Dr. Baggett who has spent his career at the intersection of medical leadership, clinical quality, health care operations and impact, to lead this effort for us."

"As a physician operator, I've dedicated my life's work to improving patient impact at scale at some of the largest and most respected health care organizations. Joining Patient Square and leading the EMPIRIC Institute now gives me an even broader platform to scale that impact across a greater number of health care organizations and the many patients they serve," said Dr. Baggett .

About Kelvin A. Baggett

Kelvin A. Baggett , M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., is a nationally recognized health care leader with experience as a physician, clinical leader, operator, and advisor. He brings a richly informed point of view on health and health care and how to make improvements at scale. That perspective was shaped through his positions in senior management and executive leadership positions in large health care organizations. In his previous role, Dr. Baggett served as Chief Impact Officer and Executive Vice President at McKesson Corporation.

Dr. Baggett's career also includes serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Health Care Navigator (HCN), a privately held asset management company focused on the post-acute care and long-term care entities in multiple states; and SVP of Clinical Operations and Chief Clinical Officer for Tenet Healthcare Corporation, where he was also previously the Chief Medical Officer. Before joining Tenet, he served as Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Services Group at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Baggett served in a voluntary capacity, as the Dallas COVID-19 Health and Healthcare Access Czar.

Dr. Baggett completed his training in Internal Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine. He completed advanced training as a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar in the Department of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and as a General Internal Medicine Fellow at the Duke University School of Medicine. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the East Carolina University School of Medicine, a Master of Public Health Degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He is a member of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Advisory Board, The Board of Visitors for Duke's Fuqua School of Business, serves on the board of DUMAC Inc., which manages Duke University's Endowment, pension fund and other assets, and is a Board Member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

About Patient Square Capital

Patient Square Capital ( www.patientsquarecapital.com ) is a dedicated health care investment firm with more than $6.3 billion in assets under management as of June 12, 2023 . The firm partners with best-in-class management teams whose products, services and technologies improve health. Patient Square utilizes deep industry expertise, a broad network of relationships and a partnership approach to make investments in companies grow and thrive. Patient Square invests in businesses that strive to improve patient lives, strengthen communities, and create a healthier world.

Media Contact:

Doug Allen / Zach Kouwe

Dukas Linden Public Relations

(646) 722-6530

[email protected]

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SOURCE Patient Square Capital
INDIANAPOLIS , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Thrift , CEO of Thompson Thrift , a full service nationally recognized real estate company, was recognized for the second consecutive year in the Indiana Business Journal's Top 250 list. The list honors the most influential and impactful leaders who are making an undeniable difference on the state of Indiana . Honorees range from top executives at publicly traded or privately held companies to up-and-comers across business, philanthropy, the arts, government and not-for-profits.

"It is a humbling honor to be selected again this year as an influential Hoosier," said Paul Thrift , CEO of Thompson Thrift . "Recognition like this wouldn't be possible if not for our team members joining me in embodying our core values of excellence, service and leadership that make a positive impact in the communities we serve."

Since Thrift co-founded the company in 1986 with John Thompson , Thompson Thrift has grown from a locally focused development and construction company into a full-service, integrated enterprise with 575 team members. The company has successfully developed more than $4 billion in real estate developments in 21 states, and is engaged in all aspects of acquisition, development, construction, leasing, and management of quality multifamily, mixed-use, industrial and commercial projects across the country.

The company's latest Indiana project is the $550 million Fishers District expansion, a mixed-use development where the company's commercial, residential and construction business units are partnering to bring first-class developments to communities in Indiana . Thompson Thrift has also broken ground on six new residential communities in Florida , Colorado and Arizona this year.

Thrift was born and raised in Terre Haute and graduated from Indiana State University. A lifelong learner who takes great pride in the opportunity to mentor tomorrow's leaders, Thrift has served and chaired a variety of business, civic, and non-profit organizations across the state, including the National Association of Home Builders Multifamily Leadership Board, the National Multifamily Housing Council, International Cooperating Ministries, and Indiana State Chamber.

At a corporate level, Thompson Thrift's philanthropic arm, TT Serve, partners with more than 35 local and national organizations with a key focus on community revitalization, youth and education, and seeks to aid those in need in international communities.

Thompson Thrift earned national recognition this year with both a Top Workplaces USA award as well as a National Apartment Association (NAA) Excellence Awards in the #NAAGives category. Additionally, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce recognized Thompson Thrift with a 2020 Monumental Award for the first phase of Fishers District .

The Indiana 250 was developed and published by IBJ Media, the parent company of three news brandsIndianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and Indiana Lawyer. The list was compiled by the executives, editors and newsroom staff at IBJ Media's three news brands after a monthslong process that included reviewing nominations, researching Indiana organizations and talking with community leaders across the state.

About Thompson Thrift Real Estate Company

Thompson Thrift is an integrated full-service real estate company with offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana ; Denver ; Houston and Phoenix . Three business units drive Thompson Thrift's successThompson Thrift Residential which is focused on upscale Class A multifamily communities and luxury leased homes, Thompson Thrift Commercial which is focused on ground-up commercial development, and Thompson Thrift Construction, a full-service construction company. Through these business units, Thompson Thrift is engaged in all aspects of development, construction, leasing, and management of quality commercial real estate projects across the country. The company earned national recognition as a winner of a 2023 Top Workplaces USA award, the latest accolade that reflects the company's ongoing commitment to excellence in the community and workplace. For more information, please visit www.thompsonthrift.com.

Contact:

Jennifer Franklin

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1385

jennifer@spotlightmarcom.com

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SOURCE Thompson Thrift
Spanish health care REIT Mancipi S.A. aims to raise $150 million euros through using Securitize's technology with shares issued on the Avalanche blockchain

Securitize is now the first and only platform to issue digital asset securities in both the U.S. and Europe , in advance of an anticipated EU-wide license

MADRID , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Securitize , the U.S. -based leader in real-world asset tokenization, announced today that it has begun the issuance of tokenized securities in Europe .

The news follows the June 2022 announcement that Securitize had been accepted into the test environment (or "sandbox") for digital asset securities led by the Spanish General Secretariat of the Treasury and International Finance (CNMV). Within this sandbox, CNMV will monitor Securitize as it issues and, later this fall, facilitates the trading and settlement of tokenized shares, consistent with the European Union's Distributed Ledger Technology Pilot Regime ( learn more ).

"Investing in private market alternative assets can be one of the most powerful ways to generate wealth, but these opportunities have historically been inaccessible to most people. Securitize is now the first firm to be able to issue and trade tokenized securities in both the U.S. and Europe , and is the first firm to do so under the EU's new pilot regime for digital assets," said Securitize co-founder and CEO Carlos Domingo , himself a native Spaniard. "European businesses will be a major beneficiary of this innovation, giving businesses a new way to raise capital through primary capital raises, and obtain potential tax benefits and liquidity through secondary trading."

Beginning today, Securitize has begun issuing digital asset security tokens representing equity in Mancipi S.A., a Spanish real estate investment trust (REIT) investing in commercial real estate in the Spanish health sector, principally through the use of innovative location and geospatial data to identify, acquire and develop investment opportunities. Mancipi's goal is to raise $150 million euros and its registered advisor for this capital raise is ILP Lawyers.

Shares will be issued and tokenized on the Avalanche public blockchain, and secondary trading of tokenized shares is anticipated to begin in September. This is the first natively tokenized issuance of equity under the EU Pilot Regime in Europe and has been possible thanks to the active support of the Spanish regulator, CNMV. Once Securitize has performed share issuance, trading and settlement services consistent with CNMV's requirements, it anticipates receiving securities licenses in both Spain and throughout the European Union, and expects to be the first firm to be able to do so in both the U.S. and EU.

The ability for European companies to issue shares in tokenized form is an important step in expanding business' ability to raise capital and individual investor access to the wealth generated in the private capital markets. Additional benefits include enabling businesses to diversify their shareholder base, providing transparency to share ownership and trading, improving potential liquidity, increasing the speed and security of transactions (including across borders), improving REITs' access to capital, reducing intermediaries and barriers to investing, and can have tax benefits for both firms raising capital and for investors.

"We are very proud to be the first REIT that is going to operate in this new market promoted by Securitize, as it will offer great advantages to investors in terms of new investment systems equipped with security, transparency and agility, in addition to offering us the possibility of attracting new investors in the European market and the United States ," said Angel G. Maroto , Mancipi S.A.'s CEO and manager of the real estate assets.

"After dedicating a large part of my professional career to the real estate business, I have always been attracted by new technologies and applying blockchain technology to the capital markets seems like a unique opportunity," added Fernando Segarra , founding partner of Mancipi, S.A.

While Securitize's approval to issue tokenized securities in Spain is new, the firm already has a significant presence in the country: much of its technology team is Spanish and Banco Santander was an early investor in the firm. Securitize also recently announced an expansion into Asia .

About Securitize

Securitize is making private equity, venture capital, and other exclusive, real-world, private market assets accessible to a broader range of investors. With 1.2 million investors and 3,000 businesses already connected, Securitize is modernizing the relationship between companies and their investors by digitizing capital raising, investor onboarding, identity verification, and the issuance and trading of securities. Securitize, LLC is an SEC-registered stock transfer agent. Securitize Capital, LLC is an exempt reporting investment advisor. Securitize Markets, LLC runs the alternative trading system and is SEC-registered and a member of FINRA and SIPC. Learn more at http://www.securitize.io .

Securitize Europe Brokerage and Markets S.A. is a public limited liability company registered at the commercial registry in Spain .

About Mancipi S.A.

Mancipi is a REIT operating in the commercial real estate market with specialization in the health sector. The company enjoys the tax advantages of operating as a REIT company. Created in 2023, it maintains an initial investment target of 150 million euros . In its development, it has advanced technology systems and location-based data analysis for better identification and management of its assets. For more information visit https://www.mancipi.com .

Media Contacts

Securitize: Evan Wagner , [email protected]

Mancipi: Pablo Muriedas , [email protected] , +34 637 48 85 67

Disclosures

Private market investments are speculative and considered risky, including potential loss of your investment, and may not be appropriate for every shareholder. Private investments are generally an illiquid asset class; shareholders cannot sell their funds when they want to without potentially facing high losses. Any discussion of liquidity is purely speculative. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blockchain investing involves a degree of risk that can be different from traditional markets. These risks include, but are not limited to, risk of regulatory uncertainty, market adoption, market manipulation, market exiting, price volatility and security risk.

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SOURCE Securitize
Shipt Summit Seeker Program introduces new perks such as industry-leading gas cashback offer, $50 in grocery credits and wellness perks

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shipt, a retail tech company known for connecting people to high quality delivery, today announced the launch of the Shipt Summit Seeker Program, a brand new shopper rewards program. Shoppers with Shipt pride themselves on going above and beyond, and Shipt designed this program to reward them for their high standard of service whether they shop every day or once every few weeks.

"We know our customers appreciate shoppers who go above and beyond and our new Shipt Summit Seeker Program recognizes that extra effort shoppers put in," said Raj Kapoor , Chief Operating Officer of Shipt. "Even someone who only shops a few hours a week can take advantage of this program. Because the Shipt Summit Seeker Program was built in collaboration with shoppers, it rewards them for high quality service with some of the things shoppers value most."

Program perks were prioritized with shopper feedback in mind:

Based on a nationwide survey conducted in March 2023 and out of 7,500 responses, gas discounts are overwhelmingly the most requested perk by shoppers, with over 80% of shoppers surveyed sharing that gas discounts are the most valuable to them. Today, Shipt is announcing that it is expanding the investment into Upside and is now able to offer the industry-leading gas perk to shoppers in the Summit Star tier: up to $1 per gallon cash back for two fill-ups in each 60 day period . After the two fill-ups in each 60 day period, shoppers may still be able to access up to $0.25 per gallon cash back as an Upside user.

and out of 7,500 responses, gas discounts are overwhelmingly the most requested perk by shoppers, with over 80% of shoppers surveyed sharing that gas discounts are the most valuable to them. Today, Shipt is announcing that it is expanding the investment into Upside and is now able to offer the to shoppers in the tier: . After the two fill-ups in each 60 day period, shoppers may still be able to access up to per gallon cash back as an Upside user. Based on a nationwide survey conducted in March 2023 and out of the 7,500 responses, 70% of shoppers surveyed shared that grocery credits would be valuable to them as they shop for their own families. Shipt took that feedback to heart and is rewarding shoppers in the Summit Star tier with a $50 credit in their Shipt member account to be used on purchases at a retailer of their choice. All shoppers with Shipt already get a free Shipt membership, and now top-tier shoppers will be able to use this reward toward their own day-to-day purchases.

and out of the 7,500 responses, 70% of shoppers surveyed shared that grocery credits would be valuable to them as they shop for their own families. Shipt took that feedback to heart and is rewarding shoppers in the tier with a credit in their Shipt member account to be used on purchases at a retailer of their choice. All shoppers with Shipt already get a free Shipt membership, and now top-tier shoppers will be able to use this reward toward their own day-to-day purchases. On top of the perks that all shoppers already have access to, Shipt is launching a new partnership with a wellness partner, Avibra, to give eligible shoppers a variety of wellness perks, including injury protection insurance, $1,000 in life insurance, $10,000 of AD&D coverage, housing, debt and credit counseling, a 24/7 well-being advisor and a prescription savings program  all at no cost. Shoppers registered with Avibra will also have access to the company's Dollar Benefit Store where, for only $1 a week, they can access even more savings on things like roadside assistance, dental and vision, chiropractic & alternative medicine, critical illness, group fitness classes, mental health support and more.

When creating the Shipt Summit Seeker Program, Shipt kept flexibility top of mind and took a different approach than others in the industry by prioritizing quality and not quantity of shops, knowing that more than 80% of shoppers choose to work less than 10 hours a week. The Shipt Summit Seeker Program is divided into three different tiers: Wayfinder, Trailblazer and Summit Star. To qualify for the Shipt Summit Seeker Program at the Wayfinder level, shoppers must have at least a 4.70 rating, 90% on-time delivery percentage and completed 10 orders. The program cycle is 2 months long, which means all shoppers will have their qualifications evaluated every 60 days.

Shipt meets once a month with an advisory council of shoppers from across the country to talk about what's top of mind for shoppers in their communities and solicit their feedback. The company shared the progression of the Shipt Summit Seeker Program with these seasoned shoppers and made changes to it based on their input.

Shipt is committed to working in partnership with shoppers and drivers to help them build their business and preserve a flexible work experience. Shoppers and drivers can always share feedback with Shipt HQ directly at in-person events such as the Beyond Tour and calling into Shipt's 24/7 support team.

About Shipt

Shipt is a retail tech company that connects people to reliable, high-quality delivery with a personal touch. Through the power of technology, Shipt connects customers to the things they want from the stores they love, workers to new earning opportunities, and retail businesses to more satisfied customers. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama , Shipt brings people the flexible solutions they need with the above-and-beyond service they expect. Shipt is an independently operated subsidiary of Target Corp. and available in more than 5,000 U.S. cities. For more information, please visit Shipt's Newsroom.

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SOURCE Shipt
HOUSTON , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) ("Summit", "SMLP" or the "Partnership") announced today that it will report operating and financial results for the second quarter of 2023 on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 , after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

SMLP will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern on August 10, 2023 , to discuss its quarterly operating and financial results. The call can be accessed via teleconference at: Q2 2023 Summit Midstream Partners LP Earnings Conference Call (https://register.vevent.com/register/BI44389e5d1dac4661818d5e27cc079001). Once registration is completed, participants will receive a dial-in number along with a personalized PIN to access the call. While not required, it is recommended that participants join 10 minutes prior to the event start. The conference call, live webcast and archive of the call can be accessed through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com.

Upcoming Investor Conferences

Members of SMLP's senior management team will attend the 2023 Citi One-on-One Midstream / Energy Infrastructure Conference taking place on August 2223, 2023. The presentation materials associated with this event will be accessible through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com prior to the beginning of the conference.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LP

SMLP is a value-driven limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States . SMLP provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering, processing and transportation services pursuant to primarily long-term, fee-based agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin , which includes the Utica and Marcellus shale formations in Ohio and West Virginia ; (ii) the Williston Basin , which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota ; (iii) the Denver-Julesburg Basin , which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming ; (iv) the Fort Worth Basin , which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas ; and (v) the Piceance Basin , which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado . SMLP has an equity method investment in Double E Pipeline, LLC, which provides interstate natural gas transportation service from multiple receipt points in the Delaware Basin to various delivery points in and around the Waha Hub in Texas . SMLP also has an equity method investment in Ohio Gathering, which operates extensive natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio . SMLP is headquartered in Houston, Texas .

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements and may contain the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions, or future conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "should," "would," and "could", including the estimated closing date of the acquisitions, sources and uses of funding, the benefits of the acquisitions to us and any related opportunities. In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management's control) that may cause SMLP's actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting SMLP is contained in its 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 1, 2023 , as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMLP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

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SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP
Mangia DC Food Tours Recognized as a Top 10 Best Food Tour in the Nation by USA Today

WASHINGTON , July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mangia DC Food Tours, a leading culinary experience provider in the District of Columbia , proudly announces its recognition as one of the Top 10 Best Food Tours in the nation by USA Today. This esteemed honor not only celebrates the exceptional experiences offered by Mangia DC Food Tours but, more importantly, highlights Washington, D.C. as an epicenter of culinary gems and a diverse, culinary destination. Being included among the nation's top food tours signifies Washington, D.C.'s vibrant culinary scene and the city's status as a top culinary destination. It is a testament to the city's culinary prowess and the countless talented chefs, diverse eateries, and cultural flavors that make up the fabric of our nation's capital.

"Our team is humbled and honored to be recognized as one of the Top 10 Best Food Tours in the nation by USA Today," said David Saxe , CEO, and Chief Eating Officer of Mangia DC. "We take great pride in our role of showcasing the hidden culinary gems and curating immersive food experiences for locals, private groups, and travelers. It is a privilege to support our team of passionate locals who have played an instrumental role in putting D.C. on the map as a culinary destination worth celebrating!"

Mangia DC Food Tours also recognizes the immense support and dedication of Mayor Muriel Bowser and her team in fostering a vibrant and diverse culinary landscape in Washington, D.C. The Mayor's commitment to promoting local businesses and celebrating the city's cultural heritage has been instrumental in creating an environment where culinary entrepreneurs thrive, and culinary traditions are honored. Salah Czapary , the Director of Mayor Bowser's Office of Nightlife and Culture, said, "We are incredibly proud of Mangia DC Food Tours. This award only confirms what we already know, that D.C. is not only our Nation's Capital but also a culinary capital. I look forward to seeing how Mangia DC Food Tours continues to expose residents and visitors alike to the diverse array of culinary options and traditions DC has to offer."

Mangia DC Food Tours proudly brings home a win for Washington, D.C. , putting our nation's capital on the map as a renowned culinary destination.

ABOUT MANGIA DC FOOD TOURS

Mangia (pronounced "mahn-jah," which means "TO EAT!" in Italian) DC Food Tours is a premier culinary experience provider in Washington, D.C. , dedicated to celebrating the city's vibrant culinary scene and diverse flavors. Through immersive guided food tours, cooking classes, and workshops, both in person and remotely, Mangia DC Food Tours creates immersive experiences that bring people together to foster meaningful connections. Clients include locals, travelers, corporations, and government entities. Mangia DC Food Tours showcases local eateries, hidden gems, and cultural traditions, inviting locals and visitors to indulge in the rich culinary scene that defines our nation's capital.

For more information, please visit MangiaDC.com or email [email protected].

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SOURCE Mangia DC Food Tours
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), holds a press conference after the weekly Democratic caucus policy luncheon at the U.S. Capito

By Diane Bartz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. senators, alarmed by the malevolent potential of artificial intelligence, will summon developers, executives and experts for hearings later this year on possible legislative safeguards, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday.

There is "real bipartisan interest in AI, which will be necessary if we want to make progress on what really is an imperative for this country  putting together AI legislation that encourages innovation but has the safeguards to prevent the liabilities that AI could present," Schumer said.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer, the chamber's leading Democrat, said the Senate would convene what he called "the first-ever AI Insight Forums" to hear what experts had to say.

Democratic and Republican senators voiced alarm this week about artificial intelligence's potential use to create a biological weapon.

Lawmakers around the world began considering how to mitigate the dangers of AI to national security and the economy after generative AI, which uses data to create new content like ChatGPT, made headlines by answering even complex queries with human-sounding prose.

Schumer said senators were briefed on AI on Wednesday by experts at the U.S. Energy Department, the National Science Foundation and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, which had laid the groundwork for the internet.

Also on Thursday, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted to send to the full Senate a bill that would put a chief AI officer into each federal agency and create a council for these AI officers to coordinate how the federal government uses the emerging technology.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Howard Goller)
A American Airlines plane taxis in front of the skyline at Logan Airport at the start of the long July 4th holiday weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 30, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

By Rajesh Kumar Singh

CHICAGO (Reuters) -American Airlines' pilots union on Thursday said it has reached an agreement in principle with the company on enhancements to a new labor contract that would bring it in line with the gains for aviators at rival United Airlines.

The union had asked for improvements to the tentative contract agreement, saying its ratification was in "jeopardy" after United raised the benchmark with its own deal. It later put off a vote on the deal.

North American pilots have been commanding higher salaries and improved working conditions with travel demand remaining buoyant, despite airlines raising fares to cover higher costs.

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents over 15,000 American Airlines pilots, did not specify the value of the revised deal. But American Airlines CEO Robert Isom last week said bringing the proposed four-year contract in line with United's deal would enhance its value by more than $1 billion, making it worth well over $9 billion.

Its revised contract includes a provision that will allow an adjustment in pay rates for pilots to match wages of their counterparts at United and Delta Air Lines, which had set the new U.S. industry standard with a deal ratified in March.

The American Airlines revised deal also provides pilots full back pay for this year.

In line with United's deal, pay increases for American Airlines' pilots will now take place on January 1 instead of May 2 as provided in the original deal.

The APA said the revised agreement needs an approval from its board, after which it would be sent for a ratification vote. A union spokesperson said the board would meet on Aug. 2-3 to review the deal.

An American Airlines spokesperson described the revised deal as a contract that its pilots deserve.

Jefferies analysts estimate the United States is short about 10,000 pilots, with the supply-demand gap projected to last until 2027.

While the APA reached a tentative deal with American Airlines in May, the union argued its proposed pay rates as well as some quality-of-life items in the agreement paled in comparison with those in United's preliminary deal.

For example, the APA pressed for additional sick days to meet gains secured at Delta and United.

Airline unions negotiate their contracts in a pattern bargaining process, where a deal at one carrier acts as a benchmark for other companies.

Southwest Airlines is now the only major U.S. carrier that is without a new pilot contract deal.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Leslie Adler, Bill Berkrot and Jamie Freed)
Maksym Shvartsman, who had been defending Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops, was killed by an enemy shell in Donetsk region. He worked as a photojournalist and videographer for Ukrainian media until 24 February 2022.

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The tragic news was announced on Facebook by his wife Marina. She bitterly described when and where her Hero could be laid to rest and tried to describe the pain in her heart.

"War has a special kind of torture for those who wait... I have waited for my Defender. Now he will protect us from the sky," the woman wrote in her epitaph.

The soldier died on 15 July. His comrades remember him as a courageous fighter, a reliable comrade and a responsible citizen.

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Eternal honour and memory to all those who gave their lives for Ukraine. Generations of Ukrainians will cherish their feat and it will live forever.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, back in May, a well-known Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Chornyi, who was a volunteer, was killed in action against the Russian occupiers. Before the war, he was working on the 2022 feature film Pamphire with director Dmytro Sukholytkyi-Sobchuk.

Also in the spring of this year, a 40-year-old musician and conductor, Kostiantyn Starovitsky, died. From the first day of the full-scale Russian invasion, he volunteered to join the Kyiv terrorist defence, with his mother, wife and daughter waiting for him at home.

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Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
FILE PHOTO: A K-9 self propelled howitzer is seen at Hanwha Aerospace factory in Changwon, South Korea, March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - South Korea's biggest defence company Hanwha Aerospace on Thursday beat Germany's Rheinmetall to win an Australian contract worth up to A$7 billion ($4.74 billion) for building 129 infantry fighting vehicles.

The deal, which Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described as one of the largest projects in the history of the Australian army, will have a value of A$5 billion to A$7 billion.

"The state-of-the-art vehicles will come with the latest generation armour, cannon and missiles, providing the protection, mobility and firepower needed by soldiers in close combat," Conroy told reporters.

The new vehicles, to be built in Australia at Hanwha's facilities in Victoria state, will replace the M113 armoured personnel carriers that first entered service in 1964.

Australia has been upgrading its defence capabilities, citing the changing strategic environment in the Pacific region, where China is looking to increase its influence.

Conroy said the government will speed up the process so that the first vehicle can be delivered in early 2027, two years earlier than planned, and the final vehicle by 2028.

Hanwha said the deal would further boost ties between Australia and South Korea and had "significant implications" for defence and economic cooperation. Rheinmetall did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The decision to pick Hanwha's Redback as Australia's new infantry fighting vehicle comes two weeks after a trip by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Germany, where he signed an in-principle agreement to export 100 Boxer armed carriers made in Australia by defence contractor Rheinmetall back to Germany.

($1 = 1.4780 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal and Jamie Freed)
Smoke rises as a fire broke out on the cargo ship Fremantle Highway, at sea on July 26, 2023. Coastguard Netherlands/Handout via REUTERS

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A burning car carrier was drifting off the Dutch coast on Thursday, the coastguard said, a day after the Panamanian-registered ship caught alight, causing the death of an Indian crew member and injuring several others.

The 199-metre (653 ft) Fremantle Highway caught fire overnight Tuesday and several of the 23 crew jumped overboard to escape the flames and were rescued by the Dutch coastguard.

The coastguard said on its website Thursday the cause of the fire was unknown, but an emergency responder is heard in a recording released by Dutch broadcaster RTL saying "the fire started in the battery of an electric car."

Roughly 25 out of 2,857 vehicles on the ship, which was en route from Germany to Egypt, were electric.

An investigation has been launched by the Panama Maritime Authority and the Netherlands was expected to assist the inquiry, Dutch Safety Board spokesman Arjen Zegers told Reuters.

The Fremantle had drifted westward in international waters from its initial location just off the island of Ameland in the direction of the island of Terschelling, Dutch news agency ANP reported.

The islands are on the northernmost tip of the Netherlands, and comprise part of the Wadden Sea, a vast area of tidal flats and marshland stretching along Germany and Denmark that is on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Toby Chopra)
BEIJING (Reuters) -China's industrial profits extended this year's double-digit pace of declines into a sixth month as waning demand took a toll on companies' profit margins, bolstering the case for more supportive policy to help the economy.

The year-to-date 16.8% fall followed an 18.8% profit decline in January-May, and reinforced a frail economic recovery that brought weaker-than-expected 6.3% growth in the second quarter.

In June alone, industrial earnings shrank by 8.3% from a year earlier, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday. Profits were down 12.6% in May.

Industrial profits "have narrowed their year-to-date declines month by month," NBS statistician Sun Xiao said in an accompanying statement, adding efforts will focus on the central government's directives to "implement macro policies in a scientific and precise manner" to expand demand.

The struggles confronting Chinese manufacturers were typified by Maanshan Iron and Steel, a major steelmaker, which forecast in mid-July that it would swing to a net loss of 2.24 billion yuan ($314.1 million) for the first half-year from a net profit of 1.43 billion yuan a year earlier.

State-owned enterprises saw earnings tumble 21% in the first half, foreign firms posted a 12.8% decline and private-sector companies recorded a 13.5% fall, a breakdown of the data showed.

Profits dived for 29 of 41 major industrial sectors during the period, with the ferrous metal smelting and rolling processing industry reporting the deepest slump at 97.6%.

"Looking ahead, there's a big chance of China's industrial profits logging positive growth in 2024, said Zheng Houcheng, chief macro economist at Yingda Securities Co, attributing the turnaround in part to expectations for ramped-up stimulus.

China's top leaders on Monday pledged to step up policy support for the economy and acknowledged a "tortuous" post-COVID recovery, but analysts saw few signs that aggressive stimulus was likely while concerns are mounting over debt risks.

While a senior central bank official earlier this month presaged the use of policy tools such as the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) to weather economic headwinds, the People's Bank of China kept its lending benchmarks unchanged last week.

Industrial profit numbers cover firms with annual revenues of at least 20 million yuan ($2.79 million) from their main operations.

($1 = 7.1320 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Ethan Wang, Qiaoyi Li and Ryan Woo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
By Luis Jaime Acosta and Oliver Griffin

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian police have seized property and bank accounts worth 1.3 trillion pesos ($329 million), proceeds from the sale and export of stolen crude oil, officials said on Thursday.

The national police and Interpol have carried out seven investigations since 2016 into the theft and smuggling of oil by four criminal organizations, a police statement said. The enterprise managed to export 975,000 barrels of crude between 2020 and 2021, it said.

Thousands of barrels of oil are stolen from Colombia's pipelines each day, often by criminal gangs who refine it into a bootleg fuel known as pategrillo for use in making cocaine or running machinery in illegal mining.

The practice of perforating pipelines and storing oil in pools in the jungle is an environmental disaster, Reuters reported last year, after visiting clandestine refineries in Narino province.

"Businessmen and technicians are involved and the National Liberation Army (ELN) is clearly linked due to its illegal activities of hydrocarbon theft and attacks against the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline," said independent energy analyst Katherine Casas, referring to a rebel group that regularly bombs pipelines.

Police seized houses, apartments, boats, vehicles and four refineries earlier this week, as well as 17 bank accounts - Colombian and international - valued at 20.3 billion pesos ($5.14 million).

To sell the stolen oil, criminal groups mixed it with legally-bought crude so it could be exported via front companies, police said.

Colombia's majority state-owned oil company Ecopetrol was the main victim of the scheme, costing it 60 billion pesos, police added.

"From 2013 to 2023, 9,925 illegal valves have been removed from Ecopetrol Group's transportation systems," the company said in a statement, adding that it was working with the government and security forces to tackle illegal operations.

The gangs stole crude from Colombia's Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline which runs parallel to the border with Venezuela. It was processed elsewhere before being sold nationally or smuggled to the Pacific port city of Buenaventura and exported.

Furthermore, "large quantities" of light Venezuelan crude were brought into Colombia before being mixed with Colombian oil and exported via the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline, the statement said.

($1 = 3,951.10 Colombian pesos)

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta and Oliver Griffin; editing by Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: An ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop aircraft of Colombia's state-run airline Satena sits outside the hangar, at El Dorado International Airport, in Bogota, Colombia, July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Jaime Acosta/File Photo

By Luis Jaime Acosta

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's state-owned airline Satena will invest $80 million to expand and modernize its fleet, with plans to buy short and medium-range aircraft able to land at smaller airports that are not accessible to larger planes, the airline's boss said.

Satena is eyeing purchases of eight new twin-engined planes that can carry 19 passengers, General Oscar Zuluaga, the high-ranking air force official who runs the airline, said in an interview late on Wednesday afternoon.

"The capitalization is seen at $80 million," Zuluaga said, adding the purchases "will allow us greater mobility, generate growth and, above all, bring hope to the most remote regions."

Satena generated losses of 2 billion pesos ($506,000) last year, Zuluaga said, adding the airline hopes to reach break even in the short term, despite difficulties in the aviation sector.

The airline, which began serving an international route to Venezuela's capital Caracas from Colombia's Bogota in March, is seeking to grow the number of passengers it carries in 2023 by around 200,000 to 1.2 million versus last year.

Satena is also looking to acquire planes with 48 seats to continue expanding into new routes and markets to guarantee the company's sustainability, the general said.

More international routes could even take Satena to cities in neighbors such as Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, Zuluaga added.

($1 = 3,951.1 Colombian pesos)

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Members of the BRAV-M, the motorized violent action repression police Brigades, stand guard at the Place de la Republique during a march in the memory of Adama Traore, a 24-year-old Black Frenchman who died in a 2016 police operation, organized by his rel

PARIS (Reuters) - French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Thursday said he understood frustration and anger among the country's overworked security forces after recent bouts of street violence, but urged police not to let down the population and serve the public interest.

His televised remarks, delivered against the backdrop of a Paris police station, came as the government struggles to allay discontent within the police force over what many see as tough working conditions, deepened by the recent incarceration of an officer in Marseille many officers found unfair.

"I want to say that I can understand this fatigue, sadness and emotion", Darmanin said before heading into a meeting with police union representatives, but added police agents mustn't forget their "sense of mission".

"Because who suffers when the police aren't on the street? It's the woman facing violence from her partner, it's the child in distress (...), it's the inhabitants of working-class neighbourhoods who can't assure their security and who are counting on police."

The Marseille-based officer held in detention is accused of "voluntary violence" during the wave of rioting that swept through France earlier this month that left a 21-year-old badly hurt.

His arrest sparked anger among colleagues across the country and lead to a 'go slow' through concerted sick leave taking in some places.

In a weekend newspaper interview, the national police chief Frederic Veaux said "a police officer does not belong in prison, even if he did wrong or committed serious errors at work."

His remarks were widely perceived as a challenge to the independence of the judiciary and caused outrage among France's political left who accused the official of disrespecting the separation of power.

Darmanin on Thursday defended Veaux, saying he was an "excellent" police chief that he was "proud to count among my coworkers."

(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel, Nicolas Delame and Camille Raynaud; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Presidential candidate for the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party Sandra Torres holds a press conference in Guatemala City, Guatemala, in this handout photo released on July 4, 2023. Guatemala Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE)/Handout via REUTERS/File

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Sandra Torres will meet with U.S. officials in Washington on Thursday, her party said, ahead of a run-off vote next month that has raised international concerns over alleged interference by authorities.

Torres' National Unity of Hope (UNE) party said the former first lady of Guatemala is slated to discuss migration, trade and security with U.S. State Department representatives.

The State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the meeting with Torres, who came in first in an initial round of voting last month.

She will also meet with business leaders and present campaign proposals during a conversation with the Atlantic Council think tank that will be streamed online.

Torres' rival, Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla party, who finished second in the vote, has not said whether he also plans to visit Washington.

President Joe Biden's administration has raised various concerns over Guatemala's election process, including criticizing raids by authorities last week of Semilla offices.

A senior Biden administration official previously said the United States planned to host Torres and Arevalo for talks in Washington this week to show support for free and fair elections.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Mark Porter)
Andrew Adams, the head of the U.S. Department of Justice's KleptoCapture task force, which is targeting Russian oligarchs and evasion of sanctions intended to pressure Moscow to end its invasion of Ukraine, speaks during an interview with Reuters in New Y

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The top prosecutor on a U.S. government task force targeting Russian oligarchs' assets as a means to pressure Moscow into ending its war in Ukraine said on Thursday he is leaving the Department of Justice.

Andrew Adams, who has led the "KleptoCapture" task force since its inception in March 2022, will be replaced by his deputies Michael Khoo and David Lim, a DOJ spokesperson said.

"It was a privilege to cap this time in service of the Department's response to the war in Ukraine," Adams, a 10-year Justice Department veteran, wrote in a LinkedIn post.

In launching the task force, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said it would enforce sanctions and export controls designed to freeze Russia out of global markets, and confiscate assets obtained through unlawful conduct.

During Adams' tenure, the unit unveiled indictments against aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska and TV tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev for alleged sanctions busting, and seized yachts belonging to sanctioned oligarchs Suleiman Kerimov and Viktor Vekselberg.

It also won a court order letting prosecutors confiscate $5.4 million from Malofeyev's U.S. bank account, the first of what authorities hope will be a slew of transfers of oligarchs' funds to Ukraine for reconstruction efforts.

More recently, the task force has focused on people accused of helping oligarchs evade sanctions, securing a guilty plea from a U.S. lawyer who admitted to paying taxes, insurance and other fees for Vekselberg's New York properties.

A setback occurred in March when Artem Uss, the son of a former Russian regional governor charged with violating U.S. sanctions by shipping Venezuelan oil, escaped house arrest in Italy, thereby avoiding extradition.

Khoo, from the Justice Department's money laundering and asset recovery section, was part of the team that in May 2022 secured a guilty plea from global commodities trader Glencore for foreign bribery, and helped forfeit $53 million in assets linked to corruption in Nigeria's oil sector.

Lim, from the department's national security division, has worked on the prosecution of Chinese telecommunications company Huawei Technologies for alleged trade secret theft and violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran, and helped secure $3.9 billion in penalty payments by Airbus over global bribery allegations.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washingon, D.C.; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: Packages of Velveeta, a brand owned by The Kraft Heinz Company, are seen in a store in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 12, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit accusing Kraft Heinz & Co of misleading consumers by promising it takes only 3-1/2 minutes to prepare a cup of microwavable Velveeta macaroni and cheese.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami said consumer Amanda Ramirez lacked standing to pursue the proposed $5 million class action or force Kraft Heinz to change its packaging.

Ramirez objected to packaging that said her macaroni and cheese would be "ready in 3-1/2 minutes" because it did not include time to remove the lid, add water and stir in a cheese sauce pouch.

Bloom said Ramirez never alleged that she could not eat nor had even tried to cook the Velveeta Shells & Cheese she bought, or that it was "so flawed as to be rendered useless."

The judge also found no threat of future injury because Ramirez, from Hialeah, Florida, now knows that the 3-1/2 minutes represents only the time needed to microwave the product, which directions on the packaging made clear.

She said the product was sold at a "premium price" of $10.99 for eight 2.4-ounce cups, and that she wouldn't have bought it had she "known the truth."

Lawyers for Ramirez did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Kraft Heinz and its lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests.

The case is Ramirez v Kraft Heinz Foods Co, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, No. 22-23782.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
FILE PHOTO: Logo of Microsoft is pictured on its office building in Beijing, China May 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp will provide artificial intelligence technology to the Japanese government after enhancing the processing power of its data centres located within the country, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday.

Japan's Digital Agency will make the technology developed by Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI available on a trial basis from the autumn for tasks such as preparing minutes and analysing government statistics, Nikkei said.

The roll-out would be the first such overseas deployment for Microsoft's technology outside of Europe, Nikkei said.

(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Tom Hogue)
The Ukrainian armed forces have repelled attacks by Russian occupants near Bakhmut and Avdiivka in Donetsk Region. At the same time, Ukrainian defenders continue their offensive in the south of our state.

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This is stated in the evening report of the General Staff of the Armed forces of Ukraine as of July 26, 2023. There were 25 military clashes between Ukrainian defenders and Russian invaders in just one day.

The situation has not changed in the Volyn and Polisia directions, as no signs of offensive groupings formation have been detected so far.

The occupants maintain their military presence in the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions. The enemy fired mortars and artillery at more than 20 settlements during the day, in particular Semenivka, Yasna Polyana in Chernihiv region; Vilna Sloboda, Stepne, Basivka, Mohrytsia, Pokrovka in Sumy region and Veterynarne, Strilka, Hlyboke, Kolodizne in Kharkiv region.

Ukrainian defenders hold the defense in the Kupiansk direction steadfastly. The occupants tried to advance south of Novoselivske in Luhansk region. At the same time, the enemy conducted artillery and mortar shelling of Dvorichna, Zakhidne, Tabaivka, Topolia villages in Kharkiv region.

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The occupants unsuccessfully tried to advance in the area south of Dibrova in the Luhansk region in the Lyman direction during the day. The settlements of Nevske and Belohorivka in Luhansk region and Torske, Verkhnyokamianske and Spirne in Donetsk region were subjected to artillery shelling.

The Defense Forces successfully repelled all enemy attacks in the area north of Khromove, east of Druzhba and north of Klischiivka in the Bakhmut direction under heavy fire from the invaders' aviation and artillery. At the same time, the enemy launched an air strike in the area of Klischiivka, Donetsk region. In addition, enemy artillery shelling affected more than 10 settlements, including Vasyukivka, Orikhiv-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka and Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region.

Ukraine's defenders successfully repelled attacks by Russian troops near the town of Avdiivka in the Avdiivka direction. At the same time, the invaders shelled more than 10 settlements with artillery, Novokalynove, Stepne, Avdiivka and Pivnichne in Donetsk region in particular.

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The Defense Forces continue to hold back the offensive of Russian troops near the town of Marinka in the Marinka direction, However, enemy launched an air strike near Krasnohorivka. Settlements of Kurakhivka, Krasnohorovka, Heorhiivka, Marinka and Peremoha in Donetsk region were also subjected to artillery shelling.

The invaders tried to attack in the area of Staromaiorsk in Donetsk region in the Shakhtar direction. The enemy launched air strikes near Blahodatne in Donetsk region and also shelled more than 10 settlements, including Uhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Velyka Novosilka and Blahodatne in Donetsk region.

The enemy is concentrating its main efforts on preventing further advancement of our troops in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions. The enemy made air strikes in the areas of Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Piatykhatky in Zaporizhzhia region and Antonivka in Kherson region.

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More than 30 localities were also subjected to artillery shelling, including Malynivka, Huliaipole, Stepne, Lobkove and Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia region; Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk region; Dudchany, Beryslav, Kozatske, Molodizhne, Antonivka, Kizomys in Kherson region and Ivanivka in Mykolayiv region.

At the same time, the Ukrainian defenders continue conducting offensive operations in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, consolidating on the achieved borders, as well as inflicting fire damage.

In addition, the aviation of the Defense Forces made 11 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment of the enemy, including 2 anti-aircraft missile systems during the day. Rocket and artillery units struck 9 artillery pieces at firing positions and 2 control points.

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As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- Earlier Anna Malyar said that the textbooks will include a number of achievements of our Defense Forces. In particular, the fact that the Ukrainian forces are advancing in conditions when the enemy has more weapons and personnel.

- Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, commander of the United Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that our army has formed a new generation of officers and commanders, unencumbered by Soviet traditions.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
FILE PHOTO: A Norfolk Southern train rests near the University of North Carolina's energy generation plant, after delivering coal to the facility, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S. August 11, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake/File Photo

(Reuters) - Norfolk Southern Corp's second-quarter profit tumbled 55% after the U.S. railroad operator recorded a fresh $416 million charge associated with the Eastern Ohio freight train derailment.

The derailment of one of its freight trains carrying hazardous materials in February led to a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department seeking to ensure that the company paid the full cost of the cleanup and any future long-term impact.

The company took a $387 million charge in the first quarter related to the derailment.

Meanwhile, Norfolk is also struggling with an industry-wide decline in freight volumes as consumer spending preferences shift to services from goods.

Union Pacific Corp said on Wednesday volumes fell 2% in the second quarter.

Norfolk, which has connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes, reported an adjusted profit of $2.95 per share, below analysts' estimates of $3.11.

Revenue fell 8% to $3 billion and was slightly below estimates of $3.07 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal and Amna Karimi in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
By Gopal Sharma

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A Norwegian woman and her sherpa guide climbed Mount K2 in Pakistan on Thursday, their 14th highest mountain in just over three months, becoming the worlds fastest climbers to scale all peaks above 8,000 metre (26,246 feet) in the shortest time, an official of their Nepali organising company said.

Kristin Harila, 37, and Nepals Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa, 35, scaled K2, which is the worlds second highest at 8,611 metres (28,251 feet) with eight other guides, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, managing director of the Seven Summit Treks (SST) company which is providing logistics to the climbers, said in Kathmandu.

They have become the fastest to climb all 14 peaks, Tashi, told Reuters, quoting information from the base camp.

Climbing all 14 highest peaks in a few months is a challenging feat, which is normally done by many climbers in years.

They set the fastest climbing record by beating Nirmal Purja from Nepal who completed all peaks in six months and one week in 2019. But their latest feat, also confirmed by other climbers on the mountain, is yet to be confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Record.

Both climbers topped Shishapangma in Tibet region of China on April 26 and have since scaled Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna in Nepal before proceeding to Pakistan, where they climbed Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and the Broad Peak before topping K2, completing all 14 in 92 days.

Garrett Madison, of the U.S.-based Madison Mountaineering company who is also on K2 leading a different expedition, said the climbers took advantage of a narrow weather window and summitted the mountain.

"They have made a summit a short while ago," Madison told Reuters adding that the Norwegian woman was "extremely tough mentally and physically".

One of the sherpas, the 17-year-old Nima Rinjin Sherpa, also becomes the youngest to climb K2, Tashi said.

(Reporting by Gopal Sharma; Editing by Michael Perry)
FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises as a fire broke out on the cargo ship Fremantle Highway, at sea on July 26, 2023. Coastguard Netherlands/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

By Lisa Baertlein and Anthony Deutsch

LOS ANGELES/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Electric vehicles are crisscrossing the globe to reach their eager buyers, but the battery technology involved in the zero- emission automobiles is exposing under-prepared maritime shippers to the risk of hard-to-control fires, industry, insurance and emergency response officials said.

That risk has been put under the spotlight by the burning car carrier drifting off the Dutch coast. The Dutch coastguard said the fire's cause was unknown, but Dutch broadcaster RTL released a recording in which an emergency responder is heard saying "the fire started in the battery of an electric car."

While all logistics companies deal with the risk of EV lithium-ion batteries burning with twice the energy of a normal fire, the maritime industry hasn't kept up with the developing technology and how it creates greater risk, maritime officials and insurers said.

There were 209 ship fires reported during 2022, the highest number in a decade and 17% more than in 2021, according to a report from insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). Of that total, 13 occurred on car carriers, but how many involved EVs was not available.

The European Maritime Safety Agency said in a March report the main cargo types identified as responsible for "a large share of cargo fire accidents included ... lithium-ion batteries."

There were 3,783 new cars on board, including 498 electric battery vehicles, a spokesperson of ship chartering company "K" Line said on Friday. Initial reports had put the number of electric vehicles at just 25.

Japan's Shoei Kisen, which owns the ship, said it was working with authorities to get control of the fire.

The cause of the fire, while still officially undetermined, has raised questions about "what blind spots there are when transporting electric cars powered by batteries - which when they catch fire can't be extinguished with water, or even by oxygen deprivation," said Nathan Habers, spokesperson for the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR).

"The first question that comes to mind is: Does the current code stack up against the risk profile of this type of goods?" he added.

One hazard in lithium-ion batteries is "thermal runaway," a rapid and unstoppable increase in temperature that leads to fires in EVs that are hard to extinguish and can spontaneously reignite.

Fire extinguishing systems on the massive ships that haul cars weren't designed for those hotter fires, and shipping companies and regulators are scrambling to catch up, said Douglas Dillon, executive director of the Tri-state Maritime Safety Association that covers Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Recent fire-related losses are resulting in increased insurance costs for automakers shipping cargo and costs are likely to increase for vessel owners as well, said John Frazee, a managing director at insurance broker Marsh. As ship owners seek to limit losses by legally pursuing automakers whose vehicles are determined to have caused a fire, automakers are buying additional liability protection, he said.

Exacerbating the risks is the business model used by the companies that includes tightly packed ships. Auto carriers like the burning ship are known as RoRos, which stands for roll-on/roll-off - the way cars are loaded and unloaded.

RoRos are like floating parking garages and can have a dozen or more decks carrying thousands of vehicles, industry officials said. Unlike parking lots, however, cars are parked bumper-to-bumper with as little as a foot or two of space overhead.

Firemen typically put out EV battery fires on roadsides by clearing the area around the burning vehicle and flooding the underside with water, something difficult to do on a RoRo, Dillon said.

"There's no way for a firefighter in protective gear to get to the location of a fire" on a ship, he said, adding the cramped conditions increase the danger getting trapped.

While trains and trucks also transport EVs, isolating and extinguishing fires is easier as workers can unhook a rail car and a trucker can pull over, said Frazee.

Frazee expects insurers to lead the charge on strengthening safety systems on ships. Options being worked on include new chemicals to douse flames, specialized EV fire blankets, battery piercing fire hose nozzles and proposals to segregate EVs.

"I see no quick solution," Frazee said.

The International Maritime Organization, which sets regulations for safety at sea, plans to evaluate new measures next year for ships transporting EVs in light of the growing number of fires on cargo ships, a spokesperson told Reuters.

That could include specifications on types of water extinguishers available on boats and limitations on the amount a battery can be charged, which impacts flammability.

With EVs here to stay, KVNR's Habers said his group is discussing tightening regulations to account for the additional safety risks.

"There is already a whole lot of communication underway about this," he said, "but with this incident it becomes apparent we might need to speed up the process, especially when you consider that the number of this sort of cars is only going to rise."

Global auto sales last year totaled 81 million vehicles, 9.5% of which were EVs, according to EV-Volumes.com. China and Europe have been the most aggressive regions in pushing automakers to shift to EVs, and U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has proposed rules that could result in as much as two-thirds of the new vehicle market shifting to EVs by 2032.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles and Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam, additional reporting by Victoria Waldersee in Berlin, editing by Ben Klayman and Diane Craft)
FILE PHOTO: Protesters block Ayalon Highway during a demonstration following a parliament vote on a contested bill that limits Supreme Court powers to void some government decisions, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 24, 2023. REUTERS/Corinna Kern/File Photo

By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's president urged both sides of a dispute over moves to overhaul the judiciary to refrain from violence, using the occasion of a Jewish fast on Thursday to appeal for reconciliation as protesters vowed more demonstrations.

The plans being pursued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government have spurred months of unprecedented protests, opened up a deep divide in Israeli society, and strained the loyalties of some army reservists.

Now in its seventh month, the crisis escalated on Monday after parliament passed the first of the changes, trimming Supreme Court powers to overrule government actions and raising fears for the integrity of Israel's 75-year-old democracy.

Demonstrations for and against the judicial overhaul were on hold for Tisha B'av, the fast day mourning the destruction of two ancient Jewish temples in Jerusalem blamed by tradition on needless infighting.

"I appeal on everyone: Even when the pain peaks, we must preserve the boundaries of the dispute and refrain from violence and irreversible measures," President Isaac Herzog, who plays a largely ceremonial role, said on Facebook.

Political watchdog groups have appealed to the Supreme Court to quash the new law enacted by Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition, paving the way to a showdown among branches of government when it hears the arguments in September.

The legal tussle will begin as early as next Thursday, however, when the top court will hear an appeal against a coalition bill ratified in March that limited conditions for removing the prime minister from office.

In a related showdown, the Supreme Court set a Sept. 7 hearing in a case brought by a political watchdog against the government over its failure to convene a panel that selects judges, which Netanyahu's reforms aim to expand.

Despite a growing roster of unfilled court positions, Justice Minister Yariv Levin has declined to convene the committee in its unchanged format.

'ILLEGITIMATE'

Protesters said they would be out in force again when the fast ended at sunset. They accuse Netanyahu of working to curb court independence even as he argues his innocence in a graft trial, and of unilaterally changing the justice system to the detriment of once-dominant secular liberals.

Netanyahu says the reforms will balance government branches. He casts the protests as a bid to thwart his democratic mandate.

"There is a middle ground there and I hope we can achieve it," he said in an interview with ABC News' Good Morning America.

"I'll still try to proceed, if not in consensus with the opposition..., then at least on something that has broad acceptance in the public ... broad national consensus. I'll do my best to do it, and we'll get over it," he said.

Marking Tisha B'av, Israel's far-right minister for police, Itamar Ben-Gvir, toured the Jerusalem mount that once housed the temples and which is now the site of al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third-holiest shrine. A past Ben-Gvir visit there set off outrage among Palestinians and the wider Muslim world.

A Palestinian group aligned with the Islamist movement Hamas said it fired a rocket from the occupied West Bank into Israel in retaliation. The Israeli army said security forces had located and dealt with improvised rocket remnants near the town of Silat al-Harithiya, in the northern West Bank near Jenin.

Video posted on social media showed scores of other Jews visiting the Jerusalem compound under Israeli police guard. Police said 16 of them were arrested "for violating visitation rules" - a reference to a ban on non-Muslim prayer there.

Hamas condemned what it described as "large raids by settlers and ministers in the government of the Zionist enemy" at the compound. Jordan and Saudi Arabia also both condemned what they described as "the storming" of the compound.

ECONOMIC HIT

Netanyahu's plans have hit the economy by drawing warnings from credit agencies, triggering foreign investor flight.

The ongoing controversy is increasing domestic political uncertainty and will lead to lower economic growth this year, S&P Global Ratings said in a report.

Protest leaders say growing numbers of military reservists have decided to stop serving to express their opposition.

The military has acknowledged an increase in requests to abstain from service, and said that damage would be done, gradually, to war-readiness if the no-shows proved protracted.

(Additonal reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Emily Rose in Jerusalem; Writing by Dan Williams and Tom Perry; Editing by Robert Birsel, Nick Macfie, William Maclean, Conor Humphries and Mark Heinrich)
DAMASCUS (Reuters) -A bomb planted in a vehicle exploded outside the Sayeda Zeinab shrine city south of the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday, killing several people and wounding others, Syrian state media reported.

A reporter for Syrian state television said a preliminary death toll indicated as many as six people may have died. The station broadcast footage of the charred front of a car.

One resident told Reuters he heard a loud blast around 5:30 p.m. (1430 GMT), after which security forces sealed off the area.

It was the second attack this week at the shrine. Two people were wounded in a separate blast on Tuesday. It is high season for the shrine as Shi'ite Muslims flock there to mark the mourning period of Ashura.

Sayeda Zeinab - the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammad - is venerated by Shi'ites and her shrine is a site of mass pilgrimage for Shi'ites from across the world. It has also been a magnet for Shi'ite militiamen in Syria.

Both Iran and the Tehran-allied Lebanese group Hezbollah have backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that erupted in 2011.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack on Thursday. The Islamic State group has claimed previous attacks on the site. One attack in 2017 killed at least 40 people.

(Reporting by Kinda Makieh and Firas Makdesi in Damascus and Maya Gebeily in Beirut; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Grant McCool)
(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has summoned Denmark's charge d'affaires and handed her an objection memo against the burning of the Koran in Copenhagen, the Gulf country's foreign ministry said early on Friday.

Earlier this week, a small group of anti-Islam activists set fire to Korans in front of the Iraqi, Egyptian and Turkish embassies in Copenhagen.

The Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement the Danish charge d'affaires was handed an objection memo that "includes a demand from the Kingdom to stop the disgraceful acts that violate all religious teachings, laws and international norms."

The ministry did not identify the Danish official by name.

(Reporting by Hatem Maher; Editing by Chris Reese and Cynthia Osterman)
GENEVA (Reuters) - The remains of a German mountain climber who disappeared while hiking along a glacier near Switzerland's iconic Matterhorn mountain in 1986 have been recovered, as melting glaciers have led to the reemergence of bodies and objects thought to be long-lost.

The grisly discovery was made on July 12 by climbers hiking along the Theodul Glacier in Zermatt, police in the Valais canton said on Thursday.

"DNA analysis enabled the identification of a mountain climber who had been missing since 1986," the police said in a statement.

"In September 1986, a German climber, who was 38 at the time, had been reported missing after not returning from a hike."

The police did not provide additional information on the climber's identity nor on the circumstances of his death. It published, however, a picture of a lone hiking boot with red laces sticking out of the snow that had belonged to the missing person.

The climber's remains underwent a forensic analysis at Valais Hospital, allowing experts to link them to the 1986 disappearance, the police said.

Shrinking glaciers due to climate change have led to the discovery of bodies of climbers who disappeared over the last decades.

In 2015, the remains of two young Japanese climbers who went missing on the Matterhorn in a 1970 snowstorm were found and their identities confirmed through the DNA testing of their relatives.

Last year Switzerland's glaciers registered their worst melt rate since records began more than a century ago, losing 6% of their remaining volume -- nearly double the previous record in 2003.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Canadian mining company Teck Resources Limited is displayed as people visit the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Pho

By Arunima Kumar and Divya Rajagopal

(Reuters) -The CEO of Teck Resources Ltd said on Thursday that the Canadian miner is considering a range of proposals including a partial sale of its coal business from various interested parties after Glencore offered up to $8.2 billion for the unit.

Teck is banking on the limited coking coal mines in the world to help it secure a better valuation as the company runs a comprehensive review, which was sparked by Glencore's initial bid for the whole company in April.

"This business is positioned to capitalize on the global supply gap from existing mine depletion and a lack of new projects coming into production," Teck CEO Jonathan Price told analysts after the company reported quarterly earnings, that missed analysts estimates.

Price did not reveal the names of the other potential suitors, but said the company is 'actively' engaged in the process when analysts asked whether there will be a fresh update by October.

"We are not sitting on our hands here and we are taking an active approach," Price said.

Swiss miner and trading firm Glencore initially offered to buy Teck Resources for $22.5 billion, which the Canadian miner twice rebuffed. Glencore came back with an offer just to buy Teck's coal business in June.

Teck's coal mines are among the few left in the world, which makes the company attractive to Glencore as it seeks to combine them with its own thermal coal business.

Vancouver-based Teck Resources missed profit estimates for second-quarter ended June and lowered its annual copper production outlook due to delays at a project in Chile.

The company now expects annual copper production of 330,000 tonnes to 375,000 tonnes, down from its previous estimate of 390,000 tonnes to 445,000 tonnes.

The Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project (QB2) in the South American country is one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in the world, and Teck had previously said it expected to achieve full production rates by the end of 2023. The company expects to meet this target.

Teck also reported the death of an employee at QB2 during the second-quarter.

For the reported quarter, realized prices for steelmaking coal and copper fell 41% and 11% respectively, denting profit.

Fears of slowing growth, particularly in top consumer China, has hurt copper prices. The average copper price fell about 11% to $3.85 per pound in the April-June quarter, according to CFRA Research.

Quarterly copper production fell about 11% to 64,000 tonnes, while production of steelmaking coal rose 9.4% to 5.8 million tonnes.

On an adjusted basis, Teck posted a profit of C$1.22 per share, missing analysts' average estimate of C$1.25 per share, according to Refinitiv IBES data.

(Reporting by Arunima Kumar, Divya Rajagopal and Jyoti Narayan in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Marguerita Choy)
A logo of TotalEnergies is seen at an electric vehicle fuelling station in the La Defense business district in Courbevoie near Paris, France, February 8, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File photo

By America Hernandez

PARIS (Reuters) - French energy company TotalEnergies does not believe it overpaid for a record-breaking German offshore seabed lease this month, despite industry criticism, CEO Patrick Pouyanne said on Thursday while presenting second-quarter results.

"In Germany, to be clear, we are perfectly in line with our double-digit objective," Pouyanne told analysts, referring to returns on the integrated power business. He also said the company was "absolutely convinced" that German electricity prices would meet its expectations by 2030.

The oil major chief said it was "not a bad bet" that European power price in the range of 70 or 80 euros per megawatt-hour(MWh) can be achieved in the wholesale market once the capacity starts producing. TotalEnergies also expected industrial consumers in Central Europe would be willing to sign long-term contracts to lock in stable pricing to stay globally competitive.

Year-ahead German baseload power, the European benchmark, currently stands at 141 euros/MWh, Refinitiv Eikon data shows. Untraded distant curve prices peg 2030 at 80.2 euros, reflecting growth expectations for renewable capacity.

Pouyanne added the deal was worth it for securing a foothold in the German electricity market for the long-term.

Germany's July tender for a series of leases totalling 7 gigawatts(GW) of offshore wind worth a record 12.6 billion euros ($13.87 billion) was won by TotalEnergies and BP, with Denmark renewable developer Orsted dropping out due to price concerns.

TotalEnergies will pay an initial 582 million euros, which the German regulator has said amounts to 10% of the bid, with the remainder paid over 20 years as and when the installations come online.

The so-called dynamic bidding process was novel in that companies could choose to forgo government subsidies, such that the one with the greatest "willingness to pay" would win.

German utility EnBW, which lost the bid alongside Norway's Equinor, said at the time that the oil majors' willingness to pay so much was driven by their need to expand their renewable portfolios.

($1 = 0.9084 euros)

(Reporting by America Hernandez; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard remove a fallen tree from a road following the onslaught of Typhoon Doksuri in Buguey, Cagayan province, Philippines, July 26, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS

By Laurie Chen, Yimou Lee and Ann Wang

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Doksuri regained super typhoon strength on Thursday in its final approach to southeastern China after pummelling Taiwan and the northern Philippines with rain and strong winds that led to the capsize of a ferry in which at least 25 people died.

As of 5 p.m. Beijing time (0900 GMT), the winds around the eye of the storm had reached up to 187 km per hour (116 mph), putting Doksuri back on the top rung of China's tropical storm categorisation system after weakening earlier.

The ferry sank near the Philippine capital of Manila after passengers alarmed by strong winds rushed to one side of the boat, overturning it. As many as 36 people have been killed this week during Doksuri's transit off the northern Philippines.

Businesses and schools were shut in southern counties of Taiwan amid warnings of landslides and floods. All domestic flights and ferry lines were suspended, while more than 100 international flights were cancelled or delayed. Railway services between southern and eastern Taiwan were halted.

More than 5,700 people were evacuated as a precaution, mostly in the mountainous southern and eastern Taiwan, where more than 0.7 metres of rainfall was recorded in some areas.

The storm cut power to more than 49,000 households across Taiwan, although supply has since been restored to most.

"Typhoon Doksuri should not be underestimated," Chen Chi-mai, mayor of the southern port city of Kaohsiung, said on Facebook late on Wednesday.

Taiwan's armed forces pressed ahead with a large-scale anti-landing drill on a beach near Taipei Port just outside the capital, simulating the repulsion of an enemy force with ground troops and tanks amid high military tensions with neighbouring China.

The storm has disrupted parts of Taiwan's main annual Han Kuang exercises and air-raid drills that started on Monday. Authorities cancelled some exercises citing safety concerns and the need to make preparations for the typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in China on Friday morning somewhere between Dongshan and Putian in the southeastern province of Fujian.

On Thursday, three coastal cities in Fujian shut schools, businesses and factories, while flood control authorities in one of them, Xiamen, warned of a "serious impact".

The China Meteorological Administration forecast that Doksuri would be weaker than 2016's Typhoon Meranti, the strongest storm to hit China's coast since 1949 which killed at least 11 people.

Beijing launched emergency flood control operations in the country's southwest on Wednesday night after torrential rains in the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan as well as the nearby metropolis of Chongqing.

Heavy flooding in the city of Luzhou, Sichuan province, swept cars on to tree trunks, according to videos circulating on Chinese social media.

Passenger ships and fishing boats have also been grounded in parts of coastal Zhejiang province immediately north of Fujian.

(Reporting by Laurie Chen, Ryan Woo and Beijing Newsroom in Beijing and Yimou Lee and Ann Wang in Taipei and Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Editing by Michael Perry, Jacqueline Wong and Nick Macfie)
Ukraine's counter-offensive is proceeding according to a plan developed jointly with the UK and US over the winter. The Ukrainian military is restraining its firepower in order to make a breakthrough at the right time.

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This was stated by James Heappey, the Minister of the Armed Forces in the UK Ministry of Defence, who stressed that the counter-offensive is not a Hollywood film. His words are quoted by The Telegraph.

Heappey dismissed fears that the operation had stalled after a leaked assessment by the German military questioned Ukraine's progress and tactics.

"At the moment, Ukraine is meeting our expectations. They are generally following the plan that they developed with us, the Americans and other countries last winter," the British minister said.

According to Heappey, Ukraine is exercising "due caution" by refusing to send large numbers of people and weapons provided by allies into dense Russian minefields.

The British minister noted that the counter-offensive is not a Hollywood film

"This is not a Hollywood film. There was not supposed to be a moment when the tanks rolled and the music started playing, a military montage played out, and then at the end, victory by September," said James Heappey.

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He stressed that the Ukrainian military is holding back firepower to make a breakthrough at the right time.

"We expect the Ukrainians to use the second echelon wherever they decide," the official added.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

The Ukrainian Armed Forces broke through the enemy's defensive positions in Zaporizhzhia, south of Orikhiv. Experts at the Institute of War Studies suggested that this marks a turnaround in Kyiv's counter-offensive efforts and is likely to be just the beginning of any "main strike" that the Armed Forces may deliver, not the end of it.

The day before, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were advancing along three frontlines. The General Staff said that the Defence Forces had repelled enemy attacks near Bakhmut and Avdiivka and were continuing to advance in the south.

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At the same time, the New York Times, citing US officials, wrote that the Ukrainian military had passed on information to Washington about the start of a new phase of the Defence Forces' counter-offensive. They named the direction of the frontline, which is one of the main targets of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
FILE PHOTO: Raindrops hang on a sign for Wall Street outside the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., October 26, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. bank regulators released a proposal Thursday that would direct the nation's largest banks to raise their capital, arguing a larger cushion is needed to ensure stability.

The proposal, if implemented, would raise capital an aggregate 16% for larger banks, and also apply several stricter rules to banks with over $100 billion in assets. The sweeping plan would overhaul how banks gauge risk in numerous areas, and in turn how much capital they must hold in reserve.

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
FILE PHOTO: New cars are pictured at a car dealership, as Britain's car industry body releases monthly new car sales figures, in Cheshire, Britain October 5, 2020 REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo

(Reuters) - British car production rose for the fifth consecutive month in June compared to last year as pandemic-induced chip shortages eased, an industry body said on Thursday.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said a total of 84,767 cars rolled out of factory gates in the United Kingdom last month, an increase of nearly 16.2% year-over-year.

Total car production is expected to rise nearly 11% to 860,000 units by the end of the year, the SMMT said, adding that the output could reach pre-pandemic levels of 1 million by 2028.

For the first six months of the year, production of hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles rose nearly 72% to record 170,321 units, the industry data showed.

India's Tata Group earlier in the month announced its plans to build a 4 billion pounds ($5.2 billion) electric vehicle battery plant in Britain to supply its Jaguar Land Rover factories, delivering a major boost for a UK car industry.

"UK car manufacturing is growing again, with production  especially of electrified models  increasing and major investment announcements making headlines," said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.

Exports to the major markets rose with the exception to China, where it dropped more than 6% in six months to June, the SMMT added.

(This story has been corrected to change the day to Thursday from Friday in paragraph 1 and the dateline to July 27)

(Reporting by Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta Agarwal)
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament voted on Thursday to extend martial law by another 90 days until Nov. 15, ruling out the possibility of parliamentary elections being held in October.

Ukraine brought in martial law on Feb. 24, 2022, the day Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour. The law, which bars 18- to 60-year-old men from leaving the country, has since been extended several times.

Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a member of parliament, said on the Telegram messaging app that an overwhelming majority of lawmakers voted to extend martial law in a session of the Verkhovna Rada parliament.

Elections cannot be held during martial law and, with the nation scheduled to go to the polls in October to elect a new parliament, this will be the first time a big national vote has been pushed back due to the war, although the move was not unexpected.

As it stands, Ukraine is also due to hold presidential elections in March next year.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroom; editing by Tom Balmforth and Hugh Lawson)
By Sergiy Chalyi

ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, Ukraine (Reuters) - Sappers fresh from the front conducted mine clearance drills in southeastern Ukraine this week, a task that is proving crucial but painstakingly slow as Ukrainian troops try to advance on Russian forces.

As they trained on Wednesday, the sappers outlined the challenges they faced on the battlefield, offering an insight into why the counteroffensive has so far progressed slowly.

Tasked with clearing tens of thousands of Russian mines, the sappers have to worry about booby traps, bombs and mortar attacks. Using a metal detector is often futile because of the amount of shrapnel from unexploded ordnance strewn around.

"They (the mines) are stalling the speed of the advance as we have to work very carefully," said Oleksandr, one of scores of sappers training at a location in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia that Kyiv's military told Reuters not to disclose.

Oleksandr, who uses the call sign Agronomist, said NATO standards allowed for one person to advance seven square metres within four hours.

"Can you imagine that? However, that's not the case here." he said.

Ukraine has recaptured a string of villages but no big towns since launching its counteroffensive in the Russian-occupied south and east in early June. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has acknowledged progress has been slower than desired.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukrainian attacks in the south had intensified. Hours earlier, Zelenskiy had touted "very good results" from the front, without providing details.

Before the counteroffensive began, Russian occupying forces on the southern front had time to dig trenches and put down "dragon's teeth" barricades, anti-tank ditches and mines.

At the training drills, a 37-year-old soldier with the call sign "Adam's Apple" wore special foreign-made blast boots for mine clearance.

"I don't know which country manufactured them, but they are critically important for sappers because if one steps onto an anti-personnel landmine ... the boots will save the sapper's legs," he said.

He said he sometimes has to use a stick to probe for mines, advancing slowly when there is so much shrapnel on the ground that using a mine detector is useless.

Before the probing begins, he said, sappers must survey the area while standing, lying down and kneeling.

"The perspective differs, depending on the height," he said. "If there are no booby traps, the sapper will examine the soil around his feet with the mine probe. If no mine is detected, he will move forward while keeping probing the soil."

(Writing by Tom Balmforth, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
FILE PHOTO: The flags of the United States and China fly from a lamppost in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., November 1, 2021. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

By Kanishka Singh and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China is helping Russia evade Western sanctions and likely providing Moscow with military and dual-use technology for use in Ukraine, according to an unclassified U.S. intelligence report released on Thursday.

The assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) was published by the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

China has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia since Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"The PRC is providing some dual-use technology that Moscow's military uses to continue the war in Ukraine, despite an international cordon of sanctions and export controls," the ODNI report said.

"The customs records show PRC state-owned defense companies shipping navigation equipment, jamming technology, and fighter jet parts to sanctioned Russian Government-owned defense companies," the report said.

It also said China has become "an even more critical partner" of Russia after Moscow invaded Ukraine last year.

ODNI said China and Russia had increased the share of bilateral trade settled in China's yuan currency, and both countries' financial institutions are expanding their use of domestic payment systems.

China has increased it importation of Russia energy exports, including oil and gas rerouted from Europe, the report said.

ODNI cited much of the information to media reports. It added: "The Intelligence Community lacks sufficient reporting to assess whether Beijing is deliberately inhibiting United States Government export control end-use checks, including interviews and investigations, in the PRC."

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron's top diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne said China was delivering items that could be used as military equipment to Russia, although not on a massive scale.

U.S. officials have previously raised concern about transfers of "dual-use equipment" from China to Russia. However, they have repeatedly said they have yet to see evidence of the transfer of lethal assistance for Russia's use on the battlefield.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Michael Martina in Washington; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Daniel Wallis)
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a meeting with state attorneys general to discuss the fentanyl public health crisis, at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 18, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday condemned any efforts to seize power by force in Niger and expressed deep concern over the attempted takeover in a call with Nigeria President Bola Tinubu, the White House said in a statement.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum remained held in the presidential palace on Thursday afternoon and it was unclear who had taken charge of the country, after soldiers on Wednesday evening declared a military coup.

France, the country's former colonial power, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and the United States have called for Bazoum's immediate release and a return to constitutional order. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that constitutional order should be restored.

"The vice president strongly condemned any efforts to seize power by force in Niger, and emphasized that our substantial cooperation with the government of Niger is contingent on Nigers continued commitment to democratic standards," the White House said on Thursday.

The United States says it has spent around $500 million since 2012 to help Niger boost its security.

Harris and the Nigerian president committed to "defending democracy" in West Africa and the Sahel, according to the White House.

Niger's coup is the seventh in West and Central Africa since 2020 and could have grave consequences for democratic progress and the fight against an insurgency by jihadist militants in the region, where Niger is a key Western ally.

In the call, Harris also expressed support for Tinubu's steps to reform Nigeria's economy, including ending a fuel subsidy and unifying foreign currency exchange rates, the White House said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa attends a joint press conference with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (not pictured) at the State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, on July 13, 2023. Iran's Presidency/Mohammad Javad Ostad/WANA (West Asia News A

(Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Thursday that his country was food-secure but was grateful for an offer of free grain from Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg.

"We are grateful," Mnangagwa told reporters at the summit. "We are not in any grain deficit at all. We are food-secure, he is just adding to what we are already have."

Putin earlier told the summit that Russia was ready, in the next three to four months, to supply up to 50,000 tonnes of free grain to each of Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea.

Putin told African leaders that Russia would continue to meet their food needs despite last week pulling out of a deal that had allowed Ukraine - another top grain exporter - to ship cereals from its Black Sea ports despite the war.

Since then, Russia has repeatedly bombed Ukrainian ports and food storage sites. Western governments accuse Putin of "weaponising" food as an instrument of war.

In his speech, Putin set out his reasons for quitting the deal, which he said was not getting grain to the poorest countries. He did not acknowledge the fact that it had substantially lowered world prices, which have risen again sharply since Russia walked out of the agreement.

Russia's state RIA news agency quoted the Ugandan foreign minister as saying Russia's decision to end the deal was understandable.

Sawadogo Mahamadi, head of Burkina Faso's chamber of commerce and industry, called the Russian food offer "a very good thing".

"Africa needs these vital products today," he said, "especially the Sahel countries like Burkina Faso that are facing security and humanitarian threats."

(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

AEON Biopharma, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-40021 85-3940478 (State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation) (Commission

File Number) (I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

5 Park Plaza, Suite 1750 Irvine , California (Address of principal executive offices) 92614 (Zip Code)

( 949 ) 354-6499

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange

on which registered Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share AEON New York Stock Exchange American Warrants to purchase Class A common stock AEON WS New York Stock Exchange American

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company x

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Unless the context otherwise requires, we, us, our, AEON and the Company refer to AEON Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a Priveterra Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation), and its consolidated subsidiaries following the Closing (as defined below). Unless the context otherwise requires, references to Priveterra refer to Priveterra Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, prior to the Closing. All references herein to the Board refer to the board of directors of the Company.

Terms used in this Current Report on Form 8-K (this Report) but not defined herein, or for which definitions are not otherwise incorporated by reference herein, shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined below) in the section entitled Frequently Used Terms beginning on page iii thereof, and such definitions are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Business Combination

As disclosed under the sections entitled Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus  Merger Consideration and Proposal 1: The Business Combination Proposal beginning on pages 3 and 100, respectively, of the proxy statement/prospectus (the Proxy Statement/Prospectus) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) by Priveterra on May 12, 2023, on December 12, 2022, Priveterra entered into a business combination agreement (the Business Combination Agreement) with Priveterra Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Priveterra (Merger Sub) and AEON Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Old AEON). Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, Merger Sub was merged with and into Old AEON, with Old AEON surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Priveterra. Upon the closing of the merger, Priveterra changed its name to AEON Biopharma, Inc. (the Business Combination and, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the Transactions).

As previously reported on the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 5, 2023, Priveterra held a special meeting of stockholders on July 3, 2023 (the Special Meeting), at which the Priveterra stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, a proposal to approve the Business Combination, including (a) adopting the Business Combination Agreement and (b) approving the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and related agreements described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, following the Special Meeting, on July 21, 2023 (the Closing Date), the Transactions were consummated (the Closing).

Item 2.01 of this Report discusses the consummation of the Transactions and the entry into agreements relating thereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

On July 21, 2023, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination and as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, AEON, the Sponsor, Alphaeon 1, LLC, Daewoong Co., LTD, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Strathspey Crown Holdings Group, LLC and certain other former stockholders of Old AEON entered into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the A&R Registration Rights Agreement). The material terms of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement are described in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 136 titled Proposal 1: The Business Combination ProposalRelated AgreementsRegistration Rights Agreement. Such description is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.20 to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Committed Financing Agreements

As previously disclosed in the proxy statement/prospectus filed by Priveterra with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2023 and on the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2023, on January 6, 2023, Old AEON and Priveterra entered into Committed Financing Agreements with each of Alphaeon 1 LLC (A1) and Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Daewoong, and together with A1, the Committed Financing Investors and such agreements, the Original Committed Financing Agreements), pursuant to which the Committed Financing Investors agreed to purchase, and Priveterra and Old AEON agreed to sell to the Committed Financing Investors, $20 million aggregate principal of interim notes convertible into an aggregate of 2,857,143 shares of common stock of Priveterra (the Priveterra Common Stock), for a purchase price of $7.00 per share pursuant to the Original Committed Financing Agreements.

Pursuant to its Original Committed Financing Agreement, and as previously disclosed by Priveterra, on March 9, 2023, A1 executed an Interim Note Subscription Agreement (the Original A1 Note Subscription Agreement) for the subscription of $15 million aggregate principal of interim notes issued by Old AEON. Pursuant to such Original A1 Note Subscription Agreement, at the option of A1, all or a portion of such interim notes could be issued immediately prior to the Closing upon payment by A1 of the principal amount at Closing, or issued as pre-funded notes.

On June 23, 2023, A1 entered into an amendment to its Original A1 Note Subscription Agreement (the Amended A1 Note Subscription Agreement) to add the subscription of $20 million additional aggregate principal of interim notes. Pursuant to the Amended A1 Note Subscription Agreement, at the option of A1, all or a portion of such interim notes could be issued immediately prior to the Closing upon payment by A1 of the principal amount at Closing, or issued as pre-funded notes. In connection therewith, on June 8, 2023, Old AEON and Priveterra entered into a Committed Financing Agreement with A1 (the Additional Committed Financing Agreement and together with the Original Committed Financing Agreements, the Committed Financing Agreements), pursuant to which A1 agreed to purchase, and Priveterra and Old AEON agreed to sell to A1, an additional $20 million aggregate principal of interim notes convertible into 2,857,143 shares of Priveterra Common Stock, for a purchase price of $7.00 per share pursuant to the Additional Committed Financing Agreement.

Pursuant to its Original Committed Financing Agreement, on June 27, 2023, Daewoong executed a Note Subscription Agreement (the Daewoong Note Subscription Agreement and together with the Amended A1 Note Subscription Agreement, the Note Subscription Agreements), pursuant to which Daewoong agreed to purchase, and Priveterra and Old AEON agreed to sell to Daewoong, an additional $5 million aggregate principal of interim notes convertible into 714,285 shares of common stock of Old AEON after the Closing, for a purchase price of $7.00 per share. Pursuant to such Daewoong Note Subscription Agreement, at the option of Daewoong, all or a portion of such interim notes could be issued immediately prior to the Closing upon payment by Daewoong of the principal amount at Closing, or issued as pre-funded notes.

Copies of the Note Subscription Agreements are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.27, Exhibit 10.28 and Exhibit 10.28(a), and the foregoing description of the Original A1 Note Subscription Agreement, Amended A1 Note Subscription Agreement and Daewoong Note Subscription Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Forward Purchase Agreements

On June 29, 2023, Priveterra and Old AEON entered into separate agreements (each a Forward Purchase Agreement, and together, the Forward Purchase Agreements) with each of (i) ACM ARRT J LLC and (ii) Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (Polar, and each of ACM ARRT J LLC and Polar, individually, a Seller, and together, the Sellers) for OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transactions. For purposes of each Forward Purchase Agreement, Priveterra is referred to as the Counterparty prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, while AEON is referred to as the Counterparty after the consummation of the Business Combination. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Forward Purchase Agreements. Any reference herein to the Forward Purchase Agreement are to be treated as a reference to each Seller's separate agreement and should be construed accordingly and any action taken by a Seller should be construed as an action under its own respective agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Forward Purchase Agreements, the Sellers intend, but are not obligated, to purchase up to 7,500,000 shares of Priveterra Common Stock in the aggregate concurrently with the Closing pursuant to each Sellers respective FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreement (as defined below), less the number of shares of Priveterra Common Stock purchased by each Seller separately from third parties through a broker in the open market (the Recycled Shares). No Seller shall be required to purchase an amount of shares of Priveterra Common Stock such that following such purchase, that Sellers ownership would exceed 9.9% of the total shares of Priveterra Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such purchase, unless such Seller, at its sole discretion, waives such 9.9% ownership limitation. The Number of Shares subject to a Forward Purchase Agreement is subject to reduction following a termination of the Forward Purchase Agreements with respect to such shares as described under Optional Early Termination in the respective Forward Purchase Agreements.

Each Forward Purchase Agreement provides that a Seller will be paid directly an aggregate cash amount (the Prepayment Amount) equal to the product of (i) the Number of Shares as set forth in each Pricing Date Notice and (ii) the redemption price per share as defined in Section 9.2(a) of Priveterras Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Initial Price).

The Counterparty will pay to each Seller separately the Prepayment Amount required under the respective Forward Purchase Agreement directly from the Counterpartys trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company holding the net proceeds of the sale of the units in the Counterpartys initial public offering and the sale of private placement warrants (the Trust Account) no later than the earlier of (a) one business day after the Closing and (b) the date any assets from the Trust Account are disbursed in connection with the Business Combination, except that to the extent the Prepayment Amount payable to a Seller is to be paid from the purchase of Additional Shares by such Seller pursuant to the terms of its FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreement, such amount will be netted against such proceeds, with such Seller being able to reduce the purchase price for the Additional Shares by the Prepayment Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, any Additional Shares purchased by a Seller will be included in the Number of Shares for its respective Forward Purchase Agreement for all purposes, including for determining the Prepayment Amount.

Following the Closing, the reset price (the Reset Price) will initially be the Initial Price and subject to a $7.00 floor (the Reset Price Floor). The Reset Price will be subject to reset on a monthly basis (each a Reset Date) with the first such Reset Date occurring 90 days after the Closing Date to be the lowest of (a) the then-current Reset Price, (b) the Initial Price and (c) the 30-day VWAP Price of the Shares immediately preceding such Reset Date; provided, however, that the Reset Price may be reduced immediately to any lower price at which the Counterparty sells, issues or grants any shares or securities convertible or exchangeable into shares (other than, among other things, grants or issuances under the Counterpartys equity compensation plans, any securities issued in connection with the Business Combination or any securities issued in connection with the PIPE Subscription Agreements (as defined below)), subject to certain exceptions, in which case the Reset Price Floor would be eliminated.

From time to time and on any date following the Business Combination (any such date, an OET Date), any Seller may, in its absolute discretion, terminate its Forward Purchase Agreement in whole or in part by providing written notice to the Counterparty (the OET Notice), no later than the next Payment Date following the OET Date (which shall specify the quantity by which the Number of Shares shall be reduced (such quantity, the Terminated Shares)). The effect of an OET Notice shall be to reduce the Number of Shares by the number of Terminated Shares specified in such OET Notice with effect as of the related OET Date. As of each OET Date, the Counterparty shall be entitled to an amount from the Seller, and the Seller shall pay to the Counterparty an amount, equal to the product of (x) the number of Terminated Shares and (y) the Reset Price in respect of such OET Date. The payment date may be changed within a quarter at the mutual agreement of the parties.

The valuation date will be the earliest to occur of (a) the second anniversary of the Closing Date, (b) the date specified by a Seller in a written notice to be delivered to the Counterparty at a Sellers discretion (which Valuation Date shall not be earlier than the day such notice is effective) after the occurrence of any of (w) a VWAP Trigger Event, (x) a Delisting Event, (y) a Registration Failure or (z) unless otherwise specified therein, upon any Additional Termination Event and (c) 90 days after delivery by the Counterparty of a written notice in the event that for any 20 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day-period that occurs at least six months after the Closing Date, the VWAP Price is less than the then applicable Reset Price, provided that a Registration Statement was effective and available for the entire measurement period and remains continuously effective and available during the entire 90 day notice period (the Valuation Date).

On the Cash Settlement Payment Date, which is the tenth local business day following the last day of the valuation period commencing on the Valuation Date, a Seller shall pay the Counterparty a cash amount equal to (1) (A) the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date less the number of Unregistered Shares, multiplied by (B) the volume- weighted daily VWAP Price over the Valuation Period less (2) if the Settlement Amount Adjustment is less than the cash amount to be paid, the Settlement Amount Adjustment. The Settlement Amount Adjustment is equal to (1) the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date multiplied by (2) $2.00 per share, and the Settlement Amount Adjustment will be automatically netted from the Settlement Amount. If the Settlement Amount Adjustment exceeds the Settlement Amount, the Counterparty will pay the Seller in shares of Priveterra Common Stock or, at the Counterpartys election, in cash.

Each Seller has agreed to waive any redemption rights with respect to any Recycled Shares in connection with the Business Combination, as well as any redemption rights under Priveterras certificate of incorporation as in effect prior to the Business Combination that would require redemption by Priveterra of the Shares. Such waiver may reduce the number of shares of Priveterra Common Stock redeemed in connection with the Business Combination, and such reduction could alter the perception of the potential strength of the Business Combination. Each Forward Purchase Agreement has been structured, and all activity in connection with such agreement has been undertaken, to comply with the requirements of all tender offer regulations applicable to the Business Combination, including Rule 14e-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).

Copies of the Forward Purchase Agreements are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.21 and Exhibit 10.22 and the foregoing description of the Forward Purchase Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreements

On June 29, 2023, Priveterra entered into separate subscription agreements (the FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreements) with each of ACM ARRT J LLC and Polar (collectively, the FPA Funding PIPE Investors). Any reference herein to the FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreements are to be treated as a reference to each FPA Funding PIPE Investors separate agreement and should be construed accordingly and any action taken by a FPA Funding PIPE Investor should be construed as an action under its own respective agreement.

Pursuant to the FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreements, the FPA Funding PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and Priveterra agreed to issue and sell to the FPA Funding PIPE Investors, on the Closing, an aggregate of 6,275,000 shares of Priveterra Common Stock.

Copies of the FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreements are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.23 and Exhibit 10.24, and the foregoing description of the FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements

On June 29, 2023, Priveterra entered into separate subscription agreements (the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements and together with the FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreements, the PIPE Subscription Agreements) with each of ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP and Polar (each, a New Money PIPE Investor and collectively, the New Money PIPE Investors). Any reference herein to the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements are to be treated as a reference to each New Money PIPE Investors separate agreement and should be construed accordingly and any action taken by a New Money PIPE Investor should be construed as an action under its own respective agreement.

Pursuant to the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements, the New Money PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and Priveterra agreed to issue and sell to the New Money PIPE Investors, on the Closing Date, an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Priveterra Common Stock for a purchase price of $7.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $7 million. Pursuant to its New Money PIPE Subscription Agreement, Priveterra issued 75,000 shares of Priveterra Common Stock to ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP as a structuring fee in consideration of certain services provided by it in the structuring of its Forward Purchase Agreement and the transactions described therein.

Copies of the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.25 and Exhibit 10.26, and the foregoing description of the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

As described above, on July 3, 2023, Priveterra held the Special Meeting, at which the Priveterra stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, a proposal to approve the Business Combination Agreement and the Transactions. On July 21, 2023, the parties consummated the Business Combination. In connection with the Closing, the Company changed its name from Priveterra Acquisition Corp. to AEON Biopharma, Inc.

Holders of 1,445,112 shares of Priveterra Class A common stock sold in its initial public offering (the Initial Shares) properly exercised their right to have such shares redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the trust account holding the proceeds from Priveterras initial public offering, calculated as of one business day prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, which was approximately $10.63 per share, or approximately $21.29 million in the aggregate.

As a result of the Business Combination, each share of Old AEON preferred stock and common stock was converted into the right to receive approximately 2.328 shares of AEONs Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (Common Stock).

Additionally, the shares of Priveterra Class B Common Stock held by Sponsor automatically converted to 6,900,000 shares of Common Stock (of which 3,450,000 shares are subject to vesting under certain conditions).

Pursuant to the Note Subscription Agreements, certain investors received an aggregate of 5,797,611 newly-issued shares of Priveterra Class A Common Stock, immediately prior to the Closing, upon conversion of an aggregate principal amount of $40,000,000 of interim notes.

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth below under Item 1.01 of this Report concerning the entry into a material definitive agreements, including the Financing Agreements by AEON, which is incorporated herein by reference.

After giving effect to the Transactions, the redemption of Initial Shares as described above, and the consummation of the Financing Agreements, there are currently 37,154,198 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

The Common Stock and AEON warrants commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange American (NYSEA) under the symbols AEON and AEON WS, respectively, on July 24, 2023, subject to ongoing review of AEONs satisfaction of all listing criteria following the Business Combination.

As noted above, an aggregate of approximately $15.36 million was paid from the Companys trust account to holders that properly exercised their right to have Initial Shares redeemed, and the remaining balance immediately prior to the Closing of approximately $5.92 million remained in the trust account. The remaining funds of approximately $5.92 million in the trust account was used to fund the Business Combination.

FORM 10 INFORMATION

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K provides that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act), as Priveterra was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. As a result of the consummation of the Business Combination, and as discussed below in Item 5.06 of this Report, the Company has ceased to be a shell company. Accordingly, the Company is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if it were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the combined company after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Report contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this Report, words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, project, should, strive, would and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When AEON discusses its strategies or plans, it is making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, AEONs management.

Forward-looking statements in this Report may include, for example, statements about:

 the projected financial information, anticipated growth rate, and market opportunities of AEON;

 the ability to maintain the listing of AEONs Common Stock and public warrants on NYSEA;

 AEONs public securities potential liquidity and trading;

 AEONs ability to raise financing in the future;

 AEONs success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, officers, key employees or directors;

 factors relating to the business, operations and financial performance of AEON, including:  the initiation, cost, timing, progress and results of research and development, or R&D, activities, preclinical studies or clinical trials with respect to AEONs current and potential future product candidates;  AEONs ability to successfully develop and commercialize its main product candidate, ABP-450 and any potential future product candidates;  AEONs ability to obtain a BLA for therapeutic uses of ABP-450;  AEONs ability to advance its current and potential future product candidates into, and successfully complete, preclinical studies and clinical trials;  AEONs ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of its current and potential future product candidates, and any related restrictions, limitations and/or warnings in the label of an approved product candidate;  AEONs ability to obtain funding for its operations;  AEONs ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its technologies and any of its product candidates;  the rate and degree of market acceptance of AEONs current and any potential future market candidates;  regulatory developments in the United States and international jurisdictions;  potential liability lawsuits and penalties related to AEONs technologies, product candidates and current and future relationships with third parties;  AEONs ability to attract and retain key scientific and management personnel;

 AEONs ability to effectively manage the growth of its operations;  AEONs ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately under those arrangements, particularly the manufacturing agreement with Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.;  AEONs ability to compete effectively with existing competitors and new market entrants;  potential effects of extensive government regulation;  AEONs future financial performance and capital requirements;  AEONs ability to implement and maintain effective internal controls;  the impact of supply chain disruptions; and  the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AEONs business, including its preclinical studies, clinical studies and potential future clinical trials; and  other factors detailed under the section titled Risk Factors beginning on page 26 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors section of the other documents filed by AEON from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this Report and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on AEON. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting AEON will be those that AEON has anticipated. AEON undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Business

AEONs business is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Information About AEON beginning on page 216, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Risk Factors

The risks associated with AEONs business are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Risk Factors beginning on page 26 and are incorporated herein by reference. A summary of the risks associated with AEONs business is also included on pages 14-19 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the heading Summary of Risk Factors and is incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Information

The (i) unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Old AEON as of March 31, 2023 and for the periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are set forth in Exhibit 99.1 and are incorporated herein by reference and (ii) audited consolidated financial statements of Old AEON as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page F-26 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated combined financial information of Priveterra and Old AEON as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 is set forth in Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Managements discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Old AEON is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Managements discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Old AEON as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 247 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in Exhibit 99.3 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Common Stock following the consummation of the Transactions by:

 each person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of shares of Common Stock;

 each of AEONs current named executive officers and directors; and

 all current executive officers and directors of AEON as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options, RSUs and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

Unless otherwise indicated, AEON believes that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the voting securities beneficially owned by them.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Number of

Shares % of

Ownership 5% Holders Strathspey Crown Holdings Group, LLC(1) 9,420,370 25.4 % Priveterra Sponsor, LLC(2) 6,900,000 18.6 % Entities affiliated with Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.(3) 6,577,604 17.7 % Entities affiliated with Atalaya Capital Management LP(4) 3,675,000 9.9 % Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund(5) 3,675,000 9.9 % Directors and Executive Officers(6) Jost Fischer(7) 78,599 * Eric Carter(8) 14,908 * Robert Palmisano(9) 6,900,000 18.6 % Shelley Thunen 0 * Marc Forth(10) 1,357,502 3.5 % Peter Reynolds 0 * Chad Oh(11) 101,581 * Alex Wilson(12) 49,227 * All directors and executive officers as a group (8 individuals) 8,521,228 22.0 %

* Less than one percent

(1) Strathspey Crown Holdings Group, LLC, or SCHG, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Strathspey Crown LLC. The address for SCHG is 4040 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 310, Newport Beach, CA 92660. (2) The Sponsor is the record holder of the shares reported herein. Messr. Palmisano, along with two other individuals, has voting and investment discretion with respect to the common stock held of record by the Sponsor. Each of our officers and directors other than Messr. Palmisano disclaims any beneficial ownership of any shares held by the Sponsor. 3,450,000 shares of Common Stock held by Priveterra Sponsor, LLC are subject to vesting conditions and potential forfeiture. The address of the Sponsor is 300 SE 2nd Street, Suite 600, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. (3) Consists of (i) 714,286 shares of Common Stock held of record by Daewoong Co., Ltd, which were acquired pursuant to the Committed Interim Financing Agreements, (ii) 3,463,318 shares of Common Stock held of record by Daewoong Co., Ltd., which were acquired in connection with the Business Combination following the conversion of a convertible note of Old AEON, and (iii) 2,400,000 shares of Common Stock held of record by Daewoong Pharamceutical Co., Ltd., which were acquired in connection with the Business Combination following the conversion of a convertible note of Old AEON. Each of Daewoong Co., Ltd. and Daewoong Pharamceutical Co., Ltd. has sole voting and investment power of the shares. The address of Daewoong is 35-14, Jeyakgongdan 4-gil, Hyangnam-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. (4) Consists of (i) 3,100,000 shares of Common Stock held of record by ACM ARRT J LLC, which were acquired in connection with the Forward Purchase Agreements, (ii) 500,000 shares of Common Stock held of record by ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP, which were acquired in connection with the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements, and (iii) 75,000 shares of Common Stock held of record by Midtown Madison Management LLC, which were acquired in connection with certain services provided in connection with the Business Combination. The address of each of the entities listed above is One Rockefeller Plaza, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10020. (5) Consists of (i) 3,175,000 shares of Common Stock held of record by Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund, which were acquired in connection with the Forward Purchase Agreements and (ii) 500,000 shares of Common Stock held of record by Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund, which were acquired in connection with the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements. The business address applicable for this entity is 94 Solaris Avenue, Camana Bay, PO Box 1348, Grand Cayman, KY1-1108, Cayman Islands. (6) Unless otherwise noted, the business address applicable for this individual is 5 Park Plaza, Suite 1750, Irvine, CA 92614.

(7) Consists of (i) 15,627 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Fischer and (ii) 62,972 shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon exercise of options exercisable as of or within 60 days of July 21, 2023. (8) Consists of 14,908 shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Carter and exercisable as of or within 60 days of July 21, 2023. (9) The business address for Mr. Palmisano is 300 SE 2nd Street, Suite 600, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. 3,450,000 shares of Common Stock held by Priveterra Sponsor, LLC are subject to vesting conditions and potential forfeiture. (10) Consists of 1,357,502 shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Forth and exercisable as of or within 60 days of July 21, 2023. (11) Consists of 101,581 shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon exercise of options held by Dr. Oh and exercisable as of or within 60 days of July 21, 2023. (12) Consists of 49,227 shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Wilson and exercisable as of or within 60 days of July 21, 2023.

Directors and Executive Officers

Upon the consummation of the Transactions, and in accordance with the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, each executive officer of Priveterra ceased serving in such capacities, and each of Vikram Malik, Julie Andrews, James Lightman and Lance Berry ceased serving on Priveterras board of directors.

Marc Forth, Jost Fischer, Eric Carter, Ph.D, M.D., Robert Palmisano and Shelley Thunen were appointed as directors of AEON by the holders of Priveterra Class B common stock, to serve until the end of their respective terms and until their successors are elected and qualified. Mr. Fischer was appointed to serve as Chair of the Board. The Board is divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. Mr. Palmisano and Ms. Thunen will serve as the initial Class I directors for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of the stockholders; Mr. Fischer and Dr. Carter will serve as the initial Class II directors for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of the stockholders; and Mr. Forth will serve as the initial Class III director for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of the stockholders. After the expiration of the initial terms, each class will be elected to a subsequent three-year term.

Mr. Fischer, Mr. Palmisano and Ms. Thunen were appointed to serve on AEONs audit committee, with Ms. Thunen serving as the chair and qualifying as an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

Dr. Carter, Mr. Fischer and Mr. Palmisano were appointed to serve on AEONs compensation committee, with Mr. Fischer serving as the chair.

Dr. Carter and Ms. Thunen were appointed to serve on AEONs nominating and corporate governance committee, with Dr. Carter serving as the chair.

Mr. Forth was appointed as AEONs Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer, Peter Reynolds was appointed as AEONs Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, Chad Oh, M.D. was appointed as AEONs Chief Medical Officer, and Alex Wilson was appointed as AEONs Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary.

AEONs directors and executive officers after the consummation of the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Management of New AEON After the Business Combination beginning on page 315 and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, interlocks and insider participation information regarding AEONs executive officers is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Management of New AEON After the Business Combination Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation beginning on page 320 and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Executive and Director Compensation

The compensation of Old AEONs executive officers and directors is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Executive and Director Compensation beginning on page 265 and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

Certain relationships and related party transactions of AEON are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions beginning on page 284 and are incorporated herein by reference.

The disclosure under Item 1.01 of this Report relating to the Committed Financing Agreements is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.

Director Independence

Information regarding director independence is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Management of New AEON After The Business CombinationDirector Independence beginning on page 317 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Legal Proceedings

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings in the sections of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled Information about PriveterraLegal Proceedings beginning on page 195, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Shares of AEONs Common Stock and AEONs warrants commenced trading on NYSEA under the symbols AEON and AEON WS, respectively, on July 24, 2023, in lieu of Priveterra Class A common stock, warrants and units of Priveterra. AEON has not paid any cash dividends on its shares of Common Stock to date. It is the present intention of the Board to retain all earnings, if any, for use in AEONs business operations and, accordingly, the Board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon AEONs revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends is within the discretion of the Board. Further, if AEON incurs any indebtedness, its ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants AEON may agree to in connection therewith.

Information regarding Priveterra Class A Common Stock, warrants and units and related stockholder matters are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Trading Symbol, Market Price and Dividend Policy on page 314 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth below under Item 3.02 of this Report concerning the issuance and sale by AEON of certain unregistered securities, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Information regarding Rule 144 under the Securities Act and its use by former shell companies is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Securities Act Restrictions on Resale of Common Stock on page 303 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Description of Registrants Securities

The description of AEONs securities is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Description of New AEONs Securities After the Business Combination beginning on page 293 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The indemnification of AEONs directors and officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Part II: Information Not Required in Prospectus on page II-1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure set forth above in Item 1.01 of this Report is incorporated by reference herein. The securities of Priveterra that may be issued in connection with the PIPE Subscription Agreements will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Upon Closing, Priveterra issued 125,000 additional shares of New AEON common stock to certain service providers as compensation for services provided which shares shall be subject to a twelve-month lockup on such terms as set forth in its bylaws.

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth in Item 5.03 to this Report is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.01. Changes in Registrants Certifying Accountant.

(a) Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm.

On July 21, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Board dismissed WithumSmith + Brown LLP (Withum), Priveterras independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Business Combination, as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm effective upon consummation of the Closing.

The report of Withum on Priveterras, consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the statements of operations, changes stockholders' (deficit) and cash flows for the years then ended (as restated), the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and the statements of operations, changes stockholder's equity and cash flows for the period from November 17, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the period from November 17, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through July 21, 2023, there were no disagreements between the Company and Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on Priveterras financial statements for such period.

During the period from November 17, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2022 and subsequent interim periods through July 21, 2023, there were no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act), except for the material weakness disclosed under the heading Item 9A. Controls and ProceduresEvaluation of Controls and Procedures in Priveterras Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on April 10, 2023.

The Company is currently in the process of identifying a successor independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2023.

The Company has provided Withum with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and has requested that Withum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company set forth above. A copy of Withums letter, dated July 27, 2023, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Report.

Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant.

The information set forth above under Item 1.01 and Item 2.01 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Executive Officers and Directors

The information set forth in the sections titled Directors and Executive Officers, Executive and Director Compensation and Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions in Item 2.01 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.

Employment Agreements

Effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Forth, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Oh, our Chief Medical Officer. The material terms of these employment agreements is described below.

Marc Forth. Pursuant to his amended employment agreement, Mr. Forth is entitled to receive a base salary of $550,000 per year and he is eligible to participate in our annual discretionary incentive plan with the opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus targeted at an amount equal to 100% of his annual base salary, determined based on the achievement of applicable corporate and individual performance goals.

Under his amended employment agreement, if Mr. Forth is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason (each, as defined in the amended employment agreement), then, subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims and his continued compliance with restrictive covenants, he will be eligible to receive (i) 12 months of continued payments of his annual base salary over the 12-month period after the date of termination, (ii) a pro-rated annual bonus for the calendar year in which his employment is terminated based on the target level of achievement of any applicable performance goals or objectives and (iii) 12 months of company-paid continued coverage under our group health plans.

Chad Oh. The employment agreement for Dr. Oh provides for an annual base salary of $425,000 per year and he is eligible to participate in our annual discretionary incentive plan with the opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus targeted at an amount equal to 40% of his annual base salary, determined based on the achievement of applicable corporate and individual performance goals.

Under the employment agreement, if Dr. Ohs employment is terminated for any reason other than cause or as the result of death or disability, or if Dr. Oh terminates employment for good reason (each, as defined in his employment agreement), then, subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims and his continued compliance with restrictive covenants, he will be eligible to receive (i) six months of continued payments of his annual base salary over the six-month period after the date of termination, (ii) 50% of the target annual bonus he would have received in the calendar year in which such termination occurs, and (iii) six months of company-paid continued coverage under our group health plans. If Dr. Ohs employment is terminated for any reason other than cause or as the result of death or disability, or if Dr. Oh terminates employment for good reason within two months prior to or within 12 months after a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the 2023 Plan), then, subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims and his continued compliance with restrictive covenants, he will be eligible to receive (i) 12 months of continued payments of his annual base salary over the 12-month period after the date of termination; provided, that if the termination date occurs on or within 12 months after a change in control, the severance shall be paid in a single lump sum within 60 days following the termination date, (ii) 100% of the target annual bonus he would have received in the calendar year in which such termination occurs, and (iii) 12 months of company-paid continued coverage under our group health plans.

General. Each employment agreement also includes a best pay provision under Section 280G of the Code, pursuant to which any parachute payments that become payable to the executive will either be paid in full or reduced so that such payments are not subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever results in the better after-tax treatment to the executive. The employment agreements are also contingent upon the execution of our standard employee proprietary information and inventions agreement, which includes a two-year post-termination non-solicitation provision and customary confidentiality provisions.

The foregoing description of the employment agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the employment agreements for Mr. Forth and Dr. Oh, which are included as Exhibits 10.11 and 10.12 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

2013 Stock Incentive Plan; ABP Sub Inc. 2019 Incentive Award Plan

In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company assumed the Amended and Restated 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2013 Plan) and the ABP Sub Inc. 2019 Incentive Award Plan (the 2019 Plan and together with the 2013 Plan, the Prior Plans) from Old AEON and, thereafter, terminated the each Prior Plan. Any outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plans will remain outstanding, subject to the terms of the applicable Prior Plan and applicable award agreement; however, there are no awards outstanding under the 2013 Plan.

The information set forth in the section entitled Executive CompensationEquity Incentive Plans beginning on page 274 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Prior Plans and the information incorporated by reference in the preceding sentence does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the applicable Prior Plan. The 2019 Plan is included as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The forms of stock option and restricted stock unit award agreements under the 2019 Plan are included as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference

2023 Incentive Award Plan

In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company adopted the AEON Biopharma, Inc. 2023 Incentive Award Plan (the 2023 Plan) under which the Company may grant cash and equity incentive awards to its eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate, and retain the talent for which the Company competes.

Employees, consultants, and directors of the Company, and employees and consultants of its subsidiaries, generally are eligible to receive awards under the 2023 Plan. The 2023 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Companys board of directors, which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to one or more committees of the Companys directors and/or officers (referred to collectively as the plan administrator), subject to the limitations imposed under the 2023 Plan and applicable laws. The plan administrator has the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under 2023 Plan, to interpret the 2023 Plan and award agreements, and to adopt, amend, and repeal rules for the administration of the 2023 Plan as it deems advisable. The plan administrator also has the authority to determine which eligible participants receive awards, grant awards, and set the terms and conditions of all awards under the 2023 Plan, including any vesting and vesting acceleration provisions, subject to the conditions and limitations in the 2023 Plan.

The initial aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock available for issuance under the 2023 Plan is equal to (a) 3,839,892 shares of Common Stock and (b) any shares which, as of the effective date of the 2023 Plan, are subject to an award outstanding under the 2019 Plan (each, a Prior Plan Award), and which, on or following the effective date of the 2023 Plan, become available for issuance under the 2023 Plan as provided in the 2023 Plan. In addition, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2023 Plan will be annually increased on January 1 of each calendar year beginning in 2024 and ending in 2033 by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 4% of the number of fully-diluted number of shares outstanding (as calculated below) on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year or (ii) such other number of shares as is determined by the Board. The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options granted under the 2023 Plan is 300,000,000. The foregoing share limits under the 2023 Plan are, in each case, subject to certain adjustments set forth therein.

The information set forth in the section entitled Proposal No. 6: The Incentive Plan Proposal beginning on page 177 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2023 Plan and the information incorporated by reference in the preceding sentence does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the 2023 Plan and applicable forms of award agreements, which are included as Exhibits 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company adopted the AEON Biopharma, Inc. 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP) under which certain employees of the Company and its participating subsidiaries are provided with the opportunity to purchase Common Stock at a discount through accumulated payroll deductions during successive offering periods.

The initial aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the ESPP will be equal to 488,146 shares. In addition, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the ESPP will be annually increased on January 1 of each calendar year beginning in 2024 and ending in 2033 by an amount equal to the lesser of (a) 1% of the fully-diluted number of shares outstanding (as calculated below) on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year or (b) such other number of shares as is determined by the Board. The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the ESPP will be 50,000,000.

The compensation committee of the Board serves as the administrator of the ESPP and has the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under the ESPP, to interpret the ESPP, and to adopt, amend, and repeal rules for the administration of the ESPP as it deems advisable.

The information set forth in the section entitled Proposal 7: The ESPP Proposal beginning on page 182 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the ESPP and the information incorporated by reference in the preceding sentence does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the ESPP, which is included as Exhibit 10.9 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

At the Special Meeting, the Priveterra stockholders considered and approved, among other things, the proposals set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled The Charter Amendment Proposal and The Advisory Charter Amendment Proposals beginning on pages 169 and 171, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (collectively, the Charter Proposals).

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AEON (the Certificate of Incorporation), which became effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 21, 2023 includes the amendments proposed by the Charter Proposals.

On July 21, 2023, the Board approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws of AEON (the Bylaws), which became effective immediately prior to the completion of the Business Combination.

Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

The description of the Certificate of Incorporation and the general effect of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws upon the rights of holders of AEONs capital stock are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled The Charter Amendment Proposal, The Advisory Charter Amendment Proposals and Description of New AEONs Securities After the Business Combination beginning on pages 169, 171 and 293, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.05. Amendments to the Registrants Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

In connection with the Business Combination, on July 21, 2023, AEONs board of directors approved and adopted a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors of AEON. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found at https://investors.aeonbiopharma.com/governance/governance-documents/default.aspx under the link Governance Documents. The above description of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 14.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company ceased being a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled Proposal 1: The Business Combination Proposal beginning on page 100, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Item 2.01 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 24, 2023, AEON issued a press release announcing the Closing. A copy of the press release is filed hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and incorporated herein by reference.





The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.4, is furnished and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings. This Report will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information contained in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.4.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

As a result of the Business Combination, AEON became the successor issuer to Priveterra. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act, AEONs common stock and warrants are deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

Letter Agreements

On June 29, 2023, Priveterra Sponsor, LLC (Sponsor) entered into separate letter agreements (each, a Letter Agreement and collectively, the Letter Agreements) with each of ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP and Polar. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Letter Agreements.

Pursuant to the Letter Agreements, in the event that the Transfer VWAP for the shares of Priveterra Common Stock purchased pursuant to the New Money PIPE Subscription Agreements that are Transferred during the Measurement Period (the Transferred PIPE Shares) is less than $7.00 per share, then (i) ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP and Polar shall be entitled to receive a number of additional shares of Priveterra Common Stock that have been registered for resale by the Company under an effective resale registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act, under which ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP and Polar may sell or transfer such shares of Priveterra Common Stock in an amount that is equal to the lesser of (A) a number of shares of Priveterra Common Stock equal to the Make-Whole Amount divided by the VWAP (measured as of the date the Additional Shares are Transferred to ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP or Polar, as applicable) and (B) 400,000 shares of Priveterra Common Stock (the Additional Shares) and (ii) Sponsor shall promptly (but in any event within fifteen (15) business days) after the Measurement Date, transfer the Additional Shares to ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP or Polar, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Transfer VWAP for the Transferred PIPE Shares is equal to or more than $7.00 per share, then neither ACM ASOF VIII Secondary-C LP nor Polar shall be entitled to any Additional Shares. Make-Whole Amount means an amount equal to the product of (A) $7.00 minus the Transfer VWAP multiplied by (B) the number of Transferred PIPE Shares.

Copies of the Letter Agreements are filed herewith as Exhibit 99.5 and Exhibit 99.6 and the foregoing description of the Letter Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

The (i) unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Old AEON as of March 31, 2023 and for the periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference and (ii) audited consolidated financial statements of Old AEON as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Pro forma financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of Priveterra and Old AEON as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 is set forth in Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits.

* The annexes, schedules, and certain exhibits to this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted annex, schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request. + Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

AEON Biopharma, Inc. Date: July 27, 2023 By: /s/ Marc Forth Name: Marc Forth Title: Chief Executive Officer

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A squadron of F-35 Lightning IIs, some of the Air Forces most advanced fighter jets, has arrived in the Middle East, where the planes will join patrols that aim to deter Iran from seizing oil tankers, the service said in a statement this week.

The jets will also be used in missions against the Islamic State in Syria, the 9th Air Force statement issued Wednesday said.

The deployment comes amid a recent buildup of forces in the Middle East after U.S. claims of Iranian ship seizures at sea and Russian provocations in the air.

Last week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of the F-35s as well as F-16 fighter jets and the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner.

A Marine expeditionary unit was also ordered to the Middle East last week, and a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs arrived in March.

The role of these newly deployed additional forces is to deter Iranian destabilizing activities in the region, Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said last week.

Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, was referring to U.S. claims that Iran has harassed ships in the key waterway known as the Strait of Hormuz.

The Pentagon says it has stepped up patrols over the strait. Iran has been accused by the U.S. of attacking, seizing or trying to seize nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels over the past two years.

The F-35s, flown by the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, will partner with A-10s and F-16s already there in monitoring the strait, the 9th Air Force statement said.

The F-35s increased capacity and capability will allow the U.S. to fly in contested airspace across the theater if required, it said.

Some 900 American troops are deployed to fight ISIS, but the U.S. accuses Russia of harassing its drones in Syria and placing its aircraft and pilots there at risk.

On Sunday, a Russian fighter jet flying at close range fired flares at a U.S. drone and severely damaged its propeller, the Air Force said in a statement this week.

The White House said Wednesday that a second Russian aircraft had flown dangerously close to another U.S. drone in the skies over Syria this week, The Associated Press reported.

The U.S. has been saying since late February that Russias fighter jets and surveillance drones are buzzing American bases in Syria and violating protocols developed to prevent conflict between the two countries, which back opposing factions there.

The U.S. previously deployed F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the Middle East in response to increasingly unsafe and unprofessional behavior by Russian aircraft in the region, an Air Force statement said at the time.
There are currently about 6 thousand "Wagner" soldiers on the territory of Belarus and the number of this group of trained assault infantry is constantly growing. Their main problem is the lack of heavy equipment. It is also unclear whether the Belarusian self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko will be willing to provide them with the neccessary arming. However, Wagner can conduct reconnaissance against not only Ukraine but also Latvia, Lithuania and Poland even in its current state.

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In fact, both dictatorial regimes (Russian and Belarusian) put pressure on the European countries bordering Belarus. That's mainly concern the threat of seizing the Suwaki Gap, a notional corridor running from Belarus to Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast. Currently, the number of the Belarusian "Wagner" group is not too large for such actions. NATO also hastened to assure the Baltic States and Poland that it would support them in deed. Nevertheless, the situation is changing rapidly and must be constantly monitored. This opinion was expressed in an exclusive interview with OBOZREVATEL by former Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko.

Head of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov in an interview with CNN predicted that in July 2024, Ukraine may become a member of NATO and the war will end with our victory by then. Is it really possible that the timeline could be exactly that?

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There are prospects for such an approach. I hope that Mr. Reznikov has much more information on this subject and that his policy statements of a strategic order are based on such data.

In order for such approaches to be realized a year from now, we need to implement the current year's plans. However, so far this is happening in a rather difficult way. We have not finished the strategic defensive operation in the east of our country and the enemy is advancing in Kupiansk, Lyman and Svatove directions. At small distances indeed, but still advances.

In the south, the Ukrainian army is carrying out offensive actions, but their pace is insignificant for a number of reasons. Therefore, the tasks of the summer campaign, including one to cut the land corridor from Russia to Crimea, have not yet been accomplished.

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I would advise not to focus on this strategy. We are striving for it and we need it. Making these kind of statement is good. But what is happening now is more important as it defines that bright future that Mr. Reznikov talked about.

President Zelensky made an interesting statement about the "drone army". According to him, good news about the use of Ukrainian drones will be more frequent. Do you think that against the backdrop of our increasing capabilities, it is the "drone army" that can provide a turning point in the war?

There is a indeed a trend of strategic order in waging wars (this and future), where the role and place of drones will increase. Moreover, we are talking not only about aerial drones but also about unmanned platforms operating on land, at sea and underwater. These technologies are being practiced by the world military science, including the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war, in which we are fighting for our liberation.

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As the prospect of drone use is seen, we need to increase both their quantity and quality. Steps have been taken by our military-industrial complex. At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, several dozens of drones were adopted by the Ukrainian army. We see that the number of drones that can cover distances of hundreds of kilometers has increased. This is confirmed by the strikes on facilities in Moscow and in Crimea.

However, it is necessary to realize that the Russians are also learning from this war. They have drawn conclusions and implemented approaches related to increasing the number of drones, in particular the Lancet barrage munition and others. While the number of drones of our production is down to a few dozen plus those drones provided by allies, the Russians have tens of thousands of drones. The enemy is building up its capabilities in this regard.

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Therefore, our task is not only to increase the quantity and quality of drones, including those that are more resistant to the enemy's EW means, but also to develop means of suppressing the enemy's drones. This is a very important area. We have developments, we have the relevant weapons from allies that are provided to us, but this is not yet enough.

A new heating season will start soon. Do you think that the enemy will intensify strikes on Ukraine's critical infrastructure again? Can we expect that in a matter of months our facilities will be better protected from enemy strikes, particularly if we have the means of suppressing enemy drones that you mentioned?

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They're already in place. I think the enemy will not forget our critical infrastructure facilities, because it is still pursuing this strategic approach. We see how it acts in the grain deal. Its goal is to undermine Ukraine's economy, cause irreparable damage and generally weaken our state's ability to maintain its Defense Forces. We see this all the time.

Therefore, unfortunately, there will be strikes. The potential of our air and missile defense is increasing, but it is not sufficient yet. In certain positions lik missile defense and in the air defense assets of the troops. We still need this since the troops need to be provided with air cover before carrying out combat operations. We will not be able to solve the problem with the help of man-portable air defense systems alone.

Moreover, some of Ukraine's allies even provide us with some new elements of armaments, but only to such an extent that they can be used at a testing range in Ukraine, made as an advertisement and thus earn money on these weapons in the world.

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The work to increase our capabilities continues, but not at the pace we would like. It concerns both quantity and quality.

It was reported that the eleventh convoy of PMC "Wagner" arrived in Belarus on July, 25. It consists of at least 29 units of vehicles. Earlier, it was reported that about 3.5 thousand "Wagner" mercenaries were deployed in Belarus. We understand that such a group can hardly pose a serious threat, but we also see a trend of a constant accumulation of forces and means. Can Wagner threaten Ukraine in the future?

First of all, according to the latest data from open sources, the number of "Wagner" soldiers in Belarus has already increased to 6 thousand. I agree that the tendency to increase the grouping continues.

They are well-trained assault infantry, which has effectively shown itself during the war. So far they lack heavy weapons, but Belarus has the capabilities. It was said that the head of the Russian National Guard, Zolotov, had agreed with Putin that heavy weaponry would be provided to him. This was related to the Prigozhin mutiny. At that time, there was little heavy weaponry near Moscow, so the prospects for those defending the city were not good. One way or another this armament is now left in Russia.

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Belarus has its own capabilities in heavy equipment, but the question is whether Lukashenko will do it. However, even these 6,000 lightly armed personnel of assault infantry can engage in reconnaissance from the territory of Belarus. It is not only with regard to Ukraine but also with regard to our allies, the Baltic States and Poland.

Thus, Wagner in Belarus creates tension to put pressure on the leadership of the states I mentioned, as well as Europe in general. In particular, we are talking about the danger of seizing the Suwaki corridor and related actions.

The leadership of these countries is taking this prospect seriously. The Poles have formed an engineering battalion, which is being transferred to the east towards Belarus. It will be ready to carry out remote mining. This is a very important element. This is what the Russians are doing in the Tavria direction in Zaporizhzhia region. In addition, troops are being prepared in the Baltic States as well.

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There are political statements from the United States and NATO leadership that they will support NATO member states not only in words but also in deeds. At the same time, the probability that the Russians may start hostilities now is low, given the number and condition of troops. However, the situation should definitely be monitored due to the growth of the grouping.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A Marine Corps sergeant was in an Okinawa jail Friday after Japanese police say he was driving under the influence when he led them on 10-minute car chase through several red lights.

Police attempted to question Gunnery Sgt. Leonel Tibuni, 34, after spotting him at 3:24 a.m. Wednesday apparently asleep in his car at a green light at an Okinawa city intersection, a spokesman for the prefectural police said by phone Thursday. Tibuni, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, south of Hiroshima, instead sped away, leading three police cruisers on a chase that ended approximately 8 miles away in Uruma city, according to the spokesman. Police said Tibuni exceeded the speed limit but declined to specify how fast he was going.

Tibuni refused a Breathalyzer test to determine his blood-alcohol content and was held on suspicion of failing to obey traffic lights, which carries a $350 fine, according to police.

He was re-arrested Thursday on suspicion of drunken driving based on blood test results showing his blood-alcohol content Wednesday was slightly over 0.03%, the legal limit to drive in Japan, the spokesman said. By comparison, all 50 U.S. states have set 0.08 as the legal limit for driving under the influence or while impaired.

Police planned to send his case to prosecutors Friday, the spokesman said. A drunken driving conviction can bring up to five years in prison or a $7,100 fine.

A Marine for 16 years, Tibuni is a Texas native and a support system technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Maj. Rob Martins, a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman, said in an email Thursday. 1st MAW is aware of the allegations involving potential traffic violations and takes these matters seriously, he said. The Marine Corps deeply values being a part of the community and our long-standing relationship. Some government officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.
BOWEN, Australia  A small cafe nestled on a high cliff in this small coastal town has transformed into an impromptu meeting place for U.S. and Australian troops engaged in Talisman Sabre training.

The Flagstaff Hill Cafe serves Australian takeaway dishes such as fish and chips and meat pies and Vietnamese specialties such as pho in the town just shy of 10,000 on the eastern Australia coast.

For the past month, high-ranking military officers have joined the tourists at the cafes lookout over McCanes Bay, where the U.S. Army and Navy is holding sea-to-beach logistics training as part of the exercise.

The soldiers brought more than binoculars to Bowen. The town is experiencing an economic windfall of about $5 million in consumer spending directly associated with the exercise, Army Lt. Jared McCully told Stars and Stripes on Thursday, citing a local economic development report.

Soldiers, of course, patronize local shops, taverns, bars, restaurants, barber shops, clothing stores, souvenir stands, Airlie Beach for tourism, he said. So, its been a huge injection into the economy, as this is typically their offseason a little bit.

Few were happier than Flagstaff Hill Cafe owner Tuan Tran, originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

We were very surprised and excited when people from the Army started coming to Bowen, Tran said Thursday. Its been so good for business, and we really appreciate it.

The Army began renting the cafes spacious backroom as an improvised meeting space for media engagements and special visitors from the 13-country coalition participating in Talisman Sabre, McCully said.

Beyond pumping dollars into the local economy, troops in town for Talisman Sabre joined the local Merinda State Schools 125th birthday celebration during a school fair July 22, and helped with a car show, concession stands and other activities, McCully said.

At Flagstaff Hill Cafe, the influx of so many new patrons was a pleasant surprise.

It was unexpected, but everyone has been so friendly, Tran said.
Scientists say they have solved the mystery of a 2,000-year-old grave that has intrigued archaeologists for more than two decades  and that they now believe belonged to a young female warrior leader.

The Iron Age grave, accidentally discovered by a farmer on a small island off the southwestern tip of England in 1999, was the most richly furnished burial chamber found in the area, and contained several metal objects.

Particularly intriguing was the fact the grave on the Isles of Scilly contained both a sword  which would normally indicate a male burial during the Iron Age  and a bronze mirror, associated with female burials. The two have never been found together in a grave before, and "that combination of the two is what threw everyone in archaeology when it was first discovered," Sarah Stark, a human skeletal biologist at Historic England and one of the study's authors, said in an interview Thursday.

The remains themselves offered few clues  particularly as all that remained of the body was a dark stain where it had been placed and just 5.3 ounces of bone and teeth fragments. Scientists were able to establish the individual in the grave was between 20 and 25 when they died  but with so little of the skeleton left, it was not possible to identify the sex of the deceased or extract any DNA from the fragments.

Now, after analyzing proteins in the fragments of dental enamel found in the grave, an international team of scientists  which included scientists at the University of California at Davis and Harvard  say they have determined the body belonged to a woman  and, based on the available archaeological information, they believe she was a warrior leader.

Their findings, which they say provide a new insight into the possible societal structures of Iron Age Britain, were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports on Thursday.

"Tooth enamel is the hardest and most durable substance in the human body," Glendon Parker, professor of environmental toxicology at the University of California at Davis, explained in a statement shared by Historic England. He added that tooth enamel also contains proteins that can determine sex, and can survive longer than DNA.

"This allowed us to calculate a 96% probability that the individual was female. Given the degraded state of the bones, it's remarkable to get such a strong result," he said.

The next question was why the young woman had been granted such a rich burial. Based on the findings of other burial sites in the region and what is known about Iron Age society, the team believes that the objects placed in the grave "had meaning to her and served whatever role she had," according to Stark.

Iron Age Britain "was a pretty tough place," she said, where violence and warfare and raiding were endemic. "And when we think about what was happening in terms of Scilly  this is an island community, a coastal community, that would be quite vulnerable to attacks."

Other graves from the region suggest that women did participate in violence or warfare, she continued, "but not all of them are buried with these grave goods. And that's what really sets this burial apart is that this person was a person of significance  to have such a rich burial  but also someone who was likely to have been commanding and leading in this type of warfare."

The techniques the team used may be able to shed light on other, similar graves, where only partial remains have been found.

"We can actually use it on some of those burials and start to uncover other stories. And what we're particularly interested in is that we might start to uncover more of these hidden female warriors that previously we didn't really know about," Stark said.
Somewhere in South Korea, March 1951: The original caption of this image  captured by U.S. Army photographer D.C. Miller and published in the Pacific Stars and Stripes March 11, 1951  read Reach for the sky  This Chinese Red soldier is searched for concealed weapons by an infantryman of the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division. Note the ragged quilted winter clothing worn by the captured Communist.

Apart from images captured by our own staff photographers, Pacific Stars and Stripes archives also holds photo prints of images published in our paper but taken by military photographers not assigned to Stars and Stripes.

Although we prioritize the preservation and scanning of our own material, given their historic importance we made an exception for the images in our collection of the Korean War taken by these military photographers. Few of our own images from that war survived as all pre-1964 Stars and Stripes Pacific negatives and slides were unwittingly destroyed by poor temporary storage in 1963. The prints created by Stars and Stripes Pacifics photo department to run in the print newspaper are the only images left of Stripes news photography from those early decades.

In this month of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, we share some of these historic images with you.

Looking for Stars and Stripes coverage of the Korean War? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Military parents who send their children to Global Step Academy, a pre-school and kindergarten for international students, said theyre relieved that Japan now requires an alert system onboard some school buses.

The device is required by the government and uses a 4D imaging radar that picks up movement, even a child crying in the vehicle, up to 15 minutes after the engine is shut off, according to Japans Cabinet Office.

The motion sensor works in tandem with an alarm to alert the operator to check the bus. The device also pings registered phone numbers if motion is detected.

Global Step installed devices on its two buses on July 10, and has its own verification methods, principal Yasuko Toshida said at the school in Tachikawa on July 20. More than 30 children ride the academys buses to and from Yokota every weekday.

Extra safety is always good, so yes, we are happy, she said.

The international school is among several that provide services outside of Yokota for military families.

It makes me feel a little better, Air Force spouse Lindsey Zgoda said July 20 at the airlift hub in western Tokyo. She has two children, ages 3 and 5, attending the school. We havent had any issues at all, the staff has been great, and I havent ever been concerned about the kids being left on the bus.

The deaths of several children left behind on school buses in Japan prompted the government in April to require child-detection devices on buses for nurseries, pre-school and kindergarten by March 2024.

In September in Shizuoka prefecture, a 3-year-old girl died after being trapped inside an unattended school bus for five hours on a hot day. In July 2021, a boy, 5, died in Fukuoka prefecture after being trapped nine hours, according to the newspaper, Asahi Shimbun.

Masanobu Ogura, the Japanese minister in charge of child policies, urged child-care facilities in June to install safety systems on their buses ahead of the March deadline. The government encouraged their installation this summer, ahead of the onset of higher temperatures and chances of heat stroke.

Schools on U.S. military bases in Japan that transport students on and off base are not required to install the device, according to Miranda Ferguson, spokeswoman for Department of Defense Education Activity-Pacific.

However, DODEA requires its drivers to walk the aisles and confirm buses are empty, then place an Empty Bus sign at the back, she said by email Wednesday.

About half of the 50,000-plus buses required by Japan to have the safety devices are in compliance or making progress, according to Ogura. Institutions that fail to meet the deadline face penalties, including a business suspension.

Each institution must also maintain a checklist to prevent mishaps, according to the government policy. Bus drivers are responsible for attendance procedures to ensure children are safe on and off the bus.

I felt great to know that steps are being taken to protect the kids, Air Force spouse Eduardo Gomez-Urdampilleta, whose two children, ages 5 and 3, attend Global Step Academy, said July 20.

Stars and Stripes reporters Akifumi Ishikawa and Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  Lawmakers could use the tax code in unprecedented fashion to extend friendly tax treatment to Taiwanese firms operating in the U.S. and American companies doing business in Taiwan, a reflection of the islands unique position and backing in Washington.

A draft bill that all four of Congress top tax writers endorsed would add a new section to the tax code and could mark the first time that this level of tax treaty-like treatment would be extended by domestic law.

Experts say its a novel approach that comes as the U.S. looks to unlock investment in microchip factories at home and support Taiwan while operating within the confines of U.S. policy.

This is really a very unique situation that I have not seen before, but it is also one that I think everybody is supportive of just simply because of the unique situation, said Catherine Schultz, vice president for tax and fiscal policy at the Business Roundtable. The group represents CEOs of the largest U.S. companies.

The U.S. only has unofficial relations with Taiwan so it cant execute a formal tax treaty, and its close partnership with Taiwan has been a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. China claims the self-governing island as its territory.

PwCs Pat Brown, who previously worked on tax treaties at the Treasury Department, said the unique situation with Taiwan means establishing a tax agreement is more of a congressional project than usual. Typically, the Treasury Department negotiates tax treaties that the Senate must approve by a supermajority vote.

A discussion draft released by the top Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means panels would create a new section of the tax code replicating some key provisions of the model tax treaty the U.S. uses to negotiate formal pacts. The benefits, which prevent the same income from being taxed by each jurisdiction, would only kick in if Taiwan offers the same treatment to U.S. businesses.

Theres no precedent for extending reciprocal benefits to another jurisdiction at this scale in the tax code. But aides looked to some examples.

A provision of the tax code allows foreign companies to avoid tax on international shipping income if their home countries offer the same benefit to U.S.-based firms, a guide for allowing benefits that only go into effect if theyre mutual. A 1983 law extending tax and trade benefits to Caribbean countries provided an example of provisions targeted to a specific region.

The tax committees set Monday as their deadline for collecting comments on their discussion draft, and are primarily seeking feedback on how well they tracked with the benefits of a typical tax treaty. Theyre not interested in considering significantly different benefits because their goal is to replicate the traditional pact, according to an aide to Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

But theres a snag with the effort. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee that typically processes tax treaties has its own bipartisan bill that takes a different approach.

Foreign Relations bill would authorize the executive branch to negotiate and enter into a tax agreement with Taiwan that would have the force of a treaty and require final approval from Congress. The panel approved it by voice vote this month.

Brown said the bill provides the highest-level directive to Treasury, and that department-led negotiations could take years to produce an agreement.

The tax committees are opposed to the Foreign Relations approach. They believe allowing a less formal agreement to override the tax code  rather than using legislation or a treaty  would create a new, problematic precedent for making tax law, according to the Wyden aide.

Senators are attempting to work out the hangup. Foreign Relations Chairman and Finance panel member Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said hes discussing the issue with Wyden.

I think they are not mutually exclusive, Menendez said. Theyre different approaches  ours is broader  but I think well get to a good place.

While its unclear exactly if or how the two committees could meld their approaches, they likely have months before tax legislation could move through the House and Senate to negotiate and make any tweaks.

Race for semiconductor plants

Getting something done this year would still be remarkably fast compared to the typical tax treaty process, a boost for chipmakers eyeing new U.S. subsidies. Treasury negotiations, with limited staff, typically take years, and once signed by the president, the pacts tend to sit in the Senate for years more.

The tax committees Taiwan proposal doesnt need special treaty consideration and could instead be tacked onto a larger legislative package taken up in the House and Senate.

The tax committees believe they could attach their measure to the next possible legislative vehicle for tax provisions and have benefits in place as soon as next year, according to the Wyden aide.

Tax writers view speed as important to strengthen the countrys economic partnership with Taiwan generally and, in particular, to bolster investments that Congress has made in growing the domestic microchip industry.

Ways and Means top Democrat, Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts, said reducing double taxation of business earnings between the U.S. and Taiwan would help unlock the full competitive benefits of a 2022 law that provided grants and tax credits to attract new semiconductor factories to the U.S.

Taiwan is a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and global competition is heating up as European countries offer their own incentives. Making sure that Taiwanese companies arent taxed twice on their earnings from U.S. plants would make those investments more attractive.

I think we all see Taiwan as a very important pivot point in strategic relationships as well as trade is a big part of it, economics, Neal said. Asked whether that means legislation could pass this year, he said, Why not?

The Business Roundtables Schultz said that companies have sought a tax agreement with Taiwan for years but the driving force for Congress acting now is likely the global competition to attract semiconductor manufacturing. The microchips are critical for computers, cars, smartphones and other technology.

It would also benefit U.S. companies, particularly in the tech industry, that sell their goods and services in Taiwan or source products from Taiwanese factories or suppliers.

Companies that reported lobbying specifically on a U.S.-Taiwan tax agreement this year include multiple major chipmakers based in Taiwan that operate U.S. facilities and have announced plans to build more, including MediaTek Inc., Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., and an Arizona division of TSMC.

TSMC recently delayed the opening of its first plant in Arizona citing a shortage of local workers specialized in the field. That project is a $40 billion investment expected to create 4,500 jobs, according to the companys announcement.

MediaTek announced plans for an Indiana chip design center last year.

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BEIJING  Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in southwestern China for talks about joint projects, including the development of Indonesia's capital.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the governments of China and Indonesia signed several agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on exchanging knowledge and experience for the development of Nusantara.

During their meeting in Chengdu, the two leaders also were discussing investments, cooperation in areas such as health, research and technology, and regional issues, including China's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to a statement from Widodo.

"The Indo-Pacific is a strategic area that we must protect as a peaceful and stable area," said Indonesia's president, whose country is chairing the ASEAN this year.

Widodo is on a three-day visit to China and also plans to meet with Chinese businesspeople to discuss possible investments in Indonesia, especially in the petrochemical, renewable energy and health sectors, the statement added.

He also is scheduled to attend the opening of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu.

Indonesia is, along with China, a member of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies. China is Indonesia's largest trade and investment partner.

Indonesia wants a bigger role as a supplier of nickel and other raw materials to China's fast-growing electric car brands.

Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.
A ban on summiting Mount Ontake, a volcano that straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures in central Japan, ends this weekend.

From 10 a.m. Saturday, people will be allowed to access a ridge linking the 9,633-foot Otaki peak to the highest part of the volcano, 10,627-foot Kengamine peak, according to local officials quoted by the Kyodo news agency Wednesday.

The area was hit hard by an eruption on Sept. 27, 2014, that killed 58 people and left five others missing. Winds prevented a predicted ash cloud from reaching Yokota Air Base, the U.S. airlift hub in western Tokyo.

Otaki village, near Mount Ontake, has built a pair of evacuation shelters in the reopened area, with final safety checks conducted July 18. Some hiking paths near the summit are still off-limits, Kyodo reported.

The 2014 eruption occurred suddenly, and Ontake is likely to erupt again someday, although predicting when is difficult. The volcano experienced four phreatic eruptions between 1979 and 2014, according to a November 2016 article in the journal Earth, Planets and Space.

A phreatic eruption occurs when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, hot rocks or new volcanic deposits, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In Ontakes case, the water was likely superheated by magma deep below the surface.

The intense heat of such material (as high as 2,140 F for basaltic lava) may cause water to boil and flash to steam, thereby generating an explosion of steam, water, ash, large rocks known as blocks and chunks of lava called bombs, according to USGS.

Photographs from the 2014 eruption show ash and steam billowing from at least six sites. They also depict dramatic scenes, including long lines of hikers making their way down the ash-fogged mountain, Japan Self-Defense Forces helicopters airlifting survivors from Ontakes flanks and rescue workers in orange and yellow combing through a mountain lodge coated in gray volcanic ash.

Three eruptions preceded the 2014 event, starting on Oct. 28, 1979, the first recorded eruption on Ontake, which discharged about 200,000 tons of material, according to the November 2016 article.

Small eruptions occurred in 1991 and 2007 from the vent that opened with the 1979 eruption, along with a very long period earthquake, and some deformation of the mountain surface, according to the article.
CANBERRA, Australia  U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Papua New Guinea leaders on Thursday to discuss developing the Pacific Island nation's military strength and deepening security ties, as the United States competes with China for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Austin is the first U.S. defense secretary to visit the nation of 10 million people that was fiercely fought over during World War II and is gaining strategic importance in the U.S. struggle against Beijing.

The retired four-star general met with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape and discussed implementing the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the capital, Port Moresby, in May.

Blinken had stepped in for Joe Biden, who was to become the first U.S. president to visit Papua New Guinea but canceled to deal with the then-unresolved debt crisis in Washington, D.C.

Austin said the United States was "not seeking permanent basing" on Papua New Guinea but would help the country expand its military capability, modernize its forces and increase their interoperability with the U.S. military.

"The Indo-Pacific is our priority theater and partnerships like ours are critical to keeping this vital region free and open," Austin told reporters in Port Moresby.

The United States has increased its diplomatic focus on the Pacific since China signed a security pact last year with Papua New Guinea's neighbor, Solomon Islands.

Marape ruled out forging a bilateral security agreement with Beijing, saying Papua New Guinea's relationship with China would remain economic.

The Chinese "have not made any request to us for military relationships," Marape said.

Marape added that the Chinese government through its embassy in Papua New Guinea said it had "no issue whatsoever with us signing the DCA with the U.S.A."

The signing of that agreement sparked student protests in Papua New Guinea's second-largest city, Lae. Many in the Pacific are concerned about the increasing militarization of the region.

Marape said that U.S. Defense Department officials would visit Lae in September to plan upgrading infrastructure. Papua New Guinea wants fuel storage facilities and energy security to receive priority in a 15-year infrastructure plan.

Austin said Papua New Guinea would be provided with a U.S. Coast Guard cutter next month to help enforce maritime law.

Marape said his people were "hypersensitive" to the possibility the U.S. could wage war against China from Papua New Guinea. He added that the U.S. does not need Papua New Guinea "to be a launching pad for any offense anywhere else in the world."

"I want to give assurance to everyone here, including our friends from Asia, that this is not about setting up for war. Rather, it's about setting up presence for nation-building in Papua New Guinea and this part of Planet Earth and in the Pacific," he added.

Austin and Blinken traveled to Brisbane, Australia, for annual bilateral talks on Friday and Saturday with their Australian counterparts.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would also meet the two Americans on Friday.
NATO said Wednesday it was stepping up surveillance of the Black Sea region as it condemned Russia's exit from a landmark deal that allowed Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea.

The announcement came after a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which was launched at a NATO summit in Lithuania earlier this month to coordinate cooperation between the military alliance and Kyiv.

The Kremlin doubled down on terminating the grain deal by attacking Ukrainian ports and declaring wide areas of the Black Sea unsafe for shipping.

"Allies and Ukraine strongly condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal and its deliberate attempts to stop Ukraine's agricultural exports on which hundreds of millions of people worldwide depend. ... NATO and allies are stepping up surveillance and reconnaissance in the Black Sea region, including with maritime patrol aircraft and drones," read the NATO statement.

Last week, Russia halted the breakthrough wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Black Sea Grain Initiative would be suspended until demands to get Russian food and fertilizer to the world are met.

The NATO statement criticized Moscow's declaration that parts of the Black Sea's international waters were "temporarily unsafe" for navigation.

"Allies noted that Russia's new warning area in the Black Sea, within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, has created new risks for miscalculation and escalation, as well as serious impediments to freedom of navigation," the NATO statement said.

The suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative marks the end of an accord that the U.N. and Turkey brokered last summer to allow shipments of food from the Black Sea region after Russia's invasion of its neighbor worsened a global food crisis. The initiative is credited with helping reduce soaring prices of wheat, vegetable oil and other global food commodities.

Ukraine and Russia are both major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other food that developing nations rely on.
Press Release

July 27, 2023 Legarda: OPM a vital avenue to preserving Filipino heritage Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda praised the vibrant Filipino music scene as an integral part of preserving Filipinos' cultural identity and heritage. Legarda, long heralded as a staunch defender and promoter of Filipino culture, said that original Pilipino music (OPM) is another avenue in chronicling history. "OPM is a fun way to reconnect with the Filipinos' psyche - it helps us advance Filipino arts and culture and promote our impressive work to the world," mentioned Legarda in commemoration of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino celebrated this week. "Filipinos are known all over the world for their exemplary musical skills. The propagation of OPM is another way of letting everybody else know how we are as a people," she added. The four-term senator sponsored and authored Senate Bill 1841, or the bill amending Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, to enhance the preservation of the Philippines' cultural assets. The bill mandates the local government units to conduct a cultural heritage mapping of their areas for both tangible and intangible, and natural and built heritage. Moreover, under the proposed measure, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall formulate the cultural heritage education programs both for local and overseas Filipinos to be incorporated into the formal, alternative, and informal education, with emphasis on the protection, conservation, and preservation of cultural heritage property. "With the establishment of the Cultural Education Program, we can help promote not only mainstream OPM but to help preserve the indigenous music various ethnic groups in the Philippines have been creating for hundreds of years," mentioned Legarda. "Recognizing the past and enriching the present are important steps to help safeguard the Philippines' intangible cultural heritage for our future," she continued. The Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino was established under Proclamation No. 933, s. 2014 to achieve the long-term goal of revising OPM. It is also seen as a way to advance Filipino art and culture and contribute to the development of the economy through employment and revenue streams to various industries.
The terrorist country Russia launched another massive missile attack on Ukrain on Wednesday, July 26. Explosions were heard in different regions.

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According to preliminary information, the Air Defense Forces was working. This is reported by OBOZREVATEL.

According to the Khmelnytsky Regional Military Administration, explosions were heard in the city.



"The Air Defense Forces is working. Stay in the shelters! Take care of yourselves and your loved ones!" the message says.

Air Defense Forces also worked in Dnipropetrovsk region, over which a mass flyby of missiles was recorded.

Explosions were also heard in Lviv region. Air Defence Forces was also working there.

Explosions were also heard in Zhytomyr and Sumy regions. There are no details about the consequences yet.
ODESSA, Ukraine  Ukrainian forces have launched a new push in their counteroffensive against Russian invaders and made advances south of Orikhiv in the countrys Zaporizhzhia region, officials said Wednesday.

Kyivs goal is to reach the Sea of Azov, which would sever Moscows land bridge to occupied Crimea, a key conduit for moving Russian troops, equipment and supplies into Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces remain far from the sea, which lies about 60 miles south of Orikhiv, according to a Ukrainian official familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Ukrainian forces are gradually advancing in the direction of the coastal cities Melitopol and Berdyansk, but she did not say how far they had moved.

Russian and Ukrainian officials acknowledged intense fighting around the town of Robotyne, but they gave different accounts. Russias Defense Ministry said a Ukrainian attack on the Russian-held area was repelled. The ministry said it had destroyed 20 Ukrainian tanks and 10 armored personnel carriers and killed 100 Ukrainian soldiers.

A Ukrainian official said the countrys forces had suffered some casualties but denied that Russian artillery volleys had pushed them to retreat.

The Russian pro-war military blog Zapisky Veterana (Notes of a Veteran), meanwhile, reported more modest Ukrainian losses: Several destroyed enemy vehicles and more than a dozen prisoners.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry claimed to have blunted Russian attacks at several locations along the 600-mile-long front and to have made some gains in retaking occupied territory in the Zaporizhzhia region as part of an offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions.

Kyiv said its advancing forces were entrenched at the reached boundaries and inflicting fire damage.

A U.S. official expressed caution in drawing conclusions from initial battlefield movements that the main thrust of the counteroffensive has begun.

We are seeing signs of preparatory moves for additional forces in the Zaporizhzhia area to come into the fight. But its not clear what the purpose of those moves may be, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive and ongoing operations.

It could be that units were sent there for shaping operations, the official said, which are missions that help set favorable conditions for a larger battle, such as finding weaknesses to exploit or destroying enemy defenses. It could also be that fresh troops are coming in to replace soldiers exhausted from the hard fight against dug-in Russian forces, the official said.

There is not a high sense of confidence that this is the big move, the official said.

Separately, Russias Federal Security Service on Tuesday arrested left-wing sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky on a charge of justifying terrorism for comments on social media in October  the latest move in a widening wartime crackdown on dissent by the government of President Vladimir Putin.

The former Soviet dissident, a Marxist author and activist, was transferred by authorities to the northern city of Syktyvkar, more than 800 miles from his Moscow home.

The prominent pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov called the arrest a gross political mistake  rare criticism from the pro-war camp about action against an antiwar figure.

Stay away from Kagarlitsky! Markov warned on Telegram. Imprisoning him, he said, would cause huge harm to Russia in the world.

The arrest highlighted the deepening fractures in Russian society as Putin persists in his war in Ukraine despite signs that his military is largely stalled and slowly losing ground amid a grinding Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Heavy fighting, artillery and airstrikes were reported throughout the day in the Zaporizhzhia region in the south and near Bakhmut and Avdiivka in the east. On Wednesday evening, Moscow unleashed a barrage of missile strikes on targets across Ukraine, including an airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 39 cruise missiles Wednesday. It said 36 were shot down by the countrys air defenses.

The missiles entered the airspace of Ukraine from the southeastern direction [and] went to the west, constantly changing the direction of flight, the air force said on social media.

The barrage also included four Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles. The air force said it was clarifying details.

Publicly, Putin has bristled with confidence that Ukraines counteroffensive has failed and that the Wests cautiously calibrated weapons supplies will not help Ukraine win the war. But there were signs Wednesday that the Russian military continues to face personnel challenges as lawmakers in Moscow passed a law to expand compulsory conscription.

The conscription parameters, which are expected to be signed into law, would raise the maximum age at which men may be conscripted from 27 to 30.

The State Duma smells a big war, reported Nezavisimaya Gazeta, a Russian newspaper. Influential lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov, head of the defense committee in the State Duma, Russias lower house of parliament, said the legislation was drafted for a big war, for a general mobilization.

And now it already smells like the biggest war, Kartapolov continued, according to the newspaper, a sign that Putins regime is preparing to fight an extended, ruthless, bloody war for as long as necessary, with the conviction that Western military support will eventually dissipate as political pressure on Western politicians grows.

Kartapolov warned that the legislation was too sensitive for public debate, underscoring official wariness of public opposition to conscription and mobilization.

In an unusual show of dissent in a parliament that is generally a rubber stamp for Putin, several lawmakers expressed opposition. The influential Viktor Bondarev, head of the defense committee in the upper chamber, said he was bewildered by the abrupt change, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported. He said it was not discussed in his chamber.

Another prominent senator, Andrei Klishas, head of the chambers legal committee, strongly backed Bondarev, a reflection of the disquiet over the secrecy and haste surrounding the bill.

The arrest of Kagarlitsky, the left-wing sociologist, followed the detention days earlier of the nationalist pro-war blogger Igor Girkin on charges of promoting extremism. Girkin, who had harshly criticized Putin and his commanders, was the first pro-war figure to be arrested under new laws that bar criticism of the military.

Kagarlitsky, a prominent critic of the war, was held in Lefortovo prison for more than a year during the leadership of Leonid Brezhnev for anti-Soviet propaganda. He founded a left-wing think tank, the Institute for Globalization Studies and Social Movements, in Moscow in 2007. It was declared a foreign agent by Russias Justice Ministry in 2018, and Kagarlitsky himself was branded with the label in May 2022.

Boris Kagarlitsky today is probably the most influential Russian politician and expert of the left camp in the world, Markov said. He called on the Kremlin to actively work with him, not jail him.

Kagarlitsky was arrested after the head of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, in the northern Komi Republic found that an item posted on social media constituted justification of terrorism.

Kagarlitskys lawyer, Sergei Yerokhov, told the Russian news outlet Agentstvo that the post at issue concerned an attack on the Crimean Bridge in October. The comment, which appeared to have been carefully worded to avoid breaching Russias strict laws banning criticism of the war, said the damage to the bridge would create military supply issues.

From the moment of its grand opening, the Crimean Bridge has been not only a strategic, but also a symbolic object, the main achievement of the Putin era and material proof that in our country, even against the backdrop of total theft and inefficiency, it is still possible to achieve practical results if you invest some 400 to 500 percent of technologically necessary funds, the post read.

In court on Wednesday, Kagarlitsky was ordered held at a pretrial detention center for two months, pending trial. Such detentions are often extended.

Kagarlitsky said the decision to charge him was political. Why, by whom and how - I cant say, he said. I categorically disagree with the charges I am facing. . . . The statement I am accused of dates back to October last year. That is, it took 10 months to incriminate me, although it was all over the internet.

Kagarlitsky has argued often that Russians, alienated by the war, disillusioned with corruption and barred from expressing their opinions, have retreated into their own personal worlds, avoiding politics, protests and talk about the invasion.

His arrest was unusual in that prosecutions normally occur in the city where defendants reside. It raised the specter that, if regional FSB bosses in far-flung outposts make a habit of acting on comments on social media, anyone can be arrested.

The proposed changes to the conscription law suggest Russia is continuing to seek reinforcements to send to Ukraine even after an aggressive recruiting campaign in prisons that allowed convicts to earn pardons in exchange for enlisting.

Russia has been recruiting intensively to boost forces in Ukraine and has taken measures to expand the pool of men who can be conscripted.

On Monday, Putin signed a law increasing the upper age limit at which military reservists may be mobilized from 50 to 55. For officers, it increased from 55 to 60. The average life expectancy for Russian men is 67.

A separate law would allow the formation of peoples militias, which would enable Russian governors to form and arm their own forces to strengthen the protection of public order and ensure public safety during the period of mobilization, during martial law, in wartime.

Dixon reported from Riga, Latvia. The Washington Posts Natalia Abbakumova in Riga contributed to this report.
RHODES, Greece  A wildfire whipped on by strong winds triggered a series of massive explosions Thursday at an air force ammunition depot in central Greece, while firefighters worked to tame multiple blazes in the country.

There were no injuries at the depot, which had been evacuated before the explosions, and by late Thursday the fire was no longer active. The Greek air force said that F-16 fighter jets at a nearby base were moved to another facility as a precaution, but that the base had not been under any immediate threat.

Fires have raged across parts of Greece during three successive Mediterranean heat waves in the past two weeks, leaving five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggering a huge weekend evacuation of tourists on the island of Rhodes.

The fire in the Volos area of central Greece's Magnissia region reached the ammunition storage facility about 6 kilometers (4 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 large explosions shattered windows on houses in a surrounding area, but the Greek fire service said no severe injuries were reported in nearby villages, which also were evacuated as a precaution.

Fire Service spokesman Ioannis Artopios said 12 villages were ordered evacuated in the Volos-Nea Anchialos area.

"Despite their superhuman efforts, our forces were unable to stop the blaze," he said.

Artopios said the Volos area blaze was the most dangerous of the 124 wildfires the fire service had to deal with Thursday.

The wildfire burned on three fronts and forced a section of Greece's busiest highway to close for several hours, while national rail services passing through the area were delayed.

State ERT television showed residents and visitors in the coastal village of Anchialos, some 4 kilometers (2 1/2 miles) from the blast site, being evacuated by sea, while others were leaving in cars and buses. The coast guard said more than a hundred residents were taken in small private boats to the city of Volos.

The Nea Anchialos air base is some 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city, where loud blasts could be heard.

Water-dropping helicopters and a ground crew scrambled early Thursday to a separate wildfire in Kifissia, just north of Athens, which was quickly put out.

Greek firefighters also battled flames for a 10 successive day on Rhodes, where officials said the blazes were largely contained. Flare-ups were reported on the island of Evia.

The World Meteorological Organization, a U.N. body, and a European Union climate change service reported Thursday that temperatures during the first three weeks of July set a new global heat record.

As Southern Europe fights extreme heat and wildfires, parts of central Europe have been hit with winter conditions. Subfreezing temperatures, frost and snow have been reported in the Tatra Mountains, which run through Poland and Slovakia.

In Italy, firefighters battled brush fires in the southern mainland regions of Calabria and Puglia, as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, helped by temperatures dropping some 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) into the low- and mid-30s C (high 80s F).

Flames forced the evacuation of bathers on a popular stretch of the southern Adriatic coast near the town of Ugento in Puglia, Italian media said.

Since Sunday, firefighters have fought more than 3,200 wildfires in southern Italy, nearly half of them in Sicily and almost 900 of them in Puglia, Italy's national firefighters corps said on Thursday evening.

"Without doubt, we can see that all across the Mediterranean the climate crisis is here, and it's affecting us all more strongly than perhaps even scientists had warned us about," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday during a meeting with Greece's president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Wildfire carbon emissions for July in Greece were the highest by a huge margin  totaling over 1 metric megatons and doubling the previous record  since record-keeping started 20 years ago, according to the EU agency that analyzes satellite data, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.

"Unfortunately, it is not all that surprising, given the extreme conditions in the region," said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the agency. "The observed intensity and estimated emissions show how unusual the scale of the fires has been for July relative to the last 20 years of data."

In Athens, senior members of the armed forces paid tribute to the two pilots killed when a firefighting plane crashed this week, at a ceremony held at the Defense Ministry.

Capt. Christos Moulas and Lt. Pericles Stephanidis died during a low-altitude water drop on the island of Evia. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said they had shown "self-denial in the line of duty."

"Greece today is in mourning. Their memories will live on," Dendias said.

Mitsotakis attended the funeral service for Stephanidis in northern Greece Thursday, while President Sakellaropoulou was expected at the service for Moulas on the island of Crete on Friday.

Gatopoulos reported from Athens. Associated Press writers Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy, and Venessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Sometime this summer, if President Vladimir Putin can be believed, Russia moved some of its short-range nuclear weapons into Belarus, closer to Ukraine and onto NATO's doorstep.

The declared deployment of the Russian weapons on the territory of its neighbor and loyal ally marks a new stage in the Kremlin's nuclear saber-rattling over its invasion of Ukraine and another bid to discourage the West from increasing military support to Kyiv.

Neither Putin nor his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, said how many were moved  only that Soviet-era facilities in the country were readied to accommodate them, and that Belarusian pilots and missile crews were trained to use them.

The U.S. and NATO haven't confirmed the move. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg denounced Moscow's rhetoric as "dangerous and reckless," but said earlier this month the alliance hasn't seen any change in Russia's nuclear posture.

While some experts doubt the claims by Putin and Lukashenko, others note that Western intelligence might be unable to monitor such movement.

Earlier this month, CNN quoted U.S. intelligence officials as saying they had no reason to doubt Putin's claim about the delivery of the first batch of the weapons to Belarus and noted it could be challenging for the U.S. to track them.

Unlike nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that can destroy entire cities, tactical nuclear weapons for use against troops on the battlefield can have a yield as small as about 1 kiloton. The U.S. bomb in Hiroshima in World War II was 15 kilotons.

The devices are compact: Used on bombs, missiles and artillery shells, they could be discreetly carried on a truck or plane. Aliaksandr Alesin, an independent Minsk-based military analyst, said the weapons use containers that emit no radiation and could have been flown into Belarus without Western intelligence seeing it.

"They easily fit in a regular Il-76 transport plane," Alesin said. "There are dozens of flights a day, and it's very difficult to track down that special flight. The Americans could fail to monitor it."

Belarus has 25 underground facilities built during the Cold War for nuclear-tipped intermediate-range missiles that can withstand missile attacks, Alesin said. Only five or six such depots could actually store tactical nuclear weapons, he added, but the military operates at all of them to fool Western intelligence.

Early in the war, Putin referenced his nuclear arsenal by vowing repeatedly to use "all means" necessary to protect Russia. He has toned down his statements recently, but a top lieutenant continues to dangle the prospect with terrifying ease.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's Security Council who served as a placeholder president in 2008-12 because Putin was term-limited, unleashes near-daily threats that Moscow won't hesitate to use nuclear weapons.

In a recent article, Medvedev said "the apocalypse isn't just possible but quite likely," and the only way to avoid it is to bow to Russian demands.

The world faces a confrontation "far worse than during the Cuban missile crisis because our enemies have decided to really defeat Russia, the largest nuclear power," he wrote.

Many Western observers dismiss that as bluster.

Putin seems to have dialed down his nuclear rhetoric after getting signals to do so from China, said Keir Giles, a Russia expert at Chatham House.

"The evident Chinese displeasure did have an effect and may have been accompanied by private messaging to Russia," Giles told The Associated Press.

Moscow's defense doctrine envisages a nuclear response to an atomic strike or even an attack with conventional weapons that "threaten the very existence of the Russian state." That vague wording has led some Russian experts to urge the Kremlin to spell out those conditions in more detail and force the West to take the warnings more seriously.

"The possibility of using nuclear weapons in the current conflict mustn't be concealed," said Dmitry Trenin, who headed the Moscow Carnegie Center for 14 years before joining Moscow's state-funded Institute for World Economy and International Relations.

"The real, not theoretical, perspective of it should create stimuli for stopping the escalation of the war and eventually set the stage for a strategic balance in Europe that would be acceptable to us," he wrote recently.

Western beliefs that Putin is bluffing about using nuclear weapons "is an extremely dangerous delusion," Trenin said.

Sergei Karaganov, a top Russian foreign affairs expert who advises Putin's Security Council, said Moscow should make its nuclear threats more specific in order to "break the will of the West" and force it to stop supporting Ukraine as it seeks to reclaim Russian-held areas in a grinding counteroffensive.

"It's necessary to restore the fear of nuclear escalation; otherwise mankind is doomed," he said, suggesting Russia establish a "ladder" of accelerating actions.

Deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus was the first step, Karaganov said, with perhaps a follow-up of warning ethnic Russians in countries supporting Ukraine to evacuate areas near facilities that could be nuclear targets.

If that doesn't work, Karaganov suggested a Russian nuclear strike on Poland, alleging Washington wouldn't dare respond in kind to protect a NATO ally, for fear of igniting a global war.

"If we build the right strategy of intimidation and even the use of it, the risk of a retaliatory nuclear or any other strike on our territory could be reduced to a minimum," he said. "Only if a madman who hates his own country sits in the White House would America risk to launch a strike 'in the defense' of the Europeans and draw a response, sacrificing Boston for Poznan."

The Moscow-based Council of Foreign and Defense Policies, a panel of leading military and foreign policy experts that includes Karaganov, denounced his comments as "a direct threat to all of mankind."

While pro-Kremlin analysts floated such scenarios, Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader, says hosting Russian nuclear weapons in his country is meant to deter aggression by Poland.

He claimed a number of nuclear weapons were flown to Belarus without Western intelligence noticing, with the rest coming later this year. Officials in Moscow and Minsk said the warheads could be carried by Belarusian Su-25 ground attack jets or fitted to short-range Iskander missiles.

Giles, of Chatham House, said the deployment was about "cementing Putin's control over Belarus" and did not offer Moscow any military advantage over placing them in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad that borders Poland and Lithuania.

The West should recognize this as a ploy "that has far more to do with Russia's ambitions for Belarus than any genuine impact on European security beyond that," Giles said.

Some observers question whether the deployment to Belarus has even happened.

Miles Pomper, a senior fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute, challenged Lukashenko's claim that nuclear weapons were covertly flown to Belarus. They are normally moved by rail, he said, and there are no signs of "the support elements that you would see that would go with shipments of weapons."

Others note Russia could have deployed the weapons without adhering to protocols used in the 1990s, when Moscow wanted to show the West its nuclear arsenal was secure amid economic and political turmoil.

Belarusian military analyst Valery Karbalevich said keeping such details secret could be a Kremlin strategy of "applying permanent pressure and blackmailing Ukraine and the West. The unknown scares more than certainty."

Alesin, the Minsk-based analyst, argued that U.S. and NATO may play down the deployment of nuclear weapons to Belarus because they pose a threat the West finds difficult to counter.

"The Belarusian nuclear balcony will hang over a large part of Europe. But they prefer to pretend that there is no threat, and the Kremlin is just trying to scare the West," he said.

If Putin decides to use nuclear weapons, he may do it from Belarus in hopes that a Western response would target that country instead of Russia, Alesin said.

The political opposition to Lukashenko warns that such a deployment turns Belarus into a hostage of the Kremlin.

While Lukashenko sees such weapons as a "nuclear umbrella" protecting the country, "they turn Belarus into a target," said exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who tried to unseat the authoritarian leader in a 2020 election widely viewed as fraudulent.

"We are telling the world that preventative measures, political pressure and sanctions are needed to resist the deployment of nuclear weapons to Belarus," she said. "Regrettably, we haven't seen a strong Western reaction yet."

Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, Jill Lawless in London and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed.
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  President Joe Biden has asked the federal government to share evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine with The Hague-based International Criminal Court, U.S. officials said Wednesday, in a reversal of the administrations stance.

The Biden administration said last year it was working to document war crimes and other atrocities carried out by Russian troops in Ukraine and was helping with various international efforts, but that the U.S. didnt intend to formally join the ICCs investigation.

Pentagon officials had been reluctant to share intelligence on Russian war crimes in Ukraine directly with The Hague, arguing it could pave the way toward prosecution of American troops. The U.S. is not a member of the ICC.

We support the ICCs investigation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a news conference in Wellington, New Zealand. Well be cooperating with that investigation.

Biden officials recently briefed members of Congress on the decision to share evidence, an administration aide said.

We are not going to discuss the specifics on any cooperation, which is consistent with the courts practice of treating requests for cooperation in a confidential manner, Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said Wednesday. More broadly, we will keep working with Ukraine and other countries to expose the war crimes and other atrocities that Russian forces and officials are committing for the world to see.

A joint investigations team comprising several European judicial authorities was set up in 2022 and deployed to Ukraine to gather evidence of alleged Russian crimes that fall within the courts jurisdiction.

Russian forces have been accused of targeting civilians and committing atrocities in a number of Ukrainian towns, such as Bucha, where evidence of mass graves, torture and executions has been widely reported.

The New York Times, which was first to report the news about Bidens order, said U.S. intelligence agencies have gathered details about Russian officials deliberately striking civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and deporting Ukrainian children. Some details have already been shared with the ICC.

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YUROVE, Ukraine  Fears have grown along Ukraine's northern border about the potential for new military attacks since Yevgeniy Prigozhin's Wagner mercenaries relocated to Belarus after last month's short-lived mutiny against Moscow's military leadership, with Ukraine  and even Poland  tightening security and stepping up defenses.

Belarus served as a staging ground when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his wide-scale invasion in February 2022, including a failed assault on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Defeated Russian units then retreated back across the Belarusian border.

Putin's decision to allow Prigozhin and his fighters to escape punishment for the rebellion by relocating to Belarus prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to direct the military and national security forces to beef up defenses in the north.

The State Border Guard Service has since moved in additional personnel, and the military has strengthened its fortifications with additional antitank and antiaircraft systems, said Lt. Gen. Serhiy Nayev, who has operational control over the "North" group of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Heavily mined border areas have been seeded with more explosives, and many bridges on routes leading to Belarus that were destroyed earlier in the war have not been repaired. In recent days, Ukrainian forces also blew up portions of a highway running from Kyiv to Belarus, Nayev said, adding that he felt "confident" in Ukraine's protective measures.

But all of this activity has heightened unease among residents along the border, where anxiety was already growing after a decision by Putin earlier this year to station nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory.

"Of course we're worried," said Oksana Kozub, 50, sitting outside her home here and chatting with friends who had driven their cart to the town's post office.

Kozub said her memories of last year's invasion  when Russian fighter jets and rockets flew over this village about eight miles from Belarus to strike Ukrainian targets in the region  are still fresh. Yet she said she has little recourse if violence spills over the border again. "Where am I going to go?" she asked.

Poland has also strengthened its eastern defenses after Prigozhin arrived in Belarus and his mercenaries launched joint military training exercises with Belarusian security forces near the Belarusian border city of Brest, the Polish Defense Ministry said in a post on Twitter.

In response, Putin warned during a meeting with his Security Council last week that any "aggression" against Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia, and that Moscow would retaliate "with all the resources available to us," according to the official Kremlin transcript.

Nayev, the general, said Ukraine's military was even allowing the possibility, however far-fetched, that Putin might authorize the use of tactical nuclear weapons while making it appear as if Wagner mercenaries were to blame for a rogue attack.

That scenario has been advanced by Vadym Kabanchuk, deputy commander of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, a unit of Belarusians fighting in Ukraine against Russia. Kabanchuk, at news conference this month, warned that it is the kind of sleight of hand Putin, as a former KGB officer, could use to do the unthinkable.

"We are considering all scenarios," Nayev said in an interview while attending a training exercise for the military and national guard held inside Chernobyl Exclusion Zone near the stricken nuclear power plant to simulate an attack by saboteurs. The exercise, using live explosives, also featured U.S.-made MaxxPro mine-resistant armored vehicles.

On Sunday, Putin also met the Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, who has effectively turned his country into a Russian client state. Lukashenko was credited by the Kremlin with brokering the truce that halted Prigozhin's "march for justice" against Russia's military leaders.

Since then, Lukashenko has welcomed Wagner to Belarus, where hundreds of fighters have begun training Belarusian military and security forces.

During Sunday's meeting in St. Petersburg, Putin praised the two countries' strong economic ties and characterized Ukraine's counteroffensive as a failure. Lukashenko used the get-together to troll Poland, saying Wagner fighters were itching to invade.

"They are asking permission to go west," Lukashenko said, according to the Kremlin's official transcript. "They say on the sly . . . 'We will go for an excursion to Warsaw and Rzeszow.'"

Earlier this month, Prigozhin  appearing in a video verified by The Washington Post  welcomed his fighters to Belarus and vowed to turn the Belarusian military into "the second army in the world."

Recent satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies also show what appears to be a Wagner garrison in Tsel, a village southeast of Minsk that is less than 150 miles from the Ukrainian border.

Belarus has been a wild card in European security since Putin began massing troops on Ukraine's border more than two years ago. In October 2021, Russian and Belarusian militaries conducted their largest joint military exercises in years in Belarus and the Black Sea. Months later, Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Senior officials in Kyiv, however, have played down the threat from Wagner's presence in Belarus, given estimates that their numbers are small and amid signs of chaos within their ranks.

"In Belarus, there's only a small group of Wagner forces," Mykhailo Podolyak, one of Zelenskyy's top advisers, said in an interview last week. "They're training the Belarusian special forces. What for isn't completely clear."

Podolyak speculated that Lukashenko might be hoping that Wagner's hardened fighters will train his own palace guards.

Ukrainians who live along the Belarusian border have responded with alarm to Wagner's redeployment next door. Yet they also remember when Belarusians and Ukrainians traveled back and forth across the border with relative ease at crossings such as Slavutych, just east of the Dnieper River in the Chernihiv region north of Kyiv.

"This was quite a lively checkpoint," said Lt. Col. Halyna Shekhovtsova, a press officer for the Chernihiv region's border guard detachment. About 500 vehicles a day, and many pedestrians, crossed daily for business or pleasure, Shekhovtsova said. Weekends were particularly busy for Belarusians, who visited Ukraine to buy less expensive clothing in the latest fashions or, they told her, simply because "you have freedom here."

Now, the border station is overgrown with weeds. On the morning of Russia's invasion, Ukrainians blew up the bridge carrying vehicle traffic over the Dnieper River, about 500 meters (a third of a mile) from Slavutych. A parallel railroad line was blown up, too, and mines were strewn throughout the nearby woods.

The area has been quiet since the early days of the war, but border guards are on alert. "We are watching that closely," Shekhovtsova said.

In Dniprovske, a village of fewer than a thousand people about three miles from the checkpoint, residents worry that Wagner fighters might infiltrate across the river or mount other cross-border attacks. Their more likely concern is Russian airstrikes, such as a July 21 attack that killed two people in Goncharivske, a village about 18 miles away.

"I actually heard the explosions," said Serhiy Lubenko, 63, a retired factory worker who was picking mushrooms in a forest nearby at the time. But Lubenko, sharing vodka and snacks with others outside a village market, said Ukraine's military seemed to have the northern border under control.

"The Wagners wouldn't dare," said Sonya Pasuchnyk, 78, who walked to the market for bread. But she, too, is uneasy, having sheltered in her root cellar with her dog last year when jets and rockets bombed targets near the village. "I never would have thought such a thing possible," Pasuchnyk said.

West of the exclusion zone that surrounds the shuttered Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the site of a catastrophic accident in 1986, concerns about possible trouble emanating from Belarus are sharper, owing to a long border and fewer natural obstacles.

Natasha and Yuriy Dobrovec, who live in Kopyshche  a village surrounded on three sides by the Belarusian border less than two miles away  said the region has been relatively calm since last year's invasion.

But the war has been felt in other ways. Their son, Petro, 38, and his wife, Maria, 32, were killed when their car, traveling near the border on a wintry day seven months ago, slid off a narrow road and hit a mine. Their two orphaned children have been placed in the care of an uncle.

Now, the Dobrovecs watch recent developments with worry. "We live 100 meters from the border and we haven't seen anything," said Natasha, 60, who was born in Belarus but has lost contact with relatives there since the invasion. "But who knows?"

The Washington Post's Sarah Cahlan, Anastacia Galouchka, John Hudson and Kostiantyn Khudov contributed to this report.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.  Twenty-two attorneys general urged a federal court Wednesday to reject a proposed $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially dangerous chemicals, saying it lets manufacturer 3M Co. off too easily.

The deal announced in June doesn't give individual water suppliers enough time to determine how much money they would get and whether it would cover their costs of removing the compounds known collectively as PFAS, said the officials with 19 states, Washington, D.C., and two territories. In some cases the agreement could shift liability from the company to providers, they said.

"While I appreciate the effort that went into it, the proposed settlement in its current form does not adequately account for the pernicious damage that 3M has done in so many of our communities," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leader of the multistate coalition.

3M spokesman Sean Lynch said the agreement "will benefit U.S.-based public water systems nationwide that provide drinking water to a vast majority of Americans" without further litigation.

"It is not unusual for there to be objections regarding significant settlement agreements," Lynch said. "We will continue to work cooperatively to address questions about the terms of the resolution."

The company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, manufactures per- and polyfluorinated substances  a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware, as well as some firefighting foams.

Described as "forever chemicals" because they don't degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.

3M has said it plans to stop making them by the end of 2025.

Some 300 communities have sued 3M and other companies over water pollution from the compounds. A number of states, airports, firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have pending cases.

They have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, where the proposed settlement was filed last month.

Although the company put its value at $10.3 billion, an attorney for the water providers said it could reach as high as $12.5 billion, depending on how many detect PFAS during testing the Environmental Protection Agency has ordered over the next three years.

The law firm representing the water providers did not immediately respond Wednesday to messages seeking comment.

EPA in March proposed strict limits on two common types, PFOA and PFOS, and said it wanted to regulate four others.

In addition to California, states urging Judge Richard Gergel to reject the deal included Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. Also opposed were Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

In a court filing, the attorneys general said it would force nearly all public water providers nationwide to participate unless they withdraw individually  even those that haven't filed suits or tested for PFAS.

"Troublingly, they would have to make their opt-out decisions without knowing how much they would actually receive and, in many cases, before knowing the extent of contamination in their water supplies and the cost of remediating it," the officials said in a statement.

A provision in the proposed deal would shift liability from 3M to water suppliers that don't opt out, the statement said. That could enable the company to seek compensation from providers if sued over cancer or other illnesses in PFAS-affected communities, it said.

"As such, the proposed settlement is worth far less than the advertised $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion," the attorneys general said.

The attorneys general did not take a position on a separate $1.18 billion deal to resolve PFAS complaints against DuPont de Nemours Inc. and spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio  A police officer in rural Ohio was fired Wednesday after he released his police dog on a surrendering truck driver despite state troopers telling him to hold the K9 back.

The Circleville Police Department said Ryan Speakman "did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers" and his termination is "effective immediately." His firing comes a day after the department said he was on paid administrative leave, which is standard during use-of-force investigations.

The town's civilian police review board has found Speakman didn't violate department policy when he deployed the dog, Wednesday's police statement said, adding that the review board doesn't have the authority to recommend discipline.

Department officials said they would have no further comment on the matter "at this time" since it's a personnel matter. Messages seeking comment from Speakman were not immediately returned.

The Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, a police union Speakman belongs to, said Wednesday it had filed a grievance on his behalf and that he was fired without just cause.

Speakman, who joined the Circleville department in February 2020, deployed his police dog following a lengthy pursuit on July 4 involving the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The episode was captured on a police body camera.

Troopers tried to stop a commercial semitruck that was missing a mudflap and failed to halt for an inspection, according to a highway patrol incident report. The nearby Circleville Police Department was called in to assist.

The 23-year-old truck driver, Jadarrius Rose of Memphis, Tennessee, initially refused to get out of the truck and later defied instructions to get on the ground, according to the incident report and the body cam video. Rose eventually got on his knees and raised his hands in the air.

The body camera video shows Speakman holding back the K9, and a trooper can be heard off-camera repeatedly yelling, "Do not release the dog with his hands up!" However, Speakman deploys the dog and it can be seen in the video attacking Rose, who yells "Get it off! Please! Please!"

Rose was treated at a hospital for dog bites.

He was charged with failure to comply, and hasn't responded to an email sent Monday seeking comment. Attorney Benjamin Partee, who is representing Rose, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It's not clear why he refused to stop for police. Rose is Black, and Speakman is white. Rose told The Columbus Dispatch that he couldn't talk about why he didn't stop. But when asked about the video, told the newspaper: "I'm just glad that it was recorded. What you saw is what, pretty much, happened."

Audio recordings of 911 calls show Rose told emergency dispatchers that the officers pursuing him were "trying to kill" him and he didn't feel safe pulling over. He also said he was confused about why the officers were trying to stop him and why they had their guns drawn after he briefly stopped the truck before driving away.
WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs has processed roughly 425,000 benefits claims for illnesses related to toxic exposure since the PACT Act was signed into law last year, agency officials told senators on Wednesday.

I think the PACT is making a real difference to veterans. I appreciate the work [the VA] is doing, said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. I know were sitting over here looking over your shoulder and that doesnt make it easier. But you guys are stepping up.

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or PACT Act, was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Aug. 10.

The law seeks to provide an easier path to health care and benefits for veterans who served near open-air burn pits, which were used throughout the 1990s and the post-9/11 wars to burn garbage, jet fuel and other materials. Veterans diagnosed with cancer, respiratory issues and lung disease at young ages have blamed exposure to the toxic fumes from these pits, but the VA contended for years that there wasnt sufficient evidence to support their claims.

Additionally, the PACT Act expanded health care eligibility to post-9/11 combat veterans and added 23 conditions related to burn pits and other toxic exposures to the VAs list of service presumptions.

The VA announced Tuesday that it will review whether three more types of cancers will be added to the list of conditions presumed to be caused by exposure to toxins from military burn pits. The department said it will conduct new studies to determine whether veterans with acute leukemias, chronic leukemias and multiple myeloma outside of the head and neck could have resulted from military service in Iraq, Afghanistan and Southwest Asia.

Joshua Jacobs, VA undersecretary for benefits, told senators that the department has received more than 772,000 PACT Act claims and 425,000 have been processed, with nearly a 79% approval rate.

Tester, who introduced the PACT Act in the Senate last year, told Jacobs that one complaint that he hears from some workers in the Veterans Benefits Administration is the VA is too focused on production quotas that there is concern it reduces the quality of claims decisions.

Jacobs said he is asked about that issue at every regional VA office that he visits. He said it doesnt have to be one or the other and both issues can be addressed at the same time. He also said the VA is working on giving more attention to the veterans experience.

We can deliver a high-quality decision in a timely manner. But if the veteran doesnt feel respected, they feel like theyve been ignored, that could be the difference in them pursuing other earned benefits or turning their back and not coming back to the VA, Jacobs said.

Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, the top Republican on the committee who introduced the PACT Act with Tester, said he is concerned about an upcoming deadline on Sept. 30 that he thinks is not getting enough attention.

Under the law, post-9/11 veterans who have been out of service for at least 10 years have until Sept. 30 to enroll for VA health care under a special one-year window opened by the PACT Act. The law automatically assumes those who served in certain locations were exposed to toxins. Once veterans are enrolled, their individual cases will dictate what benefits they will receive.

Moran asked the officials how many people have enrolled since the one-year enrollment period began.

Shereef Elnahal, VA undersecretary for health, said the agency estimates hundreds of thousands have enrolled but they do not have a precise number at this time.

Once we get more precision in that data, we will present it to you and add to it, he said. We do have until Sept. 30, so we are going to work very hard to maximize the opportunity.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., asked the officials about reports that he has seen about employee burnout and if the department is gaining employees.

Jacobs said the benefits administration has grown by 22% in the last 18 months, starting at about 24,000 employees and increasing to roughly 30,000. Elnahal said the VA has a goal of hiring 52,000 this fiscal year and are already at 43,000, putting them on pace to surpass the goal.

This is the fastest, and the most explosive, growth we have ever had in the last 20 years, Jacobs said.

The VA has been encouraging veterans and survivors of toxic exposure to file a claim for PACT Act related benefits. Department officials during the hearing said there is an upcoming deadline Aug. 9. Most veterans who file a claim, or submit their intent to file a claim, before Aug. 10 will have their benefits, if granted, backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, when Biden signed the act into law.
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  Congress has all the ingredients for a political pressure cooker when members return from the long August recess, as House Republican leadership appears poised to balance must-pass spending bills with calls from conservatives to escalate congressional investigations.

By September, there could be new criminal indictments of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, and pressure to pursue an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden or other members of his administration.

There are also looming deadlines to pass a new farm bill and reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as prevent a partial government shutdown, with the two chambers taking sharply different approaches to the fiscal 2024 spending bills.

In the last few days before the recess, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who leads a narrow majority that has stumbled at times on floor action, has raised a possible impeachment inquiry into Biden, citing numerous probes into the Justice Department and its treatment of the Biden family.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., defended the Republican strategy at a news conference Wednesday, saying his party is going to fight to get the facts out while still being able to legislate on issues like appropriations.

We believe we can do many things at the same time, Scalise said.

But Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., told reporters Tuesday that pursuing an impeachment could change the environment on the Hill and grind the House to a halt.

When you do that  and the Democrats did it twice  you pretty much cant do anything else, said Cole, a member of the Appropriations Committee who chairs the House Rules Committee.

Congressional Democrats and the Biden administration have pushed back on the impeachment effort, and members such as Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said it could hurt the ability to legislate in the next few months.

There are some seriously destructive dynamics that have entered into the Republican conference, and I hear my Republican friends speaking most about impeachment and about shutting down the government, Raskin said. And thats just a wrecking ball strategy for America.

Intertwined issues

The issues already are intertwined in some ways. House Republicans have pushed for dozens of appropriations riders that could cause a fight in the coming months, including one that would put nonpartisan career staff in charge of politically sensitive investigations.

Republicans have argued for months that the Justice Department has treated Bidens family and Trump differently, even during the Trump administration. While backers have argued it would take bias out of probes of elected officials and their families, Democrats have called it a poison pill and an attack on the DOJ.

The spending bill with that provision is one of the few to have not received a vote from the full House Appropriations Committee. And the Senate has moved forward with its version of the Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill without those provisions.

While Scalise said the two chambers may be able to use the August recess for spending negotiations to avoid an omnibus bill, there will not be much time left. When Congress returns from its August recess there will be just 11 legislative days when both chambers are in session before government funding runs out.

And conservative demands in spending bills have already threatened to derail that process in other parts of government funding, as Republicans have struggled to pass legislation with a narrow majority.

Republicans also have criticized the Justice Departments investigation into Hunter Biden, prompting the agency to take the unusual step of offering testimony from Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney David Weiss in Delaware when the House returns in September.

Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte wrote that we are deeply concerned by any misrepresentations about our work  whether deliberate or arising from misunderstandings  that could unduly harm public confidence in the evenhanded administration of justice.

Uriarte wrote that while the department usually avoids discussions of ongoing investigations, it would be strongly in the public interest for the American people and Congress to hear directly from Weiss at the House Judiciary Committee.

Several politically sensitive investigations could also boil over by the time Congress returns in September. Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis has indicated that she may bring charges in a grand jury probe of Trumps effort to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state by the end of August.

Additionally, Special Counsel John L. Jack Smith has run a second federal grand jury probe out of Washington into the broader effort to overturn the 2020 election. Trump himself said he had received a letter noting he was a target of that probe last week.

Impeachment inquiry

McCarthy this week cited statements from Biden related to his family members and money from China, as well as a House Oversight Committee probe into the criminal case against Hunter Biden and an unverified FBI tip that members of the Biden family had been bribed by Ukrainian entities.

Should we ignore that or should we investigate it? The only way to investigate that is through an impeachment inquiry, McCarthy said.

McCarthy, who only won his speakership after more than a dozen ballots earlier this year, has faced continual pressure from his right flank to impeach administration officials.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who has played a role in conservative efforts that stalled McCarthys election as speaker and then paralyzed the House floor for several days in June, told reporters Tuesday that we probably should have moved to an impeachment inquiry probably sooner than this. But I understand.

The conservative push for impeachment has yet to win over all members of the Republican caucus, however. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said the information he has seen so far does not yet rise to the level of an impeachment inquiry. But I do want the committee digging into this. I think the facts that were seeing are alarming. But Id rather do it in a very thorough, conscientious way so that the citizens know were doing it in a very conscientious way, he said.

Democrats have added a few political efforts of their own to the mix; there is already a pending censure resolution for Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., who is currently facing more than a dozen federal charges.

First-term Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., announced Tuesday a measure to censure Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. Greene, who was once removed from House committees for her rhetoric, has become a high-profile ally of McCarthy this Congress.

Censuring Rep. Taylor Greene is about the health of our democracy and faith in government. Her antisemitic, racist, transphobic rhetoric has no place in the House of Representatives. I ran for Congress after watching on January 6th that anti-democratic messages and fearmongering have real consequences for our democracy, Balint said.

Democrats could force a floor vote on both measures this week. But Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., the chair of the House Democratic Caucus said at a news conference Wednesday that Democrats may not make an issue of the two before the August recess.

Well see where the week takes us, Aguilar said.

Ryan Tarinelli and Ellyn Ferguson contributed to this report.

2023 CQ-Roll Call, Inc.

Visit at rollcall.com

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The Security Service of Ukraine has detained a Russian intelligence agent who was preparing a new Russian air attack on the city of Kharkiv. To perform the hostile task, he drove around the territory of the city and covertly recorded the locations of the Defense Forces.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported in the official Telegram-channel of the SSU. The enemy agent, who worked for the main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU), was also interested in the coordinates of railway junctions, where the unloading of military equipment and ammunition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the defense of the city and Ukrainian soldiers on the front line.

In the course of such reconnaissance activities, the man also tried to obtain information about the work of strategically important industrial facilities, in particular, local aviation enterprises.

SSU officers detained an enemy agent "on the hot seat" while he was conducting additional reconnaissance of the area near one of Kharkiv's industrial facilities.

As it was found out, the Russian agent turned out to be a local resident who had come to the attention of the Russian security services because of his publications in social networks made after the start of the full-scale invasion.

ADVERTISIMENT

During a search of the detainee's residence, cell phones and computer equipment were found, which he used to correspond with the special services of the aggressor country.

Based on the collected evidence, investigators of the Security Service informed the defendant of suspicion under Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - high treason committed under martial law.

He is currently in custody. The investigation continues to establish all the circumstances of the crime. The attacker may face life imprisonment.

The special operation was carried out by SSU officers in Rivne and Kharkiv regions under the guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.

ADVERTISIMENT

We shall remind you that in Chernihiv region, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine exposed and detained a traitor who agreed to work for the main department of the general staff of the Russian armed forces. It tracked the locations and movements of the AFU in the north of the state, air defense locations and fortifications, as well as transmitted enemy data on the time and directions of Ukrainian aviation flights.

Earlier it became known that the SSU detained an official of the defense Department of the Kherson regional state Administration, working for the occupants. The former head of the legal division of the Department for Civil Protection and Defense Work of the Kherson Regional State Administration supported the invaders at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion and cooperated with them.

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(Tribune News Service)  A onetime Illinois Army National Guard sergeant was arrested Wednesday on charges he and his brother broke into the U.S. Capitol through a Senate fire door on Jan. 6 and assaulted police officers trying to keep the mob from overrunning the building.

Joseph Bierbrodt, 54, of Sheridan, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. with eight counts, including disorderly conduct in a restricted building, assault of a federal officer, and obstruction of law enforcement, court records show.

Bierbrodt appeared at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim, who ordered him released on a $10,000 recognizance bond, the records show.

His court-appointed attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. Bierbrodt left the Illinois Army National Guard in 2018, according to a spokesman.

Also charged in the same complaint was Bierbrodts brother, William Marty Bierbrodt, 55, of St. Cloud, Florida, records show. Court information for him was not immediately available.

Joseph Beirbrodt is at least the 39th Illinoisan to be charged so far in the Capitol breach, an ongoing investigation that has been described by prosecutors as the largest criminal investigation in the countrys history.

According to the complaint, surveillance images captured Beirbrodt and his brother, who had a distinctive long beard and was using a cane and scooter to move around due to a foot injury, as they approached a fire door on the Senate wing of the Capitol.

William Bierbrodt used his cane to smash through the window and then reached through the broken glass to unlatch the door, the complaint stated.

Joseph Bierbrodt, dressed in a red hat, American flag face covering and dark sunglasses, was seen rushing through the door despite the presence of police in full riot gear on the other side trying to keep it from opening, the complaint alleged.

Once inside, Joseph Bierbrodt assaulted one of the officers and slammed him into a wall, according to the complaint. As they moved deeper into the hallway, the brothers were met by another line of riot police and pepper sprayed, causing them to retreat, according to the complaint.

Joseph Bierbrodt was photographed removing his face covering and trying to wash the spray from his eyes, according to the complaint. He then retreated back down the steps to where his brother had left his scooter and was again seen on surveillance images trying to wash his face, which was stained with blood from an apparent injury suffered in the melee.

The FBI first got a match for Joseph Beirbrodt using facial recognition technology last year, according to the complaint. His identity was then further corroborated by one of Beirbrodts fellow guardsman, who identified him for law enforcement from images captured at the Capitol, the complaint stated.

Bierbrodt was featured in a February 2018 story in the Tribune about escorting a kindergartener to her first father-daughter dance after her dad had died in a military training accident months earlier.

Bierbrodt, who has four children, was quoted in the article saying he was touched by the request to help the little girl. I consider it a huge honor to be able to do this, Bierbrodt said. We never forget the ones who have left, or leave their families unattended.

That May, he was given the Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award at Chicagos Memorial Day ceremony. A Facebook post still public on the Illinois National Guards profile shows him standing with then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel as the award was announced.

His brother, William, was also identified last year. Social media posts later uncovered by law enforcement showed William had advocated violence against members of a different political ideology just weeks before the Capitol assault, including one post on Parler stating all the Obama cronies should be taken tied to a stack and shot in the head.

Time for revolution French style, the post stated, according to the complaint.

More than 1,000 people have been charged as part of the investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack, including arrests in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Of the 39 Illinoisans charged so far, Bierbrodt is one of only a handful to be accused of engaging in violence.

Among them was James Robert Elliott, of Aurora, a former member of the Proud Boys militia group who assaulted police outside the Capitol with a flagpole. He was sentenced in June to more than three years in prison.

Earlier this month, Kevin Lyons, 40, an HVAC technician from Chicagos Gladstone Park neighborhood, was given more than four years behind bars for entering U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis private office during the riot and stealing a staffers wallet as well as a cherished photo of the speaker with the late civil rights icon John Lewis.

2023 Chicago Tribune.

Visit at chicagotribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON  Both components of the National Guard expect to come at least very close to their goals for troops by the end of fiscal 2023, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson said Thursday.

The National Guards authorized end strength for fiscal 2023, which includes new recruits and existing troops, is about 433,000  325,000 for the Army Guard and 108,000 for the Air Guard, said Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. The fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

Both components missed their 2022 enlistment goal by a few thousand recruits each, reflecting the challenging new environment that has existed in recent years. The active-duty Army, for example, missed its target by 15,000 last year and expects to miss its goal of 65,000 this year. The Air Force has said it anticipates being 10% short.

However, Hokanson said recruiting for the National Guard has improved recently, despite the challenges.

We have been over 100% on our recruiting and retention for the last four months, he said at the National Press Club in Washington. We are not declaring victory, but I think our recruiters have really adjusted to the new environment.

Just 23% of young Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 qualify academically and physically to serve in the military, according to Pentagon data.

Theres a lot more competition for that 23% of America thats eligible for military service, the general said.

To expand the candidate pool, some services have introduced initiatives to spur recruiting and get young people ready to qualify for service. For example, the Army has created the Future Soldier Preparation Course to help potential recruits get in shape for the fitness and academic standards.

A month ago, officials said the Army Guard was on track to hit at least 95% of its total goal of 30,880 recruits, and the Air National Guard was projected to be at 97%. Hokanson said recruiting in the Army Guard recently has picked up.

On the Army Guard side, we are scheduled to meet 100% of our authorized end strength, he said. On the Air Guard, its a little bit different. We are [still] currently programmed to be about 97%.

But Hokanson said stiff competition from private companies for young Americans and employees seeking to work remotely more often help make recruiting tougher. Some political influences also have a negative impact on the military, such as the actions by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to block more than 200 military promotions, he said.

[It is] having a very hard impact on [military] families, Hokanson said. And then you have to look at the impact on our mid-grade officers, who [may] say, Do I want to make the military a career? They are looking at whats happening to our senior leaders, and their families are going to have conversations about their future and the potential impact it has on them. It sends a message to the force.

Tuberville began blocking military promotions in February over a Pentagon policy that reimburses service members if they travel to another state for reproductive health care, including abortions. The policy came after several states in the past year limited access to abortions.

I think all of us are very concerned, Hokanson said. It is something we would like to get resolved as soon as we can.

Hokanson also said the military continues to investigate the leak of classified information earlier this year by Jack Teixeira, an airman in the 102nd Intelligence Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Teixeira, 21, faces charges of violating the Espionage Act and unauthorized removal of classified information. He has pleaded not guilty.

That was a very disappointing event, to say the least, Hokanson said, adding the National Guard is still learning what happened and ways it can prevent similar disclosures in the future. We will see what the results of the investigation are.
WASHINGTON  Lawyers for former president Donald Trump were meeting Thursday morning with prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smith's office, more than a week after Trump said he received a letter from the Justice Department telling him he could face criminal charges in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The meeting, confirmed by a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss it, is another sign that Smith could be close to seeking an indictment of Trump in the Justice Department's long-running elections probe.

The grand jury that has been hearing evidence in the investigation was meeting Thursday morning at the federal courthouse in downtown Washington, and a prosecutor from Smith's office was seen there as well.

It is not uncommon in high-profile cases for defense lawyers to get a meeting with Justice Department officials toward the end of an investigation, essentially so they can present their best argument for why their client should not be charged. But such presentations rarely change prosecutors' minds, current and former officials say.

A person briefed on the meeting said the Justice Department did not give Trump's lawyers specific information about if or when an indictment would come. In the early afternoon, Trump posted a message on Truth Social that said: "My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country."

A spokesman for the special counsel declined to comment.

Smith and his team have been examining efforts by Trump and his allies to block Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, including the events that led up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Investigators have looked at ads and email messages that sought to fundraise off false claims of election fraud, as well as the decision by Republican electors in some states won by Biden to send signed statements purporting to affirm Trump as the victor.

Trump has already been indicted in a separate Justice Department investigation, also led by Smith's office, involving classified documents that remained at Mar-a-Lago, the former president's Florida home and private club, long after he left the White House.

In that case, he faces 37 separate counts, 31 of them for alleged willful retention of national defense information. Each of those 31 counts represents a different classified document that Trump allegedly withheld  21 that were discovered when the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago last August, and 10 that were turned over to the FBI in a sealed envelope two months earlier. His longtime valet, Walt Nauta, faces six charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document, concealing a document and scheming to conceal.

Trump is also criminally charged in New York state for allegedly falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments during the 2016 election.

The New York case is scheduled for trial in March; the classified-documents case is scheduled for trial in May, in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in both New York and Florida, and has denied wrongdoing in the elections probe as well.

The Washington Post's Tom Jackman contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Vincent D. Jackson was floored Wednesday as he approached his longtime hero and one of the few surviving Tuskegee Airmen: William T. Fauntroy Jr.

The decorated airman, who was also the first Black civil engineer hired by the agency that eventually became the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, recalled details from his time as a Tuskegee Airman, including praying to his mother as he flew a plane solo for the first time and the names of former airmen who have helped him grow as a person.

"He's such an inspiration in my own life, I'm just so honored to have met him and tell him that," said Jackson, a Marine veteran who works at Joint Base Andrews.

As training officers made their way to a blue and yellow PT-17 military aircraft, Fauntroy was at the center of the conversations and shuffling inside one of several hangars at the air base, sharing details about his life. He repeated stories to cadets who stopped for pictures and training officers who thanked him for his service.

Fauntroy, 96, lives to share details of his life in hopes that those younger than him will feel inspired and learn from his success.

"I just love to talk about this," he said. "It's important that people know that a high school dropout really can amount to all this."

Fauntroy was one of three Tuskegee Airmen honored during an Air Force PT-17 aircraft exchange ceremony Wednesday. The aircraft, which was used by Tuskegee Airmen for training while fighting in World War II, will be inducted into the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

"These men are the forefathers of modern history," said Rob Collings, chief executive officer of the Collings Foundation, which is assisting in transporting the aircraft. "These gentlemen embody what is great about America, and it is an honor to have this PT-17 headed to a national museum to continue that legacy."

The ceremony also took place on the 75th anniversary of President Harry S. Truman signing Executive Orders 9980 and 9981, which ended segregation in the U.S. armed forces.

Air Force Chief of Staff Charles Q. Brown Jr., the first Black person to lead a U.S. armed forces branch, said during a speech that successes of the Tuskegee Airmen helped to pave the way for future leaders like himself.

Achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen included completing 1,378 combat missions and 179 bomber escort missions that lost fewer than 25 bombers, a rare feat among missions. The airmen are also heavily decorated veterans, with 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, eight Purple Hearts and 14 Bronze Stars, according to the Air Force.

Brown reflected on the life and leadership of the Tuskegee Airmen, who became lauded war heroes despite facing segregation and racism.

Midway through his speech, he apologized for being late, as he and the airmen were enthralled over lunch in hearing memories and stories from their time in service.

"Thank you so much for what you've done for our nation," Brown said.

As he walked off the stage, Brown shook hands with the three Tuskegee Airmen  Fauntroy, Carl C. Johnson and retired Lt. Col. Shelton Ivan Ware - sitting in the front row.

After the speeches, Fauntroy stationed himself outside the PT-17 aircraft. The first time he was allowed to fly a plane by himself, over Alabama, he recalled feeling as if he was on top of the world.

"I felt like hot s--- on a popsicle stick," he said.

His time as a Tuskegee Airman cemented his legacy across the nation and the Washington metro area, where he's lived his entire life. He was born in 1926 to Ethel Vine Fauntroy and William T. Fauntroy Sr. and attended public schools in D.C.

When John Curry, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen whom Fauntroy met during his training period, saw his disorganized bed bunk, it was a wake-up call for Fauntroy to accept adulthood and discipline. He credits Curry, who now lives near Fauntroy, as a key example of the brotherhood he found among the Tuskegee Airmen.

"We understand each other in a very particular and special way," Fauntroy said. "There's an awareness to a part of my life that not many people can understand."

After the Air Force, Fauntroy returned to D.C. and enrolled at Howard University in 1946 in hopes of working as a civil engineer.

There, he met his late wife, Camilla H. Bradford, who told him she wouldn't marry him until he got a job. He eventually began work for the National Capital Transportation Agency, now known as Metro.

Once the NCTA transitioned into its new agency, Fauntroy became an urban planner for Metro, where he oversaw the D.C. portion of a rail system that would be built across the region.

While he considers the Tuskegee Airmen to be his first love, Metro is his second. His fingerprints are all over the city  through the apartments and houses he's lived in and Metro stations he's helped to maintain. Being recognized so close to his hometown feels nostalgic.

It also adds to the inspiration Jackson said he feels toward Fauntroy: that a D.C. native, like himself, could change the fabric of his hometown and the nation.

"It's such an honor to see this all up close," he said.
Angela Manning withdrew the cash from the couple's joint account after falling for a Facebook scam.

A carer who succumbed to fraudsters and stole 122,000 from an elderly couple during the Covid-19 pandemic has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Angela Manning (59) of Kingston Walk, Ballinteer, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to seven sample charges of stealing money from an elderly couple via ATM withdrawals in Dublin, between April 2019 and September 2021.

She has no previous convictions.

The court previously heard that Ms Laetitia Lynam and her husband Enda O'Regan hired Manning as their carer.

While Ms Lynam was self-isolating during the Covid-19 pandemic, Manning would call to her home and was given an ATM card by Ms Lynam to go food shopping.

Manning withdrew over 122,000 from the couple's joint account after falling for a Facebook scam.

Imposing sentence today, Judge Pauline Codd said it was cold comfort to the injured parties that Manning didn't use the money to enrich herself and buy lavish things, but succumbed to fraudsters.

She said Manning had breached the high degree of trust given to her in her role as a carer.

Judge Codd noted that Manning's actions removed the couple's financial comfort blanket to benefit professional fraudsters.

The judge said the aggravating features included the amount of money involved, the persistent acts of dishonesty over an 18-month period during the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that the offending only stopped when the money ran out.

Judge Codd said Manning had believed stories from fraudsters and naively believed she would recover the money when she had unwittingly taken steps which meant no one could trace the money.

She noted Manning did not personally benefit from taking the money and had wrecked her own financial security and that of injured parties.

She added that the defendant had enriched blatant scammers on foot of their sob stories, but not benefitted herself financially.

Judge Codd handed Manning a three-year sentence suspended for four years, taking into account mitigating factors including her early guilty plea, difficulties with alcohol, emotional vulnerabilities and lack of previous convictions.

She accepted that Manning is unlikely to re-offend and the court considered that she could better make recompense to the injured parties through her continued employment.

Judge Codd said Manning had also experienced public humiliation associated with these offences and had a very substantial fall from grace as a person of previous good character.

Angela Manning

Manning was ordered to continue with therapy for two years and to make efforts to secure a lump sum to repay the injured parties.

At an earlier sentence hearing, Detective Garda Gavin Higgins told Aideen Collard BL, prosecuting, that Ms Lynam and Mr ORegan are a married couple, and Manning was initially hired as a carer via an agency but was later hired privately by the couple.

Det Gda Higgins said Mr ORegan, who is in his eighties, resides in a nursing home and suffers from dementia.

His wife Ms Lynam self-isolated during the Covid-19 pandemic due to an underlying health condition.

Manning would call to her home daily and was given an ATM card and PIN by Ms Lynam so she could go food shopping.

The court heard that in September 2021, Ms Lynam texted Manning asking for her ATM card back as she had tried to buy something online, but the payment would not go through.

The following day Manning came to Ms Lynams home and said,

I want to tell you something, I have done something on you. You are going to be very angry with me, I have taken all your money.

The court heard that Ms Lynam initially laughed and thought it was a joke, but Manning said, I have bled you dry; there is nothing left.

Ms Lynam asked, Have you taken all my money? to which Manning replied,

Yes, there is only 7 left. Manning had withdrawn over 122,000 from the couple's joint account.

Manning told Ms Lynam that she had met a man on Facebook and was falling in love with him.

This man said his name was Sam and that he was a soldier in the United States Army.

Sam told Manning his daughter was dying, and he needed 10,000 to be released from the army.

Manning asked Ms Lynam not to tell gardai as she needed time to tell her husband what she had done.

Ms Lynam contacted gardai that afternoon and an investigation began.

Gardai obtained CCTV footage of Manning withdrawing cash from an ATM.

During questioning, Manning told gardai that she would withdraw cash and go to a shop on Talbot Street, where she would lodge cash using an ATM into an untraceable Bitcoin online wallet.

Angela Manning Photo: Paddy Cummins/PCPhoto.ie

The court heard for a period of time that Manning stopped lodging money into the Bitcoin account after her brother found out and told her it was a scam.

While giving her account to gardai, Manning said she had been contacted by other personas who said they were a general and commandant in the US Army, as well as someone from the United Nations.

She was also informed that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was minding the money for her, all of which was completely untrue.

Det Gda Higgins told the court that High Court proceedings had taken place in 2021 and the deeds of the Manning family home were now in the possession of Ms Lynam and Mr ORegan.

Det Gda Higgins agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that his client had fallen for a Facebook scam hook, line and sinker.

He said she had accepted an unsolicited friend request on Facebook.

Mr Bowman said that over the course of the scam, his client had received communications from a number of people pretending to be in the US Army.

His client said they had put the guilt trip on her.

Counsel said Manning had received an email from Sam stating that money had been held in trust for him and that once he had left the army, that money would be released.

The court heard Manning was of the belief that the money she had transferred was a loan and would be paid back to her.

Manning believed that the money was being sent via an An Post parcel, but it had been stopped by customs in Ireland, and an additional payment was needed to have this parcel released.

Mr Bowman told the court that Manning had also used money which her husband received when he retired and that he has since had to come out of retirement and go back to work.

Counsel handed documents to the court in the form of a handwritten letter from Manning and two medical reports.

One of the reports outlined that Manning was an easy target for manipulation.

Mr Bowman asked the court to take into account that the prospect of Manning ever coming before the court in the future was near zero.

He said it was an extraordinary set of circumstances and that his client had compromised the security of the injured parties and had also done the exact same thing to her husband and family.
Noel Price has 90 previous convictions which include criminal damage, possession of drugs, burglary and assault.

A Limerick criminal who helped the McCarthy-Dundon gang in the attempted murder of convicted drug dealer Christy Keane eight years ago has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six and a half years.

Noel Price has 90 previous convictions which include criminal damage, possession of drugs, burglary and assault.

The defendant previously received a 12-year sentence for arson in 2001 when he threw a petrol bomb at the front window of a property belonging to Christy Keane's sister. He was also jailed for the unlawful seizure of a vehicle occupied by three young children.

Two of the children fled from the car and it was only later that Price realised one of the young children was still in the vehicle. The court heard that he dropped the child off at the side of the road before he was apprehended by gardai. Price was jailed for five years for that offence.

Christy Keane

Sentencing Price at the non-jury court today, presiding judge Mr Alexander Owens said that the defendant had lent himself to a criminal enterprise by going to Dublin with a very senior member of the organised crime group and then driving back to Limerick in convoy.

The judge added: "He [Price] could but not have known when he headed to Dublin and collected the car that it would be used in criminal activity. He knew all about the gang and the feud with the Keane-Collopy gang. The getting of the car had to be important, something important had to go down," he said.

Last month, Noel Price (45), of Kileely Road, Kileely, Limerick City pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court that, having knowledge of the existence of the McCarthy Dundon criminal organisation, he assisted in making available a vehicle to that criminal organisation with the intention of facilitating the commission by the aforesaid organisation of the attempted murder of Mr Christy Keane or being reckless as to same.

The offence, which comes under section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, was alleged to have occurred between June 27 and June 29, 2015, both dates inclusive.

Keane was shot a number of times as he parked his car on the grounds of the University of Limerick where he went for an early-morning gym session in June 2015. He survived the shooting after making his escape via a nearby running track and was subsequently hospitalised in a critical condition.

Convicted drug dealer Keane was sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2000 for possession of 240,000 worth of cannabis.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Owens said as a result of a previous offence committed by Price in 2019 he was now in prison with an anticipated release date of August 2024. The judge also referred to Price's previous convictions saying he had a very poor criminal record with "repeated recidivism".

He set the headline sentence at ten years. However, a reduction of 25 per cent was applied to take into account his guilty plea and the unfortunate circumstances of his addictions resulting in a sentence of seven years and six months.

Taking proportionality into account and the fact Price had been in prison since 2020 the court suspended the final year.

Mr Justice Owens, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell, sentenced Price to seven years and six months imprisonment with the final year suspended.
Connor is serving 20 years for a 2013 murder attempt on a PSNI officer

Lone wolf bomber Christine Connor has appeared in court accused of assaulting three prison officers.

Connor is serving 20 years for a 2013 murder attempt on a police officer.

She appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court on Wednesday via video link from Hydebank Wood detention centre.

No details were read to the court other than for a police officer to say she could connect the accused to the three assault charges.

Connor, dressed in a black top, stayed silent throughout, refusing to recognise the court.

A prison staff member confirmed that they could hear the court proceedings clearly via the video link.

Defence solicitor Oliver Roche confirmed his client understood the charges against her.

Connor was charged with two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of assault on April 7 this year.

The incident is believed to have happened after Connor refused to come back in from the prison yard where she was sunbathing.

Having heard that Connor is a sentenced prisoner, District Judge Mark Hamill adjourned the case to August 23.

Connor was convicted of attempted to murder a police officer in 2013. She lured them to the scene by making a bogus 999 call claiming to be the victim of domestic violence.

The court heard at the time she was not aligned with any group and had planned the attack with the assistance of a man from England who she lured into sending her the parts for improvised grenades by catfishing him with pictures of a Swedish model.

An American man was also duped into sending her hundreds of dollars to support a group she claimed to lead called United Struggle.

Both men later took their own lives, one before his case could be heard the other after hearing that Ms Connor had pleaded guilty.

Christine Connor (Credit: PressEye)

The Belfast woman made two attempts at murdering police officers on two separate dates and both involved her making hoax 999 calls to lure them to where she was hiding.

The first attempt did not result in injury, although the improvised explosive device (IED) did detonate.

Connor used this failed attack as a trial run for the strike on May 28, when she threw two IEDs at officers from the lane beside the house she had lured officers to.

In the second incident, a bogus 999 call lured PSNI officers to the Crumlin Road in the early hours of May 28.

When officers attended a house in the area a pipe bomb was thrown at them from a nearby alleyway.

At the scene police found evidence linking Connor to the attack, including a hoodie top which bore her blood, as well as a shopping bag containing her phone and gloves with her DNA on them.

She was first convicted in 2017 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. The decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal the following year, after judges ruled Connor's purported admissions were ambiguous and should not have been used in evidence.

Connor was convicted of attempted murder and possession of explosives following a second trial in August 2020.

In January 2021, senior judges ruled that the 20-year term imposed at that time was unsustainably generous and increased it by five years.

She is currently housed in a specially built facility in Hydebank Wood detention centre.

The dissident republican refused to be housed in the main prison population, claiming she is a political prisoner.

She was the sole inhabitant of the 500,000 Fern 4, before being joined in August 2020 by Sharon Rafferty Jordan and Amanda McCabe, also known as Mandy Duffy, who are awaiting trial on New IRA membership as part of Operation Arbacia.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue a successful counter-offensive in the Tavria direction. The defense forces destroyed two companies of Russian occupants over the past 24 hours.

ADVERTISIMENT

The enemy's equipment and warehouses were also "demilitarized". This was reported by the commander of the operational-strategic grouping of troops "Tavria" Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavsky.

"Defense Forces systematically knock out the enemy, have a certain success and consolidate on the achieved borders in the Tavria diection. Enemy losses killed and wounded amounted to almost two companies over the past 24 hours", the message stated.

It is noted that over the past day 13 units of weapons and military equipment of the Russian invaders were destroyed. In particular, we are talking about the "Ka-52" helicopter, "Borisoglebsk" EW, "Orlan-10" UAV, etc.

Other equipment, including three fuel and lubricant warehouses of the enemy.

"The army is working. Glory to Ukraine!" Tarnavsky summarized.

ADVERTISIMENT

It should be noted that according to the General Staff, the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled attacks by Russian occupants near Bakhmut and Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. At the same time, the Ukrainian defenders continue to advance in the south of our state.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- Earlier Anna Maliar said that the textbooks will include a number of achievements of our Defense Forces. In particular, the fact that the Ukrainian forces are advancing in conditions when the enemy has more weapons and personnel.

- Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, commander of the United Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that our army has formed a new generation of officers and commanders, unencumbered by Soviet traditions.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Miller Pacheco, who is originally from Formiga in Brazil, is charged with the murder of Ms Fonseca

A 29-year-old man charged with the murder of Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca, who was found dead in a flat in Cork city centre on New Years Day, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court in June next year.

Miller Pacheco, who is originally from Formiga in Brazil, but was living at Liberty Street in Cork, is charged with the murder of Ms Fonseca (28) at the bedsit flat on Liberty Street on January 1 this year.

A qualified librarian, Ms Fonseca moved to Cork in September last year and began working as a cleaner at Cork's Mercy University Hospital.

Miller Pacheco (29)   Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Today, Ms Justice Melanie Greally fixed a date of June 24, 2024 for the trial.

The case was listed for case management on November 24 next.

The deceased's body was found at Liberty Street just a couple of hours after she had gone out with friends to celebrate New Year's Eve in Cork city centre.
Kevin Kletzander, of no fixed abode, grabbed womens crotches, hit a woman in the crotch with his fist and slapped a female garda on the buttocks during the various assaults

A man who sexually assaulted nine different women in Dublin city during the month of August 2021 has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended.

Kevin Kletzander, of no fixed abode, grabbed womens crotches, hit a woman in the crotch with his fist and slapped a female garda on the buttocks during the various assaults, which took place in daylight in well-populated areas of the city centre.

The sentence was backdated to August 2021, meaning that Kletzander faces a maximum of 18 months imprisonment.

In her judgement at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Orla Crowe said the assaults were a gross intrusions of the bodily integrity and dignity of each woman.

Judge Crowe said it was humiliating, demeaning and shocking for the victims to have been violated in such an aggressive way when they were going about their day-to-day business during daylight hours in the city centre.

The judge noted that Kletzander suffered from considerable mental health difficulties and that the sentence had to be balanced with his need for rehabilitation and help.

Judge Crowe said Kletzander was fortunate to have loving parents who have stood by him.

The judge said victim impact statements submitted by some of the women show how deeply they were impacted and continue be affected by the assaults.

The court heard that one woman could not socialise after the assault and remained deeply nervous and hyper aware of her surroundings.

At a previous hearing, the court heard Kletzander told gardai he was looking for love when they arrived at the Ilac Shopping Centre to arrest him following the final incidents on August 28, 2021.

Kletzander (32) pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault on August 5, 12, 27 and 28, 2021 at various locations in Dublin city, including the Ilac Shopping Centre, Aston Quay, Usher Island, Grafton Street and Store Street Garda Station. He has no previous convictions.

Detective Garda Mark Costello told Grainne O'Neill BL, prosecuting, that the first victim was on Grafton Street on August 5, 2021, at approximately 8.40 am when she saw an odd man walking towards her.

She noticed him and feared he wanted to steal her handbag. Instead, he put his arm under her skirt and grabbed her crotch area.

The woman screamed and Kletzander let go before walking off in another direction.

She later saw him lying on the grass in St Stephen's Green and made a report to gardai.

On August 12, 2021, Kletzander sexually assaulted three women by grabbing their crotch areas in separate incidents at Stephen's Green, Aston Quay and Ushers Island.

In a fourth incident on the same day, he ran at a woman who had gotten off a bus in the Ushers Island area and hit her in the crotch area with his fist.

Separately, a 32-year-old woman was in the Ilac Shopping Centre on the afternoon of August 27, 2021.

She was watching her son play when she was grabbed on the buttocks from behind and pushed forward.

An investigating garda said Kletzander then walked several steps in front of this woman before turning back towards her.

She used a buggy as a shield as she was concerned he was going to attack her again.

The woman screamed and Kletzander walked away. She was left in pain and shock following the incident.

The next day, another woman was walking into the Ilac Shopping Centre at 8.15am when Kletzander, who was walking in the opposite direction, asked her for a blowjob.

She was shocked and froze. Kletzander then grabbed the back of her neck and pushed her head towards his crotch area.

She screamed, and he backed off.

A short time later, in the same area, Kletzander was sitting at the entrance to the shopping centre and shouted at a woman on a bike that he could see her vagina.

She got off her bike, and he grabbed at her, putting his hand up her skirt, touching her crotch and stomach area.

The woman was very shocked and scared during the assault. A passer-by shouted at Kletzander and scared him off.

Kletzander was arrested shortly afterwards in the Ilac Centre before he sexually assaulted the female garda at Store Street Garda Station by slapping her once on the buttocks.

A compilation of CCTV was played to the court.

One victim impact statement was handed in but not read aloud.

When interviewed, Kletzander admitted being at St Stephen's Green but made no comment in relation to the other incidents.

Det Gda Costello agreed with Ms O'Neill that Kletzander accepted what he had done, but the tenor of the conversation was that he didn't feel he had done anything wrong.

The investigating gardai agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that the injured parties were relieved by Kletzander's guilty pleas.

The court heard that Kletzander had no inhibitions and carried out these actions in front of hundreds of people.

Kletzander has been in custody since August 2021 and has been living in hostel accommodation in recent years.

Mr Rea told the court his client has serious mental health issues, which have required periods of hospitalisation. Psychiatric and probation reports were handed to the court.

The court heard the psychiatric report states that Kletzander was feeling rejected by women and receiving messages in his mind, but agreed his behaviour was not appropriate or acceptable.

Kletzander was formerly a student at Trinity College but was unable to complete his studies due to his mental health issues.

He is on a new medication regime and appears to be doing better.

Kletzander had started life and studies with such hopes, but they were to be dashed due to behavioural problems, Mr Rea said.

The defendant's older brother died last August, and his parents were in court to support him.

The prison service has made arrangements for hostel accommodation in Dublin for Kletzander when he is eventually released. A letter from Focus Ireland was also handed to the court.

Linda Kletzander, mother of the accused, took to the stand and described the last few years since these incidents as a nightmare.

Mrs Kletzander said that before these incidents, her son was a perfectly intelligent brother and son and that they are prepared to pay to get him privately assessed by a psychologist.

She told the court that herself and her husband are not yet in a position to offer accommodation to their son on his release.

Judge Crowe ordered Kletzander to be of good behaviour for four and a half years and to abide by all directions of the Probation Service, particularly in regard to his own mental health treatment and his eventual rehousing and resettlement.
James Carey, who called himself his majesty the king, told Judge Martin Nolan in the Circuit Civil Court in Dublin that the driver of a bus had no jurisdiction in refusing him access to travel.

A Meath man describing himself as the sovereign king of Ireland has asked a judge for orders against Bus Eireann after a driver refused to let him get on a bus and separately against a garda for a speeding ticket.

James Carey, who called himself his majesty the king, told Judge Martin Nolan in the Circuit Civil Court in Dublin that the driver of a bus had no jurisdiction in refusing him access to travel.

Mr Carey, whose address was given as Preston Hill, Stamullen, Co Meath, also asked Judge Nolan to direct that a garda, who had issued him with a speeding ticket for breaking the limit by 5kmh on one of his privately owned highways, had no lawful right to do so.

He told the court that after his car had broken down he had attempted to board a bus with his dog and had been told by the driver he could not do so.

Claiming he was the rightful head of state, he said his countrys department of security took a very dim view of the man in the Phoenix Park.

When Judge Nolan, who gave the applicant a full hearing despite telling him there was no king of Ireland, told him his proceedings disclosed no proper cause of action, Mr Carey told him such an order would amount to an act of treason.

I own Ireland, I rule Ireland and I am your legal employer, he told the judge.

Mr Carey said the gardai had no right to approach him, never mind issue him with a speeding ticket. He said was entitled to ride his own buses and travel on his own privately owned highways.

When the applicant continued to address the court, Judge Nolan asked his crier to summon a garda presence and Garda Mick McGrath took up a position at the back of the court.

Mr Carey said he would leave the courtroom of his own volition and not because of any order the court might consider making against him.

When Judge Nolan called both cases at the start of the hearing, he was told there was no representation on behalf of an Garda Siochana or Bus Eireann and, because of this, Mr Carey claimed he was entitled to the orders he sought.

Judge Nolan said he was striking out both of Mr Careys applications and was told by Mr Carey they would be appealed.

The judge said he would have to do so within 10 days.

Mr Carey then left the court and told the media he would permit himself to be photographed.

He posed outside the Four Courts for personal photos and a picture of his identity card which, he told Judge Nolan, made it easier for him to avoid smirks and sneers such as, he alleged, he was noticing from the bench.
New York native Stephen Termini was seriously injured in the attack on Talbot Street last Wednesday night.

Gardai out on patrol on Talbot Street in Dublin's north inner city. Photo by Stephen Collins

A second juvenile has been charged in connection with an assault on an American tourist in Dublin city centre.

New York native Stephen Termini (57) was seriously injured in the attack on Talbot Street last Wednesday night.

He was brought to Beaumont Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

A 14-year-old boy has already been charged and remanded on bail.

Gardai confirmed this morning they had arrested two more teens who were detained in north Dublin garda stations.

A spokesperson said: The male juvenile arrested for the alleged offence contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 has been charged.

He will appear before the Children's District Court (Number 55) in Smithfield this afternoon Thursday 27rd July, 2023.
They uncovered approximately 600,000 of suspected cannabis along with approximately 100,000 of suspected cocaine.

Gardai seized a huge haul of drugs worth approximately 700,000 and a gun with ammunition in County Meath today.

Officers from the Meath Divisional Drugs Unit assisted by detectives from Trim and Navan, raided a premises in the Summerhill area at approximately 5:30pm.

They uncovered approximately 600,000 of suspected cannabis along with approximately 100,000 of suspected cocaine.

The search was carried out as part of a probe and targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the Meath division.

A suspected semi-automatic pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition were also seized.

The seized drugs (totalling 700,000) and the firearm will now be sent for analysis to Forensic Science Ireland and the Garda Ballistics Unit respectively.

Garda investigations are ongoing.

The seizure forms part of Operation Tara; an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, aimed at disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting drug trafficking networks, at all levels.
Yesterday Stephen Carberry (45) was given an eight-year jail term

The brother of a feud victim jailed over a 1.5m drugs bust is also under investigation in connection with the murder of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods.

Yesterday Stephen Carberry (45) was given an eight-year jail term after being convicted of having the massive haul of ecstasy and cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply more than a decade ago.

His younger brother Richie (39) was a leading figure for the anti-Maguire gang and was shot dead in August 2019 as part of the Drogheda feud.

Read more Dublin man jailed after being convicted of possessing over 1.5m worth of cocaine and ecstasy

The violent dispute claimed four lives  including that of 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods, who was murdered in January 2020.

The youth was lured to a house in Rathmullan Park and killed. His body was then dismembered and his remains scattered in different parts of Drogheda and Dublin.

The Sunday World can reveal that detectives investigating the gruesome murder arrested Stephen Carberry as part of that probe.

He was detained in May 2021 and questioned at Mountjoy garda station before being released without charge.

Stephen Carberry was yesterday jailed for eight years

Carberry is not suspected of any direct involvement in the murder, but detectives quizzed him on suspicion of helping to dispose of the remains.

Two other men were also arrested at the time, and gardai subsequently sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

It is understood that gardai are still awaiting a direction from the DPP on whether any charges are to be brought or if there should be no prosecution.

Three men have so far been convicted in relation to the teenagers murder, including violent Drogheda criminal Paul Crosby (27), who is serving a 10-year jail term for facilitating the killing.

Paul Crosby

The chief suspect for carrying out the heinous murder is Coolock criminal Robbie Lawlor. He was shot dead in Belfast three months later and before he could be questioned over the murder.

Yesterday Stephen Carberry was jailed after being found guilty of five counts of possessing cannabis and ecstasy for sale and supply on May 23, 2013, at The Strand, Donabate.

He has 62 previous convictions, primarily for road traffic matters

Detective Sergeant Vincent Campbell previously gave evidence that gardai had put a surveillance operation in place on the defendant and the residence.

The chief suspect in the case murder is Coolock criminal Robbie Lawlor

Carberry was stopped driving a BMW car on Fitzmaurice Road, Glasnevin, and arrested. Keys to the house in The Strand as well as a locked room in the property were found on Carberry when he was stopped.

When gardai searched the premises, they recovered a large quantity of blue tablets and plant like material in tartan bags.

Following analysis, the drugs were established to be ecstasy, with a combined value of nearly 968,900, and cannabis with a total street value of 559,526.

Det Sgt Campbell said the defendants DNA was also found on a phone charger inside the property.

He was later charged and, following several unforeseen and uncontrollable delays, was convicted following a trial in April.

Robbie Lawlor was shot dead in Belfast

Defence counsel Garrett Baker said that his clients brother was murdered in 2019 and that Stephen Carberry, a father-of-six, suffered an emotional breakdown on the first anniversary of that death.

Judge Elma Sheahan set a headline sentence of 11 years on the basis of aggravating factors including the seriousness of the offending and the fact that Carberry had not accepted the jurys verdict.

She said that Carberry had access to, and control of a significant amount of drugs, and was clearly a trusted and not insignificant cog in the drugs operation.

However, the judge reduced the sentence because of the significant amount of time since Carberry was charged and the fact that he had no previous convictions at the time.

Judge Sheahan sentenced Carberry to nine years with the final 12 months suspended, and also gave him credit for over 360 days already served in custody.
The incident may have escalated had gardai not arrived on the scene while the assault was still happening

A 24-year-old man had a bag placed over his head when he was abducted by a gang near his home and brought to a beach in north Co Dublin where he was savagely assaulted.

Sources said the incident may have escalated had gardai not arrived on the scene while the assault was still happening.

The shocking incident unfolded at around 5.30pm on Tuesday and it was the second unrelated violent kidnapping incident that happened in Dublin in the space of four days.

In the latest incident, the young man was abducted by a gang in Balbriggan who then contacted male relatives of the victim demanding a four-figure cash sum for an alleged drugs debt.

It was demanded that the relatives call to an address at a housing estate in the seaside town with the cash but instead gardai became aware of the abduction and extortion attempt.

At around the same time that this happened, officers also received reports from members of the public of a man being viciously beaten at Balbriggan beach and they rushed to the scene.

When they got there, a number of suspects fled. The abducted man had serious injuries to his body and head. The victim was later hospitalised.

One line in the probe is that the attack may have been carried out by local criminals who are linked to a gang who use an Eircode as their identity symbol.

It is understood that this gang is heavily involved in drug dealing and drug intimidation in Balbriggan and other parts of north Dublin, as well as being prominent in the drug scene in Drogheda and other towns in Louth and Meath.

In April, the Sunday World revealed that an Eircode gang had entered the void left by the Garda crackdown on feuding gangs in Drogheda and were involved in serious drug debt-related intimidation tactics.

This includes threatening phone calls and calling to innocent family members homes for the purpose of the collection of drugs debts.

The gang have been using social media to deal drugs, often in smaller quantities but sometimes in bulk.

The alleged debt that this gang were demanding from the victims relatives on Tuesday may not be considered big money by some people but it is huge money if you dont have it, a source said last night.

At the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, there were a number of violent incidents and stand-offs in Dublin but especially in Balbriggan involving gangs of teenagers who were naming their groups from the Eircodes of the towns and areas where they live to distinguish themselves from rivals.

In the past year gardai have charged a number of people in court and there have been convictions in relation to drug-related intimidation. Most of these cases occurred in north Dublin but it is a nationwide problem.

The number of people facing demands to pay debts has more than doubled in the past three years.

Demanding payment of debts increased 45pc last year, and is up 104pc when compared to the 2019 figure, according to official Garda figures released in March.

Drug related intimidation is a massive and increasing countywide problem.
The TD called the incident in Ballybrack last week unacceptable destruction and disruption.

A Fine Gael TD has said a building that was vandalised in Ballybrack last week was not going to be used as refugee accommodation, despite claims made by protesters.

A second property in the Dublin suburb - The Ramblers Rest  is also not being considered, TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has confirmed.

In a letter to residents, the local TD said the Department of Integration is evaluating whether another building in the area is suitable to accommodate female international protection applicants.

"A detailed assessment must take place before any property can be deemed suitable as accommodation for international protection applicants, she said, adding that it is a preliminary query.

Update on Ballybrack received from @rodericogorman and @dcediy this evening.



I have had lots of constructive engagement with locals and businesses this past week and look forward to that continuing. pic.twitter.com/fMTgFLJ9kF  Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (@CarrollJennifer) July 26, 2023

"It is worth noting that the property that was vandalised last week is not the property that was intended for consideration as refugee accommodation, said Ms Caroll MacNeill.

"Further to that, a second property, The Ramblers Rest, has not been offered to DECDIY (Department of Equality, Children, Disability, Integration and Youth) either and no enquiries have been made about the offer process in relation to this property.

She told residents that she is available to discuss the issue further.

Unacceptable destruction and disruption in Ballybrack tonight, the TD said.

"Always happy to engage in a constructive way but vandalism of an empty building in an effort to frighten and intimidate local residents is not the way forward.

Speaking to Virgin Medias Tonight last week, the TD said she was sorry to see the high level of garda presence in the area but that she believes it was appropriate and proportionate.

"Its not, in any way, typical of the village, she said, adding that there is a massive problem with misinformation.

The family home of Independent councillor Hugh Lewis was targeted at 11.30pm last Monday night. The councillor grew up in the house and his 78-year-old father, Patrick, still lives there. His father was in the room when the rock came through the window.

"Its my family home. My father lives there now. He is rather shook and upset. He was in the front room at the time, Cllr Lewis said.

A threatening note was attached, referencing the councillors support for refugees and asylum seekers and saying: This is your last warning.

The councillor said he will continue to support refugees and asylum seekers, while also campaigning for social housing for homeless people.

"Its not about pitting one against the other, he said

"I have certainly made my opinions clearly known on the matter. There is an amplification of misinformation and scaremongering. I would appeal to people to get factual information, he added.
The suspect is is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal at a North Dublin Garda Station

Gardai have arrested a third male juvenile in connection with the alleged assault of a US tourist in Dublins city centre last week.

The arrest was confirmed by a garda spokesperson shortly after they announced a second youth had been arrested over the horror attack.

Stephen Termini (57), a musician from Buffalo in New York, suffered serious injuries just yards from Store Street garda station last Wednesday night.

He was brought to Beaumont Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

A teenager was arrested earlier this week and charged in the Childrens Court.

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 injured on Store Street in Dublin. Photo: Collins

In a statement this morning, a spokesperson said: Gardai have arrested a male juvenile for an alleged offence contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

He is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a North Dublin Garda Station.

Earlier today, gardai confirmed a second juvenile had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault.

A garda spokesman said: Gardai have arrested a male juvenile for an alleged offence contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

"He is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a North Dublin Garda Station.

Earlier this week, the victims son Mike Rizzuto recalled the shock of hearing about the vicious attack his father was subjected to.

Definitely it was a shock. When I got the call, I thought it was just going to be he got assaulted but hes okay, but apparently not.

I know hes still in intensive care, he might lose vision in one eye because it was hurt and damaged so badly. I know he got attacked by three people right outside the police station out there, it was unprovoked. I am trying to set up something to come and visit him.
The victim, who is aged in his 60s, was assaulted while driving along Military Road in the Phoenix Park at around 6.20am yesterday

The innocent taxi driver was beaten and forced from his car

Detectives have arrested two women after a taxi driver was viciously attacked and his car hijacked in Dublin.

The victim, who is aged in his 60s, was assaulted while driving along Military Road in the Phoenix Park at around 6.20am yesterday.

He was targeted by two female suspects, who beat him and forced him from his car.

Gardai immediately put out an alert for the vehicle, a 141-D registered black Skoda Octavia.

The taxi driver was subsequently hospitalised and is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

It is understood that yesterday evening an off-duty garda member spotted the car near the city centre and notified colleagues.

Gardai were sent to the scene and arrested two women. They were in custody last night at Store Street garda station and were being questioned in relation to the carjacking.

The innocent taxi driver was beaten and forced from his car

A source said: They were driving around in the stolen car for most of the day, but were spotted by an off-duty member who was aware of the hijacking. Four people were in the car, including the two women who are suspects for attacking the taxi driver.

Speaking yesterday, a garda spokeswoman said: Gardai in Cabra are investigating the alleged hijacking of a vehicle on Military Road, Phoenix Park this morning at approximately 6.20am.

A male taxi driver, aged in his 60s was assaulted by two female passengers. He was forced from the vehicle. The two female suspects fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. The driver of the taxi was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown for treatment.

Sources previously warned there had been an increase in hijackings and attempted hijackings this year.

In the first four months of the year, there were 20 reported hijackings, with the average previously being at around one or two a month.

One source described the number as off the charts in comparison with previous rates. Recent figures show the theft of vehicles has also continued to increase in recent years.
As of 27 July, the Defence Forces continue to conduct offensive operations 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 in the General Staff's daily summary on Facebook. Ukrainian aviation carried out six strikes on the areas of concentration of enemy personnel, weapons and military equipment, one on anti-aircraft missile systems and one on the enemy control centre.

"Missile and artillery units hit one control centre, one area of concentration of personnel, five artillery pieces at firing positions, one fuel and lubricants depot and one enemy electronic warfare station during the day," the Armed Forces stressed.

However, the enemy is trying to resist with all its might. Not only is there still a danger of missile attacks throughout our country, but frontline soldiers and civilians are also under direct fire:

in the Kupyansk sector, the enemy launched an air strike near Iziumske in Kharkiv region. Artillery and mortar attacks by the enemy took place in the areas of Fygolivka, Dvorichna, Zakhidne and Kyslivka in the Kharkiv region;

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in the Lyman direction, the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Nadiya, Luhansk region. He conducted an air strike near Bilohorivka, Luhansk region. The settlements of Nevske and Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region and Spyrne, Berestove, Torske and Verkhnekamyane in the Donetsk region came under artillery fire;in the Bakhmut sector, our defenders successfully repelled enemy attacks in the area south of Kleshchiyivka. The enemy launched air strikes in the areas of Kurdyumivka, Bila Gora and New York in Donetsk region. More than 10 localities suffered from enemy artillery shelling, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Toretsk and Zalizne in Donetsk Oblast;

in the Bakhmut sector, our defenders successfully repelled enemy attacks in the area south of Kleshchiyivka. The enemy launched air strikes in the areas of Kurdyumivka, Bila Hora and New York in Donetsk region. More than 10 localities suffered from enemy artillery shelling, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Toretsk, Zalizne in Donetsk region;

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in the Avdiivka sector, under heavy fire from enemy aircraft and artillery, our defenders successfully repelled attacks by Russian troops near Avdiivka. More than 15 localities came under artillery fire, including Berdychi, Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Nevelske and Karlivka in Donetsk region;

in the Maryinka sector, the defence forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops near the town of Maryinka. The enemy fired at more than 10 localities, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Maryinka, Kurakhivka, Peremoha, Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region;

in the Shakhtarsk sector, the enemy conducted an air strike near Staromayorsk, Donetsk region. He fired at the localities of Vodiane, Vuhledar and Blahodatne;

in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the enemy is focusing its main efforts on preventing further advance of our troops. Over 15 localities came under artillery fire, including: Levadne, Gulyaypole, Charivne, Bilohirya and Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia region; Nikopol in Dnipropetrovs'k region; Zmiivka, Lviv, Tokarivka, Antonivka and Dniprovske in Kherson region.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defence Hanna Maliar stressed that the Ukrainian forces are gradually advancing in the Bakhmut sector, in particular south of Bakhmut. Fighting continues in the area of Klishchiyivka, Kurdyumivka and Andriivka, which is quite fierce.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
It wasnt exactly standing room only at his funeral. If there were a couple of dozen people there that was the height of it

The funeral took place this week of Craigavon gangster James Carlisle, 42.

Crime boss Jim Carlisle had a lonely send-off this week with just a handful of family at his funeral.

The drug dealer, who killed himself in prison, had wielded power for years with a gang of enforcers who threatened his victims to ensure their silence.

Carlisle had also been part of murdered gang boss Malcolm McKeowns team until McKeown was gunned down in 2019 as part of a feud.

But the 42-year-olds criminal associates steered clear of his final farewell at Antrim Crematorium on Thursday.

Just 24 hours earlier in Newry Court the latest raft of charges against Carlisle were withdrawn. They included the recent attempted murder of his former partner, after he poured lighter fluid on her and set it alight.

The career criminal had attempted to kill himself twice in Maghaberry Prison where he was on remand for the horrific attack, and friends say he was on suicide watch. The Prison Service says it cant comment on that claim and the death  when he was found in the early hours of Friday in his cell  is being investigated.

A small number of people attended the funeral service of Craigavon gangster James Carlisle earlier this week.

It wasnt exactly standing room only at his funeral. If there were a couple of dozen people there that was the height of it, says a former associate.

Despite his reputation for being a hard man  and Jim was as dangerous as they come  he was a good dad.

Any of the ones who ran with him wouldnt have gone anywhere near it because there were that many threats and feuds going on.

Im surprised there wasnt a police presence because of his reputation, but in the end it was only his family who stood by him.

A small number of people attended the funeral service of Craigavon gangster James Carlisle earlier this week.

Carlisle had survived an attempt on his life in March 2016 when he was shot four times outside St Brendans Primary School in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

The drive-by attack happened in front of terrified youngsters and was thought to be carried out by the crime gang known as The Firm.

His former gang boss McKeown (inset right) was later gunned down by the gang in August 2019 as part of a feud. The 54-year-old was found dead in his BMW behind a petrol station on Main Street in Waringstown. He had been shot six times.

Malcolm McKeown

Carlisles death brings to an end a litany of crime  by the time he died he had more than 170 convictions.

In June, he was given bail while awaiting sentencing for an attack on young mum Olivia Creaney in Portadown. She was beaten so savagely she was blinded in one eye and had to have a metal plate inserted in her face.

Olivia Creaney refused to drop charges of GBH, assault, intimidation and possessing a knife  despite it costing the Portadown mum-of-two her kids after Carlisle issued threats to murder her whole family forcing them to live elsewhere.

The career criminals most notorious crime was the murder of his aunt Jacqueline McGeough and her husband Hugh at their Lurgan home in 2011.

Those killings were believed to stem from a personal vendetta after Jacqueline reported him to police for an assault on a young male.

It was attributed to a drugs debt, but the personal nature of the killing was evident  Jacqueline had been shot three times in the head while her husband had been shot once.

Hugh (54) and Jacqueline McGeough (46) who were found shot dead in their Craigavon home

Days later Carlisle insisted on a central role at his aunts funeral, crying crocodile tears for the couple hed murdered.

He and Malcolm McKeown were both charged with the murder, but the charges were withdrawn two years later.

He was never convicted of it, but it was him that pulled the trigger. They say the hardest part of killing someone is living with it, added the former associate.

James Carlisle arriving at court in 2012; he was known for threatening his victims to prevent them from testifying

Just weeks before McKeown was murdered, he and Carlisle had charges related to an aggravated burglary in Lisburn dropped. During the incident the victim was tied up and assaulted. Carlisle had been linked to the crime by DNA evidence but faced no further court action.

His criminal record would have been longer, but he regularly intimidated people to stop them 0 to police.

One victim reported getting a call from one of his cohorts within hours of an attack, as they waited to have their injuries treated in A&E.

He would have said anything and threatened anything to stop people giving a statement to the police. Your family, your kids, your house, nothing was off-limits for him.

He was completely ruthless, a complete psychopath who didnt care who he hit, along with his cronies who issued his threats.

Carlisle, originally from Lurgan but living at Harbour Road in Kilkeel before his death, was facing a jail term of up to five years for his most recent conviction handed out for the attack on Olivia Creaney, when he pleaded guilty to five offences including GBH, assault and intimidation.

While awaiting sentencing for that crime he tried to kill his girlfriend on June 30.

The 42-year-old was facing charges of attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, causing actual bodily harm and common assault, all said to be aggravated by domestic abuse.

For such a notorious person he had a quiet end, says the ex-associate.
"Seen (sic) the colours. Touched the tweed. Had the tea. The perfect York cabbage. So we did. So it was. Till next time.

Sarah Jessica Parker filming And Just Like That last March. Photo: Jose Perez

Sex in the City star Sarah Jessica Parker has smelled the turf and shared snaps of her wine on offer in a Supervalu in Donegal with her 9.3 million followers.

The actress food shop included some cabbage, Charleville cheddar cheese, salami and pickled gherkins.

She also showed followers the wine selection on offer in the shop, including her own Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker brand.

Photos really. They never quite capture it. And there is always more. And you should have SEEN it, she said.

"Had a bite. Smelled the turf. Watched the sea. Heard him talking. Cooked the chop. Buttered the spud. The new spud.

"Seen (sic) the colours. Touched the tweed. Had the tea. The perfect York cabbage. So we did. So it was. Till next time.

Supervalu shared a heart emoji in the comments section, writing: SuperValu and SJP, the crossover you never knew you needed.

"We are delighted you enjoyed your trip.

One fan commented: Im just glad your wine was on offer.

Another added: I love being from Donegal and love it even more because my icon loves us.

One shared: You have captured the essence of us and condensed the memories of every Irish person - thank you Sarah. Slainte until the next time.

Others added that they had to do a double take when the realised the Hollywood star was shopping in a Supervalu.

"Love that SJP is just as good of a writer as Carrie, one said. Love your posts and love that you had a wonderful time! Happy Thursday my friend!"
A Waikato dairy company has been fined $32,500 over its failure to notify NAIT that it was moving 910 cattle onto its farm.

The National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme, which maintains a national database of cattle and deer movements, is a critical part of New Zealand's ability to respond quickly to biosecurity threats.

Rangitoto Dairies Ltd, which operates a dairy and beef farm business at Te Kuiti, earlier pleaded guilty to one representative charge under the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012. It was sentenced at the Te Kuiti District Court on Tuesday.

Inquiries by Ministry for Primary Industries NAIT officers found the company's registered person in charge of animals for the farm had failed to declare to NAIT that it received 910 cattle from 82 separate movements on-farm between July 1 and October 18, 2020.

The company was responsible for the failure of its employee because it did not ensure its employee fully understood the obligations of a PICA and failed to put adequate measures into place to catch any mistakes or failures by the employee or other staff involved in receiving the animals to meet NAIT obligations.

This was hundreds of animals and it only takes one animal to potentially cause a biosecurity problem, as we have learned from our experience with Mycoplasma bovis, says MPIs acting regional manager of Animal Welfare and NAIT compliance, Stefan Halberg.

We understand this is the largest NAIT sentence that has been handed down by the courts to date. It should send a strong message to all farmers and businesses with NAIT animals  compliance with the system is a top priority.

Compliance with the NAIT system ensures we can trace animal movements. This is critical to our ability to act quickly and effectively in the event of an unwanted biosecurity incursion.

When a person or company in charge of animals fails their NAIT obligations, they potentially put the whole sector at risk.

The stakes are very high, and we take non-compliance seriously because of the potentially devastating effect biosecurity threats can have on industry and communities.

People in charge of animals must ensure theyve tagged and registered their NAIT animals. If theyre going off-farm to a meat processor or another farm, or if the animals are coming onto the farm, they must declare these movements to NAIT within 48 hours.

Part of Rangitoto Dairies Ltds operation includes buying young calves from about 50 dairy farms, which they then rear and wean. These weaned calves are sold to other farms.

When new calves arrived on-farm, staff were expected to scan the NAIT tags and download them into the database, however MPIs investigation found this wasnt happening consistently and that Rangitoto Dairies Ltd as an employer was aware that a breach could happen if these processes were not properly completed but did not put in place adequate checks and balances to ensure this.

The NAIT tag and registration system is only as effective as the information provided. If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out. There is plenty of information, advice and support available.

Visit the OSPRI website, which runs the NAIT system.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has been calling for a ban on vapes being sold within one kilometre of schools and marae for years, and a complete stop to any more Specialist Vape Retailers (SVRs) from setting up, says a foundation spokesperson.

The recently announced new proximity rules that will require a ban on Specialist Vape Retailers (SVRs) setting up within 300m of schools and marae after October 1, were put in place to try and help curb the youth vaping problem in New Zealand.

However, the ban does not stop dairies and supermarkets within 300m of schools and marae from starting to sell vapes after October 1.

"These regulations are too soft to make any meaningful difference," says Foundation Chief Executive Letitia Harding.

"If this Government was serious about addressing our youth vaping problem, then they would address the proliferation of SVRs around the country. We dont need 1350 Specialist Vape Retailers - to put that into perspective, we only have 900 community pharmacies across New Zealand."

The Foundation is calling for an immediate stop to any more SVRs from setting up.

The Foundation is also disappointed that the Government has ignored calls for an outright ban on disposable vapes.

Instead, new rules will be introduced, meaning all vapes must have removable or replaceable batteries. This rule is intended to limit the availability of disposables.

"A ban on disposables was one of the few things that both health advocates and vaping industry spokespeople could agree on as a good way to protect young people from vaping harm.

"Yet the Government has left the door open for disposables with removable batteries to remain. These vapes are cheap and already available, so it will only be a matter of time before the vaping industry creates more of these products.

"Believe me, if there had been an outright ban on disposable vapes, we would have heard an uproar from the vaping shops selling these products."

Letitia says it is difficult to understand who the Government is taking advice from when it comes to vaping, or why the Government isnt taking a stronger stance.

"Youth vaping is now a significant health problem for young New Zealanders. Local data and overseas statistics show that around 20% of high school students are now regular vapers. We need stronger measures if we want to make a significant difference, and these regulations are just too soft."

The Foundation is reiterating its call for a ban on vapes being sold within a one kilometre radius of schools and marae, a ban on non-refillable (disposable) vapes, a stop to anymore Specialist Vape Retailers from setting up, and for the nicotine content of all vape products to be reduced to 20 mg/ml.

It would also like to see no storefront advertising or visibility of products, and increased funding to support our youth who are now addicted to vaping.
Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealands new website publicart.nz has been officially at Parliament at a gathering hosted by The Minister for Art, Culture and Heritage, Hon Carmel Sepuloni.

The website is a New Zealand first, providing a single place for New Zealanders to gain knowledge of 20th Century public artworks located in towns and cities across New Zealand, including works that have been hidden, lost, destroyed, or deaccessioned.

At launch the register contains over 380 works which can be searched by information about each of the artworks, the artists, and their locations.

The register will be an invaluable resource for researchers, the arts community, local communities, and tourists as well as local authorities, schools, hospitals, churches, and other public-facing organisations.

Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand - PAHANZ - is a research initiative based at Toi Rauwharangi College of Creative Arts, Massey University Wellington, and was established to find, document, and protect what remains of Aotearoas 20th century public art.

Sadly, many 20th Century works have already been destroyed, hidden, or simply lost, while others remain undocumented and at risk due to a lack of public knowledge of their significance and cultural value. Through this initiative, were hoping to change that," says PAHANZ co-director Dr Bronwyn Holloway-Smith.

Peter Kundycki, Umbrella (1990), Cnr Cuba & Dixon Sts, Te Aro, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. Photo: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2022.

Dr Holloway-Smith and co-director Sue Elliott have spent the past six years researching and documenting these artworks with the aim of sharing their research to help promote and protect these works of significance.

During the 20th Century and particularly post World War II, many of Aotearoas most talented artists turned their attention to enriching public space, often hand -in-hand with leading architects. As a result, some of the largest and most ambitious artworks in the country were placed in publicly accessible sites throughout urban and regional centres," says Sue Elliott.

Many of these works are hiding in plain sight or have fallen victims to privatisation, and/or contemporary fashion trends among interior designers and architects of the 21st century. PAHANZ has been established to ensure that future generations of New Zealanders have knowledge of, and access to these cultural treasures.

Many household names are among those listed on the website: such luminaries as: Rita Angus, Tanya Ashken, Jim Allen, John Bevan Ford, Russell Clark, Roy Cowan, Neil Dawson, John Drawbridge, Fred Graham, Pat Hanly, Ralph Hotere, Molly Macalister, Paratene Matchitt, Colin McCahon, Guy Ngan, E. Mervyn Taylor, Dame Robin White, and Cliff Whiting to name but a few.

John Drawbridge, City (1983), City Campus, University of Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. Photo: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021.

Our ultimate goal is to build a comprehensive database of Aotearoas 20th Century public artworks, whether they are still publicly accessible, lost, hidden, or destroyed," says Dr Holloway-Smith.

"Each of the works on the site at present has been researched, audited, and documented, but this is just the start. There are hundreds more that still require this attention, and we plan to continue growing this resource in the future.

"We are also working with Toi Maori Aotearoa to establish relationships with Maori artists, whanau and kaitiaki of artworks on our register, alongside our own work developing connections with the remaining artists, families, estates, and owners. Happily, responses have been overwhelmingly positive to date.

It is inspirational to see the contribution these artists have made throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and how important this initiative will be in safeguarding these artworks which are much loved by their communities. I am proud the Government was able to assist in helping make this important initiative possible," says Hon Carmel Sepuloni.

At the time of launching, the website database comprises PAHANZs first set of audited works: approximately 380 that are spread throughout the country. But this is just the beginning: PAHANZ currently have a further 900 works recorded that still require research, auditing, assessing, and uploading.

The site will be organic as we continue our research, but we are also calling on members of the public to assist in building the register and protecting these important 20th century public artworks, Dr Holloway-Smith.

We are constantly discovering more works that fall in our scope, through our research and by learning of them from members of the public who contact us with their information about works.

PAHANZ will be working with Heritage New Zealand and Regional District Councils to gain heritage listings for works of national significance.

We are also pursing the restoration and reinstallation of significant works that have been neglected or removed, and the installation of plaques near unlabelled works of significance to ensure local audiences are made aware, says Dr Holloway-Smith.

We were fortunate to have received funding from the Ministry for Culture & Heritage, Manatu Taongas Te Tahua Aki Auahatanga Innovation Fund to develop the website and the register launched today.

This is an important milestone, and it was fitting that it took place beneath John Drawbridges work in the Beehives Banquet Hall: a work that is both on the register, and one of the very few 20th century public works that already has a heritage listing. PAHANZ also began work four years ago to have the large Joan Calvert/Guy Ngan textile hanging, Forest in the Sun, reinstated in the Beehive entrance foyer. The work was commissioned specifically for the site, and thanks to Te Papa and Parliamentary Services, it was returned to its original site last week, Elliott said.

PAHANZ is seeking the public's help to continue building the register and assist in the protection of these important 20th Century public art works. You can find the register at: https://publicart.nz
The Veterinary Council of New Zealand is encouraging an increased use of veterinary nurses and technicians for clinical work within their scope of practice.

Spreading the workload among various members of veterinary teams is essential in responding to the current vet shortage in Aotearoa, says VCNZ CEO and registrar Iain McLachlan.

This may mean that when an appointment is made for a minor routine procedure, animals may be seen by someone other than their usual vet.

Allied Veterinary Professionals, which include veterinary nurses, technicians, and technologists, are trained professionals working in clinics alongside veterinarians.

In any case where an animal requires specialised care and treatment, veterinarians will still be the first port of call.

Very much like human health, where you might see a GP practice nurse, seeing a veterinary nurse or technician can safely happen at veterinary clinics, Iain says.

AVPs have their own set of standards, ethics and guidelines, so are trusted specialists in their fields. VCNZ wants to empower veterinary professionals to use their skills to the full extent.

Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand chair Jennifer Hamlin says veterinary nurses and AVPs learn a number of leadership skills in their formal qualifications.

Some of these include interpersonal communication, problem solving and evidence-based practice.

These skills equip them for stepping into roles where they can work more autonomously in the clinical environment.

Competent AVPs are incredibly valuable members of the veterinary health care team, according to VCNZ professional advisor Seton Butler.

Seton says they are responsible for many tasks including anaesthetic inductions, intubations and prepping for surgical procedures in companion animal clinics.

They can also be the first professional called to calvings, and if needed, they can perform epidurals or prepare for a caesarean in advance of the veterinarian arriving in well-run production animal clinics.
Four schools and a preschool in West Auckland have entered lockdown after a verbal threat was made on Thursday morning.

Police said they are responding to a threat made over the phone towards Rutherford College in Te Atatu Peninsula.

As a precaution, the school and a neighbouring childcare facility have been advised to lockdown while further inquiries are made, a police spokesperson said.

At about 12.30pm on Thursday, two armed police officers were at the gates of Rutherford College, with a third officer directing parents.

Rutherford College posted on its website that the school has locked down due to an incident in the area.

The father of a pupil at Rutherford College said there were lots of armed police outside the school.

Rutherford Primary and nearby Matipo School as well as Te Atatu Intermediate and Te Atatu Peninsula Kindergarten are also currently in lockdown.

Matipos principal Matua Jonnie Black said all tamariki are safe and secure in their classrooms.

Earlier on Thursday morning a preschool and a college in south Auckland went into a brief lockdown after reports of a man armed with a gun in the Randwick Park area.

Police said the reports have not been substantiated.

Police have been liaising with the schools concerned to provide them with reassurance, a police spokesperson said.

According to police, the reports have not been substantiated and the college decided to go into lockdown by itself.

An employee from Early Learning Counties Manukau Alfriston College told Stuff they were told tolockdown by police at about 10.30am.

This lockdown lasted for 15 minutes, after which time police gave them the all clear.

The employee said lockdowns happen quite often, with the kindy locking down whenever there may be a police presence in the area.

She said everything was back to normal, and the kids in preschool were all happy.

- Stuff.
Flash floods ripped through the seaside town of Waihi Beach on May 29.

Twenty-seven people were evacuated including residents from eleven council owned elder housing units on Beach Road.

The water swiftly rose to window height forcing them to flee and leave behind treasured possessions.

Two families were also evacuated from the local holiday park.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council admits the stormwater network simply didnt have the capacity to deal with the amount of rain that fell that day.

Waihi Beach Community Board chair Ross Goudie says, in his view, something fundamentally went wrong.

What did happen that Monday in May? This two part series by Local Democracy Reporter Alisha Evans will look at how the floods have affected peoples livelihoods and how the council is responding.

The council recorded 67mm of rain between 1pm and 2.30pm and a total of 91.4mm on May 29.

The towns dam overflowed into the emergency spillway for 40 minutes from 1.26pm.

Goudie says had the floods happened at night we may have lost somebody in the [pensioner] flats.

They'd have been asleep and the water would've been up around their beds  up to the window tops and in the dark no one knows what's going on.

Phoebe Hansen says she wouldnt like to return home unless something is done about the drainage. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

Pensioner Phoebe Hansen describes the wall of water, that forced her to evacuate her home of 27 years, as Niagara Falls.

It came in under the door so quickly. I started to put towels down, which was a waste because next minute it came flying over the wall and through one door and right through and out the other.

By the time she was rescued by the fire service the water was at hip height and she couldnt walk against the current.

It was a bit frightening because it happened so quickly and you couldn't react to it all.

Its also not the first time Hansen has been displaced by flooding. In 2012 the flats were flooded after a weather bomb hit the town causing the creeks and dam level to rise.

That was different. It [water] seeped under the door and went all through, but it gave you time to lift everything.

Sitting in the self-contained flat council found for her while she waits to move home, the 85-year-old is stoic in her recollection of events.

She describes her current situation as being up in limbo and says it is a bit lonely.

I belong to different clubs and I go to that, but it's not the same as just walking to get your mail and chatting to two or three people on the way.

Water rose to window height in the front seven pensioner units on Beach Road. Photo: Susan Lean/Supplied.

Hansen was also uninsured and lost all her furniture and appliances, but says the community are looking after her and offered her a fridge and bed.

The pensioner is in two minds about returning home. I really want to go back into my own place. I wouldn't like to go back if they don't do anything about the drainage.

After the 2012 incident, whenever she heard rain she would worry it was going to be another flood.

I couldn't live with that again. I wouldn't like to go through it all again.

The council found homes for all of its displaced tenants. Nine are housed locally in self-contained accommodation and one is in permanent accommodation at a nearby care facility to assist with their ongoing needs.

We know its tough for them to be out of their homes, but we need to ensure that they have a safe, healthy home to return to, says WBOPDC Waihi Beach stormwater project leader James Abraham.

The extra rental costs come to $2706 per fortnight for nine people and is covered by insurance, he says.

The council has quotes to repair the four least affected units, which includes Hansens, says Abraham.

Once these quotes are approved by the insurer the contractors are ready to go, he says.

Asked if these would be raised to prevent future flooding, Abraham replied: These units are being repaired, as they hadn't been flooded before the 29 May floods.

Hansen confirmed she lived in the same unit for 27 years and has been flooded twice.

The other seven units are more vulnerable to flooding and need some extra consideration, says Abraham.

Mud and debris remain in Phoebe Hansens home two months after the flood. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

The council is shifting away from their current level of service to protect homes in a 1 in 100 year flooding event to looking at how to protect life in those situations, he says.

New research from Australia enables flood hazard risks to be assessed through what speed and depth of water would cause risk to life, he says.

Asked if the council should have shifted the focus to protecting life after the 2012 flood, Abraham replied: I couldnt comment on that.

After seeing the effects of the May 29 flood, Abraham says he thought the new research should be applied.

Our level of service is protecting homes, but is that enough? We have an obligation to the community to ensure things are safe.

Goudie says, in his view, the council should have opened the dam valve as per their protocol.

If the dam had been lowered [and] the bottom valve had been open, it would've been much more capacity running down the stream so that it wouldn't have got up that high, he claimed.

Abraham says the dam, built in 1963, was originally a water reservoir and not designed for stormwater storage.

In instances of heavy rain warnings typically our [the councils] process has been to lower that dam, he says.

The Waihi Beach dam was built in 1963 to store water for town supply. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

Had it been lowered it wouldve provided an extra 10 minutes of capacity before overflowing, says Abraham.

I'm not going to sit here and say that 10 minutes wasn't worth it, because 10 minutes is better than nothing.

The flood gate has a tendency to get stuck when opened and the dam takes around two hours to drain, he says.

If we had opened it and it did get stuck on that day, the effects would've been worse.

Although that isn't the reason why it wasn't open that day, one of the main reasons was we [the council] didn't get that heavy rain forewarning.

The council didn't receive an official rain warning for Waihi Beach, Tauranga or the Coromandel, so it didn't trigger the council's pre-rain checks of the dam and stormwater system, but one was carried out on May 18, he says.

The council deferred planned upgrades to the dam because it was waiting for new legislation on dam safety guidelines that came out in 2022. There is a project in the councils long-term plan to address the issues, which has now been brought forward as a priority, says Abraham.

Waihi Beach Community Board chair Ross Goudie. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

Goudie says the council and community have to understand exactly what happened to avoid the same thing in future.

We need to make certain that when we do get a large amount of water, which will come again in the next five to 10 years there is less impact.

The council have formed a community liaison group with Waihi Beach community board members, the mayor and three councillors, hapu representatives and members of the Stormwater Action Team, that formed in 2013 in response to the first flood.

They held their first meeting last week to discuss the $19 million in stormwater upgrades planned to take place over the next few years.

Abraham says: We've definitely heard what the community is saying, and completely understand when events like this come through, it's devastating, which is why we're reprioritising projects and reassessing if our current levels of service are correct.

Next week  Is the area indefensible against future flooding?

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
The Desert Road is closed for a third day in a row.

The Desert Road is currently closed due to a truck becoming stuck in icy conditions, says a statement from police this morning.

"Police were called about 5.10am.

"Motorists are advised to delay travel until the road can be cleared."

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the road is closed due to snow, State Highway 1 is closed between Rangipo and Waiouru. Plan your journey accordingly, allowing extra time for travel.

Detour route

For northbound traffic turn left onto SH49, right onto SH4, right onto SH47, right onto SH46 and then left back onto SH1. Reverse for southbound. Please note, this detour will add at least 40 minutes to your journey time.

Road Snowfall Warning

A snowfall warning has been issued by the MetService for today.

In the nine hours from midnight Thursday to 9am Friday, snow is expected to develop above 600 metres overnight, and 5 to 10 cm of snow may settle on the Deseret Road.
Medical technicians and scientists at one of the country's largest laboratory service providers will walk off the job on Friday in Wellington and the South Island, demanding a better pay offer from Awanui.

The company has more than $700 million worth of public contracts with Te Whatu Ora and is half-owned by the government superannuation fund.

Among other things, the workers take blood, cross-match transfusions, run urgent lab services, and test for everything from cancers to meningitis and Covid-19.

The strike action is being organised by the APEX union.

Senior lab scientist Rachel Roth told Morning Report the union members were determined to see the issue through, with this being their fifth strike this month.

"Currently a junior scientist is on $25 an hour, a new technician or phlebotomist who takes blood is on $23 an hour. Now when you're looking come September, the living wage will be $26 an hour, we really need to increase these wages significantly given the important job we do.

"We're an integral part of the health workforce. Doctors can't make decisions or diagnosis without the testing that we do, from taking the blood right through to the results in the laboratory.

"This (low wages) has resulted in a really fragile workforce, that the public of Aotearoa deserve better than that."

The company had offered a 5 percent increase but the union members wanted a rise of between 20 and 35 per cent.

Roth acknowledges there's a huge gap between the demand and offer but says they are "some of the poorest paid health professionals".

"We need these significant increases to not only retain the staff that are left, but to attract young professionals in as well.

"We've got young scientists that have done the equivalent of an honours degree that come in, they're working 24/7, we work unsociable hours, there's a lot of responsibility on young shoulders and they're seeing people that have chosen different degrees earning way better money with less responsibility and it just doesn't stack up.

"We need a robust laboratory workforce and the wages that we are currently getting is just unsustainable for especially young qualified technicians and scientists."

The company needs to invest in its staff if it wanted to retain their expertise to maintain their service, Roth said.

"This is a New Zealand-owned company and it's been really disappointing that we've had such a low wage offer considering the workforce that we've talked about."

In response to questions about the 5 per cent pay offer, profits, and executive pay, Awanui says they remain open and committed to reaching a settlement and will not be making further comment at this stage.

-RNZ.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a field headquarters meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief in Dnipro in the area of responsibility of the Tavria operational-strategic group on Thursday, July 27. The participants of the meeting discussed the situation on the front, the progress of offensive and defensive actions.

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In addition, close attention was paid to the provision of troops with ammunition and the effectiveness of the use of available air defense systems. This was reported by the head of state on his Telegram.

According to him, the reports were presented by of the Commander-in-Chief of the AFU Valery Zaluzhny, commanders of operational directions Oleksandr Tarnavsky and Oleksandr Syrsky, head of the DUI Defense Ministry's Kyrylo Budanov, Deputy Defense Minister Rostyslav Zamlynsky and Commander of Logistics Forces Oleh Hulyak.

Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk also reported on the effectiveness of the existing air defense systems and the strengthening of the air shield in view of future revenues.

Zelensky added that comprehensive inspection of the TRC comes to the end. According to its results, eleven regions are under special control.

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To remind, Zelensky held a conference call the day before, after which he said that the air defense of our country will be strengthened. Additional systems will be sent where they are now most needed, the head of state assured.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny also presented his report. He informed about offensive and defense actions along the entire front line.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Zelensky introduced bills on the extension of martial law and general mobilization in Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada. According to the proposal of the head of state, they will last at least 90 more days until November 15, 2023;

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- The President also spoke about the potential of the "Drone Army". He stated that good news concerning this kind of weapon will be more frequent.
A representative of the cabinet of the Prime Minister of Hungary, which has long been loyal to Moscow, Gergely Gulyas, actually voiced the Kremlin's propaganda narrative, in which the Ukrainian army hardly achieved any significant results during the counter-offensive. The politician pointed to the significant losses allegedly suffered by both sides of the confrontation, which, in his opinion, should have led to negotiations.

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This was reported by Radio Liberty Hungary from the official's press conference. Gulyas pointed out that the losses of Russian personnel are several times higher than those of the Ukrainian side, but its reserves are also higher.

"All of this indicates that the position of the Hungarian government is well founded when it calls for the earliest possible start of ceasefire and peace talks. This is in the interests of all parties, including Hungary itself," the representative of Moscow's political ally is convinced.

As a reminder, in response to the Ukrainian successes, Russian sources, including the Ministry of Defence and several well-known bloggers, claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had allegedly launched an intense frontal attack in the direction of Robotyne (10 km south of Orikhove) and broke through Russian defensive positions northeast of the settlement.

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At the same time, propagandists began to spread widely divergent claims about the scale of the attack by Ukrainian forces, attributing losses to them. In particular, the Russian Ministry of Defence stated that up to three battalions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were involved in this "massive assault".

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the US Department of Defence noted that despite the fact that Ukrainian troops are forced to fight their way through minefields and other obstacles, the army of the Defence Forces "retains manpower and equipment".

"They still have a number of capabilities, and we can expect them to keep up the pressure," said Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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A Madison County woman pleaded guilty this week to breaking into the U.S. Capitol with rioters on Jan. 6, 2021.

Renee Fatta, of Bridgeport, was arrested in early June on four misdemeanor charges related to the Capitol breach, according to court filings.

On Wednesday, Fatta pleaded guilty to one count of parading, picketing or demonstrating in a Capitol building, according to a plea agreement in Washington D.C. federal court. The charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail.

Fatta drove down to D.C. with Scott Columbus, of Wolcott, Wayne County, on the day rioters attempted to overturn the 2020 election, prosecutors said. They entered the Capitol through the Parliamentarian doors shortly after they were kicked in, they said.

Fatta, Columbus and other rioters were met by a line of Metro police. Rioters attempted to push them back but officers peppered sprayed the crowd.

Renee Fatta captured on surveillance video breaking into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Fatta has pleaded guilty in D.C. federal court Wednesday.

Fatta and Columbus exited shortly after. Outside on the Upper West Terrace, they took a photo together, which Fatta later posted to her Facebook page, prosecutors said.

Fatta in a post said she was suspended by Facebook after posting the picture. She said she ended up deleting it from her page.

I have deleted the post because I dont want to have to deal with it again! she wrote on Jan. 15, 2021.

Columbus was arraigned on misdemeanor charges on July 18 in D.C. federal court. He pleaded not guilty, according to court filings.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950.
Syracuse, N.Y. The Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese reached a settlement in a bankruptcy case to pay sex abuse survivors $100 million.

The settlement is the second largest contribution by a Roman Catholic institution and its affiliates in any Roman Catholic bankruptcy case, according to a news release from offices of LaFave, Wein & Frament and Jeff Anderson & Associates. Together the offices represent over 120 sex abuse survivors in the Syracuse diocese.

The announcement came Thursday in a joint news release from the diocese and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. The diocese and committee officials said the settlement was reached as part of the dioceses bankruptcy case that was filed in June 2020.

The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors is a committee of people who survived sexual abuse in the Syracuse diocese by clergy or diocese employees, diocese and committee officials said. The committee approved the settlement amount, officials said.

The dioceses filed for bankruptcy days after 38 people filed lawsuits against the diocese alleging sex abuse by priests.

At the time of the filing Bishop Douglas Lucia said in court records that diocese officials filed for bankruptcy in order to respond to the Child Victims Act claims, while continuing the churchs ministry.

This settlement is a significant step forward in the healing process for over 400 victims in this case, according to Kevin Braney, of Denver, Colorado, who serves as chair of official committee. I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow survivors and their families, for their endurance as they have patiently awaited this news.

Lucia issued a letter today on the settlement.

I can tell you as shocking as the settlement amount may seem to leaders of our own parishes and other Catholic entities, more appalling and heart-rending to me is the pain and mistreatment experienced by the survivors of Child and Adult Sexual Abuse at the hands of those they thought they could trust, Lucia said.

As the present leader of the Church of Syracuse, I cannot apologize enough for the abuse which happened or for any neglect in dealing with it, he said. This is why the final settlement will include commitments meant to strengthen our safe environment protocols to further ensure the past does not repeat itself.

The settlement does not include contributions from any of the six insurance companies that provided coverage to the diocese, officials said. The $100 million is what the diocese has agreed to pay; any insurance money would be on top of that money.

The diocese already paid $11 million to 79 survivors in 2019 through the churchs The Independent Reconciliation Compensation Program.

The diocese at one point released a list of 57 sexually abusive priests.

The settlement still must be approved by the court and by a vote by creditors.

The $100 million is second only to a settlement with the Diocese of San Diego in the early 2000s, which was $107 million.

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
Endicott, N.Y.  Three Syracuse teens were arrested after leading troopers on a chase in a stolen car on Wednesday near Binghamton, troopers said.

At 1:31 a.m. troopers spotted a Hyundai Elantra that had been reported stolen in Syracuse turning down North Street in Endicott, troopers said.

The troopers tried to stop the car, driven by a 16-year-old boy, but it took off, troopers said.
The mercenaries of the Russian PMC Wagner are already being called monsters and a threat to the whole world. Experts believe that representatives of this group are terrorising the world.

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This was stated by Jason McCue, a British lawyer who has studied the activities of PMCs. According to him, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has published a report revealing the facts of the Wagner mercenary group's activities around the world (to watch the video, scroll to the bottom of the page).

The report names 17 countries and more than 50 legal entities and individuals that the US, UK and EU should impose sanctions on. The report also outlines the diplomatic and financial consequences for states that cooperate with Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Private Army, if it can still be called that.

McCue calls on the UK government to immediately ban the Wagnerites as a terrorist organisation.

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"They are terrorising the whole world. This is a new form of terror. And we must fight here not only for Ukraine, but also for us. To protect us from this monster," the lawyer said.

According to him, the report is very important because of its recommendations, which include the need to introduce many new sanctions to make life more difficult for all those who use or sponsor PMCs.

He expressed confidence that the UK would eventually recognise the Wagner PMC as a terrorist organisation.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, mercenaries of the Wagner PMC are taking holidays and leaving Belarus en masse. Some go on a binge right at the railway stations.

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Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The $1.67 million in annual raises coming soon for about 150 city of Syracuse employees range as high as 58%, and include eight increases in excess of 30%.

The pay increases for non-union salaried staff, which were included in the 2023-24 city budget, resulted from a study the city did with Rochester-based consultant HR Works. A compensation analysis compared what the city has been paying with verified private and public salary data from around the nation.

The biggest raises coming out of the study are for the roughly 20 attorneys working in the citys law department. Attorneys with the title of assistant corporation counsel I will get the largest increase, with base pay going from an average of $63,098 to $100,000, a 58% jump. The five biggest salary increases resulting from the study are for city attorney positions.

Corporation Counsel Susan Katzoff, who heads the law department, will see a yearly base pay climb from $115,560 to $160,000. That new pay level tops the list of employees covered by the non-union salaried pay study, but there are dozens of police and fire department members who made well above that amount in 2022, including 25 who made more than $180,000 as a result of overtime earned.

In addition to city-employed lawyers, some of the highest paid non-union salaried positions under the new pay levels will be senior aides to the mayor, with the chief of staff, director of mayoral initiatives, director of administration and executive assistant to the mayor all getting 21% raises up to $140,000.

The raises do not included the elected positions of mayor, common council or city auditor.

At the other end of the spectrum, some employees wont be seeing any raises because the study found that theyve been making above market rate set by the study. The most overcompensated position is a public works department post that is paid $65,404, or 31% above the benchmark level of $45,000. The city is not reducing pay through the initiative, however.

The city released a breakdown of pay changes by position. Heres a look at the current pay, new pay and the percentage increase for those getting raises, which will be applied retroactively to July 1.

City reporter Jeremy Boyer can be reached at jboyer@syracuse.com or (315) 657-5673.
For the second time in the past two weeks, state Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against a Syracuse property owner alleging neglect that led to children being poisoned by lead paint.

A complaint filed Thursday in state Supreme Court in Onondaga County said landlord William DAngelo repeatedly and persistently violated lead safety laws at his properties, where 15 children  10 of them of color  were poisoned by lead.

The lawsuit follows a similar complaint James filed on July 17 against Todd L. Hobbs and his company TLH Holdings LLC, which owns properties where 11 children have suffered from lead poisoning in the past seven years. The city of Syracuse and Onondaga County joined the AGs office as plaintiffs in both cases.

DAngelo, a Liverpool resident who operates his rental business under the name Marpat LLC, has been cited for 336 lead safety violations at 22 properties since 2016.

Thats more than 300 threats to the health and safety of Syracuse families, James said.

The lawsuit alleges that DAngelo has failed to address many of the lead paint violations at his property, and in some cases where renovation work did take place, he used unqualified contractors who made problems worse.

He basically cut corners to save money, James said.

The suit also alleges that DAngelo failed to provide tenants and prospective tenants legally required disclosures about lead paint hazards at his properties.

DAngelo declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday afternoon.

Lead paint was banned in New York in 1970, but it remains present in many Syracuse properties because 81% of its housing was built before. The AGs office said 510 children in Onondaga County tested positive for elevated lead in their blood, with 90% living in Syracuse. The problem is particularly pervasive among Black children. More than 11% of Onondaga County Black children tested in 2021 had elevated blood lead levels vs. 2% of white children.

Too many children in our communities are being exposed, said Dr. Travis Hobart, the medical director for the Regional Lead Resource Center at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.

Lead at any levels can harm childrens bodies, according to the state Department of Health. Growth, behavior and ability to learn can be affected, and poisoning can cause anemia, kidney damage and hearing loss. The most common way children are poisoned is by breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint.

The AGs office said DAngelo has owned 48 rental properties with at least 116 individual units over the past 30 years, with all of them built before 1940. Most properties are in low-income neighborhoods. The lawsuit lists DAngelo as the owner of the following Syracuse rental properties:

204-206 Barrett St.

215 Barrett St.

1016 Bellevue Ave.

1855 Bellevue Ave.

1406-1408 Bellevue Ave.

344-346 Bryant Ave.

113 Davis St.

126 Davis St.

221 Davis St.

212-214 Delaware St.

553-555 Delaware St.

408 Elliott St.

101-103 Elliott St.

509 Fabius St.

207 Fitch St.

231 Fitch St.

233 Fitch St.

241 Fitch St.

337 Fitch St.

329 Grant Ave.

104 Hartson St.

115 Hartson St.

118 Hartson St.

302 Hartson St.

110-112 Herriman St.

121 Hoefler St.

313 Hoefler St.

213 Kellogg St.

210 Lincoln Ave.

107 Mary St.

115 Merriman Ave.

117 Merriman Ave.

413 Merriman Ave.

104 Nelson St.

1116 1/2 Park St. to Strand Place

222 Putnam St.

1111 S. Geddes St.

436 Seymour St.

527-529 Seymour St.

531 Seymour St.

335 Shonnard St.

337 Shonnard St.

104 Steuben St.

1166 W. Belden Ave.

122 Whittier Ave.

The lawsuit said DAngelo recently sold properties at 913-915 Lemoyne Ave., 579 S. Wilbur Ave. and 204 Rich St., and he has contracts to sell five more. James said her office will ask the court to block those sales until any lead paint issues are addressed.

Among the court orders and penalties the lawsuit seeks are the recovery of any ill-gotten profits from properties in violation, penalties of up to $5,000 for false or misleading tenant disclosures, an unspecified amount of restitution for families of children poisoned, and the immediate correction of all violations.

The lawsuit against Hobbs is seeking similar court action.

James said more investigations related to persistent lead paint violators are taking place in Syracuse and other upstate New York communities, but said she did not yet provide details.

You can be assured it is ongoing and there is more to come, unfortunately, James said.

Related stories:

New mobile lead testing vehicle seeks to reach Onondaga Countys at-risk children

Childhood lead poisoning creeps up in Syracuse as more kids get tested

City reporter Jeremy Boyer can be reached at jboyer@syracuse.com or (315) 657-5673.
Fayetteville, N.Y.  Green Lakes State Park recently got a $3 million a makeover, including a new playground, bath house and upgraded cabins to house its Ladders to the Outdoors program participants.

The new playground is an addition to the smaller play area that borders the public beach at the park. The playground includes four new slides, a childrens climbing wall, and a swing set. The new play area also has soft playground flooring rather than sand or wood chips in consideration of child safety.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, New York Assemblymember Al Stirpe said all the pipes in the original bathhouse were replaced due to leaking. The new $2 million bathhouse at the beachs entrance includes a lactation room, single gender and all-gender restrooms.

The new bath house at Green Lakes State Park sits at the entrance of the public beach.Timia Cobb

The improvements also include a new cabin near the park entrance, and a refurbished cabin that are now part of the Ladders to Outdoors program. The community outreach program gives youth organizations and schools a chance to teach children more about nature and life outdoors.

Its so gratifying to see people who normally cant just walk out their door or ride their bike to the park to be able to get the opportunity to come here and enjoy all this stuff that Green Lakes has to offer, Stirpe said.

Members of the Syracuse Boys and Girls Club are the first to stay in the cabins. The clubs program director, Kenyata Calloway, said theyve previously only been able to bring 40 kids to stay at the park. Now, thats tripled.

Right now, were able to bring out over 120 kids over the next three weeks, Calloway said.

The Syracuse Boys and Girls Club celebrate the opportunity to be the first youth group to stay in the Ladders to the Outdoors cabins at Green Lakes State Park.Timia Cobb

Ladders to the Outdoors provides tents, book bags, sleeping bags and more to organizations while they stay at the park. Kids also can participate in outdoor activities such as canoeing, bike riding, fishing, swimming in the lake, hiking and arts and crafts with help from park staff.

We all know that positive exposure in nature provides educational and health benefits for youth, but accessibility is the limiting factor for me, so were proud to support the work that the National Heritage Trust is doing to eliminate barriers with its Ladders to the Outdoors program, said Thomas Griffith, vice president of development for the Central New York Community Foundation.

Ladders to the Outdoors has been operating in New York since last year. Erik Kulleseid, New Yorks commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said the goal is to expand to as many areas of the state as possible.

We think weve got something thats a great concept that we want to build on and keep going here in central New York, Kulleseid said.
A 71-year-old woman with dementia wandered away from her Seneca Falls home on Saturday night. She was last seen at around 6:30 p.m.

Around midnight, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation police and forest rangers joined in a search for the woman along with 80 people from Seneca Falls Police, New York State Police, Seneca County Sheriffs Department, Fayette Fire Department, and Waterloo Fire Department.

Search crews employed ATVs, a helicopter, and a drone to comb the area until morning light. Finally, at 8:30 a.m., a ranger-led search crew located the woman lying in tall grass. She had tripped and fell in a hole, and was concealed in the waist-high grass.

A ranger assessed the womans vital signs and provided hydration until an ambulance arrived.

Two Adirondack hikers with lower leg injuries required rescue by a state police helicopter last weekend. Here, a ranger (below) helps hoist a hiker with a knee injury (top) into a NYS Police helicopter.

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

Two Adirondack hikers with lower leg injuries required rescue by a state police helicopter last weekend. On Saturday afternoon, a 35-year-old from Painted Post twisted their knee on Basin Mountain, and a 20-year-old from Binghamton suffered an an ankle injury on Mount Colden. Rangers helped guide one of the injured hikers to an outpost for pickup, and hoisted the other hiker into a chopper for a flight to the hospital.

On the afternoon of July 18, a group of campers cut down a maple tree at the Cranberry Lake Campground. Staff realized the campers had not registered their site and called rangers to help evict them. Rangers also issued the campers a ticket for illegally cutting down a tree.

A 51-year-old woman from New Hampshire went on a hike up Bald Mountain on July 21 and injured her ankle. An assistant forest ranger reached the woman, wrapped her ankle, and provided medication for pain and swelling. Another ranger arrived to assist the woman and her daughter back down the mountain to their car.

Rangers on patrol near Long Lake transported by boat a 14-year-old from Chadwicks who suffered an allergic reaction.

On Monday morning, a 14-year-old from Chadwicks had an an allergic reaction due to a previously unknown nut allergy. The teen, who was boating on Long Lake, got hives and their throat began to swell. Alerted by an emergency beacon, two rangers arrived to find that others on the boat had administered an epinephrine injection that didnt appear to provide any relief. Rangers transported the teen to the boat launch and turned over care to the Long Lake Rescue Squad.

On Sunday afternoon, a ranger and a DEC police officer arrested a 53-year-old camper from Stratford in Ferris Lake Wild Forest who was wanted on a bench warrant. They transferred the camper to Herkimer Village Police without incident. The warrant stemmed from a failure to appear following a charge of resisting an officer.

Rangers and staff at North-South Lake Campground last weekend inspected 278 campsites, issued 15 warnings, and observed six bears during a targeted bear compliance detail, reminding campers not to keep food in their tents, and to keep campsites clean and free of garbage. Rangers also advised campers that all food and coolers should be kept in vehicles with a hard top or in a bear-resistant storage container, and that all garbage should be removed from campsites immediately after meals, especially after dinner. The intentional or unintentional feeding of bears is illegal in New York.



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New Jersey hikers hauled chairs up Catskills highest peak, ticketed for leaving them - newyorkupstate.com

Rangers find lost kid in ADKs, break up fight at Hamilton County campground - newyorkupstate.com

Rangers reunite hiker with puppy lost overnight on Adirondack mountain - newyorkupstate.com

Forest rangers fight multiple Upstate NY wildfires, aid injured hikers - newyorkupstate.com

Rangers rescue solo climber stranded on ADK rock face, seize weapons from target shooter - syracuse.com

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors.
By Paul Nelson | Times Union, Albany

ROTTERDAM  Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney provided more details in last weeks discovery of the body of a Rotterdam woman who died in late March or early April and was left on her bed without authorities being notified.

The decomposed body of Skylar Pettit, 24, had been wrapped in plastic when found at the home at 1726 Greenpoint Ave., shared with her mother, stepfather and at least one other sibling, Carney said.

Police made the discovery Friday after following up on a request for a health and welfare check.

Police have said results from an autopsy conducted Monday indicate Pettit died of natural cases and that her body had been in the home for several months.

No one answered the door of the home Wednesday.

I dont think we have a specific natural cause, but (the medical examiner) had some theories, Carney said Wednesday. There were no obvious signs of trauma, shooting, stabbing, or broken bones.

Carney said there doesnt seem to be a clear-cut reason why the body was being kept in the home. Police continue to investigate. The adults have been cooperating with police. On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the Mohonasen school district confirmed Pettit graduated from the high school.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  Lawyers for Donald Trump met Thursday with members of special counsel Jack Smiths team ahead of a potential indictment over the former presidents efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The meeting included Trump lawyer John Lauro, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to describe a private gathering.

Trump himself confirmed the meeting in a post on his Truth Social network, writing, My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country.

He added that no indication of notice was given during the meeting.

Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, was informed earlier this month by Smiths office that he was a target of the Justice Departments investigation, suggesting that an indictment could be soon.

The investigation has focused on the turbulent two-month period after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss to Democrat Joe Biden and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot.

In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen  despite the fact that numerous federal and local officials, a long list of courts, top former campaign staffers and even his own attorney general have all said there is no evidence of the fraud he alleges.

A spokesman for Smith, a native of Central New York, declined to comment on Thursdays meeting. Lauro, Trumps lawyer, didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Trump was charged by Smiths team last month with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, Mar-a-Lago, and concealing them from investigators. He was also indicted in New York in March on charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn actor. And prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are preparing to announce charging decisions in the coming weeks related to efforts to subvert the election in that state.
U.S. citizens will face new visa requirements to travel to Europe starting next year, according to a change in European Union rules.

The official travel site for the E.U. says visitors from more than 60 countries that are visa-exempt will be required to apply for European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) approval ahead of their trips starting in 2024. ETIAS visas are not physical documents, but are electronically linked to a travelers passport for up to three years (or until the passport expires).

A valid ETIAS travel authorization is required to enter 30 European countries for short-term stays, normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Upon arrival, border guards will ask to see your passport and any other documents required for entry.

Its similar to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which has required visitors from other countries to get approval to travel to America since 2009.

How do I get an ETIAS visa?

The E.U. says it will provide applications through an official website and mobile app when the ETIAS requirement takes effect next year. Travelers will need to provide passport information or another travel document to digitally connect the ETIAS visa; parents and legal guardians can apply on behalf of minors. Personal information, including occupation, anticipated trip details and any criminal history is also required.

An ETIAS visa application costs 7 euros, or approximately $8. Applicants under 18 and over 70 can apply for free.

Which countries do I need an ETIAS visa for?

European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) travel visas are required for 30 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

When should I apply for an ETIAS visa?

USA Today reports most applications will be processed within minutes, but some may take longer  up to 30 days. As a result, the European Union advises visitors to apply well in advance of their vacation plans, before booking flights and hotels.

The requirement was expected to go into effect in January, but the New York Post reports its already hit multiple delays and could begin later in the year. When it does begin, expect travel to take longer.

It wont be complicated, its just an annoyance, CBS News travel editor Peter Greenber said. Most Americans, in fact, all Americans, are not used to doing this to go to Europe so theres going to be lots of surprises at boarding gates with people being denied boarding over the first couple of weeks if this goes into effect.

For more information, visit travel-europe.europa.eu.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- A heat advisory has been expanded to cover more of Upstate New York as the heat dome that has set records in the Southwest pays a brief visit to the Northeast on Friday.

All of Upstate except for Western New York and the North Country are under a heat alert from noon to 8 p.m. Friday. The heat index could reach into the high 90s.

The hottest spots will be cities that lie in valleys and plains, like Syracuse.

Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur, the National Weather Service said.

The weather service advises people to skip outdoor activities if possible, and stay in an air-conditioned building, during the the day on Friday.

The heat wont last long. A cold front sweeps in from the north by the weekend, and highs will be in the low 80s and upper 70s from Saturday through the middle of next week. Nighttime lows will dip into the 50s, and the humidity will drop substantially.
China slipped into deflation for the first time in more than two years in July, official data showed Wednesday, as slowing domestic spending weighs on the post-Covid economic recovery.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
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.

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Nathan Burton/Taos News file photo

New Mexico State Police patrol the town of Red River on Sunday (May 28) following a deadly shooting that occurred Saturday.
A top envoy to Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on Monday said it was "time for peace" in Sudan and the Darfur region even as RSF's war with Sudan's regular army passed its 100th day.

RSF representative Youssef Ezzat made his remarks in the West African nation of Togo where he was attending talks aimed at preventing Sudan's Darfur region from sliding deeper into war.

Sudan's conflict broke out in the capital Khartoum on April 15 and spread to Darfur, leaving at least 3,000 dead across Sudan and hundreds of thousands displaced.

The conflict has pitted army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy and commander of the paramilitary RSF forces, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as "Hemedti".

"We are willing to participate in any kind of meeting for peace and bringing people together, and stop the war in Darfur and in Sudan," Ezzat told AFP on the sidelines of the talks in Lome.

"So this is the time to end the war, to start a new future for Sudanese people, peace, development, equality. That's what we are looking for and I think it's time for peace in Sudan."

The vast western region of Darfur, which in the early 2000s already suffered a bloody war, has been hit by some of the worst violence in the new conflict.

Nouri Abdalla, from a key Darfur rebel faction, said the Togo talks aimed at creating a roadmap to stop violence in Darfur and beyond.

"It's now in a state of chaos but not in a full-fledged civil war. That's what we are trying to avert," he said.

"That is why we put a roadmap and an action plan, where we could follow through that and work with other community leaders, other leaders within Darfur, even in Sudan itself."

He said the Lome meeting had also discussed ways of reopening Darfur's El-Geneina airport under RSF control, to bring in humanitarian aid.

The Togo talks came after rights campaigners in Darfur blamed the RSF and allied Arab militias for reported atrocities in their stronghold there, including rape, looting and the mass killings of ethnic minorities.

The International Criminal Court has opened a new probe into alleged war crimes in Darfur, its chief prosecutor Karim Khan said earlier this month.

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bigbearddriver Newbie

Join Date: May 2022 Location: Mumbai Posts: 11 Thanked: 233 Times

How Sehmbi Transmissions repaired the CVT gearbox & gave new life to my Audi A6



I was very naive and gullible back then, I did a quick Google search and found that the transmission can be reset using some simple steps. I followed the instructions and boom, the transmission stopped working altogether. I was not able to put my car into D or R and it would always get stuck on N, unless I was able to move the shifter within the first second of turning the ignition on. The car started jerking and I could feel every gear shifting. The shift points also changed drastically. I am to date not sure about why the car always got stuck on N, but the jerking and other issues were actually the symptoms of CVT adapting itself. I did not know it back then.



I went to my so-called trusted mechanic in Andheri West named Danish, who cheated me left, right and centre over the next few months. I got the car towed to Danishs garage on a flatbed and he started the diagnostics. For 2 days he did not tell me what exactly was going on with the car. Please do not make the mistake of dropping your car somewhere if you do not completely trust the mechanic. I made this mistake and paid a heavy price for it. As Danish wasnt giving me any updates, I called up his assistant and he hesitantly told me Sir your car is working perfectly, there are no codes, all we did was flush the transmission fluid and refill it. I was super happy on hearing this. But this was just the beginning of the nightmare.



On the same evening, Danish called me up and told me that there is something wrong with the valve body of my gearbox and it needed to be replaced. I trusted him like a fool and told him to go ahead with it. He claimed that he salvaged the part for me and gave me a 9 months warranty. He also shared the part photos with me. I felt suspicious as the valve body did not look similar to the valve body that goes on an Audi CVT (0AW Multitronic Transmission). But I somehow got convinced that he has done what he is claiming, completely my fault, I agree.



The car was working fine and everything was hunky-dory for the next few months. Cut to October and the gearbox started feeling very jerky again. I am assuming that the adaptation was not completely done last time and the TCM started the adaptation process again. I wasnt aware of something like this. The car did not throw any codes and I got used to driving it with the jerks. But then one fine day, I gave my car to a valet, which I usually dont, but over here I did not have a choice. When he was returning the car to me from the parking, there was an uphill slope and you have to be very careful with a CVT and let the clutch engage before going hard on the accelerator. This nincompoop floored my car on a slope and I heard a huge thud. I am assuming that the flywheel broke, but I am still not sure what exactly happened.



After this incident, the worse days of my transmission had begun. I went to Danish again and he suggested that he will have to open up the gearbox. He told me that he would change the clutches and everything would be okay. He promised to deliver the car to me within 5 days. Please note opening up a CVT transmission requires a lot of expertise and not everyone is equipped to handle such a complex transmission.



Danish disassembled the entire transmission and the parts were spread all across his garage. It hurt my heart to see the car like this. I used to go there every day to check my car and there was no sign of good news. On day 2 he tells me that he doesnt have the necessary tools to open the gearbox completely, but he had opened the casing already. He assured me that a gearbox expert would visit his garage and work on this the next day. This never happened, my gearbox was left open there and nobody came for a whole week.



Then one day suddenly, I get a call from Danish Sir WhatsApp pe video dekho, BMC waalo ne mera garage tod diya which translates to Sir please open your WhatsApp, my garage was razed by the BMC. I was shocked, shattered and did not know how to react. Luckily, they managed to move all the cars out of the garage. Which also included one of my very good friends ML250. But in my case, the car had no gearbox at all. They hurriedly put all the child parts of the gearbox in my cars trunk and it was parked close to the debris of his illegal garage. I was in tears that day. Although, there was no damage to my car, I knew that the worse days have begun.



A little bit of backstory, my wife was 7 pregnant back then and this is the only car that I drive. It was sacrosanct for me to get the car fixed at the earliest. Danish asked me to tow the car to his friends garage in Navi Mumbai and I did. The incident happened on a Saturday and I was assured that the work on my car would begin on Monday. But apparently, this was a false promise. The workshop that he sent my car to was a professional workshop and they refused to touch the transmission in this condition. They did not want to take any responsibility and liability for it, and I dont blame them for it. They were kind enough to allow me to let my car be parked there but denied working on it.



Then I called up someone else who was ready to reassemble the transmission for me and promised to make it work again. I again towed the car to Lower Parel, this time again it was a local mechanic. The n number of mistakes that I made, this one turned out to be one of the costliest too. This guy had my car with him for 15 days and asked me to source some child parts for the gearbox which are very difficult to find. I used to roam in the streets of Kurla car part market to try and salvage these parts. But I was successful in doing it, then on day 15, he somehow managed to assemble the gearbox but the car was in limp mode. This was again a Saturday evening.



This is where the negative aspect of my story ends and better things come my way. I found Harjeet Singh Sehmbis number from Google and he told me that he had a ready transmission that he would replace. I told him that my wife is pregnant and coincidentally, at that time his wife was pregnant too. This created a connection between us. He empathised with me and understood how difficult it can be during this time to be without a car. Harjeet promised me that I would be driving my car home on Wednesday. I was told that I would not have to pay a single penny to him if I was not satisfied with how the transmission worked. He called me for a trial at his workshop in Madh Island on Tuesday, and this was one of the happiest days in between the past few dark days that I went through. My car, which I love like a family member, was functional again. He put the life back into my car. FNGs who walk the talk are very difficult to find in a country like ours. There are only a few good ones and Harjeet Singh Sehmbis Sehmbi Transmission is one of them.



It is necessary to understand that fixing a transmission to perfection takes a lot of hard work and a lot of long trials. I had to take my car back to Harjeet a couple of times for some minor adjustments, which were all covered under warranty. Throughout the process, he made sure that even the minor niggles that I had with my transmission get resolved.



Thanks to Harjeet, I was able to bring my daughter home in her papas red car.



Now focusing on my review of Sehmbi Transmission. I would like to put this on record that these guys are hands-down one of the best when it comes to repairing an automatic transmission, be it CVT, DSG, AMT, IVT or any other type of transmission. The way things were handled was beyond my expectations.



I have driven the car for 7000 km since then and touchwood, the drive has been nothing short of perfection. The last 7 months have passed without seeing a single fault code on my dashboard.



P.S: Harjeet is a 3rd generation professional who is in this business and I think this is what made most of the difference. It all started back in August 2022, when I suddenly saw a Gearbox Malfunction, you can continue driving code on the dashboard. The car was shifting properly and everything was essentially okay with the gearbox. In an ideal situation, I should have got the sensors checked or maybe looked for electrical issues.I was very naive and gullible back then, I did a quick Google search and found that the transmission can be reset using some simple steps. I followed the instructions and boom, the transmission stopped working altogether. I was not able to put my car into D or R and it would always get stuck on N, unless I was able to move the shifter within the first second of turning the ignition on. The car started jerking and I could feel every gear shifting. The shift points also changed drastically. I am to date not sure about why the car always got stuck on N, but the jerking and other issues were actually the symptoms of CVT adapting itself. I did not know it back then.I went to my so-called trusted mechanic in Andheri West named Danish, who cheated me left, right and centre over the next few months. I got the car towed to Danishs garage on a flatbed and he started the diagnostics. For 2 days he did not tell me what exactly was going on with the car. Please do not make the mistake of dropping your car somewhere if you do not completely trust the mechanic. I made this mistake and paid a heavy price for it. As Danish wasnt giving me any updates, I called up his assistant and he hesitantly told me Sir your car is working perfectly, there are no codes, all we did was flush the transmission fluid and refill it. I was super happy on hearing this. But this was just the beginning of the nightmare.On the same evening, Danish called me up and told me that there is something wrong with the valve body of my gearbox and it needed to be replaced. I trusted him like a fool and told him to go ahead with it. He claimed that he salvaged the part for me and gave me a 9 months warranty. He also shared the part photos with me. I felt suspicious as the valve body did not look similar to the valve body that goes on an Audi CVT (0AW Multitronic Transmission). But I somehow got convinced that he has done what he is claiming, completely my fault, I agree.The car was working fine and everything was hunky-dory for the next few months. Cut to October and the gearbox started feeling very jerky again. I am assuming that the adaptation was not completely done last time and the TCM started the adaptation process again. I wasnt aware of something like this. The car did not throw any codes and I got used to driving it with the jerks. But then one fine day, I gave my car to a valet, which I usually dont, but over here I did not have a choice. When he was returning the car to me from the parking, there was an uphill slope and you have to be very careful with a CVT and let the clutch engage before going hard on the accelerator. This nincompoop floored my car on a slope and I heard a huge thud. I am assuming that the flywheel broke, but I am still not sure what exactly happened.After this incident, the worse days of my transmission had begun. I went to Danish again and he suggested that he will have to open up the gearbox. He told me that he would change the clutches and everything would be okay. He promised to deliver the car to me within 5 days. Please note opening up a CVT transmission requires a lot of expertise and not everyone is equipped to handle such a complex transmission.Danish disassembled the entire transmission and the parts were spread all across his garage. It hurt my heart to see the car like this. I used to go there every day to check my car and there was no sign of good news. On day 2 he tells me that he doesnt have the necessary tools to open the gearbox completely, but he had opened the casing already. He assured me that a gearbox expert would visit his garage and work on this the next day. This never happened, my gearbox was left open there and nobody came for a whole week.Then one day suddenly, I get a call from Danish Sir WhatsApp pe video dekho, BMC waalo ne mera garage tod diya which translates to Sir please open your WhatsApp, my garage was razed by the BMC. I was shocked, shattered and did not know how to react. Luckily, they managed to move all the cars out of the garage. Which also included one of my very good friends ML250. But in my case, the car had no gearbox at all. They hurriedly put all the child parts of the gearbox in my cars trunk and it was parked close to the debris of his illegal garage. I was in tears that day. Although, there was no damage to my car, I knew that the worse days have begun.A little bit of backstory, my wife was 7 pregnant back then and this is the only car that I drive. It was sacrosanct for me to get the car fixed at the earliest. Danish asked me to tow the car to his friends garage in Navi Mumbai and I did. The incident happened on a Saturday and I was assured that the work on my car would begin on Monday. But apparently, this was a false promise. The workshop that he sent my car to was a professional workshop and they refused to touch the transmission in this condition. They did not want to take any responsibility and liability for it, and I dont blame them for it. They were kind enough to allow me to let my car be parked there but denied working on it.Then I called up someone else who was ready to reassemble the transmission for me and promised to make it work again. I again towed the car to Lower Parel, this time again it was a local mechanic. The n number of mistakes that I made, this one turned out to be one of the costliest too. This guy had my car with him for 15 days and asked me to source some child parts for the gearbox which are very difficult to find. I used to roam in the streets of Kurla car part market to try and salvage these parts. But I was successful in doing it, then on day 15, he somehow managed to assemble the gearbox but the car was in limp mode. This was again a Saturday evening.This is where the negative aspect of my story ends and better things come my way. I found Harjeet Singh Sehmbis number from Google and he told me that he had a ready transmission that he would replace. I told him that my wife is pregnant and coincidentally, at that time his wife was pregnant too. This created a connection between us. He empathised with me and understood how difficult it can be during this time to be without a car. Harjeet promised me that I would be driving my car home on Wednesday. I was told that I would not have to pay a single penny to him if I was not satisfied with how the transmission worked. He called me for a trial at his workshop in Madh Island on Tuesday, and this was one of the happiest days in between the past few dark days that I went through. My car, which I love like a family member, was functional again. He put the life back into my car. FNGs who walk the talk are very difficult to find in a country like ours. There are only a few good ones and Harjeet Singh Sehmbis Sehmbi Transmission is one of them.It is necessary to understand that fixing a transmission to perfection takes a lot of hard work and a lot of long trials. I had to take my car back to Harjeet a couple of times for some minor adjustments, which were all covered under warranty. Throughout the process, he made sure that even the minor niggles that I had with my transmission get resolved.Thanks to Harjeet, I was able to bring my daughter home in her papas red car.Now focusing on my review of Sehmbi Transmission. I would like to put this on record that these guys are hands-down one of the best when it comes to repairing an automatic transmission, be it CVT, DSG, AMT, IVT or any other type of transmission. The way things were handled was beyond my expectations.I have driven the car for 7000 km since then and touchwood, the drive has been nothing short of perfection. The last 7 months have passed without seeing a single fault code on my dashboard.P.S: Harjeet is a 3rd generation professional who is in this business and I think this is what made most of the difference. Last edited by GTO : 26th July 2023 at 08:24 . Reason: Just Danish is enough - thanks for sharing!
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Mark Zuckerbergs social media empire has reported a jump in advertising revenues and said that 3 billion people are now regularly checking Facebook. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and newly launched app Threads, reported an 11pc increase to revenues in the three months ending in June. The company said the number of monthly users on Facebook had topped 3 billion, suggesting almost 40pc of the global population regularly use the platform. The company weathered the storm in the advertising market with sales surging to $32bn, even as its sales at rival Twitter stumbled under Elon Musks stewardship. Telegraph

Despite a dizzying number of initial sign-ups, usage of Threads, Mark Zuckerbergs answer to Twitter, has declined significantly in recent weeks, according to a new report of by Similarweb, a digital intelligence platform. Within the first few hours of its launch on 5 July, Threads garnered 5m user registrations and within less than a week at least 100 million people had signed up for the app. But, three weeks later, active daily use or the number of users who engage with the site on a daily basis has dropped, from a peak of 49 million on 7 July to 12 million on 22 July, according to Similarweb. The Guardian

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest foldable phones in South Korea, pinning hopes on the splashy premium phones to help it regain lost ground in the luxury smartphone market. The South Korean company held the latest of its regular Unpacked international product launches in its home country for the first time as it seeks to lure consumers away from the Apple ecosystem with its annual refresh of foldable smartphones.. The prices of the phones, which will go on sale on August 11, will stay at the same level as their predecessors with the Flip at $999 and the Fold at $1,799. FT.com

A man has described the moment a fire ripped through his home after the battery for his sons e-bike exploded like a grenade in the middle of the night. Andrew Beaton, 59, said his family were lucky to escape after the bike, bought online for his son last Christmas, burst into flames while charging under the stairs. The blaze ripped through his Lancaster home at astonishing speed, momentarily trapping his wife and daughter upstairs and gutting the entire property within minutes. Sky News

Spotify has taken a 34million hit as the music giant performed a cull of failed podcast deals. Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys lucrative contract with Spotify was terminated last month. The streaming service revealed it had taken the hit as a result of write-offs and contract termination costs in connection with rationalising our podcast content portfolio. Daniel Ek, Spotifys CEO, said the company was stepping out of some deals and relationships that havent worked out. GBNews

The recovery of the UK car industry continues apace, as local production surged 11.7% over the first half of 2023, with June confirmed as the fifth consecutive month of growth. Some 450,168 cars left UK factory gates from January to June, up from 403,131 in the same period last year. June alone accounted for 84,767 units, an increase of nearly 12,000 cars.It was the best first half for UK car production since 2021, and demonstrates  according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders  that manufacturers were increasingly able to manage global supply chain challenges. Autocar

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Generative AI is revolutionizing fields from content creation to medical research. While promising, it raises ethical concerns, including the spread of misinformation, the creation of deep fakes, and job displacement.

Generative AI is revolutionizing fields from content creation to medical research. While promising, it raises ethical concerns, including the spread of misinformation, the creation of deep fakes, and job displacement.

The business and content production worlds quickly embraced tools like ChatGPT and Dalle-E from OpenAI. But what exactly is generative AI, how does it operate, and why is it such a hot and controversial topic?

Simply described, gen AI is a branch of artificial intelligence that uses computer algorithms to produce outputs that mimic human material, including text, photos, graphics, music, computer code, and other types of media.

With gen AI, algorithms are created to gain knowledge using training data that contains illustrations of the intended result. Gen-AI models may create new material with traits in common with the original input data by examining the patterns and structures in the training data. Gen AI may produce information that seems genuine and human-like in this way.

How Gen AI Is Implemented

Machine learning techniques based on neural networks, which are the inner workings of the human brain, are the foundation of gen AI. Large volumes of data are fed to the models algorithms during training, serving as the models learning base. This methodology can include any content pertinent to the work, including text, code, images, and others.

After gathering the training data, the AI model examines the correlations and patterns in the data to comprehend the fundamental principles guiding the content. As it learns, the AI model continually adjusts its settings, enhancing its capacity to mimic human-generated material. The AI models outputs get more complex and persuasive as it produces more material.

With various technologies catching the publics eye and causing a stir among content makers, gen AI has advanced significantly in recent years. Along with other large IT companies, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and others have lined up their own gen AI tools.

Consider ChatGPT and Dalle-E 2 as examples of gen-AI tools that may rely on an input prompt to direct it towards creating a desirable result, depending on the application.

The following are some of the most noteworthy instances of gen-AI tools:

ChatGPT: Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT is an AI language model that can produce text that resembles human speech in response to cues.

Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT is an AI language model that can produce text that resembles human speech in response to cues. Dalle-E 2: A second gen-AI model from OpenAI that uses text-based cues to generate visual content.

A second gen-AI model from OpenAI that uses text-based cues to generate visual content. Google Bard: Launched as a rival to ChatGPT, Google Bard is a gen-AI chatbot trained on the PaLM large language model.

Launched as a rival to ChatGPT, Google Bard is a gen-AI chatbot trained on the PaLM large language model. GitHub Copilot: Developed by GitHub and OpenAI, GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding tool that proposes code completions for users of programming environments like Visual Studio and JetBrains.

Developed by GitHub and OpenAI, GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding tool that proposes code completions for users of programming environments like Visual Studio and JetBrains. Midjourney: Created by a San Francisco-based independent research lab, Midjourney is like Dalle-E 2. It reads language cues and context to produce incredibly photorealistic visual information.

Examples of Gen AI in Use

Although gen AI is still in its infancy, it has already established itself in several applications and sectors.

For example, gen AI may create text, graphics, and even music during the content production process, helping marketers, journalists, and artists with their creative processes. Artificial intelligence-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can offer more individualized help, speed up response times, and lighten the workload of customer care representatives.

Gen AI is also used in the following:

Medical Research: Gen AI is used in medicine to speed up the development of new medications and reduce research costs.

Gen AI is used in medicine to speed up the development of new medications and reduce research costs. Marketing: Advertisers employ gen AI to create targeted campaigns and modify the material to suit customers interests.

Advertisers employ gen AI to create targeted campaigns and modify the material to suit customers interests. Environment: Climate scientists use gen-AI models to forecast weather patterns and simulate the impacts of climate change.

Climate scientists use gen-AI models to forecast weather patterns and simulate the impacts of climate change. Finance: Financial experts employ gen AI to analyze market patterns and forecast stock market developments.

Financial experts employ gen AI to analyze market patterns and forecast stock market developments. Education: Some instructors utilize gen AI models to create learning materials and evaluations tailored to each students learning preferences.

Limitations and Risks of Gen AI

Gen AI raises several problems that we need to address. One significant concern is its potential to disseminate false, harmful, or sensitive information that could cause serious harm to individuals and companies  and perhaps endanger national security.

Policymakers have taken notice of these threats. The European Union proposed new copyright regulations for gen AI in April, mandating that businesses declare any copyrighted materials used to create these technologies.

These laws aim to curb the misuse or infringement of intellectual property while fostering ethical practices and transparency in AI development. Moreover, they offer a measure of protection to content creators, safeguarding their work from inadvertent imitation or replication by general AI methodologies.

The proliferation of automation through generative AI could significantly affect the workforce, potentially leading to job displacement. Additionally, gen-AI models have the potential to inadvertently amplify biases present in the training data, producing undesirable results that support negative ideas and prejudices. This phenomenon is often an under-the-radar consequence that goes unnoticed by many users.

Since its debut, ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Google Bard have all generated criticism for their wrong or damaging outputs. These concerns must be addressed as gen AI develops, especially given the challenge of carefully examining the sources utilized to train AI models.

Apathy Among Some AI Firms Is Scary

Some tech companies exhibit indifference towards the threats of gen AI due to various reasons.

First, they may prioritize short-term profits and competitive advantage over long-term ethical concerns.

Second, they might lack awareness or understanding of the potential risks associated with gen AI.

Third, certain companies may view government regulations as insufficient or delayed, leading them to overlook the threats.

Lastly, an overly optimistic outlook on AIs capabilities may downplay the potential dangers, disregarding the need to address and mitigate the risks of gen AI.

As Ive written previously, Ive witnessed an almost shockingly dismissive attitude with senior leadership at several tech companies about the misinformation risks with AI, particularly with deep fake images and (especially) videos.

Whats more, there have been reports where AI has mimicked the voices of loved ones to extort money. Many companies that provide the silicon ingredients appear satisfied with placing the AI-labeling burden on the device or app provider, knowing that these AI-generated content disclosures will be minimized or ignored.

A few of these companies have indicated concern about these risks but have punted the issue by claiming they have internal committees still contemplating their precise policy positions. However, that hasnt stopped many of these companies from going to market with their silicon solutions without explicit policies in place to help detect deep fakes.

7 AI Leaders Agree to Voluntary Standards

On the brighter side, The White House said last week that seven significant artificial intelligence actors have agreed to a set of voluntary standards for responsible and open research.

As he welcomed representatives from Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, President Biden spoke about the responsibility these firms have to capitalize on the enormous potential of AI while doing all in their power to reduce the considerable dangers.

The seven companies pledged to test their AI systems security internally and externally before making them public. They will share information, prioritize security investments, and create tools to help people recognize AI-generated content. They also aim to develop plans that could address societys most pressing issues.

While this is a step in the right direction, the most prominent global silicon companies were conspicuously absent from this list.

Closing Thoughts

A multi-faceted approach is essential to safeguard people from the dangers of deep fake images and videos:

Technological advancements must focus on developing robust detection tools capable of identifying sophisticated manipulations.

Widespread public awareness campaigns should educate individuals about the existence and risks of deep fakes.

Collaboration between tech companies, governments, and researchers is vital in establishing standards and regulations for responsible AI use.

Fostering media literacy and critical thinking skills can empower individuals to discern between authentic and fabricated content.

By combining these efforts, we can strive to protect society from the harmful impact of deep fakes.

Finally, a public confidence-building step would require all silicon companies to create and offer the necessary digital watermarking technology to allow consumers to use a smartphone app to scan an image or video to detect whether its been AI-generated. American silicon companies need to step up and take a leadership role and not shrug this off as a burden for the device or app developer to shoulder.

Conventional watermarking is insufficient as it can be easily removed or cropped out. While not foolproof, a digital watermarking approach could alert people with a reasonable level of confidence that, for example, there is an 80% probability that an image was created with AI. This step would be an important move in the right direction.

Sadly, the publics demands for this type of common-sense safeguard, either government-ordered or self-regulated, will be brushed aside until something egregious happens as a consequence of gen AI, like individuals getting physically injured or killed. I hope Im wrong, but I suspect this will be the case, given the competing dynamics and gold rush mentality in play.
Rumor mill: The long-running rumors that Nvidia plans to release a massive RTX 4090 Ti graphics card could stop after a leaker claimed it has been canceled. Assuming Nvidia really did intend to release a Lovelace product above the RTX 4090, killing it off at a time when even the "mid-range" cards cost a fortune was probably a sensible move.

Rumors of a monstrous, quad-slot RTX 4090 Ti arrived in January. The card was alleged to pack 24GB of 24Gbps memory and a slightly cut-down version of the AD102 with 18,176 Cuda cores, 192 ROPs, 568 TMUs, a 96MB L2 cache, and a 384-bit memory bus. It was also said to have a TGP of 600W.

The AD102 configuration is similar to the one used in the RTX 6000 Ada Generation card aimed at the professional and enterprise market, though that $7,000+ product packs 48GB of GDDR6.

But the same prolific leaker who revealed those specs, kopite7kimi, now says that Nvidia has decided to cancel the card. Given that the RTX 4090 carries a $1,600 price tag, it's unlikely that many people would have been lining up to purchase something even more expensive in these economically uncertain times.

While Nvidia is apparently canceling a potential flagship card, kopite7kimi also states that it is preparing some new variants further down the product stack. The leaker says new versions of the RTX 4070 and RTX 4060 are being released with some higher-end GPUs: a cut-down AD103 and an AD106.

The AD103, currently used in the desktop RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 mobile, could give a spec boost to the RTX 4070, which uses the AD104 GPU. We could see an upgrade from a 192-bit bus to 256-bit, and maybe a version with 16GB of VRAM.

As for the RTX 4060, which uses the AD107 GPU, the new variant could also offer a higher configuration using the AD106, found in both the RTX 4060 Ti 8GB and 16GB.

There are a lot of unknowns here, and even if Nvidia does use cut-down versions of more powerful GPUs in new card variants, it's something the company has done before without noticeably improving their performance.

Going back to the RTX 4090 Ti, it does look as if Nvidia is going to keep the RTX 4090 at the top of the consumer product line  we also heard of a 900W Lovelace Titan being canceled last year as it was melting PSUs. Team Green could always release the 4090 Ti at a later date, of course, but then the RTX 5000 cards are rumored to be launching next year with massive performance increases.
One of the pioneers of autonomous ride-hailing services, Waymo, recently announced that it is revamping its efforts and focusing on its core business of the present. Waymo One has been massive in the country over the past years, with its autonomous ride-hailing services testing on different major cities, now its top priority to grow claims Alphabet.

Waymo is also known for its commercial trucking with autonomous driving capabilities, but this gets a temporary setback for its development as it intends to make its passenger services the focus.

Waymo One, the Ride-Hailing Service, is Now the Top Priority

(Photo : Waymo)

Alphabet's Waypoint announced earlier its massive shift in the business, with the company seeing significant growth in the ride-hailing business, now making Waymo One the top priority to expand.

"Given the tremendous momentum and substantial commercial opportunity we're seeing on the ride-hailing front, we've made the decision to focus our efforts and investment on ride-hailing," said Waymo CEOs Tekedra Mawakana & Dmitri Dolgov. "We're iterating more quickly than ever on our technology by pushing forward state of the art AI/ML, and seeing significant business growth and rider demand in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles."

San Fransisco sees late-stage testing from the company, while Phoenix is already charging fees for its rides, and Los Angeles recently began its early testing phase.

Read Also: Uber and Waymo Collaborates to Bring Ride-Hailing and Self-Driving Cars Under One Service

Alphabet's Waymo Trucking, Other Ventures Set Aside

That being said, Waymo's other venture, the commercial and operational efforts on trucking with Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), is set aside for the time being.

According to 9to5 Google, it is not necessarily shutting down but is given a low priority as Waymo is focused on the ride-hailing service for now.

Still, Waymo claimed that it will continue its collaboration for its current trucking ventures with DTNA and soon bring its developments.

Waymo One's Massive Expansion in the US

Back in 2021, Alphabet, Google's parent company, secured its license to operate its pilot program in San Fransisco, California, marking the first driverless ride-hailing service in the country. Its goal is to test its capabilities and completely map the Golden City to make its system adept at every turn and road, initially a free experience.

Amidst its massive expansion in New York and Metro Phoenix, the company fully committed to using only electric vehicles for all its ventures and replacing its existing fleet. Waymo first use only a handful of Jaguar's I-PACE EVs on its initial run, but earlier this March, the company pledged that it is pushing for an all-electric fleet moving forward.

The massive expansion of Waymo pushed to take public transportation to the next level, with the commute being more private to one's booking, with its main focus being driverless. Now, the company is putting everything on the line for Waymo One in a bid to expand more of the robotaxi business, but not necessarily shutting down its other ventures including its trucking.

Related Article: Cruise, Waymo Criticize Humans' Bad Driving Skills Amid Robotaxi Permit Delays

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The future is nuclear power, and this is the belief of NASA and DARPA's latest development that aims to bring a nuclear-powered rocket to fulfill space missions in the future. The US space agency is investing a whopping $300 million for this ambitious project which aims to be ready by 2027, its target date for the first nuclear propulsion rocket launch.

Currently, space agencies and companies use rockets that relies heavily on traditional combustion which is known for being gas-guzzlers, one of the main reasons that prevent deep-space travel.

NASA, DARPA to Bring $300M for Nuclear-Powered Rocket

(Photo : DARPA)

Artist Concept of DRACO Spacecraft.

NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) experts held a teleconference earlier which discussed the plans of the US space agency to bring a nuclear-powered rocket into existence. This is one of the massive focuses of the agencies now, and have allotted as much as $300 million to turn this project into reality.

First off, NASA and DARPA chose Lockheed Martin to head the project, with the contract asking them to design, build, and test the nuclear-powered rocket under the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program.

"This demonstration will be a crucial step in meeting our Moon to Mars objectives for crew transportation into deep space," said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

Read Also: Journey to the Moon! NASA Completes First Artemis II Launch Simulation

US Space Agency Hoping to Launch by 2027

Everything is in place for the plans intended for its nuclear-powered rocket and is eyeing its first test to take place by 2027.

NASA and DARPA regarded nuclear propulsion as key for its future explorations, particularly its goals to bring humans to Mars and other deep-space travels that would need a long-lasting fuel source. With this type of rocket, the agency claims that it would be a shorter and faster trip to Mars, as well as other future destinations.

Combustion Rockets of the Present

Most of the rockets of the present are centered on chemical combustion for their propulsion, relying heavily on the different mixes of propellants to give the spacecraft the needed thrust for the mission. The likes of NASA's SLS and Orion rockets are both known for using traditional combustion for their future Artemis missions.

Another commissioned rocket of NASA, SpaceX's Falcon Rocket, is best known for its use of RP-1 which is a rocket-grade kerosene with liquid oxygen as its oxidizer. It has proven to be easier to store and presents a simple handling process, overall cheaper for the company to use, but is also enough to create massive thrust power.

Fuel remains a key part of a spacecraft's needs for its launch and travels, but as the world shifts to alternative energy and further space ventures, traditional combustion is no longer a long-term option. NASA and DARPA's move to go nuclear for its rockets is a step into the future, with the agency already eyeing a launch within this decade.

Related Article: NASA Engineers Test Hybrid Printed Electronics at the Edge of Space

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new drone called the "Joker" is set to strengthen Russia's attack and defense powers with its unique feature that can hibernate and stand idle for long periods but be readily available when it is time to strike.

The "Joker" drone is a sleeper that awaits the command of the Russian military and is designed to stay on the down low to avoid detection.

This advanced and powerful drone is now a significant threat to Russia's enemies, particularly Ukraine. It can stay hidden for a long time and attack when needed.

Russia Unveiled Its Latest Sleeper Drone, the 'Joker'

The Russian news outlet, TASS, reported about the latest technology in the country's arsenal, unveiling the "Joker" sleeper drone's significant capabilities in today's warfare.

According to the outlet, this drone was developed by the Central Design Bureau, which created a tool for hibernating First Person View (FPV) drones for their "Joker" line.

The top model of this drone line, called the Ultimatum, is useful for carrying out mass casualty attacks. These drones with a hibernator can take a position for an attack and go into hibernation for several weeks.

Dmitry Kuzyakin, director general of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions, told TASS that a sleeping drone on the air "does not manifest itself in any way." Undetectable, it can deter electronic countermeasures and fly freely, waiting for its command to strike.

Read Also: Russia Bans Apple Devices for State Officials Due to Alleged US Spying, Particularly for Work Phones

Hibernate for Long Periods, Attack When Needed

According to Interesting Engineering, the drone's capabilities are not hindered despite using power to fly for long periods during hibernation. Whenever the military needs it, a command could send the flying drones to enemies and deal with its capabilities to complete the attack.

"When the time comes, he does not need to overcome the distance for the target. The drone is already in place, and [it needs] to turn on and attack," Kuzyakin noted.

Kuzyakin said one FPV operator could "wake up" as many as 15 "sleeping' drones" at any time.

Russia's Power and Military

Despite being cut off from the world, Russia has managed to develop significant power for its needs and efforts towards the conflict against its neighbor, Ukraine.

However, Russia's power and military are not only aimed at the Ukrainians, as it was also reported that it harasses NATO forces over Syria and other countries.

With its long and grueling conflict against Ukraine, the aggression is still ongoing, including its recent attack on the longest-range missile, Storm Shadow, which belonged to the United Kingdom and was given to Ukraine.

While the missile was destroyed, it contained a significant amount of parts that survived the crash and is now in possession of Russians.

Over the years, Russia has struggled to get its hands on good tech, and with many countries already ending their relationship with Moscow, the Eurasian country got creative and innovative with its work.

Now, a new drone is in place that could boost Russia's capabilities in this conflict against Ukraine and the world, with the "Joker" being hard to detect and can strike anytime.

Related Article: Putin Warns Ukraine: Russia Holds 'Sufficient' Supply of Cluster Bombs

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tiny robots with ultra-soft tentacles could potentially revolutionize the treatment of lung cancer, offering a more accurate and less invasive approach.

Developed by researchers at the STORM Lab in Leeds, the 2-millimeter-diameter tentacle is controlled by magnets, allowing it to reach small bronchial tubes with precision.

Magnetic Tentacle Robot

In a groundbreaking experiment, the magnetic tentacle robot was tested on a cadaver's lungs, showcasing its ability to reach 37% deeper than standard equipment, resulting in reduced tissue damage.



Professor Pietro Valdastri, the STORM Lab's Director, expressed excitement about this development, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize navigation within the human body.



The unique features of this robot, being specific to anatomy, softer than tissue, and fully shape-controllable through magnetics, present promising advancements in medical procedures.



Lung cancer, with the highest global cancer mortality rate, often requires highly invasive surgical intervention, leading to significant tissue removal and potential lung function impairment. Lung cancer screening programs have prompted the need for non-invasive early diagnosis and treatment.



The magnetic tentacle robot offers the potential to enhance lung biopsies through improved navigation and also opens the door to less invasive treatment options, allowing clinicians to precisely target malignant cells while protecting healthy tissue and organs.

Read Also: Magnetic Nanoparticles To Prevent Lung Cancer! Triggering Anti-Cancer MicroRNA! Efficiency, Safety, and Other Details

Controlling 2 Magnetic Robots

Moreover, the STORM Lab has been exploring the capabilities of controlling two independent magnetic robots to collaborate within the human anatomy. This advancement could enable a robot to move a camera while another directs a laser to remove tumors, ultimately benefiting patients during endonasal brain surgery.



In order to address the issue of magnets attracting each other closely, the researchers devised a solution by designing the tentacle bodies to bend only in specific directions and by relocating the north and south poles in each magnetic robot.



They achieved success by simulating the removal of a benign tumor located at the base of the cranium, employing two robots in a confined area of the body. The research, which received joint funding from the European Research Council and the Physical Sciences Research Council, has been published in Advanced Intelligent Systems.



Zaneta Koszowska, the lead author, emphasized the significant breakthrough, as it enables diagnostic and surgical procedures to be conducted in small anatomical spaces.

"Our findings show that diagnostic procedures with a camera, as well as full surgical procedures, can be performed in small anatomical spaces," Koszowska said in a statement.

The development of tiny robots with ultra-soft tentacles and magnetic control opens up new possibilities in medical treatments. From navigating deep within the lungs to collaborating in confined anatomical spaces, this technology promises to transform medical practices and improve patient outcomes.

Related Article: Engineers Create One of the Fastest, Most Efficient Amphibious Robots Inspired by Flippers and Centipedes

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla has been criticized for preventing customers with a range of concerns from scheduling service appointments. Insiders claim that the business set up a covert "Diversion Team" in Las Vegas last summer to reschedule as many range-related servicing appointments as possible.



Owners who thought their cars' performance did not match the company's claimed estimations and in-dash range meter forecasts allegedly flooded Tesla's repair facilities with appointments.

The Diversion Team was sent to deal with the problem and discourage customers from bringing their automobiles in for repair. The team worked toward lowering the number of appointments and relieving strain on the already overworked service centers.



Employees in the Diversion Team cheered each other on as they struck a metal xylophone and turned off their phones to celebrate their successes.

Each staff member's performance was assessed based on the average number of daily diverted appointments. The team closed hundreds of cases effectively each week.



According to managers, the Austin, Texas-based electric vehicle maker saved almost $1,000 in each case by canceling these meetings, according to a Reuters report.

However, sources familiar with the situation said that the clients' automobiles often didn't need any repairs. Instead, it's claimed that Tesla caused the concerns by excessively optimistically projecting the range of its electric cars (EVs), exceeding the expectations of the general public.

Valid Complaints

Three automotive specialists verified that Teslas routinely fall short of their marketed range estimations and the forecasts shown by the vehicles' own technology, according to a Reuters report.



Notably, Reuters' precise questions concerning these claims still need to be answered by Tesla or its CEO Elon Musk.



According to a story based on someone familiar with an early version of Tesla software, the corporation may have hacked the range-estimating dashboard software. The software reportedly presented a "rosy" forecast of how far the vehicles could go before having to be recharged rather than factual driving range information, per CNBC.

Read Also: China Appeals to Japan: Avoid Disrupting Semiconductor Industry Amid Export Limits

Tesla Range Meters' Issues

Both the dashboard range meter and the navigation system's projection when a driver enters a specified destination are used by Tesla cars to offer range estimations. The latter estimate, which takes a wider variety of factors-including temperature-into consideration, is seen to be more plausible. However, It still tends to exaggerate how far a vehicle can go before requiring a recharge.

Recurrent, a business that examined the in-dash range meters of several manufacturers, discovered that specific models, including Ford, Chevrolet, and Hyundai, had more precise range meters.

The exaggerated predictions of Tesla's range meters set the business apart from most other manufacturers, which take a more cautious stance, according to Business Insider.

While Tesla has yet to formally reply to the allegations, customers and industry experts are watching the situation closely for the electric vehicle maker to provide more information and openness on the matter.

Related Article: Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic Unite for AI Regulation, Development

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Nvidia's potential release of the highly anticipated GeForce RTX 4090 Ti graphics card has been a hot topic in the tech industry since 2022. However, recent rumors suggest that the card's production might be shelved due to concerns about its power consumption.

Instead, the company may focus on introducing new versions of the RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 graphics cards, utilizing low-grade AD103 and AD106 chips.

Nvidia RTX 4090 Ti's Release Remains Uncertain

As spotted by PCGamesN via reliable Twitter leaker kopite7kimi, Nvidia could be dropping plans for the RTX 4090 Ti due to its reported high power consumption. A previous rumor from October 2022 also supported this claim, indicating that development had been halted for the same reason.

I'm afraid there won't be RTX 4090 Ti anymore. Some low-grade AD103 and AD106 chips will be another versions of RTX 4070 and 4060.  kopite7kimi (@kopite7kimi) July 27, 2023

Another plausible explanation for abandoning the RTX 4090 Ti lies in the impressive success and popularity of the vanilla GeForce RTX 4090, which might deter the company from launching another upgrade that might not perform as well in sales.

RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 as Alternatives

If the rumors are accurate, Nvidia might introduce two new versions of the GeForce RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 graphics cards, equipped with low-grade AD103 and AD106 chips.

These new cards could potentially include a Super version to enhance their performance. Additionally, there are speculations about an extra-VRAM model of the RTX 4070, utilizing a modified version of the AD103 chip featured in the RTX 4080.

Related Article: Nvidia RTX 4090 Ti Specs 'Accidentally' Leaked; Can it Surpass its Predecessor?

Why Nvidia Might Axe RTX 4090 Ti?

The tech giant's decision to potentially cancel the RTX 4090 Ti could be influenced by various factors, including power consumption concerns and the performance of other products in its lineup.

The disappointing sales of the RTX 4060 Ti might also have contributed to this decision. Nvidia may be carefully evaluating the market demand for a high-end graphics card, especially with the potential release of the RTX 5000-series cards in the future, per TechRadar.

Nvidia's AI Venture

Nvidia's significant investments in the AI market have resulted in notable success, contributing to the company's growth and position in the tech industry. This focus on artificial intelligence might also impact their product strategies and influence their decision regarding the RTX 4090 Ti release.

As of now, the fate of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Ti remains uncertain, with rumors hinting at its potential cancellation. Tech enthusiasts eagerly await official announcements from Nvidia to shed light on the future of this highly anticipated graphics card.

Read Also: Nvidia RTX 4090 Ti Graphics Cooler Leaks as Potential July Release Date Nears

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Koko, wife extend heartfelt condolences to UAE President and Al Nahyan family

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and his wife Kathryna Yu-Pimentel express profound sorrow and extend their heartfelt condolences to United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the entire Al Nahyan family on the untimely passing of his esteemed brother, Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Representative of the Abu Dhabi Ruler.

"We mourn alongside the UAE during this period of profound loss," Pimentel said.

"We express our deep sympathy and support during this challenging time. We offer our thoughts and prayers to President Sheikh Mohamed and his family as they cope with this irreplaceable loss," Pimentel added.

"Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's contributions to public service shall always be remembered not only by the people of the UAE but also by the thousands of overseas Filipinos living and working in the UAE who deeply appreciated his commitment to public service and their wellbeing," Pimentel said.

The UAE government has declared a three-day mourning period commencing on Thursday. Throughout this period, flags will be flown at half-mast as a symbol of respect and reverence for the departed soul.
The solution of the Sudan crisis lies in the hands of the Sudanese people, concluded the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) on Tuesday at the end of the bloc's two-day meeting in Cairo.

The coalition -- comprising various Sudanese political and rebel factions -- said all international and regional efforts meant to resolve the crisis have failed due to their lack of impartiality.

This was the FFC's first meeting since the outbreak of the war in mid-April, meant to draft an initiative to end the conflict.

The FFC was established in 2019 following the 2018 civil protests and subsequent uprising.



At the press conference concluding the meeting in Cairo, the FFC stressed their solidarity with the army, which is the representative of the sovereignty of Sudan and the only party capable of restoring the country to safety.



Head of Sudans Democratic Bloc and Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Unionist Party Jaafar Al-Sadiq Mohamed Al-Mirghani said Sudan has reached a critical juncture at the political, economic, social, and environmental levels.



Al-Mirghani called for unifying the domestic front by engaging in serious discussions to achieve stability and security.



He demanded an immediate and complete ceasefire and the formation of a caretaker government.



Al-Mirghani stressed that all international and regional efforts should recognize the full sovereignty of his country, consider the conflict an internal matter, and help prevent the disintegration of Sudan.



The head of Sudans National Movement Forces Al-Tijani Al-Sisi said the FFC held a workshop in Cairo a few months ago to agree on a blueprint to save the country.



The Sudanese official thanked Egypt for hosting the Sudanese who fled war in their home country. He also thanked Chad for receiving displaced Darfur people.



The main objective of the initiative is to create a national framework for the Sudanese political powers to hold a transparent national dialogue, he added.



The official noted that all political powers in Sudan wish to end the current war.



Meanwhile, FFC member Mohamed Abdul-Karim said "there is no neutrality in this war. Everyone should stand with the Armed Forces."



He urged Sudan parties to condemn the "grave violations" committed by the Rapid Support Forces.



Abdul-Kareem called for forming a competent government and unifying all political powers in the country.

The FFC thanked Egypt for hosting the conference and affirmed Egypts pivotal role in helping to end the war in Sudan.

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, where the countries have agreed during the summit to form a ministerial mechanism comprising the foreign ministers of Sudans neighbours to address the conflict which has had severe implications on the participating nations.

The June summit brought together Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central Africa, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, along with the secretary-general of the Arab League and the African Union Commission chairperson.

The warring parties welcomed the results of the meeting where it was agreed that Sudans neighbouring countries will form a ministerial mechanism comprising foreign ministers to address the conflict.

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The Justice Department will not pursue campaign funding charges against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. According to information provided in a DOJ petition made late Wednesday to New York federal judge Lewis Kaplan, the decision was made following Bahamian extradition statutes.

Due to the filing's admission that the Bahamas "did not intend to extradite the defendant on the campaign contribution count," the campaign finance accusation was dropped from the trial's agenda, Newsmax reported.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Sam Bankman-Fried had given a sizeable gift to US President Joe Biden's presidential campaign, making it the second-largest contribution.

Before the business filed for bankruptcy, Bankman-Fried and other FTX executives gave at least $1 million in total to political causes, including a sizable gift to the Senate Republican leadership, as per Roll Call.

A Victory For Bankman-Fried

The defense team for the ex-FTX CEO, who said that the United States conducted the extradition procedure improperly, saw the rejection of the campaign funding indictment as a triumph, according to The New York Times.

This decision was made after the prosecution decided in June not to pursue five more counts added to Bankman-Fried's charge after his extradition, instead choosing to go forward with an October trial.

The exploitation of client deposits by Sam Bankman-Fried and other FTX employees to support about $90 million in political donations to around 300 political candidates or political action organizations has been charged by the prosecution. The receivers of these contributions have been asked to repay them by the prosecution and FTX's bankruptcy attorneys.

Read Also: Report: Tesla Allegedly Manipulating Driving Range Complaints

In 2022, Bankman-Fried gave the Democrats an enormous $46.5 million contribution, making him the party's second-largest contributor (after George Soros). In order to avoid attention, he claimed to have donated the same amount to Republicans using dark money sources.

Sam Bankman-Fried further disclosed that the PAC "West Realm Shire Services," connected to FTX, had given $1 million to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's Senate Leadership Fund and $750,000 to House Leader Kevin McCarthy's Congressional Leadership Fund.

The Case Is Far From Over

The case against him is far from over as Judge Kaplan has scheduled a hearing to discuss revoking his $250 million bail in light of accusations that he leaked Caroline Ellison, his ex-girlfriend and the former head of Alameda Research, to the media in an effort to discredit her as a potential witness against him, per MarketWatch.

Sam Bankman-Fried will go before the court in October and be accused of seven offenses, including allegations of cheating FTX's clients and lenders.

According to the prosecution, he masterminded a significant scam, diverting billions of dollars from client deposits to pay for political campaigns, charity giving, and real estate purchases.

Prosecutors also want to retry Bankman-Fried on the five allegations that were dropped in June, which included the charge of bribery of a foreign government. Due to the extradition dispute in the Bahamas, the trial was delayed.

Related Article: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Facing Contempt of Congress

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Fire in a home for the disabled in Alsace: at least 11 people "would be missing"

What is swimmer's ear: mistakes you should not make and how to prevent it

The case of Daniel Sancho shoots Code 10 in Four after revealing many of the unknowns of the crime

Lanzhou Yellow River stone art painting enthusiasts: cleverly use strange stone patterns to paint the beauty of the Silk Road to give stones "new temperature"

An epic dip in some of the world's most spectacular pools

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"Youth Word of the Year" 2023: These ten terms are up for election

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An attack UAV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine heading towards the ZNPP was intercepted in Energodar

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Egypt accounts for one-third of Russias trade exchange with the African continent, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi during a meeting on Wednesday in St. Petersburg ahead of the second edition Russia-Africa Summit.

Putin stressed to El-Sisi that Russia is keen to increase cooperation with Egypt, especially in the promising field of energy, praising the great progress achieved over the past years in the relations between the two countries."

On his side, President El-Sisi thanked Putin for his warm welcome, stressing Egypts keenness to cooperate with Russia on both the continental level as well as on the level of bilateral relations.

I am certain that the Russia-Africa Summit will have great results, El-Sisi noted to Putin.

The Egyptian president also expressed thanks to Putin for establishing the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant as well as the Russian Industrial Zone in Egypt.

He also congratulated his Russian counterpart on the 80th anniversary of Egyptian-Russian relations.

Back to Russia



President El-Sisi arrived earlier Wednesday in St. Petersburg to attend the second edition of the Russia-Africa Summit, which will kick off on Thursday with the participation of 49 countries represented by 45 heads of state.

The Egyptian president co-chaired the first edition of the Russia-Africa Summit with Putin in 2019.

During that edition, participating countries signed 92 agreements, contracts, and memoranda of understanding worth over $11 billion.

Strong ties



In 2022, Egypts exports to Russia surged to $595.1 million, up 21.6 percent from 2021, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

Meanwhile, Egypts imports from Russia increased to $4.1 billion in 2022, up 15.5 percent from 2021.

In the first six months of 2023, 750,000 Russian tourists visited Egypt, with estimates that the figures could surpass one million by the end of the year.

According to recent statements by Egypt's ambassador to Russia Nazih El-Nagari, most of the charter flights between Russia and Egypt have been restored and 25-30,000 Russian tourists visit Egypt weekly,

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Egypt has condemned the most recent storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accompanied by hundreds of extremists, decrying the prevention of Muslims from exercising their legitimate right to access the holy site and worship in it.

Egypt has called on the Israeli side to cease these "provocative escalations," which only increase tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Moreover, Egypt warned of the "dangerous consequences of such irresponsible practices" for security and stability in the region.

Earlier on Thursday, Ben-Gvir, a member of the Knesset and leader of the far right-wing party Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Might), stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound earlier on Thursday under the guise of celebrating the Jewish holiday Tisha BAv.

It was the third time for Ben-Gvir to storm Al-Aqsa since assuming the ministerial position in January.

Ben-Gvir had stormed the mosque twice before in January and in May.

Egypt had condemned both actions at the time.

In the statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry emphasized that the repeated intrusions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and the attempts to divide it temporally and spatially "will not diminish its established legal and historical status."

In conclusion, the statement affirmed that Al-Aqsa is strictly an Islamic endowment and a place of worship for Muslims.

In May, Egypts Al-Azhar rejected what it described as the "Zionist ambition" to change the temporal, spatial, and historical status quo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its compound.

Similarly, the United Nations and several Arab countries worldwide have repeatedly affirmed the need to maintain the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

A decades-old status quo in Jerusalem allows non-Muslims to visit the mosque compound, whereas none but Muslim worshippers are allowed to pray there.

However, Israeli settlers have constantly defied the status accord, with some activists demanding that Jews should be allowed to visit the sacred site and pray in it.

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Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that all government employees in bodies which do not provide direct services to the public would work from home each Sunday in the month of August to ease loads on the electric grid in the country.

The decision applies to public servants in finance, administration, and IT, Madbouly explained in a press conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting in New Alamein on Thursday.

Employees who do have direct contact with the public, such as those who work in customer service or law enforcement, will continue to work from their offices on Sundays, Madbouly added.

The prime minister also called on private sector companies to allow their employees to work from home whenever possible to ease loads on the electric grid.

The prime minister also revealed that the government will be announcing a new schedule for easing loads.

Recent power outages have resulted from increased consumption triggered by the ongoing heatwave that hit the country and the world.

The schedule will be announced to the public on Monday, 31 July indicating dates and times for load easing by neighbourhood, the prime minister said.

Urgent measures



The prime minister also announced that the government plans to import 250-300 million dollars worth of diesel as part of urgent efforts to bolster fuel supplies to power plants, stressing that the government has suspended its gas exports during the summer to provide adequate energy supplies to power plants.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has been instructed to schedule all sports matches before sunset to reduce electricity consumption, Madbouly noted.

He further noted that the government has also reduced lighting in public spaces during the summer.

The prime minister explained that 85 percent of the energy required to operate power plants comes from fossil fuels -- particularly gas and diesel -- and the remaining 15 percent comes from solar and renewable energy sources.

Madbouly pointed out 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.

He stressed that while natural gas is available domestically, Egypt imports some of the diesel it needs from abroad.

Elevator warning in effect



In recent days, the government took measures to ease loads on the electric grid amid increased consumption triggered by a massive heatwave that hit the country and the world.

On Saturday, the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) announced specific starting times for easing loads, which went into effect on Sunday.

The EEHC informed the public that easing loads would take place in the 20-minute period between 10 mins before the top of the hour and 10 mins after the top of the hour.

The EEHC asked the public not to use elevators during this 20-minute window of time in order to ensure their safety.

The company stressed that any interruptions in power would last no longer than one hour.

Dealing with heatwave



Last week, PM Madbouly said recent power outages were caused by increased consumption triggered by the intense heatwave the country has been witnessing.

Madbouly added today that if the crisis continues until the first or second week of September the government will continue to ease loads and maintain all urgent measures.

Earlier last week, the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy confirmed that national electricity consumption had reached record levels.

For a second week straight, temperatures in Egypt went over 40 degrees Celsius in most of the country, climbing over sizzling 45 in the deep south.

Record temperatures around the globe have ignited wildfires across more than one continent, forcing governments to evacuate thousands of citizens.

The UN and EU monitors said Thursday that July is set to be the hottest month in recorded history and likely "unprecedented" for thousands of years, warning that this was a taste of the world's climate future.

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Jasser Al-Shahed, an Egyptian, to the Panel of Experts on Yemen.

The panel provides essential support to the Sanctions Committee which comprises Security Council members.

The committee was established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2140, issued in 2014, and is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the sanctions measures.

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A foliage-draped cross and flowers, and signs with the writing washed away by rain mark a spot on Burbank Drive near where Madison Brooks was fatally struck by a car around 2:50 a.m. Jan. 15, according to authorities. The 19-year-old LSU sophomore was raped in the back of a car before being dropped off in a nearby neighborhood, authorities said. She had been drinking at Reggie's bar before the incident, and deputies said Brooks had a blood-alcohol level of .319, nearly four times the legal limit to drive and enough to give someone alcohol poisoning and render them unconscious.
The Jefferson Parish Housing Authority is being sued by Acre Road apartment tenants who object to its plan to evict them with nothing but vouchers that they say will send them to poorer, more segregated, crime-ridden neighborhoods  if they can find a place at all.
Andrew Forrests Fortescue wants to do a deal with the traditional owners of a large swath of the area it mines in the Pilbara as court hearings to determine the compensation it must pay, which could top $500 million, start in August.

Fortescue Metals chief executive Fiona Hick said the miner was ready to pay compensation to the Yindjibarndi people to settle the dispute.

Andrew Forrest and Fortescue Metals chief executive Fiona Hick at the Iron Bridge magnetite project in the Pilbara. Credit: Peter Milne

Were certainly working to resolve the matter, and we would like it resolved as quickly as possible and preferably outside the court, Hick said when presenting quarterly results on Thursday.

In 2020, the High Court denied the miner leave to appeal against a full Federal Court decision that the Yindjibarndi people had exclusive native title over about 75 per cent of Fortescues Solomon Hub, which can produce about 75 million tonnes of iron ore a year.
After he got over his initial shock, Roche realised he had a major problem on his hands. The videos made him look corrupt. To defend himself, he published a piece on Medium saying they had been illegally obtained and spliced out of context, and he denied being in cahoots with Ava Labs. It was too late. One after another, companies that Roche Freedman had sued filed motions to disqualify the firm from their cases. In October, the first of those motions succeeded: A federal judge in New York tossed Roche Freedman from a case it had filed against Tether, the operator of the worlds most used stablecoin. Roches career was left in tatters after a website called Crypto Leaks posted two dozen videos of him that had been secretly recorded during meetings with two associates. Credit: Within days, Roche was forced to resign from the law firm he had founded. With his career in tatters, he said, he enrolled in ethics classes and began to see a therapist. Roche was felled by his own loose lips and his overly cozy relationship with a client. But he also was the victim of an elaborate international setup.

The question was: Who was behind it? The new sheriff Roche grew up in a working-class family in Buffalo, New York. The oldest of four siblings, he shared a bedroom with intellectually disabled twin brothers. Watching them struggle with simple tasks while he breezed through school made Roche feel both guilty and determined to succeed so he could one day provide for them. Roche felt groggy the morning after a dinner at the Connaught Hotel in London. Credit: Joshua Bright/The New York Times After attending Purdue University and working for a few years as a management consultant, he enrolled at Northwestern Universitys Pritzker School of Law. During his first semester, in the fall of 2013, he caught the crypto bug. Joe Delich, a classmate who later worked with Roche at his law firm, remembers him constantly checking the price of bitcoin on his laptop during classes. Roche cashed out before a big price drop, earning about $US100,000 ($147,000) in profits. He used the money to pay his tuition.

As a third-year student, Roche collaborated with a professor on a paper discussing bitcoins virtues as the first currency free from government interference. That led to an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal. That was the first moment I thought, Oh, wow, maybe I can do something with this, he said. By then, Roche was a first-year associate at Boies Schiller Flexner, where he was developing a reputation as the kid who understood crypto. When a colleague in Miami approached him a few days after the Journal piece with a bitcoin-related case, he jumped at the opportunity. Loading The case pitted a man named Ira Kleiman against Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist who claims to be bitcoins enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Kleiman wanted to sue Wright for defrauding his brother David, a paraplegic computer forensics expert who had died in his mid-40s, out of billions of dollars of bitcoin they supposedly mined together in bitcoins early days.

The facts were murky: There was evidence that Wright and David Kleiman had indeed been friends, and David Kleiman had been known to carry around his neck an encrypted hard drive that might or might not have contained the passwords to bitcoin wallets. But many people considered Wright a fraud, calling into question the notion that he had mined early blocks of bitcoin, much less cheated someone out of them. To Roche, that was one of the allures of the case. If he could make Wright hand over his files during discovery, he might be able to solve bitcoins great enduring mystery: Satoshi Nakamotos true identity. Roche and his young Miami colleague, Velvel Freedman, were soon devoting most of their time to the case. In 2019, with the Kleiman case slowly progressing toward a trial, Roche met a new client who was locked in a dispute with a crypto company. In a matter of days, he negotiated a lucrative settlement on the clients behalf. As a token of his gratitude, the client agreed to invest $US7.5 million with Roche and Freedman so they could start their own law firm. At first, Roche set up shop in a coworking space in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, but when the pandemic hit he joined Freedman in Miami. Their firm, Roche Freedman, soon made a splash. Roche had watched with increasing scepticism as a number of crypto startups rode bitcoins growing popularity by marketing new digital coins that surged in value and then crashed. It reminded him of pump-and-dump scams in which a group inflates the price of a stock by talking it up publicly before selling all at once and making off with the profits.

Regulators didnt seem to be doing anything about it, so Roche decided he would. On April 3, 2020, Roche Freedman filed lawsuits seeking class-action status against seven issuers of digital coins, alleging they had pumped what amounted to unregistered securities with false statements and then dumped them, leaving retail investors holding the bag. It also sued four crypto exchanges for enabling the coin issuers conduct, foreshadowing some of the legal arguments the Securities and Exchange Commission used to sue Binance and Coinbase this month. (Binance and Coinbase have vowed to fight the SEC in court.) Those suits were just an opening salvo: Sixteen months later, Roche filed his biggest securities fraud case yet. It alleged that a British entrepreneur, Dominic Williams, and entities he controlled had swindled investors out of billions of dollars by aggressively promoting, and then dumping, a digital coin tied to a grandiose plan to revolutionise computing. Loading Williams had boldly proclaimed that his Internet Computer blockchain  a decentralised network of computers powered by a digital token called ICP  would supplant the big cloud services offered by Amazon and Microsoft and become humanitys primary computing platform. But after an initial surge that briefly made it one of the most valuable cryptocurrencies, ICP had plummeted 92 per cent  a collapse that Roches lawsuit attributed to massive selling by Williams and other insiders. (Williams denied the allegations.)

If crypto was the Wild West of finance, Roche had announced himself as the new sheriff. But sheriffs, as he would soon learn, make enemies. A big verdict Around the time Roche was working on his first pump-and-dump lawsuits, he befriended Emin Gun Sirer, a Cornell University computer science professor who was hatching a cryptocurrency project of his own in the Brooklyn coworking space where Roche initially worked. Roche agreed to do legal work for Sirers company, Ava Labs, in exchange for an equity stake and a small percentage of the cryptocurrency tokens it planned to issue. Roche had watched with increasing scepticism as a number of crypto startups rode bitcoins growing popularity by marketing new digital coins that surged in value and then crashed. It reminded him of pump-and-dump scams. Credit: Getty A year later, Sirers blockchain, Avalanche, went live. As crypto fever spread, its AVAX tokens rocketed to more than $US100, making Roche a multimillionaire.

Roches compensation agreement with Ava Labs was supposed to be confidential, but anyone who wanted to gather intel on him would soon be able to find out about it. In February 2021, Roche Freedman fired one of its partners, Jason Cyrulnik. He hit back with a lawsuit that disclosed each partners share of the AVAX tokens. That fall, Kleiman v. Wright went to trial in US District Court in Miami. Roche gave a fiery opening statement during which he repeatedly pointed an accusatory finger at Wright. In the end, the trial didnt resolve whether Wright had really invented bitcoin, but the jury ordered him to pay $US100 million in damages to a company Ira Kleiman had inherited from his dead brother. (The judge later tacked on $US43 million in interest.) Roche and Freedman toasted over cocktails at a Miami restaurant. Their law firm stood to make more than $US10 million. With the Kleiman trial over, Roche turned to a project he and Sirer had been discussing: Ryval, a company that would help people raise money on Avalanche to pay for lawsuits. Roche saw it as a GoFundMe for litigation and thought it could level the legal playing field between individuals and big corporations. But while he was plotting his new venture, someone was plotting his downfall.

Loading The setup In December 2021, Roche received an email from someone he trusted introducing him to Villavicencio, according to a copy of the message reviewed by The New York Times. Villavicencio presented himself as an associate of Ager-Hanssen, a venture capitalist who was interested in Roches new project. Roche had no idea who the two men were, but he welcomed the approach: He was raising money for Ryval, which had received some attention in the crypto press. After an introductory Zoom call, Roche agreed to fly to London at the mens expense the next month. They met at Ager-Hanssens townhouse office, where things soon took a strange turn: According to Roche, Ager-Hanssen pressed his index finger to Roches forehead  I didnt think it was a gun motion, but I thought he was trying to intimidate me  and said that if he was going to invest with him, he needed to know everything Roche was capable of.

In hindsight, Roche wishes he had gotten up and left. Instead, he took it as a cue to sell himself harder. According to Roche, Ager-Hanssen spent the next couple of hours goading him into bragging about his relationship with Ava Labs while Villavicencio, who was sitting across a table from him, secretly filmed him. If crypto was the Wild West of finance, Roche had announced himself as the new sheriff. But sheriffs, as he would soon learn, make enemies. A week after the videos surfaced, Roche got another jolt: A friend of a colleague said he had heard rumours at a crypto event that Roches life was in danger, according to an affidavit later filed in court. Spooked, Roche and his fiancee hunkered down in a short-term rental in Brooklyn. Roche felt that his world was unravelling. He says he became so stressed that he stopped eating and lost 10 pounds. After several weeks, he and his fiancee returned to Miami but, still worried for their safety, moved to an apartment leased under a relatives name. A series of clues

Plenty of people had reason to celebrate Roches downfall. First in line were Wright, the man who claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto, and Calvin Ayre, a gambling tycoon who bankrolls Wright. Wright quickly sought to exploit the videos, filing an unsuccessful motion to disqualify Roche Freedman from the Kleiman case. After the videos came out, Ager-Hanssen became CEO of nChain, a company that Ayre funds and that employs Wright as chief science officer. Roche represented a client in a court case against Australian Craig Wright, who claims to have invented Bitcoin. Credit: Domenico Pugliese Through a spokesperson, Ayre acknowledged that he and Wright were pleased when the videos came out. But they denied having anything to do with the London sting. Roche believes them because he thinks he knows who hired Ager-Hanssen: Williams, the British entrepreneur who was the target of Roche Freedmans biggest pump-and-dump lawsuit.

A series of clues, documented by his former law firm in court filings, led Roche to that conclusion. The first is that on May 12, 2022, Williams wrote on Twitter that he was coming for his critics. That was the same day the cryptoleaks.info domain name was registered. Then, on June 9, 2022, the Crypto Leaks website went live. Billing itself as the defender of the honest crypto community, it posted two reports that aligned with Williams interests. The first espoused a complicated theory about the ICP token crash that Williams had previously floated on Twitter. The second attacked the Times for an article it had published about the crash. Williams tweeted a link to that Crypto Leaks report, calling it Gobsmacking. The Dfinity Foundation, a Swiss nonprofit that Williams created to oversee his blockchain, has since sued the Times for defamation in New York. The Times is seeking to dismiss the suit. The videos of Roche were the crux of Crypto Leaks third expose. After they were published, Williams and Dfinity filed a motion to disqualify Roche Freedman as plaintiffs counsel in the pump-and-dump lawsuit, saying Roches comments demonstrated a disregard for the integrity of the judicial system. In court filings opposing the motion, Roches former firm accused Williams of being behind Crypto Leaks and said the videos filmed at Jean-Georges showed signs of deepfake alterations. It also blamed Williams for the rumoured death threats against Roche.
I asked Associate Professor Stephen Clibborn, the co-director of the Sydney Employment Relations Research Group at the University of Sydney, to offer his expertise on your question. His response was so thorough, thoughtful and (I think) helpful, Im passing it on in full:

Our workplace is going through a protracted enterprise bargaining process. Im increasingly concerned about the proposals I can see our employer is making. Should I join the union?

In general, union-negotiated collective agreements deliver higher pay and conditions for employees. With the exception of those with rare and in-demand skills, an individual employee is less able to negotiate successfully with employers due to their relative power imbalance. The higher the proportion of employees in a given workplace who are union members, the more power they have and the more effectively they can negotiate to improve pay and conditions.

Union members pay membership fees to be in the union and make sacrifices, such as forgoing pay while participating in strikes, to advance bargaining in ways that influence employers to agree to more favourable terms of employment.

Loading

However, the higher pay and conditions in a collective agreement benefit both union members and non-union employees also covered by the agreement. So some employees might ask, Why pay the union dues and sacrifice pay during industrial action if Im going to get the same result? Such an approach might seem logical but it is a narrow, short-term and risky approach.

The problem with this approach is that the same result is not guaranteed if too many employees sit back and let their colleagues do the work of bargaining for them. The smaller the group of workers negotiating with management, the smaller their power relative to the employer.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Hip-hop is more than just music: its a global cultural phenomenon. And this year marks a half-century since the movement started in New York City and rapidly spread across the globe. It took a long time to be adopted and understood by Australia. But if you go back four decades or so, youll uncover a vibrant and largely unknown history. In this exclusive music documentary we spoke to some of the most influential artists from Sydney and Melbourne and gained unique insight into how the hip-hop scene exploded Down Under. Hip-hop at its core incorporates four foundational elements: DJing/turntablism, MCing/rapping, B-boying/breaking, and graffiti. The culture emerged in the early 1970s in the Bronx in New York City during a time of economic decline and urban despair. One of its most influential pioneers was DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican immigrant regarded as a founding father of hip-hop. DJ Kool Herc hosted a back to school jam with his sister Cindy Campbell, at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the south Bronx on August 11, 1973. During the party, Kool Herc debuted the Merry Go Round technique using two turntables. It was popular on the dance floor and quickly became key to the rise of rapping and breaking. This historic party is widely recognised to be the birthplace of hip-hop.

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The original invitation for DJ Kool Hercs back to school jam on August, 11, 1973. It wasnt until about a decade later that hip-hop found its way to Australia. The first elements of the culture to be embraced here were breaking and graffiti, not music. The 1970s and 80s were a pre-internet time, so it was music videos like Malcolm McLarens Buffalo Gals (1982), and American feature films that showcased all the elements of hip-hop that enabled Australians to see the culture for the first time. One noticeable difference between the early era of hip-hop in Australia and now is the championing of all elements of the culture. To be considered a legitimate hip-hop artist in the 1980s and 90s, you had to practice multiple elements. Molly Meldrum was an early promoter of the element of breaking. When the legendary New York City breaking group Rock Steady Crew toured Australia in 1984, he hosted the Beat Street competition on Countdown. Breaking had become a pop culture phenomenon in Australia and the competition featured crews battling from all over the country. Molly Meldrum watches the Beat Street competition with Rock Steady Crew on Countdown in 1984. Credit: ABC / Countdown Graffiti was a very strong element of the culture in the early days of Australian hip-hop. It has remained one of the finest scenes in the world and several artists have received international acclaim over the past four decades. Melbourne grew into a street art mecca, boosting the citys commercial and tourism industry.

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In 1988, a number of graffiti writers and breakdancers started to become rappers and DJs and the Australian hip-hop music industry was born. The first song to be released is widely considered to be Combined Talent by Sydney group Just Us in 1988. They put the 808 drum machine on and just started rapping over the top. A bit of scratching and cutting; it was just so raw, says DJ Peril, a founding member of 1200 Techniques, about the song. Combined Talent was closely followed by an LP from the Park Bench Royals in Melbourne and Australias first hip-hop compilation Down Under By Law was also released the same year. The compilation was the first hip-hop album put out by a major record label  Virgin Records  and features some of the genres earliest artists from Sydney. Down Under By Law was Australias first hip hop compilation released by Virgin Records in 1988. Its important to note that there wasnt much mainstream love for hip-hop in Australia in the 1980s and 90s and many groups made demos that were never released  its difficult to say who all the early hip-hop groups were or name every pioneer in the culture. At the beginning we were all just artists ourselves that were bouncing ideas off each other. We would go to gigs, and we knew all the other artists because it was a small community, says MC and graffiti artist Mistery. Bands such as 1200 Techniques, Lyrical Commission, Resin Dogs, Downsyde, Bliss n Eso, Koolism and Hilltop Hoods ushered in a new wave of hip-hop that brought mainstream success in the 2000s.

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Melbournes 1200 Techniques were the first Australian hip-hop group to win an ARIA award in 2002 with their hit song Karma, before hip-hop was even given a category. We helped shine a light on making it [hip-hop] a commodity in this country. We were the first commercial crossover but you didnt see all the squirming we did to get there, in the room upstairs with the head honchos of all the radio stations, rapping in front of them, trying to impress them. It was pretty hard. Somehow, we got over, says DJ Peril. Shortly after 1200 Techniques hit the mainstream, Hilltop Hoods became one of the biggest hip-hop forces in the country. The Adelaide trio have won numerous awards and had significant commercial success over the past 30 years. Hilltop Hoods are one of the most successful hip hop groups in Australia. Credit: Fairfax Indigenous and minority communities have also had a significant impact. Hip-hop has been closely associated with minorities since its inception in New York City. First Nations people and immigrant communities have been at the forefront of the Australian hip-hop scene since its earliest days. One of the most significant First Nations artists today is Baker Boy, from Arnhem Land. His track Marryuna, released in 2018, was the first song to make the Triple J Hottest 100 using an Indigenous language; Baker Boy is the first MC to hit the mainstream rapping in his native Yolu Matha tongue.

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Egypt has summoned the Danish ambassador to Egypt to express "deep concern" over recurring incidents of Quran burning in Denmark in front of foreign diplomatic missions, including the Egyptian embassy in Copenhagen,.

According to the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Abu Zeid, Deputy Assistant Minister of foreign affairs and Assistant for European Affairs Yasser Hashem conveyed to the Danish ambassador Egypt's deep dismay over the recent Quran burning incidents on 25 July in front of the embassies of several Arab and Muslim countries in Denmark.

Hashem reiterated during the meeting Egypt's outright rejection of such incidents, calling on the authorities in Denmark, and other countries that witnessed similar incidents, to take tangible measures to put a permanent end to them.

He stressed to the Danish ambassador that the continuity of such regrettable incidents is unrelated to the principle of freedom of expression and constitutes a clear violation of the freedom of belief and religious diversity.

These incidents contradict international agreements by promoting extremist rhetoric, hatred, Islamophobia, and religious contempt, stressed Hashem during the meeting.

They also undermine efforts to enhance cultural and religious dialogue among people worldwide, he added.

Earlier this week, a Danish far-right group called Danish Patriots began to burn copies of the Holy Quran in front of the embassies of Arab and Muslim countries.

The group burnt a copy of the Holy Quran on Monday in front of the Iraqi embassy.

On Tuesday, the group burned two copies in front of the Turkish and Egyptian embassies in Copenhagen.

Denmark has condemned the burnings as "provocative and shameful acts," but says it does not have the power to ban non-violent demonstrators.

On Tuesday, Egypt summoned the charge daffaires at the Swedish Embassy in Cairo to express the Egyptian government and people's total rejection of these incidents.

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, summoned Swedish envoys to protest Quran-burning incidents in Europe.

Last week, Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad and recalled its ambassador to Copenhagen.

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If someone asks you if youre watching the new Steven Soderbergh series, the correct reply is which one? The now veteran filmmaker, who turned 60 earlier this year, not only has the knotty crime drama Full Circle currently airing on Foxtel and Binge, but without warning he has also just released Command Z, a low-budget act of science-fiction invention, through his website extension765.com. As ever with Soderbergh, his ideas outrun release schedules.

Director Steven Soderbergh at the Tribeca Festival in New York in June 2021. Credit: EvanAgostini/Invision/AP

The Academy Award-winning director is a masterful visual stylist, but his most fascinating professional trait is his fascination with tinkering. Soderbergh likes to take apart and reassemble genres, industry preconceptions such as marketing, and the durability of stars appeal. Making a mysterious series available to stream through his website for a one-off cost of about $12 ($US7.99) is very much on brand for Soderbergh.

Self-financed by Soderbergh, with all proceeds going to the charity Childrens Aid and the Boston University Centre for Antiracist Research, Command Z is a subversively sly double bill of satirical jibes and ingenious suggestion. With eight mini-episodes that clock in at roughly 95 minutes in total, its neither a segmented movie nor weekly appointment viewing. The nimble structure feels just right for the reality-shifting narrative.

Set in the middle of this century, it finds a trio of American workers  Emma (Chloe Radcliffe), Sam (Roy Wood jnr), and Jamie (J.J. Maley)  reporting to a facility where their now digitised billionaire boss, the AI form of Kerning Fealty (Michael Cera), reveals that he needs to move their consciousness via a wormhole and psychedelics to 2023, so they can briefly inhabit the bodies of those closest to the people whose actions will contribute to the fraying of the United States and a disastrous global environmental collapse.
We tend to associate these health risks with heavy drinking but one statistic, which less than 50 per cent of Australians know, is that even at low levels, alcohol is linked with seven different types of cancer: mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, liver, breast and bowel. In fact, most alcohol-related harm occurs among low-to-moderate risk drinkers, simply because they are more numerous in the population. It has all made me wonder how we will view alcohol in another five or 10 years time. Are we likely to look back on drinking the way we do on smoking? Something that was once widespread and socially acceptable (it was even recommended as a cure for asthma) that many of us now see as a bit gross? In the future, will those of us who do enjoy a glass in moderation seem in the wrong? Will it become a shameful act, where we are relegated to sneaking one in the dunny? If that is the case, what does that say about us and our relationship to alcohol? An appetite for risk There are certainly parallels between alcohol and smoking, says Professor Simone Pettigrew, program director of Health Promotion and Behaviour Change the George Institute of Global Health.

Tobacco is a group one carcinogen and so is alcohol, she says, adding that tobacco is an evil bastard causing 19 different cancers. It kills one in two regular users. Were probably not ever going to get to that same mortality statistic with alcohol. And as Emmanuel Kuntsche, director of the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University, points out, unlike alcohol, tobacco is addictive in small doses and causes great harm. Low quantities of alcohol  one a day  have very small risks. Our attitudes to consuming alcohol are, in part, about risk perception and at what point that risk of harm becomes unacceptable. In Australia, national drinking guidelines, which recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week or four in one session, were based around a one in 100 risk of an alcohol-related illness if you stick to them.

Loading The notion that humans will accept no risk in the activities that they undertake is not realistic, Giorgi says. We accept risk in everything we do in our lives from the second we wake up through to the moment we go to sleep, when we cross the road, when we jump in our car, through to more risky behaviours that we might undertake. And thats why these guidelines are established to say, we understand that as humans, we accept a level of risk. As our knowledge grows, the risk we are willing to accept may change along with our relationship with the activity. A toxic relationship Today, our relationship with alcohol remains largely toxic. Kuntsche likes to imagine that in 20 years time, well look back at the way, in many situations, we automatically grab a drink or three and think Oh, how weird was that?

A small percentage of the population are physically addicted to alcohol, but many are psychologically addicted, Pettigrew adds. Its part of a much bigger story about modern living and how we manage our time and our stress. Alcohol is the crutch of choice for many people. We need other ways for people to deal with stress. This can be challenging when alcohol companies spend billions on ensuring booze is embedded in the cultural fabric of our lives from celebrations, to funerals, to lifes most benign moments and the industry preys on the most vulnerable people, says Giorgi. Every phone is a bottle shop and our billboard for alcohol companies, there is no way to escape this. Loading She would like us to save our chagrin and judgement for the industry, instead of each other and whether any of us choose to drink or not, and for the government to rein in their influence: Governments need to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the community ahead of commercial invested interests. Giorgi adds that, as individuals, we can all help to support those who choose not to drink by socialising in settings that dont revolve around alcohol as well as ensuring alcohol-free options are available on occasions like dinners. Abstinence is the only path for some and a path of freedom and good health others.
Labors decision to reopen consultation on the proposed Oxford Street east cycleway has prompted an assault of opposition from locals, including high-profile politicians, small business owners and activist residents.

The cycleway was to run from Taylor Square to Centennial Park along Oxford Street, which is also the boundary between the City of Sydney and Woollahra councils. Transport for NSW calls the route an essential link in its strategic cycling vision.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen restarted the public consultation in June saying it needed to be done properly if the new cycleway was to replace the pop-up bike path currently running along Moore Park Road.

Senator Andrew Bragg said the cycleway was a mistake of all tiers of government. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Federal Liberal senator and Paddington resident Andrew Bragg said the cycleway was a mistake by all tiers of government, including his own; the previous federal Coalition government announced in March 2021 that it would cover half the cost.
The $2 billion Harbourside development in Sydney will retain the name of the outdated shopping centre its set to replace, but bear little resemblance to the complex that has been reduced to rubble.

Mirvacs chief executive of development, Stuart Penklis, spruiked the divisive project as the critical missing piece in the NSW governments $15 billion overhaul of the harbour front west of the CBD.

The plans include shops, eateries and offices beneath a 42-storey luxury apartment tower. Credit: Mirvac

Seven months after retailers moved out, and bulldozers rolled in, construction on Mirvacs massive mixed-use complex comprising shops, offices, and a 42-storey apartment tower started on Thursday.

The new Harbourside will reimagine the Darling Harbour waterfront, reconnect the people and places of Pyrmont, and create a network of new public spaces to bring together community, visitors, residents and workers, Penklis said.
A man has fought off a masked kidnapper by smashing his ute into the front of a Sydney pizza shop, foiling a daylight abduction attempt police believe could be linked to the Comanchero bikie gang.

A 30-year-old was leaving a gym in Punchbowl just before lunchtime on Thursday when an unknown man in a balaclava approached and forced him into his own car.

The Ford Ranger smashed into a Dominos Pizza at Punchbowl during what police believe was an attempted abduction attempt. Credit: Nick Moir

The attacker jumped into the car and the man wrestled with his captor inside the moving ute until it smashed into the Dominos Pizza on Punchbowls main shopping strip.

Both men fled the scene before the would-be kidnapping victim returned and was assessed by paramedics. He sustained only minor scratches to his face.
Premier Daniel Andrews told the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission he knew allegedly corrupt developer John Woodman and in 2017 had lunch with Woodman, Labor-linked lobbyist Phil Staindl and others.

The details of what the premier told IBAC in secret evidence were revealed as the commission tabled its Operation Sandon report into allegations of corruption surrounding planning decisions in the City of Casey.

Premier Daniel Andrews gave private evidence to IBAC. Credit: Drew Ryan

The lunch that Woodman attended arose from a winning $10,000 bid at a fundraising event, the IBAC report states, and Andrews said he did not recall Woodman or his associates raising planning issues with him.

Later, in March 2019, IBAC intercepted a phone call between Staindl and Woodman where the lobbyist said Andrews had told him the previous month that he had praised Woodmans donations to Labor and lamented he was being pursued with allegations of corruption by The Age over a controversial rezoning in Cranbourne West, known as C219.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A Victorian property developer who once had lunch with Premier Daniel Andrews bought access to decision-makers by paying former local mayors and Liberal Party members about $1.2 million, showing how limits on laws regulating lobbyists leave politicians vulnerable to corruption, the state anti-corruption watchdog has found. Victorias Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) tabled its Operation Sandon report on Thursday, finding property developer John Woodman made payments totalling about $1.2 million to former Casey mayors and Liberal Party members Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett  including cash payments in suitcases and shopping bags  in return for support for lucrative planning decisions. Sam Aziz (left), John Woodman and Geoff Ablett all received adverse findings in the IBAC report. Credit: Marija Ercegovac Operation Sandon is the most lengthy, costly and sweeping investigation of raw corruption in Victoria since IBAC was established more than a decade ago. The investigation showed the extent to which a property developer and consultant such as Mr Woodman can invest across the political spectrum to buy access to decision-makers at the local and state government levels, the report said. Developer John Woodman on St Kilda Road on Thursday morning. Credit: Eddie Jim If the reports 34 recommendations are accepted, the IBAC inquiry will trigger the biggest shake-up in Victorias local government and planning laws in decades, including the possibility of stripping of planning powers from local councils and the expanded taxing of windfalls from land use changes, and the major tightening of donation and lobbying laws.

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Responding to the Operation Sandon report, Premier Daniel Andrews said in a statement: What went on at the City of Casey was completely unacceptable and the government sacked the council in 2020. However, it is clear from the report that more work must be done. He said the government had already implemented what he branded the toughest political donation laws in Australia. Our reforms have drastically reduced the size of donations, and make sure Victorians know who makes and receives them in real time. These reforms are currently the subject of a legislated periodic review and the government looks forward to receiving that report, Andrews said. He flagged the government would limit councils powers in planning decisions. It is the clear position of the government that the role of local councils in significant planning decisions should be reduced and we will have more to say on this matter, Andrews said. The Sandon investigation centred on issues first publicly raised by The Age in 2011 and again in 2018 around land deals at the City of Casey and the outsized influence of flamboyant developer and planner Woodman.

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In the 304-page report, IBAC gives adverse comments against a long list of political and business figures, including sitting Labor MP for Cranbourne Pauline Richards. It is unclear why Richards is listed as having adverse comments made against her, which do not amount to wrongdoing. Deputy commissioner David Wolf said it related to Richards dealings with Woodman. Its more the nature and involvement in the donations scheme, the receipt of donations, the meetings with the donor, and allocation of donations across the party. She received a $20,000 donation during the 2018 election campaign and a further $10,000 was donated to other Labor candidates at her suggestion. IBACs investigation focused on four planning matters involving Woodman and his associates, all of which were highlighted by a Sunday Age story in October 2018. The key case study in the report was his bid to rezone industrial land in Cranbourne West to residential, a move that would have netted construction giant Leighton Properties  now owned by CIMIC, Woodman and others  a combined tens of millions of dollars.

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After The Ages revelations in October 2018, then-planning minister Richard Wynne rejected the rezoning in 2020. Sandon found that Woodman and his associates directly paid councillors Aziz and Ablett in exchange for their support, donated to state candidates and MPs who they believed could help, and funded a residents action group which actively backed the rezoning. Andrews was privately examined as part of the five-year inquiry, and was cleared of any wrongdoing. He was questioned over a lunch he had with Woodman and Labor-linked lobbyist Phil Staindl at the Flower Drum in Chinatown in 2017 and separate lobbying from Staindl at a fundraising event in early 2019 over the Cranbourne West rezoning. Andrews said he could not remember having the 2019 conversation with Staindl or the contents of it. But Andrews said some of Staindls recollections  which the lobbyist later conceded may have included some exaggerations  did not ring true. Andrews said he would not have suggested to Staindl he had any role in the rezoning decision. Woodman and his entities made a total $530,700 worth of donations to the Liberals between 2010 and 2019 over 97 transactions, according to the Operation Sandon report.

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That was more than what was donated to Labor, which received $439,268. Woodman paid $70,000 for membership of Enterprise Victoria, a Liberal fundraising arm, splitting payments into $10,000 lots paid by separate entities. The link between the level of financial contribution and the influence expected in return is evident in a lawfully intercepted telephone conversation between Enterprise Victorias executive director and Mr Woodman in February 2019, the IBAC report states. In the conversation, the executive director was seeking to finalise a large financial commitment from Mr Woodman. They offered him personal meetings with the [then] Liberal Party leader [Michael OBrien] and state president as an incentive. In response, Mr Woodman noted his interest. The meetings did not take place, IBAC heard. But Opposition Leader John Pessuto and shadow attorney-general Michael OBrien said in a statement the IBAC report showed the government was led by an evasive premier who refuses to take any responsibility.

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The ex-partner of former prime minister Julia Gillard has fronted court to plead guilty to sexual assault after he was charged with sucking the nipple of a woman without her consent.

Timothy Raymond Mathieson, 66, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday where his lawyer said he will plead guilty to a single sex offence charge.

Tim Mathieson leaves his lawyers office in Melbourne. Credit: AAP

Court documents released to the media show Mathieson is charged with a sexual offence at Brunswick East on March 13, 2022. He was charged in May this year.

[He] intentionally sexually touched [the complainant] by sucking her nipple without her consent in circumstances where the accused did not reasonably believe that [the complainant] consented to the touching, the charge sheet said.
Western Australias first childrens hospice has been approved after years of debate.

The WA Planning Commission held a significant development meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the proposal for the seven-bed Swanbourne facility, located in Allen Park within the City of Nedlands.

Artist impression of the approved childrens hospice in Swanbourne.

The hospice will provide full-time care for children with life-limiting illnesses outside a clinical setting, and includes a hydrotherapy pool, play spaces and gardens.

Perth Childrens Hospital Foundation, which is funding the facility, has raised more than $34 million  almost the total cost expected for construction, which will take around two years.
Australias future Geelong-built infantry fighting vehicles will feature multiple weapons and exceptional speed after the federal government selected a South Korean defence company to replace the countrys Vietnam War-era armoured carriers.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced on Thursday that Hanwha Defense Australia had been awarded a contract to build 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles at its Avalon facility north-east of Geelong in Victoria. The Australian Armys new vehicles will cost between $5 billion and $7 billion in total.

The Victorian government celebrated the multibillion-dollar Land 400 Phase 3 project contract being awarded within its borders as a boon for the local manufacturing sector that would create hundreds of jobs. The federal government said it was one of the largest capability acquisition projects in the history of the Army.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institutes deputy defence program director, Jennifer Parker, said acquiring the vehicles themselves ensured the Australian Defence Force had the best capability on offer.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday Egypt was following with great concern the developments in Niger, a day after a coup in the West African nation Wednesday.

In a press release, the foreign ministry stressed its keenness on the safety and stability of Niger as well as the constitutional and democratic system of the state.

Egypt stresses its full solidarity with the Nigerien people and calls on all parties in Niger to prioritise the higher interests of the nation and preserve the safety of its citizens," read the statement.

On Wednesday, a group of military officers in Niger announced that they overthrew and detained President Mohamed Bazoum, who assumed office two years ago in the country's first peaceful transition of power since independence from France in 1960.

Regional, continental and global leaders have condemned the coup and called for the release of Bazoum.

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Two months after US President Joe Bidens planned trip to Sydney and Canberra was abruptly cancelled, two of his most senior cabinet officials are arriving in Brisbane with an important task: to reassure Australians that the optimal pathway to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines isnt veering disturbingly off track.

The annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations are supposed to see the alliance partners top defence and foreign affairs ministers travel to each others countries in alternating years, but the past three meetings have been held in Washington, DC.

(Left to right) Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong with US counterparts Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin in Washington last year. Credit: AP

When Australia held its most recent AUSMIN meeting in 2019, Donald Trump was in the White House, no-one had heard of COVID-19 and the Morrison government was committed to buying a fleet of conventional submarines from France.

Speaking before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austins trip, a senior State Department official stressed to reporters that the AUSMIN meeting isnt about AUKUS.
The Economic Community of West African States sent Benin President Patrice Talon to lead mediation efforts. Russia and the West have been vying for influence in the fight against extremism in the region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighbouring nations. Supporters of mutinous soldiers hold a Russian flag as they demonstrate in Niamey, Niger. Credit: AP Bazoum is seen by many as the Wests last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Wagner appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well. The US is gravely concerned about the situation in Niger, said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel during a briefing with reporters Thursday.

We are monitoring the situation closely and continue to be in close touch with the embassy, Patel said. Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties. American, French and Italian troops train the countrys soldiers, while France also conducts joint operations. President Mohamed Bazoum at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger in March. Credit: AP But the threat to Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger could also turn away from the West. On Thursday, several hundred people gathered in the capital and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags. Later, they began throwing rocks at a passing politicians car.

If Mohamed Bazoum resigns from the presidency, Niger will probably move to the top of the list of countries where the Wagner Group will seek to expand, said Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at Dragonfly, a security and political risk consultancy. Loading Wagner already had its sights set on Niger, in part because its a large producer of uranium. But Bazoum posed an impediment because of his pro-French and pro-Western stance, said Baumgartner. Wagners head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, weighed in on Thursday, describing the developments as part of Nigers fight against the colonisers. It effectively means winning independence. The rest will depend on the people of Niger, on how efficient they could govern, Prigozhin, who led a brief mutiny against the Kremlin last month, said in a statement.

The US State Department isnt aware of any signs that the Wagner Group was involved in the coup, Patel said. He declined to speculate, saying the situation continues to be quite fluid. Loading Russias eagerness to deepen ties with Africa was visible in St Petersburg, where Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the opening session of a two-day Russia-Africa summit attended by a sharply lower number of African heads of state and government compared with a previous summit in 2019. While discussing the halted Black Sea grain deal, he promised large no-cost shipments of grain to six African countries. Russia intends to ship up to 50,000 tons of grain aid to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and the Central African Republic in the next three to four months, Putin said.

Former Wagner mercenary Marat Gabidullin told the AP that if Nigers new rulers wanted the groups help, theyd do the same job as in the Central African Republic, where its been operating for five years. Advocacy groups have accused Wagner of hijacking state resources and committing human rights atrocities in the Central African Republic and other countries where it operates. Supporters of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum demonstrate in his support in Niamey, Niger. Credit: AP Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Blinken said he had spoken with the president, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country. Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the US condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa. If designated a coup by the United States, Niger could lose millions of dollars of military support and aid.

Alexander Thurston, assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, said the coup deals a blow to democratic culture in the Sahel. Western governments are left without a strong partner in the region, and may shift even more towards attempting to contain the regions problems, rather than helping to solve them, Thurston said. Members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoums house and detained him on Wednesday morning. The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people. They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed all the borders. AP
Singapore/Jakarta: Search and rescue crews were on Thursday desperately attempting to save eight miners trapped as far as 60 metres underground in Indonesia after their illegal gold mine was flooded.

The miners were working in one of dozens of pits at the facility in the district of Banyumas in Central Java province on Tuesday night, when it suddenly began to fill with water suspected to be from a nearby river.

Search and rescue personnel peer into a mine shaft in Indonesias Central Java province where eight workers have been trapped.

An urgent effort has been launched to find any survivors, with police and the military joining a rescue team of more than 100 at the site on Thursday.

The incident was only reported to police by the mines management on Wednesday morning.
London: The Australian at the head of the British royal familys bank of choice has resigned following the growing scandal around the decision to close the account of populist politician Nigel Farage.

Coutts and its owner NatWest have been engulfed in a crisis since Farage revealed last week that the exclusive private bank had shut his account in part because of his political views.

Coutts CEO Peter Flavel, who is resigning over the banks treatment of Nigel Farage, says he bore ultimate responsibility. Credit: Emily Macinnes

Adelaide-born Peter Flavel, who became chief executive of Coutts in 2016, said the treatment of Farage, a polarising pro-Brexit figure, had fallen below the banks high standards of personal service and he took responsibility.

His decision comes just a day after Alison Rose resigned as chief executive of Coutts owner NatWest after she admitted to inaccurately briefing a BBC journalist over why Farages account was closed.
Stockholm: Sweden is the target of a disinformation campaign by Russia-backed actors intended to hurt the image of the NATO-candidate country by implying it supported recent burnings of the Koran, its Minister for Civil Defence said on Wednesday.

Swedens bid to join NATO after Russias invasion of Ukraine has put it in the international spotlight, while a number of demonstrations at which protesters have burnt copies of the Muslim holy book have angered Muslims around the world.

Hezbollah supporters chant slogans as they burn representations of the Swedish flag at a rally denouncing the desecration of the Koran, after Friday prayers in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon, on Friday. Credit: AP

Sweden is the target of a disinformation campaign supported by state and state-like actors with the aim of damaging Swedish interests and ... Swedish citizens, the minister, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, told reporters at a press conference.

We can see how Russia-backed actors are amplifying incorrect statements such as that the Swedish state is behind the desecration of holy scriptures, he said.
Senate Agrees With TACH, An AM Radio In Every Car

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Washington DC July 27, 2023; With near-unanimous bipartisan support, a bill that would help ensure AM radio remains in vehicle dashboards is moving quickly in Congress. The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday advanced the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 1669) with only Michigan Democrat Gary Peters voting against the proposal. AM radio is a central source of local news, weather and emergency information, and this is important legislation to make sure that it remains a part of what consumers have access to, Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said during the Committee vote. Cantwell, along with three other lawmakers, has in recent days become a cosponsor to the bill.

The bill now goes onto the full Senate for consideration, something that will not happen until lawmakers return from their month-long August recess. If passed, the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge. The Government Accountability Office would also be required to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), who first brought the issue to the attention of Congress and many in radio last December when he wrote to carmakers asking them to detail their plans for AM radio in electric vehicles, said the bill is not about favoring one industry over

another. Instead, he said is about making sure safety technology is close at hand as emergency alerts become more pressing as climate change impacts the weather.

Emergency management officers say that the removal of AM radio from vehicles poses a distinct threat to public safety, Markey said during Thursdays vote, noting he also believes that the shift to electric cars is the right thing to do to ensure a cleaner, greener future  but that those cars should also include access to alerts. Every driver and passenger deserve to have the same access to AM radio as their counterparts in gas-fired cars, Markey said.

In a statement, the National Association of Broadcasters celebrated the vote. This legislation will ensure that the tens of millions of AM radio listeners across the country retain access to local news, diverse community programming and emergency information, NAB President Curtis LeGeyt said. Moreover, this legislation enables AM radios continued role as the backbone of the nations Emergency Alert System.

The bipartisan nature of the bill has been a welcome break in an evenly divided Congress. Markeys Senate version of the bill has 14 Republicans and 12 Democrats as cosponsors. This week four more, including two from each party were added, including Democrats Cantwell and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Republicans Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Todd Young (R-IN).

Ranking Republican Ted Cruz (R-TX), who is also a cosponsor of the bill, has been among its most vocal advocates on Capitol Hill and has helped to bring several members of the GOP onboard.

Unfortunately, several automakers have announced plans to take this important resource out of cars. That's a big mistake, Cruz said Thursday. AM radio plays a critical role in delivering emergency alerts. It's also a platform for talk radio, and many minority and ethnic focus stations, all of which are homes for alternative viewpoints and diverse audiences.

A Gut Punch To Listeners

Faced with pressure from Washington and an uproar from the radio industry, Ford Motor Company reversed course in May and said that it will keep AM radio in its new vehicles. Executives said Fords electric vehicles will get an online software update to put AM back into the vehicles later this year. But other brands have yet to be convinced. Their responses to Markey reviewed by Inside Radio show that while General Motors, BMW, Mazda, Rivian, Volkswagen, and Volvo show some commitment to AM, others are sticking with plans to focus on FM and streaming and digital capabilities in their dashboards.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called that a gut punch to listeners and the more than 4,000 AM stations nationwide, including 1,500 that broadcast ag news to farmers and ranchers.

I know from driving around my state so often it is AM radio where we hear the local high school scores, the news about flooding, and the news about tornadoes on the way, she said. This idea that with all every fancy add-on to cars that we just decided to tune out the availability of AM radio in a state like mine is just a total outrage.

The House version of the bill also remains pending, with similar strong bipartisan support including 70 Republican cosponsors of the bill, with 68 Democrats also backing it. During a hearing on the bill in June, there was strong support for keeping AM radio in vehicles, although a few lawmakers expressed some concerns about putting a mandate on carmakers.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and African leaders discussed priorities for the Russia-Africa Partnership during a luncheon on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa Summit.

According to the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency Ahmed Fahmy, President El-Sisi's participation in the summit comes in his capacity as the current president of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) -- the development arm of the African Union (AU).

NEPAD mobilizes financial resources to support Africa's flagship projects under the 2063 African Development Agenda. The organization supports efforts for continental integration, including through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It also supports initiatives aimed at developing Africa's infrastructure and industrial transformation.

During the luncheon, President El-Sisi outlined Egypt's vision on the priorities for the Africa-Russia partnership, including enhancing peace and security and strengthening post-conflict reconstruction under the AU.

The Egyptian president also stressed Cairo's leading role in facilitating intra-continental discussions through the Aswan Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development and as the host of the African Union's Reconstruction and Development Centre.

As the chair of NEPAD in the next two years, Egypt is determined to promote programs that foster the linkage between peace, security, and development, El-Sisi noted.

The Egyptian president said Cairo was actively contributing to Africa's food security by providing solutions for issues -- such as food supply, fertilizers, and agriculture technology -- and securing the necessary financial support.

He added that Egypt remains steadfast in taking concrete and sincere steps to secure the necessary financing to support African countries in their efforts to address the challenges of climate change.

The second edition of the Russia-Africa summit kicked off on Thursday in St. Petersburg with the participation of 49 countries.

President El-Sisi met Russian President Putin on Wednesday evening to discuss means to strengthen relations between the two countries.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi offered condolences to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the death of his brother and Abu Dhabi Rulers Representative, Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a telephone call on Thursday.

President El-Sisi noted that Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed was a generous and dedicated leader who served his nation and was keen on promoting fraternal relations between Egypt and the UAE.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed his appreciation to President El-Sisi for his sincere fraternal feelings, praising the close relations between the two countries' leadership and people.

He also wished Egypt lasting security, stability, and prosperity.

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A chlorine gas leak at a sewage treatment plant in Qena governorate in Upper Egypt has killed one woman, and injured 83 other people.

All of the injured were given first aid at the scene and have since been transferred to hospitals to be placed on respiratory support. All the cases are reported as stable.

Qena Governor Major General Ashraf El-Dawoudy and other authorities inspected the scene of the incident, which took place in Workers City in central Qena.

The governor explained that gas leaked from one of the cylinders located at the mechanical workshop of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Company, just before it was to be refilled.

The maintenance team from the water company managed to contain the leak and moved the cylinder away from the city.

The governor stressed that comprehensive care would be provided for the victims until they are fully recovered.

He also announced that the Ministry of Social Solidarity would compensate those victims who had spent more than 24 hours in the hospital.

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Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Mostly sunny. High 77F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 55F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Hunter Biden enters the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, where he was expected to plead guilty. (Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)
Press Release

July 27, 2023 REVILLA CAUTIONS PUBLIC ON SIM-FOR-SALE MODUS AFTER the deadline for SIM registration, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. on Wednesday (July 26) cautioned the public against selling their registered SIM cards without complying with the law. The lawmaker said those buying already registered SIM cards are most likely to use the modules in scams and other crimes without being traced. According to reports, aside from buying already registered SIMs, online scammers are also offering innocent individuals money in exchange for the registration of SIM cards under their name using their identity. Revilla said this unnecessarily exposes them to potential risks and liability. "Hindi natin dapat ipinagbibili ang ating SIM cards dahil kapag ginamit sa krimen ang SIM na nakarehistro sa isang indibidwal ay tiyak na mahaharap sa kaso kung sino ang nakapangalan sa SIM. Hindi naman puwedeng ikatuwiran na naipagbili na ang SIM kaya wala na silang kinalaman," he said. It was reported that registered SIM cards are being sold as high as P500 each, which is almost 10 times the regular price. Moreover, the individuals that are being victimized are those who are clueless on the registration process, as it is those unscrupulous people that perform the registration on their behalf. "Tandaan natin na nakapaloob sa batas na kung ang rehistradong SIM card ay magamit sa krimen, parehong ang nagbenta at ang bumili ang mananagot sa batas. Kaya wag na wag nating ipagbibili ang ating mga registered SIM cards," Revilla reminded. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act, the sale of already registered SIM cards must comply with transfer and registration requirements prior to transfer. Failure to register existing SIM cards within prescribed period shall be deactivated automatically. The National Telecommunications Commission said that there will be no further extension and those that were not able to register before July 26, 2023 will be deactivated.
Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession (HLS CLP) announced on Wednesday the appointment of prominent Egyptian lawyer and arbitrator Karim A. Youssef to its Advisory Board, starting 1 August.



Youssef is considered the first Arab and international arbitration practitioner to join the HLS CLP Advisory Board.

The advisory board consists of leading lawyers in the profession and worldwide, including some of the worlds top chief executives, law firm managing partners, and general counsels.

I am extremely pleased to welcome Karim A. Youssef to the Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Professions Advisory Board, said David B. Wilkins, the HLS CLP faculty director.

Wilkins added that Karims unique perspectives founding and leading one of the top firms in Egypt and the Middle East, a region of the world that will be critical to global development in the middle decades of the 21st centurynot to mention his impressive academic background and his status as global arbitration and international law figure make him an outstanding addition to the vibrant discussions that the Advisory Board has with me, and with each other, about the best ways for lawyers and the profession to engage with the key challenges of the day.

For his part, Youssef said that he was profoundly honoured to join the advisory board of the HLS CLP.

The CLP stands at the forefront of the discourse on the future of the legal profession, and how legal practitioners should navigate the transformative currents sweeping across the business of law, he said.

Youssef also noted that the Harvard University institution has been recognized for its pioneering role in shaping the trajectory of law practice and legal education and for influencing thought leadership and policymaking in the US and globally.

The HLS CLP is a research organization dedicated to providing a richer understanding of the rapidly changing global legal profession.

To accomplish this goal, the CLP conducts unbiased, evidence-based research on the global legal profession.

It also implements new methods for teaching law students, legal academics, and practising lawyers and develops educational content for them.

Karim A. Youssef has law degrees from Yale Law School (where he earned LL.M and JSD degrees) and Paris and Cairo Universities.

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The northern Ethiopian region of Tigray says that more than 50,000 of its fighters have been demobilised under a peace deal it signed with the federal government that ended a bloody two-year war.

Related Ethiopian PM vows to dismantle all paramilitary forces in country

Media close to both sides had announced on May 26 that demobilisation had begun among rebel forces. The number of Tigrayan combatants is not fully known.

"Over 50,000 former fighters (have been) demobilised as part of the peace agreement," the region's official television station, Tigray TV, said late Wednesday.

It quoted the deputy head of the interim government, General Tadesse Worede, who was Tigrayan military chief during the conflict.

On July 19, the official Ethiopian news agency ENA reported that around 50,000 former Tigrayan rebel fighters would be incorporated into the regular army this year.

The war in Africa's second most populous country killed untold numbers of civilians and forced about two million from their homes before it ended with a surprise truce in November last year.

Fighting has ceased and forces from Eritrea, which entered Tigray in support of the federal government, have largely quit the region.

The Tigrayan forces began to surrender their heavy weapons in January, and their disarmament is continuing, even though forces from the neighbouring region of Amhara, which also backed the federal army, still control western parts of Tigray.

Under the peace agreement, there would be a parallel withdrawal of Eritrean and Amhara forces from Tigray.

Northern Ethiopia remains deeply scarred by the conflict.

On July 4, the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA said an estimated 8.8 million people were in need of food assistance, in addition to millions of others in the Ethiopia's drought-hit south and southeastern regions.

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AI can make business smart, but credibility check is must





Business Bureau

Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) have increased the limits of possibilities. Businesses are also making use of AI to a great extent for smart working. AI based products like the ChatGPT tool offer a variety of services like product promotion to presentation on a single click. While this may seem very easy, checking its reliability and credibility is a must, said AI expert Abhijit Khandagale.

Kandagale was speaking at a seminar on ChatGPT for Business organised by Vidarbha Management Association (VMA) at Chitnavis Centre. He said, You can get any information and analysis from the back of the world on a mobile application like ChatGPT. From industry, business challenges to future opportunities, solutions to problems, laws and tax related information to industry business trends in the world, you get ample choice on multiple topics.

From power point presentations, brand promotion, advertisement, visuals to audio, one can present everything in a smart way. It was feared that creativity would be threatened by AI. But there is not much truth in it, rather this technology can polish a persons creativity, he added.

Apart from this, AI has no language barriers. One can get information in any language in text, audio and video formats. A person can also find information on websites related to industry. But it also has a limitation. Not all information searched by AI technique is true. Therefore, checking reliability of the information before relying on this technique is a must, he reiterated. Rajendra Jindal and Harish Patrikar were in-charge of the session, while Mithilesh Jindal moderated the session. VMA is a Nagpur-based organisation which meets every Sunday at 10:30 am. It is dedicated to impart learnings related to management and leadership skills to its members.
Challenges before Army likely to be more complex in future: Army chief





DRASS (Ladakh),

ARMY Chief General Manoj Pande on Wednesday said the dangers and challenges before the Armed Forces are likely to get more complex in the future and India needs to be ready to face them. The Chief of Army Staff said the Armed Forces should prepare for the future keeping in mind the possible challenges. Dangers and challenges before us are likely to get complex in the future, we need to be ready, General Pande told reporters at the Kargil War Memorial here on the occasion of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

The Army chief noted that the country will never forget the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers in the 1999 Kargil war.

Operation Vijay was a difficult and high-intensity military operation. It was a difficult terrain that was under the possession of the enemy. It was a challenge that our soldiers accomplished...I also want to commend the Air warriors for their contribution in achieving the final objective, he said.
CM restructures State Board of Wildlife





Staff Reporter

Government of Maharashtra has finally restructured the 29-member State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) and released names of the new team, on Wednesday. After coming into power in 2022, the BJP-Sena Government dissolved the previous SBWL constituted by the then Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government. After a long wait, the BJP-Sena Government restructured the SBWL, a committee consisting of Government-led institutions, on Wednesday. The State Government had a proposal to constitute a full-fledged board to take wildlife-related decisions, since it came to power in 2022. Finally, considering the proposal, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reconstituted the committee which will have 29 new members with he himself as chief and Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar as deputy.

The State Board of Wildlife is responsible for taking key conservation-related and policy-making decisions for all 49 wildlife sanctuaries, including six tiger reserves, five national parks, and protected forests in Maharashtra. It also issues clearances to development projects, suggests wildlife mitigation measures, and acts as the recommending body for notification of new protected areas. The SBWL will be exercising powers in line with the Wildlife Act, 1972. On Wednesday evening, the Maharashtra government announced and issued a Government Resolution (GR) stating that the Chief Minister would be the President of the Board, with Forest Minister as Vice-President. MLA Sameer Meghe, MLA Ashish Jaiswal, Dhananjay Bapat, and Shrikant Tekade have been named as members of the SBWL from Nagpur. The new body has been restructured for a period of three years.
Dr Singh writes to State Govt addressing important issues





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice-President Dr Raman Singh has written three letters to the Chhattisgarh Government addressing important issues of regularisations and compassionate appointments. In the first letter, Dr Singh highlighted the matter of irregular employees, contract workers, and daily wage employees/officers working in various government departments, corporations, commissions, boards, and bodies in State. The State President, Ravi Garhpale, has requested the government to regularise these employees and officers and refrain from any retrenchment. Dr Singh emphasised the need to fulfill the promise of completely stopping outsourcing in government departments.

Moving on to the second letter, Dr Singh addressed the issue of compassionate appointment to the dependents and relatives of deceased teachers in the Panchayat/Urban body cadre. Madhuri Mrige, Provincial President of Anukampa Niyukti Shikshakarmi Kalyan Sangh Chhattisgarh, expressed concern about the dire situation of dependents/relatives of education workers who passed away while serving in plains and forest areas of the state. The Chhattisgarh Governments General Administration Department had ordered the formation of a committee to assess the eligibility of these relatives for compassionate appointment. However, the committee failed to submit the report within the stipulated one month period, leading to further delays in addressing the matter. In the third letter, Dr Raman Singh focused on the regularisation of Vidya Mita guest teachers.

He brought attention to the request made by Rakesh Sahu, State President of Vidyamitan State Guest Teachers Welfare Association Chhattisgarh, to fulfill the promise made in the public announcement letter of 2018 regarding the regularization of Vidya Mita guest teachers. According to the public announcement, the regularization process should take place without any undue delay. Dr Raman Singh, citing these letters, appealed to the Chhattisgarh Government to adopt a more humane approach and fulfill the legitimate demands put forth by the concerned parties. The issues raised in these letters hold significant importance for the affected employees and their dependents, and prompt action from the government is sought to address these long-pending matters.
In death Shubhangi gives new lease of life to four persons





Staff Reporter

Nagpurs young woman, who was declared brain dead, gave a new lease of life to four persons, including a serving 32-year-old defence officer, the recipient of her heart. In the recent past, there were rare examples where the committees related to organ donation could successfully retrieve and transplant heart. But in the case of Shubhangi Gannyarpawar (31), her two kidneys, liver, and heart were donated and transplanted successfully. Since logistics could not be possible within the time of retrieval, her lungs could not be donated to the needy.

The harvested heart of Shubhangi was sent from Nagpur to Pune, on Wednesday morning, to be transplanted to the recipient -- a serving defence officer admitted to the Army Institute of Cardio-Thoracic Sciences (AICTS), Pune. The vital organ was sent through a Green Corridor created by the civil administration before being transported to Pune, 700 km away, on an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 aircraft. It was to be transplanted into the recipient within 4 hours. A Green Corridor was created with to expedite transplant of the vital organs and saving lives. Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Chetana Tidke, the Green Corridor was created for heart transport from Wockhardt Hospital to Air Force Station at Sonegaon. Wockhardt Hospital staff created the honour corridor and paid tributes to the donor. For a Green Corridor, the Traffic Department collaborated to transport one of the vital organ of the donor in less than 60 to 70 per cent of the time that is usually taken to travel from one place to another.
India developing own 400 km class Long-Range, Surface-to-Air Missile air defence system





NEW DELHI,

IN WHAT could be a major boost for self-reliance in the defence sector, India is indigenously developing a three-layered long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) defence system which would be able to strike down enemy aircraft and missiles at around 400 Km ranges. The proposal for developing a three-layered long-range surface-to-air missile system is at an advanced stage in the Defence Ministry and is expected to be taken up for clearance soon, defence sources told ANI. The over USD 2.5 billion project will help India to be part of an elite group of militaries with indigenous capabilities to shoot down enemy assets in the air from such ranges, they said. The missile system will have three layers of surface-to-air missiles, which would allow it to hit targets at different ranges.

The surface-to-air missile system development work has been taking place as India worked with Israel to develop the medium-range surface-to-air missile system MRSAM which can hit aerial targets at 70 plus kms. The Indian system, sources said, would be very capable and would certainly be in the class of the S-400 air defence system already acquired from Russia and deployed along the China and Pakistan border. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made significant success in terms of developing air defence weapons for both ground-based and warship-based systems. After the LRSAM project was taken up by the DRDO, the Indian Navy changed the name of its indigenous LRSAM system to MRSAM.
President visits birthplace of Netaji in Odishas Cuttack





CUTTACK,

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday visited the birthplace of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Odishas Cuttack where she will attend various programmes during the day. Accompanied by Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, she travelled around 30 km by road to reach Cuttack from Raj Bhawan in the State capital Bhubaneswar.

Braving rains, people queued up on both sides of the road to have a glimpse of the President who hails from the state.

Tight security arrangements have been made in the city for the presidents day-long visit, police said. She started her Cuttack tour by paying obeisance at the famous Chandi temple here.

President Murmu then went to the residence of Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das and paid floral tribute to his statue. She visited the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Netaji Museum. Murmu is scheduled to attend the valedictory session of the 75th-year celebrations of the Orissa High Court in Cuttack and address the annual function of SCB Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday. She will also grace the convocation of National Law University, Odisha.
Remarkable Achievement





By Dr. Soma Marla

SUCCESSFUL launch of Chandrayan-3, the latest mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Moon, is a remarkable scientific endeavour. It took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikotain Andhra Pradesh State on the afternoon of July 14,2023. With the successful launch, India is bidding to become the fourth country to execute a controlled landing on the moon and first to touch down the unexplored, rugged southern pole surface of Moon. The journey will take over 40 days (one moon day is equal to four earthen days) and Chandrayan 3 is expected to land on moon in August. Chandrayaan-3 mission holds immense possibilities for Indias future space exploration missions. By showcasing its technological capabilities, ISRO, India, is ambitious to establish itself as a prominent player in the global space community. Chandrayaan-3 comprises of three essential components: the lander module Vikram, the propulsion module and a robot rover. The lander enables soft landing on the Moon, deploying the rover for collecting scientific information. The robot lander will walk on the southern (pole) surface of moon for 14 days and collect vital scientific data.

The rover has powerful instruments such as the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), which will analyse lunar soil and rocks for elemental composition, and the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) to examine the chemical makeup of the lunar surface. The lander is also equipped with Surface Thermo physical Experiment (ChaSTE), which will provide vital information on the Moons thermal conductivity and temperature. Also equipped are Instruments for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA), aims to detect Moonquakes. The Langmuir Probe will estimate the density and variation of plasma in the Moons environment, and the embedded sensors in the Laser Retro reflector will enable precise distance measurements using laser technology. The collected sophisticated data will be sent back to ISRO in India for further research investigations. Additionally, the equipment collects data about lunar atmosphere to help prospects for future manned missions and possible habitation in near future to enhance our understanding of the lunar surface.

Chandrayan was blasted off to the lunar orbit by LVM-3, the propulsion module capable to lift very heavy payload of 2,148 kg Chandrayan-3. The launch vehicle LMV-3 was supported by a powerful liquid fuel cryogenic engine, built indigenously by India. Launching of earlier two Moon missions Chandrayan-1 (2009) and Chandrayan-2 (2019) immensely helped to design and execute Chandrayan-3 voyage. Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, faced a crash during its soft landing attempt, resulting in a major setback for ISRO. However, this time scientific team of ISRO led by Sundarsan, Vetuvelu, Ritu Srivatsava and others used this setback as an opportunity for improving and designing better landing of Vikram lander on rugged southern moon surface. The lander Vikram named after the father of Indias space programme, the late Vikram Sarabhai, had successfully got separated from the orbiter in preparation for a landing on the Moon. Of course, the major goal of Chandrayaan-3 is to land safely on the lunar surface. It should be noted that the budget of Chandrayan-3 mission was nearly Rs 650 crores, much less than Rs 700 crores, spent on making the recent Bollywood religious film Adipurush.

With successful launch of Chandrayan-3 and better controlled landing on Moon, India will become a fourth nation after United states, former USSR (Russia), and China. United States is luring India to join its NASA-led space explorations in countering China and Russia. During PM Modis recent visit to USA, he agreed with President Biden to collaborate with NASA-led space explorations. It should be remembered that only two decades back USA had refused to provide cryogenic liquid fuel technologies, fearing Indias emergence as a global player in space research, where assert while USSR had extended all its technical support and guidance to Indian space programmes since inception of Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO) in 1969. Till now India has launched different satellites like INSAT series to support its telecommunications, mobile, Internet network Spectrum data, remote sensing for agriculture, fisheries, weather forecasting. India has also supported Agni missiles and other defence related applications. However, with successful launching of Mangalyan, Chandrayan and other missions in future to Mars and Venus, India is entering into basic space research. The successful launch of moon mission and execution of soft landing would mark a significant milestone in Indias space achievements and pave the way for future space missions. Achievements in space research and science should be directed to address daily needs of people and not for profit seeking space tourism and military advances. (IPA)
UGLY TREND





THE information released by the Home Department of Manipur that more than 700 persons, including 300 children, from Myanmar entered the State and the country illegally in just last one week, shows that the ugly trend of unauthorised foreign nationals entering India has been continuing unabated. Even as Manipur continues to burn and as the Governments at the State and the Central levels try to grapple with the issue, the illegal intrusion of foreign nationals into North-East is truly disturbing. It also indicates that the Government has not been able to tackle this problem over decades, let alone a few weeks and months. The problem of illegal entry of unauthorised people in larger numbers has been persisting for several, several decades. In spite of the fact that the Governments of the North-Eastern States have offered much lip service to tackling the issue, nothing concrete has emerged. The Governors of most States in North-East also have been submitting detailed reports of this illegal crossing over of countless thousands of people into India every year. Despite this so-called awareness at the political level, North-East is adding at least a mid-size town to its overall population annually.

If this is not a national failure, what other name should be given to this ominous trend? Factually speaking, it is common knowledge that such illegal migration into North-East India by foreign nationals has a clandestine political patronage. It has been found time and again that many political leaders and their parties operating in North-East have been the masterminds of this intrusion as part of their vote-bank politics. On many occasions, political parties are known to have vowed to stop this undesirable trend immediately -- only to forget their own assertion and assurance in no time. The fact that over 700 Myanmarese persons have crossed into Manipur in just one week, thus, reminds the nation that it has failed miserably in tackling the issue whose resolution is so critical to India overall security, strategic or otherwise. North-East is strategically a very important region of the Indian landscape, having been surrounded by several nations from all sides -- and connected with the country only through a narrow strip of land that is known as Chickens Neck (with a very high risk of strategic and geographical disconnect with the rest of the country in event of military conflict). When this consideration props itself up in the mind, any sane Indian shudders in horror of the unimaginably high-level threat and risk.

Despite this full awareness, the country has not been able to find an effective answer to the problem. The answer, actually, is simple -- there is a dangerous lack of political will to bring the issue to a logical and emergent culmination. In fact, the problem has persisted because of political patronage. This issue has been discussed in detail in scholarly accounts of experts of in official confabulations on strategic matters -- though, of course, to no avail so far. Official records in secret files would certainly reveal that because most illegal immigrants into North-East are Muslims, the Government in early years after Independence had decided to turn a blind eye to the illegal migration as part of their so-called secular agenda. Against such a background, then, can the nation really expect a credible solution to the issue in the next some time? In fact, this issue should have been tackled effectively at the Central level in the past 8-9 years. But that does not seem to have happened -- despite the presence of a very strong Central Government with a far better strategic awareness and plan for national security. On this count, the Government needs to do a lot of answering.
An overnight Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine's Odesa region on the Black Sea coast left at least one person dead, the regional governor said Thursday.

Oleg Kiper said Russian forces "fired Kalibr missiles from a submarine in the Black Sea".

"A civilian guard born in 1979 died as a result of the hit. Equipment of one of the cargo terminals was damaged, a small security building and two cars were destroyed," Kiper said on social media.

Attacks on the Odesa region have increased since Russia earlier this month pulled out of a landmark deal which had allowed the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, one person was killed following an overnight strike on the town of Kivsharivka in the eastern Kharkiv region, governor Oleg Synegubov said.

"A hit was recorded next to a five-storey residential building. The house was damaged, a wall collapsed in one of the apartments," Synegubov said, adding that a nearby nine-storey building was also damaged.

He said a 74-year-old woman died and four others were injured.

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Israeli military fire killed a 14-year-old Palestinian in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said Thursday, as an extremist Israeli Cabinet minister broke into the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

"The occupation forces had stormed the Naqar neighbourhood in the west of Qalqilya, which led to clashes," the Palestinian official Wafa news agency reported.

"They fired live and rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas at residents and their homes."

The Palestinian health ministry identified the dead teenager as Fares Abu Samrah, 14, and said he died of bullet wounds to the head.

On Wednesday, a Palestinian was killed in the main northern West Bank city of Nablus during what the army also described as "counter-terrorism activity".

On Tuesday, Israeli troops killed three Palestinian militants in an exchange of fire in Nablus.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967.

Since early last year, the territory has seen violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities as well as a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets.

So far this year, violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has killed at least 203 Palestinians, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on both sides.

Extremist Israeli Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the compounds of al-Aqsa mosque on Thursday, drawing condemnation from Palestinians who view such visits as provocative. The site is revered by Jews and Muslims, and the competing claims lie at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ben-Gvir was joining what will likely be hundreds of Jews visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to mark the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, a key event in Jewish history.

This is the most important place for the people of Israel which we must return to and show our rule, Ben-Gvir said in a video released by his office, with the golden Dome of the Rock in the background.

Ben-Gvir, a former West Bank settler leader and far-right activist who years ago was convicted of incitement and supporting a Jewish terror group, now serves as Israels national security minister, overseeing the countrys police force.

Thursday was Ben-Gvir's third known visit to the holy site since becoming a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government.

Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are permitted to visit the site, but not to pray there. But in recent years, a growing number of Jewish visitors have begun to quietly pray, raising fears among Palestinians that Israel is plotting to divide or take over the site. Ben-Gvir has long called for increased Jewish access.

Netanyahu's government, consisting of ultranationalists and West Bank settlement supporters like Ben-Gvir, has intensified steps to solidify Israel's hold on territories that Palestinians seek for a future state, angering Israel's top ally, the United States, and dimming hopes for Palestinian statehood.

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Explosives planted in a taxi detonated in a Damascus suburb near a Shia Muslim shrine Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding dozens a day before the solemn holy day of Ashura, state media reported, citing the interior ministry.

State-run Al-Ikhbariya TV and the state news agency said Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabash also reported that 26 people wounded in the blast in the Sayida Zeinab neighborhood were being treated at several hospitals. Twenty others were treated on site or discharged, he said.

The Britain-based opposition war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that a woman was among those who died and that her three children were wounded.

The Observatory said the explosion occurred close to positions of Iranian militias, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad alongside Russia in Syria's civil conflict now in its 13th year.

Photos shared by Al-Ikhbariya and pro-government media show a charred taxi surrounded by large crowds of people and men in military fatigues. Green, red and black Ashura flags and banners hung from buildings in the area.

In a video shared on social media, people carried two men covered in blood and dust off the ground while calling for help. The glass facades of shops nearby had shattered, while one was on fire.

The neighborhood is named after the shrine for Sayida Zeinab, the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Protecting the shrine became a rallying cry for Shia fighters backing Assad in the early years of the conflict as it turned from an anti-government uprising into a sectarian civil war.

Ashura is the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, which is one of the holiest months for Shia Muslims. It marks the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammads grandson, Imam Hussein, and his 72 companions in the battle of Karbala in the 7th century in present-day Iraq. Ashura marks the peak of the mourning procession.

The explosion was the second in the Sayida Zeinab neighborhood in the days leading to Ashura. On Tuesday, Syrian state media citing a police official said that two civilians were wounded when a motorcycle laced with explosives was detonated.

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President Vladimir Putin expressed Russia's interest in fostering relations with Africa, saying in his opening speech at the Russia-Africa Summit that the continent is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.

Comoros President Gazali Othmani, also chairperson of the African Union, stated that Africa aims to build fair partnerships with all countries in the international system, especially in the economic field.

The second Russia-Africa Summit kicked off on Thursday in St Petersburg with the participation of 49 African countries and the presence of presidents Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Vladimir Putin.

The summit agenda includes discussions on the conflict in Ukraine, ensuring food security for Africa, and promoting economic and trade cooperation.

Putin emphasized Africa's potential, highlighting the possibility of significantly increasing trade with African countries.

Moreover, Russia expressed its commitment to providing continuous supplies of products to Africa, including wheat.



Othmani stressed that the summit offers an opportunity for African countries and organizations to strengthen future cooperation with Russia. He recognized Russia's strong presence in Africa through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and emphasized Africa's aspiration to build equitable partnerships with all countries in the international system, especially in the economic field.



During a meeting before the summit's opening session, Putin expressed support for granting full membership to the African Union in the G20. He mentioned the growth in trade relations with African countries, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and sanctions.

Russia was among the first countries to support Africa's membership in the G20, and Moscow expects this decision to be made in September during the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Putin also stated that Russia supports the African Union's participation in the work of leading international associations. He recognized the African Union as a leading regional organization that plays a crucial role in creating a modern security structure on the continent and helps secure Africa's rightful place in the global economic relations system.

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The state-owned National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and Banque Misr announced issuing new three-year US-dollar certificates of deposits (CDs) with seven percent and nine percent yields to be paid quarterly or annually in US dollars or Egyptian pounds.

The banks also offered a special package of loans and pensions to Egyptians working abroad.

Here is all that you need to know about the new certificates:

What are the new USD-denominated CDs?

The new CDs are Al Ahly Plus and Al Ahly Fawran from the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), and Al Qimma and Elite from Banque Misr.

What are the minimum purchase amounts for the new certificates?

$1,000 and its increments.

What are the yields of the new CDs and how they will be disbursed?

Al-Ahly Plus (NBE) and Elite (Banque Misr): Seven percent yield to be disbursed every three months in USD.

Al-Ahly Fawran (NBE) and Al Qimma (Banque Misr): Nine percent annual yield to be disbursed in advance in EGP (equal to 27 percent of each certificate's total value).

What do the new CDs provide for Egyptian expats?

NBE's new certificates offer multiple facilities for Egyptians working abroad, including loans, CD purchasing facilities, and pensions.

Egyptians abroad who do not have a foreign currency bank account can buy Al Ahly Plus and Al Ahly Fawran CDs through bank transfers. NBE will then open foreign currency subaccounts for them.

When will the new certificates be available?

As of Wednesday, 26 July 2023.

How can Egyptians buy the new certificates in Egypt?

Clients in Egypt can buy the certificates through the websites of NBE and Banque Misr, mobile applications, online branches in and outside Egypt, and ATMs. CDs will be available on online banking services including BM Online, Al Ahly Net, and Al Ahly Mobile.

NBE specified that clients in Egypt can only buy the new CDs online if they have bank cards issued from abroad.

What do I do if I want to buy a certificate but I am not a client of either bank?

Non-clients can buy the NBE's CDs through transfers to bank accounts that will be announced on the bank's website.

Banque Misr has not announced procedures for non-clients.

Will I redeem the certificates at the time of their maturity in USD or EGP?

All the certificates will be paid in USD at the date of their maturity.

Can I apply for loans against the certificates?

Only holders of Al Ahly Plus and Elite certificates can apply for loans. They can apply for loans up to 50 percent of the value of their certificates for investment purposes at a maximum value of EGP 10 million ($323,124) and at an interest rate of 2.25 below the main interest rate of the Central Bank of Egypt.

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Egypt has sold $2 billion worth of land between 1 January and 30 June 2023, announced Minister of Housing Assem El-Gazzar on Thursday after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The land was sold to investors in the cities of the 10th of Ramadan, New Obour, the 6th of October, and New Cairo, explained El-Gazzar.

These sales came as part of the government's efforts to secure hard currency to close an estimated $17 billion financing gap through 2026.

Earlier in July, the Cabinet issued a decree allowing foreigners to buy real estate properties without restrictions but requiring them to pay in hard currency.

In May, the New Urban Communities Authority authorized a range of benefits and incentives for investment projects in new cities, particularly with regard to land utilization.

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The Nigeria Police Force has expressed dismay at popular skit maker, Abdulgafar Abiola, better known as "Cute Abiola for using its uniform in derogatory video skits.

The Force, who strongly condemned the two recent skits posted by the comedian on 20th and 24th July, 2023, described the action as contemptuous act and a highly disrespectful and derogatory portrayal of the police uniform.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, vowed that Cute Abiola would be investigated and possibly prosecuted for his deliberate acts

The statement read, In as much as the law grants Nigerians the right to enjoy their fundamental human rights, the same law prohibits an individual, under whatever guise, from rubbishing the police institution or grossly violating its provisions with regards to the use of uniforms.

We, therefore, vehemently condemn the contemptuous act displayed by comedian Abdulgafar Abiola, popularly known as "Cute Abiola," in two recent skits posted on his social media handles on 20th and 24th July, 2023. The skits in question show a highly disrespectful and derogatory portrayal of the police uniform, an action that is in direct violation of Section 251 of the Criminal Code and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law. Such acts are not only offensive but also undermine the integrity and dignity of the men and women who wear the uniform in service to the nation.

Abdulgafar Abiola will be investigated and possibly prosecuted for his deliberate acts as the NPF had already warned skit makers and filmmakers to desist from desecrating its uniform or accoutrements. The Force is committed to upholding the sanctity of the uniform and will pursue due legal process to ensure accountability for any individual or entity that seeks to bring disrepute to the uniform or the institution it represents. We call on all members of the public, including media personalities, to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and avoid engaging in actions that could erode public trust in our revered law enforcement institutions.
Cambodian PM Hun Sen to step down

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the worlds longest-serving leaders, said yesterday (July 26) he will resign and hand power to his eldest son after almost four decades of hardline rule.

politics

By AFP

Thursday 27 July 2023 12:30 PM

Hun Sen is stepping down as Cambodias prime minister after four decades in the role. Photo: AFP

The former Khmer Rouge cadre has run the kingdom since 1985, eliminating all opposition to his power, with rival parties banned, challengers forced to flee and freedom of expression stifled.

His Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) won a landslide victory in an election on Sunday with no meaningful opposition, taking 82% of the vote, paving the way for a dynastic succession to his eldest son that some critics have compared to North Korea.

I would like to ask for understanding from the people as I announce that I will not continue as prime minister, the 70-year-old said in a special broadcast on state television.

Election authorities disqualified the only serious challenger, the Candlelight Party, on a technicality in advance of the election, and the CPP is expected to win all but five lower house seats.

The government hailed the 84.6 % voter turnout as evidence of the countrys democratic maturity but Western powers, including the United States and the European Union, condemned the poll as neither free nor fair.

The UNs human rights chief Volker Turk added his criticism yesterday, saying opposition parties and media had faced restrictions and reprisals aimed at hindering free elections.

Hun Sen said Hun Manet, a 45-year-old four-star general, would take over as prime minister at the head of a new government on the evening of Aug 22.

I ask people to support Hun Manet who will be the new prime minister, he said, adding that he was stepping down now to ensure a smooth handover of power.

Sam Rainsy, an opposition figurehead who lives in exile to avoid charges he says are politically motivated, condemned the handover.

It is Hun Sens game... which is the murder of democracy in Cambodia, he said in a Facebook video.

We must absolutely oppose it.

Control security

Hun Sen has trailed the handover to his son for a year and a half, and the 45-year-old played a leading role in campaigning for Sundays vote.

But the outgoing leader has made it clear that he still intends to wield influence, even after he steps down, scotching the notion the country could change direction.

While insisting he would not interfere with his sons rule, Hun Sen said he would help him to control security, order and take part in the further development of the country.

After stepping down as PM, he will become president of the senate and act as head of state when the king is overseas, he said.

Sebastian Strangio, author of Hun Sens Cambodia, told AFP the father will undoubtedly exercise a huge influence over the direction of his sons administration.

Lacking his fathers power and authority, Manet will have limited freedom of manoeuvre, and his actions as leader will most likely be dictated by the requirements of the political system, rather than the other way around, he said.

The need to placate wealthy and powerful CPP members will also tie his hands, the analyst added.

Chinese influence

Under Hun Sen, Cambodia has tacked close to Beijing, benefiting from huge Chinese investment and infrastructure projects, including the redevelopment of a naval base that has alarmed Washington.

China welcomed Sundays election, with President Xi Jinping sending Hun Sen a personal message of congratulations.

But the flood of Chinese money has brought problems, including a rash of casinos and online scam operations staffed by foreign workers, many trafficked and toiling in appalling conditions.

Critics say his rule has also been marked by environmental destruction and entrenched graft.

Cambodia ranks 150th out of 180 in Transparency Internationals corruption perception index. In Asia, only Myanmar and North Korea rank lower.

Rights groups accuse Hun Sen of using the legal system to crush any opposition to his rule - including critical activists and troublesome union leaders as well as politicians.

Scores of opposition politicians have been convicted and jailed during his time in power and the law was changed ahead of Sundays election to make it illegal to call for voters to spoil ballots.

Five days before polling day, authorities banned Sam Rainsy from running for office for 25 years for urging people to void their ballot papers.

Opposition leader Kem Sokha was convicted of treason in March and sentenced to 27 years in prison over an alleged plot to topple Hun Sens government. He is currently serving his sentence under house arrest.
The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) indices fluctuated over the week that ended on 27 July. The EGX30 benchmark index declined by 1.36 percent to end at 17,339 points.

The EGX70 index rose by 0.46 percent to close at 3,516.5 points, while the EGX100 slipped 0.29 percent to end at 5,171.05 points.

"The EGX indices achieved varied performance throughout the week. Trading movements were weak and there were shortages in liquidity due to the capital hikes [in different companies]," Trader Manager at Universal Brokerage Mohamed Atta told Ahram Online

"The market still has promising investment opportunities as most companies achieve positive financial results," Atta noted.

Over the week, the market cap edged lower by 0.12 percent to reach EGP 1.179 trillion.

Total tradings hit a value of around EGP 8.6 billion, generated through 246,000 transactions on 2.9 billion shares.

Egyptians accounted for 85.1 percent of all the transactions during the week, while non-Arab foreigners and Arabs made up 7.8 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively.

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Collapsed plate caused Don Mueang walkway accident

BANGKOK: Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) has concluded that a collapsed plate on a moving walkway caused a woman to fall and her leg to be severed at Don Mueang airport last month.

accidentsSafety

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 27 July 2023 11:30 AM

Airports of Thailand medics help an injured woman after her left leg became caught in a moving walkway at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok on the morning of June 29. Photo: Don Mueang International Airport-DMK / Facebook

AOT president Kerati Kijmanawat said yesterday (July 26) that an investigation found that the moving walkway between Gates 4 and 5 of the second domestic terminal had a problem when one of its metal plates became detached from its frame, creating an opening.

Consequently a traveller fell into the mechanism and was seriously injured, said Mr Kerati, referring to the incident that happened at 8.21am on June 29. The victim was a 57-year-old woman who was about to board a flight to the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, reports the Bangkok Post.

The woman had to endure an emergency amputation of her left leg above the knee by medical personnel at the scene before being rushed to the nearby Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital where her condition was stabilised.

She was later taken to Bumrungrad Hospital for further surgery and treatment. Her family later said they would file a complaint with police against the airport operator.

All 20 moving walkways at Don Mueang were suspended from service pending inspections and necessary upgrades.

The investigation into the accident was carried out by a committee including representatives from AOT, the Ministry of Transport, the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Council of Engineers and an independent academic.

Mr Kerati apologised for the incident and promised AOT would cover the womans treatment costs and give her the best compensation.

He said that AOT would hire a third party to check all parts of all moving walkways at Don Mueang airport and also evaluate the maintenance standards of airport staff. It also intends to install sensors to detect any defects in plates on moving walkways.

Twenty moving walkways at Don Mueang airport were installed by Hitachi Co of Japan in 1996 and its certified local dealer, Siam Hitachi, has maintained them regularly ever since, airport management said earlier.

In a related development, the AOT board yesterday approved the transfer of Don Mueang general manager Karant Thanakuljeerapat to AOT as an adviser, effective from Oct 1. He will be succeeded by Vijit Kaewsaitiam, the current director of Chiang Mai airport.
Egyptian girl dies at Phang Nga waterfall

PHUKET: A 6-year-old Egyptian girl travellling with her parents was found dead at the Song Phraek Waterfall in Phang Nga yesterday (July 26) after she slipped and fell into the fast-moving water.

tourismSafetydeath

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Thursday 27 July 2023 09:32 AM

Officers at Mueang Phang Nga Police were informed of the incident by Kaman (subdistrict chief) of Song Phraek at around 1:20pm.

The girl had fallen into the water at Ton Song Phraek Waterfall, in Moo 3, Song Phraek, at about 12:40pm.

A search was launched immediately with locals residents and officers joining the efforts. The girls body was found trapped under a rock about 100 metres away about an hour later.

Police and other officials arrived to begin their own investigations into the girls death.

The girls body was taken to Phang Nga Hospital as official continue their investigation into the incident.
Phuket prepares to honour His Majesty the Kings birthday

PHUKET: Several temples across the island underwent a series of extensive cleaning campaigns today (July 27) as Phuket prepares to honour His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorns 71st birthday tomorrow.

culturereligionwildlifemarineenvironment

By The Phuket News

Thursday 27 July 2023 04:30 PM

The Big Cleaning Day campaign saw Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew join proceedings at Wat Kathu earlier today, where the temple and surrounding grounds were thoroughly cleaned by volunteers. After the clean-up had concluded there was a merit giving ceremony conducted by monks from the temple.

Joining Governor Narong for the ceremony were Somsong Prasansom, Deputy Mayor of Kathu City, and Kittisak Boonerb, President of Kathu City Council, in addition Kathu City Council members and municipality employees, government officials, supporting network partners from the public and private sectors, students from local schools and local residents.

A key part of the ceremony saw Governor Narong open a flower basket cone, offer incense and light candles in front of a portrait of His Majesty the King, as a means of paying homage.

Participants then sang together in praise of His Majesty the King.

A similar campaign was carried out at Wat Koh Siray in Ratsada where Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan presided over the ceremony.

Joining Vice Governor Amnuay were: Phairoj Srilamul, Phuket City Chief; Pol. Col. Pratuang Pholmana, Superintendent of Phuket City Police Station; Pawat Supasuwan, Deputy Mayor of Ratsada subdistrict, in addition to volunteers from the general public and local school children.

Vice Governor Amnuay praised His Majesty The Kings Royal Volunteer Project which encourages people to Do good deeds with our hearts without expecting anything in return in order to unite, harmonise and respect the countrys four key institutions, namely the nation, religion, the monarchy and the people.

Todays clean-up follows a series of events conducted on the island earlier this week ahead of His Majesty the Kings birthday tomorrow, including in Ratsada and Wichit which saw a tree-planting campaign and a release of aquatic animals which officials sais would help local marine life to recover from depleted fish stocks.
Pita petition decision on Aug 3

BANGKOK: The Constitutional Court will consider next Thursday (Aug 3) whether it will accept for deliberation a petition regarding the renomination of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, a source said.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 27 July 2023 09:33 AM

Pita: Renomination to be weighed up. Photo: Bangkok Post

The Ombudsman early this week asked the court to rule on Mr Pitas renomination rejection and to order parliament to postpone the next prime ministerial vote.

According to the Ombudsman, several complaints from both the public and members of parliament were lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman after the joint sitting of MPs and senators rejected Mr Pitas renomination last week, reports the Bangkok Post.

They claimed the rejection contravened the charter, and the Ombudsman decided to seek a judicial review and ask the court to postpone the prime ministerial vote to prevent any damage that would be difficult to fix.

However, another vote originally scheduled to take place today was postponed by parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha pending the courts ruling.

Mr Wan said yesterday his decision to postpone the vote had nothing to do with Pheu Thais attempt to secure support in parliament for one of its three prime ministerial candidates.

He said selecting the prime minister should wait because the Ombudsman was seeking the judicial review, and he would call a new joint session if the Constitutional Court rejected the petition for deliberation.

It is speculated the court may decide whether to pass a ruling on the petition on Aug 9. If the court throws out the petition, I can schedule a meeting [to elect a prime minister] immediately, Mr Wan said.

But parliament must be informed three days in advance, he said.

Mr Wan voiced disagreement with some MFP MPs who planned to ask parliament to review its resolution on Mr Pitas renomination, saying the issue should wait for the courts decision.

Democrat Party list-MP Chuan Leekpai said yesterday the prime ministerial selection is likely to be completed well before the five-year term of the military-appointed senators expires.

He was responding to a question about a call from some minor parties in the MFP-led alliance that it should wait for the Senates term to end next May, so the prime ministerial candidate could be elected by the House of Representatives alone.
"Times Like These," from the album 'One By One,' has become one of the band's most enduring anthems, and was re-recorded after the band took a break from each other due to various issues. Grohl says the song was written at a time when we didn't know if the band was going to stay together... It's about the hope that things will get better."
Statistics Korea attributes the latest decline to a drop in apartment sales. In May and June, only 113,504 apartments were bought and sold in Korea, down 39 percent from a year ago and just half the volume seen two years ago.

The figure has been declining since January 2021 as housing prices spiraled out of control.

According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday, only 460,000 Koreans moved house in July, down 18.3 percent from a year ago and the lowest number since January 1976.

The aging population is another reason. A Statistics Korea official said, "The population of over-60s, who tend to avoid moving around, has grown, while the population in their 20s and 30s, who move around a lot due to jobs or schools, is dwindling."

Korea is aging fast due to the persistently low birthrate. The total fertility rate or average number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime fell to 0.75 child in the second quarter this year. Last year, the rate was 0.81 child.

Korea is the only OECD member country with a fertility rate below one child. Koreans increasingly choose to marry later in life and are reluctant to have children.

Last year, a record 35 percent of all expecting mothers in Korea were over 35, almost doubling the proportion of a decade ago (18 percent).

Including 44.3 percent aged between 30 and 34, women over 30 now account for a whopping 80 percent of all expecting mothers.
As the nation observes the solemn occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Fort William to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who valiantly fought and sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War. The ceremony, organized with utmost reverence, was attended by dignitaries, military personnel, veterans, and citizens who gathered to honour the indomitable spirit of our armed forces. Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated every year on 26 July to remember the triumph of the Indian Armed Forces over the infiltrating Pakistani troops during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The conflict, which took place in the treacherous terrain of Kargil, showcased the extraordinary bravery, commitment, and sense of patriotism of our soldiers in defending the integrity of the nation. During the ceremony, wreaths were laid at Vijay Smarak, Fort William by Lt Gen RP Kalita, and other senior officials as a mark of respect and remembrance.

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Known for her stunning beauty and stellar performances in the film industry, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu is currently savouring a blissful vacation in the picturesque island of Bali, and has been delighting her fans with breathtaking photos and exciting updates from her tropical escapade. She also takes a much-needed ice bath in Bali.

Amidst her exotic Bali adventure, Samantha on Wednesday shared a captivating picture that has left her fans in awe.

Taking to the Stories section of her Instagram, the actress shared a video in which she can be seen fearlessly plunging into an ice bath, defying the sweltering summer temperatures, as she immerses herself in icy waters with a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.

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She captioned it as, #icebaths 4 degrees 6 minutes.

Earlier, in the day she shared a picture of herself working out with her friend. Samantha also dropped some beautiful glimpses from Uluwatu, where she is seen admiring the beauty of the place, while looking towards the vast sea. She is donning a green sleeveless dress with a big hat.

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 Indian counterpart of Citadel alongside Varun Dhawan.
After releasing the thrilling trailer, the makers of Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel starrer on Thursday treated fans with a new intense poster.

Taking to Instagram, trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the updates and captioned it, SUNNY DEOL  UTKARSH SHARMA: GADAR 2 NEW POSTER ARRIVESHamara #Hindustan zindabad thha, Zindabad hain aur Zindabad rahega #Gadar2 #NewPoster featuring #SunnyDeol and #UtkarshSharma The poster featured Sunny Deol and Utkarsh Sharma with a fighter tank between them.

The on-screen father-son duo can be seen preparing for the battle.

On Wednesday, the makers of Gadar 2 launched the trailer of the much-awaited action drama film.

Recently, Sunny Deol shared the trailer on Instagram and captioned it, Apne parivaar aur desh ke liye, ek baar phir se Gadar machayega Tara Singh! On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, presenting you all with #Gadar2Trailer. Trailer is out now! (Link in bio) #Gadar2 aa rahi hai bade parde par lagane iss Independence Day! Cinemas mein 11th August se.

With amazing performances and powerful dialogues, and the iconic hand pump, the three-minute-long trailer showcases Tara Singh and Sakeenas legacy, set amidst the tumultuous Crush India Movement of 1971 and Tara Singh going all the way to Pakistan to save his kid, Charan Jeet Singh (played by Utkrash Sharma) from the Pakistani Army.

At the trailer launch of the movie on Wednesday in Mumbai, Sunny and Ameesha received a grand welcome. The duo arrived at the event dressed as their characters Tara Singh and Sakeena.

Sunny wore a saffron kurta paired with white pyjamas, a black blazer and a beige turban, Ameesha was seen wearing a red sharara outfit.

Several pictures and videos from the event went viral on social media in which the co-stars could be seen posing in front of a truck.

Along with them, actor Utkarsh Sharma, director Anil Sharma and the other team members of Gadar 2 were also present at the trailer launch.

Helmed by Anil Sharma, the film stars Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma in the lead roles. Before releasing the official teaser online, the makers of the film attached the teaser with Gadar: Ek Prem Katha which was re-released in the theatres on June 9.

Director Anil Sharma said,  We are excited about bringing back a story that epitomizes patriotism, intense action, a heartwarming father-son bond, and a love story that transcends all boundaries.

Veteran actor Nana Patekar has lent his voice to the movie.

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The Kerala Police have arrested five workers of the Youth League, youth-wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), for allegedly raising provocative slogans during a march at Kanhangad in Keralas Kasargod district

The accused are identified as Abdul Salam, Sherif, Ashir, PH Ayub, P Mohammed Kunji. They were arrested based on the video footage of them raising provocative slogans. Hosdurg Police booked the accused under various sections of IPC, including 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups).

Non-bailable charges were slapped against 307 identifiable persons. They include Muslim Youth League National Secretary Firoz Babu who participated in the march.

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Over 300 members of the Youth League were booked by the police on Wednesday who took part in the protest rally organised against the Manipur violence. The slogan raised on the occasion was: We will hang you at temple corridors and burn you alive.

The cases were filed against the accused based on a complaint made by BJP Kanhangad mandalam president. Following the incident, the Youth League State General Secretary P K Firoz, announced that the worker who raised the provocative slogan had been expelled from the organization. He said Abdul Salam from Kanhangad Municipality was removed from the outfit for acting against its ideology.

Visuals of sloganeering went viral on social media. Several people shared the video with a demand for action against the accused.

The BJP alleged that the slogans were raised with support from the CPI-M-led LDF government and alleged that the state was becoming a hub for radicalization under the Left government.
The Allahabad High Court, after intensive hearing for two days, has reserved its judgement till August 3 while extending the stay on the ASI survey of Gyanvapi premises excluding the Wajukhana till the verdict.

Hearing on the petition filed by the Muslim side on Wednesday continued on Thursday in the bench of Chief justice Pritinkar Diwakar.

The court, after completing the hearing, fixed August 3 for the verdict. The Chief Justice bench also extended the stay on the survey of the Gyanvapi campus till August 3.

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Earlier, the Supreme Court had asked the Muslim side to approach the high court on their objections to the Varanasi district judge order of scientific survey by the ASI.

On Thursday, counsel for the Muslim side initiated the argument. ASIs Additional Director Alok Tripathi also appeared in the court. The counsel for the Muslim side filed a reply to the ASIs affidavit.

Additional Director Alok Tripathi informed that the ASI will do GPR survey only and will not dig. The building will not even be scratched in the survey, he said.

Uttar Pradeshs Advocate General Ajay Kumar Mishra said it is the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order in the state. If the survey starts immediately then they will need additional security forces.

The Muslim side said that it is absolutely necessary to decide the point of maintainability of such civil suits. Without fixing the legal point of maintainability, the survey is wrong. They said that the issue of maintainability is pending with the Supreme Court. On this, the Hindu side said that the matter should be resolved soon.

Similarly on Wednesday, during the hearing, the advocates from both the Hindu and Muslim sides recorded their arguments formally. Scientists from the ASI also appeared before the high court for the same.
Anju, the Rajasthan woman who hit headlines after she went to Pakistan to meet a friend, has refuted allegations that she has got married to her friend Nasrullah and converted to Islam. Reportedly, Anju went to meet her Facebook friend Nasrullah. Contrary to earlier reports, it has not emerged that Anju travelled to Pakistan solely for vacation purposes and will be returning to India by August 20 this year.

Anju clarified the situation in a video appearance alongside her friend Nasrullah, asserting that the rumours surrounding her marriage were completely false. She expressed her bewilderment at the speculations and said, I am here in Pakistan just like other people who come to visit the country. I dont know why people are talking like this, that I am here to get married and all. I am here for sightseeing, and I have enjoyed my stay here.

The 35-year-old from Kailor, Uttar Pradesh, further emphasized her safety in Pakistan, confirming that her visit was legal and well-planned. Anju requested the Indian media to communicate directly with her for accurate details about her trip and also urged them to refrain from causing distress to her family in Rajasthan.

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Anjus husband, Arvind from Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, revealed that she had initially gone to Jaipur to meet her sister, and later informed him about her decision to visit Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Anjus father, Gaya Prasad Thomas, expressed his disappointment in her actions, claiming that she had abandoned her two children and husband. He stated, If she wanted to do this, she should have divorced her husband at first. She is no more for us, reflecting his disapproval of her behaviour.

It was reported earlier that Anju travelled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend Nasrullah, with whom she had developed a close bond over the past four years. Despite the claims of Pakistani authorities, Anju maintained that her affection for Nasrullah did not entail marriage plans.

Unlike Seema Haider, who illegally entered India to meet her lover, Anju travelled to Pakistan with valid documents and a 30-day visa. During her visit, she complied with the legal requirement of presenting her travel documents at the police station in Upper Dir Bala, with the 29-year-old Nasrullah accompanying her for support. He was also quoted stating that they had mutually decided to marry in the near future, Though Anju in the latest video, clarified that she has no such plans for marriage and looks forward to returning to her home country, India.

As the situation continues to unfold, Anjus case has garnered attention on social media, with a viral video capturing the duo enjoying their time together in scenic locations. However, Anjus primary focus remains on setting the record straight and returning to India as scheduled. Do let me know for any corrections required.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday accused the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) of removing his pre-schedule three-minute address from Prime Minister Narendra Modis event held at Sikar this forenoon.

However, Responding to the allegation, the PMO blamed the CMs office for the goof-up, saying they were told that he wont be able to attend.

In a tweet, Gehlot said, Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today you are visiting Rajasthan. Your office PMO has removed my pre-scheduled 3-minute address from the program, so I will not be able to welcome you through speech, so I heartily welcome you to Rajasthan through this tweet.

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Reminding the prime minister about the state governments stake on the projects he inaugurated, the chief minister tweeted, The inauguration and foundation laying of 12 medical colleges taking place today is the result of the partnership between the Government of Rajasthan and the Centre. The project cost of these medical colleges is Rs 3,689 crore, of which Rs 2,213 crore is the share of the Center and Rs 1,476 crore of the state government. I also congratulate everyone on behalf of the state government.

Gehlot further wrote on his Twitter account, Through this tweet, I am putting forward the demands I have made through my speech in this program. I hope that during this 7th Yatra being done in 6 months, you will complete these- 1 To withdraw Agniveer Scheme for Shekhawati youths. 2. Direct Nationalised Bank to start one time settlement for farmers loan waive. 3. Allow caste based census. 4. Give central financial assistance to three new districts uner NMC. 5. ERCP should be declared as a National Project.

In its reply, the PMO India twitter handler: As per protocol you were duly invited and your speech was also kept. But your office told that you will not be able to attend. Prime Minister @narendramodi You have always been invited and graced your presence during your previous visits to the PM. You are also very welcome in todays programme. Your name is also prominently mentioned on the plaque related to the development works. If there is no physical problem due to your recent injury, then you must participate in the program and add grace to it.

After this, Gehlot joined the Sikar event virtually but did not say a word. While the Prime Minister ended by wishing good health to Gehlot, who is ailing for some time and could not come to the event.

Later, Gehlot told a press conference at his residence he did not like the PMO given response and dropped his pre-schedule address in utter confusion or miscommunication.
The third meeting of the opposition parties of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will be held in Mumbai on August 25 and 26, sources said on Thursday.

According to sources, the meeting will be held for two days in Mumbai which will be attended by all the 26 parties of INDIA bloc.

The second meeting of the opposition meeting took place in Karnatakas Bengaluru on July 17 and 18.

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The name INDIA was decided during its second meeting which was attended by 26 opposition parties.

The venue, Mumbai, for the third meeting was also decided during the same meeting in Bengaluru, which was also attended by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The 26 opposition parties led by Congress have been trying to forge alliance ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections to take on the BJP.

The first meeting was held in Bihars Patna on June 23.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that the Indian government through its evacuation operation in Sudan and Ukraine has proved that India will never leave its people behind during a crises.

While speaking about the latest developments in Indias Foreign Policy in Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar spoke about Operation Kaveri which was launched to evacuate Indian nationals from Sudan. He said that 4075 Indian nationals were safely evacuated from Sudan when armed clashes broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He was giving a suo moto statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on Indias foreign policy in the past few months and said, On 15 April 2023, an armed conflict broke out between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In order to protect and evacuate the Indian citizens from Sudan, Operation Kaveri was launched on 24 April, 2023. Indian nationals were brought to Port Sudan from different conflict zones and then ferried to Jeddah, using Indian Air Force aircraft and Indian Naval ships.

During Operation Kaveri, like Operation Ganga, we not only evacuated thousands of Indians, but also assisted in the evacuation of citizens from other countries who sought our assistance, he said.

At the end of the Operation, 4075 Indian nationals were safely evacuated. During such a difficult and challenging endeavour, our diplomats and our armed forces displayed exemplary courage

He pointed out that during movements in the midst of firing, the landing of an aircraft was very challenging.

Through this massive evacuation exercise, we have proven once again that India will never leave its people behind during a crisis- be it in Ukraine last year, or in Sudan in this one, he added.

Notably, Operation Ganga was an evacuation mission carried out by the Indian government to rescue its citizens stranded in Ukraine when the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv started on February 24, 2022. Similarly, this year, the Indian government launched Operation Kaveri to rescue Indian nationals from conflict-ridden Sudan.

Highlighting Indias Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, Jaishankar said that India provided medical supplies and relief materials for the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha. He further said India supplied the first tranche of the total 10,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port. He said that India also donated 25 tons of medical aid to people of Sudan.

As part of Indias Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, India provided medical supplies and relief materials for the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha. India also donated 25 tons of Medical aid to the people of Sudan. India supplied the

first tranche (2500 MT) of the total 10,000 MT wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port. Subsequent shipments are underway, Jaishankar said.

Essential and anti-cancer medicines were supplied to Malawi; anti-TB drugs to Central African Republic, Fiji, Maldives, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tuvalu; and anti-Retroviral drugs to

Fiji. 10 Haemodialysis chairs, operation theatre accessories and medicines were also sent to Palau, he added.

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BJPs Kerala leader Sobha Surendran in an indirect attack on the state BJP leadership on Thursday said there was no politician in the state who has the backbone to issue Ooruvilakku (ban) against her.

Speaking to media persons in Trissur, Sobha alleged that the Chairman of Light Master Lighting India Pvt Ltd. James Palamuttam, who withdrew from the AI camera project after sensing scams in the project, is facing threats now. She said James had come to see her.

Stating that a mafia group associated with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is threatening many industrialists, Shobha said that national agencies should intervene in the matter, understanding the seriousness of the issue.

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She alleged that huge corruption has taken place in the AI camera installation scheme. The probe agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) should perform its responsibility towards the country. It is not enough for Veena (CMs daughter), Vivek (CMs son), Viveks father-in-law and Pinarayi Vijayans wife to live in Kerala, others also have to live here.

It was Sobha Surendran who dragged CMs family into the AI camera controversy and questioned the Oppositions silence on it. On May 2, at a press conference in Trissur, she had alleged that the director of the company which took the tender for the AI cameras, Ramjith, is a benami of Prakash Babu, who is the father-in-law of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayans son.
Press Release

July 27, 2023 RESO TO UN WILL SOLIDIFY INTL SUPPORT FOR PHL'S WPS CLAIMS - SP ZUBIRI A reaffirmation of the Philippines' claim of sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) before the United Nations General Assembly through a resolution will solidify and rally international support against China's military and political incursion into Philippine territory. This was stressed by no less than Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri last night in his sponsorship speech of a Senate resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to sponsor a resolution before the UN calling on China to stop the harassment of Philippine vessels in the WPS. "Should we successfully pass a resolution before the UNGA, we will in effect be solidifying international support for the sovereignty of the Philippines, and putting pressure on China to keep their military and political activities outside of our Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf," the Senate President said in his sponsorship speech of Resolution No. 659 filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros. The Philippines, in 2016, has already secured a huge victory when the Permanent Court of Arbitration established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ruled in favor of the Philippine claim and deemed China's assertions, including its nine-dash line, as unlawful. If the DFA would successfully sponsor a resolution before the UNGA, Zubiri said, it would put an international spotlight on China's unlawful incursions into Philippine territory, in open violation of the 2016 PCA ruling. "Hindi tayo papayag na tapakan tayo ng kahit na anong bansa, at harap- harapan nilang sakupin kung ano ang atin. Lalaban tayo sa panghihimasok ng gobyerno ng Tsina sa ating Exclusive Economic Zone, at gagawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para ma-protektahan ang kabuhayan at kaligtasan ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino," Zubiri expressed. The Senate President also announced during last night's session that the Senate has called for a caucus on Monday, July 31, with DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea Andres Centino and officials of the National Security Council to discuss the WPS situation and the contents of the Resolution No. 659. Also, while the DFA explores avenues in the UN to address China's unlawful activities inside WPS, Zubiri said the Senate will do everything in its power to increase funding support, through the 2024 national budget proposal, to the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that are patrolling the disputed territory and protecting Filipino fishermen. "We will not simply watch them seize our islands and our waters. We may not have as much military might as they do, at this time, but we will do everything in our power to strengthen support for our Coast Guard and Navy, and we will stand our ground through all means possible ... ," said Zubiri. At present, the fleet of the Philippine Navy has only three vessels that can conduct long-range patrols, and the same goes for the PCG, which only has three offshore patrol vessels. Zubiri has earlier described China's intrusion into Philippine territory in the WPS as "absolutely reprehensible and completely illogical." "The 2016 PCA ruling was a historic triumph for us. But it is a triumph that we have not been able to fully enjoy, as China has disrespected it time and time again, their Chinese militia vessels encroaching upon our territory, and harassing our much smaller Coast Guard and Navy vessels," he said in his sponsorship speech. "Given China's blatant disrespect of our waters, we are left with little choice but to once again seek the support and the wisdom of the international community, and impress upon the Chinese government our unwavering commitment to fighting for our sovereignty."
In its statement, Russia's Defense Ministry characterized the visit as one that will "help strengthen Russian-North Korean military ties and will be an important stage in the development of cooperation between the two countries."

The "goodwill mission of the Russian army and people will significantly contribute to developing [onto] a high stage the strategic and traditional [North Korea]-Russia friendly relations in keeping with the demand of the times," the official [North] Korean Central News Agency said.

North Korean state media on Wednesday published images of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arriving at Pyongyang International Airport the night before to be greeted by his North Korean counterpart Kang Sun-nam.

July 27, 1953 marks the day the signing of a long-negotiated armistice agreement paused the Korean War. North Korea claims the 1950-1953 war was started by the U.S. and South Korea, and that it ultimately clenched victory.

North Korea is receiving invited delegates from Russia and China this week for the 70th anniversary celebrations of its self-proclaimed "Victory Day," an exceptional move in light of the ongoing border closures in place since early 2020 with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Anniversary events are expected to culminate in a large-scale nighttime parade on Thursday, in what is typically an elaborate show of North Korea's various military hardware developed over the years.

A parade in February introduced prototypes of the now twice-tested solid-fueled Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, in a grand finale of 16 ICBMs that were rolled out on transporter erector launchers to cap the late-night celebration.

This week's high-profile visit by the Russian defense minister carries symbolic significance, with the possibility of Sergei Shoigu meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un being raised.

Analysts will be watching whether the trip could lead to boosted arms sales between Pyongyang and Moscow. Washington previously accused North Korea of sending weapons and workers to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang dismissed the charge.

Meanwhile, China will be represented at the anniversary celebrations by the vice chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress' Standing Committee, Li Hongzhong, in a visit scheduled to begin Wednesday.

"Having a high-level Chinese delegation visit North Korea and mark the occasion [of the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War] shows the high importance both sides attach to our bilateral ties," said China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Tuesday.

South Korea's foreign ministry said Seoul is watching how Russia and North Korea's relationship evolves, adding that it hopes the relations moves the peninsula toward peace and stability.

Washington also voiced hopes that Russia and China will encourage North Korea from "threatening, unlawful behavior," underlining the potential role they can play in bringing Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.

"The United States' point of view on this has been quite consistent, which is that we are open to meeting with Pyongyang without preconditions and we continue to have a commitment for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," said State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel.

On U.S. Army private Travis King, who crossed into North Korea last week through the Joint Security Area at the DMZ, Vedant said he had no new updates. Pyongyang has also yet to make any public comments on the soldier believed to be in its custody.

Russia and China have both sided with North Korea at several United Nations Security Council meetings convened to condemn North Korea's ballistic missile tests, outlawed under several UNSC resolutions.

North Korea has been on a record-setting run of ballistic missile tests since last year. This month alone, it has test fired its latest Hwasong-18 ICBM and launched four short-range ballistic missiles late in the night, local time.
The Maharashtra government on Thursday assured stringent action against those who have spread defamatory content on the legendary social reformer Savitribai Jyotirao Phule via social media.

Responding to questions by Nationalist Congress Party leader Dr Jitendra Awhad, Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat and state party President Nana Patole, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned that nobody will be spared in this matter.

He said that the government has already corresponded with Twitter India seeking information about the user from whose handle the slurs on Savitribai Phule (1831-1897) were circulated.

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As soon as the information is received from Twitter India, the person concerned will be booked and arrested, the members were informed.

Fadnavis reiterated that Savitribai Phule enjoys a revered place among all, the governments sentiments were the same as the Opposition and hence such insults will never be tolerated.

Not satisfied with the governments reply, there was a huge ruckus with the angry Opposition members accusing they were not allowed to speak and staged a walkout from the house.

In May, the NCP had protested strongly against certain websites which had posted derogatory articles pertaining to Savitribai Phule.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon the public to raise Mahatma Gandhis prime slogan Quit India against the tactics of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that renamed itself as INDIA like the East India Company which entered before Indias Independence.

Speaking at BJP rally in s Sikar, Rajasthan, Modi said, Just as Mahatma Gandhi had given the slogan Quit India for the British during the freedom struggle, slogans like Corruption, Quit India; Terrorism, Quit India, Nepotism (Parivarvad), Quit India are needed to make a prosperous India.

Coming down heavily on the Congress directionless politics, the PM said, Congress and its allies have started a new maneuver. This is a trick to change the name. In earlier times, when a generation or a company became infamous, immediately the companys people started their work by installing a new board. Congress and its allied parties are copying such fraud companies. Changed the name from UPA to INDIA. 

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Modi took a jibe at the renaming of UPA to INDIA, saying, They changed the name so that they could hide the betrayal of the farmers in the name of loan waiver. Can they hide the matter of kneeling before terrorism?

Modi further said, Their (Oppositions) method was the same, which has always been adopted by the enemies. The name India was also there in the East India Company. The name India was not used to show devotion to India, but with the intention of looting India. Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was formed during the Congress regime, India was also there in it, but the aim was terrorism. This name was changed to Popular Front of India.

He said if the Congress cared for India, they would not have asked foreigners to interfere in India. The surgical strike does not question the bravery of the army in Galvan. These are the same people who used to cry in front of the enemies of the country when there was a terrorist attack. Their people will do the same as they did earlier, he added.

In a veiled attack on the Opposition, the prime minister said those who believe in tukde-tukde gangs, divide people on the basis of language, and keep liaison with people in foreign countries cannot fulfill national interest.

This is PMs 8th meeting in Rajasthan In the last nine months as he had earlier addressed partys public meetings and functions at Abu Road, Dausa, Jaipur, Malseri Dungari in Bhilwara, Mangarh Dham, Pushkar, and Bikaner.
Making a sarcastic remark on the recent controversy on Red Diary a creation of the sacked Minister of State, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the latest product from the state is Laal Diary (red diary) and this would roll out the entire Congress in the next assembly elections in the state.

Congress kee is laal daayaree mein sarkar ke kaale kaaranamein darj hain. Laal daayaree ke panne khule to achchhe-achchhe nibat jaayenge (The black deeds of the Rajasthan government are recorded in this red diary. If the pages of the red diary are opened, careers of well-known Congress leaders will be over), the Prime Minister said this addressing a mammoth BJP Rally at Medical Ground in Sikar after an official event.

Reiterating his previous comments that the Congress means Loot ki Dukan, and Jhoot Ka Bazar, Modi said in the last nine years, Rajasthan was given a central grant of Rs.1.5 lakh crore, but since there was Congress rule (from 2018), obstruction to all forms of development work was going on in Rajasthan.

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Even under the Jal Jeevan Mission, a sum of Rs. 5,000 crore was given to the Congress government but it lagged behind and left people thirsty, he blamed.

Paper Leak became an industry in Rajasthan, law and order is alarming, women rape and atrocities against the Dalits, drug mafia, and gangwars have taken the state into a new direction in the last five years, he further accused. There is a danger looming over our Teej festival, no one knows when stone pelting will happen and when curfew will be imposed, he added.

PM Modi sounded a slogan for the upcoming election and asked the public to recite with him: Behan Betiyon par atyachar, nahin sahega Rajasthan. Daliton par atyachar nahin sahega Rajasthan. Karj se marta kisan, nahin sahega Rajasthan. Bhrashtachar, paper leak, ab nahin sahega Rajasthan, (Rajasthan will not tolerate atrocities on sisters and daughters, Dalits, farmers, corruption, paper leak).
The Enforcement Directorate has been abused enough and state governments, led by opposition parties have been toppled with the help of the central probe agency, senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Thursday told the Supreme Court on Thursday.

A bench of Justice A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh was hearing the special leave petitions filed by arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji and his wife for the second day.

The pleas challenge the decision of the Madras High Court upholding the EDs right to take the DMK leader into custody in connection with an alleged cash for jobs scandal.

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The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been used and abused enough. But, the more important thing is the future of India in terms of the powers of the Enforcement Directorate, which has come into question, Sibal, appearing for Balaji, argued, questioning the EDs power to seek police remand.

The submission met opposition by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, who termed the arguments as political and emotive.

Please confine yourselves to the facts of the case. I have demonstrated that so far since 2002, the total number of arrests by the agency has not exceeded 300, he said.

At this, Sibal retorted: I have not made this political. But if he wants to make it political, then I must ask, what about the state governments that have been toppled on the basis of the ED.

In response to Mehtas argument that the PMLA provides for 2 years imprisonment for making vexatious arrest, Sibal said that there is never a wrong arrest and no one is ever sentenced for wrongful arrest.

The court intervened to cool the heated exchange between the duo and asked Sibal to continue arguments on the legal issue involved in the matter.

The minister and his wife had approached the top court after a bench of Justice C.V. Karthikeyan of the Madras High Court, the third judge to whom the matter was referred, gave its ruling that the central agency has the right to arrest the legislator. It had said that if the agency can arrest, they can also seek custody as well.

The habeas corpus petition challenging arrest of Balaji by the ED was heard by a three-judge bench on directions of the Supreme Court after a split verdict was pronounced by a division bench on the plea moved by his wife. In the split verdict delivered on July 4, Justice J. Nisha Banu termed the arrest of the minister illegal and ordered him to be set free with immediate effect, while Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy differed on the question of his illegal detention.

The ED has also filed another petition before the top court challenging some observations made by the high court in its order.

S. Megala, the wife of the arrested minister had moved a petition before the high court assailing her husbands arrest by the ED in connection with a cash-for-jobs scam that allegedly occurred during his tenure as the Transport Minister from 2011 to 2016 in the then AIADMK government.

In an interim direction passed on June 15, the High Court had ordered to transfer the minister from a government hospital where he was under the custody of ED officials to a private hospital. The ED had filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging this.
Pointing to the misuse and abuse of the anti-money laundering law, the Supreme Court on Thursday was told that an accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act upon being produced before a magistrate cant be mandatory remanded to custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) upto 15 days and can only be sent to judicial custody.

Stating that on being produced before a magistrate court by the Enforcement Directorate, accused cant be remanded to its (ED) custody, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told a bench of Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice M.M. Sundresh that there has been, Enough use and abuse of this (PMLA).

Enough this law has been used and abused and the government have been toppled in the name of 

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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the ED asked Sibal to confine to the facts and not attribute motives and politicise it.

Getting back, Sibal said that the government have been toppled and asked the Solicitor General to name the people who have been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act thereby suggesting that it was only the leaders of the opposition parties being targeted under the anti-money laundering law.

Sibal said this in the course of the hearing of two petitions by Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji and other by his wife Megala challenging the Madras High Court order upholding his arrest in cash for job scam and asking the two-judge bench to determine the date on which the ED could take custody of Senthil Balaji, who had undergone coronary bypass surgery, and to shift him from the hospital.

Appearing for both Senthil and his wife Megala, Sibal underlined that the ED officers were not police officers incharge of a police station and thus they were not vested with the powers that are available to police officer incharge of a police station under the code of criminal Procedure.

In posers from the bench whether custody of a person accused of allegedly being involved in money laundering cannot be given to ED for further investigation, Sibal said that an accused under the penal offences is first attested followed by investigation, under the PMLA a suspect is first investigated and on the satisfaction that he is involved in money laundering, he is arrested.

Sibal said that after being arrested, when a person accused of offences under the PMLA is produced before a magistrate, he can only be sent to judicial custody and not remanded to the custody of the ED.

To buttress his point, Sibal in support of his contentions cited a number of earlier top court judgments including one pronounced by a three-judge bench on July 27, 2022, that had upheld the amended stringent provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act  relating to denial of ECIR by the Directorate of Enforcement while arresting an accused and presumption of innocence of an accused till convicted.

He took the court through the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, (now replaced by Foreign Exchange Management Act), the Customs Act 1962, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the powers of police under the Code of Criminal Procedure to drive home the point that ED officers are not police officer incharge of a police station and were not vested with the power, even under the provisions of PMLA, to get the custody of an accused for 15 days, as they are seeking in the case of Senthil Balaji.

The top court is hearing a challenge to the Madras High Cout decision upholding the arrest of Senthil Balaji and subsequently magistrate court remanding him to judicial custody.

The High Court order upholding the arrest of the minister, and also holding valid his subsequent remand in judicial custody came following the decision of a third judge, Justice C.V. Karthikeyan holding that the accused had no right to frustrate the investigation.

The matter travelled to Justice C.K. Karthikeyan  the third judge  following a split verdict on July 4, by a division bench of Madras High Court comprising Justice Nisha Banu and Justice D. Bharatha.

Justice Nisha Banu held that the Habeas Corpus plea filed (by Balajis wife Megala) for Senthil Balajis release is maintainable and should be allowed. Justice Banu further said ED is not entitled to get the custody of Senthil Balaji.

However, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy said the habeas corpus plea was not maintainable after the remand order had been passed. He said that no case was made out to show that Balajis remand was illegal. Justice Chakaravarthy has also said that that period of Balajis stay at the hospital, should be excluded from the EDs custody period.

Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement on June 14 in an alleged cash for job scam that took place when he was the transport minister (2011-2015) in the government of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

The ED has arrested Senthil Balaji in connection with a money laundering case rooted in alleged cash for job scam that took place when Senthil Balaji was Transport minister in AIADMK government who later crossed over to ruling DMK in 2018.

The High court had permitted Senthil Balaji to be shifted to a private hospital for a heart surgery and restricted his interrogation in the hospital. Senthil Balaji was operated for the blockages of three coronary arteries at a local private hospital in Chennai.

Sibal will continue his arguments on next Tuesday (August 1).
A special POCSO court in Uttar Pradeshs Meerut has awarded death sentence for rape and murder of a 4-year-old to a 35-year-old man, terming the case as rarest of rare.

Such a crime is not only a violation of law, human and social relations, but also destroys the social structure. The person committing such a crime deserves maximum punishment, the court said in its order on Wednesday, during the hearing of this case.

The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 1.2 lakh on the accused which would be paid to the family of the deceased child.

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Dhruv Rai, special judge (POCSO), has ordered that the accused be hanged till death under IPC section 302 and section 6 of POCSO Act with a fine of Rs 1 lakh; seven-year imprisonment under section IPC 201 with Rs 20,000 penalty, said additional district government counsel Bharat Sharma.

The four-year-old girl was raped and murdered in the Jahagirabad area of Bulandshahr in April this year.

SSP Bulandshahr Shlok Kumar said Mohd Faheem had lured the minor girl to his house while she was playing outside her home, and raped her and strangulated her to death.

When the girl went missing from the house while playing, her family members informed the police. When the cops reached the spot, the neighbours informed them that they saw the girl with Faheem, who lives in their neighbourhood. Later in the evening, the girls body was recovered from Faheems house. He had hidden the body, which had multiple bite marks all over, under a bed, the SSP added.

According to the police, the accused was arrested the same night and the post mortem report confirmed the girl was raped and murdered by him.

The accused has been lodged in jail since his arrest in April, following multiple hearings in the court, SSP said.
Among the various impediments to the integrity and sanctity of academic research perhaps the most perilous as well as unprecedented challenge is the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT. The rampant use of such AI tools has posed serious threats to research ethics and scholarly honesty. Most importantly, it is notoriously disrupting the eco-system of broader academia that facilitates the pursuit of research, teaching, scholarship and fairness in general.

This article is an attempt to explore this potential threat to the sanctity, originality and integrity of research, especially research in social sciences. Before delving into the implications of ChatGPT in terms of its uses and abuses a brief discussion about ChatGPT is necessary to understand how it works? From where does it fetch information? Why and how does it become the centre of attraction as well as controversy around the world?

How has it brought about sea changes in research both from positive and negative perspectives? Are governments around the world prepared to take punitive actions against the abuses of such AI tools in research? Besides academia, what are the sectors that are facing threats due to new conversational artificial intelligence platforms? What if ChatGPT promotes cheating such as plagiarism in research? The origin of ChatGPT can be traced back to 2018 when its parent organization, a California-based company OpenAI, launched its earliest version. It was followed by ChatGPT-II in 2019, ChatGPT-III in 2020 and the latest version ChatGPT-IV on 30 November 2022.

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It is designed to generate content such as text, images, videos, simulations, codes etc. It is capable of writing essays, emails, contents, research papers, fiction, math worksheets etc. in no time. For such works, it needs a keyword in written or audio commands to which it responds accurately and efficiently within a few seconds. The latest version, ChatGPT-IV is the most advanced in terms of its speed, range and efficiency. It can process 25,000 words at lightning speed with stunningly accurate research skills. It has already been subscribed to by one hundred million new users in two months since its inception, a growth which is unprecedented. GPT-IV is a long leap towards accuracy as it has learnt to be more precise with analysing power to decode images, mimic texts etc. in a human-like language. Such an enormous leap towards artificial intelligence is capable of bringing about sharp changes in various spheres like the educational ecosystem, movies, animation world, market and technology.

Precisely, it has brought about a revolution in using artificial intelligence about which the broader academia has already shown serious concerns as it is directly triggering academic integrity to a huge extent. Responding to prompts like keywords or phrases, it provides stunningly comprehensive content that has caused a dramatic impact on existing knowledge systems. It is already powering Microsofts binge search engine; techno-giants like Morgan Stanley Wealth Management are investing in it to build an information system; various online educational companies are using ChatGPT-IV as an automated tutor etc. OpenAI is not alone in this shift. Techno-giants like Google, Meta and Microsoft are investing billions of dollars to build their own Chatbots and AI technology. Recently it has shown tremendous results in a test conducted by the professors of Minnesota University by scoring a grade C which is not an easy task for a bot. Again, it has successfully passed a law examination as well as an examination for an MBA in the USA. In the existing system of research, various tools or software have been developed worldwide to check plagiarized content, which may be acknowledged for ensuring academic integrity to a good extent.

But this revolutionary shift, which experts have dubbed tectonic, has posed a serious threat as it is capable of disrupting any existing systems for plagiarism check. The reason behind such concern lies in the mode of functioning of such AI tools like ChatGPT which can provide multiple writing styles, para-phrasing, rephrasing and most noteworthy, its content style can be controlled by the user in multiple ways. In other words, such AI tools are so sophisticated that they will be able to evade existing tools used to fight plagiarism in research. It is important to note that ChatGPT is neither the maiden AI tool nor is it the first ever designed by the OpenAI company.

Before ChatGPT several AI tools available were CopyAI, Writesonic, Kafkai, Copysmith, Pappertype, Articoolo, Copymatic and so on. The question of concern here is  what is different about ChatGPT that has already fuelled rising controversies in the broader academic world? So why are we so concerned about ChatGPT especially when so many web browsers, search engines like Google, and data reservoirs like Wikipedia have been available since the 1990s? Unlike existing AI tools, ChatGPT is sound in terms of its nature, mode of functioning, efficiency and unbiased content accuracy. It is a large language model (LLM) that can generate human-like texts instantly with stunning accuracy and wisdom in response to prompts and is capable of having cognitive conversations from scholarly perspectives.

The most perilous consequence is that ChatGPT is capable of giving responses in multiple text styles and its artificial intelligence is so sound that it can read the mind and intent of the user and likewise produce text suitable for users in simple or complex writing styles. Needless to say, such different styles have the potential to escape the plagiarism-checking software available in the academic world. Therefore, it will create an ambience of mistrust in academia where honest research by a meticulous researcher may be questioned due to this unprecedented technological revolution, which cannot be wished away amid the wake of the ICT revolution in this globalized world. Do governments have enough mechanisms to combat such threats against academic integrity?

In response to the mounting unprecedented cheating cases, several universities in countries like France, the USA and India have already imposed sanctions over the use of such AI tools but these are of no serious use at all. Many researchers have even mentioned the name ChatGPT as co-authors for writing their research articles. Till date around 12,000 journals including some of the renowned journals listed in the Nature Group have officially banned ChatGPT to be listed as a coauthor. Nonetheless, having failed to cope with the technological advance, these journals have updated their guidelines stating that AI tools can be used to improve the readability and language of the research article, but not to replace key tasks that should be done by the authors, such as interpreting data or drawing scientific conclusions. AI in research work is a revolution and it is non-deniable. Academia in many respects has to embrace such technological upgradation. But the question is what can be done to ensure the sanctity and integrity of academic research?

Especially, in a context where a reliable, tested and validated tool to identify the dishonest use of AI tools is yet to be invented. In the last year, OpenAI has launched another tool named AI-TextClassifier to identify the difference between AI-produced and humanwritten texts. But again, that is said to be imperfect and yet to be certified by OpenAI as reliable in every case. Here lies the importance of a reliable and punitive policy to combat such challenges for the sake of scientific and cognitive research. A serious and multi-stakeholder endeavour to address this unprecedented challenge and to ensure academic integrity is the need of the hour.

(The writer is Assistant Professor of Political Science, Galsi Mahavidyalaya, Purba Bardhaman.)
While high-profile arrests and the occasional edict from the countrys President, the most recent of which was on Tuesday night, may be aimed at convincing the world, mainly the West, that Ukraine is serious about cracking down on corruption, it is only a matter of time before donors will start to wonder if a substantial portion of the near endless contributions they have been making is not finding its way into the pockets of those in power. That is if they have not already reached this conclusion, but find themselves bound by commitments made as part of strategic imperatives.

The latest warning from President Volodymyr Zelenskky came even as a military recruitment official was arrested for mass embezzlement and a parliamentarian for collaborating with Moscow. These arrests fly in the face of a carefully-constructed narrative that patriotic Ukrainians who are fighting to keep the Russian bear away from Western shores need the support of Washington and European capitals in order to stay afloat. They come just weeks after Vszevolod Kniaziev, the president of the countrys Supreme Court, no less, was arrested for taking nearly $3 million in bribes from a mining tycoon in return for a favourable judgment.

The charge against the judge is that not only did he choose to get influenced, but ensured that a part of the bribe money reached other judges so that they would go along with him. Any suggestion that it is older members of the judiciary who are inclined to be corrupt is rubbished by the fact that Judge Kniaziev is just 43, and was considered a blue-eyed boy of the establishment. Over the years of its existence, Ukraine has acquired the reputation of being one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

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While Western benefactors have attempted time and again to turn the screws on those in power, their efforts have largely been ineffectual. Then Vice-President Joe Biden had said in 2015, The corruption is so endemic and so deep and so consequential, its really, really, really, really hard to get it out of the system. He had once admitted to having arm-twisted former Ukrainian prime minister Petro Poroshenko into sacking the countrys prosecutor general immediately as a condition for the United States to hand over a $1 billion loan guarantee. In short, the West was clearly aware of the cesspool it had stepped into while backing the Ukrainians in the years leading up to the Russian invasion.

Recent events, including high-profile arrests, suggest that notwithstanding President Zelenskkys occasional protestations not much has changed in the country. It will take a huge effort by Western donor countries to convince their electorates that donations to the Ukrainian war effort now, and for a reconstruction of the country when hostilities cease, will not find their way into the pockets of the countrys grubby elite. With judges, officials and parliamentarians available for purchase, and willing to even collaborate with the enemy, the West must ask why it is allowing itself to be fooled.
In another move to close a dark chapter of history and usher in a new dawn, Japan and the United States signed an agreement on 29 June 2023 to establish sister park arrangements between the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. The signing ceremony was held at the US embassy in Tokyo between US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui. Both parks are symbols of World War II animosity between the two countries. Ahead of the G-7 summit in May 2023 in Hiroshima, the US side had sounded out the Japanese side on the idea of establishing a sister relationship between the two parks.

The Hiroshima municipal government responded warmly and welcomed the idea. Under the sister park arrangement, the two parks will promote exchanges and share experiences in restoring historic structures and landscapes, the use of virtual reality and digital images for preservation and education, and best practices in youth education and tourism management. While the site in Hawaii is associated with the start of World War II, the one in Hiroshima symbolises the Wars end.

The Hawaii Park represents the memory of the Imperial Japanese Navys surprise aerial attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island, Hawaii on 7 December 1941 that precipitated the entry of the US into World War II. The US dropped two atom bombs on 6 August 1945 in Hiroshima, killing about 140,000 people and on Nagasaki three days later, killing another 70,000 in the closing days of the War. The war was brought to an end following the announcement of Japans unconditional surrender by then Showa Emperor Hirohito, and closed a chapter of nearly half a century of Japanese aggression across Asia. Since then, through the journey of over seven decades of diplomatic ties, both Japan and the US have built a powerful alliance. By agreeing on the deal, both sides want to promote peace and mutual understanding between the parties to the Pacific War as the two parks share a common goal in this regard.

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The deal is a step towards realising the Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament announced at the G-7 summit. Both sides expect visitors to the parks shall get an opportunity to think about the importance of peace and the stupidity of war and start taking action to realise a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. While the USS Arizona Memorial, part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, stands as a stark reminder of the December 1941 attack by Japan, the affected dome and the Peace Museum in Hiroshima where the effects of the bombing on humans are depicted so vividly is a moving reminder to visitors of what devastations atom bombs can cause to humanity.

Emanuel rightly remarked at the signing ceremony, Nobody can go to Pearl Harbor, and nobody can go to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and enter the front door, walk out the exit door and be the same person. It is difficult to disagree with him as this writer experienced the same feeling when he visited the Peace Museum during his first visit to Japan in April 1979 and exited with moist eyes. Since the two parks are related to the beginning and end of the war, the sister park arrangement needs to be seen as proof that mankind, despite making the mistake of waging a war, can come to its senses and reconcile as well as pursue peace.

The role of the Mauryan King Ashok who turned from being called Chandashoka because he waged war against Kalinga but soon turned into Dharmashoka after he saw the devastation in the battlefield and became the biggest promoter of Buddhism easily comes to mind. Those who promote nuclear weapons anywhere in the world must visit the Peace museum in Hiroshima. There are critics, however, to the sister park deal in Japan. Some atomic bombing survivors still affected with the radiation of the nuclear bombing called Hibakusha have concern that the deal could help justify the use of nuclear weapons and should thus be reconsidered.

Their anguish and angst are genuine and must be respected but they have to be told about the large merits of the deal. Both Hiroshima Peace Museum and Pearl Harbor are revered places in the psyche of the people of these cities and their concerns and sensitivities need to be respected and considered dispassionately. Critics primarily in Japan say the two events are fundamentally different. They argue that while the Pearl Harbor attack targeted a naval base, the bombing of Hiroshima indiscriminately killed large numbers of civilians. They also allege the survivors were not consulted in advance. Actually, these two parks emerged as places of reconciliation when then President Barack Obama became the first serving American President to visit the Museum. He did so in May 2016 and paid tribute to atom bomb victims. Then Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe visited Pearl Harbor in December the same year. Indeed, the signing of the sister park deal is another historic accomplishment.

This sister park arrangement is the second between the US and Japan, following one signed in 2016 between Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania and Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum in what is now Gifu prefecture. The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 was an important battle in Japans feudal history. Gettysburg in 1863 is considered a turning point in the US Civil War. In these two respective events ~ attack on Pearl Harbor and dropping of bombs ~ both Japan and the US were victim and offender.

By this sister deal, both now aim to heal their wounds through cooperation. In times when historical quarrels frequently hinder constructive diplomacy, this agreement sets an example for other mature, progressive states to follow. Shall North Korea draw some lessons from this?

(The writer is former Senior Fellow at the NMML, MP-IDSA, New Delhi, and ICCR Chair Professor at Reitaku University, Japan)
Elon Musk made a bold move to rebrand Twitter, now known as X. However, this transformation wouldnt be complete without securing the official @X handle on the platform. It turned out that the original @X account was held by San Francisco-based photographer Gene X Hwangs Twitter handle since March 2007. Despite having ownership of the handle for over 16 years, Hwang found himself facing a sudden change in his online identity.

Twitter simply took over the @X username, notifying Hwang via email that the handle now belongs to the company. Hwang mentioned that there was no monetary compensation involved in the process. Instead, Twitter offered to transfer the @X accounts history and followers to a new handle of Hwangs choice, along with some merchandise and a potential meeting with the management team. However, Hwang declined the meeting, finding it possibly awkward.

Accepting the change without putting up a fight, Hwang chose the temporary handle @x12345678998765 while he considered a new name for his account. Reflecting on the situation, he expressed that receiving something for the original @X account, like compensation, would have been a nice gesture, though he didnt feel it was mandatory.

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Before the rebranding, Hwang had mentioned that he would have been open to giving up the @X handle in exchange for payment. However, Twitter did not reach out to him before the companys rebranding as X. Its worth noting that usernames on platforms like Twitter can have significant value, as demonstrated by past offers made to other users for their unique handles.

Twitters terms of service state that the platform reserves the right to reclaim usernames without liability to users. This rule was already in place before Elon Musk acquired the company. The ownership of usernames can be a matter of concern, and some handles have been subject to hacking attempts and unauthorized takeovers in the past.
Cliff Mboya, a research fellow at the Afro-Sino Center for International Relations, suggested it might not be coincidence that Wang was in the region when Qin's exit was announced, noting Wang could be "coming to re-establish relations and continue from where Qin Gang left."

However he noted: "It is rather unusual to have two high-level multicountry visits within a space of six months, because remember Qin Gang was in Africa at the beginning of the year for the inaugural Chinese foreign affairs visit."

Paul Nantulya, research associate for the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, told VOA that Wangs trip to the region comes as China seeks to re-engage more with Africa in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Talk about hitting the ground running: news broke when Wang Yi was on tour as the director of the foreign affairs commission of the party's central committee," Lauren Johnston, senior China-Africa researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs said of the revelation that Qin -- who hadn't been seen for a month -- had been removed. "His tour, now as foreign minister, includes South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Turkey -- all big players in the Global South," she told VOA.

Wang participated in BRICS summit-related meetings in South Africa, infrastructure talks in Kenya, and pledges on debt relief in Ethiopia, meetings that analysts said illustrate China's way of showing its commitment to the continent.

This week as Beijing suddenly announced that China's foreign minister Qin Gang had been removed after just seven months in the job, his predecessor and now replacement, seasoned diplomat Wang Yi, was on a tour of some of Africa's key economies.

 Requests and Promises

The analysts noted Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, where Qin is also scheduled to travel, are the economic powerhouses of East, Southern and West Africa. Ethiopia, a surprise addition to Wang's itinerary, is the seat of the African Union.

According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, while in Addis Ababa Wang told Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed: "China encourages powerful and reputable enterprises to invest in Ethiopia and is willing to play a positive role in easing Ethiopia's debt pressure."

The country is billions of dollars in debt. Security there is also a concern as the strategic Horn of Africa nation emerges from a brutal civil war. Next, in Kenya, Wang met with President William Ruto -- who was elected last year and had talked tough on China during his campaign.

Nantulya noted that China is Kenya's largest trading partner and a key security partner, and that Beijing has been "very anxious about the change of government" there and was obviously looking to cement ties.

According to a readout from the Chinese side, Ruto used the meeting with Wang to push for more infrastructure investment, despite analysts noting China has pulled back a bit recently from its major Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Kenya said it is willing to "deepen cooperation in the fields of railways, highways, water conservancy, aviation and renewable energy," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

On his third stop, in South Africa, Wang attended security meetings related to the upcoming summit of the BRICS group of economies, which also includes Brazil, Russia and India. Wang spoke with his South African counterpart, Naledi Pandor, and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang noted that "the friendship between China and South Africa has a long history, and the two countries have forged a profound friendship of comrades and brothers."

Steven Kuo, a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town and author of the book "Chinese Peace in Africa: From Peacekeeper to Peacemaker," pointed out that Chinese rhetoric around "South-South cooperation" and anti-imperialism "does strike a chord with African countries. Increasingly African countries, including South Africa, see the West as hypocritical, so there are some ideological commonalities."

Wang also promised South Africa that China would "expand cooperation in key minerals, digital economy, clean energy, environmental protection industries, marine resource development, poverty reduction and other fields."

 Looking Ahead

Wang's trip comes as global powers vie for influence in Africa -- which is youthful, growing and resource-rich.

This week has been a busy time for Africa diplomatically, with the U.S. Treasury undersecretary in Kenya and Somalia, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba trying to get support on a trip to Equatorial Guinea, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hosting leaders at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg from Thursday.

The next two stops on Wang's schedule are a fourth African state, the continent's largest economy, Nigeria, and Turkey. Like Kenya, Nantulya noted, Nigeria has a new government, which might be one of the reasons it was chosen, as well as the fact that Beijing is increasing engagement in West Africa. Earlier this month China's navy visited the country amid speculation it is seeking a military base somewhere on the Atlantic coast.

In August, President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, along with all the other leaders of the bloc, except for Russian President Putin, who is unable to attend due to an International Criminal Court warrant out for his arrest.
British scientist Jim Skea of the UK is the newly elected Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body assessing climate change science.

With nearly 40 years of climate science experience and expertise, Skea will lead the IPCC through its seventh assessment cycle.

Skea was elected by 90 votes to 69 in a run-off with Thelma Krug, the IPCC said in a statement.

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Climate change is an existential threat to our planet. My ambition is to lead an IPCC that is truly representative and inclusive, an IPCC looking to the future while exploiting the opportunities that we have in the present. An IPCC where everyone feels valued and heard, said Skea in his address to the delegates attending the IPCC elections.

In this, I will pursue three priorities  improving inclusiveness and diversity, shielding scientific integrity and policy relevance of IPCC assessment reports, and making the effective use of the best available science on climate change. My actions as the Chair of the IPCC will ensure that these ambitions are realised, he added.

The election took place at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya, where the IPCC is holding its 59th session.

Elections for other positions in the IPCC Bureau, including the Co-Chairs of the IPCC Working Groups, will take place from July 26-28.

Four candidates ran for the Chair of the IPCC. These were the first elections in the history of the IPCC with women candidates running for this position.

Skea, 69, is Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College in London. During the IPCCs just completed sixth assessment cycle, Skea was the Co-Chair of Working Group III, assessing the mitigation of climate change.

Most of his career, spreading over decades, has been dedicated to ensuring that the challenges of climate change are understood, and actions to avert them are taken.

Responding to the election of the new IPCC Chair, Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network International, told IANS: As the world grapples with life-threatening heatwaves, devastating floods, and catastrophic wildfires intensified by global warming, the newly appointed IPCC chair, Jim Skea, assumes a critical role. His mission extends beyond merely placing science at the heart of climate action; it involves infusing a deep sense of urgency within the global community about the imperative to act quickly and decisively.

The role of scientists in this global crisis now surpasses the conventional confines of research and analysis. They are being called upon to serve as forceful advocates for practical solutions, actively championing measures based on equity and justice that will effectively tackle the escalating climate change crisis, she added.
Bjornar Moxnes, the leader of the left-wing party in Norway, was caught on camera stealing a pair of expensive sunglasses from an Oslo duty-free store, according to Politico. He has resigned as party leader of Norways Red Party which has eight seats in the Norwegian parliament.

Moxnes led Norways Red Party for 11 years while in that position, assisting the party in gaining seven seats in the countrys parliament in the elections of 2021.

On June 16, surveillance video from a duty-free shop captured him robbing two Hugo Boss sunglasses.

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Moxnes can be seen in the video trying on sunglasses and asking his girlfriend for her thoughts. He is then spotted packing the shades into his pocket and leaving the business without paying for them a short while later.

Police accused the politician of theft on June 30 with the intent to obtain an unjust gain for himself or others.  For stealing the Hugo Boss sunglasses valued 1,199 kroner (almost Rs 10,000), he was fined 3,000 kroner (about 24,000).

Beginning in July, Moxnes phoned in ill due to a viral video of the shoplifting. One day before his planned return from sick leave, Moxnes confessed to having committed the theft and resigned from his position.He confessed to the theft in a Facebook post on July 24 and gave up his post as party leader.

He stated on Facebook that those in positions of authority should be held accountable and challenged.

Many people have questioned my ability to accomplish something so foolish. In the past two weeks, Ive asked myself this question a lot. I havent received a thorough explanation. But Im positive that whatever I did was bad, and now I have to live with the repercussions, he wrote.

Moxnes will be succeeded as party leader by Marie Sneve Martinussen, according to the Red Party national executive committee.

Martinussen on Monday condemned both the theft and the way Moxnes handled the scandal, because he did not provide correct information about the case from the beginning.
In the wake of Kevin Spaceys acquittal in the sexual harassment charges, there has been considerable buzz on social media among those who closely followed the case. In connection to this, we bring you some information about Ari Behn, who had accused Kevin Spacey of sexual harassment.

Ari Mikael Behn was a Norwegian author, playwright, and visual artist, and he is best known for being married to Princess Martha Louise of Norway from 2002 to 2017. He led a private life and held no special titles or status during his marriage.

Formerly known as Mikael Bjrshol until 1996, Behn gained some recognition for his 1999 short story collection titled Trist som faen (Sad as hell), which received positive reviews in Norwegian newspapers and remains his most well-known work. His engagement to Martha Louise brought further attention to the book, and by 2020, it had sold nearly 100,000 copies since its publication.

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Behn received various national and foreign honors, including medals from Norway and the Netherlands.

Tragically, on 25th December 2019, Behn passed away at his home in Lommedalen. His family revealed that he died by suicide, and it was known that he had been battling alcoholism and mental health issues. In an interview back in 2009, he had openly spoken about his chronic depression and feelings of loneliness.

His death led to an unusually open and forthright public response from the Norwegian royal family, including King Harald V, Queen Sonja, and other members of his former wifes family, who expressed their sorrow in public statements. His funeral took place at Oslo Cathedral on 3rd January 2020.

Ari Behn left behind a completed manuscript for a childrens book, co-authored with his eldest daughter, Maud Angelica, but it remains uncertain whether the book will be published.

Behns final resting place is the Cemetery of Our Saviour.

In December 2017, he had spoken out, alleging that actor Kevin Spacey had groped his genitals at a nightclub during the afterparty for the Nobel Peace Prize concert in 2007.
An ex-Apple exec, who worked with Uber as well, will be joining The Washington Post as Chief Technology Officer, starting July 31. This person is Vineet Khosla.

In his new role, Khosla will serve as a senior advisor to the CEO and will lead The Posts engineering team and innovation strategy, helping to drive the companys overall vision for its technology goals.

We are in a rapidly changing media environment and are thrilled to welcome Vineet to The Post at this critical moment, The Posts interim CEO, Patty Stonesifer, said in a statement released by the newspaper this month.

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His extensive background in technology, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud computing, makes him an excellent fit to lead The Post through our next phase of innovation, Stonesifer added.

Khosla has nearly 20 years of experience in the technology industry, including being the first engineering hire for Siris natural language engine at Apple and managing the maps routing team at Uber. He has been working with artificial intelligence since 2005 after graduating with his Masters in AI from the University of Georgia.

Im honored to join The Washington Post and am eager to connect with teams across product, engineering and the newsroom as we work together to drive The Posts digital endeavors, said Khosla.

My goal is to build a transformative user ecosystem that enhances the reader experience and provides opportunities for growth, and Im excited to be doing so at The Post.
The press conference was entitled, Shomoy er Daakey (The Call of Time) and it was a gathering of Kolkatas civil society which had lent its support squarely behind Mamata Banerjee before she became chief minister of West Bengal in the year 2011. Held at the Kolkata Press Club on the drizzly afternoon of Wednesday, July 26, it was a meeting, filled with nostalgic remembrance, which commemorated Mamatas revolutionary fight against the then Left Front government and it was attended by the celebrated writers, poets, musicians and artists, who, all those years ago, had predicted that Didi would one day lead the state into poriborton or change.

This was a way of reigniting the fire that was kindled a decade ago, says Dola Sen, Trinamool Rajya Sabha member, explaining the need for such a meeting at this time, when the state is headed for Parliamentary elections in 2024.

Purnendu Basu, key speaker at the conference, who had joined Didis movement before she became chief minister and was a minister in her first and second cabinets, said, Anyone who denies that Mamata Banerjee has ushered in poriborton or change in the past decade would be disillusional. He pointed out that from infrastructure like better roads, to utilities such as cleaner drinking water and electrification of the villages, Didi has kept her promise.

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Among those to have attended the meeting was musician Kabir Suman and poet Joy Goswami who had, at that time, called Mamatas movement a revolution. Kabir Suman had joined the party on the invitation of Didi, contesting and winning the Parliamentary seat from the Jadavpur constituency, once the stronghold of the Left. The musician has not only praised Didis role as a harbinger of change in the state, but as a musician he has hailed her contribution to the uplift of culture, especially her patronage of the lost tradition of the Bengali Khayal a genre which he is endeavouring to revive.

The conference was like a stroll down memory lane, as the bidyajon or civil society members, who are often credited with giving Didi the much-needed support at a time when she was trying to dethrone the three-decade long Left rule, taking stock of what changes have taken place during the past decade.

The rain, falling intermittently, added to the nostalgia but it was also a time to look ahead.  The Call of Time is not just about the past, but also the present and the future as we head to the Parliamentary elections of 2024, Dola Sen said.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE, today met with Ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, UN-appointed Special Coordinator for the Independent Assessment of the Situation in Afghanistan.

Held in Abu Dhabi, the meeting discussed the overall situation in Afghanistan, and prospects for cooperation between the UAE and the UN in this regard. Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the UAEs support for the UN Security Council-mandated Independent Assessment of the Situation in Afghanistan and its objectives. The meeting also reviewed the UAEs initiatives aimed at supporting Afghanistan and its people across various sectors, and highlighted the importance of bolstering international cooperation to tackle the challenges facing the Afghani people, especially women, and support efforts to meet their needs.

Around the end of the meeting, the UAE top diplomat wished Ambassador Sinirlioglu success in performing his duties, affirming the UAEs firm commitment to backing all international efforts that seek to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan.

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Unidentified flying object (UFO) whistleblower claimed before Congress that the US government is secretly holding alien spacecraft.

Former US Air Force intelligence officer Retired Major David Grusch on Wednesday asked the Congress to hold the government accountable. Earlier, Grusch, who led the analysis of unexplained anomalous phenomena (UAP), the militarys preferred term for UFOs, within a US Department of Defence agency, has alleged that the US has the spacecraft of non-human origin, ABC, a US-based news portal, reported.

I am asking Congress to hold our government to this standard and thoroughly investigate these claims, Grusch said in the hearing held by the House Oversight Committees national security subcommittee.

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He further added, But as I stand here under oath now I am speaking to the facts as I have been told.

Grusch said he was asked in 2019 by the head of a government task force on UAPs to identify all highly classified programs.

Grusch, responding to Representative from South Carolina Nancy Mace, said that they have recovered bodies from the crashed alien spacecraft which are non-human.

As Ive stated publicly already in my News Nation interview, biologics came with some of these recoveries Non-human and that was the assessment of people with direct knowledge on the program I talked to that are currently still on the program, the former US Air Force intelligence officer said.

Grusch also said he couldnt publicly state when the supposed program began and who authorized it, stating much of that information is classified.

Lawmakers expressed a desire to talk with Grusch and other officials behind closed doors to learn more.

When asked who the committee should call to testify in their next hearing, Grusch said he could provide a cooperative and hostile list of individuals in the government who you should talk to.

The remarks came during a bipartisan hearing held by the House Oversight Committees national security subcommittee. The three witnesses include Grusch, David Fravor, a former commanding officer in the US Navy, and Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace.

Lawmakers stressed the need for greater clarity on UAPs. Many voiced concerns that unidentified aerial objects pose to national security.

The hearing is the latest push by lawmakers, intelligence officials and military personnel working on unexplained aerial phenomena to probe the issue on a national platform.

Last month, the Pentagon said that it hadnt found any verifiable information to substantiate the claims about crashed alien spacecraft, ABC reported.
US Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell froze during a news conference, but told reporters later that he was fine. As Republican leader McConnell underwent this condition, his secretariat released a statement, explaining the situation.

In the middle of remarks at his regularly scheduled weekly news conference on Capitol Hill, the 81-year-old Kentucky Republican stopped speaking on Wednesday, reports CNN.

After a 30-second pause, his colleagues crowded around to see if he was OK and asked him how he felt.

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Wyoming Republican Senator John Barrasso was seen gripping McConnells arm and whispered to him: Hey Mitch, anything else you want to say? Or should we just go back to your office? Do you want to say anything else to the press?

He said nothing, and was led away from the press conference and toward his office by an aide.

He returned to the news conference a few minutes later.

When asked by a CNN reporter if the development was related to his fall earlier this year, McConnell said no, Im fine.

In a statement issued later in the day, an aide to McConnell said that he felt light headed and stepped away for a moment.

He came back to handle Q and A, which as everyone observed was sharp, CNN quoted the aide as saying.

As he left the Capitol, the Senate Republican leader told reporters he was fine and said he had spoken with President Joe Biden.

So, the president called to check on me. I told him I got sandbagged, he said, in reference to Biden tripping over a sandbag last month.

In March, McConnell had tripped at a private dinner event and was later admitted to hospital for treatment of a concussion, as well as a minor rib fracture.

Serving his seventh term as Senator, McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984.
Things to do in the Foxboro area and beyond


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Korea's population crisis continues as birth rates continue to fall.

Statistics Korea said Wednesday the number of births plummeted by 5.3 percent on-year to just under 19,000 in May. This is the first time the figure has fallen below 20,000 for the month of May since relevant statistics were first compiled in 1981.

Only North Chungcheong Province, Daegu and Ulsan saw increases in the number of births.

With some 29,000 deaths in the same month, the population saw a natural decline of nearly 10,000 -- the highest so far this year.

It was the 43rd consecutive month in which the country has seen a natural population decline, while the number of births has fallen on-year for more than seven years straight.
Pope Francis is making a five-day visit next week to Portugal, where a scandal that erupted earlier this year over Catholic Church sex abuse is still simmering
Coastal Chinese city joins parts of Taiwan in shutting down schools and offices for Typhoon Doksuri

The coastal Chinese city of Shantou has joined parts of Taiwan in shutting down schools and offices as Typhoon Doksuri brings heavy wind and rain to the Taiwan Strait
Things to do in the Attleboro area and beyond
According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, the wholesale price of lettuce jumped a whopping 279 percent from a month ago to W72,860 per 4 kg (US$1=W1,275). It shot up as high as W90,360 early last week. The price of spinach also jumped by 185 percent.

Although the monsoon is officially over, there still is a possibility of further heavy rainfall due to the influence of typhoons, the Korea Meteorological Administration warned. Such an environment is the worst condition for cabbage and radish grown in open fields, as well as vegetables grown in greenhouses.

Kim Won-tae at the Korea Rural Economic Institute said, "Rain-sodden leafy vegetables wilt the moment they're exposed to intense sunshine."
India's mutual fund industry, which currently has 43 companies, is set to get a new player. Reliance Industries' recently demerged Jio Financial Services and US-based investment manager BlackRock are setting up an equal share joint venture in the country to enter the asset management industry.



On the one hand, this joint venture marks the first steps Reliance has taken to build a diversified financial services business. On the other hand, this joint venture will mark the re-entry of BlackRock in India.

Contours of the joint venture

Jio Financial Services and BlackRock will hold a 50 per cent stake each and are targeting initial investments of $150 million each in the venture to be called Jio BlackRock.

While, Jio Financial Services contributes local market knowledge, digital infrastructure capabilities and robust execution capabilities, BlackRock brings deep expertise and talent in investment management, risk management, product excellence, access to technology, operations, scale, and intellectual capital around markets.

Jio BlackRock aims to be a "digital-first" enterprise with a vision to "democratise access to financial investment solutions," according to Hitesh Sethia, president and CEO of Jio Financial Services.

"The partnership will leverage BlackRocks deep expertise in investment and risk management along with the technology capability and deep market expertise of Jio Financial Services to drive digital delivery of products," said Sethia.

BlackRock's re-entry

Hemendra Kothari's DSP Group had a mutual fund joint venture with Merrill Lynch. BlackRock bought out Merrill's 40 per cent stake in the venture in 2008 and the company became DSP BlackRock Investment Managers. However, BlackRock sold its stake in the venture in 2018 to exit the mutual fund business in India.

BlackRock is the world's largest asset management company, managing close to $9 trillion in assets.

India represents an enormously important opportunity. The convergence of rising affluence, favourable demographics, and digital transformation across industries is reshaping the market in incredible ways," said Rachel Lord, chair and head of APAC, BlackRock.

It is partnering with Jio Financial Services to revolutionise Indias asset management industry and transform financial futures, added Lord.

Industry Scenario

India's mutual fund industry has seen a rapid rise in assets over the last few years. As of June 2023, the average assets under management of the industry stood at Rs 44.82 lakh crore, compared with Rs 36.98 lakh crore average AUM in June 2022 and Rs 26.06 lakh crore in June 2020.

However, it remains hugely underpenetrated compared with other, especially, developed markets. The ratio of mutual funds assets under management to the country's GDP is hovering around 16 per cent, compared to the global average of 63 per cent.

The rapid growth in recent times and the huge scope to grow have attracted several new players to the industry. Non-banking financial services major Bajaj Finserv launched its mutual fund business last month. The country's largest broking firm Zerodha has announced plans to launch a mutual fund business with the fintech platform smallcase. Hedge fund Helios Capital, Old Bridge Capital Management, and broking firms Angel One and Emkay Global are among the many other companies that are interested in launching mutual fund business in the country.

Jio BlackRock could well disrupt the industry, just like Jio did in the telecom business. But, in the mutual funds business, ultimately its the returns that a fund can deliver will make a big difference.

Also, important to note, is that despite the presence of over 40 companies, the mutual fund industry AUMs are dominated by the top 6-7 companies, especially those who have a backing of a bank. The top five AMCs in the country - SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential MF, HDFC MF, Nippon India MF and Kotak Mahindra MF - together had AUM of over Rs 22 lakh crore. So, Jio BlackRock will face stiff competition in this industry.

The company will have its own management team, but operations will be launched only after receiving the necessary regulatory and statutory approvals.
With rumours suggesting that the launch of the iPhone 15 line-up might get postponed to October instead of getting released in the usual September time-frame, the anticipation about the specifications of the new models is at an all-time high. Here are the rumoured specifications suggested by tipsters so far.

AI to track moods

Siri is already powered by AI but Apple is yet to make a major foray into the field. Dan Ives, an industry insider with Wedbush Securities, told DailyMail.com that the iPhone 15 could be Apple's stepping stone into the AI arena. He claimed that AI features could help the Health app enhance data collection on heart rate, breathing and sleeping and monitor movement, exercise routine and food habits.

Apple may also come up with an AI feature to track the user's moods by capturing speech and analysing text messages, he added.

More megapixels and better photos

'We've heard there is a 20 to 30 per cent improvement than the iPhone 14. This will likely include megapixels and other capabilities around photos that are not even imaginable with the iPhone 14,' Ives told the outlet.

The iPhone 15 might feature the same dual-sensor camera setup, but could also feature the 48MP main sensor while the Pro versions may flaunt the long-rumoured periscope.

Glass-plastic hybrid lens

The iPhone 14 versions feature seven plastic lenses in the primary camera. However, according to Twitter user RgcloudS, a tipster with a track record of leaking specifications of Android devices, the iPhone 15 series might feature a hybrid lens made up of one glass element and six plastic elements in the main camera.

More battery life

According to a staffer at Foxconn, the firm that makes Apple's iPhones, quoted by ItHome, the 2023 versions of the iPhone may get larger batteries.

The iPhone 15 could have a 3,877mAh capacity, iPhone 15 Plus 4,912mAh, iPhone 15 Pro 3,650mAh and iPhone 15 Pro Max 4,852mAh, as per the report.

Bolstered RAM

iPhone 15 Pro models are anticipated to get enhanced performance as they might be equipped with 8GB RAM compared to the 6 GB RAM in the iPhone 14 Pro, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.

A17 Bionic chip

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max might feature Apple's anticipated next-generation 3nm A17 Bionic chip. However, the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will retain last year's A16 Bionic chip.

USB-C

Leaked images of the purported iPhone 15 Pro case show a wider cut-out at the bottom. This is rumoured to be for a USB-C port that replaces Apple's Lightning port.

Titanium frame

The iPhone 15 Pro models may incorporate a titanium frame, inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra compared to the stainless steel frame found in the 2022 Pro version.

Ultra-thin bezels

MacRumors reported that iPhone 15 Pro models will get ultra-thin bezels compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, according to the leaker, "ShrimpApplePro." The leaker added that thinner bezels and curved edges could give the new Pro models a look that's similar to the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8.
A 19-year-old Naval sailor was found hanging onboard INS Vikrant in the early hours of Thursday, a Defence release said in Kochi.

Prime facie it appears to be a case of suicide, it said, adding a statutory Board of Inquiry is being ordered into the incident.

Sources said the unmarried sailor belongs to Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

They said a case has been registered with the local police.
Samsung unveiled the new foldable Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 smartphones at a media event at COEX in southern Seoul on Wednesday.

The clamshell Flip 5 is an attempt to lure young consumers away from Apple, whose superior design and functionality they favor.

This was Samsung's first global product launch in Seoul since 2019 after a period unveiling them abroad for maximum impact. The new phones will hit stores on Aug. 11.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 makes huge changes to the exterior. Its outer screen has been enlarged so that it takes up 95 percent of the surface when folded, compared to 30 percent of predecessor's. This enables users to answer messages, watch videos and take selfies without flipping the device open.
Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress is likely to back the controversial bill to replace the Delhi Services Ordinance, thereby ensuring its smooth passage in Rajya Sabha. Besides YSR Congress, Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) may also back the bill in the Upper House, thereby giving NDA the necessary numbers.

While it is unclear when the bill will be tabled in both houses, several parties, including the Congress and AAP, have issued whips to their members to remain present in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. JD(U) too issued a whip to its MPs on Thursday to vote against the bill and support the party stance. Interestingly, the JD(U) issued a whip to Deputy Chairman of House Harivansh Narayan Singh too.



The whip to Harivansh has triggered a controversy as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha is a constitutional post. JD(U) party chief whip Aneel Prasad Hegde said all MPs have been issued a whip. "We have issued a whip to all our MPs. I will need to check if this was sent earlier as well to the Deputy Chairman. This time I am the Chief Whip of the party and the whip has been issued to all five Rajya Sabha MPs of the party."



Former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien told ANI that this should not have been done as the role of Deputy Chairman is that of an umpire. "I was never given a whip by my party to vote in any direction. Since I was in a constitutional post, I was given full freedom to do my duty. Parties do not send a whip to the Deputy Chairman as he is an umpire," Kurien said.

Meanwhile, the NDA hopes to win the support of nominated members and Independents in the Rajya Sabha to ensure the bill's passage. The NDA has enough numbers in the Lok Sabha, while NDA and INDIA are evenly poised in the Rajya Sabha.



The NDA has 101 members in the Rajya Sabha, while the 26-party INDIA enjoys the support of 100 lawmakers. The non-aligned parties have 28 members, five members are in the nominated category and three independents. Of them, seven belong to BRS and are likely to vote for INDIA. The BJD and YSR Congress have nine members each and the ruling alliance will be hoping for their support for the crucial bill.



The BSP, JD(S) and TDP have one member each in the Upper House and which way they will vote will be eagerly watched. However, the tradition of ruling coalition managing the support of non-aligned parties may help NDA clear the bill in the Upper House.



The bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, but there was speculation that it could be brought to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.


MPs from opposition alliance INDIA will visit strife-torn Manipur on July 29, 30. According to reports, the delegation will include 20 MPs who will take a 'first-hand-account' of the situation in the northeastern state which has been witnessing ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis since May.

The move comes amid a stormy Parliament session where the opposition leaders have been demanding a discussion on Manipur in both Houses, and a detailed statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As a mark of protest, opposition leaders wore black clothes in Parliament on Thursday as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Modi for not addressing issues in Parliament, and instead speaking at public rallies.

"The Parliament session is going on and instead of speaking on the floor, the prime minister is making speeches here and there and by doing so he is tarnishing democracy, Kharge sad. Modi arrived in Rajasthan's Sikar on Thursday morning where he targetted Ashok Gehlot's government over corruption allegations.

Both Houses of Parliament have not been able to transact any business amid the uproar. Kharge said the BJP cannot run away from its responsibility by plunging the life of Manipur into "black darkness", by adopting a "dictatorial attitude" and by diverting the attention from the issue.

The BJP has come under sharp criticism over of its handling of the tense situation in the northeastern state and inaction towards Chief Minister Biren Singh.

The ethnic violence which broke out on May 3 has killed over 160 people and injured hundreds. Earlier this month, a viral video of two women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur, triggered outrage across the country, and made international headlines.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his two-day visit to the the crisis-hit state at the end of May, visited relief camps and interacted with civil society members. On the way to Churachandpur, his convoy was first stopped by police citing security concerns. He was later allowed to use a chopper to reach the camps.
With senior leaders in place for election management, Madhya Pradesh BJP has shifted into high gear for the assembly polls slated later this year in the state. Home Minister Amit Shah, considered the main poll strategist of the ruling party, will be visiting Bhopal this weekend, for the third time in 20 days.



A key decision that is emerging out of the flurry of high-level meetings is the holding of Vijay sankalp yatra (victory resolution rally)  a typical BJP outreach activity ahead of assembly polls. Sources said that yatras will commence simultaneously, most likely in September first week, from four or five spots in different regions of the state.

Each of these yatras will be led by most prominent leaders including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Narendra Singh Tomar, state BJP president V.D. Sharma and BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya. Sources told THE WEEK that the details of the yatra will be final by mid-August.

Meanwhile, on the day he left Bhopal after holding a late night meeting with senior leaders on Wednesday, it was informed that Shah would reach Bhopal again on July 29, hold meetings with senior leaders and put up for the night here. On July 30, he will visit Indore to attend a booth workers convention, party sources said.

Shah visited Bhopal for the first late night high-level meeting on July 11, days after union ministers Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw were made the Madhya Pradesh poll in-charge and co-incharge respectively. His second visit came on Wednesday; this time following the appointment of Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar as the Madhya Pradesh election management committee chairman.

In the Wednesday late night meeting, which went past midnight, decision is said to have been taken about the members of the various committees that will work in the state ahead of the polls  key among them the election management committee, which is likely to have 16 members including senior most leaders of state BJP and the campaign committee.

The other committees include the one overseeing tours of central leadership, special outreach campaign, 'Ghar-ghar jhanda' (flag at each home) campaign, Kamal Diwali initiative, publicity committee, assembly constituency feedback committee, media and media monitoring committees, social media committee, election commission and voting campaign committees. These committees are likely to be formally announced in the next two days, before Shahs next scheduled visit.

Keeping to the current pattern of the BJP, Amit Shah has taken charge of planning in major poll-bound states like MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana and senior leaders  including union ministers  have been posted as poll in-charges. As these elections are the last major assembly elections to be held before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP is likely to stick to its pattern of propping the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the party mascot.
Day six of the monsoon session of the Parliament is likely to be stormy with Opposition parties set to wear black to the House as a mark of protest against the Manipur issue. This comes a day after the leaders of newly-formed INDIA moved a no-confidence motion against the government.

The floor leaders of the Opposition parties will also meet the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in Parliament to discuss important issues.



Meanwhile, the Congress issuing a whip asking all its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in the House on Thursday has triggered speculations that the government may table the bill to replace Delhi ordinance in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.



The Congress' chief whip in Rajya Sabha issued the three-lined whip, saying "very important issues will be taken up for discussion in Rajya Sabha tomorrow i.e. Thursday, July 27, 2023".



"All members of the Congress Party in the Rajya Sabha are requested to kindly remain present in the House from 11 am onwards till the adjournment of the House on Thursday, July 27, 2023, without fail and support the party stand," the whip said. This may be treated as "most important", it added.



Not just Congress, but even AAP have issued whips to their MPs to be present in the House throughout Thursday.



The Centre on Tuesday cleared the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, to replace an ordinance that gives control of Delhi's bureaucratic machinery to the Centre. Though officials aware of the matter indicated that the bill will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha in the coming week, it wasn't clear when.



If tabled on Thursday, ruckus can be expected in the Parliament as the INDIA grouping, which includes the AAP, will fiercely fight the bill. The Centre has enough strength in both houses to clear the bill.



The new bill was formed by the central government on May 19 after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Before the verdict, the transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the Lieutenant Governor.



According to a circular issued by the government, the bill is being brought as a result of the pronouncement of the order of the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in which the legislative and executive power over services shall vest with the GNCTD. "The conclusions drawn in Constitution bench pronouncement pose certain challenges to the smooth administration of GNCTD which need to be addressed through appropriate legal interventions," the circular read.


Making a reference to the controversial 'Red Diary', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27 said it is the latest project of the Congress's "jhooth ki dukan".

The Congress has only run a shop of thieves and market of lies in Rajasthan in the name of running government. The latest product of this is the 'red diary of Rajasthan, said the PM.

Recently ousted Rajasthan minister Rajinder Gudha claimed the diary held details of Ashok Gehlot government's corruption. He recently produced the "red diary" in the Rajasthan assembly, and claimed it contained the details of alleged irregular financial transactions of Chief Minister Gehlot.

Referring to Gudha's claims, Modi said that the "dark deeds" of the Congress are recorded in the diary, which will defeat the party in elections in the state.

He also targeted the Congress government in the state over recruitment paper leaks, saying Gehlot's government should be removed to fulfill the dreams of youths. Today in Rajasthan, there is only one voice, one sloganlotus will win, lotus will bloom, he added.

Gehlot claps back at Modi

Responding to Modi's remarks, CM Gehlot said, "I heard that PM gave a speech in Sikar on 'red diary'. The position of PM holds dignity. IT, ED and CBI are being misused across the country. Can't they gather information from the diary from them? Are they so perturbed? Rajasthan has seen the most number of raids. Elections are due in three months. They are perturbed as they can see people's mood. So, they are levelling baseless allegations. 'Red diary' is one of them.



Earlier in the day, Gehlot alleged that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had cancelled his speech at the Sikar event. The PMO, however, said it was informed by Gehlot's office that he will not be able to attend the programme. The PM's office said Gehlot was "most welcome" to join the programme.

PM Modi, while speaking in Sikar, said Gehlot could not attend the event due to problems in his feet. "He has been ill for a few days. I pray for his good health," Modi said about the chief minister.

Modi is on a two-day visit to Rajasthan, following which he will travel to Rajkot, Gujarat.
Several states continue to suffer under heavy rains as monsoon gained strength on Wednesday. While Mumbai received record rainfall, several regions of Telangana too witnessed monsoon fury prompting India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue warnings.

Himachal Pradesh, one of the worst-hit this season, will continue to receive more rains, said IMD.



In Mumbai, schools and other educational institutions will continue to remain shut after the weather agency sounded red alert for Thursday. Besides Mumbai, red alert is in place for Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. Heavy to very-heavy rainfall is forecasted at a few places and extremely-heavy rainfall at isolated places till Thursday afternoon, the BMC said in a statement.



Several areas, including Fort, Colaba, Nariman Point, Elphinstone Road, Grant Road, and suburbs including Andheri, Marol, Jogeshwari, and Goregaon received more than 100 mm of rainfall in 12 hours ended at 8 pm on Wednesday. The island city, eastern suburbs, and western suburbs received an average rainfall of 92.82 mm, 80.13 mm, and 94.13 mm, respectively, during the same period, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.



Telangana



As for Telangana, heavy downpour has left the rivers in spate, threatening flooding. The continuous rains also caused disruption of power supply across the state. The districts of Mulugu, Kothagudem, Khammam, Karimnagar, Suryapet and Wanaparthy received heavy rainfall on Wednesday.



Meanwhile, over 40 tourists, stranded at the Mutyala Dhara waterfall in Mulugu district, have been rescued. "We verified with every group and no one is left behind now. They have been given water and medical services. One boy got a minor scorpion bite and he has been treated. 90% of tourists' health is fine," ANI quoted a Mulugu senior police official.



#WATCH | Telangana: Rescue work has been completed. A total of 80 stranded tourists have been rescued from the Mutyala Dhara waterfall. We verified with every group and no one is left behind now. They have been given water and medical services. One boy got a minor scorpion bite pic.twitter.com/iG0vnmk7O2  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

The tourists were on an adventurous journey to the waterfall when they found the surge gaining strength. They were stranded at a higher ground and began panicking as night fell. Authorities responded immediately and NDRF was deployed. The officials and local police braved the darkness and the rising waters to rescue the tourists.



Himachal Pradesh



An orange alert is also in place for Himachal Pradesh, which has been witnessing heavy showers for the past few days. Nine districts, including Shimla, Solan and Mandi, will receive more rains. "We have issued orange alerts for the Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Kangra, Chamba, Hamirpur and Una districts during the next three days. The rain will continue in the near future. If we see the records of the past 100 years, this year will be the highest rainfall year as it has broken all old records so far in the state," said Surender Paul, head of IMD (Shimla), on Wednesday.



He added that there was still a possibility of landslides, and the monsoon will continue till September. "Monsoon so far there has been 530 mm of rainfall which is very high. We have received 734 mm of rain during the monsoon. We have received 70% prescription of the total rainfall. We have two more months of the monsoon season. We have issued an advisory and have also issued an orange alert," Paul added.


Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday said that the eighth Muharram procession, held in Srinagar after three decades, is another historic step in the continued march towards peace and stability a sign that the current situation is at par with the days when normalcy was prevailing.

Before the outbreak of the militancy, the procession was taken out regularly every year as Shia Muslims commemorated the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and his companions, in the battle of Karbala in Iraq more than 1,400 years ago.

The procession was allowed after the administration and police held talks with the leaders of the Shia community a few days ago. The procession was allowed for two hours from 6am to 8am along certain pre-approved routes in Srinagar.

Hundreds of Shia muslims, dressed in black, participated in the procession and carried banners with with religious inscriptions and names of Hussain and his companions, and matched through Srinagar from Guru Bazar to Dalgate.



In a statement, the government spokesman said, In view of the sensitivity of the day, when the shadow of terrorism and petty politics of separatism made it impossible to hold such events, the procession was not taken out for the last 33 years.

It further stated: The procession started at 6am and culminated at 11am. Our forces were on ground since 4am, while Naka and cut off points were placed by 5am. Before people started the procession traffic management remained excellent since morning.

Addressing the National Convention on Sufism in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that for the first time in 30 years, the Muharram procession was taken out in Srinagar peacefully. Feeling satisfied, mourners are now returning to their homes, he said.

A layered security cover was arranged for the smooth conduct of the procession. Top police officers and the officials from the administration were present on the occasion. Shia leaders expressed their gratitude to the administration for the historic decision.
The BJP on Thursday staged a demonstration near Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara's residence alleging the Congress government was supporting "terrorists" and siding with the accused girls in the Udupi washroom video case.

Party activists also staged protests in several parts of Karnataka including the coastal district headquarters town of Udupi accusing the Congress of indulging in "appeasement politics."



In Bengaluru, the activists raised slogans near Parameshwara's residence alleging that he is "preparing ground" to withdraw police cases against the rioters of DJ Halli and KG Halli riots three years ago in which the then sitting Congress Dalit MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy's house and KG Halli police stations were torched.



Three people were killed and over 50 injured in the riots that erupted in D J Halli and K G Halli, allegedly due to a derogatory social media post by a relative of the Murthy in August 2020.



Parameshwara has asked officials to examine the request by a Congress MLA to withdraw cases against "innocent" youths and students, who were arrested under "false cases" in connection with protests and riots in Bengaluru's D J Halli and K G Halli, Shivamogga and Hubballi among other places.



The Opposition BJP has sharply reacted to this and has accused the Congress government in the state of giving "clean chit to the communal criminals of one community, and playing to the tune of Jihadists and PFI terrorists".



Parameshwara has, in a July 19 note to Principal Secretary-Prisons, Civil Defence and Auxiliary Services (PCAS), Home Department, cited a request letter by Narasimharaja MLA and former Minister Tanveer Sait in this regard.



"It has been requested that innocent youths and students have been arrested under false cases in connection with protests and riots in Bengaluru's D J Halli and K G Halli, Shivamogga, Hubballi and other places, and to withdraw cases in accordance with rules, after review. It is instructed to take necessary action in this regard after review," the Home Minister's note said.



The activists who marched towards Parameshwara's residence raised slogans: "We condemn the Congress government supporting the DJ Halli and KG Halli 'terrorists'."



In 'Freedom Park' here, the women's wing of BJP staged a sit-in demonstration. They shouted slogans accusing the Congress government of shielding the accused girls in the washroom video case..



The BJP activists also alleged that the Congress government was "diluting" the Udupi case. Police have filed an FIR against three girl students -- Shabnaz, Alfia and Aleema -- and the management of the paramedical college where the alleged incident of secretly filming a fellow student in a washroom took place last week. The three students have been suspended from the college.



Due to the police barricades, the activists couldn't go near the minister's house. They were all detained and taken away.



In Udupi, students and the members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad too staged demonstrations against the Congress government.



During the protest, the ABVP activists, in which a majority were girls, raised slogans seeking "justice". They also sought to know why there was a delay in registering a case.



They demanded an independent and fair inquiry into the case.



Meanwhile, Parameshwara said he never called the Udupi incident an innocent act of children. "You all have studied in college. Sometimes certain things used to happen between the students and we would resolve it amongst us. That shouldn't be a big issue," Parameshwara told reporters here.

He also said such issues should be left among students only.


The President of the West African nation of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, has been removed from power, claimed a group of soldiers in a video released on national TV. The men, reportedly the members of the presidential guard, said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.

In the video, a man identified as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said: "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime. This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social governance."



Abdramane, flanked by nine men in military fatigues, added: "All external partners are asked not to interfere. Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised." He added a night curfew would take effect from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice.



Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). The countrys interior minister, Hamadou Souley, was also arrested by the presidential guard on Wednesday.



While the Presidential Guard could be seen guarding the presidential complex which has been sealed off since Wednesday, Bazoum's social media channels said he is doing well. They said the national guard were "ready to attack the elements of the GP [Presidential Guard] involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses."



Meanwhile, protests erupted in Niger's capital Niamey with agitators carrying signs that read: "No to the destabilization of the republics institutions." Presidential guards fired "warning shots" and none were injured. Heavily armed forces loyal to the president too were seen stationed in the city. However, the rest of the city remained calm.



The coup was denounced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which in a statement on Wednesday said there had been an "attempt to seize power by force" in Niger.



"ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition," the bloc added.



Though there are reports of intense discussions between the countrys Presidential Guard and government authorities, it isn't clear what was exactly being discussed.



US reacts



U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday called for the immediate release of Bazoum. "Whether this constitutes a coup technically or not, I can't say, that's for the lawyers to say, but what it clearly constitutes an effort to seize power by force and disrupt the constitution," Blinken told a news conference in the New Zealand capital Wellington.
Amid rise in unemployment in the post-Covid era, an increasing number of Chinese youth are signing up to become full-time children. These adult children are hired by their parents to do housework or help them out whenever needed.

Hashtags such as #FullTimeChildren, #FullTimeDaughter and #FullTimeSon have been trending on social networking platforms in China in recent months.

Rising unemployment

The unemployment rate among Chinese youth, aged 16 to 24, hit a record 21.3 per cent in June 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This means over one in five youth in the country are jobless. The revelation comes as a record 11.6 million university graduates are set to enter the Chinese jobs market in 2023.

Dan Wang, chief economist at Hang Seng Bank China, told the BBC that youth unemployment "demands more direct policy responses, because this group of the population is quite vocal online. Their expression of discontent of the current situation may trigger a wider loss of confidence in the economy.

'Extremely happy'

I like cooking, and I cook lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday for my family. My parents give me money without interfering with my life. I am extremely happy every day, a full-time daughter, aged 37, wrote on Douban, an IMDb-like site that allows people to form communities.

Aspiring photographer Litsky Li, 21, is taking care of her grandmother, who has dementia. She is paid a monthly salary of 6,000 yuan (approx. Rs 68,806) by her parents.

The reason why I am at home is because I cant bear the pressure of going to school or work. I dont want to compete intensely with my peers, CNN quoted Li, a high school graduate, as saying. I dont necessarily need a higher paid job or a better life, she added.

Trend triggered by pandemic

Chinas strict Covid-19 lockdown measures have led many young Chinese people to rethink their life goals. Mentally and psychologically, people in mainland China are still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. I believe the desire to spend quality [time] with your loved ones, the contemplation about the meaning of life or what is the most important things in life still lingers, said Fang Xu, a continuing lecturer at the University of California Berkeley, told CNN.

Glorifying unemployment

Lu Xi, an assistant professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, told NBC News that some Chinese state media outlets are trying to glorify the emergence of full-time children as filial piety. He said that no matter the beautifications, the underlying essence is still unemployment.

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. Psychologically, the term full-time children allows room for denial and self-deprecation, which make it more acceptable to many, he added.












Eun Young Choi, a Korean-American cybercrime attorney, has been appointed principal deputy assistant attorney general for national security at the U.S. Department of Justice.

That puts her in charge of counterterrorism, counterespionage and cybercrime investigations, ferreting out cybersecurity threats from countries such as North Korea, China and Russia.

Choi, who was the first director of the department's National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, will work in an acting capacity in her new role until the official appointment process is finished, the department said Wednesday.

NCET was launched in February last year to fight cryptocurrency crimes by North Korean, Chinese, Russian and other hackers. That included investigating whether Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, violated U.S. sanctions against Russia. Based on that experience Choi will now be fighting a wider range of cybercrimes.

After studying economics at Harvard and graduating from Harvard Law School, she was appointed a federal attorney in 2007.

She worked as an investigator at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, where she led an investigation team in the 2014 JPMorgan Chase data breach case.
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Colombo on July 28 on his maiden trip for bilateral talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe, it was announced on Thursday.



Macron will be on his return home from a 5-day visit to the Pacific islands of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, President Wickremesinghe's office said.

The official visit by Macron is the first such by a French president to Sri Lanka, officials said.

Macron is to meet with Wickremesinghe for bilateral talks Friday evening before leaving early Saturday morning.

Wickremesinghe had met Macron in Paris in June during the heads of state sessions of the Conference for a new global financial agreement.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, as the latter visited North Korea as the country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War. Shoigu received a warm reception from Kim Jong Un. Shoigu conveyed to Kim a warm and good letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said.



Kim showed off North Korea's latest weapons to Shoigu and briefed him on national plans to expand the country's military capabilities. North Korea also extended an invite to Chinese delegations, a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic.

Among the weapons Kim showed Shoigu included the Hwasong intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was successfully tested in April. Kim also steered Shoigu towards new surveillance and attack drones that had not been publicly announced by the North. According to a BBC report, one of the drones resembled the primary offensive strike drone used by the US Air Force.

This display of arms comes amid accusations that Russia is being supplied with arms for its war in Ukraine by North Korea, a claim both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied. At the arms exhibit, were also shown new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and some of its largest nuclear missiles.

Kim and Shoigu reportedly discussed concerns over national defence and the international security environment. Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean military was analysing the military assets. Shoigu, on Wednesday, had said that North Korea has the most powerful army in the world.

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the US-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests.

The visit of Russian and Chinese delegations for North Korea's Victory Day - as the 1953 end of hostilities is called in the North - is expected to finish on Thursday with an extensive military parade.

The visiting Chinese delegation is led by politburo member Li Hongzhong. He too, handed a personal letter from President Xi Jinping to Kim.

--With PTI inputs
US President Joe Biden has directed his government to share evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court. Two senators have said that the US will support the ICC's investigation into alleged abuses by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Dick Durbin, the Democratic chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Lindsey Graham, the Republican ranking member of the panel lauded the decision by Joe Biden's administration. The Pentagon had been against the proposal and argued that any collaboration with the court may lead to politicised prosecution of American troops stationed abroad.

The US hadn't signed the Rome Statute to become a member of the ICC and therefore argues that its not subject to the courts jurisdiction. Washington anticipates that an ICC prosecutor would have the power to investigate the actions of US troops in war, Politico reported. The US, for long has refused to cooperate with the ICC over concerns that the court might then investigate crimes by the US troops or its allied countries.

The ICC issued an arrest order for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the alleged deportation of children from Ukraine in March. Since the beginning of Russias assault on Ukraine, the president has been clear: there needs to be accountability for the perpetrators and enablers of war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, a National Security Council spokesperson told New York Times.

The war in Ukraine and Biden's promise to Zelenskyy to help Kyiv hold Moscow accountable for its atrocities seems to have given the US a push to share evidence with the tribunal. Lawmakers from both parties had urged the administration to provide evidence.

According to a National Security Council spokesperson, the US had sent teams of international investigators and prosecutors to help Ukraines Office of the Prosecutor General in preparing war crimes cases.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Russia is making maximum efforts to avert a food crisis and offered to supply free grain to six African nations.

Addressing at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, Putin said Russia could supply grain to African nations, replacing Ukraine. The Guardian reported that Putin offered to supply free grain to six nations - Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea. Putin said that Russia could supply grains in three to four months and offered 25-50,000 tonnes of free grain to each of the nations.

Putin told leaders and officials from most African countries that his nation is making full efforts to avert a global food crisis despite concerns that its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine will cause shortages and price spikes.

Our country will continue supporting needy states and regions, in particular, with its humanitarian deliveries. We seek to actively participate in building a fairer system of distribution of resources. We are making maximum efforts to avert a global food crisis, Putin said.

"I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year, he said.

Russia and Ukraine agreed a year ago on a UN and Turkey-brokered deal that reopened three Ukrainian Black Sea ports that had been blocked by Russia-Ukraine fighting and provided assurances that ships entering the ports would not be attacked.

Russia declined to renew the agreement this month, complaining that its own exports were being held up. Both Russia and Ukraine are major grain suppliers.

Promising Russian food exports to Africa is key to Putin's stated goal of using the summit to bolster ties with a continent of 1.3 billion people that is increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Putin also announced other moves to deepen relations with Africa, including increased enrollment of African students in Russian universities, the opening of Russian state news media bureaus in many African countries and a proposed common information space in Russia and Africa, within which objective, unbiased information about events taking place in the world will be broadcast to Russian and African audiences.

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 actions in Ukraine.

It's the second Russia-Africa summit since 2019. The number of heads of state attending shrank from 43 then to 17 now because of what the Kremlin described as crude Western pressure to discourage African nations from taking part.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said that while only 17 heads of state are attending the summit, 32 other African countries are represented by senior officials or ambassadors.

Along with grain, another issue likely to be on the agenda is the fate of Russia's Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin following its brief rebellion against the top military leadership last month.

Wagner's future will be an urgent issue for countries such as Sudan, Mali and others who contract with the mercenary group in exchange for natural resources like gold. Russian officials and Prigozhin have said the company will continue working in Africa.

A peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have tried to pursue is set to be discussed as well.

(With PTI inputs.)
Ukraine's SBU security service, on Wednesday, searched the home of a Ukrainian MP, who allegedly travelled to the Maldives for a holiday. Yuriy Aristov reportedly travelled to Lithuania for a work trip. He then faked sick and travelled to the Maldives to stay at a luxury hotel in the Maldives with his family.



Aristov violated a wartime ban that prevents officials from travelling outside the country. Men, who are of conscription age need special permission to leave the country. The violation has opened a criminal case against Aristov. If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.

Initial investigations by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Security Service of Ukraine have revealed that he had been on the private island of Ithaafushi in the Maldives in mid-July, while he was registered on sick leave. He was spotted in the Maldives by Ukrainian media.

Aristov had first left home for Poland for a three-day business trip. He was abroad from July 5-22. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Tuesday, in a speech, had warned public servants against betraying the country's interests.



"When you constantly see and feel the moral strength gained for Ukraine by our warriors, our people, who are doing everything possible and impossible for the victory and preservation of freedom, any internal betrayal, any 'beach' [holiday] or any personal enrichment instead of Ukraine's interests triggers fury at the very least," he said, BBC reported.

According to a Facebook post of Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, Aristove handed in his resignation letter and the matter will be discussed in the next parliamentary session.

Several scandals involving high-ranking Ukrainian officials have been reported since Russia invaded the country in February 2022, especially since Zelenskyy launched an anti-corruption drive in January this year.
A former US military intelligence officer-turned-whistleblower told the Congress that the US government secretly possesses "intact and partially intact" spacecraft of non-human origin and is withholding information from the public, a claim that the Pentagon has refuted.

David Grusch, who served 14 years as an intelligence officer in the Air Force and National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, appeared before a panel alongside two former fighter pilots who reportedly had firsthand experience with mysterious objects. He alleged that the US government conducted a "multi-decade" programme which collected and reverse-engineered crashed UFOs.



Grusch, who headed an analysis of unexplained anomalous phenomena (UAP) within a US Department of Defense agency until earlier this year, claimed that during the course of his work examining classified programmes, he was denied access to them. US government officially refers to UFOs as UAPs.



"I was informed in the course of my official duties of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program to which I was denied access," he said. He also accused the military of misappropriating funds to shield these operations from congressional scrutiny, according to CBS News.



He revealed that he has faced "very brutal" retaliation, which prompted him to become a whistleblower. "It was very brutal and very unfortunate, some of the tactics they used to hurt me both professionally and personally," Grusch said.



Grusch added the government apparently had knowledge of non-human activity since the 1930s and went on to claim that bodies of extraterrestrial origin were recovered from crashed alien spacecraft.



When asked whom the panel should talk to next, Grusch said he could submit a list of "cooperative and hostile" individuals.

In a statement, a defense department spokesperson denied Grusch's claims of a cover-up, saying investigators have 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".



"We're going to uncover the cover-up, and I hope this is just the beginning of many more hearings and many more people coming forward about this," CBS quoted Tim Burchett, a Republican lawmaker from Tennessee, as saying.



 With inputs from agencies
Kolkata, Jul 27 (PTI) Chairman and managing director of ITC Limited Sanjiv Puri on Thursday said that the proposed demerged hotels business will have a strong balance sheet and also be debt-free.

Speaking to analysts over concall, Puri said the new entity when it comes into being, will be able to raise capital, either through debt, equity or from strategic investors when required.

This is up to to the board of the new entity to determine when such capital is required, Puri said, adding that it will work on a asset-light model requiring modest amount.

On July 24, the board of ITC gave in-principle approval to demerge the hotels business into a new entity to be listed pursuant to a scheme of arrangement.

In the new entity, ITC will directly hold 40 per cent of equity while the balance 60 per cent will be owned by the shareholders of the company.

Puri said "ITC will stay invested in the hotels business with this holding and also draw synergies for its foods vertical from the demerged entity."

Puri said "the hotel entity will have a strong balance sheet and also be debt-free. It can also raise capital either through debt, equity or from strategic investors."

Puri said "we had earlier announced to move to asset-right strategy. This view is gaining momentum and several hotels are being operated through the management contract route. We also said that one should look at an alternate structure which will create sustained value creation".

According to Puri, this is the opportune time with immense opportunities. The new demerged entity will have stability in operations backed by the institutional strengths of ITC to help to chart out its growth path.

For ITC per se, this demerger will help in getting higher returns, focus on sharper capital allocation and also unlock value of the existing shareholders.

Referring to the impact of demerger on ITC's financial ratios, Puri said "these would improve substantially."

ITC said return on capital employed (ROCE) should rise 18 per cent to 20 per cent, while return on invested capital (ROIC) will go up in double digits.

"It is win-win situation for all. The hotels entity will get the backing of ITC's institutional strength, brand and goodwill", the company said.

Puri said "this is the best arrangement at this point of time. I do not see any change in the direction of asset-right strategy, except if the new entity gets a trophy property where investments are needed".

The demerger proposal needs to be approved by the shareholders, creditors, SEBI and NCLT.

The new entity will operate on an optimal capital structure, ITC said, adding that the idea is to give substantial value to the shareholders in a pure play hotels company.

The company said that during the pandemic, occupancy and average room rates and occupancy levels had fallen to very low levels. But it had witnessed a V-shaped recovery given the sound macro fundamentals in the economy.

ITC said there is a strong pipeline of management contracts going forward.
Winning entry stands a chance to experience Lexus Design event at the Milan Design Week 2024



 Seventh edition of Lexus Design Award India (LDAI) affirms Lexus India's commitment to empowering and encouraging the next generation of creators & designers in India



 The most innovative entries in the Conceptual category will get the opportunity to participate in a development workshop held by luminaires from design and will get the opportunity to showcase their work on the global platform (Lexus Design Award 2024)



 LDAI 2024 Conceptual Category winners will be supported by Lexus India in developing and producing their prototypes



BANGALORE, India, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus India has announced the call for entries for the seventh edition of its most celebrated  Lexus Design Award India 2024 (LDAI), a unique platform for design professionals to showcase their talent and creativity. Entries will be accepted beginning the 20th of July till the 30th of September 2023. Lexus India is seeking innovative ideas from design professionals that contribute to a thriving and better future for all through the power of design and technology.



LDAI, since its first edition in 2018, has received an overwhelming response. In 6 years, LDAI has received over 4300 entries from across the country with participants sharing their unique designs with an aim to create a better tomorrow. The designs curated were focused on solving problems in a wide range of areas such as healthcare, energy conservation, sustainable goods, and waste management, among others. The last edition of Lexus Design Awards 2023, which took place last year in December 2022 in Delhi alone, saw over 3000 entries in various categories.



Speaking on the commencement of the Lexus Design Award India 2024, Mr. Naveen Soni, President, Lexus India said, "We are delighted to announce the Lexus Design Award India 2024, a remarkable platform that highlights the ability of design to address and solve pressing issues in our country. At Lexus India, we strongly believe in cultivating innovation, pushing the limits, and nurturing emerging talent. This prestigious award is designed to honor and uplift the most brilliant minds in the Indian design community, showcasing their visionary ideas and solutions. We are excited to witness the profound impact that design can have in tackling the challenges faced by our nation, as we pave the path towards a brighter and more sustainable future."



LDAI over the years, has witnessed many interesting designs that will create a better tomorrow for the society. Some of the designs have been compiled into a limited-edition Lexus Coffee Table Book. The objective of the LDAI awards is to acknowledge and honor exceptional works of industrial design crafted by talented Indian designers and seeks to commend designs that proactively address the future challenges of society and envision captivating and inventive approaches to foster a sustainable future, while effortlessly augmenting the overall happiness of individuals.



STIR which is a global media house and curatorial agency committed to advancing creativity and path-breaking ideas in the fields of Architecture, Design, and New-media Arts, is the official curatorial partner for Lexus Design Awards in India.



With LDAI, designers will be guided by the three pivotal design principles Anticipate, Innovate and Captivate to express their innovative thinking and originality that anticipates challenges faced by society and imagine engaging & innovative solution that will contribute to a sustainable future, thereby seamlessly enhancing the happiness of all.



Lexus Design Award India 2024 will invite entries from the following 6 categories:



1. Conceptual category



1. Original ideas awaiting materialization. Explore architecture, design, and crafts with diverse functions and shapes. Abstract or practical concepts that can transform into reality.



2. Industrial design:



1. Address evolving needs through inclusive, human-centric, and eco-friendly design. Focus on mass-produced works like digital applications, household goods, and transportation tools.



3. Textile design:



1. Embrace innovative textile designs, including weaves, prints, and patterns. Highlight functionality, cultural contexts, craftsmanship, and emotion.



4. Furniture design:



1. Recognize designers shifting paradigms. Enhance function, form, and ergonomics with applied art and sciences. Celebrate the skill of furniture placement.



5. Built environment:



1. Celebrate creativity, technical expertise, and social impact in urban design and architecture. Showcase imaginative spaces, infrastructure, and sustainable development.



6. Tech design:



1. Disrupt design with innovative technology. Focus on solution-driven entries, considering components, assembly, sustainability, and transformative potential.



To judge the highly anticipated LDAI 2024, Lexus India is pleased to announce its distinguished jury members. Comprised of accomplished individuals from diverse fields, the jury will lend their expertise to recognize and honor exceptional talent in the world of design.



Introducing the Distinguished Jury for the Lexus Design Award India 2024:



 Subodh Gupta: A highly acclaimed contemporary artist from India, Subodh Gupta's artistic brilliance shines through his mesmerizing installations. His works exhibited in prestigious galleries worldwide, delve into universal themes like migration, globalization, and childhood memories, creating an immersive experience for viewers.



 Dr. Anupama Kundoo: An internationally renowned architect, author, and researcher, Dr. Anupama Kundoo's passion for sustainable architecture has garnered her numerous accolades. With a focus on addressing social issues, her projects beautifully blend functionality and meaningful refuge, reflecting her vast experiences across cultural contexts



 Vinu Daniel: The principal architect and visionary behind Wallmakers, Vinu Daniel's work is a testament to his commitment to eco-friendly design. His poetic use of materials like brick, mud, scrap, and waste results in thought-provoking structures that embrace sustainability while delivering exceptional aesthetics.



 Tarun Tahiliani: Hailed as the 'Karl Lagerfeld of India,' Tarun Tahiliani's creativity extends beyond the realm of fashion. As an accomplished designer in the field of architecture and interior design, he brings his signature touch to boutique hotels, holiday homes, and institutions, crafting luxurious living spaces that redefine elegance.



 Giri Venkatesh: The driving force behind Lexus' marketing strategy in the Asia Pacific region, Giri Venkatesh's passion for design and creativity is unmatched. Having been involved with Lexus since its inception, he brings a wealth of experience and insight to the jury, ensuring that the Lexus Design Award India continues to inspire and push boundaries.



These esteemed individuals form the distinguished jury for LDAI 2024, embody a wealth of expertise across fields of art, architecture, fashion, and automotive industry. Their discerning eye and profound understanding of design will shape the outcome of this year's awards, recognizing exceptional talent and innovation.



The judging committee of notable design experts will select five winners across categories and the finalists will be given guidance by a team of leading & eminent design gurus from diverse design disciplines at a specially curated design workshop. The workshop will guide the designers to refine their entries before they present their projects to the judging panel, who will then select a winner from each of the categories. They also stand the chance to travel to Milan and experience the Lexus Design Event at Milan Design Week in Italy in 2024.



ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD INDIA



The Lexus Design Award India (LDAI) seeks to recognize and reward the best industrial design executed by Indian designers, institutions, design consultancy firms, and in-house design teams of companies. Good design is defined by LDAI as the synthesis of ergonomic, aesthetic, commercial, industrial, and scientific disciplines to create products that simplify, enrich, and better human existence. Lexus, as a brand, has always stood for excellence in design, ergonomics, sustainability, technological superiority, and responsible consumption; and the LDAI will mirror these brand values.



ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD



First launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international design competition that targets up-and-coming creators from around the world. The award seeks to foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose works can help to shape a better future. It provides a unique opportunity for the finalists to work with globally recognized designers as a mentor to create prototypes of their designs, and then exhibit them at one of the design calendar's most important events.



ABOUT LEXUS



Lexus launched in 1989 with a flagship sedan and a guest experience that helped define the premium automotive industry. In 1998, Lexus introduced the luxury crossover category with the launch of the Lexus RX. The luxury hybrid sales leader, Lexus delivered the world's first luxury hybrid and has since sold over 2 million hybrid vehicles. Since its debut in India in March 2017, Lexus has aimed to craft a better tomorrow and redefine luxury in the world's fastest-growing major economy. The brand strives to consistently deliver exceptional design and quality to the discerning Indian guest with a portfolio of 6 vehicles, 5 of which are self-charging hybrid electric vehicles. In 2020, Lexus' presence in the Indian market was further strengthened with the introduction of its first locally produced model, ES 300h. A global luxury automotive brand with an unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of the next generation of global luxury guests and is currently available in over 90 countries worldwide. Lexus associates/team members across the world are dedicated to crafting amazing experiences that are uniquely Lexus, and that excite and change the world.



Website: www.lexuslife.co.in

Facebook: @LexusIndia

Instagram:@lexusindia



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2163649/LDAI2024.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Actor Sushmita Sen joins CEO, Suparna Mitra to launch an exquisite collection of 18K gold watches that celebrates the elegance and grandeur of Art Deco



Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (NewsVoir)



Nebula by Titan today introduced an exquisite line up of 7 timepieces inspired by the exuberance, elegance and grandeur of the Art Deco era. Designed for the modern Indian, Nebula by Titans 18K gold watches are embellished with precious stones, and astutely translate design inspiration through the finest of jewellery making and precision watchmaking. The streamlined geometry, rich detail and sleek lines of this luxuriously modern collection are a glamorous homage to this most revered period of artistic expression that emerged in France in the 1920s and gained traction across the world in the decades that followed. Nebula by Titans Art Deco collection, is an effortless statement of style and individuality where each watch is a timeless piece of art that is worthy of a connoisseur.



Nebula by Titan has always been designed for the discerning aesthete who values the seamless fusion of artistic design and functional grace. We are delighted to introduce this Art Deco Collection, a range of refined timepieces with enhanced character and visual appeal that captivate both connoisseurs and first-time buyers, said Suparna Mitra, CEO Titan Watches and Wearables Division. This launch underscores our commitment to creating an immersive experience for our buyers through a blend of excellence in design, precision technology and a cohesive narrative of inspiration.



Actor Sushmita Sen joined Suparna Mitra, at the launch of the collection. The event was held on the rooftop of the Intercontinental Hotel, located at the heart of a glittering sweep of Art Deco buildings on Marine Drive in Mumbai, a city that has the second largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. This significant architectural ensemble has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and represents the making of modern Bombay, as it was then known. The location was thoughtfully chosen for the launch to celebrate the genesis of this contemporary collection with vintage charm.



I am very happy to launch Nebulas beautiful new Art Deco Collection, a range of refined timepieces that can be styled with versatility for special occasions or simply to elevate your everyday style. The collection is a magnificent blend of fine jewellery and classic watchmaking and embodies the essence of elegant sophistication, said Sushmita Sen. Each watch in this collection is a work of art that resonates with my own appreciation for timeless beauty and precision.



Nebula by Titans Art Deco collection is available at Titan World, Helios Stores, select watch outlets, and select Shoppers Stop stores.



For more information about this breathtaking watch collection visit Nebulas website: www.titan.co.in/shop/nebula.



About Nebula By Titan



Nebula by Titan is a range of luxury watches in solid 18 carat gold and embellished with precious stones.



Nebula stands for authenticity and modern expression. Each timepiece is a work of art, meticulously crafted to reflect these values. Nebulas collection offers a variety of styles to suit different preferences; from sleek and minimalistic to bold and statement-making pieces, there is a watch for every occasion. Whether you're attending a formal event or simply want to add a touch of elegance to your everyday ensemble, Nebula watches are the perfect choice. Each Nebula timepiece is crafted with precision using high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology, ensuring exceptional accuracy and durability. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the intricate dial patterns to the refined finishing touches. Nebula by Titan is available at Titan World and Helios Stores, select watch outlets, and select Shoppers Stop stores.



To see the range of Nebulas timepieces, please visit Nebulas website: www.titan.co.in/shop/nebula.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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MUMBAI, India, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FIREFITE LITHEX EXTINGUISHER, is ISI-marked and made specifically to put out lithium-ion battery fires. It employs a brand-new,ground-breaking technology in collaboration with AVD , UK called aqueous vermiculite dispersion (AVD), a fire extinguishing solution that uses both fixed and mobile delivery methods to successfully put out lithium-ion battery fires.



Under the Progressive MAKE IN INDIA policy, Bharati Fire Engineers is proudly manufacturing FIREFITE LITHEX in India after securing the technology from a UK-based corporation. This reflects the company's commitment to supporting the growth of Electric Vehicles in India and enhancing overall fire safety standards.



To know More about the product visit at: http://bharatifire.com/FirefiteLithEx.php



Lithium-ion battery fires present a serious concern for the survival of the lithium-ion battery industry. These fires are distinct from regular automotive fires, as they involve thermal runaway within the battery cells. The chain reaction is triggered when a cell or region inside the battery reaches high temperatures due to thermal failure, mechanical failure, short circuiting, or electrochemical abuse. This process releases more than 40 hazardous poisonous gases under high pressure, leading to multiple explosions.



When faced with an electric vehicle fire, it is crucial to have a lithium-ion fire extinguisher like FIREFITE LITHEX readily available. Here are some key safety measures to remember:



 Keep a lithium-ion fire extinguisher on hand and use it at the fire's source.



 Stay as far away from the fire's source as possible.



 Avoid inhaling the fumes released by the battery explosion.



 Evacuate the Electric Vehicle as soon as possible and isolate it.



Proven Effectiveness: FIREFITE LITHEX has undergone rigorous testing, demonstrating successful extinguishing of battery fires in several compelling demos. Its efficiency is set to redefine 'Battery Fire Safety' standards. Here's the Video that proves successful demos of extinguishing battery fires using FIREFITE LITHEX.



Bharati Fire Engineers, founded in 1972 is celebrating its 50 years of service in the fire and safety industry. Currently, in its third generation in this industry, it is also the first company to receive ISO certification and produces more than 1,00,000 extinguishers monthly. With an inhouse R&D Facility the company is currently in partnerships with international innovators to provide specialised technologies. To know more about Bharati Fire Engineers, click on the Link http://bharatifire.com/index.php



CELEBRATING 50 YEARS: EXCITING DISCOUNTS TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE



Contacts:

Manager FireFite- Lithex

Mr. Nirmalraj Showry

+91 8591998713

sales@bharatifire.com



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2163775/BharatiFireFireFiteLithex.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Thursday marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice that halted the Korean War. Gen. Mark Clark, who represented the UN Command in signing the ceasefire agreement, famously said, "I cannot find it in me to exult in this hour" as the war that began along the 38th parallel ended at the exact same frontline. But now, as North and South Korea walked very different paths, it is clear as day which side won. Based on freedom and democracy, South Korea succeeded in industrialization and democratization to rank among the world's biggest economies.

North Korea, in contrast, ended up as one of the world's poorest countries and its people are starving. At the 60th anniversary of the armistice a decade ago, then-U.S. President Barack Obama said, "But here, today, we can say with confidence that war was no tie. [It] was a victory. When 50 million South Koreans live in freedom -- a vibrant democracy, one of the world's most dynamic economies, in stark contrast to the repression and poverty of the North -- that's a victory."

Yet bizarrely it is North Korea, China and Russia that refer to this day as "Victory Day." Russia sent a delegation to North Korea headed by its defense minister, and China also sent a delegation. Both will attend a military parade in the dismal wastes of central Pyongyang. The North now poses a nuclear threat, and South Korea must deal with the North's strengthened ties with Beijing and Moscow in cooperation with the U.S. and Japan in the firm resolve never to let another war happen.
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Gold price jumped Rs 250 to Rs 60,600 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday amid strong global cues, according to HDFC Securities.

In the previous trade, the yellow metal had closed at Rs 60,350 per 10 grams.

Silver also zoomed Rs 900 to Rs 77,900 per kilogramme.

Gold advanced on Thursday, with spot gold prices in the Delhi markets trading at Rs 60,600/10 grams, up by Rs 250 per 10 grams, Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

In the international market, gold and silver were trading higher at USD 1,980 per ounce and USD 25.03 per ounce, respectively.

As expected, the US Federal Reserve raised the Fed fund rate by 25 basis points to the 5.25-5.50 per cent range and kept its options going forward open as it made the future cases depending on incoming data.

Traders will look forward to today's the European Central Bank monetary policy decision as the central bank is widely expected to hike the key rate by 25 basis points. However, the focus will be on future rate hike possibilities, Praveen Singh - Associate VP, Fundamental Currencies and Commodities at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said.
Singapore, Jul 27 (PTI) Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its subsidiary low-cost Scoot will restructure their Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad services from October 29, subject to regulatory approvals, the airlines said on Thursday.

As part of this move, SIA will offer daily morning and evening services to Bengaluru, SIA said in its first three months of FY2023/24 report on Thursday.

The SIA Group said it will also increase its services between Singapore and Chennai from 17-times weekly to 21-times weekly, with Scoot commencing daily operations to the city after SIA transfers some of its Chennai services to the low-cost carrier from November 5, 2023.

In addition, SIA will progressively increase its weekly service between Singapore and Hyderabad from seven times weekly to 12 times weekly, taking over Scoots daily services between the two cities.

These adjustments are part of the continuous review of the SIA Groups network, and reflect its ability and flexibility to adjust operations between SIA and Scoot to meet evolving customer demand.

These were among updates on its operations as the Group posted a net profit of 734 million Singaporean dollars in the first three months of FY2023/24, the highest quarterly performance in its history, amid robust demand for air travel through the mid-year school holidays and the start of the summer travel season.

Group passenger capacity expanded by 32.4 per cent year-on-year as restrictions on international air travel eased globally.

SIA and Scoot carried 8.4 million passengers during the quarter, 65.5 per cent higher than a year before, with strong demand across all route regions and market segments.

Passenger traffic and load factors improved across all markets, with the year-on-year traffic growth of 49 per cent outpacing the capacity expansion.

The Group achieved a record quarterly passenger load factor (PLF) of 88.9 per cent, with SIAs PLF at a record 88.1 per cent and Scoots at a record 91.7 per cent.

The cargo segments performance declined year-on-year as the demand for air freight continued to soften.

Cargo loads dipped 11.3 per cent year-on-year, while capacity grew 12.1 per cent, primarily from the increase in bellyhold capacity as more passenger flights returned to service.

Cargo load factor fell by 13.7 percentage points to 51.8 per cent, and cargo yields fell 44.3 per cent compared to last year.

Nevertheless, cargo yields at 44.6 cents per load tonne-kilometre remained 50 per cent above the pre-COVID level of 29.7 cents per load tonne kilometre (first quarter of FY2019/20).

As a result, Group revenue rose 551 million Singapore dollar (+14.0 per cent) year-on-year to 4,479 million Singapore dollar, with the higher passenger flown revenue of 1,001 million

Singaporean dollar (+37.4 per cent), partially offset by a 555 million Singaporen dollar (-50.6 per cent) decline in cargo flown revenue.

Expenditure increased 353 million Singaporean dollars (+10.5 per cent) year-on-year to 3,725 million Singaporean dollars, with the rise in non-fuel expenditure of 572 million Singaporean dollars (+27.3 per cent) partly offset by a 220 million Singaporean dollar decrease (-17.3 per cent) in net fuel cost.
Mumbai, Jul 26 (PTI) A court here while issuing summons to lyricist Javed Akhtar in a case filed by actor Kangana Ranaut has held that there was sufficient ground to proceed against him for the offence of criminal intimidation.

However, no case is made out against him on charges of extortion, the court said.

Metropolitan magistrate (Andheri court) R M Shaikh on July 24 issued the summons against Akhtar, asking him to appear before the court on August 5.

Ranaut had filed a complaint against Akhtar for alleged "extortion and criminal intimidation".

The court, while issuing summons, said no case of extortion was made out against the lyricist.

Asking a person to give a written apology will not come under the definition of "valuable security" as defined under section 30 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) because no legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released," it said.

"As far as other offences levelled against the accused are concerned, on the basis of averments in the complaint, verification of the complainant and statement of her (Ranaut's) sister Rangoli Chandel," the court said.

"I have come to the conclusion that there are sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused for offence under IPC section 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman)," the court said.

In 2020, Akhtar had filed a complaint against Ranaut, claiming that she had made defamatory statements against him in a television interview, which allegedly damaged his reputation.

In his complaint, Akhtar claimed that Ranaut dragged his name during an interview while referring to a 'coterie' existing in Bollywood, following the alleged suicide by actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Later, Ranaut filed a counter-complaint in the same court against Akhtar for alleged "extortion and criminal intimidation".

The actress in her complaint against Akhtar said that following her public dispute with her co-star, the lyricist had called her and her sister Rangoli Chandel to his house with "malafide intentions and ulterior motives and then criminally intimidated and threatened" her.
Mumbai, Jul 27 (PTI) After the successful run of its first musical "The Sound of Music", the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) on Thursday announced that it will present another Broadway musical "West Side Story" to Indian audiences.

This modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", directed by Broadway luminary Lonny Price, will be staged here at The Grand Theatre -- the cultural centre's performing arts space -- between August 16- August 27.

"We are delighted to bring yet another iconic Broadway musical 'West Side Story' to India for the very first time. This carries forward our vision of showcasing the best of India to the world and bringing the best of the world to India.

"At the heart of this theatrical is the emotion of love - a force that transcends boundaries and binds cultures. I thank all the friends of NMACC for their wholehearted support to our Centre; and invite them to join us in this celebration of love through art and music," said Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of NMACC in a statement.

"West Side Story" narrates the story of two young, star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, in the throes of life-changing events that play out on the streets of 1950s New York.

The musical was adapted for the big screen in 1961 and 2021 by original creator Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, and Steven Spielberg, respectively.

In this "vibrant and passionate retelling", trouble brews on the Upper West Side as rival gangs Jets (American) and Sharks (Puerto Rican) battle for dominance of the neighbourhood, even as the protagonists -- whose kin are sworn enemies -- find themselves irrevocably in love, according to a press release.

"Driven by ancient feuds, electric rhythms, a cinematic period setting and the tragic obstacles of destiny, this is a timeless tale that is bound to enthrall," said the organisers in its description of the theatrical which was originally staged in 1957 in Washington, DC.

Presented by an ensemble of 34 performers and a live orchestra of 20 extraordinary musicians, the spectacle aims to engross viewers into a rollercoaster of emotions -- further heightened by superhit numbers, including "Maria", "Tonight", "Somewhere", and "America".

The touring production put together by BB Promotion in 2003 won the hearts of more than three million people in almost 30 countries across 100 cities, the organisers added.

In 2022, an all-new international creative team assembled around Price under the same banner to open the next chapter of the classic musical's epic success story, they said.

"Without doubt, India is the land of epic love stories, a truly wonderful and magical place. We hope that the Indian audience will embrace our West Side Story and are very much looking forward to our time at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC)," said producer Martin Flohr.

The tickets for the theatrical starts from Rs 1,400.
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Big-ticket Hollywood movies "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie"

were lapped up by audiences in Srinagar, says INOX Cinema theatre owner Vikas Dhar, who is confident that the momentum will continue with "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani" as the film's director Karan Johar enjoys a huge fan following in the region.

The theatre owner said he started getting requests for "Oppenheimer", headlined by Cillian Murphy, about four-five weeks before the film's release on July 21. Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" also opened the same day, whereas the Tom Cruise-starrer "Mission: Impossible 7" hit the screens on July 14.

"(They said) 'Please make sure it releases on the same day as the worldwide release and the rest of India... For the first time, we have three Hollywood films playing at the same time.

"We are looking forward to 'Rocky Aur Rani...' coming this week. Karan Johar has a huge fan following in Kashmir. I think that (film) should also do well. I feel the movie will be a longer-lasting film than 'Barbie' or 'Oppenheimer'," Dhar told PTI in an interview.

In a video message, Johar had expressed "immense gratitude" to Dhar's educationist father Vijay Dhar and the people of Kashmir for their love and support during the making of "Rocky Aur Rani..." He shot "Tum Kya Mile", the song from the film which releases Friday, in Kashmir.

Dhar said it was a "lovely surprise" when the filmmaker thanked his father in the video.

"Karan Johar thanked Vijay Dhar, which was quite a surprise... Kashmiris are house proud. We love the beauty of Kashmir. We are not somebody who grows up saying 'We have seen this every day'... For us, to see that a big production (house) is coming here to shoot the movie makes us extremely proud and happy. The reaction of people here is fantastic," he further said.

The love for cinema in Kashmir is not just limited to Bollywood, he said, recalling how the tickets for "Oppenheimer" were sold out in two-three hours of opening and the first day-first show of the movie was houseful. "Barbie", starring Margot Robbie, had a relatively slow start but picked up later.

He praised the youth of Kashmir for being "in tune with the rest of the world".

"They are not, as you say, a frog in the well, like we were when we were growing up. They are more global citizens, and they are the people who are interested in the history of the world... They understand who Cillian Murphy is, who Christopher Nolan is," he added.

The theatre owner, who fulfilled his father's dream by setting up a cinema hall in Srinagar 32 years after terror groups had banned or burnt majority of these theatres in the city, dreams that the Valley has more theatres in the coming time.

"My hope is that more cinema houses come up. Mentally, it's not a default option for us like in the evening, 'Let's go to the cinema hall, see what movie is screening, go get tickets, eat some dinner and come back'.

"Right now, what's happening is that people with special interest in a particular movie are coming and seeing it," the 56-year-old said.

Citing the example of "Pathaan", Dhar said people came in "droves" to watch the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer earlier this year so much so that a viewer asked him if he could bring a chair from his house since they had run out of tickets.

"People had no idea there was a multiplex here before 'Pathaan' and they came in droves. The word of mouth helped, which I hope will happen for 'Rocky Aur Rani...' and 'Jawan', which is also coming.

"Word of mouth spreads so fast that people start walking in, demanding tickets. We said we can't do it, the shows are all fun. One said, 'I'll bring a chair from my house. Can I sit in? Can I watch? You can charge me extra money.' So, that is coming in, but we know it will take time," he added.

INOX Cinema is Kashmir's first multiplex, opened in the Sonawar area on September 20, screened "Laal Singh Chaddha" starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan on its opening day.

Days ago Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha inaugurated 100-seater multipurpose film theatres in Baramulla and Handwara towns of the union territory. Last year, similar theatres were inaugurated by the LG in Shopian and Pulwama districts of J&K.

Three new cinemas will open in Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kulgam districts in September, taking the total number of districts in the Valley to have film theatres to seven.
Peshawar, Jul 27 (PTI) In yet another cross-border love story, a Chinese woman has travelled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to meet a Pakistani man whom she befriended and fell in love with on social media, police said on Thursday.

The woman, identified by the media as Gao Feng, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday by road from China via Gilgit on a three-month visit visa. The 21-year-old was picked up by her 18-year-old friend Javed, a resident of Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan, they said.

Javed took the woman to his maternal uncle's home in Samarbagh tehsil of Lower Dir District instead of his hometown due to the security situation in Bajaur District bordering Afghanistan.

According to police, both were in contact through Snapchat for the last three years and the friendship developed into a love affair.

District Police Officer of Lower Dir District Ziauddin told the media that the Chinese woman has been provided full security in the Samarbagh area. However, she is not being provided free movement due to Muharram and security concerns in the area.

The travel documents of the woman are in order, police said, adding that she has not yet performed the 'nikah' with Javed.

The news of the Chinese girl travelling to Pakistan for the pursuit of love came at a time when in a similar incident, a 34-year-old married Indian woman Anju from Rajasthan travelled to the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet her 29-year-old Pakistani friend Nasrulla whom she she met on Facebook. Anju later married Nasrulla after converting to Islam and now has a new name, Fatima.

In another similar incident, Seema Ghulam Haider, a 30-year-old Pakistani mother of four, sneaked into India to live with Sachin Meena, a 22-year-old Hindu man she got in touch with while playing PUBG in 2019.

Seema and Sachin live in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida, near Delhi, where he runs a provision store, according to Uttar Pradesh Police.
Dubai, Jul 27 (AP) Kuwait said Thursday it executed five prisoners, including an inmate convicted over the bombing of a Shiite mosque in 2015 that killed 27 people and was claimed by the Islamic State group.

The inmates were hanged at the Central Prison, Kuwait's Public Prosecution said in a statement.

Prosecutors said the five include the mosque attacker, three people convicted of murder and a convicted drug dealer.

One of the convicted murderers was Egyptian, another was Kuwaiti, and the convicted drug dealer was from Sri Lanka.

The statement didn't provide the nationality of the mosque attacker or the third convicted murderer, saying only that they were in Kuwait unlawfully.

The 2015 bombing occurred during midday Friday prayers inside one of Kuwait's oldest Shiite mosques.

The Islamic State group, which at the time controlled large areas in both Syria and Iraq, claimed the attack. The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates deserving of death.

It was the first militant attack in Kuwait, a small oil-rich country, in more than two decades.

The attack was likely intended to foment unrest between Kuwait's Sunni and Shiite populations, but instead it backfired, reawakening a sense of national solidarity not seen since Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion.

The extremist group no longer controls any territory following a gruelling military campaign by an array of forces, but continues to carry out sporadic attacks in Syria and Iraq. It also boasts affiliates in several Asian and African countries.

Executions are relatively rare in Kuwait, which put seven inmates to death last November.

Before that, the last one was in 2017, when it executed seven prisoners, including a ruling family member. (AP) FZH
Kyiv, Jul 27 (AP) Ukraine has launched a major push to dislodge Russian forces from the country's southeast as part of its weekslong counteroffensive, committing thousands of troops to the battle, according to Western and Ukrainian officials and analysts.

The surge in troops and firepower has been centred on the region of Zaporizhzhia, a Western official said late Wednesday.

The official was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks at multiple points along the 1,500-kilometre (930-mile) front line as Ukraine deploys Western-supplied advanced weapons and Western-trained troops against the Russian forces who invaded 17 months ago.

The counteroffensive is a massive military operation, which likely was months in preparation.

Military planners need to orchestrate supplies of ammunition, food, medical supplies and spare parts to the front line. It faces deeply entrenched Russian defences featuring minefields, trenches and anti-tank obstacles.

Ukrainian officials have been mostly silent about battlefield developments since they began early counteroffensive operations, though Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said troops are advancing toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhizhia region.

Though that movement could be a tactical feint, and both governments have used disinformation to gain battlefield advantages, such a maneuver would be in line with what some analysts had predicted.

They envisioned a counteroffensive that would try to punch through the land corridor between Russia and the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula, moving towards Melitopol, which is close to the coast of the Azov Sea.

That could split Russian forces into two halves and cut off supply lines to the units that are located further to the west. Russia currently controls the whole Sea of Azov coast.

The intense fighting is taking place in areas in the south and east of Ukraine, far from the capital Kyiv, and it was not possible to verify either side's claims.

The Institute of Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, reported that Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanised counteroffensive operation in western Zaporizhzhia region on Wednesday, adding that they appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions.

It cited Russian sources, including the Russian Ministry of Defence and several prominent Russian military bloggers.

But a Moscow-appointed head of the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, said Ukrainian forces on Thursday morning tried unsuccessfully to break through Russian defenses in the area.

Kyiv's forces suffered significant losses and pulled back to (their) positions, Balistky said.

However, in what appeared to be a precautionary move, Russia's Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, on Thursday prohibited civilian access to the Arabat Spit in Crimea, a narrow strip of land that links the annexed peninsula to the partially occupied Kherson region. The Kherson region is a key gateway to Crimea.

The open-ended ban is needed to contain security threats, the FSB said in a statement quoted by Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti.

US officials, who have provided Kyiv with weapons and intelligence, declined to comment publicly on the latest developments, though they have previously urged patience as Ukraine seeks to grind down Russian positions.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to Papua New Guinea that Kyiv's effort to retake land seized by Russia since its February 2022 full-scale invasion would be tough and long, with successes and setbacks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an intense battle is taking place but declined to provide details.

We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine, Blinken said during a visit to New Zealand.

Meanwhile, a missile strike on Ukraine's southern Odesa region killed one civilian and further damaged the region's port infrastructure, in the latest attack since Moscow broke off a grain export agreement, Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper reported Thursday.

The attack used Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea, he said.

The Ukraine Air Force of Ukraine said Thursday it intercepted 36 Russian missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers. (AP) FZH
Peshawar, Jul 27 (PTI) In yet another cross-border love story, a Chinese woman has travelled to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to marry the man whom she befriended and fell in love with on social media, police said on Thursday.

The woman, identified as Gao Feng, arrived in Islamabad last week by road from China via Gilgit on a three-month visit visa. The 21-year-old was picked up by her 18-year-old friend Javed, a resident of Bajaur tribal district bordering Afghanistan, they said.

Javed took the woman to his maternal uncle's home in Samarbagh tehsil of Lower Dir District instead of his hometown due to the security situation in Bajaur District bordering Afghanistan.

According to police, both were in contact through Snapchat for the last three years and the friendship developed into a love affair.

Gao married Javed on Wednesday after converting to Islam and her new name is Kiswa, the man's maternal cousin Izzatullah Khan told PTI over the phone.

Izzatullah said Gao arrived in Islamabad on July 20 where he and Javed received her. From there they came to Lower Dir District on July 21 where Gao stayed at Izzatullah's residence in Samarbagh.

Javed and Gao performed nikkah on Wednesday and then left for Islamabad after the local police and district administration convinced them that her stay in the district was not safe due to security reasons and the Holy Month of Ramadan, Izzatullah said.

Izzatullah further said that Javed is pursuing a Computer Science course at Bajaur Degree College and will do a court marriage with Gao in China.

Police have also confirmed these details.

While Gao will return to China in a few days, Javed will stay back in Pakistan, Izzatullah said.

Javed will go to China after completing his education in Pakistan which will take almost a year, he added.

Earlier, during Gao's stay in Samarbagh, the District Police Officer of Lower Dir District Ziauddin told the media that she was provided full security. However, she is not being provided free movement due to Muharram and security concerns in the area.

The travel documents of the Chinese woman are in order, police said.

The news of the Chinese girl travelling to Pakistan for the pursuit of love came at a time when in a similar incident, a 34-year-old married Indian woman Anju from Rajasthan travelled to the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet her 29-year-old Pakistani friend Nasrulla whom she she met on Facebook. Anju later married Nasrulla after converting to Islam and now has a new name, Fatima.

In another similar incident, Seema Ghulam Haider, a 30-year-old Pakistani mother of four, sneaked into India to live with Sachin Meena, a 22-year-old Hindu man she got in touch with while playing PUBG in 2019.

Seema and Sachin live in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida, near Delhi, where he runs a provision store, according to Uttar Pradesh Police.
Seoul, Jul 27 (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, state media said on Thursday, illustrating North Korea's support for Russia's war in Ukraine as the isolated country celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Kim and Shoigu talked Wednesday in the capital, Pyongyang, and reached a consensus on unspecified matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security and on the regional and international security environment.

During the meeting, Shoigu conveyed to Kim a warm and good letter signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, KCNA said. The report did not specify the military matters that were discussed.

North Korea has been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the US-led West forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests.

The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim. The Kim-Shoigu meeting will help to "further boost the strategic and tactical collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the field of national defense and security," KCNA said.

In a rare case of diplomatic opening since the start of the pandemic, North Korea invited delegations from Russia and China to attend the events marking the armistice of July 27, 1953. While the truce left the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war, the North still sees it as a victory in the Grand Fatherland Liberation War.

KCNA said Kim also took Shoigu to an arms exhibition that showcased some of North Korea's newest weapons and briefed him on national plans to expand the country's military capabilities. State media photos and video from the exhibition showed Kim and Shoigu walking near a row of large missiles mounted on launcher trucks.

Some of the weapons in the images appeared to be intercontinental ballistic missiles that the North has flight-tested in recent months as it pursues an arsenal that can pose a viable threat to the continental United States. Kim and Shoigu also walked past what were possibly new surveillance and attack drones that had not been publicly announced by the North.

Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean military was analyzing the military assets shown in the North Korean photos but did not share specific assessments.

When asked about the possibility that Shoigu's visit was to discuss importing weapons from North Korea, John Kirby, the White House's National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, didn't answer directly but said it was clear Putin is reaching out to other countries for support in fighting his war in Ukraine.

Mr. Putin knows he's having his own defense procurement problems, his own inventory problems, that his military remains on the back foot, and he's trying to shore that up," Kirby said.

The North Korean festivities were widely expected to be capped later Thursday by a giant military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles. State media, however, had not confirmed plans for a military parade.

Some experts say North Korea sees US confrontations with China and Russia over regional influence and the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to break out of diplomatic isolation and insert itself into a united front against Washington. Both Moscow and Beijing have been derailing US efforts to strengthen UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests since 2022.

The last time North Korea invited foreign government delegates for a military parade was in February 2018, when it held a low-key event that excluded Kim's ICBMs. North Korea at the time was initiating diplomacy with Seoul and Washington as Kim attempted to leverage his nuclear program for badly needed economic benefits.

Those efforts led to a summit between Kim and then-US President Donald Trump that June, but the diplomacy collapsed after their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since ramped up the development of the nuclear arms that he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival while berating gangster-like US sanctions and pressure.

Beijing's delegation to North Korea is headed by mid-level official Li Hongzhong, a politburo member of China's ruling Communist Party.

Kim met Li during an anniversary concert that began at midnight and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, KCNA said. During a separate reception hosted by senior North Korean officials, Li said in a speech that China was ready to promote the sound and stable development of relations with the North.

Analysts say Kim sharing the center stage with Shoigu and Li at a military parade would be a key accomplishment he could show to his domestic audience as well as a statement of defiance toward the United States.

On Wednesday, Shoigu also held talks with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam that were aimed at strengthening cooperation between our defense departments, Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

KCNA reported that at a reception hosted by Kang, Shoigu praised the North Korean People's Army under the leadership of Kim, saying it has become the strongest army in the world. Russian media reports did not include that comment.

The Korean War was triggered by a surprise North Korean attack on the South in June 1950. The North was supported by Chinese troops and the then-Soviet air force. South Korea, the United States, and troops from various nations under the direction of the United Nations fought to push back the invasion.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marked the armistice anniversary by visiting a cemetery in the port city of Busan that honors the UN troops who died during the war.

The Republic of Korea of today stands on the sacrifice, dedication and blood-drenched uniforms of UN soldiers, Yoon said in a speech, referring to South Korea's formal name.

In the face of growing North Korean threats, Yoon has pushed to expand South Korea's military exercises with the United States and is seeking stronger US reassurances that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend the South in the event of a nuclear attack. (AP) RUP

RUP
The 16th century was the era of the Renaissance and the great discoveries, which broadened humanitys horizons and knowledge. But it was also one of the most violent and terrible times in the history of Europe, marked by the wars of religion and identified above all with the St. Bartholomews Day Massacre. On the night of August 23-24, 1572, a massacre of Huguenots (as Protestants were known in France) began in Paris. The event then unleashed a summer of horror in numerous French cities. Ten thousand Protestants were killed in a very short period. It is an episode immortalized many times in fiction  by Marlowe, in The Massacre at Paris; Heinrich Mann, in The Novel of Henry IV, and especially by Alexandre Dumas in Queen Margot  and that historians continue to investigate in search of an answer to explain such an outburst of hatred.

An exhibition at the Army Museum in Paris recalls that violent period, during which at least eight wars were fought between Catholics and Protestants in France. The tragedy of those conflicts is that the situation that separated the two was hopeless. There was no way to achieve peace, unless the conception of the state changed, and the subjects could have a religion different from that of their king. People were hated and killed for who they were and could not stop being, even if they converted. As with the Jews, changing ones religion was always shrouded in suspicion.

In a war-torn continent, echoes of that period of sectarian violence that divided the people in insurmountable ways will inevitably resonate. The parallels that historians find are not so much based on the different religions that coexist in the same European territory today, as on the panorama of a society broken by increasingly deep fractures, as had happened since the Reformation between Catholics and Protestants. Although, in theory, the edict of Nantes in 1598, which can be seen in the exhibition (open until the end of July) ended the conflict because it accepted the existence of the Huguenots, it was later revoked, and the 17th century was even worse than the 16th, because it also coincided with a period of cold weather of the so-called Little Ice Age.

Child's armor from the Court of France (1560-1570), which can be seen in the exhibition. RMN-Grand Palais_Jean-Yves et Nicolas Dubois (Paris - Musee de l'Armee)

We were interested in the wars of religion because in the museum we had the armor that belonged to the main belligerents in those conflicts. Thats how the idea was born, explains Laetitia Desserrieres, one of the four curators of the exhibition, entitled La Haine des clans. Guerres de Religion, 1559-1610 (Hatred of the clans. Wars of Religion) and curator of the collection of drawings at the Army Museum. But when we finished the exhibition, we realized that there are many echoes in our society. Then as now, propaganda was of enormous importance. Even then, fake news was circulating, spreading with extraordinary rapidity.

The exhibition ends with a video by Antoine Arjakovsky, co-director of the Department of Political Research and Religions at the College des Bernardins, which brings visitors back to the present: Wars of religion are possible in the 21st century insofar as there is the same underlying problem that we knew in the 16th century, that is, a change in political theology. Right now, we see what is happening with Russia, which recalls the imperial project with the harmony between the power of the tsar, who rules over bodies, and the power of the Orthodox patriarch, who rules over souls. And, in front of them, a model of the nation state, which holds that neither language, nor history, nor religion can separate a nation because it is united by something much more important: moral conscience. The Ukrainians are defending their right to have formed a state based on the dignity of all human beings.

The Massacre of Saint Bartholomew, by Francois Dubois (1529-1584), work preserved in the Museum of Fine Arts in Lausanne.

At the epicenter of the exhibition is the St. Bartholomews Day Massacre in a room that recreates, through the giant copy of a painting belonging to the Musee cantonal de Beaux Arts de Lausanne, the peak of the voilence and that immerses the visitor in the killing frenzy that shook the French capital in just a few hours. The work is entitled The Saint Bartholomews Day Massacre and its maker was Francois Dubois. It is the only known painting by this painter, a Huguenot from Amiens, survivor of the massacres, who had to take refuge in Geneva to escape that summer of violence and is one of the few contemporary representations of the murders. As Le Monde recently recalled in the chronicle of the exhibition, of those wars of religion, people remember a single episode above all: that massacre.

Before entering the room, two showcases display dozens of weapons, all different, all authentic, which point to the visitor and brutally illustrate the violence of the time, a time in which a deadly technological revolution also began with the general of the use of firearms. A poster explains what the visitor will find: The second half of the 16th century is a period of violence during which murders and killings multiply. Although the word was forged before the 16th century, the term massacre became widespread at that time.

Our idea was to immerse the viewer in violence, explains Desserrieres. Our scientific board had asked us to treat the killing differently. Its the best-known episode, but we wanted to dispel some myths. It is a massacre in which the king was involved. It marked, to some extent, the end of an era of mass murder and opened a reflection on real power and the notion of obedience. People began to wonder about the nature of the monarchs power and blind obedience, and also about the right to rise up.

Mannequin in armor on horseback. Grand Palais_Rachel Prat (Paris - Musee de l'Armee)

The historian Jeremie Foa, author of a book that has made a big impact in France, Tous ceux qui tombent: Visages du massacre de la Saint-Barthelemy (All who fell. Faces of the St Bartholomews Day Massacre), has thrown a new interpretation of the mass murder. His vision is that it was not so much a massacre organized from power  in addition to King Charles IX, his mother, Catherine de Medici, has always been pointed out as the chief instigator  but that it was a massacre of proximity: neighbors murdered their neighbors, even their relatives. In different interviews and interventions, Foa has compared it with what happened in Bosnia or Rwanda at the end of the last century.

After thorough research in different archives and documents, Foa discovers that the murderers were often people who were very close to their victims. Protestants were used to being persecuted by people they knew and, therefore, on the night of August 23 to 24 they opened the door thinking that they were simply going to be imprisoned, as had happened other times, he explains in a video that can be seen in the room. In no case did they defend themselves collectively, thinking that it would be just another act of persecution. In his book, his description of the savage violence against men, women, and children, as well as torture and betrayal within families is impressive. And he describes murders like those committed by Thomas Crozier, a fanatical Catholic, who boasted in the following days that he had murdered 400 Protestants with his own hands. It may be true.

In his analysis of Duboiss painting through which the massacre is represented, Foa makes an important clarification, which contradicts the most widespread image of what happened those days at the end of August in Paris and the one that popularized the novel by Alexandre Dumas. The painting shows how the killings take place in public, in broad daylight. However, the latest research shows that most took place in prison, behind the walls, away from the gaze of Parisians, he explains.

Leaving the exhibition, one visitor says to another, Its a bloody story. Bloody, replies his companion. Moreover, it is a not-so-distant history which has still not been fully studied or understood.
Kathmandu, Jul 27 (PTI) Nepali climber Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa along with Norwegian mountaineer Kristin Harila on Thursday set a new world record by becoming the fastest climbers to scale all the 14 peaks above 8,000 metre within a three-month period.

"At around 11:30 AM Nepal time, the duo reached atop the world's second highest peak Mt K2 situated in Pakistan, completing their fourteen 8000ers in just 92 days," Mingma Sherpa, the chairman of Seven Summit Treks that organised the expedition, told PTI over phone.

They set the record of becoming the fastest climbers to complete 14 peaks above 8,000m," he said.

Earlier they climbed Mt Everest on May 29. The other mountains above 8,000 metre which they conquered are Mt Lhotse, Mt Dhaulagiri, Mt Kanchanjunga, Mt Makalu, Mt Manaslu, Mt Cho Oyu, Mt Shisapanga, Mt Annapurna, Nagar Parvat, G-1, G-2 and Broad Peak.

Tenjen and Kristin have beat the record of Nepal-born naturalised British mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who climbed all the 14 peaks over 8,000 metre in 6 month and six days.
Niamey (Niger), Jul 27 (AP) Niger's foreign minister called for mutinous soldiers to release the president on Thursday, a day after members of the presidential guard declared they had seized power in a coup over the West African country's deteriorating security situation.

While many people in the capital of Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country and which side the majority might support.

A statement tweeted by the army command's account declared that it would back the coup in order to avoid a murderous confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath. It was not possible to confirm that the statement was genuine.

Support appeared strong, meanwhile, among political parties for President Mohamed Bazoum, who was detained at his residence but managed to tweet a message of defiance on Thursday.

Several political groups have called the coup attempt suicidal and anti-republican madness.

There was an attempted coup, but of course we cannot accept it, Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou told news network France 24 in an interview.

We call on all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action that tends to set us back decades and block the progress of our country, he said.

He also called for the president's unconditional release and said talks were ongoing. Benin President Patrice Talon, head of the Economic Community of West African States, is expected to lead mediation efforts.

Bazoum, who was elected in 2021 in Niger's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France, is a key ally in the West's efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group in Africa's Sahel region. Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation was not as dire as in neighbouring nations.

The fight against extremism in the region has become a major arena in which the West and Russia have vied for influence.

Bazoum was seen by many as the West's last hope for partnership in the Sahel after Mali turned away from former colonial power France and instead sought support from the Russian mercenary group Wagner.

Wagner appears to be making inroads in Burkina Faso as well.

Western countries have poured aid into Niger, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited in March, seeking to strengthen ties.

American, French and Italian troops are currently stationed in Niger to train its soldiers, while France also conducts joint operations.

But the threat to Bazoum has raised concerns that Niger could also turn away from the West.

On Thursday, several hundred people gathered in the capital of Niamey and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags. A day earlier, protesters had voiced support for Bazoum.

Underscoring the importance of Niger to the West, Blinken said Thursday that he had spoken with the president, saying that he made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country.

Blinken, who was in New Zealand, repeated the US condemnation of the mutiny and said his team was in close contact with officials in France and Africa.

On Wednesday morning, members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum's house and detained him.

The mutinous soldiers, who call themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, took to state television and announced they had seized control because of deteriorating security and poor economic and social governance in the nation of 25 million people.

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions, and closed all the borders.

The attempted coup was reportedly led by the head of the presidential guard, General Tchiani, who the president had planned to relieve from his position, Niger analysts say.

According to someone close to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak about the situation, the president has not and will not resign and is safe in his residence.

"The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it," Bazoum tweeted early Thursday morning.

In their statement Wednesday, the group of Nigerien political groups said the country, faced with insecurity, terrorism and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted.

In an interview with the Associated Press in December, Bazoum said that while there's always the possibility of a coup in the face of the extremist threat, Niger had the situation under control.

"We are doing well in managing our own situation, he said.

The international community strongly condemned the coup Thursday.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna tweeted that France is concerned about the events in Niger and following the situation closely. France firmly condemns any attempt to take power by force, the minister said.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, tweeted that Niger is an essential partner for the EU in the Sahel and that the region's destabilisation would serve no one's interests. He reaffirmed the EU's full support of Bazoum. (AP) FZH
Islamabad, Jul 27 (PTI) Pakistan has criticised Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks that India is ready to cross the Line of Control (LoC) to maintain its honour and dignity, saying the "belligerent rhetoric" is a threat to regional peace and stability.

Speaking at the Kargil War Memorial in Ladakh's Drass town on the occasion of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas on Wednesday, Singh said no compromise will be made in protecting the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country.

"We can go to any extreme to maintain the honour and dignity of the country...if that includes crossing the LoC, we are ready to do that...if we are provoked and if the need arises, we will cross the LoC," Singh said.

"The Kargil war was imposed on India. At that time, India had tried to solve the issues with Pakistan through talks... we are backstabbed by Pakistan," he said, adding that the armed forces have been given a free hand to eliminate the "nation's enemies".

Responding to Singh's remarks, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself against any aggression.

"We counsel India to exercise utmost caution as its belligerent rhetoric is a threat to the regional peace and stability, and contributes to destabilising the strategic environment in South Asia, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

This is not the first time that Indias political leaders and senior military officers have made "highly irresponsible" remarks about Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, it said.

Relations between India and Pakistan have often been strained over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

However, the ties between the two countries nosedived after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating it into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

Indias decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy.

India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of the country. India has said it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.
Rajkot, Jul 27 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated an international airport near Rajkot city in Gujarat.

It is the first greenfield airport in the state and has been built at a cost of Rs 1,405 crore, a government release said.

The facility, located in Hirasar village, around 30 km from Rajkot, is spread over an area of 1,025.50 hectares (2,534 acres), out of which the Airports Authority of India has constructed the airport in an area of 1,500 acres, it said.

It has a 3,040 metre (3.04 km)-long and 45-meter-wide runway where 14 planes can be parked at any given point, a government release said.

In October 2017, Modi performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the international airport at the Hirasar village near Rajkot city.



After inaugurating the airport on Thursday, the PM took a walk in the premises and learnt about technical aspects of the facility from officials.

Modi, who is on two-day visit to Gujarat, will also address a gathering at the Race Course ground in Rajkot city.

From the venue, the PM will dedicate packages 8 and 9 of the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana.
Indore, Jul 27 (PTI) A 22-year-old B.Tech student has been stabbed to death in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city, police said on Thursday.

Four persons, including a 19-year-old woman student, have been arrested in connection with the incident which took place on Wednesday in Vijay Nagar area, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhishek Anand said, "B.Tech student Prabhas alias Monu was stabbed to death in the early hours of Wednesday when he was going to visit the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain in a car along with his four friends."

The accused have been identified as Tanya, Chhotu, Shobhit and Hrithik, he said.

"Tanya (19) is originally from Khargone. She is in the first year of BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) course in Indore and is also working in a private company, the DCP said.

The three other men accused have a past criminal record, according to the official.

Tanya and her three accomplices, who were on a scooter, intercepted the car in which Prabhas was travelling with his friends, allegedly with the intention of fatally attacking two other car occupants, identified as Titu and Rachit, the official said.

"While Titu and Rachit survived the knife attack, Prabhas, who was sitting on the back seat of the car, died due to a severe stab wound near his heart," the DCP said.

Tanya, the main accused, had a friendship with Titu and Rachit, but they later had a rift due to some reason, he said.

They were attacked due to this dispute, the official said.
Mumbai, Jul 27 (PTI) Days after the Pune police arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in terror-related activities, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has detained a man in Ratnagiri district for questioning in the case, an official said on Thursday.

The man was apprehended by the Navi Mumbai unit of the ATS based on a tip-off, and his interrogation was on, he said.

"Further action against him will be taken if he is found to be involved in the case," the official said.

The state ATS recently took over the probe into the case of two terror suspects arrested in Pune last week.

"During the investigation, the names of a few more persons came to light, following which the ATS teams started inquiring several persons," he said.

The duo, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for their alleged involvement in a terror-related case in Rajasthan, were nabbed from Kothrud area of Pune city in the wee hours of July 18.

A court in Pune later sent the duo - Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan (23) and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki (24) - to police custody till July 25.

The two suspects hail from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh and are graphic designers. Both carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, the police said.

According to police sources, the two terror suspects along with one more person - who managed to run away during the Pune police's operation - were allegedly conspiring to trigger bomb blasts in Jaipur.
Kolkata, Jul 27 (PTI) Bangladesh Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday dismissed allegations of human rights violations in his country and claimed that certain foreign powers were trying to manufacture an issue to exert undue pressure on the South Asian nation.

Mahmud said that the general elections in Bangladesh, due in January next year, will be held as per the norms laid down in the country's Constitution.

"The allegations of human rights violations in our country are not correct. The human rights conditions in Bangladesh are much better than in the countries of those foreign powers that are raising questions about ours. We don't want foreign powers to interfere in our internal matters," Mahmud told reporters at Kolkata Press Club here.

The foreign powers who are questioning the track record of human rights in Bangladesh are doing so "to keep our country under pressure", he said.

"There have been racist attacks in the United States too. If there is any issue in India, do these foreign powers dare to question it? The answer is no, as it is an internal matter of a sovereign nation," he said.

"But these foreign powers, especially the West, single out Bangladesh to keep us under pressure and to control us to some extent as Bangladesh is geo-politically very important," Mahmud said.

Speaking on the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, Mahmud ruled out the possibility of a caretaker government conducting elections there.

"The elections will be held per the norms in our Constitution. We have an independent Election Commission. It was the BNP which had earlier tried to incite violence and disturb the peaceful atmosphere of our country," he said.

Hitting out at opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the minister said, "BNP's politics revolves around hate and violence."

Regarding Dhaka's growing closeness with China, Mahmud said Beijing's investment in Bangladesh has decreased in recent years.

"If you go by the data, China's investment in Bangladesh has decreased over the years. But yes, they get some contracts as their bidding rates are very low," he added.

Speaking on India-Bangladesh relations, he said that people-to-people relations, more than government-to-government ties, have helped strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"Our bilateral relations are diverse. Bangladesh can never forget India's role during our Liberation War in 1971. It is more of a heart-to-heart relationship between the two nations," he added.
Imphal, Jul 27 (PTI) The Manipur government on Thursday announced that it will convene a special assembly session in the second or third week of August.

Government spokesperson and Information and Public Relations Minister Sapam Rajan said that the government is making efforts towards this end.

There have been demands from several quarters to convene a special assembly session to discuss the current situation in the state.

Rajan also dismissed media reports that claimed that the state government had not taken medical care of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte after he was injured in an attack in the initial days of the ongoing ethnic strife in May.

"We took care and regularly got updates of his health condition, even after he was discharged from the hospital. The government condemned the incident. BJP state president Sarda Devi and minister Th Basanta also met him in a hospital in Delhi," he said.

Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur nearly three months ago, killing over 160 people since then, and injuring hundreds.

The violence erupted on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.
Bhubaneswar, Jul 27 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu Thursday met members of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) at the Raj Bhavan here on Thursday and asked Odisha government to handhold PVTGs, whose number is very small in the state.

The PVTGs are the most backward and there is therefore the need for immediate government help to them for their uplift, Murmu said at the meeting held at the Raj Bhavan here on the last day of her three-day visit to her home state.

She urged the PVTGs to give "utmost" importance to education. There is special provision of seats for students from the PVTG community at the Eklavya Model Residential Schools, besides in the National Fellowship and Overseas Scholarship Scheme, the president said.

She asked Odisha tribal affairs minister who was present at the meeting to lay emphasis on the education and skill development of PVTGs.

"Do not forget to send your children to school. Both girls and boys must go to school and acquire education as only it can remove your problems," she told the participants.

The president expressed her happiness when she came to know that a girl from the PVTG community is a graduate and asked the ST and SC minister to do something for her as she is unemployed.

Expressing happiness that the Centre has launched the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission, she urged women of the community to take advantage of various schemes, including the Tribal Women Empowerment Scheme.



Murmu interacted with 50 members of 10 PVTGs and also stressed on the improvement in the health of its people, one of the participants said.

As the first tribal president of the country she has met 1800 PVTG members across the country since assuming office a year ago. She had met members of three PVTGs during her visit to Manyurbhanj, her home district, earlier, an official said.

Of the 75 PVTGs in India, 13 reside in Odisha and constitute 22 per cent of the states population. The PVTGs in Odisha are Bonda, Birhor, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Dungaria Kandha, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankirdia, Paudi Bhuyan and Saora.

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, state ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Class Welfare Minister Jagannath Saraka and department secretary were present at Murmu's interaction with the PVTGs, the official said.

After the meeting a woman representative of the Kutia Kondh tribe from Kandhamal said Murmu had inquired about the condition of the participants' homes, education of their children, agriculture, roads and other amenities.

"We told her that nothing was right in our villages. The president has assured us to speak to the state government

about the difficulties faced by the PVTGs," she added.
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) India on Thursday described as "unacceptable" China issuing stapled visas to some sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that it reserves the right to "suitably respond" to such actions.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has already lodged its "strong protest" with the Chinese side on the matter.

Bagchi said it has come to the government's notice that stapled visas were issued to some Indian citizens who were to represent the country at an international sporting event in China.

"This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions," Bagchi said.

He said this at a media briefing when asked whether a number of sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh were issued stapled visas.

"Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports," Bagchi said.
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.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday he will step down in August and hand the position to his oldest son, though Asias longest-serving leader is expected to continue to wield significant power.

The widely anticipated move comes after the autocratic Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party secured a landslide victory on Sunday in elections that Western countries and rights organizations criticized as neither free nor fair, partially because the countrys main opposition was barred from competing.

The rise to power of Hun Sens son  45-year-old Hun Manet, who won his first seat in Parliament just days ago and is chief of the countrys army  is part of a larger generational shift: Many younger lawmakers are expected to take up ministerial positions, including Hun Sens youngest son and others related to other older party members.

Many were educated in the West, like Hun Manet, who has a bachelors degree from the U.S. Military Academy West Point, a masters from New York University and a doctorate from Bristol University in Britain, all in economics.

That could herald a change in tone from Cambodias leaders, said Ou Virak, president of Phnom Penhs Future Forum think tank, but he does not expect any major policy shifts.

There will be an obvious change in style of leadership, he said in a telephone interview. The shift to the younger generation just makes the conversations on policy potentially a little more vibrant.

Still, he said it represented a critical moment. He wont let go, he cant let go, he said of Hun Sen. But I think once you go into semi-retirement, theres no turning back.

Hun Sen  who has progressively tightened his grip on power over 38 years in office while also ushering in a free-market economy that has raised the standards of living of many Cambodians  is expected to retain a large amount of control, as his partys president and president of the senate.

He suggested as much himself in his televised address to the nation announcing when he would be stepping down.

I will still have the ability to serve the interests of the people and help the government oversee the countrys security and public order, as well as joining them on guiding the development of the country, he said.

Hun Sen was a middle-ranking commander in the radical communist Khmer Rouge regime, which was blamed for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians from starvation, illness and killing in the 1970s, before defecting to Vietnam.

When Vietnam ousted the Khmer Rouge from power in 1979, Hun Sen quickly became a senior member of the new Cambodian government installed by Hanoi and eventually helped bring an end to three decades of civil war.

Over the decades, Hun Sen has used strongarm tactics to stifle opposition and has also steadily moved Cambodia closer to China. That is unlikely to change radically, Ou Virak said, though the new generation may be wary of overdependence on China.

Under Hun Sen, Cambodia was elevated from a low-income country to lower middle-income status in 2015, and expects to attain middle-income status by 2030, according to the World Bank.

But at the same time the gap between the rich and poor has greatly widened, deforestation has spread at an alarming rate, and there has been widespread land grabbing by Hun Sens Cambodian allies and foreign investors.

After 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 countrys sympathetic courts dissolved the party.

Ahead of Sundays 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.

Following the election, the European Union criticized the vote as having been conducted in a restricted political and civic space where the opposition, civil society and the media were unable to function effectively without hindrance.

The United States went a step further, saying that 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.

Cambodians in general, however, seem to think Hun Manet is qualified to take over from his father, Ou Virak said.

The Cambodian people, while some of them might be upset that this is basically a dynastic kind of succession, most have not known any other way, he said.

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New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had exchanged courtesies and spoke on the need to stabilise the bilateral relations at a dinner during the G20 summit in Bali last year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

Two days ago, the Chinese foreign ministry following a meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Johannesburg claimed that Xi and Modi had reached an "important consensus" on stabilising bilateral ties at the interaction on the margins of the G20 Summit last November.

"During the Bali G20 summit last year, the prime minister and President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of that dinner hosted by the Indonesian President exchanged courtesies and spoke of the need to stabilise our bilateral relations," Bagchi said.

"As you are aware, we have steadfastly maintained the key to resolution of the whole issue is to resolve the situation along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) on the Western sector of India-China boundary and to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas," he added.

His comments came when asked about China's claim of the consensus reached at the interaction between the two top leaders in Bali.

Following the brief interaction between Modi and Xi in Bali, the MEA had said they exchanged courtesies.

It was their first such exchanges in public view since the India-China border standoff began in May 2020.

Doval met Wang on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs' meeting in Johannesburg on July 24.

In its statement on the meeting, the MEA said Doval conveyed that the situation along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 had "eroded strategic trust" and the public and political basis of the relationship.

It said the NSA emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral ties.

"The two sides agreed that the India-China bilateral relationship is significant not only for the two countries but also for the region and world," the MEA said on Tuesday.

The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year standoff in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.

The government refers to eastern Ladakh as Western sector.

The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

Asked whether the Chinese president would attend the G20 summit in Delhi, Bagchi said India is making all efforts and preparations for its success with the participation of all invited leaders.

On India's proposal to make the African Union a permanent member of the G20, he said: "We hope this does happen."

At the same time, he added that it would be premature to say anything specific on the matter.

Asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin's reported comments supporting the proposal, Bagchi said he has not seen the remarks.

But said: "If Russia has supported (the proposal), it is good."
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Opposition parties will hold the next meeting of their 26-member INDIA coalition in Mumbai on August 25 and 26, sources said on Thursday.

The third meeting of the bloc will be hosted jointly by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP's Sharad Pawar faction, with support from the Congress, they said.

This is the first time that the opposition meeting will be held in a state where no member of the INDIA bloc is in power.

While the first meeting of opposition parties was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) in Patna, the second was held in Bengaluru and hosted by the Congress.

The Mumbai Summit -- as it is being called by INDIA bloc parties -- is significant as discussions regarding seat sharing are expected to be taken up.
Muzaffarnagar (UP) Jul 27 (PTI) Two workers were killed and one seriously injured in a boiler blast at a chemical factory near Makhyali village on Bhopa road Thursday morning, a government official said.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Permanand Jha said that the victims were identified as Alinawaz, 42, and Rambharose, 55, while a 60-year-old Jaipal was rushed to a hospital in serious condition.

The incident took place at the Balaji Alem chemical factory when it was full of workers.

An inquiry has been ordered into the incident by the police, Jha said.
Shimla, Jul 26 (PTI) People of the Hattee community in the Trans-Giri area of Himachal Pradesh were jubilant after the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to accord Scheduled Tribe status to them.

Expressing his gratitude to the government, Hattee Committee member Surendra Hindustani said the community struggled to get Scheduled Tribe status for decades. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, however, has fulfilled his promise.

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022, was passed in the Upper House of Parliament by voice vote. The Lok Sabha cleared the bill in December.

The bill follows the recommendations of the Himachal Pradesh government that the Hattee community be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes in respect of the state.

The passage of the bill, which will benefit over three lakh people in about 150 panchayats in the Sirmaur district, fulfils a 50-year demand of the people of the Trans-Giri area.

Leaders of the Hattee Committee thanked the Centre for accepting their long-pending demand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah had assured the committee that its demand would be met, Hindustani said.

Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur said the Congress only made promises to get votes but never seriously persuaded the matter and party-led governments at the Centre never considered the demand.

Mahendra Dharmani and Baldev Tomar, spokespersons for the BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit, also hit out at the Congress for denying Scheduled Tribe status to the community.

Once the bill gets the President's nod, members of the Hattee community will be entitled to all benefits which are provided to the Scheduled Tribes, especially reservation in educational institutions and government jobs.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) A sessions court here Thursday ordered the framing of charges against seven accused in the hit-and-run case where a 20-year-old woman was dragged to death while trapped under a car in the national capital on new year's day.

Additional Sessions Judge Neeraj Gaur ordered the framing of charges against Amit Khanna, Krishan, Manoj Mittal and Mithun, who were present in the offending car, under IPC sections 302 (murder), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence or giving false information to screen offender) and 212 (harbouring offender).

The court also said charges were liable to be framed against the four accused under IPC sections 182 (false information with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person) and 34 (common intention).

Amit Khanna, the alleged driver of the car, has also been charged under sections 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC along with provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.

A detailed court order court is awaited.

Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava confirmed the framing of charges against the four accused.

Regarding the three other co-accused- Ashutosh Bhardwaj Ankush and Deepak Khanna- the SPP said the court ordered framing charges against them under IPC sections 201, 212, 182, 34 and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).

Ashutosh has also been charged under penal sections of the Motor Vehicle Act, he said.

None of the three accused were discharged from the charge of criminal conspiracy, the SPP said.

The matter has been posted for further proceedings on August 14.

Police arrested Deepak Khanna, Amit Khanna, Krishan, Mithun, and Manoj Mittal in the case on January 2.

Co-accused Ashutosh Bhardwaj, and Ankush, were subsequently given bail by a metropolitan magistrates court, while the present court on May 13 granted relief to Deepak Khanna.

Delhi Police had filed an 800-page chargesheet against the seven accused on April 1 and the case was later committed to a sessions court.
Bengaluru, July 27 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chaired a Congress Legislature Party meeting on Thursday, amid reports of discontent brewing within the ruling party, within two months of coming to power.





In the meeting, the legislators and Ministers are said to have expressed their views and stated their respective positions, following which the CM asked them to share their grievances directly with him and discuss them within the party forum.







The gathering gained significance as it came amid reports that as many as 30 legislators have written to Siddaramaiah and party leadership expressing concern over non-implementation of development works in their constituencies.







Legislators are said to be miffed and have complained that they had not been able to get work done in their constituencies, and also transfers (of Government servants) as requested, and have expressed unhappiness regarding Ministers, alleging non-cooperation.







The recent statement by senior party leader and MLC B K Hariprasad, that he knows how to make and bring down a chief minister, and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's claims that a plot was being hatched in Singapore to topple the government, has added fuel to the speculation and is indicative that all is not well within the ruling party.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, however have been maintaining that there is no disgruntlement in the party and MLAs letters they received were with a request to call CLP meeting, and not to complain.







According to party sources, while legislators shared their concerns regarding developmental works in their constituencies, alleged non cooperation of Ministers among others in the meeting, Ministers stated their and administrative position in this regard.







In the cabinet meeting held earlier this evening too, Ministers are said to have clarified to the Chief Minister by stating their position, especially with respect to transfers.







Following this, Siddaramaiah told legislators that despite the administrative pressure, he will call a district-wise meeting of MLAs once a month and discuss issues pertaining to constituencies.







"I will see to it that the work that needs to be done urgently by the government is done adequately. If there is any discontent, tell me directly about it and discuss them in the party platform," he said.







At the meeting attended by most of his cabinet colleagues, the CM also tried to explain to MLAs about constraints in providing funds to constituencies for certain major developmental works.





Shivakumar on Wednesday said the government cannot provide for development this year because of financial constraints caused by the implementation of the five poll 'guarantees'.







Siddaramaiah, addressing the CLP meet, hit out at the BJP, calling it a 'factory of lies,' and asked party colleagues to be cautious about it.







"First they create lies. Then they spread that through their Parivar (family) of lies, and then they will ensure that discussions take place in the media on the same lie. Workers in the factory of lies peddle lies and project it as truth. They spend a lot on this. We should understand all this properly and act responsibly," he urged.







Listing out the responsibilities that were in front of him and his government on coming to power like bringing the economy back on track, calling a joint session, Siddaramaiah said, this budget was very important, as it was estimated that Rs 58,000 crore would be required to implement the five guarantees annually.







"Thus, for the preparation of this budget very carefully, as it was also necessary to set aside funds for five guarantees. It was inevitable for me to personally get involved in the preparation of the budget. Due to all these reasons, I could not pay attention to other things," he was quoted as saying by his office in a statement.







He also cited meeting of leaders of opposition parties (INDIA) in Bengaluru and Congress leadership's plans to meet the legislators after that, as the reasons for delay in calling the CLP meeting by him.







Speaking about the implementation of guarantee schemes, Siddaramaiah said, the schemes have been welcomed and celebrated by more than 97 per cent of our people, and this is an occasion for every Congress MLA, worker, supporter and admirer to be proud of.







"Our five guarantees are responsive to all castes, all religions, all walks of life. This has sent shivers down the spine of the BJP family. So, they create lies and fake videos to divert the attention of the people. Creating a fake letter in the name of an MLA (expressing displeasure about Ministers) and making news is part of this conspiracy," he said.







Now the legislator himself has clarified that the letter is not his, but the irony is that they have spread lies widely before knowing what the truth was.







Further noting that national and international media have opined that the verdict given by the people of Karnataka in this assembly election, is a "game changer" for the country's politics, the CM said, thus they try to divert people's attention from the success of five guarantees with a 'string of lies.'
Ghaziabad (UP), Jul 26 (PTI) A man has been arrested here for allegedly converting members of Scheduled Caste and Schedules Tribes by offering money, police said on Wednesday.

The accused has been identified as Mahinder Kumar, a resident of Peernagar Sudana village in Hapur district.

The action was initiated after an FIR was registered based on a complaint that some men were pressuring poor people of the Modinagar area to convert to Christianity and offering them money.

The FIR was registered against Kumar and some unidentified persons at Modinagar police station on July 23.

ACP Modinagar Gyan Praksh claimed that Kumar and his wife were running a trust named Bethlehem Gospel and were receiving funds from abroad that was used to lure poor people to convert to Christianity.

"The FIR against Kumar was registered under relevant sections of IPC and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act," the officer added.
Man who tried to hire hit man to kill is wife gets 10 years in prison, prosecutors say

A Massachusetts man who tried to hire a hit man to kill his wife after she sought a restraining order has been sentenced to 10 years in prison
People participate in a demonstration against the non-discrimination bill and in defense of the traditional family, in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 13, 2023.

Conservative movements are gaining momentum in Venezuela, driven by misinformation and conspiracy theories. After a large gay pride march in Caracas of over 30,000 people in July, counterprotests by evangelical churches and other groups received government support for their defense of what they call Gods original design for the family.

In late July, protesters traveled on buses to Caracas from all over Venezuela, accompanied by sound trucks and dance groups. They erected a massive stage in a downtown square in front of the National Assembly building. We are making history, said a woman atop a truck motivating the protesters, most of them members of evangelical churches. Legislators from the United Socialist Party and Caracas Mayor Nahum Fernandez addressed the crowd and promptly agreed to one of their demands. Going forward, religious groups will be consulted on any legislative initiative related to the family, despite the secular nature of the Venezuelan state as mandated by its constitution.

Demonstrators at the rally for traditional families in Caracas. Gaby Oraa

Johana Ruiz, a 35-year-old teacher and member of an evangelical church, sees the Bible as comparable to a national constitution. Theres this biblical principle  God created male and female to form the basis of family. We want to pass down that vision to future generations. We cant afford to let go of the original design, because thats how its supposed to be, she said, walking along Mexico Avenue towards the National Assembly building. Pastor Joel Prieto was also in the crowd with several members of his congregation. We hope this message reaches the higher-ups, so they will honor what God established from the very beginning, said Prieto.

The debate has intersected with comprehensive sexual education, which certain groups now want to remove from schools. Prieto said, Straying from the original design for men and women will bring confusion and perversion that will eventually lead to chaos. Thats why he says that schools should teach the correct subjects. The demonstrators also oppose a bill prohibiting all forms of discrimination. Proposed by the ruling party, the bill was approved in March after the first round of debate.

In this polarized environment, two messages are frequently echoed on WhatsApp groups and social media. The first one rejects the gender ideology that allegedly contradicts biological facts, often used to argue against demands by women and LGBTQ+ communities for equal rights. The second message condemns the United Nations Agenda 2030, a global plan of action with 17 sustainable development goals. Critics argue that this plan advocates ideas that are deemed immoral, specifically when it comes to sexual education.

Linda de Marquez, a pastor and political scientist, marched with the banner of a pro-family organization that focuses on enlisting support from legislators in every Venezuelan state and aspires to establish a municipal network. She has met with Ministry of Education officials and representatives from the National Assemblys commission on families. Marquez has posted videos denouncing official school textbooks depicting several types of couples. Tell me if that represents what the Venezuelan family is like, she declares. For over five years, her organization has been advocating against initiatives like same-sex marriage and the decriminalization of abortion. These demands have so far been ignored by the government.

A step back

The ruling Chavista regime has been recently building bridges with evangelical churches as part of a political strategy for the upcoming 2024 elections. Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the presidents son, has developed closer relationships with evangelicals by providing church supplies, financial bonuses and even radio stations to broadcast their preaching. However, there are also opposition leaders, including pre-candidates for the October 22 primaries, such as conservative Catholic Roberto Enriquez, who have expressed similar views and have advocated for a national front against gender ideology.

An anti-LGBTQ+ banner during the rally in Caracas, Venezuela. Gaby Oraa

The surge in these groups is deeply troubling for those dedicated to protecting sexual and reproductive rights in Venezuela. They see the removal of sex education from schools as a perilous move in a country with the third-highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Latin America: 97.7 per 1,000 youths.

This situation is happening in Venezuela within a political and electoral framework, and its something that should be unequivocally condemned. The lasting consequences of these divisive attempts, especially when they involve exploiting children, are really troubling, said Suzany Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Center for Sexual and Reproductive Rights Studies. But it feels like our political class is more focused on getting votes rather than upholding peoples rights. Gonzalez points out that countries that have been teaching sex education for decades have significantly improved their sexual and reproductive health indicators.

Mercedes Munoz, a researcher and founder of the Venezuelan Association of Alternative Sexual Education, warns that adolescents will not learn that its their right to demand accessible contraceptive methods, and women shouldnt be dying during childbirth like in the Middle Ages. Munoz says that pornography becomes the source of information for young people regarding topics not covered in school or at home.

Dr. Lila Vega, a highly experienced medical professional, also believes that teachers should address sex education in schools. There will always be resistance. Otherwise, we wouldnt have flat earthers, right? she said. However, the educational shortcomings in Venezuela pose an additional challenge. Many students only attended school two or three days a week in the past year due to difficulties in maintaining operational schools. We need inclusive schools and better education and information, so that young people dont just follow the worldviews of their parents and grandparents, said Vega.

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Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are considering joining the U.S. National Guards security partnership program in a further expansion of American military ties across Europe after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The chief of the National Guard, Gen. Dan Hokanson, announced the discussions with each country, which had not previously been reported, in remarks at the National Press Club on Thursday.

Interest by the three countries in the program is the latest indication of how Russias war has led each of those nations to take steps that consider ending long-standing policies of military nonalignment.

Im pleased to announce that we will soon deepen and expand our security cooperation relationships throughout Europe, Hokanson said

Finland and Sweden are currently in discussions for partnerships, he said, while Switzerland is currently reviewing the relationships that other nations share with the National Guard and assessing the possibility of the program in their future.

Finland and Sweden were the most recent countries to seek NATO membership; Finland joined in April and Sweden is waiting for approval. Longtime-neutral Switzerland began considering easing export controls on sending weapons to active war zones earlier this year.

The National Guards State Partnership Program is a lesser-known but key military instrument for U.S. troops to build relationships with foreign militaries by conducting regular training and education exchanges with young officers. It partners National Guard units with host nations.

The program can help foreign military better shape their own operations to reflect Western military organization and equipment. That is something seen as key to getting a host of Eastern European nations on NATO standards to ease how multinational armies could conduct operations.

The National Guard program began 30 years ago after the collapse of the Soviet Union as former Soviet states looked for ways to move away from their communist-styled military organization. Ukraine was one of the first to join the National Guard program, partnering with Californias National Guard. From the earliest days of Russias invasion, Ukraines air force has reached out for support to the California National Guard partners it trained with.

Sweden and neighbor Finland ended their policy of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Both applied for NATO membership, seeking protection under the organizations security umbrella.

Finland, which shares a more than 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) border with Russia, joined NATO in April. But Sweden, which has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, had previously been delayed due to objections from Turkey. But earlier this month, Turkey agreed to remove one of the last major roadblocks to Swedens membership.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Turkey had agreed to support Swedens NATO bid - by putting the issue to a vote in parliament  in return for deeper cooperation on security issues and a promise from Sweden to revive Turkeys quest for European Union membership.

The war in Ukraine has also prompted Swiss government officials to grapple with their countrys longtime conception of neutrality, which is enshrined in the constitution and prohibits exporting weaponry to active war zones.

(AP)




by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Knowing the historical background of the churban helps us mourn its destruction. Tisha BAv is the culmination, of course, of two national tragedies: the loss of the first Beis HaMikdash as well as the Second Beis HaMikdash.

To understand the historical background that existed in the years before the destruction of the second Bais HaMikdash, it pays to note what historians write. As in all history, the viewpoints of those who record it are biased and may be unreliable. Josephus, for example, will often tweak various points of history to fit his agenda.

Nonetheless, in many places, Josephus has proven to be relatively accurate. Much of the background here makes use of what Josephus has written, as well as the Roman historians Tacitus, and Cassius Dio. This helps us understand the background to our Gemorahs that discuss the churban. The information here has been further augmented by archaeological discoveries. Before we begin, let us start with some key dates:

KEY DATES

 Rome annexed Syria and made it a Roman province in the year 64 BCE.

 Rome made Eretz Yisroel into a client state in 63 BCE  one year later.

 Rome made Eretz Yisroel into the province of Judea in 6 CE.

 The Bais HaMikdash was destroyed in the year 70 CE.

 The Revolt of Bar Kochva began in 132 CE  a full sixty two years after the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash. It ended in the year 135 CE.

 In 135 CE, after being incensed by the revolt of Bar Kochva, Emperor Hadrian combined Judaea province and Syria province and created the Syria Palaestina province.

 Rome fell in 476 CE.

ENTER ROME

The civil war within Klal Yisroel was the event that got Rome first involved in the affairs of Eretz Yisroel. The Queen Shlom-Tzion had recently died and her sons, Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II, divided against each other in a terrible civil war.

The Romans, as usual, were in the midst of fighting a war. In 64 BCE, Rome soon emerged victorious in the Third Mithridatic War. As a result, Pompey had annexed Syria as a new Roman Province. Eretz Yisroel, however, did not become a province of Rome just yet. It first began as a client state and then eventually, forty-three years later, became the province of Judea.

In 63 BCE, Aristobulus II was besieged in Yerushalayim by his brother Hyrcanus IIs armies. Aristobulus sent a messenger to Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, Pompeys representative in the area. Scaurus was also Pompeys brother-in-law. Aristobulus offered a massive bribe to be rescued from his brother, which Pompey accepted.

But Scaurus began extorting Aristobulus. Afterwards, Aristobulus levied accusations to Pompey. Since Scaurus was Pompeys brother in law and protege, the general retaliated by putting Hyrcanus in charge of the kingdom as Ethnarch and High Priest, but was not given the title of King.

Pompey the Great seized Yerushalayim in 63 BCE. He profaned the Holy Bais HaMikdash by entering the Kodesh Hakodashim. The Kodash haKodashim, the Holy of Holies, was only entered once per year and only by the Kohain Gadol.

ENTER JULIUS CAESAR

When Pompey was defeated by Julius Caesar, Hyrcanus was succeeded by his courtier Antipater the Idumaean, also known as Antipas, as the first Roman Procurator. In 5755 BCE, Aulus Gabinius, proconsul of Syria, split the former Chashmonaic Kingdom of Israel into five districts of the Sanhedrin.

ENTER HURDUS (HEROD)

Both Caesar and Antipater were killed in 44 BCE, and Hurdus the Great, Antipaters son, was designated King of the Jews by the Roman Senate in 40 BCE.

Hurdus did not gain military control, however, until 3 years later in 37 BCE. During his reign the last representatives of the Maccabees were eliminated, and the great port of Caesarea Maritima was built.

Roman rule was harsh. When 23 years later, the Parthians invaded Eretz Yisroel (40 BCE), they were greeted enthusiastically by the Jews. The Parthians appointed a king from Bais Chashmonai.

Rome was livid. The famous Roman legions were dispatched. There was a second bloody siege of Yerushalayim. And now Hurdus, that evil blood-thirsty puppet-king, was installed over Klal Yisroel in the year 37 BCE. He was hated deeply by the people.

Hurdus ruled for 33 years. He died in 4 BCE. Emperor Augustus then divided up Eretz Yisroel among Hurduss three sons, who became tetrarchs. One of these tetrarchies was Judea corresponding to the territory of the tribe of Judah, plus Samaria and Idumea.

Herods son Herod Archelaus, ruled Judea so badly that he was dismissed in 6 CE by the Roman emperor Augustus, after an appeal from his own population.

Augustus then imposed direct Roman rule. This was the beginning of the end, rl.

Another son of Hurdus, Herod Antipas, however, ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 BCE to 39 CE, being then dismissed by Emperor Caligula. The third tetrarch, Herods son Philip, ruled over the northwestern part of his fathers kingdom.

THE LOSS OF THE BIGDEI KEHUNA

The Bigdei Kehuna that the Kohain Gadol wore on Yom Kippur were taken away and were held by the Romans from the year 6 to the year 36. It signified a loss of autonomy over matters of the Bais HaMikdash.

In the year 35 CE, Lucius Vitellis was appointed Governor of Syria. When he visited Yerushalayim the Jews gave him much honor, and he wished to repay their kindness. He was approached by a delegate of Jews to grant a request. Could the Jews once again have autonomy over the Bigdei Kehuna? Vitellis sought permission from the Emperor. They received the emperors permission and for a period of time, the clothing was once again in Jewish hands.

Herods grandson, Herod Agrippas I, ruled briefly over a reunited Eretz Yisroel from the year 41- 44 CE. His son Agrippas II ruled over various sections of Eretz Yisroel in the 50s, but by and large, the period of Roman procurators began.

THE PREFECTS AND PROCURATORS

The Roman procurators administrated the land in what was called the Province of Judea. This was the period of the early Tannaim  those who lived during the time of the Bais haMikdash. Before Judea became a province of Rome, Eretz Yisroel was administered as an annex of Syria. It was thus headed by Romans of a lower rank  prefects, not procurators.

1. The first procurator was Fadus Cuspius (44-46). He tried getting the Bigdei Kehuna back into Roman hands. The Jews, however, succeeded in getting a delegation to Rome where they convinced Emperor Claudius to overturn Fadus request. Fadus may have lived during the time where there was a Navi Sheker by the name of Theudas. He told the people that he would split the Yarden. He led a type of revolt of sorts, but before he and his four hundred people could reach the Jordan River, Fadus captured them and killed some. Theudas was beheaded. Fadus tenure as procurator caused some unrest, however, and he was soon replaced.

2. The next procurator (46-48 CE) was Tiberius Julius Alexander, who stemmed from a Jewish family in Alexandria. It was thought that Judea would be calmer if the new procurator was of Jewish origin.

Tiberius Julius Alexanders father was a citizen of Rome, something rather rare for a Jew, and he passed on that citizenship to his sons. Tiberius abandoned his Judaism and rose to high prominence in Rome joining in the Roman military. He was appointed by Emperor Claudius as procurator of Judea. Under his tenure things were calmer, however there was a severe famine during his time.

Tiberius Julius Alexander appears in Philos philosophical discourses as someone who argues against Hashgacha pratius.

3. The next procurator was Ventidius Cumanus (48 to 52 CE). During his time there was much discord between Jews and Roman troops. There was a Samaritan murder of Jews which Cumanus ignored, which caused further violence between Jews and Samaritans. Ventidius was partial to the Samaritans and the situation was eventually brought before the governor in Syria. The governor Quadratus eventually replaced Cumanus with Marcus Antonius Felix and banished him. The Jewish side was supported by Aggripas II, who was a friend of Emperor Claudius.

4. Marcus Antonius Felix was the next procurator (52-58 CE). His second wife Drusilla of Judea was a married Jewish woman (an aishes ish) who left her husband and married Felix, abandoning her religion. Eventually, she and her son died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. She is mentioned in the Christian bible (Acts 24:24). There is a wealthy woman whose body was preserved in ash that perhaps may be her.

5. The next procurator was Porceus Festus. His rule lasted roughly from 58 to 62 CE. Prutah coins were minted under his rule in 59 CE. He died in office in 62 CE.

6. Lucceius Albinus was the Roman Procurator of Judea from 62 until 64 CE. Albinus was appointed procurator by the Emperor Nero following the death of his predecessor. Albinus faced his first challenge while traveling from Alexandria to his new position in Judea. The Jewish High Priest Ananus ben Ananus used the opportunity created by Festus death to convene the Sanhedrin and have James the brother of Yeshu sentenced to death by stoning for violation of religious law.

A delegation sent by citizens upset over the perceived breach of justice met Albinus before he reached Judea, and Albinus responded with a letter informing Ananus that it was illegal to convene the Sanhedrin without Albinus permission and threatening to punish the priest. Ananus was deposed by Agrippa II before Albinus arrival.

Immediately upon his arrival in Yerushalayim, Albinus began an effort to remove the sicarii from the region. Josephus also records that Albinus became the friend of a High Priest named Ananus due to the priests gift-giving. The sicarii responded to Albinuss efforts by capturing an assistant to the priest Eleazar, son of Ananus, and demanding the release of ten imprisoned sicarii in exchange for the assistant. The release was arranged by Ananus.

When Albinus learned that he was to be succeeded by Gessius Florus, he emptied the prisons by executing prisoners charged with more serious offenses and allowing the remaining prison population to pay for their release.

7. The procurator whose impact was most devastating was from the Greek city of Klazomenai, located in what is now Turkey. His name was Gessius Florus (64-66CE). Why was he appointed? His wife and the wife of Emperor Nero were close friends. Upon his appointment, Florus began favoring Greek residents over the Jews.

8. Marcus Antonius Julianus, was the eighth and final procurator (66-70 CE). He had taken over the role from Gessius Florus, who had done a poor job in avoiding conflict. He was unable to stop the revolt.

The revolt eventually ended with the Churban Beis HaMikdash, and our additional Galus. May the Beis HaMikdash be restored speedily in our days!

The author can be reached at [email protected]




Lawyers for Donald Trump met Thursday with members of special counsel Jack Smiths team as a potential indictment loomed over the former presidents efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The meeting included Trump lawyer John Lauro, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press to describe a private gathering.

Trump earlier this month was informed by Smiths office that he was a target of the Justice Departments investigation, suggesting that an indictment could be soon.

The investigation has focused on the turbulent two month-period after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss to Joe Biden and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes. More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot.

In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen  despite the fact that numerous federal and local officials, a long list of courts, top former campaign staffers and even his own attorney general have all said there is no evidence of the fraud he alleges.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment on Thursdays meeting.

Trump was charged by Smiths team last month with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, Mar-a-Lago, and concealing them from investigators. He was also indicted in New York in March on charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment. And prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are preparing to announce charging decisions in the coming weeks related to efforts to subvert the election in that state.

(AP)
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The prestigious North Hills project is exclusively curated for individuals who desire an unparalleled living experience that surpasses all expectations. It is specifically designed for those who hold a deep appreciation for the land of Israel, its remarkable history, and its captivating mystic beauty.

At North Hills, we understand the unique allure of Israel and the profound significance it holds for many. Our project is professionally crafted to honor and celebrate this rich heritage, creating an environment that resonates with the essence of Israels past, present, and future.

our prestigious villas are meticulously constructed to meet the highest standards found in Israel. Each private residence is carefully designed to offer ultimate luxury and comfort, creating a high-end living experience.

this private resort is comprised of two-story homes, all designed by internationally renowned artist Zvika Horesh. Every house boasts a private pool, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a generous balcony, a yard, and private parking. The villas are carefully designed with natural stone elements, fostering a harmonious connection with the surrounding environment. The facilities, decorations, and overall design, as well as the architecture, layout, and infrastructure, adhere to international standards of excellence, ensuring a high-level and holistic living experience of the highest caliber.

Whether you seek a serene retreat or a place to connect with the cultural and historical fabric of Israel, North Hills offers an exceptional living experience that will surpass all expectations. Discover a lifestyle that blends luxury, comfort, and the timeless allure of Israels mystic beauty in the prestigious North Hills project.

Psagot tevel: about us

Psagot Tevel is a globally recognized real estate enterprise operating at the highest level of luxury. Our expertise lies in creating top-tier projects catering to discerning customers, particularly affluent individuals who hold religious Jewish beliefs and aspire to settle in the sacred land of Eretz Hakodesh, seeking upscale homes that embody the holiness, history, and captivating views of Israel.

Founded by the late Yisrael Gershtenkron and Avraham Glazer, our firm inherits a rich legacy. Yisrael Gershtenkron, a visionary entrepreneur, previously managed a successful real estate office within the Charedi sector, specializing in selling high-end luxury apartments for premium clients in both Israel and the United States. Yisrael, a man of exceptional integrity and ambition, passed away prematurely during the inception of this project, leaving behind his professional spirit and esteemed reputation as our guiding principles.

Yisraels values, characterized by unwavering honesty, transparency, love for humanity, and a profound trust in God, continue to be the cornerstone of our company. We strive to uphold his core principles and imbue our projects with his spirit and ethos.

Avraham Glazer, on the other hand, has extensive experience in managing fundraising projects, collaborating closely with renowned philanthropists and influential figures in the Charedi sector in Israel and the USA. Over the years, he has successfully spearheaded real estate ventures in various locations, including Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, and Tzfat.

Our company operates under a comprehensive management approach, overseeing all aspects of project development, from enterprise and planning to construction. This integrated approach ensures seamless execution and optimal results for our esteemed clientele.

Despite the remarkable advancements and suitability of our cities for human life, there exists an inherent and genuine longing within us to connect with nature and develop a profound appreciation for it. The need to immerse ourselves in natural environments, to inhale the purity of clean air, to feel the caress of the wind on our faces, and to indulge in the splendor of the seas waves and the majesty of mountains is undeniable. It is through these experiences that we truly come alive and encounter the vibrant essence of nature. Pausing for a moment, taking a deep breath, and fully embracing the abundance of beauty that surrounds us is an essential practice for our well-being.

Life at its best is a harmonious blend of personal fulfillment, meaningful connections, and a deep appreciation for the wonders of existence. It entails finding joy and purpose in our pursuits, nurturing relationships that bring out the best in us, and cherishing the simple pleasures that enrich our everyday experiences. It involves embracing growth, embracing challenges, and embracing moments of bliss. Life at its best is a constant journey of self-discovery, gratitude, and the pursuit of happiness.

Our enterprising group is driven by a set of core values that form the foundation of our endeavors. We hold a deep love for the land of Israel, recognizing its significance and cherishing its profound connection to our heritage. Our mission is to actively contribute to the building and development of our homeland, fostering growth and prosperity.

We firmly believe in the sacred qualities attributed to the holy land, acknowledging its abundant resources and the opportunities it presents. Furthermore, we place great emphasis on nurturing authentic human connections, understanding that genuine relationships are integral to our collective well-being. We recognize the profound significance of love in our interactions, both in personal and communal contexts. These core values guide and inspire us as we work towards creating a better future for our land and its people.

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Shell failed to deliver another round of profit growth in the last quarter, with the business falling short of market expectations.

The oil giant's adjusted earnings reached just under 3.9billion during the quarter, down from 11.5billion a year ago.

Analysts had expected the group's earnings for the period to reach nearly 4.3billion, according to a consensus forecasts compiled by the company.

But Shell said it would continue to reward shareholders, dishing out a 15 per cent dividend hike. It has, however, slowed the pace of a share buyback.

Lower: Shell reported its lowest quarterly profit in nearly two years on Thursday

Lower earnings came as the average price of each barrel of oil and gas that Shell sold fell, while Shell also saw lower profit margins in its refining business.

Energy prices have been plunging from their Russia-Ukraine war peak. Brent crude peaked back in June 2022 at $122 a barrel, but is currently trading just above $80.

During the reporting period, the price was closer to $75.

The group also sold less liquified natural gas during the quarter, and its LNG trading business suffered too.

Shell shares fell on Thursday and were down 2.04 per cent or 49.00p to 2,347.50p this morning, having risen by 10 per cent in the last year.

Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said: 'The Shell share price, along with those of the other major oil companies, has seen its share price decline from the levels we saw earlier this year, as lower oil and gas prices weighed on expectations when it came to revenues, as well as profits.'

Chief executive Wael Sawan said, today: 'Shell delivered strong operational performance and cash flows in the second quarter, despite a lower commodity price environment.

'Today we are delivering on our commitment of a 15 per cent dividend increase.

'We are going further on our buyback guidance by commencing a 3 billion dollar programme for the next three months and, subject to board approval, at least 2.5 billion dollar at the third-quarter 2023 results.

'As we deliver more value with less emissions, we will continue to prioritise share buybacks, given the value that our shares represent.'

Shell slowed the pace of its share buyback programme to $3billion in the next three months and $2.5billion thereafter,

In charge: The chief executive of Shell, Wael Sawan

Today's results also mark a reduction from the oil majors record first-quarter results, which saw it make 7.6billion in adjusted earnings in just three months, coming in ahead of forecasts.

Since then, Shell has courted controversy by saying it will no longer try to reduce its oil production by between 1 per cent to 2 per cent a year until the end of this decade.

The group said it had already achieved this target because it sold off some of its oil fields, allowing other companies to produce the oil instead. It said it will continue to produce about as much oil as it does today until 2030.

Jonathan Noronha-Gant, from campaign group Global Witness, said: 'While the planet burns, Shell is making billions in profits, paying out massive dividends to its shareholders, and ramping up its oil and gas investment.'

He added: 'This is a company that acknowledges the urgency of the climate crisis. And yet it has U-turned on its climate commitments and doubled down on toxic fossil fuel energy.'

Dr George Dibb, at think tank IPPR, said: 'Incredibly, Shell is now paying more out to its shareholders in dividends and buybacks than it makes in profit, clearly prioritising these transfers over investing in a net zero future.'

TotalEnergies also today reported a sharp fall in second-quarter profit from bumper 2022 earnings, as oil and gas prices, refining margins and trading results all weakened.

TotalEnergies said European refining margins dropped due to a surge in Chinese exports and quicker-than-expected Russian crude and oil products finding global buyers after the EU imposed an embargo.
The City watchdog has piled further pressure on NatWest by insisting it could still take action against the bank over the scandal surrounding the closure of Nigel Farage's account.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said an independent review must go ahead, even after the resignations of the two bosses at the heart of the blunder.

'We expect that review to be done swiftly. Then we will decide what further action we will take,' said Sheldon Mills, FCA executive director for consumers and competition.

NatWest will come under intense scrutiny over the episode today as it publishes half-year results, with attention turning to whether chairman Sir Howard Davies will fall on his sword.

Chief executive Dame Alison Rose has gone while Peter Flavel, the boss of Coutts, the NatWest subsidiary that closed Farage's account, was ousted yesterday.

Probe: Sheldon Mills is FCA executive director for consumers and competition

The FCA put NatWest on notice this week over the scandal, which centred on Farage's claim that his account was closed because of his political views.

Rose's fate was sealed after she leaked private information about the former Ukip leader to a BBC journalist. It also prompted NatWest to launch an independent review and the FCA last night insisted that must still go ahead.

Rose's departure was announced on Wednesday while her replacement Paul Thwaite, in his first act as interim chief executive, announced Flavel's exit.

But Mills scotched any hope that sacrificing them would draw a line under the affair and said it wanted the probe to get to the bottom of what happened.

'We still expect that there will be an independent external review which the NatWest group will undertake,' he said. 'We expect to see the outcome of the review. We expect them to put significant resources into that review, to make their senior executives available for that review, so that those independent examiners can interview people and ensure that there's a proper review of these circumstances.'

He would not comment on what further action the FCA might take. The affair has raised questions over the governance of NatWest, which remains 39 per cent-owned by the taxpayer after its collapse during the 2008 financial crisis. Farage has called for a clear-out of the entire boardroom.

And some major investors have been highly critical of Davies.

It was he who declared  after Rose's admission about leaking information  that she was an 'outstanding leader' who had the board's full confidence.

Hours later she was gone. Martin Walker, head of UK equities at Invesco, which has a stake in the bank, told The Times: 'Frankly, I am appalled at both management and board behaviour. Her [Rose's] role was clearly untenable. You have to call into question the judgment of the board.'

The bank is also facing a probe by the Information Commissioner's Office into whether Rose's actions would 'constitute a serious data breach'. City minister Andrew Griffith this week told leading bank figures that forcing clients out because of political beliefs will not be tolerated.
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology (OTCMKTS:XJNGF  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at HSBC from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Separately, Citigroup upgraded shares of Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd.

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Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Stock Down 4.4 %

OTCMKTS:XJNGF traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $0.64. 2,000 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,139. The companys 50 day moving average is $0.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.84. Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology has a twelve month low of $0.64 and a twelve month high of $1.86.

About Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides wind power solutions in China and internationally. The company operates through four segments: WTG Manufacturing, Wind Power Services, Wind Farm Development, and Others. The WTG Manufacturing segment engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of wind turbine generators and spare parts.

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Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY  Get Free Report) had its price target increased by analysts at Citigroup from $200.00 to $205.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups price objective would indicate a potential upside of 13.47% from the companys previous close.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on AVY. Bank of America dropped their price target on Avery Dennison from $207.00 to $189.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Loop Capital decreased their price target on Avery Dennison from $208.00 to $201.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Avery Dennison from $210.00 to $200.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Avery Dennison in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Avery Dennison currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $202.11.

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Avery Dennison Stock Up 3.4 %

Avery Dennison stock traded up $6.00 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $180.66. The stock had a trading volume of 1,288,843 shares, compared to its average volume of 554,342. Avery Dennison has a one year low of $157.28 and a one year high of $204.37. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $169.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $176.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company has a market capitalization of $14.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.74, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.96.

Insider Transactions at Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison ( NYSE:AVY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The industrial products company reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($0.13). Avery Dennison had a return on equity of 34.49% and a net margin of 7.77%. The business had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.17 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.64 EPS. Avery Dennisons quarterly revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Avery Dennison will post 8.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director Julia A. Stewart sold 930 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.99, for a total value of $160,880.70. Following the sale, the director now owns 15,962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,761,266.38. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. SouthState Corp boosted its position in shares of Avery Dennison by 130.0% in the 1st quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 138 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the period. Clear Street Markets LLC lifted its position in Avery Dennison by 92.7% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 158 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Avery Dennison during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Avery Dennison during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Avery Dennison during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.27% of the companys stock.

About Avery Dennison

(Get Free Report)

Avery Dennison Corporation operates as materials science and digital identification solutions company. It provides branding and information labeling solutions, including pressure-sensitive materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, and various converted products and solutions. The company designs and manufactures a range of labeling and functional materials that enhance branded packaging, carry or display information that connects the physical and the digital, and improve customers' product performance.

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The China-UK conference on green, low carbon and remanufacturing industry development was held on Monday in Cangzhou City, north China's Hebei Province.

More than 200 scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry association representatives from China and the UK attended the conference.

The representatives expressed their full expectations for the development of remanufacturing industry in China, and hoped to cooperate with Chinese enterprises in related fields.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service


Areli Vazquez Garcias nightmare began on April 1, 2004, when her face was splashed all over millions of television screens throughout Mexico. From that moment on, the short, middle-aged woman would be forever remembered as La Mataviejitas (the Old Lady Killer).

Mexican authorities and the media had linked Vazquez to a wave of murders of elderly women that had Mexico City on edge. Local prosecutors claimed they found one of her fingerprints on a glass at a crime scene, and that relatives of the victim  81-year-old Gloria Enedina Rizo Ramirez  had identified stolen jewelry in Vazquezs possession. Both claims would later be disproven. The case is now the subject of a new Netflix documentary, The Lady of Silence: The Mataviejitas Murders.

Araceli Vazquez during a recent interview at the Santa Martha Acatitla prison in Mexico City. Netflix

In the early 2000s, Mexico City police and prosecutors faced a daunting challenge  finding a chilling serial killer who targeted elderly women aged 70 to 90 in their own homes. In a span of six years, at least 20 victims fell to the unknown predator, leaving the city gripped by fear for their beloved grandmothers.

Vazquez immediately admitted to committing several robberies, but she steadfastly denied being a serial killer. Thirty more murders within a span of 22 months after her arrest would prove her right. Juana Barraza was caught red-handed on January 25, 2006, just after strangling Ana Maria de los Reyes Alfaro at her home in the Moctezuma neighborhood. After Barrazas arrest, murders of elderly women abruptly ended.

Barraza was convicted of 16 homicides, including Gloria Enedina, whose murder in 2003 had been attributed to Vazquez. However, the fingerprint found on a glass in Enedinas home did not belong to Vazquez as claimed by prosecutor Renato Sales  it actually belonged to Barraza. Consequently, she was never charged for that specific crime. Nevertheless, Vazquez is currently serving a sentence of 23 years and 9 months for another crime: the murder of Margarita Aceves Quezada on January 5, 2004.

Statement made by Himelda, a witness to the murder of Margarita Aceves.

Over 17 years after the justice system closed the La Mataviejitas case, recently declassified court records for Juana Barraza and Araceli Vazquez expose a trail of negligence, manipulation, and lack of transparency in the official investigation, along with numerous arbitrary arrests.

The investigation for the Netflix documentary reveals that Vazquez was accused of murdering Aceves based on inconclusive evidence. The modus operandi actually matches that of Juana Barraza, as do the physical descriptions provided by witnesses.

The doctor

Margarita Aceves was strangled at the age of 75 with an object from her own home  a radio cable  and there were no signs of forced entry. She lived in the Azcapotzalco borough in the northwestern part of Mexico City. That day, a neighbor of Aceves named Himelda was outside enjoying the sunshine when a tall woman dressed in a white lab coat, with light brown skin and short, straight blonde hair approached her. The woman asked Himelda if she knew any retired people living alone because she wanted to offer them a 45% pension increase.

I said yes and pointed to my friend Margaritas apartment window, reads the statement in the case file. Another neighbor named Isabel saw Himelda talking to the doctor. Two other neighbors  Martha and her daughter Berenice  watched from their apartment as the woman in the white coat asked for Margarita Aceves retirement ID card. Margarita agreed to come downstairs and let the woman into the building.

That night, the neighbors were surprised to see Margaritas windows still open and no lights on inside. Marthas husband entered Margaritas apartment using an extra set of keys and found her lifeless body. The four witnesses were called to testify on January 6, the day after the crime, and they all gave consistent physical descriptions of the suspect.

Wanted poster for 'La Mataviejitas' on a car window. Netflix

Three months after the murder, Vazquez was arrested. Margaritas neighbors were called in to view photographs and identify the suspect through a one-way mirror. No one identified Vazquez as the person they saw with the victim.

A witness stated that the woman who came to their apartment building was taller than Vazquez, who was described as short. During a raid at Vazquezs home in Acolman (north of Mexico City), authorities allegedly found a bag with a wig and a white lab coat, as well as a watch identified as belonging to Aceves by her niece. All three items were crucial evidence in convicting Vazquez, who maintains that they were planted in her house by homicide investigators led by Guillermo Zayas. Vazquez was paraded at the press conference wearing the same wig and white lab coat allegedly found in her home.

I just want it known that I wasnt the one who killed that woman  the evidence is right there. Ive been keeping quiet for 18 years! said Araceli Vazquez, whom authorities tried to link to five homicides. I used to steal  Ive always admitted that, she said in an interview at the Santa Martha prison on September 23, 2022.

When Juana Barraza was arrested, Vazquez was happy and Mexican authorities celebrated  they had caught the real Mataviejitas. There were ceremonies and medals for the heroes, and media attention focused on a tall, strong woman who claimed to be a pro wrestler and went by The Lady of Silence in the ring.

Vazquez believed that Barrazas arrest was strong evidence of her innocence, and hoped that the justice system would only punish her for theft. But Vazquez has been in prison for 19 years and feels abandoned by the justice system. Coincidentally, Barraza is in the same prison  Vazquez says they have a cordial relationship.

Forgotten and without legal representation

Today, Vazquezs mind seems muddled and the toll of almost 7,000 days behind bars is evident. Her eyes lack the spark they once had, and her short hair is now tinged with gray. At 57, she appears older than her years. Her son was killed in a robbery, her ex-husband has moved on with his life, and her daughter now lives far away.

Statement made by Berenice, a witness to the murder of Margarita Aceves.

Vazquez explains that she hasnt had access to her file or any updates from her retired court-appointed lawyer whom she tried to reach unsuccessfully. She does recall being sentenced to over 40 years. According to press reports in 2004, she was sentenced to 18 years for robbery and 23 years for homicide. But Vazquez says she doesnt even know the exact number of robberies shes serving time for, or the names of the victims shes accused of killing.

New information obtained after completion of the documentary, confirms that Vazquez is currently serving time for five crimes. One is the homicide of Margarita Aceves, and the other four are related to robbery. Vazquez still has many more years of prison time.

If a judicial error occurred, it should be rectified in a timely manner. This responsibility lies with the current Office of the Attorney General and falls under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary. Mechanisms are in place to address such issues. It is unfortunate that errors may occur during investigations, and it is important to acknowledge and rectify them. However, sometimes this may not happen due to media and political considerations. Nevertheless, it is crucial to be able to admit ones mistakes, stated Renato Sales in an interview. Sales was the deputy attorney general when Vasquez was convicted.

In a related case also marked by seemingly arbitrary decisions, Jorge Mario Tablas Silva was charged in September 2004 with the murders of four elderly women, though two charges were later dropped. Like Vazquez, a fingerprint allegedly belonging to Tablas was found at the murder scene of one victim  Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez Juanbelz. It was later determined to be Barrazas fingerprint. The case file reveals that the evidence of his guilt was false. Two witnesses had definitively identified Tablas, but one who worked in the victims home conveniently recanted. She changed her testimony from seeing a woman with her employer to seeing a man disguised as a woman. According to reporter Antonio Baranda, Tablas died in prison.

Today, Juana Barraza is a celebrity in the Santa Martha prison and demands payment for the many interview requests she receives. Meanwhile, Vazquez hasnt received a single visit in six years and no interview requests until recently. All she wants is for someone to review her case.

Still from Netflixs documentary, 'The Lady of Silence.' Netflix

**This article is based on research conducted for The Lady of Silence: The Mataviejitas Case, a documentary produced by Mezcla and premiering on Netflix on July 27, 2023.
Robert Half International (NYSE:RHI  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Tuesday. The business services provider reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.13), Briefing.com reports. Robert Half International had a return on equity of 39.94% and a net margin of 8.57%. The firm had revenue of $1.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.69 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.60 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Robert Half International updated its Q2 guidance to $0.76-0.90 EPS.

Robert Half International Stock Performance

RHI stock traded down $4.78 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $75.43. 4,185,827 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,037,182. Robert Half International has a fifty-two week low of $64.65 and a fifty-two week high of $89.78. The stock has a market cap of $8.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 1.35. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $73.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.91.

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Robert Half International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 25th were issued a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 24th. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. Robert Half Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 34.04%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Robert Half International

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RHI. Waverly Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Robert Half International during the first quarter valued at approximately $206,000. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC bought a new position in Robert Half International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $201,000. qPULA Trading Management LP bought a new position in Robert Half International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $200,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P boosted its stake in Robert Half International by 28.5% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 1,706 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $195,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Robert Half International by 435.9% during the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,401 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $193,000 after purchasing an additional 1,953 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.34% of the companys stock.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on RHI shares. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price target on Robert Half International from $63.00 to $57.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Redburn Partners assumed coverage on Robert Half International in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued a neutral rating and a $76.00 price target for the company. UBS Group started coverage on Robert Half International in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. They set a buy rating and a $82.00 target price for the company. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Robert Half International from $88.00 to $82.00 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Robert Half International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.75.

About Robert Half International

(Get Free Report)

Robert Half International Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting service in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support.

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Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund acquired 849 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $146,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wealthfront Advisers LLC grew its position in AvalonBay Communities by 24.6% in the first quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 3,862 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $649,000 after acquiring an additional 762 shares in the last quarter. Vanderbilt University acquired a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities in the first quarter worth $530,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 14.6% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 17,908 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,010,000 after buying an additional 2,282 shares during the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.0% in the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 40,411 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,791,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 6.8% in the first quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 60,139 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $10,107,000 after buying an additional 3,821 shares during the last quarter. 87.85% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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AvalonBay Communities Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:AVB traded down $0.76 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $191.70. The stock had a trading volume of 963,430 shares, compared to its average volume of 796,982. The firm has a market cap of $27.22 billion, a PE ratio of 26.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.93. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.07 and a twelve month high of $220.42. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $186.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $177.06. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

AvalonBay Communities Dividend Announcement

Insider Transactions at AvalonBay Communities

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a dividend of $1.65 per share. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.44%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 90.54%.

In other news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.10, for a total transaction of $704,400.00. Following the sale, the executive now directly owns 62,559 shares in the company, valued at $11,016,639.90. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.42% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on AVB. 888 restated a maintains rating on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Friday, May 19th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. They set an overweight rating and a $184.00 target price for the company. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $190.00 to $211.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $186.00 to $195.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $204.26.

AvalonBay Communities Profile

(Free Report)

As of March 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 295 apartment communities containing 88,826 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 19 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 9,728 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $146,000.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the 4th quarter valued at $182,000. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 1,112.1% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 1,973,448 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $31,519,000 after acquiring an additional 1,810,638 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 1,682.6% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 441,815 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $7,038,000 after acquiring an additional 417,030 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 59.5% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 528,342 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $8,432,000 after acquiring an additional 197,190 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 1,510,690 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $24,111,000 after acquiring an additional 11,951 shares in the last quarter. 81.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on HPE. Barclays cut their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $16.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Citigroup assumed coverage on Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. They issued a neutral rating and a $18.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Bank of America boosted their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $17.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $15.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $16.73.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance

NYSE HPE traded down $0.14 on Wednesday, hitting $17.45. 11,314,713 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,005,675. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 12 month low of $11.90 and a 12 month high of $17.74. The businesss fifty day moving average is $16.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.55, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.26.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 30th. The technology company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.30 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 5.05% and a net margin of 3.46%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.19 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.75%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is 61.54%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

In other news, EVP John F. Schultz sold 226,078 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.01, for a total value of $3,619,508.78. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 224,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,594,100.91. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Hewlett Packard Enterprise news, EVP John F. Schultz sold 226,078 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.01, for a total transaction of $3,619,508.78. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 224,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,594,100.91. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Tarek Robbiati sold 159,180 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.01, for a total transaction of $2,548,471.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 159,073 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,546,758.73. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 433,504 shares of company stock valued at $6,954,746. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Profile

(Free Report)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 9,030 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $142,000.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Greenleaf Trust raised its position in Vale by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 29,793 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $506,000 after buying an additional 554 shares during the last quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vale by 6.1% in the 4th quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 11,612 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 664 shares in the last quarter. Nwam LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vale by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Nwam LLC now owns 15,342 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 790 shares in the last quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vale by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 15,015 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 921 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Naviter Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vale by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 46,166 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $857,000 after purchasing an additional 1,029 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 18.82% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Vale from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $13.20 price target for the company. in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Vale from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the company from $20.00 to $16.00 in a report on Monday, April 17th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of Vale in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Vale from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $16.00 price target for the company. in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Vale from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Vale presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.52.

Vale Stock Down 0.5 %

VALE traded down $0.07 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $15.10. The company had a trading volume of 20,730,374 shares, compared to its average volume of 22,646,115. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.73. Vale S.A. has a 1-year low of $11.72 and a 1-year high of $19.31. The business has a 50-day moving average of $13.76 and a 200-day moving average of $15.34. The company has a market cap of $67.69 billion, a PE ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.87.

Vale (NYSE:VALE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.57 by ($0.16). Vale had a net margin of 38.99% and a return on equity of 38.16%. The business had revenue of $8.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.09 billion. As a group, analysts forecast that Vale S.A. will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Vale Profile

(Free Report)

Vale SA, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Iron Solutions and Energy Transition Materials segments. The Iron Solutions segment produces and extracts iron ore and pellets, manganese, and other ferrous products; and provides related logistic services.

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Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,170 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $140,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in Assurant by 20.3% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 4,451 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $534,000 after acquiring an additional 751 shares in the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System lifted its position in Assurant by 0.7% during the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 14,467 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,737,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in Assurant by 173.5% during the first quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 9,300 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,117,000 after buying an additional 5,900 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its position in Assurant by 2.0% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 15,359 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,844,000 after buying an additional 298 shares during the period. Finally, Securian Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Assurant by 2.4% during the first quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,258 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $511,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.86% of the companys stock.

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Assurant Stock Performance

AIZ traded up $3.00 on Wednesday, hitting $132.62. 211,910 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 412,114. The company has a 50 day moving average of $126.80 and a 200-day moving average of $125.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.05 billion, a PE ratio of 28.93, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.55. Assurant, Inc. has a 12-month low of $104.49 and a 12-month high of $176.31.

Assurant Dividend Announcement

Assurant ( NYSE:AIZ Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $3.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.32 by $1.17. The company had revenue of $2.64 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.60 billion. Assurant had a return on equity of 12.54% and a net margin of 2.33%. Assurants revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.75 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Assurant, Inc. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 30th were paid a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.11%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 26th. Assurants dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.50%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Richard S. Dziadzio sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.07, for a total transaction of $524,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 55,893 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,325,895.51. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Assurant news, CFO Richard S. Dziadzio sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.07, for a total value of $524,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 55,893 shares in the company, valued at $7,325,895.51. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CAO Dimitry Dirienzo sold 800 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.00, for a total value of $99,200.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,516 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $683,984. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. TheStreet raised Assurant from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. StockNews.com raised Assurant from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Bank of America increased their price target on Assurant from $160.00 to $164.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler upgraded Assurant from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $144.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Assurant presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $139.00.

Assurant Profile

(Free Report)

Assurant, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides business services that supports, protects, and connects consumer purchases in North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through two segments: Global Lifestyle and Global Housing. The Global Lifestyle segment offers mobile device solutions, and extended service products and related services for consumer electronics and appliances, and credit and other insurance products; and vehicle protection, leased and financed solutions, and other related services.

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abrdn plc bought a new position in shares of Texas Pacific Land Co. (NYSE:TPL  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 972 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,653,000.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 10.8% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 675 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $913,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 41.6% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 729 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $986,000 after purchasing an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 881 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,191,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. increased its stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 23.0% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 2,903 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,925,000 after purchasing an additional 543 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Texas Pacific Land during the 1st quarter worth approximately $515,000. 61.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on TPL. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Texas Pacific Land from $1,378.00 to $1,371.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Texas Pacific Land in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

Texas Pacific Land Price Performance

TPL stock traded down $2.56 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $1,509.49. The stock had a trading volume of 22,433 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,353. The firm has a market cap of $11.61 billion, a PE ratio of 26.92 and a beta of 1.81. Texas Pacific Land Co. has a 12-month low of $1,266.21 and a 12-month high of $2,739.00. The companys 50-day moving average price is $1,356.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $1,620.74.

Texas Pacific Land (NYSE:TPL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $11.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $13.21 by ($1.97). The company had revenue of $146.36 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $154.54 million. Texas Pacific Land had a net margin of 65.28% and a return on equity of 58.62%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Texas Pacific Land Co. will post 48.7 EPS for the current year.

Texas Pacific Land Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 8th were issued a $3.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 7th. This represents a $13.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.86%. Texas Pacific Lands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.06%.

Texas Pacific Land Profile

(Free Report)

Texas Pacific Land Corporation engages in the land and resource management, and water services and operations businesses. The company's Land and Resource Management segment manages surface acres of land. This segment also holds own a 1/128th nonparticipating perpetual oil and gas royalty interest (NPRI) under approximately 85,000 acres of land; a 1/16th NPRI under approximately 371,000 acres of land; and approximately 4,000 additional net royalty acres located in the western part of Texas.

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abrdn plc raised its stake in shares of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW  Free Report) by 64.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,968 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 5,062 shares during the period. abrdn plcs holdings in Arrow Electronics were worth $1,619,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in Arrow Electronics by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. now owns 11,461 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,198,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its stake in Arrow Electronics by 31.9% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 389 shares of the technology companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Arrow Electronics by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,021 shares of the technology companys stock worth $358,000 after buying an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Denali Advisors LLC increased its stake in Arrow Electronics by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 2,310 shares of the technology companys stock worth $288,000 after buying an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Arrow Electronics by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 2,342 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. 95.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Arrow Electronics Trading Down 0.2 %

Arrow Electronics stock traded down $0.26 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $140.41. The stock had a trading volume of 276,762 shares, compared to its average volume of 470,110. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Arrow Electronics, Inc. has a 52-week low of $89.38 and a 52-week high of $147.42. The firm has a market cap of $7.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a fifty day moving average of $135.37 and a 200 day moving average of $124.38.

Insider Transactions at Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics ( NYSE:ARW Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The technology company reported $4.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.47 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $8.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.61 billion. Arrow Electronics had a net margin of 3.63% and a return on equity of 24.92%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $5.43 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Arrow Electronics, Inc. will post 16.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, SVP Gretchen Zech sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.26, for a total transaction of $505,040.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 27,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,525,810.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Andrew Charles Kerin sold 1,419 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.09, for a total value of $174,664.71. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Gretchen Zech sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.26, for a total transaction of $505,040.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 27,925 shares in the company, valued at $3,525,810.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 6,838 shares of company stock worth $861,067. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ARW has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Arrow Electronics from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, May 13th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Arrow Electronics from $140.00 to $135.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $126.71.

Arrow Electronics Company Profile

(Free Report)

Arrow Electronics, Inc provides products, services, and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Global Components and Global Enterprise Computing Solutions.

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WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Free Report)  Seaport Res Ptn cut their Q1 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for WestRock in a report issued on Thursday, July 20th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst M. Weintraub now expects that the basic materials company will post earnings per share of $0.15 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.30. The consensus estimate for WestRocks current full-year earnings is $2.34 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for WestRocks FY2024 earnings at $1.00 EPS.

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WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.26. WestRock had a positive return on equity of 9.98% and a negative net margin of 5.86%. The company had revenue of $5.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.23 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.17 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis.

WestRock Trading Up 0.7 %

WRK has been the subject of a number of other reports. Bank of America raised WestRock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $38.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on WestRock from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. StockNews.com began coverage on WestRock in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on WestRock from $42.00 to $37.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $33.25.

NYSE:WRK traded up $0.22 on Monday, reaching $32.28. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,943,182 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,397,491. WestRock has a 12-month low of $26.84 and a 12-month high of $43.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $28.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $30.77.

WestRock Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were issued a $0.275 dividend. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.41%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 10th. WestRocks payout ratio is currently -22.63%.

Institutional Trading of WestRock

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ancora Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Gyon Technologies Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Cornerstone Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of WestRock by 75.0% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Management Inc. now owns 1,050 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of WestRock by 203.8% in the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,118 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. 84.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WestRock Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates in four segments, Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers.

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Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSEAMERICAN:CQP  Free Report)  Analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, July 19th. Zacks Research analyst U. Dutta now anticipates that the energy company will earn $0.70 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.68. The consensus estimate for Cheniere Energy Partners current full-year earnings is $3.06 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Cheniere Energy Partners Q1 2025 earnings at $0.73 EPS.

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Several other research firms also recently weighed in on CQP. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $43.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. UBS Group upgraded shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $57.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from $53.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy Partners from $56.00 to $48.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $50.38.

Cheniere Energy Partners Stock Performance

Shares of CQP stock traded up $0.18 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $51.72. 66,035 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 184,606. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $46.59. Cheniere Energy Partners has a 52-week low of $42.96 and a 52-week high of $62.08. The company has a market capitalization of $25.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.98 and a beta of 0.83.

Cheniere Energy Partners (NYSEAMERICAN:CQP  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The energy company reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.73. Cheniere Energy Partners had a net margin of 25.45% and a negative return on equity of 133.75%. The business had revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.01 billion.

Institutional Trading of Cheniere Energy Partners

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CQP. Evermay Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Kozak & Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. IFP Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners by 613.6% in the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 735 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 632 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.48% of the companys stock.

Insider Transactions at Cheniere Energy Partners

In other news, COO Corey Grindal sold 7,649 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.93, for a total transaction of $351,318.57. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

Cheniere Energy Partners Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 8th were issued a dividend of $0.775 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. This represents a $3.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.99%. This is an increase from Cheniere Energy Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. Cheniere Energy Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.99%.

About Cheniere Energy Partners

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Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., through its subsidiaries, provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies worldwide. It owns and operates natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Sabine Pass LNG production terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

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Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI  Free Report) (NYSE:TRI)  Investment analysts at National Bank Financial lowered their Q4 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of Thomson Reuters in a research report issued on Thursday, July 20th. National Bank Financial analyst A. Shine now expects that the company will earn $1.23 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.24. National Bank Financial has a Outperform rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Thomson Reuters current full-year earnings is $4.47 per share. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Thomson Reuters FY2025 earnings at $5.58 EPS.

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A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$182.00 to C$184.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. National Bankshares upgraded Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a C$184.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, TD Securities lifted their target price on Thomson Reuters from C$175.00 to C$185.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd.

Thomson Reuters Stock Performance

Shares of TRI traded down C$1.89 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching C$175.01. 273,815 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 351,277. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 37.20, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market capitalization of C$79.45 billion, a PE ratio of 55.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.29. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is C$171.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$168.69. Thomson Reuters has a 52-week low of C$136.02 and a 52-week high of C$182.66.

Thomson Reuters (TSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported C$1.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.05 by C$0.06. The firm had revenue of C$2.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.33 billion. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 16.25% and a return on equity of 8.19%.

Thomson Reuters Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 18th were paid a $0.49 dividend. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 17th. Thomson Reuterss payout ratio is 85.49%.

About Thomson Reuters

(Get Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Brazils indigenous peoples often say that they have been resisting for exactly 523 years, the time since the first Portuguese ships appeared on the horizon line. The annual report of the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI), released this Thursday, proves that in the last four years, the first president in the history of Brazilian democracy who was openly belligerent against the indigenous cause forced them to make an extra effort of resistance: during the administration of Jair Bolsonaro, violence against indigenous people multiplied exponentially, with 795 individuals killed, 180 of them in 2022.

In the almost 300-page document, this organization with ties to the Catholic Church collects official data from all the states in the country to put together a comprehensive picture of attacks in recent years, which are closely linked to the policies of the former president. Cases of violence against indigenous people (murders, death threats, bodily harm, racism or sexual violence) reached an average of 373.8 per year, with an increase of 54% compared to the previous four years (under the governments of Michel Temer and Dilma Rousseff).

The intensity of the attacks cannot be understood outside the frame of the dismantling of the indigenist policies and environmental protection institutions that the government had been committed to during the term of Jair Bolsonaro, reads the report. The former president took office with the promise not to dedicate one more centimeter of land to indigenous peoples, and he delivered on that pledge, despite the fact that the Constitution requires legal recognition of territories historically occupied by native populations. The government tried repeatedly to pass laws to allow the exploitation of indigenous lands, and undermined from within the agencies that should have protected these communities, which ultimately led to a scenario of conflicts, defenselessness and legal uncertainty. In 2022 alone, there were 309 cases of property invasion on indigenous lands.

Pahnin Mekragnotire from the Kayapo tribe in front of an illegally logged site within their territory, in Para, Brazil, in 2021. LUCAS LANDAU (REUTERS)

Last year, in states such as Mato Grosso do Sul, Maranhao and Bahia, disputes over land and a lack of protection led to the murder of indigenous people, sometimes involving police forces operating as private security for big farmers, says the report. In Comexatiba Indigenous Land, in southern Bahia, a 14-year-old Pataxo boy named Gustavo Silva da Conceicao was brutally killed during one of several shootings perpetrated by militias. Cases like this one are recurring. In the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, which exports thousands of tons of soybeans every year, the Guarani Kaiowa people have been facing up against the all-powerful Brazilian agricultural sector for decades. After claiming as ancestral territory what is currently registered as the Guapoy farm, there was a violent expulsion by the Military Police that ended with one death, Vitor Fernandes, and dozens of wounded.

None of these murders had a media coverage comparable to the deaths of the British journalist Dom Philips and the indigenous advocate Bruno Pereira in June of last year. Their bodies were dismembered and burned in the Vale do Javari, the region in the world with the most uncontacted indigenous peoples. The report certifies that shortly after the terrible homicide, threats against indigenous people in the region continued.

Especially serious is the situation of the Yanonami people, in the north of the country, on the border with Venezuela. In recent years, Bolsonaros permissive attitude towards illegal mining on indigenous lands has led to the arrival of more than 20,000 garimpeiros in search of gold. Far from disavowing the activity, the president went so far as to visit an illegal excavation on the Raposa Serra do Sol indigenous land to express his support. Among the bloodiest deaths of last year, the report cites that of a 12-year-old Yanomami teenager who was raped and murdered by garimpeiros in a village in the Waikas region, one of the most intensely affected by illegal mining.

The invaders contaminate rivers with mercury, which in turn destroys fishing, the main source of food for these indigenous people. The result of years of state negligence became apparent last January, when images of starving Yanomami adults and children, with their ribs exposed, went around the world. The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva mounted a complex operation to expel the garimpeiros, but the consequences will take time to disappear. One of the most chilling data in the document is found in the category on deaths due to omission of the state, especially due to lack of health care. Between 2019 and 2022, a total of 3,552 indigenous children between the ages of zero and four died for this reason, 35% more than in the previous four years.

Of these deaths, the CIMI identified 1,504 that occurred due to preventable causes, such as diarrhea, fever, pneumonia or malnutrition. The Yanomami territory, again due to the invasion of the garimpeiros, was the most affected. Despite the fact that only 4% of Brazilian indigenous people live here, 17.5% of deaths due to the absence of adequate public policies occurred here, with 621 children dying in the last four years. Experts believe that the number could be higher, since there are areas of very difficult access where the garimpeiros still occupy the precarious health posts scattered throughout the jungle. The report speaks on several occasions of genocide and calls for the creation of a National Indigenous Truth Commission, like the one set up to investigate the crimes of the military dictatorship.
Equities researchers at TD Securities assumed coverage on shares of TC Energy (NYSE:TRP  Get Free Report) (TSE:TRP) in a report issued on Wednesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm set a buy rating and a $62.00 price target on the pipeline companys stock. TD Securities price objective suggests a potential upside of 67.21% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on TRP. CIBC downgraded shares of TC Energy from a sector outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday. TheStreet upgraded shares of TC Energy from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of TC Energy from $66.00 to $64.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of TC Energy in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $62.06.

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TC Energy Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of TRP traded up $0.25 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $37.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,895,713 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,030,596. The business has a fifty day moving average of $40.06 and a 200 day moving average of $40.65. The company has a market cap of $38.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.85. TC Energy has a 1 year low of $36.44 and a 1 year high of $55.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76.

Institutional Trading of TC Energy

TC Energy ( NYSE:TRP Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The pipeline company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.89. TC Energy had a net margin of 11.35% and a return on equity of 13.97%. The business had revenue of $2.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.73 billion. As a group, analysts forecast that TC Energy will post 3.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TRP. Simplicity Solutions LLC boosted its position in shares of TC Energy by 5.8% during the second quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 110,742 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $4,475,000 after purchasing an additional 6,109 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in TC Energy by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 71,673 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,896,000 after buying an additional 4,175 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in TC Energy by 9.7% during the 2nd quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 43,710 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,766,000 after buying an additional 3,852 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of TC Energy by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 83,511 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $3,375,000 after purchasing an additional 629 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates increased its stake in shares of TC Energy by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 1,937,120 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $78,279,000 after purchasing an additional 192,843 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock.

About TC Energy

(Get Free Report)

TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,700 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses.

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Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $118.00 to $121.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential downside of 15.72% from the companys current price.

WHR has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Credit Suisse Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of Whirlpool in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Whirlpool from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $170.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Whirlpool from $90.00 to $87.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Whirlpool in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $131.00.

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Whirlpool Stock Down 1.9 %

WHR traded down $2.74 on Wednesday, reaching $143.57. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,114,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 755,304. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.30. Whirlpool has a fifty-two week low of $124.10 and a fifty-two week high of $178.05. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $143.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $141.17. The company has a market capitalization of $7.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.52.

Insider Buying and Selling

Whirlpool ( NYSE:WHR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The company reported $4.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.76 by $0.45. Whirlpool had a negative net margin of 8.13% and a positive return on equity of 27.65%. The firm had revenue of $4.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.81 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.97 EPS. The companys revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Whirlpool will post 16.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Whirlpool news, EVP Juan Carlos Puente sold 420 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.16, for a total transaction of $56,347.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,699 shares in the company, valued at $2,374,497.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.85% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Whirlpool

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Whirlpool by 14.7% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 3,228 shares of the companys stock worth $557,000 after acquiring an additional 414 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Whirlpool by 19.4% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 16,019 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,768,000 after purchasing an additional 2,599 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its stake in Whirlpool by 3.5% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 7,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,364,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Whirlpool by 2.4% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 11,256 shares of the companys stock worth $1,945,000 after buying an additional 260 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in Whirlpool by 13.4% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 3,677 shares of the companys stock worth $635,000 after buying an additional 435 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.04% of the companys stock.

Whirlpool Company Profile

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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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3M (NYSE:MMM  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY23 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $8.60-9.10 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $8.61. 3M also updated its FY 2023 guidance to $8.60-$9.10 EPS.

3M Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MMM traded up $2.89 on Wednesday, reaching $112.72. 5,571,596 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,623,682. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.51, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.96. 3M has a fifty-two week low of $92.38 and a fifty-two week high of $152.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The businesss 50-day moving average is $100.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $106.26.

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3M (NYSE:MMM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The conglomerate reported $2.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.44. The firm had revenue of $7.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.88 billion. 3M had a return on equity of 36.48% and a net margin of 16.31%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.48 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that 3M will post 8.73 EPS for the current year.

3M Dividend Announcement

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th were paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.32%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. 3Ms dividend payout ratio is presently 62.18%.

A number of analysts recently commented on MMM shares. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of 3M from $100.00 to $111.00 in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an underweight rating and set a $100.00 target price on shares of 3M in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on 3M from $110.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of 3M from $95.00 to $100.00 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of 3M from $95.00 to $115.00 in a report on Tuesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, 3M currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $115.83.

Insider Activity at 3M

In related news, EVP Eric D. Hammes sold 6,487 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total value of $683,275.71. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,430 shares in the company, valued at $1,098,591.90. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other 3M news, EVP Eric D. Hammes sold 6,487 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total transaction of $683,275.71. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,430 shares in the company, valued at $1,098,591.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Khandpur K. Ashish sold 9,432 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.27, for a total value of $936,314.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 20,943 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,079,011.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MMM. Delphia USA Inc. raised its position in 3M by 37.4% in the 1st quarter. Delphia USA Inc. now owns 1,602 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $239,000 after purchasing an additional 436 shares during the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC raised its position in 3M by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,947 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $233,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management raised its position in 3M by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management now owns 2,193 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $231,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in 3M in the 3rd quarter valued at $226,000. Finally, Laidlaw Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in 3M in the 4th quarter valued at $225,000. Institutional investors own 64.60% of the companys stock.

About 3M

(Get Free Report)

3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles.

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Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW  Free Report) by 16.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,413 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLCs holdings in Pinnacle West Capital were worth $112,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 8.0% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 21,980 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,718,000 after buying an additional 1,630 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 23.1% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 30,693 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,397,000 after purchasing an additional 5,768 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 5.6% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 31,722 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,599,000 after purchasing an additional 1,681 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 6.8% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 494,515 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $38,620,000 after purchasing an additional 31,526 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. increased its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 7.8% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 135,551 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $10,571,000 after purchasing an additional 9,777 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.46% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on PNW shares. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $85.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Friday, June 16th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, May 20th. KeyCorp upped their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $55.00 to $61.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $78.00 price target (up from $73.00) on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a report on Friday, July 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $78.11.

Pinnacle West Capital Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PNW traded down $0.50 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $84.74. 747,180 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 830,889. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $80.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $78.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.01. Pinnacle West Capital Co. has a 12 month low of $59.03 and a 12 month high of $86.03. The firm has a market cap of $9.60 billion, a PE ratio of 20.72, a PEG ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.47.

Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported ($0.03) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.06). Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 7.50% and a net margin of 10.33%. The firm had revenue of $944.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $808.33 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.15 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 20.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Pinnacle West Capital Co. will post 4.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pinnacle West Capital Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be paid a $0.865 dividend. This represents a $3.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.08%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 31st. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 84.60%.

About Pinnacle West Capital

(Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities.

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Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by stock analysts at Bank of America from $270.00 to $300.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Bank of Americas price objective would indicate a potential upside of 6.80% from the stocks current price.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. 58.com reiterated an upgrade rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Sherwin-Williams from $272.00 to $315.00 in a report on Wednesday. StockNews.com started coverage on Sherwin-Williams in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Mizuho upped their price target on Sherwin-Williams from $290.00 to $305.00 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $275.00 to $300.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Sherwin-Williams has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $278.50.

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Sherwin-Williams Stock Up 1.8 %

NYSE:SHW traded up $4.94 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $280.90. The stock had a trading volume of 2,282,584 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,506,464. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.03. Sherwin-Williams has a 1-year low of $195.24 and a 1-year high of $282.98. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $248.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $235.70. The company has a market cap of $72.44 billion, a PE ratio of 34.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.10.

Institutional Trading of Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.58. The firm had revenue of $6.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.03 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 9.41% and a return on equity of 86.29%. The firms revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.41 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Sherwin-Williams will post 8.75 EPS for the current year.

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 1,716.7% during the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 109 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Sherwin-Williams in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in Sherwin-Williams in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 296.9% in the 1st quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 127 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Providence Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 44,853.3% in the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 6,743 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 6,728 shares in the last quarter. 75.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

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The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Americas Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners.

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American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG  Get Free Report) Director William G. Jurgensen purchased 660 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $44.24 per share, with a total value of $29,198.40. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,825 shares in the company, valued at $80,738. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.

American International Group Stock Up 1.6 %

NYSE:AIG traded up $0.93 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $60.82. 3,262,845 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,562,834. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $56.47 and a 200 day moving average of $56.24. American International Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $45.66 and a twelve month high of $64.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 0.30 and a quick ratio of 0.30. The stock has a market cap of $44.02 billion, a PE ratio of 7.94, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.13.

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American International Group (NYSE:AIG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $10.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.35 billion. American International Group had a net margin of 11.71% and a return on equity of 8.55%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.30 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that American International Group, Inc. will post 6.41 earnings per share for the current year.

American International Group Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 16th were given a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This is a boost from American International Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.37%. American International Groups payout ratio is presently 18.80%.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on AIG shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of American International Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Barclays increased their target price on shares of American International Group from $55.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of American International Group from $61.00 to $58.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Bank of America dropped their price target on American International Group from $73.00 to $68.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price target on American International Group from $71.00 to $70.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American International Group currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $66.86.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American International Group

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in American International Group by 6.9% in the second quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,089 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $638,000 after acquiring an additional 714 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund grew its position in American International Group by 6.8% during the second quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 217,265 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $12,501,000 after buying an additional 13,893 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC increased its position in American International Group by 3.8% in the second quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 21,686 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,248,000 after buying an additional 803 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC purchased a new position in shares of American International Group in the second quarter worth about $7,553,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in shares of American International Group by 23.2% in the second quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 375,036 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $21,727,000 after purchasing an additional 70,688 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.18% of the companys stock.

American International Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American International Group, Inc offers insurance products for commercial, institutional, and individual customers in North America and internationally. It operates through General Insurance, and Life and Retirement segments. The General Insurance segment provides commercial and industrial property insurance, including business interruption and package insurance that cover exposure to made and natural disasters; general liability, environmental, commercial automobile liability, workers' compensation, excess casualty, and crisis management insurance products; and professional liability insurance.

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Floor & Decor (NYSE:FND  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $110.00 to $125.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys target price would suggest a potential upside of 11.98% from the stocks previous close.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on FND. Wedbush increased their price target on Floor & Decor from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Floor & Decor from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $110.00 to $108.00 in a report on Friday, July 21st. Finally, Truist Financial assumed coverage on Floor & Decor in a report on Friday, June 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $100.06.

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Floor & Decor Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of FND stock traded up $0.98 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $111.63. 653,717 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,381,929. The businesss fifty day moving average is $99.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $94.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 0.15. Floor & Decor has a 12-month low of $63.51 and a 12-month high of $116.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.88.

Insider Activity

Floor & Decor ( NYSE:FND Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.11 billion. Floor & Decor had a return on equity of 18.37% and a net margin of 6.86%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.67 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Floor & Decor will post 2.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, EVP David Victor Christopherson sold 5,804 shares of the businesss 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 42,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,235,600. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Floor & Decor news, CEO Thomas V. Taylor sold 18,656 shares of Floor & Decor stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total value of $2,145,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 177,891 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,457,465. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 42,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,235,600. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 48,920 shares of company stock worth $5,323,160 over the last 90 days. 2.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Floor & Decor

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Floor & Decor during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Spire Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Floor & Decor by 1,063.3% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 349 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 319 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Floor & Decor during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Floor & Decor during the 1st quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Floor & Decor by 54.2% during the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 464 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the period.

About Floor & Decor

(Get Free Report)

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-channel specialty retailer and commercial flooring distributor in Georgia. The company offers tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone flooring products, as well as decorative accessories, wall tiles, and installation materials and tools.

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Polaris (NYSE:PII  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by BMO Capital Markets from $110.00 to $130.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. The firm presently has a market perform rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets target price points to a potential downside of 5.17% from the stocks current price.

PII has been the topic of several other reports. Roth Capital reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Polaris in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on shares of Polaris from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Polaris from $108.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Polaris in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Polaris from $105.00 to $100.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Ten research 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, Polaris has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $123.45.

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Polaris Stock Up 3.2 %

NYSE:PII traded up $4.28 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $137.09. 872,985 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 569,145. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $118.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $112.84. Polaris has a one year low of $91.86 and a one year high of $137.60. The company has a market cap of $7.80 billion, a PE ratio of 16.51 and a beta of 1.61.

Insider Activity

Polaris ( NYSE:PII Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The company reported $2.42 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.21 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.14 billion. Polaris had a return on equity of 60.97% and a net margin of 5.46%. The businesss revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.42 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Polaris will post 10.19 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, SVP James P. Williams sold 14,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total value of $1,820,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 16,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,080,130. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.75% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Polaris

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of New Hampshire increased its holdings in shares of Polaris by 1.5% during the first quarter. Bank of New Hampshire now owns 15,489 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,714,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Polaris by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 1,125,550 shares of the companys stock worth $124,520,000 after buying an additional 2,979 shares in the last quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Polaris by 69.1% in the 1st quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC now owns 558 shares of the companys stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its holdings in Polaris by 31.7% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 48,859 shares of the companys stock worth $5,405,000 after buying an additional 11,751 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in Polaris by 56.7% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 16,180 shares of the companys stock worth $1,634,000 after buying an additional 5,856 shares in the last quarter. 88.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Polaris Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles worldwide. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats; and aftermarket parts and apparel.

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Crown (NYSE:CCK  Get Free Report) had its target price increased by stock analysts at Citigroup from $102.00 to $114.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups price target points to a potential upside of 21.19% from the companys current price.

Several other brokerages have also commented on CCK. Barclays lifted their price objective on Crown from $95.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Crown from $103.00 to $108.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Crown from $108.00 to $124.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. StockNews.com downgraded Crown from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Sunday, June 25th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their target price on Crown from $106.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $100.88.

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Crown Stock Down 2.1 %

NYSE:CCK traded down $2.04 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $94.07. 1,908,795 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,194,703. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $84.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $84.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 1.08. Crown has a 1 year low of $66.00 and a 1 year high of $102.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Crown ( NYSE:CCK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 24th. The industrial products company reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $3.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.46 billion. Crown had a return on equity of 28.68% and a net margin of 3.84%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.10 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Crown will post 6.29 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director James H. Miller sold 9,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.86, for a total transaction of $789,198.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 19,801 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,680,312.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in Crown by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 39,748 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,279,000 after purchasing an additional 5,130 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its position in shares of Crown by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 34,297 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,820,000 after buying an additional 541 shares during the period. Eads & Heald Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Crown by 103.3% during the 4th quarter. Eads & Heald Wealth Management now owns 9,389 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $772,000 after buying an additional 4,770 shares during the period. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Crown during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $309,000. Finally, CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Crown by 28.4% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,351 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $111,000 after buying an additional 299 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Crown

(Get Free Report)

Crown Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, supplies rigid packaging products in Pennsylvania and internationally. It operates through Americas Beverage, European Beverage, Asia Pacific, and Transit Packaging segments. The Americas Beverage segment manufactures recyclable aluminum beverage cans and ends, glass bottles, steel crowns, and aluminum caps.

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Cwm LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT  Free Report) by 6.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,225 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 206 shares during the period. Cwm LLCs holdings in Applied Industrial Technologies were worth $458,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. State of Wyoming bought a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. CI Investments Inc. bought a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its stake in Applied Industrial Technologies by 54.9% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 553 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.64% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Neil A. Schrimsher sold 1,655 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $215,166.55. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 316,563 shares of the companys stock, valued at $41,156,355.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Applied Industrial Technologies Trading Down 0.6 %

AIT stock traded down $0.86 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $144.16. The stock had a trading volume of 74,411 shares, compared to its average volume of 199,186. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $137.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $135.86. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $95.38 and a 1-year high of $150.07. The firm has a market cap of $5.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.94 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 3.14, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $2.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $0.26. Applied Industrial Technologies had a net margin of 7.73% and a return on equity of 26.15%. The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.10 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. will post 8.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Applied Industrial Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. Applied Industrial Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 16.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on AIT. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $160.00 to $161.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th.

Applied Industrial Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates through two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Fluid Power & Flow Control. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment.

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The Supreme Court of Israel is at a crossroad; it has to examine a controversial law, approved by parliament this Monday, which effectively deprives it of powers. The law strips the court of its power to block government actions and appointments on the basis that they are unreasonable. After receiving eight appeals in 48 hours, the court on Wednesday decided to let it enter into force, although it will hear challenges against it in September, when the Knesset returns from recess.

This is in response to the request of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a civil society group that considers the law to represent a substantive change in the fundamental structure of Israeli parliamentary democracy and the character of the Government. The law is the first great victory by the Benjamin Netanyahu administration in its battle over the judicial reform that it has been promoting since January, despite massive street protests.

Aeyal Gross, a professor of Constitutional and International Law at Tel Aviv University, believes that the announcement indicates nothing a priori about the courts position, and that it may choose not to rule on the law in the abstract and wait for its first practical consequence before issuing a decision.

However, he sees a loophole in what the Supreme Court calls the parliamentary approval of a constitutional amendment [that is] unconstitutional. Gross said in a telephone conversation that, if the court finally opts to repeal it and the executive refuses to comply  which I doubt would happen, the country would enter a constitutional crisis. Although full political terms are rarely completed in Israel, in theory there are no elections scheduled before 2026.

The first dilemma for the court involves being forced to decide on a rule that affects its own functions and that no other national court has the power to analyze. Even more so when any criticism will be easily interpreted by the government as proof of the need for the rule. In other words, an adverse ruling would reinforce the argument of the coalition government  made up of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus party (Likud), radical right-wingers and ultra-orthodox  that it is essential to cut the courts powers because it intervenes excessively, is biased against the right and has awarded itself powers it does not have the right to have.

The next dilemma is the one that most divides the experts, partly because it ventures into uncharted waters. What parliament approved on Monday, with 64 votes in favor and none against (the 56 opposition lawmakers walked out of the chamber in protest before the last reading) is an amendment to one of the 13 basic laws by which Israel is guided in the absence of a Constitution.

Demonstration in Jerusalem, near the Knesset, after the approval of the law on Monday. AMIR COHEN (REUTERS)

Since its foundation in 1948, the country has been debating whether or not to endow itself with a Magna Carta, but finally opted for the Knesset to promulgate basic laws on crucial issues, partly due to the deep divergences on matters such as the role of religion in the State. In the 1990s, the then president of the Supreme Court and the most important judge in the countrys history, Aharon Barak, ruled that the Supreme Court has the right to annul any norm that conflicts with any basic law, which further underlined its constitutional nature. Since then, it has happened 22 times, but never with a basic law. And the one amended on Monday is a basic law.

The government has already made a move ahead of a possible rejection of the amendment by the Supreme Court. Netanyahu stressed on Tuesday that the court is not authorized to do so, and Likud sources told the newspaper Maariv that such a move would be a nuclear weapon that should never be used. If the Supreme Court repeals a basic law, it will be the straw that breaks the camels back, and it will generate even more chaos, they said. It would be an attempt to reverse the democratic decision made by millions of citizens and hand over to an unelected bureaucracy the power to oust a prime minister [] The Supreme Court is in a difficult situation and must tread carefully.

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, has also asserted that there is no more undemocratic act than annulling a basic law approved by a majority vote in a legislature that emerged from democratic elections.

Legal basis

Amir Fuchs, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem-based think tank Israel Democracy Institute, believes that the court has a legal basis to strike down the reform, due to its possible conflict with another basic norm that determines that Israel is a Jewish, democratic state. If a law changes the character of the country and affects the separation of powers, I think there is ground and a strong argument to act, he says by phone, before stressing that the Supreme Court is not facing a conflict of interest, since its justices lack personal involvement in the case under study. It is, he adds, a situation similar to that of a parliament when it makes decisions on matters that affect it.

Fuchs points out two elements to support striking down the amendment. One, the interim governments. Without the legal filter of reasonableness, technically they could do whatever they wanted, such as last-minute appointments or changes to the electoral system.

The second is the impact on the rule of law on a potential dismissal of the governments legal adviser, Gali Baharav-Miara, who is also the Attorney General of Israel. This is an influential technical position that the executive has had its sights on for a long time. Even more so now that it has revoked a law that prevented Netanyahu from being deposed or declared unfit to hold office due to his indictment for fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Baharav-Miara said on Tuesday that the Knesset abused its authority in March by approving the Incapacitation Law in a bid to improve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus personal legal situation and allow him to operate in defiance of the courts decision.

Appointed by the former executive, Baharav-Miaras functions as legal adviser are to provide guidance to the government, besides heading the Attorney Generals Office and representing the state in court and the public interest in legal matters. Her predecessor, Avijai Mandelblit, formulated a conflict of interest agreement with Netanyahu in 2020 and, in Baharav-Miaras opinion, he has been violating it for months by getting involved in a judicial reform that could affect his own criminal case for corruption.

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PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by research analysts at Citigroup from $90.00 to $97.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups price objective points to a potential upside of 15.07% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on PHM. Seaport Res Ptn reissued a buy rating on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on PulteGroup from $54.00 to $68.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Raymond James raised PulteGroup from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $93.00 price target for the company in a research note on Friday, July 14th. StockNews.com started coverage on PulteGroup in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their target price on PulteGroup from $80.00 to $94.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $83.00.

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PulteGroup Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE PHM traded up $0.88 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $84.30. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,216,434 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,798,761. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.36. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $73.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $63.18. PulteGroup has a 52-week low of $35.99 and a 52-week high of $85.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.70.

PulteGroup ( NYSE:PHM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The construction company reported $3.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.69. The business had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. PulteGroup had a net margin of 16.22% and a return on equity of 31.03%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.73 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that PulteGroup will post 9.35 EPS for the current year.

PulteGroup declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, April 25th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the construction company to buy up to 6.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at PulteGroup

In other news, Director Brian P. Anderson sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.95, for a total transaction of $1,004,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 55,886 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,741,567.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other PulteGroup news, CFO Robert Oshaughnessy sold 115,102 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.90, for a total value of $7,700,323.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 177,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,879,031.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Brian P. Anderson sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.95, for a total value of $1,004,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 55,886 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,741,567.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 228,102 shares of company stock valued at $15,101,034. Corporate insiders own 0.83% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PulteGroup

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PHM. Arlington Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of PulteGroup during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its stake in PulteGroup by 90.9% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 441 shares of the construction companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the period. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in PulteGroup during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in PulteGroup during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC raised its stake in PulteGroup by 222.9% during the 4th quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 565 shares of the construction companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 390 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.24% of the companys stock.

PulteGroup Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PulteGroup, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West, and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods brand names.

Further Reading

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Retirement Systems of Alabama trimmed its stake in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Free Report) by 77.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 175,656 shares of the airlines stock after selling 591,528 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $5,716,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. CWM LLC raised its position in Southwest Airlines by 3.8% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 15,853 shares of the airlines stock valued at $516,000 after acquiring an additional 586 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 17.0% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 8,482 shares of the airlines stock valued at $276,000 after purchasing an additional 1,231 shares during the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 28.5% during the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 39,269 shares of the airlines stock valued at $1,278,000 after purchasing an additional 8,700 shares during the last quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 7.0% during the first quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. now owns 6,466,356 shares of the airlines stock valued at $210,415,000 after purchasing an additional 421,586 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 6.6% during the first quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 22,507 shares of the airlines stock valued at $726,000 after purchasing an additional 1,396 shares during the last quarter. 75.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on LUV. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $39.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. 22nd Century Group restated a maintains rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Monday, June 26th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $64.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $32.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Southwest Airlines presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.53.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Southwest Airlines Price Performance

In other Southwest Airlines news, EVP Ryan C. Green sold 4,936 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.94, for a total transaction of $147,783.84. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $789,248.34. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE LUV traded up $0.73 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $36.26. 10,646,353 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,086,668. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $33.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $33.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.26. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 12 month low of $28.40 and a 12 month high of $41.07. The firm has a market cap of $21.58 billion, a PE ratio of 35.56, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.19.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.65% and a return on equity of 6.99%. The business had revenue of $5.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.73 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.32) earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 21.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 21st were issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 20th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.99%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is currently 72.00%.

Southwest Airlines Company Profile

(Free Report)

Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provide scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated a total fleet of 770 Boeing 737 aircrafts; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama raised its stake in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK  Free Report) by 8.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 140,038 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 10,640 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned about 0.11% of Alaska Air Group worth $5,876,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,331,247 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $561,068,000 after purchasing an additional 257,583 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 6,955,712 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $298,678,000 after purchasing an additional 486,824 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 25.8% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,611,712 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $155,085,000 after purchasing an additional 739,910 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 19.4% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,425,916 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $147,109,000 after acquiring an additional 556,766 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners grew its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,388,903 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $145,614,000 after acquiring an additional 59,639 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.04% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Alaska Air Group

In other Alaska Air Group news, CEO Benito Minicucci sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.73, for a total transaction of $243,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 114,506 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,579,877.38. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Alaska Air Group Stock Down 0.6 %

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ALK. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $66.00 to $62.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $63.00 to $61.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $58.50 to $64.25 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Alaska Air Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Raymond James raised shares of Alaska Air Group from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $60.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Alaska Air Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $65.03.

NYSE ALK traded down $0.31 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $47.87. 3,408,780 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,631,756. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $37.19 and a 52-week high of $57.18. The firm has a market cap of $6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 104.07, a PEG ratio of 0.34 and a beta of 1.55. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $49.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.62.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The transportation company reported $3.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $2.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.77 billion. Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 0.58% and a return on equity of 17.03%. Alaska Air Groups revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.19 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Alaska Air Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operated airlines. The company operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing and Airbus jet aircraft for passengers and cargo throughout the United States, and in parts of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States and Canada.

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Cwm LLC grew its stake in Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report) by 2.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,277 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the period. Cwm LLCs holdings in Ingersoll Rand were worth $540,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of IR. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 12.0% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 15,601 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $786,000 after purchasing an additional 1,675 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 47.6% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,880 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $497,000 after purchasing an additional 3,185 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $327,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 62.2% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,937 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,457,000 after purchasing an additional 11,096 shares during the period. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 57,771 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,909,000 after purchasing an additional 988 shares during the period. 94.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup upped their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $67.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $61.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $65.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ingersoll Rand presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $66.11.

Ingersoll Rand Trading Down 0.8 %

IR traded down $0.55 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $64.52. The stock had a trading volume of 2,170,856 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,297,976. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.62 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.16. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $62.82 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $58.75. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 52 week low of $42.20 and a 52 week high of $67.18.

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The industrial products company reported $0.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.15. Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 10.69% and a net margin of 10.66%. The business had revenue of $1.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.48 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 2.57 EPS for the current year.

Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 24th were issued a dividend of $0.02 per share. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.12%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 23rd. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio is currently 4.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ingersoll Rand

In related news, insider Gary E. Gillespie sold 27,487 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.73, for a total transaction of $1,669,285.51. Following the sale, the insider now owns 42,234 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,564,870.82. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Kathleen M. Keene sold 4,003 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.50, for a total transaction of $250,187.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 1,879 shares of the companys stock, valued at $117,437.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Gary E. Gillespie sold 27,487 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.73, for a total transaction of $1,669,285.51. Following the sale, the insider now owns 42,234 shares in the company, valued at $2,564,870.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 58,659 shares of company stock valued at $3,685,458. Corporate insiders own 0.83% of the companys stock.

Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

(Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle, and medical technologies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies.

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Floor & Decor (NYSE:FND  Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Robert W. Baird from $110.00 to $120.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Robert W. Bairds price target suggests a potential upside of 7.50% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on FND. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Floor & Decor from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $110.00 to $108.00 in a report on Friday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Floor & Decor from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Wedbush boosted their price target on shares of Floor & Decor from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Truist Financial started coverage on shares of Floor & Decor in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. They issued a buy rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $100.06.

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Floor & Decor Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:FND traded up $0.98 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $111.63. 653,717 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,381,929. The businesss 50 day moving average is $99.20 and its 200-day moving average is $94.89. The company has a market capitalization of $11.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 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. Floor & Decor has a 1-year low of $63.51 and a 1-year high of $116.03.

Insider Activity at Floor & Decor

Floor & Decor ( NYSE:FND Get Free Report ) last issued 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 net margin of 6.86% and a return on equity of 18.37%. The firm had revenue of $1.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.11 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.67 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Floor & Decor will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Floor & Decor news, CEO Thomas V. Taylor sold 18,656 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total transaction of $2,145,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 177,891 shares in the company, valued at $20,457,465. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Floor & Decor news, EVP David Victor Christopherson sold 5,804 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.00, for a total value of $638,440.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,552 shares in the company, valued at $4,020,720. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Thomas V. Taylor sold 18,656 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total transaction of $2,145,440.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 177,891 shares in the company, valued at $20,457,465. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 48,920 shares of company stock worth $5,323,160 in the last three months. Company insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Floor & Decor

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Alera Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Floor & Decor by 4.1% in the second quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,643 shares of the companys stock valued at $795,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its holdings in Floor & Decor by 120.8% in the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 27,467 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,855,000 after buying an additional 15,029 shares during the period. Riverbridge Partners LLC increased its position in Floor & Decor by 24.7% during the 2nd quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 1,518,644 shares of the companys stock worth $157,878,000 after purchasing an additional 301,033 shares in the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN increased its position in Floor & Decor by 81.1% during the 2nd quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 11,250 shares of the companys stock worth $1,170,000 after purchasing an additional 5,039 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vantage Investment Partners LLC grew its position in Floor & Decor by 7.8% in the second quarter. Vantage Investment Partners LLC now owns 200,406 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,834,000 after acquiring an additional 14,529 shares in the last quarter.

Floor & Decor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-channel specialty retailer and commercial flooring distributor in Georgia. The company offers tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone flooring products, as well as decorative accessories, wall tiles, and installation materials and tools.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama cut its stake in The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU  Free Report) by 4.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 488,021 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 20,962 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabamas holdings in Western Union were worth $5,441,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Western Union by 155.3% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,576,970 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $90,565,000 after acquiring an additional 4,000,880 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Western Union by 8.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,774,680 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $617,958,000 after acquiring an additional 3,522,420 shares during the period. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. lifted its position in Western Union by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 9,439,304 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $129,885,000 after acquiring an additional 2,144,069 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Western Union during the 4th quarter worth about $29,041,000. Finally, State Street Corp lifted its position in Western Union by 10.4% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 16,856,481 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $315,890,000 after acquiring an additional 1,592,331 shares during the period. 92.22% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Western Union Stock Performance

NYSE WU traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $12.44. The company had a trading volume of 4,876,958 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,998,603. The Western Union Company has a 1-year low of $10.07 and a 1-year high of $17.42. The company has a market cap of $4.66 billion, a PE ratio of 6.18 and a beta of 0.85. The business has a 50 day moving average of $11.82 and a 200-day moving average of $12.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.45, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02.

Western Union Announces Dividend

Western Union ( NYSE:WU Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The credit services provider reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $997.07 million. Western Union had a net margin of 17.65% and a return on equity of 128.52%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.51 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Western Union Company will post 1.61 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.56%. Western Unions dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group upgraded Western Union from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Western Union from $15.00 to $12.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on Western Union from $15.00 to $12.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Western Union from $11.50 to $12.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Western Union from $12.50 to $11.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Western Union currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.39.

About Western Union

(Free Report)

The Western Union Company provides money movement and payment services worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Consumer-to-Consumer and Business Solutions. The Consumer-to-Consumer segment facilitates money transfers for international cross-border and intra-country transfers, primarily through a network of retail agent locations, as well as through websites and mobile devices.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama lowered its stake in Taylor Morrison Home Co. (NYSE:TMHC  Free Report) by 0.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 141,568 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 1,237 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned approximately 0.13% of Taylor Morrison Home worth $5,416,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Taylor Morrison Home by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,728,134 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $264,900,000 after buying an additional 205,368 shares in the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. raised its holdings in Taylor Morrison Home by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 3,226,343 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $97,920,000 after acquiring an additional 70,229 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Taylor Morrison Home by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,067,080 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $62,736,000 after acquiring an additional 9,392 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in Taylor Morrison Home by 19.5% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,743,697 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $47,464,000 after acquiring an additional 285,099 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Taylor Morrison Home by 48.0% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,590,146 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $48,260,000 after acquiring an additional 515,741 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.68% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have weighed in on TMHC. Barclays boosted their price target on Taylor Morrison Home from $45.00 to $52.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. StockNews.com started coverage on Taylor Morrison Home in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Wedbush increased their target price on Taylor Morrison Home from $45.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Taylor Morrison Home from $33.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Taylor Morrison Home in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. They issued a hold rating and a $50.00 target price on the stock. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $43.31.

Insider Activity

Taylor Morrison Home Stock Performance

In other news, Director William H. Lyon sold 5,580 shares of Taylor Morrison Home stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.00, for a total transaction of $245,520.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 26,827 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,180,388. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . In related news, Director William H. Lyon sold 5,580 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.00, for a total transaction of $245,520.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 26,827 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,180,388. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, Director William H. Lyon sold 264,730 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.45, for a total value of $10,973,058.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 32,127 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,331,664.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 890,801 shares of company stock valued at $40,277,672. Insiders own 5.20% of the companys stock.

TMHC stock traded down $2.31 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $47.72. The company had a trading volume of 1,931,722 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,057,156. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 6.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $46.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $40.41. Taylor Morrison Home Co. has a fifty-two week low of $22.64 and a fifty-two week high of $52.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.21 billion, a PE ratio of 4.98 and a beta of 1.73.

Taylor Morrison Home (NYSE:TMHC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The construction company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.45. Taylor Morrison Home had a return on equity of 24.14% and a net margin of 13.04%. The company had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.44 earnings per share. Taylor Morrison Homes quarterly revenue was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Taylor Morrison Home Co. will post 6.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Taylor Morrison Home Company Profile

(Free Report)

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a public homebuilder in the United States. The company designs, builds, and sells single and multi-family detached and attached homes; and develops lifestyle and master-planned communities. It also develops and constructs multi-use properties consisting of commercial space, retail, and multi-family properties under the Urban Form brand name; and offers title insurance and closing settlement services, as well as financial services.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama lessened its holdings in Kirby Co. (NYSE:KEX  Free Report) by 0.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 78,261 shares of the shipping companys stock after selling 683 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned 0.13% of Kirby worth $5,455,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Kirby in the 1st quarter worth about $47,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in Kirby during the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. State of Wyoming lifted its position in Kirby by 327.3% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,722 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $111,000 after buying an additional 1,319 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank lifted its position in Kirby by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,928 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $124,000 after buying an additional 393 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Kirby by 59.7% during the 4th quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,929 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $124,000 after purchasing an additional 721 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 94.14% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Kirby news, VP Amy D. Husted sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.47, for a total value of $223,410.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 11,072 shares in the company, valued at approximately $824,531.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, VP Scott P. Miller sold 607 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.48, for a total transaction of $45,209.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Amy D. Husted sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.47, for a total value of $223,410.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 11,072 shares in the company, valued at approximately $824,531.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 12,107 shares of company stock worth $906,309. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Kirby Trading Up 0.4 %

KEX traded up $0.32 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $78.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 444,424 shares, compared to its average volume of 345,837. Kirby Co. has a twelve month low of $57.64 and a twelve month high of $78.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $74.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $71.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.31, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.26.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The shipping company reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $750.44 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $723.67 million. Kirby had a return on equity of 4.99% and a net margin of 4.98%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 22.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.29 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Kirby Co. will post 3.58 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Kirby from $83.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com began coverage on Kirby in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $86.75.

Kirby Company Profile

(Free Report)

Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessel transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barge throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii.

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Retirement Systems of Alabama reduced its holdings in shares of Black Hills Co. (NYSE:BKH  Free Report) by 0.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 85,032 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 742 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned about 0.13% of Black Hills worth $5,366,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in Black Hills by 17.8% during the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 5,717 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $361,000 after acquiring an additional 865 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its holdings in shares of Black Hills by 47.2% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 32,410 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,045,000 after purchasing an additional 10,389 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Black Hills by 2.7% in the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 18,856 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,190,000 after purchasing an additional 492 shares during the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its holdings in Black Hills by 16.4% in the first quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 36,949 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,331,000 after acquiring an additional 5,193 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV boosted its holdings in Black Hills by 34.6% in the first quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 5,915 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $373,000 after acquiring an additional 1,521 shares in the last quarter. 86.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Black Hills

In other news, CFO Richard Kinzley sold 10,033 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.49, for a total transaction of $657,061.17. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 36,576 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,395,362.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Black Hills Price Performance

BKH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Mizuho lowered their price objective on Black Hills from $60.00 to $56.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 21st. StockNews.com upgraded Black Hills from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, June 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $66.71.

Shares of BKH traded up $0.71 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $61.54. 509,699 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 474,351. The company has a market cap of $4.12 billion, a PE ratio of 15.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.42 and a beta of 0.57. Black Hills Co. has a 52-week low of $56.75 and a 52-week high of $79.78. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $61.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $63.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.88.

Black Hills (NYSE:BKH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported $1.73 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.06. Black Hills had a return on equity of 8.33% and a net margin of 9.62%. The company had revenue of $921.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $754.70 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.82 EPS. Black Hillss quarterly revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Black Hills Co. will post 3.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Black Hills Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 18th will be given a dividend of $0.625 per share. This represents a $2.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 17th. Black Hillss payout ratio is 64.10%.

Black Hills Company Profile

(Free Report)

Black Hills Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the United States. It operates in two segments, Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 220,000 electric utility customers in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and owns and operates 1,482 megawatts of generation capacity and 9,024 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines.

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Ieq Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Free Report) by 45.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,504 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,712 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLCs holdings in Edison International were worth $389,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in EIX. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Edison International by 12.6% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,234,491 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $86,534,000 after acquiring an additional 137,840 shares during the period. Aviva PLC grew its position in shares of Edison International by 21.5% in the 1st quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 151,158 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $10,596,000 after acquiring an additional 26,797 shares during the period. Prudential PLC bought a new position in shares of Edison International in the 1st quarter valued at about $688,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Edison International by 30.5% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 6,916 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $485,000 after acquiring an additional 1,617 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Edison International by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,530,226 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,121,569,000 after buying an additional 731,841 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.83% of the companys stock.

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Edison International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EIX traded down $0.27 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $72.12. The stock had a trading volume of 1,679,734 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,742,917. The companys 50-day moving average price is $68.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.17. The company has a market capitalization of $27.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.01 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89. Edison International has a fifty-two week low of $54.45 and a fifty-two week high of $74.92.

Edison International Increases Dividend

Edison International ( NYSE:EIX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $3.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4 billion. Edison International had a net margin of 6.12% and a return on equity of 12.48%. The firms revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.07 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Edison International will post 4.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.738 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 3rd. This is a positive change from Edison Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.74. This represents a $2.95 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.09%. Edison Internationals payout ratio is 134.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

EIX has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Edison International in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Edison International from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their target price on shares of Edison International from $66.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Edison International from $79.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Guggenheim cut shares of Edison International from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.55.

Edison International Profile

(Free Report)

Edison International, through its subsidiaries, generates and distributes electric power. The company supplies electricity to approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California to residential, commercial, industrial, public authorities, agricultural, and other sectors. It also provides decarbonization and energy solutions to commercial, institutional, and industrial customers in North America and Europe.

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Burnt vegetation is seen around the ancient temple of Segesta which has been threatened by a wildfire in the Sicilian Archaeological Park of Segesta, Italy July 25, 2023.

Wildfires are ravaging the south of Italy, with the main cities of the island of Sicily cut off by the fires. The provinces of Catania and Palermo are in a critical state after the blazes left thousands of residents without electricity or water. The situation has been aggravated by last weeks high temperatures.

While key members of the Italian government dont believe in climate change, officials were quick to recognize the scope of the damage caused by the fires. It has been one of the worst weeks in history, said Nello Musumeci, the minister for civil protection.

Sicilian President Renato Schifani has declared a state of crisis, and said he planned to ask the government of Georgia Meloni to declare a state of emergency for the Mediterranean island. According to the regional government, just reducing the damage caused to agriculture will cost at least 250 million ($278 million). The president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, told Schifani that he will have all help possible to tackle the impact of the devastating fires.

Residents look at flames burning in Capaci, near Palermo, in Sicily, southern Italy, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Alberto Lo Bianco/LaPrresse (AP)

At least five people have died in the wildfires, and given the scale of the blazes  which have also affected the Segesta archaeological park  the outlook does not look good. On Tuesday, the Palermo airport was shut for a few hours due to the fires, which are also affecting the provinces of Calabria and Apulia.

In the past few hours, the charred remains of a couple in their 70s were found in a burned-out house in Cinisi (Palermo), near the Falcone Borsellino airport, and an 88-year-old woman died in San Martino delle Scale (Palermo) after an ambulance was unable to reach her home due to the fires. This has brought the death toll up to five.

Another person in the Sicilian town of Patti remains missing, while two forest rangers were hospitalized with severe burns after helping to put out the fires. Another 2,000 people have been forced to evacuate due to the flames.

The fires have also caused enormous damage to the local economy. Power outages forced restaurants to shut and led to many hotel cancelations. Some neighborhoods of Palermo went 40 hours without electricity. The Palermo airport reopened late on Wednesday morning and air traffic resumed  a relief for an island heavily dependent on the tourism sector, which is the main engine of the Sicilian economy in summer.

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Ieq Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 6,943 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $417,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Equity Residential during the 4th quarter worth $1,822,309,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Equity Residential by 17.8% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,663,386 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $452,140,000 after purchasing an additional 1,158,159 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Equity Residential by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,662,878 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $451,345,000 after purchasing an additional 168,235 shares in the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Equity Residential by 35.5% in the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 7,569,290 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $446,588,000 after purchasing an additional 1,983,672 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. increased its holdings in Equity Residential by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 7,346,688 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $433,454,000 after purchasing an additional 186,474 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.52% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Equity Residential

In related news, Director Mark S. Shapiro sold 42,435 shares of Equity Residential stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.91, for a total transaction of $2,627,150.85. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 12,497 shares of the companys stock, valued at $773,689.27. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.69% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Equity Residential Stock Performance

Equity Residential Dividend Announcement

NYSE:EQR traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $67.37. The stock had a trading volume of 1,571,219 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,991,246. Equity Residential has a 12-month low of $54.60 and a 12-month high of $80.89. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $62.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $25.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.83.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 26th were issued a $0.6625 dividend. This represents a $2.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.93%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 23rd. Equity Residentials payout ratio is currently 109.05%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Equity Residential from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. 3M reiterated an upgrade rating on shares of Equity Residential in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Raymond James lowered Equity Residential from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. TheStreet upgraded Equity Residential from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upgraded Equity Residential from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their price target for the company from $60.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Monday, June 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Equity Residential currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $70.06.

Equity Residential Profile

(Free Report)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 301 properties consisting of 79,351 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.

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Ieq Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 83.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,314 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,512 shares during the quarter. Ieq Capital LLCs holdings in Entergy were worth $357,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its stake in Entergy by 46.5% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 42,352 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,563,000 after buying an additional 13,441 shares during the period. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC grew its position in Entergy by 0.7% in the first quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC now owns 48,009 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,172,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in Entergy by 30.6% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 13,142 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,416,000 after acquiring an additional 3,080 shares in the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in Entergy by 6.1% in the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 3,659 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $394,000 after acquiring an additional 209 shares in the last quarter. Finally, abrdn plc grew its position in Entergy by 5.8% in the first quarter. abrdn plc now owns 55,637 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,994,000 after acquiring an additional 3,048 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.41% of the companys stock.

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Entergy Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE ETR traded down $0.06 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $104.39. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,255,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,472,016. The stock has a market cap of $22.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.66. Entergy Co. has a one year low of $94.16 and a one year high of $122.46. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $99.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $104.24.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Entergy ( NYSE:ETR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The utilities provider reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.20). Entergy had a net margin of 8.17% and a return on equity of 10.34%. The business had revenue of $2.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.32 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Entergy Co. will post 6.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several analysts recently issued reports on ETR shares. TheStreet raised shares of Entergy from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Entergy from $134.00 to $120.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Entergy from $119.00 to $107.00 in a report on Sunday, May 21st. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Entergy from $101.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Finally, Guggenheim dropped their price objective on shares of Entergy from $124.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $117.58.

Entergy Profile

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Regal Rexnord Co. (NYSE:RRX  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, July 24th, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be given a dividend of 0.35 per share on Friday, October 13th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th.

Regal Rexnord Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE:RRX traded down $1.08 on Wednesday, hitting $151.50. 313,263 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 438,782. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.09. Regal Rexnord has a 52 week low of $111.84 and a 52 week high of $162.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a current ratio of 2.92. The companys 50-day moving average price is $145.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $142.24.

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Regal Rexnord (NYSE:RRX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.24 billion. Regal Rexnord had a return on equity of 10.81% and a net margin of 6.95%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Regal Rexnord will post 10.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regal Rexnord

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RRX. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $978,777,000. Capital World Investors acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $793,975,000. State Street Corp acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $266,837,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $154,043,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of Regal Rexnord in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $143,144,000. 97.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

RRX has been the subject of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on Regal Rexnord from $188.00 to $184.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Regal Rexnord in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Regal Rexnord has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $186.00.

Regal Rexnord Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Regal Rexnord Corporation manufactures and sells industrial powertrain solutions, power transmission components, electric motors and electronic controls, air moving products, and specialty electrical components and systems worldwide. It operates in four segments: Commercial Systems, Industrial Systems, Climate Solutions, and Motion Control Solutions.

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Fisher Asset Management LLC decreased its position in iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Free Report) by 6.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 30,253 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,122 shares during the quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC owned 0.08% of iShares Europe ETF worth $1,513,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Stelac Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Stelac Advisory Services LLC now owns 104,233 shares of the companys stock worth $5,237,000 after buying an additional 1,505 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 23.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 14,045 shares of the companys stock worth $706,000 after buying an additional 2,708 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 5,929 shares of the companys stock valued at $298,000 after purchasing an additional 284 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,927,582 shares of the companys stock valued at $649,482,000 after purchasing an additional 164,515 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new position in iShares Europe ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $2,464,000.

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iShares Europe ETF Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of IEV stock traded up $0.08 on Wednesday, reaching $51.69. The company had a trading volume of 205,086 shares, compared to its average volume of 402,133. The stock has a market cap of $1.85 billion, a PE ratio of 12.47 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a 50-day moving average of $50.44 and a 200-day moving average of $50.04. iShares Europe ETF has a 12 month low of $36.88 and a 12 month high of $52.37.

iShares Europe ETF Profile

iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP  Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday after UBS Group lowered their price target on the stock from $14.00 to $12.00. The stock had previously closed at $12.51, but opened at $10.36. Snap shares last traded at $10.13, with a volume of 69,239,277 shares.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on SNAP. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Snap in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $10.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial cut their price target on Snap from $8.00 to $7.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Loop Capital lowered their price objective on Snap from $16.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Snap from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group boosted their price target on Snap from $11.00 to $16.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-two have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $10.48.

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Insider Transactions at Snap

In related news, General Counsel Michael J. Osullivan sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.55, for a total transaction of $111,150.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 465,330 shares in the company, valued at $3,978,571.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Snap news, General Counsel Michael J. Osullivan sold 13,000 shares of Snap stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.55, for a total transaction of $111,150.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 465,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,978,571.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Derek Andersen sold 4,952 shares of Snap stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.16, for a total value of $65,168.32. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 2,412,393 shares in the company, valued at $31,747,091.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 1,435,158 shares of company stock worth $14,269,446.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Snap

Snap Stock Down 14.2 %

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Snap by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 66,340,585 shares of the companys stock worth $2,387,598,000 after acquiring an additional 1,117,703 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its holdings in shares of Snap by 31.3% in the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 24,618,677 shares of the companys stock worth $275,975,000 after acquiring an additional 5,874,300 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its holdings in shares of Snap by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 19,784,096 shares of the companys stock worth $221,780,000 after acquiring an additional 1,165,973 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Snap by 95.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,811,242 shares of the companys stock worth $641,028,000 after acquiring an additional 8,712,380 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Snap by 25.0% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 10,774,200 shares of the companys stock worth $96,429,000 after acquiring an additional 2,153,896 shares in the last quarter. 41.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The firm has a market capitalization of $17.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.64 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a current ratio of 4.71, a quick ratio of 4.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $11.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.57.

Snap (NYSE:SNAP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported ($0.19) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by $0.04. Snap had a negative net margin of 30.89% and a negative return on equity of 33.79%. The firm had revenue of $988.61 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.01 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Snap Inc. will post -0.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Snap Company Profile

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Snap Inc operates as a technology company in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers Snapchat, a visual messaging application with various tabs, such as camera, visual messaging, snap map, stories, and spotlight that enable people to communicate visually through short videos and images.

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Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (NYSE:SSD  Free Report)  Equities research analysts at DA Davidson issued their Q3 2023 EPS estimates for Simpson Manufacturing in a report issued on Tuesday, July 25th. DA Davidson analyst K. Yinger expects that the construction company will earn $2.25 per share for the quarter. DA Davidson has a Neutral rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Simpson Manufacturings current full-year earnings is $7.21 per share.

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A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on SSD. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Simpson Manufacturing in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Simpson Manufacturing from $176.00 to $190.00 in a report on Tuesday.

Simpson Manufacturing Trading Up 2.6 %

NYSE SSD opened at $163.52 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $132.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $117.57. The stock has a market cap of $6.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.54 and a beta of 1.25. Simpson Manufacturing has a 12-month low of $75.25 and a 12-month high of $164.69. The company has a current ratio of 3.70, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

Simpson Manufacturing (NYSE:SSD  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The construction company reported $2.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.13 by $0.37. Simpson Manufacturing had a net margin of 15.78% and a return on equity of 24.14%. The company had revenue of $597.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $553.23 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.16 earnings per share. Simpson Manufacturings revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Simpson Manufacturing

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. purchased a new position in Simpson Manufacturing during the second quarter worth about $237,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its stake in Simpson Manufacturing by 4.2% during the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 85,637 shares of the construction companys stock worth $11,861,000 after purchasing an additional 3,429 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in Simpson Manufacturing by 31.4% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 749 shares of the construction companys stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in shares of Simpson Manufacturing by 1.7% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 222,547 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $30,823,000 after acquiring an additional 3,726 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in shares of Simpson Manufacturing during the second quarter valued at about $8,293,000. 89.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Simpson Manufacturing

In other news, VP Kevin Lee Swartzendruber sold 6,783 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.45, for a total value of $884,842.35. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 5,539 shares in the company, valued at $722,562.55. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Kevin Lee Swartzendruber sold 6,783 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.45, for a total transaction of $884,842.35. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 5,539 shares in the company, valued at $722,562.55. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Michael Andersen sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.94, for a total transaction of $491,760.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,573 shares in the company, valued at approximately $931,024.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 12,783 shares of company stock worth $1,635,222 over the last 90 days. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Simpson Manufacturing Company Profile

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Simpson Manufacturing Co, Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells wood and concrete construction products. The company offers wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and pre-fabricated lateral systems for use in light-frame construction; and concrete construction products comprising adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools, fiber-reinforced materials, and other repair products for use in concrete, masonry, and steel construction, as well as grouts, coatings, sealers, mortars, fiberglass and fiber-reinforced polymer systems, and asphalt products for use in concrete construction repair, and strengthening and protection products.

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Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE:ONTO  Free Report)  Stock analysts at B. Riley lifted their Q3 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Onto Innovation in a report issued on Monday, July 24th. B. Riley analyst C. Ellis now forecasts that the semiconductor company will post earnings of $0.93 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.85. The consensus estimate for Onto Innovations current full-year earnings is $3.64 per share. B. Riley also issued estimates for Onto Innovations Q4 2023 earnings at $0.98 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $0.98 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.05 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.11 EPS and Q4 2024 earnings at $1.09 EPS.

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Onto Innovation (NYSE:ONTO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The semiconductor company reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $199.17 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $200.00 million. Onto Innovation had a return on equity of 16.09% and a net margin of 20.67%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.31 EPS.

Onto Innovation Stock Down 1.1 %

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Needham & Company LLC cut shares of Onto Innovation from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Onto Innovation from $97.00 to $124.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Onto Innovation from $100.00 to $123.00 in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Benchmark raised their target price on Onto Innovation from $97.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Friday, June 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Onto Innovation in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Onto Innovation presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $115.33.

Shares of ONTO opened at $108.14 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.29 billion, a PE ratio of 26.93 and a beta of 1.39. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $107.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $91.25. Onto Innovation has a 52-week low of $56.02 and a 52-week high of $118.11.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Onto Innovation

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Onto Innovation by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 84,116 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $7,310,000 after buying an additional 5,850 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in Onto Innovation by 5.4% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 52,277 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $4,543,000 after acquiring an additional 2,697 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC grew its position in Onto Innovation by 88.7% in the first quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 3,963 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $344,000 after acquiring an additional 1,863 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in shares of Onto Innovation by 23.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 15,977 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,392,000 after purchasing an additional 3,015 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Onto Innovation by 55.5% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 26,215 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,278,000 after purchasing an additional 9,352 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.44% of the companys stock.

Insider Transactions at Onto Innovation

In other Onto Innovation news, SVP Robert Fiordalice sold 669 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.15, for a total value of $62,317.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 15,920 shares in the company, valued at $1,482,948. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, SVP Ju Jin sold 1,232 shares of Onto Innovation stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.72, for a total transaction of $132,711.04. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 13,485 shares in the company, valued at $1,452,604.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Robert Fiordalice sold 669 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.15, for a total value of $62,317.35. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 15,920 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,482,948. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 11,746 shares of company stock valued at $1,200,485 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

About Onto Innovation

(Get Free Report)

Onto Innovation Inc engages in the design, development, manufacture, and support of process control tools that performs macro defect inspection and 2D/3D optical metrology, lithography systems, and process control analytical software worldwide. It offers process and yield management solutions, and device packaging and test facilities through standalone systems for optical metrology, macro-defect inspection, packaging lithography, and transparent and opaque thin film measurements; and process control software portfolio that includes solutions for standalone tools, groups of tools, and enterprise-or factory-wide suites.

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Regions Financial Co. (NYSE:RF  Free Report)  Research analysts at DA Davidson issued their Q3 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of Regions Financial in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, July 25th. DA Davidson analyst P. Winter expects that the bank will post earnings of $0.59 per share for the quarter. DA Davidson has a Buy rating and a $23.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Regions Financials current full-year earnings is $2.34 per share.

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Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on RF. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Regions Financial from $21.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Regions Financial from $19.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Regions Financial from $26.00 to $23.00 in a report on Monday, April 10th. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $22.00 price objective on shares of Regions Financial in a report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $23.00 target price on shares of Regions Financial in a research report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Regions Financial has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $23.25.

Regions Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:RF opened at $20.24 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Regions Financial has a 1 year low of $13.94 and a 1 year high of $24.33. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $18.10 and a 200-day moving average of $19.61.

Regions Financial (NYSE:RF  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 21st. The bank reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.59. The business had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.95 billion. Regions Financial had a net margin of 26.86% and a return on equity of 16.54%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.59 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Regions Financial

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its holdings in Regions Financial by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 282,439 shares of the banks stock valued at $5,033,000 after acquiring an additional 4,300 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its position in Regions Financial by 10.1% during the second quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 210,935 shares of the banks stock worth $3,759,000 after purchasing an additional 19,303 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC increased its holdings in Regions Financial by 75.2% in the 2nd quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 27,574 shares of the banks stock valued at $491,000 after buying an additional 11,835 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Group LLC raised its position in shares of Regions Financial by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC now owns 504,347 shares of the banks stock valued at $8,987,000 after buying an additional 54,208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regions Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $133,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.71% of the companys stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Regions Financial news, Director J Thomas Hill acquired 11,926 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $16.78 per share, for a total transaction of $200,118.28. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 23,107 shares of the companys stock, valued at $387,735.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Regions Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be issued a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.74%. This is a positive change from Regions Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 31st. Regions Financials payout ratio is 34.19%.

About Regions Financial

(Get Free Report)

Regions Financial Corporation, a financial holding company, provides banking and bank-related services to individual and corporate customers. It operates through three segments: Corporate Bank, Consumer Bank, and Wealth Management. The Corporate Bank segment offers commercial banking services, such as commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and investor real estate lending; equipment lease financing; deposit products; and securities underwriting and placement, loan syndication and placement, foreign exchange, derivatives, merger and acquisition, and other advisory services.

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National Bank Holdings Co. (NYSE:NBHC  Free Report)  Investment analysts at DA Davidson issued their Q3 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of National Bank in a report issued on Monday, July 24th. DA Davidson analyst J. Rulis expects that the financial services provider will post earnings of $0.91 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for National Banks current full-year earnings is $3.65 per share.

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Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of National Bank in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Stephens restated an equal weight rating and issued a $35.00 target price on shares of National Bank in a report on Friday, July 21st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on National Bank from $49.00 to $40.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 6th.

National Bank Trading Up 3.0 %

NYSE NBHC opened at $34.75 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. National Bank has a 52 week low of $26.48 and a 52 week high of $50.00. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $31.56 and a 200-day moving average price of $35.04. The company has a market cap of $1.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.19 and a beta of 0.90.

National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The financial services provider reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.92 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $134.89 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $111.28 million. National Bank had a return on equity of 12.37% and a net margin of 22.38%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.69 earnings per share.

National Bank Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 26th were issued a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 25th. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.99%. This is an increase from National Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. National Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 36.49%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Bank

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of National Bank by 358.0% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 600 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. purchased a new position in National Bank in the first quarter valued at about $38,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in shares of National Bank by 24.4% in the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,005 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 393 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its stake in National Bank by 145.4% in the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,698 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $68,000 after purchasing an additional 1,006 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd grew its holdings in National Bank by 2,677.4% during the first quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 1,722 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 1,660 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.71% of the companys stock.

About National Bank

(Get Free Report)

National Bank Holdings Corporation operates as the bank holding company for NBH Bank that provides various banking products and financial services to commercial, business, and consumer clients in the United States. It offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts, including fixed-rate and fixed maturity time deposits.

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Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH  Free Report)  Research analysts at DA Davidson issued their Q3 2023 EPS estimates for Bank of Hawaii in a report released on Tuesday, July 25th. DA Davidson analyst J. Rulis expects that the bank will post earnings of $0.98 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Bank of Hawaiis current full-year earnings is $4.13 per share. DA Davidson also issued estimates for Bank of Hawaiis FY2023 earnings at $4.30 EPS.

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A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on BOH. Odeon Capital Group began coverage on Bank of Hawaii in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a sell rating and a $31.00 price objective on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Bank of Hawaii from $45.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered shares of Bank of Hawaii from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $47.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Tuesday. TheStreet cut shares of Bank of Hawaii from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Bank of Hawaii to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Hawaii has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $52.80.

Bank of Hawaii Stock Up 4.8 %

Shares of NYSE BOH opened at $57.47 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.28 billion, a PE ratio of 11.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.97. Bank of Hawaii has a one year low of $30.83 and a one year high of $85.45. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $43.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $55.74.

Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The bank reported $1.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.01. Bank of Hawaii had a net margin of 23.76% and a return on equity of 18.03%. The company had revenue of $243.01 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $170.52 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.38 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of Hawaii

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 5.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 70,245 shares of the banks stock worth $5,895,000 after buying an additional 3,843 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 15.3% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 15,739 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,322,000 after purchasing an additional 2,093 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in Bank of Hawaii by 43.8% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,531 shares of the banks stock worth $1,219,000 after purchasing an additional 4,423 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 6.1% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 8,757 shares of the banks stock worth $735,000 after purchasing an additional 501 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Bank of Hawaii by 32.7% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 26,023 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,184,000 after buying an additional 6,407 shares during the period. 73.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Bank of Hawaii news, Director Kent Thomas Lucien bought 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $32.29 per share, for a total transaction of $32,290.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 5,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $177,595. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Kent Thomas Lucien purchased 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $32.29 per share, with a total value of $32,290.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 5,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $177,595. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert W. Wo, Jr. acquired 6,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $39.85 per share, for a total transaction of $259,025.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 42,539 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,695,179.15. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 11,700 shares of company stock worth $492,495. Corporate insiders own 2.11% of the companys stock.

Bank of Hawaii Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be issued a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 30th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.87%. Bank of Hawaiis payout ratio is currently 55.56%.

Bank of Hawaii Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products.

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A piece of sliced bread with peanut butter, carrots with hummus, or crackers with cheese and ham are meals that a Westerner could take in their lunchbox to eat at work on any given day. This is nothing new, but in recent weeks it has become a viral topic in China. Social networks such as Weibo and Xiaohongshu (Chinese equivalents of Twitter and Instagram, respectively) are now full of posts about what users have dubbed white peoples food. Some mock it for being bland and insipid  you can read comparisons between eating these foods and suffering torture  while others are fascinated to see how little effort is required to prepare the dishes, since in China it is not unusual to make elaborate meals with many types of ingredients.

The trend is simply to prepare white peoples food and share the experience on social networks with photos and videos of the dishes. The fashion began after a video of a woman in Switzerland preparing her meal on a train went viral. The meal consisted simply of a bag of lettuce, some ham and a sachet of mustard. In Chinas online culture, this was the portal to a new and fascinating culinary world. Since then, Chinese users have not stopped publishing dishes such as oatmeal with yogurt, or chopped vegetables, emphasizing the lack of flavor and enjoyment that there is in eating in this austere way.

In a video, the Chinese tiktoker Marcelo Wang explains this phenomenon to his Western followers: The Chinese are very used to using many different ingredients in their food. The contrast with the images of white food is symptomatic of a huge cultural gap that functioned as a breeding ground for viral content. Homecooked Chinese food usually requires a lot of work, time, and dedication. A piece of bread with ham requires none of this and, according to Wang, thats why Chinese users have joined the trend with such enthusiasm.

Julio Zhang, chef at the Madrid restaurant Soy Kitchen, explains that for the Chinese every mealtime is an extremely important time. On workdays, Zhang says, having a good lunch at noon is critical because in China workdays can be long and exhausting.

In China they always like the food to be stronger and tastier, says the chef, adding that recently the taste for spicy food has been growing. That is why Sichuanese cuisine, famous for its intense flavors, has become fashionable.

Zhang, however, clarifies that the viral concept of white peoples food does not represent the idea that most Chinese truly have of Western food and that many travel to Europe for their interest in different cuisines. Spains cuisine, Zhang says, has a good reputation in his native China. This chef, who studied Spanish cooking in Pamplona and combines techniques and ingredients from different origins in his restaurant, considers that food in Spain has such a great variety that it reminds him of that of China. That is why he does not believe that Spanish can be included in that category of white food: For me, even a tortilla [Spanish omelet] is complex and has many delicious aspects.

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Lincoln National Corp boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 2.2% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 177,194 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,885 shares during the quarter. Lincoln National Corps holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $19,431,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Narwhal Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Narwhal Capital Management now owns 87,892 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $9,638,000 after acquiring an additional 459 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 45,743 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,016,000 after buying an additional 2,632 shares in the last quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 18.1% during the 1st quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC now owns 82,782 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $9,078,000 after purchasing an additional 12,708 shares during the last quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC boosted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 11.7% during the 1st quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC now owns 3,857 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $423,000 after purchasing an additional 404 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orcam Financial Group purchased a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil in the first quarter valued at approximately $225,000. 58.59% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Exxon Mobil Price Performance

Exxon Mobil stock traded down $0.59 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $105.09. 15,128,497 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,261,589. Exxon Mobil Co. has a twelve month low of $83.89 and a twelve month high of $119.92. The company has a market cap of $424.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $104.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $109.28.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $2.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $86.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.07 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 15.06% and a return on equity of 31.48%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.07 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th were paid a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 15th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.64%.

Insider Transactions at Exxon Mobil

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.11, for a total transaction of $290,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,398,771.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on XOM. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $122.00 to $121.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $145.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $125.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, May 1st. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $118.00 to $110.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Finally, Wolfe Research cut Exxon Mobil from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $124.30.

Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Orla Mining Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ORLA  Free Report)  Investment analysts at Cormark lifted their Q2 2023 earnings estimates for shares of Orla Mining in a report issued on Monday, July 24th. Cormark analyst R. Gray now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $0.03 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.02. The consensus estimate for Orla Minings current full-year earnings is $0.16 per share.

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Orla Mining (NYSEAMERICAN:ORLA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $51.13 million for the quarter. Orla Mining had a net margin of 19.65% and a return on equity of 13.89%.

Orla Mining Price Performance

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on ORLA. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Orla Mining from C$6.25 to C$6.75 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Orla Mining from C$7.00 to C$8.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Orla Mining in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. They issued a buy rating for the company.

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN ORLA opened at $4.57 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.93 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.73. Orla Mining has a 52-week low of $2.65 and a 52-week high of $5.02.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Orla Mining

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ORLA. First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new stake in shares of Orla Mining in the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC purchased a new position in Orla Mining during the first quarter worth about $37,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Orla Mining during the third quarter worth about $52,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Orla Mining during the first quarter worth about $64,000. Finally, Creative Planning purchased a new position in Orla Mining during the second quarter worth about $69,000. 31.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Orla Mining

(Get Free Report)

Orla Mining Ltd. acquires, explores, operates, and develops mineral properties. The company explores for gold, silver, zinc, lead, and copper deposits. It owns 100% interests in the Camino Rojo project that consists of seven concessions covering an area of 138,636 hectares located in Zacatecas, Mexico; and Cerro Quema project totaling an area of 14,893 hectares located in the Azuero Peninsula, Panama.

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Grindr (NYSE:GRND  Get Free Report) and Jianpu Technology (NYSE:JT  Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Grindr and Jianpu Technologys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Grindr N/A -3.03% -9.88% Jianpu Technology -9.41% -22.86% -10.28%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Grindr and Jianpu Technologys gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Grindr $207.29 million 4.82 $850,000.00 N/A N/A Jianpu Technology $143.49 million 0.19 -$18.02 million ($0.70) -1.83

Risk and Volatility

Grindr has higher revenue and earnings than Jianpu Technology.

Grindr has a beta of 0.07, suggesting that its share price is 93% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Jianpu Technology has a beta of 0.44, suggesting that its share price is 56% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Grindr and Jianpu Technology, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Grindr 0 0 0 0 N/A Jianpu Technology 0 0 0 0 N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

6.0% of Grindr shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 12.4% of Jianpu Technology shares are owned by institutional investors. 78.2% of Grindr shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 40.1% of Jianpu Technology shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Grindr beats Jianpu Technology on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Grindr

(Get Free Report)

Grindr Inc. operates social network platform for the LGBTQ community. Its platform enables gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people to find and engage with each other, share content and experiences, and express themselves. It offers ad-supported service and a premium subscription version; and manages Blendr, a dating service application. Grindr Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in West Hollywood, California.

About Jianpu Technology

(Get Free Report)

Jianpu Technology Inc. operates a platform that provides online discovery and recommendation services for financial products in the People's Republic of China. The company's platform allows users to access to financial products, including loans, credit cards, insurance products, and other financial products. It recommends financial products to individual users and assists the financial service providers in targeting users with specific characteristics based on the users' financial needs and profile, as well as the products offerings and risk appetite of the financial service providers. The company also provides big data and system-based risk management, advertising and marketing, and other services primarily to financial service providers. It operates its platform under the Rong360 brand name. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.

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CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO  Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the five analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $25.25.

CNO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of CNO Financial Group from $28.00 to $24.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Raymond James initiated coverage on shares of CNO Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. They issued a market perform rating on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of CNO Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of CNO Financial Group from $26.00 to $24.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CMO Rocco F. Tarasi III sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.84, for a total value of $45,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 77,468 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,769,369.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Steven E. Shebik acquired 8,583 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $21.85 per share, for a total transaction of $187,538.55. Following the transaction, the director now owns 39,565 shares in the company, valued at $864,495.25. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CMO Rocco F. Tarasi III sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.84, for a total transaction of $45,680.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 77,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,769,369.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of CNO Financial Group

CNO Financial Group Stock Performance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Retirement Systems of Alabama purchased a new stake in shares of CNO Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $8,891,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in shares of CNO Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in shares of CNO Financial Group by 63.3% during the 4th quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 110,973 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,536,000 after purchasing an additional 43,023 shares during the last quarter. Connable Office Inc. raised its position in shares of CNO Financial Group by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. Connable Office Inc. now owns 11,285 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $258,000 after purchasing an additional 1,125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Uncommon Cents Investing LLC raised its position in shares of CNO Financial Group by 12.9% during the 1st quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 10,230 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 1,165 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.99% of the companys stock.

CNO opened at $25.58 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.93 billion, a PE ratio of 10.51 and a beta of 1.14. CNO Financial Group has a twelve month low of $17.48 and a twelve month high of $26.35. The firms 50-day moving average price is $23.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.22. The company has a current ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47.

CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The financial services provider reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.65 by ($0.14). CNO Financial Group had a return on equity of 16.21% and a net margin of 7.59%. The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $926.00 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.42 earnings per share. CNO Financial Groups revenue for the quarter was up 19.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that CNO Financial Group will post 2.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CNO Financial Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.35%. This is a boost from CNO Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. CNO Financial Groups payout ratio is 24.69%.

CNO Financial Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report

CNO Financial Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, insurance products, and financial services for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face.

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Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (OTCMKTS:DGWPF  Get Free Report) and Biotricity (OTCMKTS:BTCY  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, risk and analyst recommendations.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA and Biotricitys top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA N/A N/A N/A $5.51 7.18 Biotricity $9.64 million 2.66 -$18.66 million ($2.22) -1.32

Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Biotricity. Biotricity is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Analyst Recommendations

13.9% of Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.7% of Biotricity shares are held by institutional investors. 20.5% of Biotricity shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA and Biotricity, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA 1 0 0 0 1.00 Biotricity 0 0 1 0 3.00

Biotricity has a consensus price target of $12.00, indicating a potential upside of 309.56%. Given Biotricitys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Biotricity is more favorable than Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA.

Profitability

This table compares Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA and Biotricitys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA N/A N/A N/A Biotricity -193.59% N/A -223.71%

About Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

(Get Free Report)

Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA operates as a medical and safety technology company in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It develops, produces, and markets system solutions, equipment, and services for acute point of care, including emergency care, perioperative care, critical care, and perinatal care. The company also develops, produces, and markets products, system solutions, and services for personal protection, gas detection technology, and integrated hazard management to customers in industry and mining sectors, as well as public sectors, such as fire departments, police, and disaster protection. Its products portfolio includes anesthesia devices and ventilators, thermoregulation equipment, consumables and accessories, supply units, lights, gas management systems, patient monitoring, software applications, system products, and other services. The company's product portfolio also comprises stationary and mobile gas detection systems, personal protective equipment, and alcohol and drug testing devices. In addition, it offers various training and services, as well as fire training facilities for firefighters. The company was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Lubeck, Germany. Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA operates as a subsidiary of Stefan DrAGer Gmbh.

About Biotricity

(Get Free Report)

Biotricity, Inc., a medical technology company, provides biometric data monitoring solutions in the United States. The company focuses on delivery of remote monitoring solutions to medical, healthcare, and consumer markets, including diagnostic and post-diagnostic solutions for lifestyle and chronic illnesses. It offers Bioflux mobile cardiac telemetry solution, an integrated ECG device; and ECG analysis software that analyzes and synthesizes patient ECG monitoring data, as well as software components. The company is based in Redwood City, California.

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China Hongqiao Group (OTCMKTS:CHHQF  Get Free Report) and Alcoa (NYSE:AA  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership and risk.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for China Hongqiao Group and Alcoa, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score China Hongqiao Group 1 0 1 0 2.00 Alcoa 2 6 3 0 2.09

Alcoa has a consensus target price of $38.82, indicating a potential upside of 11.32%. Given Alcoas stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Alcoa is more favorable than China Hongqiao Group.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio China Hongqiao Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Alcoa $10.87 billion 0.57 -$123.00 million ($8.16) -4.27

This table compares China Hongqiao Group and Alcoas revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

China Hongqiao Group has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Alcoa.

Profitability

This table compares China Hongqiao Group and Alcoas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets China Hongqiao Group N/A N/A N/A Alcoa -13.37% -4.36% -1.97%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

80.5% of Alcoa shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of Alcoa shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Alcoa beats China Hongqiao Group on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About China Hongqiao Group

(Get Free Report)

China Hongqiao Group Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells aluminum products in the People's Republic of China and Indonesia. The company's products include molten aluminum alloys, aluminum alloy ingots, aluminum busbars, aluminum alloy processing, and alumina products. It also engages in the research, development, manufacture, trading, and sale of bauxite; production and sale of electricity; port operation; trading of carbons, iron ores, and light alloy materials; railway design and construction; and provision of financial leasing and business advisory services. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Zouping, the People's Republic of China. China Hongqiao Group Limited is a subsidiary of China Hongqiao Holdings Limited.

About Alcoa

(Get Free Report)

Alcoa Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells bauxite, alumina, and aluminum products in the United States, Spain, Australia, Iceland, Norway, Brazil, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Bauxite, Alumina, and Aluminum. It engages in bauxite mining operations; and processes bauxite into alumina and sells it to customers who process it into industrial chemical products, as well as aluminum smelting and casting businesses. The company offers primary aluminum in the form of alloy ingot or value-add ingot to customers that produce products for the transportation, building and construction, packaging, wire, and other industrial markets. In addition, it owns hydro power plants that generates and sells electricity in the wholesale market to traders, large industrial consumers, distribution companies, and other generation companies. The company was formerly known as Alcoa Upstream Corporation and changed its name to Alcoa Corporation in October 2016. The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Greystone Housing Impact Investors (NYSE:GHI  Get Free Report) and Sunlight Financial (NYSE:SUNL  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability and earnings.

Risk & Volatility

Greystone Housing Impact Investors has a beta of 0.66, indicating that its share price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sunlight Financial has a beta of 2.15, indicating that its share price is 115% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Greystone Housing Impact Investors and Sunlight Financials top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Greystone Housing Impact Investors $81.07 million 4.46 $65.56 million $2.22 7.16 Sunlight Financial $98.51 million 0.68 -$315.85 million ($4.02) -0.13

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Greystone Housing Impact Investors has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Sunlight Financial. Sunlight Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Greystone Housing Impact Investors, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

9.4% of Greystone Housing Impact Investors shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.9% of Sunlight Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Greystone Housing Impact Investors shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 19.5% of Sunlight Financial 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 Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Greystone Housing Impact Investors and Sunlight Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Greystone Housing Impact Investors 0 0 2 0 3.00 Sunlight Financial 1 2 2 0 2.20

Greystone Housing Impact Investors presently has a consensus target price of $20.00, indicating a potential upside of 25.63%. Sunlight Financial has a consensus target price of $2.87, indicating a potential upside of 457.71%. Given Sunlight Financials higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Sunlight Financial is more favorable than Greystone Housing Impact Investors.

Profitability

This table compares Greystone Housing Impact Investors and Sunlight Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Greystone Housing Impact Investors 64.62% 17.22% 3.68% Sunlight Financial -357.97% -1.62% -1.35%

Summary

Greystone Housing Impact Investors beats Sunlight Financial on 7 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Greystone Housing Impact Investors

(Get Free Report)

Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP acquires, holds, sells, and deals in a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds (MRBs) that are issued to provide construction and/or permanent financing for multifamily and student housing residential properties and commercial properties. It operates through four segments: Affordable Multifamily MRB Investments, Seniors and Skilled Nursing MRB Investments, MF Properties, Market-Rate Joint Venture Investments. The company was formerly known as America First Multifamily Investors, L.P. and changed its name to Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP in December 2022. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is based in Omaha, Nebraska.

About Sunlight Financial

(Get Free Report)

Sunlight Financial Holdings Inc. operates a business-to-business-to-consumer technology-enabled point-of-sale financing platform in the United States. Its platform is used to provide secured and unsecured loans for homeowners originated by third-party lenders to purchase and install residential solar energy systems, and other home improvements. The company serves residential solar contractors. Sunlight Financial Holdings Inc. was founded in 2014 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Sonic Healthcare (OTCMKTS:SKHCF  Get Free Report) is one of 64 public companies in the Diagnostics & Research industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Sonic Healthcare to similar companies based on the strength of its valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, dividends and profitability.

Dividends

Sonic Healthcare pays an annual dividend of $0.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Sonic Healthcare pays out 67.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Diagnostics & Research companies pay a dividend yield of 2.9% and pay out 73.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Institutional & Insider Ownership

31.8% of Sonic Healthcare shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 25.7% of shares of all Diagnostics & Research companies are owned by institutional investors. 33.1% of shares of all Diagnostics & Research companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sonic Healthcare 0 0 0 0 N/A Sonic Healthcare Competitors 5 47 95 0 2.61

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Sonic Healthcare and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

As a group, Diagnostics & Research companies have a potential upside of 258.74%. Given Sonic Healthcares competitors higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Sonic Healthcare has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Sonic Healthcare and its competitors revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Sonic Healthcare N/A N/A 24.33 Sonic Healthcare Competitors $493.83 million $30.29 million 363.83

Sonic Healthcares competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Sonic Healthcare. Sonic Healthcare is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Sonic Healthcare and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sonic Healthcare N/A N/A N/A Sonic Healthcare Competitors -26.07% -4.63% -2.75%

About Sonic Healthcare

(Get Free Report)

Sonic Healthcare Limited offers medical diagnostic services to medical practitioners, hospitals, community health services, and their collective patients. The company provides laboratory medicine/pathology testing services, such as biochemistry, cytopathology, genetics, haematology, histopathology, immunoserology, microbiology, molecular pathology, prenatal testing, toxicology, and ancillary functions; and radiology services, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, X-ray, mammography, nuclear medicine, PET CT, interventional procedures, and bone mineral densitometry. It also offers primary care medical services comprising general practice clinics, occupational health services, skin cancer clinics, after-hours general practice services, general practice IT solutions, and community-based healthcare services. The company operates in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Belgium, and internationally. Sonic Healthcare Limited was incorporated in 1934 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) had its price objective lifted by equities researchers at Canaccord Genuity Group from C$62.00 to C$64.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Groups price target would suggest a potential upside of 11.09% from the companys current price.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Fundamental Research set a C$69.38 target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. CSFB decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$65.00 to C$60.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$69.00 to C$72.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. TD Securities increased their price objective on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$58.00 to C$59.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$56.00 to C$58.00 in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Eight 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, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$64.56.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Price Performance

Shares of TSE:CM opened at C$57.61 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$56.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$57.96. The company has a market cap of C$52.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.19, a PEG ratio of 31.58 and a beta of 1.02. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a one year low of C$53.58 and a one year high of C$68.74.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ( TSE:CM Get Free Report ) (NYSE:CM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 25th. The company reported C$1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.62 by C$0.08. The business had revenue of C$5.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$5.58 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 23.32% and a return on equity of 10.00%. As a group, analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 7.0695971 EPS for the current year.

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

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CGI Group (TSE:GIB  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by National Bank Financial from C$160.00 to C$175.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Raymond James increased their target price on shares of CGI Group to C$150.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Desjardins boosted their price objective on CGI Group from C$140.00 to C$155.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. CIBC upped their price objective on CGI Group from C$146.00 to C$150.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. TD Securities boosted their target price on shares of CGI Group from C$145.00 to C$160.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of CGI Group to C$150.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th.

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CGI Group Price Performance

CGI Group (TSE:GIB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.70 by C$0.12. The firm had revenue of C$3.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$3.53 billion.

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This image from U.S. Senate video shows Bruno Joseph Cua sitting with his feet up in the Senate chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, during the riot at the U.S. Capitol. AP

A high school student who stormed the U.S. Capitol, assaulted a police officer and sat in a Senate floor chair reserved for the vice president was sentenced on Wednesday to one year in prison. Georgia resident Bruno Joseph Cua was 18 when he attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, making him one of the youngest people charged in the riot.

Before learning his sentence, Cua apologized for his actions and told U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss that he is ashamed of his role in a mobs attack on democracy. Everything that day was just one terrible decision after another, said Cua, now 21.

Moss sentenced Cua to a prison term of one year and one day, followed by three years of supervised release. The judge convicted Cua of felony charges after a trial earlier this year.

Moss told Cua that he was prepared to give him a longer prison sentence before he heard his statement in court on Wednesday. The judge said he believes Cua is truly remorseful.

Its a tragic case for the country. Its a tragic case for you and your family, the judge told him. There are no winners in any of this.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with Jan. 6-related crimes. Cua is one of at least six Capitol riot defendants born in 2002, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys office for the District of Columbia.

Cuas attorneys cited his youth as grounds for leniency. His actions on Jan. 6 reflect his immaturity at the time and the effects that the crowd had on such a young person, defense attorneys wrote in a court filing.

Around the time of the riot, Cua was finishing online coursework to graduate from high school. Prosecutors said Cuas age is only slightly a mitigating factor in his favor.

Americans who reach the age of 18 are entrusted with several important responsibilities and duties including voting, joining the military, signing a contract, and serving on a jury. In this way, the law recognizes that an 18-year-old is capable of making mature decisions, they wrote in a court filing.

Justice Department prosecutor Kaitlin Klamann said at least five Capitol riot defendants were younger than Cua on Jan. 6. Two of the five have resolved their cases and avoided prison terms. Both pleaded guilty to misdemeanor offenses and were sentenced to probation.

Cua planned his attack weeks in advance, brought weapons to the Capitol, tried to terrorize congressional staffers and was repeatedly aggressive toward police, prosecutors said.

They added, Cua played a unique and prominent role on January 6, opening the Senate Chamber to the rioters, escalating confrontations, and leading other rioters into and through the Capitol.

Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Cua. His lawyers asked the judge to sentence him to time served: the 40 days he spent in jail after his February 2021 arrest.

Cua said he was scarred to my core by his jail time. Another inmate assaulted Cua while he was jailed in Oklahoma, according to one of his lawyers.

I did something stupid to land myself there, but it was traumatizing, Cua said.

Other young rioters have received prison terms. In March, for example, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton sentenced Aiden Bilyard to three years and four months of incarceration. Bilyard, of Cary, North Carolina, also was 18 when he stormed the Capitol, pepper sprayed a line of police officers and used a bat to break into a Capitol conference room.

Cua and his parents drove from their home in Milton, Georgia, to Washington, D.C., arriving a day before then-President Donald Trump spoke at his Stop the Steal rally. The Trump supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 disrupted the joint session of Congress for certifying President Joe Bidens electoral victory.

Cua was armed with pepper spray and a metal baton  weapons given to him by his father  when rioters breached police lines on the west side of the Capitol, according to prosecutors. After climbing scaffolding, Cua entered the building through the Upper West Terrace doors and walked down a hallway toward the Senate.

As Cua walked down the hallway, he tried to open every single office door he passed by pulling on doorknobs, pounding on the doors with his fist, and kicking the doors, prosecutors wrote.

They said Cua intended to intimidate staffers who were behind the doors as he yelled, Hey! Where are the swamp rats hiding?

Cua went to the third floor, where he shoved a Capitol police officer who was trying to lock doors to the Senate gallery. After the officer retreated, Cua entered the gallery, shouting This is our house! This is our country! Jumping onto the Senate floor, he sat in the chair for then-Vice President Mike Pence, leaned back and propped his feet up on a desk.

Then he opened a door, allowing dozens of other rioters onto the Senate floor. Before leaving, Cua rifled through desks belonging to Senators Charles Grassley, John Thune and Dianne Feinstein.

Moss decided the case against Cua without a jury in February, convicting him of obstructing the Jan. 6 congressional proceeding and assaulting a federal officer. The judge handed down the verdict after a stipulated bench trial, a proceeding in which Cua didnt contest the facts supporting his convictions. He waived his right to a jury trial.

Prosecutors asked Moss to impose a $23,485 fine, which equals the amount of money raised by an online fundraising campaign called Bruno Cua: An Americans Future at Stake. The website said the funds will be used for Cuas many expenses in his pursuit of his freedom.

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Rogers Communications (TSE:RCI.A  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from C$64.00 to C$65.00 in a report issued on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Morgan Stanleys target price would suggest a potential upside of 4.00% from the companys current price.

Rogers Communications Price Performance

Shares of Rogers Communications stock opened at C$62.50 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 364.52, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The company has a market capitalization of C$6.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.43. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$61.70 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$64.01. Rogers Communications has a 1 year low of C$52.00 and a 1 year high of C$68.25.

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About Rogers Communications

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Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The Wireless segment offers wireless voice and data communication services to individual consumers, businesses, governments, and other telecommunications service providers; postpaid and prepaid wireless services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands; and wireless devices, services, and applications to consumers and businesses.

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Shares of Taylor Wimpey plc (OTCMKTS:TWODF  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the nine brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have assigned a hold recommendation and one has given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $130.20.

Several research firms have commented on TWODF. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 128 ($1.64) to GBX 130 ($1.67) in a research note on Friday, May 26th. UBS Group cut Taylor Wimpey from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 120 ($1.54) to GBX 130 ($1.67) in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. HSBC cut Taylor Wimpey from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 125 ($1.60) to GBX 131 ($1.68) in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th.

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Taylor Wimpey Price Performance

Shares of TWODF opened at $1.57 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $1.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.47. Taylor Wimpey has a one year low of $0.95 and a one year high of $1.61.

About Taylor Wimpey

Taylor Wimpey plc operates a residential developer in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom.

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Hugo Boss AG (OTCMKTS:BOSSY  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Hold from the eight brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $58.00.

Separately, UBS Group started coverage on Hugo Boss in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a buy rating on the stock.

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Hugo Boss Price Performance

BOSSY opened at $15.99 on Monday. Hugo Boss has a 52 week low of $9.02 and a 52 week high of $16.93. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.16. The firm has a market cap of $5.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.87 and a beta of 1.23.

Hugo Boss Increases Dividend

Hugo Boss ( OTCMKTS:BOSSY Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Hugo Boss had a return on equity of 21.16% and a net margin of 5.72%. The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter.

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 19th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a $0.1335 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 10th. This represents a yield of 1.53%. This is a positive change from Hugo Bosss previous dividend of $0.10. Hugo Bosss dividend payout ratio is presently 20.90%.

Hugo Boss Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Hugo Boss AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides clothes, shoes, and accessories for men and women worldwide. It also offers licensed products comprising of fragrances, eyewear, watches, children's fashion, and dog related accessories. The company markets and sells its products under the BOSS and HUGO brand names through freestanding stores, shop-in-shops, factory outlets, multi-brand stores, and franchise business, as well as online retailers, distribution, and stores.

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Duolingo, Inc. (NYSE:DUOL  Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $142.38.

DUOL has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America upped their price target on Duolingo from $105.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on Duolingo from $127.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. JMP Securities lowered Duolingo from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Barclays upped their price target on Duolingo from $131.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on Duolingo from $115.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th.

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Duolingo Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DUOL opened at $148.21 on Monday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $149.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $127.50. Duolingo has a fifty-two week low of $64.73 and a fifty-two week high of $168.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -118.57 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 3.65 and a quick ratio of 3.65.

Insider Buying and Selling at Duolingo

Duolingo ( NYSE:DUOL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.24) by $0.18. Duolingo had a negative return on equity of 9.22% and a negative net margin of 12.38%. The firm had revenue of $115.66 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $112.86 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($0.31) earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 42.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Duolingo will post -0.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, insider Robert Meese sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.20, for a total transaction of $801,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 200,188 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,070,117.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Duolingo news, CEO Ahn Luis Von sold 33,334 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.17, for a total value of $5,105,768.78. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Robert Meese sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.20, for a total value of $801,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 200,188 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,070,117.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 74,374 shares of company stock valued at $11,211,280. 19.85% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Duolingo by 37.3% during the 1st quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 4,467,624 shares of the companys stock worth $637,039,000 after acquiring an additional 1,214,871 shares during the period. Durable Capital Partners LP raised its holdings in Duolingo by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Durable Capital Partners LP now owns 4,156,738 shares of the companys stock valued at $295,669,000 after acquiring an additional 379,844 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Duolingo by 24.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,357,551 shares of the companys stock valued at $224,510,000 after acquiring an additional 468,057 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Duolingo by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,050,703 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,287,000 after acquiring an additional 56,708 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Duolingo by 605.8% in the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,126,165 shares of the companys stock valued at $98,596,000 after acquiring an additional 966,604 shares in the last quarter. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Duolingo Company Profile

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Duolingo, Inc operates as a mobile learning platform in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers courses in 40 different languages, including Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese through its Duolingo app. It also provides a digital language proficiency assessment exam.

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NAVER (OTCMKTS:NHNCF  Get Free Report) is one of 95 public companies in the Internet Content & Information industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare NAVER to similar companies based on the strength of its profitability, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Dividends

NAVER pays an annual dividend of $587.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 510.6%. NAVER pays out 4.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Internet Content & Information companies pay a dividend yield of 26.3% and pay out 4.4% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. NAVER is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares NAVER and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio NAVER N/A N/A 0.01 NAVER Competitors $231.08 million $44.03 million -159.91

Profitability

NAVERs peers have higher revenue and earnings than NAVER. NAVER 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.

This table compares NAVER and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NAVER N/A N/A N/A NAVER Competitors -11.15% -11.82% 0.20%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

25.5% of shares of all Internet Content & Information companies are owned by institutional investors. 36.3% of shares of all Internet Content & Information companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for NAVER and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NAVER 1 0 0 0 1.00 NAVER Competitors 321 1001 1497 31 2.43

As a group, Internet Content & Information companies have a potential upside of 68.76%. Given NAVERs peers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe NAVER has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

NAVER peers beat NAVER on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

About NAVER

(Get Free Report)

NAVER Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides internet and online search portal, and mobile messenger platform services in South Korea, Japan, and internationally. The company offers Naver, a search portal that offers various content topic boards; LINE, a messaging application; Naver Clova, an integrated AI platform; Papago, an automated interpretation application; WHALE, a web browser; Naver Map, a navigation application; Webtoon, a promotion system for mobile comics; SERIES, a paid content platform; SNOW, a camera; BAND, a mobile community platform; NOW, an audio shows to listen to on NAVER app; and NAVER WORKS, which provides features necessary for work, such as Message, Mail, Calendar, and Drive. It also provides IT platforms, BIZ platforms, advertising services, and NAVER SQUARE for business; NAVER Webtoon, NAVER Webnovel, NAVER AudioClip, Series, Premium Contents, NAVER Influencer Center, Creator Advisor, VIBE, NAVER TV, NAVER Post, and Grafolio for creators; and NAVER D2 Startup Factory, DEVIEW, NAVER D2, NAVER Open Source, CLOVA Platform API, NAVER Maps API, papago API, and NAVER login for developers. In addition, NAVER Corporation is involved in the manufacture of cosmetics; electronic financial business; film production and distribution; real estate rental; investment and information business; and character and doll wholesale and retail activities. The company was formerly known as NHN Corporation. NAVER Corporation was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Seongnam-si, South Korea.

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Rightmove (OTCMKTS:RTMVF  Get Free Report) is one of 95 publicly-traded companies in the Internet Content & Information industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Rightmove to similar businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, risk and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Rightmove and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Rightmove N/A N/A 8.09 Rightmove Competitors $231.08 million $44.03 million -159.91

Rightmoves rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Rightmove. Rightmove is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Rightmove 1 0 0 0 1.00 Rightmove Competitors 321 1001 1497 31 2.43

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Rightmove and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

Rightmove presently has a consensus target price of $4.00, indicating a potential downside of 42.28%. As a group, Internet Content & Information companies have a potential upside of 69.20%. Given Rightmoves rivals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Rightmove has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

55.1% of Rightmove shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 25.5% of shares of all Internet Content & Information companies are held by institutional investors. 36.3% of shares of all Internet Content & Information companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Rightmove and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Rightmove N/A N/A N/A Rightmove Competitors -11.15% -11.82% 0.20%

Dividends

Rightmove pays an annual dividend of $0.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Rightmove pays out 32.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Internet Content & Information companies pay a dividend yield of 26.3% and pay out 4.4% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Rightmove lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Summary

Rightmove rivals beat Rightmove on 9 of the 13 factors compared.

About Rightmove

(Get Free Report)

Rightmove plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates property portals in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through Agency, New Homes, and Other segments. The Agency segment provides property resale and letting advertising services on its platforms. It also offers tenant references and rent guarantee insurance services to landlords. The New Homes segment provides property advertising services to new home developers and housing associations on its platforms. The Other segment offers overseas and commercial property advertising services; non-property advertising services that include third party advertising and data services; and mortgage services. It serves estate agents, lettings agents, and new homes developers. Rightmove plc was founded in 2000 and is based in Milton Keynes, the United Kingdom.

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CLS Holdings USA (OTCMKTS:CLSH  Get Free Report) is one of 219 publicly-traded companies in the Drug ManufacturersSpecialty & Generic industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare CLS Holdings USA to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for CLS Holdings USA and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CLS Holdings USA 0 0 0 0 N/A CLS Holdings USA Competitors 120 641 1358 15 2.59

CLS Holdings USA presently has a consensus target price of $205.00, suggesting a potential upside of 215,689.47%. As a group, Drug ManufacturersSpecialty & Generic companies have a potential upside of 15.15%. Given CLS Holdings USAs higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe CLS Holdings USA is more favorable than its peers.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CLS Holdings USA N/A N/A -38.76 CLS Holdings USA Competitors $730.37 million -$13.85 million 205.39

This table compares CLS Holdings USA and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

CLS Holdings USAs peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than CLS Holdings USA. CLS Holdings USA 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.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

20.4% of shares of all Drug ManufacturersSpecialty & Generic companies are owned by institutional investors. 27.6% of shares of all Drug ManufacturersSpecialty & Generic companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares CLS Holdings USA and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CLS Holdings USA N/A N/A N/A CLS Holdings USA Competitors -55.65% -410.46% -9.46%

CLS Holdings USA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

CLS Holdings USA, Inc., a diversified cannabis company, focuses on the extraction and conversion of cannabinoids in the United States. It extracts cannabinoids from the cannabis plants and converts into concentrates, such as oils, waxes, edibles, and shatters. The company also sells organic medical cannabis to licensed retailers; recreational marijuana cannabis products to licensed distributors and retailers; extraction products, such as oils and waxes derived from in-house cannabis production; and offers processing and extraction services for licensed medical cannabis cultivators, as well as cannabis strains in the form of vegetative cuttings to licensed medical cannabis cultivators. In addition, it provides consulting services to cannabis-related businesses comprising growers, dispensaries, and laboratories; and toll processing services. The company offers its products under Oasis Cannabis and City Trees brand names. Its concentrates are used for pharmaceutical and other purposes. CLS Holdings USA, Inc. was founded in 2014 and is based in Miami, Florida.

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H2O Innovation (OTCMKTS:HEOFF  Get Free Report) and Severn Trent (OTCMKTS:SVTRF  Get Free Report) are both industrial products companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and risk.

Profitability

This table compares H2O Innovation and Severn Trents net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets H2O Innovation 1.46% 9.46% 4.48% Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for H2O Innovation and Severn Trent, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score H2O Innovation 0 0 0 0 N/A Severn Trent 0 2 0 0 2.00

Earnings & Valuation

H2O Innovation currently has a consensus price target of $3.29, suggesting a potential upside of 36.98%. Given H2O Innovations higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe H2O Innovation is more favorable than Severn Trent.

This table compares H2O Innovation and Severn Trents revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio H2O Innovation $145.66 million 1.48 $4.03 million $0.03 80.03 Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A $0.82 39.96

H2O Innovation has higher revenue and earnings than Severn Trent. Severn Trent is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than H2O Innovation, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

37.3% of Severn Trent shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.9% of H2O Innovation shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

H2O Innovation beats Severn Trent on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About H2O Innovation

(Get Free Report)

H2O Innovation Inc. designs and provides integrated water treatment solutions based on membrane filtration technology. It operates through three segments: Water Technologies and Services, Specialty Products, and Operation and Maintenance Services. The company offers membrane filtration technology for municipal, industrial, energy, and natural resources end-users; and aftersales services, as well as digital solutions to monitor and optimize water treatment plants. Its products include the FiberFlex open-source technologies for water treatment systems; and the flexMBR for wastewater treatment systems. The company also offers specialty chemicals, consumables, and specialized products for the water industry, including reverse osmosis (RO) membrane chemicals, such as antiscalants, flocculants, biocides, and cleaning chemicals; corrosion resistant equipment for desalination plants; flexible grooved-end couplings, fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP) cartridge filter housings, self-cleaning disc and screen filters, bag filters, cartridges, and strainers; and maple equipment and products. In addition, it operates, maintains, and repairs water and wastewater treatment systems, distribution equipment, and associated assets. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Quebec City, Canada.

About Severn Trent

(Get Free Report)

Severn Trent PLC operates as a water and sewerage company in England and Wales. It operates through two segments: Regulated Water and Waste Water, and Business Services. The Regulated Water and Waste Water segment offers water and waste water services to approximately 4.8 million households and businesses. The Business Services segment generates renewable energy from anaerobic digestion, hydropower, wind turbines, and solar panels; property development; and offers affinity products and search services. It also provides services to municipal and industrial clients, including the Ministry of Defence and the Coal Authority for design, build, and operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities and networks. Severn Trent PLC was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Coventry, the United Kingdom.

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Software Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:STWRY  Get Free Report) is one of 130 publicly-traded companies in the SoftwareInfrastructure industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare Software Aktiengesellschaft to related companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Software Aktiengesellschaft and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Software Aktiengesellschaft N/A N/A N/A Software Aktiengesellschaft Competitors -47.46% -79.17% -11.18%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Software Aktiengesellschaft and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Software Aktiengesellschaft 0 4 0 0 2.00 Software Aktiengesellschaft Competitors 170 702 1160 5 2.49

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Software Aktiengesellschaft presently has a consensus price target of $26.00, indicating a potential upside of 200.58%. As a group, SoftwareInfrastructure companies have a potential upside of 75.23%. Given Software Aktiengesellschafts higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Software Aktiengesellschaft is more favorable than its peers.

0.2% of Software Aktiengesellschaft shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.1% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are held by institutional investors. 32.3% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Software Aktiengesellschaft pays an annual dividend of $0.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Software Aktiengesellschaft pays out 37.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, SoftwareInfrastructure companies pay a dividend yield of 3.2% and pay out 5,752.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Software Aktiengesellschaft and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Software Aktiengesellschaft N/A N/A 25.23 Software Aktiengesellschaft Competitors $164.28 million -$16.73 million -305.20

Software Aktiengesellschafts peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Software Aktiengesellschaft. Software Aktiengesellschaft 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.

Summary

Software Aktiengesellschaft peers beat Software Aktiengesellschaft on 7 of the 13 factors compared.

About Software Aktiengesellschaft

(Get Free Report)

Software Aktiengesellschaft provides software development, licensing, maintenance, and IT services in Germany, the United States, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Digital Business, Adabas & Natural, and Professional Services. The company offers Internet of Things (IoT) and analytics solutions comprising Cumulocity IoT for integrating digital equipment and sensors through an IoT device management and application enablement platform, as well as provides streaming analytics for big data analytics in real time and solutions for predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning; and TrendMiner, an intuitive web-based analytics platform for visualization of industrial processes and process data. It also provides webMethods that integrate systems, applications, and processes through application programming interfaces or direct connections and orchestrate them in the form of microservices; ARIS for modeling, documenting, and optimizing business processes; Alfabet, which enables enterprise architecture mapping and optimal decision making for IT investments; Adabas & Natural for transaction processing; and CONNX for data integration, virtualization, and replication. In addition, the company offers professional services, which include implementation, development, and upgrade/migration services. Software Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany.

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Crane NXT (NYSE:CXT  Get Free Report) and Watts Water Technologies (NYSE:WTS  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap business services companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Crane NXT and Watts Water Technologies revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Crane NXT $3.37 billion 0.97 $401.10 million $6.50 8.92 Watts Water Technologies $1.99 billion 3.14 $251.50 million $7.80 24.00

Crane NXT has higher revenue and earnings than Watts Water Technologies. Crane NXT is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Watts Water Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Profitability

69.5% of Crane NXT shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.2% of Watts Water Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of Crane NXT shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Watts Water Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares Crane NXT and Watts Water Technologies net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Crane NXT 13.12% 20.86% 9.01% Watts Water Technologies 13.16% 19.77% 12.87%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings for Crane NXT and Watts Water Technologies, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Crane NXT 0 0 2 0 3.00 Watts Water Technologies 0 5 0 0 2.00

Crane NXT currently has a consensus target price of $71.00, suggesting a potential upside of 22.52%. Watts Water Technologies has a consensus target price of $167.20, suggesting a potential downside of 10.68%. Given Crane NXTs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Crane NXT is more favorable than Watts Water Technologies.

Dividends

Crane NXT pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Watts Water Technologies pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Crane NXT pays out 8.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Watts Water Technologies pays out 18.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Watts Water Technologies has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Crane NXT is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Volatility & Risk

Crane NXT has a beta of 1.48, indicating that its stock price is 48% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Watts Water Technologies has a beta of 1.03, indicating that its stock price is 3% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Crane NXT beats Watts Water Technologies on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Crane NXT

(Get Free Report)

Crane NXT, Co. focuses on payment and merchandising technologies. It indents to offer electronic equipment and associated software leveraging extensive, and proprietary core capabilities, including payment verification and authentication, as well as automation solutions, field service solutions, remote diagnostics, and productivity enhancing software solutions. The company is based in Stamford, Connecticut.

About Watts Water Technologies

(Get Free Report)

Watts Water Technologies, Inc. supplies products and solutions that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through, and out of buildings in the commercial, industrial, and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers residential and commercial flow control and protection products, including backflow preventers, water pressure regulators, temperature and pressure relief valves, thermostatic mixing valves, and leak detection and protection products for plumbing and hot water applications. It also provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and gas products comprising commercial boilers, and water heaters and heating solutions; hydronic and electric heating systems for under-floor radiant applications; custom heat and hot water solutions; hydronic pump groups for boiler manufacturers and alternative energy control packages; and flexible stainless steel connectors for natural and liquid propane gas in commercial food service and residential applications. In addition, the company offers drainage and water re-use products, such as drainage products and engineered rain water harvesting solutions for commercial, industrial, marine, and residential applications; and water quality products that include point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration, conditioning, and scale prevention systems for commercial, marine, and residential applications. The company sells its products to plumbing, heating, and mechanical wholesale distributors and dealers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, specialty product distributors, and do-it-yourself and retail chains; and wholesalers and private label accounts. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts.

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Italian PM Giorgia Meloni with U.S. President Joe Biden on May 20 in Hiroshima. Europa Press/Contacto/Us Chigi/ Attili (Europa Press/Contacto/Us Chigi/ )

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni landed in Washington on Thursday, where she will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. The meeting, publicized in style by the Italian delegation, will enable both sides to discuss the various common issues on their international agenda. Its also an opportunity for Meloni to counter the perception that she is closing off Italy from the world. But, above all, its a chance to solve a problem left to Meloni by former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte: Italys participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project, commonly known as the new Silk Road.

The issues that Italy and the United States share on their international agenda are only of moderate importance. Beyond the shipment of arms to Ukraine and negotiating support to address the financial crisis in Tunisia in order to prevent an increase in migratory flows to Europe via Italy, everyone is thinking of China. The United States was stunned when Italy entered into the agreement with the Asian giant and is now trying, with varying degrees of subtlety, to reverse the situation. The problem is that if Italy does not renew its agreement with China, it would face trade retaliation at a time when it cannot afford any economic setback.

More information A new Cold War between the US and China is spreading around the world

Italy is under enormous pressure from both sides. Meanwhile, the European Union is stepping up its new policy of de-risking its economy from China. In other words, the EU wants to be less reliant on China when it comes to strategic sectors, such as critical materials. If Italy is convinced to back out of the new Chinese Silk Road, it would be a major victory for the new policy, which is aligned with U.S. interests, and set to shape other geopolitical areas.

In March 2019, Italy became the first G-7 country to join the BRI  an ambitious infrastructure project from Beijing that aims to connect Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Despite the misgivings of the EU, which considers China a systemic rival, Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-Italian leader Giuseppe Conte sealed a memorandum of understanding in Rome, and Italy entered Chinas great infrastructure network, which is spread over the five continents, and includes around 30 collaboration agreements in different fields.

At the time the agreement was signed, Italy was in the grips of technical recession and desperately in need of investment and financing. The country believed that joining the new Silk Road could help ease its financial troubles. China, on the other hand, saw in the Italian ports the ideal spot from which to spread its products and investments. It was also aware of the political and symbolic value of a deal with Italy, and how this would strengthen its role at a global level. The idea of signing an agreement with China had been percolating away for years in Italy. But in the end, it was the Conte government  a coalition of the 5-Star Movement (M5S) and Lega  that sealed the deal.

The negotiations between Italy and China, however, were hampered by pressure from the EU and the U.S., which were worried about China gaining a stronger foothold in Europe. Of the 50 planned agreements, only 29 were signed. Whats more, Italy blocked Huawei, the leading Chinese company in fifth-generation mobile technology, from developing Italys 5G networks.

Biden invited Meloni to the U.S. during a phone call on June 26, although no specific date was set at that time. The talk, in which both leaders affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, came a day after the U.S. president spoke with his French, German and British counterparts about the Russian invasion. For Meloni, the Washington trip is an endorsement of her international policy. The Italian prime minister has touted her approach to foreign policy, despite the difficulties the country is facing: the EU has frozen a tranche of Italys post-pandemic funds, while irregular immigration has multiplied since she took office.

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SimCorp A/S (OTCMKTS:SICRF  Get Free Report) is one of 288 publicly-traded companies in the SoftwareApplication industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare SimCorp A/S to similar companies based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and risk.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares SimCorp A/S and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio SimCorp A/S N/A N/A 116.15 SimCorp A/S Competitors $417.83 million -$7.35 million 738.72

SimCorp A/Ss peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than SimCorp A/S. SimCorp A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Profitability

41.9% of SimCorp A/S shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 31.8% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are owned by institutional investors. 30.4% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares SimCorp A/S and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SimCorp A/S N/A N/A N/A SimCorp A/S Competitors -30.12% -258.55% -6.87%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for SimCorp A/S and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SimCorp A/S 0 1 0 0 2.00 SimCorp A/S Competitors 379 1409 3203 18 2.57

As a group, SoftwareApplication companies have a potential upside of 30.50%. Given SimCorp A/Ss peers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe SimCorp A/S has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Dividends

SimCorp A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.54 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. SimCorp A/S pays out 59.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, SoftwareApplication companies pay a dividend yield of 1.8% and pay out 70.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

SimCorp A/S peers beat SimCorp A/S on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

About SimCorp A/S

(Get Free Report)

SimCorp A/S, together with its subsidiaries, provides investment management solutions for asset management, fund management, insurance, life/pension, central banks, asset servicing, treasury, sovereign wealth, and wealth management companies. It provides investment management services, including portfolio management and trading, compliance management, performance and risk management, investment operations, investment accounting, fund administration, multi asset investments, alternative investments, investment book of record, and data warehouse and business intelligence, as well as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investments. The company also offers data management, corporate actions, ESG data management, market data management, and security master services; and client communications, such as client reporting and sales enablement, and digital engagement platform. It has operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Kingsway Financial Services (NYSE:KFS  Get Free Report) and Inchcape (OTCMKTS:IHCPF  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability and valuation.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

67.2% of Kingsway Financial Services shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.0% of Inchcape shares are owned by institutional investors. 60.1% of Kingsway Financial Services shares are owned 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.

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Profitability

This table compares Kingsway Financial Services and Inchcapes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Kingsway Financial Services 56.73% -10.60% -0.67% Inchcape N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Kingsway Financial Services 0 0 0 0 N/A Inchcape 0 0 3 0 3.00

This is a summary of current ratings for Kingsway Financial Services and Inchcape, as reported by MarketBeat.

Inchcape has a consensus price target of C$1,085.00, indicating a potential upside of 10,799.05%. Given Inchcapes higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Inchcape is more favorable than Kingsway Financial Services.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Kingsway Financial Services and Inchcapes top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Kingsway Financial Services $93.28 million 2.34 $24.72 million N/A N/A Inchcape N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Kingsway Financial Services has higher revenue and earnings than Inchcape.

About Kingsway Financial Services

(Get Free Report)

Kingsway Financial Services Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the extended warranty and business services in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator. The Extended Warranty segment markets, sells, and administers vehicle service agreements and related products for new and used automobiles, motorcycles, and ATVs. This segment also markets and distributes warranty products to manufacturers, distributors, and installers of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, standby generator, commercial LED lighting, and commercial refrigeration equipment; and provides equipment breakdown and maintenance support services to companies. The Kingsway Search Xcelerator offers outsourced finance and human resources consulting services, including operational accounting, such as bookkeeping, accounting, financial reporting, and analysis and strategic finance services; technical accounting comprising initial public offerings, SEC reporting, and international consolidation services; human resources, workforce management, and compliance support services; and advisory services. This segment also provides financial executive services for project and interim-staffing engagements; search services for full-time placements; and healthcare staffing services to acute healthcare facilities. The company offers its products and services through credit unions, dealers, homebuilders, and consumers. Kingsway Financial Services Inc. was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

About Inchcape

(Get Free Report)

Inchcape plc operates as an automotive distributor and retailer. It engages in the distribution, sales, and marketing of new and used cars, and parts. The company also provides aftersales service and body shop repairs; and finance and insurance products and services. It operates in the Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, and Africa. The company was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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HashiCorp (NYSE:HCP  Get Free Report) is one of 130 public companies in the SoftwareInfrastructure industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare HashiCorp to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares HashiCorp and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio HashiCorp $512.98 million N/A -21.97 HashiCorp Competitors $164.28 million -$16.73 million -289.78

HashiCorp has higher revenue and earnings than its competitors. HashiCorp is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score HashiCorp 0 0 0 0 N/A HashiCorp Competitors 170 702 1160 5 2.49

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for HashiCorp and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

As a group, SoftwareInfrastructure companies have a potential upside of 75.49%. Given HashiCorps competitors higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe HashiCorp has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Risk and Volatility

HashiCorp has a beta of 1.06, suggesting that its stock price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, HashiCorps competitors have a beta of 1.16, suggesting that their average stock price is 16% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

40.7% of HashiCorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.1% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are held by institutional investors. 26.1% of HashiCorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 32.3% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

HashiCorp pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.1%. HashiCorp pays out -112.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, SoftwareInfrastructure companies pay a dividend yield of 3.2% and pay out 5,752.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. HashiCorp is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Profitability

This table compares HashiCorp and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets HashiCorp N/A N/A N/A HashiCorp Competitors -47.46% -79.17% -11.18%

Summary

HashiCorp beats its competitors on 8 of the 11 factors compared.

HashiCorp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

HashiCorp, Inc. provides multi-cloud infrastructure automation solutions worldwide. The company offers Terraform, an infrastructure provisioning product that applies an Infrastructure-as-Code approach, where processes and configuration required to support applications are codified and automated instead of being manual and ticket-based; and Vault, a secrets management and data protection product, which enables security teams to apply policies based on application and user identity to govern access to credentials and secure sensitive data. It also provides Consul, an application-centric networking automation product that enables practitioners to manage application traffic, security teams to secure and restrict access between applications, and operations teams to automate the underlying network infrastructure; and Nomad, a scheduler and workload orchestrator, which provides practitioners with a self-service interface to manage the application lifecycle. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

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Escalon Medical (OTCMKTS:ESMC  Get Free Report) and Integer (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, earnings, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Escalon Medical and Integers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Escalon Medical 2.58% 41.91% 6.21% Integer 4.71% 9.54% 4.75%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Escalon Medical and Integers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Escalon Medical $10.70 million 0.14 $20,000.00 N/A N/A Integer $1.38 billion 2.10 $66.38 million $2.03 42.86

Volatility & Risk

Integer has higher revenue and earnings than Escalon Medical.

Escalon Medical has a beta of -0.35, indicating that its share price is 135% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Integer has a beta of 1.12, indicating that its share price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

99.3% of Integer shares are held by institutional investors. 1.9% of Escalon Medical shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of Integer shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Escalon Medical and Integer, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Escalon Medical 0 0 0 0 N/A Integer 0 3 2 0 2.40

Integer has a consensus target price of $88.67, suggesting a potential upside of 1.92%. Given Integers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Integer is more favorable than Escalon Medical.

Summary

Integer beats Escalon Medical on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Escalon Medical

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Escalon Medical Corp. develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes medical devices and pharmaceuticals in the area of ophthalmology in the United States and internationally. It offers A-Scan, which provides information about the internal structure of the eye; B-Scan, a diagnostic tool that supplies information to physicians where the media within the eye are cloudy or opaque; UBM, a high frequency/high resolution ultrasound device, which provides detailed information about the anterior segment of the eye; and Pachymeter that measures the thickness of cornea. The company also distributes intraocular gas products, such as C3F8 and SF6, which are used by vitreoretinal surgeons as a temporary tamponade in detached retina surgery; and manufactures and distributes a patented disposable universal gas kit that delivers the gas from the canister to the patient. In addition, it offers disposable surgical packs that are used in vitreoretinal surgery; and AXIS Image management system for managing ophthalmic diagnostic images through the web browser from various devices regardless of modality, manufacturer or location. The company sells its products to medical institutions through independent sales representatives, a network of distributors, and internal sales employees. Escalon Medical Corp. was incorporated in 1987 and is based in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

About Integer

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Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and internationally. It operates through Medical and Non-Medical segments. The company offers products for interventional cardiology, structural heart, heart failure, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, interventional oncology, electrophysiology, vascular access, infusion therapy, hemodialysis, urology, and gastroenterology procedures. It also provides cardiac rhythm management products, including implantable pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, insertable cardiac monitors, implantable cardiac pacing and defibrillation leads, and heart failure therapies; neuromodulation products, such as implantable spinal cord stimulators; and non-rechargeable batteries, feedthroughs, device enclosures, machined components, and lead components and sub-assemblies. In addition, the company offers rechargeable batteries and chargers; and arthroscopic, laparoscopic, and general surgery devices and components, such as harmonic scalpels, shaver blades, burr shavers, radio frequency probes, biopsy probes, trocars, electrocautery components, wound dressings, GERD treatment components, and phacoemulsification needles. Further, it provides orthopedic products that include instruments used in hip, knee, and spine surgeries, as well as reamers and chisels. Additionally, the company offers customized battery power and power management systems, and battery solutions for the energy, military, and environmental markets. Furthermore, the company provides medical technologies. It serves multi-national original equipment manufacturers and their affiliated subsidiaries in the cardiac, neuromodulation, orthopedics, vascular, and advanced surgical and portable medical markets. Integer Holdings Corporation was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

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ENB Financial (OTCMKTS:ENBP  Get Free Report) is one of 264 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare ENB Financial to related companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares ENB Financial and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio ENB Financial N/A N/A 5.45 ENB Financial Competitors $3.05 billion $833.29 million 271.04

ENB Financials rivals have higher revenue and earnings than ENB Financial. ENB Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets ENB Financial N/A N/A N/A ENB Financial Competitors 37.86% 9.38% 0.86%

Dividends

This table compares ENB Financial and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

ENB Financial pays an annual dividend of $1.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.5%. 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 13.1% and pay out 18.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. ENB Financial lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.3% of ENB Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.0% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of ENB Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 15.2% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for ENB Financial and its rivals, 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 1042 3014 3001 20 2.28

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 314.43%. Given ENB Financials rivals higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe ENB Financial has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Summary

ENB Financial rivals beat ENB Financial on 10 of the 10 factors compared.

ENB Financial Company Profile

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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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Whitbread (OTCMKTS:WTBCF  Get Free Report) and Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Whitbread and Choice Hotels Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Whitbread N/A N/A N/A Choice Hotels International 21.50% 129.67% 13.82%

Dividends

Whitbread pays an annual dividend of $0.69 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Choice Hotels International pays an annual dividend of $1.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Whitbread pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Choice Hotels International pays out 19.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Choice Hotels International has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Analyst Recommendations

38.4% of Whitbread shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 60.6% of Choice Hotels International shares are held by institutional investors. 23.1% of Choice Hotels International shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Whitbread and Choice Hotels International, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Whitbread 0 0 0 0 N/A Choice Hotels International 4 3 1 0 1.63

Choice Hotels International has a consensus price target of $121.88, indicating a potential downside of 2.55%. Given Choice Hotels Internationals higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Choice Hotels International is more favorable than Whitbread.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Whitbread and Choice Hotels Internationals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Whitbread N/A N/A N/A $1.87 23.46 Choice Hotels International $1.40 billion 4.55 $332.15 million $5.80 21.56

Choice Hotels International has higher revenue and earnings than Whitbread. Choice Hotels International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Whitbread, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Choice Hotels International beats Whitbread on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Whitbread

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Whitbread plc operates hotels and restaurants in the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates hotels with rooms in the United Kingdom; Middle East; and Germany under the Premier Inn, ZIP by Premier Inn, and hub by Premier Inn brands. The company operates restaurants under the Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Cookhouse & Pub, Bar+Block Steakhouse, Thyme, and Table Table brands in the United Kingdom. Whitbread plc was founded in 1742 and is headquartered in Dunstable, the United Kingdom.

About Choice Hotels International

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Choice Hotels International, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel franchisor. The company operates through Hotel Franchising & Management and Other segments. It franchises lodging properties under the brand names of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, WoodSpring Suites, Everhome Suites, Cambria Hotels, Ascend Hotel Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inn & Suites, Radisson Inn & Suites , Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson Collection. The company also develops and markets cloud-based property management software to non-franchised hoteliers. Choice Hotels International, Inc. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.

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Moncler (OTCMKTS:MONRF  Get Free Report) and Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, valuation and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Moncler and Levi Strauss & Co., as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Moncler 0 0 2 0 3.00 Levi Strauss & Co. 0 5 4 0 2.44

Moncler currently has a consensus target price of $55.67, suggesting a potential downside of 20.59%. Levi Strauss & Co. has a consensus target price of $17.50, suggesting a potential upside of 18.64%. Given Levi Strauss & Co.s higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Levi Strauss & Co. is more favorable than Moncler.

Dividends

Earnings and Valuation

Moncler pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Levi Strauss & Co. pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Moncler pays out 23.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Levi Strauss & Co. pays out 43.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Levi Strauss & Co. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Levi Strauss & Co. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

This table compares Moncler and Levi Strauss & Co.s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Moncler N/A N/A N/A $0.42 165.33 Levi Strauss & Co. $6.17 billion 0.95 $569.10 million $1.10 13.41

Levi Strauss & Co. has higher revenue and earnings than Moncler. Levi Strauss & Co. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Moncler, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Moncler and Levi Strauss & Co.s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Moncler N/A N/A N/A Levi Strauss & Co. 7.12% 23.46% 7.56%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

12.2% of Moncler shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 19.2% of Levi Strauss & Co. shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.8% of Levi Strauss & Co. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Levi Strauss & Co. beats Moncler on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Moncler

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Moncler S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, designs, produces, and distributes clothing and related accessories for men, women, and children under the Moncler and Stone Island brand names. Its product portfolio includes footwear products; leather goods, such as bags, backpacks, and accessories; and sunglasses and eyeglasses under the Moncler Lunettes brand. The company also offers perfume for men and women. It operates directly operated stores and wholesale shop-in-shops. The company also sells its products through moncler.com, an online store. It serves in Italy, other European countries, Japan, the rest of Asia, and the Americas. Moncler S.p.A. was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Milan, Italy.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

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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.

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Autoliv (NYSE:ALV  Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by analysts at Robert W. Baird from $102.00 to $106.00 in a research note issued on Monday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the auto parts companys stock. Robert W. Bairds target price would indicate a potential upside of 4.32% from the companys previous close.

ALV has been the subject of several other reports. Kepler Capital Markets upgraded shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $105.00 target price for the company in a report on Thursday, May 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Autoliv from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 20th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 21st. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Autoliv from $96.00 to $106.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Autoliv from $97.00 to $93.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $102.67.

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Autoliv Stock Performance

Autoliv stock opened at $101.61 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $87.27 and a 200-day moving average of $88.05. The firm has a market cap of $8.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.68, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.68. Autoliv has a 1-year low of $65.74 and a 1-year high of $103.99.

Insider Activity

Autoliv ( NYSE:ALV Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 21st. The auto parts company reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.52. Autoliv had a net margin of 3.98% and a return on equity of 19.67%. The company had revenue of $2.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.55 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.90 earnings per share. Autolivs revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Autoliv will post 6.41 EPS for the current year.

In other news, Director Jan Carlson sold 2,614 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.98, for a total transaction of $232,593.72. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 77,493 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,895,327.14. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in Autoliv by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,942 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $368,000 after buying an additional 117 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in Autoliv by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 3,229 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $301,000 after buying an additional 118 shares during the period. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in Autoliv by 33.3% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 553 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the period. KRS Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Autoliv by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. KRS Capital Management LLC now owns 2,688 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $229,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Finally, Greenleaf Trust boosted its holdings in Autoliv by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 5,417 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $415,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.29% of the companys stock.

Autoliv Company Profile

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Autoliv, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and supplies passive safety systems to the automotive industry in Europe, the Americas, China, Japan, and rest of Asia. It offers passive safety systems, including modules and components for frontal-impact airbag protection systems, side-impact airbag protection systems, seatbelts, steering wheels, and inflator technologies.

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British Land Company Plc (OTCMKTS:BTLCY  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Reduce by the six research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $420.67.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on BTLCY shares. HSBC lowered British Land from a buy rating to a reduce rating in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Barclays dropped their price objective on British Land from GBX 465 ($5.96) to GBX 432 ($5.54) in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on British Land from GBX 355 ($4.55) to GBX 325 ($4.17) in a research note on Friday, June 9th.

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British Land Stock Performance

BTLCY opened at $4.41 on Friday. British Land has a one year low of $3.54 and a one year high of $6.10. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $4.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $4.82.

British Land Increases Dividend

British Land Company Profile

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.0974 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 22nd. This represents a yield of 4.58%. This is a positive change from British Lands previous dividend of $0.10.

(Get Free Report

Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on London Campuses and Retail & London Urban Logistics assets throughout the UK. We own or manage a portfolio valued at 13.0bn (British Land share: 8.9bn) as at 31 March 2023 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 591 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $466.62, for a total value of $275,772.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,028,219 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $47,141,787,549.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 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 shares were 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 shares were 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 shares were 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 value of $89,658,000.00.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $453.42 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $430.42 billion, a PE ratio of 72.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.38. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $446.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $387.42. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $296.32 and a 12 month high of $469.87.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The company had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.62 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.00%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 71.86%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Towerpoint Wealth LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Towerpoint Wealth LLC now owns 4,239 shares of the companys stock worth $1,988,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC now owns 1,591 shares of the companys stock worth $746,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. Oxler Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,050 shares of the companys stock worth $2,078,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the period. Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 774 shares of the companys stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the period. Finally, IFG Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. IFG Advisors LLC now owns 654 shares of the companys stock worth $307,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the period. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. 3M reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, April 28th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $505.00 to $565.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Barclays increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $500.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $408.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $465.86.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

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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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KYODO NEWS - Jul 26, 2023 - 22:42 | All, World, Japan

Imports of food and beverage items, including confectionery and alcohol, from Japan are facing delays in customs clearance from Chinese authorities in the northern part of the country, sources familiar with the bilateral relationship said Wednesday.

Businesses involved are currently investigating whether the delays have any connection to China's blanket radiation testing on seafood imports from Japan introduced earlier this month.

The measures are believed to have been adopted to pressure Tokyo over its plan to begin releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea from this summer.

Concerns have been raised over China's decision to keep imports of fresh seafood and other marine product from Japan at customs for up to one month before clearance, with the total radiation testing prompting some Chinese businesses to find alternative procurement sources.

Mainland China has banned food imports from Fukushima and nine other prefectures since 2011 when a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
SiriusPoint (NYSE:SPNT  Get Free Report) and Hannover Ruck (OTC:HVRRF  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for SiriusPoint and Hannover Ruck, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SiriusPoint 0 0 0 0 N/A Hannover Ruck 2 0 0 0 1.00

Hannover Ruck has a consensus target price of $149.50, suggesting a potential downside of 26.46%. Given Hannover Rucks higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Hannover Ruck is more favorable than SiriusPoint.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SiriusPoint -1.28% -1.59% -0.28% Hannover Ruck N/A N/A N/A

Insider & Institutional Ownership

This table compares SiriusPoint and Hannover Rucks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

57.8% of SiriusPoint shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 20.0% of Hannover Ruck shares are held by institutional investors. 50.9% of SiriusPoint shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares SiriusPoint and Hannover Rucks top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SiriusPoint $2.11 billion 0.74 -$386.80 million ($0.38) -25.07 Hannover Ruck N/A N/A N/A $7.97 25.52

Hannover Ruck has lower revenue, but higher earnings than SiriusPoint. SiriusPoint is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hannover Ruck, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Hannover Ruck beats SiriusPoint on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About SiriusPoint

(Get Free Report)

SiriusPoint Ltd. provides multi-line insurance and reinsurance products and services worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Reinsurance, and Insurance & Services. The Reinsurance segment provides coverage to various product lines, which includes aviation and space, casualty, contingency, credit and bond, marine and energy, mortgage, and property to insurance and reinsurance companies, government entities, and other risk bearing vehicles. The Insurance & Services segment offers coverage to various product lines comprising accident and health, environmental, workers' compensation, and other lines of business, including a cross section of property and casualty lines. The company was formerly known as Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. and changed its name to SiriusPoint Ltd. in February 2021. SiriusPoint Ltd. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda.

About Hannover Ruck

(Get Free Report)

Hannover Ruck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services worldwide. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance, and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. The company offers property and casualty reinsurance solutions for agricultural, livestock, and bloodstock businesses; aviation and space businesses; catastrophe XL business; credit, surety, and political risks businesses; facultative business; and marine and offshore energy businesses, as well as insurance-linked securities and structured reinsurance. It also provides risk solutions in the areas of critical illness, disability, health, longevity, long term care, and mortality. In addition, the company offers group and individual retirement and lifestyle, credit life, and Takaful reinsurance products. Further, it provides various financial solutions, including new-business financing; monetization of embedded value; reserve and solvency relief; and divestiture of non-core businesses. The company was formerly known as Hannover Ruckversicherung AG and changed its name to Hannover Ruck SE in March 2013. The company was founded in 1966 and is based in Hanover, Germany. Hannover Ruck SE is a subsidiary of Talanx AG.

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California International Bank, N.A. (OTCMKTS:CAIB  Get Free Report) and Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk and dividends.

Volatility & Risk

California International Bank, N.A. has a beta of -0.95, indicating that its share price is 195% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Citigroup has a beta of 1.56, indicating that its share price is 56% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for California International Bank, N.A. and Citigroup, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score California International Bank, N.A. 0 0 0 0 N/A Citigroup 1 8 6 0 2.33

Earnings and Valuation

Citigroup has a consensus price target of $53.73, indicating a potential upside of 13.15%. Given Citigroups higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Citigroup is more favorable than California International Bank, N.A..

This table compares California International Bank, N.A. and Citigroups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio California International Bank, N.A. N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Citigroup $101.08 billion 0.91 $14.85 billion $6.31 7.53

Citigroup has higher revenue and earnings than California International Bank, N.A..

Profitability

This table compares California International Bank, N.A. and Citigroups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets California International Bank, N.A. N/A N/A N/A Citigroup 10.24% 6.80% 0.52%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

69.4% of Citigroup shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Citigroup shares are owned 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.

Summary

Citigroup beats California International Bank, N.A. on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About California International Bank, N.A.

(Get Free Report)

California International Bank, N.A. provides various banking products and services to personal and business customers in California. It offers checking accounts, savings and investment products, loans, ATM and debit cards, payment processing solutions, and online banking services. California International Bank, N.A. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Westminster, California.

About Citigroup

(Get Free Report)

Citigroup Inc., a diversified financial services holding company, provides various financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through three segments: Institutional Clients Group (ICG), Personal Banking and Wealth Management (PBWM), and Legacy Franchises. The ICG segment offers wholesale banking products and services, including fixed income and equity sales and trading, foreign exchange, prime brokerage, derivative, equity and fixed income research, corporate lending, investment banking and advisory, private banking, cash management, trade finance, and securities services to corporate, institutional, and public sector clients. The PBWM segment offers traditional banking services to retail and small business customers through retail banking, cash, rewards, value portfolios, and co-branded cards. It also provides various banking, credit cards, custody, trust, mortgages, home equity, small business, and personal consumer loans. The Legacy Franchises segment provides traditional retail banking and branded card products to retail and small business customers. The company was founded in 1812 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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Horizonte Minerals Plc (LON:HZM  Get Free Report) crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 94.60 ($1.21) and traded as high as GBX 166 ($2.13). Horizonte Minerals shares last traded at GBX 165 ($2.12), with a volume of 49,985 shares traded.

Horizonte Minerals Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of 428.97 million, a PE ratio of -8,250.00 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a quick ratio of 4.35, a current ratio of 7.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 59.55. The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 136.43 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 94.60.

About Horizonte Minerals

(Get Free Report)

Horizonte Minerals Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and development of mineral projects in Brazil. The company primarily explores for nickel deposits, as well as cobalt deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Araguaia ferronickel; and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt project in the eastern part of the Carajas mining district.

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AutoNation (NYSE:AN  Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by equities research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $174.00 to $171.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 9.63% from the stocks previous close.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Bank of America lifted their price target on AutoNation from $225.00 to $245.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Benchmark restated a buy rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of AutoNation in a research note on Monday. Guggenheim dropped their target price on AutoNation from $184.00 to $179.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. StockNews.com started coverage on AutoNation in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Stephens lifted their price target on AutoNation from $146.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $168.88.

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AutoNation Stock Up 2.3 %

AN opened at $155.98 on Monday. AutoNation has a twelve month low of $94.92 and a twelve month high of $182.08. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $153.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $138.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.47 and a beta of 1.14.

Insider Buying and Selling

AutoNation ( NYSE:AN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 21st. The company reported $6.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.91 by $0.38. The business had revenue of $6.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.78 billion. AutoNation had a return on equity of 58.35% and a net margin of 4.50%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $6.48 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that AutoNation will post 22.13 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 31,477 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.47, for a total value of $4,201,235.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 5,199,146 shares in the company, valued at $693,930,016.62. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 31,477 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.47, for a total value of $4,201,235.19. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,199,146 shares in the company, valued at approximately $693,930,016.62. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Michael Mark Manley acquired 7,000 shares of AutoNation stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $1,014,230.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 22,277 shares in the company, valued at $3,227,714.53. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 355,391 shares of company stock valued at $54,257,087 over the last three months. 0.69% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoNation

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AN. TFO TDC LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AutoNation during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 87.8% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 231 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoNation in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators raised its stake in shares of AutoNation by 106.3% in the 1st quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 458 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. 70.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Company Profile

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AutoNation, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; and parts and services, such as automotive repair and maintenance, and wholesale parts and collision services.

Further Reading

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Greene King plc (LON:GNK  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 849.20 ($10.89) and traded as high as GBX 849.40 ($10.89). Greene King shares last traded at GBX 849.20 ($10.89), with a volume of 6,678,342 shares.

Greene King Stock Up 0.0 %

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 849.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 849.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 111.89, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market capitalization of 2.63 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.94.

Greene King Company Profile

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Greene King plc operates as a pub retailer and brewer in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Pub Company, Pub Partners, and Brewing & Brands. Its brands include Greene King Local Pubs, Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill, Farmhouse Inns, and Chef & Brewer. The company is also involved in brewing, marketing, and selling beer under the Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, and Belhaven Best brands.

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Blackstone Mortgage Trust (NYSE:BXMT  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by stock analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $18.50 to $21.00 in a research note issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price suggests a potential downside of 10.79% from the companys previous close.

BXMT has been the topic of several other research reports. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $24.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $25.00 to $18.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, BTIG Research increased their price target on Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $19.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $21.40.

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Blackstone Mortgage Trust Stock Up 5.0 %

Shares of BXMT stock opened at $23.54 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.49 and a beta of 1.36. Blackstone Mortgage Trust has a 12-month low of $16.60 and a 12-month high of $31.46. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $20.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.07.

Insider Activity

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 2,275 shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.79, for a total value of $45,022.25. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 155,993 shares in the company, valued at $3,087,101.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . In other Blackstone Mortgage Trust news, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 2,275 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.79, for a total value of $45,022.25. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 155,993 shares in the company, valued at $3,087,101.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Also, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 4,549 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.36, for a total value of $83,519.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 159,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,927,098.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 9,880 shares of company stock worth $186,367 over the last quarter. 1.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 14.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 60,571 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,926,000 after buying an additional 7,506 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 11.8% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 18,508 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $588,000 after buying an additional 1,957 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its position in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 43.2% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 12,607 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $401,000 after buying an additional 3,802 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 50.6% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 82,945 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,637,000 after buying an additional 27,873 shares during the period. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $200,000. 53.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Blackstone Mortgage Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc, a real estate finance company, originates senior loans collateralized by commercial properties in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company, together with its subsidiaries, originates and acquires commercial mortgage loans and related investments. It operates as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes.

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D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI  Free Report) had its price target upped by Argus from $135.00 to $145.00 in a research report report published on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. Argus currently has a buy rating on the construction companys stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Barclays lifted their price target on D.R. Horton from $138.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on D.R. Horton from $76.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. StockNews.com started coverage on D.R. Horton in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Bank of America raised their price objective on D.R. Horton from $122.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a market perform rating on shares of D.R. Horton in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $135.50.

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D.R. Horton Price Performance

Shares of DHI opened at $128.64 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 6.97. D.R. Horton has a one year low of $66.01 and a one year high of $132.30. The stocks fifty day moving average is $116.88 and its 200-day moving average is $104.93.

D.R. Horton Dividend Announcement

D.R. Horton ( NYSE:DHI Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The construction company reported $3.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.82 by $1.08. The firm had revenue of $9.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.27 billion. D.R. Horton had a return on equity of 23.31% and a net margin of 14.07%. D.R. Hortons revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $4.67 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that D.R. Horton will post 11.78 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 7th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 4th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.78%. D.R. Hortons dividend payout ratio is 7.11%.

Insider Activity at D.R. Horton

In other news, COO Paul J. Romanowski sold 40,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.16, for a total transaction of $4,486,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 84,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,451,498.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, COO Paul J. Romanowski sold 40,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.16, for a total transaction of $4,486,400.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 84,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,451,498.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Michael J. Murray sold 54,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.21, for a total value of $5,951,340.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 257,294 shares in the company, valued at $28,356,371.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 126,000 shares of company stock worth $14,207,660 in the last ninety days. 0.61% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of D.R. Horton

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DHI. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its position in shares of D.R. Horton by 0.5% in the first quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 20,300 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,983,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC boosted its position in shares of D.R. Horton by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 13,083 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,278,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in D.R. Horton by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 25,531 shares of the construction companys stock worth $88,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its holdings in D.R. Horton by 26.3% in the 1st quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 490 shares of the construction companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC raised its stake in D.R. Horton by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 7,728 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $755,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. 86.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About D.R. Horton

(Get Free Report)

D.R. Horton, Inc operates as a homebuilding company in East, North, Southeast, South Central, Southwest, and Northwest regions in the United States. It engages in the acquisition and development of land; and construction and sale of residential homes in 106 markets across 33 states under the names of D.R.

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Owens Corning (NYSE:OC  Get Free Report) was upgraded by Royal Bank of Canada from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report released on Thursday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on OC. Benchmark lowered Owens Corning from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Loop Capital lifted their price target on Owens Corning from $125.00 to $138.00 in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Citigroup boosted their target price on Owens Corning from $132.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Owens Corning from $102.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Owens Corning from $127.00 to $152.00 in a report on Friday, July 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $127.69.

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Owens Corning Trading Up 6.0 %

Shares of OC stock opened at $138.64 on Thursday. Owens Corning has a fifty-two week low of $74.22 and a fifty-two week high of $139.45. The company has a market cap of $12.49 billion, a PE ratio of 10.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.86. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $121.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $105.78.

Insider Buying and Selling at Owens Corning

Owens Corning ( NYSE:OC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The construction company reported $4.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.25 by $0.97. Owens Corning had a return on equity of 26.06% and a net margin of 13.54%. The company had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.83 EPS. Owens Cornings revenue was down 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Owens Corning will post 11.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Owens Corning news, insider Gunner Smith sold 6,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.01, for a total transaction of $793,569.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 31,153 shares in the company, valued at $3,582,906.53. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Daniel T. Smith sold 3,670 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.11, for a total value of $389,423.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 46,811 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,967,115.21. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Gunner Smith sold 6,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.01, for a total transaction of $793,569.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 31,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,582,906.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Owens Corning

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Owens Corning by 3.7% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,301,672 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $338,154,000 after buying an additional 155,155 shares during the last quarter. Davis Selected Advisers lifted its stake in shares of Owens Corning by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Davis Selected Advisers now owns 3,608,040 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $307,766,000 after buying an additional 234,900 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Owens Corning by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,345,967 shares of the construction companys stock worth $291,106,000 after purchasing an additional 210,192 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Owens Corning by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,406,960 shares of the construction companys stock worth $230,575,000 after purchasing an additional 37,793 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Owens Corning by 25.1% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,233,829 shares of the construction companys stock worth $209,578,000 after purchasing an additional 448,175 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.43% of the companys stock.

About Owens Corning

(Get Free Report)

Owens Corning engages in manufacture and sale of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composite materials in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing. The Composites segment manufactures, fabricates, and sells glass reinforcements in the form of fiber; and glass fiber products in the form of fabrics, non-wovens, and other specialized products.

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Owens Corning (NYSE:OC  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by equities researchers at Barclays from $161.00 to $185.00 in a report issued on Thursday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Barclayss price objective points to a potential upside of 33.44% from the companys previous close.

OC has been the topic of several other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Owens Corning from $102.00 to $110.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Bank of America raised their price target on Owens Corning from $127.00 to $152.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. StockNews.com started coverage on Owens Corning in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of Owens Corning from $142.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Owens Corning from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $135.00 to $168.00 in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $130.23.

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Owens Corning Stock Up 6.0 %

OC stock opened at $138.64 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.86. The company has a fifty day moving average of $121.79 and a 200-day moving average of $105.78. Owens Corning has a one year low of $74.22 and a one year high of $139.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.49 billion, a PE ratio of 10.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.46.

Insider Activity at Owens Corning

Owens Corning ( NYSE:OC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The construction company reported $4.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.25 by $0.97. Owens Corning had a net margin of 13.54% and a return on equity of 26.06%. The business had revenue of $2.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.83 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Owens Corning will post 11.41 EPS for the current year.

In other Owens Corning news, insider Gunner Smith sold 6,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.01, for a total value of $793,569.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 31,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,582,906.53. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Owens Corning news, insider Gunner Smith sold 6,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.01, for a total value of $793,569.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 31,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,582,906.53. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Daniel T. Smith sold 3,670 shares of Owens Corning stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.11, for a total value of $389,423.70. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 46,811 shares in the company, valued at $4,967,115.21. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Owens Corning

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in OC. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Owens Corning during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the first quarter worth about $27,000. Tobam bought a new position in Owens Corning in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Owens Corning during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in shares of Owens Corning by 87.8% in the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 353 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. 93.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Owens Corning Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Owens Corning engages in manufacture and sale of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composite materials in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing. The Composites segment manufactures, fabricates, and sells glass reinforcements in the form of fiber; and glass fiber products in the form of fabrics, non-wovens, and other specialized products.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by stock analysts at Barclays from $1,885.00 to $1,950.00 in a research note issued on Thursday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Barclayss price objective would indicate a potential downside of 6.51% from the companys current price.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on CMG. BTIG Research raised their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,825.00 to $2,175.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,875.00 to $2,050.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Wedbush raised their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,200.00 to $2,300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,050.00 to $2,200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,800.00 to $1,950.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-one have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,158.61.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

NYSE:CMG opened at $2,085.72 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $57.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $2,075.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1,819.87. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a one year low of $1,344.05 and a one year high of $2,175.01.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The restaurant operator reported $10.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.89 by $1.61. The business had revenue of $2.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.34 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 45.01%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.70 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 44.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Laurie Schalow sold 3,658 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,066.73, for a total transaction of $7,560,098.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,383,237.01. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Laurie Schalow sold 3,658 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,066.73, for a total transaction of $7,560,098.34. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,383,237.01. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,077 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,055.00, for a total transaction of $2,213,235.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at $47,978,085. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 9,528 shares of company stock valued at $19,738,136 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Elequin Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 20 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 350.0% in the 1st quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 18 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 90.0% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 19 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 9 shares during the last quarter. 91.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 28, 2023 - 06:45 | World, All

North Korea staged a military parade Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said, adding it was not immediately known whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the event.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was expected to observe the parade, the country's Defense Ministry said earlier in the day. It marks the first time for a Russian government representative to join a North Korean military parade under Kim's leadership, according to South Korean officials.

The parade is believed to be held at Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square, named after the nation's founder and the current leader's grandfather. Li Hongzhong, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Political Bureau, who is leading the country's delegation, may have also attended it.

Pyongyang last staged a military parade in February to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Kim on Thursday saying that soldiers from the former Soviet Union and North Korea fought in the war together and calling the historical experience a cornerstone of bilateral relations, according to the presidential office.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told a ceremony marking the armistice anniversary in Busan that Seoul will never forget the sacrifices made by the U.N. forces in the 1950-53 Korean War.

South Korea will not forget its gratitude toward troops of allied nations, "who risked their lives and rushed to us in our time of difficulty," Yoon said, according to Yonhap.

In the war, which began on June 25, 1950, with a North Korean invasion aimed at unification under the Communist regime, U.N. forces led by the United States fought alongside South Korea against the North that was supported by China and the Soviet Union.

On Wednesday, Kim Jong Un held talks with Shoigu and showed him around an arms exhibition held in the capital, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

Photos released Thursday by KCNA showed Kim and Shoigu at the exhibition that featured weaponry including solid-fuel Hwasong-18 and other intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as a new drone. Korean Central Television footage showed the drone shot two missiles.

It is rare for the North Korean leader to host a senior foreign military official at a location where the nation's advanced weapons are on display.

The talks between Kim and Shoigu marked the Asian leader's first contact with a senior foreign official since June 30, 2019, when he met then U.S. President Donald Trump at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas.

KCNA reported that during the meeting with Shoigu a day ahead of the anniversary, the two sides reached a consensus after exchanging views on matters of mutual concern in the field of national defense and security, and on the regional and international security environment.

Kim expressed his views on the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to "safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries from the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists and to realize international justice and peace," it added.

Kim attended a celebratory performance that started at midnight Wednesday with the Russian delegation and a Chinese group led by Li, who handed a personal letter from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Kim, the news agency added. Shoigu also delivered a letter from Putin to Kim.

The North Korean leader said his country's people will never forget that Chinese troops "shed blood to bring about the war victory" and affirmed that Pyongyang will "further strengthen the friendship and solidarity with the fraternal Chinese people," KCNA said.

Pyongyang claims the Korean War ended in victory over U.S.-led allied forces. The delegations from Russia and China, which like North Korea are embroiled in tensions with the United States, are the first known foreign groups to be invited to Pyongyang since the country's 2020 COVID-19 border closure.

North Korea has openly backed the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Washington claims Pyongyang has supplied arms for use in the war to Moscow, but the Asian country denies the allegation.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 27, 2023 - 10:46 | All, World, Japan

Japan and France on Thursday began their first-ever joint fighter jet drills as part of efforts to boost their security partnership amid China's growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Three F-15 and two F-2 fighter jets from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and two Rafale fighters from the French Air and Space Force will conduct training until Saturday in the southwestern Japan skies near Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, the ASDF said.

The fighter planes, accompanied by an aerial fueling plane and a transport aircraft from each country, also plan to fly above the Kanto region, which centers on Tokyo, according to the ASDF.

The Rafale warplanes arrived at the Nyutabaru base on Wednesday, welcomed by ASDF Chief of Staff Hiroaki Uchikura and senior officers from the French military.

The exercises come as France and other NATO members have been expanding their defense cooperation with Tokyo, with the trans-Atlantic alliance becoming more vigilant of Beijing's military buildup and provocative behavior in the East and South China seas, among other areas.

Since last year, the ASDF has held joint fighter jet exercises in Japan with Germany and India. It will also host similar training with Italy from next week and Australia from late August.
China News Service: On July 26, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said while meeting the press in Tonga that China engaged in problematic behavior, predatory economic activities and investments that promote corruption in this region. Besides Blinken, many US senior officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also visited Pacific island countries recently. Some interpreted it as the USs effort of increasing influence in the region to counter Chinas presence. Whats your comment?

Mao Ning: The cooperation between China and Pacific island countries is open and transparent and fully respects countries sovereignty and will. We never attach any political strings and never target any third party. The cooperation has been welcomed and recognized by governments and peoples of Pacific island countries.

Pacific island countries are not the backyard of any country. China is not interested in competing with any country for influence, or seeking the so-called geopolitical presence or sphere of influence. We hope that the US will provide genuine support for Pacific island countries and contribute to their development and stability.

Phoenix TV: The US Senate just passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would require US companies to notify Washington about high-tech investments in China and other countries of concern. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: We firmly oppose the US slipping negative China-related content into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The economic cooperation between China and the US is mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. Arbitrarily placing curbs for normal investment activities in the industrial community and private sectors violates the principle of market economy, disrupts the global industrial and supply chains and will only end up hurting the US investors.

TASS: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Ankara yesterday. Did the two sides talk about the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and the Black Sea grain deal during the meeting? Can you share more information?

Mao Ning: Yesterday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Ankara. Director Wang Yi also held talks with the Turkish Foreign Minister. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. As for the Ukraine crisis and the Black Sea grain deal, the two sides agreed that these issues should be settled properly through dialogue and negotiation.

Jiji Press: Before COVID-19 hit, China provided unilateral 15-day visa-free policy for citizens from Japan, Singapore and Brunei. On July 26, China resumed the visa-free policy for Singapore and Brunei without stressing reciprocity. Why has China not resumed the visa-free policy for Japanese citizens?

Mao Ning: We are in communication with Japan to further facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.

Reuters: China will hold the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October. Will Russian President Vladimir Putin visit China? Can the foreign ministry share more details?

Mao Ning: The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held this year, and we are in communication on this with our partners for the Belt and Road cooperation. Regarding the specific visit you mentioned, I have no information to offer at this moment.

AFP: A coup happened in Niger, an African country. Whats your comment?

Mao Ning: We are closely following the development of the situation in Niger, and have noted the statements by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States on this. China calls on relevant parties in Niger to act in the fundamental interest of the country and its people, solve differences peacefully through dialogue, restore order at an early date, and safeguard the overall peace, stability and development of the nation.

Asahi Shimbun: Yesterday, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress Li Hongzhong visited the DPRK. Will he meet with Chairman Kim Jong-un?

Mao Ning: We will release information in a timely manner. Please check back for updates.

Reuters: Pakistans Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that China has rolled over a USD 2.4 billion loan to Islamabad for a period of two years. Can you confirm whether China has rolled over the loan and if so, what are the terms and conditions?

Mao Ning: I would like to refer you to the competent authorities for the details. More broadly, China and Pakistan are engaged in close economic and financial cooperation to help the country achieve stable and sustainable development.
TRIPOLI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations (UN) mission in Libya warned on Wednesday against unilateral moves to resolve the country's political stalemate after the Libyan House of Representatives approved a roadmap on parliamentary and presidential elections and announced the nomination of a new government.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement that the mission "takes note of the approval of a roadmap and the announcement of nominations for a new government by the House of Representatives. The Mission has repeatedly warned against unilateral initiatives in addressing the political stalemate in Libya."

The political process in Libya is at a critical stage that requires an inclusive political agreement with the buy-in and participation of all major stakeholders, the statement said.

"Unilateral actions, like similar attempts seen in the past, could inflict serious negative consequences for Libya and trigger further instability and violence. The country is already suffering from deep divisions, and such moves could cause further polarization amongst the population, who have been suffering for over a decade," the statement added.

The UNSMIL warned against all actions that undermine the people's continuous demands for national elections and finally bring legitimacy to Libyan institutions in a peaceful and democratic manner.

The UN mission also reiterated its calls to all Libyan actors to "draw lessons from the past and come together in a spirit of compromise." 
[July 26, 2023] Shareholder Alert: Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP Announces the Filing of Securities Class Action Lawsuit Against Seagate Technology Holdings plc Tweet

Today, prominent investor rights law firm Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP ("BLB&G") filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging violations of federal securities laws by Seagate Technology Holdings plc ("Seagate" or the "Company") and certain of the Company's senior executives (collectively, "Defendants"). The action is brought on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Seagate common stock between September 15, 2020 and October 25, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The complaint expands the allegations that were asserted in a previously filed related securities class action pending against Seagate captioned UA Local 38 Defined Contribution Pension Plan v. Seagate Technology Holdings plc, No. 3:23-cv-03431 (N.D. Cal.). BLB&G filed this action on behalf of its client, the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi, and the case is captioned Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi v. Seagate Technology Holdings plc, No. 23-cv-3711 (N.D. Cal.). The complaint is based on an extensive investigation and a careful evaluation of the merits of this case. A copy of the complaint is available on BLB&G's website by clicking here. Seagate's Alleged Fraud Headquartered in Fremont, California, Seagate is a provider of data storage technology and infrastructure solutions. Among other things, Seagate manufactures and designs mass-capacity hard disk drives ("HDDs"), which contain sensitive U.S. semiconductor components. On May 16, 2019, telecommunications company Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. ("Huawei") was added to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security's ("BIS") Entity List ("Entity List"), following a determination that the administration had deemed Huawei a threat to national security. Huawei's designation on the Entity List meant that companies manufacturing products containing certain U.S.-origin components that were subject to the Export Administration Regulations were required to obtain a special license from IS for the export, reexport, and transfer of all such products, where Huawei or any of its affiliates were end users in the transaction. In August of 2020, BIS amended its restrictions to "narrowly and strategically target Huawei's acquisition of semiconductors that are the direct product of certain U.S. software and technology."



The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Seagate repeatedly assured investors that the Company was in compliance with all U.S. export control and sanctions laws. Seagate maintained that its HDDs were not subject to the U.S. Department of Commerce's sanctions against Huawei, even as its only competitors, Western Digital and Toshiba, had ceased HDD sales to Huawei to comply with the sanctions. Seagate also reported significant growth in HDD sales, which it attributed to significant and growing demand for HDDs and other legitimate business factors. These misrepresentations caused the price of Seagate common stock to trade at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period. The truth emerged through a series of disclosures beginning on October 26, 2021, when a group of U.S. senators from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (the "Senate Committee") released a report urging BIS to take action against Seagate for its illicit sales to Huawei. In response, Seagate announced that the Company had ceased HDD sales to Huawei. Throughout 2022, Seagate repeatedly reported earnings that were below expectations and lowered revenue and earnings guidance, which the Company attributed to "disruption in the Chinese market" and lower demand in China. Then, on October 26, 2022, Seagate announced that it had received a Proposed Charging Letter from BIS alleging violations of the U.S. export controls and sanctions laws. That same day, Seagate reported that its HDD sales had plummeted by 26% for its fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2022. These disclosures caused the price of Seagate common stock to decline by $4.61 per share, or nearly 8%.

Then, after the end of the Class Period, on April 19, 2023, BIS announced that it had imposed a $300 million civil penalty against Seagate for violating the ban on HDD sales to Huawei-the largest standalone administrative resolution in the agency's history. According to the order that BIS issued imposing the civil penalty, through its investigation BIS determined that between August 2020 and September 2021, Seagate sold 7.4 million HDDs to Huawei, which were valued at more than $1.1 billion. The filing of this action does not alter the previously established deadline to seek appointment as Lead Plaintiff. Pursuant to the July 10, 2023 notice published in connection with the UA Local 38 action, under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Seagate common stock during the Class Period may, no later than September 8, 2023, seek to be appointed as Lead Plaintiff for the Class. Any member of the proposed Class may seek to serve as Lead Plaintiff through counsel of their choice or may choose to do nothing and remain a member of the proposed Class. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact Scott R. Foglietta of BLB&G at 212-554-1903, or via e-mail at [email protected]. About BLB&G BLB&G is widely recognized worldwide as a leading law firm advising institutional investors on issues related to corporate governance, shareholder rights, and securities litigation. Since its founding in 1983, BLB&G has built an international reputation for excellence and integrity and pioneered the use of the litigation process to achieve precedent-setting governance reforms. Unique among its peers, BLB&G has obtained several of the largest and most significant securities recoveries in history, recovering over $37 billion on behalf of defrauded investors. More information about the firm can be found online at www.blbglaw.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726970177/en/

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[July 26, 2023] Hollyland's VenusLiv: The Ultimate Camera for Live Streaming Tweet

Hollyland's First Camera: Perfect Focus, No Overheating, and User friendly News Highlights Hollyland's first live streaming camera

Innovative cooling system for robust stability during long use

RTMP and UVC capabilities

Fully automatic, high-speed follow focus

Advanced color tuning for accurate color rendition

5-inch touch screen, 6x hybrid zoom

Hollyland's self-developed powerful HollyOS system

Horizontal & vertical live output SHENZHEN, China, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollyland has entered the live stream camera niche market with VenusLiv. This camera is designed specifically for live shopping, online courses, podcasting, and more, with features that ensure it stands out from the market. VenusLiv combines convenience, quality, and innovation to offer the ultimate live streaming experience. Nowadays, live streaming has been increasingly popular, and for individuals as well as small- and medium-sized teams, setting up a professional live streaming environment could be costly and time-consuming, while smartphones are unlikely to meet the demand for high image quality and flexible expansibility. Hollyland developed VenusLiv to address these challenges. VenusLiv is ideal for small- and medium-sized indoor live streaming teams, especially for live shopping, who want to deliver high-quality content without the hassle of complex equipment setup and operation. VenusLiv provides a convenient and professional live streaming experience. RTMP and UVC Streaming with Great Convenience VenusLiv supports Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) which is a communication technology that is ideal for live video streaming over the internet, as it delivers low-latency and high-quality video and audio. With this key capability for live streaming, users can easily stram content on numerous platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram*, Twitter, and more.



The built-in USB video class (UVC) capability means there is no need for a an external capture card. Users can simply connect VenusLiv to their computer via USB 3.0 and start streaming directly. Good Stability During Long-Term Streaming

Unlike other video cameras or smartphones, VenusLiv can be used for a long time without overheating, thanks to its advanced aerospace-grade heat dissipation system. This ensures seamless, uninterrupted live streaming with no risk of performance issues, like shutdown, stuttering and malfunctions, or damage to the camera or battery. VenusLiv also supports dual charging options  DC power and NP-F battery, allowing for uninterrupted 24/7 live streaming. Automatic, High-Speed Follow Focus and Advanced Color Tuning The hybrid autofocus capability of VenusLiv uses phase and contrast methods to quickly focus on foreground objects, ensuring images always stay sharp and clear, even when using the 6x zoom (3x optical zoom, 2x digital zoom) through adjustable aperture. Users can also adjust the focus manually, using either the bright 600nit 5" touch screen or the focus ring on the camera. The powerful, easy-to-use HollyOS system, plus effortless focus adjustments and frame monitoring always ensures users can capture exactly the shot they want. VenusLiv has a unique color tuning feature that allows users to adjust the appearance of the actor or character without changing the color of other items. For example, this can beautify the streamer while preserving the true appearance of a product. A Breakthrough in Live Streaming Technology VenusLiv is a breakthrough that reflects the craftsmanship and innovation of Hollyland's R&D team. It is designed for live streaming and perfectly meets the live shopping niche market requirements. Hollyland is also working on building a live streaming base in multiple countries in the Asia Pacific region to provide a better live streaming experience. Hollyland is already well known for wireless products including wireless video transmission systems, wireless intercoms, and wireless microphones. VenusLiv is an important step that helps Hollyland expand its video shooting ecosystem. There's no heat, no hassle, no compromise: VenusLiv delivers high-quality live streaming with ease. Now Hollyland's project chain is enhanced, and it'll become even more complete in the future. Hollyland's goal is to provide the most convenient shooting experience for all content creators. Pricing and Availability

VenusLiv: $999 Hollyland official website: https://www.hollyland.com/product/venusliv *When live streaming on Instagram and Twitch, third-party software is required to get the link and encryption key. ABOUT HOLLYLAND TECHNOLOGY Shenzhen Hollyland Technology Co., Ltd. has been empowering global customers with professional solutions for wireless data, audio and video transmission, and wireless intercom  since 2013. Visit https://www.hollyland.com/, Hollyland Facebook, Hollyland Instagram. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/hollylands-venusliv-the-ultimate-camera-for-live-streaming-301886612.html SOURCE Hollyland Technology

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[July 26, 2023] Embedded Finance to unlock US$242 Billion in opportunity across Asia Pacific by 2025: Visa Tweet

Lending, deposits and payments emerge as top use cases for Embedded Finance in the region SINGAPORE, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Embedded Finance will unlock US$242 billion in revenue opportunity across Asia Pacific by 2025 across small businesses (SMBs) and consumer segments, according to the latest Visa study[1]. Embedded Finance, or the integration of financial services into non-financial platforms, brings significant possibilities for innovation and business growth within Asia Pacific, from improving the customer experience to enabling seamless access to financial services for consumers and businesses, on everyday digital platforms. Lending is set to emerge as the top use case for Embedded Finance (US$141 billion), followed by deposits (US$56 billion) and payments (US$41 billion)[2]. SMB lending alone will comprise the majority of the opportunity within embedded lending, unlocking more than US$115 billion of addressable market value. "Embedded Finance represents a transformative opportunity for financial service and technology providers as well as software and digital providers in Asia Pacific. Financial institutions are not only taking notice, they are investing in building a new and differentiated Embedded Finance experience today across verticals such as embedded issuing, lending and payments," said TR Ramachandran, Head of Products and Solutions, Asia Pacific, Visa. "We will continue to expand our offerings and partner with banks, fintechs, platform providers and merchants across the value chain, ensuring cost-efficiency while capturing growth opportunities and driving innovation. Together, we can pave the way for sustainable growth and shape what's next for consumers and businesses in the Embedded Finance space." Enhancing overall customer experience through seamless integration of financial services Customer expectations for relevant and user-friendly financial services have resulted in traditional banks, merchants and platforms embracing the Embedded Finance space to stay competitive. Setting up core banking products within non-financial platforms enables businesses to enhance the customer journey by providing supplementary products or services that may not have been previously accessible to customers. For instance, banks can embed their services into popular non-financial platforms such as ride-sharing, messaging or business software applications. This accelerates expansion into new customer segments beyond those accessible via their traditional banking channels and is also an alternate distribution network that drives scale and a more cost-effective acquisition strategy for banks. Additionally, merchants and business-facing platforms can leverage Embedded Finance solutions to offer customers more seamless experiences  eliminating the need for customers to navigate to external channels to complete payments or sign up for new financial services separately. Navigating challenges on the path to growth and innovation While a dynamic market opportunity exists, industry players must adeptly navigate this burgeoning space in light of growing responsibilities in areas such as data privacy, regulatory requirements, and drop in brand saliency and differentiation. Navigation through these areas is critical to maximising the valuable opportunities presented by Embedded Finance. Bringing Embedded Finance to life Most recently, Visa announced a partnership with SAP to embed payments into the SAP ecosystem through SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), enabling further automation and efficiency of business-to-business (B2B) payments for businesses in Asia Pacific. Visa estimates that opportunities to digitise B2B payment flows today represent more than US$50 trillion across Asia Pacific[3]. "Over the next few years, we foresee that financial institutions will need to redefine their go-to-market strategy to meet evolving customer needs and tap into the massive market opportunity provided by Embedded Finance," said Prateek Sanghi, Head of Visa Consulting and Analytics, Asia Pacific, Visa. "For banks and businesses to stay competitive in this new era of financial services, they must strike the right partnerships to drive scale while building best-in-class solutions for customers and businesses." With Visa's robust capabilities and strategic partnerships, all participants of the Embedded Finance ecosystem, from banks, non-financial institutions, fintechs, merchants to solution providers, have access to a comprehensive suite of financial solutions to support their diverse needs to capitalise on the rapid growth of Embedded Finance in Asia Pacific. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.







[1] Total addressable revenue across small businesses and consumer banking in Embedded Finance and assumes 100% adoption and share of wallet of banking revenues; large enterprise B2B segment opportunity is not in scope. Source: Visa commissioned research for Embedded Finance by BCG Digital Ventures (Nov 2022) [2] Visa commissioned research for Embedded Finance by BCG Digital Ventures (Nov 2022) [3] Based on research and analysis by Visa in conjunction with McKinsey, conducted in 2020

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SEOUL, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Sentiment among South Korean manufacturers over economic situation worsened in July amid the lingering economic uncertainty, central bank data showed Thursday.

The business survey index (BSI) for manufacturers stood at 72 in July, down one point from the prior month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

It reflected the remaining concerns about economic slowdown, caused by the continued export fall and the property market slump.

The BSI among non-manufacturers retreated one point from a month earlier to 76 in July, while the BSI in all industries declined two points to 74.

The index below 100 indicates pessimists outnumbering optimists. It was based on a survey of 1,606 manufacturers and 1,096 non-manufacturers conducted between July 12 and July 19.

Manufacturers picked economic uncertainty, domestic demand sluggishness and export fall as key barriers to doing business, while non-manufacturers selected uncertain economic situations, domestic demand slowdown and higher labor costs.

The economic sentiment index (ESI), which reflects sentiment among both businesses and consumers, stood at 94.1 in July, down 1.6 points from the previous month. 
[July 27, 2023] SatSure Partners with Rabo Partnerships to Revolutionize Cash Flow-based Lending for Smallholder Farmers Tweet

BENGALURU, India, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SatSure , a global leader in EO space data applications, is pleased to announce its partnership with Rabo Partnerships. This strategic collaboration aims to drive the access to cash-flow based lending for smallholder farmers globally. By leveraging SatSure's cutting-edge technology and Rabo Partnerships' expertise in financial services, this partnership will tackle the challenges banks face and facilitate financial inclusion for unbanked farmers. The alliance aligns with SatSure's Banking Solution, SatSure Sage, a suite of applications designed to empower lending institutions in making intelligent decisions in agricultural loan management. By harnessing the power of satellite data, location intelligence, and Machine Learning, SatSure Sage bridges information gaps and enables lending institutions to scale operations while reducing costs. Simultaneously, it enables farmers access to credit through alternate data for banks to assess risk of lending, even in the absence of the necessary data points. "Rabo Partnerships is pleased to work with SatSure to increase farmer livelihoods and sustainable Agricultural Finance across the globe!" says David Gerbrands (Global Head Advisory and Inclusive Business Ventures at Rabo Partnerships). "SatSure's and Rabo Partnerships' combined technology, network and capabilities will allow us to help financial institutions strengthen their risk management, collection, and portfolio growth to the agricultural sector, including small holder farmers." Mr Prateep Basu, Founder &am; CEO of SatSure, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Leveraging our relationship with banks, we are certain that this collaboration will empower the agri-lending ecosystem to create innovative financial products for unbanked farmers based on the cash flow model rather than traditional land-based collateral, where digitization is still work in progress."



This global partnership will address several challenges faced by banks when developing lending products, including: Continuous monitoring of crop health, stress and associated parameters which impact crop performance and farmer's income potential

Farmer credit access problems in developing countries

Providing alternate data through SatSure's data products for banks to onboard new to credit and new to bank farmers

Efficient risk monitoring and mitigation for post loan disbursement with insights from satellite imagery

Efficient planning of loan collections driven by insights from satellite imagery About Rabo Partnerships

Rabo Partnerships is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rabobank Group, focused on creating structural impact through improvement of financial inclusion, private sector development and food security. Drawing on the capabilities of the Rabobank Group, Rabo Partnerships contributes with knowledge, networks, digital solutions, impact finance and investments to partnerships for improving rural development and agricultural sectors in emerging economies. Rabo Partnerships focusses on two out of the three transitions Rabobank wants to contribute to: A More Inclusive Society & Food Transition. Our strong conviction is that we can only grow a better world together in partnership with public and private sector partners. For more information, go to Rabo Partnerships - Rabobank . About SatSure: SatSure is a Bangalore-based startup at the forefront of solving rural financial inclusion challenges using data from space. SatSure has developed innovative solutions by merging the power of satellite image analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. It is building India's highest resolution optical and multi-spectral satellite fleet, and currently offers solutions across the agriculture, BFSI, aviation, utilities, and renewable sectors. SatSure has two international subsidiary offices in the U.S. and the U.K., and is backed by Baring Private Equity Partners India and Asian Development Bank Ventures as investors. SatSure has played a pivotal role in contributing to the digital journeys of some of India's top banks lending to farmers. Notably, HDFC, ICICI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, who are the esteemed clients of SatSure, have also invested in the organization. SatSure has also launched a joint product in November 2022 with Transunion CIBIL, further highlighting the company's commitment to fostering the maturity of SatSure Sage's products for financial inclusion of smallholder farmers. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2162475/SatSure_Rabo_Partnerships.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2162476/Satsure_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/satsure-partners-with-rabo-partnerships-to-revolutionize-cash-flow-based-lending-for-smallholder-farmers-301886552.html

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[July 27, 2023] China Telecom Honoured with Gold Award of "Best Corporate ESG Strategy in China" by FinanceAsia Tweet

HONG KONG, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China Telecom Corporation Limited ("China Telecom" or "the Company"; HKEx: 00728; SSE: 601728) is pleased to announce that the Company was voted by investors and financial analysts as Gold Award of "Best Corporate ESG Strategy in China" at the "Asia's Best Managed Companies Poll 2023" by FinanceAsia, a reputable financial magazine in Asia.



This is the 23rd year that FinanceAsia conducts "Asia's Best Managed Companies" poll. This year, the poll received votes from influential investors and financial analysts from Asia for their views on listed companies on the criteria including overall management, corporate governance, investor relations and corporate social responsibility to elect the best managed companies in Asia.

China Telecom's numerous awards accredited by FinanceAsia and other similar top competitions over the years mark the endorsement by the investment community for their appreciation on China Telecom's continuous and consistent outstanding management performance, corporate governance and investor relations with high regards for its consistently strong execution capability and transparency that are leading in APAC region. China Telecom would like to sincerely thank the capital market, investors and analysts for their support, trust and commendation all along. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/china-telecom-honoured-with-gold-award-of-best-corporate-esg-strategy-in-china-by-financeasia-301887111.html SOURCE China Telecom Corporation Limited

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[July 27, 2023] Re.juve's New Cold-Pressed Almond Milk Packs Unrivalled 18% Almond Content Tweet

SINGAPORE, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its reputation as a leading cold-pressed juice brand, Re.juve is introducing a unique range of Almond Milk to its lineup. The new dairy alternatives include Almond Milk, Chocolate Almond High, and Cafe Almond Latte, all of which are created without artificial preservatives or additives, making them healthier and more sustainable choices for consumers seeking plant-based options. Nicholas Johannes, Director of Great Giant Foods Southeast Asia, stated, "Re.juve is setting the bar high in the market with our Almond Milk. We boast nine times the almond content, one of the highest in the market, all achieved with a minimalistic approach of just six ingredients. This commitment to simplicity reflects our unwavering dedication to our customers' health and well-being." Re.juve's Almond Mlk stands apart in its category with a remarkable 18% almond content, which is up to nine times more than popular brands that offer only 2% to 3.5% almond content. This commitment to high almond content ensures a richness and flavour unparalleled in the market.



Additionally, Re.juve's Almond Milk presents a clean and transparent ingredient profile, excluding added vegetable oil and maltodextrin. Its ingredient list comprises only six meticulously selected components, reflecting their commitment to a natural formulation. The unique characteristics of Re.juve's Almond Milk include:

Contributing to 25% of daily fibre requirements per bottle. Each bottle contains 6.8g of fibre, aiding digestion and overall well-being.

Being packed with essential nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium in every serving.

Offering a creamy and delightful option for those seeking dairy-free beverages. Experience the Almond Milk at any of the four Re.juve storesGreat World City, i12 Katong, JEM and CapitaSpringacross Singapore and online at www.rejuve.sg. For a limited time, customers can enjoy a special introductory offer to celebrate the launch. Contact

Media Relations

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +65 6738 6772 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/rejuves-new-cold-pressed-almond-milk-packs-unrivalled-18-almond-content-301887166.html SOURCE Re.juve Singapore

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[July 27, 2023] Quectel Announces SC696S LTE Cat 4 Smart Module Series Targeting Applications Requiring High Data Rates and Rich Multimedia Functions Tweet

Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, has launched the SC696S series of multi-mode smart LTE modules equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Designed to support multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, ensuring exceptional performance and reliability, Quectel's latest generation of multi-mode smart LTE Cat 4 modules empower a wide array of applications with its built-in Linux operating system. Leveraging the power of the Qualcomm QCM6125 System-on-Chip (SoC) for IoT from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., accompanied by a built-in Qualcomm Adreno 610 GPU, this series delivers unparalleled processing capabilities and enhances the efficiency of diverse IoT use cases. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727183224/en/ Quectel Announces SC696S LTE Cat 4 smart module series targeting applications requiring high data rates and rich multimedia functions (Photo: Business Wire) In addition, the adoption of MIMO technology enables the concurrent use of multiple antennas at the receiver end on the same frequency which minimizes bit error rate and optimizes data speed, improving communication quality. The modules also support a multi-constellation GNSS receiver for applications that require fast and accurate positioning. "We're delighted to launch the Quectel SC696S series of multi-mode modules which offer outstanding performance for a wide range of applications that demand high quality communication," said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions. "The modules are ideal for a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications that require high data rates and rich multimedia functions. We're proud to bring the high-performance processing power of the Qualcomm QCM6125 SOC plus the graphics processing capability of Adreno 610 GPU to purchasers of the SC696S series of Quectel modules." The module has been designed to support a wide range of applications ranging from smart cash registers and point of sale (POS) devices through to tax control machines, on-board equipment, robots, smart home devices, industrial handheld equipment, wearables, vending machines and other smart hardware. To support thse use cases, the module offers LCM, camera, touch panel, UART, USB, I2C, I2S and SPI interfaces and can support a maximum of six cameras, two of which can be working concurrently.



"The Quectel SC696S series of multi-mode modules featuring the Qualcomm QCM6125 SoC is able to support use cases for consumers and enterprises alike, with improved communication quality and advanced processing capabilities," stated Dev Singh, Vice President, Business Development, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "As Quectel and Qualcomm Technologies have done in the past, this technology will continue to drive innovation across many different industries and a plethora of verticals." Quectel modules, built upon the solid foundation of Qualcomm Technologies SOCs, exemplify an unwavering commitment to product security. This steadfast dedication empowers device OEMs to confidently deliver innovative solutions that effectively address the rigorous security demands of our interconnected world. By leveraging the robust security features inherent in Quectel modules and Qualcomm Technologies SOCs, device OEMs can ensure the integrity and protection of data, safeguarding against potential vulnerabilities and threats.

With a form factor of 43mm x 44mm x2.85mm, the SC696S series comes in three variants to meet different user needs. These include the SC696S-EM, the SC696S-NA and the SC696S-WF, which supports only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The modules also operate in a temperature range of -35 C to +75C, making them ideal for even challenging deployment environments. About Quectel Quectel's passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of 5,900 professionals sets the pace for innovation in cellular, GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, antennas, services and IoT connectivity. With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world. For more information: www.quectel.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patented technologies are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727183224/en/

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[July 27, 2023] Onset Announces New Waterproof Data Logger with External Temperature Sensor Tweet

The newest addition to Onset's industry-leading line of waterproof HOBO data loggers featuring wireless setup and data download via Bluetooth BOURNE, Mass., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Onset, a trusted manufacturer of field-proven data loggers, today announced the release of the new HOBO MX2205 TidbiT Data Logger, a low-cost, easy-to-use, waterproof Bluetooth data logger with both internal and external temperature sensors. The HOBO MX2205 TidbiT Data ogger features an external sensor for deployment above water or soil for quick data downloads



The HOBO MX2205 TidbiT is the newest addition to Onset's industry-leading line of waterproof HOBO MX2200 data loggers offering convenient wireless setup and data download via Bluetooth and the free HOBOconnect app on a mobile device or Windows laptop. Ideal for monitoring streams, wetlands, and fields prone to flooding, the rugged HOBO MX2205 TidbiT lets users:

Record two temperature points at once, with an internal sensor that measures ambient temperature, and an external sensor that measures water or soil temperature

Deploy just above water or soil for quicker, more convenient data downloads that don't require pulling up the logger

Get accurate tracking of fast-changing temperatures, with the external sensor's rapid response time "We're delighted to be expanding our HOBO MX2200 Bluetooth product line with a logger option that provides our customers with the advantage of an external sensor to monitor water and soil temperatures without having to pull the logger up," said Paul Gannett, Principal HOBO Product Manager. The HOBO MX2205 TidbiT is priced at $179 USD and is available for purchase at onsetcomp.com. About Onset Based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Onset has been designing and manufacturing its data loggers and monitoring solutions on site since the company's founding in 1981. Our award-winning HOBO data loggers and weather stations are used around the world in a broad range of applications, from water and coastal research to indoor and outdoor environmental monitoring. Our InTemp loggers dramatically simplify the process of monitoring temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products throughout the cold chain. Visit Onset on the web at https://www.onsetcomp.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/onset-announces-new-waterproof-data-logger-with-external-temperature-sensor-301886458.html SOURCE Onset

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[July 27, 2023] Senhasegura Opens North American Center of Excellence to Support Next Generation PAM Tweet

Senhasegura, a leading provider of Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions, today announced the opening of its newest Center of Excellence (CoE) in Austin, TX. Senhasegura's Centers of Excellence are specialized technical and support hubs that deliver the Company's signature level of customer and partner service around the world. The Austin Center of Excellence will provide technical training, service and support for Senhasegura's rapidly growing network of North American channel partners and end users. It joins the Company's existing Center in Sao Paulo, with additional hubs opening in Germany and Saudi Arabia in the second half of 2023. Customer service is one of Senhasegura's most significant competitive differentiators, with the Company's responsiveness and commitment long recognized by customers worldwide. Senhasegura is the only company in the Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer for PAM 2022 that scored 100% in willingness to recommend as well as the highest rating among its competitors. The Company was also the winner of the 2022 Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Leadership Award. According to Marcus Scharra, Senhasegura Co-Founder and Co-CEO, "Senhasegura is fiercely committed to providing an exceptional customer experience for our channel partners and end users. We want to offer much more than just a product. Our goal is to help our partners bring a modern PAM solution to IT/security teams with an experience that is intuitive, easy to implement, and with no impact on their end users. Our new Austin Center of Excellence allows us to deliver on our promises and serves as a launchpad for our growth and success in the North American market." Headquartered in Brazil, with customers inmore than 55 countries around the world, Senhasegura officially launched its North American operations in August 2022 and raised $13M in December 2022 from Graphene Ventures. The Company's new Center of Excellence is a key milestone in supporting its growing network of committed channel partners. Senhasegura's Austin Center of Excellence (CoE) serves three specialized functions:



sales and pre-sales support center for North American channel partners

training and certification center for customers and channel partners

customer support and success center with local support for enterprise customers According to John Richardson, CEO, JWR Identity, one of Senhasegura's leading channel partners, "The establishment of this new Center of Excellence is a crucial step in an ongoing expansion of Senhasegura's presence in the US market. For customers and partners alike, this move underscores the depth of Senhasegura's commitment to the US market. It's a testament to their relentless vigor and dedication they are bringing to the industry, and we're thrilled to be a part of this exciting progression." Senhasegura's 360 Privileged Platform offers a powerful yet easy-to-use solution to secure both privileged users and machines. The Company is consistently named a PAM Leader by leading industry analysts, including Gartner, KuppingerCole and most recently, ITRG. Senhasegura helps provide the highest level of security for sensitive data, minimizing risks and maintaining compliance, while delivering the fastest time to value (TTV) and lowest cost of ownership in the industry.

About Senhasegura Senhasegura is committed to helping companies become more secure and resilient by stopping privilege abuse from inside and outside the organization. Senhasegura's award-winning 360 Privilege Platform addresses the entire privileged access management lifecycle, including before, during, and after access, and plays a critical role in implementing a robust zero trust architecture. Headquartered in Brazil, Senhasegura is a global leader with customers in over 55 countries throughout Latin America, North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Company's PAM solution is distributed through an international network of more than 190 value-added, trusted channel partners. For more information, go to https://senhasegura.com or follow us on Twitter @senha_segura. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727971163/en/

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[July 27, 2023] KuCoin's 'Into The Cryptoverse' Report Unveils 3.8 Million Japanese Adults Engage in Crypto Investment Tweet

KuCoin, a top 5 global crypto exchange, has launched its 13th edition of the 'Into The Cryptoverse' report. This edition focuses on the burgeoning cryptocurrency market in Japan, offering a detailed analysis of the trends, preferences, and behaviors of Japanese crypto investors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727177801/en/ The survey reveals that approximately 3.8 million Japanese adults, constituting 5% of the adult population aged between 18 and 60, are actively engaged in crypto investments. (Graphic: Business Wire) The report is based on an extensive online survey conducted by KuCoin from May 5th to May 12th, 2023. The survey involved 400 Japanese adults aged between 18 and 60, who are actively investing in cryptocurrencies. Key Findings: Crypto Adoption Soars in Japan: The survey reveals that approximately 3.8 million Japanese adults, constituting 5% of the adult population aged between 18 and 60, are actively engaged in crypto investments. Youth Embrace Crypto: An impressive 39% of Japanese young crypto investors hold over JPY10,000 in crypto, demonstrating a strong inclination towards substantial crypto investments. Women Making Their Mark: Women represent a significant 29% of young investors in Japan, reflecting a growing inerest in the potential and opportunities offered by crypto investments. Active Trading on the Rise: Nearly half (49%) of young Japanese crypto investors trade multiple times weekly, indicating the active participation of younger investors in the crypto market.



"Japan's crypto landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and we at KuCoin are committed to staying at the forefront of this transformation. By fostering a conducive environment for crypto startups and businesses, and recognizing cryptos as a legitimate asset class, Japan is setting the stage for a decentralized and inclusive financial future. As the world grapples with the transformative power of blockchain technology, Japan stands ready to lead the charge." Johnny Lyu, CEO of KuCoin.- Johnny Lyu, CEO, KuCoin.

The comprehensive report delves into Japanese investors' preferred crypto assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the growing interest in NFTs, Metaverse, Stablecoins, GameFi, DeFi, and Meme coins. Additionally, it explores the significant role of social media influencers in shaping crypto investment decisions, with YouTube and Twitter emerging as the most trusted platforms. KuCoin's 13th 'Into The Cryptoverse' report serves as a valuable guide for industry stakeholders, market analysts, policymakers, and investors to navigate Japan's dynamic and rapidly evolving crypto landscape. The report showcases KuCoin's commitment to providing innovative and user-centric services, fostering informed discussions and contributing to a robust and inclusive crypto ecosystem. To access the full report please visit the KuCoin website or click here. About KuCoin Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community action reach, it offers over 700 digital assets and currently provides spot trading, margin trading, P2P fiat trading, futures trading, staking, and lending to its 29 million users in 207 countries and regions. In 2022, KuCoin raised over $150 million in investments through a pre-Series B round, bringing total investments to $170 million with Round A combined, at a total valuation of $10 billion. KuCoin is currently one of the top 5 crypto exchanges according to CoinMarketCap. In 2023, KuCoin was named one of the Best Crypto Exchanges by Forbes and recognized as a highly commended global exchange in Finder's 2023 Global Cryptocurrency Trading Platform Awards. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727177801/en/

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[July 27, 2023] CitiusTech appoints Steve Van Kuiken, Senior Partner Emeritus, McKinsey & Company to its Board of Directors Tweet

MUMBAI, India, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CitiusTech Healthcare Technology Pvt. Ltd., a leading provider of healthcare technology services and solutions, announced the appointment of Steve Van Kuiken to the company's esteemed Board of Directors effective July 27th, 2023. Steve is a Senior Partner Emeritus, McKinsey & Company and brings significant experience in healthcare technology and digital transformation to CitiusTech. A seasoned leader, Steve founded McKinsey Technology, the company's digital and technology transformation practice, in 2017 and was the global leader for the practice until his retirement. Before that he led the Digital Practice for McKinsey, North America and also founded and led McKinsey's Healthcare IT practice between 2003 and 2013. Throughout his career at McKinsey, Steve has served healthcare companies on strategy and performance improvement agendas and has spearheaded numerous large scale digital & technology transformations across sectors. He has done significant work in technology-related research and knowledge development, which leading industry publications have cited. Prior to McKinsey, Steve was a divisional CIO at Baxter Healthcare. Welcoming Steve to the board of directors, Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., Chairman, CitiusTech, said, "Steve's vast experience in healthcare technology and strong track record of success in thehealthcare industry will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. He is a highly respected leader, and we are confident that we will solve the industry's greatest challenges together. We are happy to have Steve join the board of directors."



Steve Van Kuiken expressed his excitement, stating, "I'm honored to be a part of the CitiusTech team. At a time when digital and analytic technologies are enabling fundamental change in healthcare, it is exciting to join a leader in this transformation. CitiusTech's commitment to digital and analytics innovation and its strong healthcare domain expertise makes it an ideal partner to drive positive and meaningful impact in the industry." Rajan Kohli, CEO, CitiusTech, said, "We are delighted to welcome Steve Van Kuiken to our Board of Directors. His extensive experience in helping healthcare companies transform their operational performance and increase market responsiveness, will be invaluable as we look to inspire new possibilities for the healthcare ecosystem through technology and human ingenuity."

About CitiusTech CitiusTech Healthcare Technology Pvt. Ltd. is a leading provider of digital technology and consulting services to payer, provider, medical technology, and life sciences companies. With over 8,500 healthcare technology professionals worldwide, CitiusTech powers healthcare digital innovation, business transformation and industry-wide convergence for over 140 organizations, through next-generation technologies, solutions, and products. Key focus areas include healthcare interoperability, secure data management, quality and performance analytics, value-based care, patient experience, medical imaging, connected health, payer-provider convergence, care coordination and population health management. CitiusTech's cutting-edge technology expertise, deep healthcare domain expertise and a strong focus on digital transformation enables healthcare and life sciences companies to reinvent themselves to deliver better outcomes, accelerate growth, drive efficiencies, and ultimately make a meaningful impact to patients. Follow CitiusTech on Twitter or LinkedIn. Contact Details:

Saviera Barretto

[email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2080281/4043048/CitiusTech_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/citiustech-appoints-steve-van-kuiken-senior-partner-emeritus-mckinsey--company-to-its-board-of-directors-301887242.html

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[July 27, 2023] Lever Global Corp Announces Commencement of Trading on OTC Market Tweet

West Hollywood, CA, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lever Global Corp. (OTCQB: LVER) is set to provide a much-needed solution to millions of American students and their families as it begins trading on the OTC Market. The company's shares of common stock started trading under the symbol 'LVER' on Thursday July 27, 2023, offering shareholders increased visibility, transparency, and liquidity.

Lever's value proposition lies in its ability to simplify by student loan repayment options. Lever's AI- powered platform facilitates and summarizes all available programs based on a users personal provide, then automates repayments with autopay and offers credit score tracking and insights. With the resumption of federal student loan payments, an estimated 40 million borrowers are expected to face new challenges. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 4 in 10 student loan borrowers will resume their bills with a new servicer, a transition that can often lead to confusion and stress. Furthermore, the resumption of student loans is projected to cost U.S. consumers $18 billion a month, as estimated by the investment firm Jefferies. In this context, Lever is delivering a comprehensive suite of products through its app-based platform, and is more relevant than ever. It offers an efficient, user-friendly platform for liability renegotiation and automated payments, recurring payments, everyday spending round-ups, and access to hundreds of Department of Education repayment programs. The Lever App enables easy enrollment in money-saving student loan programs for federally backed loans. Lever's services are designed with the financial well-being ofborrowers in mind, and the company supports 98% of federal student loans.



The app helps borrowers who have completed college and are in repayment programs. It instantly showcases borrowers' eligibility based on their personalized profiles and goals, facilitating swift and easy changes to programs offered by the Department of Education. The app enables borrowers to apply and receive updates on their application status directly within the platform, circumventing the need to deal with servicers. Lever's CEO, Trent McKendrick, emphasized The company is committed to creating long-term value for shareholders and improving the financial lives of borrowers. The uncertainty with student loans has created a level of fear amongst borrowers, leading to a lot of questions and very little answers. We have developed a program that simplifies student loan management and offers access to hundreds of Department of Education repayment programs and simplified enrollment into new and more beneficial programs for borrowers at a critical time."

As Lever joins the OTC Market, it stands poised to make a significant impact on the student loan landscape, offering a much-needed solution to millions of Americans. For more information, visit www.lever.app. About Lever Global Corp. Lever empowers individuals to plan, save, and pay for the things that matter most. Lever searches hundreds of Department of Education repayment programs, allows users to choose programs that best fit their needs, and enables easy enrollment in cost-effective student loan repayment programs, covering 98% of federally backed loans. For additional information visit www.lever.app. Forward-Looking Statements This press release has forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking statements. Several risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact

Andrew Barwicki

516-662-9461 / [email protected]



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[July 27, 2023] Software and Network Infrastructure Sales Continued to Grow, While Device Sales Declined in the Second Quarter of 2023, According to IDC's North America Monthly Distribution Tracker, Powered by GTDC Tweet

IT distributor revenue topped $19.5 billion in the second quarter of 2023, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 7.2%, as reported in the North America Distribution Tracker (NADT) from International Data Corporation (IDC). For the second consecutive quarter, the device categories of personal computing and audio/video (AV) saw double-digit year-over-year declines of 22.3% and 23.6% respectively. However, these declines were slightly less severe than experienced in the first quarter of 2023. In contrast, the software and network infrastructure product groups enjoyed continued growth in the quarter - up 2.7% and 43.2% year-over-year respectively - gaining some additional share of overall distribution revenues in North America. "We are seeing companies continue to prioritize spend on IT infrastructure projects and distribution is a key partner to source the multi-vendor solutions these companies need," said Ruth Flynn, research vice president, IDC Tracker & Data Products. Software gained 1.7 points of share year over year, just edging out personal computing to hold the largest share of second quarter distribution revenues, which is a first for this channel. The strength of software product sales through distribution is driven by system infrastructure software markets such as data replication and protection software and network security software. Network Infrastructure saw the largest year-over-year growth of any product group, which resulted in a 4.7-point distributor revenue share increase for this market. Ethernet Switches and Access Points are the products that are driving growth with Cisco and HPE as the clear top performers. Additionally, this growth in hardware sales translates into a growth in the sales of the upgrades and renewals of the software embedded on these hardware products. A graphic illustrating North America distribution revenue across the four largest technology categories (personal computing, services, software, network infrastructure, and AV) over the previous five quarters is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com. IDC's North America Weekly Distribution Tracker and IDC's North America Monthly Distribution Tracker are built on the exclusive partnership between IDC and the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) and provides the industry's most comprehensive view of technology distribution data and market trends in the U.S. and Canada. The data in these Trackers is actual sales data collected weekly from sales receipts across the largest distributors in North America for more than 1,000 brands over several years. This data is mapped to IDC's taxonomy with over 200 categories organized into 13 distinct product groups with detailed product attributes across categories.



About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size and segmentation, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools.

For more information about the North America Weekly and Monthly Distribution Trackers, powered by GTDC, please contact Ruth Flynn at [email protected]. Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights. About the GTDC The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world's leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive an estimated $150 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services, and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers and distributors. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727840066/en/

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 27, 2023. Widodo is in Chengdu to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

CHENGDU, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Widodo is here to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China.

Xi noted the opening of a new chapter in building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future last year.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia. Xi said China is willing to take the occasion as an opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation with Indonesia, set an example for developing countries of sharing a common future, pursuing solidarity and cooperation and boosting common development, and inject more certainty and positive energy into the region and the world.

China is willing to maintain regular strategic communication with Indonesia, strengthen the exchanges of state governance experience, initiate the "2+2" dialogue mechanism for foreign and defense ministers of the two countries, and build high-level strategic mutual trust, Xi said.

Major achievements have been made in synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative with Indonesia's vision of the Global Maritime Fulcrum, Xi said.

With the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway soon coming into operation, the two sides need to ensure the high standard and high quality of the project, injecting more impetus to Indonesia's development, said Xi, adding that the two countries need to further the cooperation on comprehensive industrial parks.

China supports Indonesia in developing its new capital and the North Kalimantan Industrial Park, and is willing to expand cooperation in areas including new energy vehicles and smart cities and jointly promote the industrial digital transformation, Xi said.

China is willing to continue to expand imports of bulk commodities and high-quality agricultural products from Indonesia, deliver on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and strengthen cooperation in fields including food security, poverty reduction, rural revitalization, vocational education, language education, medicine and health, culture and tourism, he said.

China is ready to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and support the work of Indonesia as the rotating chair of the ASEAN, Xi said.

China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Indonesia under G20, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, safeguard regional and global peace and stability, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

Widodo said the bilateral relations have made substantial progress since he received Xi in Bali last year.

Indonesia firmly upholds the one-China policy and is willing to continue to enhance cooperation with China in areas including investment, marine fisheries, food security and healthcare, he said.

The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by Xi are open and inclusive, Widodo said, adding that Indonesia actively supports the initiatives.

Indonesia is willing to strengthen its strategic communication with China and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Widodo said.

After the meeting, Xi and Widodo witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 27, 2023. Widodo is in Chengdu to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
[July 27, 2023] Third Eye Capital Announces Appointment of David Steele as President and Chief Operating Officer Tweet

Third Eye Capital ("TEC" or the "Company"), Canada's leading provider of asset-based financing solutions to underserved or overlooked companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Steele as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective August 15, 2023. Previously, David served as the Canadian President and CEO of Russell Investments, a leading global investment firm, where he successfully led and executed the strategic direction of the Canadian business. During his tenure, David spearheaded the significant growth and expansion of the Canadian business through new distribution partners and product growth, including new alternative investment solutions. At Russell Investments since 2003, David brings deep knowledge of the investment management industry, having held several leadership roles in sales, finance, administration, operations, and client services. "As an industry veteran and proven leader, we are delighted to welcome David to Third Eye Capital," said Arif Bhalwani, Chief Executive Officer of Third Eye Capital. "David's career has been nothing short of impressive, successfully delivering strong results and expanding investment capabilities, all while effectively cultivating a culture built on trust, engagement, and inclusion. He was instrumental in the transformation and enhancement of all the business units he has led, and I am confdent that David has the skills and vision to allow us to continue to scale and grow."



In his new role at TEC, David will be responsible for overseeing the Company's operational and administrative functions including strategic planning, finance and accounting, performance and risk management, and compliance. The role will also encompass fostering stakeholder relationships, mentoring the team, overseeing financial performance, identifying business growth opportunities, and promoting the Company's best in class ethical and client-centric corporate culture. "I am thrilled to join Third Eye Capital and eager to build upon the strong foundation laid by Arif and his team over the past two decades," said Steele. "It is a pivotal time in the alternative asset industry, and Third Eye's compelling track record and edge in navigating complex situations, make it ideally positioned to meet the evolving needs of sophisticated investors."

David will be investing alongside existing TEC insiders who are committing an aggregate of at least $20 Million to TEC's latest fund launch in its flagship series that is expected to have an initial close later this year. TEC insiders are among the top three investors of the Company's total private debt assets under management. David holds a Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours) and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo and is a designated Chartered Accountant and CFA Charterholder. About Third Eye Capital Founded in 2005, Third Eye Capital is Canada's leading provider of asset-based financing solutions to companies that are underserved or overlooked by traditional sources of capital. With a proven track record of nearly $5 billion in lending commitments across more than 125 portfolio investments, Third Eye Capital is one of the most experienced private debt firms in Canada. From navigating through periods of extreme distress to embracing moments of extraordinary change, Third Eye Capital excels at executing opportunities that other lenders simply cannot or will not pursue. Third Eye Capital actively engages with a company's key assets to bridge the gap between their perceived value and actual worth and provides access to capital and expertise that enables portfolio companies to flourish. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727978772/en/

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[July 27, 2023] AM Best Revises Outlooks to Positive for Credit Ratings of Lloyd's, Its Rated Subsidiaries and Society of Lloyd's Tweet

AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of "a+" (Excellent) of Lloyd's (United Kingdom), Lloyd's Insurance Company (China) Limited (Lloyd's China) (China), and Lloyd's Insurance Company S.A. (Lloyd's Europe) (Belgium). Concurrently, AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Long-Term ICR of "a" (Excellent) of Society of Lloyd's (the Society) (United Kingdom) and the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings of "a-" (Excellent) on the GBP 306 million 4.750% subordinated loan notes maturing 30 October 2024, as well as on the GBP 300 million 4.875% subordinated notes maturing 7 February 2047. (See further rating actions on various syndicates below.) These Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect Lloyd's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The positive outlooks reflect, in part, actions taken over a number of years to improve the resilience of Lloyd's balance sheet. This includes the introduction of the Lloyd's Central Fund insurance, increase in the callable layer and limits put in place to reduce excessive risk taking by individual syndicates. Furthermore, Lloyd's has continued to demonstrate the successful application of its "coming into line" (CIL) process, following a series of challenging years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, elevated catastrophe activity and the conflict in Ukraine, which has shown Lloyd's ability to consistently re-capitalise and grow capital year-over-year. AM Best expects Lloyd's to continue delivering a strong operating performance over the underwriting cycle, as well as successfully execute its modernisation strategy. The Lloyd's market (the market) benefits from risk-adjusted capitalisation being at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Capital adequacy is supported by a robust risk-based approach to setting member-level capital and Lloyd's Central Fund, which is available to meet the policyholder obligations of all Lloyd's members. The protection afforded to members through the Central Fund was enhanced in 2021 following the purchase of Central Fund insurance by the Corporation of Lloyd's (the Corporation), which is expected to form a long-term component of capital management. AM Best's assessment of the balance sheet strength of Lloyd's takes into account the fungibility constraints of capital held at the member level and the market's good financial flexibility, which is enhanced by the diversity of its capital providers. The market's exposure to catastrophe risk is an offsetting factor. However, the requirement for members to replenish their Funds at Lloy's to meet their underwriting liabilities, as part of the CIL process, together with the Corporation's enhanced oversight of accumulation risk, partly mitigates the potential for volatility in risk-adjusted capitalisation due to operating losses.



The operating performance assessment reflects AM Best's expectation that Lloyd's will produce strong technical performance over the underwriting cycle and that capital will continue to be attracted to the market. Improving pricing conditions, as well as the robust performance oversight by the Corporation, has materialised in measurable improvements in underwriting performance, as evidenced by the year-end 2022 combined ratio of 91.9%. Nonetheless, the market's expense ratio continues to be higher than those of its peers, albeit this has reduced from 39.2% in 2018 to 34.4% in 2022. Actions are being taken through the Future at Lloyd's initiative to reduce the cost of placing business at Lloyd's, the benefit of which should start to be realised over the short term. The business profile assessment reflects the strong position of Lloyd's in its core markets, as a leading writer of reinsurance and specialist property/casualty insurance. Lloyd's has an excellent brand in these markets, which are experiencing strong pricing conditions. The market's business mix is well-diversified, but with some geographical bias toward North America and product bias toward moderate-to-high risk commercial specialty lines.

The ratings of Lloyd's China and Lloyd's Europe reflect reinsurance support from Lloyd's in the form of quota share contracts between Lloyd's and the syndicates that are active in its Chinese and European platforms. The rating of the Society is notched from the rating of Lloyd's, reflecting the unique relationships between the Society and Lloyd's, which means that the ability of the Society to meets its obligations is inextricably linked to the ability of Lloyd's to meet its obligations. The Lloyd's market rating is the "floor of security" of all policies written at Lloyd's. The FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of "a+" (Excellent) have been affirmed and the outlooks for these ratings has been revised to positive from stable for the following Lloyd's syndicates: --Lloyd's Syndicate 33, managed by Hiscox Syndicates Ltd

--Lloyd's Syndicate 2623, managed by Beazley Furlonge Limited

--Lloyd's Syndicate 623, managed by Beazley Furlonge Limited

--Lloyd's Syndicate 3623, managed by Beazley Furlonge Limited

--Lloyd's Syndicate 3622, managed by Beazley Furlonge Limited

--Lloyd's Syndicate 3000, managed by Markel Syndicate Management Limited

--Lloyd's Syndicate 2001, managed by Amlin Underwriting Ltd 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/20230727625236/en/

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[July 27, 2023] GEODIS in Americas Named Vendor of the Year by Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Tweet

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has been named Vendor of the Year by Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas (Logisnext), one of the world's leading manufacturers and providers of material handling, automation and fleet solutions. GEODIS in Americas was selected out of 1,100 suppliers and is the first service provider recognized in the award's seven-year history. GEODIS has worked with Logisnext for more than 10 years. In 2021, the Logisnext aftermarket parts organization selected GEODIS to oversee all domestic transportation management operations. Powered by industry leading technology, GEODIS provides end-to-end transportation management services for Logisnext. These services include a customized carrier solution, shipment planning and optimization platform, track and trace customer service, all back-office functions including freight bill audit and payment, and visibility and analytics through its GEODIS Visibility portal. Integrating multiple complex operational systems into one 360-degree view of data across the supply chain, GEODIS Visibility enables more intelligent decision making, smarter use of resources and, ultimately, more efficient and productive operations. With GEODIS services, Logisnext is able to access industry expertise, relationships and trusted tools to optimize the movement of products through its supply chain. "It is equally an honor and a validation to be recognized as Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas' Vendor of the Year," said Jeff McDermott, Executive Vice President of Transportation Management at GEODIS in Americas. "The GEODIS transportation management team approaches each customer's needs individually because we recognize our clients operate in unique markets ad have specific problems to solve. The service we provide Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas is singular, and this recognition exemplifies the strategies and solutions we implement daily to improve its transportation challenges."



For the last seven years, Logisnext has recognized Vendors of the Year based on performance and growth as determined by employee voting. GEODIS was selected this year based on its proactive engagement, process improvements, cost savings opportunities and ease of doing business. "GEODIS plays a key role in our ability to transport effectively and efficiently," said Ryan Michaud, Senior Manager, Parts Operations at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. "Our purpose is to help our customers 'Move The World Forward,' and for the past 100 years we've been consistently streamlining material handling processes and reinventing the way we transport goods. GEODIS' capability, flexibility and scalability are strong assets behind our ability to serve the North American market."

To learn more about GEODIS, visit www.geodis.com. To learn more about Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, visit www.logisnextamericas.com/en/logisnext. GEODIS  www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated 13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas  www.logisnextamericas.com/en/logisnext

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Inc. and its group companies have helped customers Move The World Forward for more than 100 years. A technology-driven manufacturer, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas offers scalable solutions from material handling to automation and extensive fleet support. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, its complete portfolio of advanced solutions spans across five leading brands  Mitsubishi forklift trucks, Cat lift trucks, Rocla AGV Solutions, UniCarriers Forklifts and Jungheinrich warehouse and automation products. All products are backed by an extensive dealer network offering industry-leading customer service and product support. PRESS CONTACT Lauren McKirgan

FINN Partners for GEODIS

615 512 8621

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geodis-in-americas-named-vendor-of-the-year-by-mitsubishi-logisnext-americas-301887409.html SOURCE GEODIS

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[July 27, 2023] Premier International Acquires Information Asset Tweet

Combination of leading solutions providers expands data migration, governance and risk management capabilities to help organizations maximize the value of their data CHICAGO, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier International ("Premier"), a technology consulting firm specializing in solutions that reduce the risk associated with complex data challenges, today announced the strategic acquisition of Information Asset ("the Company"), one of the nation's top data governance and risk management firms. Premier International is a portfolio company of Renovus Capital Partners. Founded in 2012, Information Asset primarily focuses on data risk, privacy, governance and monetization. Its solutions enable enterprises to evolve data governance from a conceptual idea to practical implementation, which helps foster more accurate, faster and overall improved decision-making for their clients. Information Asset serves a roster of well-known Fortune 1000 customers across various industries, including financial services and healthcare, among others. The Company also has deep relationships and partnerships with leading software platforms such as Informatica, Alation, BigID and Collibra. Premier offers innovative technology and consulting services through its team of business consultants, software developers, subject matter experts, and its proprietary software tool Applaud. The combined capabilities of Premier and Information Asset will enable customers of both organizations to access enhanced offerings, as well as streamlined efficiencyfrom having their data needs handled by a single partner.



"The addition of Information Asset to Premier significantly expands the depth and breadth of our capabilities, enabling organizations to unlock the full potential of their data," said Craig Wood, CEO of Premier. "Our combined expertise and software solutions in data migration, data risk management, and data governance will reshape norms by delivering comprehensive solutions that boost value while minimizing risks. We are thrilled to welcome Sanjeev and the Information Asset team to Premier." Sanjeev Varma, CEO of Information Asset, added, "We are very excited to combine forces with the Premier team, allowing us to provide enhanced solutions for our customers across the entire data value chain. Together, we will further the value we provide customers each day by helping them drive business growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. Our team is enthusiastic about what's next and what's possible as part of Premier."

As a platform portfolio company for Renovus, Premier has been actively identifying acquisitions that will help expand its current product and service offerings. Manan Shah, a Partner at Renovus Capital Partners, noted, "We are excited about Premier's strategic acquisition of Information Asset. Adding a trusted and experienced offshore delivery team has been a major goal for Premier, and the acquisition brings complementary, high-value capabilities by providing customers with new offerings across the data lifecycle." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Premier International

Premier International is a Chicago-based technology consulting firm offering solutions that reduce the risk associated with complex data challenges through innovative technology and consulting services. The company's innovative services and Applaud software reduce the overall risk in a technology transformation and ensure projects remain on track in even the most complex environments. Founded in 1985 and with over three decades of successful execution, Premier's solutions have a proven track record across various industries and applications. For more information, please visit premier-international.com. About Renovus Capital Partners

Founded in 2010, Renovus Capital Partners is a lower middle market private equity firm specializing in the Knowledge and Talent industries. From its base in the Philadelphia area, Renovus manages over $1 billion across its three sector focused funds and other strategies. The firm's current portfolio includes over 25 U.S. based businesses specializing in education and training, healthcare services, technology services and professional services. Renovus typically partners with founder-led businesses, leveraging its experience within the industry and access to debt and equity capital to make operational improvements, recruit top talent, pursue add-on acquisitions and oversee strategic growth initiatives. For more information, please visit renovuscapital.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/premier-international-acquires-information-asset-301887373.html SOURCE Renovus Capital Partners

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[July 27, 2023] On Tap Credit Union Unveils Exciting New Brand Awareness Campaign - "Your Banking Needs are On Tap" Tweet

On Tap Credit Union, a leader in providing local Colorado communities with innovative financial solutions for nearly 70 years, is pleased to announce the launch of its dynamic new brand awareness campaign - "Your Banking Needs are On Tap". This comprehensive initiative aims to highlight the credit union's longstanding commitment to its members while showcasing its modern and innovative approach to crafting financial solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727024119/en/ On Tap Credit Union Brand Awareness Out Of Home (Photo: Business Wire) On Tap Credit Union has provided exceptional financial services to the local community, fostering financial well-being, and building long-lasting relationships with members and the community. With the release of the new brand awareness campaign, the credit union seeks to reinforce its legacy of trust and personalization, while also capturing the attention of a wider audience and attracting new members. "We are thrilled to unveil our new brand awareness campaign. At On Tap Credit Union, we recognize that every member's financial journey is unique," said CEO and President Tracie Wilcox. "This campaign emphasizes our commitment to understanding individual requirements and providing personalized crafted financial solutions that align with our member's goals." The campaign officially launched onJune 6th, 2023, features a captivating visual identity, an engaging tagline, and a compelling narrative that conveys the credit union's mission of empowering individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals. In addition, the brand partnered with local businesses and community members to tell their story of banking with On Tap Credit Union.



"The most rewarding part of this campaign is that we feature our employees, local business owners, and members," said VP of Marketing and Business Development Janelle Herrera. "These genuine stories show how On Tap Credit Union listens to the needs of our members and finds solutions to make banking more enjoyable." As part of the campaign, On Tap Credit Union has launched a series of multimedia advertisements across various channels, including streaming television and radio as well as other digital platforms. These captivating advertisements will showcase the credit union's range of innovative products and services including the benefits of banking with On Tap.

Join On Tap Credit Union and this transformative journey of making banking accessible, personalized, and empowering. Discover how "Your Banking Needs are On Tap" can revolutionize your financial experience. To learn more about On Tap Credit Union and its new brand awareness campaign, please visit ontapcu.org or call 303.279.6414 to get started. About On Tap Credit Union Formerly Coors Credit Union, On Tap Credit Union is a full-service cooperative financial institution serving people living and working in Jefferson, Denver, Boulder, and Larimer counties. Founded in 1954, the credit union has over $374 million in assets and 20,000 members who are also owners of the organization. The credit union provides personal consultation and financial solutions including vehicle, mortgage, and home equity loans, credit cards, insurance, savings and investment accounts, and financial guidance, as well as a full suite of business services including a variety of commercial lending solutions. For more information, please visit www.OnTapCU.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727024119/en/

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[July 27, 2023] Arctaris Impact Celebrates Opening of $152M Opportunity Zone Project in D.C.'s Ward 7 Tweet

Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC ("Arctaris") is pleased to announce the completion of Northeast Heights, a new Qualified Opportunity Zone multi-use development located in Ward 7 of Washington, D.C. The six-story, 281K-square-foot Class A office building is expected to expand development and drive additional resources and daytime foot traffic into a neighborhood that has experienced severe underinvestment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230725262854/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) On June 5th, Arctaris Managing Directors Ben Bornstein and Nihar Sait joined D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and other distinguished guests for an official ribbon cutting outside of the beautifully designed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building. This investment was catalyzed by Mayor Bowser's mandate for city agencies to use the leasing power of the D.C. government to spur economic development in historically underserved communities. The new Class A office building has been pre-leased to the District's Department of General Services ("DGS") and will serve as the new headquarters for the nearly 700-person agency. DGS was the first city agency to sign a contract for office space east of the Anacostia River under this initiative, and the District anticipates that it will encourage other government agencies to follow suit. "Arctaris is proud to be part of the coalition led by Mayor Bowser, combining forces with like-minded, community-oriented investors to help bring new vitality and economic activity into Ward 7," said Ben Bornstein, Managing Director of Arctaris Impact. "We hope to participate in further investment in Wards 7 and 8 to benefit residents and strive toward a more equitably served city with greater opportunity for all community members." Arctaris Impact partnered on NE Heights with Asland Capital Partners, a minority-owned real estate investment firm led by prominent African American investor James Simmons III, the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs) and others, with a collective goal to support economic development, reduce the racial wealth gap, and drive overall revitalization east of the Anacostia River. "We are thrilled and proud to have played a part in the first phase of a project set to transform an entire community," said Asland Capital Partners CEO James Simmons III. "We are thankful for the project's many partners, including Goldman Sachs, Arctaris and Mayor Bowser, whose unwavering collaboration and support has been instrumental in transforming this vision into reality. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the positive impact the state-of-the-art Department of General Services headquarters will have on the residents of Ward 7." Erie Insurance ("ERIE"), a long-standing investor in the Arctaris Opportunity Zone Funds, has invested in this development as part of a $20.5 million commitment made to Arctaris to fund companies and development projects in underserved communities within ERIE's footprint. ERIE and Arctaris have partnered together to invest in projects in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and in the company's hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania. "Erie Insurance is pleased to partner with Arctaris and make an Opportunity Zone investment helping to create a world-class building that houses D.C. government offices and offers pace for other businesses and amenities to support the Northeast Heights neighborhood," said Christina Marsh, Chief Diversity and Community Development Officer at Erie Insurance. "When our team considers social impact investment opportunities, we specifically look for projects that align closely with our company's values built on dignity and respect. Serving others and supporting people and redevelopment efforts that help create thriving communities for generations is core to who we are."



"It's evident that this new six-story building will serve as a beacon in the community that signals additional revitalization and job opportunities will be coming to Northeast Heights. ERIE is proud to be part of this redevelopment," added Marsh. In line with the rest of the Arctaris real estate portfolio, driving overall neighborhood revitalization and supporting minority owned businesses, this development has created approximately 1,500 living-wage jobs. Many of these jobs were sourced locally from diverse and underrepresented groups throughout the development phase.1 In the long term, the Northeast Heights development, including future phases, is anticipated to create approximately 690 permanent jobs across retail, restaurant, anchor tenant, pharmacy and office operations.2 These jobs are expected to be highly accessible to local community residents and will increase commercial activity in the community and support local retail businesses.

About Arctaris Impact Investors

Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC is a Boston-based impact investment firm with experience spanning more than 13 years over seven funds. The firm manages funds which invest in growth-oriented operating businesses and community infrastructure projects located in underserved communities. Founded in 2009, Arctaris has partnered with the Kresge Foundation, Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter's Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, and multiple other foundation, federal and state government agencies to invest in Opportunity Zones, inner cities, and targeted rural communities throughout the U.S., with the aim of delivering above-market investment returns alongside positive social impact. For more information visit https://arctaris.com or for press inquiries contact [email protected]. About Erie Insurance

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer, and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com. About Asland Capital Partners

Asland Capital Partners invests in residential and commercial assets in emerging submarkets within major U.S. growth cities, including New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, DC. Specializing in multifamily, mixed-use and retail assets, the firm is focused on the revitalization of communities through the rehabilitation and repositioning of undervalued and underinvested assets. Asland's principals have invested over $1 billion of equity into workforce and affordable multifamily housing developments over the past decade, repositioning approximately 180 assets consisting of 11,200 multifamily units, 2 million square feet of mixed-use space and 170,500 square feet of retail space. For additional financial and descriptive information on the Company, its operations and its portfolio, please refer to the Company's website at www.AslandCap.com. About the Goldman Sachs Asset Management Urban Investment Group (UIG)

Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world's leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market-overseeing more than $2.6 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2023. Driven by a passion for our clients' performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure. Established in 2001, the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management has committed over $10 billion through real estate projects, social enterprises and lending facilities for small businesses and students, creating economic value and opportunities for underserved communities and families. Follow us on LinkedIn. 1 Per Asland Capital Partners and Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "Living Wage Calculator," Living Wage Calculator (mit.edu).

2 Approximately 580 of these projected jobs are direct impacts of the development, while 110 are indirect impacts. Estimates are sourced from the project's 2019 Tax Increment Financing Application and are subject to revision as unrelated parties move forward with future phases of development. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230725262854/en/

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[July 27, 2023] Personal Consumer Electronics Market to grow by USD 92.66 billion from 2022 to 2027|Frequent product launches boost the market - Technavio Tweet

NEW YORK, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The personal consumer electronics market size is forecast to increase by USD 92.66 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.04%, according to a recent market study by Technavio. The growth of the market will be driven by frequent product launches, the adoption of energy-efficient personal consumer electronics, and growing investment in R and D activities. Charts & data tables about market and segment sizes for a historic period of five (2017-2021) years have been covered in this report. Download The Sample Report Technavio has extensively analyzed 15 major vendors, including Apple Inc., Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Dell Technologies Inc., Electrolux AB, Fujitsu Ltd., Havells India Ltd., Hisense International Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., HP Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Lenovo Group Ltd., LG Corp., Micromax Informatics Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Group Corp., Toshiba Corp., Whirlpool Corp., and Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. Get a holistic overview of the personal consumer electronics market from industry experts to evaluate and develop growth strategies. Download the Sample Key Benefits for Industry Players & Stakeholders  The report offers information on the criticality of vendor inputs, including R&D, CAPEX, and technology.

It also provides detailed analyses of the market's competitive landscape and vendors' product offerings.

The report also provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. Expand operations in the future - To get requisite details, ask for a custom report. Personal Consumer Electronics Market - Segmentation Analysis The personal consumer electronics market report extensively covers market segmentation by product type (smartphones, tablets laptops and notebooks, portable devices, digital cameras, and others), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The market share growth by the smartphones segment is significant for the market growth during the forecast period. The global consumer electronic segment comprises the market for smartphones with advanced computing and connectivity capabilities in addition to basic voice communication. Some of the key features which smartphones offer include internet access, multimedia capabilities, and a wide range of applications, all of which have become a vital part of daily modern life. There has been significant growth in the smartphone market due to advancements in technology, rising consumer demand, and an increased need for mobile services. Hence, such factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. To get detailed insights about inclusions and exclusions, buy the report Personal Consumer Electronics Market - Market Dynamics Key Drivers Frequent product launches drive the personal consumer electronics market during the forecast period. There has been an increasing focus on the innovation of new products by several vendors in the market to cater to changing consumer demand for electronics. For example, in January 2023, Bespoke Infinite Line Refrigerator was launched by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. It is widely available in several models such as refrigerator, freezer, or wine cellar. Furthermore, in December 2021, Xiaomi Communications Company Ltd announced the launch of a smart TV X 75-inch model under its brand Redmi. Hence, such product innovations are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Significant Trends The rapid growth of the e-commerce industry is a key trend in the personal consumer electronics market during the forecast period. There has been significant growth in the e-commerce industry over the past few years as several companies are expanding their online presence. Additionally, the trend is expected to continue as more customers get used to online shopping. Hence, businesses are expanding their online presence, so they are able to connect with their audience through various channels. Additionally, the main advantage of online platforms is that customers have the option to choose from a wide range of products under different categories, price ranges, and brands. Hence, the emergence and growth of e-commerce platform is positively impacting the market, which in turn will drive the market growth during the forecast period. Major Challenges Fluctuation in prices of raw materials and operational costs is a significant challenge hindering the personal consumer electronics market growth during the forecast period. Some of the key factors influencing the market prices of consumer electronics include the cost of labor, raw materials, transportation, and promotion. Additionally, a major portion of this expense is accounted for by the prices of raw materials, labor, and production costs. There have been significant fluctuations in the prices of raw materials which are subjected to exchange rates and it can significantly impact the profit margin of manufacturers. Furthermore, the fluctuations of crude oil prices significantly impact the transportation cost of raw materials and final products. Hence, such volatility in price is expected to negatively impact the market, which in turn will drive market growth during the forecast period. What are the key data covered in this Personal Consumer Electronics Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the personal consumer electronics market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the personal consumer electronics market size and its contribution to the market with a focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the personal consumer electronics market across APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and the Middle East and Africa

, , , and the and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of personal consumer electronics market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The microwave radio market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.93% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 20,867.98 million. This microwave radio market report extensively covers market segmentation by type (hybrid microwave radio, packet microwave radio, and TDM microwave radio), application (communication, power utilities, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The increasing demand for point-to-point communication networks is driving market growth. The smart home cameras market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.88% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 3,991.67 million. This smart home cameras market report extensively covers market segmentation by connectivity (wire-free smart home cameras and wired smart home cameras), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). One of the key factors driving the smart home cameras market growth is the rising adoption of smart home systems.







Personal Consumer Electronics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.04% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 92.66 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.54 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 42% Key countries US, China, India, Japan, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Apple Inc., Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Dell Technologies Inc., Electrolux AB, Fujitsu Ltd., Havells India Ltd., Hisense International Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., HP Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Lenovo Group Ltd., LG Corp., Micromax Informatics Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Group Corp., Toshiba Corp., Whirlpool Corp., and Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for 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 Product Type



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



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 ($ billion)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



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 personal consumer electronics market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on global personal consumer electronics market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.2 Product Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.3 Distribution Channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Distribution Channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Product Type 6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Product Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Product Type

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product Type



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product Type 6.3 Smartphones - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Smartphones - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Smartphones - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Smartphones - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Smartphones - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Tablets laptops and notebooks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Tablets laptops and notebooks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Tablets laptops and notebooks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Tablets laptops and notebooks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Tablets laptops and notebooks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Portable devices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Portable devices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Portable devices - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Portable devices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Portable devices - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Digital camera - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Digital camera - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Digital camera - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Digital camera - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Digital camera - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 50: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 52: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.8 Market opportunity by Product Type

Exhibit 54: Market opportunity by Product Type ($ billion)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Market opportunity by Product Type ($ billion) 7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 56: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 58: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel 7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 60: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 62: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 64: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 66: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ billion)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ billion) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 85: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 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 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 93: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 (%) 9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 99: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 101: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 102: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 105: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 109: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 110: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 111: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 112: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 113: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 114: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 115: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)



Exhibit 116: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 117: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 118: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 119: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 120: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 121: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 122: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Apple Inc.

Exhibit 123: Apple Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Apple Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 125: Apple Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 126: Apple Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Apple Inc. - Segment focus 12.4 Bajaj Electricals Ltd.

Exhibit 128: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 129: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 130: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 131: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 132: Bajaj Electricals Ltd. - Segment focus 12.5 Dell Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 133: Dell Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 134: Dell Technologies Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Dell Technologies Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 136: Dell Technologies Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: Dell Technologies Inc. - Segment focus 12.6 Electrolux AB

Exhibit 138: Electrolux AB - Overview



Exhibit 139: Electrolux AB - Business segments



Exhibit 140: Electrolux AB - Key news



Exhibit 141: Electrolux AB - Key offerings



Exhibit 142: Electrolux AB - Segment focus 12.7 Hitachi Ltd.

Exhibit 143: Hitachi Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 144: Hitachi Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 145: Hitachi Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 146: Hitachi Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 147: Hitachi Ltd. - Segment focus 12.8 HP Inc.

Exhibit 148: HP Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 149: HP Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 150: HP Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 151: HP Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 152: HP Inc. - Segment focus 12.9 Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 153: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 154: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 155: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 156: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 157: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.10 Koninklijke Philips NV

Exhibit 158: Koninklijke Philips NV - Overview



Exhibit 159: Koninklijke Philips NV - Business segments



Exhibit 160: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key news



Exhibit 161: Koninklijke Philips NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 162: Koninklijke Philips NV - Segment focus 12.11 Lenovo Group Ltd.

Exhibit 163: Lenovo Group Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 164: Lenovo Group Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 165: Lenovo Group Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 166: Lenovo Group Ltd. - Segment focus 12.12 LG Corp.

Exhibit 167: LG Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 168: LG Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 169: LG Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 170: LG Corp. - Segment focus 12.13 Panasonic Holdings Corp.

Exhibit 171: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 172: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 173: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 174: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Key offerings 12.14 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 175: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 176: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 177: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 178: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 179: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.15 Sony Group Corp.

Exhibit 180: Sony Group Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 181: Sony Group Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 182: Sony Group Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 183: Sony Group Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 184: Sony Group Corp. - Segment focus 12.16 Toshiba Corp.

Exhibit 185: Toshiba Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 186: Toshiba Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 187: Toshiba Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 188: Toshiba Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 189: Toshiba Corp. - Segment focus 12.17 Whirlpool Corp.

Exhibit 190: Whirlpool Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 191: Whirlpool Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 192: Whirlpool Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 193: Whirlpool Corp. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 194: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 195: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 196: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 197: Research methodology



Exhibit 198: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 199: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 200: List of abbreviations About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/personal-consumer-electronics-market-to-grow-by-usd-92-66-billion-from-2022-to-2027frequent-product-launches-boost-the-market---technavio-301886489.html SOURCE Technavio

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[July 27, 2023] Unpacking LBank's Success: A Strategic Approach to MEME Coins and the Crypto Market Tweet

Exploring LBank's Rise to the Top 5 in the CMC H1 Report: Leveraging High-Risk Assets and Community Engagement TAIPEI, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the rapidly evolving crypto landscape, the LBank exchange platform is making waves. Their noteworthy achievement of being ranked among the top 5 global exchanges in CoinMarketCap's (CMC) H1 report is reflective of their innovative strategies and an unyielding commitment to driving the industry forward. Strategizing Success with MEME Coins In the first half of the year, LBank, as per the CMC report, showcased an impressive performance with a market share of 4.6%, ranking 5th in spot trading volume. The catalyst for this growth was their strategic focus on MEME coins, an asset class often perceived as high risk due to its volatility. LBank's effective MEME Listing strategy has played a crucial role in this achievement, aiding users in selecting quality MEME coins and creating a reputation for reliability. Risk and Profitability: A Balancing Act Profitability in the MEME coins market, given its inherently volatile nature, cannot be promised, a fact that LBank's founder, Eric He, acknowledges upfront. However, he also stresses that LBank maintains a strong commitment to its users by implementing rigorous vetting and early listing of promising MEME coins. This commitment is reflected in the platform's robust selection process for listing new MEME coins. Each prospective coin undergoes a stringent review process where several factors, including contract quality, founder credibility, trading depth, and market popularity, are meticulously scrutinized. The aim is to ensure that only those assets meeting LBank's high standards are listed, enhancing the likelihood of investors trading in quality assets. But the commitment does not endwith rigorous vetting; LBank further secures an advantage for its users by listing coins early. The platform ensures that promising coins are accessible to investors as soon as possible, potentially at lower price points. A testament to this approach was the listing of PEPE on April 18th, arguably the earliest among known centralized exchanges.



This proactive move by LBank provided a notable advantage to its users. After being listed on LBank, PEPE saw an impressive rise in value, with its maximum increase reaching a staggering 6387%. The case of PEPE thus underscores the potential benefits of LBank's approach, which couples rigorous selection with early listing, enabling users to access promising MEME coins at potentially more favorable price points. Supporting the MEME Coin Sector Beyond Listing

The support for MEME coins on LBank extends beyond simply listing. The platform demonstrates tangible commitment through several initiatives. The recently established $10 million MEME Fund by LBank Labs is designed to stimulate early-stage innovative MEME projects, nurture industry growth, and give back to the community. Furthermore, LBank has hosted the MEME Journey voting contest, sparking enthusiasm within the community. The first MemeKing voting event saw impressive participation, with QUACK securing victory with a staggering 500,000 votes, earning the coveted title of MemeKing. The second round saw similar enthusiasm, with 4CHAN triumphing with an impressive 150,000 votes. The event generated over 100 million impressions on Crypto Twitter, which further demonstrated the enthusiastic spirit of the global Memecoin community. Embracing Innovation Beyond High-Risk Assets When asked about LBank's stance on supporting high-risk MEME coins, Eric He takes a broader view. He asserts that LBank's commitment isn't confined to MEME coins alone but extends to all innovative blockchain coins. In his view, the embrace of MEME coins represents the first step in LBank's larger strategy to support innovation within the cryptocurrency landscape. This commitment to supporting innovative coins positions LBank as a frontrunner in the market, ready to deepen its presence and partnership with innovative project teams in the industry. He emphasizes that LBank will continue to be a pioneer in this market, working closely with innovative projects to continually cultivate and advance the market. This holistic approach highlights LBank's commitment to driving innovation and growth in the broader blockchain and crypto industry, demonstrating its role as more than just an exchange platform. As we look to the future, the latest CMC H1 report underscores LBank's continued growth and commitment to top-tier Centralized Exchange (CEX) services. By prioritizing MEME coins, LBank has shown a willingness to embrace risk, supporting innovation and engaging their community in the ever-evolving crypto market. As the industry landscape continues to evolve, LBank stands ready to contribute to its growth and diversification. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/unpacking-lbanks-success-a-strategic-approach-to-meme-coins-and-the-crypto-market-301887546.html SOURCE LBank

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[July 27, 2023] International Monetary Systems designates Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin as recipient of client donations Tweet

NEW BERLIN, Wis., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin ("RMHC Eastern Wisconsin"), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the families of children undergoing medical treatment, has been selected as the beneficiary of a charitable initiative by International Monetary Systems (IMS), a leading national trading network with its headquarters in New Berlin. As part of their community outreach efforts, IMS encourages its Wisconsin clients to support RMHC Eastern Wisconsin. The organization actively participates in the IMS network, which spans 16 offices nationwide and facilitates over $225 million in trade volume annually. Using a barter system, IMS enables businesses to exchange goods and services with other IMS members and receive "trade dollars" in return, which are then deposited into internal accounts. These trade dollars can be used to purchase various items and services within the network, offering businesses an opportunity to save cash and explore new customer avenues. IMS has embarked on a campaign urging its 2,000 Wisconsin clients to make a donation in trade dollars to RMHC Eastern Wisconsin. By providing resources to cover everyday expenses such as professional services, office equipment, and printing, this initiative allows RMHC Eastern Wisconsin to allocate more financial support t its core mission of providing a "home away from home" for families with sick or injured children who are receiving care at Children's Wisconsin.



"We are grateful for our partnership with IMS Barter. Through their clients' barter dollar donation program, we are able to source a variety of products and services that help us support our mission to keep families together and promote the health and well-being of children," said Laurie Bertrand, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin. IMS members contributed $29,000 at this event in 2022 and has set a goal to surpass this figure at an upcoming client appreciation event on August 10th at Helfaer Field, situated next to American Family Field. The event will feature a client-staff softball game, and for every home run hit during the contest, IMS will match the donations.

John Strabley, CEO of International Monetary Systems, emphasized the alignment between RMHC Eastern Wisconsin's focus on children and families and IMS's commitment to serving as stewards to both businesses and the community. He stated, "IMS Barter was founded on the principles of fostering growth and lowering business expenses. RMHC Eastern Wisconsin plays a vital role in providing comfortable and supportive accommodations, allowing families to stay close to their hospitalized child without incurring excessive expenses, and we are honored to sponsor their efforts and collaborate to improve the experiences of families going through a difficult time." Opened in 1984 as the first Ronald McDonald House in Wisconsin, RHMC of Eastern Wisconsin is dedicated to supporting families of children undergoing treatment at Children's Wisconsin. More than just a place to stay, they offer families therapeutic programming, comprehensive meal programs, comfortable community spaces and much more. More information about RHMC of Eastern Wisconsin is available at www.rmhc-easternwi.org, by calling 414-475-5333, or following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RMHCMilwaukee About International Monetary Systems

Founded in 1985, International Monetary Systems (IMS) serves 21,000 cardholders in 52 North American markets. Based in New Berlin, Wisconsin, IMS is the largest barter company in the world. The IMS network allows companies to create cost savings and connect to new customers by incorporating barter opportunities in their business models. Further information can be obtained at the company's website at: www.IMSBarter.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-monetary-systems-designates-ronald-mcdonald-house-charities-of-eastern-wisconsin-as-recipient-of-client-donations-301887551.html SOURCE International Monetary Systems

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[July 27, 2023] Kroger Delivery Expands in Kentucky Tweet

Retailer opens new spoke serving Mt. Zion, Northern Kentucky area INDEPENDENCE, Ky., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the official opening of a new spoke in Independence, Kentucky. This facility opening means customers can tap into Kroger's incredible selection of fresh items, unique Our Brands products and favorite national brands, as well as individualized offers for the products most important to their families  all delivered directly to their door by a friendly, professional associate. "We are thrilled to expand our offerings to Northern Kentucky and connect more customers to the Kroger Delivery shopping experience, which brings thousands of digital coupons, valuable fuel points and the freshest products including Our Brands, directly to customers' doors," said Rebekah Manis, Senior Director, Kroger Delivery Fulfillment Centers. "Our customers are actively looking for ways to save, and Kroger Delivery offers a fresh, affordable and personalized shopping experience with zero-compromise on affordability, selection and convenience. Whether they are using the Kroger app or browsing our weekly ad at Kroger.com, customers can enjoy fresh, high-quality, affordable groceries delivered by best-in-class uniformed drivers." The spoke facility is located in Independence, Kentucky and will work in conjunction with the Monroe, Ohio fulfillment center. All orders are picked at the products' peak freshness within the Monroe facility. Associates carefully assemble orders and place them in climate-controlled vehicles to travel to Independence. Once the orders arrive, they are checked and placed on refrigerated delivery trucks that deliver directly to customers' doors, ensuring cold and frozen products remain at the perfect temperature from the supplier to the customer's refrigerator. The facility will employ nearly 100 associates and currently employs more than 70. Learn more about pursuing a career at Kroger here. "Kroger is a major employer in Northern Kentucky, and we welcome the nearly 100 new jobs the company will add at its facility in Boone County," said Gary Moore, Judge/Executive, Boone County. "As the fastest-growing county in the Cincinnati MSA, we know demand is increasing for home deliveries to customers here and throughout Northern Kentucky." "Kroger is a valued corporate citizen in the Cincinnati region," said Lee Crume, CEO, BE NKY Growth Partnership "We welcome the extension of their delivery service capabilities in Northern Kentucky that will serve the tristate, providing customers with fresh, high-qulity products quickly."



"Investments like this are taking Kentucky to the next level. As we look to expand our economic opportunity, corporate citizens like Kroger are essential to making the Commonwealth a better place to live, work, and do business," said Ashli Watts, President and CEO, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. "We want to thank them for their continued dedication to advancing Kentucky." Northern Kentucky customers can get more value when purchasing their favorite items using Boost by Kroger Plus, the annual grocery delivery membership that recently announced its special anniversary promotion, offering new members who enroll in the Boost by Kroger Plus membership from July 19 through August 8, will automatically receive 1,000 bonus Fuel Points. Eligible customers can try the Boost membership with a free 30-day trial and subscribe for as little as $7.99 a month.

The Northern Kentucky location marks the company's second Kentucky spoke location. It's Louisville, Kentucky spoke launched in May of 2022. Kroger Delivery Explained The expansion to the Kentucky area represents an extension of a collaboration between Kroger and Ocado Group, a world leader in technology for grocery e-commerce. In 2018, the companies announced a collaboration to establish a delivery network that combines artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and automation in a bold new way, bringing first-of-its-kind technology to America. Automated hub sites power this best-in-class customer experience. At each hub, bots navigate 3D grids filled with fresh, shelf-stable and household products to fulfill customers' orders. The system uses advanced AI to determine the packing process, ensuring products are packed accurately and correctly (with heaviest items on the bottom) and the fewest number of bags are used to reduce waste. Once the orders are assembled, associates provide important quality checks. Products move from a climate-controlled fulfillment center directly into customized refrigerated delivery vans to ensure each item stays at the right temperature throughout the delivery process. With each Kroger Delivery van holding up to 20 orders, friendly drivers are then deployed to deliver orders in the most efficient manner possible, accounting for weather and road conditions. Drivers are also happy to accept any plastic bags or plastic film a customer may have, returning it to the facility where it will be recycled by a third-party vendor. Vans may travel up to 90 minutes with orders from the hub and spoke facilities to make deliveries. Associates at the spoke facility will deliver orders within their service area, adding ZIP codes as demand grows. Kroger currently operates customer fulfillment centers in Monroe, OH, Groveland, FL, Forest Park, GA (Atlanta), Pleasant Prairie, WI, Dallas, TX, Romulus, MI (Detroit), Aurora, CO and Frederick, MD, with additional customer fulfillment centers slated for California, Phoenix, AZ, Cleveland, OH, Charlotte, NC, as well as South Florida and the Northeast. Media Assets

To download Kroger Delivery photography and video, visit here .



About Kroger At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names . We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site .



About Ocado Group Ocado Group is a UK based technology company admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange (Ticker OCDO). It provides end-to-end online grocery fulfillment solutions to some of the world's largest grocery retailers and holds a 50% share of Ocado Retail Ltd in the UK in a Joint Venture with Marks & Spencer. Ocado has spent two decades innovating for grocery online, investing in a wide technology estate that includes robotics, AI & machine learning, simulation, forecasting, and edge intelligence. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-delivery-expands-in-kentucky-301887487.html SOURCE The Kroger Co.

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CHENGDU, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Deep in the vast Qinling and Daba Mountains of central China, a feat of engineering stands tall. Numerous wooden planks supported by beams firmly anchored into cliffs create an intricate network of gallery roads, navigating the challenging terrain with sheer ingenuity.

Spanning over 1,000 km, this awe-inspiring road system is known as "Shudao," or roads of the Shu Kingdom. With a history of more than two millennia, Shudao winds its way through rugged mountains and tumultuous streams, connecting present-day Sichuan Province in the southwest with the northern Guanzhong Plain, once the heartland of ancient China.

"Climbing the Shudao is more difficult than reaching heaven," leaving one with no recourse but to "sit and sigh deeply, with a hand on the chest," Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Li Bai once wrote. Such words capture the arduous journey and profound impact of this legendary road system.

"Shudao propelled the economic and cultural prosperity of Sichuan and the surrounding regions, linking the northern and southern routes of the Silk Road, and playing a significant role in the formation and flourishing of the diverse civilizations of ancient China, as well as the development and consolidation of a unified multi-ethnic nation," said Zhu Fuquan, a researcher on Shudao culture.

Nevertheless, Li Bai's poetic vision couldn't have foreseen that these once formidable roads, cutting through natural obstacles, would eventually draw flocks of people to experience the same breathtaking landscapes that once amazed ancient travelers.

The development and evolution of Shudao have transcended poetic imagination, transforming from a trade and military route into a pathway of culture, tourism and biodiversity. Its marvelous paths are adorned with a series of cultural treasures, including historical towns, temples and other relics.

The Cuiyunlang section of Shudao in Jian'ge County of Guangyuan City serves as a fine example. The ancient cypress trees along this section boast an average age of 1,050 years, with the oldest tree dating back approximately 2,300 years.

Since the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.), people living along Shudao have planted and protected cypress trees, creating a tradition that continues to this day.

Presently, the Cuiyunlang section proudly harbors 7,803 ancient trees, with a staggering 7,778 being ancient cypress trees. It has become the most extensive and populous group of ancient trees lining a man-made pathway, with the longest recorded existence.

Since 2012, each outgoing county head of Jian'ge has taken the responsibility of conducting a thorough count and handover of the ancient cypresses, ensuring comprehensive and accountable management and conservation efforts.

Meanwhile, Jian'ge County has undertaken a comprehensive survey of all ancient cypresses in the region, establishing electronic information archives and implementing a system of identity-based management. Adhering to the principle of "customized conservation for each tree," dedicated measures for protection have been devised.

The protection of cultural heritage, such as Shudao, is also on President Xi Jinping's mind. He set aside time to learn about the protection of cultural relics on multiple domestic inspection tours.

During his inspection tour in Sichuan on Tuesday and Wednesday, Xi visited the Cuiyunlang section of Shudao and the Sanxingdui Museum in Deyang City, respectively. He learned about efforts in historical and cultural heritage inheritance and ecological conservation, progress in the excavation and research of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as the protection and restoration of cultural relics.

In recent years, thanks to its remarkable transformation, the ancient Shudao has become a favored destination for tourists and history enthusiasts alike. They are drawn to embark on a captivating journey to explore this once-perilous route, marveling at the scenic spots that adorn its path and gaining a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and architectural achievements of the past.

During the five-day May Day holiday this year, Guangyuan City received a total of 2.66 million tourists, representing an increase of 25.1 percent compared to the pre-COVID level of the same period in 2019.

Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan, serves as the destination and starting point of the ancient Shudao system. From here, a "modern Shudao" is weaving its way to more of China's trade partners.

From this city, China-Europe freight trains journey westward, providing direct connections to Central Asia and various European countries. To the south, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, supported by the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone, has established links to destinations in 119 countries and regions, with 393 ports across the globe. 
[July 27, 2023] Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation Provides $103 Million Loan Guarantee to Facilitate Multi-generational Economic Benefits for Five First Nations and Metis Communities in Alberta Tweet

CALGARY, AB, July 27, 2023 /CNW/ - Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation ("AIOC") is providing a $103 million loan guarantee for five Indigenous communities to acquire, collectively through a newly formed entity called Northern Lakeland Indigenous Alliance ("NLIA"), approximately 43% interest in the Access NGL Pipeline System ("Access NGL"), operated by Wolf Midstream Canada LP ("Wolf"), a leading Canadian owner and operator of midstream energy infrastructure in Western Canada, which is backed by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments). "AIOC continues to be a critical catalyst in driving high impact industry partnerships for Indigenous communities," says Chana Martineau, CEO of AIOC. "Each AIOC supported partnership is designed to provide prosperity and economic reconciliation for generations to come. Canadian corporations are increasingly valuing these partnerships with Indigenous communities, and we are honoured to facilitate these transformational transactions." In July 2023, Wolf successfully commissioned a proprietary, market-scale natural gas liquids ("NGL") industrial system, with a capacity of approximately 70,000 barrels per day. The Access NGL pipeline assets associated with this transaction, connect Wolf's newly constructed, owned and operated NGL recovery facility near Mariana Lake to its NGL separation facility in Sturgeon County. The underlying business is supported by long-term commercial arrangements with major NGL customers and a 25-year NGL transportation agreement that will generate stable and meaningful income for NLIA and their respective Indigenous communities. The five communities and leadership participating in this deal are: Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement (Chairmn Stan Delorme), Kikino Metis Settlement (Councillor Lee Thom), Heart Lake First Nation #469 (Chief Curtis Monias), Saddle Lake Cree Nation #125 (Chief Terry Cardinal) and Whitefish Lake First Nation #128 (Chief Stan Houle). This transaction will provide these communities with steady, long-term revenue streams, as well as opportunities for reinvestment and capabilities to pursue additional profit-generating ventures. The revenues could also be invested into underfunded projects.



"Indigenous equity ownership in major infrastructure projects is a signal from industry and government of their commitment to economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples. For First Nations and Metis Settlements involved in these types of partnerships it means improved quality of life and long-term economic stability and prosperity," says Tony Bagga, President and Director of NLIA.

"The AIOC model empowers Indigenous communities with funding and resources," says Honourable Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations for the Government of Alberta. "Industry and Indigenous partners have seen what's possible through our recent transactions and are stepping up in big ways to support economic reconciliation in this province. With now more than $500 million in loan guarantees provided through the AIOC, we will only get bigger and better from here." "Wolf is very pleased to be partnering with the NLIA with this new critical NGL transmission infrastructure investment in Alberta," says Bob Lock, President and CEO of Wolf. "In line with our company values and principles, this is a proud opportunity to build on our meaningful and enduring relationships with the communities where we operate." "Since our initial investment in 2016, Wolf has made impressive strides in the Alberta midstream landscape and beyond," says Bruce Hogg, Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Energies, CPP Investments. "This partnership is an example of Wolf's commitment to creating long-term value, including in the communities in which they operate." About Wolf Based in Alberta, Wolf is a private company, backed by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments). Wolf was formed in 2016 to focus on the acquisition and construction of innovative and sustainable midstream energy infrastructure assets in Western Canada. About AIOC

AIOC is a provincial Crown Corporation which exists to serve as a catalyst for Indigenous prosperity and independence through investment and involvement in Alberta's natural resources, agriculture, transportation, and telecommunications sectors. To date, AIOC has provided $513 million in loan guarantees across five transactions. A total of 27 Indigenous communities have been served by the AIOC loan guarantees, including 17 First Nations and 10 Metis communities and Locals in Alberta SOURCE Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation

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[July 27, 2023] THINKCAR Tech Achieves 600,000 Core Users in Three Years, Expands Globally with Multi-Channel Approach Tweet

LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2023 /CNW/ -- THINKCAR Tech has reached a significant milestone by accumulating over 600,000 core users as of July 2023, a testament to its user-centered product development approach. The company is continuously investing in multi-channel development to reach the goal of a million user club. Since its establishment, THINKCAR Tech has been committed to creating technology products that meet the actual needs of users and solve their pain points, utilizing advanced technology and excellent design. To provide high-quality services, THINKCAR Tech has expanded its global market presence by establishing offices in the United States, Asia, Europe, and other regions. The company has also prioritized the construction and dissemination of its brand image, participating in internationl exhibitions and industry forums to enhance its brand awareness. In the first half of 2023, the company participated in 15 international professional exhibitions across America, Europe, and Asia, establishing strong connections with potential customers, partners, and industry experts.



Driven by technological innovation, THINKCAR Tech has invested in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data, leading to the creation of high-end diagnostic technologies that are innovative in the industry. The company acquires more than 260 pieces of intellectual property and launched automotive video remote diagnostic equipment that revolutionizes the diagnostic industry. This equipment enables real-time voice and video communication between maintenance technicians, online maintenance experts, and service merchants, expanding high-end repair and diagnostic technology from local cities to the whole country and even the world. In the second half of 2023, THINKCAR Tech plans to complete the deployment of its global online service center and cloud computing server in more than 10 countries and regions around the world. The company will also continue to expand its global influence by actively participating in several international exhibitions, including Auto Parts & Aftermarket in Frankfurt (Moscow), Auto Korea, Auto Parts & Aftermarket in Frankfurt (South Africa), Bus & Truck Show in Yangon (Myanmar), Frankfurt Show in Shanghai, and Dubai (United Arab Emirates).

Stay updated on THINKCAR Tech's latest developments by visiting the official website: www.thinkcar.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thinkcar-tech-achieves-600-000-core-users-in-three-years-expands-globally-with-multi-channel-approach-301887273.html SOURCE THINKCAR

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[July 27, 2023] BondExchange Named Recommended Surety Partner on TrustedChoice.com Tweet

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and MINNEAPOLIS, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BondExchange, the technology and service leader in the surety bond industry, and TrustedChoice.com, the leading digital marketing platform for the independent insurance industry, announced today an enhanced partnership to bring BondExchange's surety platform to the nation's largest collection of independent insurance agents. BondExchange Named Recommended Surety Partner on TrustedChoice.com Immediate access to the BondExchange platform is available to TrustedChoice.com agents at www.bondexchange.com/trusted-choice. "BondExchange's mission is to empower agents with the tools needed to make surety a consistently profitable and low touch product line," said Jackson Cromer, President of BondExchange. "We've spent over 40 years perfecting this ormula, and we are excited to make our industry leading surety bond platform and underwriting team available to all TrustedChoice.com agents."



"TrustedChoice.com pairs agents and their customers with the companies that can best handle their insurance needs," said Vinnie Savarese, SVP of Company Relations for TrustedChoice.com. "We are thrilled to add BondExchange as a company partner and provide our agents with a trusted option to place their surety business." "Surety bonds have historically been a difficult product line for agents," continued Cromer. "We've created a solution that eliminates the pain points agents face with surety by making the quoting and issuing process quick and easy. We are excited to bring our free to use, first-class offering to TrustedChoice.com agents. We look forward to working with them to transform surety bonds into a profitable line of business."

About BondExchange Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, BondExchange is the technology leader in the surety industry, servicing thousands of insurance agents across the U.S. BondExchange is licensed in all 50 US states and writes all types of surety bonds for all customer profiles. Website: https://www.bondexchange.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bond_exchange LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bond-exchange-inc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bondexchange About TrustedChoice.com TrustedChoice.com builds leading digital insurtech marketing solutions for the independent insurance agency channel. TrustedChoice.com's solutions suite empowers independent agents and insurers to compete in a digital-first marketplace. Its Advantage digital marketing platform enables agents and insurers to scale their brand visibility to gain and retain clients. The TrustedChoice.com consumer website has attracted over 36 million visitors to date and offers online insurance consumers a retail-like buying experience, connecting the right risk to the right agent at the right buying moment. For more information visit: https://www.trustedchoice.com/advantage/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bondexchange-named-recommended-surety-partner-on-trustedchoicecom-301887556.html SOURCE BondExchange

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[July 27, 2023] WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Sabin Center Launch Model Environmental Justice Bills Tweet

In an effort to advance environmental justice solutions across the U.S., WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Columbia Law School's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law launched a suite of model local and state environmental justice bills today for legislators and advocates to adopt and introduce in their state's 2024 legislative sessions. Dismantling Injustice: A M.O.D.E.L.(Model for Optimizing and Designing Environmental Legislation) For Empowering Communities was created to arm interested legislators with tools to accelerate proposed policy changes quickly. The suite contains model legislative language, fact sheets, memos and regulatory briefing information across five topic areas: (1) cumulative impact reports, (2) source permits, (3) permit renewals, (4) environmental advisory boards and (5) zoning. "Legislators and other advocates interested in environmental injustice face myriad constraints with their time and the most effective ways to address constituent concerns," said Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice. "By identifying the most impactful actions that can be taken and giving legislators a blueprint to adapt to their state, we're ensuring they can take meaningful action quicker and more effectively. We are grateful to the partnership and insight of the Sabin Center for their work and collaboration on this." The five model bills included the addition of regulatory oversight by state environmental agencies to address environmental injustice, new data metrics and increased public engagement, two critical components in understanding the full extent of cumulative impacts. WE ACT brought this partnership idea to the Sabin Center to leverage New Jersey and New York's cumulative impacts legislation to impact other communities positively. The work with WE ACT was part of an initiative the Sabin Center took in alignment with its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (DEIA) plan.



"Many disadvantaged communities suffer from cumulative impacts -- the overlapping sources of pollution and other environmental harms," said Michael Gerrard, founder and faculty director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. "We are honored to partner with WE ACT in drafting and promoting model bills that state legislatures can tailor to their own needs and enact to reduce the cumulative impacts that already exist and to prevent new ones from arising." Cumulative Impacts are critical when evaluating impacts on communities with environmental justice concerns, as the combined exposures to pollutants, according to the EPA, "often increases their vulnerability to new or ongoing environmental hazards, which can cause, perpetuate, or exacerbate disproportionate environmental and public health harms and risks." As a result, community members suffer from higher adverse health effects, including asthma, cancer, elevated blood lead levels, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and development disorders, especially found in children.

Environmental justice topics and, specifically, cumulative impacts, have been the subject of renewed interest under the Biden Administration, which issued an Executive Order in 2021 with a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. The timing of the new suite is also essential in light of recently weakened or repealed federal environmental protections, which has led to uncertainty regarding the evaluation, guidance and regulatory enforcement associated with the assessment of cumulative impacts. While some states have already enacted cumulative impacts and environmental justice laws, such as New York, New Jersey and Maryland, additional efforts at the state level are needed to continue addressing cumulative impacts. The full suite can be found at dismantlinginjustice.org WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan membership-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents participate meaningfully in creating sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Visit us at weact.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The core mission of the Sabin Center is to develop and promulgate legal techniques to address climate change and to train the next generation of lawyers who will be leaders in the field. The Sabin Center is both a partner to and resource for public interest legal institutions engaged in climate change work. Further, the center addresses a critical need for the systematic development of legal techniques to fight climate change and the compilation and dissemination of information for lawyers in the public, private and NGO sectors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727917254/en/

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[July 27, 2023] USAID Delivers Skydio Autonomous Camera Drones to Ukraine to Document War Crimes Tweet

Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the delivery of nine autonomous drones donated by Skydio, a leading U.S. drone manufacturer, to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. The Skydio 2+ drones have 4K cameras that will be used to take photo and video content to document war crimes. These will aid the Office of the Prosecutor General to document the more than 115,000 instances of destroyed civilian infrastructure, and evidence of human rights abuses on frontline communities and liberated territories. These drones are critical for the Prosecutor General's team, as it pursues justice for survivors of war crimes and human rights abuses committed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In addition to facilitating this donation by Skydio, a U.S. pivate sector company, USAID supports broader efforts to pursue accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses. Two USAID-supported Ukrainian human rights coalitions have documented more than 40,000 incidents of Russia's war crimes since February 24, 2022. USAID also participates in joint war crimes documentation visits with Ukraine's Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights.



USAID's facilitation of drones donated by Skydio is the latest partnership with the U.S. private sector to support Ukraine. USAID has delivered Starlink data terminals donated by SpaceX, as well as laptops and software for Ukraine's schoolchildren and teachers, donated by HP, Inc., JP.IK, and Microsoft. USAID also partners with the private sector to support Ukrainian grain production and export through the AGRI-Ukraine initiative launched in July 2022. In Odesa last week, Administrator Samantha Power announced an additional $250 million in USAID support for AGRI-Ukraine, bringing the USAID contribution to $350 million, and leveraged an additional $250 million for the Initiative, including from fellow donors, the private sector, and foundations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727156012/en/

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[July 27, 2023] Nash Squared appoints new Executive Committee members to drive growth Tweet

LONDON, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nash Squared, the global leader in technology and talent solutions, announced today the appointment of three new members to its Executive Council. The change reflects Nash Squared's increasing focus on global growth and collaboration across the Group's brands, services and geographies. These appointments further enhance our ability to support our customers on a wide range of technology and talent solutions. The three appointments, all existing leaders within the Nash Squared business, are: President USA: Jason Pyle Jason currently leads one of Harvey Nash's biggest regions. He joined Nash Squared in 2020 through the acquisition of a USA technology recruitment business, which he successfully integrated and led through major growth. The USA is one of Nash Squared's biggest growth markets, reflected in this Executive Council appointment. Managing Director UKI, Central Europe & Australia: Andy Heyes In his current role, Andy has delivered significant growth in one of our most mature markets, the UK South. This newly expanded role for our tech talent solutions brands, whih also encompasses our regions in the UK North and Ireland, Central Europe (Germany, Poland & Switzerland) and Australia, will apply this valuable experience across important growth territories.



Chief Commercial Officer: Rhona Carmichael In this new position, Rhona will be responsible for the commercial strategy and development at Nash Squared, ensuring that we continue to grow through collaboration and cross-selling across our operations. Rhona established and grew Harvey Nash Scotland and latterly the UK North & Ireland to become one of our most successful businesses, and now takes this important growth experience company-wide.

Bev White, CEO of Nash Squared commented: "One word that is mentioned multiple times in this announcement is 'growth'. I am delighted to welcome Jason, Andy and Rhona to the Executive Committee, bringing extremely valuable and varied experience to our team, and strengthening our strategy of international growth and collaboration. It's an exciting development for us all, and also reflects Nash Squared's focus on developing and growing our own talent. " About Nash Squared Nash Squared are the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. We're equipped with a unique network, that realises the potential where people and technology meet. For over three decades we've been helping clients solve broad and complex problems, building and transforming their technology and digital capability. Full release here Michelle Thomas, [email protected], +44 (0) 20 7333 2677 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nash-squared-appoints-new-executive-committee-members-to-drive-growth-301887653.html

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[July 27, 2023]

Elo GPS Tracks Down Stolen Cars: From AirBnB Burglar to Gunpoint Robbery

National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month: Elo GPS Is Safeguarding Vehicles Nationwide

IRVINE, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, Elo GPS, a leading vehicle theft recovery system, continues to make significant strides in protecting vehicles and providing invaluable peace of mind to owners across the nation.

In Seattle , a suspected AirBnB Burglar was apprehended due to data provided by the vehicle owners Elo GPS account.

As the issue of vehicle theft gains attention during this important month of awareness, Elo GPS remains steadfast in its commitment to provide law enforcement agencies and vehicle owners with unparalleled support in the swift recovery of stolen vehicles.

In one terrifying incident in Wichita Falls, after being robbed at gunpoint in her own driveway, a Wichita Falls woman found herself unable to remember her license plate number but was able to log into her Elo GPS account to share the vehicle's real-time location with the Wichita Falls Police Department.

The Elo GPS App keeps drivers connected to their car in real-time, so they're always aware of where and how their car is being driven. Officers used this information to swiftly recover the vehicle and arrest the suspect.

In another incident in Seattle this month, a suspected AirBnB Burglar was apprehended due to the data provided by the vehicle owner's Elo GPS account. The suspect was able to break-in to a second story AirBnB being rented by three women, ages 18-23, sneaking past the building's ring cameras undetected. Personal items were taken including electronics, jewelry, and a victim's car keys, and with them, her car. Police were able to keep track of every turn the suspect made through the vehicle owner's Elo GPS account to corner the suspect and bring them into custody







Elo GPS is designed to keep vehicle owners constantly connected to their cars in real-time, providing them with crucial information about the vehicle's whereabouts and usage plus early theft detection alerts for unauthorized movement. When shared with law enforcement agencies, this location data enables them to respond quickly and efficiently, resulting in an average recovery time of just under four hours for vehicles with Elo GPS systems.

Recent statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) have underscored the need for robust vehicle theft prevention and recovery solutions. Vehicle thefts nationwide have shockingly surpassed one million for the first time since 2008. And with only 13.8% of vehicle theft cases solved, a theft prevention and recovery system is more important than ever.

Elo GPS, provided by Connected Dealer Services, offers a 24/7 Stolen Recovery Hotline with expert recovery specialists on standby to guide customers through the stressful reporting and recovery process and help coordinate with law enforcement on their behalf.

Thieves continually look for new ways to steal vehicles, as evidenced by the Hyundai/KIA TikTok Challenge . And today, with a vehicle stolen every 36 seconds , more law enforcement agencies encourage consumers to install theft recovery devices.

The Arlington Texas Police Department says , "[vehicle theft] is a serious crime because it usually leads to somebody evading in the car ...You can purchase an alarm system or look at GPS tracking that are both affordable options to keep an eye on your car."

Beyond just recovery, Elo GPS significantly reduces the likelihood of costly damages that may not be covered by insurance, as it expedites the recovery process, minimizing the time the stolen vehicle spends in the hands of criminals and increasing the changes of recovering the vehicle without major damages.

To learn more about the benefits of Elo GPS and how it can safeguard your vehicle, contact your nearest dealer or visit our website at www.elogps.com.

About Elo GPS:

Elo GPS by Connected Dealer Services is a cutting-edge vehicle theft recovery system that leverages advanced GPS technology to empower vehicle owners and aid law enforcement agencies in recovering stolen vehicles. With a mission to protect vehicles and provide peace of mind, Elo GPS continues to be at the forefront of safeguarding the nation's automobiles.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elo-gps-tracks-down-stolen-cars-from-airbnb-burglar-to-gunpoint-robbery-301887730.html

SOURCE Elo GPS
[July 27, 2023] Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Declares Quarterly Common Stock Dividend and Preferred Stock Dividend Tweet

The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (the "Company") has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock, which is the same as the second quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2022. Based on the Company's common stock closing price of $31.39 on July 26, 2023, the dividend yield is approximately 3.8%. The common stock dividend is payable on August 25, 2023 to common shareholders of record as of August 11, 2023. The Board also declared a quarterly dividend on the outstanding shares of the Company's 6.875% Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A preferred stock"). The Series A preferred stock is representd by depositary shares, each representing a 1/400th ownership interest in a share of Series A preferred stock. The dividend of $171.88 per share (equivalent to $0.43 per outstanding depositary share) is payable on September 1, 2023 to holders of record as of August 17, 2023.



About Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (NYSE: AUB) is the holding company for Atlantic Union Bank. Atlantic Union Bank has 109 branches and approximately 125 ATMs located throughout Virginia, and in portions of Maryland and North Carolina. Certain non-bank financial services affiliates of Atlantic Union Bank include: Atlantic Union Equipment Finance, Inc., which provides equipment financing; Atlantic Union Financial Consultants, LLC, which provides brokerage services; and Union Insurance Group, LLC, which offers various lines of insurance products.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727758831/en/

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[July 27, 2023] Orion S.A. Releases 2022 Sustainability Report Tweet

Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a global specialty chemicals company, today released its 2022 Sustainability Report that highlights a variety of initiatives, including launching four new sustainable products, conducting a Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions inventory and nearing the completion of a massive air emissions control project. The report's "CEO Letter to Stakeholders" describes the magnitude, complexity and impact of the air emissions control initiative that started five years ago and is the biggest sustainability-linked project in Orion's history. The company will fulfill its commitments before several competitors despite that it has more production sites in the U.S. "All of us at Orion can look back at the past five years and feel an extreme amount of pride," Orion CEO Corning Painter said. "We stayed committed during intensely trying times and honored our agreement to make our facilities cleaner, leading to a big impact for the environment and health in our communities." A decade ago, Orion was the first major producer to develop and commercialize carbon black made from renewable feedstocks. The 2022 Sustainability Report covers how the company continues to be a leading innovator, launching four sustainable products last year for the rubber industry: ECORAX Circular 210, 215, 220 and ECORAX Nature 200. "Supplying the growing demand for sustainable products and accelerating the transition to a circular economy are key components of our strategy," Painter sad. "Orion as well as our customers are serious about making their raw materials fully sustainable. So we are heavily engaged in this area and work closely with our customers to develop solutions."



Another 2022 sustainability milestone at Orion involved implementing a Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions inventory, which allows the company to develop a better understanding of the type of initiatives that would help reduce these emissions. Scope 3 emissions - those produced by Orion's value chain partners - currently account for less than 40% of the total of Orion's greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, in parallel to reducing Scope 3 emissions together with value chain partners, the company continues to focus on the sources of greenhouse gas emissions that it can directly influence, such as Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

About Orion S.A. Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is a leading global supplier of carbon black, a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets. The material is made to customers' exacting specifications for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics and numerous other specialty, high-performance applications. Carbon black is used to tint, colorize, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability and add UV protection. Orion has four innovation centers, and produces carbon black at 15 plants worldwide, offering the most diverse variety of production processes in the industry. The company's corporate lineage goes back more than 160 years to Germany, where it operates the world's longest-running carbon black plant. Orion is a leading innovator, applying a deep understanding of customers' needs to deliver sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com. Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information, other than as required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230727435271/en/

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[July 27, 2023] ETH Monsta: A Meme Gamechanger! Tweet

DENVER,CO, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arriving on the Ethereum landscape as a rebranded and migrated token, ETH Monsta (METH) has undergone a significant transformation to revitalize the project ( formerly Pepe Monsta - raised more than 300 ETH in their presale ) and adapt to the ever-changing crypto space. It is now becoming a hyper-deflationary meme token in disguise. It will be powered by an innovative community investment and asset management platform with yield-bearing NFT and multi-asset vault utility.







Developed by the team behind Cake Monster (MONSTA) on BSC, which achieved an impressive market cap of 250 million,ETH Monsta aims to expand the ecosystem's sustainability and reward utility. Its community-managed platform will generate yield in a highly deflationary environment, covering a range of risks while prioritizing hedging strategies for market volatility.



Through token sale taxes and reward vaults, the protocol dynamically employs short-term/high-risk and long-term/low-risk investment strategies, supported by buybacks and burns for continued deflation. The goal is to acquire potential high-class assets early on, benefiting METH token and NFT holders and utilizing a long-term strategy with less volatile investments. ETH Monsta will introduce a gamified NFT utility system integrated into the multi-asset vault design, offering users an engaging, fresh, and rewarding experience. Collaborations with top artists and other crypto projects within the same niche (DeFi, Meme, NFT) are part of the project's vision to disrupt the space.

Their team recently used Assure Defi for their KYC verification and onboarded their first seasoned project advisor and brand ambassador - El Crypto Chapo - who will help kick things off from the start and add expertise to their project.

Join the revolution on Friday, July 28th, as ETH Monsta relaunches with trading going live at 2 pm UTC on UniSwap. Website: https:// eth.monsta.finance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Monsta_ETH

Telegram: https://t.me/MonstaFinance



Sten Wie ETH MONSTA moongirl at monsta.finance sten at assuredefi.com

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BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China's major industrial firms reported a smaller profit decline in June, official data showed Thursday.

Industrial firms with annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.81 million U.S. dollars) saw their combined profits stand at 719.76 billion yuan last month, down 8.3 percent from a year ago, narrowing from the 12.6-percent drop in May. 
[July 27, 2023] NASA Launches Beta Site; On-Demand Streaming, App Update Coming Soon Tweet

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is elevating its digital platforms for the benefit of all by revamping its flagship and science websites, adding its first on-demand streaming service, and upgrading the NASA app. With these changes, everyone will have access to a new world of content from the space agency. Users can access the early, in-progress preview of the beta website now and are encouraged to visit and submit feedback at: https://beta.nasa.gov/ "Our vision is to inspire humanity through a unified, world-class NASA web experience," said Jeff Seaton, chief information officer at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "NASA's legacy footprint presents an opportunity to dramatically improve the user experience for the public we serve. Modernizing our main websites from a technology standpoint and streamlining how the public engages with our content online are critical first steps in making our agency's information more accessible, discoverable, and secure." This new web experience will serve as an ever-expanding yet consolidated homebase for information about the agency's missions and research, climate data, Artemis updates, and more. The updated nasa.gov and science.nasa.gov websites will provide a connected, topic-driven experience, with a common search engine, integrated navigation, and optimized publishing capabilities in a modernized and secure set of web tools. NASA will continue to update and imprve the beta site on a rolling-basis as it receives feedback from website visitors. Once fully launched, the online content from a selection of popular agency websites will be included within this new experience to ensure easier, integrated access to NASA information currently found across the agency's many websites.



Later this year, NASA also will launch its new streaming platform, NASA+., and upgrade the NASA app. Through the ad-free, no cost, and family-friendly streaming service, users will gain access to the agency's Emmy Award-winning live coverage and views into NASA's missions through collections of original video series, including a handful of new series launching with the streaming service. "We're putting space on demand and at your fingertips with NASA's new streaming platform," said Marc Etkind, associate administrator, Office of Communications, NASA Headquarters. "Transforming our digital presence will help us better tell the stories of how NASA explores the unknown in air and space, inspires through discovery, and innovates for the benefit of humanity."

NASA+ will be available on most major platforms via the NASA App on iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices; streaming media players such as, Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV; and on the web across desktop and mobile devices. Following the launch of all new digital platforms, NASA will continue to connect additional agency websites and multimedia libraries into this new experience to continually streamline all the information shared across its centers, missions, and programs. With an enhanced digital presence, NASA will share science, research, exploration, and innovation with the world through cohesive platforms. "From exoplanet research to better understanding Earth's climate and the influence of the Sun on our planet along with exploration of the solar system, our new science and flagship websites, as well as forthcoming NASA+ videos, showcases our discovery programs in an interdisciplinary and crosscutting way, ultimately building stronger connections with our visitors and viewers," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters. To keep up with the latest news from NASA and learn more about the agency, visit NASA's current flagship site. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-launches-beta-site-on-demand-streaming-app-update-coming-soon-301887842.html SOURCE NASA

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[July 27, 2023] Nigeria Data Center Market Analysis 2023: 15 Existing & 10 Upcoming Centers Unveiled Tweet

DUBLIN, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Nigeria Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This comprehensive database offers detailed insights into 15 existing data centers and 10 upcoming data centers in key locations such as Abuja and Lagos. With a focus on colocation data centers, the database provides essential information on white-floor space, IT load capacity, future capacity additions, and retail colocation pricing, including Quarter Rack, Half Rack Cabinets, and Full Rack Cabinet options. Key Market Highlights: Nigeria - A Thriving Secondary Data Center Market in Africa Nigeria emerges as a notable secondary data center market in Africa, attracting investments from renowned colocation operators. Leading players such as 21st Century Technologies, MDX-I (Equinix), Galaxy Backbone, Rack Centres, and MTN have already made significant contributions to the market's growth. Global Interest in Nigeria's Data Center Market Global data center operators are increasingly recognizing the potential of the Nigerian market. Notably, Equinix's acquisition of MainOne (MDX-I) and Digital Realty's acquisition of Medallion Data Centres showcase the growing interest and confidence in Nigeria's data center landscape. Africa Data Centers - A Major IT Load Capacity Contributor Africa Data Centers stand out as a significant IT load capacity contributor, accounting for more than 30% of the Nigeria data center market. Their pesence further strengthens Nigeria's position as a regional data center hub.



Lagos - The Heart of Nigeria's Data Center Market Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital, plays a pivotal role in the data center market, contributing to more than 90% of the existing rack capacity in the country. Its strategic location and robust infrastructure make it an ideal destination for data center investments.

Database Overview - Covering Essential Data Points The database includes an in-depth analysis of each facility, encompassing existing and upcoming data centers: Existing Data Centers (15 Facilities): Market Snapshot

Location (Region/Country/City)

Facility Address

Operator/Owner Name

Data Center Name (e.g., Lekki II or LGS1)

Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area)

Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity)

Rack Capacity

Year of Operations

Design Standards (Tier I - IV)

Power/Cooling Redundancy Upcoming Data Centers (10 Facilities): Investment Snapshot

Location (Region/Country/City)

Investor Name

Area (White-Floor Area)

Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity)

Investment ($ Million)

Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million)

Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million)

General Construction Services Investment ($ Million)

Announcement Year

Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned)

Active or Expected Year of Opening Investors/Operators Covered: The database features a comprehensive list of key investors and operators in the Nigeria data center market, including: 21Century Technologies

Africa Data Centres

Airtel Africa

Cloud Exchange (DimensionData)

CWG PLC

Excelsimo Networks

ipNX

MDX-I (Equinix)

Medallion Communications (Digital Realty)

MTN

Open Access Data Centres (OADC)

Rack Centre

Digital Realty & Pembani Remgro's

Kasi Cloud Target Audience: The database caters to various industry stakeholders, including data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), construction contractors, infrastructure providers, new entrants, and consulting firms, as well as corporate and government agencies seeking insights into Nigeria's dynamic data center market. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uhj16i About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nigeria-data-center-market-analysis-2023-15-existing--10-upcoming-centers-unveiled-301887313.html SOURCE Research and Markets

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Here's one of many complaints against a busted process . . . This time with an EPIC payout:



"In a major loss for Jackson County, the Missouri State Tax Commission has ruled that the county overvalued the Country Club Plaza in 2019 by 38%. If that ruling is upheld on an expected appeal, taxing districts  including Kansas City Public Schools  would be forced to refund the Plaza millions of dollars."

Additional TKC note . . .

Let's not feel too sorry for Public Schools given that they're pretty horrible AND they're already flush with cash.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Jackson County may be forced to pay back millions in taxes to the Country Club Plaza A State Tax Commission hearing officer ruled the county overvalued 20 properties on the Plaza in 2019 by almost $113 million. If the ruling is upheld on appeal, taxing districts in Jackson County might have to refund millions of dollars. The shopping district is also planning to appeal its 2023 reassessment.

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Tragic Kansas City highway news should remind us all to drive carefully and slow it down during the Summer rush.



Check the latest info . . .



A driver died after a semi-truck crashed and caught fire Thursday morning on Interstate 435 in Kansas City.



Fire crews responded around 8:45 a.m. to eastbound I-435 near Interstate 470, where they found the semi-truck crashed into the highways outer barrier, said Michael Hopkins, a spokesman for the Kansas City Fire Department.



The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Kansas City police will investigate the fatality.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Right now we take a moment to recognize the greatness of hottie Alessandra who still seems to be holding up well as we check pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Discussing Cowtown Diseases

First-of-it's-kind public health summit comes to Kansas City The Syndemic Solutions Summit focused on a syndemic approach to ending five health epidemics: HIV, STI's, viral hepatitis, substance use and mental health, and reproductive and sexual health.

Disgrace: Golden Ghetto Ignores 'Get Off My Lawn' Crowd

Overland Park officials blow off residents' requests for help with storm cleanup - The Sentinel Residents upset about storm cleanup are put off by deceptive property tax claims, rude comments, and an absentee mayor.

Show-Me Mud Hole History

How Missouri made the Lake of the Ozarks: Crimes, sunken homes and dreams of a Midwest oasis With more shoreline than the coast of California, the Lake of the Ozarks in mid-central Missouri is a popular tourist destination for land-locked Midwesterners. For decades, it's provided financial opportunities for locals and outside interests alike - but at what cost?

Rock Chalk Billionaire Watching

Keep an eye out for SpaceX moving across Kansas The loads will enter the state on Highway 36 from St. Joseph, Missouri. They will take a mostly rural path of highways through Kansas, but will also use portions of I-70, Highway 77, and 56.

Blast From Past Nobody Wanted

A year after Missouri Senate collapse, Eric Greitens reemerges to bash Ron DeSantis * Missouri Independent Eric Greitens wrote a column for a pro-Trump news site declaring Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential hopes dead.

More Deets On Midtown Tear Down In Hopes Of Condo Riches

Demolition begins at former hospital location in Kansas City to make way for new apartments Demolition began this week to bring a new apartment complex at the site of the former Trinity Lutheran Hospital near 31st and Main.

Angel Fashions Good Life

Alessandra Ambrosio shares sexy snaps from luxurious vacation in Ibiza Alessandra Ambrosio may be on vacation, but that didn't keep her from posting some sexy snaps on social media Monday. She showed off her very toned tummy in a pink crop top.

Dems Won't Challenge Prez?!?

Biden has enormous polling lead in Democratic primary, despite challenge from RFK Jr. Joe Biden has a yawning lead in FiveThirtyEight's Democratic presidential primary polling average over Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson

First Son Confronts Legal FAIL

Rejected plea deal leaves Hunter Biden's team fuming A deal to help the president's son avoid prison blew up in a chaotic, three-hour court hearing.

Political Clap Back Paused

Dems weigh censure war over Santos and Greene The House GOP took the first shot by censuring Rep. Adam Schiff and rebuking Rep. Pramila Jayapal. Democrats are considering hitting back - but are unsure they want to escalate the tit-for-tat.

BIDENOMICS WORKS?!?!

US economy blows past expectations: Three quick takeaways Gross domestic production (GDP) came in hot in the second quarter, growing at a 2.4 percent rate that marked the fourth straight quarter of positive growth and underlining the resilience of the U.S. economy. Economists polled by Bloomberg had been expecting GDP growth of around 1.8 percent, meaning the 2.4 percent growth was a...

Eastern Europe Fight Against Russian Army Moves Forward

Kyiv is said to have launched a major push against Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine Kyiv has launched a major push to dislodge Russian forces from southeastern Ukraine as part of its weeks-long counteroffensive, committing thousands of troops to the battle in the country's southeast.

Fear Far East?!?

War with China would be an 'onslaught' like the US hasn't faced in decades From battleships to semiconductors, experts say that America's inability to build anything means the US isn't ready for a war with China.

Old School Infection Returns

Why Are So Many People Getting Syphilis? An Expert Explains the Uptick in Cases Dr. Edward Hook - director of the STD Control Program for the Jefferson County Department of Health - spoke to PEOPLE about the recent uptick in syphilis cases

News For Summer Boozing

Thelma's Kitchen is Casual Animal Brewing's Latest Local Motive - IN Kansas City Magazine Community support is a founding principle of Casual Animal Brewing, as co-owners Kyle and Lara Gray included their philanthropic "give-back tap," dubbed the Local Motive, in their original business plan. Two dollars of every Local Motive beer sold goes directly to a nonprofit of Casual Animal's choice, with the beer and organization rotating every two...

Hipsters Grow Future

'I see them as potential farms': Kansas City hydroponic farm growing in an East Bottoms warehouse A Kansas City-based start-up bought an old warehouse around a year ago with the goal to curb urban blight.

Snail Mail Stays Losing Suburbs

Shawnee residents haven't had mail delivered in days Neighbors in Shawnee say they've gone days without receiving their mail. The U.S. Postal Service said it's having staffing shortages.

Another Undesired Comeback

Colorado returning to Big 12? League presidents approve membership as Buffaloes consider leaving Pac-12 The Buffaloes appear to be ramping up towards a return to the conference they helped found decades ago

Midwest Biz Salvation Promised

Right to Start plans GOP debate on entrepreneurship; If America is going to be saved, Heartland innovators will be key, says leader "Americans actually care about entrepreneurship a lot," said Victor Hwang. "They care about issues affecting entrepreneurs a lot, but they haven't articulated it, and our leaders haven't helped them articulate it."

Cowtown Pets Suffer Heat

KCMO Animal Services Division sees increase in calls in the heat Kansas City, Missouri's, Animal Services Division says on hot days, their calls increase anywhere from 15% to 30%.

Burning Sensation Persists

FORECAST: Weather Alert Thursday, dangerous heat, storms moving in It's a weather alert Thursday with dangerous heat continuing to spread across the region yet a little bit of relief in the form of precipitation in the forecast.

4 Non Blondes - What's Up was a suprise billboard hit of 1993 and serves as the #TBT song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Skeptics of higher education often complain about the lack of practical skills offered by many degree programs.

Admittedly, sometimes it's hard to justify how much this local blogger knows about French new wave cinema of the 1960s.

However, here's a practical learning opportunity that should make everybody happy . . . From stoners to old codgers i.e. the only people who write online comments.

Check-it . . .

KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGES NOW OFFERING WEED DEGREES!!!

Given that legal marijuana is the only real cash crop left in Missouri, the economic benefit is obvious.

Here's the pitch as old school moralistic certitude crumbles and it turns out that dealing (legal) drugs is one of the best new ways to earn a living . . .



Dr. Richard Wallace, Director of Continuing Education at MCC, said the programs are designed to provide graduates with the job skills training needed for a career in the cannabis industry.



MCCKC is the first college or university located in Kansas City to offer online certificate programs in the emerging field of cannabis education, Wallace said in a press release. The Workforce and Economic Development Division at MCC has identified the need and the demand in high-growth opportunities in the cannabis job market; and for those who are seeking a career in the cannabis industry locally, state-wide, or nationally. We are excited to launch our cannabis certificate programs.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
For late night & early morning denizens of the discourse we share local resources that are somewhat inspiring, just a bit hopeful and stand out from our typical snark.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Jerusalem Farm welcomes new neighbors in Northeast's first community land trust home Abby HooverManaging Editor On Friday, July 21, Jerusalem Farm welcomed the community to tour Northeast Kansas City's first Kansas City [...]

Crane Brewing working to make cold ones enjoyable, more sustainable for planet Crane Brewing says they've cracked open some ideas on how to be more sustainable, starting with their aluminum cans.

With 'transition benefits,' Missouri residents won't be kicked off SNAP if they get a pay raise Transition benefits gradually reduce the amount of benefits someone gets from things like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as their income rises. The measure is seen as a way to incentivize people to earn more money working, without falling off the so-called benefit cliff.

Independence veteran gets new roof thanks to volunteers working in extreme heat Truman-Heritage Habitat for Humanity continues its efforts, helping close to a dozen deserving veterans each. Tim Tevis is one of them.

'Younger eyes' at Street Wearhouse see opportunity to win through the screen as digital personality meets quality printing The owners of a recently-opened print studio - a leadership team that includes the creator of the guerrilla streetwear brand Clever Fools - hope to make an imprint on the industry by taking a different approach to garment design and production, they said.

How Kansas City's marijuana sales tax will help fund homelessness solutions In April, Kansas City voters approved a 3% tax on recreational marijuana revenue -1% of which will go towards finding solutions for houseless population. The city's homelessness prevention coordinator shared ideas of how the funding might be used.

RESOURCE: Find a cooling center in your area As the weather starts to really heat up, we want to share a resource you can use to find a cooling center in your area.

Developing . . .
Cowtown perspective on political & social upheaval possibly planed at a local dive bar . . .



"Most people think of what was then called the 'gay rights' or 'gay liberation movement' as starting at Stonewall," said Joel Barrett, the KC Rainbow Tour creator. "I say it was birthed at Stonewall, but it was actually conceived three years earlier here in Kansas City."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Credit where it's due . . . The local news cartel knows that people just click & share headlines.

And so their provocative tag was well-received . . . Even if didn't actually document much of local "death on the streets" just more study from academics & activists.



Still, we like a bit of newsy salesmanship and appreciate the data . . . Take a peek:



Around 1,798 people are homeless on any given night in Kansas City, according to a Kansas City advocacy group. Wichitas annual homeless count showed 702 unhoused individuals, the highest number recorded by the yearly survey since 2011. In Topeka, an annual survey showed 412 individuals experiencing homelessness in the city in 2023.



The paper also found people experiencing homelessness have significantly higher mortality risks than their peers. An unhoused 40-year-old has a similar mortality risk to a 60-year-old with housing or a 50-year-old person living in poverty with housing.

And so we're really talking about probability and, thankfully, not hobo bodies.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
A peek at life in the sticks . . . Which is more sleazy than campaign commercials suggest . . . Check-it:



Cass County Sheriff's deputies and Harrisonville police officers searched the Everyday store at Commercial and Independence streets.



Investigators spent months gathering evidence of store employees distributing narcotics, according to a news release from the Cass County Sheriff's Office.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
by Liu Ziyi, Li Haiyue and Zhou Qianxian

FUZHOU, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Professor Liu Jinhe has developed a new habit of checking his phone for the latest updates on Typhoon Doksuri every few minutes since he arrived in east China's Fujian Province.

Liu and his students from Peking University reached Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian, on Monday for a research trip. However, the approaching typhoon forced them to suspend their original plans.

The Fujian Meteorological Bureau's bespoke weather forecasting app provides the latest updates on the movements of Typhoon Doksuri, disseminating timely and accurate alerts for the public.

Effective 9 a.m. Thursday, Fujian raised the emergency response for typhoon to Level I, the highest alert level, as Super Typhoon Doksuri is expected to become the strongest typhoon to make landfall in the south of Fujian since 2017.

The typhoon, observed over the ocean about 410 km southeast of the south coast of Fujian at 10 a.m. Thursday, is expected to move northwest at a speed of around 15 km per hour with increased intensity, the Fujian Meteorological observatory said in a statement.

It will most likely make landfall in the coastal areas between Jinjiang city and Dongshan Island between morning and noon on Friday, according to the observatory.

Typhoon monitoring is conducted around the clock, employing a three-dimensional approach utilizing meteorological satellites, weather radar and automatic weather stations positioned on both land and sea, said Huang Zhigang, chief weather forecaster of Fujian Meteorological Bureau.

The meteorological bureau is taking proactive measures to enhance its services, including boosting precise typhoon monitoring and ramping up the frequency of dynamic forecasts for typhoons, risk alerts and defense guidelines, to ensure vital information reaches every citizen in a timely manner.

Huang pointed out that disaster prevention is a social activity, which needs the cooperation of various departments.

During a recent typhoon prevention consultation meeting, meteorological departments across the province strengthened their coordination with other departments such as emergency, marine, maritime, agriculture, natural resources, water conservancy, cultural and tourism, transportation, and energy.

As Super Typhoon Doksuri continues to bear down, Dongshan County, located on Dongshan Island, the second-largest island in Fujian, is bracing for the impact. Local authorities are intensifying efforts to call fishing boats back to port and evacuate crews aboard.

The local government is actively utilizing platforms such as WeChat, text messaging and cloud broadcasting to ensure fishermen and aquaculture farmers are well-informed about the impending storm, while coastal tourist sites and beaches are also ramping up their safety measures.

More than 6,800 local vessels in Dongshan County have already returned to the harbor, and all 2,218 people involved in coastal aquaculture have been safely evacuated.

The local fire department has also assembled teams in advance, and they are conducting round-the-clock inspections of emergency rescue equipment such as assault boats and drainage devices, as part of their ongoing preparations for potential flood control and typhoon response.

A batch of food supplies arrived at the Fujian Meteorological observatory for those working overtime during the typhoon.

The looming typhoon has necessitated constant monitoring, increased personnel and heightened efforts, and the preparations to combat the impacts of Typhoon Doksuri are already well underway, said Lin Qing, deputy director of the observatory. Enditem

(Huang Lingli and Zhang Fan also contributed to the story)
We talked about the personal bias of elected officials in downtown stadium negotiations since early in the month . . . And this morning there's the update . . .

JACKSON COUNTY EXEC FRANK WHITE'S LONGSTANDING GRUDGE AGAINST THE ROYALS IS NOW OPENLY BLAMED FOR THEIR IMPENDING DEPARTURE!!!



For those who don't know . . .

In his former career . . . Exec White FLOPPED in the Royals organization after they carried him for YEARS . . . He didn't have much luck as a commentator, front office employee or as a minor league manager.

Apropos for TBT . . .

The stadium move to NKC will likely be blamed on his bruised ego.

Our blog community has been talking about this for more than a month . . . The local municipal class are finally catching up to the drama . . .

And now a developer blog is putting it on blast (again) this morning . . .



Royals sent Jackson County whats called a term sheet outlining what the club wants in a long-term lease for a proposed ballpark at the East Village and extending the existing 3/8th cent county sales tax to help pay for it



Theyve been waiting for a response ever since and sources say part of the hold-up has been with Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Royals Stadium Negotiations at Standstill With Jackson County The Kansas City Royals are frustrated by Jackson County Executive Frank White's slow response to a "term sheet" for a new downtown ballpark plan sent in June.

Developing . . .


From Sinead O'Connor to Florence Pugh, the shaved head is a powerful form of resistance

The Oppenheimer stars buzz cut is pushback against Hollywood glam. The only thing that people can look at then is your raw face.
TTC riders wait for a shuttle bus at Kennedy Station July 25. The City of Toronto says it's expanding a program that offers discount fairs to low-income residents. - R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star photo
Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter with Metroland Media Toronto and toronto.com. He has been covering the crime beat since 2002 and has a passion for giving a voice to those affected by tragedy and looking at societal issues that may have contributed to it.
ULAN BATOR, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed in a traffic accident in the southern Mongolian province of Umnugovi on Wednesday evening, the country's Traffic Police Department said Thursday.

The accident occurred when a car crashed into a truck on a paved road in the territory of Khankhongor soum (administrative subdivision) of the province, the police department said, adding that all five people in the car lost their lives immediately at the scene.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, the department said, urging drivers to comply with traffic rules to protect their own and others' lives. 
The Prime Minister has posted on his facebook page what he says are excerpts of the confiden
After Russia grossly violated its international obligations to recognize the territorial integrity of Ukraine and refrain from aggression, in particular, within the framework of the Budapest Memorandum, other signatories responded to the call for help to give us a chance to exercise our right to self-defense.

The United States and United Kingdom have shown leadership and helped assemble a coalition of 50 countries that are helping Ukraine. It includes almost all European nations. Russias neighbors, understanding its criminal neocolonial ambitions like no other, have acted as defenders and lobbyists of Ukraine, countering Russia's propaganda frenzy.

The support of Ukraine by sustainable democracy countries presented the Kremlins accusations of Nazism as ridiculous because it turned out that the whole democratic world was Nazi. However, exposing Russian lies has never stopped Moscow. Therefore, to repel a larger army, which had been preparing for this war for decades, Ukraine needed effective international assistance in various fields, first of all, the supply of weapons and ammunition.

In this article, the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security recalls what assistance its allies provided to Ukraine in 2023, and what it saved our country from.

Goals for 2023

Ukraine, which suffered from terrorist attacks on the energy infrastructure, started the second year of repelling the full-scale aggression with comforting news. It was primarily about receiving two American Patriot SAM systems. The transfer of this rather high-tech air defence system after months of hesitation by the United States showed that Ukraine was trusted. Serious preparatory work was carried out for the effective use of the complexes.

Moreover, in January, the forthcoming transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, necessary for the long-awaited counteroffensive, was announced.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Western weapons have had a significant impact on the course of hostilities. However, no type of weapon alone could provide a strategic advantage. Despite this, in the mass consciousness, getting a new iconic weapon is always perceived with a certain euphoria and hope for miraculous equipment. We can remember how before the full-scale aggression, Javelin, Stinger, and Bayraktar were idealized in society. This trend was even reflected in the ironic meme Saint Javelin.

In the subsequent stages, the breakthroughs that influenced the course of the war were the American howitzers M777, as well as the MLRS HIMARS. The latter also became subjects of endless memes.

But it is obvious that strategically, victory will be ensured by the combination of all elements. One of them is the general consistency and disposition of the people to regularly overcome complex challenges.

At the end of 2022, Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said in an interview that he needed 300 tanks, 600700 infantry fighting vehicles, 500 howitzers for the counteroffensive. Thus, the task for 2023, in addition to strengthening the air defence, was the formation of a mechanized iron fist to break through the line of defence of the ruscists. In 2023, the allies are helping us to form it. In spring, we received Leopard tanks and other armoured vehicles: Swedish CV 90 IFVs, American Bradleys, MaxxPro armoured vehicles, etc.

The combat vehicles were not prepared for a parade. As Zaluzhnyi later noted, commenting in an interview with The Washington Post on June 30 on the inevitable losses of the counteroffensive, a Leopard tank is a target on the battlefield.

Western partners helped to compensate for the lost equipment. According to military historian Mykhailo Zhyrokhov, instead of the lost 17 Bradleys, we were given 15. Portugal, for example, announced that it would provide 4 more Leopard tanks.

What was saved by Patriots and how to close the sky

In 2023, the emphasis was on strengthening air defence. In spring, Patriot began to cover the Ukrainian sky, in particular, over the capital. In addition, the Ukrainian air defence system was strengthened by the SAMP/T complex from Italy and France, the Avenger self-propelled surface-to-air missile system, and the Gepard anti-aircraft self-propelled guns. This new air defence umbrella actually saved the capital during an increase in the wave of shelling in May, when the Russians attacked Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast 17 times.

During such attacks as in May, we could have been left with the ruins of administrative buildings in the centre of Kyiv and several affected important strategic facilities, says Mykhailo Zhyrokhov. In May, the Russians began to massively use Kinzhal aero-ballistic missiles, which we wouldnt have intercepted with anything but Patriot. At least 13 Kinzhal missiles could have reached their targets. Then we would see, for example, the ruins of the SSU, the General Staff, and maybe the building of the Verkhovna Rada, Bankova. There are also alternate command centres, which are underground and covered with concrete. It was for their destruction that the Russians launched Kinzhal missiles in May. Previously, the ruscists already used these expensive missiles against the ammunition depot in Lviv Oblast. On the day of the Ukrainian Air Force in 2022, 2 missiles hit the disguised command centre of the Ukrainian Air Force. These are the cases that were mentioned in the public sphere. Maybe there were more.

At the NATO Summit, it was reported that Germany would transfer two more launchers to the Patriot SAM.

Russia has also intensified attacks on Ukraine with Iranian Shahed UAVs. A question of the development of air defense precisely to combat kamikaze drones has arisen because this requires other tools than those used to shoot down Kinzhal or cruise missiles like Kalibr.

For the war with the Shahed drones, it is necessary to increase the number of mobile groups. says Zhyrokhov. Pickup trucks with machine guns and an early warning system because radar stations do not cover them and the main method of detection is visual contact. We need more people who will look at the sky through binoculars or other technical means. If we are talking about nights  we need powerful spotlights, as during World War II.

In 2023, to strengthen protection against UAVs, Ukraine began to receive Viktor anti-aircraft machine gun systems from the Czech Republic, which are already successfully operating in the north of Ukraine. This is a paired 14.5 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, which is mounted on the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 chassis and, in addition to the UAV, is also useful for countering aircraft and helicopters at low altitudes.

According to Mykhailo Zhyrokhov, 15 Viktor units have already been transferred to Ukraine, and hundreds more have been paid for by the Netherlands. During the recent visit of the President to the Czech Republic, it became known that the country would also provide Ukraine with attack helicopters.

Storm Shadow missiles remind about the borders of Ukraine

In addition to tanks and the strengthening of air defense, it was important for Ukraine to obtain a certain number of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles with a launch range of more than 250 kilometers.

The Anglo-French Storm Shadow is a long-range air-launched missile. They were provided by the United Kingdom on the condition that Ukraine would not apply them on the territory of Russia. This technological weapon, given its cost and limited number, is suitable for striking the most important enemy targets  command centres, air bases, fuel and ammunition depots, etc. In May, the destruction of Russian facilities in occupied Luhansk was reported. The building of the former Higher Military Aviation School of Navigators, which could have hosted a military base or a barracks with personnel of the Russian occupation forces, was targeted. On June 8, Storm Shadow missiles destroyed the bases for repairing ruscist equipment on the territory of industrial enterprises in Luhansk. Russian Major General Sergei Goryachev was liquidated in Ukraine in mid-June during a strike on the command center of the occupiers.

According to the reserve officer of the AFU Andrii Kramarov, the rate of Russians intercepting Storm Shadow missiles is only 10-15%. Thus, high-precision weapons remind the occupiers throughout Ukraine that state borders exist in order to be respected.

The UK also announced that it will transfer kamikaze drones with a range of up to 200 km to Ukraine in the first months of summer.

Ukraine also expects to receive ATACMS short-range ballistic missiles for HIMARS, which have a range of 140 or 300 km.

At the NATO summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country was transferring SCALP missiles to Ukraine, which is the French equivalent of Storm Shadow.

F-16 aircraft  getting started

In 2023, the Biden administration stated for the first time that F-16 aircraft could be provided to Ukraine. The discussion moved to the plane of pilot training, which showed the presence of a principled decision. However, the Pentagon believes that this year, first of all, it is necessary to focus on strengthening air defence, and not on aircraft.

Great Britain took up the training of Ukrainian crews. Thus, Minister of State for the Armed Forces James Heappey said that his country will begin basic training for twenty Ukrainian pilots in August. The Netherlands and Denmark are also cooperating to organize the training of Ukrainian pilots to fly fourth-generation aircraft. Recently, it has been reported that Romania plans to open an F-16 pilot training center for NATO and Ukraine.

According to Mykhailo Zhyrokhov, F-16 aircraft will appear in Ukraine no earlier than the beginning of 2024. If the Ukrainian Air Force mentions 6 months, then the West voices much longer terms.

The West first sets up the infrastructure, and then it provides the planes. The problem is that we do not have the appropriate airfield equipment because it is all tailored to Soviet models. There are no technicians who could service the F-16 because this is a different philosophy of weapons, which is new to us. Soviet equipment was created as simple, roughly, for anyone, and the Western one implied that it would be serviced by a motivated professional. One F-16 aircraft requires, if I am not mistaken, 12 technicians in different directions. Starting with radar equipment and ending with weapons. Technicians learn longer than pilots. You also need to learn how to use bombs and missiles correctly. In fact, training pilots is the minimum of what needs to be done.

Perhaps in the public field, the emphasis on the F-16 has the logic to keep this process in focus and moving forward. However, from a military perspective, if 24 aircraft are given to us now, they will be shot down in combat operations the day after tomorrow.

Yurii Ihnat, the spokesman of the Air Force of Ukraine, drew attention to the fact that F-16 aircraft are needed primarily to intercept missiles that strike regions that are less covered from the sky.

Tank year of Ukraine

Assistance from the West is comprehensive, and therefore seems slow. Tanks and self-propelled artillery units were not provided until repair depots were established in Lithuania, Poland, and Romania, so that Ukraine could not only use the equipment on the battlefield, but also repair and maintain it in good condition.

According to Zhyrokhov, the technical infrastructure, developed in neighboring allied countries, proved its effectiveness. Thus, the self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 is repaired in Lithuania, Krab  in Poland. In Romania and Poland, repair workshops for Western tanks have been created, which are already operating.

In early summer, the training of Ukrainian forces on the Stryker and Bradley combat vehicles was completed, as reported by the U.S. Department of Defense. Presently, Ukrainians are undergoing training on American Abrams M1A1 tanks, which is likely to be completed by the end of the summer. It is expected that after autumn training, 31 tanks will be provided to Ukraine. There were reports that Abrams M1A1 tanks were currently being mastered by 200 Ukrainians, whose training would last 3 months.

Moreover, in early June, in the UK, Ukrainian soldiers were trained on AS 90 self-propelled howitzers and Challenger 2 tanks. In the coming months, Ukraine is to receive an additional amount of Leopard 2 and Leopard 1 tanks. At the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Germany announced the transfer of 40 Marder IFVs and 25 Leopard 1 tanks. Germany and Poland should jointly provide training and their maintenance. According to Oryx analysts, in 2023, the Czech Republic supplied Ukraine with 90 T-72 tanks, which were financed by the United States and the Netherlands.

In total, more than 60,000 Ukrainian servicemen were trained by allies and partners; 11,000 of them were trained by the United States. However, according to Mykhailo Zhyrokhov, training in Europe is not a panacea. European countries do not have much combat experience. Recently, it has been mostly about peacekeeping operations. Sometimes there are elements in training that are rarely useful in a real war. In addition, the wartime army of Ukraine consists of mobilized civilians, and therefore one should not expect that a person will master, for example, staff experience, which will be practical in Ukrainian combat conditions, in 2 months of the training. These things need to be considered in the future.

On the eve of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the United States decided to include 155-mm DPICM cluster munitions in the new package of military assistance to Ukraine. This will help the Defense Forces avoid the ammunition hunger that accompanies the hostilities throughout the full-scale phase of the war.

Defence Express quotes Joe Biden: Unless such weapons are given to the Armed Forces, the civilian population of Ukraine that will indeed suffer, but at the hands of Russian occupiers. This fuels optimism about the future transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. According to the latest news, Slovakia will provide Ukraine with 16 Zuzana self-propelled howitzers, and the countries will also jointly produce a new type of howitzer. According to media reports, Poland handed over about 10 Mi-24 attack helicopters to Ukraine. A 155-mm Firtina self-propelled gun is expected from Turkey.

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the Biden administration has allocated more than USD 41.3 bln for security assistance to Ukraine.

Interesting data was provided by Laura K. Cooper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia, at a Capitol hearing about the contributions of other coalition members. According to her, more than half of all tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, 155-mm artillery systems and unmanned aircraft systems, as well as about half of Stinger and Javelin missiles, come to Ukraine from other allies.

If we count not in absolute numbers, but in proportion to our GDP, says Cooper, then the United States comes 12th in the ranking of countries that help Ukraine. Nine European countries have already provided more than USD 1 billion.

Ms. Cooper noted another important point: allies are beginning to make long-term commitments to support Ukraine. Thus, Germany approved a support programme worth about USD 13 bln over the next 910 years. Norway has allocated more than USD 7 bln, and Denmark recently announced assistance for USD 3.2 bln. In cooperation with partners, the industrial production of weapons is growing both to support Ukraine and to replenish the Ministry of Defense, she said.

Another fact was reported to the International Donor Coordination Centre. To date, Ukraine has received about 600 different types of equipment and armed platforms. According to one of the Centres representatives, the fact that the Defense Forces were able to skillfully manage and maintain these systems is a testament to Ukrainian skill and ingenuity. After all, such diversity is unprecedented for one country.

The training of the Ukrainian military takes place at about 40 training grounds outside Ukraine.

A large number of countries that help Ukraine realize that the final say in the war for freedom will be given to Ukrainian soldiers who heroically destroy the aggressor and liberate their land.

The democratic world is showing integrity in defending justice and international law, as well as the principles that were laid down in the Budapest Memorandum when Kyiv agreed to nuclear disarmament. Ukraine highly appreciates this assistance. Overcoming common challenges for the sake of defeating the evil also helps unite the countries of the free world on a new level, which will give rise to new strong partnerships, interaction, and prosperity.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security
MACAO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair kicked off on Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), pooling together over 400 enterprises with their quality products ranging from pre-made dishes, electric vehicles to daily necessities and jewelry.

Covering an area of around 9,000 square meters, the four-day event sees 20 percent more exhibitors in general and three times more exhibitors along the Belt and Road compared with last year.

This year's fair is aimed at promoting two-way exchanges and cooperation between enterprises in Guangdong and Macao, given that trade between the two sides accounts for more than 60 percent of the total trade between Macao and the Chinese mainland, according to the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, co-hosts of the event.

This year, the fair also invited over 300 professional visitors from the mainland and along the Belt and Road as well as customer groups organized by governments and e-commerce platforms alike to facilitate business agreements.

The event was held for the 15th time this year. 
Ukraines Defense Forces are holding back Russias onslaught in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions, and continue successful offensive actions in the Bakhmut direction and eastern Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Defense Deputy Minister Hanna Maliar on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Ukraines Defense Forces continue holding back the onslaught by Russian troops in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions. There, the enemy is looking for weak spots in our defense, launching artillery strikes, attacking with infantry groups and using special operations units. They are making every effort to push through our defense but in vain. In the above directions, our defenders are taking all measures to stop the enemy, Maliar told.

In the Bakhmut direction, Ukraines Defense Forces continue successful offensive actions on the southern flank around the town of Bakhmut. Fierce battles are raging near such settlements as Klishchiivka, Kurdiumivka and Andriivka.

The enemy is holding on to each meter of the occupied land, putting up strong resistance, using reserves but, at the same time, suffering significant losses, Maliar noted.

Commenting on the situation in eastern Ukraine, Maliar mentioned that Ukrainian forces continue conducting the offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, and are gradually advancing.

Near Staromaiorske, battles are underway. Our defenders are succeeding and gaining a foothold within the re-captured frontiers, Maliar added.

In her words, the enemy is making unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost positions, namely to the northeast of the Zaporizhzhia regions Robotne.

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov
Ukraines Air Force destroyed two Kalibr-type cruise missiles over the Vinnytsia region, which had been fired by Russian occupiers from the Black Sea.

The relevant statement was made by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Around 01:00 p.m., July 26, 2023, the enemy fired Kalibr-type cruise missiles from the Black Sea. Presumably, the missiles were fired from a Russian submarine. The projectiles entered the airspace from the southeastern direction, changing course along the tracking route. Both missiles were shot down in the Vinnytsia region, the report states.

Later, Ukraines Air Force warned that 12 Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers had fired more missiles from the Caspian Sea. The air raid alert was expected to be announced in southern and eastern Ukraine around 05:40 p.m. (local time).
At night on July 27, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed eight Shahed-136/131 attack drones, which the Russian invaders used to attack from the southeast.

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this in a statement on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

" At night on July 27, 2023, Russia attacked from the southeast with UAVs and cruise missiles. In total, two launches of the Kalibr missile system from a submarine in the Black Sea and eight Iranian Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones from the direction of Primorsko-Akhtarsk were recorded," the Air Force said.

It is reported that the Russians attacked the port infrastructure of the Odesa region with Kalibr. The enemy missiles failed to hit the infrastructure, causing damage and casualties.

All eight enemy attack drones were destroyed by the Air Force in the Khmelnytskyi, Dnipro and Donetsk regions.

As reported, in addition to the night air attack, in total, the Russian invaders carried out 49 missile and 37 air strikes and more than 63 attacks with multiple rocket launchers on the positions of the Defense Forces and settlements over the day.
Moldova says it will expel 45 Russian diplomats and other embassy staff because of their "unfriendly actions".

This was reported by the BBC, according to Ukrinform.

"For many years we have been the object of hostile Russian actions and policies. Many of them were made through the embassy," said Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu.

The total will be cut to just 25 - a figure closer to the number Moldova has at its Moscow embassy.

Read also: SBU detains Russian spy helping enemy prepare another air strike on Kharkiv

Announcing the expulsion on Wednesday, the ministry said it was prompted by "ongoing tensions and unfriendly actions" and the Russians would have to leave by 15 August.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moldova's "unfriendly step will not go unanswered".
Today, the twelfth column of vehicles carrying Wagner Group mercenaries arrived in Belarus.

This was reported by the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group, Ukrinform saw.

"The 12th convoy of Wagner Groups vehicles crossed into Belarus through the Ponyativka (Russia) - Zvenchatka (Belasur) checkpoint, and is currently moving along the R122 route to the village of Chausiv (Mogilev region) escorted by the Belarusian traffic police," the report says.

It is noted that there are at least 50 vehicles in the convoy. In addition, this is at least the second convoy of Wagnerites entering Belarus that had Shchuka (Chekan) armored vehicles in them. There are five such vehicles in the latest convoy.

Read also: British Parliament criticizes government for insufficient sanctions against Wagner PMC

Also, three fuel tankers, a bus, 17 vans, at least tow trucks carrying an excavator, a fuel tanker, and a Shchuka vehicle, six Kamaz trucks, two Soveit-era offroad vans, as well as pickup trucks and civilian passenger cars were spotted.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on July 6, Belaruss Aleksandr Lukashenko said he was ready to use the Wagner Group in Belarus.

The authorities of Belarus allowed that Wagner Group be deployed at the camp in the village of Tsel, Mogilev region, where tents for almost 9,000 people have been set up.

The Commander of Ukraines Joint Forces, Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, stated that Wagner Groups deployment in Belarus aims to exert psychological pressure on and intimidate the Ukrainians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova summoned Russia's Ambassador to Chisinau, Oleg Vasnetsov, after journalists published an investigation into surveillance efforts targeting the Moldovan government conducted from the roof of the Russian embassy in Chisinau.

Thats according to NewsMaker, Ukrinform reports.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with other competent institutions, analyzes the nature and scope of espionage activities, including those of the persons mentioned in the journalistic investigation. We consider absolutely unacceptable any espionage and foreign interference in the internal affairs of Moldova, which constitute a direct challenge and threat to the sovereignty and national security of our state," the ministry said in a statement published on July 25.

The Russian ambassador in Chisinau was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain the situation. "Depending on further developments, the authorities of Moldova will consider several response options," the ministry emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, a joint investigation by Jurnal TV and The Insider journalists said Russian intelligence was intensifying surveillance of the Moldovan authorities from the roof of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau.

Photo from The Insider website
Ukrainian defense companies and enterprises have displayed their stands at the IDEF23 International Defense Industry Fair, which has opened in Istanbul today.

This is reported by an Ukrinform correspondent.

President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the participants via video link, having welcomed exhibitors and guests from different countries.

The IDEF23 exhibition displays the stands of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) and ARSENAL State Enterprise, as well as NVECTECH LLC, SPECTEHNOMASH Scientific Production Center LLC and SpetsTechnoExport State Enterprise.

The Ukrainian delegation headed by Defense Deputy Minister Denys Sharapov, as well as the top managers of Ukraines leading defense enterprises, will visit the exhibition.

The IDEF International Defense Industry Fair is a world-famous and powerful international platform for the presentation of defense and technology products, which involves more than 1,500 companies producing equipment and weapons from over 50 countries.

Photo: Olha Budnyk, Ukrinform
Ukraine has received about $27 billion from international partners since the beginning of 2023.

The relevant statement was made by National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Governor Andriy Pyshnyy at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has received about $27 billion from international partners, which significantly exceeds the amount of the NBUs foreign currency sales intended to balance the foreign exchange market, Pyshnyy said.

In his words, thanks to the rhythmic inflow of international aid, Ukraines foreign exchange reserves reached $39 billion at the end of June 2023. The international support allowed the Ukrainian government to cover a significant budget deficit without resorting to monetary financing.

A reminder that Ukraine expects to receive $42 billion in financial assistance in 2023, including $4.6 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The state budget of Ukraine received US$ 1.5 billion in concessional financing, which is provided under the guarantee of the Government of Japan through the World Bank Trust Fund facility.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Finance, Ukrinform saw.

The involved financing will be aimed at recovering the economy and strengthening the social protection of the population. I am grateful for the unceasing support of Ukraine to the Government of Japan during its presidency of the G7, as well as to the World Bank team, said Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko.

It is noted that since the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has received more than USD 581 mln in concessional financing from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

This year, the Government of Japan is expected to provide another USD 2 billion in direct budget support through the World Bank Trust Fund.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Japanese government will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion and in post-war reconstruction. It plans to hold a special meeting for Japanese businesses to encourage them to participate more actively in Ukraine's economic recovery projects.
The leadership of the German military department has no comments on how Ukrainian soldiers are defending their land and liberating the territories temporarily occupied by Russian invaders, but there is a constant exchange of experience and improvement.

The relevant statement was made by Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev in a commentary to Ukrinform.

Ambassador called it important that the Ukrainian side is in constant dialogue with the German Ministry of Defense. A lot of military liaison officers are working, relevant information is constantly exchanged, and recommendations are being formulated on the coordination of units and the use of equipment that Ukraine receives from Germany and other partners, the ambassador noted.

"We ask our German partners to conduct the so-called After Action Review, which is a standard procedure that is carried out after operations, after each day of training, to see what was done correctly and what was not. We really appreciate their advice on what to do and how to do it. This happens both at the tactical and strategic level and is part of the training of our Armed Forces," Makeiev said.

Ambassador also emphasized the need to understand that no army in the world today has such experience in combat operations as the Ukrainian one. That is why the After Action Review also provides a lot of information to our partners, who are changing their tactical and strategic approaches, as well as adjusting the training process of both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and their own military.

"If we look at it from a strategic point of view, everyone realizes that the means available to the Ukrainian side, including armored vehicles, air defense systems, and aircraft, are not sufficient. Therefore, when we talk about "Kampf der verbundenen Waffen" (all-out war), we must understand that we, unfortunately, lack long-range artillery and air superiority. In such circumstances, what we are doing is fully understood and supported by the high command," the ambassador emphasized.

In recent days, a Bundeswehr document classified as "secret," as quoted by the tabloid Bild, has become a topic of discussion in the German and Ukrainian media. It allegedly criticizes some of the tactics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It was not prepared by representatives of the Defense Ministry's leadership. The report contains some "criticism" of the Armed Forces, including a lack of coherence and coordination, as well as the incomplete implementation of skills acquired during training abroad. Many German experts have already criticized this document, which, however, no one has seen in person.
BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China's National Meteorological Center on Thursday renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms as heavy downpours are expected to lash multiple regions of the country.

From 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday, heavy downpours and rainstorms are forecast to hit regions including Taiwan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Gansu, and Shaanxi, according to the center.

Some parts of these regions are forecast to experience heavy rainfall, with maximum hourly precipitation surpassing 80 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

Local governments have been advised to brace for the rainstorms and inspect drainage systems in cities, farmlands and fishponds. Transport authorities have been asked to adopt traffic control measures on road sections with heavy rainfall and guide traffic in waterlogged sections.

The center has also suggested that dangerous outdoor power supplies be cut in low-lying areas, outdoor operations be suspended in open areas, and people in at-risk areas or residing in at-risk buildings be relocated to safe sites.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. 
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Ukraine-NATO Council strongly condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal.

Allies and Ukraine strongly condemned Russias decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal and its deliberate attempts to stop Ukraines agricultural exports on which hundreds of millions of people worldwide depend. They also condemned Russias recent missile attacks on Odesa, Mykolaiv, and other port cities, including Moscows cynical drone attack on the Ukrainian grain storage facility in the Danube port city of Reni, very close to the Romanian border, reads the statement.

Allies noted that Russias new warning area in the Black Sea, within Bulgarias exclusive economic zone, has created new risks for miscalculation and escalation, as well as serious impediments to freedom of navigation.

Moreover, NATO and Allies are stepping up surveillance and reconnaissance in the Black Sea region, including with maritime patrol aircraft and drones.

As reported, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convened a meeting of the newly established Ukraine-NATO Council on July 26 at Kyiv's request to hold consultations on the latest developments and discuss the transportation of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea.
Allies are stepping up support for Ukraine and increasing NATO's vigilance in the Black Sea region.

Thats according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Alliances press service.

Russia bears full responsibility for its dangerous and escalatory actions in the Black Sea region. Russia must stop weaponising hunger, and threatening the worlds most vulnerable people with food instability. Russias actions also pose substantial risks to the stability of the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance to NATO. Allies are stepping up support to Ukraine and increasing our vigilance. We remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory from any aggression, Stoltenberg said.

Allies welcomed the continued efforts of Turkiye to revitalise the grain deal, and the efforts of other Allies  including Bulgaria and Romania  as well as the European Union and the United Nations to enable the continued export of Ukrainian grain by land and sea. Allies also made clear that they would continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.

The allies also confirmed that they are stepping up surveillance and reconnaissance in the Black Sea region, in particular with maritime patrol aircraft and drones.

As reported, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, at Kyiv's request, convened a meeting of the newly created Ukraine-NATO Council on July 26 to consult on the latest actions of the Russian Federation and discuss the transportation of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea routes.

Photo: Ukrainian Presidents Office
Liberia has expressed readiness to join the implementation of the Peace Formula and take part in the corresponding summit.

This was stated by President George Weah during a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Dmytro Kuleba Affairs of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of MFA Ukraine.

The parties discussed Russian aggression against Ukraine and its consequences for international peace and security. The minister spoke in detail about the 10 points of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula, which aims to restore a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

"In response, the Liberian side resolutely condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and expressed readiness to join efforts to implement the Peace Formula and hold a corresponding summit," the foreign ministry reported.

During Kuleba's meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, Dee-Maxwell Kemayah, special attention was paid to Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which used to play an important role in ensuring global food security. The Liberian minister expressed his support for the steps Ukraine is taking to preserve the maritime export of Ukrainian grain.

The interlocutors also discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, construction, health care, and education.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on July 23, Dmytro Kuleba kicked off his third Africa tour with a visit to Equatorial Guinea.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expects President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to show specific support, namely through the arrangement of his meeting with the leaders of Latin America.

The relevant statement was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Globo, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Among the steps that the Brazilian leader could have taken to help Ukraine, Zelensky mentioned, in particular, the possible arrangement of his meeting with the leaders of Latin America.

Latin America is very important to me, Brazil and other countries too. Indeed, I would like [to pay a visit to Brazil  Ed.]. If I receive an invitation, I will go, the President of Ukraine said.

Zelensky offered Lula to act as a regional leader and gather the leaders of other countries in the region so that they could hear a message from Ukraine.

If he can get other Latin American leaders together, we can all meet in Brazil or elsewhere. This will also greatly help the entire world to restore peace. And Ukraine will be heard and supported by the continent, Zelensky explained.

The Head of State expressed confidence that the President of Brazil and Brazilian people support Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Ukraine needs their support.

In addition, President Zelensky expressed hope that Brazil could promote the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia had recently terminated.

At the same time, the President of Ukraine does not expect any military aid from Brazil.

I am not going to ask Lula to give me weapons. Why? I know that he wont do so, Zelensky added.

A reminder that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated earlier that the world was tiring of Russias war in Ukraine.

In an interview with the Latin American media outlets, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that he would be interested to meet with the Brazilian leader to discuss the current situation.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Estonians perfectly remember the times of Russian occupation, so they have no illusions about Moscow's actions. In the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Estonia's military support contributes to the strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities in countering Russian aggression.

Thats according to Estonias Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, who spoke in an exclusive interview with ArmyInform, seen by Ukrinform.

"We all understand that we have to continue to help Ukraine in whatever way we can. Time is definitely of the essence. We have no other options because we want Ukraine to win this war, so we have to help it," the government official said, according to the report posted in Ukrainian.

"This aid that we have sent to Ukraine is more than 1% of our GDP, which is the top figure in the world in this regard. That is why I believe that all other countries can also do more," added the Estonian official.

"Of course, no one wanted to see that in the 21st century there would be such a war in Europe as were seeing now. We have the main goal: firstly, to help Ukraine, and secondly, to learn all the lessons we have already learned.

We appreciate this cooperation with the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Now this cooperation also has taken up the format of an agreement on cooperation in the defense sector. On the other hand, we are taking practical lessons from the Ukrainian battlefield," the Estonian minister said.

In May, the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization Oleh Haiduk visited Estonia where he discussed with his Estonian counterparts the issues of cyber cooperation, the minister recalled.

In the cyber domain, we will do more together in the future. Not only bilateral cooperation is foreseen, but also support of Ukraine in international organizations, the EU and NATO," Pevkur noted.

As reported earlier, Estonia has already allocated UAH 16 million for the restoration of the bridge damaged by a Russian airstrike in Malyn, Zhytomyr region.
Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Ihor Zhovkva held a meeting with Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora who is visiting Ukraine.

As the President's Office reports, the parties discussed the key issues of UkraineEU cooperation agenda, in particular, considered Ukraine's further steps towards European integration and praised Ukraine's progress in implementing seven recommendations of the European Commission.

"We expect the European Council to adopt in December the decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership after the European Commission gives a corresponding recommendation in October," Zhovkva said.

The parties also discussed the topic of the EU's sanctions policy towards Russia, the content of the next, 12th package of sanctions, as well as the need to further strengthen the European Union's sanctions against the aggressor and combat attempts to circumvent sanctions.

"Attention was paid to the provision of security assistance to our country by the EU member states and the importance of successful implementation of the European Union's joint plan for the artillery ammunition supply to Ukraine," the statement reads.

In addition, the meeting participants exchanged views on further steps in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit. The important role of the EU in supporting all points of the Formula and the need for wider involvement of the Global South leading countries in its implementation were noted.

"A just and lasting peace can be achieved only after the Russian occupation forces are withdrawn and the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders is liberated. And all our partners must understand this axiom," Zhovkva said.

The meeting participants also discussed preparations for the third summit of the Crimea Platform which will be held in Kyiv on August 23.

As reported, on July 20, the European Union, Great Britain, Canada, and other countries announced the imposition of sanctions against Russia and its supporters which help it circumvent restrictions imposed over the aggression against Ukraine.
During a working trip to Odesa region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky observed the work of rehabilitation departments in medical institutions where Ukraine's defenders undergo physical rehabilitation and recovery programs.

In particular, one of these facilities in Odesa has a modern 30-bed department for military personnel, which allows Ukrainian warriors to undergo rehabilitation treatment already now, the Presidents Office informs.

The President talked to the defenders who are undergoing rehabilitation in the institution and wished them health and a speedy recovery.

Another medical rehabilitation center was overhauled and re-equipped.

Zelensky was told that this facility provides comprehensive medical rehabilitation for military and civilians wounded by explosions, shelling, and bombing, as well as restores their physical and psychological condition.

Its specialists are constantly studying and adopting the European experience of comprehensive medical rehabilitation in inpatient conditions.

The Head of State spoke with medical workers from different parts of Ukraine and congratulated them on their professional holiday on behalf of the entire Ukrainian nation.

Read also: Zelensky meets with doctors treating Ukrainian soldiers in Dnipropetrovsk region

"Today, in different cities of our country, we are congratulating doctors, both military and civilians. From different parts of our country. We are grateful to you for the help you provide to our military and civilians," he emphasized.

Zelensky thanked the medics for their selfless work, experience and professionalism.

The President also presented state awards to military and civilian medical workers.
AYBAK, Afghanistan, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Counter-Narcotics police have discovered a drug processing lad in north Afghanistan's Samangan province, a statement of the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Thursday.

Without providing more details, the statement added the police had arrested 11 people on charge of involvement in drug trafficking in Takhar, Kapisa, Nangarhar and Kandahar provinces.

A statement of Samangan's provincial police office said the drug-processing lab was discovered and destroyed in Ruyi Duab district recently.

In similar operations, police arrested two drug smugglers in west Afghanistan's Herat province and seized illegal objects from their possession last week.

The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to fight against drugs and poppy cultivation until the once poppy-growing country gets rid of the drug menace. 
On July 24, 2023, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and UNFPA jointly held the launching ceremony of the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund "Improving Maternal Medical Services and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment".





Ambassador Wang Qing said in his speech that medical and health cooperation has always been the focus and highlight of China- Sierra Leone friendly cooperation. The cooperation between China and Sierra Leone and UN agencies under the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has further expanded and deepened the connotation of China- Sierra Leone medical and health cooperation. China will continue to support Sierra Leone's efforts to improve public health and promote the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Demby and the UNFPA country representative, Mrs. Nadia Rasheed spoke highly of China's efforts to help Sierra Leone improve public health and looked forward to more cooperation projects with China.

Since the implementation of the project in 2020, 9 service points have been established in Sierra Leone. At the launch ceremony, Chinese experts from Hunan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, officials from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone and the UNFPA Representative Office inSierra Leone respectively introduced the progress and main achievements of the project.




DAMASCUS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Fire crews on Wednesday battled numerous blazes amid a heatwave and have controlled most of them in Syria's northwestern province of Latakia, said officials.

Amer Ismail Hilal, governor of Latakia, said that firefighters have been trying to control new blazes in the area for two days as flames have burned large swathes of agricultural and forest areas in Latakia.

About 70 percent of regional fires were controlled, the Civil Defense Commander in Latakia told local media.

He noted that the fires randomly broke out in areas not connected to each other.

The current fires in Latakia started on Tuesday in a forested region. Strong winds and the difficult-to-reach mountainous terrain contributed to the rapid spread of fire.

According to Bassem Douba, director of agriculture and agrarian reform in Latakia, preliminary estimation indicated that over 5,000 dunums (5 square km) were burned entirely.

An investigation into the cause of the fires and a final estimation of their damage are underway, said officials. 
Damascus, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2023 ) :A bomb killed six people and wounded scores on Thursday when it exploded near the Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum, Syria's most visited Shiite pilgrimage site, the interior ministry said.

The deadly blast south of Damascus came ahead of the annual commemoration of Ashura, when Shiites remember the death of the Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in a seventh-century battle.

The interior ministry gave a death toll of six, state news agency SANA reported, revising an earlier death toll of five.

More than 20 people were wounded in the attack which the interior ministry said was caused when a motorcycle exploded near a taxi, calling it a "terrorist bombing".

A source at the nearby Al-Sadr hospital told AFP earlier that the facility had received 10 wounded after a car bombing near the shrine.

State television reported that the explosion was caused by a "bomb placed in a taxi by unidentified people".

"We heard a huge blast and people began to run," 39-year-old civil servant Ibrahim told AFP.

"Then ambulances arrived and security forces cordoned off the area." He said the explosion took place "near a security building around 600 metres (yards) from the mausoleum of Sayeda Zeinab", granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed and the daughter of Imam Ali, a founding figure of Shiite islam.

The authorities had tightened security measures around the mausoleum for the 10-day Ashura commemoration, the most important in Shiite Islam.

On Tuesday, an explosion in a car in the same area wounded two civilians, official media cited a security official as saying.

Shiite shrines are a frequent target of attacks by Sunni Muslim extremists of the Islamic State group (IS), not only in Syria but also in neighbouring Iraq.

The Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum was hit by several deadly bombings during the country's civil war that erupted in 2011.

Since then, the mosque complex with its turquoise ceramics and gold dome in the Iranian style has been defended by Shiite militiamen, mostly Lebanese and Iraqi, as well as by the army.

Attacks have nonetheless declined in recent years, with some of the security measures relaxed.

IS said it was behind a double suicide attack in February 2016, 400 meters from the mausoleum, that killed 134 people, including more than 90 civilians.

The group had also claimed a triple blast near the sanctuary several weeks earlier that took the lives of at least 70 people.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2023 ) :National Assembly (NA) Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Thursday commemorated Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, who embraced martyrdom in the Uri sector of Kashmir in 1948 while defending the motherland with great reverence.

He, in a statement, praised Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed's unparalleled bravery and courage in the pages of history.

In recognition of his valor and bravery, the speaker said Captain Sarwar Shaheed was posthumously honored with the nation's highest military award, Nishan-e-Haider.

"On the occasion of his 75th martyrdom anniversary, the entire nation pays tribute to Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, saluting his bravery and courage," he added.

He acknowledged the Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed's ultimate sacrifice for the defense of the motherland.

"The valleys of Kashmir still bear witness to the bravery and courage of Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed," he added.

"Martyrs are our true heroes, and living nations always cherish their heroes," the speaker remarked adding, "Today, we breathe in the air of freedom, thanks to the sacrifices of the martyrs.

He said the nation took pride in its brave and gallant sons, and sacrifices of martyrs teach us unity, brotherhood, and fraternity.
In a historic collaboration, four leading Pakistani state-owned companies would join hands for Greenfield Refinery project at the strategic Gwadar Port in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2023 ):In a historic collaboration, four leading Pakistani state-owned companies would join hands for Greenfield Refinery project at the strategic Gwadar Port in Pakistan.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony took place at the head office of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) on Thursday, a news release said.

The Pakistani state-owned entities, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), and Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL), will collaborate through a joint investment strategy. The project will have significant foreign investment from world-class oil and gas giants through equity participation.

The project envisions setting up an integrated refinery petrochemical complex with crude oil processing capacity of minimum 300,000 barrels per day (BPD) along with petrochemical facility in Pakistan.

The integrated refinery petrochemical complex shall comprise of various components such as marine infrastructure, petrochemical complex, storage for crude oil and refines utilities, pipeline connectivity etc.

Secretary Petroleum Captain (R) Muhammad Mahmood in his opening remarks shared salient aspects of the Green Field Refinery Policy and underscored the commitment of the Petroleum Division towards the development and growth of the Petroleum Sector.

Minister of State for Petroleum Divison, Doctor Musadik Masood Malik shared details of the project and its benefits to national economy by way of economic growth, foreign exchange savings, energy security, employment opportunities and social uplift.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th July, 2023) The US State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Niger's president in a statement that came out as reports surfaced the African leader had been removed by the military.

The military of Niger appeared on national television and said that President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed and the borders of the country were closed, Reuters reported.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. The Secretary conveyed the unwavering support of the United States for President Mohamed Bazoum and Niger's democracy.

He emphasized that the United States stands with the Nigerien people and regional and international partners in condemning this effort to seize power by force and overturn the constitutional order. Secretary Blinken underscored that the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights," the release said on Wednesday.
US President Joe Biden has dispatched top officials to Saudi Arabia to explore the possibility of a Middle East security pact that would involve the Gulf state normalizing relations with Israel if the latter made concessions to Palestinians to uphold the possibility of a two-state solution, The New York Times reported on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th July, 2023) US President Joe Biden has dispatched top officials to Saudi Arabia to explore the possibility of a Middle East security pact that would involve the Gulf state normalizing relations with Israel if the latter made concessions to Palestinians to uphold the possibility of a two-state solution, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

While Biden has not decided whether or not to proceed with such a pact, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and NSC Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to discuss with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman what the deal could look like, the report said.

Among various items, the US wants Saudi Arabia to end its conflict in Yemen, provide a massive aid package to Palestinian institutions in the West Bank, and curb its growing relationship with China.

Saudi Arabia is believed to want three main things from the US: a mutual security treaty that would require the US to come to its aid in case of an attack, a civilian nuclear program, and the ability to purchase advanced American weapons in response to Iran's growing nuclear missile arsenal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2023 ) :Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Widodo is here to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China.

Xi noted the opening of a new chapter in building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future last year.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia.

Xi said China is willing to take the occasion as an opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation with Indonesia, set an example for developing countries of sharing a common future, pursuing solidarity and cooperation and boosting common development, and inject more certainty and positive energy into the region and the world.

China is willing to maintain regular strategic communication with Indonesia, strengthen the exchanges of state governance experience, initiate the "2+2" dialogue mechanism for foreign and defense ministers of the two countries, and build high-level strategic mutual trust, Xi said.

Major achievements have been made in synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative with Indonesia's vision of the Global Maritime Fulcrum, Xi said.

With the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway soon coming into operation, the two sides need to ensure the high standard and high quality of the project, injecting more impetus to Indonesia's development, said Xi, adding that the two countries need to further the cooperation on comprehensive industrial parks.

China supports Indonesia in developing its new capital and the North Kalimantan Industrial Park, and is willing to expand cooperation in areas including new energy vehicles and smart cities and jointly promote the industrial digital transformation, Xi said.

China is willing to continue to expand imports of bulk commodities and high-quality agricultural products from Indonesia, deliver on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and strengthen cooperation in fields including food security, poverty reduction, rural revitalization, vocational education, language education, medicine and health, culture and tourism, he said.

China is ready to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and support the work of Indonesia as the rotating chair of the ASEAN, Xi said.

China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Indonesia under G20, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, safeguard regional and global peace and stability, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

Indonesian President Widodo said the bilateral relations have made substantial progress since he received Xi in Bali last year. Indonesia firmly upholds the one-China policy and is willing to continue to enhance cooperation with China in areas including investment, marine fisheries, food security and healthcare, he added.

The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by Xi are open and inclusive, Widodo said, adding that Indonesia actively supports the initiatives.

Indonesia is willing to strengthen its strategic communication with China and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Widodo said.

After the meeting, Xi and Widodo witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
XIAMEN, July 27 (Xinhua) -- As Typhoon Doksuri approaches, the flood control and drought relief headquarters in the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen has taken swift action by raising the emergency response for typhoons to Level I, the highest alert level.

From 3 p.m. Thursday until the end of the emergency response, all industries in this city located in east China's Fujian Province, except for essential services such as water and electricity, will be required to suspend operations.

Public transportation, including subway and buses, will cease operations from 8 p.m. Thursday, followed by the suspension of taxis and ride-hailing services at 10 p.m.

Residents have been advised to stay indoors to ensure their safety during the approaching typhoon.

In Fujian's Zhangzhou City, the local maritime bureau has suspended the operation of 16 passenger ferries. More than 370 ships within the bureau's jurisdiction have returned to ports, 17 water-related projects under construction have been temporarily halted, and a total of 246 personnel who were on board the vessels have gone ashore.

China's national observatory on Thursday morning renewed a red alert for Typhoon Doksuri, the most severe warning in its four-tier warning system, as the fifth typhoon of this year is expected to bring gales and heavy rain to the eastern and southern parts of the country.

The typhoon will most likely make landfall in the coastal areas of Jinjiang City in Fujian Province and the bordering areas of Fujian and Guangdong provinces, the National Meteorological Center said in a statement. 
Israeli troops killed a Palestinian teenager during an overnight raid in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry and official media said Thursday

Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2023 ):Israeli troops killed a Palestinian teenager during an overnight raid in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry and official media said Thursday.

The shooting occurred in the city of Qalqilya in the northern West Bank where the army confirmed it had conducted, what it claims a, "counter-terrorism activity".

"The occupation forces had stormed the Naqar neighbourhood in the west of Qalqilya, which led to clashes," the Palestinian official Wafa news agency reported.

"The occupation forces fired live and rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas at residents and their homes."The Palestinian health ministry identified the dead teenager as Fares Abu Samrah, 14, and said he died of bullet wounds to the head.

The army said the incident was under review.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th July, 2023) The situation in Niger where President Mohamed Bazoum has been removed from power is being actively discussed at the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

"Of course, it (the situation in Niger) is being discussed on the sidelines of the summit.

It is quite likely to be discussed during the events of the summit that will take place today and tomorrow. These developments in Africa cannot be ignored, for sure," Peskov told reporters

Niger's soldiers appeared on national television on Wednesday saying that Bazoum had been removed from power, the borders of the country were closed, a nationwide curfew was declared and "all institutions" in the country would be suspended, media reported.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th July, 2023) The United Kingdom, Germany and China have released separate statements to condemn the military coup in Niger, a Western African country, saying they stood with the African community in its efforts to negotiate a way out of the crisis.

A German Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement issued on Thursday that Berlin was following events in Niger with great concern. It demanded that the military release President Mohamed Bazoum and return to their quarters.

"We condemn the attempt by parts of the military to overturn Niger's constitutional, democratic order... We fully support the respective efforts of the African Union and the regional organisation ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). Violence must not be used for one's political or personal gain," the spokesperson said.

UK Foreign Office Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell likewise said that London condemned attempts to undermine stability in Niger.

He joined the African Union and Economic Community of West African States in their calls to end the uprising and ensure restoration of Niger's democratically elected institutions.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told a news briefing that Beijing "paid close attention" to the calls made by the African Union and ECOWAS.

"China calls on relevant parties in Niger to act in the fundamental interest of the country and its people, solve differences peacefully through dialogue, restore order at an early date, and safeguard the overall peace, stability and development of the nation," Mao said.

Members of the Nigerien presidential guard blocked Bazoum inside the presidential palace on Wednesday, closed borders and imposed a nationwide curfew. The military said in a televised statement that the president had been deposed. Bazoum took to social media on Thursday to defy the insurgents and call on the nation to defend hard-won democratic gains.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th July, 2023) Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General has received a donation of nine autonomous drones fabricated by US manufacturer Skydio, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said on Thursday.

"Today, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the delivery of nine autonomous drones donated by Skydio, a leading US drone manufacturer, to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine," USAID's statement said.

The drones in question are the Skydio 2+ variant, equipped with 4K cameras, the statement said, which will prove useful to take photographic and video content with an aim at documenting alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Earlier this week The New York Times reported that the Biden administration would handover alleged evidence of war crimes in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite concerns from the Defense Department.

Russia has rejected accusations of war crimes leveled against it by the Ukrainian government and its Western backers. It has also rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based International Criminal Court after it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, in a rare move that the Kremlin said was based on a trumped-up charge.
The White House has criticized US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for the idea of President Joe Biden's impeachment inquiry that met resistance even among his own fellow Republicans, The Hill reported on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th July, 2023) The White House has criticized US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for the idea of President Joe Biden's impeachment inquiry that met resistance even among his own fellow Republicans, The Hill reported on Thursday.

McCarthy said on Tuesday that the US House of Representatives is preparing to impeach Biden due to suspected corruption schemes run by his family members overseas. However, he made it clear that no final decision has been made.

The White House, in a statement to The Hill, called McCarthy's remarks "a ridiculous, baseless stunt." The Speaker was accused of the intention to attack Biden instead of joining him in solving important issues.

"But just as soon as McCarthy floated this stunt, he was met with resistance  from members of his own party and even his own caucus," the statement said, quoted by The Hill.

The White House pointed out that multiple Republican lawmakers, including Ken Buck, Richard Hudson, Tony Gonzales, and others, called McCarthy's idea a "theater" and said that nobody is talking about it seriously, according to the report.

The statement called on Congress leaders to follow the American people's aspirations and cooperate with Biden in working on creating jobs, strengthening healthcare, and other important topics, according to the report.

"Regardless of these baseless stunts, President Biden will always be focused on delivering real results that improve the lives of the American people," the statement added.

Last week, 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 the Ukrainian energy company 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 maintaining proof of the deal and its nature.

The FBI record tracks closely with other evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee, Comer said in a statement.
USM Dance Alum Selected to Attend Prestigious American Dance Festival

Thu, 07/27/2023 - 04:08pm | By: Ivonne Kawas

Photo courtesy of Paul Lijewski, Flour Series, USM Image Center.

Mikail Samuels, a spring 2023 graduate of The University of Southern Mississippis (USM) dance program, was selected to participate in the prestigious American Dance Festivals (ADF) International Choreographers Residency (ICR) program for a five-week summer residency at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

Since its founding in 1984, ICR has brought together over 500 choreographers from 93 countries on 6 continents.ADF, celebrating its 90th Anniversary, is hailed as one of the most prestigious and renowned dance festivals in the world, attracting dancers, choreographers, teachers, and students from across the globe.

It is particularly an extraordinary experience for students and aspiring dancers, as they get to engage with a global dance community and participate in diverse classes, master workshops with renowned instructors and choreographers, and performances by acclaimed dance companies.

Mikail was introduced to the prestigious ADF while attending this years American College Dance Associations (ACDA) National College Dance Festival with USM dance students and professors Meg Brooker, Kamali Hill, and Lauren Soutoullo. During ACDA, an opportunity presented itself to audition for ADF, and Mikail's performance secured him a spot at the competitive and sought-after festival.

Attending ADF is a highly coveted opportunity for dancers worldwide, said Brianna Jahn, professor and dance program coordinator. It showcases some of the most exceptional talents in the field, and Mikail's selection serves as a testament of his outstanding abilities as an artist. It has been a pleasure to see him tap into his potential during his time in our program at USM.

Mikail's journey into the world of dance was serendipitous yet transformative. As he reflects on his artistic journey, he mentions he discovered his talent and passion for dance relatively late in his life when he was back in his hometown in Kingston, Jamaica. Once he discovered his talent, dancing proved to be what ignited a profound passion, joy, and sense of purpose in his soul.

It all began under the guidance of esteemed mentors, including Tony Wilson, Micheal Holgate, Marlon Simms, Kyshia Patterson, Renee McDonald, and Liane Williams, who recognized his abilities and encouraged him to pursue a career in dance. This support laid the foundation for Mikail's resilient pursuit to excel in the field.

To be a part of the 90th celebration of the ADF was truly an honor and a memorable experience, said Mikail. I was able to present my first choreographic work outside of USM, which was a life-changing experience.

However, this experience didnt come without the challenge of conquering self-doubt as Mikail says: When I first stepped into the festival, my imposter syndrome made me doubt myself. I questioned whether I could ever truly shine amongst the world's most exceptional dancers that were selected to attend. As the festival unfolded, I found myself embracing a newfound realization: I am, indeed, an extraordinary dancer who belongs among the very best.

Throughout his time at ADF, Mikail was fortunate to interact with many teachers and dancers who provided invaluable insights into his artistry and reignited his love for dance. Among the many encounters, Mikail expressed appreciation for Brenna Monroe Cook, an exceptional teacher and choreographer.

"The teachers and dancers at ADF taught me so much about myself, most importantly, they reminded me why I cherish the art of dance so deeply, Mikail said. I particularly appreciated working with Brenna in the Limon Repertory class. I now aspire to audition for and join the prestigious Limon Company based in New York City.

As Mikails dedication to dance remains steadfast, he plans to move to Pennsylvania to pursue a Master's of Science in Exercise Science to delve into the science behind the human body. His goal is to combine this knowledge with his passion for dance to become a physical therapist for dancers and create preventive exercises that ensure the longevity of their careers.

At ADF, I shadowed a physical therapist for an entire day, working with her aiding dancers, said Mikail. Thats why opportunities like the ADF have been pivotal in shaping my path as an artist, and also as a future performance specialist.

Mikail adds: For all aspiring dancers and current Golden Eagles who are interested in attending festivals like ADF, my advice would be to be relentless in your pursuit. Once granted the opportunity, do so with an open mind and a willingness to dive in and dance. Embrace the intensity, be present, open, and ready to dance. This festival showcases the versatility of dance and offers unique classes that will enrich the skills you learn during your time at USM."
Ed Seidel

Members of the public will find out more about the University of Wyomings presence in Teton County, and UW alumni will connect with their alma mater during a UW in Your Community gathering Tuesday, Aug. 15, in Jackson.

The public is invited to the event from 5-7 p.m. in the Jackson Room of the Wort Hotel, located at 50 Glenwood St. Free appetizers will be served, and a cash bar will be available.

UW President Ed Seidel will be in attendance and speak during a brief program, highlighting the universitys collaborative efforts with the states community colleges to prepare students for the modern economy and boost entrepreneurism and the states economy, among other topics.

Also on the agenda:

-- Ken Sims, a professor in the UW Department of Geology and Geophysics and a National Geographic Explorer, will discuss his teams research into Yellowstone National Parks hydrothermal system.

-- Michael Dillon, a professor in the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology and interim director of the UW-National Park Service Research Station at the AMK Ranch, will discuss plans for and activities at the research station in Grand Teton National Park.

-- Dan McCoy, interim director of UWs Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Initiative, will discuss UWs work with the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board to measure Teton County Sustainable Destination Management Plan indicators.

-- UW scientists Sarah Collins and Annika Walters, with UWs WY-ACT: Wyoming Anticipating Climate Transitions project, will discuss water quality and cutthroat trout research at Jackson Lake and in the Upper Snake River system.

-- Jenna Shim, interim dean of the UW College of Education, and Gillian Chapman, Teton County School District 1 superintendent, will discuss the collaborative Master Educator Competency Program, which aims to address teacher attrition while developing in-depth support systems across Wyomings K-12 communities.

Also scheduled to speak are current UW students from Teton County.

The Jackson gathering is the ninth in a series of UW in Your Community gatherings planned around the state.

This will be a great opportunity for community members to interact with President Seidel and others from UW, learn about exciting initiatives for students and the state, and see some of the collaborative work UW is doing with local partners, says Chad Baldwin, UWs associate vice president for marketing and communications. UW alumni and everyone across Teton County are invited for what will be a fun evening.
This photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows dark clouds in the border area between Chaozhou and Shantou cities in south China's Guangdong Province.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas between Dongshan and Putian in east China's Fujian Province on Friday morning, the administration said.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

Doksuri, the fifth typhoon of this year, strengthened from severe to a super typhoon on Thursday afternoon and was observed about 360 km southeast of Xiamen City in east China's Fujian Province at 5 p.m.

It is expected to move northwest at 15 to 20 km per hour with increased intensity, said the administration in a statement.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas between Dongshan and Putian in east China's Fujian Province on Friday morning, the administration said.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks.

The National Meteorological Center on Thursday morning renewed a red alert for Typhoon Doksuri, the most severe warning in its four-tier warning system, as the fifth typhoon of this year is expected to bring gales and heavy rain to the eastern and southern parts of the country.

The meteorological center has issued an advisory suspending indoor and outdoor gatherings and dangerous outdoor operations and recommended the timely transfer of people living in vulnerable housing. 

This aerial photo shows fishing boats taking shelter at a harbor as Typhoon Doksuri approaches in Zhoushan City of east China's Zhejiang Province, July 27, 2023. China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Photo by Yao Feng/Xinhua)

This aerial photo shows fishing boats taking shelter at a harbor as Typhoon Doksuri approaches in Chaozhou City of south China's Guangdong Province, July 27, 2023.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Wang Ruiping)

This photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows dark clouds in the border area between Chaozhou and Shantou cities in south China's Guangdong Province.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas between Dongshan and Putian in east China's Fujian Province on Friday morning, the administration said.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

This aerial photo shows fishing boats taking shelter at a harbor as Typhoon Doksuri approaches in Chaozhou City of south China's Guangdong Province, July 27, 2023.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Wang Ruiping)

This aerial photo shows fishing boats taking shelter at a harbor as Typhoon Doksuri approaches in Chaozhou City of south China's Guangdong Province, July 27, 2023.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Wang Ruiping)

This aerial photo shows fishing boats taking shelter at a harbor as Typhoon Doksuri approaches in Chaozhou City of south China's Guangdong Province, July 27, 2023.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Wang Ruiping)

A fisherman folds fishing net in Shantou, south China's Guangdong Province, July 27, 2023.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas between Dongshan and Putian in east China's Fujian Province on Friday morning, the administration said.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

This photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows dark clouds in the border area between Chaozhou and Shantou cities in south China's Guangdong Province.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas between Dongshan and Putian in east China's Fujian Province on Friday morning, the administration said.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

This photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows waves off the coast of Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas between Dongshan and Putian in east China's Fujian Province on Friday morning, the administration said.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

Fishermen finish off their work at the beach as Typhoon Doksuri approaches in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 27, 2023.

China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency responses for typhoons to Level I, the highest level, on Thursday afternoon as Doksuri turned into a super typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in the coastal areas between Dongshan and Putian in east China's Fujian Province on Friday morning, the administration said.

The administration urged local meteorological authorities in the provinces, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, to raise their emergency response levels based on local situations, coordinate with relevant government departments, and lead the public to prevent disasters and avoid risks. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This aerial photo shows fishing boats at a dock in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 27, 2023.

As Typhoon Doksuri approaches, the flood control and drought relief headquarters in the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen has taken swift action by raising the emergency response for typhoons to Level I, the highest alert level. (Photo by Zeng Demeng/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows the closed Sanqiutian dock of Gulangyu in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.

As Typhoon Doksuri approaches, the flood control and drought relief headquarters in the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen has taken swift action by raising the emergency response for typhoons to Level I, the highest alert level. (Photo by Zeng Demeng/Xinhua)

Staff members dismantle metal fences at a construction site in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 27, 2023.

As Typhoon Doksuri approaches, the flood control and drought relief headquarters in the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen has taken swift action by raising the emergency response for typhoons to Level I, the highest alert level. (Photo by Zeng Demeng/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows suspension information of ferry service on the screen of a dock in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.

As Typhoon Doksuri approaches, the flood control and drought relief headquarters in the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen has taken swift action by raising the emergency response for typhoons to Level I, the highest alert level. (Photo by Zeng Demeng/Xinhua)
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
Tim Flach, president of the Association of Photographers of Britain, delivers a speech during launching ceremony of "Beauty Across Borders: China-Britain Photography Competition" in London, Britain, July 26, 2023. "Beauty Across Borders: China-Britain Photography Competition" was launched here on Wednesday with an aim to showcase China's landscapes and the richness of its culture, as well as the dynamic exchanges between China and Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, July 26 (Xinhua) -- "Beauty Across Borders: China-Britain Photography Competition" was launched here on Wednesday with an aim to showcase China's landscapes and the richness of its culture, as well as the dynamic exchanges between China and Britain.

Jointly organized by the China National Tourist Office in London, Nouvelles d'Europe Britain Edition, and Shangtufang Image Art Studio, the competition also enjoys support from the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in Britain, Britain's Royal Photographic Society, Global Photographic Union, Sino European Arts, as well as Beijing-London Short Video Festival.

The competition, open to photography enthusiasts from around the world, is divided into three sections: "Beautiful China," "Splendid China" and "Impressions of China and Britain."

It is important to understand the people and the culture of other countries, and "photography is the best way to do that," said Michael Pritchard, programs director of the Royal Photographic Society.

"At the time we enter AI, we need a world that works together and break down the barriers. A medium like photography, in a sense, is a language that crosses these barriers. You don't need to translate it into Mandarin or English," Tim Flach, president of the Association of Photographers of Britain, told Xinhua in an interview after the competition's launching ceremony.

In his view, competitions like "Beauty Across Borders" offer an opportunity to explore the differences and commonalities between the two cultures.

"In my understanding, the language of photography surpasses words as it unites cultures through a visual conversation of mutual understanding. It serves as the window to different cultures, enabling us to step into another world," said Li Liyan, minister counsellor for cultural affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Britain.

Works will be submitted until Oct. 31. The panel of judges is made up of professional photographers from both China and Britain, who are going to evaluate artworks' professionalism and score them based on three criteria: theme relevance, artistic meaning and visual presentation.

In December, three winners for the first prize, nine winners for the second prize, 15 winners for the third prize, as well as 30 winners for the honorable mention will be announced. 

Michael Pritchard, programs director of the Royal Photographic Society, delivers a speech during launching ceremony of "Beauty Across Borders: China-Britain Photography Competition" in London, Britain, July 26, 2023. "Beauty Across Borders: China-Britain Photography Competition" was launched here on Wednesday with an aim to showcase China's landscapes and the richness of its culture, as well as the dynamic exchanges between China and Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Transcript:

The Inside Story: A Free Press Matters

Barbie, Bloggers, and Bans

Episode 102  July 27, 2023

Show Open:

This week on the inside story: Barbie, Bloggers, and Bans.

A new movie is an international hit... so why is Vietnam outlawing the film?

Local newsroom closures silence critical reports... and leave audiences in the dark.

Repressive regimes ratchet-up the pressure on dissent from abroad,

and how those living in exile are helping others find their voices.

Now... the inside story: Barbie, Bloggers, and Bans

The Inside Story: A Free Press Matters:

JESSICA JERREAT, VOA's Press Freedom Editor:

Hi, I'm Jessica Jerreat, VOA's Press Freedom Editor.

On the Inside Story: A Free Press Matters we look at how Vietnam censorship has left bloggers a rare source of independent news.

We meet a Pakistani blogger who escaped an abduction in Islamabad and now runs the Dissident's Club: a bar in Paris, France for other exiled bloggers and critics like himself.

And we hear from an Eritrean who runs one of that country's largest broadcasters, from his Maryland home.

All that and more on The Inside Story: A Free Press Matters.

We begin in Vietnam. The country ranks behind only China and North Korea on the global press freedom index.

Censorship there is pervasive, with politics, foreign affairs and land disputes all taboo.

The extent of control went global this month when Hanoi banned the new Barbie movie over a fictional map.

Officials say the movie shows the 9-dash line outlining mostly maritime areas China says it controls.

But where the U.N. says Beijing has no lawful effect.

Warner Bros says it is a whimsical map not intended to make a political statement.

For journalists in Vietnam, they mostly steer clear of contentious issues like this, leaving bloggers to pick up the slack.

But doing so can be risky.

For Titi Tran, in Los Angeles, Cristina Caicedo Smit has the story:

CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Correspondent:

For nine years, Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Van Hai has been a free man. But he had to leave his homeland for the U.S. to find that freedom.

Back in Vietnam, Hai, who is better known by his pen name Dieu Cay, was jailed for his work. But he never stopped thinking about how to end censorship  even while in prison.

Hai was inspired to start reporting more than 15 years ago, while traveling in Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Hai, Vietnamese Blogger:

I shared photos from my travels to various parts of the country. During those trips, I realized many people were living in poverty, facing corruption in localities and witnessing the abuse of power by officials.

CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Correspondent:

But in Vietnam, one of the most repressive regions globally for press freedom, journalists are often too scared to report on such issues.

Bloggers like Hai are rare sources of freely reported news.

Nguyen Van Hai, Vietnamese Blogger:

We discussed the role of the people and the power of the press in an authoritarian society, where the state-controlled media suppresses anyone they want to, and the truth remains unknown.

CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Correspondent:

In Vietnam, Hai quickly gained recognition for his coverage.

With friends he founded the Free Journalists Club, a group of bloggers reporting on stories about politics, human rights and other sensitive issues.

They found success  but at a cost.

Nguyen Van Hai, Vietnamese Blogger:

I and all the members of the Free Journalists Club were closely monitored by the authorities. They monitored us and then turned to suppression, beating.

CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Correspondent:

In April 2008, police arrested Hai on accusations of tax evasion, a charge that rights groups say was an excuse to keep him silent.

In 2012, while still in prison, he was sentenced to a further 12 years for propaganda against the state. Most of his time was spent in solitary confinement.

Finally, in 2014, Vietnam freed Hai  but he had to go straight into exile. Now the city of Los Angeles is his refuge. But adapting to a new life has not been easy.

Platforms he and others set up to share news have been blocked and deleted, wiping out nearly a decade of work. And daily life can be a challenge.

Nguyen Van Hai, Vietnamese Blogger:

My life is not stable in terms of housing and finances because I dedicate all of my time to the movement. There were moments when I thought about giving up.

CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Correspondent:

Vietnamese authorities did not respond to VOAs request for comment about the countrys media environment.

Hai is still dedicated to advocating for a Vietnam that allows bloggers like him to write without fear of retaliation.

Its a demanding role. An average day may involve meeting with officials, including congresswoman Michelle Steel, contributing news about human rights and Vietnam to a TV station, and recording a podcast on media independence and detained bloggers.

Others in the diaspora welcome his efforts.

Nguyen Ba Tung, Vietnam Human Rights Network President:

Vietnams communist party controls all media inside the country. People are thirsty for the free flow of information, but those who try to speak up or to talk about human rights have been increasingly stifled and repressed.

CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Correspondent:

As for Hai, his vision of a Vietnam where people have easy access to a free press encourages him to keep up the fight.

For Titi Tran in Los Angeles, Cristina Caicedo Smit, VOA News.

JESSICA JERREAT, VOA's Press Freedom Editor:

Repressive regimes are increasingly trying to reach across borders to try to silence critics.

Press Freedom Reporter Liam Scott spoke to Grady Vaughan from Freedom House, here in Washington, about the trend known as transnational repression.

LIAM SCOTT, VOA Press Freedom Reporter:

So what is the goal of transnational repression? Why do governments engage in it?

Grady Vaughan, Freedom House

Transnational repression occurs when governments reach across borders to silence dissent among their exile and diaspora communities. That takes a number of forms and tactics including assassinations, assaults, renditions, and their more everyday tactics, such as spyware and coercion of family members back home.

Each act of transnational repression creates a ripple effect not only violating the human rights of the targeted individual, but also harming their colleagues, their family members, and possibly a whole community as an exile.

The main purpose of transnational oppression is to silence dissent and critical voices in exile and to sow discord among different members of these communities.

For this reason, journalists are often quite vulnerable as they serve a critical purpose and spreading these important messages and uncovering truths about these governments.

The primary targets of transnational oppression are journalists, human rights activists, former insiders, members of religious and ethnic minorities.

LIAM SCOTT, VOA Press Freedom Reporter:

Who are the main perpetrators of transnational repression?

Grady Vaughan, Freedom House:

We found that the worst perpetrators are China, Tajikistan, Turkey, Egypt and Russia. China alone accounts for 30% of all cases of all 854 incidents that we've recorded.

There are really two different forms of tactics  direct physical tactics, which we specifically monitor in our database. These include assaults, assassinations, threats, deportations, detentions. These types of incidents captured most media attention, but they're only the tip of the iceberg. For example, There are much many more daily incidents of transnational oppression that are non physical, such as spyware, online intimidation, and coercion of family members back home, which is an increasingly problematic aspect of this trend that is, unfortunately hard to address because it occurs in the exiles, country,

LIAM SCOTT, VOA Press Freedom Reporter:

Are there any accountability mechanisms in place to specifically address transnational repression?

Grady Vaughan, Freedom House:

Increasingly, we are seeing growing attention to the problem in countries like the United States, legislation is being discussed. And there has been legislation passed to address abuse by the International Criminal Police organization, Interpol.

I do think it is important to sanction and to hold governments accountable for threatening individuals in exile. If you don't send a message, then this practice may continue. That may often lead to detentions or unlawful deportations.

JESSICA JERREAT, VOA's Press Freedom Editor:

Arrest, threats against themselves and family members, fear of attack are all reasons behind some journalists making the difficult decision to leave their jobs and homes.

Take Taha Siddiqui. He pushed boundaries in Pakistan until an attempted kidnapping in 2018 awakened him to the dangers.

Now he helps other outspoken critics.

From Paris, Henry Ridgwell has the story.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

On a warm Paris evening, Pakistani journalist in exile Taha Siddiqui raises the shutters on The Dissident Club  the bar he has set up in the heart of the French capital.

Siddiqui is preparing for another night of discussion and debate among fellow international exiles and local Parisians, fueled by plenty of food and drink.

Its a long way from his roots in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan  as the son of conservative Muslim parents.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

When I went to university, this was the first time I started sort of questioning everything that was around me.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

He had originally planned to study business in Karachi, Pakistan. But a chance encounter with journalists set him on a different path.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

I realized that OK, you know, there is this way of asking questions, of this method of asking questions, which is journalism.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

From 2008, he began reporting from Pakistan for international media on rights abuses and state and military officials.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

And those stories, they started, you know, ruffling the wrong feathers.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

He says the military repeatedly warned him to stop. But he refused.

And in January 2018, while travelling to the airport, Siddiquis life would change forever.

Armed assailants forced his taxi to stop and dragged him into a vehicle.

Siddiqui thought he would be locked up in a secret jail or possibly killed.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

The car was just about to move, and it was just like moving very, very, very slowly. So, I used my elbow, hit him really hard on his face, opened the door and jumped out of the moving car.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

It was a wake-up call. Within weeks, Siddiqui and his family left for Paris.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

Since I've been in exile, I continue to write what I want, I continue to speak up the way I want, I continue to report on Pakistan.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

Siddiquis remarkable journey from Pakistan to Paris is captured in his book The Dissident Club, named for the bar he set up: a traditional French joint with some unique additions: including a dictators dartboard.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

Here in Paris, there's a big culture of cafes and bars, where people come together, to meet to exchange ideas, to discuss issues. And we create a bridge between these dissidents in exile and the Parisian society to make them meet and understand what we go through, what is happening in our countries.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

France brings relative safety. But Siddiqui says that he still receives threats, and that agents from the Pakistani and Chinese embassies have visited the club.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

Threats follow us, even in exile.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

Pakistans embassy in Paris did not respond to VOAs request for comment.

Officials have previously denied involvement in attacks and threats to journalists.

Not far from Siddiquis club is the headquarters of Reporters Without Borders  a media watchdog all too aware of the dangers for exiled journalists.

Jonathan Dagher, Reporters Without Borders:

Even though they may be in safe territories, their families and their friends, their close ones, most of the time are still at home. And they are used against them in order to threaten them and pressure them.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

Authoritarian regimes seem to use the same tactics, says Siddiqui.

Taha Siddiqui, Dissident Club Founder:

So we're like, okay, if they are collaborating and using the same playbook, so we should, on the other hand  activists, journalists, artists, academics  should get together and fight back together.

HENRY RIDGWELL, Reporting for VOA:

An exiled journalist  a proud dissident  striving to uphold press freedom.

Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, Paris.

JESSICA JERREAT, VOA's Press Freedom Editor:

When it comes to regimes wanting to keep their populations from the truth, Iran goes to extremes.

Since the mass protests in September 2022, Tehran has ramped up efforts to silence its criticsat home, and abroad.

Liam Scott traveled to New York to speak with PEN Americas Karin Deutsch Karlekar.

LIAM SCOTT, VOA Press Freedom Reporter:

What have you been seeing in terms of repression facing journalists and writers and cultural figures in Iran over the past year?

Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director, Writers at Risk, PEN America:

What we really saw with the uprising and the protests that started in September after the custodial death of Mahsa Amini was really, I would say, a sort of concerted and preemptive crackdown on anyone engaged in supporting, writing about, speaking out about the protests, and that included the creative community, so it included musicians, filmmakers, people like Toomaj Salehi, who recently has just been sentenced to a lengthy prison term.

Iran was was always sort of in our top five in the index that PEN America has been putting out for the last four years in terms of the countries around the world that jail and imprison writers, but what we saw last year, with the protests increasing and the increase in detentions as well is Iran jumped to number two. It is now the world's leading jailer of female writers. And I think it is testament to these sorts of power and importance of the creative community in Iran, which has been very strong, even in the face of repression and has continued to engage in creative work.

So it wasn't surprising that we saw this crackdown, but it does show that sort of the creative community which I think had a little bit more leeway than, let's say, journalists, activists, news, really now has come under the full force of the government repression as we've seen it, you know, both in terms of people inside around, but again, it's affecting many people outside around as well. We also saw a lot of writers, bloggers, journalists also being targeted as well.

For journalists, really what we'll see is that most of the critical journalists are outside the country. If they are inside Iran, then they are really forced to self-censor and not allowed for much leeway at all, without great risk to themselves. But what we see with Iran is that Iran also is very, very good at targeting dissident voices, journalists, writers outside its borders. It's one of, I would say, the leading countries in the world that engages in what we call now transnational repression.

LIAM SCOTT, VOA Press Freedom Reporter:

It's also interesting to see how crackdowns on journalists and writers intersects with women's rights in Iran.

Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director, Writers at Risk, PEN America:

Even before the you know, the recent protests, which were focused on the death of a woman in custody for not wearing a proper hijab, so it was focused on women's rights issues, although these protests obviously are about much more than women's rights. They're really about a wide range of basic human rights and people's demand for them. But what we did see in previous years also what it was that women who particularly were writing about women's rights, even men writing about women's rights were being particularly are singled out for targeting and crackdowns and detention in Iran.

Many governments are, including Iran, are very worried about their international image. They know that with the internet and with sort of media communications, the way news flows around the world, they can't really just control the media within their country. They need to try to control the information space, in many different places. And so that really leads to the, sort of, I would say, concerted crackdown on dissident voices, of people who are living outside the country and who are engaged in critical writing or expression or journalism about the government.

LIAM SCOTT, VOA Press Freedom Reporter:

Does anything give you hope for the future about the state of press freedom in Iran?

Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director, Writers at Risk, PEN America:

Both the Iranians within Iran and the Iranian diaspora are continuing to, to speak, to write. They're not letting these very repressive tactics, you know, get the better of them and silence them. So we see, you know, within the communities outside Iran, people are continuing to write. Inside Iran, you saw journalists, you know, there were very brave journalists that were trying to cover the protests, trying to cover what was going on.

You know, they also didn't back down in the face of what they probably knew was going to be a very severe crackdown. So even though people got detained, they got sentenced, you know, people are serving very long prison terms, other people are continuing to write and speak out. And we see people even speaking out from within prison. I think is very, very positive. And I don't think the Iranian government is completely able to silence these voices.

JESSICA JERREAT, VOA's Press Freedom Editor:

Pressure on independent media is ramping up globally.

But what happens to audiences when journalists are pushed out?

Veronica Villafane takes us to Venezuela, where the rapid closure of radio stations is leaving listeners in the dark.

VERONICA VILLAFANE, Reporting for VOA:

For more than 90 years, listeners across Venezuela have tuned in to Radio Caracas Radio, or RCR for short.

Based in the capital, RCR provided news and views, including those of Venezuelas political opposition.

But in June, it became the latest station to fall silent, with its director citing the loss of its license in 2019, followed by internet and power shortages that made even broadcasting from YouTube difficult.

Jaime Nestares, RCR Director:

We've had difficulties with electricity and the internet. More and more, were seeing that Venezuelans have fewer and fewer resources to access social media and that audiences have plummeted.

VERONICA VILLAFANE, Reporting for VOA:

Venezuela has seen a steady decline in independent media, and the country has a poor record for media freedom.

In a country where radio rules, the closures are a concern, says Daniela Alvarado of the Venezuela Press and Society Institute, a group that promotes independent journalism.

Daniela Alvarado, Venezuela Press and Society Institute:

Were in a country where there are fewer and fewer newspapers. Less than one hundred  perhaps 35 to 40 that circulate. Radio has a greater relevance in society because it is the most accessible.

VERONICA VILLAFANE, Reporting for VOA:

While independent media outlets overall are declining, the Communication Research Institute has said that Caracas has dozens of state-run media outlets that it uses to promote its message.

Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela:

We began to see the need to wage a higher battle, to activate several communication fronts and to defend the truth.

VERONICA VILLAFANE, Reporting for VOA:

Analysts say state media is also used to attack and stigmatize opposition voices and journalists.

Daniela Alvarado, Venezuela Press and Society Institute:

Criminalization, smear campaigns, actions carried out by public officials through traditional channels such as television and radio. But in recent years we are also seeing an increase through digital platforms, on social media like Twitter.

VERONICA VILLAFANE, Reporting for VOA:

Venezuela's Ministry of Communication and Information did not respond to VOA's request for comment.

But Diosdado Cabello, a senior lawmaker and member of Venezuelas National Assembly, has said freedom of expression is guaranteed.

Diosdado Cabello, Senior Lawmaker:

Freedom of expression does not belong to the media. It does not belong to the owners of radios, TV stations or newspapers. Freedom of expression belongs to the citizens.

VERONICA VILLAFANE, Reporting for VOA:

Former RCR host Jose Domingo Blanco is concerned about how the closure will affect news audiences.

Jose Domingo Blanco, Former RCR Host:

I wonder if they are really aware and conscious of what the closing of another media outlet means.

VERONICA VILLAFANE, Reporting for VOA:

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and media watchdog Reporters Without Borders have both cited concerns about the loss of independent sources of news in Venezuela.

For Adriana Nunez Rabascall in Caracas, Venezuela, Veronica Villafane, VOA News.

JESSICA JERREAT, VOA's Press Freedom Editor:

A new life in exile often looks different for journalists who flee. But the dedication to press freedom remains.

Take Henok Tekle.

He runs one of Eritreas largest diaspora media outlets from his Maryland home.

He tells us his story:

Henok Tekle, Exeutive Director ERISAT:

There was [a] black hole in [the] media aspect in Eritrea. There is only one radio, one television and one newspaper since September 18, 2001.

We know the government shut down all the free press in Eritrea and the media in Eritrea operated by the regime.

Their main purpose is just disseminate the propaganda of the regime.

In 2018, this group of individuals, they come up and they say that we need to reach people inside Eritrea, they need to know what's [going on] inside and outside Eritrea.

They didn't have anything. They don't have journalists. They don't have money. But they know for sure that if they can start, people will come around and support them. Fast forward now four years, ERISAT is in a better position at all levels.

Now we have five different languages.

In 2022, we produced 1,600 programs.

The mission is to provide trusted, responsible, impartial journalism that informs engages, entertains and empowers Eritrea's diverse community.

There is a lot of threats. A lot of online trolls not only against me, also against my family.

We have also a shortwave radio. In case something happens to our satellite, we make sure that we still have a means to communicate with our people.

You know, that at least those people are listening to each other. trying to narrow the gap between the thinking of the people inside and outside the country, even in the diaspora.

So ERISAT is trying to be a platform, trying to be the magnet for all this different thinking.

JESSICA JERREAT, VOA's Press Freedom Editor:

Thats all for now. Im Jessica Jerreat.

As we leave you we highlight the bravery and resiliency of Elena Milashina a fearless Russian journalist who was savagely attacked on assignment in Chechnya.

And we continue to focus on the detained American journalists Evan Gershkovich, jailed since March of this year in Russia, and freelancer Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria since 2012.

Well see you next week on The Inside Story

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The residency cards of more than a million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan have not been extended, causing concern among the migrants about their refugee status.

The Proof of Registration cards of about 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees expired June 30, 2023, and the Pakistani government has yet to extend them.

Afghan refugees in Pakistan told VOA that they are facing many obstacles, including restrictions on movement within Pakistan and the curtailment of employment.



We are facing problems, said Ali Zadran, an Afghan refugee in the Kot Chandna refugee camp in Mianwali in Pakistans Punjab province.

"Our cards have expired. ... We cant travel. We cant even reserve a hotel room, he said, adding that Pakistani security forces harass refugees without proper documentation.

Ahmad Shah, an Afghan refugee in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, told VOA that failure to extend the cards means refugees would be vulnerable to police abuse.

When we go out, police are everywhere. When they stop us and see our cards that are expired, then we are arrested.

He said the cards are only used as proof that we can stay in Pakistan, but the renewal takes longer.

The cards serve as an identity document by which Afghan refugees can remain legally in Pakistan and travel within the country. It cannot be used to travel outside the country.

The registered refugees who have valid cards cannot be arrested under the 1946 Foreigners Act or other preventive laws.

The Proof of Registration cards were issued to Afghan refugees in Pakistan in 2006 and were last extended for two years in 2021.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stated that among 3.7 million Afghans living in Pakistan, more than 1.3 million are registered.

UNHCR spokesperson in Pakistan, Qaiser Khan Afridi, told VOA that the U.N. is in touch with Pakistani officials.

The Interior Ministry [of Pakistan] has sent an official letter to the provincial governments in Pakistan that they [Pakistani police] should not take any steps against the Afghan refugees until their PoR cards are not renewed, he said.

Abbas Khan, Pakistans commissioner for Afghan refugees, told VOA that the cards may be extended.

The cards might be extended for two years. Otherwise, the relevant organization would send a letter so that there would be no problem for the Afghans, he said.

But some Afghans are concerned about losing their jobs.

Milad Wahidi, an Afghan refugee who lives in Peshawar and works with a foreign organization in Islamabad, told VOA that he must stay at home until his card is renewed.

I will lose my job if the card is not renewed soon, he said. I have children, and it will be difficult for me to feed them without having a job.

New refugees

Meanwhile, thousands of Afghans are fleeing the Taliban and crossing the border to neighboring countries. In Pakistan, crackdowns on Afghan refugees have intensified in recent months despite Taliban calls for Pakistani authorities to stop arresting Afghans living in Pakistan.

Human rights watchdogs also have called on Pakistan to stop the harassment of Afghan refugees.



The Government of Pakistan must urgently stop arbitrarily arresting and harassing Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers, many of whom are fleeing persecution by the Taliban, Amnesty International said in a statement on June 20.



UNHCR adds that after Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021, around 1.6 million people fled Afghanistan, of which 600,000 crossed the border into Pakistan.

Roshan Noorzai from VOA's Afghan Service contributed to this report, which originated in VOA's Afghan Service.
If the United States imposes more investment restrictions and export controls on China's semiconductor industry, Beijing will respond in kind, according to Chinas ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, whose tough talk analysts see as the latest response from a so-called wolf-warrior diplomat.

Xie likened the U.S. export controls to "restricting their opponents to only wearing old swimsuits in swimming competitions, while they themselves can wear advanced shark swimsuits."

Xie's remarks, made at the Aspen Security Forum last week, came as the U.S. finalized its mechanism for vetting possible investments in China's cutting-edge technology. These include semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence, all of which have military as well as commercial applications.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is also considering imposing new restrictions on exports of artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China, despite the objections of U.S. chipmakers.

Wen-Chih Chao, of the Institute of Strategic and International Affairs Studies at Taiwans National Chung Cheng University, characterized Xie's remarks as part of China's wolf-warrior diplomacy, as Chinas increasingly assertive style of foreign policy has come to be known.

He said the threatened Chinese countermeasures would depend on whether Beijing just wants to show an "attitude" or has decided to confront Western countries head-on.

He pointed to Chinas investigations of some U.S. companies operating in China. He sees these as China retaliating by "expressing an attitude."

Getting tougher

But as the tit-for-tat moves of the U.S. and China seem to be "escalating," Chao pointed to China's retaliation getting tougher.

An example, he said, is the export controls Beijing slapped on exporters of gallium, germanium and other raw minerals used in high-end chip manufacturing. As of August 1, they must apply for permission from the Ministry of Commerce of China and report the details of overseas buyers.

Chao said China might go further by blocking or limiting the supply of batteries for electric vehicles, mechanical components needed for wind-power generation, gases needed for solar panels, and raw materials needed for pharmaceuticals and semiconductor manufacturing.

China wants to show Western countries that they must think twice when imposing sanctions on Chinese semiconductors or companies, he said.

But other analysts said Beijing does not want to escalate its retaliation to the point where further moves by the U.S. and its allies harm Chinas economy, which is only slowly recovering from draconian pandemic lockdowns.

No cooperation

Chao also said China could retaliate by refusing to cooperate on efforts to limit climate change, or by saying "no" when asked to use its influence with Pyongyang to lessen tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

"These are the means China can use to retaliate, Chao said. I think there are a lot of them. These may be its current bargaining chips, and it will not use them all simultaneously. It will see how the West reacts. It may show its ability to counter the West step by step."

Cheng Chen, a political science professor at the State University of New York at Albany, said China's recent announcement about gallium, germanium and other chipmaking metals is a warning of its ability, and willingness, to retaliate against the U.S.

Even if the U.S. invests heavily in reshaping these industrial chains, it will take a long time to assemble the links, she said.

Chen said that if the U.S. further escalates sanctions on China's high-tech products, China could retaliate in kind  using tariffs for tariffs, sanctions for sanctions, and regulations for regulations.

Most used strategy

Yang Yikui, an assistant researcher at Taiwan National Defense Security Research Institute, said economic coercion is Chinas most commonly used retaliatory tactic.

He said China imposed trade sanctions on salmon imported from Norway when the late pro-democracy activist Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010. Beijing tightened restrictions on imports of Philippine bananas, citing quarantine issues, during a 2012 maritime dispute with Manila over a shoal in the South China Sea.

Yang said studies show that since 2018, China's sanctions have become more diverse and detailed, allowing it to retaliate directly and indirectly. It can also use its economic and trade relations to force companies from other countries to participate.

Yang said that after Lithuania agreed in 2021 to let Taiwan establish a representative office in Vilnius, China downgraded its diplomatic relations from the ambassadorial level to the charge daffaires and removed the country from its customs system database, making it impossible for Lithuanian goods to pass customs.

Beijing then reduced the credit lines of Lithuanian companies operating in the Chinese market and forced other multinational companies to sanction Lithuania. Companies in Germany, France, Sweden and other countries reportedly had cargos stopped at Chinese ports because they contained products made in Lithuania.

When Australia investigated the origins of COVID, an upset China imposed tariffs or import bans on Australian beef, wine, cotton, timber, lobster, coal and barley. But Beijing did not sanction Australia's iron ore, wool and natural gas because sanctions on those products stood to hurt key Chinese sectors.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
Analysts say the apparent coup attempt in Niger was not totally surprising, given the West African nations history of political upheaval. There have been four successful coups and numerous attempted coups since Niger won independence from France in 1960. But analysts say because President Mohamed Bazoum comes from a minority group within Niger and was elected on a platform of pursuing many reforms, he may have encountered resistance from the more dominant ethnic groups.

In their address to the nation, the head of the mutiny, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, said that defense and security forces toppled the government due to bad governance and to the security situation in Niger. On Thursday, all activities by political parties in the country had been suspended until further notice, Abdramane said on state television.

Abdourahmane Alkassoum, a political and security analyst who focuses on the Sahel, told VOA from Niger things still seem confusing in the capital, Niamey, a day after the military takeover was announced.

The downtown is being evacuated at the moment for fears of I dont know what... We are in a confusing situation, where on one hand, there are indications the coup was successful while on the other hand, others said it hasnt," he said.

Democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum took the oath of office in April 2021. Dr. Edgar Githua, an international relations and diplomacy expert teaching at the U.S. International University in Nairobi, told VOA the latest political unrest was not unexpected.

This is a country that has endured four coups in its history ... so the political culture in Niger is that the military feels very entitled or have been enabled to feel that they really need to play a role in politics, Githua said.

Githua says President Bazoums ethnic background could be another possible reason.

Hes a Diffa Arab, and he came from a minority group ... he came in and he was making lots of changes because he inherited a country that had bigger ethnic groups ... we are talking about the Hausas, the Zamas, the Tuaregs, ... and normally what happens for such presidents who inherit constituencies where they come from a minority, ... they feel like they are under sieged. ... because ... you are in the minority and the other people who control government are from other ethnic groups who believe or do not feel, you deserve to lead them, said Githua.

The West African economic bloc ECOWAS, the African Union and others in the international community have condemned the events in Niger and have called on the president to be freed immediately.

In a region that has recently seen a wave of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, Niger has been able to hold on to democratic stability since Bazoum came to power. Alkassoum says this coup attempt, if successful, could affect the whole region.

If Niger falls, its all ECOWAS that falls, and all the Sahel that falls and if we are not careful the same way the other countries with military dictatorships have fallen into total insecurity, thats not excluded [for us], said Alkassoum.

Niger, located in the Sahel region, has been battling Islamist militants and France, which has been helping in that fight, has about 1,500 soldiers there.

Githua says he does not think this coup attempt will stick.

The European Union, the US and France will not let Niger go down. ... This is their bastion of hope in the region in containing the excessive incursions, rebellions, terrorism and al Qaeda activities in that region, Boko haram and the likes. ...The U.S. already have troops stationed in Niger, they are special forces, around 1,000, France has quite a number," said Githua. "They will rally around the people.

Bazoum supporters on Wednesday gathered in front of the National Assembly building to call for his release. But on Thursday, others demonstrated in favor of the putschists.
JERUSALEM  Israeli military fire killed a 14-year-old Palestinian boy in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said Thursday, as an ultranationalist Israeli Cabinet minister visited a sensitive Jerusalem holy site that has been a frequent flashpoint for violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the disputed hilltop compound comes as Israel and the Palestinians are locked in a year-and-a-half-long bout of fighting and could enflame already surging tensions. It drew condemnation from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians, who view such visits as provocative. The site is revered by Jews and Muslims, and the competing claims lie at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 14-year-old Fares Sharhabil Abu Samra was killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank town of Qalqilya. The Israeli military said Palestinians threw rocks and firebombs at troops, who responded by firing into the air. It said the incident was being reviewed.

Tisha B'Av

Ben-Gvir joined hundreds of Jews visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to mark the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning and repentance when Jews reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, key events in Jewish history.

"This is the most important place for the people of Israel, which we must return to and show our rule," Ben-Gvir said in a video released by his office, with the golden Dome of the Rock in the background.

The Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem Affairs Ministry warned that the Israeli government and extremists like Ben-Gvir would "push things toward religious war" by "provoking the feelings of Muslims all over the world." The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it considered Ben-Gvir's visit to the sacred compound as an attempt to impose Israeli sovereignty over the site.

Neighboring Jordan, which acts as a custodian over the site and has a peace agreement with Israel, said such visits, along with other Israeli steps in Jerusalem, "threaten to trigger new cycles of violence." Saudi Arabia, a country with which Israel is hoping to normalize ties, said it was "a provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world."

Ben-Gvir, a former West Bank settler leader and far-right activist who years ago was convicted of incitement and supporting a Jewish terror group, now serves as Israel's national security minister, overseeing the country's police force.

Thursday was his third known visit to the contested site since becoming a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government. The site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism, where the biblical First and Second Temples once stood. Today, it is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

Police said they had arrested or detained 16 people for violating "visitation regulations" at the site. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are permitted to visit the site but not to pray there. But in recent years, a growing number of Jewish visitors have begun to quietly pray, raising fears among Palestinians that Israel is plotting to divide or take over the site. Ben-Gvir has long called for increased Jewish access.

Near-nightly raids

His visit could enflame already surging tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, who have been engaged in months of fighting that have sparked the worst violence in nearly two decades in the West Bank.

Since early last year, Israel has been staging near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas that it says are meant to stamp out militancy and thwart future attacks. More than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press. At least five of them, including the boy killed Thursday, were age 14 and under.

The military says most of those killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. At least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis since the start of 2023.

Israel captured east Jerusalem, where the holy compound lies, along with the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state, with east Jerusalem as its capital. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move unrecognized by most of the international community and considers the city its undivided, permanent capital.

Netanyahu's government, consisting of ultranationalists and West Bank settlement supporters like Ben-Gvir, has intensified steps to solidify Israel's hold on territories that Palestinians seek for a future state, angering Israel's top ally, the United States, and dimming hopes for Palestinian statehood.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday the United States is not seeking a permanent military base in Papua New Guinea.

The two countries signed a security agreement this year allowing the United States to develop and operate out of seaports and airports in Papua New Guinea.

Speaking during a joint news conference with the countrys prime minister, James Marape, Austin said the goal is to strengthen Papua New Guineas ability to protect itself and defend its interests.

"I want to reiterate our commitment to your countrys sovereignty and autonomy" as defense ties increase, Austin said.

Austin said expanding defense exercises between the two countries and a "shiprider agreement" will allow PNG personnel to use U.S. Coast Guard ships to combat illegal fishing. The first Coast Guard cutter is due next month.

Marape said the defense cooperation agreement will bring improved defense infrastructure to PNG, as well as infrastructure in general in the country, benefiting the military and overall economy.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday raised the possibility of New Zealand and other nations taking part in the AUKUS defense pact, cooperation that could rile Wellington's key trade partner China.

"The door's very much open for New Zealand and other partners to engage as they see appropriate going forward," Blinken said, as Wellington mulls cooperation on non-nuclear aspects of the joint Australia-U.K.-U.S. accord.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday said New Zealand was "open to conversations" about a possible role in AUKUS, so long as it did not relate to the development of nuclear-powered submarines.

New Zealand has been nuclear-free since the mid-1980s.

Instead, officials appear to be eying cooperation on defense technologies such as cyber, artificial intelligence and hypersonic weapons, which fall under the AUKUS agreement's so-called "pillar two."

New Zealand and Australia are the main allies of the United States in the South Pacific.

But New Zealand has recently been accused of putting its trading relationship with China ahead of its friendships with fellow Five Eyes spy group members the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia.

Beijing has vehemently opposed AUKUS, describing the pact as destabilizing for the region.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said that "nothing has been agreed to" on AUKUS yet, and the country's Cabinet would have to consider any proposals before any agreement is made.
MANILA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in heavy rains, floods, and landslides triggered by typhoon Doksuri climbed to five, the Philippines' national disaster agency said on Thursday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said four were buried in a landslide in Benguet province in the northern Philippines and one in Rizal province, east of Metro Manila.

In an interview, NDRRMC spokesperson Edgar Posadas told local radio that the agency is validating the reported deaths.

The number of deaths can still increase as local media and police report more deaths in some typhoon-affected areas.

Doksuri has affected nearly over 328,000 people across the Southeast Asian country, with around 20,000 in over 300 temporary shelters, the agency said.

Doksuri is the fifth typhoon to batter the Philippines this year.

The state weather bureau forecast Doksuri will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, dumping more rain in the next few days.

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries globally, mainly due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Pacific typhoon belt. On average, the archipelagic country experiences 20 typhoons yearly, some intense and destructive.

In 2013, the Philippines was hit by super typhoon Haiyan, which killed over 7,000 people. 
Bolivia is interested in obtaining Iranian drone technology to protect its borders and combat smuggling and drug trafficking, the Andean countrys defense minister confirmed Tuesday, a day after Argentina demanded information on an agreement reached by Iran and Bolivia that has raised security concerns in the region.

Edmundo Novillo dismissed those concerns, saying they were exaggerated and came from an Argentine lawmaker who, I understand, has Israeli origins, whom he did not name.

The minister spoke to reporters a day after Argentinas foreign ministry sent a note to the Bolivian Embassy in Buenos Aires requesting information about the scope of the discussions and possible agreements reached during Novillos visit to Iran last week.

Bolivian opposition lawmakers also filed a request for information after they found out through the media about an alleged defense and security memorandum of understanding signed between Novillo and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, on July 20.

Novillo characterized concerns as an exaggeration and a political show, speculating that it had to do with the upcoming elections in Argentina and that some sectors of the countrys right wing are trying to use the issue for political purposes. Argentina will hold primary elections next month ahead of presidential elections in October.

Argentinas foreign ministry declined to comment on Novillos news conference.

The Bolivian minister also denied that a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Iran, saying only that he signed an act with his counterpart in Tehran to identify common points of interest. Irans state-run news agency IRNA had reported on the memorandum of understanding. Neither country has made the document public.

Novillo said Bolivia was interested in Iranian high-tech drones that can monitor mountainous areas and provide real-time images to the armed forces, stating that their technology could help the Andean countrys efforts to boost border security.

He did not say whether Bolivia would purchase the drones or get them as a donation, but the Institute for the Study of War, or ISW, based in Washington, said last week that Iran has sought to increase the number of countries that buy Iranian drones in recent years.

Venezuela had previously said it was building drones with Irans help, according to Annika Ganzeveld, an Iran analyst for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, an ISW partner organization.

President Ebrahim Raisi has shown a greater interest in developing relations with South American countries than his predecessor, Ganzeveld said. Irans renewed focus on Latin America indicates it is trying to increase its foothold in this region, especially by bolstering economic interactions and possibly pursuing arms deals.

The reported deal raised particular concern in Argentina, where prosecutors have long alleged that Iranian officials used the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah to carry out the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people. Iran has denied any involvement in the incident.

Argentines must remain vigilant and monitor the presence of Iranian agents in Bolivia who, under the pretext of cooperating on drug trafficking issues, will likely engage in intelligence activities that may impact or affect Argentina, Jorge Faurie, a former Argentine foreign minister, wrote on social media late Monday.

Novillo said his visit to Tehran should not be seen as a threat, emphasizing that Bolivia is a pacifist government.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Beijing's massive investment plan to boost trade and economic ties with Pakistan, is 10 years old but has not fulfilled its lofty goals.

CPEC became an early example of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, an aggressive effort to build billions of dollars' worth of infrastructure in Asia and beyond. At its inception, CPEC was Chinas most ambitious BRI effort: More than $35 billion was pledged for energy projects and another $10 billion for transportation.

Speaking this month at a commemoration of the projects 10th year, Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistans minister for planning, development and reforms, said that $25 billion in projects had been completed and that the government was now focused on finishing projects originally set for completion by 2020.

He also highlighted the 13 power projects and the 4,000-megawatt electricity transmission line that have been built. At CPEC's outset, the Pakistani government estimated it needed at least another 4,000 megawatts of power that year to meet demand. Officials estimate CPEC projects now provide about one-third of the power for Pakistans electrical grid.

Iqbal also touted key roads and ports that have boosted the economy.

CPEC effectively helped Pakistan in improving the major transport networks from north to south and laid the foundation for a resilient infrastructure including ports, airports and roads and Orange Line Metro Train in Lahore, he said.

Job creation

Iqbal estimated that CPEC has created more than 230,000 jobs in Pakistan. In May, Chinese official state media estimated that Pakistani workers held about 155,000 of those positions.

Haroon Sharif, the head of Pakistans Board of Investment in 2018-19, is skeptical that many of those jobs were created. He told VOA the statistics provided by the government were merely the claims of the planning ministry, not based on third-party assessment.

The figure could be only credible when it is based on the third-party independent economic assessment, Sharif said.

Sharif said there are two types of jobs in CPEC projects: temporary and permanent. He said the temporary laborers work until projects have been completed, and then permanent workers take over to run them.

I have serious doubts that they are in hundreds of thousands, but it could be a few thousand jobs, he said.

Unfinished projects

Authorities say most CPEC projects begun in 2013 with 2020 deadlines have been completed. However, Pakistan is still setting up nine special economic and industrial zones where Chinese companies are expected to invest. Authorities say four of the zones are under construction while work on the others hasn't started.

At this month's anniversary ceremony, Iqbal blamed the previous government for the delay in completing the zones, though he provided no details.

Sharif attributed the slowdown to Pakistans political turmoil as well as COVID-19, since China closed its borders because of the pandemic.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian rejected earlier reports that CPEC faced any slowdowns during the pandemic.

Ammar A Malik, senior scientist at AidData, a research lab at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, said the delayed completion of the industrial zones did slow down Chinese investments.

Malik told VOA that China has a lot at stake in its Pakistan investments and could be concerned about the lack of progress in some areas.

It is in Chinas interest that Pakistan achieve political and economic stability, Malik said.

He also argued that Pakistan should not take Chinese interest and help for granted.

The success of the CPEC project is conditional to the economic and political stability of the country. If there is continuity in Pakistans economic policies, along with political stability, then investment in CPEC and other projects will continue to grow, Malik said.

Missed opportunities

In 2013, China expressed interest in relocating some of its industries to Pakistan, attracted by lower production costs. This move would have generated employment opportunities and boosted Pakistan's exports.

That largely has not happened. Iqbal, the planning minister, said the lack of progress on the industrial zones has led many Chinese investors to shift their expansion plans to countries like Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, where production costs are comparatively lower than in China.

Iqbal said the current government is determined to fast-track all CPEC projects.

In an interview with VOA, Pakistani-based economist Ashfaque Hassan Khan said Pakistan's chronic power shortages also have kept the nation from taking full advantage of Chinese investment.

As an example, Khan said that despite the CPEC investments that have brought some relief from energy shortages, the country has not yet been able to use the surplus energy for industrial zone construction.

Khan said Chinas confidence in Pakistan would be restored only if there is political and economic stability in the country, and if other foreign investors regarded Pakistan favorably for further business ventures.

This story originated in VOAs Urdu Service.
Yalda Moaiery has traveled to some of the most dangerous countries in the world in her 23-year career. She photographed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and has covered conflict and natural disasters from Pakistan to Somalia.

But it was while photographing protests in her home country of Iran last September that Moaiery was arrested, beaten and sent to prison.

The 41-year-old journalist was released on bail in December and is now awaiting a summons to start serving her sentence: a six-year prison term on anti-state charges, followed by a two-year ban from using social media and leaving the country and a three-year ban from practicing journalism.

Despite that, Moaiery has continued to work. Her fearlessness and tenacity have earned her this year's International Women's Media Foundation, or IWMF, Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award.

Established in 2021, the award recognizes imprisoned women journalists who have demonstrated courage under extreme threat. Thats something Elisa Lees Munoz, executive director of the IWMF, says Moaiery exemplifies.

"She is the epitome of an incredibly courageous woman journalist," Munoz told VOA. "And how ironic that it's in her own country, covering her community, that she is not only thrown in jail but also beaten and reporting on what is happening to her while she is being driven off to prison."

Top jailer of journalists

Moaiery is one of at least 95 journalists imprisoned in Iran since last September, according to media rights groups. Many were arrested for covering the protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who died while in police custody.

At least 24 of those were women, making Iran the top jailer of both journalists and women journalists in the world.

As Moaiery said in a written statement shared with VOA, "I am receiving this award while the job of journalist has disappeared in my country."

Munoz agrees.

"We feel really strongly that these journalists are not getting the attention that they deserve because it is being subsumed as part of this general protest where hundreds of women are being targeted," Munoz told VOA. "And we feel that the distinction here is absolutely critical  that these women are being targeted because of their work and because they're women, not necessarily because they are participating in part of a public protest."

Also of concern, said Munoz, are accounts of women "in Iranian prisons being sexually assaulted."

"They're also being beaten. They're also being tortured in other ways that, of course, we have heard [that] men experience, but there is always that added element that has to do with their gender," Munoz told VOA.

Iran's mission at the United Nations did not respond to VOA's emailed request for comment.

Crackdown on dissent

Media coverage of the protest movement may have lessened in recent months, but the protests are still taking place, even if on a smaller scale, said Yeganeh Rezaian, a senior researcher at the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ.

And authorities are still arresting journalists and putting others on trial. Just this week, Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, who were among the first to be arrested for their coverage of Amini's case, appeared before a Tehran court for a second trial. They have already spent more than 300 days in prison.

Adding to the pressures, many of those released on bail are banned from working in media while they await summons to begin their sentence. With no means of making a living and uncertainty about when they will be taken to prison, many must rely on friends and family for support.

"Everyone has been kept in darkness and uncertainty," said Rezaian.

Iran has long used harsh treatment to send a message to its critics. Doing so, she said, is "meant to send an alarm to everyone else that this is going to be your destiny if you keep doing what you're doing or if you do similar things like your other colleagues."

But journalists like Moaiery refuse to be silenced.

Rezaian, who knows Moaiery from her time living and working as a journalist in Iran, refers to her friend and colleague as "fearless and very fierce."

She cites Moaiery's work not only in war zones, but also at home in Iran, documenting young women's struggles with mandatory hijab, and always being one of the first to cover nationwide protests.

"She was arrested in the very first week of [the 2022] protests, which shows how much she was willing to risk," Rezaian told VOA. "And this is not the first time that her perseverance got her into the hands of the officials because she has done this many, many times for the good of the country and the women and the stories that she covers."

While Rezaian is grateful that Moaiery has received recognition for her courage, she hopes the award will bring attention to the dozens of other journalists and the many women who are struggling under the Iranian regime.

Moaiery echoed Rezaian's sentiments.

"Journalists are threatened and arrested every moment, and two of our colleagues are still in prison for more than 300 days," she wrote in a statement shared with VOA.

"Apart from the problems and issues of a journalism job, as women every day we are facing the violation of civil rights and the risk of being arrested for [not] wearing a voluntary hijab."

She added, "Receiving such award for me and other Iranian women means that our voices are heard."
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austins visit to Papua New Guinea will focus, in part, on detailed discussion establishing a U.S. military presence in the country, according to experts.

Underpinning the establishment of a U.S. military presence in PNG is the Defense Cooperation Agreement the two countries signed in May.

The Defense Cooperation Agreement "will form the foundational framework for the two countries to enhance bilateral security cooperation" and "improve the capacity of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force," said a statement released by the Pentagon on Tuesday.

"This is a major step for both the United States and Papua New Guinea," said Zack Cooper, former special assistant to the principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy during the George W. Bush administration and now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

"U.S. officials know that they need to have access to more facilities in the Indo-Pacific region, but most of that access has been limited to existing U.S. treaty allies and a limited set of long-standing partnerships. Papua New Guinea is the first major new access point for the United States in years," Cooper told VOA Korean via email.

"Defense Secretary Austins trip is likely to focus on the details and implementation, as well as providing a visible indication of growing U.S.-PNG ties," said Terence Roehrig, professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College.

"His visit will also likely seek to allay any concerns in Papua New Guinea that this will lead to a permanent U.S. base and somehow infringe on the countrys sovereignty, an important issue since the agreement has yet to be ratified in the PNG parliament," he told VOAs Korean Service via email.

The defense agreement will be released officially after the PNG parliament ratifies it as expected in August. It will allow the U.S. to station troops and vessels at six sites including Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, according to Agence France-Presse, which obtained a copy of the agreement.

"These six sites are useful for both air and naval forces, which are both critical in the large expanses across the Pacific," said Cooper. "For Papua New Guinea, I think this will open up new possibilities in terms of not only security cooperation but also economic assistance. This trip will help solidify those arrangements."

Experts said Austins visit featuring discussions with PNG Prime Minister James Marape and his top defense officials is important as the region has become another theater of U.S.-China rivalry.

Dennis Wilder, who served as the National Security Council director for China from 2004-05, told VOAs Korean Service via email that Austins trip "demonstrates that the region is a priority and that the United States will make considerable efforts to counter Chinas attempts to bring the region into its sphere of influence" while the security pact "strengthens the U.S. footprint in the western Pacific."

Roehrig said the U.S. ties with PNG are important "to keep pace with Beijings presence in the South Pacific and to ensure regional access."

Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOAs Korean Service via email Tuesday that China is "not opposed to countries efforts to grow ties with Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island countries."

"We always advocate," he continued, that the international community to give "more attention and support" to island nations and that "the negotiation and signing of any cooperation document should help realize this goal."

He added, however, that we should be on alert particularly for geopolitical games under the pretext of cooperation and that any cooperation should not target at any third country.

For China, the region is the so-called Air Silk Road, an important part of its Belt and Road Initiative that seeks to connect Asia and Central and South America through Pacific Island countries.

According to Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation research center, in addition to the first island-chain, which includes Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia, China has been seeking to exert its dominance over the second island-chain comprising countries in the South Pacific such as Palau, Solomon Islands and PNG.

"China has this notion of the first island chain that they totally want to control, and a second island chain, which the Solomons could be part of, where it would establish pretty significant control," said Bennett in a telephone interview. "The U.S. doesnt want China to get there."

According to the Australian Institute of International Affairs, the first chain comprises the Kuril Islands, the main Japanese archipelago, Okinawa, the northern part of the Philippines archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and Taiwan. The second consists of the islands of Japan stretching to Guam and the islands of Micronesia.

China reached a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April 2022. The security agreement allows China to send ships to the islands to "carry out logistical replacement" as well as military forces to "protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects."

Cooper said: "China will probably step up efforts in Solomon Islands and other locations in response, so American leaders and their counterparts will want to watch closely to see what Beijing might do in the coming weeks and months."
On July 23, a barrage of Russian missile and drone strikes on the Ukrainian city of Odesa killed at least one person and wounded 22 others. Dozens of buildings, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were damaged in the attack.

It was the latest in a series of strikes on the southern port city after Ukraine attacked the Kerch Bridge  which links Ukraines occupied Crimean Peninsula with Russia  on July 17, killing two.

Russia, which vowed retaliation for the bridge attack, continued its pattern of denying systematic attacks on Ukraines civilian infrastructure.

All the facilities designated for defeat and destroyed on the night of 23 July this year, where the Kiev regime, together with foreign specialists, were preparing terrorist acts against the Russian Federation, were located at a safe distance from the Transfiguration Cathedral, Russias Defense Ministry said in a July 23 Telegram post.

The planning of strikes with precision weapons against military and terrorist infrastructure facilities of the Kiev regime is carried out on the basis of information carefully checked and confirmed through several channels, knowingly excluding the civilian facilities, as well as cultural and historical heritage sites.

That is false.

Russias July 23 strikes on Odesa destroyed and damaged 44 buildings and sites of cultural significance. Russia provided no evidence to back its claim that the civilian buildings struck in the attack were being used to prepare terrorists acts.

The July 23 strikes on Odesa fit into a broader Russian assault on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a year ago called missile terror.

Russian forces have been hammering Odesas port infrastructure and food export facilities since Moscow withdrew from an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports, helping avert global food insecurity.

Civilian and cultural sites have also been hit. The Odesa regional administration said 44 buildings, including 19th and 20th century sites and 25 cultural monuments, were damaged in Russias July 23 missile barrage.

UNESCO strongly condemned Russias repeated attacks against Ukraines cultural and world heritage sites.

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, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said.

As of July 20, UNESCO had verified damage to 270 cultural properties in Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022.

The cultural properties hit in the Odesa region include the Odesa Fine Arts Museum, the Odesa Archaeological Museum, the Odesa Maritime Museum, the Odesa Literary Museum and the St. Nicholas Church.

In January, UNESCO declared Odesas historic city center, where the Transfiguration Cathedral is located, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Reports indicate a missile directly hit the Transfiguration Cathedrals central altar, causing significant damage to the building.

As it has done repeatedly after targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, Moscow blamed Kyiv for the cathedral strike, claiming it was hit by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft guided missile.

Despite Russias claim that it used precision guided weapons in the strike on Odesa, Zelenskyy said the Transfiguration Cathedral was hit by a KH-22, a high-speed missile designed to sink aircraft carriers. Britain's defense ministry said the KH-22 is notoriously inaccurate when aimed at land-based targets.

In January, Russia hit an apartment building in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro with a KH-22, killing 40 people.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed that attack on Ukraines air defenses.

In the July 23 attack targeting the Odesa region, Ukraine said it shot down nine of the 19 missiles that Russia reportedly fired.

Ukraine said Russia targeted Odesa that day with at least five different types of missiles, partially to thwart Ukraines ability to intercept them.

The only air and missile defense system Ukraine has that can shoot down KH-22 missiles are U.S. Patriot missile batteries, of which Ukraine has two. Ukraine is also lacking the necessary air defense systems in the region to shoot down Russias Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles, which Russian forces are also using to attack Odesa.

The July 23 attack was not the first time Russia targeted civilian infrastructure in retaliation for a strike on the Kerch Strait Bridge, a vital logistics route for Russia to supply its war effort in Ukraine.

On October 10, 2022, Russia launched dozens of missiles at Ukrainian cities in retaliation for the bombing of the bridge two days earlier. In the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, Russia struck museums, an office building, a pedestrian bridge, a park, a busy intersection and other civilian areas.

At that time, Russia also falsely claimed it had attacked military and energy infrastructure in response to Kyivs terrorism."

Polygraph.info has documented repeated Russian denials and disinformation following strikes on civilian targets, noting that Moscow reflexively blames Ukraine for attacks on civilians, despite abundant evidence to the contrary.

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The World Health Organization on Thursday warned that health threats are surging as the war in Sudan escalates and millions of people, many sick and wounded, flee for safety within Sudan and across borders to neighboring countries where health services are fragile and hard to reach.

The war, which erupted April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, is not contained within the country but has profound regional implications.

The conflict has displaced an estimated 3.4 million people, including 2.5 million inside Sudan. Nearly 760,000 people have been forced to flee as refugees to six neighboring countries, with many people reportedly arriving in poor health, carrying infectious diseases and other afflictions.

The Federal Ministry of Health reports at least 1,136 people have been killed and more than 12,000 injured since the conflict began. "Of course, this is very underreported of the number of casualties," said Nima Abid, World Health Organization representative in Sudan.

He said the scale of the health crisis triggered by the conflict in Sudan was enormous, noting that the fragile health system in Sudan was unable to cope with the multiple emergencies that exist as "two-thirds of the hospitals in the affected areas are not functional" and are unable to respond to the huge public health needs.

WHO has verified 51 attacks on health facilities since the conflict began, resulting in 10 deaths and 24 injuries and "cutting off access to urgently needed care."

Abid said that "all the organizational activities have stalled; vector control activities have stalled. Currently, we have a large measles outbreak with more than 2,000 cases and 30 deaths.

"I mean, even before the war, the vaccination coverage was not high," added Abid, noting that the Blue Nile and White Nile states were the most heavily affected. "So, now we have outbreaks affecting almost 10 states."

Abid also said he was concerned that cases of malaria, dengue and rift valley fever will rise during the current rainy season, noting that "all these vector-borne diseases are endemic in Sudan" and control measures have stopped.

"We do have an outbreak of cholera in South Kordofan," he said, "with more than 300 cases and seven deaths. So, all this will have an impact on the health system and public health in Sudan."

Neighboring Chad is hosting a quarter million Sudanese refugees, and the U.N. expects an equal number will arrive in the country by the end of the year. "This will significantly increase the health needs and exert huge pressure on the available health facilities," said Jean-Bosco Ndihokubwayo, WHO representative in Chad.

WHO reports around 2,500 people are arriving in Chad every day, many with serious gunshot wounds, while many others arrive sick with infectious diseases, malaria and cholera.

Ndihokubwayo cited malnutrition as the most serious health problem facing people in refugee camps.

"For the time being, we have more than 4,000 children who are suffering from serious malnutrition. Two hundred and fifty children are being hospitalized, 65 dead  and when this is combined with a disease like measles in children who are poorly nourished, it has huge effects as it does with our other current diseases," he said.

The World Health Organization reports cases of malaria among children under age 5, as well as suspected cases of yellow fever also have been identified among some 17,000 Sudanese who have sought refuge in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.). It added that a suspected cholera outbreak has been reported among many displaced people in northern Ethiopia.

Magdalene Armah, Incident Manager for the Sudan Crisis, WHO regional office for Africa, said the African region has received 65% of the Sudanese population that has fled the country.

She said it was important to establish cross-border operations to ensure that all vulnerable populations are reached with health care. "We want to increase access to health care services by expanding the set-up of emergency teams that are in the various border regions.

"We want to ensure that vaccination campaigns can happen to mitigate further outbreaks. We want to ensure that disease surveillance goes down to the communities," she said, adding that it was important that humanitarian agencies had the funding to enable it to carry out these vital health projects.

WHO and its partners are working to deliver emergency assistance and medical supplies to people in Chad, as well as in C.A.R., Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, as swiftly as possible. But WHO says resources are overstretched, so providing aid to those in need is becoming increasingly difficult.
KIRKENES, Norway  In a place far above the Arctic Circle, a group of Russian journalists are working with Norwegians to break through the strict state controls that have gripped the media in their homeland.

At the Barents Observer, an online newspaper that has become a leading provider of news from the Far North over the past two decades, the two local journalists are now in the minority.

Based in the town of Kirkenes, close to the Russian border, the news outlet opened its doors to reporters who fled Russia after a clampdown on the press followed the invasion of Ukraine.

Denis Zagore left the Russian city of Murmansk in September, he said.

"When the war started, in my podcasts for Barents Observer, I said dictator Putin, I said, not SMO (special military operation) or something like that," Zagore told AFP. "I started to understand it could be unsafe if I continued to do it in Murmansk," which lies 220 kilometers (137 miles) over the border.

"If you (want to) say Putin is a dictator and war is war, it's more safe here," he said.

Blocked in Russia

The Barents Observer now has three Russian reporters and a Russian trainee and has started publishing more articles in Russian than English.

"We were already blocked in Russia and have been in tremendous trouble with the Russian censorship agency, editor Thomas Nilsen said. So we said, OK, they want to make more trouble for journalists, then we can make more trouble for them.

"We don't care about Russian censorship laws. We are here for the freedom of speech and free journalism," Nilsen said.

Blocked since 2019, the publication is using a multitude of tricks to circumvent Russia's attempts to limit access. Mirror sites hosted on different addresses, access via VPN services, podcast formats and a presence on YouTube mean tens of thousands of views are maintained, Nilsen said.

Coverage includes general interest news like setbacks facing a marine park in Murmansk or invasions by pink salmon, as well as stories directly linked to the conflict in Ukraine.

"We have a lot of viewers, especially among young people in Russia, that get access and get information about what's happening with the war, with the repression in Russia, about who ends up in jail and so on," Nilsen said, "news articles that they don't get in their local or regional media at home."

A Putin spider

Russia has fallen to 164th place  out of 180  in the annual Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, which Norway has topped for several years.

In early July, Elena Milashina, a Russian journalist with independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was badly beaten in Chechnya.

Foreign media are also on the receiving end. Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal correspondent, has been in prison since March facing espionage charges.

"Every day we were sitting in our office and didn't know what was going to happen, said Elizaveta Vereykina, who worked for the BBC in Moscow before joining the Barents Observer. Would the police suddenly storm into our office and take us?

"It's hard to live in a society that absolutely despises everything about you," she said.

The number of Russian journalists in exile has grown in places such as Tbilisi, Yerevan, Vilnius, Riga and Kirkenes.

Trainee Olesya Krivtsova is waiting for a work permit before she can begin contributing.

She has a tattoo on her right leg: an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the shape of a spider with the Orwellian inscription "Big Brother is watching you."

On the other ankle, she once wore an electronic bracelet. Reported by university friends in Arkhangelsk for criticizing the war on social networks, Krivtsova was placed under house arrest pending a trial for justifying terrorism and discrediting the Russian army  charges punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

"In the end, I realized the injustice of what was happening, so I left," she said.

After ridding herself of the ankle bracelet, she traveled via Belarus and Lithuania before reaching Kirkenes.

"She said, 'I want to change Russia and I want to do it through journalism, said Nilsen. We said, 'OK, welcome.'"
SRINAGAR, India  Thousands of Shiite Muslims were allowed to hold a religious procession marking the Muslim month of Muharram in Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city on Thursday for the first time since an anti-India rebellion broke out in the disputed region more than three decades ago.

The participants, mostly wearing black clothes, beat their chests and recited elegies in the commercial heart of Srinagar. Some carried copies of the Quran to protest recent public desecrations of the Islamic holy book in Sweden and Denmark.

Muharram is among the holiest months for Shiite Muslims and marks the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein and his 72 companions in the battle of Karbala in the 7th century in present-day Iraq. The mourning over their deaths reaches its peak on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. Thursday's procession marked the eighth day on the calendar.

The main Muharram gatherings on the eighth and 10th days that used to pass through the city center were banned a year after an armed insurgency broke out in 1989 demanding the region's independence from India or its merger with neighboring Pakistan, which also controls part of Kashmir. However, Muharram processions continued to be allowed elsewhere in the Indian-controlled portion.

Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the insurgency.

Scores of mourners tried to defy the ban in previous years, often leading to scuffles with police and the firing of tear gas.

Authorities said the lifting of the ban comes as the overall security situation has improved in the region in recent years.

Mohammad Aijaz, Srinagar's civil administrator, said the procession was "a dividend of peace."

The lifting of the ban came after a series of talks between Shiite leaders and government officials. Authorities imposed a series of conditions, including that participants should not use "anti-national slogans or propaganda" or "disrespect any national symbol."

"It was after a long wait of almost 34 years that this procession has once again been allowed to go through its historical route," said Shabib Ul Hassan, a young participant.

It was unclear whether the authorities would lift the ban on the 10th day procession, as well.

Kashmiri Muslims have long complained that the Indian government restricts their religious freedom with the rationale of maintaining law and order, while promoting a massive annual Hindu pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath Cave Temple in Jammu and Kashmir.

The two-month Hindu pilgrimage currently underway draws hundreds of thousand from across India. The routes leading to the cave shrine are guarded by tens of thousands of soldiers.

Restrictions on Muslims have increased sharply since the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party scrapped the region's semi-autonomy in 2019.

Since then, critics say, the Indian government has tried to create what it calls "Naya Kashmir," or "new Kashmir," by curbing dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms.

Authorities have also confined the region's chief cleric and top separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, to his home and restricted large congregational prayers at the region's main mosque.
The Biden administration is dismissing Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to supply free grain to several African nations whose leaders are attending a summit in St. Petersburg, and calling instead for a full Russian return to the agreement that allowed Ukraine to send products from their Black Sea ports.

John Kirby, director of strategic communications for the National Security Council, also told VOA on Thursday that the White House is closely watching a coup in Niger, a West African nation seen as a close U.S. partner in the struggle against Islamic extremism and instability caused by violent Russian mercenaries on the continent.

The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

VOA: John, thank you very much for your time. With Russia nixing the grain deal (to allow shipments out of Ukrainian ports), which is vital for the Global South, it turns out that two-thirds of African leaders are not attending the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. Does this poor showing mean that Putin's food-weaponizing strategy, as you call it, is now playing against him?

John Kirby: I certainly can't speak for the African leaders who decided to go or not to go, or what motivated them. I think the whole world, including African nations, are seeing, quite plainly, the effect of Russia's decision to pull out of the grain deal, the effect that's going to have on their economies, on food scarcity across the continent. And I hope that for those leaders who did show up, I hope Mr. Putin is honest with you. I hope he tells them, 'I'm the reason why food prices are volatile. I'm the reason why you're going to have more problems with starvation, and with access to food and grain in your countries.' Because it is, there's only one party responsible for the volatility we're seeing, and for the fact that the grain is now going to be much harder to get out of Ukraine. And that's Russia, that's Mr. Putin.

VOA: Russia, at least publicly, is trying to downplay the impact of terminating the grain deal. And now Putin is offering, to at least six African countries, free grain and is trying to sort of replace Ukraine as a major food supplier to African nations. First of all, is it possible and how dangerous are those statements from Putin?

Kirby: On the face of it, it looks like a desperate attempt by Mr. Putin to try to paper over the impact that his decision to not extend the deal is going to have on African nations. Obviously, each of these sovereign nations have got to decide for themselves whether this new offer by Mr. Putin is legitimate and whether they want to accept it. But it's increasingly clear that nations around the world and in the Global South are seeing this reckless, irresponsible decision by Putin for what it is.

VOA: As for alternative ways of executing the grain deal, besides ground transportation, are the U.S. and allies considering sending convoys to escort ships in the Black Sea?

Kirby: No, there's no active discussion now about inserting warships into the Black Sea. I think we all understand that that will only escalate the tensions and increase the odds of conflict between the West and Russia and that's not what we're looking for. What we're looking for is for the grain to get out. What we're looking for is for the deal to get extended. And short of that we're going to work with our allies and partners on other ground routes and maybe even river routes.

VOA: It seems like Bolivia is interested in obtaining (drone) technology from Iran to protect its borders, as they say. Do you find this concerning?

Kirby: We're concerned about any export of Iranian technology that can be destabilizing. We have leveled many sanctions on Iran, some of them tied directly to their support for Russia and their export of this drone technology to Moscow. We urge all nations, no matter where they are, to carefully consider before they enter into defense arrangements with a nation like Iran.

VOA: Can you elaborate on the coup in Niger? What's the administration's strategy and next move to try to get the country back on the path towards democratic governance?

Kirby: Well, we also obviously want to see the democratically elected government fully respected and free to govern as the people of Niger want them to govern. We're watching events there, very closely.  We continue to urge as we did yesterday, that President (Mohamed) Bazoum be released and be allowed to execute the office that he was voted into to represent the people of Niger. Our State Department colleagues are doing the best they can to keep people advised and aware of the situation on the ground. We advise Americans to be safe, safety first.

VOA: Some American media outlets reported that President Biden ordered the transfer of evidence to the International Criminal Court to investigate Russian war crimes. Can you elaborate on that?

Kirby: President Biden has been exceedingly clear that we want to make sure that Russia is properly held accountable for war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, that Russian forces and paramilitary forces and private contractors like the Wagner Group are clearly perpetrating on the people of Ukraine. And we've been clear from the very beginning that we're going to help Ukraine. They have a special counsel who's gathering evidence. We're going to do what we can to help them collect that evidence, analyze that evidence and have it available for the appropriate international accountability mechanisms that might occur when the war is over. And that will include some coordination, some support of the work that the International Criminal Court is doing.

VOA: Thank you very much.

Kirby: Thank you.
Japan imposed export controls on advanced microchip technologies this week in a move widely seen as targeting China, mirroring recent restrictions imposed by the United States and the Netherlands, two other major producers of cutting-edge semiconductors.

Tokyo listed 23 types of semiconductor technology that are now subject to export restrictions, beginning July 23. They include advanced microchip manufacturing equipment, such as machines that deposit films on silicon wafers, to devices that etch out the microscopic circuits of chips.

The controls will affect Chinas ability to make advanced chips, analyst Yoshiaki Takayama of the Japan Institute for International Affairs in Tokyo said.

The Japanese measure complements U.S.-led export control measures because the number of companies with the capacity to manufacture cutting-edge chips is extremely limited, Takayama told VOA in an interview Wednesday. The Japanese measure makes it difficult for China not only to import advanced chips, but also to manufacture them.

He added that Beijing appears to be shifting its semiconductor strategy by focusing on middle- and low-end semiconductor manufacturing rather than cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing.

Western controls The United States banned the export of some advanced microchips and semiconductor manufacturing technology to China in October and urged Western allies to follow suit. The Netherlands  another key producer of semiconductors  imposed similar measures in June. Taiwan has also pledged to support Washingtons move.

At the G7 summit in Japan in May, allies agreed on the need to "de-risk" from potential Chinese economic coercion and avoid becoming reliant on China for semiconductor technologies. These combined measures will severely affect Chinas ability to keep up with Western technology, Takayama said, hurting its ability to manufacture state-of-the-art semiconductors and increase its manufacturing capacity in the short to medium term.

SEE ALSO: Japan and US to Commit to Closer Chip Cooperation in Joint Statement Unlike the traditional mechanical technology industries, where reverse engineering has produced important technological learnings, reverse engineering does not produce useful knowledge in the semiconductor manufacturing sector, Takayama said.

Moreover, todays scientific progress is largely due to big data analysis and simulations rather than repeated trial and error. So, it seems that China, with its limited access to cutting-edge semiconductors, could fall behind in scientific and technological R&D, he told VOA.

Unlike the United States and the Netherlands, Japan did not name China as the target of its export restrictions, which apply to 160 countries. However, Beijing still reacted with anger.

In disregard of China's serious concerns, Japan insisted on making and implementing export control measures that are clearly aimed at China.  We will closely monitor the impact of measures and resolutely safeguard our own interests. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told reporters July 24.

SEE ALSO: US Commerce Secretary: US 'Won't Tolerate' China's Ban on Micron Chips In a retaliatory move, China banned the import of semiconductors from the American firm Micron in May, citing national security concerns. Some firms in Japan fear Beijing will seek to restrict their imports, Takayama said.

Such Chinese measures could be against individual Japanese companies, as in the case of the sanctions against Micron, or Beijing might restrict trade with Japan for specific products, he told VOA.
JERUSALEM, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops shot and killed a 14-year-old Palestinian boy during an arrest raid in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, Palestinian and Israeli sources said.

An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that the incident took place in the city of Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, during "counterterrorism activity."

The statement said as the soldiers entered the city, "a violent riot was instigated during which rioters hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at the forces, who responded by firing shots into the air and other riot dispersal means. Hits were identified."

It added, "The incident is under review."

The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that the casualty was identified as Fares Abu Samra.

No Israelis were reported injured in the incident.

The violence was the latest in the surging tensions between Israelis and the Palestinians since the start of this year.

Since January, 26 people, most of them Israelis, have been killed in a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians, while more than 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers, according to official figures. 
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES  Kuwait said Thursday it executed five prisoners, including an inmate convicted over the bombing of a Shiite mosque in 2015 that killed 27 people and was claimed by the Islamic State group.

The inmates were hanged at the Central Prison, Kuwait's Public Prosecution said in a statement. Prosecutors said the five include the mosque attacker, three people convicted of murder and a convicted drug dealer.

One of the convicted murderers was Egyptian, another was Kuwaiti, and the convicted drug dealer was from Sri Lanka. The statement didn't provide the nationality of the mosque attacker or the third convicted murderer, saying only that they were in Kuwait unlawfully.

The 2015 bombing occurred during midday Friday prayers inside one of Kuwait's oldest Shiite mosques. The Islamic State group, which at the time controlled large areas in both Syria and Iraq, claimed the attack. The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates deserving of death.

It was the first militant attack in Kuwait, a small oil-rich country, in more than two decades. The attack was likely intended to foment unrest between Kuwait's Sunni and Shiite populations, but instead it backfired, reawakening a sense of national solidarity not seen since Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion.

The extremist group no longer controls any territory following a grueling military campaign by an array of forces, but continues to carry out sporadic attacks in Syria and Iraq. It also boasts affiliates in several Asian and African countries.

Executions are relatively rare in Kuwait, which put seven inmates to death last November. Before that, the last one was in 2017, when it executed seven prisoners, including a ruling family member.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says Ukrainian forces have been deliberate in their counteroffensive against Russia and have been conserving manpower and equipment.

Russias Federal Security Service said it found traces of explosives on a vessel en route from Turkey to Russia that had previously visited a Ukrainian port.

A Ukrainian official said Thursday that Russian forces carried out an overnight missile strike on the Odesa region in southern Ukraine, killing at least one person.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, said the attack damaged a small security building, equipment at a cargo terminal and two cars.

Kiper said the attack involved missiles fired from a submarine in the Black Sea.

Ukraines air force said it shot down one of two missiles Russia fired targeting Odesa, while air defense also downed eight drones that Russia launched overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media that he visited the city of Dnipro, in southeastern Ukraine, to meet with military commanders and discuss issues regarding supplies and strengthening air defenses.

UN meetings

Russian bombardments are taking a heavy toll on Ukrainian cultural sites as well as grain supplies that Kyiv had been shipping to impoverished countries.

The mounting damage was spelled out Wednesday at unusual back-to-back U.N. Security Council meetings on Ukraine.

According to UNESCO, since the war began in February 2022, at least 274 Ukrainian cultural sites have been damaged, including 117 religious sites.

"Religious sites should be places of worship, not places of war," Nihal Saad, director of the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations, told the council in her briefing.

But Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's deputy permanent U.N. ambassador, said Zelenskyys government was conducting a "campaign" to destroy orthodoxy in Ukraine.

He dismissed condemnations of Russia's missile strike Sunday on the Transfiguration Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the southern city of Odesa, and suggested it was Ukraine's fault.

"If the Russian missile truly struck the cathedral, as the Zelenskyy regime claims, then there would be nothing left of the cathedral at all," Polyansky told the Security Council. "But it was damaged and not completely destroyed."

At the second hearing, requested by Kyiv, Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, told the council that Russian strikes on grain facilities are "a calamitous turn for Ukrainians and the world." Moscow withdrew last week from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which protected Ukrainian shipments to other countries.

"Port cities that allow for the export of grain, such as Odesa, Reni and Izmail, are a lifeline for many," Khiari said. "Now, they are the latest casualties in this senseless, brutal war."

Officials say that strikes on Odesa have damaged infrastructure important for future grain exports. A strike on the port of Chornomorsk last week destroyed 60,000 metric tons of grain, enough to feed 270,000 people for one year, the Word Food Program said.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russia's attacks have global consequences for the world's food supply, especially in parts of the world struggling with hunger and malnutrition.

"Russia is hell-bent on preventing Ukrainian grain from reaching global markets, which is why it unilaterally suspended its participation in Black Sea Grain Initiative," she said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was continuing to try to find a way to restart the deal.

Russia has altered its naval activity in the Black Sea, Britain's Defense Ministry said Wednesday, adding that there is a possibility Russian forces are preparing "to enforce a blockade of Ukraine" after withdrawing from the year-old grain shipment deal.

The Defense Ministry said in its daily update that the Russian corvette Sergey Kotov had deployed to the Black Sea to patrol a shipping lane between the Bosporus and Odesa.

"There is a realistic possibility that it will form part of a task group to intercept commercial vessels Russia believes are heading to Ukraine," the British ministry said.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The Lebanese Cabinet on Thursday failed to appoint a replacement for the retiring head of its central bank, leaving the countrys battered economy with a looming leadership vacuum.

Riad Salameh, 72, leaves office on Monday after 30 years as central bank chief. He faces charges including embezzling public funds, which he denies. A Cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss choosing a new governor was canceled after too few ministers attended.

Lebanese law requires the most senior of the four central bank vice governors to step in if the post is vacant, but they have all threatened to resign if no full-time governor is appointed.

Political disputes have prevented Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, from finding a replacement for Salameh. Wider divisions have also left the presidency vacant and the country without a fully empowered Cabinet for more than a year.

Lebanese leaders have failed to enact all the reforms required by international lenders to unlock billions of dollars needed to save the economy.

Last month, the International Monetary Fund warned that Lebanon's failure to implement reforms could have "irreversible" consequences and further jeopardize economic and social stability.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Two journalism trials taking place in Uzbekistan this month have put issues of media freedom and ethics front and center.

In court are a media manager, government press officers and a blogger who regularly covered political and socioeconomic issues. If convicted, all could be handed lengthy prison terms.

Both cases involve passionate reporters and bloggers who, believing in President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs reforms, launched critical platforms, but have found themselves criminally indicted, Sevdora Latipova, a freelance journalist, told VOA.

Latipova is encouraging others in the media to stay calm but to professionally push for transparency and cover the process accurately.

In the first case, Khurshid Daliyev, founder of a news website Human.uz and Mavjuda Mirzayeva, who served as the head of the labor ministrys press service, are standing trial alongside two others on accusations including defamation, extortion and tax evasion.

According to a 360-page investigation report, Daliyev, who is known for blogging about Uzbekistans banking industry, led a criminal ring with Mirzayeva, Siyovush Hoshimov, a communications director at the state oil and gas holding, and Daliyevs 19-year-old assistant Ahmadullo Ahmadjonov.

The group is alleged to have used a Telegram channel named Kompromatuzb to extort money from officials, state entities, and businesses by threatening to release compromising information.

Separate from that case, a blogger named Abduqodir Muminov appeared in a Tashkent court this week on charges of violation of privacy, extortion, fraud and bribery.

Muminov made a name with his YouTube channel Kozgu or Mirror, which focused on the countrys justice system.

According to the indictment, the blogger demanded that businesses pay him to refrain from publishing damaging information. But some supporters believe the prosecution is connected to Muminovs criticism and reporting. If convicted, the 33-year-old could face up to 20 years in prison.

Despite conflicting reports on their pleas, the defense lawyers insist that all five deny the charges.

The Kompromatuzb hearings are closed on defendants' request, while the judge has limited cameras and observers in the courtroom for Muminov's proceedings.

We must believe in justice and hope for the best," Human.uz chief editor Muslim Mirzajanov told VOA while speaking outside the court last week. "Its wrong to speculate on whats driving the defendants' actions.

Authorities confiscated computers and servers from the newsroom and Human.uz has had to reduce its operation.

About 50 people worked in Human.uz and related platforms. We had to let them go. Human.uz still offers some news items but we are not able to produce multimedia content, since we have no revenue, Mirzajonov told VOA.

But, he added, We must believe in justice and hope for the best. Its wrong to speculate on whats driving their actions.

Briefly detained with Daliyev in January but released without charge, Mirzajonov is currently fighting a different criminal case related to Human.uzs sister outlet Sof.uz, which the financial company Anorbank accuses of defamation.

Media trust

The nature of the charges in the Daliyev case has brought a measured response from civil society.

Still, some experts have expressed concern over the way the case is handled.

Human rights lawyer Steve Swerdlow, who heads a political prisoners project at the University of Southern California, said the lengthy pre-trial detention, raids and confiscation of equipment raise questions.

Given Uzbekistans long record of suppressing media freedom, prosecutors should take extra care to ensure the detainees are afforded their full due process rights and that the case does not have a chilling effect on free speech in the country, he said.

Others say that in Uzbekistan anyone who works to expose corruption is at risk of prosecution.

Watching back-to-back trials featuring journalists, Mirzajonov said that the system can be unfair but urged the public, especially his peers, to view it with caution and care.

Some media outlets jumped to accusing me of being a criminal simply because I was detained back in January. We must know the difference between someone suspected or charged with a crime and who is found guilty. This is necessary for professional and reliable coverage, he said.

Neither Mirzajonov nor his news website Human.uz is implicated in the case.

Beruniy Alimov, founding director of Tashkent-based New Media Education Center, which offers training in journalism and communications, sees the current turbulence in the sector as natural.

We have a right to fail and make mistakes sometimes. The most important thing, however, is to identify where we go wrong, correct our ways, and be honest with our audiences, he said.

One colleagues offense or misconduct can affect the entire media community and obviously trigger heated discussions about all of us, Alimov added.

Despite some challenges and distrust in the system, journalists must defer to the relevant authorities, he said. No one can guarantee that no media personality will ever get suspected of any crime. Dont we want to believe that no one is above the law?

For Karim Bahriyev, a lawyer and former lawmaker, bringing charges of extortion, fraud and financial felonies against the press is nothing new. If these journalists confessed without pressure and torture, then I know that the honest and hardworking segment in our field dont approve such acts.

But, said Bahriyev, there are some among Uzbek journalists and bloggers who earn a salary or rewards by promoting the governments agenda.

Some use information they find to try to intimidate others, thus making a living, which is illegal, Bahriyev said. Others try to report the truth, which brings the risk of retaliation and no reward.

Gulnoza Khusanova, the chief editor for the broadcaster UzReport TV, said the cases reflect the current media environment, adding, I hope our industry and colleagues learn lessons from these trials.

A verdict in either case is not expected quickly.

This story originated in VOAs Uzbek Service
Leaders of Nigers army have declared their support for Wednesdays overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum, defying calls from abroad to respect the rule of law and the countrys democratic order.

The whereabouts of Bazoum remained unclear Thursday, one day after a group of soldiers from the presidential guard detained him at the presidential palace and later announced his ouster on state television.

The army, in a statement released to social media, said it had decided to back the coup to prevent a deadly confrontation that could lead to a bloodbath in Niger.

The streets of the capital, Niamey, remained calm. VOAs French to Africa service reports a group of demonstrators gathered Thursday to support the new military junta, with some waving Nigerien and Russian flags.

Speaking to reporters in New York, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged coup leaders to return the democratically-elected Bazoum to power.

I want to speak directly to those detaining him, he said. Release President Bazoum immediately and unconditionally. Stop obstructing the democratic governance of the country and respect the rule of law.

Guterres expressed worry about the instability plaguing West and Central Africa.

"If you look at the region, you have a dramatic increase of terrorist activity in Mali, Burkina Faso, in Niger and coming closer and closer to the countries of the coast, he said. You have military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, now eventually in Niger. A fragile transition in Chad, and a horrible situation in Sudan. So we are witnessing that the whole belt south of the Sahara is becoming an extremely problematic area with terrible consequences for their populations and for peace and security in the African continent and further afield.

The presidential guard members who seized power suggested Nigers insecurity was a reason for their actions.

We, the defense and security forces  decided to put an end to the regime, said Colonel Amadou Abdramane, shown seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues, reading a statement. His statement mentioned the deteriorating security situation and bad governance."

Abdramane said all institutions of the republic were suspended, that the country's borders were closed, and a nationwide curfew declared.

The soldiers warned against foreign intervention and said they would respect Bazoums well-being, Reuters reported.

In a message posted Thursday to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Bazoum said democracy would prevail in his country. The hard-won gains will be safeguarded, he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters Thursday in New Zealand that he had spoken with Bazoum and made clear that the United States resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger.

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has condemned the events in Niger and called on what it described as coup plotters to free the president immediately and without any condition.

The ECOWAS statement vowed to hold those involved in the plot responsible for the safety of the president, his family, members of the government and the general public.

Others condemning the apparent coup attempt included the chairman of the African Union commission, Faki Mahamat, and former colonial power France, which has about 1,500 soldiers in Niger helping the government battle Islamist militants.

Abdoul Aziz Garba Birimaka, Niger's presidential special security adviser, told VOAs French to Africa service the main question is what led to the attempted coup.

Indeed, that is the question: What led us to this extreme? What is happening? Why?  How could all this have happened without any suspicions as we learn that someone who is supposed to protect is now holding you (against your will), Birimaka said. Those are many questions that remain unanswered for the moment."

The West African state is one of the regions most unstable. If successful, Wednesdays coup would be the fifth military takeover since the country won independence from France in 1960.

Michael Shurkin, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told VOA, President Bazoum has been one of the most effective leaders in the area, if not the most effective leader. He's somebody who by many standards is doing all the right things in terms of trying to deal with the country's vast problems and working effectively with Niger's many Western security partners, including France and the United States.

He said, A coup removes from the region a democratically elected and effective civilian official, replacing it with, first of all, a necessary period of uncertainty as the Nigeriens have to figure out what to do and make all the next steps.  Also, it's a huge blow to the West, which has really been turning to (Niger) to presume that sort of like it's its last effort to try to shape events in the Sahel as the Sahel otherwise has been swirling down the drain.

VOAs Carol Van Dam Falk, Margaret Besheer and French to Africa service contributed to this report. Some information came from the Associated Press and Reuters.
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Environmental and climate activists across Nigeria are joining forces with others worldwide in the fight to combat climate change. Gibson Emeka has this story from Abuja, Nigeria. Narrated by Salem Solomon.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Russia's defense minister accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a defense exhibition that featured the North's banned ballistic missiles as the neighbors pledged to boost ties, North Korean state media reported Thursday.

The Russian minister, Sergei Shoigu, and a Chinese delegation including a Politburo member arrived in North Korea this week for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War celebrated in North Korea as "Victory Day."

The missiles were banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions adopted with Russian and Chinese support but this week they provided a striking backdrop for a show of solidarity by three countries united by their rivalry with the U.S.

Shoigu is making the first visit by a Russian defense minister to North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union.

For North Korea, the arrival of the Russian and Chinese delegations marks its first major opening up to the world since the coronavirus pandemic.

Shoigu gave Kim a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean media reported.

Kim thanked Putin for sending the military delegation led by Shoigu, saying the visit had deepened the "strategic and traditional" relations between North Korea and Russia.

"(Kim) expressed his views on the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development and interests of the two countries from the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists and to realize international justice and peace," North Korean media said.

"He repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country," it said.

KCNA did not refer to the war in Ukraine but North Korea's defense minister, Kang Sun Nam, was reported as saying North Korea fully supported Russia's "battle for justice" and to protect its sovereignty.

Kim led Shoigu on a tour of an exhibition of new weapons and military equipment, KCNA said.

State media photographs showed Kim and his guests at a display of some of the North's ballistic missiles in multi-axle transporter launchers. Another image showed what analysts said appeared to be a new drone.

One analyst said Shoigu's inspection of the North Korean missiles visit suggested Russian acceptance of North Korea's nuclear program.

"We've come a long way from when North Korea would avoid showing off its nuclear capabilities when senior foreign dignitaries from Russia and China were in town," said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, calling the tour "remarkable."

"The personal tour for Shoigu - and Shoigu's willingness to be photographed with Kim in the course of this tour - is evidence that Moscow is complacent with North Korea's ongoing nuclear modernization," he said.

Kim also met Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong for talks and was handed a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean media reported.

The visit by Li's delegation showed Xi's commitment to "attach great importance to the DPRK-China friendship," Kim was quoted as saying by the North's KCNA state news agency, referring to the North the initial of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

'No secret'

The Russian visit raises the prospect of more open support for North Korea, especially with Russia isolated by the West over is invasion of Ukraine, analysts said.

"While Russia has kept its official military cooperation with the North Korea limited, any veritable rupture in the so-called post-Cold War order may see Russia more willing to openly violate sanctions, especially given their relatively lax attitude to the shifts in North Korea's nuclear status last year," said Anthony Rinna, a specialist in Korea-Russia relations at the Sino-NK think tank.

Last year, North Korea codified a new, expansive nuclear law declaring its status as a nuclear-armed state "irreversible."

This month, it threatened nuclear retaliation over a show of force by the United States, saying the deployment of strategic military assets near the Korean peninsula could meet criteria for its use of nuclear weapons.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Russia's overtures to North Korea comes as the Kremlin struggles to procure arms.

"Its been no secret ... Mr. Putin is reaching out to other countries for help and support in fighting his war in Ukraine. And that includes, we know, some outreach to the DPRK," he said.

North Korea has backed the Kremlin over its war with Ukraine and has shipped weapons including infantry rockets and missiles in support of Russia's war, the White House has said.

North Korea and Russia deny they have conducted arms transactions.
A senior White House national security official has said the United States does not want to coerce Pakistan into choosing between Washington and Beijing.

Eileen Laubacher, senior director for South Asia on the U.S. National Security Council, told VOA that Washington wants its partners to be able to choose their relationships freely. The council advises the U.S. president on national security and foreign policy.

Its important to reiterate that the United States wants our partners to be able to make their own choices, free of external coercion, Laubacher said in written comments following her maiden visit to Pakistan this month.

During the July 19-21 visit, Laubacher met with senior Pakistani government and military officials.

Every country needs productive, supportive, equitable relationships with a variety of partners, and Pakistan is no different, she said.

The growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing has created a challenge for Islamabad as the United States deepens defense and security ties with Pakistans archival India in a bid to counter Chinas growing influence.

Our bilateral relationships with both Pakistan and India do not come at the expense of the other, the White House official said, repeating a stance frequently expressed by the State Department.

As Islamabad watches India-U.S. ties grow, it hopes to repair its own tenuous relations with Washington, damaged by the 20-year U.S.-led war in Afghanistan that saw the return of the Taliban to power in Kabul.

While Pakistan denies the accusation that it covertly supported the then-insurgent group despite being a U.S. ally in the war, both Washington and Islamabad share concerns over Afghanistan again becoming a terrorist haven under the Taliban.

Laubachers visit came amid a flurry of recent high-profile contacts between the two sides, including a telephone call between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and a meeting between the U.S. CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael E. Kurilla and Pakistani army chief Gen. Asim Munir in Islamabad.

Responding to whether the U.S. is helping Pakistan target anti-Pakistan terrorists inside Afghanistan, Laubacher said, We have a close working relationship with Pakistan on security matters.

Pakistan faces almost daily attacks from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, an ideological offshoot of the Afghan Taliban that Islamabad alleges is operating from Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban deny harboring the TTP.

The U.S. national security official said Washington was providing millions of dollars in life-saving equipment for Pakistani law-enforcement officers upon Pakistans request.

This month the U.S. ambassador in Pakistan inaugurated a $17.2 million police training center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan and is most affected by terror attacks.

The White House, however, has yet to resume military aid to Pakistan, which then-President Trump froze in 2018 after accusing Pakistan of being untrustworthy in a tweet.

Laubacher did not say if the Biden White House is looking to resume that assistance soon.

We continue to consider defense transfers and security assistance to Pakistanas we do with all recipientson a case-by-case basis, where it serves the interests of both countries.

Last September, the White House approved a $450 million deal to provide repair and maintenance services for Pakistans F-16 fighter jet fleet.

Pakistan has been plagued with political instability since Imran Khan was ousted as prime minister in April of last year. Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to pave the way for general elections, uncertainty looms about when and if polls will happen this year.

Responding to a question on how the White House can ensure Pakistan holds timely elections, Laubacher said the U.S. supports free, fair, and credible elections around the world.

We encourage the government of Pakistan to adhere to Pakistans constitution and laws, including with regard to holding general elections, she said.
Papua New Guineas leadership is promising cascading benefits from growing military and security cooperation with the United States following the first visit by a sitting U.S. defense secretary, while downplaying any risk to the countrys close economic ties to China.

Prime Minister James Marape Thursday praised the PNG-U.S. Defense Cooperation Agreement, signed in May, agreeing with assessments by senior U.S. defense officials that his countrys National Parliament would ratify the deal in short order.

He also lauded a separate so-called shiprider agreement that will allow PNG personnel to ride aboard U.S. Coast Guard vessels to help protect the countrys fishing rights.

"The work starts now," Marape said, standing alongside U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following their meeting in Port Moresby.

Our defense capacity must be built up, he added. It is a partnership of choice that we made in respect to our defense cooperation but of course with the cascading benefit that links to [our] economy and, more importantly, key economic infrastructure.

PNG and U.S. officials said Thursday that both countries have started to look at areas where investments can be made to improve infrastructure and military readiness.

The 15-year agreement is also expected to allow for a greater U.S. military presence on the island as well as joint exercises, and greater coordination in the case of humanitarian crises.

But Marape said the U.S. forces in PNG will be there only on a rotational basis, a point Austin emphasized.

"I want to be clear. We're not seeking permanent basing in PNG," Austin said .

"We have a long-standing relationship with Papua New Guinea, he added. "Our goal is to make sure we strengthen PNG's ability to protect itself and defend its interests.  We both really respect and value the [international] rules-based order."

Austin also said the U.S. would respect Papua New Guineas decision to remain nuclear-free, and not send any U.S. nuclear capabilities to the island.

For now, though, the U.S. is moving ahead with the shiprider agreement, with a U.S. Coast Guard cutter scheduled to arrive in PNG next month to help counter illegal fishing, much of which has been blamed on China.

However, while the move was welcomed by Marape, some Papua New Guinea politicians fear the increased cooperation with the U.S. could rock the countrys ties with China.

There has been widespread public scrutiny of some expansive language in the recent agreement and less focus on the fact that everything must be mutually agreed, Brian Harding with the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace told VOA via email.

Pacific Island countries welcome this newfound attention but are wary of the potential destabilizing downsides of being caught in the middle of competition between major powers, Harding said. They also are clear that they do not want there to be a militarization of the Pacific, something Chinese propaganda has seized on, despite Chinas own efforts in Solomon Islands.

Marape, though, played down such concerns.

"They have no issue whatsoever with us having defense relationship with USA," Marape said of how the agreements with the U.S. are being viewed in Beijing. "They have not made any requests to us for military relationship.

Marape also sought to quell fears that Washingtons interest in the country is really about positioning forces in case of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

This is not about setting up for war," Marape said. USA does not need PNGs ground to be a launching pad for any offensive anywhere in the world.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told leaders and officials from African countries on Thursday that Moscow would provide grain for sale or free to the neediest countries to avert the uncertainty in the global food supply caused by Russias refusal to guarantee safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports across the Black Sea.

Putin, speaking at the opening session of a two-day Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, said, "I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year.

"Our country will continue supporting needy states and regions, in particular, with its humanitarian deliveries, Putin said. We seek to actively participate in building a fairer system of distribution of resources. We are taking maximum efforts to avert a global food crisis.

But in Washington, the White House pushed back on Putins claim of professing to resolve the food crisis affecting the worlds most impoverished countries.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told VOA, I hope he tells them, I'm the reason why the food prices are volatile. I'm the reason why you're going to have more problems with starvation, and with access to food and grain in your countries.

I hope he's as honest with them as he should be, because it is, there's only one party responsible for the volatility we're seeing, and for the fact that the grain is now going to be much harder to get out of Ukraine, and that's Russia, that's Mr. Putin, Kirby said.

Russia last week rejected an extension of the nearly year-long Black Sea Grain Initiative, contending that exports of Russian grains and fertilizers were not being treated fairly under the deal. Moscow has since said it would treat any ships sailing the Black Sea as possibly delivering arms to Ukraine for its fight against Russias 17-month war and could attack them.

Putin is using Russian food exports to boost Moscows ties with African countries and the continents 1.3 billion people.

Kirby said, On the face of it, it looks like a desperate attempt by Mr. Putin to, to try to paper over the impact that his decision to not extend the [Ukrainian grain export] deal is going to have on African nations. Then, obviously, each of these sovereign nations have got to decide for themselves whether this new offer by Mr. Putin is legitimate and whether they want to accept it.

Putin also announced other moves to deepen relations with Africa, including increased enrollment of African students in Russian universities, the opening of Russian state news media bureaus in many African countries and a proposed "common information space in Russia and Africa, within which objective, unbiased information about events taking place in the world will be broadcast to Russian and African audiences."

It was the second Russia-Africa summit since 2019. But the number of heads of state attending shrank from 43 then to 17 now because of what the Kremlin claimed was Western pressure to discourage African nations from taking part.

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said that while only 17 heads of state are attending the summit, 32 other African countries are represented by senior officials or ambassadors.



VOA Russian Service White House Correspondent Misha Komadovsky contributed to this report. Some material came from The Associated Press.
Fishermen attend a rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

by Yoo Seungki

BOSEONG, South Korea, July 27 (Xinhua) -- South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Over 100 fishing boats set out from a port of the county on Wednesday afternoon, plowing their way through the glittering blue waves with banners attached on the sides that read "Oppose Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge into the ocean," and "The ocean is not a dumping ground for nuclear-contaminated wastewater."

The long line of boats circled around in southern waters, and 12 of them sailed toward two vessels at the center of the circle. From the two vessels, 120 boxes with a mark symbolizing nuclear pollutants were thrown into the sea to represent Japan's radioactive wastewater discharge, while fishermen from the 12 boats pulled up the boxes from the sea and delivered them back to the two vessels.

"It was a performance showing that South Korean people collect the nuclear-contaminated wastewater, released by Japan, and return it back to Japan," Kim Young-chul, executive chief of the Federation of Korean Fishermen's Associations, told Xinhua.

"The fishing boats circled around to show that if Japan discharges Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea, South Korean vessels will surround the wastewater and make it no longer flow into other countries," said Kim.

"The ocean is the home of our lives. I have lived all my life with gratitude to the ocean which is like family and a friend, and also my workplace...If Japan discharges Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater, it will become a sea of death. Fishermen will also be dead," Kim added.

Right before the maritime demonstration, the fishermen held a separate rally on land in protest of the nuclear-contaminated wastewater dumping plan.

They chanted the slogan "The Japanese government should immediately retract its plan to dump Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean," wearing a red band around their heads with the slogan "Protect our right to life."

The demonstrators urged the South Korean government to firmly oppose Japan's nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge plan.

Amid wide criticism from both home and abroad, the Japanese government has been pushing to dump the radioactive wastewater this summer from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was hit by a massive earthquake and an ensuing tsunami in March 2011.

Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published its final comprehensive safety review report on Japan's ocean discharge plan, claiming that the plan "is in conformity with the agreed international standards." However, the IAEA report has failed to dispel concerns among South Korean fishermen.

"Nobody can scientifically estimate the potential danger of Japan's nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge, which will last for decades, and such a catastrophe as radioactive wastewater discharge into the sea is unforgivable and must never happen," Chang Dong-beom, a fisherman in his 70s who has worked in the fishing industry for about 50 years, said at the rally.

"Once Japan starts its discharge plan, it will set a precedent for the disposal of radioactive wastewater by sea, causing untold damage that could be a disaster for humanity," Chang told Xinhua.

"The ocean is literally the home of my life. After opening my eyes (in the morning), I went out to the ocean and stayed there sometimes all night long. I have lived such a life," he said.

Chang stressed that he will never accept the destruction of the ocean, upon which his family has relied for the past 31 generations and his son will depend to earn a living. 

Fishermen stage a maritime rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

Fishermen stage a maritime rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

Fishermen attend a rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

People attend a rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

Fishermen stage a maritime rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

Fishermen attend a rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

Fishermen stage a maritime rally to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, in Boseong County, South Korea, on July 26, 2023. South Korean fishermen staged a maritime rally in the southern coastal county of Boseong on Wednesday to protest against Japan's planned release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally received a visiting Russian military delegation and a Chinese political delegation on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the states self-proclaimed Victory Day, utilizing the occasion for diplomacy after years of isolation sealed by strict COVID-19 controls.



Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Politburo member Li Hongzhong delivered letters to Kim from their respective leaders, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, state media KCNA said Thursday. It said Kim received the letters gratefully, noting their countries decades of friendship.



The delegates were invited by Kim to a midnight musical performance, which celebrated the states long-claimed win against the brigandish armed invasion by U.S. imperialism, KCNA said.



The 1950-53 Korean War is referred to as the Fatherland Liberation War in North Korea, a bloody struggle that it incorrectly teaches was instigated by the United States and its allies. The 70th anniversary is one that Pyongyang needs to decorate with a significant measure of success.



Shoigus three-day visit has been treated prominently by North Korean media. KCNA featured reports involving the Russian defense minister Thursday, including a tour through an indoor weapons exhibit led by Kim Jong Un.

The leader showed off North Koreas newest weaponry and equipment developed under its national defense development plan, the state television broadcaster announced, discussing trends in global weapons development and strategy.

The weaponry exhibition house featured intercontinental ballistic missiles and new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), images showed. Observers in Seoul noted the UAVs appeared similar to the American-made Global Hawk, a remotely piloted high-altitude surveillance aircraft, and the MQ 9 Reaper, a hunter-killer UAV.



Kim repeatedly expressed the belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country, the state broadcaster reported.



Prior to his meeting with Kim, Defense Minister Shoigu sat down with his North Korean counterpart, according to KCNA, to exchange views on further strengthening the strategic and traditional relations of the two countries. And while there was no clear indication a new weapons deal was in the works, it would be one that would be produced behind closed doors.



Washington, last year on at least two occasions, said Pyongyang is covertly supplying Moscow with a significant number of artillery shells to fuel its war on Ukraine, a charge both North Korea and Russia vehemently denied.



Nobody  nobody should be helping Mr. Putin kill more Ukrainians, U.S. National Security Council communications coordinator John Kirby told reporters Wednesday. But the fact that hes reaching out to North Korea, or could be, additionally, that wouldnt come as a surprise to anybody.



The South Korean government said it is closely monitoring developments, noting that Moscows basic position is that it is opposed to Pyongyangs nuclear weapons possession and the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.



Its foreign ministry spokesperson expressed hopes on Thursday that the Russian delegations visit will contribute to the cessation of such provocations and lead to North Koreas return to dialogue.

Meeting needs



The significance of Defense Minister Shoigus high-profile visit  at a crucial phase in Moscows war with Ukraine  was not lost on analysts in Seoul. Shoigus trip marks the first cabinet-level trip since Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov came to Pyongyang in May 2018, when diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea was more active.



The needs this time are different, as Shoigu is poised to become the first Russian defense minister to attend North Koreas Victory Day military parade, expected Thursday night.



Russia needs cooperation against the United States and the so-called Western world because we are seeing very cohesive groups [form] against Russias Ukraine war, said Park Won Gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University. And for North Korea, especially Kim Jong Un, he needs some kind of achievement to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the so-called Victory Day.



Having not only Chinas delegation but also Russias defense head stand side-by-side with Kim at a soon-to-be-held military parade would send a very clear message to the North Korean people and the world that North Korea is getting support from these two countries and is no longer isolated or a rogue state, Park added.



North Korea is directly benefiting from the strategic environment created by the war in Ukraine, Boo Hyeong Wook, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, wrote last week. China and Russia have lost the motivation to put the brakes on North Koreas nuclear speeding, and there is a high probability that Pyongyang will force the status of a de facto nuclear power through highly volatile military provocations.



China  in its choice of an envoy to North Koreas celebrations  appears to be more muted in its support for remembrances that strike close to home. China lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in North Koreas fight to claim all of Korea in 1950.



Beijings delegation is led by Li Hongzhong, who, analysts note, is a non-permanent member of the Politburo Standing Committee. In 2018, China had dispatched to North Korea Li Zhanshu, a permanent member of its Communist Partys top decision-making body and its third ranked official. He is now retired.
A system of ocean currents that transports heat northward across the North Atlantic could collapse by midcentury, according to a new study. Scientists have said that such a collapse could cause catastrophic sea level rise and extreme weather across the globe.

In recent decades, researchers have both raised and downplayed the specter of Atlantic current collapse. It even prompted a movie that strayed far from the science. Two years ago, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said any such catastrophe was unlikely this century. But the new study published in Nature Communications suggests it might not be as far away and unlikely as mainstream science says.

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is a vital system of ocean currents that circulates water throughout the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It's a lengthy process, taking an estimated 1,000 years to complete, but has slowed even more since the mid-1900s.

A further slowdown or complete halting of the circulation could create more extreme weather in the Northern Hemisphere, sea level rise on the East Coast of the United States and drought for millions in southern Africa, scientists in Germany and the U.S. have said. But the timing is uncertain.

In the new study, Peter and Susanne Ditlevsen, two researchers from Denmark, analyzed sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic between 1870 and 2020 as a way of assessing this circulation. They found the system could collapse as soon as 2025 and as late as 2095, given current global greenhouse gas emissions.

"There are large uncertainties in this study, in many prior studies, and in climate impact assessment overall, and scientists sometimes miss important aspects that can lead to both over- and underprediction of impacts," Julio Friedmann, chief scientist at Carbon Direct, a carbon management company, said in a statement. "Still, the conclusion is obvious: Action must be swift and profound to counter major climate risks."

Stefan Rahmstorf, co-author on a 2018 study on the subject, published an extensive analysis of the Ditlevesens study on RealClimate, a website that publishes commentary from climate scientists. While he said that a tipping point for the collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation was "highly uncertain," he also called the IPCC estimate conservative.

"Increasingly the evidence points to the risk being far greater than 10% during this century," he wrote, "... rather worrying for the next few decades."
Doksuri regained super typhoon strength on Thursday in its final approach to southeastern China after pummeling Taiwan and the northern Philippines with rain and strong winds that led to the capsize of a ferry in which at least 25 people died.

As of 5 p.m. Beijing time (0900 GMT), the winds around the eye of the storm had reached up to 187 km per hour (116 mph), putting Doksuri back on the top rung of China's tropical storm categorization system after weakening earlier.

The ferry sank near the Philippine capital of Manila after passengers alarmed by strong winds rushed to one side of the boat, overturning it. As many as 36 people have been killed this week during Doksuri's transit off the northern Philippines.

Businesses and schools were shut in southern counties of Taiwan amid warnings of landslides and floods. All domestic flights and ferry lines were suspended, while more than 100 international flights were canceled or delayed. Railway services between southern and eastern Taiwan were halted.

More than 5,700 people were evacuated as a precaution, mostly in the mountainous southern and eastern Taiwan, where more than 0.7 meters of rainfall was recorded in some areas.

The storm cut power to more than 49,000 households across Taiwan, although supply has since been restored to most.

"Typhoon Doksuri should not be underestimated," Chen Chi-mai, mayor of the southern port city of Kaohsiung, said on Facebook late on Wednesday.

Taiwan's armed forces pressed ahead with a large-scale anti-landing drill on a beach near Taipei Port just outside the capital, simulating the repulsion of an enemy force with ground troops and tanks amid high military tensions with neighboring China.

The storm has disrupted parts of Taiwan's main annual Han Kuang exercises and air-raid drills that started on Monday. Authorities canceled some exercises citing safety concerns and the need to make preparations for the typhoon.

Doksuri is expected to make landfall in China on Friday morning somewhere between Dongshan and Putian in the southeastern province of Fujian.

On Thursday, three coastal cities in Fujian shut schools, businesses and factories, while flood control authorities in one of them, Xiamen, warned of a "serious impact."

The China Meteorological Administration forecast that Doksuri would be weaker than 2016's Typhoon Meranti, the strongest storm to hit China's coast since 1949 which killed at least 11 people.

Beijing launched emergency flood control operations in the country's southwest on Wednesday night after torrential rains in the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan as well as the nearby metropolis of Chongqing.

Heavy flooding in the city of Luzhou, Sichuan province, swept cars on to tree trunks, according to videos circulating on Chinese social media.
Afghanistan's Taliban said Thursday their forthcoming negotiations with the United States will be centered on lifting sanctions on the country, unfreezing its central bank assets, and removing Taliban leaders from a so-called U.N. blacklist.

The two former adversaries are scheduled to meet in Qatar's capital, Doha, later this week. Tom West, U.S. special representative on Afghanistan, will lead his team along with Rina Amiri, special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights.

Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will lead the Taliban delegation in talks with U.S. officials. His office said in a statement that "stopping violation of Afghanistan's airspace" by the U.S. will also be on the agenda.

The U.S. team will meet Taliban delegates and "technocratic professionals" from key Afghan ministries in Doha to discuss "critical interests" in Afghanistan, the State Department said Wednesday.

"Priority issues will include humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan, economic stabilization, fair and dignified treatment of all Afghans, including women and girls, security issues, and efforts to counter narcotics production and trafficking," the U.S. announcement said.

In the run-up to their talks in Qatar, the U.S. delegation traveled to Kazakhstan, where they met officials from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for a special session to discuss joint support for the Afghan people.

"I thank them all individually for a highly substantive exchange on critical issues, including security, human rights, the economy, and humanitarian needs," West said on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the meeting in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

No country has formally recognized the Taliban since the hardline group returned to power in Kabul in August 2021, when U.S.-led NATO troops chaotically withdrew after 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.

"This does not indicate any change in the policy of the United States. We have been very clear that we will engage with the Taliban appropriately when it is in our interest to do so," Vedant Patel, the State Department deputy spokesman, told reporters Wednesday.

"This does not intend to mean any kind of indication of recognition or any kind of indication of normalization or legitimacy of the Taliban."

Patel reiterated U.S. concerns about "the egregious human rights abuses" by the Taliban and their "marginalization" of Afghan women and girls.

The fundamentalist de facto rulers have imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or sharia, to govern impoverished Afghanistan, banning women and girls from education beyond about a sixth-grade level. They have barred women from most employment and visiting public places such as parks, gyms, and bathhouses.

The U.N. and other aid agencies also have been banned from hiring female Afghan staff, undermining humanitarian operations in a country where more than 28 million people need food aid.

The World Food Program has cut 8 million food-insecure Afghans from assistance due to budget shortages.

The international community has denounced Taliban curbs on Afghan women and demanded the restrictions be reversed. The fundamentalist leaders dismiss criticism of their rule, insisting that it is aligned with the Afghan culture and Islamic law.

Special Envoy Amiri tweeted Thursday that in her recent meetings with representatives of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Albania, Bangladesh, and Morocco, they stated that women's rights "are protected in Islam & key to economic progress and stability."

She noted there was "wide agreement that the extreme repression of Afghan women & girls sets a dangerous precedent, particularly for Muslim-majority countries; these policies should not be normalized & the world must stand with Afghan women & girls."

Editor's note: An earlier version of this report stated that the [Taliban] ban [on women workers] forced the World Food Program to cut 8 million food-insecure Afghans from assistance. It has been changed to clarify that the World Food Program cut 8 million food-insecure Afghans from assistance due to a budget shortfall and not due to the Taliban prohibiting the U.N. from employing female workers.
PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA - U.S. defense officials watching Ukraines slow-moving counteroffensive against Russia are not yet ready to sound any alarms, despite the lack of a major breakthrough.

There had been hope that an influx of U.S. and Western tanks and armored vehicles, as well as new supplies of ammunition, artillery and missile systems might allow Kyivs forces to punch through Russian lines.

Speaking during a visit to Papua New Guinea on Thursday, though, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine still has time.

"They still have a lot of options available to them," Austin told a news conference with Papua New Guineas Prime Minister James Marape.

"Theyve been very deliberate. Theyve been conserving manpower and equipment," he added. "I think you can expect them to continue to press."

Ukrainian officials have blamed Russian defenses, specifically minefields laid down by Russian forces as they dug in over the winter, for stalling their advances.

Top U.S. military officials acknowledge the Russian minefields are a problem. However, current and former officials, as well as some analysts, have expressed concerns that Ukrainian commanders have fallen back on old, Soviet-style tactics instead of embracing U.S. doctrines that could speed Kyivs advance.

Austin cautioned, however, that some of the expectations for Ukraines counteroffensive may have been too optimistic.

"We said throughout that this would be a tough fight and that this would be a long fight," he said. "We've seen a great bit of that play out."

Austin would not comment on details of Ukraines counteroffensive or on media reports quoting U.S. officials as saying that the counteroffensive is now in full swing with additional Ukrainian forces being thrown into the fight.

Still, he held out hope that Ukraine may see increasing victories in coming weeks.

"They have a lot of combat power," Austin said. "Ukraine is well-trained and well-prepared to be successful."
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that it is not too late to stop the worst of the climate crisis, but only with dramatic, immediate action.

The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived, Guterres told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York, where the temperature outside was approaching 86 degrees Fahrenheit before 10 a.m. and set to hit 91 degrees Fahrenheit later in the day.

He spoke as the World Meteorological Organization and the European Commissions Copernicus Climate Change Service released new data confirming July is set to be the hottest month ever recorded.

According to the data released today, July has already seen the hottest three-week period ever recorded; the three hottest days on record; and the highest-ever ocean temperatures for this time of year, Guterres said.

The U.N. chief, who has been ringing the alarm bell on the climate crisis since he entered office in January 2017, noted it has been a difficult summer in many parts of the world because of climate-related events, including fires, floods and scorching heat.

For the entire planet, it is a disaster, he said. And for scientists, it is unequivocal  humans are to blame.

He said the rising temperatures are consistent with all the scientific predictions; the only surprise is how fast it is happening.

He acknowledged progress on renewable energies and positive steps from industrial sectors but warned that none of it is going far or fast enough.

Accelerating temperatures demand accelerated action, the U.N. secretary-general said.

Guterres called for ambitious new national emissions reduction targets from G20 countries  as they are responsible for 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. He urged developed countries to reach net zero emissions as close as possible to the target date of 2040, and emerging economies by 2050.

He also repeated his mantra that there must be a transition away from fossil fuels to renewables.

And we must reach net zero electricity by 2035 in developed countries and 2040 elsewhere, as we work to bring affordable electricity to everyone on Earth, the secretary-general noted.

He said countries on the climate frontlines  who have contributed the least to the climate crisis  need financial help from developed nations for adaptation and mitigation. Developed countries have committed to contributing $100 billion per year to help developing countries, but they have fallen short. Guterres urged them to honor those commitments.

In September, the U.N. chief will convene a Climate Ambition Summit on the sidelines of the General Assembly high-level week, ahead of Novembers two-week long climate review conference  COP28  in Dubai.
The United States imposed sanctions on several top Malian officials this week, saying they facilitated activities of the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary unit that recently staged a brief mutiny against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Analysts say the sanctions are meant to send a message to the Malian government.

Mali's military government Wednesday criticized the sanctions on high-ranking members of the army accused of facilitating Wagner Group activities in the country, as Mali continues its decade-long fight against Islamist militants.

A statement was read on state TV station ORTM by presenter Mah Camara, and later posted to the station's Facebook page.

"These new measures, contrary to international law, which we strongly condemn, add to the long list of aggressive measures, acts of intimidation, blackmail and hostile campaigns against Mali, the statement said in French.

The statement also accused the United States of having "actively contributed to the spread of terrorism and weapons in the Sahel.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the travel and financial sanctions against Mali's minister of defense, Colonel Sadio Camara, as well as Colonel Alou Boi Diarra, Mali's chief of staff of the air force, and Colonel Adama Bagayoko, the Malian Air Force deputy chief of staff.

The statement says the officers were sanctioned for "facilitating the deployment and expansion" of the Wagner Group's activities in Mali.



Mali has been under military rule since a 2020 coup, and Wagner has been present in the country since 2021, assisting the junta.

The U.S. sanctioned the head of Wagner in Mali in May, after the United Nations released a report on a 2022 massacre in Moura, Mali, allegedly committed by the Malian army working with Wagner soldiers.

Daniel Eizenga, a researcher at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, spoke via a messaging application about the sanctions. He said the sanctions will add a layer of scrutiny for any U.S. person or anyone engaged with the U.S. financial system wishing to do business in Mali or with the Malian government, but that the sanctions are also largely symbolic.

"This is really about recognition, Eizenga said. The United States government is making a decision in these sanctions to say that we do not recognize these authorities as a legitimate government. In fact, we are sanctioning them, and refusing to do business with them, because they have acted in a way that is contrary to the interests of Malian citizens."

The junta has widespread support in Bamako and in much of southern Mali but several outspoken critics of the government have been arrested. Additionally, reporting on the army's alleged participation in massacres and extrajudicial killings in the center and north of the country has been censored.

The military government took France 24 and Radio France International off the air in Mali after they reported on another massacre, this one around the Diabaly area of central Mali, in 2022.

Authorities also asked the U.N. peacekeeping mission to Mali, MINUSMA, to leave the country following a report this past May from the U.N. human rights office on the Moura incident.

Kalilou Sidibe, political analyst and professor of political science and international relations in Bamako, told VOA that he considers the Malian government response "measured" compared to past actions toward France.

During a months-long diplomatic falling out with France, the Malian government expelled the French ambassador, asked French troops to leave the country, and accused France of spying.

Sidibe said that the U.S. remains one of Mali's largest development partners, and he believes relations between the two countries, and popular views on the U.S. in Mali, are not likely to worsen significant because of the sanctions.

Malian public opinion is not going to change suddenly, he said, because these sanctions don't target the population directly, they target certain leaders.

Malian leaders, including interim President Assimi Goita, went to St. Petersburg, Russia, this week for an African leaders summit.

Mali has received several shipments of weapons and equipment from Russia since the junta took over in 2020.
A group of families who lost relatives when Iran shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane in 2020 tells VOA the four nations that initiated international legal action in the case this month have not supported their request for a separate global probe.

In September, the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims asked the International Criminal Court prosecutors office to expand its investigation of alleged war crimes in Ukraine to include the Iranian missile strike that downed the Ukraine International Airlines plane as it took off from Tehran on January 8, 2020.

The strike killed all 176 people on board, most of them Iranians and Iranian Canadians who were flying to Canada via Kyiv. Iran says its forces mistook the plane for a U.S. missile.

The Hague-based ICC is a permanent international court, governed by a treaty called the Rome Statute, that investigates and tries individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

Ukraine, which is not a state party to the Rome Statute, has accepted ICC jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed on its territory since November 2013.

Tokyo Convention cited

In its September 14, 2022, request to the ICC prosecutor, the families association contended the ICC has jurisdiction because the plane was registered to Ukraine. Under the 1963 Tokyo Convention, ratified by 187 nations including Iran and Ukraine, an aircrafts state of registration has jurisdiction over acts committed on board.

On July 4, Canada, Britain, Sweden and Ukraine, four nations that lost citizens in the Flight PS752 incident, asked the International Court of Justice, also based in The Hague, to start proceedings against Iran. The ICJ is the main judicial organ of the United Nations, responsible for settling legal disputes between states.

The four countries alleged breaches of international legal obligations by Tehran in relation to the downing. They asserted that Iran failed to take all practicable measures to prevent the destruction of Flight PS752 by its armed forces and that it failed to advance a full, transparent and impartial criminal investigation and prosecution in accordance with international standards.

Irans foreign ministry rejected those accusations in a July 9 statement and accused the four nations of acting in pursuit of political objectives. It said that Tehran acted in accordance with domestic laws and international commitments by offering cooperation to the four nations, offering compensation to victims families and prosecuting unidentified members of its armed forces.

Three of the four states that filed the ICJ application, Canada, Britain and Sweden, are among the 123 states that are parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC.

Asked by VOA why Canada has not made any public expression of support for the families association request to the ICC prosecutor to investigate the incident, the Canadian foreign ministry emailed links to Ottawas past ICJ-related statements that did not mention the ICC. Pressed for a specific comment on the ICC request, the foreign ministry said it had nothing further to add.

The British and Swedish embassies in Washington and the Ukrainian foreign ministry also did not provide a comment in response to VOA questions about the ICC request.

Strength of case

University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes told VOA in a text message that some members of the Canadian government have been reluctant to join the families association ICC submission, doubting it is strong enough to meet ICC requirements for initiating an investigation.

Mendes, who was a visiting lawyer at the ICC in 2015, said some Canadian officials point to the ICCs role as a court of last resort, which intervenes only when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute the gravest of crimes.

Under ICC rules, its prosecutors office can start an investigation on its own initiative or upon request from a state party.

VOA asked the ICC prosecutors office for an update on the request by the families association. In its emailed reply, the office noted that Iran is not a state party to the Rome Statute and offered to look into the matter. But five days later, at the time of publication of this report, no further comment was received.

In announcing its request last year, the families association said the ICC prosecutors office clarified that [it has jurisdiction over] situations in which an attack is launched from a non-state party onto the territory of a state with jurisdiction before the ICC.

The associations spokesman, Kourosh Doustshenas, discussed the status of the ICC request on the July 19 edition of VOAs Flashpoint Iran podcast.

The following transcript of Doustshenas July 12 interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: What are the latest developments in the associations ICC request?

Kourosh Doustshenas, Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims: Since we submitted our case to them on September 14, we are in a holding pattern. We have requested that all countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute support the PS752 families association legal submission. To this day, unfortunately, we have not received any support from any country. We really were hoping that those countries would be interested to see an end to [alleged] terrorist acts [such as the downing of Flight PS752] and that they would come forward to support our ICC case.

VOA: Given that you have four countries that just submitted an application to the ICJ in relation to Flight PS752, why wouldn't any of them also support your ICC case?

Doustshenas: That is a very good question. In fact, we have been trying to find out for ourselves why some of these countries are reluctant to support this case at the ICC, because at the end of the day, there is an open ICC investigation into [alleged] war crimes that covers the territory of Ukraine. Flight PS752s plane was registered in Ukraine, and as such, it is considered under international law as a part of Ukraines territory. So, if the ICC is doing all kinds of investigation for war crimes [involving Ukraine], why not also look into this and at least do an investigation?

VOA: What do you think is going to happen next with your ICC request?

Doustshenas: We will continue asking our lawyers to bring it to the attention of the ICC prosecutor office and to ask if it needs any support from the families association or from anywhere else. We are ready to help.

We understand that [the ICC prosecutors] are overwhelmed with all kinds of investigations that they are currently undertaking, namely investigations of atrocities in Ukraine and everywhere else. But we do not want our case to be forgotten. We want to make sure it will be considered, too.

This is an obligation not only for the ICC, but for all the countries that are signatories to the ICC to also put their effort into bringing this case forward and having it prosecuted after [the prosecutor office does] the proper [preliminary examination and] investigation. The shootdown of Flight PS752 has not been properly investigated [so far] and an investigation needs to be done first.

We are aware that there is a criminal investigation happening in Ukraine. It has been going on for more than two years. Unfortunately, when it was really taking many steps forward in March 2022, the [full-scale] Russian invasion [of Ukraine] slowed down that process. So, there is an active investigation, but it does not have enough resources to allow it to go forward.
UNITED NATIONS  West Africa recorded more than 1,800 terrorist attacks in the first six months of the year resulting in nearly 4,600 deaths with dire humanitarian consequences, and a top regional official said Tuesday that's just "a snippet of the horrendous impact of insecurity."

Omar Touray told the U.N. Security Council that half a million people in the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States known as ECOWAS are refugees and nearly 6.2 million are internally displaced. If there isn't an adequate international response to the 30 million people ECOWAS assesses need food right now, he said, the number of people in need will increase to 42 million by the end of next month.

Touray, who is president of the ECOWAS Commission, singled out the following drivers of insecurity in the region: terrorism, armed rebellion, organized crime, unconstitutional changes of government, illegal maritime activities, environmental crises and fake news.

He said the region is worried about the resurgence of the military, with three countries  Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea  under military rule.

On Wednesday, Nigerien soldiers said they had overthrown the government of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum.

"The reversal of democratic gains runs parallel to insecurity that West Africa and the Sahel have been facing for some time now," Touray said, and insecurity continues to inflict pain and suffering on millions of people.

For example, Touray said, the 4,593 deaths in terrorist attacks between January and June 30 include 2,725 in Burkina Faso, 844 in Mali, 77 in Niger and 70 in Nigeria. He added that terrorist attacks in Benin and Togo which have coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean are a "stark indication of the expansion of terrorism to littoral states, a situation that poses additional threat to the region."

Touray said there have been a multiplicity of initiatives to tackle terrorism and insecurity which have had an impact on the ground, but there is a lack of coordination and ECOWAS wants to integrate the various initiatives into a regional plan of action.

ECOWAS military chiefs of staff have held consultations to strengthen a regional standby force "in a manner that will enable it to support member states in the fight against terrorism and against threats to constitutional order," he said.

Touray said the military chiefs proposed two options, establishing a 5,000-strong brigade at an annual cost of $2.3 billion or deployment of troops on demand at an annual cost of $360 million.

He reiterated the African Union's request for African peace operations to receive funding from the U.N. regular budget, to which all 193 U.N. member states contribute.

Touray said the military staff recommendations were made before Mali's military junta demanded that the more than 15,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force in the country leave, which was followed by the Security Council's unanimous vote on June 30 to immediately end the mission. Mali has brought in mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group to help fight an Islamic insurgency.

Touray told the council that ECOWAS leaders "have reflected on the possible adverse impact of the withdrawal on the region and have decided to convene an extraordinary session on peace and security by the end of August." Ahead of that meeting, he said, Benin's president will visit Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea and press for "an expeditious return to constitutional order."

The Security Council was also briefed by the new head of the U.N. office for West Africa, Leonardo Santos Simao, who said the security situation in the central Sahel, especially the border region of Burkina Faso. Mali and Niger, "has deteriorated further, with multiple attacks against civilians and defense and security forces." He also said "the southward expansion of insecurity remains a potent threat."

Simao appealed for "robust and decisive support" for the ECOWAS action plan to eradicate terrorism in the region and for the African Union and efforts by countries to stem insecurity in the Sahel.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the council "the United States remains gravely concerned by democratic backsliding across the region" and is "deeply concerned by the spread of instability in coastal West Africa."

He accused the Wagner Group of "committing human rights abuses and endangering the safety and security of civilians, peacekeepers and U.N. personnel."

Russia's deputy ambassador Anna Evstigneeva called the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel "difficult," pointing to increased activity by fighters from the Islamic State extremist group, subversive activities by Boko Haram, and the spread of terrorist activity to coastal West African countries.
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The U.S condemns efforts to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government, national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday. Kirby urged the release of President Mohamed Bazoum. No plan is in place to evacuate American citizens.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands 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, during their meeting in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 26, 2023. (Turkish presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday met with senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Erdogan asked Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that Turkiye and China are both countries with global influence and the importance of their cooperation goes beyond bilateral boundaries.

Erdogan emphasized Turkiye's adherence to the one-China principle and said his country does not see China's development as a threat.

Turkiye is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with China through mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, said Erdogan, adding his country is ready to enhance synergy between Turkiye's Middle Corridor initiative and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, tourism, and other fields, and elevate Turkiye-China relations to new heights.

Chinese enterprises are welcome to increase their investments in Turkiye, said Erdogan.

The Turkish president stressed that his country does not support the increase of NATO activities in the Asia-Pacific region and is willing to maintain communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues, including the Ukrainian crisis.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed the Chinese president's greetings to Erdogan.

He told the Turkish president that China congratulates him on his re-election and supports Turkiye in upholding independence and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.

Both China and Turkiye are representatives of emerging markets and major developing countries, which share broad common interests with no conflict of fundamental interests, the Chinese diplomat added.

The development of bilateral relationship is future-oriented and has broad prospects, Wang said, highlighting that China stands ready to work with Turkiye to help each other on the path of national rejuvenation, support each other on issues of core interests, strive to maintain and deepen mutual political trust and uplift China-Turkiye strategic cooperation to a new level.

Wang expressed China's willingness to make good use of the mechanism of the China-Turkiye Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee to comprehensively advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields, facilitate the BRI construction, achieve a higher level of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and make positive contributions to global economic recovery.

During his one-day visit to Turkiye, Wang also held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. 
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Mattel will not rest until every toy it makes is a billion-dollar movie. Fresh off the success of Barbie (and coasting off the viral celebs playing Uno moment), Mattel Films head Robbie Brenner spoke to Variety about its upcoming slate. The upcoming films include Daniel Kaluuyas Barney movie that will have Being John Malkovich vibes, J.J. Abramss grounded and gritty Hot Wheels flick, a PG-13 thriller based on Magic 8-Balls, and a Polly Pocket movie from Lena Dunham and starring Lily Collins. Brenner said that Collins was so smart and so specific and so productorial. That could mean that shes productive, or maybe that shes product-oriented? That would be handy for a movie based on a product.

Another IP on the Mattel Films productorial line is a family comedy based on American Girl Dolls. But (not to scab during a writers strike) we all know what an American Girl Doll movie should be, right? A multiverse movie with all the American Girls being disappointed in how badly history has gone. Can you imagine how Molly and Addy would feel about politics in 2023? Every American Girl has the same problems to overcome, and thats a clear refutation of a progressivist view of history.
Ludwig Goransson explains how he built a score that quivers and rumbles without using a crucial instrument family. Photo: Universal Pictures

Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer might be a three-hour historical drama filled with scenes of scientists and politicians talking in rooms, but its paced like a breakneck action movie. Part of the credit for that has to go to Ludwig Goranssons magnificent score, which quivers and rumbles throughout, building and building the same way that Nolans narrative does. The Swedish composer, also known for his collaborations with Ryan Coogler (he won an Academy Award for Black Panther) and Childish Gambino, previously worked with Nolan on the innovative score for 2020s Tenet, a soundtrack some of us are still obsessed with. The director, who had a fruitful and influential collaboration with Hans Zimmer for many years, is known for taking particular care with his scores. He and Goransson both seem to approach film music on conceptual and emotional levels.

How did you first talk about this film with Christopher Nolan?

After I read the script, one of the things he mentioned was that he wanted to experiment with an instrument and a sound: He was envisioning the violin, and I thought that was very exciting. I wasnt surprised, but I thought it was great challenge. My wifes a violinist, Serena Goransson, so I went straight home and we started to collaborate in my studio and experiment with tones.

What Chris really wanted was to capture Oppenheimers persona and his neurotic behavior and his character. I think there was something with the unease of the violin, the fretless instrument, how you can go from the most romantic, beautiful tone and, based on the performance, change in a split second to something neurotic and heart-wrenching. So that was something that we experimented with a lot in the beginning: how to take a traditional horror sound and turn that into a more romantic sound, and then go between those two different soundscapes.

Especially in the latter half of the film, Oppenheimer is racked with guilt, but he can never really express it. So much of whats happening to him is internal. Which means that sometimes the film has to express that formally. I imagine music plays a huge role there?

Absolutely. He is such a complex, obviously genius character, but I think at times not a lot of people can understand him. As its core, his theme is played by the violin in a very simple, intimate way with six notes. But throughout the movie, I have that theme with a lot of crazy, mathematical, rhythmical, complex ideas around it. When I first started working on the movie, Chris invited me to an early screening of some of their visual experiments. I saw how they did that splitting of atoms with this ultraviolet light swirling around. I was sitting in a dark theater seeing this huge screen and these lights just swirling around. Thats essentially when I was like, Okay, this is what I want the music to sound like.

The whole film always feels like its building and building and building toward something. Its very fast, never boring. What is it about the music that helps that build? Is it the pace, or the particular instruments being used?

Its both. So, for example, after we start off with just the solo violin, as the story continues, there are more players joining. A solo violin might make it very intimate and sincere, but you can gradually introduce a quartet and an octet and then the whole string ensemble, and play with that sound and manipulate it, too. The sound gets bigger and bigger and bigger. This is also why its so great to work with Chris: He has such a good mind for tempo and for pace.

These recurring visual motifs  swirls of light, sparks, droplets, and ripples, all these little elements  show us how Oppenheimer sees the world, or how someone with this kind of knowledge might see the world. So what did that mean for you musically?

I think thats why it was so important to find this six-note theme that recurs in different iterations. But whats going on around it is very complex. For example, I dont know if you remember the opening montage where hes a student in Germany, and he goes to the museum, you see the Picasso painting and all those things. In that montage, theres a violin pattern with the string orchestra that starts in 75 beats per minute, which is kind of a slower tempo, but the figure is still played pretty fast. But by the end of that scene, it ends three times as fast. I was very, very excited about this whole tempo illusion. And that really came together with the first visualization I had of the atoms swirling. You see them getting faster and faster, and then finally its almost kind of a blur. And thats what I wanted to achieve with the music. The trick of it is its a steady accelerando throughout the whole scene, but its more of a feeling. Like you said, the audience is really following the story through Cillian Murphys performance, which is outstanding. So the music really needs to make you feel what hes feeling.

The foot stomps are one of the only percussive elements in this movie. And since theres not a lot of percussion, that element gets so abrasive.

In this movie, especially, I started out writing all the music with little to no computers because I wanted to capture the essence of the emotional aspect of Oppenheimer first. It was important that we got that melody and the emotional core of the tone first, and then after that we could experiment with rhythmical patterns and synthesizers. And as the movie pushes forward, theres more production coming in. So sometimes you wonder, Is that synthesizers playing it, or is it real instruments? I think the synth is the undercurrent of darkness that keeps dragging you down into the depths. There was something interesting with that  how that modern production symbolizes the dark clouds looming over him.

In so many of Nolans movies, theres often a conceptual element that finds its way into the music. You did it in Tenet, with the inverted tracks playing through some of the pieces. Hans Zimmer did it in Inception, modifying the Edith Piaf song, and in Interstellar, working the ticking clocks into the score. Were there such elements you played with here?

A lot. I would say the constant changing of tempo and rhythmic modulations in one consecutive piece where you dont really hear the tempo. You can tell that its going faster, but its all coming out as a feeling  you cant really conceptualize and understand. Its a tempo thats increasing, and it hits you like a train running. That is interesting because Ive never been able to do this before, and I was able to achieve that because the whole score is very performance-based. We recorded it live, and the tone of the music changed when we added the live performance and live players.

For example, doing this constant changing of the tempo, when I was first thinking about it, I was going to record four bars, four bars, four bars, and then digitally mash it all together because I didnt think it was playable. But when we started recording it with these incredible musicians, we came up with a way to give the musicians the new tempo before the tempo changed. So when they were playing in one tempo, two bars before the tempo changed, they got the new tempo in their clicks. Because we did that, they were able to perform the whole three-minute piece in one take. That kind of experimentation, that kind of recording, Ive never done before. Just how alive the music came to be during the recordings was, I think, extraordinary.

Speaking of tempo, there isnt a lot of percussion in the film, is there?

No. Almost none.

It feels like the lack of percussion is also one of the reasons why the change in tempo feels almost subconscious. When they can hear a beat, people think tempo. Beat changes, people realize the tempo is changing. But without the percussion to indicate it, it becomes anxiety-inducing.

Yeah. A lot of Chriss movies are very percussion-heavy. I mean, at least Tenet was. A lot of movies today are. The foot stomps are one of the only percussive elements that keep coming back in to this movie. And since theres not a lot of percussion, that element gets so abrasive. It almost gets distorted because youre feeling that kind of rhythm hitting you like a drum. But I hope you werent missing the drums!

One of the things Christopher Nolan and editor Jennifer Lame told me was that they didnt have temp tracks when they were cutting the film. So they werent putting in other pieces of music that you then had to emulate. I imagine thats pretty liberating.

It was like that with Tenet, too. I get to see Chris a lot before we start shooting. So I read the script, and then we have meetings once a week where we sit down. For about two months, I write about 10 to 15 minutes of music every week, and we sit through and listen to it. Sometimes none of it works, but sometimes all of it works. And then we can dissect the music in my demos and we talk about, This tone is really cool, or, This instrument here has something special to it. And I just throw everything out that I have. Were building a sound world, and were building something from scratch.

Im also not shy to give him some things that I didnt think were going to work, because he can find and unlock things in there  so that when he starts shooting, he has two or three hours of music that Ive done. When he starts editing right after they finish shooting, he and Jen start putting in my demos in the movie. He has the first cut, and I go and see the movie and all my music is in there. At that stage, thats when we really start putting on our gloves and going hard on the music. But at that time, theres already a feeling. Theres a visual world and theres a sound world thats infused in the movie. From when they start editing, I have two or three months to finish it. And then every week were screening the movie. Every Friday, Im watching it.

You might not have had anything to do with this element, but I did want to ask you about the silences in the film. Because there is so much music, the silences that occur in many of the films key scenes really stand out. What kind of input do you have into those decisions?

Chris has such a great idea of how to propel and how to stretch and how the music functions in a film. Hes a master of that. But obviously, when we get to the stage when theres a first cut, there are always places where we talk about the spaces. When there are big pauses, theyre very effective. But I think those are already in his mind when hes writing the script.
BUJUMBURA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Burundi highly appreciates its agricultural cooperation with China and hopes for more support for the country's farming projects, a senior Burundian agriculture official has said.

"The assessment I make of the collaboration in the farming sector between Burundi and China is very positive because that collaboration allowed both parties to share experiences, notably, as it is believed that China has expertise and experience in increasing production to face the population's needs," Prosper Dodiko, permanent secretary of Burundi's Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry, told Xinhua in a recent interview in the country's commercial capital Bujumbura.

"We are witnesses of positive results, especially in the increase of rice production. Our local experts benefited from the selection of rice varieties in order to have varieties resistant to diseases and that produce a big harvest," he said.

In Gihanga, a district in Bubanza Province, Chinese agricultural experts have set up a multidisciplinary research center where hybrid rice varieties have been successfully cultivated.

According to Burundian figures, a hectare of paddy field that used to produce three to four tons of rice can now yield 10 to 11 tons with Chinese technology.

Dodiko said bilateral agricultural cooperation has also involved corn, fish farming and poultry.

"We're also working on fruits to check whether we can develop more productive varieties of fruits," he said.

Noting that locals trained by the Chinese agricultural experts will continue to implement learned farming techniques, the official hoped for China's support in helping the country achieve the goal of realizing "local production of hybrid seeds that were in the past imported."

The official said Burundi intends to collaborate with China to advance the livestock sector, particularly in poultry and fish farming.

"We plan to set up in Cibitoke province, northwestern Burundi, a multifunctional structure that will deal with four sectors, including rice, corn, pigs and poultry farming," Dodiko said.

"To make this project succeed, we count on the Chinese support in terms of expertise and assistance," he said. 
A book on display during Banned Books Week 2022 in Chicago. Photo: Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune via Getty Images

Youd think the people so feral about constitutional originalism, hooting and hollering about the Second Amendment, would reserve the same kind of energy for the amendment that came before it. Well, they arent, according to Texas booksellers, publishers, and authors, at least. A group of them filed a lawsuit on July 25 to halt a new state law that would force bookstores to rate books based on their sexual content, accusing the Texas government of infringing on free-speech rights, per the New York Times. The maddening law, signed by Republican governor Greg Abbott, would make booksellers evaluate and rate every single title they sell or have sold to schools into categories such as sexually explicit, sexually relevant, or no rating, a daunting task the group says is nearly impossible to perform. The Texas Education Agency would then list the ratings on a website, and the government would have both veto power over the bookseller and the ability to unilaterally impose its own rating if it disagrees with the first one. Anything marked sexually explicit would be prohibited from entering a classroom, while sexually relevant books would be made available to students only with parental consent. Failure to comply with the law would bar a bookstore from doing business with schools.

The new restrictions arrive at a time when censorship is once again in vogue with conservatives across the country. Just last week, author Ta-Nehisi Coates attended a South Carolina school-board meeting in support of a teacher who had been told to stop using his book Between the World and Me to teach her advanced English students about systemic racism in the United States. Overall, book bans are rising at a breakneck pace, according to an April report from PEN America. Late last year, the Keller Independent School District near Dallas banned books from libraries that talk about the concept of gender fluidity. Meanwhile, in book-banning-adjacent news, Florida governor Ron DeSantis and his minions rewrote new standards for Black history this month. The guidelines, which prohibit any lesson that could make a student uncomfortable due to their identity, are a result of the Stop W.O.K.E. Act, a real name for a law we seriously didnt just make up (W.O.K.E. here stands for wrongs to our kids and employees).
Photo: Craig Blankenhorn

Seven episodes into the second season of And Just Like That , it seems fair to declare its most valuable player so far. Its not Miranda, whos gone from making Che her personality to ditching Miriam Shor for being a disorganized writer with a messy, small apartment. (Yes, I did consider that a personal attack!) Its not Che, whose career as a stand-up comic is over just because their crummy pilot didnt go well. Its also not Carrie, whose weird attitudes toward podcast suppository ad copy and conversations about pegging call into question whether she was ever actually a sex columnist.

No, the true MVP of And Just Like That  season two is Anthony Marantino, owner of Hot Fellas bakery, BFF of Charlotte York-Goldenblatt, and a character whose personality in the Sex and the City follow-up is pretty much the same as it was in Sex and the City. Consistency! Its a great concept!

Anthony is both the funniest character on this show and the only one living in a reality that even remotely resembles the one viewers inhabit. Okay, fine: Most of us dont have a bunch of buff men in skimpy onesies working to deliver bread for us. Still, Anthony continues to be a pragmatist who, thanks to Mario Cantone, spikes all the punch in his line deliveries and calls his friends on their increasingly erratic bullshit.

When Charlotte disinvites Anthony as her date to the Met Ball in episode one because her husband, Harry, wants to go  He never got to go to his prom because he had Epstein-Barr, Charlotte explains  Anthony responds appropriately: So? I had Lyme disease for five months. Did I throw you from a speeding car? (He eventually gets to go to the Met Ball, although we dont get to see him at the Met Ball, which feels like a missed opportunity.)

When Charlottes daughter Lily forces everyone to listen to her heartfelt ballad The Power of Privilege, Anthony mutters, Who is she, Lily Eilish? which is an appropriate response to a young lady attempting to sound profound while wearing a winter beanie. Four episodes later, when Charlotte neglects to make a lunch reservation at Nobu for Lily and her boyfriend and Lily has a hissy fit (completely forgetting, apparently, that she very recently wrote an indie-pop screed against privilege), Anthony says what everyones thinking: Boo-hoo. Youre 17 years old. Go to Shake Shack and call it a day. When a character needs to be brought back down to Earth, Anthony is there to yank them out of the stratosphere and onto cold, hard ground.

The standout scene so far this season  a lunchtime conversation about jizz in episode four that easily could have appeared in Sex and the City, and I very much mean that as a compliment  basically puts Anthony in the chair that would have been occupied by Samantha. Dont cum-slut-shame her, Anthony warns Carrie and Miranda after Charlotte waxes poetic about her appreciation of male ejaculate. That is going to be your new name in my phone, though, he tells Charlotte. Reader, I guffawed. I also 100 percent believe that every time Charlotte calls Anthony now, his iPhone simply says Cum Slut. And I find that beautiful.

There are times when Anthony can seem caught in the trap of playing the classic gay best friend, a person who exists to pepper his quips all over scenes that are really about other people. But in this weeks episode, Anthony gets his own storyline. He makes an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show to promote Hot Fellas, and Charlotte gets to play the supportive best friend by finding a poor, hot Italian poet in a bookstore (happens to me all the time) to serve as Anthonys model Hot Fella for Barrymores cameras.

Is pretty much all of Anthonys appearance on that talk show one phallic joke that gets extended (sorry) a little too long (sorry again)? Yes. But its good publicity for Anthony, the only man in New York who employs swole bread-delivery men and has the integrity to fire them for using human-growth hormones. And I am rooting for Anthony to succeed as a character with his own full life that doesnt involve always being someones sidekick.

I mean, just pause for a minute and try to imagine this show without Mario Cantone. You cant. And Just Like That  desperately needs his blunt sarcasm to offset the more frustrating parts of it. If you dont agree, you know what, honey, just go to Shake Shack and call it a day.
I mean, its fabulous, says Full Circle hair-department head Adenike Wright. But its just like  I cant believe he made me do that. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: MAX

As the Steven SoderberghEd Solomon series Full Circle concludes on Max, many questions plaguing its protagonists will, at last, find answers. Whats going on with CCH Pounder, and why is she organizing this whole kidnapping situation? What happened with Timothy Olyphants past to give him all these conflicted feelings about this other kidnapped kid? How do all these families connect to a high-end condo development in Guyana? Sometimes, though, a question can linger even after a series ends. A wayward strand, an atypical texture not fully woven into the tapestry of a story, can escape from the smooth pattern of a narrative and continue to draw the eye even after everything else has been carefully knotted away. Sometimes, its important to pursue that remaining concern. Sometimes you have to spend time pondering why Dennis Quaid is wearing his hair in a French braid.

So, what is Dennis Quaid doing in Full Circle, and why does he have a braid?

In Full Circle, a thriller that begins with a kidnapping and eventually unfurls into an international conspiracy encompassing mysticism, greed, and violence, Dennis Quaid plays Jeff, a celebrity chef whose star rose to prominence on the back of a popular tomatillo sauce. While his daughter Sam (Claire Danes) runs his culinary empire, Jeff moves through the world with his graying brown hair tied back in a ponytail, the culmination of a French braid that extends roughly from the crown of his head to the nape of his neck.

The style suggests innumerable lines of inquiry: Within the world of the show, who plaits this French braid? Does Jeff do it himself? Does his wife do it? Does he ask a braiding favor of his chess-playing buddies at the park, or maybe some of his faintly criminal gambling associates? How old was Jeff when he decided a braid was his look? Unfortunately, we may never know the answers to these mysteries, as Jeffs full backstory is never explained. However, it is possible to pursue another question, namely:

How did Dennis Quaids portrayal of Chef Jeff come to include a braid?

To uncover what went on here, Vulture turned to Adenike Wright, the head of the hair department on Full Circle.

When you get a job, you reach out to actors and ask them if they have any needs or concerns, or any ideas about what they want to do, Wright says. Id been reaching out to him for weeks, and he kept saying, Im going to get back to you. We had a photo shoot for all the still photos you see around the publishers office in the show, and the day before, it was maybe six oclock at night, he calls me. Hey, Adenike, I want a ponytail. I was like, What?! I dont know you, I have never seen you in person, I dont even know your hair color, I dont have a ponytail for you. How are we going to do this? He said, Oh, youll figure it out.

A braid is born.

Wrights wig supplier was only open until 7 p.m. that day, and she called frantically after hanging up with Quaid, begging them to stay open long enough for her to get there and find a wig that would work for Quaids ponytail request. I was figuring this thing out with Google pictures, because I didnt know how long his hair was, what color it was, Wright says. There was no wig that seemed like a good match, so Wrights supplier cut one to fit and added new clips that night.

We get there the morning of, and Dennis is like, Oh, itll be fine! Dont worry about it, Wright says. But the wig she brought wouldnt quite work with Quaids short hair. I cannot put this ponytail into your hair without a braid, she told him. Its not long enough. Its not going to blend. The only way to blend it is to add the braid. He was like, Oh, I love it. Lets do it.

But why did Dennis Quaid insist his character have a ponytail?

I asked him, whats the story with this ponytail, Wright says, and he said, Oh, its an homage to Steven Seagal. You know, stuck in his ways, didnt want to change his look. And here we are now.

Here we are now, indeed: left with even more unanswerable questions. What exactly was it about Steven Seagal that inspired Quaids performance of Jeff the Chef? Wright does not know. And she insists the ponytail had nothing to do with the other skeezy, notably ponytailed chef, Mario Batali. He didnt mention that. He only mentioned Steven. I was like  okay!

Wright notes the unexpected ponytail did require a minor adjustment to the script once shooting started, a brief reference in the pilot episode about whether Quaids character would keep the ponytail for his next book promotion. Ed Solomon was like, Okay, so theres a ponytail? He had to write it into the story, Ed had to be creative. You cant just let that kind of thing go and not mention it.

The braid does insist on being mentioned. There is an immediate, ineffable weirdness to it that communicates something specific about Jeff the Chef. Perhaps there really is some Seagalian fossilization to the braid, an impression that Jeffs personality hardened at one precise moment of youthful experimentation. Theres an innocence as well: In contemporary American culture, this particular type of braid is more commonly associated with sleepovers and volleyball and juvenilia, precisely because its difficult  not impossible, but tricky  to execute on your own hair. It implies parenting or, at the very least, peers with ample downtime. Its a braid that suggests either significant investment in learning a skill or, more likely, being cared for rather than being the caregiver.

Is any of that purposeful? Its doubtful, given the braids rushed origins. And sometimes a braid is just a braid. I mean, its fabulous, says Wright. But its just like  I cant believe he made me do that.
In season nine, we watched Vicki Gunvalsons daughter Briana move away to Oklahoma and saw Vicki deride the state at every turn. So much so that Andy Cohen gave her the opportunity to address the disgruntled state at the reunion. Rather than make amends, she doubled down, saying: Flat. Tornadoes. Not good food. Humid. Humid, frizzy hair. Um, boring. All these years later, Oklahoma has finally made good with RHOC, now repped proudly by natives Jenn and Taylor, who have teamed up to go all Oklahoma on your ass at a moments notice.

This new duo, a match made in Juvederm heaven, meet up to take their teenagers (via ferry?) to an amusement park. Yes, you heard that right; Taylors daughter Kennedy  once famously told there was no more private plane  is now 16 years old. Late to this little wharf get-together is Shannon, who arrives without her children but isnt going to let Stella and Adelines busy schedules stop her from collecting a check.

Its their first debrief since the napkin throw heard round the world, and poor Jenn cant wrap her head around why things have gotten so bad with her good friend Tamra. Right when cameras went up too  huh, what a crazy coincidence! But theres also the unseen third wheel in this conflict: a fabled second Heather. Heather Amin is a key player in the soap opera thats been playing out at CUT Fitness, which was apparently Steamworks for blonde women, and according to Jenn, is the source of all the Ryan slander.

But why is she so invested? I think Heather was in love with Ryan, Jenn theorizes. Theres no other reason a woman would be that concerned with another relationship. But there are actually a lot of reasons for that, the biggest one of which is called being on Bravo. Just ask Brooks and his veneers.

Meanwhile, Tamra and Heather are also recounting the night while meandering around a gift shop. Small businesses across this nation are kept afloat by two things: Real Housewives needing a place to film and me buying something out of guilt because the cashier said hello when I walked in. For Heathers part, shes looking for a gift to bring to Emilys pool party. Oh, right, Emilys having a pool party, but it came up while Shane was getting his nostrils waxed, so I didnt want to make you relive that.

Despite her actions at every turn, Tamra says that she ultimately wants to fix things between her, Jenn, and second Heather  so naturally, the best course of action is to bring Heather Amin as her plus-one to Emilys pool party to ambush Jenn.

Watching Tamra go up against Jenn is like watching the Yankees play against a Little League team. Because Tamra isnt just a veteran Housewife  she invented the medium. Real Housewives didnt become the show we know today until Tamra Barney famously uttered the words, Did you go to Bass Lake? And that same Tamra is back this season, up against a doe-eyed freshman whos still finding her footing in front of the cameras.

While all of this drama is going on, Gina is having her own little bottle episode. After being triggered by Jenns infidelity and getting called out by Heather for trauma-dumping on Travis, shes trying to show us that things are actually great with her. Her entire big, blended family, including her ex-husband Matt and his new girlfriend, has a fun day in the park  presumably because the casita has state-mandated capacity limits. But the scene just makes Ginas anger toward Jenn even weirder, considering shes all good with Matt, and hes the one who actually cheated on her.

Meanwhile, Emilys found a new best friend in Tamra, who she meets up with at a dive bar straight out of Crappie Lake. Ordering champagne from a bar with bras hanging from the ceiling, the two toast to their new friendship and consummate it the best way they know how: talking shit. Apparently, they both heard some concerning gossip from Heather about Shannons relationship, and Tamra thinks its her responsibility to let Shannon know that Fancy Pants has been running her mouth.

But before we embark on that adventure, Tamra has one more box on her to-do list to check off: ambushing Jenn at the pool party. I think you know Heather, she says to a visibly exhausted Jenn as the pair saunter into the party. Despite this exhaustion, Jenn rises to the occasion and, in true Housewives fashion, pulls Heather Amin aside in hopes of finally squashing this beef.

But a very different conversation happens across the party, when Emily mentions in passing that shes no stranger to making sex tapes with Shane, the idea of which jolts Heather and a fearful nation alike. Heather, despite her love for the camera, couldnt fathom doing that herself  even if it meant getting a new credit for Heather Paige Kents IMDb. I dont even like watching myself on sitcoms, she lies as if there isnt at least one TV in that mansion that just plays her Malibu Country episode on a loop.

Speaking of loving the camera, upon seeing Jenn and second Heather having their one-on-one, the other women begin circling like vultures to a carcass on the side of Dorits vodka soda. One by one, each of them finds an excuse to join, squeezing onto the lounge chairs, peering over shoulders, and dragging furniture across the patio for a front-row seat.

With a full crowd now formed, Shannon has the good sense to finally shoo everyone away, leaving just Tamra and Jenn to resolve this issue. Tamra tells her that all she wants is for her to be honest about Ryans infidelity, even though its old news, and not brush it under the rug. Finally, after being poked and prodded, Jenn breaks down. But why was Tamra so adamant that Jenn be so raw and vulnerable? Probably because being apathetic doesnt make for good TV, and making good TV is in Tamras DNA. In fact, this might be the best thing Tamra ever could have done for Jenn because it makes her a good Housewife. Its like when John Lithgow protected Harry in Harry and the Hendersons by being mean to him.

With the work of the day done, its time to let loose, which means going topless on Emilys adult slip n slide, which quickly becomes polluted with champagne and spray-tan fluid. Luckily Heather packed a full wetsuit to protect herself from the sludge, which is surely seeping into the water supply and turning the children of Newport orange.

But before this episode ends, Tamras got one more lunch on the books. Sugar tits! she yells as she struts into the restaurant. Could it be? Yes, it could. Somethings coming, something good. Vicki Gunvalson is back. As the two friends/soul mates/sisters embrace, production plays the sweet sound of the shows original theme song, and all becomes right in the world.

Not only do we get to see the OG of the OC back on our screens  she even gets a confessional, where she fills us in on everything shes been up to since she exited the show in a raging blaze of glory three years ago. Her son Michaels in Pacific Beach, Brianas in Illinois (having escaped the clutches of Oklahoma), and per usual, Vicki has a new man and an apparently full love tank.

Just when you thought things couldnt get better, in comes Shannon, and the Tres Amigas are back. They throw back a tequila shot and Vicki grabs their hands in prayer, saying, Lord, thank you for bringing us together again, which is exactly what I said when I saw Vicki in the preview. She then asks Jesus to help them whoop it up again, and if theres a god, I have faith that hell do just that.

After a cacophony of clinks, Vicki gagging at the thought of ceviche, a near nip-slip, and mention of crotchless panties, they try to catch Vicki up on the state of OC. She still couldnt care less about Gina and Emily (who Id like to see her try to pick out of a lineup), but she wants to know where everyone stands with Heather.

Shannon explains that theyre in a good place after a rocky year, and Tamra sees her opening. Do you feel like she would ever repeat what you say in confidence? she asks, and when Shannon says no, Tamra takes a theatrically suggestive sip of her drink. Oh, a suddenly concerned Shannon says. Vicki, basking in the warmth of Tamras familiar crossfire, watches on in gleeful horror, gasping and egging her on.

Shannon, apparently already aware of what this piece of damning information could be, makes a B-line straight to production, pleading her case that anything about her relationship cant be aired. My relationship is over if this is on the air, she tells them as Tamra follows. We cut back to Vicki alone at the table. And then there was one, she says before a singular bark-like chuckle escapes her. These three women have done more in five minutes than some people do all season, and this lunch isnt even over yet.
Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN

When Travis Scott was first teasing a follow-up to his 2018 album, Astroworld, back in 2021, he hinted at two projects: one called Dystopia and a separate one called Utopia. Now, the rapper is gearing up to release his fourth album, Utopia, but Dystopia may actually be a better name, based on the messy rollout thus far. Scotts promotion has been over the top and full of stunts, even as litigation for the crowd-crush tragedy at his Astroworld festival under two years ago remains ongoing. But some of those stunts havent quite gone according to plan, making this look less like a slick Travis Scott rollout (but really, past ones have had their problems too) and more like a redux of Kanye Wests Jesus Is King and Donda cycles. Below, the most chaotic elements of the rollout so far, in order from Scott in sicko mode to just making us sick.

4. The briefcase

Scott had been slowly dipping his toes back into that Utopia water throughout 2022, dropping a few songs and beginning a nightclub residency called Road to Utopia. But the rapper really got into album mode  and set the attention-seeking tone for this rollout  in May, when he appeared with a bodyguard who was holding a briefcase that had Utopia on it. The case went on a mini-tour of sorts, making appearances with SZAs bodyguard and producer Mike Dean, who got to open the case but didnt show us what was in it. Sneaky. This ones a flashy move, sure, but its not really that out there for a promo cycle. Even kind of clever. Sure, he in sicko mode.

3. K-Pop

You want people to notice your albums lead single? Put two of the most popular artists right now on it. You really want people to notice it? Throw a few more big names in the music video. You really, really want people to notice it? Give it a name thatll rile up the online stan communities. Check, check, and check here. Scott led off Utopia with a song called K-Pop, featuring Bad Bunny and the Weeknd, and with music-video cameos from Pharrell Williams and SZA. (Never mind if Travis, Benito, and Abel actually fit together on the same song.) And for one more twist: The title actually refers to a lollipop laced with ketamine, not Korean pop music. Sorry, kids. And sorry, Trav: Bad Bunnys the only one close to sicko mode here.

2. The dueling Harmony Korine movies

You may need to take notes for this one. Back in 2021, when A24 and Scott announced a production deal for Scotts Cactus Jack Films, they teased a screenplay by Scott for a film seemingly called Utopia. Due to rollout delays after Astroworld, it would take years for that film to finally hit screens with Scotts new album  oh yeah, and now without A24. Scott announced Circus Maximus, a companion to Utopia, earlier this week, featuring work from five directors and soundtracked by his new album. A poster for the film included an A24 logo, but it mustve just been for clout, because the production company later said it wasnt involved.

As for who is: Gaspar Noe, Valdimar Johannsson, Nicolas Winding Refn, Harmony Korine, and Kahlil Joseph. And thats where more confusion comes in. See, theres another Harmony KorineTravis Scott project, Aggro Dr1ft, thats set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival  oh, and it was announced the same day as Circus Maximus. Its unclear if that one involves A24 or how much it overlaps with Circus, or even if Scott approves of the film, after a since-redacted report that he wouldnt sign off on its release. Dropping a film with your new album may be common practice by now, but its a bit less common to drop one film  passing it off as part of an acclaimed production company  while another by one of the same directors is also in the pipeline. Yeah, all these head-spinning details are making us kinda sick.

1. The pyramids performance

Somehow, though, all of that pales in comparison to this audacious failed (for now?) stunt. Weeks out from Utopia, Scott announced a performance at the Pyramids of Giza for July 28  later revealed to be the albums release date. Performances at the pyramids arent uncommon, and this one quickly sold out, with livestream plans also in place. Then, the problems started to roll in. Reports from Egypt said the countrys Musicians Syndicate denied permission for the performance due to worries about safety and how Scott upheld the countrys values. (Some reports mentioned concerns over Satanism.) That same day, Scotts promoter, Live Nation, denied the reports, simply saying the show would go on. Except it wouldnt, because a week later, Live Nation then confirmed the performance was canceled, now due to complex production issues with the construction and definitely not the Egyptian government. You almost have to hand it to Scott  to come back from a controversy, he created a whole new one in the process. And now, after the official cancellation a day before, the rapper is still insisting the performance will still go on at a later date, along with four more at other to-be-announced locations. Call it drive or call it delusion  were just sick of hearing about it all.

Egypt at the pyramids will happen

But due to demand and detail logistics

They just need a bit a time to set lay on lands. I will keep u posted on a date which will be soon love you alllll  TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) July 26, 2023
A remote sensing satellite group composed of three satellites carried by a Long March-2D carrier rocket is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province July 27, 2023. (Photo by Zhang Yingjian/Xinhua)

XICHANG, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China launched a Long March-2D carrier rocket on Thursday to place a remote sensing satellite group composed of three satellites in space.

The three satellites of the Yaogan-36 family were launched at 04:02 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan and entered the preset orbit.

This mission is the 480th flight of the Long March carrier rockets.

The Long March series carrier rockets have set a new record of 150 consecutive successful launches.

Thursday's launch is also the 78th mission of Long March Long March-2D carrier rocket.

The Long March-2D carrier rocket is a two-stage launch vehicle with a take-off thrust of 300 tonnes.

It is capable of lifting 1.3-tonne payloads to the solar synchronous circular orbit 700 km above Earth.

This rocket has the launch capabilities of single-satellites and multi-satellites to various orbits. It can be launched from the country's three major satellite launch centers in Jiuquan, Taiyuan and Xichang.

Thursday's launch is also the first launch mission of the Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center this year.

To ensure stable operation of the launch site in the hot and rainy climate during the summer, the rocket has undergone improvements in terms of its design, production, storage and inspection based on experiences from previous missions. Waterproof and rainproof measures have been implemented for both the rocket and the launch facilities.

Measures, including continuous air supply to the satellite fairing, have been adopted to ensure safer and sounder environmental conditions for the satellites. 
Aaron Vince, a firefighting pilot for Coastal Air Strike, made 22 deliveries of water to the Broken Gate Fire near Westport, Ore. on Sunday, causing a stir in Cathlamet. Photo by Diana Zimmerman.

On Sunday in the early afternoon, a fire was spotted in a clearcut above Westport, Oregon.

According to Neal Bond of the Astoria office for the Oregon Department of Forestry, the fire was initially reported at 1:30 p.m.

Bond, the incident commander for what is now being called the Broken Gate Fire, was first on scene.

Along with ODF, Knappa, Svensen/Burnside, Clatskanie, and Westport were just some of the Oregon community fire departments that responded to the scene. They found a fire burning at the base of the slope, including brush and slash from a recent clearcut.

"We quickly deployed our tactics and resources, but unfortunately the fire spread too rapidly and we were unable to stop it there," Bond said.

Watching the fire grow rapidly that afternoon, he decided to call in the Fire Boss, which was the firefighting airplane that flew over Cathlamet multiple times on Sunday, and a Type 2 helicopter. Type 2 helicopters can transport up to nine firefighters and deliver 300 gallons of water in a bucket or tank, according to the National Interagency Fire Center website.

The aircraft slowed the spread of the fire, Bond said, which allowed ground forces to get in and start establishing some line.

"We worked pretty hard," Bond said. "We made an initial run that afternoon and that night. We were finally able to get around it the next day."

At that point, they started to plumb it and mop it up.

Bond said the fire was about 45 acres as of Tuesday afternoon, and about 50 percent contained. They will continue to work on it every day, mopping up and gaining further containment.

"There is still some smoke there. We still have a long ways to go," Bond added. "We will keep working on it as long as it takes but we are making good progress on it."

The rain and humidity on Monday and Tuesday morning helped, he said.

"It allowed us to go direct and create a dozer line and hand line right adjacent to the fire edge; allowed us to get hose in place and starting cooling the edge down and getting that first 25 feet secure from the fire edge," Bond said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Aaron Vince was piloting the Fire Boss that flew over Cathlamet and the surrounding area multiple times on Sunday to dump water on the fire. Vince is from a little town in Louisiana west of Baton Rouge called Maringouin. It means mosquito, Vince said, and is borrowed from Louisiana French, a mishmash of French, English, Spanish, and Indigenous American languages.

So, if you were trying to take a nap on Sunday afternoon in Cathlamet, he might be the reason you were still awake, but he also provided a bit of excitement for patrons at the River Mile 38 taproom and others who stopped by the Elochoman Slough Marina to watch him work, and he certainly delighted me with his tale when I was lucky enough to catch up with him on the phone on Tuesday.

I asked him how he got involved in this kind of work.

"The wrong group of friends," Vince told me with a laugh.

Vince has been flying since 1989. While he was still in high school, he met and became friends with a crop duster. They would hang out and Vince picked up some work, acting as the man's ground crew.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do out of high school," Vince said. "I decided to go to flight school. I went to Louisiana Tech's Aviation Program and thought I was going to be an airline or corporate pilot."

"All my friends were crop dusters and kept sucking me back in that direction," Vince continued. "It's so hard to get a start in aviation. You gotta have 500 hours of flight time and then they tell you you can't fly cause you don't have 500 hours of this or that, and it's like how are you supposed to get it if nobody will give you a job?"

His crop duster friends were glad to help.

"They helped me alright," Vince said, laughing again.

After one year, one of those friends said he was going out of business and asked if Vince wanted to buy him out, so that's what he did.

"I operated my own little spraying business at home for 11 years, and that same friend that got me interested in aviation was now doing fire fighting," he said.

After selling his spraying business, Vince went to work for another company, and was still doing corn sprays in the midwest, and citrus crop sprays in south Florida, when he got certified for firefighting to help his income.

In 2015, he started working fires during the summer full time.

This is his third summer flying Fire Boss for Coastal Air Strike.

"Usually we work in groups of two," he said. "My wingman and I were on that Newell Road Fire, and he had some mechanical issues he was trying to get fixed, so I had to dispatch by myself."

The crew is currently based out of Dalles Airport, and their contract started on July 3, the second day of the Tunnel Fire in Washington.

What's it like picking up water? I asked.

"It's different. It's not like any float plane flying because you are not just landing on the water. Once you land on the water you are still going 60-70 miles an hour," Vince said.

"Two little scoop probes come out of the float, one on each side," he continued. "It's dragging you down wanting to throw you in the water, while you are ramming water through the pipe into the hopper. It takes about 15 seconds to take on 800 gallons of water. You retract the probes, and then you are taking the airplane off on the water. But yeah, you're fighting the waves on the river, then wind, taking on all that weight and drag at the same time. It's a balancing act to get it done."

The only thing the agriculture flying helped him with, he said, was being comfortable in a low level environment.

Releasing the water is much easier.

"There is a button on the stick that opens the gate," Vince said. "We have coverage levels, which means it changes how fast or slow the load comes out of the airplane. That fire was in timber, so I had it all coming out at one time. If it was in grass, I could like slow it down and make a line that I would draw a lot longer. It was in that timber. I was just dropping it all of the sudden. The load comes off in like three seconds."

Vince figures it was about a 35-40 minute flight from the Dalles to here. He stayed on scene for about two and a half hours, he thinks, delivering 22 loads to the fire on Sunday. Then it was back to Hillsboro for fuel.

Tochina Hampton

"I hated flying over the top of y'all but I looked around and looked around," he said. "I flew around both sides of that island, up and down the river. The wind was blowing pretty hard. We look for which way the wind is blowing, because we try to do everything into the wind, and I was looking for obstacles in the river. There were those big pile lines that went across the river."

The location he selected to take on water seemed to be his best option, though some gawkers on a nearby sailboat gave him fits.

"I could take off and still have time to turn and have a straight shot back to the fire," he said.

Vince enjoys his work. They get to travel a lot. He spent the month of June fighting fires in Ontario, Canada, and when their contract ends in Oregon, he might be headed somewhere else.

"This year has been busy from the beginning," he said.
Winx Club helps to promote The Magic of Italy.

The Italian foreign affairs ministry has teamed up with the children's animated series Winx Club to promote Italy around the world as a tourist destination.

The internationally-known cartoon series, created by Italian animator Iginio Straffi, is set in a magical universe inhabited by the Winx, a group of girls who turn into fairies to fight villains.

The foreign ministry has collaborated with the show's production company Rainbow to create a special Winx Club mini-series called The Magic of Italy.

The fairies star in the eight-part series which will be shared abroad through Italy's international network of embassies, consulates and Italian Cultural Institutes.

Designed to showcase some of Italy's less-known tourist destinations to a foreign audience, the series comes in nine languages: Italian, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, Mandarin and Japanese.

The foreign ministry says the fairies will discover "real rare gems where beauty, history and culture meet" in a format particularly appealing to a younger audience.

The destinations featured in the promotional clip include Bomarzo park of monsters in Lazio, the Temple of Valadier inside a cave in Le Marche, and the ancient city of Matera in Basilicata.

Italy's collaboration with Winx comes a few months after the tourism ministry launched Open to Meraviglia, a heavily-criticised campaign starring Botticelli's Venus as a "virtual influencer".
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You can almost hear Alejandro Mayorkass sigh of relief. Last month, only 99,545 migrants ran into US agents while trying to cross over the Mexican border. Thats about half as many as were nabbed in June 2022 and the lowest monthly tally since February 2021, when immigration from across the hemisphere had just started its inexorable climb.

Under relentless attack from Republicans zeroing in on the theme of a border out of control, the embattled secretary of Homeland Security can claim that the administrations strategy is, in fact, working.

The mix of carrots and sticks  new avenues to apply for asylum from afar combined with an ironclad threat to turn away all who show up at the border without an appointment  appears to be convincing prospective migrants to reconsider making their way to the United States.

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For all the comfort this gives the White House  and the chagrin it likely provokes in the GOP  the approach deserves a more critical examination, however. Lea la nota en espanol.

For one thing, its legally vulnerable. On Tuesday a federal judge agreed with immigrant advocacy groups that it violates the right of asylum seekers to a hearing and puts migrants at risk. The administration now has two weeks to appeal. On the other end of the ideological divide, Republican-led states are suing on the grounds that the strategys carrots create a new type of visa without congressional authorization.

And the administrations strategy has historical weaknesses, too. Deterrence  convincing prospective migrants that traveling to the US without the proper paperwork is pointless  has been the centerpiece of US immigration policy since the Clinton administration pulled out all the stops in its 1990s battle against illegal immigration.

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Though a 100 percent apprehension rate is an unrealistic goal, noted the Border Patrols Strategic Plan for 1994 and Beyond, we believe we can achieve a rate of apprehensions sufficiently high to raise the risk of apprehension to the point that many will consider it futile to continue to attempt illegal entry.

Old hands in the immigration debate might recall Operation Gatekeeper and Operation Hold the Line, which stationed 400 border agents 100 yards apart from one side of El Paso sector to the other, covering the border between Marfa, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona. The operation was credited with a 72% drop in apprehensions along this line from 1993 to 1994, and a continuous decline in unlawful border crossings until 1997.

But a look back on 30 years worth of a bipartisan push that swelled the Border Patrol from 4,300 agents in 1994 to around 20,000 last year suggests, at best, a mixed track record. Deterrence, for starters, didnt deter for long. And the policy had many unexpected consequences, some of which arguably threaten the national security of the United States in the present day.

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Immigrant encounters with Border Patrol agents fell from 1993 to 1994, to about one million, but they bounced right back, to 1.7 million in 2000. (They hit a low of 310,000 in 2017 and surged to 2.2 million last year.) The beefed-up borders during the Clinton and subsequent Bush administrations, moreover, were unable to prevent the unauthorized population of the United States from hitting a peak of some 12 million in 2007.

Though deterrence didnt quite hit its targets, it had a huge impact along other margins. For instance, by pushing migrants toward more remote and inhospitable areas of the border, it turned the Arizona desert into a graveyard.

It changed migrant demographics. As crossing the border became more difficult, migrant men who would go back and forth between homes in Mexico and jobs in the US decided to park their lives north of the border and brought their families along. In 1995 only one-third of unauthorized immigrants had been in the US for 10 years or more. By 2017, their share had doubled to two-thirds.

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The population of undocumented migrants did plateau and even decline slightly following the housing bust in 2008, suggesting net migration went into reverse. But that was largely a response to economic and demographic forces: Job opportunities in the US dwindled while the Mexican economy managed to remain crisis-free. Mexicans got older, slimming the cohorts of teen migrants.

As all this was happening, every new attempt in Washington to harden the border created a welcome new stream of income to the forces behind the most complicated challenges in the US-Mexico bilateral relationship: Mexican criminal organizations.

The Biden administration may not consider the increase in kidnappings that followed its policies to strand prospective immigrants in Mexico to be a priority on par with the urgent goal of deterrence. Expelling migrants to a city far from where they attempted to cross into the US, may put them at higher risk of abuse by criminal gangs. What matters more is that such lateral expulsions reduce recidivism.

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What such thinking lacks, though, apart from a conscience, is an understanding that each of these decisions ultimately means more money for the bad guys.

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Policies like the Migrant Protection Protocols and Title 42, which allowed US authorities to expel prospective migrants summarily to Mexico, provided criminal organizations in border cities with a well-stocked pool of victims to extort or hold for ransom.

From January 2021 to December 2022, there were nearly 13,500 reported incidents of attacks against migrants and asylum seekers stranded in border cities or expelled to Mexico under Title 42. This includes everything from assault and rape to kidnapping and extortion.

Human smugglers  coyotes, in the parlance  have proliferated. In 2020, US authorities prosecuted 1,343 people for human trafficking, up from 729 in 2011. And their services become more expensive at every turn. The cost of a guided journey from Central America can easily surpass $10,000.

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The money adds up. A Treasury Department report cited an analysis by the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center that human smuggling along the border with Mexico generates an estimated $2 billion to $6 billion in yearly revenue. Another number, $13 billion per year, has pinged across the media from a story in the New York Times. That is more than half the Biden administrations 2024 budget request for border security.

A careful study by researchers at the Rand Corporation estimated that smugglers in 2017 made up to $2.3 billion ferrying migrants from three countries: Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Just crossing the border into the US accounted for $988 million of this.

Human smugglers are entwined with drug cartels, who generally control the border, moving meth and fentanyl across. They charge up to a few thousand dollars just for permission to cross on their turf. Woe be to the immigrant caught by a gang while trying to go it alone without paying the fees and knowing the code words.

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A migrant caught by agents in the US and sent back across will probably have to pay again, especially if she was expelled laterally to some new city controlled by a new gang that doesnt want to know that she already paid some other criminal group several hundred miles away. If she doesnt have the money, she may have family somewhere for the gang to shake down.

According to the Rand report, on top of smugglers fees, migrants from the three Central American countries paid up to $180 million to drug trafficking organizations at the border for floor rights  permission to be in their territory.

The Biden administrations new deterrence plan could well work better than past efforts. Unlike Gatekeeper and Hold the Line, Washingtons new strategy acknowledges that for deterrence to work, the US must provide legal alternatives. The hope is that if enough legal doors are opened, the demand for smugglers services and the opportunities for extortion may decline for good.

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That day has not yet come, however. The 1,450 appointments per day available for migrants to make on Customs and Border Protections new app seem insufficient to meet the enormous migrant demand. Reports have it that many migrants are bottled up on the way to the US between Mexico and Panama. Despite Junes drop in border encounters, the illegal economy nurtured by American migration deterrence will live on.

In other words, American policy will keep funding the bad guys.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 US Needs to Fix Its Broken Asylum System: Editors

 Biden Should Worry About More Dead Migrants: Eduardo Porter

 Wall Settles Into a Strange, Costly Afterlife: Francis Wilkinson

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Eduardo Porter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin America, US economic policy and immigration. He is the author of American Poison: How Racial Hostility Destroyed Our Promise and The Price of Everything: Finding Method in the Madness of What Things Cost.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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JERICHO, N.Y.  JERICHO, N.Y.  Kimco Realty Corp. (KIM) on Thursday reported a key measure of profitability in its second quarter. The results met Wall Street expectations. The real estate investment trust, based in Jericho, New York, said it had funds from operations of $243.9 million, or 39 cents per share, in the period.

The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for funds from operations of 39 cents per share.

Funds from operations is a closely watched measure in the REIT industry. It takes net income and adds back items such as depreciation and amortization.

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The company said it had net income of $100.4 million, or 16 cents per share.

The real estate investment trust, based in Jericho, New York, posted revenue of $442.8 million in the period, which beat Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $435.1 million.

Kimco Realty expects full-year funds from operations in the range of $1.55 to $1.57 per share.

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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on KIM at https://www.zacks.com/ap/KIM
After Being Arrested on the Steps of the US Capitol for a Peaceful Demonstration in 2021, Rev. Mahoney will Participate in a Special Mediation Hearing in Washington, D.C. Federal Court Regarding his Federal Lawsuit

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Christian Defense Coalition

July 26, 2023



WASHINGTON, July 26, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- Rev. Mahoney filed a federal lawsuit calling for the U.S. Capitol to be open to all Americans and arguing members of Congress should not be granted special rights and privileges not afforded to all Americans.



The mediation will take place on Thursday, July 27 at 11:00 AM. It will be held at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse located at 333 Constitution Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C.



Rev. Mahoney, along with several others, was arrested for peacefully demonstrating on the eastern steps of the U.S. Capitol building in August of 2021. Shortly before Rev. Mahoney was arrested at the Capitol, Congresswoman Cori Bush was allowed to protest and camp out for several nights on the exact same Capitol steps. The U.S. Capitol Police stood by and watched, providing the Congresswoman a public, prominent platform for her message about the eviction moratorium.



Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition based in Washington, D.C., states;

"The 'People's House,' as the U.S. Capitol Building is so rightly called, must be a place where all Americans are afforded the right to come and peacefully celebrate and express their First Amendment Rights. It must never be a place where the 'political elite' are given special rights which are not extended to every citizen.



"When ordinary Americans are arrested for engaging in the same activities in which members of Congress are protected and allowed to engage in, then we no longer have a functioning First Amendment at the U.S. Capitol.



"My hope and prayer is this federal lawsuit will ensure the 'People's House' is returned back to the people and the First Amendment is once again celebrated and honored at the United States Capitol."

For more information or interviews please contact:



Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741



SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition



CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741


BEIRUT, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday called on ministers and political parties to stop obstructing the election of a new governor for the Central Bank of Lebanon as the term of the current governor ends on July 31.

"The delicacy of the circumstances that Lebanon is going through and the sensitivity of the financial and monetary situation requires an exceptional performance from the ministers and the various concerned political leaders to avoid further tensions and address the urgent situation," Mikati said after failing to hold a cabinet meeting to elect a new governor for the central bank due to lack of quorum.

A statement released by the Council of Ministers quoted Mikati as saying: "Unfortunately, political parties within the government have other priorities, so let each party bear responsibility for its decision."

Mikati also vowed to continue fulfilling his constitutional and national duty and work hard to secure the proper functioning of public institutions, especially the central bank.

The incumbent governor Riad Salameh on Wednesday said he hopes the central bank remains steadfast after the end of his term next week, rejecting rumors about the possibility of extending his term.

Lebanese officials have so far failed to appoint a new governor for the central bank as politicians remain split over whether to appoint a successor or allow the bank's first vice governor to take over, as mentioned by the Lebanese law, reflecting broader divisions that have also left the presidency vacant, plunging the country into further uncertainty. 
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SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine  SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine  Wex Inc. (WEX) on Thursday reported second-quarter net income of $95.3 million. On a per-share basis, the South Portland, Maine-based company said it had net income of $2.20. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $3.63 per share. Get a curated selection of 10 of our best stories in your inbox every weekend. ArrowRight The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $3.51 per share.

The provider of fuel payment processing for fleet vehicles posted revenue of $621.3 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts. Eight analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $620.6 million.

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For the current quarter ending in September, Wex expects its per-share earnings to range from $3.65 to $3.75.

The company said it expects revenue in the range of $629 million to $639 million for the fiscal third quarter.

Wex expects full-year earnings in the range of $14.15 to $14.35 per share, with revenue ranging from $2.5 billion to $2.52 billion.

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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WEX at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WEX
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Tired of seeing their hard work pilfered by the tech sectors artificial intelligence giants, the creative industry is starting to fight back. While on the surface its argument is about the principle of copyright, what the clash reveals is just how little we know about the data behind breakthrough tech like ChatGPT. The lack of transparency is getting worse, and it stands in the way of creatives being fairly paid and, ultimately, of AI being safe.

A trickle of legal challenges against AI companies could soon become a downpour. Media conglomerate IAC is reported to be teaming up with large publishers including the New York Times in a lawsuit alleging the improper use of their content to build AI-powered chatbots.

One reading of this is that publishers are running scared. The threat AI poses to their businesses is obvious: People who might have once read a newspapers restaurant reviews may now choose to ask an AI chatbot where to go to dinner, and so on.

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But the bigger factor is that publishers are beginning to understand their value in the age of AI, albeit somewhat after the horse has bolted. AI models are only as good as the data put in them. Text and images produced by leading media organizations in theory should be of high quality and help AI tools like ChatGPT generate better results. If AI companies want to use great articles and photography, created by real people, they should be paying for the privilege. So far, for the most part, they havent been.

Forcing them to change is going to prove difficult, thanks to some willful acts of obfuscation. As AI has grown more sophisticated, transparency has taken a back seat. In a distinct departure from the early days of machine-learning research, when teams of computer scientists, such as the Transformer 8, went into intricate detail over the training data, leading AI developers are now using vague language about their sources.

OpenAIs GPT-4 is trained using publicly available data [such as internet data] as well as data weve licensed, the company explained in its release notes for the model, revealing little else. Metas equivalent, the newly released Llama 2, was similarly vague. The company said it had been trained on a new mix of data from publicly available sources.

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Contrast that with what Meta said in February when it unveiled the first version of Llama. Then, it broke down in a spreadsheet the various sources that had been used: 4.5% of the dataset, for example, consisted of 83 gigabytes-worth of Wikipedia articles, in 20 languages, scraped between June and August 2022.

Those old disclosures were enough to provoke two recent class action lawsuits fronted by comedian Sarah Silverman and two other authors. They argue that even those vague early descriptions from OpenAI and Meta about sources raised the likelihood the companies used the writers books without permission.

But it isnt an exact science: Getting to the bottom of where training data for AI comes from is like unstacking a Russian nesting doll. By the time data is picked up by a company like OpenAI, it may have been gathered and processed by any number of smaller groups. Accountability becomes a lot more difficult.

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In the search for common sense regulation on AI, insisting on transparency seems like a straightforward place to start. Only by understanding what is in datasets can we begin to tackle the next step of limiting the potential harm of the technology. Knowing more about the data reveals not only the owners of that content but also any inherent flaws within, allowing outsiders to examine for bias or blind spots.

Plus, only by supporting the economy that creates content can more of it be sustainably made. The risk of inbreeding  where AI-generated text ends up training future models  could exacerbate quality control issues within large language models. If they bankrupt the creative industry, theyll end up bankrupting themselves, said Matthew Butterick, one of the attorneys behind the Silverman effort.

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At a White House meeting last week, seven of the largest AI companies agreed to voluntary measures around safety, security and trust. Included were smart suggestions on pre-release testing, cybersecurity and disclosures to the end user on when something has been made by AI.

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All good ideas. But whats urgently needed are laws requiring standardized disclosures on what data sources have been used to train large language models. Otherwise, the pledges to avoid the same mistakes made with social media, when black box algorithms caused great societal damage, ring hollow. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is preparing sweeping regulations with a promise to take into consideration how to protect copyright and intellectual property. The European Unions proposed AI Act could set a standard by forcing disclosure when copyrighted material is used. The US Federal Trade Commission, in a letter to OpenAI this month, demanded more information on all sources of data for GPT. Well see what that turns up.

In the meantime, content licensing agreements, such as the one recently entered into by the Associated Press and OpenAI, seem like a step in the right direction, though with the terms undisclosed its hard to know who benefits the most.

Unlike the all-smiles agreement by the AI companies on the White House voluntary measures  which should be reason enough to be suspicious of them  tougher data disclosure requirements wont come without heavy resistance from Silicon Valley. Content creators and the tech titans are headed for a cultural collision. OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman gave a recent taste, writing on Twitter: Everything creative is a remix of things that happened in the past.

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Expect this to become both the moral justification for scraping content at will, but also the legal foundation. Tech companies argue that such use of data can be covered under fair use, the legal doctrine that has long allowed for building on copyrighted works as an inspiration, subject to some stipulations over its intended use.

Its becoming clear that protections designed to help creatives are at risk of being weaponized as a justification for not paying them; for not even telling them their work has been taken at all. Were just starting to see this defense tested in court. It can only be a fair trial if AI companies are forced to be honest about how their technology really works.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 From Factories to Film Sets, AI Has a Simple Goal: Tim Culpan

 How to End the Hollywood Actors and Writers Strikes: Tyler Cowen

 AI Shines a Spotlight on Hollywood Hypocrisy: Parmy Olson

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Dave Lee is Bloomberg Opinions US technology columnist. Previously, he was a San Francisco-based correspondent at the Financial Times and BBC News.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
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Members of Nigers presidential guard have detained the leader of the uranium-rich country, a linchpin in the fight by US, French and African forces against the spread of Islamist militancy across the Sahel region. The attempted coup follows five successful ones in the past three years across the impoverished region. If the latest power grab succeeds, it would create a strip of military-run countries stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea  most of which are more closely aligned to Russia than to the West.

1. What happened in Niger?

Soldiers appeared on state television on July 26, claiming to have seized control of the country hours after President Mohamed Bazoum was detained. The nations foreign minister told France24 television that negotiations were ongoing on Thursday morning, but hours later the army chief announced his support for the coup, Agence France Presse reported. The Economic Community of West African States, a 15-nation regional bloc, the African Union, the US and other Western powers condemned the attempted takeover and called for Bazoums immediate release and reinstatement.

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2. What makes Niger strategically significant?

It has been a relative bastion of stability in one of the worlds most insecure regions and a key western ally. The US has a military drone base in the country, which it used to target insurgents affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State in cooperation with the French military. The European Union also sees Niger as an ally in its efforts to tackle illegal immigration from Africa, some of which passes northward through the country en route to the Mediterranean. The bloc gave Niger $1.1 billion in aid between 2017 and 2020, with a quarter of the money aimed at migration control measures. Niger  more than twice the size of France  ranks among the least-developed countries and has one of the highest birth rates in the world.

3. Why has the region been so prone to coups?

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The events in Niger follow two coups each in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso and another in nearby Guinea. The leader of Sudan in the eastern Sahel was overthrown in 2021, the same year Chads military replaced its late president with his son, an army general. All the military takeovers have been rooted in the economic malaise and weak governance that have fed frustration among civilians and  in West Africa in particular  the spread of extremist violence.

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4. What are the implications for the broader region and the fight against terrorism?

The coups in Mali and Burkina Faso saw their governments replaced by juntas that are hostile to ex-colonial power France, which had led the fight against extremism in the region for a decade, and are more friendly with Russia. Mali and Burkino Faso kicked out French troops and hired mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group. Niger has seen its role as the Wests most important regional ally grow as a result; French troops continue to operate out of Niger.

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5. What are the economic stakes?

Niger is Africas second-biggest uranium producer, and exports most of its output to France, according to the World Nuclear Association. It produced 2,020 tons of the metal last year. Its unclear whether the coup will affect production, but all the other countries that have experienced military takeovers in recent years are resource-rich, and few have seen major disruption to mining operations despite the changes in power.

--With assistance from Katarina Hoije.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Vladimir Putin has again resorted to weaponizing food supplies  attacking Ukraines grain silos and withdrawing from a deal to allow food exports through the Black Sea to Turkey. As ever, Putins aim is to hurt Ukraine, while wringing concessions from Ukraines partners and testing their resolve. The West must ensure he fails.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey a year ago, was a rare diplomatic breakthrough. Ukraine has long been Europes breadbasket, but Russias invasion largely halted grain and other key exports from the region. The deal allowed Ukraine to export over 33 million tons of grain and other food products through the Black Sea, with 65% of wheat products going to markets in the developing world.

In addition to giving Ukraines economy a lifeline, the agreement benefited Russia, too, facilitating its own food and fertilizer exports. Putin could claim hed come to the aid of the global south just as food prices soared. Though Russia controls only around 10% of the Black Seas coastline, the deal also gave the Kremlin outsized influence over international shipping.

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Putin now thinks he can gain more by pulling the plug, while depriving Ukraine of precious hard-currency income. Russia has intensified its missile attacks on Ukraines grain storage and infrastructure in Odesa and along the Danube River. In exchange for lifting the siege, Russia wants its main agricultural bank reconnected to the SWIFT international payment network. Its also pushing for the resumption of ammonia exports (a key input for fertilizer) through a damaged pipeline that runs from Russias Volga region to Ukraines Black Sea ports.

What can the West do? The Kremlins warning that it will regard ships in the Black Sea as potential carriers of military cargo is meant to discourage any attempts to bypass the blockade. The US and other countries provided naval escorts for civilian ships when Iran blocked Kuwaiti oil tankers in the 1980s, but any such operation today would require Turkeys active cooperation, which Ankara has ruled out.

NATO countries are right to avoid a military clash, but they should use other tools to counter Putins blockade and help Ukraine strengthen alternative routes. Bolstering Ukraines ability to defend against missile attacks would preserve the countrys productive capacities. The EU can make its solidarity lanes, now transporting 60% of Ukrainian products, more effective by cutting delays at borders and upgrading terminal infrastructure. The EU should resist pressure to renew temporary transit only measures that prevent Ukrainian exports from being stored and sold in some eastern EU countries. Europes governments should also do more to help Ukraine repair its agriculture sector  with support for demining fields and widening roads, and by supplying vehicles and expanding grain storage facilities and mobile silos.

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More assertive diplomacy is needed, too. Although supply conditions are better now than they were a year ago, any food shortages stemming from Russias attacks on Ukraines export capacity will fall hardest on the worlds poor. The US and Europe should rally a coalition of nations to condemn Russias actions and pressure Putin to renew the grain deal. Western leaders should step up engagement with Turkey and China in particular. Both are vital logistics and trading partners for Russia, with nothing to gain from a mined and blockaded Black Sea.

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Putins demands for sanctions relief should be rejected so long as his assault on Ukraine continues. In taking vital food supplies hostage, Russia will cause suffering not just in Ukraine but for vulnerable people around the world. Rewarding such behavior would be a grave mistake.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Somebody Should Arrest Putin, and the US Can Help: Andreas Kluth

 The Smoke and Mirrors of Western Oil Sanctions: Javier Blas

 The Rubles Fall Points to Pain But Not Collapse: Leonid Bershidsky

The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
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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When hes not remaking capitalism, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has kept himself busy finding people to run important institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Australia (Michele Bullock) and the Productivity Commission (Chris Barrett).

And thats not the end of the recruiting. It has been noted elsewhere that three of the Future Funds seven board seats  including chairman Peter Costello, also the chairman of CBDs owner  fall vacant over the next 12 months (while one is already empty).

Tax commissioner Chris Jordan. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But less attention has been paid to Australian Tax Office boss Chris Jordan, whose second term is up in April next year. Jordan, who was forced to defend the ATOs heavy-handed treatment of some South Australian businessmen in 2019, has reportedly signalled he wouldnt seek a third term, but nobody is ruling it out.

Another five years of Jordan might be a good thing for Chalmers, optically speaking.
Kyiv: Hundreds of drones are on their way to the battlefronts in Ukraine, hoping to outsmart what Ukrainian officials call Moscows lingering advantage in artillery, tanks and manpower.

Mykhailo Fedorov, a deputy prime minister, said 1700 drones were heading to the front lines to help the offensive.

All of them are now going to the front to protect the lives of our soldiers, to make our artillery even more accurate, to destroy the enemy, Fedorov said in a video that showed hundreds of drones laid out in rows on a field.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian minister of digital transformation, right, and Yuriy Shchygol, head of State Special Communications Service, with some of the 1700 drones that are being sent to the frontline. Credit: AP

Kyiv has tried different tactics to take out Russian artillery, air defences, munition warehouses and logistic routes.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects the Volvo Construction Equipment (China) Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, east China, July 27, 2023. Li made an inspection tour in Shanghai on Wednesday and Thursday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

SHANGHAI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for vigorously implementing the country's strategy of improving pilot free trade zones (FTZs), and carrying out new explorations of high-level opening-up.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in Shanghai on Wednesday and Thursday.

In a trip to Shanghai FTZ's Lin-gang Special Area, Li urged opening-up at a deeper level and in a wider field, and called for more progress in the construction of open functional platforms, and industrial ecology and business environment. He stressed the significance of cross-border data flows and management, vowed to attract more foreign enterprises to invest in China, and demanded joint efforts to ensure stable industrial and supply chains, and boost the development of industrial cluster.

At a symposium, Li listened to reports from leading officials of the Ministry of Commerce and of eight provincial-level regions and spoke highly of the important role of pilot FTZs in China's reform and opening-up.

Looking ahead, Li said more should be done to improve pilot FTZs, with more achievements made in institutional innovation. He emphasized the need to align with international economic and trade norms, and the importance of higher-level goods trade facilitation, service trade innovation, reform and opening-up in key areas, and new models in cross-border data management, among other issues. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presides over a symposium in Shanghai, east China, July 27, 2023. Li made an inspection tour in Shanghai on Wednesday and Thursday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
ISTANBUL, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Fifty migrant smugglers have been seized by Turkish police in operations across three provinces, the interior minister said on Thursday.

The raids took place in Istanbul and the northwestern provinces of Edirne and Tekirdag, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Twitter.

Of the 50 seized smugglers, 30 were detained, and two were placed under judicial control, Yerlikaya added. He did not provide further details about the remaining suspects.

The minister promised that Turkiye would not provide a safe haven for migrant smugglers.

Turkiye is a transit country for many illegal immigrants who leave for Europe on risky journeys. 
Today

Mostly sunny, dry, and comfortable; the nicest day of the work week.

Tonight

Becoming partly cloudy; still comfortable.

Tomorrow

Becoming mostly cloudy and humid with a few showers and storms possible; not a washout.
Mitch McConnell update; a coup in Niger; US ekes out World Cup draw; and more top stories. Plus, celebrity birthdays and today in history. Get caught up.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The family of a man shot dead during an argument at an iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak shop is suing the establishment, claiming the business didn't do enough to prevent his death.

The family of David Padro, Jr. filed a civil lawsuit against Pat's Steaks earlier this month.

In the early morning hours of July 22, 2021, Padro was shot to death by 38-year-old Paul Burkert of Cumru Township, Berks County while waiting in line at the popular South Philadelphia eatery.

+2 Berks County man sentenced for fatal shooting at Pat's Steaks 38-year-old Paul Burkert of Cumru Township was sentenced to 3-6 years in prison followed by 5-years-probation for the July 2021 killing of 23-year-old David Padro at Pat's Steaks.

Burkert pleaded guilty to manslaughter and firearms charges and was sentenced to 3-6 years in prison followed by 5-years-probation in June of this year.

The suit alleges that Pat's failed to take responsibility for the safety of its patrons on both their premises and in adjacent areas.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs claim the business, which is open 24 hours a day, attracts large and often unruly crowds with intoxicated patrons, something which Pat's is aware of.

The suit mentions a 2016 stabbing and 2020 shots fired incident on the property as evidence of that awareness, as well Pat's refusal to hire security personnel after Padro's death.

The plaintiffs are seeking a minimum of $50,000 in compensatory damages as well as court costs.

The owner of Pat's Steaks was not available for comment when contacted.
TILDEN TWP., Pa. - Police are searching for the suspect or suspects behind recent vandalism involving a truck.

"It appears to be a pickup truck, two-tone in color, and that picture actually has the banana in it," said Sgt. Peter Witman with Tilden Township Police.

According to Tilden Township Police, a video from around 10 p.m. Monday in the 800 block of Hex Highway shows a truck traveling westbound throw a frozen banana at a driver heading east.

"So basically, we had five vehicles traveling eastbound on Hex Highway," Witman said. "People traveling westbound threw frozen bananas and struck windshields and other car parts."

One of the victims is a mother.

"Another vehicle, young lady, had her window down," Witman said. "She actually was hit with debris, and the remaining debris flew by her and flew into the child seat. Lucky she didn't have her children with her."

Police don't think those involved expected to get recorded committing the crime on a back country road, but they credit the one driver's dashcam with being a key piece of evidence.

State police also confirmed an incident in Upper Tulpehocken Township on July 8 involving rotten fruit thrown at a vehicle. They don't know if the two are connected.

"It's extremely serious and extremely dangerous. This could injure, or worse, you could cause vehicle crashes by doing this," Witman said.

Anyone who has information about the vehicle is asked to contact police.
BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Lai Ching-te, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politician, recently claimed that his political goal is to "walk into the White House." It was a dangerous statement for a candidate to run in the Taiwan leadership election next January.

Over the past 40 years, no leader of Taiwan has ever been allowed by the U.S. government to set foot in Washington, let alone the White House, regardless of which political party ruled the United States and how their China policies changed.

In December 1978, when China and the United States issued the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, the U.S. government acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. It also recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan.

Since Lai took "being in the White House" as his political agenda, it is a reasonable presumption that once in office, he would seize every opportunity to push de jure independence and take risks to challenge the one-China principle and the one-China policy that Washington has long adopted. Thus the Taiwan Strait will likely slip into the abyss of military confrontation.

Lai has never avoided mentioning his stance supporting "Taiwan independence." When serving as the chief of Taiwan's executive body, he had openly called himself "a pragmatic worker" for "Taiwan independence."

However, his hardline separatist tone suddenly softened when the campaign for next year's Taiwan leadership election unfurled this year, and "Taiwan independence" turned out to be bad for the election.

He has put up the face of a supporter for peace, dialogue, and the status quo, attempting to dispel people's doubts and worries about his uncontrollable character and separatist agenda.

The problem is that one's true colors cannot be hidden for long. In a recent campaign event, being with his loyal supporters, he probably let his guard down, and the public heard his true ambition.

Having an illusion of being secessionist-minded "the president of the republic of Taiwan," Lai could be more impulsive than Chen Shui-bian and more radical than Tsai Ing-wen.

When the cross-Strait relations stand at the crossroads between peace and war, prosperity and recession, the people of Taiwan are beginning to feel the weight of their decisions. 
ALLENTOWN, Pa.  There are seemingly new advancements in medicine and in artificial intelligence each day, so what about a combination of the two? You might be surprised by some computers' capabilities.

You can see a clot right here, causing that lung to collapse, said Dr. Devang Gor, the chair of the Department of Radiology at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

As every moment is critical, artificial intelligence is instant.

"It's a second, immediate set of eyes, said Gor.

It's why LVHN is getting new technology that reviews radiology images right away.

"They will notify us immediately. This patient has a pulmonary embolism,' said Dr. Gor.

Doctors will still evaluate everything themselves, but say they have a list of 15 reports they need to get to, and one's an emergency, "the AI-based algorithm will pick this up and will tell me, look at this first,' Gor explained.

This can be especially crucial for someone asymptomatic or for outpatients whose results may not have been seen for a day.

"We're working with two companies, Rad AI and Aidoc, and these companies and their products have been fully vetted through FDA and many trials, said Dr. Maulik Purohit, the chief health information officer at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Once the software rolls out in the fall, it'll flag certain embolisms, hemorrhages, aneurysms, and lung conditions. It can spot cervical spine fractures among thousands of images in a flash.

"That also leads to automation in terms of reaching out to patients for appointments and follow ups and all the other things, said Purohit.

"We don't depend on the technology to make the diagnosis, but it's a sort of a check mechanism to make sure that we're not missing anything, said Gor.

LVHN already uses AI in other ways. There are predictive algorithms that consider a variety of factors to determine whether someone may be likely to be readmitted after a hospital stay. The goal is to enable workers to take steps to avoid it and to keep people well.

"This technology is here to stay, and it's going to expand even further into our industry, said Purohit.

Patients are experimenting with it, too, online.

"You can say, hey, my doctor told me I've got this condition, or I need to worry about this. What does it mean?' said Daniel Lopresti, a computer science and engineering professor at Lehigh University. So, in addition to your doctor, you've got this independent way to gather information."

Experts caution you can't fully trust AI; it could be wrong. The doctors acknowledge this too, stressing at the end of the day, patients' care is in people's hands.

"Computers are not perfect, so they might point out something to me, which is not necessarily abnormal, and then I decide whether that's normal or not, said Gor.

The radiology department hopes to add more algorithms pinpointing more conditions once staff gets used to the software.

Watch 69 News at 5 p.m. Friday to catch the conclusion of this series featuring how AI is disrupting the workforce for better or worse.

Part one of this series looked into AI in law.

Part two explored how AI is being used to screen child abuse referrals.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police say the overturned tractor-trailer, that caused an hours-long road closure, was carrying batteries at the time of the accident.

It happened just after 12:30 p.m. in the EB off ramp of Route 378 North onto Route 22 EB.

Police say the driver of the freightliner was driving a high rate of speed on the Schoenersville exit ramp and exited the traffic into the grassy median. This caused the tractor-trailer to overturn on the driver's side, PSP reports in a media release.

Police say the driver, identified as Joshua Jorge Burgos, 29 of Allentown, pushed out the front windshield and exited the vehicle. He suffered lacerations throughout his body and was taken to St. Luke's Bethlehem Fountain Hill campus for treatment.

The tractor-trailer was carrying batteries. PSP says some of the batteries were damaged and started leaking toxic fumes.

Bethlehem City Fire assisted with a Rapid Response Hazmat team to neutralize the batteries and allow for safe towing.

The Schoenersville exit ramp was closed for hours.

The driver is being charged.
BETHELHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem Police say officers arrested a juvenile after the accused stole a vehicle and and drove it into a marked police vehicle.

A media release says the incident happened around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Police report officers with the department witnessed a stolen vehicle being driven in the 1900 block of Brookside Drive. The vehicle had previously been reported as stolen.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle near the area of Grandview Blvd. and E. Broad, but the vehicle fled and then stopped in a driveway, officials say.

The report continues to say the driver of the vehicle intentionally reversed out of the driveway into a marked police vehicle, before fleeing a second time.

With assistance from the Allentown Police Department, the juvenile driver of the vehicle was located and taking into custody.

The officer inside the vehicle was taken to the hospital for treatment of unknown injuries.

The unidentified juvenile is charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, receiving stolen property, possession of a small amount of marijuana and numerous traffic-related offenses.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Politicians and community leaders got together to highlight investing in our area's agriculture.

The group gathered at the Allentown Farmers Market Thursday.

They say the federal government has made "unprecedented" investments in agriculture in the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania.

They also say the funds are helping farmers be climate conscious while boosting their bottom lines.

"Climate change has affected the 550 farms in the Lehigh Valley, as it does the farmers and ranchers the whole way across the country. Our crops, pastures, orchards, tree farms and vineyards are all affected," said Allentown Fair Chairperson and CEO Beverly Gruber.

Allentown City Council member Ce Ce Gerlach also took time Thursday to encourage the addition of more markets and grocery stores in the Queen City.

She says it is crucial that people have access to locally-produced, healthy foods.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - There may be one sure-fire way to turn a corner property in Bethlehem into a multi-million-dollar bonanza: Build a Wawa on it.



The 741 E. Broad St. location that is home to the convenience store was sold for $4 million on July 21, according to Northampton County records. The last sale of the 1.7-acre property at the intersection of East Broad and Stefko Boulevard was in 2003 for $707,500, less than a fifth of the latest price.



Even with work being done on the Broad Street Wawa's gas pumps today, traffic at 6:15 a.m. was steady and parking spaces were few: locals love their Wawa.



Wawa is privately held, so it does not have shares traded on public markets. The only way to get stock in the company is to work there, according to the chain's website, and 41% of the company is employee owned. The company does not sell franchises either.



Somebody who does not want to make a lot of paninis and coffee can try to invest in land that might draw a Wawa, explaining some of the proposals recently pitched for convenience stores in the Lehigh Valley, including near the Blue Grillhouse in Bethlehem Township. That potential site has not been through township review, but land preparation is under way on a new Wawa at the old Leiser's Rental on Linden Street.



Wawa stores "are one of the hottest sought after" investment properties, according to netleaseadvisor.com, offering long-term security for investors "and absolutely no management responsibilities."



The Delaware County, Pennsylvania-based chain looks at the potential customer base and traffic when selecting sites. Its website provides a link to suggest potential sites for new stores.



Wawa looks for "employment centers, retail, office and commercial traffic generators," according to its website, and a minimum traffic count of 25,000 vehicles per day.



The ideal location is free-standing at a corner or T-intersection with a signal (East Broad and Stefko, for example) with good visibility and enough road frontage to provide accessibility.



Northampton County records say the buyer of the site was Bethlehem Venture 1, a limited liability corporation (LLC) based in Chicago. The seller was Broad and Stefko, also an LLC. Earlier, the land was owned by the late Richard Milham, founder of a group of auto dealerships.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) encourages Pennsylvania students to submit their free application for Federal Student Aid.

The deadline is Aug. 1 for students who are planning to enroll in a community college, a designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution, a business, trade, or technical school, a hospital school of nursing, or a 2-year program that is not transferable to another institution.

Officials say the PA State Grant could ease the burden of affording education.

To determine eligibility for a PA State Grant, applicants must complete the 2023-24 FAFSA, which

can be accessed online at PHEAA.org/FAFSA or StudentAid.gov.

Should, for any reason, a student miss the August 1 filing deadline, they are still encouraged to apply. Late applications will be reviewed for the federal student aid programs and possible PA State Grant consideration, if funds are available.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Thursday thanked far-right Premier Giorgia Meloni for Italy's steady backing of Ukraine, offering a warm welcome to the White House to a leader that his administration saw with some trepidation when she rose to power last year as the head of Italys first far-right-led government since the end of World War II.

Biden administration concerns about her ideology have been eased by her support for Ukraine and her seeming openness to pull back from Italy's participation in China's infrastructure-building Belt and Road Initiative. Her visit came as Italy prepares to take up the presidency next year of the Group of Seven industrialized nations.

Italy and the United States are also standing strong with Ukraine, and I compliment you on your very strong support in defending against Russian atrocities, and thats what they are," Biden told Meloni at the start of their Oval Office meeting, in which he warmly spoke of Meloni as his friend. And I thank the Italian people. I want to thank them for supporting you and supporting Ukraine. It makes a big difference.

Meloni, who was making her first White House visit as premier, said relations between the U.S. and Italy should remain strong regardless of the "political colors" of who is in power in the two countries.

Evidently, Im in sync with the Republican Party, Meloni said of her political ideology at a news conference following her meeting with Biden. That doesnt impede me from having an excellent relationship with the U.S. president.

White House officials said the leaders' agenda was focused on Ukraine and China as well as the stream of migration from North Africa to Europe's southern shores. More than 1,900 migrants have died or disappeared in the Mediterranean so far this year, bringing the total of dead and missing since 2014 to 27,675, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The Biden administration viewed Melonis predecessor, the economist and former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, as an intellectual force and one of its strongest allies in Europe. Soon after Melonis victory in September, Biden warned about the rise of hard-right populism in Europe and in the United States.

You just saw whats happened in Italy in that election, Biden said in an address to the Democratic Governors Association after Melonis victory. Youre seeing whats happening around the world. And the reason I bother to say that is we cant be sanguine about whats happening here, either.

Meloni became Italys first far-right leader to serve as premier in Italys post-World War II republic after the Brothers of Italy party she co-founded more than a decade ago emerged as the largest vote-getter in the September 2022 elections.

But before the visit, the White House played down Biden's initial skepticism about Meloni.

On issues of foreign policy, theres been a lot of overlapping and mutually reinforcing approaches that were taking on with Italy, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. Italy is a NATO ally and they are a very competent NATO ally and theyve been a tremendous supporter of Ukraine.

Before her White House meeting, Meloni headed to the U.S. Capitol to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as well as other lawmakers.

In remarks to reporters after meeting McCarthy, Meloni said it remained critical for the West to remain united in helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty.

For without a world based on the international law, we would live in a world of chaos, Meloni said. "That's not the world we want to live in. We want to live in a world in which we can respect sovereignty and freedom.

Her Brothers of Italy party, named after the first words of Italys national anthem, has roots in a party founded by nostalgists for fascism following the demise of dictator Benito Mussolinis regime. But Meloni brushes off any insinuation that she is nostalgic for Mussolini, writing in her autobiography, I dont hold the cult of fascism.

Since coming to power, Meloni has faced criticism for her government's direction that city halls stop automatically registering both parents in same-sex couples but instead limit recognition of parental rights only to the biological parent of the child.

When Meloni ran for premier, she called for a naval blockade of northern Africa to thwart smugglers boats overcrowded with migrants determined to reach Europes southern shores. But once in office, she quickly dropped talk of any blockade.

On the eve of Meloni's visit, the White House sought to stress the U.S. and Italy's close cooperation on Ukraine.

But White House officials note that Meloni has been one of the European Unions most vocal supporters of Ukraine's sovereignty, and Italy has hosted some 170,000 Ukrainians who have fled the war. Meloni has also been a champion of a stronger NATO and views the trans-Atlantic alliance as the linchpin of traditionally strong U.S.-Italian relations.

From a foreign policy lens, the Biden administration sees this is better than what they could have possibly expected or hoped for, said Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Meloni has also expressed skepticism about Italy's ties with China through the Belt and Road Initiative. In 2019, Italy became the first and only G7 nation to join Chinas ambitious infrastructure building effort, despite objections from the United States.

The project was launched by Beijing in 2013 by President Xi Jinping to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure. The ambition for the project has expanded to Africa, Oceania and Latin America, significantly broadening Chinas economic and political influence. Italy must either renew or abandon the accord by early next year.

D'Emilio reported from Rome.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Congressional Black Caucus is pushing the White House, Justice Department and the Department of Education to adopt an aggressive legal strategy to scrutinize recent changes to Florida's Black history curriculum.

The caucus wants the federal agencies to examine whether Florida school districts are violating federal discrimination law following changes to the curriculum in the state  from banning books covering racial themes to a recent decision to add language about the positive impacts of slavery.

Caucus Chairman, Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford said at a Thursday press conference he met with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona this week to discuss actions that might be taken. He added that we have discussed with the White House the need to have a very aggressive legal strategy to want to uphold the law.

However, lawmakers did not lay out the specifics on how the departments might use use their resources.

The departments have a number of tools. In June, the Madison County, Kentucky school district reached a settlement with Justice to resolve complaints of widespread harassment of Black and multiracial students. Earlier this week, the Education Department launched an investigation of Harvard University's policies on legacy admissions.

Florida and its governor, GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, have been in the news much of the past year because of steps taken in addressing what DeSantis calls a woke agenda and liberal indoctrination in the classroom.DeSantis signed legislation last year directing the Florida Board of Education to set new standards, which resulted in the recent curriculum changes that say enslaved people benefited from skills that they learned.

In a tweet Thursday, the governor's press secretary Jeremy Redfern criticized the move, saying: The federal government wants to prevent teaching our nations history. He also questioned the scope of such a move. Redfern also asked in a tweet if other educational reference material already in existence stating similar information as the new curriculum would be examined as well.

Horsford said Thursday that what is happening in Florida highlights what many caucus members see as an attack on the rights of Black Americans across the country.

He cited a letter from several state attorneys general to the CEOs of the 100 largest U.S. companies cautioning them of the legal consequences for using race as a factor in hiring and employment despite the Supreme Court decision outlawing affirmative action only affecting college admissions.

Several caucus members also cited the action this month by the Alabama state legislature refusing to comply with aSupreme Court ruling that instructed lawmakers to redraw their congressional map and potentially set up two majority Black districts.

The attacks against black people and blackness are coordinated, well funded, coming from every side and they are about race, he said We need to be clear about who we are up against and what we must do to win. There is so much at stake.

Horsford said the stakes were highlighted this week when President Joe Biden established a national monument honoring slain teen Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Their story is a reminder of the horrors of our nation's past, he said.

Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Florida, said in addition to leaning on federal government, there is a grassroots effort underway in Florida to let parents know their rights and how to protect their children and what they are being taught.

We have 12 or 11 organizers working every day in central Florida, he said. It's a long haul and there's a lot of work to do. And again, it's not just about Florida. This is about the entire country.
LISBON, Portugal (AP)  When a panel of experts read aloud some of the harrowing accounts they had collected from recently discovered victims of child sex abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church, the countrys senior bishops squirmed in the auditorium's front-row seats.

During a live television broadcast, the experts reported in February that at least 4,815 boys and girls had been abused since 1950, most aged 10-14.

Before the stunning findings, senior Portuguese church officials had maintained there had been only a handful of cases of clergy sex abuse. They lost even more credibility with a response so clumsy and hesitant that victims were inspired to form Portugal's first survivor advocacy group to press for compensation.

Pope Francis will wade into the quagmire of Portugals reckoning with its legacy of clergy abuse and cover-up when he arrives in Lisbon next Wednesday to participate in World Youth Day, the international Catholic youth rally. While there is no mention of the scandal on the pontiffs official agenda, he is expected to meet with victims during his visit.

Francis will also visit the shrine at Fatima, a rural Portuguese town that is one of the Catholic Churchs most popular pilgrimage destinations. In 1917, three Portuguese shepherd children reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary above a tree there, a singular event of 20th century church history.

Antonio Grosso, who says he was sexually abused at a former religious shelter for boys in Fatima in the 1960s, chafes at the contrast in the churchs approach.

Church officials dont believe what victims tell them, but they do believe little children who say theyve been listening to the lady above (a tree), the 70-year-old retired bank employee says.

Portugal is the latest country to confront decades of abuse by priests and cover-ups by bishops and religious superiors. Yet Portuguese church leaders seem to have learned little from their fellow bishops in the U.S., Europe and Latin America who faced similar crises.

Since the reports release, the Portuguese hierarchy has flip-flopped over the possible  and still unresolved  issue of payment of reparations to victims. It has balked at suspending active members of the clergy named in the report.

Anne Barrett Doyle of BishopAccountability.org, a U.S. group that maintains an online archive on abuse in the Catholic Church, said Portugal's bishops had expected the independent commission would help them restore trust by revealing the history of abuse and cover-up while allowing them to apologize, give assurances of reform, and move on.

Their plan backfired terribly, she said in an email. "With its finding of nearly 5,000 victims and its startling claim of accused priests still in ministry, the commission turned out to be more independent than the bishops bargained for ... It was a disastrous miscalculation.

With the shocking results, church authorities at first argued that possible reparations were a matter for the courts, which in Portugal are backlogged and notoriously slow to reach decisions, often taking many years. Lisbon Cardinal Manuel Clemente said the church would do only what courts determined it must do.

Everything that can be done in accordance with the law will be done according to the law, Clemente explained. But dont expect us to do anything else, because we cant do anything else.

He and other officials also remarked that under Portuguese law, the perpetrator is liable for any compensation payments  not the institution to which that person belongs.

Clemente said it would be insulting to offer reparations to victims. Furthermore, he and other church officials claimed that none of the victims in an online questionnaire created by the commission of experts said they were seeking reparations. The commission told The Associated Press thats not true.

By April, the church had softened its position, saying it didnt rule out reparations. It promised to make help available for victims and said if convicted perpetrators couldnt pay, the church would. Officials have not elaborated on those plans.

Clemente also claimed the Independent Committee for the Study of Child Abuse in the Catholic Church, a group of experts set up by Portuguese church authorities, had handed the church just a list of names of alleged abusers that was not backed up by factual evidence.

That comment irked the experts, who said they took pains to ground their findings and provide supporting documentation, including witness statements admissible in court.

Also, church authorities said active clergy named as alleged abusers could be suspended from their duties only after due legal process where they could present their defense, presumably in a courtroom. Officials, under public pressure, later suspended four of the two dozen priests identified in the report.

The church promised last March to build a memorial to the victims that would be unveiled during the World Youth Day celebrations. A few weeks before the popes arrival, in another embarrassment, it scrapped that plan and said vaguely that something would be done later.

Grosso, the abuse victim, says he and others were so outraged and deeply upset by the churchs response that they created a lobby group, called the Silenced Heart Association, to help victims obtain reparations. The group is also to provide psychological support and pro bono legal aid.

Grossos personal journey has taken him from would-be priest studying as a child at a Portuguese seminary to co-founder of the first church sex abuse victim association in Portugal. As a child, he says, he enjoyed Mass so much that he re-enacted it at home.

But between the age of 10 and 12, studying away from home, Grosso says he was sexually abused first by a priest and later by a Franciscan friar.

Wracked by guilt and trauma, for 10 years he never spoke to anyone about what had happened. As a teen, he had episodes of rage, humiliation, shame, he says. The upshot: a boy who wanted to be a priest became an adult atheist.

Only as a young adult did he begin to broach the subject with friends. He told his girlfriend, who became his wife. They had two daughters.

When Grosso publicly recounted his story in a 2002 Portuguese magazine interview, having felt encouraged to do so by revelations of church sex abuse emerging around the world, his then 27-year-old daughter Barbara sent him a handwritten letter. He has kept it folded up in his wallet for the past two decades. The letter salutes his courage and tells him his daughter is proud of him. Reading it aloud, he tears up.

He feels moved to act now, he says, because the church reacted with contempt to the torment of victims and is still trying to cover up the truth. He would like to see Pope Francis speak about the issue while in Portugal.

The church in Portugal has apologized for the abuse. It is working with Portugals main victims support association and is establishing procedures and tailoring its responses to sex abuse in the church. Staff at the World Youth Day are receiving specific training on how to prevent and spot abuse.

The problem, however, extends far beyond Portugal, says Barrett Doyle.

Portugals reckoning lags behind what has already happened in the United States, Australia, France and Germany, she said, but is on a par with the church responses in Spain and Poland and most countries in South America, Central America, and Africa.

In other words, and sadly, the Portuguese hierarchy is not an outlier; its representative, she said.

Helena Alves contributed to this report.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
This combo photo shows the portrait of Ma Shixun on July 14, 2020. Born in 1932, Ma participated in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1950, serving as a statistician.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Cheng Maoyou on July 18, 2020. Born in 1930, Cheng participated in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1952.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Li Fengwu on July 4, 2023. Born in 1934, Li joined the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) as an epidemic prevention doctor in 1951.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Xiang Fengyu on July 4, 2023. Born in 1933, Xiang participated in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1951, serving as a communication officer.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Cheng Longjiang on Sept. 16, 2020. Born in 1931, Cheng participated in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1950.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Li Weibo on July 17, 2020. Born in 1932, Li served in the artillery during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Wang Fenghe on Sept. 17, 2020. Born in 1925, Wang became disabled as his little finger lost function due to injury during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Wu Xiaolan on Sept. 9, 2020. Born in 1934, Wu served as a nurse during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Nan Qixiang on Oct. 13, 2020. Born in 1936, Nan joined the army with his father in 1948 and participated in the War of Liberation and the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Yang Diansheng on Aug. 13, 2020. Born in 1932, Yang joined the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) as an automobile assistant in 1950.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This combo photo shows the portrait of Guan Changyi on July 15, 2020. Born in 1930, Guan participated in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1950, serving as a radio operator.

Seventy-three years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, eventually winning the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953.

Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War.

Photographers from Xinhua took portrait photos of some CPV veterans. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Fierce fighting raged Thursday in southeastern Ukraine, where a Western official said Kyiv has launched a major push and Russian President Vladimir Putin said hostilities have intensified significantly.

Battles in recent weeks have taken place on multiple points along the over 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line as Ukraine wages a counteroffensive with Western-supplied weapons and Western-trained troops against Russian forces who invaded 17 months ago.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated his troops on reclaiming control of a village, while Putin praised Russian troops heroism in repelling attacks in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

Putin insisted on state TV that the Ukrainian troops' push wasnt successful and charged that they suffered heavy casualties, although it was not possible to independently verify his claim. Putin was in St. Petersburg at a summit of African leaders.

Ukrainian troops have made only incremental gains since launching a counteroffensive in early June, and Putin has repeatedly claimed Ukraine has suffered heavy losses, without offering evidence.

Ukraine has committed thousands of troops in the region in recent days, said a Western official who was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

A U.S. official said Ukraine has begun to commit troops from the 10th Corps, although its not certain all of its units are moving into the fight. Ukraine had been holding the 10th Corps in reserve, with the expectation it would be used to exploit gaps or soft spots the ground forces opened up. Those additional new forces would be used to take advantage of places where Ukrainian troops have been able to break through some of Russias defenses.

The U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Pentagon reporters last week that Ukraine was preserving their combat power and that a significant amount of it had not yet entered action as Ukrainian forces slowly and deliberately worked their way through the Russian minefields.

It was unclear how the current effort differs from previous ones by the Ukrainian military to break through deeply entrenched Russian defenses. The Russian army has set up vast minefields to stymie Ukrainian advances and used combat aircraft and loitering munitions to strike Ukrainian armor and artillery.

Zelenskyy posted a video Thursday in which a group of Ukrainian soldiers said they had taken control of the village of Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region next to the Zaporizhzhia province. Our South! Our guys! Glory to Ukraine! Zelenskyy declared.

Russian military bloggers have confirmed that Ukrainian forces have taken part of the village that was the focus of Ukraines attacks in recent days. If Russian defenses in the area collapse, it would open the way for the Ukrainian forces to push southward toward the coast.

Ukrainian authorities have kept operational details of the counteroffensive under wraps, and they have released scant information about its progress.

However, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Wednesday that troops are advancing toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhizhia region.

The seizure of Melitopol near the Sea of Azov would be a major success for Ukraine, which hopes to punch through the land corridor between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. That could split Russian forces into two and cut supply lines to units farther west. Russia currently controls the whole Sea of Azov coast.

The Institute of Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, reported that Ukrainian forces launched a significant mechanized counteroffensive operation in western Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday and appear to have broken through certain pre-prepared Russian defensive positions.

The reinvigorated Ukrainian push comes in the wake of Russian military and political turmoil in June that saw Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military company, stage a short-lived rebellion that posed the gravest threat to Putin in his 23-year rule.

The mercenaries have withdrawn from the battlefield in Ukraine, where they played a pivotal role in capturing the stronghold of Bakhmut following the war's longest battle. Thousands of Wagner troops have reportedly deployed to Belarus to help train its troops before moving to Africa.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, visited the city of Dnipro, along the Dnieper River to the north of Zaporizhzhia, meeting with military commanders to discuss air defenses, ammunition supplies and regional recruitment.

He also visited a medical facility caring for the wounded from the front, thanking the staff and emphasizing the importance of their work in saving the lives. A recent increase in wounded at a Dnipro hospital hinted that the tempo of fighting had increased.

In what appeared to be a precautionary move, Russias Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, prohibited civilian access to the Arabat Spit in Crimea, a narrow strip of land that links the peninsula to the partially occupied Kherson region. The open-ended ban is needed to contain security threats, the FSB said in a statement quoted by Russias state news agency RIA Novosti.

U.S. officials, who have provided Kyiv with weapons and intelligence, declined to comment publicly on the latest developments, though they have previously urged patience as Ukraine seeks to grind down Russian positions.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to Papua New Guinea that Kyivs effort to retake land seized by Russia since its full-scale invasion in February 2022 would be tough and long, with successes and setbacks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an intense battle is taking place but declined to provide details.

We believe that tools, the equipment, the training, the advice that many of us have shared with Ukrainians over many months puts them in good position to be successful on the ground in recovering more of the territory that Russia has taken from Ukraine, Blinken said in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, a missile strike on Ukraines southern Odesa region killed one civilian and further damaged its port infrastructure in the latest attack since Moscow broke off a grain export agreement, Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper said.

The attack used Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea, he said.

Ukraine's air force said it intercepted 36 Russian missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.

Litvinova reported from Tallinn, Estonia. Lolita C. Baldor and Aamer Madhani in Washington, Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, and Nick Perry in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed.

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP)  Vladimir Putin told leaders and officials from most African countries Thursday that Russia is making every effort to avert a global food crisis despite concerns that its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine will cause price spikes.

The Russian leader spoke at the opening session of a two-day Russia-Africa summit attended by a sharply lower number of African heads of state and government compared with a previous summit in 2019. While discussing the halted Black Sea grain deal, he promised large no-cost shipments of grain to six African countries.

Our country will continue supporting needy states and regions, in particular, with its humanitarian deliveries. We seek to actively participate in building a fairer system of distribution of resources. We are taking maximum efforts to avert a global food crisis, Putin said.

"I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year, he said.

Russia intends to ship up to 50,000 tons of grain aid to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and Central African Republic in the next three to four months, Putin said.

Without directly referring to Putin's promise, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took a swipe Thursday at donations of grain to developing nations, saying they cannot compensate for the impact of Moscows cutoff of grain exports from Ukraine, which along with Russia is a major supplier to the world market.

The U.N. chief said the United Nations is in contact with Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and other countries to try to reestablish the deal that saw Ukraine export over 32,000 tons of grain, allowing global food prices to drop significantly.

Guterres told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York that taking millions of tons of Ukrainian grain out of the global market will lead to higher prices. The higher costs will be paid by everybody, everywhere, and namely by developing countries and by the vulnerable people in middle income and even developed countries, he said.

So, its not with a handful of donations to some countries that we correct this dramatic impact that affects everybody, everywhere, Guterres added.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric noted that Guterres pointed at Russias systematic bombardment of Ukrainian ports and grain facilities, which he called a serious escalation. Dujarric said the bombing will have a serious impact on any resumption of Ukrainian grain exports.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also said Russias promise to donate grain to African nations did not compensate for pulling out of the deal on Ukrainian grain.

A handful of donations to some countries cannot replace the millions and millions of tons of grain exports that help stabilize food prices around the world, Jean-Pierre said.

U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel noted the U.S. pays for about half of the budget for the World Food Program compared to Russias contribution of less than 1%. So its pretty clear to us who is actively committed to addressing the dire concerns of food security, Patel said.

Both Russia and Ukraine are major grain suppliers. They agreed a year ago on a U.N.- and Turkey-brokered deal that reopened three Ukrainian Black Sea ports blocked by fighting and provided assurances that ships entering the ports would not be attacked. Russia declined to renew the agreement last week, complaining that its own exports were being held up.

Promising Russian food exports to Africa is key to Putins stated goal of using the summit in St. Petersburg to bolster ties with a continent of 1.3 billion people that is increasingly assertive on the global stage.

Africas 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 Russias actions in Ukraine.

The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been active in Mali and Central African Republic, and Eritrea has voted against more U.N. General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russias invasion of Ukraine than any other African nation.

Burkina Faso is seen by some observers as a likely next target for Wagner, and Zimbabwe has long been bitter about U.S. sanctions against it. Somalia, while a U.S. ally, is often held up as an African country most affected by any restrictions on grain supplies related to the conflict in Ukraine.

The Russia-Africa event follows an annoucnement by South African authorities last week that Putin had agreed not to attend an economic summit in Johannesburg next month because the trip could expose him to arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Putin on Thursday announced other moves to deepen relations with Africa, including increased enrollment of African students in Russian universities, the opening of Russian state news media bureaus in many African countries and a proposed common information space in Russia and Africa, within which objective, unbiased information about events taking place in the world will be broadcast to Russian and African audiences.

Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said that while only 17 heads of state were at the summit, 32 other African countries were represented by senior officials or ambassadors. The Kremlin said crude Western pressure to discourage African nations from taking part caused the number of leaders taking part to shrink. In 2019, 43 heads of state attended.

Along with grain, another issue likely to be on the agenda was the fate of the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin following its brief rebellion against Russia's top military leadership last month. The private contractor's future will be an urgent issue for countries such as Sudan, Mali and others that contract with Wagner in exchange for natural resources like gold.

Russian officials and Prigozhin have said the company would continue working in Africa.

Messaging app channels linked to the mercenary chief posted pictures of him meeting with African officials at a St. Petersburg hotel. It wasn't immediately clear when the meetings took place.

A peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have tried to pursue was set to be discussed as well.

Associated Press writers Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Chris Megerian and Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  The day after Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Donald Trump denounced the rioters who violently stormed the Capitol building, breaking through barricades, battling law enforcement and sending members of Congress  who were set to formally certify his reelection loss  running for their lives.

Like all Americans, I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem," he said in a video, condemning what he called a heinous attack."

That condemnation was delayed and only offered amid widespread criticism  including from fellow Republicans  for his role in sparking the mayhem. But 2 1/2 years later, any sign of regret or reprimand from Trump has vanished as he prepares to face federal criminal charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Now the early but commanding front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Trump regularly downplays the violence, lionizes the rioters as patriots and spreads false claims about who was involved. He has not only vowed to pardon a large portion of Jan. 6 defendants if he wins a second term, but he has also fundraised for them, befriended their families and collaborated on a song that became a surprise iTunes hit.

They were there proud, they were there with love in their heart. ... And it was a beautiful day, Trump said at a recent CNN town hall. When asked if he had any regrets about his actions that day, Trump voiced no remorse and instead seemed most concerned about the lack of attention paid to his crowd size.

Jan. 6: It was the largest crowd I've ever spoken to," he said.

Trump was always reluctant to condemn the actions of supporters spurred by his lies of a stolen election. As the violence unfolded, Trump ignored the desperate pleas of aides and allies to denounce the rioters and ask them to stand down. And when he did speak out, hours later, his response was tepid: He said he loved the rioters and shared their pain.

Trump's evolution began at a time when he was garnering relatively little mainstream media coverage. And it echoed the efforts of some Republicans in Congress, who had tried to recast the mob as nonviolent despite reams of video footage, public testimony and accounts from members of Congress, journalists and Capitol Police officers, 140 of whom were injured that day.

It also coincided with a broader shift in public opinion. Polling from Monmouth University showed that between March and November 2021, Republicans grew increasingly likely to say the anger that led to the Capitol attack was justified, with 54% saying the anger was either fully or partially justified in the fall  up from 40% that spring.

The Pew Research Center also found that, between March and September 2021, Republicans grew less likely to say it was important for law enforcement agencies to find and prosecute the rioters. Only 57% said that it was very or somewhat important in the fall, down from about 8 in 10 six months earlier.

That March, in an interview with Fox News Channels Laura Ingraham, Trump claimed the rioters had posed zero threat to the lawmakers who had assembled in the Capitol to certify the Electoral College vote  even though the mob tried to breach the House chamber.

Look, they went in  they shouldnt have done it. Some of them went in, and they're hugging and kissing the police and the guards, you know, they had a great relationship," he said.

In fact, many of the protesters violently clashed with police as they stormed the building, smashing windows and ramming through doors. Some brandished weapons; others wore tactical gear. Dozens of officers were severely injured.

By that time, many of Trump's supporters had already painted Ashli Babbitt, one of five people who died during or immediately after the riot, as a martyr unjustly killed by police,

Babbitt was fatally shot by an officer while trying to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door as Capitol Police scrambled to evacuate members.

That summer, Trump began to publicly demand the release of the shooter's identity, despite the officer being cleared of wrongdoing by two federal investigations.

Who shot Ashli Babbitt? Trump asked repeatedly.

Trump called Babbitt an innocent, wonderful, incredible woman" in an interview with Fox News and described his supporters that day in glowing terms, claiming that there had been a love fest between the Capitol police and the people that walked down to the Capitol.

They were peaceful people. These were great people. The crowd was unbelievable, he said. And I mentioned the word love. The love  the love in the air, I've never seen anything like it.

That fall, Trump taped a video that was played at an event commemorating what would have been Babbitt's birthday in which he demanded justice" for her and her family.

In January 2022, Trump first publicly dangled the prospect of pardons for the Jan. 6 defendants at a rally in Texas.

If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from Jan. 6 fairly, he told the crowd. And if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons because they are being treated so unfairly. At that point, more than 670 people had been convicted of crimes related to the attack, including some found guilty of seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers.

In September 2022, Trump told conservative radio host Wendy Bell that he was helping some of the defendants, though aides declined at the time to elaborate or say how much he had contributed.

I'm financially supporting people that are incredible, and they were in my office actually two days ago. It's very much on my mind, he said. Its a disgrace what theyve done to them. ... Contributions should be made.

Days later, Trump held a rally in Pennsylvania that included remarks from Cynthia Hughes, the founder of the Patriot Freedom Project, whose nephew was convicted for storming the Capitol. Geri Perna, whose nephew died by suicide while awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to riot-related charges, also spoke.

Later that month, the former president called into a small rally held outside a Washington jail where Jan. 6 defendants have been held, led by Micki Witthoeft, Babbitts mother.

Were with you. Were working with a lot of different people on this. And we cant let this happen, he said via a cellphone held up to a microphone.

Trump's support has only intensified since he formally launched his third campaign.

Earlier this year, he collaborated on Justice for All, a song that features a choir of Jan. 6 defendants singing The Star-Spangled Banner, recorded over a prison phone line and overlaid with Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Trump featured the song at the first official rally of his 2024 campaign, standing with his hand on his heart as a music video featuring violent footage of the riot played behind him on two giant screens.

In June, he spoke at a Patriot Freedom Project fundraiser to support the defendants that was held at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club.

They've been made to pay a price that is very unfair, in many cases," he said.

Trump also recorded a video played at the group's holiday fundraising event in Washington and hosted a dinner for family members of Jan. 6 defendants at Mar-a-Lago in March.

"He is very concerned for these families," Hughes said after the event.

An Associated Press review of social media posts, voter registrations, court files and other public records found that the mob was overwhelmingly made up of longtime Trump supporters, including GOP officials, donors and far-right militants.

But that hasn't stopped Trump from falsely claiming that others were responsible for the attack, including antifa and Black Lives Matter. Last weekend on his social media site, Trump amplified messages claiming that Jan. 6 had been a staged riot orchestrated by the government.

Trump was still in charge of the government at the time.

Associated Press writer Linley Sanders contributed to this report.
HANGZHOU, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing called for promoting the high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with increased efforts to foster more specialized and innovative firms.

Zhang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended a national conference on the development of specialized and innovative SMEs and made inspections in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, from Tuesday to Thursday.

Zhang stressed the support for SMEs in stepping up technological innovation, including their digital, intelligent, and green transformation and integration into global industrial and supply chains. More will be done to help them address difficulties and stimulate their vitality.

During his stay in Hangzhou, the vice premier also visited dams to inspect flood prevention. In crucial periods, authorities should strengthen flood monitoring and emergency response and eliminate safety hazards, he said.

As Typhoon Doksuri is about to make landfall in China, affected areas should take defensive measures such as returning ships to ports and evacuating residents to minimize losses, Zhang said. 
TrueBlue (NYSE:TBI  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Monday. The business services provider reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by ($0.06), Briefing.com reports. TrueBlue had a return on equity of 8.75% and a net margin of 0.78%. The company had revenue of $475.59 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $496.11 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.82 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 16.5% on a year-over-year basis.

TrueBlue Trading Down 2.1 %

Shares of TrueBlue stock traded down $0.31 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $14.61. The stock had a trading volume of 463,445 shares, compared to its average volume of 208,521. The company has a market capitalization of $453.20 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.79 and a beta of 1.44. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $17.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $17.82. TrueBlue has a 52 week low of $13.52 and a 52 week high of $22.75.

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Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Carl Schweihs sold 5,750 shares of TrueBlue stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.15, for a total value of $104,362.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 48,729 shares of the companys stock, valued at $884,431.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other TrueBlue news, EVP Kristy A. Fitzsimmons-Willis sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.11, for a total transaction of $34,220.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 42,549 shares of the companys stock, valued at $728,013.39. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Carl Schweihs sold 5,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.15, for a total value of $104,362.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 48,729 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $884,431.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 4.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TrueBlue

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Prelude Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of TrueBlue during the second quarter worth $231,000. Blair William & Co. IL acquired a new stake in TrueBlue in the first quarter valued at $214,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky acquired a new stake in TrueBlue in the third quarter valued at $203,000. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in TrueBlue by 4,696.6% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 9,737 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 9,534 shares during the period. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC acquired a new stake in TrueBlue in the first quarter valued at $183,000. 96.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on TrueBlue from $20.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Tuesday. StockNews.com lowered TrueBlue from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on TrueBlue from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday.

About TrueBlue

(Get Free Report)

TrueBlue, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides specialized workforce solutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Puerto Rico. It operates through three segments: PeopleReady, PeopleManagement, and PeopleScout. The company's PeopleReady segment provides general, industrial, and skilled trade staffing services for construction, transportation, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and renewable energy industries.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Free Report) in a research note published on Sunday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet lowered American Shared Hospital Services from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Monday, May 1st.

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American Shared Hospital Services Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:AMS opened at $2.67 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 3.72 and a current ratio of 3.72. The company has a market capitalization of $16.57 million, a PE ratio of 13.34 and a beta of 0.71. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $2.68. American Shared Hospital Services has a 52-week low of $2.27 and a 52-week high of $3.75.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Shared Hospital Services

American Shared Hospital Services ( NYSEAMERICAN:AMS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 12th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.93 million during the quarter. American Shared Hospital Services had a return on equity of 4.88% and a net margin of 6.29%.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 73.8% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 45,200 shares of the companys stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 19,200 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 166,056 shares of the companys stock worth $467,000 after purchasing an additional 7,375 shares during the last quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC now owns 30,000 shares of the companys stock worth $84,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Shared Hospital Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $470,000. 17.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Shared Hospital Services Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American Shared Hospital Services provides radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to health care providers. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia.

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ASB Consultores LLC lessened its position in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 25.5% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 2,885 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 988 shares during the quarter. ASB Consultores LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $331,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Tejara Capital Ltd bought a new position in shares of EOG Resources during the 4th quarter worth approximately $106,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 196.1% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,859,925 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,175,599,000 after acquiring an additional 6,529,464 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 87.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,787,281 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,008,609,000 after acquiring an additional 3,641,504 shares during the period. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 126.2% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,111,339 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $662,021,000 after acquiring an additional 2,851,839 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 103,083.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,272,097 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $294,282,000 after acquiring an additional 2,269,895 shares during the period. 89.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at EOG Resources

In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, 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 value of $579,350.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

EOG Resources Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE EOG traded up $0.40 during trading on Thursday, reaching $129.72. The company had a trading volume of 628,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,557,577. The companys fifty day moving average price is $114.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $117.86. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $97.39 and a 12 month high of $150.88. The stock has a market cap of $75.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.12, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.53. 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 company posted $4.00 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 51.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 10.64 earnings per share for the current year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a $0.825 dividend. 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 2.54%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.64%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on EOG. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on EOG Resources from $115.00 to $113.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Truist Financial dropped their price target on EOG Resources from $152.00 to $150.00 in a report on Monday. Raymond James dropped their price objective on EOG Resources from $150.00 to $140.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a report on Monday. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on EOG Resources from $170.00 to $155.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $150.00 to $145.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $145.32.

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.

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People participate in the Christmas opening celebration in Helsinki, Finland, Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

In 2022, the fertility rate in Finland went down to 1.32 while the first half of 2023 saw a historic low number of new babies in the country.

HELSINKI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of live births in Finland has hit an all-time low in the first half (H1) of 2023, with only 21,180 babies born during this period, the country's statistics office said in a press release on Thursday.

This is 1,082 fewer births year-on-year and represents the lowest figure since the recording of live births began in 1900, the press release said.

Finland's fertility rate has been declining steadily since the 2010s, when it stood at 1.87. The years 2020 and 2021 were exceptions, with a temporary increase in the number of live births during the pandemic. That was followed by a relapse in 2022, when the fertility rate went down to 1.32.

A woman walks on a snowy street with her child in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 7, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhao Changchun)

"The decline has continued this year, as the total preliminary fertility rate for the last 12 months (from July 2022 to June 2023) was 1.28. The figure is a record low," Joonas Toivola, chief actuary at Statistics Finland, said in the press release.

Despite the downward trend, Finland's population increased by 14,112 people between January and June 2023, largely driven by immigration. During this period, 28,345 people arrived in Finland from other countries, while 5,596 people left Finland to settle elsewhere. Compared to the previous year, thus reversing the negative balance in 2022.

A girl holds a balloon carrying slogan "Do not hate" at the Citizen Square in central Helsinki, Finland on July 28, 2015. People gathered in several Finnish cities on Tuesday to call for protection of multiculturalism and opposition to anti-immigration ideology. (Xinhua/Li Jizhi)

Most of the immigrants came from Ukraine, Russia, the Philippines, and India. With 7,849 people, or 28 percent, Ukrainians constituted the largest group among the immigrants. 
Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, July 27th, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Monday, August 28th will be given a dividend of 1.47 per share by the bank on Monday, August 28th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 27th. This is an increase from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.43.

Bank of Montreal Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of BMO traded up C$0.24 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching C$123.41. The stock had a trading volume of 5,302,758 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,344,428. The firm has a 50-day moving average of C$118.33 and a 200 day moving average of C$123.18. The company has a market cap of C$88.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.15. Bank of Montreal has a 52 week low of C$111.88 and a 52 week high of C$137.64.

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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 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$3.15 by C($0.22). The firm had revenue of C$8.44 billion for the quarter. Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 10.10% and a net margin of 23.87%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Bank of Montreal will post 13.2820237 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Bank of Montreal

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

In related 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 value of C$43,780.00. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

BMO has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. CIBC reduced their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$145.00 to C$139.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. CSFB cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$147.00 to C$139.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Cormark cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$140.00 to C$131.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Fundamental Research set a C$144.25 target price on shares of Bank of Montreal and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. Finally, Scotiabank cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$151.00 to C$143.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Montreal has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$135.23.

Bank of Montreal Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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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Dialogue Health Technologies (TSE:CARE  Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by research analysts at CIBC from C$4.00 to C$5.15 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs target price would suggest a potential upside of 1.78% from the companys previous close.

Dialogue Health Technologies Stock Performance

CARE traded down C$0.03 on Thursday, reaching C$5.06. The company had a trading volume of 402,120 shares, compared to its average volume of 42,462. The company has a quick ratio of 3.85, a current ratio of 5.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$3.40 and a 200-day moving average price of C$3.51. Dialogue Health Technologies has a 1 year low of C$2.05 and a 1 year high of C$5.09. The stock has a market capitalization of C$333.45 million, a PE ratio of -15.36 and a beta of 2.53.

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Dialogue Health Technologies Company Profile

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Dialogue Health Technologies Inc operates a digital healthcare and wellness platform in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Internationally. Its Integrated Health Platform is a healthcare hub that centralizes its programs in a single user-friendly application, which provide access to psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, physicians, nurses, and health specialists.

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Foundry Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA  Free Report) in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm purchased 106,995 shares of the credit services providers stock, valued at approximately $4,754,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Rowland & Co. Investment Counsel ADV raised its holdings in shares of Enova International by 1.9% in the first quarter. Rowland & Co. Investment Counsel ADV now owns 28,582 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,270,000 after buying an additional 540 shares during the last quarter. Denali Advisors LLC increased its position in Enova International by 50.9% in the first quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 92,872 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $4,126,000 after purchasing an additional 31,319 shares during the period. State of Tennessee Treasury Department grew its position in shares of Enova International by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 50,419 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,935,000 after buying an additional 1,826 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Enova International by 934.1% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 14,818 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $568,000 after buying an additional 13,385 shares during the period. Finally, Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC acquired a new position in shares of Enova International during the 4th quarter worth about $360,000. 89.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ENVA has been the subject of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Enova International from $60.00 to $63.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Enova International in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Enova International in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company.

Enova International Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:ENVA traded down $0.47 during trading on Thursday, hitting $55.70. 41,991 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 202,092. Enova International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $28.66 and a 52 week high of $58.64. The company has a current ratio of 16.63, a quick ratio of 16.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90. The company has a market cap of $1.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.07 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $51.26 and a 200-day moving average price of $47.41.

Enova International (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The credit services provider reported $1.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.20. Enova International had a return on equity of 17.74% and a net margin of 10.48%. The business had revenue of $483.26 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $486.31 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Enova International, Inc. will post 7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Enova International news, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 5,599 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.00, for a total value of $251,955.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 177,383 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,982,235. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 7.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Enova International

(Free Report)

Enova International, Inc operates as a financial services company with online lending that serves small businesses and consumers who are underserved by traditional banks. The company offers installment loans; line of credit accounts; CSO programs, including arranging loans with independent third-party lenders and assisting in the preparation of loan applications and loan documents; and bank programs, such as marketing services and loan servicing for near-prime unsecured consumer installment loan.

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Foundry Partners LLC lessened its stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI  Free Report) by 22.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,426 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,182 shares during the period. Foundry Partners LLCs holdings in Group 1 Automotive were worth $3,266,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. OLD Mission Capital LLC bought a new position in Group 1 Automotive during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. New Hampshire Trust bought a new stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Amundi bought a new stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive in the 4th quarter worth $41,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 133.0% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 247 shares of the companys stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 54.6% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 252 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.92% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, VP Darryl M. Burman sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.78, for a total value of $616,950.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 13,495 shares in the company, valued at $3,330,296.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Darryl M. Burman sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.78, for a total value of $616,950.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 13,495 shares in the company, valued at $3,330,296.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Edward Mckissic sold 140 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $30,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,837 shares in the company, valued at $624,140. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 15,140 shares of company stock worth $3,724,700 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 3.50% of the companys stock.

Group 1 Automotive Stock Performance

NYSE GPI traded down $2.40 on Thursday, hitting $253.75. 26,078 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 167,772. The company has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $243.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $226.42. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. has a 52-week low of $136.16 and a 52-week high of $271.94.

Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported $11.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $11.08 by $0.65. Group 1 Automotive had a return on equity of 31.16% and a net margin of 4.20%. The company had revenue of $4.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.36 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $12.00 earnings per share. Group 1 Automotives quarterly revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will post 41.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Group 1 Automotive Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were given a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.71%. Group 1 Automotives payout ratio is 3.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on GPI shares. StockNews.com lowered Group 1 Automotive from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 20th. Stephens raised their price target on Group 1 Automotive from $295.00 to $350.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on Group 1 Automotive from $430.00 to $445.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th.

Group 1 Automotive Profile

(Free Report)

Group 1 Automotive, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates in the automotive retail industry in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company sells new and used cars, light trucks, and vehicle parts, as well as service and insurance contracts; arranges related vehicle financing; and offers automotive maintenance and repair services.

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Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC  Free Report) by 31.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 387,980 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 175,604 shares during the quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc.s holdings in Uranium Energy were worth $1,117,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Uranium Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. CM Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Uranium Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $42,000. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in Uranium Energy by 222.5% during the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 834,522 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,403,000 after buying an additional 575,792 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in Uranium Energy by 12.0% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 105,775 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $305,000 after buying an additional 11,301 shares during the period. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in Uranium Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.00% of the companys stock.

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Uranium Energy Stock Performance

NYSEAMERICAN:UEC opened at $3.36 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $3.02. Uranium Energy Corp. has a 12-month low of $2.30 and a 12-month high of $4.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 336.34 and a beta of 2.05.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Uranium Energy ( NYSEAMERICAN:UEC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, June 9th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02). Uranium Energy had a return on equity of 1.34% and a net margin of 1.30%. The firm had revenue of $20.22 million for the quarter.

In other Uranium Energy news, Director Moya Gloria L. Ballesta sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.21, for a total transaction of $160,500.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 76,730 shares in the company, valued at $246,303.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, HC Wainwright cut their price target on Uranium Energy from $8.25 to $8.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd.

Uranium Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Uranium Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in exploration, pre-extraction, extraction, and processing uranium and titanium concentrates in the United States, Canada, and Paraguay. It owns interests in the Palangana mine, Goliad, Burke Hollow, Longhorn, and Salvo projects located in Texas; Anderson, Workman Creek, and Los Cuatros projects situated in Arizona; Slick Rock project in Colorado; Reno Creek project in Wyoming; Dalton Pass and C de Baca project located in New Mexico; Diabase project located in Canada; and Yuty, Oviedo, and Alto Parana titanium projects in Paraguay.

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Shares of Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have issued a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $269.90.

A number of analysts have recently commented on LII shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Lennox International in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Lennox International from $272.00 to $300.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Lennox International from $314.00 to $355.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. William Blair raised Lennox International from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Lennox International from $279.00 to $272.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th.

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Insider Transactions at Lennox International

In other Lennox International news, EVP Daniel M. Sessa sold 2,419 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $288.09, for a total value of $696,889.71. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,256 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,749,711.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Lennox International news, Director Sherry Buck bought 350 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $285.02 per share, with a total value of $99,757.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 2,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at $680,627.76. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Daniel M. Sessa sold 2,419 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $288.09, for a total value of $696,889.71. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 44,256 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,749,711.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 5,527 shares of company stock worth $1,574,120. 2.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Lennox International

Lennox International Stock Performance

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LII. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its position in Lennox International by 37.5% during the second quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 12,951 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,223,000 after purchasing an additional 3,531 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new position in Lennox International in the second quarter valued at approximately $63,000. Achmea Investment Management B.V. raised its position in Lennox International by 18.4% during the second quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. now owns 79,283 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $25,852,000 after purchasing an additional 12,341 shares in the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its stake in Lennox International by 13.8% during the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 6,600 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,152,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. lifted its stake in Lennox International by 11.7% during the second quarter. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. now owns 4,113 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,341,000 after purchasing an additional 430 shares during the last quarter. 68.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Shares of LII opened at $336.00 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $11.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.41, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.96. Lennox International has a twelve month low of $202.97 and a twelve month high of $342.86. The firms 50 day moving average price is $309.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $275.23.

Lennox International (NYSE:LII  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The construction company reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.41. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.03 billion. Lennox International had a negative return on equity of 200.13% and a net margin of 10.76%. The companys revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.36 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Lennox International will post 15.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lennox International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be issued a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 30th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.31%. Lennox Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 30.66%.

About Lennox International

(Get Free Report

Lennox International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Residential Heating & Cooling, Commercial Heating & Cooling, and Refrigeration.

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Liberty Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (BATS:VLUE  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 6,774 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $633,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CFO4Life Group LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 69.9% in the first quarter. CFO4Life Group LLC now owns 238,288 shares of the companys stock worth $22,063,000 after purchasing an additional 97,997 shares in the last quarter. Leo Brokerage LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF in the first quarter worth $464,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF in the first quarter worth $25,000. Oakworth Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF in the first quarter worth $168,000. Finally, Archvest Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF in the first quarter worth $416,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Trading Up 0.3 %

VLUE traded up $0.32 during trading on Thursday, hitting $96.92. 283,086 shares of the company traded hands. The company has a market cap of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of 8.51 and a beta of 1.04. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $92.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $92.90. iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF has a 1 year low of $71.21 and a 1 year high of $89.40.

iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Enhanced Value index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities. Stocks are selected and weighted using fundamental metrics (earnings, revenue, book value and cash earnings), aiming for exposure to undervalued stocks in each sector.

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Rogers Communications (TSE:RCI.B  Get Free Report) (NYSE:RCI) had its price objective boosted by equities researchers at National Bankshares from C$79.00 to C$80.00 in a research note issued on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. National Bankshares price target suggests a potential upside of 39.40% from the stocks current price.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on RCI.B. CIBC increased their price target on shares of Rogers Communications from C$75.00 to C$76.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Desjardins set a C$68.00 target price on Rogers Communications and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. TD Securities upped their price objective on Rogers Communications from C$80.00 to C$83.00 and gave the stock an action list buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Rogers Communications from C$68.00 to C$70.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their target price on Rogers Communications from C$69.00 to C$68.00 in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$75.80.

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Rogers Communications Price Performance

Shares of TSE:RCI.B traded down C$3.43 during trading on Thursday, hitting C$57.39. 1,949,704 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,259,361. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$60.17 and its 200-day moving average is C$63.05. The company has a market capitalization of C$23.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 364.52. Rogers Communications has a 1-year low of C$50.53 and a 1-year high of C$67.67.

About Rogers Communications

Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The Wireless segment offers wireless voice and data communication services to individual consumers, businesses, governments, and other telecommunications service providers; postpaid and prepaid wireless services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands; and wireless devices, services, and applications to consumers and businesses.

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Savant Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) by 2.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 9,417 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 214 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLCs holdings in Yum! Brands were worth $1,244,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. First Command Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Yum! Brands during the first quarter worth about $25,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Yum! Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Yum! Brands by 127.7% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 214 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. Chelsea Counsel Co. purchased a new position in shares of Yum! Brands during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Dupont Capital Management Corp acquired a new position in shares of Yum! Brands in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.82% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on YUM. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Yum! Brands from $148.00 to $156.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Bank of America upped their price target on Yum! Brands from $145.00 to $151.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Yum! Brands in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $142.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup upped their target price on Yum! Brands from $172.00 to $179.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Yum! Brands from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $148.00.

Yum! Brands Stock Up 0.2 %

YUM stock opened at $137.30 on Thursday. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a 52-week low of $103.96 and a 52-week high of $143.24. The business has a fifty day moving average of $134.95 and a two-hundred day moving average of $132.63. The stock has a market cap of $38.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.01.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.62 billion. Yum! Brands had a net margin of 17.67% and a negative return on equity of 14.97%. Yum! Brandss revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.05 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current year.

Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were paid a $0.605 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 26th. This represents a $2.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.76%. Yum! Brandss payout ratio is presently 56.94%.

Insider Activity at Yum! Brands

In other Yum! Brands news, VP David Eric Russell sold 5,000 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.27, for a total value of $686,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 16,052 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,203,458.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,920 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.90, for a total value of $544,488.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 57,325 shares in the company, valued at $7,962,442.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP David Eric Russell sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.27, for a total value of $686,350.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 16,052 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,203,458.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 19,234 shares of company stock worth $2,646,823. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Yum! Brands Company Profile

(Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through four segments: the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division. It operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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Summit Financial LLC boosted its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Free Report) by 6.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 21,231 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 1,359 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $2,053,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. increased its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 78,641 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,484,000 after acquiring an additional 6,036 shares during the last quarter. United Bank boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 5.6% in the first quarter. United Bank now owns 27,546 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,972,000 after buying an additional 1,456 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 67.2% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 52,705 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,686,000 after purchasing an additional 21,177 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 4.8% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 24,791 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,674,000 after acquiring an additional 1,128 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 19.7% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 8,847 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $954,000 after buying an additional 1,455 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Stock Down 1.1 %

NYSEARCA:IJR traded down $1.15 on Thursday, reaching $103.21. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,264,952 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,073,181. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 12-month low of $86.40 and a 12-month high of $108.24. The firm has a market cap of $71.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 1.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $97.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $98.11.

About iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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UNITED NATIONS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians warned on Thursday that because fighting in Sudan disrupts public health operations, diseases that had been under control before the conflict erupted are now increasing.

"The diseases include malaria, measles, dengue and acute watery diarrhea," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "As the rainy season begins, these outbreaks are likely to claim more lives unless urgent action is taken to control their spread."

The office said there are shortages of crucial medicine and medical supplies reported in some states, despite health partners' efforts.

Health facilities and workers in Sudan continue to be targeted, OCHA said. The World Health Organization reported 53 attacks on health care in Sudan since April, which led to 11 deaths and dozens of injuries. 
Summit Financial LLC lessened its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD  Free Report) by 0.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,461 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 248 shares during the period. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF makes up approximately 0.4% of Summit Financial LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest position. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF were worth $4,638,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IWD. Liberty Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF in the first quarter valued at $206,000. Krilogy Financial LLC lifted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 152.2% in the 1st quarter. Krilogy Financial LLC now owns 10,450 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,591,000 after acquiring an additional 6,307 shares in the last quarter. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,127,000. Rebalance LLC increased its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Rebalance LLC now owns 28,933 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,405,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Monumental Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $148,000.

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iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of IWD stock traded down $1.32 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $162.24. 1,193,388 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,848,852. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $155.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $154.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.53 and a beta of 0.95. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF has a 52-week low of $134.09 and a 52-week high of $164.18.

iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the large capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market, as represented by the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index).

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Travel + Leisure (NYSE:TNL  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.01, Briefing.com reports. Travel + Leisure had a negative return on equity of 43.00% and a net margin of 10.17%. The firm had revenue of $949.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $952.77 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.27 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. Travel + Leisure updated its Q3 guidance to $1.43 to $1.55 EPS and its Q3 2023 guidance to $1.43-$1.55 EPS.

Travel + Leisure Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TNL traded up $0.86 during trading on Thursday, reaching $39.93. The stock had a trading volume of 610,866 shares, compared to its average volume of 742,742. The firms 50 day moving average price is $40.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $39.80. Travel + Leisure has a one year low of $33.57 and a one year high of $48.12. The stock has a market cap of $3.05 billion, a PE ratio of 9.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.67.

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Travel + Leisure Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Travel + Leisures dividend payout ratio is currently 40.27%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Insider Activity

A number of brokerages recently commented on TNL. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Travel + Leisure from $69.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Barclays reduced their target price on Travel + Leisure from $44.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of Travel + Leisure in a report on Monday, April 17th. They issued an underperform rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Travel + Leisure currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $50.43.

In other Travel + Leisure news, CAO Thomas Michael Duncan sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.92, for a total value of $122,760.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 17,271 shares in the company, valued at $706,729.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.07% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Travel + Leisure

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its holdings in Travel + Leisure by 3.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,652 shares of the companys stock worth $385,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Travel + Leisure by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 34,634 shares of the companys stock worth $1,344,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of Travel + Leisure by 3.8% during the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 7,157 shares of the companys stock worth $414,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Travel + Leisure by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,254 shares of the companys stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its holdings in Travel + Leisure by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 10,684 shares of the companys stock worth $365,000 after buying an additional 354 shares during the period. 87.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Travel + Leisure

(Get Free Report)

Travel + Leisure Co, together with its subsidiaries, provides hospitality services and products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Vacation Ownership; and Travel and Membership. The Vacation Ownership segment develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests (VOIs) to individual consumers, as well as provides consumer financing in connection with the sale of VOIs; and property management services at resorts.

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Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $16.00-$18.00 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $15.97. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Whirlpool also updated its FY23 guidance to $16.00-18.00 EPS.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on WHR shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Whirlpool from $118.00 to $121.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of Whirlpool in a research report on Tuesday. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $90.00 to $87.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Whirlpool in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Whirlpool from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their price target for the stock from $170.00 to $160.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Whirlpool presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $131.00.

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Whirlpool Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE WHR traded down $1.80 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $141.77. 666,073 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 754,414. The companys fifty day moving average is $143.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $141.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.92, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.87. Whirlpool has a fifty-two week low of $124.10 and a fifty-two week high of $178.05. The stock has a market cap of $7.76 billion, a PE ratio of -5.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.52.

Insider Buying and Selling

Whirlpool ( NYSE:WHR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 24th. The company reported $4.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.76 by $0.45. Whirlpool had a positive return on equity of 29.70% and a negative net margin of 8.13%. The firm had revenue of $4.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $5.97 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Whirlpool will post 16.23 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, EVP Juan Carlos Puente sold 420 shares of the businesss 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,699 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,374,497.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.85% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Whirlpool

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Putnam Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 19.5% in the 1st quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 1,954 shares of the companys stock valued at $258,000 after purchasing an additional 319 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Whirlpool by 62.4% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 257,434 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,987,000 after purchasing an additional 98,956 shares during the last quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC now owns 31,673 shares of the companys stock worth $4,181,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the period. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Whirlpool in the 1st quarter valued at about $74,000. Finally, Hancock Whitney Corp raised its holdings in Whirlpool by 16.5% in the first quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 9,818 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,297,000 after buying an additional 1,388 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.04% of the companys stock.

About Whirlpool

(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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Wolfden Resources Co. (CVE:WLF  Free Report)  Research analysts at Cormark raised their FY2024 earnings per share estimates for Wolfden Resources in a note issued to investors on Thursday, July 20th. Cormark analyst S. Ioannou now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $0.00 for the year, up from their prior estimate of ($0.01). The consensus estimate for Wolfden Resources current full-year earnings is ($0.01) per share.

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Wolfden Resources (CVE:WLF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The company reported C($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

Wolfden Resources Price Performance

About Wolfden Resources

WLF stock traded up C$0.01 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching C$0.13. The company had a trading volume of 23,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,465. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$0.17. The company has a market capitalization of C$20.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.25 and a beta of 0.50. Wolfden Resources has a 52 week low of C$0.12 and a 52 week high of C$0.25.

(Get Free Report)

Wolfden Resources Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company explores for nickel, copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, gold, silver, and sulphide deposits. Its flagship project is the Rice Island project that covers 2,611 hectares of land located in the Snow Lake-Flin Flon greenstone belt, Manitoba.

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RIYADH, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned the incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and a group of settlers.

In a statement quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi Foreign Ministry denounced the Israeli "systematic practices" as "a flagrant infringement of all international norms and covenants" that provoke the feelings of Muslims worldwide.

The ministry held Israel "fully accountable for the repercussions of such continued violations," while reiterating its call on the international community to shoulder its responsibility to end the Israeli escalation, provide necessary protection for civilians, and exert all efforts to end the conflict.

Ben-Gvir and the settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem earlier on Thursday to mark the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning and repentance for Jews to reflect on the destruction of the First and Second Temples. 
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on renewable energy at the Philly Shipyard on July 20 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Police K-9 handler who released dog that attacked an unarmed, surrendering truck driver in Ohio has been fired, department says
The city government of Germantown, Tennessee, on Wednesday said a water distribution site at Forest Hill Elementary School would be open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday, July 28, 2023; from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, July 29; and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30.
The community of Western Azerbaijan commented on the situation resulting from the fact that the illegal regime in Khankendi prevented the delivery of goods from other regions of Azerbaijan to Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The statement of the Community reads:

We, the Western Azerbaijan Community, closely follow the developments arisen as a result of the illegal regimes prevention of supply from the rest of Azerbaijan for the population residing in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, said the Western Azerbaijan Community.

As the organization uniting the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia and advocating for their rights, the Western Azerbaijan Community applauds the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan to reintegrate Armenians living in the Karabakh region. By demonstrating an inclusive and tolerant society, Azerbaijan sets a precedent for reconciliation and the restoration of the rights for the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia. The hope is that Armenia would recognize this example and take steps towards fostering understanding, dialogue, and the safe repatriation of Azerbaijanis forcibly uprooted from their homes in Armenia, restoring the multiethnic fabric in this country.

Regrettably, Armenia has not reciprocated with similar goodwill. Not only Armenia persistently obstructs the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from its territory, it also continues to fuel tensions by actively encouraging separatism among Armenians residing in Azerbaijan. Armenia's actions, including the presence of military personnel in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and financial support to the illegal entity in Khankendi, only serve to exacerbate the situation and undermine regional stability. These actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and the fundamental rights of the Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

In particular, the Western Azerbaijan Community is deeply concerned about Armenia's and the illegal regimes ongoing attempts to create an artificial humanitarian crisis by obstructing supplies to Karabakh Armenians from other parts of Azerbaijan and demanding exclusive supply routes to Khankendi without any border or customs control.

The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns these manipulative tactics, as they not only hinder the process of reconciliation but also exploit the genuine needs of inhabitants for political gain.

Furthermore, we express our deep regret and strong disapproval of the European Union's involvement in the situation. The presence of the EU mission alongside the convoy attempting to break into Azerbaijan without the consent of the Azerbaijani government undermines the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and sends a wrong signal to Armenia.

We would like to remind that the mandate of the EU's mission in Armenia does not include involvement in Armenias actions aimed at violating Azerbaijans sovereignty. Mandate of the mission, which is deployed in the areas formerly inhabited by Azerbaijanis, is to assess the impact of the conflict on the Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia, and facilitate confidence-building measures that would enable their safe and dignified return to their homes. If the EU genuinely upholds human rights, it should not get involved in Armenias blackmailing tactics, but support our right to return.

We demand that the Government of Armenia immediately ceases its infringement upon Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Armenia must end its malign activities aimed at preventing the reintegration of Armenian inhabitants of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. We also renew our urging on the Government of Armenia to respect human rights, enable our safe and dignified return and engage in dialogue with us to that end, the Community added."
UNITED NATIONS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, as the world body is suspending humanitarian operations in Niger due to the situation in the country.

Soldiers in Niger have overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, the country's Defense and Security Forces said in a press release broadcast on national television late on Wednesday, hours after the president was allegedly held hostage.

Addressing a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres urged those detaining Bazoum to release him "immediately and unconditionally."

"Stop obstructing the democratic governance of the country and respect the rule of law," he added.

Guterres said he spoke to Bazoum on Wednesday to express the UN's full solidarity.

"I don't know exactly where he is, but he was detained," the UN chief said. "He told me he was well, but he told me that the situation was very serious."

Later at a daily press briefing, a UN spokesman said humanitarian operations are currently on hold in Niger "given the situation" there.

"The problem on the air right now is that our humanitarian flights cannot fly within the country which means that our humanitarian operations are suspended," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, told reporters.

Niger is already facing a complex humanitarian situation, he said, noting that violence by armed groups, both in the country and its neighbors, has increased the concerns over civilian protection and has also aggravated food insecurity.

There are currently 4.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Niger, compared to 1.9 million in 2017, Dujarric said.

More than 370,000 people are displaced within Niger, which also hosts more than 250,000 refugees, mainly from Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso, according to the spokesman. 
HEFEI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- East China's Anhui Province will prioritize the development of the automaking industry and strive to become a leading production base of new energy vehicles (NEVs), local authorities said at a press conference Thursday.

Home to seven carmakers, including Chery, Nio, Volkswagen, BYD, and JAC, Anhui Province is one of the first in China to develop NEVs.

In the first half of this year, Anhui rolled out 1.026 million vehicles, which make up 7.7 percent of China's total. But its output of 342,000 NEVs takes up an impressive 9 percent of China's total in the first half, official figures released at the press conference show.

In June, Anhui introduced a slew of measures to form an NEV industrial agglomeration. The province plans to see its annual automobile production scale exceed 3 million units by 2025, over 40 percent of which will be NEVs. Meanwhile, its auto exports will top 1 million units annually. 
A US B-26 bomber bombs North Korean city of Wonsan in 1951.

This is the first of a two-part article marking the signing of the armistice that ended fighting in the three-year Korean War and entrenched the Cold War division of the Korean peninsula. Part Two is available here.

Seventy years have passed since the end of hostilities on the Korean peninsula when an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953 at Panmunjeom, which sits on the heavily militarized border between North and South Korea. The truce left Korea divided by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a four-kilometer-wide strip of land that stretches across the peninsula. This is the ongoing consequence of a conflict that exploded at the beginning of the Cold War, following the artificial division of Korea by US imperialism along the 38th parallel at the end of World War II.

The United States instigated the war to reassert its domination in Asia, particularly after the huge blow it suffered as a consequence of the 1949 Chinese Revolution. No peace treaty has ever been signed, leaving the peninsula in a formal state of war. To this day, the US maintains a diplomatic and economic blockade of North Korea, as well as a military alliance with South Korea signed on October 1, 1953. The alliance has only been strengthened in the past decade as Washington accelerated its war preparations against China which it regards as the chief threat to its global dominance. South Korea currently hosts dozens of US bases and approximately 28,500 troops.

Deep historic scars remain in Korea. The two Koreas were devastated with mass casualties and economic ruin. An estimated 2.5 million civilians were killed in the conflict itself. The North and South lost approximately 520,000 and 415,004 soldiers respectively. Another 900,000 Chinese troops were killed along with 36,940 Americans. Thousands more soldiers from US allies involved in the war also lost their lives. In Korea, millions of family members were separated from one another by the artificial division of the peninsula. Many are still unable to have any contact.

An old woman with her worldly possessions on her head walks back into bombed rubbled strewn streets of Chunchon to try and find her home on March 22, 1951. [AP Photo/Jim Pringle]

Outside of Korea, little is known about the war and far less is understood about its origins, with historian Bruce Cumings describing it as both a forgotten war and a never-known war.[ 1 ] What prevails is the propaganda promoted by US imperialism to justify the barbarism of its first major neo-colonial intervention after World War II. In this narrative, North Korea invaded South Korea in an unprovoked attack on June 25, 1950. The US and its allies led a war sanctified by the United Nations to defend the democratic South against the aggression of the totalitarian North.

In reality, these claims are nothing more than gross distortions and outright lies. The commencement of full-scale hostilities was the end result of a process set in motion by US imperialism when it unilaterally divided Korea in 1945 and then installed a regime in the south that lacked any significant popular support and could only rule through repression.

What were the Korean Wars origins?

Strategically located in Northeast Asia between Japan, Russia and China, Korea has long been the focus of imperialist machinations. Korea came under the sole influence of Japan following its defeat of Tsarist Russia in the 1905 Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, Japan formally annexed Korea and maintained its brutal colonial rule over the peninsula for 35 years until Japans surrender in World War II on August 15, 1945.

The division of Korea and subsequent eruption of the Korean War can only be understood within the broad context of the crisis and instability wracking global capitalism in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The international conflict, which in the Far East had begun with the Japanese invasion of China in 1937, had left behind unprecedented death and destruction in Europe and Asia. The acute economic and social crisis was fueling a groundswell of opposition in the international working class that had been through two world wars and the Great Depression. The major imperialist powers confronted anti-colonial rebellions that were developing throughout Asia.

The ability of the US, which emerged from the war as the dominant imperialist power, to restabilize world capitalism depended on two factors: its own overwhelming economic strength and the betrayals by the Soviet Stalinist bureaucracy of post-war revolutionary movements.

Following the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, Stalin subordinated the international working class to an alliance of so-called democratic powers. In the wartime conferences with the US and British leaders at Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam about post-war arrangements, he cynically bartered the fate of whole countries and their working classes in return for a Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.

Throughout Western Europe, the Stalinist communist parties were instructed to subordinate the opposition of the working class to the establishment of bourgeois parliamentary democracysocialist revolution was off the agenda. In France and Italy in particular, the Stalinists played the key role in disarming the partisans and reviving the political fortunes of discredited bourgeois parties. Stalinist leaders entered into postwar capitalist governments as ministers who were central in suppressing strikes and protests.

In Asia, Stalinist parties were instrumental in assisting the return of the colonial powers in country after country and the stabilization of bourgeois rule. In Japan, amid a massive growth of the trade unions and industrial action, the Communist Party portrayed the American occupation as the conveyer of the democratic revolution and assisted in suppressing strikes.

Having restabilized capitalism in Western Europe, US imperialism, determined to halt any growth of Soviet influence, went on the offensive. In March 1947, US President Harry Truman announced his policy of containment when he told Congress that the US had to support free peoples who were resisting armed minorities and outside pressures. The Truman doctrine, which marked the onset of the protracted Cold War, became the pretext for US-sponsored coups, military interventions and backing for dictatorships around the worldall in the name of democracy.

Prelude to Koreas occupation

In March 1943, Washington first raised the issue of so-called trusteeshipa euphemism for colonial rulefor countries like Korea, claiming it was necessary to educate Koreans in self-government. Even though it had agreed to independence for Korea in due course, Washington, well aware that an independent Korea could orient to the Soviet Union, sought and got verbal agreement from Stalin in May 1945 for a trusteeship in Korea.

However, with the successful testing of the atomic bomb in July 1945, Washington drastically altered its initial plans to ensure American predominance in post-war Asia. In the words of Bruce Cumings, the US strategy became to abjure diplomacy, draw the Pacific War to a quick close, and exclude the Soviets from significant participation in postwar East Asian affairs.[ 2 ]

Initially, the US had been willing to allow Moscow some influence in Manchuria and Korea in exchange for the Soviet Union breaking the non-aggression pact it had signed with Japan in 1941 and entering the war in the Pacific, which it did on August 8. Washington believed that the elite Japanese Kwantung Army occupying Korea and Manchuria would inflict a heavy cost on the Red Army, one that the US military would not have to pay.

The following day, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, just three days after the August 6 bombing of Hiroshima, inflicting vast death and destruction on the civilian populations. US imperialism justified these monstrous war crimes as necessary to save the lives of American soldiers in an invasion, even though Tokyo was already indicating its willingness to surrender. The real purpose was to threaten the Soviet Union and to demonstrate to the world that the US would dictate terms for the postwar settlement.

Washington had not calculated, however, that Japans Kwantung Army would rapidly collapse, raising its fear that the Soviet Red Army would seize the whole of the Korean peninsula. On August 9, the day after the declaration of war on Japan, the Soviet military commenced operations in Korea and within days had control of a number of Korean cities and towns.

British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, US President Harry S. Truman and Joseph Stalin at the Potsdam Conference, July 1945.

Preoccupied with the imminent surrender of Japan throughout Asia, the US scrambled for a response. Washingtons war planners made the unilateral decision during meetings throughout August 10 and 11 to divide Korea into separate occupation zones at the 38th parallel. Just as he had horse-traded with US imperialism in Europe, Stalin accepted the division without a murmur of opposition.

US brushes aside the Korean Peoples Republic

A month later, the US military, led by General John Hodge, arrived in Korea on September 8, 1945 to establish its occupation, formally known as the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK).

However, the outgoing Japanese colonial government had already handed off administrative functions to Yeo Un-hyeong. With a collection of both left- and right-wing bourgeois nationalists, Yeo had established the Committee for the Preparation of Korean Independence and then the Korean Peoples Republic (KPR) on September 6. Around the country, Peoples Committees were set up to carry out the functions of local government.

Only the most right-wing sections of the Korean bourgeoisie oriented themselves towards the US military. This included the Korean Democratic Party (KDP), which was founded on September 16, 1945. The KDP was filled with wealthy businessmen and large landlords who supported US plans for trusteeship in Korea as a means of protecting their property interests and their lives from reprisals.

Many of these conservatives, even those who had been involved in the independence movement at an earlier period, had been Japanese collaborators who would go on to form the basis of the South Korean government. One such collaborator was Kim Seong-su, who founded the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper and who would go on to serve under Syngman Rhee as South Koreas vice-president from 1951 to 1952 during the Korean War.

The US had no standing or support among the Korean working class and peasantry and instead set about attempting to create a regime out of nothing. USAMGIK integrated the KDP into its operations, terrified that the KPR would spark opposition to the occupation. USAMGIK subsequently banned workers strikes on December 8 and outlawed the KPR along with the Peoples Committees on December 12.

To deal with public opposition, the US retained the bulk of the Korean officers who had served in the Japanese colonial police force that had been instrumental in brutally suppressing any opposition to its colonial rule. They served the same role in supporting the US occupation.

At the same time, Washington was reliant on the Soviet Union to rubber stamp its machinations in Korea. The US was particularly concerned that the end of the repressive Japanese regime would lead to a growth in the Korean Communist Party (KCP), just as the end of the war in other countries had led to an upsurge of popular support for socialism.

The role of Stalinism

As had been the case in Japan, the Soviet Stalinist bureaucracy and its supporters in Korea responded to the division of Korea by lauding US imperialism. They claimed that the US military occupation was carrying out a bourgeois democratic revolution, supposedly a necessary first step before a socialist revolution in the distant future. This two-stage theory of revolution justifying support for so-called progressive bourgeois forces has always ended in disaster for the working class.

The two-stage theory was the negation of the lessons of the 1917 Russian Revolution. Its principal leaders, Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, had both insisted that the so-called liberal bourgeoisie in Russia was organically incapable of carrying out essential democratic tasks. In this Theory of Permanent Revolution, which theoretically guided the Russian Revolution, Trotsky demonstrated that, in countries of a belated capitalist development like Korea, those tasks fell to the working class concentrated in the cities. Even though Korea, like Russia, was a largely agrarian country, its young proletariat, in fighting against colonial oppression, could mobilize the peasant masses and come to power. In doing so, it would be compelled to make deep inroads into capitalist private ownership and to turn to the international working class as part of the fight for world socialist revolution.

In Korea, the two-stage theory took a particularly grotesque form. To preserve relations with the US, the Soviet Union relied not on promotion of a non-existent progressive wing of the Korean capitalist class but claimed that imperialism itself was carrying out a bourgeois democratic revolution.

Under the influence of Moscow, the South Pyongan Province Committee of the Korean Communist Party, for example, stated on October 6, 1945: Due to the lack of clear general understanding of international problems, the party has committed errors arising from a sectarian tendency, and has treated the historically progressive characteristics of the American and British allies ambiguously.[ 3 ]

It continued: Our Korea succeeded in its bloodless revolution by the driving force of the Soviet Union and by the contributions of Great Britain and the United States, and the revolution is now in the process of final completion.[ 4 ]

The claim that US imperialism was completing the bourgeois revolution in Korea was a complete fraud. But the Soviet regime relied on this lie to strangle the class struggle in Korea, hoping the US would allow it to have a voice within a unified Korea. Above all else, the Soviet regime was terrified that working-class uprisings in other countries would spark political opposition at home in the Soviet Union.

In its accommodation to the US, Moscow sought to muzzle the KCP, which had widespread influence, acquired through years of struggle against Japanese colonialism. Historian Suh Dae-sook remarked that the KCP had succeeded in wresting control of the Korean revolution from the Nationalists; they planted a deep core of Communist influence among the Korean people, particularly the students, youth groups, laborers, and peasants. Their fortitude and, at times, obstinate determination to succeed had a profound influence on Korean intellectuals and writers.[ 5 ]

The establishment of separate regimes in North and South Korea

The US, British and Soviet foreign ministers met in Moscow from December 1627, 1945 to discuss postwar issues, including Korea. Any independence for Korea was pushed aside, as the Soviet foreign minister agreed to the US demand for the establishment of a trusteeship.

The Moscow conference called for joint control by the Soviet and US militaries in North and South Korea respectively, and the formation of a provisional government of a unified Korea through a Joint Commission. Then, after such a government was formed, a four-power trusteeship that consisted of the US, the UK, the Soviet Union, and Nationalist China, would be established.

Washington, however, consciously sabotaged these plans, refusing to allow the Soviet Union any say in the proposed provisional government. The American side in the Joint Commission, which opened on March 20, 1946, made clear that Moscow would have to accept US demands in Korea. If not, the US would carry out its agenda in the south alone. The Commission lasted until mid-May without agreement.

With Moscow now calling for a trusteeship in line with US demands, Washington exclusively backed a group of extreme right-wing Koreans opposed to the Soviet Union which, following the US lead, now claimed to oppose trusteeship. These included the KDP and the so-called National Society for the Rapid Realization of Korean Independence around Syngman Rhee.

Rhee had left Korea in 1910, spending decades in the United States, and did not return until the US military flew him back on October 16, 1945. He had little influence in Korea and was largely an unknown figure. Instead, he had well-placed connections within the US government, particularly the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the CIA, while also being a rabid and unhinged anti-communist.

US General Douglas MacArthur and Syngman Rhee, 15 August, 1948.

The Soviets were opposed to the inclusion of such right-wing groups and stated that those against the Moscow agreement should not be consulted in the Joint Commission. While the US excluded left-leaning South Koreans from any participation, it then hypocritically accused the Soviet Union of working against the formation of a new provisional government.

At the same time, Stalin took steps to formally dissolve the KCP into a petty bourgeois organization that he hoped would be more acceptable to Washington. In July 1946, he ordered the party in the north and south of Korea to merge with middle-class and left-wing nationalists, who had participated in the independence movement but explicitly rejected socialism.

The result was the de facto acceptance of the division of Korea with two separate organizations: the Workers Parties of North and South Korea, which eventually amalgamated in 1949 to form the current North Korean ruling party, the Workers Party of Korea.

With the onset of the Cold War, the US had no intention of making any concessions to the Soviet Union or allowing any pro-Soviet party into a future Korean government. A second round of Joint Commission negotiations opened in May 1947, but with the same lack of agreement.

Before the second round of Joint Commission talks, the US already intended to take the issue to the UN. Behind the facade of unifying Korea, Washington was working explicitly to establish a separate state in the south as a bulwark against the Soviet Union, conscious that the US would be marginalized in a unified, independent Korea.

The United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea subsequently oversaw the May 10, 1948 election of a constituent assembly in the south, which was rigged by the US occupation forces and their right-wing Korean allies. The constituent assembly elected US puppet Syngman Rhee as president on July 20, 1948 and the Republic of Korea was formally established on August 15, 1948.

North Korea responded by holding its own parliamentary elections on August 25, 1948 leading to the creation of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea on September 9, 1948. Nominally, the North Korean leader was Kim Du-bong, chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Peoples Assembly. However, real political power rested with Kim Il-sung who had been installed as premier and was to become chairman of the Workers Party the following year.

Kim Il-sung had fought alongside Chinese guerillas in Manchuria against the Japanese in the early 1930s, but neither he nor his followers had ever been members of the KCP, nor had they participated in the Korean Communist movement. In his political outlook, he had been fundamentally a nationalist since his youth.

However, Kim also served as an officer in the Red Army and enjoyed the support of the Soviet Union after it occupied the north. With Moscows blessing, he was elevated to leadership positions while eliminating political opponents from within the old KCP. In the wake of the Korean War, he consolidated his unchallenged grip on power and proclaimed the concept of juche, or a Korean version of Stalins reactionary socialism in one country.

He held power until his death in 1994, founding what amounted to a heredity dynasty. He was succeeded by his son Kim Jong-il and then his grandson Kim Jong-un, who now leads the North.

To be continued
Sri Lankan Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has presented his New Employment Act for approval of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC). The NLAC is a tripartite body consisting of labour ministry officials, representatives of employers and selected trade unions.

Sri Lankan Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara addressing the media, 20 June, 2023. [Photo: President's Media Division]

According to media reports, the bill will be finalised after discussions in the NLAC and then presented to cabinet and parliament. The proposed draft makes clear that the Wickremesinghe government is preparing to abolish the hard-won rights of the working class and open the way for businesses and investors to further intensify their exploitation of the Sri Lankan masses.

The new Act will replace 13 existing labour laws, including the Trade Unions Ordinance (1935), Maternity Benefits Ordinance, Wages Council Ordinance, Factories Ordinance (1942), Industrial Disputes Act (1950), Shops and Offices (Regulation of Employment and Wages) Act (1954) and the Termination of Service Act 1971. These laws, which contained limited democratic and social safeguards, were the result of determined struggles by the working class during British colonial rule and after independence in 1948.

Nanayakkaras proposals are in line with the harsh austerity measures and labour flexibility demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These are now being implemented by President Ranil Wickremesinghes government in order to impose the burden of the economic crisis on workers and the poor.

The measures in the legislation cover workplace discipline, working hours, the formation of new trade unions, the right to strike and other measures to satisfy employers demands.

* Section 18 of the proposed bill states that an employer can terminate a contract of service with an employee unilaterally and without compensation in response to any violation of workplace rules, act of misconduct, harassment, and any act causing or creating an immediate danger to anyone in the workplace or public safety. There is no legal provision for an impartial inquiry into the allegations against employees. This means employers can arbitrarily sack any worker as part of an industrial and political witch hunt.

* Section 31 states that the normal working day is 8 hours and the working week 45 hours, but any industry or service specified by a ministerial order can implement a 12-hour working day, including meal breaks, and not pay any overtime.

Under Section 33, employers can demand employees work 16 hours without overtime payment in particular industries or services, with workers only allowed one hour rest periods during this time.

The section also allows nominated industries or businesses to operate 24-hour shifts with payment of a 6-hour overtime allowance and two separate one-hour rest periods. It states that employers can obtain an agreement from employees to undertake these extended work periods during recruitment, or even later.

Extended working days and longer hours without overtime payments already exist in the garment industry, which has fallen into a deep crisis during the past three years. The bill not only provides a legal basis for the brutal exploitation already underway in the sector but provided for the arbitrary prolongation of working hours at any future time.

* Section 57 allows businesses to only pay 50 percent of the basic salary to an employee who cannot work due to epidemics, natural disasters, infrastructure break downs or any unavailability or reduction of orders due to local or global economic conditions. In the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, big business with the support of the unions implemented these practices. Workers received meagre payments, resulting in many failing to have adequate meals. Many also lost their jobs.

*Another clause in the proposed legislation involves the scrapping of existing restrictions that ban women from working from 10 p.m. and after. Companies wanting to employ female workers at night can obtain written approval from the Labour Commissioner to do so for 10 days per month. The new bill would extend the number of night-working days to 15, following the consent of a female worker.

* The right to form a trade union has also been restricted. Under existing laws, seven employees in an institution can form a trade union. Under the proposed measures, 100 members must sign a request to establish a union. 25 members are required to give their consent at workplaces which employ less than 100 people. The labour minister has stated, however, that the new law will not affect already existing unions.

* The right to strike has been even more tightly restricted. A secret ballot must be held to ascertain the consent of a majority of members regarding the issue on which a trade union intends to go on strike. No strike can be conducted without informing the trade union registrar, a state official. More than 50 percent of the members entitled to vote must support the proposed strike issue and the vote must be observed by the registrar.

The employer and registrar must be notified in writing 28 days before the intended date of the strike. If these conditions are not met, the proposed strike is illegal.

Another section of the proposed Act empowers the labour minister to secure a court injunction to suspend a strike. The minister can declare any industry or service as essential with more restrictions placed on industrial action in these industries or services.

The minister can decide that any strike is against the public interest or endangering the national economy, public safety or livelihood. He has the power to refer the industrial dispute to the Industrial Court, arbitrarily terminating the action.

Man-power supply companies and employment agencies which hire workers are to be legalised. There are already many such companies employing workers in the state and private sectors. Their workers do not have any of the rights of other employees and can be hired and fired at any time.

Amid rising working-class opposition to the new labour laws, trade unions in the free trade zones have been compelled to organise limited protests. On Tuesday, several unions, including the Free Trade Zones and General Workers Union and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-controlled Inter-Company Employees Union, protested in Colombo, appealing to the government to halt the new measures.

These actions are aimed at dissipating workers anger. Apart from calling limited protests and strikes, these unions have refused to fight IMF measures. Instead, they have promoted political illusions that the government can be pressured into changing course. Their role in politically paralysing workers has enabled the Wickremesinghe regime to continue its social attacks, including its planned privatisation of the state-owned sector which will result in the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs.

Labour Minister Nanayakkara submitted his initial draft on the new laws in May, inviting political parties, trade unions, civil groups and employers to submit their proposals.

Socialist Equality Party (SEP) general secretary Deepal Jayasekera categorically rejected this invitation in a letter to the minister. Your government wants to establish new labour laws to provide unrestricted exploitation of workers by local and foreign investors, Jayasekera said.

Nanayakkaras New Employment Act draft categorically confirms the SEP general secretarys warnings.

Workers cannot defend their rights through the trade unions, which have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the interests of Sri Lankan capitalism and international investors.

The defence of jobs, social conditions and democratic rights is only possible if workers form rank-and-file action committees, independent of the trade union bureaucracies and the capitalist parties.

Only by taking this crucial step, can workers take forward the political struggle necessary to bring down the Wickremesinghe regime and fight for a government of workers and peasants to implement socialist policies. The SEPs call for the holding of a democratic and socialist congress, based on the delegates from these democratically-controlled action committees, is an essential component of this perspective.
Attend the online public meeting The way forward against the sellout Teamsters contract at UPS, hosted by the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, this Saturday, July 29, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Register for the event here.

Yellow, the third largest less-than-truckload (LTL) freight company in the US, is planning to file for bankruptcy on Monday, according to a report in the industry publication Freightwaves. Thirty-thousand workers could lose their jobs, including 22,000 members of the Teamsters.

It is clear that the only effect of the Teamsters bureaucracys decision to call off the planned strike on Monday has been to give the company time to move freight off its docks and position its trucks and other equipment in the most convenient place to auction them off.

Yellows financial problems stem from its decades of massive debt accumulation. In 2003, Yellow borrowed $675 million to purchase competitor Roadway for $1.1 billion. Shortly after, in 2005, it purchased USF for a further $1.37 billion. The next year the freight market crashed, and Yellows revenue dropped by a staggering 40 percent. With the additional economic pressures of the 2008 financial crash, Yellows situation worsened, and it lost hundreds of millions of dollars.

During this time, the Teamsters agreed to hand over massive concessions to the company. In both 2009 and 2014, the Teamsters pushed through a 15 percent wage reduction, and Yellows benefit obligations were sharply reduced. Today, Yellow pays only a quarter of what it should to the Central States Pension Funds, the joint union-employer trust which provides benefits for 360,000 retirees and beneficiaries.

Still desperate for cash, Yellow issued $700 million in bonds in 2014 and borrowed a further $450 million. This debt could have sunk Yellow, but in 2019 Apollo Global Management stepped in to grant Yellow a lifeline with a $600 million loan. It then leveraged its connections with the Trump administration to win Yellow a $700 million loan from the United States Treasury at the onset of the pandemic.

Apollo was founded in 1990 by investment bankers from Drexel Burnham Lambert and close associates of Michael Milken, the junk bond king, who pocketed $1 billion over four years before the Wall Street firm collapsed in 1990. Milken would later serve two years in prison for securities fraud after accepting a plea bargain that included a lifetime ban from the securities industry.

The international capital investment firm, with nearly $600 billion in managed assets, has a long history of targeting struggling companies, stripping their assets and attacking workers jobs, wages and pensions, and loading them up with debt to pay off investors before flipping the companies, like a real estate speculator flips houses. It is a prime example of the financial parasitism that characterizes American capitalism.

In just the past few years, Apollo has swallowed up the craft store Michaels, car rental company Hertz, Verizon Media, Venetian Resorts and Casino in Las Vegas, Kindred Healthcare and call center company Alorica, among others, and it has invested billions of dollars in AirFrance-KLM, tech manufacturer Wolfspeed, and car rental company Carvana.

With its major investments, it has doubled the number of workers employed by its purchased companies to more than 550,000, technically making it the fifth largest employer in the United States behind the likes of Amazon and Walmart.

Apollo has a long history of purging workforces after acquiring a company. In 2012, it acquired the chemical manufacturing company Momentive Performance Materials and forced through huge pay cuts. Conditions at the plant worsened so considerably that several workers were severely injured in a chemical accident.

Prior to the pandemic Apollo had bet on Hertz failing to repay its debt, purchasing shares in insurance claims on Hertzs debt. When the pandemic exacerbated the car rental companys debt situation, in the billions of dollars, Apollo swooped in to invest billions of dollars in Hertz, coinciding with the elimination of 10,000 jobs at the company.

Last year Carvana fired 2,500 workers in May, followed by another 1,500 in November. And this year, Yahoo!, an internet media company owned by Apollo, announced that it was laying off 1,000 workers, 12 percent of the workforce, and that it would seek to reduce the number of employees by 50 percent by the end of the year.

Warrior Met Coal

One of the most notorious examples of the financial looting by Apollo and the collusion of the trade union bureaucracy involves Warrior Met Coal. In 2016, Apollo was part of a group of private equity firms, including Blackstone and KKR, that agreed to take over the mines of bankrupt Alabama coal company Walter Energy in exchange for covering its debt claims.

Striking Warrior Met miners (UMW)

As part of the agreement in the federal bankruptcy court, the private equity firms that formed a new company, Warrior Met Coal, were allowed to abrogate the terms of the prior labor contracts, terminate pension plans and dump retiree obligations into the US governments Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Far from opposing this, United Mine Workers officials acted as the debt collectors for these financial parasites by blackmailing workers into accepting a $6 an hour pay cut and other concessions to supposedly save their jobs.

With the low-cost labor agreement in hand, the owners of the private equity firms enriched themselves. According to the Financial Times, before its initial public offering in 2017, Warrior paid Apollo and the other private equity firms a $190 million dividend from cash on hand. A few months later it paid a $600m dividend funded with cash as well as a $350m debt offering, the newspaper reported.

On April 1, 2021 more than 1,100 Warrior Met coal miners went on strike after rejecting by 99 percent a contract backed by the UMW which restored less than a quarter of the hourly wage cut the union accepted. Union officials responded to this resounding rebuke by deliberately isolating the strike. After rank-and-file workers courageously struck for nearly two years, the UMW called off the strike in March 2023 and ordered miners back to work without a new contract.

Yellow freight

While Apollo does not own Yellow, it is a major investor that has taken near direct control over Yellows financial decision-making through a dedicated representative in its corporate management, which was granted in exchange for more lenient conditions on debt payments.

There is little doubt that Apollo executives were behind Yellows refusal to make required pension and benefit contributions to the Teamsters Central States Pension Funds last week.

Apollos ultimate goal with Yellow is uncertain. It may seek to bankrupt Yellow and sell its parts for scraps, or it may be trying to keep Yellow alive long enough to make an eventual purchaseaccompanied by the customary slashing of jobs and wagescheaper than it would be currently.

Regardless of Apollos particular plans it is clear that Wall Street is demanding that workers pay for its profits.

Apollo is not just seeking to buy out companies either. Apollo, through its insurance investment subsidiary Athene, is a major player in the Pension Risk Transfer market (PRT). PRT is when a pension provider seeks to offload the risk of pension funds in an insurer. According to Businesswire, Athene tends to reinsure most of its assumed pension obligations to affiliates based in Bermuda. The bonds backing the obligations would be sold and replaced with relatively illiquid investments many of which were originated or managed by other Apollo affiliates, which resulted in additional fees paid to Apollo.

PRTs reach into the billions of dollars every year. Athene alone has purchased the corporate pension plans of JCPenney, Lockheed Martin, Lumen Technologies, AT&T and Alcoa in deals worth tens of billions of dollars.

Teamsters Central States Pension Funds

Apollo does not have a stake in Teamsters pension funds, but Blackrock, an even larger private equity firm with trillions of dollars in managed assets, is the named fiduciary for the Central States Pension Funds.

The trade union bureaucracy is not merely a spectator in this financial looting, they are junior partners. Half of the trustees on the Central States Pension Funds and Health and Welfare Fund are Teamsters bureaucrats or officials tied to the union bureaucracy. The union chair of the fund, for example, is Chuck Whobrey, president of Teamsters Local 215 in Evansville, Indiana, and vice president of Teamsters Joint Council 94.

Founded in 1955 by Jimmy Hoffa, the Central States Pension Funds has long been a source of income for the corrupt and criminal Teamsters bureaucracy, from the issuing of loans to the Mafia to fund Las Vegas casinos to the kickback schemes from real estate investments in California and Florida.

At the same time, the collusion of the Teamsters bureaucracy in the deregulation of the trucking industry has reduced the number of employers contributing to the fund from 11,000 in the 1960s to 1,000 today. Adding to the precariousness of the fund was the collapse of risky investments during the bursting of the dot.com bubble in 2001 and the 2008 financial crash.

Despite the public relations campaign by the Teamsters and other unions against private equity firms, the unions have worked with these Wall Street investors time and time again, particularly in the restructuring of the trucking, airlines, mining, steel and auto industries. The union bureaucracies have traded away the jobs, working conditions and pensions of their members in exchange for positions on corporate boards, control over massive retiree health and pension funds and billions in corporate shares.

Apollo and the broader financial oligarchy are bearing down on Yellow and logistics workers in general. They are demanding that workers pay for increased profits for finance capital through squeezing every last dime from them.

Despite the threat to 22,000 jobs, the Teamsters are totally prepared to work with another set of financial parasites or let the company collapse without lifting a finger to defend workers livelihoods. These executives are completely incompetent, Teamsters President Sean OBrien said. They have destroyed this business. Our members have already made a lot of sacrifices. They have made enough sacrifices. A poor job may not always be worth it.

Although OBrien has claimed the union will make no more concessions, the agreement to prevent a strike and to give Yellow another month to make $50 million in pension payments coincided with the resumption of talks with the company. According to a union press release, its negotiating committee was scheduled to meet with Yellow representatives last Sunday night in Washington D.C. to review the state of the company and the current contract.

OBrien did nothing to oppose the elimination of 2,000 jobs at Yellow last winter, and he will once again use the threat that Yellow will go out of business to impose even greater concessions on workers.

The Teamsters called off the strike because it feared that a walkout by Yellow workers would encourage similar actions by 340,000 UPS workers. Two days after preventing the Yellow strike, the Teamsters announced that it had reached a deal to prevent a strike by UPS workers. The agreement is a miserable sellout that maintains poverty wages and hours for part-time workers and a pathetic 15 percent increase for package delivery drivers by 2028, amounting to a substantial further cut in real wages.

The fight against job and pay cuts cannot be left in the hands of the Teamsters bureaucracy. Yellow workers should take up the fight for the formation of a rank-and-file committee to link up their fight with UPS workers and broader sections of the working class to fight for the right to secure and good-paying jobs and fully paid health care and pension benefits for all.

This is not a fight against simply one financial firm but the entire capitalist system, which funnels the wealth produced collectively by the working class into the hands of the corporate and financial aristocracy. The Biden administration and both big business parties have endless resources to bail out the financial speculators, while repeatedly blocking strikes by railroad workers and others to defend their livelihoods.

That is why a militant fightback must be combined with a political struggle by the whole working class to take political power into its own hands and transform the giant logistics, industrial and financial firms into public enterprises, collectively owned and democratically controlled by the working class as part of the socialist transformation of the economy.
Consistent with the World Socialist Web Sites (WSWS) warnings of a summer surge of COVID infections as evidenced by wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this week that hospitalizations due to infections with the coronavirus were up by more than 10 percent across the country.

These have also been substantiated by the rise in emergency room visits for COVID-19 from 0.49 percent of all visits in June to 0.73 percent of all visits presently, an increase of nearly 50 percent. In absolute numbers, for the week of July 15, 2023, COVID-19 admissions had risen to 7,109 from 6,444 the week prior, an increase of 11 percent.

Although these levels remain far below last years at this time, during the second eruption of Omicron infections, when hospital admissions had reached more than 44,000 per week, estimates suggest that current rates will triple by late August, thus reaching half the peak of last summer.

The evidence for the surge has been corroborated by the rise in the positivity rate in PCR testing which has climbed from 4.1 percent last month to 6.3 percent in July. One must assume these figures underrepresent the real magnitude of infections as most people rely on home RAT tests, which are far less accurate, or have abandoned testing altogether.

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged that some countries continue to report high burdens of COVID-19, including increases in newly reported cases and, more importantly, increase in hospitalizations and deathsthe latter of which are considered more reliable indicators given the reductions in testing. The international health agency noted that globally, over 836,000 new COVID-19 cases and over 4,500 deaths were reported in the last 28 days (June 19 to July 16, 2023).

The WHO also acknowledged that COVID-19 remains a major threat. The agency added, [We] continue to urge governments to maintain, not dismantle, their established COVID-19 infrastructure. It is crucial to sustain surveillance and reporting, variant tracking, early clinical care provision, administration of vaccine boosters to high-risk groups, improvements in ventilation and regular communication.

Although the issuance of these warnings is appropriate and necessary, one must ask how after the sudden and abrupt declaration of the end of COVID-19 emergency measures in the first week of May 2023, is any government likely to heed the WHOs cautionary remarks?

To say that the virus never got the memo is not intended to trivialize the pandemic. It is to assert that in the face of a rapidly evolving and highly infectious respiratory pathogen, the declaration of an end to the pandemic has meant not an actual conclusion of the ongoing calamity, but that every measure, however meager, that had previously been undertaken to mitigate or eliminate the virus has now been terminated.

The declaration of an official end to the pandemic is really a declaration of an end to any effort at bringing the coronavirus under any semblance of control. In fact, there was ample evidence that the current summer surge was building even before these meaningless declarations had been made. The timing of the announcement was determined months ahead of time so that it would coincide with the usual spring lull in infections, and urge the population to regard the coronavirus as no longer dangerous, but rather akin to just a little flu.

Meanwhile, one in 10 people can expect to develop Long COVID after an Omicron infection, regardless of its severity or their age. And repeat infections, regardless of severity, predispose to long-term health consequences, morbidity and higher risk of mortality. The consequences include heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms, blood-clotting events, strokes, and an assortment of ailments like metabolic derangements and neurological dysfunction. Among children, evidence has shown that the risk of diabetes grows and injuries to their neurological systems are considerable.

Rather than declaring the end to the pandemic, the WHO and every other country facing the potential consequences of letting the virus rip through their population, should be investing in new technologies in HVAC and filtration, Far-UVC ultraviolet disinfection and SARS-CoV-2 detectors.

Conceivably, the breakthrough invention from researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, who designed a SARS-CoV-2 detector that can sense as few as seven to 35 viral particles per liter of air within five minutes, could be rapidly manufactured and deployed if sufficient dollars were directed to installing them in schools, hospitals and public spaces. Such devices would go far in eliminating infections in indoor spaces, but not a word from the White House has been forthcoming on this achievement.

Currently, the WHO is tracking two variants of interestXBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16. The fall COVID vaccines will be based on the former strain, although it now only represents 12 percent of all tracked variants, compared to 80 percent in mid-April.

There are also seven other variants that are under monitoring (VUM) and include BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBB.1.9.1, XBB.1.9.2, XBB.2.3, and EG.5. The last-named is making headway in the US, accounting for more than 11 percent. This particular variant was added to the WHOs VUM just last week. It is a descendent of XBB.1.9.2, having an additional mutation called F456L on its spike protein, which appears to increase the variants infectivity.

Despite the death of more than 1.1 million Americans during the pandemic, rather than taking a proper accounting of the impact that ending the emergency measures would have, the Biden administration has dealt further blows to a public health infrastructure that had already fallen into a decrepit state before the pandemic.

Not only do these developments continue to raise the alarms on the national response to the COVID pandemic, a recent study by Harvard Law School and New York University has found new sources for future pandemics. The two institutions conducted a comprehensive analysis of animal commerce and found that animal industries in the US pose serious risks in that area. They also concluded that the government lacks any comprehensive strategy to address such a threat, meaning the countrys pandemic preparedness capacity is woefully lacking.

Ann Linder, lead author of the report and Associate Director of Policy & Research with the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School, noted, COVID has infected more than 100 million Americans and killed over a million of them. But the next pandemic may be far worse and might happen sooner than we think. The stakes are simply too high for the problem to be ignored.

The US imports more than 220 million wild animals per year and most enter without health checks or disease testing, according to the report. In 2022, the country processed over 10 billion livestock, with slaughterhouses inspection being cursory. Given the number of inspectors that are assigned, each one would have to examine 600 animals per hour for signs of disease. Additionally, the US is the largest global producer of pigs and poultry, animals known to harbor previous pandemic influenzas.

Instead of addressing the current and future infectious diseases that threaten the entire social edifice, the White House and the legion of corporate politicians are hell-bent on promoting war with Russia and China, and devoting the scientific, technical and industrial resources of the United States to more effective weaponry. Such resources, if applied systematically, could eliminate COVID-19 and other disease threats in the United States and worldwide.
Late Tuesday night, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flagging presidential campaign confirmed that it had laid off more than one third of its staff, 38 people, over the previous week. The most notable of these terminations was the sacking of 25-year-old communications staffer Nate Hochman, a neo-Nazi.



The catalyst for Hochmans firing was his central role in the creation and distribution of DeSantis latest fascistic advertisement. Like previous DeSantis campaign ads, the latest video sought to out-Fuhrer ex-president Donald Trump by juxtaposing news headlines and right-wing memes of DeSantis murderous immigration, COVID-19 and LGBTQ policies with Trumps.



On July 23, @desantiscams, a small pro-DeSantis account followed by many (now former) DeSantis campaign staff, tweeted, and then quickly deleted, the one minute-plus video. The account has previously featured images comparing DeSantis with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.



The latest video, set to an electronic music soundtrack, featured a boogaloo-style paramilitary gleeful at the idea of a fascist DeSantis presidency. The video ended with the Florida governors visage in front of a glowing and spinning Sonnenrad superimposed on the state flag of Florida and flanked by columns of marching soldiers.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis with his face superimposed over a Sonnerad and the Florida state flag. [Photo: Nate Hochman]

Anonymous DeSantis campaign sources speaking to Axios claimed (conveniently) that the video was the sole creation of Hochman, and that it was his decision to share it through the pro-DeSantis Twitter account. After the video was posted by @desantiscams, Hochmans Twitter account quickly retweeted the video as well, before deleting it.



In a terse statement to Axios on the firing of Hochman, the DeSantis campaign said, Nate Hochman is no longer with the campaign. And we will not be commenting on him further.

On Saturday, the New York Times reported that a homophobic DeSantis video released last month in the same style as Saturdays video was created by the campaign. However, it was unclear if Hochman was behind that video as well.



The Sonnenrad, or black sun, is a pagan symbol that was adopted by the Nazis in the lead-up to World War II. In 1933, Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS, acquired the Wewelsburg castle in Westphalia, Germany. Seeking to transform the castle into a leadership academy for SS officers, Himmler remodeled it to feature Nazi-inspired architecture and runes, including a Black Sun in the Obergruppenfuhrersaal, or SS Generals Hall.



In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, neo-Nazis have used the Sonnenrad as a stand-in for the more well-known Nazi swastika. Dozens of Sonnenrad flags were carried by the fascists who gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia for the deadly Unite the Right rally in 2017. Fascist killersfrom Christchurch mass murderer Brenton Tarrant, to Buffalo mass shooter Payton Gendron, to the Azov Battalion in Ukrainehave likewise adopted the symbol.



Hochman, a rising intellectual in the Republican Party, was previously a staff writer with the National Review. Last year, he penned a 4,000-word opinion column for the New York Times.

His pieces have also appeared in The American Conservative, City Journal and the Claremont Review of Books. In 2021, he was the Publius Fellow at the Claremont Institute. Claremont scholars regularly collaborate with Republican fascists and arch-reactionaries, including Trump, DeSantis, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Nate Hochman. [Photo: Inez Feltscher Stepman & Nate Hochman, High Noon Podcast]

There is no question that Hochman was specifically brought onto the DeSantis campaign because of his fascistic politics, which were well known to the Florida governor prior to Hochmans hiring this past March. More than six months before he was hired by the campaign, The Dispatch reported about a December 2021 Twitter Spaces conversation Hochman had with neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes.



The Dispatch reported that in his conversation with Fuentes, Hochman praised the Holocaust-denying Hitler lover as a good influence on kids.



We were just talking about your influence and we were saying, like, youve gotten a lot of kids based, and we respect that, for sure, Hochman told Fuentes.

He added, But the fact that you have said super-edgy things means that theres a pretty strong ceiling to what you can actually accomplish in politics. Is that something that youre actually thinking about?



Agreeing with Fuentes that women should have no authority over men and have no business in politics, Hochman declared, When the mans right, hes right.



Speaking with conservative commentator and Fox News regular guest Clay Travis on Wednesday, DeSantis again said that if he was elected president he would consider pardoning Trump.




The European Union is willing to use any means to keep refugees beyond its borders. Last week, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Tunisian President Kais Saied signed a memorandum of understanding in Tunis that promises the country 900 million in financial aid for preventing refugees from crossing to Europe.

In this Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 file photo, migrants and refugees from different African nationalities wait for assistance on an overcrowded wooden boat, as aid workers of the Spanish NGO Open Arms approach them in the Mediterranean Sea, international waters, at 122 miles off the Libyan coast. (AP Photo/Bruno Thevenin, file)

What this means was shown by the simultaneous ruthless expulsion of refugees from the Tunisian port city of Sfax into the desert. The coincidence of the two events reveals in all its brutality the true face of the EU: an ugly grimace that condones, incites, finances and organises racist and inhuman atrocities committed by autocratic regimes against refugees.

At the centre of the memorandum of understanding is the tightening of Europes borders to all refugees. A total of 105 million are earmarked for the upgrading of the Tunisian border police and the deportation of refugees alone.

The EU wanted a partnership to combat people smuggling, von der Leyen said afterwards. We will also strengthen our coordination in search and rescue operations. And we have agreed to work together on border management, on returns and on tackling root causes, in full respect of international law.

These words make a mockery of the refugees who are being subjected to arbitrary persecution, ill-treatment and deadly risks in Tunisia at the behest of the EU. Even as von der Leyen, Rutte and Meloni were shaking hands with the authoritarian Saied, Tunisian security authorities had already begun to put the agreement into practice.

For days, migrants from sub-Saharan countries, but also from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Syria, have been transported out of Sfax by bus. This was preceded by a fight between local youths and migrants in which a 41-year-old Tunisian died. Since then, refugees have been systematically persecuted, driven from their homes, chased, beaten and finally transported away.

The Libyan border police picked up about 700 refugees near the Ras Jadir border crossing. They had been exposed to the scorching sun without water or food and were completely exhausted. The Libyan border police provided the refugees with water and food, but then sent them back to the Tunisian side of the border.

A border police officer told the taz newspaper, Tunisia wants to solve its social problems on the backs of migrants and neighbouring countries. This is a dangerous precedent. In this way, refugees become victims of the EU, which pays autocratic regimes to act as Europes gatekeepers.

At least 80 more refugees were apprehended by Libyan border guards further south near the town of Al-Assah. Two men from Nigeria reported being beaten with iron bars by Tunisian security forces and forcibly driven across the border into Libya.

According to the Guardian, around 165 refugees have been rescued in western Tunisia near the border with Algeria. However, there is still no trace of 250 refugees who were abandoned in the desert near Tozeur. The refugee aid organisation Alarm Phone, which was in contact with the group during their transport from Sfax to the desert, fears that their mobile phones have been destroyed and that they have been abandoned without water and food. Aid agencies report they have discovered several bodies in the desert.

Dumping people in the middle of the desert without access to roads, shelter, shade, food or water is a form of state-authorised violence that flies in the face of basic human rights, Monica Marks, assistant professor of Middle East politics at New York University, told broadcaster ARDs Tagesschau news programme.

In a statement published on Facebook, Tunisian president Saied cynically dismissed concerns over the mistreatment and deportation of the refugees to the desert by saying that the migrants receive humane treatment  in accordance with Tunisias values and that the Tunisian security forces protect them.

The European Unions commissioner for home affairs, Ylva Johannson, defended the agreement between the EU and Tunisia in similar words. It was very important, she said, that our main objective is always to save lives, to stop people from [making] these journeys that too often end in death, that is a priority.

In fact, the agreement provides for the exact opposite. Migration is one of five pillars that the agreement covers. Literally, it is about combating irregular migration, strengthening the operational partnership against smuggling and trafficking in human beings, improving the coordination of search and rescue operations at sea, effective border management and developing a system for the identification and return of irregular migrants from Tunisia to their countries of origin.

The European Union is shamelessly exploiting the fact that Tunisia is on the verge of economic collapse and is in urgent need of financial aid. However, this aid is only granted if the country allows itself to become Europes guard dog, preventing refugees from reaching the Mediterranean, intercepting and returning boats and organising the deportation of the refugees who are stopped.

The EU also makes no secret of the fact that the dirty deal on preventing refugees reaching Europe is based on blackmail. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson stated freely that it was clear that Tunisia is under pressure. I think this is a reason to strengthen and deepen cooperation and increase support to Tunisia.

Of the 900 million the EU plans to pay Tunisia, 105 million is earmarked for border management. Johansson claimed that this money will mainly flow through international organisations working on the ground and helping refugees, such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). She claimed that the EU was not involved in the repatriation of third-country nationals to their country of origin. It only funds the voluntary return and reintegration of third-country nationals through the IOM.

But this is a pathetic attempt by the EU to whitewash itself. Formally, the IOM is a UN agency, but it will organise the deportation of refugees, funded by and at the behest of the EU. To date, the IOM has not said a word about the expulsions of refugees into the Sahara Desert.

The agreement signed also states that the EU will not only finance the IOM, but will primarily provide patrol boats, jeeps, thermal imaging cameras, radar equipment and drones and thus massively arm the Tunisian border guards.

The consequences of this criminal anti-refugee policy are starkly demonstrated by the evictions in Tunisia. Lauren Seibert of the human rights organisation Human Rights Watch said, By funding security forces that commit abuses in migration control, the EU is complicit in the suffering of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia.

The hollow words about human rights and democratic values that supposedly guide EU and German foreign policy are not worth the paper they are printed on. Last Monday, the German government declared full support for the agreement. It was hoped that together with Tunisia, irregular migration will be reduced, said Christiane Hoffmann, deputy government spokesperson. There was quiet criticism of the agreement from the Green Partys parliamentary group in the Bundestag, but Green Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also declared her approval of the dirty deal.

The German government is even pushing for a more far-reaching agreement, as the current declaration excludes the establishment of internment camps for refugees as well as the readmission of non-Tunisian refugees from the EU. While it states that Tunisia is not a country that agrees to the settlement of migrants with irregular status, the migration commissioner of the German government, Joachim Stamp, named European asylum procedures in North Africa as a priority political goal.

The agreement between the EU and Tunisia is also intended to serve as a blueprint for further deals with the autocratic regimes in Egypt and Morocco. There are already agreements with both countries, but the measures to restrict refugees in these countries, and especially the deportation of refugees, are to be further tightened. The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who rules with extreme brutality, already received 80 million from the EU last year for upgrading anti-migration defences to keep refugees from Sudan out of Europe and to prevent refugee boats from leaving Egypt.

The consequences of these agreements can be observed in Niger and Algeria. In 2015, destitute Niger criminalised the accommodation and transport of refugees in return for European development aid. Germany equipped the Nigerien army with vehicles and radar equipment with 1 billion of EU money. EU border agency Frontex sent liaison officers to Niger.

Since then, the smugglers, and with them the refugees, of necessity, have taken more dangerous routes off the main roads, with the result that the number of refugees who have died has risen enormously. Four years ago, Albert Chaibou, a journalist from Niger and founder of a migrant emergency hotline, had already complained: Our country has degenerated into a graveyard in the service of Europe.

Apprehended refugees are put in camps run by the IOM but funded by the EU. There is neither enough water nor food there, the IOM is only interested in deporting the desperate people to their countries of origin, as is now planned in Tunisia. We are being treated like cattle, a refugee shouted in despair to journalists from the AFP news agency recently.

Many of the refugees stranded in Niger have in turn been driven out of Algeria and abandoned in the Sahara in the border region with Niger. The number of refugees who have died of thirst and starvation while fleeing in the Sahara is unknown, but aid organisations fear that it exceeds the number of people who have drowned in the Mediterranean. According to this estimate, far more than 20,000 refugees would have died in North Africa since 2016 simply because they fled war, civil war and economic hardship and dreamed of a decent life in Europe.

With the extortionate, dirty deals it makes with North Africas autocratic regimes, the EU is complicit in the state-organised persecution and displacement of refugees and the killing of thousands of people.
A catastrophe is engulfing southern Europe and north Africa as forest fires rage across nine countriesGreece, Portugal, Turkey, Italy, France, Croatia, Spain, Algeria and Tunisiaendangering a population of around 500 million people.

Wildfires have become more devastating in recent years as a result of capitalism-driven climate change, resulting in scorching weather and winds of up to 35 miles an hour. With the 20 days from July 3 the hottest ever recorded on the planet, it is set be confirmed that this month will be the hottest since records began and most likely in 120,000 years.

Locals try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Gennadi village, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, southeastern Greece, on July 25, 2023 [AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris]

More than 40 people have been killed so far, 34 in Algeria when surrounded by flames in an evacuation attempt. The heat according to witnesses felt like a blowtorch. Five lives have been lost to the fires in Greece, including pilots of a firefighting plane. At least eight people have been killed in Italy, including in Sicily, where temperatures are now just below the record for Europe of 48.8 degrees Celsius, set in 2021. Firefighters in the country have tackled almost 1,400 blazes nationwide, including 650 in Sicily and 390 in Calabria, reported the Guardian. A number of news reports stress that the death toll is likely much higher.

This week, Italy also saw deadly torrential rain, tornadoes, and floods in the north of the country, with a 16-year-old old girl among the four fatalities.

Workers are being killed on the job, forced to labour in unsafe temperatures. On July 20, a 46-year-old Greek worker suffered a heatstroke and died after making deliveries for a local tavern at the peak of the heat that day. According to the hospital management at Halkida General Hospital, the probable cause of his death was cardio-respiratory arrest after exposure to very high temperatures.

Workers at several factories and other workplaces in Italy have walked off the job, in order to protect themselves, in protest at being forced to work in dangerous heat. These included a four-hour strike July 20 at the Rossi auto parts factory in Modena, and a series of strikes in the last hour of each shift at an auto parts factory owned by the Japanese multinational HI-LEX in Chiavari near Genoa, reported Euronews. The latter began when the company refused to keep the air conditioning on after 7pm, despite the last shift ending at 10pm. A strike was threatened last week at the Magneti Marelli car battery plant in Sulmona.

Workers in two McDonalds kitchens in Apulia started a strike on Sunday due to the temperatures in the kitchen. ANSA reported that the strike broke out after McDonalds closed one of the two restaurants to the public, but kept the other open, arguing the air conditioning was sufficient.

Greece has been at the epicentre of the fires, with the Greek Fire Brigade fighting a losing battle against more than 500 blazes for almost two weeks. On Thursday, the fire brigade said the situation remained extreme for several regions, with the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection warning of a very high risk of fire in seven regions Thursday-Friday, including Attica (the location of the capital Athens) and on the countrys largest island Crete.

When the fires initially broke out they came within a few miles of Athens, a metropolis of 3.6 million people. That the fires are still out of control was clear on Thursday as fire, carried by strong gusts of wind, again reached the outskirts of the city, disrupting motorway traffic and rail services. Firefighters in water-dropping helicopters and a ground crew put out a blaze in Kifissia, just north of Athens.

Near Volos, a wildfire burned on two fronts, shutting part of Greeces busiest motorway for several hours, and forcing the delay of national rail services near the area.

Harrowing scenes on the island of Rhodes, one of many popular tourist destinations in Greecewhere firefighters battled fires for a 10th successive day Thursdaywere described as hell. Worsening annual fires threaten the resident population of 125,000 and a tourist population of tens of thousands.

At the beginning of the week Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakiss government was finally forced to mount what was Greeces biggest evacuation ever by land and sea, moving around 20,000 people from many villages and holiday resorts. Most were moved from Rhodes, with thousands also evacuated from Evia and another major tourist destination, Corfu. Tourists were told to immediately leave their hotels, many of which were subsequently burnt to the ground, and forced to flee on foot as the fires reached the seaside villages of Kiotari, Gennadi, Pefki, Lindos, Lardos and Kalathos.

Thousands, including the elderly and children, walked for up to seven miles, many dragging their suitcases, fearing death as smoke filled the air and the fires closed in on them from behind. No contingency plans were in place, aside from people receiving a government alert text on their phones telling them to leave the area. The majority were forced to spend the night and days after wherever they could escape the fires, alongside locals who also had to fleeon beaches, in gyms, school buildings, indoor stadiums and hotel conference centres.

Social media was flooded with comments including: Currently stranded in Rhodes escaping the wildfires on footleft everything at the hotel and fled with towels across our faces; My youngest just told me he doesnt want to die. Terrifying situation here; [We] had to walk four miles in the heat across dirt tracks in smoke and ash with a five year old. No possessions.

Many explained that the only help they received was from the local population, not the government, airlines or holiday companies that provided their vacations and flights. It was not until Wednesday, after two weeks of fires, that a state of emergency initially in place in just the south of Rhodes was extended to the entire island.

Greeces economy is dependent on tourism, which accounts for 25 percent of GDP and one in five jobs. Rhodes alone receives around 150,000 tourists at a time, more people than the resident population, with 2.5 million tourists on the island overall last year. Keeping the economy open to reap the profits and allowing tourists to flood in despite the perilous situation has been the priority of the right-wing New Democracy government.

As the heatwave and fires broke out, the world was shocked by scenes of thousands of people atop the Acropolis in Athens, a major tourist attraction which the government kept open. The Acropolis offers no shelter and the only measure taken by the government was to shut it for a few hours during the hottest parts of the day. It was left to the Red Cross and volunteers to provide tourists with bottles of water, and offer them umbrellas to shade.

Before any deaths had taken place, Prime Minister Mitsotakis washed the governments hands of any responsibility, declaring in parliament, Fortunately despite the unprecedented onslaught of the fires there have been no lives lost or serious injuries, proving once again that against natures assault no measures would ever be enough.

Even as mass evacuations were underway on Monday, and with Mitsotakis stating that Greece was at war with wildfires, his tourism minister, Olga Kefalogianni, told the BBC that UK holidaymakerswhich make up the largest portion of those visiting Greeceshould not cancel holidays already booked as, Its particularly important to stress only a small part of the island of Rhodes is affected. Meanwhile tourists arriving were finding their hotels and other accommodation were out of bounds due to wildfires.

The vast majority will be uncompensated as airlines and holiday firms classify fires an act of goda move facilitated by the UK government and others stopping short of advising against travelling to Rhodes, Corfu and other islands.

Any ability to respond effectively to the emergency has been critically undermined by the gutting of social infrastructure over the last 15 years amid continent-wide austerity.

More than any other country, Greece was devastated by this offensive, carried out by all political parties, with a major role played by the pseudo-left Syriza. There is, absurdly, a dire lack of firefighting planes in the country, leaving the cut-back firefighting service totally overwhelmed, especially in many rural areas in which around 2 million people (19 percent of the population) reside.

In Rhodes, there have often been no fire brigade personnel available to confront the fires, only volunteers, with one resident declaring, If it werent for the volunteers, we would have been burned alive.
A Sydney court hearing on Tuesday has placed former American military pilot and naturalized Australian citizen Daniel Duggan a step closer to being extradited to the US on national security charges that are extraordinarily thin and reek of a politically-motivated frame-up.

Dan Duggan and his wife Saffrine. [Photo by Saffrine Duggan]

A judge rejected an application by Duggans lawyers for a stay on proceedings. His barristers have argued that the extradition process should be halted, while the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) completes an investigation into allegations that Australian intelligence operatives lured Duggan to return from overseas to Australia so that he could be arrested and dispatched to the US.

The court ruling means that Duggan will remain in a maximum-security prison in conditions of solitary confinement, as he has since last October. An extradition hearing is now set for November 24, but it may be postponed if the IGIS inquiry is not completed by that date.

All of the circumstances demonstrate that the Labor government, and the state apparatus, are doing everything possible to ensure Duggans dispatch. The extradition hearings are proceeding because they were approved by Labors Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus last December. He has rejected calls for any government intervention to block the proceedings.

Duggan, who served as a US marine pilot, is accused of training Chinese pilots. A US indictment, first issued under seal by the Trump administration in 2017, presents this commercial activity as a violation of US arms controls. Duggan is alleged to have used the expertise he acquired in the American military to train Chinese state forces to land fighter jets on aircraft carriers.

The activities are supposed to have occurred between 2010 and 2012. The substantial delay in the indictment and the extradition underscores the political character of the purported offenses. The American state retrospectively turned its attention to Duggans activities, as it was intensifying a full-court press against China, which it views as the chief threat to US global dominance.

But the substance of the already weak allegations is contested by Duggan, his supporters and even authoritative former military figures.

This week, Duggan took the unusual step of granting an interview to the Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABC) 7:30 program from behind bars. When the producers put the US charges to him, Duggan replied: I think the better question is, with all due respect Was there any training that went on that was illegal? And the answer to that is an emphatic no.

There was no, and I repeat, there was no secret information, or proprietary information, or anything like that, its all public domain, open-source information that anybody if theyre interested in, could Google it or look it up on Wikipedia.

He added: The truth of it is, that there was nothing wrong. I went as an employee, with other western pilots, including other Australians, and trained civilian Chinese test pilots.

Duggan noted that his ability to defend himself was being hampered by the extraordinary conditions of imprisonment to which he had been subjected, including protracted periods of almost total isolation. If he were extradited to the US, where he would face national security charges totalling decades behind bars, it would be the equivalent of a death sentence, he stated.

Duggan noted the broader erosion of democratic and legal norms in the US. There's a sad joke amongst the (US) legal fraternity they say you can indict a ham sandwich. So unfortunately, I happen to be the ham sandwich at the moment, he said.

In the same program, one of Duggans lawyers, the respected Bernard Collaery, noted the relationship between the attempt to prosecute his client and the shift in US policy towards China. He stated: So far as China is concerned, we [i.e., the Australian armed forces] were conducting joint military exercises at sea between the Royal Australian Navy, and the PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] Navy at a time [2010] when Dan Duggan is accused of, as it were, consorting with the enemy. Its double-standard. Its hypocrisy.

The Test Flying Academy of South Africa, where the illegal training is alleged to have taken place, has also rejected the accusations. In a statement to the Guardian, the institution insisted that The syllabus of the course that Mr Duggan was part of delivering was in line with international standards and totally unclassified.

Retired US marine colonel Ben Hancock, who worked closely with Duggan, has described the man as a loyal patriot and has condemned the US charges. The allegations do not match the character of the Dan Duggan that I knew and respected as a US marine, he wrote. I look forward to the dismissal of these charges and Dan returning home to his wife and children.

Duggans Australian wife Saffrine has launched a determined campaign for his freedom. Duggan has six children, all Australian citizens.

Despite the growing condemnations, and the threadbare character of the US case, the Australian state is pressing ahead. That is completely tied to Australias ever greater integration into the US war drive against China, which is being accelerated under the Albanese Labor government.

The Labor government this year announced a $368 billion deal under the militarist AUKUS pact for Australia to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines directed against China. And it endorsed a Defence Strategic Review, which called for a vast expansion of Australian strike capabilities in preparation for a near-term major war in the Indo-Pacific.

As part of this war drive, a signal is being sent to former US and allied military personnel that times have changed. Any post-career activities associated with China will now be scrutinised and even prosecuted, under conditions of war planning for an imminent conflict. Duggans arrest last October coincided with repeated warnings by the British state to its former military personnel against any collaboration with China.

Meanwhile, former military personnel are free to work with any number of despotic regimes, so long as they are aligned with American imperialism. In 2018, for instance, the ABC reported it had found almost 100 former Australian soldiers and federal police who publicly advertised their private work for the military of the United Arab Emirates. They were moonlighting for that dictatorship under conditions in which it was waging a war against Yemen condemned by international rights organisations as a war crime and even genocidal.

Duggans lawyers have foreshadowed two defences. One is that the crimes of which their client is accused do not exist in Australia and thus fail the bar of dual criminality. The other is that they are political offences, for which extradition is barred. Lawyers for Duggan have indicated that proof of the latter may be cooperation between US and Australian intelligence agencies, years after the offences were supposedly committed.

Judicial representatives, however, have already hinted at a narrow definition of political offences, which may prevent Duggan from establishing that defence. As in a number of states allied with American imperialism, the US-Australia extradition treaty provides sweeping grounds for the US state to get its hands on individuals indicted for criminal offences.

The open collaboration of the Australian Labor government in the persecution of Duggan, and the alleged involvement of Australian intelligence agencies, has a broader significance. It underscores the fact that the war policies against China are incompatible with basic democratic rights.

It also demonstrates the sham of Labors claim to have made limited representations to the US on behalf of persecuted Australian citizen and WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. To the extent that such representations have been made, they have been rebuffed. The Biden administration is proceeding with its attempt to extradite Assange from Britain so that he can face Espionage Act charges carrying 175 years imprisonment, for publishing documents revealing US-led war crimes.

As this travesty of justice and international law proceeds, Labor is directly assisting the US to pursue another national security frame-up.

In 2012, the Greens-backed Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard amended Australian extradition laws, removing several safeguards against extradition for political offences. Those alterations, motivated by hostility to Assange, now threaten Duggan.
TEHRAN, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov discussed bilateral ties and regional issues in a phone call on Thursday, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

The two ministers expressed satisfaction with the "positive" developments in bilateral relations and highlighted the necessity of resolving regional issues through cooperation among the region's countries and players.

Amir-Abdollahian said cooperation between the two countries is on a "constructive and positive" path, mentioning a successful meeting between the two sides earlier this month, where agreements on joint rail and road projects were reached.

The Iranian top diplomat condemned the recent desecration of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark, adding that an online ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will be held on Monday to discuss the issue.

Bayramov, for his part, praised the "important" visit by Amir-Abdollahian to the Azerbaijani capital of Baku earlier this month and thanked Iran for its "constructive" stance on the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The phone call came amid a recent thaw in relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, following a period of tension over a number of issues, including the military ties between Israel and Azerbaijan. 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government passed legislation Monday giving itself untrammeled power, in the face of mass popular opposition unprecedented in Israels history.

The new law ends the Supreme Courts power to strike down the decisions of elected officials on the grounds of unreasonableness, granting the Knesset the power to overturn the Courts ruling with a simple majority. At a stroke, this removes any separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

From now on the government can politicize the selection of judges, appoint convicted criminals to the highest offices of the state and allow Netanyahu, currently on trial on corruption charges that could put him behind bars for years, to evade conviction.

In the Supreme Court, Netanyahu is targeting an institution that has repeatedly colluded in the brutal suppression of the Palestinians, shielded settler violence and presided over the 2018 Nation State Law defining Israel as the national home of the Jewish people and confirming its Arab population as second-class citizens.

Even this is not enough for Netanyahus government of ultra-nationalists and religious Zionists. Their aims are the total annexation of the Occupied West Bank, ethnic cleansing throughout Israel and the imposition of authoritarian rule over a society characterized by acute social inequality, stepped up militarism and cultural reaction.

The prospect of such measures has sparked an existential crisis for the State of Israel, igniting seven months of demonstrations, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of people amid scenes of vicious police attacks on demonstrators. Speaking on Britains Channel 4 television, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert now warns, This is a serious threat. Its never happened before, and we are going into a civil war now.

A striking feature of the oppositional wave is the announcement by more than 10,000 army reservists that they will refuse to serve if the judicial coup goes ahead, saying they are unwilling to continue risking their lives for a government that is no longer democratic.

The army demands several years of military service for young Jewish Israelis and annual reservist duty. For 56 years, military service has meant enforcing Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian and Syrian land, carrying out search and arrest raids, forced evictions, demolitions and other punitive measures as well as providing cover for settlers carrying out vigilante attacks.

The reservists refusal to serve reflects growing concern among workers and professional middle-class layers over the far-right and extremist settlers efforts to provoke an all-out war against the Palestinians, even as Netanyahu steps up the covert war against Iran and its allies in Syria and Lebanon. It takes place under conditions where Israel is a social and political powder keg and the entire Middle East has been destabilised by the deepening global economic crisis, the pandemic, climate change and US-led plans to escalate the war against Russia in Ukraine and its regional allies, Iran and Syria, with Tel Aviv as its chief attack dog. This prompted IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to warn that without a strong and united defence force, Israel would no longer be able to exist as a country in the region.

These are the concerns animating the self-proclaimed leaders of the opposition to Netanyahus judicial coupformer ministers, generals and security and intelligence chiefs. The opposition leaders are no less committed to the expansion of Israels borders at the expense of the Palestinians, but they fear the turn to open dictatorship will jeopardise the interests of Israels corporate and financial elite and have begged Netanyahu to compromise.

Israel has long depended for its survival on massive economic and military support from the United States, particularly after its success against the Arab armies in 1967, in return for acting as US imperialisms policeman in the Middle East. Now, instead of being an effective policeman, Netanyahus actions have undermined Washingtons protracted efforts to secure alliances with Arab regimes in the Middle East, threatening its plans to isolate and crush Iran and exposing the fraud of its claim to be upholding democracy in waging its de facto war against Russia in Ukraine.

In addition, the prospect of protracted social upheaval in Israel and throughout the region has spooked international investors, with Morgan Stanley cutting its sovereign credit to a dislike stance and credit rating agency Moodys warning of negative consequences and significant risk for Israels economy and security.

The vast outpouring of opposition to the government has, crucially, politically discredited the fraudulent claims of those equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. This has undermined a global witch-hunt of the left to silence and discredit opponents of Israels repression of the Palestinians and the broader war aims of the states imperialist backers.

It has at the same time refuted the central tenet of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign blaming all Israelis for the crimes of their government. Citing the pro-Zionist leadership of the protest movement, numerous pseudo-left and liberal publications have insisted that all that is happening is a fall-out between rival Zionist cliques and that Jewish workers can never be won to united struggle with the Palestinians because they are loyal to the settler colonial state which provides them with a supposedly privileged existence.

There are complex problems in developing a genuine socialist opposition to Netanyahus fascistic agenda. But the working classIsraeli and Palestinian, Jewish, secular, Muslim and Christianis being objectively driven into struggle against the ruling class and its state apparatus.

What is necessary is for the working class and its younger generation to draw the central political lessons of the history of Israel since its foundation.

The central myths of the Zionist project have been dealt a body blow from which they will never recover. Nothing is left of the insistence on national unity on which Zionism rests. The claim that its establishment 75 years ago through the forcible expulsion of the Palestinians would provide a democratic haven for the Jewish people after the horrors of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust has turned into a nightmare.

Zionism emerged as a right-wing ethno-nationalist movement in the 19th century based on exclusivist conceptions of racial, religious and linguistic separatism to justify the establishment of a Jewish capitalist state. The growth of its influence among a people deeply rooted in the Enlightenment and then the socialist movement was due to the catastrophe that overtook European Jewry in the 1930s and 1940s, culminating in the extermination of 6 million European Jews in the Nazi Holocaust. This defeat of the European working class by fascism was facilitated by the Stalinist degeneration of the Soviet Union and the Communist International, and the Soviet bureaucracys betrayal of the struggle for world socialism.

Zionism politically exploited the widespread political disillusionment among Jews to urge the creation of a Jewish state through emigration to British-controlled Palestine. Israel was established in 1948 through the forcible and brutal expulsion of almost a million Palestinians and the seizure of their land.

A state founded on this basis and the ongoing repression of the Palestinians was always incapable of developing a genuinely democratic society. Its evolution as a garrison state for US imperialism, repeatedly at war with its Arab neighbours and in perpetual war with the Palestinians; pursuing an expansionist Greater Israel policy; resting ever more firmly on the right-wing settler population in the Occupied Territories and US military subventions to offset the destabilising impact of acute levels of social inequality among the highest in the world, is what has paved the way for the Frankenstein monster of Netanyahus government.

The conditions have now emerged for a successful struggle to win the entire working class, Jewish and Palestinian, to a unified socialist struggle against their common oppressor. This perspective has been fought for solely by the Fourth International, represented today by the International Committee.

At the outset of the ongoing wave of protests the World Socialist Web Site drew attention to the prescient response by the Fourth International to the partition of Palestine in 1947 by the United Nations that led to the creation of Israel, in a statement, Against the Stream. This warned:

The Fourth International rejects as utopian and reactionary the Zionist solution of the Jewish question. It declares that total renunciation of Zionism is the sine qua non condition for the merging of Jewish workers struggles with the social, national and liberationist struggles of the Arab toilers By partition a wedge is driven between the Arab and Jewish worker. The Zionist state with its provocative lines of demarcation will bring about the blossoming forth of irredentist (revenge) movements on either side. There will be fighting for an Arab Palestine and for a Jewish state within the historic frontiers of Eretz Israel (the Land of Israel). As a result, the chauvinistic atmosphere thus created will poison the Arab world in the Middle East and throttle the anti-imperialist fight of the masses, while Zionists and Arab feudalists will vie for imperialist favours.

The WSWS explained:

The dead-end of Zionism is only one manifestation of the failure of all national movements and the states they have created to resolve any of the fundamental questions confronting the mass of working people. The same issues are posed to all the peoples of the region, where the working class is subject to brutally repressive forms of bourgeois rule amid grotesque levels of social inequality. Nor is there anything unique in the eruption of opposition. Israel is a significant expression of the far-reaching political consequences of a global upsurge of the working class, from Sri Lanka to France.

As elsewhere, the turn by Israels ruling elite toward dictatorship is rooted fundamentally in the extreme growth of social inequality and the escalation of war that are the twin products of capitalism in its death agony. It will be halted not through the negotiations between rival capitalist factions, but by developing the expanding class struggle throughout the world into a conscious political movement for socialism.

The critical task facing workers and youth is the building of independent revolutionary parties, sections of the ICFI, including an Israeli-Palestinian section, to provide the political leadership to overthrow the Zionist state and the Arab bourgeois regimes and build a United Socialist States of the Middle East.
On Wednesday, a federal judge in Delaware unexpectedly blocked a plea deal for Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, on tax and gun charges, setting the stage for an escalation of the crisis wracking the US political system.

The judges intervention gives tacit encouragement to the Republican Partys ongoing campaign to destabilize the Biden administration, which now includes open threats to launch an impeachment inquiry based on unsupported claims that the president shared in the profits from his sons shady business dealings in Ukraine and China.

Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned lawyers for Hunter Biden and representatives of the US Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, about the terms of the plea deal. Noreika focused on the disparity between the claims of Bidens lawyers that the plea deal ended all possibility of further prosecution and the US Attorneys offices position that its investigation into Hunter Biden, in progress for five years, was continuing.

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, centre, his son Hunter Biden, left, and his sister Valerie Biden Owens, right (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Asked directly whether he would plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges, as provided in the plea deal, if there was no assurance against further prosecution, Hunter Biden said he would not do so. This set off a contentious discussion between the judge and the lawyers for both sides, in the course of which Bidens lead attorney, Christopher Clark, threatened to rip up the plea deal.

Judge Noreika also expressed concern about how the gun charge would be resolved. Biden is charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (he had pled guilty to drug charges and has repeatedly admitted his addiction) because he bought a pistol in 2018. Under the plea deal, if Biden remained drug-free for two years, the gun charge would be waived.

Technically, the gun charge is the most serious of those against Biden, even though he only held the weapon for 11 days before disposing of it, since it is a felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prisonan indication of the savagery of the US judicial system.

The judge objected to the inclusion of a provision related to the tax charges in the part of the agreement relating to the gun charge. She also objected to a provision giving her a role in approving the finding that Biden had been drug-free for two years, when she had no part in drafting or approving the gun charge agreement. She suggested that this violated the constitutional separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive branch.

While these legal points may have some validity, it is considered unusual for a federal judge to reject a plea deal negotiated between prosecution and defense, particularly concerning charges of essentially a minor character.

The hearing ended after three hours of wrangling, with the judge giving the prosecution and defense 30 days to work out a plea deal more satisfactory to her. Hunter Biden was then booked and finger-printed on the tax charges, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The temporary rebuff to the plea deal helps fuel the anti-Biden campaign by Republicans in the House of Representatives who have opened up a series of investigations into Hunter Bidens business dealings, claiming that President Biden is implicated in the shady operations of his son in Ukraine and China.

In Ukraine, Hunter Biden occupied a well-paid position on the board of directors of Burisma, a large energy company, although he had no expertise in the business at all. The appointment was an obvious effort by the oligarch owner of the company to curry favor with Joe Biden, then vice president in the Obama administration. Vice President Biden was named by Obama to head US efforts in Ukraine after the Maidan coup, in which fascist groups drove out the pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, and replaced him with a pro-NATO puppet.

In China, Hunter Biden had a deal with a company that was of disputed profitability. Biden says he made little money, while Republicans claim he netted millions and shared the loot with his father. There has been no actual evidence to back up these charges, which have rocketed around the ultra-right media for years.

House Republicans have repeatedly cited Hunter Bidens business dealings as the basis for an impeachment drive against President Biden, based on the claim that he participated in and profited from his sons activities in Ukraine and China. It was then-president Trumps effort to blackmail Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into digging into the Burisma deal that led to Trumps first impeachment in 2019.

Until this week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy resisted appeals from the right wing of the House Republican caucus, particularly the fascistic Freedom Caucus, to back an effort to impeach Joe Biden. But in media appearances on Monday and Tuesday, and then in remarks to the House Republicans on Wednesday, McCarthy modified his stance, suggesting that an impeachment inquiry might be in order.

He presented this not as a decision to vote on impeachmentwhich would likely fail in the House, where the Republicans could suffer enough defections to defeat itbut to begin an investigation into the Bidens with greater powers to gather evidence and compel testimony than a routine committee investigation.

Given the likelihood that Trump will be indicted shortly for his role in leading and instigating the attack on Congress on January 6, 2021, McCarthys statements amount to a threat that if the Justice Department goes ahead with the prosecution of Trump, the House will go ahead with the impeachment of Biden in a tit-for-tat at the highest levels of the American state.

This prospect underscores the acuteness of the political crisis, in which each party treats the others top leader not as an opponent, but as a criminal who should be jailed.

There is, of course, a significant difference in the two cases. Trump faces indictment for an actual crime, the attempt to overthrow the US government and establish a presidential dictatorship. Biden would be impeached for a wholly manufactured crime for which there is no evidence.

President Biden is guilty of many other crimes, those common to all recent American presidents, including mass murder against the population of countries targeted by the US military-intelligence apparatus, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, and now in Ukraine in the proxy war against Russia.

He is also responsible for vicious attacks on the American working class, as in the passage of legislation banning a strike by railroad workers and imposing a contract settlement they had already rejected.

And Biden, like Trump, is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans in the Covid pandemic, in which the federal government abandoned efforts to use lockdowns and public health measures to actually fight the pandemic, substituting ineffective mitigation efforts that have now been abandoned in favor of happy talk about the end of the pandemic.

The Republicans do not propose to impeach Biden for any of these actual crimes, however, because they agree with all of them, only berating the current president because he does not go far enough in attacking the working class and promoting the profit interests of corporate America.
African migrants are seen at the Libya-Tunisia border in Ras Ajdir, Libya, on July 26, 2023. More than 100 illegal African migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities in the past few weeks. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

TRIPOLI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 illegal African migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities in the past few weeks.

According to Human Rights Watch, these migrants from different African nationalities are faced with a lack of food, drinking water and shelter at the border and are in need of help.

Tunisian security forces have "collectively" expelled several hundred Black African migrants and asylum-seekers, including children and pregnant women, since July 2 to a remote, militarized buffer zone at the Tunisia-Libya border.

The Libyan Red Crescent said it provided the migrants with humanitarian assistance, confirming that it is intensifying efforts with United Nations agencies, humanitarian and government organizations to ease the suffering of the migrants at the border.

The humanitarian crisis at the Tunisia-Libya border has intensified in recent weeks, with the continued discovery of the migrants' bodies by Libyan Border Control in the uninhabited area. 

African migrants are seen at the Libya-Tunisia border in Ras Ajdir, Libya, on July 26, 2023. More than 100 illegal African migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities in the past few weeks. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

African migrants are seen at the Libya-Tunisia border in Ras Ajdir, Libya, on July 26, 2023. More than 100 illegal African migrants remain stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border after being expelled by the Tunisian authorities in the past few weeks. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)
ABUJA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed recently by gunmen in two villages of Nigeria's northeastern state of Bauchi, police said on Thursday.

A group of gunmen attacked on Tuesday night the Gara and Gamji villages in the Ningi local government area of the state, killing at least seven people and injuring several others, said Ahmed Wakili, a local police spokesman, in a statement.

Wakili said the police and military forces fought with the gunmen and killed three of them, while the others escaped with gunshot wounds.

One soldier was injured during the gunfight and was rushed to the hospital for treatment, according to Wakili.

Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months. 
HANOI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese textile and garment companies have been urged to shift to green production amid decreasing global orders, local newspaper Vietnam News reported on Thursday.

The shift towards green production chains is necessary for local firms to achieve sustainable development goals and counter the gradual loss of Vietnam's cost advantage, the newspaper reported.

In recent years, many local textile and garment enterprises have transformed to green production to meet the requirements of European importers. Despite slow progress, it is the best time for local enterprises to accelerate the transformation, Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association said.

He said the Vietnamese textile industry should work towards efficient use of resources and waste reduction, removal of substances and elimination of microfibre generation. It should also transform the way clothing is designed, sold and used so that natural emissions could be reduced as well as radically improve recyclability by design modification, recovery, and remanufacturing towards the use of renewable fuels, he said.

Vietnam's textile and garment industry will continue to face difficulties in the coming months due to decreasing orders from markets like the United States and European Union, the newspaper cited the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association.

In the first half of 2023, the industry's export turnover was estimated at 18.6 billion U.S. dollars, down 17.6 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, the import turnover also reduced by 20.5 percent to 10.7 billion dollars in the same period, according to the association. 
"When he sets his mind to something, hes going to do it, said Everett Kalin's son

Getty

A 93-year-old California man just summited Yosemites Half Dome thanks in part to his son and granddaughter.



Everett Kalin, of Oakland, Calif., successfully completed the strenuous hike in three days last week, becoming one of the oldest, if not the oldest, person ever to climb the iconic piece of rock, according to SFGate.

I didn't fully realize how tricky it would be, especially at my age, Everett told the outlet about the effort, which starts out with a difficult subdome ascent  without cables  in which son Jon, 57, and granddaughter Sidney, 19, held on to him for support.

Hes stubborn as a mule. When he sets his mind to something, hes going to do it, Jon told the newspaper. He kept proving me wrong every step of the way."

When you hit your 90s, you think, What would be some things Id like to do? added the nonagenarian. I guess Half Dome was the thing that most popped into my mind.

Related: Hiker Who Died in Death Valley Spoke to Reporter About Risking Extreme Heat Hours Earlier: 'Why Not?'

Known as an extremely difficult hike, the steep trail covers about 16 miles, according to the park's website.

Hikers gain 4,800 feet of elevation, passing highlights including Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall before steel cable handrails and wooden planks help them across the mountain's granite domes, per the website.



For his part, Everett prepared by climbing stairs in his 17-story apartment building and taking daily walks around Lake Merritt, he told SFGate.

Related: Danish Man Claims He Visited Every Country on Earth Without Using a Plane

After setting out on the trek, the family was able to reach the summit and come back down to their campground on the second day after 13 hours of total hiking, according to ABC affiliate KFSN-TV.

"I was pleasantly surprised that when I got up there, I did not feel like I was huffing and puffing so much. As we went up, it felt pretty good," Everett told the outlet.

Story continues

Added John, "It was spectacular for the three generations of us to be together enjoying it all at once."

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I just feel so very grateful to the people that made it possible, the former theology professor, who has no idea what his next adventure will be, told SFGate. Im actually feeling great."



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Former CNN president Jeff Zucker has requested a retraction for a Variety report that characterized him as desperate to acquire the network, an individual close to Zucker told TheWrap.

Variety is facing intense backlash in response to a report published Tuesday by executive editor Tatiana Siegel that claimed Zucker has spent the last year courting billionaires to secure funding in an effort to purchase CNN.

A Zucker confidant noted that the former CNN chief is more baffled than angry with the claims made in the report.

Throughout the story, Siegel characterizes Zucker as deeply bitter about his departure from CNN in 2022 and hell-bent on finding a way back to the network. The piece alleges that Zucker intended to court billionaires at a Formula One race in Abu Dhabi to financially back a CNN acquisition. Siegel also detailed an alleged letter from Allied Turkish Bank IBU Northern Cyprus to Clifford Chance  who the letter refers to as Zuckers representation in the acquisition of CNN Worldwide. According to the report, Zucker was sitting on a $1 billion war chest, when he was tapped to lead joint venture RedBird IMI.

Penske Media Corporation, the owner of Variety, has been contacted by Zuckers team with a request to issue a retraction of the article, TheWrap has learned.

An individual close to Zucker said that he is stunned by the publication of the article and that the reporting about him was entirely fabricated. The individual also noted that the former CNN president has never met the people detailed throughout the article and had to Google the Turkish bank that he was supposedly working with in order to identify it.

According to sources familiar, Zuckers team denied the claims made in the report multiple times prior to its publication, but Variety chose to move forward with the article.

Story continues

Zuckers team had reached out to Varietys co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh in protest of the article, which they insisted contained numerous falsehoods. When that did not meet a response, they attempted to appeal to Varietys other co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton, who has a long-standing relationship with Zucker. Littleton referred his team back to Setoodeh, who said that they would have to take up their concerns with Siegel herself.

All of these allegations were firmly denied by Zuckers spokeswoman Risa Heller, who gave a fiery response to the article in Tuesdays Reliable Sources newsletter.

There used to be a time when Variety held its content and its reporters to a high standard of truth and facts in journalism, but those days are clearly over, Heller said. It is stunning to read a piece that is so patently and aggressively false.

Heller said it was made clear to Siegel prior to the articles publication that the events detailed in it never happened.

Variety stands by our investigative story about CNN written by one of the best journalists in the business, a spokesperson from Variety told TheWrap when reached for comment.

Since the article was published on Tuesday, rumors have circulated that one of Siegels sources was former CNN CEO Chris Licht, who was pushed out of the network following a tumultuous tenure.

It is abundantly clear that Chris Licht is trying to re-write history, argued a Zucker confidant.

Siegels article is not only receiving backlash from Zuckers camp but also from The Atlantic, which she invoked in relation to Tim Albertas damning profile of Licht that led to the CNN CEOs ouster. The Variety article questioned Alberta and The Atlantics journalistic integrity while claiming that the 14,000-word takedown contained inaccurate reporting.

Alberta took to Twitter to reject Siegels claims while calling Varietys editorial standards into question. A retraction is probably in order, said Alberta, but I doubt they have the stomach for it.

If @Variety had real editorial standards this piece never, ever would have published. A retraction is probably in order, but I doubt they have the stomach for it. https://t.co/b79DZodjhY  Tim Alberta (@TimAlberta) July 26, 2023

Sharon Waxman contributed to this report.

The post Jeff Zucker, Baffled and Stunned by Variety Article, Asks for Retraction | Exclusive appeared first on TheWrap.
Missed out on tickets to see Jonas Brothers in concert? Youre in luck, as the trio  which consists of Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas  have added 50 dates to The Tour into 2024, spanning across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

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Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas Talks Jonas Brothers Tour Strategy as He Takes the Stage for NBCUniversals Salute

07/27/2023

The trek will see the brothers play hits across five albums dating back to 2006. The Tour, which kicks off with a pair of dates at New Yorks famed Yankee Stadium on Aug. 12-13, has added 27 new shows to the North American leg of the tour, with five of the new dates taking place in Canada.

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2024 will see the Jonas Brothers heading to Australia and New Zealand from February to March, while Europe closes out the tour from May to June. The Australia and Europe leg is notable for the trio, as they head to Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Hamburg, Lyon, Munich and Norway to play shows for the first time in their career.

Fans interested in North American tour dates can sign up for Live Nations Verified Fan presale starting now through Monday, July 31, at 10 p.m. ET. Fans who are selected for the presale can purchase tickets starting Thursday, Aug. 3. General ticket onsale begins on Friday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. local time. Local presales for Europe will start Aug. 2 and conclude with general onsale on Aug. 4, while Australia and New Zealand local presales start on Aug. 4, with general onsale beginning on Aug. 8.

See the full list of tour dates in the Jonas Brothers announcement below.

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Click here to read the full article.
A third man has been sentenced in the killing of a Kansas City teenager who was kidnapped at gunpoint and fatally shot in Kansas City, Kansas, in April 2017.

Following a hearing Wednesday in Kansas Citys downtown federal courthouse, Judge Roseann Ketchmark sentenced Jonathan M. Bravo-Lopez to life in prison. The 27-year-old was convicted at trial in December 2022 of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in the death of Cristian Escutia, 19, of Kansas City.

Bravo-Lopez stood trial along with co-defendant Juan D. Osorio, 30, who was also found guilty in the conspiracy. Osorio was sentenced in June to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

At trial, prosecutors said Osorio and Bravo-Lopez lured Escuita with an arrangement to buy $300 worth of marijuana. He was forced at gunpoint to enter a vehicle and taken from Missouri to Kansas, where he was shot three times and left on the side of the street in the 200 block of Donovan Avenue, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors relied in part on a home video surveillance system that captured footage of Escuita entering a vehicle outside his home.

Also convicted in the conspiracy was Marco Sosa-Perea, 27, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to spend 10 years in federal prison. Prosecutors alleged Sosa-Perea drove the vehicle used in Escutias kidnapping.
SUVA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji Employers and Commerce Federation said Thursday that nearly 20,000 workers have left the country.

Kameli Batiweti, chief executive officer of the federation, said this has exacerbated the plight of local Fijian employers, who are not only recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but also struggling to find workers, reported the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation.

Batiweti said labor migration is massive and the private sector in Fiji is in a difficult position.

However, he said, those going overseas for employment also contributed back to the country's economy through remittances.

According to the country's Ministry of Youth and Sports, there are still many job-seeking youths, and the National Youth Fair to be held in August may be the solution to their job search.

The ministry said it's trying to engage as many employers as possible for the upcoming event. 
CNN reports that the Republican Senate leader has fallen at least three times this year, with the network's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta saying "he needs to get checked out"

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Mitch McConnell

One day after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stopped speaking mid-sentence during a press conference, a new report claims the Kentucky Republican has taken at least three falls in recent months.

CNN reports that McConnell, 81, fell in February in Finland, during a trip with a U.S. delegation to meet with the Finnish president in Helsinki. According to the outlet, McConnell tripped on a snowy day while exiting a car, but brushed himself off and kept walking.

GOP Sen. Ted Budd confirmed the incident to CNN, noting that it was an icy day but adding, "All of us are concerned."

Another fall has been previously confirmed by McConnell's team, and took place in March, during an event at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C.

After that incident, McConnell spent nearly five days at a hospital, with a spokesperson saying at the time that his medical team discovered that the senator had suffered a minor rib fracture during the fall, along with a concussion that caused him to remain in the hospital "for a few days of observation and treatment."

And according to CNN, McConnell also tripped and fell recently, in July, while he was getting off a plane at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., but returned to the Capitol to resume work the same day.

Related: Mitch McConnell Says He's 'Fine' After Freezing Mid-Press Conference, Being Ushered Away

The news about the previously unreported falls comes one day after McConnell raised concerns when he suddenly stopped speaking during his daily press conference with reporters. Nearly 30 seconds later, as he stood staring forward without speaking, his colleagues surrounded him, asking if he wanted to go back to his office. At that point, McConnell turned away from the podium and stood nearby while his colleagues took the microphone.

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Eventually, McConnell returned to the microphone, where he answered questions about what had just occurred.

"Could you address what happened here at the start of the press conference and was it related to your injury from earlier this year where you suffered a concussion?" one reporter asked  a reference to the Republican's March incident.

"I'm fine," Sen. McConnell responded.

When the reporter then asked, "You're fine? You're fully able to do your job?" McConnell responded: "Yeah."

Related: Mitch McConnell Discharged from Hospital After Minor Rib Fracture, Concussion from Fall

Later in the day, McConnell spoke to reporters inside the Capitol, telling them President Joe Biden had called to check in and joking, "So, the president called to check on me. I told him I got sandbagged.

The quip was a reference to a recent fall Biden himself took, when he tripped over a sandbag on stage, shortly after delivering a commencement address at the United States Air Force Academy.

Speaking to Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday, CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta weighed in on what he called "a neurological event" that occurred during the press briefing, saying, "It was definitely concerning to watch. I mean, I think his doctors will be looking at that tape and sort of, you know, trying to figure out what happened there. He needs to get checked out, I think thats really the bottom line.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

In November, McConnell defeated Florida Sen. Rick Scott in the GOP's leadership election, making him the caucus's longest-serving leader since 2007.

McConnell's current term is slated to end in 2027.



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The worldwide spectacle that became the defamation trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, the actors and ex-spouses who faced off last year in court, is the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary series.

Depp, 60, won the defamation lawsuit last June that he filed against ex-wife Heard, 37, who he accused of defaming him in a 2018 opinion pieced published in the Washington Post. For nearly two months, a trial that began in April 2022 featured the two Hollywood stars  and their lawyers  trading insults, barbs and accusations, much to the entertainment of a global audience who followed the proceedings closely.

Now, Netflix's latest documentary series "Depp v. Heard" will examine how the defamation trial  which was livestreamed when news cameras were allowed in the courtroom  spread beyond the walls of a Fairfax County, Virginia courtroom. Playing out just as intensely in the court of public opinion, the case captured the world's attention, becoming the first so-called "trial by TikTok."

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard  seen here testifying at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 21, 2022, and May 26, 2022, respectively  are at the center of a new Netflix docuseries unraveling their defamation trial.

Watch the trailer for 'Depp v. Heard'

What was the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial about?

Two years after Heard filed for divorce in 2016 and sought a temporary restraining order against the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star, she published an op-ed in the Post referring to herself as "a public figure representing domestic abuse."

Though it never mentioned Depp by name, the piece became the basis for the controversial actor's libel lawsuit in 2019 against Heard in which he sought $50 million in damages. During the trial, Depp insisted his wife of 15 months had concocted the claims in order to destroy his reputation and career.

The case went to trial in April 2022, and for six grueling weeks its televised proceedings became fodder for TikTok stars and influencers, who poked fun at viral clips of testimony and took sides with either Depp or Heard, both of whom accused each other of physical and verbal abuse.

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Heard also filed a $100 million countersuit for defamation against Depp over comments made by the actor's former lawyer Adam Waldman when he called her abuse allegations a hoax.

Legal experts weigh in: Breaking down Johnny Depp, Amber Heard verdict

As the trial came to a close, the Virginia jury sided with Depp, awarding him more than $10 million in damages. In the countersuit, Depp was found guilty of one charge of libel and Heard was awarded $2 million.

For Depp's supporters, the trial verdict served as vindication for the embattled actor, who previously lost a libel suit against The Sun after the tabloid called him a "wife beater." But for Heard and her backers, they feared the trial's outcome could have "a chilling effect on other women who wish to speak about abuse involving powerful men," she said in a court briefing seeking to appeal the ruling.

Heard and Depp agreed to a settlement in December in which she would pay him $1 million after her appeal for a new trial was unsuccessful.

Nicolas Cage interview: Cage discusses 'Superman' cameo and what he wants to do before turning 60

When will 'Depp v. Heard' be released?

The three-part docuseries will begin streaming in its entirety on Aug. 17 on Netflix.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard trial: Netflix docuseries to examine case
News Of The Day - 7/28

Good morning. Heres all you need to know about what went on in the world of music in the past 24 hours:

Talented but troubled Irish musician Sinead OConnor died at the age of 56, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the music world.

More from Spin:

Travis Scotts planned July 28 concert at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt has been canceled, per promoter Live Nation Middle East.

Mitski released Bug Like An Angel, the first single from her Sept. 15 Dead Oceans release The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.

Ahead of a round of summer North American shows with longtime creative partner Marketa Irglova as the Swell Season, Glen Hansard will unveil his next solo album, All That Was East Is West of Me Now, on Oct. 20 through Anti-. The lead track is The Fest of St. John featuring Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds violinist Warren Ellis.

Sara Bareilles will play her smallest venue in quite some time when she takes the stage Aug. 1 at New Yorks 330-capacity Rockwood Music Hall, which is in danger of permanently closing. All proceeds will be donated to employees and artists who are owed money from the venue. With the help of our unbelievable team and several artists joining together to make this happen, we are navigating a very complex situation with a lot of hopeful optimism, Bareilles wrote on Instagram.

New music arrived from a host of artists, including James Blake, Rhiannon Giddens featuring Jason Isbell, Be Your Own Pet, Devendra Banhart, Duff McKagan, Maya Hawke, and Tame Impala/Pond member Jay Watsons solo project Gum.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post News Of The Day  7/28 appeared first on SPIN.
Newsmax

A host for the hyper-MAGA cable channel Newsmax claimed on Wednesday night that the reason why President Joe Bidens dog has bitten several Secret Service agents is because the animal is a Democrat and, therefore, anti-law enforcement.

Yes, he really said that.

The New York Post reported earlier this week that Commander, a two-year-old German Shephard who was welcomed to the White House in 2021, attacked seven people within just a few months last year. Notably, Commander assumed his role as First Dog after the Bidens other pooch, Major, had to be sent away following a spate of biting incidents.

Chris Plante, who moderates Newsmaxs blatant ripoff of Fox Newss panel show The Five, first kicked off Wednesday nights roundtable discussion on Commander by comparing the pup to Vice President Kamala Harris.

And so, thats a vicious attack dog there, Plante said on The Right Squad. If youll recall, Joe Biden had to give away his old German Shepherd, his first German Shepard, Major, after a series of attacks on White House staff. Meanwhile, The Hill, a newspaper in Washington D.C., noticed that Kamala Harris is embracing her new role as White House attack dog. Which attack dog should we fear the most? Kamala or Commander?

Turning to former Trump White House staffer Mercedes Schlapp, Plante noted that President Trump didnt have any dogs attacking the Secret Service and that ex-Vice President Mike Pence wasnt the attack dog either.

Calling it a mess, the Newsmax star went on to explain that Commanders ideological leanings pushed him to instinctively chomp the presidents security.

Then they get a new German Shepherd and lovely dogsand the new German Shepherd, apparently, not being treated very well. Attacking 10 people, and theyre allI think its an anti-law enforcement dog, its a Democrat dogit only attacks law enforcement, he exclaimed.

Plante added: This one didnt attack staffers. Secret Service agents, plainclothes Secret Service officers, uniform division of Secret Service10 of them attacked, including hospital visits and all this.

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Amazingly, though, Plante did not go so far as to accuse Commander of being a member of antifa or wanting to defund the police. Perhaps next episode.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A teachers association in Tennessee has filed a federal lawsuit against the state education department's restrictions on curriculum regarding race and gender in public schools.

The Tennessee Education Association and five Tennessee public school educators behind the lawsuit believe the Tennessee policy that bans certain concepts from being included in curriculum, programs or supplemental materials complicates how students learn about "controversial" subjects such as slavery, the Holocaust, 9/11 and more.

There is no group of individuals more passionate and committed to ensuring Tennessee students receive a high-quality education than public school educators, said Tanya T. Coats, a Knox County educator and Tennessee Education Association President. This law interferes with Tennessee teachers job to provide a fact-based, well-rounded education to their students.

In 2021, Tennessee restricted how lessons on racism, privilege, and oppression can be taught in classrooms amid a conservative-led movement to restrict so-called "divisive" content from classrooms.

MORE: Critical race theory in the classroom: Understanding the debate

The law requires an "impartial discussion of controversial aspects of history" as well as "impartial instruction on the historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, or geographic region."

It also prohibits teaching the concept that "an individual, by virtue of the individual's race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously" and the concept that "a meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist, or designed by a particular race or sex to oppress members of another race or sex."

PHOTO: The U.S. Department of Education building stands in Washington, D.C., Aug. 18, 2020. (Erin Scott/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE)

Gov. Bill Lee's press secretary Casey Black said Lee "believes Tennessee students should be taught history and civics with facts, not divisive political commentary," in a statement on the bill signing to The Tennessean.

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Tennessee is one of several states to implement such restrictions, alongside Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and more.

"The Ban thus deprives Tennessee's public-school students of the information, ideas, and skills  analytical thinking, reasoned analysis, historical understanding, debate  that are central to any concept of civic education in a democratic system," the lawsuit read.

Critics of the policies call the requirements "vague" and "subjective" and say they infringe on teachers' ability to teach certain subjects.

"Tennessee educators have been faced with the threat that a student or parent will trigger an enforcement proceeding under the Ban's ill-defined standards, resulting in termination, license revocation, and reputational damage, for teaching lessons they have taught for years," the lawsuit says.

MORE: Authors of color speak out against efforts to ban books on race

It claims that such a threat has impacted "field trips to sites of great historical importance, and answering students' questions about some of the most consequential issues they, and our nation, face," the lawsuit reads.

Supporters of such policies have said certain lessons on race and oppression shame and guilt children based on their race and these lessons divide students.

"To make tomorrow better than today for Tennessee, we as legislators and citizens must take a stand against hucksters, charlatans and useful idiots peddling identity politics," said Rep. John Ragan, who sponsored the House bill, according to news organization Chalkbeat Tennessee.

Teachers association sues Tennessee education department over race education restrictions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Stevens has uploaded multiple videos about the saga. Screenshot/TikTok - m.stevens03

A woman said she wasn't allowed to board a Frontier Airlines flight even though she arrived on time.

Frontier offered to rebook her on another flight leaving two days later  and with a 12-hour layover, she said.

Though she's made it to her destination (San Francisco) successfully, she told Insider she has not gotten her money back.

20-year-old Marley Stevens has put out a viral PSA on TikTok not to fly with Frontier Airlines after she claimed the airline wouldn't let her on her flight over the weekend  and proceeded to reschedule her for a flight leaving two days later. She told Insider she flew to her destination on a different airline, but she's still awaiting her refund for the gaffe.

A spokesperson for Frontier Airlines told Insider that they will honor a refund, however, their records indicated that Stevens "failed to appear for boarding within the required timeframe"  a claim that Stevens vehemently disputes.

"If you have a choice between walking somewhere or flying Frontier...walk," she said in her fiery video from Monday.

How Stevens found herself stranded at the Atlanta airport

Stevens' TikTok about the incident has been viewed over 1.3 million times. On Saturday, she was scheduled to leave out of Atlanta's airport, heading to San Francisco at 8:15 p.m., she explained to viewers.

When she began filming, it was 9:30 p.m., and she still had not boarded the flight.

The TikToker said she received an email from Frontier that day saying the flight was filling up, asking her if she could switch to a different flight. She needed to get to her destination because her family was vacationing there, so she did not respond to the offer.

"I get to my gate an hour and a half early as I always do, 'cause I'm a paranoid gal," she said.

When her group was called to board and she approached the front desk, she claimed the agent who scanned her ticket told her, "Oh, you're not on this flight." Stevens insisted that she was properly scheduled for that flight and showed her boarding pass to her.

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"She goes, 'Oh, well, I guess we just don't have room for you,'" Stevens recounted. "I was like, what?"

The agent apparently told Stevens that she'd have to be put on the next Frontier flight to San Francisco because her seat on this flight was taken. The only issue was that the next flight was not scheduled to leave until Monday, July 24  two days later  and it would depart at 6:05 a.m. and with a 12-hour Denver layover. This meant she wouldn't arrive in San Francisco until midnight.

Stevens told Insider that her immediate reaction was panic.

In a follow-up video, Stevens said she had needed to get to San Francisco on time for multiple reasons: her parents were already there a full day, they had tickets for touristy events and shows, and because her check-in luggage was already on its way.

Stevens said she ultimately decided to buy a new flight with American Airlines because it was leaving the next morning. "I got up at the buttcrack of dawn the next morning and flew with American, no problems, surprise surprise," she said.

Frontier said it will offer a full refund, but Stevens is still waiting to receive it

The airline has offered Stevens a refund, but also a counter-narrative to why her initial seat was taken.

""Our records indicate the customer failed to appear for boarding within the required timeframe. The customer was provided options to rebook on the next available Frontier flight," a spokesperson said in an email statement. "As a customer service gesture, we have initiated a refund to the card used at the time of purchase. The customer should see the refund reflected within three to five business days."

Stevens told Insider that it's been five days since the incident and she still has not received a refund. She said her Frontier ticket cost her $500, including a bag check-in fee, and Ubering to and from the airport since she had to return the next morning to board her new flight.

Stevens refuted the company's claim that it was her error, and stressed that she arrived at the gate "very early."

Stevens also added that she had a lot of trouble trying to reach a human customer service representative to try to resolve this issue herself.

"I'm intrigued that they have a spokesperson for the situation but they are impossible to get in touch with," she said.

On Wednesday, in another follow-up video about the saga, Stevens said she received an unexpected call from someone who said they worked at Frontier's headquarters in Colorado. The woman apparently apologized profusely and said she had seen Stevens' TikTok, and that she would open an investigation to find out how the incident occurred.

Viewers have been overwhelmingly sympathetic and supportive, offering tips on how to get her money back and sharing their own stressful travel tales. Some users said they've chosen to drive instead of flying to avoid these airline blunders.

Stevens said she's been "very grateful" for all the attention, "especially because so many people have been so kind." And despite all the travel woes, Stevens said her vacation in San Francisco has been "awesome" so far.

Frontier did not immediately respond to follow-up inquiries.

Read the original article on Insider
Ravenn Moore, a 43-year-old mom in the Detroit area, said she accumulated tens of thousands of dollars of debt while earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees as a first-generation college student.

Over the next decade, Moore said the interest on her student loans caused her debt to balloon to over $100,000.

At the same time, Moore, who now works as the director of a nonprofit organization, said it took her a decade to reach a point in her career where she was earning over $50,000 per year.

"I thought [getting my master's degree] would make a big difference in my income and in just my access to everything," Moore told "Good Morning America." "I value my education ... but [given] the burden of the debt, I would have weighed matters a little differently 10 years ago if I knew it was gonna take me this long to get to a reasonable salary."

Moore is unwittingly the subject of a wage gap that sees Black women in the United States being paid, on average, 67 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. As a result, this year, Black women had to work until July 27, designated as Black Women's Equal Pay Day, to make what their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts made in 2022 alone.

As a Black woman, Moore is also among the population most disproportionately impacted by student debt.

PHOTO: Ravenn Moore, 43, is pictured with her son, Alex. (Ravenn Moore)

Moore said that today, as she faces what she describes as the constant, "extremely stressful" burden of her student debt, she would advise young Black women to educate themselves both about the wage gap and student debt.

"If I had to give advice to younger folks, I would say you really have to make sure that the amount you're going to make, if you have to take out student loans, is going to be worth it," Moore said. "And be prepared that if that job does not come along -- can you cover your debt with a lesser-paying job?"

In the U.S., women hold nearly two-thirds of all outstanding student debt, according to an analysis by the American Association of University Women. Black women are the most likely of any gender group to have student loans, with around 1 in 4 Black women having student debt, according to the Census Bureau.

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Black women also receive little help when it comes to repaying their student loans. Over a decade after starting college, Black women owe 13% more than they borrowed, while white men, on average, have paid off 44% of their debt, according to a report released last year by The Education Trust, a nonprofit organization focused on student equity.

Brittani Williams, a senior policy analyst in higher education at The Education Trust and a co-author of the report, is a mother of three who said she currently owes tens of thousands of dollars in student debt, a debt she said is continuing to grow as she currently pursues a doctorate degree.

Williams described obtaining a doctorate degree as a personal goal she'd held "for quite some time," so it was one she was willing to pursue as she holds out hope it will pay off in the future.

"I think that although it came with me acquiring student loan debt, there's still a notion for me as a Black woman that a higher degree still opens up space for upward economic mobility," Williams told "GMA." "And although Black women are not being paid comparable to white men or even white women in the workforce, there is still a benefit for a post-secondary degree for many paths or careers that people may choose to pursue."

PHOTO: Brittani Williams, a mom of three, is a senior policy analyst for The Education Trust. (Brittani Williams)

While Black women are often told that the way to improve their economic status is through education, real-world data shows otherwise, according to Emily Martin, vice president for education and workplace justice at the National Women's Law Center, a policy organization that fights for gender justice.

"In no way does differences in education show up as a driver for the wage gap," Martin told "GMA." "In fact, when you compare White men and Black women at the same educational levels, you see wage gaps are typically similar or even larger than the overall wage gap."

According to NWLC data, a Black woman with a doctorate degree working full time makes 65 cents for every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man makes working full time with the same education, amounting to a loss of more than $2.1 million over the course of a 40-year career.

MORE: Woman says she fought for equal pay after seeing she earned $90k less for same role

Martin said women's labor has historically been undervalued in the workforce, and Black women on top of that face both conscious and unconscious gender and racial stereotypes that contribute to lesser pay for the same work.

When it comes to student debt, Black women are more burdened with it in college due to several factors, including the change decades ago when financing for college began to fall more on individual families. Many Black women are also first-generation college students, which means they may have less knowledge of applying for financial aid and less knowledge of the ins and outs of repayment, experts said.

MORE: Black women hold majority of student debt. Some say the loan pause doesn't do enough to help

Moore said that as a first-generation college student, she not only had to pay for college herself, she also didn't have her parents' network to rely on when she graduated college and was looking for a high-paying job.

"Now that I am an established career professional, I know the importance of developing networks, but my parents didn't know to create that foundation so they could say to me, like, 'Hey, I have a friend who has a nonprofit,' or, 'Hey, I have a friend who has a business that you can go to where their starting salary is in the $60s or $70s,'" Moore said. "Those networks just didn't exist."

As a result of the wage gap, Black women, on average, lose $1,891 each month, $22,692 each year, and $907,680 over the course of a 40-year career, according to the NWLC.

"All of these numbers really demonstrate with a lot of clarity the compounding effect of the wage gap," Martin said. "Black women are more likely to have significant student loan debt, in part, because their own mothers are less likely to be able to pay for their college, because they themselves were impacted by the wage gap through their careers. And then when you come out of college with that debt, the wage gap makes it obviously harder to get out of that hole."

As someone who works in education policy, Williams said she both studies the impact of student debt on Black women and sees it play out in her everyday life. As she hopes for the best when it comes to herself finding a high-paying job that outweighs her student debt, she said the burden shouldn't be on women seeking more education.

"The onus is not just on the borrower, so particularly for Black women being underpaid, I think the answer is to pay Black women more," Williams said. "And we can't just talk about how can we fix the student debt crisis without saying we need to fix the college affordability problem."

PHOTO: Demonstrators calling for the cancellation of student debt, in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2023. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via Redux)

In June, the Biden administration proposed a new rule that aims to revise the government's loan payment system in favor of borrowers. As of now, the exact timing for when student borrowers could take advantage of the new payment plan -- which would allow borrowers to pay less money back on their debt for a shorter amount of time -- remains unclear.

The proposed rule came shortly after the administration's broader, more well-known push to cancel millions of loans was struck down by the Supreme Court.

Martin said that from a policy perspective, the overwhelming nature of both the student debt crisis and the gender wage gap show they are problems that require "more than individual initiative" to solve.

"What I see when I look at those numbers is that we need to resituate our focus away from how Black women just need to go to school, be successful and change their lives," Martin said, "to really looking at the policy changes and the institutional changes that we need to make as a country to ensure that education pays off for Black women every bit as much as it does for white men."

Amid staggering student loan debt, Black women also face unequal pay originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
You are now free to lick your fingers in the cabin.

Scott Eisen / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Its hard to find a more universal punchline than airline food. Even the most infrequent fliers have heard all of the jokes, while million milers can still dread being asked to choose between chicken and pasta. But some passengers on a recent British Airways flight werent thrilled when a catering issue meant that the crew had to serve in-flight KFC instead of a more-traditional meal.

According to flight-focused website One Mile at a Time, British Airways Flight 252 was flying from Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos to Londons Heathrow Airport. The twelve-plus hour trip included a layover in Nassau in the Bahamas. At some point after takeoff, the crew realized that there were unforeseen circumstances involving the meals that shouldve been served to passengers. Because of the flights half-day duration, the crew made an emergency food run, stocking up on chicken from the KFC inside the Nassau airport.

With limited options available at the airport, our teams sprung into action and made sure our customers onboard our flight had something to eat, an airline spokesperson told USA Today. We apologize to customers that their full meal service was not available and that we had to wing it on this occasion. Were sorry if we ruffled any feathers.

@British_Airways just landed @HeathrowAirport after a 12.5 hour flight BA252 from Turks and Caicos with no catering! BA had to serve @kfc at Nassau giving some lucky passengers 1 piece of chicken. The container with the plane catering wasnt chilled so all thrown away!! pic.twitter.com/U5IcBD2hRy  Andrew Bailey (@aktivandrew) July 24, 2023

In a now-deleted Instagram video, crew members could be seen handing out the KFC, serving it to passengers directly from the chicken chains buckets. One passenger on the flight grumbled that all travelers on-board were given one piece of chicken, while another described the meal as an absolute disgrace.

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Related: There's a New Proposed Airplane Seat Design That's Way Worse Than the Middle Seat

Other travelers applauded the airlines improvisation, adding that the KFC was a better option than a foodless 12-hour flight. "The intense heat out there made the food unsafe and BA didn't want to chance the whole flight getting sick, an unnamed passenger told The Sun. This was their only option to ensure everyone stayed safe but didn't starve. Everyone also got a voucher to buy food on arrival [in London]. I think BA did the best they could, given the circumstances.

The airline has not confirmed what caused the catering issue, and it has not specified how it accommodated vegetarian or vegan passengers, or those with other food sensitivities. Passengers in all classes of the airline were given the same single portions of KFC.

It sure seems like British Airways tried to make the best of a bad situation, and perhaps the passengers who were unhappy with the fast food compromise mightve been equally unsatisfied by getting nothing on the flight. At the very least, they didnt have to worry about whether to choose the chicken or the pasta this time.



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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Soorty is digging its heels into artificial intelligence.

Building off the digital fashion collection presented at Kingpins Amsterdam in April, the vertically integrated denim manufacturer debuted HumAIn Chapter 2, its second AI-generated denim collection created with ORNMNTNCRM (short for Ornament & Crime), at its New York City showroom last week. Soorty brought on additional creative helpDenim Dudes founder Amy Leverton and trend forecaster Shannon Reddyto guide trend direction.

More from Sourcing Journal

The goal of the HumAIn collection is to explore how AI can revolutionize the denim industry. AI is really good for just investigating ideas from a visual perspective, said Volker Ketteniss, ORNMNTNCRM founder. Theres a lot of stuff that we kind of need to rethink [regarding] what is creativity.

The digital collection was generated with the open source AI program Stable Diffusion. To create the denim looks, the research and design process had a few rules for the AI to follow: feature raw and rinse denim only, use an old factory as a backdrop, and leverage prompts full of contradictions to create as many variations as possible.

You never know what youre going to get because the AI will never say, No, that was stupid, Im not doing that. It will always do something, Ketteniss said. And once you start playing around with that, the results can be really creative. Its a process that you dont really know where its going to take you.

HumAIn Chapter 2

Leverton said it was fascinating to see what some garments could become through AI.

We essentially started with one trend story and fed a bunch of images and some keywords and then got one set, and then we were kind of like, Oh, what if we added these new images and thats where it get dangerous, she said, referring to the pitfalls of idea-overload.

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Ten of the 15 pieces in the collection were brought to life at Soortys Pakistan-based factory in what Ebru Debbag, Soortys executive director, said was a challenging but exciting undertaking.

HumAIn Chapter 2

Melissa Urbina, Soortys design and product development manager, added that the exercise forces the design team to apply creative problem-solving skills from a technical perspective. Without precise sketches or renderings, the team is forced to experiment with the technologies available at Soortys facility.

Highlights in the collection include a green cast button-down top dyed with Smart Indigo, Soortys dye technology that replaces heavy chemicals with electrochemistry, and matching jeans with brushstroke-like details. Theres also Y2K, JNCO-inspired jeans, a tie-dyed denim pullover, twill vests and a tapered technical top.

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BUDAPEST, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Sunwoda Electric plans to build a power battery factory for electric vehicles with an investment of 580 billion Hungarian forints (1.7 billion U.S. dollars) in Nyiregyhaza, northeast Hungary, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said here on Thursday.

Sunwoda, one of the world's leading battery makers, will initially invest 93 billion Hungarian forints in the project, creating "several thousand" jobs. It will be the company's first European plant and will aim to meet the increasing demand from European automakers, he said.

Szijjarto stated that this investment is the largest announced in Hungary this year and the third that exceeds one billion euros (1.1 billion U.S. dollars). This, he said, sets the stage for foreign direct investment (FDI) to double from the previous year, underlining Hungary's commitment to surpassing last year's investment record.

The construction of Sunwoda's plant in Nyiregyhaza's industrial park is slated to begin in 2024, with production commencing by the end of 2025, the company said. The plant will supply lithium-ion batteries to automotive companies across the continent.

Sunwoda describes itself as a world leader in consumer electronics, with its subsidiary ranking among the top 10 electric car battery manufacturers. The company's plant in Nyiregyhaza will make it a significant economic player and employer in Hungary.

Emphasizing its commitment to sustainability, Sunwoda's factory will operate solely on renewable energy, and 90 percent of its water consumption will be covered through treated wastewater solutions.

Sunwoda follows in the footsteps of fellow Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), which signed agreements for its Hungarian plant last September.

CATL's plant, with a total investment of 7.34 billion euros (8.07 billion U.S. dollars), is expected to achieve a production capacity of 100 gigawatt hours (GWh), making it one of the five largest greenfield investments in Europe in the last decade and the largest investment ever in Hungary. (1 Hungarian forint = 0.003 U.S. dollar) 
In 2018, Gab Waller was tasked with doing the impossible: tracking down a tremendously rare, Phoebe Philo-era Celine coat that hadn't been in stores in years for a glamorous, high-profile client 7,500 miles away. It was a good thing that Waller, then living in Sydney, was up for the challenge, having just left a plum job within the Australian government to launch her own business in personal shopping and fashion sourcing. This could be her big break.

It was, as it turned out.

Waller had just spoken with a boutique in Denmark that had the coat only a week earlier, and quickly secured it for the celebrity client in question, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who publicly thanked Waller on Instagram for her 19 million followers to see. The rest, as they say, was history.

Today, Waller leads offices in both Australia and Los Angeles, where she's now based, with a global team of sourcing assistants throughout capitals like Paris, London, Hong Kong and Dubai. The supermodel set is still chief among Waller's clientele, but she's built her company upon the belief that each and every luxury shopper should have their own Huntington-Whiteley moment, be they celebrities or not.

As her business has grown, so has the demand for finding the unfindable. There's no such thing as "sold out," according to Waller.

"Time is a huge factor," she says. "I know my clientele. They're all shopping the retailers we know and love, and as soon as they see the words 'out of stock,' all they have to do is send me one quick DM, and everything else is handled."

Waller's job as an expert fashion sourcer is still relatively new to the industry landscape. It's so new, in fact, that there's no clear blueprint for prospective sourcers on how to break into the business. So, we spoke with a selection of fashion's top sourcers  like Waller, Jennifer Nisan, Mary Higham and Erica Wright, founder and CEO of sourcing platform Sourcewhere  to help identify how to make it in luxury sourcing, and what the job really entails.

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What's the difference between sourcing and personal shopping?



To date, Waller has built an estimated 90% of her business on what she calls "global fashion sourcing," in which a client will submit a request for a specific, often exclusive item. Sometimes, they will have already identified the brand and even the season of which said item was a part; other times, they will have simply seen someone walking down the street wearing something fabulous, and enlist Waller to find it. (She does, somehow.)

The remaining 10% of her business can be better described as personal shopping, in which Waller generates outbound requests among her clientele. On her Instagram, she'll display various items she can source immediately as a way to gain interest. In June, for example, she posted an image of a rare "The Little Mermaid"-inspired Capucines handbag from Louis Vuitton's Resort 2024 collection, complete with more than 5,000 sequins, crystals and metallic and glass beads, created through over 30 hours of labor. The comment section made it clear that it wouldn't take long for Waller to sell the piece. (This differs from Waller's sourcing services, for which a client would seek out her expertise to locate the bag in the first place.)

Gab Waller. Photo: Courtesy of Gab Waller

How can one break into sourcing?



As founder and CEO of Front Row Live, a highly sought-after luxury shopping concierge company, Jennifer Nisan owes her big break to a single Gucci bag in 2019. After posting the limited-edition accessory on Instagram, Nisan received a fortuitous phone call from a friend asking where she could find it, to purchase for herself.

"I faked it until I made it," remembers Nisan, who's based in New York City. "I was like, 'I can get you the bag. Just send me your info.' I started calling every Gucci store in the country until I landed on one of these bags at a store in Atlanta."

A week later, Nisan received another phone call, this time from someone who had heard of Nisan's talents and wanted a rare Gucci bag of her own. When the pandemic hit a year later, Nisan became busier than ever: As stay-at-home mandates restricted individuals from shopping in-store, she became the person her clients would approach to help them shop without ever having to leave the house.

New York-based stylist and personal shopper Mary Higham found her way to sourcing from a similar path that seemed to stem from some innate talent.

"I've always had a knack for finding unique pieces, and slowly over time, I moved from having friends and family asking me to help them find pieces and referring me, to developing a network of over 300 women in the U.S. and a handful of international clients," she explains. "It's all about building trust with both your clients and with brands."

What does a sourcer's day-to-day look like?



Rest assured: No two days are the same, but the mornings are crucial.

Waller wakes up to a full inbox, with both personal requests from clients as well as updates from her global network of sourcing assistants who have worked in their respective time zones through the Los Angeles night. ("There's always someone online, which is fantastic.")

With her full team, Waller has been able to step back from the day-to-day grind and hand off the majority of sourcing, with various exceptions. "My pride and joy is finding items," she says. "I do so more for my own personal enjoyment now, and because it's such a passion of mine. I still love getting in there and finding the hidden gems."

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Otherwise, Waller presides over the company holistically, and a significant component of that includes networking  maintaining and building her clientele via face-to-face lunches, dinners and bigger industry events. She also oversees the company's social media platforms, and for good reason: "We're a social media-based business. My content team manages TikTok; they have full creative control, and I love the ideas they're putting out. But Instagram is our main sales channel, so I'm very particular about what's posted there."

What are sourcers sourcing right now?



Fashion sourcing may be most closely associated with hyper-luxury shoppers eager to swoop up five-digit Hermes pieces, but the experts agree that it's more accessible than one might think. Take fragrances, a growing category in which Nisan is fielding more and more requests.

"I just did a fragrance for somebody yesterday," says Nisan. "She said, 'Hey, I'm too lazy to go to the store and pick out a fragrance. Can you just send me one, anything you think I would like?' People just want convenience. Everyone wants everything through the tap of a finger today."

Celine, old and new, is a common request. Shay Mitchell came to Nisan for help locating an extra-wide beach hat  the Triomphe Hat in Monogram Cotton, to be specific  just earlier this summer; Sofia Richie Grainge enlisted Waller to source an "Old Celine" dress that she went on to promote on her Instagram Story for her 10 million followers.

On Sourcewhere, the fashion sourcing app that allows shoppers to request luxury fashion products and be connected with sellers, recent high-traffic finds have included an Old Celine jumpsuit from the Spring 2015 collection, a pair of The Row's Igor trousers in beige and a rare sweater from a 2019 Miu Miu x Disney collaboration.

"We see a balance between present- and past-season items sourced, which is unique to our platform and, specifically, to sourcing," says Wright, Sourcewhere's founder and CEO. "We had a request in the U.K. for a rare red lantern bag from the Loewe x "Spirited Away" collection that was only available in Asia. One of the sourcers in our network matched to the request, and the client received it a week later."

Alaia, too, is trending: Nisan just scouted a pair of the house's sold-out studded ballerina flats for Copenhagen-based stylist Emili Sindlev, and is busy fielding growing requests for its fishnet shoulder bags.

Jennifer Nisan. Photo: Courtesy of Jennifer Nisan

How do sourcers build and scale their business?



With the role being service-based, relationships are key  both with one's clientele as with the folks helping to secure the merchandise in the first place.

Nisan credits the success of her business to the connections she's built with in-store employees: "It takes two to source  the sourcer and the source where you're sourcing from. If you're an associate and you're helping me get something I need for a client of mine, you're valuable to me, and I'm forever grateful to you."

How, exactly, does Nisan go about nurturing these relationships? Sometimes it's as simple as showing them your appreciation by checking in periodically or by respecting their time off when they're on vacation. When a store associate feels all take and no give, she says, it shows in the service you, as a sourcer, will receive  and that ultimately impacts the client's experience.

"I have associates who text me and they're like, 'Hey, this just came in. Do you want it before I offer it to anyone else?' Why would they do that? Because over time, we've built that relationship, and that's what makes my business thrive," she explains. "I'm always trying to communicate with the people I work with. We've established this great flow, and it works."

This is just as relevant from a client-communication standpoint, of course. Waller finds that as her business has scaled, she's set out to be more thoughtful about the personal relationships that have grown alongside it. And every client relationship looks different because, well, every client has different needs.

"There's no age limit on my clientele," says Waller. "I have girls who are 18, purchasing their first luxury handbag, right up to the 50-plus-year-old women I'm sourcing their entire summer wardrobes for. They all just love and appreciate fashion. I wouldn't even go as far to say luxury fashion, because I work with girls who are wanting to source Adidas Sambas sneakers or the trending Ugg boots  those aren't entirely considered luxury items, per se, but that's certainly a big part of my business." (Nisan, too, is riding the Samba wave: "Last week alone, I got about 25 requests for Adidas Sambas.")

And then there's the nitty-gritty backend of the business. How does one handle hundreds of packages coming in from all over the world at any given moment? Waller notes that she would be lost without the in-house processes and operations she learned throughout her days working in government.

"The job is not glamorous," says Higham. "Starting out, there's a great deal of hustle, of lugging too many shopping bags at sample sales, of creating extensive spreadsheets  and the shipping and accounting administration. It's a lot of hard work, so be prepared. Prepare for a growth period; developing a client list can take years."

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Whether youre inspired to start a new meditative ritual like Brad Pitt, want to build an at-home tea bar like Travis Barker or love to sip green tea in the afternoon like Serena Williams, some of the best matcha tea powders can bring potential health benefits to your caffeine routine.

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Matcha  a type of green tea with a bright green hue  continues to have a moment in Hollywood. Used traditionally in Japanese tea ceremonies, the tea plant is shade-grown and the leaves are harvested into a fine, jade-colored powder that gives a balanced taste of bitter, umami and mellow grassy notes. Meghan Markle recently became the first celebrity investor of supplement-powdered latte mix brand Clevr and stars including Justin Bieber, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez and many others are often spotted sipping on the vibrant green drink streetside.



From hot to cold drinks, matcha can also be mixed into smoothies, shakes and even your favorite dessert. It has caffeine, but not as much as coffee, so some drinkers prefer a more jitter-free experience. You can even customize your delicious blend with extra add-ons like cinnamon, nutmeg, cacao or your favorite frothed milk. Matcha also offers potential health benefits: Research indicates that the superfood green tea is shown to help improve cardiovascular health, boost antioxidants and could also have cancer-fighting effects. Its packed with chlorophyll, L-Theanine and catechins, which are natural substances found in tea that can help regulate blood pressure, support weight loss and protect cells against damage from free radicals.

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How to Choose the Right Matcha Tea: Ceremonial or Culinary



Its important to know the difference between ceremonial and culinary matcha before you start boiling your next cup. Ceremonial is the finest, purest form of matcha. The highest-grade blend is made during the first and second harvest from the tea plant and has a strong, natural nutty and savory flavor with a touch of bitterness. If youre looking to make matcha lattes, ceremonial is the best type.



Culinary matcha is a top choice for baking. Its perfect for mixing and can taste somewhat bitter on its own compared to ceremonial grade. Its also less expensive compared to ceremonial matcha.



Other things to look for when you select a matcha powder include picking organic matcha produced without chemicals or pesticides. Stone-ground, non-GMO and fine texture are also key factors to high-quality matcha. Experienced matcha drinkers prefer vegetal notes and that slight, earthy and bitter taste, followed by savory.



Youll need a few things to make matcha lattes. A sifter will help remove clumps in the powder, and a bamboo whisk (like the one in this BambooWorx set) is ideal for evenly mixing matcha powder with hot water in a small bowl. If you dont have all of these items already, there are plenty of matcha tea kits on Amazon (such as this seven-piece set).



Now that you know what gear youll need, weve rounded up the best matcha powders for your Hollywood-inspired green tea ritual. From collagen-infused options by Jennifer Anistons Vital Proteins and YouTube star Emma Chamberlains mix, to organic, ceremonial grade blends check our top picks below.

Ippodo Ummon Matcha Tea



BEST MATCHA TEA OVERALL



Ippodos light and creamy, pleasant matcha is part of a long Kyoto tradition that dates back three centuries. The robust, earthy tea is high-quality, with rich, powerful umami, sweet, rich and complex flavor notes. The tin gives you about 10 servings.

Ippodo Ummon Matcha Tea

Ippodo Tea Ummon Rich Matcha

Price: $31.00

Buy On Amazon

Matcha Konomi Akira Organic Matcha



BEST CEREMONIAL GRADE GREEN TEA



Matcha Konomis Amazon bestseller is a fine, stone-ground ceremonial-grade, certified organic green tea matcha powder. The Japanese product is made during the first spring harvest  grown in the shade for at least three weeks during the first harvest  then stone ground in Uji, Kyoto. It comes in both sweetened and unsweetened, with no additives or fillers.

Matcha Konomi Akira Organic Matcha

Akira Organic Matcha 30g

Price: $25.00

Buy On Amazon

Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen Powder



BEST COLLAGEN MATCHA POWDER



Vital Proteins, the brand backed by creative officer Jennifer Aniston, is known for offering great taste and big benefits: long-lasting energy, skin, hair and nail support. The brands matcha collagen latte powder is no different. You can get a caffeine boost from this matcha powder made from green tea powder and the hides from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine and coconut water powder.

Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen Latte Powder

Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen Latte Powder

Price: $47.00

Buy On Amazon

Renude Chaga Matcha



BEST FLAVOR



Made of chaga mushrooms, cacao and cinnamon, Renudes Chaga Matcha is a favorite of Gywneth Paltrow and other stars for its superfood concoction that helps support immune function, focus and stress relief. Drink it hot or iced, and add your favorite dairy or nut milk for more flavor.

Renude Chaga Matcha

Price: $40

Buy Now

Laird Superfood Instant Matcha Latte



BEST INSTANT MATCHA LATTE WITH NON-DAIRY CREAMER



Get an instant, frothy drink that gives you fuel with Laird Superfoods instant matcha latte mix. This powder is mixed with non-dairy coconut milk creamer, organic coconut sugar, freeze-dried coconut water, organic extra virgin coconut oil and naturally occurring MCTs, and is a good source of calcium, iron and vitamin C. Its vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and made in the U.S. All you have to do is add hot water and mix.

Laird Superfood Instant Matcha Latte

Laird Superfood Matcha Instant Latte

Price: $14.99 $18.86

Buy On Amazon

Clevr Matcha SuperLatte



BEST PROBIOTIC-INFUSED MATCHA LATTE MIX



Available on Amazon and its own website, Clevrs organic matcha latte (investor Meghan Markle famously introduced the brand to Oprah) is designed to give you enhanced focus and clear-headed energy. You can drink it hot in a mug or try it iced. Its blended with SuperCreamer (no dairy or sugar) and has adaptogens, mushrooms and probiotics.

Clevr Matcha SuperLatte

Clevr Matcha SuperLatte

Price: $28.00

Buy On Amazon

Chamberlain Coffee Organic Matcha



BEST FLAVORED MATCHA



YouTube star Emma Chamberlain is known for her fashion and her podcast  and for growing a coffee and tea company with cute packaging. Her namesake brands matcha green tea powder is vegan, gluten-free and full of antioxidants, and comes in original, vanilla and mango flavors.

Chamberlain Coffee Organic Matcha

Chamberlain Coffee Organic Matcha

Price: $22.00

Buy On Amazon

Golde Turmeric Matcha



BEST GOLDEN MILK MATCHA



One of our favorite superfood-blended green teas for ditching the jitters, Goldes matcha latte mix contains turmeric, an anti-inflammatory that helps support gut, skin and immune health. Aided by coconut and black pepper for absorption, this organic matcha blend is perfect for making green tea golden milk drinks at home.

Golde Turmeric Matcha

Golde Turmeric Matcha

Price: $29

Buy Now

Cure Matcha Energizing Green Tea Mix



BEST TRAVEL SIZE



Cures small-sized matcha tea mix is ideal for those who need an energy boost in the morning, before a workout or anytime you want to fight the late afternoon, post-lunch haze. It has electrolytes, coconut water and pink Himalayan salt. Its vegan, gluten-free, kosher and has no added sugar. You can drink it hot or cold with ice.

Cure Matcha Energizing Green Tea Mix

Cure Matcha Energizing Green Tea Mix

Price: $27.99 $24.99

Buy On Amazon

Alfred Matcha Gift Set



BEST GIFT SET



Get the Hollywood-loved Alfred experience at home with the coffee shops ceremonial-grade matcha gift set. The famed cafe known for its but first, coffee mantra offers its popular drink in a four-piece kit that includes a 40-gram tin of matcha powder, a pint glass, a rechargeable electric whisk and a measuring scoop. The brand even has a matching matcha hoodie and sweatpants. (Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner and Justin and Hailey Bieber are just a handful of stars who are regularly spotted at Alfred.)

Alfred Matcha Gift Set

Alfred Matcha Gift Set

Price: $75

Buy Now

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A cargo ship carrying cars from Germany to Singapore has caught fire off the coast of the Netherlands.

The Freemantle Highway, a 655-foot boat packed with nearly 3,000 vehicles, went up in flames shortly before midnight on Tuesday, reports the Associated Press. Two days later, the fire fighters and salvage crews are waiting for the blaze to go out before boarding the vessel.

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The Japanese-owned boat was sailing from the German port of Bremerhaven when it caught fire in the North Sea Tuesday, some 17 miles of north of the Dutch island of Ameland. During the evacuation that followed, one of the ships 21-member crew died and several others were injured.

Vanuit het kustwacht zijn ook nieuwe videobeelden gemaakt van de #FremantleHighway. Updates worden gedeeld op ons liveblog (evenals video- en fotomateriaal voor de media): https://t.co/gWwfcKau0z pic.twitter.com/P6G0jZLRjM  Kustwacht Nederland (@Kustwacht_nl) July 27, 2023

On Wednesday, the coast guard of the Netherlands announced the Freemantle Highway was carrying 2,857 vehicles, including 350 built by Mercedes-Benz. Additionally, 25 cars on board the cargo ship are said to be electric. Multiple reports have suggested that one of the battery-powered vehicles may have started the fire, but there has yet to be official confirmation one way or the other. The coast guards liveblog has repeatedly stated that the cause of the fire is still unknown, but a spokesperson for the same agency told Reuters on Wednesday it started near an electric car.

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The coast guards latest update, which was posted Thursday evening local time, called the situation stable, but said there was still a lot of smoke. The post also noted that several units were on-site monitoring the situation.

This is the second time in as many years that a cargo ship carrying hundreds of vehicles has gone up in flames off the coast of a European nation. Last March, the Felicity Ace sank less than two weeks after catching fire 250 miles off coast of Portugals Azore Islands. The ship went down with $155 million worth of luxury vehicles, including dozens of Porsches, Bentleys, and Lamborghinis. Thankfully, the boats 22-person crew was able to evacuate without injury.

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More tough times for the instant-delivery startups that once flooded the markets of Europe. Getir, the company backed by Sequoia and other big investors and once valued at upwards of $12 billion, today announced that it would be officially pulling out of Spain, Italy and Portugal as it inched closer to finalizing a round of investment.

Getir also confirmed that it would continue to operate in the U.K., the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands and Turkey. The statement on the U.K. business puts to rest rumors that had been swirling that Getir was close to filing for bankruptcy protection (administration) in the country.

Getir's retreat comes as it faces a major cash crisis and struggles to close a funding round that has been months in the works. The round was reportedly as high as about $500 million earlier this year, but that sum has reduced in recent weeks and will reportedly come at a big cost: rumors are that it could see Getir's valuation halved or more in the process.

It's not the only one: We've confirmed with sources close to one of Getir's would-be rivals, Flink, that it raised $150 million a couple of months ago at a valuation of around $1 billion -- only one-third of its previous $3 billion price tag. However, even under price pressure, Flink may have dodged a bullet: that fundraise came in the wake of the company walking away from acquisition talks with Getir.

One source alleges Getir is still burning through $100 million each month, one reason why the company may be trying to reduce its operational footprint.

Getir said today that it will continue its operations in the U.K., U.S., Germany, the Netherlands and Turkey -- which currently accounts for the majority (96%) of its revenues.

The company provided us with the following statement:

"Getir, the ultrafast grocery delivery pioneer, announced that it intends to withdraw in an orderly manner from Spain, Italy, and Portugal. At the same time, Getir is finalizing a funding round and will continue to operate in the UK, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey, which generate 96% of the companys revenues," it said. "Getirs withdrawal from these three markets will allow it to focus its financial resources on existing markets where the opportunities for operational profitability and sustainable growth are stronger. Getir is very grateful for the hard work and dedication of all its employees in Spain, Portugal and Italy."

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It should be pointed out that there have been reports of Getir's move out of Spain since June, per union regulations; this is the official confirmation from Getir. The company had already pulled out of France in June.

Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi investment firm that already backs Getir (as well as others in the space, specifically Flink), confirmed to us this week that it will be leading Getir's next investment round, although it declined to discuss timing or any financials.

"Mubadala has been an investor in Getir since 2021. We are currently in advanced discussions with Getir to lead their latest funding round and we continue to work closely with the company in support of its growth in the years ahead," a spokesperson said.

A source tells us that the basis of the funding round is a $150 million loan that Mubadala provided to Getir at the start of this year. The source said that the loan was made on the condition that it would convert to equity if Getir was able to match the value with investments from others. If it failed to raise more funding from others, Mubadala's $150 million would double to a $300 million equity stake, so the pressure has been on Getir to get a deal done.

Sky News reported earlier in July that the aim was to finalise this round by the end of the month.

Getir and its rivals have been on a rollercoaster ride over the last couple of years.

They soared to dizzying heights during and just after the pandemic as demand for food deliveries soared as people stayed away from physical stores, raising hundreds of millions of dollars to build out their footprints and aggressively quash each other in a mad rush of discounts and other promotions.

But it's been a quick downfall for quick commerce, as companies have come crashing down the rails in the wake of customers moving back into pre-pandemic shopping patterns, economies and individuals facing cash crunches, interest rising and venture funding drying up.

All of that has led to a big wave of layoffs, failures and consolidations in the space.

Among the biggest of them, at the end of last year, Getir gobbled up one of its biggest rivals in Europe, Berlin's Gorillas. It was on the cusp of taking out another biggie out of the German market, Doordash- and Mubadala-backed Flink, last valued at some $3 billion.

Flink walked away from that deal, however, opting instead to raise $150 million on its own. Flink operates on a much smaller scale, but also a different one, in that its inventory is closely interlinked with that of one of its strategic investors, the German retailer REWE. That has given the startup better economies of scale. Now, Flink is profitable in half of its warehouses, a spokesperson said today, with the others on track to be profitable by the end of this year. (You can read more on Flink's approach here.)

Gopuff, another big player out of the U.S. market, has also made a number of waves in Europe, and it will be worth watching what moves it makes in the wake of all this.

We'll update this post as we learn more.
David Tsay



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We already know that pink is having a major moment, as the Barbiecore trend has officially reached cult status. And there's another reason to include it in your design plans: According to Color Psychology a website that focuses on the meanings and psychology of our favorite shadespink has many positive associations. It's a calming, non-threatening color linked to hope and optimism. That said, it can be intimidating to style such a traditionally feminine shade with such a visual punch.

The hues of pink run the spectrum, though, from bright Barbie pink to the pale peony petal blush and everything in between. To learn how to incorporate this color into your home, we chatted with top designers nationwide about decorating with pink in a thoughtful, elevated way.

How to Decorate with Pink

Do: Embrace Nature

Mali Azima

Bryan Frost of Florida's Bryan Frost Interiors likes to let nature be his guide to inspire pops of pink in his work. He says his favorite use of pink bringing in flowers found in nature. He says, "We always underestimate the power of a floral arrangement adding natural pops of pink to a space. Florals [can] add the most beautiful color to any table for entertaining, and mixing in rose-colored glassware to tie in an arrangement can be a fun way to add a pop of color without too much commitment."

April Jensen, of ADJ Interiors in St. Louis, concurs, adding I really feel like pink is the color of lifeit is stabilizing and works as a team player, enhancing the hues of all the other colors around it.

Do: Have Fun with Fabric and Wallcoverings

Francesco Lagnese

Jacque Christensen of Jacque Christensen Design in Omaha, Nebraska, loves using hot pink unexpectedly, like in interesting fabrics and patterns. For example, she picked Molly Mahon's "Luna" block-print fabric for a favorite client's ottoman in their living room.

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Christensen says, "Putting a bright color on a traditional furniture frame is exciting and unexpected. The juxtaposition of a bright clear color with a traditional furniture piece gives a space life and interest."

In the same vein, Jena Salmon, principal of Dallas-based Jena Salmon Designs , says, "As for fabric and wallpapers, there are stunning cut velvets that, added to a chocolate brown sofa or chair, add that pop of wow. [And], the new brighter wallpapers that my clients [love] now have more raspberry tones. It is so refreshing to see how we all use color now and aren't afraid of it."

Mark Cutler of LAs cutlerschulze agrees that statement wallpaperespecially in fun colors like pinkis having a major moment. He adds, "Wallpaper is another personal favorite way to introduce pink into a space. Or, the back of open cabinets is an ideal spot for that sort of fun pattern and a splash of color."

Don't: Only Use One Pink Shade Per Room

DAN PIASSICK

There's a way to layer multiple pinks in one space for a chic end result. Merrill Lyons from Lyons Studio in New York City explains, "Pink is one of those colors that you can utilize a wide range [of] in the same room."

She likes choosing medium pink accents that complement bigger pops of pinkish beige. "Pink finds its way into natural or neutral tones all the way to brown, so you can layer that with all the shades of pink in between. As long as you have some element of variety in texture and the tones are complementary, you can really utilize the spectrum of pink tones in one room," Lyons adds.

For example, she says, "I am currently working on a project for a client who loved the idea of a pink sofa in her living room. Having seen that trend for some time, I decided to incorporate pink into other aspects of the room like the rug, accent tables, and chandelier." This has resulted in a space that feels more forward-thinking, with greens, blacks, and neutrals mixed in to complement the pink tones in the room.

Do: If you aren't sure, start with small accents.

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Lyons admits that pink can be a hard sell to some clients, but as someone who really loves an element of pink in a room, shes found that there are subtle ways to play with the shade.

Finding ways to introduce pink in less committed waysfor example, a side table or a throw pillowis a great way to get a small splash without overwhelming anyone. From there you can layer in more tones that complement the color and play with more shades of pink, the designer explains.

Don't: Only Use Pink in "Feminine" Spaces

Joshua McHugh

Andrew Howard (of James Michael Howard ) loves to think outside the box with this rosy color. He expands, "I love to pair it with another color and use it in a space that doesn't have to feel feminine."

Cutler also loves the unexpected use of pinkand says it can work in myriad spaces. He shares, "For too long, pink has been relegated to nurseries and hyper-feminine spaces. [Since] we treat it like an ideal neutral, the right shade will work with almost any color, and it can be the perfect accent or a vibrant mood setter. It can be masculine when paired with the right shade, historical with the right color, but always alluring in almost any rendition."

Do: Go for it!

Kelly Marshall

Pink can be the prominent color in a room or design plan. "Pink is one of those colors that people shy away from, [but] if you have the right hue, it can be breathtaking. I have used it in bathrooms, but it can be used anywhere. Nothing is more stunning than a dining room in pink, or if the client is still a bit scared, it is one of my go-to for ceiling colors [as] it truly adds a beautiful glow to the room," says Jena Salmon.

Other designers enjoy an entire room of pink, too. "I've done all pink closets and all pink bedrooms," Howard adds. Additionally, Cutler likes to do lots of pink when utilizing softer shades. He shares, "How we use pink sort of depends on which color we are using. [If it's a] softer shade, and we go all in, walls, floors, upholstery the more, the better."

He even suggests pink as the exterior color of a home. The design pro added, "It is hard to beat pink with Spanish architecture. Whether it's the link to the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel or to other great resorts, a pink house is hard to pass up, especially the way it sits with lush landscaping choices." Frost also enjoys a pink outdoor moment, especially with a salmon or sun-faded Nantucket Red. I particularly like this application on exterior doors of homes and patio accents for a sunny vibrant use, the designer says.

Whatever ways you choose to incorporate pink, it's clear this shade has significant staying power. Use our designer-approved tips, or simply play with pink and do whatever excites you and helps you love your surroundings.

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When Martha Stewart is home on her 156-acre farm in Bedford, New York, she's knows exactly how to prep and fine-tune the flavors she wants to achieve. But as soon as she's off her home turf, she's all about sitting back and discovering the cuisine of a locale, as far-flung as it may be.

When youre on vacation, youre looking for exciting diversions, and one of the most exciting is experimenting with new kinds of food in the location youre in, the 81-year-old food and lifestyle icon tells Conde Nast Traveler. I plan many of my trips around the restaurants that are in areas where I'm travelingI think that's very important.

It should be no surprise that shes had 11 seasons of her own globetrotting show, Travel the Globe with Martha, as well as her own line of travel productsplus, on The Martha Blog, her posts recap trips to places like Madagascar, Phoenix, London, and the Dominican Republic.

One of her favorite reasons to travel, though, are food festivals. People are anxious to meet new cooks, recipe developers, and cookbook authors, she says. It's funI never tire of going to them. This October, Stewart herself will be a headliner at the 22nd annual Kohler Food & Wine Festival (tickets go on sale July 25).

With food and travel playing such a crucial part of her life, we had to sit down with Stewart to hear about her culinary journeys around the worldand the very best meals she's ever had.

Whats the greatest length youve gone through for a meal?

Some of the restaurants in Japan are very difficult to get a reservation for. I was speaking to my grandson [Truman], who's 11, and is dying to go to Japan, and he asked, Are we going to be able to eat at such and such a restaurant? And I said, Well, of course I'm making the reservations, so he was very happy. It's because his friends had told him about [Sukiyabashi Jiro from Jiro Dreams of Sushi] in Tokyo which is so difficult to get into.

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I love that he's talking about traveling for food at such a young agehas he traveled much?

He loves food. He's been to all seven continentshe counts his travels in continents. [He and his older sister Jude] have a map on which they put all their magnets so that they can see where they've been and it's quite impressive for 11- and 12-year-olds.

Thats amazing. What about yourselfany memorable meals in Japan?

One that's very interesting is at the [Peach Valley Restaurant at] Miho Museum outside of Kyoto. It's a vegetarian restaurant with beautifully-done food in keeping with the whole philosophy of the Shumei, a religious sect in Japan devoted to good living. I was treated to the most delicious, well-prepared, beautiful food at Miho. That spot has not been very popularized, but it's an amazing place.

What overall destination has had the most impressive food?

The best food I've had was probably in Tasmania. The way they grow things is so extraordinary: the best cherries in the world, the best fish in the world, the best coffee. They make [sparkling wine] now that is reputedly as good as any French Champagne. We had the most fabulous cookouts on beaches with phenomenal chefs. They have wonderful restaurants in Hobartand then there are restaurants in the countryside around Hobart. You have to have a helicopter or a small plane if you want to really get around because there's only one road and it's one lane. Its hard to go from place to place. I was with the grandchildren, but we ate fabulous food every single meal. It's a really fabulous place to visit.

What destination is the most underrated for its food?

Well, I don't know if it's underrated, but Melbourne has delicious food. I love Melbourne and I think it's such a fabulous place to visit. The children loved Sydneythey loved every single thing that we ate in Sydney. We went to Beijingthat was a little harder to find the best food since it was wintertime and ingredients were scarce. It was right before COVID-19, so even though we were eating in what was reputedly the best places, it was more difficult to get to the flavors and taste that we really were looking for.

Whats the best place youve been for street food?

I could eat street food all day long in Bangkokit's so good. Any of the noodle dishes, the fresh vegetable dishes, the rice. I mean, everything we had in Bangkok was amazing. Everything.

Whats the best comfort food?

Homethat's the best comfort food. But I eat a lot of Japanese food and I can find a lot of comfort in Japanese food. In New York, I love Sushi Yasuda and Bar Masathose are my two favorites. I always get soupI like to try the miso soup in those restaurants, sometimes with clams, sometimes with just tofu. I always order the oshinko because I love oshinko and as much of the delicious fish that they serve as possible.

Wheres the best place to grab a cheap eat?

I'll stop on my way home for one of the best bagel, cream cheese, and smoked salmon sandwiches at Barney Greengrass. Their chopped liver on rye is good too.

On the flip side, how did you bring a sense of place to your Las Vegas restaurant, The Bedford?

It really does feel like you're eating in my house, even though it's about five times bigger. It's still very cozy and restful. What really makes it work are the great big [backlit prints] behind the windowswhat you see are real views of my real farm and I took most of the pictures myself. They've been blown up so that you look down at a lane of trees; you look straight at my stable and you see the horses.

So whats next on your travel list?

I want to go to the small islands around Sicily, like Panarea and all of those little islands. I also wanted to go on the Trans-Siberian Railroad across Russia, but now with the terrible, terrible war going on, I just can't do that.

Is there a destination you always return to for the food?

I am too old to go back to the same place over and over again. I am not that kind of traveler. My favorite place is where I haven't been yet.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler
Official lifestyle image of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 along with other Samsung products

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked was full of several sleek new products. If you've been following the rumors and leaks until now, you'll have a good idea of what Samsung launched on Wednesday. However, if you haven't been paying attention, you may be interested to know that Samsung has some new foldables, tablets, and smartwatches available for you to spend your money on.

A lot of the devices may not look any different from their predecessors, but Samsung made some welcome hardware changes that should help them run better, faster, and more efficiently.

Here are all the things Samsung announced at the July 2023 Galaxy Unpacked event in Seoul, South Korea.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with the new taskbar upgrade

We wouldn't blame you if you mistook the Galaxy Z Fold 5 for last year's Galaxy Z Fold 4. Externally, the devices are incredibly similar, save for some subtle changes with the camera housing and the hinge. For instance, the phone actually closes shut without leaving a huge gap on one side. Otherwise, the phone looks nearly identical to its predecessor.

Many of the specs are the same, too. Samsung bumps the peak display brightness to 1750 nits, and there's a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy powering the phone. This should provide a welcome performance boost and hopefully help users squeeze out a bit more battery life.

Unfortunately, you won't find a built-in S Pen slot, and S Pen support is still limited to the internal display. But if you're coming from anything other than a Galaxy Z Fold 4, the new Z Fold 5 might still be worth looking at as your next foldable phone, granted you're willing to spend $1800 on one.

For more information, you can check out our Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 comparison.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Preorder at Samsung | Amazon | Best Buy

Although not much has changed from the Galaxy Z Fold 4 in specs and overall look, you're getting a slimmed-down foldable that's more comfortable to hold and has a much faster processor for gaming and processor-heavy tasks.View Deal

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

The larger cover display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung made some more notable changes to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, giving it a large external display on the cover panel. Like other clamshell foldable phones this year, the Z Flip 5 gives users more ways to use the cover screen without opening the phone. That includes checking notifications, responding to messages, opening apps, and more.

Additionally, the flip phone gains the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy SoC and now comes with 256GB of storage on its base model. The hinge has also been improved so the phone can close shut now while still retaining the Flex Mode benefits that let you use the cameras hands-free.

Besides that, much of the hardware has remained the same between the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 4, from the cameras to the battery capacity.

Coming in at $999, it'll be interesting to see how the Galaxy Z Flip 5 compares to other clamshell foldables like the Motorola Razr Plus.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Preorder at Samsung | Amazon | Best Buy

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 gets a new cover screen that's much bigger and better to use. It makes it easier to take and preview selfies or check notifications on the fly without opening your phone.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

Multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and using the S Pen

The new Galaxy Tab S9 series takes after the Tab S8 when it comes to design. To be honest, there's not much that has changed with Samsung's new tablets. Like the foldables, they are powered by the latest Snapdragon chipset, so performance should be better than other Android tablets.

While the design is pretty much identical, one big upgrade Samsung gave to the Tab S9 series is the inclusion of IP68 water and dust resistance. While a tablet isn't exactly something you'd take on a hike, the added protection is nice, especially since the Tab S9 Plus comes with 5G support for on-the-go users.

The smallest Tab S9 also gets a new OLED display, which means you won't have to spring for the higher-end models for the best display. There's also a larger battery to help power that new display.

Check out other changes with the new Galaxy Tab S9 series to see if any of these tablets are right for you.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Preorder at Samsung | Amazon | Best Buy

Samsung's new tablets are more durable than ever, thanks to the IP rating for water and dust resistance. Plus, now all the models feature the new Snapdragon chipset and vibrant OLED displays for the best viewing experience.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Changing faces on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

The new Galaxy Watch 6 keeps the same design as the previous smartwatch but manages to squeeze in a larger display and larger battery while shrinking the bezels. The result is a much more full-screen smartwatch experience, giving users more room to interact with apps.

There's no Pro model this year, but Samsung opts for the return of the Classic model with a rotating bezel. This was a favorite feature of the Galaxy Watch 4 series, so we're glad to see it back.

Along with a new chipset and more RAM, the Galaxy Watch 6 runs One UI 5 Watch based on Wear OS 4. This essentially makes it the first smartwatch to come with Google's latest wearable software, even ahead of the Pixel Watch. It brings new features for enhanced fitness and health tracking, and eventually, new apps will be available, like Google Calendar and Gmail.

The Galaxy Watch 6 series starts at $299, which is slightly more than its predecessor.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Preorder at Samsung | Amazon | Best Buy

The new Galaxy Watch 6 comes with several new upgrades to help you open apps faster and on a larger display. A new chipset and software features will help you keep better track of your health and wellness all day long.View Deal
Woman on boat in Jamaica

The summer may be flying by, but in Jamaica, it makes no difference. Visit Jamaica posted a schedule of exciting events from now until August.

If youre interested in the music, culture, and history that make Jamaica so special, book a flight and check out the following events.

Dream Weekend  Negril

Dream Weekend brands itself as the Caribbeans largest VIP Party experience. It features dancehall, soca, calypso, and many other genres of music. This fun-filled, energetic event runs from July 28 to August 1, 2023. There will be world-class DJs present, and well-known performers like Wayne Wonder and Shenseea.

Emancipation Jubilee  St. Anns Bay

This annual event is made possible by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), and it happens at Seville Heritage Park in St. Anns Bay.

From July 31 to August 1, 2023, honor the ancestors and the long, hard fight for independence at the Emancipation Jubilee. Expect dancing, traditional drumming, food, and, at midnight, a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Emancipendence  Kingston

Head to the stadium at National Independence Village. The independence celebrations and events continue from July 30 to August 6.

According to Visit Jamaica, This year will mark Jamaicas 61st year of Independence. The celebration period will showcase many exciting events which allow for the exposure of our varied creative talents.

Best Weekend Ever  Ocho Rios

From August 4-7, grab some friends and check out the six specially curated events that make up the Best Weekend Ever.

Soca fans will love the I Love Soca Festival on the evening of August 4. This is followed by the Day Break Breakfast Party, the Milk and Honey Chic Party, and the Zimi Seh Beach Party.

This fantastic weekend finishes with the Allure Party on August 6 and Late Check Out on August 7.
Summer in Europe always comes with plenty of new luxury hotel openings. But for years, Rome was mostly left out of the boom. Until now.

In 2023, Rome is being bombarded with new five-star hotels and undergoing a major hospitality revival. This year alone Bulgari, Six Senses, and InterContinental have opened, with Rosewood, Edition, Nobu, Baccarat, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, and ROMEO coming later this year and in 2024 and 2025.

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But there is one recently opened hotel that stands out due to its careful restoration of a historic building. The grand InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, which opened May 1, is housed in a building on Via Veneto originally built in 1905 to host diplomats visiting the nearby American embassy. Designed in the style of a neo-Renaissance palace by celebrated architect Carlo Busiri Vici, IHG Hotels & Resorts had their work cut out for them in terms of preservation.

A room at the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace

Historic hotel renovation projects, especially those in architecturally significant buildings such as this one, are always a balancing act, says Luca de Stefano, general manager of the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace. Achieving the right balance, between heritage and modernity, restoration and reimagination is always a challenge, but its the most magnificent one, because it results in some truly extraordinary creations, as it has with this hotel.

To complete the project, IHG Hotels & Resorts teamed up with interior designers IA Interior Architects to draw on genuine local materials, Italian heritage, and Roman tradition.

For IAs managing director of hospitality Veronica Givone, who originally hails from Italy, the project was personal. She had collaborated with the owners back in 2018 during selection and acquisition of the property, as well as on its initial design while at another architecture firm before the pandemic. Subsequently, she was appointed to direct and revise the design project with her IA team.

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The exterior of the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace

I will always remember in 2018 when I walked into this old, tired building and everyone was like, Its very heavy, its very dark, she said. I was walking around and I kept saying, Oh wow, this is unbelievable. Oh, look at the detail. Oh, look at what we can do here.

IA and IHG drew from the buildings history as well as its location on the storied Via Veneto and its legacy of la dolce vita, best encapsulated by Federico Fellinis movie of the same name. That experience starts in the main lobby, where guests are greeted by a design motivated by the original decor, which includes the grand columns framing the magnificent icon staircase and stucco plasterwork on the ceiling and walls that were all carefully restored. Modern design elements such as a brass screen, bespoke Murano glass chandeliers by Vistosi, and reinterpreted Roman tapestry intricates on marble floors by Margraf help the entrance be impressive yet still warm and inviting.

The grand columns and magnificent staircase were elements we knew we had to respect, renew and preserve, says de Stefano. The goal was to bring the public and guest spaces of the hotel into the present while also providing windows into the hotels storied and glamourous past.

Brass portals and red marble emphasize the lobby spaces lofty height, drawing guests to the centerpiece staircase that runs through all six floors of the palace. The magnificent staircase now stands immaculate. But it wasnt quite that way at first, although the bones were there.

It was all yellow, it was painted yellow, recalls Givone.

Hoping to inspire guests to use the stairs instead of the elevator all the time, Givone wanted to make the stairs both attractive and functional.

We preserved the structure of the stair from the first floor up to the sixth floor. Its all open, it has a glass roof at the top, so there is direct natural light coming from upstairs, she says. I got inspired by the Roman Opera House, so on the windows we put in red draperies, like a cardinal red, with a red runner in the middle [of the stairs] on the original Carrara white marble.

The original black metal and wooden handrails were repaired and repainted by artisans with goldleaf decoration to match the original style.

Upstairs are 160 rooms and suites (61 of which have balconies or terraces with Via Veneto views) sporting decor that underscores Italian traditions and craftsmanship. There are arch motifs that elegantly divide the living spaces in the executive suites, drawing inspiration from Italian luxury apartments; brass handles on the wardrobes that resemble Roman fluted columns; and because Romans used a lot of patterns, Givone applied herringbone wood floors for a contemporary yet refined look.

The team put a premium on using Italian artisans and manufacturers to bring IAs designs to life, which allowed them to be completely hands-on throughout. From playfully patterned textiles by Rubelli to custom fluted glass wall lamps by Contardi, nearly all of the furnishings and decor were designed by IA and made in Italy.

As important as the hotels looks is the guest experience. Guests can expect five-star service and amenities like Illy coffee machines and full-size Byredo bathroom products in the rooms, a gym with personal fitness trainers available, and concierge services with a theater ticket desk. Multiple dining outlets at the hotel include Scarpetta NYC, which serves elevated Italian cuisine alongside the flavors of an American steakhouse on the ground floor along Via Veneto, the relaxing and welcoming Anita Lounge & Bar, and the lively rooftop cocktail bar Charlies with panoramic city views and DJ sets thats open year-round.

This hotel has made its grand entrance into a competitive market, says de Stefano. IHG Hotels & Resorts is at the forefront of a resurgence in luxury in the Italian capital with the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace. We are thrilled that guests will be able to see the future of the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand, but also feel the rich history steeped into this palace.

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The opportunity to acquire an early Chevrolet Corvette like no other is coming up next month.

Gooding & Company is set to auction off a one-of-a-kind C1 proposal car at its annual Pebble Beach sale during Monterey Car Week. The gorgeous convertible is a design concept for a mid-generation design refresh that GM chose not to move forward with.

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The origins of this prototype, which is known by its S.O. 2151 serial number, date back to early 1953, before the Vette had even gone into production. Its one of 15 cars with a single-piece fiberglass body that were built for testing or display at GM Motorama. This example debuted in early 1954 as a pale-yellow hard-top, after which it was retired and sent to GMs storied Art and Colour department for use as a proposal car.

1954 Chevrolet Corvette S.O. 2151 prototype

Under the supervision of legendary designer Harley Earl, the car would end up being used as a design prototype for the 1955 Corvette, which was due to get a makeover to go with its new, optional V-8. The vehicles body features several stylistic changes, including a new egg-crate front grille, a decorative hood scoop, slanted front-fender vents, bumper-exit exhaust tips, and a trunk like that found on the fastback Corvair. The convertible, which is powered by an inline-six and finished in Bermuda Green, is a beauty, but as Corvette buffs know, GM executives decided to hold off for a year and then go in a more muscular direction with the 1956 model.

Its unclear what happened to the S.O. 2151 after GM passed on it, but at some point during the 1960s it fell into private ownership with most of its unreleased cosmetic features removed. In 1975, it was purchased for $3,000 by George F. Campbell, who bought it based on the advice of Corvette historian Noland Adams. Campbell then spent the next four decades researching the prototype and collecting parts so that it could be restored to its 1954 appearance and specification. Unfortunately, Campbell passed away before this could happen, but its current owner had the car restored back to its original glory late last decade. The car has only been displayed once since then, at this years Amelia Concours dElegance, where it received the prestigious Founder Award.

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Inside the S.O. 2151

Anyone looking to add some Corvette history to their collection will want to attend Gooding & Companys Pebble Beach auctions, which run from August 18 to 19. Prepare to spend big, though. The auction house expects this one-off prototype to sell for between $1.5 million and $2 million.

Click here for more photos of the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette S.O. 2151 prototype.

The Chevrolet Corvette S.0. 2151 Prototype in Photos

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LOS ANGELES, July 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new actions to protect communities from extreme heat.

Biden directed the U.S. Department of Labor to issue first-ever hazard alert for heat and announced new investments to protect communities.

Millions of Americans are currently experiencing the effects of extreme heat, which is growing in intensity, frequency, and duration due to the climate crisis.

Biden is scheduled to meet on Thursday with mayors from two U.S. cities grappling with high temperatures, which are Phoenix of Arizona, and San Antonio of Texas.

Biden will learn directly about how their communities are being impacted by extreme heat and discuss the steps to protect communities like theirs, according to the White House.

Biden noted that some 600 people in the United States die from extreme heat each year, more than from floods, hurricanes and tornadoes combined. 
Prada is having a very good 2023 so far, and China is a big reason why.

The luxury brand saw sales increase 62 percent over the first two quarters of the year, raking in 305 million ($335 million), Barrons reported. Net revenue increased 17 percent to 2.23 billion ($2.5 billion). Both developments were credited to strong retail sales, with clothing and footwear rising 36 percent and 20 percent respectively. Leather goods were also up 12 percent.

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The Asia-Pacific market, Pradas biggest, saw retail sales rise 21 percent to 716 million ($800 million). The primary driver of the success was mainland China, Hong Kong and Maca, whose markets were buoyed by the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Miu Miu, which is targeted at a younger demographic, also saw retail sales jump by 50 percent, according to Barrons.

The semester ends with solid results for the Prada Group, thanks to the desirability of its brands and to disciplined execution, Prada group chairman and executive director Patrizio Bertelli said. Our globally balanced distribution allow us to capture growth despite ever-evolving industry demand dynamics. We are pleased with the quality of Pradas continued growth and with the remarkable performance of Miu Miu.

In Europe, sales increased 20 percent to 582 million ($640 million), spurred by healthy local demand and high levels of tourism, a press release states. In the Americas, the Prada saw sales remain stable at 361 million ($397 million). The company argued it is well-positioned to handle whatever transpires in the future international economy.

We will remain vigilant and nimble, ready to deal with different macroeconomic and demand scenarios that may materialise ahead. Our brands retain vast growth potential; our strategy is clear, and our reinforced organisation is well equipped to execute, Patrizio Bertelli said.

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LVMH also recently credited China for helping keep sales strong. However, the companys profits in America have fallen 1 percent in its second quarter from the prior-year period.

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Screengrab from video on the Jacob Mackenzie Diving Channel

Screengrab from video on the Jacob Mackenzie Diving Channel

Divers recently discovered a century-old shipwreck off the coast of the United Kingdom, according to a ship captain.

The vessel is a German submarine that was sunk during World War I, Hazel Weaver, a ship captain who oversaw the expedition, told McClatchy News.

It was found 341 feet underwater near the Shetland Islands, a Scottish archipelago.

Lots of live torpedoes and mines were spotted on the wreck, Weaver said. A deck gun and hatches leading into the vessels interior were also located.

Videos posted by Jacob Mackenzie, one of the divers, show fish darting around the monochrome gray wreck, which appears overgrown with plants and coral.

If you havent been to those depths before you wont appreciate that its pitch black, its very quiet, Mackenzie told the BBC.

Based on the ships design, divers were able to identify it as a German U-boat, a type of military submarine that once stealthily prowled the sea, searching for and sinking enemy ships.

Damage to the hull further helped identify the vessel as SM UC-55, a submarine sunk by the British Royal Navy near the end of World War I.

After sustaining a leak while laying mines on Sept. 29, 1917, the German vessel was forced to surface off the Shetland Islands, according to Lost In Waters Deep, a group that researches lost shipwrecks.

Several British Royal Navy ships then spotted the submarine and opened fire, eventually sinking the vessel, according to the site. Seventeen of its sailors were taken captive, while the rest were not as fortunate.

Eleven of her crew lost their lives in the sinking, Weaver said, so we treated the site as a war grave.

The British government has designated the site as an official war grave, meaning no future dives can be made without express permission from the government, a spokesman for the Royal Navy told McClatchy News.

Those who lost their lives should be left in situ and undisturbed, the spokesman said.

About 20 million people, including soldiers and civilians, died during World War I, one of the deadliest conflicts in history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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The wreck is a somber and eerie reminder of the war, Weaver said.

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The "Black-ish" star told Travel + Leisure that traveling with family "adds years to the relationship" while reminiscing about his epic Eurotrip with his mom.

Courtesy NBC Universal

Mama Doris is running late, as to be expected. She is the queen of the bingo hall, after all.

Scheduled to chat Emmy Award nominee Anthony Anderson, about his mother-son travel show on E!, Trippin' with Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris, ahead of its finale episode, I was told by the Black-ish star himself that his mom, Doris Hancox, affectionately known as Mama Doris, was busy. She was in Vegas living her best life with her friends at a bingo tournament.

This ain't your grandmas bingo, Anderson shared with a laugh.

Anderson, who grew up with his mother in Compton, California, decided to take his mom along for a six-week trip of a lifetime through Europe as a way to thank her for giving up her own Hollywood dreams to raise him. And, of course, he brought cameras along to capture all the fun in eight adorable episodes as they explored France, took part in cooking classes, walked through Italy on truffle hunts, and visited England.

Courtesy NBC Universal

The trip was really to thank my mother for supporting me in everything that I've done, Anderson said. Its my thank you to her for the sacrifices that she's made.

As for how the show came to be, Anderson says it all just came down to his mothers dreams of traveling more and his ability to put together a great television show. So, as Anderson recalled, he told his mother, Let's go. Let's go live the 'Life of Riley.'

The show is most certainly a fun one, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments for viewers, putting what Anderson calls the brother-sister relationship with his mom on full display. But most importantly for Anderson, it was a trip that brought him even closer to Doris.

I learned a lot of new things about my mama, he shared. First off, I learned that my mama doesn't like animals and is definitely afraid of dogs and cats in particular. And perhaps an even more poignant takeaway, Doris also shared memories of her childhood, a time that Anderson says he had no idea about until now.

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I learned that my mother used to go to her grandfather's farm as a child, he said. I told my mother, in my 52 years of living, 'I've never heard this before.'

Courtesy NBC Universal

That new knowledge and ability to connect, Anderson said, is the reason he believes we should all travel with our parents or parental figures throughout our lives.

I think it adds years to the relationship. And adds years to your life and theirs, he said. As much time as we can spend with our loved ones, our siblings, our children, our aunts, our uncles, our parents in particular, we should do that.



There is, however, one thing he learned as an adult kid traveling with an older parent  not to be a know-it-all.

What I've learned is that we can't only do the things that I want to do, Anderson explained. We can't always do the things that we had planned. Sometimes we just have to sit back and be like, well mom, what is it that you want to do? Because I can plan this entire trip, but then my mother doesn't want to do anything. She might want to just sit in the lobby of the hotel and ride a bus.

To prevent this, Anderson suggested talking openly and honestly with whichever family member youre traveling with, and meet in the middle.

I should consult with her and ask, Hey mom, what is it that you'd be interested in doing while we're on this trip? Because these are the ideas that I have and I want to incorporate what some of your ideas are as opposed to thinking for you, he said. That's what I learned on this trip. To listen and to ask questions.



See the final episode of season 1 of Trippin' with Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris this Thursday on E!

Trippin with Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris is a reality show and does not fall under the SAG-AFTRA strike.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Netflix

Warning: Discussions of sexual assault and disturbing crimes ahead.

In 2000, 21-year-old Lucie Blackman decided to take a gap year, moving to Tokyo from her home in the United Kingdom. She wanted to live and work in the exciting, metropolitan, Japanese city with a friend. But less than a month after her move, she went missing. It took seven months before her friends and family had any answers about her disappearance.

Now, a Netflix true crime documentary, Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case, details the events leading up to Lucies disappearance, as well as the investigation that took place afterwards as people tried to figure out what happened to her. The doc features lots of interviews with the Japanese detectives who worked on the case, journalists, and Lucies father, Tim Blackman.

The series is one of the most-watched on Netflix right now and, if youre checking it out, its understandable to have questions about whether Lucie was ever found. Heres what you need to know:

Who is Lucie Blackman?

Netflix

Lucie was a 21-year-old flight attendant for British Airways. She and a friend, Louise Phillips, decided to move to Tokyo for a year to have an adventure. She quit working for the airline soon after arriving in Tokyo, and took a hostess job at a high-end club in the city called Casablanca, instead.

Lucie went missing less than a month after her arrival. After leaving for a date with a client named Joji Obara, she was never heard from again. Her roommate, Louise, received a call the next day from someone saying Lucie had joined a cult, per The Independent. She got in touch with Lucie's family, and they quickly made their way to Tokyo to figure out what happened to their daughter.

What happened to her?

After Lucies disappearance, her family flew to Japan to try to figure out what had happened to their daughter.

Lucies dad explains in the documentary that he realized things were off when his daughter didnt return his calls.

I was immediately thinking, well, there must be some rational explanation, some reason why she's not been able to get in touch, he says. There were three or four more calls and I knew that something had gone wrong. That feeling of complete blind panic just crashes in on you.

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Was Lucie Blackman ever found?

Lucie was never found alive. Despite more than 100 officers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police working on the case, it took seven months to find Lucies body.

On February 9, 2001, in a seafront cave a few yards away from a man named Joji Obaras home, authorities found her dismembered body, per The Mirror. She had been cut into eight pieces and her head was encased in concrete. The decomposition on her body made it difficult to find any helpful evidence as to what had happened.

Two months later, the police arrested Obara and charged him with Lucie's abduction, rape, and the disposal of her body. At the time, he was also charged with the death an Australian woman in 1992 and eight other rapes.

Koichi Kamoshida - Getty Images

Who is Joji Obara?

Joji Obara was a millionaire property developer from Tokyo. He was arrested in 2001 in connection to Lucie's disappearance, and in 2002, he went on trial for the alleged drugging, rape, and disposal of Lucie's body, the Daily Mail and The Independent say. By 2007, Obara was acquitted of all charges tied to Lucie's death due to a lack of evidence, per the BBC. (Lucies body was badly decomposed at the time it was discovered.)

While the judge found Obara not guilty on charges relating to Lucie, he did sentence Obara to life in prison for raping and killing an Australian nightclub hostess named Carita Ridgway in 1992, and for committing eight other rapes.

Lucie's family appealed the judge's decision, and in 2008, Obara was found guilty of abducting Lucie. And, The Independent explains that while the court couldn't find enough evidence to convict Obara of murder, it found that he he had mutilated Lucies body.

Where is Obara now?

Obara is serving a life sentence for Lucie's abduction and mutilation, as well as the death of Carita Ridgway, per the Daily Mail.

You can learn more about Lucie's tragic story in the documentary, which is streaming now on Netflix.

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The U.S. and Mexico last week announced measures to correct worker rights violations at a Goodyear tire manufacturing facility in the state of San Luis Potosi. The marks the fourth time since the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect that the trade partners agreed on a formal correction plan for corporate labor abuses.

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on May 22 asked Mexico look into allegations that Goodyear didnt honor the terms of a sector-wide agreement for the rubber manufacturing industry. Last week, the results of Mexican government investigation confirmed that workers at the factory were denied their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

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The Goodyear judgment comes just weeks after the USTR intervened in a complaint from Mexican garment workers in the state of Aguascalientes who claimed the denim manufacturer they work for has engaged in union-busting activities. Ambassador Katherine Tai said that the USTR asked Mexico to follow up on the allegations, which was lodged as a Facility-Specific Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) petition similar to the complaint brought by Goodyear employees.

The case marked the 10th time that a RRM has been invoked by the U.S. under USMCA. The USTR and the Secretary of Labor, who co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement (ILC), found sufficient, credible evidence that the denim manufacturer interfered in internal union affairs and tried to pressure workers into accepting revisions to a collective bargaining agreement. The ILC gave the Mexican government 45 days from its June 12 decision to conduct its own factory review.

Last week, Ambassador Tai said that Mexicos findings in the Goodyear case and remediation recommendations will help restore workers rights. The United States will closely monitor the plans implementation, she said. I commend the Government of Mexico for its commitment to bringing this facility into compliance with Mexicos labor law and for raising awareness of the applicability of the contrato ley across the sector.

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Going forward, Mexican government officials will ensure that Goodyear distributes copies of the contrato ley, or sector-wide agreement, at its facility. The factorys wages and benefits will be monitored for their compliance with the terms of the agreement, and Goodyear will be held responsible for repaying workers for any missed compensation stemming from its earlier compliance failure.

Goodyear will also issue public written statements detailing its commitment to respecting the rights of workers to freely associate and engage in collective bargaining, and promise not to obstruct union activities. The company must post information about how workers can file complaints both internally, and with the Mexican government, if their rights are violated. Goodyear must also inform workers about the reasons the determination was made that it denied workers their rights, and conduct in-person worker rights training for all company personnel. The U.S. and Mexico set Jan. 19, 2024 as the deadline for when Goodyear must finish remediating the labor rights lapse.

The Biden-Harris administration remains steadfast in addressing labor rights violations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and supporting robust freedom of association and collective bargaining rights across Mexico, said Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs Thea Lee. We commend the government of Mexico for committing to take action at Goodyear and in overseeing the just application of the sector-wide agreement to the benefit of workers.

The Mexican government is expected to complete its investigation into the denim manufacturer this month.

Click here to read the full article.
The convenience chain is now your neighborhood's newest pizza joint.

Jeffrey Greenberg / Education Images / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

If youre in the northeast this summer and want to start a guaranteed argument, start asking your new acquaintances whether Sheetz or Wawa is the better convenience store chain. Youll spend the next 30 minutes learning more than you ever wanted to about Sheetz seasonal beers, and Wawas classic hoagies. Sheetz also serves Pizza Flatz, personal pan pies, and something called PepperolliZ. And not to be outdone, Wawa has just added 14- and 16-inch pizzas to the menu in over 900 locations.

According to a press release, Wawas newly available pizzas are both assembled and baked in-store using freshly made dough, proprietary pizza sauce, and whole milk mozzarella cheese. The pies are available in plain, mushroom, pepperoni, sausage, and veggie versions, and each store will keep its pizza ovens going from 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. in stores that are open 24 hours. (The release adds that although the vast majority of Wawas will serve full-size pizzas, a select number only have personal-sized pies at this time.)

Pizza-craving customers can place their order either on the touchscreen in-store or through the Wawa mobile app  although the Courier Post notes that touchscreen orders may take up to 20 minutes to prepare.

We are absolutely thrilled to launch Wawa Pizza and give our customers another delicious dinner meal option, Mary-Rose Hannum, vice president of fresh food & beverages for Wawa, said in a statement. Pizza is one of the most beloved foods in America, so we couldnt be more excited to make it a part of Wawas fast-casual-to-go offering and create a restaurant-like experience with our high-quality ingredients, great value and the convenience were known for. Its officially a pizza night at Wawa!

This widespread pizza roll-out follows a trial program that started in April 2022 at two Pennsylvania locations, before expanding to 25 stores. But that wasnt the Chester Heights, Pennsylvania-based chains first attempt at serving its own pies. In 2014, Phillymag reported that Wawa was offering five different varieties of deep-dish focaccia-style pizza (including a bacon jalapeno popper pie that we cant imagine anyone ordering before midnight). And in the mid-1990s, it tried serving Pizza Hut pizza in around two dozen stores, but customers reportedly werent wowed by that particular crossover.

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As of this writing, Wawa has over 1,000 locations scattered throughout Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. By 2023, the chain hopes to expand to 1,800 locations in twice as many states.

The price for Wawas new pizzas start at $12.99 each. You could try washing it down with a Sheetz beer, but that might tear some kind of hole in the universe.

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A one-of-a-kind World War II-era ship that helped turn the tide for the Allies will be moored and open for tours for one weekend only starting Aug. 31 in La Crosse.

The chance to board the USS LST 325, the last fully functional LST  landing ship, tank  remaining in the country, is bound to appeal to history junkies and maritime buffs.

The ship is permanently docked and open for tours in Evansville, Indiana. But once a year, crews take the LST 325 out for a cruise. The ship plies waters such as the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and has docked in places such as Nashville, Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Here's all you need to know about the LST 325 and its only Wisconsin stop, including how and when to visit.

When will the ship be in Wisconsin?

The LST 325 will be moored along the Mississippi River from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4 along downtown La Crosse's Riverside Park, 100 State St.

Visitors will be able to tour the ship between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults, $7 for child ages 6 to 17 and free from children 5 and younger.

It will then head to Dubuque, Iowa, from Sept. 7 to 12 and Hannibal, Missouri, from Sept. 15 to 18.

What will the tours entail?

The LST's mission was once to deliver tanks, vehicles, supplies, cargo and troops directly onto enemy beaches. Now it is used to teach people about the roles of LSTs in World War II and in the Korean and Vietnam wars, highlighting the sailors who manned it in those conflicts.

The annual cruises aim to introduce LST 325 to a larger geographic area to raise awareness and donations needed to preserve and maintain the ship.

The tours give people an opportunity to explore a vessel that participated in the D-Day invasion. The tours in La Crosse will be self-guided along a designated route that includes six flights of stairs and will take on average about 45 minutes.

The ship is outfitted to match what it looked like during its World War II service. Visitors will be able to explore areas such as the main deck, troop berthing area, the tank deck, the mess, galley, wheelhouse, the officers' areas and the captain's cabin.

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LST 325 will be moored in La Crosse's Riverside Park and open for tours Aug. 31 through Sept. 4.

What makes the LST so special?

LSTs were built during World War II to help Allied forces invade areas held by the enemy. LSTs had specially designed hulls and flat bottoms that allowed them to run their bow directly onto beaches and unload their cargo, according to the United States LST Association. They could land on just about any type of shore that had a gradually sloped beach.

At the time, the ship was the largest of the vessels used by by the newly created Amphibious Forces.

Was it dangerous to serve on an LST?

Yes! LST's were lightly armed, typically with seven 40-mm and 12 20-mm anti-aircraft guns. The LST 325 has guns as it did in World War II; 40 mm rounds were fired when the ship was moved in 2020 from a marina to its current, more-visible downtown location, according to the Evansville Courier & Press.

The ships were powered by two diesel engines and plowed through the water with a maximum speed of 11.5 knots, or just over 13 mph. Sailors nicknamed the ships "Large Slow Target," according to the LST Association.

Several crew members of LST 325 were wounded by air attacks during World War II, according to the LST Ship Memorial website.

What did LST 325 and its crew do during World War II?

After its shakedown cruise around Norfolk, Virginia, the ship and her crew sailed to New York City and then left for Oran, Algeria, according to the LST Ship Memorial website.

Among some of its duties throughout the war, the ship supported Allied military forces in Tunisia in North Africa and Sicily and Salerno in Italy. It was involved in training exercises in preparation for D-Day, and unloaded men and vehicles onto smaller craft while anchored off Omaha Beach during the Allied invasion of France.

After that, it supplied Allied forces battling the German Army in France, and on Dec. 28, 1944, helped rescue about 700 men from a troop transport that was torpedoed off the coast of France.

Why is LST 325 permanently moored in Evansville, Indiana?

LST 325 served the Greek Navy from 1964 until December of 1999, when it was decommissioned. It then was purchased by the LST Ship Memorial, a nonprofit group that aims to preserve the ship and use it for educational purposes. The ship ended up in its home port of Evansville because the city has a historic link to LSTs, said Cory Burdette, museum operations coordinator, in an email interview.

He said shipbuilders across the United States made 1,051 LSTs during World War II, but the Evansville builder, Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Co., made the most, 167.

"We're kind of like the 'LST capital,' so to speak," Burdette said.

Also, he added, being on the Ohio River allows the ship to cruise within days to major cities in the middle of the US, including Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis.

Keith Uhlig is a regional features reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin based in Wausau. Contact him at 715-845-0651 or kuhlig@gannett.com. Follow him at @UhligK on Twitter and Instagram or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: View this World War II ship in La Crosse for one weekend only
MILAN  Double-digit growth across the Zegna and Thom Browne businesses, a rebound in China and momentum in the U.S. and Europe helped Ermenegildo Zegna Group report 23.9 percent growth in the first half.

In the six months ended June 30, revenues amounted to 903 million euros compared with 729 million euros in the same period last year. Revenues for the first half of 2023 reflect the consolidation of Tom Ford International starting from April 29, as well as the consolidation of tannery Pelletteria Tizeta.

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In the second quarter of 2023, sales rose 35.1 percent to 474.7 million euros, led by double-digit organic performance in all major geographies and notable strength in the U.S.

Zegna revenues increased 17.9 percent to 651.8 million euros, up from 553 million euros last year. This was helped by a positive performance of Zegna-branded products and the textile product line in the second quarter.

Thom Browne sales climbed 11.9 percent, reaching 208 million euros compared with 185.8 million euros last year, as direct-to-consumer performance offset a slight decline in its wholesale business. In addition, the expansion of the brands store network, which added 13 new stores since June 30, 2022, also boosted tallies.

In the period from April 29 to June 30 of this year, Tom Ford Fashion reported revenues of 64 million euros. Chairman and chief executive officer Gildo Zegna expressed an eagerness to work with Lelio Gavazza, who was recently appointed to the newly created position of chief executive officer of Tom Ford Fashion, effective Sept. 18.

In partnership with the Estee Lauder Companies, we will build upon Toms legacy to grow this iconic, one-of-a-kind luxury brand globally.We have started our journey to make Tom Ford Fashion among the top ten luxury fashion names in the world, he said.



Gains in the first half were mainly driven by a 23.8 percent increase in revenues from the EMEA region to reach 322.7 million euros, a 28.9 percent rise in revenues in the U.S., reaching 156.8 million euros, and a strong performance in Japan and the rest of Asia. Revenues in the Greater China region amounted to 306.8 million euros in the first half of 2023, up 24.1 percent compared with the same period last year.

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Zegnas direct-to-consumer channels momentum was robust across both Zegna and Thom Browne, which grew 32.7 percent and 25.3 percent respectively in the second quarter of 2023.

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Delivery of AH-1Z attach helicopters to the Czech Republic

The first two new U.S.-made AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for the Czech Republic have been delivered to the country. Their arrival comes as the Czech Republics aging Soviet-era Mi-24/Mi-35 attack helicopters are set to be retired from service in September, with four of these already having been delivered to Ukraine, and more set to follow.

Delivery of the AH-1Zs also comes amid a broader resurgence in interest in modern attack helicopters among NATOs Eastern European members in response to the conflict in Ukraine  with the possible delivery of more H-1 series helicopters to the region in the near term.

https://twitter.com/ObranaTweetuje/status/1684165146321514497?s=20

According to the Czech Republics Ministry of Defense, the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base, which is located in Namest nad Oslavou, in the southeast of the country, received the helicopters on July 26.

By mid-September, the base will receive two more Vipers and the first two UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters also being delivered by the U.S. In total, the Czech Army's helicopter force will eventually receive 20 H-1 series helicopters  10 AH-1Zs and 10 UH-1Ys. Hellfire and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) air-to-ground guided weapons, unguided rockets, and ammunition for cannons and machine guns, will also be provided.

The two AH-1Zs were transported from the United States to the Czech Republic via a C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane. According to the Czech MoD, a large group of American specialists also arrived with the helicopters. Working alongside Czech personnel, they will reassemble the Vipers and start to fly them in the next two weeks.

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

Delivery of the first American [AH-1Z Viper] helicopters is a significant moment for the modernization of the [Czech] military, it moves the helicopter air force into the 21st century. In this way, we are getting rid of our dependence on Russian technology and switching to a modern Western platform supplied by an important ally, Jana Cernochova, the Czech Republics Minister of Defense, said of the news.

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Czech MoD

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

In August, a mobile training team will arrive from the U.S. The team will train Czech personnel of the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base on how to operate its new AH-1Zs, starting September 1. Under the supervision of the training team, courses will continue for Czech pilots at the base for the next two years, until they have fully mastered the system of operation and maintenance of the helicopters, according to the Czech MoD.

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

Czech MoD

It should be noted that pilots from the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base have already been training on the H-1 system for seven months at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, as per the Czech MoD.

The H-1 system will fundamentally increase the firing capabilities of the helicopter air force of the Czech Armed Forces, especially with precision-guided ammunition that can be used by both helicopters of the system, according to Lt. Gen. Karel Rehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Republic Armed Forces.

Bells H-1 series of helicopters has roots dating back to the 1950s. As weve noted in the past, the company has strived to keep the UH-1 and AH-1 designs as common as possible in order to make the fielding, maintenance, and spare parts stocking for both variants easier.

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter, assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, descends in an extraction exercise, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 14, 2023. USMC

Indeed, the most modern versions of the H-1 helicopters  the AH-1Z and UH-1Y  share 85 percent of their parts, mostly in terms of powertrain, sub-systems, and to a degree, avionics. In recent years, the Marine Corps AH-1 helicopters have had to fight for operational significance, with the last of the services AH-1Zs rolling off Bells assembly line in Amarillo, Texas, in November of 2022. A number of the relatively new helicopters have already been put into storage due to changing priorities within the Marine Corps.

Plans for the delivery of the H-1s to the Czech Republic have been in the pipeline for some time. Back in 2017, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of a number of UH-1Ys  the Czech Republic requested 12  and related equipment for the country, at an estimated cost of $575 million. Then, in 2019, the department approved the sale of four AH-1Zs and related equipment, at an estimated cost of $205 million. The Czech government chose to purchase the four AH-1Zs and eight UH-1Ys, manufactured as new by Bell, for a total of $623 million in August of the same year.

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 fires at a target during Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 6, 2022. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lorenzo Ducato

Following the announcement that the Czech Republic would be donating an unspecified number of its Mi-24/Mi-35 attack helicopters to Ukraine in May 2022, the United States offered an additional eight H-1s to the Czech Army free of charge, bar the costs of transfer and upgrades, in August 2022. That offer included six AH-1Z a two UH-1Ys. The implementation of the agreement brought the total number of sold and donated H-1s by the U.S. to the Czech Republic to 20; 10 of each variant.

The Czech Republic has since offered more Mi-24/Mi-35 attack helicopters to Ukraine, although the final number has not been disclosed. As of summer 2022, eight Mi-24/35s were operating with the Czech 221st Helicopter Squadron. That figure does not include the first two Mi-35s that were sent to Ukraine.

There has also been suggestion that the Czech Republic  which has recently invested in the refurbishment and modernization of its incoming H-1 fleet  may look to purchase additional H-1s, too, which could be made available via foreign military sale.

Of course, the U.S.'s decision to sell a number of its H-1s comes amid a broader resurgence of attack helicopter interest in Eastern Europe in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Delivering various kinds of attack helicopters to Europe has also been seen as critical to balancing out depleted numbers of older Soviet systems donated to Ukraine by NATO powers. Back in September 2022, Poland announced it was considering procuring as many as 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to replace its aging fleet of Cold War-era Mi-24s. Around a dozen of Polands Mi-24s were recently sent to Kyiv, according to the Wall Street Journal.

AH-1Z and UH-Y are often seen working together as a team. Bell

Moreover, Slovakia, which has given Ukraine MiG-29 fighter jets, has been offered 12 new AH-1Zs by the United States as compensation for the donation. That offer would see Slovakia pay $340 million for a deal worth about $1 billion, alongside the delivery of 500 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles as well as training on the helicopters.

Such is the interest in attack helicopters in Europe, and the U.S. commitment to supplying Bell H-1 series helicopters, that Bell Textron has supposedly made an offer to the German government to relocate the entire production to Germany if the country chooses the Viper to replace its Tiger attack helicopters. Germany is set to retire its Tigers by 2038.

Given the demands for attack helicopters in the region amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, its likely the AH-1Zs for the Czech Republic will not be the last of their kind to be delivered to a European nation. And there is also the question of Ukraine itself. The AH-1Z has been floated in the past as a possible platform for reequipping its Soviet-era attack helicopter fleet.

The war in Ukraine, and the dramatic geopolitical shift that went with it, has also made it very challenging to support Russian aircraft types. Beyond sanctions, Russia is consuming massive amounts of spare parts and logistical capacity to keep its own fleets in the fight. This has left many legacy users of these aircraft scrambling for replacements. This has not gone unnoticed by U.S. helicopter manufacturers. The business opportunities spurred by this situation could be highly lucrative in Europe and elsewhere, such as Africa.

So, the iconic H-1/AH-1 team may still have a bright future ahead of it nearly six decades after they began to grace the skies together.

Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com
President Joe Biden ordered his team to share evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court  a stunning shift of U.S. policy toward the tribunal and a move that goes against the Pentagons recommendation.

A U.S. official confirmed that the administration briefed lawmakers on the decision, though the White House has yet to publicly announce the handover of materials. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who support the evidence transfer, said Wednesday night in a statement that we are pleased that the administration is finally supporting the ICCs investigation.

The New York Times was first to report the news.

The U.S. did not sign the Rome Statute to become a member of the ICC and therefore argues that its not subject to the courts jurisdiction. Washington feared that an ICC prosecutor would have the power to investigate the actions of U.S. troops in war  a position held by Democratic and Republican administrations since the 1998 statute establishing the court.

But the war in Ukraine, and the Biden administrations promise to help Kyiv hold Moscow accountable for its atrocities, have cooled the heated relationship between the U.S. and the tribunal. Lawmakers from both parties had urged the White House to provide evidence, signaling a change in bipartisan attitudes toward The Hague-based court.

The State Department and Department of Justice were also in favor of the move, mainly to show the U.S. stands for international law and human rights. Many State Department people over many years think the U.S. allergy to the court is bonkers and counter to U.S. interests, said a State official familiar with such topics, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive internal deliberation.

U.S. officials reportedly have intelligence about Russian war crimes in Ukraine, including information that shows the Moscow government is holding thousands of Ukrainian children in integration programs in camps in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. However, they have not yet shared that evidence with The Hague.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has made clear his opposition to providing evidence to the court, both in private and public. He told a Senate subcommittee in May that he believed the move to share intelligence with the court could set a worrying precedent, and expressed concerns about reciprocity going forward.

He added that he will always prioritize the protection of U.S. military personnel in anything we do.

The Pentagon certainly had reservations, said a person familiar with the situation.

Still, a second U.S. official said DOD supports alternative methods to pursue investigations into Russias human rights abuses and war crimes in Ukraine. The DoD strongly supports pathways to justice and accountability for war crimes committed in Ukraine. There are multiple paths toward the goal of accountability, the official said.

Nahal Toosi and Joe Gould contributed to this report.
New Delhi: The G20 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, United Kingdom, and United States - are set to launch the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) today, an official statement reads.

This momentous event is scheduled to unfold on the fringes of the 4th environment and climate sustainability working group meeting, currently underway in the vibrant city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Conceived during India's G20 Presidency, RECEIC stands as an industry-driven initiative with a resolute global mission: to foster and promote resource efficiency and circular economy practices. Going beyond the tenure of India's G20 leadership, this autonomous coalition is primed to perpetuate its vital work, ensuring a lasting and positive environmental impact.

The coalition proudly brings together "39 pioneering members hailing from 11 diverse nations." Its overarching purpose lies in establishing itself as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices, actively encouraging sustainable methodologies among all participating industries. At its heart, RECEIC upholds core principles centered on impactful partnerships, technology collaboration, and financial support to facilitate scalable solutions.

The inauguration ceremony will be gracefully officiated by India's esteemed Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav. Accompanying him will be the distinguished EU Environment Commissioner, along with representatives from Canada, France, Italy, Denmark, Mauritius, and the UAE, all converging to witness this landmark occasion.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi to Embark on 2-Day Visit to India

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Russia, China oppose G20's condemnation of 'Ukraine aggression'
Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. and Southern Sky Brands of Mississippi are teaming together, and have announced a partnership aimed at expanding access to medical cannabis products in Mississippi.

Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. and Southern Sky Brands of Mississippi are teaming together and have announced a partnership aimed at expanding access to medical cannabis products in Mississippi.

Cheech and Chong, the duo that became famous in the 1970s and 1980s for their stand-up comedy and movies centering around cannabis and counterculture fun, have found a new love as they market and sell cannabis products throughout the nation.

Considering cannabis? What to know about medical marijuana in Mississippi

"This partnership is all about the patients. We want to ensure that the people of Mississippi have access to safe, effective, and compassionate medical cannabis options," said Tommy Chong, co-founder of Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. in a press release. "By combining our knowledge and resources with Southern Sky Brands, we can make a real difference in improving the lives of patients in need."

Medical Marijuana: How is Mississippi's new industry unfolding as licenses are approved

Cheech Marin, co-founder of Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. added, "We believe in the power of medical cannabis to provide relief and promote wellness. Through this partnership, we are dedicated to delivering innovative products and patient-centric care to the people of Mississippi. Together, we can break down barriersand reduce stigma surrounding medical cannabis."

The partnership's focus is to address its belief that there is a pressing need for medical cannabis in Mississippi. The partnership says it is working closely with healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and local communities to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

As part of this partnership, Southern Sky Brands, with its experience in cannabis cultivation, production and distribution, will bring their expertise and cultivation facilities to ensure a steady supply of medical cannabis products, according to the statement.

Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. will contribute their vast industry knowledge and expertise to helpshape the development of patient education. Drawing upon their decades of experience, Cheech andChong's Cannabis Co. will play a pivotal role in promoting responsible use and reducing stigmaassociated with medical cannabis.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Cheech and Chong medical marijuana coming to Mississippi
July 27, 2023, marked the 70th anniversary of the armistice ending overt fighting in the Korean conflict, a bloody war with more than 37,000 U.S. soldiers killed over three years and overall casualties, military and civilian, totaling 6 million. Most Americans know little about the war, although we are now witnessing mounting and troubling events involving what is now referred to as North Korea. When did this conflict start, what were some significant turning points, and what is the current outlook for peace?

The war

North Korea invaded what is now called South Korea in June 1950. Control of Seoul, the capital, changed hands five times during that year. The war was almost lost by the U.S. during the first weeks, saved by a last-minute stand at the Pusan peninsula. Later, after what has been characterized as a brilliant tactical invasion at Inchon, orchestrated by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, American troops pushed the North Koreans above the 38th parallel and then onward to the Chinese border. Victory seemed assured.

However, as chronicled by David Halberstam in his classic book The Coldest Winter, as brilliant as MacArthurs invasion at Inchon was, his stubbornness and bravado led to very dark days for American soldiers and their South Korean counterparts.

Despite warnings by U.S. intelligence that Chinese troops were amassed at the border, MacArthur ordered thinly dispersed Marine troops to the Yalu River between North Korea and China. In October 1950, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 270,000 Chinese soldiers crossed the border, repelling American forces and imposing heavy casualties. During the next two months, American troops were pushed back to the 38th parallel.

Members of the Honor Guard carry U.S. and South Korea flags after participating in the 2018 Security Consultative at the Pentagon, co-hosted by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and South Korea Minister of Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The 1st Marine Division, although significantly outnumbered and fighting in sub-zero weather, fought its way back. This battle gave rise to the famous Marine Corps words: Retreat, hell  we are just attacking in another direction. And survive they did, securing their positions, bringing home their dead, saving their equipment, "retreating" with morale high and killing or wounding 41,000 Chinese troops. As dramatic as the withdrawal was, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir was subsequently seen as a stunning military defeat, and the first from which the U.S. did not recover to win total victory.

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Halberstams riveting book provides subsequent details, but suffice it to say the following events took place after the Chosin Reservoir battle:

MacArthur was fired by President Harry Truman. American forces were renewed under the courageous leadership of Gen. Matthew Ridgeway (years later praised by Colin Powell as the man who saved South Korea). Truce negotiations began in July 1951. A stalemate in fighting continued along the 38th parallel for two additional years. Finally, negotiations culminated on July 27, 1953, "encouraged" by a threat from President Dwight Eisenhower that he would use nuclear weapons if a truce was not finalized.

More perspective 70 years have passed since Korean cease-fire. It's time to end America's longest war.

The problem that won't go away

And we are here again, but now it is North Korea that is threatening to use nuclear warfare. In an article in The Atlantic titled The Worse Problems on the Earth, Mark Bowden suggests that there are no good options for the U.S. regarding North Korea, as he examined four potential approaches: a) prevention, b) decapitation, c) turning the screws, and d) acceptance.

He concluded that none is foolproof or without risks.

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, in a Wall Street Journal article, echoed the same basic view, arguing that there are simply no good military options, as the sheer destructive potential of an all-out war would be disastrous. Still, he argued that North Korea must freeze its nuclear program and keep delivery systems to short range, but he noted that the U.S. has relatively little military leverage to bring about these outcomes.

In 2019, then-President Donald Trump met with Kim Jong-Un, North Koreas leader, and, in Trumps telling, persuaded the dictator to abandon his nuclear program and agree on a non-nuclear future. Instead, North Korea significantly expanded its nuclear capacity. It was really a nonstarter to believe North Korea would ever surrender its nuclear weapons.

In a March 2023 New York Times article, Lt. Gen. Dan Leaf, a former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, observed that North Korea is conducting missile tests at a record pace, including powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles now capable of delivering 40-plus nuclear warheads anywhere in the continental United States. Furthermore, Leaf contends, North Korean leader Kim has passed a law authorizing a preemptive nuclear strike.

In this hair-trigger environment, Leaf argues that one wrong decision or misunderstanding could result in loss of life for millions. Interestingly, he argues for 1) a formal peace treaty among the U.S., South Korea and North Korea; 2) America to pursue serious and urgent diplomacy with North Korea; 3) the U.S. and North Korea to establish liaison offices in each country; 4) the U.S. to abandon the idea of North Korea's eliminating its nuclear weapons; and 5) the U.S. to assist the North Korean regime to promote human rights and improve health for its citizens.

Outlook

Opportunities have been missed by both sides. The result has been that successive U.S. administrations have been unable to prevent North Korea from becoming one of only three countries in the world that can target the United States with nuclear weapons. Nothing has worked in the past, so perhaps the approach suggested by Leaf is worth consideration. Who knows? Nothing else has been effective.

Richard F. Keevey held two presidential appointments as deputy undersecretary at the Department of Defense and as the CFO at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He was appointed budget director by two New Jersey governors. He is currently a senior policy fellow at Rutgers University and a visiting lecturer at Princeton University. He served as the executive officer of a nuclear missile battery in Europe in the mid-1960s.

Richard F. Keevey

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Korea: A brief history and ongoing worries
Former Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks said hes somewhat surprised that he hasnt been interviewed by special counsel Jack Smith in the Justice Departments investigation into Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Brooks, who left the House this year after losing the GOP primary for an Alabama Senate seat, told NBC News in an interview published Wednesday that Trump asked for his help on several fronts as he sought to discredit Joe Bidens victory.

Trump wanted me to do four things: advocate rescinding the election, advocate physically removing Joe Biden from the White House, advocate reinstating Donald Trump as president of the United States and advocate a new special election for president of the United States.

Brooks said he told the then-president he couldnt comply with his requests to because they were illegal, prompting Trumps anger.

Trump withdrew his endorsement of Brooks in the Alabama Senate race last year, claiming woke Brooks had changed and was no longer committed to relitigating the 2020 election. Brooks publicly pleaded with Trump to win back the endorsement.

Brooks told NBC News he would cooperate if Smith asked him to testify, but said he wasnt sure if what he had to share would be relevant or material.

Im mildly surprised none of these people have made inquiries about the details of this, but it is what it is, he said.

Smiths team continues reaching out to witnesses, even after sending a target letter to Trump earlier this month. Trump said he expects to be indicted.

A federal grand jury met Thursday at a Washington courthouse, according to multiplenews reports, and Trumps lawyers visited Smiths office for a meeting.

Brooks didnt initially back Trumps 2016 campaign, but he eventually became one of Trumps closest allies in the House. He also promoted Trumps conspiracy theories around the 2020 election, voting against certifying Bidens win.

He spoke at the Stop the Steal rally preceding the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, telling the crowd: Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.

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Later that month, Brooks reportedly sought preemptive all-purpose pardons for Republicans who joined him in challenging the 2020 results.

Related...
By Krishna N. Das

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's pharmaceutical exports this fiscal year are set to grow nearly twice as fast as last year to hit sales of $27 billion, driven by strong U.S. buying, a government-backed trade body told Reuters, despite deaths linked to Indian-made cough syrups.

The robust forecast comes against the backdrop of earlier concerns from the government that last year's deaths of dozens of children in Gambia, which the World Health Organization (WHO) linked to drugs made in India, had "adversely impacted the image of India's pharmaceutical products across the globe".

Two other cough syrups made in India killed 19 children in Uzbekistan around December, according to the Uzbekistan government.

India is the world's third largest maker of drugs by volume after the United States and China, and senior pharma trade official Udaya Bhaskar said the country was too big a player for buyers to move away because of "these aberrations" in Gambia and Uzbekistan.

"As far as the Gambia and Uzbekistan incidents are concerned, if you see in terms of the image of the country, there is a dent," Bhaskar, director general of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), told Reuters on Tuesday.

"But if you see our (April-June) exports, they have grown. We are doing very well in the U.S. market, we are growing at more than 10% there. In the past four-five months, the growth in exports shows that people have not taken very, very seriously (any concerns about) the quality of Indian pharmaceuticals."

India's pharma exports rose 3.25% in the year to March 31 to $25.4 billion and Bhaskar said it was set to grow by about 6.3% to $27 billion this fiscal year.

Sales to the United States, India's biggest market with 30% of its overall pharma exports, rose 6.2% to $7.5 billion last fiscal year, government data show.

India's overall pharma exports in the April-June quarter rose 5% to $6.58 billion.

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India is seeing good overall demand for drugs for central nervous system conditions, cardiovascular and oncology, Bhaskar said.

COUNTRY VISITS

Pharmexcil delegations have visited countries including Nigeria, Egypt and Russia in recent months to allay any concerns about Indian drugs, he said.

"Wherever we are going, people are asking and we are clarifying," Bhaskar said. "We are telling them our stand. We are trying our level best."

India has denied links to the deaths in Gambia but found another company guilty of sending adulterated products to Uzbekistan and cancelled its licence. The company, Marion Biotech, has denied wrongdoing.

Gambia has made it mandatory for all Indian drugs to be tested before being exported to the African country since July 1. India has since June 1 made it compulsory for all cough syrups to be tested before export.

But India's cough syrup exports, including those made by drugmakers that follow the traditional Indian method of Ayurveda, are only about $15 million a year and exports have largely remained intact, Bhaskar said.

Apart from Gambia, no other country has asked for additional tests for Indian drugs since the deaths, he said.

"Whatever exports we are doing to countries like the U.S., our largest importer, they are not asking. There are so many countries we are exporting to, the UK, South Africa, Brazil or any other market. They are not asking."

Manufacturing a drug in Europe or the United States costs more than 30% than in India, giving India a big advantage, he said.

"India is known for producing quality drugs at an affordable price," he said. "That is the major advantage for India and we are enjoying that for the last 15-20 years."

RUSSIA SALES DIP

India's exports to Russia, however, have suffered because of the Ukraine war. Sales to the country fell 4.2% last fiscal year to $573 million, according to government data, taking Russia to the seventh position from fourth among India's biggest pharma importers. Russia's share in India's pharma exports is generally around 2.5% but has now dipped to 2.2%.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year and until June 5 this year, India's pharma exports to Russia fell 4.6% to about $691 million from the corresponding period a year earlier, a government source told Reuters.

Bhaskar said the fall could be due to a dollar shortage for Russia, its attempts to prop up the domestic market and some reluctance among big Indian companies to do too much business with it while also trading with the United States, even though there are no Western sanctions on pharma products.

(Reporting by Krishna N. Das; Additional reporting by Aftab Ahmed; Editing by Alison Williams and Jacqueline Wong)
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday asked a judge to revoke crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Frieds $250 million bond and jail him pretrial after he leaked his ex-girlfriend and convicted co-conspirators digital diary.

Bankman-Fried was ordered to appear in Manhattan Federal Court from Palo Alto, California, days after prosecutors accused him of witness tampering by leaking excerpts of Caroline Ellisons personal Google Docs notes to The New York Times.

Telling Manhattan Federal Court Judge Lewis Kaplan that prosecutors had placed too much trust in Bankman-Fried, Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon said his recent communications with reporters were part of an ongoing media campaign that had now crossed the line.

Sassoon said no set of conditions short of detention would satisfy the prosecutions concerns that Bankman-Fried will jeopardize their case before his October trial.

Bankman-Fried is facing a host of charges alleging he orchestrated a yearslong fraud that victimized thousands of customers of his crypto exchange platform FTX.

The feds say he diverted billions in stolen deposits to repay his firm Alameda Researchs debts, among related crimes. He maintains his innocence.

After his extradition, prosecutors brought more charges, alleging he pumped millions in masked donations to elected officials in both parties to influence crypto legislation in Washington and bribed Chinese officials to unfreeze $1 billion in his trading accounts. Hes expected to face those charges at a second trial.

Ellison, 28, is cooperating after pleading guilty to charges following Bankman-Frieds December arrest. Shes expected to be the star witness at trial. Her personal notes detailed her doubting her ability to run Alameda.

Running Alameda doesnt feel like something Im that comparatively advantaged at or well suited to do, Ellison wrote, describing her worries over lacking leadership in an April 2022 entry.

Bankman-Fried previously drew Kaplans ire when he was found to have contacted FTXs general counsel on the messaging app Signal. Days after the judge imposed restrictions on his technology use, he considered jailing Bankman-Fried for using a VPN  short for virtual private network  to access his Bahamas TV set to watch the Super Bowl.

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On Wednesday, defense attorney Mark Cohen told the judge Bankman-Frieds legal team learned of prosecutors intention to seek his pretrial incarceration one minute before the hearing started, accusing them of hiding the ball.

Cohen said Bankman-Fried had sought to counter an overwhelming crush of media stories painting him negatively and believed it was his First Amendment right to speak to the media. He said preparing a defense with Bankman-Fried in jail would be near-impossible.

Kaplan issued a temporary gag order barring Bankman-Fried from discussing anything about the case with the media. He will rule on the governments motion after considering written arguments from both sides.

The judge said he knew Bankman-Fried needed access to voluminous digital evidence and was certainly very mindful of his First Amendment rights.

And I am very mindful of the governments interest in this issue, which I take seriously, the judge said.

Mr. Bankman-Fried, you better take it seriously, too.

Bankman-Fried and his lawyers had no comment leaving court.

_____
A South Florida attorney helped save his rich clients over $35 million by orchestrating a nationwide scheme that utilized phony donations made to several charities  all of which investigators say either directly or indirectly had ties to him  as a vehicle to securing massive tax deductions.

From 2013 to 2021, Michael L. Meyer is accused of earning more than $10 million after coordinating the illegal tax shelter plan then selling it to prospective buyers, according to a 34-count federal indictment unsealed Friday.

The Broward County resident, who moved there from Indiana in 2015, took advantage of the illegally-obtained profits by purchasing a multi-million-dollar estate in addition a luxury vehicle collection that featured a fleet of Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Mercedes Benzes, a Bentley and a Ferrari, the indictment states.

Meyers attorney, Jeffrey Adam Neiman of the law firm Marcus Neiman & Rashbaum in Fort Lauderdale, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither Meyers age nor his date of birth has been released but federal court records show he was born in 1965, making him around 58-years-old. On Wednesday, court records show Meyer made a $250,000 bond to be released from jail  but not before he was ordered to give up his passport and remain in South Florida.

How did he pull off the alleged tax scheme?

Investigators say Meyer and his trainees marketed the Ultimate Tax Plan as a means for high-income clients to claim charitable contribution tax deductions by purportedly donating cash, securities or real estate to several charities based in Indiana and Nevada without giving up control over their assets. The charities named in the indictment are National Endowment Association, Grace Heritage Corporation, Indiana Endowment Fund, lndiana Endowment Foundation and Compassion Beyond Borders.

This was false and illegal, the U.S. Department of Justice argued in the indictment. To claim a charitable contribution tax deduction, the taxpayer must completely relinquish dominion and control over the donated property and may not retain use of the donated property or expect a substantial benefit in return.

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His two listed co-conspirators, Rao Garuda, the president and CEO of Associated Concepts Agency, a wealth-management company in Ohio, Cullen Fischel, the former chief financial officer of the agency, have pleaded guilty to their role in the scam that provided a tax shelter for rich clients, according to a Justice Department press release and cleveland.com.

According to the indictment, Meyer directed his clients to use the supposedly donated assets for personal gain by taking tax-free loans. After three years, they could buy back their goods at a significantly discounted price. The indictment doesnt name them.

As part of the Ultimate Tax Plan, the indictment reveals Meyer:

 Created boilerplate transactions documents to use with clients.

 Prepared appraisals of the purported donations.

 Filled and signed lRS appraisal forms for clients.

 Assisted in the preparation of federal and state tax returns.

 Controlled the charities that received the purported donations.

 Represented clients who were audited by the lRS and provided false documents to the agency.

Meyers sued by the DOJ

In 2018, the Justice Department sued Meyer, the agency said, to stop him from promoting the nationwide charitable giving tax scheme.

The IRS has identified specific transactions that, through 2014, cost the United States Treasury more than $35 million in lost tax revenue, the lawsuit stated.

A year later, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida barred Meyer from organizing, promoting, marketing or selling the Ultimate Tax Plan. And in 2021, the Indiana Supreme Court accepted his resignation to the Indiana State Bar Association.

The indictment states that only a small fraction of charitable tax deductions were donated to legitimate charities.

Meyer is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, mail and wire fraud conspiracy, aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, trying to impede the internal revenue laws, obstructing and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. If convicted, he could spend over 25 years in prison, according to the Department of Justice.

His first formal appearance in court is set for Aug. 4.
A man speaks on the phone in front of collapsed buildings in Samandag, Turkey

Google's earthquake warning system failed to get to many Turkish residents before February's deadly tremor, a BBC Newsnight investigation has found.

Google says its alert system can give users up to a minute's notice on their phones before an earthquake hits.

It says its alert was sent to millions before the first, biggest quake.

However, the BBC visited three cities in the earthquake zone, speaking to hundreds of people, and didn't find anyone who had received a warning.

The system works on Android phones, essentially any phone that isn't an iPhone. Android phones, which are often more affordable, make up about 80% of the phones in Turkey.

"If Google makes a promise, or makes an implicit promise, to deliver a service like earthquake early warning, then to me, it raises the stakes," says Prof Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.

"They have a responsibility to be able to follow through on something that is directly related to life and limb."

Google's product lead on the system, Micah Berman, insisted it had worked. "We are confident that this system fired and sent alerts," he told the BBC.

However, the company did not provide evidence that these alerts were widely received.

More than 50,000 people died in February's earthquake.

After the first major 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of the morning, another major tremor shook the surrounding area at lunchtime.

The BBC was able to find a limited number of users who received a warning for this second quake.

How the system works

Google's Android Earthquake Alert System was announced in Turkey in June 2021.

The system is operational in dozens of countries around the world. The company describes the ability to send quake alerts as a "core" part of its Android service.

It works by using Android's vast network of phones. Smartphones contain tiny accelerometers that can detect shaking.

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When many phones shake at the same time, Google can pinpoint the epicentre and estimate the strength of a quake. Google has made an explainer on how it works.

When an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or greater is detected, the Android system can send a warning.

"This is an alert unlike any you've probably seen on your phone before. It takes over your phone screen," Mr Berman says.

The warning says "drop, cover, hold" and is accompanied by a loud alarm.

How Google's alert appears on Android smartphones

It should also override a user's do not disturb mode automatically, so you don't need to switch it on.

"No matter what state your phone is in, you should get that warning," Mr Berman says.

Google claims the system successfully sent alerts on 6 February to millions of people.

How much warning people should have got from Google would depend on how far away they were from the earthquake, Mr Berman explains. A message travelling over the internet can travel much faster than the waves of an earthquake travelling through the earth.

"Sometimes [the warning] might be a second or a fraction of a second, sometimes it might be 20 or 30 seconds, sometimes it might be 50 or 60 seconds," he says.

Despite extensive reporting across the earthquake zone in the hours, days and weeks after the quake, no-one mentioned getting an alert to the BBC.

So we began to search specifically for people who had got the warning.

Our team travelled to Adana, Iskenderun and Osmaniye, cities between 70km (43 miles) and 150km (93 miles) away from the epicentre.

Map of Adana, Iskenderun and Osmaniye

We spoke to hundreds of people with Android phones.

Although we managed to find a small number of people who had got an alert for the second earthquake, we couldn't find anyone who got a warning ahead of the first, most powerful quake.

In Iskenderun, we spoke to Alican who lost his grandmother when a hospital collapsed. He says he had received the alert before, but he didn't get it this time.

We put our reporting from the earthquake zone to Google's Mr Berman.

He said: "It's possible, given the massive impact of the first event, that this just quietly happened in the background, while users were really paying attention to lots of other things. At the end of the day, I think that's probably the most likely explanation."

But the people we spoke to were adamant that none arrived.

Funda, who has been living in a temporary tent encampment since the quake, says she lost 25 members of her family.

"We literally dumped people into the ground. My brother-in-law and nephew were buried hugging each other," she says.

Funda lost 25 members of her family in the quake

She owns an Android phone but told us she was "certain" she didn't get an alert.

Quiet on social media

After an earthquake you would expect people to post on social media that they had received a warning. This is common in other countries where quakes have occurred since Google's system launched.

"One of the few feedback sources that we have is being able to look on social media," Mr Berman says.

And yet after the first earthquake in Turkey, social media was unusually quiet - something Mr Berman accepts.

"I don't have a resounding answer for why we haven't seen more reaction on social media to that particular event," he says.

The BBC asked for data that showed people had received the notification. The only evidentiary document Google shared was a pdf with 13 social media posts the company had found of people talking of a warning that day.

So we contacted the authors of the posts.

One was Ridvan Gunturk, who had posted that he had got a warning in the city of Adana. However, after speaking to the BBC, he clarified that this was for the second earthquake. He confirmed he had not received an alert for the first earthquake.

Ridvan Gunturk received an alert for the second quake

In fact, only one of the social media posts referenced a warning about the first quake, giving a detailed account. The BBC has spoken to the author of the post, but they wouldn't give their name.

The author said they believed they had received an alert, but couldn't be completely certain of their memory of events at the time.

Google also said it had received feedback from user surveys that say the system worked. However, it declined to share this information.

Prof Tobin told the BBC Google's system was relatively new, and could be useful, but that it was important for the company to be transparent.

"If you are delivering an essential life safety or public safety piece of information, then you have a responsibility to be transparent about how it works and how well it works," he says.

"We're not talking about an anecdote of, 'oh it's popped up here and there.' These are intended as blanket warning systems. That's the whole point."

Turkish earthquake expert Prof Sukru Ersoy told the BBC his wife was in the earthquake zone. She has an Android phone but did not receive an alert.

He says that he has not spoken to anyone who got a warning.

"If Google's system had worked, perhaps it could have been very beneficial," he says.

"But the system not working in an important earthquake such as this one begs the question: if this is a beneficial system, why couldn't we benefit from it in this major earthquake, one of the biggest earthquakes of the last 100 years?"

In a statement given to the BBC by Google after the interview, Mr Berman said: "During a devastating earthquake event, numerous factors can affect whether users receive, notice, or act on a supplemental alert - including the specific characteristics of the earthquake and the availability of internet connectivity."

Additional reporting by Alp Akis
PANAMA CITY  A new but familiar face will soon lead Bay District Schools.

In a news release on Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he appointed Mark McQueen as the new superintendent of Bay District Schools. McQueen, the city manager of Panama City, is slated to begin his new role on Aug. 1.

He will replace Bill Husfelt, who has worked as the local superintendent since 2008.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday afternoon that he appointed Mark McQueen as the new superintendent of Bay District Schools. McQueen is the acting city manager of Panama City.

"I'm humbled and honored that he would have the trust and confidence in me to be able to take on this awesome responsibility," McQueen said. "I'm looking forward to giving every level energy that I have ... to lead Bay District Schools."

McQueen has worked as city manager of Panama City since September 2018. He announced his resignation during a City Commission meeting in May. At that time, the idea of applying to be Husfelt's replacement had not even crossed his mind, he said.

Husfelt announced in January that he planned to retire at the end of July, and it was not until about two weeks ago that McQueen applied for the superintendent position.

"When I submitted my resignation as city manager, even though I knew that (Husfelt was retiring), I had not contemplated seeking out the job," McQueen said. "This was not on my radar to consider. But after about a month from my announcement, I had a number of people suggest that I might consider it.

"My wife and I prayed long and hard about it and decided that we would just trust God, and so we did."

McQueen took over as city manager of Panama City about two weeks before the area was leveled by Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October 2018. He transitioned into the role following a 36-year career in the U.S. Army, which he retired from as a major general.

McQueen has a bachelor's degree in business from Auburn University, a master's degree in counseling and human development from Troy University and another master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He also has attended specialized leadership training courses at The George Washington University, as well as an executive leadership program at Harvard University.

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His wife is a retired Bay District School teacher of about 30 years, and both of their children graduated from Mosley High School.

Budget discussions Panama City sets tentative millage rate for 2023-24. It's the same as the current rate.

The Panama City Commission will hold a special meeting Monday morning to appoint an interim city manager as officials continue to search for McQueen's full-time replacement.

"I don't think there was any superintendent who was challenged more over the last five years than Bill Husfelt, and he's led with distinction," McQueen said. "I've got large shoes to fill, but in that, I'm looking forward to casting a vision for the school system.

"At the tip of the spear are our teachers ... (and) I'm going to be looking at everything that we can do to help equip, resource and enable our teachers to be effective at helping our kids achieve the best education that can."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Manager Mark McQueen chosen as Bay schools superintendent
This story was originally published by Searchlight New Mexico.

When Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham took office in 2019, she made big promises about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and embracing clean energy  a radical objective, considering that the state relies on the oil and gas industry for a third of its revenue.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is escorted through the crowd after her State of the State address at the Roundhouse in 2023.

Four years later, the oil and gas sector continues to exert enormous influence across the state, the harmful effects of climate change are altering life for New Mexicans and Lujan Grisham has been named in a lawsuit that accuses her and others of failing to protect citizens rights to clean air, water and land.

So why was Lujan Grisham honored recently with a position on the executive committee of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of governors who are considered the nations environmental leaders? Given that the alliance is intended for lawmakers who make real, impactful, on-the-ground actions to address climate change, environmental advocates in New Mexico are wondering if she deserves the role.

When folks saw she had been appointed to the committee, I think there was a sense of real frustration, said Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, executive director of the Western Environmental Law Center, a public interest environmental law firm. Lujan Grishams appointment, he said, is indicative of a glaring mismatch between what her apparent reputation on climate was nationally and what is really happening within the state.

Gail Evans, the lead counsel in a lawsuit asserting that New Mexicos environmental degradation is unconstitutional, put it bluntly: The governor has absolutely no business being a member of a climate leadership group. Evans, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, said Lujan Grisham might have plans and talking points for speeches, but hasnt produced results.

Her administration has put in place rules that are supposed to control methane emissions and ozone precursors, she noted. And yet those rules havent led to a reduction in these dangerous emissions. Instead, these emissions are at all-time highs. And thats because these rules are not being enforced.

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Leaders like Lujan Grisham undermine the potential efficacy of that alliance, said Mariel Nanasi, the executive director of New Energy Economy, a nonprofit that advocates for clean energy transitions and environmental justice.

When asked about Lujan Grishams executive committee appointment, Caroline Sweeney, a spokesperson for the governor, referred Searchlight New Mexico to the U.S. Climate Alliance. The alliance would be better suited to respond to questions, given that the group appointed Lujan Grisham to the role, Sweeney said.

The alliance, for its part, said the governor was selected because, since joining in 2019, shes proven herself a leader in climate stewardship. Evan Westrup, an alliance spokesperson, explained in an email that Lujan Grisham was chosen by the coalitions members, including the governors of 24 states and Guam.

Alliance members aim to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in their states no later than 2050 and to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, the landmark international climate treaty.

Since joining the Alliance, Gov. Lujan Grisham has been a standout and in this role, we expect shell continue to lead by example, share impactful solutions with other states and territories, and work in partnership with the federal government to help secure our net-zero future, Westrup wrote.

Erik Schlenker-Goodrich sits outside the Taos office of the Western Environmental Law Center.

A tall order

In 2019, less than a month after taking office, Lujan Grisham issued an executive order that, as she described it, would mark an important shift in direction on climate policy in New Mexico.

The executive order contained a slew of directives intended to build a clean energy future for our people. The goal: To limit adverse climate change impacts, reduce harm to the states natural and cultural heritage, prevent the waste of energy resources and reduce pollution that threatens human health.

It was a tall order, and it was met with fanfare from environmental groups, activists and national leaders, who praised Lujan Grisham for her bold action in a state with deep ties to the oil and gas industry.

There was immense optimism that New Mexico would be leaning into climate action and, in particular, to a just transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy and sustainable economic development, said Schlenker-Goodrich.

To him and other advocates, this felt like a much-needed departure from the policies of previous Gov. Susana Martinez, who had halted regulations aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and fired the entire Environmental Improvement Board after it approved regulations that would regulate emissions.

Today, however, the optimism about Lujan Grisham has faded, leaving a sentiment of disappointment and frustration amongst activists and environmentalists.

Shes not working for us, Nanasi said. The facts dont bear out that shes a leader in addressing climate change.

Mariel Nanasi, executive director of New Energy Economy, stands outside the nonprofits Santa Fe office.

When things started to sour

Schlenker-Goodrich remembers when his own optimism started to dissipate: It was when the governor began pushing for a hydrogen hub, a concept that on its face calls for reduced greenhouse gas emissions but that actually can increase emissions  and end up hurting the environment more than helping.

Positioning hydrogen as a low-emission fuel option is controversial among politicians, scientists and activists across the country. In 2021, a coalition of organizations  including the Western Environmental Law Center  sent a letter to Lujan Grisham, calling the race toward hydrogen a distraction from real climate solutions such as carbon emission limits. Pursuing a hydrogen economy, the groups stated, would further entrench fossil fuel interests and perpetuate volatile boom-bust oil and gas cycles.

There are three main types of hydrogen production  gray, blue and green  and green hydrogen, the cleanest method, is the only one that relies solely on renewable sources, such as wind or solar. Green hydrogen, however, requires splitting molecules in fresh water  a resource that New Mexico famously lacks.

Many proposed projects in the state instead focus on blue hydrogen, a method that involves the use of natural gas and can result in increased methane emissions.

Constitutional violations alleged

In May, a coalition of nonprofits and community members filed a lawsuit against a wide array of parties in the state, including Lujan Grisham, for failing to protect New Mexicans constitutional rights to safe land, air, water and natural resources. The coalition, which calls itself NM LAWS (Land, Air, Water and the Sacred), asserts that the states refusal to establish and enforce environmental regulations has caused particular harm to Indigenous peoples, youths and frontline community members who live near oil and gas production sites.

Among the 15 plaintiffs are Paul, Mary Ann and Mario Atencio, members of a Dine family who describe a 2019 toxic waste and crude oil spill that contaminated their water and land and poisoned their livestock in the Counselor Chapter on the Navajo Nation.

Other plaintiffs include families who live in and around Chaco Canyon, where todays residents suffer the health effects of extensive oil and gas development in the region, the complaint says. Children in Counselor are forced to attend school in nearby Cuba, New Mexico, to get away from the air pollution and other dangers created by oil and gas production sites, the lawsuit asserts.

The environmental nonprofit WildEarth Guardians reported an average of four toxic spills in New Mexico per day in 2022, totaling over 1,400 spills. Data from the Center for Western Priorities shows that New Mexico had more spills than Wyoming and Colorado  two of the countrys highest oil and gas-producing states  combined.

Record oil production, more emissions

Lujan Grishams environmental standing amongst New Mexicans has also been complicated by the states record-breaking oil production  which, almost by definition, translates to increased greenhouse gas emissions. March 2023 saw an almost 200 percent increase in oil production compared to March 2018, the year before Lujan Grisham took office.

To make matters worse, attempts to curb the oil and gas industrys greenhouse gas emissions have proven difficult to enforce.

Last year, for example, the New Mexico Environment Department implemented an ambitious rule to substantially reduce the annual amounts of hazardous ozone precursor pollutants and methane released into the air by oil and gas operations. A complimentary rule issued in 2021 by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department aimed to curb methane emissions by limiting the venting and flaring of natural gas.

Mario Atencio, shown here by the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, is one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit that accuses New Mexico of failing to protect citizens rights to clean air, water and land.

Unfortunately, the NMED and New Mexicos Oil Conservation Division, two bodies responsible for enforcing emissions standards, lack the resources to adequately monitor well sites and apply penalties.

In lieu of effective enforcement strategies, polluters are left to police themselves, leading to underreporting and inaction.

New Mexico simply wont be able to meet its climate goals unless it requires its largest air polluters to cut more greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study released in February by the University of New Mexico and PSE Healthy Energy, a nonprofit research institute. Current state policies stop short of combating climate change and improving local health because they dont effectively enforce reduced emissions standards regarding power plants, oil refineries, gas processing plants and other major polluters, the report found.

Many of the largest polluters are located in areas where residents are predominantly low-income families and people of color, the report noted. When they are exposed to toxic air pollutants, the results can be devastating, leading to adverse health outcomes.

But of all the recent incidents that characterize Lujan Grishams support for the oil and gas industry, few felt as emblematic as her 2021 letter to President Joe Biden after he announced a moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal lands. While the governor said she supported the action, she asked Biden to exempt New Mexico, stating that the moratorium would cause too much economic harm.

In truth, Lujan Grisham inherited a unique problem: It was always going to be difficult to turn one of the nations top oil-producing states into an environmental leader.

As Lujan Grisham stated in her letter to Biden, oil and gas money supports schools, infrastructure and  ironically  environmental initiatives. Be that as it may, advocates say she has blocked reforms instead of embracing them.

This year, she vetoed five climate-related measures in a proposed tax package, stating in her veto message that she had grave concerns about the sustainability of the package as a whole.

The measures included tax credits to help low-income New Mexicans buy electric vehicles, a fund for geothermal development and tax credits for residents to invest in zero-carbon-emission energy storage systems.

While environmentalists were aware that those tax measures wouldnt save the world, as Schlenker-Goodrich put it, they were hopeful that they would at least propel some climate action across the state.

In response to the governors inaction, the environmental group ProgressNow New Mexico released a series of advertisements that rebuke her for broken promises. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham promised to act on climate change for New Mexicos future  where is she now? as one ad puts it.

Non-binding U.S. goals

The U.S. Climate Alliance was formed in 2017, when the governors of California, Washington state and New York united in response to former President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a legally binding treaty  signed by nearly 200 countries  with specific goals to address climate change.

The U.S. Climate Alliance, by comparison, does not involve a legally binding agreement, meaning there are no consequences if member states fail to meet climate goals. New Mexico joined at the start of Lujan Grishams tenure as governor.

As co-chair of the executive committee, she will be expected to oversee the strategic direction of the coalition, the groups website states.

Bill Holland, the vice president of state policy and advocacy with the League of Conservation Voters, hopes the governors new role will push her to deliver on key issues.

The U.S. Climate Alliance has been a really strong body for governors to trade policies, to strategize and really to compete with each other, Holland said. In the best-case scenario, it offers an opportunity to make sure New Mexico trades best practices with governors across the country on how to center racial justice and how to allow communities to play a role in enacting policy.

All anyone can do at this point is wait, he said, and hope for the best.

Jeremiah O. Rhodes is a Searchlight editorial intern and a dean's merit fellow at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, where he's focusing on data reporting and web development. Rhodes received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied photo and video journalism. Before graduate school, he worked with visuals teams at The Tennessean, The Texas Tribune, The Washington Post and NPR. Rhodes is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: How green is New Mexico's governor?
July is set to be the hottest month on record - and likely in 120,000 years. From left: A firefighter tackles flames in Rhodes; A man soaks himself in water in Zagreb, Croatia as it hit 40C; A bus trapped by flash flooding in Osong, South Korea. Inset, a graph showing global temperature rise (epa/AP)

The warning lights have been on for weeks but now it is official: July 2023 is set to be the hottest month on record  and possibly in 120,000 years.

The new global mean temperature  the overall reading if you could stick a thermometer at every location on Earth  was confirmed by scientists at the European Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organisation on Thursday. Copernicus discovered that up to 23rd July, Earths temperature averaged 16.95 Celsius (62.5F), giving scientists enough data to declare a record before the month ends.

Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on the findings.

The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.

Dr Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at Leipzig University whose separate analysis was first to confirm the new record, told a press briefing on Wednesday that July 2023 was likely the warmest in 120,000 years, stretching back to the interglacial Eemian period when hardwood trees grew in the Arctic and hippos roamed as far north as the Rhine and Thames valleys.

It also follows the hottest June on record, and toppling of hottest day records multiple times earlier this month, reaching a global average of 17.08C (62.74F) on 6th July, WMO reported.

The overall mean temperature isnt going to kill anyone but means that the planet has a fever, said Dr Frederike Otto, senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change.

The increase in global heat is manifesting in extreme weather events worldwide. Southern Europe, North Africa and Asia have faced relentless heatwaves since late spring, and in the southern United States, temperatures have regularly topped 37C for weeks.

@independent July 2023 is set to be the hottest month on record, and likely in 120,000 years. The record-breaking average global mean temperature, the overall reading if you could stick a thermometer at every location on Earth, was confirmed by scientists, including at the European Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organisation on Thursday, based on analysis of international climate and weather datasets. Senior climate correspondent Louise Boyle reports on the findings. #fyp #fy #fyp #news #climate #world #heat #weather  original sound - The Independent

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Phoenix, Arizona had a record-breaking 19 days in a row above 43.3C this month while China set a new national temperature record of 52.2C on 16 July in Xinjiang province.

Wildfires have exploded across Greece, Italy, Croatia and Algeria. In Canada, there are now more than 1,000 wildfires  double the amount four weeks ago  which have destroyed 46,000 square miles  an area half the size of the UK.

The extreme heat is also causing intense, erratic rainfall which has led to deadly flash flooding in China, South Korea, Brazil and US Northeast.

The 2023 July record also came with a public health warning.

Global daily surface air temperature from 1 January 1940- 23 July 2023 (Copernicus/WMO)

Heatwaves are known as silent killers and are the deadliest of all climate-driven disasters. Extreme temperatures contributed to more than 60,000 deaths in Europe alone last year.

These deaths are most often among societys already vulnerable groups, and an ageing global population along with growing cities  which can be much hotter than rural places  means that heat deaths will only increase, Dr Otto said.

Dr Marina Romanello, a climate change and health researcher at UCL, said the record heat was rapidly undermining the foundations of health and placing more burdens on many countries already over-stretched healthcare systems.

Heat-related mortality for those over 65 years old has risen by about two-thirds in the past 20 years meanwhile, wildfire exposure has increased in 60 per cent of countries.

A firefighting helicopter dumps water in Mandra, west of Athens, on 18 July 2023. Another heatwave is expected to hit Greece today (AP)

Almost a third of global land area is affected by drought annually compared to the 1950s, with the Horn of Africa and South America being particularly vulnerable. These conditions are pushing tens of millions more people into extreme hunger.

This years extreme heat is being amplified by the emergence of a natural climatic pattern, El Nino, which leads to hotter ocean temperatures. Since May, record sea surface temperatures have driven marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean, the UK and Ireland, the Baltic Sea, the Sea of Japan along with parts of the Pacific and western Indian Ocean.

But without a manmade climate crisis, these heatwaves would be the statistical equivalent of impossible, Dr Otto said.

The hottest month on record is a direct result of the burning and extraction of coal, oil and gas. We need to accelerate the clean energy transition to draw back from this runaway climate crisis.

Dr Catherine Abreu, executive director of Destination Zero

This is not chance. These are not rare events in todays climate.

If El Nino intensifies, its possible that next summer will be even hotter.

In the first and third weeks of July, the planet shot 1.5C above the average temperature 150 years ago  before humans began burning massive amounts of fossil fuels.

It doesnt mean that the planet will permanently exceed 1.5C  the temperature limit set by the Paris Agreement which refers to long-term warming  but shows we are close and that 1.5C will likely be permanently breached in the early 2030s, Dr Haustein said.

The culprit of all this extreme heat is the excessive emissions from burning fossil fuels.

We know who is responsible, said Dr Catherine Abreu, executive director of Destination Zero, a diplomatic initiative focused on limiting fossil fuel production.

She pointed to a few dozen major players in oil, gas and coal, along with large cement-makers, adding that the fossil fuel industry has known for decades about the impacts their products would have on the planet.

A person receives medical attention after collapsing in a convenience store on July 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona (Getty)

The hottest month on record is a direct result of the burning and extraction of coal, oil and gas, she added. We need to accelerate the clean energy transition to draw back from this runaway climate crisis.

But even as scientists sound the alarm, again, political and corporate will to tackle the global crisis is lagging.

The global fossil fuel industry more than doubled its profits to $4 trillion in 2022 but little of this money has been used to transition away from oil and gas to clean energy.

At the geopolitical level, progress is grindingly slow. Last weekends meeting of energy ministers from the G20  the worlds 20 richest countries  ended with failure to reach a consensus on cutting down fossil fuels and a walk-back on commitments made in 2022.

Many governments are still prioritising, and subsidising, the oil and gas industry over healthcare, Dr Romanello said, and the global carbon price is still negative.

According to the 2022 Lancet Countdown report, led by Dr Romanello, in the majority of 86 countries creating the bulk of global emissions, the net cost of fossil fuel subsidies is $400bn. For one-third of these countries, their losses exceed what they spent on healthcare.

The new July record raises the prospect that 2023 could be the hottest year in human history, a record that is unlikely to hold for long.

The extreme weather which has affected many millions of people in July is unfortunately the harsh reality of climate change and a foretaste of the future, said WMOs Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.

The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before. Climate action is not a luxury but a must.

This article has been updated
Jakarta: Eight miners have been trapped in a pit at an illegal mining site since late Tuesday evening. On Thursday, Indonesian rescuers increased their efforts to free the miners.

As they brought in six larger submersible water pump units to remove the water from the hole and attempted to seal off openings where water seeped in from the groundwater basin, the joint search and rescue team was working against the clock. On Wednesday, smaller pumps weren't able to lower the water.

The head of the neighbourhood search and rescue office, Adah Sudarsa, stated in a statement, "We will conduct additional assessment once the water entry points have been sealed off and the puddles are dry.

Also Read: SpaceX Set to Make History with Launch of World's Largest Private Communications Satellite

On Java, the largest island in Indonesia, water suddenly flooded the mining area just hours after the eight workers entered the pit, trapping them inside a 60-meter-deep mining hole.

Also Read: Republican Revolt: Trump Demands Biden's Ouster, GOP Leaders Swift to Echo

Eight miners were asked to leave the pit by a miner who was standing outside the Banyumas district pit and noticed water gathering nearby. Later, when a different worker checked, he discovered that the miners were still inside the flooded hole. According to Central Java police spokesperson Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto in a written statement, they attempted to use a water pump to extract water, but the water had not yet subsided. He also noted that the gold mining area is unlicensed.

Also Read: Ocean Currents on the Brink: Vital Heat Distributors Threatened to Collapse by Mid-20th Century

Other dangers that miners encounter in Indonesia, where there are numerous small, artisanal, and frequently illegal mining operations, include landslides, flooding, and tunnel collapses. Highly toxic mercury and cyanide are frequently used in the processing of gold ore, and workers frequently wear little to no protective gear.

In December, a coal mine explosion in West Sumatra province claimed the lives of ten miners. In North Sulawesi province in February 2019, a makeshift wooden structure in an illegal gold mine collapsed due to shifting soil and the substantial number of mining pits, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 people.
The Jalisco, Mexico, prosecutor's office conducts a search in the Mirador del Bosque ravine that would ultimately find the remains of several employees of a local call center. June 2023

MEXICO CITY  That person on the phone  the one who says they have a buyer for the timeshare youre looking to sell in Mexico  might just be an associate of one of the most dangerous and ruthless criminal organizations in North America.

A recent bulletin from the FBI said its Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 600 complaints about Mexican timeshare scammers in 2022 alone.

Victims, most often elderly, lost nearly $40 million.

And now the scam has taken a deadly turn, with the grisly discovery of multiple bags filled with human remains near Guadalajara in Jalisco state in June.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as CJNG, is believed to be the mastermind of the plan. CJNG is based in Puerto Vallarta, also in Jalisco.

CJNGs deep involvement in timeshare fraud in the Puerto Vallarta area and elsewhere, which often targets elder U.S. citizens and can defraud victims of their life savings, is an important revenue stream supporting the groups overall criminal enterprise, said Brian E. Nelson, undersecretary of the U.S. Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) placed sanctions on CJNG members and associates in April.

Seven individuals and 19 Mexican tourism or real estate companies were targets of the sanctions, which freeze any assets they may have in the U.S. and bar U.S. citizens and companies from having any financial dealings with them.

OFAC also designated Eduardo Pardo Espino as a fugitive from justice and financial operator for CJNG. Pardo was charged in federal court in California in 2019 with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Pardo has also played a role in Servicios Administrativos Fordtwoo, S.A. de C.V., which is linked to CJNGs timeshare fraud activities and has made direct payments to CJNG members, OFAC reported.

Servicios Administrativos Fordtwoo, S.A. de C.V. is one of the 19 Mexican companies sanctioned by the Treasury Department.

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How the timeshare scam works

This type of ruse has been going on for years, according to U.S. authorities.

Timeshare owners receive unexpected calls or emails from criminals pretending to be sales representatives for a timeshare resale company.

A timeshare is a vacation property that is split among multiple owners. Each owner gets an allotted amount of time to use the property.

Owners seeking to sell their piece of the timeshare are drawing much of the cartel's attention, though cold calls to random numbers are also used.

The sales representatives often use high-pressure sales tactics to add a sense of urgency to the deal, a public service announcement from the FBI reads.

Timeshare owners who agree to sell are told they must pay an upfront fee to cover anything from listing and advertising fees to closing costs. Once the fee is paid, timeshare owners report the company becomes evasive, calls go unanswered, numbers are disconnected, or the company creates additional fees that victims are required to pay before the real estate transaction becomes final.

Some scammers try to take advantage of the same person twice, when the victims are contacted by a fraudulent timeshare recovery company that promises assistance in recuperating money lost in the first scam.

The faux recovery companies charge an upfront fee for their services, which are never carried out.

More: US tourists beware: Popular Mexico getaway plagued by drug cartel intimidation and violence

45 plastic bags

Eight workers from a call center near Guadalajara went missing in late May.

A U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press that authorities suspect the workers made calls on behalf of the cartel but decided to quit their jobs.

The Jalisco prosecutors office recovered documents with a list of names of foreigners, drugs, a bill counting machine, red stains believed to be blood, as well as "timeshare memberships and economic goals to be achieved," a statement from Mexican authorities reads.

In early June, at least 45 plastic bags filled with pieces of human remains were found in a ravine near Guadalajara, Mexicos government said. The remains were tied to the missing call center workers by forensic specialists.

In coordination with members of the Zapopan Civil Protection and Fire Department and a helicopter from the Guardalajara police, searchers found bags of human remains believed to be missing employees of a local call center. June 2023

The cartel hired ordinary workers to make the calls and fulfill the bank transactions, Mexico-based security analyst David Saucedo said.

I know that some workers didn't know anything, that they genuinely came looking for a job. They had the need for an income. Regardless of whether they were aware or not, the facts are certainly shocking that the cartel made the decision to kill them all.

Diversification of criminal activities

CJNG is known mainly for its drug trafficking operations, which have helped flood the U.S. with fentanyl and other drugs, but it also has been linked with kidnapping, extortion and money laundering.

Timeshare fraud is a new addition to its criminal portfolio.

Along with the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG is among the two most dominant cartels in Mexico, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

I think that this is really about the diversification of criminal activities, said Nathan Jones, nonresident scholar in drug policy and Mexico studies at the Baker Institute. These cartels and organized crime in Mexico are just getting into so many more sidelines that are delving into the legal world.

He said the many different illicit pursuits are making Mexican organized crime look a lot more like classic mafia activities that we oftentimes saw in the United States.

According to Insight Crime, The CJNGs involvement in the timeshare scheme is only the tip of the iceberg concerning their involvement in businesses across the tourism sector in Puerto Vallarta

Hotels, bars, restaurants, and now timeshares, are particularly attractive since they provide access to a range of other criminal activities, including money laundering, human trafficking, and drug trafficking, a Mexican government official told the think tank and media organization.

Targeting Americans

I think Americans are more likely to be targeted by the perception that they're more likely to be wealthy and then, you know, an easier mark essentially for organized crime, Jones said.

However, Jones reminded that scams can happen anywhere, and that people just have to be careful, particularly about putting money up front. That's kind of a red flag.

Saucedo said the timeshare scam is different from other cartel activities because of the direct way its carried out.

It is no longer about the sale of drugs on the streets of Los Angeles that some young Americans could eventually consume, he said. These are drug cartels that are interacting with U.S. citizens and eventually kidnapping or defrauding them.

We know that the U.S. authorities are monitoring these activities because they are targeting Americans directly.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to the scam, the FBI advises filing a complaint with its Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Background: CJNG, a top U.S. target, blamed in assassination attempt on Mexico City police chief

Karol Suarez is a Venezuela-born journalist based out of Mexico City. She is a contributing writer to The Courier Journal. Follow her on Twitter at @KarolSuarez_.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: FBI says Americans lose millions in Mexican drug cartel timeshare scam
Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV.

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday.

He was promised Washington's "unwavering support" in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN's full support to the uranium-rich country.

Mr Bazoum is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa.

Two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups triggered by jihadist uprisings in recent years.

In both countries the new military leaders have fallen out with France, the former colonial power, which also formerly ruled Niger - a vast, arid country on the edge of the Sahara desert and one of the poorest nations in the world.

Mr Bazoum's whereabouts are unclear but in a statement on Twitter on Thursday morning he said the "hard-won gains will be safeguarded" and that Nigeriens who love democracy will see to it.

Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou has declared himself the head of state and called on all democrats to "make this adventure fail".

In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know.

"This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance."

He also said that all of the country's institutions had been suspended and that the heads of the ministries would take care of day-to-day business.

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"All external partners are asked not to interfere," he went on. "Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised."

He added a night curfew would take effect from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice.

Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

Analysis box by Frank Gardner, security correspondent

This coup is yet further bad news for French and Western efforts to restore stability to the part of West Africa known as the Sahel. When neighbouring Mali chose to partner up with Russia's Wagner Group in place of the French, Paris moved its centre of operations in the region to Niger.

This coup, even if it turns out to be short-lived, has shown that even Niger cannot necessarily be relied on to be a permanent safe base. Western influence in the region is shrinking like a water pool in the dry season.

The governments in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali have all decided they would rather work with Russia's brutal Wagner mercenaries than any Western force. Wagner's primary interests in Africa have appeared to be more about enriching themselves and extending the Kremlin's influence than following the Western goals of trying to nurture better governance.

For the two major insurgent groups in the region, those linked to so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda, this is good news. They thrive on instability, poor governance and local resentment of the government. So a coup in Niger is likely to further hamper efforts to contain them.

After the soldiers' TV announcement Mr Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum.

He told a news conference in New Zealand that "what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution".

In neighbouring Mali, heavily armed Russian Wagner mercenaries are helping the military regime to fight jihadist insurgents. Niger's unrest comes on top of existing Western anxiety about Wagner operations and the Sahel region's instability.

President Vladimir Putin, keen to expand Russian influence in Africa, is hosting African leaders in St Petersburg on Thursday.

The West African economic bloc Ecowas has said it "condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force" in Niger.

On behalf of Ecowas, Benin's President Patrice Talon has arrived in the capital Niamey on a mediation mission.

Mr Talon said "all means" would be used, if necessary to restore constitutional order in Niger, "but the ideal would be for everything to be done in peace and harmony".

Supporters of President Bazoum rallied in Niamey earlier on Wednesday

Earlier on Wednesday, crowds in Niamey took to the streets in support of Mr Bazoum. A BBC reporter also saw heavily armed forces loyal to the president stationed around the national broadcaster.

The city was mostly peaceful, although soldiers behind the coup fired shots to break up the protests.

Niger is grappling with two Islamist insurgencies - one in the south-west, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the south-east, involving jihadists based in north-eastern Nigeria.

President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, is a close ally of France, and other Western nations.

Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups.
Supporters of Niger president Mohamed Bazoum gather to show their support for him in Niamey on 26 July 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

A group of soldiers announced on national television late on Wednesday that Niger president Mohamed Bazoum has been ousted from power.

This comes just hours after the president was detained in the presidential palace.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, accompanied by nine other officers, read a statement declaring that the defence and security forces have made the decision to put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.

The countrys borders have been closed until the situation has stabilised and all institutions of the republic have been suspended, colonel Amadou Abdramane revealed. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed throughout the national territory until further notice.

The soldiers issuing the statement also cautioned against any foreign intervention.

Reports suggest that the apparent coup was orchestrated under the leadership of the head of a regional political and security group.

On Wednesday, the presidencys official Twitter account stated that the presidential guards were involved in what they described as an anti-Republican demonstration and attempted in vain to garner support from other security forces.

Supporters of Mr Bazoum attempted to approach the presidential complex but were dispersed by members of the presidential guard, it was reported. The guards fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, according to AFP.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, reportedly spoke to Mr Bazoum and conveyed the unwavering support of the United States  the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission @AUC_MoussaFaki condemns the coup attempt in #Niger.https://t.co/bWYHc36OgU pic.twitter.com/kqtrX0xqWm  African Union (@_AfricanUnion) July 26, 2023

Later, Mr Blinken said: I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning, and made clear that the US resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger. We call for his immediate release.

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We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. Were actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, strongly condemned what he called a coup attempt by members of the military acting in total betrayal of their republican duty.

#Niger | Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV. pic.twitter.com/IqtsqPBNHn  teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) July 27, 2023

The Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS], a regional bloc consisting of 15 nations in West Africa, issued a call for the immediate and unconditional release of President Bazoum. They also issued a stern warning that all individuals involved in the situation would be held accountable for his safety.

Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria and also the Chair of ECOWAS, stated that he was already engaged in close consultation with other regional leaders regarding the unfolding situation in Niger.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned any attempt to seize power through the use of force in Niger. He called on all parties involved to exercise restraint.

Contrairement au #Mali et au #BurkinaFaso, les populations ne soutiennent pas la tentative de coup d'Etat en cours, et "appellent a proteger les acquis democratiques". #Niger #Bazoum pic.twitter.com/0yhErCwjM0  LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) July 26, 2023

This afternoon @antonioguterres spoke to @mohamedbazoum. He expressed his full support and solidarity to the Nigerien President, a UN spokesman said on Twitter.

The United States, France, and the European Union joined in condemning the power grab in Niger.

The [attempted] coup fits into a long pattern of inability by the political class to speak to the economic challenges and the security and political instabilities in the country, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, professor of peacekeeping practice at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. That, nevertheless, does not justify the attempted coup.

#Niger : les manifestants opposes au coup detat ont ete disperses par des tirs de sommation de la garde presidentielle aux abords de @PresidenceNiger. #Bazoum #CEDEAO

C: Anne-Fleur pic.twitter.com/hnqnsnLz2h  LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) July 26, 2023

Corruption is the big elephant in the room, plus a fight against violent extremists. This is a challenge that almost all West African governments are facing, he added.

According to Reuters, military vehicles were observed blocking the entrance to the presidential palace in the capital city, Niamey. Security sources also reported that access to ministries adjacent to the palace had been blocked as well. However, in other areas of the city, residents described normal traffic flow and no visible presence of armed individuals on the streets.

Its a fit of temper by the presidential guard but talks are underway with the president, an unidentified source was quoted as saying by AFP.

 The African Union and ECOWAS on Wednesday condemned an attempted coup d'Etat" in #Niger.



Both called for President Mohamed #Bazoum to be liberated amid reports that members of the presidential guard were holding him inside his palace. @shinjennie reports  pic.twitter.com/QpoS9osnHQ  FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 26, 2023

The president is fine, hes safe and sound, the source said. He and his family are at the residence.

LSI-Africa quoted Kalla Moutari, a lawmaker from the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism as saying: I have spoken to the president and ministerial friends, they are fine.

Mr Bazoums election as president in 2021 marked a significant milestone for Niger, as it was the first democratic transition of power in the countrys history since gaining independence from France in 1960.

Prior to this peaceful transfer of power, Niger had experienced four military coups.

Additional reporting from agencies.
Sioux Falls and parts of eastern South Dakota have been baking under severe to extreme heat this week, and the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls warns Thursday is expected to be no different.

The NWS issued an excessive heat warning at 8:55 a.m. this morning for portions of south central and southeast South Dakota.

Heat index values up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit are expected to bring dangerously hot conditions from noon to 8 p.m. to Sioux Falls and the surrounding region.

A separate heat advisory has also been issued for Beadle, Brookings, Brule, Gregory, Jerauld and Kingsbury counties. Heat indices up to 105 degrees are also expected to bring hot temperatures during the same timeframe Thursday for those areas.

Hot and humid today with afternoon heat indices of 100 to 105 degrees. Temperatures then trend downward for Friday with a possibility of a few storms. More significant cooling takes place for the weekend. pic.twitter.com/GVs5kcz2s8  NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) July 27, 2023

The NWS in Sioux Falls tweeted Thursday morning temperatures are projected to trend downward Friday with the possibility of a few storms, while the area will cool even more significantly during the weekend.

The weather service warned the risk of heat-related illnesses will significantly rise during the warning, particularly for people working outdoors. People are advised to drink plenty of fluids and stay out of the heat as best they can.

The agency also said children, pets and the elderly should be checked on during this period. Kids and animals should not be left in vehicles under any circumstance.

More: Could temps hit 100 degrees Wednesday? Sioux Falls under heat advisory this afternoon

A look at the heat throughout the week

Here's a look at the forecast over the next several days, according to the NWS Sioux Falls website:

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Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 109. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. East wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: NWS issues heat warning for Sioux Falls, parts of southeastern SD
Fans will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the most elite offshore sailors in the world and even take a selfie with The Ocean Race Trophy when Newport-based 11th Hour Racing Team returns to town in August as champions of the 32,000 nautical miles around-the-world Ocean Race.

Bristols Charlie Enright, Newports Amory Ross and the rest of their world-class teammates will be on hand for the victory party, which will be held on Friday, Aug. 4 from 57 p.m. on the lawn of the Friends Meetinghouse in downtown Newport. The party will feature live music, food and cocktail trucks, and lawn games including cornhole and giant jenga.

Ive been rooting for Charlie since we became friends while we were on the Brown University Sailing Team together," Newport Major Xay Khamsyvoravong told The Daily News. "It was an honor to support his efforts on behalf of the city of Newport as he led our hometown team, 11th Hour Racing, to a historic victory. Newport is thrilled to celebrate with the entire 11th Hour team, their families and their fans.

Members of the 11th Hour Racing Team celebrate their first place finish in the fourth leg of The Ocean Race.

Event organizers are planning for as many as 1,000 people to show up to the public trophy presentation and victory party, and are encouraging fans to stay up to date using the victory partys Facebook Event page.

"It's going to be absolutely awesome to get back to Newport and celebrate with everybody," 11th Hour Racing Team CEO Mark Towill told the Daily News. "We've been focused on trying to win this race for over a decade, and we have such a strong connection to Rhode Island and Newport... Newport has been our hometown, the community has been incredibly supportive of us and it still hasn't really sunk in that we actually won this race. To be able to come home and celebrate this with everybody in Newport is going to be a great opportunity."

Food Trucks and hand-crafted cocktails on the Newport Friends Meetinghouse lawn

Boru Noodle Bar Boru has a permanent location on Broadway in Newport, but will be on hand in a truck for the champions celebration serving up their trademark ramen dishes.

Newport Chowder Co.  Their chowder can be bought at its recently opened storefront on Thames Street at a few stores on Aquidneck Island including Anthonys Seafood in Middletown, Clements Market in Portsmouth and a number of Newport Historical Preservation Society properties in Newport. Food truck menu highlights include the lobster roll, seafood mac n cheese and a super stuffie  a quahog stuffie with a scoop of chowder on top.

Mings Asian Street Food  Mings bills itself as Rhode Islands premiere food truck. According to their website, Ming means auntie in Khmer, and their trucks packed summer schedule brings their uniquely delicious Cambodian fusion food to every corner of Rhode Island.

RI Cruisin Cocktails  Owner Sarah Gwizdowski, who was a popular bartender at the Hot Club and the East End in Providence for years before starting her own business, is up to three mobile bar trailers  two 1961 Shasta Trailers named Rosie and Marigold and a newer teardrop trailer named B'Arnold. She will have two trailers on hand at the 11th Hour Racing Team celebration to serve up a list of unique hand-crafted cocktails.

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Americana jam band Comanchero will play a live set on the Newport Friends Meetinghouse lawn

Newport-based 11th Hour Racing Team will host a celebration of their victory in the 2023 around the world Ocean Race on August 4, 2023 in downtown Newport.

Comanchero has been playing Newport for years. The five-piece Americana jam band from Boston, formed in 2003, describes its own style as an Americana sound that combines old traditions with new, country with rock, bluegrass with blues, honky-tonk with funk, and roots with Rockabilly.

The band lists influences from across decades of American music, ranging from The Allman Brothers, The Band, and Little Feat to Wilco, The Drive-By Truckers, and Mumford & Sons.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ocean Race sailing champs 11th Hour holding victory party in Newport
The Oregon Board of Public Safety Standards and Training met Thursday in Salem to decide the status of public safety licenses of police, fire and correctional officers following reviews of allegations of misconduct on and off the job.

The Oregon Board of Public Safety Standards and Training revoked the public safety licenses of one police, one fire and two correctional officers Thursday following reviews of allegations of misconduct on and off the job.

The decisions were made after reviewing recommendations of several professional committees that investigated the allegations.

The Department of Public Safety Safety and Training's policy committees  comprised of current and former field professionals  handled the investigations and made recommendations to the board.

DPSST revokes licenses of 4 public safety officers

Scott Aardappel, Columbia River Correctional Institution

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office fired Aardappel in 2006 after he "inappropriately represented himself as a sworn member of the agency and failed to report the abuse of a child as required by ORS 419B.010."

An investigation by sheriff's office and the Portland Police Bureau that year found Aardappel "failed to report a sexual relationship between an adult and a minor." He was later arrested and charged with official misconduct in the second degree, a misdemeanor. After pleading guilty, Aardappel was given 12 months probation.

In 2020, Aardappel was hired by Columbia River Correctional Institution in Portland, which triggered a DPSST investigation. According to DPSST documents, "Aardappel has been employed as a public safety professional for four non-consecutive years and has not obtained any DPSST certifications." The Corrections Policy Committee unanimously recommended revocation of his license.

Matt Carballo, Dallas Police Department

Dallas Police terminated Carballo from probationary employment in November 2019 following his Oct. 22, 2019, arrest for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment. Carballo was arrested again Dec. 2, 2019, for driving with a suspended license and failing driver property damage duties.

The Police Policy Committee found Carballo was dishonest when he told Dallas Police that he was not the driver of the vehicle that hit a 7-Eleven, did not take responsibility for his actions and left the scene of an accident.

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The committee voted unanimously June 12 to recommend revocation of Carballo's license and that he be ineligible to hold a public safety certification for 10 years. The board Thursday accepted this revocation.

Robert Dennis, Santiam Correctional Institution officer

Dennis resigned Dec. 31, 2019, as a correctional officer at the Santiam Correctional Institute in Salem following an investigation to terminate him on allegations of on-the-job misconduct, including sleeping on the job and leaving the cafeteria during mealtime, which reduces supervision of inmates.

Dennis also allegedly made several comments to subordinates that undermined the safety and supervision abilities of staff.

Information from Santiam Correctional Institute's investigation into Dennis' behavior led the Correction Policy Committee to in May recommend a revocation. The board accepted the revocation.

The Santiam Correctional Institution in Salem.

Gail Freer, formerly of the Siletz Fire District

Greer and a son were charged with poaching two, 8-month-old black bear cubs on private land in October 2022.

Oregon State Police found the cubs dead after an anonymous tip to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) Line. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said both cubs were left to waste and troopers were unable to find their mother. Greer and her son were ordered to pay $15,000 in damages, lost their hunting privileges for three years and were placed on probation for 60 months, ODFW said in May.

This was a combination of trespassing, poaching and leaving an animal to waste, said Stop Poaching campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw. This demonstrates an attitude of lawlessness while they deprive others of the experience of encountering or hunting these animals during a legal season.

The Fire Policy Board recommended revocation by a six to one vote. The board Thursday revoked Freer's public safety certification.

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Board discusses revocation of licenses for public safety officers following reviews of allegations of misconduct on and off the job on July 27 in Salem.

DPSST motioned to reconsider 1 case

Marcus Risteen, Keizer Police Department

Keizer Police in 2018 terminated Risteen, who had been on the job for three months, after he allegedly lied to a Field Training Officer.

Risteen admitted, after a commanding officer said he would check the officer's bodycam footage, that he lied about his actions during a traffic stop.

The Police Policy Committee opened an investigation after Risteen was hired by the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office and scheduled to begin training in May.

The committee said in addition to dishonesty, Risteen's actions at the traffic stop reflected that he ignored instructions on a "very small task."

The DPSST board decided Thursday to send Risteen's case back to the Police Policy Committee for reconsideration after board members said a lifetime revocation was extreme for what they considered to be a "tier-two" offense.

DPSST took no action against these individuals

Jannalyn Farley, Eugene Police Department

Eugene Police terminated Farley on Oct. 23, 2019, for allegedly failing to report child abuse, lack of integrity and judgment, failure to report evidence and unsatisfactory performance in arranging CAHOOTS personnel to transport a juvenile who alleged physical abuse by a parent.

The Police Policy Committee review of Eugene Police Department's "investigative reports found elements of dishonesty, misuse of authority, and misconduct," according to meeting transcripts.

The transcripts said Farley was dishonest by omission and misrepresentation in arranging transport for a juvenile, and she "misused her authority while on duty by transporting a juvenile to a facility that was objectionable to the mother, did not tell the mother she was doing this, and did not write these facts in her reports."

A Eugene Police Department vehicle on West 11th Avenue in Eugene.

Eugene Police declined to comment, according to spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin.

The investigating committee determined Farley's "conduct amounted to incompetence, not character," that she was overwhelmed and the police department understaffed, and that she was not intentionally misleading in her reporting and handling of the situation.

The panel recommended DPSST take no action against Farley's license. The board's decision Thursday to take no action means Farley can be employed in law enforcement.

Farley graduated from DPSST Basic Police Academy in March 2017, earning the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh award for most outstanding student in her class.

Zackary Ellis, Scio Rural Fire Department

Linn County Sheriffs arrested Ellis on Aug, 16, 2019, and he was charged with assault and strangulation after a domestic violence dispute against his girlfriend. He was a certified firefighter with the Scio Rural Fire Department at the time.

Ellis later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault, a Class-A misdemeanor. After 24 months on probation, he applied for DPSST certification, prompting an investigation by the Fire Policy Committee, which recommended no action. The board concurred and Ellis can be recertified.

DPSST also took no action on the licenses another half-dozen other cases in which committees recommended doing nothing.

Charles Gearing is a breaking news and public safety reporter. He may be reached at cgearing@gannett.com or at (708) 262-7626.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon revokes 4 officers' licenses after misconduct allegations
HAMPTON  New Hampshire State Police have released the identity of the Massachusetts man who was struck Sunday, July 23, by a police cruiser at Hampton Beach.

Orlyn Medina Mercedes, 35, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was hit on Ashworth Avenue Sunday evening and transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, state police said. The crash occurred at about 7:15 p.m. near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Nudd Avenue.

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.

State police have not shared the severity of Mercedes injuries, and state police spokesperson Amber Lagace said there was no new information on his status Thursday morning. A representative from Portsmouth Regional Hospital did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Mercedes' condition.

The crash is being investigated by state police, whose Collision Analysis Reconstruction Unit is looking into what caused the accident. Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno said he turned the case over to the state agency to avoid a conflict of interest.

The Hampton police officer involved in the crash has not been named, and was not injured, according to state police. The officer was responding to an emergency medical call on Ashworth Avenue at the time of the incident, Reno said earlier this week.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Police ID man struck by Hampton cruiser at Hampton Beach
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) gestures during an opening ceremony of a gravity-type base for natural gas liquefaction at the Novatek-Murmansk's Offshore Superfacility Constrution Center for the construction of large-tonnage offshore stuctures (CSMCS) of Novatek company on July 20, 2023 in the villiage of Belokamenka outside Murmank, Russia

When President Vladimir Putin opens the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg on Thursday, the attendance cast list will be closely scrutinised - in Paris, Washington, London, and at United Nations headquarters in New York.

But Africans will view the event quite differently.

For Western foreign ministries fretting about the Kremlin's declared ambition to expand its political, military and economic footprint south of the Sahara, the gathering is an indicator of how far Russia's influence could now extend and where it will meet a friendly welcome.

Unlike the previous Russia-Africa summit in 2019, attended by 43 African leaders, this time only 17 are expected in St Petersburg.

But which of them will take prominent speaking roles in the summit? What deals will be struck with Mr Putin?

European and US policymakers until recently saw China as their main competitor in Africa - but now find themselves observing with deep unease Russia's assertive return, epitomised by the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR), Libya and, briefly, northern Mozambique.

And of course, the invasion of Ukraine has dramatically heightened Western mistrust of Russia's ambitions around the world.

Yet little suggests that African leaders share this perspective. Most countries on the continent, even those that have regularly voted at the UN to condemn the attack on Ukraine and its impact, do not want to get drawn into taking sides in a new "Cold War" or become pawns in a tussle for global influence and powerplays.

In any case, Russia is just one of several major actors now stepping up efforts to court political and economic influence in Africa - alongside not only China, but also India, Turkey, the Gulf states, South Korea and, of course, Western nations and Japan.

Having sometimes struggled in the past to mobilise international assistance in tackling their development and security challenges, African governments are not spurning these overtures.

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And Russia knows this. In the run-up to the summit, its officials promised a new programme of support for the continent.

The summit agenda includes an "economic and humanitarian forum" and African business figures have been invited; the Kremlin promises a raft of agreements on trade, investment, scientific and technical cooperation.

In pursuing this agenda, Russia may be able to build on the academic and research ties developed during the Cold War era, when many Africans studied at Soviet universities.

But that does not mean most participants will approach St Petersburg with an uncritical mindset - even if diplomatic politeness prevents them from speaking frankly.

Last month's African leaders' peace mission to Russia and Ukraine was blunt in telling Mr Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky that the war should be ended, for the sake of the rest of the world.

And Moscow will hardly have bolstered goodwill by its decision to abandon the agreement for the safe export of both Ukrainian and Russian grain through Black Sea ports, even if Mr Putin has pledged to make up that shortfall.

That promises to drive up food prices in numerous African countries, potentially fuelling urban protest and political pressure on the leaders.

The cost-of-living crisis has led to riots in countries including Kenya

Mali - a loyal ally these days, its ruling junta partially reliant on Wagner's men to keep jihadist forces at bay - claims to be receiving a special shipment of Russian grain.

But it is hard to imagine that Mr Putin could provide such hefty bilateral help to more than a clutch of close allies.

Most African grain consumers will have to continue relying on the open world market - where supplies are now tightening and prices are on the rise.

Mr Putin is well aware of this diplomatic fallout. Could he be waiting for the summit to perhaps offer a supposedly magnanimously return to the grain deal, on slightly tweaked terms?

That's not the only delicate issue on the agenda.

Displaced from Russia after his recent mutiny, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin recently promised his men an expanded focus on African operations.

Despite his apparent falling out with Mr Putin, this would certainly help the Kremlin's drive to extend its capacity to influence African events, particularly in the hugely fragile Sahel region - where Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum has been detained by soldiers in a coup bid that could have a major regional impact if it ultimately succeeds.

When Wagner moved into the CAR after President Faustin Archange Touadera sought Russian help to overcome a UN arms embargo and rebuild his army in 2017-18, this at first looked like a bid for attention, aimed to send the message that "Moscow is back" after more than two decades of a low profile after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

But by the time Wagner arrived in Mali in 2021, at the invitation of the soldiers who had seized power the year before, the role played by this private military contractor in Russia's security agenda, was viewed with a good deal more mistrust.

Most other West African governments saw it as a direct threat to the security of their region. Their relations with Mali soured dramatically.

And the coups that followed in Guinea and Burkina Faso, with pro-Russian youths cheering in the streets of the latter's capital Ouagadougou, have only deepened elected African governments' wariness of Moscow's strategy.

But that does not mean they will disregard this week's summit.

Instead, they will probably try to nudge the Kremlin towards a more conventional path of cooperative engagement, and away from support for the destabilisation of constitutional government and towards more conventional military partnerships through training and the supply of equipment and weapons.

And Russia will try to secure their goodwill through a continuation of its economic diplomacy.

Military regimes in West Africa are strengthening ties with Russia

While it lacks the resources to compete with the US, France, Germany and Japan or China as a bilateral development donor, Moscow does have some cards to play.

Last year it was probably Africa's largest source of fertiliser, supplying 500,000 tonnes. It is also of course a significant power in oil, gas and mining.

But the critically urgent trade sector right now remains grain.

And it will be difficult for Russia to significantly help Africa with desperately needed extra supplies - and thus demonstrate its reliability as a partner - unless there is a restored Black Sea deal that also allows Ukrainian shipments to flow.

Earlier this week, Mr Putin claimed Russia had shipped close to 10 million tonnes of grain to Africa in the first half of this year and insisted that it was able to continue supplying the continent on both a commercial basis and free of charge.

A major boost in food aid would mark a sharp change of stance from a country that has been only a marginal humanitarian donor up to now.

However, even if arrangements to ship out safely from Black Sea ports are restored, there is little to suggest Moscow is really willing and organised to become a major food aid donor on a scale to compare with the likes of the European Union or the US.

The political context has dramatically changed since African leaders flew to Sochi for the first Russia-Africa summit back in 2019.

Over the past three years, apparently fuelled by a desire to unsettle France and other Western actors, the Kremlin has appeared at least tacitly sympathetic towards the military men who have seized power in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea and who are viewed by the leaders of neighbouring states as a threat to regional stability.

The Malian regime's insistence that the UN withdraw its peacekeeping force, weakening the defence against spreading jihadist violence, has only deepened regional leaders' concern - and their consequent wariness of Russian policy.

So even with a hefty goodwill boost to Russia grain shipments, Mr Putin may struggle to allay widespread West African mistrust, although his guests will be too discreet to express it.

Paul Melly is a consulting fellow with the Africa Programme at Chatham House in London.
At presidential candidate Tim Scotts annual prayer breakfast Wednesday morning, some intimate comments were spilled by South Carolinas U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace as she spoke to the crowd of lawmakers and pastors.

As Mace, R-Charleston, was speaking to the crowd, she explained why she had been running late, inferring that she gave up sex with her fiance to attend the event.

When I woke up this morning at 7, I was getting picked up at 7:45, Patrick, my fiance, tried to pull me by my waist over this morning in bed. And I was like, No, baby, we dont got time for that this morning, I gotta get to the prayer breakfast, and I gotta be on time, Mace told the crowd.

I go to church because Im a sinner not a saint!



Glad those in attendance, including @SenatorTimScott and my pastor, took this joke in stride. Pastor Greg and I will have extra to talk about on Sunday https://t.co/lQ3plPVhbf  Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) July 27, 2023

A little TMI, Mace added. He can wait, Ill see him later tonight.

The 13th annual prayer breakfast hosted by Sen. Scott, R-Hanahan, in Washington brought together influential church members and pastors, lawmakers and more.

Mace tweeted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, Thursday afternoon, writing I go to church because Im a sinner not a saint! Glad those in attendance, including @SenatorTimScott and my pastor, took this joke in stride. Pastor Greg and I will have extra to talk about on Sunday, in response to her previous comments.

Not everyone was as amused.

Brandon Gill, founder of DC Enquirer, a conservative news site, tweeted Imagine the level of disdain one must have for Christians to smile and say this at a prayer breakfast.

South Carolina Rep. Brandon Guffey, R-York, tweeted in response to a video FITSNews of her speech Makes me like her. Nothing like true honesty being shared.

Ron Filipkowski, attorney political podcaster, tweeted People on the Right are upset about Nancy Maces public admission to engaging in premarital sex. Sounds like her fiance is upset that she skipped it for a prayer breakfast.

South Carolinas senior U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, and Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens, were also in attendance at the event.
BRICS bank NDB not planning new projects in Russia due to sanctions 27 July, 02:06 PM Russia (Photo:REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev/File Photo)

The New Development Bank (NDB), a development bank established by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), is not planning to open new projects in Russia as it operates in line with financial and capital market sanctions against the country, head of the bank, Dilma Rousseff, told Reuters on July 26.

According to Rousseff, who was the president of Brazil until her impeachment and removal from office in 2016, any speculation regarding the discussion of new operations of the bank in Russia is baseless.

The NDB was created in 2015, headquartered in Shanghai.

The bank was set up to counter the dominant position of developed economies and search for alternatives to the U.S. dollar.

Video of day

The next summit of the BRICS countries, which remain close to Moscow despite the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, will be held in Johannesburg on August 22-24.

Read also: Putin to skip BRICS summit in South Africa amid risk of arrest

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen declared during her recent visit to China that the U.S. dollar will remain the dominant currency in international trade, and there will be no alternative to the currency any time soon.

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth  consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.

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Gov. Kristi Noem is alleging a Rapid City state senator violated the South Dakota Constitution and an opinion made by the South Dakota Supreme Court when she accepted federal COVID-19 funds for her small business.

Republican Sen. Jessica Castleberry owns Little Nest Preschool, which allegedly received $603,219.76 in COVID-19 stimulus funds. She now has 10 days to repay the funds or face court action, according to a letter from Attorney General Marty Jackley.

Gov. Kristi Noem (center) speaks at the Governor's Annual Luncheon at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown on May 6, 2022. Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden (far left), Sen. Jessica Castleberry (left), Sen. Hugh Bartels (right) and Sen. Lee Schoenbeck (far right) stand onstage as Noem speaks.

"The Governor alleges that you own the business and that the business has illegally collected over $603,000 in Covid funds, during your terms in office," according to the letter. "The Supreme Court has expressly forbidden such payments to legislators, in its Advisory Opinion issued in 2020."

The South Dakota Constitution bans a state lawmaker from having either a direct or indirect interest in a contract made during their time in office as well as a year after their term.

The South Dakota Supreme Court also issued an advisory opinion in 2020 banning current state lawmakers from using such payments and that the contract is considered "wholly illegal, void and against public policy and cannot be enforced in whole or in part on any theory of any kind."

According to Noem, the Department of Social Services had recently found the violations and fiscal staff recognized Castleberry's name on a recent grant application for Little Nest Preschool. Dozens of payments to the business were found by staff between 2020 and 2023.

More: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to be special guest at Donald Trump's Rapid City rally

Jackley recommended any COVID relief fund payments to Castleberry's business be stopped immediately.

In a statement, Castleberry wrote she had hired legal counsel to give an opinion on if her childcare center would be eligible for federal grants meant to help childcare centers across the state "without application to help offset employee payroll, provide personal protection equipment and ensure child care centers remained operational to support the workforce."

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"After consulting with legal counsel, I believed my company was eligible," she wrote, adding she had communicated with DSS staff about grant applications.

"I am committed to resolving the issue with the State and will work with them to ensure I acted in compliance with the State Constitution," Castleberry wrote.

Castleberry was appointed to the Senate in 2019 after former Sen. Lyndi DiSanto announced her resignation. She also voted on General Appropriation acts that contained federal stimulus funding.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: AG requests Rapid City senator return COVID-19 business funds
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announces a partnership between the "Freedom Works Here" campaign and Live Fast Motorsports to run a stock car during two NASCAR Cup Series races in Sioux Falls on July 27, 2023.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will be a special guest when former President Donald Trump makes his return to the Rushmore state in September for the Monumental Leaders Rally.

It's the first time in three years that Trump has returned in-person to Rapid City. The Monumental Leaders Rally is hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party and is scheduled to take place at Ice Arena on September 8 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $25.

More: Former President Donald Trump set to visit Black Hills for GOP rally in September

Noem told reporters Thursday that she supported GOP Chairman John Wiik in securing the former president as a speaker.

"I think there was a little follow up with me to just see if that was something I would support," Noem said. "I talked to [Trump] directly two days ago so we've been talking."

Noem has been a close ally of Trump for a number of years. She invited him to South Dakota in 2020 to give a Fourth of July speech at Mount Rushmore, where down the road there were protests in Keystone over his visit. Trump also helped fundraise for Noem during her first run for governor in 2018 and supported her in her re-election campaign.

There's also speculation that Noem is on Trump's short list as a vice president contender as he continues to lead the 2024 Republican Presidential primary field. It appears unlikely Noem will launch her own GOP presidential primary campaign.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem to be at Trump's Rapid City rally in September
Braintree Deputy Police Chief Timothy Cohoon has been named police chief. The appointment is awaiting town council approval.

BRAINTREE  Mayor Charles Kokoros has named Deputy Police Chief for Operations Timothy Cohoon as the next chief of the Braintree Police Department.

Cohoon is a 27-year veteran of the department, starting as a patrol officer and holding leadership positions in patrol, special operations, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and administration. He has been deputy chief of operations for a little over three years.

He has expertise in critical incident command, tactical training, community-centric policing and complex investigations. For 20 years, he has served on the MetroLEC SWAT team, retiring as a team commander in 2021.

He is also an advocate for holistic officer wellness, being a founding member of the MetroLEC Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

In announcing the appointment, Kokoros said he has great confidence in Cohoon's abilities.

"His passion for public service and his dedication to our community make him the ideal leader for our police force," Kokoros said in a statement. "I have witnessed Deputy Chief Cohoon's outstanding work for over 20 years, and I am certain that under his guidance, the Braintree Police Department will continue to serve with excellence."

The appointment is subject to town council approval.

More: Braintree mayor says he will promote next police chief from within; Dubois headed to Maine

Cohoon takes over command of the 89-officer department from Mark Dubois, who has been the town's police chief for nearly four years.

Dubois is leaving to to take up his new duties next week as police chief in Portland, Maine.

During his career, Cohoon has demonstrated a commitment to professional development. Earlier this year, he graduated from the FBI's National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 10-week program is the premier law enforcement executive development course, graduating law enforcement executives from around the world.

He has also completed training through the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, earning the Trilogy Award in 2019. Last year, he attended the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University.

Story continues

Kokoros thanked retired Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan, Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott and town Human Resources Director Cindy De Pina for serving as an interview committee for the candidates.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: New Braintree police chief no stranger to department
You are the owner of this article.
Amber Yazzie places a pinwheel in the ground to memorialize lives lost to overdose during an awareness event at Sarg Hubbard Park in Yakima, Wash., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.
One thing the pope wont be able to ignore in Portugal is a legacy of clergy sex abuse

Pope Francis is making a five-day visit next week to Portugal, where a scandal that erupted earlier this year over Catholic Church sex abuse is still simmering
Ukrainian air force downs eight Shahed drones, Kalbir missiles make it through 27 July, 11:19 AM Missile (Photo:Eastern Air Command)

Russia launched another overnight air raid on Ukraine on July 27, employing combat UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and cruise missiles.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defense units downed eight Shahed UAVs, but unfortunately, several Kalibr cruise missiles could not be intercepted.

Read also: Romanian cargo ship falls victim to Russian drone attack in southern Ukraine

The missiles are believed to have been been launched from a submarine in the Black Sea.

The primary target of the attack was port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, where the Kalibr missiles caused several casualties, the military said. The Shahed drones were neutralized within the territories of Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk oblasts.

Video of day

The Ukrainian Air Force stated that it had also carried out 11 air strikes on enemy targets over the past 24 hours.

Earlier on the night of July 27, it was reported that a security guard was killed in a Russian attack on port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast. Two vehicles were also damaged, Oleh Kiper, the head of Odesa Oblast State Administration, reported.

In a previous massive attack launched by the Russian Federation on Ukraine, Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense forces were able to successfully intercept 36 missiles.

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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Ask anyone who knows and theyll tell you theres no shortage of reasons to retire in Europe, like the rich culture, interesting history, delicious cuisine, incredible scenery and perhaps most important  affordability. How do you decide which country you should move to though?

Retirement Savings: Experts Say This Magic Number Is the Key  and Its Not $1 Million

Learn: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement

To help, GOBankingRates looked at Numbeos mid-2023 data to find European countries with monthly expenditures under $4,650, which is what it costs in New York City for a single person in a one-bedroom apartment. It also looked at the safety index  with higher indexes being better  and the cost of living index  with lower indexes being better  for each country. For comparison purposes, New York Citys safety index is 50.5 and its cost of living index is 100.

Here are the 10 most-affordable countries to retire in Europe.

Croatia

Safety index: 73.9

Cost of living index: 30.9

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,437

Croatia is located in Southeastern Europe  across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. Although the country has both a Mediterranean and continental climate, the continental climate dominates, featuring hot summers and cold winters.

Boomers Prefer To Retire Abroad: Top 5 Places To Retire Outside of the US

Montenegro

Safety index: 63.1

Cost of living index: 29.7

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,381

Montenegro, which means black mountain, is located on Europes Adriatic Coast and has a reputation for being more affordable than Croatia. Its also an outdoor lovers paradise. Youll find a plethora of mountains and plenty of national parks to get lost in.

Serbia

Safety index: 61.5

Cost of living index: 27.9

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,297

Serbia is bordered by Montenegra to the southwest and Croatia to the northwest. Its landscape contains mountains and plains. English is also widely spoken by the friendly locals.

Story continues

Bulgaria

Safety index: 62.5

Cost of living index: 25.7

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,195

Bulgaria is one of the most affordable countries in the European Union and is located in southeastern Europe in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Expats who live there for 183 out the 365 days of the year will be considered taxable residents. Bulgaria has a flat tax rate that applies to both business and personal taxes, which could serve as an advantage if youre planning to start a business in the country.

Albania

Safety index: 54.6

Cost of living index: 25.7

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,195

Albania, which is located in southern Europe in the western area of the Balkan Peninsula, also has a lower cost of living index. It also is an outdoor paradise with plenty of beaches, mountains and lakes.

Romania

Safety index: 67.2

Cost of living index: 24.8

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,153

Located in southeastern Europe, Romania has a Black Sea coastline. This affordable country also has mountains, forests, hills and plains. Romanians are known for being welcoming and friendly to Americans.

Belarus

Safety index: 48.6

Cost of living index: 23.4

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,088

A temperate continental climate with four seasons is what youll find in Belarus, with warm summers, cold winters and mild weather in the spring and fall. However, English is not widely spoken in the country; youll find that most people speak Russian or Belarusian.

Moldova

Safety index: 54.3

Cost of living index: 23.1

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,074

Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe and is known for its long summers, lasting from May to September. The official language is Romanian and many locals  especially in the outlying areas  do not speak English.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Safety index: 57.5

Cost of living index: 22

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $1,023

Bosnia and Herzegovina are located in the western Balkans in southeastern Europe. Although Bosnia and Herzegovina have a free public healthcare system, its understaffed and many doctors do not speak English. Thats why many expatriates choose to buy private medical insurance and travel to another European country to obtain healthcare.

North Macedonia

Safety index: 59.3

Cost of living index: 19.8

Total monthly cost of living expenditures: $921

North Macedonia is located in southeastern Europe, north of Greece. It sits on a plateau and is known for its beautiful scenic views. The country also has free primary public healthcare for all citizens, including expats, which includes free unlimited visits to primary healthcare professionals and free services.

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: For this piece GOBankingRates looked at Numbeos mid-2023 data to find all European countries that had the following factors available; (1) crime index score as sourced from Numbeo and (2) cost of living index (including rent). The cost of living index (including rent) estimates consumer goods prices, including rent, in comparison to New York City, which was $4,650 per month for a single person in a one-bedroom apartment. All data was then scored and those countries with monthly expenditures under $4,650 were considered. For those qualified countries, GOBankingRates then used factor (2) for final rankings, with the lowest total being best. All data was collected and is up to date as of July 19, 2023.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Most Affordable Countries for Retiring in Europe
Incatusat la Mioveni pentru ca a agresat o tanara femeie!

Marti, 8 august, politistii au retinut un tanar in varsta de 26 de ani, din Mioveni, cercetat pentru savarsirea infractiunii de lovire sau alte violente. Citeste si: Sofer prins la Pitesti ca n-a dat prioritate pietonilor! Cat va sta fara permis Din cercetari s-a stabilit [citeste mai departe]
Artificial intelligence is transforming the work landscape. Nitat Termmee/Getty Images

Artificial intelligence is altering the workforce in unpredictable ways.

While companies and workers are beginning to embrace AI, some worry about its risks.

Here are 10 ways AI tools such as ChatGPT have entered the workplace  and what may come out of it.

This story is part of "How Emerging Tech is Changing Everything," a series exploring the transformative impact of tech innovations across industries.

Artificial intelligence is already changing the workplace in ways we never could've imagined.

Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT, its conversational AI chatbot, in November, many have used it to lose weight, plan vacations, and even land dates.

Now, some companies are embracing AI  though not without precaution  as business leaders begin to wake up to the technology's impressive capabilities. In a 2023 IBM study surveying 3000 executives on generative AI, 75% of respondents said it would give their businesses a competitive edge and 43% are using AI to make strategic business decisions.

But not all workers are ready to use AI. In the IBM study, 57% of the executives said they had reservations about data security, while 48% said they were also concerned about bias.

Nevertheless, workers and companies are starting to deploy AI for business purposes in myriad ways.

Here are 10 ways AI is changing the workforce:

1. Workers are using ChatGPT to help do their jobs

Workers across industries  from education to law  are using AI technology such as ChatGPT to automate their workflows to save time and boost productivity.

Nick Patrick, the owner of the music-production company Primal Sounds Productions, told Insider he used ChatGPT to fine-tune legal contracts for clients. Shannon Ahern, a high-school math and science teacher, said she used the AI chatbot to generate quiz questions and lesson plans.

Others have used the chatbot to write listings for luxury real estate, assist in recruiting efforts, draft social-media posts, and develop code.

Story continues

In fact, many workers are even secretly using AI to help do their jobs.

At the beginning of the year, Fishbowl, a workplace-discussion app, surveyed more than 11,700 workers, including those from companies such as Amazon, Google, Meta, and Twitter, to gauge whether they used AI at work. Out of the 43% of respondents who said they used AI to accomplish their work tasks, 68% of them said they hadn't told their bosses they were using them.

2. Companies are looking for ChatGPT expertise in their workers

Companies across various industries  including healthcare, education, and insurance  are looking to hire workers with experience using AI.

As of June, more than a dozen of companies were hiring workers on sites such as Indeed and LinkedIn with ChatGPT expertise listed in their job postings, paying as much as $800,000 a year for the skill. Executives at these companies told Insider that job candidates with knowledge of AI might be more productive, creative, and open to change than those without AI expertise.

The move to hire AI-savvy workers seems to be gaining traction. In a recent survey from the job site Resume Builder of business leaders who were hiring, 91% of respondents said they wanted to bring on workers who knew how to use OpenAI's chatbot to save time and enhance productivity.

3. Employers are encouraging workers to learn how to use AI

Executives are asking their workers to integrate AI into their workflows. That way, companies can save time and money on their business processes.

Jensen Huang, the CEO of the chip giant Nvidia, said workers should learn how to use AI to improve their performance.

"Everyone is a programmer now," Huang said during this year's Computex conference in Taipei, Taiwan. "You just have to say something to the computer."

Akash Nigam, the CEO and founder of Genies, an avatar-tools company, previously told Insider he purchased ChatGPT Plus accounts for all of his 120 employees and encouraged them to make learning the AI chatbot a priority so they could "effectively accelerate" their departments.

"You really got to find time to, like, learn this skill," Nigam previously told Insider.

4. Job applicants are using AI to write their resumes and improve their applications

AI can help you land your next gig by improving your job application.

To test his company's recruiting efforts, Neil Taylor, the founder of Schwa, a communications consultancy, said that he secretly submitted a job application written by ChatGPT to recruiters at his firm and later learned that ChatGPT was one of the few applicants chosen for an interview.

"It was more competent than a lot of the bad people who apply to us," Taylor told Sky News.

Insider's Beatrice Nolan conducted a similar experiment, in which she asked ChatGPT to write cover letters for real jobs and sent the letters to hiring managers for them to review. The managers told Nolan they would've offered her an interview even though they said the letters lacked personality.

AI enthusiasts have also expressed on social media how impressed they are with ChatGPT's ability to write cover letters, resurfacing a long-held debate on whether cover letters should be removed from the job-application process.

5. AI is being used to make hiring decisions

AI-assisted hiring is nothing new.

For years, companies have used AI tools to screen resumes and cover letters, interview job candidates, and even analyze the speech and facial expressions of applicants to get a read on their personalities  processes that experts say might not be fair when making hiring decisions.

But some human-resources professionals say that generative-AI tools have helped them do their jobs better. Jasmine Cheng, a recruiter who left Amazon to start her own recruiting firm called Topknack, said she used ChatGPT to do things such as finding job candidates and creating interview questions, which she said saved her at least 10 hours a week.

"With those hours back, I can reach more candidates, network, and even conduct more business development to get more clients, which leads to making more money," Cheng previously told Insider.

6. Companies are using AI to write their performance reviews

Managers may find writing performance reviews for their employees a tough task. But what if AI could do it for you?

Companies behind HR-management software are starting to integrate AI features that can help managers write performance reviews that are fair, accurate, and personalized for their direct reports.

For instance, Textio, an HR-management tool with an AI-assistant feature for performance reviews, is used by companies such as Hulu, Spotify, T-Mobile, and McDonald's, WorkLife reported.

AI-generated performance reviews are nothing new. In 2018, the cloud giant Oracle launched Digital Assistant, an AI chatbot that HR professionals can use to complete employee evaluations.

AI expertise may also be taken into consideration during a performance review. Nigam, the CEO of the avatar-tools company, expects to make decisions on who gets promoted based on how well they know ChatGPT, he told Insider.

7. Experts say AI could help make the 4-day workweek possible

A four-day workweek may be on the horizon thanks to ChatGPT.

AI tools can help workers be more productive, which, in turn, cuts down the time it takes to accomplish any given task  a "necessary condition for us to work less," Oded Netzer, a professor at Columbia Business School, previously told Insider.

Carl Benedikt Frey, an Oxford economist, echoed the sentiment. He told Insider: "Any technology that increases productivity, ChatGPT included, makes a shorter workweek more feasible."

But some experts say that AI's prospective productivity gains may not shorten the workweek. Michael Chu, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute, previously told Insider that employers might expect employees to work even harder to maximize their output because of AI.

8. Companies are restricting their employees from using AI at work

Some companies have set rules around how their employees can use AI in the workplace, in part, to protect their confidential data from being leaked.

While firms such as Apple and Spotify have been said to restrict their workers from using AI, other companies, such as JPMorgan and Northrop Grumman, appear to have outright barred their employees from using the tech.

"Although AI, including ChatGPT and other 'conversational' AIs, can be enormously helpful and truly transformative, we want to be smart about how we implement these tools to protect ourselves, our partners, our company's information and our user data," executives at iHeartMedia wrote in a June memo explaining why it's restricting its workers from using AI.

9. Many are questioning whether AI will replace their jobs

As AI becomes more advanced, many workers may be wondering whether the tech will replace their jobs down the line.

A recent Goldman Sachs report on the state of AI found that generative-AI tools could lead to a "significant disruption" in the labor market and affect 300 million full-time jobs worldwide. White-collar workers  particularly people in law and those part of an administrative staff  are most likely to be affected by new AI tools, Goldman found.

Other labor experts told Insider that workers in media, marketing, and finance  jobs that require writing and number crunching  were at risk of replacement by AI.

AI job replacement may already be occurring. Suumit Shah, the CEO of the e-commerce platform Dukaan, tweeted earlier this month that "we had to layoff 90% of our support team" because an AI chatbot was able to do its work faster.

But not all experts believe AI will wipe out jobs.

Anu Madgavkar, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute, told Insider that AI should be viewed as an imperfect productivity-enhancing tool that could produce bias and error. Richard Baldwin, an economist, said at the 2023 World Economic Forum's Growth Summit that while AI might not replace your job, workers who know how to use AI may replace those who don't.

10. Workers are striking against the use of AI

While some workers seek to embrace AI in their roles, others are speaking out against the ways the technology can harm workers.

For the past three months, thousands of Hollywood writers in the Writers Guild of America have been on strike, in part, to express their concerns over the potential for AI to replace their jobs. Now actors from the SAG-AFTRA guild have joined the strike, urging studios to be extra careful with how they use AI.

"Artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to creative professions, and all actors and performers deserve contract language that protects them from having their identity and talent exploited without consent and pay," Fran Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA, said during a press conference this month.

Journalists are also pushing back against the use of AI in newsrooms. In late June, the GMG Union of G/O Media  the company behind sites such as Gizmodo and Jezebel  released a statement pleading with the parent company to put the brakes on experimenting with AI-generated content.

"We urge G/O Media to cease its plans to litter our sites with AI-generated content and invest in real journalism done by real journalists," the letter said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Research from CIA Landlords Insurance looked into the average cost of groceries and Airbnbs in OECD capital cities, and determined Budapest as one of the most cost-effective countries to vacation in.

Landlords who are looking to buy-to-let need to be aware of the various expenses that renters may face in different cities. Generally speaking, the cheaper the cost of living, the more desirable the place may be for potential tenants, Richard Wayman, finance director at CIA Landlord Insurance, advises future landlords through a statement shared with the Budapest Business Journal.



OECD Capital City Ranking

The research conducted by CIA Landlords Insurance determined the top 10 cities from OECD countries in terms of cheapest Airbnb accommodations and the average costs of grocery shopping.



Bogota, Colombia topped the list with an average GBP 14.69 cost per grocery shopping, and GBP 203.05 for one week at an Airbnb, while Ankara, Turkey came a close second with GBP 15.6 set aside for food shopping and GBP 214.33 for a week-long Airbnb stay.



Budapest placed 10th on the list, with an average of GBP 20.7 spent at one grocery store trip, and GBP 411.73 for one week at an Airbnb accommodation.



On the other end of the spectrum, Bern, Switzerland, is the most expensive international city for groceries, where an average shopping trip costs GBP 41.88, and the most expensive city for an Airbnb is Washington D.C., where an Airbnb for a week costs GBP 1,049.07.



Methodology

To determine the international ranking, CIA Landlord Insurance established a list based on the capital cities of all countries that are OECD members, then determined the metrics for calculations.



They based the cost of the grocery shopping on metrics of general household grocery items, such as white bread, milk, a dozen eggs, a mid-range bottle of wine, cheese, and potatoes.



The research also considered the average price of an Airbnb for one week. This was calculated by searching for the relevant city using AirDNA (a short-term rental data analytics system), setting the currency to USD, taking the average nightly rate, converting this to GBP using Google Finance formula, and multiplying this by seven to get the weekly rate.



The full study is available here: https://www.cia-landlords.co.uk/news/grocery-shopping/
The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.

You can see the new edition of the Xpat E-Magazine here:

https://xpatloop.com/newsletters/2023/27-july.html



Welcome & thanks for enjoying a moment with us here

- you're together with 30,000+ fellow Xpats in the Loop.



1. First are 3 fresh Interviews with cosmopolitan locals you may know, or may want to know:

* Robert Mari, Managing Partner, Waberer Medical Center,

* Mark Molnar, Executive Chef, Costes Group Budapest,

* Orsolya Szombati, Bilingual Travel Blogger.



2. Next up, you can see examples of events happening these days below and in Xpat Calendar:

E.g. 'Beaches Night', Floating Wine Tasting, Depeche Mode Live, OZORA Fest, Dino-Verse Expo.



3. Also for your interest there are new Movies & Specials, plus News, Information & Inspiration:

E.g. Novak Swims Balaton, New Sziget Acts, Local Porn Survey, BKK Price Hike, Hu's Very Safe.



We hope you like what's in it for you.

Best wishes from Team XpatLoop
Hungary and Japan have sealed an agreement on nuclear industrial cooperation aimed at ensuring that nuclear energy remains a key part of both countries' energy policies, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said in Tokyo.

The purpose of the deal is to ensure both countries continue to enjoy cheap, safe and environmentally friendly energy production, Peter Szijjarto said after talks with the Japanese minister of economy, agriculture and foreign affairs.



Szijjarto also called for rational international discussions on nuclear energy based on common sense, free from ideological, emotional attacks against the nuclear industry.



Meanwhile, the minister said Hungary supports NATO cooperation with countries of the Pacific region as well as closer NATO-Japan ties. He noted that he met leaders of several companies and the Japan Business Association (Keidanren). Japanese companies are the seventh largest investors in Hungary, he added.



Japanese companies in the food, car and electronics industries have highly praised operating conditions in Hungary, he said.



Hungarian exports to Japan were worth a record 940 million US dollars last year, he noted, adding that a 30% annual increase is expected this year.



Hungary will soon open a consular mission in Osaka, he noted.
Not all landmarks in Budapest are buildings to admire. In our continuing series of stories of the citys main attractions, we ride the panoramic Chairlift, Libego to Hungarians.

What is the Chairlift in Budapest?

One of the most romantic attractions in a city full of them, the Chairlift (1121 Budapest, Zugligeti ut 97) whisks passengers up steep Janos Hill in two-person gondolas to reach the summit 527 metres high. As well as providing panoramic views over leafy Buda, this allows you access to the Elizabeth Lookout Tower, the highest point in Budapest, and a landmark in its own right.







Top tips for the Chairlift in Budapest

Look out for Chairlift Night in summer, when the facility stays open after midnight for a magical ride beneath the stars. The Chairlift is overseen by the Budapest Transport Company, BKK, with tickets are available (standard daytime 3,000 forints return, 3-14s 1,000 forints) from the kiosk at either terminus.

The service runs from 10am until 3.30pm in deepest winter, 7pm in summer, and until 4pm-6pm in spring and autumn. It usually closes every other Monday.



Why was the Chairlift in Budapest created?

There had long been talk of some kind of transportation for Janos Hill, once Bleichert-made aerial cableways began to Germany, and particularly after the opening of the Elizabeth Lookout Tower in 1910. Designs came and went, but it wasnt until the 1960s that the green light was given to the project.







When was the Chairlift in Budapest created?

Construction began in 1969 according to a design conceived by legendary pilot Endre Franko, a member of the famed wartime Puma squadron. A year later, with 17 support pillars in place, the Chairlift opened.

It has since twice been renovated, in 1991 and 2010.







Where in Budapest is the Chairlift?

The Chairlift is in Zugliget, a pretty part of Budas 12th District whose slopes were covered with vineyards 200 years ago. Deer, wild boar and pheasant roamed in nearby hunting grounds. Popular with hikers and picnickers, Zugliget saw residential houses built from the later 1800s onwards.



Today it is accessed by Zugligeti ut, a twisting, panoramic road climbed by the 291 bus from Nyugati station via Budagyongye, or the upper terminus is a 10-15 minute walk from the Janoshegy stop on the Childrens Railway.



What else should I know about the Chairlift in Budapest?

The Chairlift runs for 1,040 metres for a climb of 262 metres, a journey that takes 12 minutes in total. A steep footpath follows beneath the cables at ground level, and every year a Beat the Chairlift race is held, competitors attempting to run the distance faster than the gondolas above can glide it.



Coming down by Chairlift, on a clear day you can see as far as the slopes and woods outside Godollo and Vac.





Why visit the Chairlift in Budapest?

One of the citys truly spectacular attractions, the Chairlift lends an Alpine touch to any visit, literally a breath of fresh air when all down below is urban heat and traffic fumes. Ideal for couples and families.





Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com

Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com



MTI Photos: Marton Monus, Peter Komka, Laszlo Roka
May I? Pleeease Mom!

Brown eyes danced with anticipation as my seven-year-old waited for her answer.

Daniels oldest brother Tobias and his wife Fannie suggested that Hosanna would visit Ohio and spend a week with them. As I thought about it, she seemed like such a little thing; still, I knew in my heart that it would be another step toward growing up.

Another phone conversation with Tobias confirmed the plan.

You mean I may go to be their maud?! She bubbled. (Maud is a Dutch word we use for a hired girl who helps with housework)

Yes, you may, I smiled, hugging the bouncy little girl.

A family friend who drives for Amish folks planned to travel to Ohio and take the girls with her the following morning.

Julia will also go with you to Ohio and stay at Aunt Marys house, I explained.

Hosanna was pleased with the idea; the rest of the day was spent dreaming about the trip to Ohio and all that would happen during their stay.

Julia chipped in and helped me by mowing the yard, packing clothes, and getting things squared away to help over her absence.

At last, it was time for bed.

By 12:15, Hosanna was wide awake, ready to leave for Ohio. My efforts of soothing her back to sleep proved futile; one thing was genuine in her little mind  she would soon be leaving for Ohio!

At 2:00 a.m., both girls were dressed and ready to go. Under the canopy of twinkling stars, I walked with them down the sidewalk and out to the van. We loaded their suitcases and a purse with snacks and activities and buckled them in.

I absorbed it all: two girls, sisters by adoption, wearing purple dresses and the biggest smiles ever. My heart swelled for them. After the last hugs, kisses, and blessings, the door was shut, and the van drove out of the driveway into the night.

Under the stars that night, I took the opportunity to talk to God. Life scenes from bygone years marched before me. These are the same stars that twinkled overhead when I was a girl, I mused, And the same driver who, 15 years ago, repeatedly brought Daniel from Ohio to see me is now taking our daughters to Ohio Daniels earthly work is now complete My thoughts tumbled faster than I could organize them.

After a while, I crept back into the house and into our empty bedroom. Again my thoughts and prayers blended into one; the clock kept ticking on.

Later when I heard the rooster crowing, I knew I must have fallen asleep at one point.

That morning after breakfast, there were lots of little things I hoped to accomplish; it seemed like I could float around the house having fewer duties with only four children. On the other hand, it was like half of our family was missing. Repeatedly I cried out to God to lead me, to take me through these days according to his plan.

Later when I spoke with Hosanna on the phone, she had glowing reports of hitching Tobias pony in the little wagon, their horseback riding, and spending time with cousins. Though she sometimes missed her mom, I know shes in good hands. You can only imagine how eager one mama is to make a trip to Ohio on Thursday, see her two girls again, and bring them back home!

The boys were pleased with the idea of going to Ohio with their cousins, including the newest addition to the Yoder family, named Jordan Daniel, born to Uncle Samuel and his wife. Precious.

Perhaps well catch up on the Ohio trip later, but for now, Ill be chasing after the little boys who ran out to play on our new swing set. A reader (whom we no longer have an address for) gifted us money for a swing set. The children and their friends have spent countless hours on it. Thank you many times over!

This week Ill pass on a zucchini pie recipe my editor shared. I was impressed with this recipe, it looks like a keeper to me; well be using it with our excess squash.

Summer zucchini pie

4 sliced zucchini

1/4 cup onion, diced

1/3 cup butter

2 teaspoons parsley

1/2 teaspoon garlic

 teaspoon salt

 teaspoon pepper

 teaspoon oregano

 teaspoon basil

2 eggs beaten

2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese

1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese

1 unbaked pie crust

2 tablespoons dry mustard

1. Melt the butter in pan and cook the zucchini and onion over low heat for 10 minutes

2. Mix spices and add to zucchini mixture.

3. Simmer for a few minutes.

4. Add eggs and cheese to the mixture.

5. Spread dry mustard into the unbaked pie crust.

6. Pour the zucchini mixture into the crust and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.
Red Way Airlines announced Tuesday it will pull the plug early on three of its original destinations.

The leisure air carrier, which began flying out of the Lincoln Airport in June, will have its final flights to Austin, Texas, on Aug. 5 and to Atlanta and Minneapolis on Aug. 7.

Those markets unfortunately dont make sense to continue, said Red Way CEO Nick Wangler, saying the carrier never gained traction in those markets.

Two months into the Red Way experiment, Wangler knew some things wouldnt pan out as well as others. The soft sales in those three markets are disappointing but dont diminish his view of the overall picture, he said.

Im more disappointed in myself that we picked a couple of markets that ultimately didnt work, Wangler said.

Its doubtful those markets will come back in the spring, he added.

So far, Red Way has tapped $928,398 from the $3 million pot formed by the city of Lincoln and Lancaster County from American Rescue Plan Act funds.

While that sounds like a lot, Wangler said the airline is so far meeting its financial expectations.

Dave Haring, executive director of the Lincoln Airport, said the infusion of cash so far has not been a surprise.

That was expected early on, Haring said. We dont expect another draw to be that big.

Its hard to figure out why the three markets didnt succeed, Haring said. The airfares to Austin seemed low enough to attract travelers, while Minneapolis and Atlanta  although not traditional leisure markets  are popular destinations.

Thats one of the unique things about seasonal markets, Haring said. This does happen from time to time. For whatever reason, a certain destination just doesnt click.

The good news is that Red Way has sold more than 36,000 tickets since late March and has exceeded expectations in Dallas and Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, the first three days of sales for flights to Tampa, Florida, and Phoenix have been solid. Theres also a chance those flights could begin early, Wangler said.

We have a bunch of flights that are working incredibly well, Wangler said. Theres a lot of good stuff coming.

Wangler said he is a few days from announcing a fifth winter destination, joining Las Vegas, Orlando and Tampa, Florida, and Phoenix.

He just needs final approval from that airport on what time the flight can both take off and land.

Once we receive that approval I think were in a position where we have everything else done, he said.

And Wangler promises it will make a splash.

Lets put it this way, I think its gonna be something youre going to want to (book).
In the bustling real estate sector of India, several key players have spurred exponential growth. One such industry titan is Kushal Pal Singh, the driving force behind DLF. Currently boasting an impressive net worth of over Rs 94,500 crore, Singh recently found a fresh lease on love at 91.

KP Singh Life, Family, Career

Born in 1931 in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, Singh pursued science at Meerut College before exploring the field of aeronautical engineering in the UK. His professional journey began with the Indian Army's Deccan Horse, commissioned by the British Officers Services Selection Board.



DLF: The Foundation and Rise

However, in 1961, he traded his military career to join DLF, his father-in-law Chaudhary Raghvender Singh's venture founded in 1946. Singh quickly made his mark on DLF, taking the helm as managing director in 1979, following its merger with DLF Universal Limited. Under his guidance, DLF thrived and expanded. His children, Pia Singh, Renuka Talwar, and Rajiv Singh, also joined the family business.

DLF And GIC: A Billion-Dollar Partnership

In a noteworthy transaction, Singh sold a third of his stake in DLF's rental division to Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, for $1.9 billion in August 2017. The partnership bore fruit in 2022 when DLF and GIC launched a luxury residential development in Delhi.

DLF's Leadership Transition

Following more than five decades of leadership, Singh stepped down as chairman in June 2020, earning the title of Chairman Emeritus. Today, DLF is the largest publicly traded real estate company in India, helmed by his son Rajiv Singh.

KP Singh's Personal Life: Finding Love Again

Life took an unexpected turn for the widower when he found love again at 91. In an intimate interview with CNBC-TV18, Singh opened up about his relationship with Sheena, who has brought joy and companionship into his life following his wife's passing.



KP Singhs Realtime Net Worth

As per Forbes Realtime Billionaire Index figures, KP Singhs realtime net worth as of 27-07-2023 is USD 11.7 billion (9,59,28,30,00,000.00 Indian Rupee approximately)
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank has permitted 20 banks operating in the country to open 92 Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) of partner banks from 22 countries as part of efforts to promote bilateral trade in local currencies, the government said on Wednesday.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash also informed that an MoU has been signed between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of UAE on July 15. (Also Read: Lucrative Business Idea: You Can Easily Earn Up To 6 To 7 Lakh Rupees Per Year By Investing Rs...)

This would enable exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their respective domestic currencies enabling the development of a bilateral foreign exchange market. (Also Read: Next Generation Of India's Richest Business Families: Meet Tycoons Of Tomorrow Who Are Living Away from The Limelight)



As on July 23, 20 banks in India have been permitted to open SRVAs of partner banks from 22 countries, including Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Guyana, and Israel.

Other countries are Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel said India's exports rose by 36.6 percent during the last five years from USD 330.07 billion in 2018-19 to USD 450.95 billion in 2022-23.

India's imports rose by 38.8 percent during the last five years from USD 514.07 billion in 2018-19 to USD 714.04 billion in 2022-23.

She also informed me that most of the goods imported from China are capital goods, intermediate goods, and raw materials and are used for meeting the demand of fast-expanding sectors like electronics, telecom, and power in India.
Mumbai: Former Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray dared the Bharatiya Janata Party to finish him and asserted he has the blessings of his late father Bal Thackeray and the people. In an interview with party mouthpiece Saamana's executive editor Sanjay Raut, Thackeray wanted to know how the BJP could take credit for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya when it was not ready to take responsibility for the demolition of the Babri Masjid there in 1992.

In the second part of the interview, which was published in Saamana on Thursday, the former Maharashtra chief minister said it was the Supreme Court, which resolved the Ram temple issue.

"If you want to finish me then do that. Let us see. I have the blessings of my father and the people, said Thackeray, attacking the BJP. Thackeray also asserted that his country is his family, underlining that "this is his Hindutva".



Disagree With Ajit Pawars Age Jibe On Sharad Pawar

Thackeray said he disagreed with rebel Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar should retire due to his age.

"We always respect elders and this respect should be maintained. What if someone has aged. Whom should we take blessings from. I did not like his (Ajit Pawar) remark (on Sharad Pawar)," Thackeray added.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief asserted that such statements went against the tradition of Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif and Dilip Walse Patil, had joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also claimed his father and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray had saved Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought to know if this (attacking him) was how one repaid a favour.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) routinely claims it was Bal Thackeray who saved Modi from being removed as Gujarat chief minister after the 2002 riots there by speaking to then deputy prime minister and BJP stalwart LK Advani.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the 20 countries with the highest rate of AIDS. If you are not interested in reading the details, head straight to the 5 Countries With Highest Rates of AIDS.

AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, remains a pressing global health concern, and its impact varies significantly across nations. In this discussion, we delve into the sobering topic of countries with the highest rates of AIDS. Despite remarkable progress in combating the HIV epidemic, certain regions face alarming prevalence rates, amplifying the urgency of comprehensive prevention, treatment, and awareness efforts.

By exploring the current epidemiological landscape, identifying key contributing factors, and evaluating the strategies implemented to address the crisis, we aim to shed light on these countries' challenges and underscore the importance of international collaboration in tackling this devastating disease.

Introduction to the AIDS Epidemic: Understanding the Global Impact

The AIDS epidemic has significantly impacted the world, affecting millions of people. It first emerged in the 1980s and has since spread to all parts of the world. Despite significant progress in treatment and prevention, it remains a major global health challenge. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 39 million people lived with HIV in 2022, and 630,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses that year.

The epidemic's economic impact has also been substantial, with an estimated $7.9 billion spent on AIDS-related healthcare in low- and middle-income countries in 2019. Understanding the epidemic's effects is crucial to developing effective strategies to combat it. Factors such as stigma, discrimination, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare have all contributed to the spread of the disease.

Education and awareness campaigns have played a crucial role in reducing new infections, but much more needs to be done to address the root causes of the epidemic. Ultimately, it is only through a collective effort that we can hope to end the AIDS epidemic and ensure everyone has access to the care and support they need.

Story continues

Factors Contributing to High HIV/AIDS Rates: Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Healthcare Factors

High HIV/AIDS rates are a complex issue that can be attributed to various factors such as socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare factors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poverty, lack of education, and unemployment are some of the socioeconomic factors that can contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. In fact, WHO reports that in low- and middle-income countries, people living in poverty are twice as likely to contract HIV/AIDS as those not. Cultural factors such as stigma and discrimination can also contribute to high HIV/AIDS rates.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reports that stigma can prevent individuals from seeking testing, treatment, and care, leading to a higher risk of transmission. Discrimination against certain groups, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, and people who use drugs, can also contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Healthcare factors such as limited access to testing, treatment, and care can also contribute to high HIV/AIDS rates.

According to UNAIDS, lacking knowledge and resources can prevent individuals from accessing the necessary care. Additionally, fear of discrimination from healthcare providers can prevent individuals from seeking care. In fact, UNAIDS reports that globally, only 76% of people living with HIV/AIDS have access to antiretroviral therapy. In order to address the issue of high HIV/AIDS rates, it is essential to address these various factors, which can include increasing access to healthcare, reducing stigma and discrimination, and providing education and resources to prevent the spread of the disease.

According to reports, the U.S. government spends $28 billion per year on federal domestic HIV/AIDS programs. By addressing these issues and investing in prevention and treatment programs, we can work towards reducing HIV/AIDS rates and improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities affected by the disease.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and HIV/AIDS: Business Contributions to the Cause

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is crucial for businesses, integrating social and environmental concerns into their operations. One area where companies can significantly impact is combating HIV/AIDS, a global pandemic with devastating consequences. Additionally, businesses can contribute through employee programs, such as education, training, testing, counseling, and support for those living with the disease. By taking action, businesses can play a vital role in the fight against HIV/AIDS and positively impact affected individuals and communities.

Innovation in HIV/AIDS Research: Advancements and Challenges

Innovation in HIV/AIDS research has come a long way since the epidemic's early days. According to recent financial statistics, the global market for HIV/AIDS drugs was valued at $30.46 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $45.58 billion by 2028, which is a testament to the significant advancements that have been made in treating this disease.

Advancements in the treatment of AIDS have indeed come a long way in recent years, thanks to the tireless efforts of several breakthrough companies and the development of new medications. These companies have invested significantly in research and development, which has led to the discovery of powerful tools in the fight against AIDS.

For instance, Truvada, a breakthrough medication that is a combination of two antiretroviral drugs, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Gilead Science, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), one of the most profitable pharmaceutical companies in the world, has generated over $19.5 billion in revenue on Truvada since its approval in 2012.

Speaking of Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) the company has developed a number of medications that have revolutionized AIDS treatment. In 2022 alone, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) reported a revenue of $27.3 billion, with a net income of $4.5 billion, which underscores the importance of investing in research and development to find new ways to combat the virus and improve the lives of those affected.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and ViiV Healthcare are also making significant contributions to AIDS treatment. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)'s Delstrigo and ViiV Healthcare's Cabenuva have turned out to be affective HIV medications. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and ViiV Healthcare play an important role in AIDS treatment.

20 Countries With Highest Rates Of AIDS

Jarun Ontakrai/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

For our list of the countries with the highest rates of AIDS, we relied on aggregated data by Statista and World Population Review and ranked the countries in ascending order of high rate of AIDS among populations aged 15-49 as of 2021.

Here is the list of the 20 countries with the highest rate of AIDS.

20. Cote Dlvoire

AIDS Rate: 1.9%

AIDS is a significant issue in Cote D'Ivoire, with an estimated 1.9% prevalence among adults aged 15-49, higher than the sub-Saharan Africa average. The disease's impact on daily life includes various health problems and management difficulties. Economically, AIDS leads to lost productivity and increased healthcare costs. Nevertheless, efforts to improve HIV testing and treatment access offer hope for reducing the disease's impact over time.

19. South Sudan

AIDS Rate: 2.1%

AIDS is a significant health concern in South Sudan, with approximately 170,000 people affected. The disease substantially impacts daily life, making work and family care challenging due to physical and emotional symptoms. High treatment costs lead to limited access, worsening symptoms, and overall health. The economic toll is considerable, with AIDS resulting in lost productivity and increased healthcare expenses. The government and international organizations focus on improving access to affordable treatment, prevention measures, and education to combat the issue.

18. Rwanda

AIDS Rate: 2.3%

In Rwanda, AIDS is a severe issue, impacting over a quarter million people. The disease's cost is high, despite government programs for awareness, prevention, and treatment. Many living with HIV/AIDS can't work, resulting in lost income and reduced productivity. However, Rwanda is progressing in the fight against AIDS with continued efforts and support.

17. Central African Republic

AIDS Rate: 2.7%

In the Central African Republic, the AIDS epidemic is a significant concern, with around 120,000 people living with HIV. The disease's impact is profound, leading to ostracization, limited healthcare access, and economic discrimination. Treating AIDS turn out to be very costly, straining the country's limited resources and struggling economy. Collaborative efforts between the government and international organizations are crucial to increase prevention and treatment access, reduce stigma, and support those affected, working towards ending the AIDS epidemic.

16. Cameroon

AIDS Rate: 2.9%

AIDS affects thousands of people in Cameroon, especially marginalized groups like sex workers and homosexual males. Social stigma and discrimination hinder healthcare access for those living with AIDS. The disease places a heavy economic burden on the healthcare system due to high treatment costs. The government has addressed the crisis by improving healthcare access and reducing stigma. However, more support is needed to combat the disease's spread. In 2022 Cameroon had 480,000 people living with AIDS, with 35,000 new infections.

15. Gabon

AIDS Rate: 3%

Just like other countries, Gabon also stands among the countries with the highest rate of AIDS, with around 25,000 people living with the disease, particularly among sex workers and gays. The disease's impact includes stigma, discrimination, and severe health consequences. Economically, treating AIDS strains the country's resources, posing challenges for affordability.

14. Guinea  Bissau

AIDS Rate: 3.1%

AIDS affects about 3.1% of Guinea - Bissau's population aged 15-49. Daily life for those with AIDS is impacted by discrimination and high treatment costs. The disease also poses significant economic consequences, with decreased productivity and increased healthcare expenses. However, the government and NGOs are actively working on prevention and treatment programs to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and support those affected.

13. Equatorial Guinea

AIDS Rate: 3.3%

AIDS affects around 63,000 people in Equatorial Guinea. The disease takes a toll on their daily life physically and emotionally. Efforts are underway to combat HIV/AIDS, including awareness campaigns and treatment access programs. However, there is still much to be done in the fight against this devastating disease.

12. Congo

AIDS Rate: 3.8%

Congo is another one of the countries with highest rates of HIV Infections, with over 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS, representing a prevalence rate of around 3.8%. The disease profoundly impacts daily life, making work and activities challenging due to health complications and facing discrimination. Economically, AIDS costs the country billions of dollars annually, with high treatment expenses and lost productivity. Treating AIDS is a significant challenge, with antiretroviral drugs often being prohibitively expensive for many, despite efforts by the government and international organizations to provide access.

11. Kenya

AIDS Rate: 4%

AIDS is a significant health concern in Kenya, affecting approximately 1.5 million people. Due to stigma, the disease takes a toll on their daily lives, with physical, emotional, and social challenges. Economically, treating AIDS costs up to $20 per person per month, which makes it $224 annually, straining the healthcare system and budget. However, education, awareness campaigns, and increased testing and treatment access are making a positive difference in combatting the spread of AIDS in Kenya.

10. Tanzania

AIDS Rate: 4.5%

Tanzania has around 1.7 million people living with AIDS. The disease's impact is immense, leading to discrimination, health complications, and limited access to healthcare. Economically, AIDS results in high treatment costs, lost productivity, and reduced economic growth. While some programs offer free or low-cost antiretroviral therapy, treatment expenses remain a significant burden, especially for remote areas with limited healthcare services.

9. Uganda

AIDS Rate: 5.2%

AIDS is a severe health issue in Uganda, affecting about 1.4 million people with widespread discrimination and stigma. Economically, treating the disease is burdensome, costing approximately $258.78 per person, straining the healthcare system. However, efforts are underway to combat HIV/AIDS, including improved testing and treatment access and awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.

8. Malawi

AIDS Rate: 7.7%

AIDS is a significant health concern in Malawi, with an estimated 1.1 million people living with the disease. This high prevalence substantially impacts the daily lives of those affected, as they often face stigma and discrimination. It also significantly impacts the country's economy, as the cost of treating AIDS can be very high. In Malawi, it is estimated that the cost of treating AIDS is around $330 per person per year. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to combat the spread of AIDS in Malawi, including increased education and access to testing and treatment.

7. Zambia

AIDS Rate: 10.8%

In Zambia, around 53,000 people are affected by AIDS. Daily life for those with the disease involves managing symptoms and adhering to strict medication regimes. Economically, treating AIDS costs approximately $200 million annually, straining the country's limited resources and hindering other development areas. Socially, AIDS leads to stigma and discrimination, impacting mental health and well-being. Addressing these challenges is vital to create a more inclusive and supportive society in Zambia.

6. Zimbabwe

AIDS Rate: 11.6%

Zimbabwe stands sixth among the countries with the highest rates of AIDS, with approximately 1.3 million people fighting with the disease. Stigma and discrimination make accessing healthcare and employment difficult for those living with the disease, impacting their daily lives and financial stability. Caring for a bedridden AIDS patient in the country for three months costs approximately $556-841 for the family. However, with access to antiretroviral therapy and support services, many individuals can manage the disease and lead productive lives. Addressing the root causes of the AIDS epidemic remains essential to ensure widespread access to care and support in Zimbabwe.

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Disclosure. None: The 20 Countries With Highest Rates of AIDS is originally published on Insider Monkey.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on the Centre for seeking an extension in the tenure of Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra till October 15, and asked if the entire department is "full of incompetent people" except the incumbent chief. "Are we not giving a picture that there is no other person and the entire department is full of incompetent people?" a bench headed by Justice B R Gavai told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The top law officer argued before the bench, also comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol, that the continuity of the ED leadership is necessary in view of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) peer review whose rating matters. Mehta said Sanjay Mishra is "not indispensable" but his presence is necessary for the entire peer review exercise.

Representing the ED, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju said, "Some neighbouring countries want India to fall into FATF's 'grey list' and therefore, the ED chief's continuity is necessary".



The hearing on the Centre's application seeking the continuance of Mishra's tenure till October 15 is underway. The top court had on July 11 held as "illegal" two successive one-year extensions granted to Mishra and said the Centre's orders were in the "breach" of its mandamus in the 2021 verdict that the IRS officer should not be given further term. It had also curtailed Mishra's extended tenure to July 31 from November.

Who Is Sanjay Kumar Mishra

Sanjay Kumar Mishra is a 1984-batch IRS officer. If the SC order had not come, the 62-year-old IRS officer would have otherwise remained in office till November 18, 2023, according to the notification issued by the government earlier. Mishra is believed to be an expert in financial matters. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, he is said to have personally supervised probes in several high-profile cases. He has become a point person in the Narendra Modi governments fight against corruption. It is for this reason that Mishra was appointed as the chief of ED on November 19, 2018, for a period of two years. Prior to his appointment, Mishra was posted as chief commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi.

During Sanjay Kumar Mishras tenure, the ED has earned the sobriquet of the new CBI for the swiftness it has shown in probing financial fraud and money laundering cases involving big political figures in the country, angering the Opposition parties for the agencys actions. Its also said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attacked assets worth Rs 65000 crores in just four years alone under the supervision of Sanjay Kumar Mishra.

The federal financial probe agency is believed to have conducted more than 2,000 raids under his supervision.



High-Profile Cases



The Enforcement Directorate, which is the Centres apex agency that enforces the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and probed matters related to money launder and other big-ticket financial fraud cases. Under Sanjay Mishras supervision, the central investigative agency has launched a probe against several high-profile people and politicians such as Congress' Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra.

ED is also probing cases against Karnataka Congress chief DK 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.

Besides, the agency is also facilitating the extradition of fugitives such as Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Money laundering accused such as former Yes Bank managing director and chief executive officer Rana Kapoor and ICICI Bank former MD-CEO Chanda Kochhars husband Deepak Kochhar have also fallen under the ED scanner under Mishras leadership.

At present, the central probe agency is probing the National Herald case against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the sand mining case involving former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey. West Bengal the SSC recruitment scam against former Trinamool Congress leader Partha Chatterjee and aide Arpita Mukherjee and Delhi Excise policy case involving ex-Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.
Imphal: Opposition Congress in Manipur on Wednesday urged Governor Anusuiya Uikey to convene a special session of the state assembly to discuss the prevailing ethnic violence issue. Five Congress MLA led by their legislature party leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh met the Governor on Wednesday and demanded to convene a special session of the state assembly under Article 174 (1) of the Constitution of India.

An emergency session should be convened in the best interests of the people of Manipur to discuss the ongoing crisis.

The Manipur Assembly is the most appropriate forum to discuss and debate the ongoing turmoil for which suggestions of measures to restore normalcy can be tabled and discussed, said the letter, signed by the five legislators to the governor.

It said that despite many different sections of society and people of the state have been demanding for an emergency session of the house on the crisis, the state government has not respond yet.

The incumbent state cabinet, headed by the Chief Minister (N. Biren Singh), had not accepted any request or demand to call for the emergency session to discuss the matter, the Congress MLAs letter said.

We the five members of the opposition (Congress Legislature Party) in Manipur Legislative Assembly seek your constitutional intervention to our urgent demand to convene an emergency session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, the Congress MLAs said.

The Congress has been demanding resignation of the Chief Minister and imposition of Presidents rule in Manipur to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Jaipur: The husband of Indian woman Anju, who has travelled legally to a remote Pakistan village to meet her Facebook friend, said Thursday they are not divorced yet and hence she cannot marry the man from across the border.

"Anju has said she submitted divorce papers in Delhi three years ago but I have not received any summons or notice from the court yet. On paper, she is still my wife. She cannot marry anyone else. The government should get the matter investigated," Anju's husband Arvind Kumar told reporters in Alwar.

According to a report, Anju (34) married her Facebook friend in Pakistan after converting to Islam and now has a new name, Fatima.



Kumar said on Thursday the government should also investigate her passport and visa documents to check if she used fake documents and signatures to travel to Pakistan.

"She did not inform me about getting the visa process done," he said, adding he will file an FIR in the matter after she returns to India.

He said his daughter has denied accepting Anju as her mother and it will be difficult for him to settle with her in such a scenario.

Asked about claims that Anju could be mentally disturbed and eccentric, Kumar said she used to get tense due to work but he never imagined she would take such a step.

He said theirs was an arranged marriage and she used to get along with the children well. He said if Anju intended to do anything she would get it done.

Kumar said children should live with him and government should cancel her visa and passport and not allow her to go.

ALSO READ | Now, Chinese Woman Travels To Pakistan To Meet Her Lover She Met On Snapchat

Anju was born in Kailor village in Uttar Pradesh and lived in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. She and Pakistani national Nasrulla (29) became friends on Facebook in 2019.

Anju has travelled to the Upper Dir district in the tribal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on a valid visa to meet Nasrulla.
New Delhi: Known for her stunning beauty and stellar performances in the film industry, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu is currently savouring a blissful vacation in the picturesque island of Bali, and has been delighting her fans with breathtaking photos and exciting updates from her tropical escapade.

Amidst her exotic Bali adventure, Samantha on Wednesday shared a captivating picture that has left her fans in awe.

Taking to the Stories section of her Instagram, the actress shared a video in which she can be seen fearlessly plunging into an ice bath, defying the sweltering summer temperatures, as she immerses herself in icy waters with a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.



She captioned it as, "#icebaths 4 degrees 6 minutes".

Earlier, in the day she shared a picture of herself working out with her friend. Samantha also dropped some beautiful glimpses from Uluwatu, where she is seen admiring the beauty of the place, while looking towards the vast sea. She is donning a green sleeveless dress with a big hat.

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 Indian counterpart of 'Citadel' alongside Varun Dhawan.
Imagine having an encounter with a leopard. How will you react? Chances are you will try to run away from the area and be in a state of panic until the situation is in complete control. Well, this is exactly what happened when a leopard, along with its cub, made its way to the sets of a Marathi TV serial in Mumbai on July 26. According to ANI, the leopard entered the Film City in the Goregaon when the filming of Sukh Mhanje Nakki Kay Asta, a Marathi family drama, was going on. News agency ANI shared a terrifying video on social media platform X (earlier called Twitter).

In the video can be seen the crew members trying to run away from the spot to protect their lives as the leopard walks on the sets. It was filmed walking on construction beams on the set. The incident occurred at around 4 pm on July 26.

#WATCH | A leopard, along with its cub, entered the sets of a Marathi TV serial in Goregaon Film City, Mumbai yesterday.



All Indian Cine Workers Association president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta says, "More than 200 people were present at the set, someone could have lost life. This_ pic.twitter.com/m1YgSXARl6  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

Government Not Taking Strong Measures, Says AICWA President

Meanwhile, the president of All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), Suresh Shyamlal Gupta expressed his resentment saying that the government is not taking strong measures and it could have cost someones life. He said, More than 200 people were present at the set, someone could have lost life. This has been the third or fourth such instance within the last 10 days. Government is not taking strong measures towards this.

Internet Calls Out AICWA For Encroaching Forests

As the president of AICWA complained against the government and asked them to take strong measures, Twitter users had a completely different take on the issue. They started calling out AICWA President for his hypocrisy urging the government to give leopards and other animals their homes back.

One user reacted, You are in his home, not the other way round... Move all these studios to karjat or beyond virar and sell the land in Mumbai.

You are in his home, not the other way round... Move all these studios to karjat or beyond virar and sell the land in Mumbai  Public_Knows (@PrashantMelb) July 27, 2023

Another shared his opinion and wrote, When you convert their jungles to concrete jungles then they will come to search for their original habitat. Nothing wrong in it.

When you convert their jungles to concrete jungles then they will come to search for their original habitat. Nothing wrong in it.  Captain G.S. Rathee __ (@CaptRathee) July 27, 2023

An individual commented, Yes govt should take strong measures by giving leopards and other animals their homes back.

Yes govt should take strong measures by giving leopards and other animals their homes back  Soumit (@soumitnaik) July 27, 2023

One of the users tweeted, Hypocrisy ki bhi Seema hoti hai. This is expected when you choose to make a film studio right in the middle of the forest.

Hypocrisy ki bhi Seema hoti hai. This is expected when you choose to make a film studio right in the middle of the forest.  Triggered Indian __ __ (@Triggered_IN) July 27, 2023

The huge area of Film City is located on the periphery of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. This park is home to many leopards with its boundaries also touching the Aarey Milk Colony. The colony is a forest area within Mumbai.
As the long-awaited monsoon showers descend upon our lands, bringing relief from scorching heat and rejuvenating the environment, they also usher in a less-welcomed companion - gastrointestinal infections. The annual monsoon season, with its increased humidity and intermittent heavy rains, provides a conducive environment for the proliferation of waterborne pathogens, leading to a surge in gastrointestinal infections across regions. This concerning phenomenon poses significant health risks to communities and requires heightened awareness and preventive measures.

Also, mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria are prevalent during the monsoon. These infections can affect the gastrointestinal system and cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Dr Nidhi Rawal, Consultant, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, and Hepatologist at Madhukar Rainbow Childrens Hospital, Delhi explains the causes, symptoms, and preventive measures to take for gastrointestinal infections.



Also read: Exclusive: Conjunctivitis Cases Surge; Symptoms, Prevention Measures - Expert On All You Need To Know

Dr Rawal shares a few symptoms of Gastrointestinal Infections, that includes:

 Diarrhoea: One of the most common symptoms of gastrointestinal infection is diarrhoea. It can lead to dehydration if not managed properly.

 Abdominal Pain: Women may experience cramping or discomfort in the abdominal region, often accompanied by bloating and flatulence.

 Nausea and Vomiting: Persistent feelings of nausea and episodes of vomiting are common in gastrointestinal infections. This can further contribute to dehydration and weakness.

 Loss of Appetite: Infections can lead to a decreased desire to eat, which can negatively impact overall nutrition and energy levels.

 Fatigue and Weakness: Gastrointestinal infections can cause weakness and fatigue due to nutrient loss and metabolic changes in the body.

 Jaundice: It is the yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes. Certain infections during this season can also affect a childs liver and cause jaundice. These include Dengue, Typhoid, and Hepatitis.

Dr Rawal shares some of the preventive measures to comfort gastrointestinal infections:

 Ensure clean and safe water is consumed using water filters or boiling water.

 Maintain proper hygiene while handling and storing food. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, avoid eating street food, and cook food at the right temperature.

 Regularly wash hands with soap and water before and after meals, after using the restroom, and after coming in contact with contaminated surfaces.

 Protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases by using mosquito repellents, wearing protective clothing, and using mosquito nets while sleeping.

 Maintain clean surroundings and proper sanitation practices to minimise the risk of infections.
Conceptual plans for the southwest corner of Drake Road and South College Avenue include up to 500 apartments, a parking garage, a convenience store with fuel pumps and a bank with a drive-thru.

A new development proposal for the southwest corner of Drake Road and College Avenue could bring up to 500 apartments, a parking garage, a bank and a convenience store to the former home of Spradley-Barr auto dealership, now 2Mazda.

The conceptual plans for 2601 S. College Ave. will be reviewed by Fort Collins city planners on Aug. 9. The conceptual review is the earliest piece of the development review process. No formal plans have been filed.

The property is owned by DRACOL LLC, which lists Kriss Spradley as the registered agent, according to the Colorado Secretary of State's office. Five years ago, Spradley and Brinkman Development proposed a similar development that included about 180 dwelling units and a four-story hotel. Those plans never went further than a conceptual design and neighborhood meeting in 2018.

Brinkman is no longer involved in the project, Kevin Brinkman said Thursday.

This plan includes between 400 and 500 units in up to six-story buildings plus a parking garage on the western edge of the site, closest to the MAX bus rapid transit line, which has a transit stop across Drake on land being redeveloped into a King Soopers grocery store.

According to plans, the existing buildings would be razed and the eastern side, closest to College Avenue, would have two commercial pads now expected to include a bank and fuel service station, although that could change.

The property is on 7 acres bordered by College Avenue on the east, McClelland Drive on the west, Drake Road on the north and Thunderbird Drive on the south.

The mixed-use redevelopment fits with the city's Midtown vision developed when MAX was just a plan in search of funding. The property also sits in the city's Transit Oriented Development Overlay zone, which would allow increased density and building height to encourage higher-density development and the potential for increased MAX ridership.

As part of the Mason corridor and Midtown plans, Fort Collins officials envisioned a bustling corridor that could house nearly 3,000 new apartments in five-, six- and seven-story buildings big enough to meet the housing demands of a growing city.

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The site is included in the city's urban renewal area, which would allow the use of tax-increment financing, or TIF, to reimburse developers for building public improvements such as streets and drainage facilities.

The city has been redesigning the intersection of Drake and College simultaneously with the Midtown Business Improvement District's plans to beautify the College Avenue corridor from Drake Road to Boardwalk Drive, including removing some unwarranted turn lanes, widening landscape medians and sidewalks, turning some frontage roads into one-way traffic and improving intersections.

College and Drake is slated for improvements in 2026, which would create dual left turn lanes from all four directions and address some flooding concerns, according to the city.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: 500 apartments planned at Drake and College in Midtown Fort Collins
Gwalior: Gaya Prasad Thomas, the father of Anju, a married Rajasthani woman who travelled to Pakistan to meet her Facebook friend Nasrullah and reportedly got married to him, has expressed his sorrow and sheer disappointment at his daughters actions. She is as good as dead for the family. She has no right to come back to India. If she returns, then she has to face strict punishment. What she did is wrong and people who do that deserve punishment, Gaya Prasad Thomas said while speaking to the news agency ANI.

Anju, a married Indian woman, grabbed the media spotlight after she travelled to Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and married her Facebook friend there on Tuesday. Further, talking about the same, Thomas said that Anju has no right to take her two children.

India is a respectable country and Im ashamed of what she did and apologised to the government. He added that she doesnt have any right to take her two children. Dont let her touch them, he said. Urging to the government of India, he said, Her action and name are a taint on us therefore I requested to remove my name from my daughters name.



#WATCH | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh | Gaya Prasad, father of Anju who travelled to Pakistan says, "We don't have any relations with her (Anju). The moment she left India, we cut off all ties with her...I had never imagined that my daughter can do something like this...What she has pic.twitter.com/aN0YvI8RpM  ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2023

In a rerun of Seema Haider's case, Anju, who hails from Rajasthan, allegedly crossed over to Pakistan to meet her lover. The woman is a resident of Bhiwadi and married with two kids. However, unlike Seema, Anju was granted entry into Pakistan by the authorities on the basis of a visa.

"We don't have any relations with her (Anju). The moment she left India, we cut off all ties with her. I had never imagined that my daughter could do something like this. What she has done is very shameful," said Gaya Prasad earlier.

Anjus husband - Arvind Kumar said that before leaving, his 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. Rajasthan Police took cognizance of the matter and initiated a preliminary investigation.

As per Bhiwadi ASP Sujit Shankar, prima facie indicates that it is a matter of love affair. The police official also added that action will be taken against Anju if any fake document is used to cross the border. 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.

#WATCH | Bhiwadi ASP Sujit Shankar, says "According to the preliminary investigation, we got to know that this woman, Anju was in touch with a Pakistan-based man for 2-3 years through Facebook, and WhatsApp. She informed her family members that she is travelling to Amritsar but pic.twitter.com/v15Sw1XV2o  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 24, 2023

Video Of Anju Having Dinner With Nasrullah In Pakistan Surfaces

A video of Anju having Nasrullah and others having dinner has surfaced online. The purported video has been shared by a Pakistani journalist on Twitter. However, Zee Media could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

                                             #Nasrullah #Anju #AnjuNasrullahLoveStory #Anjuinpakistan pic.twitter.com/8KaOY8fEi0 July 26, 2023

Anju-Nasrullah's case is being compared with the Seema Haider-Sachin Meena love story where Seema, a Pakistani woman, entered India illegally to live with her lover Sachin in Greater Noida. While Seema entered India without a visa via Nepal, Anju entered Pakistan with a valid visa. The Pakistani national Seema Haidar claimed to have met her Indian lover over the popular online game PUBG.
New Delhi: Opposition MPs protests on Manipur issue have led to Lok Sabha proceedings being adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) MPs wore black clothes to Parliament to express their dissent over the situation in Manipur. Congress and other opposition parties want a thorough discussion on the Manipur situation and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They have staged protests and raised slogans in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, causing disruptions of the two Houses since the start of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 20.

In the meantime, opposition parties floor leaders will meet the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Thursday in Parliament to talk about important issues.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday accepted the no-confidence motion against the government moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on behalf of opposition parties of I.N.D.I.A alliance. After Gogoi moved the motion, the Speaker asked about the number of members supporting the motion.



It remains to be seen whether the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will specify the date and time of the debate over the no-confidence motion passed against the Central Government by the I.N.D.I.A alliance. Congress, Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Aam Admi Party have issued a three-line whip to its MP's to be present in the house on July 27 and 28.
During the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament 2023, all members of the opposition alliance 'INDIA' group will wear black clothes to protest against the government's handling of the Manipur issue. In response to the government's refusal to discuss the Manipur issue in Parliament, the Indian National Development Alliance (INDIA) has instructed all its MPs to wear black attire when attending the session. The opposition often resorts to wearing black clothes to register their protest against various issues concerning the government. They demand that Prime Minister Modi address the Manipur issue before any debate starts in the Parliament.

Parliament's Productivity Remains Low

Both the opposition and ruling party members have taken a hard stance, leading to a deadlock in both houses during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament 2023. The session commenced on July 20 and is scheduled to conclude on August 11. Since the outbreak of communal violence in Manipur on May 3, more than 160 people have lost their lives, and hundreds have been injured. In response to this situation, the Congress party has issued a whip, mandating the presence of all its Rajya Sabha MPs in the house today.

Congress Issues Whip for Today

The Chief Whip of Congress in the Rajya Sabha issued a three-line whip stating, "Thursday, July 27, 2023, will witness crucial discussions in the Rajya Sabha. All members of the Congress party are requested to be present in the house from 11 am until the adjournment to support the party's stand." The whip is being considered of utmost significance.

Delhi Ordinance

It should be noted that the Supreme Court had ordered the elected government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to handle all services in Delhi, except police, public order, and land. One week after this verdict, on May 19, the central government issued a controversial Delhi government order. Now, the government aims to convert this order into a law. The proposal has already been passed in the Lok Sabha and can be presented in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Will the Government Get the Proposal Passed in the Rajya Sabha?

The opposition alliance 'INDIA,' led by the Congress party, also includes the Aam Aadmi Party. Hence, the Congress party has directed all its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in the house on Thursday to oppose the Delhi government order issued by the central government. The strength of both alliances in the house is almost equal, making the focus shift to the neutral parties like the Biju Janata Dal, Vaisakhi Congress, and some independent MPs. It is believed that with the help of their contacts, the central government will manage to get this proposal passed in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament 2023.
The ongoing legal battle over the Gyanvapi Campus survey is set to take a crucial turn as the Allahabad High Court has extended the timeline for the ASI survey until today, Thursday. The court will hold the hearing at 3:30 PM. The Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Preeti Diwakar, will pass the order regarding the ASI survey at the Gyanvapi Campus. The decision will come as a response to the challenge presented by the Anjuman Intejamia Masjid Committee against the Varanasi District Judge's order issued on July 21. The Anjuman Committee filed a writ petition in the court on Tuesday regarding the matter.

Doubts Raised Over ASI's Technique

During the Wednesday hearing, the Allahabad High Court expressed deep reservations about the ASI's proposed survey at the Gyanvapi Campus. The ASI failed to convince the court about the accuracy of the proposed Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique, which the government plans to use without causing any harm to the structure. Consequently, the court's confidence in the technique was not established.

No Damage Will Be Caused to the Structure

In response to another question during the hearing, an ASI official present in the court stated that before the Supreme Court's stay order, they had completed only 5% of the survey on Monday. The ASI assured the court that no harm would be caused to the structure during the survey.

Violation of the Places of Worship Act, 1992

The demand for the Hindu party's survey of the Gyanvapi Campus faced strong opposition from the Muslim party, stating that it would violate the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1992. According to the act, any religious site's character, as it was in 1947, must be maintained without any changes. The Hindu party has challenged this act in the Supreme Court. They claim that devotees have been worshipping at the Gyanvapi Campus until 1993, making it exempt from the act's purview.
Imphal: The Kuki-Zo community people have demonstrated in Manipur's Kangpokpi district to press the demand for a separate administration for the tribe. They also demanded that the Centre hold proper talks with Kuki groups who had earlier signed a Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with the government. The demonstrators under the banner of the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills held a sit-in at Gamgiphai, a village along the border of Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts.

"We are holding a peaceful sit-in. We want that the government meet our demand for separate administration for us," one of the protestors said on Wednesday. Ten tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group in Manipur have urged the Centre to create a separate administration for their community in the wake of the violent clashes between the Meiteis and tribals. Chief Minister N Biren Singh has rejected the demand.

The Kuki-Zo demonstrators also said they support the United People's Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organization (KNO), as there is speculation that the Centre will hold talks with the two groups that had inked the SoO pact. The SoO agreement was signed by the Centre, the Manipur government and two conglomerates of Kuki militant outfits ? KNO and UPF. The pact was first signed in 2008 and extended periodically.



Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur nearly three months ago, killing over 160 people since then, and injuring hundreds. The violence erupted on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.
Patna: After resigning from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Manipur issue, the party's former Bihar spokesperson Vinod Sharma on Thursday said that a Manipur-like incident has never happened anywhere else while adding that the "Prime Minister is still sleeping". Sharma said that "with a heavy heart", he wrote to BJP chief JP Nadda and PM Narendra Modi about the Manipur video incident.

"With a heavy heart, I wrote to JP Nadda and PM Modi that an incident like that in the Manipur video has never happened anywhere else. Still, the PM is sleeping, he doesn't have the courage to sack CM Biren Singh...", Sharma told the news agency ANI.

He further said that he has raised his voice against the women's atrocities and resigned from the party.

"BJP speaks about Nari Sakhti, Beti Bachao, Hindu Rashtra, Sanatana Dharm... Is this the Sanatana Dharma we're upholding? As a human being, I couldn't tolerate this and raised my voice against this injustice," he added.

#WATCH | Bihar | After resigning from BJP over Manipur issue, Vinod Sharma says, "With a heavy heart I wrote to JP Nadda and PM Modi that an incident like that in the Manipur video has never happened anywhere else. Still, the PM is sleeping, he doesn't have the courage to sack CM pic.twitter.com/td5gQYPW5C  ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023

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).

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will refer Manipur viral video case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the government sources said on Thursday.

A 26-second video from Manipur has triggered outrage in the whole country where two women were stripped naked, assaulted and paraded by a mob.

The sources further told ANI that the Centre will also file an affidavit in Supreme Court requesting the trial of a viral video case to take place outside Manipur. Only STs can buy lands in hilly areas. The majority Meitei community, which occupies the Imphal Valley and nearby areas, sought the ST status keeping in view their increasing population and increased requirement of land so that they could purchase lands in the hilly areas.
A shocking twist of fate befell Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi, The Hyderabad Woman Who travelled to the US to pursue a masters degree, only to be found starving on the streets of Chicago. Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi had enrolled in TRINE University, Detroit for her masters in August 2021. She was doing well there. However, she lost contact with her family for the past 2 months. Around 2-3 days ago, a few boys from Hyderabad spotted her outside a mosque in Chicago. Her mother Syeda Wahaj Fatima told news agency ANI that her daughter had been robbed of her bags, certificates and everything and fell into depression. Her health condition is also very poor. We hope that she comes back as soon as possible, ANI quoted her as saying. Her mother has appealed to the Centres help to bring her back to India as soon as possible.

The victims plight was exposed by Amjed Ullah Khan, a spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), a party based in Telangana.

Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi from Hyd went to persue MS from TRINE University, Detroit was found in a very bad condition in Chicago, her mother appealed @DrSJaishankar to bring back her daughter.@HelplinePBSK @IndiainChicago @IndianEmbassyUS @sushilrTOI @meaMADAD pic.twitter.com/GIhJGaBA7a  Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) July 25, 2023

Remarkable Career

She worked as a System Administrator at SL DIAGNOSTIC for almost six years between 2017 - 2022. Before joining SL DIAGNOSTIC, she was an Assistant Professor at Shadan College Of Engineering And Technology in Hyderabad for one year and nine months. Syeda taught courses on computer networks, wireless communication, and network programming to undergraduate students.

Impressive Educational Bacground

She has a Master of Technology degree in Computer Networks from Shadan College Of Engineering And Technology. She also has a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology from Syed Hashim College of Science & Technology.

Plea To S Jainshankar

The victims mother also wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and urged him to immediately interfere and bring back her daughter as soon as possible.

This is to state that my daughter Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi resident of 41-48, Sadullal Nazar behind Eid Gah, Moula Ali, Medchal District, Telangana State went to pursue her Masters in Information Science from TRINE University, Detroit, USA during Aug 2021 and was studying and was in touch with us. Since the last two months, she was not in touch with me and recently through two Hyderabadi youths we came to know that my daughter is under deep depression and her entire belonging has been stolen due to which she is on brink of starvation and being spotted on roads of Chicago, USA, the letter read.

It is requested to kindly ask the Embassy of India. Washington DC, USA and Indian Consulate in Chicago, USA to immediately interfere and bring back my daughter as soon as possible back to India. Necessary action taken in this regard may be informed, she added.

MBT spokesman stated that they had appealed to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to bring her back. After my tweet, I recieved a reply from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Consulate of Chicago that she is not in a condition to travel immediately.

We are trying to send her parents to Chicago to take care of the girl. The parents do not have passports. We have appealed to IT Minister KTR (Telangana) to help in getting them passports and also a visa from the US Consulate in Hyderabad. Many individuals and organisations have come forward trip to the US, he said. We also got a quick response from the government. We thank Jaishankar, EAM and Indian Consulate in Chicago and also all the organisations that have come forward to help them, Khan added.
360b / Shutterstock.com

Billionaire Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of the investing firm Berkshire Hathaway, is often sought after as a source of financial wisdom about investing for his tried-and-true approach to the stock market. You rarely find Buffett buying and selling stocks quickly, or jumping on trends like cryptocurrency, because he subscribes to an older mindset of purchasing stocks in stable companies and holding onto them for the long haul. Given his sizable portfolio and his net worth of roughly $117 billion, he appears to be onto something.

How To Buy ChatGPT Stock: Your 2023 Guide to AI Investing

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In his 2022 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter, Buffett underscored this attitude, writing, The world is full of foolish gamblers, and they will not do as well as the patient investor. Patience can be learned. Having a long attention span and the ability to concentrate on one thing for a long time is a huge advantage.

Here are the stocks that Buffett and his company have held for the longest time, some for as long as 34 years and others for an average of 17 years.

BYD Company

Buffett has held BYD Co Ltd (BYD) stock for 14 years, and its valued at $3.5 billion in his portfolio. The company makes and sells battery and battery products, particularly rechargeable and photovoltaic ones. They also provide product assembly services related to traditional fuel-engine vehicles and energy vehicles. The companys headquarters are in Shenzhen, China, with sites in the U.S., Europe, Japan, India, Hong Kong and other areas.

Mondelez International

Buffett is invested in Mondelez International, a corporate snack empire known for making some of the most iconic products, from Oreo and Ritz to Cadbury and Clif Bar. Buffett has held this stock for 15 years, and its worth a cool $38.5 million in his portfolio. Its no surprise that this sweet company, which operates in over 80 countries and makes some of the tastiest treats around, makes such a great investment.

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More: 9 Safe Investments With the Highest Returns

UPS

Buffett is also invested in UPS, probably the most well-known package delivery company in the world right next to FedEx. Its one that many people depend upon, as the world realized during the pandemics supply chain disruptions. Buffett has held this stock for 17 years, and its worth $10.3 million in his portfolio. In addition to the familiar brown vehicles you see driving down your street, UPS operates airlines and alternative fuel vehicles, delivering more than 11.1 million packages every day.

U.S. Bancorp

Buffett has held stock in U.S. Bank, officially U.S. Bancorp (USB), for 17 years. In addition to the kinds of products and services that banks are known for  such as savings and checking accounts, consumer and business loans, personal and business lines of credit  the company also engages in leasing, international banking, payment services, private banking and online and mobile banking. This stock is worth $290.9 million in Buffetts portfolio.

Johnson & Johnson

Buffett has held onto Johnson & Johnson stock for 17 years as well, a company that is synonymous with healthcare. Not only does it create health and wellness products, but J&J got into the vaccine business during the pandemic, creating one of the COVID-19 vaccines. With more than 150,000 employees, its no wonder its worth $57.8 million in Buffetts portfolio.

Procter & Gamble

Buffett has invested in the Procter & Gamble Company for 18 years. P&G is so deeply embedded in American consumerism, it covers just about every area of your home and life. You likely have the companys personal care products in your bathroom and shower, home cleaning products in your kitchen or garage, and may use their toothpastes, baby wipes, paper towels, shampoos, and so on. Buffetts stock investment in this company is worth $47.8 million in his portfolio.

American Express

American Express is one of the first credit card companies around, getting its start in the 1950s. Since then, in addition to offering traditional credit, they are now a global payments network. Buffett has held onto this stock for a whopping 29 years, to the tune of $22.4 billion of his portfolio.

Coca-Cola

The stock that Buffett has held the longest, 34 years, is Coca-Cola, the iconic American beverage company that was started in 1886. Coca-Cola now owns and produces more than 200 different kinds of beverage companies. No surprise that this popular company is worth $25.4 billion in Buffetts portfolio.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Stocks That Warren Buffett Has Held for the Long Haul
New Delhi: Actress Kriti Sanon is simultaneously embarking on a new journey becoming a force to reckon with in different shades. Marking the special occasion of her birthday, Kriti has stepped ahead on her entrepreneurial journey by announcing her beauty brand HYPHEN. While the actress had recently launched her own production house, 'Blue Butterfly Films', this time she has truly extended her wings into diverse business cultures with her new beauty brand.

While announcing her own beauty brand HYPHEN, Kriti shared the first commercial featuring her in the most beautiful, enchanting, ravishing, and confident way. She further jotted down the caption -

"|-| appy Birthday to me! ITS FINALLY HERE! Today, on 27th July 2023, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude as I welcome you all to our world of HYPHEN ! HYPHEN is a hope of possibilities, opportunities and of adding more chapters to life! And this chapter of my life is super special! Turning my obsession of skincare into passion and then into a dream- a dream of getting a lot of amazing ingredients together to make power-packed products that actually work! Weve hyphened the power of nature and potency of science to give multiple benefits from each product.People say You cant have it all! But why not? Just HYPHEN it!! Heres to glowing and growing together!



I cant thank the entire team of Hyphen and my co-founders enough whove worked endlessly to get our baby out on my birthday Best birthday gift ever!!!! @always_brewing @tarunsharma88 @mohitjain.3110 @vikas.lachhwani @saurabh2014_ism We are LIVE! Check out all the products on letshyphen.com Love & Gratitude Kriti Sanon Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer, Hyphen #Hyphen #HaveItAll #LetsHyphen #Skincare"

Moreover, as Kriti has truly arrived as more empowered and more full of spirit with the announcement commercial of her beauty brand HYPHEN, the ideology of the same indeed resonates extensively with her personality. The actress has certainly written the advertisement herself. While she has been working on the product for a year now, she has been involved in every bit of developing the product right from, testing all the products to using them all for 4 months.

Apart from this, on the work front, Kriti is set to appear in "The Crew" and a yet-to-be-titled film alongside Shahid Kapoor.

For all latest Bollywood News keep reading this space!
New Delhi: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme 14th Installment update:-- The wait for getting the 14th installment of PM-KISAN scheme is coming to an end today. 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 Thursday (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.





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

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.

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.
Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.65 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.55 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.75 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 18.18%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this gold mining company would post earnings of $0.50 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.57, delivering a surprise of 14%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Agnico , which belongs to the Zacks Mining - Gold industry, posted revenues of $1.72 billion for the quarter ended June 2023, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.65%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.58 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Agnico shares have added about 0.6% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 19%.

What's Next for Agnico?

While Agnico has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

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Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Agnico: favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.46 on $1.47 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $2.21 on $6.47 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Mining - Gold is currently in the top 49% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (IDR), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2023.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +114.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $3.4 million, up 44.1% from the year-ago quarter.

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Microsoft most recent earnings results failed to impress investors, with the stock falling about 3%.

But Wall Street analysts are bullish on the company's heavy focus on artificial intelligence.

"AI offerings are expected to contribute meaningfully for both Azure and Office," Bank of America said.

Microsoft's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report failed to jolt its stock price higher as investors come to terms with the gradual ramp-up of its new artificial intelligence offerings.

Shares of Microsoft fell about 3% on Wednesday despite it beating both revenues and profit estimates. The company saw revenue grow 8.3% year-over-year to $56.2 billion in the quarter, while its GAAP earnings per share of $2.69 beat analyst estimates by $0.14.

All eyes are on Microsoft's cloud growth, as well as its rollout of AI technologies via Microsoft CoPilot, which will cost its Microsoft 365 users an additional $30 per month. While the rollout of Microsoft CoPilot could drive significant revenue growth for the company going forward, it will take some time for that opportunity to be fully realized.

Here's how Wall Street is reacting to Microsoft's most recent earnings report.

Wedbush: "AI Momentum building in Redmond."

"The stock sold off modestly as Nadella and Co. commented that the AI ramp will be 'gradual' in FY24 which is not a surprise to the Street as FY25 remains the true inflection year of AI growth with pricing, beta customers, and use cases all being rolled out over the next three to six months," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said. "We believe Microsoft is in the early innings of a massive penetration of AI and cloud that could conservatively approach 50% of its global installed base over the next 3 year.

Ives reiterated his "Outperform" rating and raised his price target to $400 from $375.

Bank of America: "AI investment justified given opportunity."

"Though Azure growth was below our upside case, we view the high end of the guidance as solid in an environment where optimization headwinds do not appear to be abating. While AI did not provide material upside to Q4 Azure growth (1% tailwind, consistent), guidance for a 2% tailwind in Q1 suggests workloads are ramping. Commentary for a more meaningful AI tailwind to H2 growth suggests that the AI-enabled M365 Copilot offering is likely to begin contributing in that time frame. In summary, AI offerings are expected to contribute meaningfully for both Azure and Office," Bank of America said.

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Bank of America reiterated its "Buy" rating $405 price target.

JPMorgan: "A multi-year trend rather than an instantaneous flip of a switch."

"We have been consistent in our view that generative AI is the seminal technological breakthrough of our generation and one that will likely play out over years to come. To the latter point, we cautioned investors that that process of translating early demand to large-scale implementations and recognized revenue will be a multi-year trend rather than an instantaneous flip of a switch. The majority of Microsoft's Copilot solutions are yet to be made generally available and may take some time to go live as Microsoft iterates on the product in the private preview phase," JPMorgan said.

JPMorgan reiterated its "Overweight" rating and $385 price target.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The share of Americans who think they'll be financially prepared for a comfortable retirement dropped sharply this year, according to a new study out this week.

BlackRock found that only 56% of folks say they feel on track for retirement, down from 63% in 2022 and 68% in 2021. The group whose confidence waned the most was Gen Z, who were also more likely than baby boomers to say they would consider selling investments during a market downturn.

The decline in confidence underscores how market volatility and inflation have made people more worried about running out of money  now and in the future, Anne Ackerley, head of BlackRock's retirement group, told Yahoo Finance Live (video above).

"So we've been doing this survey read on retirement for eight years and this is the lowest it's ever been," Ackerley said. "So what's driving this? Well, it's really the market environment. I think anybody who lived through last year, with both stocks and bonds being down, it was just a really hard year. And I think people are reflecting that in terms of their confidence in retirement."

Read more: High-yield savings account vs. investing: Which is right for you?

(Credit: BlackRock)

Still, Ackerley was quick to point out that it is important for workers to maintain the savings course even as concerns grow  something Americans actually did, the survey found, a bright spot among the results.

"Workers did not reduce their contributions," she said. "So one of the most important things during this market volatility, these hard times, is to keep contributing. And we actually saw that people did that. Instead, they maybe didn't go on vacation, they maybe didn't buy a large item. So they reduced their spending so they could continue to contribute."

Another step to take  or, actually, not to take  is dumping investments when they lose value. Ackerley noted that one "disturbing" finding from the survey was that 60% of Gen Zers said they might consider selling during a market downturn, while only 20% of boomers said that.

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"They just haven't lived through as many market cycles as maybe some more experienced older workers," she said. "Please, please, please don't sell. Ride through it. Continue to contribute. Continue to dollar cost average."

As for the oldest working generation, more than a third of boomers were considering delaying retirement as a way to get back on track.

"In an ideal world, people would retire at the age they want to," Ackerley said. "But given this market volatility, it may not be the worst thing to think a little bit about delaying retirement. If they can. Not everybody can, continuing to earn some money and not spend."

Low confidence? (Photo: Getty Creative)

A recent study from the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that working was an integral part of many workers' retirement plans. The survey of 5,725 employees found 55% of workers plan to work after they retire, including almost 20% who plan to work full time and over a third who plan to take on part-time jobs. In fact, 15% of all workers expect their primary source of retirement income to come from working.

Another way to boost income in retirement, Ackerley said, is to delay taking Social Security, which will increase your Social Security payment when you do claim.

For instance, a worker who retires as early as 62  before his or her full retirement age  may get up to 30% less in monthly benefits to account for the longer time that worker receives benefits. That decrease is usually permanent. If the worker waits until age 70 to claim, the worker earns delayed retirement credits, which can add up to 8% extra for each year between full retirement age until 70 when the credits stop accruing.

"So there are things people can do to be back on track," Ackerley said. "But we need to realize this is a tough time for people, with respect to retirement savings."

Janna Herron is the personal finance editor for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @JannaHerron.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - For foreign automakers in China, it is time to double down on a turnaround or cut losses after ceding their leadership of the world's biggest auto market to local, upstart brands.

Announcements from some of the world's largest automakers in recent days show they are taking a divergent path: some German brands and General Motors are betting on new electric vehicles, while Toyota and others have shifted to cost-cutting mode.

For the first time, Chinese brands are market leaders, taking a 53% share in the first half of 2023, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed.

Global automakers, who for years have dominated the market along with their Chinese state-run partners, have been slow to pivot to the fast-growing market for EVs with competitive offerings.

That has been costly. Tesla, which has its largest factory in China, was the only foreign brand to take share in the first half, topping BMW in popularity, according to CAAM data.

With added pressure on China margins from a brutal price war this year, some automakers are scaling back with production cuts and layoffs, including Toyota and Mitsubishi.

But brands that drew a third of their sales from China before this year's wipeout have no choice but to double down, said Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight.

That includes Volkswagen and GM.

Volkswagen, which has been outsold by BYD since late 2022, announced two agreements on Wednesday aimed at strengthening its position in China: a partnership with China's Xpeng Inc to build two new models from 2026 featuring Xpeng's software, and plans to jointly develop Audi models and a new platform with its Chinese partner SAIC.

"This major collaboration between Volkswagen and Xpeng is a milestone for our electrification strategy 'in China for China'," said Ralf Brandstatter, a VW board member on his social media account.

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GM, which saw a 9% decline in its Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac sales in China in the first half, has been counting on EVs developed on its Ultium platform to turn things around.

It has sold more than 12,000 Ultium-based EVs since the first model, the Cadillac Lyriq, started sales a year ago. Last month, GM cut the price of the luxury Lyriq by 14% in China.

"We've got to have the right EVs at the right price with the right technology," GM CEO Mary Barra told investors on a conference call on Tuesday, referring to the company's China strategy.

'CHINA EV INC'

"VW and GM, who have historically been leaders in the market, both believe they can salvage their positioning and protect the share they currently have," said Tu Le, an analyst at China-based research firm Sino Auto Insights.

"It points to how important China is for their global ambitions and, to a lesser degree, the confidence that they can ultimately design, engineer and manufacture products that can compete with Tesla and China EV Inc."

The price war has cut into margins for Chinese EV makers too, and many remain unprofitable. Their deeper pockets give established foreign automakers who are determined to fight for share in China, the ability to play a long game.

"We'll allow our enemies to fight first, and we will come back with bags of money and technologies to take them," Yang Honghai, chief operating officer of Kia China, said at an industry forum in June.

"We are not giving up on the market but only choosing to come back at a more appropriate time," he said. Kia is to enter China's EV market with its first EV, the EV6 crossover, via imports in August.

German luxury brands BMW, Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen's Audi managed to hold share roughly flat in China in the first half after offering dealer discounts that topped 25% in some cases, according to sales data and analysts who track pricing.

BMW also announced an increased investment in product development in China with a new research and development hub in Shanghai to develop EVs to be sold globally.

"The German brands benefit from significant global scale," said He Lei, CEO of Chinese EV trading platform xChuxing. "Meanwhile, they are continuously chasing Chinese competitors with China-developed products. How can they not be competitive?"

REVERSE GEAR

Some are pulling back. Mitsubishi Motors has closed a plant run with a joint-venture partner that makes the Outlander SUV while the two companies try to negotiate a restructuring after sharp sales declines.

Toyota, which fell to No. 3 in China in the first half, has slowed production at a joint-venture plant that makes its bZ4X EV and laid off 1,000 contract workers.

Nissan, which will bring four new models to China, including an EV, said this week it would consider exporting cars from China to other regions to take advantage of China's cost advantages, a strategy Tesla, BMW, Ford and Renault have also pursued.

"China is not just a place to sell cars. It's also a place to drive economies of scale, which lower your cost and improve your ability to compete internationally," said Bill Russo of Automobility, an industry consultancy in Shanghai.

(Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh; Editing by Kevin Krolicki and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Analysis-Investors dumping China load up on other emerging markets FILE PHOTO: A giant display of stock indexes in Shanghai

By Summer Zhen and Patturaja Murugaboopathy

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Global investors are increasingly choosing to bypass China's markets in favour of other emerging countries that are either gaining from the geopolitical and growth risks stalking the world's second-biggest economy or are far removed from them.

Reuters analysis shows a massive jump in the assets of emerging market (EM) mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that exclude China as U.S. and European investors turn more wary of being exposed to the Asian giant.

Investor aversion to China has intensified this year following a faltering post-COVID economic rebound, disappointment over the absence of robust policy response and renewed Sino-U.S. tensions over trade, tech and geopolitics.

Some of the money is being diverted into markets directly benefiting from China's economic pain, such as Mexico, India, Vietnam and other locations that are replacing it across global manufacturing supply chains. Other investors are simply moving to markets with better growth prospects, such as Brazil.

"Chinas export dominance is ebbing, creating opportunities for other emerging market countries to fill the gap, including Mexico, India, and Southeast Asian nations," said Malcolm Dorson, a New York-based senior portfolio manager at ETF manager Global X.

The scale of change needed in global supply chains could drive such capital flows for the next decade, he said.

Refinitiv data shows China-focused mutual funds suffered a net outflow of $674 million in the second quarter of this year, while, in contrast, nearly $1 billion went into EM ex-China mutual funds.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex-China ETF, the world's largest emerging market ex-China ETF whose biggest holdings are firms in Taiwan, South Korea and India, attracted a record $1 billion net inflow in the first half of 2023, the data showed.

With China comprising nearly a third of the EM MSCI index, such ETFs and funds also offer alternatives to tracking that index.

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"China is the one major country that investors are most concerned about in EM," said John Lau, portfolio manager for Asia Pacific and emerging market equities at SEI.

The favourable growth and valuations in Latin American markets, the tech-driven tailwinds for companies in South Korea and Taiwan, and the supply chain changes were offering investors better opportunities than China, he said.

Data from Goldman Sachs showed that as of mid-July, foreign buying of emerging market Asia ex-China equities amounted to $39 billion over 12 months, the first time since 2017 that this buying exceeded inflows into mainland Chinese equities via the Stock Connect scheme.

NO TAKERS FOR CHINA

The size of the top 10 China-focused mutual funds tracked by Morningstar has slumped over 40% from its peak in 2021.

The well-known UBS China Opportunity Equity Fund saw assets shrink to $4.5 billion by the end of June, a fourth of levels in January 2021.

Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC's CIO Jeffrey Jaensubhakij said it has "incrementally" moved its capital to sectors and countries benefiting from shifts in the global supply chain and most of it "has been basically out of China into countries such as Mexico, India, Indonesia and Vietnam."

Fund managers and advisers are struggling to attract investment into China-focused products.

In the last six to 12 months, there have been almost no queries for a China-focused mandate, said Benjamin Low, a senior investment director at Boston-based advisory firm Cambridge Associates.

Some of his clients are instead looking at ex-China exposures within Asia, such as Japan, he said.

Chinas CSI 300 index is flat for the year, whereas Japan's Nikkei index is up 25% and the S&P 500 nearly 19%.

Investors who had turned shy since the Donald Trump administration barred U.S. investments into Chinese military companies have become more so after President Joe Biden's government expanded the banned list to include sectors such as chips and quantum computing.

While many of those restrictions apply to exports and venture capital, portfolio investors are wary of running afoul of investment limits or being caught in sanctions.

"The situation is even worse than last year when investors still had something (i.e. reopening) to look forward to, said a business development manager at a Hong Kong-based hedge fund, who is not authorized to talk to media.

The fund has managed to make profits in a challenging market in the first half, and yet has been struggling to raise new money from foreign investors in the past few months, he said.

China's pledge this week to step up stimulus measures to shore up the economy provides some hope for investors, but it's too early to say what impact it could have on foreign money inflows.

REPUTATION AND COMPLIANCE

Besides the financial risks, western institutional investors are worried about mounting reputational risks. Portfolio managers say it is increasingly difficult to justify China investments even to internal compliance departments and management.

For example, Canada held a parliamentary hearing in May to check on several domestic pensions about their relationship with China. The Biden administration is also working on an executive order to restrict outbound U.S. investments to China.

U.S., Canadian, and some European investors are exiting China due to political pressure. On the face of it, the U.S. seems to have started an investment war, following a trade war, and a tech war, said Wong Kok Hoi, chief investment officer of APS Asset Management.

(Reporting by Summer Zhen and Patturaja Murugaboopathy; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan & Shri Navaratnam)
A police spy camera van using Artificial Intelligence (AI) has detected hundreds of people using mobile phones at the wheel or not wearing seat belts.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police carried out the operation from 17 to 21 July, targeting commercial vehicles.

It took place on the A34 and the A303.

Simon Gomer, head of the safer roads unit, said the technology showed how prolific the offences were.

The AI-equipped van uses two cameras to catch the footage.

The first is set at a shallow angle and can identify a mobile phone close to the driver's ear or whether a seat belt is being worn.

The second has a steeper view to see if a mobile phone is being used for texting.

After the offences are automatically identified by the AI system, the results are double-checked by humans before being passed to the police for review.

Mr Gomer said: "These are very exciting times and this has been a great opportunity for both forces to utilise the latest in AI technology.

"But the results we've had from just one week sadly show how prolific these offences are.

"We will continue to spread the message that distracted driving kills, these offences will be punished, and social habits need to change."

The van identified 86 drivers suspected of using a phone, 273 drivers or passengers suspected of not wearing a seat belt, and 132 mechanical offences related to issues with the vehicles during the week-long operation.

In addition there were five arrests for drug-driving and disqualified driving.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for ASML Holding is 504 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

ASML Holding's 617 share price signals that it might be 23% overvalued

Our fair value estimate is 32% lower than ASML Holding's analyst price target of 745

Does the July share price for ASML Holding N.V. (AMS:ASML) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

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. 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 ASML Holding

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 6.93b 9.25b 12.1b 13.8b 15.1b 16.0b 16.7b 17.3b 17.7b 18.0b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x15 Analyst x12 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ 8.78% Est @ 6.27% Est @ 4.51% Est @ 3.28% Est @ 2.42% Est @ 1.82% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.1% 6.4k 7.9k 9.6k 10.1k 10.2k 10.0k 9.7k 9.3k 8.8k 8.3k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 90b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.4%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.1%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 18b (1 + 0.4%)  (8.1% 0.4%) = 236b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 236b ( 1 + 8.1%)10= 108b

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 199b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 617, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

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 ASML Holding 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 8.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.291. 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 ASML Holding

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Semiconductor market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Dutch market.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

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. 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. What is the reason for the share price exceeding the intrinsic value? For ASML Holding, we've compiled three important elements you should further examine:

Risks: Be aware that ASML Holding is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about... Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for ASML's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Dutch 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

audius' estimated fair value is 24.12 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

audius' 12.70 share price signals that it might be 47% undervalued

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of audius SE (FRA:3IT) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for audius

The Method

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 4.90m 5.50m 6.60m 7.20m 7.61m 7.92m 8.15m 8.32m 8.45m 8.54m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 5.68% Est @ 4.04% Est @ 2.90% Est @ 2.10% Est @ 1.55% Est @ 1.15% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.7% 4.6 4.8 5.4 5.5 5.5 5.4 5.2 4.9 4.7 4.5

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 51m

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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 (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 6.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 8.5m (1 + 0.2%)  (6.7% 0.2%) = 132m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 132m ( 1 + 6.7%)10= 69m

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 119m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 12.7, the company appears quite undervalued at a 47% 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

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at audius 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 6.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.092. 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 audius

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the IT market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" 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. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For audius, we've compiled three further factors you should further examine:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 3 warning signs for audius (1 shouldn't be ignored!) we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does 3IT'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 DB 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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Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Australian Clinical Labs implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 5 investors have a majority stake in the company with 53% ownership

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Australian Clinical Labs Limited (ASX:ACL), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 41% to be precise, is institutions. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Australian Clinical Labs.

See our latest analysis for Australian Clinical Labs

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Australian Clinical Labs?

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.

Australian Clinical Labs already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Australian Clinical Labs' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

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Hedge funds don't have many shares in Australian Clinical Labs. Our data shows that Crescent Capital Partners Management Pty Ltd. is the largest shareholder with 30% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.7% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 4.9% by the third-largest shareholder. In addition, we found that Melinda McGrath, the CEO has 1.4% of the shares allocated to their name.

On looking further, we found that 53% of the shares are owned by the top 5 shareholders. In other words, these shareholders have a meaningful say in the decisions of the company.

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 Australian Clinical Labs

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.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

We can see that insiders own shares in Australian Clinical Labs Limited. As individuals, the insiders collectively own AU$17m worth of the AU$638m company. It is good to see some investment by insiders, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 20% stake in Australian Clinical Labs. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Equity Ownership

With a stake of 30%, private equity firms could influence the Australian Clinical Labs board. Some might like this, because private equity are sometimes activists who hold management accountable. But other times, private equity is selling out, having taking the company public.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 5.8%, of the Australian Clinical Labs stock. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Australian Clinical Labs (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about.

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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As the 2023/2024 school year draws near, parents are looking at a bigger school supplies bill than ever before.

Households are projected to spend $890 this back-to-school season, according to the National Retail Federation.

For some families, back-to-school spending takes a significant bite out of their budget. If you find yourself in a bind this year, or know someone who needs a hand, here are the organizations to reach out to. These charities want to ensure that every child receives what they need before their first day of class.

Here's where to find free school supplies across the nation.

Charities giving away free school supplies

Where to find back-to-school deals: Discounted shopping at Target, Walmart, Staples and more

Where to find free backpacks

Lerner and Roe is hosting events throughout the back-to-school season, giving away backpacks with school supplies. The law firm has events occurring throughout the country with varying limits. The next event is scheduled for July 28 in Tuscon, Arizona.

Wireless Zone, a mobile phone retailer, is giving away backpacks full of school supplies for its School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. The giveaway takes place July 30 at the retailer's various locations while supplies last. There is a limit of one backpack per student and parents are advised to call the location to confirm participation.

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Other places to find free school supplies

School districts : One of the first places to consider contacting about free or low-cost school supplies is the student's school or school district. If the district does not have a program for low income students, it will likely be able to direct families towards local programs.

Churches : Churches often run back to school supply drives for their community ahead of the start of classes.

Crowdsourcing: Families can turn to community for help. The Kids in Need Foundation has a guide to creating a DIY supply drive that people can donate to. Parents can also create fundraisers on GoFundMe.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to find free school supplies for 2023/2024 academic year
(Bloomberg) -- Barclays Plc shares fell after the lender cut its guidance for net interest margin at its retail bank, a potential drag on earnings as rate rises come to an end.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The UK lender reduced the net interest margin outlook for its domestic unit for this year to 3.15%, down from 3.2%, reflecting customers chasing better yields to cope with higher rates and further macroeconomic developments.

Finance Director Anna Cross said customers were reacting rationally to the highest rates in 15 years, with more than a quarter of mortgage customers overpaying on their loans. She said theres not a huge amount of growth in the market but it is extremely active as borrowers hunt for the cheapest deals possible.

Shares in the lender were down 4.2% at 12:04 p.m. in London even as Barclays said it would buy back a further 750 million ($973 million) of stock.

The disappointing quarter adds pressure on Chief Executive Officer C.S. Venkatakrishnans work to improve the banks lagging share price. Benefits from rates are peaking while the investment bank, which consumes the most capital, posted lower-than expected results.

Trading revenue fell 41% on a year ago to 1.75 billion. Revenue from the banks flagship fixed-income trading division fell 22% to 1.2 billion while equities trading revenue fell 60% to 563 million. This includes the impact of a securities error a year ago.

Still, the groups second-quarter attributable profit rose 24% to 1.33 billion, beating estimates of 1.28 billion by six analysts compiled by Bloomberg. The UK business reported a 14% rise in total income compared to a year ago.

Banks around the world are facing rate hikes at varying paces, with many converting the increases into higher margins. This week, Banco Santander SA beat estimates as the Spanish market became its top profit maker thanks to rising interest rates in the Euopean Union. The largest banks in the US are also benefiting.

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UK lenders, who have seen 13 rate rises from the Bank of England so far, have come under increasing pressure from politicians and regulators to pass more of this windfall to their customers.

Even if rates continue to rise, Barclays is unlikely to see further improvements in net interest income as clients become more sensitive to rate changes on their deposits, Cross said on an analyst call.

British lenders are also coming under scrutiny over debanking customers, after NatWest Group Plc dropped Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage. Venkatakrishnan said the bank supported government work to reform the rules on banking access. We feel really really strongly that people should not be excluded on the basis of personal or political beliefs, he told reporters.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says:

Barclays top-line estimates are likely to decline following the lenders surprise full-year 2023 net interest margin guidance cut to 3.15%, compared with more than 3.2% previously and consensus at 3.23%, on changing customer behavior, and a 22% dip in FICC revenue in the corporate bank. The cut and FICC decline more than offset modest beats on expenses (2%) and cost of risk in 2Q, and take the shine off a new 750 million share buyback.

 Philip Richards, BI banking analyst

Barclays Margin Cut to 3.15%, Revenue Miss Bode Poorly: React

Barclays is the third major European investment bank posting results after Deutsche Bank AG posted a smaller-than-feared decline in trading gains on Wednesday and BNP Paribas SA flagged in debt trading earlier Thursday. Wall Street banks have already reported an aggregate 13% drop in fixed income revenue from a year earlier as the volatility stirred by last years invasion of Ukraine trailed off.

The banks revenue from advising on corporate deals and capital issuance also plunged 15%, in line with the broader market. Barclays has recently announced a flurry of senior banker hires after an exodus of managing directors in the US and parts of Europe.

Strategy Questions

The lenders latest share buyback is larger than analysts were expecting and follows on from a 500 million program that concluded in April. The companys leadership had signaled moves to buy back its depressed stock earlier this year.

Barclays recently hired consulting firm Boston Consulting Group to look at ways to improve its share price performance and has also started the sale of its German consumer finance business, which could pave the way for further disposals.

Venkatakrishnan confirmed the German sale process to analysts, adding it will free up some capital. Its a nice business, he said.

He added that he wanted to grow fee-generating businesses that dont require too much capital, mentioning the transaction business within the investment bank as well as the financing business. Barclays wants to expand its cards business too, he noted, but would also like to improve the units capital usage and be growing in a more efficient way.

Analysts asked numerous questions about the direction of the share price, which has fallen by about 17% over the past five years and dragged the banks market price to less than half of its book value.

Are we not approaching the point now after perhaps five or ten years of this strategy where we start to think, doesnt something more radical need to happen to actually start closing the gap? asked Edward Firth, analyst at KBW.

Other highlights from Barclayss earnings in the quarter include:

CET1 ratio of 13.8%

First half dividend of 2.7 pence per share

Reiterated earlier target of return on tangible equity of more than 10% in 2023

(Updates with comments from analyst call, context on global rate rises from eighth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The decision to benefit 7,400 borrowers who attended the now-defunct CollegeAmerica.

The Biden administration is forgiving $130 million in student debt for 7,400 borrowers who attended the now-defunct CollegeAmerica, a Colorado-based private school whose parent company allegedly misrepresented graduates salary, employment rates and other information.

The debt cancellation specifically applies to borrowers who attended CollegeAmericas Colorado-based locations between January 1, 2006 and July 1, 2020. The school is permanently closed but the Center for Excellence in Higher Education (CEHE), its parent company, remains in operation, according to its website .

CEHE did not respond to Kiplingers request for comment.

CollegeAmerica abruptly shut down in 2021 after losing its accreditation. Starting in 2012, the Colorado attorney generals (AG) office investigated CEHE and its state leadership, which culminated in a 2017 bench trial and a judgement in the states favor.

In August 2020, a Denver District Court judge found that CollegeAmericas marketing and admissions operations violated state consumer protection and consumer lending laws, said current Colorado AG Phil Weiser in a statement. The AG said he asked the Department of Education (DOE) in 2022, while the case was on appeal, to cancel the loans for students who qualify and to return money former students paid to the DOE because of CEHEs misrepresentations about the school.

The DOE said its own investigation revealed that CEHE misrepresented salaries and employment rates of its graduates, the programs it offered as well as the terms of a private loan product it offered.

From Day One of my administration, I promised to rebuild the middle class and to fight for hardworking American families. Today, we are taking another significant step to deliver on that promise by cancelling $130 million in debt for 7,400 student borrowers who attended CollegeAmerica in Colorado, President Joe Biden said in a statement. These borrowers were lied to, ripped off, and saddled with mountains of debt.

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The U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down the White Houses plan to forgive up to $20,000 of student debt per borrower for more than 40 million Americans. Student loan repayments are scheduled to resume in October after a three-year pause beginning in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
US regulators are proposing that big banks increase their capital levels to protect against future blowups following a regional banking crisis, one of the most sweeping overhauls of how lenders are regulated since the 2008 financial crisis.

Banks affected by the changes will see an aggregate 16% increase in their capital requirements. Regulators say the increase would primarily affect the largest banks and that most have enough capital already to comply. Capital is the buffer banks have to hold to absorb future losses.

Regulators also proposed changes in how these banks assess risks and widened the scope of the new rules to institutions with as few as $100 billion in assets, meaning roughly 30 banks would be subject to the same calculations.

That would include giants such as JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Bank of America (BAC) as well as midsized regional banks such as Fifth Third (FITB) and Regions (RF).

The impact will differ from bank to bank depending on their operations. Agency officials said the eight largest banks that have huge trading desks and coast-to-coast franchises, such as JPMorgan and Bank of America, will see capital requirements rise by 19% on average.

The smaller banks with $100-$250 million in assets will see an average rise of 5%. A number of mid-sized regional banks fall in this category, including KeyCorp (KEY) and Huntington (HBAN).

Officials argue the changes are needed to make lenders stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for shocks like the crisis of this spring, when the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic triggered deposit withdrawals across the banking world.

"Recent events demonstrated the effects that stress at a few large, regional banking organizations could have on the stability, public confidence, and trust in the banking system," said acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu.

Regulators will accept comments on this proposal through Nov. 30. Some parts of the proposal would be phased in over three years, starting in July 2025. All rules would be in place by July 2028.

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Michael J. Hsu, acting Comptroller of the Currency. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo)

Some doubts within the Fed

The proposal followed a nine-month-long review conducted by Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr.

Fed Chair Jay Powell supported putting this new capital proposal out for comment but said in a statement released Thursday that regulators need to weigh the costs of capital increases overall and for specific areas, including capital markets and operational risk.

"While there could be benefits of still higher capital, as always we must also consider the potential costs," he said, noting that the proposal is tougher than international standards, and could lead to a decline in liquidity for capital markets and push activities into the shadow banking system.

"This is a difficult balance to strike, and striking it will require public input and thoughtful deliberation."

Two Fed governors, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, issued separate statements that were critical of the proposal.

Waller said he voted against releasing it for public comment, stating that some elements are already accounted for in annual Fed stress tests and that the new standards could put US banks at a disadvantage when competing with international rivals.

Waller also wrote that the proposal could cause lenders to push higher capital costs on consumers and potentially narrow the scope of US banking activities.

Read more: How to get a personal loan with bad credit

Fed governor Christopher Waller said he voted against the new bank capital proposal. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo, File)

"I am not convinced that it improves the resiliency of the financial system," he added. "At the same time, it will increase costs for families and businesses and could impede market functioning. I dont think those costs are worth bearing without clear benefits to the resiliency of the financial system."

Bowman, who also voted against components of the new rules, said she believes the proposed higher capital levels would hurt lending and liquidity in markets and that they wouldnt have addressed the problems that contributed to the regional bank failures earlier this year.

Her concern is that the new rules will force smaller banks to merge, harming competition, and would prefer to address any risk management issues through better regulatory supervision and enforcement actions when necessary.

"While there is more to learn about the recent bank failures, it seems apparent that these failures were caused primarily by poor risk management and deficient supervision, not by a lack of capital," she said.

Bank pushback

The proposed changes unveiled Thursday are part of the US version of an international accord known as Basel III that was developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and follow a nine-month-long review conducted by Fed vice chair for supervision Michael Barr.

The goal of the Basel committee  which was convened by the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland  was to set global regulatory capital standards so that banks would have enough in reserve to survive crises.

The last version of this accord was agreed to in 2017, but plans to roll it out in the US were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new capital proposals are expected to face pushback from the banking industry, which argues that lenders are much more resilient than they were during the 2008 financial crisis and that higher requirements could restrict lending.

"As you raise capital requirements, it makes loans and capital markets more expensive, and thats permanent," Greg Baer, president of the Bank Policy Institute, told Yahoo Finance. "It becomes a permanent loss to the economy."

American Bankers Association CEO Rob Nichols said in a statement that the rules "fail to appreciate the negative economic consequences that come with forcing already strong banks to hold more capital than what is needed to maintain safety and soundness."

Financial Services Forum CEO Kevin Fromer added that "there is no justification for significant increases in capital at the largest US banks."

Silicon Valley Bank was seized by regulators on March 10. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)

Regulatory agency officials said the increases overall were modest and would be offset by the benefits of having a more resilient banking system.

'Risk weights' and paper losses

A key component of these new rules will be higher "risk weights" applied to certain assets banks hold.

The riskier the assets are, the higher the weights and the more capital banks will be required to set aside to absorb any future losses.

These assets can range from Treasuries and mortgages to derivatives and cryptocurrencies.

Another important change is how banks assess future risks. Banks will no longer be able to rely on internal models to estimate how much they could lose on loans  and therefore how much capital should be held against assets such as mortgages.

The fear from regulators is that the internal bank models can underestimate these risks. Instead, regulators will impose uniform standards.

Regulators are also concerned about how banks evaluate the risks from market swings, trading losses, and unexpected operational developments such as litigation.

Thus banks would have to model market risks at the level of individual trading desks for particular asset classes, instead of at the firm level. They can continue to use their own internal models for that evaluation.

Banks with big trading desks could see higher capital requirements, as a result.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr led the review of bank capital rules. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo)

As for unexpected operational events, such as litigation expenses, banks would have to use a standardized approach provided by regulators.

Banks worry this will punish lenders that rely on non-interest fee income, such as credit card or wealth management fees, because regulators consider those sources of potential operational risk if internal controls were to break down.

Another big change announced Thursday is that banks with $100 billion in assets or more would have to count any unrealized available-for-sale securities losses against their regulatory capital.

That last rule would reverse a policy put in place last decade when US supervisors decided most small and mid-sized institutions could opt out of deducting these paper losses on bonds from key regulatory capital levels.

In essence, these banks were allowed to report assets that were stronger in theory than they would be in practice.

As Silicon Valley Bank  and the broader investing public  found out in March.

Banks with $100 billion or more in assets will also have to comply with two other requirements that were previously applied to larger banks: a supplementary leverage ratio and a countercyclical capital buffer.

Agency officials said another way to look at all of the changes unveiled Thursday is that the banks that have to comply will be asked to hold an additional 2 percentage points of capital.

They said that most banks have enough capital now but those that don't would be able to build the required amounts in two years.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
BNP Paribas SA

Paris, 27 July 2023

Approval for the 2.5 billion euros second tranche of the 2023 share buyback programme

and launch of the execution in August

The approval from the European Central Bank for the second tranche of the share buyback programme planned for 2023 for an amount of 2.5 billion euros has been received.

The first tranche of 2.5 billion euros of the 2023 share buyback programme was launched on April 3rd, 2023 and will end no later than August 3rd, 2023.

BNP Paribas will launch the execution of the second tranche in the days following the completion of the 1st tranche, beginning of August. The completion of the second tranche will bring the total amount for the 2023 share buyback programme to 5 billion euros as announced on February 7th, 2023. Shares acquired under the share repurchase programme will be cancelled.

As of July 26th, 2023, 41,952,835 BNP Paribas shares, or 3.4% of the share capital, were purchased, representing a total amount of approximately 2.4 billion euros, an execution of more than 95% of the first tranche.

The description of the share buyback programme is available on BNP Paribass website: https://invest.bnpparibas/en/search/reports/documents/regulated-information .

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas is the European Unions leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 65 countries and has nearly 185,000 employees, including more than 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Groups commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group's performance and stability.

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Press contacts

Sandrine Romano  sandrine.romano@bnpparibas.com  +33 (0)6 71 18 23 05

Hacina Habchi  hacina.habchi@bnpparibas.com - +33 (0)7 61 97 65 20

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Bumper profit is a one-off, insists Chris OShea, chief executive of British Gas owner Centrica - Andrew Milligan/PA

Profits at British Gas have surged tenfold after Ofgem allowed the gas and electricity supplier to make more money from household bills.

The company, which supplies 10 million British homes and businesses, reported record half-year profits of 970m for the first six months of 2023.

Earnings were ten times the 98m made in the same period last year and far above its previous record of 585m.

The increase was driven by a 500m boost from higher energy bills after the industry regulator made changes to the price cap.

Ofgem raised how much suppliers could claim from household bills to make up for costs incurred during the pandemic. The change allowed British Gas to recover more of the costs it incurred for taking on customers from failed rivals.

EDF and Scottish Power also revealed surging profits on Thursday thanks to Ofgems price cap revisions.

EDFs UK earnings leapt 167pc to 2.2bn in the first half of the year, up almost 80pc on the same period of 2022. EDF credited allowances in the UK domestic default tariff cap.

The surge came even as profits in France slumped 60pc as a result of unfavourable market movements.

At the same time Scottish Powers retail operations brought in profits of 576m, recovering from a loss last year.

The surge in profits across the industry prompted a backlash from politicians and campaigners.

Ed Miliband, Labours shadow energy secretary, said the windfalls of war being pocketed by oil and gas companies, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said energy companies were being allowed to rake in extraordinary profits while millions of families struggle.

Chris OShea, chief executive of Centricas parent company British Gas, insisted the large profits were a one-off.

He said British Gas could hardly be accused of profiteering given that its margins were smaller than those of supermarkets, at around 2pc.

Mr OShea also pointed to an expansion of support for customers who are struggling, which will rise by 50m to 100m, and 4bn that the company plans to invest in green energy and other schemes designed to boost the UKs security of supply.

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Ofgems decision to allow energy companies to charge customers more was also questioned.

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition group said: The reality is that energy firms are operating on a playing field set by the government.

An Ofgem spokesperson said the surge in profits was temporary but necessary to make-up for the significant costs and losses they incurred over recent years due to covid and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

We expect profit levels to fall back significantly moving forward to the reasonable and modest levels allowed for in the price cap. In future this will help prevent supplier failures, such as the ones we saw at the start of the energy crisis, which cause disruption and additional costs for all households.

Longer-term we need to look at new ways to regulate prices while maintaining crucial protections and support for vulnerable customers.

Analysts Cornwall Insight said the energy price cap is expected to remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels for the foreseeable future.

Amanda Solloway, Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability, said: The government will always ensure that the energy market is working for consumers to protect them from sky high bills.

But we also want to see some of these profits invested in better customer services and crucial protections for vulnerable households, and companies work with us as we work to create a market fit for the future.

Centrica posted adjusted profits of 2.1bn for the year to the end of June, up from 1.3bn a year ago.

The company increased its dividend by a third to 1.33p per share and announced a 450m extension to a previous share buyback, taking the total amount to 1bn.

It also received a boost from the reopening of the Rough gas storage facility, off the coast of Yorkshire, and its stake in nuclear power stations.

Households were protected from a surge in energy prices last year by the governments energy price guarantee, which limited typical annual bills to 2,500.

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LIMA, Peru, July 27, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ("Buenaventura" or "the Company") (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Perus largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, today announced results for the second quarter (2Q23) and six-month period ended June 30, 2023 (6M23). All figures have been prepared in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) on a non-GAAP basis and are stated in U.S. dollars (US$). Buenaventura has provided accumulated six-month results to reflect the provisional pricing effect on the first six months of 2023.

Second Quarter and Six-Month 2023 Highlights:

2Q23 EBITDA from direct operations was US$ 17.1 million, compared to US$ -12.9 million reported in 2Q22. 6M23 EBITDA from direct operations reached US$ 68.7 million, compared to US$ 74.0 million reported in 6M22. 2022 EBITDA does not include US$ 300 million resulting from the sale of Buenaventura's stake in Yanacocha.

2Q23 net loss reached US$ 5.4 million, compared to a US$ 44.6 million net loss for the same period in 2022. 6M23 net income was US$ 67.5 million, compared to US$ 570.1 million net income for the 6M22. The 6M22 result includes a US$ 480 million net income from discontinued operations, primarily due to the reclassification of Buenaventura's interest in Yanacocha.

The Company recorded a US$ 9.8 million provisional price adjustment for the accumulated first six months of 2023. This is comprised of US$ -13.7 million in fair value of accounts receivables and US$ +3.9 million in adjustments to prior period liquidations. This compares to a US$ 35.1 million loss for the accumulated first six months of 2022.

Buenaventura's 6M23 consolidated copper production increased 23% YoY. Zinc production decreased by 68% YoY, lead decreased by 60% YoY, silver decreased by 28% YoY, and gold decreased by 11% YoY.

El Brocal's underground mine production increased to 9,300 tpd during 2Q23, compared to 8,150 tpd in 2Q22. The El Brocal ramp-up remains on target to reach 10,000 tpd by year-end 2023.

Buenaventura's cash position reached US$ 202.4 million and net debt decreased to US$ 520.9 million with an average maturity of 2.9 years by quarters end, June 30, 2023.

2Q23 capital expenditures were US$ 49.7 million, compared to US$ 36.1 million for the same period in 2022. 6M23 capital expenditures reached US$ 85.9 million, compared to US$ 56.0 million in 6M22, and includes US$ 24.0 million related to the San Gabriel Project and US$ 19.2 million related to the Yumpag Project.

Buenaventura looks forward to permitting approval of Uchucchacua, Yumpag, El Brocal and Coimolache. The company continues to work with the Peruvian environmental authority (SENACE) on its final review. We expect permits for Uchucchacua and Yumpag to be approved during 3Q23.

Cerro Verde paid a total dividend of US$ 250 million on April 28, 2023. Buenaventura received US$ 49.0 million relative to its stake in Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde will pay a second dividend on August 3, 2023, from which Buenaventura will receive an additional US$ 49.0 million.

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Financial Highlights (in millions of US$, except EPS figures):

2Q23 2Q22 Var 6M23 6M22 Var Total Revenues 173.3 150.1 15% 358.8 383.0 -6% Operating Income -22.0 -64.2 -66% -9.5 -32.0 N.A. EBITDA Direct Operations (1) 17.1 -12.9 N.A. 68.7 74.0 -7% EBITDA Including Affiliates (1) 87.4 57.8 51% 265.7 291.5 -9% Net Income (2) -6.7 -36.3 -81% 57.7 568.2 -90% EPS (3) -0.03 -0.14 -81% 0.23 2.24 -90%

(1) Does not include US$ 300 million from the sale of Buenaventuras stake in Yanacocha. (2) Net Income attributable to owners of the parent (3) As of June 30, 2023, Buenaventura had a weighted average number of shares outstanding of 253,986,867.

For a full version of Compania de Minas Buenaventura Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Release, please visit: https://www.buenaventura.com/en/inversionistas/reportes-trimestrales/2023

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

Compania de Minas Buenaventura will host a conference call on Thursday, July 27, 2023, to discuss these results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 10:00 a.m. Peru Time

To participate in the conference call, please dial:

Toll-Free US:

1-844-481-2914

Toll International:

1-412-317-0697

Passcode:

Ask to be joined into the Compania de Minas Buenaventuras call.

Webcast:

https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=Bsgl7GLh

If you would prefer to receive a call rather than dial in, please register via the following link. Please use this option 10-15 minutes prior to the conference call start time:

Call Me Link: https://hd.choruscall.com/?callme=true&passcode=&info=company-email&r=true&b=16

Passcode: 8818009

Participants who do not wish to be interrupted to have their information gathered may have Chorus Call dial out to them by clicking on the above link, filling in the information, and pressing the green phone button at the bottom. The phone number provided will be automatically called and connected to the conference without any interruption to the participant. (Please note: Participants will be joined directly to the conference and will hear hold music until the call begins. No confirmation message will be played when joined.)

Company Description

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Perus largest, publicly traded precious and base metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the exploration, mining development, processing and trade of gold, silver and other base metals via wholly-owned mines and through its participation in joint venture projects. Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, La Zanja*, El Brocal and Coimolache).

The Company owns 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer (a partnership with Freeport-McMorRan Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation).

For a printed version of the Companys 2022 Form 20-F, please contact the investor relations contacts on page 1 of this report or download the PDF format file from the Companys web site at www.buenaventura.com.

(*) Operations wholly owned by Buenaventura

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and related conference call contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements including statements related to the Companys ability to manage its business and liquidity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Companys results of operations, including net revenues, earnings and cash flows, the Companys ability to reduce costs and capital spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic if needed, the Companys balance sheet, liquidity and inventory position throughout and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Companys prospects for financial performance, growth and achievement of its long-term growth algorithm following the COVID-19 pandemic, future dividends and share repurchases.

This press release may also contain forward-looking information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning the Companys, Cerro Verdes costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver, copper and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production, subsidiaries plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic, social and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Companys view with respect to the Companys, Cerro Verdes future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Press Release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230726901525/en/

Contacts

Contacts in Lima:

Daniel Dominguez, Chief Financial Officer

(511) 419 2540



Gabriel Salas, Head of Investor Relations

(511) 419 2591 / gabriel.salas@buenaventura.pe

Contact in NY:

Barbara Cano

(646) 452-2334 / barbara@inspirgroup.com

Company Website: http://www.buenaventura.com
london properties

Londons property market is being supported by landlords forced to sell by higher mortgage rates and government red tape, the chief executive of Foxtons has said.

Guy Gittins said smaller buy-to-let landlords have been particularly struggling with rising rates, which are making many of their investments unprofitable. The average two-year buy-to-let mortgage rate stood at 6.94pc on Thursday, according to data from Moneyfacts.

He said: There has been an increase in the number of sales agreed and the number of properties exchanged. While the sales market has slowed considerably, several landlords are selling up.

Mr Gittins said landlords were facing a double whammy from higher interest rates and government policy.

He said: Theres always a section of the market that are landlords selling but what we are not seeing is the same volume of landlords coming into the market, because the government policy changes five years ago made it much harder... [with] the extra stamp duty hurdle and George Osbornes removal of interest tax relief.

The comment came as the London-based estate agent reported a 9pc jump in revenue to 70m in the first six months of the year.

Income from lettings jumped 14pc as rents surge. A growing number of people are increasing the length of their tenancies to avoid costs of moving home or from being pushed out by rent increases, Mr Gittins said.

He said: Weve seen rent increases of around 12pc across the board.

While this has been good for Foxtons business, Mr Gittins warned that the rental market could be tipped into crisis unless the Government stepped in to stop landlords fleeing the sector.

He added: Were not seeing the same volume of landlords enter the market. This is worrying as there is already a huge imbalance of supply and demand. The Government needs to do something to welcome landlords back in the market.

Unless something is done, supply and demand will be really out of kilter.

While its lettings business is performing well, Foxtons said sales were down 19pc in the first half of the year.

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Mr Gittins said: The market is still considerably down from Liz Trusss mini-Budget last year.

We expect sales to continue to be slow.

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Key Insights

Microlise Group's estimated fair value is UK1.35 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of UK1.33 suggests Microlise Group is potentially trading close to its fair value

Peers of Microlise Group are currently trading on average at a 24% premium

Does the July share price for Microlise Group plc (LON:SAAS) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. 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. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Microlise Group

Is Microlise Group Fairly Valued?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK5.98m UK9.20m UK10.1m UK10.8m UK11.4m UK11.8m UK12.2m UK12.5m UK12.8m UK13.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ 9.54% Est @ 7.05% Est @ 5.31% Est @ 4.09% Est @ 3.23% Est @ 2.63% Est @ 2.22% Est @ 1.92% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.2% UK5.5 UK7.9 UK8.0 UK7.9 UK7.7 UK7.4 UK7.0 UK6.7 UK6.3 UK5.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK70m

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 (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 8.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK13m (1 + 1.2%)  (8.2% 1.2%) = UK190m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK190m ( 1 + 8.2%)10= UK86m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK157m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK1.3, the company appears about fair value at a 2.0% 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

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Microlise 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 8.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.997. 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.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. 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 Microlise Group, we've compiled three additional elements you should assess:

Risks: Take risks, for example - Microlise Group has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does SAAS'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 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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Canary Wharf

Canary Wharfs status as Londons financial centre was dealt another blow after Moodys joined a string of companies that are considering leaving the district to cut costs.

It is understood the ratings agency has appointed broker Cushman & Wakefield to advise on options for new office space in London.

The company, which houses around 1200 employees in its Canary Wharf office, is looking to shrink its office space by a third in response to post-pandemic hybrid working arrangements.

It comes weeks after HSBC announced it would leave its Docklands tower for one in the City of London.

The financial districts most recognisable tenant announced it will leave its 45-storey skyscraper, nicknamed the tower of doom by staff, for a smaller office at the former BT head office near St Pauls.

Canary Wharf has faced an exodus of tenants in recent years.

Magic circle law firm Clifford Chance announced it was leaving the Docklands for the City of London last year. Barclays has also put 500,000 sq ft of space at its Canary Wharf office on the market.

Credit Suisse is also trying to let empty space at its Canary Wharf headquarters. Its top nine floors were already on the market before UBS bought its Swiss rival in March.

Moodys departure from Canary Wharf is not certain. The company, which has around 170,000 sq ft of office space, is also said to be open to shrinking its existing footprint at One Canada Square or moving to a smaller space in the district.

Moodys declined to comment on its office plans.

However, the agency recently downgraded its rating of Canary Wharf Group  which is owned by Qatars sovereign wealth fund and Brookfield Asset Management.

The owner and developer of nearly 100 acres of property primarily in the district has more than 1.4bn of debt due in 2024 and 2025.

Moodys said it downgraded the company based on the difficult operating and funding environment for real estate companies.

Adding that the company would have difficulty in selling off its offices without offering substantial discounts.

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FILE - Nigel Farage speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, March 3, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. The chief executive of U.K. bank NatWest Group apologised Thursday July 20, 2023, to populist politician Nigel Farage after he complained that his bank account was shut down because the banking group didn't agree with his political views. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

LONDON (AP)  The chief executive of Coutts Bank, long known as the bankers for Britains royal family and nobility, has stepped down amid the furor surrounding populist politician Nigel Farages complaints that his account was closed because of his political views.

CEO Peter Flavels resignation came just a day after Coutts owner NatWest Group parted ways with its CEO, Alison Rose, the first woman to head one of Britains four big banks. Rose left after acknowledging that she had discussed Farages personal details with a journalist.

In the handling of Mr. Farages case we have fallen below the banks high standards of personal service," Flavel said in a statement. As CEO of Coutts it is right that I bear ultimate responsibility for this, which is why I am stepping down.

The controversy began two weeks ago when Farage, a right-wing talk show presenter and former leader of the pro-Brexit U.K. Independence Party, said Coutts had improperly closed his account because it disagreed with his political views.

The BBC then published a story, based on an anonymous source, saying that the account was closed because Farage did not meet Coutts 1 million pound ($1.3 million) borrowing requirement.

But Farage obtained documents from the bank showing that while officials had discussed his financial affairs, they also examined the reputational damage associated with keeping him as a customer.

Rose later acknowledged that she was the source of the BBC story.

Farage, a skilled attention seeker, has accused the bank of stomping on his freedom of speech. Conservative politicians and pundits have backed Farage, criticizing banks more broadly for using anti-money laundering laws to punish people with unpopular views. They have demanded that banking regulations be changed to ensure that everyone has the right to a bank account.
Students from Wuhan University hold flags during the graduation ceremony in the school's stadium on June 20, 2023 in Wuhan Ren Yong/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

China's youth unemployment rate may be severely skewed, a Peking University professor wrote.

While official statistics for March cited a 19.7% rate, Zhang Dandan estimated it's closer to 46.5%.

In her calculations, she included 16 million non-students not actively seeking work.

While China's official youth unemployment rate indicates around one-fifth of 16- to 24-year olds are jobless, a Peking University professor estimated that this could be close to 50%.

According to Zhang Dandan, whose findings were recently published in the financial magazine Caixin, March's youth unemployment rate could have been as much as 46.5% when accounting for 16 million non-students not actively seeking work, Reuters reported.

This is more than double that month's official 19.7% rate, as published by the National Bureau of Statistics. Since then, it has climbed to 21.3%, which could mean the alternate jobless rate is higher too.

To be sure, the US Labor Department's unemployment rate doesn't include Americans who have stopped looking for work. But it still publishes alternate measures of joblessness, and the rate that includes "discouraged" workers was 3.7% in June, little changed from the headline rate of 3.6%.

While China's economy is still expanding, its post-COVID recovery has disappointed and weakness in key sectors has hit young people especially hard, giving rise to the "lying flat" trend of millions of college graduates still living off their parents with defeatist attitudes about their futures.

According to Zhang's article, which has since been removed, stagnation in some of the country's manufacturing hubs has been a huge pressure point on the youth labor market.

"Employment there only recovered to two-thirds of pre-COVID levels till March, when COVID faded," she wrote, according to Reuters. "Young people remain major workers in the manufacturing sector, so they were hit more badly."

Read the original article on Business Insider
CREDICORP LTD. C/O BANCO DE CREDITO

Lima, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lima, PERU, July 27th, 2023  Credicorp Ltd. announces to its shareholders and the market that its 2Q23 Earnings Release Report will be released on Thursday August 10th, 2023, after market close.

Credicorps Webcast / Conference Call to discuss such results, will be held on Friday August 11th, 2023, at 10:30 am ET (9:30 am Lima, Peru time).

The call will be host by Gianfranco Ferrari  Chief Executive Officer, Cesar Rios - Chief Financial Officer, Francesca Raffo  Chief Innovation Officer, Reynaldo Llosa - Chief Risk Officer, Diego Cavero  Head of Universal Banking, Cesar Rivera - Head of Insurance and Pensions, Carlos Sotelo - Mibanco CFO and Investor Relations Team.

We encourage participants to pre-register for the listen-only webcast presentation using the following link:

https://dpregister.com/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=10181250&linkSecurityString=fa033bcdf8

Callers who pre-register will be given a conference passcode and unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

Those unable to pre-register may dial in by calling:

1 844 435 0321 Participant dial in (toll free)

1 412 317 5615 Participant international dial in

Participant Web Phone: Click Here

Conference ID: Credicorp Conference Call

The webcast will be archived for one year on our investor relations website at:

https://credicorp.gcs-web.com/events-and-presentations/upcoming-events

Credicorp reminds you that we filed our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31st, 2022 (2022 Form 20-F) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30th, 2023. The 2022 Form 20-F includes audited consolidated financial statements of Credicorp and its subsidiaries as of December 31st, 2020, 2021, and 2022 under IFRS. Our 2022 Form 20-F can be downloaded from Credicorps website: https://credicorp.gcs-web.com/annual-materials . Holders of Credicorps securities and any other interested parties may request a hard copy of our 2022 Form 20-F, free of charge, by filling out the form located on the link mail request on Credicorps website.

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About Credicorp

Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE: BAP) is the leading financial services holding company in Peru with presence in Chile, Colombia and Bolivia. Credicorp has a diversified business portfolio organized into four lines of business: Universal Banking, through Banco de Credito del Peru  BCP and Banco de Credito de Bolivia; Microfinance, through Mibanco in Peru and Colombia; Insurance & Pension Funds, through Grupo Pacifico and Prima AFP; and Investment Banking & Wealth Management, through Credicorp Capital, Wealth Management at BCP and Atlantic Security Bank.

For further information please contact the IR team:

investorrelations@credicorpperu.com

Investor Relations

Credicorp Ltd.




The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced new rules yesterday requiring public companies to disclose cybersecurity incidents as soon as four business days.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler said the disclosure "may be material to investors" and could benefit them, the companies and markets connecting them.

Currently, many public companies provide cybersecurity disclosure to investors. I think companies and investors alike, however, would benefit if this disclosure were made in a more consistent, comparable, and decision-useful way," he said.

The new rules were proposed in March 2022 after the SEC noted the increase in cybersecurity risks following the way companies pivoted toward remote work, moving more operations online, use of digital payments, increased reliance on third-party service providers for services like cloud computing technology, and how cyber criminals are able to monetize cybersecurity incidents.

What is the SEC cyber disclosure rule?

Under the new rules, companies are required to fill out the brand new 8-K form, which will have Item 1.05 added to disclose cybersecurity incidents. It will require disclosing and describing the nature, scope, and timing of the incident, material impact or reasonably likely material impact, including the financial condition and results of operations.

If the incident will have a significant effect, then the company has to report it in four days. But if the U.S. Attorney General deems the immediate disclosure a risk to national security or public safety, disclosure could be delayed.

The new regulation requires companies to describe their process assessing cybersecurity threats, how their board of directors oversee cybersecurity threats, and how management assesses the threat.

Foreign companies will use the amended 6-K form to disclose cybersecurity incidents and the amended 20-F form for periodic disclosure.

How much does a data breach cost a business?

In this year's "Cost of a Data Breach Report" by IBM Security, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million, a 2.3% increase from 2022 when it was $4.35 million. The United States has lead the way for 13 consecutive years in highest data breach costs. This year, the Middle East, Canada, Germany and Japan also made up the top five countries with the most expensive data breaches.

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During ransomware attacks, companies that excluded law enforcement paid 9.6% more and experienced a longer breach at 33 days.

Only one-third of the companies found data breaches themselves, while the rest were reported by the attackers themselves or by a third party. Among industries, health care had the highest data breach costs in the U.S. this year, followed by the financial, pharmaceutical, energy, and industrial sectors in order.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SEC wants companies to report cyber threats in 4 days
By Dominique Vidalon and Helen Reid

PARIS (Reuters) -Cash-strapped retailer Casino suffered a first-half loss after falling sales and price cuts at its biggest stores dented its core French business, while investors awaited a debt rescue deal due to be clinched on Thursday.

Casino is in talks with Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky over a plan to inject 1.2 billion euros ($1.33 billion) of new money into the French retailer, and it is still discussing a plan with creditors to restructure its debt pile to avoid bankruptcy.

Finance Chief David Lubek told journalists the goal remained to have an agreement with creditors by the end of the day. On a call with analysts Lubek said he would make no comment on talks with creditors, and he took no questions after presenting the results.

At 0700 GMT the company's shares were suspended from trading pending a statement.

Kretinsky's rescue plan would bring an end to the 30-year reign of Casino CEO and controlling shareholder Jean-Charles Naouri at a time when France's traditional retail sector is adapting to the rise of e-commerce and hard-discount supermarket chains.

Casino's operating loss of 233 million euros came after a 166 million euro profit in the first half of 2022. Its operations in France posted a 299 million euro loss.

Group net debt at the end of June was 6.1 billion euros, and free cash flow in France deteriorated further to negative 1.6 billion euros, from negative 312 million euros at the end of June 2022.

"The magnitude of the cash burn doesn't come as a surprise but it shows how fast the debt restructuring/cash injection will have to be," said Bryan Garnier analyst Clement Genelot.

Genelot argues Casino needs between 2.5 billion and 3 billion euros of new money to recover, much more than Kretinsky is offering.

Consolidated group net sales fell 1.2% like-for-like in the second quarter to 5.5 billion euros, with retail sales in France down 4.2%.

Sales in convenience stores and the upmarket Paris-focused Monoprix banner grew, but hypermarket and supermarket sales fell 15.3% after Casino said it cut prices by an average of 10% in the larger stores, compared to the first half of last year.

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"We don't intend to go further," Lubek said when asked about possible further price cuts.

French retailers are in pricing discussions with consumer goods brands after the government last month ordered food manufacturers to lower their prices.

"Our aim is, on products where there are reasons to say we are in disinflation, or even deflation, to secure (price) corrections in this direction just as we accepted them on the up," Lubek said.

France's sixth-largest retailer is facing the consequences of years of debt-fuelled deals that, following recent losses in market share and revenue declines, have put it on the verge of bankruptcy.

($1 = 0.9007 euros)

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon and Helen Reid, additional reporting by Piotr Lipinski; Editing by Kim Coghill, Lincoln Feast and Susan Fenton)
(Bloomberg) -- DoorDash Inc., the US food-delivery service that competes with Uber Technologies Inc. and GrubHub, is looking to speed up ordering and help customers find food options with an artificial intelligence-based chatbot.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The company is working on a system called DashAI that its testing in a limited capacity in some markets. Evidence of the technology was first discovered in DoorDashs iPhone app by developer Steve Moser and shared with Bloomberg News.

The idea is to bring DoorDash into the AI era, allowing customers to get personalized restaurant recommendations with simple text prompts. If the software ultimately launches, it could give the company an edge over rivals, though some other apps  like Instacart  are adding AI as well.

A DoorDash spokesman declined to comment on the feature. But Chief Executive Officer Tony Xu said during a conference call in May that the food-delivery company is running different experiments internally.

The DashAI system includes a warning message that the technology is experimental and that accuracy can vary. Its code also provides examples of how users could query the AI system:

Can you show me some highly rated and affordable dinner options nearby?

Whats a place that delivers burgers that also has really good salad options?

Where can I get authentic Asian food? I like Chinese and Thai.

DoorDash is joining an AI frenzy fueled by last years debut of OpenAI Inc.s ChatGPT. The software has taken the world by storm, leading Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google, Microsoft Corp, Amazon.com Inc. and others to push deeper into artificial intelligence.

By offering an AI chatbot, DoorDash could market itself as a more curated food-ordering service  helping the company maintain its edge in a crowded field. Using an AI-based search engine could also be more convenient and quicker than scrolling through endless menus of food options.

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San Francisco-based DoorDash commands 65% of food-delivery sales in the US, according to Bloomberg Second Measure.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Batteries for e-bikes should be regulated in the same way as fireworks, heavy machinery or medical devices because of the fire risk they pose, a charity has said.

In June, a woman and two children died in a fire linked to an e-bike battery.

Currently, manufacturers can self-declare that e-bike and e-scooter batteries meet safety standards.

But campaigners Electrical Safety First says the batteries should require third-party approval before sale.

Cambridgeshire Fire Service said the bike was the "most probable cause" of the fatal blaze in June, and it is investigating the e-bike that was left charging in the flat.

Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade said it has been called to a fire caused by e-bike batteries on average once every two days in 2023.

"The huge amount of energy that is released over time when a battery bursts into flames is unlike other fires," said Electrical Safety First chief executive Lesley Rudd.

A room could be destroyed "in a matter of minutes" she said.

"This unique type of fire requires special measures to tackle the increasing problem."

The UK should adopt regulation similar to rules introduced in New York City in March 2023, Ms Rudd believes.

The US city has signed into law legislation which requires e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries to meet standards set by a third party with expertise in battery technology.

"We need to get on top of this issue now to prevent more lives being lost," said Ms Rudd.

"There are too many reckless operators in this space, such as third-party sellers on online marketplaces, who are risking the lives of the public and giving responsible manufacturers of these products a bad name."

A government spokesperson told the BBC: "The Office for Product and Safety and Standards is working closely with the fire brigade to ensure product safety issues are properly assessed and action is taken to protect consumers.

"If manufacturers don't comply with product safety regulations, appropriate enforcement action will be taken, such as ordering the removal of the product from the market."

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'Incredibly ferocious'

According to the London Fire Brigade website, e-bike and e-scooter batteries "can start incredibly ferocious fires" if they are damaged or fail.

"Lithium battery fires can spread quickly out of control, and within minutes have started a large fire," it says.

Lancaster-based Andrew Beaton said his family are facing "upwards of 50,000 in damages" after an e-bike fire destroyed their home.

"If it wasn't for my son, we wouldn't be here," he said.

"He was up to get a drink at night and shouted to us after seeing the e-bike on fire - I sprinted downstairs, swung open the front door and threw the bike outside.

"In that moment, all the batteries fell out and were exploding like hand grenades."

Despite removing the e-bike from the house, he said the fire had already spread to the stairs.

"I urge anyone thinking of buying these e-bikes not to - it's not worth your life," he said.

Neil Odin, prevention lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), said there has been a "worrying increase" in fires involved lithium ion batteries used by e-bikes.

"These are particularly concerning when they occur in people's homes with the incorrect charging or use of items such as e-bikes or e-scooters," he said.

"More awareness of the risks is required with a very close look at the standards associated with these products."

The NFCC recommends that people do not charge their device's battery while they are sleeping. It also says:

Always unplug your charger once it has finished charging

Plug the cable into a main socket rather than an extension lead

Do not cover the battery with anything while charging

Make sure you use the battery recommended by the manufacturer

Always use the manufacturer-approved charger for the product

Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home and in the room where you charge the bike/scooter

What can be done?

Aside from regulating the sale of the batteries themselves, Electrical Safety First said e-scooters could be made safer if regulation required the battery to be positioned differently, so it was more shielded from damage.

It said the current location of batteries on e-scooters - typically under the foot plate - can expose them to damage from the ground as well as water. A mandatory increase to the height of the foot plate by 15 centimetres would minimise impact damage.

In a wide-ranging report published today, the charity also recommends:

Banning universal chargers altogether, as this is a cause of overcharging - which can cause fires

Introducing a standard for so-called conversion kits - which can be used to turn regular bikes into e-bikes

Requiring the Home Office to report e-bike and e-scooter fires

A nationwide campaign on e-bike and e-scooter safety, backed by the government, to include how to charge devices safely

Regulating online marketplaces, where it says "many sub-standard and dangerous e-bike and e-scooters are purchased"

The UK Bicycle Association (BA), the trade association representing the UK cycle industry said it would "fully support" such regulation.

"The BA particularly welcomes the comments around regulation of online marketplaces, which have been identified by fire services as the route by which many problematic products are sourced," it said.

James Metcalfe, founder of e-bike firm Volt, told the BBC there was a proliferation of substandard batteries online and "consumers need to be educated that cheap imported batteries can be extremely dangerous".

He said firms like Volt already had robust quality standards and welcomed any measures that would better protect the consumer.
Norfolk Southern at the Port of Cleveland in Ohio. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Higher expenses and lower revenues ate away at Norfolk Southerns net profits in the second quarter of 2023.

The eastern U.S. Class I railroad reported net income of $356 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2023, compared with net income of $819 million, or $3.45 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2022.

Revenues were down 8% year over year (y/y) to $2.98 billion for the second quarter, with revenue from NS intermodal segment falling 23% to $745 million. A 1% increase in international intermodal volume wasnt enough to offset a 14% decrease in domestic intermodal volumes.

Meanwhile, operating expenses were $2.4 billion for the second quarter, compared with $1.98 billion y/y. Expenses include a $416 million charge associated with the railroads ongoing response to the Feb. 3 NS train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. NS noted that this charge does not reflect any potentially recoverable amounts under NS insurance policies or from any other third parties.

Adjusting for the eastern Ohio incident charge, NS (NYSE: NSC) adjusted income from railway operations would be $992 million, while adjusted diluted earnings per share would be $2.95. This constitutes declines of 22% and 14%, respectively, from the second quarter of 2022, NS said Thursday.

During the quarter, we delivered on our commitments to improve service, invest in safety and resiliency, and enhance the quality of life for our craft railroaders. Each of these are foundational to our strategy and position Norfolk Southern well for the future, NS President and CEO Alan Shaw said in a release. We are committed to our long-term strategy and are positioning our franchise to take on volume growth and deliver for our customers.

Subscribe to FreightWaves e-newsletters and get the latest insights on freight right in your inbox.

Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Joanna Marsh.

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The post East Palestine expenses cut into Norfolk Southerns Q2 net profits appeared first on FreightWaves.
Elon Musk gave the order himself for Teslas to present overly optimistic estimates of driving range, report says. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

Elon Musk decided to have Teslas display overly optimistic range estimates, Reuters reported.

The carmaker has intentionally exaggerated the range of its EVs, a source told the publication.

Tesla even created a team to address owner complaints about inaccurate ranges, Reuters said.

Elon Musk gave Tesla workers the order to present overly optimistic driving ranges for the company's electric cars, according to a recent report from Reuters.

Tesla's range meters in its cars have been providing owners with longer estimates than the EVs can realistically travel without needing a charge, the publication reported on Thursday. The company has been exaggerating the ranges for its vehicles since before Tesla even began selling its Model 3 in 2017 Reuters reported, citing a source with knowledge of the issue.

"Elon wanted to show good range numbers when fully charged," the source, who had knowledge of Musk's involvement, told the publication.

"When you buy a car off the lot seeing 350-mile, 400-mile range, it makes you feel good," they added, according to Reuters.

The company was able to present a more "rosy" view of the ranges for its lineup of EVs by coding the more optimistic range results into the software for the range estimates on the vehicles dashboard, the source told Reuters. And in order to keep drivers from running out of a charge at an inconvenient location, the company designed the system so that the dashboard would show a more accurate driving range after the vehicle's charge dropped below 50%, the source told the news outlet.

The publication was unable to verify whether the company still provides overly optimistic ranges. Though it cited several testers who found inconsistencies between the company's advertised ranges and their own testing of its range. An EV's range can be impacted by extreme temperatures, as well as the owner's driving habits.

Musk and a spokesperson for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

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The publication also reported that Tesla made a team to address concerns from owners about their driving ranges. The "Diversion Team" was instructed to cancel owners' appointments at its service centers related to driving range concerns.

It's not the first time that Tesla's advertised range for its cars has been called into question. Earlier this year, South Korea fined the automaker for exaggerating the range for its EVs, forcing Musk and executives to issue a statement that said Tesla had engaged in "false/exaggerated advertising," Reuters reported.

Range anxiety has been identified as a key hurdle to mass EV adoption and Tesla owners aren't immune. Several Tesla owners previously told Insider that they struggled with concerns about getting stranded with the EV when the first switched from a gas-powered vehicle to an electric one.

"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 Tesla owners say range anxiety was a short-lived concern that they were able to overcome after they became better acquainted with their vehicle's capabilities. 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.

Read Reuters' full story on its website.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Foo Yun Chee and Sudip Kar-Gupta

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Microsoft on Thursday found itself the target of an European Union antitrust investigation over the bundling of its chat and video app Teams with its Office product, putting it at risk of a hefty fine.

The U.S. tech giant has racked up 2.2 billion euros ($2.5 billion) in EU antitrust fines in the previous decade for practices in breach of EU competition rules, including tying or bundling two or more products together.

Since then Microsoft has adopted a more conciliatory approach with the European Commission.

The European Commission's investigation followed a complaint by Salesforce-owned workspace messaging app Slack in 2020 and after the U.S. tech giant's offer of remedies failed to address the EU competition enforcer's concerns.

Teams, which Microsoft added to Office 365 in 2017 for free to eventually replace Skype for Business, soared in popularity during the pandemic especially after it offered video conferencing.

The Commission is seeking to fast track the case and is looking to issue formal charges against Microsoft in the autumn unless the company improves its concessions, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The EU competition enforcer said it was concerned that Microsoft may be abusing and defending its market position in productivity software by restricting competition in the European communication and collaboration products market.

"Remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams have become indispensable for many businesses in Europe. We must therefore ensure that the markets for these products remain competitive, and companies are free to choose the products that best meet their needs," EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Microsoft said Microsoft would continue to co-operate with the European Commission and that the company remained committed to finding solutions to address the Commission's concerns.

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Reuters reported earlier this month that the EU antitrust watchdog was set to open a probe after Microsoft declined to offer bigger price cuts on its Office without Teams.

The European Commission hopes a price differential between Office with Teams and Office without the app will ensure a level playing field with rivals and give consumers more choice, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters.

German rival alfaview, which last week filed a complaint similar to Slack's with the EU executive, welcomed the EU investigation.

"With our complaint, we want to make clear that this is not about a fight between two US tech giants, but about the protection of innovations of all kinds," its CEO and founder Niko Fostiropoulos said in a statement.

EU fines for antitrust violations can go as high as 10% of a company's global turnover.

($1 = 0.8988 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, David Evans and Jane Merriman)
FILE PHOTO: The Microsoft sign is shown on top of the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California

By Foo Yun Chee and Sudip Kar-Gupta

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Microsoft on Thursday found itself the target of an European Union antitrust investigation over the bundling of its chat and video app Teams with its Office product, putting it at risk of a hefty fine.

The U.S. tech giant has racked up 2.2 billion euros ($2.5 billion) in EU antitrust fines in the previous decade for practices in breach of EU competition rules, including tying or bundling two or more products together.

Since then Microsoft has adopted a more conciliatory approach with the European Commission.

The European Commission's investigation followed a complaint by Salesforce-owned workspace messaging app Slack in 2020 and after the U.S. tech giant's offer of remedies failed to address the EU competition enforcer's concerns.

Teams, which Microsoft added to Office 365 in 2017 for free to eventually replace Skype for Business, soared in popularity during the pandemic especially after it offered video conferencing.

The Commission is seeking to fast track the case and is looking to issue formal charges against Microsoft in the autumn unless the company improves its concessions, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The EU competition enforcer said it was concerned that Microsoft may be abusing and defending its market position in productivity software by restricting competition in the European communication and collaboration products market.

"Remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams have become indispensable for many businesses in Europe. We must therefore ensure that the markets for these products remain competitive, and companies are free to choose the products that best meet their needs," EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Microsoft said Microsoft would continue to co-operate with the European Commission and that the company remained committed to finding solutions to address the Commission's concerns.

Story continues

Reuters reported earlier this month that the EU antitrust watchdog was set to open a probe after Microsoft declined to offer bigger price cuts on its Office without Teams.

The European Commission hopes a price differential between Office with Teams and Office without the app will ensure a level playing field with rivals and give consumers more choice, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters.

German rival alfaview, which last week filed a complaint similar to Slack's with the EU executive, welcomed the EU investigation.

"With our complaint, we want to make clear that this is not about a fight between two US tech giants, but about the protection of innovations of all kinds," its CEO and founder Niko Fostiropoulos said in a statement.

EU fines for antitrust violations can go as high as 10% of a company's global turnover.

($1 = 0.8988 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, David Evans and Jane Merriman)
FILE - The Microsoft company logo is displayed at their offices in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 3, 2021. The European Union announced Thursday, July 27, 2023 that it opened a formal antitrust investigation targeting Microsoft into the software company's Teams messaging and videoconferencing app over concerns that its bundling with its Office productivity software suites gives it an unfair edge over competitors. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union said Thursday that it has opened an antitrust investigation into Microsoft over concerns that bundling its Teams messaging and videoconferencing app with its Office productivity software gives it an unfair edge over competitors.

The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's top competition enforcer, said it would carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of priority.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed in 2020 by Slack Technologies, which makes popular workplace messaging software.

Slack, owned by business software maker Salesforce, alleged that Microsoft was abusing its market dominance to eliminate competition  in violation of EU laws  by illegally combining Teams with its Office suite, which includes Word, Excel and Outlook.

Remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams have become indispensable for many businesses in Europe. We must therefore ensure that the markets for these products remain competitive, said Margrethe Vestager, the EU's antitrust commissioner.

This is why we are investigating whether Microsofts tying of its productivity suites with Teams may be in breach of EU competition rules, she added.

Microsoft said in a statement that it respected the European Commissions work on this case. It added that it would continue to cooperate with the commission and remain committed to finding solutions that will address its concerns.

Only last week, the German alfaview video conferencing company added its own complaint over Microsoft Teams, arguing that bundling gives the U.S. tech giant an unmatched competitive advantage that is not justified by performance and that competitors like alfaview cannot match.

The commission says opening the investigation in no way determines the outcome.

Europe has led the way in ratcheting up scrutiny of Big Tech companies over worries that they have become too dominant. When Brussels has looked into Microsofts recent deals, however, the company has prevailed.

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The EU approved Microsofts plan to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, after the company offered to automatically license popular Activision titles like Call of Duty for cloud gaming platforms.

Microsoft also has won EU clearance to buy video game company Zenimax and speech recognition company Nuance.

___

AP Business Writer Kelvin Chan contributed from London.
The proposed megamerger by Fairview Health Services and South Dakota-based Sanford Health is dead  again.

The announcement Thursday marks the second time in roughly a decade the two health systems have failed to complete a combination that prompted, in its latest incarnation, fierce opposition at the University of Minnesota.

And it leaves unresolved and difficult questions about the future of the U's partnership with Fairview, an affiliation that's been strained significantly over the past year.

"Without support for this transaction from certain stakeholders, we have determined it is in the best interest of Fairview Health Services to discontinue the merger process," Fairview CEO James Hereford said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon.

The U sold its teaching hospital to Fairview in 1997 and balked at the idea of an out-of-state entity owning the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. The merger would have created a health system with some 78,000 employees and more than 50 hospitals.

Sanford Health and Minneapolis-based Fairview first tried to merge in 2013, when the idea was met with significant political opposition. They announced the second attempt in November, specifying a timeline that was later delayed amid an ongoing investigation by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Bill Gassen, the president and CEO of Sanford Health, said in a statement: "Without support for this transaction from certain Minnesota stakeholders, we have determined it is in the best interest of Sanford Health to discontinue the merger process."

Ellison said in a statement that the health systems "made the decision they have determined is right for them."

"While this merger will not be going forward, the health and future of Fairview, the University of Minnesota health care facilities, and all Minnesota health systems are of vital interest to all Minnesotans," he said. "Much work remains to be done."

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Sanford Health says its board of trustees met at noon Thursday and made the decision to discontinue the merger process. Gassen then called Hereford at 2 p.m. to notify him, according to a Sanford spokeswoman.

Fairview was the first to make the news public with a release issued at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

"As we move forward from here, we remain focused on our public mission to provide high quality, innovative and leading-edge care to patients across Minnesota, and how we can best support access to world-class health care for the entire state," the university said in a statement.

The merger talks prompted Minnesota lawmakers this spring to give the state attorney general more power to scrutinize health care mergers including the Sanford-Fairview deal. The proposal also initiated a discussion at the U about whether its academic medical center would be better served by a restructured relationship with its health care partner.

Fairview and the U have been involved in an affiliation agreement since 1997 that includes financial support from Fairview for the academic medicine mission at the university. The agreement was amended in 2018 to significantly increase funding from Fairview to the U as they jointly launched the M Health Fairview brand.

This agreement continues through 2026, but both parties have an option to signal by year's end if they want to terminate the partnership. Fairview has said the current agreements are not financially sustainable. And the merger talks, that burst into public at times, strained the relationship.

Just this month, a consultant to the U raised questions about Fairview's ongoing financial problems during a Board of Regents meeting.

"The fact is that over the past four or five years, they will have lost almost $1 billion on operations," Cliff Stromberg, an attorney with the Washington, D.C.-based firm Hogan Lovells, said during a recent regents meeting in Victoria. "That is unheard of."

Fairview shot back in a statement to the Star Tribune saying: "Instead of hiring high-priced D.C. legal consultants to advise them, university leadership would be wise to speak directly to those with actual insights and expertise in health care delivery, including the leaders who have responsibility over the health care we provide to our community."

In March, the Star Tribune reported on internal documents in which Fairview's CEO wrote that the U "appears to be profiting significantly" from the patient care collaboration while the health system wasn't seeing financial benefits.

Hereford asked if Fairview could trim annual academic support payments, but the university objected and blasted "the depth of mismanagement by Fairview leadership."

"It is alarming to the University that a highly-compensated CEO of a $6 billion-a-year nonprofit health care enterprise cannot articulate a multi-step plan to bring Fairview back to good health," wrote the medical school dean along with Myron Frans, the U's senior vice president for finance, in a joint Oct. 31 letter to Hereford.

This month at the regents meeting, Frans spoke of the university needing to resolve its "partner problem." He reiterated the U's interest in obtaining from Fairview control for at least some parts of the sprawling university hospital operations.

In January, the university floated the idea of building a replacement hospital on its West Bank campus  one of many ideas not addressed Thursday in a flurry of statements issued by the involved entities.

"While this may not have been the outcome we desired," Hereford said, "we remain committed to our people and to continue advancing the important work we do every day in caring for those in need."

Timeline of merger attempt

November 2022: Fairview and Sanford announce plans for a merger to create a health system with some 78,000 employees and more than 50 hospitals. The University of Minnesota has opposed the merger because it would shift control of the U's teaching hospital  purchased by Fairview in 1997  out of state.

January: U proposes resuming control of University of Minnesota Medical Center with $950 million in state funding to acquire and initially operate the hospital.

February: Sanford and Fairview agree to delay their merger timeline from March 31 to May 31 as Attorney General Keith Ellison collected information on the merger.

April: Sanford and Fairview again delay merger in order to provide a 90-day notice of the closing after a request by Ellison's office.

July 27: Both sides announce the merge deal is dead.
Ford executive Franck Louis-Victor appeared in a Bloomfield Township courtroom for a hearing Thursday on two felony charges related to a July 8 domestic incident but the case was dismissed when the prosecution was unable to produce any witnesses.

Allison Krueger, an Oakland County assistant prosecutor, told 48th District Court Judge Kimberly Small that county officials were unable to locate Louis-Victor's wife despite trying to reach her by phone, email, text and with police visits to the home. A subpoena compelling Soo Louis-Victor to appear could not be served, Krueger told the judge.

Franck Louis-Victor was arrested after voluntarily going to the Bloomfield Township Police station and providing his version of an incident with his wife that occurred on July 8. He was arraigned July 10 and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and arson, based on preparation to burn property worth between $1,000 and $20,000, according to court records.

Franck Louis-Victor

The arson charge stems from Franck Louis-Victor allegedly trying to set fire to two Hermes handbags during a situation at his home, according to court records. The assault with a dangerous weapon charge relates to an incident Involving "a butane torch and/or a computer tablet, but without intending to commit the crime of murder," court records say. The police report says Franck Louis-Victor took out a butane torch and arranged the purses on a workbench in the basement threatening to burn them. When his wife attempted to grab the purses, he waved the lit butane torch approximately 2 feet from her face, according to court records.

More: Ford's new supply chain chief worked at Whirlpool, General Motors; 4 top execs leave

"We do not have a complaining witness this morning," Krueger told the judge Thursday. "I sent subpoenas to the officer in charge on July 19, 2023, and he from that date made attempts to contact the victim every single day by telephone, went to her residence, was unable to make physical contact with her, sent her an email copy of the subpoena on the 24th of this month. Road patrol officers also from the Bloomfield Township police department did go to the residence and attempt to make in-person contact with her to personally serve her. They had no success."

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In addition, Krueger told the judge that the friend who took Soo Louis-Victor to the hospital the night of the incident had not had contact with her, and she had not responded to texts or calls and believes she's out of the state.

When the judge asked the prosecutor whether she could start the preliminary examination with another witness, Krueger said the police officer she planned to call was "not working" on Thursday and unavailable.

"The officer who I would potentially anticipate calling, he is out of the office today," Krueger told the judge.

Small said, "OK. We are in a situation where today is the date and time scheduled for preliminary examination, which is within the 21 days of arraignment. And unfortunately the prosecution cannot move forward, doesn't have a witness that they can even start the exam with, even though there were pretty significant efforts to get the victim here today."

More: Stolen Ford F-150s sold with clean titles in million-dollar ploy from Michigan to Arizona

More: Shareholders ask Ford execs to explain plan for fixing quality

Krueger asked the judge to maintain the option to re-file the case at a later date. Defense attorney Todd Flood of Detroit and Royal Oak declined to comment to the Detroit Free Press after the hearing. Franck Louis-Victor also declined to comment to the Free Press. Krueger left the courtroom immediately.

The wife of the defendant, who is identified as Soo Kyung Marie Kim in police records obtained by the Free Press, issued a statement through attorney Paul Stablein on July 12 that praised her husband as "loving" and she regretted the July 8 incident at their home went public.

The couple, based on statements each made to police in documents obtained by the Free Press through the Freedom of Information Act, argued over a series of sensitive topics on July 8 at their home.

Franck Louis-Victor, CEO of Ford Next LLC and vice president of new businesses at Ford Motor Co., joined Ford Motor Co. in 2021 from Renault. Ford put Louis-Victor on leave July 13. Ford spokesman T.R. Reid told the Free Press Thursday that Louis-Victor's employment status has not changed.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Felony charges against Ford exec dismissed; prosecution may re-file
Elon Musk and Esther Crawford, Twitter's former director of product management. Patrick Pleul/Pool/AFP via Getty Images; Courtesy of Robert Cowherd

Esther Crawford, Elon Musk's former lieutenant, posted a 14-minute video about her time at Twitter.

The former director said Twitter had been "squandering its own potential" before Musk took over.

She said Musk was "living in an echo chamber" because he had become surrounded by "yes men."

Esther Crawford, Elon Musk's former lieutenant at Twitter who went viral for sleeping on the floor at the company's headquarters, dished on her experience before and after his takeover in a 14-minute video.

The former director of product management at Twitter, now X, said that she had a nuanced perspective on the billionaire but that she wasn't afraid to point out his flaws.

Crawford said that she was "shocked by how old and bespoke the infrastructure" was before Musk took over and that it used to be "nearly impossible to fire poor performers." Muskfired more than half of the company's workforce in the first few months of taking control of Twitter.

"Twitter often felt like a place that kept squandering its own potential, which was sad and frustrating to see," Crawford said of her time at the company before Musk.

The former lieutenant said everything shifted when the billionaire took the company private in October.

"I made peace with the fact that I didn't have psychological safety at Twitter 2.0, and that meant I could be fired at any moment and for no reason at all," Crawford said.

Crawford said the billionaire was "living in an echo chamber" because he had become surrounded by "yes men." She said it "frustrated" her that Musk often relied on his gut instinct rather than data or other workers' expertise.

"At times, it felt like the inner circle was too zealous and fanatical in their unwavering support of everything he said," Crawford wrote on X. "Everyone needs to hear hard truths sometimes and if you fire all the people who speak up then the reality distortion field may just turn into a vortex," she added.

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Crawford also said dealing with the billionaire's personality could be challenging because it could "turn on a dime going from excited to angry."

"Since it was hard to read what mood he might be in and what his reaction would be to any given thing, people quickly became afraid of being called into meetings or having to share negative news with him," Crawford said.

Despite her criticism, the former director praised Musk's "exceptional talent for tackling hard physics-based problems" and other aspects of his leadership. She said that she learned from the billionaire and that he was funny and "oddly charming."

"His boldness, passion and storytelling is inspiring, but his lack of process and empathy is painful," she wrote.

"I don't think things had to be as difficult or dramatic as they turned out to be, but I can't say I'd bet against Elon or count him out. He's smart and has enough money to make a lot of mistakes and then course correct when things go awry. As the largest shareholder he can tank the value in the short-term, but eventually he'll need things to turn around," Crawford added.

Crawford said that she enjoyed her time at Twitter but that getting laid off in February was "the best gift" she'd ever received.

Crawford and a spokesperson for X did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

The Twitter director 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, Crawford announced she was taking a career break to travel the world.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elon Musk and Esther Crawford, Twitter's former director of product management. Patrick Pleul/Pool/AFP via Getty Images; Courtesy of Robert Cowherd

Esther Crawford said she slept at the office because Elon Musk set a "nearly impossible deadline."

The former Twitter executive went viral for sleeping on the office floor soon after Musk took over.

"I was attacked by people on the left and called a billionaire bootlicker," Crawford said Wednesday.

A former Twitter executive said she slept on the office floor because Elon Musk gave her a "nearly impossible deadline."

Esther Crawford, the former director of product management at the social-media giant, which rebranded as X this week, retweeted a photo of her wrapped up in a sleeping bag on the floor of one of Twitter's conference rooms in November. "When your team is pushing round the clock to make deadlines sometimes you #SleepWhereYouWork," Crawford wrote in the caption.

The photo of her lying on the floor and wearing an eye mask went viral.

During the first few months of Musk's leadership, Crawford was widely regarded as one of the tech mogul's most loyal employees. But since being laid off in February, she has turned somewhat against the billionaire by criticizing his morals and leadership.

In a video and accompanying tweet posted on Wednesday, Crawford spoke about her experience working at Twitter and the viral photo.

"The real story is pretty simple," she said in the video. "I was given a nearly impossible deadline for his first project, and as the product lead, I would never ask anyone to do anything I wasn't willing to do myself.

"I worked round the clock alongside an amazing team spanning many timezones, and we delivered it on schedule  truly against the odds. It was intense but also fun," she said.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Crawford continued: "I was attacked by people on the left and called a billionaire bootlicker while simultaneously being attacked by people on the right for being a working mom who was demonized as an example of a woman choosing her career over her family.

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"Thankfully I can laugh at myself and I don't take armchair keyboard ideologues too seriously. Being the main character on the timeline, even for a few minutes, requires a thick skin and a strong sense of self," she added.

As well as making major changes to Twitter's app and website  such as reinstating some banned accounts, charging users for blue checks, and introducing a subscription feature  Musk began changing the internal workings of the company as soon as his acquisition went through.

He fired top execs, laid off thousands of other workers, cut back on some perks, and introduced a "hardcore" work culture that pushed staff to work long hours and meet tough deadlines.

And this week, Musk changed Twitter's name to X and ditched its iconic blue-bird logo.

Musk is no stranger to sleeping in the office, and some other Twitter workers did the same as they scrambled to keep their jobs. Musk even converted some of the rooms at Twitter's San Francisco headquarters into bedrooms for staff.

Crawford said in the Wednesday post that working at Twitter after the acquisition "was like playing life at Level 10 on Hard Mode."

"Those first few months were wildly crazy but I wanted to be there and I have no regrets," she said.

"Showing up and giving it your all should, in most cases, be celebrated. Obviously, you can't work at that pace forever but there are moments where bursts are mission-critical," she added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Larimer County and Weld County health departments have a three-tiered health inspection rating, with rankings of pass, reinspection required or closed. Establishments with violations of 0-49 points pass; those with 50-109 points require reinspection; and any with more than 110 points face closure.

This report is for July 19-25. Full reports and total points for the Larimer County restaurants included in this story can be viewed at inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/larimer-county-health and www.co.weld.co.us/apps1/decade.

LARIMER COUNTY

PASS

Parkwood Estates, 2201 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins

City Park Gelato & Amore, 1720 W. Mulberry St., Fort Collins

Taco Johns, 1635 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland

Ziggis Coffee, 2016 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland

Rock Inn Mountain Tavern, 1675 State Highway 66, Estes Park

Xanterra Employee Dining Services-Food Service, 945 Moraine Ave., Estes Park

Joyful Brews, 429 Meadowlark Drive, Berthoud

Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, 1600 Forest Road, Bellvue

Buckhorn Methodist Camp, 381 Old Camp Road, Bellvue

REINSPECTION REQUIRED

Erics New Asian Cafe, 506 Welch Ave., Berthoud

WINDSOR

(Inspected by Weld County)

PASS

Community Rec Center-Senior Center, 250 11th St.

JFE Sushi, 1520 Main St.

Papa Murphys Pizza, 1550 Main St.

Windsor Lake Coffee, 403 Main St.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins and Windsor restaurant inspections for July 19-25
Fraser Institute

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A typical Canadian family of four will pay an estimated $16,950 for public health-care insurance this year, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.



Canadians pay a substantial amount of money for health care through a variety of taxeseven if we dont pay directly for medical services, said Bacchus Barua, director of health policy studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of The Price of Public Health Care Insurance, 2023.

Most Canadians are unaware of the true cost of health care because they never see a bill for medical services, may only be aware of partial costs collected via employer health taxes and contributions (in provinces that impose them), and because general government revenuenot a dedicated taxfunds Canadas public health-care system.

The study estimates that a typical Canadian family consisting of two parents and two children with an average household income of $169,296 will pay $16,950 for public health care this year. Couples without dependent children will pay an estimated $16,162. Single Canadians will pay $5,622 for health care insurance, and single parents with one child will pay $6,294.

Since 1997, the first year for which data is available, the cost of healthcare for the average Canadian family has increased substantially, and has risen more quickly than its income. In fact, the cost of public health care insurance for the average Canadian family increased 4.2 times as fast as the cost of clothing, 2.1 times as fast as the cost of food, 1.8 times as fast as the cost of shelter, and 1.7 times as fast as the average income.

Understanding how much Canadians actually pay for health care, and how much that amount has increased over time, is an important first step for taxpayers to assess the value and performance of the health-care system, and whether its financially sustainable, Barua said.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Bacchus Barua, Director, Health Policy Studies

Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:

Drue MacPherson, 604-688-0221 ext. 721, drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter and Facebook

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org




Google says people should use its search engine to check whether information provided by its chatbot, Bard, is actually accurate.

Some have suggested chatbots like Bard and ChatGPT could "kill" traditional search, which is dominated by Google.

But users have found the information they provide can be wrong or even entirely made up.

Google's UK boss Debbie Weinstein said Bard was "not really the place that you go to search for specific information".

Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, she said Bard should be considered an "experiment" best suited for "collaboration around problem solving" and "creating new ideas".

"We're encouraging people to actually use Google as the search engine to actually reference information they found," she said.

Ms Weinstein pointed out users had the opportunity to give feedback on the answers Bard gave them via thumbs up or thumbs down buttons.

Bard's homepage does also clearly state it has "limitations and won't always get it right", but doesn't repeat Ms Weinstein's advice that all results should be checked using an orthodox search engine.

When ChatGPT burst onto the scene in November 2022, it prompted people to question whether Google's incredibly lucrative search business could be under threat.

It also fuelled a wider debate about how artificial intelligence (AI) - which powers chatbots - could reshape the world of work or even threaten the future of humanity, sparking a global AI regulatory race.

Others have suggested the threat AI poses has been exaggerated and the debate around it has become hysterical - an argument that Google's concession that Bard cannot even be trusted to perform basic search tasks would appear to bolster.

Many people, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have also pointed to the economic opportunities AI offers.

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But Google says many people currently don't know how to pursue them.

It has released a report saying search interest in AI reached an all-time high in the UK in the first half of 2023, with the most searched "how to" question being "how to make money with AI". It says "how can AI help a business?" also featured prominently.

To help address that lack of knowledge it is launching a free online training series called New Fundamentals, which it says can give people and businesses "practical skills and knowledge to capture the incredible benefits of AI".

In the report the tech giant also highlights what it calls "a critical lack of tech skills in the UK", which - if unaddressed - will "remain a stubborn barrier to equitable nation-wide growth, especially as demand for AI and other tech expertise soars".
(Bloomberg) -- Greece is fighting almost 200 wildfires as strengthening winds put a sting in the tail of the Mediterraneans fading heat wave.

Most Read from Bloomberg

More villages in mainland Greece were evacuated on Thursday as blazes threatened, while two people died in Velestino. A woman was found inside her charred caravan, and a farmer was killed after trying to rescue livestock in a forest. A fire in the northern Athens suburb of Kifisia was quickly contained, but parts of the island of Rhodes are burning for a 10th day.

Strong winds are hampering efforts to contain wildfires burning across the Mediterranean from Algeria to Turkey, as the world stays on track for its hottest ever month in July. In Spain, the risk of fires increased overnight, with many parts of Madrid and surrounding areas now under the highest alert. More heat will build over the Iberian peninsula toward the end of next week.

There is no doubt, we see it all over the Mediterranean, that the climate crisis is here and affects us all more intensely and perhaps more than scientists had warned us, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday.

A blaze in the region of Volos, in central Greece, reached an ammunition dump outside a military air base in Nea Anchialos, triggering a series of large explosions that broke windows in a surrounding area. The site had been evacuated in advance and no injuries were reported. Several villages in the broader coastal area are being evacuated as a precaution.

Scientists say the extreme heat seen across the Northern Hemisphere from the US to China this month would have been virtually impossible without climate change. As rapidly warming seas and retreating Antarctic ice signal the risk of an approaching climatic tipping point, many leaders are still dragging their feet on curbing the use of fossil fuels that generate greenhouse gases.

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Read More: World Set for Hottest Ever Month as Global Warming Sears Planet

We need ambitious new emissions reduction targets from G20 members, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, adding that the time for greenwashing and deception was over. For the entire planet, it is a disaster.

In Asia, the World Meteorological Organization found that $36 billion was lost in economic damages because of extreme weather last year, with the severity and intensity of such events set to increase.

Fires across Greece have led to the evacuation of thousands of tourists since Saturday, threatening the livelihoods of locals who depend on summer visitors.

Greeces Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni told state-run ERT that most of island of Rhodes is operating normally. A large number of tourists that were evacuated last weekend have even returned to their hotels, especially in the Lindos area, she said.

At the same time, coastguard vessels are standing by off Rhodes, Corfu and central Greece to evacuate people from beaches should nearby wildfires flare.

The wildfire threat should dissipate somewhat from Friday, with no regions of the country facing the highest alert level, although six will still be subject to very high risk.

Cooler weather is dominating over northern Europe, with temperatures in Germany, France and Nordic countries below seasonal averages. Berlin will dip as low as 12C (53.6F) today, almost 4C below the norm, according to forecaster Maxar Technologies Inc.

Although the UK is also experiencing colder weather, last months heat wave produced the countrys hottest June on record. A new report from the Met Office found that last summers record-breaking temperatures of above 40C could be considered normal by 2060 and even cool by 2100.

As our climate warms, we expect far more high temperature records to be broken, potentially by wide margins, and far fewer low temperature records, Mike Kendon, senior scientist at the Met Office, said in a statement.

--With assistance from Lars Mucklejohn.

(Updates with details of explosions in fifth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
'I haven't been the same since': This TikToker was shocked to find out that Buc-ee's pays its janitors the same wage as her desk job  here's why the demand for blue-collar work is soaring

Its been, if you will, a case of managing dismay ever since TikTok user Roxie Abernathy learned that a Buc-ees gas station apparently pays its restroom janitors the same hourly wage she earns as a case manager.

I havent been the same since, she says in a video that has garnered nearly a million views.

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Operating the car wash [pays] more money than I make as a case manager.

In a follow-up video, Abernathy pointed her followers to a photo of a Bucc-ees job board posting that stated 401(k) contributions would be matched up to 6% and employees would get up to three weeks of paid time off.

No hate for these positions, but at the same time Im still in shock over this discovery.

Its not just Buc-ees

The Buc-ees job board Abernathy posted revealed an average restroom crew wage comes in at $18 per hour. Meanwhile, case manager pay ranges from $13.67 to $35.49, with an average of around $22, according to Indeed.

So theres a good chance shes right  an experienced janitor could earn the same hourly rate as an entry-level case manager in some parts of the country.

People in the comments section werent surprised.

My cousin is the GM of a location and he makes like $143k/yr. His 401(k) matching is better than my corporate job, said one.

Another commenter said managers of the local Panda Express made more money than her, even though she was the supervisor of social workers.

Some blue-collar workers chimed in, too. Im maintenance and I make more than most of the staff at my job, said one user. People see us as less than because we clean toilets.

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These comments highlight a growing shift in the economy where white-collar jobs are rapidly becoming less attractive than blue-collar ones.

Read more: Americans are spending a ridiculous $253/month more on groceries. But this simple hack can turn your stressful daily spending into a golden nest egg

White-Blue trend reversal

Tech giants have collectively cut tens of thousands of jobs in the first half of 2023. Many of these layoffs focused on white-collar positions like middle managers, accountants, software engineers and project managers.

Advances in artificial intelligence could accelerate this trend and suppress the wages of white-collar workers further. A study by OpenAI found that professional roles that require more education and were more likely to be remote were disproportionately exposed to AI disruption. At least 80% of office workers will have at least 10% of their tasks handled by AI, according to the report.

Simply put, lawyers, doctors and writers could be more likely to lose their jobs to AI.

Meanwhile, a shortage of skilled labor in the construction and trades has pushed up wages in this segment of the labor force. As this trend continues, people could realize that the pay gap between white- and blue-collar work is rapidly diminishing.

White-collar workers may experience a recession that blue-collar workers dont experience, Giacomo Santangelo, an economics professor at Fordham University, told VOA. He believes cultural disdain for manual labor has created this undersupply of blue-collar workers. Weve gotten into this habit of saying its important to go to college, instead of saying its important to learn a skill, Santangelo said.

The long-term social and political impact of this shift is still unclear. But so long as a place like Buc-ees pays its restroom crews as well as some white-collar professionals, it may be time to flush those old assumptions down the drain.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
China's President Xi Jinping REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

China's economy is headed for a slowdown, according to Nobel laureate Paul Krugman.

Krugman pointed to similarities between China and Japan, which saw its economy decline in the 90s.

China's future will likely be even worse as the nation faces strong demographic headwinds.

China's economy is headed for a major slump, according to Nobel laureate Paul Krugman.

The top economist compared China's disappointing economic performance so far this year to Japan's economic woes in the 90s, when the nation's economic power began to decline.

"China has seemed to be faltering lately, and some have been asking whether China's future path might resemble that of Japan. My answer is that it probably won't  that China will do worse," Krugman said in an op-ed for the New York Times on Tuesday.

That's because Japan's economy floundered due in large part to key demographic issues, similar to the ones China now faces, Krugman said.

Low fertility and low immigration rates led Japan's working population to decline rapidly into the 2000s. That led to weak investment in Japan's economy, which fueled higher debt balances.

China's working population is also falling as its population ages and younger workers struggle to secure jobs. The nation posted a record 21% youth unemployment rate the past quarter, according to data from the Chinese government.

On top of that, China is also suffering from an unbalanced economy, Krugman said, with demand struggling to rebound after the pandemic. Manufacturing activity contracted in May, while real estate activity, which makes up about a fifth of China's economy, has also stalled.

Those factors have led experts to cry alarm for over China's future. Specifically, the nation could fall into the "middle income trap," Krugman said, a phenomenon among emerging economies where the economy grows rapidly to a point, and then stagnates.

"If China is headed for an slowdown, the interesting question is whether it can replicate Japan's social cohesion  its ability to manage slower growth without mass suffering or social instability. I am very definitely not a China expert, but is there any indication that China, especially under an erratic authoritarian regime, is capable of pulling this off?" he added.

Other experts have warned of trouble for China's economy amid its so-far disappointing economic recovery. Reopening efforts are "doomed to fail" as demand continues to sputter, according to one think-tank, with another expert describing China's reopening attempt as a "charade."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Samsung debuted its newest foldable phones during a massive event in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. The announcement, which included appearances by Sydney Sweeney and BTS member Suga, seems to mark a shift in Samsungs broader mobile strategy, with foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 sitting at center stage.

Ahead of the show, I toured Samsungs research and development facilities in Suwon, South Korea, to get a look at how the company torture tests its latest devices.

Roughly 19 miles outside of Seoul, Suwon is home to Samsungs enormous Digital City campus. Amid a collection of four glass towers and a handful of smaller buildings is Samsungs quality assurance facility, where automated machines slam, bash, freeze, drown, and otherwise work over its devices like mechanical prize fighters.

Samsung blasts its Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 with high-pressure water, a hose, and drops it in 5 feet of water for 30 minutes to test its durability. (Image: Samsung)

During my time at the lab, at which Samsung, unfortunately, didnt allow me to photograph, I watched as the smartphone maker put the Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 through its paces. And with the Flip 5 starting at $999 and the Fold 5 starting at $1,799, making sure its phones dont fail the first time you haphazardly toss them on your desk or drop them while fumbling for your keys is imperative to Samsungs foldable future.

In one room, a number of machines tumbled and rolled the Fold5 and Flip5 to determine how they withstand being dropped at different angles. Nearby, a series of machines lifted and released the phones from a few inches off of a platform to simulate lightly tossing them onto a desk or table.

Around the corner, another line of machines dropped the Fold5 and Flip5 onto different surfaces to see how they responded to certain types of shock. The phones are then examined and, if there are issues, the company takes note to improve upon them in the future.

The idea is that while those kinds of impacts might seem small at first, the cumulative result of such bumps could result in more serious damage over the phones lifetimes.

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Samsung repeatedly opens and closes its foldables to test how well the screens hold up. (Samsung)

Down the hall, a group of sealed boxes with mechanical arms repeatedly opened and closed the Fold5 and Flip5 to ensure the phones displays can tolerate the rigors of years of everyday use. One machine showed the phones will eventually go through 20,000 such cycles.

Modern smartphones also need to be able to survive getting wet. To that end, Samsung essentially sprays the Fold5 and Flip5 with a hose, as well as a series of fine jets of water, to prove the phone can weather a good soaking. And, in case you end up taking an unexpected dip, the company drops the phones into 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

One of the more impressive testing areas included seeing how the Fold5 and Flip5 react to extreme heat and humidity and cold. Large boxes heated up the phones to 122 degrees Fahrenheit with 98% humidity, while another cooled them down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The company also ran opening and closing tests in similarly hot and cold temperatures.

Sign up for the Yahoo Finance newsletter.

While Samsungs quality assurance lab is impressive, and shows that its phones are certainly durable under the right circumstances, real-world damage is far different. A quick tour of Reddits Samsung forums shows that people find plenty of ways to break, crush, and mash their phones, and will likely do so with the Fold5 and Flip5.

But if the company can continue to protect against those spills and smacks, its foldable line could have a long future ahead of it.

Daniel Howley is the tech editor at Yahoo Finance. He's been covering the tech industry since 2011. You can follow him on Twitter @DanielHowley.

Click here for the latest technology business news, reviews, and useful articles on tech and gadgets

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Key Insights

Significantly high institutional ownership implies Energean's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

A total of 11 investors have a majority stake in the company with 52% ownership

Insider ownership in Energean is 20%

A look at the shareholders of Energean plc (LON:ENOG) can tell us which group is most powerful. With 64% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Last weeks 3.1% gain means that institutional investors were on the positive end of the spectrum even as the company has shown strong longer-term trends. The gains from last week would have further boosted the one-year return to shareholders which currently stand at 10%.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Energean.

View our latest analysis for Energean

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Energean?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

Energean already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. 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 Energean, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Energean. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Efstathios Topouzoglou with 9.1% of shares outstanding. With 8.5% and 7.0% of the shares outstanding respectively, Matthaios Rigas and Phoenix Investments & Finances Ltd are the second and third largest shareholders. Matthaios Rigas, who is the second-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Chief Executive Officer.

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After doing some more digging, we found that the top 11 have the combined ownership of 52% in the company, suggesting that no single shareholder has significant control over the company.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Energean

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Energean plc. It has a market capitalization of just UK2.0b, and insiders have UK401m worth of shares in their own names. That's quite significant. Most would say this shows a good degree of alignment with shareholders, especially in a company of this size. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 15% stake in Energean. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Energean better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Energean .

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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A federal judge Wednesday night upheld the so-called "temp worker bill of rights" despite a suit aiming to strike it down, just over a week before several major provisions of the bill were set to go into effect.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed the law in February after a tumultuous legislative battle. Its aimed at providing benefits and protections to thousands of temp workers employed at warehouses and distribution centers across the state. New Jersey has some 127,000 temp workers who would be affected by the law.

Labor unions and immigrants' rights groups backing the bill contend that agencies often funnel undocumented immigrants in New Jersey into unsafe working conditions. Advocates say temp staff members are sometimes kept on the same job site for years, becoming "perma-temps" even as they are paid less, put in unsafe conditions and shut out of typical benefits.

But business groups sued to block the law in May, calling the measure unconstitutional and saying it would cripple the temporary staffing industry.

Still, U.S. District Judge Christine OHearn declined to issue a restraining order blocking the law from going into effect, writing in her Wednesday decision that the plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed on the merits of their claim.

One of the plaintiffs, the American Staffing Association, deferred to the New Jersey Staffing Alliance.

The associations are assessing the implications of the courts ruling and determining what the next steps should be in their ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of this onerous law," the staffing alliance said in an email.

Bob Considine, a spokesperson for the third plaintiff, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, said he was disappointed" by the decision.

Ive worked for many agencies over many years, and nothing in my experience would have led me to believe that justice was possible for us, Adriana Alvarez, a temp worker of 14 years and a member of Make the Road NJ which organized heavily in favor of the bill  said in response to the judges ruling.

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The path to respect and dignity for temp workers has been cleared, and were excited for temp workers across our state to stand up for the rights weve won, Alvarez said.

'Punching back, Jersey-style': Murphy signs tax credit for NJ remote workers

Existing protections

Some parts of the law took effect in May, and related regulations were released on July 21 clarifying what staffing agencies were required to do and instructing staffing agencies on how to calculate hourly benefits and wages.

The May provisions required temp agencies to tell temp workers  both in English and in the workers native language  information about their job site, such as where they will be working.

That includes:

The name and location of the work site.

How much theyll be paid.

Their transportation to and from the work site.

The kind of work theyll perform, including responsibilities and whether any protective clothing or equipment is required or provided.

The amount of sick leave.

Any meals that are offered.

Scheduling, including hours and the assignment length for multi-day jobs.

Firms have to provide 48-hour notice to workers when theres a change in schedule or location for the work assignment. If the assignment lasts several days or if theres any change in the terms of employment, that information has to be provided to workers on the first day.

Fines for agencies could run between $500 and $1,000 for each violation of the law.

What goes into effect on Aug. 5

The legislation will require that temp employees receive the same salary and benefits that workplaces offer to traditional staff, and it will ban agencies from deducting transportation fees and other mandatory charges often imposed on workers' paychecks.

It will also seek to crack down on the practice of perma-temping, by providing the right to accept permanent employment.

To prevent wage theft and discrimination, agencies will need to keep records of their hires, the hours they've worked and their pay.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ temp workers bill of rights upheld by judge despite lawsuit
By Mimosa Spencer and Silvia Aloisi

PARIS (Reuters) -French luxury group Kering, which is struggling to revive sales at its star brand Gucci, said on Thursday it was buying a 30% stake in Italian fashion label Valentino from Qatari investment fund Mayhoola for 1.7 billion euros ($1.87 billion) in cash.

The agreement includes an option for Kering to purchase the whole of Valentino's share capital no later than 2028.

"The transaction is part of a broader strategic partnership between Kering and Mayhoola, which could lead to Mayhoola becoming a shareholder in Kering," Kering said in a statement.

The French luxury group missed market forecasts for second quarter sales, eking out growth of just 3% and continuing to lag rivals as it seeks to turn around business at Gucci, including by recently overhauling its management.

Overall sales came in 4.96 billion euros ($5.45 billion), at constant rates, falling below analyst expectations for a 6% increase, according to a Visible Alpha consensus, with Gucci sales up by 1% over the period.

This compares with double digit growth from other luxury companies, including larger rival LVMH, which reported a 21% rise in sales of its fashion and leather goods division, home to Dior and Louis Vuitton earlier this week.

Kering's North American retail revenue fell 23% in the second quarter, chief financial officer Jean-Marc Duplaix said, adding that it remains "a more complicated market for luxury".

Kering boss Francois-Henri Pinault said the results were "short of our ambitions and potential, notably at Gucci". The group last week announced a significant management reshuffle, including the exit of veteran Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri, aimed at reviving the brand's sales.

Kering said it will have board representation at Valentino. Mayhoola, which bought Valentino in 2012, "will remain the majority shareholder with 70% of the share capital and will continue to execute on the successful brand elevation strategy".

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The 30% stake purchase is expected to be completed before the end of the year, Kering said. Valentino, one of Italy's most famous fashion labels, has 211 directly operated stores and booked revenue of 1.4 billion euros in 2022.

($1 = 0.9093 euros)

(Reporting by Mimosa Spencer and Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
SARINYAPINNGAM / Getty Images/iStockphoto

You may have heard of the third-generation curse, which causes 90% of wealthy families to lose their money by the third generation. But some individuals manage to deplete their wealth even sooner, especially if they came into a lot of money quickly.

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For instance, athletes, entertainers, executives and entrepreneurs who achieve runaway success after years of financial hardship may suddenly find themselves with seven-figure bank accounts and no idea how to carefully spend and manage their money.

The same thing can happen to people who inherit a lot of money. In fact, money mismanagement is one of the primary factors in the third-generation curse if sound financial values and solid money management strategies werent passed on through the generations.

Many of these families did not start off wealthy, and had already developed sub-optimal money habits by the time they became wealthy. Often, its hard to change those habits that have been formed over a lifetime. But when you have money, you, unfortunately, become a target. Your behavior needs to change if you want to preserve your wealth.

GoBankingRates spoke to Ken Eyler, CEO of Aquilance, a financial administration company focused on bill pay, bookkeeping, and complex entity and investment reporting for wealthy families. He shared with us seven tips to preserve generational wealth, whether you are a new heir, a social media influencer who hit it big, or an entrepreneur whos struggled for years before finding that business idea that set you up for life.

Tighten Your Security Profile

As an advisor to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families, I often encounter those who make easily avoidable mistakes with their fortunes. Many of these families did not start off wealthy, and had already developed sub-optimal money habits by the time they became wealthy.

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I see security as one of the biggest vulnerabilities for families. One of the common pitfalls are folks who were accustomed to posting about their travels on social media, especially if they first made it big in the public eye.

But when they are traveling on private jets and leaving their multimillion-dollar homes, they open themselves up to threats when they reveal their whereabouts. My recommendation is to post after the fact instead of in the moment. Also, take seriously the importance of anonymity when checking into hotels or visiting tourist attractions.

Preventative measures are also important to increase the safety of your family and your property, both physically and digitally. Install good locks and monitored alarm systems as a start to protect your property. Employ secure methods of communication to share sensitive information not email.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

My clients are often unsure about the changing nature of the insurance they need. They dont know what is available, or how and when to obtain it. As they enter into the HNW category, protecting their assets becomes more complex. For example, securing coverage for expensive homes in risk-prone areas (such as Florida and California) is challenging today. It often requires working with a reputable broker that specializes in HNW coverage who can advocate to carriers.

Additionally, Ive seen issues arise when there are gaps in insurance coverage. For instance, a client pays cash for a $20 million home in Manhattan and moves in with their $5 million art collection. They didnt have a mortgage, so no one required insurance at settlement, and it was overlooked. If you are uninsured for Property & Casualty insurance, you probably also neglected to shop for liability coverage. This can lead to problems if you are a victim of fire or theft or if anyone is injured in your home.

Work with the Right Professionals

Just as you want to speak to a broker who specializes in insurance for HNW individuals, you should consult with other financial professionals to ensure you are making the right decisions. Financial planning tactics that you used in the past may no longer be sufficient, and a top wealth advisor who understands allocations and high-end strategies is a critical piece of your financial infrastructure.

Find a good financial advisor who holistically understands your assets and has visibility across multiple accounts. They can help you plan your spending and manage your cash flow in order to make the best decisions for your future.

Having a team of exceptional professionals in other areas who communicate to enable continuity is also crucial. I recommend working with an experienced trust and estate attorney, a tax accountant that specializes in high-income, high-net-worth clients, financial administrators that work exclusively with wealthy families, and an insurance broker that understands expensive properties and the unique risks of wealth.

Review your Retirement Plan

Its true: Everyone needs to plan for retirement, including the ultra-rich. Your retirement lifestyle will likely look much different now that youve made it big. But make sure you are planning for the future to have enough money to live the way you want to live.

Folks who come into a lot of money very quickly  often actors, athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs  have a short time in which they gain income. They are not always prepared for how to best manage this fast influx of cash and need to be ready in case that income stream dries up just as suddenly as it started.

Also, what seems like a lot of money at first can change very quickly when you consider taxes, the staff you have to pay and all the other expenses that come with managing a lot of money. You need to plan for your net income (after all expenses), not just the gross amount on your paychecks. If you dont, you could be very disappointed later when you dont have what you expected.

Optimize Your Financials for Tax Benefits and Philanthropic Initiatives

Charitable giving not only has an incredible altruistic impact but can have big financial advantages as well. Its no secret that wealthy families optimize their charitable giving initiatives in order to benefit from key tax breaks. Investing in Opportunity Zones, for example, offers tax benefits that can reduce your overall income tax burden. Philanthropy can also be a fantastic way to involve your family in causes important to you. You might even wish to start a foundation to ensure your legacy of supporting certain causes lives on when youre gone.

Discover: Dave Ramsey Used These 4 Investment Rules To Build His Wealth  and Theyre Surprisingly Easy To Follow

Ensure and Facilitate Effective Communication

I highly encourage families to have constant communication with their trusted advisors and family members. Given the number of parties who may be involved, its quite easy to lose sight of where things stand.

Your wealth advisor, your tax accountant, and your financial administration firm should remain in close contact, sharing information and reporting that they need. Your estate planning attorney should also be in the loop so they can stay on top of a solid estate plan. Your family should also be in regular communication to ensure that they understand the implications of the estate plans put in place. For example, an asset transferred to a Trust is no longer owned by you, although you or your family may be a beneficiary.

Receiving information and sharing reports from a financial administration firm (like Aquilance), so that everyone understands your spending, your balance sheet, and any future commitments such as debt payments or capital calls that will deplete cash, is imperative. By sharing these key financial statements and reports, your team can operate with a level of transparency and clarity that is hard to achieve without shared communication.

Manage Debt Wisely

Speaking of debt, it is important to use it carefully. Use it to manage cash flow while living within your means. On one hand, purchasing a large asset such as a home, expensive car, or aircraft with cash may be unwise as it depletes cash on hand that you may need for something else. On the other hand, incurring large debts that are beyond your ability to ultimately pay back can result in a negative net worth, which has ultimately bankrupted some formerly wealthy people.

Coming into money  either through hard work, inheritance, luck, or any combination of the above  is, of course, a positive thing that opens up many doors. But not preparing for your new lifestyle can quickly make all of those benefits disappear.

Additional reporting by Dawn Allcot.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im an Advisor to Wealthy Families: 7 Little Changes Thatll Make Your Money Last for Generations
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If you think the only way to make money in real estate is to buy a lot of properties when home values are low and wait until home values rise, you might be excited to know that there are other ways to take advantage of the great investment opportunities that exist within the real estate realm.

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While some of these opportunities do involve having some money upfront to invest or put down, others can require smaller ways to buy in. Real estate agents explain the most effective ways to make money in real estate.

svetikd / Getty Images

Hack Your Primary Residence

If you're in a position to buy a home through either a conventional or FHA loan with 3% to 3.5% down, look for a home that has a basement suite, garage apartment or just additional bedrooms. Rent those additional rooms/space out, according to North Carolina-based broker and realtor Tiffany Alexy, with Fathom Realty. "With rising rents, many people are looking for house shares. If you do this right, you can either cover most or all of your mortgage this way."

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See: More Americans Can Afford To Buy a Home in These 20 Cities

CHRISsadowski / Getty Images

Become a Private Lender

If you have some money to spare and want a sizable return on your investment, Alexy recommends becoming a private lender yourself. "Attend local real estate investor association groups and make connections with rehabbers -- people who flip houses," she said. These folks are typically looking for private funds since buying properties and rehab costs are very capital intensive, and loans can take a long time. "You can extend them a loan at 10% to 12% for using your funds to flip. Usually your funds will be tied up for six to 9 months, so this should be money you don't need in the short term."

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You can negotiate to either be paid back monthly (usually interest only) or principal plus interest once they sell and close on the house.

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FatCamera / iStock.com

Get Your Real Estate License

Even if you don't enjoy sales, your real estate license can open a lot of doors, Alexy said. "For example, if you have a big social network, you can get licensed and 'hang' your license with a brokerage firm. You can avoid a lot of fees that active agents have to pay, and just refer clients to trusted agents at your firm. By doing this, you can collect 25%-30% of that agent's commission as a referral fee."

If you do want to actively work as a realtor, there are options that can help you make more, according to Richard Mews, a realtor and CEO of Sell With Richard. Keep reading to find those out.

gremlin / Getty Images

Build a Strong Network

"Real estate is a relationship-driven industry. Cultivate strong connections with clients, fellow agents, local businesses, and other professionals in related fields. A strong network can lead to valuable referrals and repeat business," Mews said.

Drazen Zigic / iStock.com

Focus On Client Satisfaction

For those who want to work as a realtor, Mews said it's important to focus on keeping clients happy. "Satisfied clients are more likely to refer others and provide positive testimonials. Putting the client's needs first fosters trust and helps build a solid reputation in the industry."

Find Out: Why Retirees Are Expected To Sell Their Homes in These 10 Cities

sturti / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Flip Homes

As a real estate agent and investor, Brian Wittman of SILT Real Estate Investing, suggested that flipping homes is still a lucrative way to go.

Though house flipping got a bad name around the time of the housing crash in 2008 and 2009, if it's done legitimately, by investing in a property and then reselling it, it can be a great way to make money, Wittman said. "The advantage of flipping is that you can create a profit in a short period. You create appreciation by buying a property in bad shape, repairing and rehabbing it, and then selling it in a short period. Ideally, most flippers hope to make at least 10% on the sale and hope to be in and out as quickly as possible."

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Invest In REITs

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are the easiest way to get into investing and allow your dollar to stretch further, Wittman said. A REIT is similar to a mutual fund in that it is created by multiple investors putting their money together to earn dividends (money back) on real estate investments but without the drudgery and hassle of purchasing or managing the properties themselves.

"It is considered the safest way and would be comparable to investing in a stock market," Wittman said.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Real Estate Agent: These Are the Most Effective Ways To Make Money in Real Estate
It isn't just the polarizing British political figure Nigel Farage who's been 'debanked' by NatWest; a former customer of the UK bank claims to have had their account closed for crypto trading.

Decrypt spoke to one member of the NatWest CLOSED down my ACCOUNT Facebook group, which is preparing to flood the bank with data requests from customers who have had their accounts closed down with little justification, according to reports in the British press.

The former NatWest customer, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared documentary evidence with Decrypt revealing that their NatWest account was closed down because of "cryptocurrency trading." The bank added that it wasn't required to disclose the specific reasons behind the account closure.

"I had a business and personal account missing for 2 months, they told Decrypt, adding that, They weren't visible on my banking app. Was told that due to cryptocurrencies they would be ending the relationship with me. Had to use a food bank over last Christmas with no access to my funds."

NatWest informed one customer their accounts were getting closed due to crypto trading.

NatWest had earlier blocked the customer's account following a dispute relating to a peer-to-peer crypto trade; the customer lodged an appeal relating to this account block with the Financial Ombudsman Service, who ruled in the complainants favour.

In a verdict that was shared with Decrypt, the Ombudsman wrote that, "at this time what NatWest have provided isnt sufficient for me to conclude that the account was blocked fairly, [...] I believe NatWest should pay 8% simple interest on the balance held for this period and 100.00 for the distress and inconvenience caused as fair compensation." Decrypt has verified the existence of the case with the Ombudsman.

A spokesperson for NatWest told Decrypt that, "Like all UK regulated banking institutions, we are subject to legal and regulatory requirements and we treat compliance with them as a matter of priority. This may mean we are required to delay or refuse to act on a customers instructions and suspend or restrict a customers account."

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In March 2023, NatWest imposed restrictions on customers making payments to crypto exchanges, limiting them to 1,000 per day and 5,000 over a 30-day period, joining UK banks including Nationwide and HSBC.

NatWest and Nigel Farage

The Facebook group shared details about the process of filing data requests after right-wing British political figure Nigel Farage lodged a Subject Access Request (SAR) to obtain a 36-page report outlining why his account with NatWest-owned bank Coutts was closed.

Coutts, an elite private bank established in 1692 that counts members of the Royal Family among its clientele, is a subsidiary of the NatWest Group, which is 38.6% owned by U.K. taxpayers following the 2008 financial crisis.

A polarizing figure in the UK due to the leading role he played in the Brexit Leave campaign, Farage revealed that Couttss decision to close his account was taken because, in the dossiers own wording, his publicly stated views were at odds with our position as an inclusive organization. The dossier further accused him of holding xenophobic, chauvinistic and racist views.

Coutts Apologizes for 'Unbanking' Bitcoin-Friendly Nigel Farage

NatWest chief executive Alison Rose apologized to Farage for dropping him as a client of Coutts following the publication of the dossier, and subsequently stepped down from her position at the bank. Unmollified, Farage argued that "the whole board needs to go."

A report from The Times suggests that the British government could soon implement measures to strip banks of their licenses if, like Coutts, they debank customers over their legally-held political views.

Under new rules, banks would have to give customers three months noticealong with explicit reasons and a right of appealbefore closing their accounts.

The British Treasury will make an announcement about it soon, possibly this week.

On Wednesday, the Information Commissioner John Edwards wrote to the banking organization UK Finance, reminding them of their responsibilities to the public. "Banks should not be holding inaccurate information, they should not be using information in a way that is unduly unexpected, and they should not be holding any more information than is necessary," Edwards said, adding that, "Even the information banks gather around politically exposed persons must follow the law."

Farage and Bitcoin

Nigel Farage, the former leader of the U.K. Independence Partywhich under his tenure had a core policy of "saving the pound"became a Bitcoin proponent during the pandemic in 2020 when, in his new capacity as leader of the Brexit Party (later rebranded Reform UK), he accused governments of creating vast amounts of funny money, debasing currencies.

During a Bitcoin Amsterdam interview in October 2022, Farage railed against the idea of central bank digital currencies and specifically championed Bitcoin: "That is ultimately your personal sovereigntygone out of the windowliving in a cashless society. If I've got the option of the pound under a central bank digital currency or Bitcoin on my cell phone, I know which one I will choose."

When asked whether Bitcoin could undermine the states control over financial matters, he replied: "This is a freedom project. It's about people being free of the state and making their own decisions and they can comfortably do that living within the concept of the nation state."
(Reuters) -Netflix is restructuring its advertising partnership with Microsoft for its lower-priced ad-supported subscription plan and is also cutting ad prices, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The streaming company launched the $7-per-month plan with commercials last year in 12 markets, including the U.S., to attract more customers and selected Microsoft as its technology and sales partner for the offering, partly because it offered to pay a revenue guarantee, the report said.

Netflix is now reworking the agreement to reduce the revenue guarantee due to slowing growth of the ad tier, the report said, adding that company executives are frustrated that Microsoft has not sold more ad inventory.

In addition, Netflix has held early discussions to sell ads through other partners apart from Microsoft, and has also offered them better deals, the report said.

Some advertisers have agreed to pay Netflix roughly $39 to $45 per 1,000 viewers in recent deals, according to ad buyers, down from around $45 to $55, WSJ said.

Microsoft declined to comment, while Netflix did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Last week, the video-streaming company reported a lackluster revenue rise which sparked concerns of a longer road to growth from its new initiatives, with co-CEO Greg Peters cautioning it would take "several quarters" to see returns from those efforts.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Bharat Govind Gautam in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
Tesla Inc. established its reputation by producing luxurious electric vehicles, but the company says it is gearing up to introduce a more budget-friendly model soon.

The upcoming Tesla model, unofficially named Model 2, is anticipated to be sold for around the same price point as the gas-powered Honda Civic.

Rumored to debut in 2025, the Tesla Model 2 is projected to carry a price tag ranging from $25,000 to $30,000, making it one of the most competitively priced electric models to hit the U.S. market.

According to Honda Motor Co. Ltd., the 2023 base Honda Civic hatchback starts at $24,750. But if the federal tax credit for electric vehicles is still in effect in 2025, buyers of the Tesla Model 2 could save up to $7,500 on their purchases. This would bring the effective price of the car down to as low as $17,500, making it even more affordable than the Honda Civic.

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With Tesla's Model 2 aiming for a price potentially the same as the Civic, the electric automaker is set to challenge the status quo and reshape the narrative surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) as "only for the rich."

Tesla's strategic approach to manufacturing the Model 2 may further contribute to its cost-effectiveness. While Tesla manufactures its more expensive vehicles in the U.S., it is speculated that the more budget-friendly EVs will primarily be produced at its forthcoming factory in Monterrey, Mexico, with the possibility of additional production at its facility in Austin, Texas. The adoption of a vertical integration strategy, under which Tesla designs its batteries, software and equipment in-house, allows for better cost control and operational efficiency.

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Lars Moravy, Tesla's vice president of vehicle engineering, revealed during the company's March 1 investor day event that the Mexican factory choice, combined with the use of larger, flat batteries that double as the car's floor, could potentially streamline EV assembly and reduce costs by up to 65%.

Despite Tesla's ambitions to offer an affordable electric vehicle with impressive features and capabilities, some budget car manufacturers like Honda and Hyundai Motor Co. remain skeptical about the proposed price point. Hyundai, in particular, stated that achieving a $25,000 battery-powered EV without compromising driving range poses challenges, though it anticipates price parity between internal combustion engine and battery electric vehicle models eventually.

Honda is partnering with General Motors to bring its latest electric SUV to the market. But the Japanese automaker is not dependent solely on this collaboration, as it is also diligently working on developing its own electric vehicle platforms. The 2024 Prologue model relies on GM's Ultium battery platform, but Honda has exciting plans for the future.

In April, Honda disclosed its intention to introduce a second electric model specifically designed for the North American market, set to debut in 2025. The upcoming EV is described as a "mid- to large-size" vehicle and will showcase Honda's electric platform, known as e:Architecture.

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(Bloomberg) -- Nigers presidency said the army is on standby to strike back against members of the Presidential Guard who seized control of President Mohamed Bazoums official residence and the presidential palace.

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The president of the republic and his family are doing well, the presidency said in a brief statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. An earlier statement that said elements of the Presidential Guard engaged in an anti-Republican movement had failed to obtain support, was subsequently deleted.

Bazoum has been detained by coup plotters who are attempting to seize power by force, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States said in a separate statement, as it joined the African Union, Algeria and Nigeria in urging the soldiers to abandon the tentative power grab. Several armed pickup-trucks could be seen outside public broadcaster ORTN in the capital, Niamey, according to witnesses.

Niger is a linchpin in the fight against jihadists and other armed groups in West Africas Sahel region, at the southern fringe of the Sahara Desert. France has deployed troops, its largest military operation abroad, while the US has a $110 million drone base in the central city of Agadez.

I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning and made clear that the United States resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to New Zealand on Thursday. We call for his immediate release. We condemn any effort to seize power by force.

Uranium Producer

The country is among the worlds biggest uranium producers, with most of its output exported to France, according to the World Nuclear Association. It produced 2,020 tons of the metal last year. An oil pipeline to neighboring Benin is set to come online later this year.

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Bazoum came to power in 2021 in what was widely seen as the first democratic transfer of power since independence from France in 1960. His election took place just days after the security forces thwarted an attempt by an army unit to seize the presidential palace.

There have been five successful coups since 2020 in West Africa, a region wracked by the growing influence of violent extremists and food insecurity brought about by climate change, including two in neighboring Mali and and two in Burkina Faso.

It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the Ecowas region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically elected government of the country, Nigerias government said in a statement.

Read More: West Africas Fifth Coup in Two Years Tests Regional Bloc

--With assistance from Moses Mozart Dzawu and Tracy Withers.

(Updates with Blinken comment in fifth paragraph)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (PNK:NSANY) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript July 26, 2023

Operator: Begin the presentation, our fiscal year 2023 First Quarter Financial Results of Nissan Motor Co., we deeply appreciate the heavy attendance. The company is represented by our President and CEO, Mr. Uchida Makoto; and CFO, Mr. Stephen Ma. First of all, CEO, Mr. Uchida will give the highlights. Please go ahead.

Makoto Uchida: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the announcement of Nissan's first quarter results for the three month period ending June 30, 2023. Let me say a few words before presenting the results of the first quarter. As you have seen in the press release, Nissan's financial performance for the first quarter improved significantly from the prior year. Net revenue increased 37%, which is highest ever in Nissan for the first quarter. Operating profit increased by 98% and net income was up 124%. Despite multiple challenges including the pandemic and global chip shortages, we have seen continuous progress toward the goals of Nissan NEXT transformation plan. This has enabled us to steadily transform our business to a level that enables us to deliver the expected performance in many areas.

However, it does not mean that everything is on track. Our Chinese operation that has been contributing to the company's growth is currently facing significant challenges and saw a big decline in sales for the quarter. We believe that it will take some time for our performance to recover in the market. Given the circumstances, we will revise downward the full year forecast of our sales in China as well as globally. However, in view of positive factors such as foreign exchange, we are making an upward revision on the revenue and profit for the year. Now I would like to ask our CFO, Mr. Stephen Ma, to present the results for the first quarter and the full year guidance for fiscal year 2023. Later, I will give you an update on our China business.

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Stephen-san, the floor is yours. Stephen Ma Thank you, [Jess-san] (ph). Hello everyone. Before I begin, let me take a moment to express my gratitude to all Nissan stakeholders for your support enabling us to deliver strong performance while keeping our focus on quality of sales. Looking at the volume in the first quarter, global retail sales decreased by 3.7% year-over-year to 789,000 units. However, excluding China, we achieved growth of over 20%, which was driven by all regions with Japan and North America leading with double-digit growth. The rapidly changing automotive market in China remains challenging, especially in the January to March period. And in addition to the regular seasonality, retail sales decreased significantly by 45.8%.

Global production increased by 4.4%, as we continue refilling the pipeline to serve customers worldwide. However, inventory levels remain lean, excluding China, production increased 30.5%. This slide shows our key financial performance indicator for both equity basis and China joint venture proportionate basis for the first quarter. On an equity basis, net revenues increased by 37% to 2.92 trillion yen. Operating profit for the period increased to 128.6 billion yen, with an operating profit margin of 4.4%, as we progress solidly with the good initiatives established as part of our transformation plan Nissan NEXT. In this regard, I'm very pleased to share with you that again, the automotive segment continues profitable path and contributed 34.4 billion yen in the operating profit for the quarter.

Net income totaled 105.5 billion yen. Free cash flow for the automotive business was a positive 109.4 billion yen. Net cash for the automotive business came in at a healthy level of 1.35 trillion yen. On a proportionate basis, which includes our China operation, net revenue rose to 3.11 trillion yen from 2.48 trillion yen last year. Operating profit was 130.5 billion yen, representing an operating margin of 4.2%. With free cash flow for the automotive business reaching a positive 103.7 billion yen and a net cash for the automotive business of 1.68 trillion yen, we continue to produce result and are on track -- on the right track. Now I will cover the performance of our key markets. In Japan, retail sales increased 19.1% to 106,000 units. Thanks to the launch of a new Serena e-POWER in April, total sales for the Serena increased 130% for the quarter.

Furthermore, the total electrification ratio improved 12 points to 54%. Net revenue per unit increased by 20% from the prior year Q1. Production volume increased 69.6% for period due to the improved supply of semiconductors as well as the recovery from the lockdown in Shanghai in the prior year. In North America, retail sales and production volume increased by 33.1% and 35.6%, respectively, for the quarter. This growth was primarily driven by our top selling models, the Rogue and the Sentra. Our quality of sales initiative continue with net revenue per unit increasing by 6% year-over-year. To pursue our path to sustainable growth in the U.S., we continue to focus on the quality of our overall business. In Europe, despite the constraint in logistics, retail sales grew by 7.2% and production volume increased by 14% for the quarter.

Net revenue per unit increased by 24% year-over-year. Our electrification ratio increased [27 points] (ph) to 35% due to the strong acceptance of our e-POWER models. In China, in the first quarter, sales and production volumes were significantly down impacted by the pandemic, seasonality, and severe pricing action within the market. We elected to prioritize our quality of sales with which led to retail sales of 162,000 vehicles for the January to March period and 196,000 from April to June, which is I will go into more detail later regarding the status of our China business. Let's have a look at the income statement for the three months ending June 30, 2023 on an equity basis. Net revenue increased by 780.4 billion yen to 2.92 trillion yen.

And operating profit increased by 63.7 billion yen to 128.6 billion yen, representing operating margin of 4.4%. Non-operating income, which includes equity method company, totaled 38 billion yen. Extra ordinary losses totaled 37.4 billion yen, including a non-recurring loss related to litigation. Net income increased to 105.5 billion yen, as a result of the improvement in operating profit and updated tax assumptions. This slide shows the adherence factors from the first quarter of last year to this year. Foreign exchange had a positive impact of 2.2 billion yen, primarily due to the strong U.S. dollar, which was partially offset by emerging market currencies. In general, raw material prices decreased with exception of battery related materials such as lithium.

Sales performance had a positive impact of 160.7 billion yen driven by the strong increase in volume and continued benefit from the strong execution of Nissan NEXT with a clear focus on quality of sales. Monozukuri costs had a negative impact of 19.2 billion yen and other items had a total negative impact 82.9 billion yen, including negative impact from sales finance as used car pricing and net credit losses begin to normalize, as well as other timing related items. As a result, operating profit for the quarter improved to 128.6 billion yen. The automotive industry continues to face challenges in a rapidly changing market environment in China, as evidenced in our year-to-date retail sales performance. To account for this recent development, we decided to lower our sales volume forecast for China to 800,000 units.

Despite the challenges in China, we anticipate continued improved performance in our core markets of Japan, North America and Europe, which mitigates a shortfall in global volumes to a total of 3.7 million units versus the previous outlook of 4.0 million units. Looking at the financials, reflecting the depreciation of the Yen versus U.S. dollar for the first quarter, we updated our foreign exchange assumption and increased our financial outlook as follows: Net revenue from 12.4 trillion yen to 12.6 trillion yen. Operating profit of 550 billion yen, which represent an operating profit margin of 4.4%. Net income of 340 billion yen. To summarize, we started into the fiscal year 2023 with a solid results and we are confident for the coming quarters.

We remain committed to the Nissan NEXT transformation plan in order to continue this recovery and deliver sustainable growth. I will now hand to our CEO, Uchida-san.

Photo by carlos aranda on Unsplash

Makoto Uchida: Ma-san, thank you very much. Let me elaborate on our approach to the Chinese market. Since Chinese operation is managed on the calendar year basis, we have the results for the first six months. As I said in the beginning, Nissan's unit sales dropped significantly in the first quarter. One of the reasons is the emergence of rapidly growing new energy vehicles offered by the local brands. According to our own research, as shown in the table on the right, the share of the new energy vehicles offered by local brands has been growing significantly in the past few years and accounts for 25% of the total market in the first half of the fiscal year. The ones that are losing ground are mainly non-new energy vehicles of international joint venture brands including Nissan.

The share of non-new energy vehicles of joint ventures declined from 61% in 2020 to 40% today. Addition to these market changes, the first quarter was also impacted by the decline in overall demand as well as a severe price wars in anticipation of the introduction of new emission regulation applied to internal combustion engine. Our sales in China continued to fall year-on-year in the second quarter. However, the rate of decline became smaller with slight easing of these trends. Moreover, our sales volume rose quarter-on-quarter and our showroom traffic is increasing. We intend to keep the momentum and makeup for the loss in the latter half of the year as much as possible. In this context, the new models that are launched this fiscal year will be playing a critical role.

We aim to capture the demand with new energy vehicles and strong product in the C segment, which is the main battlefield. These new energy vehicles include the entry model Aria and the first plug-in hybrid of our local brand Venucia, both introduced this month C segment cars are the all new X-Trail, e-POWER that was introduced in May, and the all new Qashqai, which will be launched next month. As I said back in May, our strategy is to maximize the use of existing local assets and carry out necessary reforms with speed. Our focus is particularly on the customers who have been Nissan users for long years. We have sold more than 15 million units over the past 20 years. There are many Nissan owners in the market. It is very important to offer a wide selection of internal combustion engines that is still in demand, as well as new energy vehicles so that our valued customers continue to choose our brand.

Timely introduction of high value products that are as competitive as those of fast growing local brands at attractive prices is what we need. The key is our business that encompasses the entire value chain including parts sourcing, designing, development, production, sales and after sales. This is our strength. The photo on the right is Dongfeng Nissan Technical Center, one of the Nissan's global development bases established in 2006, where all the vehicles under Venucia brand are developed. Chinese customers' needs are diverse. There are many first time buyers among new energy vehicle intenders. In order to capture these customers, it is strategically important to develop more competitive products by using know-how and competitive assets that we have been building locally for Nissan brand.

Along with my relevant executive team, I have held intense discussions with our joint venture partner during my recent visit to China. We agreed to accelerate the introductions of new energy vehicles by utilizing local assets for Nissan brand. I will present the concrete plan when we unveiled the next midterm plan that we aim to announce around this fall. We have already decided to launch several new energy vehicles from the next fiscal year onward. We will further strengthen our line-up and increase our competitiveness. Today, we are producing vehicles in China. Unfortunately, the current sales outlook falls largely below the production capacity. Utilization rate of some plants remained low. On the other hand, we are facing production constraints in other regions.

There are models of which supplies are falling short of demands. Therefore, we will explore opportunities to optimize the global business by considering vehicle production for the Chinese market as well as possibility of using the plants in China for other destinations to complement the global production. This is our approach to the Chinese market. Changes in the market are not limited to China. Markets are changing around the world. This month, Nissan decided to include the leaders of the key regions and the product planning as the executive committee members. The intention is to ensure speedy decision making and increase our competitive edge in each market. I would demonstrate strong leadership while delegating authority to the rest of the executive committee members.

This is how I am going to build the united agile and vibrant team. The leadership team is also leading the ongoing initiative of cultural transformation to enable our people who are the company's greatest assets to show their full potential. Nissan is recognized as a great place to work in Canada, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. This demonstrates that our efforts to transform the corporate culture are bearing fruits. The world is changing dramatically with the new leadership team, Nissan will continue providing values that only Nissan can offer to the customers around the world. Today, Nissan signed the definitive agreements regarding new initiatives that are intended to elevate this partnership with Renault Group to a higher level.

Though it took time to conclude, we were able to reach an agreement that is beneficial for both partners as a result of thorough discussions. We intend to further improve our corporate value and ensure sustainable growth by maximizing the use of the partnership that reached the new stage. Thank you for your attention.

Operator: Now, we'd like to proceed to the Q&A. [Operator Instructions]. [Yemenisan of NHK] (ph).

Unidentified Analyst: Are you connected? Do you hear me? This is from NHK. Yes. First, the first quarter numbers, revenue is record high for the first quarter. Operating profit and other numbers are very strong. And the results of Q1, how do you assess it? And what are the reasons behind this result? And also, the sales of each region Japan, North America, and Europe are fine, but China is pretty tough, right? So, how do you perceive the sales performance in these regions? This is my question.

See also 25 Most Famous Bridges in the US and 25 Most Addictive Video Games in the World.

To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
Ellington Properties, a leading design-led boutique developer in the UAE, is collaborating with Dutco, a major conglomerate with operations in real estate, construction, hospitality, trading, and energy, to develop a range of premium residential developments in major communities across Dubai, under the Dutco Ellington brand.

The collaboration forms part of Ellington's strategy for a new era of expansion as it boosts its portfolio of developments in the emirate. The developer aims to bring its signature design-led philosophy and expertise to larger projects.

In the first phase of its collaboration, Dutco Ellington will launch two new waterfront projects, bringing beautifully crafted developments and high-quality lifestyles to more communities in Dubai.

On the strategic tie-up, Tariq Baker, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Dutco, said: "We look forward to working with Ellington Properties on residential developments in Dubai. They are a natural partner given Dutcos long-standing commitment to the highest standards in everything we do."

Ellington has a varied portfolio of projects including Ellington Beach House and Ocean House in Palm Jumeirah; The Quayside and Crestmark in Business Bay; DT1 in Downtown Dubai; Ellington House in Dubai Hills Estate; Belgravia, Somerset Mews and Harrington House, all located in Jumeirah Village Circle.

"Our expansion in property development brings together Dutcos extensive real estate expertise and its top-tier construction arm, which is renowned for its quality and on-time delivery," he noted.

Lauding the Dutco collaboration, Joseph Thomas, Co-Founder of Ellington Properties, said the company will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to its joint projects.

"With our shared commitment to quality, through our collaboration, we will continue to make our mark on Dubais real estate landscape," remarked Thomas.

"Were excited to be launching new projects in Dubai and will continue to do so as Ellington Properties continues to grow," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
On July 27, 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE:NCLH) saw a daily gain of 5.79%, with a Loss Per Share of 3.44. This raises the question: is the company's stock a potential value trap? To answer this, we delve into a comprehensive valuation analysis of the company. We invite you to read on and explore the financial intricacies of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Company Overview

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE:NCLH) is the world's third-largest cruise company by berths, operating over 62,000 across 30 ships. Its brands include Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas, offering both freestyle and luxury cruising. As of May 2022, the company had redeployed its entire fleet. With seven passenger vessels on order through 2028, Norwegian is increasing capacity faster than its peers, expanding its brand globally. Before the pandemic, Norwegian sailed to around 500 global destinations. Despite these impressive credentials, the company's stock price of $21.97 significantly deviates from its GF Value of $58.97, suggesting a potential value trap.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: A Potential Value Trap?

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value is a proprietary measure that indicates a stock's intrinsic value. It considers historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. If a stock's price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it may be overvalued and likely to yield poor future returns. Conversely, if the price is significantly below the GF Value Line, the stock could be undervalued, promising higher future returns. For Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the current price suggests a potential value trap.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: A Potential Value Trap?

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Financial Strength

Before investing in a company, it's crucial to assess its financial strength. Companies with poor financial health pose a higher risk of permanent loss. Key indicators like the cash-to-debt ratio can provide insights into a company's financial strength. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.05, ranking lower than 88.69% of companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. This suggests that the company's financial strength is poor.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: A Potential Value Trap?

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies generally carries less risk. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been profitable for 7 out of the past 10 years. However, its operating margin of -13.87% is worse than 78.55% of companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. Furthermore, the company's average annual revenue growth of -27.2% ranks lower than 85.55% of companies in the industry. These indicators suggest that the company's profitability and growth are fair, but not exceptional.

Comparing a company's return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC) can also provide insights into its profitability. ROIC measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital invested in its business. WACC is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to finance its assets. If ROIC exceeds WACC, the company is likely creating value for its shareholders. However, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings's ROIC of -4.21 is less than its WACC of 10.3, indicating suboptimal value creation.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: A Potential Value Trap?

Potential Value Trap

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings's stock might be a value trap due to the company's poor financial health and fair profitability. The company's Altman Z-score of -0.34 suggests an increased bankruptcy risk, as scores above 2.99 usually indicate a safer financial position. Additionally, the company's 5-year revenue per share growth rate is at a negative 32%, indicating a decline in revenue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings appears to be a potential value trap. The company's financial condition is poor, and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks lower than most companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. To learn more about Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To discover high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, please check out the GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


(Bloomberg) -- New York City and the Northeast are in for their hottest day of the year as oppressive temperatures descend on the eastern and central US, affecting about half the countrys population.

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Thursdays high in New York, where an excessive heat warning is in effect, will reach into the mid- to upper 90s and humidity temperatures will feel closer to 106F (41C), the National Weather Service said. Washingtons high is forecast at 99 on Thursday and 100 Friday, while Newark might see 98 both days and Philadelphia will be 97 and 99 respectively.

In addition to the heat, the Northeast could get swept by thunderstorms later on Thursday, just in time for the afternoon commute, said Scott Kaplan, a meteorologist with Hometown Forecast Services, which provides forecasts for Bloomberg Radio.

It was 93 in Central Park on July 5 and we should at least top that for the next three days, Kaplan said.

Sweltering conditions stretch coast to coast, with about 170 million people under excessive heat warnings and advisories. High temperatures tax power grids as people turn to air conditioning to beat the heat. They can also slow transportation, causing problems for aircraft and as railroads impose speed restrictions.

Overnight, PJM Interconnection LLC, the largest US grid, declared a level one emergency for its 13-state system in the east of the country, signaling its concerned about being able to maintain adequate power reserves on July 27 as consumers and businesses turn up their air conditioners. The California Independent System operator also issued a warning of a potential power supply shortfall for Wednesday evening. And Consolidated Edison Inc., which supplies power to New York, Parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, expects to see demand hit a 2023 high Thursday, spokesman Allan Drury said.

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The southern US has sweltered under the worst heat so far this summer, with a massive high-pressure system baking the area from Southern California to Florida for weeks.

The focus of the worst heat has shifted into the central US from the Great Plains to Midwest. For the Northeast, its a combination of that high pressure system and a second in the Atlantic called the Bermuda High thats pumping high temperatures into the Interstate-95 corridor.

--With assistance from Naureen S. Malik.

(Adds additional context and comment from ConEd in sixth paragraph)

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Vivek Sankaran CEO at Albertsons Companies, speaks during a Senate committe hearing on the proposed Kroger-Albertsons grocery store merger in 2022.

In the wake of an Enquirer analysis of payments to departing Albertsons executives in the proposed Kroger takeover, union members have blasted the "outlandish payouts" as line workers fret over their job security.

In early July, The Enquirer reported Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran could get between $30 million and $43 million in severance and other pay, if the controversial $25 billion merger with the Boise, Idaho-based supermarket chain is approved. In addition, 10 other top Albertsons executives could collect more than $146 million, if the deal goes through and they quit or lose their jobs, according to disclosures to regulators.

On Wednesday, multiple chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers union issued a statement featuring comments from front-line workers:

"When I hear that those profits will be used to pad shareholders and executives pockets if they leave the company, its disheartening. Those profits should be going to fixing stores, lowering prices and paying workers," said Judy Wood, a cake decorator at Albertsons in Orange, California.

In June, Albertsons also disclosed in its proxy statement that its median pay for workers was less than $32,000 a year.

"It should be illegal for these CEOs who already make tens of millions of dollars each year, to stuff their pockets full of millions more through this proposed merger," stated Yasmin Ashur, an Albertsons grocery store worker in Washington State.

Kroger officials declined to comment on the UFCW statement. Albertsons issued a statement that ignored objections to the "golden parachute" payments:

"Our proposed merger with Kroger will ensure the long-term future of union jobs by establishing a more competitive alternative to large, non-union retailers," the company said, adding the merged companies would "bring even more value to our associates" with plans to invest $1 billion into higher pay and benefits.

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Announced last fall, the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger would be one of the largest retail takeovers in history. The deal would give Cincinnati-based Kroger almost 5,000 stores and more than 700,000 workers before an undetermined number of store divestitures. The two companies have vowed not to close stores or layoff workers, but the unions and other critics are skeptical.

Consumer and union groups have opposed the deal, claiming it will hurt competition and ultimately raise prices and harm workers. Regulators have declined to comment as they decide whether to block it. Kroger executives have vowed to fight for the deal in court.

For the latest on Kroger, P&G, Fifth Third Bank and Cincinnati business, follow @alexcoolidge on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Unions blast Albertsons golden parachute pay in Kroger deal
A name painted in big, bold yellow letters on the side of a crane that collapsed high above Midtown on Wednesday  LOMMA  was also attached to a pair of Manhattan crane disasters in 2008 that took the lives of nine people.

James F. Lomma, who died in 2019, was the owner of New York Crane & Equipment, the company that owned the crane that caught fire and collapsed at 550 10th Ave. near W. 41st St.

One of the 2008 collapses involving another New York Crane machine landed Lomma in Manhattan Supreme Court on manslaughter charges, and brought a civil lawsuit that helped push him into bankruptcy.

A judge found Lomma not guilty in 2012 of the manslaughter charges brought in the deaths of Donald Leo and Ramadan Kurtaj, who died in a May 30, 2008 crane collapse at 333 E. 91st St.

Leo was operating the crane when it fell 200 feet from its tower. Kurtaj, a construction worker. was on the ground when the crane collapsed on him.

New York Crane also owned a 300-foot crane that collapsed on March 15, 2008, killing seven people at 303 E. 51st Street.

Construction workers Anthony Mazza, Santy Gallone, Brad Cohen, Aaron Stephens, Clifford Canzona, and Wayne Bliedner were killed, along with a Odin Torres, a tourist from Florida.

In that case, master rigger William Rapetti was acquitted in Manhattan Supreme Court of seven counts of manslaughter.

Rapetti was accused of using too few slings to attach a steel collar to beams on the condo that was being built. His lawyer argued that the accident was the fault of a poorly constructed and repaired tie-in beam.

Though Lomma was acquitted of criminal charges, he faced a lawsuit from the Leo and Kurtai families that resulted in a trial in 2015 that ran for nearly 11 months  said at the time to have been the longest trial ever held in Manhattan Supreme Court.

The trial ended with a jury ordering Lomma to pay $96 million. An appellate court later reduced the award to $35 million.

In January 2016, Lomma filed for bankruptcy, saying he only had $10 million in assets.

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Lomma, a lifelong Staten Islander, died in July 2019 at age 73. His cranes helped build most of the major cities in our country and around the world, said his obituary in the Staten Island Advance.

Though James F. Lomma is gone  and the lawsuits against him have ended  his name lives on in the companies he founded, including J.F. Lomma Inc. of Kearney, N.J. and New York Crane & Equipment of Long Island City, Queens.

Equipment owned by both companies is emblazoned with the Lomma name.

The companies current ownership is not evident from public records.

When reached Wednesday, staffers at New York Crane did not immediately comment on the Midtown collapse.

Bernadette Panzella, who represented Leos family in the lawsuit over the E. 91st St. collapse, said the trial showed that Lomma maintained his equipment poorly.

Panzella and other lawyers for the Leo and Kurtaj families argued that Lomma hired a Chinese company to make a major repair to the collapsed crane on the cheap.

The lack of maintenance on these cranes was well documented at his trial, Panzella said.

Cross Country Construction LLC was the operator of the crane that collapsed Wednesday, and Valjato Engineering was the crane engineer, city officials said.

Cross Country did not respond to a request for comment. A woman who picked up the phone at Valjato said: Were not at liberty to discuss.

The general contractor at the site is Brooklyn-based Monadnock Construction, said Building Department officials.

We are fully cooperating with all regulatory agencies and are available for any assistance that is needed, Monadnock said in a statement.

Its never good when a crane collapses, said Panzella. Its not going to be a good result.

Cranes are a danger to the public as well as construction workers, she added.

To this day I do not walk under the scaffolding of a building that has a crane attached, said Panzella. I cross a lot of streets and get my steps in.

 With Tim Balk
By Victor Goury-Laffont and Gilles Guillaume

(Reuters) - French car maker Renault on Thursday posted an operating margin of 7.6% for the first half year, its highest ever and already close to its 2025 target, helped by higher prices for new cars and by cost reductions.

The company, whose brands include Alpine sports-cars and Dacia, also returned to a net profit in the six months through June, recording net income of 2.12 billion euros ($2.35 billion) after posting a 1.68 billion loss in the first half of 2022. The loss was a result of the closure of its Russian operations in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"These results are the outcome of our continuous efforts to reduce costs over the last three years and of our strategy focused on value combined with the first benefits of an unprecedented product offensive," said Chief Executive Luca de Meo in a statement.

The previous margin record was set in the second-half of 2017, when it stood at 7%. Renault aims to reach an 8% margin by 2025 and 10% by 2030.

After a successful launch, the carmaker pins its hopes on models including its Megane E-TECH Electric and the compact crossover SUVs Arkana and Austral.

Renault's robust business echoes developments at other carmakers including Stellantis, whose Peugeot and Citroen cars are Renault's main competitors on the French market. They also saw better results helped by price increases and pointed to promising sales of its electric vehicles.

The French carmaker on Wednesday agreed with Nissan on a new structure for their decades-old partnership. The Japanese group will invest up to $663 million in Renault's planned electric unit Ampere, while the French carmaker will reduce its Nissan stake to put their relationship on equal footing.

($1 = 0.9008 euros)

(This story has been refiled to fix the punctuation in paragraph 1 and removes mention of Volkswagen in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Victor Goury-Laffont and Gilles Guillaume, editing by Kirsti Knolle and Sharon Singleton)
(Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co. is considering adding an affordable option to its portfolio of foldable phones, in a move to hasten adoption of the novel form factor.

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We are trying to make a leap in our price positioning, the chief of its mobile business, TM Roh, told Bloomberg News. We are seriously considering the timing, but it is surely a difficult task.

The worlds largest smartphone maker is in talks with supply partners to drive down the cost of manufacturing foldables without compromising key specs. Samsung was first among major phone makers to offer a foldable costing less than $1,000  and its $999 Galaxy Z Flip has quickly become its most popular offering in the category.

Moving further down the price range would help Samsungs foldables more directly challenge Apple Inc.s mainstream iPhone range, which starts at $799. The Suwon-based company has so far pitched foldables as premium and high-end devices, including by partnering with fashion brand Thom Browne to boost their perception as a luxury product.

The broader smartphone market downturn over the past year and a half has not stinted the rise of foldables. Estimates for their growth in coming years vary widely: IDC forecasters expect close to 50 million foldables shipped in 2027, whereas Counterpoint Research puts that years figure at 100 million. Counterpoints assumptions include the release of a foldable iPhone within two years.

We see 2025 as a possibility for the release of a foldable iPhone, which could provide another growth spurt for the segment, said Jene Park, senior analyst at Counterpoint.

Read more: Samsung Aims to Outrun Smartphone Slump, Make Headway in China

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Samsungs dual-track strategy of pushing its flagship foldables as premium products while driving down the cost at the entry level is aimed at securing its leading market share. Rival Android device makers out of China have all now introduced their own foldable offerings  though they have been largely limited to the domestic market so far.

Android maker Google has also gotten into the contest with its Pixel Fold device, albeit only in a handful of regions. Samsung remains the most global and widely available seller of foldables.

The rising competition is evidence of foldables becoming mainstream, Roh said. Samsung will seek to maintain its lead by collaborating with software partners like Alphabet Inc.s Google, Meta Platforms Inc. and Microsoft Corp. Its engaged in discussions with Google and Microsoft about collaboration on generative AI, the executive said, without elaborating further.

Samsung will continue efforts to expand its share in China, where it has a paltry 1% of the market, and lean on the appeal of its premium range to do it, Roh said.

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(Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia has made the first big deal in a push to deploy its vast wealth into the global mining industry, agreeing to buy a stake in Vale SAs base metals unit.

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Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle, Public Investment Fund, and Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Maaden, will purchase a 10% stake in a company created to house Vales base metal assets, Vale said Thursday. Separately, investment firm Engine No. 1 will buy a 3% stake. The total amount to be paid under both agreements is $3.4 billion.

Saudi Arabia has been on a global investment spree in recent years as it seeks to parlay its oil wealth into other sectors. PIF has snapped up stakes in video game makers and electric carmakers, but the Vale deal is the first major investment in mining since it set up a joint venture with Maaden in January called Manara.

In a protracted bidding process, the Saudi venture beat rival bidders including Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co. and the Qatar Investment Authority, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. advised Vale. Bank of America Corp. worked with PIF and Maaden.

Besides the Vale deal, Maaden recently formed a JV with Ivanhoe Electric Inc. to develop mining projects in Saudi Arabia. The firm has announced partnerships with Barrick Gold Corp. to explore and develop two new areas in the kingdom, where they operate the Jabal Sayid copper mine.

Critical Materials

Engine No. 1 is best known for its stunning victory over Exxon Mobil Corp. two years ago when it placed three directors on the oil giants board. Since then, it has started an effort to buy up mining and fossil fuel assets to help companies decarbonize, especially as other investors exit. The San Francisco-based firm last year hired a Blackstone manager for the strategy.

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Our private capital mission is to partner with companies to create value by operating assets in a responsible and sustainable way while delivering critical materials, said Erik Belz, Engine No. 1s head of private capital.

Read More: Saudi Arabia Eyes $3.2 Billion of Global Mining Investments

For Vale, the worlds No. 2 iron ore supplier, proceeds for the sale will help finance investments of as much as $30 billion over the next decade to tap growing demand for nickel and copper in the switch to electric vehicles. Establishing a separate base metals unit with Saudi partners may also allow Vale to participate in a wave of consolidation in the industry.

After years of deliberation, Vale created the separate base metals unit largely from assets in Canada, Brazil and Indonesia that were acquired in the purchase of Canadas Inco Ltd. announced in 2006. Former Anglo American Plc boss Mark Cutifani was recruited to to lead an independent board for the unit, which is valued at $26 billion, according to the transactions announced today.

The base metals spin-off also gives investors an easier way to gauge valuations. The Brazilian mining giant trades at a discount to its main peers given it still earns most of its money from massive iron ore mines in Brazil, the scene of two devastating tailings dam collapses in recent years.

Read More: With Miners Freed, Vale Returns to Rescuing ESG Credentials

Besides Cutifani, the base metals board also boasts Jerome Guillen, who spent a decade as lieutenant to Elon Musk at Tesla Inc. Vale is already a direct supplier for Tesla and General Motors Co. and has Ford Motor Co. as one of its partners to jointly develop nickel in Indonesia. Chief Executive Officer Eduardo Bartolomeo sees potential for base metals to become as big as Vales iron ore operations.

The sale of the 13% stake is expected to close by the first quarter of next year, subject to regulatory approval. Proceeds would help push up the firms annual output of copper to 900,000 metric tons from 350,000 tons and of nickel to more than 300,000 tons from 175,000 tons.

The next steps for Vale base metals are unclear. One option is to taking the unit public. Obviously an IPO down the road is a liquidity event you could pursue, Bartolomeo said in April, pointing out that there are many ways of liquidity the company could chase.

--With assistance from Jack Farchy, Cristiane Lucchesi, Doug Alexander and Saijel Kishan.

(Adds comment from Engine No. 1 in seventh paragraph)

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Sustainable Bitcoin mining platform Sazmining is expanding into South America with plans to leverage Paraguays Itaipu Dam, the startup announced Thursday.

The firms facility is expected to come online in September and will contain mining rigs purchased by Sazminings customers. The platform enables people to purchase Bitcoin mining rigs, which Sazmining maintains and powers with 100% renewable energy.

The Itaipu Dam, which is located on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, was completed in 1991 and stretches nearly five miles long. Sazmining founder and CEO William Szamosszegi told Decrypt its an ideal location for cheap hydropower.

A lot of the things that we look foror that any good miner looks forwe were able to find out in Paraguay, he said. Were hyper-focused on putting our philosophy out there with wanting to improve humanity's relationship with money and energy.

Szamosszegi described the firms retail offering as an alternative way to acquire Bitcoin, as opposed to tapping an exchange. Participating in the mining process aligns more closely with pseudonymous Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamotos vision, he claimed.

Bitcoin miners and renewable energy

Miners play an essential role in keeping the Bitcoin network up and running through a process known as proof-of-work. They race to solve complex cryptographic puzzles and are rewarded with newly-minted Bitcoin for verifying transactions.

Drawing on the dams surplus energy, Szamosszegi said Sazmining can host mining rigs at $0.047 per kilowatt-hoursignificantly cheaper than an average cost of $0.16 per kilowatt-hour in the U.S.

The firms facility in Paraguay represents an expansion of Sazminings footprint. The startup currently has a hydropower facility located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin capable of generating 1.7 megawatts.

The companys expansion in Paraguay will have an initial capacity of up to 5 megawatts, Szamosszegi said. For comparison, Bitcoins network has an annualized consumption of 135 terawatt-hours, according to Cambridge Universitys Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index (1 terawatt is equivalent to 1,000,000 megawatts).

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Bitcoins energy consumption

While Bitcoins energy consumption and impact on the environment have drawn scrutiny from critics, including lawmakers in the U.S., advocates claim that Bitcoin can provide an alternative store of value for surplus power.

Batteries or Bitcoin: Is Mining the Best Use for Excess Green Energy?

Sazmining President and COO Kent Halliburton said the new facility will do just that, preventing the countrys excess power from ever being sold at a loss.

Bitcoin mining effectively transforms what was once a loss into a profitable venture for the entire country, Halliburton said, adding the move is an investment in electrical infrastructure that will continue to serve Paraguay for generations.
The university said it experienced a "cyber incident" earlier this month

Data belonging to the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has been put up for auction by an extortion cybergang.

The university first said it was facing a "cyber incident" earlier this month and police have been investigating.

Now the ransomware gang Rhysida is demanding 20 bitcoin (450,000) for the confidential data and says it will be sold to the highest bidder.

UWS said it was a "victim of a cyber crime" and the attack affected a number of digital systems and staff data.

BBC Scotland has learned the incident has affected staff laptops, shut off around half of the university's IT systems, and affected student submissions.

The incident was reported to police on 6 July.

At the time, the university's website was down and an error message apologised for "inconvenience". Some areas of the site have since been restored.

Initially, no criminal group came forward to claim responsibility, but ransomware group known as Rhysida has claimed it was behind the incident and has seemingly tried to use the stolen data to extort the university.

The data advertised on the gang's deep web domain includes personal data belonging to staff such as bank details and national insurance numbers as well as internal university documents.

The Rhysida ransomware group was first observed after it launched cyber-attacks on the Chilean Army

The BBC can confirm that the group listing is real but has been unable to verify the authenticity of the data.

However, the BBC's cyber correspondent Joe Tidy said it was unlikely to be fake.

"In my experience though there is no reason to suggest they are lying," he said. "These criminal gangs operate on profit and reputation. Perversely, it doesn't serve them to fake stolen data."

A UWS spokesperson said some of the details "remain sensitive" in the ongoing criminal investigation, but they were working closely with the relevant authorities, and "following a controlled process to work towards a resolution".

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"The university has been the victim of a cyber crime which has affected a number of digital systems," a statement from the university said. "All appropriate steps continue to be taken to manage the situation.

"We have been briefing colleagues and students since the start of this incident and have advised colleagues that some staff data has been accessed. Staff continue to be contacted directly and provided with information and support."

The cyber-criminal group get their name from the Rhysida centipede

The Rhysida ransomware group was first observed in May of this year according to the cybersecurity website Sentinel One. It has launched attacks on multiple organisations across the world.

Sentinel One said the group positioned itself as a "cybersecurity team" which is doing its victims a favour by targeting their systems and highlighting flaws in their online security.

Brett Callow, a threat analyst for the cybersecurity company Emisoft, said the cyber-gang would probably be hoping the university would pay up.

"Realistically, the data likely doesn't have anywhere near the value Rhysida is placing on it - at least, not to a third-party," he said.

"They'll be hoping the university pays up in order to prevent the information being released onto the dark web and subsequently used by other cybercriminals to commit identity fraud."

UWS has campuses in Paisley, Ayr, Dumfries and Blantyre, as well as London.

At the time of the incident, a UWS spokesperson told BBC Scotland the university was working with police, the National Cyber Security Centre, and the Scottish government to resolve the issue.

The National Cyber Security Centre's website says it does not encourage, endorse, nor condone the payment of ransom demands.

A police spokeswoman said: "An investigation is under way following a report of a cyber incident in Paisley. The matter was reported to police on 3 July, 2023 and inquiries are ongoing."

A Scottish government spokesperson said they were aware of he UWS "IT security incident".

"Support is being provided to the University by national partners, including the Scottish government," they added. "We are aware that the University of the West of Scotland is currently investigating an IT security incident. Support is being provided to the University by national partners, including the Scottish Government."

Last month, the University of Manchester was targeted by a similar cyber-attack and a number of organisations including the BBC were affected by a separate mass hack.
In a groundbreaking move, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has announced the creation of the UAE Maritime Decarbonisation Centre in collaboration with DNV, a globally accredited registrar and classification society.

The new Centre is the first-of-its-kind venture in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and the fourth globally, a WAM report said.

This pioneering initiative, marks a milestone not only for the UAE but also for the entire Mena region and sets a new standard for maritime decarbonisation efforts worldwide.

Signing ceremony

The official signing ceremony to commemorate the partnership took place at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) headquarters in London, UK. The signing brought together high-level government officials, industry leaders and international stakeholders.

By leveraging the expertise of DNV and harnessing the UAE's strategic geographic location and maritime influence, the Centre aims to drive research, innovation, and collaboration among key stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices, technologies, and policies in the maritime sector.

Setting a new standard

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: The UAE leads numerous global competitiveness indicators in the maritime sector. It ranks 3rd globally in the Bunker Supply Index, 5th as a key competitive maritime hub and 12th in the transport lines index. This is a result of the competitive business environment the UAE provides, which attracts major international maritime companies and makes the country's ports a preferred destination for international shipping lines.

However, we will not rest on our laurels; we want to occupy the top position in all international maritime indicators. We look forward to innovations and digital platforms to contribute to enhancing the UAEs position and improving its global ranking.

Al Mazrouei added: "The establishment of the UAE Maritime Decarbonisation Centre shows our unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices within the maritime industry. By collaborating with DNV, we aim to leverage their expertise and global network to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of decarbonisation technologies. This Centre will play a pivotal role in advancing our national and regional sustainability goals, while contributing to the global efforts in combating climate change."

Reinforcing sustainability goals

The Centre is a testament to the UAE's unwavering dedication to achieving its ambitious sustainability goals outlined in the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy. By spearheading the maritime decarbonisation efforts, the UAE aims to drive greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions that exceed global ambitions, positioning itself as a leading force in the global fight against climate change.

The Centre will serve as a hub for research, development, and implementation of innovative technologies and strategies to reduce CO2 emissions in the maritime industry.

It will conduct joint-industry projects, incubator and accelerator programmes, and future talent development initiatives. Furthermore, it will provide access to funding opportunities, foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, and serve as a knowledge hub by publishing research and information.

Knut rbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime, said: Initiatives like the Centre are essential as we look to accelerate towards a decarbonised future. We need to build via cooperation, foster innovation, and scale local strengths into global leadership. With its strategic location and strong support from industry leaders, the Centre is poised to become a hub for maritime decarbonisation efforts.

A maritime hub

This initiative aligns perfectly with the UAE's preparations for hosting COP28, where the nation will showcase its commitment to sustainability and energy transition on a global stage. The Centre will play a crucial role in strengthening the country's position as a hub for sustainable innovation and global collaboration during COP28.

Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said, At the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, we seek to unify the maritime sector to build the UAE Maritime Cluster, and turn it into a powerhouse that enhances business growth opportunities and creates new capabilities for companies by bringing them together. Digital technologies are the best way to build this cluster, standardise information related to the maritime sector and develop innovative mechanisms to explore business opportunities that can benefit all stakeholders.

Al Malek added: This partnership is yet another step to promote innovation in the maritime sector, which has become an international incubator for quality ideas. At the current stage, we focus all our innovations on building a sustainable and environmentally-friendly maritime sector.

The Centre will serve as a vital hub for research, collaboration, and knowledge transfer in the field of maritime decarbonisation. Through strategic partnerships and initiatives, we will focus on developing and implementing sustainable solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency in maritime operations. This Centre aligns with our vision of positioning the UAE as a global leader in the sustainable maritime sector and driving the transition towards a greener future.-- TradeArabia News Service
Seagate Technology Holdings PLC (NASDAQ:STX) recorded a daily gain of 5.84% and a Loss Per Share of 0.84. This piece aims to answer a crucial question: Is the stock fairly valued? To unravel this, we delve into an in-depth valuation analysis. We invite you to explore the findings with us.

Company Introduction

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC, a leading supplier of hard disk drives for data storage, serves both enterprise and consumer markets. It shares a practical duopoly with its chief rival, Western Digital, both being vertically integrated. With a market capitalization of $12.7 billion and sales of $8.4 billion, Seagate's stock price stands at $61.36, while its GF Value, an estimation of fair value, is $55.79. This comparison sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the company's value.

Is Seagate Technology Holdings PLC Stock Fairly Valued? A GF Value Analysis

Understanding GF Value

The GF Value is a proprietary measure of a stock's intrinsic value. It's calculated considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line provides an overview of the stock's ideal fair trading value.

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC's stock is believed to be fairly valued according to our GF Value Line. This assessment is based on historical multiples, an internal adjustment factor, and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, the stock may be overvalued and likely to yield poor future returns. Conversely, if it's significantly below the GF Value Line, it may be undervalued and poised for higher future returns.

Is Seagate Technology Holdings PLC Stock Fairly Valued? A GF Value Analysis

Since Seagate Technology Holdings PLC is fairly valued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to align with its business growth rate.

Financial Strength

Assessing a company's financial strength is crucial before investing in its stock. Companies with poor financial strength pose a higher risk of permanent loss. Seagate Technology Holdings PLC's cash-to-debt ratio stands at 0.13, ranking it lower than 92.66% of companies in the Hardware industry. Its overall financial strength is 3 out of 10, indicating a poor financial position.

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Is Seagate Technology Holdings PLC Stock Fairly Valued? A GF Value Analysis

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies, especially those demonstrating consistent profitability over the long term, tends to be less risky. Seagate Technology Holdings PLC has been profitable for 10 out of the past 10 years. With an operating margin of 4.79%, it ranks better than 53.9% of companies in the Hardware industry. Its profitability score is 8 out of 10, indicating strong profitability.

Company growth is a crucial factor in valuation. Companies that grow faster create more value for shareholders, especially if that growth is profitable. Seagate Technology Holdings PLC's average annual revenue growth is 12.6%, ranking better than 73.82% of companies in the Hardware industry. Its 3-year average EBITDA growth is 12.3%, ranking better than 53.12% of companies in the Hardware industry.

ROIC vs WACC

Comparing a company's return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted cost of capital (WACC) is another way to evaluate its profitability. ROIC measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. WACC is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it indicates that the company is creating value for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, Seagate Technology Holdings PLC's ROIC was 8.97, while its WACC came in at 8.55.

Is Seagate Technology Holdings PLC Stock Fairly Valued? A GF Value Analysis

Conclusion

In summary, Seagate Technology Holdings PLC's stock is believed to be fairly valued. The company's financial condition is poor, but its profitability is strong. Its growth ranks better than 53.12% of companies in the Hardware industry. To learn more about Seagate Technology Holdings PLC stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To discover high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


(Bloomberg) -- Wall Streets top watchdog is re-invigorating his push to boost regulation of leveraged trading in US Treasuries, which he says poses an acute risk to financial stability.

Most Read from Bloomberg

During a wide-ranging interview at Bloombergs Washington bureau, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler rang alarm bells over the amount of leverage in US government bond trading. He touted regulations that the agency had proposed to enhance oversight.

The SEC last September introduced a plan that would require hedge funds to start centrally clearing many of their transactions in the $24 trillion US Treasury market. The effort drew pushback from the industry, which said it could drive up trading costs and hamper competition.

Although he didnt address the feedback directly, Gensler appeared unmoved by the industrys arguments against further regulation. He called Treasuries the base of what everything else is built on in our capital markets. He said that driving more trading to clearinghouses could reduce risk.

We keep seeing jitters in this market, he said. What were looking at is ensuring that the firms making markets, acting as dealers, actually register as dealers.

Since the 2008 financial crisis, clearinghouses have been a growing fixture of US financial markets. Still, despite their growth, only a fraction of Treasuries transactions go through them, Gensler has said.

Central Clearing

Clearing entities for Treasuries, which are directly overseen by the SEC, can provide trade matching, settlement of transactions and risk management services. As an intermediary, clearinghouses effectively act as the buyer for a seller of securities and the seller for buyers to smooth trading.

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Central clearing, though it has its costs, also is a risk-reducing mechanism in the markets. Because you put a clearinghouse in the middle and all the various parties of the market then whats called net-down their positions at the clearinghouse, Gensler said.

Although the plan may be tweaked to address public comments, the SEC is expected to hold a vote to finalize it in the coming months.

Beyond Treasuries, Gensler also discussed risks associated with cybersecurity. On Wednesday, the SEC finalized rules that would require public companies to report major hacks within four business days.

If you had a cyber incident that management determines is material, hundreds of millions of files lost or something, or compromised, investors benefit from that disclosure, Gensler said in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Thursday.

China Access

Meanwhile, Gensler reiterated that American officials must be able to review the audit papers of Chinese companies that trade in the US. American and Chinese authorities inked a landmark agreement in 2022 to allow US audit inspectors access for the first time. The deal came after a decades-long impasse between the US and China over the issue.

Despite the progress, a recent report on the initial round of inspections earlier this year cited major deficiencies at the major auditing firms it inspected. The regulator said that problems with vetting clients accounts or internal controls were to be expected when firms are held accountable for the first time.

Last year, the PCAOB went over, did the initial audits under that set of provisions and determined that they got the appropriate access in those initial inspections. 2023 is a new year, Gensler said on Thursday. That access is a critical aspect of those companies access to our capital markets.

--With assistance from Kailey Leinz and Dani Burger.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Tesla service center in Costa Mesa. Reuters reports that Tesla created a team to cancel service appointments en masse for customers complaining about battery-range shortfalls. (Los Angeles Times)

Elon Musk is known for his unusual and disruptive business practices.

The latest apparent example was reported Thursday in an article by news agency Reuters: For years, Tesla reportedly has exaggerated the maximum range of the electric cars it sells. When customers' range complaints overwhelmed the company's service team, according to Reuters, Tesla created a special team to cancel those appointments and tell drivers that nothing was wrong with their cars' battery data.

The news report, which cites customers and unnamed former employees, said that the company created a "Diversion Team" in Las Vegas specifically to cancel as many range-related appointments as possible.

The team was reportedly created to address a growing problem at Tesla: Its service center growth has not kept pace with the growth in sales for Tesla cars. "Service centers were inundated with appointments from owners who had expected better performance based on the company's advertised estimates," the Reuters article said. Messages sent to customers with range-related appointments said "remote diagnostics" indicated no battery problems and thus the appointment was canceled.

Read more: Tesla says its self-driving technology may be a 'failure'  but not fraud

According to Reuters, Tesla rigged its algorithms for its range meter to give drivers a "rosy" idea of how far the car could travel on a full charge; when the battery was half-depleted, the software would show a more realistic range projection, to avoid a driver being stranded with no juice left in the battery.

Customer Alexandre Ponsin told the news agency that he bought a used 2021 Tesla Model 3 with an advertised range of 353 miles, but he found that when it was cold out he got as little as half that range. (Cold weather can reduce range on any car battery.)

Given the chance to refute or explain the range issue to Reuters, both Tesla and Elon Musk failed to respond to repeated requests for comment.

Whether Tesla's range claims violate any marketing laws is unclear. The company is under investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles for calling its driver assist software Full Self-Driving, when the car is incapable of driving itself without human assistance. On Wednesday, CNBC reported that the California attorney general is investigating claims the company has made about its Autopilot software.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Passive investing in an index fund is a good way to ensure your own returns roughly match the overall market. While individual stocks can be big winners, plenty more fail to generate satisfactory returns. Investors in Cobram Estate Olives Limited (ASX:CBO) have tasted that bitter downside in the last year, as the share price dropped 11%. That's disappointing when you consider the market returned 12%. Because Cobram Estate Olives hasn't been listed for many years, the market is still learning about how the business performs. On top of that, the share price is down 6.0% in the last week.

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 Cobram Estate Olives

Because Cobram Estate Olives made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth.

In the last year Cobram Estate Olives saw its revenue grow by 3.6%. That's not a very high growth rate considering it doesn't make profits. Given this fairly low revenue growth (and lack of profits), it's not particularly surprising to see the stock down 11% in a year. In a hot market it's easy to forget growth is the life-blood of a loss making company. So remember, if you buy a profitless company then you risk being a profitless investor.

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. You can see what analysts are predicting for Cobram Estate Olives in this interactive graph of future profit estimates.

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A Different Perspective

While Cobram Estate Olives shareholders are down 9.4% for the year (even including dividends), the market itself is up 12%. While the aim is to do better than that, it's worth recalling that even great long-term investments sometimes underperform for a year or more. The share price decline has continued throughout the most recent three months, down 3.8%, suggesting an absence of enthusiasm from investors. Basically, most investors should be wary of buying into a poor-performing stock, unless the business itself has clearly improved. 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. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Cobram Estate Olives .

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

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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(Bloomberg) -- Europes oil and gas companies are sticking to multibillion-dollar buyback plans even as their profits tumble from the record highs seen last year.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Shell Plc, TotalEnergies SE and Repsol SA announced combined buybacks of almost $6 billion on Thursday, despite posting an average decline in adjusted net income of more than 50%. It was further proof that the industry continues to prioritize payouts to investors as energy markets normalize after last years crisis.

This quarter doesnt have the fireworks of last year, but its an inflection point as how the sector is being perceived as more reliable in its shareholder returns, Christyan Malek, head of energy strategy at JPMorgan Chase & Co., said by phone.

The results were broadly in line with earlier reports from industry peers Chevron Corp. and Equinor ASA, where the decline in oil and gas dragged earnings lower even as production increased.

The drop in profitability isnt only a reflection of lower prices, but also reduced volatility. Shell and TotalEnergies both highlighted the weaker performance of their gas-trading units, which last winter generated big returns diverting cargoes of liquefied natural gas to energy-starved Europe.

The continent is in a much better place this year, with gas storage likely to be about 90% full by the start of winter, Shell Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan said on a call with reporters.

Shell increased its dividend as previously announced and said it would buy back $3 billion worth of shares over the next three months and at least $2.5 billion after that. Thats slightly ahead of the $5 billion of repurchases previously pledged for the second half.

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TotalEnergies committed to buying back another $2 billion of shares for the third quarter in a row. Repsol said it would repurchase as much as 850 million ($943 million) of shares.

Despite the increased returns, the response from investors ranged from muted to negative. Shell shares dropped 1.2% to 2,368 pence as of 1:47 p.m. in London. TotalEnergies was little changed at 54.33 euros and Repsol rose 0.9%.

Shells buyback was in line with expectations but its operational guidance suggested some downside to consensus estimates for the third quarter, said Jefferies analyst Giacomo Romeo. TotalEnergies results were broadly neutral, with the company probably deferring any major announcements to its capital markets day in September, said RBC analyst Biraj Borkhataria.

Eni SpA and Exxon Mobil Corp. will publish their second-quarter earnings on Friday. Sawan has made it a priority to narrow Shells valuation gap with the US giant by maintaining ruthless financial discipline and refocusing the company on the higher returns of its core oil and gas business.

Over time, the European majors should make progress on this ambition, said JPMorgans Malek. These companies are showing an ability to generate bigger cash returns. This consistency could start attracting generalists back in, he said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The Sherwin-Williams Company's (NYSE:SHW) investors are due to receive a payment of $0.605 per share on 8th of September. This means the annual payment will be 0.9% of the current stock price, which is lower than the industry average.

See our latest analysis for Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams' Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage

The dividend yield is a little bit low, but sustainability of the payments is also an important part of evaluating an income stock. However, prior to this announcement, Sherwin-Williams' dividend was comfortably covered by both cash flow and earnings. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business.

The next year is set to see EPS grow by 23.4%. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 24% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.

Sherwin-Williams Has A Solid Track Record

The company has a sustained record of paying dividends with very little fluctuation. Since 2013, the dividend has gone from $0.52 total annually to $2.42. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 17% over that duration. Rapidly growing dividends for a long time is a very valuable feature for an income stock.

Sherwin-Williams Could Grow Its Dividend

Investors who have held shares in the company for the past few years will be happy with the dividend income they have received. We are encouraged to see that Sherwin-Williams has grown earnings per share at 6.9% per year over the past five years. With a decent amount of growth and a low payout ratio, we think this bodes well for Sherwin-Williams' prospects of growing its dividend payments in the future.

Sherwin-Williams Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock

In summary, it is good to see that the dividend is staying consistent, and we don't think there is any reason to suspect this might change over the medium term. Earnings are easily covering distributions, and the company is generating plenty of cash. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock.

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Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Sherwin-Williams that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Boeing 777-312ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines takes off from Zurich Airport near Ruemlang

(Reuters) -Singapore Airlines said on Thursday it expects competition to intensify in the coming months as carriers scramble to take advantage of strong overseas travel demand that helped the city-state's flagship airline to post a record first-quarter profit.

Airlines across the world are investing in improving flight frequencies and adding new destinations to reap maximum benefit of the travel rebound following easing border curbs, even as high cost inflation and elevated fuel prices snap at their heels.

"Macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, as well as inflation, could pose challenges for the airline industry," the company said.

Singapore Airlines said it will monitor these trends closely, and adjust its capacity and network accordingly.

The airline reported a net profit of S$734 million ($554.84 million) for the three months ended June 30, compared with S$370 million a year earlier.

Earlier this month, Hong Kong-based rival Cathay Pacific Airways said it expects to record a profit of up to HK$4.5 billion ($576.82 million) in the first half of the year as travel demand skyrocketed.

Passenger load factor  a measure of how many seats are filled on planes  for Singapore Airlines was 88.9% in the quarter, compared with 79.0% a year ago.

Revenue for the quarter rose 14% to S$4.48 billion.

($1 = 1.3229 Singapore dollars)

($1 = 7.8014 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Himanshi Akhand and Archishma Iyer in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/Shutterstock / Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis put himself squarely in the middle of the Social Security debate this month when he shifted away from previous positions by saying he would consider cutting benefits for some Americans.

Social Security: 20% Cuts to Your Payments May Come Sooner Than Expected

Discover: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement

In an cutting benefits for future generations while keeping benefits for current seniors intact. Those comments stood in contrast to what DeSantis told Fox News in March, which was that Republicans are not going to mess with Social Security.

During last weeks interview, Fox News Howard Kurtz cited the latter comment and also referenced earlier positions DeSantis took as a congressman  including support for privatizing Social Security and raising the retirement age to 70 for future seniors down the road.

When asked about the shift in position, DeSantis responded: Im a governor of Florida  of course were going to protect peoples Social SecurityWhen people say that were going to somehow cut seniors, that is totally not true. 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 discussions on.

DeSantis also addressed the issue of privatization during the interview.

What I always said was, You arent going to be able to offer individual accounts because theres no Social Security surplus,' he said. There used to be massive surpluses, and the thought was youlet people divide [it]. Now thats gone so that is totally not on the table. We gotta make sure that we preserve it for our seniors because they totally depend on it.

One reason DeSantis and other presidential candidates have waded into the Social Security debate is that the programs Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund is expected to run out of money by 2033. When the fund is depleted, Social Security will have to rely solely on payroll taxes  and those only cover about 77% of current benefits.

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Other GOP presidential candidates have proposed reforms to Social Security to help address the shortfall. They include former Vice President Mike Pence, who favors privatizing Social Security by giving younger Americans the ability to take a portion of their Social Security withholdings and put that into a private savings account.

The list also includes former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who has proposed raising the Social Security full retirement age for workers currently in their 20s and limiting Social Security and Medicare benefits for the wealthy.

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Those positions dont align with positions taken by former President Donald Trump, the current GOP frontrunner.

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 of it. But do not cut the benefits our seniors worked for and paid for their entire lives. Save Social Security, dont destroy it.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security: Ron DeSantis Says No Cuts for Seniors  What About Younger Americans?
Sonata Viera names Badrak executive director of community

Sonata Viera recently named Destiny Badrak executive director of its community.

Destiny Badrak

Badrak brings extensive experience in customer service and a bachelor's degree in strategic leadership to her new role.

Badrak was born and raised in Detroit, and relocated to Florida in 2019. She and her husband, Kevin, have two daughters, Bianca and Brooke.

Sonata Viera is part of the privately owned Sonata Senior Living communities. Headquartered in Orlando, Sonatas portfolio includes 12 operational senior-living communities.

More: Palm Point Behavioral Health opens Substance Use Detox Program in Titusville

For more information, go to www.sonataseniorliving.com.

Bittar joins Elevate Packaging as chief financial officer

Donald Bittar, an adjunct professor at Florida Institute of Technology, recently was named chief financial officer of Elevate Packaging.

Donald Bittar

Bittar also is an adviser to the Melbourne-based Aeronyde Corp.

Elevate Packaging, founded 23 years ago and headquartered in Chicago, provides companies with sustainable packaging, including compostable labels, cello bags and pouches.

More: Craig Technologies wins position on contract with Air Force, other entities

Bittar received his bachelors degree from Rutgers University and his Master of Business Administration from Long Island University.

Dyer Mortgage adds Skully, Kopp to team

Dyer Mortgage recently announced the addition of two new team members: Darren Skully as sales manger and Stephen Kopp as branch operations manager.

Darren Skully

Prior to joining Dyer Mortgage, Skully was a licensed mortgage broker with Home Lending Source and, before that, was director of operations at Freedom Mortgage.

Stephen Kopp

Kopp was senior mortgage operations manger at Sourcepoint and, prior to that, was a customer assistance specialist at Wingspan Portfolio Advisors.

To learn more about Dyer Mortgage, go to www.dyermortgage.com or call 321-215-4419.

Melbourne Main Street wins three state preservation awards

Melbourne Main Street received three Secretary of State Awards at the 38th Annual Preservation on Main Street conference. Florida Secretary of State Cord Boyd presented the 2023 Florida Main Street Awards at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala.

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Paul Alfrey

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey was honored as Local Leader of the Year; and Corey Runte, a board member of Melbourne Main Street, received the Board Member of the Year Award. The organization also was honored for the Telling Your Story category.

Corey Runte

Melbourne Main Street is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to positioning historic downtown Melbourne as the center of the community and the preferred destination for authentic economic activity. The mission is to revitalize and enhance the economic growth of historic downtown Melbourne by strengthening and showcasing the communitys positive unique characteristics.

Kim Agee is the organizations executive director.

Kim Agee

Melbourne Main Street board has focused on investing in a rebranding of all assets to further propel the mission for the community and the organization.

To learn more about Melbourne Main Street, go to downtownmelbourne.com or call 321-724-1741.

If you have a Business Newsmakers item you'd like to publish, please email details to Wayne T. Price at wtpkansas@yahoo.com or contact him at 321-223-0230.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Badrak named executive director of Sonata Viera senior-living site
SINGAPORE, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spark Plus, a leading Asia-Pacific corporate advisory specialist, is thrilled to announce the annual Singapore Mining Day Conference. The event will take place on Friday, 15 September 2023, from 10 am to 5 pm, during the Singapore F1 Grand Prix week, at the prestigious Sands Expo & Convention Centre. Organised in conjunction with the Singapore Mining Club (SMC), attendees can look forward to presentations from 10 dynamic ASX Junior Mining companies on the latest developments and trends in the sector.

This year's line-up will feature Chariot Corporation, Greenvale Energy Limited, GTI Energy Limited, Infinity Lithium, Lithium Plus Minerals Limited, Power Minerals Limited, QEM Limited, Scorpion Minerals Limited, Tyranna Resources Limited and Victory Metals Limited showcasing their offerings to more than 100 investors.

In light of the surging global demand for natural resources, driven by the increasing need for electric vehicles and sustainability initiatives, the second edition of the Singapore Mining Day Conference bears great significance. This dedicated platform brings together family offices, brokers, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutions from Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong interested in ASX-listed resource companies to foster new and exciting business outcomes for companies and investors. Lunch and light refreshments will be served.

This year's conference aims to build on the success of the 2022 event, to be the premier, dedicated platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and fostering fruitful collaborations. "At the 2022 event, Blu Horseshoe connected with 70 to 80 high-calibre investors. Significantly, we met and secured our biggest client to date at the lunch, which immediately propelled our business and still provides constant momentum eight months later. Through the lunch, Blu Horseshoe also established relationships with brokers, leading to a steady flow of quality offers that continues to set us apart from our competitors. The Spark Plus Mining Day Lunch continues to have a tangible impact on our business today, and I eagerly look forward to attending again and again," said Mr Antony Tolfts, CEO of Blu Horseshoe, who attended the Spark Plus Mining Day Lunch in September 2022.

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For a limited time only, Spark Plus is offering an exclusive discount of 40% off the registration fee for the first 20 registrations. Use the code "SGMC23" to secure your discounted spot. Spaces are filling up quickly, so do not miss this opportunity. Register at tinyurl.com/singaporeminingday23.

If you are an SMC member or belong to the category of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, brokers or institutions and are interested in attending, please contact Jack at jack@sparkplus.org. Spark Plus eagerly anticipates the interest and presence of esteemed participants at the event.

About Spark Plus

Spark Plus is a leading corporate advisory and investor relations firm based in Singapore, focusing on Australasia. The firm provides transaction advice, such as Pre-IPO, IPOs, and secondary capital raisings, while delivering reliable and expert corporate advice. Since 2017, our team of small-cap investment professionals has effectively engaged and collaborated with over 300 listed and unlisted companies across various industries, including mining, biotech, healthcare, technology, software, general industrial, and financial services.

Media Contact

Jack Zhang

Head of Investor Relations

Spark Plus Pte Ltd

jack@sparkplus.org

Cision

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SOURCE Spark Plus
The 3rd International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) will bring together regional and international Chiefs of Naval Staff to address the critical issues surrounding maritime security on the continent.

Set to take place on August 29 and 30 at the Burma Hall, Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, Accra, Ghana, the event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders to sustain a safe and secure maritime domain, focusing on consolidating the gains made in the Gulf of Guinea.

The new dedicated exhibition hall in Burma Camp, purpose-built to accommodate the growing event, will also be inaugurated at IMDEC, the largest gathering of Africa's maritime industry.

Key stakeholders

The keynote speech is by Guest of Honour, Dominic Aduna Bingab Nitiwul, Minister of Defence, Ghana.

Strategically bringing together key stakeholders in Africas maritime world, the high-profile event is sponsored by Israel Shipyards Ltd, aselsan, Ocea, Leonardo and Grup Aresa Internacional. The forum will provide insights and case studies on the successful application of a variety of innovations relevant to maritime needs in the region.

Building upon the resounding success of the first two editions, IMDEC 2023 is a biennial event that will feature a two-day conference and exhibition, providing a platform for regional naval forces and relevant stakeholders to tackle the growing threats in Africa's territorial waters and blue economy.

The exhibition will showcase cutting-edge technologies in maritime security and foster strong resolutions and recommendations to overcome the daunting challenges facing Africa's blue economy.

Leading suppliers

It brings the worlds leading defence suppliers to Accra for communication technologies, radars, satellite imagery solutions and vessels among other key solutions vital for further strengthening maritime defence capabilities of African navies.

Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, Chief of Naval Staff, Ghana Navy, expressed the importance of cyber security measures in African navies, stating: "Advancements in onboard systems and rapid digital transformation require African navies to implement measures to safeguard their systems and operations. However, there is a need for African countries to enhance their efforts in the area of cyber security."

The Ghana Navy recognises the potential of Africa's blue economy and its ability to address economic challenges on the continent. Rear Admiral Yakubu added: "The blue economy offers solutions to numerous economic challenges in Africa if properly harnessed. To realise its potential, we must ensure our maritime space is safe and secure for business and shipping."

The IMDEC Expo will feature a showcase of the latest and most innovative maritime security technologies and solutions, bringing together leading defense suppliers from around the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with technology providers specializing in communication technologies, radars, satellite imagery solutions, and vessels, among other crucial solutions for enhancing Africa's naval defense capabilities.

300 attendees

The event will host more than 300 attendees from over 70 countries, as more than 12 Chiefs of Navy and over 35 speakers will brainstorm on new ideas and discuss the roadmap for the future in sustaining a safe and secure maritime domain.

Organised by Great Minds Events, the conference agenda includes panel discussions, breakout sessions, and extensive site visits, making it the premier strategic gathering for Africa's Navies, Coast Guards, Port and Coastal Authorities, Marine Police, Fisheries, related Ministries, Oil & Gas, and other maritime industries.--TradeArabia News Service
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court let Equitrans Midstream Corp. resume construction on its controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline, granting a company request and lifting lower-court orders that had blocked work on the $6.6 billion project.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In a three-sentence order Thursday, the high court stopped short of tossing out lawsuits by environmental groups, something the pipeline had suggested as an alternative. But the justices left open the possibility they might do so at a later stage, saying, that determination is without prejudice to further consideration in light of subsequent developments.

The Supreme Court gave no explanation and no justice publicly dissented.

The high court issued the order even as the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in Richmond, Virginia, about next steps in the case. The pipeline and the Biden administration are asking the 4th Circuit to dismiss the suits. The three-judge panel concluded the argument without indicating how quickly it will rule.

Shares of Equitrans jumped 9.3% as of 1:09 p.m. in New York trading.

The roughly 300-mile (483-kilometer) pipeline, backed by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, cuts through the Appalachian Mountains, a national forest and hundreds of stream crossings as it carries natural gas from his home state of West Virginia to southern Virginia, and has drawn fierce opposition from environmental activists.

The Supreme Court has spoken and this decision to let construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline move forward again is the correct one, Manchin said in tweet after the decision. I am relieved that the highest court in the land has upheld the law Congress passed and the President signed.

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Equitrans has said it has three months of work remaining to complete the project and needed to resume construction by Wednesday in order to put the pipeline into service before year-end.

The high courts move adequately preserves the possibility that the pipeline can be placed in service this year, should weather and any other unforeseen circumstances permit, Height Securities LLC said in a research note.

The 4th Circuit temporarily blocked construction earlier this month despite language in recently enacted debt-ceiling legislation that was intended to prevent the pipeline from being stalled by the lower court, which has repeatedly ruled against the project.

Read More: Court Stalls Pipeline That Joe Manchin Thought It Couldnt Touch

Environmental opponents of the project vowed to keep fighting.

The Mountain Valley Pipeline is a threat to our water, our air and our climate, said Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society. We will continue to argue that Congress greenlight of this dangerous pipeline was unconstitutional and will exhaust every effort to stop it.

(Adds further details starting in fourth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
There's one big reason why Alphabet has the edge over Microsoft in the AI race, according to tech investor Gene Munster

Google parent Alphabet is splitting its stock 20-for-1. SOPA images/Getty Images

Alphabet has one key advantage over Microsoft in the AI race, Gene Munster says.

It lies in its vast search history, which has a decade's worth more data than Bing has collected.

That could feed better information to Google's AI models and fuel revenue growth, Munster said.

Alphabet has a key advantage over Microsoft in the artificial intelligence race, and it lies inside of Google's vast trove of search data, according to Deepwater Asset Management's Gene Munster.

Google's decade head start over Bing is a big advantage for Alphabet, Munster said, noting in a thread on Twitter that he is expecting the company to see earnings grow as much as 18% next year.

That's in contrast to Microsoft, which Munster says is a "light year gap" away from what it has promised in the AI space.

"It's advantage Google over here, not just because of the valuation difference," Munster said in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday. "I'm in the belief that Google, their 20-year lead in search is going to inform better AI decisions. We don't see it in the products today, I think that they will deliver on that, ultimately I think that's going to be good for ad revenue."

Both tech giants reported financial results for the second quarter on Tuesday, with Microsoft stock slipping 4% after reporting slowing revenue in its Azure cloud business and issuing lower-than-expected earnings guidance for coming quarters.

Alphabet stock, meanwhile, surged 6% on Wednesday, beating analysts' expectations for revenue and earnings per share.

"$GOOG is up 6% in after-hours and I believe is still not getting the AI credit," Munster tweeted on Tuesday following the company's earnings release.

A handful of mega-cap tech firms have emerged as leaders in the artificial intelligence space, as the hype for ChatGPT continues to grip Wall Street. Other strong competitors include the Nvidia, Tesla, Meta, and Amazon, and Apple, which have all ramped up investments in AI.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Even when a business is losing money, it's possible for shareholders to make money if they buy a good business at the right price. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But while the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse.

So should e-therapeutics (LON:ETX) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

View our latest analysis for e-therapeutics

Does e-therapeutics Have A Long Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. As at January 2023, e-therapeutics had cash of UK32m and no debt. In the last year, its cash burn was UK8.2m. Therefore, from January 2023 it had 3.9 years of cash runway. There's no doubt that this is a reassuringly long runway. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is e-therapeutics' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

In the last year, e-therapeutics did book revenue of UK475k, but its revenue from operations was less, at just UK475k. We don't think that's enough operating revenue for us to understand too much from revenue growth rates, since the company is growing off a low base. So we'll focus on the cash burn, today. With the cash burn rate up 3.3% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. However, the company's true cash runway will therefore be shorter than suggested above, if spending continues to increase. e-therapeutics makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

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How Hard Would It Be For e-therapeutics To Raise More Cash For Growth?

Since its cash burn is increasing (albeit only slightly), e-therapeutics shareholders should still be mindful of the possibility it will require more cash in the future. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

e-therapeutics has a market capitalisation of UK105m and burnt through UK8.2m last year, which is 7.8% of the company's market value. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan.

How Risky Is e-therapeutics' Cash Burn Situation?

It may already be apparent to you that we're relatively comfortable with the way e-therapeutics is burning through its cash. For example, we think its cash runway suggests that the company is on a good path. Although its increasing cash burn does give us reason for pause, the other metrics we discussed in this article form a positive picture overall. Looking at all the measures in this article, together, we're not worried about its rate of cash burn; the company seems well on top of its medium-term spending needs. On another note, we conducted an in-depth investigation of the company, and identified 4 warning signs for e-therapeutics (3 are significant!) that you should be aware of before investing here.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

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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In this article, we will look at the top 50 countries with the most beautiful women in the world. We have also discussed some interesting insights about the beauty industries and companies. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the Top 10 Countries with the Most Beautiful Women in the World.

The dynamic and ever-evolving beauty industry plays a prominent role in shaping modern societies' perceptions of beauty and self-expression. Comprising a vast array of products, services, and trends, this multi-billion-dollar global market caters to individuals' diverse beauty needs and desires worldwide.

The global cosmetic surgery market experienced impressive growth and reached $46.45 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 9.2% from 2022. However, the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the global economic recovery from COVID-19, causing inflation and supply chain disruptions. Despite these challenges, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% and reach $63.66 billion by 2027.

Cosmetic surgery aims to enhance physical appearance. It addresses issues like damaged skin, wrinkles, and blemishes. Cosmetic procedures include botox, cheek lift, chemical peel, chin surgery, cosmetic dentistry, dermabrasion, brow lift, and eyelid surgery. North America led the market in 2022 and is projected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.

The cosmetic surgery market is driven by increasing demand for aesthetic enhancement, technological developments, and the growing acceptance of cosmetic procedures. As a result, Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa all play significant roles in the global market. With cosmetic surgery becoming increasingly accessible and appealing to a broader demographic, the industry is expected to witness continued expansion in the coming years.

Companies Making Waves in the Cosmetic Industry

Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Inc (NYSE:ABBV) company, celebrated the accomplishments of women surgeons in cosmetic surgery through its ongoing initiative, LIMITLESS. In partnership with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), The Aesthetic Society, and the American Hernia Society (AHS), LIMITLESS aimed to highlight women's achievements in the field and offered several initiatives for their education, mentorship, and empowerment. The platform features a docuseries, podcast series, and the LIMITLESS Leaders Summit to provide networking and collaboration opportunities. By sharing inspiring stories of women surgeons, Allergan Aesthetics hopes to empower future generations and create a more equitable path forward in cosmetic surgery.

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In full-year 2022, AbbVie Inc (NYSE:ABBV) 's net revenues reached $58.054 billion with a 3.3% rise on a reported basis and 5.1% on an operational basis. In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, AbbVie Inc (NYSE:ABBV) reported a 1.6% increase in global net revenues to $15.121 billion.

On the other hand, Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) actively engages in the beauty business by partnering with various organizations and leveraging popular events and destinations to promote its products. In China, the brand collaborated with China Duty Free Group for a summer takeover campaign in Hainan to promote its best-selling lines and travel retail-exclusive sets.

They utilized immersive animations and photo booths to create an interactive and fun experience for travelers. Moreover, Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) is also making strides into sports marketing, by partnering with Manchester United to tap into their extensive fanbase in China and the Asia Pacific as they aim to expand their audience and promote skincare awareness among male consumers.

Top 50 Countries with the Most Beautiful Women in the World

Kamil Macniak/Shutterstock.com

Our methodology

The selection of the Top 50 Countries with the most beautiful women in the World was determined after reviewing numerous threads and discussions on Reddit. Thus, the most frequently appearing countries were considered. Those countries were then further studied regarding the frequency of cosmetic surgeries, facilities, and other beauty-related industries where women's participation is actively observed.

Note: For our list of countries ranked by beauty, we have exclusively focused on the prevalence of cosmetic surgeries in these countries as an indirect indicator of prettiness. Our list doesn't necessarily focus on beauty demographics.

50. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is considered a pioneer in plastic surgery, with 400 surgeries per year by qualified doctors. It's a top medical tourism destination, offering modern equipment and services to patients of all ages, with 70% female and 30% male customers, mostly aged 30 to 50. The Czech Republic is one of the top countries with the most beautiful women in the world.

49. Hungary

Budapest offers cost-effective cosmetic surgery owing to Central Europe's lower living costs, making Hungary a leading destination for health and medical tourism. New Beauty Medical Aesthetic and Anti-aging Center is Budapest's top choice for plastic surgeries.

48. Poland

The aesthetic injectables market in Poland was valued at $15.87 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $30.65 million at an 8.3% CAGR by 2030. The increasing popularity of injectables is attributed to rising beauty standards, affordability, and advanced technologies.

More than 30,000 patients underwent cosmetic surgery in 2021, with injectable treatments dominating the surgeries, especially among younger patients. Many from Sweden travel to Poland for cosmetic procedures due to lower costs and better plastic surgeons.

47. Singapore

There is a rise of cheap botched aesthetic procedures performed by unlicensed operators in Singapore, which has been concerning. While aesthetic procedures are popular, the risk of infection or even death from unlicensed treatments emphasizes the importance of seeking licensed practitioners for such surgeries.

46. Morocco

The quest for beauty in Morocco has led to a rise in cosmetic surgeries, with popular procedures like Brazilian Butt Lift becoming common. Influencers on social media play a significant role in promoting these surgeries. Clinics are making use of the digital space while partnering with influencers to advertise their services and attract patients. Morocco is one of the top countries with the most beautiful women.

45. Portugal

Portugal provides top-notch, affordable cosmetic surgery. Breast augmentation costs 4,000, which is way less than the Americas 10,000 average. Faccia and Luisa Magalhaes Ramos in Lisbon and Clinica da Beloura by Dr. Christopher Johnsson in Sintra are the top choices for cosmetic surgeries in Portugal.

44. Romania

Estetis Clinic and Noel Estetique are two popular cosmetic surgery clinics in Romania. Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) recently opened its Global Technology Center in Bucharest, Romania, leveraging the country's strong IT talent base to enhance consumer experiences and supply chain efficiency through AI, cloud, automation, and omnichannel solutions.

43. Qatar

The Qatar cosmetic products market was projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2020-2027. The COVID-19 pandemic had a neutral impact which initially caused a decline in sales. However, the market is driven by the young working population's grooming beauty-consciousness, and increased demand for natural ingredients, and innovative packaging of cosmetics. Qatar is one of the top countries with the most beautiful women.

42. Chile

Chile is a popular destination for plastic surgeries due to its reputable medical facilities, skilled plastic surgeons, and lower costs than many Western countries. The country's growing medical tourism sector also attracts patients seeking high-quality cosmetic procedures.

41. Austria

Medical tourism in Austria is gaining popularity due to world-class healthcare facilities and skilled medical professionals. Dr Walther Jungwirth and Dr Peter Durnig are popular plastic surgeons in Austria.

40. Netherlands

Cosmetic surgeries in the Netherlands are increasingly popular, with various procedures offered, including facelifts, liposuction, breast augmentation, and rhinoplasty. The country's advanced medical facilities and qualified plastic surgeons attract local and international patients looking for quality aesthetic procedures.

39. Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a renowned destination for plastic surgeries, especially for individuals seeking affordable liposuction, tummy tucks, breast augmentation, and Brazilian butt lifts. The country's skilled surgeons and medical tourism infrastructure attract many international patients. However, it's essential for potential patients to thoroughly research and choose reputable clinics with experienced professionals to ensure safety and satisfactory results.

38. Ukraine

In Ukraine, women are undergoing plastic surgery procedures like blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelifts, and breast reduction surgeries despite ongoing conflicts. Ukraine is one of the top countries with the most beautiful women.

37. Peru

Plastic surgery in Peru is gaining popularity because of the affordable prices, high-quality facilities with modern technology, experienced and skilled surgeons, and a wide range of procedures offered. Clinic Arroyo Goldstein is a highly popular plastic surgery clinic in Peru.

36. Jordan

According to Jordan Times, there were 60 plastic surgeons in Jordan in 2017, and the number has been growing. The sector's competitiveness in the regional market offers relatively low prices combined with high-quality services and has attracted clients from various Arab countries, America, and Europe. Nose surgeries cost between $2250 and $4250, with lower prices available in government hospitals.

35. Kuwait

Around 60% of Kuwaiti women aged 15 to 55 invest largely in cosmetic and laser treatments, per Times Kuwait. The most sought-after procedures for men are gynecomastia and forehead wrinkle treatments. Popular cosmetic services in Kuwait include Botox, fillers, threads, rejuvenation, fat injection, rhinoplasty, and liposuction. Sleeve operations are also common for weight loss, leading to significant lifestyle changes for individuals.

34. Israel

In 2021, according to Jerusalem Post, around 82,000 Israelis underwent plastic surgery, with breast augmentation, liposuction, and nose surgery being the most popular procedures. Additionally, 75 surgeries were performed to correct complications from procedures done abroad. Botox was the most common aesthetic procedure, with 290,000 Israelis receiving injections for cosmetic purposes.

33. Sweden

Cosmetic surgeries in Sweden are common but have become more regulated, with mandatory registration and restrictions on who can administer injections limited to licensed doctors, dentists, and nurses.

32. Belgium

Belgium offers a well-established cosmetic surgery industry known for high-quality care. Common procedures include breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, and blepharoplasty. Belgium is one of the top countries with the most beautiful women.

31. Switzerland

Switzerland is renowned for its advanced and reputable cosmetic surgery services. Common procedures include breast augmentation, facelifts, liposuction, and rhinoplasty, provided by skilled professionals in a safe medical environment.

30. South Africa

South Africa has a growing and reputable cosmetic surgery industry, offering various procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelifts, and rhinoplasty. Qualified surgeons operate in modern facilities across the country.

29. Egypt

The cosmetic and beauty industry is flourishing in Egypt, with a dominant presence of beauty salons, spas, and skincare clinics. Cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and facelifts are sought-after that attract both local and international clients. Influencers on social media platforms play a key role in shaping beauty trends and promoting beauty products. Egypt is one of the countries with the most beautiful people.

28. Malaysia

Malaysia's medical tourism industry sees approximately 14 million people worldwide traveling yearly for medical treatment. Although the Covid-19 pandemic caused a 46.9% decline in the global medical tourism sector in 2020, it has come back to life, with international tourist arrivals almost tripling by 172% in the first seven months of 2022 according to the Malaysian Reserve. The country's cosmetic industry is recognized for its reputable aesthetic practitioners and plastic surgeons, attracting medical tourists from Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Europe.

27. Philippines

Cosmetic surgery in the Philippines is popular due to its affordability and the variety of procedures offered. Common surgeries include rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and liposuction, attracting local and international patients. The Philippines is one of the top countries with the most beautiful women.

26. Canada

With reduced stigma surrounding cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgeries have become increasingly common in Canada, including among young people under 30. Procedures like rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks are amongst the most popular.

25. Australia

Cosmetic surgeries are widespread in Australia, with almost 7 million adults, or 38% of the adult population, considering a procedure in the next ten years. Women predominantly opt for body improvement surgeries, with breast and liposuction being popular - 31% and 14%, respectively. Facial surgeries like facelifts and rhinoplasty are more common for men - 36% and 29%, respectively.

24. United Kingdom

Although known as the country with the best education, the popularity of cosmetic procedures in the UK has surged over the years, with an estimated 900,000 injections carried out annually. Botox and dermal fillers are among the most common treatments, particularly amongst women in their 30s and 40s and even those in their 20s seeking age-preventative surgeries.

23. Lebanon

Plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures are incredibly common in Lebanon, with around 1.5 million surgeries performed annually in a country with a population of six million. It is believed that one out of every three women in Lebanon has undergone some form of cosmetic surgery. Despite the challenging economic situation, plastic surgeons in Lebanon continue to flourish, and the country is known as the Botox capital of the Middle East. With the approaching Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the demand for cosmetic procedures is expected to increase, attracting new clients to the industry.

22. Iran

Iran is a hub for cosmetic surgery with Rhinoplasty, or nose jobs, particularly popular due to the cultural obsession with beauty inherited from the history of Persia. The industry flourished after the Iran-Iraq War, which provided skilled military surgeons who transitioned into cosmetic work. However, there are concerns about botched surgeries, lack of regulation, and deeper questions about societal standards of beauty and cultural influences.

21. China

China experienced a surge in plastic surgery, with over 16 million procedures performed in 2017. The country's aesthetic medicine market is projected to surpass 310 billion yuan by 2023, which is approximately $43.5 billion. Popular procedures include double eyelid surgery, which remains the most demanded, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation, particularly preferred by younger generations.

20. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has become one of the biggest markets for overseas clients seeking cosmetic surgery, and the number of plastic surgeons has risen from just three to over 300 in the last two decades. Younger patients, including those under 20 years old, are opting for treatments like rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, fillers, and Botox. Saudi Arabia is one of the top countries with the most beautiful women.

19. United Arab Emirates

The UAE, particularly Dubai, has emerged as a hub for the world's leading cosmetic surgeons, that attracts patients from around the globe that are looking for high-quality procedures at competitive prices. The region's cosmetic surgery industry is booming, with an increasing number of clinics and hospitals offering various procedures to meet the rising demand for cosmetic surgeries. Two of the most popular and reputable surgeons in the UAE are Dr. Sanjay Parashar and Dr. Jamil Al-Jamali.

18. India

India has seen a surge in cosmetic surgeries, with hair transplants being the most popular, garnering over 30,000 searches per month. The global cosmetic surgery market was estimated at $53.79 billion in 2021, expected to reach $71.93 billion by 2030, with a 3.7% CAGR.

On a side note, India is also one of the largest exporters in the world.

17. Russia

Following Russia's military intervention in Ukraine, sanctions have led to shortages of cosmetic surgery supplies like Botox and breast implants. The Russian aesthetic medicines sector was worth $969 million in 2021. However, it faces challenges as imports are disrupted, causing concerns among patients and doctors.

16. Turkey

Turkey has become a popular destination for cosmetic surgeries due to its skilled medical professionals, affordable costs, and attractive tourism packages. Turkey is known as the cheapest country for cosmetic surgeries in the world.

15. Greece

Cosmetic surgeries in Greece are sought after for procedures like rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, and facelifts. Dr Fotios Filippos Karantonis Plastic Surgery and Hatzipieras Plastic Surgery Clinics are two of the most popular clinics in Greece for aesthetic surgeries.

14. Spain

Spain is a safe and top destination for cosmetic surgery. With beautiful places like Marbella, Barcelona, and Madrid, with accredited clinics providing high-quality treatments amid the Mediterranean, it is a popular choice for both domestic and international patients.

13. Taiwan

Taiwan has seen a huge demand for cosmetic surgeries among women. Popular procedures include double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and liposuction. The country's skilled surgeons and modern facilities attract local and foreign women.

12. France

France offers a wide range of cosmetic surgeries for men and women, including facelifts, liposuction, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation. The highly skilled surgeons ensure quality results. Owing to the number of aesthetic procedures done, Paris is one of the top cities with the most beautiful women.

11. Argentina

The average cost of plastic surgery in Argentina is about three times less than in the USA or Europe. The affordability and the prevalent popularity of cosmetic surgeries in Argentina have led it to become a global medical tourism hub.

Click here to see Top 10 Countries with the Most Beautiful Women in the World.

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Disclosure: None. Top 50 Countries with the Most Beautiful Women in the World is originally published on the Insider Monkey.
The House Financial Services Committee approved the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, a bill proposing clear guidelines and consumer protections for the cryptocurrency industry on July 26.

The bill passed by a vote of 35 to 15, with six Democrats crossing the floor to join all Republicans in passing the act. Several senior Democrats expressed staunch opposition to the bill.

In a historic first, the House Financial Services Committee just advanced the bipartisan FIT for the 21st Century Act to protect consumers and provide clear rules of the road for the digital asset ecosystem, the committee said.

The House Committee on Agriculture will next review and potentially propose amendments to the bill on Thursday. If passed, the bill would move on to the Senate.

Many web3 advocates and industry representatives are hailing the vote as a milestone for crypto regulations in the United States. Cody Carbone, the vice president of policy at the Chamber of Digital Commerce, a blockchain trade association, said the vote marked a massive day for digital asset regulation.

The digital asset space is muddled with regulatory uncertainty, lack of authority, and a lacking framework for core operating principles, said Republic representative, Dusty Johnson.  Our bill establishes clear principles to ensure financial security and certainty as digital asset developers continue to innovate.

US Digital Asset Regulations

If enacted, the bill would introduce registration requirements for digital asset exchanges, brokers, and custodians, enhanced disclosure requirements, and establish a CFTC-SEC joint committee on digital assets.

The bill also designates jurisdiction over spot digital asset markets to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and directs regulators to define clear thresholds for when a digital asset could become decentralized enough to become reclassified from a security to a commodity.

The act would also exempt digital asset issuers from securities laws if they do not own more than 10% of a tokens supply, sell less than $75M worth of assets in 12 months, and sales to non-accredited investors make up less than 10% of the issuer's annual income or net worth. However, issuers must register with the SEC to qualify for the exemption.

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SEC Offers Little Input

Democrats supporting the legislation passed small amendments to the bill, including $120M in additional funding to the CFTC to oversee spot markets for digital assets redirected from the SEC. I am confident that this legislation, while not perfect, makes the status quo better,  said Democratic representative, Jim Himes.

Maxine Waters, a committee member and high-ranking Democrat, expressed dissatisfaction with the bill, requesting that Gary Gensler, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and former Commodity Futures Trading Commission chairman, have more input regarding the bill.

However, Republican committee members said they unsuccessfully requested productive assistance from Gensler on multiple occasions, including requesting technical assistance on the bill in recent weeks.

The committee also advanced a bill exempting software developers and virtual asset services providers from being treated as digital asset brokers per the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Pilots from United Airlines take part in an informational picket at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - United Airlines said on Wednesday its decision to cut about 15 flights from its daily schedule in Newark in August and early September will affect less than 4% of travelers flying out of its New Jersey hub.

Last week, Chicago-based United said it would drop to about 395 flights from 410 at the New York City-area airport after operational issues. On Wednesday, the airline said it will temporarily end service between Honolulu and Newark through Sept. 4 but not cut any international flights.

I In April, United said it would reduce daily departures from Newark to 408 from 438 on peak summer travel days after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agreed to grant waivers to allow airlines not to fly up to 10% of flights at some congested airports, citing air traffic controller shortages.

A government audit said staffing issues pose risks to the continuity of air traffic operations. U.S. airlines, including United, have urged more hiring of air traffic controllers.

United CEO Scott Kirby met with the acting head of the FAA on July 11, weeks after he criticized its air traffic control performance.

"Newark has more flights scheduled than the physical infrastructure can handle," Kirby said then.

In a June 26 memo to employees after a weekend of traffic control problems, Kirby said "the FAA frankly failed us," estimating that more than 150,000 customers on United alone were affected by "FAA staffing issues and their ability to manage traffic."

Kirby, in remarks at a forum the same day as his meeting with Acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg, struck a new tone. The FAA had been "particularly helpful, responsive and communicative" in the previous two weeks, he said.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Grant McCool)
US commerce chief says China export controls will hit companies' revenue Illustration picture of Chinese and U.S. flags with semiconductor chips

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Wednesday the Biden administration is seeking to carefully target U.S. controls on exports to China, but rules will cost firms some revenue.

Restrictions should not be so broad "that you deny American companies revenue and China can get the product elsewhere, or China can get the product from other countries," Raimondo said at a forum. Rules "will deny some revenue to American companies, but we think it's worth it."

Last week, U.S. chip company executives met with top Biden administration officials, including Raimondo, to discuss China policy, as the most powerful semiconductor lobby group urged a halt to more curbs under consideration.

Raimondo said the administration is meeting with companies "to get to the right place so we don't damage American business but quite frankly protect American national security."

Last year, China accounted for $180 billion in semiconductor purchases, close to a third of the worldwide total of $574.1 billion and the largest single market, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Nvidia, Qualcomm and Intel have crucial sales riding on China. Qualcomm is the only company with a license from U.S. regulators to sell mobile phone chips to Huawei.

The Biden administration is considering updating a sweeping set of rules imposed in October to hobble China's chip industry and a new executive order restricting some outbound investment.

"This isn't about holding China back or denying them commodity technology," Raimondo said. China wants access to the United States most sophisticated technology "to advance their military and we're not going to allow that," she said.

The "timetable is as fast as we can and make sure it is correct," she added.

Raimondo, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Economic Council director Lael Brainard and National Security Council director Jake Sullivan were among government officials who met with Intel, Qualcomm and Nvidia last week, according to a source familiar with the meetings.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler)
US Investors Allow China to Rearm in Risk to Pacific Region, Senator Cornyn Says

(Bloomberg) -- Republican Senator John Cornyn said US investors have helped China build military power that endangers regional security and new action is needed to curb the flow of funding to critical industries in the Asian nation.

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Cornyn said Thursday a measure he sponsored to require companies to notify the US government before investing in high-tech sectors in China should be a first step toward limiting investments there. The Senate on a 91-6 vote approved the provision as part of an annual defense bill.

We literally, Americans, have built their economy and enabled them to rearm and threaten the safety and security of the Pacific region, the Texas Republican said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Thats a mistake.

The broader defense bill along with Cornyns measure is expected to pass the Senate this week, a move that comes as the Biden administration is drafting an executive order to further strengthen export controls on technology.

Biden officials are considering plans to screen and possibly prohibit investment in Chinas semiconductor, quantum-computing and artificial intelligence sectors, according to people familiar with deliberations, who asked not to be identified because the details are still private.

Read More: US Plans Narrow China Tech Investment Limits, Likely by 2024

Over the years, the Chinese Communist party has been very strategic and very shrewd, Cornyn said. Theyve encouraged foreign investment.

Cornyn also said that he supports keeping Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in his post as long as he wants the job, despite an alarming moment Wednesday when McConnell abruptly froze in place for 20 seconds during a news conference.

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Cornyn added that he doesnt know how much longer McConnell wants to stay in the leadership post, but that hes been highly effective for Republicans and has set the record for the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.

Obviously we are all concerned about his health and his well-being, but my sense is hes doing fine, Cornyn said. I support him in his current role as long as he wants to do it.

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By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four Republican U.S. senators on Wednesday sought to reverse a Biden administration decision to waive "Buy America" requirements for government-funded electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Senators Marco Rubio, Roger Marshall, Rick Scott and Kevin Cramer said the Federal Highway Administration waiver of U.S. content requirements for steel, iron and construction materials would result in U.S. taxpayers subsidizing Chinese-made products. "It hurts American companies and empowers foreign adversaries, like China, to control our energy infrastructure," Rubio said.

The agency did not immediately issue a comment. It said in February that the short-term waiver would enable "EV charger acquisition and installation to immediately proceed."

Congress has set aside $7.5 billion to fund electric vehicle charging stations.

Under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, federal infrastructure projects like EV chargers must obtain at least 55% of construction materials, including iron and steel, from domestic sources and be totally manufactured in the United States.

The rules adopted in February do not start imposing the 55% requirement until July 2024. The chargers must be assembled at a U.S. factory.

EV chargers require iron and steel for some of their most crucial parts, including the internal structural frame, heating and cooling fans and the power transformer. Chargers with cabinets that house the product require even more steel, making up to 50% of the total cost of the chargers in some cases.

U.S. states and companies had warned that global demand for EV chargers is straining the supply chain, making it difficult, if not impossible, to meet made-in-America standards and expedite construction of new chargers.

The Kansas Department of Transportation told the Biden administration earlier this year capacity was insufficient to fill the rapidly expanding need for EV chargers, noting that wait times for some electrical components ranged from 60-80 weeks, without considering the increased demand created by new federal funding.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Chang)
Three people injured after a car plowed through the front of Fontanos Subs in Hinsdale on July 17, killing a 14-year-old bystander, have filed a lawsuit against the driver, his father and employer, according to court records.

The lawsuit, filed on July 25 in Cook County Circuit Court by GWC Injury Lawyers LLC., alleges three counts of negligence by Fullers Car Wash as employers of the 16 year-old motorist accused of driving the car at the time of the crash, as well as three counts of negligence against the father of driver.

The plaintiffs  Sophia Ricciardi, Michal Lizler and Connor Sullivan  who are all in their 20s and were inside the restaurant at the time of the accident, according to their attorney, are seeking monetary compensation for physical and emotional damages suffered as a result of the crash, with each count of negligence calling for $50,000 plus the cost of the lawsuit.

Under Illinois law a minor cannot be the target of a lawsuit, the plaintiffs attorney Louis C. Cairo said Thursday.

If youre going to sue a minor, they dont have the legal capacity, you have to sue their guardian, Cairo said. Were not suggesting that the parents did anything wrong or the father was irresponsible, its just with the laws you got to have somebody in the legal capacity.

The owners of Fullers Car Wash were not able to be reached for comment Thursday, but provided the following statement last week after the accident:

The entire Fuller family is deeply saddened and shaken by this loss. We will continue to hold his family, who has suffered an unimaginable tragedy, in our hearts and prayers. We will also pray for strength and comfort for the whole community as they struggle with this devastating event.

The Fullers operate more than 20 other Chicago area car washes and repair shops.

According to the lawsuit, the 16-year-old driver, behind the wheel of a 2020 Jeep Wrangler, was pulling out of the car wash into the businesss parking lot, before driving across the street, running over 14-year-old Sean Patrick Richards, and crashing into the front of Fontanos, severely injury three of the plaintiffs. The 14-year-olds family was not among the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit.

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Richards, who was immediately brought to Hinsdale Hospital and later transported to Comer Childrens Hospital at the University of Chicago, died July 20. His funeral service was held at St. Isaac Jogues Church on Tuesday, July 24.

Sean Richards, the son of Brian and Kristine Richards and sibling of Conor, Grace and Finn Richards, attended St. Isaac Jogues School in Hinsdale. Friday, classmates and community members across Hinsdale could be seen tying green ribbons to trees across the town in honor of Sean.

Police have not issued any charges or citations at the time of publication. Hinsdale Police Chief Brian King previously said a decision about possible charges may be reached by the end of this week, at the earliest. King did not immediately respond to requests for an updated comment Thursday.
Dubai Chamber of Commerce has taken a significant step in strengthening economic relations between Dubai and Romania with the creation of the Romanian Business Council.

The recently launched business council will promote the interests of Romanian businesses and Romanian-owned UAE-registered companies in Dubai, as well as support Dubais presence in Europe and attract new investments from the region.

The launch of the Romanian Business Council comes as part of the chambers strategy to establish new country-specific business councils and expand their roles to promote cross-border business opportunities and boost bilateral trade.

New era

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, commented: The Romanian Business Council heralds a new era of enhanced cooperation between Dubai and Romanias dynamic business communities. This collaborative effort supports our ongoing drive to ensure a supportive, enabling, and world-class business environment in Dubai. We look forward working together to boost bilateral trade and promote cross-border business opportunities.

Genoveva Turcu, President of the Romanian Business Council, stated: Our mission is to support Romanian and UAE businesses in creating a 4.0 community by fostering innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the adoption of innovative technologies, we aim to empower businesses and foster sustainable growth.

Covering markets of strategic importance to Dubai, business councils serve as valuable platforms for companies in the UAE and abroad to connect, collaborate, and build mutually beneficial partnerships, opening new channels for economic cooperation with business communities across the globe. The number of Romanian companies registered with Dubai Chamber of Commerce was 381 by the end of 2022.-- TradeArabia News Service
Shares of global auto giant Volkswagen (VOW3.DE) are slipping today after the company cut its global delivery forecast as it tries to control higher input costs and a new strategy in the all-important Chinese market.

For the first half of the year, Volkswagen reported global revenue of 156.3 billion euros, up 18% from a year ago, driven by significantly higher vehicle sales in Europe and North America, the company said. However, operating profit fell 13.9% to 13.18 billion euros for the first half, and while net cash flow was up 7.7%, it tumbled 71.8% in Q2.

Volkswagen confirmed its financial outlook for FY 2023, but cut its global delivery forecast to 9 million to 9.5 million from 9.5 million.

The focus for the second half is now on strengthening net cash flow, Arno Antlitz, Volkswagen Group CFO and COO, said in a statement. With the launch of performance programs at all brands and our strategic decisions in China, we will improve the competitive position of the Volkswagen Group even further.

In China, Volkswagen delivered a total of 1.452M vehicles (down 1.2% compared to the previous year) in the first half of 2023, however the company said delivery figures from March through May were significantly up compared to a year ago. The China market is extremely important for VW, accounting for 40% of its global sales and half of its profit.

Last year, Volkswagen lost its crown as the top automaker in China, overtaken by the surging BYD. BYD has stretched its lead over VW in Q2, selling more than 595K hybrid or fully electric models, compared to the 544K sold by Volkswagen.

An Xpeng G6 electric SUV is displayed at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 18, 2023. (Aly Song/REUTERS)

With the China market under threat, Volkswagen on Wednesday forged a strategic partnership with local automaker Xpeng to develop two new models for VW on the mainland. VW will in turn pay $700 million for a 5% stake in Xpeng. Separately, VW luxury brand Audi expanded its EV cooperation agreement with local automakers like FAW and SAIC.

Turning to the overall cost side, VW said supply chain disruptions have eased in Q2, though issues like semiconductor shortages and transportation and logistics delays remain. The company sees raw material costs and logistics issues improving in the back half of the year, and performance programs to boost efficiencies and cost cutting will also be a focus.

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Prioritizing sustainable profitability over volume growth will enable the group to meet operating margin and cash flow targets, the company said in its earnings statement.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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FILE PHOTO: An XPeng Inc. P7 performance electric vehicle outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) ahead of the Chinese company's IPO in New York

(Reuters) - Volkswagen and Xpeng's jointly developed electric vehicles (EV) will use Xpeng's G9 'Edward' platform, in a filip for the Chinese startup that analysts said could boost its sales and profitability.

Xpeng will also receive so-called technology service revenue from Volkswagen from next year onwards, overturning a four-decade-old model of foreign automakers charging their Chinese partners for technology licensing.

"We will use the G9 platform and combine it with Volkswagen technology," Volkswagen Chief Executive Oliver Blume said on a media call following half-year results, adding the two companies would hash out details of which technologies would feature in the joint models from each carmaker in the coming week.

The Edward platform is an older generation of Xpeng's platform technology, forming the basis for the startup's G9 and P7 models.

Its latest models, like the G6, are being built on a newer platform, the Smart Electric Platform Architecture (SEPA) 2.0.

Still, news that Volkswagen and Xpeng will use the Edward platform could help boost the sales of models still using it, said an analyst who declined to be named.

Xpeng had sold a total of 13,500 G9s as of the end of June, far below the company's original expectation of monthly sales of 10,000 units.

The partnership could also help lower Xpeng's EV production costs by leveraging Volkswagen's scale and bargaining power in supply.

While some analysts viewed the news as a defeat for Volkswagen in its attempt to conquer the Chinese EV market, Deutsche Bank welcomed it as "quick and capital-efficient" way to fill its gap in the middle-class EV segment in China.

"We want to tap into white spots on our product portfolio," Blume said.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Zhang Yan; editing by Matthias Williams and Mark Potter)
(Bloomberg) -- Wells Fargo & Co.s policies around the firearm industry are being probed by the Texas Attorney Generals office, a potential threat to the banks bond underwriting work in the state.

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Leslie Brock, chief of the AGs public finance division, sent a July 26 letter to lawyers who work on bond deals in Texas saying that officials are studying whether Wells Fargo has a practice or policy that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association.

The letter, obtained by Bloomberg News, is the latest salvo in the Lone Star States fight with Wall Street over its environmental, social and governance policies. The probe is tied to legislation passed in 2021 that restricts certain government contracts with companies that the state deems as hostile to the gun industry. The AG determined Citigroup Inc. discriminates earlier this year.

The office, which oversees most municipal bond offerings in Texas, will decide by Aug. 25 whether the bank is a discriminating company. Brocks letter said the AG wont block deals that Wells Fargo manages that are already in the works from closing before it makes the decision, as long as the bank confirms via email that its compliant with the legislation.

However, if we determine that Wells Fargo is a discriminating company under Senate Bill 19, we will not approve any public security issued on or after that date in which Wells Fargo purchases or underwrites, Brock wrote.

A spokesperson for the Attorney Generals office confirmed that the letter was sent. A spokesperson for Wells Fargo said in an email that the bank looks forward to the office reaching a final conclusion on the matter.

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We have been cooperating with the Texas AGs Office and continue to affirm our standing letter that was provided to that Office, the bank said.

The bank is the 15th-biggest underwriter in Texas, down two slots compared to last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Texas is the No. 1 market for municipal-bond sales so far this year, making it key for banks public finance divisions. Issuers in the state have sold over $34 billion of municipal bonds in 2023.

Wells Fargo had previously been seen as a gun-friendly bank, and has worked with the National Rifle Association in the past. In 2021, though, Chief Executive Officer Charles Scharf told a Congressional committee that the bank was ending its relationship with the NRA.

(Updates with details on Texas bond market in the eighth paragraph)

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By Gilles Guillaume and Giulio Piovaccari

PARIS (Reuters) - Western automakers are fretting about an "invasion" of cheap Chinese electric cars in Europe, prompting France's Renault to say on Thursday it was aiming to slash production costs for its electric models by 40%.

Finance chief Thierry Pieton said the best way to fend off price competition was for Renault to cut its own development and manufacturing costs.

While the targetted 40% reduction is from 2027 onwards, Chief Executive Luca de Meo said the group would start seeing significantly lower production costs from the second half of this year, thanks to a fall in raw material costs.

"It's clear we are in competition and that time is of the essence, but that's the business we are in," he said.

Delivering affordable electric vehicles (EVs) has become a priority for car makers worldwide as the shift to cleaner driving has come with high prices, due largely to battery costs.

Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and SAIC have invested heavily in the shift, using lower labour costs and local battery suppliers to get a head start over many rivals.

In 2022, Chinese car makers had a 9% share of Europe's EV market, nearly double the previous year's figure, according to forecasts by consultancy Inovev. And the pace is picking up.

Like other EV makers, Renault also faces increased pressure from U.S. rival Tesla, which has cut prices several times this year even as that has eaten into its margins.

As an example, Tesla this year cut U.S. prices of its Model Y long-range version by a quarter to $50,490.

That is having an impact. According to researchers Jato Dynamics, Tesla and SAIC's MG were the biggest market share winners in Europe during the first half of this year.

'BRUTAL'

Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Peugeot-to-Fiat carmaker Stellantis, warned on Wednesday the competition with Chinese manufacturers would be "extremely brutal".

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"Their cost competitiveness is 25% against us. We have to fight," he said, describing the Chinese push as an "invasion".

"We need to use our own costs to make sure that we keep on making profit with affordable prices for our middle classes."

Tavares said Western car makers needed to use "the same weapons" as their Chinese rivals, sourcing parts in lower cost countries and striking partnerships with battery suppliers that offer the best combination of energy, cost and weight.

"It means that we need to come up with a sourcing proposal that allows us to sell those cars like the Citroen C3 at 25,000 euros or less in a profitable manner," he said.

Once-dominant Western automakers are also striving to regain ground in China itself, the world's largest car market, after losing share to local manufacturers.

Mercedes-Benz said on Thursday it was sticking to its strategy and would not engage in a price war to "buy" market share in China.

Asked about Volkswagen's move to build new models with Chinese partners and potentially co-create local platforms, Mercedes CEO Ola Kaellenius said the premium carmaker was working with partners in China to adapt its technological offering to local taste.

"We are not handing the task of creating the Mercedes of the future to another OEM (manufacturer) - that task stays with us," Kaellenius added.

(Additional reporting by Victoria Waldersee in Berlin; Writing by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Mark Potter)
(Bloomberg) -- Wheat futures climbed as Ukraine said Russia fired two Kalibr cruise missiles from a submarine in the Black Sea at Odesa region port infrastructure, damaging equipment at a cargo terminal and increasing concerns over Black Sea grain supplies.

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Wheat in Chicago rose 2.5% to $7.3825 a bushel by 3:26 p.m. Singapore time. Prices of the food staple are extremely sensitive to news of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports because of the global importance of crop supplies from the Black Sea region. Russia pulled out of an agreement that allowed Ukraine to ship grain through the Black Sea on July 17, and has since attacked infrastructure at Odesa region ports, as well as on the Danube river.

The attacks and threats by Moscow to target vessels in the Black Sea heading for Ukraine, along with potential tit-for-tat retaliation by Kyiv, have increased supply risks and pushed wheat prices to the highest in five months this week.

Ukraine gave more details of the attacks in a Facebook post late Wednesday. Only during the past nine days as a result of Russian attacks, 26 objects of port infrastructure and five civilian vessels have been damaged and partially destroyed, said Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

NATO said its stepping up surveillance and reconnaissance in the Black Sea region, including with patrol aircraft and drones, as the military alliance condemned Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities.

Still, prospects for ample supplies in the northern hemisphere this summer have curbed global price gains. Russia could ship as much as 60 million tons of grain in the new agricultural season, Russian Grain Union President Arkady Zlochevsky said this week, according to Tass, citing a second record harvest.

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The latest attack comes as President Vladimir Putin hosts a summit with African leaders intended to show Russias growing influence on the continent. Instead, it takes place amid criticism in Africa of the impact on food prices of Russias withdrawal from the grain deal and attacks on Ukrainian ports.

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ISLAND HEIGHTS - The Pied Piper Swim School, where parents were known during the past 30 years to line up before dawn to secure a spot for their children in one of its classes, will close on July 29 after its owners decided it was time to retire.

Robert and Laura Ziemer said they found it taxing to recover from twin disasters  COVID-19, and a car that drove into the building in 2021 and landed in the pool. The building has since been repaired and is expected to remain a swim school operated by a new company.

"After a while, maybe God is just trying to tell you it's time to move on," said Robert Ziemer, 69, of Toms River.

The school on Route 37 offered six- to eight-week classes, teaching swimming and water safety skills to children as young as 6-months-old. The business was owned by Robert, known as "Mr. Bob," and Laura, known as "Miss Lori," who were often joined by their daughter, Jennifer Repetti, and their granddaughter, Ava Repetti.

Bob and Lori Ziemer, owners of Pied Piper Swim School in Island Heights, talk about closing the business at the end of the month after 30 years. Friday, July 21, 2023.

When does school start? When does school start in New Jersey 2023? The complete list for Monmouth, Ocean schools

The family tapped into demand from local residents whose children grew up surrounded by the water, whether it was the ocean, bays, lagoons or backyard swimming pools. In the summer, the Ziemers figure, they taught 400 kids. In the winter, 200. It means thousands of children at the Jersey Shore learned to swim at Pied Piper.

Among them were Colleen O'Donnell's three children, Nora, 9, Kellen, 7, and Quinton, 4, who took the twice-a-week lessons at Pied Piper without skipping a session.

O'Donnell said she lives in a neighborhood surrounded by lagoons, a peaceful setting that isn't without danger, and she wanted her children to feel safe around the water. She heard about Pied Piper through word of mouth and began enrolling them when they were 6 months old.

O'Donnell quickly became a fan. By the time her oldest children were 15 months old, they could fall into the pool, surface and swim to safety.

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"For us, it is genuinely a life-saving skill," O'Donnell, 37, of Toms River, said. "Accidents happen, drownings happen, they happen in our town. That was something that was not an option for us. We really wanted to make sure from very early  we taught water safety skills."

'The world really lost a big light': Competitive Toms River dancer dies unexpectedly

Overcoming fear

The interior of Pied Piper Swim School, which is closing after 30 years in business in Island Heights, NJ Friday, July 21, 2023.

The Ziemers grew up in Toms River, but few would have predicted that they would operate a swim school. Laura Ziemer had avoided the water since she was 8 years old, when someone jumped on her while she was swimming to a floating dock at Silver Bay Beach, nearly causing her to drown.

She tucked the incident away in her memory and went to work after high school at a gymnastics school in Lakewood, teaching preschoolers. One summer, her boss asked if she would teach kids to swim at a camp. She didn't think it would be a problem, until she found out she needed to pass a swim test to be certified.

She found support in Robert, who grew up surfing and worked at a marina selling sailboats. He took her to the YMCA and taught her enough of the basics  the freestyle, the backstroke, the butterfly and the breast stroke  to pass the test.

The test nearly didn't matter. Laura Ziemer soon lost her job over what sounded like a miscommunication with the gymnastics school owner, leaving her unemployed. Without a college degree, she decided on a logical next step: She contacted the gymnastics school's parents and offered their children swim lessons, putting her new certification to work.

The private lessons gained momentum. By the third year, parents were calling in January to sign up for the summer. The Ziemers stuck pins into a map of Ocean County to keep track of their customers' homes.

One day, parents gathered for a lesson at an expansive property and watched their children, towels in hand, follow Laura down a path toward the pool.

"One mom said, 'You look like the Pied Piper,'" Jennifer Repetti, 47, of Wall, said. "'Look at all these kids follow you to the pool.'"

Toms River: Ocean County plans to spend $92M on Justice Complex; 84% more than original estimate

A sign from above: It's time to retire

Pied Piper Swim School in Island Heights is closing at the end of the month after 30 years in business. Friday, July 21, 2023.

The name stuck. And the Ziemers continued to pick up followers. They started teaching in the winter, renting an indoor pool at Underwater Discovery, a former scuba shop, before moving to a new building in Island Heights in March 1993 that was tailored to their needs.

Within six months, Robert Ziemer left the slumping sailboat industry and joined his wife full-time as an instructor. Jennifer was brought on board to manage the office and teach. And at times it seemed like they were selling tickets to the summer's hottest concert: When registration opened, parents would park in the lot before dawn to secure a spot.

Around each other all the time, the family learned when to give each other space, while making sure customers didn't notice when they were in bad moods. They took vacations when schools were out on break. And they eventually made enough money to buy the building thanks to a business that seemed to be immune from recessions.

A car crashed into the Pied Piper Swim School.

But they ran into other hurdles. The pandemic forced them to close for six months before reopening with precautions. Namely, they couldn't hand out cookies and lollipops as rewards any longer. The next summer, a motorist drove his car into the building one Saturday evening, winding up in the shallow end of the pool. The Toms River Technical Rescue Team removed parts of the swim school's wall so that a tow truck could pull the car out of the water.

Pied Piper reopened once again, but the Ziemers said they have had battles with their insurance company. Eventually, they decided a global pandemic and a car in their swimming pool was probably a sign of some sort. It was time to retire.

A tow truck extricates a car from the Pied Piper Swim School.

They put the building up for sale and found a potential buyer who would keep the pool. And they've started to think about life after the swim school. Robert sounded happy to give up the daily grind. Laura was pleased she won't have to get up so early. And Jennifer said she won't need to miss any of Ava's swim meets, noting it is her daughter's senior year.

"I think I'm really looking forward to " Jennifer said.

" being able to breathe," Laura said.

Michael L. Diamond is a business reporter who has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry for more than 20 years. He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Pied Piper Swim School in Island Heights closing after 30 years
An outage at JPMorgan Chase disrupted Zelle transactions Tuesday, inciting user complaints that spilled over into the following day. The fallout for Zelle and its banks could last much longer.

It was the second Zelle glitch in six months that involved a bank tied to Early Warning Services, the P2P app's owner. The JPMorgan Chase interruption follows an outage at Bank of America that disrupted Zelle payments in January. Both banks are among the seven co-owners of Early Warning.

Glitches often occur when digital payments flow through older core banking platforms. That problem could grow as more transactions occur on networks integrated with The Clearing House's RTP network and the Federal Reserve's real-time-payment processing system FedNow.

"Instant is great when it works. But when it's broken, we find out about it right away," said Peter Tapling, a payments consultant and former Early Warning executive. "That intersection of brand new modern systems, and clunky old bank systems is going to become more evident."

JPMorgan Chase took responsibility for the disruption after Zelle blamed the outage on the bank. The $3.9 trillion-asset banking giant declined to comment on what had caused the outage and said the issue had been resolved by midday Wednesday, even while users continued to issue complaints on DownDetector, a site that collects user outage reports.

Other banks that support the Zelle network did not report disruptions during JPMorgan's outage. JPMorgan has the largest share of payments on the Zelle network. Twenty-two percent of Zelle transactions involve JPMorgan consumer or business clients, according to Crone Consulting LLC, which estimates that the bank handles more than $2 billion in roughly 27 million transactions between 54 million unique users through Zelle per day.

More than 1,500 users reported problems accessing Zelle Tuesday on DownDetector before complaint volumes began to taper the following day. Chase and Early Warning declined to comment on how many banks and consumers were affected.

Story continues

When one of the largest banks on a network goes down, "you can't help but have some disruption generally," Tapling said. "But those don't represent outages of Zelle. Those represent outages on one side of a two-sided payments exchange."

Payment network disruptions that originate from banks highlight that challenge that results from real-time payment networks designed for app-based payment systems colliding with bank systems built originally for paper checks.

"At the network level, FedNow, RTP  those are generally written under modern architectures that have modern system resilience, failover capabilities, etc.," Tapling said. " While efforts have been made to modernize core infrastructures, those core systems are really hard to replace."

Portend trouble

When a large bank like JPMorgan Chase suffers an outage, it could portend trouble for real-time-payment networks as even more consumers, businesses and financial institutions begin to expect payments in real-time.

"These kinds of issues are going to come up. And [they] won't be fixed until the industry goes to a true real-time processing scheme for their core systems, which is not likely to come any day soon," said Richard Crone, CEO of Crone Consulting LLC.

"The unexplained outage at Chase and its implications for Zelle point to the challenges of integrating real-time payment systems like FedNow with legacy batch-based bank systems designed over 70 years ago, which have to be adapted to accommodate non-repudiation and real-time processing requirements."

Zelle's readiness to blame JPMorgan Chase, which is the largest owner of Early Warning, may reflect the gap between the modern frameworks that payment providers use and the grandfathered systems that banks integrate them with.

Melissa Lowry and Mindy Kaling speak during Thrive Through Summer with Zelle and Mindy Kaling at Pendry West Hollywood on June 22, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Early Warning Services, LLC)

Zelle directs consumers to issuing banks when outages occur  including other Early Warning co-owners like Bank of America, Wells Fargo and PNC  when it receives service queries from users.

"What's interesting here is that very few, if any, payment networks ever point the finger and blame the issuing bank," Crone said. "That has brand implications and trust implications for financial institutions, and they have to manage their publics like any other crisis management."

Both Early Warning and JPMorgan declined to comment on whether that public affairs message had been coordinated before it was issued. Participating banks are responsible for managing their own fraud protections and responses.

"I think they're just trying to make clear that it's not a network resilience issue," Tapling said, noting that JPMorgan's sizable ownership stake in Early Warning suggests that their relationship was not souring. "The network wants to make sure that the public sees the network is being stable and reliable. They are protecting their own interests."

Zelle could also open itself to risk, regulation and liability if it doesn't make clear that the issuing bank is responsible for a failure, according to Crone. "Admitting anything less opens up Pandora's box," he said.

Inherent risk

Given the inherent settlement risk of Zelle, it has to be 99.999% sure that the system is processing correctly, and if it isn't they'll shut it down, according to Crone.

Aged tech could also hinder Early Warning's ambitions for Paze, a digital wallet it recently piloted with its seven bank owners and hopes to expand later this year.

"A digital wallet such as Paze has even more critical dependencies with greater potential for processing interruptions. This outage threatens Early Warning's Paze launch, highlighting settlement and processing risks, which may hinder adoption by retailers, issuers, and other stakeholders in the payments value chain," Crone said. "It is not an isolated incident, and it doesn't bode well for trying to gain pilot customers and showcase customers to try Paze, either merchants or issuing banks, beyond the seven owners."

Banks and their investors may frown upon the payment providers' quickness to point the finger at them when outages occur, Crone added, particularly if disruptions occur that affect RTP or FedNow. That could signal a need for more involved public affairs contingency planning.

"This should be a warning, and really be a wake up call, to having your crisis management plan in place before launching RTP or FedNow," Crone said. "[If] the settlement value chain were to break down, the real time part of RTP or the non repudiation of real time payments  that promise could be affected."

But to mitigate outages, it may be more important for banks to upgrade payment systems for modern times, Tapling said.

"They could have had a minor outage and nobody would have noticed it. But now you have mobile banking, where you could be looking at your bank app seven times a day," Tapling said. "As we move more towards instant payments, those financial institutions that exist in more fragile environments are going to be exposed."
At least three Spotsylvania teachers report being involuntarily transferred to a new job site less than a month before the start of the new school year and in a way that does not follow division policy concerning involuntary transfers.

Two of the three teachers hold office in the Spotsylvania Education Association, the local branch of the Virginia Education Association, which according to its website is a union dedicated to advancing quality instruction and curriculum, adequate funding, and excellent working conditions for Virginia public employees.

Though the VEA is a union, members of local chapters do not have collective bargaining rights unless the locality has adopted a resolution granting those rights, which Spotsylvania has not done.

The same two teachers  SEA president Melissa Brace and vice-president Heather Drane  have also spoken critically of current School Board leadership at meetings over the past two years.

Drane, a 15-year history teacher at Battlefield Middle School, is being transferred to Chancellor Middle School to be a reading specialist.

Brace has taught seventh grade civics at Chancellor Middle School for 15 years and is being transferred to Freedom Middle School to teach eighth grade English.

A third teacher, Sue Cosgrove, who has taught biology at Riverbend High School for eight years, is being transferred to Massaponax High School.

According to school division policy GCI-R, Professional Staff Assignments and Transfers, there are occasions when involuntary transfers may be necessary.

The policy states that volunteers for transfer may be considered first and that when involuntary transfers are necessary, a teachers area of endorsement(s) and/or competence, major and/or minor field of study, quality of teaching performance and length of service at the school site and in the school division will be considered when determining which teacher is to be transferred.

Any involuntary transfer will be made only after a meeting between the teacher involved and the teachers principal/supervisor, at which time the teacher will be notified of the reasons for the transfer, the policy states.

However, the three affected teachers each said that they were not notified of specific reasons for being transferred, other than being told that the decision was made by superintendent Mark Taylor and the school divisions central office to meet the needs of our countys students, as Brace said.

The three teachers said they were notified of the transfers by phone and that there were no in-person meetings.

Cosgrove said she got a phone call from new Riverbend principal Xavier Downs on July 17.

I had never met the new principal because it was his first day at the school, she said. He didnt give me any reasons for the transfer but told me I could contact HR if I had questions.

Cosgrove said the administrators at Massaponax were not aware of the transfer when she reached out to them.

They told me their only science need was for Environmental Science, Cosgrove said. While my Biology credential makes me qualified to teach Environmental Science, I have never done so. My departure from Riverbend leaves six biology classes uncovered.

She said she got a call from the school divisions human resources department on July 19.

I was quoted from the employee manual (which states that the superintendent can reassign employees to any school or facility within the division provided no change or reassignment during a school year shall affect the salary of such employee), Cosgrove said. When I asked for the reason for the transfer, I was told that there was a need for teachers at Massaponax and that I was an excellent teacher.

Cosgrove said she knows that Massaponax is a great school with strong administrators, but that the transfer has left her reeling.

I am so very sad to be leaving my school family that has supported me for the past eight years, she said. I am still confused as to the reasons for this transfer.

Brace said she had a phone call with Chancellor Middle School principal Deborah Frazier last week during which she learned that she was being transferred, and a second phone call with Freedom Middle School principal Eric Wright later that day.

She said both administrators were kind and professional but that the transfer is causing her stress.

The $1,000 stipend being given in September to those being involuntarily transferred is a direct result of the work of Spotsylvania Education Association, the Educators Union, Brace said. The Unions consistent advocacy for educators has caused the administrative team to tangibly acknowledge the additional stress and express their appreciation for our continued service and flexibility in a monetary way.

She said most, if not all of the stipend will go toward purchasing new materials for the new subjects the teachers will be teaching.

Some should go to the therapy bills caused by the anxiety and stress of this change, as this is a taxing time for all those affected, including myself, Brace said.

Tara Mergener, a spokeswoman for Spotsylvania schools, said Tuesday that a total of 12 teachers were involuntarily transferred this year.

This is the second year we have had a need to do involuntary transfers for staffing needs, Mergener wrote in an email to the Free Lance-Star.

Stafford County Public Schools has not made any involuntary transfers this year.

"At this time, any teacher moves were made voluntarily," division spokeswoman Sandra Osborn said Wednesday.

During public comments at Monday evenings Spotsylvania School Board meeting, Terri Steidl, a former special education teacher in the county, said the transfers are devastating and unfair to the teachers and a great injustice to the students.

She also suggested that the transfers are retribution for the fact that (the teachers) speak out.

The amount of power being abused should be frightening to every stakeholder, Steidl said. This is nothing less than a dictatorship.

Parent Melissa Floyd also spoke during public comments about the involuntary transfers.

In an era of teachers leaving the workforce in record numbers, an effective school division would be bending over backwards to show teachers they respect them and their contributions, Floyd said. These actions show SCPS is the opposite.
Rachel Rae R. Tuff, 40, a prominent Fremont-area animal rights activist who also in 2021 unsuccessfully attempted to have a former city council member recalled, was arrested on July 25 on allegations related to illegally running an animal shelter operation or rescue and suspicion of theft of services.

According to court documents filed in Dodge County, an arrest warrant was issued for Tuff on July 24 by Dodge County Judge Thomas Klein, accusing Tuff of suspicion of theft of services, zero to $500, a Class II misdemeanor; and suspicion of violation of the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act, a Class I misdemeanor.

Among the allegations was a report from the Fremont Police Department, which stated that the Nebraska Department of Agriculture had revoked Tuffs state animal rescue operation license in September 2022.

Tuff owns and operates Fremont Pets Alive as well as a sibling business, Grants Wishes Rescue, with assistance from her mother, Theresa Macrander.

Both women are heavily involved in a range of animal rescue issues and have each spoken at Fremont City Council meetings in recent months as a new city animal control ordinance has been debated.

In spring of 2021, Tuff led an failed effort to have former Fremont City Council Member Mark Legband recalled from office. One main reason Tuff cited in the unsuccessful effort was allegations she made that Legband acted too slowly in canceling the citys contract for animal services with the Dodge County Humane Society.

Tuff was arrested by officials from the Dodge County Sheriffs Office and briefly detained and processed at the Dodge County booking center on July 25, but she bonded out that day.

She turned herself into the sheriffs office, said Dodge County Sheriff Dustin Weitzel on July 26.

Attempts to contact Tuff for comment were unsuccessful.

In her arrest warrant, Klein stated that Tuff could not possess, any cats, dogs or other animals. Tuff has admitted in prior interviews of owning and housing numerous dogs, cats and other animals, such as lizards.

Martha Bang, president of the citys official animal shelterFurEver Home, Inc.said she was unaware of Tuffs arrest. Bang also said the FurEver Home did not receive any animals that may have been confiscated from Tuff after her arrest.

In a July email to the Tribune, Tuff made unsubstantiated allegations regarding the state Department of Agriculture dog and cat program, and said she was in the process of planning a protest of the agency in Lincoln with other animal rights activists.

Tuffs arrest came after a several month investigation conducted by multiple officers with the Fremont Police Department, who had been contacted by a dog rescue company in California that had been reportedly working with Tuff on several dog rescues and adoption efforts.

In a lengthy police report filed with court officials, former-Fremont Police officer Kelli Brown described the investigation which eventually led to the arrest warrant being issued for Tuff. Brown no longer works at the FPD, having taken a job with the Bellevue Police Department.

Brown wrote in her report that on April 24, 2023, she received a complaint from California-based Giselles Legacy dog rescue that alleged the organization had been working with Tuff to assist in the re-homing, adoption, care of and housing of dogs they had in their possession.

Giselles Rescue released several dogs to Rae Tuff, who came to California to collect the dogs in March 2023. The purpose of this transfer was for Rae Tuff to house the dogs at her rescue, and she would work with Giselles Legacy to place the dogs in permanent homes, Brown wrote in her report. (Giselles) Rescue representatives made it clear that Rae Tuff was not to place any dogs until Giselles Legacy agreed to the conditions inspected. Despite this, the (Giselles) Rescue learned that Rae Tuff began rehoming the dogs herself.

One dog that the Giselles Legacy had reportedly given to Tuff to help adopt out to a new owner was Tibetan mastiff named, Booney. Brown wrote in her report that she was asked by officials with Giselles Legacy to take possession of the dog so they could have it returned. Brown wrote in the report that she attempted to take possession of Booney, but Tuff allegedly refused to hand the dog over.

Rae Tuff grew upset and refused to allow this (taking the dog), and informed me to go and get a search warrant. I then gave Rae Tuff time to contact Giselles Legacy herself, for the purpose of arranging this transfer (of the dog) herself, Brown said. I later learned on May 26, 2023, this did not happen.

Brown also wrote in the report that Tuff was alleged to have admitted to her that she reportedly accepted several dogs from Giselles Legacy, and that she has rehomed several of those dogs to residents in California. Tuff also allegedly admitted to having several other dogs in Nebraska, including Booney, as well as a second dog shed apparently placed into a foster home.

In addition to the allegations in relation to Giselles Legacy dog rescue, Tuff and Macrander were accused of adopting in March 2023 a pit bull breed dog named, Zola. This dog, police alleged in the report, attacked another dog which led to a, Potentially dangerous dog declaration.

Both Booney and Zola were reportedly in possession and control of Tuff and Macrander as of June 23, Brown wrote in her report. Tuff was also accused of allegedly approaching a private citizen on that persons private property and, attempted to order him to hand over his dog to her.

Tuff was reported to have told Fremont Police officer Andrew Dixson on May 25, 2023, that, she is still running a dog rescue.

Tuff is scheduled to be arraigned in Dodge County Court at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1.

During the past several years, Tuff has increasingly become involved in activism in Fremont, whether in regard to animal rights and local city politics.

As the city theorized, debated and eventually approved a new dangerous animal control ordinance in the early months of 2023, Tuff and Macrander both spoke to the city council about the proposal and shared their experiences and ideas.

On April 16, 2021, Tuff filed a petition to recall Legband with the Dodge County Election Commission office, claiming he was not fulfilling his mandated duties as a council member.

Legband vigorously denied all of Tuffs claims, and was successful in fending off the recall and keeping his council seat. Legband was defended by numerous citizens who wrote letters to the editor that were published in the Tribune.

According to Dodge County records from 2021, the recall petition garnered 522 unofficial and non-verified signatures by the end of the 30-day period. The petition needed 574 signatures to trigger a special election.

Part of Tuffs dispute with Legband at the time stemmed from her personal investigations of the contract dispute between the City of Fremont and the Dodge County Humane Society.

As you already know, my passion is to fight for the animals in our community and that is where my journey began with city council, Tuff told the Tribune in May 2021, alleging Legband had a role in delaying the contract termination.

The dispute between the city and the Dodge County Humane Society lasted for months, with the possibility of the contract being terminated announced in October 2021, and ended in early 2022.

The termination of the citys animal sheltering services contract with the Dodge County Humane Society in early 2022 led to a lawsuit between the Dodge County Humane Society and the city that was resolved in July 2023 after the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the city acted within its authority and the contract termination was valid.
Diane Brown knows the value of National Night Out.

Brown is Kiwanis chairperson for the annual event that connects families with law enforcement personnel and other agencies in a festive atmosphere with games and activities.

The free event is set from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, in John C. Fremont Park, downtown. In case of inclement weather, it will take place in Fremont Mall.

This is the 40th anniversary of the nationwide crime and drug prevention event and Brown believes its been taking place in Fremont for more than 10 years. Brown estimates that between 100 and 200 people usually attend the local event.

Attendees receive a goody bag and water will be provided. Families can visit different stations in the park.

Representatives from the Fremont Police Department, Dodge County Sheriffs Office, Fremont Fire Department, Nebraska State Patrol and Dodge County Head Start will be on hand. Law enforcement and fire officials typically bring vehicles for families to see up close.

The State Patrol often brings its rollover/seatbelt simulator, which shows how a seatbelt works in a vehicle rollover collision.

Brown said kids cant wait to participate in the simulations, which demonstrate the importance of seat belts.

In addition, the event will feature martial arts and other demonstrations and games. Children can expend some energy on the parks playground equipment.

Brown cites important aspects of the event.

She believes it helps kids become more aware of potential dangers and that there are people in the community who can help them. It helps families make connections with law enforcement and the community.

Its about getting the police and our area businesses and organizations together to share their information about safety and health and programs they may be able to help families with if they should need assistance, Brown said.

Information from a press release states that National Night Out is designed to:

 Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.

 Generate support for  and participation in  local anti-crime efforts.

 Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

 Send a message to criminals, letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Brown said the event is intended to let families know they have resources if a situation should arise.

Its also an opportunity for families to spend time together.

National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored by the Fremont Noon Kiwanis Club, will involve more than 16,500 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world, the news release stated.

In all, more than 38.5 million people are expected to participate in Americas Night Out Against Crime.
More than 76% of a survey respondents cite financial independence as the reason they drive Uber.

This is the result of a survey shared by Uber among female drivers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

More than 56% of the participants mentioned using Uber to support their families and selves financially, with 46.89% of the drivers successfully increasing financial stability.

Safe driving Uber

77% of the respondents said they felt safe driving with Uber, with a large majority highlighting the sense of community it has helped build. With localised features such as the Women Preferred View  a product Uber built specifically for Saudi Arabia before expanding to other markets allowing female drivers a choice to be connected to women riders. More than half of the participants are keen to continue their journey with Uber, progressing their professional lives and financial independence.

In line with their commitment to the kingdoms Vision 2030 goals, Uber continues to connect with, empower, and support the advancement of women in Saudi, by providing financial opportunities, flexibility, and advanced safety measures for female drivers.

Wusool, the subsidised women empowerment programme that Uber launched in 2017, has supported more than 120,000 women taking 20 million trips to and from their workplace between 2017 and 2021. This has played a critical role in driving forward Saudi Arabia's female labour participation, which has gone up to 37% in mid-2022.

Diversity of driver profiles

Mohammad Aljuraish, General Manager, Uber Saudi Arabia, said: We are proud to play a key role in supporting female financial independence and empowerment in the kingdom. We see that female drivers ages range from 21-46, showcasing the diversity of driver profiles who drive using the Uber app, whether for self-empowerment, exceeding cultural barriers or financial support. We hope to continue creating innovative solutions, and build locally using our global experience, to bridge mobility concerns for our riders.-- TradeArabia News Service
A former Valmont executive and prominent Fremont-area philanthropist on Tuesday called for changes or reform to the once-a-month public comment sessions at Fremont City Council meetings. He also advocated for stopping the recording of public comments and not posting the comments online.

Terry McClain, who is the husband of Keene Memorial Library Advisory Board President Linda McClain, spoke to the eight members of the city council on July 25 during the 30-minute public comment session that he eventually lobbied to be reformed.

While I applaud the original intent of implementing of a monthly public comment period, it is my opinion that many times, it has gone astray, Terry said. What I have observed in past public comment sessions is the comments are not vetted in any way. Many of these comments seem increasingly personal, and even attacking. Worse yet, sometimes these comments are not even true.

Terry also said false comments or attacks are worsened because council members and the mayor are not allowed to respond to speakers or their statements.

Given this strange format, there is no opportunity for any verification, because you can only listen and make no response or comment. It makes for a completely one-sided dialogue. Worse yet, these public comment sessions are recorded and remain in online records in the citys website forever, Terry said. Recordings of these public comment meetings should not be part of the permanent online record.

Terry then recommended that if the council wanted to be more accessible to constituents, set up a special meeting

Recently, negatively has generated and perpetuated in part due to these public comment sessions. I believe it is hurting Fremont, he added. I urge you to seriously consider an alternative format to better accomplish the original goal of providing a public forum.

Terry is well-known in Fremont and Dodge County from his charitable donations as well as his role as the chairman of the board of the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

His wife, Linda, who is a former Fremont City Council member, has been the indirect subject of criticism from dozens of speakers in recent months during the public comment sessions.

The criticisms of Linda and the Keene library staff began because of the debate over alleged sexually explicit books and controversial LGBTQ-themed books that erupted on Dec. 27, 2022, after comments made by local parental rights activist Sandra Murray and one of her daughters, Brianna Kindler.

Since that December meeting, the debate over books in the city library has led to dozens of residents flooding council meetings, during which they criticized, at times insulted and verbally attacked Keene Memorial Library staff as well as members of the librarys five-member advisory board.

Library staff and members of the library advisory board have also been called alleged child groomers and the word pedophile has also been used by angry parents and residents upset about the controversial books.

On Wednesday, July 26, Murray said she found Terrys comments during Tuesdays meeting troublesome.

Murray did not attend the meeting, however, a recording of the comments is posted online the day after meetings are held and are available on the citys YouTube channel.

The Keene Library (board) took huge offense at me saying they are grooming children. They are in fact grooming children at our library by exposing and teaching them  through books for children and preteens  about perverse, unlawful sexual activity, Murray stated in an email to the Tribune.

I dont rescind what I said and will not back down from it. As far as I and many in our community are concerned, anyone that condones this stuff at our library is complicit in grooming children, she added.

Murray also said she views Terrys comments as an effort to stop her from her right as a taxpayer to address grievances with the local government.

They are feeling threatened and want to remove our freedom of speech, Murray added. We, the taxpayers, pay for that library and pay their wages. They need to listen to the citizens whether they like what we have to say or not.

During Tuesdays meeting, former Ward 4 city council member Brad Yerger also rebutted Terrys comments on the public comment period. Yerger said the public comment period was an ideal way for the citizens of the community to be involved and share their opinions with elected leaders.

What you saw and what you heard from citizens of Fremont tonight is exactly why you have public comment. It is chance for the city to be transparent with the public.

It is important that they be recorded and that others that cant and dont attend these meetings (can watch the video) and find out what is important, Yerger said. I applaud everybody that has spoken tonight. They spoke eloquently about their issues. These people took time out of their schedules to come and address you tonight on matters of importance to them and to the city. I encourage you, please do not modify that.

Keep transparency in government. Let the people speak. Let the others that view this online afterward have the opportunity to hear what you heard, Yerger pleaded.

Restriction of public comment happened in April

Terrys calls for public comment reform at city council meetings come only three months after an April meeting of the librarys advisory board during which a prohibition on public comment was put in place by Linda at the direction, she said, of the citys legal staff.

That ban on public comment during the April 17 library board meeting angered many local residents who engaged in a short, but loud, verbal debate with Fremonts city attorney, Travis Jacott.

That night, the five-member library board was debating on an appeal of Keene Library Director Laura England-Biggs rejection of two requests to have controversial LGBTQ+ book, This Book is Gay, by Juno Dawson, totally removed from the city library.

The board eventually voted 5-0 to not remove the book, but to instead relocate it to the adults-only section of the library.

At the start of the meeting, Jacott stated there would be no public comment, a message he reiterated when a resident pressed him again for the right to speak to the board, quietly saying, no and indicating to the library board continue with the meeting.

Linda then tried to explain the situation to attendees, but was cut off by Jacott who ordered her to continue with the meeting agenda. The interaction between Linda and Jacott caused commotion in the crowd, many of whom yelled out questions asking who had advised the board to not allow public comment.

McClain family very supportive of city library

The library is an important issue for Terry and Linda McClain. The couple has committed the largest individual donation to the library expansion and renovation project.

Linda has repeatedly expressed her sadness, frustration and irritation with the insults aimed at her, library advisory board members and the city library staff.

During a July 17 meeting of the library advisory board, Linda passionately defended the board members and library staff.

I stand by our staff. Our staff is not grooming children. They are not actively grooming, Linda said on July 17.

"According to documents obtained by the Fremont Tribune via a public records request, both Terry and Linda have committed a donation of $500,000 to the expansion project, of which $200,000 had already been paid by the couple to the city as of Feb. 15, 2023.

The donation from the couple is the largest individual or family donation to the library's expansion project.

Linda sent the Tribune a statement on behalf of her and Terry on July 26.

Terry and I believe in giving back to ones community; we have donated our time, talents and treasure to many good causes in an effort to make Fremont a better place to live and work. Its unfortunate more people dont see this as important and we hope our gift to the library will inspire others to donate to this critical community project, she wrote. The Keene Memorial Library Renovation is a wonderful project that will serve the people of Fremont for decades to come.

Terry has connections to Valmont and is the board president for The Fremont Area Community Foundation, both of which also donated significant funds to the library project.
The Colorado Springs City Council granted a request to postpone an appeal hearing on a controversial apartment complex designed to support homeless young adults.

The council voted 8-1 Tuesday, with Councilman David Leinweber opposed, to delay the hearing on the 50-unit Launchpad Apartments planned to be built on the city's west side until Aug. 8, the council's next regular meeting.

Councilmembers said they supported postponing the item because Tuesday's agenda was robust and included five public hearings on various land-use items, the Launchpad Apartments appeal among them.

"We would not be able to give the Launchpad session the right amount of time, energy and effort from councilmembers up here," Council President Randy Helms said during a work session Monday, when the council discussed but did not vote on the appeal request.

Residents intend to ask the City Council to overturn the Planning Commission's June 14 decision to uphold city planning staff's administrative approval of plans to build the apartments just north of the intersection of West Uintah and North 19th streets.

If the council sided with appellants, the project would be blocked from moving forward.

The apartments are envisioned to support homeless young adults ages 18-24. The Place operates the only shelter for homeless teens in Colorado Springs and would operate the programs at the Launchpad Apartments.

Proponents of the project have said it will provide much-needed "permanent supportive housing" for the approximately 185 El Paso County youths who are living homeless every month, according to figures that The Place Executive Director Shawna Kemppainen shared with the Planning Commission last month.

Those opposed to the project have largely taken issue with the project's proposed building height and density, and the potential for landslides on the property.

Ahead of Monday's and Tuesday's council meetings appellants said in meeting documents they requested the postponement to allow a key representative to attend the hearing and to ensure all 24 appellants could adequately prepare for it.

On Monday, appellant Scott Hiller told the council the group also requested a delay of the hearing to allow the Colorado Geological Survey time to review a geological hazards report for the site prepared by CTL Thompson, an engineering consultant for developer Cohen Esrey.

Among other concerns, neighbors have said they worry about the possibility of landslides on the steep west side of the project property.

Andrea Barlow with developer consultant N.E.S. previously told the Planning Commission the required geological hazard report "did not identify any geological hazards that preclude the site's development for its intended use."

The report notes and makes recommendations to address "a potential unstable slope" on the site's west end, existing fill and expansive soils that could damage foundations and exterior improvements there.

Developers revised original plans to address those potential hazards, including pushing the building back into the northeast corner of the property "to avoid as much of that slope as possible," Barlow previously said.

They will also build a retaining wall and ensure landscaping and other control measures address potential erosion, she has said.

Appellants want the city to ask the state to review the developers' geological hazard report because it does not discuss, mention, or analyze the stability of about 13 homes above the proposed Launchpad Apartments location "who are at the most risk," Hiller, who is the chief of geosciences for a national engineering firm, said Monday.

"I'm not saying an event will happen, but I'm saying due diligence was not performed correctly for the risks at this particular site," he said.

Because the process will take about three weeks, Hiller and other appellants requested that the council delay the appeal hearing until September so the third-party review could be completed.

Ben Bolinger with the City Attorney's Office advised the council on Monday that further discussions about whether to refer the geological hazard report to the Colorado Geological Survey should happen at a "properly noticed" hearing on the Launchpad project.

Councilman Dave Donelson on Monday said the council could return to that question during the hearing on Aug. 8.

Lisa Sorensen with Cohen Esrey said on Tuesday a delay of the hearing until Aug. 8 was "a manageable burden." While developers "respect the council's competing priorities," the impact of postponing the hearing was "significant," she said.

Approved building permits and funding are already on hold, and daily development costs are accumulating while the project is at a "standstill," she said.

"But with all of that said, the most important thing here is safety of this apartment community and our neighbors and this neighborhood," Sorensen said.

CTL Thompson has worked with the developer's architects and engineers for more than a year, she told the council.

Developers expect to have a representative from CTL Thompson at the Aug. 8 appeal hearing to discuss geotechnical concerns and answer the council's questions, Sorensen said.
The Colorado suicide prevention lifeline received more than 11,200 calls  22% of which went unanswered  between April and May of this year, according to a new report from a health policy research group.

The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline went live in July of 2022, providing both phone and text support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. As a federally-mandated part of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, each state is required to have a call center that puts callers in contact with a live counselor.

The program combined the former National Suicide Prevention Hotline and Veterans Crisis Line under a 3-digit alias.

KFF, the health policy research group, notes that since its inception, 988 has made almost five million contacts nationally. But the programs ability to answer calls has proven to be a tough task.

Between April and May, five states reported answer rates between 55% and 69%.

Though not as low as others, Colorados 78.2% answer rate puts it as the 13th-worst in the country.

The solution to improving answer rates lies in sustainability, something local crisis centers are struggling with, the report said. While federal budgets support 988 nationally, states are responsible for the long-term funding of their own call centers.

A 2021 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said most crisis centers only receive $2,500 to $5,000 a year in federal funds.

The majority of the funding comes from local and private parties and most centers rely on volunteers for work, making it difficult to maintain staff levels, the group said.

In 2021, Colorado passed legislation to fund crisis services through telecom fees. Under the legislation, the 988 program can create a retail transaction fee every year. This fee cannot exceed 30 cents per transaction.

In May, the Biden administration announced $200 million in funding to help boost the infrastructure of state crisis services. KFF said that move isnt a substitute for the need for long-term state funding strategies.

While the flood of calls can be redirected to national workers to help increase answer rates, this may lower their effectiveness, KFF said, adding, If national overflow facility counselors are not familiar with local resources, they may not be able to assist callers with treatment referrals or extra assistance, which can be better provided by local crisis centers.
Active-duty service members in Colorado Springs now can receive financial assistance for in-home child care from the Department of Defense as part of a program to help meet the high demand.

The military announced this week the Child Care in Your Home program would expand into Colorado Springs and several other communities because of the long waitlists for DOD-facilitated child care, according to a news release. The program will cover 30 to 60 hours of care in a service members home.

While child care is in high demand across much of El Paso County, the largest shortfall for child care is in areas around Fort Carson, including Fountain, Security and Widefield, said Kelly Hurtado, vice president of programs for Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, a nonprofit that serves the Pikes Peak region.

The early child care field has faced a workforce crisis for a while, she said. The industry has built in imbalance because typically parents have to fund 100% of child care tuition, which can be financially tough, while at the same time child care providers are often paid far less than teachers in K-12 schools.

Joint Initiatives started a task force to work on the issue in late 2020 to help early child educators gain credentials and provide support to early childhood business owners, Hurtado said.

When we look at it from a communitywide perspective we are really growing our future workforce, our future leaders, she said.

While the task force has made progress the community still needs more early education teachers.

When care is not available, families have to find a provider outside their area or rely on family, friends and neighbors to provide care, she said.

I think this DOD expansion is going to help, she said.

The DOD might make other investments and improve transparency of the availability of early child care next year as well, if proposals in the National Defense Authorization Act pass. The major annual must-pass bill includes $113 million for new child care centers and requires the military to publish waitlists for child care centers, among other steps to meet the need.

State investments could also help families who need child care.

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Colorado is starting universal preschool for families to provide 15 hours of free care in August for the first time, a change that could help lower families out of pocket costs for care throughout the community, she said. Students can still be enrolled in full-time preschool care and receive 15 hours of care free, according to the state.

Hurtado said 160 local providers have signed on to provide care attracted by the states rates.

It really does seem like its playing out in a win-win way, she said.

The highest need for child care in the community is for infants and toddlers, said Liz Denson, president and CEO of Early Connections Learning Centers. And there has been some concern the new state funding for preschool could encourage some child care providers to open up more slots for 4-year-olds, rather than offering some slots to infants and toddlers. But some state funding could offset that effect.

The DODs model to fund in-home babysitters is an interesting and unique model that other agencies could potentially follow, Denson said. But in-home care providers may be challenged to support children with challenging behaviors or additional needs.

The military requires providers in the in-home program to participate in 32 hours of basic training, such as CPR certification, first aid certification and child abuse prevention training. They also must complete background checks, such as an FBI criminal history background check.

Parents who participate should research the tax implications and will be required to negotiate a contract with their child care provider, according to the military.

The new military program is open to children who are six weeks to 5 years old. School-age children are eligible if younger siblings are enrolled, according to the DOD.

Those interested in the new DOD financial assistance can find more specifics about the program at public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn.

Contact the writer at [email protected] or (719) 429-9264.
The Gov. Jared Polis administration is cutting inter-regional bus fares operated by Colorado in half for most routes through August and September.

In a news release, Polis said the move is meant to reduce ozone emissions and make public transit more accessible during the summer months.

During the hot summer months, it is important we find ways to reduce ozone emissions, and making public transportation more accessible is a great way to achieve this, Polis said. Public transportation saves people money, protects the environment, and reduces traffic so that Coloradans can get where they need to go faster.

Bustang is an inter-regional bus service operated by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Beginning on Aug. 1 and through Sept. 30, all fares, including for seniors, people with disabilities, and children between 2  11, will be discounted 50% on the following routes:

-South Line between Colorado Springs and Denver, including Colorado Springs to the Denver Tech Center (DTC)

-West Line between Grand Junction and Denver

-North Line between Fort Collins and Denver

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-RamsRoute between Colorado State University and Denver

Standard Bustang ticket prices typically range from $5 (Idaho Springs), $17 (Vail) and $43 (Grand Junction) for the West Line; $10 for the North Line; $12 for the South Line between DTC and Colorado Springs; and $9 for the RamsRoute.

The governors office said last years price reductions in fares contributed to a 77% increase in ridership across all lines during the summer of 2022.

The state had added an additional West Line trip in September 2022 to keep up with growing demand.

Cutting bus fares is one of the items cited in the governors 100 ways to save Coloradoans money plan announced last summer.

Kay Kelly, CDOTs chief of innovative mobility, said that along with saving money, riding the regional bus service will also help reduce traffic congestion and emissions during the busy summer travel season.

Pegasus, Outrider, Bustang to Estes, Bustang to Broncos and multiple ride ticket packages are not part of the half-fare promotion.

For more information on Bustang service, including routes, maps, schedules and tickets, visit www.ridebustang.com.
By Tom Polansek

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. poultry producers say they face prolonged economic pain from avian flu despite going months without infections in flocks, as China and some smaller importers fail to lift trade bans implemented during the nation's worst-ever outbreak of the virus.

The lingering bans, imposed last year to prevent the spread of the disease, constrain the $6 billion U.S. export market for poultry meat as producers also grapple with limited labor, lower chicken prices and uncertain costs for feed.

The Chinese market is particularly important for U.S. companies because it is the primary destination for items like chicken feet that Americans generally do not eat, industry officials said.

Pilgrim's Pride CEO Fabio Sandri warned on Thursday that Beijing may extend its ban even as other countries resume trade. Mostly owned by JBS SA, the company is one of the world's largest chicken producers.

"Other than China, we expect to see further easing of export restrictions during Q3," Sandri said on an earnings call.

China, South Africa and the Dominican Republic each maintain bans on poultry from 37 states that previously reported infections, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) records show.

Mexico, the top overall market for American poultry meat, has largely lifted trade bans, though shipments from Colorado, Washington state and counties in a few other states are blocked, records show.

China's failure to lift bans 90 days after states eliminate avian flu from farms violates the Phase 1 trade agreement signed with former President Donald Trump in 2020, industry officials said.

The U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office declined to comment and China's General Administration of Customs did not respond to a request for comment.

The USDA had no updated comment. It said last year it was committed to ensuring restrictions are in line with international agreements and lifted as quickly as possible.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms, the third-largest U.S. poultry producer, told Reuters many of its facilities are in states that should have been reapproved for exports months ago.

"China continues to be less than forthcoming when it comes to state reapprovals," the company said. "We have opportunity losses that are in the millions of dollars between white meat, dark meat and paws."

U.S. exports of chicken feet, or paws, to China are down 27% by volume through May, after rising in 2022, USDA data show.

Chicken producers Perdue Farms and Tyson Foods have also highlighted trade restrictions. Tyson reports quarterly earnings Aug. 7.

"Several key countries have not yet returned to normal patterns of business with the United States," Perdue said in a statement to Reuters. "We are eager for our industry's long-standing business relationships to resume."

Avian flu has disrupted trade globally as the virus spread. Japan this summer suspended poultry purchases from two states in Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, after cases in backyard animals.

Under guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health, regional or national trade bans are applicable if the highly lethal virus infects a commercial farm.

United Nations agencies have said global outbreaks in poultry raise concerns the virus might adapt to infect humans more easily.

NEARLY $1 BLN EXPORT HIT

The U.S. outbreak began last year and has wiped out nearly 59 million chickens, turkeys and other birds. The last infection in a commercial flock was in April, though, and some states facing export restrictions have not detected commercial cases since 2022, USDA data show.

Export losses from the outbreak total $895 million, the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council said on Tuesday. That is down from $1.3 billion for the previous record outbreak in 2015, after the U.S. convinced trading partners to narrow trade restrictions.

The council, an industry group, said USDA sent China reports requesting it end restrictions on 14 states, including major producers North Carolina and Arkansas.

"They haven't budged on it," said Greg Tyler, council president.

In a March report, the USTR said the government submitted reports to China for states deemed to be free of avian flu. The Phase 1 trade pact requires China to resume imports within five days of receiving the information, the report said.

U.S. industry officials suspect China's delay is political amid heightened tensions with Washington.

States saddled with trade bans, including Texas and Maryland, said they sought information from USDA.

"We're certainly concerned about not being able to export our products when we know we've got a good clean product," Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said in an interview.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago. Additional reporting by Dominique Patton in Beijing; Editing by Caroline Stauffer and Marguerita Choy)
By Aziz El Yaakoubi

RIYADH (Reuters) -Saudi Arabian authorities have detained five relatives of a U.S. citizen, rights groups said on Wednesday, arguing that the detentions were retaliation for his family's failed lawsuit against the Saudi government in the United States.

The Freedom Initiative, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and ALQST for Human Rights said Saudi security forces had arrested four relatives of U.S. citizen Rakan Nader Aldossari on May 11. An uncle was detained on April 9, the groups said in a statement.

His grandfather's wife, an aunt and two other uncles were detained in May and some were held in cold cells with no blankets or proper beds, the statement said.

The Saudi government communications office did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

The Saudi prosecutor's office referred the five to the kingdom's Specialized Criminal Court, which tries terrorism cases, on July 12, the rights groups said. They added that Saudi authorities had prevented the detainees' lawyers from meeting with them or obtaining access to the charges against them.

Rakan's father Nader Aldossari, a U.S. resident, said interrogators told detained family members that they would not be released unless both Rakan, who is 15-years-old, and he returned to Saudi Arabia, the statement said. The groups listed the detainees' relations to Rakan, urging Washington to intervene.

The Aldossari family filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania in 2020 against the Saudi government after a long-standing commercial dispute over an agreement in 1994 to establish an oil refinery in Saint Lucia, a Caribbean Island.

Later that year, they named additional Saudi government defendants including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The lawsuit was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Abdullah Alaoudh, Saudi Director for the Freedom Initiative, said the Aldossari case was an "egregious example of transnational repression by the Saudi government".

Saudi officials say there are no political prisoners in Saudi Arabia.

The three organisations called on Washington to press the Saudi government for the release of the Aldossari family members.

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the specifics of the case.

"The United States has consistently underscored to the Saudi government the importance of fair and transparent judicial processes," a department spokesperson said by email. "We have also made clear that we take very seriously reports or threats of transnational repression, particularly when U.S. citizens may be involved."

(Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; additional reporting by Jonathan Landay and Simon Lewis in Washington; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Grant McCool)
Alabama police are pursuing two criminal charges against Carlee Russell, the nursing student who admitted to lying about being abducted.

Jefferson County Chief Assistant District Attorney Lane Tolbert confirmed to multiple outlets that prosecutors are considering filing charges against Russell, 25, who disappeared for two days and arrived home safely. She had claimed she was abducted and escaped but later issued a statement through her attorney admitting she had lied.

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS CONSTRUCTION ON MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE TO PROCEED

Prosecutors are discussing charging Russell with falsely reporting an incident and false reporting to law enforcement authorities. Both are class A misdemeanors in Alabama, and each carries a sentence of up to one year in prison.

If charges are filed, they would be filed by the circuit clerk of Jefferson County, Bessemer Division's office, Tolbert said to ABC News.

Hoover Police Department Chief Nick Derzis read the statement from Russell's attorney to reporters on Monday, calling Russell's disappearance on July 13 a "hoax."

"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 help in this incident, as this was a single act done by herself. My client was not with anyone or any hotel with anyone from the time she was missing," the statement from Emory Anthony, Russell's attorney, read.

Derzis told reporters that officers had scheduled a meeting with Anthony to discuss the case and were in talks with the district attorney's office about "possible criminal charges."

The chief said the department would announce potential charges "when and if they are filed."

A Hoover Police Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner they could not confirm whether the department is pursuing the misdemeanor charges "at this time."

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Russell disappeared on the night of July 13 and reappeared on the night of July 15. She claimed a man with orange hair abducted her after she pulled over on the side of the road. She had called 911 to report that a toddler had been walking along the interstate and she was following it in her car.

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Derzis had questioned several details of Russell's alleged abduction, focusing on internet searches relating to Amber alerts, a one-way ticket to Nashville from Birmingham, and details about the movie Taken, which involves an abduction. Police had also not been able to corroborate the toddler's existence and no one else called in to report a child missing or on the highway.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office - Bessemer Division for comment.

Original Location: Carlee Russell investigation: Alabama police seek to charge woman who lied about abduction

Washington Examiner Videos
AD Ports Group, a leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry, has signed multiple collaboration agreements with Shandong Port Group (SPG) to attract Chinese automotive firms to Abu Dhabi.

Under the agreement, SPG will transport passenger vehicles from its ports in China to Autoterminal Khalifa Port, to be stored and displayed within facilities in Kezad.

The deal leverages the Sister Ports agreement between Shandong Port and Khalifa Port to forge a partnership and strengthen cooperation between the two, announced in December 2021.

First batch of vehicles

The agreements covering all aspects of the operations, display and services, were signed at an event at Autoterminal Khalifa Port, which has already received the first batch of vehicles.

The new cooperation is established to strengthen the position of Abu Dhabi as a preferred destination for Chinese Automotive Industry.

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group said: Our agreement leverages the value various clusters of AD Ports Group brings to businesses. As an integrated hub for trade, logistics and Industry, Kezad Group continues to support the development of the diversified economy of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in line with the vision of our wise leadership.

Active players

We will continue to work with like-minded conglomerates like SPG to achieve this aim. Both Groups are active players in implementing Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, further promoting trade cooperation and accelerating growth.

Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group said: This agreement signifies the convergence of shared vision and mutual growth. The impressive infrastructure and the unrivalled operational efficiency of Khalifa Port and Kezad is a testament to the exceptional vision and strategic foresight of the UAE Leadership.

Our agreements with Shandong Ports Group underscore our commitment to fostering global connections and serving as a catalyst for economic growth. As we embark on this journey together, we are poised to redefine logistics and port operations, setting new benchmarks for the industry at large, whilst driving prosperity and further strengthening our position globally."

Transportation

Jai Funing, the Deputy General Manager of Shandong Port Group said: SPG has always believed and advocated that transportation is the artery of the economy, and the link to that binds civilisation. SPG plans to establish Mena regional centre in the UAE, and in Abu Dhabi more specifically, in 2023. By continuously improving the overseas supply chain of product exports, it will rapidly improve the overseas market competitiveness of China's tire and commercial vehicle industries, SPG firmly believes in reaching a higher level of cooperation with AD Ports Group in the future.-- TradeArabia News Service
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre "a terrible, terrible liar."

"I want to play poker with Karine Jean-Pierre because she is a terrible, terrible liar," Cruz told Hannity. "She's got a tell'  you know, sometimes at a poker table, someone will twist a ring, or they'll pull an ear, or do something when they're bluffing."

HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL COLLAPSES IN COURT AS JUDGE THROWS 'CURVEBALL'

"Karine Jean-Pierre, her tell is she'll tell you that I'm going to tell you the exact same thing I've told you a thousand times before,'" Cruz continued. "You know the next words out of her mouth are going to be totally different from anything she's ever said before."

Cruz's comments come the evening after Hunter Biden left his federal court hearing in Delaware Wednesday morning with his planned plea agreement having fallen apart. Lawyers disagreed about the scope of the deal, and U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika raised "concerns" about its terms.

"This was designed to give Hunter Biden a slap on the wrist, let him get away with zero jail time, and its most important function was to cover up for the Big Guy,' to cover up for Joe Biden," Cruz said. "I think if this plea hearing had been the day after the plea deal was announced, I think they probably would've stuck to their guns, and it might as well have been improved. But what happened is several weeks passed, and as several weeks passed, more and more evidence came out."

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"Suddenly, the Delaware U.S. attorney's office in the court realized they couldn't stand up in court and say, No, we're not going to investigate any of this new evidence that came roaring out.' That became impossible to say," the senator added. "I'm glad it blew up. This deal stunk from day one, and it was about covering up Hunter and, more importantly, covering up Joe Biden's involvement in the corruption."

On Wednesday, Noreika gave prosecutors and Hunter Biden's defense team 30 days to further discuss the details of the agreement. The court is expected to reconvene in the coming weeks to reexamine the case.

Original Location: Cruz slams White House as 'terrible liar' about Hunter Biden: I want to play poker with Karine Jean-Pierre

Washington Examiner Videos
CHARITON, Iowa  Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) insinuated Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) had sided with Vice President Kamala Harris after Harris criticized Florida's new black history teaching standards and Donalds agreed with some of her scrutiny.

"[At] the end of the day, you've got to choose: Are you going to side with Kamala Harris and liberal media outlets, or are you going to side with the state of Florida?" DeSantis told reporters Thursday in Chariton after the first stop of his bus tour. "I think it's very clear that these guys did a good job on those standards. It wasn't anything that was politically motivated."

DESANTIS TO HEADLINE 'FAITH & FREEDOM BBQ' DAYS AFTER FIRST RNC DEBATE

DeSantis contended the provision the Florida Board of Education approved for its school curricula black history teaching standards that have caused offense discussed skills enslaved people developed "in spite of slavery, not because of slavery."

"That makes it very clear about the injustices of slavery in vivid detail," he said.

DeSantis also acknowledged the intimate nature of his Chariton's meet and greet event, admitting to reporters afterward he had expected between 20 to 25 to be in attendance.

"We're excited to be here, back in Iowa, this bus tour," he said. "It's very important that you go to the rural counties, and so we're going to hit them all."

DeSantis's meet and greet in Chariton on Thursday afternoon came before a walk through the Wayne County Fair in Corydon and a town hall in Osceola, all stops as part of a bus tour organized by his super PAC Never Back Down amid his campaign's strategy reset and restructure. He is scheduled to appear in Albia and Oskaloosa before addressing the Iowa Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner in Des Moines on Friday.

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The campaign overhaul coincides with DeSantis's polling decline from an average of 31% in January to 18% on Thursday, according to RealClearPolitics. Former President Donald Trump averages 52%. While DeSantis raised $20.1 million since he announced his bid in May through June 30, two-thirds of the money came from donors who cannot contribute again, and he has already spent $7.9 million of what is in his pot.

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"DeSantis has already made three trips to Iowa since launching his campaign and has participated in 13 different public events in the state," DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo said. "Meanwhile, Trump's engagement with Iowans can be summed up by headlines like this from the New York Post: 'Trump to skip second Iowa cattle call after spat with state governor.'"

"No one will outwork Ron DeSantis in the Hawkeye State, and he is just getting started," he added.

Original Location: DeSantis asks critics whether they are siding with Harris or Florida amid black history tensions

Washington Examiner Videos
Chloe Cole, a 19-year-old detransitioner, broke down during House testimony Thursday when she spoke to the mother of a transgender child about the dangers of medical transition procedures.

Cole addressed Myriam Reynolds, another witness on the panel, who is a professional counselor and allowed her child to pursue transgender medical interventions.

DESANTIS TO HEADLINE 'FAITH & FREEDOM BBQ' DAYS AFTER FIRST RNC DEBATE

"I understood that Mrs. Reynolds is scared for her child and I just want to set the record straight that I don't hate her, I don't think anybody in this room hates her," said Cole, who started medically transitioning at the age of 12. "In fact, I see my own mother and my own father in her and that clearly she really loves her child, and she's doing the best with what she's been given."

Advocates for and against gender-affirming care for minors testify at a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing. (Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)

Cole began to break down, continuing, "Unfortunately, it's not much, and for that, I'm sorry. I think every parent deserves the utmost grace and guidance with how to help their child. That being said, I don't wish for her child to have the same result that I did."

The 19-year-old gave heartfelt testimony about her experiences with medical transition, including coercion by doctors, genital mutilation, such as a double mastectomy as a young teenager, and the permanent changes drugs have made to her body.

Cole was prompted by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who asked her to comment on the inherent worth of everyone going through sexual confusion as a child. Roy closed by asking if Cole believed the American healthcare system had failed her.

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"On every single level: By doctors and systemically," Cole replied.

Advocates for and against gender-affirming care for minors testify at a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing. (Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)

Democrats on the committee attempted to deride the premise for the hearing, which was on the "Dangers and Due Process Violations of 'Gender-Affirming Care' for Children," by arguing the entire American medical establishment promotes gender transitions for children, calling it "safe and effective" and "life-saving mainstream medical treatment for children."

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However, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) said those arguments are "extremely misleading," prompting Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, director of the Center for Family Studies at the Family Research Council, to explain why.

Bauwens described the incongruence with the standard for scientific research and development, the scientific method which requires questioning outcomes, saying, "This whole discussion about saying that it's 'life-saving' automatically says, 'there's no room for discussion because the science is settled,' which is an amazing statement."

Original Location: Detransitioner Chloe Cole breaks down before Congress speaking to mother of transgender child

Washington Examiner Videos
Former President Donald Trump said Thursday his attorneys had a "productive meeting" with special counsel Jack Smith's team despite his legal team being informed of a potential forthcoming indictment.

"My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country. No indication of notice was given during the meeting  Do not trust the Fake News on anything!" Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.

TRUMP LEAD OVER PRIMARY OPPONENTS HOLDS STEADY, BIDEN GAINS SUPPORT: POLL

Trump's legal team is preparing for the possibility that a federal grand jury will vote on charges against the former president as early as Thursday, three sources familiar with the matter told NBC News.

On July 18, the former president posted on Truth Social that he was notified that he is the target of an investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and efforts to subvert the 2020 election.

The target letter cited three federal statutes related to deprivation of rights, conspiracy to defraud the country, and witness tampering.

Members of the grand jury have been witnessing testimony in Smith's investigation into alleged 2020 election subversion and alleged efforts to impede the peaceful transfer of power. Reporters on Thursday posted that members of the grand jury were entering the courthouse.

Smith has already indicted Trump, charging him in Florida with allegedly mishandling classified documents after he left the Oval Office in 2021. Trump was also indicted in New York this year in a case surrounding $130,000 paid to porn star Stormy Daniels during the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases.

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The Washington Examiner contacted multiple representatives of the former president for a response.

Ashley Oliver contributed to this report.

Original Location: Donald Trump says attorneys had 'productive meeting' with DOJ ahead of potential indictment

Washington Examiner Videos
Officials in the State Department are expected to meet with the House Foreign Affairs Committee this week to answer questions on the suspension of President Joe Biden's Iran envoy, Rob Malley.

The exact date of the closed-door meeting has not been set, but the meeting comes from an agreement between the State Department and the Foreign Affairs committee. The State Department did not comment on the reason for Malley's suspension last month, but multiple reports have indicated Malley could have mishandled classified documents.

TIM BURCHETT CALLS THE PENTAGON A BUNCH OF WAR PIMPS' AMID HOUSE UFO HEARING

"I don't know what the problem is with his background checks and his security clearances, only what's been reported that classified documents have been mishandled," Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) told Washington Post Live earlier this month.

"Now, that could be something very small in nature, or it could be very  something very, very serious. And if I carry it to the most serious extreme, if he has leaked very sensitive or classified information to our foreign adversaries like Iran or Russia, that's a very serious act that would fall under treason," he added.

McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said he had no knowledge of what led to the investigation and suspension, but he stressed that given the high level of trust placed in Malley, Congress needed to be sure there was no serious crime committed.

"We need to know what is going on. We need to be briefed in the Congress," McCaul said. "This is the very same man who negotiated the Iran deal. This is a man that the nation has put their biggest confidence in, with some of the biggest secrets related to Iran's nuclear weapons program, and if there's anything that has compromised that, Congress needs to know."

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Malley has served in the State Department under several Democratic administrations, but he was appointed as the Iran envoy in 2021. He was placed on partial leave in the spring, but it was bumped to full-time and unpaid leave in June.

The investigation into Malley's security clearance also involves the FBI and Diplomatic Security, according to Fox News.

Original Location: House Foreign Affairs to question State Department on Iran envoy suspension this week: Report

Washington Examiner Videos
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika laid out some requirements for first son Hunter Biden on Wednesday if he wants to avoid jail time while an investigation surrounding him is ongoing.

Noreika instructed the president's son to look for a job actively, lay off of alcohol and drugs, not buy or possess a firearm, and submit to random drug tests in exchange for not being arrested, according to court documents. The younger Biden has a history of drug addiction and has been accused of possessing a firearm while on drugs.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL COLLAPSES IN COURT AS JUDGE THROWS 'CURVEBALL'

If Biden can obey the conditions of his release, the gun charge against him would be dropped. But if he fails to adhere to the terms, the felony gun charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years, according to the documents.

The defense team expected Biden to plead guilty to two tax-related charges on Wednesday in exchange for dropping the felony gun charge, but a tumultuous scene unfolded in the federal court in Wilmington, Delaware. After more than three hours, Noreika delayed ruling on the agreement until she receives additional briefings from the government and the defendant's counsel.

President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden leaves after a court appearance, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del. The plea deal in Hunter Biden's criminal case unraveled during a court hearing Wednesday after a federal judge raised concerns about the terms of the agreement that has infuriated Republicans who believe the president's son is getting preferential treatment. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez/AP

The initial agreement began to sour when a lawyer for the Justice Department admitted the investigation into the first son was still ongoing and that he could hypothetically be charged with additional crimes. Among the hypotheticals was failing to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

When the Justice Department admitted that there was still an investigation being conducted, Biden's defense lawyers claimed the plea agreement was "null and void." Biden then pleaded "not guilty" to all charges.

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Republicans praised Norieka's rejection of Biden's "sweetheart deal," which Republicans have claimed is too lenient, especially as former President Donald Trump faces multiple indictments.

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"District Judge Noreika did the right thing by refusing to rubberstamp Hunter Biden's sweetheart plea deal," House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) told Fox News. "But let's be clear: Hunter's sweetheart plea deal belongs in the trash."

The court is expected to reconvene in 30 days with a new agreement and to reexamine the case.

Original Location: Hunter Biden plea: Judge instructs first son to look for job and stay away from drugs

Washington Examiner Videos
Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court on Wednesday in support of the Mountain Valley Pipeline project, joining Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) on the same side of the issue despite their political feud.

Construction on the natural gas pipeline was supposed to resume earlier this month in West Virginia and Virginia. However, progress on the project stopped again after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay, preventing construction from restarting.

SENATE VOTES TO KEEP CHINA FROM BUYING US FARMLAND

"We absolutely need the pipeline to go," Justice said, according to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. "We don't need any more delays. I'm very confident the Supreme Court will move and move in our way."

The governor's legal action in the case is notable, considering he and Manchin have become political rivals. Earlier this year, Justice announced his 2024 Senate campaign for Manchin's seat in West Virginia.

Last week, Manchin asked the Supreme Court to step in by filing an amicus brief of his own.

"It's a shame when members of Congress have to ask the Supreme Court to intervene to maintain the credibility of the laws that we have passed and the president has signed, but I am confident that the court will uphold our laws and allow construction of MVP to resume," Manchin said.

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The 303-mile pipeline has been stalled for five years due to several court delays, but House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and President Joe Biden helped expedite the process of returning to construction earlier this summer.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court allowed construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline to proceed.

Original Location: Joe Manchin and Jim Justice find themselves on the same side of a key issue

Washington Examiner Videos
Former White House chief of staff Karl Rove said he is "not surprised" that the federal judge presiding over Hunter Biden's court appearance took issue with the plea agreement on Wednesday.

Biden and prosecutors had originally entered a deal where the first son would plead guilty to two tax misdemeanor charges to avoid a felony gun possession charge. However, Delaware federal District Judge Maryellen Noreika threw a "curveball" during the proceedings and said she was not ready to accept the "sweetheart" plea deal.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL COLLAPSES IN COURT AS JUDGE THROWS 'CURVEBALL'

The outcome resulted in Biden pleading not guilty after Noreika raised concerns over how much immunity the deal would bring him. Rove equated the immunity plea to an attempt by the defense to use a "get out of jail free card" for his other alleged misconduct.

"Look, you give immunity in return for, generally, for assistance," Rove said in an interview with Fox News.

"So, the grant of immunity would normally be tied to cooperation in going after a bigger fish, so to speak. And instead, it looks like, you know, that was a get out of jail free card for anything that he might have done or might do for some period of time. "

"I thought it was extraordinary when Hunter Biden's attorney said that. And actually, I'm not surprised that the judge had a problem with it. Think about that: 'Give me a free pass on anything that you may not have been able to pin on me so far, but that you may find out about me in the months ahead,'" Rove added.

Noreika has delayed ruling on the agreement until she obtains additional briefings from the government and Biden's counsel. The prosecution told the judge that the investigation is ongoing.

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"You all are telling me to 'please rubber-stamp this agreement, your honor.' I am not in a position where I can decide on the plea agreement," Noreika said Wednesday.

Without the arrangement, President Joe Biden's son could face up to 12 months in prison, a fine of $25,000 for each tax violation count, and a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail for the felony.

Original Location: Karl Rove not surprised judge questioned Hunter Biden plea deal as 'get out of jail free card'

Washington Examiner Videos
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) stated Thursday that he does not believe President Joe Biden will be the Democratic Party's nominee for the 2024 presidential election, citing the recent court ruling on the president's son as a contributing factor.

Sununu's prediction comes a day after Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday after a planned plea deal fell apart. It involved the president's son pleading guilty to two tax misdemeanor charges and entering a diversion program to avoid a felony gun charge. The plea deal was reached weeks ago, and while United States District Judge Maryellen Noreika had been expected to accept it, she delayed ruling on the agreement until she obtained additional briefings from the government and the defendant's counsel.

HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL COLLAPSES IN COURT AS JUDGE THROWS 'CURVEBALL'

"But I'm gonna tell you, I don't think Joe Biden is the nominee in 24," said Sununu. "And this is just one drop, many of the many drops in the bucket."

The governor said he believes Biden is going to go through the primary process but that the public will see "a wild convention" where the president and his people "start steering the delegates somewhere else." He added that this will be done to ensure that Biden does not have to testify in court and "open all this other stuff."

"So look, I don't know whether it's a grand scheme, I'm not a conspiracy theorist by any means, but I just think that's the way it's planned out," said Sununu. "I don't think Trump or Biden are on that ticket."

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Sununu's comments come as Biden is already experiencing low approval ratings, as a poll released earlier this month showed the incumbent president's approval fell to 40% in early July, slightly down one percentage point from the rating in June. The approval ratings, combined with the president's age of 80, pose concerns for some in the Democratic Party about his ability to win reelection.

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Former President Donald Trump, who lost reelection in 2020, is running for office again and is seen by many as the top candidate in the Republican primary. Other Republicans in the primary race include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and former Vice President Mike Pence.

A Monmouth University poll, released Tuesday, showed a combined 69% of Republican voters think Trump is the strongest nominee to compete with Biden. By contrast, 18% of Republican voters thought a different candidate would be "probably stronger," and 13% said another would be "definitely stronger."

Original Location: Sununu says Biden won't be the Democrat nominee in 2024

Washington Examiner Videos
Colorados policymaking brain trust aims to take away our natural gas-fired furnaces, sooner or later, to make way for an all-electric future.

For now, that agenda is taking shape in narrower restrictions, like Denvers new building code adopted earlier this year, which bans gas furnaces and water heaters in new commercial and multifamily construction starting in 2024. But ever-broader bans are sure to follow.

You may wonder what, if not natural gas, Coloradans will use to heat their homes and businesses on those frigid January nights.

The policymakers, preoccupied with shrinking our carbon footprint, likely will retort, Details! Mere details! Press them for those details, and theyll mutter something about heat pumps.

Heat pumps move heat from a cool space to a warm space by transferring thermal energy. But if the cool place is too cold, theres not much heat to transfer. Which is why heat pumps seem to do the trick in climates with moderately chilly winters like Texas or the desert southwest.

And its why many Coloradans, by contrast, never have heard of them.

Its also why new research findings on the efficacy of heat pumps in Colorados cold shouldnt surprise anyone. Spoiler alert: They fail miserably.

As reported in The Gazette this week, research by Colorados largest public utility, Xcel Energy, and the federal governments National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, looked at the viability of heat pumps for space heating and for their potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that air-source heat pumps perform up to 10% less efficiently at higher altitudes and cannot heat effectively at temperatures below 40 degrees.

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Thats right, 40 degrees. Never mind winter; thats a typical temperature on any spring or fall morning along the Front Range.

In a Q&A with our news staff, Jeff Lyng, area vice president for energy and sustainability policy at Xcel, said, when it's coldest out in the wintertime, and given where the technology is today, we do think customers are going to need some form of backup. They'll need to keep or maintain their existing gas furnace or boiler for those really, really cold temperatures.

Backup? Meaning, the heat pumps cant cut it in the cold?

Based on what we know right now and where the technology is today, which we have to be really clear-eyed about and realistic about, heat pumps do suffer a degradation (of) performance at colder temperatures and  (at) temperatures below zero, even cold-climate heat-pump technology ceases to operate as a heat pump, Lyng said. We think especially for existing homes, the best approach is probably a heat pump, plus the existing gas system.

In other words, well all need two heating systems where one used to do just fine. One will be to please policymakers; the other one actually will heat your home. Assuming, of course, the powers that be allow natural gas to keep flowing at all.

I would say it's a continuum at relatively mild temperatures, say above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, Lyng said, (at which) a heat pump might typically be able to supply all of the space-heating needs. At lower than that, you're going to see more dual-system operation, where the heat pump is running, or the gas furnace or boiler also kicks on. So, you're running two heating systems at very, very cold temperatures.

Will that cold, hard science on heat pumps cool the superheated enthusiasm of our policymaking visionaries in their headlong rush toward total electrification? Lets hope so.
ChatGPT and other Generative AI (GenAI) models represent disruptive solutions that already are helping consumers refine the search process, automate the creation of content and boost individual productivity.

While we expect enterprises to adopt this powerful technology rapidly, we also hope they are aware of the potential risks, inaccuracy and privacy concerns involved too, writes Vignesh Subramanian, senior director, product management, Infor, a global leader in business cloud software specialised by industry..

Naturally, its only a matter of time before the GenAI space matures and addresses such concerns. In the meantime, with human control and moderation, GenAI models have the potential to revolutionise enterprise environments.

Security threat

On the other hand, weve had warnings of AIs potential to bring about the extinction of humanity, claims that it poses a national security threat, calls for all training of AIs above a certain capacity to be halted for at least six months and a resignation by the Godfather of AI.

GenAI models, such as ChatGPT, seem to be some of the most discussed, with much debate around their potential to transform our everyday lives. But what about in an enterprise environment? How can businesses harness the potential power of this truly transformative technology and to what end?

Although the field of GenAI is still pretty nascent, we are definitely at an inflection point in AI and computing in general. Most of the large language models making a splash in the generative AI space are good at Natural Language Processing (NLP). Across a multitude of industries, these GenAI models can help with NLP based applications, such as providing interactive help. You can expose your knowledge base/end-user manuals and documentation through a GenAI-based interactive chatbot, which will make finding information vastly easier for users.

NLP solutions

Another immediate benefit, although a considerably bigger challenge, is to provide an NLP-based enterprise-wide search capability on business data. This is of course an ever-evolving space, with enterprise software businesses already hard at work investigating how GenAI models can complement existing NLP solutions and AI offerings. This could be by enhancing contextual experiences, integrating voice chat capabilities with digital assistants or machine learning (ML) models through AI platforms, and extending enterprise search into image recognition capabilities.

And, because GenAI models enable users to tap into a variety of data sources to generate text and code, formulate predictions and summaries, perform translations, analyse images and more, they can be used for a variety of enterprise use cases. These include writing e-mails, reports, product documentation and web content; creating job descriptions and requisitions; performing product and vendor comparisons, and assembling photos, music tracks and videos for marketing campaigns. And you can also put the NLP skills of GenAI models to good use to summarise books, review and proof read any content, and provide ideas to jumpstart an initiative.

GenAI in action

So, what does this look like in practice? Well, for example, companies with IT and software engineering departments can initiate a healthy practice of leveraging tools such as Microsofts Copilot or AWS CodeWhisperer for code generation. For businesses that need to build their own industry specific language models, simply verify general information, get reviews and recommendations by sourcing the web, or have a need to combine their private enterprise data and enrich this with information in the public domain, they can integrate with GenAI tools and platforms such as Open AIs ChatGPT or AWS Bedrock.

Challenges ahead

The pace of change in the world of GenAI is quick and organisations that dont respond in time may be left behind. Ideally, businesses should be embracing this powerful technology rather than rejecting it. But that definitely doesnt mean that one-size-fits-all when it comes to GenAI models and there are certainly a number of challenges to be addressed before GenAI models can gain widespread adoption in enterprise environments.

First, theres the issue of reliability. While the generated content from a large language model looks original, it is in fact mimicking a pattern based on a similar training data set it has been exposed to. Many times, the generated information is known to be false. And the same question can generate different answers.

Second, we have privacy issues. The data and the input conditions that the users share are used to train the larger model. So, valuable trade secrets or PII data can be shared, inadvertently leading to compliance violations. In addition, the generation and exchange of business-specific content must adhere to strict legal and data privacy requirements  for example, when companies perform a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) they must ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Most of the GenAI platform vendors do offer the possibility of keeping your enterprise data exclusive and not used for general training purposes but its important that businesses who plan to use GenAI take this into account.

Then theres the issue of bias. Content generated by AI is tailor-made based on the input prompt. You can also train the model using favourable data points only without exposing it to the full picture. Ultimately, you can mould the output the way you want  both useful and harmful. The tone of generated content could be authoritative while in fact it could be a subjective view and it would be easy to manipulate a gullible user and influence their views pretty convincingly with GenAI. Also, the risk of generating fake news, fake video and audio clips will only get higher.

Moderation filters

Thats not to say that these challenges are insurmountable. One way to combat these threats is to apply the proper moderation filters on the end user interface through which GenAI tools can be used by normal users. And, without a doubt, for business use, enterprises must follow a human in the middle approach. i.e., all generated content must be moderated by a real person before being rolled out for regular consumption. Human control and moderation will be required for some time to boost the accuracy and consistency of the generated content, help reduce socio-political biases and ensure that a companys competitive edge is not compromised.

Considering all of the above, enterprises need to develop a point of view of how GenAI applies to them. Additionally, it will be vital to follow the best practices from GenAI vendors  for example, the use of moderation filters from Open AI. What we are also seeing is individual countries scrambling to come up with their own AI policies, something else that businesses will need to take into account, making sure the local AI policy is adhered to, following the proper protocols as outlined by respective governments.

Rapid evolution

In terms of how Generative AI will evolve over the next five-to-ten years, investments in the technology will increase tremendously  both in terms of generating better models as well as in the hardware space, with faster more powerful chips and the need for more network bandwidths. Its impact should definitely not be underestimated. All media content we will consume in the coming years will be influenced by GenAI; the internet search as we know it will move more towards a tailored, conversational experience; tools that detect content generated by AI will get more smarter, and regulatory and compliance will get ever-tighter.-- TradeArabia News Service
Its no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill, the Community News & Small Business Support Act, that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to newspapers and local businesses.

For too many newspapers, help cant come soon enough. Economic challenges have resulted in too many communities seeing their local newspapers being forced to lay off staff, cut back on publication days or  worse yet  close. On average, two newspapers are closing each week. That hurts local businesses and residents in the long (and short) run. However, despite the challenges, what remains true is that local newspapers make a difference in their communities.

But, dont just take my word for it. Lets look at the numbers and why Americas Newspapers has been pushing for the Community News & Small Business Support Act to be introduced.

A recent national study of 5,000 Americans over 18 was conducted by the independent research firm Coda Ventures for Americas Newspapers, and provides compelling evidence of the importance, relevance and vitality of todays newspapers in the American media landscape.

Readers told us that their local newspaper makes a difference. The study shows that 79% of Americans read/use local news to stay informed about their cities, counties and communities. They also said they rely on their local paper to feel connected to their community, to decide where they stand on local issues, to find places and things to do, to talk with people about things happening in the community, because they find it enjoyable/entertaining and to be a better citizen.

And, contrary to popular belief, readers across all age groups turn to local newspapers and their digital products to stay informed about their communities.

Readers also told us they need more local news from their community paper. As one survey respondent in California said, Our paper keeps getting smaller. I would like to see more news items, whats happening in town, whats new in politics, etc. And they need to be quicker to respond to breaking news.

All of that takes a committed, local staff  something the legislation introduced by Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-1) will help to make happen.

So, what would this legislation mean to your local community?

Local businesses with fewer than 50 employees would receive a five-year nonrefundable tax credit of up to $5,000 in the first year and up to $2,500 in the subsequent four years based on their spending level with local newspapers and local media.

Our study showed that 6 out of 10 American adults use newspaper advertising to help them decide what brands, products and local services to buy. Newspaper readers also are almost twice as likely to purchase products from a number of important advertising categories than non-newspaper readers, including: automobiles, trucks and SUVs; home furnishings; home improvement products and services; and home services like pest control, plumbing, heating, etc.

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With this legislation, we expect to see more businesses being able to afford to advertise to consumers, which  in turn  helps communities thrive.

For local newspapers, a five-year refundable tax credit would help them hire more journalists to bring you more news! Its a win-win for local communities. Newspapers would receive a tax credit to be used for the compensation of journalists. The credit would cover 50% of journalists compensation in the first year and 30% of compensation (up to $50,000) in the subsequent four years. This tax credit would only be available to local community papers with fewer than 750 employees and, if they dont invest in their newsroom, they dont get the credit. And these tax credits are only available to local newspapers. National newspaper outlets are not eligible.

The importance of local newspapers and local business is the reason Reps. Tenney and DelBene introduced the legislation. We are most grateful for their support.

We need your support, as well, to encourage legislators to enact this legislation. Please contact the offices of your senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress and encourage them to add their support to this legislation. These tax credits arent permanent; they will sunset in five years.

But, these critical five years will allow the newspaper industry the time needed to address the challenges that it is facing from Big Tech, which often uses newspapers content without compensation, as well as other technological and market challenges. Visit www.usa.gov/elected-officials for the contact information for your legislators.

More local reporting means more access for hometown news that citizens like you rely on.

And stronger newspapers mean stronger advertising vehicles for local businesses.

On behalf of its approximately 1,700 newspaper and Solutions Partner companies, Americas Newspapers is committed to explaining, defending and advancing the vital role of newspapers in democracy and civil life.

We put an emphasis on educating the public on all the ways newspapers contribute to building a community identity and the success of local businesses. Learn more: www.newspapers.org

Dean Ridings is the CEO of Americas Newspapers.
Vulnerable electric service

The article A Future without Drake was very informative about the future of the downtown site, complete with pictures, plans and interviews with experts.

What the article failed to mention is where our electricity will come from in the future.

According to the Colorado Springs Utilities website, it has joined the Southwest Power Pool grid, and plan expanded solar capabilities with battery storage. When the Ray Nixon plant shuts down in seven years, our city will be totally reliant on renewable and out-of-area energy sources.

During the 28 years of my observation, the Drake coal plant was equipped with smokestack scrubbers, which greatly reduced emissions. When coal trains from the north were eliminated several years ago, natural gas seemed to be the cleanest solution. These improvements, with their added costs to customers utility bills, seem to have been squandered.

Without local control of conventional generation, relying on renewable sources, our local electric service seems vulnerable to me.

Bill Hellwig

Colorado Springs

Its sad; not funny

In our Neighborhood Watch there was this sad happening! A party received a citation or notice from the city about the condition of their front yard. Sad not funny!

I havent seen a city mower this entire spring or summer. The medians and roadsides and ditches are as high as a corn field. Is no one in the Transportation Department alive? Did they sell all the mowers at a garage sale or just give them away so they have an excuse for the shabby condition we now have in our once beautiful city.

Does our new mayor ever drive around and see the messes? Its hard to understand why any tourist would want to visit here. Hope someone in City Hall wakes up before it is too late.

Joan Neugebauer

Colorado Springs

The student loan problem

Wow, Tatiana Bailey has described the essentials of the student loan problem, though some additional points can be made, mainly, following the money. The cost of college has increased by 750% since 1963. Has the percentage of graduating students increased? Almost certainly not. Has the quality of education increased by 750%? Of course not. What has increased is an explosion of nonteaching staff.

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Anyone who has been exposed to the internal operations of higher education knows that universities are as political and bureaucratic as any government. Budget and staff size are preferred indicators of success; students are the means. A cynic would say that the raw material for this success is attracted by easy classes, paid for by someone elses money.

There are many examples of new leadership trying to break the stranglehold group think of higher education, and getting hounded out by self serving academics. Tatianas ideas to change higher ed are good ones, all amount to providing value commensurate with an appropriate cost. As long as someone elses money paying for it, change is unlikely to happen.

Dave Vandenberg

Colorado Springs

A little bit of security

There are 330 million plus people in the United States. There are 352 million guns. And there are 700 mass shootings a year. That actually means that 329,999,300 people did not do anything bad with their guns! Yet, the solution to fix the occurrence of gun violence is to remove the guns from those blameless citizens.

When I was growing up, one could order a gun through the mail, not just any gun but a genuine war surplus military weapon. There were not the plethora of shooting innocent people. Is the change the fault of the guns? Or has there been a change in society that abrogates responsibility and glorifies criminal behavior?

Instead of going after those exercising their Second Amendment rights, how about attending to those who break the law. Enforce the laws on the books, pay attention to those citizens who choose to play fast and loose with the law.

It is too late to lament and cry on television about the son or daughter whose actions finally catch up to them. Get in their lives up front and early! As a final note; there are more deaths by suicide than homicide, so dont get stampeded into giving up a freedom for a little bit of security.

Michael S. Welsh

Colorado Springs

For the sake of politics

It certainly takes a lot of meanness to shun a little 4-year-old girl because she is the illegitimate daughter of your son. That is exactly what Joe Biden has done, but what did anyone expect? The Biden White House will only acknowledge six grandchildren but wait, there are seven. Favored son and upright citizen Hunter has another child but to acknowledge her would not be good politics for the Bidens, so they pretend she doesnt exist. Keeping up appearances is the Biden way, regardless of who it hurts. Apparently whatever Hunter Biden wants, Hunter gets. Disgusting!

As a grandfather of 10 beautiful grandchildren, I can tell you to love them as often and as much as you can. When is Pappa Joe going to realize that Hunter is a loser and an embarrassment? Maybe when his nonexistent granddaughter grows up and realizes how badly she has been treated, all for the sake of politics.

Barry S. Oswell

Colorado Springs
A court-appointed psychologist who fixated on whether the nickname Sleepy Melo meant a father was a gang member unfit to parent his children turned in a child custody recommendation so flawed that a magistrate barred the psychologist in November from ever working again for his judicial district covering six counties in northeast Colorado.

The father in that case struggled for about five months to get his two sons and daughter  then ages 12, 9 and 10  returned to his home in Sterling after the psychologist warned he posed an imminent, violent threat. Based on the psychologists warning, the mother was allowed to move the children to live with her in California, even though she had abandoned them for four years, was now living with a felon and had been involved with her family in California in a recent violent hostage situation.

When the father, Steve Ramirez, finally had his day in court, he persuaded the magistrate to order the children returned to his care in Colorado. The magistrate found the psychologist, Shannon McShane, had improperly impugned a loving, caring and protective father through an investigation the magistrate described as lopsided and marred by bias, innuendo and false statements.

The magistrate then reported McShane on Nov. 18 to the Colorado State Court Administrators Office for violating professional court practice standards.

Instead of taking prompt action, state court administrative officials allowed McShane to continue making disputed court-appointed child custody recommendations in up to 20 cases in other Colorado judicial districts for four more months before finally barring her from doing such work.

McShane is just the latest parenting evaluator to stir controversy, as critics contend state court officials and licensing regulators have moved slowly to address bias and shoddy work in the industry, an ongoing investigative series by The Gazette has found. Criticism grew so pronounced that state lawmakers two years ago passed legislation requiring new domestic-violence training for parenting evaluators, whose custody recommendations can hold tremendous influence with judges, while costing parents tens of thousands of dollars, per case.

While state judicial officials delayed taking action against McShane, she continued causing controversy, including saying another father was worse than murderers she claimed to have counseled. In that case, she pushed to reverse restrictions on an Aurora mothers parenting time a judge had imposed after ruling the mother could only see the children while supervised.

The judge had found the supervision necessary, because the mother had bitten her 3-year-old sons hand, dislocated his shoulder, punched her 6-year-old son, and threatened her ex-husband with a meat cleaver, records show. The judge also noted in his ruling that a doorbell video caught the mother punching her ex-husband and hurling large rocks at him when he had done nothing to provoke such an attack.

The state court administrators office did not remove McShane from the statewide eligibility rosters for parenting evaluators and child and family investigators until March 21. And officials in that office, who declined requests for comment, only acted after receiving a new complaint from a lawyer in an Arapahoe County custody case alleging that McShane had falsified her credentials, exhibited extreme bias, impersonated state regulators  as well as U.S. embassy employees in Tanzania  and submitted perjurious documents to the court.

On July 20, McShane surrendered her state licenses required to work in Colorado as a psychologist and an addiction counselor. She worked as a psychologist candidate at the Colorado Department of Corrections from January 2018 to February 2021, with a final annual salary there of $84,468. She also worked as a psychologist at the state hospital in Pueblo for the criminally insane from January 2018 to June 2023, with a final annual salary there of $97,224.

Records show officials at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies began investigating McShane for complaints they received on Feb. 1 and March 31 from separate parents who encountered McShane during her custody evaluations. The licensing boards for those professions suspended her licenses on June 9.

The licensing suspension notice states that an investigation found that McShane had submitted fraudulent documents to obtain her state licenses, had omitted information regarding past professional discipline from her application to become licensed, and had engaged in substandard care and practiced outside the scope of her training or expertise.

One parent alleged to the regulators that McShane appeared to have faked receiving a doctoral degree from the University of Hertfordshire in England and was telling people that she has a license to lie. Colorado law requires a doctorate to practice psychology in Colorado.

The second parent alleged to the regulators that McShane had provided a deficient parenting evaluation in that parents custody case.

McShane, in an email to The Gazette, claimed she attended the university under a former legal name and was unwilling to disclose that in order to protect people.

I negotiated with DORA as was my right, to bring this to a close, she said.

In addition, authorities in Texas in 2018 revoked McShanes real estate license and fined her $42,000 for pocketing rental money from properties she was managing instead of forwarding the rent on to property owners. She said the Texas real estate license revocation occurred because state officials there had not alerted her that she was under investigation, and she did not have a chance to respond.

McShane in her email defended her court-appointed work and said the custody evaluation process is an adversarial one, and there are winners and losers. People seem to forget that aspect.

In recent years, parenting evaluators in Colorado have faced sanctions for everything from failing to disclose conflicts of interest to questioning whether a woman was an unfit mother because she might have complained to co-workers about the penis size of her husband she was divorcing.

Five months ago, a lawsuit seeking class-action status for up to 60 parents alleged Mark Kilmer, another Boulder parenting evaluator appointed by his own estimate to about 650 custody cases, favored abusive parents. Kilmer continued doing court-appointed parenting evaluations even after the state court administrators office barred him from accepting new court appointments, records show.

Parents say state judicial officials never told them or the judges overseeing custody cases that they had stricken Kilmer from statewide eligibility rosters for court appointments, allowing him to continue working on custody cases judges already had appointed him to evaluate.

Kilmer, who pleaded guilty to a domestic assault charge and a misdemeanor domestic assault charge in 2007, was removed from the statewide rosters in February after he publicly stated he disbelieves 90% of the allegations of abuse he hears while doing parenting evaluations.

McShane has sold her house in Monument and appears to have moved to Texas, where she obtained a psychology license on March 17. In an email to the listserv for Colorado parental evaluators, McShane said she plans to continue making court-appointed custody recommendations in Texas.

While Colorado regulators and the state judicial system in Colorado moved slowly despite the sanction and report from 13th Judicial District Magistrate Matt Bradley, a father in Aurora struggled to get McShane kicked off his divorce case in Arapahoe County District Court. Records show McShane claimed in emails and in statements that Chad Kullhem was an unfit father who was worse than a murderer whom she said she treated who put his enemies through a woodchipper.

Olivia Larson, the lawyer representing Kullhem, said nobody ever told her or her client that a magistrate elsewhere had barred McShane from making custody recommendations in another judicial district.

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It would have been nice to know, Larson said, adding that families in about 20 custody cases that McShane had been working on now will have to pay for new court-appointed parenting evaluators, who often charge parents more than $15,000 per case.

Families are having to start the whole process over again, which is really a devastating thing, Larson said. There is a lot of trauma, and I think its because many of the parents do lose a lot of faith in the system. One parent said to me they feel like theyre on a treadmill and just cant get off.

McShane said in one email to the lawyers on Kullhems case that, despite the mother having a history of violence, it was the father who gave her the willies more than the murderers, predators and violent sex offenders she claimed she had counseled while working for the state Corrections Department. She added that she could not get away from the father fast enough.

The father only succeeded in getting McShane removed from his case after the lawyers in his custody case jointly filed a motion to do so because of alleged fraud and alleged falsification of her credentials. His ex-wife did not return messages seeking comment.

It really, truly feels like nobody wanted to believe or cared, Kullhem said of his struggles to get state regulators and court administration officials to take seriously his allegations that McShane was a dangerous con artist, unfit to recommend who should and should not parent a child.

I felt so incredibly devastated. She was saying things like, Im a protected court official, and things like that. All you can do is imagine youre screwed, and that its over, and you feel like its for no reason.

Kullhem said that while McShane was interviewing him for her parental evaluation, she told him she usually asks for much more money than the court had ordered him to pay her. He believes she was fishing to see if he would pay her more than the $7,500 amount the judge already had set as the amount he was supposed to pay.

I was like, Oh yeah, and then there was awkward silence, he recalled, pointing out that payments beyond what a judge has ordered arent allowed. McShane, in an interview, denied ever telling a parent she usually charges more than the amount set by a judge. She also denied ever receiving additional payments from parents beyond what a court had ordered.

McShane still has not repaid the $7,500 Kullhem paid for her parenting evaluation in his case, despite a judge on May 11 ordering her to repay the money and ordering that the lawyers not use her report in the custody case.

Kullhem said that after he filed his anonymous complaint with state regulators, McShane reached out to him pretending to be an investigator with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies to identify him and to try to persuade him to drop his complaint. Then she filed a status report with the judge overseeing his custody dispute, alleging he had targeted her for retaliation because of displeasure over her parenting evaluation.

McShane submitted to state regulators purported transcripts from the University of Hertfordshire in England, but university officials later confirmed she had not graduated from there and pointed out that the letter grades on the transcripts could not have come from the university, since teachers there do not issue letter grades, Kullhem said. An email sent to the lawyers on the custody case from an official purporting to be with the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania and stating the university was protecting McShanes identity due to regional diplomatic security issues also was fake, according to court filings.

The father said the parenting evaluation McShane submitted in his case was like a complete fantasy with talks to people that never existed and conversations with my kids that never happened.

It was just a complete lie, the whole report, he said, adding that he remains concerned about McShanes interactions with his two children, now ages 4 and 7.

Its not just the horrible report and experience that she did to me, Kullhem said. She also got to spend private time with my kids, and I dont know what she said or what she did to them, but for like weeks after she talked to them, they werent right. They were very disturbed.

Ramirez, the Sterling father who struggled to get his parenting rights restored, said his children also were weird after talking to McShane. He said McShane unfairly targeted him, which he said he was able to reveal during a hearing in November before the magistrate on his case in the 13th Judicial District. He said it took a 3-inch binder of evidence he and his lawyer compiled to dispute McShanes allegations.

McShane visited Ramirez home one Sunday in June 2022 after her court appointment to make custody recommendations in the case. Within a week of that visit, a judge ordered the children removed from their fathers care and ordered the children relocated to live with their mother in California even before McShane had written up her report. The judge acted after McShane requested an emergency hearing and after McShane reported during that hearing that the children were in imminent danger from what she described as a thuggish, brutalizing father.

Ramirez said McShane during her investigation asked him for additional money beyond the $2,000 the magistrate already had ordered him to pay for her report, saying she needed the money to adequately assess the mother. He said he refused her entreaties for additional money. McShane denied ever seeking additional money from parents beyond what a judge had ordered paid.

The mother of the children and her lawyer did not return messages seeking comment.

Five months after the removal of the children from their fathers care, Magistrate Bradley held a hearing to determine the validity of McShanes allegations that the father posed a peril to the children.

By then, McShane had submitted a 38-page report recommending that the magistrate give full custody to the mother. She further recommended that the magistrate restrict Ramirez to only seeing the children initially one weekend a month, which would require him to travel from Colorado to California. She said the magistrate should further initially disallow overnight stays with the children for the father and should only allow the father to see the children while under supervision.

After holding a hearing, the magistrate excoriated McShanes report and testimony as unbalanced and suffering from extreme confirmation bias.

Unfortunately, the court finds that Dr. McShanes investigation was so lopsided as to give the court severe concerns about its reliability, the magistrate wrote in his ruling. Over and over, Dr. McShane appears to have given every benefit of the doubt to facts that support mother while making every inference against the father. The court finds the report and investigation to be so lacking as to be nearly worthless.

The magistrate found that McShane had probed extensively whether the father was a gang member, when he was not. She had gone as far as to report that the father would allow one of his sons to only wear school clothes that she suspected were the fathers gang colors. In reality, photos showed the child attending school in all sorts of different-colored clothing, and teachers gave glowing reports about the children's performance in school, the magistrate noted.

In contrast, McShane did not investigate the mothers current husband who, at least one point in his life, actually had been affiliated with a gang and might still have gang ties, according to Bradleys ruling. In addition, the mothers son from another relationship had been kidnapped in California recently in what the magistrate said was a situation that suggested a high likelihood of gang involvement. The magistrate wrote that he disbelieved McShanes portrayal of the Colorado father as a violent abuser, writing that her report deviated from the weight of the evidence.

McShane incorrectly reported that the fathers home was dark and insufficient for the children because it only had two bedrooms, when evidence showed the home was not dark and the mothers apartment also only had two bedrooms, the magistrate wrote in the ruling. McShane said the father routinely locked the children in a single room and only allowed them to emerge to eat meals, but the magistrate said neighbors of the father showed that was not true when they testified their children often played with Ramirez children, who had no fear of their father.

Ramirez said McShanes accusations were stressful, and that he spent $20,000 on legal fees fighting to get his children returned to him. He said his new wife feared child-protective workers might also remove their 2-year-old daughter, based on McShanes biased report. The new wife wondered whether she would have to temporarily move out of the home with their daughter, because McShane warned her against letting Ramirez raise their daughter.

In my head, I was never going to see my kids again; at least, not in the sense to how life was before, you know, Ramirez said. I take my kids fishing, you know. We ride bikes. We have a normal, quiet life, and because of that lady that walked into our life, I was not going to be a dad anymore.
Colorado Springs Airport saw the highest level of passenger traffic in over 20 years in June following the arrival of Avelo Airlines and Sun Country Airlines to the local market.

The elevated month of traffic followed three consecutive months when enplanements dropped compared to the same months prior, which airport staff attributed to the loss of Frontier Airlines' service at the airport.

Houston-based Avelo and Minneapolis-based Sun Country added to the bump in airport enplanements, or travelers boarding planes out of Colorado Springs Airport, with a 12.7% increase compared with June 2022, as 107,821 passengers boarded flights locally.

"Colorado Springs customers have enthusiastically responded to the new nonstop services and increased seats resulting in increased load factors this summer," said Joe Nevill, the airport's air service development manager.

Avelo began offering nonstop flights to Los Angeles via Hollywood/Burbank in May, followed by Sun Countrys seasonal nonstop flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul in early June. The two new low-cost carriers each flew more than 1,200 passengers out of Colorado Springs in June.

But the arrival of two new airlines were not the only drivers of airport traffic in June. Delta Air Lines also opened nonstop routes to Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul, more than doubling Deltas capacity and traffic at the airport in June.

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"Delta's share of traffic at the airport increased in June due to the addition of their new flights," Nevill said.

The addition of new airlines and routes drove up seat count for flights offered out of Colorado Springs and summer travel demand not only kept pace with the increased seat supply, but outpaced the rate of seat supply's growth, thus driving up flights load factor, or the fullness of flights.

And load factors arent expected to come down anytime soon.

We expect June's load factor trends to continue through the rest of the summer," Nevill said.
The Colorado Supreme Court announced earlier this month that it will review multiple criminal cases, with issues ranging from racial bias in jury selection and the meaning of a parent-child relationship to the law justifying deadly force against home intruders.

At least three of the court's seven members must agree to hear a case on appeal.

The justices also resolved three appeals that came directly from the trial courts. One case was terminated as moot, another returned to the trial court with an admission that the judge committed an error, and the third case saw the Supreme Court let the trial judge's ruling stand.

The 'disinterested' juror

For nearly 40 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized intentional racial discrimination in jury selection is unconstitutional. If a defendant challenges a prosecutor's decision to remove, or "strike," a juror of color, the prosecutor must supply a "race neutral" reason for their decision.

At Phillip Romero's criminal trial in Weld County, the prosecutor briefly spoke with one of the two Hispanic members of the jury pool. The prosecutor then moved to strike the juror. As a race neutral reason, the prosecutor said the man "appeared very disinterested" and had a "wandering mind."

Neither the defense nor District Court Judge Shannon Lyons corroborated that account. In fact, Lyons said he "just didn't see anything" to suggest the juror was disengaged. Nonetheless, Lyons allowed the prosecution to strike the juror.

A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals ordered a new trial. Judge Neeti V. Pawar, writing for the majority, indicated the absence of any evidence supporting the prosecutor's claim meant Lyons should not have credited the race neutral explanation.

Judge David J. Richman dissented, arguing the question was actually whether any evidence contradicted the prosecutor's rationale. He added that nothing required the prosecutor to give the exact reason why the juror seemed disinterested.

The state Supreme Court accepted the government's request to review the appeal.

Make My Day

There was no dispute that Justin Brendan Martinez shot and killed his friend, Ismael Huerta, inside Martinez's house. Martinez and another witness described the shooting as a freak accident, one in which Martinez shot at the floor but happened to fatally wound Huerta.

An Adams County jury acquitted Martinez of murder but convicted him for manslaughter. Unlike with the murder charge, the trial judge did not allow Martinez to assert affirmative defenses to manslaughter. Affirmative defenses, like self-defense, seek to justify or mitigate a person's criminal conduct, and the prosecution must disprove at least one component of the affirmative defense to secure a conviction.

The Court of Appeals agreed Martinez could not assert an affirmative defense under Colorado's "Make My Day" law, which empowers people to use deadly force inside a home against an intruder. Manslaughter involves acting recklessly, explained Judge Elizabeth L. Harris, meaning ignoring an unjustifiable risk.

"Under the force-against-intruders statute, any risk of harm to the intruder is, by definition, 'justified,'" she wrote.

The Supreme Court will answer whether a person's right to deadly force under the Make My Day law can excuse reckless behavior.

Parent-child relationship

After a jury convicted Abdullahi Salah of sexually assaulting a child, he received a sentence of sex offender probation. The terms required him not to be around children, except those who were his siblings or with whom he had a "parental role."

Salah's probation officer later moved to revoke his sentence after learning Salah was living with his sister and her infant child. An Adams County judge concluded there was "no evidence" Salah had a parent-like relationship with his nephew, and that Salah violated his probation.

"The probationer bears the burden of demonstrating the nature of his relationship with a family member who isn't his child," wrote Judge Jerry N. Jones in the Court of Appeals' opinion agreeing with the trial judge. Salah "failed to demonstrate the nature of his relationship with his sister and nephew."

Salah turned to the Supreme Court, blasting the Court of Appeals' opinion as "poorly-reasoned" and with no guidance about what a parent-child relationship must look like to be protected.

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The Supreme Court will analyze whether Salah's constitutional right to familial association was violated.

Postconviction relief

Following her conviction for kidnapping and robbery, Francine Erica Segura filed a petition with numerous claims that she received ineffective assistance from counsel. Then-Denver District Court Judge Kenneth M. Laff rejected most claims outright, but appointed a lawyer to represent Segura on one allegation that appeared to have merit. Laff subsequently denied postconviction relief following a hearing.

The Court of Appeals determined Laff did not follow the proper procedure. If a judge finds at least one plausible claim in a postconviction petition, they must forward the entire document to appointed counsel, not restrict representation to only the claim with merit.

The court's decision in September was "not published," meaning it was not intended to set a precedent. Since then, the Court of Appeals has issued a precedent-setting decision in another case, doubling down on the message that trial judges cannot dictate which claims a postconviction attorney may investigate.

The Supreme Court will decide whether the appeals court interpreted the rules correctly after all.

Evidence of sexual history

Bryan Andrew Burkhalter stands accused of sexual assault through force in Boulder County. A forensic examination of the alleged victim, one day after she and Burkhalter had intercourse, revealed bruises and tears to her body and genitals.

Burkhalter sought to introduce evidence that the victim had sex with another man the day before her encounter with Burkhalter, raising the possibility that multiple acts of sexual intercourse actually caused the injuries. District Court Judge Nancy W. Salomone denied the request under Colorado's "rape shield" law, which generally prohibits explorations of an alleged victim's sexual history.

Burkhalter appealed to the Supreme Court, noting it recently issued two decisions clarifying that prosecutors may not present misleading narratives to jurors. One of the rulings involved another sex assault case from Boulder County in which a judge excluded evidence favorable to the defendant. The Supreme Court asked the prosecution to respond to Burkhalter.

The district attorney's office countered that the issue was whether Burkhalter had the victim's consent or not. It provided evidence of Burkhalter continuing to pressure the victim for sex after the alleged rape. She texted him, "when someone says no ... you stop doing that." In response, Burkhalter warned her, "Dont you dare ghost me over butt stuff.

The Supreme Court ultimately declined to get involved in Burkhalter's trial.

Withdrawing a guilty plea

Last August, Richard Qu pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence offense. He received a deferred judgment, meaning if he completed certain conditions, the case against him would be dismissed.

However, Qu later moved to withdraw his guilty plea, allegedly because he had not realized the consequences of a domestic violence offense for his divorce case and his ability to share custody of his daughter.

Arapahoe County Court Judge Kelly LaFave denied the request, noting the procedural rules required Qu to withdraw before she imposed the deferred judgment.

Qu appealed to the Supreme Court, which in turn directed the government to justify LaFave's decision. Both the district attorney's office and the Colorado Attorney General's Office, which represented LaFave, acknowledged she made a mistake. Under the Supreme Court's own precedent, Qu's motion to withdraw his plea was valid.

The Supreme Court returned Qu's case to the trial court for a hearing.

Guilty plea means case is moot

Brian Donald Hollaway had been in custody since November 2020 for a pair of criminal cases in Jefferson County. In June, he asked the Supreme Court to intervene, citing a law that requires dismissal of criminal charges when a pretrial detainee has been confined for at least 50% of the maximum sentence they would have served had they been convicted of the most serious charge.

In Hollaway's case, he argued he faced up to 18 months' incarceration for his most serious charge. Given his time in custody, Hollaway had already passed the threshold to have the cases against him dismissed.

Six days after the Supreme Court ordered the government to respond to Hollaway's petition, both the prosecution and defense agreed to withdraw the appeal. Hollaway had since pleaded guilty and resolved the charges against him, making the controversy moot.
Colorados second-highest court on Thursday upheld an Adams County judges decision to give a defendant five more years in prison solely because he did not tell the judge he was sorry.

By 2-1, a three judge panel for the Court of Appeals agreed that under certain circumstances, a defendants silence at sentencing cannot be used to increase his sentence. But in the case of Trinidad Renay Marquez, he not only accepted responsibility for firing a gun at others, but maintained during a pre-sentencing interview that his victims had some culpability.

His choice to make these statements without any subsequent qualification meant the court could properly consider what he said in the interview, wrote Judge Jerry N. Jones, as well as what he elected not to say at sentencing.

Judge Stephanie Dunn reluctantly disagreed. While she believed Marquezs statements during the interview supported the 15-year sentence Marquez received, she was concerned that District Court Judge Roberto Ramirez imposed the sentence simply because Marquez did not say the words, Im sorry.

Case: People v. Marquez Decided: July 27, 2023 Jurisdiction: Adams County Ruling: 2-1 Judges: Jerry N. Jones (author) Katharine E. Lum Stephanie Dunn (dissent)

In February 2020, Marquez shot at multiple people at a Commerce City King Soopers. The victims claimed Marquez and the people with him were harassing them, while Marquez asserted the victims would not leave him alone. Prosecutors charged Marquez with multiple counts of attempted murder, but he pleaded guilty to one assault charge.

Although the offense merited 10 to 32 years in prison, the prosecution agreed to a sentence of 10 to 15 years.

During his pre-sentencing interview, Marquez believed both sides should have been arrested.

These guys were taunting me and grabbing me, he said. I was messed up, I was doing codeine and stuff.

Marquez clarified he was not going to say what I did was right, and I should not have let these guys get under my skin. I just dont think it was right that I was the only one arrested.

The probation officer, in turn, wrote that Marquez seems to be taking accountability for his actions, albeit with the belief that the victims were to blame, too.

During Marquezs sentencing, Ramirez asked if Marquez had anything to say. Marquez replied, No, sir.

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Thats unfortunate, Ramirez said. He suggested that while he talked to the prosecution, Marquez rethink his decision not to elaborate on what he said in the pre-sentencing interview. When the judge returned to Marquez, the defendant again opted not to speak.

You want to be the tough guy, Mr. Marquez, Ramirez said. All you had to do was say, Hey, Im sorry. All you had to do was say, You know what? Whenever I said that it was all their other  it was my victims fault, they had it coming to them. Man, I was  you know what? I was just upset. Im sorry.

Ramirez continued that he was prepared to sentence Marquez to only 10 years in prison.

All you had to say is, Im sorry. You would have gotten 10 years. But you want to stay hard, man. You want to be the tough guy, the judge said. I gave you the chance. Fifteen years.

Marquez appealed his sentence, arguing he had the constitutional right against self-incrimination and Ramirez could not compel him to speak. Nor could he increase Marquezs sentence as punishment for not speaking.

The Trial Courts frustration at Mr. Marquez not making a statement or apology at sentencing was the only factor he considered to increase the sentence from ten to fifteen years, wrote defense attorney Avery Lehr.

The Court of Appeals panel acknowledged a 1999 decision in which the appellate court found a judge improperly imposed a sentence due to the defendants lack of remorse, based on the defendant invoking his constitutional right to silence throughout the proceedings.

Though we recognize that a court may not punish a defendant merely for refusing to admit guilt, wrote Jones in the July 27 opinion, we cannot conclude that that is what happened here.

He elaborated that Ramirez relied on the pre-sentencing report to determine Marquez lacked remorse over the shooting. Marquez could have clarified his comments to the judge, but he did not.

Although he accepted some responsibility, his statements indicated a lack of remorse by seeking to cast responsibility elsewhere, wrote Jones for himself and Judge Katharine E. Lum.

Dunn indicated she would have ordered a new sentencing hearing for Marquez based on Ramirezs statement that Marquez would have gotten 10 years if he only said he was sorry.

I cant tell whether the district court based the sentence on the presentence report, she wrote, or if Ramirez improperly punished Marquez for refusing to admit guilt or express remorse.
Next week, Oregon State University will host the annual Zimbabwean Music Festival, a celebration of Zimbabwean culture over four days of concerts, workshops and community conversations.

It's not something you want to miss, according to Jaiaen Beck, a marimba player and festival regular.

"Zimfest, as a whole, has so much to offer," she said.

It all began with Dumisani Maraire, or "Dumi," a Zimbabwean musician often credited for introducing marimba and mbira music to the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s.

Claire Jones, Zimfest's cofounder and coordinator, remembers how powerfully Maraire's music grabbed her when he was a visiting artist at the University of Washington.

"I thought it was the music I'd been waiting for all my life, even though I didn't know I'd been waiting for something," she said.

When Maraire returned to Zimbabwe, Jones and others, not wanting the music to stop, launched the inaugural Zimfest in Seattle in 1991.

That music captures a cultural purity for award-winning Afrofusion and Zimfest performer Tsungai Tsikirai.

"It's Zimbabwean music in its original form. It's authentic form, without modern instruments," Tsikirai said. "And that's what I grew up listening to."

Tsikirai, who lives in the United Kingdom and grew up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, remembers hearing that authenticity on trips to rural villages with her grandmother.

"It didn't mean anything to me then, but now that I'm miles away from home, all I can hear is that music," she said. "All I want to do is sing and dance to that music."

That drive brought her to Zimfest in 2018, where she led workshops on choral music.

Since 1991, the festival has expanded to offer not only live performances, but also a marketplace and workshops on Zimbabwean singing, dancing and Zimbabwean instruments, like the marimba and mbira, for all ages and skill levels.

According to Beck, anyone can walk into a marimba workshop, totally green, and learn to play.

"It's a very accessible instrument," she said.

Beck's traveled up and down the West Coast for Zimfests since the early '90s, when she was exposed to Zimbabwean music and culture through Maraire.

A few years later, she started Ancient Ways, a nonprofit agency focused on indigenous culture and traditions. Through the organization, she leads weekly marimba classes in the mid-valley region and helps organize humanitarian efforts in Zimbabwe.

Beck calls the marimba a microcosm of life.

"It's very symbolic of community, because you have all of these players who have to be strong on their part and yet be part of the group and fit nicely," she said.

Corvallis last hosted the festival in 2011. It's also the first time since COVID-19 that the festival has returned to full capacity with a full schedule, according to Jones.

Zimfest, which runs Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 3 through 6 at McNary Hall and field at Oregon State University in Corvallis, will feature a packed lineup of musicians and artists from Oregon, Zimbabwe and beyond, including Tsikirai.

Tsikirai, who recorded a short, remote concert for a virtual Zimfest at the height of the pandemic, is excited to arrive in Corvallis next month, in person.

This year, she'll not only be leading workshops on choral singing and dance therapy, but also on Zimbabwean languages such as Shona and Ndebele.

The music festival, while celebrating ancient instruments including the marimba and providing a venue for artists around the world, also fosters a richer understanding of Zimbabwean culture.

That's what Tsikirai hopes to emphasize with her language workshops, because it's not just about the rhythm or the beat.

"We want people to sing things that they understand the meaning of and why those things are sung and when they're sung," she said.

The Aug. 3 evening concert and all following afternoon concerts will be free. You can register for Zimfest workshops at the Zimfest website at zimfest.org

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There are 67 weeks until the November 2024 election, but this week showed some campaigns have set their alarm clocks extra early.

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, says he will run for another term, if he can legally do it. So will Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls.

Treasurer Tobias Read wants to switch jobs and run for Oregon Secretary of State.

An unexpected opening

The 2024 ballot still remains mostly a fill-in-the-blanks list. Candidates can't file for office with the Oregon Secretary of State until Sept. 14, and the deadline isn't until early next year.

Candidate finance committees can be created at any time. It was a small change by Treasurer Tobias Read that signaled his 2024 plans. Read filed an amendment to his committee's statement with the Elections Division of the Secretary of State changing his fundraising purpose from his unsuccessful 2022 bid for governor to a 2024 bid for secretary of state.

Willamette Week was the first to notice the switch. Read is at the end of his second term as treasurer and is barred by the Oregon Constitution from seeking a third. The May resignation by Secretary of State Shemia Fagan amid a scandal over moonlighting for a cannabis dispensary company has created an unexpected opening on the Democratic primary ballot next May.

Read says he will make a full announcement soon, but in a statement Tuesday, July 25 he indicated he was aware of the turbulence in the race caused by Fagan's departure.

As secretary of state, I will rebuild trust and give voters confidence that their public officials work for the people  and no one else," he said.

Walkout senators' quest

An early question mark will be the fate of a group of Republican senators who took part in a boycott of Senate floor sessions this year in order to deny a quorum required to meet and do any business. The 42-day walkout ended when Democrats agreed to watered-down versions of House-passed legislation on abortion, transgender medical care and gun control.

After Republican walkouts had led to the stall or collapse of previous sessions, voters in November 2022 approved Measure 113 as a way to increase penalties for taking part in stall tactics in the Legislature.

Backers said the measure would bar the reelection of any lawmaker who had 10 unexcused absences. Nine Republicans and one independent member of the Senate surpassed the mark during the 2023 walkout.

The GOP lawmakers and their supporters say the bill was poorly written and likely unconstitutional. On Monday, Knopp and Linthicum said they would run for reelection and had sent a letter to new Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, asking for "a declaratory ruling on Measure 113 on whether Senator Knopp and Senator Linthicum will be allowed ballot access for the 2024 election."

The seats held by Knopp and Linthicum are both up for election in 2024. The Monday letter officially only asks Griffin-Valade to make a decision. That decision  a yes or no answer  could then be appealed in court.

Oregon voters desperately want balance," Knopp said. "Senate Republicans are looking forward to vigorous debates over the course of the campaign season.

A press release by the Senate Republican Caucus said three other Republican senators who did not miss 10 or more floor sessions planned to file for reelection: David Brock Smith of Port Orford, Dick Anderson of Lincoln City and Fred Girod of Lyons.

Four other senators who had 10 or more absences and have seats on the 2024 ballot are either retiring or haven't announced their plans.

Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, had previously announced he would not seek another term in 2024. Sen. Lynn Findley, R- Vale, has said he has not decided on his plans for next year. Sen. Art Robinson, R-Cave Junction, is not a member of the Senate Republican Caucus and his plans were not addressed in the statement. Neither was Sen. Brian Boquist of Dallas, who was elected as a Republican, but is now affiliated only with the Independent Party.

Griffin-Valade was sworn in as secretary of state on June 30, following her appointment by Gov. Tina Kotek. Acting Secretary of State Cheryl Myers, who temporarily held the office after Fagan resigned in May, had not made any statement on Measure 113.

"The new secretary of state is reviewing the matter," Ben Morris, communications officer for the Secretary of State's office, said Tuesday. "We don't have any additional details or comments to share at this time."
A South Korean photovoltaic cell manufacturer wants to site solar panels and batteries on 2.5 square miles of farmland in southern Linn County, potentially the largest solar park in Oregon.

Folks decrying loss of farmland that they say is big in nutrients and slim in availability crammed into a Brownsville meeting hall on Tuesday night, July 25 to tell state energy officials theyd rather see the land produce grass seed.

Colton Neuschwander stroked a long, waxed mustache and peered at the solar park applicants. He said he dislikes seeing farmland ceded to big corporations  especially from out of state.

My family has been farming the Willamette Valley outside of Harrisburg for 100 years, Neuschwander said.

The Oregon Department of Energy restarted a meeting after a crowd of around 100 showed up.

Some spoke into the public record about their concerns that Muddy Creek Energy Park would be compatible with farming, endangered wildlife in the area or the birds and wildlife favored by hunters as game.

They complained the solar park, if approved, would cover protected wetlands. They complained the transmission lines and poles holding electrical wiring would interfere with birds in the Pacific Flyway.

Muddy Creek potentially would be the largest solar park in the state by output, according to Department of Energy data. The department is reviewing one other application, a 400-megawatt, 6.1-square-mile design in Lake County named Obsidian Solar Center.

Solar parks approved or under construction generate or output between 50 and 162 megawatts. Just two parks licensed with the Department of Energy are open and providing electricity.

Oregons first, Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility III, commenced operation March 2022 in Morrow County. Pachwaywit Fields started producing producing commercial electricity April 25 and operates on 1.9 square miles of farmland in Gilliam County.

Applicants proposed buildouts generating 400, 500 and 1,250 megawatts in Lake and Morrow counties, but havent entered into the states formal siting process. The largest of those would cover 17 square miles of farmland.

Applicants want to install enough 4-by-8-foot solar panels to power a small town  around 23,000 customers, company representative Brian Tran said at the meeting.

Tran said he couldnt provide examples of sister facilities or solar parks owned by his company.

A land use expert with the state agriculture department told applicants large-scale solar projects arent found in the Willamette Valley because Oregon has dissuaded development on farmland by requiring large solar projects to go through a process excepting their construction from land use policy.

The exceptions process, its not called the exceptions process for nothing. Its supposed to be difficult, Oregon Department of Agriculture land use coordinator Jim Johnson said.

Company representatives said a subsidiary of Seoul-based Hanwha Q Cells will lease the land under the cells, all private and mostly agricultural fields, for 40 years.

Thats four decades those fields wouldnt produce crops, said Yvonne Scott, a farmer whose family moved from California to the Willamette Valley.

Forty years? Thats a long time, Scott said. How old are you?

Tran answered: 29.

Muddy Creek Solar Park LLC notified the Oregon department on May 19 that the company intended to apply for certification of the 199 megawatt buildout east of Interstate 5, about 8 miles south of Brownsville.

An unspecified number of solar panels would generate electricity, stored in massive 36-foot-long banks of batteries, each 12 feet wide and 10 feet high.

Tran said the solar park intends to use an existing substation.

City Councilor Lynda Chambers told energy department officials she was speaking on her own behalf before a meeting of the citys elected leadership.

She questioned why Brownsville officials hadnt been included earlier in conversations between Hanwha and those who eventually will greenlight or stop the park from moving forward.

Id like to see you build closer to Portland or Eugene  theyd love you all, Chambers said.

Tran said the company had attempted to reach out to governments at surrounding cities prior to entering formal siting with the energy department.

Its been two years in the making to get where we are, and even then we are smack dab in the middle, Tran said.

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Hanwha organized an Oregon limited liability company in 2021 with the intent of building out a solar park, according to state business filings.

Next, a seven-member board of officials appointed by the governor will decide whether they can issue an order to move ahead with siting the solar park.
Benton County was unable to deliver $13.2 million, or 93% of the total, in hoped-for local and state funding for a one-stop center for folks without housing, and now the nonprofit that expected to operate it is hoping for more donations.

Benton officials positioned the estimated $14.2 million "navigation center" as part of their pitch to voters in May, when the county sought major tax funding in a nearly $200 million overhaul of its criminal justice system.

The bond would have raised $3 million for the navigation center with hopes the state Legislature would come up with most of the rest needed for construction. With close to a 41% turnout in the May 16 election, 13,758 Benton County voters said no to 10,451 who said yes.

Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Centers executive director said the organization remains optimistic about funding a larger building for communal gathering space, room for social services and six to 10 sleeping spaces for folks who urgently need shelter.

Our commitment to our guests vision to create a physical space that is even more functional, loving, just, and equitable is unfaltering, Allison Hobgood wrote in an email.

A request to state lawmakers for $10.2 million apparently faltered because the Drop-in Center didnt own any land where it could site a building.

Elected officials in mid-July heard that millions sought by Benton County lobbyists and the Drop-In Center at the Oregon State Capitol hadnt materialized in budget allocations.

None of the legislation from the state's 2023 session appeared to produce funding, county Chief Financial Officer Rick Crager said.

Its pretty safe to say there are no additional resources, Crager said.

Legislative funding looked more likely after a May revenue forecast showed about $2 billion more than lawmakers had anticipated for the state. That news had county officials optimistic could be the state would be in a position to be more generous across the many agencies with requests.

The Legislature had a lot more to play with, Crager said.

Commissioner Xan Augerot wants the county to help the Drop-in Center buy property. It was the fact that they didnt own the property yet, that they werent ready, Augerot said, that appeared to hold back the Legislature.

Helping homeless individuals was a big part of the county's hard sell to voters to support the $110 million Measure 2-140, though most of it was to fund a new jail and sheriff's emergency operations center.

Benton County in 2022 latched on to the findings of a pollster that told commissioners homelessness was the No. 1 issue on the minds of Oregonians.

Rather than build its own center for social work and shelter, the county partnered with the Drop-in Center that already provided the kind of wrap-around care a 2018 assessment listed among the countys potential options to intercede in the homeless-to-jail pipeline.

The Drop-in Center was set to provide $1 million of its own to round out the $14.2 million in anticipated costs.

Supporters envision a 10,000- to 12,000-square-foot building that provides social services from first contact with people who are unhoused to employment and addiction counseling to permanent shelter.

Plans call for sleeping space for unhoused folks who tend to be especially vulnerable, including people of color, people with disabilities, people who are queer, veterans and older people.

Staff reported people who are Black or Native American are about six to nearly 15 times more likely to be represented in the centers population than the county.

More than three in 25 at the center are Native American, 13.2%, where people who are Native make up about 0.9% of Benton Countys population. People who are Black accounted for 7.7% of those served by the center, compared to 1.2% of the population countywide.

The center served 403 people across 2,929 visits between July 2022 to September that same year. A multi-agency outreach team coordinated in part by the Drop-in Center served 135 during the same time.

Folks served by the center connected with health or social services caseworkers 172 times, beginning the process of moving into permanent shelter.

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Without county and state funding, the Drop-in Center is seeking donations. Hobgood said the city of Corvallis may help fund construction of the navigation center.

We have not heard anything more from Benton County about their potential financial support for the navigation center expansion project after the failed bond measure and lack of legislative support at the state level, Hobgood wrote. But again, we always remain optimistic about government partnerships.

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The Siuslaw National Forest implemented open fire restrictions as of 8 a.m. Thursday, July 27.

All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires and any other open fires are prohibited outside of designated campgrounds under a Forest Order. There are exemptions for sand camping campfires in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area.

Portable cooking stoves and lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel are allowed, as they can be instantly switched off.

Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed recreation site. Generators are permitted only in places devoid of vegetation, such as paved areas or developed campsites. Motorized vehicles may operate only on designated trails and roads.

Off-road and off-trail driving is permissible within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area or Sand Lake Recreation Area as designated by the Siuslaw National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map.

The Coast Range is experiencing historically dry conditions with no measurable rainfall since early May, Northwest Oregon Interagency Fire Management Officer Kevin Reese said in a statement. Weve seen an uptick in human-caused fire starts this summer, and we have taken this step to help reduce preventable wildfires.

The fire restrictions will be in place until rescinded. As restrictions change, information will be available on the Siuslaw National Forest website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/siuslaw/fire. You can follow the Siuslaw National Forest on Facebook and Twitter @SiuslawNF for the latest updates. To report a wildfire, call 911.
The 2023 National Night Out will be held at the Mason City Arena from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1.

The event is coordinated by Friends of the Family and the Mason City Police Department. This year's celebration will be packed with resource booths, activities and games as well as door prizes and food.

National Night Out is an annual event designed to bring neighbors together with law enforcement to strengthen communities. Residents are encouraged to turn on their porch lights and head on out to the arena for information from local agencies and friendly fun.

Both Iowa State Patrol and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Department will have squad cars inside the arena for children to inspect. The Mason City Police Department will bring the MRAP -- its Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle -- to the arena parking lot. Mason City Fire Department will have a ladder truck, and the Clear Lake Fire Department will provide vintage fire and police vehicles for display.

Activities include inflatables, kids' pedal pull, spin art and balloons and face painting. Food and drink have been donated by Fareway and Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Overdrive Auto has provided bikes, scooters, balls and more as prizes.

There are currently more than 30 agencies, businesses and organizations ready to share their vision of community on National Night Out.
As the planet warms, mosquitoes are slowly migrating upward.

The temperature range where malaria-carrying mosquitoes thrive is rising in elevation. Researchers have found evidence of the phenomenon from the tropical highlands of South America to the mountainous, populous regions of eastern Africa.

Scientists now worry people living in areas once inhospitable to the insects, including the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the mountains of eastern Ethiopia, could be newly exposed to the disease.

As it gets warmer at higher altitudes with climate change and all of these other environmental changes, then mosquitoes can survive higher up the mountain, said Manisha Kulkarni, a professor and researcher studying malaria in sub-Saharan Africa at the University of Ottawa.

Kulkarni led a study published in 2016 that found the habitat for malaria-carrying mosquitoes had expanded in the high-elevation Mt. Kilimanjaro region by hundreds of square miles in just 10 years. Lower altitudes, in contrast, are becoming too hot for the bugs.

Similar occurrences have been found elsewhere. For example, researchers in 2015 also noticed native Hawaiian birds were squeezed out of lower elevation habitats as mosquitoes carrying avian malaria slowly migrated upward into their territory. But given 96% of malaria deaths occurred in Africa in 2021, most research on the trend is found there.

The region Kulkarni studied, which is growing in population, is close to the border of Tanzania and Kenya. Together, the two countries accounted for 6% of global malaria deaths in 2021.

Global deaths from malaria declined by 29% between 2002 and 2021, as countries have taken more aggressive tactics in fighting the disease. However, the numbers remain high, especially in Africa where children under 5 years old account for 80% of all malaria deaths. The latest world malaria report from the WHO recorded 247 million cases of malaria in 2021  Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Mozambique alone accounted for almost half of those cases.

The link between climate change and expansion or change in mosquito distributions is real, said Doug Norris, a specialist in mosquitoes at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who was not involved in the research.

Despite this, uncertainty remains on the extent of how shifting mosquito populations will affect people in the future. A recent Georgetown University study investigating the movement of mosquitoes across all of sub-Saharan Africa also found the vectors have moved upward in elevation at a rate of roughly 21 feet each year.

Mosquitoes are picky about their habitat, Norris added, and the various malaria-carrying species have different preferences in temperature, humidity and amount of rainfall. Add on the fact that people are fighting malaria with bed nets, insecticides and other tools, and it becomes hard to pin any single trend to climate change, he said.

Jeremy Herren, who studies malaria at the Nairobi-based International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, said there is evidence that climate change is already impacting where mosquito populations choose to live. But, he said, it is still difficult to predict how malaria will spread.

For example, in Kenya, Herren said researchers have documented massive shifts in malaria in mosquitoes. A species that was once dominant is now almost impossible to find, he said. But those changes are probably not due to climate change, he said, adding that the rollout of insecticide-treated nets is one explanation for that shift.

In general, however, mosquitoes grow faster in warmer conditions, Norris said.

Rising temperatures are also not the only way a changing climate gives mosquitoes the upper hand. The bugs tend to thrive in the kind of extremes that are happening more frequently because of human-caused climate change.

Longer rainy seasons can create better habitats for mosquitoes, which breed in water. But conversely, while droughts can dry up those habitats, they also encourage people to store water in containers, creating perfect breeding sites. An outbreak of chikungunya, another mosquito-borne disease, between 2004 and 2005 was linked to drought in coastal Kenya for these reasons.

Researchers were also able to tie a reduction in malaria cases in the highlands of Ethiopia in the early 2000s to a decline in temperatures happening at the same time.

Weather patterns in the years prior had stalled the effects of global warming.

Pamela Martinez, a researcher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said her teams findings on malaria trends in Ethiopia, which were published in 2021 in the journal Nature, lent more confidence to the idea that malaria and temperature  and, therefore, climate change are linked.

We see that when temperature goes down, the overall trend of cases also goes down, even in the absence of intervention, Martinez said. That proves the case that temperature has an impact on transmission.

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More than a dozen Republican presidential contenders will converge in Des Moines on Friday for the Republican Party of Iowas annual Lincoln Dinner, the biggest gathering of the 2024 field in Iowa so far.

The event will feature 13 candidates who are looking for the support of Iowa Republicans in the 2024 presidential precinct caucuses.

Who is speaking?

Beginning at 6 p.m., each candidate will get 10 minutes to speak to the crowd of 1,200 in the Iowa Events Center. The speaking order is as follows:

 Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley

 Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson

 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

 South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott

 Michigan businessman Perry Johnson

 North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum

 Former Vice President Mike Pence

 Former Texas U.S. Rep. Will Hurd

 Miami Mayor Francis Suarez

 Texas pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley

 California talk show host Larry Elder

 Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy

 Former President Donald Trump

The only major candidate missing from the lineup is former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has not campaigned in Iowa, instead focusing efforts on New Hampshire, the first primary state which will hold its primary shortly after Iowas caucuses.

The annual event is a major fundraiser for the Iowa GOP, and in presidential election years regularly draws candidates hoping to secure support in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. Tickets, which cost at least $150, are sold out, according to the events webpage.

With over 1,200 guests and 13 presidential candidates in attendance, this years Lincoln Dinner is going to be historic by marking the official kickoff for the 2024 caucus cycle to begin in earnest, Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement.

Iowa Democrats said the event would showcase candidates embracing far-right policies in desperate attempts to win over the MAGA base within their party.

As Democrats focus on strengthening the middle-class and protecting Americans freedoms, this field is busy fighting over who can propose the most extreme agenda of abortion bans and handouts to the ultra-wealthy, said Iowa Democratic Party Rapid Response Director Dawson McNamara-Bloom in a statement.

The after-parties

Following the main program, several candidates will host individual reception suites where attendees can mingle with other supporters and meet with the candidates.

Iowa voters can expect to see Nikki at our suite and enjoy our campaign's Southern hospitality when they get there, said Haley spokesperson Ken Farnaso.

Ryan Binkley will offer food and drinks in his suite, and will give further remarks and host a Q&A later in the evening, a campaign spokesperson said.

Other candidates hosting suites include Trump, Burgum, Johnson, Pence, Ramaswamy, Scott and Suarez.

Voters get access, party gets dollars

The event will give Republican voters a chance to hear the pitch from nearly every major Republican candidate as they weigh who to support in the caucuses, said Polk County GOP Chair Gloria Mazza.

To have them all together gives voters a chance to see them all at one time, without going to lots of events all over to find them, she said. They can do one-on-ones, but these are nice also. Its just another way, and its what Iowa does best.

The event is also a major revenue driver for the state party as it prepares to conduct the hundreds of precinct caucuses across 99 counties in January, Mazza said.

Vice President Kamala Harris to hold dueling event

Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Iowa on Friday as well to hold an event focused on abortion rights, the Des Moines Register first reported.

She will highlight the effects of a six-week abortion ban Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law this month, which is blocked from taking effect by a district court. The Iowa Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a request to review the temporary injunction on the law.

The event will be held in her official capacity as vice president, but Democratic National Committee spokesperson Ammar Moussa said it will offer a contrast to the messages offered at the Republican fundraiser.

Its a pretty stark split-screen, Moussa said. The vice president is coming to Iowa to speak to providers and highlight the huge ramifications of Iowas abortion ban, while Republicans are going to be gathering later that night to, essentially, celebrate the abortion bans made possible by Donald Trump.

Candidates hold events around Lincoln Dinner

Republican candidates also plan to hold events around the state in the days before and after the Lincoln Dinner.

DeSantis will appear in a bus tour hosted by the super PAC backing his candidacy, Never Back Down. The PAC will hold events in Chariton, Osceola and Oskaloosa between Thursday and Friday.

Scott will hold a town hall in Ankeny, alongside Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, on Thursday, and Trump will join campaign organizers for the opening of his Iowa campaign headquarters on Friday evening, shortly before he takes the stage at the Iowa Events Center.
Pittsylvania County Schools will expand STEM offerings to all elementary facilities this year to give students additional hands-on learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math at a time when the system expects enrollment to continue trending upward.

Known as the Innovation STEM Lab, it was a pilot program last year at four of the elementary schools, Teresa Petty, assistant superintendent for instruction at Pittsylvania County Schools, explained to the Register & Bee.

Mainly working with fourth and fifth graders, the overall idea is to give students real-world activities that center in the area of STEM. Computer science standards will be implemented across the curriculum while the daily learning will work to solve global problems, according to a presentation provided to the Register & Bee.

The technology aspect is particularly intriguing when it comes to STEM offerings.

It enables the students to see a different way of completing tasks and sharpens their skills especially with our STEM program with the use of robotics, Melanie Chappell, elementary STEM/gifted teacher with the school system, said.

Another sphere of the STEM curriculum is Project Lead the Way.

As an example, last May employees from Huber Engineered Woods  a woods product manufacturer in neighboring Halifax County  visited the STEM lab at Southside Elementary School.

Huber is the business partner that funded the Project Lead the Way in all 10 elementary schools across the county for this coming year.

During the visit, Huber representatives engaged with students in lessons conducted by lead STEM instructor Melanie Chappell and elementary STEM resource teachers Cathleen McGarvey and Tamara Ferguson.

The Project Lead the Way Launch modules allow students to be immersed in rigorous hands-on activities, projects and problems that build upon each other and relate to the real world, Petty explained.

The school system also has a STEM Academy designed for high school students as a way to explore career paths.

These students have the opportunity to select from one of two innovative program academies that include advanced manufacturing or health and medical sciences, Angela Rigney, director of career and technical education, explained.

Students who were accepted into the program leave high school for a half-a-day to attend the STEM Academy located in Chatham.

For the the advanced manufacturing track, for example, ninth graders will get an orientation in a wide array of careers. The program will also allow students to take part in both individual and team projects like creating products that demonstrate critical elements of manufacturing.

In the health and medical science part, 10th graders will be exposed to medical terms and do a deep-dive into the world of biology.

The advanced STEM offerings, especially at the elementary level, are being implemented as Pittsylvania County appears to be gaining student population.

Last year, the system was up 120 students, Superintendent Mark Jones told the Register & Bee in a June interview.

The reason, according to Jones, is in part due to the good instructors that are teaching in our classrooms.

But recruitment is still a problem, mirroring issues a other schools across the United States.

Staffing has been more challenging since the pandemic across the nation, Steven Mayhew, assistant superintendent for administration, told the Register & Bee via email. We are confident in PCS that we will open on August 9th with classrooms ready for students.

And while Mayhew didnt have exact enrollment figures at his fingertips  he was out of the office when contacted  he said it continues to be an upward trend.

Beyond STEM, the quickly evolving world of technology enhances the way students learn by allowing them to keep up with 21st century standards, stay engaged, collaborate easier, keep them motivated and spark interest in new things, Chappell said.

As far as instruction goes, technology allows teachers to create more personalized lessons and use better equipment to keep the students engaged, she said.

And open house for county schools is planned from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7, two days before schools kick off for the new year Aug. 9.
GREENSBORO  One child lost his life, deprived of enough food to keep his 5-month-old body alive. His twin brother barely survived, according to a Guilford County prosecutor.

Another child, a 7-year-old girl, lost her sight after her mothers boyfriend allegedly strangled the child.

The heartbreaking stories  which occurred in Greensboro but are unrelated  unfolded during court hearings recorded earlier this week.

The infants mother, 24-year-old Tamiya Tashaun Tomlin, was charged with first-degree murder on Monday. Tomlin called 911 on Christmas Day last year and reported her boy, Amir Wright, was not breathing, according to the prosecutor.

Tomlin told the dispatcher that she had fed both of the twins bottles and put them down for a nap before laying down herself. She woke up a couple of hours later with soiled blankets and discovered Amir was not breathing, a prosecutor said.

Greensboro police spokeswoman Josie Cambareri said emergency responders performed CPR on the baby, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police investigators noted Amir was skin and bones and (they) could see where his joints were visible, the prosecutor said during Tuesdays court hearing. His brother was very malnourished and was suffering from a low heart rate and hypothermia.

Doctors told authorities that the surviving twin also was near death because of malnutrition.

Tomlin was arrested Dec. 28 and charged with two counts of felony child abuse with serious injury. Camberari said the murder charge was added on Monday after further police investigation.

Investigators found minimal food and no fresh formula at Tomlins apartment at 4011 McIntosh St., prosecutors said. A woman who identified herself as Tomlins sister told the judge at Tuesday's court hearing that she had packed up the babies' food and taken it to the hospital that Christmas night.

Tomlin gave birth to the twins, which were premature, just two days after she moved to North Carolina from Ohio last July, according to the prosecutor. He said the twins weighed 4.5 pounds at birth and that THC  a compound found in marijuana  was detected in their system at the time. The boys were just 5 pounds  half a pound heavier  five months later.

Its unknown where the children were born, but Cone Health spokesman Doug Allred said newborns are not routinely tested for THC or any illicit drugs. Babies are tested under certain circumstances, he added, including when the mother indicates she has used drugs or when complications or behavior indicates drug use.

The prosecutor also said Tomlin had a history of Child Protective Services being involved with her other children in Ohio. He did not elaborate.

Tomlins court-appointed attorney did not return an email seeking comment.

In the case involving the 7-year-old, Jeremy Lajuan Whitehurst was charged Monday with felony intentional child abuse with serious physical injury and felony assault by strangulation. He already faced March 18 charges of felony intentional child abuse with serious physical injury and felony first-degree kidnapping.

Whitehurst, 31, is accused of manually strangling the child on March 17, resulting in loss of vision, according to court records. He was supervising the child as the mothers boyfriend.

The previous charges stem from Feb. 1, when Whitehurst is accused of holding the childs mother in involuntary servitude and terrorizing her.

On that date, Whitehurst, 31, also is accused of assaulting the 7-year-old. Court documents note that a month after the assault, the child had scarring on the lower back and abdomen, a swollen right eye and a chipped tooth with bruising around the mouth.

Whitehursts attorney did not return a phone message Wednesday seeking comment.
Leading Indigenous ceramic artists who use pit-firing techniques are guest artists this week at The Archie Bray Foundation.

Among them are Cannupa Hanska Luger (Mandan/ Hidatsa/ Arikara/ Lakota) and Raven Halfmoon (Caddo), who both returned to The Bray to lead a small group of invited artists  Anita Fields (Osage), Tara McCoy (Cherokee) and Jared Tso (Dine)  for a two-week, immersive studio experience.

While they make art in the education building studio, they are holding free-flowing discussions on developing a First Fire Site on the Bray campus that would be a dedicated gathering space for Indigenous artists who use pit-firing practices.

If you go... What: Artist Amplified: First Fire Invited Artists When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 27 Where: Frances Senska Center for Education and Engagement, 2915 Country Club Ave. Info: The talk will also be streamed. Visit https://archiebray.org/event/artist-amplified-tbd/ (the link will go live when the program starts). Contact: 406-443-3502 www.archiebray.org

They will be talking about their art and sharing their ideas for this new educational program at an Artist Amplified talk 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Brays Frances Senska Center for Education and Engagement.

The talk will also be streamed. Visit https://archiebray.org/event/artist-amplified-tbd/ (the link will go live when the program starts).

The vast majority of Indigenous artists around the world still use pit firing, said Luger, But its not celebrated in the same way as kiln work.

This first gathering of artists is to share ideas about how to build a really versatile pit- firing facility at The Bray.

Theres so much variety in pit firing, he added. Its 20,000 years old. Different regions have different techniques, and if were going to build a facility, we need to make it flexible enough to adapt to different techniques.

They envision a future building that could accommodate not only local Indigenous artists, but also artists from South America and Africa and how they do pit firing, said Halfmoon.

Were really interested in having this space be Indigenous-led, said Luger, and they are working with an Indigenous architectural consultant from New Mexico on the design.

Last Wednesday afternoon, artist Tara McCoy was making a snake pot or uktena. The intricately patterned pot had hornlike decorative ridges running down its sides.

Her ancestors would dig a hole and pit fire about seven days, she said, but she typically fires her clay for 15 hours.

I have a 5 x 5 (foot) squarethats probably 2 feet deep. I have two fires. I have one in the middle and then I have my pots around itand I have a fire on the outside.

I was invited to come and give my thoughts on how I do my pottery and just share my ideas.

As far as pit firing, I always love the relationship with fire .... You have to listen for the wind. You have to listen for the fire. You have to look at the flame  what area needs more wood?

Its that whole relationship with the clay. Youre digging it, youre shining itand then firing it. All those components are a relationship with nature and with earth.

The Indigenous artists are all working in proximity to each other as a way to spark conversation and share, said Luger. Everything is open to discussion.

Its nice to be in this space after working alone in the studio, said Halfmoon, adding that artists typically work alone. Its nice to be all together.

Its important for them to have time among themselves to talk, said Tso, adding that some vessels and techniques are not for public showing.

Certain designs were used by a specific person or a specific family and are not for sharing. They are intellectual property  even after death.

As he talked, he polished a jar he will be taking to the Santa Fe Indian Market in August and is producing a large volume of work at The Bray for that event.

I have to be really aware of what Im feeling, said Tso about his art. If youre angry, your pots are going to crack. Firing is the pinnacle of that process.

I feel very protective of that process.

Tso is the fourth generation of his family making art. At a younger age, he was discouraged from doing so, he said. I became an engineer.

But art fascinated him and he eventually abandoned his engineering career and has been gaining recognition for his beautiful, award-winning art.

Its important to acknowledge Steven Lees role in this, said Luger of the First Fire project as he shaped an array of intriguing ceramic sound vessels.

Lee, The Brays director emeritus and special projects manager, first broached the topic of inviting Indigenous artists to The Bray and has been working side by side with them these past two weeks.

Its great to have this energy in the studio, he said as he threw a series of graceful pots on the wheel for a pit firing Monday night.

The idea for this program grew out of the pandemic, when the normal programming at The Bray ground to a halt.

Lee came across Lugers art and invited him to The Bray, and Luger enthusiastically responded.

Cannupa was the first one to discuss pit firing and how it could evolve in the future, Lee said.

Halfmoon, a former Bray resident artist, has also been integrally involved in early discussions and planning.

Learn more about this project at archiebray.org/education/artist-amplified-series/

Follow along @archie_bray to learn more about the invited artists, the work theyre creating and their experiences at The Bray.

The National Endowment for the Arts supports this work.
Oppenheimer

At the Cinemark

Grade: A

Barbie (PG-13)

At the Cinemark

Grade: A-

Oppenheimer

Genius, unless governed by conscience, can be a frightful gift. The supremely gifted cannot control the legacy of what their minds discover.

Robert Oppenheimer was brilliant physicist who agonized over what his brain hath wrought.

Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer paints a textured, complex portrait of the man called the father of the atomic bomb. He was a genius, admired by his friend, Einstein.

But he was also unfaithful to his wife. He was emotionally volatile, depressed at times.

Raised in New York, son of Jewish immigrants, Oppenheimer was determined to beat Hitler to the bomb. He accepted the assignment to lead the Manhattan Project because his mind was eager to expand the horizons of nuclear science and because his soul worried about relatives in Germany.

He was energized by his research teams scientific success, but grieved over how their creation would be used.

Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds, he would say, borrowing a line from Hindi scripture.

Einstein and Oppenheimer were friends, colleagues. Woe is me, Einstein said after Hiroshima. Einstein also said if he had foreseen Hiroshima he would have torn up my formula in 1905.

The thoughtful, well-researched script  with the mind of Oppenheimer as the lens - makes the ethics of science in general  and of the nuclear bomb in particular - central to the narrative.

The film, with a whos who Hollywood cast, is riveting for two hours, but drags a bit when it belabors the witch-hunt congressional hearings which challenged Oppenheimers patriotism.

A better use of that final hour would have been to trace his marriage, his mind and his conscience through his later years.

Knowledge cannot be pursued without morality, he would write.

Oppenheimer is nonetheless a brilliant achievement which reminds us that knowledge is a sharp blade that can cut two ways.

The fruits born of genius are a blessing only if used for moral ends.

Barbie

Do not underestimate Barbie, my friends. Shes so much more than a blonde in a box.

Mattel, the movies producer, dared to hand their franchise movie to young feminist director, Greta Gerwig. Greta, in turn, cast SNLs Kate McKinnon to play Weird Barbie. Disheveled Kate, neither prim nor proper, emerges as the Obi-Wan of Barbieland, dispenser of wisdom.

From that seed comes a subversive but playful Barbie parable with layers of nuance to unpack.

Gerwig clearly respects girls and their dolls. The dolls are treated with campy reverence. Yes, Gerwig knows that impossibly thin Barbie encouraged body-shaming. Shes quite aware that Barbie preaches pink for girls, blue for boys.

Gerwig blows up those gender stereotypes as if she were Oppenheimer, but with a gleeful touch. She was also intentional in including diversity of race, gender and body types. A black woman is President Barbie and a trans actress plays Doctor Barbie, for example.

The debate has already begun on whether Greta has sold out her feminist soul, or if shes stayed true her I am woman walk-up song. A hint: Buy Mattel stock.

Bright kids now get to decode Barbie.

Stereotypic Barbie  the impossibly proportioned blonde  thrived in perfectly pink Barbieland where girls ruled and boys drooled. But one disturbing day, she has thoughts of death and her high-heeled feet go flat.

So she and Ken set off to the real world to find answers.

Reality bites. Barbie is no longer worshipped, but ridiculed. Teens tease her, including sassy Sasha. But Sasha and her mom ultimately become Barbies feminist guide to navigating a patriarchal world.

Ken, a beach boy in Barbieland, is seduced by the patriarchy, and leads a revolution to replace pink power with blue power in his homeland. Cue the bugles: Barbie shall counterattack.

The go-girl script satirically shatters glass ceilings. But, at the same time, Gerwig doesnt deny ladies the right to dress in pink.

In the end Barbie  and her fans - get to choose between three doors: the matriarchy of Barbieland I, the patriarchy of the real world or the androgynous hybrid of Barbieland II.

Some kids will go home looking pretty in pink, hoping SantaBarbie will stuff Stereotypic Barbie in their stocking.

Some boys may enlist in Kens army. But I suspect most kids will follow muse Greta to deeper waters.

I can imagine a girl asking for parental clarification of the gobsmacking last line: Im here to see my gynecologist.

Get ready for a far-ranging, thought-provoking conversation, parents.

Welcome it!
A Helena man living on the streets is generating a wave of support and momentum behind a sober camp for unsheltered people he started in Oro Fino Gulch about a mile south of downtown.

The encampment of about 20 unsheltered people, lead by a man named Rad, was evicted by the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office from private property, prompting members to move down the road and onto U.S. Forest Service land. The group has less than two weeks before it will have to move again, per USFS camping rules.

"It buys us a little bit of time," Rad previously told the Independent Record. "Let's face it, I don't want to take these people right back to town where all the drugs and the dope and everything else is."

It is a legitimate concern shared by Good Samaritan Ministries Executive Director Theresa Ortega.

"He is not making up stories when he says he has people up there who couldn't get what they needed in town, but the group around them supported them," Ortega said to the Helena City Commissioners during their Monday meeting. "They help get them to their meetings. Their parole officers are coming up there to meet with them because it's a safe, stable place for them. There are people there just to get a job and need a place to stay before they move on. ... What's being done up there is just amazing."

Rad, his pit bull terrier and her puppies, piled in a fabric wagon with a metal frame, attended Monday evening's meeting to appeal to city officials.

"I'm here to rattle some cages; I want to get people's attention," Rad politely told the commission Monday evening. "I challenge you all to come to my encampment. I want to introduce all of my people and get their stories out because there's a story behind each and every one of those faces."

He has visited with Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins and Lewis and Clark County Commissioner Andy Hunthausen.

The week prior, he tried to meet with Gov. Greg Gianforte, but was turned away as Gianforte was participating in a Republican Governors Association meeting in Aspen, Colorado.

"I have to echo Theresa's (Ortega) comments, this is the epitome of peer support, and I think it's really impressive. I think it's working," City Commissioner Melinda Reed said in an interview Tuesday.

"He (Rad) asked us to listen and have a conversation, and that's where I'd like to start," Reed said. "If we come up with an idea without hearing from the people who will be most affected by it, we might miss the mark ... And maybe the solution is different than we thought it'd be."

When asked if she believes changes could come from this fresh look at an old problem, Reed said "I want to believe yes."

"I don't have the answer just yet, but we're going to try hard to find a solution," she said.

Ortega told the commissioners the group is not looking for a handout. In fact, the camp is even footing the bill for the portable toilet parked off Oro Fino Gulch Road.

"We're not asking for money," Ortega said during the meeting. "How do we do this, make this place? Because obviously we don't have enough homeless shelters here in town, and this was taken on partly because of that."

For months, Rad, who described himself as "an old drunk and an old a******," has welcomed people into his camp, giving them a tent to sleep in and a small but strong support network.

The camp has only a handful of rules, the big ones being no alcohol and no drugs.

Rad said the only exception to the no alcohol rule is when someone needs help detoxing, which he said has happened more than once.

Rad spent the bulk of his adult life on the wrong side of the law. He said he was so low at one point, he wanted to die and tried to drink himself to death.

He said he had an epiphany after coming out of a black out in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

He started attending counseling at Our Place and quickly noticed there are many others in Helena who do not meet the city's only homeless shelter's, God's Love, barrier to entry and have nowhere else to go.

"There's no place safe," Rad said. "If you're homeless, there is no safe place to go. You're either worried about all your stuff being robbed or getting roused at 3 o'clock in the morning by the police or the sprinkler system. Now you're walking around for two or three hours, you got an appointment at 9, and you're trying to figure out how to take a shower."

So he pitched a handful of tents given to him by congregation members in the church he attends, and started inviting those like him to stay.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said the group started out on USFS land and moved following the 16-day time limit onto what was later determined to be private land owned by a Butte resident.

Dutton said he gave the group more time than we would a standard trespass, three days and a wake-up, and that the group was respectful and relocated back onto USFS land within the sheriff's timeline.

"While we do have a regional policy that binds us to a 16-day stay limit on national forest system lands in Montana, we recognize these folks as members of the community and are hopeful that a longer term community-driven solution will come," USFS spokeswoman Chiara Cipriano said in an emailed statement Tuesday.
DECATUR  An 18-year-old charged with stabbing his mother in the neck in February has been found not guilty by reason of insanity, a judge ruled on Thursday.

Stone Waller, a Decatur resident who told police he had "thought all morning about harming" his mother on the day of the attack, was remanded to custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services for treatment.

Public Defender Michelle Sanders called for a stipulated bench trial, waving Waller's right to a jury trial and leaving the courts decision in the hands of Judge Thomas E. Griffith.

A stipulated bench trial is where the prosecution and the defense agree on the facts in the case.

As part of a deal between prosecution and defense, only the charge of aggravated domestic battery was called for the bench trial. Two other counts of attempted murder and aggravated battery were dismissed.

Central to the brief trial was Decatur psychiatrist Rohidas Patils evaluation of Waller, which was admitted into evidence and reviewed by the judge.

Patils evaluation suggested Waller was under severe psychiatric distress when he stabbed his mother, Griffith said.

At the time of the offense, the defendant was, for a brief period, in a psychotic state, and was unable to appreciate the criminality of his conduct and is therefore not criminally responsible for his actions, Griffith said.

Waller's mother, who was present in the courtroom Thursday morning, was primarily concerned that her son receive adequate mental health treatment, Macon County State's Attorney Scott Rueter told the court.

She has known about his mental health issues and (wants him to get) treatment more than anything else, Rueter said. Obviously, she doesn't want to see him punished. She was even a little hesitant to go along with my position that I was looking for the Class 2 offense, but my position is we also need to protect the public, make sure that we have enough time and treatment.

After the defendant left the courtroom, Griffith told Rueter he believed prosecution took the best course of action but was still hesitant about the trials results.

This obviously causes the court grave concern, grave, grave concern, Griffith said.

Wallers case was allotted for further review on Sept. 5.

What you missed this week in notable Decatur and Macon County crimes and court cases This week's local crime and court updates from Herald and Review. Crime and Courts Bribery count against ComEd dismissed 3 years after agreement blew open Madigan probe While ComEds criminal exposure is now over, the case still has a long way to go.
DECATUR  Remote learning is most likely not an option for Dennis Lab School as students await the installation of modular classrooms so they can return to school.

The Illinois State Board of Education has told Decatur Superintendent Rochelle Clark that all students must receive 176 instructional days, in person, and that the district's proposal to begin classes for the rest of the district on Aug. 14, as planned, with Dennis students starting later, is not acceptable.

"Dr. Clark's working through that," said school board President Bill Clevenger. "Right now we're working with our state officials to try to get this situation resolved."

To get those 176 instructional days accomplished, options  if remote learning is off the table  include having the entire district start the school year late, which would require reworking the school calendar and probably shortening Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring breaks.

That would affect families' child care arrangements and work schedules district-wide and is not an option Clark wants to pursue.

Another option could be having Dennis students start late and end late to make up the missed days, which could affect next summer's plans for those families.

Though no plan is yet in place, the hope is that one will be announced shortly.

I believe we have a solution that will not include a late start for the entire district, said district spokeswoman Denise Swarthout. We hope to be able to share that info very soon.

Any plan would need to be approved by the various unions that represent district employees.

Remote learning for students was approved by Gov. J.B. Pritzker during COVID shutdowns, but with the pandemic officially over, students in Illinois must attend class in person, though Clark said she has been trying to reach the governor to seek a dispensation, without success.

Both Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Andy Manar were in London last week and Clark could not reach them. Clark was given the number of a staff member to call in their absence, but that person's voice mail was full and she was unable to leave a message. She said she's still trying to reach someone. It would take action by the governor's office to override policies of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Clevenger remains hopeful that all the snarls will be untangled in time.

As of right now, it seems like we're on schedule to have our district functional on Aug. 14, he said.

Clark said she will have a final plan in place no later than Aug. 8, which is the date of the next school board meeting. That is also only a few days ahead of the scheduled first day for Decatur's schools, which leaves parents and staff in limbo as they await a resoluntion.

It's been a process that's just been fraught with issues all along and we've had to adjust as we went along, Clevenger said.

The district announced in early June that both Dennis Lab School buildings  the Mosaic campus, 1499 W. Main St., and the Kaleidoscope campus, 520 W. Wood St.  will be closed for the 2023-2024 school year due to structural concerns.

The Mosaic campus  the original footprint for Dennis  needs its original staircase fully repaired or replaced, consultants found. At the Kaleidoscope campus, engineers have recommended partial demolition and replacement of the original 1913 three-story building.

The district has since announced plans to house Dennis School students at the Garfield Learning Academy building at 300 Meadow Terrace, which will be enhanced with 16 modular classrooms. While some modular classrooms have arrived, it is estimated the final delivery and set-up of the last modular units won't be complete until the end of August.

The future of the two closed campuses is still under review.

Another issue with Dennis is that the district was informed on July 13 that a complaint had been made to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that district employees were going in and out of the buildings after they were closed and deemed unsafe, which resulted in the district restricting all access to the buildings.

That means that teachers' personal belongings, students' records that had not yet been retrieved, and district furniture and equipment is still inside and inaccessible. The district has a warehouse with spare furniture and technology that could be placed into service, but teachers' lesson plans, materials and decorations would have to be replaced.

Swarthout said the district is close to a resolution on that front, at least, and it's possible staff will be able to finish moving things out of the buildings before long.

Charts: Remote learning's impact on children
CHICAGO  Cook County recorded the deadliest year for opioid overdoses in 2022, according to the medical examiners office, a record thats unsurprising to advocates and public health officials who said this signals a need for more harm reduction strategies.

In 2022, there were 2,000 deaths, surpassing 1,935 deaths in 2021. The large majority of deaths involved fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

Opioid overdose deaths in Cook County have steadily increased every year, according to a Tuesday news release from the medical examiners office. In 2015, they recorded 676 deaths.

This trend mirrors a national pattern of overdose deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. Opioid-involved overdose deaths rose from 21,089 in 2010 to 47,600 in 2017 and remained steady through 2019 until a sharp increase in 2020.

In 2022, there were more opioid-related overdose deaths in Chicago than there were homicides and traffic crash fatalities combined, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

John Werning, executive director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance, said that local and national systems arent equipped to handle the needs of those who use drugs.

We dont provide good, robust services to people who use drugs in any capacity. So they continue to be pushed to the shadows where they will not get aid in the case of an overdose, Werning said.

He said its a systemic problem in Chicago that continues to harm families, especially in marginalized communities where theres a history of segregated resources. Theres also underlying issues such as lack of housing or stigma around drug use that affects whether people get help.

The Chicago Recovery Alliance wants to increase the use of harm reduction strategies, public health practices that aim to reduce certain health and safety issues associated with drug use.

Its not just about promoting treatment but also about giving people agency and autonomy, Werning said. One of their goals is to establish overdose prevention sites, where people can take pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of professionals or access resources, including treatment programs or social services.

The alliance is also working with state and local health departments on initiatives such as Narcan distribution, a lifesaving drug that reverses an opioid overdose.

Despite the increase this year, some at the CDPH are cautiously optimistic that the numbers are stabilizing due to the efforts of city and community programs. But as with illegal drug markets, they can be hard to predict.

What tends to come next is more potent, more dangerous substances, right? And so when that continues to be the reality that we operate in, its hard to grapple with sort of how we think about predicting the future, said Sarah Richardson , grants research specialist with CDPHs Office of Substance Use.

Last year, the CDPH started a program to distribute free Narcan kits at all 81 city library branches. According to Richardson, about 9,000 kits have been distributed  a high number that indicates theres demand for harm reduction strategies.

Earlier this month, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot appeared on NBCs Meet the Press to discuss the citys strategies in addressing the opioid crisis, mentioning the program distributing Narcan to libraries.

I think the good news coming out of Chicago is that were really focused on harm reduction and treatment, Lightfoot said on the program. At the local level, what we have to focus on is how do we help these folks? We get them to turn their lives around.

But despite scientific evidence on the benefits of such strategies, advocates and experts said theres always pushback from the general public and politicians who dont completely understand these practices, especially in Chicago.

For people who are not in this space, who kind of have been socialized in our world to understand people who use drugs as bad and drug use as bad, you know, you see a program handing out syringes or Narcan and the first sort of reaction is, Well, youre encouraging use, and thats absolutely false, Richardson said.

The goal is to meet people where they are, she said. CDPH has various programs such as the Opioid Response Team that focuses on areas of the city with the most overdose deaths and tries to connect people with health services. And last year, a 24/7 opioid treatment hotline launched to provide immediate access to medication-assisted recovery.

With all of these programs, Richardson said the focus is on personal interaction.

Personal connection more than anything, sometimes is really what helps people understand things in a different way, Richardson said.

Advocates and public health experts said theyll continue to push for harm reduction strategies and educate the public about these issues.

People dont stop using drugs all at once, Werner said. Its a process and it takes time and we want to keep people safe and alive.
INDIANAPOLIS  Human remains found buried in 1983 at an abandoned Indiana farm have been identified as those of a Chicago teenager who was a victim of the late serial killer Larry Eyler, authorities said Tuesday.

The remains, which were found near the remains of three young men Eyler also killed, are those of Keith Lavell Bibbs, who was 16 when he died, according to the Newton County Coroner's Office and the DNA Doe Project.

Eyler confessed to at least 20 killings before dying in 1994 at an Illinois prison, where he was on death row for the 1984 murder of 15-year-old Danny Bridges of Chicago.

In 1990, Eyler confessed to killing a Black male in July 1983 at a Newton County farm and described that male as being in his late teens or early 20s, said Pam Lauritzen, spokeswoman for the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that works to identify cold case victims.

Bibbs, who was a Chicago resident, would have been 16 at the time of his death, she said.

The Newton County Coroner's Office worked with the DNA Doe Project, Indiana State Police and the Identify Indiana Initiative to identify Bibbs nearly 40 years after his remains were discovered.

He is the last to be positively identified of the four victims found buried in shallow graves in October 1983 at the abandoned farm in Lake Village, about 60 miles southeast of Chicago. All four had been drugged and murdered by Eyler, according to his confessions.

Newton County Coroner Scott McCord said he was working Tuesday on paperwork needed to get Bibbs' remains sent to his relatives for burial. He said the family is requesting privacy while they grieve.

"Everything's done except for getting him back home," he told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "It's been a long road getting all those kids identified."

The DNA Doe Project said in a news release that Bibbs' DNA was "highly degraded" and investigators spent more than two years repeatedly trying to create "a workable DNA profile" to compare to databases used for forensic cases. In January, the nonprofit said a team of investigative genetic genealogists had finally made progress unraveling Bibbs' "complex family tree," leading to his identification.

Two of Eyler's four victims found buried at the farm were identified early in the investigation as Michael Bauer and John Bartlett. In April 2021, the coroner's office announced that authorities had identified a third victim as John Ingram Brandenburg Jr. of Chicago, leaving only Bibbs' body unidentified at that time.

In December 2021, authorities announced that the body of another of Eyler's victims found at a different site in rural northwestern Indiana had been identified as 19-year-old William Joseph Lewis of Peru, Indiana.

Lewis' body was also found in October 1983, but in a Jasper County field, about 70 miles southeast of Chicago. He was last seen alive in 1982 by his family at a friend's funeral in Houston, Texas, officials said.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 106F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 78F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph.
The engineer who designed Hickorys collapsed arches has been reprimanded and fined $5,000 by the state board responsible for licensing engineers.

The N.C. State Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors found that Paul Gilham produced an inadequate design and/or calculations, failing to protect the public and knowingly associated with firm that is not licensed as required by (N.C. General Statues), according to a notice of final decision posted online.

Gilham was referred to the board in 2022 by an engineer who reviewed the collapse of the arches and faulted Gilham for inadequate structural design of the arches, the document said.

The engineer who filed the complaint against Gilham was hired by Neill Grading & Construction Co., the general contractor for the arches.

The final decision order also said the board had sufficient evidence which supports a charge of gross negligence, incompetence or misconduct.

Gilham took part in a settlement conference and was reprimanded and ordered to pay $5,000 within a month of the July 13 order after agreeing to abide by the terms of the settlement, according to the document.

The board warned Gilham his license would be suspended if he does not meet the requirements of the order.

Gilham, Western Wood and the state board had not responded to requests for additional information on the disciplinary proceedings as of 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Through his role at the firm Western Wood Structures, Gilham was responsible for the design of the 40-ton wooden arches installed over the Rudy Wright Bridge and N.C. Highway 127.

The arches were put in place in 2021, with a formal unveiling of the arches taking place in December of that year. The arches, part of Hickorys City Walk, cost $750,000.

In February 2022, two months after the City Walk celebration, the arches collapsed.

The city has since alleged negligence and contractual breaches against five defendants: Neill Grading, Western Wood Structures, Dane Construction, WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure and Gilham as an individual.

The parties initially were to complete a mediated settlement conference this month. However, the city of Hickory and the five defendants asked the court to put a hold on legal proceedings for the purpose of completing investigations and attempting a resolution of disputes between the parties, according to court documents.

Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey granted the three-month stay on June 19.
Editor's Note Caroline Wills contributed to this report.

Members of the press do not have more rights than any other U.S. citizen. But the media does have a responsibility to keep watch on government, Lenoir-Rhyne University Professor William Richter said.

When it comes to public records, sometimes thats not as easy as it should be.

Caroline Wills and I are interns at the Hickory Daily Record. We took a trip to some local government institutions to ask for public records and see how willingly those records were provided.

North Carolinas Judicial Branch classifies public records as documents or materials made or received by a government agency in North Carolina while conducting public business.

These records include paper documents, electronic documents, emails, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifact forms or any other forms, the state Judicial Branch says.

We made a trip to Newtons City Hall and asked for the latest planning commission minutes because they were not available on the citys website.

The employee was only able to provide a copy of the approved minutes for the meeting date of March 13. According to Newtons website, the board meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at City Hall.

Although the information was not up to date, the request process for the public documents went smoothly with no questions asked.

Next we stopped at the Catawba County Sheriffs Office to request incident reports for the date of May 6. Thats a random date we selected. Caroline and I were met with questions about who we were and what we were doing with the information we wanted to gather.

The North Carolina law states that any person has the right to inspect, examine and get copies of public records. State law does not require having to explain why the record is being sought.

We left empty-handed after being pulled aside by an officer who asked us further about what we planned to do with the information we were gathering. We were transparent about our work as interns for the Hickory Daily Record from the beginning of our interaction but were asked to have our editor contact the public information officer for the sheriffs office.

Government agencies cannot charge people for the inspection of public records, but can charge a fee for obtaining copies, which is what we found at Hickory Police Department. There was a $3 charge for incident reports but no charge for accident reports.

At the Hickory Police Department, we asked for the same information we requested at the sheriffs office. Again, we were also asked about why we needed the information and what kind of project we were working on.

We left with a copy of Hickory Police Departments Daily Records Review for May 6, which allowed us to see how many calls the department answered on that date, the time of the calls and the reason for the calls.

Next, we took a look online to see if agendas and meeting minutes were up to date.

Professor Richter, who teaches media law, said he feels that generally the government is transparent, but that people arent aware of transparency laws. Open meeting laws are not just for the media but for anyone to come and be heard.

Richter said sometimes people dont come to meetings because they feel like they wont have a voice, but he wants people to know that they can get on the agenda or make public comments.

There is no mention in the law of how long government institutions can wait before uploading meeting information, but Richter said easy access to information is important so that everyone is aware of whats going on in their area.

Richter has been a part of several local committees including the public appearance committee and the public art committee and he said that government transparency is important everywhere, but especially in smaller towns and communities.

He pointed to his experience as a committee member, We dont have a lot of money to make decisions, but the decisions we make affect a lot more people, Richter said.

We took a look at the websites of some government offices in Catawba County to see how accessible the meeting information is to the public.

The last meeting agenda uploaded was July 11, and the last minutes uploaded were from May 2.

The Newton-Conover City Schools Board of Educations last agenda and meeting minutes were from June 5.

Newton City Council started livestreaming meetings and uploading them to cityofnewtonnc YouTube channel three years ago.

The citys latest upload is from the Feb. 7 meeting.

The Newton City Councils website says the group usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The Newton City Hall is at 401 N. Main Ave.

The last meeting agenda uploaded was July 18, and the last minutes uploaded are from June 6.

The Hickory City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. City Hall is at 76 N. Center St.

The Hickory Regional Planning Commissions last agenda uploaded is for July 26, and the last minutes uploaded is from June 28.

The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Hickory City Hall.

The last meeting agenda and minutes for the Catawba County Commissioners is from the July 17 meeting.

The Catawba County Planning Board is current on agendas as the hearing dates are set in advance but there are no provided minutes.

The boards schedule is posted online for those who want to join on the second floor of the Justice Center.

The Justice Center is at 100 Government Drive, Newton.
HICKORY  The Lions of Bethlehem installed new officers to begin the 2023-24 Lions year at their first meeting of Lions Internationals 106th year. The meeting took place at Grannys Country Kitchen in Viewmont.

The Bethlehem Lions Club was chartered in 1964 and continues to grow, with some new members stepping up to take on leadership roles and all members contributing many hours of service throughout the service area and beyond.

Lion Danny Seaver began the meeting with the installation ceremony for the new officers according to the Lions International protocol. First up was the office of tail twister to which current Tail Twister Lion John Lackey was re-elected. The official duty for the Lions tail twister is to promote harmony, fellowship, fun and enthusiasm to draw members together at club meetings and to raise money through fun fines, half & half drawings, raffles and other means for the administration fund.

Next up, Lion Greg Conrad was installed once again as membership chair. He is charged with the development and implementation of the membership growth and retention plan to encourage and assist in recruiting and retaining high-quality members. A retired head-hunter, Conrad has been very successful in his role. Seaver then called upon Lion Chuck Bethany to be installed as the service chair, whose job is to develop and communicate the annual program of community and humanitarian service approved by the clubs board of directors.

The lion tamer is a new office for the Bethlehem Lions, but it has been around a long time in Lions International. That duty entails preparing for the meetings by setting up the room with the Lions banner, podium, bell and anything else that is needed to ensure a good meeting. The lion tamer also gathers and stores all the Lion paraphernalia until it is needed again. Lion Joe Cleaver was elected and installed to be the first lion tamer for the Bethlehem Lions in a long time, if ever. The next officers installed by Seaver were Lion Martha Conrad serving another term as treasurer and Lion Lisa Cleaver, a newer member as secretary.

Seaver installed the clubs immediate past president Lion Kathy Bethany as the new vice president. She has assumed more Lion duties at the NC Lions District I level so she could carry a lighter club level responsibility as vice president. Her duties as vice president are just as in any other, fill in as presiding officer whenever the president is unavailable. Lastly, Seaver called Lion Dr. Donald York up to be installed as the new president of the Bethlehem Lions and handed him the gavel as the new official chief executive.

For more information about Lionism and the Lions of Bethlehem, contact Seaver at 828-322-5155 or dwseaver@aol.com.
Hunting for shark teeth

Learn how to hunt for shark tooth fossils with guest speaker Dr. Ashley Oliphant. The presentation will be held in the Drendel Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Following the talk, explore the Catawba Science Centers Dinosaurs! exhibit and browse Oliphants pop-up fossil shop.

Beer and wine will be available with a donation during a portion of the evening.

Tickets are $5 for members and $8 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased in advance to secure your spot. Tickets can be purchased at catawbascience.org/events.

Drendel Auditorium is at 243 Third Ave. NE in Hickory.

Concert in Taylorsville

Alexander County will continue the 2023 Summer Concert Series with a performance by The Whisnants, on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on the Rotary Performance Stage at Alexander County Courthouse Park.

The Whisnants will perform southern gospel songs. This traditional gospel group dates back to its beginnings in 1970 in Morganton. Years passed and the groups legacy and worship continue as they play for large crowds throughout the southeast and beyond.

The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the show. Food trucks will be on-site for the concert. No dogs, coolers or tents are allowed. All park rules and regulations apply.

Alexander County Courthouse Park is at 101 W. Main Ave. in Taylorsville.

Concert in Brookford

Rapper Yumz Awkword is returning to Hickory to host the Do Great Things! music festival at the Brookford Community Building.

The concert will feature 11 musical artists from Hickory and California, including Yumz Awkword. The festivities will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Along with the performances, food and craft vendors will be set up to sell merchandise.

Tickets range from $5 for kids and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased in advance on Eventbrite.com.

The Brookford Community Building is at 1700 S. Center St., in Hickory.

SpongeBob at the library

The Hickory Ballet and Performing Arts will explore the undersea home of SpongeBob SquarePants during a Books to Broadway series performance on Saturday.

Performers will read silly SpongeBob stories, learn the Bikini Bottom Boogie, and explore different character voices.

The event is at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. No registration is required. The event is limited to 75 attendees on a first come, first served basis.

The Patrick Beaver Memorial Library is at 375 Third St. NE in Hickory.

Taiko Drumming at the library

Feel the thunder of Japanese Taiko drums as sensei Ron Collins from Tampa Taiko performs in a style of a martial artist.

Collins will share how he made these drums and explore the history and traditions of this ancient art form.

Collins will have two classes on Tuesday. The 11 a.m. class will be at the Ridgeview Branch Library and the 6 p.m. class will be at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library.

The Ridgeview Branch Library is at 706 First St. SW, in Hickory.
An airboat flipped over half a mile west of the Outer Banks, leaving 11 people in the water, including one pinned under the boat, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

It happened around 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, near Oregon Inlet, and at least two of the boaters were seriously injured, officials said in a news release.

Upon arriving on scene, crews waded to the crash site to find the fan boat had flipped and re-righted itself, Coast Guard officials said.

Crews then began to triage and determined there to be (two) patients with more severe injuries, the others non-life threatening.

The boater pinned under the boat was immediately retrieved and found to have a potential chest and head injury, officials said. The person was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia, while the other 10 were taken to shore by boat.

All 11 boaters were wearing life jackets when the 20-foot airboat flipped, officials said.

The accident happened in a section of the Croatan Sound where waters are shallow, officials said. The sound is between the mainland and the Outer Banks.

Airboats, also known as fanboats, are a flat-bottomed vessel propelled by an aircraft-type propeller and powered by either an aircraft or automotive engine, Riverventures.com reports.

They are commonly used for fishing, bow-fishing, hunting, and ecotourism, the site says. Airboats are a very popular means of transportation in marshy and/or shallow areas where a standard inboard or outboard engine with a submerged propeller would be impractical.

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Nags Head is investigating. The airboat was towed to a marina in Manteo, officials said.
World dairy trade could grow 11% over the next decade. If that comes to fruition, countries around the world would trade an additional 14.2 million metric tons of dairy products.

That projection was made by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Most of this projected growth would come from the United States, the European Union (EU), and New Zealand. All told, these countries would account for 65% all dairy products and dairy ingredients sold throughout the world.

That being said, the United States is expected to be the most dynamic large dairy product exporter, when measured by growth, over the next decade. It will significantly expand skim milk powder exports, revealed the report titled OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032. To reach this goal, this expansion in skim milk powder exports would have to be met by more drying capacity far beyond the countrys current investments. Another reason skim milk powder will grow in the U.S. is because of the countrys strong demand for milkfats.

New Zealand will remain a mighty force. Although it only accounts for 2.5% of the worlds milk production, it is the most export-orientated country. Looking long-term, growth will slow for the island nation. After expanding milk production over the past two decades, new milk has stalled and growth may only be 0.4% annually over the next 10 years.

The collective 27 countries of the European Union would continue to be the worlds main cheese exporter. However, as a single country, the United States would be the largest stand-alone country and should grow its cheese exports, too. As for the largest cheese importers? The United Kingdom heads the list, followed by Japan, Russia, the European Union, and Saudi Arabia.

Overall, 81% of the worlds milk supply comes from dairy cows. An additional 15% comes from buffalo, with goats, sheep, and camels accounting for the remaining 4%. North America, led by the United States and Canada, has some of the highest milk yields per dairy cow. While herd size is expected to remain unchanged over the next 10 years, growth ultimately will take place because yields per a cow will continue to grow.

Environmental legislation could curb milk growth in some areas. Since greenhouse gas emissions from dairy represent such a high portion of their emissions, New Zealand and Ireland could be hit rather hard on this issue, reported the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

July 27, 2023
Would you be willing to turn over $1.4 billion to an unknown group over which you have no oversight or control and who can do with it as they choose? I bet you wouldnt do that with even $1,400. But our legislature appears ready to go with the $1.4B.

Some background. If North Carolina is going to remain competitive and successful in coming years we need to wisely invest in our future. The state has amassed a huge savings account  some estimate $6 billion or more  so we have the capacity to invest. Our state continues to receive accolades as one of the tops in the nation for businesses to locate or expand. We even rank number two in research and development, but once an idea is germinated how does it get the capital it needs to grow and prosper? The failure rate for new start-ups is high and making that big leap from innovative idea to generating enough funds to sustain and grow into success is a big gap, often referred to as the valley of death.

Enter NCInnovation. The concept behind NCInnovation is to provide financial support for researchers at our universities to bridge that valley of death. A group of business leaders have already chipped in some $23 million to get it started. It was only natural they would come to the state for additional funding. Gov. Roy Cooper included $50 million in his proposed budget for the concept. The House budget included the same number.

Heres where the good idea becomes a bad solution. The State Senate decided to up the ante to $1.4 billion in state funds and make major structural changes; even some of the original investors into NCInnovation are pooh-poohing what would be the largest single investment in the states history to one organization. They think the Senate approach is wrong.

Some history. Former Gov. Luther Hodges was the visionary who saw North Carolinas future in research, innovation and commerce. In 1958, Hodges enlisted Archie Davis, then-president of Wachovia Bank, and they raised $1.5 million to purchase land and, in concert with UNC, N.C. State and Duke, create what we now know as Research Triangle Park. We all recognize what RTP has meant to our state.

NCInnovation has the same potential for the 21st century and there are some aspects of it that are appealing, but it needs to be scaled back and restructured. Lets offer some suggestions.

Luther Hodges and Archie Davis had good sense with RTP. NCInnovation needs to be a public nonprofit, not a private for-profit venture. The governing board should consist of a minority of political appointees  equally divided between the House, Senate and Executive branches. We like that the current board includes the chancellors of N.C. A&T, UNC Charlotte, East Carolina University and Western Carolina University, schools which currently have research agreements with NCInnovation, much as Duke, State and Carolina did with the Research Triangle Institute.

The remainder of board members should come from research, development, product commercialization, entrepreneurial business development and capital formation, as the Senate language now states, along with at least one patent lawyer, one business start-up lawyer and a representative from the N.C. Department of Commerce.

NCInnovation should have an equity stake in any investment it makes, so as to generate a future income stream and cash to invest. The charter should strongly state that preference for investments come from research done on North Carolina campuses (especially those listed above), and recipients should pledge to domicile in and operate from our state for a reasonable period, say five years.

That board should have sole authority to hire and fire staff, keep accurate minutes of meetings and NCInnovation should abide by state public records laws. These laws allow for the exemption of trade secrets and proprietary information. It should at least annually publish balances in their accounting and lists of investments made, giving the name, location, a general description of the organization and names of key officers. Taxpayers have the right to know these things.

My biggest remaining question concerns what to do with the investments already made by private individuals and companies. I see four options: first, these citizens could decide theirs was a worthwhile civic contribution to our future and allow their funds to remain; second, they could be repaid as the board feels funds are available; third, the state could give tax credits to those investors so they can get their money back from tax savings; or fourth, the legislature could increase its appropriation to return the initial $23 million.

There have been many voices opposing the Senates proposed legislation. We hope enough others will speak out to stop another apparent power grab by legislators. That said, let us applaud NCInnovation, chair Kelly King and others who have the vision to initiate what could (and hopefully will) become another RTP success story.
Indiana is facing a literacy decline. Multiple state and national tests report young students struggle to learn strong vocabularies and phonics  the building blocks of reading.

And some educators say theyve encountered middle schoolers who are years behind in reading and comprehension  these are the essential skills for learning.

All Indiana legislators banded together earlier this year in an attempt to combat students decline in the ability to read. They unanimously passed a bipartisan law that requires public and charter schools to adopt a new curriculum next year using reading science practices.

This follows an urgent push from state and business leaders. Gov. Eric Holcomb set a statewide reading goal of 95 percent proficiency for all third graders by 2027. A combination of state and philanthropic funds, now up to $170 million, are promised to support the changes in K12 through higher education.

Without the proper foundational literacy skills, educators say some students continue to struggle to read once they reach upper grades.

This is not a new phenomenon, getting seventh and eighth graders who are struggling readers, said Eddie Rangel, Executive Director of Adelante Schools in Indianapolis. But [Im] really happy to see that the state is taking action to say this is not just a school issue. This is a teacher preparation issue. And it's not just a kindergarten through second grade teacher issue. It is an educator issue.

The science of reading is a collection of evidenced-based practices that provide educators with the skills needed to identify sounds and letter correspondence based on the way human brains process language. The practice still incorporates the five components of reading  phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension. Some teachers may already incorporate some of these strategies, but not all of them. While other instructors may apply them incorrectly or not all.

The new law, HEA 1558, reshapes how students are taught and educators are trained.

Starting in 2024, Indiana schools must adopt a new literacy curriculum that aligns with the science of reading. And educators will no longer be able to use popular reading instructional methods such as three-cueing. This method allows budding readers to use pictures and context clues, or cues, to guess an unfamiliar word instead of using their reading knowledge to sound out a word.

Researchers have said when reading science practices are applied it provides students with needed foundational reading skills. And it makes it easier for educators to identify and address why a student doesnt understand a particular reading concept.

Rangel, who founded the public charter in 2020, said when an educator and student uses the science of reading practices, its similar to playing an instrument.

You are learning a code, you have to know what that code means for if you're an instrumentalist, where your fingers are placed, how you blow the air, all of that, Rangel said. And then you have to piece that all together into a symphony, or an orchestral piece. And that's a lot like what reading is and what decoding is.

At Adelante, reading science doesn't stop at third grade, its a school-wide effort, Rangel said. Whether someone is instructing music or math, he said all educators should be a reading teacher.

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner holds up a favorite childhood book at Eastside Elementary School in Anderson, where Lilly Endowment and state officials announced an investment in student literacy. (Eric Weddle / WFYI)

In 2021, less than 7 percent of students passed the English part of the ILEARN exam. A year later, the pass rate jumped to 33 percent. But in just released state data, just 10 percent of third graders were proficient in English language arts.

Rangel said the dip in scores may be due to those students who were impacted the most by the switch to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions, such as attending most of first grade virtually. He said the school also hasnt had enough time with the science of reading model to see extreme results across the board.

In my experience as a school leader, change is going to take time, especially if we're expecting something to change and impact a school with a 10 percent proficiency increase after just one solid year of implementation, I think that would be very hard, Rangel said.  So I know, especially after data that we've been collecting in kindergarten through second grade, we know that the science of reading and the instructional practices aligned to the science of reading, are working and doing work.

But the school, like many in Indianapolis, faces other barriers to boost student literacy and overall academics  especially as state leaders focus on a push for 95 percent proficiency for all third graders in four years.

Some of those include student mobility  students transferring from other schools  and supporting low-income kids who are behind grade level proficiency.

This year we've got a lot of work to do because 40 percent of our third grade is new to us again, Rangel said about the 2023-24 school year. And there was no judgment on what their previous schools did, but there's no question  they're struggling.

Indianas literacy problem

A lot of Hoosier students struggle to read.

Nearly 1 in 5 third graders lacked fundamental skills needed to become a successful reader prepared to learn, according to the 2022 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination  or IREAD-3. The pass rate of 81.6 percent is nearly 10 percentage points behind the state's highest score of 91.4 percent in 2012-13.

And less than 33 percent of Indiana fourth graders were proficient in reading in 2022, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The assessment, known as the Nations Report Card, tests just a sample of students statewide. Of those tested, nearly 63 percent scored at or above basic proficiency  Indianas lowest rate in 30 years.

Some of the decline is because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted students and forced them to learn remotely. But in Indiana, kids reading scores have been on a downward slide for a decade. Researchers and educators believe there are multiple issues that contribute to this problem, including how educators are trained to teach reading.

The National Council on Teacher Quality recently released a report that analyzed nearly 700 college undergraduate and graduate teacher-preparation programs across the country. Only 48 programs  39 undergraduate and nine graduate programs  earned an A+ designation for exceeding literacy experts for teaching reading science. The only Indiana school that received an A+ was Marian University, a private Roman Catholic university in Indianapolis.

Some of Indianas top four-year public institutions  such as Indiana University - Bloomington and Ball State University  received an F rating.

Jamey Peavler, a former Indiana educator and a reading instructor at Mount St. Joseph University in Ohio, said these colleges have been notorious for not producing a phonics and evidence-based teacher prep program for reading instruction.

When you consider where our teachers and our schools are coming from and the training that they've had, there's no question why our literacy rates are so low, Peavler said. States where there are more teacher prep programs aligned to reading science and have been doing that historically, have different literacy concerns.

MORE: Why this educator believes science of reading will help Indianas students

Proponents of the teaching method say Mississippi is proof. The states fourth-grade literacy scores have jumped from being the second-worst in the country to 21st in only a decade. The state credits the improvement to the state overhauling its literacy program to the science of reading. And some research is backing up this assertion.

Instead, some of Indianas top higher education institutions try to prepare teachers for any school environment by using a broad curriculum that focuses on teacher theories and pedagogy, Peavler said. But she also said that doesnt give potential educators enough time to learn how to put those methods into practice.

Most schools have choices about what curriculum they adopt, what their philosophies are, Peavler said. And so I feel like many universities probably want to play it safe, and just give this more generic introduction, and think that the curriculum will teach the teachers how to teach once they land in their assignment. And that is not accurate at all.

Under the new law, the states accredited teacher-prep programs at colleges and universities must switch to a reading science curriculum. The law also requires educators who received their teaching license after June 30, 2025 to earn a state literacy endorsement in science of reading.

The IDOE will also review Indianas teacher preparation programs in 2024 to determine whether key concepts related to scientifically based reading instruction are taught.

A strong foundation

Reading curriculum has shifted over the past few decades. Some adults might remember the days of the hooked on phonics reading model that used music to help readers. Teachers have also used picture clues to help students learn words that arent easily decodable and follow traditional letter sounds, like flour, pencil and phone. But that strategy isnt helpful for kids learning how to read because they end up memorizing and then filling in the blanks, Peavler said.

Tina Cowan has nearly 20 years of experience teaching reading. Shes seen kids shuffle around to different schools, which makes it difficult for them to learn to read since there hasnt been a consistent, foundational method for teaching reading.

Which is why Cowan is excited students will have a more consistent learning style across the state.

You don't just start building the walls of a house, you have to have a strong foundation, said Cowan, Adelantes literacy specialist. You can't just trust the ground, that's there, you have to make sure that its foundation is strong, or the walls are going to fall down.

Cowan said students build their foundational reading skills in kindergarten through second grade, before they start adding more difficult reading elements beginning in third grade.

Teacher Isha Nigam asks students to sound out words during a reading lesson at Adelante charter school on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Indianapolis. (Elizabeth Gabriel / WFYI)

In kindergarten students learn letters and sounds by using picture cards that associate a letter, sound and key word together. Then students are taught using pictures, to make instruction geared toward all types of learners  students who learn using visuals, hearing or motion. Learning through motion means a student taps out a word with their fingers in order to blend the sounds of the word together.

But eventually, the pictures go away and some students can wind up lost.

If they didn't get a strong foundation of understanding sounds, that these are letters and they have sounds, and then how those sounds start to work together, Cowan said. And then being able to decode the words, and then building up their fluency and their vocabulary to do the comprehension. If we're not building that foundation, then when they get to third grade, it just all looks like a code to them that they don't know how to decode.

Cowan believes some teachers may have already implemented reading science practices, they just werent using that specific term. Now the politicization of the learning model could be leading to some skepticism.

Making the switch

Reading science has been making waves in the education community over the past few years. The recent debate around literacy curriculum has led authors of popular instruction methods to change their methods. Over the past decade, at least 31 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation related to reading science. Indiana, Arkansas and Louisiana are the only states that have banned three-cueing, according to research by Education Week.

Over the past year, over 40 Indiana schools have worked with the Indiana Department of Education on a science of reading pilot, which included participation from the Logansport Community School Corporation in north-central Indiana.

Tami McMahan, director of English Language Learners at the Logansport schools, said she's seen a boost in literacy scores since making the switch to reading science practices three years ago.

If they got to fourth grade and they're not reading and comprehending fluently, the purposes behind reading really shift when they get to those upper grades, McMahan said. And so then they're behind and you get frustrations, and then I think eventually it does impact students staying in school. With the science of reading, with that focus on helping those students read on grade level before they get to third grade, you're going to help negate that issue.

She witnessed growth in non-English speakers who couldn't read, and believes all students could learn.

By implementing reading science practices, it also changed the way adults supported students. Teachers, interventionists and parents collaborated more, as well as administrators and other district staff who were trained to support teachers when they were struggling. As people were coming together, they knew they were on the right path. But there was some hesitation in the beginning.

The beginning  it was rough. I'll be honest, there were some heels in the second at the beginning, McMahan said. However, they came on board, they gave it their all, and now that they're seeing the difference we don't have those issues anymore. Teachers are like, Okay, we've got this.

Logansports literacy scores for English Language Learners went up nearly seven percentage points from 2021 to 2022. McMahn said their internal data has also shown reading growth across the district.

McMahan said they didnt initially see the learning gains they expected, but they stuck with the process until it paid off. Now she believes other educators should do the same.

It's scary as a teacher to think you know what, I've been doing this for 23 years and 80 percent of my kids learn how to read, McMahan. Okay, but what about that other 20 percent? What are we going to do there? And so that's a scary situation for them to switch their whole method of teaching, and just go out on a limb. So let them validate that feeling for them that yeah, this is scary, this is something new. However, we're going to support you.

McMahan said they've always had an interventionist, additional tutoring and small group instruction, which is why they know its the science of reading thats helping and not something else.

More teachers may soon experience the changes Logansport teachers experienced as educators adjust their teaching styles to align with the new law.

Contact WFYI health reporter Elizabeth Gabriel at egabriel@wfyi.org.
US energy provider Xcel Energy has tapped Finnish telecommunications vendor Nokia to help modernise its grid operations and will deploy Nokias private LTE network technology to secure data connectivity and automation.

According to Xcel, the new network technology will help optimise the delivery of electricity to its customers.

It added that the private LTE network will support its vision to achieve a net-zero energy future by 2050.

It will connect assets using industrial IoT sensors at remote locations and incorporate renewable energy sources into energy distribution grid.

Automation will help Xcel isolate and respond to outages. It will enable transparency, and customers will have greater control over their energy use leveraging smart metres and online tools.

As the first major US power provider to announce a plan to deliver 100% carbon free electricity to customers by 2050, the Nokia private LTE network will support us on our journey, allowing us to leverage better field communications and greater intelligence across the grid for optimised and sustainable operations, Xcel Energy senior vice president and chief technology officer Tim Peterson said.

With this critical network deployment, Xcel Energy can converge multiple applications onto a single robust, reliable and secure mission-critical private LTE network for more efficient operations. And, as its digitalization needs evolve, the company will benefit from a wide ecosystem of compelling Industry 4.0 applications to support current and future use cases and achieve its operational, environmental, efficiency and safety goals, said Nokia head of enterprise for North America Matt Young.
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, has opened a formal probe into Microsoft's bundling of its Teams application with its Office software.

In a statement, the EC said the investigation would examine whether Microsoft had breached the European Union's competition rules "by tying or bundling its communication and collaboration product Teams to its popular suites for businesses Office 365 and Microsoft 365".

It said Microsoft had included Teams in its "well-entrenched cloud-based productivity suites for business customers Office 365 and Microsoft 365".

Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of competition policy, said: "Remote communication and collaboration tools like Teams have become indispensable for many businesses in Europe.

"We must therefore ensure that the markets for these products remain competitive, and companies are free to choose the products that best meet their needs. This is why we are investigating whether Microsofts tying of its productivity suites with Teams may be in breach of EU competition rules."

The EC statement said: "The commission is concerned that Microsoft may be abusing and defending its market position in productivity software by restricting competition in the European Economic Area for communication and collaboration products," the statement said.

"In particular, the commission is concerned that Microsoft may grant Teams a distribution advantage by not giving customers the choice on whether or not to include access to that product when they subscribe to their productivity suites and may have limited the interoperability between its productivity suites and competing offerings.

"These practices may constitute anti-competitive tying or bundling and prevent suppliers of other communication and collaboration tools from competing, to the detriment of customers in the EEA.

Contacted for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson said: We respect the European Commissions work on this case and take our own responsibilities very seriously. We will continue to co-operate with the commission and remain committed to finding solutions that will address its concerns.

The EC statement said Slack Technologies had lodged a complaint on 14 July 2020, claiming that Microsoft was illegally bundling Teams with its productivity suites.

Update, 29 July: In a statement, the North American-based Coalition for Fair Software Licensing backed the EC move.

The group's executive director, Ryan Triplette, said: Microsoft is leveraging its dominant desktop and productivity products to compel the adoption of not only Teams, but its other products offered throughout the cloud stack  including Active Directory, Azure, OneDrive, and Defender. The EU's announcement is an important first step, but this behaviour extends well beyond Teams.

As we outlined in our recent submission to the FTC, our members experience the same anti-competitive behaviour in the cloud as the software giant uses its Microsoft 365 suite to drive up costs and limit customer choice. This is Microsofts playbookleveraging its monopoly power in one market to distort competition in another.

We applaud the European Commission for launching a formal investigation into Microsofts anti-competitive behavior. We encourage the FTC to investigate the companys restrictive licensing and tying practices, as well as their implications for customers.

Last month, the Coalition had called on the FTC to investigate Microsoft's licensing practices which it claims are anti-competitive.
Former NSW premier Bob Carr has taken aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the delay in the US freeing WikiLeaks founder and publisher Julian Assange, questioning why, if a request has been refused, the PM has not asked the US a second time.

In an op-ed published in The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, Carr, who also served as foreign minister under Julia Gillard, said Australia had done enough for the US to have its request for Assange's freedom taken seriously.

Assange is being held at the UK's Belmarsh maximum security jail as he awaits the outcome of a second appeal to the High Court against a British extradition order.

In June, the Australian lost his first appeal against the order that aims to send him to the US for trial over alleged espionage charges.

The second appeal was filed on 13 June. Since then his wife, father and brother have been campaigning for his release.

Carr said Albanese had made his position clear to the US administration by saying: We are working through diplomatic channels, but were making very clear what our position is on Mr Assanges case.

It was, thus, safe to assume that Albanese had, during one of his seven meetings with US President Joe Biden, raised the issue of Assange's freedom, Carr reasoned, adding that Australia had promised the largest transfer of wealth  $368 billion  to serve as a subsidy to American naval shipyards and the British naval builder BAE Systems.

"...it clinches Australias reputation as a deliriously loyal, entirely gullible US ally," Carr said. "It gives President Biden the justification for telling Republicans or Clinton loyalists in his own party that he had no alternative but to end the pursuit of Assange. 'Those Aussies insisted on it. Theyre doing us all these favours  we cant say no'.

He said Biden could also cite other Australian moves made to provide a military stronghold to help American regional dominance, while lessening Australia's own security.

Assange faces criminal charges for publishing classified information that was leaked to WikiLeaks by an American soldier, then known as Bradley Manning, but now, after gender reassignment surgery, known as Chelsea Manning.

Carr said the words he was citing were not his, but rather those of Sam Roggeveen of the Lowy Institute in an article for Australian Foreign Affairs.

He cited Roggeveen also writing, "weve [Australia] also agreed to host four US nuclear subs on our west coast at something to be called 'Submarine Rotational Force-West'. Their mission would be destroying Chinese warships or enforcing a blockade of Chinese ports," Carr noted.

"The east coast submarine base, planned most likely for Port Kembla, will also directly support US military operations. Its another nuclear target. As Roggeveen says, all these locations raise Australias profile in the eyes of the Chinese military planners designing their response in the event of war with the US."

Carr said with all these concessions, it was difficult to believe that Biden was not on the verge of acceding to Albanese's request to free Assange, adding that an initial refusal only meant the Australian PM had to ask a second time.

"I dont believe the president can shake his head and say, 'nope', given all we have gifted  the potent symbolism of B52s, nuclear subs and bases on the east and west coast. It would look like we have sunk into the role of US territory, as much a dependency as Guam or Puerto Rico," Carr said.

"If Assange walks out the gates of Belmarsh into the arms of his wife and children, it will show we are worth a crumb or two off the table of the imperium. If its a van to the airport, then making ourselves a more likely target has conferred no standing at all. We are a client state, almost officially."

Assange was arrested by British police on 11 April 2019 and removed from the Ecuador embassy where he had taken refuge. His asylum was withdrawn shortly before he was arrested and he appeared in court soon after. The US made a formal request for his extradition on 6 June 2019.

The Australian, 52, is one of the better known hackers Australia has produced.
Saildrone is making a splash in autonomous oceanic monitoring. The startups nautical data collection technology has tracked hurricanes up close in the North Atlantic, discovered a 3,200-foot underwater mountain in the Pacific Ocean and begun to help map the entirety of the worlds ocean floor.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company develops autonomous uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) that carry a wide range of sensors. Its data streams are processed on NVIDIA Jetson modules for AI at the edge and are being optimized in prototypes with the NVIDIA DeepStream software development kit for intelligent video analytics.

Saildrone is seeking to make ocean intelligence collection cost-effective, offering data-gathering systems for science, fisheries, weather forecasting, ocean mapping and maritime security. It has three different USVs, and its Mission Portal control center service is used for monitoring customized missions and visualizing data in near real time. Also, some of Saildrones historical data is freely available to the public.

Weve sailed into three major hurricanes, and right through the eye of Hurricane Sam, and all the vehicles came out the other side  they are pretty robust platforms, said Blythe Towal, vice president of software engineering at Saildrone, referring to a powerful cyclone that threatened Bermuda in 2021 .

Saildrone, founded in 2012, has raised $190 million in funding. The startup is a member of NVIDIA Inception, a program that provides companies with technology support and AI platforms guidance.





Keeping an AI on Earths Waters

Saildrone is riding a wave of interest for use of its crewless data collection missions in environmental studies of oceans and lakes.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa has enlisted the help of three 23-foot Saildrone Explorer USVs to study the impact of ocean acidification on climate change. The six-month mission around the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kaui will be used to help evaluate the oceans health around the state.

Ocean acidification is a reduction in its pH, and contributing factors include the burning of fossil fuels and farming. These can have an impact on coral, oysters, clams, sea urchins and calcareous plankton, which can threaten marine ecosystems.

Saildrone recently partnered with Seabed 2030 to completely map the worlds oceans. Seabed 2030 is a collaboration between the Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans, or GEBCO, to map ocean floors worldwide by 2030.

Saildrones vision is of a healthy ocean and a sustainable planet, said Saildrone founder and CEO Richard Jenkins. A complete map of the ocean floor is fundamental to achieving that vision.

The scientific community worldwide is embracing NVIDIA AI for climate studies, including for hyper-local climate modeling, AI to improve sequestering carbon, renewable energy research and many other areas. Dedicating its own expertise, NVIDIA is developing the worlds most powerful AI supercomputer for predicting climate change, named Earth-2, which will be used to create a digital twin of Earth in Omniverse.

Energy-Efficient Data Processing

Saildrone USVs enable researchers to collect more data using fewer resources than traditional boats and crews, conserving energy and keeping crews out of danger.

The USVs are built for harsh weather and long missions. One of its USVs recently completed a 370-day voyage monitoring carbon dioxide, sailing from Rhode Island across the North Atlantic to Cabo Verde, down to the equator off the west coast of Africa, and back to Florida.

Running mostly on solar and wind power requires energy-efficient computing to handle so much data processing.

With solar power, being able to keep our compute load power efficiency lower than a typical computing platform running GPUs by implementing NVIDIA Jetson is important for enabling us to do these kinds of missions, said

Towal.Oceanic Surveying Meets Edge AI

Saildrone relies on the NVIDIA JetPack SDK for access to a full development environment for hardware-accelerated edge AI on the Jetson platform. It runs machine learning on the module for image-based vessel detection to aid navigation.

Saildrone pilots set waypoints and optimize the routes using metocean data  which includes meteorological and oceanographic information  returned from the vehicle. All of the USVs are monitored around the clock, and operators can change course remotely via the cloud if needed.

Machine learning is mostly run locally on the Jetson module but can run on the cloud as well with a satellite connection  because bandwidth can be limited and costly to shuttle from its robust suite of sensors producing high-resolution imagery.

The USVs have oceanographic sensors for measurement of wind, temperature, salinity and dissolved carbon. The company also enables research of ocean and lake floors with bathymetric sensors, including deep sonar mapping with single- or multi-beam for going deeper or wider. And its perceptual sensor suite includes radar and visual underwater acoustic sensors.

DeepStream Goes Deep Sea

Saildrone taps into the NVIDIA DeepStream SDK for its vision AI applications and services. Developers can build seamless streaming pipelines for AI-based video, audio and image analytics using the kit.

Offering a 10x throughput improvement, DeepStream can be applied from edge to cloud to develop optimized intelligent video applications that handle multiple video, image and audio streams.

Saildrone will rely on DeepStream for image preprocessing and model inference, which enables machine learning at the edge, even at sea while powered by sun and wind.

Learn more about NVIDIA Jetson modules and the DeepStream SDK.


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WASHINGTON - On a cloudy day in late October, Kiara McGowan dissolved into tears as she retreated from a U.S. Capitol building with a heap of belongings in her arms - a handbag, three coats and a wireless keyboard.

A staffer had offered her a box to carry everything, but McGowan refused it, terrified that it would reveal what had happened: She had just lost her dream job on the Hill, where she worked as a creative director in a Senate office.

Luckily, Congress was in recess, and the grounds were mostly empty as McGowan, known professionally as Kiara M.P., followed her usual route home. Along the way, she stopped by the Supreme Court, pacing back and forth while sobbing on the phone to her friend. Its sculpted marble mass, which had always inspired awe during her daily commutes to work, now felt oppressive as a monumental wave of emotions crashed over her.

"All I could think about was, 'How am I going to afford rent?'" said McGowan, who moved from her hometown of Richmond in March 2022 to take the job on the Hill.

That was the first of many heaving sobs McGowan, 31, has let out at scenic landmarks and establishments around Washington, D.C.: She has cried on the Navy Yard pier, gazing out at the Anacostia River from behind a pair of dark sunglasses. She has cried at the Alamo Drafthouse in Edgewood, readying herself for a breakup with her boyfriend. She has cried on hotel steps in Adams Morgan after getting locked out of her apartment. And she has cried into a bowl of pho at a noodle bar on 14th Street, overwhelmed by the uncertainties still surrounding her life.

But despite her circumstances - she had a mounting pile of bills and was unsure where she would live - each cry was a watershed moment, freeing McGowan from the messy feelings she used to bottle up. The more she cried, she said, the more comfortable she felt doing it.

"It just feels like a huge release," McGowan said. "I always feel good after a cry."

Especially in D.C., she added, where a mix of vast waterfront views, lush green spaces and rooftops with expansive panoramas of the city offer her the perfect settings to meditate, journal and reflect as the tears flow freely.

This catharsis, along with the encouragement of a friend, inspired McGowan to launch @cryingindc. Through candidly narrated TikTok videos, she visits attractions around the city and reviews her experiences crying there - including a "walk 'n' cry" in Mount Vernon ("It was quiet, and I was able to really get it all out") and a scenic trail in Rock Creek Park ("i cried so hard i almost threw up," she wrote). And it's gaining traction. Since her first post in early June, her account has grown to an audience of more than 1,200 followers.

"I like how it's still in its infancy stages, so anything is really possible. The only thing I've got to do is be consistent," McGowan said. "It's been really cool to see a lot of people resonate with it."

Comments on the account show how McGowan's videos have encouraged followers to let the floodgates open. "My first cry on a bus, whenever it happens, is dedicated to you," one user wrote.

"Fully cried on the silver line today [on my way] home from work and I thought of this account," another user commented. "I felt so much less ashamed, thank you."

Crying has long been perceived as a sign of emotional weakness. And when done in public, it can trigger scrutiny and judgment from strangers.

McGowan experienced this while crying on a bus a few weeks ago. Her tears enraged a fellow passenger, who yelled at her to find another seat. Alarmed, McGowan swiftly moved. Later, in one of the only videos where she suggests where not to cry, McGowan recounted the experience to her followers, and the post quickly blew up. With more than 100,000 views, it's now her most-watched video, shedding light on the enduring stigmatization of crying.

Still, McGowan says few people have approached her during a sob fest, and she prefers it that way. "I think people are too caught up in their own stuff" to notice, she said. "So it's kind of like hidden in plain sight."

Or perhaps they choose to ignore it out of discomfort or disdain - despite the well-documented health benefits of weeping.

According to researchers, crying can help release stress and activate feel-good chemicals that can ease physical and emotional pain. In Japan, there are strong believers in the practice, with many cities opening "crying clubs," called rui-katsu, which translates to "tear-seeking," WebMD reports.

McGowan sees her TikTok account as just one of many small social media initiatives to normalize crying in public. Similar to McGowan's efforts, media outlet Curbed has produced lists of the best places to cry in cities across the country, including in Austin, Chicago and New York City. And, in recent years, against the backdrop of a pandemic, crying selfies have begun surging online. Influencers and celebrities - including Lizzo and Bella Hadid - have been posting teary-eyed content as a growing number of users signal an interest in more authenticity and vulnerability online.

"I definitely feel like we should all do it more. It should be just as normal as someone sneezing," McGowan said. "It's okay to cry. It's okay to feel those emotions, and I say that as someone who was never allowed to."

McGowan said she was often accused of being dramatic as a child and felt she needed to repress her feelings - especially as a Black girl. "Now I'm giving myself the permission to express my emotions," she said. "To honor my inner child."

Some days, she still grapples with accepting how her life has changed since losing her job. Placing her political aspirations on hold, McGowan started bartending at a restaurant to get by. Unable to afford her $1,833 monthly rent, she had to move out of her apartment and is crashing on a friend's couch as she searches for a more affordable place to live.

Now, during her commutes on the bus each day, she listens to guided meditations, observes all the "colorful characters" living on the fringes of society and wonders whether she is becoming one of them. "All of them had a story before they got to that space," she said. "We're all one paycheck away from that."

This realization has helped shift McGowan's outlook on her own situation. "I'm lucky enough to have a friend who would let me stay on the couch, ... and I'm working in a restaurant where I've never been hungry," she said. "So I'm just practicing gratitude. I feel like things are coming up, so I just try to take things day by day."

It's a perspective she wants to ultimately share with her followers, too. A few weeks ago, as McGowan arrived at work to start an early-morning shift, she noticed a woman crying outside the restaurant. "I felt like I could understand her circumstances," she said.

Though McGowan didn't say anything to the woman as she passed her, she said she thinks about her a lot.

She even contemplated making a video later that night to acknowledge the woman - and still might do so.

If she does, McGowan said she'd simply tell her: "I feel you. ... Everyone's going through something."
ROBINSON  Angela Newcomb, 58, of Robinson has pleaded not guilty to charges of concealment of homicidal death and obstruction of justice regarding the killing of a Lerna man.

Newcomb entered this plea during a preliminary hearing on Wednesday in Crawford County Circuit Court on her alleged involvement in the Ryan Waggoner murder case. She sat with her attorney, Jim Lane, in front of Judge Chris Weber and waived her right to have evidence against her presented at this hearing.

Waggoner, 55, of rural Lerna in Cumberland County was reported missing on June 9. Newcomb was arrested on June 29 for concealment of homicidal death and obstruction of justice, following a raid by Illinois State Police at her North Lincoln address. Her next court date is a pre-trial conference on Aug. 23.

Newcomb was released on $10,000 cash bond on June 30, the same day her son, Lance Newcomb, 24, of Robinson was brought to the Crawford County jail on a charge of concealment of homicidal death in the same case.

Lance Newcomb was later taken to the Cumberland County jail and charged with first degree murder after the remains of Waggoner were identified on July 6. The remains were found in southwestern Crawford County, near the Embarras River.

Cumberland County States Attorney Bryan Robbins subsequently added a charge of homicide concealment in this case against Lance Newcomb, who is in the custody of the Cumberland jail with his bond set at a level at which he would need to post $200,000 to be release.

The Crawford County States Attorneys Office has reported that it will take no additional action on its concealment charge against Lance Newcomb due to same charge being filed in Cumberland County.

Another suspect in the case, Hiley Schulte, 52, of Oblong, is charged with concealment of homicidal death in Crawford County. Schulte was arrested June 27 and released a day later after paying the $10,000 cash bond. Her next court appearance is also set for Aug. 23.

Who are they? IL children reported missing as of July 15 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
[I've added an update after watching the announcement.]

I've been on vacation, so I haven't been following the Stack Overflow moderator strike. Not that there has been much progress. Negotiations stalled for a variety of reasons. Meanwhile Stack Overflow's CEO, Prashanth Chandrasekar, dug the company's hole a bit deeper during an interview with VentureBeat.

As I mentioned the last time I analyzed an interview, I assume the author accurately represented Prashanth. I'd prefer an unedited transcript because it allows the reader to interpret in the original context but we must play the hand we are dealt. I will pull out the quotes and offer my analysis below.

There's definitely a question around how we leverage [generative AI] technology to deliver on our mission of helping build technology through collective knowledge. This intersection between the power of community on one side and AI on the other sidefrom my standpoint, human-generated community content has taken us to this level, we have a large impact, but there are also so many problems we can solve by leveraging this technology.

Before I jump in, please take a moment to read Jeff Atwood's and Joel Spolsky's introductions of Stack Overflow. Did you notice what I did? Both describe Stack Overflow as the solution to a very specific problem: programming knowledge locked up in minds and forums whence it's difficult to retrieve. They also explain how they intend to solve the problem including using their combined audience to form the core of the community of programmers to answer questions. As someone who was there at the time, it was easy to envision how the project might solve the problem even if that was an unlikely outcome.

By contrast Prashanth regularly talks about combining community and AI without going into detail about how that solves the problem at hand. Neither does he go into much detail about the problems the company intends to solve. I suspect one reason is that Prashanth, who has spent most of his career in management, has become something of an architecture astronaut. As Joel puts it, "architecture people are solving problems that they think they can solve, not problems which are useful to solve." Since there is overlap between a Q&A site and generative artificial intelligence, there must be a way of jamming them together.

But there's another factor. In May I wrote about Stack Overflow's business, which lost $42 million over 6 months and had just laid off 10% of its employees. Since then, the company's fiscal year-end results came out. Despite growing revenue, it lost $84 million over the year ending on March 31, 2023. In fact Prosus' entire education technology segment lost money despite growing income:

On an economic-interest basis, Edtech segment revenues grew by 28% (18%) to US$545m and trading losses increased to US$258m. Growth was affected by decreased demand in the macroeconomic downturn. Our portfolio companies have reacted quickly to changing market conditions and are rationalising their cost structures and investments. At the same time, our businesses are shifting resources to take advantage of new AI technologies which promise to transform the industry. By deploying GenAI technologies, our companies can better personalise the content and user feedback on their platforms.

In their most recent earnings call, Larry Illg, the CEO of the segment and Prashanth's boss, commented:

For Stack specifically, we think that Gen AI is going to be an important evolution to how developers work and learn in the future, helping them to be more efficient and also learn new techniques while they're in the flow of work. We think, and the Stack team believes the developer community can play a crucial role in how AI evolves and accelerates, ultimately, with the community being helpful in ensuring the quality of Gen AI offerings. And Stack itself sees its role as is bringing the power of its developer communityand it's important to remember that they have assembled one of the biggest developer communities in the worldbringing that community together with the technology power of AI with the goal of creating highly trusted solutions to technology problems. And the team is working and launching a variety of AI solutions and more to come here.

So it might be that the shift to allow AI answers has more to do with Stack Overflow's parent company than its CEO. Or maybe Prashanth has been pushing this as a solution to Stack Overflow's financial problems. Either way, it appears the company hopes the community will cooperate by vetting artificially generated content. It doesn't appear they have put much thought into why the community might want to do this, though it's important to remember these are comments directed to investors, not developers.

The call happened on June 27, a month after the policy allowing AI content. I can only speculate, but a reasonable interpretation would be that the company found it could not solve its financial problems by selling data and looked for other ways it could provide something to sell to LLM developers. Given Stack Overflow's voting system, it's natural to wonder if that data could be fed back into the models. (And even better if Stack Overflow can be paid for that data.) But you can't very well do that if machine-generated content is absolutely disallowed.

Let's pop the stack back to Prashanth's interview:

We want to do it responsibly and safely and have the right use case to solve specific user and customer problems. It's going to be very, very excitingI can't wait for the world to know and for our community to use the things that we're about to announce.

This is clearly referencing Prashanth's keynote address on July 27 when he's planning on making an announcement. I predicted the announcement would be adding Prosus' LLM technology to Stack Overflow. That wouldn't help with revenue, but it's the easiest way for Stack Overflow to demonstrate the potential value of using voting data. In order to maximize press coverage on the day of the announcement, the company can only tease without breaking the news early. That's a pretty terrible communication strategy for a community, however. Unless your community trusts you without reservation (and Stack Overflow is nowhere near that blessed state) the teases will only increase anxiety.

We're probably talking about 30 million official developers based on our own data sets, but that number is probably going to at least triple because there are so many people that are going to come into the field of writing code because it's so much easier to begin to write a baseline level of quality of code. And I think the watermark has just sort of gone up in terms of the expectations for everyone.

Stack Overflow has 21 million users, so that's not where the 30 million comes from. A quick Google search puts the number of developers worldwide at 27 million. Since the world population stands at 8 billion, roughly 3 of every thousand people on Earth are developers. I don't know if that sounds like a large or a small number to you, but given there were no programmers before 1945 and not many more added in the 1950s, the profession has grown at a goodly rate.

In a blog earlier this year, Prashanth compared AI to the introduction of tractors in that they made the job easier. I pointed out that tractors reduced the number of farmers. Tripling the number of programmers would imply a rather dramatic change to the world economy. What sort of work would they be doing? As a lapsed programmer, I do find myself reaching for the old tools to help a colleague from time to time. But I don't envision my co-workers becoming programmers no matter how easy it becomes. If I weren't around to ask, they'd reach for other tools or just go without.

I think you want to definitely be adopting these tools to get more productive and efficient and learn faster in your role.

This is another way of expressing the well-worn idea: "AI will not replace you. A person using AI will." Remember there used to be an occupation called "computer". The people who had those jobs (often women) lost them to devices also called "computers". AI enthusiasts aim for a happy medium where the technology is disruptive enough to demand attention, but tame enough that everyone who adopts it will prosper.

Since the invention of writing, there were scribes who specialized in using (and creating) the tools required to make legible marks. They were hired to take dictation and copy manuscripts. It was technical and highly-specialized work. With improvements in technology (including the printing press and mass-produced metal nibs) more people could write for themselves and "scribe" took on a metaphorical meaning for someone who makes a living cranking out the written word. Technology dramatically increased the production of writing at the cost of people making a living doing that work.

After using ChatGPT for a few months to help me write code, I'm not sure it will have the same impact as metal nibs had on writing. For common questions, it's impressive but blind spots can be easily found. The primary advantage of LLMs (their output can be copied and used without modification) also makes them poor tools for effective learning. They create cargo cults from their training materials. They sometimes produce useful results if circumstances are favorable, but provide no help otherwise.

The decision to ban ChatGPT was the right decision back in December, said Chandrasekar. But now, he explained, the company has slowly been working with the community, doing research and getting input.

This is the primary spot I wish VentureBeat had provided a transcript. I think Prashanth has Stack Overflow Labs in mind here. If so, the feedback from the community was largely "please don't do this". It's hard to see how any of what happened after reversing the ban on ChatGPT is working with the community. "Against" seems the more appropriate preposition.

We have gotten feedback on how best to make sure that we will trust generative AI products, from a Stack Overflow standpoint, and that's what we're going to announce in about a month's time.

This is fairly vague, but despite the context I suspect the feedback came from people working with LLMs. It certainly hasn't come from the community since their elected moderators were told their judgment was unreliable. In that light "make sure that we will trust generative AI products" feels a lot more sinister than it first appears. Perhaps what Prashanth meant was simply "improve the trustworthiness of generative AI products", which once again signals using Stack Overflow voting to provide feedback to some model or other.

[False negatives are] causing a really negative impact because when a legitimate human being coming on the website wants to ask a question, we don't want to shoo them away. We want to share the question, we want to serve our purpose and mission.

[The decision to create a new AI policy was] not an easy decision by any meansbut we just thought that the cost of dissuading people from asking a question on Stack Overflow was too high. And it was happening very alarmingly high rate based on the analysis that we looked at.

From what I can tell, most suspected machine-generated content comes in the form of an answer, not a question. Nevertheless, incorrectly flagged content does have a negative impact on the humans that produced it. I believe, however, the company is underestimating the number of answers copied from ChatGPT.

We've taken a public position around this subject, saying that we always want to be open and free with our data with our developer community. However, large AI companies building modelswe absolutely want to work with them in a more formal way.

While this might be the company's public position, Prashanth privately wanted to limit who can access the data. On March 28, 2023, he ordered the data dump not be uploaded to Archive.org. The DBA who turned it off warned that the community would notice and it did. Rather than having an answer prepared, the company publicly struggled for an answer. Internal communication shows most of the company was as surprised as the rest of us.

The harsh reality is that Stack Overflow's CEO hasn't listened to the people who best understand Stack Overflow. He appears to have a surface-level grasp of the site, the community and the culture. As a result, he's made decisions that harm the value of Stack Overflow. This isn't necessarily malicious, but rather incompetence of some sort.

Prashanth has already demonstrated skill in selling Stack Overflow. That was an impressive feat. But nobody can excel at everything and he hasn't shown an aptitude for running a community-centered company. It requires much more than platitudes and boundless enthusiasm.

I've gotten some more information related to this post that I'd like to address in no particular order:
PUPS AND PINTS: This Friday is going to be a furry one as the Forsyth Humane Society hosts its July Winston-Salem Community Day. Bring your own furry friend to Chads Chai from 8 to 10 a.m., Quiet Pint Tavern from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or Incendiary Brewing Company from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit forsythhumane.org.
Allstate has been approved to withdraw from a high-profile state economic incentive agreement after the insurer said Tuesday its employee work-from-home policy will keep it from reaching a 2,250-job pledge in Charlotte.

Allstate announced its expansion plans in August 2017.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Allstate has implemented a national corporate policy to adopt an employee-choice work environment as the best way forward for the company, the insurer said.

Allstate said that as of Dec. 31, just 213 of our NC employees elected for an in-person work environment at our Charlotte campus.

For this reason, this project will not meet the minimum project headcount level necessary to begin claiming benefits.

The state Economic Investment Committee approved Allstates voluntary termination of what could have been up to $17.8 million in incentives from the Job Development Investment Grant program.

N.C. Commerce Department confirmed the insurer had not been paid any incentive grants toward the Charlotte project.

Besides the jobs pledge, Allstate said it would spend $22 million in capital investments on the Charlotte facilities.

Allstate told Commerce it has spent $39 million on capital investments for the Charlotte facilities.

Allstate said that without question, Allstate continues to view the state of North Carolina as a strategic market to attract talent, and an excellent place for our employees to reside.

In fact, we believe that the new workplace policy will ultimately open up more employment opportunities throughout the state, enabling North Carolina residents previously unable to work for our company due to circumstances or geographical constraints to now be a part of our team.

It is the second largest termination of a state incentive package, trailing only health insurer Centenes pledge in July 2020 of 6,000 jobs and $1.043 billion in capital investments for an East Coast hub in Charlotte.

Centene had been eligible for up to a record $387.9 million in performance-based incentives over a 39-year period as part of the first JDIG transformative economic project in state history.

However, by August 2022, Centene backed out of the JDIG package  also because of employees preference of work-from-home.

Even though it has about 1,700 employees in Charlotte, Centene said in August 2022 that there has been a fundamental shift in the way people want to work.

Today, almost 90% of our workforce is working fully remote or in a hybrid work environment, and workplace flexibility is essential to attracting and retaining our top talent.
Q: When will the new Publix grocery store at the corner of Robinhood Road and Meadowlark Drive be finished? What other stores are scheduled for that location? K.B.

Answer: The shopping center, where the Publix is being built is called West Edge.

Jared Glover, a regional spokesman for Publix said that they will announce the opening day closer to the actual date.

Casey Lowery, the executive director asset management for Adams Property Group, the property managers for West Edge, told us some of the other stores they have leased.

We currently have Dunkin Donuts, Heartland Dental, Jersey Mikes, Friendly Nails (will be under another name) signed in addition to Publix.

We are working on some other great offerings for the community but cannot announce until finalized. We still have some small space and a restaurant endcap available if your readers know an operator that would do well in this location, Lowery said.

Q: I have been missing Melissa Painter on FOX8 news for several weeks now. Has she left the station? B.W.

Answer: No, Painter has not left the station, said Jim Himes, the vice president and general manager of WGHP/FOX8.

Q: There is a house in our neighborhood that is becoming overgrown and unsightly. Weve were wondering how to report this to the City of Winston-Salem. How do you report it? P.W.

Answer: The best way to alert the city about this type of neighborhood problem is through CityLink.

You can report it by calling 336-727-8000. You can call or text 311 from a cell phone.

You can also email them at citylink@cityofws.org or go to the CityLink page on the CityofWS.org website.

In Greensboro you can report overgrown yards by going to Greensboro-nc.gov, go to the I Want to drop down menu and click on Report. That will take you to a page where you can report various problems including overgrown yards.

Forsyth Humane Society adoption event

Do you want a four-footed companion to keep you company? To help you remember to go out for walks? To listen to you when no one else will?

The Forsyth Humane Society in cooperation with the Bissell Pet Foundation and MetLife is having an adoption event. Through Monday adoption fees are $25 for furry friends who need a forever home. This is part of the Bissell Pet Foundations Empty the Shelters National Adoption Event.

The Forsyth Humane Society is located at 4881 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem. The center hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

To see pictures of the pets that are available for adoption, go to forsythhumane.org and click on Adopt.

For more information, email info@forsythhumane.org or call 336-721-1303.

DAV chapter seeks volunteer drivers

The local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans needs volunteer drivers to transport Forsyth County veterans to the Kernersville and Salisbury Veterans Affairs facilities.

The DAV provides the vehicle. Volunteers must have a valid drivers license and pass a physical provided by the VA. For more information or to volunteer, call 336-515-5000 ext. 21479 to leave your contact information.
Martha Bassett has long loved singing songs from the canon of bossa nova, that laidback and sensual genre of jazz that originated in Brazil during the late 1950s.

But something was missing from her interpretation of those songs.

I felt like singing them in English never did them justice, Bassett said recently.

A full-time musician with multiple commitments, including the popular Martha Bassett Show at The Reeves Theater in Elkin, Bassett said she was too busy to learn Portuguese.

Then the COVID-19 shutdown hit, and Bassett suddenly had time to devote to a new skill.

The goal was to learn one bossa nova song in Portuguese. Instead, she learned more than a dozen with the help of a local man who spent time in the country during the 1970s with the Peace Corps, and later, a native Brazilian who is still giving her language lessons.

Sung in Portuguese, the songs are more poetic, Bassett said.

One aspect is that rhythmically, Portuguese is different than English. So, I think thats why its unsatisfying to sing them in English, she explained. The rhythm of the words just doesnt come across.

Bassett became so enamored with Brazil that she traveled there on her own last summer, seeking out music. She didnt find a lot of bossa nova, which is considered old persons music in Brazil, but she did find plenty of samba and pop music.

Once people discovered she was there on a mission to learn the countrys music, Brazilians began inviting her to concerts. She plans to return in the fall.

The result of Bassetts immersion into bossa nova and Brazilian culture will be a concert with the Camel City Jazz Orchestra Bossa Nova Ensemble on Saturday at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts.

The concert will feature 15 songs, including bossa nova standards Desafinado (Slightly Out of Tune), Samba de Uma Nota So (One Note Samba) and Insensatez (How Insensitive). Girl from Ipanema, the most famous of all bossa nova songs didnt make the cut, Bassett added with a laugh.

The 12-piece ensemble will include a string quartet, a first for the jazz orchestra, which is now in its 11th year.

Bassett has performed an occasional song with the jazz orchestra over the years, but Saturdays concert will be the first as the featured performer.

Matt Kosma, the co-founder and artistic director for the orchestra, heard Bassett sing a bossa nova concert last year with her quartet at the annual Music Carolina SummerFest.

I had the idea to expand that to a larger group, Kosma said. It took me awhile to decide on the instrumentation, but I went back and listened to a lot of the original recordings and a lot of them had a full orchestra with a lot of strings, and it sounded really beautiful, so I added the string quartet to the four-wind instruments.

Bassett said her only request to the orchestras arrangement team was that they stay within the chord structures that she had worked out. In addition to vocals, Bassett will play rhythm guitar.

Learning to sing the songs in Portuguese and adjust to a new rhythmic style on guitar has been a challenge, she said. Its been overall positive, but its stretching me in new ways.

Though the jazz orchestra will sometimes drop a bossa nova song into its set, Saturdays show will be the first time it has played a setlist of strictly bossa nova.

Its a natural fit for the way we play already, and its beautiful and fun, Kosma said.

He and some of the musicians in the orchestra have been working on this concert for about six months. Its one reason why he is as excited about Saturdays show as any in recent memory.

Noting the work she and the orchestra put into the show, Bassett said she hopes that its not a one-and-done concert.

I hope we get more opportunities, she said. It would be a shame to have all these arrangements and only get to perform them once.

PHOTOS: Camel City Jazz Orchestra to perform Bossa Nova with Martha Bassett, July 29 at SECCA
I dont remember driving from the office of my wifes physician to our favorite Mexican restaurant. But I remember asking for an isolated corner booth where I sat facing the wall, more afraid and alone than I had felt in my life, wondering: How do I tell my children that their 50-year-old mother had just received a diagnosis of early-set Alzheimers disease?

Thirty years ago, that sounded more like a verdict than a diagnosis. Unfortunately, it still does.

For several years, I did my best to become a lay expert on experimental treatments of Alzheimers. I clipped newspaper articles and filled file folders with updates on testing results that carried the hopes of millions of Alzheimers patients and their families.

But as the months became years and my wife moved into the later stages of the illness, it became clear that no discovery would alter her decline.

Fortunately, researchers did not give up.

On July 6 the FDA granted approval to Leqembi, which is produced by Biogen and Eisei, a Japanese company. In clinical tests Leqembi slowed the progression of the disease by 27%, which researchers said translated into slowing the advance of the disease by about 5 months.

On July 17, David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly, announced that Lilly had applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval of its Alzheimers drug, donanemab. In an interview on CNBC Ricks said that in patients who were treated with donanemab the progress of the disease was slowed by 35%. Even more hopefully, he said that patients who were treated at the earliest stages of the disease saw the progression reduced by 40% to 60%.

The Journal of the American Medical Association welcomed the news with an editorial titled, Ushering in a New Era of Alzheimer Disease Therapy.

Kate Lee, CEO of Alzheimers Society in the UK, said that treatments like donanemab are the first steps towards a future where Alzheimers disease could be considered a long-term condition alongside diabetes or asthma. People may have to live with it, but they could have treatments that allow them to effectively manage their symptoms and continue to live fulfilled lives.

Any advance in our understanding and treatment of Alzheimers is good news.

But patients with Alzheimers and their families, who have experienced more than their share of disappointments, should be aware of the limitations of the new treatments as well as their potential for improving the quality of life for people struggling with a devastating disease for which there is not yet a cure.

Leqembi and donanemab proved to be more effective in treating patients who were in early-stage Alzheimers disease than those who were in later stages.

The administering of the two new drugs is not as simple is taking a pill or receiving an injection. Leqembi is given intravenously every two weeks, donanemab every four weeks. This is likely to be a higher barrier for people who live in rural areas.

The treatments are expensive. The projected price tag of Leqembi is $26,500 a year, not including costs of administering the medication and follow-up testing. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost, but the remaining 20% might be a stretch for lower-income patients.

There are risks involved in treatment. Leqembi does have side effects, the Alzheimers Association acknowledges, most notably brain swelling and bleeding, which usually do not cause symptoms but can be serious.

It should be noted that three deaths were linked to each of the drugs in the clinical trials. (There were 17,000-18,000 patients in each trial.)

Finally, while no one claims that either of the new treatments is a cure, researchers say that the drugs can slow the progression of the disease by four to seven months.

That may not sound like much when compared to a lifetime, but time becomes precious when meaningful life is measured in months rather than years or decades.

The new treatments promise to add time to the near end of life, the next six months, rather than to the far end when Alzheimers has taken its destructive toll.

For patients this means more time to do the things they love. ... more months of recognizing their spouse, children and grandchildren, said Joanne Pike, president and CEO of the Alzheimers Association.

While the thought of a cure for Alzheimers disease is certainly part of my optimism, said Myra Garcia, member of the Alzheimers Association Early Stage Advisory Group, more time is enough for now.
Linda Rae Kirk

September 28th, 1947 - July 22nd, 2023

Linda Rae Kirk, 75, of Lincoln, NE., passed away on July 22nd, 2023. Linda was born on September 28th, 1947, to Pauline Dorris Martin and Robert Charles Martin, in Lincoln, NE. After graduating from Lincoln High School, she went on to study Psychology and graduated with honors from The University of Nebraska. After doing so, Linda began working at Southeast Community College and then continued in the same position at UNL. In 1985, she began working for the Department of Labor at The State of Nebraska, eventually rising to the rank of Director of Welfare to Work. In February of 1979, Linda met Mike Kirk at The Church of the Nazarene in Three Rivers, MI. The two married May 16th, 1980 and raised three children, Paula, Jenn and Troy.

Linda was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family most of all, but also enjoyed reading her Bible, puzzles of various nature, planning holidays, classic movies and television programs as well as the trivia show Jeopardy. She also enjoyed family history and loved spoiling her grandchildren. She cherished her decades long friendship with Vicki Leech. They would often shop together and enjoyed hunting for garage sales. They treasured their weekly lunches and always looked to one another for advice and support.

Linda was preceded by her beloved sister Diane, her parents Pauline and R.C. Martin and two grandchildren.

She is survived by her Husband Mike, brother David Martin, three children, Paula and her husband Clint, Jenn and her husband Michael, and Troy and his wife Jamie, as well as 11 grandchildren Anthony and his wife Erin, Andrew, Abigayle, Maxwell, Miley, Makenna, William, Wesley, Warren, and Wyatt.

Linda will be remembered as a warm and gentle soul who helped lead many to her Lord. We rejoice in the knowledge that she is now with Him, enjoying her very great reward. Here on Earth, she will remain deeply loved, missed, and alive in our memories.

Condolences may be left online at www.lincolnccfh.com.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Wednesday delayed a hearing on the controversial Wilderness Crossing development  twice  so it wouldnt conflict with a conference in Omaha that many of the opponents are likely to attend.

Commissioner Gloria Eddins made the second motion to continue, saying she wanted to give people who want to testify time to plan after the first delay requested by the developer conflicted with the conference. Other commissioners agreed.

I dont think in any way, shape or form (the applicant) tried to plan this on the day theres a national conference, Eddins said. It just landed that way. But the optics on that look bad, theres no way around that.

The Planning Commission was scheduled to consider a request by the developer to vacate a portion of South First Street between Pioneers Boulevard and Old Cheney Road as part of the housing development.

Developers plan to move that portion of South First inside the development  planned on about 75 acres south of Pioneers Boulevard between First Street and U.S. 77  to create more of a buffer between the development and Wilderness Park across the street.

The commission first voted to delay the hearing until Aug. 9 at the request of the developer, then voted again at the end of the meeting to delay it to Aug. 23 at the request of Ken Winston.

Winston, who opposes the development and represents the property owner on whose land a Native sweat lodge sits, asked the commission for the additional two-week delay because there's an indigenous peoples summit in Omaha on Aug. 9 many of the opponents plan to attend.

Plans of Wilderness Crossing LLC to build 162 single-family homes, 134 town homes and 205 apartments have generated significant opposition by environmentalists worried about the effect on the park and Native advocates who say the development will disrupt the sanctity of those who use the sweat lodge across the street.

When the City Council was considering annexation and zoning changes, Native advocates created the Niskithe Prayer Camp and set up tipis on the land where the development is planned. Two lawsuits over the development are pending.

Mixed-use project lauded

The Planning Commission also unanimously recommended the City Council find an innovative mixed-use project near 23rd and R streets in the Antelope Valley area that conforms with the comprehensive plan  a first step for the project to use tax-increment financing.

Developer Ben Kunz wants to combine first-floor commercial space with nine apartments on two upper floors and use the first-floor commercial space for micro-restaurant space, to provide small spaces for startups trying to kick-start their businesses.

Known as the 23rd Street Net Zero Live Work Redevelopment Project, it would also use rooftop solar arrays to make the apartments net zero energy consumption.

Winston, director of policy and outreach at Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light, said the project is a big deal.

As far as I know this is the first net-zero project in Lincoln," he said. "I realize its relatively small but hopefully its something that can be scaled up.

He noted the project is consistent with the citys Climate Action Plan.

Climate change is a real thing and if were going to meet those goals we need to have proposals like this and celebrate them.

68th Street safety concerns

The commission also recommended approval of a special permit to amend Docs Creek Community Unit Plan near 68th Street and Princeton Road, despite appeals by a mom and son to hold off until improvements to 68th Street are finished.

The special permit would allow the developer to add seven acreages  for a total of 14  to the plan on an additional 73 acres, increasing the plan to 226 acres. Each of the property owners has their own wells and septic systems.

Betty Mason and her son Jacob Mason, both of Firth, said it was too dangerous to increase the housing density until Princeton Road is widened and shoulders added.

Jacob Mason, a 2019 graduate of Norris, recalled a 2017 accident on the hilly 68th Street in the same area as the development that killed eighth grade Norris student Ryan Post.

The accident, which occurred about a mile north of Norris, happened when a car slowed to turn left onto Olive Creek Road, causing a chain-reaction accident involving five cars.

The county is planning to improve Princeton Road in 2026 but it could be delayed, depending on federal funding.

Mason urged the Planning Commission to hold off on the special permit to keep students and parents en route to the school safe.

Our Norris community is special and I urge you to help us keep it that way today, he said.

Mike Eckert, a civil engineer working with the developer, said theyd met with the sheriff and the county engineer, who both said the plan meets all the safety guidelines, and the plan limits lot development near 68th Street until the road is improved.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
Union Pacific on Wednesday hired the CEO that a hedge fund pressuring the railroad to improve recommended earlier this year, and it cut its outlook after reporting disappointing results driven by weakening consumer demand.

The Omaha-based railroad said Jim Vena, its former chief operating officer, will take over as CEO next month. The Soroban Capital Partners hedge fund that holds a $1.6 billion stake in Union Pacific had been urging the railroad to hire Vena because of his expertise in streamlining operations.

The hedge fund said that UP lagged behind its peers during Lance Fritz's tenure in all key measures over the past eight years. Soroban declined to comment on the hiring news Wednesday morning.

I am excited about returning to Union Pacific and look forward to the journey to be the safest, most reliable and most efficient railroad in the industry, Vena said in a statement. Working closely with the entire team, my focus from day one will be to ensure the company delivers industry-leading customer and operating excellence, cultivates and empowers our employees, and cares for the communities in which we operate."

Fritz acknowledged that the railroad didn't deliver consistent and reliable service during his tenure. He said proving to Union Pacific customers they can count on good service will help the railroad attract new business and improve profits in the future. At times, UP has struggled to handle everything companies wanted to ship and regulators had to twice order the railroad to deliver emergency shipments to livestock producer Foster Farms to ensure that the company wouldnt run out of feed for the millions of chickens it raises.

The rail industry has also been under pressure to improve safety ever since the fiery Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio in February prompted evacuations and sent a towering plume of black smoke over the town of East Palestine. Lawmakers and regulators are considering imposing new rules on railroads.

Vena was brought in to Union Pacific in 2019 from Canadian National to help the railroad change to a new operating model that relies on fewer, longer trains and significantly fewer employees and locomotives to move freight, but Vena left after less than two years on the job.

Union Pacific also promoted board member Mike McCarthy to chairman and named its chief human resources officer Beth Whited president Wednesday and added two new independent directors.

In addition to the hiring news, Union Pacific said its second-quarter profit declined 14.5% to $1.57 billion, or $2.57 per share, as it hauled 2% less freight and dealt with rising costs, including higher wages promised to workers in last year's bitter contract fight. That's down from $1.835 billion, or $2.93 per share, a year ago.

That fell short of the $2.74 per share that the analysts surveyed by FactSet Research were generally expecting.

The railroad's 5% decline in revenue to $5.96 billion also disappointed. Analysts had been expecting $6.09 billion.

Union Pacific said the weakening consumer demand and higher costs will now make it hard to meet its previous goal of seeing the number of shipments it hauls grow more than industrial production. The railroad said its volume will likely fall short of the current forecast for industrial production to grow by 0.1% this year.

Union Pacific is one of the nations largest railroads with a network of 32,400 miles of track in 23 Western states.

These are the top challenges employers face when hiring These are the top challenges employers face when hiring #1. Too few applicants #2. Applicants lack job-specific skills, education, or experience #3. Competition from other employers #4. Difficulty retaining newly hired workers #5. Applicants unable to pass a background check, credit check, or drug test #6. Hiring issues are not the only challenges companies may face #7. Other processes
Two Omaha men were federally indicted last week for their alleged participation in a check fraud scheme involving nearly $290,000 in forged business checks deposited at financial institutions across Nebraska and elsewhere.

Federal prosecutors on Friday unsealed an eight-count indictment against Calvin Carter, 20, and Malik Washington, 26, alleging criminal conspiracy, bank fraud and production of counterfeit securities. The two men are accused of attempting to cash at least 60 counterfeit checks totaling at least $291,000 at various banks and credit unions between April 2021 and December 2022.

The federal indictment is in addition to state charges filed last year against Carter and Washington alleging forgery and criminal conspiracy. The time frame listed in the indictment indicates that the men allegedly continued to perpetuate or aid in the fraud while out on bail awaiting trial in Douglas County Court.

State charges against Carter and Washington will likely be dismissed later this week, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine confirmed Tuesday. Crimes involving bank fraud are typically under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

This is not state court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Bazis said to Washington at an initial hearing last week. Youre in a whole different ballgame.

According to court documents, communications found on seized devices indicated that Washington, Carter and other associates would place advertisements on social media offering $1,000 to $3,000 to anyone with a bank account. People who agreed to participate would supply the men with their debit cards, PIN number and online banking credentials.

Members of the alleged conspiracy would deposit forged business checks into the accounts and remove all of the funds via gift card purchases, ATM withdrawals and electronic transfers before the check could be flagged as fraudulent. Electronic evidence suggests that several dozen people were involved in the scheme.

The Sheriffs Office began investigating the case in February 2022 after First National Bank of Omaha reported losing approximately $36,000 in two months from a series of similar forged checks, according to court documents. Twelve fraudulent business checks were deposited into seven different FNBO accounts throughout December 2021 and January 2022. The checks ranged from about $3,000 to $7,000 and were either distributed at FNBO branches or through the banks mobile app.

FNBOs app allows account holders to take photos of checks to deposit money electronically. According to the affidavit, the app captures the IP address and physical GPS coordinates of each device used to upload photos of a check. The GPS coordinates captured when the fraudulent checks were deposited led investigators to a northwest Omaha home occupied by Carter.

A search warrant was served on the home in February 2022. In Carters bedroom, deputies found hundreds of pages of blank check stock, a safe monitored by a security camera, a shredder with a bin full of shredded checks and receipts for thousands of dollars worth of designer clothing and shoes, according to court documents. They also seized Carters phone and laptop, which allegedly provided additional evidence of text communications with co-conspirators and check printing software on his computer.

Carter was arrested after the execution of the search warrant and was charged with forgery and criminal conspiracy. He posted bail and was released shortly after his arrest.

Carters arrest did not mark the end of the investigation. In June 2022, FNBO again contacted the Sheriffs Office to report an additional loss of more than $82,000 from forged checks that looked identical to those allegedly forged by Carter. Those checks, deposited between March and June 2022, purported to be for payroll from a business called The Standard.

ATM cameras captured photos of the man who deposited the checks, and deputies identified him as Washington, according to court documents. A search warrant executed at Washingtons home did not locate any check forgery equipment, leading deputies to believe that someone else was supplying Washington with checks and directing him to deposit them.

Washington was arrested in June 2022 and charged with forgery and criminal conspiracy in state court. At the time of his arrest, Washington was in possession of six debit cards not belonging to him, according to an arrest affidavit. He also posted bail and was released from jail shortly after his arrest.

Washington was the first to appear in federal court last week, where he entered not guilty pleas on all counts and was ordered by Bazis to be released ahead of trial. Carter also pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance Tuesday and was ordered to be released from custody.

Both men face decades in prison if convicted on any of the eight charges. They are both named in each count of the indictment, which includes one count of conspiracy, five counts of bank fraud and two counts of possessing a counterfeit security. The conspiracy and bank fraud charges each carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, and the counterfeit security count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Kleine said the Douglas County Attorneys Office is considering pressing charges against others involved in the scheme. At least one person, Carters brother, is currently facing felony charges related to the fraud in Douglas County Court.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
A blue moon must be somewhere, because Democrats and Republicans in Congress are working together on a national security issue: Aliens.

A House Oversight subcommittee held a hearing Wednesday on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), also known as UFOs. The hearing generated significant public interest. A livestream of the hearing had as many as 111,000 real-time viewers.

Were not going to bring flying saucers or little green men into the hearing, Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, one of two Republicans in charge of the UAP inquiry, said. Sorry to disappoint about half of yall. Were going to uncover the cover-up.

The hearing featured former members of the U.S. military who described their own encounters with UAPs and expressed concern at the lack of government oversight and transparency about what they see as a possible national security threat.

One witness, a former intelligence official turned whistleblower, has alleged there is a covert government program to retrieve crashed alien spacecraft and that there has been malevolent activity by some UFOs. He also claimed to have personal knowledge of people being harmed or injured in efforts to cover up or conceal extraterritorial technology. (UFO historians have expressed doubt about the veracity of such claims, especially given the lack of concrete evidence.)

In recent weeks and months, UAPs have emerged as a bipartisan issue, as lawmakers push for transparency from the Pentagon and other intelligence agencies. A bipartisan group of senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is hoping to advance legislation that would force the public release of UFO records.

At the start of Wednesdays hearing, committee members voiced their desire to put politics aside.

This is a nonpartisan issue, one member said. This has nothing to do with party politics  I think the cover-up goes a lot deeper than that.

Quote We have yet to see evidence for some of the more outlandish claims made by witnesses, and the intense speculation may only lead us further from the truth instead of closer to it.

Another quipped, It shouldnt take the potential of non-human origin to bring us together.

If only Congress brought this spirit of bipartisanship and urgency to everything it does.

Of course, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., a member of the subcommittee, couldnt resist getting a little dig in at the Biden administration. She pointed to the pitiful response to the Chinese spy balloon debacle earlier this year as another example of why Congress must inject transparency into government.

On Twitter, North Carolina congressman Greg Murphy appeared open to the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Are aliens real? There are a lot of strange findings in the world -- we need to go by the objective science, Murphy tweeted. God surely can work in mysterious ways!

In a separate tweet, Murphy said that the probe is an incredible responsibility that Congress must take seriously.

The hearing did not, however, provide any concrete evidence of alien life, perhaps to the chagrin of some viewers. That doesnt mean it doesnt exist, and it certainly warrants further investigation. But Congress should tread carefully to avoid fueling conspiracies. We have yet to see evidence for some of the more outlandish claims made by witnesses, and the intense speculation may only lead us further from the truth instead of closer to it.

The governments silence about UAPs may not actually belie something more sinister. But officials should note how their evasiveness and secrecy only drives conspiracies and public distrust. One might think theyd have learned that lesson after the JFK assassination files, but they must certainly learn it now.

If nothing else, Wednesdays hearing was proof of how a once-taboo topic has slowly become mainstream, and a reminder that Congress can actually come together to do its job when it wants to. (Why cant they do that more often?)
Everyone gets sick. Doctor's appointments crop up. At some point or another, people need time to take care of themselves  or others  without having to sacrifice their paycheck.

A recently launched petition drive seeking to put the issue of requiring employers to offer paid sick leave before voters recognizes this reality, one that was especially at front of mind during the pandemic years.

The ballot initiative, backed by the Women's Fund of Omaha and a dozen other state and local organizations, would require all Nebraska employers to provide some amount of paid sick leave for employees, depending on the business' size. Those with fewer than 20 workers would have to set aside five days, while larger enterprises would be required to offer at least seven.

Similar efforts in the Nebraska Legislature to enshrine paid sick leave in state statute have consistently fallen short, underscoring the nuances of balancing the important interests of employers with the inescapable needs of workers who lack guaranteed sick leave, many of whom are already working low-wage jobs and come from disadvantaged communities.

Jo Giles, executive director of the Women's Fund, estimates roughly 250,000 Nebraskans currently work in full-time jobs without guaranteed paid sick leave, in fields like food service, construction, education and transportation.

Obviously, more needs to be done.

And this petition drive, a noble effort that recognizes that a lack of paid sick leave disproportionately affects people of color and other minorities, continues an important conversation, one that employers should already be having among themselves without relying on a mandate from outside forces to implement.

For businesses already jockeying to hire and retain staff, paid sick leave is one way to entice workers in a volatile labor market still working to correct itself. But businesses already know this: Paid leave is often near or at the top of the list for what workers would like to see offered by their employers.

A February study from the American Journal of Industrial Medicine also showed that guaranteed sick leave was simply good for business in a vast number of ways, including improved employee morale, productivity and health and safety.

Instead of waiting for voters or lawmakers to act  and potentially hand down a requirement that might not necessarily work for every type of business across Nebraska  employers should take the cue from this petition drive that guaranteeing some form of paid sick leave is necessary to not only stay competitive but treat workers the way they deserve to be treated.
CALEDONIA  River Bend Nature Center, 3600 N. Green Bay Road, is offering a bat presentation and walk from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

Bats are often thought to be scary or creepy, but it is really the night insects who have the most to fear from bats. Bats provide vital ecological benefits, including consumption of insect pests, pollination of some fruits and seed dispersal.

They are the only mammal that can fly, and their use of echolocation to navigate and hunt has inspired development of sonar and other navigational technology.

Bats are found worldwide, with eight species of bat found in Wisconsin. Today, bats face the threat of widespread habitat destruction and disease.

River Bend naturalist Christa Trushinsky will give a presentation on Wisconsins bats. From the tiny tri-colored bat thats no bigger than your thumb to the large hoary bat with Mickey Mouse ears, all our bats play a crucial role in the ecosystems they call home.

After the presentation, guests will take a night hike to monitor bats using an acoustic bat detector.

The free event is held on a drop-in basis; no reservations are required. Meet in the main lodge building at River Bend.
RACINE  The man accused in the 23-year-old killing of Linda Fields plead not guilty in court Wednesday.

Lucas Ascencio Alonso, a 66-year-old man from Zion, Ill., was charged with first-degree intentional homicide in Fields strangulation death. He faces life in prison if convicted.

In court Wednesday, Ascencio Alonso waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which means he agreed that the state can prove probable cause and bring the case to trial.

On Feb. 24, 2000, Linda Fields body was discovered under a tree in a front yard on Lake Avenue. She was last seen by family and friends two days prior.

An autopsy found Fields died by manual strangulation. Her clothes were preserved and fingernail clippings were collected.

In 2001, more than a year after Fields was killed, identical DNA material from an unknown male was located in three separate places by the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. The DNA was entered into the state and national DNA databanks, but no matches were found at that time. In 2005, investigators were able to match the DNA profile of the samples found in 2001 to male DNA from the right hand fingernail clippings collected from Fields in 2000.

The case went cold until February 2022, when investigators conducted a familial DNA test and got a match, which meant that the unknown DNA came from the matchs father, brother, or son. The DNA matched Ascencio Alonsos son.

On Feb. 21, 2023, officers were alerted that Ascencio Alonso was in the Racine area and attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle he was in. A search warrant was used to collect a DNA swab from him. His DNA was tested and determined to be a match with the DNA that was collected in 2001 and 2005, according to the criminal complaint filed in this case.

When questioned, Ascencio Alonso allegedly told investigators that he and Fields were at a bar and left in a car together with two other people. He and Fields were allegedly dropped off near the lakefront.

Ascencio Alonso told investigators that he became angry with Fields while they were having intercourse and strangled her. He claimed he let go of her neck when he realized that she couldnt breathe, according to the criminal complaint filed in this case. Alonso allegedly said he thought Fields was alive while he was walking away because she was yelling at him.

Ascencio Alonso is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 29 for a status conference.

Today in history: July 26 1953: Fidel Castro 1971: Apollo 15 1990: George H.W. Bush 2002: Homeland Security 2013: Ariel Castro 2016: Hillary Clinton 2020: John Lewis
Yes. Killeen has already committed $100,000; if funding is halted, it will all be for nothing.

Yes. It's important for the city to follow through on its obligation to voters on this issue.

No. The city has already spent too much taxpayer money on this. Cut off the funding.

No. The ordinance is illegal. The city should have repealed it and adjusted city policy instead.

Unsure. It's hard to say. There are some valid points on both sides of the argument.

Vote

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KEARNEY  Sarah Krahulik Lenzs father gave her an antique family photograph of her relatives taken more than a century ago.

It was a portrait of my three great uncles taken in 1914, she said in an interview from her home in Corpus Christi, Texas. They were all lined up, propped in their coffins. They had been killed by the same strike of lightning while standing in the doorway of their barn in Valley County, Neb.

Lenzs father wanted her to have the photograph because he considered her the family historian.

I was so creeped out, she said. I thought, no, thats awful and its gory. But I was also really fascinated. I couldnt look away. It was so startling and so odd.

Lenz took the feeling of looking at a photograph of dead bodies and wanted to know why she reacted so intensely to it.

That thread took me to lots of different places of grief and death, she said. I wrote essays about living through the pandemic with my son who was a preschooler, essays about missing my grandmother and feeling that I missed out really knowing her as a person because I was so young when she died.

Lenz felt a connection through the books her grandmother gave her.

So heres the problem: Im going to die, everyone I know is going to die, the writer said. Thats the human condition. No one gets out alive. So how do we live with that?

Lenz will address these issues when she reads from her book, What Will Outlast Me? at 6 p.m. Monday at Kearney Public Library. The free event will include kolaches baked by her mother who lives in Loop City.

I will read an excerpt, called Making Head Cheese, from an essay in my newly published book, Lenz said. Its about my experience of trying to replicate my Czech grandmas head cheese recipe. The experience was as crazy and audacious as you might imagine; to get a hold of an entire hogs head and try to cook it.

Lenz wanted to explore what a sense of place means to her through the people who live in those locations.

I explore my connection to place, to rural Nebraska and to my ancestors and the memories we have of our ancestors  and the love filtered through those memories that keep our ancestors alive, she said. Place is connected to home. I grew up in central rural Nebraska in Valley County and later in Sherman County. That specific place feels like home because thats the first place where I felt a sense of belonging to family and culture.

Every place has a specific and unique culture, Lenz noted.

Nebraska gets overlooked, she said. We call it the Flyover State, right? It really wasnt until I left Nebraska to go to graduate school in Idaho that I had this longing and this love for Nebraska.

The essayist returned for visits to her home state and found herself attracted to the beauty of rural Nebraska including the big sky, the vivid sunsets and the rolling plains.

These are all the things I didnt get in Idaho, Lens said. I was near the mountains  and I felt claustrophobic because I couldnt see the horizon line like you can in Nebraska. That longing and that homesickness and missing my family in Nebraska became something I started writing about.

The essays in What Will Outlast Me? circle around anticipating grief and living with it. Writing in essay form allows Lenz to bring what she calls the truth of research into her writing.

I often begin my essays with a question or something that is perplexing to me that I want to figure out, she said. I write to figure it out.

In the book Lenz writes about driving the section lines of rural Nebraska with her father so he can point out where he wants his ashes spread when the time comes. She explores the complexities of being sandwiched between aging parents and mothering a young child, while also navigating her own thyroid cancer diagnosis.

Lenz studied creative writing at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Her nonfiction has appeared in Colorado Review, New Letters, Triquarterly, The Fourth River, Pen Dust Radio and elsewhere. She currently works as an assistant professor of English at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.

While her essays explore serious topics on life and death, Lenz came up with a simple solution: You just have to live life to the fullest and try to soak it all in.

Stories and kolaches What: Reading by essayist Sarah Krahulik Lenz. When: 6 p.m. Monday. Where: Kearney Public Library at 2020 First Ave. Admission: Free. Contact: 308-233-3282; kearneylib.org.
KEARNEY  Kearney High School students have been recognized as the Tri-M Chapter of the Year in Nebraska for the second consecutive year.

According to a KHS press release, the award recognizes success in music education, "a remarkable achievement that showcases the dedication and talent of the students and their adviser Rick Mitchell."

The Tri-M Music Honor Society's Chapter of the Year award is granted annually to a single chapter in each state, based on various criteria, including community involvement, leadership, musical accomplishments and overall impact on the school and local community.

Under Mitchell's guidance, the KHS Tri-M chapter has consistently demonstrated a commitment to musical excellence and service to the community, according to the KHS announcement.

"Their unwavering passion for music has not only enriched their own lives but also positively influenced those around them," the release said. "The Tri-M Chapter of the Year award is a testament to the collective efforts of the students, school faculty and the wider community in supporting and fostering a rich musical environment at Kearney High School."

The announcement credits Mitchell for his guidance, mentorship and passion for music which have been key to the success of the KHS chapter.

According to the KHS announcement, "The Tri-M Chapter of the Year award reinforces the school's belief in the transformative power of music education and its positive influence on students' academic and personal growth."
HOLDREGE  The Phelps County Development Corp. (PCDC) Board of Directors expresses its deep concern regarding the current structure of the proposed merger of Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and Dawson Public Power District.

PCDC is an economic development organization serving Phelps County communities, and it works across corporate boundaries to promote development, growth and investment in the entire central Nebraska region. Agriculture and related industries are leading drivers of the economy, so preservation and improvement of those sectors is a top priority for PCDC.

Board members at PCDC recognize that Central-Dawson leaders who support the merger see opportunities consistent with each of their respective missions. Benefits accruing to Phelps County, as the deal is now structured, are much more difficult to identify.

However, the risk to Phelps County is starkly apparent: Water and irrigation will no longer be the primary focus of the new organization. Moreover, though paling in comparison to risks confronting farmers, Phelps County stands to lose several jobs now anchored in Holdrege that will migrate to Dawsons headquarters near Lexington.

Decades ago, visionary leaders created Kingsley Dam, Lake McConaughy and its extensive canal network for the purpose of providing irrigation to crops in Phelps, Kearney and Gosper counties. CNPPID owns and operates these invaluable assets that over time have transformed our region into the envy of the agricultural world.

PCDC believes risks to this unparalleled achievement will multiply as years wear on and memories of Centrals core purpose inevitably fade inside the new organizational structure. An imbalance of representation that favors Dawson Public Power on the board of the proposed new organization virtually assures this unfortunate result.

Its not hard to imagine a future where other non-ag water users will fiercely compete over this critical resource, so its perplexing that the merging entities have so far refused to seriously consider compromises designed to protect the rights of water users. Instead, theyve held fast to a structure opposed by an overwhelming majority of surveyed farmers.

PCDC enjoys strong and resilient relationships with each merging organization and intends to continue working with them to add vitality to our economy and enrich the quality of life in central Nebraska. Mutually beneficial partnerships are the basis of any enduring enterprise.

PCDC believes Dawson and Central are well-intentioned, yet the organizations have not listened or responded adequately to legitimate concerns expressed by farmers for whom Central was originally created. For the future security of Phelps County farmers and the broader economy they help support, meaningful, authentic communication is required.

Consequently, PCDCs Board of Directors urges Dawson and Central leaders to listen more carefully to their customers and work collaboratively to find a workable compromise  one that provides confidence to Phelps County ag producers  to accomplish the proposed merger.

Alternatively, failing to gain support of the farm community, the merging entities must consider achieving their respective goals in a different manner, one that does not put agriculture at risk in Phelps County.
HD Hyundai XiteSolution CEO Cho Young-cheul, left, shakes hands with Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko at HD Hyundai's headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of HD Hyundai XiteSolution



By Park Jae-hyuk



Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko visited HD Hyundai's headquarters recently in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to talk with HD Hyundai XiteSolution CEO Cho Young-cheul about a project to rebuild the war-torn country, the Korean firm said Thursday.



HD Hyundai XiteSolution is an HD Hyundai subsidiary manufacturing construction equipment.



According to HD Hyundai, Cho introduced his company and its construction equipment to the ambassador, as well as sharing information about the Korean business delegation's visit to Poland earlier this month.



HD Hyundai said it agreed with the Ukrainian Embassy to continue their cooperation.



"In addition to our construction equipment, our generator engines and mobile generators will be helpful in rebuilding Ukraine," an HD Hyundai official said. "For our company to immediately push ahead with the reconstruction project at the right time, we will seek close cooperation with the Ukrainian government."



Accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol on his state visit to the European country at that time, Cho participated in a meeting in Warsaw, Poland, on July 14, to discuss Ukraine's postwar reconstruction, along with executives of Korea's major construction and tech firms.



On June 13, the Ukrainian delegation led by Vasyl Shkurakov, first deputy minister for communities, territories and infrastructure development of Ukraine, visited HD Hyundai Construction Equipment's factory in Ulsan to discuss the potential supply of construction equipment for the war-torn country's restoration.



HD Hyundai XiteSolution is also expected to join Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong on his forthcoming visit to Ukraine in late August, along with other Korean businesses interested in the country's postwar reconstruction project.


The Vernon County Censor

July 25, 1923

100 years ago

The torrid weather of the past few weeks and the exodus of so many of our people to the creeks around the city.has taught this city that there is a real need in Viroqua for a good swimming pool.Plans and specifications and estimates are being gone over today. The pool will be 45x100 feet, three feet deep at one end with bottom sloping to ten feet at the other. It will be constructed of white tile or white cement. It will be located in the park west of the skating rink. The tank alone will cost about $1700, and any extra money raised will be used for bath houses, showers, and other conveniences.

This is no special, but every day prices: 10 pounds of sugar $1.00; 100 pound sack $9.95. The Farmers Store Surenson & Thompson, Props.

Monday morning Co. A, 107 Engineers, 32nd Division, W.N.G. leaves for Camp Douglas for its annual encampment at the Wisconsin Military Reservation. The company will leave Viroqua with 66 enlisted men and 3 officers. Viroqua has about as large a National Guard company as there is in the state.

Sunday was lucky for the leaders in the Kickapoo Valley league, the three teams at the top all winning, so the league standing is not altered from last Sunday as to position. Viola went to LaFarge and was defeated 7-1.Rolling Ground played at Westby, and suffered a bad defeat, score 10 to 1.Bud went to Soldiers Grove and was victorious 9 to 8.

Why waste time and money repairing your old tires, when you can trade them in as part payment for new Firestones at C.J. Keublers and Son.

The Vernon County Censor

July 22, 1948

75 years ago

The Eronica plane which locals have seen flying over the city for the past week or more is owned and operated by Airways Inc., a local group of air-minded enthusiasts who are again in the flying business after almost a year of inactivity. Handicapped by the lack of a full-time pilot, the owners of the ship have secured the services of a pilot from La Crosse, who will fly every Saturday and Sunday out of a runway located north of the city, next to the Round Prairie school house on Highway 14. Thus the opportunity is given to the people of Viroqua and community to learn to fly or to charter a trip to Chicago, Milwaukee or other points in a hurry, without going to La Crosse to board a plane.

The Viroqua Eagles aerie 2707 this week moved from former club rooms located on the second floor over the Gross Furniture Company into their new home on South Rock Avenue adjacent to the swimming pool. The local Eagles, organized last fall, now boasts a membership of 200 men. The order is one of the largest and most active fraternal organizations in the city. Last Christmas the Eagles were responsible for distributing to needy and shut-in families in the city large baskets of groceries, besides providing treats for the kiddies at the Christmas party matinee held at the Temple Theatre.

From the Rambling Reporter: Your reporter heard a farmer make the following comment on the city streets the other day: There seems to be plenty of parking space in the business section after the city went dry on July 1st, although I see no reason for parking there now.

The Vernon County

Broadcaster-Censor

July 26, 1973

50 years ago

Shoplifters made off with about $170 in cash but perhaps no merchandise after a tour through Viroqua and Southwest Wisconsin Friday.

A very successful 50th class reunion for VHS 23 was held at the Viking Inn in Viroqua July 7. 28 attended.

The Corps of Engineers began advertising for bids Friday, July 20 for the sale and removal of 50 buildings and improvements located on land bought by the Federal Government for the construction of the proposed LaFarge Lake and Channel Improvement Project located on the Kickapoo Reserve in Vernon County Wisconsin.

Obituaries: Miss Olga Myhre (69) Coon Valley; Ingman Bakkestuen (76) Vernon County; Sandra Jean Dobbs (11) Ontario.

The Vernon County Broadcaster

July 23, 1998

25 years ago

Andrew Gilbertson of Viroqua was named to the deans list at Hamline University School of Law for the spring of 1998. Hamline is in St. Paul, Minnesota. Andrew is the son of Judy and Gary Gilbertson of Viroqua.

Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, presents the Big Top Show. Adults and seniors $2.95children (ages 3-12 ) $1.50. Iowa, Richland, Crawford, Monroe and Vernon residentsCounty Days, July 29 through Aug. 2, evenings 4-9 p.m. Proof of Residency required.

Four individuals declared their candidacy for Vernon County District Attorney. Timothy Gaskell, Robert Krambs, Stacy Smith and George Wilbur will be vying for the Republican nod in the primary election Sept. 8. All four will face off in the primary and the winner will run unopposed in the Nov. 3 election, as no Democrat D.A. candidate filed nomination papers.

The Viroqua 18-and-under softball team swept a double-header from conference rival La Crescent July 8, with scores of 9-3 and 15-2. They also played three games in the ASA (American Softball Association ) Class B State Tournament July 10 and 11 in Holmen. They defeated Madison 6-3 in the first game, in the second game lost to Portage 10-2 and lost to Dodgeville 8-2 in the third game.

The Vernon County Holstein Breeders have set their annual twilight meeting for July 30. This years hosts will be Olsonknoll Holsteins, owned by Fred and Irene Olson and their children, Marvel and Fred II of Westby. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. with a lunch and cattle judging. Following the program there will be door prizes and a calf raffle. The Olsons are donating the calf for the raffle.

The Vernon County Broadcaster

July 25, 2013

10 years ago

The Viroqua School District will host an open house to unveil its new high school gymnasium floor on Monday, July 29, at 7 p.m.

Organic Valley, the nations largest cooperative is hosting its 10th Annual Kickapoo Country Fair on Saturday, July 27, at their headquarters in La Farge. The festival of fun features something for everyone, from workshops on beekeeping and mushroom foraging, a petting zoo, and kids activities, to live music and of course delicious local and organic food.

Heidi Hamilton, Lisa Vatland, Abbey Lehmann and Kris Bergdahl have launched Sole Expression Dance Studio Cooperative, a worker-owned cooperative at the Food Enterprise Center in Viroqua.

The former Vernon County Broadcaster co-publisher Art Lundell will be memorialized by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation (WNAF) in August. Lundell spent 37 years as a community journalist in Viroqua. From 1964-1990, Lundell, Ardelle Terwilliger and Merlin Lind served as a trio-of publishers who worked together to publish the Vernon County Broadcaster-Censor. Lundell is one of 13 publishers who will have their names enshrined on the WNAF pylon located at Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River.

Viroqua Area Pullers annual tractor pull was held at the Vernon County Fairgrounds, Friday night. It featured antique, super antique, farm and open classes. Antique classes started out at 3,500 pounds and went up, with the usual farm and open farm classes up through 15,000 pounds.
The Vernon County Historical Society celebrated Black history in Viroqua with a Juneteenth event in the citys cemetery.

The historical society dedicated the gravestone marking the graves of Jefferson Craft, his wife, Lottie, and their young daughter, Delia, who died at the age of 5, Monday, June 19.

The Craft family lived in Cheyenne Valley, an African-American community founded in the 1850s in the town of Forest. Black and multiracial families settled there before the Civil War, and freed slaves joined the community after the war. The Crafts lived in Cheyenne Valley for many years but then moved to Viroqua in the late 1880s.

Two summers ago, the historical society hosted a guided walk at the Viroqua Cemetery featuring several local historical figures, including Jefferson Craft. As preparations were being made for the cemetery walk, the historical society discovered Jefferson Craft was buried in the cemetery but his plot didnt have a gravestone.

Last summer, local people made donations to help erect a gravestone on the Crafts burial plot. The gravestone was installed last fall.

According to the Vernon County Historical Society, Jefferson Craft is listed on the 1890 census, Special Schedule for veterans, as having served in the Civil War as a private in Company G of the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, with an enlistment date of July 11, 1862, and a discharge date of Oct. 25, 1865.

The Vernon County Museum Notes published in the Vernon County Times on June 14 states: Jefferson was Black, and probably living in the south and enslaved at the start of the war, so we dont known how he ended up in a Wisconsin unit before the Emancipation Proclamation. Possibly he was employed by the unit, serving as a horse handler or a drayman  something other than a solider, at least to begin with. Perhaps he joined the unit when it passed through his home area in the south, wherever he was living.

Dodie Whitaker portrayed Lottie Craft and shared the familys history. An honor guard made up of local American Legion and VFW members conducted a rifle salute and played taps to recognize Jefferson Crafts service in the Civil War. The Rev. Margaret Hoversten read the poem, A Blessing for This Earth, and blessed the new marker.
The Womens Fund of Greater La Crosse awarded a record $105,000 in grant funding dedicated to the well-being and self-sufficiency of women and girls.

Grants of $1,000 to $10,000 were awarded to a diverse group of programs that offer opportunities and access to education, housing, transportation and enrichment.

Funds were awarded to 21 grantees July 26-27. Notable award winners include REAL Girls, New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Center, Hope Restores Women of Melanin and numerous female entrepreneurs.

Through these grants, the Womens Fund aims to foster positive change and create a more equitable and inclusive community.

We are thrilled to support these outstanding organizations that are making a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls in our community, said Nancy Mueller, president of Womens Fund board of directors. By funding these initiatives, we are working together to create a more equitable society where all women and girls can thrive.

REAL Girls is a character-building program offered to fourth and fifth graders at Northside and State Road Elementary Schools. The program addresses issues young girls face and encourages physical activity.

Life skills training topics include hygiene, bullying, healthy eating and self-defense. Confidence building happens through regular running and training for a 5K race.

Another recipient was the New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers Survivors Fund, which helps women avoid homelessness by covering gaps in rent to keep families housed and safe in our community.

Funds are often used for the first months rent or security deposit, application fees, camera doorbells and the purchase of a new cell for and/or plan to ensure victims feel safe.

Hope Restores Women of Melanin was also among the recipients, an organization that fosters a sisterhood and increases knowledge, coping skills and self-advocacy. It received a grant to support its mission to support and bridge the gap between African Americans in the community.

The group creates a supportive social environment to build confidence, connection and resilience. Women identify specific personal goals they would like to achieve and learn about mental health, wellness and life skills.

Womens Fund recognizes the significance of financial independence for women. Ten women entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in La Crosse County will receive one-on-one business mentoring, training and access to responsible capital through the Wisconsin Womens Business Initiative Corp.

This project aims to increase the success rate of women-owned businesses and promote economic growth and empowerment for women entrepreneurs through one-on-one mentorship with La Crosse area business experts.

Visit womensfundlacrosse.org for a complete list of grants funded.
LONDON  Prince Harry 's lawsuit accusing the publisher of The Sun tabloid of unlawfully snooping on him can go to trial, but not on allegations of phone hacking or including a claim that newspaper executives made a secret settlement pact with the royal family, a High Court judge ruled Thursday.

The Duke of Sussex alleges the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World hacked his phone, employed investigators and used deception to unlawfully gather information on him dating back two decades.

News Group Newspapers, or NGN, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch, argued the suit should be thrown out because the claims were brought after the six-year limitation to do so expired.

Justice Timothy Fancourt said Harry was well enough aware of a phone hacking scandal that roiled Britain more than a decade ago that he could have brought his own case sooner. But the younger son of King Charles III can proceed on allegations about other unlawful information gathering, referred to as UIG, such as hiring private eyes to dig up dirt on him, the judge ruled.

"There is no evidence currently before me that the duke knew before the (deadline to file a suit) that NGN had done anything other than hack his mobile phone at the News of the World," Fancourt wrote. "Knowing or being on notice of a worthwhile claim for voicemail interception does not of itself amount to knowledge or notice of a worthwhile claim for other forms of UIG."

A spokesperson for News Group Newspapers called the ruling a "significant victory" that "substantially reduces the scope" of Harry's legal claim.

Britain's phone hacking scandal began at News of the World and later was found to have been widespread at other papers. Murdoch closed News of the World as a result in 2011, issued an unreserved apology in 2012 to those who were hacked and continued to settle cases related to it. The Sun has not accepted liability or admitted allegations.

The ruling given Thursday was similar to one Fancourt made in May in a case by actor Hugh Grant that also tossed out phone hacking allegations. Harry and Grant's cases were argued together at an April hearing.

In addition to rejecting part of Harry's suit, the judge also shot down his effort to amend the case to include allegations that a so-called secret agreement between Buckingham Palace and Murdoch executives prevented him from bringing his claims sooner.

Harry's lawyer argued that the agreement called for a settlement and an apology to be worked out after litigation in other phone hacking cases was resolved in the courts.

Harry claimed his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, approved of the deal to prevent members of the royal family from having to go to court and get questioned about embarrassing voicemails intercepted by reporters. He also said he learned his brother, Prince William, now heir to the throne, received a "huge" sum to settle his claims.

The publisher denied there was any secret agreement, and Fancourt said Harry failed to produce witnesses or documents as evidence of such a deal.

Buckingham Palace did not return messages seeking comment on the alleged deal or settlement with the Prince of Wales.

Harry broke with family convention last month when he became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court in more than a century. He testified in a separate phone hacking lawsuit against the publishers of the Daily Mirror, in which he is seeking $563,000.

Fancourt also presided in that case, the first of Harry's three unlawful information gathering cases against British tabloid publishers to go to trial. The judge is expected to rule later this year.

Another judge is deciding whether to toss out a similar lawsuit against the publishers of the Daily Mail.

A trial against News Group is expected to start in January.

Photos: William and Harry through the years
WASHINGTON (AP)  With heat waves spreading across the United States, President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect workers  including a hazard alert notifying employers and employees about ways to stay safe from extreme heat  as well as measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.

The actions come as nearly 40% of the U.S. population faces heat advisories, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures have already scorched the Southwest this month, and more heat is expected in the Midwest and the Northeast in the coming days. Washington won't be spared, and the heat index in the capital could reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit or 43 degrees Celsius on Friday.

It's a worldwide problem, and scientists calculate that July will be the hottest month on record.

Noting that ocean temperatures near Miami topped 100 F (38 C), Biden said "that's more like jumping in a hot tub than jumping into the ocean to ride a wave.''

Citing federal data, Biden called extreme heat the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States.

Even those places that are used to extreme heat have never seen it as hot as it is now for as long as it's been,'' Biden said. Even those who deny that were in the midst of a climate crisis cant deny the impact of extreme heat is having on Americans.''

Biden's bid to address the immediate effects of climate change come as he faces pressure from fellow Democrats and environmental groups to declare a climate "emergency,'' a step he has so far resisted. The steps announced Thursday supplement his long-term agenda for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deploying clean energy technology, policies that may not pay dividends for years to come while global temperatures continue to rise.

Biden directed the Labor Department to increase inspections of potentially dangerous workplaces such as farms and construction sites and called for heightened enforcement of heat safety violations.

As part of the initiative, the department will issue a hazard alert notifying employers and employees about ways to stay protected from extreme heat, which has killed 436 workers since 2011, according to federal statistics.

The Biden administration plans to spend $7 million to develop more detailed weather predictions to anticipate extreme weather like heat waves, plus $152 million to boost drinking water infrastructure and climate resilience in California, Colorado and Washington.

Biden was joined on Thursday by acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, as well as the leaders of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The mayors of Phoenix and San Antonio, two cities that have suffered from the heat waves, participated in the White House event virtually.

Phoenix is known for heat," said Mayor Kate Gallego. "We are often called the Valley of the Sun. But right now, this summer has really been unprecedented. Its taking a real toll on our community. We feel like we are very much on the front lines of climate change.''

Phoenix is the first in the nation to have a permanent, publicly funded heat office, Gallego said, with efforts now focused on getting residents inside as much as possible, at public cooling centers and encouraging use of water stations throughout the city.

Phoenix has seen at least 27 days in a row of temperatures exceeding 110 F (43.3 C). No other major city  defined as the 25 most populous in the United States  has had any stretch of 110 F (38 C) days or 90-degree (32 C) nights longer than Phoenix, said weather historian Christopher Burt, of the Weather Company.

Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, reported recently that there were 25 heat-associated deaths between April 11 and July 22. An additional 249 deaths remain under investigation. There were 425 heat-associated deaths in the county last year.

Other areas of Arizona are also struggling. A 26-year-old farmworker died after collapsing in the fields on July 20, when the high temperature reached 116 F (46.7 C), according to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.

San Antonio, Texas, saw at least 15 straight days of 100-plus F (38-plus C) temperatures. At least 13 deaths in Texas have been blamed on the extreme heat.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said his city has moved to end the use of coal and is launching its first advanced rapid transit line, which will feature low- or zero-emission vehicles. The city is also developing solar power and other renewable energy, he said.

"Im confident that the state best known for oil and gas production can help lead the way to a greener tomorrow,'' he said.

Thursday's announcement follows other steps that the Biden administration has taken to adapt to increasing threats from extreme heat. Among those it is highlighting:

The Labor Department is developing a standard for how workplaces deal with heat. The proposed rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration would require employers to provide adequate water and rest breaks to outdoor workers, as well as medical services and training to address signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. That agency s holding meetings this summer to hear comments on how the heat standard would affect small businesses.

To keep low-income populations cool, the Department of Health and Human Services expanded its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to provide more access to air conditioning and cooling centers such as libraries, senior centers or other public buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency also has provided assistance to help communities develop cooling centers within schools.

NOAA has been helping cities and towns map heat islands with dense buildings and fewer trees, and the Department of Agriculture issued guidance for creating more tree canopy coverage, which helps with cooling environments.

In addition, the administration launched a website called heat.gov with interactive maps, weather forecasts and tips for keeping cool amid record-breaking heat.

More than 100 members of Congress, led by Democratic Reps. Greg Casar and Sylvia Garcia of Texas and Judy Chu of California have called on the administration to implement the new heat standard for outdoor workers as quickly as possible.

We know extreme weather events such as heat waves are becoming more frequent and more dangerous due to climate change," the lawmakers wrote in a letter Monday. U"rgent action is needed to prevent more deaths, the lawmakers wrote in a letter Monday.

The United Farm Workers and other groups also called on OSHA to immediately issue a nationwide rule protecting outdoor workers after farm worker deaths this month in Florida and Arizona.

Farm workers need and deserve the access to shade, water and paid breaks,'' said UFW President Teresa Romero. "How many more workers will we let dangerous heat and callous employers kill before this nation acts?

Casar, a freshman lawmaker from Austin, staged a thirst strike on Tuesday outside the U.S. Capitol, forgoing water breaks for nearly nine hours, to protest a new Texas law that bans local governments from requiring water breaks and other safety measures for outdoor workers. Casar called the law insane and accused Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of being on the wrong side of history." Republican lawmakers and other supporters of the law say it eliminates a patchwork of local regulations that are burdensome to businesses, and they say it wont stop workers from taking breaks.

At least 42 workers died in Texas between 2011 and 2021 from environmental heat exposure, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Ladd Keith, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona who studies heat policy and governance, said the record-breaking heat much of the nation is experiencing is very much in line with climate change projections.

Despite the recent headlines, rising temperatures have typically not received the same level of attention as other climate risks, such as flooding and wildfires, Keith said.

Heat has just not been a topic at the national level or local level that weve even considered addressing until the last couple of years, he said.
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  A teenager who killed four fellow students at a Michigan high school in 2021 wrote about his plans in a journal, detailing how he would target his victims and make himself famous, according to evidence offered Thursday.

The lead investigator was the first witness at a unique hearing to determine whether Ethan Crumbley will be sentenced to life in prison or receive a shorter term with an opportunity for parole.

Lt. Timothy Willis said a 22-page handwritten journal was found in a bathroom stall, apparently left behind by Crumbley before he emerged in a hallway at Oxford High School and began shooting.

I want America to hear what I did, Crumbley wrote. I will cause the largest school shooting in the state. I wish to hear the screams of the children as I shoot them.

Willis said Crumbley searched the internet for information about police emergency response times, prison sentences for teenagers and whether Michigan has the death penalty.

Crumbley has admitted to carrying out the shooting. But because he was 15 at the time, he cant automatically be given a life sentence.

A no-parole sentence is rare for Michigan teens convicted of first-degree murder since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 said minors must be viewed differently than adults.

Life in prison will only be imposed on a juvenile whos believed to be incorrigible, unredeemable and with no reasonable expectation of rehabilitation, said Margaret Raben, former president of a statewide association of defense attorneys.

Judge Kwame Rowe has set aside at least two days for the hearing but isnt expected to make an immediate decision. Crumbleys lawyers are arguing that he should be released at some point, claiming that the violence was the catastrophic climax of the teens untreated mental illness and abhorrent family life.

To reinforce that point, other portions of the journal were entered as evidence by the defense. Crumbley wrote, My hallucinations are really kicking in. My dark side has now taken over.

I can feel the evil around me and even dogs sense it. ... I don't want to be evil, he wrote.

In her opening remarks, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said Crumbley was an offender like no other, torturing and killing birds months earlier  "he takes joy in it"  meticulously planning the shooting and willing to peacefully surrender to spend his life behind bars.

We must tell the truth. Our witnesses must tell the truth, and they must tell all of it, McDonald told the judge in support of a life sentence.

Relatives of the victims quietly wept as video of the shooting, recorded on school security cameras, was played in court. Crumbley, meanwhile, looked down.

The video showed him in a mask and winter cap firing at students and eventually dropping to his knees with his arms raised as police encountered him.

Crumbley, now 17, also could be given a minimum sentence somewhere from 25 years to 40 years. He would then be eligible for parole, though the parole board has much discretion to keep a prisoner in custody.

On the day of the shooting, Crumbley and his parents had met with school staff after a teacher was troubled by drawings that included a bloody body and a gun pointing at the words, The thoughts wont stop. Help me.

Crumbley was allowed to stay in school, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Detroit, though his backpack was not checked for weapons. He later emerged from a bathroom with a pistol.

He pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder and terrorism. Prosecutors insist Crumbleys decisions cant be mitigated by his young age or immaturity.

Crumbley's lawyers plan to offer testimony from an expert in child brain development and another who has spent time with the teen and performed psychological tests.

Crumbley is not one of those rare individuals who is irreparably corrupt and cant be rehabilitated, attorney Paulette Michel Loftin said in her opening statement.

Roughly 300 people who were serving mandatory life sentences have returned to Michigan's local courts and received shorter sentences as a result of the Supreme Court's groundbreaking decisions about how to assess U.S. teens convicted of murder, according to the State Appellate Defender Office.

Crumbleys parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are separately charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting. They're accused of buying a gun for their son and ignoring his mental health needs.
Historic Russia-Africa Summit Begins, Defying Western Predictions of Failure

July 26, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, whose motto is for Peace, Security and Development, officially takes place July 27-28 with an exciting two-day agenda of panels and topics of discussion on issues of great relevance to the development of Africa in such crucial areas as infrastructure building, nuclear technology, space innovation, food sovereignty and putting an end to the era of colonialism. Today saw a flurry of activity as delegations from 49 countries began to arrive, 21 of them led by heads of state or government. TASS reports that in addition to the national leaders, another 17 countries will be represented by deputy prime ministers and foreign ministers and 5 by ambassadors. Representatives of several African organizations and financial and trade institutions are also attending.

Predictably, Western media howled that this summit would be a failure, as the number of heads of state had dropped from the 43 who attended the first Russia-Africa summit in 2019. The Financial Times gloated on July 25 that this is a blow for Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov replied that the number of leaders attending had indeed been reduced, in part because of their work schedules, but also due to the absolutely blatant, obnoxious interference by the U.S., France and other countries through their diplomatic missions in African countries and attempts to put pressure on the leadership of these countries in order to prevent their active participation in this forum.

Todays activities included the welcome speech given by President Vladimir Putin to guests and participants (see separate slug) and his first very cordial bilateral meetings held with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as well as with Dilma Rousseff, president of the BRICS New Development Bank. Over the next four days, Putin intends to meet personally with each of the heads of state attending. He will give the opening speech to the plenary of the Russia-Africa Forum, and to the Economic and Humanitarian Forum tomorrow.

Presidential aide Yury Ushakov explained that Putins opening speech to the Russia-Africa Forum will provide his assessment of the state of the international relations system, including the establishment of a new world order, based on the principles of multipolarity and equality of all sovereign states. The focus will be on the perspective of further development of relations between Russia and Africa with an emphasis on Russias assistance to sovereign national development of African states, on ensuring fair access to food, fertilizer, modern technologies and energy.

The agenda for the two-day summit is impressive, with both the Russia-Africa Forum and the Economic and Humanitarian Forum held simultaneously, the latter geared toward business sectors and entrepreneurs, under the heading Technology and Security for Sovereign Development That Benefits People. Each of its four sections appearing under that title include panels entitled Nuclear Technologies for African Development, EAEU-Africa: Horizons of Cooperation, Achieving Technological Sovereignty Through Industrial Cooperation, New World Order: from the Legacy of Colonialism to Sovereignty and Development and Russia-Africa: Partnership for Food Sovereignty, among many others.

Putin will be meeting with the leaders of Mozambique, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Libya, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Congo. Following the summit, he will have a working lunch with the leaders of African countries participating in the Ukrainian peace initiative, including official delegations from South Africa, the Comoros, Congo, Egypt, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR THURSDAY JULY 27, 2023

Humanity Says, No More War!: The Statecraft of Optimism

July 25, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)In defiance of geo-politics, geo-economics, the rule of law, systems analysis, artificial intelligence, technocracy,  and information theorythe application of any, or all of which, will zoom and doom the entire human race to an early, fiery, radioactive deaththe Schiller Institute and co-participants in the International Peace Coalition, have chosen not to submit to the tragedy of fiercely held, but wrong axioms about what is possible in todays world organizing process.

The unfolding drama now occurring in St. Petersburg at the Russia-Africa Forum (as well as a completely different meeting called the Economic and Humanitarian Forum), with more than 20 heads of state present, despite harassment from London and Washington, and denunciations from the puppet state of Ukraine, is a triumph over tragedy. The meeting between Brazilian former President Dilma Rousseff, now head of the New Development Bank of the BRICS, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, regarding possible new monetary reorganization measures that may be adopted by several nations over the next months, portends a possible declaration of economic independence  of the global majority. This can liberate as many as 4 billion people or more on the planet from poverty and insecurity, should the Physical Economy ideas of Lyndon LaRouche become a central topic of discussion among the intelligentsia of these nations.

The fact that the BRICS Information Portal published the first part of the Dennis Small and M.J. Freeman article Essentials of Physical Economy for a BRICS Transition to a New International Financial System, means that that process is well under way. Over the next days, topics such as Nuclear Technologies for the Development of the African Region, Space Technologies To Accelerate Economic Development and Improve the Living Standards of the Population, Russia-Africa: Partnership for Food Sovereignty, Achieving Technological Sovereignty through Industrial Cooperation, and New World Order: From the Legacy of Colonialism to Sovereignty and Development, show where the mind-set of real world is headed. This is, potentially, the LaRouche New World. Consider that there are 700 million people in the continent of Africa below the age of 19, and what sort of effect LaRouche writings such as The Principle of Power, a 2005 collaboration between LaRouche and his Youth Movement, could have, should the virus of cultural optimism break out in that continent. Goodbye, NSSM-200!

Yes, the elevation of Maidan Mistress Victoria Nuland to the number two position in the U.S. State Department, even if only temporarily, indicates the MAD intention to plunge the world head-long into Armageddon, Liz Truss-style. Yes, as is pointed out in the headline of a London Telegraph article reviewing the Oppenheimer movie, A Nuclear War Could Wipe Out All of Humanity, and Nobody Seems To Care. But perhaps thats because few people in the trans-Atlantic world are any longer as clear about what the idea of humanity means, as those countries assembled right now in St. Petersburg, or in the BRICS 13th National Security Advisors Meeting in Johannesburg. To resurrect the idea of humanity in the Dejected West, do what Plato did in his Meno dialogue. We must demonstrate that there exists a higher set of conceptions, which starts with the idea of the One, as in one humanity, which are completely incommensurate with the many lower-order, tragic, self-destructive conceptions from which people are encouraged to choose. Humanity For Peace, far from being a vacuous warm and fuzzy how-can-you-disagree platitude, is the most polemical idea that can be introduced into the cultural Malthusianismfor example, trans-humanismthat grips Europe and the United States.

Lyndon LaRouche insisted that it were not only possible, but necessary, using the physical-economic implications of Bernhard Riemanns revolution in physics, to reintroduce the form of statecraft that Nicholas of Cusa employed to bring about, together with his collaborators, the Italian Renaissance, and to so directly change the real physical space-time of the 15th century, that it immediately resulted in the most rapid economic growth in human history up to that point. No one except this association has attempted to specialize in this; it is a unique contribution of Helga Zepp and Lyndon LaRouche to contemporary history.

This is the development side of our proposals for a new security and development architecture, exemplified by the LaRouche idea of development corridorsqualitatively different from infrastructure development. Helga Zepp-LaRouche, who rediscovered the significance of Nicholas of Cusa as the father of modern science, and introduced that Cusa, not only to this organization, but to thinkers throughout the world, including in the Vatican, has shaped Cusas principle of Coincidence of Opposites (Coincidentia Oppositorum) into a contemporary intervention into international policy. This has been done over years through a series of initiatives, the latest of which is the International Peace Coalition.

In an exchange Tuesday with organizer Kynan Thistlethwaite, Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was asked to endorse the initiative begun by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, focused currently on an international Day of Remembrance and Action on August 6. Kennedy gave an extensive answer to the question, first saying, First of all, I love what you said. Thank you for everything that you said. And thank you for advocating for that, because its so critical right now, and concluding, after speaking about President John Kennedys 1963 American University speech, by saying, nobody has talked to Putin for a year. We have no high-level relationship with Russia. We need to be talking to them. We need to do what my uncle said, which is to put ourselves in the shoes of our adversary. There was loud, spontaneous applause from the 300-person audience in response.

Historical Footnote: In his October 11, 1962 opening remarks to the Second Vatican Council, five days before the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Pope John XXIII said: In the daily exercise of our pastoral office, we sometimes have to listen, much to our regret, to voices of persons, who though burning with zeal, are not endowed with much sense of discretion of measure. In this modern time, they see nothing but prevarication and ruin. They say that our era, in comparison with past eras, is getting worse. And they behave as though they had learned nothing from history, which is nonetheless the great teacher of life.... We feel that we must disagree with those prophets of doom, who are always forecasting disaster, as though the end of the world were at hand. It was because of that optimistic, transcendent mind-set, even in the midst of his contentious reorganization of the Catholic Church in the Second Vatican Council, that John XXIII, like no one else at the time, could enter into an impassioned dialogue with Nikita Khrushchev and JFK, when the end of the world really was at hand.

Just after Kennedys October 22 speech describing the blockade, the Pope wrote a message on October 23, followed by a radio broadcast the next day. We beg all governments not to remain deaf to this cry of humanity. That they do all that is in their power to save peace. They will thus spare the world from the horrors of a war whose terrifying consequences no one can predict. That they continue discussions, as this loyal and open behavior has great value as a witness of everyones conscience and before history. Promoting, favoring, accepting conversations, at all levels and in any time, is a rule of wisdom and prudence which attracts the blessings of heaven and earth. His message appeared the following day in all the major world newspapers, including Pravda. It was reported in The Hill in 2017 in an op-ed by Allen Pietrobon that Recently declassified U.S. government documents from the time confirm that Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev did, in fact, take the Popes message to heart. (Norman) Cousins revealed to the White House what Khrushchev had told him during a later private meeting: Pope Johns appeal during the missile crisis had carried considerable weight in his thinking. In fact, [Khrushchev said] it was the first ray of light in the fast-developing darkness. 

But optimism is not the prerogative of popes. Optimism regarding one humanity, and securing the General Welfare of humanity through development, the new name for peace, is in our power, against which the tyranny of pessimism cannot stand.
Scientists say that a body of water at the southern end of Florida reached a new high temperature of over 38 degrees Celsius early this week.

Weather scientists, called meteorologists, say they measured the high seawater temperatures in Manatee Bay on both Sunday and Monday. They believe the water temperature may be the worlds highest ever recorded. A floating device that sends information to the U.S. weather agency, NOAA, recorded the temperature.

A 2020 study showed that Kuwait Bay reached 37.6 degrees Celsius. That was thought to be the highest-ever water temperature.

Jeff Masters is a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections, a weather news service. This is a hot tub, he said. A hot tub is a heated water pool many people use for treating sore muscles. Jacuzzi, a company that makes hot tubs, recommends a water temperature of about 38 degrees Celsius.

Masters and Brian McNoldy, a meteorologist at the University of Miami, both said the temperatures might not be an official record because the water is close to land and contains sea grass.

However, McNoldy said, its amazing.

The high temperatures could put sea life, such as coral, in danger.

Andrew Ibarra is a researcher for NOAA. He took a small boat out to the area called Cheeca Rocks to look at coral and said, I found that the entire reef was bleached out.

Bleaching is when coral loses its color. It is a sign that the sea creatures are in danger of dying.

Ian Enochs studies coral for NOAA. He said coral bleaching was almost never seen before the 1980s. Now, he said, Weve reached the point where its become routine.

Enochs added that the amount of bleaching he sees this early in the year makes him nervous.

The high water temperature in Florida goes along with all-time high sea surface temperatures in April, May and June. NOAA also said water temperatures in the North Atlantic, near the Canadian province of Newfoundland are five to six degrees Celsius warmer than usual.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press.

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Words in This Story

coral n. very small organisms that live together and form a system along the seabed that supports other marine life

amazing adj. very impressive, worthy of admiration or notice

entire adj. all of something

routine adj. usual or normal

province n. a governmental region in some nations, similar to a state

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The European Council gave final approval Tuesday to the European Parliaments plan to expand semiconductor production in Europe.

Semiconductors are computer chips which are important for everything from washing machines to cars.

The EUs new law supports its larger aim of decreasing its dependence on Asian manufacturers for computer chips.

The EUs Chips Act will provide $47 billion in public and private funds and permit state aid for Europes semiconductor industry.

EU leaders want to make money available for new semiconductor manufacturing. The EUs goal is to double the 27-nation groups share of the worlds semiconductor production to 20 percent by 2030.

Asia produces most of the worlds semiconductors. The important part Asian chipmakers play became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Western manufacturers blamed problems with supply chains for shortages of cars, smartphones, and medical devices.

Governments in Europe and North America are now trying to balance their use of suppliers. The U.S. launched its own $52 billion Chips Act, and Britain has a smaller $1.2 billion chip plan. Companies like Intel have announced large expansion plans for Europe.

The EU Chips Act will take effect after it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Im Jill Robbins.

Gregory Stachel adapted this story based on reporting from The Associated Press.

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Words in This Story

chip  n. a very small piece of hard material (often silicon) that contains many electronic circuits and is used in manufacturing electronic devices

fund  n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose

supply chain  n. a network of businesses that supply the materials and parts needed to provide people with products and goods

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LINCOLN  A Lexington native and National Guard member returned home from an overseas deployment on Wednesday, July 19.

Sgt. Nancy Canales serves with the Nebraska Army National Guards Detachment 1, Company A, 2-641st Aviation Battalion and arrived home July 19, 2023, concluding an overseas deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility that began in October 2022.

This rather small, specialized unit of just seven Guard members maintains and flies the C-12 Huron, a fixed-wing airplane used for cargo and passenger airlift, Maj. Scott Ingalsbe, State Public Affairs Officer said.

The C-12s are used for various duties, including embassy support, medical evacuation, as well as passenger and light cargo transport.

Canales grew up in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School in 2018, having joined the National Guard her junior year.

Canales had always wanted to join something bigger than herself. She recalled a time in elementary when a friends father came to speak about the military and how much of an impression it left on her.

It was always in the back of my mind, she said.

Canales and her unit were deployed to Bogota, Columbia and worked out of the American Embassy and helped to serve as an interpreter for the C-12 pilots.

She said the C-12s were deployed on multiple different types of missions and it was her job to work with the different agencies requesting flights and accommodate their needs.

Canales said clear communication, in both English and Spanish, was a very important, part of her work.

She said something could go very wrong, if an aircraft showed up unannounced to an American military base.

Upon returning stateside, Canales was greeted in Lincoln by her husband, Roberto Cardiel and niece, Ashely Perez.
Russia and China are sending government delegations to North Korea this week for events marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The visits suggest North Korea is further opening up after years of pandemic isolation and is eager to showcase its partnerships with authoritarian neighbors in the face of deepening nuclear tensions with Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.

North Koreas state media said yesterday that a Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday evening, where they were greeted by senior North Korean officials including Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam.

Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement that Shoigu later held a meeting with Kang for talks that he said would help strengthen cooperation between our defense departments. Video footage from Russian media showed Shoigu and other Russian delegates laying wreaths at a Soviet war monument in Pyongyang and saluting the citys statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, respectively the grandfather and father of current North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Chinas ruling Communist Party is also sending a midlevel official, Li Hongzhong, in hopes of restoring exchanges between the allies.

North Korea has been preparing huge celebrations of the anniversary that are likely to be capped off by a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, where Kim Jong Un could showcase his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles designed to target neighboring rivals and the U.S.

Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency said that Kim and his top defense and foreign policy officials visited two cemeteries, including one for Chinese troops who died while fighting alongside North Korea during the war.

Kim expressed gratitude for the Chinese soldiers who dedicated their lives to repel imperialist aggression, calling them martyrs who would be immortal in the hearts of the Korean people.

North Korea launched the Korean War, an unsuccessful attempt to conquer its southern rival. No peace treaty ending the conflict has ever been signed, and the border between the Koreas remains one of the most tense in the world. The North still celebrates the armistice as a victory in the Grand Fatherland Liberation War.

The conflict brought in forces from the newly created Peoples Republic of China, aided by the then Soviet air force, while South Korea, the U.S. and troops from various countries under the direction of the United Nations battled to repulse the invasion.

The visits by Russian and Chinese delegations mark only the second known time foreign government officials were invited to enter North Korea since the start of the pandemic, following the arrival of Chinas ambassador to Pyongyang, Wang Yajun, in March, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs.

North Korea had spent the first two years of the pandemic in a self-imposed lockdown to shield its poor health care system. But since last year, the country has gradually reopened trade with China to improve its dismal economy.

For now, its premature to say whether or not North Korea further opens its borders in the future, but considering their measures to ease virus controls and signs that they are preparing to send athletes to international sporting events again, its possibly only a matter of time, the South Korean ministry said in a statement to The Associated Press.

The anniversary comes during a time of heightened tensions in the region as the pace of both North Koreas weapons tests and U.S. military exercises with South Korea have intensified in a tit-for-tat cycle.

Some experts say North Korea might ramp up its weapons tests around the anniversary of the armistice today. North Korea has conducted three separate rounds of missile firings since last week, apparently in protest of the United States sending naval vessels  including a nuclear-armed submarine  to South Korea in a show of force.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles as Kim exploits the distraction created by Russias war on Ukraine to accelerate the expansion of the nuclear-capable weapons he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.

North Korea has also been aligning with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the hegemonic policy of the U.S.-led West has forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests. The Biden administration has accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia to aid its fighting in Ukraine, although the North has denied the claim.

Both Moscow and Beijing have been thwarting U.S. efforts to strengthen U.N. Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its flurry of missile tests.

When asked whether Washington had any concerns about China and Russia showing support for North Korea with the visits, Vedant Patel, deputy spokesperson at the U.S. State Department, called for Beijing and Moscow to play a more constructive role in defusing tensions and bringing Pyongyang back to dialogue.

They can use their influence over (North Korea) to encourage them to refrain from threatening, unlawful behavior  behavior that will not just incite tensions in the immediate region but also the region broadly, he said. KIM TONG-HYUNG, SEOUL, MDT/AP
Several members of the Urban Planning Committee (CPU) have raised issues with the building of a 4-star hotel unit at the Jardins de Lisboa in the Small Taipa Hill area. The design company yesterday presented the amended development project to CPU members.

The CPU have not yet the discussed the regular Urban Conditions Plan (PCU) but was only examining a preliminary presentation of the project. The committee chairman, Lai Weng Leong, said he anticipated the project would be a polemic one requiring a wide collection of public opinion.

An amendment of a previously submitted plan was yesterday presented to the CPU to elicit the opinions of the CPU members about the project.

The design team highlighted the changes made according to a previous opinion from the now Land and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU) that had rejected the original plan because it implied a severe excavation of the hill.

That matter has been fixed in the new project proposal with the excavation area changing from the previous 28,000 cubic meters to the current 3,529.

The amendment has forced significant changes to the project, including the elimination of a basement level and a different style of construction for the building foundations.

While recognizing the efforts of the design company in reducing the excavation of the hill, several members expressed more general concerns regarding the location of a hotel unit and its operation, as well as its relation with the neighboring area composed of residential units only.

Several members, including Christine Choi, architect and president of the board of directors of the Architects Association of Macau, suggested that in cases like this, which concern the greater good of both the maintenance of the natural environment of Small Taipa Hill and the peace of the residents of the Jardins de Lisboa, the land plot (M3) owners land rights should be transferred to another more convenient location. Several members agreed and suggested the project could potentially be transferred to the Zone A of the new landfills where it could benefit from better conditions.

Other comments also noted the difficulties that a hotel in this location would have in terms of transportation and some even said that the draft project looks unappealing. All in all, members expressed opinions against the potential approval of the PCU for this hotel in the current location.

According to the description from one design company representative, the hotel unit would have two towers separated by a public area and be just 10 meters above the street level at the Rua Cidade de Lisboa.

At the top level, the building would have only six stories and would be level with the height of the residential building Windsor Arch.

Although not all the members have expressed opinions on the project, the majority seemed to agree that the best solution is not to build anything on the hill, with the government having to compensate the land rights of the owners of the land plot in another area of Macau and potentially on the Zone A.

One more school approved on Zone A, CPU members call for plot merging

The Urban Planning Committee (CPU) yesterday discussed and approved the construction of another school at Zone A of the new landfills.

The Urban Conditions Plan approval is related to the land plot B2 of Zone A where a school will be built in a plot with an area of 18,742 square meters divided into two sections.

At the CPU meeting, some members expressed common traffic concerns regarding the pick-up and drop-off of students to school, suggesting, as in previous discussions, the establishing of a pick-up and drop-off area underground.

Some members also noted that the B1 plot has also been approved for a school facility and called on the government to better use the resources and to merge the plots that have similar functions.

The CPU chairman noted that merging the plots at this stage is not an easy task and underground works for placing the technical galleries and other piping networks have already been built and planned in a certain manner, adding that to change the layout of the Zone A now would force all the plans back to the drawing table. RM
Ensconced in a glass cage lined with bamboo shoots, the first panda ever born in France bid adieu to the French zoo where it grew up and set off yesterday [Macau time] for its new home in China.

Named Yuan Meng, the 120-kilogram panda peered out of the cage as staff at the Beauval Zoo south of Paris paid an emotional farewell. Its name means the realization of a wish or accomplishment of a dream.

A crowd of well-wishers waved goodbye as the trailer pulling the cage rolled out of the zoo, the words Bon Voyage Yuan Meng painted on its sides.

Yuan Meng was born in 2017 to parents at Beauval on a 10-year loan from China. The mother later gave birth to twin pandas. All the offspring are meant to be eventually be sent to China.

Yuan Mengs departure was initially delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the trip was long planned, Beauval Zoo director Rodolphe Delord described the day as heartbreaking.

Giant pandas have difficulty breeding and so the births were particularly welcomed. There are about 1,800 pandas living in the wild in China and a few hundred in captivity worldwide.

While China for decades gifted friendly nations with its unofficial mascot as part of a policy of panda diplomacy, the country now loans pandas to zoos on commercial terms. MDT/AP
In the second half of this year, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will hold a series of special cultural and tourism activities such as the Macao International Food Festival (Hengqin), water dance light show, and the cultural week of China-Portuguese-speaking countries, to attract more tourists and jointly build the brand of Macao-Hengqin Sightseeing Tour.

The Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone will also work with Macau to design and develop high-quality tourism routes centering on multiple destinations in one trip so as to enhance the integrated development of Macau and Hengqin in terms of the cultural and tourism industries.

The news was stated in a three-year action plan (2023  2025) for high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industries in Hengqin, along with measures aimed at supporting these industries. Antonio Lei, director of the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone, delivered a brief on the action plan at the first plenary meeting of 2023 held by the Macao Tourism Development Committee recently.

During the meeting, he also said that in the future, the Cooperation Zone will make full use of its cultural and tourism policy advantages to accelerate the growth of cultural and tourism market entities.

It will actively support local cultural and tourism enterprises and establish a high-quality cultural and tourism product system. Staff Reporter
Longtime Cambodian leader Hun Sen said yesterday he will step down in three weeks as prime minister and hand the position to his oldest son, who won his first seat in Parliament in Sundays election.

The announcement came after their Cambodian Peoples Party won a landslide victory in weekend elections that Western countries and rights organizations criticized as neither free nor fair, and in which the countrys main opposition was suppressed.

Hun Sen has been Cambodias autocratic leader for 38 years but said ahead of the elections he would hand off the position to his oldest son, Hun Manet, sometime during the next five-year term.

Hun Manet, 45, is currently the chief of the countrys army.

In a televised address, Hun Sen, who is Asias longest-serving leader, said he had informed King Norodom Sihamoni of his decision and that the king had agreed in a formality.

Hun Sen said his son would be named prime minister after the National Election Commission reports the final results of Sundays election, in which the CPP won 120 of 125 seats. He has also said that a new generation would take over many of the top ministerial positions in the new government, which he said would be formed Aug. 22.

Even though he is stepping down from the premiership, Hun Sen is widely expected to remain closely involved in running Cambodia, and is also to become president of the countrys Senate.

After 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 countrys sympathetic courts dissolved the party.

Ahead of Sundays 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.

Following the election, the European Union criticized the vote as having been conducted in a restricted political and civic space where the opposition, civil society and the media were unable to function effectively without hindrance.

The United States went a step further, saying that 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.

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.

Hun Manet is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy West Point graduate with a masters degree from New York University and a doctorate from Bristol University in Britain.

Despite his Western education, however, observers dont expect any immediate shifts in policy after his father steadily moved Cambodia closer to China in recent years. SOPHENG CHEANG, PHNOM PENH, MDT/AP
The Macau and Brazil governments exchanged views on issues relating to the promotion of economic and trade cooperation between the two regions, facilitation of exchanges between scientific researchers, and how to give better play to the SARs bridging role.

In a meeting held earlier this week at the government headquarters, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, met with the Secretary for Technological Development and Innovation from Brazils Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Guilherme Coutinho Calheiros.

Ho pledged Macau would further its role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

In particular, Macau would continue its effort to assist businesses based in mainland China to explore opportunities available in Portuguese-speaking countries; and help enterprises from Portuguese-

speaking countries to establish a presence in the huge mainland market.

Calheiros then called for the two sides to work more closely in the future, to arrange visits of scientific research personnel; and to share and exchange technologies to achieve transformations in scientific research.

He added that Brazil would strongly support the holding of the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and would participate in related activities

Staff Reporter
Typhoon Doksuri slammed an island and lashed northern Philippine provinces with ferocious wind and rain yesterday, displacing nearly 16,000 villagers as it blew tin roofs off rural houses, flooded low-lying villages and knocked out power, officials said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties after the typhoon slammed into Fuga Island off Aparri town in Cagayan province, where 15,843 people were evacuated from high-risk coastal villages. Schools and workplaces were shut down as a precaution as Doksuri approached. Thousands of people in other northern provinces were also displaced by the typhoon, which has a 700-kilometer-wide band of wind and rain.

Doksuri weakened slightly but remained dangerous and lethal with sustained winds of 175 kph and gusts of up to 240 kph. It was blowing over the coastal waters of the Babuyan Islands in Luzon Strait off Aparri town yesterday morning, forecasters said.

Our northern coastal towns are being battered, Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba told The Associated Press by telephone. Im receiving reports of tin roofs being blown away and flooding that could not drain out probably because of tidal surges coming in from the sea.

A damage assessment would be done after the typhoon passes, but Mamba said he feared there could be extensive damage to Cagayan valleys corn and rice farms, which have already been battered by a monthslong dry spell before Doksuri hit. At least four entire towns lost power due to the onslaught and six bridges were impassable due to flooding, Cagayan officials said in an initial damage report.

Violent, life-threatening conditions are expected to continue over northwestern Cagayan and the outlying Babuyan Islands as well as the northern mountainous regions of Apayao and Ilocos Norte provinces, according to an advisory from the countrys weather bureau.

Coast guard personnel used rubber boats and ropes to evacuate villagers, who were trapped by brownish, waist-level floodwaters in their houses in a village in Bacarra town in Ilocos Norte, said the coast guard.

More than 3,700 inter-island ferry passengers and cargo truck drivers, along with nearly 100 passenger and cargo vessels and motor bancas, were stranded in several ports where a no-sail order was imposed, the Philippine coast guard said.

Disaster-response officials said they were verifying reports of a woman drowning in a swollen creek amid heavy rains Monday in Cardona town southeast of Manila as the typhoon approached from the Pacific.

The typhoon has been enhancing seasonal monsoon rains in central and northern provinces, including in the densely populated capital region of metropolitan Manila. It was forecast to move away from the northern Philippines on Thursday and barrel northwestward to graze past Taiwans southwestern coast before hitting southeastern China later this week.

Although it is not poised for a direct hit, Doksuris outer bands brought heavy rain and strong winds to Taiwans eastern coast yesterday. Trains were canceled between Kaohsiung and Taitung cities in the south, while ferries to outlying islands have also been put on pause.

Taiwans Central Weather Bureau reported gusts up to 198 kph (123 mph).

Meanwhile, Taiwan has continued to hold its annual Han Kuang military exercises. The military carried out its first-ever drill at the civilian Taoyuan International Airport on yesterday morning, according to local media. The drill stopped air traffic for an hour while the military simulated stopping an invasion targeted at the airport. JIM GOMEZ, MANILA, MDT/AP
WASHINGTON (AP)  House Republicans raised unsubstantiated allegations Wednesday against President Joe Biden over his familys finances as they summoned IRS whistleblowers to testify publicly for the first time about claims the Justice Department improperly interfered with a tax investigation into Bidens son Hunter.

Lawmakers heard from the two IRS agents assigned to the Hunter Biden case, which looked into his failure to pay taxes, for six hours of what was often grueling back-and-forth testimony. The hearing came after the president's son pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor tax charges in what Republicans have derided as a sweetheart deal.

Still, House Republicans are deepening their own investigation, making broad claims of corruption and wrongdoing by the Bidens, which they acknowledge have not been proven to be true.

We will continue to follow the money trail, said Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, as he opened the session. The Justice Department has denied the whistleblowers allegations. And the White House, in a statement, called the investigation and subsequent hearing part of politically-motivated attacks on a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, the rule of law, and the independence of our justice system.

The top Democrat on the committee, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, said the hearing was a theater of the absurd.

IRS supervisory special agent Greg Shapley, and a second agent, Joe Ziegler, claimed there was what Shapley called in testimony a pattern of slow-walking investigative steps into Hunter Biden, including during the Trump administration in the months before the 2020 election that Joe Biden won.

One of Shapley's most detailed claims was that U.S. Attorney David Weiss in Delaware, the federal prosecutor who led the investigation, asked for special counsel status in order to bring the tax cases against Hunter Biden in jurisdictions outside Delaware, including the District of Columbia and California, but was denied.

Weiss and the Justice Department have denied that, saying he had full authority and never sought to bring charges in other states.

Shapley testified during an exchange with Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, that he wrote an email later that day to memorialize the October 2022 meeting with Weiss and five others. Shapley insisted Wednesday on his own recollection of what was said.

The second IRS whistleblower, Ziegler, described his frustrations with the way the case was handled, dating to the Trump administration under Attorney General William Barr. The tax agency employee said he started the investigation into Hunter Biden in 2015 and began to delve deeply into the now 53-year-old's life and finances.

Ziegler, whose name was withheld in closed-door interview transcripts released last month by Republicans, said Wednesday that he decided to come forward publicly not as a hero or a victim, but as a married, gay Democrat compelled to disclose the truth.

Democrats on the committee pushed back on the whistleblower claims that Hunter Biden received special treatment because his father was the nominee for president in the upcoming 2020 election. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., made the point that it was Donald Trump who was president during the 2020 time frame when the whistleblowers allege there was interference.

Trumps Justice Department, he noted, issued a memorandum in February 2020 telling prosecutors to exercise particular care regarding sensitive investigations and prosecutions that relate to political candidates, campaigns and other politically sensitive individuals and organizations," his voice rising. "Especially in an election year!

Democrats also pointed out that Weiss was appointed by Trump and the federal investigation into Hunter Biden was initiated under Trump. Biden kept Weiss on the case after he won the election. But the hearing took several twists and turns as dozens of members from both sides of the dais sought to maximize their time with the two witnesses.

In one startling moment, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., displayed graphic sexual images of Hunter Biden with women, suggesting he had paid for them to travel to Washington, D.C., presumably for sex, in a potential violation of the law. Democrats led by Raskin objected to the graphic content being shown at a public hearing by Greene, saying it was inappropriate.

Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, questioned whether this was an investigation into the president or of his son, who does not and has never worked at the White House.

As Republicans decry what they say is a justice system favoring the politically connected, Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., pointed to the killing of Emmett Till and the treatment of other Black Americans across U.S. history and said, This is the two-tiered justice system."

Republicans for their part have sought testimony from other agents involved in the case and held a transcribed interview this week with an FBI agent, now retired, who they said was involved. But other witnesses have declined to appear before the panel.

Before the hearing, Comer, R-Ky., acknowledged it has been difficult for Republicans to succinctly outline Hunter Bidens tangled financial affairs or to provide convincing evidence of any specific wrongdoing by the president or his family.

Its so hard to explain, Comer told reporters. Hopefully these IRS agents can do a better job explaining than I can.

In the previous closed-door interviews, Shapley had described IRS agents efforts to execute a search warrant of a Virginia storage facility where the younger Bidens documents were being stored. He said the assistant U.S. attorney involved in the case reached out to Hunter Bidens lawyers, in a move that is seen as customary in cases involving high-profile individuals, but it ruined our chance to get to evidence before being destroyed, manipulated, or concealed.

A similar occurrence happened when the FBI officials notified Hunter Bidens Secret Service detail ahead of an effort to interview him and several of his business associates in order to avoid a potential shoot-off between two law enforcement bodies.

Justice Department officials have countered these claims by pointing to the extraordinary set of circumstances surrounding a criminal case into a subject who at the time was the son of a leading presidential candidate. Department policy has long warned prosecutors to take care in charging cases with potential political overtones around the time of an election, to avoid any possible influence on the outcome.

During the hourslong testimony, Democrats sought to chalk up the entirety of the whistleblowers claims as a disagreement between prosecutors and investigators on how to move forward with charges against Hunter Biden.

My view here is that were spending hours on a disagreement on whether to charge someone and we have a whole democratic process that decides that, said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. You dont get to decide that.

Republicans pushed back, saying that beyond charging decisions, it was clear that the prosecutors didn't want to touch anything that would include Hunter Biden's father. In one instance, Shapley testified that in a meeting with Weiss and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf after the 2020 election, he and other agents wanted to discuss an email between Hunter Biden associates where one person made reference to the big guy. Shapley said Wolf refused to do so, saying she did not want to ask questions about "dad.

Republicans have moved ahead, issuing a series of requests for voluntary testimony from senior Justice officials, including Weiss.

Weiss said in a letter to Jordan earlier this month that he would be happy to testify before the committee when he is legally able to share information with Congress without violating the longstanding department policy of discussing an ongoing investigation.

Testimony from Justice Department officials could come after Hunter Biden appears for his plea hearing next week.
A Madison committee overseeing the redesign of Lake Mononas waterfront largely endorsed the latest plans from a city consultant on Wednesday, though concerns linger over how the plans would accommodate a possible expansion of Monona Terrace and a reconstructed John Nolen Drive.

The newest vision from Denver-based design firm Sasaki calls for a pedestrian and bike underpass below John Nolen between North Shore Drive and South Broom Street that would serve as a grand entrance to the waterfront. It replaces a proposed pedestrian and bike bridge that critics said lacked accessibility.

Other changes from the original plan include moving a performance stage off the lake and onto the shore, adding a large fishing pier, and scaling back an elevated promenade and park over John Nolen Drive to the east of Monona Terrace.

The underpass was a hit with members of the Lake Monona Waterfront Ad Hoc Committee, who echoed sentiments from a community forum unveiling the latest plans two days before. Biking advocates have long wanted safe passage in the form of either an underpass or overpass for traversing the area around John Nolen Drive.

But in order to keep the underpass above lake level, John Nolen would need to be raised two feet, Sasaki has said, meaning that the city might have to redesign the affected stretch of John Nolen again if a planned redesign of the route in 2025 doesnt include the change.

Some members of the committee also said uncertainty about whether Monona Terrace would be expanded was tying our hands when it comes to the easternmost part of the redesign  known as Law Park Ledge. Committee recommendations for that part of the project included reducing parking on the far eastern part of the park thats included in Sasakis newest plans.

At the community forum Monday night, some said that the redesign still didnt go far enough in making the waterfront a place for people instead of vehicles.

One bold albeit pricey change to the plan would be moving vehicle traffic from John Nolen to a vehicle underpass, Kristie Goforth said.

This would be a model in America, Goforth said. But overall, its a phenomenal project.

Others in the audience on Monday generally reacted favorably to the changes, but concerns persisted about safety in the underpass and its design.

Some also questioned how the city would compensate condo owners along East Wilson Street for a potential drop in property values caused by having their views blocked by the promenade and park.

That pushback has already prompted Sasaki to alter plans for the area east of the terrace, but Mike Sturm, a landscape architect for Madison Parks, noted that condo owners are not entitled to a particular view.

The ad hoc committee is slated to recommend a final plan for the waterfront in September, with a vote from the council to approve it by years end.

Close 1994: The Army Corps of Engineers holds hearing on Monona Terrace Convention Center. Opponents to the center showed up, some with protest signs. 1995: Work continues on the Monona Terrace project. 1996: Arches of reinforced concrete are being constructed on the third floor of the Monona Terrace Convention Center, 40 feet above the lake's surface. There will be seven of them in all, with the points of the arches continuing down to the second floor. 1996: The top of the Monona Terrace convention center is taking shape. At the level that will connect with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, workers still have concrete to pour. 1996: Parking ramps on the side of the convention center are still works in progress. 1997: This mural, painted in 1982 by artist Richard Haas, has been relegated to peeking out of the Monona Terrace Convention Center's underpinnings. 1997: What would Frank Lloyd Wright think? His Monona Terrace Convention Center has become one of the hottest fishing spots in the county, with bass boats continually anchored offshore as anglers fish for walleye, muskie and others. 1997: Joan LeMahieu is directing all aspects of the newest show in town, Monona Terrace Convention Center. 1997: Mayor Sue Bauman gets another earful, but this time from Walt Disney luminaries Mickey and Minnie Mouse. On the Monona Terrace rooftop Friday, Bauman hands the mice a key to the city carved from a 40-pound block of aged cheddar. In town this weekend as guests of TCI Cablevision of Wisconsin, Mickey and Minnie will also visit sick children in Madison hospitals. 1997: The lecture hall at Monona Terrace will seat 308. 1997: Tony Putnam, principal architect for the convention center, believes visitors to Monona Terrace will appreciate the carpet in the winter when Lake Monona is frozen and the bright orange floor lends warmth to the cold Wisconsin winter. For now, it's getting a chilly reception. 1997: George Nelson, chairman of the Monona Terrace Commission, announces a series of free public concerts on the William T. Evjue Gardens rooftop of Monona Terrace. 1998: Monona Terrace fountain at night. 1998: Lights on the roof of Monona Terrace. 1998: An aerial view of Monona Terrace at night. 1998: Fashion models wait backstage at the Monona Terrace for a Mother's Day Fashion show to begin. The show, called 'Fashion Forward,' features designs by Textile & Apparel Design students from UW-Madison. 1999: Partygoers dance the night away at the Frostiball. 1999: The Future Fair at Monona Terrace. 2000: It was like Christmas morning for cheese lovers at Monona Terrace on Monday as hundreds of cheeses were unwrapped, labeled for competition and repackaged. Chief Judge Bill Schlinsog, right, unpacks an Austrian cheese with volunteers Dick Groves, left, Madison, and John Jacobs, Antigo, center. 2000: Teachers convention keynote speaker Richard Dreyfuss makes some last-minute adjustments to the speech he was to give to the 109th annual convention of the Southern Wisconsin Educational Inservice Organization at Monona Terrace. 2000: Children rush to catch one of 2,000 balloons dropped at Monona Terrace as part of Firstar Eve. Photos: The early years of Monona Terrace Look back at the construction and early years of the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, which opened 25 years ago. 1994: The Army Corps of Engineers holds hearing on Monona Terrace Convention Center. Opponents to the center showed up, some with protest signs. 1995: Work continues on the Monona Terrace project. 1996: Arches of reinforced concrete are being constructed on the third floor of the Monona Terrace Convention Center, 40 feet above the lake's surface. There will be seven of them in all, with the points of the arches continuing down to the second floor. 1996: The top of the Monona Terrace convention center is taking shape. At the level that will connect with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, workers still have concrete to pour. 1996: Parking ramps on the side of the convention center are still works in progress. 1997: This mural, painted in 1982 by artist Richard Haas, has been relegated to peeking out of the Monona Terrace Convention Center's underpinnings. 1997: What would Frank Lloyd Wright think? His Monona Terrace Convention Center has become one of the hottest fishing spots in the county, with bass boats continually anchored offshore as anglers fish for walleye, muskie and others. 1997: Joan LeMahieu is directing all aspects of the newest show in town, Monona Terrace Convention Center. 1997: Mayor Sue Bauman gets another earful, but this time from Walt Disney luminaries Mickey and Minnie Mouse. On the Monona Terrace rooftop Friday, Bauman hands the mice a key to the city carved from a 40-pound block of aged cheddar. In town this weekend as guests of TCI Cablevision of Wisconsin, Mickey and Minnie will also visit sick children in Madison hospitals. 1997: The lecture hall at Monona Terrace will seat 308. 1997: Tony Putnam, principal architect for the convention center, believes visitors to Monona Terrace will appreciate the carpet in the winter when Lake Monona is frozen and the bright orange floor lends warmth to the cold Wisconsin winter. For now, it's getting a chilly reception. 1997: George Nelson, chairman of the Monona Terrace Commission, announces a series of free public concerts on the William T. Evjue Gardens rooftop of Monona Terrace. 1998: Monona Terrace fountain at night. 1998: Lights on the roof of Monona Terrace. 1998: An aerial view of Monona Terrace at night. 1998: Fashion models wait backstage at the Monona Terrace for a Mother's Day Fashion show to begin. The show, called 'Fashion Forward,' features designs by Textile & Apparel Design students from UW-Madison. 1999: Partygoers dance the night away at the Frostiball. 1999: The Future Fair at Monona Terrace. 2000: It was like Christmas morning for cheese lovers at Monona Terrace on Monday as hundreds of cheeses were unwrapped, labeled for competition and repackaged. Chief Judge Bill Schlinsog, right, unpacks an Austrian cheese with volunteers Dick Groves, left, Madison, and John Jacobs, Antigo, center. 2000: Teachers convention keynote speaker Richard Dreyfuss makes some last-minute adjustments to the speech he was to give to the 109th annual convention of the Southern Wisconsin Educational Inservice Organization at Monona Terrace. 2000: Children rush to catch one of 2,000 balloons dropped at Monona Terrace as part of Firstar Eve.
The Dane County Board chair has asked legal counsel to look into whether a clinics decision to stop offering gender-affirming surgeries constitutes a contract violation.

On Friday, WISC-TV (Ch. 3) reported that SSMs Middleton Aesthetic Center has stopped offering gender-affirming surgeries amid pressure from the Catholic Church.

Wednesday afternoon, 22 of Dane Countys 37 supervisors signed onto board chair Patrick Miles statement calling SSMs decision dangerous to members of the community who continue to face threats and intimidation. The board asked its attorneys to look into whether SSM violated any contracts in making the decision.

Dane County provides employee health insurance through Dean Health Plan, a member of SSM Health.

SSM Healths ill-conceived policymaking limiting the holistic approach of gender-affirming care will contribute to further discrimination of transgender and nonbinary people as well as threaten their health and well-being, the statement said. Religion should not override scientific, evidence-based medical care.

In June, supervisors passed a resolution declaring the county a sanctuary for transgender and nonbinary people on a 25-1 vote. Sup. Jeff Weigand, 20th District, voted against the resolution, while Sups. Tim Kiefer, 25th District, Dave Ripp, 29th District, and Patrick Downing, 30th District, abstained.

SSM did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Wisconsin Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul this week joined a bipartisan coalition of more than 20 attorneys general in opposing a proposed class action settlement with 3M, stating that the settlement fails to adequately hold accountable the chemical manufacturer for contaminating Americans drinking water supply.

Minnesota-based 3M earlier this year agreed to pay $10.3 billion to water providers to settle a lawsuit over contamination from PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS have been linked to health problems including low birth weight, cancer and liver disease, and have been shown to make vaccines less effective. Theyre called forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in animal tissues and the human body.

Communities across our state are dealing with the effects of PFAS contamination, and we know folks and families are already facing enormous costs to get these harmful pollutants out of our water supplies, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement.

I promised the people of Wisconsin we would work to ensure those responsible are held accountable and would fight to make sure taxpayers dont have to foot the bill to clean up the messes that others made  this settlement falls short of that commitment.

Attorneys general in 19 states, including Wisconsin, as well as two territories and Washington, D.C., on Wednesday filed a motion opposing the settlement. Several states, airports and firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have pending cases related to PFAS  which have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, where the proposed settlement was filed last month.

Several Wisconsin communities, including Dane County, La Crosse and Wausau, have filed lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers.

3M spokesperson Sean Lynch told The Associated Press the agreement will benefit U.S.-based public water systems nationwide that provide drinking water to a vast majority of Americans without further litigation.

He added its not unusual for there to be objections to settlement agreements and the company continues to work to address the matter. 3M has said it plans to stop making PFAS-containing materials by the end of 2025.

The proposed settlement would require 3M to pay public water providers. In exchange, providers would waive their claims in the case. State officials said the estimated cost for PFAS remediation would almost certainly exceed the amount proposed in the settlement.

We must ensure that our drinking water is safe from toxic forever chemicals and that taxpayers arent left to foot the bill for remediating PFAS contamination, Kaul said.

Attorneys general who have joined in opposing the settlement are from: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.

Wisconsins two-year spending plan includes $125 million to combat PFAS contamination, though lawmakers are still drafting legislation to formally spend those funds. A finalized bill could come before the Legislature as soon as September.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.  Twenty-two attorneys general urged a federal court Wednesday to reject a proposed $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially dangerous chemicals, saying it lets manufacturer 3M Co. off too easily.

Wisconsin's Josh Kaul is among the 22 attorneys general.

The deal announced in June doesn't give individual water suppliers enough time to determine how much money they would get and whether it would cover their costs of removing the compounds known collectively as PFAS, said the officials with 19 states, Washington, D.C., and two territories. In some cases the agreement could shift liability from the company to providers, they said.

While I appreciate the effort that went into it, the proposed settlement in its current form does not adequately account for the pernicious damage that 3M has done in so many of our communities," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leader of the multistate coalition.

3M spokesman Sean Lynch said the agreement will benefit U.S.-based public water systems nationwide that provide drinking water to a vast majority of Americans without further litigation.

It is not unusual for there to be objections regarding significant settlement agreements," Lynch said. We will continue to work cooperatively to address questions about the terms of the resolution.

The company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, manufactures per- and polyfluorinated substances  a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware, as well as some firefighting foams.

Described as forever chemicals because they dont degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.

3M has said it plans to stop making them by the end of 2025.

Some 300 communities have sued 3M and other companies over water pollution from the compounds. A number of states, airports, firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have pending cases.

They have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, where the proposed settlement was filed last month.

Although the company put its value at $10.3 billion, an attorney for the water providers said it could reach as high as $12.5 billion, depending on how many detect PFAS during testing the Environmental Protection Agency has ordered over the next three years.

The law firm representing the water providers did not immediately respond Wednesday to messages seeking comment.

EPA in March proposed strict limits on two common types, PFOA and PFOS, and said it wanted to regulate four others.

In addition to California and Wisconsin, states urging Judge Richard Gergel to reject the deal included Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont. Also opposed were Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

In a court filing, the attorneys general said it would force nearly all public water providers nationwide to participate unless they withdraw individually  even those that haven't filed suits or tested for PFAS.

Troublingly, they would have to make their opt-out decisions without knowing how much they would actually receive and, in many cases, before knowing the extent of contamination in their water supplies and the cost of remediating it, the officials said in a statement.

A provision in the proposed deal would shift liability from 3M to water suppliers that don't opt out, the statement said. That could enable the company to seek compensation from providers if sued over cancer or other illnesses in PFAS-affected communities, it said.

As such, the proposed settlement is worth far less than the advertised $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion, the attorneys general said.

The attorneys general did not take a position on a separate $1.18 billion deal to resolve PFAS complaints against DuPont de Nemours Inc. and spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc.

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
LOS ANGELES  Jason Aldean 's "Try That in a Small Town" is experiencing exponential growth following controversy over its music video.

"Try That in a Small Town," which was released in May, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week just behind BTS's Jung Kook solo single "Seven," featuring Latto. The track experienced the biggest sales week for a country song in over 10 years.

According to Luminate, the song hit 11.7 million on-demand audio and video streams between July 14 and 20, marking a 1,000% increase from the previous week. Prior to the music video release on July 14, the track accounted for 987,000 streams in the U.S.

Digital song sales increased from 1,000 to 228,000, in those same weeks, respectively.

The music video for the song lasted just one weekend on Country Music Television before the network pulled it in response to an outcry over its setting and lyrics. When the network removed the video from its rotation, it had 350,000 views on YouTube. Now that number is now over 16 million, and it is the No. 1 trending video under the "music" category.

In the visual, Aldean  who has been awarded country music artist of the decade by the Academy of Country Music  performs in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. It is the site of the 1946 Columbia race riot and the 1927 mob lynching of an 18-year-old Black teenager named Henry Choate.

Aldean's video received fervent criticism online, with some claiming the visual is a "dog whistle" and others labeling it "pro-lynching."

"There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn't a single video clip that isn't real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far," Aldean wrote in a tweet posted Tuesday.

"Cuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light it up / Yeah, ya think you're tough," Aldean sings on the track, written by Neil Thrasher, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, and Kelley Lovelace. "Got a gun that my granddad gave me / They say one day they're gonna round up / Well, that (expletive) might fly in the city, good luck / Try that in a small town."

On Friday, July 21, while performing at Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center, Aldean addressed the audience with "Cancel culture is a thing... which means try and ruin your life, ruin everything. One thing I saw this week was a bunch of country music fans that could see through a lot of the bulls---, all right?", according to "The Columbus Dispatch."

For those wondering if he would play the song live, he said, "The answer is simple. The people have spoken and you guys spoke very, very loudly," he said, before launching into the song.

Best artists in country Best artists in country #50. Blake Shelton #49. Luke Bryan #48. Jason Aldean #47. Marty Robbins #46. Vince Gill #45. The Judds #44. Shania Twain #43. Brad Paisley #42. Anne Murray #41. Tanya Tucker #40. Eddie Rabbitt #39. Clint Black #38. Carrie Underwood #37. Taylor Swift #36. Keith Urban #35. The Statler Brothers #34. Elvis Presley #33. Jim Reeves #32. Crystal Gayle #31. Eddy Arnold #30. The Oak Ridge Boys #29. Sonny James #28. Rascal Flatts #27. Ray Price #26. Don Williams #25. Tammy Wynette #24. Randy Travis #23. Glen Campbell #22. Brooks & Dunn #21. Toby Keith #20. Ronnie Milsap #19. Kenny Chesney #18. Dolly Parton #17. Loretta Lynn #16. George Jones #15. Kenny Rogers #14. Johnny Cash #13. Hank Williams Jr. #12. Buck Owens #11. Waylon Jennings #10. Tim McGraw #9. Alan Jackson #8. Garth Brooks #7. Reba McEntire #6. Charley Pride #5. Conway Twitty #4. Alabama #3. Willie Nelson #2. Merle Haggard #1. George Strait
The Twin Falls County Commission voted to table a moratorium on permits for renewable energy projects until August, following a hearing on Wednesday.

The county has considered the moratorium, which would pause issuance of permits for energy projects in the county for 182 days, to allow the county to update ordinances regarding renewable energy projects such as wind and solar.

Commissioners Don Hall, Jack Johnson and Brent Reinke all expressed support for a moratorium but tabled the declaration until August in order to have more time to define the scope of the projects that would be paused.

I dont think we have a choice but to adopt a moratorium, because we need those 182 days to get (a code re-write) done, Reinke said.

Reinke added that the parameters of what defines a large-scale energy project was needed before issuing a moratorium.

We just dont have the sophistication, the information to be able to deal with these large-scale energy projects that are coming our way, Hall said during deliberations. Were just not ready for it. We need to be ready.

Community Development Services Director Jon Laux told the council that permits for the Bell Rapids Wind Energy project, and for Jackpot Solar were guided by portions of code that were related to hydroelectric plants. That code hasnt been updated since 1998.

POWER UP! Southern Idaho gets 'special' boost from renewable energy Federal incentives to increase renewable production have prompted a rush of companies looking to produce power in southern Idaho.

Does the county need a large-scale energy project ordinance? The answer is yes, Laux told the commission during the hearing. We need to get ahead of this game as best as we can and be proactive and not reactive.

More than 14 people spoke in support of the moratorium, saying solar and wind projects constituted threats to the public health and safety and needed more regulation.

The continuation of deliberation for the moratorium has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 24.

PHOTOS: County Commissioners meeting on large scale energy projects County Commissioners meeting on large scale energy projects County Commissioners meeting on large scale energy projects County Commissioners meeting on large scale energy projects County Commissioners meeting on large scale energy projects County Commissioners meeting on large scale energy projects County Commissioners meeting on large scale energy projects

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Who won what?

Here's a list of other winners in each category, by public vote:

ACRYLIC: Cara Huish of Twin Falls was recognized with honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Rick Kuhn, Twin Falls, 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Winona Wong, Bainbridge Island, Washington; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show to Stephanie Talbot, Blackfoot.

CERAMIC: Jessica McGown, of Twin Falls, won honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Malaine Colver of Twin Falls, 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Mayumi Kiefer, of Pittsburg, Kansas; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show went to Jim Woods of Twin Falls.

DIGITAL: Logyn Lortz, of Twin Falls, was recognized with honorable mention and $25; 3rd place and $50 went to Cindi Walton, of Boise; 2nd place and $75 was awarded to Nancy Prendergast, MD, of Westfield, New Jersey; and recipient of $500 for best in show went to Matthew Hunt of Twin Falls.

DRAWING: Rosanne Leger of Ormond Beach, Florida, won honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Sharon Higby of Twin Falls; 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Christopher Brown of Hailey; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show went to Allison Bryant of Kimberly.

FIBER: Eileen Lawrence, of Buhl, was recognized with honorable mention and $25; 3rd place and $50 went to Nancy Van Hook, of Sidney, Montana; 2nd place and $75 was awarded to Kelly Markle of Sidney, Montana; and recipient of $500 for best in show went to Taura Nelson of Buhl.

GLASS: Edie Martin, of Eagle, honorable mention and $25; 3rd place and $50 went to Suzi Butler of Eagle; 2nd place and $75 was awarded to Mary Jo Frazier of Twin Falls; and recipient of $500 for best in show was awarded to Mike Depp of Twin Falls.

MIXED MEDIA: Leslee Reed, of Buhl, was recognized with honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Betsy Horner Morishita of Twin Falls; 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Michael Maris of Twin Falls; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show to Dennis Mitchell, of Buhl.

OIL: William Houston, of Nampa, won honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Paige Weber, of Pocatello; 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Leon Smith of Twin Falls; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show was awarded to Floyd Drown, of Twin Falls.

PASTEL: Jessica Evett, of Boise, honorable mention and $25; 3rd place and $50 went to Tegwin Matenaer, of Kuna; 2nd place and $75 was awarded to Jill Storey, of Boise; and recipient of $500 best in show to Marianne Guymon, of Twin Falls.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Terry Halbert, of Twin Falls, won honorable mention and $50; 2nd place and $100 was awarded to Gary Dempsay, of Jerome. There was a tie in this category, and Jan Mittleider, of Twin Falls, and Cathy Wilson, of Buhl, each won $500.

PRINTMAKING: Marne Elmore, of Boise, was recognized with honorable mention and $25; 3rd place and $50 went to Ellie Gonzalez, of Filer; 2nd place and $75 was awarded to Jessie Swimeley of Caldwell; and recipient of $500 for best in show was awarded to Laurel Macdonald, of Boise.

QUILT: Tracy Prosen, North Oaks, Minnesota, won honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Cynthia England, Canyon Lake, Texas; 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Blue Prosen, of North Oaks, Minnesota; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show to Carla Harris, of Twin Falls.

SCULPTURE, UNDER 3 FEET: Charles Chuck Hanson, of Twin Falls, was recognized with honorable mention and $25; 3rd Place and $50 went to Lori Rieth, of Twin Falls; 2nd place and $75 was awarded to Shena Bingham, of Buhl; and recipient of $500 for best in show to John Tatton, Filer.

SCULPTURE, 3 FEET and OVER: Jeff Lohr, of Filer, was recognized with honorable mention and $25; 3rd place and $50 went to Greg Bartlett, Twin Falls; 2nd place and $75 went to Mason Taylor, Kimberly; and recipient of $500 best in show to Daniel Borup, of Shelley.

WATERMEDIA: Leslie Lambert, of Burley, was recognized with honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Kayla Cuellar, of Caldwell; 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Elizabeth LaRowe, of Twin Falls; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show to Beth Trott, of Boise.

WEARABLE: Mike Metzler, of Twin Falls, was recognized with honorable mention and $50; 3rd place and $100 went to Camille Flournoy, of Twin Falls; 2nd place and $150 was awarded to Annie Bingham, of Twin Falls; and recipient of $1,000 for best in show to Aisha Malayamungu, of Twin Falls.

WOODWORK: Russ McAnulty, of Kimberly, won honorable mention and $25; 3rd Place and $50 went to Cheri Henney, of Boise; 2nd place and $75 was awarded to Rex Warren, of Twin Falls; and recipient of $500 for best in show to Robert Jackman, Filer.

Note: Art & Soul of the Magic Valley contest rules accommodate for low entry in categories. The rules stipulate that a $1,000 Best of Show prize will be awarded if 10 or more artists entered that category. Categories with at least five entries were awarded $500.

Best venues

The public voted for their favorite of the 98 venues. The Peoples Choice Venue Award (two or fewer artists) honorable mention went to Bull Moose Bicycles and Koto Brewing Co. The winner was Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Peoples Choice Venue (three or more artists) honorable mention went to Wabi Sabi Gallery. The winner was Premier Autogroup.

Youth divisions

Elementary Grades K-2 Division: Tied for honorable mention and recipient of $12.50 each are: Everly Bingham, Kimberly, and Jairrehn Bridges, Kimberly; 3rd place winner and recipient of $50: Elliot Roberts, Twin Falls; 2nd Place winner and recipient of $75: Bennett Roberts, Twin Falls; and 1st place winner and recipient of $100: Pius Pierce, Twin Falls.

Elementary Grades 3-5 Division: Honorable mention and recipient of $25: Jack Walker, Kimberly; 3rd place winner and recipient of $50: Liv Rhead, Kimberly; 2nd place winner and recipient of $100: Kenzie Rhead, Kimberly; and 1st place winner and recipient of $200: Dani Rhead, Kimberly.

Middle School Division: Honorable Mention and recipient of $25: Alexis Tse, Twin Falls; 3rd place winner and recipient of $75: Rose Machado, Buhl; 2nd Place winner and recipient of $150: Blair Kelsey, Twin Falls; and 1st place winner and recipient of $300: Emmarae Martinez, Buhl.

High School Division: Honorable mention and recipient of $25: Alexus Forschler, Twin Falls; 3rd place winner and recipient of $75: Clara Goodman, Gooding; 2nd place winner and recipient of $150: Katie Mayer, Twin Falls; and 1st place winner and recipient of $300: Priscilla Folkerts, Twin Falls.
Julie Elaine Patterson

November 11, 1994  July 15, 2023

TWIN FALLS - A beloved mother, daughter and wife passed away unexpectedly from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on July 15, 2023.

Julie was born in Kingman, Arizona on November 11, 1994 to Jennifer Hazlett (Blair) and Jeffery Griffin. She spent many years of her life with her grandma, growing up in parts of Arizona. She had lived in Arizona until about age 14 and then moved to Las Vegas. She then spent time living in Winnemucca, Nevada and eventually ended up in Battle Mountain, Nevada.

During her time in Battle Mountain, Nevada she graduated from the Battle Mountain High School in 2013. She worked for a daycare there before moving to Twin Falls, Idaho to pursue her dreams of becoming a social worker. In Twin Falls she attended the College of Southern Idaho. Julie became a Lead Direct Support Specialist at S.L. S.T.A.R.T for many years before transferring to MDC Magic Valley with two of her greatest clients.

She shared 3.5 years with her long time friend Jocelyn Ramirez. Towards the end of 2018 she began a life with Patricia Patterson and two children Flora and Francisco. They added another child of their own September 30, 2021 before getting married on October 1, 2021 in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Julie's loving and caring nature endeared her to many people and her absence will be felt not only by her family, but her numerous friends and aquaintances. She had a passion for helping others and advocating for them.

She loved crafting and enjoyed baking. Julie's light only shed a short time on this earth, too short for all of us, but during that time she illuminated spirits, brightened our days and brought joy and laughter to our lives. Julie was known for having a big heart and lighting up the whole room with her smile. We love you Julie and we will not ever let your memory go. You will forever be in our hearts.

Julie is survived by her wife, Patricia Patterson, her daughter, Kimberlynn Patterson, mother, Jennifer Lee Hazlett (Blair), father, Jeffery Daniel Griffin, step-mother, Carolyn Griffin, step-father, Ernie Hazlett, little brother, Mason Hazlett, sister, Alexis Ann Griffin, step-sister, Annanoelle Holding, step-brother, Ayden M. DeVries, father-in-law, Don Patterson, sister-in-law, Tyra Crowley, brother-in-law, Ryan Henstock, fraternal grandparents, Ann and Clarence Griffin, fraternal aunts, Teelah Tucker and Kelly Underwood as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Julie is preceded in death by her maternal grandma, Kathleen Blair and papa, Carl Blair, her uncle, Steve Blair, her aunt, Sharon Blair and mother-in-law, Kimberly Kay Crowley.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 28, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Christian School located at 960 Eastland Drive in Twin Falls, with a meal following.

To share memories and condolences please visit: www.rosenaufuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to her daughter Kimberlynn via trust fund. Please contact Patricia Patterson for bank information, thanks.
WATERWORLD. Residents of Abulug in Cagayan are stranded on the roofs of their houses after the Cagayan River overflowed amid heavy rains brought by Typhoon Egay on Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, rescuers evacuate residents and their pets as local officials reminded them to not leave their animals behind. PDRRMO, Mayor Michael Keon FB Page

The death toll from a typhoon in the northern Philippines has risen to six, official figures showed Thursday, as the storm swept towards southeastern China.

Before leaving Kuala Lumpur for Manila at the end of his three-day state visit to Malaysia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that aid will be provided to the victims of Typhoon Egay, including those farmers whose crops have been damaged.

Yes, we have been watching over this, at this point, a lot of houses have been damaged, a lot of property flooded away, Mr. Marcos told the Philippine media delegation.

Some areas had just been planted (with crops), so we have to find out what are the areas that were ruined to we can help the farmers recover and salvage this crop season, added the President, who is concurrent Agriculture Secretary.

Strong winds and heavy rain pummeled the lightly populated Babuyan islands and northern provinces, triggering flooding and landslides.

A mother and her three children were killed Wednesday morning when a landslide struck their house in Buguias municipality in the mountainous province of Benguet, local disaster official Satur Payangdo said.

Five other people in the house were rescued.

That took the death toll to six after a woman was killed by a falling coconut tree in Isabela province and a 16-year-old boy was crushed to death by a landslide in Baguio city.

Egay had been a super typhoon as it swept across the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday but weakened as it neared the Philippines.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, Egay was estimated at 255 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and 185 kph gusts, the state weather bureau said.

In the next three days, the habagat or monsoon enhanced by Egay would continue to bring occasional rains over the western portions of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

It kept wind signal 2 raised over Batanes, the northwestern portion of Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes) including Babuyan Islands, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Bangui, Dumalneg, Burgos).

Structures made of light materials could be partially damaged or unroofed in these areas, while most banana plants and some trees could be broken, PAGASA said.

Signal 1 was raised over Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Abra, Benguet, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dilasag), the northern part of Nueva Ecija (Cuyapo, Guimba, Pantabangan, Science City of Munoz, Carranglan, San Jose City, Lupao, Nampicuan, Talugtug), and the northern portion of Tarlac (Paniqui, Moncada, Pura, Camiling, Ramos, San Manuel, Anao, San Clemente).

Thousands of passengers were stranded in ports nationwide due to Egay.

Strong winds brought by typhoon Egay damaged structures in Aparri, Cagayan.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area intensified into a tropical depression on Thursday morning, PAGASA said.

At 10 a.m., the new cyclone was spotted 1,585 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, packing 55 kph maximum sustained winds and 70 kph gusts, the weather agency said.

It may enter PAR on Saturday evening or Sunday morning as a typhoon and will be called Falcon.

While it is not expected to directly hit the country, the cyclone will enhance the habagat, which could bring more rain in parts of Luzon and the Visayas, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said.

Damage and losses to agriculture due to Typhoon Egay have been estimated at P53.1 million as of Thursday noon, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

A DA report said 2,303 farmers were affected by Egay, reflecting a production loss of 1,871 metric tons (MT).

The latest figures were a significant jump from the P255,000 in damage and losses reported as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26.

The biggest damage was recorded in corn, with 1,176 hectares affected. This translated to a volume loss of 1,837 MT, equivalent to P31.1 million in losses.

Rice damage came to P20.8 million and livestock and poultry losses were placed at P1.2 million.

The DA said assistance is currently available for distribution to affected farmers and fishermen, including rice, corn, assorted vegetable seeds, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry, and fingerling assistance.

Typhoon Egay has left 27 road sections in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, and Central Luzon impassable.

Meanwhile, massive flooding in Cagayan trapped some residents on roofs as floods ravaged parts of the province on Thursday.

In photos sent by Cagayans disaster office, severe flooding persisted in the aftermath of the typhoon, leading residents of Abulug town to transfer to higher ground such as the roofs of their homes while waiting to be rescued.

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said Wednesday that Cagayans rivers are now swelling.

That is why were expecting flooding along the Cagayan River and its tributaries, he said.

This will not end with the super typhoon we still have to address the swelling of the Cagayan River and that of the Abulug River.

A major part of Baguio City had no power as of Wednesday night due to typhoon Egay, a local disaster official said.

City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office officer Louie Glenn Lardizabal said the loss of electricity in parts of the city started Tuesday night.

The typhoon also triggered 11 landslides and eight incidents of soil erosion, as well as the rise in water level in some waterways, Lardizabal told Teleradyo Serbisyo. It also knocked down trees and caused some temporary road closures.

Up to 109 families or 513 people have evacuated for their safety.

Lardizabal said three evacuation centers were operational in the city.

He said the local government will continue to monitor landslide-prone areas in the city.

Some major roads in Metro Manila were still submerged in flood as Typhoon Egay continued to bring heavy rains to the countrys capital region.

In Valenzuela City, heavy downpours triggered gutter-deep floods on G. Lazaro Street, Arkong Bato, Daladanan, and MacArthur Highway.

Floods estimated to be 3-5 inches deep were recorded along C3 road and Dagat-Dagatan road in Malabon City.

No floods were recorded in Caloocan and Quezon City but both cities were battered with strong winds and moderate to heavy rains overnight.

All affected areas are still passable to all kinds of vehicles.

PAGASA earlier lifted the typhoon wind signal warning in Metro Manila but is still advising everyone to prepare for possible floods, especially in low-lying areas due to occasional rains expected throughout the day.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has called for calm amid the devastation brought by Typhoon Egay to many provinces in Northern Luzon, saying that the national government will do everything in its power to provide assistance to typhoon victims.

We have already raised funds for relief, and we are trying to raise more. We expressed gratitude to all first responders. What is important is we help bring back the lives of victims to normalcy, he said.

The fundraising efforts initiated by Romualdez and Tingog Party-list led by Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre have already reached P128.5 million in relief goods and financial assistance.

Of the amount, P23.5 million raised comes from Romualdezs personal calamity fund, raised partly from contributions from friends during his birthday celebration last year.

The other P105 million will come from the Department of Social Welfare and Developments Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program under Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

Airlines have canceled 22 more flights due to bad weather, the Manila International Airport Authority reported on Thursday.

Affected by the unfavorable weather condition brought on by Typhoon Egay were six Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express flights to and from Laoag and Basco, and four flights of Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) and its sister airline CebGo going to and from Masbate.

Also suspended on Thursday were 10 flights of Air Swift to and from El Nido and two flights going to and from Romblon.

Eight other PAL flights to and from Laoag scheduled on Friday and Saturday were also suspended, the airline management said.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), flight operations at Laoag International Airport are still suspended.

The damaged portion of the ceiling at the airports domestic pre-departure area is still under repair, said CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

PAL also canceled four international flights, also scheduled on Friday (July 28). Canceled were flights PR-330 and PR-331 (Manila-Xiamen-Manila), and flights PR-356 and PR-357 (Manila-Jinjiang-Manila).  With AFP

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Beijing has proposed possible war games with Manila amid continued Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

They offered us that prospect but well have to study it further, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said.

They said they submitted some white papers so well have to study it first, Brawner added.

The military chief cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s policy statement that when it comes to foreign policy, the Philippines is a friend to all and an enemy to none.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian urged Manila to resist external interference in addressing matters concerning the Indo-Pacific region, citing the need to maintain good neighborliness.

Huang made the statement during the 96th founding anniversary of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army on Wednesday which was attended by Brawner.

According to Huang, countries in the region must keep abreast with the changing times and avoid Cold-War mentality and bloc confrontation.

He underscored the need to resist external interference and jointly safeguard the regional peace dividend.

China is willing to work with the Philippines to adhere to independence and good neighborliness, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, properly manage differences through consultation and dialogue, and ensure China-Philippines relations remain healthy and move steadily into the future, so as to write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Huang said.

Huang said that Mr. Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to handle maritime issues through friendly consultations.

As long as the consensus between our top leaders is implemented in real earnest, we will be able to see new progress in the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea, Huang said.

China has consistently rejected an international arbitral ruling invalidating its nine-dash-line claim over the entire South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Brawner said the AFP is looking to acquire multi-role fighters, additional naval assets, and shore-based deterrents for Horizon 3 of its ongoing modernization program.

For the 3rd Horizon of the (AFP) modernization program we are looking at acquiring multi-role fighter aircraft, naval assets, command and control or C-2 systems, shore-based deterrent capabilities, submarines, and the like, he said during a post-State of the Nation Address briefing.

But one thing that we would like to really develop in the next (few) years is the capability for cyber warfare and this is one capability where we could excel in the AFP and we could be at par with even the modern countries, he added.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said the government is continuing to build the strong fundamentals of a credible defense posture to preserve the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity.

That being said, the President also instructed us to look for non-traditional partners in alliances for upgrading our defensive capabilities and our capabilities to predict and analyze trends in order to prepare for any eventuality which may befall our country and need the use of DND resources in the future, Teodoro said.

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Foreign investors often bewail high electricity costs in the Philippines as one of the main reasons that compel them to put their precious money elsewhere rather than here.

But domestic consumers are also up in arms against what they consider as excessive electricity rates increasingly going beyond their reach, and therefore an unnecessary burden for those living in both urban and rural areas.

Whats bothersome in all this is theres already a law that seeks to bring electricity rates down. Republic Act 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Epira), was enacted to institute reforms in the industry.

The major reforms contemplated under the law included the restructuring of the entire power industry to introduce competition in the generation sector, a change from government to private ownership, and a stable regulatory framework for the electricity sector.

But instead of bringing electricity costs down, Epira has failed to do so, more than two decades later, for one reason or another.

This has prompted a lawmaker, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, to urge the national government to implement immediate policy changes to reduce power costs.

One, the Energy Regulatory Commission or ERC should reduce the excessively high 15 percent weighted average cost of capital that she says has benefited Meralco and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) since 2015.

If this is done, there will certainly be a decrease in distribution and transmission charges, easing the burden on consumers.

Two, the ERC and the Department of Energy should investigate fraudulent contracts, power shortages and delayed transmission projects that directly affect consumers.

They should also correct and monitor power supply agreements between generation companies and distribution utilities.

And three, the government should reject the proposed imposition of a value-added tax on already expensive power rates as this would further burden families across the archipelago.

Two years ago, the legislators called for a probe of the alleged failure of government agencies to ensure the affordability of electricity rates in the country. Senate Resolution No. 746 wanted to determine the deficiencies and failures of the DOE and the ERC to bring down power rates in the country.

Today, however, power rates still remain high, despite Epira, and its objectives of reliable and secure electricity supply likely to remain just that: a promise. Perhaps never to be fulfilled at all?

Well be more than glad, like other consumers, to be proven wrong.

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A total of 14 mining companies were fined by the General Inspectorate of Mines of Mozambique for failing in June 2023 to declare the quality of ores they produced, that entity declared on Wednesday July 26.

The Inspector General of Mines at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Obete Matine, said that the fines are the first imposed on mining operators for lack of information on the quality of their production, since this requirement stems from a decree that came into force recently.

The mining taxation decree states that the submission of declarations for mining production tax must be accompanied by a report and the document containing the specifications of the quality of the product that has been extracted, Matine explained.

A company that produces coking coal, which is used in the steel industry, must specify the quality in order to allow for a reliable calculation of the price and the tax payable, the Inspector General of Mines exemplified.

Mr Matine said that the Mozambican state has lost large sums of money in taxes due to lack of knowledge of the quality of the minerals exported and their market value.

The 14 companies fined operate in the exploitation of coal, graphite and heavy sands, out of a universe of 18 that extract these ores in Mozambique, Matine said. The Inspector General of Mines did not advance the amounts of the fines imposed on the offenders, but noted that the financial penalties have as a multiplication factor the national minimum wage.

He noted that those products are the first to be subject to the new rules, with other areas to be covered gradually. Obete Matine said that some of the penalized companies have already paid the fines, and the others are expected to comply within the legally stipulated deadlines.

Earlier this month, the Mozambican government accused mining companies of declaring less production than the real one, in order to obtain very low taxes, demanding that the sector increase its tax contribution and participation in the development of the country and communities.
The sinking of small boats has already caused 18 deaths in Namibe this year, said on Wednesday July 26 the president of the Fishermens Association of that province in southern Angola, who calls for greater intervention by the inspectorate.

Jorge Hilario de Sousa told Lusa that in the last two years, the province has recorded the death of 100 people due to this phenomenon.

We have a high number of shipwrecks in southern Angola, essentially in terms of artisanal fishing, where safety issues are sometimes not properly taken care of, he said.

The official defended that at the level of the maritime authority, of the captaincies, there is a different action in the matter of the qualification of the sailors, in the way of giving quality to the person who goes fishing, as well as the safety conditions of the vessels licensed for the activity.

According to Jorge de Sousa, most of the lighthouses do not work, which makes it difficult, especially in cold weather, for those who do not have advanced maritime navigation instruments to see.

There are also sailors who put to sea without going through the authority, said the official, emphasizing that the losses are very high in human lives. In Namibe, two years ago we had about 100 people killed in shipwrecks. In this first half of the year we are walking around 18 people, it is worrying, there are irresponsible shipowners, who sometimes prefer to do the activity bypassing the authorities, he stressed.
A group of soldiers claim to have detained Nigers democratically elected president in what neighboring countries condemned as an attempted coup, with the United Nations, United States and European Union denouncing any attempt to seize power.

Presidential guards were holding Niger President Mohamed Bazoum inside his palace in the capital Niamey on Wednesday (26 July), saying they have put an end to the government over the African countrys deteriorating security. The soldiers said all institutions had been suspended and security forces were managing the situation. The group, which is calling itself National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, also urged external partners not to interfere. This latest military takeover in Niger marks the seventh coup in the West and Central Africa region since 2020.

West Africas main regional and economic bloc ECOWAS called on the plotters to free Bazoum, while the African Union urged the felon soldiers involved to return to barracks immediately. The president of neighboring Benin, Patrice Talon, has announced he was going to Niger to mediate following a meeting with Nigerias president and ECOWAS leader Bola Tinubu. Land-locked Niger has become a pivotal ally for Western powers seeking to help fight the insurgency but facing growing acrimony from the new juntas in charge in Mali and Burkina Faso. The West African country is also a key ally of the EU in the fight against irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa.
Morocco and Israel have agreed to preserve the Moroccan-Jewish shared heritage through the strengthening of their cooperation in archives and the exchange of historical documents for the generations to come.

The agreement was inked Wednesday in Rabat by Head of Moroccos Archives Jamaa Baida and visiting Israeli Ruth Avramovitz to honor the Moroccan-Jewish memory and enrich the records of the two institutions.

The documents relating Jewish-Moroccan memory come mainly from the diplomatic Archives Center of the French Foreign Ministry, the Shoah Memorial based in Paris and the Universal Israelite Alliance which has millions of archives, in addition to private collections donated to the institution by Jewish personalities, said Mr. Jamaa Baida.

These documents shed light on various aspects of daily life of Jewish Moroccans in the 18th & 19th centuries, and show their cordial ties with Muslim compatriots, he said, highlighting plural identity of Moroccans and its Hebrew component recognized by the Moroccan Constitution.

For her part, Ruth Avramovitz said Israel State Archives, which contain millions of historical documents, photographs and videos, offer its rich collections and know-how for the consolidation of ties between Moroccan and Israeli peoples.

Israel will also share with the North African Kingdom its experience in the use of artificial intelligence to optimize the management of archives, she said.
Senegal has expressed gratitude to Morocco for its cooperation in the repatriation and the medical treatment of around 50 irregular Senegalese migrants.

Annette Seck, minister in charge of Senegalese abroad, acting on President Macky Salls instructions, conveyed her gratitude after a visit to the Saharan city of Dakhla on Tuesday and Wednesday, said a statement from the Senegalese Foreign Ministry.

The missions objective was to provide support and assistance to Senegalese nationals who were awaiting repatriation to their home country after attempting emigration, the statement further noted.

Fifty injured Senegalese nationals were repatriated on Wednesday evening by a special Senegalese Air Force flight, said the statement, adding that the government thanks the brotherly government of the Kingdom of Morocco for its cooperation in caring for the injured.

This repatriation flight landed at Ouakam military airport on Wednesday evening, carrying a dozen women, children and men in fragile health condition.

The Senegalese government is due to present a strategy to combat irregular emigration this Thursday.
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Increased sensitivity to light could disrupt the bodys biological clock and contribute to sleep disorders among people with Alzheimers disease, UVA researchers say. Credit: Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications

New Alzheimer's research from UVA Health suggests that enhanced light sensitivity may contribute to "sundowning"the worsening of the disease's symptoms late in the dayand spur sleep disruptions thought to contribute to the disease's progression.

The researchers have published their findings in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

The new insights into the disruptions of the biological clock seen in Alzheimer's could have important potential both for the development of treatments and for symptom management, the researchers say. Caregivers often struggle with the erratic sleep patterns caused by Alzheimer's patients' altered "circadian rhythms," as the body's natural daily cycle is known. Light therapy, the new research suggests, might be an effective tool to help manage that.

Better understanding Alzheimer's disease's effects on the biological clock could also have implications for preventing the disease. Poor sleep quality in adulthood is a risk factor for Alzheimer's, as our brains, when at rest, naturally cleanse themselves of amyloid beta proteins that are thought to form harmful tangles in Alzheimer's.

"Circadian disruptions have been recognized in Alzheimer's disease for a long time, but we've never had a very good understanding of what causes them," said researcher Thaddeus Weigel, a graduate student working with Dr. Heather Ferris of the University of Virginia School of Medicine's Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. "This research points to changes in light sensitivity as a new, interesting possible explanation for some of those circadian symptoms."

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, affecting 50 million people around the world. Its hallmark is progressive memory loss, to the point that patients can forget their own loved ones, but there can be many other symptoms such as restlessness, aggression, poor judgment and endless searching. These symptoms often worsen in the evening and at night.

Ferris and her collaborators used a mouse model of Alzheimer's to better understand what happens to the biological clock in Alzheimer's disease. They essentially gave the mice "jet lag" by altering their exposure to light, then examined how it affected their behavior. The Alzheimer's mice reacted very differently than did regular mice.

The Alzheimer's mice, the scientists found, adapted to a six-hour time change significantly more quickly than the control mice. This, the scientists suspect, is the result of a heightened sensitivity to changes in light. While our biological clocks normally take cues from light, this adjustment happens gradually, as the body needs time to adapt. But for the Alzheimer's mice, this change happened abnormally fast.

The researchers initially thought this might be because of inflammation in the brain, or "neuroinflammation." So they looked at immune cells called microglia that have become promising targets in efforts to develop better Alzheimer's treatments.

While targeting microglia could be beneficial for other reasons in treating Alzheimer's, the scientists ultimately ruled out the hypothesis, determining that microglia did not make a difference in how quickly mice adapted.

UVA scientists also ruled out another potential culprit: "mutant tau," an abnormal protein that forms tangles in the Alzheimer's brain. The presence of these tangles also did not make a difference in how the mice adapted.

The researchers' results did suggest an important role for the retina in the enhanced light sensitivity in Alzheimer's, giving them a promising avenue to pursue as they work to develop new ways to treat, manage and prevent the disease.

"These data suggest that controlling the kind of light and the timing of the light could be key to reducing circadian disruptions in Alzheimer's disease," Ferris said. "We hope that this research will help us to develop light therapies that people can use to reduce the progression of Alzheimer's disease."

The research team consisted of Weigel, Cherry L. Guo, Ali D. Guler and Ferris.

More information: Thaddeus K. Weigel et al, Altered circadian behavior and light sensing in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1218193
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Last Wednesday morning, a toddler arrived at the emergency department of UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville with a swollen jaw.

When emergency doctor Brandon Allen examined the boy, he discovered the child's teeth had rotted to the point that they were infected and nerves were exposed. "He was in a lot of pain," Allen said.

Unfortunately, Allen said, children often arrive in his emergency room with painful dental problems that could have been avoided with preventive care.

Florida has the highest rate in the country of children going to hospital Emergency Departments for dental care, and the highest average charge for these visits, a new report reveals.

More than 17,600 children visited Florida's Emergency Rooms for non-traumatic dental conditions and and additional 3,500 children and adults had to be admitted for life-threatening infections, according to 2021 federal hospital care data compiled by CareQuest Institute, a national nonprofit.

"We need to have robust access to preventive dental care so people can feel that the emergency department is not their only option," Allen said. "In hospitals we don't do extractions. We're not dentists. We're open 24/7 so we are the default for access to care, but by the time they come to the emergency department, it's too late when comes to doing anything preventative."

The toddler, he said, most likely will need some, if not all, of his teeth removed.

Children brought to emergency departments for dental care are more likely to be uninsured or covered by Medicaid and live in lower-income households, CareQuest researchers reported.

"These children may have Medicaid, but they can't access care," said Dr. Frank Catalanotto, president and founder of Floridians for Dental Access. "They can't find dentists who take it, or the wait is too long, or parents have to travel an hour or two to find a dentist who might see them."

The new research by CareQuest shows Florida is next to last in the country for children with Medicaid who had a dental visit in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. "Many children in Florida are walking around with rotten teeth," Catalanotto said. "Most people don't realize how important this really is. Children do not learn as well when they are in pain."

The most common diagnoses for the Florida children at the time of their emergency department visits were abscesses, dental caries, stomatitis, and chronic gingivitisconditions that are largely preventable with routine oral health care, CareQuest researchers found.

"There's nothing for these children in the ER," Catalanotto said. "All they get is a prescription for antibiotics and pain medication and they are told to go to a dentist. The relief of antibiotics and pain pills is temporary."

In Florida, turning to a hospital ER for dental care is costly.

Florida had the highest average charge for emergency department visits, ranging from $1,900 to $2,600 depending on the age of the child, the CareQuest report shows. In Florida, Medicaid covered about 80% of those visits. By contrast, Maryland had the lowest average charge ranging from $600 to $700, depending on the age of the child. In that state, Medicaid covered only 69% of those visits.

"Dental disease is almost entirely preventable, yet cavities are the leading chronic illness among children in this country," said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of CareQuest Institute.

Catalanotto said his organization, Floridians for Dental Access, plans to propose solutions to Florida legislators with the hopes they will pass laws or fund new programs to make dental care more affordable and accessible for children. Florida's Department of Health maintains a locator of providers who may offer reduced fees for dental services. And in June, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that increases the income threshold to qualify for subsidized coverage under the Florida KidCare program, which should give more families coverage. Florida KidCare covers dental, but services may differ with each plan and program.

"If more Florida children get dental insurance coverage, hopefully they will get a regular source of dental care that they can call even if they have a toothache on the weekend," said Lisa Heaton with CareQuest. "Right now, many children likely don't have that. Parents are going to the ER because they don't have anywhere else to go."

At UF Health Shands, Allen sees all the factors that result in children arriving at his hospitals with mouths full of decayed teeth and exposed nerves. Those factors, particularly in the low-income population, include lack of teeth brushing, poor access to dentists in their communities, transportation issues, and consumption of sugary drinks.

"Florida's rankings are disappointing but the report shows there is real opportunity," he said. "We are going to need a real investment in oral hygiene for our state's pediatric population."

2023 South Florida Sun Sentinel.

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New therapies for early Alzheimer's disease, monoclonal antibodies that remove amyloid- plaques in the brain, are bringing hope to people whose lives have been affected by the disease. To help neurologists discuss these therapies with patients and caregivers, the American Academy of Neurology has developed an Emerging Issues in Neurology article, published online on July 26, 2023, in Neurology.

Emerging Issues in Neurology articles are designed to provide timely guidance to neurologists and other clinicians, derived from expert consensus about new or emerging issues, that have immediate implications for patient care but for which a formal evidence base is still evolving.

"Neurologists care for millions of people with Alzheimer's disease and many people with early forms of dementia are eager to learn if these new therapies could help them," said American Academy of Neurology President Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN. "To help neurologists provide the highest quality care, experts with the American Academy of Neurology have summarized the available evidence on anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies so that neurologists, patients and their caregivers can make informed decisions together about possible treatment with these therapies."

The Emerging Issues in Neurology article was written using available information on lecanemab, aducanumab and donanemab. It is important to note that this article is not a clinical practice guideline.

"Recent data on lecanemab and other monoclonal antibody infusions targeting amyloid- protein make clear that new agents are highly likely to be part of the toolkit for neurologists caring for people with Alzheimer's disease," said article author Vijay K. Ramanan, MD, Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "While the formal evidence base is still evolving, this article was created with expert consensus until there is enough evidence on these therapies to inform evidence-based recommendations."

Lecanemab received traditional FDA approval on July 6, 2023. Aducanumab received accelerated approval from the FDA in June 2021 but has not yet received traditional approval. Aducanumab is currently available only to people participating in a clinical trial. Donanemab is not yet approved, but a decision on traditional FDA approval is expected later in 2023.

The article explains who is eligible to receive these therapies. Currently only people with early symptomatic forms of the disease, mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, may qualify to receive lecanemab. In addition, the article says people should be counseled about certain genetic risk factors and must not have a history of certain types of strokes. This is due to the risk of a serious side effect called amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, or ARIA, which is brain swelling and bleeding in the brain that can lead to death.

For this reason, people taking certain anticoagulant medications that are commonly prescribed to older adults may also not be eligible. There have been three deaths linked to lecanemab. The article notes that at least two of those people were given anticoagulants while on the therapy.

While the goal of using these therapies is to remove amyloid- plaques to slow cognitive decline, the article notes the therapies are not a cure for the disease. It also explains that the reduction in the rate of cognitive decline seen over 18 months in some studies may not be evident to the people receiving these therapies.

The article discusses the high cost of these therapies and notes that additional costs will come with diagnostic testing, administration and safety monitoring. The drugs are administered through regular infusions and monitoring requires multiple brain scans. Plus, there is a shortage of neurologists and medical professionals needed to provide this care and meet the anticipated demand.

The article expresses concern that study participants so far have primarily been white, while Black and Hispanic people have been underrepresented. It says steps must be taken to ensure that future studies include a diverse range of participants, especially since the incidence of dementia has been shown to be higher in Black and Hispanic populations compared with white populations.

"There is much optimism that anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies may facilitate slowing of the disease process in some people with Alzheimer's disease," said Ramanan. "Additional research is needed to further determine who may be most likely to benefit from these therapies, as well as to find ways to improve outcomes for people using them and enable future advances in this new era of Alzheimer's disease care."

More information: Vijay K Ramanan et al, Antiamyloid Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Alzheimer Disease: Emerging Issues in Neurology, Neurology (2023). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207757 Journal information: Neurology
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It has become as familiar a sight in Washington as the cherry blossoms in spring: lobbyists from the nation's hospitals descending on the Capitol to ask lawmakers to postpone billions in Medicaid funding cuts prescribed by the Affordable Care Actcuts industry leaders agreed to years ago.

It is unlikely the reductions will occur this year, if history is any indication. Since 2013, Congress has voted 13 times to delay them, siding with hospitals over their claims that losing the money would hinder the delivery of care.

Unless Congress acts by October, the federal government will cut $8 billion from this year's budgetthen make the same cut each year for the next three yearsfor a Medicaid program intended to help safety-net facilities that serve a large share of Medicaid and uninsured patients. The amount budgeted varies annually, though in 2021 the program's spending totaled about $19 billion.

Known as the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments program, it has drawn criticism amid evidence that a substantial amount of its funding goes to hospitals that do not primarily cater to low-income patients. According to industry groups, more than 2,500 hospitalsabout 40% of the total in the United Statesget the payments.

The cuts are part of a deal brokered with the hospital industry 14 years ago, as the fate of the ACA dangled in the balance. At the time, hospitals agreed to accept $155 billion in Medicare and Medicaid funding cuts over 10 years, assuming the legislation's promise to insure more patients would improve their bottom lines. A portion of those cuts were to Medicaid DSH payments.

Despite record-high hospital profits and record-low uninsured rates in recent years, the hospital industry again says this is not a good time for cuts, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the millions of people losing Medicaid coverage as a result of pandemic-era protections ending.

Current Medicaid funding covers only about 81% of hospitals' costs of caring for patients, said Jolene Calla, a vice president of The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

Losing the Medicaid safety-net funding "would be devastating to hospitals," she said.

A bipartisan group of 231 members of the House of Representativesa majorityhave signed a letter to House leaders asking for another delay. Legislation is moving in the chamber that would delay any cuts to the Medicaid safety-net program until 2026.

The postponements show the political muscle of the hospital industry, strengthened by virtually every lawmaker's district having at least one hospital that provides care and jobs.

Hospitals have been among the biggest donors to members of Congress and have a large lobbying force.

According to the watchdog group OpenSecrets, the Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents more than 160 hospitals, gave more than $11.8 million to congressional campaigns in the 2022 cycle. The American Hospital Association spent about $27 million on lobbying to influence lawmakers in 2022, more than nearly any other organization.

Critics say the hospital industrywhich often increases prices, sues patients for lack of payment, and pays big-dollar salaries to top executivesshould hold up its side of the deal it made with Democrats, particularly the Obama administration, in 2009.

"Too many hospitals have for years been trying to have it both ways, benefitting from the ACA while trying to escape responsibilities they have under the law," said Daniel Skinner, an associate professor of health policy at Ohio University. "They constantly deploy their political power to wiggle out of these responsibilities while trying to maintain the generally good feeling they have within communities."

On July 8, 2009, the nation's top hospital leaders stood with then-Vice President Joe Biden at a White House press conference to announce their deal to keep national health reform legislation on track after a century of failed attempts, dating as far back as Theodore Roosevelt's push for national insurance.

At the time, ACA reform efforts teetered as interest groups feuded and Democrats struggled to settle on a plan. The agreement, which followed a similar deal with the drug industry, was part of a plan by the Obama administration to preemptively negotiate with corporate interests that had blocked previous reform efforts.

The savings from the $155 billion in hospital funding cuts would "cover health care cost reform," Biden said during the press conference. "As more people are insured, hospitals will bear less of the financial burden of caring for the uninsured and the underinsured, and we will reduce payments to cover those costs in tandem with that reduction."

President Barack Obama signed the ACA into law in March 2010. The number of uninsured, which was 48 million in 2010, fell to 28 million by 2016. By 2021, the uninsured rate fell to record lows, with about 27 million uninsured.

Hospital lobbyists argue the industry has already absorbed cuts in Medicare funding under the ACA and that the Medicaid cuts should not be implemented because uninsured rates have not dropped as low as the 5% rate predicted before the law's passage.

Though the health law has been a "godsend," it also has not met its anticipated goal of universal coverage, said Chip Kahn, the president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, which represents for-profit hospitals.

Kahn, who was involved in the agreement with the Obama White House, said the ACA has fallen short of universal coverage largely because 10 states, including more populous ones like Florida and Texas, have yet to adopt Medicaid expansion.

As a result, hospitals in these states have provided more unpaid care than anticipated and need the additional Medicaid payments to cover costs, he said.

Kahn said the extra Medicaid payments also help offset shortfalls caused by Medicare and Medicaid underpaying hospitals.

The ACA called for the DSH program's cuts to be phased in, with less than $1 billion being cut in each of the first few years. But after hospitals lobbied Congress to postpone them, the revised budget deals meant future cuts would be deeper and immediateleading to the $8 billion annual cuts currently slated for the coming years.

In fiscal year 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, DSH spending nationwide totaled $18.9 billion. While those payments represent 3% of overall Medicaid spending, they account for as much as 10% of some states' Medicaid spending.

The program, intended for safety-net hospitals, has been the subject of controversy for decades.

One reason is that the money does not always go to safety-net hospitals.

A study published in Health Affairs last year found 57% of hospitals received the DSH payments in 2015. About 94% of these payments went to hospitals with either a high percentage of uninsured patients or Medicaid enrollees or higher-than-average uncompensated care.

But 6% of recipient hospitals did not meet these criteria, the study showed.

The researchers estimated that about a third of the payments went to hospitals not focused on caring for low-income populations.

Paula Chatterjee, the lead author on the study and the director of health equity research at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, said hospitals aren't transparent about how they spend the extra money and that the states that receive the most money do not always have the highest rates of uninsured residents.

While the safety-net program is intended to help hospitals treating large numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients, the formula determining how much money states get is based on historical Medicaid spending totals before limits were put in place in 1992, she said.

As a result, states like New York and New Jersey are among the largest recipients of the supplemental funding even though they have some of the lowest uninsured rates, she said.

Beth Feldpush, the senior vice president of policy and advocacy for America's Essential Hospitals, which represents 300 safety-net hospitals, said these facilities' 3% average operating margin would disappear if not for DSH money. "Members of Congress recognize there are pockets of underserved communities in most congressional districts," she said.

Chatterjee said hospitals will likely argue there is never a good time to accept the cuts. She noted some rural and urban hospitals have closed in recent years even as other hospitals have made record profits.

"It's always hard to take money away from hospitals because they hold such symbolic meaning, and legislators know that," she said.

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Heart attacks and strokes arising from atherosclerosis, which is driven by the accumulation of lipids in the inner linings of arteries, are responsible for about one third of deaths worldwide. Accordingly, atherosclerosis is the focus of intense research aimed at the development of novel effective treatments.

A team of researchers from MedUni Vienna has now described a key molecular pathway that provides new fundamental insights into the understanding of atherosclerosis progression and may pave the way for new treatment approaches.

Recent technological advancements have led to the discovery of a rich immune cell diversity in atherosclerotic lesions. In their study published July 26 in the journal Immunity, the team identified a specific subtype of complement-producing macrophages that are present in both mouse as well as human atherosclerotic plaques.

Regulation of cell-associated complement activity by complement factor H (CFH) limits the ability of these macrophages to clear dying cells, thereby aggravating plaque necrosis. Overwhelming necrotic cell death can lead to the instability of atherosclerotic plaques and result in subsequent cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks.

Complications of atherosclerosis, such as myocardial infarction and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide. Last year, 34.7% of total deaths were caused by cardiovascular disease in Austria. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries that is triggered by excessive lipid buildup, which promotes chronic inflammation in the vascular wall.

Atherosclerotic lesions are characterized by a profound infiltration of immune cells, including monocytes (the precursor cells of macrophages) and the concurrent accumulation of dying cells which can undergo necrosis if not efficiently handled.

The complement system is a family of blood-borne proteins with crucial importance in host defense from pathogens. In addition, complement exerts critical housekeeping functions by aiding the removal of damaged and dying cells by professional macrophages. Part of the complement is continuously active by the generation of cleavage products of the central component C3a process that is highly regulated by CFH.

Complement activation has long been implicated in human atherosclerosishowever, the pathologic importance of cellular versus systemic complement activation in lesion progression has not been appreciated.

"In contrast to the conventional understanding that the role of complement in atherosclerosis is primarily driven by liver-derived complement via the circulation, there has been increasing evidence that immune cells can also produce a defined set of complement components. However, if and how complement is controlled within these cells has been unknown," says Christoph J. Binder (Laboratory Medicine, MedUni Vienna), senior author of the study.

"We were able to demonstrate that inflammatory monocyte-derived macrophages accumulate complement C3, the central complement component during inflammation with a concomitant increase in the production of its master regulator, CFH."

Functional CFH is critical to prevent excessive activation of the complement system in the circulation. Using numerous unique mouse models, the researchers dissected the role of CFH in atherosclerotic lesion progression.

"First, we made the surprising observation that global lack of CFH displays an overall beneficial impact on plaque progression, which is dependent on its interaction with C3. Building on these data, we were able pinpoint, that the protective effect is exerted on the cellular level, as selective deletion of CFH in monocytes and macrophages led to a robust decrease in both atherosclerotic lesion size and necrotic area due to an improved capacity to ingest and clear dying cells," says lead author Mate G. Kiss.

"This is the first description that highlights the functional importance of a complement regulator to control complement activation within cells with a robust impact on the development of atherosclerosis, and potentially, other chronic inflammatory diseases, too."

Their preclinical findings are matched with data providing clear implications to human cardiovascular disease. "Importantly, we identified a distinct inflammatory macrophage subset in human coronary artery plaques that is specifically enriched for C3 and CFH. Based on their gene expression profile, these cells are wired to respond to inflammation and appear to be critical for the engulfment of dying cells in human plaquesnevertheless, further investigation is warranted to test their functionality," adds Binder.

Genetic variants in the CFH gene strongly predispose to chronic inflammatory diseases in humans. The same team has been carrying out groundbreaking research on identifying key genetic modulators of CFH in recognizing damaged cells and regulating complement activation.

"We could distinguish genetic variants that modify the ability of CFH to bind damaged macromolecules and dying cells. The same genetic variants may also alter the ability of CFH to regulate intracellular C3 levels in macrophages with an impact on their engulfing capacity," notes Nikolina Papac- Milicevic, co-first author of the study.

More information: Mate G. Kiss et al, Cell-autonomous regulation of complement C3 by factor H limits macrophage efferocytosis and exacerbates atherosclerosis, Immunity (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.06.026 Journal information: Immunity
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According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 100,000 Americans are waiting for a kidney transplant, and the demand for donated kidneys far exceeds the supply. In fact, only 25,498 kidney transplants were performed in 2022, and kidney disease impacts 37 million people in the U.S.

But a new preclinical study, led by scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, shows that a new technology called mitochondrial transplantation holds promise as a potential therapy that could change the kidney transplant landscape.

The study findings appear online in Annals of Surgery.

Mitochondrial transplantation is a regenerative medicine technology where healthy mitochondria are taken from cultured cells or tissue from organ donors and then injected into a diseased or damaged tissue or organ. Mitochondria produce the energy needed for a cell to function.

"Our study shows that this technology could transform renal transplant medicine," said Giuseppe Orlando, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of surgery at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, a transplant surgeon at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and principal investigator of the study. "Here, we provide evidence that mitochondrial transfer lessens the damage that renal cells or the kidneys may suffer from disease or injury."

For the study, the research team collaborated with the University of Turin in Italy, where scientists conducted preliminary tests in cultures of human proximal tubular cells, which are found in the kidneys and play an important in removing toxins. When the damaged cells were exposed to healthy mitochondria, cellular energy increased, and toxicity decreased.

"Essentially, the mitochondrial transplant was successful in reducing stress in the damaged kidney cells," said Orlando, who is also a researcher at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Additional research by the Wake Forest team found that kidneys injected with healthy mitochondria showed signs of recovery.

Orlando said these results are significant because in the U.S., 20% of the kidneys procured for transplantation are eventually discarded because they are too damaged, and this potential new treatment may help.

"Based on these preliminary findings, I'm optimistic that mitochondrial transplantation could one day increase the number of transplantable organs," Orlando said.

Orlando said this is especially true in a new type of organ donation called "uncontrolled donation after cardiac death," an area of active research. In this setting, the kidneys do not receive adequate blood supply, and mitochondria and the kidneys are damaged. Orlando said mitochondrial transplantation could enable surgeons to repair and eventually transplant these organs, potentially saving thousands of lives. It has been estimated that this type of donation may make 20,000 new kidneys suitable for transplants each year in the U.S., Orlando said.

The next step is to validate these findings in a small pilot study.

More information: Andrea Rossi et al, Mitochondria Transplantation Mitigates Damage in an In Vitro Model of Renal Tubular Injury and in an Ex Vivo Model of DCD Renal Transplantation, Annals of Surgery (2023). DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006005 Journal information: Annals of Surgery

Provided by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
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ACSD Operative Risk Calculator mobile view. Credit: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has launched its next-generation Operative Risk Calculator to assess the risk of adult cardiac surgery operations.

The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database represents 97% of all cardiac operations performed in the United States and the new calculator is based on precise statistical models from the experience of more than 8 million patients. The new and improved calculator brings the power of big data to the fingertips of medical providers with the aim of improving patient care.

The dynamic new Risk Calculator is mobile-friendly and features a simplified, intuitive user design to improve physician-patient decision-making allowing surgeons and multidisciplinary medical providers to estimate a patient's risk in real time. The risk calculations are based on the most current nationwide 2023 data from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database and these are informed by robust risk models that continuously update every three months.

"This next-generation operative Risk Calculator is a powerful user-friendly tool that makes it easier for cardiothoracic surgical teams to assess risk and predict outcomes in real time for the vast majority of adult cardiac surgery procedures," said STS President Thomas MacGillivray, MD.

The new calculator is the first in a series of planned enhancements to the STS National Database that will roll out in coming months to meet the day-to-day needs of surgeons, data managers, and cardiothoracic care teams, Dr. MacGillivray explained. "User feedback informed the design of the new Risk Calculator and is driving the development of other innovations to fully leverage the nearly 10 million cardiothoracic surgery procedures in the Database."

The procedure-specific STS Risk Calculator currently captures the vast majority of all heart surgery performed, and by early 2024, it will capture more than 90% of all adult heart surgeries performed with the addition of precise risk models for less commonly performed operations.

The STS National Database incorporates data from every U.S. state and 11 countries, serving as the gold standard for clinical registries of patient outcomes in CT surgery, and one of the largest clinical registries in all of health care.

More information: Access the Adult Cardiac Surgery Operative Risk Calculator here: https://www.sts.org/resources/acsd-operative-risk-calculator

Provided by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
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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.

Although 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 6-to-8-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 that's often not possible with Sutter's technique. Scary as it sounds to stop a heart, it's 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 worldmostly outside the U.S. at firststarted 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 didn't 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 Sutter's patients also receive stentsa device resembling a spring that is inserted through a catheterin 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 doesn't entirely support the price tag. But heart surgeons in the Philadelphia area aren't following Sutter's robotic method.

"There's a lot of talented heart surgeons," said Rohinton Morris, chief of cardiac surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, in an interview. "There's a reason they don't 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" doesn't lead to better outcomes.

"Every heart starts back up," he said.

Temple University Hospital doesn't 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.

"Better skin incision vs. complete revascularizationwhich 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 don't 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 coststhe robot alone is about $2 millionand the ability to train surgeons to Sutter's level of expertise. Even some experienced robotic heart surgeons don't 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 trialthe gold standard of medical researchto 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.

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Dr. Chris Hakim lives in a version of the not-so-distant past.

He practices modern medicine and spends as much time as he likes with patients without issuea departure from the growing trend in health care.

"The patient is now seeing a physician who doesn't decide how much time he spends with a given patient," Hakim said. "Those things are dictated by someone else. There are guidelines to everything and they come from administration."

Over the 35 years Hakim has been working in health care, he's learned the heartbeat of good care's rhythm is the trust and relationship between patient and provider. His second 15 years practicing and running an independent practice with up to 25 employees, he saw how things were changing and adapted as best he could.

But those forces causing changes have been "turbocharged" in recent years, according to Hakim. The rheumatologist saw firsthand how some patients, particularly older ones, struggled to deal with the shifting landscape of obtaining care from people facing their own pressures in providing it.

The rise of administration has stretched physicians and encouraged private practices to join with systems that could provide infrastructure to meet new IT burdens and deal with government- and industry-sponsored plans so the physician could spend more time focusing on health again.

"Patients are witnessing the change of command here and who is in control, who is making all these decisions and it's changing the experience all around," Hakim said.

Millions of Americans stopped having a primary care provider between 2002 and 2015, according to a Harvard Medical School Researchers study completed in 2019. The sector is grappling with a wave of retirements and not enough doctors taking their placescausing an increasing reliance on a series of other health care providers with less formal training to fill that space.

They all share the drive to make people feel better, whether they are nurse practitioners or physician assistants, and they are referred to differently depending on whom you askphysician extenders to some, advanced practice providers to others. Regardless, they are stepping up to fill the breach as a shortage of primary care physicians crests as the average age of Americans continues to grow older. This means many Americans get less face-to-face time with the dwindling number of primary care doctors.

Advanced practice providers "certainly expand our capacity and allow a team to manage more patients than they would if it was just a physician by themselves," said Dr. Steve Pearman, vice president of medical operations for Sentara Medical Group.

"Things the way we used to do (them) are not going to work for us in the future," Pearman said.

The physician shortage was created by a variety of issues, from a lack of residencies despite growing medical school class sizes, more pay for specialists than primary care providers despite the debt burden of becoming one of those being similar, and other factors, he said.

One of the pressures among the physician shortage is the modern reimbursement model called fee for service, Pearman said.

"The fee for service reimbursement model creates a tension between access and capacity and the way we get paid," he said.

The transactional interaction means depending on service units times the number equals the reimbursement and primary care loses money in many ways, Pearman said.

"It's very hard for independent primary care physicians to make money in a free for service world," he said. "And many times, the solution to reducing costs is to reduce what they're paying the physician rather than focusing on things like do you really need to do other procedures or surgeries. So in that sense, there is a certain amount of pressure for physicians and APPs to see a certain number per day."

Sentara tries to find the sweet spot between volume and the necessary amount of care for a patient, he said. This also encourages systems to avoid having open spots so that they can cover their expenses and costs, but that also comes at the expense of chilling the ability of patients to see physicians the same day.

Templates exist with 15 to 20 minute slots and 30 to 40 minute slots divided by hours in the day to gauge how many patients must be seen in a day to cover expenses, he said.

"The trick is to be efficient enough to hone in on the most important things during that encounter and maybe address things outside the encounter if they pop up," Pearman said.

He said he had APPs in his primary care practice in the '90s and patients generally understood if they couldn't see him and would trust and like the APP who would provide care for them in his stead.

"This transition for patients, physicians and APPs as well, is that we want to maintain a personal relationship with them," Pearman said. However, there are visitssuch as for a prescription refillwhere an APP can see the protocol and can get it done.

"There are a lot of parts of care that we provide and we can decant on to other parts of the team to allow more time for me in the room with you when I see you, and other ways of communication back and forth," he said. "So seeing patients less often does not necessarily mean it's less personal."

Coordination of services provide different types of access meant to address people's needs, Pearman said. For example, in chronic care management, there are likely those who'd rather receive an in-depth call each month than wait six months to see a doctor face-to-face with a list of issues that have worsened in that time, according to Pearman.

"In some ways, if we do this correctly, it's going to be better and more and they'll get more touches versus less touches with one person," Pearman said.

And he agrees the trust and relationship between providers is vital for the patient and the system.

"To me, it is the crux of how primary care reduces health care costs," Pearman said.

In some states, such as California, there are value-based health contracts where reimbursements are based on effectiveness in preventing health issues, he said. The fee for service model, where reimbursements are based on services provided, is much more ubiquitous in Virginia, according to Pearman.

Insurance providers recognize the balance of costs and care for patients, according to Monica Schmude, president of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Virginia.

"If there's a limit of access to care because there's not enough providers, then certainly preventative care measures are going to be sacrificed and we're going to have more chronic conditions," Schmude said. "So there's a domino effect."

"It's critical that every patient has a relationship with a physician," she said.

Very low out of-pocket/no out-of-pocket costs is a major incentive that drives patients to physicians for preventative care and in commercial groups, build incentives as well for preventative care, according to Schmude.

"The goal here is to have 100% compliance100% of their workforce has a physician relationshipthat's the place to start," she said. "Then as a physician encounter is needed, they know where to go, they're probably less inclined to go to the emergency room for things that are less emergent and they're more inclined to call a physician's office to direct that care accordingly."

Schmude said one of Anthem's leading proposed solutions is incentivizing physicians and other providers to "practice at the top of their license." This means distributing tasks to those most qualified to do themallowing the most time for the most qualified people to complete the most complicated tasks, she said.

Additionally, Anthem sees digital platforms like the one they have that can help bridge any potential gaps in care by ensuring people are able to get the care they need quickly. However, Schmude said she considers her parents as an example of how technology is not a single solution to the issue.

Again, this is where other programs and support can be provided by insurers, like Anthem, to free up provider time for patients, she said. These wrap-around programs are more based in the community, and especially for the community, not just a technological answer, she said.

These days, Hakim has a refreshing connection with the Peninsula patient community through his work as a doctor at the Lackey Clinic in Yorktown.

"That is what people I think are seeking in this world where so much of that is slipping away," Hakim said. "And of all the places they counted on, it was going to be in their personal health care and what they thought of as a relationship-based type of interaction."

Though there are many areas, such as personal banking, where new systems have risen to reduce costs and streamline, Hakim said. But health care is one area where those kinds of changes don't just mean a minor difference of seeing an ATM versus a human bank teller.

Health care "was kind of holy space and you didn't tamper with some of that, but we're well into the process of a radical conversion there and it's very difficult, especially for older people," he said.

2023 The Virginian-Pilot.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Laboratory robots at the Healthy Oregon Project. Credit: Gregory Goh

Early genetic testing can improve cancer outcomes, but individuals often don't undergo this screening if they lack a family history or can't afford a test. A clinical laboratory team at Oregon Health & Science University is hoping to change that for residents of their state by providing free genetic screening for inherited cancer and familial hypercholesteremia to all adults with an Oregon address.

After screening over 13,000 Oregonians since 2018, the team presented their methods, findings, and lessons learned on July 27 in The American Journal of Human Genetics.

"We're hoping that this can really be used as a model for other states that want to do low-cost population screening," says first author Timothy O'Brien, a staff scientist at Knight Diagnostic Laboratories. "We've provided a kind of roadmap where up-and-coming screening programs can look at us and see both what worked and what could be improved upon."

The team recruited participants through social media ads and tabling at events like farmers markets. They even set up vending machines where individuals could retrieve and return testing kits that collected a mouthwash saliva sample. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals could request a testing kit through the mail. Once participants gave their consent through a HIPAA-compliant app, samples were processed at a clinical laboratory to screen for disease-causing variants in 31 genes related to inherited cancer and one gene related to familial hypercholesteremia.

"We wanted to report on any disease-causing variant that was deemed to be actionable, which means there's something you can do about it," says senior author Sue Richards, a Professor Emeritus of Molecular & Medical Genetics at Oregon Health & Science University. "It could be something like changing your screening habits, taking a prophylactic surgery or medication, or consulting with your clinician." Robots perform more tedious laboratory tasks at the Healthy Oregon Project. Credit: Gregory Goh

A total of 710 out of over 13,000 participants screened positive for a disease-causing variant. All participants with confirmed positive results received a call from a genetic counselor to explain their results, how the results impact their disease risk, and recommendations for medical management.

"Genetic counseling is critical to this program," says Richards. "It's not easy for the public to understand these genetic testing reports because they're fairly technical, and it's important to understand that just because they carry a disease-causing variant may not mean that they will develop that type of cancer. The counselor also talks to them not only about their own health and family history but also how they pass that information along to other family members, since they are at risk of having the variant as well."

When the laboratory team first started this project, they had to scale up the lab's genetic testing workflow to about ten times its original capacity by focusing on a select group of disease-causing variants and employing the help of robots, which performed more tedious tasks. This allowed the group to process up to 1,000 samples per month with one lab technologist at the estimated cost of $50 per participant.

To reduce the possibility of a laboratory mix-up resulting in a false positive, all participants with positive results were asked to undergo secondary screening using a different genetic sequencing method. Even so, the researchers report zero clinically relevant sample mix-ups out of the 20,000 specimens that they sequenced.

From their sequencing results, the researchers have also assembled a large repository of data that can be used to analyze the genetic risk factors of Oregon's population and conduct additional research studies. Approximately 5% of participants screened positive for a disease-causing inherited cancer variant, which was higher than several prior population-screening studies have reported and may be because people with a personal or family history of cancer were more likely to seek testing.

Lab robots at the Healthy Oregon Project. Credit: Gregory Goh

This higher-than-expected prevalence could also be because prior studies screened for a different set of genes. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) details a minimum set of genes not related to the individual's condition but recommended to analyze in those undergoing clinical testing.

However, if the researchers had only examined genes from this list, they would have missed 59% of disease-causing variants in their study population. In addition, the most common disease-causing variants detected in the study were not on ACMG's list. This highlights how expanding the range of genes being tested can have a significant impact on how many people receive positive results in large screening studies.

The team plans on continuing their screening program in the future and increasing efforts to reach a more diverse population of participants. Currently, 76% of study participants are female, so the study is looking at how to recruit more male participants. In addition, by translating their consent app into Spanish, the researchers plan on reaching more of Oregon's Spanish-speaking population.

"The overall goal of this project was really to help Oregonians and empower them with this health information," says O'Brien. "We feel like we've been able to accomplish that and hope that this continues to be a strong proponent of health for Oregonians in the future."

More information: C. Sue Richards, Population screening shows risk of inherited cancer and familial hypercholesterolemia in Oregon, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.06.014. www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(23)00239-2 Journal information: American Journal of Human Genetics
Last Friday afternoon, as the temperatures verged on 95 degrees, a visitor from central Oregon posted up in Greenough Park, down in the rocky bed of a side channel of Rattlesnake Creek where the canopy of trees cut the sunlight. Standing ankle-deep in the water in river shoes in front of a canvas resting on an easel, painter David Mensing answered questions about making art outdoors.

Does this warm, hot weather change the way you paint? a bystander asked.

If you go The artwork from the 21st annual Paint Out is on view at the Dana Gallery through the First Friday of August.

He said no, but it's visible in the final image. Earlier in the day, he was painting out in a farm area west of town, and it was so hot the sky seemed to take on a paler color.

It was not a deep blue, it was almost washed out. When you get that in a painting, itll let people know it was a hot day, he said.

Mensing was here with 11 artists as part of the Dana Gallerys 21st annual Plein Air Paint Out!, in which gallery-represented creators and guests come to western Montana to paint on site, regardless of the type of weather.

This year, the paint-out ran from last Wednesday to last Friday, wrapping up before the temperature in Missoula was projected to reach 100 or higher.

Tiffany Carpenter, the gallery manager, said the artists typically have free reign on where they go. Collectors may invite them to work on their property, where they can find vantages that may not be commonly seen. This year, a guest artist, Kathleen Arvila-Scott, had them out to her place in Wise River on Wednesday. To Mensing, the drive through Anaconda and Georgetown Lake was boundless raw material.

We couldve stopped every half mile and I couldve done about three paintings, he said.

Garth Williams, of Burley, Idaho, said Wise River was a new location, one that provided plenty of opportunities to paint water. If you head to the gallery, you can see a rare painting by one of the gallerys marquee artists, Robert Moore, that includes the figure: a man halfway through a dive into the river.

On Thursday, it was a free day, and judging from Robbie Moores painting of Trapper Peak, some people went down to the Bitterroot Valley.

Mensing stayed in Missoula, and completed a view of Mount Sentinel from along the Clark Fork River  the M is naturally visible, a cluster of trees has the sort of visual weight like an orange in a still life. Mensing was a professional architect before he became a painter full time, which felt visible in the image.

This particular painting might be the only time youll see this sort of scene and not be annoyed by the large transfer towers, which he used to visually balance the mountain itself.

On Friday, many of them spread out in Greenough Park, so members of the public could come see them at work, or work themselves. Pete Davies, a local artist and fixture of downtown who makes elaborate and often psychedelic pen drawings, was sketching along the creek bed.

Out in the elements

Lori McNee, also of Idaho, is a signature member of the Oil Painters of America, which is how she got linked up with the Dana through a show more than a decade ago, and has come out for the Paint Out! ever since.

She started the Paint Out! in the Wise River area, then set out on Old Mill Creek Road and made her way to Anaconda.

On Friday, she also set up her easel down by the creek.

The thing about plein air painting that is so fabulous is, of course it takes you into nature, and you immerse yourself in it, but it captures more, she said. A photograph flattens space, for one. Color is affected as well: The lighter tones get washed out, and the shades get too dark.

Then there's the weather.

Plein air painting is actually very challenging, because youre dealing with the elements," she said. Then there's insects. Bystanders. Light that changes as they're trying to depict it.

"When youre in the studio you dont have to deal with that, she said. You can play God, and adjust the light and temperature as you like.

Standing in the creek bed, the area appeared scenic in most any direction you looked. She said choosing a composition is a matter of instinct and paying attention to that impulse. Shell paint whatever grabs your attention, and then ask yourself why that grabbed your attention and hold onto that when you start painting, because that initial response is what you want to capture.

For her, its a contrast of shadow and light, which is why she prefers working during the transitional times of day. It lends itself to playing cool and warm colors against each other.

The Paint Out! is special for her because Montana has more wide open spaces than the tighter valleys of her home base.

For her part, shes no longer a purist, who believes the canvas should be completed on site. She's comfortable taking canvases back to the studio and finishing them with the aid of photographs.

Respite from indoors

Williams is busy with deadlines and studio work, so the Paint Out! is a respite from indoors.

He normally brings a tent canopy, so he can set up the folding plastic tables he uses in lieu of an easel. He paints flat, he said, which is enabled by his use of a palette knife instead of a brush, which results in the blocky mosaic of colors you see.

If I was really going to get into plein air painting, I would go back to my easel, smaller canvas, brushes and things like that, he said.

With his style, in the Wise River area he could paint on 15-by-30 or 18-by-24-inch canvases. He has a bucket filled with paint guns, loaded with a variety of colors. He started painting the tree line north of a shady spot, laying down some beads of primary color and then slurring them together into forms with the edge of the knife, so the green and yellow were streaked in a single mark.

I want chords of color to come through. Its like playing a piano, he said. A single note can be beautiful, but a chord sounds expansive.

Same thing here, he said. I dont want single notes coming off my paint strokes. I want chords of color.
Granite County lost its main ambulance service provider in mid-July, prompting Sheriff Scott Dunkerson to tell the public hes extremely concerned that there might be gaps in coverage.

"We've stood into a hornets nest," he said. "I've told everybody to contact the county commissioners about it."

According to a press release put out by Dunkerson, "there are times when ambulance service may not be available."

And according to an ambulance service provider in Missoula, the reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid and other insurance companies has put many rural ambulance service providers on thin financial ice.

Closure

The private company in Granite County, called Eagle Ambulance, had a station in Hall. Dunkerson said he spoke with the owner of the company and she told him that the closure had to do with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates.

"Every rural county in Montana has the same problem," Dunkerson explained. "The owner told me that was a problem. They weren't getting reimbursed what they were putting out (in expenditures), what they should have been getting reimbursed."

The county will now rely on Drummond Volunteer Ambulance, Powell County Ambulance, the Clinton Quick Response Unit and Missoula Emergency Services Inc.

A crew of local volunteers will also be relied upon.

"Efforts are moving ahead to get a Philipsburg volunteer crew put together," Dunkerson explained.

However, Dunkerson said hes concerned people might have to take loved ones to the hospital in their own vehicles if theyre located in more remote parts of the county when a crisis happens.

"I'm still worried we're gonna have gaps in coverage because our hardworking volunteers all have full-time jobs that they have to go to," he explained. "Being an EMT is a big commitment. I've been an EMT since '98 and it's not easy to keep that license. We've had good volunteer crews in the past but then they burn out and you're back to nothing again. I hope it doesn't, but that could happen again."

Dunkerson said that relying on volunteer crews is a "Band-Aid, not a solution."

"We were thankful to have Eagle Ambulance Service for as long as we did," Dunkerson said. "We're sorry they couldn't make it as a private service in the county. It's just unfortunate they couldn't make it financially."

Dunkerson said the CEO of the hospital in Philipsburg has called to offer help. He also noted that the president of the Philipsburg Ambulance Association is a "hard-charger" and will work to put a volunteer crew together.

Calls to Eagle Ambulance went to a full voicemail box and a disconnected line.

Dunkerson said his office will try to ensure people get transported when they need to.

"Unfortunately, the Sheriff's Office staff have gotten used to working with nothing prior to Eagle Ambulance being here," he said. "We've learned to make do with nothing. With not very many resources. We'll get a chopper in there, or Search and Rescue, to drag people out to the best our ability. We've learned to make do with limited resources. Dispatch is very good at trying to spin up resources."

Still, he said, people need to be aware of the situation.

"People need to be thinking about that," he said. "If you call the Sheriff's Office, we'll get people there to help. We can only do the best you can with the resources provided to us by the county."

Granite County Commissioner Chuck Hinkle said that the situation is under control.

"We're gettin' it fixed," he said. "We've got some volunteers now, we're getting it organized. We had a meeting last Friday and got the bylaws redone. I need to look at them. The Sheriff kinda took control. I think it's going to come along. We have some good people working on it, so I'm hopeful."

Hinkle said the volunteer crew system is "going to have to be a long-term solution."

"I mean, we have no choice now," he said. "We just have to make it good for 'em and encourage 'em and support 'em as much as we can, that's all we can do. We have a person that's not gonna be on the crew but who is good at organizing, and she's doing a great job. There's more enthusiastic people now than there were four or five years ago."

Still, Hinkle said the commissioners need to talk about whether they should commit funding to staff positions.

"I want the best EMS service in the state," he said.

Dunkerson said he estimated that there are roughly between two and four calls every week, on average, for an ambulance in Granite County, although the number fluctuates. His rough estimate was somewhere north of 200 calls every year.

"I've been real impressed with the volunteers," he said. "We were able to get nine volunteers put together literally like a day after this happened."

Finances

Don Whalen, the manager of Missoula Emergency Services Inc., said many people mistakenly believe that ambulance service providers get government financial support.

He said his company and other companies like Eagle Ambulance get zero tax dollars from local governments.

"So we pay taxes," he said. "We also pay the City of Missoula a $44,000 fee every year to be the ambulance service provider. So that really hurts."

The company relies on "people paying their bills," he said, and that doesn't always happen or the company doesn't always get the full amount.

"We get our revenue from private health insurance and Medicare and Medicaid," he said. "Medicare knows that they're underfunding ambulance providers and health care providers."

He said the Montana Legislature and Gov. Greg Gianforte came close to passing a bill in the last session that would have helped the situation, but it stalled when the Legislature adjourned before sending the bill with revisions back to the governor.

The situation in Granite County is unfortunate, he said.

"(The owner of Eagle Ambulance) needed help and reimbursement is the big issue," he said. "You see an ambulance go by, that doesn't mean it gets paid."

In the past, a lot of volunteer services didn't bill, he noted.

"Which was admirable," Whalen explained. "But that was with low call volumes. But now it's to the point that a lot of volunteers work in a hardware store and they have to go run off to a call. Employers are getting less and less able to do that with call volumes picking up."
A man was sentenced to three years in federal prison for violating a parenting plan, kidnapping his son and taking the child to Costa Rica.

Jacob Israel Strong, aka Jacob Israel Guill, 37, was convicted of international parental kidnapping after a trial in March. Strong is a Heron resident. On Thursday, Missoula U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen gave Strong three years of jail time to be followed by one year of supervised release, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office news release.

Strong was ordered to pay $6,948 in restitution.

After a divorce, Strong and his former wife drew up a parenting plan in 2020. In August 2021, Strong failed to return their son to his mother before a scheduled court date. The child's mother and law enforcement weren't able to contact or locate Strong for months. A warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest, according to court documents and the news release.

In January 2022 federal agents tracked Strong and his son to Costa Rica. Strong left the U.S. with his son in October 2021 near Midland, Texas, and reportedly paid a man to bring them to Costa Rica. Strong and the young child lived with the man for roughly six weeks, the news release stated.

Authorities eventually pinned down Strong's exact location, and Costa Rica law enforcement arrested him in May 2022. The mother traveled to Central America to retrieve her son.

Strongs mother also faced federal charges in connection to the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy J. Racicot and Brian C. Lowney prosecuted the case. The FBI investigated.
Authorities are investigating a suspected murder-suicide following a fight between two men at a boat launch near Eureka.

At 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Lincoln County law enforcement was sent to the Rexford Bench boat launch for a shooting, according to a Lincoln County Sheriffs Office news release. Two men were arguing while loading boats at the boat ramp, officers determined.

Oregon resident Eric Newman, 40, got into his car to back down the ramp. The second man, Christopher Foster, a 51-year-old Kalispell resident, allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Newman, according to the news release.

Foster then retreated to the parking area and was later found in his vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the news release stated.

Both men died at the crime scene, according to the sheriffs office. The press release didnt detail if there were witnesses when the shooting occurred.

The Eureka Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol agents, the U.S. Forest Service and the Eureka Volunteer Ambulance department assisted, too. Deputies and detectives are still investigating the incident.
WASHINGTON (AP)  It's a major international mystery with global consequences: Who was behind the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year in the Baltic Sea?

The answer has broad implications for European energy security but could also threaten Western unity over backing Ukraine in defending itself from Russia's invasion. Or, it might shatter Russian and Chinese attempts to fix the blame on a hypocritical West.

Yet, nearly six months after the sabotage on the Russia-to-Germany pipelines, there is no accepted explanation. And a series of unconfirmed reports variously accusing Russia, the United States and Ukraine are filling an information vacuum as investigations into the blasts continue.

A look at the pipelines and what's known about the explosions.

WHAT ARE THE NORD STREAM PIPELINES?

The pipelines, known as Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, are majority-owned by Russia's state-run energy giant Gazprom and used to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe under the Baltic to their termini in Germany.

Nord Stream 1 was completed and came online in 2011. Nord Stream 2 was not finished until the fall of 2021 but never became operational due to the launch of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

WHY ARE THEY CONTROVERSIAL?

Both pipelines bypass existing routes that go through Ukraine, meaning not only that Ukraine loses income from transit fees but is unable to directly use the gas they carry.

Of perhaps greater concern to the West, the pipelines were seen as a move by Russia to gain further, if not almost complete, control over Europe's energy supplies. Many in the West fear that Russia will use energy as a political weapon against European countries as it has done in the past with former Soviet states.

Despite those concerns and over the objections of the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations, the German government under former Chancellor Angela Merkel moved ahead with the construction of the Nord Stream 2 project. The Biden administration waived sanctions against German entities involved in Nord Stream 2 after securing a pledge from Germany that it would allow backflows of gas into Ukraine and would act to shut the pipeline down should Russia try to use it to force political concessions.

After Russia's Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, Germany withdrew permission for Nord Stream 2, which had not yet come online.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PIPELINES?

First, Gazprom halted gas flows through Nord Stream 1 on Sept. 2, 2022, citing issues related to European sanctions imposed against Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Three weeks later, both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 were hit by explosions that rendered them inoperable and caused significant leaks of gas that was idle in the pipelines. Some have said the blasts caused the worst release of methane in history, although the full extent of the environmental damage remains unclear.

The depth of the pipeline and the complexity of using underwater explosives lent credence to the idea that only a state actor with the expertise to handle such an operation could be responsible. But no one claimed responsibility.

In the immediate aftermath of the explosions, U.S. officials suggested Russia may have been to blame while Russia accused the United States and Britain of being behind them. Investigations by European nations, including Denmark, through whose waters the pipeline travels, and Germany have yet to yield conclusive results.

WHAT THEORIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED?

After months of few developments in the probes, American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, known for past exposes of U.S. government malfeasance, self-published a lengthy report in February alleging that President Joe Biden had ordered the sabotage, which Hersh said was carried out by the CIA with Norwegian assistance.

That report, based on a single, unidentified source, has been flatly denied by the White House, the CIA and the State Department, and no other news organization has been able to corroborate it. Russia, followed by China, however, leaped on Hersh's reporting, saying it was grounds for a new and impartial investigation conducted by the United Nations.

On Tuesday, though, The New York Times, The Washington Post and German media published stories citing U.S. and other officials as saying there was evidence Ukraine, or at least Ukrainians, may have been responsible. The Ukrainian government has denied involvement.

Germany's Die Zeit newspaper and German public broadcasters ARD and SWR reported that investigators believed that five men and a woman used a yacht hired by a Ukrainian-owned company in Poland to carry out the attack. German federal prosecutors confirmed that a boat was searched in January but have not confirmed the reported findings.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THOSE FOUND RESPONSIBLE?

The implications of a determination that Ukraine was behind the explosions are not entirely clear. It's unlikely it would result in an immediate loss of Western support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, but it might dampen enthusiasm for future assistance if it was found that Ukraine or its agents carried out such an operation in European waters.

A determination that the United States or a proxy was responsible would give Russia and China additional leverage to go after the U.S. and its allies as hypocrites in their demands for the rule of the law, sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected.

A finding that Russia was behind the explosions would lend weight to Western claims that Moscow is in flagrant breach of international law and willing to use energy as a weapon against Europe.

There is no indication of when the European investigations will be complete  and it seems improbable, given the animosity and mistrust surrounding the Ukraine conflict, that its findings will be universally accepted.

___

Photos: In Ukraine, searing images capture a year of war
Montana has a long history of wealthy corporations, organizations and individuals using their deep pockets to direct the outcome of elections in our state, dating back to the early Copper Kings of Butte. And in response, Montana voters have continuously fought to reign in campaign spending by special interests.

In 1912, we passed the Corrupt Practices Act by initiative  banning corporate campaign contributions. Exactly 100 years later, even as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that law, voters overwhelmingly passed Initiative I-166, in further opposition to corporate spending in elections. And in 2015, I helped build support for Gov. Bullocks Montana Disclose Act, to strengthen our campaign finance reporting system. Yet, efforts to influence elections in Montana by well-funded, special-interest groups continue today. And now it has invaded local municipal elections in Missoula.

That is why I recently filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner of Political Practices about a new political committee called, Missoula Mayor  a entity almost entirely funded by the powerful National Association of Realtors. The committee was set up to support local real estate agent and City Council member Mike Nugent, who is running to be the next mayor of Missoula. To date, this national real estate lobbying group has contributed $125,000 to the committee, with the Missoula Organization of Realtors adding another $10,000. To put it in perspective, this is as much money as all five mayoral candidates have raised, combined.

An independent expenditure of this magnitude is unheard of in municipal elections in Montana, and it threatens to overwhelm the voices of local Missoula residents. No matter who you support for mayor, you should be concerned about this attack on democracy and our community by a powerful, special interest.

Its bad enough that a national organization is trying to pick our next mayor. Even more insidiously, the real estate lobby groups are doing so behind this shell committee they created that conceals the extent of their involvement. Take the Nugent for Mayor billboard on Orange Street. When we drive by, we see (if we can even read the fine print) that it was paid for by the vaguely-named Missoula Mayor. But without searching through filings in a state database, we would never know that Missoula Mayor is actually a front for the real estate lobby, or that its officers are staff and board of Missoula Organization of Realtors  the local chapter of the national group. This is a classic example of what has become known as dark money. The Realtors apparently want to hide their electioneering activity in support of Mr. Nugent from Missoula voters. Why? We dont know that either, but its logical to assume that anyone spending this kind of money on a local election expects to gain something if and when their candidate wins.

The National Association of Realtors spent $81 million lobbying last year, making it the largest lobby group in the U.S. In 2010, they spent over a million dollars in Montana on a successful ballot initiative campaign to ban real estate transfer taxes  a commonly-used funding source for affordable housing. More recently, the association is under a multi-billion-dollar class-action lawsuit for its rules that artificially inflate home sales commissions paid by sellers.

Big, dark money from deep-pocketed, powerful industry groups like this is extremely damaging to democracy. As in this case, the amounts spent often dwarf what candidates can raise and what local citizens can afford to donate, effectively drowning out local voices. Elections dominated by big money results in an increasingly cynical electorate and declines in voter participation, as the public comes to believe that their voices do not matter. And thats not just bad for democracy, but for us as community. Missoulians should make clear to all candidates on the ballot this fall  and any Realtors you happen to knowthat spending by powerful, outside special interests is unacceptable in our local elections.
We dont know how the war in Ukraine will end, but some day and somehow there will be some kind of conclusion.

What then?

What seems most likely now is that the war will become a war of attrition with both sides digging trenches, holding on defensively and neither able to make significant gains. The war could go on for many years without a definite conclusion, with neither Russia nor Ukraine being willing to call an end to the fighting.

However, writes Rand Corporation commentator Brian Michael Jenkins, The battles come closer to the kind of trench warfare seen in World War I  a situation that favors the Russians who, because of larger numbers, are more able and apparently willing to accept high casualties for limited gains. However, some military observers believe the losses on both sides will be unsustainable, and that 2023 will be the decisive year.

Another possibility is that Russias nightly attacks on Ukraines civilian infrastructure will finally undermine the countrys will to continue the fight. But the example of Britains holding out during Germanys nightly bombing blitz shows that such damaging tactics do not necessarily break the will of the victim nation.

But if the U.S. and NATO nations, for some reason, reduce support, the Ukrainian efforts might be undermined which could lead to Russia prevailing.

However, as Jenkins points out, Regardless, any of these would be, for the Russians, a pyrrhic victory. While Russia could occupy Ukraine, it may never be able to pacify the Ukrainians. A highly motivated underground resistance could continue for years.

What about a negotiated settlement? Maybe someday, but the parties are so far apart, it seems unlikely. In March 2022, Putin set out conditions for ending the war: Ukraine would have to be a neutral country and not join NATO. It would recognize the independence of the Russian-backed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and recognize Crimea as Russian. It would, according to Jenkins, have to demilitarize and surrender any weapons that constituted a threat to Russia; Ukraine would have to be de-Nazified, meaning a change of regime to one acceptable to Russia; and Russia would have to become an official second language in Ukraine.

These are not acceptable by Ukraine, even as a starting point.

Ukraine conditions for peace are similarly unacceptable to Russia. These include, according to Jenkins, an end to hostilities and withdrawal of Russian forces; the restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity; Russian withdrawal from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant; an end to Russian interference with Ukraines food exports; the return of all POWs and civilians, including children, who have been forcibly deported to Russia; and the creation of a special tribunal to assess reparations owed to Ukraine. Kyiv has also stated that Russian war criminals must be punished, that sanctions on Russia should continue, and that Russia must be punished for its invasion by stripping it of its seat (and thus veto power) on the United Nations Security Council.

What about a coup to overthrow Vladimir Putin? The short rebellion of the Wagner forces raised the hopes of coup plotters, but Jenkins says it seems improbable. Nikita Khrushchev was the only Soviet leader to have been removed from power, and that occurred because there were other powerful actors in the Kremlin. Today, there is no similar politburo, indeed no functioning government institutions that might challenge Putins rule.

Whatever the end game for this war, the Atlantic community and the Western world will miss the benefits of the great contributions Russia could make if it were a part of that community. The country has great potential in intellectual firepower, industrial strength, and artistic talents. Sadly, it appears that these potentials seem destined to be wasted.
In a recent Standard editorial, Gillian Richards argues that the decline in religion hurts self-government and that America needs to return to its religious (Christian) roots. For her, religion is the bulwark of public morality and self-government.

As we see today, when religious dogma is imposed on all through law, democracy withers.

Her argument that the Founders of the American republic wanted a fusion of religion and politics is specious. Jefferson, Adams, Washington, Madison, Hamilton and Franklin constantly and consistently argued that the merging of religion and politics was inimical to democracy.

Historically, the Founders were well aware of the dreadful consequences when religion dominated politics. Their solution to the theologico-political problem was total separation of church and state. That is why John Adams maintained that the Government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion. James Madison argued that there was grave danger in mixing religion and government  a danger to self-government.

The argument for political secularism is not just historical but is fundamentally based on the innate hostility between organized, institutionalized religion and democratic government. One can search the pages of history in vain for an example of a theocracy that was also democratic. When the Emperor Constantine created the modern institution of the Catholic Church, religion and politics became wedded to the detriment of democracy. It is only when religion is separated from government that democracy has a chance.

Why is there this fundamental antagonism?

Although, as the Pew Foundation has found, America is less religious than in the past, religion is still important in American life. Of those who believe, the tendency is to be intolerant of those with divergent political views. Some 31% of Americans are religious traditionalists who hold that there is only one correct position on political issues and that Christian dogma, rules and values should be enacted into law. They believe the Bible should determine law. For 41% of the American electorate, religion is the most important factor in determining their opinion on social issues, according to the Pew Forum. These traditionalists dominate one political party.

The religious view of truth is absolute, unchanging. Religious truth is discerned and discovered rather than produced through public debate and discussion. This religious truth is imparted to the faithful by authoritarian leaders and is accepted without any understanding or evidence. It is the source of the truth that makes the truth for the religious.

For the believer in democracy, political truth exists in the realm of the probable and the contingent. It is not a certain fixed truth. The source does not validate the opinion which must be subjected to public critical analysis.

For the strongly religious, the truth must be imposed on all if necessary. Error has no political rights and the truth comes from religion. Religious truth is self-certified or certified by authority.

For the believer in democracy, political truth is created through the process of free public deliberation and all are entitled to freely participate. Political truth must be publicly verified. For example, minority rights rest on tolerance of diversity and diverging views. If, as the traditionalists believe, political truth is absolute, why grant those who do not agree any rights at all; they are in error and error should be suppressed.

The religious viewpoint values obedience to authority, orthodoxy, and conformity. The democratic perspective emphasizes freedom of thought and expression, spontaneity, personal freedom, the value of diversity, freedom of conscience and inquiry. Public morality doesnt depend on religion. Governments purpose is to protect these innate human rights, not impose a stifling orthodoxy on society. One need look no further than Helena or Washington to see the pernicious effect of religion determining policy for all. There is no such source and cause of strife, quarrel, fights, malignant opposition, persecution, and war, and all evil in the state, as religion.  Weiss v. District Board  Wisconsin Supreme Court.

When religion and politics mix neither is well-served. While any attempt to limit religious political speech should be resisted as an abrogation of free speech, supporters of democracy must be constantly vigilant when political debate is phrased in religious terms. All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty.  Henry Clay
ANACONDA  Hikers sat at two dining tables or milled about the hostel. They swapped stories, pondered pack weights, compared favored stretches of trail, lamented nagging aches or bouts of road walking. They laughed often.

And the hikers described an intoxicating feeling of freedom, one absent the often nagging and numbing responsibilities of the everyday working life. Many described stunning scenery in Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

M. Saxton, 31, trail name Gorf, said hiking is both mentally and physically challenging but fundamentally freeing because it is focused on self-reliant living in and with nature.

Senses sharpen. Landscapes thrill.

The day before, Saxton set a personal record by hiking 34 miles.

To reach Anaconda, a favored resupply spot for many along the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail, trekkers choose the Anaconda Cutoff alternative and endure miles of road hiking.

The hikers routinely expressed gratitude for the hospitality experienced in Anaconda. The Anaconda Trail Society has outfitted a Hiker Hut in Washoe Park with loaner bicycles, lockers, a microwave, Wi-Fi, refrigerator and more. Trail Angels offer free rides to grocery stores, the brewery and trailheads.

Tylor Oliver, 29, landed the trail name Stake after accidentally driving a tent peg into his foot. His solo hike south began June 24 after two friends backed out. He has joined other hikers at times.

Weve been through a lot of towns, not as friendly as Anaconda, not as nice, Oliver said.

Tom Simerville, 26, trail name Peacock, hails from Sewanee, Tennessee. He wore a cap bearing the porcine logo of the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain, which traces its roots to Memphis.

Its nice to have the Hiker Hut, Simerville said. I think anytime a community has a place that is very welcoming, very safe, I think it helps hikers be more respectful to a town and the people who live there.

Daisuke Ito, trail name Goat, began his southbound trek along the spine of the Rocky Mountains in late June.

Like many southbounders this summer on the Continental Divide Trail, Ito launched from the storied Chief Mountain, a sacred mountain said to both defy and define boundaries.

On July 18, Ito, from Kyoto, Japan, shared a meal with more than two dozen fellow trail denizens at the Pintlers Portal Hostel in Anaconda. The meal was free to hikers on the Continental Divide Trail. Appetites tended toward ravenous.

Steve and Marsha Hill, owners of the hostel, kept the food coming for hours. They served grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for meat eaters and alternative fare for non-carnivores.

The Hills said they savor hearing hikers stories.

A trio from the Anaconda Trail Society participated in the dinner Dave and Robin McKernan and Alex Leone.

Seated nearby, Isaac Young, an officer in the British Army, said he would soon abandon this maiden adventure on the trail because military duty beckoned.

Nearly all hikers interviewed hope to complete the trail, which stretches between the Canadian and Mexican borders.

All but Young were southbound, although some had started northbound in mid-April but been thwarted by deep snows in Colorado. They flip-flopped, traveled to Chief Mountain and began again.

Among this group were Jen and Zack Stockbridge from Trinidad, Colorado. Jen, 49, trail name Kismet, and Zack, 45, trail name Beekeeper, were booting it toward Anaconda on Highway 48 before pausing for shade at an access site for the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area.

The Stockbridges said theyd hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail in years past and are hoping to triple crown by completing the Continental Divide Trail. They had left the main trail to take the Anaconda Cutoff, hiked down the dirt-and-gravel Dry Cottonwood Road and then hit pavement.

Hiking companion Paul Lasley, 28, trail name Rick Flair, also flip-flopped.

The trio was clearly hot and weary of hiking roads with no shoulder. But when offered a ride to Anaconda for the hostel dinner and shelter, they declined. They planned to suck it up and walk, accompanied by trail mascot Hawkeye, a stuffed animal raptor.

Its a great privilege to be able to be out here, but its also a lot of work, said Jen Stockbridge.

Oliver, from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a community famous for its soul-stirring music studio, said he had always wanted to tackle a major trek. He saw that the Continental Divide Trail routes through Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Yellowstone National Park.

Oliver said the choice was clear.
MUSCATINE  Only a few hours after the RAGBRAI cyclists pull out of Muscatine, another visitor will be arriving on the Mississippi riverfront for a short stay in town.

For the second time in as many weeks, the American Countess will dock in Muscatine. It will be the second of three visits this year after Muscatine was named a docking point for American Queen Steamboat Company. The lower boat launch and the parking area downriver from the Iowa Avenue entrance to Riverside Park in Muscatine will be closed to the public, beginning at noon Saturday.

The area will reopen to the public at 1 p.m. Sunday. Tours and boat rides wont be offered. Those wishing to see the boat from the shore can come to the riverfront between 8 a.m. and noon Sunday.

If people want to come down and see the boat, there will be stores open on Sunday morning as well as restaurants. said Rebecca Paulsen, vice president of operations and tourism for the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. If they want to do some shopping or get something to eat, that would be a great morning in downtown Muscatine.

The paddle-wheeler is one of the newest ships in the fleet, having been launched on March 21, 2021. It is 318 feet long and 79 feet wide with four decks. It has 123 staterooms and a capacity of 245 passengers.

The countess also docked in Muscatine on July 16. Another ship is scheduled to dock on the riverfront Sept. 10. More dates are expected to be scheduled in 2024, but Paulsen said the dates havent been announced yet.

It was great, Paulsen said of the July 16 visit. The guests had a lovely time and enjoyed all the stops. I heard nothing but positive comments about Muscatine.

During the visit, guests will be taken by tour bus to three main stops in Muscatine  the Art Center, Environmental Learning Center, and Pearl Button Museum.

In October 2022, the American Queen made a test stop before Muscatine was added to the landing list. During the test, 350 visitors disembarked. Industry standards say that each visitor spends about $125. Vicksburg, Mississippi, reports that since 2018, the American Duchess and sister ship American Queen have brought more than $2 million to the local economy, according to an article in the Vicksburg Post.

Paulsen said tickets on the boats were about $3,000 each and the visitors likely would be in their 70s and well-traveled.
MUSCATINE  U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, of Iowa, this week visited the site of the Mulberry Health Clinic.

We are deeply grateful for Congresswoman Miller-Meeks championing this cause and advocating for expanded and improved patient equity and care in Muscatine County, said Jamie Leza, Vice President, Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine of Mondays visit.

Miller-Meeks was first connected to the project in 2022, when the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine submitted a proposal for federal funding, regarding plans for what eventually would become the Mulberry Health Clinic.

Having stated an interest in strengthening rural health care access and equity within Muscatine County, Miller-Meeks showed her support for the project and, in July 2022, the Community Foundation received word that the Appropriations Committee had selected the Mulberry Health Clinic proposal for inclusion in the FY23 Appropriations Bill. It was then signed into law in December.

Improving access to health care was identified as a need and priority in our community, and her support has helped provide us with the resources needed to move the project forward, Leza said.

During her visit, in addition to speaking with local leaders, Miller-Meeks was updated on Russell Constructions progress, regarding on-site activity. She also toured UnityPoint Health  Trinity Muscatine hospital, getting to see its recent improvements in-person as well as learning how the hospital and the new clinic will work in tandem.

As stated by the Mulberry Health Clinic team, the project will be three floors and 42,000 square feet. Much of the $20 million budget for the clinic has been raised, and at this time the project is expected to take 18 months to complete. It is expected to open in fall 2024.

For more information on the Mulberry Health Clinic project, residents can visit www.givinggreater.org/clinic.
ODESA, Ukraine  Tetiana Khlapova's hand trembled as she recorded the wreckage of Odesa's devastated Transfiguration Cathedral on her cellphone and cursed Russia, her native land.

Khlapova was raised in Ukraine and had always dreamed of living in the seaside city. But not as the war refugee that she has become.

In only a week, Russia has fired dozens of missiles and drones at the Odesa region. None struck quite as deeply as the one that destroyed the cathedral, which stands at the heart of the city's romantic, notorious past and its deep roots in both Ukrainian and Russian culture.

Russia refused to speak Wednesday at a U.N. Security Council meeting called to discuss Moscows devastating attacks in Odesa in a confrontation at a council session on the divided Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

"I am a refugee from Kharkiv. I endured that hell and came to sunny Odesa, the pearl, the heart of our Ukraine," said Khlapova, who has lived in the country for 40 of her 50 years.

Her neck still has a shrapnel scar from the third day of the war, when her apartment was hit. On Day 4, she fled to Odesa.

Now, she's making a quick trip back to her place in Kharkiv to grab winter clothes so she can wait out the war in Ireland, "because here we are not protected for a single second, in any city."

"At any moment, you can just be hit and your whole body will be torn apart," she said. "After the war ends  and I believe that Ukraine will defeat this filth, these vampires  I will come back home. I will return, no matter what."

Ever since Ukraine gained independence from Moscow in 1991, Odesa viewed itself differently than the country's other major cities because of its long, conflicted history and an outlook that stretched far beyond its borders.

Odesa's past is intertwined with some of Russia's most revered figures, including Catherine the Great, author Leo Tolstoy and poet Anna Akhmatova.

Its ports were key to last year's international agreement that let Ukraine and Russia ship their grain to the rest of the world. Its Orthodox cathedral belongs to Moscow's patriarchate. Its residents largely speak Russian. And  at least until the Kremlin illegally annexed the nearby Crimean Peninsula in 2014  its beaches were beloved by Russian tourists.

In the war's early weeks, rumors seeded by Kremlin propaganda flew around the city: Moscow would never hit the historic center, the mayor had loaded a boat filled with roses to greet Russian soldiers, a silent majority of residents were waiting for a Russian "liberation."

They were false.

"To this day, if you read and monitor Russian channels, all of them are absolutely convinced that we are waiting for them here," said Hanna Shelest, a political and security researcher raised in Odesa whose father is a harbormaster.

Odesa's regional infrastructure was hit repeatedly by Russia over the winter, unlike its port, which was key to the Black Sea Grain Initiative that allowed agricultural products to be shipped safely from both countries to feed people around the world.

The region's silos were full when Russia pulled out of the agreement in mid-July. Missiles and drones struck the next day, taking aim at storage sites, transportation infrastructure and random buildings. Ukraine's air defenses deflected most of the hits, but every day a handful made it through.

Last week's attacks marked the first time Odesa's historic city center was hit since the war started.

Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov was unequivocal in a furious video message directed to Russians after Sunday's strike on the cathedral, showing rescue workers carefully removing a damaged icon from the ruins.

"If you only knew how much Odesa hates you. Not only hates you. Despises you. You're fighting small children, the Orthodox church. Your rockets even fall on cemeteries," he said. "You must hardly know us Odessans. You will not break us, just make us angrier."

Another missile crashed into the House of Scientists, a mansion that once belonged to the Tolstoy family and was transformed into an institution to unite scholars and researchers. A third hit administrative and apartment buildings.

The targets were within 200 yards of the port. Shelest believes the cathedral was hit by accident, but that's little consolation amid the destruction.

Since Catherine the Great transformed Odesa into an international seaport in 1794, the city's identity has as its foundations the sea, cosmopolitan tolerance and an innate sense of humor. It had one of Europe's largest concentrations of Jews, who before a series of pogroms made up about a quarter of the population, and large communities of Greek and Italian sailors whose descendants remain to this day.

A week of attacks shook those foundations for Iryna Grets, who counts at least three generations of family in the city.

"Every morning, I go to the sea, to witness the sunrise. But today, I didn't have the strength to go to the sea because we didn't sleep all night. You see, we haven't been sleeping all week," said Grets, who decided instead to visit each site bombarded on Sunday.

She started at the cathedral, at the center of life in Odesa. The original structure was destroyed under Josef Stalin in 1936 as part of his campaign against religion. When Ukraine gained independence, residents took up a fund to restore it to its original condition. In 2010, the new building was consecrated by Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Kirill, whose church has aligned itself with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has since repeatedly justified the war in Ukraine.

"Each rocket that today arrives on the territory of Ukraine is perceived by its inhabitants as your 'blessing' on their children," Archbishop Viktor Bykov, the vicar of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's Odesa Diocese, wrote in an open letter to Kirill.

The bitter pilgrimage by Grets had less to do with religion than with mourning, and many others made the same trip on Sunday. Some attended a service outside the damaged cathedral. Even more came to clear debris, instead of enjoying the famed beaches despite the beckoning summer sun.

"This is my city, it's a part of me, it's my soul, it's my heart," Grets said.

Then, fury overcoming her, she abruptly switched to Ukrainian: "Odesa will never be part of Russia."

Photos: Russia bombards Ukraine's port city of Odesa, hitting beloved historic sites
A Nairobi-based hawker has been charged with raping his housemates friend and injuring a police officer during his arrest.

Ben Marita Mokema allegedly raped the woman, SM, on July 18 inside a house he shares with his roommate in Fuata Nyayo slums in South B, Nairobi.

According to a police report presented in court, SM had reached out to Mokema trying to get in touch with his roommate because she needed to retrieve an item that he had borrowed from her.

The accused told her that the roommate had already left the house but the item was still in their house. He suggested that she could come and collect it, and since SM was unfamiliar with the directions to the house, they agreed upon a meeting point.

They proceeded to the residence together but upon arrival, the accused locked the door with a padlock. He then brandished a knife and threatened SM before sexually abusing her.

According to SMs statement to the police, she claimed that she screamed for help but Mokema was playing loud music, obstructing the neighbors from hearing her cries.

She alleged that Mokema sexually assaulted her on two occasions before locking her inside the house and leaving. He later returned and subjected her to a third sexual assault.

Mokemas housemate later came back to the house with a woman and found SM inside, with the accused claiming that she was his girlfriend.

The two men went outside, leaving the two women alone in the house. During this time, SM informed the other woman about the sexual assault.

The second woman lent SM her phone so that she could contact her husband for help. However, before she could make the call, Mokema returned to the house.

Afterward, the woman left the house with Mokemas housemate, leaving SM alone with the suspect once again.

According to court documents, SM later managed to escape and sought her relatives who accompanied her to the police post to report the incident. From there, they proceeded to the hospital for medical attention.

Upon receiving the report, police officers from Mariguini police post went to arrest Mokema on the same day. They included Corporal Stephen Njoka, and police constables Olivia Chonde and Lilian Nyamboke.

However, the situation escalated when the suspect resisted arrest and became violent.

During the commotion, the accused injured one of the police officers. Neighbors had to intervene and assist the officers in subduing and apprehending him.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Francis Kyambia at the Makadara law courts, Ben Marita Mokema denied the charges.

The prosecution counsel, Cosmas Kyambia, urged the court to remand MMokema at the Industrial Area police station, as he is also wanted for another offense.

The court granted the accused a bond of Sh100, 000. The magistrate scheduled the next mention of the case for July 31, while the trial date has been set for January 17, 2024.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, in collaboration with the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship project (KIEP), has launched a new platform called iTATU (ideate, innovate, and implement).

This platform is designed to be student-centric and aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry. The goal of iTATU is to encourage students to ideate, innovate, and implement their ideas, facilitating the development of entrepreneurial skills and promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Kenya.

Through iTATU, colleges and universities can partner with companies to work on specific product development initiatives. The goal is to provide students with real-world experience and exposure to industry needs while offering companies access to fresh ideas and innovative solutions from young talents.

The Ministry of Investment has partnered with the Maastricht School of Management to help innovators get access to network mentorships to enable them to become new entrepreneurs and intellectual property protection for co-benefit sharing.

State Department for Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana said the Universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges have a mandate to conduct research while pointing out that the majority of the research is not commercialized.

The PS spoke Tuesday in a speech read on his behalf by the State Department for Industrys Secretary of Administration Karanja Njora, during the launch of the iTATU platform held at Nairobi Garage Promenade in Westlands.

Dr Mukhwana said there is a need to develop a model that can have a self-sustaining industry for an academic platform.

This will drive open innovations models where the industries are able to post their challenges and invite the students to innovate, as well as set them on a path of creating sustainable entrepreneurship pathways, stated Dr Mukhwana.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted Kenyas ambition to achieve global competitiveness by adopting a bottom-up economic transformation agenda. He pointed out that the partnership between academia and industry will be a driving force behind innovations, the development of new products, and enhanced industrial competitiveness.

The world is at the point of a significant shift in how economies are organised and driven by two key megatrends, which is, the drive for sustainability through adopting green manufacturing known as Green and the 4th industrial revolution (industry 4.0) that advances the use of artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing and genetic engineering.

World Bank representative Sameer Goyaal said that the World Bank started the project in 2019 but was slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country is still recovering from the pandemic that paralysed this initiative that we started long ago but is now gaining momentum, said Goyaal.

He said students have fertile ideas that can transform into technology that will in turn and make them innovators and entrepreneurs in this competitive world of business.

Goyaal added, These innovative ideas develop how changes lead to sustainable development thereby making the students and innovators futuristic in nature.
Jomo Kenyattas firearm license has been protected by the High Court, which has prevented the Firearms Licensing Board from revoking it.

The son of former President Uhuru Kenyatta had moved to court with a petition contesting the governments intention to withdraw his firearm license. He sued the chief licensing officer, the Firearms Licensing Board, and the Attorney General arguing that his constitutional rights would be infringed unless the case was promptly heard.

Jomo submitted that police officers visited his residence at Windy Ridge in Karen on Friday, July 21, and verbally instructed him to surrender his firearms. He claims that this decision was made without adhering to the proper process outlined in the Firearms Act.

Jomo also mentioned that his license is valid up to April next year.

The unilateral decision by the 1st and 2nd respondents to arbitrarily withdraw or revoke the applicants license is illegal and ultra vires since the 1st respondent does not have the authority to unilaterally and arbitrarily withdraw the license without following the set out procedure, he said through Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia.

In his petition, Jomo argued that the governments failure to notify him about the intended withdrawal of his firearms license has deprived him of a fair hearing. He asserts that he was not provided with any opportunity to present his case.

He asked the courts permission to challenge the plans to withdraw his firearms license, emphasizing the importance of following the due process.

RELATED: Uhuru  My Son Has No Interest in Guns, Forced To Arm Himself After Security Withdrawn

The grounds upon which a firearm license can be revoked are provided in section 5(7) of the Firearms Act, which when read with section 7 (2) (a) (v) of the fair administrative action act, cannot be invoked without being afforded an opportunity to be heard, Jomo said.

Justice Jairus Ngaah barred the State from revoking Jomos licence and issued an order stopping the agency from demanding that John Jomo surrenders his firearm without following the due process of law.

Leave is, therefore, granted in terms of prayer 2 and 3 of the summons. FJomoor purposes of preservation of the substratum of the suit, leave granted shall operate as stay of 1st and 2nd respondents decision seeking to revoke the applicants firearm license or demanding surrender of firearm licence no 0000530 or the firearm held under that licence without following the due process as set out in the Firearms Act, Justice Ngaah ruled.

The court said the case will be heard by way of written submissions.

Jomo is to file his submissions within seven days and the respondents within seven days of service.

In view of the impending August/September recess, parties will highlight their submissions in the new term, Ngaah said.

The case will proceed on September 27.
A man arrested in possession of Cannabis has informed the court that he consumes the outlawed plant because it provides him with some relief in his private parts.

Njoroge Chege was found with 100 grams of marijuana worth Sh2,000 on July 22 in Ngara within Nairobi. He appeared before Kibera chief magistrate Ann Mwangi and was charged with contravening the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance act contrary to the law.

Mr Chege pleaded guilty to possessing weed and asked the court for leniency. He explained that he suffers from a peculiar disease on his private parts and that smoking cannabis is the only means that brings him relief from the stress caused by this ailment.

I have some diseases that affected my private parts. Smoking bhang created some relief for me. I am very sorry and apologetic your honour, he said.

Chege however did not disclose the specific details of the ailment affecting his private parts during his court appearance. He expressed remorse promising to change his habits.

The prosecution informed the court that Njoroge Chege had no prior records of the said offense. However, despite his clean record, the prosecution urged the court to impose a tough sentence.

The magistrate ruled that Njoroge either pays a fine of Sh20,000 or serve six months in jail if he defaults on the payment.
Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi held a series of meetings with senior officials of the World Food Programme (WFP), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Italy to explore areas of collaboration in the empowerment of the youth in Kenya.

Pastor Dorcas said that it was unfortunate that the country with an energetic and willing huge population of young people, approximately 60%, was not actively involved in contributing to the countrys economy through business, entrepreneurship and white-collar jobs. She added that the creation of jobs for the youth was a key priority area for the Kenya Kwanza Government.

These worrying numbers include hundreds of others lost in alcohol, drug and substance abuse; a targeted group by the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP) for rehabilitation, rescuing them from the streets and making them economic drivers for the nation.

She discussed a multiplicity of issues on how to address inequality for all genders by addressing hunger, malnutrition, environmental agriculture, and rural poverty. This was on the sidelines of the United Nations Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment, which she attended together with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The youth and vulnerable are an enormous population, and a game changer in the economy, investment and environment, she said.

She also expressed concern about the ageing population of a farmer in Kenya saying The average age of a farmer is 67 years, and this shows the need to involve the youth more in agriculture through innovation and smart agriculture.

She, therefore, called on partnerships and facilitation through grants and sponsorships to get rid of the ignorance among the youth towards agriculture.

I have included agribusiness in the rehabilitation centre plan for the boy child to also help the bulging youth population know they can earn much more from agriculture than white collar jobs.

The youth can be drivers for environmental, food security issues and contribute to the economy. They are our best bet, and a good investment, because they are energetic and willing but this must be coupled with decent wages and returns, and creating markets. And as this conference intends, we must prepare our youth through proper financing and structures, to have our youth go back to the farms and be local producers, said Pastor Dorcas.

The Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) shared a working model involving the youth, state and non-state actors that works towards environmental agriculture, climate change and creating jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Green Jobs for Youth, currently happening in Zimbabwe, uses an approach of looking where there is a high need for jobs that are related to the changing climate, where mapping is carried out in both the private or public sector. The initiative includes training, support, and mentorship into entrepreneurship or white-collar jobs, said Lauren Phillips of FAO.

Juan Carlos Mendoza, IFAD, Director Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division said they had created agribusiness hubs in different parts of Africa where they linked the youth with actual agribusiness companies that have operations in rural areas.

In the agribusiness hubs, the youth are trained and connected to jobs. We also train entrepreneurs and facilitate them through micro-grants, said Mendoza.

In addition, Pastor Dorcas called on the world not to leave any gender behind in the different empowerment initiatives saying, A family is everything, and there is no gender that can advance a cause without another.

Senior Gender Officer, FAO, Clara Mi Young Park said they were continuously engaging in gender transformative approaches that involve men and boys more in the process of change and transformation, and rebalancing relationships and overcoming stereotypes that keep boys and girls from societal, family and community expectations that do not open wider opportunities for them to engage in their productive lives.

By Office of The Spouse of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya(OSDP)
Africa must strategically invest in its workforce if it is to grow.

President William Ruto said the continent is presented with gifted human capital that can drive its transformation.

He noted that Africa must fix itself in a lane that will see the exploitation of the skilled, educated and productive manpower.

This move, he explained, will sustainably accelerate the continents economic growth.

We must  jointly with other countries and partners design a sound framework that will consciously nurture and invest in human capital that yields high returns.

He said he was convinced that if Africa pursues the right mix and sequence of policies, it will overcome traditional and emerging crises.

But we will also have a chance to transform our population explosion and youth bulge into a demographic dividend, he argued.

The President said this will help position Africa as the young, green continent of the future and the global driver of a new industrial revolution.

He was speaking on Wednesday at The Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar Es Salaam during the Africa Heads of State Summit on Human Capital.

Under the theme: Accelerating Africas Economic Growth: Boosting Youth Productivity by Improving Learning and Skills, the event was hosted by President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu.

It sought to reactivate the timely investments in education and health to drive productivity, stimulate jobs creation and unlock Africas immense untapped economic potential.

Presidents Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Julius Maada (Sierra Leone), Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Carlos Vila Nova (Sao Tome and Principe), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Prime Ministers Gervais Ndirakobuca (Burundi), Felix Moloua (Central African Republic), Hamza Abdi Barre (Somalia), Vice Presidents Jessica Rose Epel Alupo (Uganda), Mutale Nalumango (Zambia), World Bank Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa Victoria Kwakwa, among others, were present.

President Suluhu asked Africa to amplify investments in social services such as education and health to improve productivity.

She said there was a danger of the continent being occupied by the crises it is facing and overlook investments in key areas such as the workforce.

Yet, this is Africas greatest asset; hardworking, multi-talented and industrious.
Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has faulted the courts for issuing a warrant of arrest against her over a Sh14.5 billion tax evasion case.

On Wednesday, a Milimani law court issued the arrest warrant after the former Keroche Breweries CEO failed to appear for the hearing of the case.

Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu noted that Tabitha Karanja was aware of the proceedings but chose to stay away.

The accused person knew that the matter was listed for hearing and failed to show up. I hereby discharge the two witnesses in court today and proceed to issue a warrant of arrest against the accused person, the ruling read in part.

But Karanja claims that both Keroche and the Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA) were not aware. She faulted the court over a lack of coordination and communication.

She argued that both parties were still locked in an out-of-court settlement process as sanctioned by the court in April. At the time, the court gave the parties 45 days to resolve the matter.

I am shocked and disappointed at this development. We were not represented in Court due to the fact that the Kenya Revenue Authority and Keroche Breweries are currently engaged in an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process as ordered by the same court. The first meeting was held on June 6th 2023 and the process is ongoing, Tabitha said.

Adding: Both ourselves and KRA have no information to the contrary. It is critical that these important ADR processes are not undermined by lack of coordination and communication by the various authorities charged with managing this matter.

The senator is currently out on bond after denying 10 counts relating to failure to remit Sh14.5 billion tax arrears to the commissioner of exercise duty. The charges are linked to the money arising from declared production volumes of manufactured beer.

The DPP has since withdrawn charges against Tabithas husband, Joseph Karanja, due to his health condition.
Last summer, the California Department of Justice accidentally published the personal information of roughly 192,000 firearm owners to the open internet. Gun owners protested; Attorney General Rob Bonta apologized and launched an investigation.

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But perhaps the most surprising aspect of the leak is that the data existed in the first place.

California is the epicenter of American gun violence research, largely because it maintains an extensive repository of firearms data and, unlike other states, has historically made much of the data available to scientists studying the root causes of gun deaths.

A lawsuit brought by gun-rights activists now threatens that longstanding data infrastructure. And although the federal government began funding gun-violence research again in 2019, following a two-decade drought, that funding is under threat from House Republicans, who have vowed to kill it.

Scientists have only begun to understand the factors that put Americans at risk of firearm injury. The double blow of ending federal funding and cutting off researchers' access to California's data could set the field back years.

Researchers would have to scrape by on grants from private entities and limited state funding. Academics might move away from the work, said Garen Wintemute, who directs a gun violence research center at UC Davis. The number of studies on guns would decline. Scientists' understanding of the violence that kills tens of thousands of Americans each year would stagnate.

The records made public last June were gathered as part of an effort to quantify and publicize how many Californians were seeking to carry a concealed firearm in public. The state also keeps meticulous data regarding every firearm transaction  every sale, every transfer. Under California law, even private gun transactions must happen through a retailer. The state maintains a single file that records every legal handgun transfer since 1996 and every rifle and shotgun transfer since 2014. No other state has anything like it.

"The capacity to answer ... questions with that data in California is really meaningful for the rest of the country," said Cassandra Crifasi, a firearm researcher at Johns Hopkins University. "Some of the work that (California researchers are doing)  you literally could not do anywhere else, because of their decision to prioritize this information."

For decades, senior academics outside of California actively discouraged young researchers from studying gun violence, Crifasi said. Megan Ranney, now dean of the Yale School of Public Health, was told at the start of her career not to study guns. She was an emergency physician at the time, and a series of cases rattled her: a domestic violence victim shot by her partner; a young man whom Ranney's team saved from a first gunshot wound but whom they couldn't save from a second; a young man who took his own life with one of his parents' firearms. The incidents stuck with Ranney, but mentors across the country warned her that investigating the issue was "too politically fraught."

Scientists elsewhere envied the Golden State, but lacked the funding to carry out the research that was possible here.

That changed in 2019, when Congress authorized new federal funds for gun violence research for the first time since 1996. With the new money  $25 million a year  academics everywhere could finally start to do what Californian researchers have been doing since before the turn of the millennium.

The field has exploded. Seven years ago, almost every scientist studying firearm injury prevention  a little more than a dozen people  met in a single room, Ranney told the Los Angeles Times. Last year, gun violence researchers held their first-ever conference dedicated solely to firearm injury prevention and treatment. More than 500 researchers gathered in Washington, D.C., to discuss research-backed methods for reducing firearm violence.

All of that new science is now at risk. In Washington, where Republicans now control the House of Representatives, partisan disagreements could trigger a government shutdown at the end of September, and lawmakers may need to scramble to reach a deal. President Biden and Senate Democrats might not make a point to defend a $25 million line within a $1.7 trillion spending bill.

"It's going to be a fierce battle," said Mark Rosenberg, a former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official who oversaw early efforts to research gun violence in the 1990s. He stressed that Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, the powerful appropriations chair in the House, "has said she wants to get rid of the little bit of funding that is there."

Granger's office did not respond to a request for comment. But House Republicans confirmed their intention to rid this year's appropriations bills of funding for gun-violence prevention. Their markup proposal for next year's Labor, Health and Human Services and Education bill scraps the funding, referring to it as "controversial."

In October, the California gun-rights activists challenging the state law that requires the state to share gun transaction data with researchers won an injunction blocking the state from enforcing the law while their case unfolds. Since then, gun-violence researchers have been unable to access up-to-date information about California firearm transactions.

That's a big problem, Wintemute said. Scientists regularly use California's data to assemble cohorts of firearm purchasers and follow them forward in time. At one point, Wintemute's team tracked two groups: Californians convicted of violent misdemeanors who tried to purchase a firearm before the state prohibited that demographic from buying guns, and a group with the same conviction who tried to buy firearms after the policy changed. The researchers found that the second group, which was not allowed to purchase the firearm, had a 25% lower rate of subsequent arrest.

That finding suggested that California's decision to block people convicted of violent misdemeanors from owning guns made them less likely to commit violent crimes in the future. In a country where the vast majority of gun laws are not supported by evidence, such findings are rare.

Firearm industry interests, who consistently oppose efforts to provide academics with data on gun violence, know that their political efforts hinder potentially useful research. Laws that block data access "prevent researchers from conducting accurate studies with the number and distribution of firearms as a variable," Josh Savani, the National Rifle Association's director of research and information, wrote in a 2021 internal report.

Only a small handful of gun safety policies are supported by strong evidence, according to Andrew Morral, who runs a team at the RAND Corp. that tracks the current state of gun research. Morral's group has identified supportive evidence that more restrictive concealed-carry laws reduce violent crime, for example, but inconclusive evidence that such laws affect suicide rates. Moderate evidence suggests that minimum age requirements prevent suicide, but only limited evidence supports the idea that assault weapon bans prevent mass shootings  despite the fact that many mass shootings involve assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

"The quality of research in this area has been uneven," Morral said. "As a result, if you are really dedicated to a particular perspective, you can cherry-pick research that supports your perspective."

Researchers said they hope other states embrace California's approach to data access, but note that the state's informational infrastructure is the product of decades of work. How the lawsuit over data sharing is resolved could set the tone for the rest of the country, especially other states considering similar policies.

Some jurisdictions have taken small steps toward replicating California's data infrastructure, researchers noted. Michigan will soon expand access to data for extreme-risk protection orders, said April Zeoli, a gun researcher at the University of Michigan. Cities such as Chicago have made strides to gather and analyze data on gun violence.

But on a national level, Ranney stressed, data are sparse: Academics lack data on the secondary effects of a bullet being fired  in other words, the damage done to family and friends of those harmed by gun violence, alongside witnesses. They lack much data on the best ways for researchers to partner with law enforcement, and on how to identify the people who are most at risk. They're still trying to more fully understand how different demographic groups experience gun violence differently.

Zeoli said that her state's policies for sharing data are vastly different from California's. "California is so, so unique," she said. "I don't know that any state is going to or wants to have the data systems around firearms that California is able to have."

If courts block continued data-sharing, California could still aid gun-violence researchers by providing funding if  or when  federal money dries up. California's research push flourished during the 23-year funding freeze because the state has a tendency to take the lead on issues when other states cannot, Wintemute said.

"The absence of funding elsewhere made it, on balance, easier to get funding here in California," he said. "As governors of other states run for higher office on very conservative platforms, this state will probably say: 'Not here. We are different.'"

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With more heat waves expected this summer, California officials are trying to assess the long-term economic impact on workers and businesses  and what more can be done to protect workers bearing the brunt of extreme temperatures.

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Although California is one of the few states with heat standards protecting outdoor workers, advocates and workers say enforcement is still a struggle. Meanwhile the state has been trying for years to create indoor workplace heat rules.

A 2021 study of California worker compensation data by a left-leaning economic research nonprofit shows hot days lead to increased workplace accidents across California. The Washington Center for Equitable Growth study estimates hot temperatures have caused at least 360,000 workplace injuries in California from 2001 to 2018, or about 20,000 injuries a year.

Researchers examined California workers compensation data and tracked daily temperatures down to the ZIP code. They compared the number of worker injuries and illnesses on 85-to-105-degree days to days when temperatures hovered around 60 degrees.

A new state advisory committee is set to use this data as a road map to tackle hot workplace issues. The group of state agency staffers and scholars will examine persistent problems with underreported heat-related illness and injuries, as well as gaps in data collection and the financial toll on workers and businesses when temperatures rise and production falls.

Young workers at risk

A day above 100 degrees can lead to a 10-15% increase in same-day injuries on the job, the study says, with injuries hitting low-wage workers hardest. And recovering from a heat-related injury or illness costs the average worker $35,000, including health care and long-term wage impact.

This implies that the welfare impacts associated with heat-related workplace injuries may be on the order of $525 million to $875 million per year in California alone, the study authors wrote.

The study says workplace injuries include incidents not usually linked to heat, such as falling from heights, getting struck by a vehicle or mishandling dangerous machinery. Research links high temperatures to reduced cognitive performance and decision-making.

The lead author of the study, University of Pennsylvania professor R. Jisung Park, is a member of the advisory committee. He and his co-authors found that low-wage workers, especially young men, face the greatest risks of heat injuries, even in mostly indoor workplaces like restaurants or warehouses.

The state's advisory committee met for the first time at the end of June. Its mandate is part of a package of heat-related legislation passed last year.

Gov. Gavin Newsom in September signed several bills creating the first extreme heat warning and ranking system in the nation, directing the California Department of Public Health to study the impact of extreme heat on pregnant workers and encouraging local governments to invest in protections against extreme heat and other climate effects.

There are certain sectors that are going to be heavily influenced of course, including food production, said Daniel Sumner, an advisory committee member who is an agricultural and labor economist at UC Davis. I think wed be remiss not to try to think through impacts that directly affect workers lower productivity, raise danger for workers, and as a consequence raise food prices.

Are California workers protected from heat?

California is one of a few states with laws that mandate employers provide water breaks, shade and rest for outdoor workers once temperatures reach certain levels.

The state implemented its outdoor heat standard in 2005, after several farmworkers  three in Kern County and one in Fresno County  died due to heat exposure. After the 2008 death of a pregnant teen working in a Central Valley vineyard drew national outrage, state officials frantically tried to strengthen and enforce the heat protections.

The Washington Center study found occupational heat-related injuries in California declined by about 30% since the standards took effect in 2005.

There still are no heat-related federal workplace protections, even for outdoor workers, although the Occupational Health and Safety Administration announced two years ago it was developing heat rules for outdoor and indoor workers.

Theres currently little relief for Californias indoor workers. The state has been considering proposals for heat rules for employees in indoor settings like restaurants or warehouses for nearly seven years, missing a 2019 deadline the Legislature set.

Last summer, a 24-year-old United Parcel Service driver died after collapsing from the heat during deliveries in Pasadena.

The 340,000-strong union representing the UPS workers has been seeking heat rules that would cover its California members. The union reached a "historic" contract agreement with the company on Tuesday after threatening a strike, securing a deal with higher wages and more heat protections.

Jassy Grewal, a lobbyist for the United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council and a member of the states heat advisory committee, said workers in high-intensity environments, or those who dont have a cool place at home, are especially vulnerable without indoor heat rules.

What type of pressures from employers, like work quotas, contribute to heat-related illness? Grewal asked during the first committee meeting. And how does the intensity of work and how physically demanding it is relate to the impact of heat exposure while at work and while not at work?

Gaps in job protections

Unions and worker advocates have sued the state in the past to enforce heat-related regulations, and they say the state needs to hold employers accountable.

Advocacy groups warn that despite progress, the greatest risk to workers lies with the states troubled enforcement record.

Some experts say its as simple as better outreach, informing workers about heat risks and their rights.

It's all implementation and ensuring that these workers actually get the benefits of these laws, said Michael Mendez, environmental policy professor at UC Irvine, and having a culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging on the risk and severity of these heat waves.

I think for any population it's confusing to understand how our climate is changing and how much risk they could have. So ensuring that we have trusted messengers and doing it in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way matters.

The United Farm Workers sued the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, in 2012 to compel the state to enforce heat rules for farmworkers. In 2015 the state settled a suit the union brought on behalf of five farmworkers who alleged Cal/OSHA was systematically neglecting its duty to enforce the 2005 law.

UFW spokesperson Antonio de Loera-Brust told CalMatters people died to win Californias enforcement standards.

We expect state agencies to be out in full strength across California to make sure employers are being compliant with the state heat rules, De Loera-Brust said. Heat is still a deadly hazard.

Farmworker health

A February study on California farmworker health and safety by the UC Merced Community and Labor Center found that only a third of farm laborers could recognize the symptoms of a heat-related illness.

Only half of the roughly 1,500 farmworkers surveyed said their employers always provide shade mandated by California law when it hits 80 degrees, while a quarter said their employers never or rarely provide the required shade.

The study, which surveyed farmworkers in six languages, also found:

About 22% of farmworkers said their employer never monitors for heat illness. A slightly higher percentage in the Imperial Valley, where scorching temperatures are common, said the same.

82% of farmworkers in the San Joaquin Valley said they have received heat-related illness training.

About 43% of farmworkers statewide, including two-thirds of Central Coast farmworkers, said their employers never had a written heat illness protection plan.

Some farm employers still dont comply with state rules about providing water, shade and rest, the survey shows.

55% of farmworkers across the state said their employers always monitored the temperature on hot days  76% said it in the Imperial Valley, but 46% did in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

75% of farmworkers said their employers provide clean drinking water every time.

Barely half of farmworkers reported their employers always provide a 10-minute cool-down rest, while 21% said their employers never did.

Alice Berliner, worker health and safety program director at the community and labor center, said its clear employers of some workers arent getting safety information or training in Spanish when they need it.

We know heat-related deaths are going up, she said. If we want to prevent future deaths from happening, we really need to ensure workers are protected at work.

State officials taking preventive measures, such as conducting heat sweeps ahead of heat waves, has helped, she added.

What will the state committee do?

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who authored legislation creating the advisory committee last year, called the panel of 13 a solid first step. He said he will work with the Legislature to do more for workers.

Climate change is accelerating, and extreme heat and heat-related illnesses are on the rise, the Salinas Democrat said in a statement. California is committed to protecting workers health and quality of life during extreme heat waves.

Despite near-universal consensus among state officials and advocates that heat reform work is urgent, and despite recent record-shattering temperatures, the committee has been given a 2026 deadline to report results to the Legislature.

The committee is set to meet quarterly. The next session is Sept. 19. Members indicated theyll likely commission a study to guide the committees work.

I have no doubt the work this committee will do will save lives, said Cal/OSHA chief Jeff Killip at the meeting.

Photos: Hot weather has US, world sweltering
Vallejo has declared a state of emergency over a shortage of police officers that officials say has plunged the city into crisis, forcing the city police department to disband its traffic unit and assign detectives to fill vacant patrol positions.

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"Our police officers  the numbers continue to decline," Councilmember Mina Loera-Diaz said, acknowledging the department's recent string of departures during a public hearing Tuesday that preceded the council's unanimous vote.

"It's placed all of our city residents, those that visit here, and even the police officers in danger," Loera-Diaz continued, referring to the dearth of staff.

Interim Police Chief Jason Ta sought the emergency proclamation, hoping it would give him latitude to change the department's staffing models as needed, and possibly reach out to other law enforcement agencies for assistance. The City Council will re-evaluate the state of emergency every 60 days.

With a public safety emergency declared, Ta and the city manager could try strategies to make the department run more efficiently  such as shifting officers to 12-hour work schedules  without having to immediately negotiate with the labor union. Ta said he could also potentially coax officers out of retirement to boost the ranks.

As of Wednesday, the department had roughly 75 sworn personnel, Deputy Chief Joseph Gomez said in an interview. Those numbers include 34 patrol officers, four compliance staff and three internal affairs investigators, along with the chief and command staff. Fifty-one sworn positions are vacant, Gomez said.

Burdened with 30 to 40 calls for service at any given time, officers are jumping "from call to call," Ta said during the meeting Tuesday, describing a situation of constant, high-stress triage that leads to burnout and consumes time that would otherwise be devoted to investigations, Gomez said.

Representatives of the police officers' union opposed the emergency declaration, Loera-Diaz said at the council meeting. The union did not respond to a request for comment.

Five people are undergoing background checks to work as sworn police officers in Vallejo, Ta said, though he cautioned that the hiring process can take up to two years: Applicants must be vetted, graduate from the police academy, complete field training and undergo a probation period. As new people apply, veteran officers quit, retire, or take leave for injuries, which means the department's numbers keep fluctuating.

Fifteen officers are currently on some form of injury leave, Ta said. He anticipates that 10 of them will not return.

How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years Spending on public safety in cities in the US has doubled since 1980 Police funding has remained about half of public safety budgets consistently for 40 years Even with ballooning public safety budgets, many cities allocate more money to the police Some cities have reigned in police spending, while others have tightened overall public safety budgets
The European Union is deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian situation affecting the local population in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The movement through the Lachin corridor remains obstructed for more than seven months, despite Orders by the International Court of Justice to reopen it. This was stated Wednesday by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU).

"Medical supplies and essential goods are in short supply or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee safety and freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor imminently and not to permit the crisis to escalate further.

We took note of the expressed readiness of the Azerbaijani authorities to also supply goods via the city of Aghdam. This should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor. The EU also notes that ICRC activities in the region have been heavily impacted and calls for their full resumption, including medical evacuations and humanitarian supplies. The EU stresses that humanitarian access must not be politicised by any actors.

The European Union, and in particular President of the European Council Charles Michel, has been heavily engaged in supporting the normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as in promoting a dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert/Khankendi. This also requires the genuine commitment of all sides to negotiated outcomes and a future built on common interests and mutual trust," the statement says.
The convoy of trucks to transport humanitarian relief from Armenia to Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) through the Lachin corridor continues to stay at the border area of Kornidzor, Syunik region.

Vardan Sargsyan, representative of the humanitarian crisis management working group in Nagorno-Karabakh, told reporters that they are waiting for a response from the Russian peacekeepers expected to continue the delivery of aid from Syunik to Nagorno Karabakh.

"We have turned to the Russian peacekeepers regarding the transportation of the aid. At the moment we do not have any answer, we are waiting for it," he said, clarifying that they had no answer from the Russian peacekeepers when the convoy left Yerevan on Wednesday.

In her turn, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Anna Zhamakochyan said that this batch of relief is naturally not enough, adding that some more will follow.

Armenia has sent 19 trucks loaded with 400 tons of essential food and goods to Kornidzor, Syunik region, from where it is planned to transfer the aid to the residents of Nagorno Karabakh with the help of Russian peacekeepers. Nagorno Karabakh has been in blockade by Azerbaijan for more than six months now.

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If Azerbaijan does not allow the entry of humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, it will prove that its real goal is to starve the people of Nagorno Karabakh and to subject them to genocide, Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a cabinet meeting today.

Pashinyan informed that the humanitarian relief has reached Kornidzor, which is located in Syunik region and is the entry to the Lachin corridor linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and the world.



We have requested that the representatives of the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh accept the cargo and transport it to Nagorno-Karabakh, where a humanitarian crisis has been in place as a result of the Lachin corridor being illegally blocked for eight months, he said.

Azerbaijan, however, obstructs the entry of humanitarian goods into the Lachin corridor and Nagorno Karabakh. This practice is incomprehensible and unacceptable, Pashinyan added.

Further, the Armenian PM said that Azerbaijan's pretext for illegally blocking the Lachin corridor was that Armenia was using the corridor for military purposes.

Of course, this is an absurd claim, but this claim was used as an excuse for the illegal blocking of the Lachin corridor," he explained.



Why does Azerbaijan not allow this cargo to enter Nagorno Karabakh? Is it not because the real goal of Azerbaijan is to starve the people of Nagorno Karabakh, to subject them to genocide? Nikol Pashinyan said.

Regardless of our assessments, we are waiting for a positive response from the Russian peacekeeping force, official Baku, because not allowing the entry of humanitarian cargo will only confirm the fears over Baku's intention to orchestrate genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The entry of the humanitarian cargo waiting at the entrance of the Lachin corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh will contribute to efforts to establish peace in the region. It will be a positive step on the way to establishing an atmosphere of trust," Nikol Pashinyan explained.
The National Assembly of Artsakh issued a message addressed to the Member States of the United Nations, calling on them to recognize the independence of the Republic of [Artsakh] Nagorno-Karabakh.

Based on the UN Charter, the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1948 UN Convention on Human Rights, Convention "On the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide", European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950, the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other international treaties regarding International Human Rights Law and Humanitarian Law, the 1974UN General Assembly Resolution on "Definition of Aggression", the 2005 UN General Assembly Resolution "On the Obligation to Protect the Population from Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing and Crimes Against Humanity", the results of the September 2, 1991 declaration "On the Proclamation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic", the results of the December 10, 1991 referendum on the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the January 6, 1992 Law of the NKR Supreme Council "On the Basics of the Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic", the January 6, 1992decision of the NKR Supreme Council "On Approving the Text of the NKR State Independence Declaration", agreements on an Indefinite Ceasefire of May 9, 1994 between the parties to the conflict, the document adopted by the First Meeting of the OSCE Senior Officials on March 31, 1995, the November 9, 2020, Trilateral Declaration signed by Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on the cessation of all military operations in Nagorno Karabakh, according to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights of December 21, 2022,the February 22, 2023 decisions of the UN International Court of Justice (reaffirmed on July 6), the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of June 22, 2023,

Strictly condemning the fact that the Azerbaijani side regularly violates the provisions of the November 9, 2020, Tripartite Declaration,

Drawing attention to the fact that Azerbaijan has not yet fulfilled its obligations to release Armenian prisoners of war and hostage civilians and, in every possible way, prevents the return of internally displaced persons to Nagorno-Karabakh and neighboring regions, which, according to the provisions of the Declaration, should have taken place under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

The threats posed by Azerbaijan to the civilian population of Artsakh since the signing of the Tripartite Declaration, have not only not decreased, but have increased significantly. In this regard, we record the following facts:

- On January 30, 1992, Azerbaijan, along with Armenia, became a member of the Council for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE; OSCE since 1995), having assumed obligations. The CSCE recognized the sovereignty of these countries on condition that they, in their turn, accept the fact of disagreements regarding the ownership of Nagorno Karabakh and agree that the future status of Nagorno Karabakh will be decided at an international conference, which will take place under the auspices of the CSCE. Both states have given their consent, undertaking to solve the problem peacefully. Azerbaijan violated its commitments and unleashed a large-scale aggression against the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh). Organizing its self-defense, the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) showed worthy resistance and defended its independence in the war initiated by Azerbaijan in 1992-1994. In May 1994, Azerbaijan had to sign an agreement with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic - the Agreement "On a Complete Cessation of Fire and Hostilities", which was recognized by the international community.

- On April 2, 2016, the Republic of Azerbaijan, violating all norms of international law and disrupting the long-term negotiation process on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, again unleashed a large-scale military aggression against the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) which was stopped by the intervention of the Russian Federation.

- On September 27, 2020, despite the trilateral ceasefire agreement reached, with the full support of Turkey and direct control of military operations with the involvement of thousands of hired terrorists from different countries of the Middle East, Azerbaijan again resorted to large-scale military aggression against the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh), which was stopped on November 9, 2020 after the signing of the Tripartite Declaration "On the Cessation of All Hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh by the Leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan."

- On December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijanis so-called "environmentalists", by the order and agreement of the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan, entered the area under the Russian peacekeeping mission responsibility, at the intersection of the Shushi-Karintak roads, and blocked the only road between Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and the Republic of Armenia, the Lachin Corridor, having also cut off the supply of energy, gas and electricity through the area.

- On December 21, 2022, the European Court of Human Rights adopted a decision, by which Azerbaijan is obliged to take all necessary and sufficient measures to secure the Lachin Corridor for the seriously ill persons in need of transportation to Armenia for medical treatment;

- On February 22, 2023, the UN International Court of Justice passed a decision by which Azerbaijan is obliged to take all necessary and sufficient measures to ensure the unimpeded movement of people, vehicles and cargo through the Lachin Corridor in both directions. It was reaffirmed on July 6.

- On April 23 of this year, ignoring the provisions set out in the Tripartite Statement of November 9, 2020, the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights of December 21, 2022 and judgments of the International Court of Justice confirmed on 22 February and 6 July 2023, Azerbaijan have illegally set up a checkpoint in the corridor, thus deepening the blockade and taking the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) under a complete siege since June 15.

- As a result of such anti-human actions, 120,000 civilians of Artsakh (including 30,000 children) faced a real threat of ethnic cleansing from Azerbaijan. About 30,000 internally displaced persons are still unable to return to their permanent place of residence.

- Pursuing the undisguised goal of depopulating Artsakh and annexing it by force, and violating the existing norms of international law with impunity, Azerbaijan is consistently illegally occupying new territories of the Republic of Artsakh. Along with the regular shelling of Armenian settlements, the killing and intimidation of the civilian population, the creation of all sorts of obstacles to their normal life with an intention to make the life of people unbearable, Azerbaijan, at the same time, commits acts of vandalism against the Armenian historical and cultural heritage.

Warning that the population of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) is under siege from Azerbaijan and faces the danger of LOSS OF HOMELAND and GENOCIDAL actions of the Azerbaijani authorities,

Taking into account the genocidal policy implemented by Azerbaijan towards the population of Artsakh and the most serious ontological threats facing its population, the Republic of Artsakh National Assembly, the highest representative body endowed with the primary mandate of the people of Artsakh, expressing the will and position of the entire population of the republic,

ADDRESSES A MESSAGE

to the UN member countries and

MAKES AN APPEAL

Guided by the norm of the right of nations to self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter, based on the declaration of September 2, 1991 "On the Proclamation of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh", the results of the referendum on independence of December 10, 1991,Law of the NKR Supreme Council "On the Basics of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" of January 6, 1992, the decision of the NKR Supreme Council "On approving the text of the NKR State Independence Declaration" of January 6, 1992,to recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh).

- It is undisputable that all necessary grounds for recognition are there. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has realized its right to self-determination without violating the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, without violating the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the USSR, the definition of the Law of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of April 3, 1990 On the Secession of Union Republics from the USSR, according to which autonomous republics and autonomous entities have the right to independently decide whether to stay in the union or in a union republic which leaves it, and also to resolve the issue of their own state-legal status, following all norms of international law.

- We are strongly convinced that that the recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) by the UN member states will become a reliable guarantee of the security of our people, contribute to the creation of favorable conditions for its normal life in his historical homeland. This will also ensure stability, long-term and permanent peace in the South Caucasus region.

- We firmly believe, that the only way to prevent the impending tragedy is the recognition of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)independence based on the principle of RECOGNITION IN THE NAME OF SALVATION, the message reads.
We reaffirm our principled position that the illegal blocking of the [Berdzor] Lachin Corridor must be removed, and the [ceasefire] regime established by the tripartite statement of November 9 must be restored. Armenia has no authority and cannot discuss issues related to other ways of delivering goods to [Artsakh] Nagorno-Karabakh, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said, answering questions of the press.

"Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement on the Lachin Corridor with the tripartite statement of November 9, and the signatures of the leaders of the three countries are available under this agreement," he noted.

The Armenian Foreign Minister considers it noteworthy that the international partners in their public statements have also emphasized that there is no alternative to removing the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and that various references to other roads cannot be considered as an alternative to the removal of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which is Azerbaijan's direct obligation.

Once again, it is necessary to remind about the legally binding decisions of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, 2023, which unconditionally confirm our position, Mirzoyan added.
On July 27, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Sergey Ghazaryan received Jean-Yves Camus, the adviser of the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, Artsakh MFA reports.

During the meeting, parties discussed the dire humanitarian situation resulting from the complete siege of Artsakh. The Minister presented detailed information on the humanitarian challenges that have emerged across various critical domains.

Jean-Yves Camus, on behalf of the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, expressed concern for the situation and conveyed the Paris Mayors position that the Lachin Corridor must be opened immediately and without any precondition.

Foreign Minister Sergey Ghazaryan thanked the authorities and the people of France for consistently upholding a courageous and honest stance on the Artsakh issue.

The parties further discussed potential solutions to address the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, as well as the plans of various French regions and cities to dispatch humanitarian assistance to Artsakh.
The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh issued a comment regarding the press statement made by the Russian Foreign Minister following the tripartite meeting in Moscow.

In connection with the press statement made by the Russian Foreign Minister following the trilateral talks with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, which took place on 25 July 2023, we consider it necessary to state the following.

The Republic of Artsakh highly appreciates the long-standing mediation efforts of the Russian Federation, both in a national capacity and as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair. We are grateful to Russia for its exceptional contribution to putting an end to the 44-day aggression of Azerbaijan and for its peacekeeping mission in Artsakh.

We took note that during the meeting, the Russian side presented its assessment of measures that need to be taken promptly and without delay to provide the population of Artsakh with food, medicines and other essentials, and ensure uninterrupted electricity and gas supply.

While not questioning Russia's commitment to helping the parties find a long-term settlement to the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict and facilitate the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, we believe it is necessary to note that the vision of dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku proposed by the Russian side is not balanced. The statement that there is a need for dialogue to agree on the rights arising from international obligations, including conventions on the protection of the rights of national minorities, reflects the viewpoint of only one party - Azerbaijan. Such an approach predetermines the outcome of any potential dialogue and thereby undermines and devalues its meaning.

The assertion that the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict is a problem of ensuring the rights of a national minority is a false narrative promoted by Azerbaijan with the aim of distorting the essence of the conflict and justifying the denial of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination, a fundamental principle of international law, which the Russian Federation itself has invoked many times. Attempts to find a solution to the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict based on the logic of safeguarding the rights of national minorities are detached from reality and cannot lead to a fair, balanced and dignified peace. Against the backdrop of Azerbaijan's blatant non-compliance with the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, and its international obligation to implement legally binding decisions of the International Court of Justice, observe the norms of international humanitarian law and eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, claims suggesting that Azerbaijan will voluntarily adhere to any mechanisms are devoid of any basis. Attempts to impose such a vision of conflict resolution are fraught with catastrophic consequences.

As regards the remark that the most sensitive issue of the negotiations "remains the problem of guarantees for the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in the context of ensuring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in full accordance with the 1991 Declaration signed by the leaders of the former Soviet republics in Alma-Ata", we consider it appropriate to recall again that by the time of signing this document, the Republic of Artsakh had completed the process of seceding from the Azerbaijan SSR in compliance with the legislation of the Soviet Union and the norms of international law.

Furthermore, the Alma-Ata Declaration, like any international document, should be guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other universally accepted norms and principles of international law. Therefore, the Alma-Ata Declaration contains the same principles and norms as the UN Charter, including the right to self-determination. However, the interpretation of the relationship between different legal norms is subject to the overall logic of the development of international law and international practice. In this regard, we consider it necessary to emphasise that the right to secession, based on the principle of self-determination of peoples, prevails over the principle of territorial integrity of states in cases of massive serious human rights violations and discriminatory policies. This formula, in particular, is described in the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States, which has been repeatedly invoked by the Russian Foreign Minister. We express our consent with the interpretation repeatedly provided by the Russian side regarding the relationship between the principles of the right to self-determination and territorial integrity. This approach has also been established in the judicial practices of various countries.

We strongly urge the international actors that in settling the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict they are guided solely by the principles of international law and the interests of people who for nearly 8 months have been on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe, as well as under the growing threat of ethnic cleansing.
Typhoon leaves 25 dead in Philippine ferry tragedy

Typhoon leaves 25 dead in Philippine ferry tragedy

Rain and strong winds led to the capsize of a ferry in the Philippines in which at least 25 people died on Thursday as Doksuri regained super typhoon strength in its final approach to southeastern China.



The ferry sank near the Philippine capital of Manila after passengers alarmed by strong winds rushed to one side of the boat, overturning it. As many as 36 people have been killed this week during Doksuri's transit off the northern Philippines.



It was not immediately clear how many people were on board, but disaster official Neil Ferrer told DZRH radio that 40 people had been rescued and a search is ongoing for six missing people.



Members of the coast guard were seen pulling a body of what looked like a woman without a life vest from choppy waters as they carried out search and rescue operations, a video shared by the PCG showed.



The boat was about 45 metres from land when it was hit by strong winds, causing all passengers to panic and move to one side, which caused the vessel to capsize off the waters of Binangonan, the PCG said.



Binangonan is a coastal town just two hours of drive from the capital, Manila.



As of 5pm, the winds around the eye of the storm had reached up to 187 km per hour, putting Doksuri back on the top rung of the mainland's tropical storm categorisation system after weakening earlier.



Doksuri is expected to make landfall in China on Friday morning somewhere between Dongshan and Putian in the southeastern province of Fujian.



On Thursday, three coastal cities in Fujian shut schools, businesses and factories, while flood control authorities in one of them, Xiamen, warned of a "serious impact".



The China Meteorological Administration forecast that Doksuri would be weaker than 2016's Typhoon Meranti, the strongest storm to hit China's coast since 1949 which killed at least 11 people. (Reuters)
SIU star-viewing party set for Aug. 5

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Star-gazers are invited to join Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois and the Adler Planetarium of Chicago for a free night of guided telescope observations, accompanied by family-friendly astronomy and science activities.

The Southern Illinois Star Party 2023 is set for Saturday, Aug. 5, from 7 p.m. to midnight at University Farms Astronomy Observation Area. Shuttles will pick up participants at parking lot 63, near the corner of Oakland Avenue and Chautauqua Street. No registration is required and the event is free and open to the public.

The event is eight months until the next total solar eclipse slated to hit the area April 8, 2024.

Organizers will have several nighttime and solar telescopes on hand operated by amateur astronomers and SIU School of Physics and Applied Physics faculty, staff and students. Participants will be able to see the sun, moon, Mercury, Mars, Saturn and other celestial objects. Limited concessions will be available on site.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets as well as photography or telescope equipment.
A case was registered on May 11, 2023, against the two accussed on the allegations that they have been impersonating as government officials of Canada, utilizing this facade to execute their fraudulent activities.

Their modus operandi involved providing fake technical support consultation to unsuspecting foreign victims and then coercing them into transferring cryptocurrency funds, CBI said.

The ill-gotten cryptocurrency assets were subsequently routed through multiple crypto wallets, ultimately ending up in the perpetrators' own crypto accounts.

During searches, incriminating digital evidences or electronic devices, among other were seized. Besides, cash worth approximately one crore was seized from the premises of accused Sahil Pal, CBI said Wednesday.

CBI said further investigation in the matter is on. (ANI)
Actor Aditi Rao Hydari left everyone awe-struck with her magical regal look at India Couture Week 2023. She slayed in ace designer Ritu Kumar's designed outfit on Wednesday night. Aditi has been making waves in the fashion world with her stunning style statement for a while now. Her fashion undoubtedly reflects her poised and graceful personality. She walked the ramp wearing an ivory ensemble that featured the esque handcrafted details over the skirt and the blouse. She wore a full-sleeved blouse adorned with intricate embroidery and mirrorwork. For the glam, she kept minimal makeup and opted for a 'mangtika' to accessorize her entire beautiful look. During the media interaction post-show, Aditi opened up about what fashion means to her. She said, I dont have a fashion mantra, thats my fashion mantra. I believe that we should wear clothes then that they should wear us. It should not be peer pressure or any burden. We should have fun with the clothes that we wear. I think what is more important is to love yourself and love what you wear and that is what truly matters. Earlier this year, Aditi made heads turn with her stylish appearance at Cannes 2023. Aditi represented cosmetics giant L'Oreal at Cannes 2023. She hit the red carpet in a voluminous yellow floor-length gown. She kept hair and makeup simple and jewellery to a minimum. Meanwhile, on the work front, Aditi is all set to star in the Indo-U.K co-production 'Lioness'.'Lioness', the official Indo-UK co-production being made under the bilateral treaty signed by the two countries in 2008, was announced at the India Pavilion (managed by FICCI under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) at Cannes Film Festival. The film inspired by the research of Peter Bance, the historian who discovered the story of Princess Sophia Duleep, is the story of two British Punjabi women living in the UK, a century apart. Peter is also one of the executive producers of the film. Aditi also has Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi' in her kitty. (ANI)
Actor Varun Dhawan shared his experience of working with Sajid Nadiadwala in the movie 'Bawaal' and also spoke about future collaboration with the producer. While talking about his collaboration with Nadiawala, Varun said, "Bawaal marks my third collaboration with Sajid sir, and it undeniably stands as the most special one. From the beginning, he told that the film would create a global impact, and now witnessing it topping charts worldwide has been amazing. Prior to filming, he always believed this could be my best role to date, and with a director like Nitesh sir, it has brought out an unseen side of me that the audience hasn't seen." About any future collaboration with Sajid, he added, My father loves Sajid sir, and they have always pushed each other to aim for bigger and better things. I keep encouraging Sajid sir to direct a film soon. I'm sure that in the future, you will see me back under the NGE banner for something even bigger." '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. 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. The film was released on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video on July 21. (ANI)